History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I, Part 123

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Ohio > History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I > Part 123

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Brackett Owen, of Prince Edward county, Virginia, moved to that part of the State adja- cent to the present site of Shelbyville, Shelby county, Kentucky, in 1783, and built the first block-fort at that place. He was popularly breveted Colonel. His two eldest sons, Jacob and John, were chief in the enterprise. He had nine sons and two daughters. Jacob and John conducted two armed parties from and one back to Virginia. Jacob, the eldest son, had command of a military expedition over Salt river, and on to Green river and beyond. John, the second son, was captain of a company in the war of 1812, sent to the Wabash. Abraham, the third son, was a colonel in the same war, was in several engagements, and fell at Tippe- canoe. He was a member of the first constitu- tional convention of Kentucky, and was a member of the House of Representatives of Kentucky, for several terms from Shelby county. He had two sons, James and Clark, who were colonels in the war for Texan independence, and fought at San Jacinto. Clark was also a colonel in the

Confederate army and fell at Shiloh. David, the fourth son, was a major in the same war, and was in several engagements. He had two sons-Brackett, who was a captain in the same war, and James, who was in the Confederate army under Kirby Smith, in the trans-Mississippi department. He was the Representative of Gallatin county, in the Kentucky House of Representatives, for several terms; was chairman of the committee on nomination for United States offices on the Democratic side; chairman of committee, with John Rowan and Richard C. Anderson, on bill granting to church property, etc., immunity from taxation, and other bills of general importance. Mrs. Nancy Owen Gwin, the first daughter, had two sons engaged in the same war-David O. Gwin, who was a captain, and Avery Gwin, who was a surgeon. Jacob Owen, first son, died on his farm near Louisville in 1806. John Owen, second son, died in Louis- ville in 1822. Robert Owen, the sixth son, died in Louisville in 1856.

CHAPTER XV .- In the biography of the Rev. Dr. Norton, in our chapter on Religion in Louis- ville, the "middle name," in the third line, should read " Hatley ;" the date of his beginning as associate rector of Christ church should be "1870;" and in the last paragraph but one, for "integrity of will," read "intensity of will." The following lines have been sent since the chapter was printed, as fitly closing this biography :

Thus to relieve the wretched was his pride, And even his failings leaned to virtue's side; But, in his duty prompt at every call, He watched and wept, he prayed and felt for all; And, as a bird each fond endearment tries, To tempt her new-fledged offspring to the skies, He tried each art, reproved each dull delay, Allured to brighter worlds, and led the way.

CHAPTER XX .- In the biographical notice of Dr. Bodine, for "forwarding the American Med- ical College Association," read "forming the American Medical Association."

CHAPTER XXI .- In connection with the sketch of Hon. Alexander Scott Bullitt, in the Chapter on the Bench and Bar, the following original papers

608

HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

and extracts from original papers in the posses- sion of Colonel Thomas W. Bullitt, of Louis- Louisville, and not heretofore published, will be found of interest :

I. Letter from Daniel Boone to Colonel William Christian (the spelling is preserved).

DEAR COL: The Land Bissness your father Left in my Hands is Chefly Dunn and Rady to be Returned Sum I have Regestered, and I have at your Request by a Later payd Sum Money for that bisness, and not thinking of this oper- tunity, have have Not time to Draw up your acoumpt. Request the faver of you to Send me by the bearer, James Brigis, ten pound, and this shall be your Resate for that Sum, and you Will oblige your Omble Sarvent,

DANIEL BOONE.

N. B. I have a Number of plats to Register at the general Cort, and am Scarse of Cash. Plese to oblyge me if pasible. D. B.

August the 23, 1785.

To COL. WILLIAM CRISTEN.

II. A talk from the Raven of Chicamogga to Joseph Martin in Chats, dated July ye 10th, 1781 :

BROTHER: I rec'd your good talks by one of your men which I was glad to see. I took fast hold them. You men- tioned that them white people that was lately at my towns had stole horses and negroes and that I must send them back. I am sorry you did not send sooner as they was all gone Pensocula before your letter come to me or I would brought them back and all they had. You mention that I must not suffer any more to pass without letters from you which I will remember and give orders to all my people to mind. Brother, I am now going to speak to you about pow- der. I have in my town six hundred good hunters and we have very little powder. I hope you will speak to our elder brother of Virginia to take pity on us and send us as much as will make our Falls hunts. He will hear you.

