The original link between John Council and his son Charles came from the undocumented book Hodges Councill of Virginia and Descendants by Judson Councill (Baltimore, MD: [The Author], 1941, p53). Attempts to document this lineage appear promising, but in the end we may be left with circumstantial evidence and no primary documentation to prove parentage.

According to Judson Councill's work, John Council was born November 26, 1765 in North Carolina. The same date is given in an original Council document held by the North Carolina State Archives (Council Family Papers, PC 525). This wonderful document is a ledger given to the archives by the Council family. Dates in the ledger run from the 1730s to the 1850s. There are two entries with birth dates for John and his siblings. The first lists John's birth as November 26, 1765. The second appears to be November 26, 1761 (see links to scanned images below). No identification is given as to when, or who, made these birth date entries.

John is the son of Charles and Eurydice (Dicy) Council, proven through the 1805 will record for Charles. On the 1790 census we find John Council living next to his father in Halifax District, Martin County, North Carolina. This census also gives us some indication of the date John may have married Elizabeth Riddick/Reddick. It is believed they were married around 1790. The date of the 1790 census was August 1st. By this date, John is listed as head of household with one free white female - probably Elizabeth.

John is living in Martin County, North Carolina in 1790 and in Edgecombe County, North Carolina in 1800. It should be noted that the Charles Council property formed the border between Edgecombe, Martin and Pitt counties as described in "A Bill for Extending the Dividing Line Between the Counties of Edgecombe and Martin and the Counties of Martin and Pitt" [ Cont.] May 18, 1784, North Carolina General Assembly Session Records, April-June, 1784, House Bills (May 10-29). North Carolina State Archives.

John is living in Edgecombe County at the time of his father's death (6 July 1805) and settlement of the family's estate in 1806. From the inventory listed in the probate records we get some insight into John's agricultural roots. From his father's estate John purchased 1 grindstone, 6 hoes of various types, 3 old barrels, 1 handmill, 3 stacks of bees, 1 sheep, 1 horse, 1 "lott" of flax, 1 pair of saddle bags, 25 [pounds?] of cotton, 1 stack top fodder, and 1 cooper's adze.

In 1807 John is selling the land he inherited from his father. Included in this sale to his brother Willis, John is selling land that formerly belonged to Daniel Bunting. Additional research should clarify how and when John acquired the Daniel Bunting property. In any case, it appears that with the selling of this property John Council moved his family west. The decision to leave Edgecombe County was not a good one. After 1807 John Council disappears from the records until his wife, "the widow Council," appears in White County, Illinois in 1815.

One undocumented theory indicates that John moved his family to the frontier of Virginia before moving on to Tennessee, Kentucky, and finally settling in Illinois. To date, the John Councils who appear in Virginia and Tennessee records do not match this John Council. The following references provide some clues to the movement of the family:

Power, John Carroll. History of the Early Settlers Sangamon County, Illinois (S.l.: The Author, 1970, p231). Council, William, born Oct. 1, 1791, near Tarboro, Edgecomb county, N.C. He was a brother to Hardy Council. About 1800 the family moved to Tennessee, thence to Barren county, Ky., and from there to White county, Ill.

Power, John Carroll. History of the Early Settlers Sangamon County, Illinois (S.l.: The Author, 1970, p232). Council, Hardy, born Sept. 20, 1793, near Tarboro, N. C. was taken by his parents to Tennessee, thence to Barren county, Ky., and from there to White county, near Carmi, Ill.

Illustrated Atlas Map of Mendard County, Illinois (Illinois: W.R. Brind & Co., 1874, p38). William F. Council ... His grandfather was John Council, who lived in South Carolina. The spirit of adventure, the restless desire to push forward into new countries, which springs either from a love of a life of solitude and danger, or from the hope of finding out some sudden and golden road to success, to be trod only by the daring adventurer, seems strongly to have seized upon him, for within the latter period of his life we find him the resident of four different States. He moved first from South Carolina, with his wife and family, and settled in Virginia. He did not, however, remain long on the soil of the Old Dominion, and next took up the line of march for Kentucky. He remained here some time, and then made a change of residence to another State, -this time to Illinois. He settled in White County, in the southern part of the State, and here his migrations had an end, for he lived here till his death. He had brought up a family of eight children, five sons and three daughters. They were William, Redick, Charles, Hardy, Willis, Nancy, Charlotte, and Lucinda. ... Of these, Hardy Council was the father of the subject of our sketch.

