Not sure if all of you realize this but it has been of great use for me: The University of Kentucky has much of the Kentucky Vital Records Indexed and online. They have indexed the following: * Deaths 1911-1986 * Deaths 1987-1992 * Marriages 1973-1993 * Divorces 1973-1993 I have found this is great for verifying information. If you don't have the information to begin with it is hard to be sure you have the correct match. It is also very good to find the county of death and then you request copies of the Original Document. The address is http://ukcc.uky.edu/~vitalrec/ Search by Name. * Females are generally found under their married name. * If you don't find a match then try initials instead of given names. * notice many times the Middle Initial shown on the Index is actually the First letter of their Maiden name. If you find a match, you can not be sure until you match on something besides the name. I frequently find multiples of the same name (even unusual names), so the name is not enough! Use a Birth or Death date to verify a match. The Index has the Death date, and the Age at death, so you can calculate an approximate Birth date. If you are not sure of a match you can always order a copy of the original document from the corresponding County. Thanks Sid Schuman sschuman@mail.win.org

Could someone tell me if there is any more Dotson's or Dodson's buried in Nicholas County other then the ones I have here. Thank You Jewell Bald Hill Graveyard theses Dotson's are all together Jesse Dotson b. Aug. 4, 1881- Della Dotson b. 1889-d. 1964 Isanc M. Dotson 1851- Sallie J. Dotson 1848- Earl T. Dotson 1889-1917 J.S. Dotson 1868-1893 U.S.G. Dotson 1872-1893 Margaret L. Dotson 1856-1917 - -------------------------------------------------- Barterville Cemetary Verna Mack Dotson 1890-1926 - ------------------------------------------------- Carlisle Cemetary Wesley Dotson 1910-1973

No, the Montgomery county list is a separate list... if you have not subscribed to that list you should, to do so the address is KYMONTGO-L-request@rootsweb.com I have forwarded this to both lists... you are on the Nicholas co one.. have a great day.. Jeannie <>< -----Original Message----- Hi, Your mail welcomes me to the Nicholas county list, is this combined with Montgomery County also? I am B J and my dad's family are from Bath County, known as Riddle; and in Montgomery County and Nicholas my families are Lee, Tubbs, Conner, Willoughby, Martin and Patton. I am looking forward to some new finds and exchanges. B J ----- Original Message ----- From: Jean Dalrymple <motherd@theriver.com> To: Larry T. Hicks <lthicks1@bellsouth.net> Sent: Tuesday, June 29, 1999 10:08 AM Subject: RE: mailing list > Good morning and welcome to the Nicholas county list. Please submit a query > and introduce yourself to the list and hopefully we can help each other with > these elusive ancestors... > > Thanks and have a great day.. Jeannie <>< > > -----Original Message----- > From: Larry T. Hicks [mailto:lthicks1@bellsouth.net] > Sent: Monday, June 28, 1999 8:45 PM > To: KYMONTGO-L-request@rootsweb.com > Subject: mailing list > > subscribe > > >

To one and all, Following many good folks' suggestions, I added a Perrin History Project Update web page to my web site. Each time I update the page I'll let you know by simply listing the web page address. Now, wasn't that a simple (and *nice*) solution? :) The address is: http://www.shawhan.com/update.html Bob Francis 1920A Butner St. Ft. Eustis, VA 23604 MY HOMEPAGE: http://www.shawhan.com/

Your phunnies for the week to get you off on a good foot... Have a great week every one... Jeannie <>< Grins: The following series of advertisements reportedly appeared in a daily newspaper: Monday: "The Rev. A. J. Jones has one color TV set for sale. Telephone 555-1313 after 7 p.m. and ask for Mrs. Donnelley who lives with him, cheap." Tuesday: "We regret any embarrassment caused to Rev. Jones by a typographical error in yesterday's paper. The ad should have read: the Rev. A. J. Jones has one color TV set for sale, cheap. Telephone 555-1313 and ask for Mrs. Donnelley, who lives with him after 7 p.m." Wednesday: "The Rev. A. J. Jones informs us that he has received several annoying telephone calls because of an incorrect ad in yesterday's paper. It should have read: The Rev. A. J. Jones has one color TV set for sale, cheap. Telephone 555-1313 after 7 p.m. and ask for Mrs. Donnelley who loves with him." Thursday: "Please take notice that I, the Rev. A. J. Jones, have no color TV set for sale; I have smashed it. Don't call 555-1313 anymore. I have not been carrying on with Mrs. Donnelley. She was, until yesterday, my housekeeper." Friday: "Wanted: a housekeeper. Usual duties. Good pay. Love in, Rev. A. J. Jones. Telephone 555-1313 Grace and Grins, Christopher A. Faria Grace and Grins is not endorsed by the US Government, US Army or Army Chaplaincy. Grace and Grins (c)1999 Christopher A. Faria

