Descendants of Henry Leer

Submitted by John Bircher

Generation No. 1

1. HENRY2 LEER (DAVID1)1,2 was born 1720 in Shiptown, Germany3, and died 25 Aug 1802 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. He married (1) WIDOW WRIGHT. She died Unknown. He married (2) ANNA MARIA UNKNOWN4 17645. She was born WFT Est. 1720-1750 in Germany, and died WFT Est. 1775-1837 in Bourbon County, Kentucky5.

Notes for HENRY LEER:

BIOGRAPHY: ID: I14876

Name: Henry LEER 1 2

Sex: M

Birth: 1720 in Germany 1 2

Death: 1802 in Bourbon County Kentucky 1 2

Note:

[World Family Tree, Volume 40,Tree 1021.ftw]

BIOGRAPHY: According to DAR records in Paris Kentucky, Henry ( Henrich ) Leer ( Lehr ) was a Private in the Revolutionary War of 1812 at the age of 62. He served in Capt. Anthony Salin's (Selm) Company DAR #s --167440, 167441, 350990, 363505, 555254. He was also a member of the Continental Troops of Congress Own Regiment, led by Colonel Moses Hager (Hageris). He enlisted Oct 16, 1782 for the war and was discharged june 17, 1783.

Henrich and his family first settled in Liberty, Frederick, Maryland, finally settled around Stoner Creek Bourbon County, KY by 1785. Bourbon County Court Records have some records on Henrich's estate - they are the last ones.

BIOGRAPHY: Father: David LEHR b: WFT Est. 1669-1698

BIOGRAPHY: Marriage 1 Spouse Unknown

Married: WFT Est. 1739-1770 2

Children

Abraham LEER b: WFT Est. 1742-1785

BIOGRAPHY: Marriage 2 Anna MARIA b: WFT Est. 1720-1750

Married: 1764 1 2

Children

Abraham LEER b: WFT Est. 1742-1785

John LEER b: WFT Est. 1742-1785

Mary LEER b: WFT Est. 1741-1770

David LEER b: 11 JUN 1765 in Frederick County Maryland

Rebecca LEER b: 15 DEC 1765 in Md

Jacob LEER b: 15 JUN 1773

Henry ( Henrich ) Leer ( Lehr ) was a Private in the Revolutionary War of 1812 at the age of 62. He served in Capt. Anthony Salin's Company DAR #s --167440, 167441, 350990, 363505, 555254. Henrich and his family settled around Stoner Creek KY by 1785

BIOGRAPHY: Subj: DAR Patriot Lookup: Reference Code RPPGZAK

Date: 5/26/2002 6:06:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time

A search of our Patriot Index provided the information found below.

BIOGRAPHY: LEAR, Henry

Birth: PA 1718-20

Service: PA

Rank: Pvt

Death: KY 25 Aug 1802

Patriot Pensioned: No Widow Pensioned: No

Children Pensioned: No Heirs Pensioned: No

Spouse: (1) Anna X

BIOGRAPHY: Excerpt from William Perrin's

"History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison & Nicholas Counties"

On the east side of the Stoner, one of the earliest settlers was Henry Leer, who came here from Virginia, but was originally from Holland. He settled among the very earliest, locating on the land now owned by his grandson David Leer. His son Daniel succeeded him, and he, in turn, was succeeded by his son David, who now owns the place as above stated, it having been in the family ever since its original purchase.

We know that Henry Leer, Sr. died intestate. On the 25th day of August 1802, his son Jacob Lear was again appointed to sell the Maryland property by the widow Ann Lear, and her children Abraham, David, Mary, John, and Rebvecca, with the Latter's husband Aaron Smedley.

BIOGRAPHY: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Vol.3, p. Serial: 8848; Volume: 5 lists gravesite of Henry Leer as Old Cemetary, Hinton home, Pleasant St, Bourbon Co KY 27

BIOGRAPHY: Kenney Database & Pat Gibbs

AKA Henrich Lier/Lehr/Lear, said to be the son of David Lehr and first wife.

Henry Leer first purchased land in Frederick County, MD in 1765. The old Leer graveyard was recently cut in half by a division of the farm and Courtland moved their tombstones to his yard. (9//27/1928, in a letter written by Corday Leer Buckley, Pat Gibbs).

BIOGRAPHY: Personal visit to Paris, Kentucky Cemetary on 9/2/2005 by John Bircher verified that the gravestone of Henry Leer had been moved from the Old Dutch Graveyard to the Paris Cemetary and is located next to the gravestones of David & Charlotte Leer.

BIOGRAPHY: From an article published in The Kentuckian-Citizen newspaper, Paris, Kentucky, in two parts on August 31, 1943 and September 7, 1943. Sponsored by the Jemima Johnson Chapter, DAR in Paris, Kentucky and written by Corday Leer Buckley.

The name Leer is a variant of Lear and this name has traced back to De Leyre, a Celtic word meaning “of the sea.” In Gaelic, it is spelled Lear and in Welch, Liyr. The name is variously spelled Lear, Lehr, Lire, Lohr, Loehr, Lare, Leehr, and Lahar. The first record of the family that we have is from the Hundred Rolls of Leicester County, dated 1273, which concerns William De Leyre. William De Leure, son of William De Leyre, who was buried in the parish church of Great Brumleye, Tuesday after the Feast of the Holy Trinity, 13 June 1367. 40 Edward III.

The Columbia Encyclopedia gives the earliest information concerning this family which is as follows:

“Lear, English legendary king, supposed descendant, through Locrine and Brut, of Aenaes of Troy. Probably originating in early Celtic mythology, the story of Lear and his three daughters was accepted as authentic history from the 12th to the 17th century. Geoffrey of Monmouth claimed to have translated the story from old British records, and succeeding historians and authors perpetuated it. It is best known as the subject of one of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies, King Lear, produced in 1606.”

The Leers came in the very early days from England and many of them were Quakers. Like many co-religionists, certain objections to their religion caused them to emigrate to various countries where they could exercise freedom of thought and speech and so the different members of the family landed in America, some in Virginia, others in Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New England.

The Leer family furnished many men who held high positions in the Colonies. Lieutenant Colonel John Lear was a member of the Governor’s Council of Virginia. John, Thomas, and Major David Leare were burgesses of Nansemond County, Virginia. Tobias Lear served as Washington’s secretary. George Lear was Attorney General of Pennsylvania. One of the first emigrants to Virginia was Thomas Leer, age 18 years, who came aboard the Constance, October 24, 1635. Hotten gives the following information, “in a list of owners and possessors of land, hired servants and apprentices, bought servants and negroes in ye parish of St. Michaels – Thomas Leer 234 acres of land, two hired servants; eighteen bought servants, and one hundred and sixty negroes.”

