Join The Bourbon County Genealogical Society Today! Learn how...

Submitted by Alan Dorschug, 4/13/08

Early History of Bourbon County and Paris by Laura Lilleston, 1939

(p. 7)

"Frontier" has always been a magic word. It spells adventure and wonder.

To the colonists in Virginia it was the land beyond the mountains. It

meant hope and promise. It was the county of Kentucky. Dr. Walker and

Christopher Gist had explored this wilderness and brought back

enthusiastic accounts of its beauty, its fertility, its possibilities.

But it was Daniel Boone who really popularized this western paradise.

So the exodus began, at first companies of men, then entire families in

trains of pack horses by land, or on rafts and barges by water, into

this land of promise. It was but natural that they would seek out the

richest lands. Time has proven that Bourbon is the richest and most

productive of all the Bluegrass counties. In the counties that bound

Bourbon, their richest lands are invariably on the side toward Bourbon.

The quantity and quality of the Bluegrass seed from Bourbon is superior

to that of any other county, and Paris the leading Bluegrass market in

the world. So it was that Bourbon lands were soon taken up by the most

discriminating of the pioneers, the very cream from Maryland, Virginia,

Pennsylvania and North Carolina. As early as 1810 the population of

Bourbon was more than 18,000 and it is about that today. These were men

of vision-prophets who saw not only rich rolling lands well drained and

free from miasma that would preserve and insure health, but valuable

timber lands, an abundance of water for man and mills, roads already

surveyed by herds of buffalo who instinctively knew the shortest and

most advantageous routes, a climate most exhilarating, in short just the

place for a home land.

Before 1776 the State of Kentucky was part of Fincastle County,

Virginia. In that year the Virginia Legislature divided Fincastle County

and named what coincides with what is now all of Kentucky (Exclusive of

the Purchase) "Kentucky County." In 1780 Kentucky County was sub-divided

into Jefferson, Lincoln and Fayette. In 1785 most of the northern part

of Fayette was cut off and called Bourbon County and extended to the

Ohio river. In 1792 when Kentucky was admitted to statehood Bourbon was

one of the nine counties that made up the Commonwealth. From time to

time thirty-three (33) counties have been carved from the original

Bourbon County. Today with an area of about 183,000, acres and a

population less than 20,000, Bourbon's taxable property renders her, in

proportion to area, the richest county in the Commonwealth.

In the beginning of the county, the needs of the people were few, most

of which were supplied by their own efforts. The men tilled the soil and

there was plenty of wild game and fish; the women did the spinning,

weaving, sewing and knitting. Heirlooms of that early day are yet found

in many Bourbon homes. But by 1784 a blacksmith shop was needed; a grist

mill also, to take the place of mortar and pestle, and a tavern for the

occasional traveler. Where would these be located? Springs of water have

long been a determining influence in locating a stopping place. The old

homes of the county were invariably built near a spring. Lands, even

town lots were enhanced in value if a spring was near. So Hopewell

spring, fittingly marked by the Children of the American Revolution of

Bourbon, probably determined the location of Paris, then Hopewell. In

that early day all central Kentucky drew supplies from Limestone (now

Maysville) on the Ohio river. The road traveled was the old Buffalo

Trail, which was later to be known as the Old State Road and was the

first turnpike road in Kentucky. A turnpike road, as established by law,

was really a toll gate road, the toll collected being applied to the

upkeep of the road. This first macadamized road passes through the Main

street of Paris, and has had an interesting and eventful history.

Teamsters driving over this road tried to reach the Hopewell spring by

nightfall. Joseph Houston erected a block house or fortified cabin,

which furnished protection from the Indians. It was but reasonable that

a blacksmith shop, a mill and a tavern Would be built here, even a court

house was built in 1786 and a Presbyterian Church in 1787. This land

around Hopewell spring had been pre-empted in 1784 by John Reed of

Maryland. Later Lawrence Protzman bought a part of Reed's preemption. In

1789 when the Virginia Legislature granted a charter authorizing a town

to be called Hopewell, Protzman divided up this land into town lots

which he sold. It seems certain that for a time this settlement was

known as Bourbonton. At that time the nation was filled with gratitude

to the French for their assistance in our war for independence, so

Hopewell or Bourbonton became Paris.

>From the time of its organization in 1789, Paris seems to have been

dominated by men of vision, of culture and of character. A more

commodious court house soon replaced the log structure of an earlier

day. Its foundation was laid by "Old Stone-hammer" Metcalfe, later

Governor of Kentucky. A bridge was built at the confluence of Houston

and Stoner in 1795. More permanent buildings of brick began to replace

those of log by 1796. Religion and education early claimed the thought

and interest of its people. The Presbyterians had early established a

church in Paris as well as at Ruddell's Mills. The Methodists had built

a church on the old Buffalo Trail about two miles from Paris, and known

as Matheny's Meeting House, later called Gilead Church. This was claimed

by many as the first church in Bourbon. The Baptists too were early

established here. Perhaps as early as 1789, the Presbyterians had built

a log church at Cane Ridge. This church was later used by Methodists and

Baptists as well, a sort of union church. It became in a few years a

noted ground for camp meetings. By 1801 throngs by the thousands from

the neighboring states of Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee crowded all, roads

to the Cane Ridge Camp Grounds. At first perfect harmony prevailed and

Christian unity was its boast. But in time varying doctrines crept in,

and out of this grew the "Disciples of Christ Church," which

(p. 8)

has grown and become a great agency for good throughout the nation. This

Cane Ridge Church was the "first to solve the baptism question by

immersing the first person, William Rogers upon a profession of faith in

Christ as his Savior."

Education and religion went hand in hand. Bourbon Academy was

established in 1799, and from it at a later day our public schools

evolved. The first academy for young ladies in the west, if not in the

nation was established in Paris in 1806 by Rev. John Lyle, and enrolled

nearly 300 young ladies. A library was established here by 1808, a

chartered institution. Among the notable teachers of that early date was

Wm. Holmes McGuffey, author of the famous series known as McGuffey's

Readers. This was the first attempt at systematizing textbooks and

adjusting them to the age grade of the child. It is doubtful if the

interest, the information and the psychology of this system has ever

been surpassed. The first newspaper in Paris was published in 1797, and

known as the "Kentucky Herald." This proved the forerunner of the

Western Citizen, established in 1807.

>From the foregoing facts, it is doubtful if any town in America can

boast a more cultural beginning.

In an earlier day hemp raising was a profitable industry. This crop

afforded a delightful odor from the growing plants. Throngs of doves and

other hard bills came for hemp seeds, the long rows of tent like shocks

so like an encamped army and after the hemp brakes and brakers, the

fires that arose from the burning refuse. But all this is gone in the

line of progress.

Bourbon in an early day drew a large population from Pennsylvania,

driven from there by the "Whisky Rebellion." Distilleries for the

manufacture of whisky were built throughout this section, and distilling

became one of the great industries. At first the pioneer built a small

log distillery with a small capacity, that he might find a market for

his extra grain. But the business grew, and for many years Bourbon

distillers put out brands of whisky that found a market in all parts of

the world. In Pennsylvania the whisky distilled was called for the

county "Monongahela" whisky, so these Pennsylvanians, who were the first

to make whisky here called it "Bourbon" whisky after this county. The

best brands were shipped everywhere, and known as "Bourbon" whisky.

Today there is not a distillery in the county.

Bourbon is rich in interest to the archaeologist as well as to the

historian. The surface is dotted here and there with fortifications,

graves, and sites of a prehistoric race, a history of whose entry and

exit can never be written. It is noticeable that this prehistoric race

chose the best lands of this region. Scarcely a farmer boy in Bourbon

has failed to pick up arrow heads, axes, flints, hoes and scrapers, and

even pottery-as he roams over his own fields. At Ruddell's Mills is a

circular earthwork seventy-five feet in

(p. 9)

diameter of some pre-historic people. At various places over the county

are Indian mounds. it has been variously conjectured that they may have

been signal stations, burial, ceremonial or sacrificial mounds.

This pre-historic race was followed by the Indians, who found this a

rich hunting ground. The coming of the "pale faces" was opposed with

vigor and bloodshed. The history of Bourbon County is stained with many

encounters with the Indians, and scarcely a pioneer family escaped some

tragedy or treachery at the hands of the red men who wanted possession

of their hunting grounds. The passing of the Indians left the settlers

free to establish homes. So roads, villages, churches and schools as

well as homes sprang up, and today we boast a citizenry unsurpassed in

any place.

Daniel Boone and his wife spent the winter of 1795 on Hinkston Creek in

Bourbon County. Edward Boone, a brother of Daniel, is buried in Bourbon,

having been killed by Indians. in the first book of the Bourbon County

Court is found a note in Daniel Boone's own handwriting dated "3 day of

febury 1786." There is a summons for Simon Kenton, on the back of which

is written, "To dangerous to go where Kenton is." Michael Stoner, famous

frontiersman and companion of Boone, pre-empted land and lived in this

county in 1775. Beautiful Stoner Creek is named in his honor.

The famous portrait painter, Chester Harding, lived in Paris for a time.

He painted the only known portrait from life of Daniel-Boone, as well as

of Clay, Calhoun, and Webster. Joel T. Hart, the noted sculptor, lived

for many years in Bourbon. Hart's masterpiece, "Woman Triumphant," was

destroyed in 1897 in the burning of the Lexington court house. Governor

James Garrard was a member of the Virginia Legislature, and later of the

Legislature of Kentucky-before he became Governor of Kentucky-from 1796

to 1804. He lived in Bourbon, and is buried at his home place Mt.

Lebanon. The shaft over his grave was erected by the State Legislature

in 1822. George Bedinger was a member of the Legislature from Bourbon in

1792. He was a Major in the Battle of Blue Licks in 1782. Judge Robert

Trimble of Bourbon became a member of the United States Supreme Court.

Jesse Bledsoe and Benjamin Mills went to the Kentucky Court of Appeals.

Garret Davis and John Edwards were members of the United States Senate

from Kentucky. Thomas Corwin, born and reared in Bourbon, went to Ohio,

where he was a Representative in Congress, and later Governor of Ohio.

