John
Kasey’s Journal, Part V
Contributed by Pam Kasey
2921 Halleck Rd.,
Morgantown, WV 26508
(Continued from Fall 2007
Issue, pp. 144-148)
Editor’s
note: This is the conclusion of the journal kept by John
Kasey of Bedford County, Virginia and Breckinridge County, Kentucky. When we left John in the Fall issue, he had
just arrived in Breckinridge County and on the 19th of December 1839
he had been visiting with his brother, James S. Kasey. James had lived in Kentucky for several
years already. This time we find John
continuing his remarks about that visit.
In the rest of John’s journal he seems to summarize the dates at the
top of each page. Remember that there
was no punctuation in John’s journal, and the editor has inserted periods and
other punctuation where it was felt they were needed for clarity. The actual images of these pages can be seen
on the Breckinridge County website. www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/ky/breckinridge. May John and all his deceased family rest
in peace.
p. 52
At top of page were these dates placed across the top of
the page:
20 Decr 21st 22_23_ 25_ 26
With the
country and has a hous with a stone chimney and a kitchen, 2 tobacco houses
& a stable and about 22 acres of land in tendance thence to Wms which I
caul my home and staid all night. 21 thence by John Dowels to a warrant
trying & a Mr. Johnson & a Mr. Kinchelow had a suit and Kinchelow outed
Johnson. From thence went to Aunt
Hannahs. Found all well staid all night
22 both days at Aunts. Nothing
strange that day. Lemuel Dent came there and staid all night. 23rd Left to come home and
worked on a table. 24th
went hunting. 25th
went hunting & at Dick’s. 26, went
to the Big Spring to Meeting. Sevices
by John O’Banion. Text 7 Chapter St.
John & 37 verse, a very good sermon. Tolerable congregation and ground mudy. The young men rushed about after the girls in stile. I was introduced to a Miss Wintersmith by
Thomas Kasey and she was verry ugly.
From thence to John Bewleys and staid all night. 27th from thence to
Christopher Bewleys, decd's old place to see a settlement of the estate and I
was chosen by Turner Roberts to represent his part in the settlement and we
commenced settling the estate between the legate.
P.53
Decr. 27th 1839
& had
a considerable trouble with Christopher & Kimble Bewley who it appeared
wished to cover all the estate by claims but their claims was rejected and both
was brought in debt and we as rafferees [sic] found belonging to the estate
besides what had been sold 300 acres of land in Ky and 150 acres in Va. which
was decreed to be sold by David Hurendon who was appointed commissioner to sell
and convey the said land. In the course
of the investigation it appeared that Christr. & Kimble swore hard and that
Kimble had been guilty of forging the decedent=s
name. At least publick opinion was
against him. We continued to set on the case from the time we commenced except
a short intermission to eat till near day on the 28th in the
morning, thence to John Bewley=s and got
breakfast. Then to Williams and then to
Singletons and staid all night. About dark while at Singeltons was taken iwth a
spitting of blood which came from the left lobe of the lungs but felt well and
experienced no pain from the flow of blood.
It ceased to flow after 2 or 3 hours.
Rested well the balance of the
p. 54
(across top of page were these
two dates) Decr. 31 1840 Jany 12
night
& felt well next day. Returned to
William’s. 29th felt
well and went to bed and about 3 o’clock AM was taken again with spitting blood
and it continued ½ hour and then ceased partially and now the 30(th) and harty
and feel well. I think the cause of the
flow of blood was setting up settling Bewley’s estate and think I took cold. 30th Had a settlement with Father
and on settlement he owed me $215 and some cents for which I took his bond
& Wm. and all owed Father about $115.
On 31st, Singelton & Father settled and Father owed
Singelton $20.16, and had paid for the
Wilson Meador tract of land and he took Singelton’s rect. for the money &
and to make him a deed to the land. I
paid Singelton for Father $71- & some cents for which I took Father’s
bond. 1840, Jany 12. Well as common-nothing has transpired since
my last notes this day week past was at Serberly Meeting house. Several persons there. Olbertson held services & had taken his
text before I got to meeting. Saw a
Miss Hardaway a very pretty girl. On
the 9th rented Lucy Dowell’s place for 12 months at $50-$30 to be
paid in work & $20 in money. The 11th
was at the Big Spring.
