Interview with Edwin R. Benton, July 21, 1993

Partial Transcript: This is Steve Fricker, it is Wednesday, July 21st, 1993, approximately 10 a.m. I am meeting with Edwin Benton in his home, uh, near, uh, West Liberty, Kentucky. This is for the oral history Kentucky Farm Families Project, and this is Edwin Benton, interview one tape one. Would you please state your full name?

Segment Synopsis: Edwin Benton introduces himself then shares his family history, and how he came to be in possession of 130 acres of land in Caney, Kentucky thanks to an inheritance passed down through his family over several generations. According to Edwin Benton, his grandfather John C. Benton (who was born 1858) married Rebecca Lykins in 1876. Rebecca was the daughter of Isaac Lykins, who was the son of David Lykins, who had married Daniel Williams' daughter Nancy. Daniel Williams owned land through land grants. The land Daniel Williams had claim to was passed down to Isaac Lykins, Rebecca's father. When Isaac Lykins was killed during the Civil War during 1864 his daughter Rebecca inherited the land. Rebecca Lykins and John C. Benton, Edwin's grandfather, married in 1876. In 1890, John C. Benton bought the land and moved into a house built on the same location Edwin Benton currently lives at. John also cleared the timber and began farming the level land. John and Rebecca had thirteen children, three girls and ten boys. Twelve lived to adulthood. From there the family farm was passed down to Roy Benton, John C. Benton's son and father of Edwin Benton. Edwin Benton inherited the land, whereas his three sisters inherited a sum of money. The property has grown since Rebecca originally inherited about 40-50 acres. Edwin Benton estimates the property is 130 acres.

Keywords: Civil war--America--History--19th century.; Deeds; Families; Gender and inheritance; Gender roles; Heritage farms; Inheritance; Land grants--Kentucky.; Land inheritance; Morgan County (Ky.)--History.; Traditional farming--Kentucky.; Wills

Subjects: Agriculture--Kentucky; Civil war.; Family farms; Family history.; Inheritance and succession.; Land grants.; Morgan County (Ky.); Traditional farming.

Partial Transcript: Um, tell me a little about the farm. What ty, what type of farming did, uh, your grandfather do?

Segment Synopsis: Benton talks about the crops and livestock that his grandfather, John C. Benton, raised during the early days of the Benton family farm. Benton’s grandfather grew grains such as wheat, oats, and corn. According to Benton, his grandfather did his own threshing, and he ground the corn at a nearby water mill owned by his father-in-law Andrew Martin. Around 1900 when the coal mines opened Benton’s grandfather sold garden produce to miners. He also sold chestnuts, since he had an orchard of chestnuts, for a nickel a pint. Benton’s grandfather also raised cattle, mostly for milk, and turkeys which were sometimes sold at the market. Benton discusses how his family, including his grandfather, would make candles out of tallow. He describes the process as well.

Keywords: Cattle; Chestnuts; Civil war--America--History--19th century.; Corn; Deeds; Families; Gardening; Gender and inheritance; Gender roles; Grains; Grinding corn; Grinding grain; Heritage farms; Inheritance; Land grants--Kentucky.; Land inheritance; Markets; Mills; Morgan County (Ky.)--History.; Oats; Orchards; Produce; Tallow; Tallow candles; Threshing; Timber; Tobacco; Traditional farming--Kentucky.; Turkeys; Wheat; Wills

Subjects: Agriculture--Kentucky; Coal miners.; Coal mines and mining.; Family farms; Family history.; Morgan County (Ky.); Traditional farming.; Water mills

Partial Transcript: Um, tell me a little bit about the, uh, the house in which you grew up. What was it like?

Segment Synopsis: Benton reminiscences about the homes he grew up in. He and his family lived in his grandfather’s home until 1935. After that, Benton and his family moved into a different house (on the Benton property). Benton talks about how difficult winter was back when homes lacked insulation and more secure windows and doors. As a child they slept on feather beds under yet another feather bed, in order to stay warm. In 1956 Benton built his own home with plumbing. Shortly after, Benton installed plumbing in his father’s home as well. Benton also discusses laundry, ponds on the property, and garbage disposal.

Keywords: Building; Construction; Deeds; Feather beds; Fireplaces; Heat; Homes; Laundry; Single box homes; Washboards; Wills; Winter

Subjects: Agriculture--Kentucky; Family farms; Family history.; Morgan County (Ky.); Traditional farming.

Partial Transcript: When, uh, when I first got here we were talking about, uh, water, you mentioned city water is available in this area?

Segment Synopsis: Benton addresses a couple different topics of interest. He mentions how city water recently became available in Caney, but only about half the population has gone for it. Benton also talks about his father’s career as a coal miner then minister, and his mother’s job as a housewife. Benton shares about the Benton orchard. His grandfather used to grow apples, peaches, and nuts, however only a couple trees are still remaining from that time. His grandfather also used to raise sheep and got his blacksmithing done by his brother-in-law, who shod horses and sharpened plows and other farming tools for the whole area.

Keywords: Apples; Blacksmithing; Blacksmiths; Deeds; Livestock; Nuts; Orchards; Peaches; Plumbing; Sheep; Tools; Water; Wills

Subjects: Agriculture--Kentucky; Family farms; Family history.; Farm equipment; Morgan County (Ky.); Traditional farming.

Partial Transcript: Um, I'd like to get you to sketch in the location of where the house was, and then where were the other farm buildings or out buildings in relation to the house?

Segment Synopsis: Fricker asks Benton to draw him a map of Benton family farm. Benton narrates as he draws.

Keywords: Houses; Maps

Subjects: Agriculture--Kentucky; Family farms; Family history.; Morgan County (Ky.); Traditional farming.