# Full text of "A history of Jessamine County, Kentucky, from its earliest settlement to 1898"

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Commander-in-Chief, U. C. V.

A HISTORY

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KENTUCKY,

FROM ITS

EARLIEST SETTLEMENT TO 1898.

By BENNETT H. YOUNG,

President Polytechnic Society ; Member Filson Club ; Member Constitutional
Convention, 1890; Author History of the Constitutions of Ken-
tucky. OF " Battle of Blue Licks, etc., etc.

S. M. DUNCAN, Associate Author.

"Every brave and gflod life out of the past" is a treasure luhich cannot
be measured in money, and should be f>rcserved -,uith faithfullest care.

LOUISVILLE. KY.:
Courier-Journal Job Printing Co.,

1.S98.

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TO

TOu Father, ddobrrt ^Inuui],

AND

^Xu Wotlicr, Btosrphiuc ^jaunii.

I DEDICATE THIS VOLUME-

My father was a resident of Jessamine County for sixty-five years. He was
honest, upright, patriotic, public-spirited, and always the friend of the poor and
suffering. My mother God bless her name and memory ! — had a heart full of
human sympathy and tenderness, and also of the love of Christ, whose teachings
she faithfully followed for sixty years, in the midst of the people of Jessamine.
Descended from Revolutionary sires, they both ardently loved the freedom of this
free land with an unquenchable love, and taught their children, as the noblest aim
of life, to serve God and be true to the glorious liberty their ancestors had so cour-
ageously fought to w^in. They sleep in the cemetery at Lexington, Ky., and I
trust they have a kindly remembrance with the people among whom they lived
and died.

PREFACE.

Jessamine' ctnnit\- is one of the few jj^reat counties of the state
whose history remains unwritten. I"'or a long time after its be-
ginning, it was overshadowed in many ways by Lexington. Dan-
ville, Paris, 1 larrodsburg, and W'incliester. 'Die county had no
positofifice until 1801. Mails were infrequent and carried by
hand. Lexington was the great town south of the Ohio and west
of the Alleghenies. Wlicn the county was organized, Lexing-
ton had a population of nearly 2.000. while Cincinnati had less
than 500, and was buying its merchandise in Lexington ; which
was already the seat of a university; it had churches and schools,
and was the great trading point for a large part of Kentucky, and
portion of Ohio. Indiana and Tennessee.

Brick houses had begun to be erected, and newspapers had
been published for eleven }ears, and being only twelve miles
from Nicholasville. it was inevitable that it should draw to it a
very large share of the trade of Jessamine. Lexington was then,
and remained for many years thereafter, the political, intellectual,
and commercial metropolis of Kentucky, and it necessarily
dwarfed the surrounding towns and attracted ihe I)est trade from
the counties within a radius of fifty miles.

Lexington, too. had the first railroad in the west. The line
to P'rankfort was finisheil and operated in December. 1835. and
b}- 1851. trains Vvcre run through from Louisville to Lexington.
In 1854, a train ran from Covington to Lexington, and from
Lexington to I'aris in 1853. Hiese railways diverted the trade
from the steamboats on the Kentucky river and thev made Lex-
ington a great center.

The enterprise and courage of her people received a just and
ample reward. J^'ayette county and Lexington always exhibited
great enterprise as well as the highest public spirit, and in com-
merce as well as education they attained high rank, because thev
had the sagacity and tlie enter|)rise to improve the op])ortunities
which presented tliemselves.

Jessamine count \ liad no railway until 1857. From that time
Nicholasville assumed a new importance. Long the terminus of

8 Preface.

the Kentuckv CcMitral, tlK-rc came to it both travel and trade, and
it began to improve. The loss of slaves and the destruction of
values ; the result of the war of 1861-65. greatly affected both thes
town and the county, but after the period necessary for a recu-
peration from these troubles, the county and town have developed
witli steady and constant growth, and both are now taking the
l)t)sition to wliicli their natural advantages entitle them.

lessaniinc county has never lacked in pul^lic s])irit. She has
liberalh' rcs]ionded to all calls for ptiblic improvement. She
never re])udiated any of her obligations. She always paid what
she agreed to pay, and her subscription to the Kentucky Central
Railroad, to the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, to the improve-
ment of the Kentucky river, and to the Richmond, Xicholasville,
Irvine and Beattyville line: is highest evidence of her sagacity
and generosit\-. and placed the county in the best possible position
for the development of all its resources.

Looking back one hundred years, the people of Jessamine
can feej a glow of honest pride at what a centtu'v has accomplish-
ed. The smallest, except fifteen, of the one hundred and nineteen
counties in ihe state, with an area of only 158 square miles, it has
always maintained a prominent place among the rich and large
agricultural ccjunties. I'^or its population it is surpassed in
wealth b_\- only a very few cotinties, and it ranks as one of the great
producing counties of I\entucky. Its land, per acre, has always,
for taxation, been valued at a very high rate.

In 1846 It was the sixth county in value of lands per acre, and
in 1870, notwithstanding the great cities in other counties, it stood
ninth : and still maintains that place.

Led by the guiding liand of fate to make mv home in the
greatest of all Kentucky's cotmties. Jefferson, I have never lost
my love for Jessamine, and its capital citv, Nicholasville ; and
oftentimes there creeps into m)' heart a longing to spend the
evening of life wb.ere 1 first saw the light, and an absence of thir-
ty-seven }-ears, has neither destroyed nor dimmed my love for
the ]:)eople who juive always remembered me in my comings to the
old liome i)lace, with such generous hospitalit\' and unchanging
kindness.

Xo one else offering to write a history of the county, I have
tmdertaken the task. The work has been done hurriedlv and

Prefftcp. 9

uliile under ilie pressure of a l)usy professional life; but it is a
labor of love, and if the story of the sacrifices, courage, and patri-
otism of our forefathers who settled and organized the county.
shall be efficient in creating upon the present and future sons and
daughters of Jessamine higher love (jf their ancestors, great de-
votion to Kentucky, and better aj)prehension of the cost and vakie
of the freedom of our country, I shall be more than repaid for the
labor and cost of ])roducing this voliune. It does not contain all
that a history of the county should include, but it does for the
first time \n\i in ])ermanent form ilie leading facts connected with
the organization of the county and accounts of the men who first
cut down the forests, grubbed the cane brakes and drove out the
savages who (lis|mted its possession, and it will, at least be a help
to those who may hereafter desire to write a more extended his-
tory of Jessamine and of its people.

■ Mr. S. M. Duncan, of Xicholasville. has for more than forty
years been gathering notes of the history of the people who have
lived in Jessamine. He has done more for the preservation of its
history than any one man who ever lived in the county. He has
generously given me the tise of all his facts. 1 have bv research
gotten others and verified his. and J have, as is his just due,
placed his name upon the title page of this book as associate
author. Although the preparation and ptiblication was assumed
by me. I consider it both a privilege and a duty to thus connect
Mr. Duncan with the first history of the couiU}-.

I beg to acknowledge with gratitude the assistance of Col. R.
T. Dm-rett, Mqx. E. O. Guerrant. Sanniel 1). ^'oung. ]\Iiss Hen-
rietta W. ilrown. .Mrs. \ irginia Xoland. Robert (i. Wright. Miss
Jessie Woodson, Mrs. .\nna .Meade Letcher. Dr. D. P.. Todd. J.
^Villar(l Mitchell, I )r. Chas. .Mann. .Miss Josephine Mann. John
S. Bronaugh, X. L. lironaugh, Henrv Glass, Melanctlion Young,
Wm. L. Steele. I'.. M . Arnett, and l-",mil llhardt, the skillful
photographer, wlm liave spared no efTfort to lielj) me place in
durable form the im])ortant events )ii the historv of the cotmty.

Bennett H. Young.

Louisville. Ky.. Sept. l6. 1898.

History of Jessamine County,

In 1767 joliii ImiiIcv, a woodsman and hunter, from Xorth
Carolina. mo\ed hy a spirit of adventure and a love for hunting,
entered the country known as the lUuegrass region. He was
the first white man, history asserts, that ever penetrated the wil-
derness and forests of Kentucky sufficiently to see the central part
of the state. A\^ho came with him, whither they went and how long
the party remained, neither traveler, legend, nor written storvtells.
It is most likel\- that they passed through Jessamine count}- and
were the first of their race to look upon its ]:)ristine beautv and
glory. Two Acars later, ]-lnley returned witli Daniel Boone to
that wonderful land he had descril;e(l to his neighbors and as-
sociates in North Carolina, with such eloquence and enthusiasm
as to arouse within them an inextinguishable desire to visit a land
which then was looked upon as "God's own country." What be-
came of him after this second visit is unknown. ])ut it is a reason-
able conchisionthat somewhere in the stillness and std)lime silence
of the great forests to which he had led the white man. the
red man took his life and left him as his shroud the leaves of the
forest and his monumeiu the mighty trees which stood sentinel
for ages over the fertile and genial soil of Kentuckw

Dr. Thomas Walker, from \ irginia, liad in 1750 explored a
])ortion of Kentuck)-. hut he onl\- skirted the lUuegrass ami rode
over the mouiUains of .Southeastern KeiUuckw and what he saw
and reported, created no s])irit of ex])loration and no desire of
emigration. lMnle\- was the man who saw the huntsman's para-
dise, and whc^se soul was hred for it^ possession, and into whose
nn'nd was huniecl '.nemories which made life miserable awa\' from
the glories of the new land into which he had hv accident come.

Some months after his return, while wandering along the
Yadkin river in Xorth Carolina, I'inley met a kindred spirit, one
of the master woodsmen of his age. In the solitude of the wilder-
ness of Xorth Carolina, far out beyond the advance of civilization

lli Hlxtiinj oj' Jr.'<Hi(inhu' Coioitij, Kfntiickij.

and settlement, he found a rude cabin, in wliich dwelt a young-
man, not nmch beyond his majorit\'. lly his side was a brave
\$$)man, who. amid the dangers ami hardships of the wild, wild frontier, shared his life and hopes and brightened the solitude and drearyness of his isolated home. By the humble, Init hosi)itable fireside of the young hunter, Finley was weiloomed as a guest, and again and again he told the story of his journey toward the north, of the magnificent region where there would be an eternal feast for the hunter, where game was so abundant that the droves of buft'alo could be counted like herds of cattle, where deer licked the hand of the intruder, and coons, 'possums, turkeys and pheasants, were so plentiful as to obstruct the path along which men would tread. P^inley had found a h.eart which would respond in fullest har- mony to his words, a harp which answered his touch, and each day gave back not only sweetest note, but varied and sympa- thetic chords ; a man whose brave soul ^vas devoid of all fear and who wanted nothing better for time or eternitv than that glorious and distant region of which the ne\\' found friend spoke. A com- pact, ofifensive and defensive, was then and there signed. Boone had at last heard of a land for which his soul sig-hed, a land which fdled his ideal of a ])aradise and to see it, to tread its traces and to enjoy its pleasmx, he resolved to give up his home, his wife, his children, and if need be to surrender his life. To once see such a land as Finley described, he felt would be com])ensjtion for all that earth could bestow. vSparse settlements along the Holston, 200 miles away, and the forts on the Ohio at Pittsburgh and the few houses strung along the line of the wilderness now were the closest neighbors to Ken- tucky. Boone came in 1760. and brought his famil}' in 1775. The founding c^f tlie Transylvania ct)lon\- by Henderson, in 1775. gave an armed and trained force to meet Indian attack, and TTarrodsburg ar.d St. Asajilis. or Logan's h^)rt. formed the mili- tary triangle about which and in which the new settlers made their homes. The Transy]\-ania land scheme of 1775 did not include Jessa- mine county. Its lines followed the south or western side of the Kentucky river, and left the eastern l)oundarv alwavs in \'irginia. Hi<fnru of Jessmnine Conntij, Keninckij. 13 W lien Ijy act of the Virginia House of Ikirgesses. in 1780, Kentucky was divided into three counties, Fayette, Jefferson and Lincohi : Jessamine was comprised within the Hmits of Fayette, and so remained until. December 17, 1798, when it was separated from the parent C(nnUy, and became the thirty-sixth countv of the state. The initial lines of ])ionecr travel did not traverse Jessamine. The Wilderness road, entering- the state at Cumberland Gap, di- vided at Rockcastle ri\er, one !)ranch going to Boonesboro, and the other by Crab < )rcliard. Danville and Bardstown, to Louis- . ville. The persistent assaults of the Indians on tlu' settlers in Ken- tucky in 1782, caused the abandonment of all the forts in the state east of the Kentucky, except five, Lexington, Bryants, Mc- Connells, ]McClellans (Georgetown) and P)Oones. The county of Kentucky was established in 1775. and divided into three counties in 1780; and ])rior to 1792 six more were add- ed, making, at the inception of its statehood, niiu- in all. Added: T.ourbon, 1785; Madison. 1785; .Mason. 1789: fier- cer, 1785; Nelson. 17S1 ; Woodford, 1788. The first fort and only fort in Jessamine county was cstalj- lished by Levi Todd in 1779. This was one year before Lexing- ton was built. The line of travel between Ilarrodsburg and the Fayette county stations, passed through the northern and west- ern parts of the county, and on this trace, near Keene. Todd's sta- tion was built. The isolation of ihe forts and the constant and destructive ma- rauds of the Indians, no\\- officered l)\' Englishmen and provided with improved arms, terrified the settlers east of the KenUicky river. They were nearest to the homes of the Indian > from the northwest, who had now ])ecome the most dreadful of all the sav- ages who invaded the state, and 1780-81-82, they drove in the outposts, and with great difficulty the white men wore able to maintain their stations at all in and aromid Lexington. It was then that ])ersonal safety compelled Todd to abandon his Jessa- mine holdings and take such help and protection as the four sta- tions around Lexington offered to tlu' almost hopeless men and women who occui)ied the limited territory in Fayette, which re- 14 Hiitory of Je!<x(im'nte Coioiti/, Kentuckt/. inaiiK'd after the terrible fatality of Ruddeirs and Martin's stations in June, 1780. 'I he land law enacted by the X'irginia Legislature, in the set- tling of land made location easy and popular. The wonderful ac- counts of the fertilitN , ])eauty and salubrity of Kentucky turned an innuense tide of inunigration to the state. In 1782, the popula- tion did not exceed 1500; in 1790, it had grown to 61,133 white ])eople ; 114 colored free people, and 12,340 slaves; a total of jt,,- 677, while ten years later, in 1800. it had 179,873 white, 739 free colored, and 40,343 slaves; a total of 220,995, an increase in ten years of 224 1-2 per cent. Of this extraordinary improvement, Jessamine county re- ceived a full share. In 1782, it had not a single settler, and vet in 1800, eighteen years thereafter, it had 5.461 inhabitants. This was the first decade in which a censtTS could be taken. Fayette, from which Jessamine was entirely taken, had, in 1800, 18,410 in- habitants, or one-fourth of the entire population of the state. As a part of Clark was included in this enumeration, and assuming that Jessamine had grown in proportion as other parts of Fayette, the county in 1790 had about 2,000 inhabitants. A great proportion of Jessamine immigration, came from \ ir- ginia. The Revohitionary soldiers were ])oiu'ing into all parts of the state, and Jessamine received her full share, and more than one hundred of these brave and sturdy settlers found homes with- in her borders. Xo state could secure nol)ler treasure than were these Revolu- tionar)- soldiers. Their sj^lendid coiu-age, exalted patriotism, hard}- natures, and noble characters, made them a worthy addition to any connutmity. The self-reliance, tact and enterprise engen- dered by Revolutionary service, rendered them citizens of great and unusual worth. Of the rich store given by Virginia, Penn- sylvania, North and South Carolina, Jessamine received an ex- traordinar\- ])roportion. The most distinguished men of Revolutionary fame who came to Jessamine, were George Walker, Joseph Crockett, Benjamin Netherland, William Price, Percival Butler, William McKinney and John Price. These were not more patriotic or more loyal to the American cause than the others, but they had in the war obtained positions Hidory of Je-isamuie County, Kentnchj. 15 which made them more prominent than their associates in the early liistory of the county. A brief sketch of each is properlv a ])art of the history of Jessamine countv. Benjamin Netherland. One of the most uni(|ue and cxiraorchnar}- cliaracters in the liistory of Jessamine count} in its early da\s was Maj. Benjamin Xetherland. He was born in Powhattan county. \'irc;-inia, in 1755. He went to Cuba as the agent of liis father, to dispose of his tobacco crop. There learning- that Sir Peter Parker was to make an attack on Charleston, he left his cargo and ran the blockade into Charleston and helped to defend Fort Ahniltrie against British assault. He accompanied La Fayette on his journey from Charleston in 1777 as fajr as Mecklenburg coirnty, North Carolina, when the distinguished Frenchman was on his way to Philadel- phia, to tender his services to Washington in behalf of American liberty. He remained at (Charlotte, North Carolina until 1781. took part in the battle of Guilford Courthouse, and shortly after this he drifted into Kentucky. In May. 1782. he was at Estill station, and was with the Kentuck\- troops in the I'Istill defeat. He took ])art in nearly all the Indian battles from 1781 to 1784. He went with (ieorge Rogers Clark on his expedition in 1782 to punish the Indians for the wrongs of Blue Licks. He was with General Ilarmar in his defeat, and with General \\'aync in his victory at Fallen Timbers in 1794 and was instru- mental in ])tmishing ilic men who had ])er])etrate(l the slaughter at Blue Licks. After se\en \ ears' absence in Kentuckv. he re- turned to North Carolina in 1788 and luarried his boyish sweet- heart. Miss Theodosia I^.ramlette, who was a daughter of the distinguished Revolutionary fighter Col. I'.ramlette. He had lived in l-"ayette and Madison counties ])rior tt) his coming to Jessamine. After his marriage he settled on a farm five miles east of Nicholasville, and in J7*)3 he removed to where Xicholas- ville now stands, and built a hotel and called it Mingo Tavern — this Ikuisc he kept until his death in !8^^8. The house was torn down in 1864. The author has often seen it when a boy. and the picture of it in this history is from a tlrawing made in 1820. He N. z '/i Hidory of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 1 7 was chairman of tlie IJoard of Trustees of Xicholasville, and was prominent in its early liistory, and his children were the first white people born within its limits. He was the real hero of the battle of Bltie Licks. Robert W'icklifife, of Lexington, whose second wife was the onl\- daughter of Col. Todd, who was in com- mand at the battle at lUue Licks, in a ])olitical speech in 1848 in Xicholasville said that the majority of men who escaped at iilue Licks owe<l their preservation to I'enjamin Xetherland and that Xetherland was a fearless man, fruitful in resources and of mag- nificent courage. Col. Robert Patterson, writing to Xetherland in 1836. says. "1 can not forget the part yoti acted in tlic l)attle nf lUue Licks." .\t the time of tliis battle X'etherland was onlx' twent_\-seven years old, and he went from Lexington as a member of Capt. Robert Patterson's company. In the disastrous conflict he remained mounted, and gained the ford over Licking in safety and crossed the stream unhurt. As he reached the west bank he looked back over his shoulder, and his sotil was stirred witli deepest emotion, and his heart filled ^\•ith grandest courage as he saw his comrades struggling, swinnning and plunging in the river, or rushing down the bank ])ursued by the savage enemy with unsheathed knives and uj'ilifted tomahawks. He was a man of towering form, six feet two inches in height, lie dismounted from his h(jrse. and tlirowing the rein o\er liis arm, in stentorian tone ordered his flee- ing comrades to halt and fire upon the Indians and save those who were still in the stream. His bravery and liis splendid presence restored the s])irits of his fear-stricken conn-ades. More tlian a dozen men instanth- ol:)eyed his call, and facing about with Xetherland and standing in line they opened a fatal and deadly fire upon the foremost of the ])ursuing savages. The counter attack was so sudden and unexpected that U checked tlie fierce pursuit of the Indians and tliex' instantly fell ])ack from the o])- posite bank. Xetherland and Ids men maintainetl their position and drove the Indians to cover, whik' the wearied and almost <lespairing footmen were enal)led to ford and swim the river in safety. nnl\- a few minutes were necessarv for those who coidd reach the stream or wlio were in it to pass over. Tlie footmen as they left the bank (piickly Med from the buffalo trace and dis- appeared in the thickets and started b\- circuitous routes to reach 18 Histonj of Jessamine Connty, Kentucky. some frieiuilv station. So soon as these distressed and ex- hausted or wounded footmen were enabled to secrete themselves in the dense forests, large nimibers of the Indians were seen crossing' botii above and below, iand Xetherland and his comrades mounting' their horses galloped along the well-worn trace, and reached Bryan Station that evening, without further loss. Major Xetherland always retained his old-time dress. He wore a cut-a-way coat, short breeches with knee buckles, and low shoes with silk lacers and silver buckles. His pants ^vere al- ways fastened with red bands, and his long queue was tied with a red ribbon. From his entrance into Xicholasville early in 1791 for forty years he was prominent as a leader in all its affairs. He- was postmaster for about twenty-three years and always dis- pensed the village hospitality with a lavish hand. Every man who had fought in the Revolutionary A\ar or in the Indian wars either in Kentucky or in the X^orthwest. was his friend, and none ever went from his door himgry or uncared for. He w'as passionately fond of horse-racing, and owned some of tlie great race-horses of Kentucky in the early part of the century. He was a fair and just man in his dealings with his fellow-men. He was not averse to a "good time." as people call it, and was always, even toward the end of his life, considered "one of the boys." He opened a race track on the A\'illoughby place near Sulphur \\'ell. and maintained it for many years. In 1802 there was a quarter race on the track, and in the hear- ing of the crowd. Major Xetherland announced that on a certain day (naming it) there would be another race for a purse of 50,. one mile heats, wliicli was "free for anything \\ith four legs and hair on." j\.t that time there was working on a farm a young man named Michael Arnspiger who had broken a bull to the saddle, which he rode to mill. He immediately put the bull in training and for several days gave him turns around the race track. He used spurs on the bull and when these were dug into his sides, he was accustomed to bellow. On the day of the race Arnspiger appeared on the ground with his bull. He had placed: a dried hide of an ox on the bull's rump, and he carried a tin horn^ in his hands. He demanded of the judges the right to enter his. animal, to which the owners of the horses vehemently objected, Ijut Arnspiger answered by appealing to Major X^etherland if Hutonj of Je>f!iamlne County. Kentta-ky. 10 lie had not said llial the race was free to "anything with four legs and Iiair on." Maj. Xctlierland admitted that he had, and ex- ])hiinc'd that the bull had a right to enter. When the drum was taijped. ArnsjMger blew his horn, planted his spurs in the sides of the bull, which bounded ofif with a dreadful bellow, with the o.x-hide flapping on his sides and presenting a spectacle, combined w ith the noise, that had never been seen on the race track before. The horses immediately flew the track, and Arnspiger galloped home a winner. The losers contended that they were swindled out of thir money; that Arnspiger should not have been al- lowed to blow tlie tin horn, or use tlie o.x-hide, and that but for this he could not have won the race. Thereupon Arnspiger of- fered to take the ox-hide off and leave his tin horn at the stand and run them from end to end. Mr. Willoughby and .Mr. Xether- land were judges at the next start. Arns'piger again planted his spurs into the sides of the bull with redoul)led fury. The loud bellow that followed drove the horses from the track despite the exertioiis of the riders, and Arnspiger pulled in the second 50 purse, ^^"ith the money tlnis obtained he purchased a black- smithing outfit, working for nianv A-ears at his trade near W'il- mi;re, and died there in the sixties, in the 8^th vear of his age. Major Xetherland had a great fondness for race horses and not only ran his own horses ])ut went to see everbody else's horses who ran in the neighborhood. The race track in those early days was on the \\"illoughl)y farm in the new field now owned b}' Col. X. 13. Miles. Major Xetherland owned a very fast horse for those days, whicli he called by the name of bear- nought. J le had secured this horse in \'irginia and brought him across the mountains. The horse had been trained in X'irginia and made his first race at l'"redericksl)urg, in 1805. beating Gen- eral Tracy's horse. Indian, in three heals. In those times four mile races were run. The time given ])y .Major Xetherland was as follows : J'^irst, 8 nunutes. 29 seconds. Second, 8 nn'nutes. 45 seconds. Third, 8 nnuutes, 50 seconds. I hen ])eoi)le ])elie\e(l in bottom and horses had to nm long distances. Tin's time was not up to that made by the great race horse, Lexington, at Xew ( )rleans, when' he beat the world's record in 7 minutes, H) 3-4 seconds, l)ut it was good running. 20 Uktory of Jet^mmine Goimty, Kentucky, ]*>arnouglit was the special pride of Major Xetiierland. He ran against a horse called Bald Eagle, who was owaied by Daniel Bradford, a son of John Bradford, the founder of the Kentucky Gazette, and w ho was for long time editor of that paper. The Alexander Willoughby referred to was a Revolutionary soldier. He came early to Kentucky and settled in Jessamine county on the Sulphur Well road. He was the father of Mrs. Catherine Shelb}- and died in 1837, in his eighty-fifth year. (General Samuel Hopkins was a Re\'olutionary soldier, a native of Albemarle county. \'a. He was a distinguished ofiticer in the Revolutionar}' army, and none performed more active service or enjoyed in a greater degree the confidence of Washington. He caime to Kentuck}- in 1797 and settled on Green river, in Green county. He was a member of Congress in 1813 and '15 and was engaged in the Indian wars in the west. He and ]\lajor Netherland were great friends and General Hopkins himself had a weakness for a good horse. The following letter describing the race, is both interesting and unicjue : Jessamine Count}-, Ky., June 5, 1806. Gen. Sam'l Hopkins, Dear Friend : I take my seat to inform you that Fearnought is again winner of a purse of 100. In all the races which have previously been run on this track, it has been a matter of much inconvenience to the judges to make a fair decision without a fuss, which often creates unnecessary excitement throughout the day. r>ut it did not in any manner afTect tlie nerve of Air. \M11- oughl)\ , who was one of the judges who started the horses. He seemed to have a ]jroper and just idea of the necessity of an even start, and nothing else l)ut an even start would suit him, and that he gave. I wish all the other judges were as honest as he is. At the tap of tlic drum Fearnought and Bald Eagle darted like tlnmderbolts, eacli determined to win or die. Around the track they sped like hell cats, not a shade between them. Up the back stretch they ilew like doves escaping from a hawk. At the half mile in 40 seconds, they locked around the turn. They tried it again, a slight ])ull l)efore reaching the home stretch, and with renewed vigor, I^'earnought in the lead. Bald Eagle reneW'S his extraordinary power, but Fearnought comes otit w'ith unfalter- Hbitory of Jesmmine County, Kentucky. 21 ing step and the race is decided in his favor. The questi<jn of championship, \ou will see at once, gives Fearnought the palm. DESCRIPTION OF FEARNOUGHT. Fearnought is rive years old last grass ; is a dark blood bav, 16 hands high, of superior l)one and muscle, with fine limbs, loftv carriage and elastic tread : a star in his forehead, vividlv lighting up a countenance expressive of great superiority ; game head, curved neck ; unusual depth of chest ; fine, ])road shoulder; beau- tifully inclining back, which gives him the appearance of a horse of most wonderful strength and endurance. I expect to enter him this fall for a purse of 1,000 at Fredericksburg, and the city of Baltimore and ^^'ashington. Raid Fagle is now the property of Daniel Bradford, and was trained in Maryland, and won many races there, but, I think, his career upon the turf is over. Your friend. B. Xetherland. In another letter, written to General liupkiiis in 1802. Major Xetherland recites a most interesting incident. During that year a party of Cherokee Indians from Xorth Carolina stopped all night at the .Mingo Tavern, kej)! 1)\ Major Netherland. In ihe morning one of them was very sick and unable to travel and in a few days died at the hotel. He received the kindest possible treatment from Major Netherland and liis familv. In describing this incident Major Xetherland says: "A few days ago four Cherokee Indians from Iredell county. X. C, called at my home and remained over night. Xext morn- ing one of them was too sick to travel. All da\ his sufferings were severe and painful. I sent for Drs. dale and Peter Trisler, who at once ])ronounced his case liopeless. .\fter intense suffer- ing for four da\s tlie ])oor Indian died. Tlis poor, disconsolate friends were ])ain fully grieved at the death of one of their num- ber, who was a man of some notoriety among his people, particu- larly as an ex])ert lumter. having himself killed seventy-odd deer while on the last ( )ctober hunt in the Cumberland mountains. The dead body of the poor Indian was taken to the Kentucky river clififs, eiglit miles south of Xicholasville, and interred in the earth 22 Hidori/ ()f ,Jf'.<.<ii)iniir Coiiiiiij, Kentucky. after the Indian custom, but instead of filling;- the vauh with earth, as is tised witli us, these poor Indians made a small frame work of wood, hke a steep roof, which they ])ut round the mouth, and reared up a lieavy pile of earth, s^ivin^' it the appearance of a potatoe heap. The three Indians who buried their comrade ap- peared bowed with grief. ( )ne seated himself on the ground, directing his face toward sunset, and extending his voice, made a great and sore lamentation. As much as I hate these wild chil- dren from the forest, I cotdd not refrain from shedding tears when looking on them in this honest grief at the loss of one wdio was regarded as a good and true man. In four or frve weeks after tine death of their comrade, the same party, with a brother of the Indian, who died, came back and took his body in a small wagon to Xorth Carolina, a distance of more than 300 miles, and rein- terred his remains in the land of his birth among his own people. 1 have been much among the Cherokees of North Carolina. I consider them among the best of our Indian friends. They have strange customs. I w'ish I had time to give voti more correct idea of their general character as comi)ared with the other Indian tribes of otu" country. "Your (jld crony, " B. NETHERI.AND." ]\lajor Xetherland died October 10, 1838, and was buried in Ills garden, which is now the lot on which the county jail is built. Mr. Jos. Wallace, a remote kinsman, has, with most commendable love and liberalit}' and true sipirit of kinsliip, erecte^d a headsitone over the grave of Major Netherland and that of his wife, who, in 1 85 1, was laid beside her husiband. At his death Major Netherland was accorded a magnificent military funeral. The ftuieral sermon was preached by Bishop Kavanaugh, who was then the Presiding Elder of the district. Gen. Leslie Combs, Maj. D. B. Price, Gen. John McCalla and Robert Wickliffe w-ere his pall-bearers, and all the leading military companies of the county turned ottt to do his memory honor. Major Netherland's experience in the battle of the Blue Licks, justified him in his subsequent love of horses. He bred a great many fine race horses in his day, and in a let- ter written by him to Gen. John McCalla, in 1830, now in my pos- Hidorij of Jr.<sainiiie County, Kfntiukt/. 23 session, he begs liim to come to Xicholasville on the following Sunday to dine with liini and promises to show him "the damnd- est best three colts in the world." Joseph Crockett. Among- the large train of Revolutionary soldiers who followed the track of empire westwardly, was Col. Joseph Crockett, of Albemarle county. \ irginia. He was born in Albemarle county in 1742. lie received fairly good educational advantages for ^hat period, lli.^ fatlier. Jt)hn Crockett, came to \'irginia in the first half of the century. He followed teaching as his profession and taught a high school near Charlottesville. Joseph Crockett was his oldest son. In 1774 Joseph Crockett went as a private soldier with Gen. Andrew Lewis and was engaged in the battle of Point Pleasant. This was one of tlie most important of all the l)attles in the West. It was there that (leneral Lewis met the Indians under the celebrated cliief Cornstalk, and after a tight of nearly a whole da_\- the Indians were ]iut to flight. Jn 1775 the county atuhorities of .\lbemarle directed that two companies be raised iuv the defense of the western section of the state. One company was to be stationed at Point Pleasant, where the Kanawha and Ohio rivers unite. Gen. William Rus- sell was a])])()inted captain of one of these companies and Joseph Crockett lieutenant. In the winter of 'j^ they were discharged and tliev were ordered to raise two new conii)aiiies for the Con- tinental arm\. Iose])]i Crockett was appointed captain of one of these com])anies and on the 5th of May. 1776, served in \'irginia. Tn 1776 the regiment was marched to Philadelphia. That year he was a])pointed major and raised two companies for Gen. Daniel ^Morgan's rifle regiment. He took part in the battle of [Mon- mouth, fouglit June 20. 1778. and after this battle was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and so remained until October. 1780, when, by resolution of congress the army was reorganized and Colonel Crockett was reduced to the rank of captain. He was witli r.ntes at the surrender of I'urgoyne in 'jj. 1 le was en- gaged in tlie l)attles of Prandvwine, Princeton and Trenton, and 24 Hi-itory of Jessamine County, Kentucky. was A\ itli \\'ashiiigt()n at X'alley Forge, where there sprung- up between Colonel Crockett and General Washington a warm friendship, whicli lasted until the end of their lives. He was wounded in the arm at the siege of Yorktown in 1782. In 1779 Colonel Crockett was directed l)\- the state of A'ir- ginia to raise a regiment, of which he became lieutenant-colonel, to proceed down the Ohio river to Kentucky and Illinois to as- sist George Rogers Clark. He raised the regiment, which was known as the Illinois or Crockett Regiment, and served for eigh- teen months \\'ith General Clark. He was in many of the l)attles with the Xorthwestern Indians on the ^liami river, and helped to destroy Chillicothe and other towns in the northwestern ter- ritory on the Wabash. In one of the battles in which he fought he had two horses shot under him bv the sharpshooters, and it was admitted that he had been in as many fights and skirmishes as any officer in the Revolutionarv armv. In 1784 he moved to Kentucky and settled first between Cumberland Gap and Crab Orchard. He remained there only a short time, and moved to Jessamine county and settled on lands near the Union Alills. His son, Robert Crockett, built the Union Mills and Col. Joseph Crockett built the old stone house on the banks of Hickman creek, which is now standing and was latelv occupied by Dr. Jasper, a descendant of Sergeant Jasper, who was put to death at Savannah by the Ptritish. Colonel Crockett was appointed by Mr. JefTerson as United .States Marshal for the district of Kentucky. He held this of^ce for two terms. When the applications were read to ]\Ir. Jef- ferson for this offtce, his eye dropped upon that of Joseph Crockett. He said, "Joseph Crockett; honest Joseph Crockett; you need go no further, he shall have the appointment." Im- mediately after his removal to Kentucky he at once assumed a prominent place in the development and in the government of the new state. In 1786-1790 he represented Fayette in the Mrginia Legislature. He was also appointed magistrate of Fayette county in 1792, along with Percival Butler. He was a member of the first legislature from Fayette county, in 1792. "93, '94, and '()5. Lender the Constitution of 1792 he was elected one of the senators. These senators were chosen by electors elected for that pur])ose. History of Je.isamlne Connti/, Kfutuckij. 25 In 1792 a project was organized for the clearing and improve- ment of the Wilderness Road, under Col. John Logan and James Knox. The subscriptions for that purpose at that time would probablv be the highest evidence of public spirit. Among them are the names of Isaac Shelby, for 3 pounds; Robert Breckin- ridge, 2 pounds 8 shillings ; George Nicholas, 2 pounds 8 shil- lings ; John Brown. 2 pounds 8 shillings; Joseph Crockett, i pound 18 shillings; Robert Patterson, i pound lO shillings; G. ^I. Bedinger, 18 shillings ; Samuel McDowell, i pound j. shillings, and a large number of other prominent names. He represented Fayette county in the convention called in 1788 at Danville, to consider separation from \'irginia. .\1- though at first opposed to separation. Colonel Crockett was con- vinced by the arguments of John Marshall of the projiriety of this separation. The question in this convention was, whether there should be a violent separation from \ irginia, or whether the separation should be legal and on constitutional grounds. It was in this convention that Colonel Crockett became alarmed at the speeches of John P'rown and General Wilkinson. He left his seat in tlie convention, hurried to Lexington and on Saturday, Sunday and ^Monday secured the signatures of several hundred citizens of Fayette county remonstrating against separation from \'irginia without her consent, when he returned and presented this petition to the convention. After it was read (General \\ ilkinson saw that he was in opposition to the wishes of the people and vielded to what was the inevital)le. Colonel Crockett, being then United States Marshal, arrested Aaron Burr in 1806, under jiroceedings by Joseph Hamilton Daveiss against Aaron Burr. Colonel Crockett's connnission bore the signature of General \Vashington and was handed to him bv La Fayette, and when La Fayette visited Kentucky in 1825 he threw his arms around Colonel Crockett at Frankfort and they wept with each other like children. Col. Joseph Crockett, Col. Anthony Crockett and (ien. I'eter Dudley rode in a carriage with La I'ayette from hVankfort to Lexington. Colonel Crockett introduced a large number of old Revolutionarv soldiers to General La Fayette at the reception given him by Mr. Wicklifte. 2G lUdonj of Jeii^aiuuw Cuiiutt/, Kentiickij. As General La Fayette passed l)y a hotel in the parade, Maria Henderson, a little girl twelve years of age, a granddaughter of Colonel Crockett, and from Jessamine county, from the window of the hotel sang, "I lail to the Chief Who in Triumph Advances." The fresh, yotmg voice of the little girl had a wonderful at- traction for (General La Fayette. He requested that tne carriage slioitld be stopped and as he listened to the song from the lips of the child, tears streamed down his cheeks. He said that it was the sweetest act of homage ever paid him. Colonel Crockett was pensioned by the ITiited States Govern- nunt. hi company Avith other soldiers in the Revolutionary war, he received several thousand acres of land from the government and shortly before his death his pension was increased to 600 a year. He enjoyed it only for twelve months. When visiting his daughter, Mrs. Augustine Bower, at Georgetown, he was seized with a fatal illness and died there. The following letter written by a Revolutionary soldier to Maj. Daniel B. Price, will be interesting as it refers to many characters prominent in Jessamine county at that time. Near Georgetown. Scott county, Ky., Xov. 20. 1829. Dear h'riend : 1 was pained that I had not the pleasure of seeing you at the Inn-ial of Col. Josej^h Crockett, six weeks ago in Jessamine count)-. I have learned from your letter that you were very sick at the time of his burial and unable to get out of bed. He died at the home of Dr. Bower, his son-in-law. For three weeks, or more, previous to his death, he re])eatedly in- formed his friends that he viewed himself as a dving man ; that he was not afraid to meet death at any moment. A few days after he was taken with his last illness, and while he was able to walk about the room, his eye sight failed him. He took the Rev. Isaac Reed to be vou and ordered liini to bring vour son, Joseph, to see him. as he had not seen him for some months. ( )n my telling him that you were detained in Jessamine, but would probably be up Friday, lie (|uietly fell into a sleep. He slept al)()iU an hour, and waked and had a severe coughing spell. It was at this time that he drew his breath with great difficulty, and the agony he was in was so great that in two hours after he had Hi4orij (if Ji'.<.-<(iiiiiiie Comity, Kentucky. 27 awakened from sleep lie died. Capt. William Christy, Maj. John T. Pratt. Maj. William Johnson. Capt. William Smith, of Bour- bon, and the Rev. John Hudson and Air. Reed, were present in the room when he died. When he was dyin^ I noticed him ])ut his head a little back, closed his eyes as if g'oing to sleep and expired, at the ripe age of 83. His remains were taken to his home in Jessamine and buried with the honor suitable to the memory of a brave and ])atriotic man. who served his country l)ravely in the Revolutionary war. The order of procession to the grave was as follows : The hearse with the military escort, attended by music, on each flank. The relatives, the ladies, the citizens, the fine volun- teer company from Georgetown, commanded by Maj. William Johnson, with Capt. Thomas Cogar's company from Xicholas- ville. the whole conducted by Col. John T. Pratt, marshal of the day. At the grave the usual ceremonies took place by the firing of thirteen rounds by Captains Graves and Leslie Combs, of Lexington, who, at the head of the gun squad, tired at intervals during the services at the grave. There were present more than a thousand persons with carriages and horses. Such was the good order and decorum preserved that not the slightest accident occurred. At the close of the ceremonies the Rev. John Hudson delivered a brief address touching the high character of Col. Crockett as a citizen, neighbor and friend — a model of virtue and morality, cherished in the affections of all who knew him. Though his manly form lies low in death, his man\ virlues. liis patriotic exam])le, shall continue to abide in the memory of the living. Such, my dear friend, is a brief account of the ])urial of your father-in-law. Col. Joseph Crockett. \'er\' truh- vtnir friend, B. S. Chambers. Daniel P.. Price, Xicholasville, Ky. Colonel Crockett was a man of splendid physique, six feet three inches in height, spare but muscular, dark hair, sallow com- plexion, with keen. ]iiercing. black eyes : roman nose and thin, ex- pressive lips. The many offices to which he was elected in Fayette and Jessamine counties evince in what high esteem he was held by those who knew him. J le always wore a long, blue 28 HiMonj of Jr.<f((niirne Coimtij, Kcntuckij. ciit-a-\vay coat with brass Ijiittons, witli knee breeches and black silk stockings and heavy silver shoe l)uckles. As was the cnstom among- the gentlemen at that early ])eri()d, he wore a cue falling down his back between his shoulders, tied with a blue ribbon. Colonel Oockett was buried on his old home place, where had preceded him to the tond) his wife and children. The brick house which he built in the early part of the century still stands near the grave-yard, and is the property of Mr. John Baker, form- erly owned by Otho Roberts. A few years since, his grandson, Col. IJennett H. Young, haid erected around it an iron fence. The following letter, written by Maj. Uenjamin Netherland, who was then a resident of Xicholasville, will be both amusing and interesting : Nicholasville, Ky., October 7. 1826. ]\lv Dear h^riend : 1 was very nmch pained on hearing that your cut on the leg has not improved since I was to see you in x-Vpril last. T was sorry that your V\'ounded leg prevented you from being in Lexington last year, when the Marquis de la Fayette was given one of the greatest and grandest receptions I ever wit- nessed. More than ten thousand people marched in line to re- ceive on the big road leading from h^rankfort to Lexington. He rode in a fine four-horse carriage accompanied by Governor Desiia, Col. Anthony Crockett, Col. Joseph Crockett, Genl. Peter Dudlev, and manv other gentlemen who rode on horseback and acted as a guard of honor in the rear of the carriage. More than forty-six years ago I was in Charleston when he landed there in 1777, a young man from France on his way to offer his services to General Washington to fight for the liberties of the people of our country. In Charleston he was received \\\\\\ becoming respect and honor, the people everywhere were loud in their praise of the _\oung l-'rcnch soldier — but his reception was nothing in com- parison to the reception given him by the patriotic people of Lex- ington last Tvfay. When General La Fayette got into Lexington the rush of many of the old soldiers was truly exciting. Every- where his carriage was stopped by the surviving veterans wdio had served with him and Washington at Monmouth, Trenton, Brandywine and Little York. Everyone was anxious to see La Fayette. It just seemed that there was no other actor in the great revolutionary drama who had been so near to the heart of Wash- Hhtorij of Jessamine Countij, Kentucky. 2M iniiton as General La l'"a\ette. When tlie S'reat dinner sjivcn to the general in the city limits was over. 1 went to Mr. Wickliff's house with Cols. Josei)h and Anthony Crockett to pay my respects to the young man, forty-seven years ago. I introduced to Col. AN'illiam !Moultry w ho was putting Charleston in fighting trim to resist the Britisli licet which 1 learned while in Cuba was to sail from lamaca imder Admiral I'arkcr and h()nd)ard Charleston. I brought this intelligence w hich 1 hastened to give Colonel Moul- trie, who immediately conmienced putting the town in a proper state for defending every i)lace along the harbor. ( )n arriving at Mr. Wickliff's liouse Joe Crockett first introduced me to George Washington La l-^ayette, the son of the general. His son looked like a man who had seen nuich mental trouble ; he seemed to l)e pleased at the reception given to his father, but was not a man to talk, was stiff and I thought not an intelligent man whatever, but a ])roud, weak man. A\'hcn Colonel Crockett brought me into the jiarlor of Mr. Wickliff's house. General La Fayette, he introduced me as the young man ""Xetherland" who fortv-seven vears before had made him known to Colonel .\b)ul- tr\- who in 1776 and 1777 had connnand at Charleston. He re- membered me introducing him to Moultry and my gx)ing as far as Charlotte with him, as he went through Richmond to Phila- delphia, he received me very warmly, shedding tears as he did when meeting witli Anthony and Joe Crockett. He asked my age, I told him T was just in my seventieth year; he then informed me he was 69 years of age and felt that his health had greatly im- proved since he had revisited America. When I ImiI him fare- well I. in compan\- with tlic two Crocketts and Robert I'.. McAfee, lieutenant-governor, all went and bid the general a long farewell. The general shed tears and in fact every one who was present cried. Dosia. mv wife, kissed the general and we separated, never to see General La Fayette again on earth. Hundreds of the peo]:>le of Lexington in talking of La Fayette cried out aloud. The ladies especially shed tears when taking leave of the great friend of \\'ashington. \ er\ truly your friend, B. Nethkrl.vnd. Cai^t. Thomas W. Ashford, X'crsailles. Kv. 30 Hhtorij of ,Te>immliir ('oKiih/, lu-iifiirki/. John Price. Col. John Price early settled in Jessamine county in what is known as the Marble creek district. He came to Kentucky in 1788 and was one of the l^est educated of the Revolutionary sol- diers who made the county their home. His letters show that he was man of fine mind and good scholarship and he influenced a great many of his Revolutionary friends to settle in Jessamine, Fayette and Woodford counties. He was one of the first men to respond to the call to arms in the Revolutionary war. While born in Maryland he was descended from a distin- guished X'irginia family. He was severely wounded at the l)at- tle of I'randywine, September 11, 1777. He was also at Alon- mouth and Princeton and at the surrender of Cornwallis, at York- town. He died at his residence in Jessamine county on the loth of August, 1822. He started the agitation for the creation of a new county. He and his neighbors had l)een subjected to what they termed petty persecution, on the part of the constables and sherififs, or their appointees, and as these all resided at Lexington and were not elected Ijy the people, the inhabitants of that part of Jessa- mine became aggrieved at the conduct of these officers and this dissatisfaction produced the movement which finally ended in the organization of a county. He was the first man to represent the count}- in the legisla- ture and was elected late in 1798. It must have been a special election called for the purj^ose of choosing a representative. As the county was created on December Kjth. 1798, and as the elections for 1798 under the constitution, were in May of that year, he must either have been appointed or elected as the first member from the county. A letter which he wrote to Col. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss on the 28th of August, 1799, explains much, about which there have been different statements in the county, and shows that Col. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss and others assisted Colonel Price in securing the creation of the new county. Colonel Price affiliated with the Baptist church. He was a man of great kindness of heart and li))eralitv. He was a friend of all who needed his help and especially of the old Revolutionary H'lMorij of Ji'^inamine County, Kentucky. '51 soldiers, llurietl upon llic old homestead, his grave was not marked. The place is now owned by a Mr. Hinds and while it is known in what enclosure he was buried, there is no stone to desig- nate his grave. Manv of liis descendants now reside in Indiana, Illinois. Mis- souri and in tlie West, and the distinguished publisher John 1'. Morton, of Louisville, was a grandson of Colonel Price. William Price. Col. William Price, who was not related to Col. John Price, was born in Fredericksburg. \'a.. in 1755. and came with his family to Jessamine county in 1787. Capt. James C. Price, who com- manded the Jessamine P.lues. at the battle of Raisin, on the 23d of Februarv. 1813. was his oldest son. and was born while his father was absent in the American army. Col. Wilham Price was descended from I'.aptist ancestry, who emigrated from Wales to Virginia, in 1720. When a mere lad, only fourteen years of age, he had seen Revds. John Waller and Louis Craig lodged in the Fredericksburg jail for preaching the Baptist doctrine. This was 1)efore the passage of the Statute of Virginia, granting religious liberty, in the passage of which. Thos. Jefferson considered that he had achieved one of the greatest triumphs of his long career. This jiroduced a profound impres- sion upon his mind, and he was never al)le to eradicate his i)reiu- dice against the Churcli of Fngland, which had l)een instrumental in the arrest of these jM-eachers. and he became an inveterate enemv of that clnu-cli, and never I)rought himself to look with complacenc\' ujion those who were connected with it. lie came to Kentucky with Louis Craig and his traveling church, in 1781, and remained for three years. He then returned to \irginia. and in ly^y came l)ack to Kentucky, settled in Jessamine county and made it his i)crmanent home. Colonel Price was in the Revolutionary war. fnun its very conmiencement luuil the end. He was a first Lieutenant in the ])attle of Stony I'oint, July 16. 1799. and at the battles of Brandy- wine, Germantown. Monmouth, and Princeton, he was acting as Captain. He rose to the rank of Major, and was at Yorktown 32 Hidnrji of Jf'.-<^aii}l)i>' Coiiiitij, Koititchij when C$$rn\vallis surrendered Octo1)er IQ, 1781. He married Mary
Cunningliam, in 1777, and three months after left his home and
youn^' wife to fight the l)attles of freedom. His first engage-
ment was in the battle of Ilrandywine, Sejitember 11, 1777, and he
(lid not return to his famil\- until the close of the war. The part
which most of the Episcopal clergy in A'irginia took against the
revclution. still further embittered Colonel Price against that
denomination. The following letter of his to Capt. Edward
Payne, dated December 20th, shows both his feelings to the
church, as well as to the character of the entertainments which
were given in those days. A similar invitation was written to
Col. Luke Allen, in which a like prejudice crops out :

Price's Hall, Stafford county, \'a.
December 20. 1787.
Capt. Edward Payne,

Overseer at Gunston Hall :

My Dear Sir — This note is to apprize you that I invite you
and all your r)aptist friends to my house on Christmas day to
partake of a big dinner of turkey and oysters, and to conclude
with a dance at grandmother's in the evening. Xo Episcopalian
has been invited. Such people are too aristocratic and over-
bearing. The people who are communicants of that church try
to imitate their aristocratic brethren of England in almost every
act that they perform. I have no patience with such harpies as
the clergy of this estal)lishment. Their titles, dignities and liv-
ings are too nnich like our late oppressors in the great war just
closed. They must now consider that the people of the country
now look chiefly to the practical and useful and not to mere empty
titles which serve no good purpose in a free country. What w'e
want in the church as well as in the state is plain, practical men,
devoted men, who know and mingle with the people as one of
themselves. W'e want no more English airs, no arrogance of de-
meanor among neighbors. Tell Robert Craig to bring his fiddle,
as we e.\])ect a good time generally. Tell Black Tom to come by
all means.

William Price.

Colonel Price must have borne a distinguished part in the
battle of Ston\- Point. The followiuG: letter, which he wrote to

Hi4nrij of Jexmrnhw Count i/, Knituckij. 33

]Maj. janics L'lukc, the day after this battle, \vill show that in that
l)attle lie acted witli threat courage and liis conduct was com-
mended by (leneral Wayne himself:

Fort Stony Point, July 17, 1779.

To. AJaj. janies Chike:

Dear Major — 1 wish that God would heal your wound and I
could once more see you among your brave comrades. On yes-
terday evening, July i6th, after marching over the roughest coun-
try T ever saw, through deep swamps and narrow roads, we got
within a mile of thi:; fort, which is on the west bank of the Hudson
river. It was of vast importance to our enemies and had been
strengthened by every means of art that lay in their power. At
night our heroic commander, Brigadier \A'ayne, came among us
and told us that everything depended on secrecy, and, says he,
"I want you men who belong to the regiments of Colonel Butler
and Colonel I'leury to march with unloaded muskets and fixed
bayonets ; 1 \\\\\ lead you myself," said he. The river had flooded
the swamps ^\■aist deep, but when we saw our beloved General go
forward, we sprang forward, and our advance of twenty men at
once attacked the double palisade. When one of the red-coated
sons of bitches shouted in great alarm, "Here comes the damned
rebels, shoot them." He was soon knocked on the head, but a ter-
rible fire was opened on us as we advanced through the swamps.
The guns from the fort spattered nuid on us as well as dirty water.
Their grape and canister did not damage more than to spatter
mud and water on our clothes. About this time our brave Gen-
eral was knocked on the head in the right temple by a spent ball.
I instantly raised him u]). "March on. Lieutenant I'rice; carry me
to the fort; I will die at the head of my men." We bore him for-
ward until we got near the center of tlie fort and both commands
met, when the shout of victory rent the air. Our victory was
complete ; we carried everything so rapidly that our enemies were
suqjrised. We lost about sixty men. Joseph Campbell, of
Fredericksl)urg, was killed ; also Private Clow and Richard
Climer was killed. He was from Philadelphia, was a brave
Dutchman, deeply religious. T hope he is safe in heaven. Hop-
ing that you will soon recover from your wound, T am, your friend,

Wii.i.i.'^M Price.

34 Hidori/ of ./r^.-«(iitiiir Coimtij, I\tiifiicl<l.

Me died al his residence, where he had settled when coming"
to Jessamine connt\, on the loth of ( )ctol)er, iSo8, at the age of
53 \ears. He failed to reach that longevity which marked the
lives of most of the Re\-ohitionary soldiers who were transplanted
to Kentucky, and especially Jessamine connty.

He wa.s a patriot of the greatest intensity and earnestness.
He earl\- introduced in Jessamine count}-, celehrations of the
Foiu'th of Iul\. He had such a celebration at his house on the
Fourth of July, 17<)4. He invited a large number of his friends.
On the hfth of Jul\-, 1794. he wrote a letter to Governor Shelby,
and Revolutionarv soldiers must have been alnmdant in those
daAS, for he said that he had forty at his table on that occasion.
The following is the communication which he made to Governor
Shelby :

Fayette county, Ky., July 5, 1794.

To His Excellenc)', Isaac Shelby,

Governor of Kentucky:

]\rv Fsteemed j-'riend — 1 was greatl\- disappointed by your
not coming to my house on yesterday (July 4). We had a glori-
ous time and a big dinner. Forty men sat down at my tables. wdiO'
had served in the late struggle for our freedoni and independence.
It was a glorious sight to behold, and I wish King (leorge HI
and Lord North could have witnessed the scene in the wilds of
America. ( )n the return of this glorious birthday of our free-
dom from IJritish despotism, the heart of every patriot in the late
struggle ma_\- rightfully pom' its highest tribute to God and the
great sages and soldiers who resolved to stake their lives and
sacred lionor in maintaining the Declaration of Independence.
Throughout the limits of our country, from Massachusetts to
Georgia, the hearts of a free and happy people have been dedi-
cate<l on \esterday to the contem])lation of the great blessings
achiexed and bequeathed to us b\' such heroic leaders as George
Washington, Israel Putnam and Nathaniel Greene. Stich brave
leaders took their lives in their hands, and libert\' or death was in-
scribed on their hearts. ( iod, in the plenitude of His beneficence,
has generally chosen men cjualitied to resist kings and tvrants in
their attacks on the rights of the ])eo])le. The history of our
mother country furnished full ])roof of this fact and our own
glorious countr} in tlie late war for independence is a more brill-

Hhitory of ,J(K.<niiiuie Ctniniij, Kiiiiuchi/. '.\o

iant illustration of the great truth th.Mi God hates all tyrants and
despotic rulers, and sooner or later overthrows all such rascals in
causini^- the i)coi)le to rise up and cut their heads off.
Trulv th\- old friend.

WiLLi.vM Price.

P. S. — 1 will lie at j-'rankfort next Monday.

The house in which he lived has been changed so as to bear no
similarity to what it was when he resided in it. but the graveyard
on the place is still niaintainec] in fairly good order, and a sub-
stantial stone wall surrounds the spot where he and his loved
ones rest. He had (piite a number of children and some of his
descendants reside in [essamine and I-'avette counties now.

George Walker.

Gen. George Walker was one of the most distinguished gifts
of A'irginia to Jessamine coimty. He was the second man to
open a law office in the town of .Xicholasville. which he did in
1799. Samuel H. Woodson having been the first man to open
such an office, (ieorge Walker owned the land upon which
Mr. Melanchthon ^'om^g now resides, and was buried in the or-
chard about one hundred yards \vnm the residence.

He was a man of great learning and great enter]-)rise. as well
as great ct)urage. I'oni in Culijcp.r:' county. \'a., in ijb^. he
settled in Jessamine count \". in 1794. He married Miss Rachel!
Coffee, of Xashville. Tenn.. who was a daughter of Gen. John
Coffee, who ])ore a distinguished ])art with Gen. Andrew Jack-
son in the Indian wars in the South and West, as well as the war
of 1812. He was a mere lad when he entered the ranks of the
Rev()luti()nar\- arm\ imder Generals Green and Morgan, in the
campaigns of T780-S1, and was at tlie battle of Cowpens. Jan-
uary 17. 1781. and Guilford Court House. He was also at the
siege of York town.

He was a man of noble phy.sique and his appearance in-
dicated his intelligence as well as his high character. His de-
votion to his c(nmtry and its cause knew no bounds. 1 le was ap-
pointed to a seat in the United States Senate by Gov. Isaac Shelby,
to fill a vacancv.

o

6 History of Ji'-<s(iiiiiii(' (Joinifii, Kriitnck/i.

David .Meade was an uncle of Colonel Walker, his father hav-
ing married C'olcjnel .Meade's sister. He was in the battle of New
Orleans with the Kentucky troo])s, where he attracted the at-
tention of General Jackson l)y his superb bravery and his splendid
heroism. He was also in the battles of the Northwest and was
aide to (iovernor Shelby at the battle of the Thames.

He died in Nicholasville in 1819, at the house now owned by
Lewis C. Drake. Two of his sons emigrated to Texas and held
distinguished positions. ( )ne of his sons, .\ndrew Walker, was
a great friend of Quantrell. the celeljrated Missouri soldier.

The e.xact location of the grave of Colonel Walker is now un-
known, but in his day he was one of the most prominent and re^
spected citizens. His youngest son. Courtney ]\Ieade Walker,
removed to ( )regon, where h.e led the life of a hunter. He died in
1886, at an advanced age.

The first jniblic service rendered by George Walker was as
one of the conuiiissioners to run the lines between Kentucky and
Tennessee, and the boundar}- was known as Walker's Line.
Some extracts from Courtney Meade Walker's letters will be in-
teresting as showing the condition of affairs in olden times. He
says : 'T was in Nicholasville in .August, 1826. Harrison Daniels
was a candidate for the legislature at that time. It was on the
last dav of the election. There were some five or six fist fights in
the streets. i)ut no one was injured or seriously hurt. I had come
up fnim Louisville, where I had been at school. I was at the
burial of Samuel H. Woodson, in 1827, at the residence near

Gen'I Percival Butler.

Gen. Percival lUitler. was born in Carlisle. Pa.. April
4, 1760. In 1778. he entered the .Vmerican army as a lieutenant.
He was at X'alley Forge with Washington, at the battle of Mon-
mouth, and at the surrender at Yorktown. LaFayette was such an
admirer of the young man that he presented him with a sword as
a token of his friendship and esteem. He married a Aliss Haw-
kins, of A'irginia. Col. John Todd, who fell at Blue Licks, mar-
ried another sister. Tt was probably through this connection

tl.at (iciKTal lUillcr settled in Kentucky. He came to Jessa-
mine count} in 17S4, and settled at the mouth of Hickman creek
and cn^au,ed in merchandise. This point was then one of great
importance. 1 he Kentucky river w .is the outlet for a large pan
of Central Kcntuckw and datboats plied up and down the stream,
carrying the ccMumerce of the country tributary to it. The ricli
lands lying in i)n)ximity were already producing large treasure
w liicli f( >und markets in the East and at New Orleans, (ien. James
W'ilkinson had opened a large dry goods store at Lexington in
1784. wSalt was carried c^ut of the Salt river from Mann and I'.ul-
litt Licks in 1796 to Xashville, and the Kentucky river was also
sending its tide of wealth to the outside world.

In 1785 a ferry had been established at the mouth of Hick-
man creek 1)\- the X'irginia legislature, and in 1787 W'ilkinson
had pushed his trade down tlie AIississi])pi to New ()rleans. and
the mouth of Hickman at once became a center of trade.

By this date roads were cut through from Lexington to Dan-
ville. Stanford and Lancaster, and the chartering of the ferry as
early as 1785 shows that a large trade crossed at this ])oint. Prior
to this date no other ferry had been established by Mrginia ex-
ce])t the one across the Kentucky river at r)Oonesboro {1779).
The next were those at the mouth of Hickman, the mouth of Jack's
creek. Madison county, at Long Lick, and two at Louisville, to
the mouths of Silver creek and Mill Run.

