Individual Details

Jacob is said to be the first to settle at the "Youghiogheny River" crossing in Somerset Co PA in 1769 at age 15. He lived near Peter Reasoner, Paul Froman & Benjamin Fry. There is a copy of his land survey in the courthouse records in Cumberland, MD because that state also claimed this area. Maryland issued deeds to men as young as 14. Jacob Spears sold the land at the Yough Crossing in 1816; he had retained ownership even though he had been in KY since 1787. There was an old stone bridge that is now under a reservoir.

1786 PA Census Lists - Rostraver, Westmoreland County
Regina Spears
Solomon Spears
Jacob Spears, Single [the word Single is written after several of those on the list - but Solomon was also single]

1787 PA Tax Lists - Rostraver, Westmoreland
Regina Spears: Patent for 130 acres, Warrants for 180 and 150 acres. 3 Negroes. 2 horses. 8 head of cattle. Value £219
Solomon Spears: 1 Negro Value £25
Jacob Spears: 2 Negroes. 2 horses. 1 Still Value £84.10

Jacob traveled back to Virginia to marry Elizabeth. Because of his return to Virginia much confusion has resulted over the military records of this Jacob and Jacob, son of George Frederick Spears. The two Jacobs were 1st cousins once removed.

24 Jan 1778. Probably a list of the payroll of Capt [later Major] Joseph Bowman's company found in his papers includes:
2nd Lt. Abraham Kellar. Enlisted 24 Jan 1778. Discharged 8 Aug. 1100 miles to go home.
Isaac Kellar, sergt. Enlisted 25 Jan 1778. Discharged Aug. 1100 miles to go home.
and their brother-in-law,
Jacob Speers, sergt. Enlisted 5 Jul 1778. Discharged Aug. 1150 miles to go home

By the time Jacob was 33, 1787, Jacob was a member of the Washington Co PA party who departed for the Kentucky frontier and included the families of James Frye & Henry Ewalt. They all settled along Cooper's Run, just north of Paris KY.

Jacob was commissioned captain of the Bourbon Co KY Militia 9 Aug 1792.

Jacob had fought in the battle against the Indians at Sandusky in 1782 when Col. William Crawford was caught and tortured, Capt John Hoagland's Company. He located near Paris KY where his wife and slaves attended Cooper's Run Baptist Church. Between 1805 and 1819, Jacob made 19 trips down the Ohio & Mississippi Rivers to New Orleans, returning up the Natchez Trail, to sell his famous Kentucky Bourbon whiskey.

There is evidence that Jacob Spears had distilled whiskey in PA before moving to Kentucky. He operated a corn mill as well as the distillery on Cooper's Run in Kentucky. His was the first distillery in Bourbon Co, built about 1790.

1810 Census. Stoner, Bourbon Co, KY
Jacob Spears. 1m under 10, 2m 16-26, 1m over 45. 1f under 10, 1f over 45. 26 slaves.

1820 Census. Millersburg, Bourbon Co KY
Jacob Spears. 1m age over age 45; 1f over age 45. 2 free persons. 34 slaves.

Deed found in Logan Co KY may possibly be Jacob's. Deed Book M, p.116. 27 Mar 1821. Jacob Speer by his attorney Samuel H. Curd sold to Boanerges Roberts for $50, land in Logan Co patented to Jacob Speer on 16 Apr 1816.

Bourbon Co KY, Will Book G, p. 317-18
26 Sep 1825
Jacob Spears of Bourbon Co nominated his three sons Solomon, Noah & Abraham Spears, Executors and bequeathed to them the whole of his estate personal and real.
Slaves & personal estate to be appraised. After which, wife Elizabeth to have the liberty of taking such portion of the Legacy as she thinks proper.
Sale of the balance to be made.
After paying just debts and costs, and including debts due from any of my children, remainder to be divided into seven equal shares, including the property taken by my wife at the appraised value.
To my wife, one share. To my Daughter, Rachael Johnson, one share. To my daughter Rebecca Matson, one share. To my son Solomon, one share. To my son Noah, one share. To my son Abraham, one share. The remaining share to be held by my executors as Trustees for the use and benefit of my remaining child, Sarah Coleman.
Use of farm and slaves by Trustees, on which farm they reside, provide for they natural life of said Sarah and my wife.
[more follows regarding instructions to Trustees and a list of advancements already made to each of the children]
Signed: Jacob Spears
Wit: William Stamps, Elias Tucker, Thos. P. Smith
Bourbon County Court, Oct Term 1825. Will proved in open court by William Stamps & Elias Tucker; sworn to be Solomon & Abraham Spears, two of the executors.

Birth	1754
Marriage	12 Jun 1786	Shenandoah County, Virginia - Elizabeth Kellar
Death	1825	Bourbon County, Kentucky

Spouse	Elizabeth Kellar (1765 - 1837)
Child	Rachel Spears (1787 - 1850)
Child	Rebecca Spears (1788 - 1826)
Child	Solomon Spears (1790 - 1833)
Child	Noah L. Spears (1793 - 1868)
Child	Abraham Spears (1795 - 1861)
Child	Sarah "Sally" Spears ( - )

Father	HENRY SPEERS (1725 - 1773)
Mother	REGINA FROMAN (1729 - 1805)
Sibling	Joseph SPEERS (1744 - 1770)
Sibling	Elizabeth Spears (1746 - 1773)
Sibling	Mary "Molly" Spears (1747 - 1805)
Sibling	Sarah Spears (1748 - 1814)
Sibling	Rachel Spears (1749 - 1820)
Sibling	Susanna Spears (1750 - )
Sibling	Catherine Spears (1751 - 1816)
Sibling	Christena Spears (1752 - 1841)
Sibling	Rev. Henry Speers Jr. (1756 - 1840)
Sibling	ANN "NANCY" SPEARS (1759 - 1839)
Sibling	Regina Speers (1763 - 1827)
Sibling	Solomon Spears (1765 - 1788)
Sibling	Noah Speers (1769 - 1832)

Webtags