From: KyArchives [archives@genrecords.org] Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2007 3:59 AM To: Ky-Footsteps Subject: Xviii.Isaac.Bard.1913.Muhlenberg.HISTORY-Books Xviii Isaac Bard 1913 Muhlenberg County KyArchives History Books Book Title: A History Of Muhlenberg County XVIII ISAAC BARD THE Reverend Isaac Bard came to Muhlenberg in 1823, then in his twenty-sixth year, and from that time for almost a half century led a very active life in the community. No local preacher was better known in his day than "Preacher Bard." It is quite probable that during his more active ministerial career he was heard by every citizen then residing in the county. Those who listened to his sermons evidently remembered that fact, for although he died thirty-five years ago all the older native- born citizens now living, and to whom I have mentioned the name of Isaac Bard, invariably remarked that they had heard him preach. He devoted about half his time to ministerial work; much of the remainder he gave to his farm on Bard's Hill, south of Depoy. He owned extensive tracts of timber lands in the Pond River country, on which he ranged his stock. It is said he was often heard calling his hogs with a fox-horn. He was a tall, muscular man, kind and generous to every person with whom he came in contact, and extremely gentle to all animals. One who knew him well says: "Preacher Bard was a scholar and a gentleman of the old school. He was one of the most sober looking and at the same time most pleasant men I ever met. I remember he always had cold feet and usually kept them wrapped up in heavy cloth, and frequently complained of the discomfort." Isaac Bard was a son of William and Mary (Kincaid) Bard, and was born in Nelson County, Kentucky, near Bardstown, January 13, 1797. He died at his home, seven miles west of Greenville, June 29, 1878. After spending a few years in Transylvania University, Lexington, he began, in 18.17, a course in Princeton Theological Seminary, New Jersey, and on April 27, 1820, was licensed to preach. During the same year he entered in the Senior class of Union College, Schenectady, New York, from which school he was graduated in 1821, and shortly after returned to Kentucky. On July 26, 1823, he was ordained in Greenville by the Muhlenberg Presbytery and immediately took charge of the Presbyterian Church at Greenville and the congregation at Mt. Zion, near Green River. In autumn of the same year he organized Mt. Pleasant Church, near Pond River. These three congregations remained in his charge until about 1833. During this period he built a brick church in Greenville on a lot presented by pioneer James Weir. The old brick house was long ago abandoned as a place of worship, and is now used as a warehouse. After the year 1833 no congregation was solely under his supervision, for from that time, and continuing for many years, he extended his ministerial work among many of the Presbyterian churches in Muhlenberg and all the adjoining counties. In 1862, when the division of the Presbyterian church took place, Mr. Bard adhered to the Southern General Assembly. On March 15, 1827, he was married to Matilda Miranda Moore, (laugher of pioneer Maurice Moore. They were the parents of five children: Henry Clay Bard, Luther Bard, Mrs. Verona Mary (Carrol) Larkins, Mrs. Martha Amaryllis (R. P.) Howell, and Doctor LaFayette Bard, all of whom made Muhlenberg their home. When, in 1823, Isaac Bard first came to Muhlenberg, many of the Revolutionary soldiers and other pioneers were still alive. He was a college man, who from childhood had been in touch with the progress made in various cities and centers of culture and refinement. His constant association with the pioneers and their children undoubtedly had an influence in modernizing their habits and practices; and on the other hand, living among these people, many of their characteristic manners and customs became his own. Farms, in those days, were few and far between. The county was still regarded as a new country. Most of the sermons then heard by the local people were delivered by men who, although deeply interested in religious work and well versed in the Bible, had a limited knowledge of theology and of logic. When Mr. Bard appeared on the scene he found a good field for the exercise of his college education and religious training. The uneducated as well as the educated recognized his ability as a "sermonizer." He kept pace with the times at home and abroad, and in some respects was ahead of his day. He lived during that period of the country's history when "freedom and liberty" were known to be permanently established, and fighting for them was therefore no longer one of the principal objects in life. Local political questions, although discussed from the time the county was organized, were rapidly becoming more and more the leading topics of the day. Among some of the citizens the acquiring of land and wealth was gradually becoming the sole object in life. Isaac Bard was swayed by these times. He not only performed the duties of a preacher