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Old Men of Clay County
OLD MEN OF CLAY COUNTY IN 1870
and
PATRONS OF CLAY COUNTY ATLAS
OF 1877
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Transcribed and compiled by
NADINE HODGES
705 West 38th Street
Kansas City, Missouri 64111
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
OLD MEN OF CLAY COUNTY IN 1870
After the Civil War, those men
who had aided the Confederate cause or were suspected of having done
so, or were even sympathic to the South, were not allowed to vote or
register.
The editor of the Liberty
Tribune of Liberty, Missouri, decided to bring to the attention of the
public the fact that many of the earliest settlers of the county, those
who had helped establish the county and its institutions, could not
vote.
He asked that each citizen
past the age of sixty send in his name, age, and any prominent
circumstances connected with his life for publication in the
paper.
A great many citizens
responded and the statements were published in the paper in the late
summer and fall of 1870.
These statements are of
genealogical value because the old man gives his age, place of birth,
when he first came to Clay County, where he lived prior to coming to
Clay County, and usually, whether or not his father or grandfather took
part in the Revolutionary War or the War of 1812.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
PATRONS OF CLAY COUNTY ATLAS
OF 1877
The second part of this book
is taken from the Atlas of Clay County, published in 1877.
It is comprised of several
hundred patrons or sponsors of the Atlas, and the list, as abstracted
here, gives the name of the patron, his postal address at that time,
the state and county where he was born and the year in which he first
settled in Clay County.
It does not state the year of
birth unless, of course, the patron was born in Clay County. The
township and range locates the land on which the patron was living in
1877.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
JOHN A. FOSTER.
Born in Franklin County,
Tennessee, in 1809. Moved to Clay County, Missouri in 1831. Was a
soldier in the Mexican War, and was always a Democrat. Has filled
the office of Justice of the Peace for many years with satisfaction to
the people, and for many years was been a consistent member of the
Christian Church. Disfranchised.
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MILETUS BROWN.
Born in Coffee County,
Tennessee, in 1812. Moved to Chariton, Missouri, with his father
in 1817. Was a soldier in the Mormon War, raised a farmer, always
a Democrat. Disfranchised.
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T. S. DABINY.
Born and raised in King
William County, Virginia. Moved to Missouri in 1837. Always a
Whig. Enfranchised.
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JOSHUA B. GOTCHER.
Born in South Carolina in
1803, moved to Clay County, Missouri in 1831. Was in the Mormon
War and for many years has been a consistent member of the Baptist
Church. Disfranchised.
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JOHN BROADHURST.
Born in Cook County,
Tennessee, April 18, 1791. Emigrated to Howard County in 1815 and
to Clay County in 1823. Was in the War of 1812 under General
Jackson. Disfranchised. His wife is still living, born in
1790.
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JOHN R. HALL.
Born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, July 27, 1795. Emigrated to Clay County in the fall of
1827; has been living here ever since. Disfranchised.
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JOSEPH VIOLET.
Born in Woodford County,
Kentucky, 5th October, 1805. Emigrated to Clay County,
1829. Disfranchised.
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JOSHUA VIOLET.
Born in Woodford County,
Kentucky, 1808' emigrated to Clay County, Missouri, 1868.
Disfranchised.
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URIEL CAVE.
Born in Boone County,
Kentucky, 1790; emigrated to Clay County, Missouri in 1826. Was
in the War of 1812 under General Harrison. Disfranchised.
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JOSEPH COURTNEY.
Born in Garrett (Garrard)
County, Kentucky, March 5th, 1803; moved to Clay county in
1824. Disfranchised. Always loyal.
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DANIEL HUGHES.
Born in Bourbon County,
Kentucky, September 28th, 1799. Moved to Missouri in 1824, and to
Clay County, October 1825. Disfranchised. A subscriber to the
Tribune for 25 years.
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W. D. LIGON.
Born in Powhattan County,
Virginia, November 26th, 1808. Moved to Clay County, 1831.
Disfranchised.
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KILLION CREEK.
Born December 7, 1807 in
Barren County, Kentucky. Moved to Lafayette County, Missouri in
1820 and to Clay County in 1821. Disfranchised.
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MERCER BUSH.
Born in Clark County,
Kentucky, 7th February 1796, moved to Clay County, 1835. In the
War of 1812 under Col. Francisco, Gen. Harrison's command.
Disfranchised.
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BENJ. GRAGG.
Born in Cock County, East
Tennessee, Dec. 28th, 1791. Moved to Clay County in 1822. In War of
1812 under Gen. Jackson in the battle of Hillibytown with the Creek
Indians. Disfranchised. Have been a Democrat all my life, and my
father before me.
Liberty Tribune, August 12,
1870
WILLIAM COLLINS.
I was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, the 25th day of April 1797. My father served under Gen.
Wayne in his campaign against the Indians after St. Clair's
defeat. I emigrated to Clay County, Missouri in 1828, and have
lived here ever since.
I have been a member of the
old Baptist Church for forty years. I have never been intoxicated
in my life. In politics, I have always been a Whig. I was
never sued by anyone. Am disfranchised, but do not know the
reason.
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HENRY PENCE.
I was born in Scott County,
Kentucky, on the 21st day of May 1800. My father was one of the
first settlers of Kentucky, and came out to that State from Virginia
about the year 1775. I removed from Kentucky to Clay County,
Missouri in the fall of 1825, and settled on the place I now live
at.
I have always been a
Democrat. Am disfranchised, I suppose, on suspicion of Democracy,
- and that is sufficient to disfranchise a man in Clay County - but at
the same time I know no reason why I should be.
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ANDERSON I. TURPIN.
I was born in Montgomery
County, Kentucky, 15th of December, 1804. Came to Missouri in
1854; moved to Kansas in 1860.
Was a resident of Olathe,
Kansas, when I was arrested by a body of lawless men, tried by a secret
Court Marshal, and sentenced to be eaten to death by negroes - was
bitten by negroes until they thought I would die, was placed in prison,
and after five months' confinement, made my escape and fled to Liberty,
Missouri. Was and am a true union man, but because I do not now
love the negro, I am disfranchised.
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JOSEPH THORP.
I was born in Madison County,
Kentucky, on the 13th day of December 1804. My father - Elder
William Thorp - emigrated from Bedford County, Virginia, to Kentucky
about the year 1785.
In the year 1809, I came with
my father to Missouri, and we remained one season on Loutro Island,
above St.Charles, and in 1810 passed on up the River to Boone's Lick
Bottom, in what is now Howard County, about eight miles above old
Franklin, and there remained until 1824.
I was in Cooper's Fort three
years after 1812, in consequence of the hostility of the Indians.
There were continued difficulties with the Indians in Howard County,
Missouri, here settled and lived ever since, a period of 46
years. I was one of the Justices of Clay County Court for the
period extending from 1854 to 1858. I have always been a
Whig. Am said to be disfranchised by the registrars.
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MICHAEL ARTHUR.
I was born in Lexington,
Fayette, County, Kentucky, 19th day of May 1800. My father - John
Arthur - was a native of Glasgow, Scotland, and emigrated to America
about the year 1785, and settled in Lexington, Kentucky.
My maternal grandfather, Jesse
D. Winn, of Albemarle County, Virginia, was a soldier in the
Continental Army under Washington. I emigrated from Kentucky to
Clay County, Missouri, in the year 1825.
