USA > Kentucky > Trigg County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 30
USA > Kentucky > Christian County > Counties of Christian and Trigg, Kentucky : historical and biographical > Part 30
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61
282
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY.
table land with trees and grass in abundance and romantic vales and ravines on different sides, about five miles northwest of Hopkinsville, called Pleasant Grove. This was the site of a comfortable little meeting- house (made of logs) in the early times, and a class or society of Method- ists worshiped there and had regular preaching days as early as 1838, when this church first appears on the records of the Quarterly Conference for the Christian Circuit. Six years later Pisgah is mentioned. It was situated about eight miles west of Hopkinsville, a little south of the Princeton road, and was a rather small and rough though perhaps com- fortable log-house in a rather rugged and obscure spot. Here, too, there was regular preaching, and these two churches were composed of the congregations which had been worshiping at Harris', Long's, Hopson's, Gilmore's, Coon's, Workman's, Sheridan's Schoolhouse and the " Bridge." The list of preachers sent to the Christian and Hopkinsville Circuits, as given in the history of the Hopkinsville Church, will show who preached to them. About the year 1852 Rev. F. M. English was in charge of the Hopkinsville Circuit, and during the year it was determined to consoli- date the two churches and build a large frame church at a central point. Accordingly a subscription paper was started, a pleasant locality agreed upon, and the work commenced. The lot of ground upon which the new church was built contains about two acres, and was a beautiful and at- tractive grove, six miles west of Hopkinsville, and about three-quarters of a mile south of the Princeton road, on the cross road from the Princeton to the Cadiz road-a most accessible place where several much-traveled private pathways conjoined. And so a handsome and roomy frame building was erected, painted and furnished, the pride of the neighbor- hood, and more than delight of its projectors. But now comes the trouble. The money had not all been raised. (Alas, that this trouble should always confront the church !) Furthermore they could not agree on a name for the new church. Upon both of these subjects the church was greatly concerned, not to say agitated. But, strange as it may seem, the difficulty about the name proved to be the providential bridge which carried the church away over and beyond the trouble on the subject of finances. And it happened in this wise : The only two men of wealth in the whole neighborhood who took any interest in the matter were William A. Summers and Hezekiah Ricketts. Neither of these gentlemen was a member of the church at that time, but it so happened that they were both thoroughly imbued with the doctrines of the Methodist Church, and believed in her discipline to the letter, and, moreover, both their wives were stanch, zealous, active members of this very church, and whose pious lives will serve for many a day as examples to those who knew them worthy to be followed. Doubtless this added to the interest these two
283
UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT.
gentlemen felt for the success of the church. They were of untiring en- ergy, unyielding dispositions, and by no means noted for the love they bore each other. Under these circumstances, and considering that the whole neighborhood, in fact several neighborhoods, were agog over a name for the new church, it is not in the least strange that William A. Sum- mers and Hezekiah Ricketts should have espoused the cause of different factions ; and so they did with all their might and main. And they sub- scribed liberally to secure votes. And ever and anon the preacher or some other interested churchman would communicate to one of them what the other had done or was doing. This added to the flame, and " the flames rolled on." They rode day and night, became the leaders of the two parties enlisted the neighborhood, raised the money, the church debt was paid off and the church dedicated. Samuel F. Johnson, a brilliant preacher in the church, was in charge at the time, and announced to his congregation, when the supreme moment arrived, that it was not for out- siders to say what name should be given this church of God, but that that question was exclusively for the membership to decide. The vote was taken, and the name Shiloh adopted. That name it has borne ever since, and is of blessed memory to hundreds of people who have been benefited by and through its services.
The membership, upon the consolidation of the two old churches, numbered about fifty ; prominent among whom may be mentioned W. H. Hopson, and Elizabeth, his wife; Henry Hopson, and Aunt Betsy, his wife ; Edwin H. Hopson ; Susan Stevens, widow of Rev. George Stevens, who had lived and but recently died at his home near by ; Iverson Boyd, and Mary, his wife; Diana Boyd ; C. A. McCarroll, and Elvira Ann, his wife ; James J. Smith, and Sarah, his wife; A. J. Coon, Mary J. Coon, his wife ; David E. Boyd, and Tibitha, his wife; Sarah Ricketts, Harriet A. Summers, Hugh Tomlinson, Sarah J. Morris, William Walker, Alsey Fields, Sarah Bowling; Isaac Long, and Catharine, his wife. Since then many grand Christian characters have been developed at Shiloh, of whom we have not the space to speak. We cannot let pass the opportunity, however, of saying that of all the male members of the church, from the beginning to the present, not one ever acquired the rep- utation for deep piety and religious zeal which was so universally accorded Edwin H. Hopson. To say that he was a good man gives but a feeble idea of his splendid Christianity. In his religion he was literally " stead- fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." He died peacefully in the spring of 1873.
