Indentures of Apprenticeship - Livingston County 1866

After the Civil War, many children were left with no one to care for them, especially those who were formerly slaves. If the family could not assume the care of indigent children, they were often bound out to learn a trade. Former slave children were often apprenticed to their former owners, thus continuing their servitude to their former master. Male children, both white and black, were apprenticed until they were age 21 and females until they were age 18. The master was to provide proper medical attention, food and clothing and teach the apprentice to read and write or pay him $100 and a good suit of clothes at the termination of his apprenticeship. White children were provided educational opportunities more often than black children. In exchange, the apprentice was to serve his master faithfully, honestly and with propriety. The indenture was between the county clerk and the master. [1]  The following information can be found in Livingston County, Kentucky Court Order Book M. The number following the Book is the page number and the date is the date of the court session.

Henry Trimble of color bound as an apprentice unto Isaac Trimble until 1 April 1882, when Henry will arrive at the age of 21 years, to learn the art & mystery of a farmer.  [Bk M:127, 7 May 1866]

Willis Trimble of color bound as an apprentice to Isaac Trimble until 1 January 1873, when he will be 21 years old, to learn the art & mystery of a farmer. [Bk M:128, 7 May 1866]

Robert Trimble of color bound as an apprentice to Isaac Trimble until 1 February 1875, when he will be 21 years old, to learn the art & trade of a farmer. [Bk M:129, 7 May 1866]

Richard Pringle of color bound as an apprentice to W.H. Adcock until 8 October 1873, when Richard will be 21 years of age, to learn the art & mystery of a farmer. [Bk M:130, 7 May 1866]

Adeline, a free Mulatto, bound as an apprentice to Ann E. Coker until 6 March 1874, when Adeline will be 18 years old, to learn the art & mystery of a spinster. [Bk M:132, 4 June 1866]

William Wood of color bound as an apprentice to John C. Wood until 2 July 1879, when William will have arrived at the age of 21 years, being on the 2nd day of July 1866 eight years of age, to learn the art & mystery of farming. [Bk M:133, 2 July 1866]

John Cotiller bound as an apprentice to T.J. Faulkner until 5 November 1877, when John will be 21 years of age, to learn the art & mystery of a farmer. [Bk E:134,  5 November 1866]

Francis Marion Hall bound as an apprentice unto U.G. Berry until - day of April 1879, when he will be age 21  years, to learn the art & mystery of a farmer. [Bk E:135,  5 November 1866]

Cassander Carney bound as an apprentice to unto Wiley Spell until 5 November 1876, when she will be 18 years old, to learn the art & mystery of a spinster. [Bk M:136,  5 November 1866]

George Cotiller apprenticed to T.J. Faulkner until 5 November 1879, when George will be 21 years of age, to learn the art & mystery of a farmer. [Bk M:137,  5 November 1866]

Milly Canada, a Negro girl, bound as an apprentice to B.S. Canada until 5 November 1878, when Milly will be 18 years of age, to learn the art & mystery of a spinster. [Bk M:138, 5 November 1866]



 [1] Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Chapter 621, An Act to Amend Article 1, chapter 64, Revised Statutes, title "Master and Apprentice," approved 16 February 1866.

Published 28 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - Mary Catherine Thrift

Mary Catherine

Daughter

of

B.O. & Margaret 

Thrift

Born Aug. 3

1840

Died June 3

1851

Buried Smithland Cemetery, Livingston County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 26 August 2009.

B.O. Thrift married Margaret Hagey 22 December 1831 in Davidson County, Tennessee and settled in Smithland by 1837. B.O. Thrift was a brick layer in Smithland. When the old county office buildings were dismantled a couple of years ago, a brick inscribed with the name B.O. Thrift was found, according to the owner of the building materials.

The Thrift family left Smithland in 1860 and moved to Metropolis, Massac County, Illinois.

Published 26 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Prohibition in Western Kentucky

The United States became a different place in January 1920 when the 18th Amendment went into effect.  No longer could people legally manufacture, transport or sell alcoholic beverages.  The Amendment wasn't passed suddenly.  The  country had been leaning more and more toward prohibition for many years. It seemed to be what folks wanted ... Well, some folks wanted it. Others didn't plan to give  up their alcohol and if it could not be bought, they would just make it themselves.

Shortly after the 18th Amendment was passed, articles about raids on hidden stills began to appear in the newspapers, including those in western Kentucky. In July 1920, Hopkinsville Constable Claxton and two other men "secured 46 gallons of moonshine liquor which was being transported in a high power automobile."[1] In a scene straight out of the movies, a getaway was made with one man balanced on the running board of the car with the back seat loaded high with kegs and glass jars of liquor.

Another raid was made by lawmen on the old Thomas O'Nan farm south of Corydon, Kentucky and captured a 30 gallon moonshine still with 3 1/2 barrels of corn mash and a gallon jar  half full of "white liquor." [2]  The "operators" were not captured, but the still was taken to the courthouse in Henderson to be viewed by anyone wanting to see an operating still.