I came to Missouri without any
money or property whatever, and was not so fortunate as to have been
assisted when young. I consider myself strictly the architect of
my own fortune. I entered 160 acres of land 2 1/2 miles southwest
of Liberty - being parcel of the farm now owned by Darwin J. Adkins -
in the year 1827. I borrowed the money to do this, $200., from
old David McElwee, and before I could pay it off, the principal and
interest amounted to $500. and upwards.
Since I settled in Clay
County, I have given to my children, in the way of advancements, not
less than one hundred thousand dollars, and hope that I have enough
left to keep me comfortably during the remainder of my life. I
have always been a Whig. The registrars disfranchised me.
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SAMUEL A. OLIVER.
I was born in Jefferson
County, Kentucky, on the 19th day of March 1810. I emigrated to
Ray County, Missouri, in 1830. In 1834 I went up to the Rocky
Mountains and spent two years there in hunting and trapping.
I removed to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1840, and have lived here ever since. I have always
been a Democrat and my first vote was for General Jackson as
president. I am a registered voter.
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JAMES BURNS.
I was born on the 23rd day of
December 1799, in the county of Tipperary, Ireland. I came to
America in the year 1832, and finally settled in Clay County, Missouri,
in 1836, and have lived here ever since. My father, James Burns,
was an architect by profession.
In May, 1846, I volunteered in
Capt. O. P. Moss' company from Clay County, for service against the
Mexicans. I went through Doniphan's Campaign, and was in the
battles of Bracito and Sacramento. I have always been a Democrat,
"Dyed in the wool". The registrars disfranchised me for no other
cause, in my opinion, under God's heaven, except that I was a Democrat.
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JOSEPH LEWIS.
I was born in Goochland
County, Virginia, on the 15th of June 1781. Cornwallis encamped one day
with his army in sight of my father's house some weeks before I was
born. I am confident my father was a soldier in the Continental
army during the Revolution.
I emigrated with my father to
Mercer County, Kentucky, in the year 1790. I volunteered in the
war of 1812, but the services of my company were not required. I
came to Clay County, Missouri, in 1835, and have lived here ever
since. I have always been a Democrat. I am disfranchised,
but do not know wherefore.
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WILLIAM NALL.
I was born in Scott County,
Kentucky, the 18th day of June 1802. My father and mother were
both from Culpepper County, Virginia. My grandfather, Col.
William Nall, was an officer in the American army during the
Revolutionary War. My father served as a private in the War of
1812 and was in the battle of the River Raisin. I came to Clay
County, Missouri, in 1832, and have lived here ever since. I have
always been a Democrat. I applied for registration as a voter,
but was rejected.
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ALVAN LIGHTBURNE.
I was born in Scott County,
Kentucky, on Cane Run, on the 13th of December 1803. My
grandfather was a lieutenant in the Virginia State Navy of the American
Revolution, my father was born at Port Royal, Virginia. I came to
Clay County, Liberty, Missouri, 1st July 1836, and have lived in
Liberty ever since. My fathers were Whigs and I have been always
a Whig. I applied for registration as a voter, was rejected for
reasons I know not.
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JONATHAN COOK.
Was born in Guilford County,
North Carolina, in 1803; emigrated to Virginia in 1820. In 1824
cast my first vote for the hero of New Orleans, for the Presidency,
emigrated to Missouri in 1844; in 1847 went to Santa Fe in the
quartermaster's employment; in 1849 went to California; in 1859 came
back to Missouri, and for the last seven years, a resident of Clay
County. Voted the democratic ticket in Virginia, in North
Carolina, in Ohio, in California, and in Missouri, as long as liberty
lasted. Disfranchised, of course.
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SPENCER ANDERSON.
"Mr. Miller, Sir" - I see in
your paper a request that all the old men over 60 years would report
their names, age, where born, how long a resident of Clay County, or
any incident worth notice. My father was born in New Jersey,
1755, and fought through the Revolutionary war, was in several of the
hardest battles, moved to Kentucky soon after the close of the
war.
Settled in Franklin County,
Kentucky, where I was born in October 1799. Cast my first vote
for Monroe for president in 1820, and voted at every election since
until my neighbor disfranchised me, for having too much sympathy for
the South. Col. Penick had me brought before him and could find
no charge against me, but having sympathy for the South; for that he
forced me to give bond and for that I was disfranchised.
I moved to Clay County in
1852, with about $25,000 worth of property, which was all taken from me
during the late Civil War, and now I am left to make a living the best
way I can. I was opposed to secession. My motto was to
stick to the Union and fight under the old flag. I always loved
the Stars and Stripes.
Liberty Tribune, August 19,
1870
JUDGE JAMES T. V.
THOMPSON.
I was born in Lincoln County,
North Carolina, on the 27th of July 1793. My father was not old
enough to serve in the Revolutionary War. Several of my uncles
were soldiers in the Continental Army. My father emigrated with
his family to Logan County, Kentucky, in 1798. After he came to
Kentucky, my father served under General Jackson against the
Indians.
I emigrated from Kentucky to
Clay County, Missouri, in 1826, and have resided here ever since.
At that time, the population of Liberty could not have exceeded seventy
five person, and the County was very sparsely settled. Within one
year after my arrival here, I knew every man in Clay County. In
1828, I was elected one of the justices of the Clay County Court, and
remained on the bench for five years. My associates on the County
bench during that period that I now remember were Andrew McIlvaine,
Elisha Cameron and James Duncan.
In 1833, I was elected to the
State Senate and served therein continuously until 1842. In 1858,
I was again elected to the State Senate and served until the latter
part of the year 1861, when the General Assembly was convened at
neosho, Newton County, by Gov. Claiborne F. Jackson. I was a
delegate to every Democratic State Convention held in Missouri from
1828 to 1861.
I was also a member of every
County convention held by the Democratic party in Clay county during
the same period. I was likewise a delegate to every Democratic
Congressional convention held in the district of which Clay county was
a part during the same period, - particularly the famous "Gallatin
Convention" in 1852 when Birch and King were rivals. I was a
Democratic presidential elector a number of times - particularly in
1844, 1848 and 1860.
I approved of the "Jackson
Resolutions" passed in 1849. I opposed Col. Benton from about the
year 1848 until his death. Among my associates in the State
Senate, I remember with particular affection, David Barton, Miles
Vernon, N. W. Watkins, Col. Bogy, Col. Rozier, Col. Marmaduke, Benjamin
Rives, A. B. Chambers, Benjamin J. Brown, and James Chiles. I may
add that I recollect Col. Marmaduke with especial veneration and
kindness.
I presume that it is needless
for me to say that I am and always have been an old-fashioned,
states'-rights, Jackson Democrat. During my residence in Clay
county, I have been connected with every public enterprise in the
county of any moment - the founding of William Jewell College and
various schools, the building of our railroad (K.C. & C.R.R.), the
organization and development of the Clay County Agricultural and
Mechanical Association, etc.
In 1849, I donated to the
Trustees of William Jewell College the grounds whereon the College
edifice is erected. I think that I have done my duty in the way
of assisting in the development of the resources of Clay County - in
adding to its material wealth - in making openings for its industrious
and active young men - and in increasing the happiness of its people.
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REV. WILLIAM RICE.