and a doctor and looked after his farm, but also took an active interest in national and local politics, and in the meantime, like some of the other citizens, invested in land. He was the first man to advocate the draining of the Pond River bottoms, and about the year 1850 made an attempt to redeem some of the rich soil he owned below Murphy's Lake; but owing to the abundance of other good land, not subject to overflow, and owing to the scarcity of labor, he abandoned the work. When, a few years after the Civil War, the building of a railroad was proposed, Mr. Bard was enthusiastically in favor of a bond issue, for he realized that such means of transportation was necessary for the upbuilding and advancement of the county. As already stated, he was always in touch with his times. The following letter quoted from "The Private Correspondence of Henry Clay," compiled and published in 1856 by Calvin Cotton, Cincinnati, shows that Mr. Bard wras an admirer of good and influential men, and that if he so desired he could write in a style that showed he was a man of literary ability: Greenville, Kentucky, MR. HENRY CLAY, March 27, 1828. Ashland, Lexington, Kentucky. Dear Sir:— I know you will not think it strange if an unknown friend should address a letter to you. Have you not given yourself to your beloved country, devoted yourself to her cause, and may not the citizen claim you as his property and inheritance? If so, why should an humble citizen be shy and stand aloof from him whom he has long loved and admired? Will you be so kind as to indulge me in some desultory remarks? When I was pursuing my education in Lexington, I first heard you deliver an oration at the laying of the corner- stone of the Hospital. As a student and boy I was much pleased. Once on Poplar Row, on the pavement, I met you and there were none else on the whole street, and you spoke to me so politely and friendly, it, though a little thing, made no small impression. The next time I saw you was when I was at College and the Divinity School, you passed through Princeton, sitting by the driver on an outside seat of the stage, spoke to Mr. William Warfield, who was with me coming up street. To say the least, the way you spoke to him (an acquaintance) impressed me that you, in no ordinary degree, were a man of friendly feeling, of openness and urbanity of manner. But it is not merely the pleasing qualifications and attractions of private character, your eloquence and ratiocination, the boon of God, but your political course, and those important national principles of internal improvement, smiling on rising republics, that enhance you in the approbation and give you such a scope in the affections of your fellow- citizens. You have already established an imperishable reputation. A wreath of evergreens encircles your, brow, and will entwine around your name while time shall last. Your reputation the storms of persecution have tried to carry away; but it is built on a basis that wondering ages can not waste. Ethiopia will remember your colonization efforts. South America and Greece will couple your name with liberty and independence. Your Tariff speech of 1824 has opened the eyes of the American people and they will not forget you. Roads and canals and manu- factures, in fine, the American system, will hail you as their founder and father. Sir, if I understand flattery, it is stating what is false, but I believe I am telling the truth. Truth that is already written in American history—written in the hearts and affections of the American people, more indelible than letters engraven on adamant. For many years I have read with pleasure your speeches and observed your public course. I have witnessed with heartburning and disgust the vituperation and slander of ambitious, wicked men. In private conversation I have often pleaded your cause and that of the President, and of your policy. I approve heartily of your course. When my friend told me that Mr. Adams was President and you had voted for him, a sudden exultation of joy flashed through my bosom. We (of Greenville) had a large number of your defenses printed at Russellville, and I have spread them from my store far and wide (for I am a merchant and Presbyterian preacher). Be assured they are operating powerfully. It is the best antidote against lying and slander that has ever been used. Many of the Jackson men of this county (Muhlenberg) have turned completely around. We are decidedly Administration here, by a very large majority. I hope you and Mr. Adams will not be discouraged, but keep up good spirits. In writing you this letter I mean no more than an expression of my friendship for you, my country, the prosperity of the nation and the welfare of civil and religious liberty. I am in the habit of praying for you in secret and in public. If I have an interest at the court of Heaven, I have tried to make it for you. Think; they didn't say, at Hopkinsville, they knew I was an Administration man from my prayer, as I prayed for the President, etc. But it is not a cause I am ashamed or afraid