USA > Kentucky > Petitions of the early inhabitants of Kentucky to the General Assembly of Virginia, 1769-1792 > Part 9
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[ 98 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
River at the mouth of Hickman Creek, your Petitioners there- fore prays this honorable house to take the same under their consideration and to pass a law for the purpose aforesaid. And your petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c. [Names.]
Fayette County Virginia to wit-
I Levi Todd Clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do certify that an advertisement was set up at the door of the Court house of the said County on the Court days in the months of July and August notifying that a Petition would be presented the next Session of the General Assembly praying that a Warehouse may be established on the North side of Kentucky River at the mouth of Hickmans Creek. Given under my hand this Seventeenth day of September 1787.
Levi Todd
Endorsement on back of the petition: October 19th. 1787-Refd. to proposi- tions-(reasonable) (repd)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act for establishing several new inspections of tobacco and reviving and establishing others. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 580.
This act provides inspection in Fayette, Mercer, Mason, Madison. and Bour- bon counties.
An earlier act provided for inspection of tobacco, entitled, An Act for estab- lishing inspections of tobacco on the western waters. Hcnings Statutes, Vol. 11, 345.
This was in October, 1783, and provided inspection in Fayette, Lincoln, and Jefferson counties.
The provisions generally included in the inspection acts may be seen in a general act entitled, An Act for reviving several public warehouses for the re- ception of Tobacco and other purposes. Henings Statutes, Vol. 9, 153.
Several acts previous to this had expired in 1775, and it was now "thought expedient that some temporary method should be provided for the reception and inspection of tobacco at or near the heads of the rivers and creeks."
Among the details of inspection it is provided that "if the inspectors, upon breaking open a hogshead, shall agree that the same is merchantable they shall weigh such tobacco and the cask, entering in their books and stamping on the cask the mark, number, gross, tare, and new weight thereof, and give to the owner a note or receipt for the samc," etc.
These notes of the warchouse "shall pass in payment of levies, officers fees, and other tobacco debts payable in the counties," etc. Forging and counterfeit- ing tobacco notes renders liable "to suffer death without benefit of clergy."
[ 99 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
NUMBER 41.
TO THE HONORABLE THE ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA-
The Petition of Ignatius Mitchell humbly Sheweth --
That your Petitioner is possessed of a Tract of Land lying on the River Ohio, at the mouth of Lawrence's Creek about Six miles below Limestone, a Spot remarkably advantageously situated for a Town, it is well known, to have an excellent Bank on the River, and from accurate Surveys a road far preferable to any other, may be obtained: Your Petitioner conceives it unnecessary to detail the advantages of this Spot, and begs leave to refer your Honbl House to the Representa- tives of Bourbon and Fayette Counties, for particulars .-
Your Petitioner prays that a Town by the name of Charles Town may be established by an Act of your Hona House at the aforesaid Spot, subject to such regulations as your wisdom may direct; And your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray &c.
We the Subscribers are of opinion, that the Spot, before described, is well calculated for a Town; and a good road may be made thereto,
[Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition: 20th. October. 1787-Referred to propo- sitions-(reasonable) (Repd.)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act to establish a Town on lands of Ignatius Mitchell, in Co of Bourbon. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 608.
The trustees were John Grant, Charles Smith, Jr., Thomas Warren, Miles Withers Conway, Henry Lee, John Machir, Robert Rankin.
The name of the town was to be Charlestown.
NUMBER 42.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF DELE- GATES.
The petition of the Subscribers Inhabitants of the District of Kentucky humbly sheweth That the Commissioners ap- pointed to settle the pay rations and other claims accruing from two Expeditions carried on in the year 1786 under General Clark and Col. Logan have sat in different parts of the District
[ 100 ]
2.
To the General Assembly of Virginia
and issued certificates for claims to them preferred for such Services & property as is enumerated in the Law under which they acted But it appears there are some Claims which have not been offered for settlement owing to the inattention of the claimers and their not having Knowledge of the Law and in some instances Certificates have issued for Property supposed to be lost which has since come to hand, and as there was Property necessary for the army which is not particularly mentioned in the Law such as Liquor, Vessels for the transporta- tion of the Troops and stores, some Tents, & a few other articles which tho necessary for the army but not being enumerated in the Law. The Commissioners did not think themselves justifiable to issue Certificates therefor-Your Petitioners therefore pray that the Law may be amended authorizing and directing the County Courts upon due proof being made to grant Certificates for claims yet unsettled for all necessaries furnished or Impressed for the use of the said armies, and where it is made appear that the property for which a Certificate is issued is tendered or restored to the original owner that he may be called on and compelled to deliver to the commanding officer of the County or some other person such property or Certificate of the same value under such penalty and regulation as the Honorable Houses of Assembly may judge proper or that such other method may be desired that may render equal Justice to the Inhabitants of the District and we in Duty bound will ever Pray &c.