The arms of the Lear family, as given by Burke and others, is Azure, a fease raguly between unicorn’s heads erased. Crest: two hands issuing from clouds, grasping trunk of an oak tree.

The first of the Leer family to come to Kentucky was Henry Leer, who was of the Southern branch of the family. He sold land in Frederick County, Maryland after the Revolutionary War. He served his country in this great struggle as a member of the Continental Troops of Congress’ own Regiment, which was lead by Colonel Moses Hager.

Henry Leer did not dispose of all his property in Maryland before coming to Kentucky because in 1797 he gave his son, Jacob Leer, the following power of attorney with the authority “to transact all my business of every kind whatsoever in the State of Maryland, but more particularly to sell a house and lot in the town of Liberty, in the County of Frederick, in the state aforesaid. I do by these presents authorize my said attorney to sell the house and lot and make and execute deed or deeds for the same in my name and to receive all debts due or which may become due in the state aforesaid; to commence suits in my name and give acquittals for all moneys which he may receive.” This Letter of Attorney was signed Henry Leer, Sr. and witnessed by David Leer and Aaron Smedley and recorded in the books of the Bourbon County Court House.

In book 8, page 349 of Frederick County Deeds recorded in Land Office at Annapolis, Maryland a deed dated June 2, 1807 shows the transfer of property in that county to Ellis Hart by Ann Lear, David Lear, Jacob Lear, Aaron Smedley, and Rebecca his wife, Abraham Lear and Nancy, his wife, John Lear and Catherine, his wife, and Thomas Humphrey and Mary, his wife, heirs-at-law and representatives of Henry Lear deceased, all of Bourbon County, Commonwealth of Kentucky."

SOURCE: Two part series on the Leer Family of Bourbon County, sponsored by the Jemima Johnson Chapter, D.A.R, written by Corday Leer Buckley, and published in The Kentuckian-Citizen, Paris, Kentucky on August 31, 1943 and September 7, 1943.

"FIRST CENSUS" OF KENTUCKY 1790

[p.1] HISTORY OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES CENSUS OF KENTUCKY

[p.5] Kentucky Counties in 1790

page 58

Leer, Henery Bourbon 3/ /1791

More About HENRY LEER:

Burial: Unknown, Old Dutch Graveyard, Paris, Kentucky - Old Cemetery, Hinton home, Pleasant St, Bourbon Co KY 27

Notes for ANNA MARIA UNKNOWN:

Tradition has it that Anna was either German or from Holland because she could only read her Bible in Dutch. (Judith Brumm)

More About HENRY LEER and ANNA UNKNOWN:

Marriage: 17645

Children of HENRY LEER and ANNA UNKNOWN are:

i. ABRAHAM3 LEER, d. Unknown; m. NANCY MORRIS, 19 Nov 1805, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. Unknown.

Notes for ABRAHAM LEER:

BIOGRAPHY: He served in the War of 1812, settled in Illinois

More About ABRAHAM LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About NANCY MORRIS:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About ABRAHAM LEER and NANCY MORRIS:

Marriage: 19 Nov 1805, Bourbon County, Kentucky

2. ii. JOHN LEER, b. 1780, Fayette, KY, USA; d. Unknown.

iii. MARY LEER, d. Unknown; m. THOMAS HUMPHREY; d. Unknown.

More About MARY LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About THOMAS HUMPHREY:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

iv. DANIEL LEER, d. Unknown.

Notes for DANIEL LEER:

"An inventory of the estate of Daniel Leer was taken on March 14, 1800 in bourbon county. He must have died in that County although his lands were in Augusta County, Virginia. His brother Jacob and his mother Ann were granted letter of administration of his estate."

"The Leers were probably in Bourbon County when it was a part of Fayette because in Perrin’s history it is stated that they assisted in building the first Court House of Bourbon County. It was a frame building 32 x 20 and was replaced after twenty years by a more commodious one."

“The first church edifice in Bourbon County is believed to have been old Mt. Gilead Methodist Church known as Matheny’s Meeting House. The members were strict and believed not in gaudy geegaws or fashionable toggery with which we ornament our church pews at present. The male members of the church wore their coats without collars and buttoned up to their necks like a little boy’s jacket. Their sisters dressed correspondingly plain. An incident is still remembered which illustrates the strict propriety in dress maintained in this church. A Miss Leer wore a bombazine bonnet to church one Sunday which was beautifully quilted and elegantly fixed up – in a word was a perfect love of a bonnet. But the minister did not think so. He watched for an opportunity, snatched it from her head and casting it upon administered a scathing rebuke upon the ungodly extravagance of dress.” Perrin’s History, page 88. Daniel Leer was the first class leader and acted in that capacity for years at Matheny’s Meeting House. So, one wonders if the Miss Leer, mentioned above, was his kinswoman."

3. v. REBECCA LEER, b. 15 Dec 1765, Maryland; d. 16 Jul 1828, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

4. vi. DAVID LEER, SR., b. 11 Jun 1769, Liberty, Frederick County, MD; d. 06 Aug 1852, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

5. vii. JACOB LEER, b. 15 Jun 1773; d. Unknown.

Generation No. 2

2. JOHN3 LEER (HENRY2, DAVID1)6 was born 1780 in Fayette, KY, USA6, and died Unknown. He married CATHERINE CASSELL 14 Sep 1805 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. She died Unknown.

Notes for JOHN LEER:

BIOGRAPHY: Family moved to Palmyra MO (See marion County, MO). in 1830

More About JOHN LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About JOHN LEER and CATHERINE CASSELL:

Marriage: 14 Sep 1805, Bourbon County, Kentucky

Child of JOHN LEER and CATHERINE CASSELL is:

6. i. MARY ANN4 LEER, d. Unknown.

3. REBECCA3 LEER (HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 15 Dec 1765 in Maryland, and died 16 Jul 1828 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. She married AARON SMEDLEY. He was born 04 Apr 1764 in Pennsylvania, and died 30 Jun 1836.

Notes for AARON SMEDLEY:

Aaron Smedley build the first house with a shingle roof in Paris, Kentucky.

Child of REBECCA LEER and AARON SMEDLEY is:

7. i. AARON4 SMEDLEY, b. 25 Jul 1794, Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 07 Sep 1863, Paris Cemetary, Bourbon County Kentucy.

