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Harrison County, Kentucky

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Date: 1793
Location: Harrison County, Kentuckymap
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Harrison County, Kentucky
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A United States History Sub-project

This page is intended to provide some historical context and references that may assist Harrison County researchers of genealogy and family history. It is still a work in progress: your input and suggestions are welcome. If your family research leads you to Harrison County, please stop by the Harrison County, Kentucky One Place Study for information on projects in the planning stages and those currently underway. Volunteers are always welcome!


Contents

People

Early Residents

From an archaelogical perspective, the earliest residents associated with the area now known as Kentucky have been divided into 5 chronological groups, based on their technologies and social patterns: Paleoindian (10,500 - 8000 BCE), Archaic (8000 - 1000 BCE), Woodland (1000 BCE - 1000 CE), Late Prehistoric (1000 - 1750 CE), and Historic (after 1750 CE).[1]

In the Late Prehistoric period, just prior to the influx of European colonial emigrants, the cultural group known as Fort Ancient (in the Algonquian language group) occupied the northeastern section of Kentucky (including the area of modern Harrison County). One nearby archaelogical site known as the Singer-Hieronymous Site Complex in neighboring Scott County is thought to have been occupied from 1275-1400.[2] Fort Ancient peoples continued to occupy villages along the Ohio River to the north into the late 17th century. Current scholarship generally supports the conclusion that the tribal groups recognized by the mid-1700s as Shawnee were related in some way to the Fort Ancient societies.

While there is minimal written or archaeological evidence of permanent Native habitation in the Harrison area in the Historic period after 1750, pressures exerted by the slow disruption of the European peoples' exploration and expansion over the previous two centuries were among the primary causes of that circumstance.[1]

Within a genealogical framework, tomorrow's science may afford more opportunity, but current levels of scholarship and technology offer few possibilities of connection to these early people. The degradation of potential research sites due to more than two centuries of agriculture has also limited the opportunites for study.

Currently, the only known people of documented Native-American heritage in Harrison County in the 19th century are Elizabeth Grace (Walker) Smith (1826-1903) and her children. Elizabeth was of Cherokee descent.


Immigration & Early Settlement

1774 The Virginia Colony passed a law granting 400 acres of land in Kentucky (then the area in the western portion of Fincastle County of the colony), to any person making improvements including building cabins, clearing ground and raising corn there. [Perrin, p. 218]

1775 Hinkston's Company (15 men) explored the area, including: Capt. John Hinkston, John Haggin, John Martin, John Townsend, James Cooper, Daniel Callahan, Matthew Fenton, George Gray, William Hoskins, William Shields, Thomas Shores, Silas Train, Samuel Wilson, John Wood and 2 others. Established Hinkston's Station in the area of present-day Cynthiana, Harrison County, Kentucky. The site was soon abandoned. [Perrin, pp. 217-218]

1776 Another company of men arrived in the Harrison area, including: George Bright, William Craig, James McMillen, Thomas Moore, William Nesbit, Col. Benjamin Harrison, James McGraw, Robert Thompson, Joseph Peak, William Huston, Robert Kean and others. [Perrin, p. 218]

31 Dec 1776 The Commonwealth of Virginia formed Kentucky County out of Fincastle County.

1779 Isaac Ruddell and others arrived in the Harrison area and rebuilt Hinkston's Station as Ruddle's Station.

1780 British and Indian forces under Capt. Henry Byrd attack Ruddle's Station. Twenty settlers were killed. After the settlers surrendered, some were marched as far as Detroit by the Indians.

30 Jun 1780 The Commonwealth of Virginia abolished Kentucky County and created in its place Fayette, Jefferson and Lincoln Counties. The area now known as Harrison was within the newly formed Fayette County.

1792 Kentucky was admitted as the 15th state of the United States.

21 Dec 1793 Harrison County (named for Col. Benjamin Harrison) was formed as the 17th county in Kentucky and was created from portions of what had become Bourbon and Scott Counties at that time. Cynthiana was established as the county seat. [Perrin, p. 220][citation needed] A transcript of the Act is available [here].

