By Joyce Whitman; PO Box 655, Lenoir, NC 28645
Transcribed with her permission by:
Theodora "Teddy" DeFord
The area that is Kentucky was being explored as early as the 1600’s, But the serious exploration began in 1716 when, with great enthusiasm, Governor Spotswood of Virginia led a group, including surveyors, across the Blue Ridge. From then on the explorers, Hunters, and Trappers went deeper into new territory. In 1750 Dr. Thomas Walker discovered the gap through the Appalachians and named it Cumberland Gap in honor of the Duke of Cumberland. In 1758 Dr. Walker explored into the Bluegrass region, Settlers started moving in. In 1763 the French and Indian War ended and in 1768 Britain made peace with the Indians. This really encouraged people to go to Kentucky. By 1775 Harrodsburg, Boonesboro, and Logan’s Station were all well established. in 1776, Kentucky County was formed from Fincastel County Virginia. Later in 1780 Kentucky County was abolished and three new Counties were formed, Jefferson, Fayette, and Lincoln. Mercer County was formed from Lincoln Co. in 1786. This is the county that the Bruners settled in about 1780 while it was still part of Lincoln Co.
The Indians didn’t give much trouble as long as only hunters and trappers came into the area. Many Indian tribes, Including the Iraqis, Shawnee, Mingo, Delewares, Wyandat, Chickasaw, and Cherokee, used Kentucky as their hunting grounds. When the White hunters came, there was little trouble because there was plenty of game for all. But when the settlers came, then came the hostilities began. When the Indians joined the British in the America Revolution, the hostilities became more fierce and widespread. This lasted for Years, even after the Colonists defeated the British.
These troubles didn’t stop settlers from pouring into Kentucky from North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Several families would migrate together from one location to another. In 1780 and 1781 there was a great migration of families moving into Kentucky from Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Most of these were associated with the Dutch Reformed Church. They were referred to as “Low Dutch”. George Morgan Chinn in his book, mentions that the Bruners were among these families. They settled in Mercer Co. No doubt there were several families of Bruners.
It is stated in that population pressure in New Jersey and Pennsylvania caused a large group of Dutch families to make the trip West to the Cane Lands of Kaintuckee”,and that many settled in Mercer Co. at the mouth of the Salt River where there was a Dutch Reformed congregation as early as 1800.
The term ”Low Dutch” is used for people of Holland to distinguish them from the Dutch of “High Germany”. Now were the Bruners Dutch and belonged to the Dutch Reformed Church, or did they just join this group to get to Kentucky? Family tradition is that the Bruners were originally from Switzerland.
In the early 1700’s there was unrest in Switzerland. Many Swiss left their country due to religious reasons and migrated in large groups to Holland. Queen Anne of England helped finance their passage to America. This was not only for political and commercial reasons but also because England wanted to help the Protestant cause.
In the 1730’s and 1740’s there was another great migration of the Swiss with the Germans to America. According to the Colonial Records of Pennsylvania there were 3 shiploads of Swiss and German’s that arrived in 1735.
There were three Bruner families in this group. In 1743 there were 8 shiploads of Swiss and German’s that arrived which included one Bruner family. In 1749 there were 21 ships bringing Swiss and German’s. There were 5 Bruner families this time. A great deal more research is needed to determine the ship and the date of arrival of our Bruner Ancestor.
An interesting bit of information showing there were Bruners in Switzerland as early as 1522 is found in the Book by H. Frank Eshleman (pg 12)
“In Berne we find vigorous reform spirit in the aspiring element of the citizens, or the progressive intelligent and business classes, especially in the guilds. The Munster Cathedral stonemasons showed themselves full of it. It is supposed that we generally know that about the end of the middle ages the guilds or lodges of cut stone masons and mechanics were intellectually and articiacally advanced and that they had a monopoly of all the cathedral building in central Europe.”
“when in 1522 the Dean of Munsingeon prosecuted the Minister York Bruner in Kleenhochsletten before the council of Berne, the council took the side of Bruner and sentenced the chapter of Munsingen to pay the costs. Bruners offense was that of speaking publicly of the Pope & Cardinals, and Bishops as devils, and antichrist and the priests and monks as cheats, seducers, and oppressors of the poor and wolves who kill and destroy the body and soul” was this our ancestor?
