Friday Finds

Last week, I posted about marriage records from the book, Ohio County Kentucky Records, Volume I by Michael L. Cook and Bettie A. Cummings Cook. In my photocopy of the book, I also a copy of page 242 which contains information about the apprenticeship of John Thompson as a blacksmith.

P. 480 13 May 1811, Charles Henderson, Clerk of the County Court, to John Taylor, blacksmith, does Apprentice John Thompson, infant orphan of [blank] dec’d, aged fourteen years, two months and fourteen days, to learn the craft of blacksmithing until he is twenty one years old. Taylor agrees to tech the Apprentice, John Thompson, reading, writing, and common arithmetic, and to pay him $100 and a new suit of clothes at the expiration of his service. Recorded 13 July 1813.

When I first tried locating this apprenticeship in the original records, I was looking for a record on page 479 with an 1811 date. I retried my search of court and land records for just the date and I found a similar record!

Ohio County, Kentucky Court Order Book #3. (Image 326 on DGS 007646780 on FamilySearch)

This document was recorded in the Order Books for Ohio County, Kentucky courts. While the information in the order book is similar to the photocopy for John Thompson’s apprenticeship, there are discrepancies between the book, Ohio County Kentucky Records and the order book. First, the page numbers do not match. Secondly, the information in the court order book before and after the entry for John Thompson do not match the information in my photocopy above and below John Thompson. Lastly, the order book does not mention the payment John Thompson was to receive when he completed his apprenticeship.

The next question is whether this is my John Thompson. My ancestor

• married Sarah Iglehart on 1 February, 1820 in Ohio County, Kentucky, thus placing him in Ohio County nine years after the apprenticeship record.
• was born March 4, 1797 which would have made him 14 years, 2 months and 9 days old on May 13, 1811 instead of 14 years, 2 months and 4 days old.
• was recorded as a farmer on the 1850 census at the age of 53. While he is mentioned in two county histories, neither mentions blacksmithing.

Since the court record refers to an ‘orphan estate’, I will need to read these unindexed order books to see what other information I can glean about John Thompson and his family.

Creath Guardianship

Ripley County Indiana
Court Order Books

Civil Order Book E, Mar. 1841-Oct. 1843
FamilySearch Film 2342932 Item 2 DGS 8033914

Book E page 306

Guardianship of Richard and
Malinda Creath

And now at this day personally appear in
open court Melinda and Richard Creath each over the age
of 14 and under 21 years & children and heirs of William M. Creath
deceased, who nominate and the court appoints James A. Creath
guardian of their estates, and the said James A. accepts of
said appointment and enters into bond with Moses Copeland as
his surety in the sum of $300 which said bond is approved
of by the Court and reads in these words (viz) Here insert)
And thereupon the said Creath subscribes and
was sworn in open court to the following oath of office (viz)
(here insert) after which letters of guardianship issued
to him herein, in these words (viz) (Here insert)
And now at this day comes the guardian
and files his petition herein which is sworn to vis (here insert)
which said Petition being seen and examined by the court
and mature deliberation thereon had do now here appoint
William W Reed and Jacob S Green two discreet person
freeholders of the county of Ripley to appraise the undi
vided two thirds of the real estate in said petition described
viz “a part of the south west quarter of section 35 township
seven range 12 East and bounded as follows, beginning at
the South East corner of the South West quarter of said section
35 running thence west 75 poles to a Birch thence north 100 poles
thence east 75 poles thence South 100 poles to the place of be
ginning estimated to contain 50 acres more or less and that
the said appraisers make report of their appraisement to court
at the next term.
Whereupon the clerk of this court [copied] and delivered to the said

page 307

appraisers and attested copy of the order or appraisement
aforesaid upon which said copy the said appraisers endorsed
and were sworn to the following oath vix (Here insert)
And now at this time the said appraisers returned
into court an appraisement of the lands and tenements
aforesaid which amounts to $295 – and reads in the
words and figures following viz (here insert)
And now at this time the said Guardian
enters into additional bond in the sum of $600 with
Philip Showalter as his surety which said Bond is ap
proved of by the Court and reads as follows viz (Here
Insert)
It is therefore ordered and adjudged that the
said Guardian at any time before the first day of
the next term of this court sell at private sale with
out giving notice of any kind whatever thereof the
undivided two thirds of the lands and tenements in
the said petition described upon a credit of three and
six months with interest from the day of sale to be
secured by note with good freehold surety and collect
able without any relief whatever from valuation or ap
praisement laws and that said Guardian make re
port of his proceedings herein to court at any time after
Sale

