Edgar, John, 1745?-1832

A native of Ireland, Edgar came to the U.S. in 1760; commanded vessels on Lakes Huron and Erie from 1772-1775; and settled in Detroit as a merchant about 1775. He was imprisoned by Lernoult and his holdings confiscated in 1779. During his incarceration, he discovered and reported a plot to unite Vermont with the British interests. He later petitioned for reimbursement for his losses. In 1734, he and his wife Rachel, who, escaped from Detroit with about $12,000, settled in Kaskaskia, where he was a civic leader and merchant until his death. He was a member of the legislature; Edgar Co. was named for him; served as chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas. After Mrs. Edgar's death in 1822, he married Martha Eliza Stevens, aged about 15. He died in December, 1830; and on Nov. 27, 1832, the widow married Nathaniel Paschall. (from "Ill. Hist. Cos. Trans." VII, 64, ff.) (blue index cards)