Tall Tales from Wild Kentucky

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The next ancestor I have chosen is from Evan's family history. His stories are a little factual, probably a little bit of tall tale, but definitely entertaining! Either way, he was a well respected man who can be found in several books today. In Evan's direct lineage, there are three Henry Rhoads in succession, grandfather, father, and son. To distinguish the Henry's, we call the middle one "badass Henry Rhoads".

Henry Rhoads is known as the 'godfather of Muhlenberg County'. This is referring to Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He was born January 5, 1739 in Berks County, Pennsylvania. He married Elizabeth Stoner on October 19, 1760 in Frederick County, Maryland. After marriage, Henry served as Captain in the Pennsylvania militia during the Revolutionary War. He was a delegate to the Pennsylvania State Constitutional Convention of 1776. The document that was created at this convention became the first state constitution in direct response to the Declaration of Independence. Henry, his wife, children, and brothers moved to Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. Henry and his brothers searched for land to settle on. The land they settled became Rhoadsville (Calhoun, KY today). Henry later moved to Barnett's Station on Rough Creek (Hartford, Ohio County today). They lived here for five years. He then moved to Logan County, where he owned 7000 acres of military land. As a member of Kentucky State Legislature in 1798, he suggested that the newly formed county be named for his beloved commander and pastor, General John Muhlenberg. The county was officially named on December 14, 1798.

Henry was an impressive man, being one of the brave men to stand against England in the fight for this country's independence and active in early Kentucky politics. It was said that Henry could read from a German Bible and translate it into English faster than anyone else in his church. While building his house (pictured below) circa 1792, community members came to help raise the walls. This was a common practice. While everyone was gathered, a wild bear came out of the woods. According to stories, all of the men and even one of the women started a bear chase using axes, guns, and a pitchfork. They caught and killed the bear. They served the meat to the townspeople, and the bear skin was hung on Henry's living room wall in his new home.

About one year later, Henry was walking through his woods and came across a group of wild turkeys. When aiming at one of the turkeys, Henry noticed a panther about to spring on him. Here is where stories vary. One version says that Henry shot his gun as he turned toward the panther and shot it. Other stories say that Henry shot wildly and managed to hit the panther. I can imagine that after hitting the panther and returning home, Henry spun wild stories about his 'expert' marksmanship. Either way, the panther was hit in between the eyes. Henry brought the panther back home and hung the skin up next to the bear!

Henry died March 8, 1814 in Greenville, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. Henry and Elizabeth were buried on their homeland, down the trail in the woods. Their original tombstones are still there, but someone has also provided a new tombstone. Their 11 children and their descendants can be traced throughout the area.




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