Dutch, John

7 Oct. 1775–25 Apr. 1850. Sea captain, land speculator, hotelier, merchant. Born in Salem, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Son of John Dutch and Fanny Jones. Lived at Salem, 1798. Married Hannah Batchelder, 29 Apr. 1798, in Beverly, Essex Co., Massachusetts. Moved to Boston, by 1820. Operated an inn, 1820–1822, in Boston. Wife died, 1828. Moved to Morgan Co., Illinois, by 1837. Laid out town of Lancaster, Lancaster Precinct, Morgan Co. (later in Philadelphia Township, Cass Co.), Illinois, May 1837. In Lancaster, built and operated hotel known as “Halfway House” because located halfway between Beardstown, Cass Co., Illinois, and Springfield, Sangamon Co., Illinois. Died in Virginia, Cass Co.