Family notes for Winston ADKINS and Hannah COLEMAN Daniels p.65. Winston obtained several original land grants in Pike County,
Kentucky, on Peter Creek, Greasy Creek and Big Sandy River, listed below: 07
Apr 1837: 100 acres at Peter Creek 05 Nov 1842: 50 acres on Road Fork of Peter
Creek 29 Mar 1845: 100 acres on Russell Fork of Big Sandy River 27 Dec 1845:
50 acres on Russell Fork of Big Sandy River 04 Jan 1859: 25 acres on Adkins
Branch 29 Feb 1860: 100 acres on Jesse's Branch 09 Feb 1868: 200 acres on
Russell Fork of Big Sandy River [55] |
Based on land grants and their dates it
appears that Winston and Hannah lived on Peter Creek, prior to moving to the Big
Sandy River at what is now known as Winright, Kentucky (named after one of his
sons). There is [also] a Winston's Creek in this area that was named for Winston
Adkins. [55]
Although no one living today saw Winston Adkins, and there are no existing
photographs to my knowledge, I have obtained a brief description of him through the
eyes of one of his daughters, Elizabeth, as related to my father, and thus related
to me. He was described as being about 5ft 8ins tall and weighing about 180-190lbs
and of very powerful build. His hair was completely white with a full head of hair.
He had piercing blue eyes and a prominent nose. We do not know the location where
Winston and Hannah lived on Peter Creek, possibly on Road Fork, but when they moved
to the 'river', he built a house at the mouth of what is now known as Winston's
Creek. The creek is located about halfway between Pikeville and Elkhorn City in
eastern Kentucky. In the year 1865 a great flood came (comparable with those of
1957 and 1977). Ignoring advice to rope off his house and tie it to several large
trees, Winston, feeling that his house would be safe, did nothing. The water rose
higher than it had ever been before and the house broke up and washed down the Big
Sandy River. No doubt a large part of our heritage went with the house! Winston
subsequently erected a large two-story log house far above the high water mark on
the exact spot where Crit May (husband of Dulcie Adkins) built a modern house that
is still standing [in 1988]. Don May helped to tear down the two-story log house
built by Winston. It was torn down in the year 1918. Winright, son of Winston, lived
in the log house after the death of Winston c.1885. This property was deeded to
Winright Adkins, son of Winston, with the understanding that Winright and his wife,
Louise, were to take care of Winston and Hannah as long as either one lived. Don
May described the Winston Adkins home as follows: "I slept in the second story of
this house many nights. It had no stairway but was entered by a ladder from the back
side of the house. A four foot square hole was cut out for the entrance. The house
had a large rock chimney, located in the center of the house. The logs were Yellow
Poplar hewed out and were about 15 inches high and six to ten inches thick. This
house had porches upstairs and down stairs, front and back. It had oak riven
shingles, gabled ends. It had twelve pain glass single hung windows". [55]
Essie Adkins White, now deceased, gives this description of this home. "My
grandfather, Winright Adkins, lived at Winright, Kentucky. He had a farm house, with
three large rooms upstairs, a front porch and back porch upstairs, straight across,
English style, and a large back porch. He had a large barn, a large grainery (crib)
with a driveway between the cribs, a pear and apple orchard above the barn. An apple
house and root cellar were located below the barn. A large spring house was also on
this property that you had to step down to get the water". The spring house
and spring are still there at this writing (1988). [55]
Winston Adkins, as were his sons, Peter and Joseph, were members of the Raccoon
Creek Baptist Church and indicated in the church records in the year 1848. We assume
these people rode horseback up Lower Pompey Creek and across the hill down into
Raccoon Creek to attend church meetings. All three obtained their church letters and
moved them to the 'river' at Millard, Kentucky, c.1851, where they helped to
establish a branch or 'arm' from the Raccoon Creek Baptist Church. This church was a
log house structure and was located at the mouth of 'Biggs Branch' or on the spot
where the 'Pollyanna' drive in theater now stands [1988]. Land for this building was
given by Peter Adkins. Records show that all did not go well with the newly
established church. Two of the elders or preachers engaged in a fight in the
preaching stands or pulpit. The following poem/song is about the fight at this
church. It is often referred to as the 'Conway Song', reported to have been written
by some Justice [family] people that lived nearby. It became very popular with the
local people at this time period: "The Conway Song" We had a fight
the other day Between Joe Slone and Conway You ought to have heard old Tommy
rare When Joe began to pull his hair Abner cried it wasn't fair For Joe
Slone to pull Tom's hair But Blackburn said "Now pull away, For Joe must whip
old Conway" Daniel Blackburn came running quick As he held tight a poking
stick I'll kill you, Joe, I do declare If you don't quit pulling Tommy's
hair Tom said "Joe, I'll take your life!" And out he pulled his Barlow
knife Mitch said "Tommy, don't you know You musn't kill the preacher
Joe". Old Mrs. Daniels began to cry When she heard that Joe must die Old
Peter Adkins began to pray And away went Flem with Tom Conway Now the war is
over, and Joe's not dead But Tommy has a real sore head A warning take by
this, I say - Don't wear your hair like Conway Heaven's a high and lofty
place You can't get there without free grace Tommy wants to go alone Since
he can't fellowship Joe Slone Time is short - it won't be long When Tom will
join that ransomed throng Put on his wings and he'll fly home And leave behind
poor Joe Slone When Tom gets on his robe and crown Oh, then, you'll see him
strut around For he'll tell Joe to stay away Since it all belongs to
[Tom] Conway [55] |
Note on the poem: Daniel Blackburn was a church
member. Mitch Slone was a church member and preacher. Old Mrs. Daniels - was
Elizabeth Adkins Daniels, a daughter of Winston Adkins and a sister to Peter and
Joseph Adkins. Peter Adkins was a church member and a preacher in this church.
The exact death dates of Winston ADKINS and Hannah COLEMAN ADKINS are not known.
According to my grandmother, Elizabeth ADKINS, daughter of Winston and Hannah,
Winston died about a year before my father and his twin sister, Eliza was born in
1886. Winston is buried in the Adkins cemetery at Winright, Kentucky, just above
my grandmother, Elizabeth. Hannah is said to have died c.1888, and is buried in the
Coleman cemetery on Marrowbone Creek. Neither of these two people have permanent
stones or markers to indicate their final resting places. [55]
Sources 55. | Book, Joseph T Daniels, 1988, Adkins of Eastern Kentucky and surrounding areas, Private publication, Library of Congress LC control #:88194814 |
72. | Email, Sarah Dawn, 4 January 2007 |
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