Lebeus Curtis, son of John, was born on July 29 1784 at Williamsburg, Massachusetts. He died on April 18, 1855 in Kelly Township, Warren County, Illinois. According to his tombstone, Lebeus was seventy years, eight months and twenty-two days of age at the time of his death. This would suggest that his date of birth was July 26, 1784. However, the date given is that which was found in the official vital records of Willismsburg. He is buried in Miles Cemetery in Kelly Township, Warren County, Illinois. Lebeus' name has been found spelt as Libeus or Lebbeus.
Lebeus served as a private in the Massachusetts Militia during the War of 1812. He served in Captain Asahel Strong's Company of Artillery; Lieutenant Colonel W. Edward's Regiment from September 8, 1814 to November 2, 1814. The company was raised at Northampton, Massachusetts and served in the Boston area. For the month of September, he received $8.61 as pay. For the remainder of his service, Lebeus received $12.921/2 as pay.
Lebeus was a joiner/carpenter by profession. However, it is known that he tired his hand at farming as his occupation is listed a yeoman in one land deed.
It is not known exactly when he arrived in Illinois but his trail of migration appears to have been as follows: Hatfield, Massachusetts to the Utica, New York area to Kelly Township, Warren County, Illinois. We know that Lebeus was in Illinois by 1845 because he is mentioned in two land transactions.
Having publicly announced his intention to marry on December 5, 1807, Lebeus married on January 6, 1808 in the Church of Christ at Williamsburg, Massachusetts to Esther Appleby, daughter of Michael Appleby and Mary (Molly) Taylor. Esther was born on April 30, 1790 at Williamsburg, Massachusetts. It is speculated that she died in the Galesburg, Illinois area prior to her son, Henry's, departure for Iowa.
Lebeus and Esther had at least two children.
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