Germantown, Kentucky Narrative

by M F Adamson, 1870

Learning as we were to have a Reunion of old citizens of Germantown & vicinity I thought it would not be amiss to give some recollections of those who resided in Said village more than 50 years ago.

I was the first born of my Mother, the 9th of January 1815—My Father was living in a Cabin on the farm now owned by Jno H Walton—at that time was the property of Aaron Frazee, twin brother of Moses Frazee my Grandfather. Four Frazee brothers living on adjoining farms—Samuel, Squire, Moses & Aron & Squire Fraze.

After 3 or 4 removals my Father moved to Germantown with my Mother & their children in the year 1824—I was then 9 years old and have quite a distinct recollection of all or nearly all the householders of that village. It was of course quite an epoch in the recollection of a boy to change from a log house to a red painted two story frame building. I had learned to read & write at that date. I propose the names of these citizens not one of whom remain to tell us of those days. Only 3 or 4 persons here now who were children at that time--_____Mrs. Maria Dimmett, Mrs. Mary Ann Pollock—John McClean & Mrs. Eliza Coleman. A half century has carried away, (mostly by death) not only the heads of families, but their descendants.

The first Hotel Keeper was Maj John D Morford, who had squatted in the woods after an early marriage with Rachel Stockwell—living on the same lot until they were about 80 years old—dying within two years of each other, altho he married again, after her death, leaving quite a large estate. I will recollect his receiption and bar room right on the main street with a Porch the length of the building—where not only the travelers but those who desired drinks & (they were not a few) assembled day & night. The old Gentleman was a shrewd horse trader, which occupied a great deal of his time whilst his wife attended the bar. She use to tell how much & how often she would have to empty her pockets filled with cut Silver money—her residence being fifty steps in the rear. They had one child familiarly known as Jack Morford. One of the best looking men I have ever seen. He was the only person the Major would loan money without security or interest. I think he died about 30 or 35 years ago from fast living. He was social & much thought of in then gay society. After marrying a Miss Coleman of Harrison Co. living a very few years. I shall never forget his fine appearance as an officer in full & costly uniform on parade day. The property & descendants of Major Morford have gone into oblivion.

After he closed business as Hotel Keeper, John W. Franklin in Mason and Wm Dougherty in the Bracken end established and continue the Hotel business both I think successful.

Mr. Wm Currens is the next prominent man running a large tannery—at that early day had had accumulated by industry quite a fortune—quite unobtrusive—a firm Baptist attending especially to his own business. It was a popular avocation at that day and a great many young men, sons of will to do farms were his apprentices, many of whom became prominent & useful citizens. I think three of his daughters married young men who learned the tanners trade with him—Mr. James Savage, John Gregg & R. P. Dimmett who soon became prominent & successful merchants in Germantown. Mr. Savage & Dimmett living & dying here. Mr. Gregg removed to Rush Co Ind. at any early day, left a large fortune to his children.

Besides these merchants at that times, there was Joseph Frazee—who was in business alone for several years. Then formed a partnership with Jno M Gregg—continuing in business for several years. Another merchant George Keith who failed in business—retired to a farm in Pendleton Co lived to old age leaving a numerous family—Savage, Gregg—Frazee & Keith were the first merchants I ever knew—formed their acquantence after getting into the Town.

The next person I shall notice is Dr Anderson Doniphan who was the first and only __________________
living in the village as early as 1800. His visits extended over a vast territory as far as 40 or 50 miles in Nicolas, Harrison Pendleton & Bracken & over the river in the state of Ohio. He was a large farmer having quite a strong force in Slaves, had two or three mills--& a distillery—but the Physicians office had to pay his losse in this outside business.

The first Physicians who settled in apportion was two Brothers, Henry & John Perkins from Harrison or Scott Co. They remained two or three years--& left for Louisiana. Then Dr Frank Chinn from Mayslick—quite a promising young man—but unfortunately formed the opium habit, soon lost his business and he returned to Mayslick. I think he died in Missouri many years since. Then Dr. Tomlinson brother of Jos Tomlinson DD of Augusta College—he had a fine practice but married in Augusta & soon after removed then lost his mind and died in Cint. At Dr Doniphans death Dr. Penn AH & J Pollack & Jno A Coeburn, succeeded to the practice.

We had the usual mechanicks at that time Blacksmiths, Carpenters, Tailors, Shoemakers, Cabinet Makers, Wheelright, Hatters &c. John Burkitt a very respectable man made hats for every body & bought there coon & rabbit skins. He was magistrate & Sheriff of Bracken & also represented the County at Frankfort. His son Dr. Wm Burkett now of   _______, was my class mate & friend for years. And his oldest daughter called familiarly Pop Burkett, was decidedly a favorite of mine—He had a large & respectable family.

We had two or three Shoemakers Alex MCrady Francis McClean—the former doing the principal business having 5 or 6 hands at work constantly. Those Journey man were the disturbers of the peace at least every Saturday night—almost every man was a drunkard. He raised a large family—all scattered.

Wm Lewis & John Hooten were the Blacksmiths, the first moved to Pendleton Co & died. Hooten to Putnam Co Ind—I remember a number of wagons & teams starting forming an imposing procession with _____miles. I recollect some of them Dicks, Reeves, Hootens & many others—I learned all bettered their finances.

