USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > Frankfort > A history of the First Presbyterian Church, Frankfort, Kentucky, together with the churches in Franklin County, in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America > Part 3
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45
UPPER BENSON CHURCH.
all his surviving children the hopeful followers of the Lamb, to witness several glorious instances of the out- pouring of the Spirit of God in this region, to enjoy universally the good-will and respect of his acquaint- ances, the habitual sweets of communion with God, and the bright assurance, as he approached his death, of a place in the mansions of rest and immortal glory.
" To the church of which he was a member and officer from its organization, his death is a loss not soon to be repaired. To the neighborhood, in which for half a century he has been acting the part of the good Samaritan,' who shall be found to fill his place? But his family, and especially the bereaved companion of his bosom, now bowed down beneath the afflictions of life and the infirmities of age, feel most sensibly the void that has been created by his departure. Still none can murmur, for he has descended to the grave as 'a shock of corn fully ripe in his season,' for 'he was a good man, full of the Holy Ghost and faith.' 'Mark the per- fect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.' H."
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46
JIISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
LIST OF MINISTERS.
1
Including those who were pastors and stated supplies, together with others who were pastors elsewhere, and supplied this church at the same time :
Rev. Samuel Rannells 1799-1800
Dr. John B. Campbell.
1800-1802
Rev. Archibald Cameron.
1803-1805
Rev. Samuel Shannon
1800-1812
Rev. Eli Smith. 1824-1829
Rev. James Hawthorn
1829-1837
Rev. D. M. Winston.
1838-1840
Rev. E. K. Lvun.
1840 -- 1843
Rev. D. C. Proctor
1845
Rev. Benjamin Mills 1846-1847
The pastors of the Frankfort Church, Rev. Drs. Edgar, Baker and Bullock, during their respective terms of office, supplied this church during the vacancies of its pulpit, preaching regularly Sabbath afternoons dur- ing the pleasant seasons of the year. Upon these occa- sions the two Benson congregations usually worshiped together.
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RULING ELDERS.
Thomas Paxton. 1795-1844
Robert Armstrong 1795-1806
Robert Hamilton. 1800 -- 1830
William Boyd.
1800-1830
James Hutton 1827-1837
Henry Miller. 1827-1840
Matthew Davidson 1830-1845
Jaines McBrayer 1830-1846
Fielding L. Connor 1835-1846
J. A. Kellogg. 1841-1846
DEACONS.
Barclay Goodwin.
1841-1846
John H. Paxton
1841-1846
47
UPPER BENSON CHURCH. -
LIST OF MEMBERS.
Thomas Paxton.
Rebecca Hogsett Paxton.
Jane Armstrong.
James Hutton.
Hankersoon Reed.
Hannah Hutton.
Eleanor Reed.
William Boyd.
Robert Hamilton.
Nancy Boyd.
Mary Hamilton.
Terry Ford.
James McBrayer.
Artemesia Ford.
Jane McBrayer.
James Paxton.
Elizabeth McBrayer.
John Hutton.
Hiram McBrayer.
Hamilton Crockett
Abram Cofer.
John McGill. J. A. McGill. Samuel Richardson.
Mrs. Martha Shannon.
William Rice.
Mrs. Frances Bennett.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wash.
Mrs. Margaret Latta.
Miss Martha Wash.
J. Bacon Bush. Mrs. Sarah Bush.
Miss Nancy Sharp.
Matthew Davidson.
Hugh Alexander.
Elizabeth Davidson.
Elizabeth Sharpe.
Barclay Goodwin.
Miss Martha Shannon.
Hannah Goodwin.
Sarah Sharp.
Miss Elizabeth Paxton.
John H. Paxton.
Miss Jane Paxton.
Ellen Clark.
William Johnson.
George Williams.
Sarah Johnson.
John Reading. George Reading.
James Reading.
Mary Robinson.
Mrs. Rebecca Richardson.