The preachers who have served this church from its organization to the present are as follows : 1852, F. M. English ; 1853, S. F. Johnson ; 1854, Matthew N. Lasley ; 1855-1857, R. W. Trimble ; 1857, Abram
284
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY.
Quick ; 1858-59, L. B. Davidson ; 1860, Schuyler L. Murrell ; 1861- 62, Joseph F. Redford ; 1863, David Morton ; 1864-65, Thomas Jeffer- son Moore ; 1866, James C. Petree; 1867-68, James A. Lewis ; 1869- 70, E. M. Crowe; 1871-72, Isaac W. Emerson; 1873, William Alex- ander ; 1874, Thomas Bottomley. During this year the church was at- tached to the Hopkinsville work. In 1875 Dennis Spurrier was the preacher ; 1876, J. F. Redford; 1877-78, W. T. Moore; 1879-80, James A. Lewis ; 1881, T. C. Peters ; 1882, J. W. Emerson, and 1883, B. F. Orr.
During the war of the rebellion the church was greatly demoralized and unsettled. Many useful members moved away, some died, and others withdrew. It has not enjoyed so much prosperity at any time since as it did before that awful struggle. In 1878-80, while Rev. James A. Lewis was in charge, a movement was instituted to move the church again. It was suddenly discovered that there was a neighborhood about three miles off which had a number of Methodists in it, and as the Shiloh congrega- tions had become small and these Methodists would not come to the church, it was proposed to knock the church down and build it up again in their neighborhood, which was accordingly done at a cost of about $500. It was located near " Smoot's Bridge," on the Cadiz road, some eight miles west of Hopkinsville, and, is a very sightly and comfortable frame struc- ture. We have heard of no very bad effect occasioned by the move, except to unsettle things, and no very good effect if any. The mem- bership at present numbers about forty-five, who are scattered over considerable territory. It is hoped that the move will eventually prove beneficial, and the church resume its former commanding position in the community. The present officers of the church are C. A. McCarroll, J. J. Smith, E. M. Bostick, P. P. Mason, H. H. Sively, W. D. Sum- mers, and Thomas O. Carloss.
The Unitarians at Means Schoolhouse had one of the early church organizations of the precinct. They date back, it is claimed, to 1816- 18, and were organized by Elder Joel Hayden, pastor. Among the mem- bers were Thomas Arbuckle and wife, Edmund Calloway and wife, George Torian, Samuel Hany and wife, Peter Torian. Mrs. Mary Palmer, Mrs. Mary Alexander, Mrs. William Means, - - Bloomfield and others. This congregation afterward built a brick church on Sinking Fork, known as Christian Privilege, where they worshiped for several years, and then disintegrated and scattered out into other churches. From them sprang the nucleus of the Street Schoolhouse, afterward Concord Reformed Church. After worshiping in this schoolhouse from about 1846-47 to 1854, the congregation built, and moved into their new building.
285
UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT.
Concord Church is a substantial frame building with a lodge-room above, about 45x35 feet, ceiled and plastered, and comfortably seated. Among the original members were Elder George P. Street, J. B. Mc- Carty and wife, Robert McReynolds and wife, Robert Doulin and wife, and others. Elder Street served in schoolhouse and church as teacher and pastor about twenty or thirty years. Since his pastorate the pulpit has been supplied by visiting brethren from other churches, notably among them John T. Johnson, R. Dulin, Enos Campbell, A. J. Wyatt, and William Rogers. The present membership numbers about fifty, and a good Sunday-school is in progress. The next church to organize was at the old Robbins Chapel in 1834-35, and was of the Methodist persuasion. George Robbins, a local preacher, was the founder, and for many years served at its altar. The names of some of the original mem- bers are retained : George Robbins, L. P., A. McGaughey, Robert Ford. Samuel Blankenship, Louis Hancock, Mrs. Peter Hall and daughter, and Mrs. Tabitha Cocke. In 1842 the congregation erected the present Hebron Church, which is a substantial frame, 50x30 feet, plastered and well seated, and cost about $1,000.
