James McGrady Rutledge was the son of William and Susannah Cameron Rutledge, and was a descendant of Edward Rutledge who signed the Declaration of Independence, He was born in Henderson county, Kentucky in 1814 and at the age of twelve years he moved with his parents to the Concord community, then a wild Indian country.
At that time prairie grass was so high, natives found it hard to see their cows when they stood close by. All wheat was hauled to Beardsferry (Beardstown) 40 miles away. The old Indian Shick Shack lived in this part of the country and was friendly with the early settlers. He lived with his children. Two of his children, Joe and Antewine, were playmates of James McGrady Rutledge. His wife who had died, was buried on the banks of the Sangamon River, Shick Shack died during the winter of the big snow, 1830- 31. After his death the remainder of the tribe moved north to join the Black Hawk tribe.

In 1841 James M. Rutledge married Miss Margaret C. Harris. They were the parents of fourteen children, seven sons and seven daughters. Four of their children, David, Samuel, Matilda and Robert, died in childhood and are buried in the Abraham Goodpasture cemetery just south of this home, Mr, Rutledge
stated before his death that this cemetery was erroneously called Old Concord cemetery. This is the same little cemetery in which Ann Rutledge, a first cousin of James M. Rutledge, was originally buried. William and Susannah Rutledge were the last persons buried in this cemetery.

Their other children were John Rutledge, who was drowned in Nebraska in 1862, Ann Eliza Rutledge (Mrs. Edward Traylor), Mary (Mrs, John Moore), James B., Thomas Harris, Lura (Mrs. Milton Comingore), Harriett (Mrs. Andrew Park), Catherine Susannah (Mrs. J, H. Clary), Harvey E, and Emma (Mrs. Henry S. Houghton).

John James Rutledge, who was an uncle to James McGrady Rutledge, owned a tavern at New Salem where Lincoln boarded. Being a frequent visitor of his uncle and family, he often shared the shack bed with Lincoln. He also was a chain carrier for Abe Lincoln when he surveyed in the settlement where they lived.
Contributor: Joyce Castle (47709478) • [email protected]