William Monk, born about 1825 in England, lived there at least until age 16.

He is in the 1841 census , living on Back Row in Littleport of Cambridgeshire. In The ages quoted in this particular census for everyone over the age of 15 years, was to the nearest 5 years below their true age. However, in the case of William MONK, (image) the enumerator had put his correct age of 16 years, but then the supervisor had altered it down to 15 years, as this was to the nearest 5 years below. It would follow, therefore, that this William MONK was probably the William MONK who was listed in records as baptised at St. George's Parish Church on the 24 July 1825, the son of John and Susan MONK. This couple were recorded as married at St. George's Littleport on the 6th April 1821, when Susan's maiden name was GOTOBED. An older sister of William is probably Sarah, baptised at St. George's October 11, 1824.
John died and recorded as buried at St. George's on 11 December 1825, when he was only 28 years old. Susan Monk, a widow, remarried in St. George's on 3 November 1828, and her second husband was William REED. Frances was probably born there, too, the daughter of James Marain, according to St. George's marriage record of William Monk and Frances Marain on July 27, 1845. Fewer than 10% of the children in rural England in the early 1800's had attended school, so the "marks" for the signatures are common.

This area was " Fenland " - lowlying and swampy. It had many legends and tales befitting the dark marshland.
Drainage canals and pumps powered by windmills had been used for over two hundred years in attempts to gain farmland. Windmills were not reliable, and often the land was flooded. The drainage canals were also used for barges. In the mid-1800's steam was being used to power the drainage pumps. Agricultural prices were dropping, and hundreds of people left Littleport for America, Canada, and Australia. The Littleport newspaper of 1850 has many references to this emigration.

The 1850 Duanesburgh, Schenectady County, NY has William, Francis, and John. William is a laborer.
On the line above is a Jacob Walker, 30, laborer born in England. Both families, along with other Walker kin, arrived in New York City on the Pioneer in August 1849, Jacob and William worked as cooks for passengers. The dock scene would be similar to this Smithsonian display. There were nine cabin passengers, the two cooks, and 190 others, meaning that William and 8-months-expectant Frances shared space with 190 other souls. Jacob's wife Sarah was also expectant, but in the first trimester. A Bible record of Jacob and Sarah Walker refers to Littleport origins, and the birth of their child in Duanesburg.

The 1860 Illinois census, Vermilion County, Blount Township, is really questionable. It has #1750 John Monk, 48, born England - Mary, 48, England - John, 10, England - and William, 8, England. They're between the Nelson Smoot and Nancy Chestnut families.

1862-1863 Illinois Blount twp Vermilion Co Census of Males of Service Age has Wm. Munk, age 40, born England, between George Nels, age 37, b Indiana and Lewis Smalley, age 26, b Illinois.
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William died August 7, 1878 (Vermilion Death Register said he'd been complaining for 4 or 5 months) and was buried on Robert Davison (Davidson) farm. His is one of the oldest graves in the cemetery.
1880 Ross Township, Vermilion, Illinois has on Page 579B
Relation Sex Age Birthplace
William MONK Self M S 28 OH Farmer Fa: ENG Mo: ENG
Frances MONK Mother F W 57 ENG Housekeeper Fa: ENG Mo: ENG
George MONK Son M S 19 IL Laborer Fa: ENG Mo: ENG
Frank SPAIN Other M S 19 IL Laborer Fa: OH Mo: OH

Frances died March 7, 1903 in Vermilion County, and is buried in the Alvin Cemetery (about two miles northwest of the town), with William, Jr. sharing a relatively new tombstone.

Children :
John H., born 1849 in New York
George P., March 1861 in Illinois
William, Jr.