MD Catholics to KY 1784-1800

Excerps from "Sketches of the Early Catholic Missions of Kentucky"
and "The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky"

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Melissa Thompson Alexander.
mada@cmc.net

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Just thought some without access to this would like this information:
In "Sketches of the Early Catholic Missions of Kentucky" by M.J. Spalding
(1810-1872), he writes "The Catholics of the infant colonies received him
[Rev. Mr. Whelan, Irish Franciscan Priest provided to the KY families] with
open arms.  Many of them had not seen a priest for two years.  They were
poor, scattered over an extensive territory, and had no church in which the
divine mysteries might be offered up.  They were in too destitute a
condition to be able to erect ever a temporary place of worship."  He goes
on to state that there were only 50 Catholic families in KY by 1786.  He
further states that the Catholic population of KY emigrated almost entirely
from St. Mary's and Prince George's Co, MD.  William Coomes (Combs/Coombes)
and his 16 yr old son, Walter A., were the first known Catholics to emigrate
to KY in 1774-1775.  The Haydons and Lancasters led the first Catholic
Colony in KY, mostly around Pottinger's Creek, abt 1785. (One of the Haydons
lost 7, and another lost 3, family members from hardship and sickness while
on the way to Kentucky.)  The next spring, 1786, a larger colony of
Catholics was led by Capt. James Rapier.  In 1787, another colony led by
Phillip Miles and Thomes Hill, then another in 1788 led by Robert Abel.
Benedict Spalding led a group in 1790.

My e-mail friend and cousin Jackie Higdon (jhigdon@bellsouth.net) adds to
this:

Do you have access to "The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky" by Webb,
pub.1884?  He questions some of the notes in Rt. Rev. Martin John Spalding's
Sketches; nothing major perhaps a yr. difference in when different pioneers 
entered the state - and their age in some cases. As he said those 
interviewed by Spalding were later on in years, frail memories in some cases.

I'm sure this has not been reprinted recently, as I collect early KY books
bought a first edition many years ago.  Larry Dean, Legacy Bks., 3019 Kaye
Lawn Dr., Louisville, KY 40220; ph. # 502-499-9563; had several copies a few
years ago. "The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky, by Hon. Ben. J. Webb,
publ. Charles A. Rogers, Louisville, KY; 1884; 594 pg. including index.

He notes on pg. 27 of the Pottinger's Cr. settlement: In the yr. 1785, a
league of 60 families was formed in MD, all Catholics, and mostly residents
of St. Mary's county each of who was pledged to emigrate to KY within a
specified time. (footnote on this page; The United States Catholic
Miscellany of Wednesday, Dec 1st, 1824, mentions the fact that about twenty
Catholic families reached KY in the year 1785.) 

pg. 28 principal among them was Basil Hayden; other families listed Philip 
Lee, William Bald, Bernard Cissell, Charles Payne, Wm. Brewer, Leonard 
Johnson, Henry McAtee, Joseph Clark, Stephen Elliott, James Mollihorne 
(surname has been spelled Mollahorne/Mollohorn), Henry Norris, Ignatius 
Cissell, Ignatius Byrne, Randal Hagan, Ignatius Hagan, Jeremiah Brown, 
Robert Cissell, Ignatius Bowles., Hezekiah Luckett, Stanislaus Melton, 
Thomas Bowlin, John Baptist Dant, Philip Miles, Harry Hill, John Hutchins, 
Isaac Thawles, John Spalding, Willim Mahony, Henry Lucas, William Bowles, 
John Bowles, James Queen, Bernard Nally, James Stevens, Ignatius French, 
Washington Boone, Francis Bryan, Jeremiah Wathen, Thomas Mudd, Raphael R. 
Mudd, Walter Burch, Philip Mattingly, Joseph Spalding, James Dant, 
Joseph Dant, Urban Speaks, Joseph Edelen, Joseph Howe, Joseph Mills, 
Harry Miles, Monica Hagan, Rodolphus Norris, Francis Peak.

pg. 30 states; Ignatius Cissell was accompanied to KY by his four sons,
Rody, Ignatius, Joseph and James.  The entire family was conspicuous for its
sterling worth and its strong adherence to Catholic truth.


Submitted by Melissa Thompson Alexander
mada@cmc.net