Daviess County, Kentucky - Murray Precinct, 1883

Murray Precinct

Murray Precinct is bounded as follows: Beginning at the mouth of Rhodes Greek, No. 2, thence up same to McLean County line, thence with same eastwardly to Ohio County line, thence with Ohio County line to Panther Creek, thence down same to the beginning.

Along the creeks the land is generally low; the upland is undulating and moderately hilly. The liigher hills are underlaid with coal, which is about fifty-two to fifty-four feet below highwater mark. The quality of the land is various, but as a whole it will average about No. 2. In this precinct are several good quarries of sandstone.

The ponds used to contain small fish and reptiles, and the scenery around them was wild and picturesque. One of them was made by beavers constructing a dam at the outlet. Crane Pond is now filled up and obliterated.

Early Settlement

The settlements made in Murray Precinct were among the earliest in. the county. Captain Ben Fields settled here in 1793. He came from Culpeper CouTity, Va., and came to Kentucky as surveyor for thb State of Virginia. He finally settled fifteen miles south of Owensboro, where he built the first house between Owensboro and Hartford. He died in 1843. William Tanner came in 1798, and settled in the edge of McLean County. Adam Shoemaker came about 1795. Fields gave him 100 acres of land to conae and live neighbor to him. He lived there till 1815, then settled on Green River, at Huston's Ferry, McLean County. Mark Howard came from North Carolina and settled here in 1803. He had fourteen cliildren and his descendants are numerous here. His land was purchased of Harry Ennis in 1800, and was surveyed by Captain Field; 1,100 acres were originally purchased, but only 400 could be obtained. Nelson Mason came in 1815 with "William

Newton, who died in 1820. His wife, Elizabeth, was sister to Ben Field. Mr. Newton's son William married Mr. Field's daughter, and they had eleven children; all are dead except Mary, who lives about four miles above Owensboro.

Joshua Griffith, John H. McFarland, Samuel and James Johnson, Baxter Davis, Robert Tarlton, Andrew Barnett, Warner Ashley and Mr. Clifford were early settlers. Most of the early settlers came from North Carolina. Numerous families of Johnsons came from that State. William May came in 1830, and settled on a farm one mile south of Panther Creek.

The first magistrates in the precinct were William |Layton and William H. Davis, who were elected and served under the new Constitution of 1850. Previous to this they were appointed by the Governor.

Green Brier Baptist Church. - This church was constituted Oct. 29, 1820, at Tanner's meeting-house, now Buck Creek, with twenty-five members who had withdrawn for this purpose. Among the constitutional members were Mark Howard, James W. Howard,^William W. Howard, James Johnson, Alexander Stewart, Littleton Howard, John G. Howard, Rachel, wife of Mark Howard, and Susan, wife of William Howard. Mark Howard was the first Clerk, and was also one of the Deacons. Thomas Downs was the first Pastor and took charge of the church for twenty-seven years. The first regular meeting was at the house of James Johnson. Services were held from house to house for several years. Even after a meeting-house was built the members kept up the meetings in private families. Many of their most worthy and useful members were brought in at these family gatherings. Elders Thomas Downs and Benjamin Talbott composed the council of ministers when the church was constituted. This church ever had a goodly number of colored members until the time of the late war. After they were freed they took letters and went into a eparate organization.

Thomas Downs was a very noted preacher. He used to walk a great deal to his labors, often with his shoes in his hands, putting them on his feet after arriving at his destination. He frequently walked to Rock Springs church, seven miles above Owensboro. He had charge of four churches - ^Green Brier, Rock Springe Bethel church, in Henderson County, and Pleasant Grove, on the Henderson road, six miles below Owensboro. He preached at each church once a month.

The next Pastor was James Bennett, who served several years, and he was succeeded by William Owen, who served only one year. James Dawson was then called, and preached a year and a half, and was succeeded by James S. Coleman, who preached fourteen and a half years, then resigned to assume the editorship' of a weekly paper issued by the Baptist Association. The next Pastor was John M. Peay, who preached eleven and a half years. John Bennett was next called who preached his first sermon Sept. 3, 1882, this being his first call to the ministry.

