Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I, Part 98

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452

USA > Kentucky > Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I > Part 98

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The First Presbyterian Sermon in Kentucky was by the Rev. Terah Temp- lin, probably in 1781; he was not ordained until 1785. In the spring of 1783, Rev. David Rice ("Father Rice" he was generally called, although only in his 50th year) visited, and in October following immigrated from Virginia to Danville, and became a power in the church and in furthering the cause of education. In 1784, three Presbyterian meeting-houses were built-at Danville, Cane Run, and near Harrod's station ; the men carrying their guns to meeting, as the Indians were in the habit of prowling about to steal horses and kill stragglers. Father Rice, on June 3, 1784, married a couple at McAfee station-all marriages previously having been solemnized by the magistrates. He also preached the first funeral sermon, on June 4, 1784-that of Mrs. James McCoun, Sen .; it was the first sermon ever preached on the banks of Salt river.

The First Methodist Minister in Kentucky was the Rev. Francis Clark who settled in Mercer co., about six miles from Danville, in 1783. The first meeting-house built for this denomination was at Masterson's station, 5 miles N. w. of Lexington, before 1790, possibly in 1788; it was a plain log . structure, and was still standing in 1871.

The First Roman Catholic Priest in Kentucky was the Rev. Mr. Whelan, in 1787. Abont fifty Catholic families were then in the state, some of them having settled at Harrodsburg as early as 1776.

The First person in Kentucky immersed in the Reformed Baptist, or Chris- tian church (now called, in some parts of the state, the Church of the Dis- ciples of Christ) was David Purviance (afterward an elder or preacher), at Cane Ridge, Bourbon co., by Elder Barton W. Stone, in 18 -; he lived to be 78, and died near Paris, Feb. 15, 1862.

The First School for children was at Harrodsburg in 1776, by Mrs. Win

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Coomes. The first taught at Boonesborough, so far as is now known, was by Joseph Doniphan, in the summer of 1779.

The First Fulling Mill (in 1789), and the first Rope- Walk in Kentucky were each established by the Rev. Elijah Craig, a Baptist preacher, at Georgetown.

The First Paper Mill was built at the same place, Georgetown, by the same Baptist preacher, Rev. Elijah Craig, and his partners, Parkers & Co. The enterprise was begun in the summer of 1791, but the manufacture of paper successfully was not accomplished until March, 1793. The mill house (as seen in ISIS by E. H. Stedman, who is still living (1874) a few miles distant, in Franklin county) was 40 by 60 feet in size, the basement of stone, and the two and a half stories above of wood-the best frame Mr. S. ever saw, with not a cut-nail in the building, even the shingles being put on with onk pins. . The large volume of clear water from the Royal spring, running over a limestone bottom, was an attractive sight. The mill dam was erected in 1789. Here was turned out the first sheet of paper in the great West; made by hand, sheet by sheet. There was no machinery in those days to wind over fifty miles in one beautiful white continuous sheet. This first mill was burnt down in 1837. Some printed sheets of the paper still exist; and one other elegant relic, now in the paper mill of Mr. Stedman, on Elkhorn, in Franklin county-a powerful iron screw, of finished English make, 6 inches in diameter, 4} feet long, and weighing 800 pounds. What enter- prise, and at what cost, it required at that day of bad roads and poor freighting facilities, to get that screw from England to its place in this mill !

The First Bourbon Whisky was made in 1739, at Georgetown, at the fulling mill at the Royal spring.

The First Bibles printed west of the Allegheny mountains were at Lex- ington, in 1819.

The First Mammoth Bones ( Mastodon Giganteus) found in the West, and the most of them, were found at Big Bone Lick, Boone co., in 1773, and subse- quently.

The First Dancing School was opened in Lexington, in April, 1788.

The First Cannon ever in Kentucky were in 1780, brought by Col. Byrd, . a British officer, at the head of 500 Indians and Canadians-when they cap- tured Ruddle's and Martin's stations, in Harrison county. [See Vol. II, p. 328.] The first gun was fired on June 22, 1730, to announce their arrival before Ruddle's station.

