Her husband, James Garrard, was born in the colony of Virginia in Stafford County. He grew from early manhood with a spirit of freedom. When the colonies threw off the oppressive yoke from England; James Garrard became a gallant soldier, exposing the cause of liberty by becoming an efficient soldier. He preformed active service in field as a soldier and was elected to the Virginia Legislature from the Battle Field. As a member of the Virginia Legislature, he was instrumental in famous acts that secured religious liberty. After moving his wife and family to Kentucky, James Garrard became a member of the conventions held in Danville, KY in May, 1785, in August 1785, in 1787, and 1788. He was also a member of the convention held in Danville in 1792 which formed the Constitution of Kentucky. James Garrard was elected to serve as second Governor of Kentucky in 1796. He was reelected as Governor in 1800, being the first Governor to serve two four year terms.
Bringing five children from Virginia, she came to occupy a site at Martin's Fort, Bourbon County, which her husband had purchased. So great was her relief after her weary journey from Virginia , and so pleasing the prospect of their campsite in a horseshoe bend of Stoner Creek by a fine, flowing spring, that she christened it "Fairfield" and the small stream below, "Aquia" for the creek near her former home in Virginia. Whether she grew to fear a repetition of the Indian attack from the overlooking cliff, or whether she decided that the low-lying position was unhealthy, is unknown. But when James Garrard returned from his Virginia legislative session in 1786, he found she had calmly started the building of another stone house on the elevation across Stoner Creek. This became "Mount. Lebanon," and is still occupied by descendants today.
From the day when Mrs. Garrard and her husband drove up in a carriage drawn by four black horses to become the first lady to occupy the new Governor's Mansion in 1799, she dispensed the lavish hospitality for which her descendants became famous for. At a family Christmas dinner soon thereafter, she served two turkeys, a number of ducks, fifty pounds of roast beef, bacon, vegetables, and side dishes, topped off with her home-made peach wine.
All accounts agree that Mrs. Garrard was a very superior woman, a devoted wife, and a tender loving mother. She survived her husband by more than ten years. She and Governor Garrard were buried at "Mount Lebanon", where a marble monument was erected and consecrated the spot of his mortal remains and many of his earthly virtues.
All of the children of Governor and Mrs. Garrard were distinguished looking men and women. All of the sons inheriting patriotism which was distinguished by their father served in the War of 1812 and represented Kentucky in her Legislative Halls.
Her children: William (1771-1838), James Douglas (1773-1838), John (1774-1776), Mary Garrard Edwards (wife of John Edwards), (1776-~1818), John Montjoy (1778-1838), Daniel (1780-1866), Elizabeth Montjoy (1783-1843), Nancy (1785-1785), Anne Eleanor (1786-1875), Margaret "Peggy" (1788-1815), Maria (1790-1876), and Sarah (1793-1793).
Source:
Governor Garrard, of Kentucky: his descendants and relatives By Anna Russell Des Cognets
Her husband, James Garrard, was born in the colony of Virginia in Stafford County. He grew from early manhood with a spirit of freedom. When the colonies threw off the oppressive yoke from England; James Garrard became a gallant soldier, exposing the cause of liberty by becoming an efficient soldier. He preformed active service in field as a soldier and was elected to the Virginia Legislature from the Battle Field. As a member of the Virginia Legislature, he was instrumental in famous acts that secured religious liberty. After moving his wife and family to Kentucky, James Garrard became a member of the conventions held in Danville, KY in May, 1785, in August 1785, in 1787, and 1788. He was also a member of the convention held in Danville in 1792 which formed the Constitution of Kentucky. James Garrard was elected to serve as second Governor of Kentucky in 1796. He was reelected as Governor in 1800, being the first Governor to serve two four year terms.
Bringing five children from Virginia, she came to occupy a site at Martin's Fort, Bourbon County, which her husband had purchased. So great was her relief after her weary journey from Virginia , and so pleasing the prospect of their campsite in a horseshoe bend of Stoner Creek by a fine, flowing spring, that she christened it "Fairfield" and the small stream below, "Aquia" for the creek near her former home in Virginia. Whether she grew to fear a repetition of the Indian attack from the overlooking cliff, or whether she decided that the low-lying position was unhealthy, is unknown. But when James Garrard returned from his Virginia legislative session in 1786, he found she had calmly started the building of another stone house on the elevation across Stoner Creek. This became "Mount. Lebanon," and is still occupied by descendants today.
From the day when Mrs. Garrard and her husband drove up in a carriage drawn by four black horses to become the first lady to occupy the new Governor's Mansion in 1799, she dispensed the lavish hospitality for which her descendants became famous for. At a family Christmas dinner soon thereafter, she served two turkeys, a number of ducks, fifty pounds of roast beef, bacon, vegetables, and side dishes, topped off with her home-made peach wine.
All accounts agree that Mrs. Garrard was a very superior woman, a devoted wife, and a tender loving mother. She survived her husband by more than ten years. She and Governor Garrard were buried at "Mount Lebanon", where a marble monument was erected and consecrated the spot of his mortal remains and many of his earthly virtues.
All of the children of Governor and Mrs. Garrard were distinguished looking men and women. All of the sons inheriting patriotism which was distinguished by their father served in the War of 1812 and represented Kentucky in her Legislative Halls.
Her children: William (1771-1838), James Douglas (1773-1838), John (1774-1776), Mary Garrard Edwards (wife of John Edwards), (1776-~1818), John Montjoy (1778-1838), Daniel (1780-1866), Elizabeth Montjoy (1783-1843), Nancy (1785-1785), Anne Eleanor (1786-1875), Margaret "Peggy" (1788-1815), Maria (1790-1876), and Sarah (1793-1793).
Source:
Governor Garrard, of Kentucky: his descendants and relatives By Anna Russell Des Cognets