[Names.]
We are of opinion this Petition is just and reasonable witness our Hands this 19th day of Septr 1787.
Edmund Lyne Isaac Shelby Rich. Taylor
Endorsement on the back of petition: 22nd, October 1787. Referred to Propositions .- County Courts to finish business-not to extend allowances- (rejd.)
[ 101 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act to amend the Act for appointing Commissioners to liquidate and settle the expenses incurred in two expeditions carried on from the Kentucky District against the neighboring Indians and for other purposes. Hcnings Statutes. Vol. 12. 521.
By the act the powers of the Commissioners were extended. They were authorized to settle claims, grant certificates to pay militia necessary to defense of frontier during 1786 and 1787 and for removing arms and ammunition from Limestone to Lexington, and from Blockhouse to Danville.
The act first creating the board of commissioners is an act entitled, An Act for appointing Commissioners to liquidate and settle the expenses incurred in two expeditions carried on from the Kentucky District against the neighboring Indians. Henings Statutes, Vol. 12, 231.
"Whereas the citizens of this Commonwealth in the District of Kentucky have lately carried on two expeditions against the neighboring tribes of Indians and it is reasonable that such services should be rewarded, Be it enacted." ctc.
The commissioners were Edinund Lyne, Isaac Shelby, Richard Taylor.
The lands of officers and soldiers in the Kentucky District were to be exempt from taxation until further direction of the Legislature.
NUMBER 43.
TO THE HON'BLE THE SPEAKER AND DELEGATES OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA --
The Petition of Sundry inhabitants of the County of Fayette and those contiguous to Steeles ferry, near the mouth of Stone Lick on the Kentucky River. Sheweth to your honors that your Petitioners are desirous of making Tobaco to pay their taxes and for other purposes and have not at this time any Convenient warehouse or Inspection to receive it when made, they therefore pray that your honors may pass an Act to estab- lish Inspections on the Land of William Steele, who has already a convenient house erected for the purpose at his landing near his ferry on the said River, it being a very convenient place for the reception and shiping Tobaco, and convenient to a large number of the Inhabitants of the said County, and your Peti- tioners shall pray &c &c.
[Names.]
Fayette County Virginia to wit
I Levi Todd Clerk of the Court of the county aforesaid do certify that it was publickly advertised at the Door of the Courthouse of the County aforesaid at the Courts held in the months of July and August that a Petition would be presented to the next General Assembly for the Establishing a Warehouse
[ 102 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
for the reception of Tobacco at or near Steels landing near the mouth of Stone Lick
Given under my hand this 12th day of September 1787. Levi Todd.
Endorsement on back of petition: 22 October 1787-Referred to Props .- reasonable-(rept.)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act to enable the citizens of this Commonwealth to discharge certain taxes. by the payment of tobacco. Hen- ings Statutes, Vol. 12, 25S.
Notes for inspected tobacco were to be used and rated at twenty shillings for one hundred pounds. They were good in payments to superior judges, and ex- penses of government due to public treasury in case of surplus.
NUMBER 44.
