Just Found Some

Have just discovered a box with several copies of my original book "KEN-TAH-THE" first published in 2009.  The cover is shown here:

If anyone is interested in obtaining a copy please e-mail me at jonesgenealogist@aol.com and I will get back to you with more information.  This blog about historic Danivlle, KY is written from my many years of research into the life and times of Walker Daniel, and the earliest days of Danville.

Court of Appeals for KY 1792

The final listing for the Court of Appeals, and State Representatives:


                                                               Court of Appeals    

                Chief Justice ............................Harry Innes (succeeded by George Muter)

                Judge.........................................Benjamin Sebastian

                Judge.........................................Caleb Wallace

                Clerk..........................................Thomas Todd


                                    United States District Court for District of Kentucky  

                 Judge.........................................Harry Innes

                 Clerk..........................................Thomas Todd,
                                                                       (succeeded by James G. Hunter)

                 District Attorney........................George Nicholas,
                                                                       (succeeded by William Murry)

                 Marshal......................................Samuel McDowell, Junior  


                                                              United States Senators

                                             John Brown                                 John Edwards

                                                          Representatives In Congress    

                                            Christopher Greenup                   Alexander D. Orr

What a list indeed.

State Representatives for KY 1792

This post continues the listing of the first representatives for the State of Kentucky 1792:

Fayette County                                                            Bourbon County         
     William Russell                                                           George M. Bedinger
     John Hawkins                                                              John Waller
     Thomas Lewis                                                             Charles Smith
     Hubbard Taylor                                                           James Smith
     James Trotter                                                             John McKinney
     Joseph Crockett
     James McMillan                                                     Mercer County  
     John McDowell                                                            Samuel Taylor
     Robert Patterson                                                           John Jouett
                                                                                           Jacob Froman
Jefferson County                                                               Robert Mosby
     Richard Taylor
     Robert Breckinridge                                               Madison County  
     Benjamin Roberts                                                          Higgason Grubbs
                                                                                            Thomas Clay
Lincoln County                                                                   John Miller
     William Montgomery
     Henry Pawling                                                        Mason County  
     James Davis                                                                   Alexander D. Orr
     Jesse Cravens                                                                 John Wilson

Nelson County                                                             Woodford County   
     William King                                                                  John Grant
     William Abell                                                                 William Steele
     Matthew Walton                                                             John Watkins
     Edmund Thomas                                                            Richard Young
     Joseph Hobbs
     Joshua Hobbs

Anyone related to any of these folks?  Please leave a comment.

State Senators KY 1792

The last post listed the names of the first officers of Kentucky 1792.  This post will give the list of State Senators for 1792


                                                              STATE SENATORS  

                            Peyton Short ......................................................Fayette County
                            Robert Todd .......................................................Fayette County
                            Alexander S. Bullitt ...........................................Jefferson County
                            John Campbell....................................................Jefferson County
                            John Logan .........................................................Lincoln County
                            John Caldwell ....................................................Nelson County
                            John Allen ..........................................................Bourbon County
                            William McDowell.............................................Mercer County
                            Thomas Kennedy ...............................................Madison County
                            Alexander D. Orr ...............................................Mason County
                            Robert Johnson ..................................................Woodford County

Say hello to these folks, their work had just begun.                      
      

First Officers of KY 1792

Thought it might be of interest to list the very first folks who helped this state to get going.  This list includes the administrative, legislative, and judicial branches of government.  Each branch will be given in a separate post.