I was born in Jessamine
County, Kentucky, in the year 1790, March 31st. I removed to Clay
County, Missouri, in the fall of 1834, where I have resided ever
since. I have been a minister of the gospel fifty-four years -
have given little attention to politics. Disfranchised.
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JAMES W. WALLER.
I was born in Somerset County,
Maryland, January 29th, 1800 - raised in Kentucky - moved to Clay
County, Missouri, 1855. I was always a Democrat.
Disfranchised.
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ISAAC WOOD.
I was born in Mercer County,
Kentucky, November 7, 1806, emigrated to Missouri in the fall of 1834;
my father was a Virginian, born in Albemarle County, and was a soldier
under Gen. Wayne, and emigrated to Kentucky when quite a youth. I
served as County Justice for many years.
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Elder HENRY HILL.
I was born in the City of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 2nd day of January, 1805. My
father, John Hill, Jr., was born and raised in the State of
Delaware. My grandfather, John Hill, Sr., was a soldier in the
Continental Army in 1776 and subsequently during the Revolutionary
War.
My father moved to Kentucky in
1811, and finally became a resident of Woodford County, in that State,
where in 1823, I became a member of the Regular Baptist Church. I
was baptised by the venerable pioneer from Virginia, Elder John
Taylor. In 1825, the Church of Clear Creek licentiated me to
preach the Gospel, and in 1826, I moved to Clay County, Missouri, where
I continue to reside.
In 1827, I was ordained to the
Christian ministry by the well-known elders, William Thorp and John
Edwards. Have been a member of the Fishing River Association ever
since and the moderator of that body for over thirty years. I
have united in matrimony between three and four hundred persons in Clay
County, Missouri, besides others in the counties of Clinton, Platte,
Jackson and Lafayette, and have been at the organization of nearly all
of the churches in upper Missouri.
I delivered the first sermon
ever preached in the Platt Purchase (funeral of John Rupe's child),
baptised the first converts and organized the first church in Platte
Purchase, three miles northwest of Weston, about 38 or 40 years
ago.
Elders Jno. Edwards, Wm. Thorp
and myself constituted the first church in Liberty, Missouri.
Elder Edwards and myself were chosen joint pastors of said
church. Elders Wolverton and Burris have been associate
ministers, but all of them have moved to other counties or are
dead. I am still the regular pastor of said church.
I have voted about 14 times in
44 years - have always been an old-line Whig - and am not
disfranchised. I have an undying hostility to any amalgamation of
Church and State.
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ZACHRIAH THORP.
I was born in Madison County,
Kentucky, January 22, 1809. Moved to Howard County, Missouri, in
1818 and to Clay County in 1824. Served in the Black Hawk War in
1832 under Col. Shubael Allen' and in 1833 served as a United States
Mounted Ranger. Been a member of old Baptist Church since '54,
and have been a Democrat all my life. Disfranchised.
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BENJAMIN SOPER.
I was born in Montgomery
County, Maryland, April 7th, 1796 - emigrated to Kentucky in 1800 -
joined the Baptist Church in 1817, of which I have lived a respectable
member ever since. Moved to Clay County, Missouri, in 1830,
served as Justice of the Peace in this county 24 years.
Disfranchised.
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GRIFFIN BRYANT.
I was born in Woodford County,
Kentucky, 25th day of December, 1808; moved to Clay County, Missouri,
in 1834, and have lived here ever since. Disfranchised.
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GEORGE B. OWEN.
I was born in Powhattan
County, Virginia, May 29, 1802. Emigrated to Kentucky in 1822,
and remained 12 years. Returned to Virginia in 1834, and in 1835
emigrated to Saline County, Missouri; raised a crop, and next year
moved to Ray County, and bought land. Sold out there in 1847 and
went to Weston, Platte County.
Came to Clay, near Smithville,
in 1856, where I at present reside. Was afflicted in '47 and have
not been able to do any work since. Was an old Line Whig, and
voted the Whig ticket as long as there was a Whig party.
Disfranchised, and without a cause.
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WILLIAM PIRTLE.
I was born in Guilford County,
North Carolina, on the 6th day of October 1790. Settled in Clay
County, Missouri, in 1824, and have lived here ever since. I have
always been a Democrat, and am denied a vote.
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BARTLEY ESTES.
I was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, on the 31st day of March, 1795. My father was a native
of Spottsylvania County, Virginia, and settled in Kentucky at a very
early day. My father and my two paternal uncles were soldiers in
the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War.
One of my uncles was wounded
in seven different parts of his body in one battle. I had two
brothers in the War of 1812, and both were in the battle of the River
Raisin and there taken prisoners. They escaped the tomahawks of
the Indians. One was subsequently in the battle of the
Thames.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, about 40 years ago, and have lived here ever since. I
have been a Free-Mason more than 40 years. I have always been a
Whig and am disfranchised.
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MARTIN FISHER.
I was born in Fauquier County,
Virginia, in the year 1793. I served against the British in the
War of 1812, and was at the capture of Fort George, and battles of
Chippewa and Williamsburg. I came to Missouri in 1815, and
finally settled in Clay County forty-seven years ago, and have lived
here ever since. I have always been a Democrat. Am
disfranchised.
Liberty Tribune of August 26,
1870
ANDREW ROBERTSON.
I was born in Orange County,
North Carolina, on the 22nd of June, 1796. My father, Hugh
Robertson, was a soldier in the Continental Army during the greater
part of the Revolutionary War. He was under Gen. Greene in the
Battle of Guilford. My uncle, Andrew Wilson, was in the same
battle.
My father was also at Yorktown
and witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis. My father emigrated to
Wilson County, Tennessee, in 1798. I was raised in Wilson County,
within two miles of "The Hermitage". I was at the "Hermitage"
during Jackson's life many a time, and saw him at church and
camp-meetings over and over again. I was in the War of 1812, and
was a Corporal in Capt. Jno. Wade's company. Ralston's regiment,
Carroll's Brigade, of Tennessee Militia.
I was in the Battle of New
Orleans and was on the left Wing of the American Army, and saw the
entire advance of the British Army. The British advanced in most
imposing order and without a break in their ranks until after our fire
was delivered. The recollection of their scarlet uniforms and
martial bearing is as fresh to me as yesterday. I emigrated to
Clay County, Missouri, in the fall of 1820, and have lived here ever
since.
There were but few settlers in
Clay County then, and among the principal ones were the following,
viz,: Col. John Thornton, Col. Shubael Allen, Maj. Jno.
Bartleson, Andrew Bartleson, John Dean, Thomas Campbell, Henry Estes,
Beter Estes, Thomas Estes, James Hyatt, Samuel Hyatt, Richard Hill,
James Gimore, Robert Gilmore, Ennis Vaughan, Eppe Tillary, Col. Martin
Parlmer, John Wilson, Squire Hutchison, Samuel Tilford, Edmund Munday,
William Lainhart, Eldridge Potter, Thomas Hixon, Edward Piburne, Hugh
Brown, Hugh Brown, Jr., Joseph Brown, and David M. Bevins.
In 1822, I helped to lay off
the town of Liberty, and cleared the public square of timber. I
laid off the first public road in Clay County. That road
commenced on the south side of the public square in Liberty and
extended southwest to the ford of Big Shoal Creek where the upper
Kansas City road now crosses the same.
