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 81
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In August. 1782. shortly after the battle of the Blue Licks, some western bands of Indians, believed to have been engaged in that conflict, infested the settle- ments along Salt river. Intelligence was promptly communicated to Colonel Floyd, who instantly ordered out a party of militia to scour the country where the savages were suspected to be lurking. Some of the party were from Kincheloe's station on Simpson's creek, which consisted of six or seven families. On the first of September the militia, unable to discover any Indians, dispersed and returned to their homes. There had been no alarm at Kincheloe's station during the absence of the men, and upon reaching home late in the evening, greatly fatigued and without apprehension of danger, they retired to rest. At the dead hour of the night. when the inmates of the station were wrapt in the most profound sleep, the Indians made a simultaneous attack upon the cabins of the station, and, breaking open the doors, commenced an indiscriminate massacre of men, women and children. The unconscious sleepers were awakened but to be cut down, or to behold their friends fall by their side. A few only, availing them- selves of the darkness of the night, escaped the tomahawk or captivity, Among those who effected their escape, was Mrs. Davis, whose husband was killed, and another woman whose name is not given. They fled to the woods, where they were fortunately joined by a lad, by the name of Ash, who conducted them to Cox's station.
William Harrison, after placing his wife and a young woman of the family, under the floor of the cabin, made his escape under cover of the darkness. He remained secreted in the neighborhood until he was satisfied the Indians had retired, when he returned to the cabin and liberated his wife and her companion from their painful situation.
Thomas Randolph occupied one of the small cabins, with his wife and two children, one an infant. The Indians succeeded in breaking into his house, and although they outnumbered him four or five to one, he stood by his wife and chil- dren with heroic firmness. He had succeeded in killing several Indians, when his wife, and the infant in her arms, were both murdered by his side. He instantly placed his remaining child in the loft, then mounting himself, made his escape through the roof. As he alighted on the ground from the roof of the cabin, he was assailed by two of the savages whom he had just forced out of the house. With his knife he inflicted a severe wound upon one, and gave the other a stunning blow with the empty gun, when they both retreated. Freed from his foes, he snatched up his child, plunged into the surrounding forest, and was soon beyond the reach of danger.
Several women and children were cruelly put to death after they were made prisoners, on the route to the Indian towns. On the second day of her captivity, Mrs. Bland, one of the prisoners, made her escape in the bushes. Totally unac- quainted with the surrounding country, and destitute of a guide, for eighteen successive days she rambled through the woods, without seeing a human face, without clothes. and subsisting upon sour grapes and green walnuts, until she became a walking skeleton. On the eighteenth day she was accidentally discov- ered and taken to Lynn's station, where, from kind attention and careful nursing, her health and strength were soon restored.
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534
TODD COUNTY.
The situation of Mrs. Polk, another prisoner, with four children, was almost as pitiable as that of Mrs. Bland. She was far advanced in a state of pregnancy, and compelled to walk until she became almost incapable of motion. She was then threatened with death, and the tomahawk brandished over her head by one Indian, when another, who saw it, begged her life-took her under his care- mounted her on a horse with two of the children, and conducted her safely to Detroit. Here she was purchased by a British trader, well treated, and enabled to write to her husband, who, though a resident of the station, was absent at the time of her capture. On the receipt of her letter, the husband immediately repaired to Detroit, obtained his wife and five children, and returned with them safely to Kentucky. After the peace of the succeeding year, the remainder of the prisoners were also liberated and returned home. -
This county was named in honor of Captain SPEAR SPENCER, a young man of ardent patriotism and undaunted courage, who fell at the head of his company in the battle of Tippecanoe. He commanded a fine rifle company in that severe engagement, and occupied a most exposed position. In the midst of the action, he was wounded on the head, but continued at his post, and exhorted his men to fight on. Shortly after, he received a second ball, which passed through both thighs, and he fell-but still resolute and unyielding, he refused to be carried from the field, and urged his men to stand to their duty. By the assistance of one of his men he was raised to a sitting posture, when he received a third ball through his body, which instantly killed him. Both of his lieutenants, Messrs. McMahan and Berry, were also killed. Captain Spencer was a warm friend and hosom companion of the gifted and gallant Daviess, who perished with him in that battle.
