HISTORY OF KENTUCKY, by Lewis Collins, and J.A. & U.P. James, 
published 1847.  Reprinted by Henry Clay Press, Lexington, Ky., 1968, p. 
137 [Boyle county].

The Rev. GIDEON BLACKBURN was one of the most eloquent divines of the 
west; and his early history presents a most remarkable instance of 
perseverance in the face of difficulties.  Left an orphan and penniless 
when about eleven years of age (being defrauded out of the handsome 
patrimony of twenty thousand dollars), a kind school-master gave him 
instruction gratuitiously; and he obtained a situation in a saw-mill, 
where he tended the saw from dark till day-light, studying by the fire 
of pine-knots.  In this way he earned a dollar every night, and made 
rapid proficiency in his studies.  Thus he struggled on till ready to 
enter college.  To defray this new expense, he labored as a surveyor for 
four months; frequently sleeping in a cane-brake to avoid the Indians, 
and having no shelter from the rain but a blanket.  He received for his 
pay fourteen horses, valued at forty dollars a-piece.  These he took to 
Maryland and sold for fifteen hundred dollars; with which he discharged 
all his debts, and went through Dickinson college.  Thus early endured to 
hardships, he was admirably fitted for the arduous duties of a 
missionary to the Cherokee Indians, to which he was appointed by the 
general assembly in 1803, when 31 years of age.  In 1827, he was 
appointed President of Centre College at Danville, which situation he 
filled till 1830, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Young.  The last 
years of his life were spent in Illinois. [Presbyterian].

Blackburn Dickinson Young
=
MD IL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/boyle/blackburn.g.txt