And court adjourned until tomorrow morning G O Clerk
[GeoAnt] Roberts

Page 308
4th day
Sept. 19 1851

Friday morning nine o’clock September 19th 1851
Court met pursuant to adjournment present the
same jurye and officers as on yesterday

Guardianship of Melinda and
Richard Creath
James A Creath Guardian
And now at this day comes the Guar
dian and submits to the court the following report in
relation to the sale of the lands and tenements aforesaid
viz (here insert report) Which said report being seen
and examined by the court is approved and the sale
of the lands and tenements aforesaid to the said Jonathan
Huntington and Philip Showalter as therein reported hereby
ratifies and confirmed in each and every particular
And the said Guardian having received the full
amount of the purchase money for the said lands and
tenements as appears by the said Report Thereupon the court now
there appoint Abeo Wilson a Commissioner to make and
report to court at the present term a good and sufficient
deed of conveyance to the said Philip Showalter and Jonathan
Huntington for the lands and tenaments aforesaid
And the said Guardian is hereby ordered and di
rected to invest the moneys aforesaid or a part thereof
and also a part or all of the personal property of this
said wards in real estate and in their names.
And now at this time comes the said com
missioner and reports to and acknowledges in open
court the following deed and conveyance to the said Jona
than Huntington and Philip Showalter for the lands &
tenements aforesaid (viz) (here insert deed)
Which said deed being seen and examined
by the court is hereby ratified and confirmed in all things
and the commissioners for this said services allowed
the sum of two dollars and fifty cents.

Suit Against George Douglass

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 2 1785-1786
FS Film 192253 – DGS 7763893
A suit against George Douglass for ejectment was discontinued.

Image 339

June Court 1785

Solomon Saveall of the
Demise of James Speed Plt
ag
George Douglass
In Ejectment for one
Missuage one plan
tation 900 acres of
land fifty acres of mea
dow and fifty acres of
pasture situate in the Parish and
County aforesaid
Ordered that the suit be discontinued

John Crawford on Jury

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 2 1785-1786
FS Film 192253 – DGS 7763893

John Crawford served on a jury during the February 1785 Court in Lincoln County, Kentucky.
Image 325

February Court 1785

Samuel McDowell assee
of Ann Lindsay Exr of Wil
liam Poage Deceased Plt
ag
Abraham Chapline Deft
In Case
This day dam the parties by their Attornies, and there upon
came also a jury, to wit, Richard Jackman, William
Stafford, Charles Gabliff, James Mason, James THomp
son, John Patterson, John McKee, William Patton, Samuel
continued on next page

Samuel McKee, John Crawford, Nathaniel Logan and
Thomas Black who being elected tryed and Sworn well and truly
to try the Issue joined upon their Oaths do say that the
Defendant does not owe to the Plaintiff the Debt in Declaration
mentioned nor any penny thereof as by pleading he hath alledged.
It is therefore considered by the Court that the Plaintiff take no
thing by his Bill, but for his fals clamour be in Mercy
and that the Defendant go hence without day and recover a
gainst the Plaintiff his Costs by him about his defence in
His behalf incurred and the said Plaintiff may be taken.

1785 Kentucky Court

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 2 1785-1786
FS Film 192253 – DGS 7763893

William Crawford served on a jury in the Lincoln County, Court during the February 1785 term.

