Nicholas Jasper (a Sketch) Pioneer of Pulaski County, Kentucky By William J. Moore Into Kentucky came woodsmen, soldiers of the Revolutions, Tories, some planters and traders; they slowly made their way through the "Gap", through valleys, up and down hills and slopes, across rivers and creeks. Nicholas Jasper was one of these men. The subject of these pages, Nicholas Jasper, is generally acknowledged to be a very instrumental person in the founding of Pulaski County, Kentucky. He is said to have named the county for Count Casmir Pulaski. His brother, Sergeant William Jasper, was killed during the Battle of Savannah in 1799 along with Count Pulaski. Sergeant Jasper was the hero of the battle of Sullivan's Island at Charleston in 1776. Old soldiers of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 were looked on with almost hero worship in the late 1700s and early 1800s. Their names shone brightly in the dreams of the generations that followed--generations that were to create their own brand of gallantry in an effort to form a new government. According to tradition the parents of Nicholas Jasper, along with at least one child, Abraham, emigrated to America and arrived and settled on Cooper River, South Carolina, about 1748. Nicholas was the son of John Abraham Jasper. The maiden name of his mother is unknown. John was the father of seven children--five are mentioned in his will, a copy of which is included in this article. The family, because of British Loyalist pressure, moved to Union County, South Carolina. Family members Nicholas, John, (his father) and John (his brother) are listed as heads of families in the first South Carolina census of 1790. However, Nicholas came to Kentucky from Virginia, shortly afterward. Nicholas is said to have fought with Generals Moultrie and Davies and records are available of this service in Brandon's Regiment as a Sergeant and Lieutenant. (Originals of military warrants included in this article are on file in South Carolina Archives at Columbia, South Carolina.) Brandon, as history records, was notorious for his hatred of Tories and in the battle of King's Mountain was criticized by many because of his cruelty toward them. It is known that Nicholas came to Kentucky prior to October. 1798. Mary Jasper. his daughter, married William Spears on October 1, 1798 ( known from a bond in file box at the court house in Stanford, Lincoln County Kentucky, with Nicholas Jasper's name as bondsman but copied as Nides Jasper by Mrs. A. S. Fry.) Nicholas' first wife was Elizabeth Wyatt and to this union was born: John: February 6, 1768, died April 28, 1849. Elizabeth: 1772 (ca). Andrew: 1774 (ca). Mary: April 2, 1777, died September 24, 1638. Achilles 1779 (ca). Thomas 1780 (ca) died July 1838. Daughter 1782 (ca). Rachel 1785 (ca) married August 9, to Thomas Hinton. Nicholas married his second wife, Martha Irvin, January 2, 1810 (marriage record in Fayette County, Kentucky, listing Isaac McLsaac, bondsman) from whom he later separated. Thomas Jasper, one of Nicholas’ sons, enlisted as a private in the War of 1812 in Captain Tunstall Quarlls Company, 2nd Regiment, Kentucky Militia. The 2nd Regiment was organized September 1812, under Lt. Col. William Jenning and fought in the Battle of Raison, The Thames and Lakr Erie. Thomas Jasper later became a Colonel in the Kentucky Militia. He was elected a Representative of Pulaski County in the Legislatures of 1833, 34 and 35. Andrew Jasper, another son, later emigrated to the DeKalb County Missouri area and was in Capt. Dollerhide's 3rd Company, Renick's Battalion, September 18, 1812, in the Kentucky Mounted Militia. Achilles Jasper, a third son, represented Pulaski County in the Senate from 1836 to 1840. Achilles Jasper emigrated to Platte County, Missouri, and was elected Representative from that county to the Missouri Legislature in 1842. Achilles, listed as Achilles Gasper, served in Capt. Samuel Tate's Company, August 23, 1813, in the Kentucky Mounted Militia. Nicholas has a land entry listed by the Filson Club Kentucky Land Grant, Page 341. "Nicholas Jasper, 200 acres, Lincoln County, January 14, 1799, Little Sinking Creek" Adjutant general Reports-Hill. Kentucky in the War of 1812 by Anderson C. Quisenberry. Original Commission in the hands of writer. Annals of Platte County, Missouri, by Paxton. Nicholas Jasper died in 1827 and is buried in the Sinking Creek Church Cemetery at Somerset WILL OF JOHN JASPER Father of Nicholas Jasper "September the twenty ninth in the year of our Lord 1799 being at this time in my perfect reason and right mind though in a low state of health. I John Jasper of Union County and State of South Carolina do make this my Last Will and Testament to wit I leave to my beloved wife all my Real Estate together with my Goods and Chattels to Gather for her maintenance during her life of Widowhood