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Precincts and Communities

Precinct of Unity, Kentucky

Chapter XV
Pages 321 - 322

Unity Precinct - Topographical and descriptive - Early settlements - Hard life of the pioneers - Mills, roads, etc. - Connersville - Schools and churches.

No sadder realization of the inscrutable decree, that "Dust though art and unto dust shalt thou return," is wanting than the gathering of the history of a country or a people. For example: In Unity Precinct, we look around us for the pioneers and find them moldering in the graveyard. The first generation are all gone, and the second and the third, and even the fourth are crowding after them and will soon disappear in the shadows of the Dark Valley. This country, once the haunt of the wild beasts and the hunting ground of the red Indian and his kindred, has undergone a wonderful transformation since the pale-faced pioneers first made it their home and commenced the subjection of the wilderness they found here in unbroken grandeur. The wild forest has disappeared, and so have the pioneers who reclaimed it, and that period is fast rolling on when no one can say, "I knew them." It is the divine fiat that we fulfill our mission here and then pass away.

Unity Precinct, which is described as Election Precinct No. 6, is located in the southwest part of the county adjoining Scott County, and is rather broken and hilly. It was originally heavily timbered, and in places there is still much of it left standing. It was chiefly oak, walnut, sugar maple hickory, etc. It is well watered and drained; Mill Creek taking off a small part of the northeast corner, and Twin Creek, a tributary of South Licking, with its two forks, drains the entire precinct from Connersville to the northeast. Tobacco is the main staple, only sufficient grain being produced for home consumption. The people are industrious and intelligent, and upright in their dealings with the world. Although not favored with the wealth, nor with the rich lands of their neighbors but a short distance to the south of them, yet they are content, and their lands, all susceptible to cultivation, are productive. The precinct formerly included the most of Berry Precinct within its limits, and the voting-place was at Buck Cason's which attained for it the name of "Cason's Precinct." But after the division into precincts under the present constitution, this was called "Trickum," then was finally changed to the name it now bears.

In looking back over the past of this section of the country, much difficulty is met wit in collecting its history. A cheerful readiness to tell everything known, and to volunteer much information of events of doubtful occurrence, is met with everywhere. The names of many of ht early settlers have passed beyond the powers of recollection, and the gloom surrounding many important circumstances is impenetrable to the historian's utmost researches. This applies particularly to this precinct, where none of the first settlers are left and where much of the early history passed into oblivion with the death of the pioneers. The first settlers in what is now Unity Precinct are supposed to have been Buck Cason and Charles Courtney. They came from Virginia, but the date of their settlement here is not remembered. Adam Renaker was from Maryland, and settled in the precinct soon after Cason and Courtney. John Conner and Benjamin Conrad were also early settlers. Conner was from Virginia, and was an Old-School Baptist preacher. Conrad had a horse-mill near Connersvile. Of other pioneer families in what now forms Unity Precinct, we have no definite information. It was not long, however, after the Indians met their Waterloo from Gen. Wayne in 1794, that much of the available lands in this immediate section were occupied, and began to be more endurable. The early hardships were not forgotten, and the homely ways and rude garb gave way to a more refined spirit of civilization. Substantial log houses sprang up in all directions, taking the places of the rude huts and cabins which had been at first erected. The settlers began to surround themselves with something more than the bare necessities of life. Schools, churches, etc., began to appear, and something like pleasure was felt in living in the fast disappearing forests. Progress and improvement continued until the state of prosperity was reached we find here to-day.

The first roads in the precinct were trails made by the Indians in their hunting excursions through the forests. These, upon the settlement of the whites, were cut out for wagons and otherwise improved to their present state. One of the first mills was built by Benjamin Conrad, in the neighborhood of Connersville. Several distilleries, on a small scale, were erected in an early day, where the surplus grain raised by the settlers found a market. But few industries, however have been carried on in the precinct, outside of farming. To this pursuit, the people are chiefly devoted. One of the first magistrates was George Lemon; the present magistrates are H.M. Levi and Newton Henry.

