USA > Kentucky > Petitions of the early inhabitants of Kentucky to the General Assembly of Virginia, 1769-1792 > Part 11
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And as in duty bound he will ever pray &c.
Benjamin Stevenson.
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To the General Assembly of Virginia
District of Kentucky, August 1789-
At the request of Mr Benjamin Stevenson, the Subscriber to the within Petition, We certify-That since he came into this Country we are well assured he has supported Character of a good Citizen ;- That he has applied himself with great diligence in building, clearing, and farming on a small tract of Land on which he has settled :- And that from his established veracity, as well as from the circumstances of the case, we verily believe the Allegations of his Petition to be strictly truc. [Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition: October 28th. 1789-Refd. to Courts of Justice.
The procedure regarding slaves referred to in the petition is found in an act entitled, An Act concerning the importation of slaves into the District of Ken- tucky. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 713.
"Whercas many persons who have removed from some other parts of the U. S. into the District of Kentucky and have become citizens of this Commonwealth, have failed within ten days after their removal into the same to take the oath or oaths, prescribed by two acts of assembly, the one intituled 'An act for pre- venting the further importation of slaves,' the other intituled, 'an Act concern- ing slaves to be taken on the importation of the same,' Although they might with great truth have taken the oaths; and whereas such failure hath been chiefly if not altogether, owing to the impracticability of complying with the said acts, Be it enacted," etc. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 713.
The act provides that those already removed may take the oath on or before May 1st. and those going to Kentucky after the act shall take the oath within sixty days. The act is not to affect the right of a slave to freedom when so entitled.
NUMBER 62.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE VIRGINIA ASSEMBLY
the petition of the Inhabitants of Bourbon County Humbly Sheweth that the Land whereon our present Courthouse now stands to the amount of two hundred & fifty acres is laid off in Lotts by the Propriator, for the purpose of setling a Town which Lotts are principly bought up by those who are now living on & improving them and have erected a number of very convenient buildings-on sd Lotts we your petitioners conceiving it realy necessary that sd Town be established by Law pray your Honorable body that a Law pass for the estab- lishment of a Town agreeable to the manner the Lotts are
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
now laid off and that Trustee be appointed for the purpose of suprintending & Regulating of the Building of sd Town and in duty Bound we pray --
[Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition. Octo. 2Sth. 1789 .- Refd. to props. (reas- onable) (repd.)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act to establish a town in each of the counties of Madison, Albemarle, and Bourbon. Henings Statutes, Vol. 13, 87.
The town for Madison was Milford, and for Bourbon it was Hopewell.
The trustees were Notley Conn, Charles Smith, Jr., John Edwards, James Garrard, Edward Waller, Thomas West, James Lanier, James Little, and James Duncan.
NUMBER 63.
TO THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The Petition of sundry of the Inhabitants on the North side of the River in the district of Kentucky Humbly begs leave to Represent; that they experience many dificulties in carrying their Tobacco to the Warehouses already establish'd by Law at Jacks Creek on the South side of the River Kentucky and at the mouth of Hickmans Creek, owing to the danger of discending the cliffs. the badness of the Roads and the Risque of crossing the River. That there is a Comodious and conven- iant place for an Inspection below the mouth of Tate Creek on the Lands of Michael [Bedinger] & nearly where the Main Road leads by an easy, and safe discent down the Hill to the said River of Kentucky
We your Petitioners therefore pray, that you would be pleased in consideration of the Premisses to pass a Law, estab- lishing a Warehouse on the Lands of the said Michl Bedinger about three fourths of a mile below the mouth of the aforesaid Tates Creek, under such Regulations and Restrictions, as you, in your Wisdom may deem fit and Proper.
And your Petitioners as in duty bound, will ever pray &c [Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition: 2nd. Novr. 1789 .- Refd, to Props-Nov. 4th. 1789-Props discharged.
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To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 64.