Constable Bob Adamson  and Deputy Charlie Bob Sanders of the Bells Mines community of Crittenden County, Kentucky captured a large moonshine still along with two gallons of "white mule," which was delivered to county authorities in Marion. [3] Before daylight, the lawmen went to where they thought the still was being operated, but a sentinel on the opposite hill saw them and fired two shots. The constable and his deputy made a dash for the still and the operators ran off. Shots were fired, including one that passed through the Constable's hat, but the still operators got away. Their identities were unknown.  The lawmen found three gallons of moonshine and brought two gallons to town. The other gallon container was broken and the contents lost.   Hmmm.

The 18th Amendment was repealed in 1933, ending one of the more colorful eras of our country's history.

Published 21 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

---

[1]  "Hold Up Truck Load of Booze," Evansville Courier, 2 July 1920, p. 19.

[2]  "Find Still But Not the Operators," Evansville Press, 28 September 1921, p. 2.

[3]  "Still Captured Near Bells Mines," Crittenden Press, 20 June 1924, unknown page.

Tombstone Tuesday - Fowler

Father - Mother

James M. Fowler

Nov. 27, 1805

July 22, 1886

Terricy Williams Fowler

Feb. 2, 1810

Feb. 9, 1887

John Fowler

Born

Dec. 30, 1836

Died

Dec. 29, 1881

Husband and Father thou hast left

Here thy loss we deeply feel

But 'tis God that hath bereft us

He can all our sorrow heal

John Fowler was a son of James M. and Terricy Fowler. All are buried in Pilot Knob Cemetery, which was formerly known as Fowler Cemetery, Crittenden County. The cemetery is likely on land formerly belonging to the Fowler family. Tombstones photographed 9 April 2014.

James M. Fowler and Terricy Williams married 14 October 1827 Livingston County, Kentucky. John Fowler married Sue Stephens 23 April 1862 Crittenden County. 

Published 19 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Ohio and Cumberland Rivers

Where the Cumberland River meets the muddy Ohio River

Smithland, Livingston County, Kentucky

Photographed 21 May 2014

Published 18 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Veteran of Two Wars - George W. Walton

When George W. Walton died in May 1923 in Henderson, Kentucky, he had witnessed two wars and many changes in this country. Born in New Jersey 11 April 1823, he attended school until the age of 15 years and when 23 years old he enlisted in the Mexican War and served through campaigns in Mexico.

When the Civil War broke out, Walton enlisted in Cobbs Battery (CSA) and was severely wounded when a Union soldier ran a bayonet through his shoulder. He spent months in the hospital and was told he would never be able to fight again as he had little use of his arm and shoulder. However, he returned to his regiment and remained until the surrender.  Walton was granted a pension (#1094)  for his service in the Civil War on 17 July 1912.

Walton came to Henderson around the time of the Civil War and followed the trade of a plasterer. The last 18 years or so of his life he was not been able to perform manual labor and was cared for by his friends at his home on Ingram Street.  He had only one known relative, a niece in Baltimore, Maryland.

Funeral services for George A. Walton were conducted by the pastor of Immanuel Baptist church and burial was in Fernwood Cemetery, Henderson.

Pvt.

George W. Walton

Cobbs Btry

CSA

Apr. 14, 1823

Mar. 4, 1924

Notice the Southern Cross of Honor and the pointed tombstone, both of which identify this as a CSA veteran of the Civil War.

References:

"Oldest Man in County is Ill," Henderson Gleaner, 4 October 1922.

"Veteran of Two Wars Succumbs," Henderson Gleaner, 6 March 1923.

Published 15 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Tombstone Tuesday - James W. and Alice E. Bennett

James W.

Bennett

July 25, 1857

Apr. 25, 1920

Alice E. His Wife

Sept. 28, 1863

May 21, 1921

A sinner saved by grace

Buried Repton Cemetery, Crittenden County, Kentucky. Tombstone photographed 6 June 2014.

According to his death certificate, James W. Bennett was born in Tennessee and was the son of Thomas J. Bennett and Martha Perkins. He was a blacksmith and died in Webster County, Kentucky.  His wife, Alice Emily Green, was the daughter of William and Susan Green and also died in Webster County. She was born in Crittenden County.

Published 12 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

150th Anniversary of the Battle of Salem

Today marks the 150th anniversary (7 August 1864) of the Battle of Salem, in which a handful of Union soldiers repulsed an attack from 300 Confederates and guerrillas on the main street of Salem. The battle lasted six hours and left 2-3 Union soldiers dead or dying and ended the lives of a larger number of Confederate soldiers.

As battles go, it was a small one, but it is believed to have been the only one fought on Livingston County soil during the Civil War.  The only public acknowledgement of this battle can be found on an historical sign on U.S. 60 in Salem.

To read more about the battle in an earlier post on my blog, go here: Battle of Salem

Published 7 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Monument Monday - Adams: Father and Son

David Adams

1834 - 1927

What doth the Lord require of thee

but to do justly and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with thy God.

               Micah 6:8

Lynn David

Adams  M.D.

Aug. 26, 1880

July 11, 1952

David Adams and his son, Dr. Lynn David Adams, are both buried in Smithland Cemetery, Smithland, Kentucky. The tombstones were photographed in 2012.

In 1850, David Adams was age 17 and lived with the Reuben Hastings family in Livingston County. He married Georgia Hunter, daughter of Lewis Hunter, 4 March 1863. They had several children, including Dr. Lynn David Adams, who married Anna Lake Haynes

Published 4 August 2014, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/