Gardner Museum Musing

  Well, the snow didn’t happen, but boy! did it get cold again! But
give it a few days and we will be warming up (I hope).
As America is celebrating its 250th birthday thought I would
write about the firsts in Marion County. These firsts are taken from
the 1884 Marion County History Book which is on page 161.
The first child born in Marion County was Adeline Palmer in
the Spring of 1818 . She was the daughter of John Palmer . She
married a Gibbs and after his death she married a Beeler. She
died in Saline County Mo.
First marriage in the Spring of 1819 was Anson Parish and
Betsy Smith, daughter of Hawkins Smith.
The first hotel or tavern belonged to Jacob Fry of Palmyra Mo.
The first store in Palmyra was started by James L. Vaughn. The
first Blacksmith shop was owned by A Shannon; first cabinet
maker and furniture dealer was Joshua Morris. The first Hatter
was Abram Huntsberry.
The first grist mill of any kind was a horse mill, that was built by
Hawkins Smith 1818 or 19 on South River, this was the place
where the first distillery or still house stood.
First Water Mill was started by Wm. Massie on North River near
Palmyra.
Wm Ritchie established the first carding machine (cotton) and Kit
Keyser the first cotton factory.
First school was taught by Patrick McGee who came from Ireland
and was an ex officer of U.S. Army. School was a log cabin in the
South River Valley in 1823-24. There were approx.. 35 students
and a few came as far as Salt River.
First church organized was South River Baptist in 1821, the first
church building was built by a large spring where Hawkins Smith
had his mill and distillery house near where the Railroad crosses
the South River.
The first sermon preached in the county in 1820 and was
delivered in the woods bear the old graveyard on South River on
what was called the Bowles farm.
The first Post Office was at Palmyra and Maj. Obadiah Dickerson was the first postmaster. He was known to have carried the office
with him—-In his hat!
Many firsts I am sure that did not get recorded but what a great
start in Marion County Missouri, and t think Palmyra had many.
Everyone have a great week.
The Gardner House is open on Fridays 10 to 2.
The Old Marion County Jail is open on Wednesdays 10 to 2.