Another courthouse we visited on Wednesday was Jessamine County.  Jessamine was formed from part of Fayette County in 1798.  Most of our Kentucky counties are named for a historical person, but Jessamine is named for a flower and Jessamine Creek.

Legend says that the creek was named for Jessamine Douglass, daughter of an early settler, who was tomahawked by an Indian as she rested on the banks of the creek.

Know all men by these presents that we, Francis Kirby and James Kirby, are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency, James Garrard, Esq., Governor of Kentucky, in the sum of fifty pounds current money of Kentucky, which payment well and truly to be made to the said governor, or his successors, we bind ourselves, our heirs, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents sealed with our seals and dated this 24th day of September 1799.

The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas there is a marriage shortly intended to be solemnized between the above bound Francis Kirby and Polly Butler, for which a license has issued, now if there be no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and virtue.

Francis Kirby, James Kirby

Teste, L. H. Morrison, Clerk

I do certify that my daughter Polly Butler is of age, given under my hand this 23 day of September 1799.

Alice Butler

To Clerk of Jessamine County

Sir,

I take this opportunity of transmitting to your office the several marriages which I have celebrated, agreeable to you, signed within twelve months last past.  Francis Kirby and Polly Butler the 27th day of October, 1799.  William Phillips and Elizabeth Moss the 28th day of June 1800.  William Lipsay and Margaret Fulkerson the 18th day of September 1800.  Lastly, Woodford Curd and Jenny West October 14th 1800.  I am with due respect yours,  John Metcalf

October 16, 1800