Kentucky Connections / Land
Until 1792, Kentucky was a part of Virginia, initially known as Kentucky County, Virginia. In 1779 the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation creating a
land patenting process for appropriating land in Kentucky County. A variety of
land warrants and special legislative acts could be used to initiate a patent.
Under the terms of an agreement with Virginia, Kentucky continued to honor
patents issued prior to June 1, 1792, when Kentucky achieved statehood.
In 1780 it was divided into the counties of Lincoln, Jefferson, and Fayette. Subsequent divisions occurred with greater frequency. Early
land grant records will refer to Lincoln County, which was the largest
of the three county divisions. Sometimes the land warrants
were not recorded for years. In some cases the owner was deceased, and
the heirs had to submit a copy of the will to get the land recorded.
Many
early Southern Indiana residents had Kentucky roots. The Harbison
(Harbeson / Harberson), Blagrave (Blackgrove / Blackgrave), and
Treadway (Treadaway / Tredway) families were among them. James Harbison
Sr, below was killed by Indians February 28, 1783 near Harbison
Station, in what is now Kentucky. His son James Harbison, a proven Revolutionary War Patriot, is buried in Devine Cemetery, Dubois County, Indiana. Other Harbison burial sites are Cooper Cemetery and Harbison Cemetery.
Harrison
Blagrave was James and Rachel (Porter) Harbinson's son-in-law. Harrison
married their daugher Esther Harbison 11/20/1792 in Mercer
County, Kentucky.
Rachel (Porter) Harbison's Will Courtesy of Donna Gagliano
James Harbison 1,400 Acres Lincoln County, Kentucky /Virginia 1781
James Harbison 400 Acres Lincoln County, Kentucky /Virginia 1786 (Heirs)
James Harbison 1,043 Acres Lincoln County Kentucky /Virginia 1782
