HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-13-2020 HPC Agenda PacketHistoric Preservation Commission
Thursday, August 13, 2020
7:00 PM
Village Boardroom
24401 W. Lockport Street
Plainfield, IL 60544
Agenda
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Approval of the Minutes of the Historic Preservation Commission held on May 14,
2020.
05-14-2020 HPC Minutes.pdf
CHAIR'S COMMENTS
COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS
PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 minutes per topic) -
• Please email public comments to publiccomments@goplainfield.com, please note PUBLIC
COMMENTS - HPC in the email subject line. Comments must be received
by Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
• Village Meetings are livestreamed on the Village’s Website -
https://plainfield-il.org/pages/agendasmeetings, click “in progress” when available.
• Live meetings are broadcast on Comcast Channel 6 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99.
OLD BUSINESS
NEW BUSINESS
CASE NUMBER: 1845-062819.HPC
REQUEST: Landmark designation (Public Hearing)
LOCATION: 15017 S. Bartlett Avenue
APPLICANT: Caryn Burke
Please email public comments to publiccomments@goplainfield.com, please note
PUBLIC HEARING COMMENTS - HPC in the email subject line. Comments must be
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Historic Preservation Commission Page - 2
received by Thursday, August 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
15017 S. Bartlett Ave. Staff Report & Nomination.pdf
DISCUSSION
ADJOURN
REMINDERS -
August 17th - Village Board at 7:00 p.m.
August 18th - Plan Commission at 7:00 p.m.
September 10th - Historic Preservation Commission at 7:00 p.m.
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Meeting of the Historic Preservation Commission
Record of Minutes
Date: May 14, 2020 Location: Village Hall (Zoom Meeting)
CALL TO ORDER, ROLL CALL, PLEDGE
Chairman Bortel called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll call was taken: Commissioners Lucas,
Barvian, Schmidt, Olsen, Derrick, Hendricksen, Rapp, and Chairman Bortel were present. Commissioner
Hagen was absent. Also, in attendance: Jonathan Proulx, Director of Planning; and Jessica Gal,
Associate Planner.
Chairman Bortel led the pledge to the flag.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Derrick made a motion to approve the agenda. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Voice
Vote. All in favor. 0 opposed. Motion carried 8-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Historic Preservation Commission minutes dated February 13, 2020 were accepted as presented.
Commissioner Hendricksen made a motion to approve the March 12, 2020 minutes of the Historic
Preservation Commission. Seconded by Commissioner Olsen. Voice Vote. All in favor. 0 opposed.
Motion carried 8-0.
CHAIR’S COMMENTS
Chairman Bortel reminded the commission of the Farnsworth House tour in June.
COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS
No Comments.
PUBLIC COMMENT
No Public Comments received via email.
OLD BUSINESS
No Old Business.
NEW BUSINESS
15102 s. Fox River St. Concept Review Meyer Design
Ms. Gal stated the subject structure is a contributing structure to the Downtown Historic District. It is
presently vacant, zoned B-5, and would be occupied by a commercial user once renovated. The applicant
is proposing modifications to the existing structure including a building addition to the south that would
add additional dining area on the first floor. The primary changes are observed on the southern and
eastern elevations. The subject structure was constructed circa 1890 and is identified as being a “Cross
Plan” house, one of few in the Village.
Ms. Gal concluded the applicant and staff seek input from the Historic Preservation Commission
regarding the proposed changes to the building prior to the applicant seeking a Certificate of
Appropriateness.
Commissioner Barvian asked the applicant to explain the location of the deck. Mr. Concannon stated the
desk will extend to the sidewalks on Lockport St. and Fox River St. Commissioner Barvian asked how
much larger this building will be than the original building. Mr. Concannon stated they are adding about
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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
May 14, 2020
Page 2 of 3
200 square feet onto the existing building, which will allow them to move the stairs to maintain access to
the second floor. Commissioner Barvian asked what the second floor will be used for. Mr. Concannon
indicated office space or personal quarters.
Commissioner Lucas stated his question was regarding the size of the deck and it has already been
answered.
Commissioner Derrick stated the addition will obscure the Cross Plan design which the Urban Survey
mentions. Commissioner Derrick stated the survey also indicates the porch addition dates to 1925 and
wants to know if the window and doors date back to 1925. Mr. Concannon indicated the doors are not
original and windows could be from when the porch was built.
Commissioner Derrick asked what materials will be used. Mr. Concannon stated the siding will be metal,
and wood windows, he also indicated the windows on the house may be original from when the house
was built. Commissioner Derrick asked if the windows will be restored or replaced. Mr. Concannon is
not sure at this time. Commissioner Derrick asked is the porch area is getting new windows. Mr.
Concannon indicated that the porch windows do not have to be replaced. Commissioner Derrick stated
the elevation from the concept plan makes it look like the windows will be replaced. Mr. Concannon
stated that was a mistake.
Commissioner Derrick stated her approach is to preserve as much as possible of the materials that date to
the period of significance, so if the windows date to 1925 she would suggest restoring them since it will
follow the standards. Commissioner Derrick advised the applicant to retain as much original material as
he can and if something needs to be replaced it should be replaced with kind.
Mr. Concannon stated the siding is not original and he would like to replace all the siding, gutters, and
soffits. Commissioner Derrick asked if the original clapboard under the siding. Mr. Concannon
confirmed. Commissioner Derrick suggested letting the commission know the condition of the original
siding once the current siding is removed, so the commission can make a recommendation once they have
all the facts.
Commissioner Derrick suggested the applicant scale the porch to not take away from the building, such as
if he brick post on the existing deck do not date to the period of significance and they are replaced to scale
the size down with what it is replaced with. Commissioner Derrick wants to make sure that the
characteristics of the Cross Plan building are not obscured by the large porch.
Commissioner Hendericksen suggested the applicant moving forward have drawings in the same scale,
provide more description on the elevation drawings, and supply an overlay drawing of the existing
building and proposed new addition. Commissioner Hendericksen agreed that the applicant needs to
keep the originality of the building by keeping as such original materials as possible. Commissioner
Hendericksen is considered that the sidewalk usability could be a problem if the handrails on the desk are
not positioned properly.
Commissioner Olsen agreed with the comments made by Commissioner Derrick and Hendericksen.
Commissioner Olsen asked if the deck elevation will be the same on Lockport St. and Fox River St. Mr.
Concannon confirmed. Commissioner Olsen asked if the service drive will remain. Mr. Concannon
confirmed. Commission Olsen asked the applicant to example what additions will be added to the
building. Mr. Concannon explained how the building will be added onto. Mr. Concannon stated they
want to have a maintenance free building with keeping it as original as possible. Commissioner Derrick
is also concerned about the height of the deck next to the sidewalk and fears it will take away from the
building. Commissioner Olsen suggested they use building materials that are more original to the period
of significance.
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Historic Preservation Commission Minutes
May 14, 2020
Page 3 of 3
Commissioner Rapp indicated he is not impressed with the plans and will go to the site to provide more
comments. Commissioner Rapp asked if the southside extension will be extended to the service drive.
Mr. Concannon stated it will be a foot or two away from the service drive.
Commissioner Schmidt agrees with his fellow commissioner’s comments. Commissioner Schmidt
suggested a keynote for all the existing windows and doors, so it will provide the commission with more
information. Commissioner Schmidt asked if the cooler will remain outside. Mr. Concannon confirmed
there will be cooler there or could be moved to the basement if possible. Commissioner Schmidt agrees
with the comments regarding the deck railing and suggested to use decking materials that are in line with
the period of significance. Commissioner Schmidt would like the applicant to provide them with more
information on the draws of what is existing and what will be replaced and with what it will be
replacement with.
Commissioner Derrick provide a suggestion of removing the existing deck and install a ground level patio
since the deck has a significant visual presence. Mr. Concannon will take the suggestion into
consideration. Mr. Concannon added they need to make sure they have adequate seating and need to
assess what is safest for the wait staff.
Chairman Bortel asked the applicant what their timeframe is for completing the project. Mr. Concannon
stated they would like this completed by year end. Chairman Bortel worried it will look too commercial
because Fox River St. is a residential area and agrees that patio seating will look more residential. Mr.
Concannon state the main entry to the restaurant is on Lockport St. and the ramp can be modified.
Mr. Proulx explained that properties in a historic district have a different review process then a property
not located in a district. Mr. Proulx added that because the property is in a district there may be some
economic opportunities for the applicant, such as the TIF District and Federal Rehabilitation Tax Credit.
Chairman Bortel stated keeping the historic look of the house will keep it in line with the historic district.
Chairman Bortel asked the applicant if the commission could tour the property before work begins. Ms.
Gal stated she will coordinate the tour with the applicant. Commissioner Hendricksen reiterated that the
applicant needs to keep the property as original as possible.
Historic Preservation 2019-2020 Annual Report
Chairman Bortel asked the commission if they are anything to add to the report or comments.
Commissioners had no comments.
2020 Preservation Award Nomination and Heritage Tree Program
Item was not discussed.
DISCUSSION
No discussion.
ADJOURN
Commissioner Derrick made a motion to adjourn. Commissioner Olsen seconded the motion.
Voice vote. All in favor; 0 opposed. Motion carried 8-0.
Meeting adjourned at 8:11 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Tracey Erickson
Recording Secretary
Click to view the video of the May 14, 2020 Historical Preservation Commission Meeting.
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LOCATION MAP 15017 S. Bartlett Ave.
EagleView: Pictometry, Sources: Esri, HERE, Garmin, Intermap, increment P
Corp., GEBCO, USGS, FAO, NPS, NRCAN, GeoBase, IGN, Kadaster NL,
Village Address Points
Parcels
Plainfield Municipal Boundary
7/16/2020, 9:44:14 AM
0 0.01 0.030.01 mi
0 0.03 0.060.01 km
1:1,500
Plainfield Staff
County of Will, Esri, HERE, Garmin, INCREMENT P, USGS, EPA, USDA | EagleView: Pictometry | Plainfield GIS | Plainfield GIS | Will County GIS | NPMS National Repository |9
HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission
ADDRESS
15017 S. Bartlett Ave.
PIN/Property Index Number
#06-03-10-311-010-0000
Historic Property Name(s)
Boucher House
Common Name(s)
Architectural Style
no style
Vernacular Building Type
T-Plan
Construction Date
c. 1880-90
Architect/Builder
Historic Use(s)
Single Family Residential
Present Use(s)
Single Family Residential
History (associated events, people, dates)
Hall’s Subdivision. Appears on the 1898 Sanborn map, the first to show this block. Shown with reentrant angle porches
on SW and SE; lower 1-1/2 story rear wing. Outbuilding on NE lot corner, at the alley. Outbuilding gone on 1931
Sanborn, with a 1 story garage just east of the rear alley, aligned with the south property line. Same shown in 1944.
Description
Course limestone found ation; clapboard walls painted beige; wood shake able roof. Corn er boards. All windows with
surrounding with bull’s eye corner blocks, molded/paneled surround. 2 stories, T-shape. Hip roof porch in right/SW
reentrant angle; plain cornice, wood posts, turned balustrade. L eft gable blind to front; shallow. Front gable with large
fixed sash on 1st; paired 1/1 double-hung sash on 2nd. Door faces front out of side/south gable with original single light
paneled door. Entrance in build-out with small fixed sash south, all within porch/reentrant angle, as is typical for this
house type in the Village. South side gable with paired 1/1 d ouble-hung sash. Lower 1-1/2 story rear wing with sid e gable
extension for south side porch; skylights.
Integrity/Major Physical ch anges from original construc tion
Porch roof changed from a truncated hip/Mansard-like. South side porch at rear.
Subsidiary Building(s)/Site
Garage appears in the historic location, bu t is modern in construc tion. Wood shingle gable front, 2 car, s ingle overhead
door with adjacent pedestrian d oor facing front/west. Private alley to right/south , turns between hou se and garage to
continue north past the other properties.
Registration & Eval uation
National Register of Historic Places: Currently Listed: ___yes X no
If not currently listed, recommend: Individually ___yes X no; historic district X yes ___no
Contributing X or non-contributing X (garage)
Significance statement: One of the better examples of the T-Plan house type which is found with some frequency in the
Village, especially on Bartlett and Center. A good degree of integrity. VP; EP; BA.
Village of Plainfield d esignation: Currently Listed: ___yes X no
If not currently listed, recommend: Historic Landmark X yes X no; Historic District X yes ___no
Contributing X or non-contributing X
Form prepared by: ArchiSearch Historic Preservation Consultants (Alice Novak) Date of Field Survey: 9.12.05 - 119
713 N. Bartlett Ave.
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HISTORIC URBANIZED CORE SURVEY Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission
ADDRESS
713 N. Bartlett Ave.
PIN/Property Index Number
#06-03-10-311-010-0000
15017 S. Bartlett Ave.
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Village of Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission
Nomination for Individual Landmark Listing in Register of Historic Places
The Wallace Peter Hall House c. 1889
For the property located at:
15017 S. Bartlett - (f/k/a 713 N. Bartlett Avenue)
06-03-10-311-010-000
Lot 11 & the South 73.26’ of Lot 12 in Hall’s subdivision of North parts of Lots 2 & 6 of Bartlett’s
Subdivision of a part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10 in Twp. 36 N Range 9 East
Petitioner: Caryn Burke
A request to the Village of Plainfield to consider designating the structure at 15017 S. Bartlett Avenue,
a local landmark.