4. DAVID3 LEER, SR. (HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 11 Jun 1769 in Liberty, Frederick County, MD, and died 06 Aug 1852 in Bourbon County, Kentucky7. He married ELIZABETH WRIGHT 02 Dec 1794 in Frederick County, MD8, daughter of WILLIAM WRIGHT and MARTHA MEADE. She was born 11 Dec 1770 in Berkeley County, Virginia, and died 27 Mar 1844 in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Notes for DAVID LEER, SR.:

BIOGRAPHY: SOURCE: Two part series on the Leer Family of Bourbon County, sponsored by the Jemima Johnson Chapter, D.A.R, written by Corday Leer Buckley, and published in The Kentuckian-Citizen, Paris, Kentucky on August 31, 1943 and September 7, 1943.

"David Leer, son of Henry and Ann Maria Leer, was born in Frederick County, Maryland on June 11, 1769 and was baptized in St. Benjamin or Kreider’s Reformed Church in that county on June 10, 1770 as David Lier, son of Henrich Lier and wife Anna Maria. Jacob Cassell was sponsor. David Leer came to Kentucky with his parents and on December 2, 1794 he married Elizabeth Wright born in Virginia, daughter of William and Martha Wright. Their marriage bond was issued on the 28th day of November, 1794 by Thomas Reeder, clerk of Bourbon County and was signed by David Leer and John Wright who was her brother. They were married December 2, according to their Bible record. In 1808, David Lear and Elizabeth, his wife, deeded to “John McCann a certain part of a lot of ground lying in the town of Paris and County of Bourbon situated on Mulberry Street, lying between Main Street and Pleasant Streets lying on the Southeast side of the aforesaid street and known and distinguished on the general plan of said town by number (14) fourteen to be laid off on the South end of the said lot and fronting Mulberry Street sixty-two feet and three inches.” This deed is attested by William Garrard, Jr. C.B.C."

"On the twelfth day of January 1808, David Leer and Elizabeth, his wife, Jacob Lear and Nancy, his wife, convey to Abraham Latimore the other part of Lot Fourteen, which faced Pleasant Street. On January 12, 1808 David Leer and Elizabeth, his wife, and Jacob Leer and Nancy, his wife, of the County of Bourbon convey to Thomas Otway Allen a certain half lot lying and being in the town of Paris and on Main Street of said town and know in the plan of said town by number fourteen measuring on said Main Street sisty-six feet and measuring back a hundred seven and a quarter feet."

"There are numerous other transfers of land about these dates, on of which is especially interesting because in a memorandum at the end of the deed it says “The land described in this deed made to said David Lear, the twenty-fifth day of June 1800, and ordered to be recorded but by some mistake or defect in said deed it was found necessary to make a new deed for the same land.” This was land bought from John Allen and Jane, his wife, lying on the waters of Stoner."

"David Leer and his wife Elizabeth died and were buried on their farm about two and one half miles from Paris on the Maysville Pike. Their tombstones remained there many years until the farm passed into the possession of others and then these markers were moved elsewhere for safe keeping. The inscriptions on these tombstones read:

Elizabeth, wife of David Leer

Born Dec. 11, 1770

Died March 27, 1844

David Leer

Born June 11, 1769

Died August 6, 1852"

"The will of David Leer made August 18, 1849 ws probated in the September term of Court 1852 with Thomas W. Shepherd and Henry Leer as witnesses."

BIOGRAPHY:

Bourbon County Census of 1850

1.Lists David Leer as having been born in 1778 in MD. Noone else listed in same household so wife must have already died.

2. Lists Henry Leer, 53 and wife as Sally, 48

-Andrew, 20

-Mary A., 16

-William H., 11

-Lucinda J., 9

3. Lists James H., 28 (Poss son of Henry) and wife Malinda J., 23

= Mary E., 3

4. Lists David Leer, 47 and wife Charlotte C., 40

-Elizabeth M. 17

-Charles C., 15

-James M., 8

-Hannah, 40 (poss. sister?)

BIOGRAPHY:

"David Leer was a delicate man all his life but the care of a devoted wife kept him here until his 83 years....Our David Leer was the first leader of Matheny's Meeting house, the first church in Bourbon, KY. It was very strict - much like Quakers. (Letter from Corday Leer Buckley) He finally left the church over the slavery question. I have heard my grandmother tell the story. You will notice in his will, he frees all his slaves. That was long before the civil wars. (I have the will of David Leer Sr. made on 18 August 1849 and proved on 6 September, 1852. He was the one who freed his slaves." SOURCE: Pat Gibbs, descendant of William Leer, in 1997)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"FIRST CENSUS" OF KENTUCKY 1790

[p.1] HISTORY OF THE FIRST UNITED STATES CENSUS OF KENTUCKY

[p.5] Kentucky Counties in 1790

page 58

Leer, David Bourbon 3/ /1791

More About DAVID LEER, SR.:

DAR Member: 167440-A-214

Identifier Number: I14852

Record Change: 25 May 2002

More About ELIZABETH WRIGHT:

Record Change: 26 Apr 2002

More About DAVID LEER and ELIZABETH WRIGHT:

Marriage: 02 Dec 1794, Frederick County, MD8

Children of DAVID LEER and ELIZABETH WRIGHT are:

i. PATSY4 LEER, b. 08 Sep 1795; d. 27 Jan 1823; m. THOMAS WRIGHT, 22 Sep 1821; d. Unknown.

More About PATSY LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About THOMAS WRIGHT:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About THOMAS WRIGHT and PATSY LEER:

Marriage: 22 Sep 1821

8. ii. CAPTAIN CAPT. HENRY LEER, b. 02 Mar 1797, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 26 Jun 1871.

9. iii. WILLIAM LEER, b. 22 Jul 1799, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 27 Nov 1877, Grant County, Indiana.

iv. DANIEL LEER, b. 17 Mar 1801, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 1833.

More About DANIEL LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

10. v. JR. DAVID LEER, JR., b. 15 Jan 1803, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 04 May 1885, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

vi. JOHN PARKER LEER, b. 16 Jan 1805; d. Unknown; m. SALLIE LUMIS; d. Unknown.

More About JOHN PARKER LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

vii. SAMUEL SELLERS LEER, b. 19 Aug 1806; d. 23 Sep 1827.

More About SAMUEL SELLERS LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

viii. HANNAH LEER, b. 1810, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. Unknown.

More About HANNAH LEER:

Record Change: 25 May 2002

5. JACOB3 LEER (HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 15 Jun 1773, and died Unknown. He married NANCY MASSEY 20 Sep 1795 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. She was born 04 Aug 1776, and died Unknown.

