TIP #108 - THE JEWISH, CATHOLIC, SHAKERS and MENNONITES When we think of the settlement of Kentucky, we are prone to over look the fact that not all of our early settlers were Protestants – Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists. Many other groups came into Kentucky also, seeking the same freedom – religious and personal. Jewish history in Kentucky begins with two well known brothers – Bernard and Michael Kratz of Philadelphia. By the year 1760 they, as traders, had widened their base and were trading as far west as the Mammoth Cave area. Their names are well documented in the early history of this cave. Michael Gratz had already provided great assistance to America; he had, along with his brother, outfitted George Rogers Clark in his expeditions. The town of Gratz, now in Owen County was named for this family. Another relative, Joseph Simon, Michael's father-in-law, owned much of present-day Louisville. The youngest son of Michael, Benjamin, moved to Lexington in 1819 and became a trustee of Transylvania University for over 63 years. The first Jewish synagogue opened in Louisville through the hard work of one Abraham Jonas, an Englishman from Williamstown. He was a member of the General Assembly in 1828 and helped organize the Whig party in Kentucky; he was a friend of Abraham Lincoln. Lewis N Dembitz moved to Louisville in 1853 and was a noted civic and political leader there. Louis Brandeis, from Louisville, was the first Jewish man appointed to the United States Supreme Court. During the Civil War, Col. Gabriel Netter from France, was a lieutenant colonel in the Union Army. He was killed in battle near Owensboro on 19 Sept 1862 by a Confederate force. The county seat of Meade County was named for Col. Solomon Brandenburg who fought in the War of 1812. Felix Moses "Old Mose" served with Morgan's Raiders during the Civil War and was the one who raised the confederate flag over the capitol at Frankfort. Jewish families settled in many Kentucky towns; by 1832 the Louisville area listed the Jewish Benevolent Society. The first congregation there, Adath Israel was organized in 1836. In 1851, an orthodox Jewish group founded Beth Israel. Although fewer in number now, there were Jewish congregations to be found in Ashland, Henderson, Hopkinsville, Owensboro, Covington, Louisville, Lexington, Owensboro and Paducah. Some of the Rabbis have gained great reputation including Rabbi Emil G Hirsch (1851-1923), Rabi Hyman G Enelow (1877-1934). ROMAN CATHOLICISM: According to the Kentucky Encyclopedia, the first few Catholics who entered the Kentucky borders in 1775. Those who settled at Ford Harrod included Jane Coomes and Dr. George Hart who was likely the first schoolteacher and physician in the state. By 1785, Catholic settlements began in Marion County with a group of Marylanders who also settled in Nelson and Washington Counties. There were twenty families, headed by the Haydens and Lancasters who settled near Pottinger's Creek in Marion County. There were other settlements at Hardin's Creek, Poplar Neck, Cartwright's Creek, Rolling Fork, Scott County and Bardstown. Among the noted laity included Robert Abell (the only Catholic to serve in the 1799 Kentucky constitutional convention), John Lancaster (state representative and senator) and Grace Newton Simpson. The first priests sent by the Bishop of Baltimore, John Carroll, were Maurice Whelan and William de Rohan who did serve briefly in Kentucky. Stephen Badin, who was the first priest ordained in the United States, arrived in 1793. He was a circuit riding priest from Michigan to Tennessee. Charles Nerinckx, who was a Belgium priest served beginning in 1805. When Pope Pius VII divided the American diocese, and one of these was Bardstown. Benedict Joseph Flagett had the jurisdiction of the Bardstown diocese. His collegues included Bishop Guy Chabrat, Bishop John Baptist David, Francis P Kenrick, Mother Catherine Spalding, and Bishop Martin John Spalding. Catholic institutions grew including St Thomas Seminary, St Joseph College (bardstown), St Mary's College. The first Catholic newspaper was the Catholic Advocate. The 1840's saw a tremendous growth of Catholics in Kentucky due to the increasing numbers of Irish and German immigrants. During the Civil War, Patrick Henry Callahan, Edward McDermott and Benedict Webb served. SHAKERS: The Society of Believers, commonly known as Shakers lived in two communities in Kentucky – Pleasant Hill near Harrodsburg and South Union near Bowling Green in Warren County. These communities were founded in 1806 and 1807. They had started as English Quakers who enthusiastic manner of worshipping caused them to become known as Shaking Quakers. They were led by Ann Lee who claimed divine contact. The Shakers believed that it was possible to communicate directly with Christ. They also believed in communal living, celibacy and in perfection. They maintained that the confession of sin and celibacy would allow them to participate in the resurrection of life. They believed that the Millennium had already begun, and they thought that Anna Lee was the second coming of Christ, in female form. Anna and her followed had fled England because they were also against war. They arrived in 1774 and by 1830, the Shakers were to be found in 19 communities in the United States. Shaker families consisted of from 50-100 men and women who lived like brothers and sisters. Each community had 2-3 families with each family having a separate dwelling, workshop, barn, handicraft and occupation. Two elders and two eldresses served as spiritual parents. They were responsible for the worship services, discipline. Each family then had family deacons and deaconesses who assigned their brothers and sisters to their occupations. Village trustrees were the only ones allowed to deal with the "outside world." They were neat, orderly and simple in their life styles. Brothers and sisters ate separately. The Sisters prepared the food, washed, ironed, sewed, wove, tended the small crops. The Brethren worked the fields, shops and mills. After supper, all returned for the evening worship which included dancing and singing. By 1800 it was estimated that there were approximately 1,000 Shakers in the communities. By the Civil War, there were about 5,000. By 1900, the number had dwindled to 1,000 again and societies started closing down and selling off their lands and goods. There is no known survivor of the Shakers now as their doctrine of total celibacy finally reduced their ranks to zero. MENNONITES: The Mennonites entered Kentucky late in comparison to others. It did not start here until the early 1940's. In 1946, the Conservative Mennonite Conference began a push to evangelize the Applachian area. The first Bible school was located at Turner's Creek in Breathitt County. Mennonites are pacificists. Mennonites are allowed to drive automobiles and trucks, but they are all black vehicles. This is in contract to the Amish found in many Kentucky areas who ride only in buggies and have no electricity. This is just a glimpse and not meant to be in great depth. I hope it has helped. © Copyright 11 December 1997, Sandra K. Gorin, All rights reserved. **************************************************************************** Sandi Gorin - 205 Clements Ave., Glasgow, KY 42141-3409 (502) 651-9114 or sgorin@scrtc.blue.net BARREN CO: http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/1798 GORIN GEN PUB: http://members.aol.com/kygen/gorin.htm KYRESEARCH - KYBIOS - SOUTH-CENTRAL-KENTUCKY e-mail lists Send me an e-mail for information! Research tips at: http://www.usroots.com/~jmurphy/lessons/lessons.htm **************************************************************************** * ------------------------------