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 75
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* More than thirty five years since, when the author was a very small boy ho recoffrets the e exammed these ancient remains. The circular embankment, at that time, he thinks, was upwards of three feet high.
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495
EDMUND PENDLETON.
marks as to age, size, &c. The timber of the surrounding forest was about the same size of that growing within and upon the embankwvent. and must have grown up many years after this fortification had been abandored by its ancient builders. This fortification, combined with the fact, that every height and hill surrounding the junction of the two rivers and overlooking the fort, as well as for miles around, pre crowned with one or more Indian graves, or small mounds, present strong and abiding evidence that a warfare, of a bloody and desolating character, once pre- vailed here, between a people possessing and occupying the ground, and an inva- ding and aggressive enemy.
Pendleton is not the scene of any Indian battle or bloody rencounter, within the recollection of its " oldest inhabitant." But her territory has been desecrated by the feet of hostile Britons, as well as of the blood-thirsty savages. In June, 1579, Col. Byrd, with his Canadian and Indian force of six hundred men, in his route to attack Ruddell's station, ascended the Licking river to its junction with the south branch. where Falmouth now stands. Here he landed his cannon, con- centrated his forees. and took up his line of march for that station. The track he pursued was distinctly marked by blazing the forest trees, and may still be traced where the trees are left standing. After capturing Ruddell's and Martin's sta- tions, he returned by the same route. took water at Falmouth, and descended the Licking to its month. The traces of bis march, south of Falmouth, served to give notoriety, in the surveyors' books, to the entries of land subsequently made.
EDMUND PENDEETON, in honor of whom this county was named, was born in Caroline county. Virginia, in 1741, and died in Richmond in 1803. He was president of the Virginia court of appeals, and of the Virginia convention of 1775-was twice elected a member of Congress-in 1778. was chosen president of the Virginia convention which met to consider the federal constitution, and when the federal government was organized, he was selected by Congress to be district Judge of Virginia, but declined the appointment. Wirt says, "he had in a great measure overcome the disadvantages of an extremely defective educa- tion, and by the force of good company, and the study of correct anthors, had at- tained a great accuracy and perspicnity of style. His manners were elevated, graceful, and insinuating. His person was spare. but well proportioned. and his countenance one of the finest in the world ; serene, contemplative, benignant ; with that expression of unclouded intelligence and extensive reach. which seem- ed to denote him capable of any thing that could be effected by the power of the human mind. His mind itself was of a very fine order. It was clear, compre- hensive. sagacious and correct : with a most acute and subtle faculty of diserim- ination ; a fertility of expedient which never could be exhausted ; a dexterity of address which never lost an advantage and never gave one, and a capacity for a continued and unremitting application which was perfectly invincible. As a law- yer and a statesman, he had few equals and no superiors. For parliamentary man- agement, he was without a rival. With all these advantages of person, manners. address, and intellect. he was also a speaker of distinguished eminence. He had that silver voice of which Cicero makes such frequent and honorable mention; an articulation uncommonly distinct ; a perennial stream of transparent, cool and sweet elocution. and the power of presenting his arguments with great simplicity and striking effect. He was always graceful, argumentative, persuasive; never vehement, rapid or abrupt. He could instruct and delight; but he had no preten sions to those high powers which are calculated to " shake the huinan soul."
PERRY COUNTY.
PERRY county was formed in 1820, and named in honor of Com- modore OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, of the United States' navy. It is situated in the south-eastern section of the State, and lies on the head waters of the Kentucky river: bounded on the north by
496
PERRY COUNTY.
Breathitt ; east by Floyd and Letcher ; south by Harlan, and west by Clay. This county is drained by the north and middle forks of Kentucky river, with their tributaries, which are navigable, for descending boats, the greater portion of the year. The surface is hilly and mountainous, and a large portion is unsuitable for cultivation, but well adapted for wool growing. The valleys are fertile and productive, with a sandstone foundation. The princi- pal articles of export are-horses, cattle, hogs, salt, coal, ginseng and wool.
Valuation of taxable property in Perry in 1846, $202,068 ; num- ber of acres of land in the county, 109,863 ; average value of lands per acre, $1.64; number of white males over twenty-one years old, 338 ; number of children between the ages of five and sixteen, 678. Population in 1840, 3,089.