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIR- GINIA
The petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the District of Ken- tucky humbly sheweth that your petitioners are much surprised to find many petitions in circulation and which we apprehend will be presented to your Honorable house prayg the Estab- lishment of a number of Inspections of Tobacco on the Kentucky River Exclusive of those already Established and we conceive the principles of said petitions is founded on neither Justices or good policy; but wholy Calculated for the Interest & Con- venience of a few Individuals because the Kentucky River is so inclosed with Hills & pricepeces [precipices] that it is in very few places that any kind of access can be had to said River or situations for public buildings your petitioners humbly pray that the said petitions may be rejected and that your Honorable house will vest a power in the Supreme or County Courts within the said District to Establish Inspection of Tobacco by appointing Disinterested free holders as Com- missioners to view the different places proposed, and that not more than two shall be established in any one County & those where it is most Convenient for the people in General as your petitioners humbly conceive that more than two will be injuri- ous and ... [torn off] because we are not able to build the necessary houses and furnish weights and scails for a greater number and a greater number will Certainly devid [divide] the attention of the people so that they must fall and your petitioners will ever pray &c.
[Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition: 2d. Novr. 1789-Refd. to Props. (reasl.) (repd.)
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
NUMBER 65.
TO THE HONOURABLE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA-
The Petition of us the subscribers of the Counties of Fayette and Bourbon whom it doth concern humbly sheweth, That your petitioners conceive it to be expedient and necessary that the upper parts of Fayette and Bourbon Counties be struck off, for the purpose of forming a new County, in the following manner (to wit) Beginning at the mouth of Boones Creek, and running up said Creek to the mouth of Bogg's fork, thence a Direct line to the Junction of Welch's fork, with the main fork, known also by the name of Robinson's fork of said Creek; thence up said Welch's fork and the longest branch thereof to the head; thence a direct line to strike Mason County line one mile below the upper Blue licks on main Licking Creek; thence with said Mason County line to Madison County line; thence with said Madison County line to the beginning which Division we conceive wou'd be very advantageous to the In- habitants of the proposed new County, and not disadvantageous to the Counties of Fayette and Bourbon, we therefore Request that you will grant the prayer of our Petition, and your peti- tioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
[Names.]
I do certify that notice of the same purport of the within was publickly set up at two different Courts previous to September Court in the present year at the Court house in Bourbon County Given under my hand this 8th day of Septr. 1789. John Edwards C B C
I do certify that Notice of the same purport of the within was publickly set up at two different Courts previous to September Court in the present year at the Courthouse in Fayette County Given under my hand this 8th day of Sept. 1789.
Levi Todd Cl. Co. F.
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Daniel Boone
John Niblack Isaac Shelly
A Bartley Patterson Josefin Crockett Beny" Logan Gabriel madison
James Canard Michael Goodmy LL
quince Boone James Wilkinson. Charles Feychy Efirany efterable Rich and Duvets Levi Load GEORGE JAMESON : @Daniel Trabue Simon fenton George Muter
Willis Green
James Dowece David Jhathaway
n° Lacafragner
FACSIMILE SIGNATURES
Tracings made from characteristic signatures found on the petitions herein printed
To the General Assembly of Virginia
Notice is hereby given that a Petition will be presented to the next General Assembly, praying that the upper parts of the Counties of Fayette and Bourbon be struck off, for the purpose of forming a new County in the following manner (to wit) Beginning at the mouth of Boones Creek and running up the same to the mouth of Boggs fork thence a direct line to the Junction of Welch's fork with the main fork, known by the name of the middle fork of said Creek; thence up said Welch's fork and the longest branch thereof to the head, thence a direct line to strike Mason County line one mile below the upper blue Licks on main Licking Creek, thence with said Mason County line to Madison County line, thence with said Madison County line to the beginning.
Endorsement on back of petition: 6th Novr. 1789-Refd. to Props .- Re- jected.
There are five copies of this petition circulated in different places.
NUMBER 66.