A number of successful revival meetings have been held. The first was in 1835, during Mr. Downs's pastorate. James Coleman held two or three revivals, and on one occasion baptized eightytwo persons.

The first house of worship was a log house twenty-four feet square. This soon became too small and was torn down, and a brick house was put up, 30 X 40 feet. This was used until 1858, when the congregation became so large that they were obliged to build a still larger house - their present house of worship. James Coleman preached the dedicatory sermon, he being pastor at that time.

Since the church was constituted there have been five preachers ordained here: William Owen and James Maitland, both on the same day; then Bryant Cnndifi" and William Stephens on the same day, and Daniel E. Yeiser.

The present officers are: Hammond Hansford, Benjamin McCormick, Samuel D. Howard and Jackson Mahon, Deacons; Nathan McDonald, Clerk. Present membership, 351.

Since this society was organized there have been a part of four churches taken from it to add to others which grew into existence from time to time.

The first Pastor for the colored church was Mac Taylor, who preached about a year. He was very illiterate and could scarcely read. His mistress would read from the Bible and he would commit to memory, and announce his text from memory, then preach a thandering sermon, being well able to hold the attention of hi» hearers. After his death a white man named Thomas Brooks was called, who preached a little over a year. After awhile the church was discontinued.

Methodist Episcopal Ghuroh. - ^The first religious services of this denomination in this community were held in the house of Samuel Lashbrocjji about 1825. Meetings were held here, different preachers officiating, until after Mr. Lashbrook's death in 1831. At this time there was a division in the church.

Among the early preachers were Stephen Ogden, Mr. Julian, Nathaniel Lee, Robert Gardner and A. H. Eedford. In 1844r-'5 the division in the church was effected, and soon afterward the first church was bnilt upon the site of the present church, and was called LashbrookChapel. This was a frame building, about the size of the present structure. The first preacher in this house was N. F. Tower. The present building was erected in 1876, and is called the McKendree Chapel. Size of building, 24 x 36 feet. Present Pastor, E. A. Davis.

Oak drove Baptist Church was constituted in 1854 by James Dawson, John G. Howard and William J. Owen, The introductory sermon was preached by James Dawson, Among the first members of the congregation were L. Owen, E. A. M. Owen, J. J May, Mr. Field, John Howard, John Hedges, Wesley Hedges, Thomas Howard, Francis Mahon, James May, Parth'enia O'Flynn, Lewis Sublett, Albina Sublett, Richard L. May, flydia Bohem and Sarah Bohem. The first officers were: Lattentty Owen, Moderator: Thomas Howard, Clerk. Lewis Sublett and Lattenny Owen were Deacons. The first pastor was William J, Owen. The present officers are: W. P. Bennett, Pastor and Moderator; J. M. Holmes, Clerk; Lattenny Owen, R. M. Lewis, W. O. Martin and J. M. Holmes, Deacons. Present membership, seventy-three. A Sunday-school was organized in 1874 and is held during the summer months. The first Snperintendent was R. M. Lewie, who has continued in that capacity ever since, with the exception of 1879-:r '80, when Rev. A. G. Davis officiated. B. Jewell is Clerk, Enrollment varies from forty to seventy-five.

Mills And Faotobiss

Marble <& Pettifs Stave Factory and Lumier Mills. - These works are located at the Panther Creek bridge, on the Owensbop© & Nashville Railroad, about five miles south of Owensboro. The stave factory was erected'in 1875 by Messrs. Pettit and Munday, and the lumber and planing-mill in 1880-'l, by Marble & Pettit. J. A. Munday retired in 1877, and Levi "W. Marble afterward entered into partnership with Mr. Pettit. In the stave department are employed twenty-five to fifty hands, with a twenty-eight horsepower engine, and in the planing-mill twenty-five to a hundred hands, being the largest mill of the kind in this section of the country. The engine is thirty-six horse-power.

