February 6, 2018

The Spencer County Historical Society met on Tuesday, February 6, 2018, in the Rockport Library Genealogy Room.

The meeting was called to order by the president at 6:34 PM with eleven members and one guest present.

The minutes from the last meeting were read and approved.

The treasurer’s report was given. 

The secretary reported on the following communications she had received:

            1.  E-mail from Andrea Pearce trying to locate information on her ancestor, Maria Harrison Peterson, daughter of John Herbert  Peterson and Maria Herbert Harrison. 

            2.  Received a letter from Laura Renwick who was returning pictures the Society sent to Indiana Landmarks in 1995. I sent her a Thank You note.

            3.  Received a notice of upcoming programs presented by the Indiana Historical Society.

            4.  Received an e-mail from Gib Young of the Huntington County Historical Society telling about a presentation called “Indiana at Gettysburg”.

            5.  Received a book of the official report of the Indiana Bicentennial Commission.    

            6.  Took photo of 1931 Rockport map hanging in the Genealogy Room that was donated by David G. Wells and sent it to his e-mail address.    

            7.  Received a letter from the Indiana Commission for Women wanting a nomination and profile of a woman who is important to the county to be recognized during Women’s History Month in March.   

            8.  Have a newspaper article about a proposed transmission line between Hancock County, Kentucky and Huntingburg, Indiana.  The Society will probably receive a notice about this from the State.

            9.  E-mail about Swedish Genealogy Workshop in Kansas March 17 & 18 and September 29 & 30. 

            10. E-mail about historic homes in Spencer County.

A member reported on the status of the Lincoln Trail project.  Since the last bid came in at $375,000.00 over budget, the project has now been put on hold.  The sign that showed the location of the place where Abraham Lincoln made his speech in 1844 will be put up when the project is finished.

It was mentioned that the 1931 Rockport plat map that now hangs in the Genealogy Room is a great addition and shows a lot of information.

The president informed the Society that a member had purchased a plat map of Rockport that shows the traction lines and the traction depot.

The president said the Bicentennial Book committee is having a difficult time reducing the over 13,000 pictures, generously donated by the public, to around 600 that are to be placed in the book.  The remaining pictures will then have to be properly labeled, put on disks, and placed in each library.  

The president checked with the library about showing one of Clayton Spurlock’s tapes entitled “Revolutionary War Soldiers Buried in Spencer County”.  It was decided that it would be shown at the next meeting date of March 6.  The Society would have a short meeting at 6:15 PM and then go downstairs to the conference room for the showing at 7:00 PM.  The public would be invited to see the movie.

A member brought up the fact that since this is the 200^th anniversary of Spencer County, he would like to have plaques made for the two churches that have had active congregations since 1818.  They are Baker’s Creek and Old Little Pigeon Creek.  He would also like to have a plaque made for the first sheriff of Spencer County, David Edwards. 

A motion was made and seconded that the Society purchases the two plaques for the churches that have been identified as having a congregation since 1818.    The motion carried.   The member will purchase the plaque for the sheriff’s department - David Edwards who is his relative.  The Society will have a ceremony when the plaques are presented.

A member announced when they were doing pipe work under the old black schoolhouse on County Road 250 N, they found three rifles, one stamped 1803.  He and another person are going to meet with the owner of the house on Thursday, February 8, 2018, to discuss the find.

A member also announced he and several others met with Laura Market to talk about Lincoln history of the mallet and other items.  They will be on a satellite program on takemehome.house.

The president mentioned the annual Lincoln Day program that is to be presented at the Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial in Lincoln City on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at 2:00 PM.  Mitch Capel will be the speaker.                                                                                                      

A motion was made and seconded to adjourn the meeting.  The motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 7:51 PM.

The next meeting will be March 6, 2018 at 6:15 PM in the Genealogy Room.