Notes for JACOB LEER:

Jacob Leer taught school in Fayette County we learn from this advertisement in the Kentucky Gazette of January 8, 1791. “Tis mere necessity that makes it requisite to request that all those indebted to me for schooling, books, etc. to pay it on or before the 20th day of this month. Those complying will much oblige their humble servant, Jacob E. Lehre.”

Jacob, together with his brother David and brother-in-law Aaron Smedley contributed to the Kentucky Academy and those names are on the files now preserved in Transylvania College.

KENTUCKY STATE MARKER (Marker Number: 753)

Site of 1792 Church

County: Bourbon

Location: 3 mi. N. of Paris, US 68

Description: Built of two-foot blue ash logs as home by Daniel Matheny, 1790. With Jacob Leer as class leader Mt. Gilead Methodist Society was organized here by Reverend Caleb Jarvis Taylor, author of revival hymns. Members were not allowed to buy slaves except to free them when their labor repaid the cost. Lot deeded for perpetual cemetery in 1878, after the church closed.

From "Kentucky Pioneers and Court Records" by Mrs. Harry Kennett McAdams, Keystone Printery, Lexington, Ky., 1929, pp. 11-12.

BOURBON COUNTY RECORDS (Donated by Mrs. B. F. Buckley, Lexington, Ky.)

ABSTRACT OF COURT ORDER

JACOB LEER-Power of Attorney to Jacob Leer, from Ann, widow of Henry Leer, and other heirs:

"To all to whom these presents shall come we, Aaron Smedley and Rebecca, his wife, David Lear, Abraham Lear, John Lear, Mary Lear and Anne Lear, widow, children and kins of Henry Lear, deceased, all of the county of Bourbon and State of Kentucky, send greeting: Whereas the said Henry Lear in his lifetime was sized and possesed of one lot in the town of Liberty in the state of Maryland, on Main St., with sundry valuable improvements thereon and whereas: the said Henry departed this life intestate, leaving the above named Anne Lear, his widow, and Rebecca who has intermarried with Aaron Smedley, David Lear, Abraham Lear, John Lear and Mary Lear, his children and kins and representatives. Now know ye by the presents that we the said Aaron Smedley and Rebecca his wife, David Lear, Abraham Lear, John Lear, Mary Lear and Ann Lear, have this day for good and valuable considerations is hereunto moving, made, ordained constituted and appointed Jacob Lear, of the aforesid County of Bourbon and State of Kentucky, our true and lawful attorney. for us and in our names to make sale of the aforesaid lot of ground with the improvements thereon and every advantage thereunto pertaining to such person or persons and for such price or sum of money * * * our said attorney * * * per * * * such sale in our names to make and execute * * * deed or deeds of conveyance with such clauses of warranty therein contained as shall be deemed proper for the absolute conveyance thereof and of every part thereof to such purchaser or purchasers, his or their kins or assigns, Hereby ratifying for valid whatsoever, said attorney shall lawfully do or cause to be, the premises by virtue of these presents as; we were personally present and done the same.

In witness thereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals, this 25th day of August one thousand eight hundred and two."

Signed * * * *

Benjamin Williams In presence of: Abraham Lear (Seal)

Benjamin Williams In presence of: David Lear (Seal)

Benjamin Williams In presence of: Anney Leer (Seal)

Benjamin Williams In presence of: Mary Leer (Seal) Aaron Smedley (Seal) John Leer (Seal) Rebecca Smedley (Seal)

Bourbon County Act:

Before the subscriber, a justice of the peace, for the county aforesaid, personally came Benjamin Williams a subscribing witness to the annexed letter of attorney and being duly sworn upon the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, did dispose and say, that Abraham Lear, David Lear, Ann Lear, Mary Lear did severally in his presence acknowledge the said letter of attorney to Jacob Lear to be their act and deed.

Given under my hand this 25th day of August, 1802.

THOMAS HUGHES (Seal)

Kentucky Act:

"I, Thomas Arnold, clerk of the County Court of Bourbon, do certify that Thomas Hughes, Gent, whose signature is annexed to the certificate of probate of the within letter of attorney, was at the time thereof an acting justice of the peace in and for county aforesaid, duly commissioned and sworn, and that to such certificates and official acts, full faith and credit is due and ought to be had and given as well in courts of justice thereout.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my * * and affixed the seal of my office, this 25th day of August, eighteen hundred and two."

THOMAS ARNOLD.

More About JACOB LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About NANCY MASSEY:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About JACOB LEER and NANCY MASSEY:

Marriage: 20 Sep 1795, Bourbon County, Kentucky

Children of JACOB LEER and NANCY MASSEY are:

i. JOHN M.4 LEER, b. 23 Mar 1797; d. 12 Jan 1826.

Notes for JOHN M. LEER:

7. (Folded sheet) Falmouth December 23rd 1817. Note saying that John M. Leer feels for situation, is about to be sworn in as a sheriff of Pendleton county and promises to pay the receiver of the letter shortly. Signed by John M Lee. John M. Leer is the son of Jacob Leer. It is stated that he was not of age at (when he payed?) The written notes to Peers + Todd. $600.48 due in all.

SOURCE: The Valentine Peers Collection was obtained from Serendipity Books Inc. of Berkeley, California. The collection includes papers and documents of a prominent Kentucky family from the Revolutionary War to the Civil War.

More About JOHN M. LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

ii. REBECCA LEER, b. 16 Oct 1798; d. 30 Jan 1846; m. BRYAN; d. Unknown.

More About REBECCA LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

iii. NANCY MASSEY LEER, b. 12 Sep 1800; d. 19 Jul 1883; m. DR. JOHN CHARLES ALBERTI; d. Unknown, 27 Jun 1851.

More About NANCY MASSEY LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

Generation No. 3

6. MARY ANN4 LEER (JOHN3, HENRY2, DAVID1) died Unknown. She married BENJAMIN PYATT. He died Unknown.

Children of MARY LEER and BENJAMIN PYATT are:

i. KATHERINE5 PYATT, d. Unknown.

ii. ELIE PYATT, d. Unknown.

iii. DR. CHARLES LYNN PYATT, d. Unknown.

iv. JAMES CHEANEY PYATT, d. Unknown.

v. BESS PYATT, d. Unknown.

11. vi. JOHN CASSELL PYATT, b. 10 Jan 1843, Missouri; d. Unknown.

7. AARON4 SMEDLEY (REBECCA3 LEER, HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 25 Jul 1794 in Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky, and died 07 Sep 1863 in Paris Cemetary, Bourbon County Kentucy. He married CATHERINE HUGHES, daughter of JESSE HUGHS and PRISCILLA PARKER. She was born in Nicholas County, Kentucky, and died Unknown.

