Washington and Louisa Rippleton
Information comes from The Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky, death and census records.
Washington Rippleton was born in Danville, Boyle Co. Ky. 16 Apr 1842, the son of Frederick Rippleton. His mother and father were also both born in Danville, Kentucky. The first school in Danville for African-American children was founded around 1840 by Willis Russell, an emancipated slave of Revolutionary War veteran Robert Craddock. Craddock deeded a log house in Danville to Russell, who moved to the town after Craddock's death and started a school for children. The house still stands on Walnut Street. It is likely that Washington went to this school and gained a great appreciation for learning and wanted to pass it on to the children in Newport.
He was married to Louisa McKnight by 1858 and living in Newport in 1860 with Carey and Nancy Bell, who were also from Danville Ky. He became a prominent businessman in Newport and was very involved in the politics of the city. In 1863, Washington found himself under arrest and obliged to prove in court that he was not a bondsman, which he did.
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Commercial Daily Commercial, Monday, 13 August 1860, page 2
Four free persons of color, Wash Rippleton, Francis and William Bishop and James Earl, were arrested on Saturday and lodged in jail to await trial before the Mayor today for cutting down a Bell and Everett pole on Front street, Newport.
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Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, Thursday, 5 September 1861, page 2
A man of color, alleged to be free, named Washington Rippleton, was tried on a charge of coming into the State contrary to law. There being no evidence before the Court that he was a free man, thought there was little doubt of the fact in the minds of the Jurors, he was discharged.
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Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, Sunday, 10 August 1862, page 3
NEWPORT NEWS
The Grand Jury reported the following indictment, after which it was discharged. Washington Rippleton, a free negro for coming into the State contrary to law.
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Cincinnati Daily Enquirer, Thursday, 5 February 1863, page 3
NEWPORT NEWS
"Washington Rippleton, an alleged free negro,
was tried on the charge of violating a law of Kentucky, which makes it a penalty
for free persons of color to come into the State. Although it is notorious that
the accused is free, the fact could not be proven, and he was accordingly
discharged. This law is nothing more than a dead letter on the statue books of
Kentucky. A dozen or two cases, arising from it, having been tried in Covington
and Newport within the past two years, and in every instance we believe the
defendants were discharged. It may be a very easy thing sometimes to prove that a
negro is a slave, but to prove that one is free is a different matter."
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Wednesday, 1 August 1866, page 2
COLORED SCHOOLS-The colored citizens of Newport held an election on Saturday and chose the following persons as Trustees of their schools to serve for one year: Burrell Lumpkins, Beverly Lumpkins, Washington Rippleton, James Patterson and Gus Adams.
We understand that the Trustees have appointed Mayor R B McCrackin as Treasurer of the School Board.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Thursday, 7 April 1870, page 7
FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT CELEBRATION-At a meeting of the colored people of Newport, held Tuesday night at the Court house, for the purpose of making arrangements to participate in the jubilee on the 14th inst. Cary Bell and Washington Rippleton were appointed as Marshals for that occasion and H S Lyon and O W Root speakers.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Tuesday, 11 February 1873, page 7
At a meeting of the colored people of Newport, held at the Courthouse on Saturday night, Washington Rippleton, Esq. in the chair, the following persons were chosen as delegates to the Educational Convention, which meets in Louisville on the 18th instant; Charles Johnson, William Lumpkins, Isaac Henson, B Lumpkins, Lawrence Toliver, W Rippleton, Jacob Davis, Samuel Fairbush, Reuben Wright, Robert Littleton, D Lightfoot, Henry Sanders.
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Washington Rippleton was a life long resident of Newport. He and his wife Louisa resided on Rickey Street from 1867 through 1876, where they raised their four children; William, Benjamin, Matilda and Dollie. The city directories show his occupation as either a hostler or coachman. Louise McKnight was born 3 Mar 1846 in Kentucky and died 1 July 1916 at Speers Hospital in Dayton Ky. She was buried July 3 in Evergreen Cemetery.
Children of Washington Rippleton and Louisa McKnight
1. William Rippleton b-31 Jan 1859 in Newport;
d-31 May 1895 in Covington Ky. of cholera; br-Evergreen Cemetery; William was
working as a barber in Covington.
2. Benjamin Rippleton b-1862 in Newport; d-16 Apr 1891; br-Evergreen Cemetery
3. Jennie Matilda Rippleton b-Oct 1865 in Newport;
d-2 Aug 1905 in
Newport; br-4 Aug in Evergreen Cemetery; m-John Spencer
Jennie
Rippleton Spencer 1905 Obituary
4. Dollie or Denise Rippleton b-1866 in Newport
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Children of Jennie Rippleton and John Spencer (Sep 1844-23 Dec 1916)
1. Earl Spencer b-Mar 1896 in Newport
2. Infant Spencer b-1897 in Newport
3. Anna Spencer b-Jan 1899 in Newport
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In 1870 following the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, Mr. Rippleton led a delegation of Newport Residents that participated in the celebration. The April 15, 1870 Constitution Daily Gazette gives this account: "the Newport Barracks Band was followed by large delegations from Covington and Newport on foot. Each of these wore a badge upon which appeared the words 'American Citizens'.
