Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-01-04
From the Lexington, KY, Statesman.
Robert P. Kinney. ae
A Man who Came to Kentucky Before the
Eiue-Trass

The subject of this sketch was born in Augusta
county, Va, on the 22d day of January, 1887,
and died at his residence in Fayette county, KY,
on the 23d of November, 1869, and so was 80
years. 10 months and one day old He was the
seventh of a family of ten children, and the
ieeblest Of them all yet outlived them all. He
had four brothers, James, and Matthew, of Fay
ette aud VIM. NJ. and Alex. b.. of Bourbon.
The latter was surgeon In the war OF 1872
He was himself, also in that war, the personal
friend and fayorite of General Harrison and
Winchester. II
His sister Elizabeth, married Robinson Mont
gomery. Of Missouri; Rebecca married VIM
Owens, of the Green River country, and Agne.
married joel r. Lyle, Of Paris. The others
died single.
bis mother sisters were marrled-Nancy to
Joseph Mcdowell Phebe to Robert Kenney !;
Sarah to Robert Boggs Patience to Jas. Kerr;
Euphemia to Daniel Mcdowell Polly to Wu.
McCreery. His mother was Houston, and her
mother was McCreery. His grandmothor's
sister was married-Sarah to Col. Trnble;
Elizabe, to Col Wilson; Mary to john Lewis;
Jane to Col Dona!ly, of Fort Donally memory,
John and William, who had long captivity
among the Indians, and Col. Robert McCreery.
Her mother Mr.. Kenneys great grandmother,
was Nancy Crawford, of Dublin, Ireland.
On the fathers side, Mr.. Kenney grand
mother was Rebecca Robinson, and his grand
father Houston, was forty years in the service
of his country as spy among the Indians. The
Indian army that attacked Fort Donay passed
within two lengths of his gun of him, and it
was his timely report OF their coming that saved
the Fort. -
Mr. Kenney's grandfather's sister was the
grandmother of Joseph Story, of Massachusetts,
lot 81 Il a,
United States. r7.g-
Mr. Kenney was pupil OF the Rev John
Lyle, by whom many of the most honored citi-
zens OF Kentucky male and female were taught
Among his schoolmates were General Leslie
Combs, Hon. Chiffon Allen and others
He became teacher himself aud afterwards
farmer, in which estate he spent the most of
his life. He often told that be started out with
rs pence" and by his own exertion became
owner Of 400 acres of good Fayette land, paid
for, before he received his patrlmony. lie was
elected Magistrate in Clark county, very much
to his SURPRISE and through modest estimate
Of himself, he laughed at the choice, and was
determined to decline to serve and so expressed
himself. when his friend, Gov Clarke, re-
monstrated with him. aud urged him to accept
He replied, I'm no lawyer. That is moth
ing, said Clarke, you go and decide what APP
pears to you 10 be just, and nine eases out of
ten it will be the law Aud so he did; and
he says though he held the office long time
he never gave but one judgment. He settled
allthe rest by giving friendly advice to ali
parties.
He says he came 10 this country before there
was any blue grass in it. He illustrated his
belief that the stock brought it here from Viz
glnia BIZ series of interesting incidents
He ptofessed his faith in Christ and Joined
the Hopewell Presbyterian Church upon ex-
animation in July, 1885. On the 18th ofJune,
lS49, he was elected ruling elder in that
church, was ordained the next day, and served
until his death He was liberal supporter of
the Gospel and faithful member of the church
courts from the Session to the General Assem-
bly,. bis Christian life grew stronger and
brighter as his mortal powers declined. He
died IN faith andin peace. He was friend of
GOD, true to his church and true to his country
He lived an honorable life, full of faith and
good works, loved and respected by kindred and
countrymen. lie was buried in his family
burial ground near his residence, November
18th, 1869, after most able and appropriate re-
ligious services, conducted by his nlinister, Rev.
Richard Valentino.
The Toledo Blade, in referring to ,,roDosi-
ton for general divorce law, declares its belief
that the tendency Of the times is toward calling
upon Congress for uniform law upon that SUBJ
ject Without being friendly to an undue IN
crease OF the powers of the Federal Govern
ment, it says, I'VE do not think the cause of
.,,1c i i