Administrative:

                             Governor................................................Isaac Shelby

                             Secretary of State..................................James Brown

                             Attorney-General..................................George Nicholas

                             State Treasure........................................John Logan

                             Auditor..................................................William McDowell

                             Adjutant-General...................................Percival Butler

                             Register of Land Office.........................Baker Ewing

                             Public Printer..........................................John Bradford

                             Speaker of Senate...................................Alexander S. Bullit

                             Speaker of House of Representatives.....Robert Breckinridge

The above names, and those yet to listed are taken from (p. xi - xii) :

Happy Birthday

Earlier this month on the 1st of June, 2017, Kentucky celebrated its 225th birthday.  It was only fitting that this party should happen on the very spot it all began.  "Constitution Square" it has come to be called since the very first constitution of the State was organized and written here.  Over the past several years this blog has given this history discussing the "Ten Pre-State Conventions", the "Acts of Separation", and notes from "The Journal" that was kept by the folks who came up with the final product.  From one of the earliest surveys draw of this "Public Square", it is shown below.

It measured 14 poles 10' 6" wide, and 20 poles 6' 3" in length. [ 1 pole = 16.5 ft ]  What a deal!  Happy 225th Birthday Kentucky from the place it all began.

The Journal (11)

"Friday the 13th day of April 1792"

"The Convention met according to Adjournment"

"Resolved That this Convention do now according to the order of the day resolve itself in a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred Mr. Garrard was elected to the Chair and after some time spent The President resumed the Chair and the Chairman reported that the matters to them referred and come to sundry resolutions thereon, which he delivered in at the Clerk's Table where they were twice read, some of them amended & then the whole agreed to as follows viz..."

Thus begins the foundation for the first constitution of the State of Kentucky.  The Journal gives a series of "Resolved" lasting several pages which was then written as the first constitution.  To give you some idea of this document I will give a few of the first resolutions.

"Resolved That the power of Government ought to be divided into three distinct departments each of them to be confided to a seperate body of Magistracy Towit, those which are legislative to one, those which are executive and those which are judiciary to another except such cases as may hereafter be particularly excepted."

"Resolved That the legislative power ought to be vested in a General Assembly to consist of a senate and a house of Representatives."

"Resolved That all free male citizens who have arrived to the age of Twentyone years who have been resident in the State two years or the County in which they offer to vote for one year before, ought to enjoy the right of suffrage but no person shell be entitled to vote but in the County in which he actually resides."

The resolutions continue on the next five pages of the text, and a select Committee was appointed to prepare a formal document which became the Constitution.

The Journal (10)

The next day:

"Thursday the 12th of April 1792

The Convention met according to Adjournment.

Resolved That this Convention will now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the matters to them referred.  Mr. Shelby was elected to the Chair, and after some time spent the President resumed the chair and the chairman reported that the committee of the whole had taken into their farther consideration the matters to them referred and had made some farther progress therein but not having time to go through the same have directed him to move for leave to sit again tomorrow - which is granted.

Resolved that this convention will to-morrow again resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred.

The Convention then adjourned until tomorrow morning 10 O'Clock."

Almost there...Friday the 13th is the next day!

The Journal (9)

The next day:

"Wednesday the 11th day of April 1792"

"The Convention met according to adjournment."

"Resolved That the Convention do now according to the order of the day resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the matters to them referred Mr. Garrard was elected to the Chair and after some time spent The President resumed the Chair and the Chairman reported that the Committee of the whole had taken into their farther consideration the matters to them referred and had made some farther progress therein but not having time to go thro' the same have directed him to move for leave to sit again Tomorrow which is granted.  Mr. David Rice from the County of Mercer resigned his seat as a member of this house and entered his resignation in the following words viz.  I David Rice a member for the County of Mercer do hereby resign my seat in the Convention chosen by the freemen of Kentucky to frame a fundamental constitution for the Sate of Kentucky Given under my hand this 11th day of April 1792. David Rice."

"Ordered. That a Writ be immediately issued for the election of a Member for the County of Mercer to supply the place of Mr. David Rice who hath this day resigned and that the election be held at the Courthouse of the said County on Friday the 13th day of Instant."

"Resolved That this Convention will Tomorrow again resolve itself int a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred."

"The Convention then Adjourned untill Tomorrow morning 10 O'Clock."

