USA > Kentucky > Historical sketches of Kentucky : embracing its history, antiquities, and natural curiosities, geographical, statistical, and geological descriptions with anecdotes of pioneer life, and more than one hundred biographical sketches of distinguished pioneers, soldiers, statesmen, jurists, lawyers, divines, etc. > Part 48
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Fulton county received its name in honor of ROBERT FULTON, the celebrated engineer. He was born in Little Britain, in the State of Pennsylvania. in 1765. In his infancy he was put to school in Lancaster, where he acquired the rudiments of a common English education. Here his peculiar genius manifested itself at a very early age. All his hours of recreation were passed in the shops of mechan- ics, or in the employment of his pencil. At the age of seventeen years, he went to Philadelphia, and entered under a portrait and landscape painter, where he remained until he was twenty-one. In his twenty-second year, he went to Eng- land, where he was received with great kindness by his celebrated countryman, Benjamin West, who was so pleased with his promising genius and his amiable qualities, that he took him into his house, where he continued an inmate for ser- eral years, devoting his time to painting. At this period he formed many valua- ble acquaintances, among others with the Duke of Bridgewater, so famous for his canals, and Lord Stanhope, a nobleman celebrated for his love of science, and particularly for his attachinent to the mechanic arts. Even at that early period, he had conceived the idea of propelling vessels by steam. and he speaks in some of his manuscripts of its practicability. In May, 1794, he obtained from the British government a patent for a double inclined plane, to be used for transpor- tation ; and in the same year he submitted to the British society for the promo- tion of arts and commerce, an improvement of his invention on imlls for sawing marble, for which he received the thanks of the society, and an honorary mneda !. In 1797 he went to Paris, where he lived seven years in the family of Joel Bar- low, during which time he studied the higher mathematics, physics, chemistry,
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and perspective. While there, he projected the first panorama that was exhibited in Paris. He returned to America in 1806. At what time Fulton's attention was first directed to the subject of steam navigation is not known; but in 1793 he had matured a plan in which he had great confidence. While in Paris. he, in conjunction with others, built a small boat on the Seine, which was perfectly suc- cessful. On his arrival at New York in 1806, he and Robert Livingston en- gaged in building a boat of what was then deemed very considerable dimensions. This boat began to navigate the Hudson in 1807; its progress through the water was at the rate of five miles an hour. In 1811 and 1912, two steam boats were built under Fulton's directions, as ferry boats for crossing the Hudson river, and soon after one on the East river, of the same description. We have not space for the details of Fulton's connection with the project of the grand Erie canal; of his plans and experiments relative to submarine warfare-of the construction of the steam frigate which bore his name-of the modifications of his submarine boat; of his vexatious and ruinous lawsuits and controversies with those who interfered with his patent rights and exclusive grants. He died February 24th, 1815. In person he was about six feet high, slender, but well proportioned, with large dark eyes, and a projecting brow. His manners were easy and unaffected. His temper was mild, and his disposition lively. He was fond of society. He expressed himself with energy, fluency, and correctness, and as he owed more to experience and reflection than to books, his sentiments were often interesting from their originality. In all his domestic and social relations, he was zealous, kind, generous. liberal, and affectionate. He knew of no use for money but as it was subservient to charity, hospitality, and the sciences. But the most conspicuous trait in his character was his calm constancy in his industry, and that indefatiga- ble patience and perseverance, which always enabled him to overcome difficulties.
GALLATIN COUNTY.
GALLATIN county was formed in 1798, and named in honor of Albert Gallatin. It is situated in the northern part of the state, and lies on the Ohio river-bounded on the north by the Ohio river : east by Boone and Grant; south by Owen, and west by Carroll. Eagle is the principal creek of the county. The surface of the county is generally hilly, but well timbered-the growth being principally poplar, walnut, ash, beech, sugar-tree, oak and hickory. The soil is generally productive,-corn, wheat and to- bacco are the staples.
The taxable property of Gallatin in 1846, was valued at $1,024,- 232; number of acres of land in the county 59.231 ; average value of lands in 1846, 59,71 ; number of white males over twenty-one years of age, 827 ; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 896. Population in 1840, 4,003.
