Johnniebelle's World

Kentucky Memories that will Sparkle Forever

2008-11-15T17:54:00.000-08:00

An entry in Wikipedia reads:

"The Penick Family (1820-1920) were wealthy plantation owners in Todd C0unty, Kentucky, in the United States.

The Penick family amassed a great amount of land in the Allensville, Kentucky area of around 5,000 acres during the beight of their farming operaions. The plantation was lost in the 1920's when farming operations ceased due to lack of interest by the families.

The Plenick family plantation homes still exist on Allensville Road in Todd County, Kentucky. The homes are of wood-frame in the mid-19th century style, known as the transitioning phase between Federal and Greek Revival.

Family linkages are to that of the Mary Todd family, for which Todd County is named.

What is Real

2008-11-15T17:40:00.000-08:00

As the plane was soon to leave Louisville and carry us home to Utah I reflected on my extraordinary experience. The Penicks were REAL people--not just names in archives, or lines on ledger books, nor distant branches on a family tree. They had become real. They had become at last, my own Kentucky family. Now I can never forget them, nor leave them behind. The work has just begun.

Long layover in Chicago

2008-11-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

We had a nearly 9 hour layover in Chicago. I watched the people pass by until I fell fast asleep despite the less than hospitable accomodations.

The voyage Home

2008-11-15T17:16:00.000-08:00

Almost as soon as the adventure started it was nearly over. Just time enough at the airport to pick out a travel souvenir. I selected a horse. It's the cliche that Kentucky is famous for its racing horses, but I chose one that reflected my fantasy Penick adventure.

A last reflection

2008-11-15T17:07:00.000-08:00

The Kentucky fences are everywhere. They divide people's property, wind here and there to separate vast spaces, countrysides, estate homes or backyards in trailer parks. They seemed to also symbolize connection: that the divisions they guarded were really only markers of where things and people meet--- where lives are lived as friends, neighbors and family.

Theme revisited: The Fences of Kentucky

2008-11-15T17:04:00.000-08:00

Abraham Lincoln Slept Here

2008-11-15T17:00:00.000-08:00

Reluctantly we were leaving behind my beloved Penicks in Greensberg. On the way back to Louisville we stopped at the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. We were too late to take a tour and the day was nearly at a close.

And not just a few

2008-11-15T16:53:00.000-08:00

This was a rooster farm. And the crop was abundant. There must have been nearly one hundred roosters attached to barrels spread across a rolling hillside protected by a waving flag. It takes only one rooster to rule a hen house, and here before our eyes were enough Kentucky roosters for a nation of hen houses!

A Strange Sight

2008-11-15T16:48:00.000-08:00

Much to our surprise, right across the street from the church was an odd site: roosters tethered to plastic barrels by chains around an ankle.

The road called us again

2008-11-15T16:43:00.000-08:00

Once again we befriended the rural roads outside Greensberg in Green County. We had passed by many small churches, each charming in their own way. I wanted a photo of one and a little white one set off from the roadside caught my attention. It was, naturally, Baptist.

2008-11-15T16:30:00.000-08:00

If only I could have heard voices from these graves. What stories would I have learned? What lessons from life could I have heeded? One day, not so far off, I will hear first hand.

Lucky Find

2008-11-15T15:28:00.000-08:00

The highlight of my stay in Greensberg was discovering the old cemetary where Penick ancestors were buried. Lee spotted a tombstone down the hill with the Penick name engraved in big letters. I couldn't wait to make my way down the hill and have a look.

Southern food: yum!

2008-11-15T15:20:00.000-08:00

For dinner there was a delicious selection of southern delights: collard greens, italian beans, cabbage rolls, canned corn, lima beans, fried chicken, corn bread... and cherry cobbler. I couldn't get enough!

Inside Court House

2008-11-15T15:17:00.001-08:00

Rennovations to the court house also included restoring the original bench. The wood looked brand new, but was hundreds of years old.

Historical Court House

2008-11-15T15:13:00.000-08:00

Just before heading out for dinner, Lee took me to see the restored courthouse. It is in the center of town and houses an information bureau.

