Peter Bilyeu (abt. 1780 - 1863)

Born about 5 Sep 1780 in Green County, Kentucky, United States [uncertain]

Ancestors

Husband of Diannah (Blackwell) Bilyeu — married 11 Jul 1799 in Hardin County, Kentucky, United States

Descendants

Died 10 Jul 1863 at about age 82 in Shelby County, Illinois, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Misty Wood [send private message], Angie McCall [send private message], and Anne Baker [send private message]

Biography

Peter was born about 1780. He is the son of John Bilyeu and Trentje Berents . He passed away in 1863.

Find a Grave states Peter was born in Allegany County, Maryland.^[1]

The marriage date of July 11, 1799 for Peter Bilyeu and Dianah Blackwell fits well with the dates on the Bond and Marriage Consent, a copy of which has been posted herein.^[2] Sarah Blackwill [sic] gave permission for daughter Dianah [sic], approximately age 14, with Peter Belew, approximately age 19, by signing an approval on July 8, 1799 in Hardin County, Kentucky. Peter and his father, John Bilyeu, signed the bond on July 10.

John Carrol Power's History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County recites that Peter and Dianah first had two children in Kentucky, followed by twelve in Tennessee, and one last child in Illinois, after they arrived in Sangamon County on October 1, 1829.^[3] Quoting from the book:

"Of their children-------

• SARAH, born Nov. 26, 1801, in Kentucky, married March 23, 1819, to William Workman. See his name [in work cited].
• JOHN, born in 1803, in Kentucky, married Elizabeth Workman in Tennessee, came to Sangamon county, raised a large family, moved to Christian county, and died there in 1867.
• LYDIA, born in Tennessee, married David Workman. See his name [in work cited].
• NANCY, born in Tennessee, married Jacob [David] Teeple, moved to Missouri, raised a family, and he died there. She died in Christian county, Ill.
• ISAAC, born in Tennessee, married Polly Bilyeu, raised a family, and resides in Missouri.
• GEORGE, born in Tennessee, married Elizabeth Workman, raised a family, and resides in Christian county.
• ELIZABETH married Richard Bilyeu. He was killed in time of the rebellion, in Miller county, Mo., leaving a widow and several children there.
• POLLY married James McMullen, have children, and reside in Missouri.
• DIANA married Thomas Greening, who died, and she married Stephen Workman, Jun. He died, leaving a widow and four children in Christian county.
• HANNAH married John Wyckoff. He died in Christian county. His family resides in Missouri.
• CYNTHIA, born Aug. 29, 1827, in Tennessee, married in Sangamon county to Levi Harbour, Jun. See his name [in work cited].
• MINERVA married Robert Fowler, and resides in Kansas."

If John Power's book is correct, then Diana(h) was not the first born child, was not born in 1799 in Tennessee, and Dianah Blackwell's marriage was not rushed. Further research needs to be done. The number of children totaled 15 according to Power's book but two died young and only 12 are named. The identity of the remaining child is still unknown.

Research Notes

1. Although unsourced, it is asserted that their first daughter, Diana Bilyeu, was born in 1799 in Overton County, Tennessee. If Dianah was with child, that may have been the cause of the marriage. The Overton County Courthouse and its records burned in 1806, so evidence of birth may be difficult.
2. As of this writing only Nancy and Minerva of the children have had profiles created. The information recited in Power's book has not been verified. Some of the children still lived in Sangamon County at the time of writing, and so much of the information likely came from them, and perhaps documentation they possessed. The information may be fairly accurate.
3. Peter's birthdate is calculated from information on his gravestone.^[1] It says he died on 10 July 1863 when 82 years 10 Months and 5 days old.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 10 January 2022), memorial page for Peter Bilyeu (5 Sep 1780–10 Jul 1863), Find A Grave: Memorial #86951296, citing Bilyeu Cemetery, Prairieton Township, Christian County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by My Family United (contributor 46590689). Includes a photo of the headstone.
2. ↑ Hardin County, Kentucky Clerk's Office, records online (http://www.hccoky.org/eSearch/LandRecords/protected/SrchQuickName.aspx) search of name "Peter Belew" between dates 01/01/1799 and 01/01/1800.
3. ↑ John Carrol Power, History of the Early Settlers of Sangamon County, Edwin A. Wilson and Co., Springfield, Illinois, 1876.

Acknowledgements

• WikiTree profile Bilyeu-9 created through the import of annette christensen gedcom.ged on Jul 10, 2011 by Candee LeBaron.
• WikiTree profile Bilyeu-27 created through the import of Misty_s ancestry.ged on Sep 16, 2012 by Misty Wood.