with a provision that no property be made way with but such as is necessary for her support then to be divided equably amongst my children which are now living to wit Nicholas John Rachel Anna Hannah & Charity item to those of my children that are dead I give and bequeath to each of their heirs five Shillings. I appoint and approve of my Son John Jasper and my Son in law Benjamin Covenhoven as my Executors as witness my hand and Seal this twenty ninth Day of September 1799. Signed, Seal and Delivered John Jasper (Seal) In the Presence of: John Foster Benjamin Covenhoven Recorded in Will Book A, Page 261 Box 2, Package 55. Recorded 11th day of November, 1799 Ben Haile, C.C Obituary of Dr. Francis Marion Jasper, Grandson of Nicholas Jasper, appearing in the Nicholasville Democrat, Nicholasville, Kentucky, July 8, 1892. " In a world where the many struggle only for gain or for renown, it is a pleasure to contemplate the life of the few, to whom the true, whether in science or morals, is so beautiful and desirable that they deem it worthy of a lifetime pursuit. While the majority are themselves willing slaves to mammon, they are yet conscious that life offers a worthier service, and they rejoice that there is here and there a soul better devoted to aspirations, upon whom they can look and catch a glimpse of a nobler life." " In this view, the death of Dr. Jasper deserves a notice more extended than its mere announcement. Dr. Jasper died at Cincinnati on, Wednesday, June 22nd, 1892, aged 65 years. He was a descendent of Revolutionary ancestors from Wales. His great-grandfather was Abraham Jasper, who was born at Caevmarthen in Wales 1728 and settled in Georgetown, South Carolina, in 1748. Abraham Jasper, afterwards, settled on Cooper River near Charleston in 1752, where he reared a family of children, four sons and three daughters. One son named Abraham, was the Tory brother of the brave Sergeant Jasper. His brother, Nicholas, (Grandfather of Dr. Jasper) and John were Patriots and served under General Marion and General William Richardson Davie in North Carolina and South Carolina. After the close of the Revolutionary War, Nicholas Jasper settled in Pulaski County, Kentucky, where he reared a large family of as brave and patriotic sons as were ever born to a Revolutionary Patriot. Abraham Jasper, the Troy brother of Sergeant Jasper, was the eldest son and was born in Wales. Nicholas Jasper when he died in 1827 named Dr. Jasper after his old commander, General Francis Marion. Nicholas Jasper was born near Charleston on Cooper River, June 7, 1752. John Jasper settled in Indiana in 1820 and died there in 1836. During our late Civil War. I saw four of his grandsons in the Federal Army belonging to the 33rd Indian regiment commanded by Colonel Coburn. John Jasper was also born on Cooper River in 1754. Sergeant William Jasper was the Youngest and was born September 11, 1757, and lacked three months of being nineteen when his first intrepid act in replacing the stars and stripes at Fort Moultrie, June 17, 1776, this heroic conduct made him famous in the days of the great struggle for American freedom and independence, and when he was killed in the assault on Savannah, October 7, 1779 he lacked a month of being twenty-two years of age. Thomas Jasper , who represented Pulaski County in the Kentucky Legislature of 1833, 34, 35, was the father of Dr. Jasper. In the War of 1812 Thomas Jasper bore his part as a brave soldier in the company commanded by Captain Harry James; he was at the battle of the Thames, When Tecumseh lost his life, also at the siege of Fort Harrison, and witnessed the fight on lake Erie, when commodore Perry destroyed the British fleet, September 10, 1813. The writer of this sketch had the pleasure of knowing many of the children of Thomas Jasper; but more particularly the subject of this notice, and can truly say he was an upright man in every relation of life. He practiced his profession in Jessamine County more than thirty years, he rode day and night through summer and winter weather to minister the sick, regardless of whether he was to receive remuneration or not. Truly of him it will be said in the great day, "I was sick and he visited me". As a friend, Dr. Jasper was true to the core, ready at all times and under any circumstances to defend an absent friend. As a neighbor, he was kind, accommodating and self-sacrificing; as a husband, he was tender and devoted, faithful and loving, as a citizen, he was true and would scorn to do an unmanly act. As a parent, he was judiciously indulgent and affectionately firm. He sought to impress upon his children that obedience to parents is obedience to God In 1859 he married Miss Maria Soper, who besides three children, Miss George M. McClure of Danville, Dr, H. Clay Jasper of Junction City, and Mrs. Nannie Mitchell, survive him. His