TIP# 131 - KENTUCKY BEFORE THE WHITE MAN & ALLEN THROUGH BREATHITT COUNTIES 1847 DESCRIPTIONS. For a few tips, I am going to be quoting entirely from "Historical Sketches of Kentucky" by Lewis Collins, published in 1847. Many have asked what Kentucky was like before our settlers began streaming in to the "dark and bloody ground." Mr. Collins gives an interesting look back to let his readers know what our commonwealth was like in Chapter 1 - Outline History, pages 1 and 2. "KENTUCKY was first explored by the Anglo-Saxon race, about the middle of the eighteenth century. It then formed a vast hunting-ground, upon which the savage tribes of the south and of the north killed the elk and buffalo, and occasionally encountered each other in bloody conflict. No permanent settlement existed within its borders. Its dark forests and cane thickets separated the Cherokees, Creeks, and Catawbas of the south, from the hostile tribes of Shawnees, Delawares, and Wyandots of the north. Each, and all of these tribes, encountered the Anglo-American pioneer, and fiercely disputed the settlement of the country. "It is certain, however, that these were not the original occupants of the country lying between the Alleghany mountains and the Mississippi River. Geological monuments of deep interest, but as yet imperfectly investigated, speak in language not to be mistaken, of a race of men who preceded the rude tribes encountered by Boone and Finley. Their origin, language and history, are buried in darkness which, perhaps, may never be dispelled; but the scanty vestiges which they have left behind them, enable us to affirm, with confidence, that they far surpassed the rude tribes which succeeded them, in arts, in civilization, and in knowledge. They had certainly worked the copper mines of the west, and were in possession of copper tools for working in wood and stone. Their pipes, and household utensils elaborately fashioned, of clay, are far above the rude and clumsy contrivances of their successors; while their large fortifications, constructed of solid masonry, and artificially contrived for defence [sic] and convenience, show that they had foes to resist, and they had made considerable progress in the military art. "How long they occupied the country, whence they came, whither they have gone, or whether they perished within the crumbling walls which alone speak of their existence, the present state of our knowledge does not enable us to decide. The historical facts with certainty to be inferred from the data which exist, are few and meager. In relation to time, we can only affirm that the fortifications and cemeteries which have been examined, are certainly more than eight hundred years old, but how much older they may be can only be conjectured. Time, and future investigation, may throw some additional light upon the history of this ancient race; but at present we can only say that they lived, that they struggled against enemies, that they made progress in arts and civilization, and that the places which one knew them, now know them no more." Collins, later in his history of the state of Kentucky speaks of the "Face of the Country, Etc.": "The face of the country is quite diversified, presenting every variety of surface as well as quality of soil. The region around Lexington, including the entire counties of Bourbon, Fayette, Woodford, and portions of Franklin, Jessamine, Clarke, Montgomery, Bath, Nicholas, Harrison and Scott, comprises the largest body of fine land in Kentucky - the surface being agreeably undulating, and the soil black and friable, producing the sugar-tree, blue and black ash, black and honey locust, elm, hickory, black walnut, mulberry, buckeye, pawpaw, &c. Portions of the uplands of Boone, Grant, Mason, and Fleming, in the north, and Mercer, Madison, Boyle, Lincoln, Garrard, Shelby, Washington, Laurel, Green, Nelson, &c, in the middle district, together with a number of counties south of Green river, comprise remarkably rich, and doubtless as productive bodies of land as that which has been most appropriately termed the garden of Kentucky, but more circumscribed in their extent. "PRINCIPAL RIVERS. The principal rivers of Kentucky, are the Ohio, Mississippi, Tennessee, Cumberland, Kentucky, Green, Licking, Big and Little Sandy, Salt and the Rolling Fork of Salt river. The Ohio blows along the whole northern boundary of the State for six hundred and thirty-seven miles, following its windings. The Mississippi washes the Kentucky shore from the mouth of the Ohio, to a point below New Madrid, for the distance of one hundred miles. Big and Little Sandy rivers lie in the eastern extremity of the State, the former being its eastern boundary. Cumberland and Tennessee intersects the western extremity; the former rises in the eastern part of the State, and passes into the State of Tennessee, after which it returns and flows through Kentucky into the Ohio River. The Kentucky, Licking, Salt and Rolling Forks of Salt rivers, flow through the interior of the state. "GEOLOGICAL INFORMATION. The geological formations of Kentucky, in common with those of