Gen. Pcrcival lUitler remained at the mouth of 1 licknian until
r796, when he removed to the mouth of the Kentucky river, at
Carrollton. Lie was made adjutant-general of l\cntuck\- in 1792
and took part in tlie war of 1812. and died in Carroll county, in
1821.

His eldest son. Thomas L. l^)Utlei-. was born at the mouth of
Hickman, in 1781). lie was an aide to General Jackson at the
battle of Xew ' )rleans in 1815, k.eing then only twenty-six years of
age. and was left by General Jackson in conuuand of the city, to
protect it against outbreaks. He represented Gallatin (then com-
prising Carroll) countv in the legislature, in 1826, and Carroll
in 1 848, and died at Carrollton in 1877, aged 88 years.

(ien. A\"m. < )rlando lUuler. second son of Gen. Tercival But-
ler, was born at the mouth of TTickman, April 19, 1791, and re-
mained there until he was fi\e vears of age: then went with hi?

38 lUxtoi-ji of ,frx.-<(n}iiiif Cnitiifji. Knifiickii.

father to CarroUtoii. He g-radnated at Transylvania L'niversity
at twenty-one years of age. ami at once volnnteered as a private
in the war of 1812, then in progress. He entered the service as a
private, in Captain Xathaniel G. Hart's company, the "Lexington
light infantry." Young Butler was made a corporal. This
company was in the battle of Raisiri. fought January 22, 1813.
Captain Hart was wovmded in the leg in the tight. A British
officer named Elliott, who had l)een nursed 1)\- Hart's family dur-
ing a severe spell of illness, in Lexington, ottered to protect Cap-
tain Hart, who was a brother-in-law of Henry Clay, but he basely
failed to redeem his promise, and Hart was massacred. Li
both l)attles at Raisin. January 18th and 22d. r)Utler's conduct
conunanded the highest praise. His courage, gallantry, and self-
(■'criial elicited miiversal praise. He was wounded and taken
prisi'Uer.

His heroic conduct at Raisin shows that he has had no su-
]:>erior in courage and chivalry in the world's history, and one
event is thus told by V. P. P.lair, .Sr. :

".\fter the rout and massacre of the right wing, belonging
to the Wells ct)uunaud. the whole force of the liritish and Lidians
was concentrated against the small body of tr(^ops under Maj.
Geo. Madison, that maintained their ground within the picketed
gardens, a double barn commanding the ])lat of ground on
which the Kentuckians stood — on one side the Indians, under the
cover of an nrchard and fence, tlie IVitish on the other side, being
so posted as to conmiand the s]iace between it and the pickets.
A partv in the rear of the barn were discovered advancing to take
possession of it. All saw the fatal consequences of the secure
lodgment of the enemv at a place which would present every man
within tlu' pickets at close rifle shot, t-,) the aim of their marksmen.
Major Madison in(|uired if there was no one who would volunteer
to run the guntlet ot the tire of the IJritish and Indian lines, and
]~)ut a torch to the combustibles witlu'n the barn, to save the rem-
nant of the little armv from sacrifice. The heroic Butler, without
a moment's delay, took some blazing sticks from a fire at hand,
leaped the pickets, and running at his utmost speed, thrust the
fire into the straw within the barn. ( )ne wb.o was an anxious
spectator of t^he event says that, although volley upon volley
was fired at liim. Butler, after making some steps on his way

ll'iMitrij of ,Ji'^.-<iiiiilitf Count ij, Kentiifhij. 39

back, turned to sec if the tire had taken, and,jiot being satisfied,
returned to the barn and set it in a blaze. As the conflagration
grew, the enem\ was seen retreating from the rear of the buiUHng,
which they had entered in one end, as the flames ascended in tht
other. Soon after reaching the pickets in safety amid the shouts
of his friends, he was struck by a musket Ijall in his 1)reast. Be-
heving, from the i)ain Ik- feU, tliat it had penetrated his chest, he
turned to John M. .McCalla, one of his Lexington comrades, and,
pressing his hand on the spot, said: '1 fear this shot is mortal,
l)Ut while I am able to move 1 will do my duty.' To the anxious
inquiries of his friends, who met him soon afterward, he opened
his vest, with a smile, and showed them that the ball had spent
itself on the thick wadding of his coat and on his breastbone. He
suffered, however, for many weeks.''

He was a captain in the battle of Xew ( )rleans, December 14,
1814, and on January S, 1S15, was brevetted Major for his gallan-
trv, and (ieneral Jackson conmiended his conduct in the highest
terms. He was an aide on the staflf of General Jackson, in 1816
and 1817, but resigned to study law. He married a daughter of
General Robert Todd. He represented Gallatin county in the
legislature in 1817, was elected to Congress in 1839, and served
four years, refusing a re-election. In 1844 he was the Demo-
cratic candidate for Governor and reduced the \\'hig majority to
4.000.

On June 21;, 1846. President Polk appointed General Butler a
major general of volunteers, and on the same date Zachary Tay-
lor, major general in the regular armw

On the 2^(1 .)t l-'ebruary, 1847, tlie Kentucky legislature pre-
sented him a .-word for bis gallantry in ^Mexico. He bore a dis-
tinguished ])art in many of the battles of that war. He was
wounded in the battle of ]\Ionterey in September. 1846. ( )n Feb-
ruary t8, 1848, he succeeded General Scott in the chief com-
mand of the American army in ^fexico, and remained in such ]-»o-
sition until the declaration of peace. .May 29, 1848. In that year
he was nominated for \'ice-President of the I'nited States on the
ticket with ( ien. Cass: but they were defeated by Taylor and Fill-
more. He received the full vote of his party for Cnited States
Senator in 1 83 1 . l)ut failed of election. He was one of the six Peace
Commissioners from Kentuckv in Tamuu-v. 1861, and thereafter

40 Hixtory of JexxoDiliir (oniitij^ Kcniiu-kij.

he remained in the (luiet sechision of h.is home, at CarruUtuii, and
died Atigust 6, 1880, in his 89th year. He rests in a sepulchre
overlooking the splendid scenery where the waters of the Ken-
tuck}- and the ( diio unite — a fit resting-place for him who did so
much to wrest Ohio and the Northwest from the savage and ^o
make still greater, the renown of the great conunonwealth which
had given him l)irth.

He was a man of the highest courage, truest patriotism, noblest
public spirit, thorough culture and splendid talent. His poem,
"The Boatman's Horn," induced by the associations and mem-
ories of his childhood on the ( )hi(), when listening to the large
and sonorous horns the boatmen were accustomed to blow to
announce their coming to the landing ]:)laces on the river, is a real
poetic gem :

The Boat Horn.

(J boatman, wind that horn again.

For never did the list'ning air

Upon its lambent bosom bear
So wild, so soft, so sweet a strain.

What thoug^h thy notes are sad and few,
l)y every simple boatman blown.

Yet is each pulse to nature true
And melody in every tone.

How oft in boyhood's joyous day,
Unmindful of the lapsing hours,

I've loitered on my homeward way
V>\ wild ( )hio's brink of flowers,

While some lone boatmaii from the deck
Poured his soft numbers to that tide.

As if to charm from storm and wreck
The boat where all his fortunes ride !
Delighted nature drank the sound.
Enchanted — echo bore it round
In whispers soft, and softer still.
From hill to plain and plain to hill,

HUtorij of JesKainine Coimtjj, Kentuchj.

41

Till e'en the thoughtless, frolieking boy,

Elate with hope and wild with joy.

Who ganiljoled l)y the river side

And sported with the fretting tide.

Feels something new pervade his breast.

Chain his light step, repress his jest.

Bends o'er the llood his eager ear

To catch tlie sounds, far off. yet near —

Drinks the sweet draught, but knows not why

The tear of rapture fills his eye;

And can he now, to manhood grown.

Tell why those notes, simple and lone.

As on the ravished ear they fell.

Bind everv sense in magic spell .•'

There is a tide of feeling given —

To all on earth — its fountain. Heaven,

Beginning with the dewy Hower

Just ope'd in Flora's vernal l)ower.

Rising creation's orders tlirough

With louder nnuniur, brighter hue.

That tide is sympathy ; its el)1) and l^ow

Gives life its hues of joy and woe :

Music, the master spirit that can move

Its waves to war, or lull them into love ;

Can cheer the sinking sailor 'mid the wave

And l)id the soldier on , nor fear the grave ;

Inspire the fainting i)ilgrim on his load,

And elevate his soul to claim his Cod.

Then, boatman, wind thai liorn again!

Though much of sorrow mark its strain.

Yet are its notes to sorrow dear.

What though they wake fond memory's tear;

Tears are sad memorv's sacred feast,

And rapture oft her chosen guest.

noATMAN'S HORN.

4'I lH<t(n'ij of Jt--<--^aiitiiii' (_\)iuit[i, Kent tick I/.

First Settlers.

Jolin riuiitcr, jacol) lluntcr an^l Saiiuu-I llunter came to
Jessamine coimty in ilie s])rin_o- of 1779. Jacob was the oldest
and was l)orn in 1753. They first stopped at Hoonesboro in 1778
and were employed by Elias Hite. son of Abraham Hite, who
was at that time engaged in the snrveying of lands in Kentucky.
Tlie father of these young men died at Boonesboro. They had
two sisters. They had been employed by Mr. Hite as chain-
carriers, and they all settled close to each other on Hickman
creek. The following letter shows when they were dismissed:

Thursday April i, 1779.

Dear heather: Ivismiss the chain carriers. John Hunter,
."^anniel llunter and Jacob Hunter; pay them six shillings per
day for three months" services on IJoone and Hickman creeks.

Isaac Hite.
Tell Mr. Douglas to go at once to Boonesiboro.

Here, in 1780, was born Joseph Hunter, who was the first
white child born in the present Ijoundary of Jessamine
county. Joseph Hunter lived to be quite an old man.
He died in !858. The old home of these first settlers em-
braced about 000 acres of land, which has now l^een in cultivation
120 years and is still fertile and jiroductive. The old house for
a long time was the ])ro])ert\' of John I'ortwood, who \vas a son-
in-law of John llunter. The farm is situated about si.x miles east
of Xicholasville on the pike leading to Boone's Ferry.

\\'hen John Portwood died, Dudley Portwood. his son, sold
a part of the farm containing 200 acres to Jessamine county for
the erection of a poor house.

The Hunter liomestead was built (>f l)rick and is still standing,
and was erected about t7<;8. ( )ne of the bricks in the chimneys
has this date ui)on it.

Jacob Hunter left Jessamine county and went to ( )wen
county, where he died after attaining the extreme age of one
hundred }ears.

Samuel Hunter settled some nnles above these other two

II1.4nrii of Ji'.<.<a))>iii'' Count q, Keiifuchi/

4:-j

KHXTl'CKY PIOXl'.KR'S DKKSS.

44 Hl<torij of Jc''--<iimi)ie Coiuifij, Kcntuckij.

brothers, on HickiiKin creek, and they were un(|uestional3ly the
first white men who ever imdertcjok a ])ernianent settlement in
Jessann'ne conntv. Thex' (hd not l)nihl forts or blockliouses, and
were doubtless drivi-n in alxmt 1782, wlicn tlie fndians were so
determined in their assaults on the Ixenluckv settlers.

Early Settlers on Jessamine Creek.

The earlv settlers on jessamine creek were mostly German
Protestants who came in large part from Pennsylvania and ]\Iary-
land. with a lew from A'irginia. The following letter written by
Dr. Peter Trisler to Rev. David Zeisberger in 1794, from Jessa-
mine count}-, will prove valuable, historically:

Jessamine Creek, September 4, 1794
Dear David: I am exceedingly sorry that you did not come
along with your father during his recent visit to this delightful
country. The sun shines brighter in this country, and the skies
are more blue, than the damp, moist atmosphere at the mouth of
the Cuyahoga. A good school is needed among us, and I invite
you once more to leave that inliospitable countr\' of savages and
cold winds.

Faithfully yours,

Peter Trisler.

From most reliable records Rev. Jacob Rhorer was the founder
of the first Moravian church on Jessamine creek, in 1794, and
the building was used as a Aloiravian church by the Rhorer family
up to near the beginning of the Civil War.

The following are the names of the early settlers who were of
German parentage and belonged to the Moravian Church, or
"United Brethren" : Arnspigers, Alcorns, Cormans, Howmans,
r.runers, Earthenhousers. Easleys, Funks, Fraziers, Grows, Gil-
mans, Goforths, Hififners, Howsers, Harbaughs, Horines, Rit-
ters, Rices, ^Nlasners, Zikes, Ketrons, Waggamans, Warmslys,
Overstreets, Quests. Yosts. Hoovers, Trislers. Turks, Turpins,
Shreves, A'eatches. \*antresses. Xaves, Cogars, Crows. Cooleys.
Cawl)ys, and Schmidts. Xearl}- all of these names were in the
list of German settlers in the western part of Jessamine county,

ITi.<f(irii (if Jc^mm'nie County, Kentucky. 4.'!

who were lars^cl}' the followers of John Iluss. They were men
of great common sense, good judgment, honesty, a high sense
of morality, and great lovers of freedom, and their descendants
still reside in that part of jessamine county which their ancestors
in the early history of the state settled.

In 1884 John C"awl)y had a Bible which was printed at Wit-
tenberg in 1440. This Bible was brought from (jermany to
Maryland in 1780, by Peter 1>islcr, who, in 1794. settled in the
present limits of Jessamine count}', where I13 died April 22. 1821.
Tins old Jiible was the |)ro])erty of }^Irs. Xanc\' llorine, who was
a grandaughter of Dr. 'i^ri-^ler.

Dr. Peter l^risler was born in A\'ittenberg, Germany, in 1745.
He came to Hagerstown, !\lar\lan(l. when a very young man.
and settled on Jessamine creek in 1791. \\'hen he came from
(jermany he brought the old IJible above referred to. and this
book contained records of a large number of the fanu'lies above
named. From tliis stock German settlers have gone through-
out the West and South, and they usu.all}- became men of thrift,
energy, character and l)rains. Some now in Illinois and many in
Missouri have carried away with them the splendid qualities of
these early settlers, and in their new homes have shown the
sterling qualities of their ancestors, who did so much to create and
promote the best interests of the new state they helped to found
in the then wilderness of Kentucky.

Xames of those who settled in other parts of Jessamine from
1782 to the close of the century:

Archibald llristow ; Manoali Singleton; Elder Micliael Rice;
Jacob Howser ; i )a\i(l Watson, Sr. ; Jacob Sedowski. afterward
removed to Bourbon county; James McKinney ; Jeremiah King;
Col. Jos. Crockett; Abraham Howser; Jacob Rhorer; John
Welch; Jacob l^runer; James Overstreet ; Chris. Mason: Wm.
Moss; Jno. Thornton; Patrick W^atson ; Fielding Pilcher; Shad-
rach Pilclicr; Sanuiel Rice; Minor Young; Rev. Jno. Hudson;
Jeremiah Dickerson ; A\'ni. Fletcher: \\'ni. Ilowman ; John
i wo Nine Scott; Col. Ilyrd Prewitt ; Jno. Jolmson: Jno. Lowry ;
Utos. Caldwell; Col. Geo. Walker: John Lewis; James Duncan;
Chas. Duncan: Jonas Davenport; James McCabe; Jacob Rice;
Rev. Xatlianiel Harris; Col. Wm. Price: Col. Jno. Price; Maior

■HJ Illsfori/ of Je.-<.-'<iiiiliir Coniifii. Kriiliichii.

Xtthcrlaiul; Benj. Blackford; licnj. Adams: Jiio. Todd; Robt.
Campbell; Abraham Cassell; jM-ancis Lowers; Thos. Shanklin ;
Robt. Shanklin: Daniel Mitchell: Thomas Rowland; Thomas
Overstreet.

Black's Station.

It is strange that, from the time of the settlement at Harrods-
burq- in 1774 down to 1779, there were no stations established in
Jessamine count}-. In Mercer, IJoyle, Fayette, Woodford, Mad-
ison, Scott and I'^ranklin. nmnerous stations were erected, but
with all the richness of the land in Jessamine county, nc:»ne came
to found a fort within its midst. 'Jdiere were surveys made in the
county during this time, one of which, the Abram Hite survev of
2,000 acres on Marble creek, was both jH^rmanent and important,
and discussed in the fort at Harrodslmrg in 1774 and 1775. A
^\r. Black established a station (^n what is known as the G. B.
Uryan farm, half way between Xicholasville and Brookline on
the Harrodsburg- turnpike. It was on the old trace which led
through the county along the waters of Jessamine creek to the
waters of South Elkhorn. There were several large boiling
springs in the locality, and as these were always in demand for
settlements. Black located his station there. It was composed of
several calkins, and the land was originall}- part of what is known
as the "Craig Survey," and was subsequenth' owned bv Archibald
Logan. \\ho was a rich tanner and had an establishment in Lex-
ington.

Logan conveyed this land to his daughter, ^Irs. Hord, when
he left Jessamine cotuitv in i82<), and the house known as the
I'atterson House is where Logan lived. ]Mrs. Hord conveyed
the place to her daughter, Mrs. W'orley, and she conveyed it to
others, and it is now owned by the l>ryan's heirs.

Beginning with 1783, this station became quite an important
one, and was one of the stopping places for those who followed
the trace froiu Afercer and Boyle to l-'ranklin and Woodford
counties. Idie diffictdty in obtaining water in this general section
was very great, and Joel W'atkins, in his diary, says : June 24 —
"Forded river at mouth of Hickman ; after travelling seven or
eight miles on the road that leads from the river to Lexington I

Midorij of Jemniiiiir ('ninitii, l$$iitnckii. IT luriK'd tt) the left of said ruad and crossed a wau-r course called East Jessamine : after leaviiij; the said creek, the land is very level and of a \er\ pretty nnilatto soil and the growth is l>lack and white oak, hickory, and some walnut and sugar trees, and the under- growth ha;'v-l nut and red bud. till 1 arri\ ed at West Jessamine. I proceeded U]) sai<l river to head, the land altering as I proceeded up said creek until I came near the head springs, the land there appearing very rich till 1 struck the waters of South Elkhorn. This (lav I ])assed several good farms, and especially John Craig's. badly watered between the two Jessamines, so much so that people settled onlx' along the said creeks." This scarcity of water was doubtless one of the reasons for establishing the sta- tion at I 'lack's. W'atkins says August ]8. 1889: "Passed Dick's river at Mc- Guir's, from thence we proceeded to Curd's l-'erry on Kentuckv. which is at the mcnith of Dick's river — the latter we forded — dierc' the clift's are of amazing height): we proceeded towards Lexington abotit eight tniles : we turned to the left of said road l>ast lUack Station on the waters of Clear creek, proceeded on- ward, the land King ver)" well, Init the growth indicating the rock being nigh the surface of the earth ; we crossed several forks of Clear creek ; we came to Captain Woodfolk's mentioned on page 22; from this ])lace the land continued very slightly, both soil and Growth, to Mr. \\ atkins'. at wliich place we arrived about dark — received ver\' kindlw" He also says. August 24: "Monday, after breakfast with Mr. W'., set out for the smiuIi side of Kentucky ri\er. agreeing with the aforesaid gentleman at ])arting to keej) tip a literary cor- respc^ndence. past I '.lack Station again and crossed the two forks of Jessanu'ne and arri\-e(l at Kentuck\- river at the mouth of Hickman, wliich 1 forded, and arrivetl at Mr. Walker's at two 111 itirs bestni." It will be seen that the trace along b\- 1 '.lack's Station was the read usually traveled by those who passed from Garrard and fiercer and J.oyle to Woodford and Franklin. Another station in Jessamine county was btiilt by Levi Todd a little northwest of Keene — its exact location can not now be de- termiiK'il — it, i>, however, laid down u])on hilson's map. l)Ut was abandoned. This was a fort. The road from Tfarrod^bnrg to 48 Hldory of JeKxainhic CoiDity, Ki-iifiickii. Lexington doubtless passed l)y Slack's Station, and from this on to Todd's Station. There was also another route by which they crossed the river to the mouth of Hick- man, Itvllowed Hickman for some distanc?, and then turned northeast towards Lexington, then their route fol- lowed Hickman for several miles, then struck East Jessamine and followed it to its nead at Airs. Horine's on the Southern Rail- road, about a mile east of Nicholasville, and from this over to> the headwaters of Jessamine, and from tliis along the general route of the Lexington and Harrodsburgh turnpike to Lexington. This is shown by deposition of David Williams, which was filed in the case of Manson's Executors vs. Craig Williams, in which Williams deposes as follows : "He was well acquainted with Hickman's creek from a small distance above the survey, 'Abram Hite/ to the head of the creek, and that the east fork of Jessamine was as well known to the peo- ple of Harrodsburg as Llickman's creek was. The east fork of Jessamine lay more out of the course generally taken 1)y hunters in traveling from Harrodsiburg to the waiters of the Licking; they connnc^nly fell on main Jessamine above the mouth of East Fork-, thence up the main Jessamine spring; thence crossing the waters of Hickman to Boone's creek, and over to the head of Stroud's creek, where there were roads leading down most of its branches to the Salt Licks. It was also connuon to pass by main Jessa- mine above the East Eork and l)y Todd's station on the waters of Hickman to go to tlie headwaters of South and North Elkhorn. This deponent, with others, fre(|uently took this road to avoia large canebrakes." The Last Indians. The liigh cliffs, covered with dense forests of cedar and other timlier, along the Kentucky river, and their utter inaccessibility, rendered them excellent hiding places for the Indians who dis- turl)ed the settlers as late as the end of 1792. No great incur- sion of tlie Indians into Kentucky happened after the battle of Blue Licks, in 1782, l)ut predatory bands, consisting of four or five mej; hers, lioth from the south and from the north, gave the set- tlers great disturl)ance and uneasiness and nmrdered a great Hlstitiij (if .h'sstuii'uic ('i)nittij, Kentuchij. 4!' iiianv women and children. Shortly after the battle of Blue Licks the people abancloned the ft)rts and scattered out in their log cabins over the state. l->ar of Indian raids had been removed and the immense tide of settlers which came into tlie state dur- itig- this period took up lands in every part, but as late as 1792 many people were killed in darrard. Lincoln, Aladison and Jessa- mine. On Jul\- 6, I7<;3. Major llcnjamin Xethcrland wrote the following letter to ( io\'crnor .Sliclhw wliich gives a contemporane- ous account of these troubles: "Mingo Tavern. I'ayette comity. Ky., "July 6, 1792. "To His Excellency. Isaac Shelby, "(iovernor of Kentucky: "Dear Sir — \'our letter of the 2c;th of June, was lianded tcj me on yesterday by John Wilson. I tender to you my liearty. warm thanks for the good opinion you express concerning my pt:)or services in the defense of our beloved countr}-. To enjoy your confidence and friendshi]) may well be considered a distinguished honor, and I shall at all times consider it a jjleasure to be of serv- ice to you. There have biU few depredations occurred in these ])arts of the count}-. Last year it was reported three men were killed by a l)arty of Shawnees. They were pursued, overtaken and two of them \vere killed the following day at lioonesboro. .\l)out three month's ago two Indians crossed tlie Kentucky at the mouth of tiie Dix river, and came an-iong the settlers, as the_\- said, for trading. I was not pleased at seeing such treacherous enemies, and gave orders to Tom Lewis and his father to keep a watch on them. They spoke English ver\ well and were trying to make the im- ]:)ression that the\- were our best friends, ^^'hen they left the next morning the\- met one of the settlers named Michael lliffner, who had been to see Thomas Rowland, who settled on a planta- tion some miles above. 1'he Indians told lliffner he uuist let them have his horse. This be refused, when he heard the snap of a gun. He at once jum])ed front tlie horse and stal)bed the In- dian to the heart, lie then turned upon the other, who shot him in tlic arm and r;in off into the timber. lliffner, being a good In- dian fighter and a ])ra\e and acti\e man. i)ursued him, .md before 4 50 Hilary of JexxaiDhic Omiifii, Kciitiichij. the Indian could reload his gun liift'ner caught him and knocked his brains out with a club, and threw his body down the high cliffs into the river. The body of the Indian he stabbed to death was buried. A party of W^andots killed a man at the mouth of Jessamine last spring. At the various crossings Indian tracks have been discovered. At I'aint Lick two years ago two men were killed by this same party of Indians. It is my opinion that if 50 mounted men were employed to scour the Kentucky river cliffs during the fall, I feel sure no more of our people would be ambushed and killed. These hills and cliffs, Major Whitley says, are good hiding places for Indians to do us much injury. I must urge yoti to appoint Tom Wilson captain and lieutenant of this end of the county. He is young and active and can run like the wind, and such service would be in keeping with his nature, which is daring and full of adventure. I would seek the place myself, but I have so long neglected my private affairs that it would be ruinous for me to put my affairs into the hands of others, who seek their own interest to the neglect of mine, besides I have now rhe high and responsible duties of husband and father, which I can not throw aside without doing great injustice to the innocent who look to me for protection as husband and father. "Your old friend, " B. Netherland." All sorts of "varmints" were plentiful in the days of the early settlers. Bears and rattlesnakes were in great abundance. On the farm of INIr. Alexander Willoughby, near Sulphur Well, one of the great curiosities was a place known as "Rattlesnake Spring." When the land was first settled this spring was a great resort for these snakes. The water issued from a large crevice in a lime- stone rock, overlaid l)y a l)old bank. Near the spring- was a cave. Major Netherland, who visited the i)lace in 1796, says: "In the fall oi the year they would crawl from the cave to the spring and enter the crevice of the rock, where they remained torpid during the winter. W'hen the warmth of spring revived them they would emerge from the crevice and the cave and bask in the warm sun. At this season they fell an easy prey to the destroyer. Henry Allsman, who is now living on this portion of Mr. W'illoughbv's land, told me he and his familv have killed Iflsfori/ of J'-^^diiiiiif (oHiifi/. Kentuckij. 51 Innidreds uf them in the last week. \\c woukl pile them up on a log heap and liurn them. Jly this wholesale slaughter, this enemv of (tO(1 and man was extirpated, and in another season of spring and summer nothing will remain of that representative of the transgression hut his hateful name." The man Allsnian here referred to was the father of the no- tori'Uis Andrew Allsman. who caused General McXeil to shoot ten innocent men at rahinra, Mo. He was horn (ju tliis farm in 1805 and left home in 1829. Allsman boasted on the streets of Palmyra of causing the death of these men. The next day after he made this dreadful confession his dead l)od_\- was foimd hung and riddled with hullets. He had been jnit to death by Col. Joe Porter's men in the neighborhood. The First Powder Mill Erected in Jessamine county was located on Hickman creek, near the ol<l Union Mill. The old powder houses remained there as late as the vear 1850. These j^owder mills were owned by Richard LafTcMMi, btit the ])<)wder house was erected bv Robert Crockett, and after he left the countr\-. it fell into the hands of th.e Lafi'oons. It was struck by lightning and destroyed in 1837. 1"hc first paper mill in Jessamine, was erected on Jessamine creek at the old Class .Mills 1)\- Thonias r>r\an in 1837, and he carried it on until 1848. The first btuT mill-stones ever imiwrted to Jessamine, came from J'' ranee in 1837. and were used b\- P>rvan in what is known as the Henrv Class Mills. The First Mill. The first mill built in Jessamine county was constructed by Meredith Wright, father of Mr. Pobert Wright, who still lives in Xicholasville at the advanced age of eighty-one years. ^lere- dith Wright was tlu' first nnllwright in the state, and the mill he built was Haydon's Mill, afterwru'd nm by Mr. Gavin Steele. Mr. Wright also built the Union Mills and the Torbett Mills. He was amon<r the earliest settlers in Kentuckv. and came from j4 '■r. ■T. ■at as II!4(>rii (if Jrs.odiiliir f'liiinfi/, Kentiichii. 53 Culpepcr C'ourtliKiisc. in \ ir^inia. tind ininicdiateiy scttk-<l in Jessamine connty. J lis mills were used g'enerally 1)\ the early settlers, and the one used hy l)a\id Trahue in jessamine eounty was amonq- the first and nmst i)rimitive. The process of grind- in,q- was very slow ; each man's or hoy's grist was ground in its turn, and sometimes a wait of twelve hom-s was required before the flour could he taken home. Thomas lierrw hrother of Josejih and Lewis Tlerrv, ran the paper mill on jessamine creek, where the character of paper made was good ior the opportunities of manufacture. It was deep blue and broadl\' lined, hut it was smooth, with a good polish, and held the marks distinctl\-. In 1825 James \\'ilson owned and ran a i)()wder mill on Clear creek. The power used was horse power, and the mortars and pestles were oj^erated by this ]^ower. Powder was then worth 1 a pound. At this time a fine flour mill was operated also on Clear creek by Air. Campbell Steele, who was the grandfather of W'm. L. Steele, of Nicholasville, and Mr. John Steele: and a hominv mill was operated by Samuel RufTner on Clear creek. The pestles were operated 1)}' horse power. Early Houses, House building in jessamine count} in early da\s was not a very expensive or ])rotracted work. The houses were rude and simple structures of hewn logs and the chinks stop])ed with nuid or filled with stone and then plastered with mud on the outside. l"he roof was made of clap-boarding about three feet long and four inches wide, and along these were ])laced poles supported by blocks of wood and these were weighted so as to hold the clap- boarding in ])lace. There was rarely more than (^ne window, which was at the side of the door. In earlv da\s it had no elass but was closed by a wooden shutter made of heavy oak boards. The floors were made of logs or ]iuncheons hewed smooth on one side with an adze. The logs were generally split to a convenient size and length, and then hewed flat. The doors were made of riven boards fastened together with w(^oden pins to wooden Jfisfdi-i/ of Jrssinninr Cfniiifij, K(ndiickij. 55 slabs, lliese doors always had the latch on the inside and a hole was Ijored above the latch about 4 inches, through which a leathern strin-^ passed and so fastened to the latch on the in- side. When this string was taken in there was no way to open the dcior from the outside, in the morning the string was passed luick from the inside so that an\- party who desired to enter could raise the latch. I'rom this comes th,0 Kentucky proclamation of hospitality, "You will always find the latch-string on the outside." The chimneys were made of logs plastered w ith mud. Tlie back and jamjjs were either covered with nmrl or stones were placed on the inside to keep the heat from .setting them on fire. The fire places were often 10 or 12 feefMd^^-and while they consumed afi; enormous quantity of wood, they made jolly good fires, which lent cheerfulness and comfort to the whole house. W'eather- ■boarding was not used until al)out 1815. Some of these houses are still standing in tlie county, and in some of the brick houses v.hich were erected in early times, the doors were made withotit nails. ( )ne of the earliest brick houses erected in Jessamine count V was that of William Shreve, which was built in 1793 and is now owned b\ .Mrs. John .Sinmis, a short distance west of the Cin- cinnati Southern depot, and it is still in a good state of preserv^a- ticn. The First Vineyard. b)lm I'lances DeFoure was a native of \ eva\', Switzerland, and planted the first viney-ard west of the .Mleghanies, in Jessa- mine count\- in 1 7c)6. The land was ])atented by William Hazel- rigg in 1785. The ])lace is ten miles southeast of Xicholasville, and is the land on which Col. I'ercival I'utler lived when Gen. \\'m. ( ). r.utier was born in 1791. Col. I'ercival Cutler had moved to this section because the Indians were less dangerous than in the northwest territory. The DeFoures, purchased the land from Colonel Hazelrigg, who lived and died in r)Ourbon count v. They afterwards settled in A'evay, Indiana, and named the count\- .'Switzerland. They were very successful in Indiana, and l)ocamc verv wealthy. The deed and agreement between the l)cl'~oures and llazelrigg is recorded in Deed Book i. ]')age 34. in the jessamine count \' clerk's ofiice. Hixfcni iif .fi'ssiiiiiiiir ('iiHiifii, l\<'iiiiici:ij. •)< Tlie land clioscn did not suit the varieties of the grape in- troduced. Hybridizing- and crossuig had not yet developed the excellent varieties of grapes which can now be grown in all parts of the Tnited States. The European grapes were not adapted to the soil of Kentucky. All other fruits in the early settlement of the state, were produced in perfection. The cherries from \ ir- ginia and i'ennsyK ania, tlie ai)])les and ])eaches from \irginia and North Carolina, and the ])ears from \irginia grew with marvelous ra])idit\-. and were free from all diseases, and in twenty vears after the settlement of Kentucky magnificent orchards were abundant in all i)arts of the Commonwealth. The Janet or Jeniton, the Limber Twig, the Horse apple, the Spice apple, the Prvor Red. Morton's Tearmain, the suiumer apple, propagated by slips brought over the mountains or produced from seed; found in the virgin soil of Kentucky, a vigor ami an abundance of crops which satisfied the fullest wants of the new communities; but the grapes found wild in the forests of either X'irginia or Ken- tuck\- were not utilized, or domesticated, and for a long while but few grapes were grt)wn. The Kentuckv \'ine\ar(l Association was organized in Lex- ington in 1790. fiiHl seven hundred and tift\' acres of land "lying in the bigf bend of the Kentuckv river near the mouth of Hick- man creek," were secured as the site for planting the vineyard. Great expectations were created. There was supposed to be no limit to the products and proiluction of the state and if Kuro])e could grow grapes, it was coinfidently assumed Kentucky could do likewise au'd better. The announcement of the association de- clared that, ""in less than four years, wine ma_\- be drmd< on the banks of the Kentucky, i)roduced from the European stock." The cx])eriment was a dismal failure. Down in the swamps of Xorth Carolina on the banks of the Catawba river was then growing the s])lendid Catawlja grape and on the islands in James river in the midst of the forests and dense thickets the Norton's A'a. (A'irginia seedling) was yearly producing prolific crops, either of which, if trans]:)lanted to Kentucky, would have pro- duced a vintage which would have done all the promoters of the Kentuckv A'inevard Association desired and prophesied, but these carl\- grape growers went to Europe rather than unto the X ■J 'A < ■f. ■f. ■r. O Hictorji iif ,h':<samltie County, Kentnckij. 5il forests of America for iheir plants, and misfortunes were the result. Another vineyard was started by some Swiss settlers on the banks of Jessamine creek near the Crozier Mill, but these, after some years of cultivation of the European varieties, al^andoned their vines and homes antl sought success in more congenial climes. James DeFoure, who was at tlie head of the vineyard at mouth of Hickman creek, after his failure there, had the sagacity to discover that the Euro])ean varieties were not adapted to this portion of the country. Alexander, a gardener for Governor Penn, had propagated before the war of the Revolution, a grape now called$$\ liis name, which was thoug"ht to be the celebrated
grape jf the Constantia colony from the Cape of Good Hope,
l)ut which in reality was a native variety. It was called also the
Cape grape. Del'^oure planted this \ine at \ evay. Tnd., and made
the first successful attem])t to establish a vineyard in America.
His experiments in Jessamine cotmty at least showed him the
true i)ath to success and wealtli at A'evav.

Kentucky Pioneers.

God always provides men for occasions. In emergencies
they invarial)l_\' arise to fill the meastire of the liour. .Men are
fashioned by their surrountlings and they must l)e judged bv the
same standard.

The settlement ol Ixentucky and il- wresting from the savage,
made an inuisual demand uj)on the Ruler of the I'niverse. It
required a man unknown in tlie past history of the human race.
It nuist ])e a man devoid of fear, filled witli love of a<lventtn"e,
with an instinct of freedom as strong as that of the eagle; as self-
reliant as the king of beasts, as hospitable as the Arab — who in
the mighty desert despises the yoke of the oppressor and who pro-
tects with his life the guest who sits at his board: as patriotic as
the Roman, as enterprising as the Carthaginian, as fearless as the
Saxon, as defiant of death as the Turk : and. with all these, the
subtle instincts of tlu" Indian and his heroism tnider misfortune.

The A'irginia cavalier, with his su]H'rb gallantrv. ennobled bv

60 Hiffoi'ii i)f' J<--"«niniic ('(iiiiifii, Ki'iiiiK-kij.

his lofty, gentlemanly instincts, wonM not meet the reciuirements.
The Pennsylvania settler, with his indomitable patience and un-
failing- courage, fell short of the demands, and the sturdy Scotch-
Irishman of North Carolina, with his unquenchable love of free-
dom backed 1)\ his superl) bravery and uplifted by bis al)iding
faith in ( lod, was not ecpial to what the time and circumstances
exacted t)f the men who should undertake the seemingly impos-
sible task of concpiering- Kentucky.

As we turn backward one hundred years to commemorate the
character, lives and virtues of our forefathers and to understand
their sacrifices, their valor and their splendid achievements,
let us brieri\- jMcture their surroundings.

These Kentucky pioneers were to conquer a land four hundred
miles away from help or succor. It was an untrodden forest,
w ith no roads or path except such as the buffalo in his migrations
bad trampled through the canebrake, or beasts of prev had
traced in their seach iov food. It had no Inunan inhabitants,
and its defense was by conuiion consent imposed upon the sav-
age red men, who claimed as their lands that vast country which
stretches from the great lakes in the Northwest to the waters of
the Tennessee, the Cumberland, ( )hio, and Mississippi rivers;
covering an area of o\-er 300,000 square miles. Xo survev had
marked its lines : he who traversed the solitude and depths of the
forest nuist rel_\- u])on the stars, or nature's marks upon the trees,
as his guide. .\11 su])i)lies nuist be carried on pack-horses or
pack-iuen ; powder and lead were to be transported over six
Inmdred miles ; not a single l)lade of wheat or stalk of corn as vet
had sprung from its virgin and fertile soil. He who entered its
domain nuist always be prepared to lueet an alert, savage, brave
and merciless foe. The cooing of the babe, the wail of defense-
less women, or the appeal of the helpless prisoner, found no
sympathy or response in the foe who defended this land. Death
b\- the tomahawk or at the stake was the punishment the In-
flian meted to those who invaded his beloved hunting ground.
As he asked and expected no quarter for himself, he gave none to
his white foe. V>\ day and by night the merciless warfare was
to be waged. The coming of the morning sun onlv quickened
and ^•italized anew his barbarous plans, and its departure at night

H'lMorij of Je-iminiur County, Kentuchj. <►!

onlv o:ave tinu- for iiiore relentless resolve to drive out the in-
truder.

What race, what country, could produce men for such a task?

The settlement of Kentucky and its jjossession and the main-
tenance of the w hite man's supremacy was a part of God's plan to
make the colonies free and t*) form in America a republic — a
government of the people ])\ the people, which was to be the great
beacon light of freedom and tlie vanguard of mankind for the
establishment in the wurld of true national liberty.

The thousand pioneers flung out into the wilds of Kentucky,
Avith their log stations and forts, close b} the homes of the savages,
whom England was arming and teaching to slay white men and
^\hite women and white children — witli their skill as woodsmen,
with their courage as soldiers, and witli their endurance as
frontiersmen, and with tlieir fierce hatred of the ])arl)arous In-
dians, were worth ten thousand men on the Atlantic under leaders
as great as even Washington, Greene, or La Fayette.

These Kentucky pioneers stayed savage invasion ot A'irginia
and Pennsylvania. T]ie\- kept back the herd of marauders and
murderers, which in the wilds of Ohio. Indiana, and Illinois,
longed for an opportunity ti^ inil)rue their hands in white men's
blood, and the savage wrath which would have ])Oured itself with
irresistible tide over the settlements of the u])per Ohio, Monon-
gehela and the Kanawha, turned its savage and bitter force upon
the stations in Kentuckv. 1 he thotisands of brave and noble
men, and still braver women, who from 1775 to 1783, died in the
Kentticky wilderness, surrendered their lives to protect \ ir-
ginia and Pennsvlvania and stood the red men at l)ay. while the
colonists were enabled to fight and defeat the I'ritish soldiers
along the Atlantic coast.

Creation of the County of Jessamine.

1 7(;8 was the banner year for llu- creation of new counties.
In 1792 seven had been fi)rmed, in 1793, one; in 1794 two, in
1796 six had been formed, and in 1798 thirteen were made, of
which Jessamine was one, and the thirtv-sixth in the state. It
was carved entirely out of l-"a}ette, and given one representative

62 I[l4i>n/ of .J'ssitiiiiiti- i 'oitiiti/, Ktiducki/.

in the Lt'iiislature : wliile Fayelte county retained six representa-
tives, the number to wliicli it had l)efore the separation been en-
titled. The ineqiiahty of representation had not then been so
fuHy recognized as afterwards. The whole population of Fay-
ette county at the time of the division was abotit 18,000. Jessa-
mine took oft at least one-fourth of the population of Fayette and
was given one member, while h^ayette. with only three times the
po])ulation of newly made Jessamine, had six, or twice the voice
in legislation that was given her newl\' sent out daughter.

The creation of some counties was fought for years, but that
of Jessamine prodticed but little hivd feeling, h'ayette had al-
\va\'s been generous in the partition of territorw W ith 264,000
acres, after some protesting and legislative discussion, she sur-
rendered 101,000 of it to create another cotmty. Doubtless the
retention of her six representatives had something to do with
acciuiescence in the division.

The men in the Senate those days, were men of wide, broad
views. They were chosen not b}' districts, but from the state at
large by the Commission formed for that purpose under the terms
of the Constitution of 1792. The Senate then consisted of only
eleven members. The Senator representing Favette was James
Campbell. Tn the House. Col. Rol)t. Patterson. John ?\IcDowell,
John Parker, Walter Carr. Thos. Caldwell, ^McGregor,

These were wide-gauge men, and ]:)rivate interest was subordi-
nated to public interest and local benefit.

The real cause leading up to the formation of the county, was
some friction between the officers of Fayette county and the peo-
ple in the Marble creek neighborhoorl.

Xew counties were already being rapidly formed. Starting
with nine in 1792, by the beginning of the session of 1798, sixteen
new ones had been created, five of which — Scott, Shelby. Clark,
Franklin and Montgomery — had been created close to Fayette.

Col. Jolin Price was then a resident of the Marble creek dis-
trict and he set about securing the formation of a new coimty.
His influence with the Revolutionary soldiers, who then consti-
tuted so large a share of the legislators, was very strong. The
battle over the act (creating the new county) continued from No-
vember 15 to December 19, 1798.

The journal of the House shows that the petition for the act.

HiMnrij of ./('■■<■<( I III iiH' ('(luiitij. Kentnckij, ()3

signed b\ the citizens demanding such an act, was on November
9. 1798, read and referred to the proper committee. The copy of
the record and the extracts from the minutes of the Palladium
tell the story of the struggle. They are as follows :

Journal.

Page 24. Thursday, .\ovenil)er 15, 1798.

Resohed. tliat tlu- petition of sundry inhal)itants of Fayette
countv. whose names are thercuntv) subscribed, setting forth
that thev lal)or under great inconveniences from their detached
situation from their present seat of justice; and praying that the
said county may be divided, agreeably to certain lines therein
proposed, is reasonable.

The said resolution being read, was ordered to lie on the table.

Pages 80-81. Tuesday. December 18. 1798.

Several petitions from sundry in]ia1)itants of Fayette county.
in opposition to tlic di\ision tliereof, were presented and ordered
to lie on the table until the end of the present session.

The house then took up the bill for the division of Fayette
comitw

Page 85. Wednesday, December 19, 1798.

]\lr. Slaughter, from the joint committee of enrollments, re-
ported that the conunittee had cxammed the enrolled bdl entitled
"An act for the divis.on of l-'ayette county." and that the same
was truly enrolled. \\'hereu])oii the speaker signed the said en~
rolled l)ill.

Ordered, that Mr. Slaughter inform the senate thereof.

Extracts from the Minutes of the Kentucky Legislature
of 1 798, in the Palladium.

Xovember (j. i7<;8. A petition from Fayette ])raying for a
division of that coiuuy, was read and referred to the proper com-
mittee.

Xovember 20. Several reports were made and the following
petitions were read and referred to the conunittee on propositions

(14 Ilistorii <>l Jf--<.-«iiiiiiif ('oiDifji, Ki'iitiickij.

and i^rievances : A petition iirayini^' that a division of Fayette
county may not take place.

November 2t^. The following- bills were rejiorted and read a
first time: .\ ImII for the division of Fayette.

Xovember 24. in committee of the whole went through the
bill for the division of Fayette, wlTicli, after some amendments, was
ordered to be referred.

Xovember 26. A bill for the division of l-'ayette was read a
iliird time and passed, ^'eas 24, Xa}s 15.

December 4. Concurred in the senate's amendments to the
l)ill for the division of h'ayette.

December 18. Several petitions from Fayette against the
division of that count}-, were laid on the table to the end of the
session.

Took up the bill for the division of h'ayette with the governor's
objections, which were agreed to.

Some very important assistance must have been rendered in
securing the necessary legislation tor the creation of the countv
by Col. Joseph H. Daveiss; for, in a letter written to him eight
months after the passage of the act. Col. John IVice pro-
ceeds to thank Colonel Davis for his services in this regard.

At this time Colonel 1 daveiss was a resident of Frankfort and
later was Cnited States District Attorney for Kentucky.

Extracts from Acts of the Legislature.

CHAPTER CXLIIL

.\n Act for the T^ivision <)i h^ayettc County.

A])prove(] Decemb'^i k). 1798.

Section i. lie it enacted l)y the General Assembly. That from
and after the first day of February next, all that i)art of the coun-
ty of Fayette, included in the following bounds, to wit: Begin-
ning on the Woodford line, where it strikes the Kentuck}' river,
near Todd's ferry ; thence along said hne half a mile north of John
Allin's military survey; thence to the seven-mile tree, on Curd's
road: thence to the eight-mile tree on. Tate's creek road: thence
along said last mentioned road to the Kentuckv river: thence

Hi4<)rij of Je-^mmine County, Kentuckij. 65

down the Kentucky river to the beginning, shall be one distinct
county, and called and known by the name of Jessamine.

Sec. 2. A court for tlie said county shall be held by the Jus-
tices thereof, on the fourth Monday in every month (except those
in whicli the court of quarter sessions are hereafter directed to be
held) after said division shall take place, in like manner, as is
provided by law in respect to other counties, and as shall be by
their conmiissions directed.

Sec. 3. The Justices to be namvMJ in the commission of the
peace for the said county of Jessamine, sliall meet at the house of
Fisher Rice, in the said county, on tiie first court day after said
division shall take place, and having taken the oaths prescribed
by law. and a sheriff being legally qualified to act. the justice->
shall proceed to appoint and qualify a clerk, and shall, together
with the Justices of the court of quarter sessions for said county,
fix upon a place for holding courts therein ; then the courts shall
proceed to erect the public buildings m such place ; and until such
buildings are completed, shall appoint such place for holding
courts as they may think proper; provided, always, that the ap-
])ointment of a place for erecting the public buildings shall not be
made unless a majority of the Justices of the said courts conciu-
therein.

Sec. 4. It shall l)e lawful for the sheriff of the county of Fay-
ette to collect and make distress for any public dues or ofificers'
fees, which shall remain unpaid by the inhabitants of the countv
at the time of such division, and shall be accountable for the
same in like manner as if tliis act h':id not been made.

Sec. 5. The cotut of Fayette shall have jurisdiction in all ac-
tions or suits in law or equity, that shr.ll l)e depending therein at
the time of such division, and shall try and determine the same,
issue process ,and award execution thereon.

Sec. 6. The cotu't of cpiarter session for the said county of
Jessamine, shall be held, annually, on the fourth Monday in Jan-
uary, ^^ilarcli, Jul}- and ( )ctober.

Sec. 7. 'khe said county of Jessamine shall send one repre-
sentative to the General Assembly, and the countv of Favette
shall retain six representatives.

This act shall commence and be in force from and after the
passage thereof.
5

()6 IIi<tori/ of Jessaniiiie Comifi/. Ki idiic]:ij.

From \ ol. XI. of the Statute Law of KetUuckv. j^rinted at
Frankfort in 1810.

CHAPTER ecu I.

An Act to Amcnrl the Act, Entitled "An Act for the Division of

Fayette Cotmty."

Approved December 19, 1799.

Whereas, it is represented to this General Assembly, that
disputes have arisen between the inhabitants of the counties of
Fayette and Jessamine, in ascertaining the true line of division: an'.l
also in the collection and manner of appropriating that part of the
levy which was levied by the County Court of Fayette, on the in-
habitants now in the C()unt\- of Jessamine; for remedy whereof —

Section i. lie it enacted l)y the General Assembly, that the
dividing line run bv the surveyor of Jessamine count}', is hereby
ratitied and contirmed.

Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, that the County Courts of
Fayette and Jessamine, shall, on their respective parts, in the
month of March, next, ai:)point, each, a commissioner, who are
herebv authorized to examine the records of T^ayette county, and
enquire into the situation of levies and appropriations heretofore
made by the Count}' Court of Fayette : and if upon such examina-
tion, it shall appear to the said commissioners, that there is, or
ought to be, a deposit, amounting to more than the claims given
into the said County Court of Fayette, the said court of Fayette is
hereby required to pay to the court of Jessamine county, for the
use of said county, their proportion of said deposit.

This act shall commence and be in force from and after the
first day of February next.

The establishment of the new cotmtv demanded a name.

Up to this time the thirt}'-five comities created had all been
named for soldiers, pioneers, or a statesman, with one exception,
and that was Ohio county, the thirty-fifth, \\hich was named for
the great river which marks the northern boundary of Kentucky
for 700 miles and had been called by the Indians, the Ohio. "The
Beautiful River." Ctmiberland was called for Ctmiberland river,
but the river had before been named by Dr. Thos. Walker for the
Duke of Cumberland. Such names as JelYerson, Favette (La

Historij III J<.<:<((iiiiiii ('(iniitii, h'lntucki/. 67

Fayette). Lincoln, X el son. Mercer, Madison. Mason. Woodford.
Washing'ton, Scott. .Shdhx , Logan. Llark, Hardin, ("ireene.
I'ranklin, ( "ani])l)ell, llnllitt. Christian. Ih'acken, Warren. ( iar-
rard. I'leniinj;'. I'ulaski, Tendleton, Boone. Henry, (jallatin, and
]\luhlen])cr,n-, represented a fnll share of the patriotism, glory,
braver\-. wisdom and exploits ni the people of the L'nited States
prior to J7<)S, and. with so many great heroes still tnn-ewarded. it
re'|uircd both delerniinalion and conrage to l)rcak away from the
long line of ])recedents and call the connty !:))• the simple and
l^eautifnl name of a llower.

To Col. John I'rice was undonhledly given the ])rivilege of
naming the new nninicipalitw

Jessamine creek — one hundred \ears ago a stream of large
volume and great beauty — rises near the line of the R. X. L & B.
Railroad, close to the station called Xealton and about half a
mile from where the Xich(^lasville & X'ersailles turn])ike crosses,
and on the land now owned by Pleasant Cook. Esq. Along its
banks grew the jessamine in richest profusion. This flower was
found in great abundance in many ])arts oi the territor\- eml)raced
by the new county. The name had been given to the creek by
the pioneers, and the beauty of the plant and the beautv of the
name so impressed the early settlers that they called this beautiftd
stream Jessamine creek. It is about twenty miles long and
empties into the Kentuckx' ri\er.

Colonel i'rice asketl that the new ct)unt}' should be called
Jessamine.

The county, always full of romance, in some wa\ heard the
•story of Jes.saimine Douglas, which was to the efifect that jessa-
mine Douglas, the beautiful daughter oi a Scotch settler, was one
day sitting ui)on the bank which overhangs the source of thi<^
creek, and wliile, in maidenly contemplation, gazing into the
depths of the water, an Indian cautiously and silenllv stole upon
her and sunk his tomahawk into her head and tlien tore her
beautiful aul)urn locks from her head, with his scalping knife.

This story is given Ihe flavor of truth by its insertion in
Collins' History of Kentucky. See A'ol. 2, page 399. The author
goes on to sa}- that the land about the head of the creek was
settled l)y the father of jessamine Douglas. There is no founda-
tion for that pathetic and dramatic incident. The land at the

68 Hidonj of Jr.fsumine Counttj, Kentiicht/.

head of Jessamine creek was not settled by Douglas, but by
Michael Cogar, and tliis historical tradition has not even a shad-
ow of foundation.

The letter of Col. John Price, quoted below, written within
eight months of the legislative creation of the county, settles,
beyond all cavil, that the county was called from Jessamine creek
and the flower, and not from Jessamine Douglas. The story of
the beautiful Scotch girl and her tragic end, has been told so
often and has been so honestly and faithfully believed by the
peo]:)le of the county, and it has in it so much of that tragic and
bloo(l\' character which marked Kentucky's early history, that
it is both ungenerous and ind-:ind to destroy and disrupt the faith
■which for nearly one hundred years has reposed with unfaltering
trust in the pathetic story. ■

As Colonel Meade did not come to Jessamine county until
1796, and as 1)Oth the East and West P'orks of Jessamine creek
were known and traveled in 1774 and 1775 and on down to 1790,
and lands described and surveyed by the creek, and its course and
meandcrings laid down on T-'ilson's and other maps and plats long
prior to 1790; it is impossible for the creek to have been named
for Jessamine Douglas, who, under no circumstances, did she
come with Colonel Meade, could have arrived in Kentucky prior
to I7<i6. The \\'illiams deposition, the Watkins journal, and Fil-
son's map show that Jessamine creek was a well known and
named stream prior to 1789.

The Price Letter about the Formation of the County.

Barbour Home, Jessamine county,
November 13. 1820.

My Esteemed I'riend : I have read your favor of October
6th with much pleasure. The county of Jessamine was surveyed
l)v m\- friend, Maj. Erederick Zimmerman. I think he com-
menced his work in May, 1796, but the county was not organized
as a countv until February 14th. In August the next year I was
chosen as a member of the General Assembly 1)\- the county —
without opposition.

The name Jessamine was selected from a flower that grows
on manv creeks in the countv.

Hidory of Jessamhie County, Kentucky. <J9

The villainy practiced in the Marble creek neighborhood by
the constables and other petty officers of Fayette county, in-
duced me to make an effort to form a new county, as I had known
for several years that it was becoming impossible for my neigh-
bors to get along on peaceable terms with officers who took
pleasure in arresting and putting in prison men ami women for
the pitiful sum of $5. The only bed of straw, the only horse, the onlv cow, or pig of a neighbor, was leveyed on and sold at Lex- ineton b\- the sheriff, but we now have a new set of officers and they are nuich better men than the others, who have so long an- noyed ni}- neighbors with their villainy. Present mv compliments to Air. Bowiuan and John Marshall. Your obedient servant, John Pric?:. Col. John Price induced many of his A'irginia friends to settle in the Marl)k' creek neighborhood. The following letter to Lewis Tapp will be extremely interesting, as he has many de- scendants in Jessamine count)- : Lexington, Ky., May 10, 1805. Dear Sir and I'Tiend : I have received yours of .\pril 2(\. T take preat pleastu^e in informing you that if you have a desire to leave \'irginia and settle in Kentucky I would advise you to ])ay a visit to this portion of Kentucky. Jessamine county was formed eight vears ago. I settled in the limits of the county in 1788. The population is 5,400. The surface of the land for the most part gently undulating, rising here and there into hills and moderate elevations. The timber is white asli. hickory, hackberry. rlni, white oak, also wliite and ])lack walnut, besides this variety nl tini])er in the count w cedar trees, yellow p()])lar, beech and cherry is scattered over vari<nis ])arts of the CDiuUy. The ])rincipal creeks in the comity are Hickman and Jessamine. There are also numerous smaller streams well distributed throughout the county. You can 1)U}- good land in this town for$20 per acre
and in Pdkhorn first-class land is worHi from $10 to$12 ]xm- acre.

As I am just in the act of going to Xashville in Jesse Cogar's
tlat-boat at l-'rankfort, 1 trust _\ou will make us a visit soon.

\'( )ur ( )ld friend,

JoHx Price.

Lewis Ta]">]), .^tatinton, Augusta countv, \'a.

70 HiMoiij nj' Jts^diidne Comitij, Kcntiichij.

In response to this invitation Lewis Tapp came to Kentucky
and settled in the Marble creek neighborhood, four miles from
tiie residence of Colonel IVice. He raised a large famih- of great
respectability, and died in 1822. Tapp's Branch is named in
memory of him.

On the 22d day of April, 1799, an order was entered fixing the
seat of justice for Jessamine county at the place now occupied by
the town of Xicholasville. The following order, entered by six
of the justices of the peace, determined the county seat;

■'At a court began and held for the county of Jessamine at the
house of Jonas Davenport in said county, on Monday, the 22d
day of April, 1799,

"Present, Le^vis, Thos. Caldwell. Lial)"l Mattison, Geo.

\\ alker. Jas. Johnson and Price, gentlemen justices.

"(Jrdered that the seat of justice for Jessamine county be per-
manently fixed on the lands of Thos. Caldwell and Chefley Gates
on the Hickman road."

The blank before the name of Lewis should have been filled
with \Mlliam, and the blank before the name of Price should
have been filled with the name of William.

As there were nine justices, it required five for a majority.

The original act creating Jessann'ne county, directed that the
location of the countv seat should be determined only by a ma-
jority of the justices. William l~^cott, llngli ("hrisman. and John
Freeman were not ])resent at the time of the entering of this order.
Init Thos. Caldwell, one of the justices who voted, was joint
owner with Chesley Gates of the twent}'-five acres which had l)een
laid out bv Rev. John Metcalf, on the 16th of Septend>er. 1798. ■

The county had not been formed at the time of the first surv^ey
of Xicholasville, but was onlv created on the i<;th of December,
three months afterwards: nor had the town of Xicholasville been
officially recognize<l until the 26th da\' of .Vugust, i79<;. < >n that
day, proceeding under the statutes of Kentucky then in force for
the establishment of towns, another order was entered, on the mo-
tion of Thos. Caldwell and Chesley Gates, which is as follows :

At a court begun and held for the county of Jessamine at the
court house thereof on Monday the zi^xh dav of August. 1799.

Hidory of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 71

Present, W ill Lewis, James Johnston, Lieo. Walker and John
Lewis, gentlemen, justices.

On the motion of Thomas Caldwell and Chesley Gates it is
ordered that a town l)e established on their lands lying on the
Hickman rcjad, at the place where the seat of justice for said
countv is established, to be called and known by the name of
Nicholasville and bounded as follows to wit: JJeginning at a
stake in Caldwell's field running- A\'. 12 cleg. E. 87 poles to a stake ;
thence S. 78 deg. E. 36.84 poles to a stake; thence S. 12 deg. W.
42 poles to a stake; thence S. 78 deg. E. 14 poles; thence .\'. 12
deg. E. 2 poles; thence S. 78 deg. E. 3 poles; thence S. 12 deg.
\V. 5 poles; thence X. 78 deg. W. 17 poles; thence S. 12 deg. W.
42 poles; thence X. 78 poles W. 36.84 poles to the beginnmg.
And it is further ordered that Joseph Crockett. William Shrieve,
Richard Young, James Johnson, Gabrl. Madison, William
Robards, Xicholas Lewis, James Davenport, Patrick (iraw I'hil.
Webber and Chesley Gates be appointed trustees of the said
town.

These trustees were simply appointed for the benefit of the
land owners. It was their (lut\- to make disposition of the lots
in the town of Xicholasville, which now for the first time was
officially recognized as the name of the county seat ; so that in
celebrating the centennial of Xicholasville on SeptendDer 16,
1898, it is a celebration of the centennial of its stu'vey, rather than
of its first official existence and recognition.

The contest in regard to the location of the seat ui justice be-
gan even before the creation of the count}- by legislative authority.
The establishment of a new county had been under discussion
throughout the territory for (|uite a while. The ])etition which
had been prei)ared for the legislattire and the agitation of the
question concerning the existence of a new count\ . had been more
or less discussed by the ]ieoplc within the limits of the ]iroposed
county. It was diffictdt, of course, to determine exactlv where
the line would run, but the tremendous l)end in the Kentucky
river — which forms almost a horse-shoe — rendered the location
of the county line very easy, as it was onlv necessarv to run from
the T\eutuck\- ri\-er on the one side, to the Txentuckv rix'er on the
other side, in order to cut off a countv of reasonabk> i)roportions.

72 Hilton/ of Jf><mmine Coiiiifi/, Keitttiekij.

Quarter Session Judges.

