Kentucky County, Virginia
Prior to the Revolutionary War, the frontier region we now know as Kentucky was Virginia territory. The British Government’s treaty with the Indian tribes at the conclusion of the French and Indian Seven-Years War promised that settlers would not cross the Appalachian Mountains into these frontier territories. However, in 1776 Virginia declared its independence from Britain and its treaty with the Indians, achieved statehood, formed the frontier territory on the other side of the Appalachian Mountains into Kentucky County, Virginia, offered an abundance of cheap land for settlement, and defied Britain to stop them. Britain’s armies were too occupied fighting the Colonists’ rebellion against the Crown to concern themselves with settlers.
Many new settlers came to Kentucky during the Revolutionary War, looking for a fresh start west of the mountains. The majority of those early pioneers were Germans and Scots Irish who came primarily from Virginia and secondarily from Pennsylvania. Kentucky experienced its peak migration period between 1775 and 1795.
The Bluegrass region of “Ken-tah-keh” (as the Cherokee called it) was attractive to settlers from east of the Appalachian Mountains because of the fertile farmlands, rich with abundant wildlife. However, the settlers frequently encountered hostile natives of the area who were not friendly towards strangers coming to hunt and settle on the land they also used. Some of the encounters were violent.
William Hardin and his brothers were raised on the western frontier of Pennsylvania and it was here that they became adept at Indian fighting. They had to in order to survive on the western frontier. So the threat of Indian encounters in Kentucky did not deter them.
In 1779 William Hardin and his brothers lead a small party of settlers from southwest Pennsylvania and Virginia down the Ohio River into central Kentucky County, Virginia. William was so pleased with the country that he went back to western Pennsylvania and Virginia, recruited a group of 12 adventurous families and some single men (which included Balser Claycomb and Rev. War soldier Adam Barr from Berkeley County), and in 1780 they set out again for the Kentucky territory.
In 1780 the large number of settlers made it necessary for Kentucky County, Virginia to be divided into three main counties including Jefferson County, Virginia, where William Hardin and his group were headed. In March 1781 the Hardin group arrived on the bank of Hardin’s Creek and began clearing the land for Hardin’s Fort, which later became Hardinsburg, Kentucky. (15)
Skirmishes with the Indians broke out. So William Hardin recruited 80 men settled along the Ohio River, and they fought what is reputed to have been one of the bloodiest Indian battles in the settling of Kentucky. With their advance weaponry, the settlers won the battle and settled the land. Of the eighty men who fought in this intense Indian battle, Adam Barr and ____ Claycomb are listed. (15) The original record shows the first name as illegible, but he is believed to be Balser Claycomb since Balser is the first Claycomb on record in this area as early as 1792.
William Hardin remained in Kentucky, but in 1784 Adam Barr and Balser Claycomb returned to Berkeley County, Virginia. Adam Barr married Balser’s sister Mary Claycomb in 1785. Adam and Balser convinced most of the Claycomb family to move to William Hardin’s new settlement in Kentucky, though it would take several years before they all made the move. By this time, Martin Kirshman Jr. had married into the Claycomb family through his wife Sophia Claycomb. He too would soon join this new settlement with his new anglicized name: Martin Cashman.
In 1785 William Hardin received grants from the state of Virginia for 3800 acres of land on which he had settled. That same year Jefferson County was divided and Nelson County was formed, wherein William Hardin’s land resided.
Kentucky achieved statehood in 1792 with more than 70,000 settlers as reported by the census. In 1793 Nelson County divided to form Hardin County, named for William’s brother who died while fighting the Indians.
Balser Claycomb was in Kentucky as early as 1792 according to a record of the Hardin County Court that assessed him for back taxes of 1792, 1793, and 1794. This indicates Balser was in Kentucky as early as 1792, however Hardin County wasn’t created until 1793. So Balser would have been in Nelson County before it divided into Hardin County. With Balser Claycomb already in Kentucky, the rest of the family made preparations to join him.
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1799 Hardin County, Kentucky Court Order Books A & B
Balser Claycomb ordered to pay back taxes for 1792, 1793, 1794
Source: Several published books list tax records and can be found at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah
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In the Spring of 1794, Martin & Sophia and all their children packed provisions and what few belongings they could fit into a covered wagon and headed for the Kentucky frontier – a place where they could own their own land and raise their families.
