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History: Dr. Nathan and Mrs. Martha Gaither Each year members of the community portray residents who lived and died here and are buried in the historic Columbia Cemetery. They research the lives of those residents and speak as if they could talk to the folks stopping by their gravesites. Dr. Nathan Gaither 1788-1862 The story from Dr. Nathan Gaither 1788-1862 was presented by J.D. Zornes. J.D. spoke, as Dr. Gaither, about his life, "I was born in 1788 in Rowan County, North Carolina, son of Nicholas Gaither, a Major in the Revolutionary War who served in the army that defeated British forces at the Battle of Kings Mountain. I moved to Kentucky around 1808. The Gaither family likely originated from Maryland, near Washington or Baltimore, as referenced by a local park named after the Gaithers. I studied at Bardstown College, an undergraduate institution in Bardstown, Kentucky and practiced medicine initially with my brother. Attended lectures at the Philadelphia School of Medicine, gaining education from renowned professors. Participated in early testing of the smallpox vaccine, one of 18 volunteers, in 1812. "I came to Columbia to establish a medical practice and built the Gaither House starting in 1812, which later served as a medical office after losing ownership due to financial strain. "Military Service was in the War of 1812: I served as a surgeon in Colonel Barbary's regiment. The unit was primarily a supply company; service conditions were harsh with rampant diseases. "Political Career, in State Politics: Elected to the Kentucky House of Representatives for two terms in 1815 and 1818. Served in the state legislature from 1855 to 1857. Was a delegate to the Kentucky Constitutional Convention in 1849. "I served as a Democratic representative in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1829 to 1833 during Andrew Jackson's presidency. Acted as a presidential elector multiple times. "I married Martha Morrison in 1817. Our sons served in the Mexican-American War; one son died from wounds sustained during the war. Our daughters lived in Columbia. "I was known locally for my sayings, including the notion that every man in a new country should marry, plant an orchard, and build a dwelling house. "The Gaither House continued to serve the community, being used as medical offices. My wife will tell you more about it." Martha Morrison Gaither - 1790-1890 Ellen spoke afterward sharing the life of Martha Morrison Gaither - 1790 - 1890, "This is such a pretty place for Nathan and me and our daughter, Margaret, to be laid to rest. Why, it surely didn't look like this when Nathan and I were buried here all those many years ago. Come to think of it, Columbia didn't quite look like this either. "I was born Martha Morrison in 1790 in Madison County, KY, to Col. William Morrison and Eleanor "Nelly" Morrison, originally of Virginia. I was no stranger to a military way of life since my father was a Revolutionary War Colonel and had even at one time been the commander of Fort Harrod in Harrodsburg, KY. "I grew up with three brothers and two sisters. Two of my brothers fought in the War of 1812 and my third brother, served as a surgeon in the Navy during the War of 1812. More specificially, he served on a ship you may have heard of, the USS Constitution which was dubbed 'Old Ironsides' since it held up so well during the battle with Guerriere at sea. Unfortunately, my brother didn't fare as well and died 'from the effects of wounds received from that fight'. "You may also have heard of my great nephew. You see, my younger sister, Mary, married James Black. The Blacks had a child, a daughter named Talithacuni, called Talitha. Talitha Black married Henry McGee Watterson, a Tennessee statesman, and became the parents of Henry A. Waterson, of Louisville Courier-Journal fame. My other sister married an Adair County boy, Lewis Lampton, a jovial man, who ran a tavern that was well noted across the whole state. "Well, with two of their daughters married and settled in Columbia, KY, my parents decided to purchase a house here as well and in 1817, on the corner of North High and Greensburg Streetsbought a newly erected brick home that was right across Greensburg Street from Nathan and me. In later years it became the long-time location of Durham Wholesale Grocery. My parents spent many happy years there until my father, on his way back to Virginia for a Revolutionary War reunion, fell off his horse and met his demise. "On June 14, 1817, I married Dr. Nathan Gaither in Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky, and moved into our house that was built on lot 14, on the corner of Main (Greensburg) and South High Street. And what a wonderful, stately house it was. It was constructed by James and Benjamin McDowell, master craftsmen who are also credited with building the John Field House and, perhaps, the Creel House, now Grissom Funeral Home. This Federal style home is still stands today, though it is unhabituated. "I died in 1890, at the age of 101, and was buried in Columbia, Adair, Kentucky next to my beloved husband, Nathan. We had 6 children, 3 sons and 3 daughters: Edgar Basil Gaither, William Nicholas Gaither, Margaret Gaither, Catherine Gaither, Elizabeth Gaither, George B. Gaither. "Agriculture was the mainstay for the vast majority of Kentucky citizens in the 1800s. Since the early 1800s, agricultural meets, horse shows and general fairs had become a special interest of agricultural Kentucky. They began in the Bluegrass and spread across the state. To foster diversification and to bring new breeds and varieties into common use, agricultural fairs were promoted in the state as early as the 1830s. In April 1838 a second Kentucky State Agricultural Society was created to promote local agriculture and the societies it hoped would be formed to encourage