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THIRD GENERATION 18. Benjamine J. Peak ^(2)(1)was born on 5 Aug 1818 in Nelson Co., Ky. He died on 13 Mar 1884 in Flaherty, Ky. He was buried in St. Martin Cemetery along with Virginia Peak in Flaherty, Ky. Some records for this entry is from Hardin Co. Ky. census 1870; Nelson Co. Ky. Marriage records; Book written by Tillie Whelan Onischak, 1974, pp 261-263. Meade and Hardin Counties. Tombstone of Benjamine Peak at St. Martin Cemetery, Flaherty Ky. The early settlement of Kentucky was concentrated in the Bluegrass region in the central part of the state. The area inland from the Ohio lying between the Salt and Green rivers, which now includes Meade County, was not considered highly desirable by the early immigrants as it was mainly meadowlands, lacking in forest and watercourses, resources essential to the pioneers for building and maintaining a successful farm. Much of this area remained unsettled and was therefore available to the children of the pioneers. Many of the offspring of the pioneer Peakes continued on in Nelson, Meade, and adjacent counties. For the most part, they lived in peace with their Protestant neighbors and raised their families on productive farms. Nevertheless, incidents sometimes occurred which disturbed this peaceful life. On election day of 1855 the Know-Nothings, a secretive branch of the Whig party, incited destructive anti-Catholic and anti-foreign riots in Louisville which resulted in the deaths of 22 people, three-fourths of these being Irish immigrants. Some historians are surprised at the strength of these feelings in Kentucky, as the Catholic populations were among the most successful and respected in the state, and there were relatively few foreign immigrants. The Know-Nothings won the election of 1855, but lost in subsequent elections, and the Whig Party in Kentucky disintegrated thereafter, to some measure because of their role in the Louisville riots. The move of the Peake family from Nelson county to Meade County started in the 1820's, with Kenelm's son William appearing in the 1830 Meade County census. Eventually four more Peake families, those of Kenelm's sons Charles and Philip, and Francis's sons Thomas and Benjamin found their way to Meade County in the late 1860's. A few moved farther a field, with one branch settling in Missouri and Kansas. Intermarriage between second-cousin grandchildren of Kenelm ad Francis Peak was common in Meade County. Rev. Charles J. Coomes of St. Martin’s Church performed all the Meade County marriages listed up to 1870. Marriages after 1871 were performed mostly by Rev. James O’Connor. Information here is from census reports, baptismal, marriage, and cemetery records, private communications of family histories, and the files of C. G. Welker. Fr. Robert Byrn12 carried out their marriage. Benjamin and Louisa left Nelson County for Meade County sometime prior to 1848. Meade County records show that in 1860 they purchased a 150-acre tract from Benjamin A. Stith, and in 1861 they sold their 77-acre home farm to Stephen B. Peak. In 1866 they sold a four-acre tract to Fidelis Bickett. Benjamin and Louisa left Nelson County for Meade County sometime prior to 1848. Meade County records show that in 1860 they purchased a 150-acre tract from Benjamin A. Stith, and in 1861 they sold their 77-acre home farm to Stephen B. Peak. In 1866 they sold a four-acre tract to Fidelis Bickett. He was married to Louisa Edelen (daughter of Leonard Edelin and Janet Cissell) on 25 Aug 1840. Louisa Edelen^(2)(1) was born on 21 Dec 1821 in Nelson Co., Ky. She died on 1 Jan 1882 in Flaherty, Ky. She was buried in ST. MARTIN'S, FLAHERTY, KY.. Benjamine J. Peak and Louisa Edelen had the following children: +65 i. Susan Emily Peak. +66 ii. James Madison Peak. +67 iii. William Thomas (Bill) Peak. +68 iv. Leonard Augusta Peak Sr.. +69 v. Rhoda Edward (Eddie) Peak. +70 vi. Benjamine Alexander Peak. 71 vii. Virginia Ann Peak^(2) (1) was born on 2 Feb 1862. She was christened on 15 May 1862 in ST. Martins Church. She died on 14 Apr 1864. +72 viii. Simon Peter [Samuel] Peak.