Saturday, January 30, 2021

Heritage Farm Program - Part 6 of 7

            Centennial Farm is a farm or ranch in the United States that has been officially recognized by a state documenting the farm has been continuously owned by a single family for 100 years or more. Sesquicentennial Farms (150 years) and Bicentennial Farms (200 years) are also recognized.

          During the Kentucky Bicentennial (1992) Kentucky started a “Heritage Farm Program” that recognized historic farms and ranches. The Kentucky legislature passed a law in 1980, revised July 15, 1982, titled “Kentucky Register of Heritage Farms” (Ky. Rev. Stat. 171.388)  stating that to qualify a farm must comprise at least 40 acres, shall have been owned by the same family at least 100 years, be an active farm, and contain a structure more than 50 years old.  Farms are certified by the Kentucky Heritage Council, in conjunction with the State Preservation Office. An official certificate is issued and signed by the Governor and various officials.

          Ohio County is blessed with two Sesquicentennial Farms and five Centennial Farms.  The following information is “as of” the year  2000 and taken from a book titled: Kentucky’s Historic Farms: 200 years Of Kentucky Agriculture, Turner Publishing, Inc. Paducah, published 1994, 1996, and 2000.  Authors were Clark Ph.D., Thomas; Beatty, Durwood W; Jarratt, C. Ardell; Amos, Christine; Hudson, Karen E.


OHIO COUNTY CENTENNIAL FARMS 


          6. IGLEHEART FARMS:  The Igleheart Farms, located in Centertown, Kentucky, is owned by Rexford and Margaret Ann Igleheart. The farm was originally purchased on March 20, 1865 by William B. Igleheart, great-grandfather. David B. Igleheart, great-uncle, purchased the farm on August 1901.  In 1965 the farm was inherited by George Igleheart, cousin. Rex and Margaret purchased the farm on June 4, 1965.

          The original purchase included 70 or 71 ½ acres. Of the original purchase all of the the acreage is presently retained. The farm now consists of approximately 1,400 acres and all is actively farmed. They raise corn, soybeans, tobacco and hay.

Wednesday, January 27, 2021

Heritage Farm Program - Part 5 of 7

          A  Centennial Farm is a farm or ranch in the United States that has been officially recognized by a state documenting the farm has been continuously owned by a single family for 100 years or more. Sesquicentennial Farms (150 years) and Bicentennial Farms (200 years) are also recognized.

          During the Kentucky Bicentennial (1992) Kentucky started a “Heritage Farm Program” that recognized historic farms and ranches. The Kentucky legislature passed a law in 1980, revised July 15, 1982, titled “Kentucky Register of Heritage Farms” (Ky. Rev. Stat. 171.388)  stating that to qualify a farm must comprise at least 40 acres, shall have been owned by the same family at least 100 years, be an active farm, and contain a structure more than 50 years old.  Farms are certified by the Kentucky Heritage Council, in conjunction with the State Preservation Office. An official certificate is issued and signed by the Governor and various officials.

          Ohio County is blessed with two Sesquicentennial Farms and five Centennial Farms.  The following information is “as of” the year  2000 and taken from a book titled: Kentucky’s Historic Farms: 200 years Of Kentucky Agriculture, Turner Publishing, Inc. Paducah, published 1994, 1996, and 2000.  Authors were Clark Ph.D., Thomas; Beatty, Durwood W; Jarratt, C. Ardell; Amos, Christine; Hudson, Karen E.


                           OHIO COUNTY CENTENNIAL FARMS 

 

          5. IRENE COFFMAN BISHOP FARM: The Irene Coffman Bishop Farm is located near Centertown, Kentucky.

          The farm was originally purchased July 24, 1888, by William F. Coffman, grandfather.  Sallie M. Coffman, grandmother, also acquired interest in the farm July 24, 1888. Irene Coffman Bishop, mother, acquired the farm October 17, 1940, and Jerry C. Bishop, the present owner, acquired the farm December 22, 1974.