After saying final farewells to Sophia’s brothers Henry & Conrod Claycomb and Martin’s brother George Cashman in Washington County, Maryland, the Martin Cashman family crossed the Potomac River into Berkeley County, Virginia. Here they joined with Sophia’s Claycomb other brothers as well as her sister Mary who married Adam Barr, and their pioneer journey began. Departing in early spring was paramount in order to cross the rugged Appalachian mountain range before inclement weather hit.
When the Claycomb/Cashman/Barr party departed Washington County, Maryland and Berkeley County, Virginia area for central Kentucky in the spring of 1794, they were traveling with covered wagons and oxen without any roads. They could only follow rivers or the routes which passed through Southern Virginia following old buffalo traces and Indian trails. The Claycomb/Cashman/Barr party had two options:
Option 1: Follow the Ohio River as William Hardin had many years ago. However, the river was controlled by Indians in Ohio territory who raided at will, so this route was deemed too dangerous for families (until the Indians were defeated at Fallen Timbers in 1796).
Option 2: Take the route most traveled and the most practical: Follow the Great Wagon Road to the Cumberland Gap. Hordes of early German and Scotch-Irish settlers followed the Great Wagon Road from Pennsylvania southward through Berkeley County and the Shenandoah Valley, and then followed the Great Trading Path through southern Virginia to the Cumberland Gap. (In Pennsylvania the Great Wagon Road was the old Monocacy Trail that Johan Martin Kirschman followed to bring his family to Washington County, Maryland in 1776). To cross the Appalachian Mountains, they followed “the Wilderness Road” through the treacherous Cumberland Gap. (It was not officially named "the Wilderness Road" until 1796 when it was widened enough to allow Conestoga wagons to travel on it) After crossing the mountains at Cumberland Gap, they followed the Warrior Path across Kentucky to the falls of the Ohio River, where Louisville now stands. Hardin County was just another couple of days westward.
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From 1775 to 1800 it is estimated more than 300,000 settlers traveled on what is now called the Wilderness Road. For additional information about the full route from Pennsylvania to Kentucky, and the Cumberland Gap, please see notes in Bibliography #16 & #17.
According to early Hardin County, Kentucky tax lists and deed books, evidence of the Claycomb/Cashman/Barr party in Kentucky first appears in 1795. One of the first deeds found is George Claycomb purchasing land from William Hardin in 1795. Martin Cashman and Adam Barr aren’t listed on a tax record until 1797, but that does not mean they weren’t there yet as some of these early records are missing. Note that George Claycomb buys land in 1795 but is also not listed on the tax lists.
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1795 Hardin County, Kentucky Tax Records
Peter Claycomb
Balser Claycomb
Source: Several published books give this information and can be found at Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah
1795 Hardin County, Kentucky Deed Books
George Claycomb purchased land from William Hardin
Source: Several published books give this information and can be found at Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1797 Hardin County, Kentucky Tax Records
Martin Cashman
Adam Barr
Peter Claycomb
Frederick Claycomb
Balser Claycomb
Source: Several published books give this information and can be found at Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
1799 Hardin County, Kentucky Court Order Books A & B
Court orders a ferry to be established across Ohio River at the mouth of Hardin’s Creek, and Jacob Crist is appointed ferry keeper. Jacob Crist and Balzer Claycomb entered into a bond to execute the performance of the ferry as outlined by the court.
Source: Several published books give this information and can be found at Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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1799 Hardin County, Kentucky divided; Breckinridge County formed
As Kentucky continues to grow, Hardin County divides in 1799 to form Breckinridge County, with the county seated named Stephens Port. Eventually, Hardin County will be divided into 12 more counties. The 1800 Census of Kentucky lists 220,000 people. (1790 was 70,000 people). 144 households are listed in Breckinridge County, Kentucky dated 19 August 1800. Kentucky grew so fast that by 1820 it was the sixth largest state in America. Kentucky’s economy was primarily based on farming.
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Martin Cashman, Adam Barr, and the Claycomb brothers find themselves in the newly formed county of Breckinridge. The book Genealogy of the Claycomb Family has a wonderful page that shows the land survey of the Claycomb brothers and Adam Barr in Breckinridge County, Kentucky, which shows them all living in close proximity to each other. (12)
1800 Breckinridge County, Kentucky Organization of Quarterly Court Records
After the Court of Quarterly Session was organized the first Grand Jury was impaneled for Beckinridge County, which included Peter Claycomb and Frederick Claycomb.