1881 History of Sangamon County, Illinois (Chicago, Ill.: Inter-State Publishing Co., 1881, p.904). John H. Council, farmer and stock raiser, post office, Sherman, was born in Sangamon county, on the 19th day of May, 1822. Son of Hardy, born September 20, 1793, near Tarboro, North Carolina, was taken by his parents to Tennessee, thence to Barren county, Kentucky, and thence to White county, near Carmi, Illinois.

1881 History of Sangamon County, Illinois (Chicago, Ill.: Inter-State Publishing Co., 1881, p.905). Hardy F. M. Council, farmer, Fancy Creek township, was born in Fancy Creek township, on the place where he now resides, February 10, 1841. Son of William Council, who was born in Tarboro, North Carolina, October 1, 1790, and Mary Growes, of East Tennessee, born June 15, 1802. They were married in White county, Illinois...

The History of Menard and Mason Counties, Illinois (Chicago: Ol. L. Baskin & Co., 1879, p.719). Robert Council, farmer; son of Hardy and Jane Council; was born in Barron Co., Ky., March 3, 1831, and was brougth, while quite young, to Sangamon Co., Ill. ...

There is an indication that the Council family passed through Barren County, Kentucky. According to the Portrait and Biographical Album of Coles County, Illinois ... (Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1892, p280) John's daughter, Lucinda, was born in Barren county on February 7, 1808 and on April 10, 1825 married George McHenry in White county, Illinois. This is where our links to John Council end. We do not find any documentation for John until references to the "widow Council" appear in White County, Illinois records in 1815.

One can only imagine the dangers that John Council and his family faced on their move west. According to "The Rise and Fall of Disease in Illinois" scarlet fever began to appear in the Ohio Valley after 1808. In 1812 an epidemic of smallpox led to the erection of the first isolation hospital in Illinois. White county was not organized until 1815 with the first white settlers arriving between 1807 and 1809 (A Brief History of White County http://white.ilgenweb.net/history.html). At that time Illinois was still a territory, not becoming a state until 1818 (Early Illinois History http://history.ilgenweb.net/history.html). The frequent conflicts between Native Americans and settlers was heightened during, and after, the War of 1812. In the Encyclopedia of Historic Forts by Robert B. Roberts (New York: Macmillan, c1988, p259) we find this reference to Fort Council: "This Indian defense was reportedly erected in 1813 on the "Starkey place" by "Hardy Council" and located in what was then White County". Vital records for these years in White county are almost non-existent. Any accident, injury or disease could have taken the life of John Council leaving us with no record of his death.

It appears that John's widow, Elizabeth, may have married John Starkey in White county in 1820. Her sons, William, Hardy and Charles are later found in the Sangamon and Logan county area of Illinois where the research continues.

1761 Birth date for John Council (North Carolina State Archives, Council Family Papers, PC 525, p.41)

John Council was Born November 26 Day 1761

1765 Birth date for John Council (North Carolina State Archives, Council Family Papers, PC 525, p.33)

John Counsell was born November ye 26 Day 1765

1785 Will record abstracts of Mary Smith, 9 June 1785 and 11 June 1785, Martin County, North Carolina found in Martin County, North Carolina Abstracts of Will Books 1 and 2, 1774-1868 (Williamston, NC: Martin County Historical Society, n.d., p30-31). [NOTE: the two Negroes, Rose and Vilet become the property of the Councils and are sold in 1828 and 1829.]