There is probably a mad river every where... :) -----Original Message----- From: James Leggett [mailto:putts57@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, June 27, 1999 3:38 PM To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [KYNICHOL-L] FW: MAD RIVER ? I am not sure if there was a Mad River in Ky, but there was and is still a Mad River Township in Ohio. >From: DB1776@aol.com >Reply-To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com >To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [KYNICHOL-L] FW: MAD RIVER ? >Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 23:03:49 EDT > >Hello, > >Don't know if there was a town called Mad River, but there is a Mad River >in >NW California-Humbolt County. Inland from Eureka/Arcata. 1802 is probably >too early for settlement here?? > >Denell Burks > James H. Leggett Sr. _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

Hi Listers, Is anyone researching the SCOTT family that would include these men: The Rev. John C. Scott who performed the Marriage of my John Shannon and Keziah Rogers in 1819/1820. Nathaniel Scott, brother of Rev. John C. Scott was the Administrator of Margaret Shannon's estate in 1818 - these events taking place in Nicholas Co. Thanks for any help! Marlene Marlene DiGiovanni MarleneDiGi@prodigy.net

To one and all, To separate my Perrin's History Project Updates from my joy of sharing history with you, I have simplified my postings. In the subject heading, when you see a number, it indicates the latest number in the sequence of postings from Perrin book. If you see "Perrin's History Project," that's my latest update on the project. Actually, I'm taking the advice from one of you to post the History Project update on a web page. That way, it will lessen the possibility of complaints. I will let you know when I've created the web page. Today's posting is a bit problematic from our twentieth century perspective. Perrin writes at length about "the savages" (Native Americans) and presents them in a pretty negative light. As students of history, however, we must realize that Perrin was a man of his times and reflected the sentiment of his day concerning Native Americans. It does not excuse his insensitivity but simply puts it in perspective. Enjoy! P.S.--If you've missed my previous historical postings, I have a Perrin Web Page that includes all of my postings to date. You can access it at http://www.shawhan.com/Perrin.html Source: Perrin, pp. 84-86 The Bedfords were early settlers in Paris Precinct, and were from the Old Dominion. The pioneer of the family was Benjamin Bedford, who came to Kentucky about the year 1787, and stopped in Madison County, where he remained one season and raised a crop; then, in the following year, came to this section. His brother, Littleberry Bedford, came out in 1789 and located in this precinct, near where John T. Woodford now lives. He there erected a cabin, and, as he had purchased his land, supposed his title was good. He had not remained long on it, however, when Col. Gist rode up to him one day, and told him to cease further improvements, as he had a prior title, which he showed him. Col. Gist told him he need not leave the premises - that he might stay as long as he wished for an ear of corn per year. But Mr.Bedford was wise enoughh to see in this liberal offer a "consideration," and aware that as soon as he improved the place, he would be unceremoniously dispossessed, he wisely concluded not to remain, but to locate elsewhere. He moved to the place where Mrs. Patsey N Clay now lives. Here he settled and remained until his death, which took place August 29, 1829, in his ninety-second year. He was a great hunter, and said to be the best shot in Kentucky, except Daniel Boone. He paid but little or no attention to agricultural pursuits, but, like many of the pioneers, spent his time mostly in hunting. Greenberry Bedford was another early settler in this neighborhood. He is said to have built the firsty "good" house in what is now Paris Precinct. Hitherto, none but cabins had been put up. and he lived in a very poor one for several years, when he erected a splendid house for the time. He hired a cabinet workman from Virginia to make his furniture, which was of the most substantial kind, and some of which is still in existence. He was a quiet man, peaceful alnong his neighbors, and highly respected by all. He came here and married a Miss Clay, and then returned to Virginia and brought out his negroes. Michael Stoner and James Kenny were supposed to have settled in the present limits of the precinct as early as 1785. Stoner Creek was named for the former. He owned a large body of land on the west side of this stream, but also had fifty acres on the opposite side, which he gave to James Kenny in payment for "stocking" a shovel plow for him. The land is now owned by J. D. Butler; his house is located on it, and it (the land), is worth several car-loads of shovel-plows. Stoner traded 1,000 acres, upon which he settled, to Samuel Clay for a negro woman, a horse and a gun. Stoner was afterward killed at a barn raising, by a log falling on him. Kenny was from Virginia, and settled near where J. D. Butler now lives. He had a son, Capt. James Kenny, who was in the war of 1812, and died of disease while in the service. A man named Bruce settled near Kenny. He had two negro women killed by the Indians, after which he went away and remained until more peaceful times. A man named Gass was also an early settler. He, Col. Gist, Kenny and Stoner, all had surveys on the west side of Stoner Creek. Most of it is now owned by the Clay family, John T. Woodford