How the County Got Its Name

On December 19th, 2021, the great citizens of Pike County will be celebrating our county’s 200th Birthday. Long before Pike County was formed from a part of Floyd County, there was a great need for the settlers of Upper Levisa and Tug Fork to have their very own county seat. Without having to travel the long difficult trip to Prestonsburg, to pay their taxes, or maybe to litigate someone trespassing on their property. On December 19, 1821, by Act of the General Assembly of Kentucky Chapter 297 was signed by Governor John Adair giving Pike County the right to form a local governing body and establish her own county seat, separating a large tract of land from southern Floyd County.

How Pike County got its name is not much of a mystery, named in honor of a Brigadier General Zebulon M. Pike that lost his life in a Battle at Yorktown in Canada. The battle was actually fought at Fort York, present day Toronto. Most scholars believe that Pike was named in honor of Zebulon Montgomery Pike because he had discovered Pikes Peak.

Zebulon Montgomery Pike and a countless number of American Troops lost their lives on April 27,1813 during an advancement on British Garrison, when a British ammunition magazine blew up casting rocks and debris. A terrible loss.

But one has to wonder why they chose to honor Zebulon Montgomery Pike who may have never lived or stayed in Pike, or Floyd County and not his father, Zebulon Pike Sr. who was so much a part of Kentucky history.

Zebulon Pike Jr. doesn’t appear on any tax lists, and no military records indicate he would have been stationed in this area. He was born to Zebulon Pike Sr. and Isabella Brown on January 5, 1779. Zebulon Pike Sr. began serving with General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. After the Revolutionary War, Zebulon Pike Sr. struggled as a farmer, until the day George Washington came knocking on the door asking for experienced military men to fight against the Indians in Western Virginia Territories.

The expansion into Western Virginia Territories was pushing full steam for settlers wanting to claim their very own little piece of fertile farm land. As the settler’s numbers increased, so did the incidents of Indian atrocities. By the late 1780’s, there were great pleas for help and voices crying out from the settlers needing protection, and supplies. As those cries got louder so did the need for more localized governments.

Fayette County, Lincoln County and Jefferson County were the first Counties split from Kentucky County shortly before the end of the Revolutionary War, then Bourbon County split from Fayette County in 1785. By this time the British from the North were strongly pushing the Indians to murder and plunder against the settlers in the Western Territories.

As these new counties were forming in Kentucky, so was the need for protection by the Western Army Legions. In 1788, Mason County was created. The number of mass killings by Shawnee that were crossing the Ohio River from the north traveling up the Sandy and Licking River were rapidly increasing. The Cherokee were crossing over from Tennessee and Carolina traveling the old Buffalo Traces from the ridges between Upper Kentucky River and the Levisa, a branch of the Sandy River. From information found in Alexander Hamilton’s Letters and Major General Anthony Wayne’s Notes it is evident that supplies were being transported from the Allegenies by Boats/ Barge to Ohio River shores, then by pack horse trains to the Kentucky territory.

In Alexander Hamilton Letters and Anthony Wayne’s Notes, military protection was provided even before The Military Legions and Sub- Legion was formed. Zebulon Pike Sr. was a Captain in the 3rd Sub-Legion. Pennsylvania Regiments were giving protection for transports traveling down the Ohio River and Pike Sr. was part of that protection. From military pay record requests, Zebulon Pike Sr had spent a great deal of time in and around the Kentucky borders starting in 1788.

Sources state the Indians nicknamed Zebulon Pike Sr. “The Great Brave” and he most likely escorted James O’Hara, one of the most rugged supply merchants west of the Allegenies, who was contracted by a young United States government to deliver supplies and goods to an untamed Indian infested land of the western Territory. James O’Hara was a Revolutionary Soldier and a Logistics Genius before and after the war.

He was so good handling freight, he was commissioned as Quartermaster General during Gen. Anthony Wayne’s command. James O’Hara’s logistical know-how helped defeat the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers. He was the only Quartermaster General to keep his rank as Colonel, but James O’Hara is another story; and Zebulon Pike, after Zebulon Pike Sr. had departed New Jersey after unprofitable farming, had begun to travel west to Pennsylvania, he returned to his military career after a short retirement. Young Pike Jr., was growing up in and around Forts and Military Camps. Watching his father and other soldiers train, and drill established young Zebulon M. Pike Jr’s. future.

At 15 years of age Pike Jr. joined the military. By 1799 he had made Second Lieutenant and by the end of the year First Lieutenant. After he earned his officer’s commission, he then traveled up and down Ohio River as a Logistical Officer buying supplies for Military Forts and Frontier Outpost. In 1805 things were looking better for Zebulon Pike Jr. after the Louisiana Purchase.

