Henderson, Kentucky Obituaries - 1852

The following obituaries have been abstracted from The Democratic Banner, Henderson County, Kentucky. This newspaper can be found on microfilm at the Henderson County Library, Henderson, Kentucky. The date following the entry is the date the obituary appeared in the newspaper.
Died at the residence of Mr. E. Johnson, in Muhlenburgh county, Ky., on the 12th of April 1852, Grandison Holcomb, in the 58th year of his age. He was a native of Connecticut and late of Henderson county. He died of typhoid fever. [22 April 1852]

Died of congestive fever, Mrs. Alexander B. Barrett. The deceased was a member of the Episcopal church. [6 May 1852]

Died at this place on Monday, 31st ult., Mrs. Sarah L., daughter of the Rev. Joel Lambert, and consort of Mr. G.M. Priest. [3 June 1852]

Died on the 28th inst., at her residence in this county, Mrs. Elizabeth, consort of the late Thos. Towles Sr. [1 July 1852]

Died on the 9th inst., Mrs. Georgeanna Posey. [15 July 1852]

Died on the 10th inst., Mrs. Mary N., consort of Eli Reeves. [15 July 1852]

Died on the 4th inst., Henry, infant son of Ira and Ellen Delany, of this place. [15 July 1852]

It is our painful duty to announce the death of our friend and fellow citizen, Dr. Jno. P. Wilson. For more than 20 years he had been an active and laborious practitioner of medicine. [22 July 1852]

Died, Mr. Presley King on the 16th inst. [29 July 1852]

Died on the 17th July 1852, Mr. James B. Harrison Jr., in the 23rd year of his age. [29 July 1852]

Died at the residence of his mother, Mrs. Sarah Moss, on the 29th, Henry Clay Moss, in the 18th year of his age. [5 August 1852]

Died at his residence in this county, on the 11th inst., Mr. John T. Elam. [12 August 1852]

Died on the 3rd Inst., at his residence, Dr. J.A. Gardner. [12 August 1852]

Died on Friday last, Virgil P., son of C.C. and C.W. Hutchen, aged 5 years, 9 months and 5 days. [19 August 1852 - from Hickman Argus]

Died on Tuesday at the residence of the editor of this paper, Marcellus Gray, son of Mary Eliza and W.F. Hutchen, aged 3 years. [19 August 1852 - from Hickman Argus]

Died on Sat., the 1st August, Elizabeth, infant daughter of Joseph and Ann Eblen, aged 1 year. [26 August 1852]

Died near Carlow, Hopkins County, on the 2nd inst., Mrs. Mary Morrow, in the 51st year of her age, consort of Mr. John Morrow. [9 September 1852]

Died on the 16th inst., Mr. C.M. Livesay, aged 35 years. [16 September 1852]

Died on the 2nd inst., Mrs. Evaline Eakins, in the 21st year of her age, consort of Mr. E.K. Eakins. [23 September 1852]

Died on the 23d inst., Mrs. Elizabeth R. Dixon, consort of Hon. A. Dixon. [30 September 1852]

Died on the 24th inst., Mrs. Ann R. Mathews, consort of Rev. J. Mathews. [25 November 1852]

Died on the 7th inst., Miss Martha F. Ligon, daughter of Mrs. Jane Ligon. [9 December 1852]

New On My Bookshelf

Recently I bought a book that I think might interest you. The title is Hidden History of Kentucky in the Civil War by Berry Craig, a professor of history at West Community and Technical College in Paducah. The book is of particular interest to those of us who are interested in the events in western Kentucky during the war.

Kentucky was technically a neutral state at the beginning of the war, but this did not prevent people from taking sides and skirmishes from occurring. One such event discussed in this book is the skirmish in 1861 in Lyon County at Saratoga Springs Church, which still shows a bullet hole in it's side. Another story is of Sister Mary Lucy, a Sister of Nazareth nun, who lost her life helping to save others. She had studied music at St. Vincent's Academy in Union County, but was teaching music at St. Mary's Academy in Paducah when the war broke out.

There is also the story of Andrew Jackson Smith, born a slave in Lyon County. He and another slave decided to enlist in the Federal army and walked 25 miles to Smithland to enlist. Not allowed to enlist, be volunteered as a servant to a Union officer.

My favorite story, though, is of Adam Rankin "Stovepipe" Johnson of Henderson. He was responsible for "capturing" Newburgh, Indiana, where I live, without firing a shot.

This is a fun book and priced at slightly under $20. I bought my copy at the local Barnes & Noble Bookstore. If your local bookseller doesn't have it, maybe it could be ordered. Enjoy!

Princeton Masonic Female College

In order to educate young ladies to become teachers, the Princeton Masonic Female College was incorporated in 1870 in Caldwell County, Kentucky. What set it apart from other female colleges is that it was open to all females, whether they could afford tuition or not.

It was designed to be "not only for the education of those who may be able to defray the expenses incident to obtaining an education, but to reduce the price of board and tuition, so as to bring the same nearer within the reach of all and to establish a normal department in which destitute young ladies can be furnished board and tuition free, in obtaining necessary qualifications to fit them for teachers ..."

