[continuing with Hopeful Church in Boone County, KY]
For eight years, the pioneers in Boone Co., Kentucky, who came from Madison County, Virginia, were without a pastor. Still, they held services regularly with Ephraim Tanner taking a leading role. He was joined by many members of his family, both brothers and sisters. In turn, Ephraim Tanner and his wife Susanna House had fourteen children, so the genes of the Tanner family course through many citizens of Boone Co.
It is said that Rev. Carpenter came from Virginia twice to hold services. In October 1813, he moved to Boone Co., and became the regular pastor at the church. Perhaps it is fiction, perhaps it is true, but these are some of the stories about Rev. Carpenter.
He was quiet and dignified but with a pleasant word for everyone. By his appearance, he stood out with his knee britches and gold buckles. He was very kind to the poor and would help them. Once, upon catching a neighbor stealing corn from his crib, he told the thief, "You would surely not come here unless you needed it. Now fill your sack. When you need corn again, come and ask me for it, and do not try to steal it."
Once, when asked if he had corn for sale, he asked if the person had money to buy it. When the man said that he did have the money, the Rev. said he didn't have any corn for sale. "Plenty of my neighbors have corn for sale, but I need mine for the poor people who have no money."
Just before he died, he burned $300.00 worth of notes for corn. He lived until 1833, when he was 70 years of age.
We have no photographs of him, but we do have one of his eldest son, Jeremiah Carpenter.
The first communion by Rev. Carpenter in his adopted church was held on Whitsunday, in 1814. A list of the participants persists. It includes:
Christoph Zimmerman, ux. Maria,
Daniel Beemon,
George Rausch, ux. Elizabeth,
John Rausch, ux. Nancy,
Friederich Tanner,
Jemima Tanner,
John Beemon ux. Peggy,
John Hauss, ux Milley,
Joshua Beemon,
Friederich Zimmerman, ux. Rosina,
Layanna Christler,
Aaron Tanner,
Benjamin Aylor, ux. Anna,
Jacob Hauss, ux. Susanna,
Rosina Rausch,
Nancy Christler,
Susanna Barlow,
Elizabeth Hofman,
Jacob Rausch, ux. Anna,
Amey Rausch,
Molly Rausch,
Peggy Hauss,
William Carpenter, ux. Polly.
(Summa 35)
(ux.=uxor (Latin, "Wife")
At the Congregational Meeting, held 6 January 1815, a new and larger constitution was proposed and adopted. Provision was made to elect three deacons every three years. The first elected were Daniel Beemon, George Rouse, and Ephraim Tanner. At the end of that time, Ephraim Tanner was reelected, and Jacob Holsclau and Ephraim Utz were elected to serve with him. At the next election, in 1821, Jacob Rouse and John House were elected to serve with Ephraim Tanner.
Apparently this Second Constitution was written in German also, since the Deacons were called "Vorsteher". (It was not until 1846 that an English translation was made of the constitution.)
(22 Feb 02)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.