HAZARD, the county seat, is a small village, situated on the north fork of the Kentucky river, about one hundred miles from Frankfort.
Early in the summer of 1794, a party of Indians passed through the scattered settlements of Russell or Lee county, Virginia, to the residence of the Livings- tons, in Washington county, of the same State. The two Livingstons had gone out into the field, unarmed and unsuspicions of danger, when the Indians broke into the house, and killed their mother (an old woman) and a negro child. and took the two Mrs. Livingstons, all the children, a negro fellow and a negro boy, prisoners ; and, taking such other property as they fancied, commenced a retreat. As the children were running along the path, in advance of their mother, she made signs to them to take a path which turned off to a neighbor's house, and the Indians permitted them to run on, only retaining the two women and negroes. Knowing that the Indians must pass either through Russell or Lee to gain the wilderness, expresses were instantly sent to both these counties. The court was in session when the express reached the court-house, and it immediately adjourn- ed, and a party was organized upon the spot, under the command of Capt. Vin- cent Hobbs, to waylay a gap in Cumberland mountain, called the Stone gap, through which, it was supposed, the Indians would most probably pass. On his arrival at the gap. Hobbs discovered that Indians had just passed through before him; be, therefore, pursued with eagerness, and soon discovered two Indians kin- dling a fire. These they instantly dispatched ; and, finding some plunder with them which they knew must have been taken ont of Livingston's house, they at once came to the conclusion, that these two had been sent forward to hunt for provisions, and that the others were yet behind, with the prisoners.
The object of Hobbs was now to make a quick retreat, to cover his own sign. if possible, at the gap, before the Indians should discover it, and perhaps kill the prisoners and escape. Having gained this point, he chose a place of ambuscade : but not exactly liking his position, he left his men there, and taking one with him, by the name of Van Bibber. he went some little distance in the advance. in order, if possible. to find a position better suited to his purpose. As they sto -! looking round for such a place, they discovered the Indians advancing. with the prisoners. They cautiously concealed themselves, and each singled out his man. Benje, (a noted Indian ), Having charge of the younger Mrs. Livingston, led the to". and the others followed in succession; but the Indian who had charge of the rider Mrs. Livingston was considerably behind, she not being able to march with the same light, elastic step of her sister. When the front came directly opposite to Hobbe and Van Bibber, they both fired. Hobbs killing Benje, and Van Billing the next behind him. At the crack of the guns the other men rushed forward. but the Indians had escaped into a laurel thicket, taking with them the Begr fellow. The Indian who had charge of the elder Mrs. Livingston tried his best to kill her, but he was so hurried that he missed his aim. Her arms were badly cut by defending her head from the blows of his tomahawk.
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PIKE COUNTY. 497
The prisoners had scarcely time to recover from their surprise, before the two Livingstons, who heard the guns and who were now in close pursuit with a party. of men from Washington, came rushing up, and received their wives at the hands of Hobbs with a gust of joy. Four Indians were killed, and five had escaped ; and it appears they were separated into parties of three and two. The first had the negro fellow with them, and, by his account, they lodged that night in a cave, where he escaped from them and got home.
In the meantime. a party of the hardy mountaineers of Russell collected and proceeded in haste to waylay a noted Indian crossing-place high up on the Ken- tucky river, (in the present county of Perry.) When they got there, they found some Indians had just passed. These they pursued, and soon overtook two, whom they killed. They immediately drew the same conclusion that Hobbs had done, and hastened back to the river for fear those behind should discover their sign. Shortly after they had stationed themselves, the other three made their appearance ; the men fired upon them, two fell and the other fed. but left a trail of blood behind him, which readily conducted his pursuers to where he had taken refuge in a thick cane-brake. It was thought imprudent to follow him any farther, as he might be concealed and kill some of them before they could dis- cover him. Thus eight of the party were killed, and the other perhaps mortally wounded .*
Commodore OLIVER HAZARD PERRY, in honor of whom this county received its name, was a distinguished officer in the United States' navy, and was born at Newport, Rhode Island, in August, 1755. He was entered as a midshipman on the sloop of war General Greene, in 1798. He served in the Tripolitan war, and Grcured the affection and respect of all the officers and men in the squadron. In 1810 he was a lieutenant commandant in the schooner Revenge. In this vessel, in the spring of lell, he was wrecked in a fog near Stonington. He demanded . a court of inquiry, which acquitted him of all blame in the affair. In Isle he was promoted to the rank of master and commander, and appointed to the com- mand of the gun boats in the harbor of New York. Disliking his situation here, he solicited to be transferred to the lakes, and the greater portion of his men went with him. On his arrival at Sackett's Harbor, he was ordered by Commodore Chauncey to Lake Erie, to superintend the building of vessels in order to meet the British force on those waters. On the 4th of August, he got his squadron over the bar, and on the 10th of September met the British squadron under Com- modore Barclay. This fight resulted in a complete victory to the Americans, and Perry was promoted to the rank of Captain. In the battle of the Thames, on the 5th of October, he served as aid to General Harrison, and rendered important assistance. At the conclusion of the war, he was appointed to the cominand of the Java, a frigate of the first class. In this frigate he attended Commodore De- catur, to chastise the Dey of Algiers, who had committed depredations on our commerce. In 1819 he was sent to the West India station, where he died of. the yellow fever on the 23d of August, 1820.