We are very poor, tho we do not love to beg which our brother knows as we never askt him for anything before tho I thank him for all he did for our people in the old towns. So hope he will not refuse the first favor I ask of him. I have taken you by the hand. I dont want to turn my face another way to a strange people. The Spaniard have sent to me to come and speak to him, which I have not done though sev- eral of my people are gone to hear what they have to say, but I am sitting still at home with my face toward my elder brother of Virginia. Hoping to hear from him soon, I will not take hold of any strange people till I hear from him. Tell him that when I took hold of your hand I looked on it as if he had been there. The hold is strong and lasting. I have with this talk sent you a long string of white beads as a confirmation of what I say.

My friendship to you shall be as long as the beads remain wbite.

[A String.]

[The above paper was found by me among the papers of Colonel William Christian, which de- scended to me from my father, William C. Bul- litt. Colonel Christian was entensively engaged for the Commonwealth of Virginia in negotiating treaties with the Indians, and his correspondence

with Joseph Martin shows that they were con- nected in the negotiation of these treaties. This talk I suppose to have been taken down by Mar- tin and was addressed to Colonel Christian, to be by him forwarded to the Governor of Vir- ginia.

THOMAS W. BULLITT.]

III. Letter from Patrick Henry to his sister, Mrs. Annie Christian, after the death of her hus- band, Colonel William Christian.

RICHMOND, May 15, 1786.

I am at a loss how to address you, my dearest sister; would to God I could say something to give relief to the dearest of women and sisters-My Heart has felt in a manner new & strange to me, insomuch that while I am endeavouring to comfort you, I want a comforter myself-I forbear to tell you how great was my love for my Friend & Brother. I turn my eyes to Heaven, where he is gone I trust, and adore with Humility the unsearchable ways of that providence which calls ns off this stage of action at such Time and in such Manner as its Wisdom & Goodness directs-We cannot see the Reason of these dispensations now; but we may be as- sured they are directed by Wisdom & Mercy-This is one of the occasions that calls your & my attention back to the many precious Lessons of piety given us by our honored parents; whose Lives were indeed a constant Lesson, and worthy of Imitation. This is one of the trying scenes, in which the Christian is eminently superiour to all others & finds a Refuge that no Misfortune can take away. To this refuge let my dearest Sister fly with Resignation. I think I can see some traces of a kind Providence to you & the Children in giving you a good son-in-law, so necessary at this time to take charge of your affairs .- It gives me comfort to reflect on this.

Pray tell Mr. Bullet I wish to hear from him, & to culti- vate an intimacy with him, & that he may command any services from me-I could wish any thing remained in my power to do for you or yours. And if at any time you think there is, pray let me know it, & depend on me to do it to the utmost-I need not tell you how much I shall value your letters, particularly now, for I am anxious to hear from you and how every thing goes on in your affairs. As so few of the Family are left, I hope we shall not fail to correspond frequently. It is natural in me to encrease in Affection to the Survivors as the number decreases-I am pained on re- flecting that my Letters always are penned as dictated by the strongest love and affection to you ; but that my Actions have not kept pace. Opportunity's being wanting must be the excuse. For indeed, my dearest sister, you never knew how much I loved you and your Husband-my Heart is full-perhaps I may never see you in this world-Oh may we meet in that Heaven to which the merits of Jesus will carry those who love & serve him. Heaven will I trust give you its choicest comforts & preserve your Family-such is the prayer of him who thinks it his Honour & pride to be yr affc Brother P. HENRY.

IV. Extract from letter of Mrs. Annie Christian to Patrick Henry in reply to above.

COVE SPRING, MERCER COUNTY, September, 1786. My ever dear Brother

Yours of May I received, & thank my dear Brother for the kind consolation it contained. The Imagination must be strong indeed to paint the distress & affliction it has pleased

