Rebecca Elizabeth Speake

In the year of 1785, “a league of sixty families was formed in Maryland-all Catholics, and mostly residents of St. Mary’s County, each one of whom was pledge to emigrate to Kentucky with in a specified time. Their purpose was to settle together, as well for mutual protection against the Indians, as with the view of securing to themselves, with the least possible delay the advantages of a pastorate and a church. They were not all to emigrate at once, but as circumstances permitted. The tradition of this league is sufficiently general among old people as well in Maryland as in Kentucky to give it certainty. Of the sixty families subscribing to the compact, twenty-five left Maryland early in 1785, and reached Kentucky before the end of spring of the same year. Their journey was prosecuted by land to Pittsburg, and thence in flatboats down the Ohio to Maysville. This landing was chosen for the reason that the country bordering on the river above the Falls of the Ohio was known to be infested by Indians. The party marched inland from Maysville and arrived in due time at Goodwin’s station, in Nelson County. On (Page 28) Webb lists the twenty-five families of the Maryland league. In this list appears Urban Speake. (Page 26). In 1787 another colony came out with Philip Miles and Thomas Hill. The boats of Hill and Miles were fired upon by the Indians about 20 miles above Louisville. All horses were killed, and likewise one man, by the name of Hall who was steersman. Fortunately the boats escaped. Rebecca Beckham Speake, as the widow of John Speake migrated to Washington County, Kentucky from Charles County, Maryland in 1787, with her came her sons, and some daughters. Rebecca had a twin Sister Elizabeth Beckham who married George Grundy (his will is first of record in the Probate Records of Louisville, Kentucky. Elizabeth’s will is in Washington County, Kentucky, probated in 1824. Elizabeth Grundy was the mother of Felix Grundy, one of the famous lawyers in Springfield, Kentucky. Her Will was dated March of 1818 signed by her mark, gives her age at 85. The land records and tax assessments reveal -23 rd if July 1795; one white male between 16-21, no blacks, five horses, seven cows, 63 acres situated on the waters of Cartwright’s Creek. Taxes were 2 shillings, 11 ½ pence. Land was in possession 1792-1793-1794. Thus Rebecca proved her title. As the state was formed. Kentucky became a state in 1782 and Washington County a county in 1792. Prior to 1774 all of Kentucky was part of Fincastle County, Virginia. And Fincastle County was part of Botetourt County, Virginia until 1777; Botetourt County was created in 1769 from Augusta County which was created between 1734-45. Mason and Woodford Counties were created in 1788 by the legislature of Virginia before Kentucky‘s statehood in 1792. About 1774 settlers came into that part of the region which is now in West Virginia. T he heirs: Urban Speake; Basil Speake; James B. Speake; Pricilla Speake Miles; Mary (Polly)Speake Wheatley; Rebecca Speake Montgomery; Jean Speake Gundy; and John B. Speake