Notes for AARON SMEDLEY:

[BIRCHER.FTW]

[bircher6-19-02.ged]

BIOGRAPHY: History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed. by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882. p. 517. [Bourbon County] [Millersburg Precinct]

BIOGRAPHY: JOHN G. SMEDLEY, merchant; P. O. Millersburg; was born Feb. 20, 1836, to Aaron and Catharine (Hughs) Smedley, she was a daughter of Jesse and Priscilla (Parker) Hughs, both of whom died in Carlisle, the former in 1863, the latter in 1856; Aaron Smedley was born in Paris, Ky., July 25, 1794; died Sept. 7, 1863; he was a son of Aaron, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 4, 1764; died June 31, 1836; his wife was Rebecca Leer; born Dec. 15, 1765, died July 16, 1828; he built the first shingle roof house in Paris. The subject of his sketch is the oldest of Aaron Smedley, Jr.'s children, who were: John G., Wm., who was twice married; first to a Miss Howell, of New York City, afterward to a Miss Burns, of Leavenworth, Kan., now deceased; he resides in Salt Lake City, engaged in mining and the insurance business; Joseph (deceased), married a Miss Jamison, of Paris, and left two daughters: Broadus, residing with his mother, near Hutchinson Station; Elizabeth died in childhood; Aaron, Jr.,

engaged in mercantile business in St. Louis; Catharine was a Mrs. Harry Forrester, who is a merchant in Chicago; John G. remained upon the farm with his parents until fifteen years of age, when he entered the store of G. B. & A. Hale, of Lexington, where he continued until the years 1864-5, when he attended the Baptist College at Georgetown, during the years 1857-8; he was engaged in the mercantile business with Upstill, Pierson & Co., of St. Louis; in February, 1859, he came to Millersburg and entered into partnership in the mercantile business with Mr. J. M. Hughs, County Clerk of Bourbon; this firm still continues, doing the largest business in the village. Mr. Smedley was married Oct. 28, 1862, to Miss Mattie Boulden, daughter of Nathan Boulden; by this marriage there was a son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Maud S., born Oct. 14, 1867; the mother of these died Nov. 22, 1872; he was remarried March 14, 1877, to Mrs. Lizzie Rains, widow of Dr. Rains, of Millesburg; this marriage took place at Jacksonville, Fla., and after traveling through the South, he returned to his business; by this marriage the are two children, viz: Mary, born Dec. 21, 1877; Graham, born Nov. 10, 1879; the mother is a daughter of Jesse Boulden (see history). He is a member of the Baptist Church, she of the Christian; he is a member of the Knights Templar, an enterprising, energetic and prominent man in business circles.

BIOGRAPHY: Smedley Hughs Parker Leer Howell Burns Jamison Forrester Boulden Rains

BIOGRAPHY: Fayette-KY Scott-KY FL PA NY KS UT IL

BIOGRAPHY: http://www.rootsweb.co m/~kygenweb/kybiog/bourbon/smedley.jg2.txt

More About AARON SMEDLEY:

Record Change: 09 Jun 2002

More About CATHERINE HUGHES:

Record Change: 09 Jun 2002

Children of AARON SMEDLEY and CATHERINE HUGHES are:

i. WILLIAM5 SMEDLEY, d. Unknown; m. (1) MISS HOWELL; b. New York City, New York; d. Unknown; m. (2) MISS BURNS; b. Leavenworth, Kansas; d. Unknown.

Notes for WILLIAM SMEDLEY:

William lived in SAlt Lake City, Utah and was engaged in mining and insurance business.

12. ii. JOSEPH SMEDLEY, d. Unknown.

iii. AARON SMEDLEY, JR., d. Unknown.

Notes for AARON SMEDLEY, JR.:

Aaron, Jr. engaged in mercantile business in St. Louis, Missouri.

iv. CATHERINE SMEDLEY, d. Unknown; m. HENRY FORRESTER; d. Unknown.

Notes for HENRY FORRESTER:

Henry was a merchant in Chicago, Illinois.

13. v. JOHN G. SMEDLEY, b. 20 Feb 1836, Carlisle, Nicholas Cty, Kentucky; d. Unknown.

8. CAPTAIN CAPT. HENRY4 LEER (DAVID3, HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 02 Mar 1797 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and died 26 Jun 1871. He married SARAH HOWARD 21 Apr 1822 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, daughter of ELIJAH HOWARD and UNKNOWN SMITH. She was born 1802 in Harrison, Kentucky, and died 24 Feb 1862.

More About CAPTAIN CAPT. HENRY LEER:

Burial: Unknown, Paris Cemetary, Paris, Kentucky

Residence: 1870, Paris, Bourbon, Kentucky9

More About SARAH HOWARD:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About CAPT. LEER and SARAH HOWARD:

Marriage: 21 Apr 1822, Bourbon County, Kentucky

Children of CAPT. LEER and SARAH HOWARD are:

i. JOHN5 LEER, b. Fayette, Indiana; d. Unknown.

Notes for JOHN LEER:

[BIRCHER.FTW]

[bircher6-19-02.ged]

BIOGRAPHY: John ( Jack ) Leer was killed when a wagon overturned while loading apples. His

wife was the sister of Miner Hieber a noted auctioneer. No children, they boug

ht a farm 60 miles from Kansas City Kansas.

More About JOHN LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

14. ii. JAMES HOWARD LEER, b. 21 Jan 1823, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 01 Nov 1910.

15. iii. ANDREW JACKSON LEER, b. 28 Oct 1826, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 08 Feb 1890.

16. iv. ELIZABETH SMITH LEER, b. 10 Mar 1827, Kentucky; d. 21 Jul 1879.

17. v. MARY ANNA LEER, b. 1834, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. Unknown.

18. vi. HENRY WILLIAM LEER, b. 18 Oct 1838, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 10 Sep 1913, Paris, Bourbon County Kentucy.

vii. LUCINDA J. LEER, b. 1841, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. Unknown; m. FRANK MANLOVE; d. Unknown.

More About LUCINDA J. LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About FRANK MANLOVE:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

9. WILLIAM4 LEER (DAVID3, HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 22 Jul 1799 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and died 27 Nov 1877 in Grant County, Indiana. He married (1) MARY MCCONEHAY THOMAS BROWN. She was born 18 Mar 1803, and died 28 Aug 1885 in Knox Chapel Cemetery, Pt. Isabel, Indiana. He married (2) MARTHA PATSY CHAMP 03 Aug 1821. She was born 15 Aug 1800, and died Unknown in Rush County, Indiana.

