Poor Captain E. Kibbey & the Role He Played in an Early Indiana Trail

As we all work on our family history, I am sure the migration stories cross our minds. Especially, if your family did a lot of that travelling before 1850 or so. 

Prior to this time, many areas west of the Appalachian Mountains were still wilderness. I have read several accounts of how the forests of the southern half of Indiana were so dense as to not see daylight until you came to a clearing.  🌳🌳🌳🌳🌳

Although my Hoosier ancestors most likely used the Ohio River to reach their Dearborn County destination, my 5th-great grandfather, Elijah Sparks, may have used the following road in his position as a  Indiana Territorial Judge. He held this position from 1814, until his death in the spring of 1815. From what I have read in the past, he had to ride quite a distance as he had a large area to cover. 

The first road to cross Indiana was blazed by Captain 
Ephraim Kibbey in 1799-1800. This two-hundred mile
route ran from Cincinnati to Vincennes, crossing the
Greene Ville Treaty Line here. Location: SR 350 on border
 of Dearborn and Ripley Co., IN. Source: https://www.in.gov/history/markers/4131.htm)

Recently, I discovered this gem of a description about the origins of "Kibbey's Road". I found it in the book, Early Indiana Trails and Surveys by George R. Wilson. According to following account, it appears that poor Captain Kibbey gave his all to the project!

  "There were early trails running east and west through Dearborn County. One went from near Milan toward Cincinnati. The survey records call it 'Kibbey’s Road.'  It was the first one crossing the entire state from Cincinnati to Vincinnes, and was laid out early in the nineteenth century. perhaps in 1801-2. The Western Spy, published in Cincinnati July 23, 1799, contained the following item:  'Captain E. Kibbey, who some time since undertook to cut a road from Vincennes to this place, returned on Monday, reduced to a perfect skeleton. He had cut the road 70 miles, when by some means, he was separated from his men. After hunting them some days without success, he steered his course this way. He had undergone great hardships and was obliged to subsist upon roots, etc., which he picked up in the woods.' Twenty years later gazetteers described the line of the road west from Cincinnati as 'Burlington, 15 miles; Rising Sun, 10; Judge Cotton’s, 20; Madison, 20; New Lexington, 17; Salem, 32; French Lick, 34; East Fork White River, 17; North Fork White River, 20; Vincennes, 16; total, 201 miles.' "

    
As I did some research on the internet regarding this road, I discovered that the above marker is now missing. Also, there appears to be some confusion in regards to what present-day road is the original Kibbey Road.

If anyone has any answers for me, I would love to hear them! I am sure many of our Hoosier ancestors used this road to travel west through Indiana, and it might be of interest to our fellow genealogists and history buffs!

Please comment below and let me know what you think.

Source:

Wilson, George R., C.E., L.L.B.. Early Indiana Trails and Surveys. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press, 1919, 4-5.

IHB:  Kibbey's Road. https://www.in.gov/history/markers/4131.htm

Now, How Is He Related to Me?!

Ok, a show of hands, please, if this has happened to you…

You have just uncovered a fascinating story about a relative, and can't wait to tell everyone. You begin the story, and you have your audience hooked...until someone says, “now, how are we related to him?”.

As you start to explain, their eyes start glazing over...and you know you've lost them!

I know, because it has happened to me. A while back, I discovered that one of our cousins would be acting alongside Daniel Radcliffe, in the film, “Imperium”. Exciting news that I couldn't wait to share with my son, right?!  And he was excited, until he had to go, and ask THE QUESTION.  (The answer by the way was my son’s 3rd cousin)

So, I hope this chart might help you, and your audience, as you discover new relatives, and old ancestors.

1. Find the common ancestor(s).

      (Ex. ~ In my story above, that would be Henry & Carrie Haessig.)

   2. Go right across the top blue row, filling in each generation until       reaching the one you are researching. Start with the Common             Ancestor’s child, grandchild, etc.

     (Ex. ~ Henry & Carrie > Ethel > Gene > Diane > My son. My son

     would be the 2nd Great-grandchild of Henry & Carrie.)