Timothy Mayhall.
Miss Rebecca Richardson.
Esther Mayhall.
Mary Goodwin.
Miss Mary T. Paxton.
Miss Rebecca G. Paxton.
Miss Sarah E. Paxton.
Miss Jane Black.
Miss Jane Mayhall.
Miss Ann Black.
Lucy Milam. J. A. Kellogg.
Mrs. Margerite McGill.
Mrs. Margerite Russell.
Mrs. Julia Ann Jett.
James Waddell.
Mrs. Jane A. McGill.
Miss Nancy Twyman. Allen Utley.
Nancy Richardson.
Marguerite Alexander.
Mary McKendrick.
Robert Armstrong.
Barbara Cofer.
Mrs. Ann Sharp.
48
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
Miss Susan Bush.
Matthew McGill.
Miss Sarah Bush.
John A. McGill.
George McCormack.
Henry Utley.
Samuel Reynolds.
Miss Mahala McGill.
Sebritt Tracey.
William Utley.
Charles Carter.
Mary Shannon.
Mrs. Elizabeth Brown.
Mrs. Elizabeth Lane.
Miss Eliza Brown.
William Davidson.
James Davidson.
William Long.
Abraham Sharpe.
Wm. M. Sutton.
Miss Elizabeth McGinnis.
Benoni Nelson.
Mrs. Ann Sharpe.
William Nelson.
Mrs. Mary H. McGill.
Charles Rice.
Marcia McBrayer.
Mrs. Pauline Baker.
Miss Elizabeth McBrayer.
Mary (a slave).
James Reed.
Ann (a slave).
Fielding L. Conno ..
Mrs. Jane Connor.
Samuel Shannon.
Norman Green.
Miss Jane Hamilton.
Margerite Tracey.
Mrs. Elizabeth McFall.
Jane Chapman
Mrs. Rachel Woodbury.
Mrs. Ann Tracey.
Mrs. Fidelia Kellogg.
Martha Theobald.
Miss Mary Utley.
Miss Sarah Corban.
Mrs. Charles Carter.
Miss Kitty Ann Corban.
Henrietta Shannon.
Rebecca Satterwhite.
Miss Mary N. Connor.
Mrs. H. B. Lynn.
Mrs. Daniel Carlin.
Mrs. Nancy Utley.
Miss Rebecca Davidson.
Miss Mary Jane Latta.
Mrs. Frances Nelson.
Mrs. Susanna Sutton.
Miss Eliza Shannon ..
Miss Sarah Ford.
Miss Martha Ann Shannon.
James Ford.
Mrs. Abigail P. Briggs.
Miss Clarissa Ford.
Sam (a slave).
Miss Mary Ford.
Hannah (a slave).
Miss Elizabeth Ford.
Mahala (a slave).
Julia Ann (a slave).
Nancy (a slave).
CHAPTER III.
LOWER BENSON CHURCH.
This church was formed during the early years of the century, about 1805. The name of the officiating minister is not positively known, but several circum- stances point to Rev. Samuel Shannon as the one who acted in that capacity. Besides being the nearest resi- dent Presbyterian minister, he had some years before this organized Upper Benson Church, and being a reg- ular visitor to that congregation, he was well and favor- ably known in this neighborhood also. Among the first members were: Robert Armstrong and Jane, his wife; John and Martha Wilson, James and Rebecca Boyd, John and Margerite Robinson, Hamilton and Frances Crockett, Elizabeth Logan, Elizabeth Milam, Mary Wilson, Catherine Bennett, Jane Kennidy, Nancy Arnold, Jane Boyd, Nancy McClosky, Mary Bennett, Sarah Bennett and Elizabeth Wilson. Robert Arm- strong, who had been an elder in the Upper Benson Church, was elected to the office here, and with Ham- ilton Crockett constituted the first session. A house of worship, of the usual type of the period, was erected about a mile from the village of Bridgeport, four miles from Frankfort and half a mile from the public road between the towns of Frankfort and Louisville.
