Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas from Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

Destructive Fire at Smithland 1875

 From the Evansville, Indiana Courier, 15 Oct 1875.

A special telegram to the Courier, received last night, brings the particulars of a disastrous conflagration that occurred in Smithland, Kentucky, on Monday evening, in which two fine store rooms were burned and a complete stock of goods destroyed. The fire originated in an old, unoccupied dwelling adjoining the store of Mr. Tom Leech.  The flames communicated to the store and from thence to T.T. Cochran’s establishment, both of which were destroyed. Leech’s entire stock was destroyed before the flames could be extinguished, and the goods of Cochran were only secured after being somewhat damaged. The entire loss will exceed $10,000,  upon which there was little or no insurance. The work is supposed to be that of an incendiary.

Published 15 Dec 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog. httyp://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Livingston County's Bowie Family Connection

Jim Bowie, who is often associated with the Bowie knife and who was killed at the Alamo in 1836, spent part of the fourth year of his life with his family in Livingston County, Kentucky. Rezin Bowie, Jim's father, can be found on the 1800 Livingston County tax list and was appointed appraiser of the estate of John Clark deceased that same year.[1]

The Bowie family came to Livingston County from Logan County, Kentucky, where Jim was born. After staying in Livingston County a short time, the family moved on to District of New Madrid (Missouri) and  about 1802 moved on to Louisiana.  You can read more about Jim Bowie Here

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[1] Livingston County Court Order Book A, no pagination, 25 Mar 1800.

Originally published 5 Feb 2016. Published again 11 Dec 2023.

http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

More Memories from Buz Egan

Those of you who follow this blog know that I have spent a lot of time researching Smithland, Kentucky and its residents. One of the town residents I enjoy most is Ben F. Egan, more commonly known as Buz. I've written about him several times. This article was originally published 27 Mar 2014.

Buz was a steamboat captain on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers for many years and knew just about everyone in the business or connected to the business.  He also knew the men who reported the news of steamboats. So, when he was in a town, he visited the reporter who wrote the river news and talked. And talked and talked some more. He talked about old steamboat men in Smithland, calling them "old mariners." He talked about which ones were buried on "graveyard hill" in Smithland, which was often called "mouth of the Cumberland" or "mouth of Smithland."  Because of his talking, we get an inside look at people he knew in Smithland and on the rivers. Thank you, Buz!

Below are some of the news items found in the Evansville, Indiana Journal, which is available on microfilm at Willard Library in Evansville:

15 December 1884:  Speaking of his life-long friend, A.J. Duncan (deceased), Ben F. Egan says: Allen and I were boys together at that good old town at the mouth of the Cumberland river. When I first learned to know him well he and I were officers, in 1855, on the Nashville and St. Louis packet, Aleonia ... Capt. Duncan married  the niece of Capt. J.V. Scyster, of Smithland ... The widow of Wm. Mantz, a favorite engineer on the Cumberland river, is the niece of Capt. Duncan.

22 April 1885: [Speaking of J.W. Mills] His earthly voyage is ended, and he now sleeps on the graveyard hill down at the mouth of Smithland, and near him lie his old-time friends R.C. Weston, J.V. Throop, D.G. Fowler, N.F. Drew and Blount Hodge.

11 October 1886:  When a boy down at the mouth of Smithland, I played with the Matheny boys, Clem, Will, Tobe and Jim. Clem died at the pilot's wheel of the W.A. Johnson; Will committed suicide; Tobe was executed at Paducah by a military order issued by Gen. Payne, and now comes the intelligence from Evansville that Jim died there a few days ago, a victim of that dread disease, consumption. All of these boys were boatmen, and all, except poor Jim, died with their boots on. W.S. Gupton, a well known pilot, is their nephew.

3 December 1890:  Recalling ante-bellum days, Buz says: In the long ago Dixon Given drove a stage and kept a tavern on the point opposite the Mouth of Smithland. The old gentleman is dead and forgotten, and not a vestige of that house, nor of the ground on which it stood, remains. It has tumbled into the Ohio River. H.F., D.A., Mildred, Emily and Kate are dead. Judge W.P. Fowler married the oldest daughter. There [sic] sons are Dick, Joe, Whyte and Gus. Only Joe survives.

This is just a sample of what Buz had to say. 

Published a second time 30 Nov 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Eddyville Trustees 1806

The following document was found among the loose county court papers in the Livingston County Clerk’s Office a number of years ago.  Eddyville was located in Livingston County at that time and remained  there until 1809 when it was located in the new county of Caldwell.  By 1854, Lyon County  had been created from Caldwell County and Eddyville was then located in Lyon County.

Many times information of this sort was recorded in the county court order books (court minutes), but this document was not recorded there. As far as I can determine, it is found only in the loose county clerk papers.

 

Click on document for an enlarged view

“As a Meeting of the lot holders and residents of the Town of Eddyville the following Gentlemen on the first Monday in August 1806 were duly Elected Trustees for said Town and took the oath accordingly Gideon D. Cobb, Samuel C. Clarke, Elijah G. Galusha, Moses Timmons, Blake Baker Esqrs.

                                                                      Attest  Jacob E. Faller  C.L.C., Eddyville August 4  1806"

 Published 24 Nov 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Happy Thanksgiving!

 Happy Thanksgiving from the Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

May Day - Union County, Kentucky 1902

 Organized labor celebrated May Day 1902 in Morganfield, Kentucky with a day of festivities. A look at the typical May Day activities is provided in the Evansville Journal News on Friday, 2 May 1902, page 1. 

May day was celebrated here yesterday by the different branches of organized labor. It was the most largely attended and widely represented celebration of the kind ever held in Western Kentucky.