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Table of Contents
Cover 1
Part I 3
Site
Part II 4
Overview
Part III 5
Architectural Style Description
Part IV 6
Photo Descriptions
Part V 15
Photo Description Key
Appendix A 16
Early Plainfield
Appendix B 22
Early History of Bartlett’s Subdivision
Appendix C 23
Isaac Bronson IV
Appendix D 24
The Newton- Bartlett Connection
Appendix E 28
Wallace Peter Hall
Appendix F 34
Summary Statement of Significance
Appendix G 35
Exhibit Table of Contents
Exhibit A 36
Ingersoll’s Original Plat of Planefield
Exhibit B 37
Ingersoll’s Addition to Plainfield
Exhibit C 38
Plat of Arnold’s Addition to Plainfield
Exhibit D 39
Elihu Corbin’s Addition to Plainfield
Exhibit E 40
Robert Franklin Bartlett’s Subdivision
Exhibit F 41
Chain of Title for 15017 (713) S Bartlett Ave.
Exhibit G 45
Census Information – W. Hall & A Parriott
Exhibit H 46
Plat of Hall’s Subdivision
Exhibit I 47
Description of Hall’s Subdivision
Bibliography 48
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Part I
Site
The house under consideration served as the final residence of Wallace Peter Hall and his wife Carrie for
eleven years and occupies Lot 11 of his subdivision (Hall’s Subdivision of the North Parts of Lots 2 and 6 of
Robert Franklin Bartlett’s Subdivision of the South part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10). Wallace P. Hall purchased 4.26
acres of land from Solomon and Mary Simmons for $1,300 on December 4, 1885 and had the parcel
subdivided into twelve lots – Lots 1 – 11 were each 66 feet wide and 150 feet deep and fronted the east side
of Bartlett Avenue while Lot 12 was shared equally by all lot-holders in Hall’s Subdivision with an alley
eleven feet wide and eleven parcels that were each an additional 55.75 feet deep east of the alley and 66 feet
wide, so all the lot-holders in his subdivision could erect a carriage house or garage to accommodate their
horses and carriages or horseless carriages. Each of the eleven lots were almost one-third of an acre – 66 feet
wide and 216.75 feet deep which included the eleven-foot wide alley.
Soon after purchasing his parcel from Solomon Simmons, Wallace Hall hired Artemus Julius Mathewson, a
former Will County surveyor, who worked as a civil engineer and a surveyor to complete a plat of survey for
his subdivision. By December 1887, Mathewson with the direction of Hall had surveyed and subdivided
Hall’s new parcel. Hall’s subdivision was approved by the Plainfield Board of Trustees on December 8, 1887
and Hall appeared before Giles D. Foster, a Will County Justice of the Peace on September 17, 1888 to have
his Plat of Survey certified by the Court, and was recorded by the Will County Recorder of Deeds on
September 20, 1888. It seems plausible that Wallace Hall had the construction of the house in this
nomination built soon after the Will County Circuit Court and the Recorder of Deeds approved his new
subdivision in 1888 on Lot 11 in the Spring of 1889 to showcase the ten lots in his new subdivision. On
March 17, 1890, Wallace Hall sold his first lot, Lot 2, in his subdivision to Daniel Birkett for $215 and soon
thereafter Daniel Birkett built his house on that lot.
Note: Reference Exhibit H – Plat of Hall’s Subdivision in Appendix G.
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Part II
Overview
A gable-front house, also known as a gable front house or front gable house is a vernacular (or “Folk”) house
type in which the gable is facing the street or an entrance on the side of the house. The gable front house
developed after 1825 and coincided with the popularity of the Greek Revival style, which placed emphasis
on the gable end of the house in the form of a pediment often associated with Greek temples.
The house under consideration is an example of a Cross Plan House which are similar in time period and
detailing to both the Gabled Ell and T-Plan house types. Described in ArchiSearch’s 2006 Historic
Urbanized Core Survey of Plainfield, “the residence at 15017 South Bartlett is one of the better examples of
the T-Plan house type with a good degree of integrity that is found with some frequency in the Village,
especially on Bartlett Avenue and Center Street.” However had the ArchiSearch surveyors viewed the south-
facing elevation of this house from the public alley, they would have seen that the house has more
characteristics of a Cross Plan house rather than that of a T-Plan.
.
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Part III
General Cross Plan Characteristics
Cross Plan
1865 – 1900
The post-Civil War period of house building in the United States often brought together three popular house
types – the Gabled Ell, the T-Plan and the Cross Plan. Common with all three house types is the occurrence
of porches. The T-Plan form has quite an interesting occurrence in Plainfield, concentrated along Bartlett and
Center Streets, and having similar embellishments in the reentrant angle porches showing French Second
Empire influence, an architectural influenced used minimally in Plainfield with thirty-one examples, where-
as the Cross Plan design has but six examples documented.
Cross Plan houses are typically two stories, with intersecting gable wings. Most commonly, these houses are
irregularly massed, with the longer axis perpendicular to the street and the shorter axis parallel to the street.
The shorter axis may be asymmetrical, that is, extend longer to one side than the other. Like the T-Plan
house, the Cross Plan commonly features a reentrant angle porch, emphasizing one side of the gable front
more than the other.
This residence is the final house located in Wallace Peter Hall’s subdivision of eleven lots that comprise his
addition on Bartlett Avenue. A portion of Hall’s subdivision, Lots 4 - 11 appear on the July 1893 Sanborn
Fire Insurance map of Plainfield and was the first to show this section of Plainfield. In 2006 ArchiSearch
Consultants noted, “one of the better examples of the T-Plan house type which is found with some frequency
in the Village, especially on Bartlett and Center.” An owner of the property from the early 1980’s, David
Hagen noted that after their purchase of the house in June 1979 and with some remodeling and freshening of
the exterior, we determined that the house needed a new roof. A close inspection found the presence of the
original roof of wood shakes when the house was built. They removed the old roofing materials down to the
original roof deck and used cedar shakes for the new roof.
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Part IV
Photo Descriptions
Plate 1 – West Façade photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 1
T-Plan front gable with large fixed sash decorative window on first floor paired with 1/1 double-hung sash
on the second floor, reentrant porch and front facing entry door.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
A1
A6
C1
G1
C2
D1
B1
E1
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Plate 2 – South Façade photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 2
South facing gable of ‘T’ with side porch covered by extension of roof, clapboard siding and similar trim on
paired double-hung windows including articulated pilasters, capital blocks and crown moulding lintel.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
H1
A1, typ.
G1 A2
A1 A4, typ. A4
D1
C1
C2
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Plate 3 – Southeast Corner Façade photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 3
Southeast corner with 1 ½ story rear wing and extended roof line to cover side entry porch; single-lite side
entry door; clapboard siding and similar trim on windows including articulated pilasters, capital blocks and
crown moulding lintel.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
H1
A1
B1
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Plate 4 – East Façade photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 4
One and a half-story rear (east) gable with extension over porch; grouped casement windows with expressed
pilasters on sides but missing between windows (mullions).
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
A5 A5
H1
C1
C2
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Plate 5 – North Façade @ rear photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 5
One and a half-story rear north-facing wing; small fixed sash decorative window on first floor and single 1/1
double-hung sash; both windows exhibiting similar trim including articulated pilasters, capital blocks and
crown moulding lintels; clapboard siding and high limestone foundation.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
C1
C2
A2
A3
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Plate 6 – North Façade @ front photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 6
North facing gable of ‘T’; paired double-hung windows on first floor with single 1/1 double-hung sash
windows of varying sizes all exhibiting similar trim including articulated pilasters, capital blocks and crown
moulding lintels; clapboard siding and high limestone foundation.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
A2
A2
A2
A1
C2
C1
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Plate 7 – West (front) Façade detail photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 7
Front facing gable of T-Plan with large fixed sash decorative window; clapboard siding and high limestone
foundation.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
A6
C2
C1
E1
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Plate 8 – Window detail photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate8
Detail at large fixed sash decorative window and trim consisting of articulated pilasters, capital blocks,
paneled moulding between pilasters directly above sash and crown moulding lintel.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
A6
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Plate 9 – Roof Overhang detail photo credit: Leif Hendricksen
Plate 9
Detail at roof overhang; enclosed eave with crown moulding fascia; wide trim on house at wall/roof junction
and additional crown moulding trim butted to underside of eave.
Note: See Part V for photo description keynote list.
D1
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Part V
Photo Description Key
A. TYPICAL WINDOWS
A1 Paired, clear glass, 1/1 double-hung;
articulated/paneled surround pilasters;
articulated/paneled pilaster mullion between
windows; capital blocks with circle ‘bullseye’
detail; crown moulding lintel extended over both
windows; additional paneled moulding above
each window below lintel between pilasters;
simple sill
A2 Single, clear glass, 1/1 double-hung;
articulated/paneled surround pilasters; capital
blocks with circle ‘bullseye’ detail; crown
moulding lintel; additional paneled moulding
above window below lintel between pilasters;
simple sill
A3 Single, decorative stained glass, picture window;
articulated/paneled surround pilasters; capital
blocks with circle ‘bullseye’ detail; crown
moulding lintel; additional paneled moulding
above window below lintel between pilasters;
simple sill
A4 Single, clear glass, square casement;
articulated/paneled surround pilasters; capital
blocks with circle ‘bullseye’ detail; crown
moulding lintel; additional paneled moulding
above window below lintel between pilasters;
simple sill
A5 Grouped (3 or 4), clear glass, casement;
articulated/paneled surround pilasters; capital
blocks with circle ‘bullseye’ detail; crown
moulding lintel; additional continuous paneled
moulding above all windows beneath lintel
between pilasters; simple sill
A6 Single picture window; articulated/paneled
surround pilasters; capital blocks with circle
‘bullseye’ detail; crown moulding lintel;
additional paneled moulding above window
below lintel between pilasters; simple sill
B. TYPICAL DOORS
B1 Single, paneled wood door with clear glass on
upper half; flush surround pilasters; capital
blocks with circle ‘bullseye’ detail; crown
moulding lintel; additional moulding above door
below lintel
B2 Single, paneled wood door with clear glass, 6-lite
on upper half; flush surround pilasters; capital
blocks with circle ‘bullseye’ detail; crown
moulding lintel; additional moulding above door
below lintel
C. TYPICAL SIDING
C1 Clapboard siding; paint scheme blue with white
trim.
C2 Corner boards.
D. TYPICAL ROOF
D1 T-shape gable roof with moderate pitch; wood
shake; typical 24 inch roof overhang with crown
moulding; wide, continuous trim boards with
additional crown moulding butted to underside of
overhang; hanging galvanized gutters and
traditional corrugated downspouts
E. FOUNDATION
E1 High foundation of cut limestone block
F. CHIMNEY
F1 No chimney exposed on exterior
G. ENTRY PORCH
G1 One-story entry porch with hip roof; porch post
with chamfered piers, fluted shaft and simple
capital; slender turned spindle railing
H. SIDE WING PORCH
H1 South facing one-story porch with extended main
roof; porch post with chamfered piers, fluted
shaft and simple capital; slender turned spindle
railing
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Appendix A
Early Plainfield
The Land Ordinance of 1785 was adopted on May 20, 1785 by the Continental Congress and set the stage for
an organized and community-based westward expansion of the United States in the years after the American
Revolution. The Land Ordinance of 1785 was the effort of a five-person committee led by Thomas Jefferson
that established a systematic and ubiquitous process for surveying, planning, and selling townships on the
western frontier.
Each western township contained thirty-six square miles of land which was divided into thirty-six sections,
each containing one square mile or 640 acres. Section 1 was located at the northeast corner of each township
with subsequent sections numbered east to west; each tier had six sections and there were six rows of six
sections for a total of thirty-six sections with Section 36 found in the southeast corner. This mathematical
precision of planning was through the concerted efforts of surveyors which allowed these sections to be
easily subdivided for re-sale by settlers and land speculators. Initially government land offices sold land to
pioneers at the price of $1.25 per acre. Each township contained dedicated space for public education and
other government uses, as the centermost of the 36 sections were reserved for government or public purposes
- Sections 15, 16, 21 & 22, with Section 16 dedicated specifically for public education. Additionally roadways
were often constructed along the north-south or east-west Township or Section division lines that comprised
the Township and Range delineations.