P. 55
1840 Jany
12 Febr. 5th
but
nothing strange . Saw Wm. Yates and he
says he is going to VA next fall and will see Uncle Thos on act. of his
bond. Saw John C. Meador on a/c of Wm.
Holleys order and Meador said he had got the nag that Holey claimed but
considered it belonged to his mother and that when there was any person
regularly authorised to receive he was ready to pay and if his sister could
show that the mare was his he was ready to pay for the nag. Got 1 of Father=s axes
apart 1/6 nothing more but rote a letter to Edward C. Jones the the 30 Decr.
& 1st of Jany 1840. Febr.
5, well as usual since my last notes been generally at home . The weather intencely cold and nothing in
the way of farming could be done. Was at court last court a good many
people. I bought a linnen wheel $4 and
chopping axe, $2 at the sale of Christr. Bewley’s. Land sold for $5 per acre.
Started to Louisville, KY the 25th and got here the 27th,
a considerable place the houses low.
Saw several steam boats laying at the warf frozed up . Bought several things for farming and house
keeping and returned the 31 Decr..see mem. book....furniture. (Did not see this page to which he refers)
P. 56
Febr 5 23rd March 8
the weather verry cold part of
the trip and mud one day got home and Billy brought about 3500. Nothing more but been to James’s. The 5th reced. $20 of
Father which he got of Billey. The 3rd
was on a jury at Joseph Bewley’s to try the rite of property.
Febr 23rd. Nothing strange at this time well as common
since the 5th inst. Have
been generally at home and the weather been verry cold and mudy so that nothing
in the way of farmeing could be done of consequence. The 13th started 3 letters to Va, 1 to Sandy & 1
to C.C. Peters & 1 to 82031-J492S and the same day was at Thos. Robertsons
sale & bought a cow for which I amt. to give $10 & brought her on home
the 14th. The 17th
at court and & recd $30 of R. Kasey part pay for his land. (Mud plenty about that time. The 21st Father moved to
Lucy Dowells place been to James Minters all well. Bought 2 pairs chirs at 1/6 (?) 2 horse collars of Thos. Kasey
which I owe for. Yesterday & last
night rain very hard. Nothing
more. Paid Thos Kasey $15. March 8th. Nothing strange since my last notes. All well.
At preaching the 1st at the Big Spring. Revd. Barnet preached , tolerable congregation.
p. 57
1840 March 8th 22nd April 4th
Some excitement the second inst.
Commenced cutting to make rails & this week made about 1200. Weather been verry pretty for some 3 or 4
weeks. Got 2 new ploughs. Spread out flax & c this week. Owe Thos. Kasey at this time $538. I and Father works together and he pays
expenses and he gives me the half of the crop, I pay him $___yearly. Last week saw Edmund McGeorge & Billy
Hanks on their way from Arkansaw State to Va.
Sunday 22nd
March well as usual the last 14 days. Nothing new or strange last Sunday at John Dowells. Finished cutting & huuling rails last
week & put them up this week.
Commenced sowing oats the 17th. Got about 15 bushels sowed.
Weather cold and frosty mornings.
Alexr. M. Kasey to see us. Last
evening rote a letter to T. A. Cobbs about the18th of March stocked the 2 horse
plough yesterday. Sabath morning
all well, finished sowing oats the 1st instant & commenced
breaking corn land the second. Have our
new ground fenced and gettting on tolerable well with our work. Last Sabath was at meeting at the Big
Spring. Good many in attendance at Thos
Cains infare the 25th of March.
Received a letter from A. Kasey, Jr. the 31st March. All well.
P. 58
1840 April 11-22
The 18th but not
much news from Bedford, times hard in Va.
Going today to James S. Kaseys.
April 11 well as
usual cold and high wind with black clouds .
