Clark County KY

Genealogy of the Lewis family in America

Genealogy of the Lewis family in America

Free: Genealogy of the Lewis family in America, from the middle of the seventeenth century down to the present time. Download the full manuscript. About the middle of the seventeenth century four brothers of the Lewis family left Wales, viz.: Samuel, went to Portugal; nothing more is known of him; William, married a Miss McClelland, and died in Ireland, leaving only one son, Andrew; General Robert, died in Gloucester county, Va. ; and John, died in Hanover county, Va. It is Andrews descendants who are featured in the manuscript.

Biographical Sketch of Ezekiel McCarty

Ezekiel and Ira McCarty, sons of James McCarty and Jane Harding from Virginia, settled in Clark County, Kentucky, in 1806. Ezekiel, a War of 1812 veteran, married Elizabeth Sidebottom and had eight children. He moved to Danville, Missouri, in 1836, where he lived until his death in 1866. His surviving sons, Eli, George W., and Alfred, continued the family legacy, with George W. becoming a notable Justice of the Peace. Ira, Ezekiel’s brother, also raised a family in Boone County, Missouri.

Biographical Sketch of Enoch Spry

Enoch Spry migrated to Missouri from Clark County, Kentucky, at the age of fifteen, accompanied by Simon Griggs and Cornelius Howard. He married Mary A Logan and established his family in Montgomery County in 1817, raising eight children. A notable incident occurred when he mistook the whistle of a passing steamboat for a panther’s call, leading him to flee home in fear. His exaggerated account sparked a community search for the mythical beast, highlighting both his character and the era’s superstitions.

Biographical Sketch of John Wright

John Wright emigrated from England to Pittsylvania County, Virginia, where he had four children: John, William, Nancy, and another daughter. His son William, who served five years in the Revolutionary War, married Isabella Thrailkill, and they had twelve children. The Wright family later moved to Montgomery County, Missouri, in 1824, where William ran a tavern. Notably, a Methodist minister named Prescott, while at Wright’s tavern, mistakenly fed his horse large gourds, leading to his nickname “Gourd Head Prescott.

Montgomery Co., Ky

In Montgomery County, Kentucky, enslaved individuals lived primarily on farms, provided with log houses, food, and clothing made under the supervision of white mistresses. Most sales of slaves were considerate, often keeping families together. Religious instruction was common among enslaved people, who created a vibrant community life. Notably, the county did not experience significant slave trading or the Underground Railroad. Records reflect a structured yet complex social dynamic, where enslaved individuals were regarded as human beings, despite the harsh realities of slavery.

Clark Co., Ky

The first records of enslaved individuals in Clark County date back to 1783, brought by settlers from Virginia and Maryland. Initially, these fifteen families faced hardships while establishing their community along the Big Stoner. While some slaveholders treated their slaves well, the community did not tolerate cruelty, and laws were enacted to protect enslaved people. Notably, freemen and former slaves formed settlements post-Civil War. The region lacked a formal slave market, with hiring typically occurring on New Year’s Day. Individual accounts reveal complex relationships between enslaved people and their owners, highlighting acts of bravery and loyalty.

Slave Narrative of Peter Bruner

Peter Bruner, born in 1845 in Winchester, Kentucky, endured severe hardship as a slave under various masters. Initially treated well, he faced cruelty and deprivation from John Bell Bruner and Jimmy Benton. Despite multiple escape attempts, he was repeatedly captured, severely punished, and endured conditions of bondage. His fortunes changed during the Civil War when he joined a regiment. Afterward, he worked various jobs, eventually becoming an engineer and janitor at Miami University. As of 1936, at 91 years old, he reflected on a life marked by resilience and faith.

Biography of Charles G. Martin

Charles G. Martin, born November 16, 1847, in Kentucky, is a prominent pioneer of Bingham County, Idaho. He witnessed the region evolve from wilderness to a flourishing agricultural hub. After relocating to Idaho in 1870, he engaged in stock raising, acquiring 320 acres near Idaho Falls, where he specializes in beef cattle. Married to Johanna Wright, they have two children. A dedicated Democrat, Martin prioritizes business over politics and is recognized for his significant contributions to the county’s development.

Indians of Kentucky

The history of Indians in Kentucky is marked by transient tribes like the Shawnee and Delaware, who engaged in intermittent conflict but never established permanent settlements. Early Kentucky was a battleground for these tribes, with the Kentucky River serving as a key route for their movements. Despite the violence, early settlers noted that unlike many other states, Kentucky did not inherit the legacy of displacement, as no tribes claimed land there at the time of settlement. The complexities of this history reflect a landscape shaped by both conflict and migration.

Kentucky Superstitions

Most Kentucky superstitions stem from a blend of beliefs shared between white settlers and enslaved African Americans. While many superstitions are ancient traditions passed down from Germanic and Indo-European cultures, African contributions primarily consist of hoodoo and voodoo practices. Enslaved individuals often influenced white children, leading to a mutual exchange of supernatural beliefs. Common superstitions encompass haunted houses, weather signs, luck indicators, and health charms, with a strong adherence to lunar phases for agricultural activities.

Biographical Sketch of Ryon, W. M., Colonel

Colonel William M. Ryon, born in Winchester, Kentucky, migrated to Texas in 1837. He participated in laying out Austin in 1839 and later organized troops for the 1842 invasion of Mexico. Captured at Mier, Ryon showed valor, sustaining injuries during the battle. After his release in 1845, he married Mary M. Jones and engaged in farming and business in Fort Bend County. A respected community member, he was affiliated with the Episcopal Church and Masonic fraternity, passing away on October 31, 1875.