Person Page - 935

     Mary "Polly" Townsend was born on 11 April 1774 at Hilson Bay, Craven, South Carolina, British Colonial America. She was the daughter of Light Townsend and Delilah Pouncey. She married David Sample on 22 September 1791 at Woodford, Kentucky, United States; Back side of marriage bond identifies Lite Towsen as the father of Mary Towsen. She married Andrew Turner on 26 August 1832 at Morgan, Illinois, United States. She died on 26 May 1859 at Morgan, Illinois, United States, at age 85. She was buried at Sulphur Springs Cemetery, Morgan, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of Mary "Polly" Townsend:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ Reproduced below with permission:

The will of Light Townsen, Nov 1817, Warren Co., Kentucky, Book B:171, leaves one dollar to his daughter Polly Samples.

Mary Samples household, 1830 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M19, Roll 24, p 75:
1, male, 15-20 years of age
2, m, 20-30
1, female, 15-20
1, f, 50-60

1850 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M432, Roll 122, p 326, shows Mary Turner, age 77, born South Carolina, living in the household of Jacob Sample and family.

Application for Bounty Land Warrant, State of Illinois, Morgan County. "On this 17th day of February, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before me a County Judge & Ex Officio justice of the peace within and for said county and state Mary Turner aged 80 years, a resident of said county and state, who being duly sworn according to law declares she was the widow of the identical David Sample who performed a tour of service in the company commanded by Captain Whitesides of Illinois Rangers or Militia in the "War of 1812.' That her said husband volunteered at Madison County in the State of Illinois sometime during said war and actually served a tour under the command of said captain the length of which she has forgotten and was honorably discharged therefrom in said Madison County Illinois as will more fully appear by the Muster & Pay Rolls of said Company. His certificate of discharge on account of said service if he ever received any of which she has no knowledge the same is now lost. She further declares that her said husband performed a tour of service under the command of Blair Ballard of the Kentucky Volunteers or Militia in the Indian War commonly known as General Wayne's War of A.D. 1792 & 1793. The particulars of which service she has forgotten and that she has no knowledge of a discharge or any evidence left by her said husband touching the same. She further states that she was married to the said David Sample at the County of Woodford in the State of Kentucky in the month of October A.D. 1789 or 1790 or about that time by one Shannon a Clergyman and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Townsend, and that she knows of no Public or private Record by which she can establish her said marriage. That her said husband died in Morgan County State of Illinois on the 28th day of June 1829 or about that time and that she is now a widow. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining whatever Bounty land may be coming to her under the act of Congress passed September 28th 1850, as amended August 5th 1852 or 1853.
                                    Her
                                   Mary X Turner     
                                    Mark

"Subscribed and sworn to before Me the day and year before written, and I certify that I believe the said Mary Turner to be of the age above stated and I further state that I am disinterested in this matter.
                                   Jas. Berdan
                                   County Judge & ex officio J.P."

Application for Bounty Land Warrant, State of Illinois, Morgan County. "On this 12th day of June, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five personally appeared before me a justice of the peace within and for the county and state aforesaid Mary Turner aged 81 years the 12th day of April, 1855, a resident of Morgan County in the State of Illinois, who being duly sworn according to law declares that she was the widow of the identical David Sample who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Whitesides Company, Illinois Rangers in the War of 1812. That she was married to the said David Sample at Woodford County in the State of Kentucky in the month of October in the year A.D. 1790 by one Rev. Shannon a minister of the Presbeterean [sic] denomination, and that her name before her said marriage was Mary Townsen. That her said husband died at the County of Morgan and State of Illinois on or about the 28th day of June, A.D., 1828 or 1829, and she subsequently intermarried with one Andrew Turner who also died many years ago and that she is now a widow. She has heretofore made application for bounty land under act of September 28, 1850, as amended and received a Land Warrant No. 103,423 for 40 acres which she has legally disposed of and cannot now return. She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act approved the 3d day of March, 1855. She also declares that she has never applied for nor received bounty land except as above stated.
                               Her
                              Mary X Turner
                               Mark     

"We Jacob Sample and James M. Conlee residents of Morgan County in the Sate of Illinois upon our oaths declare that Mary Turner who is personally well known to us signed and acknowledged the foregoing declaration in our presence, and that we know her to be the identical person she represents herself to be and that she is now a widow also that we are not interested in this claim.

