Charles W. Conant - Long Time Riverman of Smithland

Charles W. Conant

of Smithland, Kentucky

In 1936, an Evansville, Indiana newspaper published a series of articles on people from southwestern Indiana, southeastern Illinois, and western Kentucky. The people featured in these articles were ordinary citizens who were known in their communities for an unusual hobby or they had done something out of the ordinary.  One of these articles featured 82-year-old Charley Conant, “ the oldest resident in the town of Smithland. [1]  Mr. Conant had lived in Smithland all his life and much of that time was spent working on the river.  His parents, Peter H. Conant and Mary Ann Bowers, came from Massachusetts and purchased their house on the Cumberland River shortly before 1840. 

Charles "Charlie" Conant was born in that home and never lived in any other.[2]  He began his career on the river in 1866 when he was 16 years old. His first river trip was on a flatboat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans. He was a deck hand, cook, fireman, mate and captain, but was never a pilot on a boat. He was encouraged to become a pilot, but it was his choice not to do so.  Even so, he had “steered” many boats, including taking the steamer Idlewild down the Ohio to the Mississippi to meet the Robert E. Lee and Natchez during their famous race to see which was faster during the summer of 1870.

Mr. Conant had 18 months of schooling during his life. The last time he was in school was in 1861, the year the Civil War broke out.  He was staying with two uncles in St. Louis, but they enlisted in the military and he had to return to his home in Smithland. Mr. Conant explained that “Smithland was filled with southern sympathizers, but my father, who operated a tannery and sold boots and shoes,[3] was a strong northerner. He was from Boston. Right in front of this house, father planted a tall flagpole and hoisted the Stars and Stripes to its peak.”  There was talk about it being ripped down, but no one ever attempted it.  The Union flag flew from this point, where not only people in Smithland but soldiers and sailors on gunboats that puffed up and down the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers could see it throughout the entire war.[4] 

Smithland is located at the confluence of the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers and was the perfect spot to watch steamboats go up and down the rivers.  Mr. Conant was always interested in steamboating and owned various boats during his lifetime. He also farmed and owned Cache Island, the last island in the Ohio River before it reaches the Mississippi River. Corn was planted on the 300 acre island and was shipped out by steamboat.

Charles W. Conant married Cora Cade on Valentine's Day in 1881 at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Smithland, according to Livingston County Marriage Bond Book 4, page 125. Cora was the daughter of James W. Cade and Helen M. Miles. Both of Cora's parents came were descendants of early settlers of Livingston County. 

Charles and Cora (Cade) Conant had no children. Three weeks after the article was published in the Evansville newspaper, Mr. Conant died  on 7 Dec 1936 and his wife died 17 April 1939. Both are buried in Smithland Cemetery.

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[1] “Veteran Riverman Owns Last Island in Ohio,” Evansville Press, Sun., 15 Nov 1936, p. 31.

[2] “Charles Conant, Long Resident of Smithland, Dies,” Paducah Sun-Democrat, Tues., 8 Dec 1936, p. 10.

[3] “Veteran Riverman Owns Last Island in Ohio.”  His obituary states his father operated the first flour mill erected in Smithland. It was located on the Cumberland River.

[4] Ibid.

Published 30 July 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Kentuckians Attend Confederate Reunion 1898

Ten Thousand Confederate veterans and their friends gathered in Atlanta, Georgia in 1898 to honor the living and dead of the Confederacy.[1] Delegates from western Kentucky who attended the reunion 20-23 July of that year included the following:

Brooks, F.M. – 10^th Kentucky Cavalry from Madisonville

Crockett, John W. – Co. B, 4^th Kentucky Infantry from Henderson

Hatchett, Edwin from Henderson [2]

Hollingsworth, J.W. – 8^th Kentucky Cavalry from Princeton

Holman, W.S. – 2^nd Kentucky Cavalry from Princeton

T.J. Johnson – 1^st Kentucky Cavalry from Princeton

Lyon, H.B., Brigadier General from Eddyville

Withers, J.H. – 8^th Kentucky Infantry from Princeton

Also attending were several ladies:

Johnson, Mrs. T.J. of Princeton

Hollingsworth, Miss Lillie of Princeton

Higbee, Miss Sabina of Princeton
Higbee, Miss Nellie of Princeton

Lester, Miss Jimmie of Princeton

White, Miss Susie of Princeton[3]

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[1] The New York Times, 21 July 1898, https:www/nytimes.com/1898/07/21/archives/the-confederate-reunion-ten-thousand-southern-veterans-in.html, accessed 27 Feb 2020.

[2] No company or regiment given.

[3] Louisville Courier-Journal, 25 Jul 1898, p . 4, Newspapers.com, accessed 27 Feb 2020.

Published 23 July 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

In The News 20 July 1920

The events published in the weekly newspaper allow us to take a peek at what was going on in the communities of Western Kentucky.  The following items appeared in the Crittenden Press on the 20^th of July 1920.

