Several Acts of the General Assembly of the
Commonwealth of Kentucky governed the granting of early tavern licenses. Among the requirements was that the tavern
keeper must keep an orderly house and provide adequate provisions for travelers and horses. The
licenses were granted for one year.[1]
One tavern keeper was John E. Wilson, who
was was in Smithland, Livingston County by 18 March 1830, when he married Nancy
Hagey, daughter of John and Catherine Hagey.[2] Wilson was granted a license to keep a tavern
at his house in Smithland on 4 July 1831, but the exact location was not given.
Then, in 1836, a license was granted for Wilson to keep a tavern at his house
on Lot #7 in Smithland. Smithland Lot #7
faces the Cumberland River where Mill Street intersects Riverfront Drive and
overlooks the boat ramp in Smithland today.
John E. Wilson was also a Smithland town
trustee in 1837.[3]
He died 18 March 1850 and just one month later on 16 April 1850, his wife,
Nancy Hagey Wilson, died. Both are buried in Smithland Cemetery.
Below is a copy of the original, handwritten
tavern license from 1836.[4]
Note: This is not the same man as the John E. Wilson, who lived on Crooked Creek in present-day Crittenden County, Kentucky, died 1853 and is buried in Crooked Creek Cemetery.
Note: This is not the same man as the John E. Wilson, who lived on Crooked Creek in present-day Crittenden County, Kentucky, died 1853 and is buried in Crooked Creek Cemetery.
Know all men
by these present that We John E. Wilson & John H. Criddle are held and
firmly Bond unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the penal sum of One hundred
pounds Current money the payment of which well and truly to be made we Bond
ourselves and heirs &c Jointly and Severally firmly by these presents given
with our seals and dated this 4th day of April 1836. The Condition of the above obligation is such
that whereas the above Bound John E. Wilson hath this day obtained a license t
keep a Tavern at this house in this County in the Town of Smithland on Lot No.
7.
Now should
the said Wilson consistently find and provide in his said Tavern good wholesome
diet and ... lodging for Travellers and Stabling and provinder for horses for
the Term of one year from this date and shall not Suffer or permit any unlawful
gaming ... nor Suffer any person to drink more than is necessary or at any time
suffer any disorderly conduct or scandalous Behavior to be practiced in his said house with his
priventy[?] or consent then this obligation is void & otherwise to remain
in full force ... [signed] J.E. Wilson,
John H. Criddle. Witness: J.L. Dallam.
Click on document for an enlarged view
[1]
Digest of the Statute Laws of Kentucky,
Vol. II, (Frankfort, KY: Albert G. Hodges, 1834) 1503, Section 1-10, Google
Books, accessed 22 Dec 2012.
[2]
Joyce M. Woodyard. Livingston County,
Kentucky Marriage Records, Vol. 1 (Oct 1799-July 1839), (Smithland, KY:
n.p., 1992) 105.
[3]
Livingston County, Kentucky Deed Book EE:252, Benj. Temple of Logan County,
Kentucky conveys half of In Lot #113 in Smithland to Trustees of Smithland
(includes John E. Wilson), for theological and literary purposes or to build a
church, for $100.
[4]
Loose Livingston County, Kentucky Clerk's Papers, 1836 - 1839, Tavern License
of John E. Wilson.
Published 18 June 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/
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