                              James M. Conlee
                              Jacob Sample

"The foregoing declaration and affidavit were subscribed and sworn to before me on the day and year above written, and I certify; that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person she represents herself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

                              Whitfield Conlee, J.P. (his seal)"

Bounty Land Warrants 103423-40-50 and 68752-120-55 were granted to Mary Sample Turner.                                                            
Morgan Co., Illinois, Deed Grantee Index M-V: Jacob Sample from Andrew Turner (widow), 18 Nov 1856, Deed Book MM:373, Sec. 15, Twp. 14, Range 9, 24 Mar 1857.

Mary Sample Turner and her son Jacob Sample were killed in a tornado in Morgan Co., Illinois, in May 1859.¹

     Benjamin Sample was born on 13 October 1792 at Woodford, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He died in 1813 at Madison, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of Benjamin Sample:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ Reproduced below with permission:

He served in the War of 1812 with his father, David Sample, enlisting in St. Clair Co., Illinois, which later became Madison Co., as a private under Capt. Samuel Whitesides.

Benjamin Sample is not listed in the 1820 Illinois census and he is not named in the will of his father, David Sample, Morgan Co., Illinois, dated 8 Mar 1829.

The Executors Book, Madison Co., Illinois lists Benjamin Sample, deceased, with David Sample, as executor of the estate. However the probate file could not be found either on microfilm or in the archives. Further evidence was found in the History of Madison County, Illinois published in 1882:

"The Dead - Before closing this sketch, it is proper to give the names of those pioneers of the county who had closed their earthly career, who had finished their labors, and were now at rest.

     1813 - . . . Benjamin Sample. . .¹ "

     William James Sample was born on 22 October 1794 at Woodford, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He married Sarah Cole circa 1817 at Madison, Illinois, United States. He died in January 1874 at Marion Township, Lee, Iowa, United States, at age 79. He was buried at Clay Grove Cemetery, Marion Township, Lee, Iowa, United States.
     Biography of William James Sample:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ It is reproduced below with permission:

During the War of 1812, he served in Capt. Samuel Whiteside's Company of Illinois Rangers from 20 Feb 1813 to 3 Oct 1815 with the rank of private. He was awarded 160 acres of bounty land for his service, Warrant No. 22.757 issued 10 Feb 1853. Commencing 14 Feb 1871 he was awarded a War of 1812 survivor's pension of $8.00 per month, File No. 11983.

Application of William Sample for a Land Warrant for military service during the War of 1812.
State of Iowa, Lee County. "On this 18th day of February 1851 personally appeared before me, the undersigned a Notary Public in and for Lee County Iowa, William Sample, aged 55 years, a resident of Marion Township in said County, who, being duly sworn according to Law upon oath declares that he is the identical William sample who was a private in the company commanded by Captain Whitesides in the ___ Regiment of Mounted Rangers Illinois Volunteers commanded by Colonel Howard in the war with Great Britain declared by the United States on the 18th day of June 1812. That he volunteered at Edwardsville, Illinois and was mustered into the service at Camp Russelll 2 miles from Edwardsville in the Spring of the year 1813 and continued in actual service in said war for twelve months (that he volunteered for the term of twelve months) at the expiration of which time in the Spring of 1814 he was honorably discharge at a place he thinks was called Vanosdoll opposite St. Louis, Missouri, at which place he received a certificate of discharge which he has lost he cannot tell when where or how, all of which service etc. will more fully appear by reference to the muster rolls of said company. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the Bounty Land to which he may be entitled under the act granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who were engaged in the military service of the United States passed September 28th 1850.

