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The following two articles are from the 1907 Meade Co. Messenger. John Hardin has the originals, states the handwritten note on the bottom of the page.
Death of Mrs. R. P. Shacklett
Mrs. Viola Williams Shacklett was born near Hill Grove, March 31, 1863. Was
married to R. P. Shacklett in March 1887, died in our city July 26, 1907.
Mrs. Shacklett has been a sufferer from cancer for four years, and from
last March had been confined to her bed most of the time.
She leaves eight children and her husband and a host of relatives and
friends to mourn her loss.
The funeral services were held at Buck Grove church Saturday, conducted
by Rev. D. F. Shacklett.
She was a faithful member of the Baptist church. She was not only
faithful to her church, but just as faithful in believing it was her duty as A Christian
to do the will of her Master at all times. She was always ready to lend a helping
hand in time of need - both in acts of kindness and in words. Life will never be
quite the same to those who knew her, while those who were nearest to her will long for
her with unutterable longings - long for a mother's counsel and advice, and a wife's
gentle and loving sympathy.
In the prescience of such a sorrow, how cold and impotent are words and
doubly deep would be the grief over the grave did not the rainbow of Christian hope span
the dark gulf between time and eternity, and such pure, bright lives inspire the belief
that there is a better world beyond, where, filled from corroding cares of earth, the good
and true are reunited "after life's fitful fever."
Miss Hattie's Notes.
Dear Dave:-When the Messenger contains sad news, I always feel I have no right to withhold any word or act of love which might help to lighten the load or cheer the heart of a friend, who like myself, has passed through the "pillar of cloud" by night. The best we can make of life is the brotherhood of humanity, a noble thought to cherish and more noble to practically live. The death of Dwight Coleman was certainly a sad, untimely one and it grieves me to know his parents are so sorely afflicted; but they, we, all of us, must suffer in patience the crosses which we cannot understand, the trials which often seem to have no end or aim. But where all of us have crosses, sorrows, troubles we forget, often times, a hundred blessings. There's never a life so sunny but clouds appear and every life has its time of tears and so my life long very best friends have now their season of tears for dear little Dwight, but may the "Angel of Resignation" send comfort and peace to their stricken hearts. Wednesday July 31 and the home paper contains the news of the passing away of Mrs. R. P. Shacklett whom I knew quite well in Garrett when I was teaching music in Prof. Shacklett's school. My remarks memorial is character, could only deal with the virtues and worth of the deceased. Mrs. Shacklett led a high, noble life as wife, mother, friend. "I have kept the faith" can truly be said of her; and it was this faith that explained her consistent life and by the Grace of God led her to say, "I am what I am."
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(Handwritten: Died 11-9-30)
MEADE COUNTY MESSENGER
Prof. R. P. Shacklette Dead
Richard Peter Shacklette, son of Elijah and Polly Saunders Shacklette,
was born at the old Shacklette homestead between Big Spring and Garrett, July 15, 1858.
His grandfather was General Benj. Shacklette, who served in the War of
1812 and was one of the Captains that saved General Harrison's army from destruction at
the Battle of Tippacanoe. He was a companion of Captain Spier Spencer, of Harrison
county, Indiana Territory who was killed in the first attack by Tecumseh's braves.
The victory was due to Captain Shacklette's bravery and military knowledge more than any
other soldier.
On his grandmother's side he was descended from Richard Ashcraft, a
noted Indian scout during the border conflicts in the settlement of Western Pennsylvania.
During the war of the American Revolution, Richard Ashcraft and his wife Elizabeth
Carr Ashcraft were often along the frontier. Both were in Kentucky as early as 1777.
Professer Shacklette, as he was well known in many sections of the
state, was educated in the public schools of Meade county; Salem College at Garnettsville;
the Academy at Brandenbury and Georgetown College.
He was married to Viola Williams, July 26 [the date is scratched out
and March 13 has been written in its place by Rachel Hardin], 1887. To this union
were born eight children who survive: Mary, Mrs. L. R. Ray, Madisonville; Irby, Mrs. Guy
A. Hardin, Brandenburg; Frances, Mrs. B. M. Fast, New York City; Adalisa, Mrs. T. H.
Green, Waco, Texas; Lo Hunt, Mrs. A. E. Groves, Memphis, Tenn.; Hayward, New York City;
Rachelle, Mrs. Geo. F. Hichcliffe, Mildred, of Meridden, Conn.
Professor Shacklette was principal of schools in Garrett, Hardinsburg,
Sturgis, Madisonville and Brandenburg. After retiring from teaching he was in the
insurance business in Dallas, Texas. He was stricken with paralysis in Dallas,
Texas, in June 1923. Since that time he has made his home with different ones of his
children.
He passed away at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Cullen, of Carmel,
N.Y. For three years they have been his faithful nurses. Professor Shacklette
was a devoted student, a brilliant teacher as many former students of his will testify.