Joel R. Lyle was an early editor and publisher. John McKinney, known as

"Wildcat," was one of the fathers of education in Kentucky. He moved to

Bourbon, which he represented in the first Constitutional Convention in

1792, and was a member of the first Kentucky Legislature. William Garth,

the great benefactor of education, is one of Bourbon's honored citizens.

John Fox, the famous author, is a son of Bourbon.

So Bourbon and Paris pass in panoramic view. A prehistoric race whose

only history is written in earthworks. Then came the Indian in search of

game, but in his tracks left pipes, arrowheads, and his crude stone

implements. On his heels came the explorer, trapper, and hunter. Then

came the settler, who transformed the wilderness into a home land, a

paradise. This is the Bourbon of yesterday. But the blood of these

pioneers surges in the veins of her people today, and the achievements

of the past but foreshadow greater things for tomorrow in our rich and

beautiful county and city.

--

Four Great Pioneers Resided in Bourbon County

DANIEL BOONE

In the spring of 1795 Colonel Daniel Boone and wife, and son Nathan,

descended the Ohio River, landing at Limestone-thence to Bourbon County,

and settled on a tract of unimproved land belonging to Daniel M. Boone,

on the waters of Brushy Fork of Hinkston, about six miles nearly east of

Millersburg-and in the fork between Brushy Fork and Hinkston, in what is

now Nicholas County-and about twelve miles from Lower Blue Licks (their

spring ran into Brushy Fork). "Bought provisions for the first year-a

few deer, and occasionally killed one both by Colonel and Nathan

Boone-lived mostly on mutton. Colonel Boone and his son Nathan cleared

some 10 acres and raised two crops there-1796 and 1797. First fall and

winter preparing for crop." Ref. Extract from interview with Colonel

Nathan Boone in 1851, Draper Mss. 6S205.

In 1796 Daniel Boone wrote Governor Isaac Shelby requesting that he

answer by Post at the first opportunity and "he will lodge it at Mr.

John Miller's on Hinkston fork." Ref. Ky. Historical Register, vol. 32.

Boone's cabin still stands near the farm of Dr. and Mrs. Eslie Asbury,

Maysville Road.

JAMES SMITH

Colonel James Smith whose name in all fairness should be linked with

Walker, Gist, Boone, Kenton and Stoner, as contributing to an expanding

knowledge of the Western country, lived on Cane Ridge and, with Joseph

Luckey, helped organize the Cane Ridge Church. Author of the Treatise of

Mode of Indian Warfare, he was the first white man to explore southern

and western Kentucky in 1767. In a petition to the Virginia Assembly he

stated he had improved on Licking as early as 1773. The only land he

owned at that time, 1790, was located at Cane Ridge in Bourbon County.

He had served as a member of the Assembly of New Jersey and a militia

officer; he had fought against the Indians on the frontiers and in

expeditions against the Indian towns. Colonel Smith distinguished

himself in early times as an enemy to the tyranny of Britain. He was one

of the "Black Boys" of the Sideling Hill Expedition in Pennsylvania. "At

the age of 80 years, hearing of the surrender of Hull, his patriotic

soul could not rest until he threw his mite for defense of his country,

for whose liberty he had devoted his life. He again enlisted in the War

of 1812." Colonel Smith

(p. 10)

brought his family to Bourbon County from Jacob's Creek, Westmoreland

County, Pennsylvania, in 1786. It has been incorrectly stated he died in

Washington County, Kentucky. He probably joined his children in Ohio.

Ref. Filson Club Publications; Draper Mss.; Bourbon County Court

records; Collins History; Nile's Weekly Register (Baltimore) 1812.

SIMON KENTON

Simon Kenton, who perhaps suffered the hardest fate of those who

pioneered the march of civilization to the West, lived during a winter

at the encampment of William Miller "on a branch about one mile from

Hinkston on the right fork of the branch that makes in opposite to

Millersburg." Here he said he "remained until the winter broke." Kenton

came to "Kain-tuck-ee" as early as 1771 with George Yeager and John

Strader in search of cane lands. The story of his life is one of the

most thrilling and tragic in all Kentucky history. Many times he was

forced to run the gauntlet but by a divine providence his life was

spared. Once when he was tied to a stake and a fire built around him

rain came from a cloudless sky and miraculously put out the flames.

Simon Kenton was born in Virginia April 3, 1755, died April 30, 1836, in

Logan County, Ohio. At the age of 60 years he embraced religion and

joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. His remains were removed to

Oakdale Cemetery, Urbana, Ohio, Nov. 30, 1865. Thousands of persons

joined the procession. He married first Martha Dowden, and the marriage

bond is filed in Bourbon County, he married second Elizabeth Jarboe

March 27, 1798 in Mason County, Ky. Ref. Kenton Family Register;

Collin's History; Bourbon suits.

GEORGE MICHAEL STONER

George Michael Stoner was born near what is now Philadelphia, Pa., in

1748. When he reached the age of 16 years he left his home in Berks

County and went to New River, Va., where he became acquainted with

Daniel Boone, the beginning of a friendship which lasted throughout

their lives. As early as 1767 Michael Stoner with James Harrod came into

Kentucky when they had been to Tennessee on a hunting trip and camping

expedition.

Stoner and Boone planned a scouting trip to. Kentucky and getting a

small party together arrived at Cumberland Gap; they were fired upon by

the Indians, and all but Boone and Stoner turned back. In 1774 Governor

Dunmore of Virginia commissioned Boone and Stoner to warn a surveying

party in Kentucky of Indian outbreaks. They made the trip from Clinch

River in Virginia to the Falls of the Ohio, now Louisville, Ky., a

distance of 800 miles in 62 days.

In 1775 Stoner joined Boone in marking and cutting the road to Fort

Boonesborough, which fort he helped to build and defend. At the siege of

Boonesborough be was wounded. In 1780, he took part in the Battle of

Kings Mountain. He was wounded at the Battle of Blue Licks and fell from

his horse, lying concealed in the bushes until the following day, when

he was found by General Logan's forces. He was present at the taking of

Vincennes by General Clark and in all his campaigns. He went out with

Hardin and also with Logan in 1786. It is also thought he was in

Harmer's campaign. About 1786 he was married to Frances Tribble,

daughter of Rev. Andrew Tribble.

Stoner's Fork of Licking was named for Michael Stoner because he made

his pre-emption and settlement on that stream, about five miles

southwest of Paris in Bourbon County. After his marriage Stoner and his

wife settled in Clark County, about five miles from Winchester. In 1797

he moved to Cumberland River, Pulaski County, and eventually to Wayne

County, near Monticello. About 1810 Daniel Boone sent for Stoner

inviting him to come to Missouri to visit him. Stoner accepted the

invitation and when he arrived the two started up the Missouri River

hunting and trapping. Boone, becoming exhausted, turned back, but Stoner

pushed on. He went up the river 1,600 miles above any habitation, most

of the time alone, and once for about five months saw no white man.

Returning he went again to visit Boone, and after an absence of two

years returned to Kentucky from his last long hunting trip. He died

September 3, 1815, in Wayne County, Ky. Three of his eight children

married Boone descendants.

Because Stoner Creek bears the name of this famous soldier and patriot

the Jemima Johnson Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution,

(p. 11)

placed a bronze tablet on the bridge which spans this stream:

MICHAEL STONER MEMORIAL BRIDGE"

The inscription is as follows: Dedicated To GEORGE MICHAEL STONER Famous

Frontiersman and Indian Fighter. Companion, Friend and Co-Worker of

Daniel Boone

Marked By Jemima Johnson Chapter

Daughters of the American Revolution, 1933

FIRST COMPANIES

These pathfinders blazed the trail for the settlers of the wilderness.

Many were killed in the undertaking.

The State of Virginia in May, 1779, passed a series of land laws which

applied to all the Western Territory, including Kentucky. These new laws

controlled the method by which most of the land was taken up. The first

act was concerning land to soldiers, sailors and marines. Then followed

an act to adjust titles of all who claimed unpatented lands prior to the

establishing of Virginia's Land Office. This provided that surveys of

unappropriated lands on the Western Waters before 1778 when executed by

a comissioned surveyor in furtherance of Treasury Warrants or Military

rights were validated. Virginia also recognized and gave rights to those

settlers who prior to January 1st, 1778, had made a crop of corn or had

resided in the country upon the Western Waters for at least a year,

usually 400 acres. If prior to January 1, 1778, settlers had marked out

or chosen unappropriated lands, built a cabin or made other

improvements, preemption rights were allowed for any reasonable quantity

of land not to exceed 1,000 acres. It was because of such inducements

these improvers, traveling in companies for safetys sake, pushed their

way into the rich lands of Bourbon (then Fincastle) County. Most of them

came by way of the Ohio River from Redstone, which was the most

dangerous route into Kentucky.

The majority of these companies became locaters or early settlers and

obtained claims for land in their own names in this section of the

State.

JOHN HINKSTON'S COMPANY from Westmoreland and adjoining counties in

Pennsylvania was the first company to improve on Hinkson's fork of

Licking. In March, 1775, these men came down the Ohio and up Licking in

canoes. Hinkston (Hinkson) and Townsend Creeks, Cooper's Run, also

Martin's and Hinkston's Stations were named for members of this party.

John Townsend and John Cooper raised corn in 1775 and supplied seed to a

number of improvers in the same region in 1776. John Hinkston built

Hinkston's Station on the north side of Licking about one mile below the

mouth of Townsend. He remained for fifteen months and a small community

was growing up around his encampment, but because of Indian atrocities

it was abandoned in 1776 when Hinkston and a company of settlers left

for Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh), Pa. In April, 1779, Isaac Ruddell rebuilt

the old station and fortified it, and it was thereafter known as Ruddles

Station.

John Hinkston

Wm. Hoskins

John Haggin

Wm. Shields

John Martin

Thos. Shores

John Townsend

Silas Train

Daniel Callahan

Samuel Wilson

Patrick Callahan

James Cooper

Matthew Fenton (killed by Indians)

George Gray

John Cooper

References: Depositions filed in Harrison County suits; True Kentuckian

Oct. 24, 1874.

