Benjamin Stephenson-- Part 5: Very Involved in Edwardsville's Economy

In April 1816 he was appointed Receiver of U.S. Land Office in Edwardsville and held that post until his death in 1822.  In 1818, he was a delegate to Illinois' First Constitutional Convention.  In 1819 he was founder and first president of the Bank of Edwardsville and also held that position until his death.

He was buried at Lusk Cemetery in Edwardsville.

His house, which was built in 1820, still stands and now operates as a museum and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

On his grave he is listed as "Colonel Illinois Militia Rangers War of 1812."

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 2

He served as representative from Illinois Territory in the U.S. Congress 1814-1816 and was representative to the convention that wrote the first Illinois Constitution in 1818.

In 1820 he built the house that still stands and is believed to be the oldest standing house in the state.

Benjamin Stephenson died October 10, 1822 and is buried in Edwardsville.

Stephenson County in Illinois, in the northern part of the state, is named for him.

--Brock-Perry

Benjamin Stephenson of Illinois-- Part 1

On Saturday,. April 7, I wrote about the War of 1812 muster taking place at the Stephenson House in Edwardsville, Illinois, on April 14.  I am familiar with this town because it is on Route 66, but i didn't know about the Stephenson House so did some more research.

From Wikipedia.

Colonel Benjamin Stephenson was a prominent citizen and politician.  Born 1769 in Pennsylvania, moved to Virginia in 1788, then moved to Kentucky and to the Illinois Territory in 1809.

He was an Illinois militia colonel and commanded a regiment in the War of 1812.  In 1813, he was appointed adjutant of the Illinois militia.

--Brock-Perry

War of 1812 Military Muster in Edwardsville

From the April 6, 2018, Edwardsville (Illinois) Intelligencer  "Military muster marks bicentennial: by Carol Arnett.

This is being held to mark the 200th anniversary of Illinois becoming a state in 1818 as well as the War of 1812 and will take place at the historic Edward Stephenson House, (built in 1820) in Edwardsville.  There will be tours of the house and 20 re-enactors present who will be portraying War of 1812 American soldiers.

A lecture on Colonial-era medicine and their uses will be given at 2 p.m..

--Brock-Perry