Revolutionary War land bounty land warrants were first awarded through an Act of Congress on September
16, 1776. These were grants of free land from Congress or states like Virginia who claimed lands west of the
Appalachian Mountains in areas that would later become the states of Ohio and Kentucky as a reward for
serving in the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the War of 1812. The grants were not
automatic as veterans had to apply for them and if granted, use the warrant to apply for a land patent which
granted them ownership of the land that could be transferred or sold to other individuals. Land warrants
issued by Congress were usually for the newly established lands created by the Land Ordinance of 1785 and
the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Long before there were railroads, most Chicagoans’ link to civilization was primarily by schooner to and
from New York City via the Great Lakes, the Erie Canal and the Hudson River. In the early 1830s, Chicago
was closer to a Wild West town than a metropolis. The two principal cities of the Midwest were the river
towns of Cincinnati and St. Louis, both which had good steamboat service. The closest a river steamer could
get to Chicago was Ottawa, more than 90 miles from Chicago on the Illinois River.
The Postal Act of 1792 established the role of the Postmaster General and made the United States’
Government responsible for creating post offices and establishing the delivery of the mail by private
contractors. The first Post Office in northern Illinois opened in Galena in 1826, five years before Chicago
saw one established at their settlement. With the establishment of a post office in Galena in 1826, John D.
Winters began running stagecoaches between St. Louis and Galena, carrying passengers and the U.S. Mail.
The stagecoach became the pre-dominant mode of overland public transport for passengers and mail.
Stagecoach lines were chosen not just for the convenience of passengers but to accommodate the timely
collection and distribution of the mail. Without mail contracts most stage lines would not have survived.
Chicago’s first stagecoach line arrived from Detroit in 1833 after the end of the Blackhawk War of 1832 that
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ended an Indian revolt over ownership of Illinois farmland which now made overland travel safe west of
Chicago. In July 1833, John Taylor Temple (1804-1877) of Virginia, who had received a homeopathic
medical degree in 1824 from the University of Maryland arrived in Chicago with his wife and 4 children
with a contract from the U.S. Postmaster General to carry the mail from Chicago to Fort Howard at Green
Bay. He soon built a two-story frame house at the corner of Wells and Lake Street and a medical office at the
southwest corner of Franklin and South Water Street.
In 1831, the High Prairie Trail from Chicago to Ottawa had been laid out by State officials as both northern
Illinois’ newest official road that also used established Indian trails. Soon after the Chicago to Fort Howard
at Green Bay route began, it was discontinued and on January 1, 1834, Temple had political connections that
allowed him to secure the mail contract from Chicago to Peoria and had money to purchase a coach and set
up the necessary way stations. Temple was given a contract for operating a stagecoach line and conveying
the U.S. Mail from Chicago southwest to Peoria to meet the steamboats navigating the Illinois River from St.
Louis and later a route to Ottawa via Walkers’ Grove. The route to Ottawa started at the shore of Lake
Michigan near the banks of the Chicago River and extended almost due west following the old
Pottawattamie Indian trail along the DesPlaines River which is now part of U.S. 6 to the ford across the
DesPlaines River at Riverside, thence the road headed west to Captain Joseph Naper’s settlement at the
DuPage River ford before turning southwest towards Walker’s Grove averaging about 10 miles each hour.
Initially stage passengers stayed with settlers in Walker’s Grove, which consisted of three or four crude log
huts that offered limited comforts. Later the route was moved north to the newly platted settlement at
Plainfield (1834). Leaving Plainfield, the trail passed into what would become Kendall County in 1841,
crossing the prairie to the tiny cluster of cabins at the southernmost point of a grove of towering black walnut
trees before continuing on to Ottawa which was located at the head of navigation on the Illinois River.
The area from which Plainfield developed was first inhabited by the Potawatomie Indians. The Potawatomie
hunted the dense forests along the banks of the DuPage River and had some semi-permanent settlements.
When Illinois achieved statehood in 1818 most of the territory was wilderness. Occasional explorers, soldiers
on the marches to distant outposts, as well as Native American traders and trappers, had given glowing
descriptions of the beauties of the region. The Illinois and Michigan Canal project had been conceived during
the Wat of 1812 which prompted the initial purchases of Native American lands commencing in 1816. The
first Europeans arriving in the area were French fur traders in the 1820s, who traded peacefully with the
Potawatomie but did not establish any permanent settlements. By about 1826, American missionaries began
to arrive to Christianize the Native Americans and establish permanent settlements.
Along with the occasional pioneers who ventured into the lands covered by the Northwest Ordinance came
several early Methodist missionaries. One of these early Methodist missionaries was The Reverend Jessie
Walker who came to the area before statehood. Walker had been born in Virginia and first visited the Indiana
territory in 1806 and later was appointed to the circuit in Illinois and likely introduced his son-in-law, James
Walker, to the region. In 1828, James Walker led a party that established a small settlement and sawmill
along the DuPage River at Walkers’ Grove just south of present-day Plainfield.
This new settlement was known as Walker's Grove and the saw mill thrived in the midst of the thick forests
in the area. The DuPage River also provided essential transportation between the settlements at Fort
Dearborn at Lake Michigan (now Chicago) and Ottawa along the Illinois River. Walker's Grove was an
important link along the water and trail route. Walker's sawmill and the area's timber also supplied the fast-
growing settlement of Chicago with lumber to build their first wood-framed houses. It has been documented
that the lumber used to build the first structures in Chicago were hauled by wagons built in Plainfield by
John Bill and driven by Reuben Flagg and Timothy Clark from Walker's Mill – the George Washington Dole
Forwarding House and the Philip Ferdinand Wheeler Peck House – a two-story frame building in which
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Peck kept a store at southeast corner of South Water and LaSalle Streets that was built in the Autumn of
1832. Walker’s Grove was also reportedly the first permanent settlement in Will County.
In 1828, Chester Ingersoll had traveled from his home in Vermont to northeast Illinois and settled at the
Walkers’ Grove settlement and four years later, joined with others to defend Fort Beggs and later opened one
of the first hotels in Chicago. In October, 1833, Chester purchased 160 acres of land in the NE ¼ of Section
16 and in December 1833, married a young actress, Phebe Wever in Chicago and together they ran the
Traveler Hotel until 1834. Ingersoll platted a town in August 1834, northeast of Walkers’ Grove, naming it
Planefield. Ingersoll platted his town with twelve nearly square blocks consisting of rectangular lots on a
modified grid plan that would be familiar to many of those newly arriving pioneer families from New
England and a rectangular Block 13 containing twenty-seven lots that stretched west from the DuPage River,
east to a north-south roadway initially called West Street, that was later changed to Division. Ingersoll’s
east-west streets were named for the three main towns in Northeastern Illinois at the time - Ottawa, Chicago
and Lockport - while his north-south streets were named for the region’s rivers - DuPage, Kankakee, Fox
River, DesPlaines, and Illinois. He envisioned a public square to become his central business district that
would be centered about the northern half of Block 3 with DesPlaines Street to the east and Fox River Street
to the west along a proposed east-west thoroughfare to be built on the section line where Sections 16 and 9
met.
Five blocks (8, 9, 10, 11, & 12) consisted of eight lots separated by an alley with four lots north of the alley
and four lots south of the alley. Block 6 had 3 lots and Block 7 had 4 lots since they were adjacent or east of
the DuPage River and Block 13 stretched east from the DuPage River along Ottawa Street to West Street
that later came to be known as Division and was divided into twenty-seven lots all of similar size as those in
the other blocks - [Reference Exhibit A - Ingersoll’s 1834 Plat of Planefield ].
In 1834 Chester Ingersoll built a house for his family on an open tract of land that was south of Lot 26 in
Block 13 of his newly platted town; this house was recently restored and designated a Village Landmark in
September 2013. In October 1837, Ingersoll’s oldest daughter, Melissa married Thomas Jefferson York and
soon thereafter, Ingersoll had a small cottage west of his house built for them. The location of this house was
south of Lot 25 in Block 13 and was designated a Village landmark known as “Pioneer House” in 2008. In
May 1837, Ingersoll recorded an addition to his original town plat comprising of twelve additional blocks – 6
blocks on either side of a new east-west street, named Juliet. Thus Ingersoll’s 1834 house came to be located
on Lot 2 and the house built for his daughter came to be built on Lot 3 in Block 1 of Ingersoll’s Addition to
Plainfield which would became Shreffler’s Addition in 1851 [Reference Exhibit B – Ingersoll’s Addition
to Plainfield].
Research conducted by Michael Lambert, a local Plainfield architect and historian on the James Mathers
family has found that Levi Arnold, a bachelor, likely traveled to the settlement around Walker’s Grove in
late 1831 or 1832 in the company of the family of James and Sarah Mathers, who he had met in the area of
St. Joseph, Indiana. Arnold staked claims in the area near the DuPage River and in present-day Kendall
County before returning to St. Joseph, Indiana to marry Mariah Skinner on August 6, 1833. Sometime in
early 1834, Levi Arnold and his wife Mariah arrived from Indiana and purchased the quarter section of land
north of Ingersoll’s newly platted town – the SE ¼ of Section 9 on December 11. Arnold was particularly
interested in land adjacent to the DuPage River and parcels that straddled the Chicago-Ottawa Road.
Unlike Ingersoll who preferred orderly development as shown in his 1834 Plat of Planefield, Arnold laid out
four streets in his Addition and allowed pioneer families to build homes and businesses on his land but often
chose not to sell the land to them which allowed the creation of many irregular and disorganized lots in shape
and size. He did not embrace Ingersoll’s concept of a New England town square since a portion of Block 4 in
his corresponding addition would be needed to join Ingersoll’s planned segment. In May 1836, Ingersoll sold
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Lot 3 in Block 2 to Anson Johnson for $30. This was the first recorded sale of land fronting onto the East-
West road that would eventually become Lockport Road. that took place in May 1836. Arnold likely allowed
entrepreneurs to build stores along the roadway but chose not to sell them the land since the first recorded
sale on his side of the roadway took place nearly four years later in March 1840 with the sale of a five acre
parcel to Chester Bennett.
The difference in development styles likely frustrated Ingersoll’s sense of order and Arnold’s haphazard
development of the growing community likely encouraged Arnold to cultivate a new friendship with Lewis
Judson. Together in 1835, they started a new town on the east bank of the Fox River called Hudson, thus
Arnold lived in Plainfield but a short time, choosing to devote most of his energies toward the development
of his new town. Initially the new town located 10 miles northwest of Plainfield attracted few settlers and in
the Spring of 1836, Levi Arnold moved his family to Hudson renting his Plainfield home on the Chicago to
Ottawa Road, that later came to be known as Main Street to Dr. Erastus G. Wight, a circuit riding physician.
Chester Ingersoll abandoned his public square concept in 1836, opting instead for a public park located in
Block 10, now called the Village Green, which was immediately south of his failed public square concept
that would be eventually surrounded by residential housing. In 1840, as the family of Chester and Phebe
Ingersoll grew, they moved from the village north to a farm in Wheatland Township and within three years
were living on a farm near Lockport. In 1847 Ingersoll along with members of his family and numerous
families from the area left Illinois and traveled to the West to settle in California where Ingersoll died
unexpectedly in September 1849.
In February 1841, Arnold sold to Elihu Springer, the minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a 1¼ acre
parcel where the congregation planned to construct their house of worship. This parcel was located in the
western half of Block 6 between Chicago Street (now DesPlaines Street) on the west, Arnold Street (now
Illinois Street) on the east and the diagonal Oak Street on the north. Beginning in January 1850, the Trustees
of the Methodist Episcopal Church began selling their lots in the western portion of Block 6 in favor of
buying the lots in the eastern portion of Block 6. By May 1850, the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal
Church had purchased the eastern half of Block 6 or that portion of the block that would become known as
Chittenden & Smiley’s subdivision after the Assessor had subdivided the area in 1866. After this parcel was
surveyed in 1867, the lots therein became designated as Lots 16 through 24.
Arnold’s town of Hudson changed its name to Lodi for a short time and soon settled on its current name of
Oswego. In 1844 Levi Arnold took sick and died in September at the age of 37. His wife Mariah, who was
32 with three young daughters had her late husband’s holdings in Plainfield surveyed which was completed
by the following September (1845) and began selling the remaining lots in the area that came to be called
“Arnold’s Addition to the Village of Plainfield.” ]Reference Exhibit C – Arnold’s Addition to Plainfield].
By mid-century, businesses had spread randomly throughout Ingersoll’s Plainfield with a concentration of
restaurants, blacksmiths, liveries and hotels along DesPlaines Street where it intersected with the east-west
roadway in which the initial contracts of lots of the first commercial buildings on the north side of the
stipulated stated the “South 30 feet is reserved for a road running East-West” – these early contracts
referred to the roadway as DuPage Street but it would eventually become known as “the Lockport Road” as
it was known outside of the village. As traffic increased on this east – west roadway, buildings located
elsewhere in the community were moved to either side of the roadway and often were set on every other lot
so that infill buildings only required front and rear walls, a floor, and a roof.
