The chronology
1836
180 published events.
Overview
In 1836 the land at the mouth of Turtle Creek passed from a French-associated fur-trade claimant to American settlers. Caleb Blodgett came to the site in May, found Joseph Thibault living there with two wives, returned in June, and purchased Thibault's claim — a transaction dated variously to May, December, or early in the year — for $200. Blodgett spent the summer and fall breaking land, sold one-third of his property to Charles Goodhue in the fall and together they built a dam, sawmill, and race on Turtle Creek, and in December he returned with his wife Phoebe Kidder, sons Nelson and Daniel, son-in-law John Hackett, and daughter-in-law Mahaila Norris; a band of Winnebago camped opposite Turtle village helped him build a double log cabin. Other events at the site included Judge William Holmes's arrival with family at Thibault's cabin in March — the first recorded visit of white women — a town site surveyed by Samuel Morris on April 26, Robert A. Kinzie's government entry of the lands of the town of Kushkanong in March and his December deed of that town site to James L. Thompson in trust, William Lawrence's fall purchase of two claims from Blodgett, Erastus Giles's help in raising the first house, and the death of two settlers in the little settlement. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+11 more)
Across the surrounding region, 1836 was the year Wisconsin Territory was created. Congress approved the territorial act on April 20, President Jackson commissioned Henry Dodge as governor and Charles Dunn, David Irvin, and William C. Frazer as justices on April 30, the act took effect July 3, and the territorial government went into operation July 4 with oaths taken at Mineral Point. The first territorial census recorded 22,214 inhabitants; the first legislative assembly convened at Belmont on October 25; Madison was designated the capital on December 3; Rock County was set off from Milwaukee County on December 7 and attached to Racine County until organized in 1839. Survey contracts were let to Robert T. Lytle in January, the Milwaukee land district was created June 15, a public land sale was held at Milwaukee, and George W. Jones took his seat in Congress as territorial delegate in December. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+12 more)
In Rock County and the wider world, settlement expanded while major conflicts and political changes unfolded. Henry F. Janes made his claim at Janesville in February and reached his new cabin in May; settlers including the St. Johns, the Stones, the Walkers in Milton, Levi St. John, Hiram Brown, Richard Inman, and Norwegians in Luther Valley arrived during the year; steamboats reached Janesville in June; and towns including Warsaw, Wisconsin City, Kushkanong, Van Buren, and Carramana were platted. Nationally, the siege and fall of the Alamo, Texan victory at San Jacinto, Cincinnati riots targeting Black residents and an abolitionist press, the Second Seminole War, and Van Buren's defeat of Harrison all occurred in 1836. ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ ↗ (+19 more)
Month by month
- Winter 1836Mr. Janes commenced at Janesville; A. W. and V. Pope arrived the same year.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- Winter 1836The winter of 1836 was very cold and the spring late and backward.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 7, 1836Survey contracts for government land in the region were let to Robert T. Lytle on this date, with township-line and subdivision surveys assigned across the four quarters of 1836.The regionPublished on the researcher's review
- January 9, 1836The first session of the seventh legislative council of Michigan Territory (the part west of Lake Michigan) was held at Green Bay, and a memorial was adopted asking Congress to form a new territory west of the lake.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 12, 1836Thomas A. Holmes, Joshua Holmes and others appeared personally before a justice of the peace (passage fragmentary).BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- January 15, 1836Dr. James Heath and his wife arrived at the St. John cabin near Janesville and joined the settlement; Dr. Heath later gave the name Emerald Grove to that village.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 15, 1836Henry F. Janes made his claim where the city of Janesville now stands. Several passages give the date as January 15, 1836; one passage notes that February is the correct time.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- February 24, 1836Colonel William Travis, commanding the Texan troops in the Alamo, issued a call for help on behalf of the garrison.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- February 24, 1836A Mexican army of about 3,000 attacked some 182 Texan defenders holding the Alamo in San Antonio, opening the siege of the former mission during the Texas Revolution.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- February 25, 1836Samuel Colt patented the first revolving-barrel multishot firearm, the design on which the Colt revolver was based.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- March 1836Robert A. Kinzie purchased at government entry all the lands within the limits of the town of Kushkanong.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- March 6, 1836Mexican forces captured the Alamo after a thirteen-day siege, defeating its roughly 187 Texan defenders; among the dead was the frontiersman Davy Crockett, killed at age 49.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- March 9, 1836Judge William Holmes and family arrived in the Rock River valley; they stopped at Thibault's cabin at Beloit — the first recorded visit of white women.The propertyGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1836Benjamin F. [—] and Tacey A. came to Rock County and settled in Harmony Township (Rock Prairie).Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 1836Congress passed an act organizing the Territory of Wisconsin; other passages date the act precisely to April 20, 1836.Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
- Spring 1836The first land in the Rock/Fulton area was broken and cropped with buckwheat by John Inman, producing a fair yield.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- Spring 1836Fulton was settled by Robert Stone and Daniel Stone.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- Spring 1836Henry F. Janes and family, his brother Edward Janes, John P. [and others] arrived among the spring emigrants.BeloitPublished on the researcher's review