The first session of the Court of Quarter Sessions was held
at the house of Fisher Rice, in the county of Jessamine, on the
25th (lay of March, 1789. Governor Garrard commissioned
Joseph Crockett, William Shreve and Richard Young as justices
of the Court of Quarter Sessions.

The Court of Quarter Sessions then heard all matters except
criminal matters, and these were heard in the District Court ai
Lexington. Idiese three gentlemen were all present at Fisher
Rice's on the said day, and they unanimously appointed Samuel
H. W'oo'dson, clerk of the Jessamine County and Quarter Session
Court. Mr. Woodson immediately entered upon the discharge
of his duties, with Joseph Crockett as his security, his bond being
in the sum of $1,000. Joshua Lewis was on the same day ap- Ijointed by the Court of Quarter Sessions state's attorney to prose- cute causes for the Commonwealth within Jessamine county. The first lawyers to qualify in the county for the practice of law were Joseph Lewis, William McDowell, Samuel Venable, and Melding L. Turner. These were all on that day qualified for practice in the Quarter Sessioin Courts. Fielding L. Turner was the father of the Hon. ( Kscar Turner, so long a distinguished member of Congress from the First District of Kentucky. He removed from Kentucky to New (Orleans, wdiere his son Oscar was l^orn in 1829. ( )n the following day, ]\Iarch 26. 179c;, the first session of the court was held, the members of the court having qualified on the previous tlay. The house of Fisher Rice was used as a place for holding Quarter Session Courts for several years. Courts were alsO' held at the house of Samuel H. Watson, the clerk of said court, who then lived on the farm now the ])roperty of the Shelys. In those da\s it was necessary to a])point commissioners to value certain lands taken by the sherifi:' under execution. John Hawkins, Patrick Gray, Joseph Chrisman, John McKinney, and Jonas Daven])ort were a]i]:)ointe(l said commissioners, and this was tlie first order ever made by court of record in Jessamine count3\ The second grand jury oi Jessamine county empaneled in History of Jesmmine Cmuity, Kentucky. 73 the suiimKT oi ij^-j'^). had for its foreman Alanoah Singleton, and amontf its members were l->ancis Lowens, Benjamin Xetherland and Samuel Rice. The first indictment for selling whiskv was found at this term of court against William Patterson, and the information on which this presentment or indictment was found was given h\- t\v<j meniljers of the grand jury. Frances Lowens and S. Walters. The first man who ever took out license to kee]) a tavern in Jessamine count}- was .Maj. lleniamin Xetherland. A free negro. Bob Speed, was also a prominent caterer in those days, and he also took out a license to keep tavern, and some of the most prominent men. especially among the lawyers, have dined at Ivs tavern, wliich was at a corner on Main street inmiediatelv op- posite the court house. First Court. The first court held in Jessamine count}' was on the 25th of k^ebruary, J/yy. Ihe meml)ers of the court assembled at the house of Fisher Rice, who lived in the field opposite the Kleber Price place, and where Mrs. Bridget O'Connell ncnv lives. The record says: ".\t said time and place connnissions \\ ere pio- duced from Governor ( larrard. directed io William Lewis. Ihos. Caldwell. W illiam Scott, (iabriel Madison, George Walker, Will- iam Price, James Johnson, John Lewis, John Berr}, Hugh Chris- man and John Freeman, appointing them Justices of the Peace in and for the county of Jessamine, whereu])on William Lewis, Escp. first named in tliL- connnission aforesaid, administered the se\"eral oaths prescribed ))}■ law, to Thonia,^ (aldwell. William Scott. Gabriel Madison, George W alker. William Price. James Johnson. John Lewis. John Berr}, llugh Chrisman and John I-'reeman : and Thomas Caldwell, l\s<|., administered the said oaths to Will- iam Lewis, and then the court was held for the said county." ■"Present the gentlemen within named. Charles West. Esc]., ])roduce(l a commission from the ( lovernor. James Garrard, a])- pointing him sheriff for the count}- af(>resaid. which, i)eing read, the said West took the several oaths prescribed b}- law, and, to- gether with Major Dickenson, !''rances Lowens, T\atrick Gra\- and 74 JUsfiin/ of Ji'.<s(ii}nin' ('oinitji. Kcninrl-ij. Jcihn Scott as sureties, executed their bund tu the Governor of the Commonwealth, in the penalty of$3,000, conditioned as the
law directs for the due performance of duties."

The court then proceeded to the appointment of a clerk, one
Sanmel Hughes Woodson, who was aj^pointcd Clerk, pro tern.,
who, thereupon, took the several oaths prescribed by the laws of
this state, and the Constitution of the L'nited States, and, to-
g'ether with jose])h Crockett and Andrew Mc('iill entered into
])()nd t(i the (iovernor in the penalty of $1,000, as the law directs, wliich l)(>nd was ordered to be recorded." "Countv ."surveyor, l-'rederick Zinnnerman, produced in court a Cdumiission from (lOvernor Garrard, appointing him surveyor of this countv, whereupon he executed bond in the penalty of$2,000, with James Curtin and Frances Lowens as securities, con-
ditioned according to law. He took the several oaths jjrescribed
]\v the laws of this state and the Constitution of the United
States."

At this meeting the first bridge ever constructed in Jessa-
mine county was ordered to be let. The minutes says:

■■j(dm Lewis and lienjamin Uradshaw are appointed to let and
contract for the ])uilding of a bridge on Curd's road, near the
ferry, which c<3ntract to !)e made by letting to the highest bidder."
Curd's Ferr_\- had been established at the mouth of Dick's river
bv the general legislature in 7786. Daniel Mitchell presented his
conunission as coroner, and cjualified as such.

The first lawyers admitted to practice in the Jessamine County
Court were Joshua Lewis and Fielding Turner, who separately
])ni(luced in court, on the above dav, their license, pro])erly au-
tlienticated, as tiie law clirects, and were, thereupon, admitted to
practice.

First Circuit Court.

The Jessamine Circuit Court was organized in 1803, and its
first order was the a])])()intment of a clerk. Sanmel H. Woodson
received this appointment, and held tlie of^ce until t8i(), when he
resigned. The following orders will show the Constitution of the
cnnrt. and also the first petition filed in the court:

Hixtory of Jex.-'aiinnr (Joiinty, Kentiickt/. To

■"Aiiril Circuit Ccjurt, 1803.

''He it renK'nil)crc(l that in ])Ui'suance of an act of tlie General
Assenihl}-, entitled. ".Xn Act io establish Circuit Courts, and an
act entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to establish
Circuit Courts," the Honorable Samuel McDowell, Circuit
Judge, attended at tlie court house of the county of jessamine, on
the i8th day of A])ril. 1803, being- the third Monda}-. Present, the
Honorable .Samuel McDowell. Circuit Judge.

"It is ordered that h'ielding L. Turner. Escj., be a]:)pointed
clerk, ])ro tempore, to this court, who. thereupon, took the sev-
eral t)aths prescribed In' law. and executed his l)ond. with Samuel
H. Woodson and Joseph Crockett his security in the i)enalty of
£ 1000, conditioned as directed bv law.

"It is ordered that Samuel H. Woodson be appointed clerk to
this court, and that the ])ro tem])ore ap])ointment made I)}' the
court this day. l)e discontinued, and. thereu])on. the ^aid ."^amuel
H. \\'oodson took the several oaths required bv law. and executed
hrs bond, \\ith Joseph Crockett and ^^'illiam Lewis his securities,
in the ])enalt}' of £1.000.

First Order Entered in Civil Action.

"At a Circuit ( Ourt. began and held for the coimtv of Jessa-
mine, at the courldiouse thereof, on the 18th day of July. 1803:
Present, the iionorable Samuel McDowell, Circuit Judge, and
Richard ^ Dimg, Esq. :

James 1 )unn.

vs.
Xichcjlas Lewis.

Debt.

P.e it remendje'red that heretofore, that is to say. on the 13th
day of jtnu'. one thousand, eight lumdred and two. lames Dunn,
by ^^ m. .\lcl)owell. his atlorne\-, ai)])lii'd for and obtained from
the clerk's office of the late court of Quarter Sessions for the
county aforesaid, the Commonwealth's writ of capias ad respond-
endum, which, together with the motion of iilaintiff. liv his at-

76 HMory of Je^aamhie Count ij, Kentucky.

torney aforesaid, it was ordered that the said Deft, shouhl a[)pear
at the next rules, enter speeial l)ail and plead to the plaintiff's
action, or that judg'ment would be granted the plaintiff for the
debt in the declaration mentioned and what damages he hath
sttstained in the premises and a writ of enquiry awarded him to
have the same assessed by a jury of the bystanders at the next
court."

;!< Ji; ;;.- ij: :}; -.[j ;|:

"Jessamine county. Set. :

"James Dunn, l)y his attorney, complains of Nicholas Lewis
in custody, etc., of a plea that he render to him the sum of seventy-
two pounds, current monev, ctu'rent money of Kentucky, which
he owes antl unjustly detains, for that, whereas, the said defendant
on the thirtieth of Alay, 1800, at tlie parish oi Kentuckw and
county aforesaid, by his certain note, in writing, sealed with his
seal and to the cotirt now here shown, eighteen months after the
date aforesaid promised and (jl)ligated himself to the plaintiff
to pay him the sum of thirtv-six poimds, for the payment of
which said sum the said defendant bound himself in the penal sum
of seventy-two pounds like monev, yet said defendant not regard-
ing his obligation hath not paid the said sum of thirty-six pounds,
although often rccjuired, by means whereof an action hath accrued
to have and demand of him the said sum of seventy-two pounds,
but the said defendant, to pay the same or any part thereof, al-
though often recfuired the same to pay, hath hitherto refused, and
still doth refuse, wherefore the said James Dunn savs he is in-
jured and liath sustained damage to the \-alue of yi pounds, and
therefore, he sues, etc. \\m. McDowell, A. V. ; Jno. Doe and R.
Roe, P. P."

( First Will

\.

The first will recorded in jessamine countv was that of
Charles Weber. It is only interesting because the first of its
kind ever ]ilaced upon the records:

First \\'ill, recorded August. 1779.

"In the name of Cod, Amen. Charles \\'ej)er, of Jessamine
county and state of Kentucky, l)eing in sound mind, praised be

History of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 77

God for the same, do give and dispose of all my worldly goods

and estate in a manner and form as follows:

"First, my desire is that all my just debts be paid by my ex-
ecutors, hereafter mentioned, and in the following manner: First
1 wisli my mare and colt to be converted to my debts, and if they
should not be sufficient. m\' negro fellow, Jjooker, is to be hired
for the balance till ])aid, as m_\' executors think most expedient.
Then the said negro to Ijc hired on till the profits amount to sixty
])Ounds. The first forty pounds arising is to be delivered to my
l)rother William Webber, for his own use and his heirs forever.
The other twent} pounds to be given ^o my brother, Philip Weber,
for his own use and his heirs during life, and then the said negro
to be delivered to my brother John Webber, for his use and
his heirs during the life of the said negro, or the said Jcjhn Webber
or his attorney.

"Api)lying for the same, T do also give and bequeath unto
my brother Archie Webber, my negro boy b\- the name of Bill,
to him and his heirs forever. I also appoint and ordain James
Owens, and Ro])ert Cohoun, of Jessamine countv, executors of
this, mv last will and testament, desiring that the actine: ex-
ecutors to my estate shall, in lieu of my expenses to them, recover
with m\- other debts that is t(_) be ]iaid, twenty dollars each for
their services in cash out of mv estate.

"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed
my seal this the seventeenth day of June, one tliousand.
seven hundred an.d ninety-nine. Signed, sealed and published,
and do declare this to be my last will and testament, revoking all
other wills ])eforc named 1)\- or for me.

"Charles Webber. (Seal.)
"Rosin IJrashers,

"Jacob Rice,

"Peter Akins."

The First Marriage.

Jesse Hughes and Mary Xidiolson were married by Xathan-
iel Harris on March 14, i/^tj.

78 Hhtonj of J' ■•'.■^n III 1)11' Coinifii, Kriitiicky.

The First Baptist Meeting-house,

It is difficult to establish the exact location of a Baptist church
in the very earliest settlement of the count v near Clear creek.
This was the church at which Lewis Craig- fretjuentlv preached;
it is near what is now known as the Jack Cuiuiin^ham property,
or the Fisher place, it was called Mount Moriah, and in early
times was a very important burying-oround. Joel \\'atkins. in
his diar}', mentions the fact of having attended services at that
point several times, and there seeing large congregations. It
was established about the same time as the Ebenezer chttrch, bttt
the latter is undoubtedly the oldest church organization in Jessa-
mine countv.

County Judges under the Constitution of 1849,

Alexander AA'ake. served eight years ; W. S. Scott, died in
office; John .\. Willis, appointed, served from 1858 to 1859;
Henry J. Campbell, elected, and served four years; Richard Fer-
guson, served one term; Melvin T. I^owrv, served four ^•ears ;
James (k liruce, served one term, died in office; Tucker Wood-
son, elected in 1872, died in office in 1874; A\'. H. Phillips, present
Count}' Judge, has held the office for twent_\-three vears.

Cotinty .Attorneys: John Disliman, John S. llronatigh,
A\'m. R. Welch. Wm. llyrd Woodson, Cieo. R. Pryor, Benjamin
P. Campbell, Ijenjamin A. Crutcher, John H. Welch, E. B. Hoo-
ver, N. L. Bronaugh. J. A\'illard Mitchell.

Under the Constitution of Kentucky in i7Q<j. the oldest Justice
of the Peace was made Sheriff. Charles \\'est, first Sherifif ; Bar-
tholomew Kinnard, dc]:)Uty ; Tienj. Nicholson; Thos. Butler, dep-
uty ; Lewis Singleton, Andrew McCam])bell ; James H. AlcCamp-
l)ell ; John Perry, .^r. ; James \\'ilmor:' ; Campbell \Vilmore ; Har-
ri.son Daniel; \\'. 1'. Daniel; William Bronaugh; \\\ P. Daniel r
Jerry Dickerson ; Newton Dickerson ; John TUitler , deputy ; AL T.
Lowry; Thomas F. West, his deputy; Geo. T. Chrisman.

IliMori) of Je^-^iniiiiic Conufii, Kriifurl:!/. ~'.\

Members of the Kentucky Senate and House of

Representatives.

Senate of the Comnionwealtli of Kentucky: Joseph Crock-
ett. 1800-1804; AX'illiani lUcdsoe, 1806-1810; George Walker,
1810-1814: (ieorge 1. lirown, 1829- 1834: William Clark, 1838-
1842; I'ucker Woodson. 1842-1846. 1853-1857; A. L. McAfee,
1869-1873: !■:. K. S])arks. 1882-1886; Thos. R. Welch, 1896-1898.
From Jessamine and Woodford counties, A\'ni. X'awter, 1808;
Richard C. Graves, 1850.

House of Representatives, Commonwealth of Kentucky:
Joshua Lewis, i/'/j, 1803. 1804 : John Scott, 1800; George Walk-
er. 1805, 1807. 1808. 1809, 1810; William Price, 1801, 1802: John
Hawkins, 1806, 1811; AMlliam Caldwell. 1812, 1813, 1814, 1815,
1816, 1818, 1820. 1822; Wm. Walker. 1817: Samuel H. Wood-
son, 1819-25; James L'larke. 1820; Richard E. ]\leade. 1822;
George I. r.rown. 1824. 1829, 1832, 1850: Harrison Daniel. 1826-
27; John Cunningliani, 1828; Courtnev R. Lewis. 1830; David ^L
Woodson, 1831 : Dr. J. W. S. Mitchell. 1833-34; Tucker Wood-
son. 1835-36-37-40; George S. Shanklm. 1838-44-61-65; Alexan-
der \\'ake. 1839: George T. Clirisman. 1841 ; James McCampl^ell.
1842-45-55-57; Jamo II. Lowrw 1843; j'>>ei)h W. Thompson.
1846; Joseph C. Christopher. 1847-49: John M. Reynolds, 1848;
James C. Wilmc^re, 1851-53: Larkin Fain, 1853-55: Allen L. Mc-
Afee, 1857-59; Wm. Fisher, 1859-61-65-67; Thomas T. Cogar.
1867-71: James H. McCami)l)ell. 1871-73: died December 2^.
1872, was succeeded 1)\ Wm. r.n)\\ii. 1873; X. D. Miles, 1874-75;
Samuel R. Overstreet. i^7S'77'- ^-^i'- J<'hn (". Welch. 1871-78-79-
80; J. X. Mattingly, 1881-82; E. T. Lilian!. 1883-84; Thomas A.
Davis, 1885-86: W. T. Jones. 1887-88; J. H. Welch. 1889-90-91-
92; George W. Crt)ode, 1893-94; R. S. Perry. 1895-96; C. A. Wil-
son. 1897-98.

Nicholasville.

On Saturday. September 16. 17(;8. Kewjohu Metcalf took the
initial steps to locate Xicholasville. At the time of the location of
tlie town he called it after lion. George X^icholas. .\t that time-
several roads, well-located, converged at the point. The settlers

80

Hidory of Jessamine (\>i(ntii. Kenttickij.

from Jessamine and llickman creeks, which were then the most
tliickly poinihited parts of the territory embraced in Jessamine
counts', were in the habit of travehng l^etvveen these two creeks,
ddie road which tlu'n ran to Lexington ran substantially on the
luie of tlie turn[)ike and its traces are still distinctly visible to the
eye at various points along- the turn])ike. This was true of the
roads whicli ran from Xicholasville and what is known as Rus-
sell's tavern. In the location <f the turnpike, very little of this

\VM (). liUTLER.

old line was used. This was ec|urdl\- true of the road to Sulphur
Well, but tlie roads crossed at that time north and south and east
and west, e.xacth' where Alain street and Alaincross street now in-
tersect each other.

The inducing- causes which led to the location were, first, fou""
large spring-s, which were presumed then, to be never-failing.
These all were within the limits of the twenty-five acres laid out
into the town, and second, to the fact of the road passing from
Lexington and Danville, and from luist Hickman to Jessamine.

Hidory of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 81

crossings at rig'ht aiii^les at the point. Little Jessamine, or East
Jessamine, was then a stream of more importance than now. Ris-
ing about a mile al)ove and fed by other streams along the line, ii
became quite a volume for a creek by the time it passed through
the borders of the newly laid out village.

It was quite a while after the town was established before
nuich trade centered within its limits. The people who first lived
in the town were farmers in the immediate neighborhood.

There was no ])ost-office in Xichola^ville for several years after
its location. 'Jdic mails were carried on horseback between Lex-
ington and Oanville and Lancaster and Harrodsburg. Its loca-
tion was not made without clashes of personal interest. Samuel
H. Woodson, who was then a lawyer, desired to establish the town
where the Shelv ])lace now stands, about one mile south of the
present location, wliile Frederick Zimmerman sought to have the
town established about three-ciuarters of a mile north, on top of
ilic hill, just beyond the Duncan farm. It re(|uired several years
to get the matter finally settled, and it was largely due to the great
niHuence as well as the persistent efforts of Rev. John ]\Ietcalf
that the town was laid out in its present location.

A large proporticMi of the settlers in Xicholasvillc were from
the state of Mrginia. and a few from North and South Carolina.

Nathaniel ^McLean, who married Catherine lUackford in
Morris county. New Jersey, was a brother-in-law of Uenjamin
Blackford. McLean luiilt the first log cabin in Nicholasville on
the lot now owned by .Mr. liurdine. P>lackford himself had set-
tled on the farm just north of Xicholasvillc. now owned l)y his
grandson, lvol)ert Duncan, in 1783.

John McLean, .\ssociatc justice of the Cniled Stales Su-
preme Court, lived for quite a while in his \-outh on the Duncan
farm. AVhen four years old his father moved to Morgantown.
A a., and thence came to Nicholasville, Ky.. and subsequently
moved to ^^'arren county. Ohio. He remained in Jessamine un-
til he was about sixteen years of age. In 1812 he was eected to
Congress from the Cincinnati district. He refused the nomina-
tion for the Cniled States Senale in 1815. l)ui was elected a Judge
of the Su|)reme Court of Ohio, in 1816. In 1821 he was ap-
])ointcd postmaster general and in i82() lie was a])])ointed .As-
sociate Justice of the Cniled States Supreme Court. He was a
6

82 llixtoni of .Trssdillilli' fninifl/. Ixcilfiicl'il.

man of great ability and .great force of character. He delivered a
dissenting ojjinion in the Dred Scott case, declaring that slavery
was contrary to right and that it had its origin in power alone,
and that in this country it was sustained only by local law. He
died in Cincinnati on the 4th of April, 1861.

Within the memory of persons living, there was an old well
dug" 1)\' Judge McLean's father on the Duncan place. It was
east of the house about 200 yards.

The next settler in the town was Maj. Uenjamin Xetherland.
Shortl}- after the battle of Blue Licks, in 1782. he ])ut up a log
cabin on the lot nmv occupied by the county jail, and adjoining it
short 1\" afterwards, another log cabin. This was subsequently re-
])laccd b\ the Mingo tavern. The tavern house he erected in 1793.
and it was still used by !iim as a hotel at the time of his death, in
1838. Previous to ( )ctober, 1801, there was no post-office nearer
to Xicholasville than Lexington. ( )n the first of September of
that year Major Xetherland wrote to the postmaster general ttrg-
ing the establishment of a mail road from Lexington. Xicholas-
ville Lancaster and Harrodsburg, and bv wav of Frankfort and
Richmond.

Joseph Hal)ersham. of (Georgia, was postmaster-general. He
wrote the following letter to Alajor Xetherland:

ment, inviting proposals for carrying the mail from Xicholas-
ville to Lexington. Frankfort. Lancaster and Richmond, and 1
shall be glad to receive yours. Mr. Clay has recommended your
appointment to the office of postmaster of Xicholasville, and 1
have decided upon your appointment unless you decline, and wisli
to avoid the trouble. I am

"J. Habersham, P. M. G."

This letter Major X'^etherland answered as follows :

"Xicholasville. Ky.. Sept. 2T, 1801.
"Your favor of the 4th of August came to hand while I was in
Lexington, with enclosed advertisement for carrying the mails
from Xicholasville to Lexington. Frankfort. Richmond. Harrods-
burg and Lancaster. Tt is the earnest wish of all the inhabitants

Hidori/ (if Jt'^<inii'uie ('(niiiti/. hciitiicki/. S3

of this c()unl\- that a ])ostoffice be estabhshcd in Xioholasville,

whiclT is twelve miles from Lexintjton, over a totorous mud road,

in winter. !f it should he thouy:ht expedient to establish a post-

of^ce in the village and my name annexed to it. T will accept. I

am, sir,

'' Yovir obedient servant,

"B- Netherland."

In answer to this Major Xetherland received the following
letter :

■•Washington City. Sept. 20, 1801.

"Major Benjamin Xetherland:

"From information 1 have received 1 conclude it will be agree-
able to vou to accept the office of postmaster at Xicholasville.
You will receive herewith two packers containing a copy of a law
for regtdating postoffices. with forms and directions, a key for
unlocking the mail ])ortnianteau. a table of ]«:)Stoffices. and the
necessarv blanks. The enclosed bond you will be ])leased to
execute with sufficient siu'ety or sureties and then return the same
together with a note, after they have l)ein duly certified by the
Justice of the Peace, before whom you shall take and subscribe
them. AX'hen they are received at this office a conunission will
be dulv forwarded, ^'ou can commence business as soon as your
bond is executed and forwarded, if you think prc^jier

^'our obedient servant,

"J. H.\HERSHAM, P. M. G."

It is evident that these two letters crossed each other on the
post road, between Washington and Xicholasville. .Major Xeth-
erland remained ]>ostmaster at Xicholasville for more than twenty
years, and kept the postoffice in the Mingo ta\ern.

Col. George Nicholas and Rev. John .Metcalf were close
friends. Four years before Xicholasville was located he wrote
Colonel Xicholas the follo'wing letters:

'!-!

■■Januar\' 14. 1704.
"Hon. Geo. Xicholas:

"T have latelv received from you two of your kind letters and
would have answered them before now. l)ut 1 ha\e taken charge

84 History of Jessamine County, Kentucky.

of Dctlicl Academy, and have Ik-c-ii ^o confined tor the last two
weeks in fitting up suitable places of al)ode for some of my pupils
that I have greatly neglected my private affairs, and especially
that portion of them which }ou are attending to in Lexington."

"Jessamine county, Ky., Sept. i6, 1798.
"Hon. Geo. .Vicliolas :

"It afi^orded me great happiness to hear that you had returned
in safety and health to your family and friends. I expected to
hear fr()m you more frequently, but, i suppose, the mtiltiplicity of
care and busines prevent your devoting nnich of your time to let-
ters, save what you wrote to me and Joseph Crockett. Ikit now
that you have arri\-ed at home I shall ex]:)ect to hear from vou
soon and as often as usual. I nmst inform you that I have
named our county seat Xicholasville in honor of you. I was all
day laying off three streets to-day, and m\ nerves are very much
affected by the severe labors in the wet weather. These being
the circumstances under which I write you this hasty note, I fear
it will have i)Ut poor claims upon your time, but I can not help it.

"Youir friend,

"John Metcalf."

The contest about the location of the county seat must have
been carried on for some time and quite vigorously. (_)n the 7th
of October, 1803, Air. Aletcalf wrote the following letter:

"Charles \Ve.st, High Sheriff,

"Jessamine comity :
"Mv Dear Sir — I write to assure you that we have succeeded.
amid nmch f<^olish opposition from Samuel H. Woodson, Comity
and Circuit Court Clerk, and l\Ir. I'^rcderick Zimmerman, Countv
Survevor, in locating our count}- seat. Mr. Woodson wanted to
locate the t(^wn near his residence, one mile south of the first sur^
ve\-, which I made six years ago, including twenty-five acres.
VlV. Zimmerman wanted the town to include the residence of
Fisher Rice, which is one mile north. I am now convinced that
through your efforts and Mr. Caldwell's and mine, T have de-
feated Mr. W'oodson and Mr. .Zimmerman in their foolish oppo-
sition to the present location, which is more suital)le and more

History of Jesmmine Coiuity, Kentucky. 85

convenient to roads east and west to tlic Kentucky river. A sup-
ply of good water was anotlier great advantage whicli we had ovei
the other two places. There are four good springs of water that
never run (h"\ . This convenience to good water, more than any
other consideration, caused me to select this location in preference
to the other places. I thank vou for the assistance you gave me
in defeating a claim as foolish as it was selfish. I am pleased to
learn that Mr. Zimmerman, as 'legal surveyor,' has sun^eyed
the present site, which was legally recorded last year (1802). We
have twenty heads of families erecting houses on a number of lots.
Come and see me soon."

First Charter,

The first charter of Xicholasville was passed in 181 2, and is as
follows :

CHAPTER CCCCIV.

An act authorizing the trustees of the town of Xicholasville
to sell real property in said town, under certain restrictions :

Approved h'ebruary 8, 1812.

Section i. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky, that the trustees of the town of
Nicholasville. in the county of Jessamine, shall have power to
levy a tax on the real property in said town, in proportion to the
value of lots, not exceeding one hundred cents for every hundred
dollars; and the trustees, or a majority of them, shall have power
to cause an assessment to be made of the lots in said town, in or-
der to enable them to tix tlie sum to he paid l)y the proprietors or
occupants di the lots, provided, however, that a majority of the
trustees shall concur in levying the tax.

Sec. 2. .\nd the trtistees, or a majorit\ of them, may appoint
some fit person to collect the tax ; and shotild the owner or occu-
pant, refuse to ])ay the ta.x for the space of three months after the
amount of tlie tax is fixed as herein provided, in tliat case the
collector shall, afttT giving tliirty days' notice ])}• advertisement
at three of the most ])ublic ])laces in said town, expose for sale the
lot or lots, or so nnicli tliereof, as w ill be sufficient to ])av the tax
and cost of sale: bin the owner or owners of the lot or lots, his.

8(5 Hidonj of .Ji'.-<-<((iiiiiie County, Kentucky.

her or their heirs, executors or achninistrators. shall have twelve
months from the time of sale of the lot or lots, or parts of lots, to
redeem the lot or k)ts, or ])art of lots, 1)_\' ])aying" to the purchaser
Uie amount of the lot or lots, or pait of lots sold, with lOO per
cent thereon : and the collector shall be entitled to 7 ])cr cent on
the auKjunt of the tax collected under this act.

Sec. 3. And the trustees of the town shall have full power to
convey to the ])urchaser, b\- deed or deeds of conveyance, the lots,
or parts of lots, sold under the ])rovisions of this act, and not re-
deemed within the time allowed for redemption, which shall vest
in the purchaser, his, her or their heirs, or assignee, or assigns, all
the right, title and interest of the (nvner, or owners, in and to the
lot or lots, or parts of lots, saving, however, to infants, femes co-
vert, and persons of unsoimd minds, a right to redeem within
three vears after their several disabilities shall ha removed, or
come of ag'e : j^rovided, however, that the collector shall not l)e
allowed to sell any lot or part of a lot where sufTiciency of personal
estate can be foimd on such lot or lots, or parts of lots, to satisfy
the tax due ; which the collector is hereby authorized to seize and
sell.

Second Charter.

The second charter of Xicholasville was ]^assed in 1823. It
was as follows :

CHAPTER DXLVir.

An Act to Regulate the Town of Xicholasville.

A])proved X'ovember 18, 1823.

Section I. lie it enacted 1)\- the (ieneral .Vssembly of the
Conmionwealth of K'entucky, tliat the free, white male inhabitants
of the town of Nicholasville, who shall have attained the age of
twenv-one vears and upwards, shall meet annually in each year,
at the court-hotise in said town, on the first Alonday in May. and
elect seven trustees for said to\vn, which trustees shall possess the
cpialiflcations hereinafter mentioned; and a majority of them so
elected, shall be sufificient to constitute a board, who sliall be, and
they are herel)\', authorized to make such by-laws for the govern-
ment and regiik'ition of said town as to them shall seem proper.

Hlxtory of Jexi^ainliie County, Keninckij. 87

not inconsistent with the Constitution and laws of this state. The
said trustees shall have full power and authority to impose a poll
tax annuall\-. on the male inhaljitanis of full atre. not exceeding
one dollar each.

."^ec. _'. I')C it lunJKT enacted, that the said trustees shall ap-
point tlieir clerk or any other officer they ina\- think pro])er, who
shall continue in office for and during- tlie time for which the trus-
tees, who a])])ointe(i them, shall remain in office, and the said
trustees shall ha\-e ])o\\er and authorit}' to renio\-e anv officer bv
them a])])ointcd, for nei^lect of duty or malfeasance in office, and
appoint any otlier instead of the person so removed.

Sec. 3. l')e it further enacted, tliat tlie tru.stees of said town or
a majorit}' of them shall ha\e full power and authorit\- to lew a
tax annually, on the real pro])erty in said town, in proportion
to the value of the lots in their imi)roved state, not exceeding one
hundred cents for ever_\- hundred dollars" \-alue. and the trustees
or a majorit}- ot them, sluill have power to cause an assessment to
he made of the value of the lots in said town h\- some person ot
persons, appointed by tliem, in order to enable them to fix the sum
to ])e ])aid by the ])roi)rieiors or ()ccu])ants of said lots; provided,
however, that a majoritx- shall concur in laving the tax.

Sec. 17. lie it fiu-ther enacted, that the said trustees shall, be-
fore they can. recover any fine or fines for a breach of their bv-
laws or ordinances. ha\e a fair copy of their l)v-laws set u]) at
three of the most ])ublii- i)laces in said town at least three weeks.

Sec. i<;. I'-e it furtlier t-nacted, that it shall be the dutv of the
trustees, annuall\. at the August ('oimt\- Court of lessamine, to
make a settlement with the C'otmty Court and i)a\' over anv mon-
eys that ma_\- be on baud, to their successors, and in case of failure
the Count)- Court is hereby aiuborized to summon them to a])pear
at their next or succeeding term to make a settlement and to en-
ter up judgment against them ftjr an_\' sums that may appear
against them and award exectttions thereon.

Sec. 20. I'.e it further enacted, that the first election under
this act shall l)e Ik Id by two Justices of the Peace, for the cotmtv
of Jessaiuine, and the Clerk of the Board of Trustees, at the time
said election takes ])lace.

Sec. 21. r.e it furtln'r enacted, tliat all laws of a special na-
tiu-e heretofore enacted. a])])lying to NicholasvilK', be. and the

88 Hldori/ of Jei^samine Coimfij, Kentucky.

same arc Iicreh}'. re])(.'alc(l frcMii and after tlie first i>eneral elec-
tion uiulcr this act.

The hrst election was held on the 31st of May, 1824. A cer-
tificate of this was in the following- words: "We do certify that
we have this day caused an election to be held for trustees of the
town of Xicholasville, agreeably to an act of the leg^islature of the
state of Kentucky, approved the 18th of November, 1823, when
the following gentlemen were duly elected trustees for the said
town for the ensuing year, namel\- : !>. Netherland, Sr.. Har-
rison Daniel, Lew L. Todd, W'm. Perkins, John Messick, James
Lusk. W'm. Cox. Cnven (uider our hands this 31st day of May,
1824.

" George Brown, John Dowling,
"Two of the justices of the peace of Jessamine comity.

"Attest: H. Daniel, clerk IJ. T. T. X."

A meeting of the Board of Trustees of the town was held on
the 19th da_\- of June, 1824, at Mingo Tavern. ( )n that da}- the
report of James Wolmore, Waddell G. T)ruce and Benjamin
Netherland, Jr., as conmiissioners, and \V. G. Bruce was allowed
$2 as assessor for making out a list of taxable property in the year 1823, and B. Netherland, Jr., was allowed$105 for services
as assessor for one year. The tax rate was fixed at 30 cents on
each $100 worth of value on the valuation fixed b\- the com- missioners. On the 27th of Septeml)er, 1824, another meeting was held, when the treasurer was directed to pay Wm. ( )verstreet$10 for his services as town sergeant and market master, and W'm.
Campbell, who was the father of the late Henry J. Campbell,
county judge, who died in 1866, was allowed $15 for his services as town sergeant for six months. An ordinance on the subject of dogs was also passed. Tt was known as a by-law and declared "That any person in the town of Nicholasville who shall keep more than one dog or bitch shall be fined$1 for every twenty-four hours he shall retain the same
after the lOth day of May next," and that it should be the duty ol
the town sergeant to enforce this l)y-la\\ on all alike. It was also
ordered that Wm. Cox be allowed $73 for whi]:)]Mng thirteen Ilistorii of Jcssdiiiiiic County, Kcntiickij. 89 slaves, acconiiiii^ to the by-laws of the town, and that the treas- urer be autliorized to pay tlie same. In tlie (lavs of slavery in Kentucky all the towns and comity seats adopted ordinances or b\-laws ])re\-entini4' negro slaves or free negroes from visiting the towns after the hours of lo o'clock, either in tlie streets or collecting on street corners or at the kitchens of others than their owners. If they had a written per- mit from tlieir owners stating their business in town after lO o'clock at nighi tliey were ])ermitte(l to g(j free and were not ar- rested and whi])ped. The author renieml)ers when a boy very often to have tised Ids father's name to a great man_\" of tliese per- mits in the town of Xicholasville for his slaves, and in return to have received numerous ])ies and cakes and freciuently btmdles oi stick candy, wliich the grateful recipients of the order Ijrought back as an assurance of their gratitude and as the means of secur- ing further indulgences. The following list (jf property for the year 1831 affords curious readmg : The report of the Commissioneis aiijioiiiled to value the houses and lots and slaves in the town was received, adopted and ordered to he re- corded, which is done as follows : I . . •$ 45

29 •

$800 56 . . .$ 125

86

• • f 300

2 . .

45

30 •

300

57 • •

no

87

. . . 200

45

31 •

'125

58 • ■ •

75

88

600

4 • •

50

32 •

125

59

1.800

89

... 40

5 • •

150

-1 -»

.10 •

225

60 . . .

60

90

. . . 400

6 . .

45

34 •

450

61 . . .

65

9'

... 800

/ • •

55

35 •

I , <Soo

62

175

92

• • ■ 75

S . .

55

36.

2,000

63 . . .

750

93

75

9 • •

30

37 •

800

64 . .

1.500

94

. . . 500

10 . .

30

38-

1.5CO

65 . . .

750

95

125

II..

30

?>^'/2

750

66

1,600

96

. . - 600

12 . .

500

39 •

800

67 & 68 .

3.000

97

. . 600

13

75

40 .

2,700

70 . . .

3.800

98

. • . 600

14 . .

400

41 .

2,500

71 . . .

2,000

99

160

15 ■ •

800

42 .

2,000

72 . . .

1 , 500

100 <

is: lor . 950

16 .

175

43 •

3.000

73 • • •

600

102 & 103 . 2,150

17 . .

70

44 •

2,500

74 . . .

1.500

104

300

18 . .

60

45 •

900

75 ■ • •

900

105

... 60

19 . .

60

46 .

500

76

1.400

106

... 70

20

so

47 •

1,200

77 . . .

1,800

107

... 60

21 . .

65

48.

400

78 . . .

300

loS

. . . 700

22

200

49

400

79 • • •

600

109

800

23 ■ •

24 . .

150

50 .

650

80 . . .

81 . . .

600

700

no

... 50

50

5' •

250

25 • •

50

52 ■

200

82 . . .

125

168,065

26 . .

50

53

750

83 . . .

ICX3

27 • •

300

54

250

84 . .

150

28

\30

55

575

85 ■

250

9U Hidunj of J(:<saiiiiiic t'oiiidi/, Kcidd.cLij.

NEGRO SLAVES.

Henry Burch, man and woman $700 B. Netherlaud, Sr., boy, girl, woman and child 1,050 The same, administrator of P. Netherland, woman .... 300 James Norvell, woman, child and 2 men 600 B. Netherland, Jr., man, woman and child 900 \Vm. Shreve, 2 men, 2 women and 3 children i>550 David Crozer, i woman, 2 girls 800 Thos. J. Brown, i man, i boy, 3 girls, 1 woman ',905 Robt.Yonng, i bo}- 350 James Lusk, 1 girl 300 James Hill, 2 women, 2 girls 900 David Majors, i girl 300 Henry Bali, i girl 200 James McCabe, woman, girl and l)oy 725 Charles M. Davenport, man, woman and child 800 James L. Peak, i girl 275 John Downing, woman, boy and girl 650 William Campbell, i boy 200 William White, woman and 2 children 600 Alex Wake, 2 women, 2 boys and girl 1,000 George Cunningham, woman 250 Henrj- Metcalf, woman and man 700 Joseph Carson, girl 325 James C. Wilmore, girl 225 Jerome B. Sparks, boy 350 James Mars, i girl 225 Richard Reynolds, girl 300 Levi L- Todd, woman and girl 350 Jose])h Maxwell, 2 girls 600 Samuel Rice, man, woman and girl 450$17,880
68,065