There were two ways for the settlers from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to get to Kentucky. Either travel by river or overland on the Wilderness Trail. Coming down the Ohio River was more dangerous than the route over the Mountains. By the 1780’s the Wilderness Rd. branched off from the Great Wagon Road, which was a much traveled trail. There were many settlements along the way where they could tarry a while to rest, learn the news, and replenish their supplies. I believe this is the way the Burners came to Kentucky, settling in Mercer Co.
John Bruner was our Ancestor who settled in Kentucky. There was a Peter Bruner in Mercer Co. in 1791 he signed for his daughter Rachel to marry March 7, 1791, another daughter Mercy married July 13, 1791, and a third daughter married Sept. 12, 1791. This Peter Bruner was a prominent and well to do person. He was a delegate to the Second Kentucky Constitutional Convention from Mercer Co. KY in 1799. He died in 1801. His Will does not mention a John Bruner so it is unknown how he was related to our John. Peter was born in 1733 and our John was born in 1763. Were they brothers or Uncle and Nephew? Anyway, John’s son, born in Mercer Co. Jan. 30, 1971 was Peter Bruner. It is logical to assume there was a relationship.
It’s believed that John was born in Pennsylvania but lived in New Jersey at the time of the American Revolution. On a affidavit for a pension for John Fulkerson for Service in the American Revolution, John Bruner that he and John Fulkerson were neighbors in New Jersey. John Fulkerson was married to Margaret Bruner in Sussex Co., New Jersey in 1774. How were Margaret Bruner and Our John related? [TD Note: John’s brother Phillip Fulkerson married Elizabeth Bruner in 1775, Sussex Co. N.J. but how were the Bruners related?]
In Mercer Co., Ky. records of Nov. 26, 1793 it is mentioned that John Bruner was in a group of men to help keep a road open. Also in 1793, George Sconce was bound out to John Bruner. on a tax list in Mercer Co. in 1795 he is listed as having 2 horses and 5 cattle.
Mercer Co. records of March 22, 1796 state that John Bruner was granted a license to keep a tavern at his home in Danville. Danville, which had been laid off in 1784, became the center of the intellectual, political, and religous life in Kentucky. A court house was built in Danville and the District Court met there. Danville was a busy and lively place and no doubt taverns very popular. There were laws which the tavern keeper had to follow after his license had been granted. The Tavern,or ordinary Keeper had to provide good wholesome and clean lodging and diet for travelers. Suitable provender or pasturage for horses were required. the Law also stated that “the Keeper shall not suffer or permit any unlawful gaming in his house, nor suffer any person to tipple or drink more than is necessary, or at anytime suffer any disorderly or scandalous behavior to be practiced in his house”. Tavern rates and prices were fixed by county justices for liquors, lodging, diet, stablage, procender and pasturage. Licensees had to be renewed each year. [TD NOTE: I have the license records for John]
In the Mercer county records of March 28, 1797 it is recorded “indenture from John Allison to John Bruner was proved by Samuel Ewing, Thomas Crawford and John Miles, witnesses thereto and ordered recorded. Indenture from John to Thomas Crawford was acknowledged and ordered and recorded”.
Then on March 27, 1798 “indenture from John Bruner and Pamely Bruner, his wife to Thomas Crawford was proved by David Knox and Samuel Ewing, witnesses thereto and dower relinquished , and ordered recorded.” (This is the first mention of John’s wife.)
An interesting bit of information is in a newspaper clipping in the Bruner Family file in the Harrordsburg Public Library. It states that the following people are buried in the Shaker graveyard, Pleasant Hill, Mercer Co. Ky:
Calvin Bruner, born Jan 6, 1795 in Mercer Co. died 1818
Ruth Bruner born Nov. 19,1772 in New Jersey, died 1812
Polly Bruner, born Mercer Co. 1797, died 1813
[TD Note: if you’ve ever visited the Shaker Village you would know of the hard times, marriage was prohibited, men had there side of the house and women and children there side, they even had separate doors to enter the houses. If anyone was caught being intement they were banned from the Village, many Husbands and wives who were allowed to join were never to be together again, also a lot of these people were taken in because of the death of husbands who had no income or support, and given a home and lots off work to keep the Village going.]
This shows the Bruners were from New Jersey and were in Kentucky in the 1790’s. But how were they related to our John Bruner?
By 1800, John Bruner is on the census of Nelson Co. Ky. it would be interesting to know why he left Mercer Co. The Fulkerson family also moved to Nelson Co. from Mercer Co. The Bruners. Fulkersons and McGrews were very closely associated for many generations.