Slavery, Free People of Color, and Emancipation

Slaves accompanied early white explorers into the Kentucky area in the 1750s and 1760s, and they were among permanent residents in 1775 when Virginia began actively encouraging settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains.[3]

Enslaved people in the state of Kentucky were primarily employed in agriculture, though they were also used in mining and manufacturing to some extent. Locally, even today Harrison County is mainly rural, agricultural land, but in addition to farming, early 19th century county residents employed slave labor in road building, mill work, wool factories and various tradecrafts. Agriculturally, Harrison County consisted primarily of relatively small family farms with few large holdings. In 1810 for example, of 258 slave holders listed in the census (in a population of over 7700), 168 (about 65%) had 1-3 slaves. Only 25 (about 1%) had more than 10, and only 6 of these were over 20 with the highest being 31.

Since Kentucky did not secede from the Union during the Civil War, the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 did not apply. Slavery ended in Kentucky in 1865 with the adoption of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.

Research into Black Heritage families in Harrison County during the 19th century can be challenging. A timeline, links, and various other data is being compiled to assist in this effort on the Harrison County, Kentucky Black Heritage page.

Changes & Developments

1794 Part of Harrison County ceded for the creation of Campbell County. [Perrin, p. 220]

Feb 1794 The first court of Harrison County was held in the house of Morgan Van Meter, magistrates, Benjamin Harrison, Hugh Miller and John Wall:

First Sheriff (tax collector): Robert Hinkston [Perrin, p. 220 (county?)] William Ardery [Perrin, p. 249 (city?)]
First Justices of the Peace (forming the first County Court): Benjamin Harrison, Hugh Miller, Henry Coleman, Samuel McIIvain, Nathan Rawlings and Charles Zachary
First County Clerk: William Moore (both courts)
First County Attorney: Richard Henderson
First County Coroner: Daniel Lindsay
First Constables: Archibald Hutchinson, Thomas Rankin and William Hall
First Surveyor and Deputy Surveyors: Henry Coleman, Benjamin Harrison and John Little, Edward Coleman.
First Commissioner of Tax: Benjamin Harrison
First items of business:
  • A ferry was granted to Benjamin Harrison across the Licking River.
  • A ferry was granted to Robert Harrison across the South Licking River. Operated by Michael Hogg's sons, Robert and Thomas Hogg.
  • Tavern licenses granted to Robert Harrison and to William Harrison
[Perrin, p. 220, 249-50]

1 Apr 1794 The next quarter session of the court was held. Some items of business were:

  • The tavern rates were set: Half pint of whisky - 6 pennies; Breakfast - I shilling; Dinner - I shilling, 3 pennies; Supper - I shilling; Bed - 6 pennies; Corn and oats - 2 pennies per quart; Stable and hay for one horse, twenty-four hours - I penny.
  • Robert Harrison proposed a stray pen be built. The court agreed.
  • Thomas Rankin proposed a pair of stocks be erected. The court agreed.
  • About this time construction began on the original county courthouse.
[Perrin, p. 220]
  • First recorded deed in Harrison County: James Lemmon to Alexander Adger; 100 acres on the Townsend branch of the South Fork of Licking for 50 pounds sterling. [Perrin, p. 250]

1795 First jail built in Cynthiana by Thomas Mounts. [Perrin, p. 220]

1798 Harrison County divided into 13 Districts. Parts of Harrison County ceded for the creation of Pendleton and Boone Counties. [Perrin, p. 221]

22 Dec 1798 Harrison Academy established by an Act of the General Assembly. Benjamin Harrison, William E. Boswell, Henry Coleman, Hugh Miller, John Wall, Samuel Lamme, Samuel McMillin, Samuel Cook and Robert Hinkson, appointed trustees. Existed until 1872; precursor to the Cynthiana graded city school. [Perrin, p. 274]

7 Feb 1803 First Circuit Court organized: John Allen, Hugh Miller and John Wall, judges. [Perrin, p. 249]

1803 New jail was built in Cynthiana. [Perrin, p. 221]

1807 The Kentucky legislature enacted a law preventing free blacks from immigrating to Kentucky. The law also banned the return of free black residents who had left for any reason. [Kleber, 4]

1810 First official meeting of freemasons in Cynthiana [Perrin, p. 273]

1816 A new court house was built in Cynthiana. [Perrin, p. 220]

1817-1819 Approximate publication dates of first Cynthiana newspaper, The Guardian of Liberty. John G. Keenan, editor and proprietor. [Perrin, p. 274]