Connersville, the most important village in the precinct, is located in the extreme southern part, near the line, about seven miles southeast of Cynthiana. The first store was kept by John H. Conner, in 1830, and from him the town took its name. Lewis Conner kept the first tavern, and E.M. Bailey was the first Postmaster. It was through his influence that the town was christened Connersville in honor of its first merchant. By the last census, the village had 125 inhabitants, and the present showing of business is as follows: Three general stores, one physician, one shoemaker, one undertaker, two hotels, two blacksmith shops, one post office (of which B.M. Tucker is Postmaster) and one cooper-shop. A mill and distillery were erected some years ago by Boyers and Pemberton; the distillery has ceased business, but the mill is still is in operation, and does a large amount of custom work.

Unity, formerly called "Trickum," is located in the center of the precinct, seven miles from Cynthiana. It is the voting-place of the precinct, and here, on election day, the honest voters assemble to exercise that "right guaranteed to all freeborn American citizens," that of depositing their unbulldozed ballots. Whence the place received the name of "Trickum;" whether it was a tricky place, or because no better name could be found at the time, we are not authorized to say. The population of the place is fifty souls; represented by one store, one hotel, one blacksmith shop, one wood-shop, etc., also one church.

Twin Creek Baptist Church, or "Dutch Chapel," as it is usually called, is situated in the northern part of the precinct. It is the old style, or Particular Baptist, and was organized in 1830, by William Conrad. John Conner was also a Baptist preacher, and used to administer to the faithful in this community. The church now has about thirty members, and Elder J.J. Gilbert is the pastor.

Salem Chapel (Methodist), was the first church established in Unity Precinct. It was organized a number of years before the erection of a building. The first house was built in 1835, and was of white-oak logs. It served the purpose of the congregation until 1854, when it was torn down, and the present frame church building erected upon its site. The present member ship is seventy-five, and services are held on the first Sunday in each month; present pastor, Rev. J.R. Lancaster. This church is located about three miles northeast of Connersville, on the road leading from Connersville to Lexington.

Mount Zion Chapel, also a Methodist Church, was established very early. Their first church building was erected about 1830. This was torn down in 1857, and the present building erected. The first pastor of the church was Rev. Josiah Whittaker; the present, Rev. J.R. Lancaster.

Education received the early attention of the people of Unity Precinct. The first schools were those known as subscription schools, and were taught in any empty building at hand, and the early churches used to serve both for religious and school purposes. One of the first schools taught in the precinct was in the neighborhood of Cason's, by Christopher Whitson, some time about 1820. There are at present five schoolhouses in the precinct, in which good schools are maintained for the usual period every year.--Perrin.

Unity Precinct
Pages 717-718:

SAMUEL J. ASHBROOK, farmer and distiller, P.O. Cynthiana, was born in Harrison County, Ky., Jan. 13, 1831, son of Aaron Ashbrook, who had seven children. Our subject received what education the pioneer log school houses afforded in the early times, and, being raised a farmer, has followed that occupation in addition to distilling. He began life in moderate circumstances, and by economy and industry has acquired a competency, he owning at the present time 400 acres of land and a half interest in a distillery. Mr. Ashbrook has been a director of the Harrison County Agricultural and Mechanical Association for twenty years; a director of Farmers' National Bank since its organization; President and Treasurer of Ashbrook Mills Road; also Treasurer Trickum Road, and School Trustee in District No. 7, for several years. May 8, 1856, he married, in this county, Susan R. Robertson, born near Cynthiana, in August 1835, daughter of James Robertson, and from that union have been born three children: Aaron, George and Minnie. Self and family are members of the Christian Church and he is a Democrat.