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA
the petition of James Buchanan of the County of Bourbon humbly sheweth that your Petitioner having acquired at a great expence the claim of one half the lower blue Licks on Licking Creek of a certain James Parberry of Henry County & hath lately had the same divided and conveyed by Deeds in Fee Simple which were acknowledged and recorded according to Law: Your Petitioners part of the said Tract or parcel of Land includes the only good place for a Ferry across said Creek on the road leading from the mouth of Limestone to Lexington & your Petitioner at the request of many of his Neighbours hath provided a Boat & hands at his own Expence & set over passengers in time of high water from many of whom he has neither received Fee nor reward therefore your Petitioner prays that a Ferry may be established on his Lands on the one side of Licking Creek to his Lands on the opposite Shore. Your Petitioner lately alarmed by an advertisement set up at the door of the Court House of this County by said Parberry declaring his Intentions of applying to the next General Assem- bly for the establishment of a Ferry on what he calls his Lands on the said Creek running parallel with your Petitioner's which Place your Honorable House may be assured is a rapid and entirely unfit for a Ferry & therefore he can derive very little advantage to himself but would do much Injury to your Peti-
[ 103 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
tioner who hath for some Time lived with his Family on the Place much exposed to the Indians: Your Petitioner in support of the above allegations hath obtained a certificate of Colo James Garrard Surveyor of the said County who run the dividing Line by Consent of the Parties which Line stands as the Boundary mentioned in the Deed To which Certificate your Petitioner hopes your Honorable House will give the highest credit he being no way interested. Your Petitioner begs Leave further to inform your Honorable House that the said Parberry had prior to the Sale of the one Half sold to your Petitioner disposed of his other Half of the said Claim unto William Buchanan at the same time giving sufficient writings for the Conveyance of the Same and receiving full value in Lands lying on Holstan's river which obligations have since been assigned over and now become the claim of Mr. James French of the District of Kentuckey. And your petitioner for the better Information of your Honorable House hath inclosed a true copy of the Articles of agreement between William Buchanan and sd Parberry & your Petitioner humbly hopes that your Honorable House will take the same Into consideration & grant him the said Ferry & your Petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray.
James Buchanan
This is to certify that being call'd on by Mr. James Parberry to Divide the Tract of Land that contains the lower Blue Licks and having run the Dividing Line through the two Licks, one on each side of Licking Creek and having View'd the situation of the Landings proper for a Ferry are of opinion that the Lands of Mr James Buchanan is by far the most proper for a ferry By reason of a short Break of the Hills which forms a perfect Eddy and secure Landing when the Creek is past ford- ing which runs rapidly over Mr. Parberrys Landing, and I do further certify that I am not Interested any way in the Estab- lishment of the ferry at the Lick, only as a Citizen Given under my hand this 15th day of Sept 1787.
James Garrard, Surveyor Bourbon C.
[ 104 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
I John Edmund Clerk of Bourbon County do Certify that the within Petition was advertised according to Law
John Edmund C B C September the 20th 1787.
Endorsement on back of petition. 27th October 1787-Referred to Propo- sitions-(rept.)
NUMBER 45.
TO THE HONBLE THE SPEAKER AND DELEGATES OF THE GENL ASSEMBLY OF VIR- GINIA
The petition of Sundry inhabitants of the County of Fayette and those Contiguous to the Mouth of Craigs Creek on the River Kentuckey sheweth to your Honors that your petitioners are desirous of making Tobacco to pay their Taxes and for other purposes and have not at this time any Convenient Warehouses or Inspection to receive it when made they there- fore pray that your Honors may pass an act to establish inspec- tions on the Land of Genl Scott near the mouth of Craigs Creek on the said River it being the only place for a considerable distance on the River where the banks are acceptable we farther pray your Honours to establish a ferry upon said Scotts Land at the same place & your petitioners shall pray &c &c [Names.]
Fayette County Virginia to wit
I Levi Todd clerk of the Court of the County aforesaid do certify that it was publickly advertised at the door of the Courthouse of the County aforesaid on two several Court days to wit in the months of June & July 1787 That a Petition would be presented to the next General Assembly for the Establishing a Ferry and also a Ware house for the Inspection of Tobacco on the Kentucky River on the Lands of Genl. Charles Scott near the mouth of Craigs Creek In witness whereof I have hereto set my Hand this Twelfth day of Septr 1787.
Levi Todd
Endorsement on back of petition. Nov. 6. 1787-Referred to Propositions- reasonable-reported.
[ 105 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
NUMBER 46.
TO THE HONBLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA
The petition of the Inhabitants of the Town of Lexington and County of Fayette most humbly sheweth
That whereas the said Town being well designed and com- modiously, situated in the midst of a fertile country; and haveing met with the earliest attention and approbation of your Hon- orable body as will appear by the Act establishing the same, hath continued to increase in population and improvement, so that it is the most flourishing and best peopled of any at this time in the District of Kentucky.
