CARVER, Starling - Putnam

Among the early settlers of Parke County who came from KY were Starling CARVER and family. He was a man of noble character and sterling worth, a true Christian gentleman, whose example and precepts were far reaching and lasting in his community. Starling Carver was born Jan 8, 1802 died Nov 22, 1870 aged 68 years. He was married to Jane Durham in 1822, she being born Oct 22, 1806 died May 2, 1880 in her 83rd year. She was a native of Boyle Co, KY. Her father, Benjamin Durham was one of the best known Methodist pioneers of Ky, his home being a rendezvous for such men as Bishop Simpson; Henry Bascom; Peter Cartwright and others. On Mr. Durham's farm were held the summer camp meetings, which were so popular among Methodists of that early day. Amid such surroundings she was raised and their influence left an indelible stamp upon her life and the lives of her family. In 1829 Mr. and Mrs. Carver with four small children emigrated to Indiana, settling in the green primeval forest of Montgomery County, where there was no timber felled, except the few trees to build their little cabin. Here they toiled early and late, clearing the ground and burning the brush to make their new home in the wilderness. It was only a few years till the family came to Parke County and settled near Portland Mills on the Putnam County line. They lived there until the death of the father in 1870, then Mrs. Carver moved to Greencastle, where she spent the remainder of her life. She was a woman of strong constitution and personality. When her hard days work was done she spent the evening spinning, weaving and looking after the children. When her heart would go out with homesick longing to see the loved ones of her father's famiy back in Kentucky, she would mount her horse, take the baby in her arms, another child behind and ride day after day over the rocks and over the hills, through the brush and fallen trees all the long weary way for the joyful visit at home in old Ky. One of her brothers was Judge Milton Durham, first Comptroller of the Treasury during Cleveland's administration. There were 11 children born in this family, 6 of them lived to maturity and were men and women of great influence in their day. They had the best education to be obtained in the country at that time; several of them were teachers. All were strong Methodists and were active in church work. The influence was always for good wherever they were located. Their names were: Wesley; John; William; Benjamin; Mrs. Mary Fordice and Mrs. Elizabeth Johnson.   ----- kbz