1819 Part of Harrison County ceded for the creation of Owen County. [Perrin, p. 220]

1820 Part of Harrison County ceded for the creation of Grant County. [Perrin, p. 220] First church building (Methodist) completed in Cynthiana. [Perrin, p. 283]

Jun-Aug 1833 The cholera epidemic killed more than 50 people in Cynthiana, Mrs. William K. Wall being the first victim. [Perrin p. 269]

1840 Part of Harrison County ceded for the creation of Kenton County. [Perrin, p. 220]

Antebellum Years, Civil War and the Reconstruction Era

1 Mar 1847 Articles of incorporation for the Licking and Lexington Railroad Co. granted by the state legislature. [Naff]

1849 L&L Railroad incorporation repealed. Name changed to Covington & Lexington Railroad Co. (CLRR) and new charter granted. [Naff]

1850 The state of Kentucky adopted a new constitution. As a result all county officer positions switched from appointments to elections.

First elected County Clerk: P. Wherritt
First elected Sheriff: William B. Glane
First elected Deputy Sheriff: John A. Berry
First elected County Attorney: W.W. Trimble
First elected County Judge: H. Coffman
First elected County Coroner: Samuel C. Frazer
First elected County Surveyor: J.A. Thorp
[Perrin, p. 221]

1850-1851 Railroad construction contracts approved. [Naff]

1851 The county courthouse in Cynthiana burned. [Perrin, p. 220]

1852 A new jail was built in Cynthiana, [Perrin, p. 220]. W.K. Wall deeded land on the south side of Cynthiana to the CLRR for a depot. [Naff]

1853 CLRR construction completed from Covington to Falmouth, KY. 17 Oct 1853: first service. The Maysville-Lexington Railroad was completed between Lexington and Paris. First trip: 22 Dec. [Naff]

1854 CLRR construction completed to Robinson's Mill, 13 Apr. Construction completed to Cynthiana town limits, 18 May, with the first passenger train running on 22 May. Construction completed to Paris on 27 Sep. [Naff]

1855 Maysville-Lexington Railroad bankrupt. CLRR leased the Lexington-Paris segment. [Naff]

17 Jul 1862 First Battle of Cynthiana fought. Confederate victory: three quarters of the Federal forces were killed, wounded or captured. [Perrin, p. 254]

1862 The jail in Cynthiana burned. [Perrin, p. 220]

11 Jan 1863 CLRR rechartered as the Kentucky Central Railroad. [Naff]

11-12 Jun 1864 Second Battle of Cynthiana fought. Union victory. [Perrin, pp. 254-7]

1866 A Harrison County Poor House was built in Berry in 1866 (though it may have existed earlier in another location). [Perrin, p. 221]

1867 Part of Harrison County ceded for the creation of Robertson County. [Perrin, p. 220]

1868 First "colored school" established in Cynthiana. [Perrin, p. 282]

1889 Kentucky Central Railroad (in receivership since 1886) aquired by Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N RR)

The Twentieth Century

1913 Double tracking of railroad through Harrison County completed. Work began on dismantling the Cynthiana depot in 1961, and the last passenger train stopped there on 7 Mar 1968. The L&N RR was acquired by CSX Transportation in 1986 and was returned to single track about this time. [Naff]



Interesting Citizens and Associates

Population Statistics (work in progress)

  • In 1850, the total population of Harrison County was 13,064. Of these, only 1,093 were born in another state, and a mere 43 were born in another country. There were 1,753 dwellings and 1,759 families.[4]
  • See also: Harrison County, Kentucky: Census Divisions and Demographics (work in progress)
  • Coming soon: Immigration and Emigration data
Historical Population Data
CensusPop.%±______CensusPop.%±______CensusPop.%±
18004,350—190018,5709.80%200017,98310.70%
18107,75278.20%191016,873−9.1%201018,8464.80%
182012,27858.40%192015,798−6.4%202018,692−0.8%
183013,2347.80%193014,859−5.9%2021 (est.)18,9501.40%
184012,472−5.8%194015,1241.80%
185013,0644.70%195013,736−9.2%
186013,7795.50%196013,704−0.2%
187012,993−5.7%197014,1583.30%
188016,50427.00%198015,1667.10%
189016,9142.50%199016,2487.10%
  • "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  • "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  • "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  • "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  • "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved March 8, 2014.