and George W. Bedford. The Edwards family emigrated to Kentucky and settled in the present precinct about 1794-95. James Marvin came some time prior to the Edwards family, and located the land which Edwards afterward purchased. Jacob Langston, from Virginia, settled here previous to 1790, on the Robert Clark farm. On the east side of the Stoner, one of the earliest settlers was Henry Leer, who came here from Virginia, but was originally from Holland. He settled among the very earliest, locating on the land now owned by his grandson David Leer. His son Daniel succeeded him, and he, in turn, was succeeded by his son David, who now owns the place as above stated, it having been in the family ever since its original purchase. Josiah MeDonald settled on what is now Flat Rock pike, near where the toll-rate stands, about the year 1790. Thomas Rogers settled near the month of Rogers' Creek. The place where Robert Clark now lives was once called Clark's Station. The Indians were numerous then, and hostile. The house was built bullet-proof, and part of it is yet standing, and forms the rear part of Mr. Clark's residence. John Honey came here in 1787, and was from Maryland. He settled on the farm now owned by Col. Lewis Muir. The old house is still standing, and has loop-holes, as the pioneers' houses were all built. It has been "weather-boarded" and modernized, however, since it served as a protection against prowling savages. David Caldwell came from Pennsylvania and settled on Houston Creek previous to 1800, where he died about the year 1828-29. He was a soldier in the Revolutiouary war, and received an injury in one of his arms, which necessitated its amputation after he settled in Kentucky--an operation that was performed by Drs. Todd and Nicholas Warfield. He was a man highly respected in the community. John Reed, William Galloway, Samuel Lyons and Lawrence Protzman were early settlers in the vicinity of Paris. The first three mentioned pre-empted the land on which the city is located. Reed was from Maryland, and made his pre-emption Noveinber 18, 1784. Galloway and Lyons were from Virginia, and made theirs in 1786. Protzman bought a portion of Reed's land and laid out a town, which he called Hopewell, now Paris. James Garrard, afterward Governor, John Edwards, Charles Smith, Edward Walker, Thomas West and James Duncan were also early settlers in the present precinct. Gov. Garrard settted about four miles north of Paris, at "Mount Lebanon," about, 1780-85, and as noted elsewhere. The first session of court was held at his residence. Many other early settlers are entitled, doubtless, to mention in this chapter, but they are gone and forgotten in the long years that have passed, and no one now remembers them. Mr. Collins speaks of "Houston's Station," on the present site of Paris but of it little or nothing is now known. When the first emigrants came to what is now Paris Precinct, not only this immediate section, but nearly the entire State of Kentucky, was a wild region, claimed by numerous tribes of Indians, many of them hostile toward the whites. Our early history bears proof to this state of affairs, in the details given of the long and sanguinary struggle between the two races for supremacy in this rich and beautiful country. The savages let no opportunity to murder, plunder and massacre the whites pass unimproved, and hence the, country contiguous to the early settlements, became a vast graveyard; while in more lonely spots, hunters and isolated settlers with their families were wantonly butchered, their bodies left exposed, when their flesh became the food of wild beasts, their bones the sport of the storm. No early station nor settlement, perhaps, in Central Kentucky, is known, but has connected with it a tale of savaye barbarity, of murder and bloodshed. The pioneer held his life in his hand; he stood ready at any moment to fight, and verily he found his lot cast in a land where he had plenty of it to do. It is said that the early Settler of Kentucky slept with one eye open, and was far more likely to be found without his hat than his gun. These were the circumstances under which this country was reclaimed and wrested from the Indians. When we take a disinterested view of the matter, we have but little ground to blame the Indians for holding on to their hunting-grounds with such a death-like grip. The pale-faces, although they have not held the land so long as did the savages, rather than be driven from their homes now they would fight for them more fiercely than did the savages themselves. And yet the sequel has proven that it was ordained that the Anglo-Saxons should possess this country. The pioneers of Kentucky were but the advance guard--the picket line of the grand army that was to sweep away the last vestige of a crude and imperfect civilization. It was won at it fearful cost, however, but as we look over the beautiful blue grass lands, dotted with luxurious homes, we must admit that it is worth the price paid for it. But the "irrepressible conflict" with the savages was not the only trouble the pioneers had to contend with. From the time they left their comfortable homes beyond the mountains, this toil and privation commenced, and ended not (with many) until their lives ended, and with others until the savages met their Waterloo at the the hands of Mad Anthony Wayne in 1794. As a proof of their hard life, the journey or Thomas Kennedy to the State affords ample illustration, and was but a type of that which fell to the lot of the pioneers generally. ---- Bob Francis 1920A Butner St. Ft. Eustis, VA 23604 MY HOMEPAGE: http://www.shawhan.com/

