Dennis Partridge

Native Americans of Christian County

The Indians beheld, with alarm, the growing strength and increasing numbers of the Anglo-Saxons on the Atlantic border. King Philip well understood the nature of things and the ultimate result, when he struck the blow which he hoped would forever crush the power of the whites. Pontiac foresaw the coming storm when he beheld the French flag and French supremacy stricken down on the Plains of Abraham. To the assembled chiefs of the nations in council, he unfolded his schemes of opposition and depicted the disasters which would attend the coming rush of the pale-faced invaders. Fifty years after the … Read more

Industries and Establishments of Christian County, Kentucky

Among the early tradesmen, some of whom afterward became the most prosperous merchants, were Daniel Safferance, Archibald Gant, Jeremiah Foster, Benjamin York, M. T. Carnahan, Jefferson Bailey, John Wilcoxson, etc. Daniel Safferance was a tin and coppersmith; Archibald Gant was the first hatter in Hopkinsville. Hats were then made to order by men brought up to the trade, and a merchant thought as little of buying a stock of hats with his other goods as he would think now of keeping in stock railroad locomotives. Mr. Gant made a fortune in the hat business, and “Gant, the hatter,” became known … Read more

Hopkinsville, Christian County, Kentucky

The founding of Hopkinsville dates back into the last century. Its earliest settlement was made without regard to its ever becoming a town or city, but was more the force of accident than of any pre-arranged or definite plan. The beautiful site, with the fertility of the surrounding country and the abundance of game, arrested the attention of an old hunter, who saw in all these attractions an eligible place for a home, and he halted upon the banks of the placid little stream and at once proceeded to rear his lone cabin ” afar from the busy haunts of … Read more

Hopkinsville City Government

Originally the government of Hopkinsville was under a Board of Trustees, provided for by legislative enactment. By an act of the Legislature approved March 5, 1870, the town was granted a charter as the City of Hopkinsville. Under this charter the limits were as follows: Beginning at a stake on the west edge of the Madisonville road, northeast corner of a small tract of land on which Samuel A. Means now resides, and southeast corner to a tract of land formerly owned by Zachariah Glass, deceased; thence south 53 east, passing through the land of Mrs. Stevenson, Mrs. McCarroll and … Read more

Hopkinsville Education

Since the days of Daniel Barry, whom Collins distinguishes as the Irish Linguist,” Hopkinsville has enjoyed the advantage of many noted and excellent educators. Barry taught here as early as 1812, and came from the upper part of the State-perhaps Nelson County. Collins mentions him as having taught the Hon. Ben. Hardin in that county. Here he had for pupils, among others, James and Edward Rumsey, the former of whom afterward taught here, and sent out into the various vocations of life many distinguished men and women. Miss Lucretia Moore was another, and taught as early as 1815. Following her … Read more

Hopkinsville Methodists

The appended sketch of the Methodist Church was written for this work by Judge Joe McCarroll. Of course it will be understood without explanation that the churches here, after the separation in 1844, adhered to the Southern division of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In his sketch Judge McCarroll gives a synopsis of the introduction of Methodism into the county as a prelude to the history of the church in Hopkinsville, which will be found of considerable interest to the reader. It is as follows: In 1776, soon after the Declaration of American Independence, that vast region and wilderness embracing the … Read more

Hopkinsville Precinct, Christian County, Kentucky

The Magisterial District in which the City of Hopkinsville is situated, and known as Hopkinsville Precinct No. 1, possesses little of interest outside of the city except the mere fact of its settlement. And this is usually the case. In most counties the history of the district, precinct or township in which the county seat is located centers in the town, leaving the remainder of the precinct barren of historical incidents. The Magisterial District or Precinct of Hopkinsville lies in the central part of the county, and topographically and geologically partakes of the same nature of the best part of … Read more

Hopkinsville Baptists

The sketch of the Baptist Church of Hopkinsville is by John Rust, Esq., of the Bethel Female College, and was read to the Baptist congregation on the occasion of Elder T. G. Keen’s preaching his farewell sermon to the church. Through the courtesy of Mr. Rust we are permitted to use it in our history of the county. It is as follows: The New Providence Baptist Church was constituted agreeably to the articles of association, at the private residence of John Pursley, situated about a mile west of the town of Hopkinsville on the north bank of the West Fork … Read more

Hopkinsville Benevolent Institutions

The moral and benevolent institutions wield as great influence in their way as the Christian churches themselves. Of all the charitable and benevolent organizations Freemasonry is the most ancient and honorable. Not the least wonderful feature in Free masonry is its perpetual youth. All other orders have their time to die. Human governments flourish and then disappear, leaving only desolation in the places where their glory used to shine. But Freemasonry, originating so long ago that no history tells of its beginning, has survived the decay of dynasties and the revolutions of races, and kept pace with the marvelous march … Read more

Hopkinsville Catholic Church

The Roman Catholic Church of Hopkinsville stands on Nashville Street, near the South Kentucky College, and is a beautiful location for a church. We have been unable to obtain any facts or information of this church, and can give but a limited sketch of it. It is a frame building and is located in a large and spacious lot, and altogether is a pretty little church. Rev. Father Hegans is Pastor, and the membership is rather small, as people of the Catholic faith are and always have been few in number in Hopkinsville.