Still part of the colony of Virginia, Mercer County was formed 1785 from parts of Lincoln County.   At this time, it was geographically in the middle of the state. [Centre College took its name in 1819 when it was still Mercer County. ]  The name was taken from Gen. Hugh Mercer, a native Scotsman, who became a military officer in the French and Indian War.  By 1776, he was commissioned a Colonel of the Third Virginia Regiment, and became a Brigadier-general before his death in battle 1777. 

The Journal (8)

The weather in Kentucky can sure change quickly...you know those April showers.   The following entry is made:

"Monday the 9th day of April 1792."

"The Convention met according to Adjournment.  There not being a sufficient number to proceed to business thro the inclemency of the weather Ordered That the Convention do adjourn untill Tomorrow morning 10 Clock."

The following day is recorded:

"Tuesday the 10th day of April 1792."

"The Convention met according to Adjournment."

"Resolved, That this Convention do now resolve itself into a committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred. Mr. Garrard was elected to the Chair and after some time spent Mr. President resumed the Chair, - Mr. George Nicholas the the County of Mercer being reelected appeared & took his seat the Convention again went into a Committee of the whole & Mr. Garrard was again elected to the Chair and after some farther time spent therein the President  resumed the Chair & the Chairman reported that the Committee of the whole had taken into their farther consideration the matters to them referred & had made some farther progress therein but not having time to go thro the same had directed him to move for leave to sit again Tomorrow which was granted."

"Resolved That this Convention will Tomorrow again resolve itself into a Committe of the whole to take into father consideration the matters to them referred"

"The Convention then Adjourned untill Tomorrow Morning, 10 O'Clock."

The Journal (7)

The Convention Continued Saturday, the 7th day of April 1792: [day 7 of the convention]

"The Convention met according to Adjournment."

"Resolved That this Convention will now according to the order of day resolve itself into a Committee of whole to take into their farther consideration the matters to them referred.  Mr. Shelby was elected to the Chair and after sometime spent Mr. President resumed the Chair and the Chairman  reported that the Committee of the whole had taken into their farther consideration the matters to them referred and had made some farther progress therein but not having time to go thro' the same had directed him to move for leave to sit again on Monday next which was granted.

     George Nicholas Esquire a member for the County of Mercer resigned his seat as a member of this House and entered his resignation in the words viz 'I George Nicholas of the County of Mercer do hereby resign my seat as a member of the Convention chosen by the freemen of Kentucky for the purpose of framing a fundamental Constitution for the State of Kentucky.  Given under my hand this 7th day of April 1792.'  George Nicholas

     Ordered That a writ for the election of a member for the County of Mercer be immediately issued to supply the place of George Nicholas Esquire who has resigned his seat and that the Election be held at the Courthouse of the said County on Monday the ninth day of the present month.

     Ordered That Mr. Crawford have leave of absence from the service of this house untill Tuesday next, Mr. Smith and Mr. Frier untill Monday 12 O'Clock.

     Resolved That the President of this Convention do present the thanks thereof to George Nicholas Esquire for his particular attention & zealous & useful assistance in conducting the business while a member of this House.

     Resolved That this Convention will according to the order of the day again on Monday next resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred.

     The Convention adjourned untill Monday 10 o'clock."

The Journal (6)

The Convention continues:

"Friday the 6th day of April 1792"

"The Convention met according to Adjournment."

"Resolved That this Convention will now according to the Order of the day resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred.  Mr. Shelby was elected to the Chair and after sometime spent the President resumed the Chair and the Chairman reported that the Committee of the whole had taken into farther consideration the matters to them referred and had made farther progress therein but not having time to go thro' the same had directed him to move for leave to sit again Tomorrow which was granted."

"Resolved That this Convention will Tomorrow again resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred."

"The Convention then adjourned untill Tomorrow morning Ten O'Clock."

The Journal (5)

On the 5th day of April 1792 the Convention continued:

"The Convention met according to Adjournment."