I am not sure if there was a Mad River in Ky, but there was and is still a Mad River Township in Ohio. >From: DB1776@aol.com >Reply-To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com >To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com >Subject: Re: [KYNICHOL-L] FW: MAD RIVER ? >Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 23:03:49 EDT > >Hello, > >Don't know if there was a town called Mad River, but there is a Mad River >in >NW California—Humbolt County. Inland from Eureka/Arcata. 1802 is probably >too early for settlement here?? > >Denell Burks > James H. Leggett Sr. _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com

There is one in Arizona too :) -----Original Message----- From: DB1776@aol.com [mailto:DB1776@aol.com] Sent: Saturday, June 26, 1999 8:04 PM To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [KYNICHOL-L] FW: MAD RIVER ? Hello, Don't know if there was a town called Mad River, but there is a Mad River in NW California-Humbolt County. Inland from Eureka/Arcata. 1802 is probably too early for settlement here?? Denell Burks

Hi, Would you mind if I forwarded your email to the Dewitt mailing list? Wendy -----Original Message----- From: arlsigns@mindspring.com <arlsigns@mindspring.com> To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com <KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Saturday, June 26, 1999 4:07 PM Subject: Re: [KYNICHOL-L] SURNAME DEWITT > > >> >>Looking for information on William Dewitt. Can anyone help? >> > >My great great grandmother was Elizabeth DeWitt, who married Gilbert Feeback >Feb 26, 1835. Elizabeth's parents were >Jacob DeWitt and Elizabeth Mann. > >According to my records, the children of Jacob DeWitt and Elizabeth Mann >were: > > Lydia DeWitt birthdate unknown > Anny DeWitt, born 1816 > Elizabeth DeWitt, born May 16, 1812 > Margaret DeWitt, born March 25, 1814 > John DeWitt, born 1823 > Sarah DeWitt, born 1824 > William DeWitt, born 1828 > Barbara J. DeWitt, born 1834 > Lucinda DeWitt, born 1837 > >I don't show a spouse for William DeWitt. Several of the DeWitts married >Feebacks. I think their farms were close. > >What connection do you have to William DeWitt? > >Monte Sellers >arlsigns@mindspring.com > > >

> Date: Sat, 26 Jun 1999 16:24:41 -0400 > From: "Elizabeth Smith" <lizsmith@setel.com> > > My email program showed the pounds sterling sign in both your post and > Jeannie's original post. However, it shows the "·" in the part of Jeannie's It's a centered dot in the above quotation marks. > post that you forwarded. I'll bet that some email programs handle these > characters differently. Does your computer read "ú" the pounds sterling That one's a "u" with a tiny mark above going this way /. > sign in this message or do you still show a "· "? That one's a centered dot followed by a space. Bill McCray Lexington, KY

> Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 14:19:52 +0000 > From: "Bill McCray" <tobill@mailhost.mis.net> > > Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 12:26:40 -0700 > > From: "Jean Dalrymple" <motherd@theriver.com> > > > Hello.... I am forwarding this from another (Mason co.) list because I > > think that it is useful (and fun)... :) enjoy... Jeannie <>< > > > > Hi all, You don't have to write Lbs. for British pounds, you can write it > > from you computer by holding down alt and the numbers 156 as such ·, then > > when you release the alt key the · sign appears. > > But why would I want to use a "u" with an acute or grave (can't > recall which it is) for pounds sterling? Hmm. Alt 156 did give me a > pounds sterling sign (ú), but that's not what I see in your post. > What symbol do you see in the parentheses in the line above? Drat. I see a pounds sterling in my outgoing message, but it's an "acute u" or "grave u' when it gets back here. All right! Who's messing with my posts? :-) Bill McCray Lexington, KY

Hello, Don't know if there was a town called Mad River, but there is a Mad River in NW California—Humbolt County. Inland from Eureka/Arcata. 1802 is probably too early for settlement here?? Denell Burks

-----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth Smith [mailto:lizsmith@setel.com] Sent: Saturday, June 26, 1999 2:44 PM To: KYBATH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [KYBATH-L] John W. Carpenter - Obituary John Carpenter died at age 73 on 13 Nov 1959 in Clark Co., according to the KY Death Index. Elizabeth Smith lizsmith@setel.com John W. Carpenter Succumbs Friday of Heart Attack John W. Carpenter, 73, retired farmer of the Goose Creek road in Clark county, died at 9 p. m. Friday at his home after suffering a heart attack. He had been out hunting that afternoon and his sudden death came as a great shock to his family and friends. A native of Bath county he was a son of the late Mike and Marie White Carpenter and a member of the Christian Church. Although he lived several miles over the line in Clark county, Mr. Carpenter had always transacted his business in Mt. Sterling and was a familiar figure here. Mr. Carpenter was a man who loved all types of sports, was an active angler and hunter, a successful farmer, and was devoted to his family and church. He had a keen sense of humor, enjoyed life to the fullest and will long be remembered by his many friends throughout this section. Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Susie Williams Carpenter,, and a foster son Emerson Havens, Montgomery county. Services were held at 3:30 p. m. Monday at the Eastin-Richey funeral home by the Rev. John N. Williams and the Rev. G. W. Haley. Burial was in Machpelah cemetery. Active bearers were William P. Charles, Bert Charles, Jr., Robert Osborne, Scott Reid, David Lee, Matt Dykes and Gerald Smith; honorary, E. Ward May, R. R. Thompson, Frank Dykes, Cliff Pasley, Willie Ecton, Len Downs, Hinton Whisman, John Costigan, Clyde Wright, Ernest Smith, Sam Wheeler and Vance R. Evans.

-----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth Smith [mailto:lizsmith@setel.com] Sent: Saturday, June 26, 1999 2:01 PM To: KYBATH-L@rootsweb.com Subject: [KYBATH-L] Mrs. Lou Ann Spratt Burns - Funeral Card Following is a funeral card that I found for Lou Ann Spratt Burns. She was the mother of William "Bill", Mary, Lucy, Maggie, Sally, and Edna. I also found a picture of these children in Aunt Mary's things as well as a single picture of Edna. Will scan and forward these if anyone wishes. Elizabeth lizsmith@setel.com Funeral Card February 25, 1851 - September 15, 1915 BURNS The funeral services of Mrs. Lou Ann Spratt Burns wife of Yelbert Burns, who died Wednesday afternoon, September 15, 1915, will be held at her residence, at Flat Creek, Friday morning, September 17, at 9:00 o'clock. Services by Rev. Stephens. Burial in Machpelah Cemetery. Pall Bearers A. G. Spratt O. B. Spratt J. B. Spratt Charles Spratt John M. Spratt L. C. Spratt