JOSEPH HOUSTON'S COMPANY from Cumberland and Westmoreland counties,

Pennsylvania, was the second company to improve on Hinkson's fork of

Licking. In April, 1775, Joseph Houston, for whom Houston Creek was

named, brought his company down the Ohio River and up Licking, landing

at Blue Licks. Here they met up with Hinkston's company. Separating into

small groups they explored the country and made marks and spent the

first night on the branch near Summit's Station. After making marks they

cast lots for locations and most of them built cabins, then left the

country and returned home in June 1775. Joseph Houston built Houston's

Station and became entitled to a vast amount of land. He did not return

to this country, however, as he served in the Revolution and died in

Westmoreland county where his will is recorded, Feb. 21, 1779. His

eldest son, William, to whom he bequeathed his "regmental coat," visited

this section the following year when he was about twenty-two years of

age. John and Joseph Houston later settled on a part of the land

acquired by their father. John later moved to Miami, Ohio, and Joseph

returned to Fayette County, Pennsylvania.

In 1805, William McClintock, who came in Houston's company of 1775

stated he did not return to Kentucky the following year when a number of

this party returned but came in 1784; that at that time (1805) William

Nesbit, Alexander Pollock and he believed Henry Hartly were dead, that

James Thompson was in Pennsylvania and William Flinn had moved to

Cumberland River, but the others of this company were living in the

neighborhood. John Miller stated that John Shearer and Patrick Logan

were also dead (1805).

Joseph Houston

Alexander Pollock

Henry Thompson

William Miller

William Nesbit

Patrick Logan

William Steele

Richard Clarke

John Miller

Henry Hartly

James Thompson

Wm. Flinn (Flennard)

William McClintock

John Shearer

References: Suits (two) Withers vs. Miller.

JOHN MILLER'S COMPANY - June, 1776, John Miller, founder of Millersburg,

Bourbon county, brought a company from Cumberland and adjoining counties

in Pennsylvania to the neighborhood of the lots drawn the year before by

Houston's company and visited the old improvements. They brought with

them some corn and potatoes. According to depositions of those in this

company they heard of many outrages committed by the Indians. James

Cooper had been killed, Andrew McConnell's sons had been taken

prisoners, a man was killed near Upper Blue Licks and another at

Leesburg and, after consulting with John Haggin and hearing from him

that John Hinkston and 20 of his men had left the country, they

concluded to return to Pennsylvania July, 1776. Before going, however,

they visited Boonesborough where they "found upwards

(p. 12)

of 30 men." They told these men of provisions they had hidden in the

loft of Miller's cabin and returned to Pennsylvania.

John Miller

Wm. Craig

William Miller

Alexander Pollock

Henry Thompson

Wm. Houston

William Nesbit

William Steele

Samuel Nesbit

Wm. McClelland

John Nesbit

Robert Thompson

Wm. Bays

James McCraw (McGraw)

Note: Of this company John and William Miller were brothers; Henry

Thompson and William McClintock, the latter of Houston's company, were

brothers-in-law of John Miller; William Houston was the eldest son of

Joseph Houston. William Miller built Miller's Station and had many

distinguished guests to visit him there, including Simon Kenton, Michael

Stoner, John Martin and others. The will of John Miller is recorded in

Bourbon county.

PATRICK LOGAN'S COMPANY-April, 1776, Patrick Logan piloted a company

into this section. This party arrived at Blue Licks and traveled the

"Middle Trace" and visited the cabins of Hinkston, Cooper and Haggin.

They made their headquarters at Hinkston's Station and while there they

saw Kenton, Kennedy (a Scotchman) and John Fleming, known as Captain

Fleming. Patrick Logan had been one of Houston's company of 1775.

Patrick Logan

John Wallace

Patrick Dunn

Henry Stewart

John Knox

John Carson

Alexander Crawford

Thomas Gibson

JOHN LYON'S COMPANY-On May 3rd, 1776, a company from Fayette County,

Pennsylvania, and nearby counties, known as John Lyon's company, came to

John Hinkston's improvement where persons had resided for nearly a year

past. William Hoskins conducted them to some rich lands which had been

taken up some miles to the east, probably on Houston Creek. Townsend

Creek and Cooper's Run were between their improvements on Hinkston.

These men covered John Lyon's cabin which was 14 by 16 feet, inclosed

ground, made their "Station Camp," planted corn, peach stones and apple

seed and remained there until June when seven of the company and soon

after two others returned up the Ohio River to Redstone. William Garden,

in the summer of 1777, was killed by the Indians at Shawnee Spring. Some

of these men had improved in Monongohela county, some were associated

with Berkeley county, Virginia.

John Lyon

James Kelly

Rezin Virgin

William Markland

Thomas Dickerson

William Graden

Henry Dickerson

John Virgin

James Boggs

Thomas Dickerson

James Little

The land of John Lyon was located on Houston fork of Licking. His will

is filed in Bourbon county-written March 23, 1793-probated September,

1807.

References: Collins' History and court records.

WILLIAM STEELE AND OTHERS-Company from Pennsylvania: In 1780 William

Steele, who was of Houston's and Miller's companies, came to Kentucky

from Pennsylvania with a company "to the amount of thirty-three boats

and canoes." This company started from Wheeling, coming down the Ohio

River for Kentucky. Four boats landed at Limestone (Maysville) and the

others went to the falls of the Ohio (Louisville). William Steele stated

in a deposition, filed in Bourbon county (501), that he in company with

others came to Ruddle's Station about six or seven miles down Hinkson

below the improvement of John Miller, and from thence they went to

Martin's Station about six or seven miles from said improvement of

Miller, in order to obtain men to guard their families up from Limestone

(now Maysville), that not being able to obtain more than fourteen men

from said stations he departed with his company for Limestone where the

Indians stole from them about twenty horses which rendered them unable

to remove their families up into this country. They then went down the

river to the Falls of the Ohio for safety, that he in the year 1780 met

John Miller with his family, and the following winter he with Miller

came to the neighborhood of the lots they had drawn in 1775, etc.

William Steele

Joseph Fleming

William Steele, Jr. (nephew)

John Hinkston

General Harrison

John Maxwell

William McCune

Eneas McDonald

Note: In 1802 McDonald stated he was 78 years of age and had previously

come with James Cooper and others in 1776. Ref.: Complete Rec ords

Bourbon County and suits.

JOHN KELLER AND OTHERS: John Keller stated in a deposition dated 1806 he

came in the year 1776 with a party including Patrick Jordon, Reuben Wats

(Waits), James Thompson, John Irvin and others. He made an entry for his

brother, Jacob Keller. He stated that Abraham Keller was the son of

Jacob Keller, deceased. Ref.: Complete Records, Bourbon County.

GEORGE MICHAEL BEDINGER and Others from Berkeley County, Virginia. About

March 1st, 1779, a company of explorers left Shepherdstown following the

"Boone's Trace" into the Kentucky territory, probably bringing a guide

who had been over the dangerous route at an earlier date. These were:

George Michael Bedinger (surveyor)

Benoni Swearingen

John Taylor

William Morgan

Ralph Morgan (son of William)

James Duncan

John Constant

John Strode

Thomas Swearingen (eldest son of Thomas)

Samuel Dewee

Two Slaves

Most of these men served with distinction in the Revolution. George

Michael Bedinger served in the Revolution as Lieutenant, Captain and

Major. He was Adjutant in Bowen's Expedition against the Indian town of

Chillicothe, Ohio. Major Bedinger served in the battle of Blue Licks in

1782.

Ref.: Historic Shepherdstown by Dandridge, and established records in D.

A. R.

COL. JAMES McMILLAN: Came to Bourbon June, 1776, from Boonesborough in

company with his brothers, John and Robert McMillan who had been in the

Kentucky Territory in 1775. They spent several days at William Miller's

Station. Later they visited the station sundry times with Simon Kenton,

Jonathan McMillan, one Cooper and John Fleming. Ref.: Bourbon County

Suits (500-501).

COL. JOHN FLOYD: In 1775 Col. John Floyd came into Bourbon to make

surveys with Patrick Jordon, Jacob Boughman, Spottswood Dandridge and

Thomas Carpenter. In 1776 Colonel Floyd, being assistant surveyor to

William Preston of Fincastle county, surveyed for Walter Stewart (bond

held by Jones) for conveyance of claim for the service of Stewart as a

sergeant in His Majesty's 44th Regiment of foot and agreeable

(p. 13)

to the Royal Proclamation of 1763. Most of the land on which the city of

Paris now stands was in this military grant. This land was also a part

of John Reed's pre-emption of 1000 acres who claimed with James

Galloway. Samuel Lyon claimed a portion as heir of Daniel Lyon. A suit

was filed by Walter Stewart against the Trustees of Hopewell 1797, to

recover it. John Floyd's first mark was made on a tree immediately in

front of the Duncan home (Old Burr House).

OTHER COMPANIES: Many others came into Bourbon in small companies in

1775 and 1776: Enoch Smith, John Field, Lewis Lunsford (1776), Jacob

Sodowsky, David Williams (1773), Nathaniel Randolph, Peter Higgins,

Robert Shanklin, David Williams (1775), Joseph Robinette, James Douglas,

Thomas Gist, John Douglas (1775), James Galloway and Moses Kirkpatrick

(1776), Thomas Kennedy, John Kennedy (son of Daniel), John Kennedy (son

of John), Joseph Kennedy (1776), Jameq Galloway (1774), and others.

RUDDLES FORT*

Built 1779 by Isaac Ruddell one mile from Lair Station near Bourbon

County line, now Harrison County.

The following list of persons resided at Ruddle's Station at the time

that fort was taken by Captain Bird and his British and Indian warriors.

Ref.: Draper Mss. and Depositions filed in suits.

