Vol. 39, No. 2 Winter 2003 k e n t u c k y a n c e s t o r s genealogical quarterly of the kentucky historical society The Curd Family The Fey School Baugh Families and its and the in the Mercer County Felix Pousardien Early History of Ghost Towns Family Kentucky Vol. 39, No. 2 Winter 2003 k e n t u c k y a n c e s t o r s genealogical quarterly of the kentucky historical society Thomas E. Stephens, Editor kentucky ancestors Dan Bundy, Graphic Design Kent Whitworth, Director James E. Wallace, Assistant Director administration Betty Fugate, Membership Coordinator research and interpretation Nelson L. Dawson, Team Leader management team Kenneth H. Williams, Program Leader Doug Stern, Walter Baker, Lisbon Hardy, Michael Harreld, Lois Mateus, Dr. Thomas D. Clark, C. Michael Davenport, Ted Harris, Ann Maenza, Bud Pogue, Mike Duncan, James E. Wallace, Maj. board of Gen. Verna Fairchild, Mary Helen Miller, Ryan trustees Harris, and Raoul Cunningham Kentucky Ancestors (ISSN-0023-0103) is published quarterly by the Kentucky Historical Society and is distributed free to Society members. Periodical postage paid at Frankfort, Kentucky, and at additional mailing offices. Postmas- ter: Send address changes to Kentucky Ancestors, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1931. Please direct changes of address and other notices concerning membership or mailings to the Membership De- partment, Kentucky Historical Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1931; telephone (502) 564-1792. Submissions and correspondence should be directed to: Tom Stephens, editor, Kentucky Ancestors, Kentucky Histori- cal Society, 100 West Broadway, Frankfort, KY 40601-1931. The Kentucky Historical Society, an agency of the Commerce Cabinet, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability, and provides, on request, reasonable accommodations, includ- ing auxiliary aids and services necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities. Since 1836 kentucky historical society where history lives contents vol. 39, no. 2/winter 2003 The Curd Family and its Mercer County Ghost Towns Jean C. Dones................................................................................................................................... 62 Tombstone Inscriptions, Garrard County.........................................................................................65 Abstracts from the Cumberland Courier, Burksville, July 29, 1874................................................... 66 Edmonson County School Census, 1877........................................................................................ 70 The Fey School and the Felix Pousardien Family Marguerite A. Miller......................................................................................................................... 83 Baugh Families in the Early History of Kentucky Ivan W. Baugh .......................................................................................................................87 Vital Statistics ................................................................................................................................. 97 Thataway ...................................................................................................................................... 101 Abstracts from the Lexington Observer & Reporter, January 13, 1864 Dr. Melba Porter Hay.......................................................................................................... 104 Book Notes................................................................................................................................... 111 Queries ......................................................................................................................................... 113 Mystery Album............................................................................................................................. 114 on the cover:The Kentucky General Assembly held its last regular session in the present Old State Capitol in 1908. The building, the first Greek Revival state capitol west of the Allegheny Mountains, was designed by twenty-five-year-old architect Gideon Shryock and constructed from 1827 to 1830. The Old State Capitol be- came the home of the Kentucky Historical Society in 1920 and remains a museum on its campus. The Curd family and its Mercer County ghost towns By Jean C. Dones Dones is a double g-g-g-g-granddaughter of John Curd Sr. and Elizabeth Price. She is a member of the Jamestown Society through Lucy Brent, wife of John Curd Jr. (m. 1758), and John Price, father of Elizabeth Price. Curdsvilles can also be found in Daviess County, Ky., and Buckingham County, Va. Among the