TIP #302: EARLY HISTORIANS OF KENTUCKY I have received so many requests about the old historians in Kentucky, those before the end of the century. I checked Collins again, Volume 2 and he mentions several of them and I thought you might be interested. He notes before getting into names, that some of the best recorded historians of Kentucky were the trees! Thus was proved, carved on many old trees, the names of some of our earliest pioneers; that of Dr. Thomas Walker, Ambrose Powell, Colby Chew and others who stopped long enough in 1750 to carve in a tree "A Powell - 1750. Or in 1754 when James McBRIDE and others passed down the Ohio River in a canoe and when stopped at the mouth of the Kentucky River was carved "J. M'R, 1754." Most living in the South Central Kentucky area know of the tree on the north side of Barren River (3 miles from Bowling Green and near the old VanMeter ferry), a beech tree indicating that a camp ground was once here who stayed from June13 to June 223, 1775. Six names were carved on one of these stately beeches. Or, in 1772 near Louisa, Lawrence County, where surveyor John Fry carved in a tree. When the historians started preserving their records in a slightly more permanent form, we rejoice because within their pages are contained much more information, more names, more events, that frames our State. Collins lists the following: 1. John Filson, the first preservationist of Kentucky history, or so credited by Collins. He published a small work in 1784 at Wilmington, Delaware, which he entitled "The Adventures of Colonel Daniel Boone, former a Hunter: containing a Narrative of the Wars of Kentucky." The book, says Colins, was very studious, sopohmoric and ostentatious, yet singlurarly interesting." Daniel Boone, Levi Todd and James Harrod vouched for the accurateness of his writing in a certificate dated 12 May 1784. This book was translateed into French and published in Paris in 1785, with later reprints in England. 2. William Littell, considered very rare in 1785 by Collins, did a history of Kentucky entitled "Political Transactions in and concerning Kentucky, from the first settlement until June 1792". It was published at Frankfort, KY in 1806. 3. Humphrey Marshall was considered for 35 years the most prominent historian. He was a lawyer and editor and until 1834 was the only work really known and quoted. It was published at Frankfort in 1812 as "The History of Kentucky, including an account of the Discovery, Settlement, Progressive Improvement, Political and Military Events, and Present State of the Country." A second volume was published in 1824. It was often said to have been partisan, bitter and prejudiced. 4. Mann Butler, M.D. LL.B. (Edward Mann Butler), prominent historian was born in Baltimore, MD in July 1784. He came to Lexington, KY in March 1806 and practiced law for a short time, then opened an academy inVersailles, Woodford, KY. He married Martha Dedman in August 1806,died by falling off the Gasconade River Bridge. His book was entitled "History of Kentucky, From its Exploration and Settlement by the Whites, to the close of the Northwestern Campaign, in 1813." This was published in Louisville in 1834. A later pamphlet, published in 1837 at Frankfort, was titled "An Appear from the Misrepresentations of James Hall respecting the History of Kentucky and the West; and a Chronology of the Principal Events in Western History to 1806." He had finished, at the time of his death, a "History of the Valley of the Ohio", in manuscript form. Most of his library was stolen or destroyed by Federal soldiers. 5. Judge Lewis Collins, published in 1847, a history of Kentucky which had a large circulation entitled "Historical Sketches of Kentucky, embracing its History, Antiquities, and Natural Curiosities, Geographical, Statistical, and Geological Descriptions, with Anecdotes of Pioneer Life, and more than 100 Biographical Sketches of Distinguished Pioneers, Soldiers, Statesmen, Jurists, Lawyers, Divines, etc.". He was the father of Collins from whom I am quoting. 6. William B Allen, 1872, issued a book entitled "History of Kentucky, embracing Gleanings, Reminiscences, Antiquities, Natural Curiosities, Statistics, and Biographical Sketches." This has been republished by the Green Co KY Historical Society. 7. Richard H Collins (from whom I am quoting) presented in August 1874, two volumes of the History of Kentucky which is still available at most libraries. 8. Rev. Hemry Toulmin "A Description of Kentucky, etc." published 1792 in London, England. 9. Gilbert Imlay "Topographical Description of Western Territory, belonging mainly to Kentucky." Published 1792, London, republished 1793 and 1797. 10. Gen. Robert B. McAfee "History of the Late War in the Western Country", published Lexington, KY 1816. 11. Dr. Samuel L. Metcalfe "Narratives of Indian Warfare", 1821, Lexington. Was rare in1874. 12. John A McClung "Sketches of Western Adventure", published Maysville, KY 1832. 13. Gov. James T. Morehead "Address in Commemaration of the First Settlement of Kentucky, at Boonesborough, May 25, 1840. 14. Judge James Hall "Sketches of History, etc. in the West". 2 volumes, published in Philadelphia 1835. 15. John Bradford "Notes on Kentucky, in newspaper articles, 1827". As you can see, most of the above works cannot be found by the average historian today, but keep your eyes open! (c) Copyright 3 August 2000, Sandra K. Gorin, All Rights Reserved. sgorin@glasgow-ky.com Col. 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