TO THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA
the petition of Sundry inhabitants of the County of Bourbon humbly sheweth that a petition for the Division of said county is to be presented to the General Assembly at their next setting contrary to the wishes of the majority of the inhabitants of said County, but being earnestly pressed by a few settlers in the upper end of Fayatte whose views can be no other than pecuniary ones which is proved by naming themselves for certain offices. They have prevailed upon a few scattered setlers in the upper end of this County who is amused with having the Courthouse among them; The amount of whom does not exceed one Militia Company amongst whom together with the inhabitants of said intended County in the upper end of Fayatte few or none have been found qualified for the office of civil or other department. The Line intended by said peti- tion will destroy the very center of the now county of Bourbon
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
and cause a removal of the Court house, as it will not run more than six Miles from the same and on that side which the body and extent of Good Land lies, the Two other sides is barred by the line of Fayatte and Hills unfit for cultivation, The setlers in this county so much injured by their detached situa- tion is not almost above Sixteen or Seventeen Miles from the Courthouse and those who are so amazingly anxious for a County in Fayatte are from about twelve to Eighteen Miles from that Court house-Now your petitioners would inform your honorable house that the only thing they can urge in favour of the Division is that Mr Jacob Moyers is forming a setlement on State Creek twenty four miles from the upper settlement where it is said he intends erecting Iron works and there is still an extent of country above that place after the population of which your honorable house may decide with propriety with respect to the bounds of said Counties and leave each in possession of a number of men sufficient to administer Justice to the Citizens thereof-and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
[Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition: 6th. Novr. 1789-Refd to Props.
NUMBER 67.
The petition of Sundry Inhabitants of The County of Fayette in the district of Kentucky humbly beg leave to Repre- sent, that from their remote situation they experience many Inconveniences on getting their Tobacco to the Different Warehouses Established by Law, Oweing to the Badness of the roads and the difficulty in descending the Clifts down to the river Kentucky on which the said Warehouses are already established; that there is a commodious and convenient Place for an Inspection on the Land of Eli Cleaveland Gentleman on the said river Kentucky, to which an Exceeding good road may
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To the General Assembly of Virginia
be made and an easy and safe descent down the Clifts to the river.
Your Petitioners therefore pray that you would be pleased in consideration of the premisses to pass a Law Establishing a Warehouse on the Lands of the aforesaid Eli Cleaveland gentn. on the said river . and in your Wisdom may deem fit and proper.
And your Petitioners as in Duty bound will ever pray &c. [Names.]
NUMBER 68.
TO THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER & HOUSE OF DELEGATES OF VIRGINIA.
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Louisville, humbly sheweth.
That your petitioners, from the Number of Difficulties which the Settling of a new Country must unavoidably expose people to, from the savage Incursions, from the Want of mate- rials and more particularly from the very great scarcity of Species, have hitherto been prevented from making the Improve- ments, as required by an act of your Honble House, on their several lots in the said Town of Louisville; your petitioners cannot but acknowledge your kind Indulgence in giving them Time still to make the necessary Improvements; which Time will expire on Jany next, we therefore humbly pray That you will farther extend your kindness to us and give us the farther Time of three years from the Expiration of the former act, to make such Improvements.
Your petitioners also beg leave to observe, that they are very much aggrieved by the appointment of new Trustees instead of the former ones in Louisville. That the present Trustees are Gent, who reside some distance from the Town and that very few of them have any Interest in lots therein. Which in the opinion of yr petrs occasions a very great Inat- tention in them to the Business of the Town. That there are
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
numbers who are in want of Deeds for their lots, which they cant obtain by Reason of the present Trustees not attending,- Your petrs also think that the Town & its Interests wou'd be much better regulated by men who live in it .- We therefore humbly pray that an act may pass appointing such men as you in your wisdom shall approve, (who reside in Louisville) to be and act as Trustees to said Town, to all Intents & purposes instead of the Gent last appointed .-
[Names.]
Jefferson County Sct.
I William Johnston clerk of said county do hereby certify, that notice hath been twice publickly set up at the Court House Door of said County, on two several Court days, previous to this date, of the within petition's being to be presented to next Genl. Assembly of Virginia. Given under my Hand & seal August 25 1789.
Will. Johnston (seal)
Endorsement on back of petition: Nov. 12th. 1789-Refd. to Props .- further time to improve-reasonable-Present Trustees to be displaced-Rejected-Ad- ditional Trustees to be added-any to act.