- April 9, 1836Deacon Chauncy Tuttle, Dr. Dennis Mills, Milton S. [and others] — a party whose activity is described only fragmentarily in the passage.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- April 11, 1836In Cincinnati, a white mob entered a Black community — at a time when African Americans, some escaped from slavery, were competing with whites for jobs — attacked people, burned buildings, and drove many residents from their homes; several Black residents died, and the riot was not controlled until the governor declared martial law.Nation and worldGrade B · 1 independent source
- April 20, 1836Congress created Wisconsin Territory by approving the territorial act. The new territory included the southern Wisconsin region that later contained Rock County and Beloit.Nation and worldGrade B · 2 independent sources
- April 21, 1836Sam Houston's Texan army surprised Santa Anna's force at the Battle of San Jacinto, routing it in about 18 minutes and capturing the Mexican general, who was compelled to sign agreements recognizing Texas independence.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- April 30, 1836President Andrew Jackson commissioned Henry Dodge governor of Wisconsin Territory, and commissioned Charles Dunn chief justice and David Irvin and William C. Frazer associate justices.Nation and worldGrade B · 1 independent source
- April 30, 1836· sources disagreeHenry Dodge was commissioned governor of the new territory by President Andrew Jackson.Nation and worldGrade A · 2 independent sources
- May 1836Caleb Blodgett came exploring the site of present Beloit and returned in June; he found Thibault living there with two wives.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- May 15, 1836The Janes party — Janes and family, Richard Miller, Levi Harness and others — started for the present site of Janesville, driving cattle.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- May 19, 1836H. F. Janes reached his newly built cabin at Janesville along an Indian trail.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- May 24, 1836A village was laid out by [—] Seymour and John H. Hardenburgh on the south part of section 34 in the town of Janesville and adjoining land in the town of Rock, on the west side of Rock river.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- June 1836Blodgett returned to the Turtle Creek site and, according to the same county history, spent the summer and fall of 1836 breaking land for a farm and preparing for his family.The propertyPublished on the researcher's review
- June 1836The first steamboat from the Mississippi made the passage up Rock River, passing the rapids and stopping at Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- June 1836The City of Koshkonong was laid out by Kenzie/Kenzio Hunter and Booby.Rock CountyPublished on the researcher's review
- June 1836A territorial official (subject of the passage) was appointed minister to France.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- June 15, 1836Congress passed an act accepting, ratifying and confirming Michigan's constitution and state government, and an act creating the Milwaukee land district (which included present Rock County).Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- June 15, 1836Arkansas was admitted to the Union as the 25th state, entering as a slave state and extending plantation slavery and cotton cultivation west of the Mississippi.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- Summer 1836Col. James M. Burgess made the first claim in Lima, on Section 17; he and a partner stayed through the season, made improvements, then returned East.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- Summer 1836Dr. Heath located and built on the south side of the river, opposite Wisconsin City.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- Summer 1836Sheriffs returned the first territorial census. A published territorial history gives the population east of the Mississippi as Milwaukee County 2,893, Brown County 2,706, Crawford County 850, and Iowa County 5,234, a total of 11,683, and west of the Mississippi as Des Moines 6,257 and Dubuque 4,274.The regionPublished on the researcher's review
- Summer 1836The first census of Wisconsin Territory was taken, showing a population of 22,214.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 1836Janes's wife and four small children were for twenty-one days the only inhabitants of Janesville, while the men went up toward Jefferson for a raft of rails.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 2, 1836Congress provided for laying off town lots at Fort Madison and Burlington in Des Moines County, Belleview, Du Buque, and Peru in Du Buque County, and Mineral Point in Iowa County, all then in the Territory of Wisconsin, with lots to be surveyed and offered at public sale.The regionGrade B · 1 independent source
- July 4, 1836The territorial government of Wisconsin went into effect, and the authority of Michigan over the new territory ceased; the governor, secretary and judges took the oath of office at Mineral Point. One passage states the act was to take effect from and after the third day of July.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 5, 1836A race riot began in Cincinnati when African Americans held an Independence Day celebration, which some whites regarded as a demonstration for full integration; the attendance of the noted abolitionist James Birney helped stir up passions.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
- July 7, 1836Edward Shepard sold a one-twelfth interest in eighty-one blocks of Wisconsin City to Maurice Wakeman for $6,666.54, and on the following day sold another such interest to Addison Dougherty for $6,666.66.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- July 12, 1836About forty men, described as "respectable and wealthy gentlemen," broke into the building housing Birney's abolitionist press in Cincinnati and destroyed it, shredding newspapers and dragging the broken press through the streets.Nation and worldGrade B · 1 independent source
- September 1836A party with an ox team left Milwaukee westward for the Rock River valley to find homes.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 1836Hiram Brown and family arrived at the cabin near Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 1, 1836Aaron and Alfred Walker, the first white settlers in the town of Milton, pitched camp on the south side of Walker's Lake and erected the town's first log cabin; another passage gives the date as September 8, 1836.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 9, 1836Governor Dodge issued a proclamation apportioning council and house members among the counties, directing an election for the second Monday of October and requiring members to convene at Belmont on October 25.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 9, 1836Governor Dodge issued a proclamation ordering the first election for the Council and House of Representatives, and for a delegate to Congress, on the second Monday of October.The regionGrade B · 1 independent source