of; for if even "Old Hickory" should be elected, we will not give up you. You must come next. You are consecrated to your country and you are ours. Permit me to say, I have named my first-born son Henry Clay Bard. I did it for two reasons: 1. As a mark of affection and friendship for you; 2. That your character might stimulate him to worthy deeds. Will you be so good as to give my respects to Mrs. Clay? Will you be so good as to give my respects to the President, Mr. Adams? Tell him I pray for him and his cabinet. May God bless Mr. Clay. May God bless the President. May God guide and direct him and his counsellors. May you all fear God, pray to him, keep his "commandments that it may be well with you." ISAAC BARD. Mr. Bard was always interested in good books, and in the course of years accumulated a large library. He was very systematic and kept a written record of many of his transactions. His residence burned in 1876, two years before he died, and all his books and papers were destroyed except two of his own documents. One of these is a diary and the other contains some notes on local history. Isaac Bard probably never expected that these records would some day form a contribution to a printed history of Muhlenberg County. The first of these personal documents is Bard's Diary. This is a leather-bound book of two hundred pages, written with a quill pen. Although many pages are faded, the records are still legible. The greater part of this journal is devoted to the years 1848 to 1851; but it extends, with occasional entries, down to 1855, after which date about a dozen more records are added, bringing it to May, 1872. The diary evidently was written for his own gratification and convenience, and was not intended for publication. I have gone over it carefully, and here give verbatim all that bears on the history of those communities referred to in Muhlenberg County and also all such other items as, in my opinion, will interest the reader. The extracts quoted comprise about one tenth of the whole: EXTRACTS FROM BARD'S DIARY. July, Thursday, 13, 1848. My commission [as colporteur and missionary minister, probably], dated January 1, 1848, now begins, and I started to-day. Rode to South Carrollton and thence to John Baxter's. Staid all night, thence rode to McCrearysville, Mouth of Muddy River, and preached at Ellzy Hamilton's to an attentive audience. Then rode to Caneyfork Church, Butler County, and preached Saturday, Sabbath, and Monday, three days and four sermons to large and attentive audiences, visited seven families. Then rode and preached at Salem, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sabbath to large and attentive audiences. Preached six sermons, visited seven families, then came home. Gone twelve days and rode 126 miles. . . . Friday, Saturday, Sabbath, and Monday, including first Sabbath of September, 1848, at Mt. Zion and South Carrollton. Preached three sermons and I shoveled the first dirt so that John Morgan and John Clark laid the corner-stone of the Presbyterian Church of South Carrollton. I made a short address and prayed standing on the corner-stone, which was the northwest corner for the building, . . . on September 4th, 1848. . . . Tuesday, November 7th, 1848: Rode to Rumsey and voted for Gen. Taylor to be president. May the Lord deliver our country from despotism and monarchy under the false name and disguise of Democracy. O Lord, have mercy on us as a nation, give us the grace of re- pentance that we may see our wickedness, turn from our national sins and seek forgiven- ess of Thee through the blood of atonement. O Lord, choose our rulers, preside in our destinies and make us a great people, distinguished for righteousness, love for pure civil and religious liberty and that we may grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 1848, November 22. The news has come by Lightning, by the Telegraph Lines, that Gen. Taylor is elected. If this be so what a change for the good of our country! O Lord, Thou knowest, to Thy name be the glory. . . , Soon after November 7, 1818, preached at Wm. Keith's on Cypress in Muhlenberg at a night meeting, also at Mr. Arnold's a few days after and also a night meeting. Both liberal Baptists, and had good and attentive audiences. I was surveying some land on Cypress and Green river. The people were very kind and attentive to me. . . . March, Saturday, 24, 1849. Rode to Rumsey. Preached March 25 in Ramsey. . . . March, Tuesday, 27th, rode to Livingstone (Luther Bard was with me) one mile of Owensboro. Wednesday, March 28th, got on board General Worth Steam Boat. Went over the Falls of Ohio River while asleep and got to Louisville before light Friday morning. Much talk of cholera. It exists below on the coast of Mississippi River. . . . Went to Bardstown, . . . returned by stage to Louisville, and thence by General Worth home. Preached two sermons, visited eighteen families and traveled 400 miles. April, Saturday, 14th, preached at South Carrollton. . . . Preached and lectured at South Carrollton on the 3rd Sabbath of June. Went