Old Train Station

2008-11-15T15:09:00.000-08:00

Lee takes pictures of Old Greensberg

2008-11-15T15:03:00.000-08:00

I spent nearly the whole day doing research. Lee spent time on a walking tour of historic downtown Greensberg which was the capital of Green County where all my Penicks first arrived from Virginia. Later in the day I learned that many Penick's were even buried in Greensberg.

This long pedestrian bridge led to the train station.

Keeping Lee busy

2008-11-15T14:56:00.000-08:00

I kept Lee busy at the photocopier. I had found a virtual gold mine of Penick data and wanted to take advantage of every rare find. Sometimes you have to travel to the well's source to drink the purest water. I just wasn't making enough progress on my Penick lines from Utah.

Best find

2008-11-15T14:49:00.000-08:00

Our best find was in Greensberg at the Public Library. I had hoped to meet with genealogy specialist Ruth Perkins but the day of our visit was her day off. I was disappointed but spoke with her on the phone. She gave me specific instructions about how to search the archives for Penicks.

A moment on the swing

2008-11-15T14:44:00.000-08:00

We asked Doug to take a photo of us together on a weathered swing in their backyard. It hung on branches between two old trees. The vines were thick and smelled sweet.

Old Bell

2008-11-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

Near the front driveway to the farm, Doug had build a tower for an antique bell. It graced the entrance along with an American flag. The bell was old and rusted and probably hadn't been heard from in decades. It could have once belonged to a church, a plantation, school, or.....

Friendly Penick Cow

2008-11-15T14:25:00.000-08:00

While exploring the farm Lee saw rolled up hay, chickens roaming, dogs barking, and even a group of strutting peacocks. Most charming was a shy, white 'Penick cow' who reluctantly came over to the fence for a meet and greet.

Checking out the Penick farm

2008-11-15T14:20:00.000-08:00

Meanwhile, outside Lee was exploring the Penick farm. Doug raised black angus on his sprawling farmlands.

Making the Penick family connection

2008-11-15T14:15:00.000-08:00

In no time Doug and I were exchanging geneology information. He and Nora had many vital documents. Nora said she would send copies to me. Shortly after returning home, I got them in the mail.

Doug had many stories about the Penicks, some sad some funny. We surely talked together like the cousins we were.

Real Old Fashion Penick Syrup

2008-11-15T13:59:00.000-08:00

I couldn't belive my eyes. It was something called Penick Syrup. I had no idea what was ever inside the can, but I was sure it was sweet. Just like the Penick family.

Old log cabin

2008-11-15T13:54:00.000-08:00

Doug and Nora had attached this old log cabin to the back of their farmhouse. Doug loves antiques and had many displayed inside: everything from a church organ to old farm tools and much to my surprise and delight.....

Meeting a living Penick family member

2008-11-15T13:47:00.000-08:00

Our destination was the only remaining Penick farm with a living family ancestor. It was home to Doug and Nora Penick, delightful and genteel people.

Allentown

2008-11-15T13:43:00.000-08:00

Soon we were back traveling down the country road. It didn't take long to arrive at Allentown with a current population of only 89. At one time, it was much, much larger. Ha.

Lee spots a tombstone

2008-11-15T13:36:00.000-08:00

Bravely, Lee steps through the brush to peek past the fence. He spots a nearly burried tombstone. I called to him and asked if it was Nathan's. He said he couldn't see any inscription but took a photo of it nonetheless. I will have to content myself by thinking it could be that of great, great grandpa Nathan's.

This is the Place

2008-11-15T13:32:00.000-08:00

Alas, we discovered that the gravesite was overgrown and filled with chiggers and snakes! We didn't venture too close. I had really hoped to see a grave marker for Nathan Penick and was disappointed.

Penick Town

2008-11-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

As the tour ended, Sue pointed out a vast field and told me that the entire area was once known as "Penick Town." Once most of the population were Penick family members. It is, of course, uninhabited now but the old Penick graveyard was just an acre away. We set off to visit the site.

Unique item in the boys room: shaving stand

2008-11-02T19:21:00.001-08:00

Antique, hand made baby crib. Original dolls too.

2008-11-02T19:17:00.000-08:00

Second floor, East wing for girls only!

