Henry Clay Bedinger I
Henry Clay Bedinger, born 24 November 1793, was the first child of George Michael Bedinger and Henrietta Clay. The young Henry Clay Bedinger was raised in Lower Blue Licks [i] in Nicholas Co., Kentucky and learned of the construction and maintenance of grist mills and saw mills from his father who had built and operated mills in Virginia, Maryland and near Lower Blue Licks on the Licking River in Kentucky. Henry Clay’s father, writing to his brother Henry, in May 17, 1817, said he was giving his saw mill to his son Henry Clay,…as soon as she can be rebuilt, as she was old and overset by a freshet this spring.”[ii] Henry’s father George Michael Bedinger writes in a journal of a trip he made to Maysville and Salt Lick, Kentucky with his sons Daniel Paine, age 15, and possibly Henry Clay, age 18. From this trip Henry Clay Bedinger learned about the free-flowing Salt Lick Creek, virgin forests and fertile farm land in Lewis County.[iii] By 1820 the adventurous and ambitious Henry Clay had moved to Kentucky and was living on Salt Lick Creek in Lewis County where he soon built and operated a grist mill. He thereafter owned and operated a store selling general merchandise.
He met and married Lavenia (Lavinia) Drake [iv] of neighboring Mason County. Danske Dandridge [v] states that Lavenia Drake was daughter of the most prominent physician of Cincinnati in early times.” This is not factual, but I suspect she was closely related to Dr. Drake. Lavenia died shortly after the birth of her daughter Lavinia and was buried at Mays Lick Cemetery, Mason Co., KY where many Drake family members are buried.[vi] Henry Clay and Lavenia Drake may have had a second child, Matthew, who would have been an older child of this marriage. Matthew is given in the genealogy compiled by William Eugene Bedinger [vii], but he is not shown as a child of this marriage in the genealogy of George Michael Bedinger by Danske Dandridge. [viii]
Henry Clay Bedinger married second, 28 May 1825, Judith Rust Singleton, the daughter of Rev. Joshua Singleton III and Hannah Rust of Lewis County, Kentucky. From this marriage issued three children: Solomon Singleton, Sarah, and Henry Clay II. Another child said to be of this marriage is George Bedinger (1826-1856), [ix], who is buried on the family plot with Henry Clay Bedinger and Judith Rust Bedinger at the “Bedinger House” in Lewis County.
Today the 200 year-old “Bedinger House” stands in Carrs Bottom overlooking the Ohio River seven miles downstream from Vanceburg, Kentucky and the mouth of Salt Creek. The Bedinger House is a two-story Georgian/Greek Revival Period style home that was to become the family home of Henry Clay Bedinger and his wife Judith Rust Singleton. This grand imposing structure is constructed of triple thickness brick believed to have been made of clay dug from what is now the partial basement of the house and fired on the site. Wide custom woodwork is throughout the first floor. Two large rooms on each side of both the first and second floors are separated by an extra wide full length center hall. A fireplace was built in each of the eight rooms with masonry full inside the walls to aid in efficiently warm the interior. Wide wood plank flooring in all rooms on both floors display exceptional craftsmanship. A huge wooden staircase, bannister and railing connect the first and second floors. Wooden double doors provide connection between the two living rooms on the west side downstairs. The nine large wooden windows on front brick wall and nine wooden windows on the rear brick wall are all the same size. The Portico, supported by four stately columns, shelters an imposing large wooden front door opening to the hall.[x]
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The Bedinger House was believed in the early 1900s by some of the residents of Carrs Bottom to have been built by Henry Clay Bedinger in 1844 based on that date chiseled in an exterior brick on the east side wall. Research by Dr. Donna Benson subscribes to a different history of the house.[xi] Dr. Benson’s research reveals that a community of families of the Moravian religious faith was founded in Carrs Bottom by John Stephenson before 1800. The articles were published in the Lewis County Herald in 1987. The article of June 17, 1987 suggests that the Bedingers were Elders of the Moravian community and that the house was built as early as 1820 or perhaps earlier. The article of June 24, 1987 describes the unique construction of the stairway. The article of July 1, 1987 states that the Carrs Moravian community had six brick Elder’s houses, four of which were still standing in 1987. We do not know for sure who built the house. Its construction would have been within the craftsmanship ability of Henry Clay Bedinger. However, the Moravian community’s habit of building brick homes for their elders and their establishment of a community there before 1800 would support the Dr. Benson’s conclusion that Moravians built the house before 1820.