                                   William Sample

          Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year herein above written and I           do hereby certify under my hand and Notarial Seal of office that I believe the said           William Sample to be the identical person who served as aforesaid and that he is           of the age above stated.

                                   James M. Reid
                                   Notary Public"

Application of William Sample for a Pension for military service during the War of 1812.
State of Iowa, Lee County. "On this 20th day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy one, personall appeared before me, the undersigned clerk of the District Court, a court of record within and for the county and state aforesaid, William Sample, aged seventy five years past, a resident of Marion Township, County of Lee, and State of Iowa, who, being duly sworn according to law declares that he is married, that his wife's name was Sarah Cole, to whom he was married at Madison County, Illinois, about the year 1817; that he is the identical William Sample who enlisted in Captain Whitesides Company of United State Rangers at Edwardsville, County of Madison, in the State of Illinois, sometime in the Spring of 1812; that he performed his service as said soldier in the State of Illinois, mainly in said county of Madison, during the whole year of 1812, and that this consisted in keeping back the Indians. That he remembers one event which took place in said war of 1812 namely the killing and scalping of Mrs. Ragan and her two children and four other children on Wood River near Edwardsville aforesaid by the Indians whom he saw after they were so killed and that he participated in afterwards following up said Indians and killing their chief and taking from him the scalps which they had taken from said Mrs. Ragan and children. That as said soldier he has received bounty land - Warrant No. 22.757, under act of September 28th 1850 - Patent issued June 2d 1855 - That he at no time during the late rebellion against the authority of the United States, adhered to the cause of the enemies of the Government, giving them aid and comfort, or exercised the functions of any office whatever under any authority or pretended authority in hostility to the United States; and that he will support the Constitution of the United States; that he is not in the receipt of a pension under previous act; that he has never received a certificate of discharge; that he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of February 14, 1871; and he hereby constitutes and appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, H. C. Stemple of Fort Madison, Lee County, Iowa, his true and lawful attorney, to prosecute his claim and obtain the pension certificate that may be issued; that his post office is at West Point, County of Lee, State of Iowa, and that his domicil or place of abode is Marion Township, County of Lee, State of Iowa.
                               his
                              William X Sample
                               mark
Attest:
     Alex S. Cruickshank
     Dennis Brassfield"



William Samples household, 1820 U.S. census, Powers Twp., Bond Co., Illinois, M33, Roll 12, p 4:
1, male, 0-9 years of age
1, m, 16-25
1, female, 16-25
1 in agriculture

Wm. Samples household, 1830 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M19, Roll 24, p 72:
1, male, 0-5 years of age
1, m, 5-10
1, m, 10-15
1, m, 30-40
1, female, 0-5
1, f, 5-10
1, f, 30-40

He moved from Morgan Co., Illinois to Lee Co., Iowa between 1832 and 1840.

Wm. Semple household, 1840 U.S. census, Twp. 69, Lee Co., Iowa Territory, M704, Roll 102, p 209:
1, male, 5-10 years of age
1, m, 10-15
1, m, 15-20
1, m, 20-30
1, m, 40-50
1, female, 10-15
1, f, 15-20
1, f, 30-40

1850 U.S. census, Div. 28, Lee Co., Iowa, M432, Roll 186, p 312:
William Sample, age 55, male, farmer, $3000 real estate, b. Kentucky
Sarah, 50, female, Kentucky
George, 26, m, Kentucky
John, 19, m
Smily, 18, m

1860 U.S. census, Marion Twp., Lee Co., Iowa, M653, Roll 330, p 116:
William Sample, age 60, male, b. Kentucky
Elizabeth, 55, female, Kentucky
John, 26, m, Illinois

1870 U.S. census, Marion Twp., Lee Co., Iowa, M594, Roll 404, p 368:
James Sample, age 74, male, farmer, $10,400 real estate, $1000 personal estate, b. Kentucky
Sarah, 70, female, keeps house, Ohio
John, 37, m, farmer, Illinois
Anna, 23, f, keeps house