The company manufacture sawed staves, one to two million ot which they ship by barge and river to Pittsburg, Pa., annually, for the oil market. Dressed lumber they supply to the home trade and also ship to Louisville, Ky., Jefferson ville, Ind., and other points, and large quantities even to Rock Island, 111.

Wilhitedc Leefs Flouring and Grist Mill was built in 1880 for a grist mill, by John H. Wilhite, and operated by him for two and a half years; size of building, 19 x 50 feet. Aug. 7, 1882, he formed a partnership with Aaron Leet, and they put up an addition 24 x 50 feet, three stories high. New machinery was pnt in at a cost ot $1,500; cost of building, about $800; commenced running and grinding corn Nov. 22, 1882. They grind 250 bushels per day. Engine, forty-horse power, made by Guthrie, Long & Bransford, of Owensboro. The firm will run a flouring mill as soon as convenient. The mill is under the direct snpervision of Mr. Wilhite.

Daniel Owen

probably the oldest man now living in Daviess County, was born Jan. 7, 1790, in Granville Coun ty, N. C. Feb. 25, 181 3, he married Mary Allen, who was born Aug. 31, 1793, and died July 15. 1858. He emigrated to this county in liis youth. In 1818 he and his wife moved to Breckinridge County, but in 1837 they returned to Daviess County, where he has ever since resided, in Murray Precinct. They have had fourteen children, two of whom died when very young. Seven were sons and seven daughters. Mr. Owen is a remarkable man for vigor of life, and for the fact that he hasnever had a lawsuit. One of his remarkable experiences in early days was his carrying seven wild turkeys which he had killed while out hunting, for a distance of four miles, on foot!

Mtteeay Pkeoinct Lewis Station

In 1872 a voting place was established at Lewis Station, for Toters within the following boundaries: Beginning on Panther Oreek, at the mouth of Two-Mile Greek; thence with said creek to William Hansford's; thence a straight line toward McLean County line, near Thomas Lee Tanner's, in the edge of McLean County ; thence with McLean County line to the Vanover Precinct line, and with said precinct line to Panther Creek, and up said Panther Creek to the beginning.

Lewis Station was organized when the railroad was built. It named after Robert M. Lewis, who was living there at the time, and gave an acre of ground for the station. The first house was built by Uriah McKay, and was used for a dwelling-house. James Thornton built the next house and occupied it as a grocery. He afterward built a dwelling-house, and lived there about two years ; then sold to Joseph Birkhead, who carried on business for several years. It was finally bought by J. W. Lloyd, who now on business and owns a dwelling-house built by Thornton.

In the spring of 1882 Mr. Allen began business in the house jiow occupied by Queen & Martin as a drug-store. In the fall he moved to his present building, and is carrying on a general store.

The first blacksmith was John McLary, who had a shop in con -Election with James Fairfax. The present blacksmiths are J. T. Oarico and William Wilhite.

The first grist and saw mill combined was Henry Haley's, built about 1868. It was destroyed by the explosion of the boiler in 1877. The present mill is owned by J. H. Wilhite and A.aron Leet, as the firm of Wilhite & Leet.

A postoffice was established soon after the railroad was built. The first Postmaster was Uriah McKay, who served about four years ; the next was Joseph Birkhead, who also served about four

This little village is situated abont one half in Daviess County and one half in Ohio and McLean counties. It was laid out in 1867 by James Robison and his son Gordon, who put up the first log house, which was used as a store, a dwelling-house, occupied by J. S. H. Kigel, and a house and shoe shop, occnpied by William Hunter, who was the first shoemaker in Newville. Tlie first wood workman was Riley Sumner. The fil-st blacksmith was Joseph Brown, who erected the first shop; the present blacksmiths are William Smith* and John Ferrel. The first school-house was built by J. H. Shackleford, who tried to establish a permanent school. He taught about a year, and tiien sold out and left. He was a Baptist minister. The first physician was J. B. Cox, whocame here in 1876, and is one of the leading physicians in this part of the country. The other physician is William Barnhill,. who is located in that part of the village lying in Ohio County. He came in 1882.