          The original purchase contained 150 acres.  There are 72 acres still retained of the 150 acres. The farm at present contains 72 acres with 28 acres being actively farmed. The farm’s major crops include corn and soybeans.

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Heritage Farm Program - Part 4 of 7

            Centennial Farm is a farm or ranch in the United States that has been officially recognized by a state documenting the farm has been continuously owned by a single family for 100 years or more. Sesquicentennial Farms (150 years) and Bicentennial Farms (200 years) are also recognized.

          During the Kentucky Bicentennial (1992) Kentucky started a “Heritage Farm Program” that recognized historic farms and ranches. The Kentucky legislature passed a law in 1980, revised July 15, 1982, titled “Kentucky Register of Heritage Farms” (Ky. Rev. Stat. 171.388)  stating that to qualify a farm must comprise at least 40 acres, shall have been owned by the same family at least 100 years, be an active farm, and contain a structure more than 50 years old.  Farms are certified by the Kentucky Heritage Council, in conjunction with the State Preservation Office. An official certificate is issued and signed by the Governor and various officials.

          Ohio County is blessed with two Sesquicentennial Farms and five Centennial Farms.  The following information is “as of” the year  2000 and taken from a book titled: Kentucky’s Historic Farms: 200 years Of Kentucky Agriculture, Turner Publishing, Inc. Paducah, published 1994, 1996, and 2000.  Authors were Clark Ph.D., Thomas; Beatty, Durwood W; Jarratt, C. Ardell; Amos, Christine; Hudson, Karen E.


OHIO COUNTY CENTENNIAL FARMS 


          4. BENNETT FARM:  The Bennett Farm, located in Beaver Dam, Kentucky, is owned by Alva C. and Dorothy P. Bennett.  The farm was originally purchased on November 13, 1890 by Thomas W. Bennett, grandfather. E. A. and Elizabeth Bennett, parents, became owners of the farm on January 21, 1962.  Alva C. and Dorothy P. obtained the farm on January 2, 1967.

          The original purchase included 53 acres. Of the original purchase 46 acres are presently retained. The farm now consists of 107.7 acres with all acreage being actively farmed. They raise tobacco, forage crops and beef cattle.

          Thomas W. Bennett and his wife Mary Jane Calloway (Molly) Bennett purchased and moved to the original 53 acres in early winter 1890. They moved here from the Beda-No Creek area of Ohio County. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary and lived to be 96 and 92 years of age, respectfully.

          He taught school and farmed for a few years. His wife (Molly) too was very much a part of the farm operation. Together they produced diary, poultry, and produce products as well as conventional crops (tobacco, corn, etc.). She marketed many of the livestock and vegetable products at a mining camp (Taylor Mines) located about 4 miles west.

          The farm was operated in partnership for many years by T. W. and E. A. Bennett, the latter also working off the farm as a miner.

          The present operator (Alva) has operated the farm since 1962 on a part-time basis having also taught vocational agriculture in the Ohio County school system until 1989.

Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Heritage Farm Program - Part 3 of 7

            Centennial Farm is a farm or ranch in the United States that has been officially recognized by a state documenting the farm has been continuously owned by a single family for 100 years or more. Sesquicentennial Farms (150 years) and Bicentennial Farms (200 years) are also recognized.

          During the Kentucky Bicentennial (1992) Kentucky started a “Heritage Farm Program” that recognized historic farms and ranches. The Kentucky legislature passed a law in 1980, revised July 15, 1982, titled “Kentucky Register of Heritage Farms” (Ky. Rev. Stat. 171.388)  stating that to qualify a farm must comprise at least 40 acres, shall have been owned by the same family at least 100 years, be an active farm, and contain a structure more than 50 years old.  Farms are certified by the Kentucky Heritage Council, in conjunction with the State Preservation Office. An official certificate is issued and signed by the Governor and various officials.