Total value lots and slaves 85,945 TITHES. Henry Btirch. B. Netherland, Sr. , Robt. McMiirtr}^, Jame.s Norvell, B- Netherland, Jr., James Downing, Emmanuel Messick, William Shreve, Woodson Dickerson, David Crozer, George W. EUey, J. M. Spraggins, Miller Messenner, Ezekiel Burch, George Davenport, Robt. Voting, David Shook, John W. Bourne, Churchill Fattlconer, Wm. Faulconer, Charles Gibson, James Hill, David Majors, James Majors, Henr}- Ball, James McCabe, Jas. E- Peak, Chas. M. Davenport, George B. Nelson, Joseph Rtttherford, Henry R. Roland, William H. Mathews, Jas. Eusk. Hhtorii of Je-isamiw' County, Kentucky. 91 David Bowman, John Downing, William Campbell. Alex. Wake. George Cnnningliam, Henry Metcalf, Joseph Carson. James C. Wilmore, Jerome B. Sparks. James Mars, Richard Reynolds, Joseph Maxwell, Samuel Burch, vSamuel Rice, W^illiam Cox, Joseph Easle}', Levi L. Todd. T. J. Browning. Total, 51. DOGS. No. H. Burch 1 James Norvell 2 B. Xelherlaiul, Jr i E. Messick 2 Win. Shreve i Jas. Downiujr i T. J. Brown 6 Robt. Young Frie Fannv Jas. Hill .' David Majors C. M. Davenport 2 Sucky East 2 John Downino; i B. Xetherland, Sr 4 No. Win. Campbell 2 Alex Wake i G. Cunningham i Henry Metcalt' 2 Elizabeth Buskett 2 Joseph Carson i JNIelcalfs Charlotte ..... 2 James C. Wilmore ... . . i Jerome B. Sparks i Jos. Maxwell i Samuel Burch 2 Wm. Faulconer i Samuel Rice i Total Xo. doj^s 46 VALUE OF TAXABLE PROPERTY IN NICHOLASVILLE. 185S §246,300 1874 261,075 1882 536.260 1888 566.920 J892 799475 1894 853,600 1898 976,860 \ arious other legislative enactiiicnis were passed from time to time, until 1884 the town first had authority to choose a Mayor, together with a Board of Councilmen. in that year. J^on. John S. Bronattgh was elected first .Mayor of Xicholasvillc ; he served eight years, bttt declined re-election. He was on every hand re- garded as a most valuable oflficial. and brouglit the affairs of the town into splendid condition. lie was succeeded by Dr. Charles Talbert. who served two years, and he by A\'illiaiii T.. Steele, the present Mayor. Under the Constitution of Kentucky, of 1890, providing for the classification of all the towns and cities of the state. Nicholas- 92 Hldorij of Jesmmine (himty, Kentucky. ville became a city of the fourtli class. It has now a population within its limits of over 3,000. At the close of its centennial }car, its Mayor and Councilmen are as follows : Mavor — William Steele, grandson of Samuel ^IcDowell, born 1843. Councilmen — Jephtha D. Hughes, born in 1852; Charles Mitchell, l)(M-n in 1856; Frank Smith, born in 1870; Charles Ev- ans, born in 1852 ; Andrew McAfee, colored, born in 1861 ; Adam Adcock, born in 1851. No citv in Central Kentucky has grown more rapidly or has more beautiful streets or a better city government. The little village of 1798, with a few straggling log houses has become in 1898 a thrifty, energetic and enterprising city of 3,500 people, with 8 miles of streets, with handsome residences, with impos- ing public buildings and with every comfort and convenience which enter into modern city life. Upon the moth anniversary of its existence, the following are the physicians in Nicholasville : Dr. Chas. Mann, Dr. Joshua S. Uarnes, Dr. Thomas R. Welch, Dr. Wm. H. Fish, Dr. Jos. A. Vanarsdale, Dr. D. A. Penick. Dr. William Fl. Mathews. And the following constitute the meml)ers of the local bar : John S. Uronaugh, N. L. Bronaugh. James W. Mitchell, John H. Welch, Cieorge R. Pryor, Everet B. Hoover. George Nicholas. On the occasion of a centennial which Xicholasville celebrated on September 16, 1898, the history of the man for whom the coun- ty seat was called, becomes profoundly interesting. George Nicholas was born August nth, 1753, in Williams- burg, \'a. His father was Robert Carter Nicholas, a prominent lawyer, a member of the Mrginia House of Burgesses (Legis- lature), connected with the Colonial Government of Virginia, and Colonial Treasurer. He became a captain in the Continen- tal army, and practiced law in Charlottesville after the war. Of the X^irginia Convention, called to consider the Constitution of the Cnited States, he was a member, and he ablv and earnestly HUtory of Je.-^samine County, Kentucky. 93 advocated its ado])tion, wliicli j^revailed by a vote of 88 for and yS against, and that onl}- after a lengthened and even acrimonious <liscnssion. Tliis ratification was made 1)y the convention on June 26th, 1788 : A'irginia being the tenth state to adopt the instrument. ( )n CJctober 24th. 1788, Colonel Xicholas advertised in the Kentucky Ciazette. as follows: "Richmond, \'a.. ( )ct. 24th, 1788. "I propose attending the ( ieneral Court in the District of Kentucky, as an attorney, and shall ])e at the next March term, if not prevented l)y some unforeseen event." He came in the following year and settled in what is now Bovle but was then ]\iercer county. (Boyle county was not es- tablished uiuil 1842.) As Harrodsburg and Danville were, in pioneer days, places for the most important conventions, and the seat of the count} . it was doubtless for the purpose of being near the seats of justice which induced Colonel Xicholas to find a home in Mercer. The act admitting Kentuckv as a state was passed June ist, 1791, l)Ut it was not to go into effect until June 1st, 1792. In December, 1791. a convention was elected to meet in Danville April 3d, 1792, to frame a State Constitution. George Xicholas w'as one of the men elected a member of this convention from Mercer county, lie was the greatest lawyer in this body. His experience as a member of the Mrginia Convention, in the discussion of the Constitution of the United States, and his superb legal training, comliined with his logical and analytical uiind, and his ])()wer of accurate statement, made him the man of and for the occasion. In his fortieth year, in the full tide of his mental and ])h\sical powers, and with a ripe judgment, the result ol military, civil and judicial experience, combined with a peculiarly ])hilosophical and analytical mind; it was both reasonable and [proper that he should be tiie dominant s];irit of the body. Experience subsequentlv showed that man\- of the jirovisions of the Constitution adopted at his suggestion, were not adapted to the conditions surrounding Kentucky. It onh remained in force seven \"ears. and was then, by almost tlie unanimous will of tlie people, set aside in 1799. 94 Hlxton/ of J('.<--<iiiii'nii' ( ninitii, I'iihicl:i/. Xo forty-live men ever assenil)le(l together who were more ])atriotic and wlio more faithfnll}' endeavored to (Hseliari;e the trnst confided to their kee])ini4\ lienjamin Logan. Alexander iUilhtt, Robert Breckinridge, David Rice, Samuel McDoAvell, Ca- leb Wallace, were a part of that distinguished convention, and in that period of Kentucky's history, they represented a courage, fidelity, ])atriotism and lo\'altA' to the ])eople which reached the highest limit of Inunan attainment. The ])erfect knowledge Colonel Xich-olas had obtained 'jf the Constitution of the I'nited States and his admiration of its ])rovisions, created by his splendid defense c^f it in the X'irginia Con\-entiou. were largely used in the creation of Kentucky's first Constitution. His superb legal attainments, his varied knowl- edge, his judicial mind, his unbounded patriotism, and his thor- ough conce])tion (jf the true principles of government, made him an unquestioned leader in such a bodv. The Constitution was framed and adopted in seventeen days, and in thirty days from the asseuibling of the convention a Gov- ernor was elected, and in sixty days a Legislature assembled un- der its provisions. Colonel Nicholas was married to Mar\- Smith, of Baltimore. One of her brothers, Sanmel .Smith, was a member of the House of Representatives and Lnited .States Senator for twenty-nine years, and another. Robert Smith, was Secretar}- of the X'avy under President Jefiferson, and Secretary of .State under Presi- dent Madison. ( )ne of his sons, S. .S. Xicholas, was one of the most distinguished lawyers of the state. He was a Judge of the Court of Ap])eals, Judge of the Louisville Chancery Court, and one of the Commissioners a])pointed in 1850 to revise the laws of Kentucky. His youngest daughter, Hetty Morrison, was the wife of Hon. Ixichard Hawes, of l^aris. Ky., at one time Provis- ional Governor of Kentuck\', while under the control of the Con- federate States; and he represented the Ashland District in Con- gress. 1 837- 1 84 1 . He opened a law school at his own house, and taught gratuitously such men as Joseph Hamilton Daveiss. John Rowan, Martin D. Hardin. Robert Wickliffe. William T. Barry. Isham Talbott, and John Green. He moved to P>ath county in 1794, to which his interests in the old slate furnace, which was operated from 1 790 to 183c), and was for nearly 50 years one of the IT'i4()ni of Jf's.<(iiiiiiir Cdiint)/. Kciituckij. Mo great induslrics of the stdte. Later !ie came to Lexington to de- vote himself to the ])ractice of law. Ill \■J^)^) he was elected Professor of the Law Department then added to Transylvania University, then in the zenith of its glory, but he died shortly afterwards, in July. 1799, in his forty-sixth year. The ca])ital of Jessamine is named, as will be seen, from one of the really great men of his i)eriod. It was called for Colonel Nicholas through the partialit) of Rev. John Metcalf, who held the highest admiration for Nicholas, and who had known him in \ ir~ trinia, before his removal to kentuckv. Militia of Jessamine County. Even to the soldiers who particij^ated in great battles in ]\Iex- ico or the recent war there was never any military experiencewhich left so charming memories as that of service in the old state mili- tia, commonly known as the "Corn Stalk Militia. "" It was called the Corn Stalk .Militia because there were no arms for the troops and verv IreciueiUly the\- used corn stalks in the j^lace of guns. The state militia grew U]) with the early settlement of Kentucky. In those times every man was a soldier and was ready to respond to such call as might be made in defense of his home or in i)un- ishment of the Indians, who had invaded the state. From 1775 down to 1793. every able-lxxlied man was of neces- sitv connected with some military connnand. A while after the Indian peace of 1794, the militia organization slackened a little, vet it never died out as a state institution until after the C'onsti- tution of 1849-50 was enacted. U]) to that time ever\' male citizen from the age of twenty-c^ne to fort\-h\'e was to rejiort for (lut\- at all drills, in default ot which a fine was adjtidged. Jessamine comU\ had two regiments, fornnjil in different ])arts of the comity, and they wt're recptired to assemble in ih.e spring for battalion drill. In September they had what was called a "big muster," which was a brigade drill, called in that da\ "The E\(>lution of the Line." Xicholasville, the countv seat, as the central point, was selected for this arm\- mo\-enienl. The uniform of the officers, from briga- r ATTENTION ! ! 3th Regiment M. Jfl. -^ COMPANY ORDERS. 1832. Jiff*. SIR: You are hereby notified to attend the following Musters in the present year, z: REGIMENTAL MUSTER on the lOth of October, at Nicholasville, 10 o'clock. BATTALLION MUSTER on theM of May, at Nicholasville, 10 o'clock. C OMPANY MUSTER on the 2d Satar-, day in April, at 2 o'clock, P. M, Parade iu _ the Academy Lot, Nicholasville, Court of Assessment, the last Monday in October af N icholasville. No guns required. By order of JAS. SWITE2:EN, 0, Sergeant. ' MILITIA NOTICE, 1S32. Hidorij of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 97 dier-general down, consisted of epaulets, sword, red sash, high hats with plumes tipped with white, and a black cockade on one side. The great day in the county was the big muster, and from all parts of the county, not only the soldiers but the citizens came to Nicholasville, and these military oflficers were as proud and well satisfied with tlieir appearance as any army officer equipped wath gold and tinsel, under the forms prescribed by General Miles of the present day. The drills were great occasions and were especially attractive to the boys, who would post themselves along the roads and watch the incoming of the officers. Standing on the fences and on high steps they would wait with keen zest for the uniformed men, and as thty \vould see an officer coming up in his splendid attire, tlicy would yell out with delight and enthusiasm: "Here comes a muster man." The band was not composed of scientific musi- cians or many pieces ; it included a tenor and bass drum and a fife, all of 'vbich were played by the negroes. The band v\-ould begin the march around town playing martial airs, early in the morning, and they would marcli u]) and down the streets and thrill the crowds with their soul-stirring strains. First, the musicians, then the companies would fall in. After marching around the town, the musicians would halt at the court house the music would cease and the orders would be given : "Fall in, Captain Crozier's Company; fall in. Captain Hoo- ver's Company; fall in Captain Rohrer's Company.'' And so on, until all the companies of the regiment had been called and had taken their j)laces in the line. When the line had been formed, the captain would go up and down and dress the men with his sword or cane. After the alignment of the companies, they would form in regiments and move in column to a field or pasture near the town. .\t the head of this cavalcade would march Brigadier-General Horine. The troops would move along without keeping step, some with um- brellas raised, some with coats, some without coats, and many smoking, and the brigadier-general commanding would have his cob pipe in his mouth — thus imconscious of his military position and unconscious of his military bearing, as he sat on his horse with his back bent and his head inclined forward. 7 ITi^fiini of Ji'.<.-'<iiiiiiii (oKiifii, l\'iifiicl:ii. I'O ( )n rcarhiiii;- the licld. the i^reat ami sirikini;- maneuver wtjukl be to form a liollow scjiiare. The use of this Ijy the J British troops had inijjressed it u])()n the sokHers' minds as a most im- ]jonant acromphslimenl. 1 1 look a k)n^' time to get the S(|uare formed and sometimes took a still lom^'er time to unform. After s(|narinj:;" and uns(|narinL;', the command would come to ])arade rest and then would he extended an ()])|)ortnnity for notices to be ,2:iven by th.e farmers — stich as "farms for sale or rent, stock for sale, or lost li\e stock." After this the S(|uare would be formed ag-ain and from this a battle line would be stretciied; then a coimter-march would be ordered. ( )n one (occasion (jeneral Ijorine had his conun.uid in line of battle, but not remembering' to reverse or about face wheri they had almost reached a high worm fence which enclosed a thirt\-acre held, lie called out: 'd'ull the fence down or climb it." As. under tlie orders of the conunan.ding general, it had bee!T left discretionarx with them what cotU"se to i)tn"sue. they ])ulled the fence down. After two or three hotirs of drilling the_\' would march Ijack to town and were dismissed. Small boys and all the idlers al>oin town moved u]) and down with the line and ])ecamc as profountlly interested in the evolu- tions as the soldiers themselves. These occasions were alwa\s splendid oi)portunities for great profit of the \endors of watermelons, ginger cake, and sweet cider, l-'ew jessamine men of that da\- will forget Aunt .Milly Howard an>l AmU l-'annie Mason as the\- sal at their tables and dis])ensed such ginger cake and fried chicken and lne(l ham as the world has nevt'r sur])assed. Xotwithstanding the slackness of the Corn ."^talk .Militia in Jessamine countx. there were organizations of special companies w1ii(di ac(|uired great i)rohcienc\- in drilling and were not only efficient brU beatuifulK' uniformecl. ( )ne of these com])anies. raised 1)\' ("ajU. George .'^. .Shanklin. attained great skill and was thoroughl}- drilled, as much so as any modern militia. ("apt. Thom])son ^^'orle\■ had a cavalry company which wa«v perfectb- trained. The men had good horses, took pride in them, and while the\- had nothing but sabres and flintlock pistols. the\- perfornuMl ca\a]r\- exolutions in a most creditable manner. 100 History of Je-^mmlne County, Kentucky. Capt. William R. Kean organized an infantry company known as the Jessamine Grays. This command for a long time had great celebrity. The uniform was of gray cloth, with frock coat, the breast of which was ornamented with silver braid, and had silver stripes down the sides of the trousers. The hat was of black leather with a drooping red and white plume. Capt. J. D. Hill was in command of this company for many vears. He was succeeded by Capt. Tucker Olds, of Nicholasville. The company was long the pride of the citizens of the county and it was not disbanded until near the beginning of the late war. Patriotic Celebrations. The early settlers on the Fourth of July were accustomed to have patriotic celebrations. They invited each other to their homes and in sumptuous repasts and neighborly communion cele- brated the important events, not only in their own history, but in the history of their country. Tn 1794 Col. William Price had such celebrations at his house. As early as 1802 formal meetings uere held to glorify the Fourth of July. There are in existence now the minutes of a meeting called on the 12th of June, 1802, to take formal action upon the celebration of the Fourth of July for that year. The following co]iy of the doings of that meeting Avill show the character and nature of the ceremony : At a meeting of the citizens of Nicholasville on the 12th of June, 1802, Maj. Benjamin Netherland in the chair, Col. John Price, secretary, it was resolved, that the 26th anniversary of the Independence of our beloved country be celebrated on the Fourth of July next in Nicholasville. Thereupon, a committee of ar- rangements was appointed, who, in accordance with the resolu- tions of the meeting, present the following as the order of the day : s Procession. I St. The Military Jessamine Blues, under Capt. James Price and T^ieutenant Caldwell, will be drawn up between the residence of the Rev. John Metcalf and Mrs. Dillard's gate, in double file, with music on their right, will move down Main street, when the Ilidori/ of Jexxamine County, KentHcki/. K'l procession will be formed by each class, or division, falling in the rear of its preceding class, or division, according to the subse- quent arrangement, the front class falling in the rear of the mili- tary. 2nd. Rev. Mr. ^letcalf's school children in the following or- der: No. I, at the r^lethodist Episcopal church. Rev. John Met- calf, marshal ; Xo. 2, at the quarter session court house. Col. John Price, marshal : drawn up in front of the school room of ]\Irs. Xancv Lafevers, with their right on Main street. 4th. The ladies dressed in white, at Downing & Evans' store, ■with their right on Main street. Michael Horine, marshal. 5th. Ladies of the town and vicinity, citizens and farmers of the county, in double file, at Mr. Metcalfs corner, witli right on Main street, near Mr. Xetherland's stable lot, Benjamin Hughes, Stephen Frost, Col. John Mosley, marshals. The procession will move off at slow time at nine o'clock, a. m., to the woodland east of the town where the ceremonies of the day will proceed in the following order : First. Prayer by the Rev. John ]\Ietcalf. Second. Music. Third. An address by the Rev. John P. Campbell. Fotirth. Alusic. Fifth. Reading Declaration of Independence by Samuel H. Woodson. Sixth. An oration by Rev. Robert Stewart. Seventh. Pra}er ]^y Rev. John Shackelford. The procession will again form in the same order and return to town dispersing at the ])oints where they joined the proces- sion in the morning and in the same order. Michael Horine, Col. John Trice and William Caldwell are appc^inted marshals. The ladies and gentlemen of Jessamine county are most re- spectftilly and earnestly invited to celebrate our Independence like patriotic men whose fathers were engaged in a bloody civil war for seven years. Many of the old soldiers who served their country in the armies of \\'ashington and Greene are among us and w ill be pres- Hidory of Jexxamine (hunty. Kentucky. lo:! flit and participate in celebrating- the 26th anniversary 'vi' the free doni and indepenrlence of nur country. John i'rice, C'oL W'ni. i'rice. Huorh Chrisman, Michael Horine, John Metcalf. Joseph Crockett, Robert Crockett, Caleb McDowell, Connnittee of Arrangements, Jtnie 12. 1802. The ]\Iichael Horine referred to in these proceedings, was an uncle of the late Henry Horine and John Horine. Michael Hor- ine married a sister of (jeneral Muhlenberg, a Revolutionary soldier, and for whom MuJilenberg count} , in this state, is named. He settled in Jessamine county in 1799 and afterwards moved to Ohio, in 1808, Avhere he became ])rincii)al of a female school. riie Hugh Chrisman mentioned is the ancestor of the large Chrisman familv in lessamine county. He was born in Rock- ingham county, \'a., in 1761), and died in 1849. ^i^ son. General Htnry Chrisman, long li^•ed in Jessamine as one of its most dis- tinguished citizens and died in 1876. He lived on Hickman creek, a few miles from .Xicholasville. Men in Indian Wars Antedating 1812. James Ilenipliill, an uncle of Andrew Hem])hill, served under General \\'a\ne in the campaign agamst the Indians, and was in the battle of the l^'allen Timbers, August 20, 1794: Terrence Mc- ( Irath. who was the father of the late horseman. Price McGrath. lived in Jessamine county, and was also in tliat campaign. In tins battle General Wayne relied upon the charge of the Kentucky nioimted infantry to draw the tire of tlie Indians, and then sent in his foot men, with tlie l)ayonet. before which the Red Men precip- itately fled. The l)l(nv inflicted secured ]:)eace and forever stopped Indian incursions into Kentucky. I'rice .Mc(lratli, the son of Terrence McCirath. was born in Xicholas\ille, and in his bo\hood learned the tailor's trade. He 104 Hl4orij of Jessamine Gcninty, Kentucky. subsequently moved to Louisville, and while there he became in- terested in the horse business, which he so successfully man- aged, and afterward founded his splendid breeding establishment for race horses in Fayette county, near Lexington. Soldiers in the War of 1812. Jessamine county sent soldiers to the war of 1812, commanded by the following captains : Capt. Jas. C. Price, Capt. Mason Sin- gleton, Capt. Richard Hightower, Capt. Patrick Gray, Capt. Thos. Lewis. Capt. Robt. Crockett. Capt. Augustine Bower. Quite a large number of Captain Price's company were killed at the bat- tle of the River Raisin, while Capt. Thos. Lewis' company w^as in Dudley's defeat at Fort Meigs, May 15, 1813, and there lost a large number of its members, who were either killed during the fight or murdered by the Indians after the surrender. The following letter, written by a member of Captain Bow- ers' company in the battle of the Thames, will be of mterest to those whose ancestors were engaged in that fight. It was written by Nathaniel Adams, who died some years since in Pulaski county, and was the maternal uncle of S. M. Duncan. There are parts of it that relate to purely personal matters, which are omitted from the text as published : MR. ADAMS* LETTER TO MISS NANCY STINSON. Put-In-Bay, on the Shore of the Great Lake. Oct. 15, 1813. My Dearest Nancy : I reached this muddie den of a village on Monday, the nth. I was in the battle on Tuesday, October 5th, and was not hurt by the bullets of the British and Indians, though I was in very great danger, as the company I was in formed the second line when Colonel Johnson made his men charge the enemy. The Indians raised a loud yell and opened a severe fire on our advance. About seventy or eighty red-coated British soldiers and an equal number of Indians opened a heavy lire on us again, emptying eighteen saddles, killing twelve and wounding more than thirty of our men in the front line. Captain Bowers rushed up in a moment and ordered our company to advance instantly. Our Hktory of Je><mmine County, Ktndnckij. 105 men rushed forward in a rapid gallop over the front line of the British, who stood their ground like men who preferred being shot down rather than surrender. Our company killed several British soldiers who had surrendered, and who attempted to es- cape. \\'hen we dispersed their army in die charge, we cap- tured over ti\ e hundred prisoners. I saw a large Indian wander- ing along the ri\er with two guns and a bag of fried fish. I called the attention of Captain Bowers to the Indian, who, to all appearances, was going to steal a horse that belonged to one of Colonel Trotter's men. Captain Bower ordered three of the men to catch him. All three of us dashed at him. He raised one of the guns and fired; the ball came very close to my left ear. In- stantly John Doolin shot him dead. He had fried fish in a dirty bag, and six scalps were in the bag, separated from his dinner of fish by a dirtv, old towel, which was marked by stains of blood. We scalped him and left him lying on his l)ack. John Doolin wanted to cut a razor strap from his thigh. l)Ut I objected to this and as we were picking up our wounded and sending them across the lake, I saw no more of the Indian. War of 1812-1815, The War of 1812 was one in which Kentucky figured more prominently than any other state. The warlike spirit had been un- daunted by Indian aggressions on the frontier from 1783 down to tStt, ^^•hen llic men of Kentucky fouglit at Tippecanoe, and where the lirilliant and ])()pular Joseph Hamilton Daveiss and other gallant Kcniuikians gave their blood for the defense and preservation of the Xorthwestern territory. Kentucky, ofY and on, had in this war oxer 25,000 soldiers, .^lie gave some of her noblest blood in tlie l)attles it ])ro(luced and manifested a ])atriot- ism and N-alor wliich gave her increased renown. To this war Jessamine county sent, first and last, 600 soldiers. England had nc\cr accepted gracefully the result of the Revolutionary \\"ar. The X^orthwestern Indians were fed and maintained by the ilritisli officials in Canada. They wore British clothes, used British guns and knives and traded with and for I'Jritish gold. Tlie war was l)r(night al)out by a series ol events, l)nt tlirrc were two princi])al causes: HlMtinj of Jt'^'^iiiitlac Conntij, KentHc-}:ij. ](i7 First. Eno;lan(l claimed the rii^ht to sto]) and examine, any- uliere on the high seas, American vessels engaged in commerce, and to take from such vessels all llritish subjects. "( )nce a subject, always a subject," a faNorite maxim of John Hull, was interpreted in the most offensive sense and any man whi: was supposed to Ijc an Irishman, Scc^tchman, etc., was taken and forced to ser\e in ihc I'.ritish navy, even though he was avi .\merican citizen. I )i|)l()niat-\ , alwavs slow to redress wrongs, was in these cases extremel\ tanU, and thousands of American citizens were thus relentlessly forced to serve a country whose allegiance the\- repudiated. The necessities of the English government were verv great. Us navv. greath' increased 1)\' the \var with the P'rench people led b\ Xapoleon, cotild only be main- tained by impressment, and these -Vmerican ships were most at- tractive places for that sort of w(;rk. It took the news of these seizures a long time to reach home, and then a long time to get to the State Department, and then there was a long corres])ond- ence before even a hearing couhl be obtained. In the mean time, the men were in the navy and dri\'en b\- the lash or other more dreadful |)unishment to this hateful service. Second: The Tnited States, in the thirty years that had passed since the Revolutionary War, had built u]) a large ocean carrying trade. England, through the blockade of luiropean ])orts, claimed the right to seize all Amei'ican shi])S and cargoes bound |i r any bl, ckaded port in Euro]ie (and they were nearly all blockaded) unless these slii])s. going to or returning from such ]-iorts. fir.st entered an E,nglish ])ort and registered and obtained license to prosecute their voyage. With such claims on the ])art of any government, war could not long be ax'oidcd, and ^o on the i8th of Inne, 1S12, Cdngress declared war. As soon as the news of the war reached Kentucky ;uid before the President's recjuisition came to the (iovernor, volunteer com- l^anies all over the state rushed to offer themselves to the Gov- ernor. Kentucky's (|Uota was 5,500 of the 100.000 called for. Weeks before the acttial declaration of war had been made, re- cruiting offices had been oi)eued and war meetings throughout the state gave asstirance that however lukewarm Xew England 108 H'idonj of Je.s>iamine County, Kentucky. might be, Kentucky would give the g-overnnient the heartiest support. By August the 14th, the Iventuck}- quota was ready. Jes- samine sent two full companies and scattering soldiers into other commands. One of these companies was commanded by Capt. James C. Price, a son of Col. William Price. The other was commanded by Capt. Patrick Gray. The roster of these two companies was as follows : Roll of Capt. James C. Price^s Company. Lewis' regiment, Kentucky \'olunteers. War of 1812. Captain — James C. Price. Lieutenant — William Caldwell. Ensign — Daniel Bourne. Sergeants — William E. Price, David Richardson, John Shanklin, John Scott. Corporals — Nathaniel H. Caldwell, John Ficklin, Solomon Smith, Elisha Williams. Privates — Barkleye, William : Barr, George ; Bennett, James \ Brice, John T. ; Brown, Thomas ; Carlton. Isaac ; Carlton, Noah ; Carlton, George ; Callender, Jacob ; Conner, Rice ; Daugherty, John ; Dedman, James ; Easley, Pleasant ; Edwards, Thos. ; Elkin, Benj.; East, Elijah; F'inney, James; Forset, James; Forsee, Stephen ; Farrow, John ; Goin, John ; Haggard, John ; Hicks, James; Hews. Charles, Hushman, Matthew; Kindred, Edward; Krickbaum, John ; Lewis, Wm. A. ; AIoss, Pleasant ; ]Morgan, W. ; McGrath, Terrance; McConnell. M. G. ; Neal, George; Nether- land, John ; Overstreet, W. ; Rice, Josepli ; Rice, • Geo. W. ; Richards, Alexander ; Ramsey, John ; Richr.rJ.jon, Robt. ; Scott, Joseph ; Scott. Joseph ; Simmons, David ; Skeene, William ; Tay- lor, John ; Underwood, Edward ; Woodson, Obediah ; Wilson, Thos.; Ward. \\'illiam ; Webber, Benj.; Walker, James; Ward, Geo. S. ; Young, Joel ; Young, Richard. Roll of Capt. Patrick Gray's Company. Lewis' regiment, Kentucky Wolunteers. War of 1812. Captain — Patrick Gray. Lieutenant — James Fletcher. Ensign — James Clark. Sergeants — William Sechrest, Thomas HUtorij of Jessamine County, KentKckij. lOii Reed, John Batts, Geo. Chrisnian. Corporals — Robt. Dun- widdie, Sam'l Huckstep, James Norrel. Privates — Anderson, Oliver ; Armstrong, Livy ; Arnett, John ; Bagwell, Gary; Bishop, John; Brown, Samuel; Bradshaw-, Smith; Burk, Benj.; Gampbell. James; Gardwell, Sam'l; Gard- well, James; Gary, Melford ; Glark, Geo. W. ; Groslin, Benj.; Downes, Penore P. ; Dickerson. Wm. ; Dickerson, David ; El- more, Edward; Howard, Achilles; Hopkins, Thos. ; Hutcherson, Sam'l ; Hunter, Ghas. ; Jeter, Henry ; Jimerson, David ; Jimerson, Wm.: Jimerson, John; Johnson, John; Kennady, W'ni.; Lana, Henry; Leon, Moses: Lusk, James; Marshall, James; Marshall, A\'m.: }klay, Lindsay; ^lessick, Xathan ; Morris, Henry; Myers, John; Miller, Francis; McGlure, Martin; Nevens, Henry; New^al, Armstrong ; Patterson, John ; Pilcher, Louis ; Read, Peter ; Rob- inson, ]vlichael ; Rusk, Robert ; Sales, Thos. P. ; Spencer, Ab- salom ; Spiers, Greenbery ; Summers, James ; Summers, Thos. ; Smith, Peter ; Stype, John ; Shelton, Thos. ; Thompson, Pitman ; Venable, Hamden S. ; Waters, Lewis; \A^allace, James; Whorton, Joseph; Wallace. Abraham; Welsh, Alexander; Willis, John; Willis, William ; W^ager, Absalom. These companies were part of the 5th Kentucky Regiment, commanded by Lieut.-Gol. William Lewis and Majors Joseph Robb and Benjamin Graves. The other companies constituting the regiment were those of Gaptains Hart, Hamilton and Me- gowan from Fayette, Gaptain W'illiams, from }*Iontgomerv, and Gaptains Martin and llrassfield from Glark. Thev were ordered to assemble in Lexington on the 14th of August. They were en- listed on the 15th at Georgetown. An immense concourse, estimated at 20.000, greeted the soldiers of this regiment at Lexington. Revolutionarv sires, hoary with age. wives whose hearts were filled with apprehension and dread, sweethearts whose trustful and tearful eves told the story of love for men in the ranks, children who looked with strange wonder upon the brilliant scene of these uniformed soldiers passing in review before the vast and sympathetic crowd, came from far and near to say good-bye and god-speed to the country's defenders. Each company paraded in its own uniform, and each vied with tlie other in evolution and manlv li'i^orij of Jcssitiiiiiie Coiiiittj, Kentnckij. Ill XoiK' sur])asse(l the J L-ssaniinc I Uik-^ under Ca[)taiii I'ricc and tlic otlier Jessamine company under Captain Gray, and tlie vast crowds of iheir fellow citizens felt a just pride at their splentlid ai)pearance as they marched so promptly at their country's call. Thev formed on W aier street in Lexing-ton and then marched into Main street and from thence out to the Georgetown road. 'Jdiev marched oidy about four miles and then camped for the night and next da}' went into camp at (ieorgetown. The Lewis. Regiment was reinforced l^y those of L"ol. John M. Scott and Col. John Allen, and tluy were formed into a brigade under Gen. John i'ayne. ( )n the following Simda\ the brigade was reviewed b\' (_io\ . Charles Scott and (ienerals John Payne and James W'incheste; After tlie review the soldiers and the crowd assembled and listened to an address from Henr\- Cla\ and a sermon from the eloquent ])r. James I'.Kthe, who was then president of Transylvania. Mr. Clav re\ieued the causes of the war and set forth the many and unbearable grievances which had forced the government to de- clare war. and closed with an a]:)peal to the troops io remembei that i\entuck\' was renowned for the bra\ery of her ])eo])le and that the\- nmst remember that the\' had both the glor_\' and the prestige of .Vmericans and Kentuckians to maintain. The vast crowxl departed aftc'r these patriotic, soul-stirring words and the soldiers went into cam]), and a few davs after marched to Xew- port to recei\e their arms and e(pii])ment. Ilie most of the march was made in drenching rains, which were ominous of the hardships and mistorttuies which awaited them in the campaigns upon which tliex' had entered. Dudley's Defeat. A part of the Jessamine troops were in what was known as Dudley's defeat, which was fought on May 5. 1813. on the kit bank of the .Manuiee ri\er. o])])osite to Fort Meigs, a few nnles south of d'oledo, Ohio. . . Col. William Dudley's regiment was part of Gen. Green Clay's brigade of Ken1ucd<\- vohintccrs. .\fter leaving XcAiiort . thev 112 Hidory of Jetfmmhie (hinity, Kentucky. had a fatiguing march for men and ammunition, and they found these on approaching the open boats lodged on the left bank of the Maiimee river, within hearing of the cannon of Fort Meigs, where General Harrison was then besieged by the British and a large force of Indians. At twelve o'clock on the night of May 4th, when General Har- rison was informed of General Clay's approach, he directed Gen- eral Clay to land 700 men on the west side where the British were, charge their batteries, spike their cannon, and immediately re- turn to their boats and cross over to the American fort. The remainder of Clay's troops were to land on the east bank and force their way into the fort by sorties from the garrison. Dudley's regiment was ordered to perform the first service. They were successful in the beginning, but the bravery of the Kentuckians and a misunderstanding of orders drew them into an ambuscade where they were cut ofif and surroimded Ijy overwhelming num- bers, and the apparent victory was turned into dreadful defeat. When the Kentuckians landed they marched at once toward the battery. This battery was taken without a struggle. It was left in possession of two companies, but it was shortly after taken by the British and forced to retreat to their boats and cross the river, when they reached Fort Meigs in safety. The Kentuckians advanced and charged the Indians, and after seeing that they were outnumbered they attempted to retreat to the battery. They found this no longer in possession of their friends, but manned by British soldiers in large mmibers, who opened fire upon them. Arriving without order and being taken completely by surprise, they were compelled to surrender or be shot down. They surrendered. They were robbed by the In- dians, who inflicted blows upon the prisoners at their pleasure. Most of the Americans were stripped of their clothes, and they were told l)y the British soldiers that the Indians intended to make them run the gauntlet, and just before the Americans reached the fort, the Indians taking advantage of their helpless condition, whipped and bruised and killed them as they pleased. A large nimiber of them were shot down and scalped. One In- dian shot four prisoners and scalped them in the presence of their comrades, and in the presence of the British ofificers these Ken- tucky troops were subjected to all sorts of indignities, and even History of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 113 murdered. Captain Lewis was killed in the battle, together with a number of the men from Jessamine county. Battle of the Thames. The blundering and misfortunes and the disasters which at- tended the War of 1812 in the Northwest, in the end took a turn. The American arms were at last to receive some reward. The great naval battle fought on Lake Erie, on the loth of September. 1813. had destroyed the British fleet under Captain Barclay; not a single ship escaped. The gallant Perry had grandly ac- complished his task and told his own story of the victory and success in those glorious words, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." More than a lumdred Kentuckians who knew nothing of ships and had never sailed on any water but rivers, volunteered to serve on the vessels under Perry, and they deserved part of the credit for that superb victory. (ieneral Proctor and his Indian allies under Tecumseh, after the destruction of the British fleet, , were safelv shut in noon English soil. General Harrison was not slow to avail himself of the effect this naval victory had secured, and he at once crossed into Canada and commenced his pursuit of Proctor and Tecumseh. The horses of the Kentucky troops were corralled on the Michigan shore; they were surrounded by l)rush and trees cut down and pickets driven so as to make a complete ench^sure. When the pursuit was determined upon it was impossible to se- cure guards for the horses and camps other than by draft. Xo man was willing to accept such inglorious service unless by com- pulsion. The capture of the llritish vessels enabled General Harrison to make an immediate crossing and with five brigades of Ken- tuckians and 120 L^nited States regulars, he landed on the Canada side on the 27th of September. Col. Richard M. Johnson's Kentucky mounted infantry was the only cavalry in the invading army. It was a splendid regi- ment of thirteen companies and contained nearly 1,400 men. 8 w z H "< ST c -X III.<lin-;i of Jr.-iftamins C'oimtij, Kentucky. 1 1 5 \\\\\\ this re.^'inicnt was detailed one oi the Jessamine companies under Captain JJower. The river Thames is a small stream rising in Canada east of Detroit and cini)t\in<:^- into Lake St. Clair. About forty miles ea?t of Detroit there was a small Moravian settlement, and after a dreadful and tiring march of a week, late in the afternoon of Oc- tober 5. 1813. tlie .American army was in such close i)ursuit that Proctor and Tecumseli were forced to offer l)attle. ]'roct(M- liad 600 liritish regulars and Tecumseh had 1,500 Indiaiis. Th.ey were formed along the river bottom, with Tecum- seh on the left, and tliere awaited the approach of the American ami}-, which was composed almost entirely of Kentuckians. Governor Shelby had abandoned his duties as governor and as- sumed the place of conuuander-in-chief of the Kentucky forces. Both he and General 1 larrison had uijon their stafTs some of the most brilliant men of the state — Geo. AValker, William T. Barry, John Speed .Smith. (Jen. John Adair. J. J. Crittenden and I'ercival Butler. Colonel Johnson had during the ])revious months trained his regiment \o charge on horseback, and so soon as General Har- rison learned that the Uritisli were formed in o])en order he di- rected Colonel Johnson to charge with his regiment mounted. Colonel Johnson discovered that the front of the British regulars was too narrow for tlie use of all his men. He divided his regiment, gave lialf of it to liis brother. James Johnson. Lieut.- Colonel. Colonel Johnson called for an adxance guard of twenty men to nio\-e in advance of the troops. He had ])romised the \\ives and mothers and sweethearts and friends of his troops, when they asscnilded at Stamping Ground to start for the war, that he would in ex'ery way protect their lives in the campaign on which the\' iiad entered witli him. He conceived the idea that if he could draw the fire of the Indians upon an advance guard, that the main force could charge and ride tiver the enemy's line before it could reload, and that, though lie might sacrifice the twenty men ho would save heavy mortality among the remainder of his force. It was a heroic thought, and it was carried out in a heroic way. Xineteen men gallantl}- volunteered to ride willi Colonel Johnson in ad\'ance on the enemv : oi these onh ten are known. 116 Hii'tovij of Je.f><amine Cmmty, Kentucky. The advance was placed under the command of Col. William AN'hitley, who was a private in Captain Davidson's company. Of the members only the following names are known : Lieut. Samuel Logan, Coleman's company ; L. L. INIansfield, Stucker's company; Benjamin Chambers, quartermaster; Robert Payne, Stucker's company; Dr. Samuel Theobald, Coleman's company; William Webb, Stucker's company; Garrett Wall, forage major; Eli Short, forage master. Lieut.-Col. Johnson at once charged the British regulars. He passed through their line, then turned and fired upon them in the rear. They immediately surrendered. Col. Richard M. Johnson, with half the regiment, with the advance guard in front, charged the Indians who at once poured in a deadly fire upon the advance guard, all of whom were either killed, wounded, or had their horses shot under them, except Dr. Samuel Theobald, of Lexington. The brave and heroic William W'hitley was killed at the first fire on the advance guard. In these later days, when acts of heroism are applauded with such vigor and enthusiasm, it is v.ell to remind the world of such deeds as those of Gen. W^ill::.m O. Butler and Johnson's advance guard at the river Thames. These lose nothing in comparison Avith the conduct and courage cf any men of any age. Proctor's regulars were all captured, the Indians were routed, Tecumseh was killed, his force was scattered, and peace in the Northwest was at once assured. Proctor himself abandoned his men, his carriage and baggage, and fled precipitately from the field. His guilty conscience smote him as he heard the Ken- tuck}- hosts on entering the battle, with mighty shout cry out, "Remember the Raisin." He knew that his perfidy and bar- barity deserved the death that the comrades of the murdered h.eroes of Raisin would inflict upon him, and like a coward he fled from the just wrath of the American soldiers. In this splendid battle a large number of the men from Jessa- mine participated, and part of its glory belongs to those who com- posed the Jessamine troops. The accompanying letter written by a Jessamine man who participated in this conflict will be Doth interesting and historical : Hidorij of Jessamine Ccninty, Kentncky. 117 "Bass Island, Lake Erie, October lo, 1813. "My Dear Father : T have only time to inform you and my friends that I am now confined to my bed- with severe rheumatism in my legs. I am unable to walk, but am very kindly treated Frenchman who served in our armies under General Washington and received a severe shot in the left liip joint at the battle of Princeton, he has lived in tliis dreary country thirty years en- gaged in fishing on the lake. . Our company under Captain Bowen was in the battle of Thames river on the 5th. A cannon ball killed Captain Bowen's horse in the beginning of the battle, but he soon got another one much stronger and active than the horse he brought from home. After Commander Perrie gained the victory on the lake, the Barbarian Proctor abandoned the post at ]\lalden and took a position on the river Thames. His rapid movements, we have learned since the battle, was very an- noying and displeasing to his Indian allies. This morning Cap- tain Bowen called to see me in company with Captain Danfield of the Britisli army. I heard Captain Danfield say that the In- dian chief Tecumsey was very mad at General Proctor for leaving his Indian brethren exposed to the vengeance of our soldiers. Danfield said that he heard the Indian chief address Proctor in very severe language about his leaving Maidens. It was also stated by the English officer that Proctor was fairly outgeneraled by Harrison and was mial)le to escape with all his baggage, be- ing hard pressed l)y liim in ever}- move up the Thames. After a great deal of heavy marching and loss of sleep both armies met in the vicinity of a Dunkard settlement called Moravian town, which was deserted, not a lumian neing in it when the fight took place October 5th. The battle did not last very long, but it was fierce and savage. The Indians imder their Chief Tecumsey were in possession of a thick woods, who. w ith the British in- fantrv had formed their line of battle on ground which gave them some advantage over our troops. When the fight opened I saw Gen. Harrison with Commodore Perrie who was in the battle and was acting as aid. he and Captain Butler, Colonel Cass wlio was a very large man liad the i)OSt of honor and led the front line. Colonel Johnson, of Scott comUy. witli tlie mounted men was or- dered to charge at full speed, and break their line. Johnson w u o A o < Hidoi'y of JesmmuK' County, Kentucky. 119 rushed along tlic line hat off and gave command in a loud voice that now was the time to fight, and m an instant his mounted men inckuling Captain JJowen's company were rushing on the lines of the enemy. At first our horses recoiled on receiving the heavy fire from the liritish and Indians, yet it w-as only momentarily, the voice of Colcjnel Cass and our Colonel Trotter was heard amid the roaring of nuisketr\ , tlic enemy run in every direction, we were completel}' victorious. Governor Shclljy whose presence on the field was greeted 1^\' thousands. The Indian chief Tecumsey was killed, over 500 of the eneni}- were taken in by our men. 80 of the English were killed and over 100 Indians were left on the field. Come to Newport after me and bring three feather beds in the wagon, as I can not bear jolting. Your son, "George T. Chkisman. "Hugh Chrisman, Jessamine Co., K}." The following extracts from a letter, written by John Xether- land, who was a son of Maj. Benjamin Netherland. will i)rove in^ teresting and show how the men from Jessamine acted in the battle of the Thames : ■■( )n the Thames, October 7, 1813. /'j\Iy Dear Parents: I never w^anted to see you so badly in my life. After the massacre of so many of the company of the brave Captain Price at the river Raisin, I succeeded in making my escape, after running seventeen miles in snow over tw(_i feet deep. T joined the main 1)0(1\- of the army under ( ieneral Har- rison and served with Colonel Johnson in the battle which took place day before yesterday. I stood on the shore of lake ICrie on Sunday, the loth of Sej^tember. and saw Captain Terry whip hell out of the British lleet on the lake. As soon as they were whipi)e(l on the water, (ieneral Harrison made us all get on board of the ships of Captain Perry and sailed to Canada. When the army landed we marched in pursuit of the d — d murderers and cut- throats. We came u]) with them at the river Thames on the 5th of October, gave the devils a sound thrashing and took over seven hundrt'd jirisoners aud shot to death five Indians for breaking their paroles five days before the battle. It took old Governor Shelby a loug lime to kee]) our c(im])any from scalping twenty 120 History of Jefxamhie Coimfii, Kentxu'ky. . English soldiers for giving rum to the Indians and furnishing them with guns and powder to murder our people. We are now burying the dead and will leave here as soon as we can hunt up all who are wounded and unable to get home. When I come home I can tell you of as much suffering in this army as you ever sufifered in the Revolutionary War. I must say that every man and officer from Jessamine was game and did his duty without fear or favor. Billy Caldwell and Lieut. Ebenezer I'ricc, brother of Captain Price, was like a mad bull in battle. He was brave on all occasions and he and Billy Caldwell could hallo louder than any men in the army. They were ever ready to fight. I send you this letter by Noah Carlton, who goes to Newport and who will send it to you from Lexington. Don't let brother Ben go frollicking about on my horses. Be- fore I left home he was in the habit of letting the young women have my horses to hunt grapes and persimmons on Hickman creek. I will be at home in five weeks. "Your oldest son, "John Netherland." Jessamine County Soldiers who Battled at Thames. Jessamine county had two companies in the battle of the Thames, fought June 13, 1813. The two companies were mounted men and were in Col. George Trotter's regiment. Capt. Gustavus Bower commanded one of these companies. He was born near Frederickslnu-g, Va., in 1786 and settled in Nicholas- ville in 1810, as a physician. When the War of 1812 was de- clared he raised the following company, which was in the battle of the Thames: Captain — Gustavus Bower. Lieutenant — Bartholomew Kin- dred. Ensign — Smith Bradshaw. Sergeants — Joshua High- tower I St, R. Michael Bower 2d, Peter Withers 3d, Robt. D. Overstreet 4th. Corporals — Geo. T. Chrisman ist, Reuben Bennett. 2d, Wm. Wilson 3d, Benj. Bradshaw. Jr., 4th. Privates — Allison, Jno. ; Bird, Jno. ; Bourne, Daniel; Brad- shaw, Benj.; Bustard, David; Campbell. Jno.; Campbell, Wm.', Carroll, Jno.; Cobb, Thos. ; Connor, Rice; Connor, Wm. R.; Corr. Jas. ; Casbv, Chas. ; Casbv, James ; Crockett, Jno. W. ; Hidorij (if Jrammine County, Kentucky. 121 Crutcher, James; Davenport, Jno. F. ; Davidson, Richard; Davis, James; DelVIoss, Asa; Dickerson, Fontaine; Dickerson, James; Dougherty, James; J.)uncan, James; FZast, James; Fitzgerald, Francis; F'assee, John; Gihnan, James; Gray, David; Haggard, Jno. ; Hawkins, Thos. ; Higbee, James H. ; Higginbotham, Jesse ; Flunter, Davidson ; Johnson, John G. ; Lewis, Daniel ; McCarly, Dennis; McConnell, Andrew; AlcCune, Jno. L. P.; AlcDaniel, Thos.; Aliles, Benj.; Miles, James; Mtirrain, Wm.; Pennington, Saml.; ]\loss, W'ni.; Powers, Samuel; Reynolds, Wm. ; Rice, Thos. N. ; Richards, Alexander; Robertson, Michael; Scott, James; Shaw, John ; .Shearer, Caleb; Shelton, \\"ni. ; Sike, David; Smith, Adam ; Smith, Alexander ; Stipe, David ; Stipe, Henry ; Stipe, Jacob ; Taylor, Samuel ; Taylor, William ; Thompson, Alex.; Thornton, Elijah; Trister, Peter; Turner, Robt. ; Walker, Reuben ; \\'allace, Thomas ; Walters, Thomas ; Ward, Geo. S. ; Welch, Alexander; Willis, Drury ; Wilson, W. \l. S. ; Wood's, James; Zinuncrman, John. Capt. Mason Singleton, of the Keene neighborhood, also raised a company which was in Trotter's regiment. Hie follow- ing is a list of the company : Ca]ot. Mason Singleton's Companv. Captain — INIason Singleton. Lieutenant — Penj. Williams. Ensign — Thomas Haydon. Sergeants — Joel Turnham ist, Wm. Scott 2d, Jesse Hayden _:;(1. Privates — Sallee, lulward ; Ihu'ton, Thos.; Conklin, Hugh; Ellison, 1'hos. ; Evans, Andrew; Ficklin, Thomas; Frost, pio. ; Gatewood, Gabriel; PTani])t()n, Stephen; llaydon, Ezekiel ; llav- don, Jno.; Holloway, Samuel; llughes, Chas. ; Huuflley, Jno.; Lambkins, Daniel ; McA'ey. Jno. ; Moore. Joel P. ; Morrow, Jno. ; Moseley, Ewd. ; Neal, Jno.; Proctor, Isaiah; Proctoi , Thos.; Reed, Philli]) ; Reynolds, Drake: Rice, Richard; Richardson, Jesse; Poper, Jesse; Schofield, Samuel: Sharewood, Wm. ; Singleton. Lewis; Sniitli, James; Smith, Wm.; Starr, Henry; Steel, Darbey G. ; Webster. Christopher; Wells, Jacob ; Williams, Elijah ; A\'illiams, Thos. ; Willis, Lewis ; Wilson, Nathan ; AA'ilson. Alex.; Woods, Richard; Woods, Christopher; Young, Lewis; Fizer, Jacob; Jenldns. FliMirv. < o s < Z K O H'ldonj (if .1 1 ■<■•'< t mine County^ Kentuckij. \'--'> These captains, as well as their men, all acted a courageous and handsome part in the battle. Captain I'.ower, after the war, married a daughter of Col. Joseph Crockett, and went to George- town to practice medicine. He subsecpiently removed to Pal- mvra. Mo., where lie died in l86y. The following is also the list of the company of Capt. Richard II. Hightower. in ijih Cnited States, engaged in the War of 1812: Captain — ]\icliard Hightower. J st Lieutenant — Thomas C. Craves. Sergeants — Lucius C. Pleasants 1st, Benj. Segar 2d, Jesse Denilhess. 3d. Privates — Acton. Win.; Alison. Jno.; Andrews, Robt.- Bar- ton, Karswell : Bates. Alfred : lUack. Beverly A. ; IMythc, W'illiani : ]5vron. Ino. ; Camp. Win.: Carter. Jno.; Casey, Joshua; Cesgar. Thos.; Childers. Thos. ; Cooly. Jno.; Cook, Matthew; Craig, Walter; Davis. William; Delaney. Willis ; Denore, Baldwin, Dobbs, Jno.; Dyne. Andrew; Emmerson. Wm.; l^^arrow. Isham ; Fisher. Jno.; Fowler. James; Fowler. Thos.; Gentry, Zebedee; Gohagen. Wm. ; Goodlett, Wm. ; GrindstafT, Lsaac ; Ingsley, Jas. ; Hanley. Thos. H.; liobson. r.ennett; Hope, Geo.; James, Saml.; Johnson. Wm. ; Lane, Jno.; McCarty. David; McDaniel. Wm.. McKenzie. Jno.; .Martin, Jas.; ?\fathews. I'hilip; Maxwell. Jno. Mayfield. Sutherland : Morgan, J. ; Murphy. David ; Murrane. J. Murrane. ?klark. ; .Murrane. Tom ; Pagget. James ; Pagget, Thos. Pogue. Jno.; J'rewitt. Fdnuind; Price. Jno.; Ralston, Alex. Reed. Adam ; Reed. Robt. ; Scroggins. Win. ; Shaw. Jno. ; Shimp. Geo.; Shover. Simon; Smith. Richard; vStewart. Rice; Sumer- field. F.])hraim ; Thoinijson. James; Tiller. Jno.; Walker. Jere- miah; Webb. Adam; White. Chas. ; Williams. Silas; Winchester. Peter; A\'ood. Tno. Roll of Capt. Robert Crockett's Company. Roll of Capt. Robert Crockett's Company, Kentucky Mounted A'^olunteer Militia — Conmianded by Lieut. -Col. James Allen. War of T 81 2. Captain — Rol>ert C"rockett. Lieutenant — John C. IVlorrison. Ensign — PTenry T>indsey. Sergeants — Jonathan Robinson. 1st, Alexander Logan. 2d. William Mead. 3d. John Lawny. 4th. 124 Hlxtonj of Jt'!<!<((iii!iif Couiifij, Kentucky. Privates— Armstrong-, Samuel; Bank, Ephraim ; Baxter, Samuel; Birownlee, John; Bobb, William; Butler, Samuel; Bond, Corntliris; Crockett, John W. ; Crockett, Samuel C. ; Carr, Thomas; Cloud, Sam"l G. ; Decreet, Joseph; Duncan, James; Dougherty, James; Fracher, Charles; Fink, John; Fracher, John; (launt, William; Harrison, Jos. C. ; Jewet, Matthew; Logan, Samuel ; Moore, Angus ; Messock, Isaac ; McCall, Will- iam; McCornell, William; Parmer, James; Rankin, Adam; Roberts, John; Ramsey, Robert; Royall, William; Smith, John; Tadloer, Andrew ; Talbot, Jonathan ; Venable, James ; Villers, George ; Wardlow, John ; Walker, Matthew ; Yotmg, Leavin. Roll of Capt. Thomas Lewis^ Company. Roll of Capt. Thomas Lewis' company of infantry of the Ken- tucky Militia, detached — Commanded by Lieut.-Col. William Dudley. War of 1812. Captain — Thomas Lewis. Lieutenant — George S. Herndon. Ensign— William Sally. Sergeants — William Moss ist, Henry King, 2d, William Roach, 3d, Newton PL Tapp, 4th. Corporals - — William Dunn, ist, Thomas Payne, 2tl, Eliphalet Roan, 3d, George Doxen, 4th. Privates — Acres, Larkin ; Aldridge, Joshua ; Anderson, James; Attsman, Henry; Baker, Lewis; Ball, Henry; Baxter, James ; Bourne, John ; Bowman, John ; Brockman, Aaron ; Brooner, Davis ; Brown, Samuel ; Buskitt, David ; Busley, Wil- liam; Butler, Wm. W. ; Castle, John; Clark, James; Cromwell, Oliver; Davis, Jarred; Dunnegan, David; Easley, Obediah; Fisher, James; Frazier, Jeremiah; George, Ellis; Green, James; Green, John ; Hampton, Thos. ; Hendricks, Michael ; Hitt, Elias ; Houser, Isaac ; Hughes, Thomas ; liunter, John ; Hynes, Alex- ander R. ; Keen, John; Lewis, Adam; Lockhart, Silas; Master- son, Moses; May, Solomon; McAtee, Abednego; McCune, Samuel; McDaniel, Alexander; McDougal, James; Mifford, Joseph ; Moon, Zachariah ; Morris, Jesse ; Morrow, James ; Moss, Pleasant ; Myers, Jacob ; Mutter, William ; Ritter, Michael ; Romans, John ; Ronyan, Francis ; Rutherford, Archibald ; Ruth- erford, Jesse ; Rynolds, Samuel ; Sandusky, Jacob ; Scanlan, Travis; Scott, Matthew T. ; Sergeant, Wm. B.; Shannon, Jacob; Hldory of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 125 Slirewsberry, Nathaniel ; Simpson, Nathaniel ; Skevvens, Clay- ton ; vSpencer, Charles ; Starr, Christopher ; Starr. John ; Ateward, John ; Tapp. Nelson ; Taylor, Conrad ; Twindle, Alexander ; Triplett, Fielding ; True, John ; Truit, John ; Ungles, Hillery ; Wallace. Thomas ; Waters. John ; Williams, Lewis ; Williamson, Richard; Wilson, James; Wilson, William. The subjoined names were taken from recent transcripts fur- nished by the War Department : Baum. Whitfield; Baines. Zachariah ; Beeler, Henry; Brown, Joel ; Bunds, Geo. S. ; Burchum, Jos. ; Corn, James ; Corn. Hiram ; Davis. James ; Damele. Spencer ; Dixon. Geo. ; Dornell, William ; Erwin, Stephen ; Fitzjarrell. Silas ; Fizer. Jacol) ; Gardner. Francis ; Hanes. Simeon ; Jack, Andrew : Kendrick, Michael ; Lee. Achilles, musician; Lowry, Stephen; McClain, James; AIc- Alillen. William; MofTford. James; Overtums, Garland; Parish, Price; Pierson. Allen; Paxton, Joseph; Pilcher, Shadrach ; Rankins, John; Right, Jonathan; Singleton, Daniel; Smith, John ; Stewart, Gehew ; Stewart. William ; Walker. David T. ; sergeant; Walker, Matthew; Wallace, Robert; Wallem, John; Wilsom, Gabriel. River Raisin. General Hull, in conunand of the Ohio troops, on the i6th of August, 1 812, surrendered at Detroit. His army composing the army of the northwest, together with Detroit, had been turned over to the British. Hiis conduct aroused the keenest indigna- tion. No sooner liad the news reached Kentucky than all the volunteers that the state and government desired pressed forward at once and offered themselves for the purpose of wi])ing out the disgrace wdiich General Hull had inflicted upon the American army. The two troops from Jessamine county in ilu- regiment of Colonel Lewis, marched from Cinciiuiati towards Detroit and finally reached Fort Winchester. Here their baggage was trans- ferred to canoes upon tlie Maumee river. The road was difificult and Ic^ng. The troops, starting- from home with their simimer clothes, had not yet been ])rovided with their winter outfit, and this amid the fierce climate of the northwest presented most serious COURT HOUSK, NICHOLASVILLE. Ilistori/ I if Jt'smmine County, Kentucky. 127 difficulties. In a little while the provisions failed and for fourteen days the Kenluck)' troops subsisted on hickory roots, elm bark and the beef of a few cattle, which were killed in a half-starved state. In the midst of the winter a sui)])ly of warm cl(jthin_Q;' was received, and this ^ave the troojis new courage and animation. A small force of regulars had been united with the Kentucki- ans in tins march. The Kentuckians received their winter clothing first, and it was (|uite a while before tlu' regulars were supplied, and, with the chi\alr\- and generosity wliicli marked men of that |)erio(l. tliese gallant Kentuckians demanded that the regu- lars shtnild l)e c\em])ted from camp dutv, and all military serv- ice required should be performed bv them. ( )n the Stii of January they were ordered to march to the rapids. Upon reaching this point the officers were informed that in the village called French Town, the inhabitants were terrified at the approach of the English and the Indians. French Towi^ is on the River Raisin, a small stream emptying its waters in Lake Erie. (ieneral Winchester promi)tl}- sent forward Col- onels Lewis and Allen, with six hundred men. The}' reached the River Raisin on the i8th of January, 1813, and met the com- bined English and Indian force. aI)out 500 strong, under Majoi Reynolds, of the Canadian militia, and drove them from the place. The people of hVench Town were delighted witli tlie result. A few day.5 before they had feared the tomahawk of the Indian, and now they rejoiced at the presence of their Kentucky defenders. Those who hafl been assigned to marcli with Colonel Lewis's regi- ment were delighted that glory was placed in their grasp, while those who remained behind felt as if a great sorrow had come into their lives. On the 21st of |anuar\-, 1813. (ieneral Winchester moved for- ward and reinforced Colonels Lewis and Allen. This reinforce- ment consisted of 300 regtilars, conunanded by Colonel Wells. Colonel Lewis, who was an experienced officer in Indian serv- ice, had posted his troops in an enclosed garden, with an oi)en field on his right. Colonel Wells outranked Lewis as an officer of the regular army, as Lewis was only a vtdunteer. and he de- manded the position on liis right. This jilaced ( olonel Wells in the open field, wliiK- Lewis and All'-n still remained in the en- closed garden, with a |)icket fence as tlieir ])rotection. Colonel 128 History of Je!fsamine Countij, Kentucky. Lewis strongly insisted that Colonel Wells should be placed in the same garden on his left, but General Winchester, yielding to the exactions of the regular army officer, ordered that Colonel Wells be placed in the open field on the right. General Proctor, who was in command of the British at Mai- den, pushed forward with all his force. He prepared for an as- sault on the dawn of the 22d. It was hardly light, when, with his artillery covering his right, and both his flanks protected by Indian marksmen, he advanced upon the Americans. But no sooner had he reached within musket shot of the Kentuckians, than he was met by such galling and incessant a fire tliat part of his army fell in confusion. Discovering the exposed position of the army under Wells, the British general rushed forward all his force against him. A'olley after volley of musketry broke the stillness of the morning air. and the whoop of the Indians and the cheers of the Kentuckians sounded on every side. But the 300 regulars could not withstand the assault of the entire British force. After the battle had lasted twenty minutes. General Winchester saw ill at he iriust relieve W^ells and place him within the en- closure occupied by General Lewis. The moment an order was give!! for this purpose the British and Indians redoubled their forces and pressed the Americans so hard that the line fell in dis- order. A panic seized the regulars and they rushed towards the river to cross the rapids, where the remainder of the Kentucky army was in camp. The British and Indians pursued them, toma- haw king and scalping all who came in their way. General W'inchester. although incompetent, was brave. He endeavored to reform his men. Colonels Lewis and Allen each took a company of fifty men. rushed out of their enclosures, and did their best to check the defeat and rout. Nothing would avail ; nothing could prevent the disaster. Colonel Allen was killed and General W^inchester and Colonel Lewis taken prison- ers. The two Kentucky companies that had come with the regu- lars were swept away. It was here that the Jessamine troops in- terposed \\\xh superb courage and bravery. Captain Price was killed, together with a large number of his company. Some fell by rifle balls, some were scalped, others were left to perish in the cold. In the fight tlms far Proctor had lost one-fourth of his force. Ilidory of JeKfamlne County, Kentucky. 129 Init he was delighted to know tliat General Winchester was among the prisoners. Sending for General W'incliester he re- counted the savageness of the Indians, and the difficulty which he would have in restraining theni if tlie l)attle was continued. He said that he could set fire to every house in the village and this he would probably have to do and that as a result the innocent women and children would be massacred by the Indians. He then asked General Winchester to direct his men to surrender. Genj^ral Winchester consented to advise surrender. l)ut when the message was carried to the Kenttickians and handed to Major Madison, who was the ranking officer after the capture of Colonel Lewis, informing him that he and tlie Kentuckians with him had been surrendered by General Winchester, ^Vlajor Madison refused to recognize General Winchester's authority to conuiiand his surrender while a jiriscjner. and declared his determinaiion to die witli the Kentuckians unless favorable terms of stirrender were given. At last General Proctc^r entered into an agreement that all ])rivate j^roj^erty should be respected, tliat sleds should be sent the next morning to remove the sick and v.ounded to Amherstburg, that the prisoners should be guarded from the savages and thai the side arms of the officers should be restored to them next morning. ]\Iajor Madison finally did reluctantly surrender. He Avas induced to do this by the failure of annuunition. That night the ])risoners, 600 in number, were carried to Am- herstburg. They were put in a wood-yard, exposed to a pelting rain, without sheds or blaid'cets or fire. Instead of the sleds, V. hich were to come for the wounded, came 200 savages, who rushed in the liouses where the wx)unded lay and killed them, scalped them and set the houses on fire. In the smouldering ashes the jjunes of 64 men were consumed. The bodies of the Americans were denied sepulture and were left a prey to the animals cjf the village. Afterwards thev were ])laced in. the ground and the following sunnner, when the Ameri- can army passed the same way, their bones were again ex])osed. Thev were l)uried once more, but there went u]) from the heart of every Kentuckian tlie stirring cry of "Remember the Raisin." The night beft)re this awful battle Ca])tain Price had written to his father-in-law . 1 le had a i)remonition of his death. 9 ■^^^^■■^Vl ■Kn ' WHMH B m 1 Wj kr»,i History of Jessa) nine County, Kentucky. l.'U Capt. James C. Price was the father of the late Kleber F. Price, of Jessamine county, \vh(3 died at liis residence, above Xich- olasville, in i<S64. The accompanyins^' letter of Captain Price was addressed to his wife, and was, doubtless, the last letter he ever wrote to his family, lie was killed in the battle of Raisin, January 22, 1813. He was a eallant and chivalrous soldier and a man ot noble and ur^nerous impulses. His body was never recog'nized and liis remains, with those of his compatriots, wiio died in that dreadful conflict, rest in unmarked graves, in the soil of the state they died to redeem and defend. He command'ed the Jessamine Pdues. which was one of the nrost noted uiilitarA- companies in its day. The uniform was blue, with light facings, and was con- sidered, in those days, a marvel of beauty. "In Camp, near Raisin Riv^er, "Jan. 16, 1813. "Dear Susan: I have only time to infonu you that we e.x- "pect to have a battle tomorrow with the llritish and Indians. "On the eve of battle I have believed it proper to address you "these lines. As you are aware that the object nearest to my "heart is your welfare and that of my children, and so far as I "have been able 1 have provided everything in my power for "your comfort and that of my children. I feel in no unhappv # "mood about my girl children; J know they are in your coni- "pany at all hours of the day. You know where they visit and "who are their associates. My only son. 1 feel a great interest "in his future life and welfare. ICarly impressions are lasting "and often. ])erha])s always, tend to give a permanent cast to the "leading principles of the heart, and to the general character of "the luind. Teach n\\ boy to love tnuh. tt) speak truth at all "times. He nuist not be allowed to associate with children or "other persons who indulge in swearing or misrepresentations. "He nuist be tatight to bear in mind that 'an lionest man is the "noblest work of God;" he_ nuist l)e rigidly lionest in his dealings. "He must be taught to attend cliurcli every Sabbath. Xever "allrjw liini to run about on Sabbath days, fishing. Teach my son "the habits of industry. Industry and virtue are twin brothers, "but indolence and vice are closely connected. Tndolence leads to "everv vice and everv other evil. Tndustrv leads to virtue and 132 Hidory of Jei^mmine Countij, Kentnckij. "every other g-ood. Not a day must be lost in teaching him how "to work, and tlie great princijjles of our holy religion must be "on all occasions impressed on his mind. It mav be possible I "may fall in battle and my only boy nuist know that his father, "next to Tiod. l:)ves his country, and is now risking his life in de- "fending that country against a barbarous and cruel enemy. Be "sure and teach my son. w^ith Pope, to say and feel that — "\'ice is a monster of such frightful mien "As to be hated needs but to be seen. "Yet seen, too oft, familiar with her face, "W'e first endure, then pity, then embrace. "Teach him tliese lin"es of the great poet; they will do him "good when he grows older. Pray for me that vou mav be with "me once more. "Your affectionate husband. "James C. Price. ^'Susanah Price, "Near Nicholasville. Ky. "Post Script. — The snow is two feet deep, the crust is very "hard and we walk over it and ride upon it on horseback. We "often sleep under such deep snow, we cover tip in our blankets "and we sleep warm during the night. Eb. has been sick, btit is "now on dut}-. "J. C. P." In Camp. Near Newport, Ky. February 20, 1813. ?\frs. ?\lar\- Price : ^'ou will, long before this reaches you, have received the pain- ful intelligence c^f the death of your brave and gallant son, Capt. James C. Price, who was killed and scalped by the Indians on the morning of January 22(1. Pie had been engaged in a severe skirmish early on the morning of the 17th. At ten o'clock he was ordered by General Winchester to bring in all the wounded men and carr\- them in all the sleds beyond the reach of the In- dians. In the discharge of this duty Captain Price and myself, at the head of fifty men of our company, w^ere attacked by a large bod\' of Indians, who had concealed themselves in the timber, on the river bank. The Indians had succeeded in breakimj the crust History of JooiamUie Coiintt/, Kentuckij. 133 of the deep snow a mile al)ove our camp, on the river, which was the only road through wliicli we could reach the command of General Winchester, who had retreated about three miles, and was awaiting the arrival of General Harrison. As soon as the Indians opened a heavy fire on us we returned their fire and con- tinued a rapid retreat to the main arm\-, under General W'inches- ter. over the only road on whicli the Indians, under their chief. Te- cumseh, had early on the morning of the i8th succeeded in break- ing the thick crust of the snow, which was two feet deep. In this trap we were caught. In getting away from the river nianv of our men were killed, and scalped before we got out of the deep snow. Captain Price was shot in ilie right shoulder by a nuisket ball, which disabled his right arm: he was attacked by three Indians: he ran his sword through the heart <jf one of them. ])ut was soon overpowered, killed and scaljjed. Eight of our company, besides Captain Price, were brutally massacred: more than tliirty got away and reached the conunand of General Win- chester in safety. 1 had five bullet holes in my hat and clothing. The force of General Winchester was 350 and we were attacked again early on the morning of January 22<\ by a large force of British and Indians. We were completely routed and all of our army taken prisoners. General Proctor, the British conmiander, suffered the savages to kill and scalp more than twenty of our sol- diers after we had surrendered. .Vbout twelve o'clock we were marched off. Dr. Todd and Dr. Augustine Bower of our regi- ment were left with the sick and wounded. About sunrise the next day, instead of sleds coming to convey the sick and wounded to Maiden, a large body of Indians niade their appearance, paint- ed black and red. The\- began to ])lun(ler, and the sick and wound- ed were scalped. ( )ne Indian had the seal]:) of Captain I'rice. 1. be- ing next in conunand of the company from Jessamine, the sav- age showed the scalp to me. but 1 knew he was lying for Captain Price was very baldheaded on the top of his head. Tlie few who were able to be sent to Maiden were saved, but all who gave out were killed on the way and were Ictt lying on the road in the deep snow. General Proctor, after he had ])roniised us protec- tion bef(M-e our surrender, nexer named, nor did he ])ay any atten- tion to our sick and helpless soldiers. General Wincliester and Major Madison repeatedly told liim of it. but he ])aid no atten- if I i NICHOLASVILLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. HiMory of Jessamine County, Keniachii 135 tion to them whatever. Capt. ElHott, a cowardly British officer, said to Major Madison and Winchester, in my licaring, that "the Indians were very excellent siirj^eons and ought to kill all the officers and men." I have, as you well know, passed through a terrible winter in suffering for our country. We have all been exchanged, and will be at our homes the tenth of March. I re- joice that we have done our duty to God and our country, l^be- nezer is now lieutenant in my place. Look for us on the tenth. Your friend and neighbor. William Caldwell, Acting Captain of the Blues. Conduct of the Kentuckians at Raisin. The conduct of the Kentucky trooi)s under their own officers evinced the highest order of courage and gallantry. They were worthy of the state whence they came and worth\- of all the ex- pectations of those who had sent them to this war. General Winchester, in speaking of the Kentucky troops, said : "On them too much praise can not be bestowed. Assailed 1)y numbers greatly superior, supported l)y >ix ]:)ieces of artillery constantly employed, tiey gallantly defended themselves with small arms alone for over four hours of constant battle. No troops ever behaved with more cool and determined bravery, from the commanding officer (Idwu to the connnon soldier. There was scarcely a single abandonment of dutw .\t last, when their ammunition was nearh' exhausted and tliey were siuToimded bv the enemy, greatlx' sn])eri()r in nunil)ers and the means of war, they surrendered witli a reluctance rt>rel\- to be found on similar occasions." T lad llie regulars tmder Colonel Wells sustained themselves as did the \-olunteers under Lewis and Allen, the awful tragedy of the Raisin A\ould lia\e been avoided, and instead of defeat and massacre and broken faith, there woidd have been a glorious victory. The Kentuckians beat t)ff I'rocliM' and his Lidians. "At ten o'clock in the morning." sa\s Ibitler, in his historv, "Proctor, finding it useless to sacrifice his men in a vain attempt to dislodge this little band of heroes, withdrew his forces to the heights, intending to abandon the contest or to await the rettn-n 136 History of Jessamine County, Kentucky. of the Indians wlio had pnrsned the retreating' party, 'idle loss sustained 1)\' our men was inconsiderable and when I'roctor with- drew they employed the leisure it afforded them to take breakfast at their posts." Their surrender was only obtained by Proctor taking ad- vantage of ( jeneral Winchester's capture and by basel\' misrepre- senting a message which he had sent t(j these Kentucky troops within the enclosure. Civil War. At the commencement of the Civil War, the people of Jessa- mine count\ were divided in sentiment, and many of its citizens took up arms both in the h^deral and Confederate armies. Companv K. of the 20th Regiment, Kentucky Infantry, com- manded by Col. Sanders I5ruce, was almost altogether composed of Jessamine county men, and thev were in the service three years. Andrew AIcCam])bell, captain, resigned June, 1862: Charles R. \\'est was elected captain May 24, 1863, served three years; George W. IJaker, first lieutenant, resigned in 1862; Ben Thorn- burg, Joseph Lewis, afterward A\'illiam L. Steele; Samuel M. Anderson was made first lieutenant September 29, 1862; Allen A. Rurton and S. T. Corn, now of Corlinville, 111., were first and second lieutenants ; W^illiam Plumblee, first sergeant : Levi Rey- nolds, second sergeant ; C)liver Davis, first corporal ; Jonathan White, second corporal. Xames of Men of the Company: x\lbertson, Adam; IJailey. E. Hayden ; l^)ailey, Robt. ; Baker, Benedict; liarnes, J3avid ; Barnes, (ieo. \\ . ; Ih-ennan, John Bright. I'enj.; I'.rown, S. S. ; r>rumtield, James; Bruner, Tilford B>runer, M ; Burch, James; Burgess, W'm.; Coleman, h>ancis Courtney, Jno. F. ; Crow, Zebedee ; Dean, Win.; Dobson, Elias Dobson, Pleasant ; Easley, Jno. T. ; English, W. T. ; h^ain, jno. K. Foster, Frank; Foster, James; (jifford, Jabez; Gilride, Thos. Creen, Corydon B.; Henderson, S. \I.; House, Benj.; Hocker- smith, Edward; Howard, James W. ; Hunter. Jos. A\'. , Hersey Tno. ; Land, James; Land, Robt.; Letcher, Alex.; IMcKane Hi'^for/i of Jeasainine Comilif. Kentucky. 137 James; .McMiirt\, Ixobl. T..; Masters, Frank: Masters. Henry W.; :\Iur])hy, tluis.; I'liillips, T)r. II. H.; i'lunibly. Wiley; Preston, Alfred; PreslDn, Samuel; Ramsey, Samuel; Ramsey, Jno. V.\ Reynolds. llenr\-; Reynolds, James; Reynolds, W. H.; Rhorer, Hardin; Riiey. Henr}' ; Sharp, Thos. ; Short. James M.; Thornhro, Rohi.; Trcdway, David; Tredway, Wm.; Turpin, Jno.; Walters. lUulord; Walters. ( ieo. ; W'oods, Jess. riie followiui^- is a list of tlie colored soldiers who served in the United States Army in Company L. l^fth Cavalry, Capt. J. S. Caldwell, liowen's Regiment, J. S. I'>risl)iu's brigade: Allen. Dudley; Anderson, JefTerson ; Kallard, Wilson; Bal- ard. (ieo. ; Berry. Chas. ; Rowen, James; liaggs. Geo.; Burley, ]'^-ank ; llerrx-, T'^^dmund ; Bell, A. Travis; lirown. Richard B>rc)wn. I )avi<I ; lirown, Sidney-; lirown, Sand\- ; Howies. Jack Blackburn. Chas.; Hush, Jos.; lUack, Jacob; Brown. Perry lir\ant, (ireen; lUirnside. Jno.; Camj)bell. Alexander; Carter Jos.; Carson. W'm.; Clay, .Ambrose; Clay, Henson ; Coleman -Samuel; Davis, David; Dennw lien; Douglas, Xed. ; Favors Tos.;,Frv. Louis; j-'rench, fohn : ( iable. (ireen; (irodon, Marion Dr. Garnett ; ( latewood, Thos.; ( leorge. Lewis; Garvin, Henry (icss. Frank; Flamilton, llenr\-; Hamilt(Mi, Perry ;. Hamilton. Sanford ; Hanson. Robt.; Howard. Adam, (died 1882. 99 years old); Hood, Daniel ; Htmt. Jack; Jackson. .\le\.; King, Hiram; King. Milo; Kyle, ( )range ; McConnell. (jeo.; McDowell. Bacchus; Mason, Robt.; Massie. Jos.; Martin, lulward ; Moran. Anderson; ( )l(lhani, Thos.; Overstreet, Burd ; (hvsley, T^)ranch ; Peniston, James; I'riest, Ste])hen : Ridgele\ , Dick : .Seott. .\lfred ; Scott. Charles; .Scott. King; .Sniitli, Jos.; .Smith, Win.; Si)illman. -Vlex.; .Stout. Isaac; .Sttiart, Jolui ; Tliouias, James; Thoniitson, Frank; Walker. Fdnumd : Walker. Whittield. Confederate Monument. riie handsomest public moniunent in Jessamine county is that erected b\- tlie Jessamine Confederate AU'Uiorial .\ssocia- tion. to the Confederates bm-ied in .\ia])le Grove cemeterx". Xich- olasville. This nionument reflects great credit on the Confed- erate soldiers and friends wlio built it. The work was started CONFEDERATK MONTMHNT. H'ldory of Jesaamine Coinity, Kent nek;/. 13!i in 1880: the niommient was dedicated on the i3tli of June. 1896, and stands in the court-house yard. The platform was erected in tlie court-house yard as the ])lace for the decHcatory ceremo- nies. Special trains were run on all the roads entering the city, and the delegation from Louisville, headed by Col. Bennett H. Young, brought the largest number of persons. The city of Xicholas- ville royally entertained all those who came to unite in the cere- monies. At one o'clock they began. Dr. Charles Mann, presi- dent of the association. ])resided. Ca])t. John 11. Leathers and Col. Bennett H. Young, of Louisville, were the orators of the day. The monument was unvailed b\' Miss Josephine Mann and Master Lawson ( )xle}', of Cynthiana, son of Jefferson ()xle\-, the first president of the association. The exercises were opened with pfayer by Rev. F. W. Noland, a member of the Eighth Kentucky Confederate Cavalry, and the Confederate Glee Club of Louis- ville, sang a beautiful and appro]>riate selection ; the closing song, "Tread Lightly, Ye Comrades," produced a profound impres- sion upon the audience. The history of the work of the asso- ciation, in ccjnnection with the monument, was read by I'rof. A. X. (iordon. its secretary and treasurer. In 1862. Dr. Charles Mann, then a surgeon in the Confed- erate Army, was ordered l>y Gen. Kirby Smith, to gather and care for the sick and woimded who had been left about Camp Dick Kobinson. Alxjut eighty of these, he brought in ]^n'vate convey- ances to Xicliolasville. where they were nursed and cared for bv the ladies of the conminnit\ : lliose who died there were buried in the Xicholas\-ille cemetery. After the war. Dr. .Mann, with the aid of James S. AU Kenzie and Charles ( )l(lhani, gathered otlier Confederate dead, including those who had l)een l)uried in tlie Federal cemetery at Camp Xelson. and brought them to the cemetery at Xicholasville, where a lot had been gfenerously do- nated by the Cemetery Company for that ])ur])ose. . . . . . . The original headboards, liaving rotted down, were replaced by Col. liennett 1 I , \<)ung. and these, in turn, by beautiful granite tablets, whirli now mark tlu-ni Jefterson ( )xley, long a leading niercliant in .Xicliolasville, and as true, hra\e and chi\alrons a soldier as ever wore the gray, did as much as, if not more than, any one man to secure the funds necessary to construct the nionumi-nt. lie died when success 14U Hidorij (if Jt:<.'«(in'uie Coioify, Kodiirkij. was in sight, but before he saw the work acconipHshed. His comrades, and those whose dead the nionnnient commemorates, will l()n<^ keep green his memorw I )r. Chas. Mann, the president, was the surgeon of the Fifth Kentucky Confederate Infantry, and rendered distinguished serv- ices in the Arm\- of Tennessee. He was frequently detailed to important positions, and returned from the war with highest com- mendations of his skill and efficiency as a surgeon and man, since which time he has practiced his profession in Jessamine countv. Prof. A. X. (iordon, a moving spirit in the erection of the monument, was a brave and gallant soldier in the Confederacy, for many years the brilliant leader of educational work in the county, as princi])al of Dethel Academy, and now principal of Allegan Academy for IJoys, near Lexington. The following is a list of the Confederate dead buried in the cemetery, in whose honor the monument was erected : John ^lartin, 30th Alabama ; A. L. Hale, 39th North Carolina ; Henry Rice, 420! Georgia; W. H. Wallace, 6th Florida; J. E. D. 2^Iorris, 6th Florida ; W. J. Hale, 40th (jeorgia ; \V. K. Carter, 9th Georgia; Peter Guin, C. S. A.; W. L. Cooley. 2d Kentucky; B. F. Kernan, 6th Kentucky ; Eugene Dickson, 42d Georgia ; Capt. Sanmel Scott, Louisiana; C. R. Richardson, C. S. A.; \\\ H. Yarbrough, ist Alabama; J. W. W'asham, j/th ^^lississippi ; W. E. Copeland, 3rd Alabama; John A. Bass, C. S. A.; .S. J\L Wil- son, 53d Georgia; D. Campbell, 63d A'irginia ; J. R. Cox, 59th Georgia; J. Brock, 18th Georgia; W. AL Boge, r6th Georgia; O. W. White. 41st Alal)ama ; L. Johnson, 6th Georgia ; J. A. P)Owles. 59th Georgia; J. B. Hale, 2d Georgia; E. Willoughby, 1st Georgia; Geo. W. Tral)ue, C. S. A.; H. Owenby, 39th North Carolina. The peroration of Colonel Young's dedicatory address, was as follows ; "Nor can I close this address without some reference to the Vv'omen of Jessamine countw who. with such patience, such in- dustry, such zeal and such unselfishness, have labored so long" to erect this monument to our beloved dead. Many who helpeo at the inception of the undertaking have been denied the happi ness of seeing its fulfillment, but we feel the sweet presence of their spirits, though they passed over the river before success had Hidori) of Je>^mm'uie County, Kent iifky. 141 crowned the la1)ors of the association. If they are not here, we shall, at least, in love and gratitude, remember them and their work for this cause, and their absence alone mars the complete- ness of this occasion. The noblest and highest of the war's de- mands was to be \vorthy of the faith and trust of the Southern women, and it mitigated the anguish and bitterness of defeat to be al>le through manly tears to look down into the tear-dimmed eves of the women of the w^outli and tell them that in the suffer- ings, sacrifices and ])rivati()ns of all that weary struggle, there had been nothing done or left undone which rendered the men of the Confederacy,- unworthy of what was required by its women, and now. after the lapse of long years, we find the same gentle, loving, beautiful, brave, and unselfish women, with all the enthusiasm of their nobler nature, rearing these memorials to those of our com- rades who went down amid the storms of war, and thus keeping the record of those heroes who gave their Ijlood as a seal of their loyalty to the land of their love and of their troth. We utter benediction for sucli women. May the angels of blessing and j^eace hover over and around them in this life and at its end bring them peacefully to that place where there will be no wars, where monuments are not rc(|uired, where death and sorrow never come. With reverent homage we stand by these graves of our heroes. The}- are hallowed in (jur hearts and souls, and we will honor and adore them forever. These are the men who fought with tile Johnstons. I.ee, Jackson. ISreckinridge, Morgan and Polk, and liraggand Hardee and Hood, and Forrest and 1 lill. and Cheatham and Cleburne, and hosts of immortal heroes. These are the ])artakers of the sublime glor\' of the Confederate armies, and we come in tenderness and devotion and afYection to mark, beautify and bless the soil that garners their dust, and to declare by this monument, which we trust will remain forever, that the memories of the virtues, of the courage, of the chivalry, and of the bra\ery, of the sacrifices, of the sufferings, of the reiKwvn of our departed conu'ades shall be as deathless, as their deeds were illus- trious. ■■|')\' fair\ hamls their knell is riuig li\ forms unseen their dirge is sung. Here honor comes — a pilgrim gray — To bless the tiu-f that wra])s their clay. And Freedom doth a while re])air. To dwell, a weeping hermit, there." 142 Histori/ of Ji'--'<(iiiiinc Comtf;/, Kciitiirkij. Ca])!. James White, a son of Elder \\'il]iani \\'liitc, in 1862, wlien (ieneral Ilrai^g" invaded Kentucky, recruited a company of infantrs . which was in the Fifth Kentucky Regiment Confederate Infantry, conmianded !:>}• CoL Ifiram Hawkins. Tart of the men in tliis company were recruited from Grant count} and were in all the great battles of the Atlanta campaign, and surrendered at ( ireensborough, X. C. in 1865. The following is a list of the members from jessamine count}-, in Captain White's company, and in Company ]>, Capt. Wm. Lewis, Eighth Kentucky Cavalry ,. conmianded by Col. Roy S. Cluke : Adams, Thos. ; .