[TD Note: Some of the Fulkerson’s were still in Nelson Co. in 1850 per Census records].
John Bruner, along with Jacob Fulkerson, Phillip Fulkerson, and Thomas Bolden were witnesses to the Will of Daniel Techenor in Nelson Co. in 1803 [TD Note: This Will is online in the Ky. Footsteps until it’s put on KYGenWeb.]
This “indenture made this 28th day of Feb. 1804,between John Gray of the County of Logan of the one part and John Bruner of the County of Nelson of the other part. both of the State of Kentucky, witness that for and in consideration of $242 1/2 in hand paid to said Gray the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged he hath sold, granted and confirm and doth by these presents sell, grant, convey and confirm unto said Bruner a certain tract or parcel of land containing 48 acres and a half by survey be the same more or less lying and being in Nelson Co. on the waters of Plum Run, a branch of Simpson’s Creek adjoining the land on which Nicholas Langford now lives and bounded as follows: beginning at a Hickory and two dogwoods near :Langford’s fence thence with 40. East 186 poles to two ironwoods Buckeye Hickory and Honey Locust near Peter Finchman’s fence, North 13 degrees, East 38 poles to middle of the main road leading from Joe Gardeners to Springfield, thence along middle of said road towards Gardeners to a line of the original survey thence South 50 degrees West to beginning, to have and to hold the afore said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances to said Bruner and His heirs forever to his or their proper use. Written in Presence of Richard Redman, Nicholas Langford, William Gray.”
Just as he had in Mercer Co. John Bruner Kept a Tavern in his dwelling house in Nelson Co. He was granted licenses in 1811, 1812 and 1813.
The county made the rules for keeping a Tavern and also set the rates. At the time John Bruner ran a tavern in his home in Nelson Co. the rates were:
"For a warm dinner 37 1/2
For a Warm breakfast or supper 25
For a cold Breakfast, dinner or supper 17
For lodging in clean sheets 12 1/2
For Whiskey or peach brandy per half pint 12 1/2
For French brandy or rum 50
For cider or beer per quart 12 1/2
For wine per quart 2.00
For oats or corn per gallon 12 1/2
For stablage and hay per night 37 1/2
For pasturage per night 12 1/2
Ordered that tavern Keepers within this
county be governed by the above rates so as not to exceed them.”
John Bruner moved from Nelson Co. to Grayson Co. after 1828. his daughter Pamela married David Wells Aug. 7, 1826. Then on March 28, 1828 his daughter Mary married Ruben Davidson in Nelson Co.(Note: TD I have also seen this and it said mother Elizabeth Black, Father John Bruner) In the 1830 Census of Grayson co. It is interesting to note that the Fulkersons also were in Grayson Co.
[TD Note: I found John Bruner in Grayson Tax list first listed in 1830 Clifty Grayson co.
1831 150 acres valued at $100. listed as Beaver Dam.
1833 100 acres value $150
In the 1834 John has 100acres, Adam and Peter are listed Adam with 100 acres
value $100 Peter 317 acres
In 1836 Peter 292, Plum Run value $800, Adam 100 acres value $150
The Fulkerson are listed in Grayson Co. in 1813, John and Fulkard.
Records from microfilm from the LDS in
Indiana Historical society, as much as could be read.]
John is on the 1834 tax list for Grayson Co. In 1836 he signed the affidavit for John Fulkerson. But John is not on the 1840 census For Grayson Co. he died sometime between 1836 and 1840 but when? (Note: Td. I have in a letter from Edna Zerkle the date of 1835, her research is very early, without todays added convience she also said He was buried in Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cem. but I can’t find any records going back that far now!) where is he buried? What became of Pamely, his wife? More research is needed. it would also be interesting to know if he kept a tavern in his home in Grayson Co.(Note: Td Grayson Co. courthouse was burned many times once during the war By Confederate Soldiers on 12/24/1864, another by accident in 1896, and another in 1936. so records are scarce (Note TD I’ve seen where Permelia Bruner applied for a Pension with Thomas as her Guardian, if I could get these records maybe all would come together! I’ve sent, never heard, but am going to try again I”ve sent them off again Nov. 9, 1998.)