Notes for WILLIAM LEER:

[BIRCHER.FTW]

[bircher6-19-02.ged]

BIOGRAPHY:

Moved to Fayette Co. in 1825. They lived in the northwest part of the county about 1 1/2 miles from the Rush Co. line. Later they moved into Rush Co. near Falmouth Indiana.

BIOGRAPHY:

ID: I14851

Name: William LEER 1

Sex: M

Birth: 22 JUL 1799 in Bourbon County Kentucky 1

Death: 27 NOV 1877 in Grant County Indiana 1

Note:

[World Family Tree, Volume 40,Tree 1021.ftw]

[LEER]

Moved to Fayette Co. in 1825. They lived in the northwest part of the county

about 1 1/2 miles from the Rush Co. line. Later they moved into Rush Co. near F

Falmouth Indiana.

Father: David LEER b: 11 JUN 1765 in Frederick County Maryland

Mother: Elizabeth WRIGHT b: WFT Est. 1757-1782

Marriage 1 Martha Patsy CHAMP b: 15 AUG 1800 in Bourbon County Kentucky

Married: WFT Est. 1816-1840 1

Children

John LEER b: WFT Est. 1819-1844

Daniel LEER b: WFT Est. 1815-1839

Susan LEER b: 1822 in Bourbon County Indiana

David Michael LEER b: 20 SEP 1824 in Bourbon County Kentucky

Elizabeth LEER b: 1825

Samuel LEER b: 30 MAY 1827 in Fayette County Indiana

William Henry LEER b: 20 JUL 1840 in Fayette County Indiana

Marriage 2 Mary MCCONEHAY THOMAS BROWN b: 31 MAR 1803

Married: WFT Est. 1818-1848 1

More About WILLIAM LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About MARY MCCONEHAY THOMAS BROWN:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About MARTHA PATSY CHAMP:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

More About WILLIAM LEER and MARTHA CHAMP:

Marriage: 03 Aug 1821

Child of WILLIAM LEER and MARY BROWN is:

i. SUSAN5 LEER, d. Unknown; m. JESSE MANLOVE; d. Unknown.

Children of WILLIAM LEER and MARTHA CHAMP are:

ii. SUSAN5 LEER, b. 1822, Bourbon County, Indiana; d. Unknown.

More About SUSAN LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

19. iii. DAVID MICHAEL LEER, b. 20 Aug 1824, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 1902, Knox Chapel Cemetery, Pt. Isabel, Indiana.

iv. ELIZABETH LEER, b. 1825, Fayette, Indiana; d. Unknown.

Notes for ELIZABETH LEER:

BIOGRAPHY: Excerpts from William Perrin's

"History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison & Nicholas Counties"

In 1833, the cholera first appeared in Paris. Business was suspended, and all who could get away left the town. The following is a list of those who died during the epidemic: Jonathan Willett, Thomas Burdin, Sophia (daughter of Dr. N. Warfleld), Mrs. Lym, Thomas Hardwick, a daughter of Maj. George W. Williams, Mrs. Judith Bryan, Mrs. Gaither, Mrs. William M. Samuel, Mrs. Moore and son, Mrs. Hinton, Peter Sharrer, Sr., Mrs. Charles Brent, Parker (son of Mrs. Andrews), Jonathan Dearborn and son William, Erasmus Gill, Isaac Avery, Samuel D. Scott, Samuel Beeler, Mrs. Ann Kennedy, Mrs. James McCann, Peter Hizer, Mrs. Praul, Richard Samuel, George Davis, Mrs. James Paton, Richard Turner, a turnpiker (name unknown), Richard Holmes (a wagoner at John Mitchell's). Colored persons: Olivia, at William C. Lyle's; Julia, at N. Warfield's; Grace, at Mrs. Barker's; boy, at James H. McCann's; woman, at E. H. Herndon's; Jennie Jackson; Sarah Wallace; woman, at Mr. Cummins'; Marshall's woman; David, two men and woman at S. Pyke's; woman, at Mr. Waggoner's; Jenny, at Rev. Amos Clever's; Phoebe, at Jonathan Massic's; Gabriel, a stone mason; woman, at David Cline's; girl, at John Mitchell's; thirteen, at H. T. Duncan's factory. Citizens of the town who died in the country: George P. Bryant, Miss Susan Croxon, Dr. Davis, George W. Williamson, Mrs. John G. Martin, Elizabeth Leer, Mary Ann (daughter of Jonathan Massie), Mrs. Berkley.

Elizabeth Leer, commonly called Betsey, was engaged to be married to Daniel Shortridge but died of fever just a few days before the time set for her wedding. She was burried by the side of her mother on their farm.

More About ELIZABETH LEER:

Nickname: Betsey

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

20. v. SAMUEL LEER, b. 30 May 1827, Fayette County, Indiana; d. 02 Nov 1876, Pt. Isabel, Indiana.

vi. WILLIAM HENRY LEER, b. 20 Jul 1840, Fayette County, Illinois; d. Unknown.

More About WILLIAM HENRY LEER:

Record Change: 05 Jun 2002

10. JR. DAVID4 LEER, JR. (DAVID3, HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 15 Jan 1803 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and died 04 May 1885 in Bourbon County, Kentucky. He married CHARLOTTE CORDAY KENNEY 10 Jun 1830 in Bourbon County, Kentucky10, daughter of JAMES KENNEY and MARGARET JOHNSON. She was born 12 Dec 1809 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and died 14 Jan 1897 in Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Notes for JR. DAVID LEER, JR.:

David Leer Sr. built four identical homes on Jacksontown Pike for four of his sons. David Jr. had silver spoons made from silver money with which to start housekeeping.

My grandfather David was an old man in my childhood and was delicate, but lived to be 83 years old. He was very thin and had black hair and black eyes. He would only drink from a china cup and silver spoon. Was rather vain of his long narrow hands and feet which have been inherited by me and my elder son along with his delicate constitution. He could kill a hawk on the wing when he was 80. He could not only see well, but hear as well and I have heard my mother say he was one of the smartest men she ever saw, altho he was denied a higher education.

David was slender and tall with keen black eyes. He and Corday spent the rest of their lives in the house where they went to housekeeping. Their house was located on the Jacksontown Pike and the house was identical with three others said to have been built by David Leer Sr., for his four sons.

(This and all the information on the Leer's given to the Kenney ancestors by Pat Gibbs, descendant of William Leer, in 1997; Reported by Judith Brumm).