The towns of the county are Warsaw and Napoleon. WARSAW, the county seat, is situated on a beautiful bottom, four miles long and one mile wide, and distant fifty-seven miles from Frankfort ; contains a large court house and the requisite public offices, one Baptist and one Reformed church, seven stores, five groceries, two taverns, five lawyers, four physicians, one newspaper printing office, (the Warsaw Herald.) three schools, two pork-houses, one tobacco factory, a large flouring mill and steam distillery, and twenty mechanical shops. Population 700. Established in 1831,
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ALBERT GALLATIN.
and formerly known by the name of Fredericksburg. Warsaw is a healthy location, and enjoys a large trade-the exports exceed- ing $150,000 per annum. Napoleon is a small village, seven miles east of Warsaw, and contains a Baptist church, a tavern, a store and two doctors. Population 60.
ALBERT GALLATIN Was born at Geneva. in Switzerland, on the 29th of January, 1761. In his infancy he was left an orphan ; but under the kind protection of a female relative of his mother, received a thorough education, and graduated at the University of Geneva, in 1779. His family were wealthy and highly respectable. Without the knowledge or consent of his family, Albert when only nineteen, with a young comrade, left home to seek glory and fortune, and freedom of thought, in the infant republic of America. He was recommended by a friend to the patronage of Dr. Franklin, then in Paris. He arrived in Boston in July 1780, and soon after proceeded to Maine, where he purchased land. and resided there until the close of 1781. While here he served as a volunteer under Colonel John Allen, and made advances from his private purse for the support of the garrison. In the spring of 1782. he was appointed instructor in the French language at Harvard University, where he remained about a year. Going to Virginia in 1783 to attend to the claims of a European house for advances to that State, he fell in with Pat- rick Henry, who treated him with marked kindness and respect, and under whose advice he sought his fortune in the new and wild country then just opening on the Ohio. In December 1785 he purchased a large tract of land in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, where he made his residence. His talents for public life soon became extensively known, and in 1789, he was elected to a seat in the conven- tion to amend the constitution of Pennsylvania. In 1793, he was elected to the United States' senate ; but lost his seat on the ground that he had not been nine years a legally naturalized citizen of the United States. He soon after married a daughter of Commodore Nicholson. In 1794 he was elected to congress. While in congress, where he continued three terms. he was distinguished as a leader of the democratic party. In 1801 Mr. Jefferson appointed him secretary of the treasury, which post he filled with pre-eminent ability for several years. In 1813 he was made one of the commissioners to negotiate the treaty of Ghent ; and was afterwards associated with Messrs. Clay and Adams at London, in nego- tiating the commercial treaty with Great Britain. He continued in Europe as ambassador at Paris until 1823, when he returned to America. In 1826. he was appointed a minister to England. On his return, he made his residence in New York, where he still lives. His career has been alike honorable to himself, to his adopted county, and to his native land.
GARRARD COUNTY.
GARRARD county was formed in the year 1796, and named for Governor JAMES GARRARD. It is situated in the middle section of the State, and lies on the east side of Dick's river : bounded on the north by the Kentucky river, which separates it from Jessa- inine ; east by Madison ; south by Lincoln ; and west by Boyle and Mercer. The face of the country is diversified-gently un- dulating or hilly-but all productive for grains or grasses. The staple products are, corn, wheat, rye and oats -- the principal ex- ports, horses, mules, cattle, hogs and sheep.
The taxable property of the county in 1816, was valued at $3,415,820 ; number of acres of land in the county 140,190; av- 21
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GARRARD COUNTY.
erage value of lands per acre, $12,40; number of free white males over twenty-one years of age, 1596; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 1956. Population in 1840, 10,480.
The towns of the county are Lancaster, Bryantsville, Tetersville and Fitchport. LANCASTER, the seat of justice, is situated two and one half miles from Dick's river, and about fifty miles from Frank- fort-contains a fine court-house and jail, four churches, (Metho- dist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Reformed,) two taverns, one sem- inary, one female academy, eight physicians, ten lawyers, eight stores, one drug and book store, twenty mechanic shops, one carding and bagging factory, and 700 inhabitants : established in 1798. Bryantsville and Fitchport are small villages, situated on the Lexington turnpike road, the one nine and the other twelve miles west of north from Lancaster. Tetersville is also a small village, and lies six miles east of north from Lancaster.