Nothing new since my last notes except James S. wife had a child the 3rd
& it is since dead. Wrote to Va to
A. Kasey, Jr. put in office. 11th,
my cow had a calf the 9th.
Nothing new at this time so no more.
Father & I have made a new proposition about working together, for
me to pay him 35 or 40 dollars for hire & then be equal partners in
expence, crop stock & c. which I am willing to do.
22nd. All well at muster last Saturday large
company, performance tolerable and nothing strange took place. At Aunt Hannahs to meeting (19 Easter Sund)
a good many persons in attendance. Saw
a heep of ladies, got acquainted with a Miss McKance and Miss Hartley went to
Lashwell Jordans’ & from thence to Court on Monday. Large collection of men at court but nothing
new or strange. Then home & John B.
Holland staid with us all night of the 2d April. It has been showry for some time and the people are going to be
late planting corn. Rain today.
P. 59
April 11th 1840- 17
May
All well
nothing new. Rain for some time &
ground wet. Finished planiting corn 6
April.. at Hardinsburg the 9th of May & recd a letter from
Tilghman A. Cobbs and enclosed a copy of a decree of the court at Lynchburg
against Miliner and William Haynes for $1969.06 which Alex. Price & Ursula
his wife & Peter Streel and Polly his wife which they have recovered
against Shearman Cobbs & W. Haynes, Linius Scott and Miliner Haynes which I
have the collection of for the benefit of Tilghman A. Cobbs. Nothing new & strange.
17th, all
well. Nothing strange been to
Cloverport, saw 2 steam boats pass & 2 flat boats pass & 1 store boat
landed, bought 4 wool hats of the store boat at ca 4/6. Bought 2 scythe blades of Flanagan & 1
churn afsd. Returned by the way of
Grosses shop and got a new plough weight.
18th received a letter from E. C. Jones. 14th, all well and gave me great
satisfaction to hear from Va. 19
I wrote to T.A. Cobbs on a/c of his business.
17th, all well nothing new. Wet weather for 4 days.
Planted no tobacco yet. Expect
to plant tomorrow. At meeting Sabath
last at the Big Spring. Barnett preached. Returned home by John Dowells.
P. 60
1840, May 27 --June 2nd-15
Paid
Singetton Kasey $20.16 for a bond he held of Father’s. June 2nd all well &
nothing new. Planted about 10,000
tobacco plants last week & rain today.
At Freedom Friendship Church last Sabbath, large collection of people
& one subject baptised. Buchanan
held service. Got lost going but not
much out of the way. Saw a verry pretty
girl by the name of 716. Took dinner
with Lashwell Jordan & so on home.
Last week at Hardinsburg, bought a vest pattern & pitcher and loaned
V. Daniel $12 for his bond & c. June
15th all well . Rain
today nothing new . Last Saturday at
Brandenburg at a gereat harison festival supposed t be from 1000 to 1500
persons there & built a log cabbin in honour to Harrison a publick dinner
& 3 speaches, 1 from Harrison a1 from a gentleman from Ohio & 1 from
Barnett’s from Indiana. The barbecue
& meeting was orderly & every person appeared to be well pleased and
the company broke up without any accident except one man got considerably burnt
by the fireing of the cannon before they were ready for it , though it is is
thought he will get well and not loose more than one eye.
P. 61
June 16__1840------28
July-8
_____24th
A/c of
the burne. Thence home Saturday night
to meeting at Serberty the 14th.
16th At Hardinsburg.
To get a coat cut out thence home & rain 17th, ground too
wet to plough.
28th, All
well. It has been verry rainy the past
week so that no ploughing of consequence could be done & the season this year
so far has been verry wet. Nothing has
transpired since my last note worthy of note, only 26 & 27 cut our wheat
& oats. Looks fine but some of them
fell down. Today weather pleasant. July 9th all well nothing
strange. Our corn we have laid by. Are over ploughing our tobacco some once
& some three times . Since my last
notes been to meeting occasionally at Hillgrove 4th Sunday in last
month. The people are rough especally
the ladies who look rough in deed.