- September 19, 1836At Green Bay, Commissioner John F. Schermerhorn and chiefs and headmen of the Stockbridge and Munsee concluded a treaty concerning their lands on the east side of Lake Winnebago. The treaty compilation identifies this agreement as not ratified.The regionGrade B · 1 independent source
- September 21, 1836Warsaw was platted by Charles Mellin and Albert Fowler in the town of Fulton, within a quarter of a mile of the present city of Edgerton.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- September 27, 1836Representatives of the Sauk and Fox tribes sign a convention with U.S. Superintendent of Indian Affairs Henry Dodge to address earlier land allotments and manage native lands.The regionGrade B · 1 independent source
- September 28, 1836On the right bank of the Mississippi in Dubuque County, Wisconsin Territory, opposite Rock Island, Henry Dodge and chiefs of the confederated Sauk and Fox, including Keokuk (Kee-o-kuck) and Wapella, concluded a treaty ceding the 400-section reservation set apart in 1832. The tribes agreed to leave that land by November 1, 1836, and not to plant, fish, or hunt there afterward. Consideration included cash payments, debt payments, and horses.The regionGrade B · 1 independent source
- Fall 1836Erastus Giles came from Roscoe, Illinois, to Rock County and helped raise the first house put up in Beloit; he is registered as settling in Turtle in October 1836.BeloitGrade A · 2 independent sources
- October 1836· sources disagreeThe New England Emigrating Company was formed at Colebrook, N. H., appointing Dr. Horace White as agent to find a western home.Nation and worldGrade A · 4 independent sources
- October 1836William Pritchard helped build the Dwight Foster log house at Fort Atkinson, then made his claim nearby.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- Fall 1836Clark W. Lawrence came into the county with his father and family, made a claim on section 36, and built the first frame house [in La Prairie].Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- Fall 1836Judge [—] Hall located in Lima, Rock County, having about three hundred acres.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 5, 1836Levi St. John arrived with his family at Rock River and went into a log house with his brother.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- October 25, 1836The first legislative assembly of Wisconsin Territory convened at Belmont, organized by electing Henry S. Baird president of the council; Governor Dodge by proclamation declared the members duly elected.BeloitGrade A · 3 independent sources
- November 1836Richard Inman arrived with his family and entered the land on which he lived, in Section 27 [of the town of Fulton/Rock].Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- November 11, 1836A bill was introduced in the council to locate and establish the seat of the territorial government.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- November 15, 1836The territorial legislature approved an act dividing the territory into three judicial districts, Brown and Milwaukee counties (including Rock County before its detachment) constituting the third district.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- November 29, 1836Edward Shepard sold interests in certain tracts [of Wisconsin City] to Peter Cannon for $10,000.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 1836Caleb Blodgett returned to Beloit accompanied by his wife Phoebe Kidder, sons Nelson and Daniel, son-in-law John Hackett, and daughter-in-law Mahaila Norris with her son; the Blodgett house was finished and occupied. One passage dates Blodgett's $200 purchase of Thibault's claim to December 1836, while another places that purchase early in 1836.The propertyGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 1836Caleb Blodgett returned to the Turtle Creek site with his wife, sons Nelson and Daniel, and son-in-law John Hackett. The county history states that he bought Thibault’s claims on the east side of the Rock River, described as the “three looks,” for $200, and that Indians still on the west side helped him build a two-room log cabin near the east bank.The propertyPublished on the researcher's review
- December 1836Robert A. Kinzie made a deed of the Kushkanong town site to James L. Thompson in trust.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 1836Thomas Holmes came to Janesville for a while and located south of the river.Rock CountyPublished on the researcher's review
- December 3, 1836Madison became the capital of Wisconsin Territory.The regionPublished on the researcher's review
- December 3, 1836The Legislative Assembly located the seat of government at Madison, on the isthmus between the third and fourth of the Four Lakes, and provided that sessions would be held at Burlington, in Des Moines County, until March 4, 1839, unless the public buildings at Madison were completed sooner.The regionPublished on the researcher's review
- December 5, 1836George W. Jones appeared in the U.S. House of Representatives, was qualified, and took his seat as delegate from Wisconsin Territory.Nation and worldGrade B · 1 independent source
- December 7, 1836Rock County was set off from Milwaukee County by act of the territorial legislature and named for the "big rock" on Rock River; the county was attached to Racine County until fully organized in 1839.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 8, 1836Act No. 39 declared the existing laws of Michigan, with slight changes, in force in the new Territory of Wisconsin; act 33 was also approved on this date.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 12, 1836George W. Jones took his seat in Congress as delegate from Wisconsin Territory, having been elected only a little over two months before.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 13, 1836The town of Van Buren was laid out and platted by John Thomas Haight, Francis W. Hending, Giles S. [and others].Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- December 28, 1836Spain formally recognized the independence of Mexico, nearly fifteen years after Mexico had effectively broken away, closing one of the major Spanish American independence struggles.Nation and worldPublished on the researcher's review
During 1836
Events the sources date only to the year.
