Robert Chapman Family

 Hannah Chapman and her descendants 

          Hannah Chapman, daughter of Robert Chapman, was born in Warren County or Ohio County, Kentucky on 24 May 1802; she died 31 Aug 1873 in Gibson County, Indiana.  Hannah Chapman married James Devin (1791-1844) and they had eight children:  George Alexander; Rebecca Chapman; John Quincy Adams; Nancy Mahala; Mary Jane; Hannah Lucy; James Harrison; and Cordelia.  Her second child, Rebecca Chapman, was born 24 Oct 1822 in Gibson County, IN and married James Madison Depriest (1819-1890); they had a daughter named Hannah Jane who was the third wife of Columbus Emerson. 

          The connection to Ohio County was found in a book titled History of Gibson County, Indiana, which was published by Gil R. Stormont in 1914.  In that book there is a biographical article about Columbus Emerson, whose third wife was Hannah Jane Depriest.  Hannah Jane’s mother was Rebecca C. Devin and her grandmother was Hannah Chapman, who grew up near Hartford.  So, for genealogical searchers, this post is about the Robert Chapman family. You can read the complete Emerson biography below.  Note that the location of Princeton referred to in the article is a town in Gibson County, IN, so the Chapman family (or perhaps just Hannah) left Ohio County and moved to Indiana before 1820.  Also note that the reference in the following article about Hannah Jane's grandmother, Hannah Chapman, mentions the Barren River, which is (probably) an error - we can assume the author meant the Green River.

Blog activity

 You might find data about this blog interesting; this is data from Google, as of today at 2:15 p.m. CDT:

We have 44 "followers" and I have made 1,036 posts since I started this in January 2012.

I assume the following is for "page-views"

If you can't read the above, it says:

293,937 all time

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Where do the people live that look at my blog?

Adelia Bell (Belle) Sullinger

           Adelia Bell (Belle) Sullenger, born 11 March 1854, Hartford, KY, daughter of Francis B. “Frank” Sullenger (1810-1873) and Susan Pigman Duke (1822-19111), was one of eight children.  Belle married Doctor John T. Bethel in 1883 and they lived in Henderson County, Kentucky.  Dr. Bethel had five children by his previous wife, Fannie N. Thurman, who died in 1882.  Dr. Bethel and Belle Sullenger Bethel also had five children: Effie (1884-1938), Lila (1891-1925), Edward C. (1893-1895), Edwin E. (1896-1896), and William G. (1899-1899).  Dr. Bethel died in 1909 and Belle died 17 Aug 1915 in Henderson County.  She is buried in Fernwood Cemetery, Henderson, Henderson County, KY.

Fernwood Cemetery, Henderson

Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer, 17 Aug 1915.

Her husband, Dr. Bethel:

            JOHN T. BETHEL, M.D., a well known physician and surgeon of Henderson, Ky., was born near Ranger's Landing, in Henderson county, his parents being Peter and Ann (Wilson) Bethel, both natives of Virginia. His paternal grandparents came from Virginia in 1802 and settled in Henderson county. The grandfather bought three hundred acres of land on Green river, for two dollars an acre, cleared a farm and lived the life of a typical pioneer. He built a two story log house, the lumber in which was sawed with a whip saw, and his wife spun the yarn, wove the cloth, and made all the clothes worn by the family. It was on this farm that Peter Bethel grew to manhood and lived all his life. When his father died he inherited the place and died on the old homestead in 1892 at the age of ninety years. In his early years he was an active Whig, but after the dissolution of that party he affiliated with the Democrats. He was looked upon as one of the progressive farmers of his neighborhood and was an influential citizen. Both he and his wife were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Doctor Bethel was born on this old homestead, the third child in a family of twelve, and he, one sister and a half brother are now living in this county. He was educated in the public schools and the Corydon high schoo1. In 1862 he commenced the study of medicine, and after reading two years under Doctors Powell and Dorsey, of Corydon, began practice in March, 1864, at Pooltown, Webster county, Ky. He remained there until 1893, when he removed to Henderson, where he has built up a lucrative business. His practice is of a general character and few physicians enjoy to a greater extent the confidence of their patients. He owns a nice residence and office in the city and until recently owned farm property in the county. Doctor Bethel is a member of the Free and Accepted Masons, is a Democrat in his political opinions, and with his family belongs to the Methodist Church South. He has been twice married. In 1865 he was married to Miss Fannie Thurman of Ohio, and by this marriage has two children: Laura Adel is now Mrs. W. E. Royster, and John T., Jr., lives in Pudacah, Ky. The mother of these "children died in 1882, and the following year Doctor Bethel was united in marriage to Belle Sullenger, a native of Hartford, Ky. Two children have been born to this union: Effie and Lila, both at home with the parents. All the children are well educated and Mrs. Royster is proficient in music. 

Source: MEMOIRS OF THE LOWER OHIO VALLEY, published 1905.

 Hartford Herald, May 5, 1875

Sorry that this is so hard to read.  If you are interested in the history of Cromwell this is what the article says:

"LETTER FROM CROMWELL

An Interesting Description of the Ancient Borough

Cromwell, Ky, May 3.