And as we are persueded that a Strict attention to the inter- nal police of the same, which like that of Similar bodies require perticular rules, for its regulation, would greatly contribute to the comfortable accommodation of its inhabitents; and conse- quently be an inducement to well disposed persons, artizans and mechanicks who from motives of convenience do prefer a Town life to come and settle among us. And believing that the true interest of our Country will be greatly promoted by such. Your Petitioners therefore Humbly pray that the Honor- able the General Assembly will be pleased to take these matters into consideration, and if they should deem it expedient, pass an Act erecting the said Town into a body Corporate, with such rights and priviledges as other inland Towns which are Incor- porated, within this Commonwealth have and possess, as the most effectual means of produceing those desirable ends above speceficd. And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c. [Names.]
Endorsement on back of petition: Nov. 6th. 1757 .- Referred to propositions -rejd.) (repd.)
The request was granted in an act entitled, An Act concerning certain regu- lations in the town of Lexington and county of Fayette. Henings Statutes, Vol. 13, 191.
Trustees were to be elected by all living within a mile, owning twenty-five pounds of property, and having lived there six months, except negroes and mu- lattoes.
Trustees could ereet market lrouse, appoint elerk of market, repair streets, impose taxes under one hundred pounds, and make ordinances.
[ 106 ]
1
To the General Assembly of Virginia
NUMBER 47.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIR- GINIA.
We your Petitioners Sundry of the Inhabitants of the coun- ties of Fayette Bourbon & Madison humbly sheweth, that from the late Division of the counties of Fayette & Lincoln, the remote and detach'd, situation of a number of Inhabitants on the extreame parts of the new counties conceive ourselves greatly discommoded and a large number are excluded the advantage and benefit of an easy and convenient access to the place of publick Resort, therefore the good Intension of the Legislature is not fully extended to the community in general tho a much larger expense incur'd Pray a division of that part of the counties of Fayette & Bourbon & Madison (and the court house to be fix'd, in the Town of Boonsborough) to witt Begin- ning at the mouth of silver creek thence up the same to the mouth of Taylors fork thereof, thence a strait line to saltpetre cave near Capt. David Gases, thence a strait line to the uper Blue Lick, thence a southeast course to Russel county line, thence with said line so far as a Northwest course will strike Bramlets lick on Stoners fork of Licking creek, thence down the same so far as a southwest course will strike the head of the main branch of Boons Creek, thence down the same to the Kentuckey River thence Down said River to the mouth of Silver Creek the Beginning --
And your Petitioners as in duty bound shall ever pray &c [Names.]
This is to inform the publick that there will be a petition pre- sented to the next General Assembly of Virginia for a Division of part of the counties of Fayette, Bourbon & Madison to be added into one county as followeth viz --
Beginning at the mouth of Tates Creek, thence up the same to Taylors fork thereof thence a strait line to a salt petar cave near Capt. Gass's-Thence a strait line to the Blue Lick-,
{ 107 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
thence a southeast course to Russel county line thence with said line so far as a northwest course will strike Bramblet lick on Stoners fork of Licking creek. Thence down the same so far a south west cours will strike the head branch of Boons Creek, thence down said creek to the Kentucky River, then down said River to the mouth of Silver Creek the Beginning
This was advertised two Courts at Lexington.
Levi Todd Cl
Endorsement on back of petition: Nov. 6. 1787 .- Referred to propositions -reasonable-reported. See note to Petition No. 54.
NUMBER 48.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE GENL. ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA
The Petition of the People of Limestone; and other Inhabi- tants of the County of Bourbon Humbly sheweth that your Petitioners on account of their detach'd situation; subject to much danger inconvenience and expence; in having to attend their transactions of their County Business at the distance of forty miles from their habitations (for the most part surrounded with all the horrows of a Savage Enemy.)
Petitioned your Honourable house at their last Session for a division of the sd County of Bourbon; which for reasons appearing to them, they thought proper to postpone the con- sideration of till the present Session. That your petitioners finding the inconveniences greatly increased; and that it is to your honorable house only they are to look up for relief. Beg leave to recall your attention to their disagreeable situation; and to crave the indulgence of your honorable house in laying before you a state of their grievances.