The First Railroad in the West, and the second in the United States, was that from Lexington to Frankfort; begun, and the " corner-stone" laid at Lexington, on Oct. 21, 1831, but not finished through to Frankfort, 28 miles, until Dec. 1835. The first Locomotive in the world was built at Lexington, in the winter of 1826-27, by Thomas H. Barlow. [See Vol. II, p. 174.]

The First MacAdamized road in Kentucky was built in 1829, from Maysville to Washington, 4 miles toward Lexington. It was afterward extended to Lexington-to aid in which, the U. S. congress passed a bill subscribing $150,000, but Gen. Jackson vetoed it, May 27, 1330. The state of Kentucky afterward took hold of the work, and paid $212,000, one-half the entire cost.

The First Lunatic Asylum in the West, and the second state lunatic asylum in the United States, was that at Lexington, founded in 1816.

The First Insurance Company chartered in Kentucky, which was likewise the first Bank (the banking privileges being inadvertently granted by a legis- lature bitterly opposed to banks), was the Lexington Insurance Company, in 1801. It issued bills or notes of various denominations-with Wm. Morton, president, and John Bradford, cashier. It exploded in 1818.

The First ( Cut) Nail Factory in the West was at Lexington, 1801, estab- lished by George Norton.

The First Masonic Lodge established in Kentucky was Lexington Lodge No. 25, at Lexington, on Nov. 17, 1783, and the second was Paris Lodge, No. 35, at Paris, on Nov. 25, 1791- - both by the Grand Lodge of Virginia, and before Kentucky became a state. The first Grand Lodge was opened on Thursday, Oct. 16, 1800; and the first Grand Master was the distin- tinguished lawyer, Win. Murray.

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The First Lodge of Odd- Fellowship was Boone Lodge, No. 1, at Louisville, formed Dec. 10, 1832. The first Grand Lodge was opened Sept. 13, 1836; and Win. S. Wolford chosen the first Grand Master.

The First Type in the state of Kentucky, or any where west of the Alle- gheny mountains (except a small office at Pittsburgh), were brought down the Ohio river to Limestone (now Maysville), in July, 1787. While there awaiting transportation, were composed the first two pages (1st and 4th) of the Kentucky Gazette; but which partially fell into pi, in being wagoned thence to Lexington, where the first number was printed and published, Aug. 11, 1787. [See Vol. II, pp. 180, 195-where it is stated that the types and office material were conveyed from Maysville on pack-horses. A very intelligent gentleman, aged 82, writes to the Author that this is a mistake; and that they were taken thence in-wagons, and not on horseback.]

It was a work of considerably more effort to establish the first newspaper in a state, than it is now each first office in a county. In May, 1785, at Danville, in the second convention held by the people looking toward a separa- tion from Virginia and the formation of a state, a committee was appointed to arrange for " a printing press-to insure unanimity in the opinion of the people, and to give publicity to the proceedings of the convention." When their effort had failed, John Bradford (himself not a printer, nor the son of a printer, but only the brother of a printer) offered to establish a paper if the convention would guarantee to him the public patronage. That was agreed to by the next convention; and the trustees of Lexington indorsed the project to a small extent by ordering " that the use of a public lot be granted to John Bradford free, on condition that he establish a printing press in Lexington; the lot to be free to him as long as the press is in town." Query-Did the publication of the Gazette continuously, by the Bradford fam- ily and others, for nearly seventy years, make that a title in fee, or was it only a running lease ? and what became of the lot ?

The paper on which the Gazette was printed, as well as the few handbills and pamphlets of that early day, was all brought down the Ohio river on flatboats, or on pack-horses and by wagons from Virginia through Cumber- land Gap; until the spring of 1793, when the paper mill of Craig, Parkers & Co., at Georgetown, got fully into operation, and furnished an ample sup- ply, of improving quality.

The First Collegiate Institution in Kentucky and the West was Transylvania Seminary, in 1783, afterward Transylvania University, in 1798. [See its history, in Vol. II, pp. 183-4.] The first graduates of the latter, receiving the degree of A. B., were: Josiah Stoddard Johnston, Robert R. Barr, and Augustine C. Respess, in 1802.