COL. THOMAS T. GARNETT, farmer and trader, P.O. Cynthiana. Among the early emigrants to Kentucky was Larkin Garnett, who was born in Virginia about 1782, and came to this State in 1807 and settled near Cynthiana, Harrison County, where he spent the remainder of his days. He married Elizabeth Bell, also of Virginia birth, by whom he raised six sons and six daughters. He was a farmer and mechanic and by close application to business he managed to accumulate considerable property. He ranked among the prominent men of his day, and died in October 1856, respected by all who knew him. His eldest son, Thomas T., who is the subject of this sketch, was born in Virginia on the 15th of May, 1806, and when only about one year old was brought by his parents to Harrison County, Ky., where he was reared and educated and where he still resides. When he arrived at the age of maturity his father gave him a good horse, with which he ventured out upon his own resources, full of energy and ambition. On the 4th of Oct., 1840, Col. Garnett was married to Louisa Wiglesworth who was born in the county in 1819, and was the daughter of John and Jane (Bush) Wiglesworth, who were also residents of Harrison County. In the early days of this county's history our subject was elected Captain of a militia company and subsequently promoted to major and colonel, which latter title he still bears. He was also elected justice of the peace in his district, an office he filled very acceptably. He has had born to him two daughters, both of whom are now married and settled in life. His elder daughter, Jane E., is the wife of Dr. W.H. Martin and Mary F., the wife of Col. William Moore. Col. Garnett has been a very "wide-awake" business man through the early part of his life, being possessed of rare judgment and quick to see a bargain; he has succeeded in acquiring handsome property, consisting of about 1,000 acres of land, upon which he has erected, according to his own plans and designs, one of the best residences in the county (a view of which graces the pages of this work), fronting the K.C.R.R. at Garnett Station, which station was named in honor of our subject. He and his family are all members of the Baptist Church and he is a straight Democrat in politics.

JNO. A. LAFFERTY, farmer, P.O. Cynthiana, was born in Harrison County, Ky., Feb. 13, 1832, and is the son of James and Susan (Smith) Lafferty, the former a native of Pennsylvania, born Jan. 7, 1790, and died July 15, 1866, and the latter born in Bourbon County, Ky., April 8, 1801, and died Sept. 5, 1838. James Lafferty was a farmer, which business he continued till [sic] his death, and at which he learned Jno. A. the duties of self support. Our subject received a common school education, and on May 23, 1855, he married Miss Fanny E., daughter of John and Elizabeth Henry, both natives of Virginia. They have a family of eleven children: W.T., D.N., Tera, Susan E., James F., Francis E., Minnie, Mary E., Purlie, Meddie and Jno. A. Politically Mr. Lafferty has taken quite an active part in the home contests of Harrison County; he filled the office of Constable in Unity Precinct in 1867-'68, and was elected Sheriff of Harrison County in 1870, and was honored by being re-elected in 1874, and again in 1876, each term being for two years service. During the war he enlisted in Jno. Shawhan's Battalion, C.S.A. at Prestonsburg, Ky., in 1861, and did not return home until 1865; he is a Democrat, a Granger, and a member of the order of A.F. & A.M. Quite an exciting episode in the life of our subject occurred in 1849, while he and his father were on their way to Cincinnati with a team and wagon. When within about twenty miles of the city they were, while eating their dinner by the roadside, set upon by two robbers. In the early part of the conflict, his father was hit upon the head and partially disabled, and though Jno. A. at that date was but a boy, he fought with the coolness of an old trooper and the fierceness of a tiger. The result of the fight was the death of one of the robbers and the flight of the other. He now enjoys the respect and confidence of the community in which he resides.

GEO. V. NORTHCUTT, farmer and tobacco dealer; P.O. Trickum; was born in Harrison County, Ky., near Rutland, June 5, 1837; son of John and Agnes (Knox) Northcutt; he, born in 1806, in Harrison County, a farmer and son of John Northcutt, who came from Virginia; she, born in Virginia, and came to Kentucky when seven years of age, dying in 1876. They have four sons, and six daughters, our subject being the eldest. George V. received his education in the schools of his native county, and began life as a farmer, continuing at the same vocation till [sic] the present time. He began life in moderate circumstances, and by industry and economy has acquired a competency, owning a fine farm of 152 acres of land. He has been a successful producer of tobacco and dealer in the same for eighteen years. Feb. 3, 1859, he married, on Twin Creek, Millia Catharine Juett, born in Harrison County in January 1842, daughter of Adam and Susan (Renaker) Juett, and by this union there were born four sons and five daughters: Lewis, George T., Adam, James H., Agnes E., Susan A., Cordelia, Catharine and Alice. Mr. Northcutt and wife are members of the Baptist Church and he is a Democrat.

Source:
Transcribed and edited by Philip Naff, August, 1999.
Information previously posted by Jo Thiessen

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