Capt. Isaac Ruddell

Elizabeth Bowman Ruddell

John Ruddell, son of Isaac

Isaac Ruddell, Jr., son of Isaac

Stephen Ruddell, aged 8, son of Isaac

Elizabeth Ruddell, small child

Capt. John Hinkson

Lieut. ____ Ravenscraft

Capt. John James Trabue

Nicholas Hart

John Burger

Samuel VanHook (later at Martin's)

James Ruddle

John McFall

Mrs. John McFall

Robert McDaniel

Mrs. Robert McDaniel

McDaniel Children

Martin Toffelmire

Mrs. Toffelmire

Six Toffelmire Children

Jacob Markle

Christian Spears

Anna Maria-his fiancee

John Long

Mrs. John Long

Rhoda Long. young child

Four other Long children

Michael Goodnight

Peter Goodnight

John Goodnight

Misses Goodnight

David White

John Conway

Mrs. John Conway

Seven Conway children

Samuel Brook

Thomas Davis

Sarah Ruddle Davis

Capt. John Duncan

Nellie Sharp Duncan

Master Duncan, son

Frank Berry tradition

Nelly Sharp Berry

Patrick Mahan, taken to Detroit

John Mahan

Thomas Mahan

Miss Mahan-married Wilson

Wm. Mahan, youth, kept journal at Wilson station when he returned from

Montreal, about 18 years old

Margaret Mahan

Isabella Mahan

Jane Mahan

Isabella Mahan Morrow James Mahan

James Morrow

Mrs. Agnes Mahan Mrs. Lapost

Master Lapost Judy Lapost

Wm. Whitesides

Mr. Purseley

Henry Groff

John Denton

Miss Denton

Mrs. Denton

Mrs. Horn

(p. 14)

Catherine Horn

Mr. Sellers

Mrs. Sellers

Sellers children

Samuel Conway

Miss Conway

Mrs. Samuel Conway

Two Misses Conway

Mr. and Mrs. Lail

Capt. Charles Gatliffe

Five Gatliffe children

Robert (or Charles) Knox

Wm. Marshall

*Gasper Casner, 1780

George Finley, 1780

Benj. Harrison, 1780

George Givens

Samuel Givens

*Casper Karsner

McGEE'S STATION

McGEES STATION, or Cove Spring-Was located near Georgetown Road, between

McGee's fork and McClure's run, a branch of Cooper's run in Bourbon

county. (Location from Historical Map of Mrs. William Blanton.) It was

built about 1776. Among those in this station were:

Abijah Woods (1776)

Roger Clements (1781)

Ralph Rayborne (1781)

Joseph Proctor (1782)

Dawson Wade and Son James Wade, from Greenbrier Co., Va. (1784)

John McGuire (soon after 1779)

Nicholas Proctor (brother of Joseph) to Ky. 1788, at Boonesborough

Strouds and McGees

Ref.: Depositions in suits.

About twenty families were at McGees.

Aside from the foregoing stations there were many other stations and

blockhouses in Bourbon county built to protect the first settlers from

the Indians. Many of these were located within the present bounds of

Bourbon county and others were established in counties that were later

formed from the original boundary.

Among those located within the present boundary of Bourbon were:

GRANT'S FORT

Grant's Fort was built in 1779 by Col. John Grant and Capt. William

Ellis, the military leader of the Traveling Church, for the use of

twenty or thirty families who had come to Bryan Station. A group of

sixty Indians from Byrd's war party attacked it in June, 1780 and burned

the fort -without taking prisoners. Forty men from Bryan's went to their

relief and found two men named Stucker and a woman named Mitchell

killed. James Ingels, Jr., was born here in November, 1779. The fort was

rebuilt in 1784 but the Grant family sold to Ingels and moved away. The

site is about 1 1/2 miles from Antioch Christian Church near the border

of Fayette County. Timothy Peyton was shot by Indians about one half

mile away. James Stark carried him to the fort where he soon died. His

name is preserved in "Peyton's Run."

In a letter written by John Grant, founder of Grant's Station, dated

April 24, 1780, to Col. John Todd, delegate at Harrodsburg, he told of

those persons who at that time were living in the fort. A list of the

names:

John Tamplin

John Jackson

John Van Cleave

George Stucker

Samson Culpeper

Stufel Stucker

Philip Drake

Christopher Harris

Wm. Van Cleave

Manoah Singleton

Thos. Gilbart

Wm. Liley

Wm. Loving

Robert Harras

Jas. Rowland

Josiah Underwood

Frederick Hunter

Wm. Morrason

James Gray

Henry Millar

Stephen Murphy

Michael Stucker

Esmond Lilley

George Stucker (son)

John Van Cleave (sons)

Samson Hough

Wm. Ellis

There were six more at the station that he could not "properly call

effective,"and about seven he daily expected. List supplied by Mr.

Charles Staples.

George Summitt later (1784) of Summitt's Station, was living at Grant's

in 1780, visited Sturgus Station on Bear Grass, 1780, and raised a crop

of corn there. Ref., Bourbon Suits.

MARTIN'S FORT*

Martin's Fort was built in 1779 by Capt. John Martin on an improvement

which he had made in 1775. He was assisted by William Whitsett. Samuel

Van Hook was captured at Martin's. The pioneers who made settlements in

his immediate neighborhood at that time and who must have been in the

fort were: Reuben Searcy; Edmund Fear; John Mehan; William Morris;

Catherine Edelman; Francis Berry; John Davis; Solomon Letton; Benj.

Cooper; John McKenny; James Heath; John Dumpard, killed July, 1779;

probably John Fields, John Townsend, Thomas Whitledge; possibly William

and Thomas Hall, and James and Micajah Calloway. The Fort was taken

during Byrd's invasion, June, 1780, and never rebuilt. The site of the

Fort is where Gov. Garrard built "Fairfield."

BUILDERS OF LEXINGTON FORT

Many of Whom Were Later Residents of Bourbon County.

Ref.-Ill Historical Collection-George Rogers Clark Papers, p.

521-Commonwealth of Virginia

April 13, 1781 for expenditures for work on the Fort at Lexington.

John Morrison

David Mitchell

Levi Todd

William Hayden

Benjamin Hayden

James W. Gentry

John Todd

Wm. Neblick

Benj . Brigg

John Williams

Samuel McMullen

Chas. Seamon

Caleb Masterson

John Clarke

John Neil

Joseph Turner

Robt. Patterson

David Vance

Francis McDurmed

Francis McDurmed, Jr.

John Borrance

Henry McDonald

Robt. Stanhope

Archer Dickerson

Stephen Collins

John Wymere

Nicholas Brokton

James Hayden

John Stephenson

James Masterson

James Wason

Paw Owens

Francis Patters

Wm. Hayden

Wm. McConnell

Peter January

McMILLAN'S-Built by Samuel McMillan in 1779.

HOUSTON'S-Built by Joseph Houston, on the present site of Paris, near

Hopewell Spring.

SANDUSKY'S STATION-Built by James Sandusky (Sodowsky) after his removal

to Cane Ridge from Washington county, Kentucky, 1783 or earlier.

WILSON'S FORT-Near Jackstown Creek, branch of Hinkston, in direction of

Bath county, erected by Henry Wilson 1798.

SWINNEY STATION-On the present site of North Middletown.

THOMAS STATION-Erected by William Thomas between 1789-92 on Stoner Creek

near Spears Mill Road.

COOPER'S FORT-Built by John Cooper in 1775 who raised the first corn in

Bourbon county, located on Cooper's run.

CARTWRIGHT'S STATION-On Clintonville Road near Clark county line.

CLARK'S STATION-Erected by Robert Clark in 1784, on Hume Bedford Road,

farm of Misses Clark.

McCONNELL'S STATION-Built by William McConnell, four miles from Paris,

on farm of Lafe Ardery, Lexington Road. Note: Another William McConnell

built station at Lexington.

MILLER'S STATION-Built by William Miller near present site of

Millersburg, just over the line in Nicholas county, 1776.

SUMMITT'S STATION-Where George Summitt resided in direction of Blue

Licks.

*NOTE from Bob Francis:  Recent research has uncovered a much more

accurate listing of the residents of Ruddell's and Martin's Forts.  In

the past two years, an organization based in the Blue Grass region of

Kentucky and known as the Ruddell's and Martin's Stations Historical

Association (RAMSHA), has been instrumental in furthering the research

of these sites for the current generation of researchers.  Consequently,

the above sketches of Martin's and Ruddell's forts are now outdated.]

(p. 15—skipped because it is the DAR listing of the names on the

Revolutionary War plaque on the Bourbon County Courty House.  This list

was posted recently on this list.)

Fellow Bourbon Co. Researchers

This the final updated list of Revolutionary Soldiers on the tablet at Bourbon Co. Courthouse. This is a combined list of what I have, what was posted earlier and a list that was sent to me by Ms. Kenny Roseberry at the Fox Library at Duncan Tavern. I have listed the names exactly as they appear on the tablet. I checked and double checked the list and I am sure all spellins be correct. There was a few names that were spelled different on the list I got from Duncan Tavern and what is actually on the tablet. I have put the spelling that was different on the Duncan Tavern list in parenthesis. ( just in case the tablet was made wrong ????) I will leave it to you to decide which is correct.

Note the new names at the bottom.

Alan   

                            In memory of the Patriots

Soldiers of the American Revolution Who Died Citizens of Bourbon County

Erected 1927 by Jemima Johnson Chapter D.A.R.  

Row 1

David Allen

John Allen

Philip Ament

Nicholas D. Amos

John Ardery

Nicholas Arnold

John Baird

Henry Banta    (Bonta)

Elijah Barbey

Alexander Barnett

Elizemond Basye      (Bayse)

Samuel Batterton

Walker Baylor

Archibald Beal

David Bowles

William B. Branham

John Brandon

John Breast

Alex. Breckenridge

Alexander Brown

James Brown

James Busby

Hugh Campbell

William Campbell

William Caldwell

John Champe

Robert Clark

John Clay

Samuel Clay

Isaac Clinkenbeard

Andrew Cochran

Thomas Conn

John Constant

William Coon       (Cook)

Lewis Corbin

Henry Crose

Samuel Curtright    (Courtwright)

James Davis

William Dawson

John Debruler

Daniel Delaney

Clementus Dowden

George Edwards

John Edwards

Moses Endicott

Henry Ewalt

Reubin Field

William Fisher

Row 2

Hugh Forgey

Peter Forgueran    (Ferguson)

James Garrard

Nathaniel Gist

Jacob Ham

Nathaniel Harris

William Harris

Thomas Hayes

Joseph Hedges

Benjamin Hennis

David Hickman

Robert Hill

John Hinkson

Ezekiel Hopkins

Thomas Hutchcraft

Joseph Jackson

David Jameson

John Jameson

James Jones

Thomas Jones

William Jones

Isaac Keller

Thomas Kelly

Benjamin Kendrick

Benoni Kendrick

Thomas Kennedy

James Kenney

Charles Lander

Henry Leer

Samuel Lockwood

George Loyl

Robert Luckie

Edmund Lyne

David Marshall

Thomas McClanahan

William McClelland

Daniel McClintock

John McCloud

Rev. Andrew McClure

James McClure

William McConnell

Daniel McDowell

John Miller of PA.