The First Law School was a department of Transylvania University, es- tablished in 1799; the distinguished lawyer, Col. George Nicholas, its first professor.

The First Medical School was in the same connection. Its first graduate was John Lawson MeCollough, in 1809.

The First Ferry established by law was over the Kentucky river at Boonesborough, in 1779.

The First Tobacco Inspection was established at the mouth of Hickman's creek, on the Kentucky river, in 1783; and the first Flour and Bread inspec- tion, at Louisville, in 1787.

The First Recorded Town-plat was that of Boonesborough, in 1779.

The First Advertisement of a legal notice in a newspaper, by law, was in the KentuckE Gazette, in 1789; and the first posted up at the court house door, in 1780.

The First Book-binder in Kentucky, or more probably the first who bound large records and dockets for courts, was Wm. Essex. A record book bound by him in 1816 is still in the county clerk's office, at Owensboro.

The First Nightwatchman on duty in a town, was in Lexington, in the spring of 1811. He cried "in a shrill, unearthly tone, the time of night and the weather."

The First Female Academy in Kentucky or the West, was established in 1706, at Paris, by Rev. John Lyle; and had from 150 to 300 pupils.

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The First Piano brought to Kentucky was in April, 1803, by Maj. Valen. tine Peers, who settled for several years at the Lower Blue Lick Springs, and in 1806 or '07 removed to Paris.

The First Divorce Law passed the legislature of Kentucky, Jan. 31, 1809. The First Camp-Meeting was held in July, 1800, at Gaspar river church, in Logan county.

The First Division of Town Lots by drawing (LOTTERY, they called it) was set for Saturday evening, April 22, 1775, at Boonesborough. There were 54 lots, and no blanks; but dissatisfaction arising, the drawing was postponed . until next day. Next morning, Sunday, April 23, Col. Henderson's journal says they "drew lots, and spent the day without public worship."

The First Division of Cabins-LOTTERY CABINS, they called them-took place in June, 1774, in now Mercer and Boyle counties, among a company of 31 explorers under Capt. James Harrod, who came down the Ohio and up the Kentucky river in periogues or'canoes, selected spots of rich land near some fine spring, and built upon each spot an "improver's cabin," designing them for homes in the early future.

The First Great Drouth in Kentucky of which any record is kept, was in 1782. For four months, from some time in April to the 11th of August, says the journal of Col. Richard Henderson, there was " no rain of any ac- count. Quere, Whether corn will be made !"

The First Cattle Show in Kentucky, or west of the Allegheny mountains, free to every body, took place on the farm of Lewis Sanders, adjoining Sandersville, Fayette co., in July, 1816. The first five judges of cattle at that fair, were: Judge Harry Innes, Col. Nathaniel Hart, Capt. John Fowler, Col. Hubbard Taylor, and Capt. John Jouett-all of them men popular and prominent, and the first-named one quite distinguished, in the early history of Kentucky.

The First Kentucky State Agricultural Society was formed, in 1818, at Lex- ington, ex-Gov. Isaac Shelby, the first president.

The First Cargo brought up the Mississippi and Ohio rivers, from New Orleans to Pittsburgh, was 136 kegs of powder, in the winter of 1776-7 and spring of 1777-by Capt. Wm. Line and George Gibson. When they reached the Falls of the Ohio (now Louisville), they unexpectedly met there John Smith (who was still living in 1819, in Woodford co., Ky.), who assisted them in conveying it around the rapids-the first portage there-each man carrying on his back three kegs at a time. They delivered the powder at Wheeling, but it was afterward transported to Fort Pitt (Pittsburgh).

The First Steamboats in the world were built by Kentuckians: by John Fitch, in 1737, '33 and '89, who had first conceived the idea while sitting upon the bank of the Ohio river, in June, 1780 (see vol. II, p. 649); by James Rumsey, in 1787 and 1793 (see same page); and, in 1794, by Edward West, on a different plan, for which he received a patent in 1802 (see same volume, p. 174).