After this comes the South Union Baptist Church, which was organ- ized about 1846-47, with Robert Anderson as pastor, in the old Elk Water Schoolhouse one mile from Church Hill. The present edifice is due principally to the munificence of R. W. and Gano Henry and a few others, and Johnson Radford, who donated the ground. It is a comforta- ble frame, 40x50 feet, well seated, and cost about $1,000. Original membership : Young J. Means, William Means, A. Grisham and wife, Gano Henry, Johnson Radford, Mrs. Cornelia V. Henry and Mrs. Will- iam Means. The pastors of South Union as far as recollected were Revs. Robert Anderson, Nicholas Lacey, F. C. Plasters, - Davis and the present pastor. The membership is large, and the church is in a flour- ishing condition.
About 1856 the Newstead Presbyterian (S. A.) Church was organized under the auspices of the Rev. F. Strahan, Pastor ; Edwin Bradshaw and Dr. M. A. Steele, Elders ; Capt. Eddin Morris, Deacon. Capt. Mor. ris was the principal contributor to the erection of their present neat edi fice, having left a bequest of $5,000 for that purpose. It is a frame building, about 40x50 feet, with a seating capacity of about 300, and has an adjoining cemetery. The original membership consisted of Capt. E Morris and wife, Mrs. Thomas Whitlock, Mrs. F. J. Glass, Dr. and Mrs J. H. Macrae, J. W. McGaughey, Dr. J. F. Dangerfield and J. B. Mc Kenzie. Pastors : Revs. F. Strahan, George Frazer, T. A. Braken, S M. Luckett, William Duncan and J. C. Tate. Present membership abou thirty.
286
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY.
About the close of the war the Pee Dee (Methodist Episcopal Church South) was built. It is a large and substantial edifice, 40x50, frame, with lodge-room above, and cost about $3,000. Mr. and Mrs. Pee Dee Smith were very liberal patrons, contributing between them some $1,200 or $1,300. Among the original members were Mr. and Mrs. Pee Dee Smith, W. G. Blaine and wife, W. V. Reeves and wife, and daughters, Lewis and Henrietta Reeves, Joseph A. Brewer and wife, Mrs. W. E. Butcher and son, William E. Butcher, Jr., John G. Johnson and wife, Mrs. James E. Brewer and daughter, Mary Brewer, and son, William Brewer, Sidney Merritt and wife, and Mrs. Luttrell. It is a charge of the Lafayette Circuit, and among others has been served by the follow- ing-named pastors: Revs. William and Robert Alexander, T. J. Ran- dolph, James Petree, W. E. King, Gideon Gouch, J. F. Redford, B. A. Cundiff, J. W. Price, J. W. Bingham and B. F. Briggs, present pastor. Present membership about fifty.
There are but two or three villages in the Precinct-Gordonsville, Newstead and Pee Dee, neither of which is of sufficient importance to require mention, having only perhaps a store or two, a few residences and a blacksmith shop or so. At Pee Dee, however, may be mentioned the James Moore Lodge, No. 230, A., F. and A. M., numbering some thirty members. The charter members were Dr. J. C. Whitlock, W. M .; Edwin Dabney, S. W .; and Asa Coffee, J. W.
The Patrons of Husbandry, though fallen into decay in many parts of the Union, still have a flourishing Grange in this precinct. Tr is called the Church Hill Grange, and was organized in 1873 with thirty charter members. Like the parent from which it sprung it is a secret organiza- tion, and still maintains its ritual, emblems and insignia of rank. It now numbers 170 of the most intelligent and substantial farmers of the coun- ty, together with their wives and daughters, among its membership. This, with other evidences of thrift and prosperity-a fine hall, well-fur- nished, an organ, three-quarters of an acre of ground secured by deed to its trustees-presents the highest argument that could be adduced in favor of its past usefulness and advantage to the community in which it is lo- cated. It is claimed for its co-operative features in buying and selling that it has saved many thousands to those who have availed themselves of its advantages, while its economical, agricultural and social features make it of incalculable advantage to its patrons. Last year its annual sale of stock-common, graded and thoroughbred-footed up the very handsome sum of $9,948.42.
It may be interesting to the medical profession to note that before and up to about 1830 bilious and other malarial fevers were very prevalent, so much so that those who escaped were largely the exceptions Active
287
UNION SCHOOLHOUSE PRECINCT.
depletion with the lancet, calomel, rhubarb, jalap, etc., were the prevail- ing remedial measures. Water if allowed at all was first aired by drop- ping a live coal into it, while ice was not even dreamed of in their philos- ophy. From about 1830 to 1835 the health of the country began to im- prove, and after a time these fevers became the exception rather than the rule. At the present time the health of this part of the county is as good if not better than any other part of it.
The Indian mounds and other relics of the pre-historic age scattered here and there over the precinct are described in a preceding chapter.