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1800 Breckinridge County, Kentucky Tax List
Adam Barr
Martin Cashman
Balser Claycomb
Frederick Claycomb
Peter Claycomb
Source: 1800 Census, Tax lists of Kentucky
Note: Martin & Sophia Cashman’s oldest sons Conrad Cashman and Peter Cashman would be about 17 and 15 respectively in 1800 so were not old enough to be listed on the tax records.
Caution:
1800 Tax List - Berkeley County, Virginia
***Peter Cashner (1-2 Residence: Stephens Neck)
Christopher Cashman (1-2 Residence: Stephens Neck)
Henry Claycomb (2-3 Residence: Tuscarora)
Conrod Claycomb (1-5 Residence: Stephens Neck)
*** This is not our Peter Cashman, the son of Martin Cashman in Kentucky, but is the anglicized name of Peter Kirshner. Our Peter Cashman, son of Martin Cashman, was born in 1785, which means he was 15 years old in 1800. His age would not have qualified him to be listed as a “white male age 21+. ” This Peter was born prior to 1779 – too soon for Martin to be having children.
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1801 Breckinridge County Kentucky Marriage Records
George Claycomb marries Charlotte Wheeler (2nd wife)
1802 Breckinridge County, Kentucky Court Records
John Claycomb and Michael Claycomb buy 180 acres for $180.00 between the head waters of Hardin’s Creek and Bushes Run. Witnessed by Peter Claycomb and Peter Daniel.
Note: On October 8, 1821, John Claycomb and Peter Claycomb, heirs at law to Michael Caycomb, deceased, sell these 180 acres to John Murray for $630.00.
1803 Breckinridge County Court Records
Jury duty: George Claycomb; Martin Cashman (3 different times)
1805 Breckinridge County Court Records
Conrad Cashman and his cousin John Claycomb are both charged by the Grand Jury for profane swearing. October 23, 1805.
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Breckinridge County is growing fast with new families moving in daily. Ludwig “Lewis” & Elisabeth Barger Shelman family and her brother John B. Barger’s family arrive in Breckinridge in 1805. They have migrated from Pennsylvania through Virginia.
About this same time Leonard Cart also arrives in Breckinridge. Not long afterwards the Bruington family arrives. Children of these families will eventually marry children and grandchildren of Martin & Sophia Cashman.
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1806 Kentucky Marriages 1802-1850
Leonard Cart marries Mary “Polly” Shelman on 28 March 1806.
Source: Several published sources provide early marriages of Kentucky. Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Mary “Polly” Shelman b. abt 1775 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania (which becomes Dauphin County, Pennsylvania) is the daughter of Rev. War militia Ludwick “Lewis” Shelman and Elizabeth Barger (daughter of John Barger, Sr.) Leonard & Mary Cart are the parents of Elizabeth Cart who marries John H. Cashman, son of Peter & Mary Cashman.
Source: History of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Google Books. http://books.google.com/books?id=ZRQVAAAAYAAJ&pg=RA1-PA205&dq=History+of+Dauphin+County+Pennsylvania+Book#v=onepage&q=History%20of%20Dauphin%20County%20Pennsylvania%20Book&f=false This book shows Ludwick or Ludwig Shelman on the 1780 Tax list of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and on the 1781 militia list.
Source: 1790 Census of Dauphin Co.: http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cenfiles/pa/dauphin/1790/indx-m-z.txt
Source: Immigrated from Germany with his father Ludwick Schellmann who is listed on the book "30,000 Names of German Immigrants."
Ludwig/Ludwick anglicizes his name to “Lewis” when he moves to Kentucky. Martin Shelman and Adam Shelman are sons of Lewis Shelman.
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1807 Breckinridge County Court Records
Leonard Cart, John Cart, and John Claycomb serve on Jury Duty on April 20, 1807
Conrad Claycomb and Martin Shelman serve on Jury Duty on July 20, 1807.
Martin Cashman ordered by judge to pay a debt with interest since April 1, 1806.
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1808 Breckinridge County Court Records
Martin Cashman serves on Jury Duty twice. Also defends himself in court, but nature of offense not mentioned.
1808 Breckinridge County, Kentucky Deed Books
George Claycomb and wife Charlotte sell land to Conrad Claycomb of Berkeley Co., Virginia.
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1809 Kentucky Marriages 1802-1850
Peter Cashman married Polly Bruington on 19 Nov. 1809 “Polly” is the nickname for Mary
George Barger marries Susannah Shelman on 30 Sept 1809
Jacob Barger to Elizabeth Seaton on 13 Sept 1809
Source: Several published sources provide early marriages of Kentucky. Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
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Peter & Mary Cashman Family
Peter Cashman is the son of Martin Cashman.