Rev. Samuel Shannon from the first took in some measure the special oversight of the congregation * in connection with his work of pastor of Woodford Church.
* Minutes of Session.
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50
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
Also Rev. Archibald Cameron, * of Shelbyville, and Rev. William Mahon* visited and preached here at intervals. In 1806 Mr. Shannon resigned the pastorate at Wood- ford Church, and removed to reside permanently in this neighborhood at a point between the two Benson churches, of which he then took charge as pastor, dividing his time equally between them. He continued in charge until the War of 1812 with England, at which time he resigned and entered the army as chaplain. After this for some years the church had no settled pastor, and had to depend upon such help as could be had from Presbytery and an occasional supply. Rev. Archibald Cameron, of Shelby, who was a very zealous and indefatigable minister and home missionary in this section, frequently held meetings here, and later on Rev. Eli Smith, of Frankfort, supplied the congrega- tion regularly in the pleasant seasons of the years. Upon these occasions the two Benson congregations for convenience would join together. Mr. Smith con- tinued these ministrations during his stay in Frankfort, and for a short time even after he resigned there and before removal to Bourbon County in 1829. After the departure of Mr. Smith, and when the Upper Benson Church had united with the Lawrenceburg congrega- tion in the employment of a pastor, a congregational meeting of this church was called in November, 1829, to consider the propriety of disbanding and joining the most convenient churches. It was, however, deter- mined unanimously at the meeting to hold together. Twenty-four persons came forward and pledged them- selves to the support of the church, and a reinforce-
* Minutes of Session.
5I
LOWER BENSON CHURCH.
ment of twenty-one members was received from the Upper Benson Church. Robert Hamilton, William Boyd and John Reading were added to the session, two of whom had been elders in the other congregation.
In 1830 Rev. James Hawthorn began his ministra- tions here in connection with his pastoral work at Upper Benson, and at this time also Mr. John Lapsley, a ruling elder in the church from which he came, was received upon certificate, and shortly afterward added to the ses- sion. Rev. John T. Edgar in 1832 began preaching here on Sabbath afternoons in connection with the pastoral work at Frankfort. He acted as moderator of the ses- sion and administered the ordinances of this church. During suitable weather in summer these afternoon services were often held in the Sugar Tree Grove, one and a half miles west of Frankfort, at the forks of the Louisville and Harrodsburg public roads. Many of the Frankfort people also attended these services, and the sessions of the two churches occasionally held joint meetings there, especially on sacramental occasions. At a protracted meeting held here April 28th, 1832, a considerable number of persons were received, including the following upon certificate from Pisgah Church, Vir- ginia : Andrew B. Read, John L. Read and Frances Read; also John and Temperance Sharpe, from Shelby- ville, Kentucky. In May, 1834, Mr. Andrew B. Read and John Sharpe were added to the session, a collection was taken for Home Missions as conducted by Louis- ville Presbytery, and a special collection ordered for the following Sabbath to buy a Bible and copy of Watts' Hymns, for use in the public services of this church.
In November, 1834, an arrangement was made by the session, with the consent of Presbytery and the
.
