Caldwell County, Kentucky Justices 1811

The county court was composed of the local Justices of the peace in early Kentucky. Among other duties, the county court was responsible for the appointment of administrators and appraisors of estates, guardians, officials for county elections and overseers of roads; granting of tavern and coffeehouse licenses; recording ear marks of stock and proving wills. The justices occupied a place of prominence in the county.

The following is a list of Justices of the peace in Caldwell County, Kentucky in 1811 and was found among loose county court papers, Caldwell County clerk's office, Princeton, Kentucky.

John Mercer

David James

Bennett Langston

Arthur H. Davis

Josiah Whitnell

Jesse Williams

Alexr. Stevenson

John Bradley

Nehemiah Cravens

Matthew Lyon

Washington Thompson

David Osburn

William Duncan

William Anderson

Given under my hand Decr. 14th 1811. Jno. H. Phelps, Clk.

Randolph - Thornberry Marriage Contract 1844

When a couple decided to marry and had a previous marriage behind them, it was - and still is - common to sign a marriage contract to protect the assets they brought with them to the new marriage. For example, if a widow owned property inherited from her deceased husband or father, she might wish to designate what would happen to that property in the event of her death. The prospective bridegroom might do the same thing. To make sure their wishes were known, they could sign a marriage contract and have it recorded in the county deed books. The following marriage contract has been transcribed from Union County, Kentucky Deed Book H, pp 227-228. John Randolph and Mrs. Rebecca Thornberry, widow of Daniel Thornberry, married 8 August 1844, according to Union County, Kentucky Marriage Book BB, pp 266 and 354.
Whereas a marriage is shortly to be solemnized between John Randolph and Rebecca Thornberry, both residents of the county of Union & Commonwealth of Kentucky and they are both the owners of property and respecting of which they have mutually come to the following arrangement (to wit) The said Rebecca is the equitable owner of of [sic] a tract of land in the County & Commonwealth aforesaid on the waters of lost creek containing 100 acres for which she holds a title bond on her brother Alexander G. Ray - she is by the last will and Testament of her deceased father John Ray entitled to the undivided third part in another tract of land in the County Commonwealth & water Course aforesaid containing 156 acres and also has cash & cash notes on hand to the amount of $100 also beads [sic] & beding loom and a variety of other articles of personal property the title of which is not to pass & be vested in Randolph by the marriage, but Randolph is to have the use and enjoyment of the personal property during the natural lives of himself and Rebecca and Randolph, for and in consideration of the premises as well as the sum of $1.00, covenants and agrees that Rebecca shall have the sole and absolute right at all times to dispose of said property by last will and Testament as she may think proper and in case the same should not be disposed of that way before her death the same shall descend to the legal heirs of Rebecca in the same way as if she had remained a femme sole and it is further agreed by Randolph that in case Rebecca should be the survivor, Rebecca shall receive one equal eighth part of his whole estate that he has now at this time on hand death of slaves losses and un avoidable accidents excepted she is to have the distributable share of one of Randolphs heirs not calculating any advancements that Randolph has made any of his children and also first deducting the sum of $1000, being the amount of some specific legacies that Randolph intends to dispose of to some colateral heirs acquired property hereafter Rebecca is to receive the one eighth part thereof - and in consideration of the foregoing consideration, Rebecca after receiving back her property before named and the one eighth part, she doth hereby release all claim ... of dower in Randolphs estate if she should be the survivor. 5th day of August 1844. [signed] John Randolph, Rebecca Thornberry

Apprenticeship Records for Persons of Color

After the Civil War, many children of color had no relatives willing or able to provide for their support. It was not unusual for these children to be bound as apprentices to their former masters. By an act of the General Assembly, the Judge of the County Court was empowered to bind out orphans and poor children. The master was to provide sufficient diet, wearing apparel, washing, lodging, medical attention and had to treat the child with humanity. At the expiration of the apprenticeship, which was usually at the age of 21 years for males or 18 years for females, the master was to provide the apprentice with a new suit of clothing and a sum of money. If, however, the apprentice was taught to read and write, the master was not obligated to pay the sum of money ($50 to females or $100 to males.). The following entries have been abstracted from original apprenticeship bonds and also from the book, Indentures of Apprenticeship 1845 - 1886, Caldwell County Clerk’s Office, Princeton, Kentucky.