TODD COUNTY.
TODD county was formed in 1819, and named in honor of Col. JOHN TODD. It is situated in the southern part of the State, on the Tennessee line : bounded on the north by Muhlenburg ; east by Logan ; south by the Tennessee line ; and west by Christian. 'The county is watered by Elk, west and east forks of Pond river, Whippoorwill, and Big, Little, and West Clifty creeks. But for a small portion in the north-western end of the county, the terri- tory would form an oblong square, comprising about three hun- dred and fifty square miles. The southern, and a portion of the northern part of the county, is level or gently undulating-the soil based upon limestone, and very productive,-the remainder rolling and hilly, the soil of an inferior quality, but producing fine grass. Stone coal abounds ; and the tall cliffs on Big Clifty creek. rising in some places to the height of three hundred feet, afford some as grand and magnificent scenery as any in the State. The greatest natural curiosity in the county is the " Pilot Rock," situa- ted on the dividing line between Christian and Todd .* The prin- cipal products of the county are corn, wheat, oats and tobacco ; exports-horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs.
Valuation of taxable property of Todd in 1846, $3,034,658 , number of acres of land in the county, 192,694; average value of land per acre, $5.79 ; number of white males over twenty-one
. See Christian county.
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535
JOHN TODD.
years of age, 1,388 ; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 1763. Population in 1840, 9,991.
The towns of the county consist of Elkton, Haydensville, Tren- ton, Allensville, and Fairview. ELKTON, the seat of justice, is a beautiful town, situated near the centre of the county, on the bank of Elk creek, and about one hundred and eighty miles from Frankfort : contains the usual public buildings, three churches, (Baptist, Methodist, and Cumberland Presbyterian.) one male and one female academy, ten lawyers, six physicians, two taverns, six stores, one grocery, and twenty-five mechanics' shops. Popula- tion, 750. Established in 1820. Haydensville is a small village, containing a tavern, post-office, school, store, four mechanics' shops, with a population of sixty souls. Trenton contains one free church, post-office, school, tavern, five physicians, (including vicinity), four stores, and ten mechanics' shops. Population, 200. Allensville contains one Baptist and one Christian church, school, post-office, tavern, two physicians, two stores, and three or four mechanics' shops. Population, 60. Fairview is a small vil- lage, containing but a few families.
Col. JOHN TODD, for whom this county was named. was the eldest of three bro- thers, and a native of Pennsylvania. He was educated in Virginia, at his uncle's -- the Rev. John Todd,-and, at maturity, entered upon the study of the law, and finally obtained a license to practice. He left his uncle's residence, and settled in the town of Fincastle, in Virginia, where he practiced law for several years ; but Daniel Boone and others having discovered Kentucky, Col. Todd, lured with. the descriptions given him of the fertility of the country, about the year 1775, came first to Kentucky, where he found Col. Henderson and others at Boonsbo- rough. He joined Henderson's party, obtained a pre-emption right, and located sundry tracts of land in the now county of Madison, in Col. Henderson's land office. He afterwards returned to Virginia; and, in the year 1786, again set out from Virginia with his friend, John May, and one or two others, for Kentucky. They proceeded some distance together on the journey, when, for some cause, Mr. May left his servant with Col. Todd, to proceed on to Kentucky, and return- ed to Richmond, Virginia. Col. Todd proceeded on to the place where Lexing- ton now stands, and, in its immediate vicinity, improved two places .- the ore in his own name, and the other in that of his friend, John May,-for both of which he obtained certificates for settlement and pre-emption, of fourteen hundred acres. These pre-emptions adjoin, and lie in the immediate vicinity of the now city of Lexington. It appears from depositions, taken since his death, that be accompa- nied Col. Clark, since Gen. Clark. in his expedition against Kaskaskia and Vin- cennes, and was at the capture of those places. After the surrender of those places, it is supposed that he returned to Kentucky ; of this there is no record or living evidence ; but it appears from a letter written by Gen. Clark, that C.1. Todd was appointed to succeed him in the command at Kaskaskia. Under ch act of the Virginia legislature, passed in 1777, by which that part of Virginia conquered by Clark, and all other of her territory north-west of the Ohio river. was erected into the county of Illinois, of which John Todd was appointe ! colo- nel commandant and county lieutenant, with all the civil powers of governor. He was further authorised, by enlistment or volunteers, to raise a regiment for the defence of the frontier. His commission and many papers. all show that he immediately entered upon the duties of his office, and was seldom absent from his government. up to the time of his death. The regiment was only raise I for one year, but was continued in service until about 1779, when the State of Vir- ginia raised four additional regiments-two for the eastern, and two for the west- ern part of Virginia. It is supposed that Col. Joseph Crockett was promoted to the command of one of these regiments, and Col. Todd was appointed to the other. No commission has been found, appointing him a colonel in the regular
536
TRIGG COUNTY.