The crowd assembled at Young's Grove early in the day. The committee in charge had everything in order before the crowd arrived. There were 30 head of sheep, 15 shoats, 15 lambs, 10 calves, 2 beeves for meats and these were barbecued by Tom Sparks, considered an expert in that line. The arrangements committee consisted of John Jarbeau, Henry Veach, James Threlkeld, James Sickling and Charles Morehead.

The following organizations participated in the festivities: Local 9757, composed of teamsters, painters, paper hangers, carpenters, bricklayers, machinists and laborers; 1123, U.M.W. of A., of DeKoven; 8989, Federation of Labor of Uniontown; 1414, U.M.W. of A. of Uniontown; 836, U.M.W. of Sturgis; 990, U.M.W. of Grangertown; 119, Federation of Labor, teamsters, of Sturgis.

The music for the occasion was furnished by the DeKoven corncert [sic] band, director and leader, Joe Young, C.P. Neggie, Ben Hieronymous, Fred Newcomb, William Walker, Jim Boettiger, S. Newcomb, F. Shipley, Wes. Ames, H. Spragues, C. Spragues, E. Ames and William McKinley.

The speakers for the occasion included E.P. Taler, of Owensboro, John Brashear, of Madisonville, Wm. Howell, and Judge Clements of Morganfield. Judge Clements made an appeal for Marshall Hubby, a boy about 17 years old who had lost his leg in an accident in one of the mines, and $150 was quickly subscribed for the purpose of securing an artificial leg for the lad.

The celebration of May Day in Morganfield was one of the most successful ever held in Western Kentucky. There was no liquor on the ground, but there were barrels of ice water and lemonade, and coffee was served hot to those who wanted it.

Another celebration will be held the 4th of July at Sturgis.

 Originally published 1 May 2016, Western Kentucky Genealogy, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/ and re-peated 14 Nov 2023.

Smithland Deaths March 1814

Proving once again that it helps to expand the boundaries in your research, the following death notices[1] were found in a Nashville, Tennessee newspaper. While that may seem strange, it really isn't. Steamboats had begun plying the rivers in 1811 between Smithland and Nashville, making travel between the two cities faster and easier.  News traveled farther and quicker by steamboat, but  newspapers were still read, shared and read again.  The following death notices were of interest to the folks who traveled the rivers or who lived anywhere between the two cities.

Originally published 6 July 2017. Repeated 1 Nov 2023.

Died

- At Smithland, Kentucky, on the 4th inst., Maj. Richard Ferguson, an old settler of that place.

-  At the same place, on the 5th inst., Mrs. Elizabeth Hance, consort Capt. William Hance.

-  At same place, on the 6th inst., Mrs. Elizabeth M'Cawley, consort of James M'Cawley, Esq.

-  At same place, on the 7th inst., master Robert Lewis, son of Lilburn Lewis, Esq. dec. of   Livingston County, Kentucky.[2]

- At same place on the 9th inst., Edward Brown,  Hatter.

-  At same place, on the 12th inst., Mrs. Catharine Ferguson, wife of Col. Hamlet Ferguson, of  Randolph County, Illinois Territory.

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[1] Nashville Whig, Wednesday, 23 March 1814, page 3.

[2] According to Livingston County, Kentucky Cemeteries 1738 - 1976 by Livingston County Homemakers, 1977; page 196, Robert died at age 7  and is buried in Lewis Family Cemetery, Birdsville.

Crittenden County News Items 1904

The Crittenden Press on Thursday, 22 Dec 1904 was full of family visits and more. The following is a sample of what appeared in this popular weekly newspaper published in Marion, Kentucky.. 

J.R. Farris, of Salem, was in the city Thursday visiting his daughters, Misses Lake and Eva, on East Belleville street.

Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Strachley, of Cincinnati, are expected to arrive Saturday for a short visit to her mother, Mrs. Maxwell.

Ernest Paris, of Cave-in-Rock came over Saturday to visit his mother, sister and brothers, returning home Sunday morning.

Mr. and Mrs. Geo. M. Swisher, of Tunica, Miss., are expected here in a few days to spend the holidays with the family of her father, R.H. Kemp.

Richard E. Pickens Jr., of McLeansboro, Ill., is expected home to spend Christmas with his parents here. He has charge of  one of Stinson Bros.’ big stores and is succeeding well in the mercantile business.

Dr. G.E. Shively has just completed a beautiful cottage on the corner of Kevil and East Wilson avenue and will occupy it soon. The house is as convenient and cozy as it is possible to make one. The location is fortunate, too, for a physician’s home.

Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Whitney, of Water Valley, Miss., will arrive Sunday morning to visit her parents, Mr. and Mrs. R.F. Dorr. After a short stay here they will go to Bowling Green to visit Mr. Whitney’s relatives before returning to their southern home.

Frank Dorroh, of Crayneville, was in the city Saturday. He received a sample box of apples from Washington Territory sent in by some of our former citizens, who are thriving in the west. Frank says the apples are fine but old Crittenden is good enough for him.

Mrs. Kit Nunn went to Repton Friday to spend the holidays with her daughter, Mrs. Henry Hartzell.

Mrs. J.W. Flynn, of Grandview, Ill., will spend the holidays with her mother, Mrs. J.P. Pierce.

 Published 17 Oct 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

The Barner House on Charlotte Street

 The following post was originally published on the 20th of Sep 2018.

For several  years I have been researching the Barner family, along with the house they lived in, on Charlotte Street in Smithland. Benjamin Barner was the first of the family to live in this house and, about 1841, his brother and sister in law, Sterling M. and Sarah Jane (West) Barner, moved from Nashville, Tennessee to live with Benjamin. Also living in the household were Sterling and Sarah Jane's children, Mary E., Joseph, and Martha "Miss Pattie" Barner.

