Dennis Partridge

Fairview Precinct

THE early settlement of Todd County knew no method and observed no lines in fixing upon the site for a new home. The prejudice against the open country led the pioneers to seek the vicinity of streams, and here they hewed out a farm from the stubborn forest, and with laborious toil turned the wilderness into fruitful farms. Up to the adoption of the present Constitution, the voting precinct was at the county seat, but the inconvenience of this mode led to the organisation of districts with some marks of individuality. As then formed district lines served to mark the … Read more

Fairview, Todd County, Kentucky

This little village, over which Todd and Christian Counties have for years striven to obtain the mastery, still lies where it always has, on the dividing line between the two belligerent counties, and situated on the main road from Russellville to Hopkinsville, about twelve miles east of the latter town. It was laid off on land belonging to Col. William Morrow in 1847, by act of the Legislature, approved February 7 of the previous year, Col. Nathaniel Burrus being the surveyor. The original plat, to which there have been no subsequent additions, consisted of twenty acres of land, lined off … Read more

First Churches of Trenton Precinct, Todd County, Kentucky

The pioneers of this district were men who to a great extent were religiously inclined. Among the very early settlers were many identified with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. And to this denomination should be given the honor of holding the first religious services in this district. As early as 1809 a camp-meeting was con-ducted by these people two miles south of Trenton, on the place now known as the Reuben Bradley farm. It was on the edge of a large scope of open barren, but which is now heavily timbered. Here was the camp-meeting ground, with round-pole huts and camps. … Read more

Geology of Todd County, Kentucky

No geological survey has been made of Todd County, and the State work is of such a general nature as to forbid the gathering of anything approaching a particular review of the geological features of this county from its pages. A brief general review is all that can be attempted in the time and space assigned to this topic here. The geological formations of Kentucky, in common with those of the other Western States, generally belong to that great system which extends from the Alleghenies on the east across the Mississippi and to the Rocky Mountains on the west. Throughout … Read more

Graysville, Todd County, Kentucky

In about 1833 Maj. Gray began running stage lines through the county. At the crossing of Elkton and Clarksville road with the Gallatin road, he put up a large hotel, and stables for the accommodation of guests, as some six lines all centered there. To this point he gave the name of Graysville. Besides the inn there were two or three stores there. John Brown and Thomas Allison both kept stores there, as well as James Brown, Ross Perkins and James Brenan. The stage lines only kept up a few years and then ceased running, and from that time the … Read more

Early Means of Development of Todd County, Kentucky

The great hindrance to the development of pioneer society earliest felt, is the lack of ready intercommunication. A struggling settlement located on some convenient stream gathered about it the necessities of pioneer existence, and was in a large measure independent of the outside world. Several such isolated communities made up the county of Todd, and while visits were interchanged by families the only opportunity to come together in friendly emulation was on court days. But the nature of the early political status was such as to concentrate the vigor and executive power at the county seat, and the county really … Read more

Educational Interests of Todd County, Kentucky

Under the social influence described in these pages it will be easily understood that popular education must be attended by many difficulties. Its value and importance were certainly under-rated by all classes, and it gained a foothold in Kentucky only through the strenuous exertions of a far-sighted few. Education was at first entirely in the hands of the church, which established seminaries at various points, primarily for the preparation of the clergy for ministerial work, but which were at once accepted by the wealthy portion of the church membership as a convenient means to give their children such accomplishments as … Read more

Elkton, Todd County, Kentucky

District organization as formed in Kentucky is by no means similar to the township organization of the Northwest, and does not afford so reasonable nor obvious a division of the historical interests of the people. But in an attempt to supply the fullest details of the county’s history for which there is any data, the necessity for some such division becomes apparent, and these arbitrary lines have been seized upon to aid in such systematic treatment as the best result seemed to demand. These lines, however, are expressive of something more than the convenience or whim of the authority by … Read more

Elkton Town Organization

The town of Elkton was originally incorporated and organized under charter, soon after the original plat and additions were made. But upon examination all the early records were found to be lost, and a statement as to the early officers cannot be made. In 1867 a new charter was granted the village, and a new board was organized under it. The following statement shows the members of the board to the present time : 1867- G. Terry, J. W. Lewis, John A. Bass, J. D. Russell, J. ). McReynolds. 1868- G. Terry, W. A. McReynolds, G. B. Lewis, A. H. … Read more

Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Todd County, Kentucky

The Presbyterian Church was hardly second in its appearance in Kentucky. In 1796 James Mc-Gready, a Presbyterian minister, settled in Logan County and took charge of three congregations-Little Muddy, Gaspar River and Red River, the latter being situated near the line separating Kentucky and Tennessee. Mr. McGready- was a native of Pennsylvania, but commenced his ministry in North Carolina, where he inveighed with great earnestness against slavery and formalism. On this account he became offensive to the church and immigrated to Kentucky, where his severity and earnestness had a different effect, and gave the initial impulse to what became the … Read more