Nellie, a girl of color aged 9 years, is bound as an apprentice unto Stephen M. Miller until she arrives at the age of 18 years to learn the trade, art and business of a housekeeper. 21 Jan 1867

Fannie, a girl of color aged 8 years, a daughter of Henry and Jane Cook (colored) is bound as an apprentice to A.S. Brewer until she arrives at the age of 18 years to learn the trade, art and business of a housekeeper. 21 Jan 1867

Daniel Harris, a 9 year old boy of color, is bound as an apprentice to W.B. Harris to learn the art, trade and mystery of a farmer until he is 21 years of age. 26 Jan 1867

James, a boy of color who is age 9, is bound unto J.B. Crider to learn the art, trade and mystery of a farmer until he reaches the age of 21 years. 31 Jan 1867

Charles, age 11 and a boy of color, bound as an apprentice to J.B. Crider to learn the art, trade and mystery of a farmer until Charles reaches the age of 21 years. 31 Jan 1867

Jemimah, who is age 8, is bound to Wm. H. Perre to learn the art, trade and mystery of a housekeeper until she reaches the age of 18 years. 4 Feb 1867

Ellen Wilson, who is 5 years and 6 months old and a girl of color, is bound as an apprentice to James Wilson to learn the trade and business of a housekeeper until she arrives at the age of 18 years. 6 Feb 1867

Frank Wilson, 14 year old boy of color, is bound unto Josiah Harris to learn the art, trade and business of a farmer until he is 21 years old. 6 Feb 1867

Milton, a boy of color who is age 7 years, is bound as an apprentice to J.E. Kevil to learn the business of a farmer until he arrives at the age of 21 years. 18 Feb 1867

Matilda, a 5 year old girl of color, is bound unto James B. Kevil to learn the business of housekeeping until she arrives at the age of 18 years. 18 Feb 1867

Winston, a boy of color 7 years of age, is bound unto Josiah Harris to learn the business of a farmer until he reaches the age of 21 years. 18 Feb 1867

Cornelia Frances, a girl of color and who is aged 4 years old, is bound to J.F. Wilkerson to learn the art, trade and mystery of a housekeeper until she reaches the age of 18 years. 9 Mar 1867

Lucinda, 7 year old girl of color, is bound unto David Wilkerson to learn the art, trade and mystery of housekeeping until she is 18 years of age. 9 Mar 1867

Huldah M., a 9 year old girl of color, is bound unto David Wilkerson to learn the art, trade and mystery of housekeeping until she arrives at the age of 18 years. 9 Mar 1867

Columbus, who is about age 8, has neither father or mother, is bound as an apprentice to H.J. Davis until Columbus is age 21 to learn the art, trade and mystery of a farmer. 20 Apr 1867

Sophia, a girl of color about 12 years of age, is bound unto E.P. McGoodwin until she is age 18 to learn the business of a housekeeper. 31 May 1867

Tom, a boy of color and who is age 11 years, is bound to W.L. Pollard to learn the trade and business of a farmer until he reaches the age of 21 years. 13 Jun 1867

Vic, a girl of color who is 5 years of age, is bound unto W.L. Pollard to learn the trade and business of a housekeeper until she is 18 years of age. 13 Jun 1867

Henry Talbot, who is about age 17, is bound unto Benjamin F. Brown to learn the art, trade and mystery of a farmer. 12 Aug 1867

Joe Willis, a boy of color age 14 years last March, is bound unto D.G. Hollowell until he is age 21 to learn the business of a farmer. 18 Aug 1867

Puss Gracey, girl of color who is 9 1/2 years of age, has no parents and since Wm. Childers has custody and control of her, sd. girl is bound to him until she is age 18 years to learn the art, trade and mystery of a housekeeper. 21 Oct 1867

Logan Groom, a boy of color, is apprenticed to J.B. Groom to learn the art, trade and business of a farmer until he reaches the age of 21 years. 7 Dec 1867

Scott Groom, boy of color, apprenticed to J.B. Groom to learn the art, trade and business of a farmer until the boy shall arrive at the age of 21 years. The apprentice is destitute of any means whatever or anyone to raise or provide for him. 7 Dec 1867

Martha, a girl of color age 7 years and who has no parents to raise her up in moral causes and to provide for her, is apprenticed to F.D. Wyatt until she is age 18 to learn the business of a housekeeper. 17 Feb 1868

Victoria Baker, age 4 years and 2 months and a girl of color, is bound to F.A. Baker until she is age 18 years to learn the business of a housekeeper. 20 Feb 1868

Cobb Baker, a boy of color and age 7 years, is apprenticed to S.M. Baker until he is age 21 to learn the business of farming. 3 Mar 1868

Mariah Baker, a girl of color, has no person or relations calculated to raise her up in moral causes and no means of support, is apprenticed to S.M. Baker to learn the business of a housekeeper. 3 Mar 1868