          Ohio County is blessed with two Sesquicentennial Farms and five Centennial Farms.  The following information is “as of” the year  2000 and taken from a book titled: Kentucky’s Historic Farms: 200 years Of Kentucky Agriculture, Turner Publishing, Inc. Paducah, published 1994, 1996, and 2000.  Authors were Clark Ph.D., Thomas; Beatty, Durwood W; Jarratt, C. Ardell; Amos, Christine; Hudson, Karen E.


OHIO COUNTY CENTENNIAL FARMS 


          3. VOLNEY AND RUTH BARNES FARM: The Volney and Ruth Barnes Farm, located in Centertown, Kentucky, is owned by Jerry C. and Zexia Barnes Bishop along with Lyman and Joyce Barnes.  The farm was originally purchased in 1883 and 1884 by Elijah S. Barnes, grandfather.  Volney and Ruth Barnes, parents, became owners of the farm in 1917.  In 1981 the present owners obtained the farm.

          The original purchase included 214 acres, all of which are presently retained.  The farm now consists of these 214 acres with 94 acres being actively farmed.  They raise corn, soybeans and tobacco.

Saturday, January 16, 2021

Heritage Farm Program - Part 2 of 7

           Centennial Farm is a farm or ranch in the United States that has been officially recognized by a state documenting the farm has been continuously owned by a single family for 100 years or more. Sesquicentennial Farms (150 years) and Bicentennial Farms (200 years) are also recognized.

          During the Kentucky Bicentennial (1992) Kentucky started a “Heritage Farm Program” that recognized historic farms and ranches. The Kentucky legislature passed a law in 1980, revised July 15, 1982, titled “Kentucky Register of Heritage Farms” (Ky. Rev. Stat. 171.388)  stating that to qualify a farm must comprise at least 40 acres, shall have been owned by the same family at least 100 years, be an active farm, and contain a structure more than 50 years old.  Farms are certified by the Kentucky Heritage Council, in conjunction with the State Preservation Office. An official certificate is issued and signed by the Governor and various officials.

          Ohio County is blessed with two Sesquicentennial Farms and five Centennial Farms.  The following information is “as of” the year  2000 and taken from a book titled: Kentucky’s Historic Farms: 200 years Of Kentucky Agriculture, Turner Publishing, Inc. Paducah, published 1994, 1996, and 2000.  Authors were Clark Ph.D., Thomas; Beatty, Durwood W; Jarratt, C. Ardell; Amos, Christine; Hudson, Karen E.


OHIO COUNTY SESQUICENTENNIAL FARMS


        2.  WILLOW SPRINGS FARM: The Willow Springs farm, located at Hartford, Kentucky, is owned by Bruce and Alison Patton.

          The farm was originally purchased on November 13, 1830 by Charles S. Simmons, great-great-great-uncle. Cephas and Cynthia Simmons, great-great-great-grandparents, obtained the farm on October 28, 1835. On May 5, 1836 Dr. A. R. Rowan and America Simmons Rowan, great-great-grandparents, became owners of the farm. John Butler and Martha Rowan, great-grandparents, obtained the farm on December 10, 1866.  On August 30, 1915 Ansel Patton and Lizzie Rowan Patton, grandparents, owned the farm. Billie Rowan Patton, uncle, became the owner on March 15, 1985. On April 29, 1988 Paul and Carolyn Patton, parents together with Jesse Patton Tanner and Regina Bed, aunts, obtained the farm.  Pal Bruce and Susan Alison Patton became the owners of the farm on July 22, 1988.

          The original purchase included 415 acres. Of the original purchase 58 acres are presently retained. The farm now consists of these 58 acres with 12 aces being actively farmed. They raise burley and dark tobacco along with hay.

Wednesday, January 13, 2021

Heritage Farm Program - Part 1 of 7

                   Centennial Farm is a farm or ranch in the United States that has been officially recognized by a state documenting the farm has been continuously owned by a single family for 100 years or more. Sesquicentennial Farms (150 years) and Bicentennial Farms (200 years) are also recognized.

