Daviess County, Kentucky - Yelvington Precinct, 1883

Yelvington Precinct

In 1867 tlie boundaries of this precinct were thus described by the County Court: Beginning at the intersection of the Jo. Wright and Hawesville road, thence with the Jo. Wrignt road to the Ohio River, thence up the Ohio River to the mouth of Blackford, thence up Blackford to the White Oak ford, thence to the Barker road at D. Winkler, Jr.'s, excluding him, thence with the Barker road to intersection of new road and Barker road at corner of precincts Nos. 2 and 4, thence a direct line to the beginning.

The precinct and village of Yelvington derive their name from Mr. Telverton Overly, one of the earliest settlers of the town, who had a blacksmith shop where the village of Telvingtou now stands; Yelvington is a corruption of Yelverton. Its extreme dimensions each way are iibout eight miles, and its northernmost point, at the mouth of Pup Creek, is the most northern point in the county. Pup Creek rnns westward through the southern portion, and Little Blackford Creek drains a portion of the north side. The village of Yelvington is situated east of the center of the precinct, on the Owensboro and Hawesville road. The low land of the precinct along the river was once the most densely populated portion; but it is now the least inhabited, as most of this land is subject to overflow, and cannot therefore be drained and subdued. The lowlands of the river and of the bottoms of Blackford and Pup creeks constitute one third of the territory of this precinct. The upland is undulating and hilly, especially along the northeastern border where the bluffs of Blackford Creek are very prominent, some of them being 150 feet high.

The river and creek bottoms are a rich, sandy loam, and yield large crops of corn and tobacco; but the area of tillable land can not be extended by drainage, on account of its being subject to overflow. There is coal in all the bluffs of Blackford Creek, and at one point lead was once found in an early day, from which the settlers made bullets. There is probably more limestone iu this precinct than in any other part of the county. The land here was 54 (849)

Eaelt Settlement

The first settler in this precinct was Valentine Husk, who came in 1796, and after living a short time at Yellow Banks settled at the mouth of Pap Creek. In 1804 he moved to Knottsville Precinct, where he died. James Smeathers and James Adam's came very early; both subsequently settled in Knottsville, and died many years ago. Richard C. Jett, born in Virafinia, settled on Blackford Creek in 1809. Hon. Benjamin Duncan was one of the pioneers. He was from Virginia, and died in the Kentucky Senate in 1824. Charles Dlincan, James Bates, Charles Worthington, the Edwards family, Amos Shaw, Amos Riley, General John Davis and Harry Willis were early settlers. The Roberts family came early. Their names were Merry, Benjamin, Harry and Wesley. Merry Roberts was; a soldier in the war of 181§. Richard Hawes came from Jefferson County in 1821, and bought large tracts of land in Daviess and Hancock counties. Enoch Kendall came about the same time that Hawes did; he was a soldier ia the war of 1812. George and James Haywood, brothers, came prior to 1825. Mr. Gentry, Amos Moore and a Mr. Shaw settled near Blackford Creek. Thomas Clay, James Estes and Mr. Mills were also early settlers.

Icelcmd is a steamboat landing on the Ohio River, the only landing capable of being used in all stages of water for twenty miles above Owensboro, on the Kentucky side of the river.

This village was never regularly laid out. The first house was built by Yelverton Overly, after whom the place was named. He built a dwelling house and a blacksmith shop, and ran it many years. The first store was kept by Thomas Pointer, in 1830. Soon after, Mr. Oglesby bought land and established a store. He also kept the first hotel. There are now two dry-goods stores, one grocery, two hotels, two saloons, two churches and one physician.

The village is situated at the crossing of the old State road leading from Elizabeth town to Shawneetown, and on the old road from Hartford, striking the Ohio River at the mouth of Blackford Creek. These were originally old Indian trails, and the roads when laid out were among the first in the county.

Yelvington Pkecinct. S51

Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized about 1842, with only a dozen members. A frame house was built the same year, 40x 30 feet. Among the first members were Willis Roberts, who gave the ground for the church. William, Eobert, Wesley and Henry Roberts, Thomas Hadley and wife and Mr. Haywood. The house was wrecked by a storm , and in A801-^a new frame house was built, 50x30 feet. It was dedicated by Dr. George Hayes, now of Cloverport. There are now about sixty members. Services every fourth Sunday by the Pastor, Rev. B. F. Orr. Sabbath-school every Sabbath.