The First Steamboat which ascended the rivers from New Orleans to Louis- ville, was the Enterprise, 45 tons, commanded by Henry M. Shreve, of Louis- ville. The citizens gave him a public dinner, for making an up-trip in 25 days (May o to May 30, 1817), which had hitherto required barges and keel boats at least three months. The same boat had made the down trip from Pittsburgh to New Orleans in 14 days, in Dec., 1814; and then as- sisted in carrying small arms and troops for the battle of New Orleans, Jan. 8, 1815. She was the fourth steamboat ever built to run upon the western waters.

The First Mail conveyed by steamboats on the western waters, was in 1819, by Capt. Henry MI. Shreve, of Louisville, upon the steamboat Post Boy, 200 tons, between Louisville and New Orleans.

The first steamboat navigation of the Big Sandy river, as high up as Pres- tonsburg, Floyd co., and Beaver creek, 10 miles above, was in 1837.

The First Steam Mill was in Lexington, in 1312. Gov. John Reynolds, of Illinois, in his Life and Times, says " the first attempt to erect a steam mill he ever saw" was that, in the spring of 1812.

The First Pension granted by the state of Kentucky for public services,

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was to chief justice George Muter, on Dec. 26, 1806. The act granting same was repealed, over the governor's veto, on Jan. 30, 1809.

The First Tree ever marked in Kentucky with initials of a white man's name, was at the mouth of the Kentucky river, in 1754, by James Mc Bride. The First Almanac printed in the West, was at Lexington, in 1788.

The First Brick House erected in Louisville was in 1789, by Mr. Kaye. It is not certain how many elsewhere in the state were erected at a prior date, or whether any except that of Col. Win. Whitley in 1786, or 1787, near Walnut Flat, some 5 miles west of Crab Orchard, in Lincoln county. The latter was two stories, each story very high for those days. The windows were placed high from the ground, to prevent the Indians from shooting in at the occupants. The window-glass was brought from Virginia on horse-back, the boxes being suspended on a pack-saddle. The stairway in the hall had 23 steps, each ornamented with the head of an eagle, bearing an olive branch in its mouth. For the whisky drank by the hands while engaged in building this house, Col. Whitley paid a farm adjoining his residence.

The First Packet Boat arrangement for taking passengers up the Ohio river was opened on Nov. 16, 1793, from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh.

The First " Port of Entry" in the West was Louisville, declared so to be in Nov., 1799.

The First Family Carriage was brought to Maysville, Ky., in April, 1803, by Maj. Val. Peers. He also brought the first Muscovy Ducks.

The First Fire Engine in the state was probably that purchased by the state for use in Frankfort, in 1809.

The First Retaliation act passed by the legislature was that of Feb. 9, 1809, forbidding Ohio attorneys to practice law in Kentucky courts, until Ohio should repeal her law prohibiting Kentucky lawyers from practicing in Ohio. .

The First Scalp Law passed was on Jan. 26, 1810, allowing pay for wolf scalps only.

The First Library incorporated was that at Washington, Mason co., in January, 1811.

The First State Appropriation to pay "for digging stumps out of the state-house yard," and probably the last one for that interesting object, was on Feb. 8, 1812.

The First Brigadier-General's commission given to a Kentuckian, was that of Col. George Rogers Clark, by Gov. Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia (of which State Kentucky was then a part), on Jan. 22, 1781.

The First Major-General's commission conferred by the state of Ken- tucky upon one not a citizen, was conferred by Gov. Charles Scott, in June, 1812, upon William Henry Harrison, of Ohio. The tribute was most worth- ily bestowed, and the honor as worthily worn. He resigned it, May 14, 1814, after the war was over.

The First State-House burned was on Nov. 25, 1813; the second, on Nov. 4, 1824.

The First Great Treaty of Peace with a foreign government in which a Kentuckian (Henry Clay) was a conspicuous commissioner, was that con- cluded, Dec. 14, 1814, with Great Britain, at Ghent, in Belgium, and which closed the war of 1812.