According to Acts of Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Chapter 734, it was approved 15 March 1870.

Trustees of the college were Dr. P.B. McGoodwin, Milton Bird, D.D., Rev. Wm. Childers, Jas. C. Barnes, J.J. McLin, J.P. Rascoe, J.W. Blue, Jas. M. Dawson, R.H. Baker, Jas. H. Leech, F.W. Darby and J.B. Baker. The officers of the board of trustees consisted of a regent, president, secretary and treasurer and the executive committee (3 persons).

No record has been found that tells how long the college existed or where it was located.

 

Tombstone Tuesday - Mary E. Watkins Nickels

Mary Elizabeth Watkins

Wife of Frank Nickels

Dec. 24, 1845

Oct. 24, 1924

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 11 August 2011.

According to her death certificate, Mary E. Nickels was born in Lyon County, Kentucky and was the daughter of Thomas Watkins. She died in Paducah, Kentucky.

The 1910 Livingston County census shows Mary E. Nickels living in the household of her sister, Sarah Bush, widow of Capt. J.W. Bush, in Smithland.
 

Research Tip - 1940 Census

The 1940 U.S. federal census will be released 2 April 2012. Digital images will be accessible free of charge. FamilySearch.org census will begin indexing the images the day of release so that they are searchable online at no cost. Be prepared to browse with no index when the census is first released.

Several new questions were asked of the public for this census. In addition to the usual questions on name, age, race, place of birth, the person who responded to the questions is noted. Other questions include the place of resident on 1 April 1935, income during the past 12 months, and employment of all those age 14 or older. For more information on the 1940 census, go here 1940 Census

It is hard to believe this will be the 5th census record released during my genealogy career. When I began, the last census available was the 1880 and now we are eagerly awaiting the 1940. This one is especially important to me as, for the first time, my parents, as a married couple, will be listed.


Copyright on text and photographs
by Brenda Joyce Jerome, CG
Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog
http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

One Step Closer!

The Livingston County Preservation Committee, an ad-hoc committee of the Livingston County Historical & Genealogical Society, submitted a nomination for the Livingston County Courthouse and Clerk’s Offices to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Kentucky Historic Preservation Review Board approved the Nomination on September 6, 2011 and the nomination will now be forwarded to the National Park Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior for final determination of eligibility. A decision should be made by the end of the year.

The National Register of Historic Places was designated by federal law in 1966. It is the nation’s official list of historic and archaeological resources deemed worthy of preservation and protection.

This is great news for those interested in the preservation of historic homes and buildings. It shows folks really do care what happens to them.

The Livingston County courthouse was built in 1845 and the clerk's offices were built less than 10 years later. Both are worthy of recognition and preservation.

Octoberfest on October 1 at 1 pm in Smithland will feature a Pow Wow of historic stories and a silent auction to entertain and help fund preservation in Livingston County. Civil War artifacts from the local area will be on display for one hour following the Pow Wow. This is a fun event for a worthy cause. If you are in the area, come join the fun!

Book Sale!

For a list of my publications currently on sale:

Western Kentucky Genealogy Books

Tombstone Tuesday - William H. and Sarah Gill

Gill
William H. Gill
Aug. 7, 1848
Nov. 28, 1917
---
Sarah N. His Wife
Jan. 16, 1859
Sept. 26, 1954

Buried Mapleview Cemetery, Marion, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 10 June 2011.

According to his death certificate, William H. Gill was born in Shelby County, Kentucky to Henry H. Gill and Sarina[?] Malin. W.H. Gill and Miss S.S. Nunn married 18 February 1885 at Otho Nunn's residence in Crittenden County.

The 1900 Crittenden County census shows the Gill family living on West Main Street in Marion. In their household were W.H. Gill, his wife Sarah, their son James, mother in law Sarah Nunn, a boarder and servants.

Coincidence or Serendipity?

Did you ever feel like someone is directing you without you being aware? I do - especially after what happened this week at the FGS conference in Springfield, Illinois. Let me set the scene for you.

I am claustrophobic and can't stand to be wedged in with a lot of people so when I entered a rapidly-filling classroom, I quickly looked for a seat in the back. There was a lady sitting where I wanted to be, but there was an empty chair in front of her. I pulled the chair back next to her and prepared to listen to the class. The lady next to me smiled and introduced herself and told me where she lived. I did the same. My answer brought another smile to her face and then she explained that we had corresponded on her Livingston County, Kentucky families. We chatted and then met for lunch and a longer chat a little later.

Now this may not seem strange, but you have to realize there were over 2000 people at this conference. What are the chances of two people who knew each other only through email attending the same class and sitting next to each other? Also, if I had not pulled that chair back next to her and she had not introduced herself, we would have missed an opportunity to meet.

So, thank you, Pam Smith of Chicago! I am so glad to have met you in person. To all of you Hodge family researchers, I can tell you she is a very nice lady!