John Bruner lived during an exciting time in our Country’s History. He was born in Pennsylvania in 1763, the year that the Seven Years War in Europe ended with the signing of the Tready of Paris. it was this treaty that recognized the Mississippi River as the boundry between the British Colonies and Louisiana Territory that France had ceded to Spain. Ten Years later the Boston Tea Pary took place. That same year 1773 when John was 10 Years old, Daniel Boone led a party of settlers into Western Virginia which later became Kentucky. in 1774, the First Continental Congress met in Philadelphia. That same Year James Harrod from Pennsylvania along with 32 other men, established Fort Harrod in Kentucky.
John Bruner was 12 years old when the American Revolution began in April, 1775. It is Believed the Bruners left New Jersey for Kentucky in the 1780”s. In 1783 Revolutionary Army soldiers were issued script certificates entitling them to tracts of land West of the Appalachians. Is this why so many from Pennsylvania and New Jersey went to Kentucky? Is this why the Bruners went to Kentucky?
In 1791 the Bill of Rights became United States Law and was The year our Ancestor Peter Bruner was born in Kentucky. By the 1800’s the Bruners had moved from Mercer Co. to Nelson Co. The Library of Congress was established that Year. Thomas Jefferson became President in 1801 and Johnny Appleseed arrived in the Ohio Valley. In 1803 The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States and the following year, 1804 Lewis and Clark began their famous expedition and John Bruner bought 48 acres of land in Nelson Co. John’s Son Peter, was in the war of 1812 which ended in 1815. How did all these important events affect the life of John Bruner? How did he react and what were his thoughts?
John Bruner lived during the terms of eight
Presidents:
George Washington 1789-1797
John Adams 1797-1801
Thomas Jefferson 1801-1809
James Madison 1809-1817
James Monroe 1817-1825
John Quincy Adams 1825-1829
Andrew Jackson 1829-1837
Martin Van Buren 1937-1841
(John died between 1836-1840)
John Bruner had seven Children : five sons and two daughters; John, Peter, Adam, William, Oliver Hazard Perry, Mary and Pamelia(Permelia)
Peter Bruner, son of John, was born in Mercer Co. Kentucky on Jan 30, 1791. a Year later Kentucky became aState. Peter was nime years old when the Bruner family moved to Nelson Co. Kentucky in 1800.
They may have moved a little earlier for John Bruner is listed on the 1800 Census for Nelson Co. This was the year that the Indiana Territory was created out of the Northwest Territory. Thomas Jefferson won the election for the Presidency, and Washington D.C. became the Capital of the Unitied States. The Louisiana Purchase was made in 1803 and the famous Lewis and Clark expedition began in 1804. The “Western American” Newspaper began publication in Bardstown. 1806 was the year that Lewis and Clark returned from the exploration of the Louisiana Purchase. The first Noah Webster Dictionary was published that year. Did Peter Bruner pay any attention to these events taking place?
The war of 1812 began June 18. 1812. Peter Bruner volunteered for service on Sept. 1, 1812 on Chaplin Fork in Nelson Co. He signed up for 60 days service. The Militia and Volunteers enlisted for only short periods of time, none of them for more than a Year. Some of them were for only 30 days. depending on the specific service for which they were needed. Peter Bruner was a Private in the Company Mounted Kentucky Volunteers commanded by Capt. Caleb Hardesty, in the Regiment of Mounted Kentucky Volunteers commanded by Colonel John Thomas under the command of Major General Samuel Hopkins. This group of volunteers were called up to go into the Indiana Territory to beat back the hordes of Indians that were siding with the British and were showing intent of hostility. Although Peter Bruner volunteered for 60 days, only 49 days were needed for this specific assignment. he was discharged in Indiana Oct. 29, 1812.
On March 3, 1813 Peter volunteered again in Bardstown, Nelson Co. This time he volunteered for 12 months, but was in actual service for 8 months. He was discharged in the Territory of Indiana which meant he was again fighting the Indians. This time Peter was in the company of Rangers commanded by Capt. Craven Payton, under the command of Colonel Russell. While Peter Bruner was fighting Indians in the Indiana Territory in 1813, The famous victory of the Battle of Lake Erie, Sept. 10, 1813. was taking place. (TD Note: Indiana was called the Indian lands according to History here in Indiana] The Unitied States squadron was under the command of Captain Oliver Hazzard Perry. This is of interest because a number of people connected with the Bruner family were named for Captain Perry.
The war of 1812 ended in January of 1815 after the famous battle of New Orleans. Peter Bruner married Rachel Evans April 8, 1815 in Nelson Co.
Did he wait for the war to be over before he Married? Just a month after his marriage on May 12, 1815, Peter was made a Captain?(written Captl) in the 27th regiment of Militia. The commission was signed by Gov. Issac Shelby.
