Mexico Territories, where the issue would be decided by popular sovereignty. The rest of the Compromise included that a stricter Fugitive Slave Law would be enacted, making it easier for slave owners to recover runaway slaves. Slave trade would be prohibited in the District of Columbia, and California would join the Union as a free state.
 Although Illinois sided with the North during the Civil War, there was some pro-Confederacy feeling, especially in the southern part of the state. Some slavery did exist in the early days of Vandalia. At least two families of slaves were brought to the town when their owners came to Vandalia from Kaskaskia.
 Slavery also existed in Gallatin County, Illinois near Shawneetown. Salt production was a major source of income in this area in the early 1800’s. John Hart Crenshaw was granted a lease from the State of Illinois over these salt wells in 1840. The government also permitted employers to lease slaves from owners in legal slave territory and to then bring the slaves to work in Illinois. This allowed Crenshaw to lease large numbers of blacks from Kentucky for work in his salt wells and furnaces. He became a dominant force both politically and financially.
 In 1834 Crenshaw began construction of the mansion known as Hickory Hill. It’s isolated location in the Saline River Valley provided an ideal hideout for Crenshaw’s illegal activity of kidnapping slaves. It appears that a carriage could drive right into the hallway of the first story, with large double doors closing behind it. The third story of the house was used to conceal the kidnapped blacks. This floor consisted of a narrow hallway flanked on either side by doors which led into small rooms. The floor had no light or ventilation. This is where the victims were kept before they were sold back into slavery.
 It appears that Crenshaw also attempted to “breed” slaves in his hideout. He would sell the babies as soon as they were old enough to be taken from their mother’s. One black male, whom he kept for this purpose, was known as Uncle Bob. It is thought that he fathered over 300 children while with Crenshaw. He fought for the South in the Civil War and lived to be 114 years old. He lived at the Elgin State Hospital until his death in 1949.
 With the removal of the government to Springfield, the population of Vandalia fell to about 300 in 1850. Two factors helped the small town to survive. The National Road went through Vandalia and was continuing to bring settlers westward, and the Illinois Central Railroad was constructed to Vandalia.
  The 1850 Census- Western Division finds David and Nancy the parents of four children. The wife's name was given as Margaret in this listing, but it is believed that she also went by this name. The children at this residence are known to be those of David and Nancy. Her death certificate is also filled out under the name Margaret Crotser.
 . Both the 1850 Census and an Abstract of Estate for David, which will be discussed later, have been used in determining the approximate birth years for these children. Henry, their first child, was born August 8, 1841. Jacob E. was the next birth in 1842. The third child in the census was Gilbert. H., my great-great grandfather. Although Gilbert’s gravestone states that he was born in 1852, it is believed that the correct date is October 1849. This is taken from the 1900 Fayette Census and from a death certificate that is believed to be his. This certificate is for a Gilbert Crocher and was filled out by a Dr. Reynolds. The Doctor wrote that Gilbert was born in Lebanon, Missouri and lived in Illinois for only the last 20 years of his life. I think that the physician was incorrect in these two facts. It says that the place of burial is Vera Cemetery and that he died on September 6, 1906. The family knows this death date to be correct, and it is known that he is buried at Sharon Cemetery. David Campbell was the fourth son born to the couple on September 22, 1846.

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