Miss Georgia Dunning and Mr. Frank Roland of the Crider section came down to Marion  yesterday morning and were married by Rev. W.T. Oakley in the parlor of his home.

The monument that marks the last resting place of the late Senator Ollie M. James has been erected and now occupies the most prominent place in Mapleview Cemetery.  This is a massive structure of granite, it weighs about 20 tons, is 8 feet square at the base and the shaft stands 35 feet. On it is inscribed the following epitaph: “In loving memory of my husband Ollie M. James. May 27, 1871 – August 28, 1918.  United States Senator, 1913-1918. Renominated 1918. ‘I shall go forth to take my stand in that great arena and vote the sentiments of Kentuckians: to defend them as I would my honor; to protect their money as I would my own; to reflect their will and, when I shall come to lay off that great toga, dearer to me than anything else in this world would be to hear from Kentuckians, the bravest, best and truest people in this Republic, the words, ‘Well done thou good and faithful servant.”  From a speech delivered September 11, 1911.

On Sunday, July 25, at the old homestead of the late Jas. P. Moore, his children and grandchildren enjoyed a reunion. The sumptuous picnic dinner was served, consisting of fried chicken, boiled ham, salads, cakes and pies.

Last Saturday afternoon Miss Minnie Corley and Mr. M.W. Hammond of Montana were quietly married at the home of the bride’s parents, Rev. Hosea C. Paris officiating. The bride and groom left immediately to spend their honeymoon visiting with the groom’s grandmother at Litchfield, Illinois. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E.J. Corley. She formerly taught school in this county. The groom lived in Marion for a time several years ago and has been very successful since he went west.

The couple will make their home in Montana.

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 Published 20 July 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http:wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Update on John Flint of Caldwell County

The following is an update on the post on John Flint HERE  from 14 April 2015

Eli Flint  at Eli.Flint@flexjet.com offers the following points in determining that John Flint, who is buried in Hill Cemetery in Caldwell County, Kentucky, is not the John Flint who left a will in Caldwell County Will Book A, page 333, dated 23 Nov 1819. There were two men of the same name, leading to much confusion.

~  Buried directly next to John Flint in Hill Cemetery is Nancy Flint, noted as  "daughter of Benjamin W. and Ann Flint.”  Their tombstones are in good condition and easily read.  This solves what many people have confused with the Irish born John Flint, who also died in Caldwell County in 1819, as being Ben W. Flint’s father. Surely Ben W. and Ann Flint would not have buried their daughter next to the wrong John Flint.  The tombstone of both John and his granddaughter, Nancy, are in good condition and easily read.   

Tombstones of Nancy Flint and her grandfather, John Flint

in Hill Cemetery

Nancy W. Flint

Daughter of Benjamin W. & Ann Flint

was born Aug. 25th & died Sept. 4th 1821

[buried beside John Flint above]

~  People with the surnames of Ford and Jones are also buried within 25 feet.  These were Ann Ford Flint’s people.

~  Caldwell County records, actually in the courthouse deed and probate books, show that Benjamin W. presented himself in court in 1817 with witnesses to administer his father’s estate and subsequently took over the land and taxes, settled debts, and lived there for several years on Skinframe Creek before selling and moving the family to Graves County, where I grew up.

~  Multiple records in the courthouse for livestock transactions, property deeds, and road work warrants reference John and Benjamin W. Flint.

~  Benjamin W. Flint’s oldest son was named John, who then named his first son Benjamin.

~  Benjamin W. Flint is clearly documented in Graves County deeds, taxes, newspapers, as are all subsequent Flint generations buried in Hebron Cemetery in Lowes, Kentucky; Alexander Addison, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Morgan (my grandfather).

There is a tree in Hebron Cemetery planted when some of the family left to go out west.

Many thanks to Eli Flint for sharing this information.

Submitted by:  Eli Flint (son of Rodney Flint who was the son of Alex Morgan Flint)     

Published 16 July 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Resolutions of Respect - Walter Burns 1849

Don’t forget utilizing Google and especially Google Books when researching your families. It is amazing what you can find!

Smithland, Ky, July 10, 1849

Bro. Moore:  I enclose to you the following resolutions of Smithland Lodge, No. 138, adopted upon the occasion of the decease of  Walter Burns , of this place.

Brother Burns was born in Kilsythe, Scotland, April 15^th, A.D. 1815. Emigrated to the United States in 1836; was a worthy member of the Presbyterian Church and died at his residence in this place on the 9^th inst., at half past 7 o’clock, of consumption, in the 35^th year of his age.