52
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
Frankfort Church. with the Rev. Daniel Baker, D.D., then pastor at Frankfort, for his services every Sabbath afternoon, at two o'clock, subject to the approval of this congregation. "On December 16th following the congregation met according to appointment, and having heard Bro. Baker three Sabbathis previous, by unanimous vote it accepted of his labors."* This arrangement was continued during Dr. Baker's stay at Frankfort, to the great edification of this church. In 1837 Rev. James Logan ministered to the church as stated supply, giving it half his time, and Rev. James Hawthorn, of Lawrence- burg, also preached for it once a month. In the year 1838 Rev. Sylvester Scovill supplied this church, preach- ing from time to time, as his engagements elsewhere would permit. In 1839 and 1840 Rev. D. M. Winston, who was laboring at the Upper Benson Church as its stated supply, also preached regularly to Lower Benson Church. Rev. J. J. Bullock, of the Frankfort Church, continued the arrangement made with his predecessor, Dr. Baker, and supplied the congregation on Sabbath afternoons until the coming of Rev. E. K. Lynn, in the fall of 1840. In April, 1841, the two Benson Churches united in a call to Rev. Ephraim K. Lynn to take pas- toral charge, and he was installed at a meeting of Pres- bytery in the same month. During Mr. Lynn's pas- torate of the two churches, which was a very agreeable one to all parties and profitable to the two congrega- tions, the two bodies often worshiped together, and the elders held joint sessional meetings, sending one dele- gate only to the Church courts. In October, 1841, Mr. Frederick Robb and Mr. Peter Jett were added to
* Minutes of Session.
53
LOWER BENSON CHURCH.
the session, and George Williams and Samuel P. Read- ing elected deacons. In 1844 Mr. Lynn removed to another State, leaving this field again vacant. Rev. John D. Paxton, of Shelby County, was very kind in visiting the congregation and ministering to their spir -. itual wants at this time, and Rev. J. J. Bullock, of Frankfort, again preached to it and held communion services regularly. *
About this time the congregation left the old church in which it had hitherto worshiped, and entered into a modern and well-appointed church building on the Louisville turnpike, near Bridgeport, beautifully sit- nated and more convenient of access. At the same time the name was changed from "Lower Benson " to "Franklin Church," by which latter name it was. enrolled in the records of Presbytery.
At a called meeting of Presbytery at Franklin Church in January, 1848, Rev. J. S. Braddock was examined, ordained and installed as pastor of this church. At this time the church was reinforced by the addition of a number of persons from the recently dis- banded Upper Benson Church, among whom was Field- ing L. Connor, a ruling elder, who was added to the session of this church, and about the same date the congregation elected Dandridge Crockett and A. B. Dooley ruling elders, and Alexander Wilson and Henry W. Sneed deacons.
Mr. Braddock terminated his work here in 1849, after which for some years the church was without the. regular means of grace. The record book of session was lost, and not recovered until 1865, about which
* Minutes of Session.
54
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
time Rev. Thomas H. Cleland supplied the church for several months. After Mr. Cleland's departure the Rev. D. T. Stewart preached for the congregation and administered the ordinances from time to time. In June, 1865, Mr. Alfred B. Read was elected ruling elder, who with Mr. A. B. Dooley and Mr. Peter Jett consti- tuted the session. In 1865 the Rev. John R. Hendrick began to regularly supply the pulpit of Franklin Church, and continued to do so with great acceptance to the con- gregation for several years. He was the last minister in connection with our branch of the Church who min- istered to this congregation. In April, 1873, the con- gregation, at a meeting called to consider their church relations, instructed their delegates to Presbytery to attend Louisville Presbytery in connection with the Southern General Assembly, which was to hold its approaching meeting in the Second Church, Louisville, and to have this church placed upon its roll and taken under its care. This course was carried out, and Frank- lin Church thus severed its connection with the Pres- byterian Church in the United States of America, and was enrolled by Louisville Presbytery in connection with the Presbyterian Church in the United States.
55
LOWER BENSON CHURCH.
LIST OF MINISTERS.
FROM ORGANIZATION TO THE YEAR 1873.
Rev. Samuel Shannon. Pastor, 1806-1812
Rev. Eli Smith. Supply, 1824-1829
Rev. James Hawthorn Pastor, 1830-1835
Rev. John T. Edgar.
Supply, 1831-1832
Rev. Daniel Baker.
Supply, 1834-1835
Rev. James Logan.
Supply, 1837
Rev. D. M. Winston.
Supply, 1836-1840
Rev. J. J. Bullock
Supply, 1840-1841
Rev. E. K. Lynn.