This thoroughfare separated the two communities begun by Arnold and Ingersoll branching eastward 6 miles
to the canal port at Lockport which in 1848 saw the opening of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Once this
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road was completed, it carried travelers going between the canal docks at Lockport and the accelerating farm
settlements west of the DuPage River with the village of Plainfield growing significantly after 1850.
By 1849 the only centralized commercial and industrial center in Plainfield that had formed was located near
the intersection of present-day Joliet Road, Division Street, and Commercial Street. Kankakee Street was
renamed James Street, in honor of James Fairbanks, who created Fairbanks’ Addition along the street
bearing his name in 1853 and DuPage Street along the DuPage River had been abandoned. Unfortunately, no
formal adoption of street names existed between the Ingersoll and Arnold sides of the village. In fact, names
of streets changed—typically—at DuPage Street (now Lockport Street) which divided the two sides of the
village. A residential neighborhood grew around the Village Green in Ingersoll’s original part of Plainfield.
By 1855, all of the holdings of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the western portion of Block 6 had been
sold and replaced with those lots in the eastern half of Block 6. As the economy began growing after the
conclusion of the Civil War, the Trustees of the Church saw an opportunity to sell their lots and build a new
house of worship one block south of the noise and expanding traffic artery of Lockport Street. In October
1866, the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church purchased Lots 10 and 11 in Block 2, at the northwest
corner of Illinois and Chicago Streets in Ingersoll’s Original Plainfield from Limon and Leah Tobias for
$350. They sold their parcels of land along the north side of Lockport Street and west of Arnold Street (now
Illinois Street) in March 1867 to James H. Smiley and George N. Chittenden once their new place of worship
had been completed. By 1869, the northern and southern portions of Plainfield were incorporated into a
single community and by the 1870s, DuPage Street became commonly known as Lockport Street.
Simultaneous to efforts of Ingersoll and Arnold, a third distinct community began to develop. In December
1834, James Mathers and James M. Turner purchased a quarter section of land in the SW ¼ of Section 10
that was east of Arnold’s SE ¼ of Section 9. In June 1836, James Mathers purchased Turner’s half share and
in July 1836, platted East Plainfield which was comprised of 96 lots along Main Street and Water Street
(which is now Plainfield-Naperville Road), which paralleled the DuPage River on which Mathers built a
sawmill and gristmill. Mathers also built himself a house in 1835 at the northeast corner of Mill and Water
Streets near his sawmill and gristmill and his partner James Turner built a small cottage for his family at the
southeast corner of Section 10 (currently a portion of the house at the northeast corner of Lockport Street and
Eastern Avenue).
The southeastern part of the Village or the NW ¼ of Section 15 was the last portion of the Village to be
developed. In December 1834 Robert Chapman had purchased 280 acres in NE ¼ & N ½ of the NW ¼ of
Sec. 15 & S ½ of the NW ¼ of Sec. 15 and in July 1838 sold all of his holdings “excepting & reserving
from the SW corner of the S ½ of the S ½ of said NW ¼ of Sec. 15,” a 2 ½ acre parcel in the SW corner or
20 square rods to be used as a cemetery that Chapman had donated to the residents in the Spring of 1837. In
1840, Dr. Oliver J. Corbin purchased a twelve acre parcel south of Joliet Road and in 1845 sold a small three
lot triangular parcel of land to John Dillman to build a foundry, creating Plainfield’s first industrial park in
what would become Oliver J. Corbin’s Subdivision in 1856. In 1852, a forty-acre parcel was purchased by
Elihu Corbin who had the land subdivided into an addition to Plainfield as well as several subdivisions.
]Reference Exhibit D – Elihu Corbin’s Addition to Plainfield].
Commercial development was scattered in each quadrant of the village, but soon began to concentrate along
either side of the east-west DuPage Street or what later became known as “the Lockport Road” which
occupied the area where Section 16 of Ingersoll’s Original Plainfield and Section 9 of Arnold’s Addition
met. As was the case in most of the newly established towns and villages of the Northwest Territories, once
the pioneer families had built their houses and established businesses, places of worship and schools for their
children were soon to follow. Plainfield’s commercial and residential development became concentrated in
portions of the four quarter sections of prairie lands along or near to the DuPage River that made up the
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Village. Soon a North-South roadway (West St. or Division) and an East-West roadway (Lockport Road)
were created along the division lines of Sections 9, 10, 15 and 16.
Chester Ingersoll’s - NE ¼ of Sec. 16 (1833),
Levi Arnold’s - SE¼ of Sec. 9 (1834),
James Mathers’ - SW¼ of Sec. 10 (1835),
Elihu Corbin’s - NW¼ of Sec. 15 (1852).
By 1869, the northern and southern portions of Plainfield were incorporated into a single community and by
the 1870s, DuPage Street became commonly known as Lockport Street. The 1870 Census listed the
population of Plainfield at 723 and there were 1,750 residents living in Plainfield Township.
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Appendix B
Early History of Bartlett’s Subdivision
In December of 1834 James Mathers and his partner James M. Turner purchased the Southwest Quarter of
Section 10 or 160 acres from the United States Land Office in Danville, Illinois for $200, or $1.25 per acre.
Mathers purchased Turner’s half share on June 6, 1836 and four days later negotiated a mortgage for $2,000
from Isaac Bronson IV, a New York banker, using several recently purchased parcels of land as collateral.
Those parcels included in the mortgage secured by James Mathers did not include his new village of East
Plainfield that was platted in July 1836 and but did include adjacent lands in Section 10 that would later
become known as the Mathers’ farm.
In the mortgage contract secured by James Mathers was the following stipulation:
To secure payment of $2,000 according to a certain bond, bearing even date herewith, in penal sum
of $4,000 with interest thereon at 12% per annum from the date until paid, with 12% interest for the
same to be computed from June 10, 1836 which said interest shall be paid semi-annually on the first
days of July & January in each year.
By 1836, the United States’ Treasury had seen such an increase in government land sales in the West (Ohio
and Mississippi River Valleys) that a surplus of money in the Treasury meant that the Federal government no
longer had any debt. However, the sale of government lands soon created widespread land speculation that
became one of the causes of the Panic of 1837 and tough times would remain until the early 1840s. James
Mathers was unable to make any payments on his 1836 mortgage to his New York banker, Isaac Bronson
and was sued in the Circuit Court of Will County by the Bronson estate in May 1839. However the Bronson
estate had the case dismissed and in October 1840, Arthur Bronson, the son and executor of Isaac Bronson’s
estate, purchased all the lands held as collateral in the 1836 mortgage negotiated by his father, Isaac Bronson
for $3,000 from James and Sarah Mathers.
In December 1841 Jonathan Hagar received a judgment against James Mathers for unpaid bills and received
sixty lots in East Plainfield including Mathers’ house in lieu of money. Also as a result of Hagar’s suit, Ezra
Goodhue, George Burrell and Jonathan Hagar assumed ownership of Mathers’ gristmill and sawmill in the
Spring of 1842. Arthur Bronson was soon able to find buyers for the land that he had re-purchased from
James Mathers: three residents purchased parcels in Section 10 - Riley Boardman Ashley purchased a 4.74
acre parcel in 1842, Ezra Goodhue bought 80 acres in 1844 and Hugh Bolton purchased 63 acres in 1848;
in 1844 Winthrop Wright purchased 10 acres in Section 21 and George Burrell purchased 80 acres in
Section 3 in 1844. In April 1842, James Mathers moved his family to Missouri and by October they had
moved into the Nebraska Territory.
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Appendix C
Isaac Bronson IV
Isaac Bronson was born in Middlebury, Connecticut in March 1760 where his father was a farmer and also
served as a member of Connecticut’s state legislature. Isaac was trained initially as a physician, being an
apprentice with a Waterbury physician named Dr. Lemuel Hopkins. During the American Revolution he rose
to the rank of senior surgeon in the 2nd Regiment of Light Dragoons, commanded by General George
Washington. At the conclusion of the war, he abandoned medicine and traveled to Europe and India. In 1789
he married Anna Olcott and they had ten children, with eight living to adulthood.
In 1792, Isaac Bronson moved to Philadelphia where he speculated in national and state securities. In 1793,
he re-located to New York City and continued his trade in securities. In 1796, he purchased a summer home
in Fairfield, Connecticut. In 1807, he became a director and later president of the Bridgeport Bank in
Connecticut until 1832. His wealth was accumulated largely in the decades that followed the Constitutional
Convention. As a member of the northeastern mercantile class, he exemplified the enormous rush to move
the country toward industrialization and away from the agrarian base that characterized the pre-
Revolutionary economic years. Bronson was a futurist, a planner, a speculator but most of all, a systematic
analyzer. He imagined the young Republic as a grand opportunity for capitalist activity. As one of the
earliest capitalists, his activity was focused on banking, but unlike many other contemporary bankers, he
aggressively sought to reform the field of banking and to systematize its practice. By 1828 he was one of
New York City’s and the young Republic’s wealthiest men with assets exceeding $250,000.
In 1830, he co-founded the New York Life Insurance & Trust Company that would merge in 1922 with the
Bank of New York and also began the Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Company in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1833
with Charles Butler and his two sons, Arthur and Frederick, they used funds from their New York Life
Insurance & Trust Company plus several New York banks to create the American Land Company that
purchased over 330,000 acres of land in the newly created “Western” states of Michigan, Indiana and
Illinois. In May 1838, Isaac Bronson died and the affairs of his estate were initially handled by his son
Arthur and when Arthur died in November 1844, most of the affairs of the Bronson estate were handled by
Isaac’s youngest son, Frederick Bronson.
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Appendix D
The Newton- Bartlett Connection
William Newton was born in Colchester, Connecticut on October 15, 1786 and was the oldest of seven sons
born to Asahel and Versalle (Booth) Newton. His father had enlisted in the Continental Army in Colchester
on May 5, 1775 and was discharged on April 27, 1780 at Springfield, New Jersey. In 1806 William Newton
left his boyhood home and traveled to New Berlin, New York to learn the trade of a puddler and purchased a
farm near Hamilton, New York. Here he built a log house and sent for his parents and siblings in 1807. After
the family was settled, he worked as a puddler in Camden, New York for three years and on August 22,
1810, he married Lois Sage Butler. They moved to Sherburne, New York where William built a woolen mill
on Handsome Brook and raised their eleven children.
William ran the Newton Woolen Mill for sixteen years and was joined by his younger brother Erastus in
1810, who helped run the mill for 5 years before leaving for the “West” for new adventures. Erastus looked
for business opportunities in Detroit and finding none worked in a woolen mill in Chatham, Canada for a
year before returning in 1817 to once again help out at the Newton mill. In 1820, Erastus Newton married
Julia Hatch and after a fire in 1822 destroyed the mill, he turned his attention to public works. In 1824, he
took several sections of work on the Lackawaxen Canal near Marbletown, Pennsylvania and when William’s
mill burned down a second time in 1826, the Newtons gave up having incurred substantial losses and turned
to engineering public works projects in New York and Pennsylvania.
In addition to running his woolen mill, William Newton had been offered two contracts for overseeing the
excavation of the Erie Canal at Utica and one at Verona. In July 1825 work was begun on the Delaware and
Hudson Canal in eastern Pennsylvania and once his work was completed on the Erie Canal contracts, he
spent the next two years finishing contracts on the Delaware and Hudson Canal which opened in 1828.
Erastus assisted his brother William with work on the Delaware and Hudson Canal. William was also put in
charge of constructing a three mile test track for the Delaware and Hudson Railroad on which the first steam
locomotive was tested in August 1829. In 1830, Erastus and William Newton secured contracts for several
miles of work on the Chemung Canal, including work on the locks. When the Canal was finished in 1833,
Erastus was appointed Superintendent, a position that he held for two years, by the Canal’s Commissioner,
William C. Bouck, who was later elected Governor of New York in January 1843.
In 1835, William and his brother Erastus secured contracts for the construction of all the road, farm and
feeder bridges that would pass over the Chenango Canal from Sherburne to Greene, a distance of 34 miles.
This 97-mile canal was the first reservoir-fed canal in the United States and work was begun in 1834. The
Newton brothers created living quarters in the basement of their Sherburne house for the “Irish Stone
Builders,” who were skilled in the work of stone masonry. They had been trained to be professional
stonecutters in Ireland and had brought their craft to New York and practiced their expertise on the
Chenango Canal locks under contracts that the Newtons had secured. The Newton brothers were able to
secure an apprenticeship in masonry work for their seventeen year old nephew, Robert Franklin Bartlett and
as the brothers finished their work in late 1836, they were able to secure contracts in 1837 when work began
on the 35 mile long Black River Canal with 109 locks to connect the Erie Canal to the Black River.