2008-11-02T19:14:00.001-08:00

The hallway--leads to staircase to second floor

2008-11-02T19:11:00.000-08:00

The formal Dining Room

2008-11-02T19:08:00.000-08:00

Did Penick fingers play these keys?

2008-11-02T19:05:00.000-08:00

Touring inside the Mansion. The drawing room

2008-11-02T19:02:00.001-08:00

Making a new friend was easy

2008-11-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

Joined on the porch by the delightful Sue Gill

2008-11-02T18:52:00.001-08:00

Waiting for someone to open the door

2008-11-02T18:48:00.000-08:00

Arriving at the Penick Plantation and discovering it's getting a brand new roof!

2008-11-02T18:44:00.000-08:00

Lee guards the jail door to protect valuable Penick records

2008-11-02T18:37:00.000-08:00

The jail was build in the early 1800's and the heavy metal door that divides the courthouse from the cells still works and is locked up tight every night to protect the treasured Penick records. Lee adds a spooky watchman look to ward off potential intruders while I search through the old books.

Records kept in actual jail cells built in the 1800's

2008-11-02T18:34:00.001-08:00

Boxes of records neatly arranged on shelves are found inside the actual jail cells that once housed 4 prisoners. It was a tight fit for the records, I couldn't imagine that each small space would once house 4 men.

Important Penick records held in actual jail cells!

2008-11-02T18:31:00.001-08:00

Lee went up to a walkway above the jail cells and took this photo of me thumbing through an old record book. There's gotta be some Penicks on these pages somewhere! If only I had begun searching years ago.

First stop to an archive and time to get to work

2008-11-02T18:28:00.000-08:00

In late afternoon we arrived at Elkton and found our way to the old courthouse that houses the county archives. A senior couple served as resource guides and before long I had a stack of photocopies and even purchased a book on county records and grave sites.
The records are safely kept, and I mean safely kept, inside the old jailhouse that is attached to the courthouse.

Quick stop to do some shopping at a favorite store

2008-11-02T18:25:00.000-08:00

Just a stone's through from Mi Mexicana was a speciality store we just had to stop and see. It was filled with old army gear, farm supplies, canned goods and auto repair items. It seemed also to be a gathering place for men wearing coveralls.
I found a garden figurine (bull dog) but it was made of cement and weighed nearly 50 pounds. Lee would not allow me to take it home as a souvenir from my trip because I couldn't carry it by myself. While I was disappointed, I understood.

Getting hungry for some tasty Mexican food

2008-11-02T18:22:00.001-08:00

Lunchtime at last! Being vegans we looked high and low for a Mexican restaurant where we could find good food to eat. Much to our delight, we found one that encouraged us to wear native sombreros while we dinned. Frankly I found the hat very heavy and uncomfortable. I was more than happy to take it off when the tortilla chips arrived.

Back on the road and seeing Tabacco drying

2008-11-02T18:19:00.001-08:00

Tobacco is still an important agricultural product of this region. It was common for us to see old barns still being used to dry tobacco leaves. Sometimes smoke was used to cure the tobacco and we would see plumes of smoke rising from the top of the barns, close by right along the road we traveled.
We discovered that people smoke cigarettes a lot in these parts--even clerks inside convenience stores, and people in restaurants!

Kicking back and musing about life in the South

2008-11-02T18:16:00.001-08:00

I was continually wondering how the Penicks made their way from Virginia down to Kentucky. What really puzzled me, though, was why they ended up in East Texas. Afterall, they left behind them a large, productive plantation and rich community right here in Christian County Kentucky.

Taking a Break

2008-11-02T18:09:00.000-08:00

The next surprise along the way was an old caboose conviently came to a final stop just off the road. I thought it was a perfect place to stop and stretch our legs. Lee found a rusted chair for me to sit on while I told him about my uncle who worked the caboose in Texas during the 1920's.

Buying a map was a good idea

2008-11-02T18:03:00.000-08:00

Since the country roads wound through numerous small communities, we feared getting lost so we stopped at a gas station and bought a map. It was a good one, and big too. One robust cowboy came over to our car and offered his advice and directions. I didn't think we looked like we we were lost, or anything...really.