service ; but depositions on file in Richmond, and old papers, show that he was acting as a regular colonel, from about the time the regiments were expected to be raised.
In the spring of 1780, Col. Todd was sent a delegate to the legislature of Vir- ginia. from the county of Kentucky. While attending on the legislature. he mar- ried Miss Hawkins, and returned again to Kentucky, and settled his wife in the fort at Lexington ; but again visited the county of Illinois, and was engaged con- tinually in the administration of its government, and in other military affairs. so that he was seldom with his family, until the summer of 1782, when, in the month of August, the Indians besieged Bryant's station in great force.
Col. Todd fell at the battle of the Blue Licks, in the midst of his usefulness, and in the prime of life, leaving a wife, an only child, (and that a daughter,) about twelve months old. That daughter was born in Lexington, and is supposed to be now the eldest female ever born in that place. She is the wife of R. Wick- liffe, Esq., who has still in his family the colonel's body servant-George; who, at the advanced age of eighty-odd years, retains his health, hearing, and intelli- gence, perfectly. George has passed through many trying scenes, with his mas- ter and others, and often speaks with great accuracy. He assisted, he says, to build the forts at Harrodsburg, Wilson's station, and Lexington, and several times narrowly escaped with his life, when the parties he was with were attacked by the savages.
Col. Todd was a man of fine personal appearance and talents, and an accom- plished gentleman ; was universally beloved, and died without a stain upon his character, and it is believed without even one enemy upon earth. From the year 1778, he might be considered as residing in Illinois, (himself.) until he married, in the year 1:60. When he married, settling his family in Lexington. he was, up to the time of his death, enabled to stay but little with them. It is believed, that besides aiding in the councils held by Clark, and accompanying him in one or more of his expeditions, he passed the dangerous regions from Lexington to Kaskaskia twice (and often four times) in every year.
An anecdote, illustrative of the benevolence of his heart, was told by his widow, after his death, to his child : That, during the winter succeeding their marriage, the provisions of the fort at Lexington became exhausted to such an extent. that, on her husband's return home with George one night, almost famished with hun- ger, she had been able to save for him a small piece of bread, about two inches square, and about a gill of milk, which she presented to him ; on which he asked, if there was nothing for George ! She answered, not a mouthful. He called George, and handed him the bread and the milk, without taking any of it himself.
George was tendered his liberty by the daughter, on her arriving at age, and of- ten since, but he has wisely preferred to remain with the child of his benefactor, in the state in which he left him.
TRIGG COUNTY.
TRIGG county was formed in 1820, and named in honor of Col- onel STEPHEN TRIGG. It is situated in the south-west part of the State, triangular in form, and drained by the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers : bounded on the north-west and north by Cald- well; cast by Christian; south by the State of Tennessee ; and west by Caldwell, the Tennessee river forming the division line. The Cumberland river flows through the south-west part of the county, in a direction north thirty degrees west, eight and a half' miles distant from the Tennessee, and about the same general direction. Between the rivers, and on the east side of the Cum- berland, for about seven miles, the surface of the country is gen-
537
STEPHEN TRIGG.
erally broken. but not mountainous. Receding from the river and creek bottoms, the country becomes hilly or undulating. The cas- tern half of the county is called barrens, which is generally level or undulating. The soil is based on limestone, with red clay foundation. Little river is the principal tributary of the Cum- berland, which flows through the county-entering on the eastern border, and taking a north-west direction, disembogues its waters in the Cumberland at the north-western extremity of the county. The bottom lands on the rivers and creeks are generally fine for farming, and the hills abound with iron ore, and timber of the best quality for charcoal-while there are fine seams of stone coal near the north-cast corner of the county. Lead has been discovered. Tobacco, corn, wheat and oats are the staple pro- ducts-exports, hogs, cattle, mules and horses.