\rnspiger, Geo.; Blackford, lienj.; Bowman, Sanford; Bowman, Robt.; Bowen, Harrison; Brewer, Edw. A.; I'.rown, Samuel M.; Burch, Courtney L. ; Campbell, Fernando Wood; Campbell, Peter; Campbell, Richard; Campbell. Stephen; Chrisman, Benj. ; Cleveland. John ; Cogar. John ; Cook. John W. ; Cook, T. 1').; Cooley. W. L. ; Corman, Geo.; Corman, Grattan ; Daniel, W. H.: Davis, James; Davis, John P.; Davis. William; Deboe. Wesley; Drake, John; Elgin, Jno. S. ; Elmore. Fletcher ;^^ Foster. Dr. T. W. ; h^unk, Henry, killed at Chickamauga; Gooch, James ; Gordon, Prof. A. N. ; Gregg. S. S. ; (iwuyn. Edw. ; Hanly, Samuel ; Harris. J. W. ; Hawkins, Jno. T. ; Hayden, W. A. ; Hoi- loway. Dr. Jno. ; Hollway. Wm. ; Jones. Jonathan, at that time 62, died in '01 ; Jones. A. D. ; Jones. James B. ; Jones. C). A. ; Knight, Campbell ; Lampkins. Jno. I). ; Lear. John T. ; Lear. Jos. R. ; Lear.. Wm.; Lee. Melvin ; Livingston, James; Lindsey. Jos.; Lowrv, David; Lowry, Sanuiel ; McAfee, Maj. Allin L. ; McAfee, Capt. jno. J. ; McBrayer, J<"rank ; McDavitt. Chas. ; McKinzie, Edw. O. ; McKenzie, James; McKenzie. jno. H. ; Mann, Dr. Chas.; Met- calf, Geo. W. ; Musselman, Henry ; Myers, W. E. ; Nave. Samuel ; Nave. Tilford ; Noe, James ; Nolan. Rev. Wm. ; Patten. Wm. ; Phelps. Edw.: Price. Louis S. ; Reynolds. Geo.; Robinson, Jacob Creath ; Roberts, Rankin ; Roberts, Jas. A. ; Rowland, (i. T. ; Rue, Allen; Rue. l-"rank ; Sandusky, Jacob; Sandusky, L. E. ; Scott, Robt.. killed at .Strawberry Plains; Scott. Sanmel ; Sparks, Moreau ; Stine, Jno. G. ; Soper. David; Spears. Christopher, died from wounds in Camp Douglas ; Steele, Atlas ; Vantries, Emanuel, killed at Chickamauga; Walls, Newbold C; Walls, Benj. J.; \\'arner. \\'m.; \\'elch. James ]M.; Woods. Thos. J.; Young,. Bennett H. Hlxtorij of Ji'^^iininic ('niiitfii. Kiiituckij. 143 Scenery. lessamine county has some remarkable natural scenery-. The Hudson and the Rhine have nothing- so beautiful, majestic or grand as the clififs along the Kentucky and Dix rivers. If they had been open so as to have been accessible, they would have made Jessamine county famous; but for many years the\- could not be reached by railroad and orly a part of them were within the limits of navigation on the Kentucky river, and the small boats and the slow time rendered the iovu-ue\ unattractive to the traveling public. \\ ith swift l^oats operated upon the river now that it is locked and danuned to the extreme limits of jessamine county, a great tide of visitors will flow in to see these wonderful natural curiosities. The first complete .\merican geography, written by Jedediah Morse and ])ublishe(l in 1781; at l^lizabeth- town, New Jersey, gave a description of the scenery. It says: "The banks or rather the precipices of the Kentucky and Dix rivers are to be reckoned among the natural curiosities of this county. Here the astonished eye beholds three or four lumdred feet of solid perpendicular rocks, in some parts of the limestone kind and in others of fine white marble curiously checked with strata of astonishing regularity. These rivers have the appear- ance of deep, artificial canals. J heir high. rock\- banks are cov- ered with red cedar groves. The accounts of the fertility of the soil have in some instances exceeded belief and probably been ex- aggerated. The high grounds of Kentucky are remarkably good. The lands of the first rate are too rich for wheat. l)ut will produce fifty to sixty, and in some instances one lumdred. l)ushels and even more of good corn an acre. In conuuon the land will produce thirty bushels of wheat or rye to the acre. ISarlew oats, cotton. hemp. flax, and vegetables of all kinds couunon in this climate yield abundantly. The old X'irginia i)lanters say. if the climate does not prove too moist, few soils known will \ield more or bet- ter tobacco.'' Dr. ChristO])her Ciraham ])re])ared for Collins' llistory a description of some of these curiosities in Jessamine county, and described them in a most effective and attractive way. He says: "After nuich vexation and annoyance, occasioned by the dif- ficulties of the road, we arrived near the (ibject of om- visit, and METHODIST CHURCH, SOUTH. Histoi'i/ of Je^Kiinine County, Kentuckxj. 145 (juilling our horses, proceeded on foot. Upon approaching the break of the precipice, under the direction of our guide, we sud- denly found ourselves standing on the verge of a yawning chasm, and immediately beyond, bottomeil in darkness, the Devil's Pulpit was seen rearing its black, gigantic form, from amid the obscurity of the deep and silent valley- The background to this gloomv object presented a scene of unrelieved desolation. ClifY rose on cliff and crag surmounted crag, sweeping ofif on either hand in huge semicircles, until the wearied eye became unable to follow the countless and billowy-like mazes of that strange and ■A\\ii\\ scene. The prevailing character of the whole was that of savage grandeur and gloom. A profound silence broods over the place, broken only by the muffled rushing of the stream far down in its narrow passage, cleaving its way to its home in the ocean. Descending In- a zigzag path to the shore of the river, while our companions were making preparations to cross. I strayed through the valley. The air was cool, refreshing and fragrant, and vocal with the voices of many birds. The bending trees, the winding stream with its clear and crystal waters, the flowering slrrul)s, and clustering vines walled in by these adamantine rami)arls — which seem to tower to the skies — make this a place of rare and pictu- resque beauty. The dew drops still hung glittering on the leaves, the whispering winds played with soft music through the rust- ling foliage, and the sun])eams struggling through the overhang- ing forest kissed the opening flowers, and all combined made up a scene of rural loveliness and romance, which excited emotions of unmingled delight. The boat having arrived, the ri\er was crossed without difificultv, and we commenced the ascent, and after measuring up two hundred and seventy feet, arrived at the base of the 'Pulpit.' Fifty ])aces from this point, and parallel with it. in tlie solid ledge of the cliff, is a cave of consi(leral)le extent. At its termination there passes out like the neck of a fumiel. an opening, not larger than a hogshead, l^pon pitching rocks into this cave, a runil)ling was heard at an innnense distance below the earth. Some are of the opinion that this cave contains a bottom- less pit. A\'e now ascended the cliffs some fifty feet further, clanil)enng up tln-ough a fissure in the rocks, having the Pulpit on our right, and a range of cliffs on our left. To look up here makes the head dizzy. Muge and dark masses roll up above you, 10 146 Hidory of Jexmmine County, Kentucky. upon whose giddy heights vast crags jut out and overhang the valley, threatening destruction to all below. The floating clouds give these crags the appearance of swimming in mid air. The ascent of these rocks, though somewhat laborious, is perfectly safe, being protected by natural walls on either side, and form- ing a perfect stairway, with steps from eigfht to ten feet thick. At the head of this passage, there is a hole through the river side of the wall, large enough to admit the body, and through which one may crawl, and look down upon the rushing stream below. At the foot of the stairway stands the Pulpit, rising froin the very brink of the main ledge, at more than two hundred fe^t: of an elevation above the river, but separated from the portion which towers up to the extreme heights. The space is twelve feet at bottom, and as the clifif retreats slightly at this point, the gap is perhaps thirty feet at the top. The best idea that can be formed of this rock is to suppose it to be a single column, standing in front of the continuous wall of some vast building, or ruin, the shaft standing as colonnades are frequently built upon an elevated platform. From the platform to the capital of the shaft is not less than one hundred feet, making the whole elevation of the 'Devil's Pulpit' three hundred feet. It is called by some the inverted candlestick, to which it has a striking resemblance. There are two swells, which form the base moulding and occupy about forty feet of the shaft. It then narrows to an oblong of about three feet by six. at which point there are fifteen distinct projections. This narrow neck continues with some irregularity for eight or ten feet, winding ofi^ at an angle of more than one degree from the line of gravity. Then commences the increased swell, and craggy offsets, first overhanging one side, and then the other, till they reach the top or cap rock, which is not so wide as the one below it, l)ut is still fifteen feet across." Miss Jessaaiiine Woodson, a descendant of distinguished Jessa- mine ancestors, and w^ho was named for the county, prepared for the Acme Club a history of the county, and some of her descrip- tions are so vivid and so exquisitely penned that they deserve pres- ervation, in more permanent fonu than newspaper columns; and the author can not refrain fron] inserting two paragraphs : Beautiful and highly favored for situation, and beautiful and Hidory of Je-^mmine Comity, Ketiiucky. il47 symmetrical in form, bounded on three sides by the Kentucky river, making- a liorseshoe, which is for hick as well as beauty, we i:>ehold beautiful and highly iniprovctl farms, well watered and drained by three ])rt-tty creeks and intersected by 130 miles of smooth, well-kept turnpikes made of the blue limestone, which can not be found (^f the same hard (|uality anywhere else in the world, and these roads, with ihe tl-.or()Ugh])rcd horses, the product of the bluegrass and limestone water, is the most attractive feat- ure of this regiori. jessamine is better sup])lied with these roads than her neighbors. We also see her important railways cross- ing each other in tht- center of the comity and diverging to the four points of the comi:)ass. fifteen or more churches and schools, sixteen postoftices and country stores, seven railway stations, three or fotu" villages, besides the county seat, and nian\ a neat, comfortable farm house, and a number of large and elegant coun- try seats, some of tnem dating back to ante-bellum days. We see waving fields of grain, hem]) and tobacco and woodland ])astures, carpeted with green, velvety grass, and trees that are tall and straight and of great variet\- and of wondrous Ijeaut}-', and luider these and in tlie meadows are groups of fat sheej). Jerseys and Shorthorns, thoroughbred horses, Berkshire pigs and Southdown sheep. Thrift}- fruit orchards we see, too, and green hedges of osage orange, and stone fences and barn -yards with all sorts of pretty domestic fowls. Our Ijluegrass pasture lands are our special ])ri(lc. (irass as soft as velvet, and with l)Iades often a vard long, and as fine as a siken cord, witlioul a weed, growing close to the verv trunks of the tall, wide-spreading elms, walnut, oak and maple trees. Here is the home (jf the dr\a(ls and wood nymphs, and here the poet must have been ins])ircd I0 write, "Tlie GnSves were God's Mrst Temples," and these actuall\ were to the noble armv of pioneers who first set up "The Banner of the Cross" while building their log cabins with rides in their liands. The country is gentl\- un- dulating, witli hill and dale, meadow and wood, giving variety and sparing tlie eye from niouotonx- until vou approach the river, when it l)cciinu'x more rugged, but always grander and more wonderful in beauty and sublimity. It is well and beautiful- ly watered, everywhere unfailing springs of clear, cool water, gushing out froiu rocky ledges or bubbling out of a mysterious 148 History of Jc^min'inc County, Kentucky. cave. overtoiDped with waving elm, beach or sugar maple trees. A most welcome sight these were to the pioneers who knew noth- ing of cisterns and microbes, and they invariably decided the site of the homestead. Near many of these are still to be seen the old. moss-covered spring-house, so suggestive of cool, rich cream and firm, golden butter, and of primitive arcadian life. Such a spring is Jessamine, the source of the creek of the same name, and of Hickman and Sinking creek, which Mr. Collins tells us is a remarkable natural curiosity. It rises near the Fayette line, about a mile north of Providence church, runs west through the beautiful I.afon, JUackford and Sandusky farms, and unites with a smaller. Sinking creek, from the north in Woodford, form- ing Clear creek. It sinks four times, running under grotmd from one (|uarter to a mile each time. At times in the winter and spring, when the water can not sink as fast as it falls, it is fifty feet deep and a mile wide. There are many wonders and curiosi- ties under ground besides these streams. Jessamine Creek. Jessamine creek rises in the northern part of Jessamine county and flows in a southern direction emptying into the Kentucky river a few miles al)Ove High Bridge. It rises about two and a half miles above Keene, on the farm now belonging to Mr. Pleas- ant Cook, widch was early settled by the Singletons and Chown- ings. There are two large springs fiom which the water comes f up. but both of these have been very nmch changed in later years. One of the recent owners of the land on which is the creek head, finding the sources of the stream practically bottomless, and that his stock would sometimes fall ir. between the ledges, which created a sort of chasm from which the water rose, hauled four or five hundred loads of loose stones and threw them into this ojiening, thus endeavoring to make it safe, so that stock might w^alk over it. The result has been that when heavy rains fall, the water boils up on both sides within twenty or thirty feet of the spring itself. It has never been known to go dry. It comes out of the side of the hill, the rocks of which overhang the spring about ten feet high. Two large oak trees grow immediately over the spring, and rise out of the cliff overhanging it. A\'hile the stream Hldory of Je-^samine County, Kentucky. 14!» has never gone dry within tlie memory of the yotrng men. the current of water has ver}- much decreased in the last fifty years. The headwaters of Jessamine creek are in the midst of one of the most fertile portions of Jessamine county. The Singletons, the Cokers, the Sanduskys, the Chownings. and the Barclays settled in this neighborhood. Jereniiali Singleton, one of the earliest settlers on Jessamine creek. Ijuilt a mill ahuut lialf a mile below the mouth of tlie creek. It was used both as a saw and a grist mill. The dam was built first of stone, and afterwards lined with brick laid in cement. The mill itself was built of stone. Steam with its accommodating powers, which could be located on roads or in cities, superseded these old mills, and. about fifteen years ago, the mill was torn down and the bricks in the dam removed and used for other purposes. Beginning at its very mouth, the creek passes throtigh some of the finest land in Kentucky, which is admirably adapted for corn, but princi])ally for hemp. Beautiful farms with elegant and tasteful residences are seen on every side, and the great fall which it is necessary for the stream to make in order to reach down to the bottom of the tremendous clififs on the Kentucky river, furnishes magnificent mill sites, and there were no less than six mills along this stream, 'khat i)art of the stream called the "Narrows." near Glass' mill, has some most beautiful and pictti- resque scenery. The creek makes a horseshue bend, the points of the shoe being very close together. Between these the earth rises several hundred feet higli. and. standing on either side, you can look far down below tipon the stream wiuduig its way in silence and grandeur to its resting place in the bosom of the l\entuc]<\- River. High up on the clifTs on the west side of the stream near the "Narrows" is the famous Chrisman Cave. This cave extends a great distruice back from the entrance, running in a northwestern course, and it is a neighborliood wonder and attracts manv visitors from all ])arts of the C()untr\'. A short distance below Spark's Ford is a natural curiositv. known as the "Little Mountain." Tt is a mound standing out separate and single and ]ia\ing no connection with the cliffs. There by the action of the water, or by some upheaval of nature, it has cut loose from all sm-roundings. and stands out alone and independent. ^•>>f5^ IJ Hidory of Jesxamine Countif, Kentucky. 151 The creek was given its name prior to 1774, and prior to that time it had been mentioned at Harrodsburg. There are two branches of the creek known as "Main Jessamine" and "East Jessamine." The East Jessanune rises about three-fourths of a mile above Xicholasville, between the Cincinnati Southern and tlie R. X. I. & Jl. R. R., on wliat is known as the Horine Place. It passes through the town of Xicholasville, and, keeping to the east of the Danville Turnpike, enters the main branch about three miles below Xicholasville. The stone mill, known now as "Glass' Mill," three miles from the Kentucky ri\er, is certainly over one hundred and ten (iio) years old. It is supposed to have been laid out as a mill-site as early as 1782. It was subsequentl} turned into a paper mill which was operated as late as 1849. The rag-house and olifice still stand in a perfect state of preservation. Subsecjuently it was turned into a distillery, run Ijy a gentleman named J!ryan, and is now owned by Mr. Henry Glass. It has water power sufficient to operate the mill seven months in tlie year, and yields 72-horse power. It is a most admirable site, and is as picturescpie and beautiful as it is useful. Jessamine creek is about thirty miles in length. Hickman Creek. Hickman creek rises in Favette countv not far from Lexine- ton, and after running through Fayette and the eastern half of Jessamine county. em])ties into ilie Kentucky river near what is known as "I'oone's Knol)." It is a larger stream than Jessamine creek, and was named for Rev. John llickman. a pioneer Baptist preacher. It has an east and west branch, and each of these has numerous tributaries, whicli pass through high clififs and ridges, rivaling at times tlie cliffs on tlie Kentucky river itself. The country 'between the two branches of llickman creek is one of the most fertile in Jessamine county. The section drained bv Hickman creek is well timbered, and lias still a superb growth of oak, hackberry, ash, and hickory, with a sprinkling of maple. • Along this creek the earliest settlements of Jessamine county were made, and some of the best citizens who ever came to Jessamine, made their homes in tliis locality. ^Ir. I"*hilip Swigert. who was 152 Ilidori/ of Jessamine Coniiftj, Kentucky. born September 27, 1798, came from this neighborhood. When quite a young man he became a deputy in the Woodford Circuit Court Clerk's office, under John McKinncy, who formerly re- sided in Jessamine. He afterwards removed to Frankfort and died in 1871, in the 74th year of his age. He was one of the most distinguished Masons in the state, a self-made man. and by his native force, great good sense, and indomitable perseverance, ac- quired a large fortune and also secured a high standing with the best men of the state. He was born on the old farm near Marble Creek schoolhouse, once the property of A. P. Davis. Jas. Rutherford, Sr.. was another of the early settlers. He was a man of native force, strong friendships, great will, and a large number of his descendants still live in that portion of the county. Abram Vince. who was born in Pennsylvania, in 1784, and died January 17, 1874, was also one of the settlers in this district. He came to Jessamine in 1803 ; he was a descendant of the Swiss emigrants who settled in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, the first half of the eighteenth century. He was a man of high character, great industry, and has left for himself and those who bore his name a goodly heritage. Harrison Daniel also owned propert}' in this section, and long bore honorable and honored part in tlie government of Jessamine county. He was sheriff of Jessamine county under the Consti- tution of 1799, as also a Justice of the Peace. He was a man of good education and strong mind. He was a member of the legis- lature in 1836 and '27- The Bridge at the Mouth of Hickman. The bridge at the mouth of Hickman was long considered one of the engineering wonders of Kentucky. It was part of the structure of the turnpike between Lexington, Nicholasville and Lancaster. It was projected when the state was interested in in- ternal im])rovements, and was lending its credit and its money to the construction of railroads, canals and turnpikes. It cost 30,000. The length of a span was 270 feet, which was unusual for a wooden bridge. Garrard count}' i^aid a part of the cost of the structure. It required six months to build it, and about Hidorij of Jesmmine County, Kcntnchy. 153 eighteen workmen were employed upon it — a large proportion of these were unskilled and received a dollar a day. It was erected in 1838 by Lewis W. Wernwag, a native of Pennsylvania; he died in Lexington, Alo.. in 1874, aged seventy-six years. For the time and with the materials at hand, it is a wonderful structure. It has now remained intact for more than sixty years ; it has car- ried all the traffic required on a great thoroughfare, and during the war it was considered so important that a regiment was sta- tioned on either side to protect it from destruction. It ;s not only a unique piece of engineering, but, in view of the advances in en- gineering since tliat time, was a signal triumj)!! ; and, while it has long been one of the curiosities of Jessamine, it also stands as a monument to the engineering skill, enterprise and courage of its constructors. It was built some distance above the site and floated down the river on rafts in sections, and when put to- gether in position it was so accurately constructed that not even a hammer was required to adjust its parts. High Bridge. One of ihe most noted of the engineering feats in the past thirty years, is the celebrated High Bridge, across the Kentucky river, at the mouth of Dick's river. It was built in 1876. The railway approaches the span from either direction along a ledge of rocks several htmdrefl feet above the river, and the perpendic- ular cliffs run from tlic track to the water's edge for a mile on either side. Where the bridge crosses the Kentuck\- river it has aii elevation of 276 feet above the river bed. At one time it was the highest bridge on the continent, and at the period of its con- struction was a marvel of ingenuitx'. A great man\- distinguished engineers of the country i)ronounce(l the work an impossibilitv. It was necessary to Iniild the structure without trestling, and for that reason the cantilever ]irinci])le was introduced. By this ])rinciple one s])an is erected, and from the end of this span is built out into space i)art of another sjian. The length to which such spans may be extended out int*^ the air without sujijiort is fixed by the weight of the span from which it is built, and these •spans from A\hich the cantilevers are extended are generallv weighted so that thev carr\- tremendous burdens. Manv dis- 154 H'ldorij of Jrs!<aiiitne County, Kentucktj. tinguislied engineers of America pronounced the plan of C. Shaler Smith, who constructed this l:)ridge, visionary, and de- ci<led that it was not feasil)le in this way to construct a bridge at this point; but Mr. Smith \\as a skilled, learned and i)ractical bridge engineer. At this point the Kentucky river with its channel had cut down through the stone cliffs to a depth of about 290 feet. It was necessary to construct the bridge without trestles, and this Mr. Smith undertook to do. He assumed the responsibility of the construction personally, and in the end his designs and his calculations were found to be correct. The great cantilever arms stretched out from the piers on either side, reaching the middle of the channel, and when the last bolt, which was to hold them in place, was dri^■cn, it was said that they did not vary i-ioo of an inch from the calculations which this man had made one day in his ofifice in Baltimore. He immediately sprang into prom- inence as one of the great bridge engineers of the world, and since then others liave followed his ideas and adopted his plans. The bridge known as Young's High Bridge, named in honor of Col. Bennett H. Young, over the Kentucky river at Tyrone, has a s])an 200 feet longer than the one constructed at the mouth of Dick's river. It is ])uilt upon the same principle, and thus over the Kentuck}- river are two of the great cantilever bridges of .America. At the time the Lexington & Danville Railroad w^as to be built, a susjjension briclge was designed to cross this chasm, but the railway company failed after the ])iers had been erected, and these tow^ers stand as a niDnument to the genius of John A. Roebling, who had the contract from the president of the Lex- ington & Danville Railroad, Gen. Leslie Combs, to build a suspension bridge, and about 100,000 were spent in the erection of the towers and anchorage for the construction of the suspen- sion bridge which it ])ecame necessary to abandon because of the lack of financial support. On one of the towers is this inscrip- tion : "Gen. Leslie Combs, born in Clark county, Kentucky, November 28, 1793." The old Cincinnati Railroad from Cincinnati to the South, was at first proposed as an outlet from the Ohio \ alley to the south- Hidorij of Jensam'uie County, Kentacky. 155 eastern seaboard. The enormous cost of constructing the rail- road through the mountains of Kentucky and Tennessee, de- terred private means from undertaking such a task, and the city of Cincinnati, after full investigation, in the summer of 1869, un- dertook t(j build a trunk line of railroad from Cincinnati to Chat- tanooga, in order to give Cincinnati proper connections with all the southern railway systems which centered at Chattanooga, and also to open up to the Cincinnati markets ]:)ortions of Ten- nessee and Kentucky. This line passes through Jessamine county for 17 miles, and is now one of the great American railway thoroughfares. To build it, Cincinnati paid out 20,000,000, but it has proven a good investment, and though it will ])ass from under the control of the city which l)uilt it the cost has been amply returned in the bene- fits it has bestowed. Kentucky River Improvements. The Kentuck}' river flows through Jessamine county for nearly twenty-live miles. It bounds the countv on almost one- half of its border lines. The state undertook to improve the Kentucky river, but it abandoned the work, and the locks never reached farther than Frankfort. In 1865 the Kentucky Iviver Navigation Company was incor- porated by the Legislature, for the purpose of building new locks and dams, anfl extending the navigation of the river through Jessamine county. .\t the September term of the Jessamine County Court, in 1865, John S. lironaugli was a])pointe(l a com- mission to subscribe for 35,000 of stock in the Kentucky Rivet Navigation Company, and in November, 1867, he was further directed to subscribe for 65,000 additional stock in the com- ])any. The conii)an\ failed and its creditors attached these sub- scriptions. Their validity was attacked. The courts relieved ^^fercer and (iarrard counties of their subscriptions, but Jessa- mine county was held for a large proportion of hers and com- pelled to pay it. The river has been ceded to the United States .The old locks have been enlarged and repaired and new ones built. Naviga- tion is now assined to the mouth of Hickman all the vear round. Hixforij of Jessamme County, Kentucky. 1 5T Another lock in process of construction will give navigation throuehout the entire river border of the countv and in a few years the system of locks will reach the coal fields on the North P'ork of the Kentucky and secure to Jessamine county the ad- vantage of river transit for the entire year from the coal fields to the mouth of the river at CarroUton. Turnpikes. Few counties in the state are better supplied with turnpikes than Jessamine. They are l)uilt partly by private subscriptions and ])artlv bv county aid. There are about 175 miles of turnpike in the countv, and when it is remembered that it only has 158 square miles, it will l)e seen that the county is most thoroughly supplied with first-class roadways. At this time there are not ten miles of leading roads in the county that are not macadamized. The county has bought the turnpikes and hereafter they will be free. Ferries. Two of the earliest ferries established in Kentucky were with- in the limits of Jessamine county. The first ferry in Kentucky was across the Kentucky river at Boonesboro. authorized in October, 1779, by the Legislature of \'irginia, on the farm of Col. Richard Callowax-. while the second ferrv established b\- legislative authorit\- in Kentucky was at the mouth of Hickman creek in 1785. 'ihe act was as follows: "Be it enacted by the General Asseml)ly, that public ferries shall be constantly ke])t at the following places and the rates for jKissing the same be as followeth, that is to say : from the land of James Hogan in the county of Lincoln across the Kentucky river at the mouth of 1 lickman's creek to his land on the opposite shore in the county of kayelte. for a man four ])ence, and for a horse the same." Up to 1786, ( miy the ferries had been established in Kentucky ; two across the Ohio river and three across the Kentucky river. Tn 1786, two more were established, one of which was the ferry at the mouth of Dick's river, the legislative act for which was as follows: 158 Historij of Jessmnine Comity, Kentucky. "Section I. Whereas, it has l)eeii represented to this present General Assenil)ly that it wouhl be of pubHc utiHty to estabhsh a warehouse for tlie reception and inspection of tobacco on the land of John C'urd in the county of Mercer; "Sec. II. He it therefore enacted that an inspection of to- bacco shall be and same is hereby established on the land of John Curd l_\inj;- at tlie mouth of Dick's river in the county of Mercer, to be called and known l)y the name of Curd's warehouse. "Sec. V. Be it further enacted that a public ferry shall l)e con- stantl\- Icept at the folh^wing places and the rates for passing the same as followeth, that is to say: Upon the land of the said John Curd in tlie count}' of Mercer across the Kentucky river to the opposite shore, for a man four pence, and for a horse the same, and for the transportation of wheeled carriages, tobacco, cattle and other beasts at the place aforesaid, the ferry keeper mav de- mand and take the same rates as are !)}• law allowed at other fer- ries. If the ferry keeper shall demand or keep from any person or persons whatsoever any greater rates than are hereby allowed, he shall for every ofifense forfeit and pay to the party aggrieved the ferriage demanded or received and ten shillings, to l)e awarded with costs before the justice of the peace of the county where the offense shall be committed." The Largest Corn Crop. Jessamine county, it is claimed, has produced the largest yield of corn ever known. In 1840, Gen. James Shelby, of Fayette county, received from the Agricultural Society a premium for the most productive five acres of corn. The five acres yielded 550 bushels, or tig bushels per acre ; but in the same year Walter C. Young, of Jessamine county, who then lived in the eastern ])art of it, gathered, by dis- interested parties, from two acres of a field of corn, the enormous yield of 195 and 198 \-2 bushels, respectively, which stands, so far as known, as the largest yield ever obtained from a similar area. Hemp Manufacture, The manufacture of hemp begun in Kentucky as early as 1796. and was introduced by Nathan Bm-rows, of Lexington, who after- lIlMoni of Jemtminr Cniinf>i, Knifuclnj. 159 wards produced lUirrows" mustard, whicli received the i)remiuni for excellence at llie World's Fair in I'.n^land in 1851. The growth of lienip commenced with tlie earliest days of the settlement of Kentuck\-. It came wiili the corn and flax, among the first products of the state. The soil of Jessamine county has always been extremely favorable to the ])rodtiction of this plant. The black loam, so general throughout many parts of GEORGE BROWX. the county. ])ro(hices liemp of very heavy and excellent fibre, and Jessamine county stands among the greatest ]icm]i-])rodiicing counties of Kentucky. Per acre, no count\- in the state jjroduces a larger yield. Melanchtlion Young, who resides about a mile from Xicholas- ville, on the Harr()dsbtn-g ]^ikc, lias betMi one of the great hemp 160 Hixtorii of Jt's-'<(tmlne Count ij, Kentucky. growers of the county and in the last quarter of a century has rarely failed to secure fine crops. The introduction of Chinese hemp seed thirty years ago stimulated hemp product. As show- ing the extreme fertility of Jessamine county soil, the land upon which Mr. Yoimg has been growing his hemp, a portion of it at least, has been in cultivation for more than one hundred years, MELANCHTHON YOUNG. and the yield, after a century of use, of the ground is greater than when the crop was first planted in the virgin soil. Jessamine count}' has always been one of the great hemp coun- ties of the state. Clark, Fayette, Scott, Bourbon, Woodford and Jessamine; grow the bulk of the h.emp crop raised in Ken- tucky, and in the earlier period of manufacture in the state this stai)le produced great ]irofits and brought large gains to those H'ldonj of Je-iKamine County ^ Kentuchj. 161 who were engaged in it. Among the pioneer manufacturers of bagging and rope were George I. Brown, Moreau Brown, George J?rown, Henrx Aletcah", A\'illiam Scott and Col. Oliver Anderson. Mr. Cleveland, in Keene, also manufactured rope and bagging. '\losi of the people engaged in this business amassed large for^ tunes. The bagging was used at tliat time in baling cotton throughout the Southern States, and there was no other substi- tute, prior to the fifties, for the Kentucky bag-g-ing. This bagging was generally carried to the Kentucky river and shipped by steamboat to Louisville, and thence distributed throughout the South. \'ery few white men were ever employed in this manufacture. !Most of those who operated the factories, owned in large ])art the negroes necessary to carry on the busi- ness, and where tliey did not have sufficient hnnds, they hired them from the surrounding farmers, by the year. The hacking of the hemp was done in open sheds, and the dust, which has, in close factories, been so detrimental to health, was not considered injurious by those engaged in the manu- facture in Jessamine cotmty. The hemp crop in Jessamine was not sufficient to supply all the factories operated, and much of the staple was purchased and bought in parts of Garrard, Mercer and Woodford and hauled to Nicholasville and there manufactured. Geo. I. Brown was prob- ably the pioneer of hemp manufacture in Jessamine. He was a man of fine personality and a strong intellect. He repre- sented Jessamine county in the Senate in 1829 and 1834. and in the House of Representatives in i82(j and 1832. Robert Crockett, a son of Col. Joseph Crockett, built what is now known as the Union Mills, five miles northeast from Nich- olasville on Tlickman creek. The buildings were constructed about 1803. and ccjmprised a grist mill, a saw mill and a powder mill. This mill has continued in operation down to the present day. The old stone house near it. which was erected at the same. time, is still one of the most substantial houses in the county. Nicholasville Beginnings. ]\Iaj. Anderson ^Miller, in 1805. made up a large lot of gun- powder, at his father's residence in the northern part of Jessa- 11 Hldofij of ,J('--<-<(xin'uu' (Jouidij, Keidackij. 163 mine; he hauled it by wagons to Loitisville, bought flatboats and shipped it to New Orleans. The venture was largely remimera- tive. In July, 1824, a capillary steam engine, invented by Dr. Joseph Buchanan, was used in working Jackson's cotton factory in Nicholasville. In early days cotton was grown quite extensively in Ken- tucky, in sufificient (|uantit\- to meet all the wants for family use. Dr. Joseph Buchanan was a professor in Transylvania Uni- versity, and this engine was a remarkable piece of work. It was claimed for it that it was perfectly safe and that one cord of wood would sustain a seven-horse power for twenty-four hours. In- ducements were offered to owners of steamboats to avail them- selves of this capillary arrangement, because of its great power in proportion to its weight, to enable boats to outrun all competi- tors by changing the boiler for a generator, thus converting the boilers then in use into capillary engines. The first shoemakers in Nicholasville were Samuel Peake, Thomas Dunbar and a colored man named Martin. Also James Lusk, who carried on the business until 1837. The first saddle and harness-maker in Nicholasville came in 1812, and was named Ednumd Phipps. David Majors was an- other person, who carried on a saddlery and harness bttsiness three-quarters of a century ago. Early in the twenties iMlnunid I-".nianuel ITart established a cabinet-making shop and his son. josc])li liart, settled in Nich- olasville as a cabinet-maker in 1834. The first liat-makers were Thomas Foley and Stephen Guy, and thcv made wool hats in a house on the lot now occupied by the hemp factory of E. R. Sparks, and on the corner lot of Dr. Talbert, John l>itzlen carried on the making of silk and fur hats. It was with him that Robert Young learned this business of manufacturing silk and fur hats and opened a factory in Nich- olasville, in 1825. John La h'evers, of French Ilugtienot extraction, had a pot- tery establishment on the lot of the late Mrs. Eve. His daughter, Nancy La Fevers, was the first person to open a school m Nicho- lasville, in 1802. Miles Greenwood, of Cincinnati, who was a dav laborer on the lf)4 Hl^iirij nj Jesmmine Oiiiitti/, Kentucky. Lexington and Danville turnpike in 1831 and '32, helped to dig" the land down oti a level with the pike where the court house now stands. He worked with James Gooch, who had undertaken to build a section of the pike running through Nicholasville. two miles each way from the town. Air. Greenwood afterwards be- came one of the most distinguished men in the business world at Cincinnati. Postmasters of Nicholasville. The postmasters of Nicholasville have, some of them, held unusually long terms. Benjamin Netherland held the office from 1801 to 1822; Dr. Archibald Yoimg from 1822 to 1826, and ^^'m. Rainey. from 1826 to 1835. He was succeeded by Jas. Lusk; he by James A. Welch, he by David P. Watson, and he by Jas. A. A\'elch. In 1848 D. P. \\'atson was again appointed post- master, and was succeeded by R. A. Gibney, who held the office until 1856, when he was succeeded by Joseph Fritzeen. After him, Thos. Payton held the office for eight years, then H. C. Ro- denbaugh, who remained postmaster for eight years. Then fol- lowed W. J. Denman ; he was succeeded by Samuel AI. Anderson who held the office for eight years, and was succeeded by John B. Smithers, who held it for four years, and he gave place to W. L. Buford, who now holds the place. Court House in Nicholasville. The first court liouse erected in X'icholasville was Ijuilt in 1823. In earliest times the (|uarter session judges who represented the Circuit Cotu"t held their sessions in sheds or stables, or in par- lors of their private homes. Judge ^^'illiam Shreve. the last of the (juarter session judges, often held court in a shed attached to a large stable on the ground where the Jessamine Female In- stitute is now built. The court house of 1823 was a lirick build- ing and was used until 1878. It had thus served the people fifty- five years. It was erected by Thompson Howard, who removed to AJissouri, and died there in 1836. It was inconvenient and un- comfortable, but it served well in its day, and the men of the present generation have many delightful and pleasing memories Hisiory of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 1G5 connected w ith the old red brick edifice in which they have often listened to the great men who made Kentucky liistory, for the half-century following 1820. The first work on the present court house was done Septem- ber 5, 1878. The new Iniilding cost 38,385, and is a superb structure of modern st}le. The magistrates composing the County Court, when the question of either repairing the old court house or putting up a new one was first advocated by Hon. W. H. Phillips, the present County Judge, were : Dudley Portwood, John J. Cobbman, E. J. Young, Charles McDavitt. Mordecai Crutchfield, Richmond Plunter, George T. Nave, K. j. Scott, Isaac Pourne and Ednnmd E. Horine. A commission had been appointed, consisting of G. B. Bryant, J. L. Logan and W. G. Woods, to examine the old court house. They reported that it could not l)e repaired. Thereupon the construction of a new •court house was undertaken. It may stand for a hundred years as a monument to the public spirit and wisdom of the officers wdio laid before the people the necessity and the advantages of a new structure, which in all its appointments is credital)le to a great ■county. It has all modern appliances and conveniences. Jt was pro- vided for by taxation and the obligations of the county have long since been paid off. It was opened for the public in 1878. The ministers resident ttf the town of Xicholasville. were invited Ijy County Judge Phillips to dedicate the structure with re- ligious ceremonies, which occurred at nine o'clock on Monday morning. The following ministers were present : Rev. A. D. Rash, Baptist; W. F. Taylor, Methodist Episco])al, vSouth : T. F. Farrell, Methodist l'4)iscopal ; Rev. Russell Cecil. Presl)yterian ; also the venerable John T. Hendricks, of Paducah, who died only a few months since in Texas. Judge I'hillips first spoke in the new building. 1 le announced the purpose of the meeting. After the reading of scripture. Dr. Hendricks took the ten commandments as the basis of his ad- dress on "The Law Which Should Govern Men and States." The members of the bar at the opening of the court liouse in 1878 were: George S. Shanklin. Penj. P. Campl)ell, J. S. I'.ronaugh, H. A. Anderson, T. I \ Wood, M. T. Lowry, A. L. McAfee, W. S. Holloway, George R. Pryor, L. 1). Baldwin. P C. Wickliffe. W. HUtonj of Je.'fmmine County, Kentucky. 167 H. Crow, G. Ij. Letcher, Benjamin A. Crutcher. On the same dav Circuit Court met. Honorable Joseph D. Hunt. Judge of the court, arrived at noon and at one o'clock opened court, with Charles J. iJronston, Connnonwealth Attorney, who had been recently elected to that position. Of the sixteen i^rand jurors who were than empaneled only five remain ; Lee Reynolds, G. W. Goodc, W. J. Dennan and G. S. Moseley. Hotels. Xicholasville in its earliest days had distinguislied men as pro- prietors of its hotels. In those times keeping- hotel was a much more important Imsiness than in later years, hnmediately after the cessation of the Indian raids in Kentucky, there was such a tremendous influx of travelers that almost everv gentleman took out tavern license. The prices were not very extravagant, but it was more to accommodate friends and to sho\\' hospitality than to make profits. The uniform ]:)rice was, for each meal of victuals, 25 cents : for lodging and a l)ed at night. 12 1-2 cents : horse. 121-2 cents ; horse with corn and fodder at night. 18 3-4 cents. Whisky and brandy were plentiful, as tlie ])rices show at this time. The price was, for whisky or peach brandy. t8 3-4 cents per pint, apple brandy and cherr\- botmce, 4 pence a drink. Joshua Brown was a soldier in the Revolutionary war. He married Margaret r^Iansel. He was in the siege of Yorktown, and served for six months tmder the innnediate supervision of General \\'ashingti)n. lie came from Baltimore, Marylaml, and landed in Lexington, Kentucky, in 1789. He had four sons: C»)l. W'ashington Brown, Preston Brown, Samuel Brown, ami Col. Thomas Jefferson Brown. The twi:) latter were both graduates of the Transylvania Cniversit}-. Wash- ington studied and i)racticcd law. He married Gen. Hugh Chrisman's daughter .Matilda; ( leneral Chrisman then lived on Hickman creek, at the old stone house, the last building erected by Gov. Thomas Mett'alf in tlie count \. Col. Geo. W. Brown settled in .Xicholasville in 1825. 1 Ic twice represented the county in the legislature. He was an enterprising citizen and a suc- cessful niainn'acturer of heni]). He left Kentucky in 1837 and 1(>8 Hidory of Jesmvtiiir CoKiity, Kentucky. moved to Charleston, South CaroHna, where he died in 1862. Alexander Campbell said of him that he was the most perfect and courtly gentleman that he had ever met. The names of these two sons, Washington and Thomas Jefferson, evinced a high degree of patriotism ; one being named for George Washington and the other for Thomas Jefferson. Thomas Jefferson Brown came to Nicholasville and took charge of the hotel in 1836. He was a man of splendid appearance, six feet two inches in height, and on count}- militia days, in his fine uni- form, and on his thoroughbred horse, in a suit of blue, with a red silk sash and golden epaulets, he impressed all who saw him with his superb physique. He studied medicine, but did not practice. He married ]\Iiss Mary J. Wallace, of Jessamine, and settled in Xich()las\'ille, taking charge of the Central Hotel, where he died in 1849. He was reckoned as one of the most courteous men of the county. His kindly heart prompted him to many generous deeds and his helpfulness to the struggling and de- serving left him manv grateful and sincere mourners. He first urged the necessity of a public cemetery in Nicholasville, helped to lay off Maple Grove cemetery, and was the first person buried there. He and his Avife dispensed kindly hospitality. They were charitable and humane, and created pleasing impressions on all who visited Nicholasville. They left a family wdio have al- ways been prominent in county affairs. ^Nliss Henrietta Brown, Mrs. Virginia Noland, and Mrs. Victoria Mitchell were daugh- ters of Col. Brown. Public WelL The P'ublic Well on the corner of Main and Maincross streets in Nicholasville is one of the most remarkable in Ken- tucky. Twice during the Civil War and in very dry seasons it had its capacity tested to the fullest extent. The Ninth Army Corps, commanded by General Burnside, encamped for three wrecks around the town and the entire division used the w^ater from this well night and day. Several thousand of General Bragg's armv also encamped near Nicholasville and used water from the well in Septeml)er. 1862. and even these were unable to reduce the strength and power of its flow. This well is iBo feet HlMortj of Jessamine County, Kentuckij. 169 deep and was bored by John W. Charlotter, a blind man. The well was put down in the year 1846, and after blasting- down to the unusual dei)lh c^f 180 feet a stream of water was struck. It gushed up ten feet high and from that time to this has furnished all who demanded of it, clear, cool, refreshing drink. No drouth and no call upon its resources has ever lessened its flow, and after more than half a century of usefulness it is yet the pride and comfort of the citizens of the town. Bethel Academy. The Legislature of A'irginia in 1780 set apart 8.000 acres of land for the establishment of schools in Kentucky. The Ken- tucky Methodists early took measures to secure part of the land appropriated to this purpose. Bishops Coke and Asbury attend- ed a conference held at AIcKnight's, on the Yadkin river, North Carolina, in 1789. Here the Kentucky Methodists, by letter and messenger, requested direction. The response to this petition was that during the next year Bishop Asbury would visit Ken- tucky, .and if the petitioners could secure a grant of 5,000 acres of land from the state or individuals, a college shoidd be completed within ten years. Early the next spring Bishop Asbury. accom- panied by his friend, Richard Whatcoat, who was himself after- wards made a liisho]). came through from X'irginia on horseback to Kentuck}'. 1'hey sto])ped on their \va_\- in Southwestern \'ir- ginia, and tliere waited for an escort from the friends in Ken- tucky. The Kentucky guards did not appear as soon as had been expected. l)ut en a certain Afonday morning Bishop Asbury re- lated to Mr. Whatcoat ilial the night before in a dream he had seen the friends f(^r whom they had been waiting. After break- fast they retired to the banks of a small stream nearby for prayet and meditation. W liile engaged in these services he saw ap- proaching over the hills two men. He felt at once that these were the Kentuckians coming for him. This proved to be the fact. These men were Peter Massie, afterwards known in Kentucky as the "Weeping Prophet," and John Clark. They delivered the Bishops their credentials and told them that they had left a guard of eight men in the vallev below, rcadv to start for Kentucky, as Hidorij (if J('.-o<amm£ County, Kentucky. 1~1 soon as was his pleasure to beg-in the journey. The following is the entry that T'ishop Asbury made in his journal : "After reading- the letters and asking- counsel of God. I con- cluded to go with thcni." They left Southwestern A'irginia early in May, 1790. with six- teen men and thirteen g-uns. They were to make a journey of more than 200 miles through a wilderness constantly waylaid with savages. Three times a day they halted to feed and refresh themselves, and each lime they sought God's protection and guid- ance in prayer. The first day they rode 35 miles, the second 45 and the third 50. This rapid travel proved a little inconvenient to the Bishop, who complained that he could neither sleep nor eat. He says : "While in camp some were on guard, while others rested." They frequently passed the graves of those who had been slain by the savages. In one camp he saw 24 graves. They arrived in Lexington on the T2th of May. On that day the Bishop preached and then held a conference in the house of Richard Masterson. Constant services were held ; ministers were ordained. Francis Poythress. the Bishop declared, was much alive to God, and they arranged for a school to be known a& Bethel Academy. They rode to the land of Thomas Lewis, at the bend of the Kentucky river, near High Bridge, and ]Mr. Lewis there offered the Bishop a hundred acres of land as a site for Bethel Academy. The Bishop remained in the vicinity nearly two weeks. i)reaching ever\- dav, making accpiaintances and many friends for the pro- jected scheme. His ])rincipal asislants in estaljHshing I'.elhcl Academy were Rev. Francis Poythress and Rev. John Metcalf. .\ brief sketch of Mr. Poythress will not l)e out of place. He belonged to an old and distinguished family of \'irginia. He sought tlie instructions of a minister of the church of T*".ng> land, and in 1773 lie was led to the Saviour and connected him- self with the ^Methodist chm\-li. In North Carolina. .Maryland, Tennessee and \'irginia he did splendid work for tlic clun-cli to which lie liad made his allegiance. Whenever there was danger he was always ready to go where duty called. \\'lu'nc\er tliere was a difticult commission he would sav : "llere am I, send me." He traveled over a large 172 Jlidorij of Jei<!<amme County, Kentuchj. part of these states, preaching under tlie trees and hi cabins, en- during- all the hardships of the settlers in their wilderness homes. A man of some scholarshi]^, he was easily enlisted in the work of building Bethel Academy, in which he was not altogether suc- cessful and was unjustly censured. His health failed and his mind gave w-ay. He removed from Kentucky afterwards to North Carcjlina. He never entirely recovered either his spirits or his health or his energy. He returned to Kentucky in 1801, but no work was assigned to him. He made his home in Nich- olasville. Tn 1810 Bishop Asbury saw him and was deeply dis- tressed at liis condition. Tn I7Q2 Bishop Asbury made his second visit to Kentucky and he entered in his journal: "I wrote an address on behalf of Bethel School," and later on he says, "I find it necessary to change the plan of the house to make it more comfortable for the scholars." Rev. Thomas Hinde. a contemporary of Bishop As- bury, makes this entry: "Bethel Academy. Our conference for T7g7 was held at Bethel School, a large three-story building erected by Mr. Poythress on the bank of the Kentucky river, in Jessamine county." The work of Iniilding had progressed so that in the year 1794 a school was opened. The following letter from Rev. Jno. Met- calf. will be interesting: Nicholasville. Jessamine Co., Ky. June 13, 1794. lion. George Nicholas: I have lately received from you two of your kind letters and would have answered them before now, but I have taken charge of Bethel Academy and I have been so confined for the last two weeks in fitting up suitable places of abode for some of my pupils that T have greatly neglected my private affairs, especially that portion of it which you are attending to in Lexington. Your friend, John Metcalf. The Kentucky conference of the Methodist church in 1797 met in Bethel Academy. The Rev. Mr. Metcalf was principal until 1803. For a while Bethel School was a competitor of History of Jessamine Coimfi/, Knitucky. 17':i Transylvania Academy, at Lexing^ton. tlicn under control of Pres- byterians. The orip^inal site oi Bethel Academy was chosen for its wonderful lieauty and ior its adaptability for a village. The lines of travel and lines of settlement could not then be deter- mined. It oui^ht naturally to have been the county seat of the count}-. In J7(J9 Rev. X'alentinc Cook took charge of the literary de- partment with Rev. Francis Poythress as assistant. Mr. Cook was a man of scholarly attainments aud ^\■as a distinguished grad- uate of Cokesburg College, at Abbington, Md. He remained with the school one year. His anti-slavery views induced his re- moval. In 1803 Rev. John Aletcalf moved to Xicholasville and open- ed in his own house a school which he called Bethel .Academy, Mr. Harris maintaining Bethel School on the Kentucky river as a neighborhood school until 1805. In 1798 Mr. ^yletcalf pur- chased several lots in the village of Nicholasville and erected a good log house, which still stands and is the property of his grandson, John Metcalf. At this house Bethel Academy was continued until 1820. when a new brick building was built and the school was continued in it under the name of Bethel Academ\-. About this time Mr. [Nletcalf died, in the sixty-third year of his age. In T7(;8 the I-egislature of Kentucky passed an act incorporat- ing Bethel Academy. The first section of the act is as follows: CHAP. XXXI. An Act Establishing liethel Academy, aud Incorporating the Trustees Thereof. A])|)roved b^eb. 10. 1798. I. Be it enacted by the Ceneral Assein])ly. thai llie Rever- end iM-ancis Poythress, John Knobler, Xathaniel Harris. John Metcalf, Barnabas McHenry, James Crutcher, James Hord and Richard Masterson, shall l)e, and the\ are hereby, constituted a body politic and corporate, to I>e known by the name of trustees of Bethel Academy, and by that name shall have perpetual suc- cession, and a conunon seal, with i)ower to change the same at Hidory of Jesminine County, Kentucky. 175 pleasure : and as such shall be authorized to execute all powers and ])rivile_2:es tliat are enjoyed l)y trustees, governors or visitors of any college or university within this state, not herein limited or otherwise directed. Section 6 provides as follows : "The President of said academy sliall be a man of most ap- proved al)ility in literature." For five \ears from 1841 Professor A. R. Xurthup, .\. M.. a graduate of the Wesleyan L'niversit}-, was at its head, lie was succeeded by Charles F. Smith. In the early part of the century a grant of 6.000 acres of land was made by the state of Kentucky to Bethel Academy. In 1876 l^rofessor A. ]M. Gordon was elected principal. He was the ablest teacher ever in charge of tlie school. In 1877 the ])roperty of the academy was leased to Professor Gordon for ten years. Professor (Gordon introducing the condition that five indigent, sprightly boys should attend the academv each vear free of charge for tuition. Under the direction of Professor Gordon Bethel Academy attained high rank as a school. The buildings as uiodernized are in the middle of five acres of ground, and they are large and elegant, and were erected in 1878 at a cost of 7,000. After the abandonment of the site on the Kentucky river the one hundred acres of land given b\- Mr. Lewis re\erte(l to his estate, but por- tions of the material of the building were taken to Xicholasville and used in erecting a school building there. At the end of 105 years Bethel .Academ\- has been turned over to Xicholasville. and is now a graded school, it is used for the public benefit. It ha^ lost its denominational control, and is part of the great system of the general education of the masses in the State of Kentucky. The first site of Bethel Academy is still easily found. ( )n the splendid eminence overlooking tlie mighty banks of the Ken- tucky, one can stand on the ruins of the ancient building, in which was begun tlie life of this school, and for miles around can see what a hun(h"ed years of cultivation and growth have wrought. The school is gone. The structure, then palatial as an educa- lional home, has cruml)led and decayed, but as tlie e_\c takes in the ])icttu'esque and charming landscape, covering parts of Gar- rard. Jessamine, Woodford and Mercer counties, with fertile farms, happy homes, large families, loyal and true citizens, all 176 Hi^orii of Jr^mni'uic (hiiuty, Kentiivhij. contented in their abiding places and all busy and satisfied with tlieir places in life, the saddening- memoiries of the old school, are hushed by admiration for the prosperity, peace and industry which rise up to tell that the work of a century is not lost, but that the grandsons and great-grandsons of these educational pio- neers are not unworthy of the founders of this ancient school, in which were centered the hopes and aims of the brave and liberal men who gave it a name and being in the wilds of a wilderness. Jessamine Female Institute. One of the most important and successful of all the enterprises in the county has l^een Jessamine Female Institute. In 1854 an act of the Legislature was passed allowing the organization of a company for the purpose of conducting a female school of a high character ; such as would attract patronage from abroad, as w^ell as give the highest facility for education in the town. The capital stoick was fixed at 2,500 in shares of 100 each. The articles of incorporation under this act were signed by Alexander Lyle, Thos. E. West, L. H. Chrisman. J. D. Hili, R. E. Woodson, Her- vey Scott, Robt. Young, D. B. IVice, J. A. Scrogin, J. P. Letcher, \\'. C. Letcher, M. T. Lowry, G. ]\I. Barkley, Isaac Barkley, J. I'\ Barkley, C. F. Smith, A. L. McAfee, M. T. Young. Samuel AIcDowell. \\m. McDowell, Jas. H. .AlcCampbeU. After this, in 1855, the school was reorganized, and Rev. ^l. Branch Price, a Presbyterian minister, was elected principal. After some years of successful administration he was removed by death, and was succeeded by Mrs. Jj;Cob I'rice, wife of the Rev. Jacob Price, a Presbyterian minister. In 1857 she was succeeded l:)y Rev. Mr. Frazee, a Presbyterian divine, and he in turn, bv Mrs. Browning, who presided one year. In i860 Rev. Joseph McDowell Matthews, of Hillsboro. Ohio, rented the ground and building and conducted the school under the name of the Jessamine Female College. The incorporators of this collge were J. C. Wilmore, Henry M. Chrisman, J. B. Cook, T. J. Cas'seil, Moreau Brown, S. S. Mizner, J. S. Bronaugh, J. W. Olds, R. M. Messick, John ^IcMurtry, P. H. Smith, ^^^ R. \\'elch, Wva. Brown, Thos. B. Crutcher and J. S. Mitchell. At the end of the term of 1862 Dr. Matthews returned to Ohio. Ilishirij of Jr.-isamine County, Kentucky. 177 111 1863-64 Rev. J. E. Spilman, then pastor of the Presbyterian church, conducted tlie school for several years. In February, 1866, tlie Legislature of Kentucky granted a charter for the Jessamine County Female Institute, with the fol- lowing incorporators: Robert Young, George Brown, Dr. Joseph P. Letcher, T. B. Crutcher and J. S. Bronaugh. Under this charter the school was to be non-sectarian. In 1881 the school was closed for want of patronage and in September of that year Miss AI. F. Hewitt took charge of it as principal. Under her management it was highly successful for twelve years. In the very beginning of her administration the number of pupils was largely increased, and it became necessary to erect new and more commodious buildings. In 1 881 the Board of Trustees determined to erect the present building, at a cost of 20,000. This money was almost altogether subscribed by the citizens of the town and county. There have l^een a large number of graduates from the school ; several hundred, all of whom occupy either as teachers or in so- ciety, most prominent and distinguished positions. Miss Hewitt was compelled to resign her position as principal by reason of declining health, and in 1893 Mrs. B. W. Vineyard, the present principal, assumed control of the institution. Under lier conduct the reputation of the school has not declined and the condition of the l)uildings has been greatly improved. It now stands as one of the leading institutions in the state, has a large patronage from all parts of Kentuck\ and tlie .'-^onth. Tlie curri- culum is wide enough and broad enough for all ])Urposes and the patronage has met tlie expectations of all connected with the management and control of the institution. Newspapers. Ihere are two ncwsjiapers published in Jessamine countv; the Jessamine jounial and the Xicholasville Democrat. The Jessamine Journal was founded by J. M. Parish, who came from Mt. vSterling in 1872. and was its editor and owner. For several years it was printed on a Washington liand-press and had a hard struggle for its existence. It changed owners seven or eight times, and the office was destroyed by fire in 1886. At the time of 12 Hixtorij of Je!<sainin(' Count ij. Kentucky. 179 this fire it was well equipped with a large power press and a first- class outfit of type. J. M. Kerr, who |)urchase(l the plant from C. W. Metcalf after the fire. i<in it on a small scale for a short time and in 1887 sold it to Col. II. M. McCarty, who was one of the most successful and distinguished journalists in Kentucky. He was secretary of state un<lcr Tiovernor Knott, and held other I.OriS I'lI.CHHK. positions of distinction. 1 larry McCarty, one of the edit^>rs. was the junior mend)er of the company. -\t this time its editorials were (juoted ver\- largely throughout the state. At the death of Col. AlcCarty in 1891 his interest was sold to T. 11. Morris, who was connected with the paper until 1894, wiien he disposed of his interest to J. W. Stears. The pa])er is now edited by .Mr. Harry McCarty and Mr. Stears. It lias a wide circulation, democratic in its politics. 180 History of Jrs.-<(iiiiiiic County, Kentucky The Nicholasville Democrat, an eig-ht column folio, was estab- lished in June. 1888. At that time it was the property of Louis Pilcher, the present editor and proprietor, and his brother Thomas Fielding- Pilcher. After a short time a job printing- plant was established. For eight years its office was in the old historic building erected l)y Judge Wake. Thomas F. Pilcher and his brother, Louis Pilcher, assumed the management of the paper. The former assisted in establish- ing the Lexington Argonaut. Tie did his first newspaper work on the Lyceum Debater, afterward on the Central Courier, and was for five years the correspondent of the Cincinnati and Louis- ville dailies. He was one of the promoters of the Lexington Advertiser. Later he edited the Nichola.sville Star. In 1895 he established "The Coming Nation," which absorbed the Illustrated Kentuckian. and these two were merged into the Argonaut. He afterward founded the Plue Grass World and then returned to his present position as editor and proprietor of the Nicholasville Democrat. Mr. Pilcher has had a wide experience as a newspaper man. In the Cleveland campaign, he did work on the Louisville Courier- Journal, paragraphing and producing comic articles wdth Donald Padman. He was born in Nicholasville, July 11, 1855, opposite where the newspaper office now stands. The first paper published in Nicholasville of political char- acter was the Nicholasville Democrat, in 1857 to i860. It was stronglv anti-slavery, and the office was raided and the type pied and dumped in the streets. Samuel Leffingwell and the late Dr. Jno. C. Welch were its editors. For a while, from 1871 to 1875. Nicholasville was without a paper. The Central Courier was established l)y Samuel ( )wens in 1875 and subsequently con- solidated with the Jessamine Journal, and was known as the Journal-Courier. In 1875 the late L. D. lialdwin purchased a plant in Frankfort and edited a i)aper for one week. He sold it to W. T. Jones, who never printed an issue. At this time Col. McCartv came to Nicholasville and secured the necessary meana to establish the Jessamine Journal. In 1895 the third paper was staiied. with Al. E. Wilhoit as editor. It was printed in Lexington. This paper passed into the hands of T- T. Farrow and shortlv afterward suspended. The Hl-^tori/ of Jr.<!<niniur Comitij Kentuckij. 181 Xicholasville News was published in 1878 b\ A. W. lluggins for a brief ])eriod. The first paper ever pubhshed in Xicholas- \ille was a reh^ions ])iibHcation under Presbyterian auspices and was founded in early years, it is said. ( )thers deny the whole story. Sulphur Well. Sulphur W ell. about h\c miles from Xicholasville in the south- •eastern part of the county, was for many years a prosperous vil- lage. The discovery of a well of sulphtir water gave this town its name. For a long time many persons fre(|uente(l the ])lace to have the benefit of the waters, which were supposed to have medicinal value. It is on the main road from Xicholasville to Hickman creek. The first settler in the village was John Walters, a l>aptist minister, and he succeeded in having a Baptist church built there in 18 [3. Mr. Walters and Robert Ashurst preached to the church for several years. Of late years, the village has had its name changed to Am- brose. It is imj -roved very nuicli, and the buildings in the village are neat and tasteful, and the people kmd and hospitable. Wilmore. The following liistory of the ambitious and thriving citv of Wilmore was prepared by A\'m. (i. AV'ilhite, and it is inserted as \vritten by him : The village of Wilmore, the second in population in Tessa- mine county, is situated on the Cincinnati Southern railwav, five uiiles southwest of Xicholasville and about the saiue distance north of the celebrated High Uridge, where the railway crosses the Ketitucky river. 276 feet above the water. Although bui eight years old, it contains a population of aboitt 600, and is proib- abl}' growing more rapidly than any little town in Central Ken- tucky. A steady and constant increase, without any inflation or boom methods, lias made a stable j)opulation of healthy growth. There is not a vacant house in the town today, and as fast as built a house is occupied. Its existence practically began with the foundation of Asbury College, which started September 2, 1890, 182 Hidonj of .Jt'mamine (\nnitij, Kentucky. in four rooms, with two teachers and eleven pupils.. Tts growth has been, to a large extent, coexistent with the growth of this col- lege, both in 1)uilding and increase of faculty and students. In the first year there were enrolled 70 pupils. In the second year, 120. The highest number enrolled in any year was 160. In the eight years of its existence there have been over 1,000 students enrolled and 25 graduates. Sixty ministers of the gos- pel have also been sent out from this school to various parts of the country in this time. Students from 20 states and from Can- ada, England, Japan and Persia have attended here, and its in- fluence has been widespread and is growing. Organized just 100 years after the founding of Bethel Acad- emy, the second chartered institution of American Methodism, and within four miles of the original site; it has renewed the work of its venerable predecessor with vigor and grown into a power. There are now six buildings, with the president's house, and a large cliapel, on six acres of campus. The co'llege has a capac- ity for teaching 300 students and boarding 100, w^ith a faculty of eight teachers. This remarkable growth is due in a large measure to the en- ergy, ability, and foresight of Rev. [. \\\ Hughes, the founder and president since its organization, whose constant labors have made Asbury College a strong and worthy monument to him- self, and a power for good in the conmumity and abroad. * * BUSINESS. Its nine business houses, carrying almost everything in stock that is needed or used, draw a trade far beyond its limits, and frorri three counties. Two drug stores and three doctors, insure the continuance of a healthy coimnnniity: three l)lacksmith and car- riage repair shops, find profitable employment ; one leather and harness shop is kept busy supplying everything in its line, from a buckle to a buggy top ; two butcher shops, and three large stores of clothing, dry goods, general merchandise and hardware supply the general needs of the outer and inner man. The Glass ^Milling Company was established here on July 1, T891. Its mill, wliicli ground 60,000 bushels of wheat last year, with a capacity of sixty l)arrels of flour per day, is one mile from the railwav station. Its offices and warehouses, in Wilmore,, Hidorij (if .Ji-:<siiiiiiiie County, Kentucky. 183 were l)uilt I'cbruary, I'f^^)'/, and since then all its business has been transacted from this point. This company also deals in coal and lumber, and since its establishment, in the town, has handled over 2,000 tons of coal. Tlu. Saegerser iNlill Company has a grist mill in the town, run bv a gasoline engine, and does general grinding, and deals in meal. fccfl-stufTs, etc. A good livery stable, well-patronixed. is one of the conveni- ences. Wilmorc is an important shipping point (^n the railwa}', as evidenced\ the amount of freight received and forwarded. The receipts to the railway companies amount to about25,000 per
annum for freight and about $3,000 for passengers. Large aiUMaiits of grain, cattle, hogs, produce, etc., are both shipped from and received here, in addition to merchandise, coal, lumber and articles of domestic consumption. It is essentially a moral and religious community, and the in- fluence of its churches and missionary work is felt widely beyond the limits of Jessamine county. The Presbyterian church, with a handsome place of worship, and a membership of 150, presided over by Rev. Dr. E. O. Guer- rant, himself a noted preacher and evangelist, in addition to hand- somely supporting itself and him. keeps at its own expense, five missionary ministers in the mountains of Kentucky, a record not equalled by any church in Central Kentucky. In addition it has educated two young men for the ministry, keeps up a penna- nent contribution to an orphan asylum in South Carolina, and giv 's largely ^o charity and foreign and home missions. Its record for liberality and quick response to worthy appeals is noted in its presbytery. Its pastor is a man celebrated throughout the South and East as a powerful and successful evangelist, both in the large cities and in the most remote mountains. The .Mctiiodist church adjoins Asbury College. It is also a commodious and handsome building. Its history and work is almost coexistent with that of Asbury, and much that has been said of the college in a former paragraph, applies also to the church. It was founded fifteen years ago. and is the oldest and also the largest congregation in Wilmore, with a membership of 225. This church is also in connection with Asbury College, 184 Hidory of Je.-<m)nine Count y, Kentacki/. noted for its evangelistic work and spreads its intiuence through and beyond the state. The Rev. E. S. Savage, who has hitely succeeded Rev. J. A. Sawyer, is the regular pastor, wdiose hands are worthily upheld bv his congregation. The Christian church, though the youngest (founded in 1888), is second in membership, having 150 communicants. The church has probably the handsomest interior of all. Rev. Air. Robinson, lately appointed minister, is popular \\ ith his congregation. A colored church, with forty members, completes the list of liouses of worship in the town, though two miles east is the thriv- ing and steady Mt. Freedom Baptist church. It is the oldest of the churches in the immediate neighborhood and numbers its members a generation back. With a well-conducted public school of seventy-five pupils, in a new anc' comnjodions schoolhouse; with handsome, modern dwellings,, and with social and educational advantages unex« ■celled anywhere in the state, it is not necessarv to "boom" Wil- more, as a desirable place to reside or do business in, and we can, therefore, rest on the statement on which the Declaration of In- dependence was founded: "Let facts be submitted to a candid TV o rid." Church Land. Judge Tucker Woodson's place was for a long time known as "Church Land," and the origin of the name was interesting. An English gentleman of finished education and culture, of scientific tastes and talents, was a guest at Chaunfiere, and be- came in time almost a part of the household. His name was ("hurch. He had been with Robert Fulton experimenting with ■steam, and came from Pittsburgh down the Ohio river to Maysville on the first steamboat that ever ran on the river. From Maysville he came to Lexington, and thence to Mavsville, and made many experiments in his endeavors to perfect this wonderful invention and its a])plication to the movement of vessels. He finally returned to England, married and brought his wife to Jessamine county to be near Colonel Aleade and familv. He was a man of independent means and built a quaint English Hidorij of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 185 cottage on the \\'oodson estate in the place now occupied by Mr. Jesse Bryan and hvcd there some years, and from this circum- stance the place was always called Church Land. After some rears Mr. Church removed to Lexington and died there. Camp Nelson. Camp Nelson has become quite an important village in the last few }-ears. It is at the mouth of Hickman creek, near the wooden bridge, that spans the Kentucky river, on the line of the Lexington and Danville turnpike. It was established in 1863, and was tlie ])rincipal point for the concentration of Federal forces and munitions of war on the line of the Cumberland river. It was named in honor of Gen. William Nelson, who was born in ?^lason count}-, was a distinguished soldier, and Avas killed in Louis vdlle by Gen. Jefiferson C. Davis, whom he had grossly insulted. It remained a militar}- camp until the close of the war. and has a fortified circumference of about ten miles formed, in large part, by the high hills and cliffs of the Kentucky river, and partly b} breastworks thrown up, that yet remain. On the land has been established a L'nited States militar\- cemeter}-, in wliicli are in- terred over 5,000 Federal soldiers. The population of the village is. at this time, al)out 200, mostly colored people, who have set- tled on the cliffs and hills near the Kentucky river. Ariel College is located at Camp Nelson. Tliis is an institu- tion for the education of colored men and women. It is officered l>v white teachers, and has been the source of great good and help to the colored people. Rev. John C. Randolph was the first native Kentuckian who enlisted negro soldiers in Jessamine county. A copv of the fol- lowing letter written by him to Gen. Burbridge is interesting, historically : Nicholasville. Ky., June 9. 1864. Gen. S. G. T'urbridge. Conmiander. Department of Kentucky: Sir — There is a slave in the connt\' jail here, confined for no civil crime, but because his master feared he would run oflf. The l)o\' has told me he wishes to volunteer as a soldier. Have fSs^^<I^^v^"*'•'^-^^''i%r*:: ■ ^.^■^ ■•• 0tV-. COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH. H'tstort/ of Jesmmine Coiintji, Kentucky 1 H7 I the right to take him from the county jail and let him come into the army in the state? Most respectfully, J. C. Randolph. Deputy Marshal and Superintendent ui Colored Enlistment at Camp Nelson. Another letter w ritten about this time frcjin Nicholasville will prove interesting. It was sent to the postmaster at Keene, and is as follows : Office Provost Marshal, Xicholasville, Ky.. July i8. 1863. To the Postmaster oi Keene, Ky.: I am informed that the Cincinna*^^i Enquirer is distributed at vour office. Militar\' authorities forljid its circulation at }our office. You will stop it at once, or you will be arrested by the military authorities. John Pendleton, Captain and Provost Marshal. Keene. This village is about six miles northwest from Xicholasville, on the A'ersailles turnpike. It was laid out in 1813 and called North Pil)ert\, l)ut its name was changed to "Keene." in 1848, throug"h tlie influence n\ Tlmmas Jones, a hatter, who came and settled in the xillage about the vear T845. His native town in New Jlam])shire was Keene, and through his influence X\)rth Liberty was ])lotted ont, and Keene was established. About the time of the change of the name, in boring for a well a fine stream of sulphur water was found. In those days, sulphur water, wherever found, was su])])Osed to have valuable medicinal prop- erties, and, during the prevalence of cholera, in Lexington, about this time, a large number of people came to Keene and lived dur- ing the panic, fKcasioned l)y this disease in Lexington and sur- rounding towns. Ixcene liad several stores and a very nice hotel •. and its stores do a first-class local business. It is within sight of the ^It. Pleasant P)a])tist church. The neighborhood surrounding Keene was settled bv some of the best men who in earlv times came to Jessamine countv. lob liisfor^/ nf Jes^diiilii)' ( 'iiinitij Ke)itiickii. There is an old stone-mill at Keene, which was built in 1794. In the last few years it has fallen into decay. This mill was provided wilh a combination of horse and water power, and was erected by Aianuah Singleton. The Singletons were among- the best people who came to Jessamine, and \\-ere good farmers and enterprising men, and they Ijuilt this stone mill, which was a fine structure in its day. It has been operated until within the last twenty years. It relied for its water power upon a large spring, which was located about a mile and a half away, upon a place formerly owned by ^Ir. Robert Young, and sold by him to Air. Andrew Hampton. This spring rises up in the valley, and runs down into a large cave, which was a habitation for the Indians before the advent of the white man in this section of Kentuck}-. This spring reappears some distance from Keene, and this and the water that flowed from other small streams in the neighborhood, supplied the power for the opera- tion of the mill at Keene. In the early days, when steam was unknown, mill-sites were very valuable. \\'hen the hunters and pioneers first came to Kentucky, in crossing streams they would mark mill-sites, and in their notes state that at such and such a place was a good mill- site, and the lands that were contiguous to such sites were always considered of great value, and were promptly taken up by the settlers, or by their representatives. Survevors in these days would laugh at the preservation of the water and its use in the operation of these mills, but in the days of our forefathers, it was either water power or horse power, and horse power was extremely slow and inefifectual. and, as it sometimes required a mill-race to run a mile and a half to get the proper fall, opportunities were promptly and energetically seized wherever a proper fall of water could be secured bv dams to operate these country mills. Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, One of the oldest churches in Jessamine countv is ~S.lt. Pleas- ant baptist church, near Keene. It is located in a flue neighbor- hood, in the midst of rich lands, which were settled about 1790 Hiatonj <)f ,Jc.<i(iiiiiiif: Cntudij, Kentnckij. 189 by some of tlic most enterprisin.e,- and 1)est-educated people who came to Jessamine count}- at that period of its history. From time to time there had been preaching; in this locaHty by the Bap- tists who were connected with the South Elkhorn church, which was over the F'ayette Hne, but in 1801 at the request of one hun- dred members of the South Elkhorn church who were living in the neighborhood of Mt. Pleasant, application was made to or- ganize a new congregation, and Rev. John Shackleford, Absalom Bainbridge, and John Kellar were authorized to investigate and constitute a church at this point. The South Elkhorn church still exists, but is not so prosperous as its daughter, ]^It. Pleasant. The rules of the church which were adopted at this tmie were very peculiar, and were headed, "Rules of the Church \\'hile Sit- ■ting on Business" : 1st. It is agreed that no motion l^e attended to withotit the person making such motion addresses the Moderator standing, and this proposition be seconded. 2nd. That no member speak while the church is on business except to the Moderator, and then in a mild and Christian man- ner. 3rd. That no member speak in church meeting to the same matter more than twice without leave of the Moderator. 4th. That no member leave his seat in time of l)usiness. 5tli. The Moderator sihall call to order, whenever these rules are violated. Ary memlx'r called to order lias a riglii to a voice of the church, it he chooses. Among the first members were the \\'illiam?es, the Woods, the Hugheses, the Smiths, the Singletons, the Haydons, the Hamptons, the Sales, tlie .Mosbys, the Barclays, the Holloways and the Proctors. From its commencement Mt. Pleasant has always been one of the most prosperous of the liaptist churches in the BUtegrass section. The neighborhood, settled b\' Uaptists, has been domi- nated and controlled 1)y I baptists from the time of the organization of this church down to tlie ]M'esent. Tt is an evidence of the per- sistence of the religious denomination in any conununity wliere once fairly planted. The first ]:)astor was Rev. George Stokes Smith. He was a man of strong indi\iduality, great talent, and was a member of I'.Hi H'lxtorij of Jesmminc Coimtij, KentKckij. tlie convention wliich framed the Constitution of 1792, and R; presented F'ayette county in that body. He was prominent and mrinential, and was pastor of the churcli from 1803 down to 1810. In lliat year Edmund Wallef-, a nephew of Rev. G. S. Smith, was called as pastor of the church, and remained with it until June, 1843. He was a man of i;reat power, great earnestness, and oreat consecration, and built up a very large congregation. The church book shows that the deacons in memory of Mr. Waller draped the pulpit in mourning for him who had been the true and faithful pastor of the church for thirty-two years, and the first Sabbath of July in that year was directed to be set apart as a day of fasting and prayer. Edmund Waller, who was the father of John L. Waller, was born at Spottsylvania Court House, \'a., in 1775. He was the son of Wm. E. Wallei and l)rother of Wm. Smith Waller, the Lexington banker. His motlier was a sister of George Stokes Smith. He was buried a few miles from Mt. Pleasant in one direction, while his uncle Smith is bin-ied three miles south. He served the church longer than any other pastor. The church has had twen- ty-one pastors, the minister being the Rev. E. W. Argabrite, and under his ministration the church bids fair to have many years of continued usefulness. Nicholasville Presbyterian Church. The Nicholasville I'resbyterian church was organized June 12, 1820, by Rev. John Lyle. Alex. McFeeters, Samuel Rice and James Ewing were chosen the Elders. Previous to this the Presbyterian preaching place had been established about one and a half miles from Nicholasville on the farm of Samuel McDowell, which is now owned by his son, William ^McDowell. The first member to connect herself with the church was Mrs. Jane Meaux. She was always one of its most faithful and liberal sup]K)rters. She donated to the church the ground on which the present church edifice and parsonage are situated. Rev. John E. Coons supplied the church from 1839 to 1852. The first church was erected when Rev. John Hudson was pastor. It was on the corner diagonally opposite the Jessamine Female Institute, occupied quite a large space, and had in con- Hidorij of JcsMtiiiiiie CoKidij, Kentuchij. I'.M iiection with it, a l)urving-g"round. The l)uilding was completed in 1825, but not dedicated until October 7, \'!^2~. At this time a jM'otracted meeting was held, and the church received a great out-pouring, and more than sixty persons were added to the mem- bership. This church has sent into the ministry an unusually large number of men. among whom may I)e mentioned Rev. John T. Hendrick. Ke\-. W'm. (i. Rice, Rev. Charles Sturtevant, Rev. M. B. Price, Rev. Thomas R. Welch, ]:>. D.. Rev. Daniel P. Young, Rev. Chas. \\ . Price, Rev. J. E. Spilman, Rev. Robert Mann and Rev. Jas. Priest, who was a slave of Airs. Aleau.x, and wlio, aftei his emigration to Liberia, was vice-president of that republic, having gone there as a missionary. The present clun-ch building was dedicated on tiie 3rd of January, 1851, by Rev. R. J. Preckinridge, D. D. The present pastor is Rev. R. E. Douglass. The gentlemen who have served as its elders have l)een among the most prominent citizens oi Jessamine during the ])ast seventy-five years, in addition to those already named, Ephraim Tanner, Dr. Archibald Young, Maj. Daniel 15. Price, Reuben B. Berry, W'm. II. Rainey, ( )liver Anderson, Jas. Clement, Jas. McKee, John L. Price, ( )tho Rob- erts, Thos. E. West, Jas. Anderson, Wm. S. Scott, Chas. ]•". Smith, John .\. Scroggan, W'm. M. Todd, Robt. '\\)img. John A. Willis. ^Vm. Clark, W. I), ^'oung. Harvey Scott. W. C, Woods, S. D. Young, A. X. (iordon, Thomas Butler and Jolm Steele. Maj. D. 1). Price was Clerk (if the Session for thirt\-two \ears, while John A. Willis has acted in the same capacity for thirty- eight years. This church is regarded as one of the most liberal of the Presbyterian churches in Kentuck}-. Its donations to Center College, Central Cniversity, Danville Theological Seminary, and to all the causes of the chm-ch have been extremely generous, and give the church a high standing among all Presbyterians. This church is tlie mother of the church at ^^'i1more, the church there having been snp])orted and maintained 1)\- the Xicholasville clnu-eh until it became self-supporting. -^ a: a aiaSfe' COLORED CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Hidorij of Jpf.-'amine County, Kentucky. 1 9:-{ Clear Creek Presbyterian Church. One of tlic most interesting of the ancient structures in Jessa- mine county, is Clear Creek Presbyterian churcli. It was erected about 1829, and was organized by Rev. Nathan H. Hall. Among the names of the founders are those of Dr. Archibald Young, James Carrothers. Ephraim Carter, David AlcKee. and Archi- bald Logan. Tliis old clnnx"h is about a mile and a half from Wilmore on the Xicholasville turnpike. It was abandoned some years since, and sold to the colored people, who now use it as a house of worshi]). .At one time it was a very important congregation, and a large and prosperous church. Its first pastor was Rev. Simeon H. Crane, who served tlie church for one-third of his lune for$150 per annum.