remains were brought home from Cincinnati Wednesday and on Thursday his funeral was preached by Rev. Laird and burial took place that afternoon in Maple Grove Cemetery. No man will be more missed in his neighborhood than Dr. Frank Jasper." S. M. D. ( The original newspaper is in the possession of the author of this paper.) The Following are excerpts referring to Nicholas Jasper taken from order books book 1 and 2 of Pulaski County Court. June the 25th, 1799: Pursuant to and act of the General Assembly of Kentucky for erecting a new county out of the Counties of Lincoln and Green. At the house of Thomas Hansford, in the County of Pulaski on Tuesday the twenty fifth day of June One thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, a Commission of the Peace from his Excellency James Garrard Esquire governor of the Commonwealth aforesaid, directed to Samuel Gilmore, Robert Modrel, John Francis, NICHOLAS JASPER and Bazil Meek, Gentlemen, constituting them Justices of the Peace in and for the County Court for the County aforesaid, where upon the said Samuel Gilmore, Esquire, took the Oath of fidelity to the commonwealth the Oath of Office and the Oath to Support the, Constitution of the United States, who then afterwards administered the said Oaths, to the said Robert Modrel, John Francis, NICHOLAS JASPER, and Bazil Meek, Gentlemen, and thereupon a Court was heretofore the said County. Present Samuel Gilmore, Robert Modrel, John Francis, Nicholas Jasper, Bazil Meek, Gentlemen. December the 24th, 1799 ordered that it be entered on record that this Court will meet at NICHOLAS JASPER'S, Esquire on the second Friday in next month for the purpose of viewing the different proposal's made to the Court for this purpose of fixing the seat of Justice of the County. It is ordered that the several officers of this court give due attendance to this order and that they execute the same. February Court, 1801- Page 71 The court having taken into consideration the business of fixing on the place for erecting the public building for the County. After motion deliberations ordered that the permanent Seat of Justice for the county is fixed on a tract of land containing 40 acres this day conveyed by bond to the county court of this county on such part thereof as the said county shall direct. The minutes of these proceedings were signed. /s/ Samuel Gilmore. At a court continued and held for Pulaski County on Wednesday the 25th day of February 1801 at the house of Henry Francis present Samuel Gilmore, NICHOLAS JASPER and Samuel Newell, Gentlemen. Ordered that the Sheriff pay to Samuel McKee the sum of (--) out of the depositor for the year 1799 for the purpose of advertising according to law a motion that will be made to the County Court of this County for the establishment of a town on a tract of land claimed by William Dodson and others and it is ordered that the Clerk advertise the same at the door of the Court House and give a copy of same to said McKee for the purpose afore-said and the same is ordered to be certified entered on record. Ordered that Samuel McKee, James Hardgrove, Edward Turner, John Prather. NICHOLAS JASPER and William Fox be appointed as commissioners to let and superintend the Public building of this county at the place fixed on yesterday for that Purpose. August the 25th - 1801 - Page 241 Ordered that James McCowan be exempted from the payment of County Levy by age and infirmity which is ordered to be entered on record. Present NICHOLAS JASPER and Basil Meek gentlemen. The Court after examining the Stray Pen which was built by William Roberts they conceived he halt built the same agreeably to his contract and the same is received as public stray pen for this county. September the 22nd 1801 - 259 Ordered that the Sheriff of this County pay Francis McCown twenty three dollars for building a temporary house for the use of holding court in for this County, on lot N. 40 in said town, the said house having this day been received by the court, of McCown, as being built agreeable to his said McCown undertaking agreement in that behalf. On the motion of James Montgomery it is ordered that Robert Anderson, William Hardgrove, William Addison and NICHOLAS JASPER or any three of them who being first sworn do view the nearest and best way for a road from the place as fixed on the permanent Seat of Justice in this county of Montgomery's Ferry and make reports thereof to the next court of the conveniences and inconvenience that may attend the same. November 25th 1801 - Page 275 The persons appointed to view a way for a road from Montgomery's Ferry to the Courthouse of this County returned their report in the following words (to Wit) November, 24th, 1801. We who were appointed to review a road from the town of Somerset to Montgomery,s Ferry have reviewed it and we adjudged that there can be a very