Unfortunately, all members of the family were deceased by 1870 with the exception of Sarah Jane. She and her grandson, Sterling Barner Taylor, child of Miss Pattie's unfortunate marriage to B. Waller Taylor, moved to Russellville, Kentucky  to live with her sister, Elizabeth Saffrans. In 1873, Sarah Jane married George Blakey and then died in 9 January 1879 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.  Through the years the  Barner house in Smithland was rented out to various tenants, including J.W. Bush,[1]  Mrs. Nannie (Haydock) Ferguson,[2] and E.G. Leeper.[3] Leeper agreed to pay rent of $125 per year.

 By 1890, Miss Pattie's son, Sterling Barner Taylor, a physician living in Columbus, Ohio and the only surviving heir of the Barner family, began to sell off the property in Smithland, including the house on Charlotte Street.  Mrs. Nannie Ferguson, who had first rented the house in 1866 and had also been living there since the summer of 1880, agreed to buy Lots #37, 38, and 39 which included the dwelling house, for the sum of $500.[4]

Nannie Ferguson died in 1901 and the Charlotte Street house and two extra lots were inherited by her children, Hamlet, Nettie and Maude Ferguson. Hamlet  was living in Kansas City, Missouri  when he conveyed his interest in the property to his sisters, Nettie and Maude.[5]   By 1919, Nettie and Maude had moved to San Diego, California and sold the house to J.E. Massey.[6]  Massey and his family lived in the property for a number of years and then it sat empty for some time. On 1 December 2009, the house was destroyed by fire. Today the lot on which the house stood is vacant with no remnant of the old house remaining.  It was said that the oldest part of the house was an original log cabin in the center portion of the house. This appeared to be true from what remained of the house after the fire. Very likely the house was enlarged to accommodate the larger number of people when Sterling moved his family to Smithland.

There are various rumors about the house on Charlotte Street. A local tradition says it was the oldest house in Smithland, but no one, to my knowledge, has offered proof.  Some people believe that slaves escaped to free territory via an underground tunnel leading from the house to the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers, just a half block from the house.  Whether this is true or not, I cannot say, but I do know that on the 1850 Livingston County Slave Schedule, Sterling Barner had four slaves listed as his property. In 1860, Sterling had four slaves and his brother, Benjamin, had two slaves. It is interesting that the 1870 Livingston County census does not show any black or mulatto persons with the surname of Barner. Did they move away from Livingston County when they were freed or did they change their surnames? 

Barner House 4 December 2009 (after the fire)

   

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[1] Rental agreement dated 1 Jul 1865 between J.W.Bush and Mrs. Sarah J. Barner to rent part of her residence until 28 Dec 1865; copy of letter in compiler's files.

[2] Letter dated 6 Feb 1866 from Pattie Barner to her mother, Sarah Jane Barner, stating "I suppose by this time Miss Nannie has become fully installed in her new [house?]. Give my love to Mrs.  Haydock and Miss Nannie also ..." Transcription of letter in compiler's files.

[3] Rental agreement dated 7 Jan 1870 between E.G. Leeper and Sarah J. Barner to rent her dwelling house 

[4] Livingston County Deed Book 19:155-156, Sterling B. Taylor to Mrs. Nannie Ferguson, 12 May 1890; recorded 7 Dec 1892.

[5] Livingston County Deed Book 29:445-447, Hamlet Ferguson and wife Mathilde to Nettie and Maude Ferguson, 14 Sep 1903; recorded 20 Oct 1904.

[6] Livingston County Deed Book 45:472-473, Maude and Nettie Ferguson to J.E. Massey, 31 Jul 1919; recorded 27 Mar 1920.

A repeat publication on 5 Oct 2023 Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

 

Henderson, Kentucky Newspaper Ads 1852

 What better way to get a sense of the business and social climate of an area than to read the newspaper advertisements?  The following advertisements have been gleaned from the 20 January 1853 issue of the Democratic Banner of Henderson, Kentucky. This issue of the Banner is available in the Henderson Public Library and also on Newspapers.com. It was originally published on this blog on the 26^th of Sep 2019.

Administrators Notice - Notice is hereby given to all the creditors of Benjamin F. Hardwick, Dec'd, to produce to the undersigned Administrator of said Dec'd, or to file with the presiding Judge of the Henderson County Court, their claims against the said Benj. F. Hardwick Dec'd  ... on or before the 8th day of January next, when a settlement of the matters of the Administration will be made. The assets are not sufficient to pay all the debts, and the claims not presented by the day aforesd., will not be paid, nor any part of them this 7th December 1852.  [signed] S.L. Drewry, Admr.  December 9, 1852 

Life Insurance - The undersigned is Agent for the Kentucky Mutual Life Insurance Company, and will insure both Whites and Slaves, upon the most favorable terms.  P.H. Hillyer, Agent.   R.P. Letcher, Medical Examiner. 

F. Millet, Merchant - This gentleman has removed to his new store rooms on the north side of Mill Street where he will keep on hand a general assortment of goods in his line.

Negros [sic] For Sale - On the 24th inst. (county court day) I will expose for sale at the court house door in the town of Henderson, four negroes, a woman and three children. The two youngest children will be sold with the mother as I am unwilling to separate them. A credit until June next will be given. Bond with approved security will be required.  [signed]  John B. Cabell

W.R. King - The report of this gentleman's death is no doubt false ... he has arrived at Havana in improved health. 