More About JR. DAVID LEER, JR.:

Burial: Unknown, Paris Cemetary, Paris, Kentucky

Record Change: 09 Jun 2002

Notes for CHARLOTTE CORDAY KENNEY:

Name might be Cordelia or Cordee Kenney; the spelling of Cordee is in the will abstracts, p.12

There is also a date of death listed 01/14/1897, that shows her age as 87 years old at that date. Copied from old Kenney Bible owned by Mrs. Corday Leer Kenney in Kentucky Pioneers and their Descendants, Ila Earle Fowler, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD 1967. Family record of David Leer and Charlotte Corday Kenney were contributed by Mrs. Corday Leer Buckley, p. 98-99. (Source, Judith Brumm -- http://www.geocities.com/HotSprings/Villa/1442/brumm.html )

More About CHARLOTTE CORDAY KENNEY:

Burial: Unknown, Paris Cemetary, Bourbon County Kentucy

Record Change: 09 Jun 2002

More About DAVID LEER and CHARLOTTE KENNEY:

Marriage: 10 Jun 1830, Bourbon County, Kentucky10

Children of DAVID LEER and CHARLOTTE KENNEY are:

i. MARACRIT5 LEER, b. 21 May 1831, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 02 Feb 1833, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

More About MARACRIT LEER:

Burial: 02 Feb 1833, Kenney Cemetary on Stonerside Farm, N. Middletown Rd., Paris, KY

ii. MARGARET LEER, b. 21 May 1831, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 02 Feb 1835, Family Cemetery, Stonerside Farm.

More About MARGARET LEER:

Record Change: 09 Jun 2002

21. iii. ELIZABETH M. LEER, b. 1833, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 1918.

22. iv. CHARLES CARROLL LEER, b. 11 Feb 1835, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 10 Jun 1922.

23. v. CATHERINE LEER, b. 17 Jul 1840, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 19 Apr 1873, Flemming County, Kentucky.

24. vi. JAMES MONROE LEER, b. 11 May 1841, Bourbon County, Kentucky; d. 22 Dec 1894, Bourbon County, Kentucky.

Generation No. 4

11. JOHN CASSELL5 PYATT (MARY ANN4 LEER, JOHN3, HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 10 Jan 1843 in Missouri, and died Unknown. He married (1) UNKNOWN HAGAR. She died Unknown. He married (2) MARY BELLE CHEANEY. She died Unknown.

Children of JOHN PYATT and UNKNOWN HAGAR are:

i. EUGENE6 PYATT, d. Unknown.

ii. RICHARD PYATT, d. Unknown.

iii. GRACE PYATT, d. Unknown.

iv. ISABELLE PYATT, d. Unknown.

Children of JOHN PYATT and MARY CHEANEY are:

v. KATHERINE6 PYATT, d. Unknown; m. J. WESLEY ROBERTSON; d. Unknown.

vi. ELIE PYATT, d. Unknown.

vii. DR. CHARLES LYNN PYATT, d. Unknown; m. GRACE STRAWN; d. Unknown.

Notes for DR. CHARLES LYNN PYATT:

Dr. Charles Lynn Pyatt was Dean of the college of the Bible located in Lexington, Kentucky. He was educated at Transylvania College where he received his A.B. degree. Then he attended Yale University where he was awarded his Bachelor of Divinity Degree. He later attended Harvard University and recelived a Doctor of Theology degree.

viii. JAMES CHEANEY PYATT, d. Unknown.

ix. BESS PYATT, d. Unknown; m. WALTON BOXELL; d. Unknown.

12. JOSEPH5 SMEDLEY (AARON4, REBECCA3 LEER, HENRY2, DAVID1) died Unknown. He married UNKNOWN JAMESON. She was born in Paris, Kentucky, and died Unknown.

Children of JOSEPH SMEDLEY and UNKNOWN JAMESON are:

i. BROADUS6 SMEDLEY, d. Unknown.

ii. ELIZABETH SMEDLEY, d. Unknown.

Notes for ELIZABETH SMEDLEY:

Elizabeth died in infancy.

13. JOHN G.5 SMEDLEY (AARON4, REBECCA3 LEER, HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 20 Feb 1836 in Carlisle, Nicholas Cty, Kentucky, and died Unknown. He married (1) MARTHA BOULDEN 28 Oct 1862 in Millersburg, Kentucky. She died 1872. He married (2) ELIZABETH (BOULDEN) RAINES 14 Mar 1877. She died 1892.

Notes for JOHN G. SMEDLEY:

Name: John G. SMEDLEY

_________________________________________

Birth: February 20, 1836 Carlisle, Kentucky

Father: Aaron SMEDLEY Jr. (1794-1863)

Mother: Catherine HUGHES

Spouses

_________________________________________

1: Martha BOULDEN

Death: November 22, 1872

Father: Nathan BOULDEN

Marriage: October 28, 1862

Children: Maude S. (1867-)

_________________________________________

2: Lizzie BOULDEN

Death: 1892

Father: Jesse H. BOULDEN (1825-)

Mother: Varille MOORE

Marriage: March 14, 1877

Children: Mary (1877-); Graham (1879-)

JOHN G. SMEDLEY,1 merchant; P. O. Millersburg; was born Feb. 20, 1836, to Aaron and Catharine (Hughs) Smedley, she was a daughter of Jesse and Priscilla (Parker) Hughs, both of whom died in Carlisle, the former in 1863, the latter in 1856; Aaron Smedley was born in Paris, Ky., July 25, 1794, died Sept. 7, 1863; he was a son of Aaron, who was born in Pennsylvania, April 4, 1764; died June 31, 1836; his wife was Rebecca Leer; born Dec. 15, 1765, died July 16; 1828; he built the first shingle-roof house in Paris. The subject of this sketch is the oldest of Aaron Smedley, Jr.'s children, who were: John G., Wm., who was twice married; first to a Miss Howell, of New York City, afterward to a Miss Burns, of Leavenworth, Kan., now deceased; he resides in Salt Lake City, engaged in mining and the insurance business; Joseph (deceased), married a Miss Jamison, of Paris, and left two daughters: Broadus, residing with his mother, near Hutchinson Station; Elizabeth died in childhood; Aaron, Jr., engaged in mercantile business in St. Louis; Catharine was a Mrs. Harry Forrester, who is a merchant in Chicago; John G. remained upon the farm with his parents until fifteen years of age, when he entered the store of G. B. & A. Hale, of Lexington, where he continued until the years 1854-5, when he attended the Baptist College at Georgetown, during the years 1857-8; he was engaged in the mercantile business with Upstill, Pierson & Co., of St. Louis; in February, 1859, he came to Millersburg and entered into partnership in the mercantile business with Mr. J. M. Hughs, County Clerk of Bourbon; this firm still continues, doing the largest business in the village. Mr. Smedley was married Oct. 28, 1862, to Miss Mattie Boulden, daughter of Nathan Boulden; by this marriage there was a son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Maud S., born Oct. 14, 1867; the mother of these died Nov. 22, 1872; he was remarried March 14, 1877, to Mrs. Lizzie (Elizabeth Boulden) Raines, widow of Dr. Raines, of Millersburg; this marriage took place at Jacksonville, Fla., and after traveling through the South, he returned to his business; by this marriage there are two children, viz : Mary, born Dec. 21, 1877; Graham, born Nov. 10, 1879; the mother is a daughter of Jesse Boulden (see history). He is a member of the Baptist Church, she of the Christian; he is a member of the Knights Templar, an enterprising, energetic, and prominent mail in business circles.