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act for appointing trustees to the town of Romney and for adding trustees to the town of Louisville in the county of Jefferson. Henings Statutes, Vol. 13, 90.
Trustees: Buckner Thruston, James Wilkinson, Michael Lacassange, Alex- ander Scott Bullitt, Benjamin Sebastian, James Felty, Jacob Reager, James Pat- ten, Samuel Kirby, Benjamin Erickson, and Benjamin Johnson.
NUMBER 69.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
The petition of Sundry inhabitants of Kentucky Humbly sheweth that whereas petitions are handed about for Subscribers, seting forth their desire to have the Seat of the Supreme Court for the District of Kentucky removed, from the place where it is now held, to some other part of the said District & also others to have the business carried on by District Courts-
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To the General Assembly of Virginia
your petitioners conceive it their duty to lay before your Honourable body the Reason upon which they found their dislike of both measures-being convinced that if they have any weight, you will not Grant such a removal or such division of the business of this District,
Your petitioners will observe that Kentucky is settled now Generally speaking in two lines one from North to South about ninty miles, & another from the Extremity of that Line west about the same Distance, that the point of that angle, is the place where the Court is now held-That Removing it either to Lexington or Bairds [Bards] Town as proposed, a distance from Danville between thirty and forty miles, will subject the setlers of one of those corners, to travil that distance in order to favour with the same distance the setlers of the other Ex- tremity, which partiality your petitioners, hope you will not countenance-
Your petitioners will further add that they do not think it at present a proper time to remove the Seat of the Court, as it would force us to Expences for the new buildings, & that a most Rigid plan of Economy suits best our present circum- stances .-
This last mentioned Reason for not allowing the removal of the Supreme Court to any other place will stand still better for not allowing three buildings in lieu of one, in case District Courts should be granted-
it is thought that those Governments are best who employ fewer officers, but the Creating District Courts will necessarily increase that number ----
there is another Evil attending any alteration of that kind, which your petitioners beg leave to mention-the books of commissioners for settlement & previous Rights, those of En- tries with the diferent surveyors are lodged with the present court-in case you Grant District Courts, copies of those books, must be had at a very great Expence & loss of time & business must Stagnate & have an End
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
Your petitioners know full well the ostensible pretence of those other petitioners is to make it more convenient to the parties concerned, & their Witnesses, but that pretence are far from being founded on truth, as the Constant Removals [of] our Setlers make it to them one day more Disadvantageous & the next more convenient .-
We see with pain that the . . . of those petitions Grumble at the Distance which they must travil, when several of the Districts of this Commonwealth contain no more square miles than the settled parts of Kentucky do at present with more anxiety we observe that the consequence of District Courts, in lieu of expediting business will effectually retard it by double the time which is now required to obtain redress and what will humanity feel when it is considered that in Criminal Causes it Lengthens doubly the dreadfull punishment of a . .
in a country where the Laws show indulgence to the very Culprit who has infringed them-as your Honble body is to take a full view of the community at large & promote the greatest good possible to the greatest number,
Your petitioners hope, that you will not Grant those peti- tions, which tend only to favour a very small portion of this District, at the Expence of the far greater number & they shall ever pray &c.
Endorsement on back of petition: Novr. 14th 1780-Reid to Props.
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act for further amending the act establishing a Supreme Court in Kentucky District. Henings Statutes, Vol. 13, 66.
By this act the power of the receiver was increased. He had joint authority with the auditor and treasurer to settle with sheriffs. Taxes were to be payable in any article receivable in other parts of the Commonwealth, and also in cer- tificates granted by the Commissioners for service against the Indians. There were to be three sessions of the Supreme Court.
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To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 70.
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
The petition of William Mckenzie humbly sheweth: that by an act of the legislature of this commonwealth, certain lands in the district of Kentucky belonging to Robert Mckenzie were confiscated and granted to a public school: That your petitioner is the nearest in blood to the said Robert; and being informed that your honorable body have always shewn a readi- ness to give the value of all confiscated property to the next in succession, your petitioner prays, that such value may be allowed to him.
