My wife and I, both born in the state of Tennessee in the year 1807, my wife being six months my senior, are among the oldest here in Lincoln County, Missouri, having come within its bounds in 1817 and having lived here fifty-nine years, recall much of the history of this county. We attended the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Lydia, my wife, was born in Davidson Co. within three miles of the city (now) of Nashville. I was born in Williamson Co. between Nashville and Franklin.
Her father moved to Smith Co. and from there he started to Missouri in the year 1811. Nothing particular in her recollection occurred until they reached the south bank of the Big Muddy in Illinois, when the great earthquake of that year shook the earth. The ground swelling, the tree-tops lapping and crashing together, wagons rolling and tumbling, the women praying and the men standing awe-stricken, made a lasting impression upon her young mind.
I had no advantages of education with only six months of schooling. I was raised by my Grandmother Hopkins until I was about 10 years old. My dad married again in 1807 and moved to Lincoln County, Missouri where I eventually joined them. They made a settlement on Big Creek, within the present limits of Lincoln County. At the age of 17 (1824), I was an apprentice for "Boss" WING of Troy, Missouri so I could learn the tanning trade. I fulfilled my apprenticeship, laid aside my apron, and started farming.
My father, David Porter, blacksmith by trade, settled on the farm once owned by Duncan Ellis. He was a man of wit with many jokes. He raised a large family. He was never sick a minute in his life, only after having been intoxicated. He dropped dead off his feet in the Rocky Mountains. His widow died in her 81st year.
The company that started from Tennessee, all being poor and wagons scarce, the bedding of three families was put into one wagon and their clothing packed on horses. Several families brought all their baggage clear through on pack horses. Those who came through on this trip were: Ellen Gibson (widow) and family, Lawrence B. Sitton and family, John Shrum and family, Josiah Cannon and family, and "Duck River" John Gibson. These arrived at Thomas Kennedy's Dec. 26, 1811.
It is possible James Porter was born in 1806 rather than 1807, and I recommend researchers keep both dates in mind when researching further.
Lydia, my wife, was born in Davidson Co. within three miles of the city (now) of Nashville. I was born in Williamson Co. between Nashville and Franklin.
Her father moved to Smith Co. and from there he started to Missouri in the year 1811. Nothing particular in her recollection occurred until they reached the south bank of the Big Muddy in Illinois, when the great earthquake of that year shook the earth. The ground swelling, the tree-tops lapping and crashing together, wagons rolling and tumbling, the women praying and the men standing awe-stricken, made a lasting impression upon her young mind.
I had no advantages of education with only six months of schooling. I was raised by my Grandmother Hopkins until I was about 10 years old. My dad married again in 1807 and moved to Lincoln County, Missouri where I eventually joined them. They made a settlement on Big Creek, within the present limits of Lincoln County. At the age of 17 (1824), I was an apprentice for "Boss" WING of Troy, Missouri so I could learn the tanning trade. I fulfilled my apprenticeship, laid aside my apron, and started farming.
My father, David Porter, blacksmith by trade, settled on the farm once owned by Duncan Ellis. He was a man of wit with many jokes. He raised a large family. He was never sick a minute in his life, only after having been intoxicated. He dropped dead off his feet in the Rocky Mountains. His widow died in her 81st year.
The company that started from Tennessee, all being poor and wagons scarce, the bedding of three families was put into one wagon and their clothing packed on horses. Several families brought all their baggage clear through on pack horses. Those who came through on this trip were: Ellen Gibson (widow) and family, Lawrence B. Sitton and family, John Shrum and family, Josiah Cannon and family, and "Duck River" John Gibson. These arrived at Thomas Kennedy's Dec. 26, 1811.
It is possible James Porter was born in 1806 rather than 1807, and I recommend researchers keep both dates in mind when researching further.
My wife and I, both born in the state of Tennessee in the year 1807, my wife being six months my senior, are among the oldest here in Lincoln County, Missouri, having come within its bounds in 1817 and having lived here fifty-nine years, recall much of the history of this county. We attended the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Lydia, my wife, was born in Davidson Co. within three miles of the city (now) of Nashville. I was born in Williamson Co. between Nashville and Franklin.
Her father moved to Smith Co. and from there he started to Missouri in the year 1811. Nothing particular in her recollection occurred until they reached the south bank of the Big Muddy in Illinois, when the great earthquake of that year shook the earth. The ground swelling, the tree-tops lapping and crashing together, wagons rolling and tumbling, the women praying and the men standing awe-stricken, made a lasting impression upon her young mind.
I had no advantages of education with only six months of schooling. I was raised by my Grandmother Hopkins until I was about 10 years old. My dad married again in 1807 and moved to Lincoln County, Missouri where I eventually joined them. They made a settlement on Big Creek, within the present limits of Lincoln County. At the age of 17 (1824), I was an apprentice for "Boss" WING of Troy, Missouri so I could learn the tanning trade. I fulfilled my apprenticeship, laid aside my apron, and started farming.
My father, David Porter, blacksmith by trade, settled on the farm once owned by Duncan Ellis. He was a man of wit with many jokes. He raised a large family. He was never sick a minute in his life, only after having been intoxicated. He dropped dead off his feet in the Rocky Mountains. His widow died in her 81st year.
The company that started from Tennessee, all being poor and wagons scarce, the bedding of three families was put into one wagon and their clothing packed on horses. Several families brought all their baggage clear through on pack horses. Those who came through on this trip were: Ellen Gibson (widow) and family, Lawrence B. Sitton and family, John Shrum and family, Josiah Cannon and family, and "Duck River" John Gibson. These arrived at Thomas Kennedy's Dec. 26, 1811.
It is possible James Porter was born in 1806 rather than 1807, and I recommend researchers keep both dates in mind when researching further.
Lydia, my wife, was born in Davidson Co. within three miles of the city (now) of Nashville. I was born in Williamson Co. between Nashville and Franklin.
Her father moved to Smith Co. and from there he started to Missouri in the year 1811. Nothing particular in her recollection occurred until they reached the south bank of the Big Muddy in Illinois, when the great earthquake of that year shook the earth. The ground swelling, the tree-tops lapping and crashing together, wagons rolling and tumbling, the women praying and the men standing awe-stricken, made a lasting impression upon her young mind.
I had no advantages of education with only six months of schooling. I was raised by my Grandmother Hopkins until I was about 10 years old. My dad married again in 1807 and moved to Lincoln County, Missouri where I eventually joined them. They made a settlement on Big Creek, within the present limits of Lincoln County. At the age of 17 (1824), I was an apprentice for "Boss" WING of Troy, Missouri so I could learn the tanning trade. I fulfilled my apprenticeship, laid aside my apron, and started farming.
My father, David Porter, blacksmith by trade, settled on the farm once owned by Duncan Ellis. He was a man of wit with many jokes. He raised a large family. He was never sick a minute in his life, only after having been intoxicated. He dropped dead off his feet in the Rocky Mountains. His widow died in her 81st year.
The company that started from Tennessee, all being poor and wagons scarce, the bedding of three families was put into one wagon and their clothing packed on horses. Several families brought all their baggage clear through on pack horses. Those who came through on this trip were: Ellen Gibson (widow) and family, Lawrence B. Sitton and family, John Shrum and family, Josiah Cannon and family, and "Duck River" John Gibson. These arrived at Thomas Kennedy's Dec. 26, 1811.
It is possible James Porter was born in 1806 rather than 1807, and I recommend researchers keep both dates in mind when researching further.
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