It seemed as if by special divine will, that a yet
greated check was to be given any future life of theirs in the Green River
country. This came in the shape of a great religious revival, certainly
the most wonderful and remarkable ever known prior to that time, and
perhaps ever known since. Religious interest manifested itself in a most
magical way, sweeping like a prairie flame, and extending its influence in
every direction. The entire Green River country, beginning with Warren
County, was affected with this wonderful contagion. In those days there
were very few, if any church buildings, and the population small and very
much scattered. No matter, this excitement seized the entire population,
permeating every nook and corner of the counties, flying here and there
with all the indications of an incomprehensible outbreak. These were the
days of the great divine, Rev. Jas. McGready, whose strong preaching drew
hundreds around him, and engaged their earnest work in behalf of the
Master and his Kingdom on earth. Camp meetings became the order of the
day, often continuing for a month or more. These meetings were attended by
people who had come from fifty to one hundred miles away- not curious
amusement seeker, but men and women who had heard and had come to be
taught and learn. They were bent upon more light and grace spiritually,
than they had ever been enable to gather from the solitude of a wilderness
life. When assemble the body was a large one, a grand one, and great
numbers, indeed a very great majority, connected themselves with the
church. Among that astonishing number of converts were many who had been
suspected of being the secret abettors of the outlaws, but,
notwithstanding the repulsive taint attaching to their moral character,
they were welcomed into the church and did afterwards become respectable
and useful citizens.
These meetings were conducted by eminent divines, the
most noted of whom was the Rev. James McGready, then came Revs. Rankin
Hodge and William McGee, Presbyterian preachers, and John McGee, a brother
of the last named gentleman, who was a Methodist preacher. In addition to
these the Rev. William Barnett, of that part of the country, now known as
Caldwell County, frequently officiated. Mr. Barnett was a remarkable man,
and in addition to his wonderful pulpit and revival powers, is said
possessed a voice absolutely surpassing belief.
Hon. Philip B. Matthews, to whom I am indebted for much
of the foregoing interesting recollections of early times, affirms that he
could be heard and understood at a distance of one mile.
It was at these revivals a disease - if it may be so
called - farsical[sic] in its intervention and never before known,
manifested itself. This anomalous evidence of regeneration - a sample of
faith never before witnessed, a disease pedantic in its form - partook of
an impassioned restlessness, then the tremors, then the wriggles, then the
shakes, then the flounders, then the staggers, and then the whole
epileptic catalogue of nervous jerks, seized the victims, while the
victims seized the nearest saplings and exerted herculean powers seemingly
to unhinge themselves. This very remarkable outcropping of religious
fanaticism permeated the entire camp, creating among many a considerable
degree of alarm. The whole country became chrisitanized, and society, law
and order became the gainers thereby.
At this time and a little after, there was an influx of
most desirable immigrants from other States. The Dixons, Alves, Harts,
Cowans, Hillyers and others, from North Carolina; the Towles, Cabells,
Subletts, Townes, Terrys, Wilsons and Atkinsons, from Virginia; John J.
Audubon, from Louisiana, and the Ingrams, Herndons and others, from
Central Kentucky. The population had not only increased greatly in
numbers, but the improvement in morals and intelligence became very
noticable. Henderson society, at that early day, would compare favorably
with any in the West, and the deeds of violence which had been so
frequently committed in the still earlier settlement of the county were of
rare occurence.
History of Henderson County, Kentucky
by Edmund L. Starling
pps. 34 - 35
published in 1887
public domain material