An attempt was made in 1877 to incorporate the village. The prime movers were B. F. Riley, J. H. Shackleford and J. P., Cox. The last two gentlemen drew up the charter; but as the village was situated in three counties, the charter was not properly drawn and the attempt failed.

The mercantile house of J. H. Davis was first organized in 1867 by Robison & Son, who built the store and conducted business until 1874, when the stock was purchased by J. S. H. Kigel, who carried on the business till 1876. It was then purchased by W. V. Crow & Bro., who remained about two years and then separated their stock, Jesse Crow remaining in the house. He afterward sold out to A. G. Holbrook, who, a few months after, took in as partner David Russell. In the spring of 1880 J. W. Robison bought out Russell, and Holbrook & Robison carried on the business about^ eighteen months. In November, 1881, the stock, was purchased by J. H. Davis, the present proprietor.

The mercantile house of W. Y. Crow was established in August, 1876, under the firm name of Crow & Son; in 2678 it was changed, to W. V. Crow.

Mubrat Pbeoinot Pleasant Bidoe

The first house (a storehouse) was built by Elijah Hatfield. From that other settlers came in, among them Ben Kelley, who bought out Hatfield.

The first physician was Dr. Roselle; the next Dr. H. Clements. The present physician is Dr. Amos Davis. A tobacco house was erected in 1869 by Ben Briggs, who occupied it a year. CoflFee & Dawson occupied it two years, and Turpin & Cox a year. It was then unused till 1878, when it was purchased by D. Ford. The house is 30 x 80, with a capacity of 25,000 poun'ds of tobacco.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was built in 1871 ; size, 35 x 50; cost, $1,200. The building committee was A. A. Davie, Q-. B. Mahan and James Corts. No man was more instrumental in raising subscriptions than A. A. Davis. Many citizens not members of the congregation contributed liberally to the building of the church. The first pastor w^s Rev. Brown. The dedication sermon was preached by Presiding Elder Lawson. The church has had five different pastors Robert Bennett is the present pastor. The congregation numbers seventy-five members.

Oumberland Presbytericm Chv/rch. - In 1848 Nicholas G. Bosley and Joseph Carlin and their families met George Scarborough, of Owensboro, in a little log school-house of the Pleasant Ridge neighborhood, for the purpose of organizing a Sunday-school. The school increased in numbers till 1850, when a protracted meeting was held by Rev. Samuel Calhoon and Rev. Joseph Weaver, at the residence of the latter, the result of which was the organization of the Pleasant Ridge church, with the following members : Samuel Calhoon and Joseph Weaver, ministers; Charles Gates, Edward S. Worthington, Edward Bosley, Edward Barber, Ruling Elders; Elizabeth Calhoon, Letsey Weaver, Elizabeth Bosley, Zarilda Bosley, Emeline Bosley, Sarah Crabtree, Emily Calhoon and Mary Gates. They imn^ediately went to work and built a house of worship. Rev. Samuel Calhoon took the pastorate of the church, preaching the fourth Sabbath of each month, Rev. Joseph Weavei.

preaching the third Sabbath. Mr. Weaver died in 1863, and Charles Grates then occupied the pulpit the second Sunday of the montb, till his death, in 1878. Hev. Samuel Calhoon had the pastoral charge of the church till 1876, when, owing to his advanced age and declining health, he was not able to fill his appointments promptly, and Rev. Mr. Casky, of Greenville, Ky., was called to oflBciate in his absence. On his retirement Rev. Willis Smith, ot Mnhlenbnrg County, was called to the assistant pastorate. After the death of Mr. Calhoon Mr. Smith was called to the pastorate, and preached two Sabbaths in each month, till October, 1882, when he resigned his charge. The church was then without a pastor six months, but are now (March, 1883) arranging for regular service again.

Magistrates' Courts: For one justice, the third Tuesday in March, June, September and December; for the other, the fourth Friday in these months.