Editor Herald - As I have not seen anything in your live paper from this place, I will give your readers a brief history of the town and its business. It is situated, like the famous city on the Tiber, on seven hills, which gives it a commanding view of the historic Green River, which flows majestically past its southern border.

THE FIRST SETTLEMENT

It was first settled by the late Hon. O. C. Porter, (more than 40 years ago) who was in his day one of the largest land traders in the Green River country. The first store was opened by Mr. King, father of W. T. King of Hartford, but it did not take on the air of a town until the Honorable Q. C. Shanks, of your town, moved here, under whose magic hand it sprung up as by enchantment.

 WHAT SHANKS DID FOR IT

He built a large steam saw and grist mill, opened a fine store, and run an extensive cabinet shop.  To him belongs the honor of building our first tobacco factory.  Out of these interests he accumulated so much wealth Cromwell could not contain him, so he emigrated to your city.  From that time to the present, quite a number of gentlemen have tried their fortunes here, with varied success.

HER FIRE RECORD

She has had her share of fires.  She has lost one of the finest merchant mills on Green River, one large tobacco factory, and several residences by this terrible agent.

WHAT SHE HAS NOW

We have four dry goods stores, three family groceries, and two saloons; two drug stores and three Doctors, one hotel, one livery stable, one wood and blacksmith shop, one school house and a Masonic Lodge.

WHAT THEY COMPLAIN OF

Our merchants complain of doing as good business as any of their brethren in the country.  We have the livest tobacco men in the county.  Rumor has it that they realized about seventy-five thousand dollars as their share of the spoils of the trade last year.

THE KING OF HORSE JOCKEYS

resides here.  We have our share of "come day, go day, Lord send Sunday," citizens so common in all large cities.

OUR WOMEN

are as fair as the fairest.  We have more bachelors than any town of its size in Kentucky (six) all good and old - but, for my sake, don't tell the ladies, and don't tell (the bachelors) who told you, Mr. Editor.

Yours,    Neplusultra"

Everett Ray Likens

     Everett Ray Likens was born in Hartford 23 June 1896, the son of Winfield Scott Likens and Martha Corilla Day.  He graduated from high school in Hartford in 1914 and attended the University of Kentucky.  He joined the Army about 1917 and was stationed in France during WWI.  After he was discharged in 1920 he moved to Washington, D. C.

    In February 1923 Everett married Elizabeth Clarissa Gibson (1901-1992) in Washington.  They had two children.  In 1930 Everett and Elizabeth lived in Richmond, Virginia; in 1934 they were living in Washington, DC; in 1940 they lived in Prince George's County, Maryland.  Everett worked for the Department of Highways. Everett died 12 December 1960.

Marriage Licenses Dec 1919

 THE HARTFORD REPUBLICAN

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1919

 

LICENSED TO WED SINCE LAST REPORT

 

Everet Porter, McHenry R. 1, to Gussie Brown, McHenry R. 1.

John H. Stewart, Select to Ida Luck, Beech Grove.

J. W. White, Whitesville R. 2, to Lois Baker, Beaver Dam, R. 2.

Willie Allen, Horse Branch, to Artie Hazlelip, Rosine.

Ira Bartlett, Reynolds Station, to Agnes Evans, Fordsville.

Marion W. Bell, Centertown R. 1, to Nola G. Tichenor, Centertown R. 1.

V. B. Whittaker, Beaver Dam, to Geneva Leach, Beaver Dam.

Charlie Burton, Hartford, to Eva Mai Decher, Echols.

James Chester Tomes, Hartford to Lillian Stone, Hartford.

Bert Goodwine, Horse Branch, to Rena Martin, Horse Branch.

E. C. Craig, White Run to Pearl A. Keown, White Run.

Willard Baughn, Narrows R. 2, to Kathleen Keith, Hartford, R. 6.

Claud Weedman, Caneyville, to Lorine Davis, Renfrow.

John Ward, McHenry, to Bulah Walker, Huntsville, Ky.

John Willis, Hartford, to Lorine York, Hartford.

Lewellen Francis, Simmons, to Rosa Bell Young, Simmons.

Anderson Bratcher, Horse Branch, to Vergie Young, Horse Branch.

Sirgurl Gillstrap, Select to Ruthie Baize, Select.

Harrison Goodman, Hartford to Pearlie Hamilton, Hartford.

Clyde Keown, Hartford R. 6, to Eva Nevitt, Hartford, R. 6.

John Phelps, Morgantown, to Alvia Phelps, Cromwell.

Hebert Huff, Reynolds Station, to Amby Craig, Fordsville.

Clayborne Pirtle, Beaver Dam, to Effie Taylor, Beaver Dam.

Virgil H. Jordan, Leavenworth, Ind., to Ella Young, Horse Branch.