The Moravian community of Carrs bottom dissolved in about 1826. Henry C. Bedinger settled in Lewis County about 1820 at the age of 23. He was not member of the Moravian faith. Unresolved questions also persist. Did Henry Clay Bedinger or the Moravians build the Bedinger House? When did the Bedingers occupy the house? Because the Moravians had built six brick house for their elders, it would follow that they may also have built the Bedinger House. Henry Clay probably acquired the property after 1826, perhaps when the Moravians dissolved their community.
The Moravian community of Carrs bottom dissolved in about 1826. Henry C. Bedinger settled in Lewis County about 1820 at the age of 23. He was not member of the Moravian faith. Unresolved questions also persist. Did Henry Clay Bedinger or the Moravians build the Bedinger House? When did the Bedingers occupy the house? Because the Moravians had built six brick house for their elders, it would follow that they may also have built the Bedinger House. Henry Clay probably acquired the property after 1826, perhaps when the Moravians dissolved their community.
Henry Clay Bedinger died in 1845. The cause of his death is not known. He didn’t leave a will which perhaps indicates his death may have been caused by a sudden illness or an accident. The inventory of Henry Clay Bedinger was recorded by his wife Judith Singleton Bedinger and his brother Benjamin Franklin Bedinger.[xii] The inventory of his property indicates Henry Clay was industrious and engaged in farming, timber and fire wood production. He obtained land grants on of 74 and 100 acres containing timber and agricultural lands. He held a 72 acre tract in the Salt Creek district. As indicated above, he had learned the craft of building grist mills and saw mill from his father, George Michael Bedinger. He built and owned a grist mill, which at his death was on the property of Ranson [xiii]. It is likely that Ranson was George William Ranson who married in 1852 Lavenia Drake Bedinger, daughter of Henry Clay Bedinger by his first marriage. Henry Clay’s property with productive acreage and his mill was near the Ohio River that offered convenient access to transportation of his products. The virgin forests of Kentucky provided tall straight trees that were shipped to New Orleans for use as masts for ships. He had ox teams that provided the power for plowing, heavy hauling and earth moving for construction and mining projects. The inventory of his estate after his death included quantities of dry goods, tools and other merchandise, presumably the inventory of his general store. His property inventory included agricultural equipment and livestock he held in partnership with a Mr. Lillehammer.
In settlement of the ownership of the house after the death of Henry Clay Bedinger, the first owners of record, dated July 28, 1846, are George M. Bedinger and Judith Bedinger. It is assumed that George M. Bedinger is the son George Bedinger buried in the family plot at the Bedinger House. The Kentucky Heritage Council documentation further states that the house was owned by persons related to the Bedingers until November 1, 1864. The statements of the Kentucky Heritage Council would seem to support the assumption that George Bedinger is the oldest son of Henry Clay Bedinger and Judith Singleton Bedinger. But, questions remain that might be answered by further research in the Lewis county Land Records. When did Henry Clay Bedinger acquire the house and property? George Bedinger died in 1856 and Judith Singleton Bedinger died in 1852. Who were the relatives who owned the house after their deaths?