FROM HISTORY OF KENTUCKY AND KENTUCKIANS, E. Polk Johnson, three volumes, Lewis Publishing Co., New York & Chicago, 1912. Common version, Vol III, p.1283 (Bourbon County)

JOHN G. SMEDLEY -- Numbered among the honored citizens and representative business men of Millersburg, Bourbon county, Mr. Smedley is entitled to definite recognition in this publication. He is junior member of the firm of Corrington & Smedley, who conduct a large and prosperous enterprise as dealers in general merchandise and whose well equipped establishment is one of the foremost in the thriving little city of Millersburg.

Mr. Smedley views with a due measure of satisfaction the fact that he claims Kentucky as the place of his nativity and that in both the agnatic and maternal lines he is a scion of honored pioneer families of this favored commonwealth. He was born at Carlisle, Nicholas county, on the 20th of February, 1836, and is a son of Aaron and Catherine (Hughes) Smedley, the former of whom was born in Bourbon county, this state, and the latter in Nicholas county. The father devoted the major part of his active career to merchandising and farming, and both he and his wife were residents of Bourbon county at the time of their death. They became the parents of six children, of whom five sons and one daughter are now living.

John G. Smedley gained his early educational discipline in the common schools of Bourbon county, where he was reared to maturity, and later he was afforded higher educational advantages through attendance at Georgetown College, at Georgetown, this state. Prior to entering this institution he had initiated his experience in connection with the practical affairs of life, as he began clerking in a general store in the city of Lexington when but fifteen years of age. After leaving college he went to the city of St. Louis, Missouri, where he held a clerical position in a mercantile establishment for some time. In 1859 he took up his residence in Millersburg, Kentucky, where he engaged in the general Merchandise business in partnership with his maternal uncle, James M. Hughes. This association was maintained for several years and Mr. Smedley then formed a partnership with James M. Batterton, with whom he continued to be associated in the same line of enterprise until the death of Mr. Batterton, about the year 1882. Shortly afterward he again entered into partnership with his uncle, Mr. Hughes, later he was associated for a time with Alexander Butler, and in 1897 the latter was succeeded by C. W. Corrington. Since that time the business has been successfully continued under the firm name of Corrington & Smedley. Mr. Smedley has the distinction of being the oldest merchant engaged in active business in Millersburg, so far as years of active identification with local business affairs is concerned, and during more than half a century of dealing with the people of this community he has maintained an inviolable reputation for fair and honorable business methods and sterling integrity of character, the gracious result of which has been that no citizen commands a greater measure of popular confidence and respect.

Mr. Smedley has always done his part in the support of measures and enterprises projected for the general good of the community, and while he has never sought or desired political preferment he has accorded a staunch allegiance to the cause of the Democratic party. He is affiliated with Amity Lodge, No. 40, Free & Accepted Masons, of which he is past master, and for the past half century he has been a zealous member of the Baptist church in Millersburg.

At Millersburg, in the year 1861, was solemnized the marriage of Mr. Smedley to Miss Martha Boulden, who was summoned to the life eternal in 1872. Of this union were born two children--Claude, who died at the age of two years, and Maude S., who is the wife of Dr. C. Bruce Smith, of Millersburg, of whom specific mention is made on other pages of this work. In 1877 Mr. Smedley contracted a second marriage, having then been united to Mrs. Elizabeth (Boulden) Raines, widow of Dr. Henry Raines, who was one of the representative physicians and surgeons of Bourbon county at the time of his demise, Mrs. Smedley passed away in the year 1892 and is survived by two children born of her marriage to Mr. Smedley--Mary H., who is the wife of Dr. Ernest Boston, of San Antonio, Texas, and Graham B., who is engaged in the practice of law at Midland, Texas, and who is serving as prosecuting attorney of Midland county at the time of this writing, in 1910. The honored subject of this review now resides in the home of his son-in-law, Dr. C. Bruce Smith, and though venerable in years he is alert and vigorous, while he finds pleasure in being surrounded by leal and loyal friends in the community that has been his home and the scene of his well directed efforts during the long period of more than half a century.

Sources

1. Perrin, p. 517

2. E. Polk Johnson, The History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, Vol. III, Lewis Publishing Company, Chicago, Ill., 1912, p. 1283.

More About JOHN G. SMEDLEY:

Record Change: 09 Jun 2002

More About MARTHA BOULDEN:

Record Change: 09 Jun 2002

More About JOHN SMEDLEY and MARTHA BOULDEN:

Marriage: 28 Oct 1862, Millersburg, Kentucky

More About JOHN SMEDLEY and ELIZABETH RAINES:

Marriage: 14 Mar 1877

Children of JOHN SMEDLEY and MARTHA BOULDEN are:

i. MAUDE S.6 SMEDLEY, d. Unknown; m. C. BRUCE SMITH; b. Millersburg, Kentucky; d. Unknown.

ii. CLAUDE SMEDLEY, b. 1864; d. 1866; m. SMITH; d. Unknown.

Children of JOHN SMEDLEY and ELIZABETH RAINES are:

iii. MARY H.6 SMEDLEY, b. 21 Dec 1877; d. Unknown; m. DR. ERNEST BOSTON; b. San Antonio, Texas; d. Unknown.

iv. GRAHAM B. SMEDLEY, b. 10 Nov 1879; d. Unknown.

More About GRAHAM B. SMEDLEY:

Occupation: 1910, Lawyer, Midland, Texas

14. JAMES HOWARD5 LEER (CAPT. HENRY4, DAVID3, HENRY2, DAVID1) was born 21 Jan 1823 in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and died 01 Nov 1910. He married (1) LULU F. KRIMES. She was born 1827, and died Unknown. He married (2) MALINDA JANE ROGERS 15 Jan 1846. She was born Abt. 1827, and died Unknown.