In November 1872 Rippleton helped to organize the Corinthian Baptist Church on Roberts st. In February 1883 the African American Literary Circle was organized with Washington Rippleton as President.
Rippleton also participated in local politics on behalf of the Republican Party. Upon his return from a trip, the August 14, 1875 edition of a local newspaper, The Ticket, gave this account: "Mr. Washington Rippleton, a Negro politician of this city, returned yesterday from a visit at Put-in-Bay, near Sandusky, Ohio".
Kentucky Journal, July 7, 1891; The Campbell County Republican executive committee named Rippleton a delegate to their county convention. In August Rippleton and others formed the first Republican League Club and he was on the executive committee. In March 1892, the Club elected Rippleton as President. In May 1894 the club was renamed the Corpus Attucks Club with Rippleton as President.
From 1878 through 1892 he worked at the Newport Barracks and lived at 249 Liberty Street. Following the relocation of the Barracks to Fort Thomas, Mr. Rippleton operated a shoe shine parlor located at 405 York Street until his death on 12 May 1911, while living at 112 West Southgate in Newport. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery May 15.
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Cincinnati Daily Star, Thursday, 27 May 1880, page 6
Washington Dyson and Washington Rippleton, both employed at the Newport Barracks, engaged in a row last evening, during which the former received two severe gashes, one under the left ear and extending to the back of the neck, and second a slight cut in the right breast. He was removed to the hospital and Rippleton, who did the cutting, swore out a warrant for the wounded man's arrest, claiming he was the aggressive party. General Augur refused to surrender Dyson.
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Cincinnati Commercial Tribune, Saturday, 22 July 1882, Issue 298
Wash Rippleton thinks the time has come when the colored race should assert itself and has announced himself as a candidate for Magistrate in the Third District. Constable Clary and Req. Maphet will now need to buckle on their armor.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 29 July 1896, page 5
The Sixth District Republican congressional convention will be held in Newport. The Republican district committee met Tuesday afternoon and set the date for Aug 12. The Campbell County committee is to designate the hall. Oddfellows' Hall or Turner Hall will be selected. The Campbell County delegates are: Wash Rippleton.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Friday, 5 October 1900, page 8
Mrs. William Lumpkins, colored, lodged complaint at headquarters last night against Wash Rippleton, also colored. She says that he came to her house last night and after knocking her out of her chair, hit her in the eye and then threw her and the chair off the porch. She was told to go to Judge Dumont and get a warrant.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Saturday, 6 October 1900, page 15
It was Gus and not Wash Rippleton against whom complaint was lodged in the Police Force yesterday morning by Mrs. William Lumpkins. In Court yesterday morning he was place under $50 bond to keep the peace.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Wednesday, 17 October 1900, page 8
Mr. Wash Rippleton will have charge of the colored Republican meeting to be held this evening at Odd Fellow's Hall. W E White, of Louisville, will be the principal speaker.
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Cincinnati Enquirer, Thursday, 9 May 1901, page 5
Edward L Jones, the colored night watchman at the Government Building yesterday tendered his resignation to Collector D N Comingore, gave up his badge and keys and has returned to private life, alleging that a political job is not the real thing in Covington.
The resignation was due to the fact that an effort was made to have Wash Rippleton of Newport, placed in his position and in order to accomplish the task, Jones was accused of writing letters to a white woman asking her to call and see him after working house.
The woman in question was before Collector Comingore yesterday morning, produced the letter and Mr. Jones denied writing it, and as he held his reputation dearer than a political position he resigned forthwith. Jones is a member of the Republican Executive Committee and is a prominent factor in colored circles and an active member of the Ninth Street M E Church. The lady receiving the note alleged that it was carried to her by John Wells, the colored janitor of Boone Block.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 5 May 1905, page 5
Realty transfers yesterday were: William Cottingham to Washington Rippleton, 25 by 71 feet, on Southgate st. $600.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 4 January 1907, page 7
The Undersigned, Sheriff of Campbell County, hereby gives notice to the delinquent taxpayers of Campbell County that he will in compliance with Chapter 108 of the Kentucky Statues, proceed to sell at public auction to the highest bidder at the Courthouse door in Alexandria, on Saturday, January 26, 1907.
Southgate-W Rippleton; Original Plan Part 187 $5.47