609

HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

the God of Heaven to lay upon me at a time and in a place where no human aid or assistance was offered me, no allevia- tion of my sorrows (which seemed rolling over my head) by a kind sympathizing friend or relation. No! I had no friend tben left. When unrelenting Death had deprived me of my ever dear and unequalled friend & Husband, my four Chil- dren & me had no protector, no refuge to fly to in our sor- row -- but I thank God Almighty for his goodness to me in supporting me under all the trials his wisdom has seen fit to lay upon me-blessed be the Lord for all his goodness to me, in the midst of all my affliction and trouble he has never given me up entirely to grief nor forsaken me, nor left me without hope. When I seemed all most sinking under my great load of grief, and no help seemed near, nor friend to turn my weeping eyes too, then the Lord raised me up, & afforded me strength sufficient to bear all that he had thought fit to try me with, his great mercies let me never forget, nor my children after me. We are enjoying blessings of peace here and a great plenty of every necessary, and I hope 1 shall always be independant, as my dear deceased friend has left us all possessed of an ample support & I hope the Lord will direct and guide me through life so that 1 may devote my whole time to his service & the good & welfare of my dear children.

1 think my ever dear deceased friend had frequent thoughts last winter of his time here be- ing but short. He, dear man, was very grave and thoughtfull, & seemed extremely anxious to get his affairs put in order. It seems to me as if there was an unavoidable fatality at- tending men. There were some, indeed several circumstances looked as if my dear Mr. Christian's race was run & he must basten to meet his end, but I hope he, good man, has made a happy exchange. He lived a well-spent life, & is now I hope reaping the blessed fruits. He is taken out of a world of sin & sorrow, trouble & vanity. When the fatal wound was given him, he behaved with the greatest fortitude. He never murmered or complained the least, but said "my wound is mortal, though I hope to get home to my Family before I die," and when the men who carryd him had traveled till late in the night, he then made them stop and got off the litter & rode on horseback 2 miles, but by the great loss of blood was unable to proceed and had a second litter made on which he was carryd till he desired them to stop for him to rest awhile. He told a friend he was not at all afraid to meet death, & died resigned to the will of God, that it would be very melan- choly news for his poor family to hear, and then expired- without a groan. They brought the dear remains home on the very day he told me at parting, he expected to return-Oh, what a good, what a valuable, what a dear friend & protector have I lost, but when I think and hope he is in a land of bliss & glory, unspeakably happy. joining the songs & hallelujahs of surrounding angels, singing the praises of redeeming love, I then am silenced, & beg the Lord to reconcile me at once to my fate & his blessed will. Prav, my dear Brother, forgive my long, tedious letter. May God bless my dear sister, your- self & dear children. May Heaven prepare us for a meeting in that happy place. ANNIE CHRISTIAN.

To His Excellency, Patrick Henry, Richmond.

Favored by Captain Terrell.

V. Letter from Annie Henry Christian to her sister, Mrs. Priscilla Bullitt, wife of Alexander S. Bullitt.

July 10th, 1792.

MY DEAR SISTER

The time has so often been appointed for us to set out to

Kentucky, and I have so frequently pleased myself (in vain) with the idea of seeing you that I am almost afraid to say that Dr. Warfield intends to set out in the fall altho I be- heve he will.

I will send you a history of the fashions in Virginia-the ladies wear crape cushions with very high caps made of catcut and ganze and white ribbon (dressed with a great many feathers and flowers) handkerchiefs are entirely laid aside, tuckers are altogether worn made of book muslin and broad lace, short dresses with two flounces on the coat are worn instead of gowns, low crown hats are come in fashion again, though with very small brims. Sandals with three or four colors are common.) My respectful compliments to Mr. Bullitt. give my love to the Dear Children.

I am with affection yours

A. H. CHRISTIAN.

I will feel myself under lasting obligations to Mr. Bullitt if he will be so good as to send me a horse by Capt. Terrell (to ride to Kentucky). I suppose he is the most proper person to apply to, A. C.

MRS. BULLITT, Jefferson.

UNITED STATES MARINE HOSPITAL, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

This hospital was completed in 1847, and opened with Dr. Matt Pyles as surgeon in charge. Dr. Pyles resigned in 1848 or 1849, and Dr. Llewellyn Powell was appointed as his successor. Dr. Powell resigned in 1853, and Dr. Robert J. Breckenridge was appointed sur- geon April 1, 1853, and Dr. I. N. Hughes was appointed physician to the hospital the same date. Dr. Powell's resignation must have been to take effect April Ist, as he continued to act as surgeon until relieved by Dr. Breckenridge.