the other western States generally, belong to that great system which extends from the Alleghanies on the east, across the Mississippi, and perhaps to the Rocky mountains on the west. Throughout this vast territory, the primary fossiliferous or protozoic and lower secondary, or carboniferous rocks prevail. Collins then lists the metals and minerals found in Kentucky which includes lead, salt saltpeter, gypsum, hydraulic lime. "MINERAL SPRINGS. Collins notes that this abound in Kentucky. At the Blue Licks, near the bank of the Licking River, is a sulphur spring containing a large amount of common salt, the waters being prized for their healing powers. There is another at Drennon's Lick and Big Bone Lick. At Harrodsburg are found a number of mineral springs, and another near Crab Orchard. I am going to start here, a list of the Kentucky Counties, with observations done by Collins as to what each county looked liked, it's principal creeks and landmarks, major towns in 1847, etc. Information provided will vary from county to county. ALLEN County: Lies on the waters of Big Barren River. Main towns: Scottsville and Port Oliver. There were salt works operating in Port Oliver. There are quite a few caves, none had really been explored. There are Indian remains here, a fortification found about 13 miles from Scottsville. ANDERSON COUNTY: The Kentucky River forms the northern boundary and the Salt River its southern. The Salt River flows here with its tributaries: Crooked Fox, Stoney and Hammond Creeks, Bailey's run, Little Benson and Gilbert's creek empty into the Kentucky River. Surface of the land here is rolling, some portions are level, rich and productive. Tobacco, wheat, corn, hemp and tobacco were grown here, and the citizens exported mules, horses, cattle and hogs. Lawrenceburg was the main town as county seat. BALLARD COUNTY: The Ohio River is the northern border, the Mississsippi on the west. The northern part of the county is barren and in the southern, well timbered. The bottoms of the rivers named creates a black loam and sand soil which is very productive. The principal creek is Mayfields, there is also Humphrey's creek. Principal crops are tobacco, hemp, corn and oats along with stock raising. The main towns in 1847 were Blandville, Lovelaceville and Milbourn. BARREN COUNTY: This county embraces almost every description of soil and surface. From Glasgow north and northeast the land is level and the soil rice; beyond that it is rolling and hilly and poor soil. Fine springs abound, the land is well timbered and watered with several large creeks. Tobacco, corn, wheat, rye and oats were the principal crops, with tobacco being the most important export. Horses, mules and hogs are also exported. The principal towns are: Glasgow, Chaplinton, Edmonton [now Metcalfe], and Frederick. BATH COUNTY: Lies on the Licking River. It contains many medicinal springs. The surface is diversified - hilly, undulating, and level. The soil north and west of Slate creek is rich and fertile; south and east, iron and coal is located and the soil not so good. Cattle, mules, hog, corn and wheat are the principal industries and there are two iron furnaces and one forge. Towns include Owingsville, Sharpsburg, Wyoming and Bethel. BOONE COUNTY: Located at the bend of the Ohio River (North Bend). The surface land is normally hilly, some level land for farming is found. The county produces Indian corn, tobacco, oats, wheat, whiskey, flour, apples, hogs, timothy and blue grass. Principal streams are Woolper, Middle creek, Gunpowder and Big Boone Creek. The principal towns are Florence, Burlington, Union, Walton, Verona, Hamilton, Petersburg and Francisville. BOURBON COUNTY: Lies in the garden area of Kentucky, undulating surface, rich soil. Hemp, corn and wheat are cultivated, horses, mules, cattle and hogs are exported. Paris was the principal town, along with Millersburg, Centerville, Jacksonville, North Middleton, Ruddell's Mills. There is a salt spring in the Caneridge neighborhood. BOYLE COUNTY: Soil here is rich and deep - stock and hemp the greatest produced exports. Principal towns are Danville and Perryville. BRACKEN COUNTY: This county is bounded on the north by the Ohio river with the principal towns being Brooksville, Augusta. The lands are high and the surface rolling and hilly. The upper part is rich and fertile. Principal crops are tobacco, wheat, corn and pork. BREATHITT COUNTY: Located on the headwaters of the Kentucky River. The surface is hilly, rich and productive valleys, soil is red clay. Produces bituminous coal, iron ore, salt. Principal town is the county seat of Jackson. © Copyright 12 March 1998, Sandra K. Gorin, All Rights Reserved. >>}}}0>> <<0{{{<< Sandi Gorin - 205 Clements Ave., Glasgow, KY 42141-3409 502-651-9114 - sgorin@glasgow-ky.com GORIN GEN PUB: http://members.tripod.com/~GorinS/index.html KYRESEARCH ON THE WEB: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~usgwqury/Ky/Tips/index.cgi PAST KYBIOS FROM MY E-MAIL LIST: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~usgwqury/Ky/Bios/index.cgi ------------------------------