USA > Kentucky > Petitions of the early inhabitants of Kentucky to the General Assembly of Virginia, 1769-1792 > Part 8
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[ 84 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
fork of Kentucky river that divides Fayette from Lincoln county, thence down the said river to the Beginning for one distinct County.
We your petitioners in reliance upon the propriety and the Justice of your prayer, hope that you in your wisdom will duly consider the premisses and that our request will be attended to -- and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c. [Names.]
Lincoln, to wit:
I hereby certify that it has been publickly advertized within the said county that a petition would be presented to the next session of Assembly for a division of the county of Lincoln by a line to run as proposed in the within petition. Given under this 26th day of September 1785.
(Copy)
Willis Green Clk. L. C.
Endorsement on back of petition: November 23rd. 1785-Refd. to Props.
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act for dividing Lincoln into three distinct counties. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 118.
The division was to date from August, 1786. The counties were Mercer and Madison.
NUMBER 28.
TO THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES --
The petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the County of Fay- ette Humbly sheweth
That from the extensive Boundaries of this County it subjects many of its Inhabitants to great Inconveniences, In Transacting their necessary business at their County Court, Many of your Petitioners have at least Sixty five miles to Lexington their present Court House; and most of the way being uninhabited render it dangerous to your petitioners In going to and from Court, from the frequent Incursions of Hos- tile Savages, And as your petitioners conceive, that in all governments the obtaining of Justice should be made as safe
[ 85 ]
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
& easy as possible to all its Citizens, and as no persons can possibly receive any Injury from the Division of this County; And your Petitioners acquire an Imediate Benefit. Pray, that your Honorable House will at the next Session pass an act for the Division thereof In manner following --
Beginning at the mouth of Uper Howards Creek on Ken- tucky River runing up the Main fork thereof to the Head thence with the Dividing Ridge between Kentucky & Licking Creek untill it comes opposite the Head of Eagle Creek, from thence a Direct Line to the nearest part of Ravin Creek a Branch of Licking, Down Ravin Creek to the Mouth thereof, thence with Licking to the Ohio-thence with the Ohio to the mouth of Sandy Creek, Up Sandy to the Cumberland Mountain with sd Mountain to Lincoln Line thence with the Lincoln Line & Down Kentucky River to the Beginning, And all that part within the Lines above described, be Established into a seperate County. And your petitioners shall ever pray &c. [Names.]
Fayette County to wit
I Levi Todd Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do certify That an advertisement setting forth (that a Petition praying for a division of the County aforesaid nearly (if not quite) agreeable to the plan mentioned in this Petition would be presented to the next Session of the General Assembly) On two different Court days at the Courthouse of the said County.
Test Levi Todd
Endorsement on back of petition: Nov. 25th. 1785-Refd. to Props .- (reasonable)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act for dividing the County of Fayette. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 89.
The division was to date from May, 178S. Bourbon Co.
[ 86 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 29.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
The Petition of James Hogan Humbly sheweth
That your Petitioner at the request and solicitations of a number of the Inhabitants in the Kentucky District has pro- vided himself with a Boat. Hands &c for the purpose of keeping a Ferry across the Kentucky River from Lands of his own in Lincoln County to his Lands in Fayette County at the mouth of Hickmans Creek where the publick Warehouses are ordered to be erected. Your Petitioner therefore prays this Honorable House to pass an Act for establishing the same a publick Ferry and fixing the rates of Ferriage. And whereas the keeping of a Ferry across the Kentucky River will be attended with more trouble and inconvenience than is usual on Rivers of that size owing to its peculiar situation & its being fordable generally six or seven months of the year your petitioner is induced to ask your Honble House for such as Augmentation to the general rates of Ferriage as may enable him to attend and serve the publick faithfully-
And your Petitioner shall ever pray etc.
James Hogan October Ist 1785-
Fayette County
I Levi Todd Clerk of the County aforesaid do certify that James Hogan did legally advertise that he intended presenting this Petition at the ensuing Session of Assembly. Given under my Hand this 13th day of September 1785-
Levi Todd Cl.