and staid at the Bluff with Col. Wilson (old school) Baptist. They treated me kindly, had worship night and morning. We debated Emancipation. My great surprise is how any true Whig or true Democrat should oppose it. I have heard men oppose it which said nothing for their Republicanism or piety. Yet the Colonel is an exception to the above remark. Yes, there are men who oppose Emancipation who are influenced by low, sordid and selfish notions, whose public spirit reaches no higher than the length of their arm or lower than their belly. . . . They say if Kentucky should emancipate her slaves we would be ruined. Bob Wickliffe said: "The Darkies are the best shade I have ever seen." Perhaps some think they will be ruined if they can not sit in the shade quite so much. Indeed, I think some more sunshine would be better for health and as a cure for empty corn-cribs and barns as well as a good cure to ignorant, idle and dissipated youth. . . . And if our daughters were more trained in the science of cooking, washing, and the wheel and the loom, they would have better health and consti- tutions, less liable to vanity and extravagance. . . . 1st Sabbath of July, 1849. I preached to-day on Passover and Lord's Supper, Ex. 12-8-11. A good attention was paid. Some young men staid out in the church yard and talked. I had to reproach and talk plainly of such bad conduct. Brother Baxter talked of cutting the tree down they sat under; that if they were so ill mannered and reckless to stay out they must go further. It is far worse than heathen to do so to the House of God, to stay out during Divine Service and interrupt a wor- shipping congregation. It is in keeping with the worst conduct or vice. . . . August, Monday, 7, 1849. Mr. Donaldson and I went up to Greenville. I voted for Edward R. Weir, the Emancipation candidate. While here I met with Col. Wm. McNary and we got into an argument on Emancipation. At last we got on the Scriptures on this subject and he said he would go and get a Bible and read it and show I was in error. He got the Bible and read it and I answered him by reading several verses, Ex. 21 ch. and Leve. 25 ch. on jubilee and extended my remarks on the scope of the Old and New Testaments. Some private questions, not manly, were asked me by G. C. and J. E., and also H. R. made an unbecoming remark of private nature. The Rev. John Donaldson was present and heard what passed, which took place under a locust tree in the court yard. Before I left the Rev. Jones and ______ came up. The former opened his Bible and the latter drew out a written paper. Both were about to answer me and some person remonstrated and got them to go away. Mr. Donaldson, standing on the outer edge of the crowd, said he heard several say, "They had better let Bard alone." When I saw Jones and ______ come up and ready to speak, I got on a bench and remarked publicly: "I wish it understood I do not seek controversy, but I do not care how many come and speak, I will answer them." Maj. McNary said: "Well, I do not think that that remark is called for." So terminated this little debate. Several told me afterwards: "They made nothing off of you. You outdone them and you are able to do it." Donaldson said some of them said: "When they go to the Scriptures they have no business with Mr. Bard." O Lord, bless my speech and may much good and no evil come of it. Help us to love our neighbor as ourself. 11th August, Tuesday, 21. . . . Mrs. Dickson, whose husband's funeral I preached by request, and I rode forty miles to do so, made me a present of $10. I thanked her and also feel thankful to the Lord, for my expenses, though we live frugal and economical, have increased my debt for several years. When a man's expenses at the end of a year are not paid by his income, and expenses and income prudently managed, it proves that his income is less than his expenses. It is often so with us preachers, and our preaching often brings us in debt to men. God, our surety, may relieve us, but no other. February 20, 1850. Rode last Friday to Greenville and assisted Rev. A. Housley in a sacramental meeting. Delivered two lectures and two sermons. There was solemn attention both times. Delivered an address and administered sacrament. I took subscriptions for a Presbyterial Academy to near $3,000 in two days. Attended the burial of my old and dear friend, Mrs. Tabitha McLean, who was buried at old Caney Station Grave Yard, with a large concourse of citizens. Delivered two addresses at the burying and a prayer. Sister McLean was an extraor- dinary woman, distinguished for talents, orthodoxy and genuine piety. "Precious in the eyes of the Lord are the death of his saints." Saturday, March 2 (1850). Left home early and rode to Mt. Zion . . . lectured on a chapter and then preached on Education and urged the importance and utility of a Presbyterial Academy and some prospects of having it in Greenville. . . . Friday, 15th March, 1850. ... In my tour to Elkton as Agent Committee of the Muhlenberg Presbytery and also missionary, I was gone six days, visited four