          During the Kentucky Bicentennial (1992) Kentucky started a “Heritage Farm Program” that recognized historic farms and ranches. The Kentucky legislature passed a law in 1980, revised July 15, 1982, titled “Kentucky Register of Heritage Farms” (Ky. Rev. Stat. 171.388)  stating that to qualify a farm must comprise at least 40 acres, shall have been owned by the same family at least 100 years, be an active farm, and contain a structure more than 50 years old.  Farms are certified by the Kentucky Heritage Council, in conjunction with the State Preservation Office. An official certificate is issued and signed by the Governor and various officials.

          Ohio County is blessed with two Sesquicentennial Farms and five Centennial Farms.  The following information is “as of” the year  2000 and taken from a book titled: Kentucky’s Historic Farms: 200 years Of Kentucky Agriculture, Turner Publishing, Inc. Paducah, published 1994, 1996, and 2000.  Authors were Clark Ph.D., Thomas; Beatty, Durwood W; Jarratt, C. Ardell; Amos, Christine; Hudson, Karen E.


OHIO COUNTY SESQUICENTENNIAL FARMS


         1.  BELL ACRES:  The Bell Acres, located in Centertown, is owned by Mertigene Bell and Betty Jo (Bell) Nall.

          The farm was originally purchased in 1833 by Jared Tichenor, great-great-great-grandfather. Ann (Tichenor) and Collier Tichenor, great-great-grandparents, obtained the farm on April 18, 1853. On February 19, 1885 James A. Tichenor, great-great-uncle, became owner of the farm. Mary Caroline (Tichenor) Bell and Marion Worth bell, grandfather and grandmother, bought the farm in 1906.  Silas Noel Bell and Elizabeth (Kittinger) Bell, parents, owned the farm as of December 17, 1917. In October 1985 Mertigene and Betty Jo became owners of the farm.

          The original purchase included 100+ acres.  Of the original purchase 76 acres are presently retained.  The farm now consists of these 76 acres with 35 acres (21 acres CRP program) being actively farmed. They raise corn, wheat and beans.

          Our great-great-great-great-grandfather Daniel Tichenor of Morris County, New Jersey, sold his plantation there in 1796. He then bought 2,500 acres in Kentucky from John Howell. The land was situated in the point between Rough Creek and Green River.  He and his family came to Nelson County, Kentucky.  When he came to view the 2,500 acres in the point he stated, ‘it was wild country fit only for wild animals and Indians to hunt in.’  He resided in Nelson County until his death.

          The original house was two large rooms made of log.  Later this was enclosed and six rooms added.  The house has been torn down.  The barn and a corn crib are still functional.  The original is made of hand-hewn logs put together with wooden pegs.  There is also a barrel made from a hollow sycamore log.”

Saturday, January 9, 2021

Johnathan Raley

           Johnathan Raley was born 19 Nov 1833 in Ohio County, the son of John and Nancy Wilson. At age 21  Johnathan married Deborah Cannon, 28 Apr 1854, and two children were born of the first marriage, Ann Elizabeth Raley and John J. Raley. I assume that Deborah died but I have not been able to prove that – perhaps they divorced, although divorce was rare in the 1850s.  

          Johnathan next married Nancy Ann Taylor 22 Feb 1856; she was born 15 Aug 1833, Ohio County, and died 10 Nov 1904, Rosine, Ohio County; she was the daughter of Ignatius Pigman Taylor and Nancy Leach.  I assume Nancy Ann Raley raised Ann Elizabeth and John J. (children from husband’s previous marriage), plus Nancy raised her five children: Lorenzo P. Raley, Clarence Edwin Raley, Nancy Ellen Raley, Deborah Ann Raley, and Mary Elizabeth Raley (some researchers show a possible 6th child: Luvenia P. Raley, but I am not convinced.) 