Lee Co., Iowa, Will Book, A:245-256, Ft. Madison, Iowa: Will dated 21 Apr 1873, proved 7 Jan 1874, names wife Sarah Sample, son John T. Sample, grandchild Maria Betty(?) nee Taylor, daughter Elizabeth Patterson, son Andrew, son George and son Smiley.¹

     John Sample was born on 22 November 1796 at Woodford, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He married Sarah "Sally" Pruitt circa 1817 at Illinois, United States. He married Sarah Hewett on 3 January 1861 at Morgan, Illinois, United States. He died on 19 February 1869 at Morgan, Illinois, United States, at age 72. He was buried at Sample Cemetery, Morgan, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of John Sample:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ It is reproduced below with permission:

John Sample served as a private with his father and two brothers in the War of 1812 in Capt. Samuel Whiteside's Company of Mounted Riflemen, Illinois Rangers. Source: Military record of John Sample, War of 1812, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Here is his story excerpted from the Pike County Illinois History, 1936-1937, Chapter 64, p 191:

". . . Early in the month of July, 1814, parts of three families were murdered on Wood River, near where Alton now stands, in what was then Madison county. (Note: Present Pike county was then also a part of Madison county.) Seven were killed in all. They had been up to the fort and were returning on Sunday evening. The killed were Reagan's wife and two of his children, two of Abel Moore's boys and two of William Moore's boys. All were killed except one little girl, who escaped and gave the alarm.

Soon, the Wood River settlement was in arms. Rifles were hurriedly cleaned and bullets moulded. Capt. William Whitesides and 50 rangers took the trail, leaving old George Moore and the women and children in the fort. The Indians were on foot. They proceeded northward through what are now Jersey, Greene, and Morgan counties. Several were along who could "trail an Indian as fast as a horse could gallop." Among them were John Shaw (known among the Indians as Es-sap-pan or the raccoon because of his cunning and sagacity), Peter Waggoner (kinsman of the early Pike county Waggoners), and Samuel Beeman, another noted figure on the old military tract.

The Indians took every advantage, threading almost impenetrable thickets and wading miry swamps. At Brown's Point, near present Manchester, Waggoner shot an Indian. The Indian had hidden behind the roots of a tree. Waggoner shot him without checking his horse from a gallop. A little further on, Samuel Beeman shot another Indian. The Indian had climbed up a grape vine and hidden among the branches of a tree. It was never known for certain whether or not these Indians belonged to the Wood River band of murderers. They may have been inoffensive hunters.

The following morning, the Rangers descried in the Island Grove a spot where the Indians had camped over night; the fires were still burning. (Note: Island Grove was a large body of timber, surrounded with rich prairie, 16 miles west of present Springfield, on the road to present Jacksonville.) Everything indicated the pursuing horsemen were close onto the fleeing savages. The trail led westward, toward the Illinois river and present Pike county. Now it was a race for life; the Indians trying to reach the river, the Rangers urging their jaded steeds to overtake the band.

To Island Grove, pursued and pursuers had followed the "old Indian trail" that for centuries had been traveled by the tribes between Cahokia and Peoria. At Island Grove, the Indians, instead of crossing the Sangamon, turned west to take advantage of the high ground and brushy woods of the Mauvaisterre, which after starting from the headwaters afforded an unbroken line of shelter to the Illinois river. The high mounds on the prairie were used as posts of observation. On one of these mounds, northwest of present Alexander, the Indians rested and here they threw away everything that encumbered their flight.

Near present Jacksonville, the Rangers were so close upon the Indians that the latter ran into the swamp for safety. All the region between what is now the city of Jacksonville and Mauvaisterre Creek was then low marsh. Into this the Rangers attempted to follow on foot, a number of their horses having mired down. Here eighteen of the Rangers turned back, the remainder dividing into two parties, one to take care of the horses, the balance pursuing into the swamps on foot. The Indians at length emerged from the swamp lands at the north part of the groves, west of modern Jacksonville, and hurried west.