Particular Notice -  The undersigned, desirous of closing out his business in this place, offers his well selected stock of ready-made Clothing and furnishing goods at very low prices. His stock consists, in part, of Coats, vests, pants, drawers, shirts, sacks, cloaks, &c. of every  style and quality; hats, caps, shoes, boots, &c. On Saturday, the 20th inst., I will commence  SELLING OFF AT COST, and on Saturday the 27th I will commence selling  AT AUCTION. All sums of $5 and under cash at hand - over $5 credit until the first of March, good security required. Country merchants will find it to their interest to call at the auction sales every Saturday. I hope those who may read this may give me a call and satisfy themselves that my word is NO HOAX.  [signed] S. Bissinger.

For Sale - Two good work horses (one rode well) either works well in single or double harness or in ploughing.  Having bought a pair of mules for my purpose, have no use for the horses. Call at the Louisville Furniture Rooms, Main Street.  [signed] C.H. Woolford.

Second time around 27 Sep 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,  http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/ 

 

Sisters Marry Same Day 1907

I am sharing a little information from my research today.  It is the announcement of the marriages  of sisters, Amanda and Elinor Barbara Joyce of Morganfield, Union County, Kentucky. The announcement appeared in the Owensboro Messenger on Thursday, 10 Oct 1907, page 5. Although I never met Amanda and “Nellie” Joyce, they were distant relatives and were the daughters of James Madison Joyce and Mary Paschal Davenport.  Our common ancestor was Revolutionary War patriot George Joyce (1759 – 1835). This post was originally published 15 April 2021.

“The marriage of Rev. H.B. Self and Miss Amanda Joyce, and Mr. Allen Omer Hooper and Miss Elinor Barbara Joyce, of Morganfield, was solemnized at the Christian church at Morganfield Tuesday morning. The ceremony was said by the Rev. R.H. Crossfield, of Owensboro.

“The church was tastefully decorated for the occasion by the girls of the 1905 class of the Morganfield high school of which Miss Amanda Joyce was a member.

“The ushers were Mr. Fred Dyer, of Sturgis; Mr. Will Markwell, of Sturgis, and Dr. Richard Foster, of Morganfield. Immediately after the ceremony the wedding party left for Louisville, where Mr. and Mrs. Hooper will visit Mr. and Mrs. Milton Young, formerly of Morganfield. From Louisville Mr. and Mrs. Self will visit in several central Kentucky cities. On their return to Morganfield, Mr. and Mrs. Self will be at home with Mrs. Elinor D. Hatfield and Mr. and Mrs. Hooper will be with the groom’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hooper, near Grove Center.

“Rev. Self was formerly assistant pastor of the First Christian church here and has many friends in Owensboro. He recently accepted the call to the Christian church at Morganfield.”

Amanda Joyce Self was born in 1885 Union County and died 3 Dec 1970 Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. According to a death notice, her body was returned to a Union County funeral home, but the place of burial was not given. [1] Her husband, the Rev. Self, was buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery, Morganfield.[2] 

Eleanor Barbara Joyce, better known as “Nellie,” was born in 1888 Union County. She died in 1919 and is buried beside her husband, Allen O. Hooper in Odd Fellows Cemetery #37.[3]

 

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[1] “Deaths and funerals in Kentucky,” The Courier-Journal, Louisville, Kentucky, Fri., 4 Dec 1970, p. 3. “Morganfield - Mrs. Amanda Self, formerly of Union County, died in Birmingham, Ala. The body will be returned to Whitsell Funeral Home here.”

[2] “Retired Minister, Rev. Self, Dies,” The Messenger, Madisonville, Kentucky, Thurs., 2 July 1959, p. 10.

[3] Find A Grave, Memorial #107954266, Nellie Joyce Hooper and Memorial #107954272, Allen O. Hooper

Published again 11 Sep 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Salem Cemetery 1888

 The following deed for a public burying ground in Salem, Livingston County, Kentucky can be found in Livingston County Deed Book 10, page 249. This cemetery is still in use today, making it 134 years old.

“This deed of gift and transfer made and entered into this 16 day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eighty eight, Between Asa Alvis, M.H. Utley and T.W. Lowery, of the county of Livingston and State Of Kentucky of the first part and the citizens of the town of Salem and those living Adjacent to … town of Salem and their heirs of the second part, all of the County and State aforesaid, witnesseth That the said parties of the first part has [sic] this day given unto the said parties of the second part a certain tract or parcel of land  … for the purpose of a public Burying Ground  … containing by survey One acre, be the same more or less. To have and to hold with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging. And the parties of the second part to forever warrant and defend the right and title of said land from them … In testimony hereof we have set our hands and seals this day and date above written. [signed] T.W. Lowery, Sallie Lowery, Acy [sic] Alvis, M.C. Alvis, M.H. Utley, S.M. Utley.

 State of Kentucky, County of Livingston} Sct. I, J.M. Worten, Clerk of the County Court for the county and state aforesaid, hereby certify that the foregoing deed to the Citizens of the Town of Salem, was this day produced to me in my office, and ordered to be recorded, the same having been duly acknowledged by T.W. Lowery, Sallie Lowery, Asa Alvis, M.C. Alvis, M.H. Utley and S.M. Utley before J.M. Roney, my Deputy to be their act and deed, for the purposes therein mentioned, as appears by an endorsement thereon in said Deputy’s hand writing in these words, to wit: “Ack’d March 19^th 1889. J.M. Worten, Clk. By J.M. Roney, D.C." Recorded 20 March 1889.      

 Published 30 Aug 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

Manumission of Slave Iras - 1825

Slaves in Kentucky were manumitted [emancipated] through the county court or through a provision in the last will and testament of the slave's owner. The amount of the bond was not paid unless the slave had no support and became a charge upon the county. The following manumission is recorded in Caldwell County, Kentucky Order Book D, pages 160 and 169.

