University of Louisville
Three Men of Jefferson County: A Historical Examination of Isaac, Jacob, and Samuel Sneed Hite
Institution
University of Louisville
Faculty Advisor/ Mentor
Tracy K'Meyer
Abstract
The Hite family, beginning with the venerable patriarch Abraham Hite, a Virginia colonel, was one of the most influential families in establishing early Kentucky history, and especially, Jefferson County history. Beginning with Isaac Hite, and continuing with his son Jacob Hite and his grandson Samuel Sneed Hite, this historical examination was initiated during the summer of 2004 for the only surviving relative, Edith Henchey. The Hites were instrumental in surveying Kentucky lands, establishing both Boonesboro and Harodsburg, and serving on the original Kentucky Assembly. Isaac Hite is recorded in history as an enemy of the great Kentucky hero, George Rogers Clark. His son Jacob was a premier landowner in Jefferson County and a staunch abolitionist. Samuel Sneed Hite became one of the most influential businessmen in turn of the century Louisville, holding offices even at the Kentucky National Bank Building. Yet, the Hites have not received the attention afforded other Kentucky pioneers, and little was compiled concerning their history. Primary source documentation, handed down through the family, enabled a close, personal observation of these men who lived and died spanning more than a century, an era paramount to the formation of Kentucky as a sovereign commonwealth. The Hites were privy to countless mentions in the autobiographies of other men, but not afforded their own treatment, when contrasted with the personal letters and journals provided an interesting dichotomy of public vs. private sectors in a historical milieu. The Hites were a fascinating family, and thus deserve to live in the memory of Kentucky.
Three Men of Jefferson County: A Historical Examination of Isaac, Jacob, and Samuel Sneed Hite
The Hite family, beginning with the venerable patriarch Abraham Hite, a Virginia colonel, was one of the most influential families in establishing early Kentucky history, and especially, Jefferson County history. Beginning with Isaac Hite, and continuing with his son Jacob Hite and his grandson Samuel Sneed Hite, this historical examination was initiated during the summer of 2004 for the only surviving relative, Edith Henchey. The Hites were instrumental in surveying Kentucky lands, establishing both Boonesboro and Harodsburg, and serving on the original Kentucky Assembly. Isaac Hite is recorded in history as an enemy of the great Kentucky hero, George Rogers Clark. His son Jacob was a premier landowner in Jefferson County and a staunch abolitionist. Samuel Sneed Hite became one of the most influential businessmen in turn of the century Louisville, holding offices even at the Kentucky National Bank Building. Yet, the Hites have not received the attention afforded other Kentucky pioneers, and little was compiled concerning their history. Primary source documentation, handed down through the family, enabled a close, personal observation of these men who lived and died spanning more than a century, an era paramount to the formation of Kentucky as a sovereign commonwealth. The Hites were privy to countless mentions in the autobiographies of other men, but not afforded their own treatment, when contrasted with the personal letters and journals provided an interesting dichotomy of public vs. private sectors in a historical milieu. The Hites were a fascinating family, and thus deserve to live in the memory of Kentucky.