Charles Rapier

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40665185/charles-rapier

"SETTLEMENTS IN AND NEAR BARDSTOWN.

The first arrival of emigrants direct from Maryland was certainly in 1776. In that year came Capt. James Rapier, with his sons, Charles and William Rapier, both grown or nearly so, who settled on lands a few miles southeast of Bardstown, on the Beach Fork of Salt river, and in a district of country known at the time and since as Poplar Neck.

The Captain Rapier referred to above did not bear any exalted reputation for practical religion. His wife, however, was a woman of strong faith and fervent piety. To the present day her memory is venerated by her numerous descendants. Charles and William Rapier, whom I remember well, were good citizens artd pious Catholics.

About the beginning of the present century two daughters of Thomas Gwynn were married to Charles and William Rapier, and a third, some years later, was taken to wife by Alexius Hagan, and became the mother of the late Rev. Alfred Hagan, a most deserving priest of the diocese of Bardstown. In his old age, Mr. Gwynn had his home with his daughter, Mrs. Hagan, whose residence was more than five miles distant from Bardstown. Up to a short time preceding his death, which took place, if I mistake not, in 1830, he was in the habit, even on week days, of walking the entire distance, in order to be present at the first mass in the cathedral of St. Joseph. The late Rev. John B. Hutchins, only a few months before his own death, told me that he saw him on one such occasion, in the depth of winter, and long before it was light, waiting patiently for admission to the church. His remains are buried in the cemetery of St. Thomas."

Ben. J. Webb, The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky. (Charles A. Rogers, 1884; Reprinted by McDowell Publications)