John Miller of S.C.

William Miller

Benjamin Mills

Joseph Mitchell

Edward Nelson

Jeremiah Nesbit

Row 3

William Nesbit

Joseph Palmer

Acquilla Parker

Thomas Parker

John Parks

William Patton

Joseph Penn

Robert Porter

James Pritchett

Joseph Pugh

James Purviance

Nathaniel Raine

George Reading

Thomas Rodgers

Nathaniel Rogers

Archibald Ruddell

Isaac Ruddell

James Sandousky

Benjamin Schooler

John Shaw

Abner Shropshire

Thomas Smith

Weathers Smith

Hesekiah Speakes

Christian Spears

Jacob Spears

James Stark

William Steele

Joseph L. Stephens

John Stipp

Henry Talbert  (Talbott) Note : These are my ancestor's and it is not unusual to see 

John Talbot    (Talbott)            these variation in the spelling.

John Terrill

Moses Thomas

William Thomas

Anthony Thornton

Thomas Thornton

George Trimble

John Varnon

Edward Waller

John Whittington

Henry Wiggington   (Wiggins)

Hubbard Williams

Robert Wilmott

Henry Wilson

James Wright

Thomas Wright

William Wright

Names added since the tablet was unveiled. On a small tablet to the left of the main tablet.

Samuel Brice

Isaac Darnell

James Duncan

James Hughs

James Hutchinson

John Luckie

Alexander Mitchell

John Moore

Robert Purdy

William Turner

Benjamin Whaley

John Whitledge

This the list as I received it from the:

John Fox, Jr. Memorial Library

Duncan Tavern Historic Center

323 High Street

Paris, Kentucky  40361

D.A.R. TABLET ERECTED IN MEMORY OF REVOLUTIONARY PATRIOTS

Marker Topped by Semi-Circle bearing Emblem American Eagle and Inscription, "In Memory of The Patriots."

Across Top of Marker Title Line--"Soldiers of the American Revolution Who Died Citizens of Bourbon County."

Figure at Left in Relief--Typical Revolutionary Soldier.

Figure at Right in Relief--Typical Kentucky Pioneer.

Three Center Columns Contain Names of Patriots of Whom Official Record Has Been Completed.

Inscription Across Bottom--"Erected By Jemima Johnson Chapter, D. A. R., and the

National Insignia."

Marker Measures 6 Feet 4 Inches by 6 Feet. Weight 750 Pounds and Made of Bronze. Cost $1,650.

Unveiled on Bourbon County Court House, With Appropriate Dedicatory Ceremonies, Paris, Saturday, June 4, 1927.

Soldiers Who Are Honored

David Allen, John Allen, Philip Ament, Nicholas D. Amos, John Ardery, Nicholas Arnold, John Baird, Henry Bonta, Elijah Barbey, Alexander Barnett, Elizamond Bayse, Samuel Batterton, Walker Baylor, Archibald Beal, David Bowles, William Bourne Brantlam, John Brannon, John Breast, Alexander Breckinridge, Alexander Brown, James Brown, James Busby, Hugh Campbell, Wm. Campbell, Wm. Caldwell, Samuel Courtwright, John Champe, Robert Clarke, John Clay, Samuel Clay, Isaac Clinkenbeard, Andrew Cochran, Thomas Conn, John Constant, Wm. Cook, Lewis Corbin, Henry Crose, James Davis, Wm. Dawson, John Debruler, Daniel Delaney, Clementinus Dawson, George Edwards, John Edwards,Moses Endicott, Henry Ewalt, Reuben Fields, Wm. Fisher, Hugh Fogey, Peter Ferguson,James Garrard, Nathaniel Gist, Jacob Ham, Nathaniel Harris, Wm. Harris, Thomas Hayes, Jos. Hedges, Benj. Hennis, David Hickman, Robert Hill, John Hinlison,' Ezekiel Hopkins, Thomas Hutchcraft, Jos. Jackson, David Jameson, John Jameson, James Jones, Thos. Jones, Isaac Keller, Thos. Kelley, Benj. Hendrick, Benoni Kendrick, Thos. Kennedy, James Ken-ney, Chas. Lasder, Henry Leer, Samuel Lock-wood, George Loyl, Robert Luckie, Edmund Lyne, Thos. McClanahan, Wm. McClelland, Daniel Mc-Clintock, John McCloud, Andrew McClure, James McClure, Wm. McConnell, Daniel McDowell, David Marshall, John Miller (of Pa.), John Miller (of S. C.), Wm. Miller, Benj. Mills, Jos. Mitchell, Edward Nelson, Jeremiah Nesbit, Wm. Nesbitt, Jos. Palmer, Acquilla Parker, Thomas Parker, John Parks, Robert Porter, Wm. Paton, Jos. Penn, James Prichett, Jos. Pugh, Jas. Purrlance, Nathanlei Raine, George Reading, Nathaniel Rogers, Thos. Rodgers, Archibald Ruddell, Isaac Ruddell, James Sandysky, Benj. Schooler, John Shaw, Abner Shropshire, Thos. Smith, Weathers Smith, Hezekiah Speakes, Christian Spears, Jacob Spears, Jas. Stark, William Steele, Jos. Lawrence Stephens, John Stipp, Henry Talbott, John Talbott, John Terrill, Moses Thomas, Wm. Thomas, Anthony. Thornton, Thos. Thornton, George Trimble, John Varnon, Edward Waller, John Whittington, Henry Wiggins, Robert Wilmort, Hubbard Williams, Henry Wilson, James Wright, Thomas Wright, William Wright.

Names added since this tablet was unveiled. Samuel Brice, Isaac Darnell, James Duncan, James Hughes, James Hutchinson, John Luekie, Alexander Mitchell, John Moore, Robert Purdy, William Turner, Benjamin Whaley, John Whitledge.

Note: The Revolutionary records of others who died in Bourbon county have been established since this tablet was unveiled. Recognition will be given these heroes at a later date.

(p. 16)

ORIGINAL BOUNDARIES OF BOURBON COUNTY

In 1772 Fincastle County became the Frontier County of Virginia.

Dec. 31, 1776, Fincastle was dissolved by legislative enactment, at

which time a portion became Kentucky County, Virginia.

May, 1780, Kentucky County was subdivided into three counties: Fayette,

Jefferson, Lincoln.

In 1784 Nelson County was formed from Jefferson County.

May 1, 1785, Bourbon County was set off from Fayette. Fayette was

divided into two counties, the northern portion being called Bourbon and

the southern portion retaining the name of Fayette. Bourbon County was

the fifth county formed and from it thirty-three later counties were

carved. It embraced nearly one fifth of all the Kentucky Territory.

THE LIMESTONE TRAIL

(Historic Highway 68)

NOTE: Paris, the county seat of Bourbon County, is located in the

central part of the courty about equal distance from the county seats of

all the adjoining counties (from sixteen to eighteen miles) on U. S.

Highways Nos. 27, 227 and 68 and State Highway No. 40.

Historic Highway 68 is rich in history. It winds its way through the

fertile fields of Bourbon county, passing through Paris, the county

seat. It has been named the "Road of Opportunity, of Yesterday, Today

and Tomorrow."

Marked by Boone and his brave comrades, it has been traveled many times

by famous people, including Simon Kenton and Michael Stoner. Boone is

usually regarded as the epitome of all pioneers in his love of solitude

and as an understanding child, not only of the wilderness but of all

nature's manifestations of grandeur. Kenton rejoiced in seeing new faces

come to the wilderness. He was the official greeter who met the

flatboats on the banks of the Ohio at Limestone, now Maysville. He

rejoiced at the growing population of Bourbon and Kentucky. While Stoner

is most closely identified with the present Bourbon county, both Boone

and Kenton spent winters here, close to the present city of Paris. Over

this highway rode President Andrew Jackson, Aaron Burr, President

Monroe, Daniel Webster and Henry Clay.

During the campaign of Clay against Jackson, the latter was misdirected

by the supporters of Clay, causing him to turn right to Washington and

become mired in the mud. Because of this indignity Jackson vetoed an

appropriation for this road which was eventually passed.

Historic Trail No. 68 is a continuation of Zane's Trail of the long ago,

across the Ohio River.

Upon leaving Maysville (Limestone) it winds through marvelously

beautiful country, passing the old home of Col. Thomas Marshall, the

House on the Hill; at the little town of Washington, once the county

seat of Mason county, it passes the home where Harriet Beecher Stowe

stayed, and the home of General Albert Sidney Johnston. It passes the

Blue Licks Battlefield where the last battle of the Revolution was

fought and the State Museum, and on to Forest Retreat once the home of

Governor Thomas Metcalfe.

On the outskirts of the old town of Millersburg settled by John Miller

and his companions who came in 1775, the highway leaves the old Bourbon

county of 1785 and enters the present boundary.

Across the beautiful Michael Stoner Bridge which spans the creek bearing

his name, this highway passes through the town of Paris, the largest

bluegrass seed market m. the world.

>From Paris it stretches southward over the Joseph Houston Memorial

Bridge; past ancestral manor houses built on tracts of land granted by

the Royal Proclamation of 1763, where blueblooded thoroughbreds graze in

emerald fields.

This magnificent road so rich in history and which was traveled by the

earliest settlers who came into the western wilderness from Fort Pitt or

Washington, D. C., at Limestone, passes through Lexington and

Harrodsburg; it goes past the Battlefield of Perryville, through

Bardstown and on to Nashville and Natchez, Mississippi. It became the

first macadam highway in America. The following court order of October,

1783, marked the beginning of the road that culminated in Historic Trail

Highway No. 68, or Limestone Trail, that found its opening at what is

now Maysville. In 1784 when the Limestone Road was cleared it went

almost exactly by the same route as the Old Buffalo Trail but in certain

places it deviated slightly. This beautiful highway traverses the

natural Bluegrass region of Bourbon county.