From here to the Illinois river the race was close. The Rangers repeatedly were in sight of the Indians.
Nearing the river, south of modern Naples and north of early Philips ferry, one of the Indians, a corpulent old fellow, gave out. He was armed with a gun and appeared ready to sell his life as dearly as possible. A rifle ball broke one of his legs and caused him to fall in the grass. Then one Ranger attracted his attention on one side, while another rose up on the opposite side and shot him. Meanwhile, the rest of the band disappeared in the thickets bordering the river. Rushing forward after dispatching the old Indian, the Rangers were just in time to see the Indians crossing the river about a mile below. Hastening down to the water's edge they discharged their guns at them as they climbed the opposite bank into present Pike county, whence they disappeared into the wilds of the McGee creek Country.

Among those participating in this race for life across the Illinois prairies were John Shaw, William Moore, Abel Moore, Peter Waggoner, Samuel Beeman, and John and William Sample, the latter of whom settled later at West Port, Iowa. William and Abel Moore had each lost two sons in the Wood River massacre.

These men who in 1824 pursued this murdering band of Indians to the eastern border of what is now Pike county did not then know it, but they were paving the way for the first settlement of this region."

John Samples household, 1820 U.S. census, Powers Twp., Bond Co., Illinois, M33, Roll 12, p 6:
1, male, 0-9 years of age
1, m, 16-25
1, m, 26-44
1, female, 0-9
1, f, 16-25
2 in agriculture

John Samples household, 1830 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M19, Roll 24, p 72:
1, male, 0-5 years of age
1, m, 5-10
1, m, 10-15
1, m, 15-20
1, m, 30-40
1, female, 0-5
1, f, 5-10
1, f, 10-15
1, f, 20-30

John Samples household, 1840 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M704, Roll 66, p 448:
1, male, 0-5 years of age
4, m, 5-10
1, m, 10-15
1, m, 15-20
1, m, 20-30
1, m, 40-50
1, female, 5-10
1, f, 10-15
1, f, 15-20
1, f, 40-50

1850 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M432, Roll 122, p 213:
John Samples, age 42, male, farmer, $12,000 real estate, b. Kentucky
Sally, 48, f, Kentucky
James, 24, m, Illinois
Fields, 22, m, Illinois
William, 20, m, Illinois
Joseph, 16, m, Illinois
John, 14, m, Illinois
Martin, 12, m, Illinois

1860 U.S. census, Mauvaisterre Twp., Morgan Co., Illinois, M653, Roll 213, p 793:
Jno. Samples, age 60, male, farmer, $26,000 real estate, $2600 personal estate, b. Kentucky
Jno., Jr., 26, m, farmer, Illinois
Sarah, 19, female, England
Marion, 19, m, Illinois.¹

     Andrew Sample was born on 17 March 1798 at Woodford or Shelby, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He married Nancy C. Wood on 12 April 1821 at Madison, Illinois, United States. He married Mary "Polly" Boyer on 15 January 1856 at Morgan, Illinois, United States. He died on 3 July 1880 at Morgan, Illinois, United States, at age 82. He was buried at Sulphur Springs Cemetery, Morgan, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of Andrew Sample:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ It is reproduced below with permission:

