BigEagle.htm

Scott County, Kentucky

Big Eagle Precinct

Pages 208-209
CHAPTER XIII

BIG EAGLE PRECINCT-ITS DESCRIPTION AND TOPOGRAPHY-COMING OF THE WHITE MAN-EARLY DIFFICULTIES-PIONEER IMPROVEMENTS AND INDUSTRIES-RELIGIOUS-THE PARTICULAR BAPTISTS-OTHER DENOMINATIONS-SCHOOLS, VILLAGES, ETC.

The Election Precinct No. 5, known and designated as Big Eagle Precinct, is bounded on the north by Owen and Grant Counties, on the east by Big Eagle and Licking and the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, on the south by Little Eagle and on the west by Little Eagle and the Owen County line. It is well watered and drained by Big and Little Eagle and their tributaries. Big Eagle has its source near Leesburg, and empties into the Kentucky River at Monterey. Little Eagle rises some seven miles north of Georgetown, and unites with Big Eagle at Wall's Mill on the Cincinnati pike. A branch of Ray's Fork rises near Hinton's Station and empties into Big Eagle in the vicinity of Mallory's Mill. Another branch of the same stream rises near Corinth and forms the main channel, on the lands of Joseph Burgess. The original timber consisted of black locust, walnut, poplar, blue and black ash, sugar maple, oak, etc. The land is considerably rolling, and in places along the streams quite broken and hilly, but rich and productive. The Cincinnati Southern Railroad is in convenient reach and affords excellent shipping facilities.

Settlements were made by white people in what is now Big Eagle Precinct in an early day, but the precise date is not known. Among the pioneers were Boswell Herrington, Capt. Fontleroy, Peter Jones, Stafford Jones, Reuben Lancaster, Beverly Nelson, Samuel Marshall, Milton Threlkeld, Garnet Wall, John Peck and John Mulberry Many descendants of the early settlers of this section are still living, and some of them still possess the lands of their ancestry. The story of the early settling of this precinct is that of all Kentucky -- one of hardship, danger and privation. The emigrant who goes to the Far West at the present day has the railroad to convey him and his goods to his contemplated settlement, and when he arrives at his new home he settles down without fear of savage beasts or savage men. But it was far different here seventy-five or a hundred years ago. There were no railroads then to bring the emigrants hither, but there were innumerable dangers to be met with upon their arrival, dangers that only strong arms and brave hearts could overcome.

The numerous streams in this precinct furnish excellent water-power for machinery of a light character. This was early utilized by mills, and a number of these useful "institutions" were built by the first settlers: Emison's, Wall's, Merriman's and Jones' were among the first built in this region. They were all "water-mills," and took their names from the parties who built them. Emison's (now owned by Mallory) and Jones' are still in operation. The distillery of T.J. Marshall was built subsequent to the war was run by steam and was quite an extensive establishment, but for several years it has been standing idle.

The State roads between Cincinnati and Lexington, now called the Cincinnati pike, was the first road through the precinct. Toll was then collected upon it from pedestrians, as well as from horsemen, vehicles, etc. The road, known as the "Mulberry road," and which forms the dividing line between the counties of Harrison and Scott, was the next road laid out. The community is now well supplied with these useful thoroughfares. The first pike was that known as the "State pike," and was built in 1843 and 1844. The second was the Green Mill pike, built in 1876; also the Cynthiana & Big Eagle pike. The first bridge in the precinct was that built at Jones' old mill; one was built soon after, over Big Eagle, at Mallory's Mill. These were both wooden structures. A bridge was also built across Big Eagle, where the State road crosses it, and another where the Cynthiana pike crosses it, near Sadieville.

The church history of the precinct dates back almost to the period of settlement by white people. The first church was known as "Elk Lick Church" and the denomination the "Particular Baptists." It was organized in 1799, and among the early pastors were Elders John Connor, and Ambrose and Thomas P. Dudley. Ray's Fork and Hartwood Churches were organized soon after. The two latter were also Baptist, but of that denomination that were not so "Particular." These two latter churches have been remodeled somewhat, and are all wooden buildings.

Hebron Church was quite an old one, but is long since abandoned, and the new one erected upon its site, is of the Christian denomination, and is called Mount Olivet. At present the membership is large and flourishing, and a very interesting Sunday school, the only one in the precinct, is maintained at this church. It is conducted on the union principle, and attended by all denominations.

It is not known who taught the first school in the neighborhood, nor when nor where it was held. It is not improbable, however, that a school was taught early, as this section was settled very early. We have an account of a church organized in 1799, and schools usually followed close after churches. There are now five schoolhouses in the precinct, in which schools are taught each year for the usual period, only, however, in the primary branches.

Big Eagle Precinct boasts of several villages, under somewhat high-sounding and historical names, but all of them put together would not make much of a town. They are Sadieville, Stonewall and Corinth. The first named (Sadieville) is a station on the Cincinnati Southern Railroad, and dates its birth at the time of building the railroad through the county, about 1876, and was incorporated in 1881. The first Postmaster was James Jones, and the present one _____ Fears. One of the district schools of the precinct is located here, and is, at present, (1882) taught by a Mr. Rollins. The business of the place consists of that usually done at a small railway station. Its population is about seventy-five.

Stonewall is a small village some sixteen miles from Georgetown, on the State road. The first tavern in the precinct was kept by John Hennessy, for the purpose of boarding hands while engaged constructing the State road into a pike. He afterward, sold it to T.K. Hollins, who kept it as a public house. Corinth is a small unimportant place, consisting of but a few houses, shops, etc. This comprises a brief sketch of the precinct from its settlement down to the present time.-- Perrin.

Source:
History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison & Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, Edited by William Henry Perrin, 1882
Previously submitted by Jo Thiessen

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