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1881 HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Inter-State Publishing Company
Chicago, Illinois, 1881






Page 840

HENRY KINNEY was born at Carzenovia, Madison county, New York, August 4, 1807. His father was Henry Kinney, born in Woodstock, Connecticut, March 1, 1774; in 1795, he went to Carzenovia, Madison county, New York. There, on March 4m 1798, he married Dicey Pond, from Hartford, Connecticut. There are so many interesting incidents in the history of the Pond family that we propose to give a hasty sketch of them. Early records state that two brothers Pond came from England, in 1630; after landing here, it seems Governor Winthrop, who had been a neighbor of their father, in England, wrote to his son in Groton, England, saying: "Tell old Pond that both his sons are well, and remember their duty." We also find, that Samuel, from whom those of the name have originated, married at Windsor, Connecticut, November 14, 1642, and he died March 14, 1654. We also learn that Nathaniel, third son of Samuel, was killed in a fight with the Naragansett Indians, December 19, 1675. The will of Samuel Pond, taken from the "original records in the State House in Hartford, Connecticut," all in "ye olden style," and the inventory of "ye estate, made March ye 19, 1654," all in that quaint old style, are very curious records. The "sum total," was, "120 pounds and 02 shillings, all without incumbrance."

Among those who first sprang to arms at the "battle cry" at Lexington, on April 19, 1775, were several of the name of Pond, who did not lay down their arms until peace was declared. One Barnabas Pond was a Major in the Revolutionary War, and was so efficient a soldier, under or near the command of General LaFayette, that on the visit of that distinguished man to this country in 1824, as he was pressing his way on through the crowd in the streets of Utica, New York, his keen military eye caught sight of the brave Major Pond, he raised himself in his carriage and addressed him as "Major Pond." They afterward met, and a very affecting scene followed. The same illustrious family held important places in the War of 1812, and in the last civil war many of the name won records of bravery.

To return to the subject of our sketch. His early life was passed upon the home farm. His advantages for obtaining an education were indeed limited; none other than a few weeks each winter in the old time log school house, and the proverbial inefficient teacher. On February 23, 1822, the family left New York for Illinois. Reached Olean, on Allegheny river; there they built a flat boat, and taking on some small families with the, they ran down to Shawneetown, Illinois, where they disembarked. They were then two hundred miles form their destined place; having brought one good team with them and had also been so provident as to lay in a year's supply of provisions, they engaged a good four-horse team, and on May 6, 1822, they arrived in Loami township. There they entered two hundred and forty acres, and some time after entered one hundred and sixty acres more, making four hundred in all, most of which is still in the hands of the family; is well selected, consisting of prairie and timber, well watered by Lick creek. Mr. Kinney remained on the farm with his father until his majority - August 4, 1828; he then arranged to go onto one of the farms of his father, and on October 23, 1828, he married Miss Margaret Dorrance, daughter of Daniel Dorrance, who, with his family, consisting of one son and two daughters, left Wayne county, New York, in the spring of 1822, for Illinois. They arrived at Olean, on the Allegheny river, at the same time of the Kinney family; they going down to Cincinnati on a raft of lumber. At Cincinnati they took a boat for St. Louis, thence by team to Loami township, and located on a farm adjoining Mr. K's.

Mr. Kinney remained on his farm until 1833, when his father became infirm, and desired his return to the old home. He accordingly changed farms with his brother and remained with his father until his death, on March 18, 1859, being eighty-five years of age, his mother having died September 15, 1850, at seventy-two years of age.

His son Daniel was born August 19, 1829; married Annie Elmore, April 7, 1856; now on a farm in Loami township. Clarissa, born April 9, 1831; married to James M. Darneille, January 1, 1852; now in Chatham, retired farmer. Caroline, born October 9, 1831, died March 6, 1853; Eliza Jane, born October 9, 1834, married John R. Shelton November 30, 1854, a farmer; Rebecca M., born January 14, 1837, married David Van Deren, December 8, 1859, who died after a short illness, February 15, 1874, leaving his wife and daughter in affluent circumstances.

During the Black Hawk war, in 1831, Mr. Kinney was out in a cavalry company, under the command of Captain Sanders; was present at the burning of the Indian town, near Rock Island. During a heavy rain, the troops crossed the river in a steamboat that had been sent to rescue them from the woods should they be ambush them. The surprise upon the Indians was most complete. They fled in all directions, leaving many stores behind them. The troops burned the village, which was probably one of the best built ones.

Mr. Kinney associated himself with the Baptist Church, in 1840, and has since been an active and consistent member; has ever been prompt and efficient in every moral and religious movement. For many years he was deacon in the church, the sacred mantle falling upon him from his father, who had sustained it for many years before him.

Mr. K. has removed form his farm to his pleasant home, in Chatham village, where, surrounded with many who have passed through the vicissitudes of the early settlers' life, with him, he is passing the remaining years of his useful life, fully assured of duty done.


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