The First Death of a governor in office, was that of Gov. George Madison, Oct. 16, 1816. Great excitement in relation to the succession, and the question was definitely settled for the future.

The First Suspension of Specie Payments by banks in Kentucky, was on Nov. 20, 1818.

The First President of the United States who visited Kentucky was James Madison, who partook of a public dinner in Louisville, June 24, 1820.

The First Fugitive Slave movement in the legislature, was in Nov., 1820- when that body by resolution requested the President of the United States to negotiate with Great Britain in relation to restoring the fugitive slaves in Canada.

The First Educational appropriation in the Ky. legislature of a general

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character, was the law of Dec. 18, 1821-setting apart one-half the profits of the Commonwealth's Bank as a " literary fund, for the establishment and sup- port of a system of general education." A committee was also appointed to 'digest a plan of schools of common education." [See ante, pages 29, 30.]

The First Unanimous Election of U. S. senator, by the legislature, was that of Col. Richard M. Johnson, Oct. 29, 1822.

The First Colored Schools to any extent in Kentucky were in 1825; 15 were reported to the legislature, in Feb., 1826, as then in operation.

The First Indictment for Murder, of a surviving duelist, was in Simpson county, in May, 1827; C. M. Smith, of Tennessee, was indicted for killing Mr. Brank, in a duel.

The First Great Meteoric Shower since Kentucky was settled, was on Tues- day night, Nov. 12, 1833. [See ante, pp. 38, 42.]

The First Convention of Editors was at Lexington, Feb. 22, 1837.

The First Geological survey or reconnoisance in Kentucky, was in 1838.

The First Celebration of the First Settlement of Kentucky was at Boones- borough, in Madison county, May 24 and 25, 1340. (See ante, pp. 45, 46.)

The First Railroad Accident in Kentucky occurred March 16, 1836, 2 miles E. of Frankfort; a train leaped over an embankment, killing 3 per- sons and wounding many.

The First Sale of Kentucky Securities, $100,000 of Kentucky internal im- provement scrip, was made in New York, at a premium of 3.10 per cent.

The First Born-Blind Person restored to sight, was in Nov., 1836, by the late Dr. Benj. W. Dudley.

The First Great Balloon Ascension was by Richard Clayton, July 31, 1837, from Louisville-who traveled 100 miles. The same æronaut ascended from Lexington, Aug. 21, 1835, sailing only 15 miles.

The First Superintendent of Public Instruction appointed was Rev. Joseph J. Bullock, on Feb. 28, 1838.

The First Raw Silk produced in the state, was on Jan. 10, 1842, at Som- erset, Pulaski co. The first Silk Factory was at Newport, in Oct., 1844.

The First Remarkable Crops of Corn were raised in 1840; 198} bushels, 195 bushels, 158 and 2-9th bushels, 120 bushels, and 110 bushels, per single or average acre raised. [See ante, pp. 47, 49, 61.]

The First Thanksgiving Day appointed in Kentucky, was Sept. 26, 1844, by Gov. Robert P. Letcher.

The First Giant Hogs in a lot, were 7, raised by Edwin Bedford, of Bour bon co., of 720 pounds average weight, and sold Nov. 22, 1847.

The First Wire Suspension Bridge erected in the state, was at Frankfort, July 19, 1851.

The First Election for Judges in Kentucky, was on May 12, 1851, when 4 judges of the court of appeals, 12 circuit judges, and 100 county judges were chosen.

The First Gas Works were erected at Louisville, in 1840.

- CONDENSED GENERAL HISTORICAL SKETCH

OF FREEMASONRY, WITH BRIEF DETAILS AS TO KENTUCKY.

BY CHARLES EGINTON, P. G. M.

ACCORDING to well authenticated tradition, this Order assumed organic form at the time the King of Israel summoned the craftsmen of the valley of Tyre, the bearers of burden, and hewers in the mountain, to assist in build- ing the Temple at Jerusalem. The cardinal points then enunciated date their origin from the beginning of time; and not only guided King Solomon and his brethren, but have been observed by the craft through succeeding generations, down to and inclusive of the present-keeping pace with the development of humanity, the advancement in moral intelligence, and the march of the world in science and art.

