BARREN

Names of Families in Barren County Wills, Estates, Deeds

Barren County was established in 1798 from land provided by Green County and Warren Counties. Six courthouses have served the county throughout its history, the first built of logs. It was settled by the Scotch-Irish and the county seat is named Glasgow (after Glasgow, Scotland).

Marriages

Barren County Marriages 1850-1854

The Tickler

Kentuckians loved their fairs and markets. But it was the auctioneer who originated stock sales on the open square on market day. Kentucky had its county court days which included legal business at the courthouse followed by fairs and markets and country gentlemen, wearing their broad-brimmed straw hats, would attend and enjoy socializing with their neighbors. When the prosperous Kentucky farmer arose from his bed each morning, he walked out into the porch, stretched himself, and looked at the sun while he awaited breakfast. On the prescribed county court day, his wife also wished to attend, as well as the children. So away they went, the farmer on horseback or in the family carriage. There were many carriages along the roadway, all going to the fair.

Mammoth Cave

Mammoth Cave was discovered about 4,000 years ago and is an underground system which extends for more than 300 miles. It encompasses four Kentucky counties and is open to the public. Perhaps you will not accept it as evidence of progress that so many men will leave their business all over the country for an idle day once a month in town, oftener than once a month; for many who are at the county court in this place today will attend it in another county next Monday. But do not be deceived by the lazy appearance of the streets. There are fewer idlers than in the old. You may think this quiet group of men who have taken possession of a buggy or a curb-stone are out upon a costly holiday. Draw near, and it is discovered that there is fresh, eager, intelligent talk of the newest agricultural implements and of scientific farming.

Swapping Horses

Twentieth-century observers of Kentucky noted the absence of paupers and beggars in the towns. Somehow misfortune and ill-fortune and old age save themselves here from the last hard necessity of asking for alms on the highway. Also, the appearance of Kentuckians could easily lead you to a wrong impression simply because their dress and speech, and manners in the marketplace are not their best equipment. The Kentucky farmer or horseman has always been hard-working.

The Precious Freedoms Won by Our Ancestors

Freedom is a precious heritage won by our Ancestors! But do we really know ourselves? The clues lie within our own DNA. Because you see, we are a composite of those who lived before us. The way that we think, our appearance, spiritual beliefs, and inclinations, all of this is a DNA assemblage of our puzzle of us. To learn some answers about ourselves we must look into the past. Yes, into the lives of those who brought us to this time and place. Discovering our roots is not only fun but surprisingly delightful. The lineage doubles every generation (into the past), which makes for an unlimited resource of ancestors who were part of the histories which we study today. For example, it is easy to trace the lineage back to a Revolutionary War Soldier. Gosh! The pension itself is loaded with information about the battles they fought and the famous officers they served with. You just do not realize this great value, until you read the pension. Then, there are the Civil War Pensions. Of course, the old wills, estates, deeds, and tax digests really open the puzzle to a wonderfully new perspective. The old script used is beautifully executed with a quill and India ink. Some of these documents are simply worth framing!

Auctioning A Jack

The Kentuckian nowadays does not come to the county court to pick a quarrel or to settle one. He has no quarrel. His fist has reverted to its natural use and becomes a hand. Nor does he go armed. The gentlemen in this State no longer derive satisfaction from a fistfight in the marketplace. Also, the three-cornered hat is no longer remembered. Something else has disappeared; the open use of the pioneer beverage. Merchants no longer set it out for their customers because it is no longer the law of hospitality to offer it to a guest. Also, the decanter is no longer found on the sideboard in the home and the barrel is not stored in the cellar.

Barren County wills, Estates, Inventories, Book No. 3, 1828 to 1856

Barren County wills, Estates, Inventories, Book No. 4, 1856 to 1884

Indexes to Probate RecordsWills, Estates, Inventories 1797 to 1819

Wills, Estates, Inventories 1817 to 1829
Wills, Estates, Inventories 1828 to 1856

Barren County Wills, Estates, Inventories, Book No. 1, 1797 to 1819

Barren County wills, Estates, Inventories, Book No. 2, 1817 to 1829