families and rode about seventy miles. I wrote a subscription and got three names to it for $200; but it put down payable so far in the future and partly in trade that I gave it back and declined it at present. Attended Presbytery April 11, 1850, and Presbytery adjourned Saturday evening (April 13). . . . I delivered about a dozen speeches on the Presbyterial Academy. I preferred and besought other ministers to advocate and make speeches for the Academy, but none except Mr. Housley at the end of the debate made a little speech for it. Mr. McCullough, elder of Henderson, made several speeches against its location at Greenville, to whom I had to reply and also to make speeches in favor of having such an institution. Such are facts, and I am sorry I have to speak myself in reference to them. Again, I have spent much time in getting sub- scriptions and arguing and pleading with individuals for the Academy, when in that time I could have preached several sermons; besides I had to take some time to prepare the people; to get them to think about it before subscribing. . . . Also delivered one address. After an interesting address of Brother McCullough on Sabbath afternoon at 3 o'clock before the members of our Presbytery and the congregation in the Presbyterian Church at Greenville. At this meeting we made Mr. Charles F. Wing Life Member of the America Sunday-School. On this occasion I gave one dollar and fifty cents to Prof. James Grayham because he gave fifty cents. I said we ought to raise it and give it to him because he gave it for Mr. Wing. "A cup of cold water" will not lose its reward. Saturday, May 11, 1850. As trustee I visited Unity Church, opened the meeting with singing, delivered a short lecture on 2 Sam. 7-1-2. . . . Unity Church is a frame house about 25 by 36, and half finished, no stove, no glass, no ceiling, and the question was to finish it. After much debate and settling other questions, we, the four sects to whom Maurice Moore deeded the land (Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists and Cumberland Presby- terians), agreed to try and finish the house and get a stove. Brother Stephen Harris and I drew a subscription each and I got $34.50, subscribed on May 12, 1850. ... O Lord, bless my poor labors and take all the glory to Thyself. . . . July 29, 1850. Vernal Grove, my home, in Muhlenberg County, six miles from Greenville, Ky. Having bought a buggy, a one-horse carriage, at $40, and received two boxes of the books of the Board of Publication from Hopkinsville, I took the books of the smaller box and put them in a trunk and new box in my buggy, and started on my tour, the upper end of Muhlenberg Presbytery. According to a list of appointments published in the Presbyterian Herald at Louisville, I went first to Unity Meeting House three miles. One-fourth of said house belongs to the Presbyterian Church. Here I lectured on the First Psalm and sold two books of the Board of Publication and received the first money, fifty cents, from Mr. E. R. Dillingham. Distributed some Tracts. . . . July 31, 1850. Wednesday I went to the Brick Church, preached to an attentive audience, sold a few books, and got only $2.50 subscribed to the Presbyterial Academy. This afternoon went up to Greenville and put up with Br. Wing. 1850, August, 4th Sabbnth, 25. Rode three miles in my buggy from Br. Andrew Cochran's to Salem Church, lectured and preached. Had some fever when I got there. Caught cold by sleeping on straw bed, thin covering and windows up. Then went and dined with James Sawyer; ate too hearty, too much milk. Then went to Bro. Ben Sawyer's; James went with me. Fever was now very high, very, very sick. Got better and better until Wednesday morning. Took Cook's pills every night . . . but now, August 30, I am much better and hope, by the Lord's blessing, to set out for home on to-morrow. Blessed be God for his mercies, and I thank him it is no worse. September 1, 1850. The places I have preached during the last four months are as follows: Mt. Zion, Brick Church, Greenville, Unity, Rumsey, Edward Combs, Rochester, Caneyfolk, Cochran's and Salem [1]; delivered thirty-four lectures, twenty-four sermons, visited fifty- nine families, traveled 369 miles, collected $9.70 for the Board of Missions. January 21, 1851. . . . Luther Bard began to board at John Cochran's January 19, 1851, and to go to school to Rev. J. Donaldson. Board seventy-five cents per week, including washing, cut his own wood, find his own candles, and Cochran to find him a room and bed. 1851. April 1. Went to Greenville and took my daughters, Verona and Mary Bard and Martha Amaryllis Bard, to Mr. Green's Female Academy. Then engaged in selling and distributing books. May 16, 1851. The Rev. A. C. DeWitt, a Methodist minister of Muhlenberg County, and the Rev. James Bennett, a Baptist minister of Ohio County, held a debate on Baptism in Greenville on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the 13, 14, 15 and 16th of May. Hon. Robert S. Russell, Isaac Bard and Rev. Kinchen Hay were moderators. There was a