Andrew Samples, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 19, P.O. Waverly. Mr. S. was born in Kentucky, in 1798; David his father, a farmer by occupation, and a native of Kentucky, there married Miss Mary Townsend; by this marriage eight children; three are now living: Andrew, Washington, and Aaron. David was among the first to enter Illinois, arriving in 1808, and settling in Madison Co. where the youthful days of Andrew were spent, his companions in play frequently the untutored Indian boys; in 1815 he served as a soldier; honorably discharged, he returned to his home; in 1824, in company with Jacob Boyer, he made his way to Morgan Co., Ill., settling on the South Fork of the Mauvaisterre; the country but thinly populated, Mr. S. found the chances for hard work exceedingly good. Mr. Samples had married in Madison Co. Miss Nancy Wood, a sister of the Hon. Samuel Wood, of this county. By his industry there soon rose up a log cabin as a beginning; the years going quickly by soon drove to the farther west the emigrant wagon, and in course of time the cabin, through which the snow drifted at will, gave place to a more substantial dwelling. The first wife of Mr. S. died shortly after his arrival in the county, leaving eight children; in 1855 he married Miss Mary Buchanan; by the second marriage two children; Mr. Samples has owned considerable property; now owns forty acres. Source: History of Morgan County, Illinois, Donnelley, Loyd & Co., Publishers, 1878, p 579.

Andrew Samples household, 1830 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M19, Roll 24, p 81:
1, male, 5-9 years of age
1, m, 20-29
2, females, 0-4
1, f, 5-9
1, f, 20-29

Andrew Samples household, 1840 U.S. census, Ward 4, Warren Co., Illinois, M704, Roll 72, p 194:
1, male, 0-4 years of age
1, m, 5-9
1, m, 30-39
1, female, 0-4
1, f, 5-9
2, f, 10-14
1, f, 30-39

1850 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M432, Roll 122, p 325:
Andrew Sample, age 51, male, farmer, b. Kentucky
Nancy, 47, female, Virginia
Sarah, 23, f, Illinois
Richard, 18, m, farmer, Illinois
Rebecca, 13, f, Illinois
Samuel, 10, m, Illinois
Horace, 6, m, Illinois
Levi McRoberts, 21, m, tan mill, Illinois

1860 U.S. census, Sulpher Springs, Morgan Co., Illinois, M653, Roll 213, p 672:
Andrew Sample, age 62, male, farmer, $200 personal property, b. Kentucky
Mary, 40, female, Kentucky
Douglas, 4, m, Illinois
Elzey, 2, f, Illinois
William Butcher, 17, m, farm labor, Illinois
Mary, 15, f, Illinois
John A., 13, m, Illinois
Ancel, 11, m, Illinois
Benjamin, 9, m, Illinois
James Ruddle, 28, m, farm laborer, Canada

1870 U.S. census, Waverly, Morgan Co., Illinois, M593, Roll 263, p 648:
Andrew Samples, age 72, male, farmer, $2000 real estate, $360 personal estate, b. Kentucky
Mary, 54, female, keeps house, Kentucky
Franklin, 19, m, Illinois
Douglas, 12, m, Illinois
Elza, 11, m, Illinois

1880 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, T9, Roll 238, p 326B:
Andrew Samples, age 82, male, farmer, b. Kentucky, father b. S. Carolina, mother b. S. Carolina
Mary, 64, female, wife, keeping house, Kentucky
James D., 23, son, farmer, Illinois, Kentucky, Kentucky
Elza T., 21, m, son, farmer hand, Illinois, Kentucky, Kentucky
Wm. Buchannan, 36, m, stepson, trades in livestock, Illinois, Kentucky, Kentucky.¹

     Elizabeth "Betsy" Sample was born on 1 January 1800 at Warren, Kentucky, United States. She was the daughter of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. She married Jacob Boyer on 22 March 1821 at Madison, Illinois, United States. She died on 3 October 1843 at Morgan, Illinois, United States, at age 43. She was buried at Union Baptist Cemetery, Morgan, Illinois, United States.