About twelve miles east of Lancaster, on Paint Lick creek, there is an area of ground, embracing about ten acres, which bears the name of " White Lick." The ground is deeply indented with ravines, and marks resembling the tracks of wagon wheels, newly made, are now plainly visible, and have been visible since the settlement of the country some sixty years since. After a heavy rain, the water which flows into the creek from this area. gives the stream a white appearance, resembling milk, for sev- eral miles.
JAMES GARRARD (in honor of whom this county received its name) was born on the - of -- 17-, in the county of Stafford, in the (then) colony of Virginia. At a very early period in the revolutionary struggle, he engaged in the public service, and in the capacity of a militia officer. shared in the dangers and honors of that memorable war. While in service, he was called by the voice of his fel- low citizens to a seat in the Virginia legislature, where he contributed, by his zeal and prudence. as much, or perhaps more than any other individual, to the passage of the famous act securing universal religions liberty.
He was an early emigrant to Kentucky, and was exposed to all the perils and dangers incident to the settlement and ocenpation of the country. He was re- peatedly called by the voice of his fellow citizens to represent their interests in the legislature of the state : and finally, by two successive elections, was elected to the chief magistracy of the commonwealth, a trust which. for eight years, he discharged with wisdom, prudence and vigor.
As a man. Governor Garrard had few equals ; and in the various scenes and dif- ferent stations of life, he acted with firmness, prudence and decision. At an early age, he embraced and professed the religion of Christ, giving it, through life, the preference over all sublunary things. In the private circle he was a man of great practical usefulness, and discharged with fidelity and tenderness the social and relative duties of husband, parent, neighbor and master. He is on the 19th of January, 1-22. at his residence, Mount Lebanon, in Bourbon county, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.
GEORGE ROBERTSON. (late chui justice of Kentucky) .- Alexander Robert- son, the father of the subject of this brief memoir, was descended from a parete tage that emigrated from the north of Ireland to Virginia about the year 1737. Mrs. Margaret Robertson, the wife of Alexander. was the daughter of William Robinson, who also emigrated, a few years later, from the north of Ireland to the same colony. They were early emigrants to the wilderness of Kentucky, then infested by savages, arriving at Gordon's station December 24, 1:79. darin " the hard winter." Near this spot Mr. Robertson permanently settled hunsel,
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GEORGE ROBERTSON.
where he built " the first fine house in Kentucky." He was a man of strong mind, sterling moral qualities, and popular with his fellow citizens. He way elected a member of the Virginia federal convention, which he attended at Rich- mond, June, 1788, and having been also elected a member of the Virginia legris- lature, he remained there the ensuing winter, in discharge of his legislative du- ties. In 1792, he was elected by the people the first sheriff of Mercer county, under the original constitution of Kentucky. He died in 1802. Mrs. Robertson was a woman of extraordinary strength of intellect, of most exemplary charac- ter, illustrating in practical life all the social and christian virtues. She died at the residence of her son-in-law. ex-governor Letcher, in Frankfort, in 1846, at a very advanced age.
George Robertson, the youngest son of these parents, was born in 1790. Af- ter attaining a good English education, he was placed (August, 1804) under the tuition of Joshua Fry, through whose instruction he acquired a knowledge of the Latin and French languages and geography. He next entered Transylvania, (November, 1805), where he remained till August. 1806, when he quitted that institution with the purpose of graduating at Princeton ; but his plan was frustra- ted by the failure of friends to furnish expected funds. He then devoted about six months to learning with Rev. Samuel Finley, who conducted a classical school at Lancaster, and about six months more to assisting him in teaching. The winter of 1807-8 was employed in miscellaneous reading, chiefly historical. In the spring of 1808. he went to Lancaster to study law under the direction of Martin D. Hardin ; but failing to procure eligible boarding, he returned immediately and resided with his brother-in-law, Samuel MeKee, then and afterwards an emt- nent member of Congress. Here he read law till September, 1809, when Judges Boyle and Wallace, of the court of appeals, granted him licence to practice. In November of the same year, he married Eleanor, a daughter of Dr. Bainbridge, of Lancaster, being then but a few days over nincteen years of age, and she less than sixteen. They commenced the world very poor ; but being patient and pru- dent, and refusing to go in debt, though they suffered much privation and anxiety, were happy. After about two years, he attained a fine practice, and it has been said that the most he acquired had heen earned when, at the age of twenty-six, (1816). he was elected a representative to Congress, against formidable opposi- tion. He was re-elected twice afterwards, without opposition ; though he served but two terms (four years) of the three, resigning the last without taking his seat, in order, by resuming his practice, to complete the independence of his family.