It may not be out of place in the conclusion of this chapter to note the fact, that some of the most thrifty, enterprising and industrious families of colored people live in this precinct. There are several colored men who are doing well, and may be classed as energetic and prosperous farmers. Nelson Gee and Joseph Luck are representatives of this class, and are well thought of by the whites of the community. Their example is well worthy of imitation by the colored people of the county. When the col- ored people learn to help themselves and show a disposition to become worthy citizens instead of loafing about town and lying around doggeries, they will find ready help from all intelligent white people. But to ac- complish such a result they must display some efforts in this direction. The great majority of whites wish them well, and when it is deserved will not refuse a helping hand .- Tydings.
289
LAFAYETTE AND GARRETTSBURG PRECINCTS.
CHAPTER XIII.
LAFAYETTE AND GARRETTSBURG PRECINCTS-TOPOGRAPHY AND DESCRIP- TION-SETTLEMENT BY WHITE PEOPLE-HON. JAMES A. MCKENZIE'S SKETCH OF LAFAYETTE-CHURCHES-MCKENZIE'S CHAPEL OR "KIRK" -OTHER CHURCHES-THE VILLAGES OF GARRETTSBURG AND LAFAY- ETTE-ANECDOTES, ACCIDENTS, INCIDENTS, ETC, ETC.
L AFAYETTE and Garrettsburg Magisterial Districts or Precincts lie in the south western portion of Christian County, and are of fine farming lands. They were originally mostly "barrens " or prairie, and by the early settlers deemed of little worth except for pasturage. Physically and geologically they are much the same lands of Union Schoolhouse and Longview Precinct. They border on the Tennessee line for several miles, with Trigg County on the west, Union Schoolhouse Precinct on the north and Longview Precinct on the east. The surface is generally level or undulating, with very little hilly or broken country in either of the pre- cincts. There are but few streams of running water, and they are small, except Little River, which forms the line between Union Schoolhouse and Lafayette.
The following sketch of Lafayette Precinct was written for this his- tory by Hon. James A. Mckenzie, the present Secretary of State. It is of considerable interest, and should be highly prized by all the citizens of Lafayette Precinct. It is as follows :
Lafayette Precinct was organized as a voting precinct about the year 1840, prior to which time the citizens voted at John McGee's, on the Dover road. It is bounded on the north by Little River, on the east by the Palmyra road, on the south by the Tennessee State line and on the west by the Trigg County line. This boundary embraces the Bennetts- town Precinct, which has been formed out of the old Lafayette Precinct, with the village of Bennettstown as a voting place. The soil is good, strong, clay soil, somewhat inclined to be flat and hold water, but produc- ing most excellent tobacco, wheat, oats, corn, fruits and vegetables. The timber, consisting of ash, oak, hickory, and sweet-gum, is probably the finest in the county.
The first settlers in the Lafayette Precinct were Joel Harvey, Jesse and Micajah Fort, who settled in that part of it known as Flat Lick, in 1799 or 1800; Joel Harvey settling the place now owned by W. W. Mckenzie, about one mile west of Bennettstown, and Jesse Fort settling
290
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY.
the place known as the "Jesse Fort old field," and now owned by Sidney Merritt, while Micajah Fort settled on land adjoining his brother Jesse. These settlers, who were the real pioneers of south Christian County, were re-inforced between the years 1801 and 1815 by John Marshall, Israel Marshall, Hugh McGee, John McGee, William McGee, James McGee, Samuel McGee, Henry McGee, James Moore, David Moore and James Stevenson, who settled throughout the precinct from Little River on the north, to the Tennessee line on the south. David Moore and William McGee were the first Magistrates ever elected in the south part of Chris- tian County. They were men of strong mental traits, with great energy and force of character, and . without much knowledge of the law dis- pensed justice without fear or partiality.
Following these early pioneers, from 1815 to 1830 came the Steven- sons, Sherrills, Taylors, Mckenzies, Roses, Joneses, Carters, Shepherds, Carys, Hesters, Boyds and Mallorys-which latter family settled the village now known as Mallorytown. The first child born in Flat Lick, which is the part of Lafayette Precinct first settled, was James Dean Fort, son of Jesse Fort, who was born about the year 1801, and who died a few years since at Lafayette, within five miles of the place of his birth. The first wedding in Flat Lick was in all probability the marriage of Garrison Patrick with Olive Fort, which occurred about the year 1816.
The name " Flat Lick " is derived from a flat, pond-like place, located in what is now known as the Saltonstall timber, and about one mile west of where Robert Thacker now lives, and tradition has it that this flat place, pond or lick was formed by the deer and buffalo licking the surface of the ground which contained saline deposit, and which it retains to this day. This Flat Lick country was the paradise of hunters in the early part of this century. The writer of this sketch remembers to have heard Micajah Fort, one of the earliest settlers, describe the multitude of deer which he had seen at this lick, and the enormous flocks of wild turkeys which were to be found in its vicinity. He also remembers to have heard him say that when he settled in Flat Lick the nearest mill, and the one at which he got his grinding, was at Port Royal, Tenn., distant more than forty miles.
