As I talk with genealogists or teach classes people will frequently ask me, “Where did you find that (information)?” or “Where did that come from?”. As a historian, genealogist and librarian I consistently document my sources. It’s important to give credit to the person who found the info or transcribed the document. It’s also great to look for other clues in the same repository. Similar to a great fishing hole. If the fishing is good, you want to return in the hopes of finding more fish or clues about your ancestors.
I’ve lived most of my life in Indianapolis, In. I have a lot of knowledge about that city. The terrain, streets, buildings, events and etc. My background knowledge of Indianapolis makes research much simpler.
My Paternal line migrated from Kentucky. I visited several times but did not spend any extended time in that state. Therefore my knowledge was limited. As I began to research my paternal lines, lack of knowledge in that area was a real hindrance to my research. At the time it wasn’t practical to move their or even visit frequently. My solution was to begin researching on Rootsweb.com . Rootsweb.com was an independently owned and operated consortium of multiple websites, mailing lists (list servs) and message boards. The topics were broken down by states, counties, areas (ie South-Central Kentucky) and surnames, etc. [Rootsweb is now owned by Ancestry.com . The people that compile the information has not changed all over the site, but in some areas. I am not being paid to advertise for Ancestry.com or Sandi Gorin . I just want to illustrate who owns and or is creating the information. ]
Around, 1998 (est.) I joined the SC-KY Listserv (South Central Kentucky) SOUTH-CENTRAL-KENTUCKY@rootsweb.com, . This gave me an opportunity to learn about the area, boundaries, terrain, schools, names of families,etc.) overtime. This helped me to connect to other researchers with information that has helped me during my research , as well as documents etc.
This morning while reading an entry from Sandi Gorin I read the transcription that is listed below. This tells a little about the climate of Barren County, KY for enslaved persons.
“We’re back at the city meeting again on Saturday, 9 June 1810. This will be a short meeting with John GORIN, Henry CRUTCHER, Will T BUSH, Danl. CULP & John BIRD present.
The only thing on the agenda was appointing the Tax Collector who was Charles HARVEY. He got a 2nd responsibility though that likely could give him grey hair – he was appointed to take care of the Public Spring. The board then adjourned to meet on the 15th.
And, on the 15 the same trustees gathered for business. Charles HARVEY had to be sworn in and post his bond. David WALKER Jr was his surety. While he was there, the tax rate was decided – 25 cents for every tithable and 8 cents on every $100 worth of property.
A continuing problem had to be discussed. Wm T BUSH & John BIRD had to walk around and take notice of all nuisances and obstructions in the city streets and report to the Board. They might get prematurely grey over this also!
Safety was of a great concern in these early days so the Trustees decided to set up a Watch. Joseph WINLOCK & John MATTHEWS Jr named Captains of the Watch and William GRAY, Joel SHAW, Archibald MILLER, William CRUTCHER & Will MARSH Jr were suggested to assist. They had come in to the meeting it appears and they all volunteered.
Some rules and regulations about the Watch were set next. Anyone caught outdoors after 10 pm and couldn’t show why he needed to be walking about would be held and come before the Justice of the Peace the next morning and fined not more than $2.00. (There is an old expression about small towns that they rolled up the streets at night – this definitely was the case here!)
Also the slaves – if more than three were collected together, unless they are all the property of the same man, and not found on their quarters and were disorderly – the Watch man to note this and they to be whipped at the order of the Captain, not more than 15 lashes. So sad.
Also they could not be out after 9pm with the same penalty. It was the fear that the slaves were gathering and planning an escape or some harm. Adjourned.
We’ll jump ahead, a meeting was planned in July but for some reason they didn’t meet until 10 August 1810. The same Trustees attended and some bills had to be paid: Charles Harvey was to pay Henry CRUTCHER for buying that minute book & working on the Spring – $28.00. Thomas DICKINSON was paid $3.00 for his services as a Commissioner; the Judges and Clerk were paid $2.75 each for an election and W MARSH was paid
$4.75 for acting as the Clerk. Charles HARVEY was paid 10% of the taxes collected. The Clerk (MARSH) was the person authorized to collect fines imposed and paid $1.00 a day for his services. He had to find his own paper that he needed.
Danl CULP and John BIRD were next appointed Commissioners to superintend
the repairing of Cross Street from the sign post to Thomas GOODALL’s – this section to be bridged over the mud.
They closed with another ordnance: “Be it ordained by the Board of Trustees of the Town of Glasgow that any person or persons who have a Dwelling House Kitchen or shop within said Town not having a brick or Stone Chimney Shall have a good Calked (caulked) chimney to be at least eighteen inches above the Comb. of said House and to have a good Stove.
If one of the citizens shall fail to build their chimney as described above described within There, after being notified, shall forfeit & pay the sum of Ten Dollars. Also, all black smiths, nailers, gun Smiths, silver smiths & copper smiths within the said town shall have the Top of their Shop Chimneys arched over and any who may be notified by any of the Trustees and fail to comply with the above ordinance within this month after being so notified shall forfeit and pay the sum of five dollars.”
The Board then adjourned. /s/ Jno GORIN.
Anna Mae’s Oldest Grandbaby
Nichelle~
