Cumberland Mountain road list of laborers, guards and packhorse men
Abstract
Descriptive Summary
- Title
- Cumberland Mountain road list of laborers, guards and packhorse men
- Date
- 1780 November 19
- Creator
- Kinkead, John, circa 1726-1792
- Extent
- 0.01 Cubic Feet
- Subjects
- Roads -- Design and construction -- Kentucky.
- Transportation -- Kentucky
- Preferred Citation
- 2018ms055: [identification of item], Cumberland Mountain road list of laborers, guards and packhorse men, 1780 November 19, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
- Repository
- University of Kentucky
Collection Overview
- Biography / History
- The General Assembly of Virginia passed an act at its October 1779 session to build a road over the Cumberland Mountains to the County of Kentucky. The legislation empowered Evan Shelby and Richard Callaway to serve as commissioners to implement the plan and authorized them to hire laborers and secure militia guards to protect the work from Indian incursions. Those employed were to be compensated by warrants for 300 acres of unappropriated lands or $120. John Kinkead (circa 1726-1792) and William McBride (d. 1782) were hired as commissioners to supervise the work.
- Scope and Content
- The Cumberland Mountain road list of laborers, guards and packhorse men (dated 1780 November 19; 0.01 cubic feet; 1 item) documents individuals hired to work in the service of Virginia to cut a road over the Cumberland Mountains. The list indicates that John Kinkead (circa 1726-1792) and William McBride (d. 1782) were hired to oversee the work. The list was possibly used to prepare certificates validating the work or services of the listed individuals in order to secure their land or pay. The list bears 50 names, the number of persons authorized by the original legislation. They include William Cowen as "pilet" of the road, Robert Herald as horse master, and Captain John Snoddy (circa 1740-1814) as officer of the guard. The document also bears the endorsements of Edward Archer (1747-1807) and Leighton Wood (d. 1808) of the Virginia Auditors Office. The list documents work accomplished on roads that fostered westward migration during the American Revolution.
Restrictions on Access and Use
- Conditions Governing Access
- Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
- Use Restrictions
- The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Contents of the Collection
Cumberland Mountain road list of laborers, guards and packhorse men, 1780 November 19
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Table of Contents
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
Special Collections Research Center - Closed
The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.
Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.
Contact SCRC with questions.
Requests
No items have been requested.
You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.
If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.