lost, or “ghost,” communities in there was always the threat of Indian attacks. Kentucky are New Market and Curdsville in Mercer Some historians have recorded that John Curd County. Each has an interesting history with many and his family were members of the Traveling unanswered questions. The two communities are Church, which involved the movement of an entire linked by a common connection with John Curd church body from Spotsylvania County, Va., to and his descendants. Kentucky in 1781. However, a list of participants in I continue to research Curdsville and would this migration does not include any Curds. welcome any comments, suggestions, corrections, and additions. John Curd John Curd Jr. (b. 14 April 1726, Goochland County, Va.) was one of the eight children of John Curd and Elizabeth Price. His grandfather was Edward Curd, whose first record in America dates from 1705. John Curd Jr. married Lucy Brent, a daughter of James and Catherine Brent, in Lancaster County, Va., on 7 April 1758. Their 11 children were all born in Goochland County from 1759 to 1780. Following military service and starting in 1780, John Curd Jr. began to apply for land grants in Kentucky County, Va. Kentucky County had just been opened for settlement by the Virginia legisla- ture, and was further divided into three counties: Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln. Applications for land grants were subsequently made by John’s sons and the sons of Joseph Curd (John’s brother, who had remained in Virginia). The significance of the early land grants for John Curd is emphasized by the fact that the first settlement in Kentucky, Fort Harrod, was founded in 1774. It is not known if John Curd Jr.’s first trip to Kentucky preceded bringing his family. Travel would KHS Collection This detail of a land plat prepared by Neal O. Hammon have been extremely difficult for women and chil- shows the land owned by John Curd Jr. along the dren; the Wilderness Road through the Cumberland Kentucky River. Curd established a tobacco warehouse Gap was little more than a marked trail. In addition, at the mouth of Dix River in the 1780s. 2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 62 The Curd family, continued __________________________________ John Curd was an energetic courageous indi- It appears that there were problems with the vidual, and certainly a visionary concerning opportu- physical condition or maintenance of the property nities for himself and his family in the West. He had since in September 1790 John Curd was ordered “to served as an emissary for Virginia Gov. Patrick repair the present warehouse at the mouth of Dick’s Henry on missions to Kentucky and he knew what River, making it closed and secure to strong doors to expect in this vast unknown area. hung with iron hinges and secured with strong locks So John Curd Jr. focused his attention on the land or bolts, on or before December 25 next; and to grants located on Dick’s River and Salt River. There make such additions thereto as shall conveniently is no question that on the basis of his experience and contain, together with the present warehouse, 146 observations, he sought a practical way to move hogsheads, the addition to be made close and secure goods and people past the palisade cliffs of the as above directed on or before April 1st next.” Kentucky River. The buffalo trail used by animal The warehouse and ferry landing still existed in herds, Indians, and frontiersmen provided the 1822, when they are mentioned in the widow’s answer. dower of Nancy Curd, widow of John’s son Newton It is said that Dick’s River (later also called Dix Curd. The warehouse history is not known, but the River) was named for Captain Dick, a Cherokee ferry continued through several owners. The landing chief helpful to early pioneers and settlers in the area. was used by the Shaker community of Pleasant Hill In 1786, petitions were submitted to the Virginia as early as 1816 and, in 1830, the Shakers purchased legislature by John Curd and others “to establish a the landing from Newton Curd’s heirs. Eventually public ferry, a town, and an inspection of tobacco, the Shakers oversaw the construction of a road along on the land of John Curd in the county of Mercer.1 the bluff hillside to the river; this became a major Because of the inadequacy of roads, access to river route used by both Confederate and Union forces transportation was vitally important to ensure during the Civil War. profitable and convenient markets. There were a In May 1793, John Curd petitioned for permis- number of ferries along the Kentucky River. As Dr. sion to erect a water grist mill on his lands near the Thomas D. Clark—historian laureate of Kentucky— mouth