Colonel Logan and his army of 500 men traveled this road in August,

1782, when they went to bury the dead at Blue Licks. They "crossed

Stoner Creek where Paris stands then across Hinkson fork (Millersburg)

thence by the Buffalo Road."

Court order Oct., 1783, Fayette County, ordered that Daniel Boone, Eli

Cleveland, Robert Johnson, Thomas Herndon, John Constant, Robert

Patterson, William McConnell Senn, Christopher Greenup, Thomas

Swearingen, Cave Johnson, Jacob Stucker, John Craig, John Williams,

Richard Masterson and Andrew Steel, do view and mark out the most

convenient way from

(p. 17)

Lexington by the lower blue licks to the mouth of Limestone or the most

convenient place for a landing on the Ohio between the mouth of Lawrence

Creek and Salt Lick and make report to the next court, etc.

At following court-or court dated June, 1784, the report was made-should

run by Bryants Station-old way to lower blue licks straightening the

bends as convenient, thence along upper Buffalo road passing Mays Spring

to where the Wagon road leaves the old War road, thence along the said

old road to the mouth of Limestone, etc. Signed:

ROBERT JOHNSON

R.PATTERSON

WM. McCONNELL

CAVE JOHNSON

Court ordered the same be established.

FIRST PETITION BY THE CITIZENS OF BOURBON COUNTY

MADE THE VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY, OCT. 27, 1788

For Inspection of Tobacco on Licking Creek, It Being the Chief Medium of

Exchange in Early Days.

To the Honorable the General Assembly of Virginia-The Petition of Sundry

Inhabitants of the county of Bourbon Humbly sheweth that every other

County in the District of Kentucky has been Indulged with the advantages

of Publick warehouses for the reception of Tobacco and that your

Petitioners Living near the Courthouse and on Licking Creek in the most

Populous part of said County, too far remote from either of the other

Inspections to remove their Tobacco by land without much labour and

expense and your petitioners fully sensible of the Disposition of your

Honorable House to do Justice upon all occasions to afford relief to

such of the community as you conceive intitled to your patronage we your

petitioners therefore pray that an inspection for the reception of

Tobacco may be Established on the South fork of Licking Creek and in the

fork near Isaac Ruddles Mill which your petitioners conceive will be of

Great Utility and of Singular advantage to them provided the article of

Tobacco should continue to be of value and your petitioners as in duty

Bound will ever pray.

James Atchley

John Ardery

Peter Hutchinson

John Neal

JazreeI Ellis

Jesse Williams

Haden Edwards

James Pollock

John Blair

Thomas Fitzwater

Christopher Zumwalt

John Tucker

Law Harrison

I. Blair

P. Byram

Thomas Norris

Jarrot Menefee

Daniel McDowell

William Blair

Michael Hoge

Thomas Mounts

Gerred Burton

Squire Hildreth

Frd. Jones

Nathan Standeford

Jas. Littell

Linnet Remy

Archibald Remy

John Galloway

Thos. Machan

Abraham Lefonge

John Edwards

William Galloway

William Thomas

Bartholomew Hanningston

Daniel (Mauk ?)

William Thomas

John Byrd

John Kilgore

Ts. L . Stephens

William Nesbet

Jeremiah Nesbit

David Lindsay

Robert Nesbit

David Byers

George Bethel

Nathan Nesbit

Robt. Thompson

Abraham Byrd

William Flin

Richard Clark

John McDaniel

James Garrard

Jacob Livingstone (Langslord)

James Lairy

Rezin West

Samuel Kinkade

Thos. Clark

Wm. Ardery

James Ardery

Thos, Jamison

Joseph Gay

William Holliday

David Sorenency

Wm. Schooler

Isaac Dillion

Samuel Hawkins

John Hughes

William ---- dall

Jacob Fight

Daniel Crow

John Minties (?)

Marcus Stephenson

James Creal

Robert Hamilton

Samuel Kimbrough

William M ------

William Palmer

Reuben Rankin

Isaac Andrews

John Grant

Samuel Whorl

John Gregg

H. T. (?) Routt

Andrew Kinkead

Jos. Remy

Robt. Clark

Peter Moore

John Honey

John Hughs

Bvram Routt

Thomas I-Tughs

Sam. Theobald

Ralph Hughes

Zeky Remo

Robert Whitledge

Peter Vardeman

James Hutchison

Hugh Sidwell

Aaron Ashbrook

William Hutchison

Thos. Strother

Thos. Conn

Robert Sewill (Serrill)

William Garrard

Samuel Lyon

John Lvon

James Morin

John Machin (Watchin?)

Thos. Waring

Richard Durrett

William Barlow

James Guie

Van Swearingen

John Williams

A. Eaistin

William Arnold

Thomas Nickelson

Caleb Hall

John Johnston

John Hagan

Isaac --ton?

John Hildredge

James Alexander

William Meathers

John Cartmill

William Gates

James Bristow

Nathan Underwood

Thomas Easlay

David Edmundson

John Cool,

Andr. Vance

Jerry Ramey

Dated July 1788-I do Certify that the within Petition has been legally

advertised at the Courthouse the several days required by Law under my

hand-John Edwards, Clerk of Bourbon County.-Petition Oct. 27,

1788-Refered to Propositions-reasonable-on Isaac Ruddle's Land.

PETITION NO. 2277, ARCHIVE DEPT., VIRGINIA STATE LIBRARY

Copied From Original Record by Mrs. W. H. Whitley

The following petition of October 27, 1790, is of interest since it

lists the citizenry of Bourbon county soon after the founding of the new

county seat:

To the Honourable and general Assembly at the Town of Richmond in the

State of Virginia;

(p. 18)

The petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the County of Bourbon

Humbly prays your Honours to Grant your Petitioners and Inspection for

Tobacco on Stoner at the Town of Hopewell and your Petitioners in are in

Duty your Humble Servts.

James Matson, Senr.

James Matson, Junr.

Richard Arrasmith

James Cheatham

Chas. Smith, Jr.

John Baseman

Jos. Case

Separate Case

Reuben Rankin

Thomas Hall

Benjamin Shepherd

Nicholas Ker

John Yarbrough

Benjn. Rankin

David Clarkson

Hawkins Smith

Anthy. Furtad

Irra. Major

Wm. Clarkson

Thos. Parker

Rowland Thomas

John Kinnev

William Galloway

Edward Cheatham

John Major

Peter Haff

Randolph Johnson

James Otley

Joseph Duncan

William Hinkson

Thos. Clark

Daniel Smith

Thos. West

Philip Howard

John Hall

Horeb Ralls

Jas. Brush

Barnard Vanderen

Jas. Mitchell

Jno. Mitchell

John Morin

Notlev Conn

Jere Ramy

Peter Moore

Robert Gou

Jinnet Ramy

John Jamis6n

Michael Isgrig

John Boyd

Allan Killogh

Wm. -en

Aron Ashbrook

Noah Humble

Willm. Mitchell

Robert Hamilton

James Burns

John Pullen

James Galloway

Andw. Kinkead

David Mitchell

Pet. Byram

Hugh Cowan

Michael Kentzman

Josiah Dickson

John Beaty

Daniel Smith

Benedict Couchman

Malachi Couchman

Elijah Mitchell

Samuel Brice

Ebenezer Griffing

Thomas Jones

Hanery Lear

John Liter

Edward Bradley

Jacob Troutman

Samuel Cowell

John McClure

John Grant

John Knox

Robert Luckie

John Johnston

David Ireland

Alexd. Brown

John Henry

P. Anthony

James Galley

Gilbrath Hamilton

Wm. Mitchell

Wm. Thomas

Aql1 Standeford

Thos. Whitledge

Humphrey Hill

Reuben Rankins

Thos. Morris

David Gamble

John Lyon

Gillion Ewing

Walter Trimble

Thomas Sconce

Salathial Fitch

David Hughes

Morris Hortmen

William Henry

John Burch

Thomas Gorhm

David Sweney

James Ireland

John McChandIess

James Ross

Isaac Orchard

John Hicklin

John Coppedge

Arthur Burns

Jas. Smith

Robert Caldwell

Tho. Fletcher

F. Callis

Hugh Sewell

Wm. Morris

James Gray, Jr.

James Stevenson

Joseph -

Thos. Goff

Thomas Conn

Jesse Burton

John Yets

Vincent

Isaac Constant

Samuel Meathers

William McDowell

John Miller

Azharias Davis

Sam Theobald

James Spurgin

Horatio Hall

John Luckie

Jos. Smart

John Kirkpatrick

Saml. McClure

Henry Clay

James Sconce

Robert Sconce

James Kenny

John Jones

Jesse Bowles

William Hall

William Woolreige

Arthur McNickle

William Rame

Charley WooZman

Samuel Clay

Jon. Landers

Israel Grant

James Duncan

Jos. Mitchell

Moses Chrisenberry

Samuel Hindaman

Arthur Scott

William Rogers

Elijah Cusenbary

Anson Cusenbary

William Cusenbary

Thomas Hamilton

Samuel Rule

Alexr. Brown

Nathl. Underwood

A. Eastin

Lues Liter

Thomas Grifing

Horeb Nuland

Matthias Corwin

William Elliott

Joseph Smart

James Gray

Thomas Wilson

Addam, House

James Story

George Berry

Joseph Brarm

George Burns

John Smith

David Davis

John Layson

Saml. Cook

Levi Coryel

Thos. McClanahan

Hanry Payne

Thomas Johnston

Thom. Reeder

Sanford Gorham

Wm. Arnold

John Troutmann

John Hildreth

William Anderson

Isaac Clinkenbeard

John Mitchell

James Ray

Mathew Neeley

James P. Freser

Wm. Craige

John Bell

John Sims

John Galloway

Andrew Vance

George Shortridge, Jr.