Dr. Hughes, physician, resided at the hospital, and Dr. Breckenridge made semi weekly visits. Dr. Breckenridge resigned in April, 1861, hav- ing served eight years, and Dr. Thomas W. Colescott was appointed his successor May 9, 1861.

There is no record, nor is it known how long Dr. Hughes served as physician to the hospital, but he retired long before Dr. Breckenridge did, and did not have a successor.

Dr. Colescott continued as surgeon until May 1, 1863, when the sick seamen were transferred to the Louisville marine hospital, now the Louis- ville city hospital, and the United States marine hospital was converted into a military hospital.

The Government paid the city a certain per diem for the care of the sick seamen from May I, 1863, until the re-opening of the United States marine hospital in 1869.

610

HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

After the war the hospital was vacant until September 20, 1869, when Dr. David J. Griffith was appointed surgeon, and the United States marine hospital was re-opened with eight patients transferred from the city hospital (Louisville ma- rine hospital).

Dr. J. J. Matthews had received an appoint- ment as surgeon March 8, 1867, but from some cause failed to open the hospital, and nothing was done until Dr. David J. Griffith was ap- pointed.

The hospital and grounds (about thirteen acres) were leased by the Secretary of the Treas- ury to the Sisters of Mercy for a period of two years, commencing September 20, 1869. By the terms of the lease the Sisters of Mercy were to keep the building and grounds in good con- dition, to nurse, feed, and otherwise provide for sick seamen, for which they were to receive seventy-five cents per day for each patient, the Government to furnish medical attention and medicine. The salary of the surgeon was $1,000 per annum, with the title of surgeon in charge. As before noted, Dr. David J. Griffith was appointed as surgeon in charge.

Three months after Dr. David J. Griffiths was appointed he was stricken with paralysis (nema- phlegia left side) and his brother, Dr. Thomas J. Griffiths, was appointed surgeon in charge Janu- ary 3, 1870.

At the expiration of the two years' lease with the Sisters of Mercy, the contract was amended so as to have them furnish everything, including medicines and pay of the surgeon, and the per diem increased to eighty-eight cents, the Secretary of the Treasury reserving the right to appoint the surgeon in charge, and Dr. Thomas J. Griffiths was continued as such.

About this time Dr. John M. Woodworth was appointed supervising surgeon-general of the marine hospital service, and began to bring order out of chaos and organize the service on its present basis. Dr. Preston H. Bailhache was appointed United States marine hospital surgeon, and assigned to Louisville to take general super- vision of the service at this port. He took charge September 2, 1873, with his office at the custom house; Dr. Griffiths remaining surgeon in charge of the patients.

Surgeon Bailhache was transferred to Wash- ington city April 23, 1875, and Surgeon Orsamus

Smith took charge of the service May 7, 1875. Surgeon Smith was transferred to Mobile, Ala- bama, August 5, 1875.

From August 5th to October 15, 1875, there was no medical officer on duty at Louisville other than Dr. Thomas J. Griffiths.

Dr. W. H. Long, having passed the examina- tion required by the regulations, was appointed assistant surgeon United States marine hospital service, and assigned to duty at Louisville Octo- ber 15, 1875, with his office in the custom house.

The lease with the Sisters of Mercy was termi- nated December 31, 1875, and the hospital was opened as class one January 1, 1876, with a full staff of employes, including a hospital steward, all appointees of the surgeon, and paid direct by the Government.

Dr. Thomas J. Griffiths was appointed surgeon marine hospital service, with a salary of $2,500 per annum, and Horace Morris was made hos- pital steward.

During the latter part of the year 1877 Sur- geon Griffith's health had failed to such an ex- tent as to incapacitate him from performing his duties as surgeon, and he was retired December 31, 1877, with the honorary appointment of con- sulting surgeon without salary.

Assistant Surgeon W. H. Long was appointed surgeon United States marine hospital service and given charge of the service at Louisville January 1, 1878. Dr. J. H. O'Reilley was ap- pointed acting assistant surgeon.

July 23, 1879, acting assistant surgeon O'Reilly was transferred to Evansville, Indiana, and Dr. W. M. Griffiths was appointed acting assistant surgeon. At the date of this writing, May 15, 1882, Sur- geon W. H. Long and Acting Assistant W. M. Griffiths are. in charge.