good deal of shrewdness, talent and reading manifested by the debate. . . , Baptism is not settled and must be more fully studied by Pedo-Baptists so as to keep the Baptists from most dangerous delusion. June, 1851, Thursday, 19th. at 4 o'clock. I, chairman of the Building Committee, laid (the other members assisting) the corner-stone of the Pres-byterial Academy. I stood on the corner-stone and made a short speech and a prayer, asked the blessing of the great Jehovah on the enterprise. O Lord, cause this house to be built and make it a great blessing to the church and State. July 1, 1851. I have just reported to the Rev. W. W. Hill, from March 1 to July 1, 1851— four months. The places I have preached at are as follows: Mt. Pleasant, Antioch, Jefferson, Martin's, Mrs. Rebecca Summers', West Salem, Rumsey, Greenville, Unity and Myers' Chapel. Visited sixty-nine families, rode 462 miles, preached thirty-three sermons and lectures and delivered fourteen addresses. Labored ten months on this Mission and resigned in order to act for the Academy. O Lord, bless my labors, Isaac Bard. . . . On Saturday, July 5th, got to Judge Broadnax's of Russellville. Tuesday, July 15. Brother J. Williamson went with me down to Allensvilie, 8 miles southeast of Elkton. Here we organized the Allensville Church of nine members, ordained two elders. Messrs. James Bibb and John W. Glass. Lectured and preached on two occasions in the Baptist Church in Allensville and on one occasion at the school house near there. Sold books one day as colporteur. . . . This day, July 20, 1851, attended the Campbellite Church near Allensvilie, Todd County, because I never before had attended a meeting of that order. . . . 1851. November 1st. . . . Lost my saddle-bags from my buggy on my way to Rumsey. Had some cholera medicine in them and some reported and insinuated that it was brandy, etc., etc. I explained and denounced publicly at Mt. Pleasant and Antioch the error and slander. 1853, April, Thursday, 28th. Left home to-day to visit the upper part of the State to collect funds for our Presbyterial Academy. Staid all night in Greenville with E. M. Brank. 29th, started to Russellville and on way staid all night with Rev. A. C. DeWitt, 30th, arrived in Russellville.' . . . Stopped at Shaker-town . . . and then put for Bowling Green. . . . Also when at Bowling Green I visited the tomb of the Rev. Joseph B. Lassley. His tomb of white limestone is on the ground where the pulpit of the old church formerly stood. When he stood there and I stood there and preached, little did he think, or yet I, that that was to be the place of his tomb! From mishap I visited the Mammoth Cave. It cannot be described. It is grand and awful, beautiful and picturesque. I often was brought to think of the unconverted and converted state of the sinner; but hell with its horrors was more associated in my mind. Gorin's Dome, Fat Man's Misery, Bottomless Pit, River Styx, Cyclop's Tomb and the Star Chamber were grand and interesting objects. Went to Glasgow. . . . Munfordsville . . . Red Mills Church on Nolin Creek. . . . June 4, 1853, I went to Elizabethtown. . . . June 7th. Left Hodgensville, the county seat of LaRue County . . . and went out to the Glasgow Turnpike Road, passed the high and terrible Muldrow Hill and arrived at my niece's, Mrs. Jonathan Rogers, in Bardstown, my native town. . . . The road on Muldrow Hill is a magni- ficent work and does credit to Kentucky. May God bless the spirit of improvement in our country so that railroads may pass through our country between all important points, so as to facilitate, equip and promote civilization and the Gospel. . . . Returned home. July 15, 1855. The Democratic Party are fraternizing or forming a league with two other great parties, the Abolitionists of the North and the Foreigners, so as to make a great and strong Party to carry the election, and if the American Party, who discards Abolitionism and Foreignism, does not prevail, what will become of our Union? July 30, 1855. . . . The next day I went to Henderson, dined with Robert Beverly and there met at dinner Gov. Powell. We had a debate about Popery. His arguments were the subterfuges of Papists; nothing solid, but declamation. January, 1st Sabbath and 6th day, 1856. Rode to the Brick Church. Preached to an attentive audience on Ps. 103-2, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." In afternoon dined with Col. Wm. McNary and rode to Madisonville with a view to preach, but was too late; dark when I got there and extremely cold. Monday. 