Newly appointed Governor Gen. James Wilkerson of the Upper Louisiana Territory ordered Zebulon Pike Jr. to the western lands to find the source of the Mississippi River. In 1806 James Wilkerson order Zebulon Pike Jr. again for his second trip to find the head waters of Arkansas River and the rest is history. With this story, no matter what sources provide the answers and how Pike County had been named in the honor of Zebulon M. Pike Jr. His father set the groundwork for his sons bright, adventure filled future. Our county’s history is very colorful and has a real, genuine story.

After a recap of how Pike County had been named, we had talked about the creation of a new Kentucky County. An Act passed by the Kentucky General Assembly and signed by Governor John Adair on December 19, 1821. Pike County is the name of the newly created piece of real estate split off from Floyd County’s southern boundary. Below is the state Chapter that started the process in motion.

Chapter 297 was the official Act dividing Pike from Floyd County.
Sec. 1. Be it by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. That from and after the first day of March “next”., all that part of Floyd contained in the following bounds, to wit: Beginning on the Tug Fork of the Sandy River, at the mouth of Wolf Creek and the waters of Big Creek, so as to strike a point between the mouth of Brushy and Johns Creek; thence a straight line to the mouth of Hurricane (Otter Run) Creek; thence with the dividing ridge between Mud (Bear) and Hurricane(Otter Run) Creeks to dividing between Robertson (Robinson) and Mud (Bear) Creeks : the with the said ridge line to Perry County line (Beaver, Rockhouse Creeks and North Fork of Kentucky River) ; thence with said line to State (VA) Line, with State Line to the Tug Fork of the Sandy River; thence running down the said Fork and State Line to the beginning, shall be one distinct county called and named Pike County, in the honor of Zebulon M. Pike.

Sec.2. The Justice of Peace for the county of Pike, who are directed to be appointed by this act, shall meet at house of Spencer Adkins, in said county. On the fourth Monday in March (18th) 1822; and after taking the necessary oaths of office, and after qualifying their sheriff, agreeable to both the Constitution of the United States, and Constitution and laws of this state, they shall proceed to appoint a Clerk, to whose permanent appointment a majority of all the Justices in commission, in and for said county, shall be necessary; but if such majority cannot be obtained in favor of any one candidate, then the court shall appoint one Pro Tem.

Sec.3. The county court shall be held on the fourth Monday in every mon, except the months in which the circuit court shall be held, and the circuit court shall be held on the fourth Monday in April, July and October, and May if necessary. Continue to sit six (6) juridical days; and shall form a part of the eleventh (11th) judicial district.

Sec.4. The circuit and county courts of Floyd County, and Justices of the Peace therein, shall hand over all matters in law or equity, instituted prior to the first day of March next.

Sec.5. It shall be lawful for the Sheriffs and Collectors in Floyd County to collect all fines and moneys, and to execute all process, writs and executions, as law directs, which were put into their hands prior to the first day of March next, and account for the same as if this act had not passed.

Sec.6. The county of the court shall appoint commissioners of the tax year 1822, who shall perform all duties, and be governed by the laws regulating commissioners of the tax state; and the clerk of the county court shall, in like manner, perform his duty in relation thereto.

Sec.7. Be it further acted , that Mason Williams, Edward Wells, William Prater, Holaway Power and Thomas Patrick of Floyd County, be appointed commissioners to ascertain and fix on the most convenient and suitable place for the permanent seat of justice for the county of Pike; who shall meet, or a majority of them, at the house of Spencer Adkins, on the forth (4th) Monday in March next; but if a majority shall fail to meet on that day , so soon thereafter as practicable; and after majority shall have agreed upon a place, they shall report the same to the next county; and it shall be the duty of the said county court, as soon as practical thereafter, to cause necessary public buildings to be erected, and in every other respect lay off and do that which may be necessary on the establishment of towns. The commissioners appointed under the provisions of this act, shall be entitled to the sum of two dollars for each day they must be necessary engaged in the discharge of their duties, to be levied for their benefit at the first laying of the court levy for said county. And the courts for the county of Pike shall continue to be held at Spencer Adkins, until necessary public buildings are erected.

Sec.8. Be it further enacted, that the collector of the county levy for Floyd County, shall, on or before the first day of January 1823, pay over to the county court of Pike County, their agent, or attorney, all moneys by him collected, or which he may have a right to collect as county levy for the rear 1821, and collectable in the year 1822 from the citizens now included in Pike County, after receiving a credit for all delinquents allowed by the Floyd County court, a certificate of which shall be given by the clerk of said court, which shall be evidence in a settlement with the county court of pike, their agent or attorney; and the said collector shall be allowed to retain in his own hands any moneys that may have been levied by the Floyd County court for the benefit of any person or persons in the said county od Pike, also the same commission for collecting the county levy as is now allowed by law.