Who were the parents of Rachel Evans? the marriage bond states that she was the granddaughter of Rachel McDaniel and that both parents were dead.( Note: TD Who is the Mc Daniels( Williams Mc Daniels wife who was drowned in the Indian attack that a John Bruners wife was taken by the Indians? it said that John Bruners wife was the Aunt of the Late distingushed Hon. John B. Bruner. The Paper also said that John and his wife lived together many Years and reared a large family of Children (Who Was Who In Hardin Co. by the Hardin Co. Historical Society) this was written for a centennial celebration in 1882, also says that this was a Part of that was Hardin Co. or later became Hardin Co.) Daniel Mc Daniel signed as surety. What was his relationship to Rachel? Rachel’s mother must have been a McDaniel. There is a marriage bond for Gilbert and Rebecca Mc Daniel, daughter of Redman McDaniel, dated July, 10, 1790 in Nelson Co. Could this be the parents of Rachel Evans? Rachel was born Oct 27, 1798.
Peter Bruner and his wife Rachel lived in Nelson Co. until the 1830’s. The Period of 1830-1840 was a decade of the most prosperous and peaceful time in the history of Kentucky. It was a time of internal improvements, cacadam roads, water navigation, railroad construction, and the beginning of all kinds of industries, trades, and commerce (according to
This period must have been a good time for Peter for he bought and sold land all during that time. He bought 167 acres of land for $500.00 in Grayson Co. in 1831, and sold 36 acres of land on Coxes Creek in Nelson Co. Then in 1838 he bought 150 acres for $100. from Jack Thomas and in 1865 he bought 25 acres from Nichols Durbin for $100.00. According to Peters Will dated March 18, 1863 he also, owned 138 1/2 acres in Clark Co. Ind. So all together he owned a little over 500 acres of land. What did he raise on all that land? The land in Grayson Co. was located “on the Waters of Barton Run”.
Peter Bruner lived through the Civil War, his son Peter S. served in the Union Army (Note: TD we have heard that son Issac was in the Confederate Army.) Kentucky was a divided State. How did Peter react and what were his feeling about the Civil War?
Peter died Feb. 24, 1865, just two months before Lee’s surrender and just before Lincoln’s assassination. He is buried in the Beauty Family Cemetery (on the Harry Lee Farm 1977) Grayson Co. Ky. Rachel died Aug 245, 11876 and is buried in the same Cemetery Peter and Rachel had 9 children. (Note: Vardiman Nancy L. and Rachel Ann are also buried in the Beatty Cem).
Children were
BIBLIOGRAPHY
KENTUCKY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.KENTUCKY IN RETROSPECT: NOTEWORTHY PERSONAGES AND EVENTS IN KENTUCKY HISTORY 1792-1967
REPORT OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY: SOLDIERS IN THE WAR OD 1812
STANCLIFF, MARY HARREL: NELSON COUNTY MARRIAGE BONDS 1785-1832
QUISENBERRY, ANDERSON CHENAULT: KENTUCKY IN THE WAR OF 1812
ALSON, FAMILY NPTES AND PAPERS
CHINN, GEORGE MORGAN: KENTUCKY: SETTLEMENT AND STATEHOOD 1750-1800
KENTUCKY HISTORICIAL SOCIETY 1975
ECKERT, ALLAN W.
THE FRONTIERSMEN (LITTLE BROWN CO. 1967
ESHLEMAN, H FRANK: HISTORIC BACKGROND AND ANNALS OF SWISS AND GERMAN PIONEER SETTLERS OF SOUTH EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO. 1969
Faust, 66: LIST OF SWISS EMIGRANTS IN THE 18TH CENTURY TO THE AMERICANS COLONIES.
HUGAN,MRS MABLE, CORRESPONDANCE
KINCAID, ROBERT L. THE WILDERNESS ROAD MIDDLESBORRO, KY. 1966
KNITTLE, WALTER ALLEN EARLY EIGHTEENTH CENTURY PALISTINE EMIGRATION
GENEALOGICAL PUBLISHING CO. 1937
SMIT, PAMELA AND J.W THE DUTCH IN AMERICA 1609-1970
ZERKLE, MRS EDNA CORRESPONDENCE.
ALSO MERCER COUNTY, KENTUCKY RECORDS, NELSON COUNTY KENTUCKY RECORDS,AND GRAYSON COUNTY KENTUCKY RECORDS