James Hall

Andrew McClure

William Moore

Joseph McCeel

Achilles Eastin

Thos. Mitchell

Samuel Lyon

William Mitchell

Thomas Dickson

Samuel Blair

Joshua Benson

Clement TheobaId

Jno. Purviance

Israel Gilpin

Edmund Collins

William Coburn

James Ingels

Elijah Berry

Jonathon Stephenson

William Aldridge

Jo Shropshire

Jorn Gaskins

John Hook

Henry Dykes

Ruben Cracraft

Thomas Brothers

Ralph Jacoby

John

Jesse Yarnall

John Cousenberry

James Douglass

Casey Yeork

Jacob Heaeton

Isaac Mitchel

Nathan Underwood

Samuel Morehead

James Noble

John Wilson

Samuel Hornback

Elas Lere

Robt. Collins

Jedijah Pullen

Jacob Vart

Edward Caen

William McClelland

John Rogers

John Higgin

Henry Hardisty

John Druker

Samuel Shids

Edward Stocker

Garret -

Nicjel Cornalisson

Hugh Sidwell

Joseph Cary

Jon Hall

James Hall

John Caughey

Tm. Hoy

Wm. Love

Archd. Marshall

Robert Wilmott

Laurance Smith

James Tribble

Benjamin Hallock

Ebenezer Homan

Mattheas Beven

James Brice

Goldsmith Case

Thomas Goff

Ovid Boone

Wm. McConnell

Gabriel George

Benjamin Neale

Richard Cartright

David Con

Joseph Smith

Abraham Hornback

Wm. Garrard

Samuel Curtright

Peter Curtrightt

Abraham Colman

Charles Snell

Henry Crose

Daniel Lary

Thos. Languail

James Hornback

Phillip Crose

Phillip Morris

John Hornback

Amos

Adam Funk

Edward Radcliff

William Bond

Abraham Hornback

William Crisinbery

Thos. Goff

John McCreery

Alan Algive

John Algive

Wm. Hedges

Andrew Trumbone

George Trumbone

David Allenton

James Wells

Philip Ciser

David Denniston

Jacob Allenton

The earliest record of the land on which Paris, Kentucky, stands was

uncovered in an old suit over a military grant to one Walter Stewart for

service as a sergeant in his Majesty's 44th Regiment of foot and

agreeable to the Royal Procla

mation of 1763, for 200 acres in Fincastle (later Bourbon) County. Col.

John Floyd, who was the principal surveyor of the Transylvania Company

and delegate to the Assembly that met at Boonsborough May 24, 1775, to

make laws for the infant

(p. 19)

colony, acting as deputy surveyor to William Preston of Fincastle,

surveyed this grant for Stewart in 1776. He made his first location

immediately in front of what is now the entrance ~o the old Duncan Home

(Burr House) on a tree in the then wilderness. Overlapping land was

preempted by John Reed of Maryland and James Galloway and Samuel Lyon,

who claimed as heir Of Daniel Lyon.

Lawrence Protzman (also spelled Sprotzman, Prutzman, etc.) bought a part

of Reed's preemption and laid it off into town lots, calling the town

Hopewell. In accordance with a request of Protzman the Virginia Assembly

passed the following Act October, 1789:

"Be it enacted, That two hundred and fifty

acres of land, at the Court House in Bourbon county, as are laid off

into town lots and streets by Lawrence Protzman, the proprietor thereof,

shall be established a town by the name of Hopewell, and that Notley

Conn, Charles Smith Jr., John Edwards, James Garrard, Edward Waller,

Thomas West, James Lanier, James Littell and James Duncan, gentlemen,

are hereby constituted trustees thereof."

This was three years before Kentucky became a state and the great county

of Bourbon embraced within her vast boundary thirty-three later Kentucky

counties. Hence the little town of Hopewell (changed to Paris in 1790)

was the county seat of the fifth county formed in the western territory.

PETITION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HOPEWELL BY CITIZENS OF BOURBON

Signed September 2, 1789

"To the Honorable the Virginia Assembly:

The petition of the Inhabitants of Bourbon County Sbeweth that the Land

whereon our present Courthouse now stands to the amount of two hundred

and fifty acres is laid off in Lotts by the Proprietor, for the purpose

of settling a Town which Lotts are principly bought up by those who are

now living on and improving them

and have erected a number of very convenient buildings-on sd Lotts we

your petitioners conceiving it really necessary that sd Town be

established by Law pray your Honorable body that a Law pass for the

establishment of a Town agreeable to the manner the Lotts are now laid

off and that the Trustees be appointed for the purpose of superintenCing

and Regulating of the Building of said Town and in duty Bound we pray-"

(p. 20)

Colby Shipp

Laban Shipp

John Grant

Thomas Conn

Charles Smith Jr.

James Duncan

John Hamilton

George Lewis

John Byrd

James Garrard

Isaac E. Gano

Benj. Bedford

Edward Dobyns

Horatio Hall

Andr. Kinkead

Cravin Spiller

James Moppin

Wm. Byram.

William Routt Senr.

John Whiteside

William Galloway

Thos. West

William Irwin

Jno. Ford

Thomas Hughes

Thomas Scott

Thomas Maxwell

Jno. Donnaldson

J. J. Flournoy

Aqua. Standiford

William Jackson

Joseph Gilpin

Samuel Lyon

James Morin

John Conn

Jno. Troutmane

William Anderson

Thomas Jones

John Layson

Thos. Dodson

Thos. Kennedy

Edwd. Waller

Wm. Arnold

Henry Lanier

Henry Parker

Edward Cheatham

Thomas Kilpatrick

John Gueinn

Dewand Bradley

William Mtgomery

Thos. Eades

Alexander Barnett

John McKinney

Jas. Kenney

Isaac Orchard

John Hamilton

Samuel Timberlake

Robert Tandy

John Byrd

Hugh Grudy

Van Swearingin

Owen Todd

James Ward

Jacob Troutman

Wm. Crosthwaite

Reuben Rankins

Jesse Corwin

Thos. Moore

Benjamin Shropshire

Daniel Mosby

Wm. Butler

Peter Yawger

Jacob Cowes

Jacob Vert

Michel Reeder

Mathias Reeder

William Laughlin

Wm. McConnell

Wm. Oldrige

John Burns

James Stark

Thomas Hallock

Robert Park

John Coone

Ebenezer Homan

Daniel Shawhan

Samuel Ross

Benjamin Hallock

Amos Thatcher

John Rock

James Creal

Abraham Guiltner

Jacob Fry

Joseph Corwin

Saml. Jenkins

Sabastien Shrope

Daniel Shawhan Junr.

Sarn'l Douglass

Willm Hall

Bart Thomas

John Shawhan

Jno. Lighter Senr.

John Lighter Junr.

Joseph Porter

Andrew Porter

Wm. Bell

Joseph Thatcher

Andrew Porter

Wm. Bell

Joseph Thatcher

Daniel Thatcher

Adam Shrope

William Douglass

Joseph Tatman

Wm. Caldwell

Elihu Sanders

George Berry

Moses Grant

James Cally?

Thos. Allen Oved Boone

PETITION FOR CHANGING THE NAME OF HOPEWELL TO PARIS

September 2nd 1789 1 do hereby certify that a petition for the

Establishment of a Town at Bourbon Courthouse was advertised according

to Law. Test John Edwards Clerk Bourbon County Court.-John Edwards.

Endorsed on back of petition. Octo. 28th 1789 Refd. to props.

(reasonable) (repd)-The request was granted-Trustees Notly Conn, Charles

Smith Jr., John Edwards, James Garrard, Edward Waller, Thomas West,

James Lanier, James Little, James Duncan.

"We the Trustees of the Town of Hopewell in the County of Bourbon Humbly

sheweth that doubts have arisen with the purchasers of the Lots in said

Town, whether Lawrence Protzman may be found the real proprietor at a

future day of the Lands laid off for said Town, your petitioners

together with said purchasers having been notified of claims to said

Lands obtained from the Court of said County under an Act of Assembly

authorizing and vesting said Court with powers of Commrs. to hear and

determine all disputes between claimants for Land, by right of

settlement and for lands by right of preemption on improvement etc. for

granting certificates to all those who had been detained in the Service

of this Commonwealth and also that a part of the Lots or lands laid of

for said Town is yet unsold. Therefore your petitioners conceive they

have not a power vested in them to sell or make conveyance of said lots

or any part thereof, and that the Good people of said Town may be

secured for future claimants And that every encouragement may be given

to the population of said Town, which will be of public utility, by

reason of its situation on navigable water and the only stream by which

the Inhabitants of said County could Export their produce. We your

petitioners therefore pray your honorable house will take the same in

consideration and condemn said Land, vesting the same in trustees so as

to give Security to the holders and purchaser's of said Lots, as also

the Laying of and making conveyance of such lots as yet remain unsold

and that you will devise such ways and means for the good of said

holders as in your wisdom you may think best reserving to the real

Proprietor the value of said lands as unimproved and your Petitioners

further pray that said Town may no longer retain the name of Hopewell,

but may be changed and known by

the name of Paris and your Petitioners shall ever pray, etc."

Endorsement on back of petition 25th of Oct.

(p. 21)

1790-Refd. to Courts of Justice-ReasonableBill. Request was granted-An

Act to amend the Act establishing the town of Hopewell in the county of

Bourbon and for altering the name.

Signed:

James Duncan

Notley Conn

James Littell

Chas. Smith Junr.

James Lanier

John Edwards

Edward Waller

25th Oct. 1790-Marked "Reasonable."

Ref.: Petition filed Archives Dept., Virginia State Library, Richmond,

Virginia.

TRUSTEES

Lawrence Protzman, proprietor of the town of Hopewell (now Paris) served

in the Revolution from Frederick, Maryland. He was a member of the 4th

company raised 1775, under Captain Benjamin Ogle. His brother, John

Protzman, to whom he sold all remaining interest in his Hopewell lots

also rendered service in that war as a member of the 3rd company of

Frederick county. Apparently they were both men of wealth, though

Lawrence met with reverses while a resident of Bourbon County. The will

of John Protzman filed in Washington County, Maryland, and records filed

in old suits, show he owned property in Virginia, Kentucky and the North

West Territory.

Lawrence Protzman in establishing his town at the confluence of Stoner

and Houston creeks was diligent in his efforts to attract to this

community men of prominence and ability. In 1788 when James Lanier was a

citizen of Davidson County, North Carolina, he was besought by Protzman

to remove with him to the State of Kentucky and become a partner with

him in a Tavern about to be erected at the court house of Bourbon

County. At one time one of Protzman's boats loaded with tobacco was

grounded "in Licking near the forks which left Hopewell, now Paris, some

time before where it remained for several months to the great damage of

his crop." After this Protzman left the county and did not return until

he came on a visit in 1811 or 1812. In 1792 Protzman was interviewed by

Thomas Conn of Bourbon County, in Rockingham County, Virginia. It is not

known where he died.

