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Mapping The Trail of Tears in Southern Illinois Exhibit

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Trail of Tears in Union County - Jonesboro

Winstead Davie settled in Jonesboro in 1820 and became a successful merchant and county official. Davie was granted a license to keep a public house of entertainment on his premises in Jonesboro on Dec 3, 1838, about the time the Cherokee began arriving in Union County.

The court set rates which Davie could charge his guests:

  • 25¢      lodging
  • 50¢      breakfast or dinner
  • 37.5¢   supper
  • 50¢      to keep a horse overnight
  • 25¢      horse feed

From Exodus Across Egypt
by Darrel Dexter


Near the settlement of Mt. Pleasant, another stopping place on the road between Golconda and Jonesboro.

"Friday and Saturday. [December 28th and 29th 1838]
It is distressing to reflect on the situation of the nation. One detachment stopped at the Ohio River, two at the Mississippi, one four miles this side, one 16 miles this side, one 18 miles, and one 3 miles behind us. In all these detachments, comprising about 8,000 souls, there is now a vast amount of sickness, and many deaths.

Six have died within a short time in Maj. Brown's company, and in this detachment. Of Mr. Taylor's there are more or less affected with sickness in almost every tent; and yet all are houseless & homeless in a strange land, and in a cold region exposed to weather almost unknown in their native country...

Wednesday. [January 23rd 1839]
We traveled again five miles, and camped two miles beyond Jonesborough. This is a pleasant little village, and its moral character much better than of any we have seen in the state..."

Rev. Daniel Butrick

Ann Willard Goodman, daughter of businessman and ferry owner Willis Willard, was born 3 years after the Cherokee passed through Jonesboro. In 1932, she was interviewed, and reported being told by her family that 3,500 Cherokee were camped on Dutch Creek, west of Jonesboro, during the year of the removal.

Goodman remembered hearing that Rev. Jesse Bushyhead, conductor of the 3rd detachment of Cherokee, boarded in Jonesboro with Winstead Davie and made daily trips to meet with the several thousand Cherokee camped outside in the cold on Dutch Creek.

Winstead Davie's granddaughter said that her father invited Bushyhead to be a guest in his home while the Cherokee were waiting for the ice to thaw in the Mississippi River. Bushyhead's wife was pregnant at the time and later gave birth to their daughter, Eliza Missouri Bushyhead, on January 3, 1839, after they crossed the Mississippi.


Rev. Jesse Bushyhead

Eliza Missouri Bushyhead, daughter of Rev. Jesse Bushyhead



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