Valuation of taxable property in Trigg county in 1846, $1,750,- 538; number of acres of land in the county, 199,048 ; average value of lands per acre, $3.59 ; number of white males over twenty-one years of age, 1,346 ; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 1,777. Population in 1840, 12,353.
There are five towns in Trigg county, viz : Cadiz, Canton, Ferry Corner, Rockcastle and Wallonia.
CADIZ, the seat of justice, is situated on Little river, about two hundred and thirty miles south-west of Frankfort-and contains a court house and other county buildings, three churches, (Meth- odist, Baptist and Christian,) two academies, five lawyers, four physicians, nine stores, three groceries, two taverns, twelve me- chanical trades, and 500 inhabitants. Canton is a small village, containing a Republican church, one school, two physicians, four stores, one grocery, two taverns, five or six mechanics' shops, and 200 inhabitants. Ferry Corner has one physician, one store, with several mechanics, and 50 inhabitants. Rockcastle contains a tavern, grocery, post-office and several mechanics-population 50. Derived its name from a large cave in the vicinity, some- what resembling a castle. Wallonia has a physician, store, gro- cery, post-office, several mechanics, with a population of 75. Named after Mr. Wail, who owned the lands on which it is built.
Colonel STEPHEN TRIGG, for whom this county received its name, was a native of Virginia. He came to Kentucky in the fall of 1979, as a member of the court of land commissioners; and in the spring of 1780, after the dissolution of that body, he determined to make the new country his permanent home. He accord- ingly, in the same year, settled a station at the mouth of Dick's river, and soon became noted for his activity against the Indians. He fell, two years afterwards, in the fatal and bloody battle of the Blue Licks, while bravely leading his men to the charge. Though he had been but a few years in the country, his amiable qualities had endeared him to the hearts of the people of Kentucky, and his memory is still cherished with fond veneration as one of the noblest of the early pioneers. He fell in the prime and flower of his years, and in the midst of his usefulness, mourned and regretted by the whole community. If he had lived, he would have taken rank among the most distinguished men of his time.
538
TRIMBLE COUNTY
TRIMBLE COUNTY.
TRIMBLE county was formed in 1836, and named after the Hon- orable ROBERT TRIMBLE. It is situated in the northern part of the state, immediately on the Ohio river : bounded on the west and north by the Ohio river; north-cast by Carroll; and south by Oldham and Henry. The territory of Trin,ble is small, compris- ing about one hundred and forty square miles. The vallies on the Ohio are unsurpassed in fertility ; and the up-lands, though hilly and broken, are quite productive. Tobacco and corn are cultivated in large quantities, and wheat and oats succeed well.
Valuation of the taxable property of Trimble in 1846, $1,078,- 675 ; number of acres of land in the county, 85,384 ; average value of lands per acre, $8.01 ; number of white males over twenty- one years of age, 944; number of children between the ages of five and sixteen years, 1,255. Population in 1840, 4,480.
The towns of Trimble county are Bedford, Milton and Palmyra. BEDFORD, the seat of justice, is situated near the centre of the county, about fifty miles from Frankfort : contains a court house and the usual public buildings ; three churches, viz: Methodist, Baptist and Christian ; two schools, three lawyers, four physicians, six stores and groceries, three taverns and eight mechanics' shops : population 300. Milton is a small village, situated on the Ohio river, and containing two stores and groceries, post-office, &c. Palmyra is also a small village, with one store, post-office, &c.