- 1836Black Hawk and his braves forded the Catfish River on the site of what is now the village of Indian Ford.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Norwegians settled in Rock County, forming early a nucleus in Luther Valley in the town of Newark.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836A Mr. William [—] emigrated to Rock County and located on 237 acres in Sec. 33, being one of the earliest settlers.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Carramana, containing fifty platted blocks, was laid out at the junction of the Rock and Catfish rivers by James D. Doty, Alfred Orendorf, John Bannister and Morgan L. Martin, earlier than April 20, 1836, when Martin conveyed a half interest to Solomon Juneau.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Mr. [John?] Inman, with an associate, laid out Wisconsin City by John Inman, Breese and Shepherd (OCR passage reads "1886").BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836The emerging settlement combined American agricultural colonization with commercial use of Turtle Creek.The propertyGrade B · 1 independent source
- 1836Meacham came to Beloit, looking for a more expanded field of effort.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836A Fulton settler came to Wisconsin in 1836 or 1837, among the earliest settlers of Rock County.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836A settler came with his brother from Pennsylvania to Wisconsin in 1836, settling first in Racine County and then in Harmony Township, Rock County.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836A "Map of the Territory of Wisconsin" was drawn by David H. Burr, draughtsman to the House of Representatives.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836A number of "forgotten" cities, villages and towns were laid out in what is now Rock County while there were but few actual settlers.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Just the body of a house was put up in 1836 on the Churchill claim [near Fort Atkinson], built by Elias Ogden and Augustine Churchill with only an axe.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Milton began to attract settlers and its first settler located within its borders; the first settlers included D. F. [and others], and the first breaking in the town was done in 1836 on section 28, with the Messrs. Walkers enclosing the first field and raising the first wheat and potatoes.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Two deaths occurred in the little settlement, carrying sorrow into two family circles.BeloitGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836The first settlement of [the town of] Footville was made by Erastus Dean.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836The village of Newburgh, containing 140 blocks, was laid out by William Payne.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836The territorial legislature incorporated banks of issue, one at Green Bay and another at Mineral Point going into operation.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836John Inman & Co. started the first stage, making regular trips from Racine to "East Wisconsin City" during the summer.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Anson W. Pope located on the river about four miles above Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Turtle was settled by Wm. Smith, Horace Rice and Hudson Case, who by mutual agreement claimed Cross's Grove.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Wisconsin City was surveyed by Inman, Breese and Shepherd, and a number of settlers started the new Wisconsin City on the west bank of the river below Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 2 independent sources
- 1836As early as 1836, one person, Mr. Stephen B. [—], located at West Milton.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836James T. Watson, of the city of New York, bought from the government about eleven hundred acres of land near the corners of the present towns of Center, Plymouth, Spring Valley and Magnolia.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836General [William Henry] Harrison was defeated for president of the United States by Van Buren.Nation and worldGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836A St. John settled on a farm which is now a part of the site of the city of Janesville.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836The Congress of the Republic of Texas voted liberal land laws under which heads of families (Blacks and American Indians excepted) living in Texas on March 2, 1836, could apply for a square league (4,428 acres) and a labor (177.1 acres) of land, with smaller grants to single men and new immigrants.Nation and worldGrade B · 1 independent source
- 1836Harmony was settled by Wm. and J. Spaulding; another passage lists Joseph Spaulding among that town's first settlers of 1836.The regionGrade A · 1 independent source
- 1836Mr. N. [—] first came to Janesville, the second man to settle in that vicinity after Mr. Janes.Rock CountyGrade A · 1 independent source