I assisted in building the
first female Seminary in Clay County. The house built is the one
in Liberty where Wm. H. Lance now lives. I contributed $100 to
that purpose and my friends, Cols. Jno. Thornton and Shubael Allen each
contributed the same sum. This was about the year 1838.
I represented Clay County in
the Legislature two years. This was about the year 1830, or a
little later. I think I was in some way connected with most of
the public enterprises in Clay County, from 1820 to 1861.
I have been a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church since 1819. I have not been
intoxicated since I was a man and have not sworn a profane oath in 51
years. I have raised seven children. I owned many negroes
and never separated a man from his wife or a woman from her
husband.
I was a Democrat until Jackson
vetoed the National Bank measure, and after that I was always a
Whig. In 1861, I opposed secession conscientiously, and have
never been desirous of seeing the Union disintegrated.
When the Civil War actually
commenced, under all circumstances, I could not sympathise with those
who wished the absolution, coercion and conquest of the South, and the
enfranchisement of the slaves. I am disfranchised, but not as I
think justly.
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EDWARD J. TURNER.
I was born in Spottsylvania
County, Virginia, April 8, 1810. My father moved with me into
Fayette County, Kentucky, at the age of about 18 months, where I lived
15 years, and then to Caldwell County, Missouri, in the fall of the
year that the Mormons went from this county, to that. The next
October, I came to this county, where I have lived ever since.
I have always voted the Whig
ticket as long as the whites were permitted to vote. I have never
applied for registration, nor voted since the war, and never will,
until the Radicals consider me as good as a negro.
------------------------------------------
DAVID M. BIVENS.
I was born in Madison County,
Kentucky, in 1805. My parents came to Kentucky from Virginia in
1803. My grandfather, David Moore, served in the army under
Washington in the struggle for independence.
I came to Clay County in 1821
and settled the place John H. Williams now lives on. When I first
came, Liberty was a briar and paw-paw patch. I have aided in all
public improvements. I built the U. S. Arsenal at Baxter's
Landing.
Before the war and under
Democratic rule, I owned about 5,000 acres of land and had a vote, and
paid $300 taxes. Since the war, I have given my children 2,250
acres of land, and have $25,000 less of other property, and now under
Radical rule, pay $1,200 tax, and am disfranchised.
I have always been a
conservative Union man. My sons are also disfranchised because,
they say, Bivens can't raise a loyal boy.
------------------------------------------
JOHN S. HUSTON.
I was born in New Market,
Shenandoah County, Virginia, October 14th, 1805. Am a Democrat
for which I take to myself no credit whatsoever, except to having
followed in the footsteps of my forefathers, as the counties of
Shenandoah, Rockingham and Page, up to the time I left for Missouri,
which was in 1829, had failed to produce anything else politically.
Have never violated any law of
my State, or of the United States, and all my acts were fully indorsed
in our declaration of rights. In 1863 it became necessary that I
should prove my loyalty before the authorities at Washington.
I did so by as good and loyal
men as there are in this State, yet that ever to be remembered and
infamous Bill Penick of St. Joseph, who was at that time as far above
his superiors, in his own estimation, as are the negroes above their
masters at the present time, took the matter in his own hands.
I was put under bond and
thrown into prison. Am disfranchised. And so expect to
remain until the radical party, like the 'Kilkenny cats' shall have
been used up, all but their tails, which will be looked upon by all
true southern men with satisfaction until time is no more. I have
resided in Clay County, 16 years.
------------------------------------------
JOSEPH COURTNEY.
I was born in Garrard County,
Kentucky, on the 5th of March 1803. In the year 1824, I emigrated
to Clay County, Missouri; where I remained until 1828 when I returned
to Kentucky.
In 1839, I again came to Clay
County, and have resided here ever since. These trips from and to
Kentucky were made by land.
I was born a Whig. My
father, John Courtney, was a native of Pennsylvania, and emigrated
thence and settled in Kentucky at a very early day. He was a
soldier in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary struggle, and
served also in the early Indian Wars.
My first recollection of him
is that he was a Whig and died one. My father-in-law, Robert
Burnsides, was also a soldier in the Continental Army and an Indian
fighter.
I can neither read nor
write. Though the Lord has favored me, yet when I was married I
was so poor that I had to cut off the tail of my shirt in order to
patch the back of it. I am not a fair liver. I am
disfranchised without cause.
------------------------------------------
REV. DAVID COULTER.
I was born in Sussex County,
Delaware, on the 10th day of November 1808. I am, on both the
paternal and maternal line, of Scotch-Irish ancestry.
My grandparents came to
American just prior to the Revolution. I received my collegiate
education at Lafayette College, Pennsylvania, and my theological
training at Princeton, New Jersey.
I came to Missouri in 1841 and
settled in Callaway County. I moved to Clay County in 1866.
I became a member of the Presbyterian Church in 1825, and was ordained
a minister of that church in 1843. I have been engaged in
preaching the Gospel ever since I was licensed to preach in 1841.
The first vote I ever cast was
for General Jackson for president. I voted for Mr. Clay in
1844. I have now nothing to do with politics.
------------------------------------------
NICHOLAS MICHALUCINE.
I was born in Castiglione in
Tuscany, Italy, on the 14th day of December 1797. My family had
lived at Castiglione from time immemorial.
I came to America in 1833, and
settled in Clay County, Missouri, in 1839, and have lived here ever
since. I obtained my final papers (in naturalization) about
twenty years ago.
I have always been a
Democrat. During the Civil War, I was strictly loyal to the
United States. I am disfranchised, but for what cause, I know not.
------------------------------------------
EDWARD PICKETT.
I was born in Orange County,
North Carolina, on the 18th day of February, 1804. I am of
Revolutionary stock. My grandfather, Edward Pickett, served in
the Continental army the greater part of the war, and was at the battle
of Guilford under General Greene.
My maternal grandfather was
also in the Continental army. I came to Clay County, Missouri, in
the fall of 1829 and have lived here ever since.
I have always been a
democrat. I am disfranchised. I have been a member of the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church about 25 years.
Liberty Tribune of September
2, 1870
(articles continued weekly.)
------------------------------------------
JOHN BAXTER.
I was born in Hawkins county,
East Tennessee, on the 26th of November 1802. My father, Stephen
Baxter, was a native of Culpeper County, Virginia.
My father was born in
1777. I have no traditions connected with the Revolutionary
War. My father served against the Creek Indians under General
Jno. Cocke and was at the battle of Hillabee Town.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, to live in 1825. I had previously come to Howard
County, Missouri, in October, 1817. Have lived in Clay County
ever since 1825. I have been elected Sheriff of Clay County four
times.
I have always been a Whig in
politics. I was opposed to secession and the disintegration of
the government. I am a registered voter and no one questioned my
right to be so. I have been connected with the commission
business on the Missouri River and 19 years past.
I can remember distinctly
seeing the first steam boat that ascended the Missouri River. It
was in 1819, and I think it was named the Enterprise. The
peculiarity of it was that the escape-pipe was in the form of an
immense snake that projected over the bow of the boat.
------------------------------------------
LITTLEBERRY ESTES.
I was born in Cabell County,
Virginia, on the 17th of June 1803. I am of pure old Virginia
stock, - a fact of which I am exceedingly proud. My ancestors
emigrated from England to Virginia more than 120 years before my birth.