Page 30 -- B1P112 [Will Book 1, page 112] Mary Smith; 11 June 1785. bros: John Smith; Malachi Smith; Negro: Smith: Rose, John, Bon; exec: Macjiah Smith; wits: Daniel Barton; Charles Coosel; Martha Watson

Page 31 -- B1P119 [Will Book 1, page 119] Mary Smith; on 9 June 1785 deliverd unto John Smith; two Negro: Smith: Adam, Vilet; wits: Charles Council; John Council; Daniel Buntin

1787 Deed of Sale from Thomas Gardner to Charles Council, 28 April 1787 (proven October Court 1787), Edgecombe County, North Carolina, Deed Book 4, 1783-1788, p685. LDS Family History Library Microfilm #18881. [NOTE: John Council is witness to this transaction]

This Indenture made this twenty eight day April in the year of our Lord, One thousand seven hundred and eighty seven between Thomas Gardner of the County of Martin and province of North Carolina of the one part and Charles Council of the County and province aforesaid of the other part witnesseth that the said Thomas Gardner for and in the Consideration of the sum of sixty pounds of good and lawfull money to him in hand paid before the sealing and delivering of these presents the receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge and himself therewith fully satisfy is [?] and paid hath given granted bargained and sold alinated in[?] conveyed and confirmed and by these Presents do give grant bargain sell alinate convey and confirm unto him the aforesaid Charles Councill him his Heirs and assigns for Ever a certain Tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Edgcombe and province aforesaid Beginning at a white oak from thence east along a line of marked trees to a black gum from thence south along a line of marked trees to a post oak from thence along Worsley line to the first station containing one hundred acres more or less to have and to hold unto the said Charles Councill the above granted premises together with all the appertainances there unto belonging with the reversions and remainders right and title to the same to the only proper use benefit and behoof of the said Charles Councill his Heirs and assigns for Ever In witness whereof the said Thomas Gardner hath hereunto set his hand and seal this day and year first above written signed sealed and delivered in the presents of us Test John Council, Daniel Buntin.
Thomas Gardner {seal}

Edgcombe County October Court 1787
The Execution of the within Deed of Sale was duly proved in open Court by the oath of John Councill and ordered to be [?]
Test Edward Hall, C. Co.

John Council - 1 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 2

Council John - 3 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 2 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 1

1805 Will of Charles Council, 6 July 1805 (recorded November 1805), Edgecombe County, North Carolina, Wills Volume D, page 236-238. LDS Family History Library Microfilm #0018862.

In the name of God Amen. I Charles Counsil of the County of Edgecombe & State of North Carolina being very weak and low in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same, and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men are to die, I do make and ordain this to be my last Will & Testament. That is to say, first and principally I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it and [?] doubting but that I shall receive the same by the mighty power of God and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors.

And as to the worldly estate that it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and dispose of manner and form following. First I lend to my well beloved wife Dicie Counsil a negro man named Cias and one ditto by the [page 237] name of Ellis, one feather bed and furniture and the house hold furniture, three cows and calves, three ewes and lambs and the hogs during her life or widowhood.

2nd I give and bequeath to the Heirs of Joshua Council five shillings.

3rd I give and bequeath unto the Heir of Willis Counsil my son decd. things hereafter mentioned.

4th I give and bequeath to the Heirs of Tempey my daughter decd. five shillings.

5th I give and bequeath unto the Heirs of Elisabeth Bunting five shillings to them their Heirs & Assigns for ever.

6th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Cleary Cherry ten shillings also I lend unto Cleary Cherry two negroes by the names of Diner[?] and Vilot to her during her life & after her death for [?] [?] and [?] to be equally divided between John Smith & Darcus Smith to them their Heirs & Assigns forever.

7th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Charlotte Cherry the sum of five shillings, also I lend unto Charlotte Cherry one negro woman named Rose and one negro named named[sic] Isam during her natural life and at her decease for sd negroes and [?] to be equally divided among her children.

[page 237 cont.]8th I give and bequeath unto my two sons John and Willie Counsil the Land and plantation wheron I now live for it to be equally divided between them, also I give an bequeath to my son John Counsil one negro man by the name of Cias for John to have him after his mother's death or marriage. I give & bequeath to my son Wiley Counsil one negro man named Ellis after the death or marriage of his mother.