In the Spring of 1837, Erastus Newton had a longing for the West once again and traveled to Chicago and
purchased a quarter section of land near Janesville, Wisconsin on the Rock River. He decided he wanted to
view his new acquisition and wishing to help pay the expenses for his trip to the West, he loaded his wagon
with flour to sell to the settlers in his newly purchased section. In June 1837, he returned to Chicago and
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attended a letting of contracts on the Illinois and Michigan Canal and was awarded nearly three miles of
work near what was then called the “Sag.” He immediately returned to Sherburne, New York to make the
necessary preparations to ship wheelbarrows and other tools to Chicago. In October 1837, Erastus Newton
gathered wagons and three teams and travelled overland to Chicago with the twenty-six year old son of his
brother William Newton (William Butler Newton) and his nephew, Robert Franklin Bartlett [Bartlett’s
mother, Versalle Newton was Erastus Newton’s sister].
The Illinois and Michigan Canal connected the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico.
It traversed 96 miles from the Chicago River in Chicago (Bridgeport) to the Illinois River at LaSalle with 17
locks and 4 aqueducts to cover the 140 foot height difference between Lake Michigan and the Illinois River.
Construction began on the canal in 1836 but little work was completed between 1837 – 1841 due to an
Illinois financial crisis related to the Panic of 1837. Much of technical work on the canal was performed by
engineers who had help build several previous canals in New York and Pennsylvania and who also brought
Irish immigrants who had previously worked on the Erie Canal. The Canal opened in 1848 and was
eventually 60 feet wide and 6 feet deep with towpaths built along each bank to allow mules to be harnessed
to tow barges and packet boats along the Canal.
In May 1838, Erastus Newton sent for his wife Julia, their 3 children and Salina Goodell, the wife of his
nephew, William Butler Newton. They traveled to Lockport, reaching there on June 4. Much of the early
activity in and around the areas south of Chicago was devoted to building access roads, acquiring equipment,
recruiting laborers, and putting up crude structures to house the work force. On October 31, 1838, Erastus
Newton, his wife Julia, their fifteen year old son Lyman, his nephew William Butler Newton, his wife Salina
and nine other residents met at the home of Erastus Newton near the corner of Seventh and State Streets to
organize the First Congregational Meeting House of Lockport, Illinois.
In August 1837, Henry L. Fuller received several parcels of land in Section 23 and Section 24 from Elem
Fuller, his father [C-459-461]. The executor of his father’s estate, Luther Chamberlain deeded the 240 acres
of land to Henry which also included dozens of lots that had been previously surveyed and platted in East
Lockport. In March 1839, William Butler Newton and Erastus Newton purchased all those lots in the blocks
that had been laid out as East Lockport from Henry L. Fuller plus additional parcels totaling 240 acres in
Sections 23 and 24 for $1,000 [Contract E-229]. In December 1842 Erastus Newton borrowed one thousand
dollars from Robert F. Bartlett who was living in Lockport in the form of a mortgage using the 240 acres
obtained in 1839 as collateral [Contract G-510]. The contract stated that $745.50 was to be paid by October 1,
1845 and was witnessed by Lyman Newton, Erastus Newton’s son and Josiah Gooding.
On March 12, 1843 Robert F. Bartlett became a member of the Lockport Congregational Church that had
been organized by his uncle Erastus Newton and other Lockport citizenry in 1838. On Tuesday, December
26, 1843, a twenty-five year old Robert F. Bartlett married eighteen year old Louisa R. Barnes in Lockport.
Written on the back of their December 25, 1843 marriage certificate [#557] was an affidavit from Lyman
Marshall Newton, the oldest son of Erastus Newton and a cousin of William F. Bartlett –
I, Lyman M. Newton being duly sworn disposes and says that he is acquainted with Louise R. Barnes
of the County aforesaid and that he has been so acquainted for a period of four years…and respondent
believes that the said Louise R. Barnes has attained the age of eighteen years and upwards, and further
respondent saith not.
In July 1844 Arthur Bronson executed a power of attorney by enlisting William E. Jones and William B.
Ogden to take charge of the care and management of the lands that Bronson had obtained from James
Mathers in 1840 [Contract I-47] and in January 1845, the mortgage with a balance of $700 owed to Robert
Bartlett along with the land that had been included as collateral was assigned to William E. Jones and
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William B. Ogden [Contract 29-520]. In April 1845 Erastus Newton obtained a mortgage from his older
brother William Newton of Sherburne, New York.
Two years later in September 1847, Jeddiah Woolley, Jr. completed a survey of a 126 acre parcel that was
part of the old Mathers’ farm in the Southwest Quarter of Section 10 for Robert F. Bartlett and Hugh
Boulton. In November 1848, with the consent of Robert F. Bartlett (noted in the contract) Hugh Boulton
purchased the surveyed northern segment of 63 acres for $158.05. In December 1853, a release was obtained
by Erastus Newton on the mortgage he had secured from Robert F. Bartlett in 1842 and had the mortgage
assigned to Warren Newton, a lawyer from Norwich, New York and the son of Erastus Newton’s oldest
brother, William Newton. On June 20, 1854 Arthur Bronson’s estate sold the remaining lands that Arthur
Bronson had purchased from James Mathers in 1840 to Warren Newton for $1,500 by Quit Claim Deed
(Contract 45-262).
In February 1857, Warren Newton, the Cashier of the Bank of Norwich, New York which he helped
organize in 1856, sold the sixty-three acres of land that was commonly known as Mather’s Farm to his
cousin, Robert F. Bartlett for $100 which likely settled the mortgage that Bartlett had given to his uncle,
Erastus Newton almost 15 years earlier. Bartlett had the 63-acre parcel surveyed and subdivided the parcel
into 9 lots of varying sizes and records from the Will County Recorder of Deeds, indicate that Robert F.
Bartlett began selling lots in 1858 in his new subdivision.
The Census of 1850 was authorized by Congress in May 1850 to collect every free person’s name and not
just the head of the household as in previous enumerations but also many additional “social statistics”
including information on taxes, schools, crime, wages, estate values and mortality data. The Census of 1850
was completed in Plainfield during the first two weeks of September 1850 and shows the enumeration of
Robert Franklin Bartlett and his family:
32 R. F. Bartlett - NY (April 29, 1818 – Dec. 12, 1886) - Mason
27 R. L. Bartlett – NY (Louisa R. Barnes – Sept. 12, 1825 – Aug. 23, 1899)
5 A. Bartlett – IL (Adaline – Oct. 22, 1845 - 1932)
1 M. Bartlett – IL (Mary Jane – March. 5, 1849 - Jan. 23, 1864)
34 William W. Bartlett – NY (April 26, 1816 – July 20, 1854) – Gunsmith (Robert’s Brother)
In the Spring of 1850, Erastus Newton had a severe attack of gold fever and left immediately for the gold
fields of California with his good friend William Gooding. Gooding and Newton had become good friends
during the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal. Gooding had been hired in 1836 by the Illinois
and Michigan Canal Commission as its Chief Engineer. Gooding had begun an engineering apprenticeship in
1826 under the chief engineer of the Welland Canal, Allan Barrett, which he left in 1829 to run a general
store in Lockport, New York. In 1831, he worked as an engineer in Ohio on the Wabash and Erie Canal and
arrived in Illinois in May 1833 to join his father and brothers, who had come to Illinois in the Autumn of
1832. In June 1834, he was hired by the Indiana Canal Commissioners to head a corps of engineers to survey
a route for the proposed Whitewater Canal from Wayne County near the border of Ohio to the Ohio River
and was assigned by the Chief Engineer of the Wabash and Erie Canal, Jesse Williams to work on a survey
to extend the Wabash and Erie Canal. Gooding later supervised the construction of the Illinois and Michigan
headquarters and nearby warehouse in Lockport.
Gooding remained in California only briefly before returning to Illinois in the Fall, however Erastus Newton
remained until 1855 at which time he returned to Sherburne, New York to re-join his wife who had moved
from Lockport, Illinois back to New York in 1853. In 1857, they purchased the Gooding farm in Henrietta,
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near Rochester, N. Y. and lived there until 1860 and then moved to Rochester until 1864 when they returned
to Sherburne and lived in the old Hatch homestead until his death in 1867.
Bartlett’s subdivision was created in August of 1857 and was comprised of nine lots of varying sizes on the
north side of Lockport Street stretching east from where Lockport and West (later renamed Division) Streets
met to the proposed right-of-way of the Joliet Aurora & Northern Railway crossing Lockport Street and
north to Amboy Street. Over the next fifty years the subdivision of these nine large parcels, united the early
northeastern development with the well-established west and southern portions of the Village. Bartlett’s
development east of Division Street not only significantly enlarged the village boundaries and changed the
identity of the village, but also provided building lots which served the pace of Plainfield’s growth for nearly
a century. Soon after Bartlett’s marriage to Louisa R. Barnes on December 26, 1843, he built a house at the
northwest corner of Academy Road (now Eastern Avenue) and Lockport Street for his eighteen year old
bride. This house was directly west of the small house built by James M. Turner in 1834 or 1835 for his wife
and children on the 10 acres of Lot 8 that would become part of Bartlett’s subdivision in 1857. ]Reference
Exhibit E – Robert Franklin Bartlett’s Subdivision to Plainfield].
In August 1858, Robert and Louisa Bartlett sold the 6.26 acres of vacant land that comprised Lots 2 and 6 of
Bartlett’s subdivision for $675 to David Babcock. Twenty-five years later in July 1883, the Circuit Court of
Will County approved the sale of the 6.26 acres for $2,200 to Solomon Simmons with the money being
divided among the heirs of Jacob Fowser. Two years later in December 1885, Solomon and Mary Simmons
sold the North part of Lots 2 and 6 or 4.26 acres of vacant land in Bartlett’s subdivision to Wallace Peter
Hall and reserved the two acres on the south end for themselves.
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Appendix E
Wallace Peter Hall
Wallace Peter Hall was the fifth of eight children born to Henry Hall (1805 – 1873?) and Maria Carroll
(1804 – 1875). All eight of their children were born in the Canadian province of Ontario near Toronto –
Ichabod (1827), Maria (1830), Sarah (1832), Clarissa (1834), Henrietta (1838), William (1840), Susan
(1845) and Wallace - June 25, 1836. Listed on the 1900 Census form taken on June 25, 1900 in Plainfield,
Wallace Hall noted that he had lived in the United States for the past 56 years. In the Spring of 1847, Henry
Hall purchased forty acres of farmland in Union Township west of the small farming community of
Valparaiso, Indiana from the U. S. Government Land Office on May 10, 1848 after having emigrated from
Canada with his family to Porter County, Indiana. The Census of 1850 enumerated on October 2 listed Henry
Hall and his wife Maria farming their forty-acre farm with their seven children – Ichabod, Maria, Clarissa,
Peter, Henrietta, William and Susan.
Also enumerated on the same Census sheet was the eighteen year old daughter of Henry and Maria Hall,
Sarah, who married twenty-three year old Adam Hider Parriott on July 25, 1850 from Virginia and they were
living near her parent’s farm. Adam’s parents were William Wilford Parriott (1799-1866) born in Maryland
and Cordelia Hider (1808 – 1891) from Hampshire County, Virginia. On September 30, 1824, William and
Cordelia were married in the unincorporated community of Tyler located in Tyler County, Virginia. Tyler
County had been formed from a part of Ohio County on December 6, 1814 and on June 20, 1863 Tyler
would be one of the fifty Virginia counties that gathered together to create the key border state of West
Virginia, entering the Union as the thirty-fifth state during the second year of the Civil War. On October 16,
1826, Adam Hider Parriott was the first of four children born to William and Cordelia and their only child
born in Virginia before they moved to Indiana from northwestern Virginia in 1835. Adam’s siblings,
Knighton (1836), Wilford (1840) and Bernice (1844) were all born in Porter County, Indiana near the
farming community of Valparaiso.
The 1830 Federal Census enumerated a young couple, Abraham A. Hall (30 – 40) and his wife (20 – 30)
living in central Indiana near Indianapolis in Marion County. Records from the Bureau of Land Management
for Porter County, Indiana listed a forty-acre parcel purchased on March 15, 1837 by Abraham A. Hall.
Records from the Porter County Historical Museum indicated that the first hotel in Valparaiso, Indiana was
the American Eagle House located at the southeast corner of Main and Franklin Streets. Additional
information listed Abraham Hall as an early settler in Porter County and the owner of Valparaiso House
often referred to as Hall’s Tavern in 1839. At the time of the 1840 Census, Abraham Hall (40 – 49) and his
wife (30-40) had three children under five years of age – two boys and a girl.
It is difficult to link the Indiana family of Abraham A. Hall to the Canadian family of Henry Hall and his
wife Maria Carroll and their eight children who emigrated to Porter County, Indiana in 1847 from near
Toronto, Canada. However, it seems likely that the two families may have shared some type of connection,
since they had a common surname, settled in close proximity to each other and became engaged in similar
enterprises though historical records including Census records and family research at Ancestry.com have
large gaps or are incomplete. Not until the 1850 Census were husbands, wives and children listed with their
places of birth and ages. Records from the Porter County Museum and the Bureau of Land Management
validate that Abraham A. Hall purchased farmland and managed a hotel, however by the time of the 1850
Census, there is no record of where the family of Abraham A. Hall had relocated.