7th, it snowed. I staid all day there. In the meantime got my buggy mended. January 13, 1856. Rode to Rumsey, crossed Pond River at the mouth on the ice. . . . Total of whole service from May 1, 1855, to May 1, 1856: Preached 187 sermons and lectures, visited 270 families and received ten persons, and traveled 1997 miles, Amen. June 1, 1864. It seems that from July 21, 1861, to June 1, 1864, near three years, I had no commission from the Board of Missions, owing to the War and our Presbytery not meeting. Indeed, we can not now, or since the War, travel thirty miles without serious damage. . . . May 1, 1865. I have labored three months since December 1, 1864 (excepting January and February). The bad weather, high water and guerrillas prevented my preaching. I have labored in said churches since above report. There has been increased attention and large audiences. (1865) . . . I preached a funeral sermon of a distinguished man, Dr. A. M. Jackson, at which there was the largest and most solemn audience I have ever seen in Muhlenberg County.2 . . . I have concluded to spend more time at Mt. Zion and Mt. Pleasant and other vacancies. . . . I hope to do much work this winter—the Lord willing. The next to the last entry is dated December 1, 1865. The last entry was made six and a half years later, when Mr. Bard had reached the age of seventy-five. and from it I quote: As well as I recollect, I resigned the care of Mt. Zion, Brick Church or Mt. Pleasant and South Carrollton churches early in 1868. . . . Sometimes I visited them. . . . My health has been so delicate I could not go abroad. . . . Recently I attended Presbytery at Paradise and delivered three sermons (being six ministers and six elders). We had a pleasant time 1872, May 17. ISAAC BARD. The second of Isaac Bard's documents that has been preserved is what he designates a "Lecture on Muhlenberg County." This is a sketch that seems to have been prepared for a lecture delivered some time after 1870. He digresses into national history so frequently that "Our County and Our Country" would have been a more appropriate title for his lecture. Much of what he records was obtained by me from other sources and woven into various parts of my manuscript before I learned of the existence of his interesting paper. Nevertheless I quote all that he gives bearing on local history, omitting only such statements as do not pertain directly to Muhlenberg County: BARD'S LECTURE ON MUHLENBERG COUNTY. Greenville is the name of the county seat of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Greenville was named after Gen. Greene of the Revolutionary War, and Muhlenberg County was named after General Muhlenberg, another officer of the Revolution. The gentlemen and fathers who gave the names to our town and county indicated their patriotic sentiments by perpetuating the names of Greene and Muhlenberg to time and posterity. . . . John Bone and Hugh Martin, elders of the Greenville Church, and Andrew Glenn, elder of Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church, were Revolutionary soldiers. They lived and died in Muhlenberg County. In order to get at the history of Muhlenberg County we must say a few words about the first families who settled in this county, the churches and preachers of the different sects, the lawyers and doctors, the part our citizens took in the English- Indian War, the Mexican War and our late Civil War, the steam navigation of Green River, our steam mills and our railroad clear through the county with its terrible tax of $400,000. When I came here in 1823 I became acquainted with certain respectable families who had been, I suppose, in the county long before, namely, Judge Alney McLean, James Weir, Charles F. Wing, Hon. Edward Rumsey, HOD Edmund Watkins, Samuel Russell, John January, John Bryant, John Rothrock and John Campbell. These included nearly all the men of Greenville There were also some leading families in the country, namely, James McCaleb, Maurice Moore, Maj. Jesse Oates, Jesse Murphy, Hugh Martin, Col. Wm. McNary, Hugh McNary, Charles Summers, Stephen Harris, Capt. John Smith, Robert Branscome, Andrew Glenn, John Culbertson, Thomas Irvin, David Rhoads, Solomon Rhoads, Wm. Martin, John Bone, Hutson Martin, Samuel Allison and Richard D. Reynolds. The Presbyterian Church was organized in Greenville at an early date The Reverends Nelson, Wm. Gray and James McCready were her first preachers. They acted as stated supplies and missionaries. More late were Reverends Isaac Bard, McAfee, Templeton, Housley, and Morton, who acted as pastors and supplies. The Presbyterian Church was first built, with Isaac Bard its pastor. After the Methodist, Cumberland Presbyterian and Baptist churches were built. The Presbyterial Male Academy and Female Collegiate School were built by Presbyterians, old school. The first Baptist churches in Muhlenberg were Hazel Creek, Bethel and Unity; Reverends Benjamin Tolbert, Daring Allcock and John Bowling were their first preachers. They were pious, liberal, good men; evangelical and eloquent, the most so of any I ever heard to have so little education. It was remarkable what good language they used. . . . But all the helps of their native genius and piety did not supersede Education, for if they had had it they would have shone out still brighter and as stars of the first magnitude. The first circuit court judges of our county were Judge Broadnax and Judge McLean. They were both eminent men, able in the law and stood high as jurists. Charles F. Wing and Jesse H. Reno were our first county clerks; the former