Lincoln to wit :-
I hereby certify that James Hogan did advertise at the Courthouse of said County on two several Court days that he intended to prefer a Petition to the next Session of Assembly
[ 87 ]
Nº
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
for establishing a Ferry across the Kentucky at the mouth of Hickman. Given under my hand this 4th day of October 1785-
Willis Green
Endorsement on back of petition : Nov. 20th. 1785-(Refd. to Props) (reason- able)
This and subsequent requests were granted in an act entitled, An Act for establishing several new ferries. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 83.
NUMBER 30.
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.
The Petition of David Crews Humbly sheweth That at the request of sundry Inhabitants of the County of Lincoln & others Your Petitioner was induced to build a Boat for the purpose of Transporting passengers across the Kentucky River near the mouth of Jacks Creek from Lands of his own in Lincoln County to other Lands which he claims in the County of Fayette to which place Roads are now clearing and gen- erally adjudged the most convenient crossing place on the Kentucky River above Hickmans Creek.
Your Petitioner prays that an Act may pass your Honora- ble House establishing the same as a publick Ferry and to ascertain the rates of Ferriage.
And your Petitioner shall ever pray &c
David Crews Oct. Ist 1785-
Lincoln County Sct.
I do hereby certify that an Advertisement was set up at the Courthouse Door of this County at the July and August Courts last. notifying that an application would be made to the next General Assembly for the within purpose signed by David Crew.
Teste Willis Green Cl. L. C. Oct. 7th 1785-
Endorsement on back of petition: Dec. 9th, 1785-(Refd. to Props) (Reason- able)
[ 88 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 31.
TO THE HONBLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA-
The Petition of William Steele Humbly sheweth
That your Petitioner has furnished himself with proper Boats for the purpose of keeping a Ferry across the Kentucky River at a place called the Stone lick from Lands of his own in Fayette to the Land supposed to belong to John Craig in Lincoln County, to which place a Road is now opening from Lexington. Your Petitioner prays that an Act may pass your Honble House for establishing the same a publick Ferry And shall pray &c.
Will Steele
Notice is hereby given to all whome it may concern that a petition will be presented to the next General Assembly to obtain an act for Establishing a publick ferry across the Ken- tucky River from the Lands of William Steele on the uper side of the mouth of the Stone Lick branch in Fayette County to the lands opposite in Lincoln County Oct. 11th 1785
This day came before me David Henderson and made oath that the within was set up on Fayette Court House two Courts.
Given under my hand this 11th day of Oct. 1785 -- WVm. McConnell.
Endorsement on back of petition: Dec. 10 1785-Refd. to Props-(Reason- able)
NUMBER 32.
TO THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The petition of sundry inhabitants of the County of Bourbon humbly sheweth, That a Number of your petitioners are settled in that part of the said County of Bourbon which is commonly known by the name of Limestone Settlement about forty miles distant from the place agreed on for holding the Court
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1
Petitious of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
of the said County, and which is not only a distinct settlement at present from the part of the said County but must remain so for many years by the Intervention of a Mountainous tract of Barren Land running down on each side of the main branch of Licking Creek. that cannot be inhabited. And exposes your petitioners to be surprised & murdered by the savages who fre- quently infest such places. And the main branch of Licking being a considerable and Rapid Water course often obstructs a convenient communication with the other part of the County and renders it inconvenient and expencive to suitors and others to attend the present Courthouse. And altho it may be ob- jected that the number of Inhabitants in the neighborhood of Limestone are too inconsiderable to be separated from the other part of the County at present. Yet when it is considered that one of the principal inlets for Emigrants into the Country is at this place, and from the Rapid Settlement that is now making. There is no doubt but a sufficiency of Inhabitants will soon be collected. Your Petitioners therefore pray that your Hon. House will take their situation into consideration, and Erect all that part of the said County of Bourbon, which lies North of the main branch of Licking, To begin at the mouth of the said Licking Creek, thence up the main branch thereof to the Head thence a direct line to the Junction of the Maddison & Russell County lines thence along the Russell line to Bigg Sandy, thence down the same to the mouth, thence down the Ohio River to the Beginning into a distinct County, and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray August 25th 1786
[Names.]