"Ordered, That Mr. Nicholas Lewis be appointed Serjeant at arms during the absence of Mr. Joshua Barbee."

"The Convention according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred.  Mr. Shelby was elected to the Chair and after sometime spent the President resumed the Chair and the Chairman reported that the committee of the whole had taken into their farther consideration the matters to them referred and made farther progress therein but not having time to go thro' the same had directed him to move for leave to sit again Tomorrow which was granted."

"Resolved That this Convention will Tomorrow again resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred."

"The Convention Adjourned till Tomorrow Morning 10 O'Clock."

A "Committee of the whole" continues.  I have been unable to find a complete listing of the folks involved. 

The Journal (4)

The next day...

"Wednesday the 4th day of April 1792"

"The Convention met according to Adjournment"

"The Convention according to the order of the day resolved itself into a Committee of the whole to take into farther consideration the matters to them referred.  Mr. Garrard was elected to the Chair and after sometime the President resumed the Chair and the Chairman reported that the Committee of the whole had taken into their farther consideration the matters to them referred and had made some farther progress therein but not having time to go thro' the same had directed him to move for leave to sit again, which was granted."

"Resolved That this Convention will Tomorrow again resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into their farther consideration the matters to them referred."

Wonder what it would have been like to be a fly on the wall.  Remember they were discussing "An Act concerning the erection of the District of Kentucky into an Independent State".  This Act was passed 18th day of December 1789 by the Assembly of the State of Virginia.  This Convention in Danville had been four years in the making.

The Journal (3)

The Journal continues:

"Tuesday the 3rd day of April 1792"

"The Convention met according to Adjournment."

"Sundry petitions from the County of Bourbon praying for certain principles to be engrafted into the Constitution were read and ordered to be referred to the Committee of the whole today."

Fayette County, one of the first three Kentucky counties formed in 1780, gave up its land in 1785 to form Bourbon County.  Just three years after the Revolution, the folks around here still recognized their indebtedness to the French royal house of Bourbon who provided men and monies in this struggle for independence.  [Fayette Co. named after Marquis d'Lafayette and Paris was to become the capital of this new county.]

"The Convention then resolved itself into a Committee of the whole Convention to take into consideration the matter to them referred.  Mr. Garrard was elected to the Chair, and after sometime the President resumed th Chair and the Chairman reported that the Committee of [the] whole had taken into consideration the matters to them referred and had made some progress therein, but not having time to go thro' the same had directed him to to move for leave to sit again Tomorrow which was granted."

"Resolved That this Convention will Tomorrow again resolve itself into a Committee of the whole to take into further consideration the matters to them referred."

The Journal (2)

The Journal continues:

"On Motion Ordered that the rules and regulations for the government of the Convention of July 1789 be read and thereupon the same are adopted as the rules and regulations for the Government of this Convention."

The first act of the new state was to adopt the previous "rules and regulations" [under Virginia] that had been in place during the prior year. 

"A letter from the Honble George Muter former President of a Convention to the President of this Convention inclosing certain Acts of Congress together with its inclosures were read & ordered to be referred to a Committee of the whole Convention which to sit Tomorrow."

The newly formed Congress of these now united 13 colonies [plus Vermont formed 1791] had something to say about the formation and acceptance of any new State into these "United States".  These "Acts of Congress" were read this day before all the folks attending.

"Resolved, That this Convention will Tomorrow resolve itself into a Committee of the whole Convention to take into consideration the matters to them referred."

"Ordered That the Act of Assembly of the State of Virginia passed the 18th day of December 1789 entitled 'An Act concerning the erection of the District of Kentucky into an Independent State' together with the resolution of the Convention passed the 30th day of June 1790 be referred to the Committee of the whole Tomorrow."

Additional orders were issued during this meeting involving the appointment of certain committees, a "Sarjeant at arms", and a "doorkeeper". 

This days activities (day 2) was ended by the following motion:

"On Motion, Ordered that when this Convention doth adjourn, that it adjourn to the Presbyterian Meeting house adjoining Danville".