of Dick’s River. has written: After Kentucky became a state—on June 1, “Curd’s Ferry was the first wagon road out of the 1792—special acts of the Kentucky Legislature Bluegrass area into the central Kentucky section, established warehouses on the Kentucky River, namely Lexington. This crossing connected the including Curd’s at the mouth of “Dix River.” In central Bluegrass with the country south of the 1804, a legislative act authorized the inspection of Kentucky. Beyond this it was a flatboat dockage and beef and pork at a number of tobacco warehouses landing from which many flatboats departed Ken- along the river, including Curd’s. tucky for New Orleans in the early years of the Some genealogists list John Curd’s death as 1801 downriver trade. The Curd family name has lingered in Mercer County. However, a December 1797 item on in Kentucky in one form or another.” in the Kentucky Gazette states that “John and Price John Curd’s tobacco inspection warehouse was Curd, executors of the estate of John Curd dec’d. one of the first such ports established on the Ken- regarding the estate sale. John Curd lived on the tucky River. At that time, tobacco was the standard Kentucky River.” In 1802, John Curd, a son, of currency and by Virginia law, farmers were required Warren County, issued power of attorney to David to have an official inspection of all tobacco sold Curd of Barren County to allow David to act for there. A certificate would be given, which would pass him the settlement of their deceased father’s estate. for currency and could be used to pay taxes. Final settlement, however, did not take place until The warehouse must have been a crude structure. 1819, when John Pryor, probably a son of Mary It was described as “[One] log cabin used as a scale Curd Pryor, and Woodford Curd were authorized “to room, with door turning on a wooden standard with sell, divide and make deed to certain tracts of land, staples hasp and pad lock. One open sided room devised by John Curd to his heirs.” with posts in the ground with cabin roof.” John and Lucy Brent Curd are believed to be 63 2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 The Curd family, continued __________________________________ buried in the Curd cemetery “On the Ison Farm” in “My father took his family and relatives a number of Mercer County. It is also believed that Newton Curd times to visit the Curdsville area,” Curd said. “He and his wife Ann Elizabeth Hatcher were buried in pointed out where the blacksmith shop and other the same cemetery, although the gravestones were buildings stood, including sites where his uncle lived, removed by a later owner. and the Curdsville and Shawnee Run cemeteries and Shakertown … his parents were married in the New Market Shawnee Run Church.”3 The “town” referred to in the 1786 petition was to Dora Curd Markovich (b. 1910), who lived in be called New Market. It was to include 20 acres of Long Beach, Calif., remembered Curdsville in 1993: John Curd’s property at the confluence of the Ken- “A little village with a mill (the old stone was there tucky and Dick’s rivers. There were detailed specifi- when I grew up), a post office, a blacksmith shop, a cation concerning plans for the town and the respon- general store, and of course, houses, and the old sibilities of those purchasing lots. Lots were to be cemetery where most all of our ancestors were buried sold at public auction and were to be advertised for … I went to a one-room school which was on the three months at the Mercer, Lincoln, and Fayette edge of our property. A plot of ground was deeded to county courthouses.2 the county for the school, and if it ceased to be a No record has been found of any activity at New school [would] revert back to the heirs. Daddy made Market. It’s likely that Curd’s dream simply “never a trip back there after the family came to California got off the ground.” and used some of the money he sold it with to put a fence around the old cemetery. … My high school Curd House, Jessamine County alma mater was Harrodsburg, 10 miles away. … Of In 1986, an historical marker honoring John Curd course, we all went to Shawnee Run Church, even was dedicated on High Bridge Road in Jessamine those who would move away and marry.”4 County. In 1984, the Curd House at that location was listed on the National Register of Historic The school was probably Locust Grove School, Places. The present owners, Margaret and Terry which existed from 1890 to 1939.5 Morgan, have a deep interest in Curd history and Mercer County historian Alma Ray Ison gathered have extensively researched the family. They have information about the area from her husband’s proudly shared their interest with schoolchildren, cousin, James