My grandfather, Joel Estes,
was a Revolutionary soldier and served in the Continental army.
My people live to be very old. My maternal grandfather, Jeremiah
Ward, died about the year 1812 in Cabell County, Virginia, at the age
of 114 years.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in the year 1823, and have lived here ever since. I
have always been a Democrat. I am disfranchised. I have
been a member of the Old Baptist Church about twenty-five years.
------------------------------------------
JAMES R. JOHNSON.
I was born in the State of
Georgia in .....County on the 4th day of April, 1796. I was in
the War of 1812 and served under Harrison at the battle of
Tippecanoe.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in the year 1840, and have lived here ever since. I
have never belonged to any particular political party and always voted
for those whom I thought to be the best men.
I am not now a member of any
political party. I am not disfranchised. My father was a
soldier in the Continental army during the Revolution.
------------------------------------------
ALFRED M. RILEY.
Was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, in 1806. He and his whole family came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1827. His grandparents moved from Maryland to
Kentucky in 1792.
Has been a member of the
church 40 years - of the Baptist Church the first ten years of that
time, and of the Christian Church the remainder. Has lived at the
place where he now resides ever since he came to the county. Has
always been a farmer and trader.
Has been a Whig all his life,
and accepted Democracy as a dernier resort. Has nine children now
living and has raised eleven to be grown. Lives near Mt. Giload
Church' has been an older of it for 28 years. The church edifice
(Mt. Gilead) was built twenty years ago and more, and he assisted in
the erection of it.
------------------------------------------
JAMES C. HOLLAND.
I was born in Cocke County,
Tennessee, on the 20th day of May, 1794. My father was from Wythe
County, Virginia. My maternal grandfather was killed by the
Indians, at the house in Virginia.
My ancestors were among the
first settlers in Tennessee and had a great deal of trouble with the
Indians. My uncle, Thomas Holland, was a soldier in the
Continental army. I was in the war of 1812 in General Cocke's
command and served against the Creek Indiana.
I came to Platte County,
Missouri, in 1854, and lived there three years. I moved to Clay
County in 1858, and have lived here ever since. I have always
been a Democrat. The registrars disfranchised me. I think I
am fairly entitled to be registered as a voter.
------------------------------------------
CASTILIAN C. TRABUE.
I was born in Powhatan County,
Virginia, the 27th day of March, 1805. My paternal ancestors were
Huguenots, and emigrated from France at the time of the revocation of
the Edict of Nantes. I have no traditions of the
Revolution.
I emigrated with my father to
Kentucky in 1806. I came to Clay County, Missouri, in 1858 and
have lived here ever since.
I have always been a Whig in
politics. The registrars disfranchised me, though I am under the
law entitled to registration.
------------------------------------------
REV. JESSE BIRD.
I was born in Pendleton
County, Virginia, the 24th day of May, 1809. My paternal
ancestors were from Holland my maternal ancestors from England. I
have no family traditions connected with the Revolution.
My ancestors, then in
Virginia, were frontiermen, and in close proximity to the Indians, and
I suppose they were not in the Revolutionary struggle. The death
of my maternal grandfather was tragical. he was at the time of
his death living at Fort Redstone, Fayette County, Pennsylvania.
In the summer of 1775, he and
some ten or twelve companions were at work in a field near the
fort. They were suddenly attached by the Indians, near the
fort. They were suddenly attacked by the Indians, and all killed
except Jno. Hardin and one other, who escaped. Hardin saw an
Indian kill my grandfather, cut out his heart, and sticking it on the
point of a knife, flourish it mockingly above his head. In the
very act of doing this, Hardin shot the Indian dead.
I emigrated to Hardin County,
Kentucky, in 1819. I became a member of the Methodist Church in
1822; and was licensed to preach in 1829. I have baptised and
received into the church as many as three thousand persons. I
suppose I have united in marriage as many as two hundred couples.
I emigrated to Missouri in
1857 and have lived since in northwest Missouri, and now live in Clay
County. I was never in any war. Several of my older
brothers were in the war of 1812.
I never meddled in politics,
but was in opinion always a Whig. I am disfranchised. No
considerations could induce me to swear that I did not sympathise with
my friends in the South during the Civil War.
I was arrested and committed
to the jail of Buchanan County, Missouri, in 1866, for a brief time
because I preached the Gospel without taking the "oath of loyalty".
------------------------------------------
JOSPEH GIROS.
I was born in Alsace in France
on the 11th of November, 1802. My father was a soldier in the
French army under Napoleon I, and served in the Peninsular War.
I came to America in 1852, and
settled that year in Clay County, Missouri, and have lived here ever
since. I am not as yet naturalized. I have had nothing to
do with politics in this country.
------------------------------------------
GEORGE M. PRYOR.
I was born in Henry County,
Kentucky, on the 20th of February, 1804. My father was a native
of Goochland County, Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky in 1790.
My maternal uncle - John Curd,
now, if living, in Logan County, Kentucky, - was a soldier in the
continental army and was wounded. My father died when I was so
young that I was unable to retain in memory any facts connected with
the Revolution.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1835, and have lived here ever since. I have always
been a Democrat. I am a voter.
------------------------------------------
WILLIAM V. HODGES.
I was born in Orange County,
Virginia, on the 18th day of January 1805. My grandfather,
Francis Hodges, was a soldier in the Continental army under Washington
and was at Brandywine and Yorktown.
I emigrated with my mother to
Fayette County, Kentucky, in 1815. I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1826, and have lived here ever since. I served in
the Heatherly, Blackhawk and Mormon Wars. I served 12 months in
the militia in Clay County in the late Civil War.
I have raised twelve
children. I have been a member of the old Baptist Church 34
years. I have always been a Whig. In my old age, my negroes
that I bought with my own money have been taken from me. I raised
my children so that they did not do any stealing during the Civil War.
------------------------------------------
JAMES CARSON.
I was born on the 29th day of
November, 1795, in Jessamine County, Kentucky. I have no memories
connected with the Revolution.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1839, and have lived here ever since. I have been
always a Democrat. Am disfranchised by the registrars, but not by
law.
------------------------------------------
JAMES. M. KELLER.
I was born in Jessamine
County, Kentucky, on the 12th of October 1808. My father was from
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia.
My grandfather, John Keller,
was also a Virginian, and was a soldier four years of the Revolution
under Washington. My father served in the War of 1812, and was at
the battle of River Raisin.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1841, and have lived here ever since. I have always
been a Democrat and am disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
EDWARD C. TILLMAN.
I was born in Chatham County,
North Carolina, on the 18th of July, 1807. My grandfather, Joshua
Tillman, served as a soldier in the Continental Army.
I am of English
extraction. I have resided in Clay County, Missouri, since
1842. I have always been a Whig. Am disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
JAMES CHANSLOR.
I was born in Mason County,
Kentucky, on the 13th day of November, 1800. My father was a
native of Pennsylvania and my mother of Maryland.
My grandfather, Philip
Chanslor, was a private in the Continental army during the entire
Revolutionary war.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1835, and have resided here ever since. I have
always been a Whig. The registrars disfranchised me.
------------------------------------------
JOHN H. PRICE.
I was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, on the 13th of September, 1809. My father was a native
of Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky in 1781.