Dined at Berry Wrights & so home at Hardinsburg. 1st Sunday in July nothing
strange no letters, so home through the rain on that day. July 24, all well, nothing new except
Charles R. Noell in the this country from Va.
He came to see me last Friday, & Saturday went to James=s &
thence home by Singelton=s,
Williams & Albrights & when
p. 62
July 30th Aug
17 1840
we got
home Henry Hardaway to see us. Went to
meeting Sunday to Big Spring then is home & dined at Abr. Mc Cance &
thence home & on to Aunt Hanah=s Sunday
evening. It has been fair for some fiew
days and a good shower of rain would be of service. At Hardinsburg last court.
July 30th all
well. Last Sabath 26th the
Reverend James Taylor Preached Mother=s funeral
at the Big Spring. Text 1st
chapter Nahum & 7th and 8th verces a verry fine
sermon and a large congregation and a very attentive audience . This week rote a letter to Col. Thos Kasey
& one to Anthony Rucker. Finish
today getting up grain. An elegant crop
of oats, I suppose 7000 bushells & about 50 bushels wheat. Charles R. Noell starts to Va this
week. Nothing more of note at Edw.
Hardaway=s last Sunday.
August 17th. All
well since my last notes. Been to Camp
meeting at Friendship, held by the Cumberland Presbyterians, an indifferent
meeting. At Lashwell Jordans and so on
home. People sickly with the bilious
fever. Wm Morgans family very sick, 3
confined at the time. Thomas &
James and many a black girl .William Morgan died the 15th .
P. 63
1840 Aug 19th
He died after a 11 day
confinement. and was interred the 16th. Singeltons Kasey’s wife verry sick, taken about the 12th
instant. At court yesterday & received a letter from C.C. Peters and one
from E.C. Jones which gave me great satisfaction to hear from my old friends
and acquaintances. Commenced hauling
logs for to build a tobacco house.
Today rote a letter & started it yesterday to T. A. Cobbs on a/c of
his business. Nothing more. Septr. 22, all well except Vincent
who has the ague and fever, taken 17th.
Several deaths since my last notes.
Capt. Nehemiah Dowell died 13th & Stanley Y. Dowell died
15th, both of congestive fever.
A good many deaths in this country this fall and a great deal of
sickness of fever & ague and fevers.
Been verry busy saveing tobacco and fodder. At court yesterday & administered on the estate of William
Morgan. Been but little about since my
last notes . At camp meeting at
Serberty 12 & 13 Inst. Heap of
people & collection. At Lash
Jordans 20th and staid all night.
Wrote and started a letter to A. Kasey Jr. & 1 to S. Joggin (?)
& Jas. M. Carter the 21st.
Nothing more . Father gone to
Chapman’s sale today.
Nov. 18th 1840 25
Since my
last notes been well & received 1 letter from John Compton, 1 from A. Kasey
Jr. & 1 from Wm & Wm. C. Kasey.
Nothing new from Va. Francis Johnson
to see us the 24 Oct and started to Va the 1st Nov. Went to Wm. Haynes with Johnson & caim
by Millenders Haynes 3 days out. I have been about a good chance since my last
notes to singings & meetings & to one wedding. At Rich Dickinson’s the 5th of Novr.
saw a very pretty girl a Miss Percell.
Was verry well pleased with the wedding & infare at Josiah Caps’s
(?). Been verry busy sowing wheat &
gathering corn. Have gathered 1 field
corn finished making shoes today. Snow
on the ground today & snowing 1st snow. 15th instant I got 2 steers
of Richard Kasey for which we give $28 .
We bought 5 hogs which cost us $13.95 which we hope will make us a
plenty of meat.
Wensday
25, all well.
Received a document from Tighman A. Cobbs & power of attorney &
I (?) to collect money of Milner & Wm Hanes. Went last Sunday to Lashwell Jordans. To court Monday to see Calhoon on Hay(n)es business. Did not see him, to Jordans’ Monday nith.
Tuesday to sale at Grants and bought a sorrel filley, 3 years old for $725 (this
is hard to decipher ??- could be $17.25?).