It was Ijuilt entirely of stone, and the old seats and floors and
pulpit are still intact.

In a little cemetery across the road slee]xs the dust of manv
pious members, whose faith found expression in song and prayer
in this old church.

St. Luke's Catholic Church.

The only Catholic churcli in Jessamine county is that of St.
Luke, in Xicholasville, Jw. It was erected in 1866 on ground
deeded for that pur])ose by Moreau Rrown. It was dedicated to
the service of Cod in 1866 l)y Rev. Father \\'illie. and in this the
Centennial year of Xicholasville has 156 members.

Bethany Christian Church.

One of tlie most interesting churclies in Jessamine counlv is
] Bethany Christian church. Jt was organized on the first of Feb-
ruary, 1845. through the ministration of Jacob Creath, Samuel
J. I'inkerton and James Simms. For a long time it was one of
llie most prosperous and successful of the cluu-ches of that de-
nomination in tlu' count} . l)ut has recently been reduced. It had
sucli members as Dr. James J. Burch, Samuel Muir, George S.
P.ryant, r.enjann'n Robinson, Dr. Jolui Bryant, ^\'illiam IT.
13

1!'4 Midofij of Ji'--'!<(Uiiine (Jounttj, Keiifuckij

Daniel. I'enj. J. Mitchell, and other responsible and prominent
citizens.

The Northern Methodist Church

^^'as erected in Xich.olasville in 1875. it is one of the hand-
some church edifices of the town, and was Iniilt almost altogether
through the efforts of Moreau Brown, Esq., who was so long a
resident of Nicholasville, and one ot its most successful and
prominent members, and who died in 1886.

The present pastor of tliis church is the Rev. \'. T. Willis.

The Nicholasville Christian Church

Was organized in the spring of 1828 by Elder George W. Elley,
Mr. Ellc}- had a religious debate with George \\'. Sturtivant, a
young Presbyterian minister and was engaged in the boot and
shoe business in Nicholasville in 1826, removing from there to
Lexington in 1829, where for 20 years he was engaged in bus-
iness and was a leading member of the Christian church.

The records of this church have been burned, and it is im-
possible to get all the data concerning its organization. Elder
Jacob Creath, in a letter written some years ago, says : "Brother
Campbell and nuself went to Kentuckv from Guyandotte,
Western \'irginia, which was in 1828. In January, 1829, I was
invited by my deceased uncle, J. E. Creath. Sr.. to hold a meeting
in Nicholasville with Brother AA'illiam Morton. We held the
meeting in the Presbyterian meeting house which was located in
the west end of the town. Diu'ing the meeting it rained very hard
all day. I jireached from John xx, 30 and 3 r . 'Many other signs
truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not Avrit-
ten in this Ijook.' "'

The first church building of this congregation was erected in
1830. ^\'illiam Shreve and John Wallace were chosen elders
and James Sinuns and James Sale deacons. W'illiam White,
James Simms and Closes Hawkins were long leading and faithful
mcml)crs of the church. The present handsome edifice was erected
in 1874 and is one of the most comfortable and convenient church
structures in the city. The congregation has a numerous mem-
])ership and has a most influen.tial position in the countv.

Midori) of Jr.-'saiulne Coantij, Kentucky. 1'J5

First Baptist Church.

This church was organized on tlie loth of I'ebruary, 1849,
by a commission coni])ose'l of Rev. R. T. Dillard, Joseph R. Bar-
bee and E. Darnaby. I'liere were only seventeen members then
present. Stephen P. Waller was chosen clerk and Jonathan Baker
and E. A. Waller were chosen the first deacons. Its first pastor
was Rev. Thomas J. Drane. It has had a line of distinguished
ministers through the fifty years of its existence, and, while not
a very large congregation, has always been an extremely faithful
and earnest one. The present pastor is Rev. \\'illiam D. Xow-
lin. 'Ihe edifice in which the c(jngregation worships was built in
the \ear 1852.

Ebenezer Church.

Ebenezer rresb\terian church was organized by the Rev.
Adam Rankin, somewhere between 1785 and 1790. He came to
Kentucky from \'irginia in October, 1784. This church is on
Clear creek close to the town of Trc^y. Change of roads and
lines of travel have rendered the location unsuitable. The first
church was 1)uilt of logs, raid the stone chtirch, which was
abandoned in 1876, was begun in 1805. and was used continuously
for nearly a century bv the descendants oi the people who or-
ganized this congregation Among the first members were Wm.
Evans and wife. Thcs. Woods and wife. \\"m. Garrard and wife.
Robt. Gwin and wife, l^jhraim Tanner and wife, Thos. Read and
wife, Robt. P.lack and \\iie. Jas. lUack and wife. Hugh Garrett,
Robt. Lo\\re\-. Mrs. Xancy Drake, and the Lambkins, Beattys,
Longs, Scanlands, l^camers. Hedges, I^hillipses and Logans.

The descendants of many of chese gtjdly people remain in the
neighborhood and still sui)port the church of their fathers. One
of the most useful and honored of all the ministers of Ebenezer
churcli \\as Rev. X'eal Gordon, who came from Georgia and sup-
|ilied tlie church for thirtv vears. He was a most zealous and
self-denying servant of Christ. His grave is close by the door of
the old stone church. Tn this old building are the straight
benches and the wh.ite ]jainted pul])it which were used for more
tlian fift\- vears. Around its deserted walls rests the dust of its

lyG HUlorij of Jesxaniiiie Lhimfij, Kcntuckij.

failhlul supporters for one hundred years; in silence and solitude
these i^raves still speak of the faithfulness and consecration of the
people of this church.

The nienihers of the Ebenezer and the Clear Creek churches
united in 1870 and formed the Troy Presbyterian church, and
while Troy church is just over the Woodford line, (juite a large
l)roportion of its menibershi]) resides in Jessamine. Rev. E. O.
( "luerrant. D. 1)., was called as pastor of the Troy church in 1886.
He infused new life and energy into the organization. He has
since resigned the pastorate and taken charge of the church at
W'ilmore, which by a large increase in membership demands the
whole time (^f the ])astor.

Methodist Episcopal Churchy South.

The first church building erected in Xicholasville was bv the
members of the Methodist Episcopal church in 1799. The frame
church which stood on the same lot some twenty steps from the
present fine building was erected through the labors of the Rev.
Ji»hn Metcalf aud the Rev. Nathaniel Harris. The house was
56x36 and had a room for the colored people 30 x 15.

One of the ablest ministers who preached in this church was
the Rev. Chas. Watson ; he was a successful and distinguished
evangelist. ' Iftentimes at meetings he took occasion to show
his brethren his ordination certificate which bore the autograph
of IJishop Aslnu'w These were considered most valuable me-
mentoes among the early Methodist people.

Bishop Asbury laid the foundation of the Alethodist church
in America, and his piety, learning and consecration did much to
widely spread the doctrines of this denomination. The house
was dedicated l)y the Rev. Charles Chenowerth.

The following letter conveyed the invitation :

Jessamine county, Kentucky, Sept. 9, 1799.
Rev. Charles Chenowerth :

Dear Brother: Our meeting house is completed, and I in-
vite vou to be with us the second Sunda\- in October to preach
the first sermon in the new house. I have written severail others

Il'idortj of Jc-«a)niue County, Kcntiichj. l'.*7

to assist in holding the revival, and am still living on the bank
of the Kentucky river, and preach every Sunday.

Yours truly,

John Metcalf.

To which the following- response was written :

Xear Harrodsburg, Ky., Sept. 26, 1799.
Dear Bro. IMetcalf: I was handed your letter to-day by
Bro. Rule, and will inform you that I will come if no unforeseen
occasion prevents me from doing so.

Truly yours in the Gospel of Peace.

Chas. Chenowerth.

Rev. John Metcalf was the first minister. He had preached
in Xicholasville for years before the erection of the church build-
ing. His preaching was often at the house of Elijah Wallace
who then lived where Judge Phillips now resides.

In 1789 Rev. Thomas Williamson succeeded Mr. ]\Ietcalf. but
Air. ]\Ietcalf returned in 1804. In 1805 ]\Ir. Metcalf moved his
family to Xicholasville, as also Bethel Academy, which was then
carried on, on the banks of the Kentucky river.

In 1821 the distinguished ^Methodist. H. H. Kavanaugh. after-
ward bishop, filled the pulpit. In 1846 the old frame church was
torn down after standing fort\-six years, and a new brick house
was erected, and a few years since the present beautiful and
elegant structure was erected on the same ground. Rev. T. W.
AVatts is the minister now in charge. The congregation has al-
ways been considered one full of faith and good works, and has
•done efficient service for the cause of (Jiod.

In 1843, there was a great revival in the Methodist church at
Xicholasville, which was under the conduct of Rev. Rice Harris.
The following preachers were in attendance : Jonathan Stamp-
ers, Benjamin Crouch, Richard Deering, Charles Watson, B. H.
McCown, Thos. X. Rawlston, Rev. Air. Kelly.

The following letter written by David Crozer, who was the
owner of and was operating Crozer's Mill on Jessamine creek, to
the Hon. Tucker Woodson, gives an account of this meeting:

198 Hi4onj of Je^aaiiune Cuttidij, Kctdnckij.

"Jessamine county, Ky.
■'Four miles east of Xicliolasville, Feb. 13, 1843.
"Plon. Tucker A\'oodson :

"Dear Sir: ^'our esteemed favor of 10th is received, and
havino^ a little leisure 1 hasten to answer it. 1 was ni)t aware of
the fact stated l)y you, that the roads 1 named to you were undei
the control of the local boards. I knew that there was a law ol
last session, avtthorizing the state board to take the management
of all the roads, and had understood that they had generallv done
so. ( )n the sul)iect of the proposed bank. I am greatl}' at a loss
to give yoti my opinion, and can not exactly see and appreciate
your present position on this, only I know that you were elected
as opposed to relief measttres. I am greatly astonished at the
news this morning from Xicliolasville. There is a great revival
going on at the ^Methodist church ; more than thirty have been
added to the church. Among the converts are Thomas H. Bal-
lard, Stephen Spragens, Aloreau Brown. Mrs. Keene. ]\Irs. Wil-
more (wife of T. D. Wilmore), Jacob W'ilmore, Jr., Sandy Wake,
James Buskett and A\'m. 15. Payne. Idie Rev. Rice Harris was
greatly assisted in this meeting by his brethren from other cir-
cuits.

"AA e must ourselves watch and avoid the careless side of life.

"D. Crozer."

Air. Crozer was mistaken as to Jttdge A\"ake. He never joined
the ^Methodist church.

African Methodist Episcopal Church.

This church is situated on Fast street in Xicholasville, and
was organized September 15, 1845, ^^y R^'^'- Samuel ^yliller, who
then erected the first house of worship that this congregation
ever had. The present beautiful structure was Iniilt through the
labors of Rev. James Turner. This church has a verv active
membershi]) and a large, successful Sunday-school, which exerts
a fine influence throughout the members of the church. The
minutes sho\A- that it is one of the most liberal of the colored
churches, and that in thirtv ^■ears it has contributed to i)enevolent

objects about $18,000. Its mcniberslii]) includes a very large list of names. 1 1 ])resent ])astor is J\ev. 1'. A. Nicholas, a native of i larrison count \'. K v. Colored Christian Church. One of the handsomest colored cliurclies in the C(junty or state, is the Colored Christian Church, Xicholasville, which was erected in 1843 '>'i'' ^oi* several years used as a house of wor- ship, l)eing' then known as the Union Church, where all the colored people from time to time held their services. It was not tmtil the year 1867 that the officers of the church bought the Union Clnircli and became a separate organization. The pres- ent pastor, the Rev. W. H. Dickinson, came to the congregation on the first of September, 1896. He is a native of \'irginia. The churcli Iiuilding now in use was erected in 1890. It has a large membership and is one of the most prosperous of the colored churches in Central Kentuckv. Colored Baptist Church. The first colored l!a])tist church in Xicholasville was organ- ized in 1846. ]->w of its records have been preserved. Rev. Robert Ir\'in was the first pastor, who remained in the church fcur years. The present membership is 356. It has been pros- perous and particularly so under the ministrations of its present ])astcr. Re\ . Jolm William Clark. 200 Hi-^orji of .Tt'X!«ii)ih})' Omniij, Kenincky. Biographical Sketches of Prominent Citi- zens of Jessamine County* James Irvin. The last Revolutionary soldier to die in Jessamine county was James Irvan. He was born in Mecklenburg- county, Va., in 1/54, and died in Jessamine county in 1851, at ninety-seven years. He served seven years in the Revolutionary war and was badly wounded at the Battle of Guilford Court House, Alarch 15, 1 781 . He was shot in the left hip. He came to Jessamine countv in 1793 and raised a large family of daughters who all lived to be over eighty-seven years of age. He is the only Revolutionary soldier who very many of the peoi)le in Jessamine county ever saw. When Gen. William O. Butler was a Democratic candidate for Governor of Kentucky in 1844, James Irvin and four other Revolutionary veterans rode in the carriage with General Butler from the place of Air. John lUuler. on Jessamine creek, on the Danville pike, to Xicholasville, where General Butler was to speak, in the field adjoining- the colored cemetery, close to the line of the R., X., I. c: B. R. R. ^^'hen Irvin was wounded in battle he was left at the house of the father of William A. Graham, the distinguished politician of Xorth Carolina, and Secretary of the Xavy under Alillard Fillmore. \Miile sick he cut his initials on a stone and the date of his wounding and brought this stone with him to Kentucky when he emigrated to the state. He lived on the place now owned by Mr. Dean, near Sulphur ^^'ell, and was buried in the Hickman neighborhood. Frederick Zimmerman. One of the strong characters in the early history of Jessamine county was Frederick Zimmerman, its first surveyor. His ances- tors oame from Salzwedel, Germanv. His forefathers emigrated H'idorij of Jessamine Cowiti/, Knituchj. 201 to Xew York. After a passage of six weeks over the Atlantic they settled on tlie Hudson river, at the village of Rheinbeck, in Dutchess county. Remaining in Xew York four months two brothers settled in Ciilpeper cotmty. A'irginia, where was born Frederick Zinmierman. He moved to Jessamine county prior to 1792, and lived in the Alarble creek district. He married Judith Bourne, daughter of Henry Bourne. His work in the surveys of Jessamine county show^s that he was a competent and faithful offi- cial. His sons and daughters have been industrious, upright citizens and have performed well llie duties devolved upon them. John Zimmerman, Daniel Zimmerman, Augustus Zimmerman and Morton Zimmerman, long and favorably known in the county, were sons of Frederick Zimmerman. A nnmerous posterity still reside in the county which their ancestor helped to redeem from the savages, and in the earlier history of which he was a strong and influential factor. Francis Phipps Was born on the 21st of October, 175 1, and was for a long time a resident <:)f Jessamine county. He was engaged in surveying the Lexington and Danville pike, by Col. \\\ R. McKee in 1829- 30. He resided at Mr. ihos. Scott's house for several years, at which place the letter, copied below, was found. References are made to Rev. John Price, who, afterwards, came to Jessamine county, and was long a Baptist minister in this locality, and the letter is otherwise full of interesting matter : In Mess, No. to. Colonel Hamilton's Regiment. Little 'N'ork, 12 miles from \\'illianisl)urg. Oct. 21st, 1781. \\\ Dear I'arcnts : I liave only time to inform you that the Ih'itish arniv. mider old Cornwallis. surrendered to General Washington un tlie njih. Capt. Charles Johnston, who will leave for Meckknburg to-morrow, will give you full particulars of this great and glorious achievement. On the 25th of September our army, letl b\' the beloved Wash- ington, reached the headquarters of General La l-'ayette, at W'il- lianisburg, and on the 30th, our armv marchetl in a body to attack ^'ork and ( iloucester. ( )n the 7th of October, Washington <)])ene(l the attack on Cornwallis with 100 pieces of cannon. It 202 JliMori/ of Jt>^:<ii))iiiir (nuiifii, Keiitncki/. was a most beautiful si_L,'-ht to sec our l)()nil)-sliells l)urstini:;- in the midst of the enemy, tearing- down whok' eoni]Kuiies of our ene- mies—as we coidd see them from the hi^^-h ground near tlie river. During- the siege, whieh histed 17 days, two strong redoubts were storuKMl by our regiment, led by Col. Hamilton. We w-ere as- sisted in the charge 1)y the h'rench. When within a few yards of the redoubt. Col. Hamilton rode u\) to the regiment, and said in a voice like tlie l)ursting of a shell: "Charge those men, my brave comrades, wJio wish to make slaves of our people." We rushed at them with a loud shout, and ca]:)tured over two hundred — kill- ing and wounding aibout fifty. \\> lost aibout seventy-five of as brave men as ever pulled a trigger at an enemy of our liberty. ( )ur French soldiers lost as many as we did. It would have done the heart of every lover of liberty good to have seen the red-coated rascals surrender to our army on the iQth — old Cornwallis and his army — numbering 8,000 muskets ; I counted fifty brass and one hundred and sixty iron cannon. At about 12 o'clock our ami}- was drawn up in two lines, ex- tending more than a mile in length. Our French fellow-soldiers were placed on our left and headed by their General. At the head of our ragged, l)ut brave soldiers, I saw the nol)le Washington, on his liorse, looking calm and cool as he was when crossing the Delaware river a few \ears liefore. Many of the rustic people of this part of A'irginia, consisting of old men, women and chil- dren, assembled in numbers equal to the military, to witness the surrender of the old murderer. Cornwallis. Every face beamed with joy and gladness — but a profound silence prevailed ; no talk- ing, no noise of any kind, save the slow, measured step of our enemies, was lieard. General Tarleton's troops at Gloucester surrendered at the same time to our I'^rench soldiers. Evervthing was done in a quiet manner. After the surrender, I saw our beloved Washington and Col- onel Hamilton talking with all the British officers. Old Corn- w'allis and Tarleton were very polite to our officers, and it was a surprise to see old Cornwallis treating our beloved commander and Colonel Hamilton with so much consideration. Cornwallis is a large man, with dark brown hair, a ruddy face, good nose and has the appearance of a man of kind heart and good intentions. General Tarleton is also a large man. but not so big as old Corn- Ili.itoni <if Ji'-<.<(iiitiin' Coil lit ij^ Kcnfitck)/. 208 wallis. Ilis countenance is hard and tyrannical; and his mean, dark eves are full of cruelty. Some few of the Carolinians saw him after the surrender was over, and cursed him as he passed up the road on his \\a\- to the slii]) that was to take the British to New York. \\']ien tlie boys cursed him he never made any re- ply, but rode away, showing- no high temper, that he was known to have by some Carolinians who remembered his cruelties in South Carolina. The Rev. jolni I 'rice preached for the soldiers on Sunda}- last. His sermon was listened to by many officers, stich as General Lincoln. Cols. Henry I.ee. Hamilton and Woodford. My health is good, and my woimd in the arm is well. I can not tell you where to semi me a letter, as I have no means of knowing where our reginient is cjrdered to. Some say we are to go to New York, and the rumor is that we are to remain in Mrginia, or at the town of Trenton, in "tlie jersies." I'resent m\- love to my youngest sister, also to Mr. W'atkins and family, and tell Mr. W'atkins his son is truly a self-denving soldier, one who loves his countrv and is willing, if need be, to die in her defense. Pra\' for mc that I ma}' be spared to sec you once more alive. Your loving son. Franci.s Ppiipps. Gen. Henry M. Chrisman. General Chrisman. who received his title from the militia service, was the }oungest son of Hugh Chrisman and was born in the (jld stone liouse un the blickman creek in iSoo, :ui(l died in Nicholasville, in 1876. His mother was a .Mcl\inne\'. and his grandmother was a sister of Jas. McDowell who was in a com- pany of Colonel I )n(llc\-'s regiment in the war of i(Si2. ( )ne of the most ])leasant traits of General Cln-isinan's char- acter was Ids hospitality clothed with kindness and benevolence. He was fond ol com])an\' and his liouse was thronged with voung and old friends, and they made that ]->art of Jessamine ha])])y by their coiist;int courtesies to their neighbors. Ilis wife died in 1852. ]\c in 1876, and the\ are buried 011 the cliffs ne:ir the old stone building. Tliis house was ])ut up b\ Thomas Metcalf. who was know 11 as "the old stout' ha.mmer" governor, for which ]-)osi- 204 Hi.<f(irii of ./('^■•'(iiiiinc C(niiit[/, Keutuckij. lion he offered himself twenty-ei^iit years afterward, when he was elected, defeating- Maj. Wni. T. lUirry by a majority of only 709. It is related of Governor Metcalf that at one time, when working at Chanmiere, he was invited to take dinner with David Meade, l>ut he declined n|)on the ground that Mr. Meade had not asked his hands to dine witli him. Colonel Meade then predicted that the stone mason would become governor of Kentucky, and he lived long enough to see this prophecy verified. Peter Simpson AVas l)orn in Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1758. He served two years in the Revolutionary war under General AVayne. was in several battles and skirmishes in New York and Xew Jersey, and at the battle of ^'lonmouth was slightly v/( mded. He was visiting Jessamine county in 1794, and was present at Colonel ] Vice's Fourth of July celebration that year. He re- turned to A'irginia, and in 1802 removed from the valley in \'ir- ginia and settled in the Marble creek neighborhood, where he hved luitil his death in 1835. Col. John McKinney Was one of South Carolina's contributions to Jessamine county. He was born on the Pedee river. South Carolina, in 1756, and served in the Revolutionary war, first imder General Patterson, and also under Gen. Francis :\Iarion, Colonel Sumter, and Gen. Flarry Lee. He first settled on what is known as the Butler farm, in 1790, and that vear he erected a log house on that place which was only torn down a few years ago, and in this house most of his children were born. His daughter, Mrs. Sallie Cloke, who died in Ver- sailles some vears ago, at an advanced age, was born on this farm in 1704. wiiilc Mrs. Catherine Brown, wife of George L, was born in 1802. Colonel [McKinney was a gentleman of the old school, an enterprising farmer and a patriotic citizen. He removed to Woodford count} . where he spent the remaining years of his life, and died at an advanced age. Hl4onj of Jeni^mnbie Couiiti/, Kentacky. 205 Col. John Mosely. This ^i^cntlcnian. was born in lluckinQliani coti.ntv, \ irginia, in 1760, and settled in jessamine in i/*;,^. lie served in the Revohitionarv war. and was a i^allant sokHer. lie enjoved tlie distinction of having' reared the largest family every known in Jessamine — he had three daughters and eighteen sons. He was extremely popular in liis neighborho(»d. and his desrendants in Jessamine are ver\' numerous and still live in tlie immediate neighborhood where their brave and prolific ancestor settled. Com. Daniel Boone Ridgeley. Com. 1). I'). Ixidgeley, wlio served with distinction in the United States navy, was born in Jessamine county on ^he 30th of August, 1813. and died in Philadelphia. May 5. 1868. He entered the navy as midshi])man April i, 1828. He par- ticipated in the l)ombardment and capture of \'era Cruz and other Mexican pcjrts. and was connected with the Xaval Observa- tory at Washington in 1850-52. He conmianded the steamer "Atlanta'" in the Paraguayan e.\])edition. He volunteered for active service in the Civil war. and conmianded the steamer "San- tiago de Cuba." He commanded a steamer in the Xorth .\tlantic squadnm. and assisted in the Ixjmbardment of Von l-'i^her. Xorth Carolina. He was a member of the Hoard of Xa\al Examiners at Philadeli)hia. in \Hf)F'. at the time of his death. 1 lis mother was a daughter of Col. John Price, who was chietl\- instrumental in organizing Jessamine county, and was born on the farm of his grandfather in the llickman neighliorhood. He purchased the McKinney farm in Jessamine in 1850, and passed his vacations there. He always spoke with great pride of his native county, and held the old home place as a sentimental investment. John Speed Smith Was born on the CasjKU- llarbaugh i)lace. Jessamine county, lulv y. 1792. lie esrved with distinction in the ^^'ar of 1812 — was at the battle of Tippecanoe, and was .\ide to General Har- rison at the battle of the Thames. 21 Hi Mi4()rij <>l ./("■-'iiiiiiiir (nil lit [J, Kciitiickij. He removed to Isiadison county in liis early manhood, where he l)ecanie a distin-nislied lawyer. He represented Madison county in the legislature in J 8 19. '2J, '30, '39, '41, and '45. and the Senate in iS'4(') and "50. tie was speaker of the House of Rep- resentati\-es in [H2y. He was a member of Congress in 1821-23, and was Secretary to the Legation of the United States Commis- sioners sent to the South American colonies. Jackson appointed liim L'nited States District Attorney for Kentucky. In 1839 he was made joint Conmiissioner with Gov. Jas. T. Morehead to visit the ( )hio legislature to secure the passage of laws to pre- vent the enticement of slaves and to provide a more efficient means of returning slaves who had escaped; the Commissioners v.-ere successful in this work. For several years prior to his death he was State vSuperin- tendent of Public \\'orks. and through his life was one of the most prouiinent and popular men in Kentucky. William T. Barry Was one of the most brilliant and eloquent men who made Kentucky so famous in the first thirty years of its ex- istence. He was in his childhood a resident of Jessamine county. Born in \'irginia in 1783, he came, with his father, when a child to Kentuck\', and lived for a short while in Fayette, and theri moved to jessamine county, where he lived several years, when the familv returned to Lexington. After attending school at tlie Woodford Academy he graduated Lt Transylvania University and commenced the practice of law when twenty-one years of age, in Lexington. From 1805 to 1835, his life was a wonderful series of successes, h'ortune appeared to lavish upon him all of its choicest blessings. He was, very early in his professional career, appointed At- torney for the Commonwealth in Fayette county. Flis learning, eloquence and industry at once gave him both popularity and prominence. Fie was elected to fill a vacancy in the Legislature from Fayette in 1807. He was again elected in 1809; chosen to represent the Ashland district in Congress in 1810, he was again elected representative in the Legislature in 1814. In the dis- ctission (^f the matters wliich led up to the War of 1812, no man Hl^iorij (if Jt'ssamiue County, Kentacbj. 207 was more flncjiK-nt, ranifst or wise, and by liis I)rilliant, ]jatriotic speeches he wor. the adniiratiou and contidenee of all ]jartics. In the war he exhibited a higfli degree of courage and gallantry wliue serving on the stafif of Governor Shelby, who, disregarding pre- cedents, took the field as the Commander-in-Chief of the Ken- tuck} forces. He was in the battle of the Thames, which added such splendid lustre and renown to Kentucky and her soldiers. He became Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representa- ti\es in 1814, and was elected to the United States Senate while holding that place. He represented Kentucky in the Senate for two sessions, and tlien resigned to accept the Circuit Judgeship upon a meager salarw In 1817, he was forced to stand as a can- didate for the State Senate, and it was his magnetic power and mfluence which enabled him while in the Kentucky Senate, to secure large aid to Transylvania L'niversity and afterwards he became a lecturer in the Law Department. His name gave the L.aw Scliool prestige and magnificent success. In 1820 he was elected lieutenant ( "lovernor l)y an overwhelming majoritv of T 1,000 votes in a total of 55.000, and at this time was unquestion- ably tlie most poi)ular man in Kentucky. Henry Clay, in 1825. accepted the place of Secretary of State and identified himself with the Adams administration. This cost Mr. Cla}- many friends in Kentucky, where the recollection of Xew England's opposition to the admission of Kentucky into the I'nion, had left great prejudice against it. Barry sided with those opposed to Air. Clay. Air. luUT}- was a])])ointe(l Chief Justice of "The Xew Court" in January, 1825, and held llu' ])lace until a repeal of the Xew Court .\ct, in 1826. He was a candidate for Governor in 1828, and was defeated by only ^oc) votes, but his wonderful canvass and superb elocpience caused tiie state in the following year to cast its vote for Andrew Jackson, by a majority of 7,934. .Mr. I'.arry was ap- pointed Postmaster General by Jackson, and held the office unth declining health forced him to surrender it. In the hope that a change in location and a milder climate might restore his health, the President nominated Mr. Parry to be Minister to S])ain. lie sailed for his post, but died at Liver- pool. England, in 1835. Xineteen years laliT ( 1 854C by an act of the Legislature, the 208 Hidory of Jesmmine County, Kentucky. remains of Air. Barr\^ were disinterred, brought to Keiitnckv aiul buried in tlie state lot, at Frankfort. His friends erected a mon- ument to his memory in tlie court house yard in Lexington. Tlitod'ore O'Hara, the brilHant poet, dehvered an oration upon this occasion (Nov. 8, 1854). conchiding with tlicse thrilhng . words : "Let the marble like a minstrel rise to sing to the future genera- tions of the Commonwealth, the inspiring lay of his high genius and lofty deeds. Let the autumn wind liarp on the dropping leaves, her softest recjuiem over him. Let the winter's purest snow rest spotless on his grave. Let spring entwine her brightest garland for his tomb, and sununer gild it with her mildest sun- shine, and let him sleep embalmed in glory till the last trump shall reveal hini to us, all radiant with the halo of his life." Jessamine, as the scene of his earliest youth, claims a part in the history of this child of most auspicious fate, whose career, for splendid achievement, superb eloquence, courageous contest, un- varying success, unchanging popularity, and wondrous influence has no equal in the past of Kentuck}- and will have none in its future. Rev, John Metcalf, To Rev. John Afetcalf belongs the honor of laying of¥ the countv seat of Jessamine, and also of naming the town. He was a native of Southampton county, Virginia, and came to Kentucky in the spring of 17QO, bringing witli liim not onlv his credentials as a minister, but also a heart full of love to God. PJethel Acad- emy was established in 171 ;o, and was opened for the reception of pupils in January, 1794. It was the second institution of learn- ing ever established by the Methodist cluu-ch in the LTnited States, the one at Cokesburg being the first. The labors of Mr. Metcalf were confined largely to Jessamine county. He traveled a few circuits in Fayette and Mercer, but his life work was connected with Jessamine. Fie took charge of Bethel Academy at the re- ([uest of Bishop Asburw He began his work as founder and con- tinued hi^ lal)ors there as the principal of this school in the "wilder- ness." He infused his own earnest and enthusiastic spirit into the institution. He labored under tremendous disaldvantaees in Hidonj of Jessamine Coniifi/, K'lifurkij. 209 liis work, Imt lie overcame most of them, and l)rought success where other men would have had only failure. He was the first Methodist minister who ever preached a sermon in Lexington. Pastoral work in those days was done un- der great difificulties, traveling on horseback through the traces with no well-defined roads, and hunting up the pioneers in their cabins, and far removed from neighbors in their loneliness and their surrdunding dangers, this man of ( iod was ever ready to discharge his duties, lie was compelled to ride through the canebrakes and woods and pathless forests, but he had the spirit of his Master, and he never faltered in the work which the Head of the Church had given him to do. In his studies, in his pastoral work and at the head of the school, he found enough in those days to occupy the heart and hands of anv man. Plain, ])ractical and earnest, he attracted attention and won hearts, and he gen- erally drew large crowds of people, who were glad to hear him. He was largely instrumental in l:)uilding up the Methodist churcli in Jessamine county. He was born in 1758 and died at his home in Xicholasville, in 1820, having reached his 61st year. It was through his labors that the white frame Methodist church, was first erected in Xicholasville, in i7<j<). Rev. Nathaniel Harris. Few men have ever been better known in jessamine countv than Rev. Xathaniel Harris. He was born in Powhattan countv. A\a., in 1759, of Presbyterian ])arentage. Being an only son. he was indulged in many things, which in the end ])roved hurtful. His intercourse witli wliat were then known as the gentlemen of the day, caused him to l)ecome both profane and wicked. Shortly after his father removed from the old liome place he became a volunteer in the .\merican arm\-, and was in the battle of Guilford Courthouse, Xorth Carolina. He was converted in .August. 1783, and joined the Methodist church, and the conviction forced itself upon his mind that he was called to preacli. He settled in Jessamine county in 1790, and he was principal of tlie F.nglish department in the I'ethel Academy. He preached in the various towns in Central Kentucky, and in administering to the afflicted antl the sick none ever excelled him. 14 210 History of Jex^( nil! lie Coidifi/, KcufKclij. At marriages and funerals his presence was always sought, be- cause of his tender sympathy and because of the love and con- fidence manifested towards him. He founded several Methodist churches in Jessamine count}'. The last years of his life were spent in \ ersailles, where he liurchased a home for himself and his two maiden daughters. He died on the 12th day of August, 1849, lacking only a few days of ninety years of age. He had been in the Methodist ministry for more than sixtv years. ( )n the 26th of August, 1843, ^^^ entered m his journal, "1 am this day eighty-f( nu- years old. 1 stand to m\- engagement to be holy for the Lord." The reciMxls which contain the certificates of the earlier mar- riages in Jessamine county, show that his services for these cer- emonies were largely in demand. ( )n the 14th of March. 1799, he married Jesse Htighes and Xancy Nicholson, and a very large proportion of the earlv marriages celebrated in the county were soleiunized 1)\- him. He \yas a faithful, earnest, devout man of God. Some might call his sphere humble. l)ut his influence on the religious and moral condition of Jessamine county will long he felt, and in it he has a monument, which should be both to his church and to those of his name, a cause of unfailing pride. Samuel H. Woodson. Samuel H. \\'oo(lson was a step-son of Col. Josej)!) Crockett. AA'liile in the military service in Albemarle county. \'irginia. and guarding prisoners \yhich had been surrendered 1)_\' liurgoyne. Colonel Crockett protected the ])ropertv of Mr. and Airs. Tuckei Woodson. There resulted from this circumstance a warm at- tachment between Mr. Woodson and Airs. A\^oodson and the }-oung officer. Shortl}" after Colonel Crockett had been ordered to come \yest and serve under George Rogers Clark, in connnand of the Illinois or Crockett Regiment, \\hich had l)een dispatched l)y the state of A irginia to assist Clark in his contest with the In- dians. Tucker Woodson died, and after Colonel Crockett returned from the \\'est he fell in lo^•e with the handsome young widow and married her. After this marriage, in 1783. Colonel Crocket came to Kentuck\ and soon brought his famih- here, in 1784, and with Histori/ <if .[('."saiiiiiif ('oinitij, Kfidiicl-ij. 211 liiiii came out Saniiu-l II. Woodson, his ste])-son. Colonel Crockett ijave him a father's love, affection and attention. He was prepared for tlie law and had ever_\- ad\-antat;e the educational facilities of Kentucky then could offer. lie entered for his step-son about a thousand acres of land, part of which is that now owned 1)\ .\fr. Jesse Bryant, on the pike between Xicholasville and Lexint^ton. J le read law witli Col. ( ieors.j-e .Nicholas and named one of his scms for jud.^e .Xicholas. At tlu' liuK- of the formation of jessa- mine count)- he was chosen clerk for the countw .\s he held his office for life, it was considered a distinguished place. He built the house on the .^heeley i)lace, abotit one mile from Xicholasville on the l)an\ille turnpike, and kept his office as clerk there. I here were no count}- Ijuildim^s in those days and the judges and cli'rks used tlu-ir residences for the discharij-e of tlieir official 212 Histovij of Jcx^diiiinr Coimfij, Kciitncki/. duties. He married Annie Ran(l«>li>h Meade, a daughter of Col. David Meade, of Chaumiere. He resigned the clerkship in 1819 and was succeeded by Daniel B. Price. He was elected to congress from the district, and moved to Frankfort in 1826. He came, in 1827, to attend circuit court in Nicholasville and rode, in very warm weather, on horseback from Frankfort to Nicholasville. During the term of court he went out to Chaumiere, was taken suddenly ill and died, in the fortv-seventh year of his age. He was a man of great cul- ture, superb integrity, much learning, and in his day was one of the distinguished men of Kentucky. He left a large family, and the people, not only of his district but of Jessamine and Franklin, his adopted home, mourned his earl}- death. He represented Jessamine cc^unt}- in the legislature from 1819 to 1825. Maj, Daniel B. Price, ^laj. Daniel B. Price was born in Powhattan county, Mrginia. the nth day of AFay. 1789. His father. John Price, removed to Kentucky in 1794, taking with him Daniel, his only son, and pur- chased 1.200 acres of land in Bourbon county. The title proving defective, he afterwards removed to Clark county, where he lived to the extreme old age of ninety years. When a boy. Major Price came to Nicholasville and was ap- pointed deputy clerk for Samuel H. Woodson, and when Mr. Woodson resigned, in 1816, he succeeded him and held the office^ giving entire satisfaction until 1851. a period of thirty-five years, wliich is the longest period any one office was ever held by the same man in the countv. In 1813 he married Eliza Crockett, the fourth child of Col. Joseph Crockett, who died during a cholera epidemic in 1832. Fie subseciucntly married Miss Stuart, daughter of Rev. Robert Stuart. He was a member of the Presljyterian church in Nicholasville and for half a century a ruling elder. He was also a trustee of Center College and one of the directors of the Theological Sem- inary at Danville. Dr. Robert J. Breckinridge said of him: "Probably no citizen of Jessamine count}' was ever more gener- a]]\- and favorablv known, and certainh- no one was ever more Hidory of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 213 thoroughly rcsjicctcd. A man resolute for (iod's saving truth in l)roporti(jn as liis meek and gentle spirit, he lived upon it as his life and sotil." He won and retained the respect h.nd confidence of the entire connnunity. He was looked up to as a man of splendid judg'- ment and unsw er\ing intt'grity. Xohle memories of his life and character survive after a lapse of nearly fortv vears. Tucker Woodson. At C'haumiere, in Jessamine county, in 1S04. Tucker Woodson was horn. It is a remarkable fact that he and his wife were born in the sami' house and in the same room. His wife was Evelyi'* llyrd. and she was a daughter of Sarah Meade, daughter of David Meade. We and liis wife were both possessed of ample fortune. 214 H'l^oi'ij of ,Tt'.<><niiiiiir Cjunitij, Kciitiichii. They received the hest education that Kentucky could q-ive. He chose the law as his profession luU s])cnt most of his life in care of his landed estates, lie was a ])orn politician, a man of the hi,o-hest refinement of feeling, of the strictest integrity, the kindest heart and charmiui;- manners. He was a great Whig and a fol- lower of Mr. Clay. He represented jessamine count \- in the legislature in 1835. '36. '37 and '40. Was also in the senate in 1842-46 and 1853-7. He was always popular among his neighbors and friends and even his political opponents loved him. ( )f distingtiished linea^'^e, he was always the friend of the humbler ])eople. He owned land in what was then known as the Plaquemine District which in- cluded ."sulphur \\'ell. now Ambrose. This was considered in e^niy days rhe roughest district in the coimty. but it was there that Mr. Woodson had his warmest friends. In the great race for Congress between John C. Breckinridge and l-iobert P. Letcher, in 1853, in which Ureckinridge was elected bv 526 niajorit}-. Mr. AX'oodson had cliarge of the Plaque- mine District, and for a long time it was remembered in Jessa- mine county how shrewdly and beautifully he played his op- ]ionents. A leading Democrat had been sent by Major Breckin- ridge to handle the monev and control the votes in the Plaque- mine District, in those days ])ecuniary inducements ])aid to voters were not looked tipon in the same light in which they are now regarded. The idea that all things were fair in jjohtics and war per^'aded the public mind and the purchase of votes was carried on with a good deal of publicit\- and without any reproach or disai)])roval on the part of ])olitical oj)])onents. 1die Democratic manager had been jirovided with a large nuiuber of new bills issued by the Xorthern luink of Kentucky. Thev were hves and tens, for e\en in those da\s good |)rices were paid for votes, and especiall}- in this election, which called forth the highest enthusiasm and the greatest flevotion of the rank and hie on l)otli sides. Mr. WOodson saw with disma\- the large amount of new notes which were being circulated 1)\" liis ])oliticaI o])])onents, and he turned o^•er in his mind a ])lan l)y \\hich the effect of this new mone\' could be avoided. Taking one of the men aside whom he knew very well, and who had received al- readv (jue of these new bills, he asked him if he was sure th.at it Ilisfdi'ti (if./('<--'iiiiiiiic Couiifii, Kftifiiclaj. 215 was j^'ood ; sa_\ini^". what was true, that there harl been circulated a lariLie number of counterfeit i)ills hilely and that if he and h\> friends were takin,^- nione\- frdin the Democratic manaj^er. Mr. Scott, tlie}- had l)elter he very careful as to its ^genuineness. .\t the same time he ])ulled from liis own ])ocket a roll of well-worn and old-time I)ills ami ])hicini;- the new and old hills side hy side, conmiented ujxm some differences. The news spread like wild- fire that the new bills were counterfeit and the floaters reftised to receive them and turnecl in disgtist from the 1 )emocratic ntanat^er, who onlv had new bills, and would receive nothing but the old time Whig money, which Air. Woodson and his friends were ready, under ])roper conditions, to distribute. .\ strong ])ro-slaverv man. he sided with the government in the L"\\'\\ war. btit it was conceded on all hands that he acted from conviction, and few men of his ])rominence and of his activit\- escaped witli so small a number of enemies. In iHyj hi' was elected count}' judge on the Re])ublican ticket and died in 1H74. T los])itable. courtecjus. cultivated, honest, patriotic and true.jie left behind him a large arrav of friends who mourned his death. His home was alwa\s ojien to friends and strangers alike. Gifted in conversation, a capable racontetu'. and full of the purest and gentlest kindness, he won the hearts of all who came under his roof, llis wife, one of tlie housekeepers of those times which made !\eniuck_\- hou^ekt'eping renowne(| in all tlie cix'ili/.ed world. sym])athized with the Ixispitable instincts of her husband, an.d. united with ihm to make his home alwaxs ])leasing and attract- ive. Some of the riidi treasures of Chaumiere had <lcscended to them and these, enlarged by contributions from other relatives and ancestors, gave their home a charm which w ill never be forgotten by those who entered its ])ortals. l-"or thirty }cars Judge Wood- son and his f;unily entertained more and more deliglitftillv than any citizen of Jessamine c(junt\. and no coU])le ever left more delight ftil mt'inories ( f real Kenttick\- home life than thev. Chaumiere. In i/'/i there was established in Jessamiui.' count v one of the most beautiful and attractive countr\- homes in .\merica. It was -lt> Hidory of Jeaminlnt Count (j, Kriduckij. founded by David Meade, wlio was born in \'irg-inia on the 29th of July, 1743. ^At seven years of age he was sent to England with the hope that change of climate might improve his health anc\ also for the purpose of furnishing better means of education than were then in existence in America. Here he remained until 1761. when he returned to his native land. He had ac(|uired only a general knowledge of mathemat- ics, geography. French, grannnar and drawing, but he had cul- tivated science and the elegant arts. He had two brothers, younger than himself, both of wdiom afterwards became distinguished in the American army. Richard Kidder, an aid de camp to General Washington, and who had charge of the details of the execution of ]\Iajor Andre, and Ever- ard, who was an. aid de camp to General Lincoln, and he himself was subsequently raised to the rank of General. In his twenty-fourth year lie married Sarah Waters, a daugh- ter of Mr. \Mlliam Waters, of Williamsburg, Mrginia. and in 1769 he was elected to represent Nansemond county in the House of Burgesses. I'his was his first and only political experience. This asseml)ly was dissolved l)y the representative of the crown on account of certain resolutions which it had passed upon the subject of the disagreement between England and the colonies. Prior to 1796 David Meade, a son of the founder of Chaumiere, came to Kentucky. He was attracted by the splendid climate, fertile soil, wonderful forests and charming surroundings, amd in- duced his father to leave a beautiful home in A'irginia, on the James river, and come to the wilds of Kentucky. He was capti- vated by the glowing description of the new land given by his son, and, though accustomed to all that wealth and culture could give, he was willing to abandon the comforts and the associations of his Mrginia home and build him a new one amid the forests of Ken- tucky. David ]\leade was a man of large fortune. Under the laws of primogeniture, then prevailing in Mrginia, he inherited the major share of his father's estate, and his wife also brought him no in- considerable dowry. He came to Kentucky in 1796 and debated for some time whether he woidd settle on the forks of Elkhorn, in Franklin county, or in Jessamine county, l)ut through his personal reuard for Col. Joseph Crockett, who had come to Kentucky in Hhtory of Jesi^amine Omtitij, Kentucky. 217 J 784. and settled in jessamine county, in 1787, he was induced to choose Jessamine as his future lionie. He pm'chased aljout three humh-ed acres of land from the Crocketts and Woodsons. Tliis land is four miles from Xich- olasville, on the turnpike which connects the Lexino^ton and Danville, and the llarrodsburi;' and Lexino-ton turnj^ikes, and is now owned m large ])art ])_\' .Mr. John ."^teel. The beautiful forest trees attracted his admiration and won his affections. Sugar trees, poplar, ash, oak. hackberry and walnut, all growing- in most superb profusion, determined his choice of residence. He had large tracts of land in other parts of Kentuck\-. He founded at this locality a home, called Chaumiere des I'rairies. but it was familiarly known throughout the country as C'hamniere, which is the I'rench for Indian \ illage. On this small place David Meade lavished vast sums of monev. He had all the tastes of an educated and refined Englishman. Whatever could have induced such a man with such a fortune to have come down the Ohio river in a flatboat, and land at .Ma\ sville and sufTer the inconvenience of travel and transportation irom Xicholas- ville to Jessamine county, and to live in such a remote'and unim proved district, is almost impossible to understand. He laid out a hundred acres of ("haumicre into a beautiful garden. He imported rare and ex(|uisite ])lants. He made lakes, constructed water falls, shaped islands, built sunnner lunises and porters' lodges, and in this backwoods wiklerness created an ideal Englishman's home. He had a large retinue of liveried servants, splendid coaches, magnificent furniture, service largelv of silver, and maintained in every way the st\le of a feudal lord. The house was one-story, built of vari'ous materials, stone, l>ricJ<: and wood, but all erected for comfort and for convenience. Here David Meade lived from 1796 to 1832. During his thirty- six years of residence in Jessamine count}' he made no change in his method or manner of living. His service, his carriages. his liveries, fashion of entertainment, liis owm personal dress ami that of his wife, always elegant, were still maintained in true English st\h'. Different from everybo(l\- else in l\entuck\ in his style of iiving, he never excited the en\\- of his less wealtln- or less cidtured neighbors. The hospitalilx' and elegance of his home were the boast of Kentuckv. Xo distinguished man evei 218 Hi-4()i'ii of Jis.oniinii ('nKiiti/, hciitiicL'ii. came to the state wlio did not express a desire to see this wonder- ful place, and none were ever disappointed in receiving a cordial invitation for tlie enjoxnient of its hospitality. Xo (.ther home in Kentucky ever entertained so many Presi- dents, for at various times the roof of Chaumiere covered Monroe, General lackson, (ieneral Charles Scott, and General Tay- lor. All the distinguished families of Kentucky were invited and always welcomed within its borders. Henry Clay was a constant visitor ait this delightful residence, and a very funny stor\- is told of the politeness of ]\lr. Clay and Mr. Meade. Mr. Clav had come to spend the night at Chaumiere. ]\Ir. Meade was too polite to suggest to Mr. Clay that it was time to retire, and Mr. Clay was too polite to tell Mr. Meade that he desired to retire, and so they sat uj) and talked all night. Aaron ilurr often visited Chaumiere. He was there again and again with iUennerhasset, and there is in possession of a member of the famil_\- a mirror before which Aaron Burr sat and had his hair ])owdered. After the arrest of Aaron Burr he was permitted to remain in custody at Chaun.iere, and Col. INIeade's son acted as chief of the guard durmg his stay. Mrs. Meade was as elegant, refined and cultured as her hus- band. 'rhe\' died within six months of each other. Tlie costly furniture, cut glass and cliina, with which one hun- dred guests could at one time be served, have been scattered throrighout the country. The lovely and beautiful bric-a-brac can be found in many homes, and there is still in Chillicothe, Ohio, n piano upon which Mrs. Meade, when three-score and ten, played, and it was the first instrument of its kind ever brought into the state of Kentuclcy. The eldest son had died \()ung and umuarried. At Colonel Meade's death, none were able to maintain or to hold Chaumiere, and so it went under die hammer on the block and was bought by a plain, practical farmer. This surprised and distressed the citi- zens of Jessamine countx', who had taken a just pride in this strange and beautiful home, and in a little while after the new owner of the place had been amiounced, there was placarded in large letters on the houses over the grounds the words "Para- dise Lost." 'Jdiis caused the purchaser to become indignant, and in less than a week the 1)eautiful flower oardens were filled with Hlxtoni of Ji'ssiiiiiiiir CoiiiifiJ, Kent 1 1 el: If. -!1() horses, cattle and lioj^s. 'J'he glorious forest trees were felled, lodges torn down, parks destroyed, and lakes drained. A portion of the house was pulled down, and in the rooms which were once the resort of fashion and made memorable 1)\' the presence of the most distinguished people in the land, were stored wheat and corn. ( )nl\ three rooms now remain of this once magnificent home. On a hill overlooking Chaumiere in a neglected bur}ing- ground, sileeps the dust of David Meade and his wife and a few of his faniilv. ])ut the memories of ( haumiere will long live in Jes- samine count}' and in the \\'est. Xotiiwithstanding its difference from the other homes in Jessa- mine county, and notwithstanding the difiference between him and his neighbors, there was no jealoitsy. He did not interfere with his fellow-countrymen. He entertained their guests if they were refined and re])Utable. and he sought no political ])re- ferment, asked for no honors, onlv desiring to be ]jermitted to live in his own way and-to exhibit his own taste in his own home. It was arranged that General La Fayette should be entertained at Chaumiere, and for this ]nn-pose Colonel Meade constructed a beautiful octagonal room. This, A\ith two other small rooms ofi of the octagonal room, are all that remains as a monument to the beauty and to the charming associations connected with this marvelous home in the ^\•ilderness. John Cawbey. John Cawbey was a resident of Independence, Mo. In Sep- tember, 1884, he wrote to S. M. Duncan a letter whicli contains many interesting facts in regard to some of the olden time people in Jessamine, and also some reminiscences in regard to Dr. Tris- ler, the first physician in Jessamine, and which indicates that Dr. Trisler was something of a mcditmi and fortune teller and prac- ticed these arts in addition to medicine, h'or many years, tradi- tions have been tloating among the people of pristino Jessamine, in regard tf) the marvelous power of Dr. Trisler and his possession of mysterious powers in locating disease, finding lost property, and in early days there were many who accredited the good, old doctyr with the highest order of supernatural vision. --0 J{l.<torii of Jt'.<.<itiiiiii(' (j)iintij, Kt'iituckij. ]\Ir. Ca\v])ey says: "M}' niotlicr died at I'Vankdin, Ind., in her 7otli year; my fatlier died in liis 47th year; my grandfather, John C'awbey, Hved to the age of 'i^j years. His wife, my grandmother, lived io the age of 105 years, and (Ued in Mercer connty, Ky. 'Mv grandfather was l)i;rn in I.incohi county, Kentucky, and settled in jessamine county in 1808, where he spent all his life, and was buried at old West I'nion ch.urch lot, better known as the "Hoover graveyard." !n this old lot lie m\- first wife, her brother, father, and grandfather, Conrad I'Larthenhouse, the fathei of the late venerable Elizabeth IJowman. wIkj lived tcj reach the great age of 108. vShe died in 1886. 1 have in my keeping Dr. Peter Trisler's (jerman medical works, printed in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1442, which makes 442 years since thev were printed. (Printing was invented in 1440.) I have also the Bible of Dr. Tris- ler, which is 400 years old and a conmientary over 300 vears old, in the ( lerman language. d he first of his medical book's contains 1,180 pages, the second book, 1 ,342 pages. I send you this infor- mation for the purpose of giving you a correct account, and the dates that I found concerning the first settlers on Jessamine creek, among my pa]X'rs which 1 sent to Missouri several months before I left Jessamine connty. \A hen T have more time it will afford me pleasure to give you manv more interesting facts concerning the old settlers along Jessamine creek and their occupation. Be- ginning on the west side of Hickman road, running down Jes- samine creek", there was the home of |ose])h A\'allace, who was a farmer and tanner. Xext was John Carroll, farmer and auction- eer ; Peter I'unk, farmer and distiller; Michael Ritter, farmer and vender of crockery ware. etc. ; Samuel Walls, farmer; Thos. Rey- nolds, father of Barney Reynolds, farmer and distiller, and spent much of his life fishing ; Jacob Myers, father of the late W. B. Myers, was a manufacturer of gun powder on the farm where Wm. Mathews now lives; Richard West was a gunsmith and farmer, and owned the farm where Wm. liourne is now living; Christoi)her Arnspiger lived on the other side of the creek, was a farmer and cooper; next came the old Howser mill property, owned by Abraham Howser and George Mason. Both had an equal share in the mill, and each one had his part of the farm, and both carried on a distillery of their own ; next was the Bennett farm — this old .Afr. Bennett fell down from Ins barn loft and killed him- Hl-<t()rij (if Ji'.i.-<amine County, Keidnckij. 221 self. He was an old hacliclnr, and would often hide- himself when ladies passed his liouse ; Conrad J'Larthenhouse was a farmer anfl weaver, and also had a distiller}- : George Smith, the grandfathei of \\'illis P.. Smith, lived on the farm now occu])ied l)y Willis: he was a farmer and distiller. ( )n that old farm in his grandfather's lifetime. I ground corn for the said distiller}' in the year 1827. At old Thomas Haydon's mills, now owned by James Lewallen. for- merly by Frank Grow, there was a distillery attached to this prop- erty. It has passed through many hands since T first knew the place; the next farm on the creek was the old Grozier mill and cotton factory. This ])ropertv. like man}- others in tliose days, had a distillery on it. It was here on this farm that the first steam engine was ever used in Jessamine county. .Mr. Grozier and James Hill ran it for nineteen years. The next place was that owned b}' Sir. W'omack and Thos. }5ryan, who owned the old paper mill and grist mill built by old John Lewis. This mill was the first one erected in Jessamine county, and had the first French Indir stones brought to Jessamine county, which cost Air. Lewis$1,200. The old mill is now owned by John H. Glass.