My father was under Wayne in
his campaign against the Indians after St. Clair's defeat. He was
also under St. Clair when he was defeated. I do not know whether
my grandfathers were in the Revolution. My father was too
young.
I have lived in Clay County,
Missouri, since 1844. I have always been a Whig. I am a
voter.
------------------------------------------
THOMAS HARRINGTON.
I was born in Bedford County,
North Carolina, in the year 1790. I moved with my family to
Kentucky in 1795, and to Tennessee in 1810.
Returned to Kentucky in
1815. I moved to Howard County, Missouri, in 1817. I came
to Clay County, Missouri, in 1820
------------------------------------------
JOHN McCORKLE.
I was born in Augusta County,
Virginia, six miles from Staunton, on the 2nd day of March, 1798.
My father was a Virginian and
served through the entire Revolutionary War in the American Army.
He was at Yorktown, and saw Cornwallis' sword handed to General Lincoln
(?).
I emigrated to Kentucky in
1800. I came to Missouri in 1816, and settled on the Cuivre in
what is now Lincoln County.
I came to Clay County in 1824
and have lived here ever since. I have always been a
Democrat. Am disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
ROBERT WALKER.
I was born in Estill County,
Kentucky, on the 3rd day of January 1802. My father was a native
of Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky many years before I was
born. I came to Clay County, Missouri, in 1829, and have lived
here ever since.
I was in the Hesterly and
Mormon Wars. I have always been a Democrat. I am giving
this narration August 1, 1870, and it reminds me of old times when our
elections were held on the 1st Monday and Tuesday in August and every
white man was free - told to the world who he voted for, without hiding
it in a ballot. I am disfranchised, but don't know what for.
------------------------------------------
JAMES WALKER.
I was born in Fauquier County,
Virginia, on the 1st day of March, 1797. My father, Solomon
Walker, entered the Continental Army at the beginning of the
Revolutionary War and served three years. He then re-enlisted and
served out the battles of Bunker's Hill, Brandywine, Trenton, and at
the siege of Yorktown. I cannot now name all the battles and
skirmishes he was in.
He saw the surrender at
Yorktown, and was detained to guard the prisoners taken there. I
had two maternal uncles who also served during the Revolutionary War -
one in the army and one in the navy. I was out a short time in
the war of 1812, in the Virginia militia, to resist the British when
they threatened to land at the Belle Plains on the Northern Neck below
Fredericksburg.
I removed from Virginia and
settled in Clay County, Missouri, in 1848, and have resided here ever
since. I have always been a Democrat. I have served my
country seventy and three years and am now esteemed unworthy of saying
at the polls who ought to rule it.
------------------------------------------
AMOS GROOM.
It was born in Bourbon County,
Kentucky, on the 5th of February, 1803. I moved to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1827. Born a Democrat. Have not voted for 20
years. Josiah Vaughan killed a deer on the public square since I
moved to Clay County.
------------------------------------------
WILLIAM JEFFRIES.
I was born in Fauquier County,
Virginia, on the 14th of September, 1809, and moved to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1850. My father served in the Revolutionary War, and
the War of 1812. I am a Democrat "dyed in the wool".
Disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
JAMES H. BENSON.
I was born in Sussex County,
Delaware, February 8th, 1803; removed to Maryland, and from there to
Ohio in 1835, and to Indiana in 1853, thence to Clay County, Missouri,
in 1858. Not disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
FOUNTAIN WALLER.
I was born in Fauquier County,
Virginia; emigrated to Kentucky in 1831, and thence to Missouri in
1834; settled in Clay County, and have been a farmer all my life.
I have never taken any part in any war, and have always voted
Democratic. Disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
JOS. GROOM.
I was born in Clark County,
Kentucky, July 22, 1787. Moved to Clay County, Missouri, about 45
years ago. I was in the Black Hawk War, and been always a
Democrat. I have never made an effort to vote since the war.
------------------------------------------
ADAM PENCE.
I was born in Scott County,
Kentucky, in the year 1803. My father was one of the first
settlers of Kentucky, and came out to that state from Virginia about
the year 1775.
I moved from Kentucky to Clay
County, Missouri, in the fall of 1825. I have always been a
Democrat. Am disfranchised, I suppose on suspicion of Democracy;
and that is sufficient to disfranchise a man in Clay County, but at the
same time, I know no reason why I should be.
------------------------------------------
CHARLES WARREN.
I was born July 31, 1793, in
Bourbon County, Kentucky; served in the War of 1812, under Captain
Davis, guarding the prisoners at Newport, Kentucky.
Emigrated to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1827, lived here ever since, and been a member of the
Regular Baptist Church over 40 years.
Been registered twice as a
qualified voter - first time I voted first when the poles were opened -
second time my name was erased from the voters' list. I know not
for what. I am a "Democrat all over".
Liberty Tribune of September
9, 1870
MAJ. WINFREY E. PRICE.
I was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, on the 4th of October, 1796. My father was a native of
Prince Edward County, and my mother of Spottsylvania County,
Virginia. My family was an old one in Virginia, and settled there
not far from the year 1700. I am of Welsh descent on my father's
side and of Scotch descent on my mother's side.
My father, Col. William Price,
late of Jessamine County, Kentucky, was a soldier in the Continental
Army during the entire Revolution. He was a member of the first
company organized in Virginia for service against the British.
This company was raised at Harper's Ferry, and was commanded by Capt.
Stevenson. As soon as organized, it was sent to Boston. At
Boston, my father was transferred to Washington's life-guard, and
remained in it for three years.
He was then stationed at
Fredericksburg, Virginia, and continued to remain there until near the
close of the war, when he raised a company of volunteers in
Spottsylvania County, Virginia, - joined the army under Washington, -
and participated in the siege of Yorktown.
In the year 1782, he emigrated
to Kentucky. He was with General Wayne in his campaign against
the Northwestern Indians, after St. Clair's defeat, and commanded the
advance-guard of Wayne's army.
I emigrated to Clay County,
Missouri, in the year 1825, and have resided here ever since. I
have been a member of the old Baptist Church since 1829. I am and
ever have been a Democrat. I support General Jackson until about
a year after his famous "proclamation".
I then re-examined the whole
question in issue between Jackson and Calhoun and came to the clear
conviction that Calhoun was right. In that conviction I remain.
In 1861, I espoused the cause
of the South - entered the Southern army and remained in it until the
final surrender in 1865. I was not a then secessionist "per se",
so that term is commonly understood, but I was a secessionist from the
"action" of the North, because I then believed - and still do believe -
that the North had departed from the Constitution.
------------------------------------------
WALTER HUFFAKER.
I was born in Wayne County,
Kentucky, January 15th, 1810, moved to Clay County, Missouri, April
28th, 1830. I have always been loyal and never was required to
take an oath during the war. Disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
ALEXANDER JUDY.
I was born in Clark County,
Kentucky, on the 6th day of February, 1803. My father emigrated
to Kentucky about the year 1785. He was from Pennsylvania and my
mother from Maryland. I have no traditions of the Revolution
connected with my family.
I emigrated from Kentucky to
Clay County, Missouri, in 1852, and have resided here ever since.
I have been a member of the old Baptist Church since 1832. I have
always been a Democrat. I am disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
CALEB W. BAKER.
I was born in Lincoln County,
Kentucky, on the 17th of May, 1801. My father was a native of
Prince Edward County, Virginia, and emigrated to Kentucky at a very
early day.