 "A Deed of manumission from  of this County to Iras commonly called Ivy was this day produced in open Court and acknowledged by McVay to be his act and deed for the purposes therein named and ordered to be recorded, to wit:  State of Kentucky  Caldwell County To wit: Be it Known that I have this day emancipated and set free my negro Woman named Iras commonly called Ivy  of dark complection  aged about forty five years which said girl was purchased by me of and from David Tucker of Mecklingburg County and state of Virginia hereby Renouncing all claim to her from henceforth, and do request the County Court of Caldwell to give the Certificate a place on their records. And furthermore request any person to treat her with friendship so long as she may deserve the same. In Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 17th day of January 1825 at Princeton." [signed] Hugh McVay.

"On motion of Hugh McVay, who at the January term last of this court recording his Deed of emancipation, by which he set free & emancipated his negro Woman named Iras commonly called Ivy  of dark complexion  aged about forty five years, leave is given him & he enters into and acknowledges bond in penalty of $1000, payable to the Justices of the Caldwell County Court and their successors in office, to keep his negro from becoming chargeable to said county, conditioned according to law, together with Kinson McVay his security and it is ordered that a certificate of freedom be granted said negro woman."  18th April 1825.

 

 Originally published 16 Aug 2018 and re-published 16 Aug 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog

 

Marriage Consent Notes

 Through the years, I have transcribed quite a few marriage records, many of which include notes. As a rule, consent notes were written by a parent or guardian of an underage bride or bridegroom and simply stated that consent was given for the marriage license to be issued. Also, brides over the legal marrying age of 21 often wrote their own consent note. Lucky is the researcher who finds that his ancestor included additional information, such as birth dates or places. Below are examples of consent notes found in my research:

On 21 March 1886 in Livingston County, Kentucky, Jeptha Moxley, age 56 and a farmer, obtained a marriage bond to marry Margaret Jane Page, age 31. Both the prospective bride and bridegroom were marrying for the second time. For some reason, Margaret Jane’s father, W.T. Champion, sent along a note that provided wonderful information.

“marget Jane Page wast were marget Jane Champion first madon name wer born July the 6 day 1855 her mothers name was Crowfford george Crowffords daughter Nancy Jane Champion now she was bornd September the 29 day 1822 & now the wife of W.T. Champion. W.T. Champion wer bornd 1819 february all three of the 12 dau[?] as wer bord in Livingston County W.T. Champion This is a full State ment of all the facks in the case that I know of in the case. W.T. Champion” Oh, to have a note like this for some of my elusive ancestors!

Another favorite note is actually a letter written by Willis L. Hobby, to his son, William M. Hobby, who was to marry Miss Lucinda C. Crow in Caldwell County, Kentucky. The letter is dated 3 September 1855 and was sent from Grass Valley, California. The marriage occurred 8 November of that year.

“Dear Sun: I have Jest received your compliments and vary unexpectedley had I thought of being addrest on A Subject of Such magnitude as yours and having but a few moments to reflect I shall bee at great loss for the form of my letter however I bee willing to gratify you as fore as I can consistent with my feelings and interest; William you have complied with your duty as an obedient Sun to me, being your Father and I feel willing as a Father to comply with my duty to the child. William in the first place I feel it my duty to ask you some important questions; the first question I ask have you give your Self time for [illegible] and Sober reflection in regard to this matter; also have you taken into considderation the great responsiblity which involvs upon the head of the family and also the Solam oath that is binding through life. William I never intend to make or brake matches and if you think you had rather ingay a retyard life exersise your one free will and if you do well it will bee well for you and if not dont reflect on me. William let the result bee as it may I hope you will Stay with my children till I return. I will start home the 15 of November next if I live and able to travel. William Study your interest and act in accordance is all that I can say at presant. I will do no more I remain your father. Willis L. Hobby.”

Then there is the note filed with a 1909 Hopkins County, Kentucky marriage license for a couple from Paducah. It says: “Dear Sir I return license issued on the --- as illness over taken Miss --- & we will bee unable to get to Hopkins County in limited time so we wish them to bee cancled & the record distroyed we have kept it a secret ..."

Originally published 18 July 2008 and republished 3 Aug 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog,

Emancipation of Edmond

 

Slaves in Kentucky were emancipated by their owner petitioning the county court or being set free through a provision in the owner’s last will and testament. The following Deed of Emancipation is found in Livingston County, Kentucky Court Order Book (county court minutes) L, pages 9 - 10, 3 March 1851.[1]

“George D. Williamson, administrator of Martha McCawley dec’d produced a Deed of Emancipation for slave Edmond … I Martha McCawley widow of James McCawley dec’d of Smithland, Ky in a few days purpose taking a trip to Louisville and Jefferson County to see my friend And whereas I am seized and possessed of my own property a certain mulatto Boy named Edmond aged about 22 or 23 years of age, raised by myself who I wish to serve no one after I shall die shall do as promised that is to pay me four hundred Dollars for himself. Edmond paid to me $100 this day and as soon as he pays the remaining $300, then I have obligated my heirs to manument Edmond immediately after my death. It is understood Edmond is to serve Martha as long as she lives …Tho he may have paid me the Three hundred Dollars while I live, as he promises to pay me along as it may be convenient to him … he will always be given a receipt … If I should die before he pays all, he must pay the balance to my heirs, Executors Administrators and there be manumitted. But it is understood that Edmond is to serve me as a slave faithfully during my life as tho this paper did not exist as what I now do is merely to secure him his freedom after my death.   20 July 1849  [signed] Martha McCawley. Wit: W. Beverly, Mina McCawley.”

