Dennis Partridge

Early Settlers of Christian County, Kentucky

A century has passed since the settlement of Davis and Montgomery, and the first influx of whites is dead and gone. In all probability, there is not an individual living in Christian County who was here at the time of its formation; if so, they could have been little more than infants then. With the long lapse of time between then and now, and no source to draw from except the county records, it is not possible to give a correct list of the settlers prior to 1800. The oldest citizens now living can only give the names of those … Read more

First Settlers of Christian County, Kentucky

Civilization, it has been said, is a forced condition of existence to which man is stimulated by a desire to gratify artificial wants. Again, it has been written, by a gifted but gloomy misanthrope, that, “As soon as you thrust the plowshare under the earth, it teems with worms and useless weeds. It increases population to an unnatural extent; it creates the necessity of penal enactments, builds the jails, erects the gallows, spreads over the human face a mask of deception and selfishness, and substitutes villainy, love of wealth and power, in the face of single-minded honesty, the hospitality and … Read more

Fruit Hill Precinct, Christian County, Kentucky

The first comers into the Fruit Hill Precinct whose names can now be recalled came, pretty generally, from the Carolinas also, and a few from Georgia and Virginia about the year 1800. There were others doubtless who came earlier, but their names have been buried with them, and are lost to the pages of history. Thomas Barnett came either from Georgia or one of the Carolinas about the beginning of the century, and opened up a farm on the Hopkinsville & Greenville road, near where the Pleasant Hill Church stands. The last elk seen in Christian is supposed to have … Read more

Grace Episcopal Church

The parish of Grace Episcopal Church was organized in October, 1831, at a meeting held by the following persons: Messrs. George Ward, David Glass, M. D., Livingston Lindsay, James D. Steele, M. D., E. A. Green and David Banks, of Christian County. The Rev. George P. Giddings, missionary of the Protestant Episcopal Church; Rev. B. B. Smith, of Lexington, afterward Bishop of Kentucky; and the Rev. Gideon McMillan, of Danville, were also present. No record can be found of the original members of the church, but in the parish register, under the date of 1834, we find the names of … Read more

The Great Butter Company

Probably the most gigantic enterprise that ever agitated Hopkinsville, and which was equal to, if it did not surpass any scheme ever conceived by Col. Mulberry Sellers, was the great butter company. The following explanation is necessary to fully understand the ponderous bubble, and how it ultimately burst: A patent had been secured by a Mrs. D. H. McGregory, of Detroit, Mich., for making two pounds of butter out of one pound, and one pint of milk. This patent she sold to J. H. Fields and R. T. Coffey, of Ashley, Ill., for the United States. These enterprising gentlemen issued … Read more

Colonel William Christian

Col. William Christian, in honor of whom this county received its name, was a native of Augusta county, Virginia. He was educated at Stanton, and when very young, commanded a company attached to Col. Bird’s regiment. which was ordered to the frontier during Braddock’s war. In this service, he obtained the reputation of a brave, active and efficient officer. Upon the termination of Indian hostilities, he married the sister of Patrick Henry, and settled in the county of Bottetourt. In 1774, having received the appointment of colonel of militia, he raised about three hundred volunteers, and by forced marches, made … Read more

Christian County, Kentucky Confederate Soldiers

As this portion of the State was first occupied by the forces under Gen. S. B. Buckner, and the Confederates were probably the first to .organize, it is only proper that they should have precedence of mention in this chapter. The Oak Grove Rangers were organized and mustered into service June 25, 1861, near Camp Boone, Montgomery Co., Tenn., for a period of twelve months. They were officered as follows: Thomas G. Wood-ward, Captain; Darwin Bell, First Lieutenant; Frank Campbell, Second Lieutenant, and J. M. Jones, Brevet Second Lieutenant. They numbered at the time about 130 of the very flower … Read more

Christian County, Kentucky Courts

The first court held in the new county convened on the 21st day of March, 1797. Present-Jacob Barnett, Moses Shelby, Hugh Knox, Jonathan Logan and Brewer Reeves, gents, Presiding Justices of the county. They organized for business, and appointed John Clark Clerk, and Charles Logan Sheriff. The first business that came before court was the presentation of a deed by Young Ewing from Peter Tardwin and brother, which was ordered ” to be certified.” The next ‘item disposed of was, ” that James Henderson be appointed Commissioner of Tax for the present year, 1797.” The third act of the court … Read more

Distinguished Politicians of Christian County, Kentucky

There are a number of Christian County men, natives as well as temporary citizens of the county, who afterward rose to high political and military distinction. Notably among these are Hon. Jefferson Davis, ex-President of the Confederacy; Gen. John M. Palmer, and Joseph Dun-can. The two latter have served as Governors of Illinois, and Gen. Palmer is still a distinguished citizen of that State, and holds a prominent position among Democratic Presidential possibilities. John M. Palmer was born in Scott County, Ky., September 13, 1817, and soon after his birth his father, who had been a soldier in the war … Read more

Christian County, Kentucky Poor Farm

“The poor ye have with ye always,” said the Master, and to care for them is a duty incumbent upon us as civilized beings. Kindness costs but little, and to the child of misfortune it sometimes goes almost as far as dollars and cents. The writer recently visited one of these institutions called poorhouses, and was pointed out a man, who, it was said, could once ” ride ten miles on his own land,” but a series of misfortunes brought him to the poorhouse. None of us know how soon we may go ” over the hills to the poorhouse.” … Read more