PIKE COUNTY.
PIKE county was formed in 1821, and named in honor of Con- eral ZEBULON M. PIRE. It is situated in the extreme eastern part of the State, and is drained by the West and Tug forks of Big Sandy river : bounded on the north by Johnson and Floyd; north- east, east, and south-east and south by Virginia : west by Letcher ; and north-west by Floyd. The surface of the county presents quite a variegated appearance. Along the water courses, the lands are of a superior quality and very productive : but the up-
. Benjamin Sharp, in the Western Pioneer, Vol. I. pp. uni-7-8.
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498
PULASKI COUNTY.
lands are broken and mountainous, and the soil generally com- paratively poor. Stone coal, of a fine quality, abounds -- some banks have been opened, where the seam is from five to eight feet thick. Iron ore is found in small bodies, but has not been worked. There are a number of salt wells in the county, at two of which salt has been manufactured. Corn is the staple product, but oats, wheat, rye, buck-wheat and potatoes are also cultivated.
Value of taxable property in like in 1846, $450,984 ; number of acres of land in the county, 104,100 ; average value of lands per acre, $2.52 : number of white males over twenty-one years old, 698 ; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 1,112. Population in 1840, 3,567.
PIKEVILLE, the seat of justice, is situated on the West fork of Big Sandy river, near the centre of the county, and about one hundred miles from Frankfort-being at the head of navigation on the river named; it contains a court-house and other county buildings, three lawyers, three physicians, nine stores and gro- ceries, and eight or ten mechanics' shops. Established in 1824.
This county was named in honor of General ZEBULON M. PIKE, who was born at Lamberton, in the State of New Jersey. January 5th. 1779. His father was a respectable officer in the army of the United States. He entered the aniny while yet a boy, and served for some time as a cadet in his father's company, which was then stationed on the western frontiers of the United States. At an early age he obtained a commission as ensign, and some time after that of lientenant. In 1805 he was sent by the government of the United States to explore the Mis- sissippi river to its sources. After his return from this expedition, he was sent by General Wilkinson on an excursion into the interior of Louisiana. with a view of fixing the boundary line between New Mexico and the United States. 'This expedition proved a partial failure, and after a variety of adventures, he returned with his little band to the United States, Jaly 1, 1807. Upon his return he was appointed a captain, subsequently a major, and in 1810 a colonel of infantry. In 1812 he was stationed with his regiment on the northern frontier. and at the beginning of the campaign of 1813 appointed a brigadier general. He was selected to command the land forces in an expedition against York, the capi- tal of Upper Canada, and April 25th sailed from Sackett's Harbor in the squad- ron commanded by Commodore Chauncey. On the 25th he arrived at York with seventeen hundred chosen men. A landing having been effected under a heavy fire from the enemy, General Pike assaulted the works, and in the course of the attack, the British magazine exploded, throwing large stones in every direction, one of which struck Pike on the breast, inflicting a mortal wound, of which he died in a few hours.
PULASKI COUNTY.
