Religion played an important part in the lives of the early pioneers. Four major groups were represented during the years of Illinois' settlement. Prior to the 1820's, the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, and Catholics all left their marks on the people. The Methodist came to the state as early as 1793 and were a large influence in Fayette County. During an interview, done in March of 1995, my grand-mother, Verna Mae Crotser Hamilton, stated that she believed that the Crotser's were of this faith.
     The Sharon Society in Fayette County was organized before 1821 and was located 1 mile east of what is now Vera. The first preacher in the area was James Woodard, a traveling Methodist minister. It is known from the writings of Rev. Glenn L. Sharp, that the first Methodist Protestant Church was a log structure located in the center of what is now the Union Cemetery, just east of Sharon Cemetery.  It  was built more than 140 years ago- before 1850. Henry Crotser was a member of this congregation. This church finally grew weak and disbanded.  Most of the remaining members united with the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     During these years the Mormons were enduring religious persecution in Missouri. They left their established church in that state and founded a new settlement in Nauvoo, Illinois. Trouble still followed them, even in this new home. Several church members, including the churches founder, Joseph Smith, were jailed in Carthage, Illinois. On June 27, 1844, the jail was stormed by a mob, and Joseph was murdered. It was then that the Mormons left Illinois and went to Great Salt Lake in what is now Utah.
 1839 saw the removal of the State Capital from Vandalia to Springfield. The population of Vandalia quickly declined, and the small town almost disappeared.
  The first census in which David appears is in that of Fayette County, Western Division,
 

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