Image 321

February Court 1785
John Seekright of the Demise of John Parks
[?ale] an Infant by his
Guardians John Cowan
and Joseph Davis Plt
ag
John Kincaid
In Ejectment for one
[messuage] one tenement
and 1000 acres of land
Situate in the County
of Lincoln and Parish
of Kentucky

This day came the parties by their Attornies and there
upon came also a jury, to wit, James Davis, James Logan
James Thompson, James Knox, John Edmunson, Jo
seph Scott, Edward Worthington, John Patterson, John
Berry, George Davidson, Thomas Montgomery and
William Crawford who being elected tried and sworn well
and truly to try the Issue joined upon their oaths do say
that the Defendant is guilty of the Trespass and Ejecment
in the declaration mentioned, It is therefore considered
continued on next page

by the court that the Plaintiff recover against the said Defen
dant his [Tennyet] to come of and in the lands in the Declaration
mentioned, and his costs by him about his suit in this behalve
expended and the said defendant n Mercy.

Cowan vs Crawford

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 1-2 1781-1786
FS Film 192253 – DGS 7763893

Image 168

February Court 1784

John Cowan Pltf
against
William Crawford Deft
In Tx over
By consent of the parties, it is ordered that all
matters in difference between them relative to this
first be referred to the arbitration and determination
of James Speed and Joseph Davies and their award
or the award of such persons as they shall choose for
umpire in case they disagree to be made the
judgement of the court

Image 179

page 154
March Court 1784

John Cowan Plt
against
William Crawford Deft
In [Trover or Frover]
This day came the parties by their attor
nies and the arbitrators to whom all
matters in difference between the said
parties were referred, returned their report
in these words, to wit, 5th March 1784
“We the within refferees do award that
The plaintiff be cast in his suit and pay
costs. James Speed, Joseph Davis
It is therefore the opinion of the Court that
the defendant go hence without day and
recover against the plaintiff his costs by him
about his suit in this behalf incurred

Two of Them

Have you ever suspected that there were two men of the same name in a community but lacked the proof? Once I discovered John Crawford owning land on the Hanging Fork of Dix River, I’ve wondered about the possibility of two John Crawfords.

Thanks to the help of other researchers, I’ve placed two brothers, James and William living along Paint Lick Creek. We’ve suspected that their brother’s (John) widow was Rebecca Crawford who purchased land from George Douglass.

The deeds found for the John Crawford land on Hanging Fork do not support his being the father of the Sarah and Mary Crawford who married William and James Sellers in Lincoln County, Kentucky. Thus, it is unlikely that he is the husband of Rebecca Crawford.

As I was reading the Lincoln County Court Order book for 1783, I came across verification of TWO John Crawfords living in the area at that time. These records also show that William and James Crawford were also living in that vicinity at that time.

In the November Court of 1783, William Crawford was a defendant in a case brought by Jonathan Taylor. This petition was dismissed.

During that same court (November 1783) a jury was seated for the case of Ebenezer Miller, Executor of Cough Overton deceased against Arthur Owings. That jury included James Crawford, John Crawford and John Crawford. Yes – TWO – John Crawfords are listed on the jury.

Just in case I thought the clerk mistakenly wrote the name down twice, another case, William Overall against James Wray, also has James Crawford, John Crawford and John Crawford on the jury.

So, my theory is that the William Crawford named as a defendant and the James Crawford on the juries are the brothers living along Paint Lick. I believe one of the John Crawfords is the John Crawford owning land on Hanging Fork. I believe the other John Crawford is the brother to James and William and husband of Rebecca Crawford (or Mary Crawford).

If my theory about the second John Crawford is correct, then I should find mention of his death in these court proceedings or in the proceedings for Madison or Garrard counties. Thus, I need to continue reading court order books!
______

Image 157
November Court 1783

John King Assee of
James Espy who was
Assee of Jonathan Taylor
against
William Crawford Deft
Upon a petition

Ordered that the petition be discontinued

Image 158 (continues on next page)
November Court 1783

Ebenezer Miller – Executor
of Clough Overton Deceased Plt
agt
Arthur Owings Deft
In Debt