PULASKI county was formed in 1798, and named for Count PULASKI. It is situated in the south middle part of the State, and is drained by the Cumberland river, which skirts it on the south and east : bounded by Lincoln on the north ; Casey and Laurel on the east; Wayne on the south ; and Russell and Casey on the west. The northern part of the county is gently undulating --- the remainder hilly or mountainous. There are extensive coal
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409
JOSEPH PULASKI.
mines in the county, principally bordering on the Cumberland river, from which large quantities are shipped annually to the city of Nashville and other points on the river. Salt is manufactured in considerable quantities at Fishing creek salt works, about five miles from Somerset. The Cumberland river is navigable for steamboats of the smaller class as high up as Stegall's ferry and Waitsborough, and within six miles of Somerset. The staple products of the county are -- corn, wheat, rye, oats and tobacco.
Valuation of taxable property in Pulaski in 1846, $1,264,975 ; number of acres of land in the county, 288,509 ; average value of lands per acre, $2.16; number of white males over twenty- one years of age, 2,097 ; number of children between the ages of five and sixteen years, 3.197. Population in 1840, 9,620.
SOMERSET, the seat of justice, is about eighty miles nearly south from Frankfort. It contains three churches. (Baptist, Methodist and Christian,) one school, six lawyers, five physicians, thirteen stores and groceries, four taverns, one iron foundry, one tannery, ten mechanical trades, with a population of about three hundred. Incorporated in 1812. Waitsborough is a small village, laid out in 1845, and situated on the Cumberland-containing a warehouse and a few residences.
In the month of December, 1786, a body of Indians defeated a small party of whites, at the mouth of Buck creek, under the command of Captain Hargrove. The Indians made their attack in the night, killed one man. and severely woun- ded Hargrove. An Indian, who had probably fired his rifle, made an onset on Captain Hargrove with his tomahawk, and a fierce encounter ensued. Each party exerted himself to the utinost. Hargrove finally succeeded in wresting the tomahawk from the hand of the Indian, and bore it off.
In May, 1758, a party of southern Indians stole some horses near the Crab Orchard. Nathan McClure, lieutenant to Captain Whitley, with a portion of his company, pursued the trail to the ridge between Rockcastle and Buck creek. Here he incidentally fell in with another party, and a fierce skirmish ensued. After several discharges of their guns. both parties precipitately retreated-but not until after Lieutenant McClure was mortally, and several of his men, slightly wounded. The loss on the part of the Indians was not ascertained. McClure died the succeeding night in a cave, where, at his own instance, he had been left-and on the next day, when a party came for him, his remains were found shockingly mangled and torn by wild beasts. He was an active officer, and his loss was deeply deplored.
This county was named in honor of Count JOSEPH PULASKI, a distinguished Pole, who after in vain attempting to restore the independence of his own coin- try, entered the American service. Pulaski had followed the profession of the law, and in 1768 was at the head of the patriots who formed the confederation of Bar. Eight noblemen only constituted the first assembly of that confede- ration; and of these, three were the sons and one the nephew of Pulaski. In 1771, at the head of a few accomplices, he seized the person of the king, but the latter having procured his liberation, Pulaski was condemned to death, and obli- ged to save himself by flight. He soon after came to America, and offered his services to the United States against the mother country. Being appointed briga- dier general in the American service, he served both in the northern and in the southern army. October 9, 1779, he was mortally wounded in the attack on Na- vannah, and died two days afterwards.
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ROCKCASTLE COUNTY.
ROCKCASTLE COUNTY.
ROCKCASTLE county was formed in 1810, and named after Rock- castle river, which forms its south-eastern border. It is situated in the south-east middle section of the State: bounded on the north by Madison and Garrard ; north-east by Madison ; south- east by Laurel ; south-west by Pulaski ; and west by Lincoln. The north-eastern and south-eastern parts of the county are bro- ken and hilly, but interspersed with numerous creeks and branch- es, along which there are some fine, rich bottom lands. In the western part of the county, the surface is level, or gently undu- lating, and the soil quite productive. The timber consists. prin- cipally, of hickory, poplar, white, chesnut, black and spotted oak ; lynn, walnut, and dogwood ; and, on the watercourses, large and lofty sycamore. In some locations there are fine sugar or- chards, which yield a large quantity of sugar for domestic con- sumption. The staple products are corn, wheat and oats.