"Before closing this long letter I will relate some of Dr. Tris-
ier's strange performances. He would sometimes invite his
neighbors to see him. lie would then disappear in the very
presence of the company, and none could tell what had become of
him. He could sto]) the flow of blood from an}- wound by giving
the initials of the ])roper name of an}- man or women — this was
all that was required. He could tell where stolen ])ro])ert}- was
concealed. He could light a candle in a large room 1)} ru1)bing
his hands together. He ccndd tell the exact nund)er of pigs a sow
would have at a litter. These are matters of fact and have been
tested and arc well known as facts, among the early settlers of Jes-
samine county. I renK'nd)er, myself, there lived a man on the
farm of Thomas Gordon, about one mile south of Xicholasville,
wdio had a horse stolen. He came to see Dr. Trisler. three times
l)efore he would tell hiui where the horse was. On the third day
Dr. Trisler met the owner of the stolen horse and told him to go
to the t(nvn of Lancaster, in ( iarrard countv. and ui.ar the county
jail he would hud llie horse hitched to a fence ; he added : "BtU the
man that took llie horse from vour stable has been killed in a

222 Hi4(>rii of Jf.-i.^diniir Coil lit ij, Kcniiichij.

clnnikeii frolic."" This nia\- ;i])])c'ar unreasonable, but 1 know it to
be true. \ ery truly, your friend,

John Cawbey.

Alexander Wake.

Alexander Wake was the first Comity Judge of Jessamine
county under the Constitution of 1850. He was born in Fau-
f|uier countv. \irginia, in 1797, and died in Nicholasville in 1867.
Through his maternal and paternal ancestors, he inherited the
love of liberty, for both took part in the war for independence.
In the beginning of the present century, Judge Wake's father re-
moved to Woodford county. He brought with him "from Vir-
ginia, a large number of slaves. Judge Wake commenced the
stu(l\- of law and was admitted to the practice of his profession in
1820. [n 1851, when he was electe;! County Judge, he refused
to grant license to sell liquor. Judge James Letcher, of Garrard
county, was the first judge who refused to grant such license, and
he was inmiediately followed by Judge Wake, of Jessamine. He
was a fearless man in the discharge of his otftcial dut}- ; he knew
neither friend or foe on the bench ; he followed the dictates of his
conscience and his judgment, and commanded the respect and
confidence of his fellow-citizens.

John B. Cook.

In 1810 Dawson Cook, who was a native of King and Queen
countv, X'irginia, removed to Nicholasville, bringing with him his
son. fohn B. Cook, then four years of age. Early in life Air. Cook
entered business in Xicholasville, became a member of the Meth-
odist church, and in all the relations of life acted well his part.
He was kind, generous, thoughtful and courteous to his friends
and neighbors. One characteristic of his life was his devotion to
his church. ]'"or fifty-two years he was an earnest supporter of
the Xicholasville Alethodist church, and was rarely, if ever, ab-
sent from his seat in the sanctuarv. 1 le died in 1886, in the sev-
enty-third year of his age.

( )ne of his sons. Rev. T. H. Cook, was adjutant of the Fifth
Kentuckv Confederate infantr\-, and later a distinguished Meth-

H't.-iUn'ij itj .Ji'.<:<(iiiinii' Coiiiiiij, hiiiiiickij. 2'--\

odisl <li\'inc. His sons, John, Edward, and Hush L. Cook, the
latter projjrietor of thr Hotel Xichohts. and one dau^^hter survive
In'ni. Tlis i)ietv and liis ])atri( itisni cs )nd)in(,-(l witli liis kind and
genial manners render him one of the hest rememhered citizens of
Jessamine county.

Capt John Wallace

Was born in i lucks counix. Pennsylvania, Dec. i8, 1748. His
father had come from Ireland in 1737. Captain Wallace served
in the Revoluiioiiarx armies under ( ieneral Washington. He had
tliree brothers in his companx'. He was with Washington when
he crossed llie Delaware, and fought the battle of Trenton.
Colonel Rahl. the conniiander of the Hessians, in that Ivittle, was
killed by one of the sharpshooters in Captain Wallace's com-
pany. There Captain W'allace took from one of the 1 lessia.i
officers a sword, w hich was kept in the family for eighty years, and
was taken by Federal soldiers from the house of the Rev. Joseph
A^'allace, in lnde]H'ndence, Missouri, during the late war. After
liis marriage to jane l''inlc\. in 1777. he removed to \ irginia, but
shortl}' after came to I'ayette county. Ky., accomjianied by sev-
eral mend)ers of Ids family. His son. Jose])h AX'allace, married
Sarah llarr, Januar\ -'4, 1829, and shortl v after this Captain \\:\.\-
lace settled in Jessanune county, where the East Fork and main
Jessamine Creek unite, and carried on for more than forty years
an extensive tamier\-. He was a most efficient l>usiness man,
kindl}- and considerate in all the relations of life, and was one v->f
the best citizens that ever lived in Jessamine. He died at his
])lace, a few miles soiuh of Xicliolasville, Dec. u;. 1833. in the
76th year of Ids age. Mrs. T. J. I'rown was one of his daughters.
Scattered throughout l\entuck\- and Missoiud are his descend-
ants. Ihey carry with them as their inheritance the maul\-. ])a-
triotic, intelligent and Christian instincts which marked their an-
cestors.

A Romantic Story.

On the lirst day of Januarx', 184T, a \-oung man about thirty
years of age, made his appearance in Xicholas\'ille, which then
had a pe)pulation of oul\- 330 inhabitants. His name was Ross

--■4 Ifisforii of Jr.<saminr Comifii. Keutiirhij.

Hughes, and he was a stage driver, a native of Ireland and a man
of phick and energy. He obtained employment, and rented an old
house then l)elonging to Albert Young. He and his wife con-
stituted the family. He drove the stage from Xicholasville to
Harrodsburg, over rough roads in winter. After he quit driving
the stage, he one da\- told his wife tliat he must visit Louisville
and .\ew ( )rleans. He remained awa\- from home for a long time
and the gossips of the town made the young wife unhappy by
their disagreeable insinuations. After an absence of four months
the husband returned, l)Ut within a week he received a budget of
letters, and told his wife that he nmst go at once to St. Louis, and
in a few hours, he took his departure for the last time from Xich-
olasville, and gossip again turned its hateful tongue to the dis-
turbance of the life and heart of the young wife. The public felt
that she was deserted. Shorth- after she became a mother, and
for eighteen months lived on in silence, hoping and trusting. At
tiie end of this time she received a letter from her husband di-
recting her to come at once with her child, which she did, after
disposing of her little household effects. Upon reaching St.
Louis she found that her husband was the owner of a splendidlv
furnished house with every convenience for her comfort, and
with colored servants ready to obey her wishes. In due time
the little girl born in the little log house on the 27th of January,
1841, became a lady in fashionable society in St. Louis, and later
the wife of an English Lord, and the mistress of a superb man-
sion in London society. She died Lady Stirling, on the 6th day of
September, 1889, in London. Her first husband was a distinguished
Major General, in the Federal arm_\-. The old log house in
which Lady Stirling was born is still standing, and is the property
of Mr. Corrington. It has been altered and weatherboarded
anew, and is still one of the most comfortable residences in the
town. It was erected in 1804, and is on the corner lot in the rear
of Joseph. Lear's liverv stable.

Prolific of Statesmen.

In one corner of Jessamine county there were six neighbor-
hood boys, living almost in sight of each other, all of whom played
together and attended the same school. Four of these — George

lUdorij of Jr.-isainine Couidy Kentuckij. 22o

vS. Shanklin. Otho R. Singleton. Sam'l 1 1 . Woodson and A. G. Tal-
bott — became nienil^ers of Congress ; the fifth — Jos. 15. Crockett —
became one of tlic most distinguished state judges in America, and
was for many years Chief Justice of CaHfornia ; while the sixth —
Richard K. Call — was elected to Congress from Florida, in 1823.
He was ( iovernor of Florida from 1836 to 1839. and again from
1841 to 1844. .'"^ucli a record of distinguished services from one
neighborhood is certainlv rare in this or anv other countv.

George S. Shanklin.

Hon. G. S. Shanklin was the youngest son of John Shanklin.
who was one of the early pioneers, emigrating from Pennsylvania

to Kentucky. He settled in Jessamine county in 1785. He early
attended the celebrated school of Joshua l"rv. Ik- was not a
15

22(1 HUfoni of Je.-ixcDiihii' Coinitij, Koitnchij.

politician or time-server. He was a man of a high sense of in-
tegifity, modesty, courtesy and of retiring (hsposition. He was
an able antl snccessfid ])ractitioner of law, a man of most incor-
ruptible honor. He was elected to Congress in 1865, and repre-
sented Jessamine count \' in the lower house in 1838, and was
Presidential J^lector in 1864. The latter years of his life were
spent upon his farm, about three miles from Xicholasville, on
the Aersailles turnpike. He died .\pril ist, 1883, seventy-five
vears of age.

*^5'

Otho R. Singleton.

One of the distinguished sons c^f Jessamine was Otho R.
Singleton. He was born near Keene, in 1816. In 1842 he
settled in the state of Mississippi. He was a gifted man, of superb
presence, fine courage and attractive address, and in his adopted
state became very prominent. He was the son of Lewis Single-
ton, and nephew of Elijah Singleton. He attended Bardstown
College in his early life, and immediately after going to ^lissis-
sippi \ras elected and served two years in the legislature. He
afterwards served six years in the Mississippi State Senate, and
in 1852 w'as the presidental elector from Mississippi. He was
chosen as a member of the 33d, 35th and 36th Congresses. He
entered the Civil War with a Mississii)pi regiment, and acquitted
himself with great gallantrv. At the battle of Leeshurg ;i.
Federal officer from LJoston — a Captain Watson — demanded his
surrender. At that time Mr. Singleton was a captain in the
Second Mississippi regiment. His response to the Federal
officer was a shot which killed him instantly. After the war Mr.
Singh.^ton was elected a member of the 44th Congress, and
served in 1875 as a member of that body. His father was an
extensive hemp manufactm-er, and maintained his factory near
Keene. He died a few vears since at Jackson, Miss.

Rev. John T, Hendricks, D. D.

^Tr. Hendricks was one of the most useful and also one of the
most distingttished men educated in Jessamine. Having united
with the Xicholasville Presbvterian church, the officers of the

Hi.-^tonj of Ji'ssdiiiiiK' (_'i)Hiilij. I\iiiiiu-I;ij. 'I'll

congregation discovered tliai he was a man of fine mind and deep
religious convictions. 'I'he church undertook his education for
tlie ministr}-, and ami)]\ (Hd lie i"e])ay it for the ser\iees rendered
hy it to him in liis youth.

lie was l)()rn in Barren county in 1810. His father came from
\'irginia and settled in Kentucky in 1805, and died in Jessamine
county in 1839, two miles east of Xicholasville. His wife who
was ISIary Tilman. died at the same place in February, 1838. His
ancestors were staunch IVotestants and served under William,
Prince of () range, in ilie war waged by Philip 11. of Spain
against the Protestants of llolland, al^out the middle of the Six^
teenth century.

\\'hile preparing for the ministry, he undertook the work of
colporteur in Jessamine county, and his report of his labors is
still in existence. He distributed 31 Bibles free, sold 15, do-
nated 25 Testaments, and sold 5. His report closes with these
words: *"I have been engaged five days, finding my own horse,
"at one dollar per da\ , which I have received.

"Alarch 6, 1830."

He visited in all 148 families in the territory bounded as fol-
lows : I'roni Xicholasville witli tlie Shaker road to Jessamine
creek, with the same to the river, up tin- ri\er to tlie Paint Lick
road, to the ])eginning.

I^r. Hendricks died only a few niontlis ago in the SSili vear ot
his age. His services at Clarksville, Paducah and other portions
of the Pres1)yter!an church in the ."^oulhern states, liave given
him wicle distinction as a man of great earnestness, and great
faithfulness in his Master's cause.

John Gorman.

John Corman, a meni1)er of Captain Price's company, was a
native of Wayne county, I'a. ! le was born in 1792. He removed
to Kentucky in \-ery early life, and when the call was made for vol-
unteers, in 1812, he i)rom])tly ofFered his services. He was the
first man in ( aptain 1 'rice's conunand to fire a gun in the battle of
Raisin, lie killed an Indian and a British soldier early in the
morning.

He long lived in the western part of Jessamine countv as one

228 Hixtorii of .f''-«'(i)iiiif' County, Kentucky.

of its best and worthiest citizens and died in 1876. in liis eighty-
second year. He was l^rave, honest and patriotic.

Capt. Thomas T. Cogar.

Nature was generous to Capt. Thos. T. Cogar, and gave him
as his portion in Hfe, fourscore-and-six years.

His father. Michael Cogar, settled in Jessamine in 1790 at the
head of Jessamine creek, and there his son Thomas was born in

1796.

Captain Cogar was a man of strong mind and the kindest im-
pulses. His devotion to friends knew no limitations. He mar-
ried ^liss Ruth Ewing in 1822. and "n 1847 removed to the Ken-
tucky river, at Cogar's Landing, sometimes called Brooklyn.
Here he carried on a large trade and managed the shipping busi-
ness on the Kentucky river, from that point.

He became a distinguished Mason, and commanded, for many
years, one of the crack military companies of the county. He
managed to secure a large pork-packing establishment at his
landing and l)y his energy and popularity built up a remunerative
trade for such a locality.

He represented Jessamine county for two terms, in the legis-
lature of 1867-71. and died in N^icholasville in 1882. He was an
honorable man. a patriotic citizen, a loyal friend, and an intelli-
gent and faithful legislator.

John Barkley.

In, the earlier history of Jessamine county that portion of it
lying in the general neighborhood of Keene produced an unusual
number of very enterprising as well as very gifted men. Among
these was John Barkley. who held large landed interests in Jes-
samine county prior to 1834. At that time Mr. Barkley removed
to Boyle county, and estal)lished the first hemp manufactory
south of the Kentucky river. He was largely engaged in mer-
chandise and was also one of the leading men in the develop-
ment of the state. He was 1jorn in Jessamine count v in 1809.

He was the first President of the ].«roposed railroad from Lex-
ington to Danville from the South. Railroad building at that

Hidory of Jessariiiiw Count ij, Kfutitckij. '1'-.^

])eri()d presented almost insurniotmtable difficulties. .Mr. I'.ark-
ley went to Xew York and enit^aged a civil eng'ineer to examine
the prospects for the construction of the road. The mighty
chasms of the Kentuck\ river stood in the way. Cantilever and
suspension bridges for railways had not then been tised or even
invented. The construction of a railway was practically impos-
sible without a bridge which woul 1 si)an the Kentucky river.
Mr. Adams, the engineer. surve\ing the road from LexingtDU to
Danville, proposed to s])an the Kentucky at the point where the
Cincinnati Southern now crosses.

The engineering and financial difficulties would liave defeated
most men, ])Ut the_\- on]\- aroused Mr. r.arkle\- to higher etYort.
He was a man of great pluck, high order of talent, sparkling wit
and a fine conversationalist. He had received the best educational
in English literature.

He represented I'oyle county in the legislature in i''^45. and
was a leader in all movements for the prosperity and development
of the county.

Prior to his death he had ]nu-chased one (if the fin(>st farms in
Eoyle county, near Danville, and was residing there at the time
he undertook the constructitju of the Lexington & Danville Rail-
road. While on his wav from Danville to Xicholasville, in com-
])an\- with Air. Adams, tlie engineer, to arrange some matters in
connection witli tlie enteri)rise. the horse, which he was driving,
became frightened (ni the clitis of the Kentucky river, and ran
awav. striking the ^■ehicle against a rock on the side of the road.
He was thrown out and instantly killed. This occurred on the
2 1st day of janurn-w ii^5,^.

i-"ew men at that time would liave been a greater loss to Ken-
tuck)-. .Mr. r.arkley was one of the master s])irits of enter-
prise in that period when Kentuck} , al)ove all othc'-s. needed
men to lead, ])r()mote and advance internal improvements.

He left the work which he had inaugurated for others to com-
plete, but till- ])oldiu'ss (if his ])lans and the wisdom (">f h.is designs
have been vindicated in later years and that great thoroughfare,
the Cincinnati Southern Railway, is the consummation of that
which Mr. Harkkw had de\-ised at a time when other men would

230 HiMorij of Jfsfdiiniir (\iiiidij. Kentucky.

have disiiiissiMl sucli a ])r<)ject from llu'ir minds as utterly im-
possible.

Joseph B, Crockett.

Tn 1808, Joseph l'>. Crockett was horn at I'nion Mills, on
Hickman creek, A short while after, his father removed to Lo-
gan county, and tliere the son attended a classical school. In
1827 he entered the L'niversit\' of Tennessee, at Nashville, but
in conseqtience of the straitened pecuniary condition of his
father, he was comi)elled to leave tlv." L'niversity after one year.
He studied law at Hopkinsville witli (rovernor Morehead. In
1830 he formed a partnership with ( iustavus A. Henry, which,
after two years, was dissolved. In 1833. he was elected to the
legfislature, where, at once, his talents and his industrv s^ave him
a high stand. He was again elected to the legislature in 1836, to
fill a vacancy, and shortly after this he was appointed Common-
wealth's Attorney by Governor ("lark. His career as a prosecu-
tor ^vas brilliant and able, but the duties of the office were tincon-
genial ; his talents led him to prefer the defense rather than the
prosecution, and he soon established a reputation for being one
of the ablest criminal lawyers ever known in Kentucky.

In 1840. he removed to St. Louis. ]\Io., where a most brilliant
success crowned his career, but. his health giving way, in 1852
he settled in California, and in a little while found himself in the
very front rank of the bar in that state.

His kindness of heart and his generous courtesy secured for
him the highest popularitw L'pon the death of Judge Shapter, of
the Sujireme Court of California, Air. Crockett was appointed
to fill the unexpired term. He held the place of Chief Justice for
twelve years and retired in 1880 — the result of infirmity produced
by advanced years. He was regarded by the people of California
as one of the most brilliant, able and distinguished judges who
ever sat on the l)encli of tlic Supreme Court.

David Bowman.

One of the uni(|ue cliaracters in tlu' early history of Jessamine
county was David Bowman. He was born in lUicks county. Pa.,
in 1784. and settled in Jessamine county, on Jessamine creek, in

Hl4orij of Je-miniliir County, Kentwkij. 231

1800. His forefathers in Pennsylvania were members of the
Church of ihe Ignited IJrethren. Mr. Bowman united with the
Presbyterian church in Xicholasville in 1825, and was for more
than sixtv-five years a faithful and devested attendant. At the
time of his death in 1879, he was the oldest member of the church
and was the last of the old men born m the eighteenth century.

When a young man he l)ecame addicted to the use of liquor;
resolving to rid himself of this habit, he went to Lexington and
after a three days' w^alk in the nnid. reached that city. There he
received the help of a gentleman, who aided him to go to New
Orleans on a flatboat, and there he took service on a ship, which
plied between New Orleans and Havana, and followed the sea
for twelve years, and accumulated quite a fortune. He returned
to Jessamine county, luarricd, and on twelve acres of land always
had corn and wheat, and money to sy^are.

For manv years he attended church in Xicll()las^•ille, coming
on horseback, witli his wife behind him. lie insisted to the time
of his death ui)on wearing a blue, spade-tail coat.

John Butler.

lohn llutler was the son of Jhomas iiutler, one of the old
sheriffs of Jessamine county, under the Constitution of 1779. He
was born in Jefferson county, \ a., in Jul}-, 1813, antl was only six
years old when his father settled in Jessamine county. He was a
kind, honest and u])rigln man, and commanded the respect and
confidence of his fellow-citizens. He was deputy sherifif two
terms, and died Alarch T. 1870. He was one of the .-ubstantial
and enterprising men of Jessamine county.

James R. Davis.

James R. Davis was born near Nicholasville in 1809. He was
the third son of James Davis, and nephew of \\'illiam Davis, two
brothers, who came from Culpeper Court House, A'a . and set-
tled in Jessamine count \- in I7()8. Jaiues Davis was the son of
Henry Davis, of Culpeper county. \';i., who served in the Rev-
olutionary War. under ( ieneral Washington, and General ^^^ayne.
He died in Fayette count \- in 1794.

232

Hhtonj of Jt'smmm£ County, Kentucky.

Jame? R. Davis lived in the Sulphur Wells neighborhood for
fifty }ears. He was a good and wortliy man. noted for his hospi-
tality. He died in 1886.

Samuel Woodson Price.

Samuel Woodson Trice, son of Maj. 1). B. Price and Eliza
Crockett, was born on the 5th of August. 1828. in Xicholasville,
K}-. He early exhibited a marvelous talent for drawing, and he

could draw the capital letters before he knew his alphabet. All
his holidays and Saturdays were spent in sketching on paper and
modeling in clay. When quite a boy he was sitting in the court
house at a famous trial. Thomas F. Marshall was addressing
the jury for the prisoner. During this speech the attention of
the young artist was drawn to an old and prominent farmer who-

Hidonj of Jesmmiw C(nnd% Krntncky 233

was listeninj;-. with ea|o-er attention to the eloquent words which
were being- uttered. His head was resting on his hands, his
finqers alon.s^ the side of Iiis face, while his month was wide open.
Jn a little while the sketch was completed. lie handed it to the
sheriff, who launched aloud and in turn handed it to the judge,
who also was not able to suppress his mirth. It was passed from
neighbor to neighbor, and everybody laughed, and the speaker
was com])elled to pause for a few minutes.

After attending the Xicholasville Academy he was sent to the
Kentuok\- Institute to complete his education. This was in the
fall of i8.|6. He was at once made Professor of Drawing, with
the rank of First Lieutenant. In 1847 the I'niversity suspended
and he went at. once to Lexington to pursue his studies with the
lenowned painter. Oliver FYazier. There he attained splendid
success. His painting. "Old King Solomon," is one of the most
noted ever produced in Kentucky. His portrait of Chief Justice
George Robertson, and the painting of Dr. J. J. Kullock and his
familv. rank among the masterpieces of the state. The Govern-
ment purchased from liim a portrait of Major-General Thomas,
which is now in the National Galler}-. at Washington.

At the beginning of the war he commanded an inde])endent
com]-)an}- at Lexington, known as the ( )ld Infantry. Most of
this company entered the Federal service. He was afterwards
appointed Colonel of the Twenty-first Kentuckx Infantry. He
brought this regiment to a high state of eflficiency. and the service
it afterward performed in the (fivil war. from '61 to '65, was
in considerable measure induced In his splendid training. At
the battle of Stone lvi\er he made a heroic stand and was o]>
posed to the Kentucky Confederate troops under I'.reckinridge.

General Price was badly wounded at Kenesaw Mountain
and taken fnun tlie field. Tliis incapacitated him for further
active service. He was appointed conmiandant of the post at
Lexington, and was such at the close of the war. He was brev-
eted r>rigadier-General for his gallant conduct at Kennesaw. and
afterwards was Postmaster at Lexington, which ])lace he held for
two terms. He moved to Louisville after his retirement from the
position of Postmaster, to pursue his i^rofession, portrait j^aint-
ing, but the loss of his eyesight prevented him from further work,
and he is now totall\- l)lind. He is a writer of viuor and a mem-

234 Jliffnrij (if .J(-'<--<<(iii!ii<' ( uKiifij, Knitnckij.

ber of tlic I'^ilson C'lul), for wliicli Ik- fri'(|uciitl\- ])rcpares sketches,
wliiclt are "Tcatly appreciated and lii^iilv valued. Several of his
])aiiitini;s take liit;h rank, and one, "Caught Napping," is a
masterpiece of its kind. The closing of his professional life by
the destruction of his sight, was a great loss, not only to Ken-
tucky but to all lo\ers of art.

William T. Willis.

Captain Willis was born on the ioth of June, 1794, in Cul-
peper couiU}', \'a.. and was killed at the battle of Ikiena \'ista,
Februarv 23rd, 1847. ^^^ married hrst Hetty E. Howe, daugh-
ter of a Presbyterian minister. He had been educated at a semi-
narv taught l)v his father-in-law. He was elected to represent
Green county in the Legislatm-e several times, and also repre-
sented (ireen and Hart in the Senate in 1833 and 1838. He made
the race for Congress in that district in 1830. with a majority of
2,000 against him, which he reduced to 200. At that time he was
believed to be on his death-bed. and this seriously afTected his
vote. After his marriage he ])egan merchandising, and shipped
large (|uantities of toljacco by liat-boat, and drove horses through
tlie countrx- to Xew ( )rleans. The partner, who he sent on one
of these expeditions, was taken sick after selling the horses and
tobacco, and died, and before Cajitain Willis could reach the place
of his demise, the ]M-oceeds of the sale had disappeared. Being
involved, lie returned at once, sold out his stock, and commenced
studying law and practiced in Green and adjoining counties. Not-
w^ithstanding that he had a large debt and a family of eight chil-
dren, and at that time was compelled to meet such men as Samuel
Brent, Ben Hardin, Judge Cnderwood and Judge Buckner, he
succeeded admirably in his profession. In 1840 he removed to
Harrodsburg, remained there three years, and then came to Jes-
samine county. He was a man of singular energy and great abil-
ity. He had built up a large practice, and was regarded through-
out Kentucky as one of its most ])romising statesmen. Although
fifty years of age at the breaking out of the Mexican war, he at
once organized a com])any for service and his ardent patriotism
is l)est attested 1)v the fact that with him. three of his sons volun-

History of .Jex.-"iniiiK' County, KentKcky. 235

teered as i)rivates : tlie youngest of whom was l)arel\- fifteen years
of age.

Hie following' is a list of his men :

Roll of Company "I'." Second Regiment. Kentncky Foot
Volunteers — Alexican War :

W'm. T. Willis, ist ca])tain, killed at lUiena \ ista.

Captain — James O. Hervy. First Fieutenant— William R.
Keene. Second Fieutenant — Thos. J. Proctor. Second Fieu-
tenant — Win. C. Fowry. Sergeants — William F. Smith ist, An-
drew J. Nave, 2(1. J no. C. W inter 3d. William Cox 4th ; Corpo-
rals — Edward i'. Creen ist, Dudley Portwood 2d, John A. Willis
^(1, Chas. C. Hagan 4th. 1 )rummer — Cortney F. Hurch.

Privates — Allen, Jno. 11.; I'.rown, Geo. W.: I'.urchell. Daniel;
r.nrton, Fheodric ; I'.nmer. Thos. J.; IJeymer, Saml. ; (."astle. .Au-
gustus r.. ; Crane. Asa C. ; Crane. Jno. P. ; Collins, William ; 1 )an-
iel, \\in. H.; Dickerson. Woodson; Day. Win.: Dnman. James;
Easby, Andrew F. ; Easby, Josiah ; England, jas. S. ; l-"ain, John ;
Ford, Joshua G. ; Ford. Edward D.; (iarison, John A.; ( iravcs,
Fiving; Giljon\'. ^\'illiam ; ( irant, Geo. A\'. : Howard. Robt. S. ;
Hamilton. A\'illiam : Hunter. John; Ilayden. Isah P.; Hill,
Cireenshm-) ; ilar\-e\. Trotter; Hawkins. James; Jackman. Jos.;
Masters, Irvine; Mar\in, W ni. P.; AFisters. Jackson; Marks,
Geo. F: ATartin. Rol)ert ; .\loorc. Andrew I'.; AFA^ampbell, Jno.
G.; AlcConnel. Jas. A.; McAlurtry, h)hn; Xooe. Albert K.;
O'Brien, William ; ( )verstreet. Saml. R. ; I'age. Thos. C. ; Patter-
son. Win. ; Roberson, Jacob C. ; Roberts, .\ndrew J. ; Rash. John',
Saunders, Jno. A. ; Saunders, Geo. W. ; Sacre, John ; Sharp. Eze-
kiel K. ; Sweitzer. John ; 'J'utt. Wm.; Thompson. Jno. T. ; White,
Jas. N. ; Wilson. John ; Willis, Edmond C. ; Willis, Jas. H.

Jacoh Kreath Robinson, in the official Hst sjielled Rohertson.
was one of the youngest men in this comi)an\ . I le was born in
1829. The oldest man in the coni])any. John Hunter, was born
in 1804. and was the son of John Hunter, tlu' first settler. \\v
was severeU- wounded in the leg at the battle of lluena X'ista and
died in 1881 . l\o])inson was also a soldier in the late war. ])assed
through all its hardships and dangers, endured its i)rivations. and
now' resides at Harrodsburg. Ky.

This comi)any was ordered to rei)ort at Fouisville to be mus-
tered into service. Thev assembled at Ahmdx's Fanding on the

23(J ' Hldory of Jei^^aminc Count ij, Kentuckij.

Kcntuck}- river; some came on liorseback. some in carriages,
and tliev were ordered tliere to meet the steamboat lUue \\'ing.
When tlie c()m])an\- reached the river the steamboat was at
15rookl\n, and w liile coming down to ]\lundy's Landing ran into
a sandbar and stuck. Capt. PhiHp Thomson's company from
fiercer countw was also on the way to Louisville. With ropes
the soldiers ])ulled the steamer from off the sandbar twice, and,
after it had stuck the third time. Ca])t. Thomson went to Salvisa
and obtained wagons and drove through to Louisville, while Cap-
tain Willis's comi)any took coalboats at Mundy's Landing, rowed
themselves down to Frankfort, and arrived there the next day.
After taking breakfast in Frankfort, the steamer arrived at the
landing and they took passage and reached Louisville, and were
mustered in !)}• Col. George Croghan. From Louisville they
were transported to Xew Orleans Ijy steamers, and after re-
maining there a few days, they crossed the (kilf of Mexico in
some old British sailing vessels, and arrived at Brazos on. the Rio
Grande river. A part of the regiment was engaged in the bat-
tle of Monterey. Shortly after this the regiment was ordered to
the cit\- of Saltillo. and from thence, marching with General Tay-
lor, thev engaged in the battle of lUiena \'ista. This was one of
the most brilliant battles that crowned American arms, and it
was the onh' I)attlc in which the entire regiment, with which Cap-
tain Willis' company was connected, was engaged. This regi-
ment was ccjmmanded by Col. \\'illiam R. AIcKee, from Lancas-
ter; Henry Clay, [r., was Lieutenant-Colonel, and Gary H. Fry.
^Major. The com])anv was enrolled on the 2ist of [May, 1846,
in Xicholasville, and was mustered in at Louisville June 9, 1846,
and was mustered out at Xew ( )rleans June 9, 1847.

The story of this battle has always reflected great credit and
renown on Kentuckv courage. The second Kentucky Regiment
was on the right tlank of the arm}- and held it throughout the
battle, defeating the enemy opposite to them, which was twice
their number. At this time the left flank gave way. and its retreat
was only stopped by General Tavlor and Jefferson Davis and the
cavalry, who drove them back to face the enemy. It was then thit
Colonel Hardin, of the First Illinois, and Colonel AIcKee. of the
Second, made a disastrous charge against an overwhelming force.
This charge was made against the earnest protest of Colonel ^Ic-

Hi^fiiri/ iif J'ssdiidiif ('nil lit I/. Kentucky. 23

Kee and (Captain A\'illis. hut TIardin insisted upon making- it, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Clay urged it, and the Kentucky boys, fear-
ing- that the Illinois men would get the g-lory, McKee then united
in the charge and was killed. Col. Henry Clay. Jr., was wound-
ed, and Captain Willis, witli the high courage and noble generos-
ity w hich marked his whole career, was urging- his men to take che
Lieutenant-Colonel from the field, when the Mexican Lancers
came rai)idly down and killed both Colonel Clay and Captain
Willis. Harvey Trotter, a soldier from Jessamine, was killed at
the same time. James (). Hervey succeeded Captain Willis, and
only foiu- of the men who were engaged in tlie battle of Buena
Vista in this company, now remain in Jessamine ; John A. Willis,
\\'illiam C. Lowrey, A\'illiam Hamilton and I)a\'id Switzer. Cap-
tain \\ illis" remains, as well as those of Trotter, were removed by
the State of Kentucky, and reinterred in the state g-round in
]*"rankfort cemetery. It was upon the occasion of the reinter-
ment of these soldiers that Theodore O'Hara wrote his iir.mortal
poem of " The I'ivouac of the Dead," commencing as follows:

"The nniffled drimi's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo ;
Xo more on Life's parade shall meet

That brave and fallen few.
( )n l-'ame's eternal camping-g-round

Their silent tents are spread.
And glory giuu'ds, with solenm round.
The bivouac of the dead."

Robert Young.

Robert Young, a resident of Jessamine comity for more than
sixty-four years, \\-as born in l-'ayette county, on Elkhorn creek.
not far from the Jessamine line, in 1803. His father, |ohn
^ oung, was a Revolutionar\- soldier and served three vears under
General Greene. At the breaking out of the war In- was only
sixteen years of age. He was engaged in ilu- ])attles of Eutaw
Springs. Monk's Corner, Guilford Coml Ibnise. and at York-
town. Robert Young was the son of Jolin ^'oung 1)\- liis second
wife. C\-nthia McCullongh.

c

■A

W
■r.

r
>

Hidory of Jesxamme County, Kentucky. -■!!>

He learned liat manufacturing with his brother-in-law. Mr.
Fritzlen, at \'ersailles, and in 1825 established himself in Xicholas-
ville. He accumulated a moderate fortune and in 1848 purchased
a farm and retired from business as a manufacturer.

He married. Josephine Henderson, a g-randdaughter of Col.
Joseph Crockett, and reared a large family. His oldest son,
Rev. Daniel P. Young, was one of the leading Presbyterian min-
isters of Kentucky; his two sons, Robert and Melanchthon, two
of the county's most substantial and successful farmers and most
respected and loved citizens, while his other son. Col. P>ennett H.
Young, resides in Louisville and is the author of this b()(jk. His
eldest daughter married Dr. Charles ^lann and his ycjungest
daughter, Josephine, now resides in Xicholasville.

Robert Young was a man of higli integrity and possessed all
the best and noblest qualities of citizenship. His word was better
than his bond. Just, generous and conscientious in all his deal-
ings, he connnandcd, as he deserved, the respect and confidence
of his friends and acquaintances. He was an earnest, faithful
member and olificer of the Presbyterian church and was an hon-
ored member in man\- of its councils. No one ever questioned the
reality of his religion ; he carried it into all the dealings of his life.
He died November 2(jth, 1889. beloved and deeply mourned by
the entire community. He never failed to help those who were
in want and the grateful remembrance of those who had received
of his liberality and kindness is a rich legacy for an\- man.

Albert Gallatin Talbot

Was born in Jessamine county, in the Keenc neighborhood,
where his father at that time resided. He subsequently removed
to Boyle county, and represented that county in the Legislature m
1869-73, 'I'l'l ''1 ^^5'^ 'i*-' "^^'^^ '^ member of the Thirty-fourth and
Thirty-fifth Congresses, and of the Constitutional Convention of
1849.

He was a man of idomitable energy, agreeable manners, and
was a successful politician.

240 Hi.4i)rii (if Jrssimuiic Coinifii, Kentiick

■la/.

David Crozier.

David Crozier was a native of Pennsylvania, l)orn in 1795.
and came to Jessamine county when he was quite a voung- man.
He built what is known as Croziers Mill, which is half stone and
lialf wood, on Jessamine creek. In 1845 li<^ carried on a cotton
factory at liis mill. He worked about forty hands, mostly boys
and girls, and manufactured cotton cloth and jeans. With the in-
troduction of railroads, and with the difficulty in getting materials
(for by this time Jessamine county had ceased to grow cotton,
and the supply of wool was never large enough to run the mill),
this mill was closed. Thereafter Mr. Crozier became associated
witli Dr. A. K. Marshall in carrying the mails from Lexington
to Uean Station, Tenn.

He was energetic and enterprising and did much to foster and
td^dntain the earlier manufacturing establishments of the county.

Dr. Francis Marion Jasper.

Dr. h^rancis Marion Jasper, who died at Cincinnati on the
22nd of June, iS(-)2, while not a native of Jessamine count^', was
long one of its most successful physicians, and his descent entitles
him to more than passing notice. His Revolutionary ancestors
came from Wales. His great-grandfather, Abraham Jasper,
was bc>rn in Wales in 1728 and settled in Georgetown, South
Carolina. I-'rom there he moved to a residence on Cooper river,
near Charleston. His oldest son became a prominent Torv, while
his other sons, Xicholas Jasper, John Jasper and William Jasper,
were bra\'e and devoted soldiers in the cause of their countrv
dm-ing the Revolutionary war. having served under General
.Smnter in .Xorth and South Carolina.

After the Revolutionary war, Nicholas Jasper settled in Pulaski
county, Ky., and became the father of a large family of brave
and ]3atriotic sons. Xicholas Jas])er was born near Charleston,
South Carolina, in 1752. .Sergt. William Jas]ier was the youngest
chiUl, born in 1757. Pie was not quite twenty years old during
the siege of h'ort ^loultrie, near Charleston, when the flagstafif
was broken by a shot from the ISritish. ( )n seeing the flag thus
lowered by a shot. Sergeant Jasper inunediately sprang down

Hi4<>rii of Jt'-<-<iiinine County, Kentucky.

241

and replaced the flaq; amid a tremendous fire from the British fleet,
commanded by Sir Peter Parker. I^^or his bravery on that oc-
ca.sion Governor Rutledge, in tlie presence of the regiment, took
his sword from his side and presented it to Sergeant Jasper. He
offered the brave soldier a commission, which he refused. He
was killed in the assault on Savannah, Oct. 7, 1779, when he was
not quite twenty-two years of age.

Capt. Thomas Jasper, who was the father of Dr. Francis ^Marion

Jasper, represented Pulaski county in the legislature of Kentucky
in 1833. "34 and '^i,^. and when the War of 1812 was declared he
enlisted in ilie company commanded by Capt. Harry James.
He was in tlie regiment of Colonel Simrall. He was at the battle
-of the Thames and fouglu with s])lendi(l courage on that occasion.
Dr. Jasper practiced liis professiiin in Jessamine county more
tl.an tliirty years. He answered every known call for his ser-
10

242

Hidonj of JoimDiinc (Joniiiij, Ke)itiicl'y.

vices. He was kind, tender and n-entle. and the qnestion of
remuneration affected neither the leni^th nor the al)iHty of his
services. He was one of Jessamine's l)est citizens.

Henry Metcalf

Was the oldest son of Rev. John Metcalf, who surveyed Nicholas-
ville. He was l)orn in the vear iSoo, and died at his home in

Nicholasville, January i8, 1879. He passed his entire life in
Nicholas^ ille. He was a useful citizen and a manufacturer of
ropes and bagging^. He had a large factory which he operated
for a long time successfully. He was a man of extraordinary
sweetness of temper, and also of high character. He did the
right as he knew it. He opened the first Sunday-school in the
Southern Methodist Church in Xicliolasville in the spring of

HUtory of Jesmiitiiie ('otinitj, Krufurhii. 243

1843. and was for long' years one of tlie stewards in 'liat cluireh
and \\as liljeral in tlie support of liis clun-ch and earnest in its
canse. lie married a daughter of John I'ishhack. who settled
in Kentuck\- in i/yo. in jessamine county, where he died in 1845.
]\Jr. John Aletcalf, who still survives and lives in Xicholasville,
was his eldest son. Cieor,2;-c Metcalf, another son, now resides in
Lexins^ton, and was a gallant soldier in the I'iftli Kentucky In-
fantry, C S. A., while Charles Metcalf, the youngest son, is one of
the leading lawyers in Tennessee, and President of the Tennessee
State Bar Association. Jo'hn Metcalf and James Metcalf, two of
his sons, are still living, while two of his daughters, Miss Sallie and
Miss Alice, now reside in Xicholasville at the old home place of
their grandfather, who laid out and namecl the town.

Louis H, Chrisman.

Among the men of jessamine who were jjrominent in the first
fiftx' Aears «jf its existence was Louis H. C'lTrisman. He was
born in 1813 and died in 1866, at his home two miles north of
Nicholasville on the Lexington and I)an\ille pike, lie was al-
wavs acti\'e in ])olitics, was a wiu'm ])artisan. and after a heated
contest was elected sheriff of jessamine countx" in 1858. He was
the youngest son of Joseph Chrisman. l)r(^ther of (len. Hugh
Chrisman. Joseph C'hrisnian was born in Rockingham cotnity,
A a., in 1776, and came to Kentucky with his brother and settled
in Jessamine count \- in 1700.

Mr. Chrisman served as a volunteer aid on the staff of Gen.
W'm. R. Terrell, of the I'\Mleral army, who was killed at Perrv-
ville. HcAvas one of the leaders of tlie Whig part\' in Jessamine
cotmty and was always a delightful C(,)mpanion wherever he went
on account his fme social qtialities. He was an extraordinary
whistler. He could carr\ the several ]iarts while whistling a tune
and this made him a welcome guest at everv political meeting.
He was a kind neighbor, a sincere friend, a generous opponent
and a patriotic citizen. Afr. .\. L. and George Chrisman, his sons,
still reside on the old h.imestead.

24-1 Hldonj of Jessdininc ( ounttj, Kentucky.

Daniel P, Young.

Rev. Stuart Rol:)inson, in speaking- of Rev. D. P. Young, said:
"Mr. Young was perhaps the most successful of all the min-
isters of the Presbyterian church in Kentucky in winning souls
to Christ. His greatness consisted in his wonderful skill in en-
gaging the attention, alike of the converted and unconverted, in
the Gospel way of salvation, and his eminent ability in expound-
ing the Scriptures, setting forth that way, and beseeching men in
Christ's stead to l)e reconciled to God. The secret of his suc-
cess was in large part that his heart was in his work ; and he was
a man who had a very large heart, filled with the love of Christ
and the love of souls. Nobody who knew him ever doubted the
earnestness of his piety and holy zeal in the service of his Master.
The many people all over Kentucky, who these twenty years aftei
his death, grasp tlie hands of his children with a warmer clasp
when thev know who they are, and who speak their affection foi
him \\ ith tears in their eyes, is the greatest evidence of the warm
place he held in tlie liearts of those wh<j came under his influence."
Daniel P. Young was the oldest child of Robert and Josephine
Henderson ^'oung. and on the lot where Jessamine Female In-
-stitute now stands, was born on P>bruary 22d, 1833.

Under Iiis mother's influence he early consecrated his life to
Christ and resolved in his boyhood to devote himself to the gospel
ministry.

After passing through the home schools he entered Hanover
College, at Hanover, Indiana, and graduated in the class of 1852.
After finishing his course there, he prepared to attend Transyl-
vania University to jDursue the study of law, but w'hile on his way
to Lexington he was induced by his conflicting emotions to
change his mind and turned back to Danville, Ky., where he
entered the I'iesl)yterian Theological Seminary.

His first charge was at Georgetown. K}.. where under his
ministr\- the membership of the church was largely augmented and
in an unusual degree he won the love and affection of his congre-
gation.

T'Yom there he removed to the renowned Providence church,
in Mercer countv. and from there he was induced by the insistence

Hi-ttory of Jessamine Coujity, Kentucky. 245

of friends to accept the charge of the Xicholasville church. In
l)otli success crowned his efforts and he was blessed in the up-
building of these churches.

In 1878, he was called to the charge of the Presbyterian church
at Anchorage, and in conjunction with it the principalship of
Bellew'ood Seminary and Kentucky Presbyterian Normal
School. His eminent fitness for this position was recognized
on every hand, ])ut, within a few months after he removed to
Anchorage, on jmie 30th, 1878, he ended the labors of his earnest,
useful and faithful life.

John Lafon,

The Lafons who came to American were refugees from France
during the Huguenot persecution. The founders of the familv
settled in .South Carolina and A'irginia. and their descendant.
Pichard Paf»Mi, married Aliss Anna Alaxey, removed to Ken-
tucky and settled in Jessamine county in 1793. They came over
the Wilderness Road, with their herds and household effects and
slaves and settled, through a ])atent. a thousand acres, comprising
the original Fountain House tract, being the lands now occupied
by I'urrier, Phillips, Pryants, and Flkins and others, about two
and a half miles from Kecne, toward Lexington. Richard Lafon
wa: a man of unusual education for that period. He left a reason-
able fortune, although he died a comparatively young man. He
built one of the first brick dwelling houses in the county.

His son, John Lafon, was born December 4, 1800. He early
had every social and literary advantage, and traveled not only in
the Lnited States but abroad. He was a man of unusual energy,
great juigment. br )i'd and comprehensive views, and was a born
leader of men. As a result of' his trading and manufacture he
spent his winters in Cuba and Xew Orleans and his suiumers in
Kentucky on his farm. At one time he leased all the hemp
factories in tln-ee counties and shipped their product to the South
by way of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers.