John Holly, a boy of color, by written consent of his mother, Jane Holly, is bound unto J.T. Dunning until he is age 21 years to learn the business of farming. "This is to certify that I give my concent for Mr. J.T. Dunning to have my Son John bound to him in accordance with the laws of our State." Oct. 11th 1868 [signed] Jane Holly (X her mark) of coller. Witness: Jefferson Pruet. 12 Oct 1868

[no apprenticeship bonds for 1869]

Josephine Gresham, a girl of color who is 4 years and 1 month of age, has no parents or anyone to raise her up in moral courses and it appearing that Samuel Gresham was the former owner and now has her under his charge, Josephine is bound to Samuel Gresham to learn the trade of housekeeping until she is age 18. 17 Jan 1870

Martha Gresham, a girl of color age 6 years, is bound to Samuel Gresham to learn the business of housekeeping until she is age 18. She has no parents or anyone to raise her up in moral courses. 17 Jan 1870

Cynthia Gresham, a girl of color who is age 8 years and 8 months, has no parents to raise her up in moral courses and is bound to Samuel Gresham, her former owner and who now has charge and control of her, to learn the business of housekeeping until she is 18 years of age. 17 Jan 1870

Lucy Stone, colored orphan 12 years and one month of age, and Charles Stone, age 13 years and 3 months, have no parents or kindred to raise them up in moral courses and have no property. They are bound to Mrs. Martha Stone - Lucy to learn the business of housekeeping and Charles to learn the business of farming. 16 Jul 1870

On motion of R.M. Calvert, and it appearing that Dan Pearce, age 11 years, and Hugh Calvert, age 8 years, infants of color, have no parents to raise them up in moral courses and that R.M. Calvert is a suitable person to have custody of said infants, it is ordered that they be apprenticed to him until they are age 21 to learn the business of farming. 15 Aug 1870

John Wesley Eison, a boy of color aged about 13 years, is bound as an apprentice to E.D. Townsend to learn the business of farming until he is 21 years of age. 20 Apr 1871

Julia, a girl of color aged 8 years, and Henry, a boy of color age 5 years, are bound to George Lucas - Julia until she is age 18 and Henry until he is age 21. 18 Dec 1871

Weighing the Evidence

Sometimes you are faced with conflicting pieces of "evidence" for genealogical data. How do you determine which is more apt to be correct?

Here’s the guideline I use:
First hand information recorded at the time of the event carries more weight. For example, if a birth appears on a birth certificate, it is likely to be more accurate than a birth date recorded on a death certificate. The date on the death certificate was recorded long after the event occurred. That is not to say the date is incorrect on the death certificate; you just have to treat it with caution and be open to other sources of information.

In oral history, if the person telling the event was actually there when the event occured, it is more likely to be correct than if the event is being told by someone who was not there. Keep in mind, however, that the memories of all of us dim with the passing years.

Alternative Birth Records

The earliest birth records in Kentucky date from 1852, when the Sutton Law requested that each county keep a list of these Vital Statistics. One copy of the list was to remain in the county and the original copy was to be sent to Frankfort.

Compliance with the law varied from county to county as recording this information added to the burden of work for the county official, but most counties have at least a few birth records from 1852 to1859 or 1860. The law was rescinded during the Civil War and re-instated in the 1870’s.

From the 1870’s forward, there are a few years of records, mainly in mid-1870s and in the 1890s. Larger libraries may have these early birth records on microfilm and many of them have been published. A statewide registration of birth records was instituted in 1911.

If you have had no luck with the early birth records, there are other places to check for the needed information.

1. Family Bible record. Note whether the color of ink is different for the different entries. If it is, most likely the entries were made at different times, indicating more accurate recordings. If the ink is all the same color and the entries are in the same handwriting, it is likely the information was recorded at one time, possibly when the Bible was first acquired. Time dims our memories and mistakes are more likely to be made.

2. Tombstone records. As the information was given by someone other than the person in question and was usually given in a time of stress, the dates could be incorrect, but they should be close.

3. Indenture of Apprenticeship. If your ancestor was "bound out" as an apprentice to learn a trade, check the Indentures of Apprenticeship books to see if his birth date or age is given. This same information should be found in the county court minutes.

4. Death certificate. In 1911, Kentucky required death certificates. As in tombstone records, the dates may be off, but they should be close.

5. School census records. Most western Kentucky counties should have school census records dating from the 1890s on past 1930 or so. These records list the name of the child, parent or guardian responsible for the child and his age and/or birthdate. The school census records are usually located in the county clerk’s office or the county board of education. Lyon County’s school census records are earlier than other counties with those records beginning in 1885.