acted in that capacity some fifty years. Both stood high in office and preserved an un- tarnished reputation. Dr. Robert McLean and Dr. Thomas Pollard were our first doctors. After them came Dr. W. H. Yost. All of them were very respectable; so much so that I cannot add laurels to their fame. . . . . . . These were the causes of the last British War . . . and this was why Judge McLean, Ephraim Brank, Edward Jarvis, Mike Severs, Joseph McCown, John Shelton, Isaiah Hancock and others of Muhlenberg fought the British. It is said that Ephraim Brank and Edward Jarvis mounted the breastworks and there fired into the British army, as they marched up, as fast as their friends could load the rifles for them. I see it stated lately in a highly respectable paper that Mr. Brank brought down several British officers in their march up to our breastworks at the battle below New Orleans. During our Civil War or war of four years, when brother was arrayed against brother, North against South, in bloody conflict, the citizens of Muhlenberg County were honestly divided and took sides, and now we stand as "parties Radicals and Democrats. . . . The old question is a bygone thing and the constitution is the umpire. . . . The main staples or commodities of Muhlenberg County are corn, wheat, tobacco and pork. In proportion to our soil and climate I do not know that any of our neighbors do excel us. We are certainly capable of making hay, another important staple, as we have the best bottom lands to suit the purpose; and as our hills get more worn and washed off, for want of grass, our farmers will have to betake them- selves to the bottom lands to feed their stock and save half their corn. But what does all our coal lands and staples amount to when we have been beguiled and are about to be forced to pay $400,000.00 and interest? Whisky was once a staple of this county. Thousands of bushels of corn and thousands of bushels of apples and peaches have been used to make whisky and brandy. . . . But, I forbear. I have said more about bust-head whisky as a "filthy lucre" than I intended. I am talking to-day on the history and the future of Muhlenberg County. I would hereby call your attention to two very important cardinal laws that ought to be amended. They now form part of our history. I mean, fellow-citizens, the District School Laws and the Law of Suffrage. . . . When parents are so ignorant, stupid and criminal that they will not or do not send their children to school when the teacher or tuition is paid by the State, we positively advise as a remedy that the history of Muhlenberg may be disgraced no longer, that such parents and guardians be fined an amount equal to what their tuition would have been by the State. The Law of Suffrage in these United States ought certainly be so amended that no man ought to be allowed to vote who cannot read and write the English language. . . . The day will come in the Millennium, not far away, when the Jews and all the Gentile nations of all the earth will be so many republics. When that bright day comes the pillars of those republics will not he built on Ignorance and Vice. No, those republics will be built, so to speak, figuratively, on the Granite Rocks of Virtue, Intelligence, the Bible and Christianity. . . . ISAAC BARD. ENDNOTES [1] Unity Church, near McNary Station, is now a Missionary Baptist church. The Brick Church, referred to by Isaac Bard, was located a mile southwest of Earles; it was torn down about the year 1897. Mount Pleasant Church, now known as Pleasant Hill Church, is also in the Pond River country below Harpe's Hill. Mt. Zion is east of Central City. This congregation had a nominal existence as early as 1804, but was not organized until 1823, when Mr. Bard appeared on the scene. The building now occupied by the Mt. Zion congregation was erected in 1900. It stands on the site of the old church, and near one of the oldest church burying-grounds in Muhlenberg. [2] Doctor Alfred Metcalf Jackson was born in Shelby County, January, 1816. After finishing a course in the Louisville Medical College he moved, about the year 1842, to South Carrollton and there followed his profession. He soon became one of the best-known practitioners in Muhlenberg, Ohio, and McLean counties. In 1849 he represented the county in the State Constitutional Convention. He died February 16, 1865. In 1845 he married Martha S. Fentress, daughter of John Fentress. Their children now living are Mrs. Carrie A. (Charles A.) Robertson and Ursulas Jackson, of Muhlenberg, John M. Jackson, of Logan County, and Honorable Alfred M. Jackson, of Winfield, Kansas. Submitted by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com Additional Comments: Extracted from: A HISTORY OF MUHLENBERG COUNTY BY OTTO A. ROTHERT Member of The Filson Club. Kentucky State Historical Society, American Historical Association, International Society of Archaeologists, etc. JOHN P. MORTON & COMPANY INCORPORATED LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 1913 This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/