Sec.9. Be it further enacted, that the voters in the county of Pike shall vote at the election precincts now established by law in said county; and the sheriffs of said county shall meet sheriffs of Floyd County, in the town of Prestonsburg, and then and there compare the polls, at the time now prescribed by law.

Sec.10 Be it further enacted. Nine (9) suitable persons shall be appointed and commissioned as Justices of the Peace for said county of Pike – also a Sheriff and Coroner.

Our next article on Pike, will be discussing day one of Pike County’s newly appointed government.

Page One: Pike County Court/ March Court 1822 May 1st
Be it remembered that at the house of Spencer Adkins on the fourth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Two. (It being the first Monday in said month of March) Simeon Justice, James Roberts, Reuben Rutherford, John Hunt and John Bevins produced commissioners by John Adair governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It lists the official appointing of Simeon Justice, James Roberts, Reuben Rutherford, John Hunt and John Bevins Justice of Peace in and for the County of Pike. Simeon Justice the first member in the said commissioners, before the said James Roberts the second member by Commissioners, (Oath) did on the said Holy Evangelist (Bible) of all mighty God, took as well the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this state the oath of a Justice of Peace. Together with the oath presented by the Act of Assembly entitled “an act more effectually to suppress the practice of dueling. An then said Simeon Justice administered on the Holy Evangelist (Bible) of almighty God, to the said James Roberts, Reuben Rutherford, John Hunt, and John Bevins the persons with said commissioners, as well the support the Constitution of the United States and of this State as the oath of Justice of Peace together with oath presented by Act of Assembly entitled “ an act more effectually to suppress the practice of dueling, and there upon a court was formed for the said County of Pike.

Page 2: and new here at a court held agreeable to the Act of Assembly establishing County of Pike approved the Nineteenth day of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-One, at the house of Spencer’s Adkins, as aforesaid said on Monday the fourth day of March
( being the first Monday therein) Administered One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Two and therewith year of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Present Simeon Justice, James Roberts, Reuben Rutherford, John Hunt and John Blevins Esq. Gentleman Justices

Next order “James Honaker” produced by commission under the hand of John Adair Governor appointed Sheriff of this County where upon Simeon Justice the presiding Justice of this Court Administered the said James Honaker on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God as well the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this State as the oath of sheriff prescribed by the state act of assembly more affectively to surpress of the dueling and there upon the said James Honaker together with Richard Damron, Abram Beavers, and Barnabus Johnson his securities entered into and acknowledged their hands in the penalty of three thousand dollars conditions as agreeable to law.

Spencer Adkins is Unanimously appointed Clerk of this County pro tem as well the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this State as the oath of sheriff office of a county court clerk together with the oath prescribed by the act of the assembly Entitled an act move more affectively to surpress the practice of dueling and who together with Richard Damron, Abraham Beavers, William Ratliff, Rev. William Tackett, Thomas May, Thomas Owens are held firmly around into the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the penal sum of runs of one thousand pounds for the true payment where we bind ourselves our heirs ? firmly by these presence sealed with our seals and dated the fourth day of March 1822. The conditions of the above allegation is such that whereas the above bound Spencer Adkins as Clerk of the Pike County Court shall duly and faithfully execute the said office and not remove carry or suffer to be carried or removed out of this court the records and papers of this court or any part thereof except in certain cases which are allowed by law. Then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and in virtue.  

Executed in presence of the Court: Spencer Adkins, Richard Damron, Abram Beavers, William Ratliff, William Tackett, Thomas May

A motion of Spencer Adkins Clerk of the Court Jacob Mayo admitted and sworn as his deputy in this County.

William Triplett who made it appear to the satisfaction of court that he had license to practice as an Attorney at Law, came into Court and qualified such who took as well the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this State.

Page 3: As the oath of an attorney at law together with the oath. More Effectually to surpress the practice of dueling.

Elijah Adkins produced a commissioner from under the hands of John Adair Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky with the seal of the said Commonwealth there to officed appointing coroner in this county who took as well the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of this State as the oath of a coroner together with the oath. More Effectually to surpress the practice of dueling and together William Ratliff jr., Joseph Adkins, William Mullins, And Samuel Mayers his security entered and acknowledged their bond in penalty of one-thousand pound, conditioned agreeable to law.  

William Triplett is appointed Prosecuting Attorney of the pleasure of this court, during the pleasure of this court.

Elijah Adkins appointed Commissioner of Revenue of this county for the year of our Lord 1822. Richard Damron and Joseph Adkins are recommended to the Executive as proper and fit persons to fill the Office of Surveyor in this County, a majority of all Justices of Peace in said County being present and concerning in this recommendation.