Masons are all of one mind in regard to their traditional history; and sensibly assume that the son of David was not ignorant of the customs of the nations that preceded or were around him ; was well advised in regard to all prevailing mysteries; and could readily see in them a singular unity of design, and recognition of the God of his father-of the God who directed Moses through the wilderness, had gone with Joshua down into the land of Canaan, and in obedience to whose command he was erecting the wonder of the world. And it is but reasonable to suppose, that this man of wisdom- either from his own judgment, or in imitation of antecedent or existent mysteries-instituted an organization wherein the types and shadows of the Jewish Dispensation, and the interesting incidents of the past, were woven into a net-work that would thoroughly commemorate and carry them un- changed into all future time.

And when the past and present of Freemasonry is considered, it may with . great propriety be asserted-that if Solomon and his colleagues did not orig- inate this Order, then the wisdom of those who did is entitled to the admi- ration of all the wise and good who have succeeded them.

Masonry is not Religion or a substitute for Religion, but recognizes the same Supreme Divinity, makes His Holy Word its own Great Light, and as children of one family gather around the same altar, bend in adoration, and reverence the same parental authority. Faith in God, Hope in Immortality, and Charity towards all mankind, are the principal pillars of the Temple. It declares all the brethren are upon a level, opens wide its doors to all nations, admits of no rank except the priority of merit, and its only aristocracy is the nobility of virtue. The symbols and allegories thereof are vails, within which they who are in search of truth may enter, and gaze upon its pure effulgent light-every ceremony, word, and token pointing to some great moral and religious truth. Often in that truth are embedded other truths of greater importance; so that the patient seeker advances step by step into the full blaze of its brightness and unity, and in progressing realizes that he is acquiring a Symbolism intended to promote individual and social happiness, essentially the same, not only in every part of his own country, but through- out the world, and which other associations have in vain endeavored to modernize and adapt to their contracted and (as to most of them) short-lived history. Concerning this Order, the Grand Master in 1870 is recognized as having truthfully declared:

" Her towers and monuments fade not away, Her truth and social love do not decay ; Her actions, tending all to one great plam, Have taught mankind what man should be to man.

" The object and purpose is the same everywhere ; and every member-how- ever much he may differ in language or nationality, sectarian attachment

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or political preference-has the same rights and duties, and is in thorough unity with every Freemason throughout the world. No other mere moral organization possesses the power of which Masonry can boast; none other can effect as much as the Craft in disseminating sunshine and dispelling gloom. Meddling not with politics, interfering not with the affairs of Church or State, it has not suffered the instability of other human institutions."

It is not Religion'; but it sympathizes with the Christian when he points to Palestine and joyfully recognizes it as the hallowed land-where God gave to man a revelation of His holy will, with whose people are the endearing memories of the elder dispensation, where the Saviour was born, preached, and died, and from the summit of the mountain ascended unto glory. And whilst admitting that it was in Jerusalem that the fully developed gospel was first proclaimed, there exercised its first great power, and thence started upon its great mission to the world-overthrowing idolatry, causing the potentates of earth to tremble, overcoming the wild beasts in the arena- convinced the doubting and carried heaven to the despairing heart, spoke for itself before the judgment-seat of kings, and planted its standard in every land, upon every mountain top, and in every valley ; and yet the Mason, whilst admitting all this to be true, points to that same Jerusalem as the very center of the Masonic world. Her traditions all go there, from the quarries of Zeradatha and forests of Lebanon, to the ford of Joppa ; and from thence to where David's contributions, and Solomon's offerings, and those of Hiram of Tyre and Hiram the " cunning man," were expended in erecting the temple dedicated to the only true and living God.

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Collins historical sketches of Kentucky. History of Kentucky: Vol. I, Part 98

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn Publication date: 1874 Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co. Number of Pages: 1452

Author: Collins, Lewis, 1797-1870. cn; Collins, Richard H., 1824-1889. cn
Publication date: 1874
Publisher: Covington, Ky., Collins & Co.
Number of Pages: 1452