SOUTH-CENTRAL-KENTUCKY-L Archives

From: Sandi Gorin <>
Subject: HISTORY OF KNOB LICK, KY
Date: Mon, 23 Feb 1998 16:17:36 -0600

Taken from a homemaker's project, 1940ish.

Knob Lick or Antioch, as the little village was first known and is still
sometimes called, was settled about 1790 or possibly earlier. Austin ALLEN,
a Revolutionary soldier, was granted a large tract of land from what is now
Knob Lick extending to Blue Spring Creek. Another noted character that
entered into the founding of the little village was Samuel SHANNON Sr,
father of Samuel SHANNON Jr, who was later judge of Metcalfe Co.

The ALLEN and SHANNON families were among the first to build homes on this
territory. The foundation stones of the old SHANNON home can still be seen.
According to an article written by Ms. Esther CARTER, Charles Fontaine
ALEXANDER bought this farm in 1874. The ALEXANDER family has owned it until
receintly it was sold to George BALLARD. The house now stanidng on the farm
was built by Samuel SHANNON Jr. The bricks in this house were made by the
slaves. The WALKER and the CRENSHAW homes are two other old brick
buildings, built of home-made brick, that are still standing in the
community and probably a few other of the early building are still in use.

Soon after settling on this property, a plot of ground was given on which
to build a Union Church. The record book shows that on April 21, 1838, W.
A. ALLEN deeded from the ALLEN-SHANNON tract of land the plot of land on
which the log church was built. The deed shows that Samuel SHANNON Sr,
Lewis SLINKER, and William Austin ALLEN were trustees of the church at this
time. In later years the old log church was torn away and the Union Church,
that is being used now, was built on the same spot. We have been unable to
find the exact date when the old log church was razed, but we do know that
the erection of the new church was in progress in 1895. We have been told
by older residents that this building was not dedicated until 1906.

According to traditions from one generation to another, the Church, being
called Antioch after the Biblical Antioch, gave its name to the village
that grew up around and also to the early post office. After a period of
time the post office was dropped because a postmaster could not be secured.
On being re-established it was found that another post office by the name
of Antioch had been established in Washington County. The name Knob Lick
was used for the re-established office, being named from the knob which
stands about one mile north of the village and the swamp or lick, as such
places were thn called, lying south of the knob.

According to the records of the Post Office Department for the period
1789-1930, now in the National Archives, a post office was established at
Knob Lick on July 23, 1867. Names of postmaster and dates of their
appointment were:

Frank S EWING, July 23, 1867.
Waddy THOMPSON, Apr 16, 1868.
Herbert G W BRADLEY, Nov 8, 1869.
Jonathan READ, Aug 22, 1870.
James L. RENICK, June 27, 1889.
William H CUMMINS, June 22, 1893.
John N MILLER, Sept 22, 1897.
Louis E BALL, Nov 21, 1906.
Cora C BEARD, July 22, 1913.
Kate T BARTON, July 7, 1919.
Thomas L GILL, June 16, 1920.

Thomas L. Gill was still serving in 1930, lter Christine BEARD was
postmistress. Cora C BEARD is serving at the present time.

To be continued - Sandi

>>}}}0>> <<0{{{<<
Sandi Gorin - 205 Clements Ave., Glasgow, KY 42141-3409
502-651-9114 -
GORIN GEN PUB: http://members.tripod.com/~GorinS/index.html
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• HISTORY OF KNOB LICK, KY by Sandi Gorin <>