Valuation of taxable property in Rockcastle in 1846, $518,876; number of acres of land in the county, 124,214; average value of lands per acre, $2.19 ; number of white males in the county over twenty-one years of age, 812 ; number of children between the ages of five and sixteen years, 1,176. Population in 1840, 4,238.
MOUNT VERNON, the seat of justice, is situated on the main road from Crab Orchard to the Cumberland Gap,-thirteen miles from the former, seventy-eight miles from the latter, and about seventy miles from Frankfort. It contains a court-house and other county buildings ; one Presbyterian, one Methodist, one Baptist, and one Christian church, (with four others in the county); one school in town, (and various schools in the county on the free school sys- tem) ; eight lawyers, two physicians, two taverns, six stores, five tanneries, and a number of mechanics' shops. Established in 1818, and contains about 200 inhabitants.
Rockcastle river. from its source to the mouth, is about seventy- five miles. It is lined by numerous banks of bituminous coal ; but, for the want of navigation, they have not been opened to any extent. The river is about eighty yards wide, but the navi- gation is obstructed, near its mouth, by what are called " the nar- rows." By some freak of nature, or powerful concussion of the earth, the rocks have broken loose from the adjoining clitf's and tumbled into the bed of the river, forming an impenetrable bar- rier to water crafts for about three-fourths of a mile. The whole bed is so closely obstructed, that the largest size fish in Cumber- land river do not pass. The expenditure of forty thousand do !- lars. according to the report of the state engineer, would render the river navigable, and open a market to one of the finest coal regions in the State.
Among the hills of Rockcastle there are numerous saltpetre caves, at which large quantities of saltpetre were manufactured during the late war. One of the se,
501
RUSSELL COUNTY.
called the " Big Cave," eight miles north-east of the county seat, extends through a spur of the mountain, usually termed the " Big Hill," about six hundred yards. It was discovered by John Baker, who, in company with his wife, commenced exploring it with a torchlight. At the distance of abort three hundred yards, their light went out, and they were forced to crawl about, in perfect darkness, for forty hours, before they found the place at which they entered. The arch is from ten to twenty feet high. Large rooms branch off several hundred yards long. and the end of one has not been reached. Some of the rooms cover an area of seve- ral acres. The saltpetre manufactured here, before and during the late war, gave employment to some sixty or seventy laborers. There is a fine, bold running stream of water in the cave, and works were constructed inside, for the manutac- ture of saltpetre by torchlight. Carts and wagons passed through, from one side of the mountain to the other, without difficulty. The way is so level and straight, that oxen were soon taught to pass through in perfect darkness, without a driver.
There are several mineral springs in the county, but their waters have never been analyzed.
Boone's old trace, and Skegg's trace, pass through this county,-the former leading to Boonsborough, and the latter to the Crab Orchard. On Skegg's trace, there were two defeats among the emigrants. in the early settlement of Kentucky. McClure's family and company were defeated near the head of the east fork of Skegg's creek, and Capt. Banghman and company on Negro creek.
The following incident appears in Cist's "Cincinnati Miscellany," for 1816. It is characteristic of the female character, in times of emergency :
" About the year 1790. several families emigrating together into the interior of Kentucky, encamped at the distance of a mile from a new settlement of five cab- ins. Before they had laid down, and were still sitting around the blazing brush, a party of Indians approached behind the trees, and tired upon them. One man was killed on the spot, and another fled to the village, leaving behind him a young wife and infant child ! As no danger had been apprehended, the men had not their ammunition at hand, and were so confused by the fire of the savages, that it was left for one of the mothers of the party to ascend into the wagon where it was deposited, break open the box with an axe, hand it out, and direct the men to return the fire of the enemy. This was done, and they dispersed."
RUSSELL COUNTY.
RUSSELL county was formed in 1825, and named for Col. Wir .- LIAM RUSSELL. It is situated in the south middle section of the State, and lies on both sides of Cumberland river: bounded on the north by Casey ; east by Pulaski and Wayne ; south by Clin- ton ; and west and north-west by Cumberland and Adair. The beautiful level bottom lands on the Cumberland are very fertile ; but the surface of the county, generally, is hilly and broken, and the soil not well adapted for profitable agriculture. The water power of the county is remarkably fine-one cotton and two woollen factories have been already erected, and many others might be profitably established.
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