9th I give and bequeath to my son Reddick Counsil one negro man named Ben to him & his Heirs & Assigns forever.

[page 238]10th I give and bequeath to my grand son, Bennet Counsil one feather bed and furniture & bed stead.

11th I give and bequeath to my son Hardy Counsil one hundred silver dollars to him and his Heirs and Assigns forever.

12th Also it is my Will and desire for all the property not [?] or given away to be sold to the highest bidder at six months credit and the money arising from such sale to be divided between Charles, Silvia, Hardy, John, Reddick & Willie Counsil to them their Heirs & Assigns forever.

Also I nominate and appoint my trusy friend John Counsil my son, Co. Nathan Mayo to this my Will and Testament I do hereby utterly revoke and disavow other Wills by me made or executors [?] [?] this to be my last Will & Testament and no other.

In Witness thereof I have hereunto set my name and fix my Seal this sixth day of July 1805.
Charles (His X Mark) Counsil

Sealed, signed, published & declared in presence of Test
William Ayman [?]
Joseph Taylor
Willaim Cherry
William Taylor

[page 238 cont.]Edgecombe County November Court 1805

The written last Will & Testament of Charles Counsil was exhibited into Court by the executors for probate and was proven by the oath of William Hyman & Jacob Taylor two of the subscribing witnesses thereto - and at the same time both of the executors therein named were qualified thereto - ordered that the same be certified and the Will recorded.
Test
E. Hale

Inventory of the Estate of Charles Counsil decd.
2 Horses, 27 Head Cattle, 42 Head Hogs, 12 head of Sheep, 52 2/5 Barrels of Corn, 5 1/2 Bushels Wheat, 12 bushels of Peas?, a parcel of flax[?], 219 lbs[?] Seed Cotton, 17 Oak Barrels, Timber for 25 kegs, Timber for [page 206] 50 Oak Barrels, Timber for 2 pair cart wheels, a parcel[?] of Blade & Top Fodder, 45 Bushels of Potatoes & a parcel in the cellar[?], 5 stocks of Bole[?], 1 grindstone, Set of Coopers & Auger & Iron Trough[?], 7 weeding hoes, 3 grubbing hoes, 5 plow hoes, 4 old hoes, 1 pair sheep shears, 4 sides[?] & 1 Skin Tanned Leather, 1 cart and wheels, 4 old Hogs heads, 13 old Barrels, 2 Wash[?] tubs, 1 Honey Stand, 1 Keg, 1 Flanbrake[?], 1 pair hand mill stones, 1 pair of stock[?] yards, 2 guns, 1 Barrel of Vinegar, 1 pair of old saddle bags, cart & [?] gear, 1 plow, 30 1/8 Silver Dollars in Cash
Nathan Mayo, Exect.
John Council Exect.

Edgecombe County, February Court, 1806
Exhibited in open court & ordered to be recorded
Test.
E. Hale

[page 300] An Account[?] of the sales of the estate of Charles Council, deceased December 20th day, 1805