  3. Now, repeat Step #2 (going down the left blue column) with the           other line that you are researching.

      (Ex. ~ Henry & Carrie > Clara > Robert > R.G. > The Actor. The               Actor would also be a 2nd Great-grandchild of Henry & Carrie.)

     *I am being vague with some names for privacy’s sake.

     

  4. After finding the two relatives along the top blue row and the             left blue column, trace their lines until they meet in the chart.             This will tell you how two people are related.

      (Ex. ~ My son is 2nd Great-grandchild along the top blue row.              The Actor is 2nd Great-grandchild along left blue column.                     Where they meet in the chart, states they are 3rd cousins.)

I am sure this is as clear as mud right now, but it honestly gets easier each time you try it! I know it works best for me if I always try to keep my right pointer finger on my top row relative, and my left pointer finger on my left column relative. Then, I can just move my fingers until they meet.

You may need to write your relatives’ names in the boxes. Whatever works best for you is the best way to use this chart.

Now...a short quiz to test your newfound skills!

I am related to an Indiana Governor from the early 1900’s. His name is Winfield Taylor Durbin, and our Common Ancestor is Elijah Sparks.

Winfield’s line ~ Elijah >Eliza > Winfield

My line ~ Elijah > Hamlet > Mary > Anna > Carrie > Ethel > Gene > Diane

How are Governor Winfield Taylor Durbin and I related to each other?

Hoosier Roots Run Deep in Indiana

Good news for this Hoosier Lady!

When starting a blog, one of the more difficult tasks is coming up with a name. It is a good idea to find something catchy, but it should also speak volumes about the blog itself.  I chose the name “This Hoosier’s Heritage” not only because I am a born-and-bred Hoosier, but also because I knew my roots grew deep in the state of Indiana.

Several weeks ago, I sent off my application to the Society of Indiana Pioneers.  If they can verify that you have ancestors in the state of Indiana before 1840, you are then welcome to join the Society and your ancestors will be added to their database.

Carrie (Hillman) Haessig on the left, Ethel
(Haessig) Schrader on the right 

My paternal grandmother, Ethel Haessig, has roots that run deep in Dearborn County.  Her mother, Carrie Hillman, was born in the small town of Moores Hill to Thomas Hillman and Anna Moore.

Thomas Hillman and Anna (Moore) Hillman

Anna Moore has a very rich heritage in Dearborn County, and much has been written about her grandparents' and great-grandparents' accomplishments and pioneering spirits. Her grandfather, Adam Moore, and his wife, Judith Smith, travelled from Maryland, and established the town of Moores Hill. The town was supposed to be named Moore’s Mill; but, through an error by the postmaster, it was mistakenly, and forever, named Moores Hill.

Adam Moore's will (naming Levin, and his siblings)

Anna Moore is the daughter of Levin Moore and Mary Sparks. Although Levin’s father, Adam, played a pioneering role in the founding of Moores Hill; Mary’s side of the family played an even bigger role in the history of Dearborn County.

Elijah Sparks' Life in Indiana

Her grandfather, Elijah Sparks, brought his wife, Elizabeth Weaver, and children (including Mary’s father, Hamlet) from Kentucky into Indiana Territory in 1806. He became a Territorial Judge for Dearborn County, until his death in 1815. Although Elijah helped to settle this southeastern corner of the Indiana Territory, he was not fortunate enough to witness its statehood.

I was waiting on pins and needles for a reply from the Society of Indiana Pioneers, and was delighted with their answer. According to their genealogist, "I will have no problem, whatsoever, in approving your application for both Elijah Sparks and Adam Moore."

My next step is completing the membership requirements for the Society, which is just a few small details on my part.

However, as all family historians are well aware...half of the fun is digging up the facts and stories.  The other half is in verifying whether they are indeed facts, half-truths, or legend. 

When an organization, such as the Society of Indiana Pioneers, verifies your research is in fact true, you breath a sigh of big relief.

Ahhh, now to continue digging deeper!!