Yelvington Baptist Church was organized in a private house, June 30, 1813, about two miles southwest of its present location, and at what was then known as the '' Rock Spring." There were eleven constituent members, viz: Matthew Rogers, Samuel Bristow, William P. Hudson, Henry White, Jacob Miller, Eleanor Rogers, Elizabeth Keeth, Mary Rogers, Susan Calhoon and Jane Wright. Elders Benjamin Talbott and John Weldon were in the council of recognition. A church covenant was adopted, and nine articles of faith. One article recognized feet-washing as a church ordinance, to be observed immediately after the Lord's Supper. Another article required its members to contribute to the pastor's support according to his necessities, and their ability to give. A third article repudiated alien immersion. The first regular meeting was held July 11, 1813. At the second meeting, which was in August, Elder John Welden was called as Pastor and accepted; first Clerk was William P.Hudson; first Deacon, Matthew Rogers. This being in a portion of Ohio County, the church assumed the name of the "Panther Creek Church, of Ohio County, near Yellow Banks." Samuel Bristow and Matthew Rogers were licensed to preach near the close of the year. The church became a member of Gasper River Association in 1815. Weldon resigned in 1816, after a successful career; he was succeeded by Elder Thomas Downs. In 1817 steps were taken to build a house, and the name was changed to "Rock Spring." It was a large frame building, but was never entirely completed. In 1818 the church withdrew from the Gasper River Association and joined the Goshen Association. During the year 1819 an arm was formed above near Blackford Creek; its members were allowed to transact business and report annually. Samuel Hemingway was ordained

Deacon at this time to assist Brother Rogers. From 1821 to 1826 the church grew weaker, spiritually. The members met regularly, ibut only engaged in settling difficulties, excluding members and granting letters of dismission. The. colored members, who composed a large part of the church, were frequently involved in difficulties among themselves; few persons united with the church during this period. In 1828 a great revival took'place among the colored people, and many of them were added to the church during the year. Several colored men were licensed to preach in 1827. There was a great revival in 1834, among both white and colored. Among the accessions were Kichard and George N. McKay and wives, of Owensboro. William T. Mason was ordained Deacon in 1833. In 1835 several withdrew to organize a church in Owensboro, :and others took letters to go into a church on Panther Creek. Mr. Downs resigned ,in 1840, to travel as missionary in the Association, but afterward closed that work and resumed charge of the -church. About this time a new chruch was built, and the whites and colored people met in separate congregations. Downs gave up the church in 1842, having been its Pastor nearly twentyiive years. Elder William Head succeeded him. Elder Willit M. Picket held laeetings in the vicinity of the church that year, by whose help and the work of pastors nearly fifty were added to it. Head resigned at the close of 1848. Elder Dowden became Pastor the next May, on a salary of $150 a year for one half his time, one third of it to be paid in produce. He served two years, 0. J. Kelley was called in 1851, but it is not certainly known how long he served. Dec. 9, 1854, twenty-two members were lettered to organize at South Hampton. It was during this year that the place of worship was changed from Eock Spring to Yelvington. In March, 1855, William Head again became Pastor. In February, 1857, T. jS". Robinson was called, and soon after this the present commodious brick structure was built. Robinion resigned in May, 1859, and K. G. Hay became Pastor. In 1860 the name was changed from Rock Spring to Yelvington. Hay resigned, and J. N". Dawson was called in 1860, and served nearly four years. This was tlie most critical period in the history of the chui'ch, owing to the political troubles during the war. D. E. Yeiser became Pastor in 1866. In September, 1867, thirty-iive persons were lettered to organize the Chestnut Grove church. Yeiser resigned in December, 1868, and H. T. Lampton became Pastor, and served till May, 1873. B. E.Cosby then served two years. W. H. Dawson was called in October, 1875, and is the present Pastor. Since the war the colored members have drawn off and worship alone. Rev. Dawson is an earnest worker and a thorough scholar.

Chestnut Grove Baptist Church. - This church is beautifully located in the northeasterii part oF Daviess County, near Blackford Creek. It was constituted in 1868 with nearly forty members. It was an outgrowth of missionary labors of Kevs. Ellis, Stephens, Daviess, Cundift, and a few others. Ehier A. G. Daveiss, a native of this county, was the first Pastor, and served two years. During the time an elegant frame building was begun and finished. Elder H. Y. Lamjjton became the successor of Elder Daveiss, and served live years. lie was followed by Elder Daveiss, who continued one year with the clnirch, and was succeeded by Elder B. E. Cosbj', of Virginia, who officiated one year. In 1877 Elder W. HDawson was called and still continues as Pastor. Regular preaching is held one Sabbath in each month. The clmrcli has been very prosperous. Several successful revival meetings have been held at different times.

This gentleman is one of the oldest in the county. He was born in Owensboro, Sept. 4, 1804. His father, James Smeathers, was a pioneer liere, and lived just across the line in Knottsville, where he died many year.s ago. March 25, 1825, Mr. Smeathers married Mary E. Duncan, daughter of Hon. Benjamin Duncan, and they had nine children; live are living, namely: Harold, Archie, John T., Mary A. and James T. Banjamin died in 1881, aged fortyiive years; Elizabeth (Mrs. Kinne)died in 1857, aged thirty-three years, leaving four children.

"When Mr. Smeathers was young, wolves, deer and bears were verv abundant. He has seen as many as fifteen deer in a drove, and has killed a great many. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church abjut sixty years.

Tins pioneer was b-irn in Virginia, and came to this county in 1821. He was always a farmer, and formerly owned many slaves; also owned 420 acres of land. He was a descendant of John Loe, of Revolutionary fame, and belonged to the same family as General Robert E. Lee. He married his cousin, Nancy Lee. and died in

Yelvington Peecinct Telvington Precinct

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