We had three Sadlers, Ludwell Owens, who was son of Mr Saml Owens a very respectable Gentleman—who raised a very large family—many of his descendants now residing in Mason. Mr Ludwell Owens was Post Master for many years—and I recollect what an excitement once a week, when the Post Rider would announce his arrival in the suburbs, by the blaring a long tin horn—my boyish idea was that he was the most important character in the County. Wm MClean & Wm Black also had shops in the west end of Town. Wm Black was the only son of an old German Lady called Aunt Bettie Black. I recollect she had a clever daughter called Rena, who married a Mr Cooper from Fleming Co. Wm McCleans descendants still live in this Town & neighbourhood. Wm R Thompson was the Wheelwright. A man of intelligence and perstean. We recollect well his 3 sons and one daughter all dead or left this region of________.

Saml Ingram & my Father Les Adinson were the principal carpenters of the village—Mr Ingram being old soon retired and my father built the houses in Town & neighbourhood and here was my first effort in Bookkeeping. I recollect Mr Jno Read formerly of this neighbourhood was Mr Ingrams principal workman.

I think we had but one Cabinet Maker. Mr. Stansfield C Pinckard the last House in the Bracken end. He done a large business & was respected & was elected to the Legislature from Bracken Co. Several members of his family live in this neighbourhood.

The only Waggoun maker was Jeremiah Ballinger—I recollect being present several years after this time when he died. He is the Father of the many Ballingers in Mason Co.

The only tailor I recollect then was Saml Dicks who live in Town many years & made me my first Cloth Coat, which was an important event. I earned the money & pay for it. He was an exceeding slow tailor. I recollect I waited 6 weeks for my coat. He emigrated with the tide to Indiana.

We had a carding factory & linseed oil press in the eastern part of Town owned I think by Saml Reeves and John White a very small man. They sold out and removed to Indiana. At this time we had no School House within the Town limits, but a mile over an Mrs. Loyd ______ our Seat of learning, when the Town boys & girls went in group to School. I recollect some of those who taught there Harvey Holton, John Hemlong, Enoch Loyd, Mr. Lockridge & Ricd Bolton.

After the desire for education increased. The Town & neighbourhood subscribed and built a new frame School room, between the Town & Mr. Currens, residence. I think Mr. Currens gave the lot. The first Teacher was Wm Ellis, brother in law of SC Pinckard then Chs B. Smith, who taught for several years, dying in the village many years after. He was certainly a very fine educator. I have a greater respect for his character than any man (except my Father) I ever associated with. A man of intellect and highest morality. His body was difermed but his brain & heart were right.

About this time great excitement among the Baptists & their friends at the preaching of what was called then the reformation led by Elder Alex Campbell. I recollect hearing him preach about his first visit to Ky under the new organization all my relations on my mothers side except my Maiden Aunt adhere to the new church. I recollect Burnett, Creath, Gates, Rains, Johnson and many others, who had great success, built up large Churches in every neighbourhood, when the Baptist were numerous. I recollect a Spirited debate on Lees Crick between a Mr. Abernathy & Wm Vaughm-- the old & new Baptists were wonderfully excited. I have never heard what became of Mr. Abernathy. Mr Vaughn died at Danville a few years ago & in extreme old age—preaching almost to his last days. If he had the early opportunities of many even in his day, he would have been one of very first pulpit men, As it was he was far above mediocrity. He officiated at marriage of many of best citizens of that day.

The first meeting house was a log & was used for a few years after we came to Town. I think it belonged to all denominations. The only sermon I recollect hearing in that house was by Rev Mr. Stribling, a noted preacher at that time—if alive he lives near Jacksonville Ill. About 1824 Mr. Savage built the first Methodist Chapel. It was his _____ individual property. In that house I ____ my early religious impressions, hearing such men as Stamper, Corrins, Tydys Holiday, Burger, Baucom, Durbin, Tomlinson, Busher, Askins, Baker, Collard, Tomlinson MCoron Peter Taylor and many others. Mr Savage was kind to all denomenators in the use of the house & ____________. The Baptists often preached there as they had 20 houses in the Town. Their churches being in the County in two other directions. I recollect among the Baptist Preachers, Warder, Vaugh, & Holten. Vardiman was the great Baptist Preacher talked of in that day but I never had the opportunity to hear him.

Besides these heads of families-- Hotel, Keepers, Merchants, Mechanics, Physicians & there were several young men, clerks & mechanics, who were destined to become useful citizens and some of them prominent in the World. But I could not mention these—some of them are alive. A few are here today, doing honour to their respected forefathers. I will allow _________________________________Mr E R Currens, the only son of that worthy sire Wm Currens.
When we look back over the past half century, what changes have come over this neighbourhood O how many dear to us are in their graves but we rejoice to know that so few of that then pioneer community have done so as to bring disgrace on their names._____honoured by us. Some of us may not have had eminent ancestry, yet can rejoice that our forefathers were loved for their uprightness & honesty. I have but two Photographs of those old men, who ______ their part in this Community. O how I would prize them if I had them all. The two I have is my own Kind Father and Dr. Anderson Doniphan my preceptor. Besides these more prominent citizens, there were a few other persons or heads of families I have not mentioned in this village, Around this village were an excellent class of farmers, which I can name as the more prominent. The Frazees, Pollacks, Eubanks, Norris, Reeves, Dicks, Blacks, Loyds, Thompsons, Waltons, Hunlong, Harmons, Patterson, Coburn, Leachmans & others.

I recollect ______________________________________ & honest. Many of them leaving highly respectable descendants--some of whom are here today, others filling respectable portions in the more Western States. I suppose today the population & number of houses are double in number, yet in that day, then was more trade in goods & supplies than at present.

From a handwritten transcript. The blanks were, to us, undecipherable handwriting