H. Ison: historical groups, and interested individuals. “His farm land adjoins the river near High Bridge. He says it was known as Curdsville when he was a Curdsville child and has continually been spoken of as such In the 1893 edition of Lippincott’s Gazeteer of the because the vicinity was completely inhabited by World, Curdsville is listed as “a hamlet of Mercer families by the name of Curd. There was a one Co., Ky., 1 ½ miles from High Bridge Station, which room school in the 1900s called Locust Grove. On is 10 miles west of Nicholasville.” It’s likely that the back of his farm near the river and indications of Curdsville was a cluster of buildings with businesses an old foundation, which he thinks could possibly providing services for the many Curd families who have been the remains of the Curd warehouse.” lived on surrounding farms. Curdsville appeared on the 1876 Centennial Map Churches and Cemeteries of Mercer County and in the 1890 Kentucky Geo- Most Curdsville area residents attended Shawnee logical Survey’s Preliminary Map of Kentucky. Run Baptist Church, organized in 1788. The present William Curd of Lexington grew up listening to church is the fourth structure on the site. Many stories about his great-grandfather’s general store in Curd names are to be found in the church’s adjoin- Curdsville and his wagon trips to Louisville to ing cemetery. replenish its inventory. There were three other small Curd family cem- Dr. John Curd, whose father was born in Louis- ville in 1879, recalled childhood visits to Curdsville. Continued on page 110 2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 64 Tombstone Inscriptions, Garrard County The following appeared in Volume 26 of the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society in January 1928. The transcriptions were done by Alice E. Trabue, then chairwoman of historical research for the Colonial Dames Society. Though the information may not appear exactly as it did on the tombstones, no changes have been made to the original text. Anderson Family Cemetery, near Lancaster in the year of our Lord 1801, James Anderson in the 50th year of her life.5 Born 1776, Died April 24, 1824. When shall Spring visit the mouldering urn, When shall day dawn on the night of the grave, Margaret Mills (Alcorn) O’er the cold cheek of death smiles and roses are Wife of James Anderson, blending, Born Oct. 28, 1781, And beauty immortal awakes from the tomb. Died August 1, 1860.1 D.V. In Memory of the Honorable his wife Mary Boyle Simeon Anderson, born Aug. 18 A.D. 1776 A representative in the died May 20 A.D. 1808. Congress of the United States From the Fifth District of the State of Ky. In Memory of Died Aug. 11, 1840 Ellen (Boyle) Banton Aged 38 years.2 born Nov. 17—1780, died June 21—1814.6 In Memory of Almira G. and Amanda R. Anderson, 1 Margaret Mills “Peggy” Allcorn was born in Virginia, a Infant daughters of Simeon and Amelia Owsley daughter of Revolutionary War soldier James Allcorn (b. 1730, Va., d. 15 March 1781, Guilford Courthouse, N.C.) and Jane Anderson. Mills (b. 1730). Her siblings were James Lusk Allcorn (b. 1759, Va.), George Allcorn (b. 25 March 1760, Va.), William Charles Clayton Anderson Alcorn (b. 1764, N.C.), Elizabeth “Betty” Allcorn (b. 1764, Born 180_, N.C.), John Allcorn (b. 5 June 1766, Wythe County, Va.), Died 1866. Mary “Polly” Allcorn (b. 1769, Va.), Nancy Allcorn (b. 1770, Elzina Botetourt County, Va.), Jane Allcorn (b. 1774, Va.), and Sarah “Sally” (b. 1779, Va.). Margaret married James Anderson on 6 Wife of Clayton Anderson.3 January 1801 in Garrard County. 2 See Biographical Directory of the American Congress Tombs of Boyle Family, near Lancaster (Washington, D.C., 1950), pages 782-83. Anderson was born near In Memory of Lancaster on 2 March 1802 and was admitted to the bar in 1823. Major John Boyle, He was a member of the Kentucky House of Representatives who departed this life Sept. 11 (1828-29, 1832, 1836-38) before his election to Congress as a Whig. He served from 4 March 1839 until his death near in the year of our Lord 1824, Lancaster. Anderson was the father of William Clayton Anderson in the 74th year of his life.4 (b. 26 December 1826, near Lancaster, d. 23 December 1861), who served in Congress as a member of the American Party from In Memory of from 4 March 1859 to 3 March 1861. William Clayton Anderson Jane Boyle, who departed this life Dec. 7th Continued on page 110 65 2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 Abstracts from the Cumberland Courier, Burksville, July 29, 1874 The Cumberland Courier was published on Wednesdays by “Walker & Matthews, Editors and Proprietors.” Subscriptions were $2 for one year, $1.25 for six months paid in