Of the officers who have served in the United States marine hospital there are still living Dr. Thomas W. Colescott, Dr. David J. Griffiths, who was medical director on General Philip Sheridan's staff during the civil war, Dr. P. H. Bailhache, Dr. Thomas J. Griffiths, Drs. W. H. Long, I. H. O'Reilly, and W. M. Griffiths.

611

HISTORY OF THE OHIO FALLS COUNTIES.

CHAPTER XV .- In the history of St. Paul's church, second paragraph, for " Pettit," read " Pettet," and for "Hine," in two places, read "Huie." Last line of the sketch, for "Garrett," read " Gantt."

CHAPTER XX .- In the biographical sketch of Dr. Short, third paragraph, for "brothers," read "sons" of Judge Short's family, etc.

CHAPTER XXI .- In the Biography of Judge Barr, first paragraph, for "public," read "pri- vate" schools; and in the last paragraph but one, third line, for "industry," read "modesty."

In the sketch of Mr. Kincaid's life and ser- vices, second paragraph, just before "By request at Pensacola," read "Admiral Winslow, distin- guished as the officer who captured the Confed- erate cruiser Alabama, was also an officer on the Missouri." Fifth paragraph, for "William F. Grimstead," read "William E. Grimstead;" sixth paragraph, for "J. R.," read "J. B. and R. C. Kinkead;" last paragraph, after "political life," instead of the sentence following, read "In early manhood Mr. Kinkead took an active part in politics, ardently supporting the principles of the Democratic party ; serving his party as county elector and being a frequent and eloquent speaker before the people ; but he dissolved his connection with that party as soon as the ques- tion of secession was distinctly made, since which time he has been a firm Republican." At the end of the sketch read the following: "Mr. Kinkead's fine abilities have enabled him to take high rank in whatever position he has been placed. As a speaker he is easy, graceful, fluent, and eloquent. In his profession and as a law- yer, he is clear, ready, and vigilant. In public matters he is cautious and far-sighted, and in the social circle he is quick, vivacious, witty, and genial, abounding in anecdote, and even happy in repartee. He is eminently the possessor of those traits of mind, and public and private vir- tues, which seem to make up the useful citizen, valuable, and beloved, and brilliant member of society."

In the biographical sketch of Judge Bullock, for "1888," read "1878 ;" for "the close rela- tionship to Mr. Clay," read " his close relation- ship," etc .; and for "Fifth Judicial Court," read " Fifth Judicial District."

CHAPTER XXII .- In the biographical sketch of the Hon. Thomas L. Jefferson, second para- graph, the reader should understand Elizabeth Jefferson to have been the mother of Thomas L., not of Thomas, Jefferson. Messrs. C. H. Finck (not Fricke) and A. W. (not H.) Gardner were two of Mr. Jefferson's fellow committeemen delegated to the suffering Masons of Chicago. In the list of his children, read "Louisa" after Catharine, and "son" after "Thomas Lewis, Jr." Subsequently, "Hebbit & Son" should read " Hibbitt & Son."

In the biography of James Anderson, Jr., page 5.55, twentieth line, after "it," read "many years;" twenty-second line, for " four," read " few ;" thir- tieth line, for "systematic," read "sympathetic." Page 556, second column, twelfth line from the bottom, for "practical," read "practicable ;" eighth line, for "raise," read "save."

In the biography of James Brown, page 561, thirty-third line, for " available," read "arable;" second column, third line, for "including," read "Inducing."

In the biography of R. A. Robinson, end of eleventh line, for "his," read "her." In the par- agraph relating to retirement from the dry goods firm, for "brother," read "brothers." Next par- agraph, after " woolen mills," read " two of his sons being employed in each concern." Third paragraph thereafter, read "because of," before "the pressure of other duties."

Add the following to the sketch of Judge Stites : In 1868 Judge Stites was tendered and accepted a position as one of the professors in the Law Department of the University of Louis- ville, and for four years discharged the duties of that place, which he was compelled to resign because of the great labor incident to his judicial position.

71.2

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of the Ohio falls cities and their counties : with illustrations and bibliographical sketches, Vol. I, Part 123

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Williams, L.A., & Co., Cleveland
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland, Ohio : L. A. Williams & Co.
Number of Pages: 814