Lt. Benedict Joseph Spalding

"In the year 1790, Robert Abell was followed to Kentucky by his brother-in-law, Benedict Spalding, who came at the head of a colony of emigrants from St. Mary's county, Maryland, most of whom settled on the Rolling Fork. Benedict Spalding's wife, Alethia Abell, was as extraordinary for her practical good sense as she was for the firmness of her faith and her truly christian manner of life. She had learned from her mother, the Ellen O'Brien Abell of whom mention has been already made, and whose name should be held in blessed remembrance by all Kentucky Catholics, how to compass her whole duty in respect to the rearing of her children. She taught them by word the tenets of their faith, and she moved them by her example to render true service to their Creator. Benedict Spalding was possibly, next to Robert Abell, the most active and influential of all the emigrants from Maryland living on the Rolling Fork. He represented Washington county in the sessions of the legislature of 1806, 1811 and 1812."

The direct issue of Benedict and Alethia Spalding comprised six sons and six daughters. The names of these were: Richard, married to Henrietta Hamilton; Thomas, married to Susan Abell; Joseph, married to Elizabeth Moore; William, married to Elizabeth Thompson; Ignatius A., married to Ann Pottinger ; Benedict, married to Mary Hamilton ; Ann, married to Clement Hamilton; Ellen, married to Basil Riney ; Elizabeth, married to John Wathen ; Catherine, married to Col. Richard Forrest ; Mary, married to Henry H. Wathen ; and Alethia, married to Francis Sims."

"Benedict Spalding, who bore his father's name, outlived all his brothers. In 1813 he owned the land upon which is now situated the town of Lebanon. He caused it to be surveyed into lots, reserving one of four acres for a Catholic church, and it was not long before many of these were sold and built upon, and this was the beginning of what is now one of the most flourishing inland towns of the State. He was a prominent merchant and successful trader, and he exerted in political and social affairs as well, a healthy influence. He was a member of the Kentucky legislature in 1835, and also from 1861 to 1865. Col Richard Forrest, who married Catherine, youngest daughter of Benedict Spalding, was a man of note in the annals of Washington county, which was almost continuously represented by him in the State legislature from 1819 to 1829. His son, the late Dr. Green Forrest, whom I remember well, was also a man of wide reputation and influence in Marion county."

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