Standing outside just behind the Mercy Seat

2008-11-02T17:59:00.000-08:00

We looked in. There in the dim light we saw rows of folding chairs around the perifery topped with cushions. Right in front of us was the back of the preachers lecturne. In front of the lecturne was the Mercy Seat: a long unpadded wooden bench where converts in the congregation who came to accept Jesus as their personal Savior would come forward and take a seat.
While it was dark inside, the caretaker said that at night there were temporary lights that hung from the tent top, and even a kerosene heater. We thought that with all the Believers inside that little tent, there should be little need for a gas heater.

The WW II 20 Man Revival Tent

2008-11-02T17:55:00.000-08:00

A caretaker watching from a nearby trailer approached us and we introduced ourselves. He told us that everynight during the Revival period up to 4 different preachers would address up to 40 people gathered in the small space. He invited us to go in but we declined. We did pull back the back flap and had a peek inside.

Suddenly another sign caught our attention

2008-11-02T17:51:00.000-08:00

Off to ths side of the road, my attention was taken by a small temporary sign and within a short distance a large canvas tent was pitched at the edge of the road. We pulled off to take a look.

Protecting the liberty to display the 10 Commandments

2008-11-02T17:47:00.000-08:00

Along the route were many signs like this one. Christian groups in Kentucky are fierce defenders of the right to publicly display the Ten Commandments. Each sign was sponsored by a different church, mostly Southern Baptist.

Travelling down a special hiway

2008-11-02T17:43:00.000-08:00

After a wonderful and productive afternoon with Martha pouring over genealogy, together with her husband we all dinned at Applebee's then spent the first night at a hotel near the airport. The next day we began our trip to find the Penicks in Todd, Logan, Christian and Green counties. On Martha's advice we travelled off the main interstate and took the scenic route. Along the way we discovered we were travelling down "The Highway of Holiness." There was even a church named after this famous stretch in rural Kentucky.

2008-11-02T17:41:00.000-08:00

Martha genetically created a unique day lily. She dedicatedand named it for our great, great grandfather who came to Kentucky from Virginia. Martha had a sprawling garden but by this time in late October the harvest was over and only gourds and the greenery from the Penick lilies remained.

2008-11-02T17:38:00.000-08:00

This is Martha Penick Lampkin, the delightful lady with whom I've corresponded via email for many years. We have a great, great grandfather in common: Nathan Penick. In no time we were chatting away like old friends and sharing stories and information about our Penick ancestors.

Driveway to Martha's house

2008-11-02T17:32:00.000-08:00

After a short ride into the countryside we left the main road and turned down a dirt road. The surrounding farming landscapes were stunning--so crisp, clean and colorful. The day was perfect and held so much promise.

The Journey Begins

2008-10-29T18:49:00.000-07:00

After landing in Louisville, we loaded our suitcases in a comfortable NEW Camary. Before long we we headed down InterState 65 to our first stop--the countryside home of Martha Lampkin, a Penick family cousin. She lives in a lovely home on a sprawling 'estate' that was nothing less than breathtaking. Here are some photos of the land around her house. It's a great snapshot of the beautiful Autumn Kentucky landscape.

Making Friends Along the Way

2008-10-29T18:40:00.000-07:00

Our destination was Louisville, but the connection in Dallas was especially challenging. This is the nation's third busiest and largest airport and we had to move from one terminal to another. I was treated to a VIP limo ride down walkways, through crowds of travelers and even changed vehicles twice! My first driver was a kind and charming Muslim who insisted that I take his arm. He won me over with his gentle nature and reassuring smile.

Lift-off

2008-10-29T18:32:00.000-07:00

My travel companion was my eldest son Lee, a capable porter, driver, hairstylist, patient and willing ear. I hadn't been on a plane for over ten years and almost forgot how to pull down the tray table, buckle up, and recline the seats. Lucky for me Lee was an excellent instructor.

Kentucky Adventure

2008-10-29T18:16:00.000-07:00

In late October I traveled to Kentucky to discover first hand the land of my family ancestors. More particularly, the PENICK branch of my family tree on my mother's side. For many years I have desired to experience for myself the places and sites where my Penick family worked, raised their children and lead productive and enjoyable lives. The photos that follow document my wonderful, and yes, late life journey of discovery.