Pastor, 1841-1844
Rev. J. S. Braddock.
Pastor. 1848-1849
Rev. T. H. Cleland.
Supply,
1865
Rev. D. T. Stewart.
Supply, 1865-1866
Rev. J. R. Hendrick.
Supply, 1866-1873
RUI,ING ELDERS.
FROM ORGANIZATION TO THE YEAR 1873.
Robert Armstrong Installed 1805
Hamilton Crockett. Ordained and Installed 1805
John Reading Ordained and Installed 1829
William Boyd
Installed 1829
Robert Hamilton.
Installed 1829
John A. Lapsley. Installed 1831
John Sharpe. Ordained and Installed 1834
Andrew B. Read. Ordained and Installed 1834
Frederick Robb
Ordained and Installed 1841
Peter Jett.
Ordained and Installed 1841
A. Boyd Dooley.
Ordained and Installed 1848
Dandridge S. Crockett. Ordained and Installed 1848
Fielding L. Connor Installed 1848
Alfred B. Read.
Ordained and Installed 1865
DEACONS.
George Williams. Ordained and Installed 1841
Samuel P. Reading. Ordained and Installed 1841
Alexander Wilson. Ordained and Installed 1848
Henry W. Sneed.
Ordained and Installed 1848
56
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
ROLL, OF MEMBERS
FROM ORGANIZATION TO THE YEAR 1873.
Those marked with a * were reecived by letter. All others upon examination.
Robert Armstrong .*
John Wilson.
Jane Armstrong .*
Martha Wilson.
James Boyd.
Hamilton Crockett .*
Rebecca Boya.
Frances Crockett.
John Robinson.
John Reading .*
Margaret Robinson.
Mary Reading .*
Timothy Mayhall .*
Thomas Scroggin.
Esther Mayhall .*
Mary Scroggin.
Mary Wilson.
Nancy Arnold.
Mary Bennett.
Elizabeth Logan.
Catharine Bennett.
Elizabeth Milam.
Sarah Bennett.
Jane Kennedy.
Elizabeth Wilson.
Nancy McClosky.
Mary Wilson.
Joseph Reading.
George Williams .*
Jane Boyd.
Elizabeth · Williams .*
William Boyd .*
Hugh Alexander .*
Nancy Boyd .*
Mary Alexander .*
Lucy Milam .*
George Reading .*
Ann M. Crockett.
Mrs. Margaret Russell .*
Ann M. Black .*
Mrs. Julia Ann Jett .*
Mary McKendrick .*
Mrs. Catherine Wilson.
Abijah Hughes.
Mrs. Mary Scroggin.
Susanna Hughes.
Miss Nancy Reading.
Miss Lucy Hughes.
John A. Lapsley .*
John Sharpe .*
Mrs. Mary Lapsley .*
Miss Mary J. Lapsley .*
Robert Hamilton.
Mrs. Frances Read .*
Mary Hamilton.
John L. Read .*
Miss Elizabeth Hamilton.
Jane Black .*
Mary Ann Williams.
James F. Black.
Eliza Milanı.
Julia Ann Boyce.
Susan Williams.
Mrs. Frances Black.
Mrs. Mary Reading.
Mrs. Temperance Sharpe .*
Andrew B. Read .*
Mary Robb.
Miss Margaret Jett.
Samuel P. Reading.
57
LOWER BENSON CHURCH.
Frederick Robb.
Mrs. Elizabeth McKce.
Hannah Paxton.
Peter Jett.
Patsy Arnold.
John Evans.
Samuel P. Reading, Jr.
William Scroggin.
Sarah Evans.
Mrs. Nancy Scroggin.
Jane Hamilton.
Sarah Hamilton.
Landon Carter. Ellen Mayhall.»
Peyton Hamilton.
Henry Wolfe .*
Mary Hamilton.
William Johnson.
Mrs. Sarah Ellison.
