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The Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House is an important landmark that links the early history of Edwardsville to the earliest days of the Illinois Territory circa 1809 and the establishment of Edwardsville as the center of government and commerce.  It is a connection between Territorial Governer Ninian Edwards, Colonel Benjamin Stephenson and the State of Illinois.

     Built in 1820, this two-story brick home, constructed in the Federal style, is an excellent example of architecture from this early period.  Each of the four rooms has original millwork; and two of the original mantels designed in the Adams style remain.  The home was built with native material by skilled local craftsmen.

History of the Benjamin Stephenson House Restoration Project

Background: This home is on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered the oldest brick home in the county.  According to the Illinois State Historic Presevation Agency, it is one of only a handful of this period still remaining in the State. 

     In 1999, the City of Edwardsville, with a $500,000 grant from the State of Illinois, and under the supervision of the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and the Edwardsville Historic Preservation Commission, purchased the Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House.

     This home is on the National Register of Historic Places not only because it is a fine example of early Federal-style architecture, but also because it was the gathering place for many of Illinois' early political leaders.

     The restored home will be a timeless community treasure, enriching the lives of present and future generations.  It will give a real-life glimpse into the political and cultural aspects of this era.

     Illinoisans may be surprised to learn that Edwardsville was the hub of the state when it was still a territory.  Even more interesting, is the fact that many of the community's early settlers held high positions in the Federal Government, and their decisions, often discussed in the Stephenson house, helped shaped our history.
Ninian Edwards & Colonel Benjamin Stephenson: Friend and Colleagues

     Historical records clearly demonstrate a close association between Colonel Benjamin Stephenson and Govenor Ninian Edwards.  Their personal histories are intertwined via politics, business, friendship and a remaining architectural structure: The Benjamin Stephenson House, located at 409 South Buchanan Street, Edwardsville, Illinois.

     It is apparent that the two were close personal friends as well as early Illinois pioneers and political allies.  It appears that Benjamin Stephenson migrated to the Illinois Territory from Kentucky in 1809 along with Ninian Edwards.  The early Illinois territory offered both men tremendous opportunities- in that same year both men would enter the political arena of early Illinois.

Bringing Law & Order to Territory

The United States Congress organized the Illinois territory and appointed Ninian Edwards to serve as territorial governor and Benjamin Stephenson was appointed the first sheriff of Randolph County.  The two men literally brough law and order to the territory.      In September 1812, a military force was assembled at Fort Russell whose construction had been commissioned by Gov. Edwards.  The force was organized into two regiments one of which was under the command of Benjamin Stephenson.   Stephenson attained the rank of colonel in the Illinois militia while serving in campaigns during the War of 1812.  From 1814-1816 Stephenson served as a representative in the United States Congress form the Illinois Territory.

Political Successes

Politically, Stephenson was known to be a protege of Ninian Edwards and it is during this period that Stephenson and Edwards solidified their friendship.  Both men continued to enjoy political success and together in 1819 (along with Auguste Choteau) they negotiated a treaty for the United States government to purchase a part of central Illinois from the Kickapoo Indians.  The successful negotiation of this treaty added approximately 2 millioin acres to the State of Illinois.   

wpe9.jpg (2337 bytes) A Kickapoo Native American

 In the same year, Stephenson and Edwards were among those who petitioned for a tract of land adjoining the town of Edwardsville to be annexed and made part of Edwardsville.  This tract of land that they owned was in the southeast end of town and it was in this area that Ninian Edwards and Benjamin Stephenson built their homes.

 This part of Edwardsville later became known as upper Edwardsville.  At this point, they became each other's closest neighbors.  The two men, along with other local businessmen, donated land for public building- specifically a courthouse and a jail- to be erected in the southeastern part of Edwardsville.

 The association between the Stephenson and Edwards families did not end with the death of Benjamin Stephenson on October 10, 1822.  The families remained close friends. In fact, when the Ninian Edwards residence was destroyed by fire, the Edwards family moved into the Stephenson House for a short time.

 This stay, along with the close association of the two families, has caused the Benjamin Stephenson House to occasionally be identified as the Ninian Edwards house.

 The relationship between the Stephenson and Edwards families continued. On June 26, 1834 the widow of Ninian Edwards, Elvira, bought the Stephenson house as a token of friendship for $2,000.

 Other evidence of the close friendship between the two men is the fact that one of Ninian Edwards' sons was named Benjamin Stephenson Edwards while on of the Stephenson's daughters was named Elvira, after Edward's wife.

Friends of Colonel Benjamin Stephenson House • 409 South Buchanan, P.O. Box 754 • Edwardsville, Illinois 62025• 618-692-1818• Email: stephensonhouse@sbcglobal.net

  
 
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