Ref.: Western Maryland by Scharf, vol. I, p. 183; Suits filed in Bourbon

County Lanier vs. Protzman and Others.

Senator John Edwards was the son of Hayden Edwards and wife, Penelope

Sanford, who accompanied him to the Kentucky territory in 1780 from

Prince William or Stafford County, Virginia. Hayden Edwards died in

Bourbon County, Kentucky, 1803, aged 87 years and his widow removed to

Logan County, where she passed her remaining years at the home of her

grandson, Amos Edwards. Her will is filed there in Book I, under date

1809. Her wedding dress is still in the possession of her descendants.

As early as 1781 we find in the early order books of Lincoln County

Kentucky that John Edwards was recommended for one of the commissioners

of the peace and in 1783 he was recommended as Lieutenant Colonel of the

Militia. In Bourbon County he was commissioned Colonel in the Militia

and the first county clerk in 1785. He was a member of the Virginia

Assembly. He was a member of the Conventions held at Danville May and

August, 1785; represented Bourbon County at the Convention of 1787 and

1788; was a member of the Virginia Convention that ratified the

Constitution of the United States; member of the Convention of 1792,

which formed the first Constitution of Kentucky, held at Danville and

that same year he was elected the first United States Senator from

Kentucky, serving until 1795. At this time he returned to the State

Legislature and continued a member of that body until 1800, when he

retired to private life.

Senator John Edwards, who was born 1748 and was married in Virginia to

Susanna Wroe, born May 1, 1748, who died in this county about 1834.

Susanna was the daughter of Original Wroe II by his wife, Jane Lyne, of

Westmoreland County, Virginia. The home of John and Susanna (Wroe)

Edwards stood where Liberty Hall (home of Mr. Ben Ardery) now stands.

John Edwards was in the state of Missouri at the time of his death.

Governor James Garrard was born in Stafford County, Virginia, to Colonel

William Garrard and wife, Mary Lewis, January 1, 1747. William Garrard

owned the plantation on a part of which the Court House is now located.

Old Acquia Church was not far distant, and it was doubtless here he held

his membership.

James Garrard rendered service as a Colonel in the Militia during the

Revolutionary War. While in service he was elected to the Virginia

Legislature, where he was a staunch supporter of the bill to establish

universal religious liberty.

After he moved to Kentucky in 1783, he was ordained as a Baptist

minister and served for a time as minister of the nearby Coopers Run

Church. In 1791, he with the Rev. Augustine Eastin and the Rev. Ambrose

Dudley formed a committee that presented to the Elkhorn Association a

memorial and remonstrance in favor of excluding slavery from the

Commonwealth by constitutional enactment.

James Garrard was a member of the conventions held in Danville in May,

1785 to discuss a constitutional separation from Virginia and again in

August, 1785, 1787 and 1788. He was a member of the convention of 1792

which formed Kentucky's Constitution, and several times a

representative. In 1796 he was elected the second Governor of Kentucky,

defeating Gen. Benj. Logan, founder of St. Asaph's Fort, an able

statesman, one of the most popular military officers in the State.

Garrard was re-elected in 1800, the only Governor before 1898 to succeed

himself. He died in 1822 and was buried in the yard of his home, "Mt.

Lebanon" where the Kentucky Legislature erected a handsome monument to

his memory. "Mt. Lebanon" is owned and occupied by his descendant,

William Garrard Talbot.

Notley (Notly) Conn was the son of Thomas and Sarah (Mattox) Conn. He

served as a member of the House of Representatives of Kentucky in

1793-94. His father, Thomas Conn, was born in Ireland in 1733 and died

in Bourbon County 1821-he was a Captain in the Revolution. Both Thomas

and his son, Notley, had been granted land in the district of Ohio for

Revolutionary service. Thomas Conn first settled in Maryland, later

moving to Culpepper County, Virginia. Upon coming to Bourbon he settled

on the farm now the home of Mr. Robert Ferguson. Notley Conn died a

number of years before his father's death, probably in Pendleton County,

having been one of the original Trustees of Falmouth. He left no issue.

(p. 22)

Ref.: Court records; established D. A. R. record; Revolutionary Soldiers

of Virginia by Brumbaugh.

-----

Charles Smith, Jr., was the son of Charles Smith and Patsey (Jones)

Smith, who moved with all their children to Bourbon County at an early

date from Orange County, Virginia. Charles Smith, Sr., was born April

15, 1735, and died October 26, 1821, in Harrison County, Kentucky. His

wife was born in 1738 in Culpepper County, Virginia, and died October

14, 1817. Charles Smith, Jr., and wife Elizabeth, moved to Christian

County, Kentucky prior to 1823. One of his brothers, Elijah, is said to

have married a sister of Lord Percy of England and settled in Miss.

Ref.: Court records of Bourbon; Bourne Collection Mss. C-4-8.

-----

Edward Waller who from time to time in published records has been listed

as Edward Walker, came to the Kentucky territory from Stafford County,

Virginia. He was a man of affairs according to his lengthy will recorded

in Bourbon County. He was one of those who assisted Simon Kenton in

building his fortified blockhouse at Limestone (now Maysville) to guard

the northern Kentucky settlers. After the Indians had murdered all but

two persons of a company from Fauquier County, Virginia, Kenton who was

deeply distressed over the tragedy had struck out across Salt River to

gather a force of sixty men, among whom were John and Edward Waller.

This was the permanent beginning of a settlement at Limestone and the

gateway to pioneer Kentucky. Edward Waller is listed as a Major in the

Revolution by Heitman, and in Auditors Accounts, Revolutionary claims of

Virginia, we find the name of Captain Edward Waller. Not only was Edward

Waller a trustee of Hopewell, but he was one of the original trustees of

Washington, the first county seat of Mason County. He lived on Cooper's

Run in Bourbon County and died in 1792 leaving a widow, Elizabeth G.

Waller, and children.

Ref.: Bourbon court records; Collins History; Va. Petitions.

-----

Thomas West, who conducted the first "public house" (tavern) in Paris,

was a central figure in the early life of Hopewell. This tavern was

built of logs and stood where Shire's Jewelry Store is now located. It

was first known simply as West's Tavern, but in later years when it was

clapboarded and washed over with a red-wash, it was referred to as

"West's Red Tavern," and the sign of the "square and compass" was

displayed above the entrance. Thomas West was, no doubt, of Maryland, as

he was guardian to Margaret, daughter of John and Rachel (Perry) West,

who have been identified with that state. In 1796 he built the first

brick house in Paris where Gibson's Garage now stands. He probably died

in Missouri. His widow, Mrs. Elizabeth West, died Jan. 9, 1847, aged 86

years. She was buried in the Paris cemetery.

-----

James Lanier. In an old litigation in Bourbon County we find that James

Lanier had been persuaded by Lawrence Protzman, who was his close

personal friend, to leave his home in Davidson County, North Carolina,

and bring his family to Bourbon County and enter into a partnership with

him. He was to build Lanier a dwelling on one of his lots where he could

conduct a tavern .at the Court House, opposite the "public ground" and

furnish provisions and drink sufficient to supply a tavern for one year.

One James Lanier served in the Colonial militia of North Carolina as a

lieutenant in Pitt County, Nov., 1773. The name was probably spelled

also Lenior and there is a county in North Carolina bearing that name.

On December 21, 1796, James Lanier and wife, Sally, were residents of

Campbell County, Kentucky.

Ref.: Bourbon County court records; N. C. Archives.

-----

James Littell was certainly one of the most active of the Hopewell

trustees. After leaving Bourbon County he was one of the original

trustees of Falmouth, Pendleton County, Kentucky, where he had erected a

station. As early as 1776 he had accompanied John Lyon into this

section. He was probably the James Littell who married Martha McConnell

in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, January 26, 1746, but he was married

a second time in Bourbon to Milcah Standeford, daughter of Aquilla

Standeford, who died in Mason County, Kentucky, former resident of

Hopewell, Maryland. There was another James Littell living in Bourbon

County in 1799, whose wife was Isabella McNay. This man was probably the

James Littell of York and Washington counties, Pennsylvania. Just where

James Littell, Hopewell trustee, died is not known. He lived in Campbell

County as well as Pendleton and, it appears, finally left the state.

James Littell (Little) first came to Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,

from the County Donegal, Ireland. He was a sergeant in the Revolution,

serving from Fayette County in the expedition against the Indians.

Ref.: Court records; Va. State Library.

-----

Captain James Duncan was of the distinguished Berkeley County, Virginia,

family of which came also Major Joseph Duncan, who built his stone house

on the Paris Public Square about 1788-92. James Duncan was born February

20, 1750, and was married in Virginia December 9, 1777, to Elizabeth

Strode, daughter of Captain John Strode, founder of Strode's Station in

Clark County. In a deposition filed in Bourbon in 1805 he stated he came

to Kentucky for the first time in 1779, went to and from Virginia a

number of times, and in the spring of 1784 he moved his family to this

State. His first visit was made in company with Major George Michael

Bedinger and others (see company). He was security to Major Joseph

Duncan when the latter applied for a license to operate a tavern in

1792, which was later known as the Burr House. Here in.1794, Joseph

Duncan. Governor of Illinois, was born. Among the old papers in the

possession of the family we find the following: "Captain Duncan hath

this day brought before me Miles Travers who acknowledges himself to be

voluntarily enlisted in any of the Virginia Regiments of Continental

Troops," etc. dated July 27, 1781, and signed by An'y Noble, Berkeley

County, Virginia. James Duncan was evidently interested in fine horses,

sheep and cattle. In December, 1798, William Thomas received of James

Duncan sixty pounds for one Bay Stud horse, fourteen pounds for one gray

mare, six pounds for one sorel colt, seven pounds and sixteen shillings

for five head of neat cattle, for seven sheep seven pounds, four

shilling, for two beds and bedsteads one chest and one spinning wheel

seven pounds ten shillings. He died in Bourbon County October 16, 1817,

and his wife Elizabeth (Strode) Duncan, died July 2, 1825. They were the

parents of thirteen children, among whom was Jerry Duncan, ancestor of

James Duncan Bell.