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,