Today at Dick’s and to John Dowells.
p. 65
Nov 25 1840 to 31st Decr.
2 cattle
for Richard Kasey appraised the steer $17c & the cow at $10. Mrs. Dent returned from Va on Saturday. 21st Nothing of particular note took place from
my last notes till Christmas at Brandburg.
Previous to Christmas & recd. a letter from Joseph Johnson & 1
from John Calhoon. Christmas at
singing 3 days & at Abel Meadors, Wm. Dents, J. Bewleys and Widow
Ross. Saw a good chance of fun and made
a contract with J192 S21d40 which I
hope I never shall regret all well.
1840
[sic] but surely he means 1841
Jany 1st bought a
tract of land of land George Dowell of 350 acres for which I & Father gave
$1800, $300 in hand, $200 to be paid 1st April and $435 1/3 annually
till paid for and get possession the first of March 1842. Been generally well. Striped upwards 2000 obs. tocacco nothing
more.
Jany 28, all
well since my last notes been mostly at home.
Weather been cold and nothing strange taken place. Bought 2 pigs of Jacsson Dowell for 7/6
Finished stripping tobacco 1st or second week of January.
P. 66
1840,[sic],( but surely means 1841)- Jany 26, Febr.
14
Asked for J192 S 21d40 the 19th got licns to
marry.
23rd Expect
to marry 4 February, commenced cutting rails 25. Jany 4 hung up meat.
Feb 14th. All well, married to Jane Meador the 4th
inst at1/2 after 5 o’clock PM. Not many
persons at the marriage. Came home, 5
or 15 with us. We went to Wm.Dents. Staid all night by Abel Meador, Janes father
& home the 7th. 9th,
burnt plant patch, sowed 10th.
Balance week cold. Been makin
loom got the frame together . Wrote a
letter to A. Kasey Jr.. 13th
nothing more but it is cold and snow on the ground.
Febr. 21,
Received a letter from Wm. b. Jones the 16th inst.. Nothing new in
it. Started a letter to A. Kasey Jr.
the 16th. Commenced clearing
on the Carmmmickle place 18 Febr. Burnt
a plant patch the 21st.
Finished making loom the 18th instant. All well & Markus King to see us
tonight.
March 29th. All well except myself. Have had a pain in my left side which has
prevented me from doing any work of consequence for a week but I am in hopes
that I am getting well. Nothing new
since my last notes. Been generally at
home. Got
P. 67
March 29th, 1841
our new
ground cleared and broke up and the new rails put up by the 12th
instant. Commenced sowing oats the 22nd
and are at this time half done breaking up corn land finished sowing tobbacco
seed by the first of March. Ann Ross
and Elizabeth Meador to see us today.
Told the girls about rolling Thos K1s26 in the cow pen. (ed. note.
Nothing else on the last two thirds of this page.)
P. 68 (ed.note-In
a completely different handwriting are the following vital records)
John Kasey Jr. was born on the 9th day of
November
in the year of our Lord 1806
Jn. Kasey departed this life 22d Decr. 1841
Jane Kasey was born 21 April 1821
Mary Jane Kasey daghter [sic] of John Kasey and Jane Kasey
was born 6 Dec
1841.
P. 69 (in John’s handwriting)
List of Bonds & Money Recd.
for Father
1838, 10
Sept, Cash of Thos Martin, Jr. 6.00
“ 1
bond on Wm. Field (pd T J. Boon) 3.75
“
Cash of Thomas Martin .50
“
Cash of Mrs. Peters 1.60
11 Sept.
Cash in horseswapp, Thunder as. .50
12
Sept. “ of A. Rucker for table 5.00
“
“ “ “ “ For fat tub .25
For 3 cows sold in LB 23.50
For 1 fish barrel .25
Cash for 1 pot 1.00
“ for 1 churn .69
Cash of Father .26
At sale 12.29
55.39
Off for bond on Field’s above 03.75
$51.44
All the above included in settlement
made 28th Septr 1838