He loved to study the Bible of which he had a rare knowledge. Wherever he
lived he was a teacher in the Baptist Sunday Schools. At the age of seventeen he
joined the Hill Grove Baptist Church and at the time of his death he was a member of the
Philllips Memorial Baptist Church, Brandenburg.
An only brother, W. A. Shacklette and the following sisters survive
him: Miss Barbara Shacklette, Mrs. Lina Hamilton, Mrs. R. N. Hathcer. His oldest
sister, Mrs. John Taylor died forty-three years ago. His wife died July 26, 1907 and
was buried in the Buck Grove Cemetary.
His funeral was held Wednesday at Buck Grove Church by Rev. Ben Hagan,
a near relative and the oldest living pastor of the Phillips Memorial Baptist Church,
assisted by the present pastor, Dr. G. L. Ridenour. Interment was in the Buck Grove
Baptist Cemetary.
____________
Mrs. W. H. Long, of Clarksburg, Mo., is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. R. N. Hatcher.
Those from a distance who attended the funeral of R. P. Shacklette were
Mrs. B. M. Fast, of New York City; Mrs. A. E. Groves, of Memphis, Tenn.; Mrs. L. R. Ray,
of Madisonville; Mrs. George Hinchcliff, of Lexington, and Mrs. W. A. Shacklette, of
Missouri.
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Letter To The Editor
I read Mr. William Boling's article with interest but I
must differ from his about the spelling of Shacklette. Never but once did I ever see
the spelling "Shacklette". The late Albert Shacklette had some sales slip
books printed and when I asked him where in the world he got that spelling he told me the
printer had made the mistake. The earliest records show that the name was originally
"Jaquelot" from Tour-Angjou France. In the year 1718 in Charles Co.
Maryland, John Shakley left a will naming his son, Benjamin a minor. This Benjamin
left a will in Fayette Co. Penna. dated July 6, 1781, probated July 17, 1784, naming his
son, John Sheklet and signed Benjamin Sheklet (his mark). John Shaklet of Georges
Township Fayette Co. PA. left a will probated October 27, 1809 in which he names all ten
of his children as well as his wife, Barbara, whose maiden name was Quick. John
Shacklett's son Benjamin, came to Kentucky in 1796, with his sister, Sallie Jenkins and
her husband, John Jenkins. They landed at the mouth of Beargrass Creek, stayed for a
year and came to the area in Meade County known as Jacky's Grove. Benjamin Shacklett
was the first Sheriff of Meade Co., his son, John, the first constable, in 1824. An
old Bible record given to me by the late Mrs. Richard Hagan reads:
John Shacklett born in England 1678
(I question birth place as England).
Ben, son of John, born in England 1710
(The minor son, named in 1718 will.)
John, son of Ben born in U. S. 1747
(Revolutionary soldier, died Penna.)
Ben, son of John born in Penna. 1774
(Came to Ky. first sheriff, Meade Co.)
John, son of Ben, born in Ky. 1796
(First constable, Meade Co.)
All of John Shacklett's children came from Pennsylvania to Meade
County, as well as his widow, Barbara Quick Shacklett, who, her grandson stated, rode the
500 miles horseback at age of 65 with her youngest son, Jesse Shacklett. All the
Shackletts in Kentucky are descended from this John and Barbara Quick Shacklett.
There are Shackletts in Tennessee and some who remain in Virginia who are descended from
brothers Hezekiah and Edward Shacklett. Some of the present day Shackletts spell it
with a final "e".
Another correction which needs to be made in Mr. Bolling's article is
that statement that the name "Hardin" was also "Harding". Guy A.
Hardin is a descendant of Benjamin Hardin, son of Capt. John Hardin and Catherine Marr,
who married his cousin, Sarah Hardin, daughter of "Ruffle Shirt" Martin Hardin
and Lydia Waters. John and Catherine Marr Hardin had a son, "Miller" John
Hardin who married Isabella Strawbridge and moved to Pennsylvania.
"Miller" John Hardin had a son John (Jack) who married Mary Harding, daughter of
Thomas Harding. On their journey to Kentucky from Pennsylvania, by the Ohio River,
Mary Harding Hardin and her son, Robert Hardin, were captured by Indians in March 20, 1780
and were held captives for four years or until 1784. Two sons, Stephen and Lewis
Hardin were killed in the skirmish. A daughter, Mary was born shortly after her
capture to Mary Harding Hardin on October 29, 1780. Mary later became the wife of
Cuthbert Harrison. Robert Hardin married Eleanor Sherrill, both buried in lower end
of Meade County, (se Ridenour's "Early Times in Meade County") are ancestors of
Mrs. Nell Griggs Frymire, and numerous others. Mr. Guy Hardin and Mrs. Frymire have
a "History of Hardin Family" written by a grandson, of John and Mary Harding
Hardin, named Jack Hardin, Jr. whose father was Mordecal Hardin and whose mother was
daughter of Thomas Harding, and his wife SAlly Paine, (first cousins). The Hardin
family is of Huguenot origin, coming to America in the early 1700's and settling in Prince
William County, Va.
----- Mrs. B. M. Fast