During his service, he was chairman of the land committee, and was a mem- ber of the judiciary and internal improvement committees. He drew and intro- duced the bill to establish a territorial government in Arkansas. On that bill, the question of interdicting slavery was introduced and elaborately discussed. The restriction was carried by one vote. A reconsideration was had. and the bill finally passed, divested of the restriction, by the casting vote of the speaker, Mir. Clay.
He was the author of the present system of selling public lands, in lieu of the old system and two dollars minimum ; his object being to redeem the west, then owing $20,000,000, from subjugation-by cash payments, to prevent monopolies in the hands of speculators-by reducing the quantity which might be entered t : eighty acres, to enable poor men to buy and cultivate-and thus to destroy a pes- tilent debt system and promote the settlement and independence of the west. Upon considerations of expediency, the bill, though projected and drafted by lu n. was first carried through the senate.
Shortly after his retirement from Congress. Governor Adair tendered him, suc- cessively. the appointments of attorney general of Kentucky and judge of the Fayette, &c., circuit court, which, as also that of a law professorship in Transyl- vania University, tendered about the same time by the authorities, were rester- tively declined. his purpose being strongly fixed to pursue his profession vigor- ously a few years, to secure a competence for his family.
But in 1800, the people of Garrard elected him. potens tolens, a representative in the general assembly, in view of the agitating relief questions, which produced such political convulsions throughout the State. Having embarked, he felt bound to ride out the storm, and he remained in the legislature until that fearful contest
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GARRARD COUNTY.
was settled in 1826-7. He was elected speaker of the house of representatives in 1823, and was re-elected every session afterwards while he remained in the legislature, except the revolutionary session of 1824. During all this memorable period in the annals of Kentucky, his time was principally devoted to writing and speaking on the great questions involved, of course neglecting his profes- sional interests. Sundry of his speeches were extensively published; and are regarded as powerful productions of a masterly intellect, being often quoted for sound principles and conclusive reasoning.
He wrote the celebrated protest of 1824, signed by the anti-relief party in the legislature, to the effect of which the final triumph of that party has been, in a great degree, not unjustly ascribed ; for it is certain that it prevented their dis- bandment at the time, electrified the people, and furnished the text themes on which they were rallied to the rescue of the constitution. He was also the au- thor of the manifesto signed by the majority in 1825-6.
During his service in the legislature, he delivered speeches on several impor- tant questions, distinguished for depth of thought, force of argument, and pro- found knowledge of the principles of the constitution and laws.
Of his anonymous productions of that period, those under the signature of " Plebeian," may now be avowed.
Though he never sought an office, appointments were frequently tendered him. President Monroe offered him that of governor of Arkansas, and afterwards, in July, 1824, Richard C. Anderson, then minister at Bogota, having expressed a desire to return home if Mr. Robertson would take his place, the mission to Co- lombia was offered hit, which being declined, Mr. Anderson determined to re- main. In 1928, President Adams tendered him the mission to Peru, which was not accepted.
On the election of Thomas Metcalfe as governor of Kentucky, he provisionally accepted the appointment of secretary of state, the duties of which he discharged for a short time.
After the rejection of the nomination of Judges Mills and Owsly to the bench of the court of appeals. he was confirmed as a judge of that court, and subse- quently commissioned chief justice, which elevated station he held until the first of April, 1943, when he resigned it, again returning to the bar.
Of his Herculean labors on the bench and his judicial abilities, the authorized reports of the decisions furnish the amplest testimonials.
He still retains the professorship of constitutional law, which he has held for many years, in Transylvania university ; and in this connexion it may not be in- appropriate to mention that the honorary degree of LL. D. has been conferred on him by two colleges-Centre and Augusta.