The town of Lafayette was settled about the year 1812 by Robert Watson, but was not incorporated until about 1835. The earliest settlers besides Robert Watson were Joel Harvey, R. C. Dunlap and Capt. Will- iam Hester. R. C. Dunlap established the first dry goods and grocery store there about the year 1820. Capt. William Hester is still living in the town, a venerable man of eighty-one years, whose life has been an honor to Christian County, and who will transmit to his large posterity that most priceless heritage known among men, an unspotted name. The
291
LAFAYETTE AND GARRETTSBURG PRECINCTS.
next dry goods store established there was by Dunlap & Anderson ; then came, as merchants, Sandy Fraser, Hardy S. Sypert, John Russell, Horace Kelly, B. P. Lee, Thomas Terry, A. J. Fuqua, R. J. Cooper, R. J. Caruthers, the last four named being still engaged in business there. The first physician who ever practiced medicine in Lafayette or its vicinity was Dr. Roberts, a most excellent physician and a splendid gen- tleman, who had a thousand virtues and but a single fault. Following him came Dr. Mulkey, Dr. Boyd, Dr. Grant, Dr. C. B. Hall and Dr. John W. Fraser. Dr. Fraser practiced in the town and country for over thirty years. He was one of the ablest men and most accomplished phy- sicians that ever lived in Christian County. A man of large reading, great natural abilities, most genial nature, with a hand open as the day to melting charity. He lived in Lafayette for nearly forty years, beloved by everybody, and died regretted by all classes and conditions of men. Dr. Claudius B. Hall was also a man of marked character and ability. He had, in equal degree with Dr. Fraser, the splendid qualities of both head and heart that distinguished that gentleman, and I gravely doubt if any interior town in Kentucky contained two physicians of loftier charac- ter and larger abilities than the two of Lafayette during the life-time of Drs. Hall and Fraser. Drs. C. P. Northington, Powell J. Wooton and Douglas J. Boyd are still engaged in the practice of medicine there. The town of Lafayette is now a flourishing village of five or six hundred inhabitants, is a fine educational center, and is one of the most moral and healthful towns in Kentucky or elsewhere.
The town of Bennettstown was settled by Stephen Bennett about the year 1850. Mr. Bennett was in many respects a very remarkable man. For acuteness of intellect, energy of purpose, and that sort of endurance that laughs at obstacles he was distinguished above his fellows. So crip- pled as to be compelled to walk with crutches, and even then with great difficulty, he nevertheless conducted the business of a merchant and tobacconist, traveling the country over on horseback looking at crops, and was altogether one of the most energetic business men who ever lived in Christian County. After an active life of sixty odd years, and after amassing a considerable fortune, he died in the town to which he gave his name, respected for his virtues, his intelligence and his numberless char- ities.
Bennettstown has grown and prospered until it now has a population of 150 souls. It may well claim the distinction of being the capital of " Flat Lick." It contains two dry goods stores and one grocery store, one blacksmith shop, two churches-" Sharon" Cumberland Presbyte- rian, Rev. Mr. Perry, Pastor, and " McKenzie Kirk," Old-School Presby- terian, Rev. John C. Tate, Stated Supply. Sharon Church was built in
18
292
HISTORY OF CHRISTIAN COUNTY.
1851. Its first pastor was Rev. James Fraser, who after a long service was succeeded by Rev. James Nichol and he by Rev. Mr. Casky. After the war Rev. Mr. Maxey became pastor and his term of service extended down to within the past year or two, when Rev. Mr. Perry assumed pastoral charge.
" Mckenzie Kirk " was built in 1883. It has an interesting history as a church organization- being the second Presbyterian Church organ- ized south of Green River in the State of Kentucky. It was organized in an old log schoolhouse near Sinking Spring about ten miles south of Hopkinsville on the Dover road in 1817, and after removal to Blue Water and Lafayette was finally located at Bennettstown, and named in honor of Judge William W. Mckenzie, who was present at its organiza- tion in 1817, joined its membership in 1829, and has been a ruling elder in its service continually for fifty-three years. His life has been an unobtrusive and uneventful one. But the naming of a church in his honor is a monument more lasting than marble, and which wealth with all its power could not buy. Possibly no churchman in Kentucky can boast so long a continuous service as Mr. Mckenzie.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.