Perhaps some kind soul can ans this person... -----Original Message----- From: Leon & Barbara Weaver [mailto:leobar36@surfsouth.com] Sent: Saturday, June 26, 1999 2:07 PM To: KYBRACKE-L@rootsweb.com Subject: MAD RIVER ? Hi Folks! I have a question. If you were in Nicholas Co. Ky. in 1802 and moved to MAD RIVER where would you be going? I am not familiar enough with all the areas of that time to know. Would appreciate someone pointing me in the right direction. Barbara leobar36@surfsouth.com Weaver-Hamilton-Browning-Wood-Workman

Bill, My email program showed the pounds sterling sign in both your post and Jeannie's original post. However, it shows the "ú" in the part of Jeannie's post that you forwarded. I'll bet that some email programs handle these characters differently. Does your computer read "£" the pounds sterling sign in this message or do you still show a "ú "? Elizabeth lizsmith@setel.com ----- Original Message ----- From: Bill McCray <tobill@mailhost.mis.net> To: <KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, June 25, 1999 10:19 AM Subject: Re: [KYNICHOL-L] good information > > Date: Fri, 25 Jun 1999 12:26:40 -0700 > > From: "Jean Dalrymple" <motherd@theriver.com> > > To: KYNICHOL-L@rootsweb.com > > Subject: [KYNICHOL-L] good information > > > Hello.... I am forwarding this from another (Mason co.) list because I > > think that it is useful (and fun)... :) enjoy... Jeannie <>< > > > > Hi all, You don't have to write Lbs. for British pounds, you can write it > > from you computer by holding down alt and the numbers 156 as such ú, then > > when you release the alt key the ú sign appears. > > But why would I want to use a "u" with an acute or grave (can't > recall which it is) for pounds sterling? Hmm. Alt 156 did give me a > pounds sterling sign (£), but that's not what I see in your post. > What symbol do you see in the parentheses in the line above? > > Bill McCray > Lexington, KY > >

> >Looking for information on William Dewitt. Can anyone help? > My great great grandmother was Elizabeth DeWitt, who married Gilbert Feeback Feb 26, 1835. Elizabeth's parents were Jacob DeWitt and Elizabeth Mann. According to my records, the children of Jacob DeWitt and Elizabeth Mann were: Lydia DeWitt birthdate unknown Anny DeWitt, born 1816 Elizabeth DeWitt, born May 16, 1812 Margaret DeWitt, born March 25, 1814 John DeWitt, born 1823 Sarah DeWitt, born 1824 William DeWitt, born 1828 Barbara J. DeWitt, born 1834 Lucinda DeWitt, born 1837 I don't show a spouse for William DeWitt. Several of the DeWitts married Feebacks. I think their farms were close. What connection do you have to William DeWitt? Monte Sellers arlsigns@mindspring.com