At a meeting of the Smithland (Ky.) Lodge, No. 138, of ancient York Masons, at their Hall in Smithland, July 10^th, A.D., 1849, the following preamble and resolutions were adopted:

WHEREAS, It hath pleased the Almighty Ruler of the Universe in the dispensation of an all wise Providence to remove from a world of trouble to the spirit land, our beloved Bro. Walter Burns; and whereas, a proper respect for the memory of the worthy dead demand suitable action on the part of the Lodge on this melancholy occasion: therefore, be it unanimously

RESOLVED, by Smithland Lodge, No. 138, of A.Y. Masons, in Lodge assembled, that by the death of our lamented brother, Walter Burns, the Order of Ancient York Masons is bereft of one of its brightest jewels and most useful members.

That the widow, the orphan and the distressed brother have lost a true friend, and the cause of true benevolence a faithful supporter, both by precept and practice.

That this Lodge deeply deplore the affliction thus visited upon the family of our deceased brother, and tender to them our sincere sympathy and condolence on the irreparable loss they have sustained.

That as a testimony of the sincerity of our grief, the members of this lodge will wear the usual badge of mourning for the space of thirty days from this date.

RESOLVED, That the Secretary be instructed to transmit to the family of our deceased brother a copy of these resolutions be published in the Masonic periodicals at Nashville and Cincinnati.

Yours fraternally,                       T.M. INGRAM, Secretary[1]

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[1] C.C. Moore, The Masonic Review, Vol. IV, (Cincinnati: J. Ernst, 1849) 376; Google Books, accessed 2013.

Published 9 July 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Happy 4th of July!

Courtesy of vintageholidaycrafts.com

Published 3 July 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Rejected Will of Susan Boaz 1881

A number of years ago a short, handwritten will of Susan/Sousan Boaz was found in the Crittenden County Clerk’s Office. On the back of the will was the notation “Rejected” and signed by D. Woods, Clerk. Why was the will rejected?  I knew that a will must meet the state requirements regarding age, mental capacity, and signed  by writing his name or making his mark in front of witnesses. If the will failed to meet these requirements, it was usually rejected through the county court. If, however, it was contested by heirs or other legatees, a law suit could be filed and that usually was begun in circuit court.  

No entry regarding Susan Boaz was found in circuit court order books. In County Court Order Book 6 (1877-1881), page 538, under the date of 5 August 1881, G.L. Boaz presented in open court an instrument of writing “purporting to be the last will & testament” of Susan Boaz.  The case was continued to next term of court. The will was again produced and evidence introduced by “interested parties & heirs of the decedent pro & con” on 12 September 1881 (Order Book 6, p. 546).  The instrument of writing purporting to be the last will & testament of Susan Boaz was rejected, no reason being given.

On page 546 of County Court Order Book 6, G.L. Boaz was appointed administrator of Susan Boaz dec’d, “she having departed this life in said County on the [blank] day of [blank] 1881.” G.L. Boaz took the required oath with Sol Boaz as his surety. S.C. Bennett, John Crouch and J.A. Yandell were appointed appraisers of the personal estate of the decedent. As the will was rejected, the process of settling her estate proceeded as if she has never written a will. Unfortunately, we found nothing that indicated the reason her will was rejected. We know she met at least two of the requirements: age over 18 (she had adult children so was certainly over the age 18)) and her handwritten was signed with her mark and two persons witnessed the will. Susan’s will does not contain the customary claim of “being of sound mind," but we do not know if she was or not.  The will of her husband, John Boaz, can be found in Crittenden County Will Book 1, p. 170, recorded 27 Nov 1877, but gave no clues to why his widow’s will would be rejected.

For now we can only wonder why Susan’s will was rejected and look for more information.  Susan Boaz (11 Aug 1795 – 2 July 1881) is buried in Caldwell Spring Cemetery, Crittenden County, according to Find A Grave Memorial #65425605.

      Click on document for an enlarged view of  the rejected will of Susan Boaz       

“State of Kentucky

I, Sousan Boaz of the county of Crittenden, in the Eighty Fourth year of my age and reasonable good health do on this the fifteenth day of August Eighteen hundred and Seventy Eight make this my last will and testament as follows, Viz,  First, I will [illegible] to my Grandaughter Ana Bell Boaz my large Bedd & Bedding and my small Beauro to my son John D. Boaz.   2^nd  one large Beauro to Dreaucila Johnson and one county pin and one straw bed [illegible]    3d  the rest of my household & Kitchen furniture to [be] equally divided between my children as named herein. Mary Wilborn, John D. Boaz, Soloman Boaz, Belas Boaz and Dru Johnston.   4^th: I have this day on hand Sixty Five Dollars and at my death what remains on hand to be equaly divided between John D. Boaz, Belus Boaz, & K.T. Martin and Mary Wilborn.   5^th My farm containing one hundred acres to be equally divided between Mary Wilborn, Belus Boaz, John D. Boaz, Drucilla Johnson, Solloman Boaz, K.T. Martin & G.L. Boaz.

Witness my hand this 15^th day of August 1878

                                                Susan (X her mark) Boaz

Witness:   S.C. Bennett

                A.S. Threlkeld

Published 2 July 2020, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/