My grandfather, Caleb Baker,
late of Prince Edward County, Virginia, was a Revolutionary soldier and
was in numerous battles against the British.
I emigrated from Kentucky and
settled in Clay County, Missouri, in 1839, and have lived here ever
since. In politics, I have ever been a Whig. I am a
registered voter.
------------------------------------------
JEREMIAH PEEBLEY.
I was born in Claiborne
County, Tennessee, on the 1st day of January, 1808. My father was
a native of Bottletourt County, and my mother of Washington County,
Virginia.
My grandfathers both on the
paternal and maternal lines were soldiers in the Continental
army. My grandfather Pebley was killed in one of the battles of
the Revolution. My father served under General Jackson at Mobile.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1840, and have lived here ever since. I have always
been a Democrat. I was strictly a union man during the late civil
war, but am disfranchised notwithstanding.
------------------------------------------
Capt. JOHN ECTON.
I was born in Clark County,
Kentucky, on the 7th January, 1803. My father and mother were
both natives of Virginia. He emigrated to Kentucky at an early
day.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1837, and lived here ever since. I was a Whig as
long as a Whig party existed, and since its dissolution I have voted
with the Democracy. I am disfranchised. I have raised nine
children.
------------------------------------------
NATHAN CHANEY.
I was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, on the 6th of July 1791. My father was a native of
Maryland, and emigrated to Kentucky about the year 1785. He was a
soldier in the Continental Army and served the greater part of the
Revolution.
He also served against the
North Western Indians and was severely wounded in St. Clair's
defeat. He only saved his life by hiding himself in the leaves of
a fallen tree, and after night-fall, slipping away.
I was in the War of
1812. I was a private in Col. Dudley's regiment of Kentucky
volunteers and was in his defeat. I was not captured. In
the charge made by Dudley only twenty or thirty of us got back to Fort
Meigs.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, about the year 1821 and have made my home here ever
since. I have been married twice and have raised sixteen
children. I have fifteen children now living. I believe I
have reared all my children to be honest men and women.
I have always been a Jackson
Democrat and strictly loyal to the government. I now act with the
Radical party. I am a voter.
------------------------------------------
ANDREW MEANS.
I was born in Randolph County,
North Carolina, on the 23rd of March, 1791. My wife was born near
Bean's Station, S.W. Virginia, October 15th, 1791.
My father, Andrew Means, was a
soldier in the Continental army during the greater part of the
Revolutionary war. He was at the battle of Guilford and served a
good deal of the war in South Carolina. He was once captured by
the British and remained a prisoner for a short time.
I emigrated to Overton County,
Tennessee, in 1808. I was under General Jackson in the Battle of
the "Horse-Shoe". I was a private in Col. Copeland's regiment of
Tennessee Volunteers. I emigrated to Missouri in 1817 and settled
in Howard County above old Franklin.
In 1821, I removed to Clay
County, and have resided here ever since. I have always been a
Jackson Democrat. I have had 11 children - five girls and six
boys - and all are now living. Of all my descendants, only one
has departed from the Democratic faith.
I have never violated a law of
the State where I lived or of the United States in my life, yet the
registrars refused to register me as a voter.
I have preserved my mental and
physical powers to an unusual degree. I have this year attended
my own crop, and ploughed all day last Wednesday. I am living on
the first piece of land I ever owned. My wife is still living -
is in full possession of her faculties and health - and attends to all
necessary household duties.
------------------------------------------
ARTHUR T. TAUL.
I was born in Clark County,
Kentucky, on the 2nd of October 1800. My father was a native of
Maryland and my mother of Kentucky.
My grandfather on the maternal
side was a brother of Daniel Boone. My ancestors emigrated to
Kentucky with Daniel Boone. My grandfather assisted in the
recapture of Boone's daughter and Edmund Callaway's daughter when they
were stolen by the Indians at Boonesborough.
My grandfathers on the
paternal and maternal lines were both in the Continental army during
the Revolution. My uncles, Col. Micah Taul and Capt. Thomas
Cofer, were both in the War of 1812.
I settled in Clay County,
Missouri, in 1850 and have lived here ever since. I was always a
Whig. I was opposed to secession and strictly a Union man during
the Civil War.
I was registered in 1866, but
in 1868 was disfranchised because I refused to administer the "oath of
loyalty" to jurors in trials before me as a Justice of the Peace.
------------------------------------------
JOSEPH S. SIMMS.
I was born in Stafford County,
Virginia, on the 22nd of December 1805. My father, Richard Simms,
was a soldier in the Continental Army during the Revolution, and served
three years. He was at Valley Forge, and in the battles of
Brandywine and Stony Point. I had two brothers in the War of
1812.
I settled in Clay County,
Missouri, in 1829 and have lived here ever since. I was always a
Whig. I have always been a Union man. The registrars never
asked me another question after I told them I was from Stafford County,
Virginia, but disfranchised me straightway.
------------------------------------------
JAMES M. MORRIS.
I was born in Mason County,
Kentucky, on the 3rd of January 1810. My father was a native of
Essex County, New Jersey. My mother was a native of Stafford
County, Virginia.
My grandfather on my mother's
side was in the Continental Army during the Revolution, and was at the
siege of Yorktown. Washington and his army encamped for some days
on my grandfather's, David Morris's farm in Essex County, New
Jersey. My father was in the War of 1812 and was on the staff of
General Desha.
I settled in Clay County,
Missouri, in 1849 and have lived here ever since. I was always a
Whig. I am disfranchised, but believe I am entitled to
registration.
------------------------------------------
GEORGE B. LINGENFELTER.
I was born in Fayette County,
Kentucky, on the 19th of September, 1806. My father was a native
of Maryland, and my mother of Culpepper County, Virginia.
My maternal grandfather, John
York, of Culpepper County, Virginia, was a soldier in the Continental
Army during the entire Revolution and was at the siege of
Yorktown.
I settled in Clay County,
Missouri, in 1826, and have lived here, with exception of the period
extending from 1832 to 1852, ever since. I was a Whig
always. I am disfranchised. (Note: from 1832 to 1852, he
lived in Clinton County, Missouri.)
------------------------------------------
THOMAS SLAUGHTER.
I was born in mercer County,
Kentucky, on the 18th of April 1803. My father, Jesse Slaughter,
was a native of Culpeper County, Virginia. He emigrated to
Kentucky about the year 1795. My mother was a native of Caroline
County, Virginia.
My father was too young for
service in the Revolutionary struggle and his father too old. My
father's brother, Charles Slaughter, was a soldier in the Continental
Army throughout the war.
My father's cousin, Capt.
Philip Slaughter, (living in 1844) of Culpeper County, Virginia, served
with much distinction throughout the entire war.
Two of my brothers were in the
War of 1812. My uncle, Col. Gabriel Slaughter, late of Mercer
County, Kentucky, commanded a regiment at the battle of New
Orleans.
I came to Clay County,
Missouri, in 1826. In 1847, I removed to Andrew County, Missouri,
and in 1865, returned to Clay County.
I have always been a Whig, and
my fathers were Whigs before me. I have been a member of the old
Baptist Church thirty-seven years. I am disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
GEORGE W. MADDEN.