Following this nomination, the reader can consult Exhibit G which shows the 1850 and 1860 U. S. Census
information for Union and Centre Townships, two of the 12 townships in Porter County, Indiana. The 1850
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Census enumerated on October 8 for Union Township located west of the farming community of Valparaiso
listed the family farm of Henry Hall, with his wife Maria and seven of their eight children. Living nearby
was their eighteen year old daughter, Sarah who married Adam Hider Parriott on July 25, 1850 and also
living nearby in Union Township were Adam’s parents – Wilford, his wife Cordelia and their three children.
Residing in Center Township which included much of Valparaiso was Silas Carr, his wife Zada and their two
year old daughter Mary, plus Silas’s brother Molby who married Wallace Hall’s oldest sister Maria on
March 1, 1856.
The Sunday, January 19, 1860 weekly issue of the Valparaiso Republic newspaper noted the marriage of
Wallace Peter Hall, then twenty-three and his twenty-four year old bride, Carrie M. Liscomb on Wednesday,
January 15, 1860, officiated by The Reverend E. J. Jones. In the 1860 Census for Valparaiso, Indiana taken
on June 4, 1860, Wallace, his wife Carrie and his brother-in-law Adam Parriott, his wife Sarah (Hall),
Wallace’s older sister along with their three children -Celia, Wilford and Wallace were listed as landlords
and living at the hotel. Local historical records seem to indicate that their Adam’s parents also had a share of
the business. Additional records from the Porter County Museum indicate that the hotel was located on Lot 5
in Block 19 at the northeast corner of Main and Franklin Streets across the street from the Public Square. The
hotel, originally known as the Tremont House, was constructed in the 1840s and was commonly referred to
as the Hall & Parriott Hotel after they purchased the property in 1857.
Wallace’s wife, Carrie Liscomb was born on March 6, 1834 near Albany, New York in Troy, which was
about eight miles north of New York’s capital. At an early age Carrie showed a talent for music while
attending Troy Female Seminary founded in 1821 by woman rights’ advocate, Emma Hart Willard. The
school is known today as the Emma Willard School and was the first school in the United States “for young
ladies of means” becoming “the first school in the country “to provide girls the same educational
opportunities given to boys.” Soon after graduating, Carrie accepted a position as a musical instructress at
the Valparaiso Male and Female College in Valparaiso, Indiana.
The Valparaiso Male and Female College founded by the Methodist Church in 1859 was one of the first co-
educational four-year institutions in the United States. The citizens of Valparaiso were so supportive of the
placement of the College that they raised $11,000 in early 1859 to encourage the Methodist Church to locate
there. Students paid a tuition of $8 per term – 3 terms per year plus nearby room and board of $2.00 per
week. Instruction at the college actually began with young children and most students were in the elementary
grade levels. Courses at the collegiate level included mathematics, literature, history, the sciences, music and
philosophy courses stressing the Christian faith that included “moral philosophy” and “moral science.”
The school was forced to close in 1871 due to fallout of the Civil War. Not only did most of the men, both
students and administrative members enroll in the Army, but Indiana passed a bill in 1867 that provided state
support for public education adding competition for students. More over the Methodists broad state-wide
efforts toward higher education meant none of their schools were self-sustaining. The combination of factors
proved too much to overcome for the Valparaiso Male and Female College, so the school closed in 1871 and
re-opened in 1873 with a new charter. In 1900 it became Valparaiso College and was re-chartered in 1906 as
Valparaiso University.
Enumerated in the 1860 Census and living in Valparaiso were the parents of Adam Parriott – Wilford and
Cordelia with their three children – Knighton (24), sixteen year old Bernice and Wilford Jr. (20) who clerked
at the Hall & Parriott Hotel. In the Spring of 1864, Wallace and his wife Carrie sold his interest in the hotel
and Carrie resigned from her position at the College at the end of the Spring term and moved west to
Plainfield. After the death of Adam’s father, William Wilford Parriott on September 6, 1866, Adam Parriott
and his wife, Sarah sold the hotel in downtown Valparaiso.
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In 1867, Adam moved his family and used the money from the sale of the hotel to purchase farmland near
the state capital of Iowa, Des Moines located in Jefferson Township of Polk County, where he and his wife
would live until their deaths. Adam’s mother, Cordelia decided to remain in Valparaiso after the death of her
husband in 1866, having moved to the area in 1835 where she had raised her family. She lived in the near her
three youngest children, Knighton, Wilford and Bernice – all who elected to remain in and around
Valparaiso. Knighton was a carpenter and Bernice was a teacher and her husband, David Turner was also a
carpenter and often worked with Knighton. Cordelia Parriott died in 1891 in Porter County and her three
children remained in the area – Knighton died in 1895, Wilford died in 1901 and Bernice died in 1908.
Adam the oldest of all the children who moved to a farm outside Des Moines, Iowa, died in 1911 at the age
of 84 and his wife Sarah, the sister of Wallace Peter Hall died in 1917 at the age of 85.
On July 3, 1865, the Illinois State Census was taken in Plainfield and Wallace P. Hall and his wife Carrie
were listed as residents of the village. The 1848 Illinois Constitution provided for state census’ to be done at
the mid-decade. Thus in 1855 and 1865, Illinois conducted a State Census to determine the state’s
population. In 1869, the Illinois General Assembly decided to change the 1848 Constitution since there had
been so many transportation-related innovations since 1848 rendering the document as inadequate. Delegates
were chosen across the State in November 1869 and in December the chosen delegates began their
deliberations in Springfield. On July 2, 1870, Illinois voters approved the new State Constitution which
became the law of the State soon thereafter.
In the 1870 Census taken on August 15 and the 1880 Census taken on June 25, Wallace listed his occupation
as a painter and along with his wife Carrie were enumerated as living within the Village of Plainfield. The
earliest property contracts for Wallace Hall located at the Will County Recorder of Deeds were dated July
27, 1883, leading one to believe that Wallace and Carrie Hall rented places to live in Plainfield when the
1865 Illinois Census was taken and during the Federal Census’ of 1870 and 1880. When looking at the 1870
and 1880 Census sheets, it appears that Wallace and Carrie were living somewhere in Arnold’s Addition to
Plainfield since they are listed on the same page as the family of Edgar L. Doud. Edgar Doud had purchased
Block 3 in Arnold’s Addition to Plainfield in January 1869 from Robert and Frances (Bales) Crist for $1,000
and were living in the former house of Reverend Stephen R. Beggs.
On February 25, 1882, Wallace Hall purchased Lots 1 and 2 in Block 12 in Section 16 of Ingersoll’s Original
Plainfield from Plainfield District 1 School Trustees for $525. Situated on north half of Lot 1 was the
Academy Building, a two-story Greek Revival styled structure with a rare Temple Front interpretation of the
style likely constructed by the District in 1855 replacing the one room school built by the Lower District
School Trustees that was moved to the east side of Division Street by Charles Needham, Sr. Needham moved
the schoolhouse onto Lot 6 of Block 2 in Elihu Corbin’s Addition to Plainfield. Lot 1 in Block 12 had been
purchased by District 1 Trustees in 1849 from Samuel Pratt and Frederick Tuttle for $15 and Lot 2 in Block
12 was purchased by District 1 Trustees in August 1863 for $75 from Jonathan Hagar.
On March 1, 1882, less than a week after purchasing Lots 1 and 2 from the District 1 School Trustees,
Wallace Hall sold the Academy Building to Peter W. Spangler for $300 with the understanding that he
would move the building off of the north half Lot 1 in Block 12. In the Spring of 1884, Spangler moved the
former school building west to Fox River Street to Lot 2 and the East 20 feet of the South 66 feet of Lot 3 in
Block 4 of Emma Harbaugh’s re-subdivision of the North half of Block 4. On March 10, 1882, Wallace Hall
sold the North half of Lots 1 and 2 in Block 12 to George Robert McClester for $175 and hired McClester to
build him a 2-story single family residence exhibiting Greek Revival and Italianate styles as applied to a Side
Hall Plan vernacular building type. Nearly eighteen months later on July 27, 1883, Wallace and Carrie Hall
sold the new house on the South Half of Lots 1 and 2 to widow, Judith Suydam for $2,250 in contract 135-
165.
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Judith (Aulsbrook) Suydam was one of nine children, four boys and five girls, born to John Aulsbrook and
Mary Raynor in England between 1805 to 1820, eight of whom emigrated to the United States. Historical
information indicates the patriarch of the family, John Aulsbrook, age 64, arrived in New York City on
September 6, 1838 from Liverpool on the ship “South America.” Their first-born child, William Aulsbrook
had emigrated six years earlier in 1828 and settled in Cincinnati, Ohio and in March 1830 married Elizabeth
Sibcy. In May 1831, Elizabeth gave birth to their son Alfred W. and two years later in April 1832, she was a
widow after William drowned in the cellar.
Several children of the Suydam family settled in the vicinity of Cincinnati, Ohio and Louisville, Kentucky.
On April 14, 1834, Judith married Charles Suydam in Fern Creek, Kentucky. Fern Creek had been first
settled in 1789 and was located southeast of Louisville and soon thereafter the couple moved across the Ohio
River into southwestern Ohio near Cincinnati. In 1838, Samuel was born and two years later in 1840, James.
Judith’s older brother, Henry Aulsbrook, was a cabinetmaker by trade in Louisville and on January 14, 1836,
married Philena Livingstone in Louisville. Henry and Philena had two children while living in Louisville,
Henry was born in 1840 and Charles in 1843. In late 1848 or 1849, Henry moved to Plainfield and on
January 12, 1850, Henry purchased Lots 14 and 15 in Block 13 from John D. Shreffler for $250. The
contract (R-426-7) was for the two lots located on Ottawa Street at the southeast corner of Ottawa and Fox
River with a house located on Lot 15. A month later in February 1850, Henry purchased Lots 16 and 17 at
the southeast corner of Oak and DesPlaines Street from the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church and
built his cabinet shop on Lot 17 selling Lot 16 to Robert Webb in September 1851. Prior to Henry’s arrival
in Plainfield, his sister Judith Aulsbrook and her husband Charles Suydam had purchased a farm near Bristol
in Na-au-say Township in Kendall County and Judith’s father, John Aulsbrook relocated to Plainfield to live
with Henry and Philena.
On April 8,1850, John Aulsbrook died in Plainfield at the age of seventy-six and nearly two months later on
June 2, 1850, Henry’s wife Philena passed away at the age of 35. Henry remarried in September 1851 to
Caroline Smith of Frankfort, Illinois and they would have three sons – Martin (1853), Julius (1854) and Jesse
(1857). The 1850 Census indicated that Henry’s oldest child, Henry Jr. was living in nearby to Joliet
employed as a painter. In October 1861, Henry signed up in Joliet with the 13th Regiment of the Illinois
Cavalry, Company F as a bugler. On May 4, 1862 soon after his twenty-second birthday, Henry was killed
instantly while assisting with a 32-pound artillery piece, that discharged prematurely. His body was returned
to Joliet where he was buried.
After turning sixteen, Henry’s sons Martin and Julius became apprentice cabinetmakers alongside their
father at his cabinet shop in Plainfield. In October, 1876, Martin married in Iowa and soon thereafter his
father moved with his wife Caroline and their son Julius to near Belle Plaine, Iowa located in the southwest
corner of Benton County approximately two miles north of the Iowa River where they established a cabinet
shop. By 1885, Henry and his wife Caroline and his two sons have relocated to Sturgis, Michigan where
Martin ran a furniture store and his youngest son Julius continued his work as a furniture maker and married
in 1887.
On January 4, 1880, Judith’s husband Charles Suydam died at the age of 67 on their farm in Kendall County.
The 1880 Census finds Judith briefly living with the family of William Barron who had married the middle
child of Judith’s youngest sister Mary. Judith decided to move from Kendall County where she and her
husband had resided for over 35 years to purchase a house in Plainfield. Using money from the sale of the
farm, Judith purchased the house built for Wallace Peter Hall and his wife Carrie on the south half of Lots 1
and 2 in Block 12 by George R. McClester for $2,250 on July 27, 1883. Judith lived in the house until her
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death on September 12, 1891 and on December 29, 1891, the executor of her estate, William Barron sold the
house to John D. Hahn, Sr. for $2,000.