I do hereby certify that advertisements have been exhibited according to Law for them shewing the Intention of the within petitioners In presenting the same to the next General Assembly John Edward Cl
Endorsement on back of petition: Octo. 26. 1786-Refd. to Props .- Rejected -recommitted next session.
[ 90 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 33.
TO THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES OF VIRGINIA.
The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of the County of Bourbon humbly sheweth that advertisements have been exhibited at the door of their Court House ever since the May past at which time the Court of Bourbon took place for dividing the same into three Counties, and as your Petitioners conceive that such Division if granted will not only derange all the public business of the County which has been very much the Case by the late Division to the great injury of individuals, but must so weaken the militia of the present County as to render them incapable of defending themselves as well as of paying their County Levy; the County having now in all not more than four hundred effective militia, and your Petitioners further conceive that as the Erection of Ken- tuckey into a free independent state will most undoubtedly take place and that the good people of the said District may divide the same into Counties as they think proper: And as your Petitioners conceive that the Petition to be presented to your Honorable House for the Division of the County of Bourbon, if it takes place may be very oppressive to your Petitioners who pray that no such Divisions may take place, but that the same may be postponed until the next session of Assembly or until it is known whether the District is erected into an independent State and your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray
[Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition: Octo. 26th. 1786-Refd. to Props-reason- able-recommitted.
NUMBER 34.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Bourbon humbly sheweth, that the most of them are settled in a new
[ 91 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
Village called Washington in the settlement of Limestone in the Cty aforesaid, where there are upwards of Seven hundred Acres Land laid off for in & out lots for the use of sd Village, and where there are now settled upwards of Fifty families among whom are Mechanicks of divers kinds, and the prospect of a rapid settlement being made to the great advantage of village & Country. The sd Village is also judged to be situated in the most central & convenient place to the adjacent County, and that it would be the most proper place for erecting publick buildings for the use of a County as soon as one is laid off. We therefore humbly pray that your honourable House will estab- lish the said Village into a Town by the name of Washington and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c
August 22d 1786-
[Names.]
I do hereby certify that advertisements according to Law have been Exhibited shewing the Intention of the petitioners In presenting the same to the next General Assembly.
John Edward Cl. B. C.
Endorsement on baek of petition: October 27th. 1787-Refd. to Props- (Reasonable)
The request was granted in an aet entitled, An Aet for establishing a town in the County of Bourbon. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 361.
. The name was to be Washington. The trustees were Edmund Lyne, Edward Waller, Henry Lee, Miles W. Conway, Arthur Fox, Daniel Boone, Robert Rankins, John Gutridge, William Lamb.
NUMBER 35.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELE- GATES,
the petition of James Holloway humbly sheweth,
That he entered the Service in March 1776, in the fourth Virginia Regiment and continued as an officer in sd. Regiment untill the engagement at White Plains, Sept. 1778, at which time he became a Supernumerary. After returning home he raised a company of militia and fought in the battle of Guilford
[ 92 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
under command of Gen. Lawson, who had been Commander of sd 4th Regiment. During the service, your petitioner was in the following engagements, viz, at Trenton, Princeton, Brande- wyne, German-Town and Monmouth.
As it has been allowed to several persons in similar circum- stances to receive the bounty in lands which was stipulated for three years service; and as your Petitioner continued more than that time in the duties of a soldier on every opportunity of action, and still continues to act his part in defending the Western Frontiers in present expeditions against the Indian Tribes; it is the prayer of this petition that your Honourable House will take his case into consideration and indulge him with such recompence as his conduct may seem to merit, such as has been conferred in like cases, and such as may have been requested or obtained by several whose circumstances rendered them less proper objects of liberality to their Country: And your Petitioner, as in duty bound shall ever pray &c. Fayette County, Sept. 21 1786
Endorsement on back of petition: Holloways Rep .- October 27th. 1786- Rejected.
NUMBER 36.
THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER & GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of Lincoln County humbly sheweth-That the Courthouse of the said County Now is and heretofore has been on the Land of a private Indi- vidual. In consequence of which no person could undertake to Build houses and provide proper accomodations for those whose business obliges them to attend the said Court of said county .- That Colo Benjamin Logan the proprietor of the Land whereon the courthouse now stands, has given up and conveyed twenty six acres of Land to the Court of said County for the purpose of laying off a Town and Building a courthouse and prison thereon for the Use of said County. In consequence
[ 93 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
of which conveyance, the Court of said County have proceeded to lay off the said 26 acres of Land into Lotts and streets, and have made sale of the Lotts some of which are considerably improved.
The said 26 acres of Land lies within one half mile of where the courthouse now stands, and as near the center of the County as any place can be had with Equal advantage, The Roads to and from the place where the Courthouse now stands being easyly turned in a Direction to any part of the 26 acres of Land,-
Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that a Law may pass for establishing a Town of the said 26 acres of Land, to be called Stanford and that John Logan, Benjamin Logan, Isaac Shelby, Henry Pauling, Walker Baylor, Wm. Morrison and Alexander Blair-Be appointed Trustees of said town that the Court of said County be empower'd to remove the Courthouse and prison of said County to the Town of Stanford; Or to Erect new ones as to them shall seem most expedient for the holding of Courts in said County for the future and your petitioners shall ever pray &c.
[Names.]
Lincoln to wit
I hereby certify that it has been publickly advertised at the Courthouse of said County on two several Court days, that the within Petition would be preferr'd to the next Session of Assem- bly Given under my hand this 28th day of September 1786.
Willis Green.
Endorsement on back of petition: Oeto. 27. 1786-Refd. to Props. (reason- able)
The request was granted in an aet entitled, An Aet to establish a town on the lands of the late Benjamin Logan, in the county of Lincoln and to fix the place of holding court therein. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 396.
The following were to be the trustees: Benjamin Logan, John Logan, William Montgomery (?), Henry Pauling, Isaac Shelby, Walker Baylor, Alexander Blane. (?) The amount of land was twenty-six aeres and the name of the town was Stanford.
[ 94 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 37.
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA-
The Petition of Jane Todd widow and relict of John Todd late of the County of Fayette deceased, and also Executrix of the said John Todd; and Robert Todd Excr. of the said John Todd Humbly sheweth
That their Testator upon the opening of the Land office in the year 1779 vested the greatest part of his personal property in Land Warrants and settlements & Preemption Claims, which were located in the District of Kentucky, but before titles could be obtained for the Lands. to which he was intitled, he was killed by the Indians in an engagement with them, in the County of Fayette, as is supposed, he not having been heard of since ---
That none of the said Lands were surveyed in the Lifetime of the Testator, and Since his decease your Petitioners have been obliged to pay the expence of surveying & obtaining Titles for the said Lands and to discharge Debts due from the Testator to a much greater amount than the Personal Estate
That there are a number of Debts still due from the Estate of the said John Todd and other claims upon the Estate for Lands sold by the Testator, for which Titles cannot be made and for the payment of which the few slaves belonging to the Estate consisting of two Women only, must be sold but which will not it is supposed be sufficient for that purpose .-
Your Petitioners beg leave further to observe that the Testa- tor has only one Child Mary Owen Todd living, who is about five years old, and that the Estate would be very sufficient to support her genteely, & to pay all Taxes upon the Lands could a Sale of Part of the Lands be made, and after discharging the Debts a Sum not considerable be applied to the purpose of purchasing Slaves for her, as she has several very valuable Tracts of Land-That your Petitioner Jane who is entitled to Dower would chearfully join in a sale of any part thereof for
[ 95 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
the purpose aforesaid and would be satisfied to take her Dower in the slaves to be purchased, in lieu of her Dower in the Lands --
Your Petitioners therefore Humbly Pray that an act may pass, appointing Trustees to sell & convey as much of the Lands belonging to the Estate as will pay off the Demands thereupon and purchase two likely young negro fellows and one wench to be vested in the said Mary Owen Todd & your Petitioner Jane as aforesaid --
And they as in duty bound will ever pray &c.