I was born in Washington
County, Virginia, in 1804; moved to Tennessee when but a boy, and in
1846, moved to Clay County, Missouri, and have been a citizen ever
since.
I have been a Union man all my
life and am yet. I never lost but one vote given for president,
and that was for Douglas. Disfranchised.
Liberty Tribune, September 23,
1870.
------------------------------------------
M. M. ROBANETT.
I was born in Bourbon County,
Kentucky, in 1809; moved to Illinois in 1818, and in 1868 moved to Clay
County, Missouri. A Jackson Democrat opposed to succession.
------------------------------------------
JAMES F. SCOTT.
I was born in Harrison County,
Kentucky, January 27th, 1798. I removed from there to Clay
County, Missouri, in the year 1854.
My father was a Revolutionary
soldier for five years without compensation, other than the heritage of
liberty left his children.
I was always a Whig while
there was a party. I am now a Democrat. I have been
disfranchised without any cause known to myself - other than being a
Democrat.
------------------------------------------
LEONARD BRASFIELD, JR.
I was born in Prince William
County, Virginia, a few miles northwest of what is since known as the
Bull Run Battleground, on the first day of June, 1800.
I was left an orphan boy in
1816, and traveled to Kentucky with an orphan brother in 1818. I
removed from Woodford County, Kentucky, to Clay County, Missouri, in
the fall of 1830.
I have paid tax and worked
roads forty years in Clay County. I don't owe at this time any
man a dollar. I formerly voted the Whig ticket, but I am now
disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
ELISHA MAJORS.
I was born in "Birk" County,
North Carolina in 1804; moved to Kentucky in 1813; moved to Missouri in
1837, and settled in the northeast corner of Clay County, and I am now
living on the same farm I first settled.
I am a Democrat, and believe
in the Government as our fathers made it, and for no other sauce than
that, I know of, I am now disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
VICTOR M. TULEY.
I was born in Jefferson
County, Kentucky, December 31st, 1807. Moved to Howard County,
Missouri, 1842, and to Clay County, Missouri, in 1845.
My father was in the War of
1812, under Harrison, and in the battles of Tippecanoe and River
Raisin. Have been a Democrat all my life. Have raised 8
children.
------------------------------------------
WILLIAM NORTHERN.
I was born in Wilkes County,
North Carolina, in 1795. I moved to Kentucky in 1810, and to Clay
County, Missouri, in 1855. My grandfather was a soldier in the
Continental Army.
In politics, I have ever been
a Whig, but act at present with the Democratic party. I am
disfranchised and without cause.
------------------------------------------
REUBEN SEARCY.
I was born June 30th, 1799, in
South Carolina, Union District, moved to Kentucky in 1814, and to
Missouri in 1850.
I united with the Baptist
Church in 1819, and was ordained a minister of the gospel in
1840. I have always voted the Democratic ticket. My first
vote I cast for General Jackson.
------------------------------------------
BENJAMIN RICKETTS.
"Mr. R. H. Miller" - In reply
to your public solicitation, I make the following statements.
I was born in Jessamine
County, Kentucky, July 29th, 1801. I was raised to farming and
have followed it ever since. I emigrated to Missouri in 1831 and
settled in Clay County, were I now live; always made it a point to do
good in preference to harm.
Have served the community with
whom I have lived in various petty civil offices; part of which was
Trustee of Common Schools, thirty odd years; Justice of the Peace, ten
years; Justice of the County Court, four years.
I have always been a Whig in
politics; cast my first vote for President Henry Clay. I am a
voter at present.
------------------------------------------
EBENEZER TITUS.
I was born in Augusta County,
Virginia, on the 11th April 1782. My forefathers were a stiff
necked, and rebellious people when their rights and liberties were
invaded.
They fought against Great
Britain seven years for their independence, in which my uncle, George
Mathews, was conspicuous. He was an officer during the war, taken
prisoner, but in what battle I know not.
After the war was over, he
emigrated to the State of Georgia, was there elected Governor, and held
that office when that State ratified the Constitution of the United
States and signed his name to it.
My father emigrated to
Kentucky in 1782. he built the first water mill that was ever
built in Madison County. About this time he joined the Separate
Baptists - continued with them until 1800, when the union took place
between the regular and separate Baptists, which took place at the big
meeting house in Madison County, Kentucky. I was present and
heard the terms of union agreed upon.
Shortly after the union took
place, about 700 of the Separate Baptists withdrew from the
union. A great many of them embraced the doctrine of Arius and
Sebeineous. My father continued in the union and from the time he
first embraced religion, his time was partly spent in beseeching and
praying the people where God in his providence cast his lot, to be
reconciled to God, and to seek the Lord while he might be found and to
call upon him while he was near. He died in Howard County,
Missouri, on the 23rd of April, 1838.
I joined the United Baptist in
1818; have been both Clerk and Deacon until the infirmity of old age
forbid.
In 1824 I emigrated to
Missouri, lived in Howard County, 18 years; then moved to Ray County in
1842 - lived there until 1869, when I lost my beloved and ever
affectionately remembered companion.
I then divided my household
and kitchen furniture and part of my land between my children. I
now live with my son-in-law, John McCorkle, and my daughter
Elizabeth.
If the illustrious dead
participate with the concerns of this world, I invoke the shade of my
venerable departed father and uncle to look down with scrutiny on the
conduct of their disfranchised son and nephew, and see if he ever has
departed from rectitude which was their good pleasure to instill into
his youthful mind, or if he ever hesitated to support, defend and
protect the Government which they fought seven years to
establish.
I was a old line Whig, but
shall henceforth vote with the Democrats if permitted.
------------------------------------------
ALEXANDER HARDWICK.
I was born April 16th, 1803,
in Halifax County, Virginia, moved to Missouri in 1823, and to Clay
County in 1824, and have been a citizen ever since.
I helped to cut out the first
State road through Clay County. I am now 67 years old, but not
allowed to vote.
------------------------------------------
FREDERICK MILLER.
I was born in Stokes County,
North Carolina, July 6th, 1787; moved to Clay County, Missouri, in the
spring of 1837; and have lived in Clay County 33 years.
I was a volunteer in the War
of 1812, and my father before me was a soldier under General Washington
in the Revolutionary War, and fought for our liberty. I am now 83
years old and not allowed to vote.
------------------------------------------
EMSLEY CRAVENS.
I was born in Randolph County,
North Carolina, September 17th, 1801; moved to Missouri in 1822.
I served in the Mormon War. I am disfranchised.
------------------------------------------
GEORGE B. FINLEY.
I was born in Guilford County,
North Carolina, May 15th, 1792. I was a volunteer in 1812.
I moved to Clay County, Missouri, in 1831, and have lived here ever
since. Difranchised.
------------------------------------------
JOHN PARSONS.
I was born in Wilkes County,
North Carolina, November 17th, 1792; moved to Tennessee when
young. I served a campaign under General Jackson against the
Creek Indians in 1812.
I moved to Missouri in 1834,
and settled in Clay County. I have always been a Democrat and am
one yet.
------------------------------------------
CHARLES SAMPLES.
I was born in Russell County,
Virginia, November 19th, 1792; moved to Kentucky in the spring of 1815,
and in the fall of 1840, moved to Missouri.
I am now 78 years old, and
have been a citizen of Missouri for 30 years, but not allowed to vote.
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This page was last updated November 13,
2012.
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