Activities

Education

1840:
  • FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YBS-L66 (west) 15 primary/common schools; 311 students.
  • FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9YBS-L9C (east excluding Cynthiana) 9 primary/common schools; 206 students. (Cynthiana) 3 primary/common schools; 100 students.
    • Total: 27 primary/common schools; 617 students.
  • Illiterate adults > 20: (west) 0; (east) 53.
    • Total: 53
1850: Harrison County had no private schools, colleges or academies, though 120 students were enrolled in those elsewhere. Public schools generated an income of $4,750 and served 1,201 students. The white population between 5 and 20 years old was 3,791 of which 1,525 attended school during the year. Only 360 adults over age 20 were unable to read and write.[4]
1870: US census statistics on literacy and education (Harrison County)

Military

Religion

Churches in 1850 in Harrison County could accommodate 8,700 people.[4]

Geography

  • 198,400 acres
  • 310 square miles
  • Border countyies: Bourbon, Bracken, Grant, Nicholas, Pendleton, Robertson, Scott
  • Elevation: 540 - 1060 feet above sea level

Communities (work in progress)


Cemeteries

Railroads

Waterways

  • 3.5 square miles of water (~ 1% of area)

Research Notes and Page Updates

  • This page was begun in March 22 as an attempt to compile some local historical data and information that may assist genealogists and historians working on Harrison County families. It is still very much a work in progress, but the goal is to complete the project's infrastructure (relatively) by year's end. The current research schedule includes about one week per month (usually the first). Research topics are generally addressed in a fairly random order, but any specific requests will be moved to the top of the pile if possible. Some incomplete topical sections have links saved for later research. Contributions and suggestions are always welcome, either through direct edits or by contacting the profile manager via private message or in the comment section below.
  • The initial timeline was started primarily from information in Perrin's History [see Sources]. It will be expanded, extended and cited with other sources as time permits.
  • 1794 - Perrin lists two different first sheriffs - needs further research.

Genealogy and History Resources

Native American research links


WikiTree Pages Linked to the Study

WikiTree pages connected to Harrison County, Kentucky.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Henderson, A. Gwynn and David Pollack, "A Native History Of Kentucky; Selections from Chapter 17: Kentucky in Native America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia: edited by Daniel S. Murphree, Volume 1, pages 393-440, Greenwood Press (Santa Barbara, CA) 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20220729101229/https://heritage.ky.gov/Documents/Native_History_KyTeachers.pdf
  2. ↑ Sea, Claiborne, "Native American Occupation of the Singer-Hieronymus Site Complex: Developing Site History by Integrating Remote Sensing and Archaeological Excavation" (2018). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3471. https://web.archive.org/web/20220729100825/https://dc.etsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4929&context=etd
  3. ↑ Kleber, John E., editor-in-chief; and Thomas D. Clark, Lowell H. Harrison, James C. Klotter, associate editors. The Kentucky Encyclopedia, University Press of Kentucky (Lexington, KY) 1992; pp. 494, 826-9.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 1850 Census: Compendium of the Seventh Census Part IV; Beverly Tucker, Senate Printer (Washington, DC) 1854; accessed 26 May 2022 via United States Census Bureau (https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1850/1850c/1850c-09.pdf) pp. 236-241 [images 1-6].
  5. ↑ Statistics of the United States, (including mortality, property, etc.) in 1860: Bureau of the Census Library, Government Printing Office (Washington, DC) 1866: https://web.archive.org/web/20220730132539/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1860/statistics/1860d-15.pdf; pp. 333 (images 11/29).


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Harrison County, Kentucky
Harrison County, Kentucky
First Harrison County Courthouse
First Harrison County Courthouse
Harrison County Boundaries (red line original, white area current)
Harrison County Boundaries (red line original, white area current)
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L A Banta
Up until the '90's, Post-it Notes™ were only produced in Cynthiana.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-it_Note

(Fun fact learned from watching Kentucky Educational Television).

posted by L A Banta
edited by L A Banta
Durbin-702 Natalie (Durbin) Trott
Nice work, Mel!

Regards, Natalie

posted by Natalie (Durbin) Trott
Mel Bishop
Thanks Natalie - still a lot of work to do though!
posted by Mel Bishop

Categories: Harrison County, Kentucky | Kentucky Projects