James Duncan Piety was born May 1, 1796, in Nelson County, Kentucky, the third child of thirteen born to Thomas Piety and Mary Duncan.  James married twice during his lifetime.  He married his first wife, Eleanor Harned, on June 29, 1818 in Hardin County, Kentucky.  Shortly after that, the couple relocated to Vigo County, Indiana, where he used the dowry money from Eleanor’s parents to buy land in the area that is now known as Prairie Creek.  James supported his family as a farmer.  He was also an asset to the community in that he helped organize the First Baptist Church, as well as stake out the town.

Eleanor and James brought eight children into the world–Lucinda, David, Thomas, Julia, William, John, James, and Mary.  All but David reached adulthood. In 1838, Eleanor passed away at the age of 36.  Needing someone to raise his family, James married again on October 10, 1839 to Laurinda Thomas.  Together they added nine more children to the fold–Ellen, Emily, Louisa, Nancy, Margaret, Milton, Chauncey, Samuel and Sarah.  Both Margaret and Chauncey left this world as small children.

James continued to work the farm, even into his more advanced years.  He was considered a prominent farmer in the area, amassing over thirteen hundred acres at one time. James passed away on April 19, 1878 and is buried in the cemetery of the First Baptist Church which he helped establish.  His wife Laurinda followed him to the Promised Land a couple short years later on January 1, 1880.

James D Piety was my 1st cousin 6x removed on my dad’s side.

REFERENCES

• United States Census – 1830, 1840, 1850, 1860, 1870
• An Early History of the Piety Family and Kinsmen, 1654-1956, written by Charles R Piety, 1956.
• A Partial History of James Duncan Piety, written by Walter Piety Morgan, 1948.
• Indiana Marriages
• Kentucky Marriages
• Find a Grave website