And thereupon Geo. D. Williamson proved sd. writing by the oaths of W. Beverly and Mina Williamson, late McCawley, subscribing witnesses to be act & deed of Martha McCawley, desired that a Certificate of freedom be given to Edmond. Whereupon the boy Edmond came into court and appears to be about 25 years old with a scar on his left arm on the inside of his elbow and a small scar between his eyes just above the nose and is 5 feet high.”

 

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[1] The two entries just prior to the Deed of Emancipation of Edmond, both on page 9, are the appointments of administrators of the estates of Martha and James McCawley. The entry following the Deed of Emancipation on page 10 is the appointment of appraisers of the estate of Martha McCawley.

Published 19 July 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

John Bayliss - Early Salem Merchant

This post was first published in the Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog 7 Feb 2013. 

Salem was a bustling town when John Bayliss arrived about 1816. The seat of justice of Livingston County, it was a busy place, especially the county courthouse, which faced what is today US Highway 60. It was but a few years prior to John's arrival that the courthouse was the scene of the most astonishing trial in the history of Livingston County when the nephews of  Thomas Jefferson were tried for the murder of a slave. This trial would have been recounted through the years and, without a doubt, John Bayliss heard all the details shortly after his arrival.

John quickly settled into life in Salem and married Elizabeth Thompson, daughter of local businessman William Thompson, 17 October 1816. They had at least one child before Elizabeth died a few years later. John Bayliss then married Susan Boggs, daughter of William Boggs,  17 September 1823.  John and Susan had several children, including two  who died as infants.  

John Bayliss and William McCroskey entered into partnership to conduct a mercantile business in Salem. At some point, they had a saddler shop, also. Their saddler shop was located catty corner across the public square from the courthouse.

In 1836, John Bayliss  decided to relocate and sold his town lots in Salem, to James Campbell. In this deed, John reserved 10 feet including the graves of his children in the garden ... "and permission to inter his Wife in sd. space" unless he decided to move the corpses later.

John moved to Paducah and formed a partnership with John A. Calhoun. The partnership, while profitable, was dissolved in 1841, the same year John wrote his will. In his will, John named his wife, Susan, his son, William,  and his daughter, Sarah Margaret. Susan was named as executrix.

Because the partnership assets had not been assigned before John died, a law suit ensued which dragged on for several years. It was disclosed in this law suit that Susan Boggs Bayliss' agent, William Kay, who was also John Bayliss' brother-in-law, had dissipated the assets of the Bayliss-Calhoun partnership as well as John's personal assets and there was not enough money to cover the estate debts. The administration of the estate was later turned over to Berry Hodge. Susan, who had suffered a number of losses during the past few years, "lost her mind" and was committed to the Tennessee Lunatic Asylum in Nashville, where she died circa 1843.

William Bayliss, only surviving son of John Bayliss' first marriage, was born 26 July 1817 in Salem. After his father moved to Paducah, William Bayliss and William McCroskey formed a partnership in a dry goods business in Salem.

On the 27th of November 1841, William "being sick and weak but of sound mind and memory" and to restore his health, wrote "I intend starting in a few days to New Orleans and may go to Cuba ... and the possibility that I may never return."  In the will, he mentions a wife, Mary, who was to receive his entire estate. To date, a marriage record for William and Mary has not been found. William did go to Havana, Cuba and  he died there 24 January 1842. There is a tombstone for him in the old, abandoned   Pippin/Butler Cemetery  in Salem. Whether his body is interred there or the stone is simply a memorial to his life is unknown. A large slab stone, it is broken and lies on its side amid downed branches and with myrtle surrounding it.

Sarah Margaret Bayliss, who was born 19 November 1828, was the only surviving child of the marriage of John Bayliss and Susan Boggs. After her father's death, she  moved to Montgomery County, Tennessee where she married J.N. Corbett 19 February 1846. The Corbetts  moved to Nashville and had a number of children.  When William McCroskey of Salem wrote his will 8 June 1856, he devised to "Sarah M. Corbitt, if living, (my old friend and first partner in the merchantile business, John Baylis dec'd daughter), $1000 in cash." Perhaps McCroskey had heard of the dissapation of the assets of John Bayliss. Sarah Margaret Bayliss Corbett died in Nashville 30 January 1900 and is buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

The burial places of John Bayliss and his two wives are unknown. Perhaps they are buried in the little cemetery in the Bayliss garden or maybe they are interred in the Pippin/Butler Cemetery. John and Susan Bayliss may even be buried in Paducah.

 

 

 

In

Memory

of

William Bayliss

born july 26th

1817

died jany. 24

1842

citty of havana

 Photo courtesy of Jerry Bebout.

Repeat publication 6 July 2023, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Crittenden County, Kentucky Union Soldiers

The following post was originally published on this blog on 22 Feb 2017. 

Several years ago I came across a list of Civil War Union soldiers in the loose papers in the Crittenden  County Clerk's Office. Named were the soldiers and the regiments and companies  in which they served. The lists were arranged by district in Crittenden County. The information was published in Vol. VII, No. 1 (Winter 2000) issue of the Western Kentucky Journal. I have never seen such a list of Union soldiers in other western Kentucky counties, although it was ordered that a list be made in each county.