And as in duty bound he will ever pray &c. &c.
Extract of Law-
Whereas it is represented to the General Assembly, that there are certain lands, within the County of Kentucky formerly belonging to british subjects, not yet sold under the law of escheats and forfeitures, which might at a future day be a valuable fund for the maintenance and education of youth; and it being the interest of this common wealth always to pro- mote and encourage every design which may tend to the improvement of the mind and the diffusion of useful knowledge, even among its most remote citizens, whose situation a bar- barous neighborhood and a savage intercourse might otherwise render unfriendly to science: Be it therefore enacted that eight thousand acres of land within the said county of Kentucky, late the property of Robt. McKensie, Henry Collins, and Alexd McKie, be, and the same are hereby vested in Wm. Fleming, Wm. Christian, John Todd, Stephen Trigg, Benjamin Logan, John Floyd, John May, Levi Todd, John Cowan, Geo. Meriwether, John Cobbs, Geo. Thompson, and Edmund Taylor, trustees as a free donation from this Commonwealth for the purpose of a publick school, or seminary of learning, to be erected within the said county as soon as the circum-
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
stances of the County and the state of its funds will admit, and for no other use or purpose what so ever: Saving and reserv- ing to the said Robert McKensie, Henry Collins, and Alexd. McKie, and of every of them, and all and every person or per- sons claiming under them, or either of them all right and interest to the above mentioned lands, or any part thereof to which they may be by law entitled and of which they shall in due time avail themselves, any thing herein contained to the Con- trary notwithstanding.
The Land Bounded as followeth-On the South side of the Ohio 8 miles above the Falls, on the upper side of the mouth of Harrods Creek-3000 acres.
Endorsement on baek of petition: 16 Novr. 1789 .- Refd. to Courts of Justiec -Reasonable.
NUMBER 71.
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA.
The petition of Anne Craig humbly sheweth :
That a certain James Douglass, now deceased, put his only daughter, Jessy Douglass, to board with your petitioner, and promised to make her ample compensation for the same: that she continued with your petitioner for several years; the board for which amounted to more than one hundred and thirty pounds: that your petitioner trusted the said James Douglass in contemplation of certain lands, which he held in Kentucky and other parts of Virginia: that the said James Douglass and the said Jessy Douglass are now dead intestate and without an heir: whereby the said lands are escheatable to the commonwealth.
Your petitioner therefore prays, that the right of escheat, now vested in this commonwealth, may be so far released, as to permit the said lands to be sold for the payment of the just debts of the said James and Jessy Douglass.
And your petitioner, as in duty bound will ever pray &c, &c.
Endorsement on back of petition: 16 Novr. 1789 .- Refd. to Courts of Justice -Rejected.
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To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 72.
To THE HONOURABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA
The Petition of a number of Inhabitants of the County of Fayette Humbly sheweth-
That whereas a very Great Expence and Inconvenience attends the Ferriage of Tobacco over the River Kentucky to the Town of Boonsborough the greater part of which Expences and Inconveniances might be obviated by appointing Inspec- tions on the North side of the said River at Two Distinct places to be attended by one appointment of Inspectors, as the Precipices of Howards will not admit of a waggon Road, we therefore pray your Honorable Body to take the same into serious consideration and should your Wisdom think our prayer reasonable that you appoint the Two following places, the one nearly opposite Boonsborough on William Bushes Land and the other on the west side of Howards Creek on John Holders Land and we as in Duty Bound shall ever pray &c
[Names.]
Notice is hereby given, that a Petition will be presented to the next General Assembly, praying that an Inspection be estab- lished for the Reception of Tobacco, on Colo John Holder's land on the Kentucky River, below the mouth of lower Howard's Creek, at the place called Holder's landing, also another Inspec- tion on the land of Capt. William Bush, on the Kentucky River, above lower Howard's Creek, and nearly opposite to the Town of Boonsborough, to be included under one Inspection.
Fayette County
William Bush before me upon oath says that the within notice was publickly set up at the door of the court house of said county on two several Court days within the present year Sept. 9, 1789.
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