Of his miscellaneous writings, speeches, addresses, &c. as well as his profes- sional lectures, affording evidences as they do, of profound investigation of the most important and difficult principles, with which the greatest intellects alone can successfully grapple, it should be presumed that an authorized collection will be published, at no distant day, for the instruction and gratification of his coun- trymen.
On the character of the man and his works, the writer of this meagre sketch hereby regrets that the circumscribed limits allotted to personal biography in this book, precludes any enlargement. One remark, at least, will however be indulged ; and that is, that the life, labors and character of GEORGE ROBERTSON, present an emulous example to his young countrymen, whether regarded as citizen, jurist, professor or statesman.
The following romantic incident is related by Judge Robertson, in his anniver- sary address, at Camp Madison, in Franklin county, on the 4th of July, 1913 :
"On the long roll of that day's reported slain [ the fatal battle of the Blue Licks. ] were the names of a few who had, in fact, been captured, and, after surviving the ordeal of the gauntlet, had been permitted to live as captives. Among thesa was an excellent husband and father who, with eleven other captives, had been taken by a tribe and painted black as the signal of torture and death to all. The night after the battle, these twelve prisoners were stripped and placed in a line. on a log-he to whom we have specially alluded being at one extremity of the devoted row. The cruel captors, then beginning at the other end, slaughtered
.
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eleven, one by one ; but when they came to the only survivor, though they raised him up, also, and drew their bloody knives to strike under each uplifted arm, they paused, and after a long pow-wow, spared his life-why, he never knew. For about a year none of his friends, excepting his faithful wife. doubted his death, She, hoping against reason, still insisted that he lived and would yet return to her. Wooed by another, she, from time to time, postponed the nup- tials, declaring that she could not divest herself of the belief that her husband survived. Her expostulating friends finally succeeding in their efforts to stitle her affectionate instinct, she reluctantly yielded, and the nuptial day was fixed. But, just before it dawned, the crack of a rifle was heard near her lonely cabin -- at the familiar sound, she leaped out, like a liberated fawn, ejaculating as she sprang-" that's John's gun !" It was John's gun, sure enough ; and, in an instant, she was, once more, in her lost husband's arms. But. nine years after- wards, that same husband fell in " St. Clair's defeat,"-and the same disappointed, but persevering lover, renewed his suit-and, at last, the widow became his wife. The scene of these romantic incidents was within gun-shot of my natal homestead ;* and with that noble wife and matron I was myself well acquainted."
GRANT COUNTY.
GRANT county was formed in 1820, and named for Colonel JOHN GRANT. It is situated in the northern part, and watered by Eagle creek-bounded on the north by Boone ; east by Pendleton ; west by Gallatin and Owen ; and south by Owen. Grant was stricken off the western portion of Pendleton, called the " Dry Ridge," and forms a parallelogram twenty-two by twenty-two and a half miles. The face of the country, generally, is undulating; the north portion very rich ; the south rather thin land, but well tim- bered. The staple products of the county are, wheat, corn. tobacco and sugar-hogs are exported in great numbers.
The taxable property of Grant in 1846, was valued at $928,191; number of acres of land in the county, 155,260; average value of land per acre, $1,60 ; number of white males over twenty-one years of age, 1,016 ; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 1,405. Population in 1840, 4,192.
The towns of Grant, are Williamstown, Crittenden and Down- ingville. WILLIAMSTOWN, the seat of justice, is situated on the turnpike road from Covington to Lexington, fifty-six miles from Frankfort-contains a brick court-house, four churches, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian and Reformed, two hotels, four stores, four lawyers, four doctors. one masonic lodge, and twenty mechanics' shops. Established in 1925. Population 350. Crittenden. (called for the Hon. John J. Crittenden.) lies ten miles north of Williams- town, on the same road, and has three churches, (Methodist, Re- formed and Presbyterian.) one hotel, five stores, three doctors and right mechanics' shops. Established in 1831. Population 250. Durningrille is a small village, situated ten miles west from Wil- liamstowo, and contains one tavern, one doctor, one lawyer, one store, a school, a few mechanics, and thirty inhabitants.
* In Garrard county, Kentucky.
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