After several trips to the St. Clair County Courthouse along with a couple trips to Carbondale – we found the first sale of the land recorded. Simon and Susannah Vanorsdal (spelling varies) sold the property described as blocks numbered 39 to 46 in block number 7 west of the public square in Lebanon. The land was purchased by Thomas Williams, ESQ. and Mary (Vanorsdal) Williams on 24 April, 1830. The deed was completed by one James Riggin J.P. (Justice of the Peace), and John Hay, Recorder. We believe this is where the misconception of James Riggin being listed as the builder of this grand old house started.
In a perfect world – like a Hallmark movie world – I’d find a magic letter written by an observer explaining everything there is to know about Simon – if and how Thomas’ wife Mary was related to Simon – and just a deeper history of both of these families!
While digging into the old-timey dirt on the Vandersol family, I did find one speck of info on Thomas Williams:
“Esquire Thomas Williams built a tannery establishment here in 1829, and operated it successfully and profit- ably for many years. He died about 1865, and left a handsome estate.” History of St. Clair County with Illustrations” written in 1881.
Riggin-Pesold House 