On December 4, 1885, Wallace Hall purchased the north part of Lot 2 and the north part of Lot 6 in Robert
Franklin Bartlett’s subdivision totaling 4.26 acres that was originally part of the James Mathers’ farm in the
southwest quarter of Section 10 from Solomon Simmons for $1,300. The sale excluded one acre each on the
south ends of Lots 2 and 6. Simmons had purchased the 6.26 acre parcel from the Will County Circuit Court
in July 1883 for $2,200 because of non-payment of taxes by the estate of Jacob Fouser and the lack of
interest in the property by the heirs. Jacob Fouser who died on Christmas Day 1881 had purchased the 6.26
acre parcel in November 1868 for $3,000 from Augustine and Henry Smith. The next day, December 5,
Wallace Hall received a mortgage for $1,000 from Solomon Simmons in the form of two promissory notes
of $500 each – the first note was due on or before June 5, 1886 and the second note was due on or before
December 4, 1886. On May 25, 1887, Wallace Hall received a release on the mortgage.
By December 1, 1887, Artemus Julius Mathewson with the direction from Wallace P. Hall surveyed and
subdivided the lands of the north part of Lot 2 and the north part of Lot 6 of Robert F. Bartlett’s Subdivision
of the Southwest Quarter of Section 10 into eleven lots of equal size, with an alley running the entire length
of the subdivision connecting with Amboy on the north and Bartlett Avenue on the south and Lot 12 that
would be divided into eleven equal parts. On December 8, 1887, the Plat of Survey was approved by the
Board of Trustees of the Village of Plainfield, William Gascoigne, President and on September 17, 1888, the
Plat of Survey and Deed were approved by Giles D. Foster, a Justice of the Peace and filed for the record on
September 20, 1888 by the Recorder of Deeds. [Reference Exhibit H – Plat of Hall’s Subdivision].
The Sanborn Fire Insurance Company of Pelham, New York was a publisher of detailed maps of United
States’ cities and towns in the 19th and 20th Century. They were originally created to allow fire insurance
companies to assess their total liability in urbanized areas of the United States. They contained detailed
information about properties and indexed buildings in about 12,000 cities and towns. Lots in Hall’s
Subdivision were covered on Page 1 of the June 1893 Sanborn Fire Insurance map with houses shown on
Lots 4, 5, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Soon after the approval of the Plat of Survey for Hall’s Subdivision by the
Plainfield Village Board and the Circuit Court of Will County along the east side of Bartlett Avenue,
Wallace Hall hired his friend and local carpenter, George R. McClester to build the house that is under
consideration for this Village Landmark on Lot 11 – the southernmost lot in his newly approved subdivision.
What better method to advertise the availability of new expansive lots in close walking distance to schools
and the downtown shopping area. By August 1900 all the lots in Hall’s subdivision had been sold.
[Reference Exhibit I – List of Original Purchases of the Eleven Lots in Hall’s Subdivision].
Wallace and Carrie Hall had arrived almost two years before the construction of the Methodist Episcopal
Church began at the northwest corner of Illinois and Chicago Streets in October 1866. The Methodist
Episcopal Church was the oldest and largest Methodist denomination in the United States from its founding
in 1784, being the first religious denomination in the United States to organize itself on a national basis.
Early Methodism was counterculture in that it was anti-elitist and anti-slavery, appealing especially to
African Americans and women. Carrie’s early education in Troy, New York laid the groundwork for her
working with young people and her affiliation with the Methodist Church came about with her employment
at the Valparaiso Male and Female College as an instructor while her husband helped run a hotel in
Valparaiso.
Carrie Hall became identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church as the organist when the congregation
would gather to worship at the Church which later became Mr. Gray’s blacksmith shop. After the completion
of the Methodist Episcopal Church that began in October 1866, Carrie Hall soon conducted the music in the
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Church, presiding at the pipe organ that she and her husband Wallace were instrumental in its purchase of the
first pipe organ in Plainfield for church services and Sunday school for 34 years. To raise part of the
necessary funds for the new pipe organ, Carrie gave many concerts and entertainments on the organ aided by
nearly all the musical talent of the community for several years. In addition, her husband Wallace
contributed his painting skills soon after the Church construction was completed and over the next few years.
With failing health and loss of eyesight from diabetes, Carrie was obliged to resign her position as organist in
1898.
Carrie Hall died Friday morning on January 5, 1900 at their Bartlett Avenue house from diabetes and its
complications. She had become bed-ridden approximately three weeks before her passing. Carrie was buried
at Plainfield Township Cemetery on January 7, 1900 and nearly nine months later on October 12, her
husband of almost forty years passed away at their house and was buried beside her.
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Appendix F
Summary Statement of Significance
In ArchiSearch’s evaluation of this 130 year old two-story house survey notations included a “good degree
of integrity” - course limestone foundation, original narrow clapboard blue-gray painted siding with corner
boards, all windows with surrounding with bull’s eye corner blocks, plain cornice, wood posts with turned
balustrades on the hip roof porch and on the southwest reentrant angle, molded/paneled surround and a wood
shake roof to name a few of the characteristics. The original wood shake roof was replaced soon after the
house was purchased in 1979 by the owner of the property. This is one of thirty-one T-Plan houses identified
by ArchiSearch in their 2006 survey of historic Plainfield though stated previously in this nomination this
house has more characteristics belonging to a Cross Plan example. This house is located in Plainfield’s only
residential historic district that was created in October 2008. There is one Cross Plan house and six T-Plan
houses located within the thirty-seven properties that make up the East Side Historic District with one T-Plan
dating from 1888 that was designated a local landmark in May 2016.
The East Side Historic District is a thoroughly woven representation of nearly a century of the Village’s
architecture and currently has six houses within its boundaries designated as local landmarks. The houses
along a portion of Bartlett Avenue, Amboy and Center Streets comprise Plainfield’s first residential historic
district that was created in the autumn of 2008. This area became home to many key individuals in the
history of Plainfield. These included James Riley Ashley, the first Village Clerk; Charles V. Barr, owner of
the Barr Grain Elevator; Jeremiah Evarts, founder of the first private bank in Plainfield; Avery F. Lambert, a
Township Supervisor and bank president; Ebenezer Nimmons, who donated money from his estate for the
founding of the first library and Senator Warren Wood, a 30 year member of the Illinois legislature and
Wallace Peter Hall, who built the house under consideration for a local landmark designation and the creator
of Hall’s Subdivision.
The period of significance would be when Wallace Peter Hall and his wife Carrie had this house built for
themselves in c.1889 until their deaths in 1900.
The Wallace Peter Hall Residence is nominated for designation as a local landmark in the Village of
Plainfield under the following criteria:
Criterion c: is identified with persons who significantly contributed to the development of the community,
county, state, or nation;
Criterion d: embodies distinguishing characteristics of an architectural style valuable for the study of a
period, type, method of construction, or use of indigenous materials;
Criterion f: embodies elements of design, detailing, materials, or craftsmanship that are of architectural
significance.
Criterion j: is suitable for preservation or restoration;
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Appendix G
Exhibit Table of Contents
A. Ingersoll’s Original Plat of Planefield – 1834
B. Ingersoll’s Addition to Plainfield – 1837
C. Plat of Arnold’s Addition to Plainfield – September 4, 1845 – this shows the quarter section that
came to be known as Arnold’s Addition - was surveyed almost a year after Levi Arnold’s death.
D. Elihu Corbin’s Addition to Plainfield - 1852
E. Robert Franklin Bartlett’s Subdivision to Plainfield - 1857
F. Chain of Title for 15017 S. Bartlett Avenue
G. 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910 Census Information for Wallace and Parriott Families
H. Plat of Hall’s Subdivision - 1887
I. Initial Purchasers of Lots in Hall’s Subdivision
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EXHIBIT A
Ingersoll’s Original Plat of Planefield – 1834
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EXHIBIT B
Ingersoll’s Addition to Plainfield – 1837
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EXHIBIT C
Plat of Arnold’s Addition to Plainfield - 1845
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EXHIBIT D
Elihu Corbin’s Addition to Plainfield - 1852
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EXHIBIT E
Robert Franklin Bartlett’s Subdivision to Plainfield - 1857
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EXHIBIT F
15017 (713) S. Bartlett Avenue
06-03-10-311-010-0000
Lot 11 & the South 73.26’ of Lot 12 in Hall’s subdivision of North parts of Lots 2 & 6 of Bartlett’s Subdivision
GRANTOR GRANTEE
11/01/2018 Tobin, Timothy/Tracie [WD-R2019001261] $299,000 Burke, Caryn
1/30/1987 Hagen, David/Jeanne L. [WD-R87006034] Tobin, Timothy/Tracie
6/16/1979 Boucher, Charlotte [WD-R79022434] Hagen, David
Boucher, Elmer
Smith, Evelyn
Heirs at Law of Charlotte Boucher
9/19/1950 Weller, Leonard/Lucy M. [WD – 1314-561] Boucher, Charlotte
10/06/1929 Hawkins, Nancy M. [WD – 812-588] Weller, Leonard
5/04/1922 Scott, Edwin L. [WD – 596-18] Hawkins, William E.
5/04/1922 Hawkins, William E./Nancy [WD – 587-349] Scott, Edwin L.
12/29/1900 Hall, Wallace P. (Est.) [QCD – 365-345] $1,800 Hawkins, William E.
[John I. Evarts – Executor]
4/04/1898 Hall, Wallace P./Carrie [MTG – 326-300] $1,000 Scofield, William
4 Promissory notes of $250 each to be paid by 4/04/1903 for Lot 11 in Hall’s Subdivision
of North part of Lot 2 & North part of Lot 6 in B. F. Bartlett’s subdivision of North part
of SW ¼ of Sec. 10 in Twp. 36 N Range 9 E. – also a piece of land east of Lot 11 of equal
width to Lot 11 thence to the East line of Hall’s subdivision.
12/01/1887 W. P. Hall’s Subdivision recorded w/the Will County Recorder of Deeds
5/25/1887 Simmons, Solomon L. [release of Mtg (231-319)– 244- 241] Hall, Wallace P./ Carrie
12/05/1885 Hall, Wallace P./ Carrie [Mortgage – 231-319] Simmons, Solomon
2 Promissory Notes of $500 each – due on or before 6 months & 1 year respectively after
date for the following described real estate - All of Lots 2 & 6 of Bartlett’s Subdivision of a part
of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, Twp. 36 N Range 9 East of the 3rd P. M., excepting & reserving 2 acres
on the south ends thereof
12/04/1885 Simmons, Solomon/Mary [WD – 239-603] $1,300 Hall, Wallace P./ Carrie
All of Lots 2 & 6 of Bartlett’s Subdivision of a part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, Twp. 36 N
Range 9 East of the 3rd P. M., excepting & reserving 2 acres on the south ends thereof.
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7/14/1883 Foster, Giles D. [Deed – 222-289-91] $2.200 Simmons, Solomon
[Special Commissioner]
An order & decree by the Circuit Court of Will County for the following
described land & premises - Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10,
containing 6.26 Acres as surveyed by W. H. Mathewson for said Bartlett.
6/06/1883 Bartlett, Robert F./Louisa R. [QCD – 201-361] Heirs at Law of Jacob Fowser
Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, containing 6.26 Acres as
surveyed by W. H. Mathewson for said Bartlett.
11/02/1868 Smith, A.A./Elizabeth C. [WD – 112-527] $3,000 Fowser, Jacob
Smith, Henry C./Mary D.
Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, containing
6.26 Acres as surveyed by W. H. Mathewson for said Bartlett.
12/23/1864 Smith, Henry C./Mary D. [MTG – 86-127] $1,000 Trustees of Plainfield College
Smith, Augustine A./Elizabeth C.
To secure payment of a note for $1,000 bearing even date herewith, payable 5 years from date
with interest from date at 6% payable annually in advance…….note paid in full on 12/21/1869
Convey Lots 2 & 6 in R. F. Bartlett’s subdivision of part of SW ¼ of Sec. 10, containing 6.26 A.
– paid in full 12/21/1869 [86-127]
11/21/1864 Barnes, Benjamin/Amanda [WD – 88-228] $2,500 Smith, Augustine A.
Bartlett, R. F./Louisa R. Smith, Henry C.
Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, containing 6.26 Acres
as surveyed by W. H. Mathewson for said Bartlett.
12/29/1864 Wheeler, Nancy P. [Release – 89-498] Barnes, Benjamin C.
Release of Mortgage 58-471 acknowledged 12/31/1864
1/31/1863 Barnes, Benjamin C./Amanda [Mtg – 58-471] $500 Wheeler, Nancy P.
To secure payment of 3 notes, bearing even date herewith totaling $500 (purchase money), with
last note payable on or before 1/31/1866 for Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s Subdivision of part
of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, containing 6.26 A. as surveyed by A. J. Mathewson.
1/31/1863 Wheeler, Nancy F. [WD – 79-213] $850 Barnes, Benjamin C.
The undivided half of Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s Subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10,
containing 6.26 A. as surveyed by A. J. Mathewson for said Bartlett, except the barn on said
premises.
11/21/1859 Barnes, Bejamin C. [WD – 80-458] $100 Bartlett, Robert F.
The undivided half of Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s Subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10,
containing 6.26 A. as surveyed by W. H. Mathewson for said Bartlett, includes the whole of the barn
with the privilege of its removal on the land remaining the same.
