An original 1839 northern Kentucky manuscript connecting two men who would become the first deacons of Second Twelve Mile Baptist Church in Pendleton County.
Dated May 1, 1839, this handwritten letter is headed “Pendleton county Kentucky” and signed “Fargason German,” best identified as the early Baptist leader recorded as Ferguson or Fergis German. Addressed to “Mr McCartha” at Falmouth, it requests delivery of a deed through J. W. C. Clutter.
German was among the founding members of Flag Spring Baptist Church in 1833. In 1841, German and J. W. Clutter became founding members and the first deacons of the congregation initially called Fellowship, later Second Twelve Mile Baptist Church. German was licensed to preach that September and ordained in January 1843. This note records their association two years before that congregation was organized, giving an otherwise brief property letter a specific place in early Kentucky Baptist history.
The bearer is strongly identifiable as John W. C. Clutter, whose uncommon initials also appear in Pendleton County land records surrounding the date of this letter. A separate 230-acre tract on Willow Creek/Main Licking River was surveyed for him in 1837 and granted in 1840. That record establishes his local activity; the land involved in this note is not specified.
The Falmouth recipient may be Reuben McCarty, the county clerk and surveyor associated with War of 1812 service. This remains a probable identification because the manuscript supplies only the surname, written “McCartha.” The grantor's name appears to read J. G. W. Bardin but has not been securely identified.
Working transcription:
“Pendleton county Kentucky May 1st 1839
Mr McCartha Sir send me the deed from
J. G. W. [Bardin?] by J. W. C. Clutter and you
will confer a favor
Yours &c
Fargason German”
The reverse retains the Falmouth address and manuscript docketing. The request to send the deed through Clutter offers a small, personal record of how property papers moved between neighbors and the county seat.
One manuscript sheet, approximately 8 x 3 inches. Age toning, scattered spotting, old folds, fold splits, small losses at fold intersections and edges, and later pencil markings on the reverse. The principal writing and signature remain bold. Please examine all photographs for the exact condition.
An appealing piece for collectors of early Kentucky manuscripts, Baptist history, Pendleton and Campbell County genealogy, Falmouth history, and nineteenth-century land-related correspondence. The item offered is the original deed-request letter; the deed itself is not included.
Type: Handwritten signed letter / deed request
Year: 1839
Date: May 1, 1839
Time Period: 1800–1849
Place of Origin: Pendleton County, Kentucky
Addressed To: Mr. McCartha, Falmouth, Kentucky
Signer: Fargason German
Attributed Identity: Ferguson / Fergis German, Baptist leader
Named Bearer: J. W. C. Clutter
Subject: Kentucky history; Baptist history; property correspondence
Related Organization: Second Twelve Mile Baptist Church
Material: Paper
Writing Medium: Ink
Language: English
Number of Sheets: 1, with writing on front and reverse
Approximate Dimensions: 8 x 3 inches
Features: Signature; integral address panel; manuscript docketing
Country of Origin: United States
Condition: Age toning, spotting, folds, fold splits, small paper losses, edge wear
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