     Light T. Sample was born on 13 September 1802 at Warren, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He married Elizabeth Armstrong on 29 October 1822 at Madison, Illinois, United States. He married Leah Jarrett Morris on 15 March 1855 at Morgan, Illinois, United States. He died on 24 May 1865 at Sangamon, Illinois, United States, at age 62. He was buried at Rogers Cemetery, Morgan, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of Light T. Sample:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ It is reproduced below with permission:


Light Samples household, 1830 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M19, Roll 24, p 75:
1, male, 0-5 years of age
2, m, 10-15
1, m, 20-40
2, female, 0-5
1, f, 30-40

Light Sample household, 1840 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M704, Roll 66, p 394:
2, male, 0-5 years of age
2, m, 5-10
1, m, 20-30
1, female, 0-5
1, f, 20-30

1850 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M432, Roll 122, p 344:
Light Sample, age 44, male, farmer, $2000 real estate, b. Kentucky
Elizabeth, 47, female, Kentucky
Jane, 21, f, Illinois
Thomas, 19, m, farmer, Illinois
Charlotte, 15, f, Illinois
Franklin Vancil, 5, m, Illinois
Andrew Armstrong, 30, m, wool carder, Illinois

1860 U.S. census, Waverly Precinct, Morgan Co., Illinois, M653, Roll 213, p 579:
Light Samples, age 54, male, farmer, $2000 real estate, $600 personal estate, b. Kentucky
Laura, 54, f, Kentucky
Laura, 15, f, Illinois.¹

     Jacob Sample was born on 2 November 1804 at Warren, Kentucky, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He married Mary B. "Polly" Hooser on 22 July 1830 at Madison, Illinois, United States. He married Rebecca R. Sturgis on 11 February 1856 at Morgan, Illinois, United States. He died on 25 June 1859 at Morgan, Illinois, United States, at age 54. He was buried at Sulphur Springs Cemetery, Morgan, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of Jacob Sample:
The following biography is from Howard Bowers Light Townsend of Kentucky.¹ It is reproduced below with permission:

Jacob Sample served as a mounted volunteer inthe 1st Regiment, 3rd Brigade, Illinois Militia during the Black Hawk War 1831-1832. While in service he lost his horse from a rattlesnake bite. In May of 1859 a tornado struck in Morgan County killing his mother, Mary (Polly) Townsend Sample Turner, and so severely injuring him that he died later.

Journal Courier, Jacksonville, Ill., May 27, 1979, reprinted from the Jacksonville Sentinel, June 23, 1859:
"Terrible Tornado. Seven persons killed and from thirty to fifty badly hurt. Houses and barns torn to atoms; fences, trees and heavy timbers carried an amazing distance, hedges stripped to the stumps or torn up by the roots; cattle, horses and hogs killed, the feathers stripped from chickens, and their heads torn off. . . . Jacob Sample's house was entirely destroyed. His mother killed, himself dangerously wounded. two of his daughters much bruised, two others considerably injured, his two sons slightly injured, and a perfect destruction of everything about the house and premises. . . . "

Jacob Sample household, 1840 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M704, Roll 66, p 409:
2, male, 0-5 years of age
1, m, 30-40
1, female, 0-5
2, f, 5-10
1, f, 30-40

1850 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M432, Roll 122, p 326:
Jacob Sample, age 43, male, farmer, $1000 real estate, b. Kentucky
Mary, 42, female, Kentucky
Sarah, 19, f, Illinois
Nancy, 17, f, Illinois
Valentine, 15, m, farmer, Illinois
Elizabeth, 14, f, Illinois
Andrew, 12, m, Illinois
Martha, 10, f, Illinois
Mary, 8, f, Illinois
Lydia, 6, f, Illinois
Washington, 4, m, Illinois
Lucinda, 4/12, f, Illinois
Mary Turner, 77, f, South Carolina.¹

     Fredrick Hardin Thomas Bowers was born on 26 January 1916 at Lowell Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States. He was the son of Giles Elmer Bowers and Elizabeth "Libbie" Valetta Darr. He died on 4 March 1917 at Lowell Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States, at age 1; Stomach ailment. He was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, Spring Valley Township, Cherokee, Kansas, United States.
     Biography of Fredrick Hardin Thomas Bowers:
Obituaries, The Modern Light, Columbus, Kansas, March 1917, p 2:
"The funeral of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Darr's baby was held at Shiloh church Saturday, March 3, at 11 a.m. the baby was two months old and had been sick for several weeks. Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Rowland of the Baptist church. Interment was at Shiloh cemetery.
"Another funeral was held at Shiloh church Monday of this week at 11 a.m. Little Freddie Bowers, the youngest child of Elmer and Libbie Bowers, died after a lingering illness, at their home in Quaker Valley, Sunday, March 4. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Pitts, assisted by Rev. John Booe.
"We extend a note of sympathy to the bereaved parents of these two little cousins, whose deaths were so closely associated.
"When we see a precious blossom
That we've tended with such care,
Taken from our very bosom,
How our aching hearts despair!
'Round its little grave we linger
Where the winds blow bleak and cold,
Feeling all our hopes have perished
With the flower we cherished so.
They may sleep but not forever,
There will be a glorious dawn!
We shall meet and be together
On the resurrection morn!
From the deepest caves of ocean,
From the desert and the plain,
___________________ mountain,
___________________ again."¹

     Washington Sample was born on 21 March 1809 at Kentucky or Madison, Illinois, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He married Sarah Petty on 26 February 1830 at Morgan, Illinois, United States. He died on 8 July 1881 at Morgan, Illinois, United States, at age 72. He was buried at Rogers Cemetery, Morgan, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of Washington Sample:
Washington Samples household, 1840 U.S. census, Morgan Co., Illinois, M704, Roll 66, p 432:
1, male, 5-10 years of age
1, m, 20-30
2, female, 0-5
2, f, 5-10
1, f, 20-30

1860 U.S. census, T12 R8, Macoupin Co., Illinois, M653, Roll 206, p 605:
Washington Samples, age 50, male, farmer, $2300 real estate, $625, personal estate, b. Kentucky
Sarah, 47, female, North Carolina
Mary, 23, f, Illinois
Manerva, 17, f, Illinois
Sarah, 15, f, Illinois
Geo. W., 12, m, Illinois
Rebecca A., 9, f, Illinois
Charles N., 5, m, Illinois

1870 U.S. census,T12 R8, Macoupin Co., Illinois, M593, Roll 250, pp 320-321:
Washington Sample, age 57, male, farmer, $4000 real estate, $800 personal estate, b. Kentucky
Sarah, 55, female, keeping house, Kentucky
G. W., 21, m, farm hand, Illinois
R. A., 18, f, home, Illinois
C. N., 16, m, Illinois

1880 U.S. census, T13 R8, Morgan Co., Illinois, T9, Roll 238, p 325C:
Washington Samples, age 72, male, farmer, b. Kentucky, father b. S. Carolina, mother b. S. Carolina
Charles N., 25, m, son, farmer, Illinois, Kentucky, North Carolina
Terza Ann, 22, female, wife of Charles N., keeping house, Illinois, Kentucky, Illinois
John W., 6, m, son of Charles N. and Terza Ann, Illinois, Illinois, Illinois
James A., 1, m, son of Charles N. and Terza Ann, Illinois, Illinois Illinois

Note: The 1880 census, enumerated 10 Jun 1880, contains the entry "Thrown from buggy" for Washington Samples. Presumably he was suffering from injuries sustained in the accident.¹

     Colson Sample was born on 15 December 1815 at Madison, Illinois, United States. He was the son of David Sample and Mary "Polly" Townsend. He died at Madison or Morgan, Illinois, United States.
     Biography of Colson Sample:
A male child of the right age is in the household of Colson Sample's father, David Sample, in the 1820 census, Morgan Co., Illinois. He is not named in the will of his father, David Sample, 8 Mar 1829, Morgan Co., Illinois. Thus he probably died between 1820 and 1829.¹

     Ruby Bell Simmons Black was born on 12 February 1912 at Spearmore, Spearmore, Oklahoma, United States. She married Elmer Lawrence Thomas, son of John Oliver Thomas and Jennie Ethel Bowers, on 1 September 1971 at Miami, Ottawa, Oklahoma, United States. She died circa 1993.