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9/19/1859 Babcock, David/Rahamah [WD – 70-419] $950 Wheeler, Nancy P.
The equal & undivided half of Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s Subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of
Sec. 10, containing 6.26 A. as surveyed by A. J. Mathewson for said R. F. Bartlett to David Babcock.
9/13/1858 Babcock, David/Rahamah [WD – 79-212] $1,139.67 Barnes, Benjamin
The undivided half of Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s Subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10,
containing 6.26 A. as surveyed by A. J. Mathewson for said Bartlett, including the whole of the
barn with the privilege of its remaining on the land or removing the same.
8/09/1858 Bartlett, Robert F./Louisa R. [WD – 57-414] $675 Babcock, David
Lots 2 & 6 of R. F. Bartlett’s subdivision of part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10, containing 6.26 A. as
surveyed by A. J. Mathewson for said Robert F. Bartlett
8/9-11/1857 Robert F. Bartlett’s Subdivision by A. J. Mathewson – county Surveyor [Plat - 65-69]
R.F. Bartlett appeared before J. Hagar J.P. on 4/10/1858 to acknowledge ownership
2/20/1857 Newton, Warren/Lydia W. [QCD – 52-185-6] $100 Bartlett, Robert F.
SE ¼ of SW ¼ of Sec. 21 in Twp. 36 N Range 9 E, also the SW ¼ of Sec. 10 in the same Twp. & Range known as
the Mather’s farm (excepting & reserving therefrom so much of said SW ¼ as was theretofore prior to the 17th day
of January 1845, laid out in town lots & included in East Plainfield. Also excepting 4 Acres & 75 rods of land
heretofore prior to the 1/17/1845 sold to Riley B. Ashley. Also excepting & reserving from the above described party
that portion of the same conveyed by Deed [U-76] by Frederick Bronson, Executor to Hugh Bolton on November
14, 1848, containing 68 Acres & 21 ¾ rods as particularly described in said deed.
6/10/1854 Bronson, Frederick [QCD – 45-262] $1,500 Newton, Warren
N ¼ of SE ¼ of SW ¼ of Sec. 21; SW ¼ of Sec. 10 known as the Mather’s farm, excepting & reserving therefrom
so much of said SW ¼ as was heretofore prior to Jan. 17, 1845 laid out in town lots & included in East Plainfield,
also exempting 4 Acres & 75 rods of land heretofore prior to Jan. 17, 1845, sold to Riley B. Ashley [see I-21], the
residue of said SW ¼ of Sec. 10 thereby conveyed containing about 136 ½ A. & the whole intended to be conveyed
by said deed, containing about 136 ½ A.; excepting/reserving from the above described lands, that portion of same
conveyed by deed by Isaac Bronson to Hugh Bolton on Nov. 14, 1848 & described in said deed [U-76-7] as follows:
all that tract of land of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10 bounded as follows: Commencing 16.20 chains North of the SE corner
of SW ¼ of Sec. 10, thence North 23.53 ½ chains, thence North 89 ¼ degrees W. 16.75 chains, thence South 53 ½
degrees West 12.75 chains, thence South 36 ½ degrees East 3.12 ½ chains, thence South 53 ½ degrees West 9.05
chains, thence South 7.80 chains & thence South 89 ¼ degrees East 32.49 chains to place of beginning, containing
63 Acres & 21 ¾ rods……Also all that other tract of land known as N ½ of NW ¼ of SE ¼ of SW ¼ of Sec. 21,
containing 5 A.
9/08/1847 Survey by Jeddiah Wooley, Jr. for Robert F. Bartlett & Hugh Bolton
Commence at the SW corner of Sec. 10 & run thence South 89 ¼ degrees East on a true line 40.01 chains
[2640’ or ½ mile] & set a stone for a ¼ Section corner, thence North 16.20 chains & set a post & ordered a stone
for a division between Bartlett & Bolton, thence North 23.53 ½ chains, set a post & ordered a stone for the center of
Sec. 10 & the NE corner of the Survey, thence North 89 ¼ degrees West 16.75 chains to a point in the Chicago &
Plainfield Road, thence S. 53 ½ degrees West along said Road 12.75 chains to the eastern boundary of Mather’s
addition to the Town of Plainfield, thence South 36 ½ degrees East 3.12 ½ chains, thence South 53 ½ degrees West
9.05 chains, thence South 7.90 chains set a post & ordered a stone for a division between Bolton & Bartlett, thence
South 2.50 chains, thence West 7.52 chains, thence South 13.70 chains to the place of beginning.
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10/15/1840 Mathers, James [QCD – F-400] $3,000 Bronson, Arthur
Also the following piece or parcel of land [excepting thereout a small part non embraced in the
town boundary of the Town of East Plainfield] to wit – the SW ¼ of Sec. 10 in Twp. 36 N Range
9 East, containing 131 A. –[contract includes other lands NA]
9/17/1838 Mathers, James/Sarah [MTG – D-360] $400 Williams, Zipporah
To secure payment of $400 as per note, grant, bargain, sell, convey the following – all that part
of the NW ¼ of Sec. 10 that lies South of a line drawn due East & West from the bridge across
the canal between the saw & grist mills that is not included in the plat of E. Plainfield. Also
that part of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10 that lies north of the town plan of E. Plainfield & Lots 13-19,
26-33, 70-79 in said Town of E. Plainfield. – on the margin of same page 360 – received 11/5/1844
from Ezra Goodhue $400 with the interest to this date in full of the within MTG & I do hereby
authorize a minute of satisfaction thereof to be entered of record.
6/10/1836 Mathers, James/Sarah [MTG – A-204-7] $2,000 Bronson, Isaac
(1) E ½ of the SW ¼ of Sec. 21 in Twp. 36N Range 9 E, containing 80 A
(2) N ½ of the NW ¼ of Sec. 10 in Twp. 36 N Range 9 E, containing 80 A
(3) Also the following piece or parcel of land excepting thereout a small part now embraced
in the town boundary of the Town of East Plainfield to wit – the SW ¼ of Sec. 10 in
Twp. 36N Range 9 E, containing about 131 A.;
(4) the undivided ½ of the W ½ of the SE ¼ and
(5) the undivided ½ of the S ½ of the SW ¼ of Sec. 3 in Twp. 36 N Range 9 E, containing 80 A.
in total
To secure payment of $2,000 according to a certain bond, bearing even date herewith, in penal sum of $4,000 with
interest thereon at 12% per annum from the date until paid, with 12% interest for the same to be computed from
6/10/1836 which said interest shall be paid semi-annually on the first days of July & January in each year.
6/06/1836 Turner, James M./Mary [Deed – A-165] $100 Mathers, James/Sarah
The undivided ½ of the SW ¼ of Sec. 10 in Twp. 36N Range 9E, containing 80 A.
11/22/1834 U. S. Land Office [Land Patent – 1519] $200 Mathers, James
Turner, James M.
The SW ¼ of Sec. 10 in Twp. 36 N Range 9 E, containing 160 A.
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EXHIBIT G
Census Information for Wallace Peter Hall and Adam Parriott Families
1850 Census – Porter County, Indiana
Oct. 2 Oct. 2 Oct. 8 Aug. 8
Union Twp. Union Twp. Union Twp. Center Twp.
45 Henry Hall 23 Adam Parriott 52 Wilford Parriott 29 Silas Carr
46 Maria Carroll 18 Sarah (Hall) 42 Cordelia Hider 23 Zada Ann Carr
23 Ichabod Hall Married - 7/25/1850 14 Knighton Parriott 2 Mary Carr
20 Maria A. Hall 10 Wilford E. Parriott 27 Molby Carr
16 Clarissa Hall 7 Bernice M. Parriott
14 Peter (Wallace)
12 Henrietta Hall
10 William Hall
8 Susan S. Hall
1860 Census – Porter County, Indiana
June 8 June 4 June 1 June 1
Union Twp. Hall & Parriott Hotel Center Twp. - Valparaiso
Center Twp. - Valparaiso
55 Henry Hall 34 Adam Parriott 61 Wilford Parriott 42 Molby Carr
56 Maria 27 Sarah 52 Cordelia 30 Maria (Hall)
19 William 9 Celia 24 Knighton 7 Pulaski Carr
21 Henrietta 6 Wilford H. 20 Wilford E. – working at hotel
14 Susan S. 1 Wallace Adam 16 Bernice
27 Wallace P. Hall
25 Carrie M. Liscomb
Married - 1/15/1860
1870 Census
Plainfield – Aug. 15 Polk Cty, Iowa – July 25 Center Twp - Valparaiso
33 Wallace P. Hall 42 Adam Parriott 62 Cordelia Parriott
33 Carrie M. 38 Sarah (Hall) 32 Knighton
18 Cecilia 26 Bernice
16 Wilford
11 Wallace
7 Charles
1 Eddie
1880 Census 1900 Census 1910 Census
Plainfield Polk County, Iowa Plainfield DesMoines DesMoines
June 25 June 29 June 25 June 29 April 21
44 Wallace Hall 53 Adam Parriott 62 Wallace Hall 73 Adam Parriott 83 Adam Parriott
44 Carrie 47 Sarah 68 Sarah Parriott 77 Sarah Parriott
21 Wallace Adam 36 Robert (Dr)
17 Charles 24 Elsie
11 Eddie
6 Robert
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EXHIBIT H
Plat of Hall’s Subdivision - 1887
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EXHIBIT I
Purchasers of Lots in
Hall’s Subdivision of North Part of Lot 2 & North part of Lot 6
14915 (733) S. Bartlett – Lot 1 - Charles L. Reesman on July 6, 1891 for $225.
14919 (731) S. Bartlett – Lot 2 - Daniel Birkett on March 17, 1890 - $215;
Birkett sold to Charles Reesman on May 23, 1895 for $1,225
14921 (729) S. Bartlett – Lot 3 to Cora E. Bartrum on May 25, 1891 for $235
Bartrum sold to John J. Evarts on February 13, 1909 for $1,500
14925 (727) S. Bartlett – Lot 4 to George Lambert on April 1, 1892 for $250
Remained in the Lambert family until 1954
14927 (725) S. Bartlett – Lot 5 to Samuel Spangler on Sept, 3, 1892 for $300
Sold by Samuel Spangler heirs to Minnie Weitzel on June 26, 1924 for $5,000
14931 (723) S. Bartlett – Lot 6 & N. 6’ of Lot 7 to Louisa M. Varley on August 23, 1900 for $350
15005 (719) S. Bartlett – Lot 7 ex. N. 6’ & Lot 8 ex. S. 10’ to Jeremiah Evarts on 3/16/1892 for $500
Sold by Evarts to Frank Eaton in 1916 – Eaton’s granddaughter currently
owns the house
15009 (717) S. Bartlett - S. 10’ of Lot 8 & Lot 9 sold to Francis A. Collins on May 6, 1891 for $250
Sold in 1940 by the widow of Francis Collins
15013 (715) S. Bartlett – Lot 10 sold to Thomas R. Hayes on October 13, 1890 for $250
Mortgage received on September 1895 for $1,000 for Thomas Hayes
15017 (713) S. Bartlett – Lot 11 – retained by Wallace P. Hall – built house here c. 1889
Each of the 11 lots had frontage on Bartlett Avenue of 66 feet and ran east 150 feet from Bartlett
Avenue to the alley. East of the twelve foot wide alley, each lot had an extra 55 ¾ feet by 66 feet wide
with access to the alley that ran the entire length of the subdivision for placement of a carriage barn
for carriages and horses and later for horseless carriages. Thus each lot contained approximately
14,372.5 square feet or about one-third of an acre.
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
A Brief Synopsis of the James Mathers Family at Plainfield, Illinois, Plainfield Historical Society, 2010
A Field Guide to American Architecture, Carole Rifkind, A Plume Book, 1980, ISBN 0-452-25334-5
A History of Plainfield: Then and Now (2nd Edition), Plainfield Bicentennial Commission (Plainfield
Enterprise: Plainfield, Illinois, 1976
Ancestry.com
Appointments of US Postmasters – 1832 – 1971
Emma Willard School Archives, Troy, New York
Historic Urbanized Core Survey, Plainfield Historic Preservation Commission. ArchiSearch Historic
Preservation Consultant Alice Novak, Sept. 12, 2006
The History of Will County, Illinois - 1878
Plainfield Enterprise
Plainfield Historical Society Archives – Plainfield, Illinois
Plainfield Township Cemetery Records
Porter County Historical Society, Valparaiso, Indiana
Restoring Old Houses, Nigel Hutchins, Firefly Books, Buffalo, NY, 1997, ISBN 1-55209-144-9
Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps – 1893, 1898
U.S. Federal Census Records – 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910
Valparaiso University Archives, Valparaiso, Indiana
Will County Clerk’s Office
Will County Recorder’s Office Archives: Joliet, Illinois.
Researchers:
Michael Bortel
Leif Hendricksen
David Schmidt
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