advance. Joel Cheek was the authorized agent for advertisements and subscriptions. Jacob Bruton was also an agent. M.C. Gittings, of Judio, was also an agent, for sales and collections. The local postmaster was A.J. Phelps, who also A Court of Claims was held on the second Monday advertised his “Cash Store,” which also accepted in October. “Country Produce” in payment for his goods. Phelps also advanced cash or goods on pension claims. Magistrate’s Court had six divisions: First District, A.G. Waggner and James Haggard; Second District, The pastor of the Presbyterian church was Rev. J.P. McMillan. Services were held in the Chapel of Alexander College. The Burksville city administration was Police Court Judge Joseph P. Frank Sr., Marshal Ben Riall, and trustees Dr. W.G. Hunter, William F. Alexander, J.S. Benton, N.B. Cheatham, and C.L.S. Matthews. Cheatham was also running for county assessor, somewhat immodestly stating that “there is not a man in the county more thoroughly qualified to attend to the duties of this office than myself. The local state senator was D.R. Haggard and the state representative was W.G. Hunter.1 Officers of the Cumberland County Circuit Court, which convened on the second Monday of March and September, were Judge T.T. Alexander, Commonwealth’s Attorney A.M. Adair, Clerk J.W. Williams, and Sheriff H.M. Alexander. Officers of the Cumberland County Court, which From The Orphan Brigade convened the second Monday of each month, were Martin Hardin Cofer (1832-1881) went from a largely Judge John Q. Owsley; Clerk E.A. Waggener; Charles self-taught youth in Hardin County to chief justice of Smith, county surveyor; R. Gibson, poor-house the state’s highest court. In between, he was a secession activist, newspaper editor and superintendent; William Check, school commissioner; commander of the Confederate 6th Kentucky Infantry W. E. Paull, jailer; and J.T. Baker assessor. during the Civil War. After the war, Cofer was noted for being the first judge in Kentucky to recognize and A quarterly court was held the Tuesday after the follow the 14th Amendment, which allowed African second Monday in January, April, July, and October. American testimony in the state’s courts. 2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 66 Abstracts from the Cumberland Courier, continued _______________ R.G. Cole and J. William Morgan; Third District, Reuben Hicks; Fourth District, J.E. Coop and Enoch Coop; Fifth District, C.F. Alexander and A. Carter; and Sixth District, John Vincent and Gid. Pharis. S.H. Boles of Glasgow and W.K. Botts of Burksville advertised their law practice in the courts of Cumberland County. Attorney William Cheek, with a office in the Bank Building in Burksville, advertised his work in collections. A poem title “The Angel of the Hospital,” said to have been written by George D. Prentice, was apparently written by his son Courtland, deceased by 1874. The manuscript, said to have been in Courtland Prentice’s handwriting, was in the posses- sion of “young” Harry Colston of Louisville before Colston was captured at the Battle of Shiloh. KHS Collection The story “That Little Old Maid,” by Mary E. Dr. Godfrey Whiteside Hunter (1841-1917), born in Clarke, was published. Ireland, was a medical doctor and a U.S. Army surgeon prior to coming to Burksville at the end of the Civil War. Turning his attention to politics, Hunter The death of D.S. Benedict, 76, “one of served in the Kentucky legislature from 1874 to [Louisville’s] oldest and most enterprising mer- 1878 and in Congress (1887-89, 1895-97 and 1903- chants” was announced. 5). He was also U.S. minister to Guatemala and Honduras. A. Dulworth led a group of 19 qualified voters of the Kettlecreek District of Cumberland County to had also served as a circuit court judge in the Fifth the July term of Cumberland County Court and District since 1870. Another item in the paper, submitted a petition to place on the ballot a proposal presumably written by Walker and/or Matthews, to sell “spirituous and vinous liquors” in the district. stated: It is seldom indeed that we have two men offering for the same office who morally and intellec- It was reported that “Indians are raiding along our tually are so equally matched as are the Hons. M.H. entire Southern and Western frontier.” Cofer and W.B. Harrison.3 Personally we favor our old friend Judge Cofer, but they are both Christian In a testimonial for appellate court judicial candi- gentlemen, and whichever may succeed, we will have date Martin H. Cofer2 reprinted from the Louisville in him as honest and upright Judge.”4 Commerical, Cofer was identified as the “first Circuit Judge in Kentucky of the Democratic party who had An item, referring to a similar one in the Louisville the nerve to obey the laws of the United States and Courier-Journal, touted the candidacy for Court of admit colored men to the witness-box.” Cofer, re- Appeals clerk of Thomas C. Jones. membered as a “gallant Confederate soldier,” declared in a speech in Shelbyville that he would not run on his Druggists W.P. Alexander and A.G. Dougherty, with a “rebel record.” In an advertisement, Cofer described store at 4 Court Place, advertised “Family Medicines, himself as 42 and a licensed practicing lawyer since Perfumery, Pure Brandy & Whisky, sold by prescription, 1856 “except for a short period during the war.” He “accurately compounded at all hours, Day or Night.” 