THE COVINGTONS, of Rising Sun. The brothers Robert E. and Thomas Covington emigrated from Somerset County, Md., and came to Boone County, Ky., arriving there about the time Gen. Harrison made a call on the governors of Ohio and Kentucky for re-enforcements, in the war with the Indians and British, in northwestern Ohio, in 1813. They joined the Kentucky militia called out at that time, and served several months, a part of it being at the siege of Fort Meigs.

Soon after their return from this service, two of their sisters, Eunice, who was married to Henry Hayman, and Polly, who was married to James Hayman, came from Maryland and settled in Rising Sun. This was in 1816. Robert then made his home in Rising Sun, and Thomas went to the vicinity of Hartford.

Robert was married to Mary Fulton, daughter of Col. Samuel Fulton, January 7, 1819. He was a carpenter, and built the frame house on the west side of Poplar Street, between Main and Grand Streets, on Lot No. 57, and moved into it the same year.

He died in the same house August 26, 1825, in the thirty- sixth year of his age, having been born October 31, 1789. His widow occupied the house until July 26, 1875, when she died in the same room where her husband died, and of the same disease, dysentery, fifty years, lacking one month, to a day, after the death of her husband.

Robert Covington was one of the workmen on the first hotel built at Big Bone Springs, then a noted and fashionable watering place, and which was burned in 1819.

Thomas Covington married Polly Nichols, a daughter of Maj. Geoige Nichols, who had also served in the Indian wars, about 1819, and lived about one mile east of Hartford. In that year he sold his farm to Mr. Harpham, and went to the vicinity of Mendoria, 111., and bought land, with the intention of removing there. On the eve of his departure for his new home, his eldest son, George N. Covington, was taken sick of a fever and died. Before he could arrange to start to his new home, after such a misfortune, he was also taken sick of a fever, and died. The widow decided to remain near her father until her younger sons would be old enough to take charge of the new farm. Some years afterward the family removed to the Illinois home.

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Source of this article "HISTORY OF DEARBORN AND OHIO COUNTIES, INDIANA"-1885

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SUBMITTED BY: John Minneman