From the History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1878
by S. J. Clarke, pp. 456-457

Richard Musson, son of Joseph and Mary (Hobes) Musson, was born in Long Clossen, Leicester county, England, April 30, 1810.  His parents were in very moderate circumstances, his father following the profession of boatman.  Young Richard attended the public schools until he was 10 years of age, when he was placed on the boat with his father, and for some years continued in that work, afterward changing it for the trade of stone-mason, which he continued to follow until a few short years ago.  When but twenty years of age he came to the United States, with the hope of better success in a worldly point of view.  The same year (1830) in which he arrived in the country he united in marriage with Miss Rebecca Thornton, by whom he had nine children, two of whom died in childhood, and one since her marriage--Mary J., wife of Rev. Abraham Newland.

For four years he made his home in the State of New York, when he came West, stopping in Morgan county, where he remained six years, and in 1840 coming to McDonough county, where he has since resided, living the whole period of time within three miles of the present town of Colchester; he, therefore, may well be classed as an old settler, and having experienced the hardships incidental to those who made their homes here at an early day.

Although he may not have obtained the prominence of many others, Richard Musson is well known throughout the county, especially by the older settlers, while none know him but to respect the sterling worth of his character.  He has always been a hard working man, and by the "sweat of his face" had placed himself in comfortable circumstances, so that in his declining years, he can pass quietly along, and when the summons shall come, he can answer, "Here, Lord, am I."

In 1829, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and up to the present time, a period of forty-eight years, has ever been a consistent member of that branch of the Christian church.  For years he has occupied the position of class leader, and, in that capacity, has done efficient work in his Master's cause.  We believe it will be written of him in that great day, like one of old, "He hath done what he could."  No better epitaph could be placed upon the monument of any one than this.

Richard Musson has always been an earnest advocate of free schools, urging their importance upon those with whom he has been brought in contact, realizing ignorance and sin go hand in hand, while knowledge and righteousness dwell together.  The efficient schools of his own town are in a measure due to him.

In a brief web search we found no reference to a place named Long Clossen, Leicester County, England.  We did find the village of Long Clawson, Leicestershire County, in central England.  The latter location is mentioned in a biography of Richard and Rebecca's son, Anson.

See also: District Schools - Tennessee Township

 
The Musson children:

i.	Joseph Musson, born March 15, 1832, in New York, died February 23, 1899, in Kirksville, Adair County, Missouri.  Burial at Bethel Cemetery near Kirksville.
ii.	William T. Musson, born June 12, 1836, in Morgan County, Illinois.  He died October 23, 1929, in Cameron, Clinton County, Missouri, and was buried at Highland Cemetery, Adair County.
iii.	Mary Jane Musson, born about 1841 in McDonough County, Illinois, died June 15, 1871, in McDonough County.
iv.	Ann Musson, born about 1843 in McDonough County.  Found most often as Annie, twice as Ann (once with a middle initial of T or S), and twice as Anna.  It appears she died between 1910 and 1920, burial location undetermined.
v.	Anson Little Musson, born December 22, 1845, in McDonough County, died about 1934 in Topeka, Kansas.  He is buried at Topeka in Rochester Cemetery. At the age of 18 Anson enlisted in the Union Army, joining Company D of the 64th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, also known as Yates' Sharp Shooters.  Follow this link to an external website to read a history of the 64th Infantry, a diary that Anson kept during the final months of his service, and a biography of Anson and his wife, Mary Emerett Wiley.  Return to this page with your browser back button.
vi.	Henry A. Musson, born in 1847 in McDonough County, died April 22, 1916, at Colchester, interment at Mt. Auburn Cemetery, Colchester.
vii. viii. ix.	Three more children according to Richard's biography; two died in childhood.

Household of Richard Musson
Males 0 thru 4 - 1
Males 5 thru 9 - 1
Males 30 thru 39 - 1
Females 20 thru 29 - 1
Total - 4
Persons employed in agriculture - 1

Richard Mason, 40, male, farmer, value of real estate 800, born England
Rebeca, 39, female, born England
Joseph, 18, male, farmer, born NY
William, 14, male, born IL
Mary, 9, female, born IL
Ann T [or Ann S], 7, female, born IL
Anson M, 5, male, born IL
Henry A, 3, male, born IL

Richard Mussen, 50, male, farmer, value of real estate 2000, value of personal estate 400, born England
[continued on next page]
Rebecca Mussen, 49, female, born England
William T, 24, male, labourer, value of personal estate 100, born IL
Ann, 16, female, born IL, attended school within the year
Anson, 14, male, born IL, attended school within the year
Henry, 13, male, born IL, attended school within the year

Musson, Richard, 60, male, white, stone mason, value of real estate 2000, value of personal estate 500, born England, both parents foreign born, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
Rebecca, 59, female, white, keeps house, born England, both parents foreign born
Anna, 26, female, white, keeps house, born IL, both parents foreign born
H A, 22, male, white, stone mason, born IL, both parents foreign born, male citizen of the U.S. aged 21 or more
Alta B, 4, female, white, born IL

Newland, Abraham, white, male, 42, married, coal merchant, born England, both parents born England
Annie, white, female, 36, wife, married, keeping house, born IL, both parents born England
Sarah F, white, female, 20, daughter, single, at school, attended school within the year, born IL, father born England, mother born IL
Mary O, white, female, 14, stepdaughter, single, at school, attended school within the year, born IL, father born PA, mother born IL
Thomas E, white, male, 13, son, single, at school, attended school within the year, born IL, father born England, mother born IL
George A, white, male, 7, son, single, at school, attended school within the year, born IL, father born England, mother born IL
Abraham R, white, male, 2, son, single, born IL, father born England, mother born IL
Gilbert H, white, male, 2/12, born March, son, single, born IL, father born England, mother
born IL
Musson, Richard, white, male, 70, father-in-law, widower, farmer, born England, both parents born England