The following is taken from The Courier-Journal. The first article was published Sunday Morning, 15 Aug 1909, and appeared on page 7. The death notice was published on Friday Morning, 3 Dec 1909, and appeared on page 7.
"Aunt" Lucinda Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Her Birth.
"Aunt" Lucinda Knight, colored, celebrated her 100th birthday anniversary yesterday at her home in the rear of the colored Presbyterian church, Madison street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets. She was happy and cheerful during the day and talked freely of the good times when she lived with her mistress on Brooks farm, now known as Brooks Station, Bullitt county.
Six great-grandchildren and several grown-ups were at the anniversary celebration and a table was loaded with foodstuffs. "Aunt" Lucinda did not eat much of the ice cream and other delicacies, but more of the corn and beans, bacon and cabbage, such as she was used to eating back in the days before the Civil War.
"Aunt" Lucinda was born in Culpeper county, Va., and belonged to William Ball, a prominent farmer and planter. At the age of 9 years she was sold to John Beeler and brought to Bullitt county, Ky. She lived with the Beelers for quite a while and was sold to Mr. and Mrs. David Brooks, who owned one of the largest farms in Bullitt county. While with the Brooks family she did all kinds of work at the "big house," worked on the farm and nursed the children.
Recalls War Events.
"Aunt" Lucinda helped to make the clothes for her young masters, David and Samuel Brooks who later became gallant and brave soldiers in the Confederate army. While she did this with good cheer she would often pray that the members of her race would be liberated from slavery.
While she was a slave her mistress and master were good to her and she never wanted for anything. Her greatest pleasure was to worship at Hebron Presbyterian church, the only Presbyterian church in Bullitt county at that time. She took the lead with the other servants on the farm to attend church regularly and sit in the space allotted to them.
"Aunt" Lucinda was always back on the farm and never had the opportunity to see "Marse" Abe Lincolnd or any of the United States Presidents, but she gained a great deal of knowledge of them by hearing the Brooks children talk of them and other soldiers of the Civil War. While nursing the children she was often informed as to the progress of the war, and her little "missis" would go so far as to teach her in the old "Blue Back Speller."
After freedom she came to this city and married, and out of nine children two are living. With a letter from the Hebron white church of Bullitt county, she joined the Knox Presbyterian church and has been connected with it ever since. She is the oldest member of the church and joined when there were only four members.
Eyes Are Still Good.
"Aunt" Lucinda's eyes and hearing are in good condition. After the dinner yesterday she put on her glasses and began "tacking comforts." She sews and quilts most of her time, and makes odd change at this work.
Her most interesting conversation during the day was on Booker T. Washington, who she declares is the "Moses of her race." She says she hopes to see him and shake his hand when he speaks at Macauley's Theater Wednesday night. She is under the care of her granddaughter, Emma Mannon, and with six great-grandchildren, lives comfortably and happily.
Colored Centenarian Goes To Her Reward.
One hundred years old, Lucinda Knight, colored, died yesterday at her home at Twelfth and Madison streets. She was brought to Kentucky from Virginia eighty years ago and had lived in Louisville since the Civil War. During the days of slavery she was owned by the Brooks family, of Bullitt county. She leaves three children, D. L. and Patrick Knight and Charlotte Hall.
The funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Knox Presbyterian church. The burial will be in Eastern cemetery.
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 12 Sep 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/lucinda_knight.html