1 grindstone -- John Council 0.10.6
1 lott[sic] of coopers tools -- John Council 1.5.5
1 auger -- Willie Council 0.2.0
1 Iron Trough -- John Council 0.5.6
5 new oak barrels -- Nathan Mayo 1.3.0
5 new oak barrels -- Willis Cherry 1.4.6
7 new oak barrels -- Nathan Mayo 1.11.0
Lott of timber 3816 lott of timber 2716 -- John Council 3.6.0
Lott of timber -- Willie Council 1.8.0
Lott of timber -- John Council 2.0.0
Lott of timber -- Willie Council 2.0.0
Lott of timber -- Willie Council 2.0.0
3 weeding hoes & 2 axes -- Eurodice Council 1.0.0
3 weedign hoes -- Willie Council 0.4.0
1 grubbing hoe -- John Council 0.3.0
1 grubbing hoe -- William Grimes 0.6.6
2 plow hoes -- Willie Council 8.6.0
4 old hoes -- John Council 0.3.0
2 plow hoes -- Euradice Council 0.5.0
2 plow hoes -- William Bennett 0.10.0
1 plow hoe -- John Council 0.7.0
1 grubbing hoe -- William Barfield 0.2.6
1 pr sheep shears -- Saml. Crisp 0.7.0
1 Side tann'd leather -- Willie Council 1.0.6
1 side tann'd leather -- Willie Council 1.0.0
1 side tann'd leather -- Maxwell Taylor 0.10.0
1 side tann'd leather -- Benjd Smith 1.1.6
1 skin -- Euradice Council 0.2.6
1 cart & gear -- Euradice Council 1.0.0
[page 301]
2 bushel peas -- Nathan Mayo 0.12.6
2 bushel peas -- Wiliam Cardices 0.15.0
2 bushel peas -- Richd Taylor 0.13.0
2 bushel peas -- William Harrison 0.13.1
1 bushel peas -- Richd Cherry 0.5.0
1 barrl peas -- Euradice Council 0.10.0
1 Hd[?] & 3 barrl -- Wm Crisp 0.12.6
2 barrl & 3 stands -- Euradice Council 0.5.0
1 hd[?] -- Euradice Council 0.4.0
3 old barrels -- John Council 0.2.0
1 hd[?] -- Wm Kerney 0.2.6
1 handmill -- John Council 0.1.0
20 bushel potatoes -- rd Harrison 1.10.0
20 bushel potatoes -- Merriman Meeks[?] 2.0.0
5 bushel plantains[?] -- Euradice Council 0.5.0
Parcel potatoes -- Euradice Council 0.15.0
1 crop and saw[?] -- Thad Best 0.10.0
2 stacks bees -- Roderick Cherry 0.15.0
3 stacks bees -- John Council 2.13.0
3 sheep -- Wm cherry 2.3.0
3 sheep -- John buntin 1.14.0
1 sheep -- John council 0.12.6
5 sheep -- Maxwell Taylor 4.3.6
1 cow -- Euradice Council 4.2.0
1 cow & yearling -- Willie Council 4.3.0
1 cow & yearling -- Willis Cherry 5.10.0
1 cow & yearling -- Willie Council 6.0.6
1 cow -- Wm Best 5.0.0
1 cow -- Wm Cherry 3.10.0
2 Heifers -- Rueben Manning 4.5.6
1 cow -- turner Young 4.6.0
1 cow -- Richd Harrison 6.0.0
1 cow & heifer -- Wm Cherry 4.1.0
1 horse -- John Council 15.0.0
1 Mare -- Euradice Council 10.17.6
5 barrel corn -- Thos Best 6.10.0
5 barrel corn -- Euradice Council 5.12.0
[?] barrel corn -- Euradice Council 5.7.0
[page 302]
5 barrel corn -- Euradice Council 5.0.0
5 barrel corn -- Wm Harrison 6.4.0
5 barrel corn -- Wm Harrison 6.4.0
5 barrel corn -- Noah Pepper 6.1.0
5 barrel corn -- Jas Averet 6.2.6
5 barrel corn -- Paul Taylor 6.3.6
5 barrel corn -- Thomas Best 6.5.6
1 Whip Saw -- Jo Taylor 1.0.0
1 Bushl Wheat -- Willie Council 0.10.0
1 Bushel wheat -- Willie Council 0.11.0
1 Bushel wheat -- Jas Summerlin 0.10.6
1 Bushel wheat -- Jas Summerline 0.13.0
1 Bushel wheat -- Daniel Buntin 0.12.0
Lott of Flax -- Euradice Council 0.6.0
Lott of Flax -- Bennet Council 0.3.7
Lott of Flax -- Bennet Council 0.4.1
Lott of Flax -- John Council 0.1.0
1 Flax Brake -- Euradice Council 0.1.0
1 Meal Tub -- Euradice Council 0.5.6
1 Meal Tub -- Euradice Council 0.6.0
1 pr Steel yards -- Jas Strawbridge 0.15.6
1 pr Saddle Bags -- John Council 0.0.6
1 Lott Cart & plane[?] gear -- Euradice Council 1.5.0
1 Barrl vinegar -- Euradice Council 0.10.0
2 old Casks -- Euradice Council 0.2.6
2 old Casks -- Willie Council 0.3.0
1 old Hhd[?] -- Kinchen Everet[?] 0.5.0
25 [?] Cotton -- John Council 0.10.0
25 [?] Cotton -- John Council 0.10.0
25 [?] Cotton -- Luke Cherry 0.10.0
25 [?] Cotton -- Luke Cherry 0.10.0
25 [?] Cotton -- Euradice Council 0.8.0
25 [?] Cotton -- Euradice Council 0.8.0
25 [?] Cotton -- Euradice Council 0.8.0
1 old Hhd[?] -- Euradice Council 0.4.0
2 Sheep -- Willie Council 1.15.1
[page 303]
1 cow & yearling -- John Buntin 4/15/6
1 Small Heifer -- Willie Council 2.1.6
12 Bushels corn -- Willis Cherry 3.1.0
Some shattered corn -- Euradice Council 0.2.6
Timber for [?] Cart[?] -- John Taylor 2.4.0 1 Stack Top fother[?] -- John Council 0.10.0
1 Stack Top fother[?] -- John Council 0.4.0
1 Stack Top fother[?] -- John Council 0.4.0
1 Stack Top fother[?] -- John Council 0.4.0
1 Stack Top fother[?] -- John Council 0.4.0
1 old plane hoe -- Wm Barefield 0.3.7
1 Stand & Hney -- Euradice Council 0.15.0
1 Heifer -- Sil[?]y Pitman 1.6.0
1 Heifer & yearling -- Sil[?]y Pitman 5.0.0
44#[?] Cotton -- Lewis Price 1.0.6
Coopers Addze[sic] -- John Council 0.4.6
1/2 Bushel Wheat -- Euradice Council 0.4.0
1 Keg -- Euradice Council 0.2.0
1 Sheep -- Daniel buntin 0.16.6
[total] .... [pounds] 219.16.5
Nathan Mayo } John Council } Ext.
Edgecomb [sic] County, February Court 1806 exhibited in open court & ordered to be recorded.
Test E Hale [?]