6. Guardianship records (bond). If a guardian was appointed for your ancestor, it was not uncommon to list his/her birthdate on bond. These guardianship records are found in books titled Guardian Bonds, located in the county clerk’s office.

7. Obituary. A newspaper obituary will often give the birthdate, as reported by a family member. Again, this is not first-hand information so it may be incorrect.

8. Census. The 1900 census lists the month and year of birth of each person listed.

If none of these records helps in determining the birthdate of your ancestor, you may have to just resign yourself to using an approximate date as taken from pre-1900 census records. Sometimes, when you least expect it, a clue will arise and open the door to new information.

Young Eloping Couple

Western Kentucky couples often traveled to adjoining states to get married, especially when there was opposition to a marriage. Because the marriages occurred outside the Commonwealth of Kentucky, the license had to be obtained in the state in which they married. The following article from the Evansville, Indiana Courier of Friday, 19 July 1895, illustrates once again that newspapers often contain information that is not found in vital records.

When a couple of young Kentucky people take it into their heads to get married, they are like young people everywhere else in the respect that they generally do so. If there is parental objection on either side they simply come to Evansville and have the knot tied here.

It was an eloping couple that alighted from a cab at the Ruston House about 10 o’clock yesterday morning and asked for the use of the hotel parlor for a few minutes. The girl was tall and fair, blonde haired and blue eyed - a pretty creature. The groom-to-be was smooth shaven, dark and rather heavy. He looked like a solid sort of citizen, perhaps 20 years old and probably hailing from the country.

The cabman had driven the couple from the morning Ohio Valley train. They had come past the court house and had stopped there long enough to get the necessary papers. Furthermore, as they had rolled by the office of Justice of the Peace Poole, the cabman had summoned that gentleman to come at once to the Ruston House.

It was a few minutes after 10 o’clock that the little party assembled in the main parlors of the hotel, hushed and expectant. Those in the leading roles had previously announced their name to day clerk McNeeley and he had written them, in a big, sprawley hand, in the register. They were "Americus T. Wooton, Hopkins County, Kentucky," and "Georgie A. Parrish, Hopkins County, Kentucky." Two young men were with the couple, but they did not register. One of them is known to have been a brother of the young woman.
Squire Poole was not slow about reaching the scene. He entered the parlor in a dignified and business-like way, taking up a position in front of the party and asking if everything was "ready." Everything was. The ceremony was promptly performed and the company broke up.

Mr. and Mrs. Wooton, with one or two friends, repaired to the dining room, where quite an elaborate dinner was spread for them. After they had eaten and while Mr. Wooton was enjoying a cigar in the lobby, the clerk approached him and said:
"I trust your marriage has made you altogether happy."
"Well," said Mr. Wooton, "we hope to have some happiness now; we have had very little thus far."
"Opposition to your courtship?"
"Yes"
"And you ducked?"
"That’s what we did."

Mr. Wooton is a well-to-do young farmer of Hopkins County and his bride was brought up in his neighborhood, the daughter of well known and highly respected parents.

An Old Mourning Custom

A group of people in period costumes presented a program on mourning customs at the recent meeting of the Tri-State Genealogical Society in Evansville, IN. It may sound morbid, but it was really very informative and enjoyable. One of the customs mentioned was the wearing of a black arm band in memory of the decedent.

While searching through the loose county court papers in the Caldwell County Clerk’s Office a couple of years ago, I came across a paper that verifies this custom. It is a tribute to Charles B. Dallam, who was the county clerk at the time of his death in December 1847 at the age of 33 years. His remains rest in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Princeton, KY.

"Whereas, in the dispensations of an all-wise and insensible Providence, our Community has sustained a sad and afflicting visitation in the death of Charles B. Dallam, former clerk of this county, a good and worthy citizen; polite and courteous; a Kind and benevolent neighbour; a prompt, efficient and accommodating public officer; a man exemplary in all the relations of life; a gentleman and a Christian; yet suddenly cut off in the meridian of life. And whereas, while we feel it to be our duty humbly to acknowledge the wisdom and justice of the Great Dosposer [sic] of events in sending affliction upon the human family, and making them the subject of mourning, yet we also feel it to be our privilege to express our sorrow for the dead, as well as our Sympathy with the surviving friends and relatives, by some appropriate testimonial of regard for the deceased.

Resolved, therefore that all the members of the bar, officers of the Court of which Charles B. Dallam was clerk at the time of his death, will wear the usual badge of mourning on the left arm for 30 days.

Resolved further, that the foregoing preamble and these resolutions be spread upon the records of the County Court of Caldwell County, of which the deceased was so long an efficient and useful clerk, and that a copy therefore be communicated to his bereaved widow."