Pioneer Trading In Early Central Illinois: Robert and John Templeton

May 5, 2006

In the Seattle Central Library I found this article in the Illinois State Genealogical Quarterly V. XIII, No. 2, Summer 1981 p. 61 that is a transcription of the store customer records from the Gordon and Thornton Company in Shelbyville, Illinois between 1835 and 1836. It lists goods, prices and information about the store along with customer accounts. Robert Templeton and his son John are listed as customers. It was John's son, Greenberry Templeton who married Nancy Jane McCarty and emigrated to Oregon. Two of Greenberry and Nancy's daughters married sons of Supplina and Jane Hamilton, Judd and Frank. It's amazing to think how our decendants in future generations will understand how we lived by reviewing the records of what we bought on credit and debit cards and with checks. Note: There is a John Hamilton also listed as a customer, but he is likely not a relative.

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