The study of the counties of Illinois is most interesting from a historical standpoint; their names, formation and development mark epochs in the early history of the State and nation.
Clark County was formed from Crawford County in 1819, three months after Illinois was admitted to the Union as a state. The county was named in honor of George Rogers Clark, whose military record in Illinois is among the treasure rolls of history dating back to the Revolutionary War.
Many of the soldiers who accompanied him in his famous march to Kaskaskia and Vincennes are buried in the southern part of the State, but more lie in southern Indiana.
Clark County is honored as the place of burial of eight soldiers of the American Revolution.
Zachakiah Archer
Was born in the county of Downs, Ireland, in 1752. He came to America when twenty years of age, and enlisted in 1776 from Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, in Capt. William Peebles' company of the Pennsylvania rifle regiment, commanded by Col. Samuel Miles. He was transferred to the Pennsylvania State Regiment with Capt. Matthew Scott and Col. Walter Stewart. Zachariah Archer was in the battles of Long Island, Trenton and Brandywine; he was in camp at Valley Forge. He came to Illinois in 1819, and died in 1822; is buried in the Walnut Prairie cemetery, in Clark County.
Ebenezer Bartlett
A native of Newburg, Orange County, New York, born in 1757; he enlisted in 1775 at Bloomingrove, New York, and was in the battles of Harlem. White Plains and Fort Montgomery; he served until 1781. In 1838 he came to Illinois with his sons, settling in Clark County, and died in December the same year. He lies buried in the York cemetery and his grave has been marked by the Walter Burdick Chapter, D. A. E., of Marshall.
Nicholas Bean
Was born in Germany in 1760; came to America in early life and enlisted in the war; was in the battles of Guilford Court House, Cowpens, Eutaw Springs and the siege of Yorktown. He was wounded at the battle of Cowpens by a sabre cut across the head; he also served in the war of 1812. He removed from North Carolina to Clark County, Illinois, in 1830, and died in 1838.
Thomas Boon
Was born in South Carolina in 1760; he served in the South Carolina troops and for service rendered his country, he was granted a pension, No. 23,656. He came to Illinois and died in Clark County in 1836.
Henry Briscoe
Was born in Maryland in 1763; he enlisted in 1781 and served until December under Capt. David Lynn and Maj. Roxbury. He was engaged in the siege of Yorktown. He removed to Kentucky and from there to Illinois, Clark county, where he died and is buried in the family burial ground one mile east of Westfield.
Peter Dozier
Was born in Virginia in 1762; he served in the Virginia troops during the war. For this service he was awarded a pension, No. 22,951. He came to Illinois after the war and resided in Clark County. He died in 1838.
Samuel McClure
Was born in Augusta County, Virginia, in 1748; died in Clark County, Illinois, December 18, 1845, and is buried in the Forsythe cemetery. He was a revolutionist before the Revolution, serving in 1774, again in 1775 and also in 1781. He was a private under Captains George Matthews, William Anderson, Thomas Smith and Zaccheus Johnson, with Cols. William Boyer and Abraham Smith.
Frederick Unsell
A native of Pennsylvania, where he enlisted, serving acceptably in the Pennsylvania line of troops. He was born in 1765 and died in Clark County, Illinois, in 1835, His pension number is 22,472.
Source: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, Volume 6, Number 2, p. 232 to 234, April 1913, Phillip' Bros., Printers, Springfield, Illinois, 1913. (I would put this at the bottom of the page)
Submitted by: Judy White