The Journal (1)

The first "Constitutional Convention" of Kentucky was held in Danville, April 2 to April 19, 1792.  A "Journal" was kept of the meetings, which was reproduced by the State Bar Association of Kentucky for "Kentucky's Sesquicentennial Anniversary, June 1, 1942.  On page 1, the first day's activities are recorded as follows:

"At a Convention begun and held at Danville in the County of Mercer on Monday the second day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and ninety-two."

[Boyle County was not to form for almost 1/2 century [1842] after this convention was held here in Danville.  All legal and court records are located in Mercer County prior to 1842.]

"On which day being the day appointed by a resolution of a Convention held for the District of Kentucky on the Thirtieth day of July One Thousand Seven hundred and Ninety."

[This was the ninth convention that was held at Danville on Monday, July 26, 1790.  George Muter was elected President, and Thomas Todd, was elected Clerk at this 9th meeting.]

" A Majority of the members having met and taken their Seats."

"Ordered That Mr. Thomas Todd be appointed Clerk to this Convention."

"The Honble Samuel McDowell was unanimously elected President"

Appointing "Clerk" and "President" was the first order of business.  The Todd and McDowell families were continue their roles in the foundation of Danville.  The front page of this source is shown below:

The Creating of Kentucky

The text by James Rood Robertson contains the following in a footnote on p. 82 pertaining to the first action taken by the General Assembly of Virginia toward the formation of Kentucky as a State. [Henings Statues, Vol. 12, 37 ]

"Whereas it is represented to be the desire of the good people inhabiting the district known by the name of the Kentucky District that the same should be separated from this Commonwealth whereof it is a part and be formed into an independent member of the American Confederacy and it is judged by the General Assembly that such a partition of the Commonwealth is rendered expedient by the remoteness of the more fertile which must be the more populous part of the said district and by the interjacent impediment to a convenient and regular communication therewith, Be it enacted, "

"A convention was to be held at Danville on the fourth Monday of September made up of delegates from the seven counties, five from each.  The call was to be posted twenty days and the election was to continue five days to give full opportunity for expression of opinion."

"The boundary was to be unchanged, the new State was to assume its just proportion of the debt, the lands of non-residents were not to be taxed above those of residents, grants of land by the new State were not to interfere with grants made by Virginia, lands set apart for soldiers were subject to grant only by Virginia, up to 1788, the use of the Ohio River to be common, and assent of United States Congress to the separation necessary."

Wow...what a deal...all to happen at a convention to be held at Danville!  Historic Danville...indeed it is.

Act of Separation 1785 (7)

The final part of this letter continues:

"In this Address we have discarded the complimentary stile of adulation & insincerity- it becomes Freemen when speaking to Freemen, to imploy the plain, manly unadorned Language of Independence.....September 23d 1785"

The individuals who signed this document that I have been able to find are: 1) John Coburn, 2) William Kennedy, 3) George Muter, 4) Samuel McDowell, and 5) Levi Todd.

This petition was sent to committee at the General Assembly of Virginia 14th November 1785.

This documentation taken from: Petitions of The Early Inhabitants of Kentucky To The General Assembly of Virginia 1769 to 1792, by James Rood Robertson, John P. Morton & Company, 1914. pp. 79 - 82.

An Act of Separation 1785 (6)

The petition continues:

"We firmly rely, that the undiminished Lustre of that Spark, which kindled the flame of Liberty, and guided the United States of America to Peace & Independence, will direct the Honourable Body, to whom we Appeal for redress of Manifest grievances, to embrace the Singular Occasion, reserved for them, by Devine Providence; to Originate a precedent, which may Liberalize the Policy of Nations and lead to the emancipation of enslaved millions.-"

Almost to the end...what a group of individuals to join in this petition.  Will try and identify the signers who are from Jefferson, Fayette, Lincoln, and Nelson counties in the "district of Kentucky" 1785.