I see some Nicholas co names in here... J. <>< -----Original Message----- From: Elizabeth Smith [mailto:lizsmith@setel.com] MT. STERLING, LITTLE MOUNTAIN TOWN, NOW THRIVING CITY SURVEYED BY SMITH IN 1793; NAMED BY PIONEER SCOTCHMAN Growth Has Been Steady and Today It Is Classed As the Best Town of Its Size in the South PIONEER DAY THRILLERS (Ed Sargent) The Mt. Sterling of today presents a striking contrast to "The Little Mountain Town" of two generations ago. A century ago a small isolated settlement, fifty years ago, a struggling village with less than fifty stores and business concerns and today a thriving city of the most modern type with almost ever line of business endeavor and a population of nearly five thousand-Mt. Sterling rightly claims the title of the "best city to the square foot of any city in the South." Situated on the C. & O. R. R., thirty-four miles east of Lexington and at, as we might say ithe end of the Bluegrass and the beginning of the mountains, "The Gateway City" has really been the developing point for Eastern Kentucky. The town of Mt. Sterling, first used thus, Mountsterling, was surveyed by Enoch Smith, Sr., in 1793. The greater part of the land was owned by Smith, while a man by the name of Hugh Forbes, owned considerably of the eastern section and the southern portion of the city was taken from land owned by Samuel Spurgeon. At first the town was generally called "Little Mountain Town" and bore this historical title for several years. SELECTING THE NAME Among the early settlers of the town was a Scotchman-Hugh Forbes. Early in 1793 at a meeting called for the purpose of selecting a suitable name for the village, Forbes presenting the argument that "Little Mountain Town" was a barbarous and outlandish cognomen, and suggested that the village be called Stirling after a pretty little town in Scotland where he spent his boyhood days. After considerable discussion a compromise was effected and the name "Mount Stirling" was adopted by the meeting. Later we find that the name was spelled as "Mountsterling" and still later it was brought to its' present style, Mt. Sterling. The past and early history of the city is of thrilling interest and many tales of the early days are still vivid in the minds of aged citizens still living. The stories of early Indian warfare int his vicinity and the excavation of mounds left by that almost forgotten race of people, the Mound Builders, have been passed down from generation to generation and if we were to undertake to recite them all in this publication it would be a task which we feel that we are not equal. At these spots, around which the romantic traditions of early days still cluster, the forefathers of Mt. Sterling, as if with propretic vision, saw fit to invest their capital on account of the many points of vantage it possessed as a commercial center and their efforts have been crowned with success in the present thriving city-the county seat of Montgomery county. Mt. Sterling is situated in the central part of the county and is a city of beautiful homes, highly rated schools, beautiful and God worthy churches, well conducted business houses and a happy contented citizenship-noted for its hospitality and real Kentucky neighborly spirit. On one hand we have the foothills of the mountains and on the other beautiful farm lands, noted for their crops of tobacco, wheat and corn and the raising of livestock; thousands of acres of green pastures, with lowing cattle and gentle sheep-the best saddle and harness horses in the State famed for thier kind-beuatiful women, scores of gentlemen, and still jugs of "Mountain Dew"-the all go to make Mt. Sterling and Montgomery county the Eden, its citizens take pride in calling home. The story of the early organizations of the churches and school are told in more detail elsewhere in this issue [will be posted to the list as time permits], but it will be well to mention here briefly the forerunners of the legal profession. James Crawford, from Pennsylvania, was said to be the first lawyer to practise [sic] in Montgomery county. Early resident lawyers were Asa Lewis, William Littell, James Trimble and David Trimble. Later came Amos Davis, Henry Daniel, Richard Menefee, Richard Apperson and Kenaz Farrow. In the early days of the county no bar was stronger than that of Montgomery county and at its courts came Henry Clay, Robert Trimble, Jesse Bledsoe, Colonel Nicholas, James Clark, Ishman G. Talbott, Robert Wickliffe, Samuel Hanson, Chilton Allen and James Simpson. The first doctor in Mt. Sterling was said to have been Dr. Delano, who was shortly followed by Dr. John Young, both of these pioneer physicians having come from Fayette county. Then, historians say Drs. Mills, McMurtry, Duke and Slavens joined the medical profession to help care for the sick and afflicted during the early days of the struggling community. The first tavern opened in Mt. Sterling was built of hewed logs with an old-fashioned porch that ran the entire length of the building. Joseph Simpson was the builder and the first landlord. Andrew Biggs soon set up a rival hotel and in an adjoining house to the Simpson tavern, Samuel and Peter Everett operated a general store. However the first mercantile establishment in the city was opened in1800 and was operated by a man named Goudy. At the old Turley corner George Howard conducted the most prominent of the "first" stores that did busines in the "Little Mountain Town." It was a frame building, painted a striking red and its picturesque color and design was the wonder of the times to our great-grandfathers and great-grandmothers. Here one could purchase all the necessity in clothing and food as well as luxuries of the day. Calico and homespun cloth from which the early belles made their dresses was sold at $0 cents a yard and "good whiskey for 25 cents a gallon." THE COURT HOUSE The first court house for Montgomery county stood on Main street just a short distance east from present Presbyterian church. It was an "imposing" brick structure, one and a half stories high. The jury rooms were on the second floor and very small. The next was built on the site of the present one and was more convenient and commodious.. This was destroyed by fire, thought to have been accidental, in 1850, and was replaced by a better building which was destroyed during the Civil War in December, 1863. Another courthouse was built at the close of the war, being completed in in 1868. This served the county until 1890 when the present court house was erected. [This 1890 Courthouse has also been replaced.. Visit http://www.mtsterling.com/mtshist/courtoge.htm to see photos of three of Montgomery County's Courthouses.]