Rachel Cotton, in May of 1837, fifteen months after the death of Elias Cotton, made an original land entry located a mile and a half west-northwest of Shedville Cemetery. No land entries appear at any time in Elias' name. It is possible that Elias and his family may have lived as squatters on the 40-acre tract through his entire adult life in Pope County. Rachel registered a cattlemark in Pope county on January 1, 1838, apparently continuing the affairs fo the established farm.
Source: "Early Pioneer Gravestones of Pope County, Illinois", McNerney & Meyer, page 22
--
Illinois, Compiled Marriages, 1791-1850
Name: Jacob Slankard
Spouse: Rachel Cotton
Marriage Date: 27 Feb 1845
Marriage County: Pope