Mary “Polly” Bruington was born abt 1794 in Virginia as calculated from marriage date and census records. Her brother George Bruington also lives in Breckinridge, Kentucky. No other information on family known, but one theory is that she arrived in Breckinridge with her father George, her brother George, and her sister Elizabeth.
Children - all born in Breckinridge Co., Kentucky:
John H. Cashman b. 25 January 1812 m. Elizabeth Cart 14 Dec. 1842
Joseph Cashman b. 1816 m. Ellen Melissa Dunn
Nancy Cashman b. 1818 m. Jacob Black on 6 Jan 1826
Martin H. Cashman b. 1821
George B. Cashman b. 1824
Thomas J. Cashman b. 1825
Louisa Cashman b. 1827
Note: Peter’s cousin John Barr marries Elizabeth Bruington who is a sister of Peter’s wife Mary Bruington.
Note: A photograph of Peter Cashman’s tombstone is posted on www.ancestry.com
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1809 The township of Union Star is formed in Breckinridge County.
While many families continue to move into Breckinridge, Kentucky, several of the early settlers of Breckinridge find it’s getting too crowded and opt to move across the Ohio River to the southern area of Indiana in Knox County. Abraham Lincoln is one of these families.
Abraham Lincoln was born in Hodgenville, Hardin County, Kentucky on February 12, 1809 to a pioneer family. His parents struggled to earn a living, and later moved to Indiana in search of a better life.
One of the first settlers to southern Indiana from the Claycomb and Cashman families is Sophia’s brother Frederick Claycomb who served in the Revolutionary War in 1781. Several more from these families will eventually also move here - many to Perry County, Indiana.
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1809 Breckinridge County, Kentucky Deed Books
Frederick Claycomb of Knox County, Indiana sold part of his land in Breckinridge Co, Kentucky to his brother Conrad Claycomb and another part of his land to John Barger.
Source: Several published books give this information and can be found at Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Note: For researchers of Elizabeth Cart (daughter of Leonard Cart & Mary Shelman) who marries John H. Cashman (son of Peter Cashman, grandson of Martin Cashman) this John Barger who purchases Frederick Claycomb’s land is John Barger, Jr. who is the brother of Mary Shelman’s mother Elizabeth Barger Shelman.
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The 1810 Census of Breckinridge shows the tremendous growth of the county as well as the state of Kentucky.
During this time, Martin Cashman oldest son Conrad Cashman decides to leave Breckinridge and venture off on his own. By 1810 Conrad was living in Livingston County, Kentucky. Through the years, Conrad Cashman continued to move and eventually settled in Missouri where he appears on the 1840 Census of Lewis County, Missouri.
On the 1810 Census there are three Cashman heads of household in all of Kentucky: Martin Cashman and his son Peter Cashman are found in Breckinridge County, while Martin’s son Conrad Cashman has ventured southward in Livingston County, Kentucky.
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1810 Census: Breckinridge County, Kentucky Tax List
Barr, Adam 22111-11101
Bruington, George 20010-01100 (George age 26-45, wife age 16-26)
Barger, John Sr. 01001-01001 (Father of Adam, George, Jacob, John Jr. & Elizabeth Barger)
Barger, John Jr. 11010-21210
Cart, John 30010-30210 age 26-45, wife age 26-45)
Cart, Leonard 10010-10010 (age 26-45, wife age 26-45)
Claycomb, Balser 00001-32110
Claycomb, Conrad 10100-30010
Claycomb, Fredrick 110100 (son of one of the Claycomb brothers)
Claycomb, George 10220-10210
Claycomb, Peter 21201-32010
Cashman, Martin 11301-11120
Cashman, Peter (see original record) Peter & Martin are listed together..
Shelman, Lewis 10101-00101 (Father of Adam & Martin Shelman, & Mary Cart)
Shelman, Adam 10100-00100
Shelman, Martin 10010-30010
1810 Smithland, Livingston, Kentucky Tax List
Conrad Cashman Living alone between the age of 16-25. Son of Martin & Sophia Cashman.
Source: 1810 Census, Tax Lists of Kentucky.
To continue reading the sage of the Cashman Family’s Journey in America and Kentucky, click on “older posts” located at the bottom right hand side.