He was a close friend of Henr\- Clav and in many important
matters his adviser. Fie was the moving spirit and the president
of the Lexingt(Mi X Harrodsburg Turnpike Company at the
period of its com]ilction. The road was conunenced in 1834. by

246

Jlidonj of .J(.<si(iiiiiir ('ok lit ^, KentitcLtj.

the stale, tlien ahainlDiu-d and then leased 1)\ the state to Lewis
Singleton for twenty years. Singleton died shortly after the
acquisition of the road, and it was then taken up by John Lafon
and completed through to I'erryville in 1847. Tl^^ work near
the Kentucky river was done under Mr. Lafon's administration,
and required very large outlay and a high order of engineering
skill. He had tremendous difficulties, both ])hysical and financial,

to overcome, but with his master mind he worked out a mag-
nificent success and in the completion of this turnpike rendered
Fayette. Jessamine. Mercer and Uoyle counties an incalculable
benefit.

Backed i)y his energy and financial ability, this great thorough-
fare was built in the face of great difficulties. Such improve-
ments in those davs could only be carried on at large expenditure,
relativelv nuich larger than now. and to undertake the construe-

History of Jeasamine County, Kentucky. 24:1

tion of a graded road such as this ])ikc'. through the country on
either side contiguous to the Kentucky river, demonstrates that
lie was a man of a higli order of moral courage as well as the
possessor of great sagacity and un\ielding will.

He married Mary Ann liarkley, whose grandfather had been
compelled to leave Ireland, where a ]»rice had been placed on his
head. And in tlie struggle f(jr Irish independence he was the
friend of Roijert luumett and devoted to the liberty of his country.
Mrs. Lafon was also a descendant of the Higbees and they came
from New jersew In early days tliey built boats on South Elk-
horn and hauled them to j'rooklyn and other landings on the
Kentucky and launched them, from whence they were floated to
New ( )rleans.

A man of culture himself, possessed of a large estate, in-
herited botli from his father and his mother, he made a home in
every wa\ attractive and delightftd. His hos]:)itality was un-
bounded: he accumulated one of the best libraries in Kentucky,
collected curios, and !)}■ !iis intelligence, his enterprise and his
talents became associated with and was the friend of many of the
leading men of the state. His home at one time almost rivaled
Chaumiere. He built a beautiful house, he laid out handsome
grotmds. erected l)ath houses and spring houses, built laundries
with hot and cold ])ipes, constructed artificial lakes, and im-
])roved charming drives. There was on his land an ap])arcntly
bottomless spring from which boiled up a great volume of water.
This, by a splendid circular stone basin, he changed into a most
attractive fountain and called his home after it — l-'ountaln House.
^Vith these surro.undings he founded an elegant and ideal home.
He secured rare (lowers and adorned his yard with every variety
of tree that could ])e grown in the locality. He died in 1848 in the
very meridian of his career. His earlv demise was a great loss
to his native county in its social, physical and educational interests.

Dr. John W. HoIIoway.

Dr. John W. I lolloway, who represented Jessamine county in
the Constitutional Convention of i8()0, and who took a promi-
nent ]iart in the deliberations of that body, was a son of Spencer
Holloway, and was l)orn in llu' county on tlie 30th of Ajiril. 1823.

248 Hilary of Jp.'<!taiiiii)e CnKnty, Kentnchj.

His grandfather, James Holloway, was a native of A'irginia, and
was a captain in the Revolutionary war, and settled in Jessamine
county very early in its history. His son, Spencer Holloway,
was born in 1792, and died at the advanced age of 89. in the year
1883. His son, Joihn W. Holloway, passed his early life on a farm.
At 23 years of age he went to Louisville and undertook the study
of medicine under Dr. John L. I'rice and remained there three
years, and finally graduated in 1850, from the Medical Depart-
ment of the University of Louisville.

From that time on to the present he has practiced medicine at
Keene. He has met with unqualified success in his profession as
well as in his conduct of a large farm. He is a man of strong
mental vigor, truest friendship, unflinching courage and highest
integrity.

In the Constitutional Convention he earnestly advocated
equal property rights for women and latterly opposed the ballot
system. While the convention did not adopt his views they all
respected his sincerity, his integrity and his unusual courtesy.

Letcher Saunders.

INIr. Saunders was born in Xicholasville on October 29, 1864.
His father, C. B. Saunders, died in Xicholasville in 1874. Air.

Saunders was educated in the conmion schools of Xicholasville.
He is one of the most expert penmen and careful clerks that have
ever served the people of Jessamine. He was a pupil of Prof. A.
X. Gordon, while principal of Bethel Academy, and when six-

Hidory of Jesmmine County, Kentucky. 'I4U

teen years of ajj^e, he entered the Circuit Court Clerk's ofifice as
deputy of Lewis i). Uahlwin. Subsequently he became clerk in
the general freight offices of the Louisville & Nashville R. R. Co.,
at Louisville. He returned to Nicholasville in 1885, and one month
after his return lie was nominated for Circuit Clerk at the Demo-
cratic primary, defeating liis competitor by a handsome majoritv.
His conduct of the ofifice was such tliat he was nominated without
opposition for a second term. As Circuit Clerk he took the front
rank in Kentucky. He married the daughter of jas. \\\ (ilass, of
Garrard county, January i, 1887. His grandfather. Austin
Smithers, during the epidemic of cholera in 1855 went through
the tents visiting the sick and caring for the dead and dying.
White and black alike received his attention, and he never wearied
in waiting on those who needed his services during that terrible
scourge. .Mr. Saunders comes of an ancestr\- full of humane and
noble characteristics, and his popularity is undoubtedly the result
of these inherited qualities.

G. W. Lyne.

Few men have done more for Jessamine countv than Mr. G.
\y. Lyne. He has been engaged in the real estate business, and
his enthusiasm and energy have enabled him during tliat period
to dispose of $2,000,000 worth of property and lie has been in- strumental in inducing a large number of strangers to settle in the county. Mr. Lyne is comparatively a young man, only thirty- one years of age. He is a successful auctioneer and is the only man who ever made the real estate business in Jessamine county a success. William W. White. William W'. White, who died at his residence, in Xicholasville. on Jaimary 5, 1887, in the 8oth year of his age, was one of the most earnest supjjorters of the doctrines of Alexander Campbell and was instrumental in building up several congregations of that faith in the county. He organized what is known as the Little Hickman ehurcli on the 27th of January. 1841. He was a son of W'illiam ( i. W'liite, who came from Culpeper Court House, 250 Il'idonj (if Ji'^^niiiiiic (nil 111 ij, KiiitilcLjI. \'<i. Jlc l)ecanie impressed witli the doctrines ])ro])Ounded by Mr. Campljell and from the time of liis miitino- with that denomi- nation mitil tlie end of his hfe .qave his time and talents and energy to building" tip the church which adopted them. His nK'mbershi[) was in the Xicholasville Christian church. How- ever people might differ with Mr. White in his theological, views, none ever doubted the earnestness and the faithfulness of his Christian service and of tlic unselfishness of his ministration. He was plain, simple-hearted and earnest. While engaged in othei business, he preached always as occasion offered and never failed to respond to such calls as his church made upon him. Rev. Thomas R, Welch, D. D. Rev. Thomas R. ^\'elch, U. D.. one of the leading Presby- terian ministers of the Southern l'rcsl)yterian church, the son of John Welch and V>. J. Rice, was liorn near Xicholasville, Sep- tember 15th, 1825. Most of his ministerial life was passed in Arkansas, where he removed in 1851, and took charge of the church in Little Rock. After a coarse in l^ethel Academy, he graduated from Center College in 1844, and in 1870, his Alma Mater conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. Dr. Welch was singularh- honored by his chiu'ch. He held many positions of trust in its courts and institutions. He led a busy and successful life, l^ossessed of a fine presence, genial manners and read}' s}nipathy, he found a welcome everywhere. Another has said of him : "r*)V long residence, abundant lal)ors, eminent administrative al)ilit\-. Dr. Welch is the Presbyterian Nestor of Arkansas, and no man in the state is held in higher esteem or wields a sti"onger in- fluence." He died a few years since, deeply regretted by the people of the great denomination to which he belonged and sincerely mourned by the memliers of his own congregation at Little Rock. Mrs. Sarah Withers, an aunt of Dr. Welch, and long a resi- dent of lUoomington, Illinois, was a most benevolent, charitable and earnest Christian woman. At her death, a few vears since. Hidory of Jeammine County, Kentucky. -')! she made ihc officers of the Xicholasville Presbyterian church her residuary legatees, and directed that the funds thus be- queatlied should be used for the maintenance of a public library in Xicholasville. Quite a large sum, estimated at about$20,000,
will 1)c realized and it will be sufficic;nt to equip and maintain a
com])lcte and efficient lil^rary in the city.

Maj. J. H. Hanly.

Alaj. jcjlin llav llanlw born in Seville. Spain, in 17S4, who
settled in Jessamine county, in 1871. was the son of an officer of
the British army.

( )n his arrival at his new home, in what was then the far west,
he inn-chased a very large tract of land on the Kentucky river,
six miles south of Xicholasville. His house, a frame cottage of
liberal dimensions, located on a bluff many feet above the river,
was appropriately named "Cliff Cottage." Its picturesque beauty
of location excited the admiration of the distinguished painter.
Healy. who visited Maj. Hanl\', when sent by the king, Louis
Philli])])e, of I'^rance. to ])aint the portrait of Henry Clav. ( )n
entering the grounds, he is said to have exclaimed, "Grand and
beautiful."

It was at this home of beauty that the generous proprietor and
his estimable family dispensed old time Kentuck}- hospitality, dur-
ing a period of more than half a century.

]\Iai. Hanly was a very j^ositive character, highl}- intellectual,
just in all his dealings,, truthful, honest, and brave; he was, in all
the elements that constitute a gentleman of the old school, a man
to be admired and trusted. He was a firm believer in the Roman
Catholic faith and in the democracy of Andrew Jackson. He
was a line shot, and prided himself upon the accuracv of his aim.

( )n one occasion. Col. David Goodloe, who had been chal-
lenged l>y .Mr. \\ liitc. M. C, of Madison count}-, to fight a duel,
came to ]Maj. Hanly to practice with the major's dueling pistols.
! Ic ])ccanie so exi)ert, after considerablepractice, astohit the bull's
eye repeatedly. When the duel finally came off. his antagonist
stood willi bis back to a bain. l>oth gentlemen were game and
fired at the word. X either were bit. and nmch to their disgust,

252

Histovi/ of Je.-<--<(iininc Voimiij Kcntuckij.

Major tianly, after a most diligent search, failed to find that the
colonel's bullet had even struck the barn.

John A. Willis.

Tohn A. Willis, son of Capt. W. T. Willis, while not a native of
Jessamine, has resided within its borders for fifty-five years.
He was born in Green county on the 3th day of August, 1820;

attended a sennnary at Greensburg, and afterwards at Munfords-
ville, and in 1839 attended St. Mary's College, near Lebanon. He
joined the Presbyterian church in Greensburg in 1840, came with
his father to Mercer county and studied law and obtained his
license in 1843, ^"<^ moved with his father to Nicholasville in
1844. He enlisted in his father's company, and was appointed a cor-

IIi.<fi)ri/ of Jei^samine County, Kentuc-kij. 253

poral. He followed the Seeond Kentucky Regiment in all its
battles and marches, and was mustered out at Xew Orleans in
1847. W hile the regiment was stationed at Comargo, Air. Willis
was stricken witli fever, and all thought that it w^as impossible for
him to live. After the death of AIcKee and Clay and Captain
Willis, the regiment were anxious to l)e mustered out of the
service, and, at the expiration of twelve months, the time for
which they were enlisted, tlie\- were l)rought to Xew Orleans and
disbanded.

Mr. Willis, after taking a full course in the Commercial Col-
lege, in Cincinnati, returned to Xicholasville and taught in Keene.
After two years" service in the county schools, he became assistant
in r.ethel Academw in Xicholasville. After this time he was ap-
pointed Master Commissioner of the Jessamine Circuit Court by
Judge AA'illiam C. Goodloe. upon the unanimous petition of the
entire bar, embracing both Whigs and Democrats. The place
was given to Mr. Willis without any solicitation on his part, and
he retained it for sixteen years. After the close of the ci\-il war
he was elected twice as County Clerk, both times without oppo-
sition. A one-armed Confederate soldier was nominated against
him in the last race. Imt withdre\\-.

Upon retiring frcn.i the Clerk's ofifice in 1871 with such citi-
zen? as Mr. George Brown. Dr. Brown Young, G. S. Shanklin,
Samuel Muir, Charles Farra, Hervey Scott, and William H. Hoo-
ver, he organized the First X^ational Bank of Xicholasville, and
acted as its cashier from 1871 until T88r, when he was elected
president, and held this position until i8g6. He was elected
elder in the Xicholasville Presbyterian church at the same time
with Roibert Young, in the year 1850. In i860 he was elected
clerk of the session. shortl\- before the death of Alaj. D. B. Price.
and has been such clerk for thirty-two years.

Patriotic, honest, faithful, just, conservative and kindly. A[r.
A\ illis has been a leading citizen of jessamine countv since his
return from .^erxice in the Mexican War. to which he gave his
father and one vear of hard and. trvim-' service.

254 Hl.itorij of Jf'ssdiiniii' Coiiiifij, Kentucky.

William Brown.

\\'illiani lirown, the _\uungest son of George I. Brown, was
born in Xic]iolas\ille on the 2T,d of May, 1839; ^^^ <^i^<^^ June i,
1890. He was a man of l^riUiant parts. He allied himself with
the Republican party, and attained a higii place in its councils.
Senator Tames R. Beck said of him tliat he was the strong-est man
of his party witli wIkjui he had ever come in contact. He was a
warm. ])ersonal friend of James G. Blaine, who had a great ad-
miration for liis talents and his abilit}'. His mind was analytic,
comi)rchensive and logical. At school he did not appear to study
as other l^ows. but he always knew his lessons and fuih' under-
stood every sul)ject of which the text books treated. He was
fearless and on many occasions eloquent. Had he devoted him-
self to the law, his chosen profession, rather than to have entered
tlie domain of politics, he wotild liave l)ecome one of the first
jurists of the country.

E. R. Sparks.

No history of Jessamine county would be complete without a
sketch of Hon. E. R. Sparks. His enterprise, coupled with his
faith in the futm-e of Xicholasville, and his large investments, both
in manufactories and in the laying out of additions and construc-
tion of streets and houses, have been greatlv instrumental in in-
creasing the population of Xicholasville, and in widening its in-
fluence and traffic. He was l)orn al)out a mile east of X'^icholas-
ville on the 31st of January, 1840, and was tlie son of Isaac and
Mary Ann Hendricks Sparks. His mother was a sister of the late
Rev. John T. Hendrick, D. D., the distingitished Presbyterian di-
vine. ]\Ir. Sparks' father was born in Ohio and in early life moved
to Jessamine county, where he lived until his death, on Jan. 28th,
1887, in Ids eighty-first year. Air. Sparks was named for a dis-
tinguished .Methodist minister. Rev. Edwin Roberts. From his
earl}' manhood he has demonstrated himself to be the possessor
of great sagacity, and his uniform success in all his financial trans-
actions has given him a wide reputation for business capacity.
He has held few public ol^ces. In 18S2, he was elected State

H'iMiirij i)f Jf'.<.-<tiiiiiiir Cniinfii, Kciifiirki/.

255

Senator and serv^ed until 1886. In the Senate he was popular,
conservative, and secured tlie confidence and tlie respect of those
associated with him in that body, j'or years lie was a council-
man, and was prominent in the city government of Xicholasville.
He has carried on a large manufactory for hemp in the county

seat, which gives cm])lt)_\ nicnt to a number of hands, lie is in
the hig-hest degree public spirited, and is always helpful to his town
and his county in every public enterprise.

John Harrison Welch.

John Harrison Welch, although comparatively a young man,
has held c|uite a numl)t,r of ]iul)lic offices in Jessamine county and
is at present Master COnnnissioner of tlic Jessamine Circuit
Court. He was Ixirn in Xicholasville. llis great grandfather,

256

Hixtdrn (if Je^--<(tiiniif' ('(iiiitfi/, Kciitiickij.

]()lin Welch, early settled in Jessamine county, having- removed
from \ irg'inia to that count\- in 1782. Mr. Welch was educated
at i'ethcl Academ\-; was also a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan
College, at Millersburg, in 1877. He g-raduated from the Louis-
ville Law School in 1881, located in \'icholasville, where he has
since practiced his profession. At twenty years of age, he was
elected Superintendent of common schools of Jessamine county.

lie represented the county in the lower house of the General As-
sem!)ly of Kentucky, in 1889 and "go, in '91, '92 and '93, and has
been j)r(>niinent in the countA" affairs since his majority.

Rev. George Stokes Smith.

Re\erend Georg-e Stokes Smith was a Baptist preacher and
was also a deleg'ate to the convention, at Danville, in 1792, wdiich

HlMitfij oj Jeammbie County, Ke.ntuckij.

257

framed the first Kentucky Constitution. He was the maternal
grandfather of the large and numerous family of Moseleys, Wal-
lers and vSmithis, who live in the Keene neighborhood. He has
over 25c descendants va Kentucky, and was one of the men who
lived in ihc limits of jessamine count) in the earliest days of its
settler, icui.

He \\a> a successful Tiaptist preacher, and served several
churches in \\^oodford and Mercer counties, and at the old Mount
Pleasant Churcli, at Keene. He led a useful, honorable and dis-
tinguished life. 1ji> election to the Constitutional Convention
in 179_\ shov. s l-si^ wide popularity and his distinguished position.
Fayette county had five members, and among them men of high
standing, but none wielded more intiuence than their ministerial
colleague.

CHAS. F.VANS.

258

Ili^tori/ (if ,I('.<-<(i nihil' Omiitij, hriifiic]:i/.

Hon. Thos. J. Scott.

Jessamine county is at present in a judicial district, composed
of lessamii\e, Madison, Estill, Clark and I Nnvell. The Circuit
Tud,Q'e is lion. Thomas J. Sc(_)tt, who was b.>rn in Ma lison county,
but his father, Dr. lohn Scott, was a native of Jessamine county,
whence his father removed, w hen ciuite a vaino^ man, to R'.chmond,

Kv. His mother was a descendant of C ol. F.still, one of the most
celebrated pioneers of Kentuckv. Me was educated at Mount
Pleasant College, in ^lissouri, from wl ich he graduated at the age
of nineteen, hrimediateh' he returned to Richmond, where he
entered tlie law office of Maj. Scpiire 1'urner: in 1871 he was ad-
mitted to the bar, and in 1875 was elected County Attorney, to
which i)ositi()n he was re-elected twice without opposition. In
1886 he was elected Common F^leas Judge for the district com-

H'idoni of Jr.<^iiiii'nir Counti), Kentucky. 25it

posed (ti tb.e counties of Madison. Clark, Bourbon, ijath, and
.Montgonierv : and in i8<j2. he was elected Circuit Judge of the
TwentN-ninth judicial district without opposition, and has been
similarly re-elected for the second term. He is recognized
throughout the state as one of the ablest Circuit Judges. His
careful pre])arati(in, liis studious habits and his sterling integrity
render him a nn><k-I circuit judge. Although genial and kindly
in h\> personal relations, on the bench he knows nothing but the
strictest justice, and this has won for bin: the respect and admira-
tion of all the people of the district.

Rev. Stephen Noland.

This distinguished Methodist divine was born in Wayne coun-
ty, Indiana, on tlie T3th of May, 1818. His ancestors came from
\\'ales and settled in \'irginia twenty-five years before the war of
tlie American Revolution. In his seventh year, his mother died
and he was brought to Kentucky, and made his home with his
grandparents. In 1834 he entered the clerk's ofiice in Richmond,
Ky., wdiere he remained five years. He used all his leisure mo-
ments for the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1839.
He began the practice of his profession in Richuioiul. and shortly
removed to Irvine. Estill county. I\\., and there he sought licen-
sure in the Methodist ministry. In 1839 he married a sister of the
late Samuel h\ Miller, one of the Associate Justices of the Su-
])rcme Court of the Cnited States. Rev. Stephen Xoland.
who succeeded his father in the banking business, was the sec-
ond son — his other son, Sanuiel II. Xoland, removed to Texas.
Stephen Xoland made the race for Conunonwealth's Attorney in
the district, which then embraced seven counties, against C. C.
Rodgers, of Lexington, and defeated him by a majority of 800
\i)tes. A\"liile holding the office of Commonwealth Attorney,
he became a terror to evil-doers throughout the district. All
sorts of iuHuences were brought to bear to defeat ^Ir. Xoland,
bin the\' were without avail. In 1854 he came to Xicholasville,
and sliortly afterwards asstuned cliarge of the ^Fethodist Episco-
pal church. South. X'^otwithstanding the variety of his occupa-
tions, he never ga\e up the preaching of the Gospel.

The first bank in Xicliolasville was orcrnnized bv Mr. X"o-

260

History of Jei^mmine Cmuify, Kentucky.

land in 1864. it was known as the Bank of Noland, Wilmore &
Co. He was a man of great sagacity and judgment in the con-
duct of his business; of wide benevolence and charitable impulses,
he has probably given away as much money in charity as any man
who ever lived in Jessamine. His second wife, Miss Virginia
Brown, daughter of Thos. J. Brown, who inherited the many

excellent traits of her family, survived luiu. He died on the 27th
of January. i8(;o, after a lingering illness, and deeply regretted
by the entire conununity, among whom he spent the last forty
vears of his life.

The Duncans.

Among the earliest settlers in Jessamine county were James
Duncan and Charles Duncan. They located within the boundary
of Jessamine early in 1788. Charles Duncan was born in Cul-
peper county. A'a.. in 1761. He was the father of William Dun-

Hidory ofJeHsamine County, Kentucky. 261

can, so long known, who died at his home immediately above
Nicholasville in 1863. William Duncan's mother was ^Margaret
Burnside, sister of the Revolutionary soldier, Robert Burnside,
the great uncle of Gen. A. E. Burnside. William Duncan was
born near Barclay's old mill in 1788. In 1813 he married Xancy
Blackford, daughter of Benj. Blackford.

James Duncan, the grandfather of S. M. Duncan, was born
in Culpeper count}-, \'a., July 18, 1763, and was among the last
^\]^ite men killed l)y the Indians. With two companions, John
Huckstep and Joseph Burnside, he went to the mouth of Paint
Lick to get salt. 1'hey had made the salt and were returning
home, when suddenl}' the report of a gun was heard and Burnside
fell with a bullet through his heart. James Duncan was shot bv
another Indian who had climbed up on a high bluff, and the bullet
entered the head of James Duncan, killing him instantly. Huck-
step escaped to Crab Orchard, where Col. Whitley sent out a party
in pursuit of the Indians and followed them to near Cumberland
Gap. They captured the horses of the two men who had been
killed, but the Indians made their escape.

Alexander C. Duncan, the father of vS. M. Duncan, was the
oldest child of James Duncan, who was killed in his 28th year
and left three small children. When a small boy James Dtmcan
ran away from home in company with Nathaniel Harris, the dis-
tinguished Methodist minister, and enlisted in the army of Gen-
eral Greene, and was at the battle of Guilford Court House and
at the siege of Yorktown. James Dtmcan was born July 18, 1763.
and was married to Mary Crockett, daughter of William Crockett,
of Wythe count \, in 1787. One hundred years after the death of
Jan es Duncan, there came a great rise in the creeks which enter
Paint Lick. 'Ihey disclosed a skeleton. On examination of this
skeleton a bullet hole was foimd in the head and the remains were
identified as tliose of James Duncan, who had been killed and
buried at that ])()int nearly a century before. Every bone was per-
fect with the exception of the right foot. The remains were re-
moved to Nicholasville cemetery and laid to rest amid kindred
-dust.

The descendants of James Dimcan and his brotlier, wlio tlnia
early made their home in Jessamine count\, in large numbers
■still reside in tlie count \ and thc\- have alwaxs been good citizens
and patriots.

262

HiMonj of Jof^diniiic (hiintij, Kciitiickii.

S. M. Duncan.

~S\r. S. '\[. Duncan, who has been one of the most dihg-ent, and
faithful of ah tlie anti(|uarians in Kentucky, was a son of Alex-
ander Crockett Duncan and Hannah N. Williams, the latter be-
ino- a native of Mecklenburg" county Xorth Carolina. She was
born Afarch S, T793, and died in 1861. Mr. Duncan's father was

born in Fort IJlackamore, Russell county, A'irginia, and came to
Jessamine county in 1788. He was an infant when his father,
James Duncan, settled within the limits of jessamine county.
S. M. Duncan was born in Pulaski county, in 1830. He enjoyed
limited advantages of education, but most wonderfully improved
them — he only had three months' schooling. He worked for
thirty years at liis trade as carpenter, and learned cabinet-mak-
ing, which he folio-wed five years, but afterwards gave that up and

Hiditni (if Ji:<.<ini)hi(' Omntij , Kentucky. 263

returned to liis original callini,^ lie has gathered together an
immense amount of material concerning not only the earliest his-
tory of Jessamine county and its people, but in regard to the early
historv of Kentucky. He has ahvavs had a passion for acquir-
ing old letters and documents, and. but for his patience and care
and lal.'or, not only in the finding, but in the preservation, of ma-
terials, it would have been impossible for any one to write a his-
tory of jessamine county. Mr. Duncan began this collection of
material when (juite a young man. He talked with men who had
been in the Revolutionary War. and to those who had in their
minds fresh recollections of the struggles, trials and dangers of
pioneer life m Kentucky. He has written a great deal on the sul>
ject. and deserves the thanks of the people, not only of Jessamine
countv. Imt of (/entral Kentucky.

Andrew Hemphill.

Andrew Hemjtliill was one of the most scholarly men that
lived in Jessamine c(nmty in its early davs. Me lived in the
southern part of tlie ccnmty. settling there in 1823. He was born
in Tyrone county, Ireland, in iSoo. He obtained his education at
Trinitv College, Dublin, and came to American in 1819. landing
at Philadelphia. Jn a very short time he was chosen as teacher
of Latin iri an academy in the city of Reading, in Berks count}-,
and subsequently became principal of the academy, which posi-
tion he held for two years. He settled in Jessamine county in
1823, and was married to Mildred Tapp. He came to Jessa-
mine county through his uncle James Hem])liill wlm Iiad pur-
chased a farm in that section of the couiUy nian\- years before.
In 1823 James Ilenipliill died and made Andrew his heir, devis-
ing to him 250 acres of land on I lickman creek six miles east of
N'icholasville. Mr. Ilem]»hill through all his life retained his
scholarshii). He read Latin and ( ireek with great fluency. He
died in 1863.

It was his custiini for many years to visit the schools in which
the classics were tauglit. These comings were always regarded
by tlu- T-atin and ( Ireek scholars w ith fear and trembling. \\ hile
he was tliere he would call ui)i)n tluni to read selections Irom
the Tvonian and ( irecian authors. The scholars imagined that

264 Hldorij of Jessttmine County, Kentucky.

they could never do the thing- just as Mr. Hemphill would do it;
}et he was always kindly, helpful and suggestive in his examina-
tions, and never went away from the schools without saying
pleasant and agreeable words to the scholars. He was the
father of a large family of children, many of whom are now resi-
dents of Jessamine county, and are among its best and most sub-
stantial citizens.

Mr. John Henry Glass.

Mr. John Henry Glass, who now owns Glass Mills, near W'il-
more, was l)orn in 1838, of German parentage, in Jessamine coun-
ty. After going to school during his boyhood in Cincinnati, he
learned the trade of cabinetmaker, with his father, who was one
of the most skilled mechanics who ever lived in Jessamine county.
In 1870 Mr. Glass erected a mill in Lancaster. Ky., which is still
in successful operation. Afterwards he sold out to George
Denny, the president of the national bank, and moved back to
Jessamine and bought the property known as the old paper mill,
on Jessamine creek, about three miles above its mouth. This
mill had been operated for more than 100 years. After running
it about three years he tore part of it down and erected a new
building and put in new machinery, retaining, however, the water
power, which had been in constant use for more than a century.

This mill is operated all the year round, has its office and
switch at W'ihnore, Ky., and is one of the best manufacturing
enterprises in Jessamine county. It has a large trade up and
do'wn the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, and its brands of flour
are considered among the very best manufactured in the West.
The principal of these, "The Daniel Boone," shows Mr. Glass'
patriotism. IMr. Glass has been instrumental in building ten
miles of turnpike in the western part of the county and in furnish-
ing a constant and liberal home demand for grain, which has
much increased land values in that section. Blessed with a large
familv, he has trained them both to industry and morality, and he
is one of the useful men of the communitv.

Hidory of Jeiisamuif ( 'unnty, Keiiiucicy.

2t)5

Benjamin A. Crutcher.

JJenjaniin A. Crutclicr. the iiresenl Commonwealth's Attor-
ney for tlie Twenty-fifth ju(hcial (hstrict, which includes Jessa-
mine, Aladison. Estill, Clark, and Powell counties, was born in
Nicholasville, June 21, 1856. Elected County .Attorney in 1884,
he resided to become a candidate for Commonwealth's Attor-

ney. He was re-elected Commonwealth's Attorney in 1897. He
is a man of conser\ali\-e instincts, careful ])re|)aration, unques-
tionable honesty and i^reat industry. He has proven a most ad-
mirable rrosecuiinj;- Attorney, firm, faithfid. yet considerate and
just, he represents the conuuonwealth as if he were representing
his own affairs, and the entire district recognizes his great effi-
ciency and rd)ililv.

266

Hl4on) (i£ Jesmmhie (Jmiiiiy, Kcntiivkij.

Thomas B. Crutcher.

The Hon. Thos. ]'>. rrutclicr is now Police jndge of Niclio-
lasville. He was l)oi-n in Jessamine count}- in 1831. He is the
father of Benj. A. Crutclier, the CommonweaUh's Attorney for tlie
district. For a long- tirae he was one of the leadin"- merchants in

Jessamine. He is a man of the old school. u]M-igiit, conscientious,
always considerate to others. l'\")r live years he has been Judge of
the City Court of Xicholasville, and lias made a most excellent
record. lie is a mem])er of the Mrst IJaptist clun-ch and is one
of its most earnest and enthusiastic supporters.

John Spears Bronaugh.

John Spears Bronaugh was horn in the Keene neighborhood
and spent his early years on his father's farm. \\\\.h a vigorous
constitution as well as a vigorous mind, he improved all his cdu-

H'ldonj of Jeimamine Coiniiij,, Kcntuchii

•_'<;■;

calional advantages, and attended college at 'J'ransylvania Uni-
versity, at Lexington. He read law with Judge James Prior,
n_ear Carrollton, Ky. I'aithi'id, studious, patient and laborious,
when admitted to tlie bar in 1847. ^"^ Xicholasville, he was well
prepared for tlic practice (^f his profession. For more than half
a century he has been i)romincnt in all the litigation which af-
fected the people of Jessamine, and by his good judgment, his

great learning and wise counsel, he has endeared himself to the
whole connntmitw and secm-ed a high ])lace in the estimation of
his fellow-citizens. At a lime when the goxernment of Xicholas-
ville needed a strong hand and an economical administration. Mr.
Bronaugh was called b\- the vcmcc of his townsmen to assume the
fluties of the Alavorally. He evolved order out t)f cha:>s. sys-
tematized all the affairs of the city government and as executive
officer so conducted himself and the affairs of the town that it

2fi8

Hidory of Je.'<!<(imlni' Cototti/, Keutacki/.

was with difficulty lie could avoid ihc solicitations of the voters
to hold the office always, and it was only his persistent refusal to
accept the office which caused the people of the town to elect an-
other man. He has always stood for the best interests of the
county and town, and while conservative, he had been enterpris-
ing and has been a leader in all that has brought the county to
its present prosperity and splendid development. The county
has trusted him in man\ imi)ortant transactions and he has al-
ways conducted them with |)rudence, skill and al)ility.

TUOS. J. BROWN.

Hhtorij of J('^!<(iii\UiP ('oiiiitij, K(iifiick)j.

269

Robert Curd, Esq.,

Is one of the Mag-tstrates of the county and resides in the
neighborhood of Wihnore station. Successful in business, kind-
ly in manner, faithful in his official life, he commands, as he de-

serves, the support and confidence of his district. Whatever is
for the best interests of the whole county always has his hearty
approval and assistance.

Levi Luther Todd.

The Levi T.uther Todd referred to in the minutes t)f tlie
town of Xicholasville. was born in T.exinii^ton. Ky.. July 26. 1791.
He was educated at Transylvania rniversity. and practiced law
several vears. He served with dislinction in the war of 1812.

270 Hidory of JcxfiDHhic (hinifii, Keiitiickij.

He removed to Lafa}-ette, liul., in 1833. ""<^1 there held a dis-
tinguished jucheial position.

In 1867 he eame to Lexington and jn-esented to the Masonic
(irand Lodge, of Kentueky. then in session there, the sword and
l.clt of Col. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, which were worn Ijy Col.
DaA'eiss when he was killed, in the battle of Tippecanoe, on the
7th of Xovend)er, 1811. He died near Indianapolis, in 1867.

Dr. T. R. Welch.

( )n the one-lnmdredth anniversary of the existence of Xicho-
lasville. Jessamine county is part of the Senatorial district in
which are included \\'oodford and Scott counties. The Senator
from this district is Thomas R. Welch, M. D., an able and success-
lul homeopathic physician, now residing in Xicholasville, in
which ])lace he was born on the 4th of h\'I)ruary, i860.

He was educated at Bethel Academ_\- under Professor Gordon,
and is a graduate of the Wesleyan College, He taught in the city
schools of Xicholasville and graduated from the Hahnemann Col-
lege in 1885, and from that time on has practiced in Jessamine
county. He is a mend.^er of the iSoard of Examiners for the
schools of the county, of the Xicholasville Board of Education,
the State Homeopathic Association and (_>f the American Institute
of Homeopathy. He is also a member of the Baptist church and
of the Odd Fellows and Knights of Pythias.

He has been earnest and faithful in the discharge of his duties
in his profession. In 1879 the Twenty-second Senatorial district,
of which Jessamine was a ])art, became a political battle-ground.
It was the liome district of the Hon. J. C. S. Blackburn, and the
] Ion. Henry L. Martin was nominated on a platform antagonistic
to Senator Blackburn's views. Jessamine county, by courtesy,
was entitled to name the Democratic candidate, and a strong
l^opular man was recjuired. By a unanimous demand IJr. Welch
was called to make the race for Blackburn. His majority in the
district was 2,454. an extraordinary manifestation of the confi-
dence of the people of the district. Jessamine county gave him
an almost un])recedented majority of 977 votes. His conduct in
the legislature justified the confidence of his district. He took a
prominent i)art in the deliberations of that historical legislature.

]II.<fi)rii (if Jf'^otminr Count ij. Ktufiirhii. 271

Harrison Daniel.

Harrison Daniel was for many years one of the most promi-
nent citizens of Jessamine county. He was the grandson of Col.
John I'rice, and Ijorn in 1790. His father, John Daniel, was a
native of ( )rang"e countw \ irginia, and came to Kentucky in the
year 1787. He was related to the Daniels in the northern neck
of X'irginia, and family history says that he served in the arm}'
of General Washington al Hrandywine, Trenton and .Monmouth.
He settled on ^Jarble creek and here his son was born. In the
early history of Kentucky Mr. Daniel was a useful and important
character. He was High Sherift and represented Jessamine
county in the legislature in 1826. He possessed extraordinary
mathematical talents. His son, AX'illiam Daniel, went to the
Mexican war in the company of Captain \\'illis. He had a won-
derful facultx for making and keeping friends, and many of his
descendants still remain in Jessamine countv, whose peo]ile their
ancestor so faithfully served.

Dr. John C. Welch.

Dr. John C. Welch was born in Jessamine county iu 1823.
He ])racticed medicine for forty years in the county, except dur-
ing his service for four years as surgeon of the Twentieth Ken-
tucky volunteer infantry. In 1863 he was promoted to l^rigade
surgeon. In 1877 and 1879 he represented Jessamine county in
the lower house of the legislature. He was a 1)rother of Dr.
'Jdiomas R. \\'elch, the distinguished Prcsl)yterian di\ine.

George Brown.

George IJrown was born in Xicholasville on l*"ebruary 28,
1819, and died October 30, 1897. He first attended school at
St. Joseph's, Bardstown. K\-., afterward at Center College, Dan-
ville and finally at Trans\lvania Cniversity in Lexington. Upon
leaving college he at once engaged in the business of the manu-
facture of hemi). 1 lis father had been one of the ])ioneers in hemp
manufacture in Lexington and the son acquired a ipractical

272 History of Jen>!aiiiiiir County, Kcntnchy.

knowledge of the business in early life. Owning a large num-
ber of slaves, whieh he used in his business, he made it extremely
profitable and he continued in the manufacture of hemp for
many years. In the fall of 1853 he moved to a farm on Jessamine
creek, about two miles from Niclholasville, and in conjunction
with his farm operated a hemp manufactory. He married Ann
AI. Hemphill in 1843, ^^'^^'^ proved to him an afifectionate, faithful
and helpful wife. She was one of the model housekeepers of Jes-
samine county and as neighbor and friend had no superior.

Air. Brown was a man of intense activity ; domestic in his
taste, he loved his home and added to it those things which made
it attractive. He was a model husband and father. When
twenty-two years of age. he united with, the Nicholasville Presby-
terian church, in the faith of which he continued to the end of his
life, and at his death he was the oldest living member of the or-
ganization. He was converted under the preaching of Rev.
David Todd. He was efBcient and earnest in his Christian work
and was alwavs one of the liberal and helpful members of the con-
gregation. He was a pure, good man; long president of the
Jessamine County Bible Society, he was not only active but use-
ful in the Bible work and has left behind him no enemies and a
host of friends.

Gen. Samuel Dickerson Jackman.

Gen. Samuel Dickerson Jackman was a Brigadier-General in
the Confederate Army of Missouri. He was born in Nicholas-
ville in the brick house on the left hand side of the road leading
to Sulphur Well, and opposite the present house of Thos. B.
Crutcher, Sept. 18, 1825. He was a courageous soldier, vigorous
and active in the field, and was extremely successfuly in his raids
on the Federal lines in Missouri during the war. His mother
was the daughter of David Dickerson. and he served in the War
of 1812. His father. Dr. John Jackman, left Jessamine county
and settled in Missouri in 1831. General Jackman removed
from Missouri at the close of the war, to Texas, where he died in
1893. He amassed a large fortune and died childless.

Hiiton/ of Jf^''<nnine County, Kentucky.

273

Judge Wm. H. Phillips.

It is a remarkable fact that every officeholder in Jessamine
county, upon the occasion of the centennial of its capital cit\', was
born and reared in the county. Judge Win. TT. Phillips, who is
County Judge, has held that office longer than an\- man who ever
had it. He was born in Jessamine county on the 30th of ^larch,
1838. His education was received at the conuuon schools, and

the early part of his life was passed on a farm. He attended
Bethel Academy as a student, coming from his lather's home, in
Nicholasville. From the time of his earliest manhood to 1874
he was an industrious farmer, and lie never sought office but was
a faithful and efficient worker for his father. In that year he was
nonn'nated for Count \ judge. The nomination was to some ex-
18

274 Historii of J('!i,-<ainute County, Ktnlacktj.

tent unexpected by liini and unsouo-ht. At tlial time tlie Demo-
cratic nominees were considered the leaders of a forlorn hope;
the Repttblican ])art\- was organized and had a1)le leaders, and all
the county offices were held by them: but Judge I'liillips was
elected 1)\- a majority of fourteen votes, and the Circuit Court
Clerk was chosen b\- the same niajoritw The rest of the Demo-
cratic ticket was defeated. In 1878 judge I'hillii)s was again
elected, although opposed by the strongest man in the Repub-
lican party, and also by an independent Democrat; then his ma-
jority was 26 votes. In \H^2 he was elected without opposition,
and he has held the office of County Judge for 2;^ years. His an-
cestors were Huguenots, who came from the James river, and set-
tled in Kentucky about 1790. His official career is unusual and
extraordinary, and manifests the high esteem in which he is
held l)y the peo])le of his native county. His official acts have
stot)d the closest scrutin\-. and his numerous endorsements by the
voters is a testimonial of the hio-hest character.

Dr. Alexander K. Marshall.

Dr. Alexander 1\. Marshall was a member of Congress from
the Ashland District in 1855. He was the third son of Dr. Louis
Marshall, wdio was the youngest brother of Chief-Justice John
Marshall. Louis Marshall lived in \\'oodford county, at a place
called r.uck fond. Idiere .Alexander l\. Marshall was born the
1 ith of Februar}-. 1808. He studied medicine and at the age of
25 camei to Xicholasville and practiced his profession, wdiich he
did with marked success. He united with John G. Chiles in
1842. in operating a stage and mail line through the Kentucky
mountains to Bean Station, Tenn., and continued in this bitsiness
\nr more than 20 years, ddiis, however, did not prevent him
from practicing his profession.

He was a man of fine presence and of courage in the state-
ment of his convictions. He represented Jessamine countv in
the Constitutional Convention of 1849, defeating George L Brown
by 80 majority. He was elected to Congress on the Know
Nothing ticket, defeating James ( ). Harrison, a distinguished
Lexington law\er, by over 1,500 majority. He died ui Fayette
count\' in 1886.

llixiory of Ji'.-'^(i))i!)ii' Count ij, h< ntuckij.

It.)

James Willlard Mitchell.

TIk,- ])rcseni Count} Attornc} , James Willard Mitchell, was
Ijorn in Xicliolasville. in 1861. His father, Jas. 1\ Mitchell, was
eldest son of Dr. Geo. W. Mitchell; his mother was the third
dau^S;hter of the late Thomas Jefferson and Mary Jane Wallace
Brown, who was the eldest daughter of Joseph Wallace, son of
Capt Jolin \\'allace. Captain John Wallace was one of the most

distiui^^uished of the Rcvohuionary soUHers who came to Jessa-
mine. 1 le served witli ( ieneral Washiniitt)n and < leneral Wayne;
he was at tlie hattles of lirandywine, Trenton, Monmouth, Long;
Island, and was with \\'ashins-t(5n at A'alkw Forjre.

\o man in Jessamine cotmt\- commands in a hiqiier degree the
conlidiiue ot his fehow-citizens and no one is ca])ahle of arousing
more enthusiasm in his i)arty and among his friends. He has

276 History of Jc^s(nni lie (hunti/, Kentucky.

great will force, unflinching energy, and has been often compared
to Gen. Joseph Wheeler, whom he is not unlike in stature and
appearance.

Mr. Mitchell was elected County Attorney by a large and flat-
tering majority. The County Attorneyship was the first position
to which Mr. Mitchell was elected and he fills it with credit to him-
self and to his constituents. He is a man also of fine business
capacity, thorough reading and preparation, great punctuality in
the discbarge of his official and personal business. Few men are
more eloquent or effective on the stump. He understands hu-
man nature, and is destined if he chooses to follow public life, to
become a leader of men.

He married Miss Annie Anderson, daughter of Capt. Samuel
M. Anderson, He is thoroughly identified with the people of
Jessamine, and they, in turn, feel a just pride in his success and
his attainments in his profession.

Francis M. Bristow

Was born in Clark county, Ky., on the nth of August, 1804.
He lived for twenty-six years on the farm now occupied by Mrs.
Mary Ann Bourne, three miles east of Nicholasville. He w^as-
well educated, studied law, and divided his time betw-een his pro-
fession and farm. He early moved to Todd county with his
father, who had settled in Jessamine county in the year 1790.
In 1830-31 Mr. Bristow was elected to the Kentucky Legislature,,
in 1846 to the State Senate, and was a member of the State Con-
stitutional Convention in 1849. In 1854 he was elected Repre-
sentative in Congress to fill the unexpired term of Presley Ewing,
and in 1859 was again elected as Representative from Kentucky
to the 36th Congress.

His son, Benjamin H. Bristow, served with distinctfon in the
Federal army, afterwards became Solicitor-General, was a can-
didate for President before the Republican party, was long a
resident of Louisville, but moved from that city to New York,
where he has achieved distinction and success in the practice ot
law.

Frances M. Bristow died at Elkton, Ky., January 10, 1864.

Hixtonj of Jrsmmine Count]), Knifiicky.

277

Curd Lowry, County Clerk.

Curd I.owry, the present county clerk of Jessamine county, is
the third son of the late Judge Melvin T. Lowry, who was county
and circuit clerk for twelve years prior to his death, in 1887. He
secured the ofifice in opposition to Robt. S. Perry, who had held
it for sixteen years and his race in this respect was phenomenal.

He was born Xovember 19, 1862. at the home of his maternal
grandmother, ]^Irs. Harrison Daniels.

He was for two terms deputy clerk under L. D. Baldwin. In
1887 he moved to Kansas City where he remained two years and
then rt'Uirned to a position in the I'irst National Bank. His
great-grandfather on his mother's side was John Daniels, who
settled in Fayette county in 1788 and married a sister of Col.

278

Hiitorij of .Jcssaiiiiiir ('i)iiiifi/, Kcniiiclcij.

Tohn Trice. 1 Us paternal grand father settled in Jessamine
county long- l)ef()re its organization, lie comes of distinguished
parentage and lineage and his ])()pularil\ is the result of his
kindlv heart and gentleman\- manner.

Magistrates of Jessamine County.

In this. i8<;8, Jessamine county is divided into five magisterial
districts. Al the last November election, the gentlemen chosen
to fill this responsible office were as follows:

ROBERT CLEMMONS.

]Mr. Clennnons resides at llrannon on the C"incinnati Southern
Railroad near h'avette county line, lie is one oi the leading

farmers in Jessamine county, and has been elected magistrate
for several terms He was l)orn in h'ayette county, is about fifty-
five years of age, and is honest, clear-headed, and a faithful repre-
sentative of the interests which his fellow-citizens entrust to his
keeping.

HiMorij of Je-<''(niii)if' Coidifii. I\i iifiifh/.

JAMES T. BARKLEY.

He resides in Xicholasville. I ie was ihe sun of Mason liark-
ley, wlio was a large farmer on the Marrodsburg Pike. He was
1)orn in 1848. and is engaged in llie hardware business in Xicholas-
ville. He is a man who is higiily esteemed l)y his fellow-citizens.

ALLEN W. ROBINSON

Resides in the Marble creek neighborhood, lie was a grand-
son of John Robinson. He is a man who never shrinks from do-
ing his dut}'. and has made a most efficient ofificer.

WILSON FAIN

Lives in the llickman neighborhood. He is a son of Larkin
l-'ain. who represented Jessamine ci:)unt\ in the Legislature in
1850-55. He enjoys to an unusual degree the confidence and
respect of his fellow-citizens in that portion of the countv in
which he resides.

Col. Wm. A. Lewis.

Who commanded a regiment from Kentucky at the battle of
the Raisin, in 1812. in which regiment were two companies, Gray's
and Price's, from Jessamine couiUy. was long a resident in the
count \. He was born in \'irginia. in 1778. and <lie(l in 1835.
His exposures in the \\'ar of 181 2 brought on rheumatism, and
the colds he contracted in the northwestern army settled in his
eves and resulted in a total loss of eyesight. He was a gallant
soldier and a man res])ected and loved by all the ])eo])le of the
county. In the terrible battle of Raisin he showed splendid
heroism, and a high order of coiuMge, and had his advice been
followed, the terrible tragedy of thai battle would have l)een
avoided.

Allen L. McAfee

Was long a prominent public man in Jessamine county. He died
of cancer of the throat March t(S. t888. He was the second son
of Col. Robert McAfee, and was l)orn in Mc.\fee. fiercer county,
on the 15th of .\ugust, 1825. He was admitted to the bar in

280 lUdonj of Jc)i!<(iiniiic Coiinfij, Kentucky.

Harrodsl^urg' in 1845. '^''"1 removed to Little Rock, Arkansas,
where he commenced the practice of his profession. About this
time the war with Mexico broke out, and he volunteered as a pri-
vate in Captain .Mean's company of cavalry, which was one of the
companies in the regiment of Col. Ambrose Yell, who was killed
at the battle of Buena A'ista. In that battle Colonel McAfee bore
a prominent part in the charge of Humphrey Marshall and Col-
onel Yell against 6,000 lancers, led by General Mineon, who at-
tempted to take the American batteries. In the charge in which
McKee, Clay and Willis were lost, Colonel McAfee saw a Mexi-
can laTicer in the act of killing a wounded soldier. He instantly
shot the Mexican. He used what was in those days a celebrated
gun known as the Mississippi rifle.

At the close of the Mexican war, Colonel McAfee moved to
Nicholasville, and married Miss Elizabeth Shely. In 1857 he was
elected a member of the Kentucky legislature. Early in 1861
Colonel McAfee was arrested as a Southern sympathizer ; he was>
taken from his home at 12 o'clock at night on the 21st of June,
and without warrant or charge was carried and lodged in prison
in Lexington. A writ of habeas corpus was taken out by Frank
Hunt, Esq., and W. C. P. Breckinridge, Esq., in order to get
Colonel ^McAfee before the Federal Court, then in session at
Frankfort, but the Federal officers suspended the writ of habeas
corpus. On the way to Camp Chase, in Cincinnati, he escaped
by walking away from the guards, passed through Central Ken-
tuckv and reached the South. He was commissioned lieutenant-
colonel by James A. Seddon, Confederate Secretary of War. In
1864 he raised a battalion of 300 mounted men, and was with Gen-
eral Jones in W'^estern Virginia, and helped to defeat General Av-
erill's rail on Harrodsburg in 1864. He was severely w'ounded
in 1862 at Big Creek Gap. He was captured in 1864, and re-
mained in Camp Douglas until the close of the war. He was a
magnificent looking man in physical appearance, and possessed
a high degree of courage.

In 1866 he was elected State Senator, defeating Richard Spurr,
of Fayette, by over 500 votes.

Hidorij of Je<.-<ami)ie Coantij^ KcidKckij.

28

Andrew McAfee.

Andrew McAfee, wlio at present worthily represents his ward
in the city council, is one of the younger generation of colored
men, who by his conduct and character has done much to dis-

sipate tlie prejudice against the education of his race. He was
educated in the local schools for his race, and by his energy and
determination has won the confidence and trust of his con-
stituents.

MiMoni of ./i'-<.«(iinn'' Coniilij, hriihicLij.

•IX'A

Centennial Exercises, 1898.

The ctnlcnni;il uf XiclKjlasville \\a> cek-l)ratf(l by the citizens
of the town and jessamine cotmty. on the i6th day of September.
1898. Both the coimn- and tlie citv made pnbhc snbscriptions
to tlie fnnd necessarv tor the celebration. The event created un-

li. -M. AKXHTT,
Cliaiiiiian Executive Committee.

nsnal cnthnsiasni anion^ the jjcoi^le of the connty and one of the
largest crowds ever seen in Central Kentncky was assembled on
this occasion.

The procession, representing the industrial interests of the city
and cotmty occnjiicfl the morning: while historical and patriotic
addresses took np the afternoon.

284

H'tdonj of Jrxxdmlue County, Kentucky

Louisville, Cincinnati, Lexington, Danville, Versailles, Shelby-
ville, and other cities and towns sent large delegations to the
celebration.

The executive committee, consisting of B. AL Arnett, chair-
man ; W. L. Steele, J. D. Hughes, H. H. Lowry, Charles Deering,
and J. B. Stears, provided a most interesting program and con-
ducted the exercises in the most patriotic and pleasing manner.

GEO. B. TAYLOR,
Chief Marshal Centennial Celebration.

Committees of ladies from all parts of the county united in
completing the arrangements for the great occasion. These
committees were as follows :

Hanly— Mrs. Joe Wallace, Mrs. W. J. Wilmore.

Wilmore— Mrs. John B. Chambers, :S'rrs. James Hawkins.

H'ldonj of Jessamine County, Kentucky. 285

Keene — ]\Irs. C. !•".. Smith, ATrs. James Sallee.

Nealton — Airs. Annie JJavis, Airs. E. J. Young.

Brannon — Airs. Chas. Smitli, Mrs. Len Bryant.

Logana — Airs. Chas. Spillman.

Ambrose- — Airs. Xewton Davis.

Little Hickman — Airs. J. H. Dean.

East Hickman — Airs, i-'rank Alitchell. Airs. Hcnrv Alnir.

The following was the program for the occasion:

I 798- I 898.

Jessamine County and nicbolasville Centennial

10:30 a. m. : Street ])ara(le under su])ervisi(jn of Chief Alarshal

Geo. D. Taylor, and assistants.
12 m. : Dinner on Duncan Heights.
I :30 p. m. : Alusic by band — "Aly Country , 'Tis of Thee."

Prayer by Dr. E. Beecher Todd.

Song, by quartette — ".Auld Lang Syne."

Address of welcome, on behalf of Jessamine county — Judge
V;. H. Phillips.

Alusic by band — "Hail. Colum])ia ! Happy Land."

Address of welcome, in behalf of Xicholasville — Alaj. \\'. L.
Steele.

Afusic b\- band — "Old Kentucky Home."'

Address — Col. Bennett H. A'oung.

Song, l)y (juartctte — "Star Sjiangled Banner."

Address — Hon. Evan E. Settle.

Alusic bv band — "Dixie."

INDEX.

PACE.

African M. E. Church .... 19S

Ariel College 185

Asbury College 183

Baptist Church, First . . . 195

Baptist Church, Mt. Pleasant, 18S

Baptist Meeting House ... 78

Barkley, John 228

Barkley, J. T 279

Barry, Wni. T 206

Bethany Church 193

Biographical Sketches . . . 200

Boat Horn ... 40

Bowman. David 230

Black's Station 46

Bristow, F. M 276

Bronaugh, J. S 266

Brown, George 271

Brown, William 254

Butler, Percival 36

Butler, John 231

Caldwell, J- S., Company - . 137

Camp Nelson 185

Capillary Steani Engine and

Cotton Factory 163

Catholic Church, St. Luke's . 193

Cawbey. John ...... 219

Celebrations 100

Centennial Exercises, 1898 . 283

Chaumiere 215

Charter, First 85

Charter, Second 86

Christian Church .... 194

Chrismau, Gen. Henry M. . . 203

Chrisman, L. H 243

Church Land r84

Civil War 136

Clear Creek Church .... 192

Clemmons, Robert .... 278

Cook, Jno. B 222

228
199
199
140

137

Cogar, Capt. T. T. ...
Colored Baptist Church .
Colored Christian Church
Confederate Monument .
Commissioners' Report, Negro
Slaves, Tithes and Dogs . S9-91

Corman, John 227

Corn Crop 158

County Attorneys 78

County Judges 78

County Seat, Location. ... 84

Court House 164

Crockett, J. B 230

Crockett, Jos 23

Crockett, Robt., Company . . 123

Crozier, David 240

Crutcher, B, A 265

Crutcher, T. B 266

Curd, Robert 269

Daniel, Harrison 27 r

Davis, J. R 231

Dudley's Defeat iii

Douglas, Jessamine 67

Duncan, S. M 262

Duncans, The 260

Early Houses . .
Early Settlers
Ebenezer Church

r'ain, Wilson

Fearnaught

Ferries

First Court

First Circuit Court ....

First IVIarriage

First Mill

P'irst Order in Civil Action
First Powder Mill ....

First Vineyard

First Will

53

45

195

279
21

157
74
74
77
5^
75
51
55
76

Hidorij of Jr.<siiiHiii'' County, Kcntnckij.

287

PAfiE.

Glass, J. H 264

Glass Milling Co 182

Gray's Company loS

Hanly, Maj. J. H 251

Hat Manufacturers 16,^

Harris, Rev. Nathaniel . . . 209

Hendricks, Rev. J. T., D.D. . 226

Hemp Manufacture . .... 15S

Hemphill, Andrew 263

Hickman Bridj^e 152

Hickman Creek 151

High Bridge 153

Hightower's Company . . 123

Hollovvay, Dr. J. \V 247

Hotels 167

Indians, Last . 48

Jackman, Gen. S. D 272

Jasper, Dr. F. M. . . ... . . 240

Jessamine County —

Creation 6r

Naming 66

Jessamine Creek 148

Jessamine Female Institute . 176

Keene ... 187

Kentucky River Improve-
ments 155

Kentuckians at Raisin . . . 135

Kentucky Legislature —

Journal, Minutes and Acts, .
1798 to 99 63-66

Lafon, John 245

Lawyers 92

Ivcwis, Col. W. A 279

Lewis, Thos., Company . . . 124

Lowry, Curd 277

Lyue, G. W 249

Marshall, Dr. A. K 274

Mayor and Council .... 92

McAfee, Andrew 281

McAfee, A. L. . 279

McCampbell, And., Co. ... 136

McKinney. Col. John .... 204

McLean, John 8r

I'.AGE.

Metcalf, Henry 242

Metcalf, Rev. John 208

Methodist Church, North . . 194

Methodist Church, South . . 196

Members Senate 79

Members House Represen-
tatives . . . ... 79

Militia and Muster Day . . 95

Mitchell, J. \V 275

Mosely, Col. John 205

Netherland, Benj 15

Newspapers 177

Nicholas, Geo 92

Nicholasville — Beginnings . 16 r

Nicholasville Presley. Church 190
Nicholasville — Selection of

Site . 80

Noland, Rev. Stephen . . . 259

Phillips. Judge \V. H .... 273

Phipps, F^'rancis 201

Physicians 92

Pioneers 59

Postmasters 164

Post Office and Establish-
ment S2

Pottery 163

Price Letter 68

Price's Company 108

Price, John 30

Price, Sam'l Woodson . . . 232

Price, \Vm 31

Public Well 168

Quarter Session Judges ... 72

Raisin, Battle of 125

Ridjiley, Com. Daniel Boone 205

Robinson, A. W 279

Saunders, Letcher 248

Scenery 143

Scott, Hon.T. J 258

Settlers, F'irst 42

Settlers on Jessamine Creek, 44

Shanklin, G. S 225

Sheriffs 78

Singleton. O. R 226

288

HUtortj of Jemannne County, Kentucky,

PAGE.

Singleton, Mason, Company, 121

Simpson, Peter 204

Smith, Rev. G. S 256

Smith, John Speed 205

Soldiers in Indian Wars . . . 103

Soldiers in War of 1812 . . 104

Sparks, E. R 254

Statesmen, Prolific of . . . . 224

Sulphur Well iSi

Talbot, A. G 239

Taxable Property 91

Thames, Battle of 113

Thames, Soldiers in Battle of 120

Todd, I,evi L 269

Turnpikes 157

Walker, Geo 35

Wake, Alexander 222

War 1812-15 105

I'AGE.

Welch, J. C, Dr 271

Welch, T. R., Dr 270

Welch,;. H. 255

Welch, Rev. T. R., D.D . . . 250

White, Jas., Company . . . . 142

White, W. W. . 249

Willis, J. A 252

Wilmore 181

Willis, W. T 234

Woodson, Jessamine .... 146

Wallace, John 223

Woodson, vSamuel H 210

Woodson, Tucker 213

Youug, D. P 244

Young's High Bridge .... 154

Young, Melanchthon .... 160

Young, Robert 237

Zimmerman, Frederick , . . 200

ILLUSTRATIONS.

PAGE.

Arnett, B. M 283

Baptist Church, Colored . . 186

Baptist Church 156

Brown, Geo 159

Brown, T. J 268

Butler, Wm. 80

Catholic Church 166

Christian Church 134

Christian Church, Colored . 192

City Fathers 282

Clear Creek Church no

Confederate Monument . . . 138

Court House 126

Crozier's Hill 58

Ebenezer Church 102

Hickman Bridge 122

High Bridge 130

Jessamine Creek 106

essamine Female Institute . 150

PAGK.

Methodist Church, Colored . 178

Methodist Church, North . . 174

iMethodist Church, South . . 144

Mingo Tavern 16

Militia Notice of 1832 .... 96

Mt. Pleasant Church .... 170

Paper Mill 52

Pioneer Cabin 54

Pioneer's Dress 43

Presbyterian Church .... 162

Price, Win., burial place . . 118

Stone House 56

Stone Mill 114

Taylor, G. B 284

Union Mills 98

Young, Robert 238

Young, Josephine 238

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