Lincoln Spoke at Morganfield

The following information has been gleaned from an article in the Evansville, Indiana Press, Sunday, 26 April 1936 and is being re-printed in the Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog.

The only political speech Abraham Lincoln ever made in Kentucky was given in Morganfield, according to local tradition. It was in 1840, the year of the Tyler and Harrison presidential race, which was distinguished by hard cider and the family slogan, "Tippecanoe and Tyler too."

Union County was mainly Whig and hearing that a stump speaker of the same political calling was touring Southern Illinois, a local delegation sent to Shawneetown, just across the river from Union County, Kentucky.

That speaker was Abraham Lincoln.

His speech was heard by most of the county residents. George Riddle, who was in charge of entertainment, was injured when a cannon fired in Lincoln's honor, exploded.

A popular tale in Morganfield reveals that later, during the Civil War, Riddle was captured and imprisoned and wrote Lincoln: "I entertained you in 1840. I can't say I like your brand of entertainment as well."

Lincoln pardoned him.

George Riddle, born in 1802, was reputed to be the first person born within what later became the corporate limits of Morganfield. This was before Union County was carved out of Henderson County.

Riddle's Spring was the first county seat. It was switched to Morgan's Spring, present site, a little later, when Presley O'Bannon opened a couple of hogsheads of whiskey and got the authorities to change their vote.

According to History of Union County, KY (1886), Morganfield was designated as the county seat in mid-1811 and then, on 23 December 1811, Presley O'Bannon presented a plan to the county court. O'Bannon donated the streets and public square.

Tombstone Tuesday - Hugh and Carrie Dalton

Dalton
Hugh Dalton
Mar. 31, 1854
Dec. 25, 1918
~~~
Carrie His Wife
Sept. 18, 1860
June 22, 1887

Buried Hill Cemetery, Caldwell County, Kentucky, near the Crittenden County line. Tombstone photographed 13 May 2011.

According to his death certificate, Hugh Dalton was born March 31, 1855. His parents were Thomas M. Dalton and Julia Ann Boen, both born in Tennessee.

Hugh Dalton married Carrie Stone in February 1877 Caldwell County, Kentucky. According to the marriage record, which can be found in Marriage Bond Book 12, page 163, he was born in Estill County, Kentucky and this was his first marriage. Carrie Stone was age 16 and was born in Lyon County. Consent for Carrie to marry was given by S.E. Stone, her parent.

The 1910 Crittenden County census shows Hugh Dalton living in Dycusburg with his daughter, Ethel, and a granddaughter.

Research Tip - Livingston County Census

If you research Livingston County, Kentucky, especially around 1850, and use FamilySearch.org to access free census records, be aware that at least part of the 1850 Livingston County census is indexed as Lincoln County, Kentucky. For example, if you wanted to find Charles G. Halstead in 1850 and use his name, Kentucky and 1850 as the search parameters, it will show him living in Lincoln County, Kentucky, but if you look at the census image, you will see him living in Livingston County.

This is an indexing error and has been reported. I spoke with a nice man who promised to check into the problem. That was several days ago and it has not been done yet, perhaps due to the holiday weekend. I will check again in about a week to see if it has been corrected and, if not, another report will be sent.

In the meantime, be aware of the problem.

First Baptist Church Civil War Claim

Smithland, Kentucky was occupied by the Federal Army from September 1861 through the end of the Civil War. When the troops arrived, they took over a number of buildings, including the First Baptist Church. At that time, the church was located facing the Ohio River at the end of Maiden Street with Maiden Street being two block from Court Street. Neither the church or Maiden Street are there today.

According to a claim filed by the Committee on War Claims at the first session of the 50th Congress in 1887-88, First Baptist Church was used as a warehouse and hospital. Here is what the claim states:

"The Committee on War Claims, to whom was referred the bill (H.R. 360) for the relief of the trustees of the First Baptist Church at Smithland, Ky. ...

That in the year 1861 the properly constituted military authorities of the United States took possession of the First Baptist Church at Smithland, Ky. It was used as a warehouse and hospital for the troops of the United States, to the entire exclusion of the owners, until the war closed; and besides being thus occupied by the United States troops, the property was greatly damaged.

It was not the policy or practice of the Government to pay rent for public buildings used during the war, but in meritorious cases to restore them to their former condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

This property was not taken or held as a belligerent act, nor was its occupation a casualty of war. War was not flagrant during its occupation in that part of the country.

The trustees of said church only ask that the sum of $500 be paid them for its use and occupancy, which the evidence shows to be a very low rent."

There is no indication the sum was paid.

This First Baptist Church had been built prior to September 1853. In Deed Book 4, page 113, it is mentioned that the church was in the lower floor of a brick building and Temperance Hall was on the upper floor.

It is not known how long First Baptist Church was in this location, but in 1887, there was a protracted meeting in the courthouse and the "Smithland First Baptist Church was organized. The church was dedicated in 1913. The church is located at the intersection of U.S. 60 and Court Street.