production. Edward B. Gaither, son of Dr. Nathan Gaither, of Columbia, was one of the thirteen vice presidents of this Society, scattered across the state. "May have heard of his friend, Theodore O'hara, from Danville, KY who wrote a pretty famous poem, 'Bivouac of the Dead', to honor his fellow soldiers from Kentucky who died in the Mexican-American War.a line of which was written in Columbia while visiting his good friend, Edward Gaither. It has been used to honor fallen soldiers from all wars and a line of it is even on the gate of Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. "Glory guards with solemn sound; the bivouac of the dead" "Dr. W. N. Gaither, the second son, was a successful practitioner of medicine in southern Kentucky and Harrodsburg until, within a few years past, his lost of health has compelled him to abandon his chosen calling. He is still vigorous in mind, but never having sought political preferment he is only known and loved by the limited circle of his personal acquaintances. "The daughters of Dr. Gaither, Margaret, Kate and Mattie, have been dead many years, and all died unmarried. "George B. Gaither, the third son, entered as a private in his brother's company, at the age of sixteen, and died in 1849 from disease contracted in Mexico. Dr. Gaither's experience as a soldier, caused him to seriously object to his son's entering the army at his tender age, but the was forced to yield his reluctant consent by reason of the boy's stubborn determination. George was stalwart, finely formed, and physically a well-developedman, being six feet two inches high. Capt. Gaither, like all West Pointers, was something of a martinet, and when his brother was enlisted and sworn in - the last man in the company -he remarked to George in a stern manner: "From this time forth, remember I am no longer your brother. You are private and I am Capt. Gaither." George drew himself proudly to his full height, gave a military salute, and responded: "Capt. Gaither, it will be time enough to refuse when I ask a favor from you." "The Dr. Nathan Gaither House is located on the northwest corner of High and Main (Greensburg) Streets in Columbia, Kentucky* The structure is situated on a rise facing Main Street and is two blocks northwest of the Adair County courthouse. Columbia, with a population of approximately 3300, is the seat of government for this south central Kentucky county. Erected ca. 1814, the Dr. Nathan Gaither House is a one and one-half story, five-bay, ell-shaped structure laid in Flemish bond on the facade and common bond on the sides and rear. Nine-over-six pane windows with jack arches pierce the,'mainfacade, and flanking the exterior end chimneys are small, gable windows. The most striking element is the ratfeer Palladian treatment of the frontispiece, created by the arrangement of inesidelights and the semi-circular fanlight with keystone arch (see photo 2). The narrow, reeded pilasters and the deep, panelleddoor jamb further enhance the gracefulness of the overall composition. The original, one-story gallery runs along the south side of the one and one-half story rear ell. Lattice-work has been added between the chamfered posts partially enclosing the porch area, and corner stairs with winders which lead to the attic space above the ell remain in the western sad of the gallery. A second gallery extended across the northern portion of the ell. This has been enclosed by the present owner, creating a dining room and kitchen. A screened-porch and carport, neither of which seriously detracts from the house, have been added to the rear of the ell. The interior consists of a central hall flanked by what were originally a living room and parlor (see floor plan). An open, dog-leg staircase (see photo 3) revealing a delicate stringer is located at the rear of the hall. The door beneath the stairs now leads to the more recent dining room and adjoining kitchen. Access to the hall may be obtained through the dining room and kitchen or from the southern parlor. The two rooms in the ell are connected by a door located to the south of the fireplaces, and, in addition, each contains a door leading onto the south gallery (see floor plan). The delicate detail of the original Federal mantles (see photos 4 and 5) may have been the work of local carpenters James and Benjamin McDowell who executed the woodwork in the John Field House (entered on the National Register February 8, 1978). In addition to the mantles the original chair railing, baseboards, and paneled door and window jambs have been retained. The house is in good condition with, at present, the north living room on the second floor serving as apartments. To the north of the house facing Main Street is a small, one-story, brick structure which dates from the mid-nineteenth century. "The Dr. Nathan Gaither House on town lot 14 two blocks north of the courthouse was completed ca. 1814. The diminutive brick structure is a noteworthy expression of the Federal style. The focal point of the facade is the rather Palladian effect created by the arrangement of the sidelights and fanlight surrounding the front door. Further evidence of the master craftmanship employed in the construction of this building is visible in theinterior trim, especially the delicately tooled Federal mantles. This work is attributed to local carpenters James and Benjamin McDowell who are known to have been responsible for the construction of the 1812 John Field House. "Gaither House: Others who have occupied the house include Dr. John D. Winston, Dr. Melvin H. Rhorer, Major Thomas C. Winfrey, John Butler, Richard F. Winfrey, Mike Winfrey, and Mary Helen Patteson. Tom and Mary Helen Francis - James and Donna Harper 1984 - Walter and Imogene Renshaw - 1985 - Appal Red - 1991 - and Chuck Rogers 2013." This story was posted on 2025-02-26 19:14:40
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