          Johnathan died 9 May 1918, near Evansville, Vanderburgh County, Indiana, where he lived with his son from his first marriage, John J. Raley.  He is buried in Rosine, Ohio County, KY. 

Proof of first marriage:



Death certificate of son, John J. Raley, which discloses names of parents:


Death Certificate and grave marker for Johnathan Raley (note name of informant is son from first marriage):


Wednesday, January 6, 2021

OLD HANDWRITING - Part 2 of 2

 


     Thanks to Mr. Roy Colbert from Amarillo and the Amarillo Genealogical Society.

Saturday, January 2, 2021

OLD HANDWRITING - Part 1

 


         This article was written in the 1980’s by Roy Colbert and first published in the Amarillo Genealogical Society’s newsletter and reprinted in many other newsletters.   

          Genealogical data depends almost entirely upon hand written records. You may have obtained some of your information from other printed sources or from books, however, nearly all of the statistics that you now have are based upon hand written original sources. The correctness of much of your material depends upon accurate translation by someone. If you have not progressed beyond the stage of microfilmed records, then you have not, as yet, been fully exposed to the vast display of mannerisms of letter design put forth by the scribes in recording the information. There were so many influences on early penmanship in America that probably no other county has ever  experienced. Each nationality contributed to the total design which has evolved in the past two centuries. At the time of the revolution, the country was under the English influence in language and politics, but here and there small sections, or pockets, of other nationals added their mannerisms of letter design. This makes it important to not only study a document prior to translation, but also to recognize the area, or the influence, of the document's origin. 

          Census records are more easily deciphered as the format of each enumeration for a given census year was standard. If you follow back over the scribe's style until you locate recognized words or letters, you can then apply those to the word you are puzzling over. Probably the one most confused interpretation by a beginning researcher is the double "s" which appears more as the letter "p". Do you have a "Jipe or Jepe" named individual? - it should be Jesse, or, how about Capandra? - it should be Cassandra. This is the German influence from the  style of writing the double "s". So, when you see that letter "p", it may be a double “s”, as:



           It would take a very large book to give you all of the mannerisms of letter design, but here is a list to watch for. 

A. This letter has changed little in centuries. Our present day design is quite precise, but you might also find: 




B. Another old classic, but watch for:




And the small letter “b” as: 


 


C. The early records can easily be confused for an "O" as the letter design may close the letter entirely as:




And small letters may appear as an “r”:




D. This can be a dandy in both capitals and small letters, as:




Now also watch for the low upper loop, as:




E. It is getting worse! Watch for the old European "C" like letter with the small figure as a "z" in the center, as:




The small case letters can e as an “o”, or, as:



Now try this word: 


(desesed for deceased).


F. You will find variations of both the open left and the open right faced stance, somewhat as written today and it is usually fairly familiar. Do watch for the "F" that can be confused for an "H" which probably originated from the double "f" French words, as:




G. It gets tough as this:


 


or the small letter as:


 


H. Can this really be an "H"? The larger case is difficult but the lower case "h" has a way of sort of drifting into nothing or part of another letter, as: 





I. and J. Often written the same; also used for one another in the spelling of a word:


 K. Ah, I know that one!




L. Maybe translated as an "s" (possibly Lemuel originated in this manner). In the small letters, watch for the double "l" that may appear as the double "f" or as the "h" letter, as:


M. and N. Usually, some variation of the printed letters:


 

O. Has added extras on caps, maybe open topped on the small:  




P. Watch for:




 Q. The small letter as a "y" is the most difficult: 




R. How about:


 


S. Would you believe:



T. Many sty1es, here are a few:


 



 U. and V. Usually the same in early words and engravings, watch for the long upward stroke that ends with a small curl at the top as it appears the same as the "s": 




W. It could be an "M'': 



X. Watch for a closed letter:





Y. Also closed:


 



Z. The "h" style is the most confusing: