ky-footsteps Monday, 27 October 1997 Volume 01 : Number 272 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Dick Vallandingham Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:19:31 -0600 Subject: KY-F: WILL: Vallandingham, Lewis, 1844, Owen Co WILL: Lewis Vallandingham, 1844, Owen Co Submitted by Dick Vallandingham "Last Will & Testament of Lewis Vallandingham "In the name of God, Amen. I, Lewis Vallandingham, of Owen County, Kentucky, being old and infirm in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last and will and testament in manners and form following hereby revoking all former wills by me heretofore made. 1st, I desire and will that my body be interred according to the customs of the country and that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid. 2nd, I desire my beloved wife to have a Negro woman and Negro girl of her own choice among my slaves and to have more of them if she desires; that I leave to her own choice. She is also to have as many horses, hogs, cattle, and sheep as may be necessary for her use and also such of my household furniture and kitchen furniture as may be necessary for her use during her natural life, and and I also give to her the farm on which she now lives desiring my son Edward to remain on said farm with her and see that she has every thing that she desires and continue to work on said farm as he did with me. And at my death the said Edward be at liberty to keep three Negroes such as he may choose to work on the farm and keep it up and that all the farming utensils remain there for his use until the death of my said wife at which time all of my said property to wit Negroes, stock, farming utensils to be equally divided amongst all my children according to the proportions each may have received which will hereafter be named and at the death of myself and my wife I do hereby give and bequeath to my son Edward the farm on which I now live to be his and his heirs forever. I have heretofore given all my children tracts of land except my son Edward and do now suppose that as to that matter all are now equal except said Edward and to whom by this will I have given my home farm at my wife's and my death. And also except my two sons George and Henry Bruce and to them I have made advancements over and above the other children as follows: to my son George $220. and to my son Henry Bruce $200. Now I desire that all the rest of my children be made equal with my said two sons George and Henry Bruce and that afterwards the equal division heretofore in this will spoken of shall and is to be made between all my children at the time of mine and my wife's death - I do hereby appoint my two sons Edward and James executors of this my last will and testament desiring that they will painstakingly see that its provisions is fully carried out. In witness of all which I have hereto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of September 1844. Signed Sealed in the presence of William [Teal ?] Elisha Smith N. M. [Bacon ?] his Lewis Vallandingham mark Kentucky Owen County Court Set February Term 1845 An instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Lewis Vallandingham deceased was produced in court and proven by the oaths of N M [Bacon?] and William [Teal ?] two of the witnesses Said will to be the last will and testament of said Lewis Vallandingham, and James Vallandingham and Edward G Vallandingham being executors named in said will being in court and willing to take upon themselves the burden [?] of the execution of said will probate is granted them in due form and there upon said James and Edward G took the oaths required by law and entered into bond with John Vallandingham and Erastus Bainbridge their sureties in the penalty of $ 10,000 conditional according to the law and the same is truly recorded Given under my hand the date above." ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 19:43:53 -0500 Subject: KY-F: BIO: Adams, Jacob s/o Adams, Henry & Amy Kephart - Unknown Co ADAMS KEPHART LAKE "COUNTIES OF MORGAN, MONROE & BROWN, INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL." CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE JACKSON TOWNSHIP AND MORGANTOWN, MORGAN CO., IN. PAGE 245 JACOB ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born in this township July 24, 1829, and is the eldest of the six children of Henry and Amy (Kephart) Adams, both natives of Kentucky, and of Irish and German descent respectively, who came to and settled in this vicinity in 1828. Jacob attended school some time during the winters, and worked on the farm in other seasons until he was twenty-five years of age, when he began the effort of taking care of himself, as a help to which he received 100 acres of rich land as a parental reward. April 13, 1854, he wedded Miss Mary Lake, a native of Virginia, which marriage gave being to six children--George A., Rebecca A. (deceased), Henry A., John J. C., Hendricks V. and infant. Mr. Adams is an esteemed member of the Masonic fraternity, of the Knights of Honor, and also of the Democratic party, and has served his township seven years as Trustee and four years as Assessor. He is an advocate of all good and progressive measures, a well-to-do farmer and able manager. Mrs. Adams is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 19:44:21 -0500 Subject: KY-F: BIO: Adams, Samuel T. & Joseph s/o Adams, Henry - Unknown Co ADAMS SLUSSER KEPHART "COUNTIES OF MORGAN, MONROE & BROWN, INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL." CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE JACKSON TOWNSHIP AND MORGANTOWN, MORGAN CO., IN. PAGE 246 SAMUEL T. ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, is a native of this township, was born May 19, 1848, and is the fourth of the eight children of Henry and Nancy (Slusser) Adams. Samuel T. Adams received a common school education, and was reared to the venerable business of farming. He worked for his parents until he was twenty-five years of age, at which period he began life on his own account, his father presenting him with eighty acres of good land, on which he has erected buildings and added other improvements, making a good home and a desirable property. May 25, 1873, he married Miss Jemima Kephart, a native of Owen County, and to which union five children have been bestowed--Nancy O., deceased; William H.; Charity J., deceased; Ida M., deceased; and an infant unnamed. Mr. Adams is an energetic Democrat, a rational and charitable gentleman, and a prosperous farmer and stock breeder. Mr. and Mrs. Adams are highly respected members of their community. JOSEPH ADAMS, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of this township, was born March 22, 1852, and is the eighth of the twelve children of Henry and Nancy (Sluser) Adams, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of Virginia, and of English and German extraction respectively. Joseph Adams was reared to the farming profession, and received a fair education. He is the owner of eighty acres of good land; his father--who is now residing with him in his age--having given to each of his children some assistance. Recently Mr. Adams has added forty acres to the paternal gift, making a valuable property and a desirable home. He is a Democrat by political preference, and a liberal and regarded citizen. Thus far he has been successful in the battle for independence, and, with his good management and bright foresight he must become one of the prosperous farmers of his section. ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 19:44:30 -0500 Subject: KY-F: BIO: Adams, John s/o Adams, Jacob - Unknown Co ADAMS SHELL LAKE "COUNTIES OF MORGAN, MONROE & BROWN, INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL." CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE JACKSON TOWNSHIP AND MORGANTOWN, MORGAN CO., IN. PAGE 246 JOHN ADAMS, farmer and stock-raiser, was born December 14, 1834, in this township, and is the second of the fourteen children of Jacob and Julia A. (Shell) Adams, the former a native of Kentucky, the latter of East Tennessee, and of Irish and German descent respectively. Jacob Adams came hither about 1830, married, went back to Kentucky for about two years, when he returned to this county and reared a family. In 1862, he was elected County Treasurer; he is now a resident of Kansas. John Adams gave his boyhood to the labor of the farm, during which he obtained about three months' schooling each year; but he qualified himself by self-study, and has taught two terms of school. November 20, 1856, he married Miss Ann Lake, a native of this county, which union was followed by ten children, eight of whom were named Leroy, Joseph S., Jacob (deceased), Mary A., William K., Amanda C., Elizabeth and George H. Mr. Adams has managed his business successfully, now having two good farms, and dealing somewhat in stock. In politics, he has always been a Democrat, and was elected Township Trustee in 1866, which office he held for three terms. Mr. Adams is a liberal citizen, an advocate of public education, and a member of the Knights of Honor. Mrs. Adams is an esteemed member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 19:44:37 -0500 Subject: KY-F: BIO: Butler, W. H. MD, s/o Butler, George & Eliza Stott - Unknown Co BUTLER STOTT MCLEOD HORNER "COUNTIES OF MORGAN, MONROE & BROWN, INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL." CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE JACKSON TOWNSHIP AND MORGANTOWN, MORGAN CO., IN. PAGE 248 W. H. BUTLER, M.D., prominent physician and surgeon of Morgantown, was born January 15, 1846, in Jennings County, Ind., and is the fourth of the six children of George and Eliza (Stott) Butler, natives of Kentucky, and of Irish and English descent respectively. They removed to Bartholomew County, Ind., where our subject received some education, worked on the farm, and grew to manhood, having sufficient money to pay for three years' tuition at Hartsville. December 4, 1863, he enlisted in Company A, One Hundred and Twentieth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, served at the battles of Dalton, Marietta, Kenesaw Mountain, Atlanta, Columbia, Franklin, Nashville and Kingston. He was discharged January 8, 1866,after which he prepared himself for teaching; taught two terms; became salesman in a drug store, and began the study of medicine under Dr. McLeod, of Barnesvillle, which he continued two years, then attended lectures at the Indiana Medical Institute, at Indianapolis, and graduated in 1879, having previously practiced at Middlebury, where he continued for a time. May 31, 1877, he married Miss Jennie Horner, with a result of two children--Chloe A. and George J. In 1880, Dr. Butler came to Morgantown, in which place he has established a good and growing practice. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and an active Republican. Mrs. Butler is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ------------------------------ From: Diana Flynn Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 19:44:44 -0500 Subject: KY-F: BIO: Coffey, Moses T. s/o Coffey, Lewis & Delilah Turpin - Unknown Co COFFEY TURPIN RENNER "COUNTIES OF MORGAN, MONROE & BROWN, INDIANA. HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL." CHARLES BLANCHARD, EDITOR. CHICAGO: F. A. BATTEY & CO. PUBLISHERS. 1884. F. A. BATTEY. F. W. TEPPLE JACKSON TOWNSHIP AND MORGANTOWN, MORGAN CO., IN. PAGE 248 MOSES T. COFFEY, stock-raiser and farmer, is a native of this county, was born May 24, 1831, and is the fifth of the ten children of Lewis and Delilah (Turpin) Coffey, natives of Kentucky, and respectively of English and Irish descent. Lewis Coffey emigrated to this county in 1828; entered land, which he afterward cleared and sold, then engaged in flat-boating to New Orleans and died in the spring of 1844. Moses was reared on the paternal farm, and received the rudiments of an education from subscription schools. After the death of his father, the care of the family descended upon him, and to which he gave the wages earned by monthly labor; yet now, as a result of his economy and application, he owns a good farm of fifty acres, containing stock, and being generally well improved. March 11, 1852, he married Miss Lucinda Renner, a native of Ohio, born March 24, 1834, a union which has been prolific in thirteen children, only eight of whom received names--George W., Mary J., John D., Philip L., Barbara A., Eliza C., Martha P. and William T. Mr. Coffey is a radical and active Democrat, by which party he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1874, for a term of four years. He is a liberal gentleman and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. ------------------------------ From: Dick Vallandingham Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 17:27:05 -0600 Subject: KY-F: RW Pension Appl: Lewis Vallandingham, 1832, Owen Co Hello, I was looking at some of the submissions in the KY archives (Owen Co.) and noticed that my cousin, Tom Fiske, had submitted a piece on his great grandfather, Tom Walker. It motivated me to put in a little more of the family. Here is a piece on Lewis Vallandingham, 4x great grandfather to both Tom Fiske and me. I wrote this up originally for the surname newsletter several years ago. I hope that this may be useful to others. Dick Vallandingham " In June of 1831 the Congress of the United States voted to extend pension benefits to veterans of the Revolutionary War. Governmental records were often incomplete or missing so each veteran was required to document his service and supply the sworn oaths of reliable citizens concerning his military record and truthfulness. The following petition, Lewis Vallandingham's answers to questions posed by officials, is probably the best first hand evidence existing of Lewis' life and experiences. Revolutionary War Pension Application The following is a transcription of the original government records. Forms of punctuation, capitalization and spelling are generally maintained as written. Dashes are used to indicate where words or phrases were indecipherable. Commonwealth of Kentucky County of Owen On this 3rd day of December 1832 personally appeared in open Court before the Justices of the Owen County Court now setting Lewis Vallandingham. a resident of said County of Owen aged 71 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the act of Congress passed June 7th 1831: That he entered the Service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. That on or about the -- day of June 1776 he volunteered as a private soldier. Upon a tour of three months in a company commanded by Capt. Jackson who was appointed to guard the town of Alexandria in the County of Fairfax, Virginia. That he went with his said company to Alexandria where they were stationed during the whole of the said Tour of three months That they expected the arrival of Dunmore the British Commander & former Governor of Virginia and that they were there stationed in order to repel any attempt he might make upon the County but he did not make his appearance. That he was not during the said period commanded by any Colonel or Major the Capt. being the highest in command. That at the expiration of his said Tour of services vz. three months Tour having fully served out the same he was discharged by his officers and returned to his residence in the said County of Fairfax and State of Virginia where he resided when he entered the service as above mentioned upon his said three months Tour. He further states and declares that shortly after his three months service as above mentioned to wit about the --- day of September 1776 being still a resident of the said County of Fairfax and State of Virginia he again volunteered as a private soldier upon a three months tour in a company commanded by Captain Alexander and was attached to a regiment under the command of Col. Gilpin. That he rendezvoused with his said company and regiment at Alexandria in the said County of Fairfax and from thence marched through Maryland to Georgetown in the State of Maryland Now District of Columbia from thence to Fredericktown where he was taken sick with the Small Pox and lay sick for one or two months That he was informed the army marched to Philadelphia. That soon after he recovered from his said sickness his said Tour of service expired and he was discharged having served three months upon this his second Tour and returned to his residence in the said County of Fairfax He further states and declares that in the latter part of the year 1779 he left his residence in the said County of Fairfax and moved to the then County of Kentucky State of Virginia and arrived at Boonsborough on the Kentucky river early in January 1780 where he remained a week or ten days and then went to Boons Station a distance of 6 or 8 miles from Boonsborough which station was then under the command and control of Col Danl Boone at which station he continued under the command of Col Boone fighting the Indians and assisting to keep them in subjugation until about the month of May 1780 during all which time he furnished his own rifle and flints and ammunition and clothes and that the situation of the frontier inhabitants and hostility of the Indians made it necessary for him and all those with whom he was associated to use the utmost activity against the Indians He further states and declares that about the --- day of May 1780 he turned out as a private volunteer soldier on Boons Station and went under the command of Capt John Morgan to Stroud's Station which place had been attacked by the Indians He states that he continued at Stroud's Station under said arrangement for two months That he volunteered for said service of six months and served the said tour out fully and faithfully ----- at the expiration then returned to Boon's Station. He further states and declares that soon after his return to Boons Station as above mentioned he went in the month of August 1780 he volunteered as a private soldier in a company commanded by Capt William Hays upon a tour of six months and marched with his said company to the mouth of Licking at which point they joined Col George Rogers Clarke who had ------------ upon an expedition against the Indians. That he marched with said army from thence to Chilicothe which place was taken by the army from the Indians and all the corn belonging to them at that point was consumed (?) and destroyed. That from thence they marched to Pickaway where they had an engagement with the Indians and lost 15 men killed dead on the ground ---- the number with Capt McAfee that many of the wounded after they returned to the falls also died. That immediately after the defeat of the Indians at Pickaway and the destruction of their corn the army returned to the falls of Ohio. He states that he served faithfully during the whole of this campaign in his said company and after having finally completed the said tour of six months and served the tour out he was discharged and returned to Boons Station where he remained but a few days when there was a call for men to go and assist in the defense of Bryan's Station (about 11 or 12 miles from Boons Station which was like to be attacked by the Indians and he volunteered as a private and marched to Bryans Station under the command of Capt Craig and as one of his company. He states that this service was --- at the time and expected to be of uncertain duration but that he did serve upon that occasion as --- relief of said station and assisting in guarding it for the term one month and at the expiration of said period of time the said Station being there supposed out of immediate danger those who volunteered with him to go to its relief went away and he ---declared remained. He states that Bryans Station was under the command and control of Col Robert Johnson and Capt John Craig. He states that the time of his going to Bryans Station as ----- was in the month of February or March 1781. He further states that he continued to make Bryans Station his place of station and residence In the Spring of the year 1782 from this time he first went to ------ as a -------- and that during said service he was almost constantly engaged in scouting and other small expeditions against the hostile Indians in punishing them for their frequent depredations upon the inhabitants. That in the month of May 1782 he recalled to have acted as an Indian spy for about the term of two weeks. He states and declares that from the time of his arrival in Kentucky in January 1780 till the spring of the year 1783 his rifle was his constant companion and he was not able to recollect to have slept one single night during the whole of said period without having it in his arms. He states and declares that from the great lapse of time his old age and consequent laps(e) of memory he cannot make positive statements as to the particular times at which he entered the service nor the precise period or length of all his services but from his best recollection --- he served at ------ and in the manner above stated and set forth that from his best recollections had served in the Revolutionary War not less than 15 months as a private volunteer soldier 2 weeks as an Indian Spy in 20 months as a private soldier at Boons and Bryan Station When he was not engaged upon the above mentioned special Tour. He states that he knows of no person living whose testimony he can secure to prove his above mentioned services and that he has no evidence whatever of the said services. He hereby relinquishes -------- pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any state in the union. Given to and subscribed the day & year aforesaid by Lewis X Vallandingham * NOTE: At the end of the document in an aggressive scrawl Lewis' petition is endorsed by Richard M. Johnson, future Vice President of the United States under Martin Van Buren (1837-1841). I do certify that I have been intimately acquainted with Lewis Vallandingham all my life as a son almost knows his father and I do certify that for the last 40 years and more he has been a member of the Baptist Society and the most ----- belief may be given to his statements and recollections ------- of his services in the Indian wars after the Revolution. ? IN HIS OWN WORDS ... The following are a series of questions posed to Lewis Vallandingham during his interview for pension benefits. There is at least one question missing (#1). 2nd Have you any record of your age and if so where is it? Ansr. I have a record of my [age] at home in my Bible which makes me the aforesaid age. 3rd Where were you living when called into service,where have you lived since the revolutionary war, and where do you now live? Answer. When I was called into the service upon my first two tours of three months each I lived in Fairfax County, Virginia. When called into the service upon each of my three last tours I lived in Kentucky. Since the revolutionary war I have lived in the County of Scott part of which was formerly called Fayette County, Ky. up to the year 1830 when I moved to the County of Owen where I now live. 4th How were you called into the service - were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute and if a substitute for whom? Answer. I was a volunteer soldier in all the tours of duty which I performed. 5th State the names of some of the regular officers who were with the troops where you served; such Continental and Militia regiments as you can recollect and the general circumstances of your service. Answer. The first Company to which I belonged in Virginia there was no Col. only a Capt to guard Alexandria; the second Tour I went under Capt Alexander and Col. Gilpin in Virginia. I was taken sick with the small pox before I joined any other Regiment than that to which I belonged. When I was under Capt. William Hays in the ---- tour of duty which I performed under Genl Clarke, I recollect that there was no other brigade than Clarkes. I recollect Col Logan in Clarkes Brigade. When I was with Gen Harrison (?) I recollect that Col Hardin (?) was a militia officer and so was Major -------- Harrison was a regular officer. During all the services which I performed I received no pay whatever. In the first expedition I went with Genl Clarke to Pickaway & I received no rations except a little dry corn. In all the time I never received one stitch of clothing from the Government. 6th Did you receive a discharge from the service and if so by whom was it given and what has become of it? Answer. I do not recollect whether I got a discharge from the two tours of duty which I served whilst a resident of Fairfax County, Va. I got a discharge from Capt William Hays for tours of duty which I performed under Genl Clarke but I do not know what has become of them & I recollect to have gotten a discharge from Captain Craig for the Tour I served with Genl Harrison (?) but have lost the discharges. 7th State the names of persons to whom you are known in your present neighborhood and who can speak and testify as to your character, for your veracity, and their belief of your services as a soldier of the revolution? Answer. I will name Samuel Herndon, William ----------, Sherwood Maddox, Thomas True as persons to whom I am known and who are my neighbors. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. His Lewis X Vallandingham Mark ------------------------------ End of ky-footsteps V1 #272 *************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free genelaogical information on the Internet, data may be freely used for personal research and by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may not be reproduced in any format or presentation by other organizations or persons.Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for profit or any form of presentation, must obtain the written consent of the file submitter, or his legal representative and then contact the listed USGENWEB archivist with proof of this consent.