Resolutions for the purpose of correcting the returns of troops furnished from the different counties.  Whereas, there exists, in many counties of the State, a doubt as to whether or not the men furnished for the purpose of suppressing the present insurrection have been accurately credited to the proper counties, upon the rolls in the office of the Adjutant General of Kentucky - therefore be it Resolved by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky:

1.  That it is hereby recommended to the judges of the county courts to immediately appoint committees of two or more, in every precinct of their respective counties, who ... shall go through such precinct, carefully ascertain and report as many as possible of the following facts, viz: the name, date of enlistment, in what company and regiment, or other service, every soldier or marine entered from Kentucky, who has served in the State of Kentucky or elsewhere, under the authority of the United States, for the purpose set out in the above preamble. That all returns shall, as soon as practicable, be delivered to the judge of the county, who shall immediately transmit the same to the Adjutant General of Kentucky, and he shall, in all instances where the evidence is satisfactory, re-adjust the rolls in his office ... [1]

A later resolution stated the Adjutant General of Kentucky was required to procure descriptive rolls of every enlisted man in the service of the State or United States and include this information in his next annual report.[2]

In Crittenden County, T.L.R. Wilson (replaced by S. Hodge) was appointed to procure a descriptive list of the men who volunteered in the Federal Army which had been regularly enlisted since the first day of June last and report same to the county court so it could be certified to the Adjutant General of Kentucky. [3]  Taking lists in Crittenden County districts were W.C. Carnahan, H.C. Gilbert, J.A. Davidson, Wm. S. Williams, J.H. Travis, D.B. Cassidy and W.H. Franklin. [4]

Union soldiers from Crittenden County received a break from paying taxes. All soldiers who had been in the Federal services and had been discharged since the 10th day of January 1865, were released from paying poll tax for 1865 (laid in 1864) and, if they had already paid, the sum was to be refunded to them.   It is doubtful confederate soldiers received such a break.

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[1] Resolution No. 10, Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, (Frankfort, KY: Wm. E. Hughes, State Printer, 1864)137-138, Approved December 22, 1863.

[2] Resolution No. 38, Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, (Frankfort, KY: Wm. E. Hughes, State Printer, 1864) 159-160, Approved February 12, 1864.

[3] Crittenden County Court Order Book 3:187, 10 October 1864.

[4] Crittenden County Court Order Book 3:189, 10 October 1864.

Published  19 June 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com

John H. Going Petition for Free Papers

This post was originally published on this blog 31 March 2008. 

Being free in Kentucky did not guarantee a person of color the same rights and privileges as a white person. Their movements were often restricted to the area where they were known. Traveling outside their immediate area and sometimes even in their own area required papers identifying them as free.

Several free men of color, all with the surname of Going settled in Livingston County prior to 1820. They lived in the part of Livingston County that would become Crittenden County in 1842. One of those men, John "Jack" Goin, was born about 1787. In 1847, Going wanted to visit Mississippi to claim his portion of his brother’s estate. The following petition was filed Wednesday, 26 May 1847 and is found in Crittenden Circuit Court Order Book A, pages 308, 312 and 322. Although called John H. Going in the circuit court sessions, he is listed as Jack Going in the order book index.

"To the Honorable Judge of the Crittenden Circuit Court ... Your Petitioner John H. Going, a man of color a resident of this County would Respectfully [say] to your Honor that he has lived where he now does & its neighbourhood for near thirty five years that he is very well Known to many persons of the County & he hopes & believes favourably Known that he is a free man & has been so since his birth altho his color is dark & might be taken as prima facie evidence that he was a slave. That his Mother was named Agnis an Indian by blood his father a free man of color. He would further represent to your Honor that he has a brother by the name of Thomas Going of the County of Claibourne & state of Mississippi - that he has been dead some years & died without children leaving him as he understands one of his heirs that the Estate is valuable & time enough has elapsed since his death for its full & entire settlement ... and he now desires to go to sd. state of Mississippi & claim his wrights But he finds some difficulty in travelling because of his collor. He therefore humbly & Respectfully petitions & asks your Honor to permit him to introduce in Court proof of his freedom & have it certified to all whom it may concern so that he shall be able to pass & attend to his business."

Two days later, John H. Going filed the depositions of Thomas S. Phillips and Ira Nunn. Phillips stated that he had been acquainted with Going for about 30 years and during that time he had resided as a free man of color and not born a slave. It was reported that he was of Indian and Negro blood or parentage [and] from information he had a brother by the name of Thomas Going who was an eminent Physician and died in Mississippi and affiant [Going] had an uncle who was a Physician who once practiced medicine in copartnership with Thos. Going.

Ira Nunn stated in his deposition that he had known Going for 30 years and that he was raised in the same county in Georgia as Going. He also stated Going had always been considered & recognized by his neighbors as a free man of color.

The following circuit court entry is dated Saturday, 29 May 1847: "It appearing from the petition and the Depositions that the petitioner has for the last 30 years been acknowledged and recognized in the community ... to be a free man of color & that he was born free considered of African & Indian blood [and] it is therefore considered that Going be recognized and considered to be a free man of color and entitled under the laws of this commonwealth to all the privileges such persons are entitled."

John H. Going is listed on the 1850 and 1860 Crittenden County census records as a wagonmaker born in Georgia. In 1867, L.J. Crabtree submitted a claim to the Crittenden County Court for "hauling Jack Goins a pauper from Bells Mines to Marion .... $5.00" The reason for this claim is unknown. We also do not know the date and place of John Goins' death.

Published  again 7 June 2023, Western Kentucky Genealogy Blog, http://wkygenealogy.blogspot.com/

Affidavit of William Gholson for Military Service

Originally published 19 Aug 2021. 

By the law of the 18^th of March 1818, indigent officers of the Revolutionary War were entitled to $20 per month and privates who were indigent were entitled to $8 per month. They had to  have served not less than nine months in the Continental Line during the war. One of those indigent soldiers was William Gholson of Caldwell County, Kentucky. His affidavit, along with those of others, is recorded in Caldwell County Court Order Books B and C.

