Kentucky Memories that will Sparkle Forever

An entry in Wikipedia reads:

"The Penick Family (1820-1920) were wealthy plantation owners in Todd C0unty, Kentucky, in the United States.

The Penick family amassed a great amount of land in the Allensville, Kentucky area of around 5,000 acres during the beight of their farming operaions. The plantation was lost in the 1920's when farming operations ceased due to lack of interest by the families.

The Plenick family plantation homes still exist on Allensville Road in Todd County, Kentucky. The homes are of wood-frame in the mid-19th century style, known as the transitioning phase between Federal and Greek Revival.

Family linkages are to that of the Mary Todd family, for which Todd County is named.

What is Real

As the plane was soon to leave Louisville and carry us home to Utah I reflected on my extraordinary experience. The Penicks were REAL people--not just names in archives, or lines on ledger books, nor distant branches on a family tree. They had become real. They had become at last, my own Kentucky family. Now I can never forget them, nor leave them behind. The work has just begun.

Long layover in Chicago

We had a nearly 9 hour layover in Chicago. I watched the people pass by until I fell fast asleep despite the less than hospitable accomodations.

The voyage Home

Almost as soon as the adventure started it was nearly over. Just time enough at the airport to pick out a travel souvenir. I selected a horse. It's the cliche that Kentucky is famous for its racing horses, but I chose one that reflected my fantasy Penick adventure.

A last reflection

The Kentucky fences are everywhere. They divide people's property, wind here and there to separate vast spaces, countrysides, estate homes or backyards in trailer parks. They seemed to also symbolize connection: that the divisions they guarded were really only markers of where things and people meet--- where lives are lived as friends, neighbors and family.

Theme revisited: The Fences of Kentucky

Abraham Lincoln Slept Here

Reluctantly we were leaving behind my beloved Penicks in Greensberg. On the way back to Louisville we stopped at the birthplace of Abraham Lincoln. We were too late to take a tour and the day was nearly at a close.

And not just a few

This was a rooster farm. And the crop was abundant. There must have been nearly one hundred roosters attached to barrels spread across a rolling hillside protected by a waving flag. It takes only one rooster to rule a hen house, and here before our eyes were enough Kentucky roosters for a nation of hen houses!

A Strange Sight

Much to our surprise, right across the street from the church was an odd site: roosters tethered to plastic barrels by chains around an ankle.

The road called us again

Once again we befriended the rural roads outside Greensberg in Green County. We had passed by many small churches, each charming in their own way. I wanted a photo of one and a little white one set off from the roadside caught my attention. It was, naturally, Baptist.

If only I could have heard voices from these graves. What stories would I have learned? What lessons from life could I have heeded? One day, not so far off, I will hear first hand.

Lucky Find

The highlight of my stay in Greensberg was discovering the old cemetary where Penick ancestors were buried. Lee spotted a tombstone down the hill with the Penick name engraved in big letters. I couldn't wait to make my way down the hill and have a look.

Southern food: yum!

For dinner there was a delicious selection of southern delights: collard greens, italian beans, cabbage rolls, canned corn, lima beans, fried chicken, corn bread... and cherry cobbler. I couldn't get enough!

Inside Court House

Rennovations to the court house also included restoring the original bench. The wood looked brand new, but was hundreds of years old.

Historical Court House

Just before heading out for dinner, Lee took me to see the restored courthouse. It is in the center of town and houses an information bureau.

Old Train Station

Lee takes pictures of Old Greensberg

I spent nearly the whole day doing research. Lee spent time on a walking tour of historic downtown Greensberg which was the capital of Green County where all my Penicks first arrived from Virginia. Later in the day I learned that many Penick's were even buried in Greensberg.

This long pedestrian bridge led to the train station.

Keeping Lee busy

I kept Lee busy at the photocopier. I had found a virtual gold mine of Penick data and wanted to take advantage of every rare find. Sometimes you have to travel to the well's source to drink the purest water. I just wasn't making enough progress on my Penick lines from Utah.

Best find

Our best find was in Greensberg at the Public Library. I had hoped to meet with genealogy specialist Ruth Perkins but the day of our visit was her day off. I was disappointed but spoke with her on the phone. She gave me specific instructions about how to search the archives for Penicks.

A moment on the swing

We asked Doug to take a photo of us together on a weathered swing in their backyard. It hung on branches between two old trees. The vines were thick and smelled sweet.

Old Bell

Near the front driveway to the farm, Doug had build a tower for an antique bell. It graced the entrance along with an American flag. The bell was old and rusted and probably hadn't been heard from in decades. It could have once belonged to a church, a plantation, school, or.....

Friendly Penick Cow

While exploring the farm Lee saw rolled up hay, chickens roaming, dogs barking, and even a group of strutting peacocks. Most charming was a shy, white 'Penick cow' who reluctantly came over to the fence for a meet and greet.

Checking out the Penick farm

Meanwhile, outside Lee was exploring the Penick farm. Doug raised black angus on his sprawling farmlands.

Making the Penick family connection

In no time Doug and I were exchanging geneology information. He and Nora had many vital documents. Nora said she would send copies to me. Shortly after returning home, I got them in the mail.

Doug had many stories about the Penicks, some sad some funny. We surely talked together like the cousins we were.

Real Old Fashion Penick Syrup

I couldn't belive my eyes. It was something called Penick Syrup. I had no idea what was ever inside the can, but I was sure it was sweet. Just like the Penick family.

Old log cabin

Doug and Nora had attached this old log cabin to the back of their farmhouse. Doug loves antiques and had many displayed inside: everything from a church organ to old farm tools and much to my surprise and delight.....

Meeting a living Penick family member

Our destination was the only remaining Penick farm with a living family ancestor. It was home to Doug and Nora Penick, delightful and genteel people.

Allentown

Soon we were back traveling down the country road. It didn't take long to arrive at Allentown with a current population of only 89. At one time, it was much, much larger. Ha.

Lee spots a tombstone

Bravely, Lee steps through the brush to peek past the fence. He spots a nearly burried tombstone. I called to him and asked if it was Nathan's. He said he couldn't see any inscription but took a photo of it nonetheless. I will have to content myself by thinking it could be that of great, great grandpa Nathan's.

This is the Place

Alas, we discovered that the gravesite was overgrown and filled with chiggers and snakes! We didn't venture too close. I had really hoped to see a grave marker for Nathan Penick and was disappointed.

Penick Town

As the tour ended, Sue pointed out a vast field and told me that the entire area was once known as "Penick Town." Once most of the population were Penick family members. It is, of course, uninhabited now but the old Penick graveyard was just an acre away. We set off to visit the site.

Unique item in the boys room: shaving stand

Antique, hand made baby crib. Original dolls too.

Second floor, East wing for girls only!

The hallway--leads to staircase to second floor

The formal Dining Room

Did Penick fingers play these keys?

Touring inside the Mansion. The drawing room

Making a new friend was easy

Joined on the porch by the delightful Sue Gill

Waiting for someone to open the door

Arriving at the Penick Plantation and discovering it's getting a brand new roof!

Lee guards the jail door to protect valuable Penick records

The jail was build in the early 1800's and the heavy metal door that divides the courthouse from the cells still works and is locked up tight every night to protect the treasured Penick records. Lee adds a spooky watchman look to ward off potential intruders while I search through the old books.

Records kept in actual jail cells built in the 1800's

Boxes of records neatly arranged on shelves are found inside the actual jail cells that once housed 4 prisoners. It was a tight fit for the records, I couldn't imagine that each small space would once house 4 men.