The Hon. ROBERT TRIMBLE, in honor of whom this county received its name, was born in Berkeley county, Virginia, and when three years old, his father emi- grated to Kentucky. His parents were not affluent, but occupied a respectable position in the agricultural population of the country. He received but the im- perfect rudiments of an education,-such only as could be had in a new settle- ment, so distant from the seats of learning in the older States. He, however, im- proved himself, by teaching for a few years, and reading carefully the scanty li- braries afforded by his neighborhood. After so imperfect a probation, he com- menced the study of the law, under George Nicholas. That eminent man dying before he had completed his studies, he continued them under James Brown; and, in 1603, was licensed by the court of appeals to practice his profession. He com- menced his career in Paris, and in the same year was elected a member of the legislature from the county of Bourbon. But the stormy life of a politician net being congenial to his disposition or taste, he ever afterwards refused to be a can- didate for political office-even to be nominated, on two occasions, for the United States' senate, when his assent only was necessary to secure his election. l'e devoted himself exclusively to his profession, and rapidly rose to the first class of jurists. In 1808, he was commissioned second judge of the court of appeals. He retained this place but a short time, but long enough to greatly distinguish himself in it by his reetitude, learning and ability. He was appointed chief jus- tice of Kentucky in 1510, but, in consequence of his limited circumstances, de- clined the first judicial station in the commonwealth. After retiring from the bench, he resumed, with great assiduity, the practice of his profession ; and, in 1813, was appointed a district attorney for the State. He continued at the bar. with eminent and profitable success, until 1816, when he was appointed by Presi- dent Madison judge of the Kentucky district. He filled this office until 196, when he was promoted by John Quincy Adams to the supreme court of the I'm- ted States. He died the 25th day of August, 1828, in the fifty-second year of his age, and in the full vigor of his powers.
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539
UNION COUNTY.
It is not often that the august tribunal to which he belonged, has sustained a greater loss. His mind was characterized by deliberation, clearness, expansion and force. As a forensic debater, he combined flowing eloquence and powerful argumentation. He studied law upon principle, and comprehended it as a science. Such was his ripe though early proficiency, that, in the year 1818, the sole pro- fessorship of law for Transylvania University was tendered to him by the board of trustees, and his acceptance earnestly urged upon him by Mr. Clay. A neces- sary change of residence induced him to decline a place so honorable and respon- sible.
As a judge of the highest State court, he had no superior in diligence, learn- ing, ability and uprightness ; and on being transferred to the supreme tribunal of the nation, both Chief Justice Marshall and Judge Story pronounced him-to be not only a lawyer of the first order, but also one of the most improvable men they had ever known. Had Providence spared his life to ordinary old age, he would have fully vindicated his title to rank with those great jurists. But his private virtues, and his simple, noble nature, shed a lustre upon his name above all that which was derived from great intellect, ripe attainments, and high station. It was these which made all who knew him friends through his life, and mourners apon his death.
UNION COUNTY.
UNION county was organized in 1811, and so called in conse- quence of being formed from other counties, all agreeing, with perfect unanimity, upon the boundary lines of the new county. It is situated on the Ohio river, which forms its western, and a part of its northern boundary ; Henderson forming the north-cast- ern, Hopkins the south-eastern, and Christian the south-western boundary. Besides the Ohio, this county is drained by Trade- water and Highland creeks, and their tributaries-the first form- ing the south-western, and the latter the north-eastern border. The face of the country, like most of the river counties, is diver- sified : level, undulating, and hilly. The soil is good. Corn is the staple product of the county-but oats, rye, wheat, tobacco, hemp, hay and clover, are cultivated, and sweet potatoes grow finely. Horses, mules, cattle, sheep and hogs, are exported.
Valuation of taxable property in Union in 1846, $1,467,091 ; number of acres of land in the county, 205,442 ; average value of lands per acre, $3.53 ; number of white males over twenty- one years of age, 1,189; number of children between five and sixteen years old, 1,339. Population in 1840, 6,673.
The towns of Union county consist of Morganfield, Caseyville, Raleigh and Uniontown. MORGANFIELD is the seat of justice, sit- uated near the centre of the county, and about two hundred and five miles from Frankfort : contains two churches. (Methodist and Presbyterian,) two academies, one common school, seven lawyers, seven physicians, six stores, one grocery, two taverns, and sixteen mechanics' shops. Population about 400. Incorporated in 1812, and named after Gen. Morgan, of the revolutionary army. Ca- seyville is a small town, situated on the Ohio river, fifteen miles from Morganfield, containing one lawyer, two physicians, three
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