67 2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 Abstracts from the Cumberland Courier, continued _______________ W.C. Hickey advertised boots and shoes manufac- paigning for re-election in the Crocus Creek area. tured by Harvey & Keith of Louisville. “His face all radiant with the hope of success, in fact he was smiling away back of his ears, and says if he is Attorneys Craddock & Walker advertised their elected he will feed us all well, quite an item these services as life and fire insurance agents. starvation times.”5 The faculty of Burksville College for Young Ladies Political candidates could announce their candida- and Gentlemen was advertised as J.R. Hoover, cies at the rate of $8 for state and district races, $6 principal; J.A. Hanby and G.C. Woodson, assistant for county races, and $5 for town and other races. principals; Miss Carrie Magrane, teacher of music; Advertising candidates were Martin H. Cofer and Mrs. Ellen Hoover, assistant teacher of music; and W.B. Harrison for appellate judge; C.W. Milliken6 Madame Magrane, “French Instructress.” for Third District congressman; James Garnett, of Adair County, and Major W.H. Botts of Barren State Auditor D. Howard Smith notified each County, for 6th Judicial District judge; David T. county’s sheriff to “collect from the white taxpayers, Towles, for Commonwealth’s attorney; John Q. for the present year (1874), 45 cents on each $100 Owsley and R.G. Cole for county judge; Scott worth of taxable property; 25 cents on each white Walker for county attorney; L.A. Waggener for enrolled militiaman; and $1 on each dog over two county clerk; Republican J.S. Bruton for county belonging to white persons, and you will also collect clerk; Joseph A. Traylor for county assessor; P.M. from the colored tax payers for said years, 45 cents on Sewell, of Irish Bottom, “People’s Independent each $100 worth of taxable property, $1 on each male candidate” for county assessor; W.E. Paull for jailer; colored person over twently-one years of age; 31. on and H.W.D. Patterson for county surveyor. each dog over two belonging to colored persons; and 26 cents on each colored enrolled militiaman. George Seaver, proprietor of the Burksville & Glasgow Stage Line, advertised the line’s new BIRTH. coaches, which made trips to Glasgow every Tuesday, On Monday the 27 inst., to the wife of Oliver G. Thursday, and Saturday at 6 a.m. Arrival time in Martin, an eleven pound son. Glasgow was 4:40 p.m., which connected passengers with the evening train of the Glasgow branch rail- H. Clay Rogers announced himself as a candidate road. The coaches returned to Burksville every for jailer. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 a.m., arriving there at 6 p.m. “Ministers of the gospel, and children State Superintendent of Public Instruction under ten years of age” were charged half fare. H.A.M. Henderson announced that, in the first year of the “Colored school system,” the “colored school “Hancock” announced that he could be found at census reaches the surprising aggregate of 37,332 his old stand until further notice. pupil children.” Jacob S. Bruton advertised his candidacy for James T. Williams announced that he had found county court clerk. He related that he submitted to a jewelry. test administered by Adair Circuit Court Clerk Jas. T. Page. He satisfactorily passed the test, which was “Primus,” correspondent from Amandaville, wrote given under the supervision of Adair Circuit Court that a debating society meeting at Hopewell Church Judge Thomas T. Alexander, who certified the result. on Crocus creek was being held. It was reported that Bruton also said he possessed a similar certificate “nothing this side of the moon, or the long-tailed from “Judge Fox.” comet that can equal them.” Reece Morgan was called “the champion declaimer.” “Uncle Ed Paull,” G.A.C. Turner led a group of 19 qualified voters of the presumably jailer W.E. Paull, was reported as cam- Marrowbone District of Cumberland County to the July 2003 Kentucky Ancestors V39-2 68