Rebecca Williams.
Mrs. Elizabeth Ellison.
Amelia Williams.
Barney Pullam.
Mrs. Sue Bennett.
Dandridge Crockett.
T. Read.
Mrs. Frances Pullam.
Mrs. Mary Crockett.
Joseph Boyce.
Alexander Wilson.
W. Bradley.
M. Robb.
Alexander Crockett.
Mrs. Mary Robb.
A. B. Dooley.
Joseph Robb.
Anthony McKee.
Samuel G. Hamilton.
William H. Crutcher.
Thomas Dooley.
Henry W. Sneed.
Mrs. Nancy Dooley.
Squire (a slave).
America (a slave).
David Johnson.
James V. Milam.
James Wood.
Samuel Mayhall.
Mrs. Susan Crockett.
Mrs. Ann Jenkins.
Thomas Jenkins.
Frances Dooley.
Joanna Welch.
Thompson Howard. Turner (a slave).
T. W. Woods. Mary A. Hall .* Jenny (a slave).
Miss Elizabeth Lancaster.
Mrs. Frances Arnold.
Mrs. Susan Milam.
Mrs. Jane Connor .* Mrs. Sarah P. Johnson .* Miss Eliza Ann Latta .*
Miss Martha Bond .*
Mrs. Mary Robinson .*
Mrs. Margerite Latta. *
Absolem Knox.
William P. Morris.
Miss Eliza Robb.
Ann Read.
Anthony Crockett.
Robert Howard.
Judith Milam.
Mrs. Margerite Crockett.
Zepheniah Williams.
Miss Martha Jane Jett.
Fielding L. Connor .* Matthew Davidson .* Mrs. Elizabeth Davidson .* Miss Jane A. Davidson .*
Miss Drusilla Davidson .*
Miss Elizabeth Paxton .*
Miss Frances Crockett.
58
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
Miss Sarah Paxton .*
James W. Sheets .*
Miss Susan Mary Crockett.
Miss Sarah Wilcox.
Mrs. Louisa Reading .*
Mrs. Martha Jackson.
Mrs. Rachel Mayhall.
Miss Clementine Wilcox.
Miss Mary Robb.
William Davenport .*
Jonas Robb.
Miss Fannie Crockett.
John W. Russell.
Lewis Sneed.
Mrs. Ann M. Russell .*
Catesby Hawkins.
John C. Russell.
Caroline Hawkins.
Miss Cordelia W. Russell .*
Alexander Carter.
Miss Sallie Robson.
Sarah Carter.
Miss Sallie Richardson.
Mrs. Sarah Crockett .*
David C. Mitchell.
Mrs. Rachel Doolan.
Josiah Bliss .*
Joseph Robinson.
Mrs. Eliza Bliss .*
Matthew E. Jett.
Miss Jane Bliss .*
Mrs. Agnes Jett.
Miss Julia Read.
Mrs. Jane Chambers.
Mrs. Ione K. Stephens .*
Miss Edna Mayhall .*
Mrs. Lou M. Cleland.
1
....
THE OLD LOVE HOUSE. Used for several years as the first place of worship by the Presbyterian congregation of Frankfort, Kentucky. (See Appendix.)
CHAPTER IV.
FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
The city of Frankfort may justly claim to be situated upon the first parcel of ground surveyed and located in . what is now the State of Kentucky, at that time a por- tion of Fincastle County, Virginia. The region had been traversed by Findley, Boone, and other adven- turous hunters, who brought back glowing accounts of the country, the great fertility of the soil, the delightful climate, endless growth of magnificent tim- ber, the beautiful undulating surface, well watered by gushing springs, limpid brooks and deeply channeled rivers, and withal of the great abundance and variety of game, large and small. Attracted by these accounts, which spread through North Carolina and Virginia, adventurous settlers in large numbers soon sought the new country which had been so highly favored by nature. On the Ioth day of May, 1773, a company of men, James, George and Robert McAfee, their brother- in-law James McCoun, Jr., and Samuel Adams, a neigh- bor, left their home in Botetourt County, Virginia, for the purpose of exploring the country, with the view of settlement. They were fully aware of the dangers and difficulties before them, but they were bold and intrepid men, inured to the hardships of border life .*
The prospect of bettering their fortunes, the honor of being the first settlers, and a firm reliance upon the care of Providence, sustained and animated them during
* Robert McAfee's account of first settlement
62
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
their long and perilous voyage .* "The McAfee Com- pany " struck across the country to New River, which they descended in a canoe to its mouth. On the 28th of May they fell in with a company of surveyors, under charge of Thomas Bullitt and Hancock Taylor. The two companies united, and chose Thomas Bullitt as leader, and remained at the mouth of the Kanawha River until the first day of June. Bullitt then left the party and went to the Indian town of Chillicothe, of the Shawnee Nation, which laid claim to all the region of country into which the party proposed to penetrate. He joined the party on the 14th of June, at the mouth of the Scioto, having made a friendly agreement with the Indian chiefs. The party then descended the Ohio in a small boat and four canoes. * At the mouth of the Levisa (Kentucky) River the party divided. A portion, under the leadership of Thomas Bullitt, continued down the stream, eventually locating at the falls of the river. The McAfee party, with Hancock Taylor, who was Deputy Surveyor of Fincastle County, proposing to penetrate into the interior, ascended the smaller stream which flowed from the south. The party soon came to. a " salt lick," upon the great buffalo trace (now Dren- non), where an astonishing number of buffalo, elk and deer were seen. The grounds and roads about the " licks " were as much beaten as those around a popu- lous city .* The company here left their boats and fol- lowed one of the wide, well-beaten roads made by the countless herds of buffalo through the almost impass- able canebrakes and thickets, until the river was again reached, at a point where the " trace " crossed it, about.
* Robert McAfee's account of first settlement.
63
FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
a mile below the site of this city. Crossing the stream at the ford, the party followed the trace up the valley eastwardly, and encompassing the hill, came to the big spring, at the head of the two valleys. After here "burying a tomahawk," they entered the valley which widens into the plain on which Frankfort now stands. Impressed by the surpassing loveliness of their sur- roundings, of which we of to-day may have some slight conception - the valleys teeming with luxurious vege- tation, surmounted on every side by heavily timbered and lofty hills, with the clear and beautiful river winding its way in the midst - the party at once proceeded on the morning of the 16th of July, 1773, to make a sur- vey .* Taking as a starting point two white oak trees upon the river bank, now the southern end of Ann Street, a survey was made, embracing the greater part of the ground now covered by the city on the north side of the river. Pursuing their way upon the following day, the pioneers again crossed the river, some miles above, and finally, on July 27th, located a survey at a point which became afterward the famous "McAfee Station," and included the ground upon which New Providence Church was subsequently built.
In the following summer Hancock Taylor returned to this locality and completed the survey of the valley eastwardly, and somewhat later on Mr. Hancock Lee, of Virginia, with others, located and established a sta- tion at the ford, one mile below, which developed after- ward, under the name of Leestown, into a thriving village.
The tract of land now covered by the city was
* McAfee's account of the first settlement.
64
HISTORY OF FIRST CHURCH, FRANKFORT.
acquired by purchase in 1786 by General James Wilkin- son. The price paid was one hundred and thirty pounds, sterling, cash. He proceeded at once to lay out and establish a town, a charter having been obtained from the Legislature at Richmond, bearing date October 6th, 1786, incorporating it under its present name. The names given by General Wilkinson to some of the streets were in honor of his companions in arms with whom he had served in two wars, one of which had just closed: Washington, Montgomery, Clinton, St. Clair and Madison. His own name he gave to another, and one he called Ann, in compliment to his wife.
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