Thursday, June 18, 2020

Tavern License Granted John E. Wilson 1836


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.


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.

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[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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