good road made to said ferry given under our hands. (signed NICHOLAS JASPER, Robert Anderson, William Hardgrove And it appearing to the Court, that no person, or persons through whose lands said road is proposed to be opened has any objections to the Establishment of the same. Therefore it is ordered that said report be entered on record and that said road be established accordingly, and it is ordered that NICHOLAS JASPER, Esquire be appointed Surveyor of said road and he with the hands (sic) within the precinct herein after below mentioned do open and keep said road in good repair according to law to wit, to-wit, a courthouse, jail, stocks, etc and stray pen to be built on such plans as the said commissioners shall think expedient and to lay off the Forty acres of land yesterday granted to this court by Wm. Dodson into convenient lots, streets, etc, as they think proper. May Court Continued - Page 122 Ordered that when this Court adjourns today they adjourn to the Baptist meeting House at the place as fixed for the permanent seat of justice for this county. June fourth - 1801- Page 125 Ordered that NICHOLAS JASPER and Jesse Richardson be appointed Judges of the upcoming election and Philip A. Sublit as their clerk June the 24th - 1801 - Page 164 On the motion of the Justice of the County Court it is ordered that a town be established on the land granted to them by William Dodson as specified in the Bond given to said court agreeable to the plan filed for that purpose as the plan of the town of said County the said Town to contain 40 acres of land exception two lots which the said Dodson reserves for his own use and the said Town is to be known and called by the name of Somerset and the said 40 acres of land is Vested in Robert Modrel, NICHOLAS JASPER, Jesse Richardson, John James Senior, P. William Barns as Trustees of said Town: were upon the said Justices entered into and acknowledged Bond conditioned as the law directs. November Court 1802 - Page 365 Ordered that Robert Modrel and NICHOLAS JASPER gentlemen be recommended to his excellency as proper persons to be commissioned to the Office of Sheriff in the County of Pulaski Majority of all the Justices of the Peace for said County and court now here present and setting as a court and concurring in this nomination. May Court - 1804 Book - 2, Page 30 Ordered that Edward Blakwin be appointed a constable in this County who took the necessary oaths required by law and entered into and acknowledged bond with NICHOLAS JASPER his security conditioned as the law directs. March Court 1805 - Page 88 NICHOLAS JASPER Esquire produced a commission from his Excellency the Governor of Kentucky. appointing him Sheriff of the County, who took the necessary oaths, and Entered into and acknowledged bonds with security conditioned as the law directs. (Securities Justified) Also entered into and acknowledged Bond for the collection of the County levy, conditioned as the law directs. On the motion of NICHOLAS JASPER Sheriff of this County. John Simpson is permitted to qualify as his Deputy who took the oaths required by law, On the motion of NICHOLAS JASPER Sheriff, who objects to the insufficiency of the Jail of this County, which is ordered to be entered of record. June Court - 1805 - Page 108 On the motion of NICHOLAS JASPER Sheriff of this County, John Daviel is permitted to qualify as his Deputy, who took the oaths required by law. September - 1805 - Page 123 Ordered that the Sheriff of this county pay to Robertson Burge. one hundred and twenty two pounds two shillings out of the Depositum ( ) sic to go on discharge of a bond given by this Court to said Burge as undertaker of the woodwork of the Courthouse of said County. March - 1806 - Page 200 NICHOLAS JASPER Sheriff of the County entered into and acknowledged Bond in the sum of one hundred and seventy four pounds, with John Jasper*(Eldest son of Nicholas Jasper) and George Allcorn his securities conditioned as the law directs, for the collection of the County Levy.

The reader of the foregoing pages will have no difficulty in forming a correct estimate of Nicholas Jasper's character. He was one of the noble pioneers of Kentucky. As a soldier, senior justice or sheriff, his character seems to have been faultless; and his intercourse with his fellowmen was always marked with integrity and honor. The effort of trying to assemble the Jasper data available is for no purpose except to commit to paper the wishes of my great aunt Laura Jasper. Students of early Pulaski County History and the Jaspers would gain much from reading and inwardly digesting "Seedtime on the Cumberland" by Mrs. Harriette Simpson Arnow, the McMillian Company, New York, 1960. Her task of assembling a parade of characters and interpreting 200 years of events was a monumental one, in which Mrs. Arrow devoted many years research.