Image 159 – page 134
This day came the parties by their attor
nies and there upon came also a jury, to wit,
Mansah Singleton, James Kerr, James
Crawford, James MClure, William Pol
look, John Crawford, James Barnett
Alexander Collier, William Dyer, William
Bush, Matthias Yokum and John Craw
ford who being elected tried and sworn well
and truly to try the Issue joined upon their
oaths do say that the defendant does owe
to the Plaintiff the debt in the declaration
mentioned and they do assess the plaintifs
damages by occasion thereof to eight pounds
in discharge of that debt it is therefore con
sidered by the court that the plt recover a
gainst the said defendant his damages afore
said in form aforesaid assessed and his costs
by him in this behalf expanded and the said
defendanting mercy

Image 160
page 135 November Court 1783

William Overall Plt
against
James Wray Deft
in Trespass
This day came the parties by their Attor
nies and there upon came also a Jury
to wit, James Kerr, James Crawford,
James McClure, William Pollock, John
Crawford, James Barnett, Alexander
Collier, William Dyer, William Bush,
John Crawford, James Allen and a Nehe
miah Poor who being elected tried and
sworn well and truly to try the Issue joined
upon theor oaths do say that the defendant
is in no wise quilty of teh trespass in the De
claration mentioned as by pleading he hath
alledged it is therefore the opinion of the court
that the plaintiff take nothing by his bill
but for his false clamour be in mercy
and that the said defendant go hence without
day and recover against the plaintif his
cost by him about his defence in this behalf
responded.

John Crawford on Jury

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 2 1785-1786
FS Film 192253 – DGS 7763893

John Crawford served on a jury in the February 1785 court for Lincoln County, Kentucky
Image 325

February Court 1785

Samuel McDowell asseeof Ann Lindsay Exr of William Poage Deceased PltagAbraham Chapline DeftIn CaseThis day dam the parties by their Attornies, and there uponcame also a jury, to wit, Richard Jackman, WilliamStafford, Charles Gabliff, James Mason, James THompson, John Patterson, John McKee, William Patton, SamuelContinued on next page

Samuel McKee, John Crawford, Nathaniel Logan andThomas Black who being elected tryed and Sworn well and trulyto try the Issue joined upon their Oaths do say that theDefendant does not owe to the Plaintiff the Debt in Declarationmentioned nor any penny thereof as by pleading he hath alledged.It is therefore considered by the Court that the Plaintiff take nothing by his Bill, but for his false clamour be in Mercyand that the Defendant go hence without day and recover against the Plaintiff his Costs by him about his defence inHis behalf incurred and the said Plaintiff may be taken.

Suit Against George Douglass

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 2 1785-1786
FS Film 192253 – DGS 7763893

A suit against George Douglass for ejectment was discontinued.
Image 339

June Court 1785

Solomon Saveall of theDemise of James Speed PltagGeorge DouglassIn Ejectment for oneMissuage one plantation 900 acres ofland fifty acres of meadow and fifty acres ofpasture situate in the Parish andCounty aforesaidOrdered that the suit be discontinued

Logan vs McElwee

Lincoln County Kentucky
Court Order Books 1781-1919

Vols. 1-2 1781-1786
FS Film 192253 – DGS 7763893

Image 115
August Court 1783

James Logan Plt
against
Jane McElwee Deft

In Ejectment for
One [Ucssuage] ten acre
of arable land situate in the county of Lin
coln and Parish of Kentucky

---

This day came the parties by their Attornies, and
came also a Jury (to wit) Wiliam Montomery
Samuel Haddon, John Sellers, William McClure
James Davis, Robert Moore, William Logan, John
Hinkson William Montgomery Junr, William cavva
naugh, Robert Leason and William Steele, who
being elected tried and sworn well and truly to try the
Issue joined upon their oaths do say that the defendant
is in no wise guilty of the tresspass & ejectment in the
declaration mentioned as by pleading he hath alledged
It is therefore the opinion of the Court that the Plaintiff
take nothing by his Bill but for his false clamour
be in mercy and that the said defendant go hence
without day and recover against the Plaintiff his costs
by him and his defence in this behalf expended

Image 116
August 1783
Ordered that Jane McElwee pay Thomas [Phalin]
fifty pounds of tobacco for two days attendance as a
Witness for her at the first of James Logan