Waterman, Henry C.

Born: 1815-11-19 New York

Died: 1857-11-05 Fayette County, Illinois

Flourished: Fayette County, Illinois

Henry C. Waterman was a farmer, tavern keeper, stage line operator, postmaster, and pioneer settler of Howard's Point, Illinois. Waterman arrived in eastern Fayette County, Illinois in the mid-1830s. He opened the first tavern in Howard's Point around this time, and he later establish several stage lines to transport the U.S. mail. In March 1837, Waterman married Susanna Griffith. In 1838, he began purchasing public land in Avena and adjoining townships, eventually accumulating 360 acres. He also received warrants for an additional 280 acres. In June 1841, the U.S. Post Office Department appointed Waterman postmaster of Howard's Point, a position he held twice until 1855. In 1850, Waterman was engaged in agriculture and owned real estate valued at $2,000.

History of Fayette County, Illinois (Philadelphia, Brink, McDonough, 1878), 90; Illinois Statewide Marriage Index, Fayette County, 30 March 1837, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales, Fayette County, 146:22, 72, 75, 78, 154:236, 155:29, 78, Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL; Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971, NARA Microfilm Publication, M841, 145 rolls, Records of the Post Office Department, RG 28, 1832-1844, 12B:498; 1845-1855, 18:54; 1855-1865, 20A:38, National Archives Building, Washington, DC; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, from the Thirtieth September, 1841, to the Thirtieth September, 1843 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1843), 544*; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1845 (Washington, DC: J. & G. S. Gideon, 1845), 388*; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1847 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1847), *414; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1849 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1849), *477; Register of all Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1851 (Washington, DC: Gideon, 1851), 534*; Register of Officers and Agents, Civil, Military, and Naval, in the Service of the United States, on the Thirtieth September, 1855 (Washington, DC: A. O. P. Nicholson, 1855), 336*; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Fayette County, IL, 427; Gravestone, Guy Cemetery, St. Elmo, IL.