The census of 1850 records Judith Bedinger, age 55, as the head of the household. Household members were Lavinia [Lavinia Drake Bedinger], age 26, Solomon [Soloman Singleton Bedinger] , age 26, Sally A. [Sarah Bedinger], age 20, Henry [Henry Clay Bedinger II], age 17, Margaret Sailhammer [unknown], age 12, and Rachel P. Clay, age 20, [a Bedinger relative by the marriage of George Michael Bedinger and Henrietta Clay]. George Bedinger who is buried in a plot near the Bedinger House with Henry Clay Bedinger and Judith Singleton Bedinger is not listed in the household of the 1850 census. The headstone of George Bedinger is inscribed with the birth and death years, 1826 and 1856. George M. Bedinger, age 24, is listed in the 1850 as a miller, living as a boarder in the home of Dr. William Ball in District 1 of Lewis Co., Kentucky. It is presumed that George was operating the mill of his father on Licking Creek.
Judith Rust Singleton died 11 September 1852 at the Bedinger House in Lewis County, Kentucky. In 1856, Solomon Singleton Bedinger married Mildred Berry Washington of Charles Town, West Virginia. In 1856 Sarah Bedinger married Seth Parker of Maysville, Kentucky. In 1856 Solomon Singleton Bedinger and Henry Clay Bedinger II along with several brothers and sisters of Mildred Berry Washington and their spouses and children all removed to Missouri where they purchased farm land and settled in Cass and Johnson Counties.
The census of 1850 records Judith Bedinger, age 55, as the head of the household. Household members were Lavinia [Lavinia Drake Bedinger], age 26, Solomon [Soloman Singleton Bedinger] , age 26, Sally A. [Sarah Bedinger], age 20, Henry [Henry Clay Bedinger II], age 17, Margaret Sailhammer [unknown], age 12, and Rachel P. Clay, age 20, [a Bedinger relative by the marriage of George Michael Bedinger and Henrietta Clay]. George Bedinger who is buried in a plot near the Bedinger House with Henry Clay Bedinger and Judith Singleton Bedinger is not listed in the household of the 1850 census. The headstone of George Bedinger is inscribed with the birth and death years, 1826 and 1856. George M. Bedinger, age 24, is listed in the 1850 as a miller, living as a boarder in the home of Dr. William Ball in District 1 of Lewis Co., Kentucky. It is presumed that George was operating the mill of his father on Licking Creek.
Judith Rust Singleton died 11 September 1852 at the Bedinger House in Lewis County, Kentucky. In 1856, Solomon Singleton Bedinger married Mildred Berry Washington of Charles Town, West Virginia. In 1856 Sarah Bedinger married Seth Parker of Maysville, Kentucky. In 1856 Solomon Singleton Bedinger and Henry Clay Bedinger II along with several brothers and sisters of Mildred Berry Washington and their spouses and children all removed to Missouri where they purchased farm land and settled in Cass and Johnson Counties.
Sources:
[i] Lower Blue Licks is the larger of two noteworthy salt springs on the Licking River. The other is known as Upper Blue Licks. The name of the Lower Blue Licks was largely supplanted by simply “Blue Licks” following the name of the battle of the Revolution that was staged there in 1782.
[ii] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, p. 185.
[iii] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, p. 167.
[iv] Here we follow the spelling “Lavenia”, the spelling on her headstone in Mays Lick Cemetery, Mason Co., Kentucky.
[v] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, p. 216.
[v] https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=41&GScid=203068&GRid=114191916&
[vii] Unpublished genealogy of William Eugene Bedinger, 2002. Matthew Bedinger is referred to in “Old Shepherdstown” by Danske Dandridge but his parentage is not given.
[viii] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, pp. 216-227.
[ix] Thus there are references to two loosely or incompletely documented sons of Henry Clay Bedinger, they are Matthew and George.
[x] The Bedinger House has been designated a Kentucky landmark by The Kentucky Heritage Council. The Council researched the history and construction of the house prior to its designation. The documentation of the Council bearing on the designation is given at http:/heritage.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/A04C9D8B-E21O-4403-8OC2-9AFBF21B4EA0/
[xi] Research conducted by Dr. Donna Benson published in five articles in the Lewis County Herald dated June 17, 1987, June 24, 1987, July 1, 1987, July 8, 1987 and July 15, 1987. The articles are reprinted in the documentation for designation of the Bedinger House as A Kentucky Landmark by The Kentucky Heritage Council
[xii] Inventory of the estate of Henry C. Bedinger made by Judith Singleton Bedinger, his wife and administratrix, and B. F. Bedinger, his brother and administrator, of his estate in Probate Records of Lewis County, Kentucky 1807-1930.
