Note: Robert Baily was a son of Evan and Elizabeth McHenry Baily who settled in Vermont, Fulton County, Illinois, in 1836. The following is a letter dated August 15 1975 from Julia Baily Souders of Sarasota, FL to Nancy Sween detailing Baily family history.Mr. Baily emigrated from Virginia, in company with six other families, namely : John McCurdy, William McCurdy, Samuel McHendry, Robert Andrews, Andrew Nixon, and Moses C. Matthews. Leaving the mouth of Tumblestone run, on the Ohio river, on the 17th day of March, 1836, they landed at the mouth of the Sangamon river on the 14th day of June, 1836, being three months in making the trip; Mr. Baily then came to Vermont township, Fulton county, Illinois, and worked at the carpenter business for many years. He settled where he now resides in the spring of 1837. Mr. Baily was first elected to the office of justice of the peace, then county commissioner, in which latter position he served two terms; was then elected to the legislature, in 1846-7; and since then has filled more or less of the local offices, down to 1869, when he was elected by the democratic party to the office of county treasurer, which position he now holds. Mr. Baily has been a faithful public servant, -- one the people of Fulton county love to honor. Mr. Baily was married to Elizabeth McHendry, of Brook county Virginia, on the 11th day of May, 1826. Mrs. Baily was born on the 8th day of May, 1808. They have had fourteen children, all of whom they raised to man and womanhood, except one. James M., who was a first lieutenant in the one hundred and third regiment Illinois volunteers, was killed on the 27th day of June, 1864, at the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. Another son is now county judge of Crawford county, Kansas.
I am dreadfully sorry to have been so delayed in answering your letter of July 29. I had previously had a note from Mrs. Clara Heg in Evanston - a neighbor of friends of ours and also a neighor of now deceased - (September 1973) - Anne George Millar.
I have no information that matches yours - My brother John R. Baily, <-- 10762 Longwood Dr. --> Chicago, Illinois 60643. has a copy of the history of the Evan Baily Family who would have been our great grandfather - my grandfather Robert Baily was a son of Evan Baily - as was Alex - and Evan Jr. - Alexander Baily married Katherine Bottenberg - They had 3 daughters - Adah - Miriam - the other has evaded me - Only Adah married - Royal Hughes - Dean of Music School at Columbus Ohio - (U. of Ohio). All of these Bailys and Bottenbergs resided in Fulton County, Illinois - Vermont - Table Grove and Lewistown -
My father was William Lewis Baily, son of Robert Baily - and we resided in Table Grove - There were many cousins - whom I recall attending Family Picnics - 1910 - or before - My father was 1 of six children of Robert Baily - Wm Perry - Bessie June - Lavina - Mary - and Anna -
Robert George of Cuba, Illinois Son of B. Y. George a Presbyterian Minister - and founder of the Illinois Children Aid Society - married Bessie June Baily - (my fathers Sister) about 1900 - They had one daughter - deceased - Therefore Anne George - a Sister of Rob George and daughter of B.Y. George was a sister in law in the Baily Family - B.Y George had one other child Margaret - oldest of the 3 children - She married a Davidson from Lewistown, Ill. a newspaper publisher - Anne George who lived in Evanston. Grandfather taught at Princeton University - She attended Goueber (sp?) College. Then went to Italy and studied with Madame Montessouri - and founded the Montessouri system of Children (Pre School) education in Washington, D.C- Moved to Chicato area and taught at Chicago Latin School - Then married Robert Wyness Millar - Professor of Law School at Northwestern University - (Civil Procedure was his special subject.) - He preceeded Anne in death -
Since I lived in Evanston - and a niece of Anne George Millars - Sister in Law - (Bessie June George) we were closely associated and She referred to me as her Niece - But it was by marriage only -
Thus - I fear - this connection is removed from your family tree - however one can never be sure what real connections might be established - But the Baily - George relationship was via one marriage - my family were definite in one thing the spelling was Baily - no e I suspect some place - they may have just split - Tis said Pennsylvania -
There are many agencies who research for Genealogies - but by knowledge - I know many are not legitimate - and to do your own - means - Research at Washington or John Crerar (sp?) Library in Chicago - and of course perhaps - Kansas City Records or Library -
Good luck -
Sincerely
Julia B. Souders
(Mrs. C. E.)
NOTE: Robert Baily had an uncle, Alexander Baily, who married Elizabeth George in Andrew County, MO, in 1847. She was born in Butler County, OH so there does not seem to be a GEORGE connection with this Anne George.