I am an historian writing a book on the Lincoln Douglas Debate in Jonesboro, Illinois, for the 150th anniversary of the event. A part of the book includes information on the people living in Jonesboro in 1858. Can you supply me with information on Martha Cord, born ca. 1795 in Georgia. She was on the 1850 census of Fleming Co., Ky., and the 1860 census of Jonesboro, Union Co., Ill. Living in Illinois with her in 1860 were her 19-year-old son, George W. Cord, and her 68-year-old slave, Dina Cord.



What was Martha's maiden name? What was the name of her husband. Since she was the head of the household in Kentucky in 1850, I think her husband died before then. Why did they settle in Jonesboro? Were there relatives there?



Martha moved to St. Clair Co., Ill., and died there in January or February 1865. She left her estate to her children, Theodore O. Cord, George W. Cord, Ferdinand L. Cord, and Harriet J. McCarty.



Is there a connection between Martha Cord and the McCord (or McChord) family? In 1855 in Jonesboro, Illinois, M.L. McChord and his wife, N.E. McChord were the principal and assistant principal of Jonesboro Academy in Jonesboro, Illinois. I cannot find them on the 1860 census. I did notice several McCord families living in Fleming Co., Ky., in the early 1800s.



Any help you can provide will be greatly appreciated and credited in the book. Please forward this to anyone who might be able to assist me.



Darrel Dexter
darreldexter@hotmail.com