Your Petitioners humbly observe that Twelve or fifteen miles of the way they must travil to their Courthouse is thro a Barren Country unfit for Cultivation that this aggrevates their danger as it is and may remain a secure Asylum to the Savages who infest the road, that for the most part it is unsafe to travil
[ 108 ]
1
To the General Assembly of Virginia
it in the Summer time unless in Companies of armed men, and that in the Winter time, the journey to or from Court cannot be perform'd in much less time than two daies, And that there are several considerable & rapid water courses, which often obstructs a convenient communication with the other part of the sd County. Which renders their attendance at Court extremely expensive & inconvenient, that they are often under the indispensible obligations of attending Court being subject as they become freeholders to attend on Grand Juries & other necessary duties which as Citizens they are liable to. That from being so much expos'd to the inroads of the Savages they have not a horse left for every tenth man. Neither can they on these accounts attend their Elections, which will ever be oppres- sive; as it will be in the power of the Inhabitants, South of Main Licking, to send members to the Genl. Assembly; opposed to a division who may be unwilling to become advocates for our distress, or not feeling the inconvenience we labour under unable to represent them;
That your Petitioners while attending Court are obliged to leave their dearest connexions exposed to the Merciless attack of a Cruel enemy, and that the division of Fayette hath afforded them little or no relief in any of these cases, And that the Clerks office being kept almost at the extremity of the sd County. Subjects them to additional inconveniences as recourse thereat is absolutely necessary in many Cases.
Your Petitioners are duly sensible of the Inconsistancy of dividing Counties where the numbers are so few as there is at present but humbly conceive their situation to be peculiarly distressing; And that a division might be a means of speedy strengthing their frontiers whereas few will ever risk their lives & property under the present disadvantages; Your Petitioners also expect that the Erection of the district of Kentucky into an Independent State will soon take place; and that they must continue to groan under their present Burden, till a Legislative body is formed here; unless relieved by your honorable house,
[ 109 ]
Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky
this they humbly conceive to be another cause of remonstrance, and for reasons already appearing they will not have a repre- sentation in forming the Constitution, to which their property, their lives and happiness will be subject.
Your Petitioners therefore pray your honorable house to take their case into consideration, and grant them a division of the sd County of Bourbon as follows, Beginning at the mouth of Licking, runing up the main branch thereof to the head, thence a direct line to the nearest part of Russell County line, along the Russell line to Bigg Sandy, & 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 &c.
[Names.]
September the 19th 1787.
I do hereby certify that an advertisement of the within Petition was set up at the door of Bourbon Court House. John Edward C. B. C.
NUMBER 49.
TO THE HONORABLE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF VIRGINIA
The petition of sundry Inhabitants of the County of Bour- bon, humbly sheweth that your petitioners warned by two adver- tisements one from the neighborhood of Limestone, and the other from the County of Madison proposing to petition your honorable house for the devision of Bourbon County. The first to divide the County by a line running up the main fork of Licking, The other to run from the head of Boon's creek near the Kentucky river a North East course untill it strikes Stoner's fork the south branch of Licking and up the same until a south cast course shall strike the Russell line. Your Petitioners beg leave to observe the division proposed from Limestone will leave this County very weak and will render both Counties (should a division take place) very deficient both as to the judiciary as well as to the military departments. They further shew that
[ 110 ]
To the General Assembly of Virginia
the settlements of Limestone do not contain more than one hundred and thirty militia, nor more than one hundred and fifty Tithables, Their taxable property under the revenue law does not amount by the last return to 100 £ as strength and wealth altogether inadequate to the expences of a new County, but as inconsiderable as it is, it will greatly distress the remaining part should a division take place, we beg leave to observe the division proposed from Madison to include a part of this county will run within four miles of Bourbon courthouse, and take fifty settlers, and drag them across the Kentuckey river through clifts and hills almost impasible to the proposed courthouse at Boonsborough amoungst whome are many of your petitioners who are living near twenty miles from the proposed courthouse and within six miles of the present, Your petitioners beg leave further to observe that the good people of the present County of Bourbon is sufficiently distressed already with the payment of their County and the whole military strength of the County as it now stands doth not exceed four hundred, Therefore your petitioners hope that your honourable house sensible of the detached small Bodies of settlers in all new frontier Counties, and that it is impossible to bring the Courthouse and church to every mans door and that some individuals in all such cases ought to give up their private case for the good of the people at large untill such time as the county may populate and such division become necessary, Your petitioners therefore pray that no such division may take place at present .- And as in duty bound shall ever pray &c
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