“William Gholson an Indigent Revolutionary soldier of the old Continental Army personally appeared in court in order to be heard  respecting his being entitled to the benefit of the law of the 18^th of March 1818 Entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and Naval service of the United States during the Revolutionary War, and being duly proven Testifies that in January 1777 he Enlisted in Capt. John Spottswoods Company tenth Virginia Regt. Of Continental Troops for three years and that he continued with the Army  until Charleston fell into the hands of the British and that he made his escape from the enemy the 14^th day of June 1780 when he returned home having served the time of his enlistment. He further swears that from his reduced circumstances he needs the assistance of his country for support.”[1]

“On motion of William Gholson who produced his affidavit  … ‘State of Kentucky Caldwell County on this 24^th day of July 1820, personally appeared in open Court being a court of record for William Gholson aged 62 years resident in said county  … doth declare that he served in the Revolutionary war as follows – that he enlisted in the month of January 1777 in the tenth Virginia Regt. Commanded by Colonel Edward Stevens for the term of three  years in Captain John Spotswoods Company for the Virginia line on the Continental establishment, all of which is contained in his original declaration which a bears date of May 25^th 1818 on which he has received a pension,  certificate number 14.592.

“And I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on 18^th of March 1818 and I have not since by gift  sale or  disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent to diminish it as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled “An Act to provide for certain person[s] engaged in the land an naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war” passed on the 18^th March 1818 and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities contracts or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. And I further declare I have no property except $30 which is due me from T.C. Gholson, my occupation at present is that of teaching a small Country School, and not able to labor for a living … I have one son named Richard D. Gholson aged about 16 years who is unable to render me any great service in procuring subsistence.  [signed] Wm. Gholson     24^th day July 1820.” [2]

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[1] Deposition of William Gholson, Revolutionary pension, Caldwell County, Kentucky County Court Order Book B, p. 235,

[2] Affidavit of William Gholson, Revolutionary War pension, Caldwell County, Kentucky County Court Order Book C, pp 202-203,  24 July 1820.

John Behagg - Smithland Sexton

 Originally published 31 July 2009. One of my favorite citizens of Smithland before and after the Civil War.

Tombstone of John Behagg, Smithland Cemetery.


John Behagg never bought or sold land. He never applied for a license to keep a ferry, tavern or coffee house. He was never appointed to appraise an estate or to work on the public roads. He never left a will or had sufficient estate to require an administrator. Very likely his life was one of hard work trying to provide for himself, his wife and his step-children. John Behagg was the sexton, or grave digger, for Smithland, Kentucky in the mid-1800s. While he generated few public records, there is enough information to get a glimpse of his life.

I first ran across Behagg’s name while researching Martha Barner Taylor. Miss Pattie, as she was usually known, died in Nashville in 1869 and her body was brought back for burial in Smithland Cemetery. One of the estate expenses listed was to “Behagg for digging grave, $5.00.” That was enough to make me wonder who “Behagg” was and if this was how he earned his living.

Records on John Behagg were few and far between in Livingston County. However, I found several vouchers in county court minutes for digging graves for paupers and also found that in August 1845, he was appointed to take charge of the courthouse. This was likely for keeping the courthouse clean and orderly.

Census records show that John Behagg was in Livingston County by 1840 and had a number of people in his household, including a female who was of the age to have been his wife. No marriage record for him was found in Livingston County, but there is a marriage for John Behagg and Amanda Leftridge 9 May 1836 in Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana. There were other Behaggs in Evansville, but they didn’t show up for some years after this marriage. However, maybe he was related to some Behaggs in neighboring Warrick County, Indiana. Were John and Amanda living in Indiana at the time of their marriage or did they make a special trip to Evansville to marry?

The Behaggs were still living in Smithland at the time of the 1850 census, along with Amanda and Joseph Leftridge, who were probably the children of Amanda by a former marriage. On the 1860 and 1870 census Livingston County census records, John Behagg is listed with Hester Behagg. I have an idea Amanda and Hester were the same person as on 7 November 1841 in Livingston County, Sarah Lefftrage, daughter of Mrs. Hester Behagg, married James Drewry.

Per Livingston Circuit Court Order Book L, page 260, John Behagg appeared in court on 2 October 1844 and made a declaration for the purpose of becoming a naturalized citizen of the United States. He stated that he was “born in the Kingdom of Great Britain in Huntingfordshire [sic] England. That he left that Kingdom and came to the United States of America in the year 1828 …” According to Circuit Court Order Book M, page 276, on Friday, the 19th of November 1847, John Behagg was declared to be a citizen of the U.S.

Amanda/Hester must have died after she and John appeared on the 1870 census as John married Rebecca Stevenson on the 23rd of October 1872 at the Methodist Church in Smithland. When John obtained the marriage bond (Marriage Bond Book 1, page 4), he stated it was his third marriage and he was sexton of a church. He was 71 years old.  This was the first marriage for his bride, Rebecca, who was 26 years old.

When John Behagg died 2 November 1875, he left no will or estate settlement. However, his grave is marked by a tombstone, now on the ground, in Smithland Cemetery. It states he was 78 years and 3 months old at the time of his death.  Although the age differs from what was shown on the census records, it is surely the same man. There was no other person in Smithland or vicinity with the name Behagg. Nearby is a tombstone for a child of Joseph Leftridge.

So, even with few available records, a small picture of John Behagg has emerged. This proves that no matter what the occupation or social class, every person in town has a story to tell. John Behagg may not have served in public office or been a large landowner, but he was a part of the town and performed a useful service in his job.