1807 Deed of Sale from John Council to Willis Council, 28 February 1807 (filed November 1807), Edgecombe county, North Carolina. Deeds, Volume 12, pages 210-211. LDS Family History Library Microfilm #18889.

Know all men by these presents that I John Counsill [sic] of the County of Edgecomb [sic] & State of North Carolina of the one part have made o[?] and quit [?], a certain tract or parcel of land formerly belonging to my father Charles Counsill [sic], decd. as[?] also one other tract or parcel of land formerly belonging to Daniel Bunting, in favour of and unto my Brother Willis Councill [sic], his heirs and assigns for value of him rcvd against me, my heirs and assigns with all and singular the rights titles, Interest, and profits that I myself, my heirs &c. do or

[page 211] did hold. Given under my hand and seal February 28th 1807
John Counsill [sic] (Seal)
Signed seal &c. in presents of Tes
Willis Cherry

Edgecomb [sic] County November Court 1807, the within deed of sale was duly exhibited in open court proved by the oath of Willis Cherry and ordered to be recorded. Test
E. Hall [?]

1815 Elizabeth Council is named in a November, 1815 petition by Gallatin County, Illinois inhabitants in their request to form a new county https://sites.rootsweb.com/~ilwhite2/wchs7-27-98.html

And that the seat of Justice for said county be Sinterable as the population of the county will admit of, and that it be on the little Waubash, therefore we beg your honourable body that it be established at Elizabeth Councils, it being the best situation on the river convenient to the Center of the County which it is immediately on Section 19 and Centerable on a North and South line, Situated on the east side of the river on a beautiful second Bank which affords several springs, and is artended with no inconveniance by high water and has every appearance of a good healthy situation, the proprietor of said land making a donation right of a square land for public buildings, etc.

[MORE TO COME ....]