James McRoberts and his wife Mary settled this place in 1798. One of their ten children, Samuel McRoberts, was born here on Feb. 8, 1799. At age 20 he was elected clerk of the Monroe County court, and in 1824 the state legislature elected him circuit judge. On Dec. 16, 1840, he became the first nativeborn Illinoisan elected to the United States Senate. He died in Cincinnati on Mar. 22, 1843, while on his way home from Washington. His father died in 1844 at age 80 and is buried east of the dwelling. Maeystown also stands on a McRobert's claim, originally known as McRobert's Meadow.