[xiii] George William Ranson was the son of Elizabeth Morgan and Matthew James Ranson. Elizabeth Morgan was the granddaughter of Henry Bedinger(1).
[ii] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, p. 185.
[iii] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, p. 167.
[iv] Here we follow the spelling “Lavenia”, the spelling on her headstone in Mays Lick Cemetery, Mason Co., Kentucky.
[v] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, p. 216.
[v] https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSsr=41&GScid=203068&GRid=114191916&
[vii] Unpublished genealogy of William Eugene Bedinger, 2002. Matthew Bedinger is referred to in “Old Shepherdstown” by Danske Dandridge but his parentage is not given.
[viii] Dandridge, Danske, 1909, George Michael Bedinger A Kentucky Pioneer, The Michie Company, Printers, Charlottesville, Virginia, pp. 216-227.
[ix] Thus there are references to two loosely or incompletely documented sons of Henry Clay Bedinger, they are Matthew and George.
[x] The Bedinger House has been designated a Kentucky landmark by The Kentucky Heritage Council. The Council researched the history and construction of the house prior to its designation. The documentation of the Council bearing on the designation is given at http:/heritage.ky.gov/NR/rdonlyres/A04C9D8B-E21O-4403-8OC2-9AFBF21B4EA0/
[xi] Research conducted by Dr. Donna Benson published in five articles in the Lewis County Herald dated June 17, 1987, June 24, 1987, July 1, 1987, July 8, 1987 and July 15, 1987. The articles are reprinted in the documentation for designation of the Bedinger House as A Kentucky Landmark by The Kentucky Heritage Council
[xii] Inventory of the estate of Henry C. Bedinger made by Judith Singleton Bedinger, his wife and administratrix, and B. F. Bedinger, his brother and administrator, of his estate in Probate Records of Lewis County, Kentucky 1807-1930.
[xiii] George William Ranson was the son of Elizabeth Morgan and Matthew James Ranson. Elizabeth Morgan was the granddaughter of Henry Bedinger(1).
Addendum:
1830 Federal Census of Lewis county, Kentucky: The two males under five years would include son Solomon Singleton and possibly George Bedinger. The two males 20 to 29 years could have been boarders or relatives. The one male 30 to 39 years would be Henry Clay himself. The one female five to nine years would be Lavinia, his daughter by his first wife. The two females 30 to 39 years would include his wife, Judith Singleton, and a boarder or relative.
1840 Federal Census of Lewis County, Kentucky: The male 5 to 9 years would be son Henry Clay II, the two males 10 to 14 years would include son Solomon Singleton and George Bedinger, the male 40 to 49 years would be Henry Clay, the two females 5 to 9 years would be daughter Sarah and daughter Lavenia by his first wife, the female 40 to 49 years would be his wife Judith Singleton.
1830 Federal Census of Lewis county, Kentucky: The two males under five years would include son Solomon Singleton and possibly George Bedinger. The two males 20 to 29 years could have been boarders or relatives. The one male 30 to 39 years would be Henry Clay himself. The one female five to nine years would be Lavinia, his daughter by his first wife. The two females 30 to 39 years would include his wife, Judith Singleton, and a boarder or relative.
1840 Federal Census of Lewis County, Kentucky: The male 5 to 9 years would be son Henry Clay II, the two males 10 to 14 years would include son Solomon Singleton and George Bedinger, the male 40 to 49 years would be Henry Clay, the two females 5 to 9 years would be daughter Sarah and daughter Lavenia by his first wife, the female 40 to 49 years would be his wife Judith Singleton.