Endorsement on back of petition: Octo. 2Sth. 17S6 .- Refd. to props .- (Reasonable)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act appointing trustees to sell part of the lands of John Todd, deceased, for the payment of his debts and for other purposes. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 369.
NUMBER 38.
TO THE HONBLE THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The petition of Mary Ervin most humbly sheweth That your petitioner's Son John Askins served as a soldier in the continental service for three years and afterwards as a captain of the militia in the District of Kentucky and always distin- guished himself as a good and faithful citizen of the United States in general and of Virginia in particular. That he, in common with the rest of his fellow soldiers, received an oppor- tionment of Land in the District afsd as a Reward for his services and to the great distress of your Petitioner lately died-leaving neither wife nor children nor any person so nearly related to him as your Petitioner-That during his life time he sold fifteen hundred Acres of the above mentioned Land to sundry persons whose titles have not been confirmed-Now your Petitioner most reluctantly sheweth to this Honble House That her afsd Son John Askins was not born in lawful wedlock and therefore by the laws of this Commonwealth his property escheats.
[ 96 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
But your petitioner most humbly prayeth that in considera- tion of her being the nearest and dearest Relation to the de- ceased, your Honble House will compassionate her situation and permit a Law to pass relinquishing the Right of the com- monwealth to the Land afsd. and vesting the Title in her, reserving nevertheless the equitable Rights of the purchasers afsd and your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.
Monongalia County SS. Before Me one of the Justices of said County came Mary Ervin you worships [?] Petitioner & made oath that the above mentioned John Askins was her son and was illegetmate Born & is Dead and Died without Being Tested or having any Heirs at Law
her Mary X Ervin mark
Sworn & Subscribed this IIth Day of Oct 1786 Dal McCollum
Endorsement on back of petition: Octo. 30th. 1786-Refd to props-(Reason- able)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act to vest the land whereof John Askins died seized in Mary Arvin, [Ervin] his mother. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 363.
NUMBER 39.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIR- GINIA-
The Petition of Christopher Greenup Humbly sheweth That your Petitioner being appointed Clerk to the Supreme Court for the District of Kentucky, is obliged by virtue of his office to transmit an Account, and pay into the publick Treas- ury, all Taxes arising on Process and other Law proceedings instituted, or admitted in the said Court, That the distance of his residence from the seat of Government is so great, he cannot possibly attend in person to make the Payments, but is under the necessity of applying to and trusting such Persons as he can procure to do that business for him, by which he is constant-
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Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
ly exposed not only to considerable expence and inconvenience but the risk of incurring the Penalty inflicted by Law on Delin- quent Clerks
Your Petitioner begs leave further to Represent to your Honourable House, that he is entitled to draw money from the Treasury annually for his Ex offico Services, which is also aliended with inconvenience and Risk, and might in a great measure be remedied if he was authorized to retain in his hands so much of the money arising on Taxes as wou'd satisfy his demand, and also the Expence of procuring Record Books and other incidental charges of the said Court (the Same being first Liquidated and Certified by the Judges, to be just) and the Treasurer authorized to receive such claims in discharge of those Taxes ---
Your Petitioner therefore prays that your Hon'ble House will so far indulge him as to settle his publick account of Taxes in the manner herein pointed out, or such other mode of indul- gence as your Honors shall deem Just And your Petitioner will pray &c
Christr Greenup September 26th 1786
Endorsement on back of petition: Novr. 6th. 1786-Refd. to Props .- (Reas- onable)-(rept.)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An act for further amending an Act intitled, an Act for establishing a district court on the western waters. Hen- ings Statutes, Vol. 12, 704.
Provision was made for a receiver to avoid the necessity of judges and other officials applying to counties for salaries.
NUMBER 40.
TO THE HONORABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES
The petition of Sundry of the Inhabitants of the county of Fayette, humbly sheweth, that from the situation of your petitioners they think it highly convenient that an Inspection of Tobacco be established on the North side of the Kentucky
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