Horses

            The history of horses in Kentucky is interesting.  Horses were used as work animals and provided transportation for individuals (horseback) or small groups (wagons, sulkies, stage coaches, etc.).  Horses were also used in the sport of horse racing.  I found the following article about horse ownership in Kentucky in 1800.  Although it is not specific to Ohio County, it helps us understand how important & prevalent horses were in the early days.  We do know that "harness racing" (or sulky racing) was an important event in Ohio County at the annual county fair in the late 1800's and early 1900's.  The following article is from The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Vol. 79, No. 3 (Summer 1981), pp. 203-210 (8 pages).

Borah's Ferry

 

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KENTUCKY COUNTY

 Fincastle County, Virginia 

          We know that Ohio County was formed from Hardin County in 1798. But where did Hardin County come from?  If your ancestors might have arrived in Ohio County pre-1798 (or another Kentucky County pre-1798 and moved to Ohio County later) the information in this post might be useful to you.  If your ancestors came to Kentucky (Ohio County or otherwise) after 1798, then the following will not help you, although you might find it interesting.  If you fall into the former category, then some of your early family records might be found in a courthouse in Virginia.  

            Fincastle County, Virginia was formed from Botetourt County in 1772; it was the westernmost county in Virginia and included all of what is now Kentucky and parts of Virginia and West Virginia that were west of the Kanawaha and New rivers. In December 1773, Governor Dunmore announced that those who had military warrants awarded for service in the French and Indian War would be allowed to claim land in this area.   Fincastle County lost its identity after less than four years of existence and fewer than three dozen court sessions, and in 1776, by an Act of the General Assembly, the counties of Montgomery, Washington, and Kentucky were formed from its original territory. In all, an entire state [Kentucky] and two dozen Virginia/West Virginia counties count Fincastle as their parent county.  Kentucky County would eventually become an entire state (1777-1780). Kentucky was first divided into Fayette, Lincoln and Jefferson Counties (1780), and Nelson was carved out of Jefferson County (1785); Hardin County was carved out of Nelson County (1792); and Ohio County, of course, was carved out of Hardin County in 1798.

          The original land entries for Fincastle County, Virginia, are presently found in the Montgomery County, Virginia, Courthouse. The first entry is dated 15 December 1773 and the entries continue through 17 August 1776. At first all the entries were by virtue of the military warrants issued by Lord Dunmore for service in the French and Indian War. After December 1775 entries were allowed on preemptions. These generally consisted of several 400-acre tracts per man and were entered with a disclaimer that the claimant had "produced memorandums of [a certain number of] entries of land on Western Waters and demanded that they might be entered in my book which hath been complied with, provided the same be legal, but should it appear otherwise, there is no advantage to be taken of the surveyor." In other words, these preemption claims were allowed to be entered on the county entry book in spite of the suspicion by the county surveyor that such entries were illegal. John Floyd, James Douglas, and Isaac Hite, the deputy surveyors who worked in Kentucky, also had preemption claims but never entered them in Fincastle County.

          In the original records, the entries are listed chronologically. The date is followed by the name of the person, the amount of land, the location, and usually his authority to make an entry. A typical entry reads:

          January 1, 1774: Walter Cunningham, Dunmore's warrant, 1000 acres at the confluence of Harwoods [Harrods Creek] with the Ohio on the southeast side of the Ohio and said creek.

          A careful comparison of these entries with the Fincastle County surveys reveals that some of them were made after the surveys had been completed, which is somewhat unconventional. However, the trip to Kentucky was long and sometimes dangerous, so if the holder of a warrant instructed the surveyors to "do the best you can for me," then it would not make much sense to enter the land until after the surveyor had returned. It would even appear that after the Revolutionary War began, many of the men with military warrants became somewhat careless about making entries at all and relied upon their survey to uphold their claims. For example, John Floyd purchased the military warrant of John Draper, which he had surveyed on the Elkhorn and withdrew the entry even though it had never been entered.

          These entries have been published by Mary B. and F. B. Kegle in Early Adventures on the Western Waters (2 vols.; Orange, Virginia: Green Publishers, 1980), II, 3-21. Their list was copied directly from the entry book and is therefore in chronological order. There is no special index for these entries, which were located in all parts of Fincastle County.

          Of the 300,940 acres that were entered, 286,090 (ninety-eight percent) were in the present bounds of Kentucky and the remainder in either present-day Virginia or West Virginia. These entries also show that many people who made entries were not veterans of the French and Indian War but their heirs or assignees. There were also a number of entries that were withdrawn after they had been made and entered at other locations. Sometimes the entries show the rank of the person making an entry on a military warrant.  These entries can be seen on this web pages:

http://genealogytrails.com/vir/fincastle/kylandgrants.html

http://genealogytrails.com/vir/fincastle/fincastleland_intro.html

http://genealogytrails.com/vir/fincastle/fincastlecommissionerland.html

http://genealogytrails.com/vir/fincastle/fincastlesurveys.html

http://genealogytrails.com/vir/fincastle/kylandgrants_frenchindwar.html

More information on Fincastle County and Kentucky County:  

http://virginiaplaces.org/vacount/kentuckycounty.html

Fordsville - 1915

 From 106 years ago, these maps show streets, homes and commercial buildings in Fordsville from 1915.