Clayborn Allen "Bud" Pennington was born in Lincoln County, KY on the plantation known as The Whitley House. He was the son of Ellen Pennington (a slave) and the plantation owner Ephraim Pennington. During this time period accurate records of slave births were not kept. As a result, Clayborn was uncertain of his birth year, but knew he was born Christmas Day and was a "pretty good size boy" when the slaves were set free. It is unknown if this was in reference to January 1863 when President Lincoln released the Emancipation

Proclamation or the passing of the thirteenth amendment in 1865 which abolished slavery. However, according to the census of 1880 Clayborn was about sixteen years old at the time. He lived with his mother, her husband, Clabe, siblings and his stepfather’s mother, Caroline. Their living situation was not unique for this time period.

During slavery, the slaves were not permitted legal marital rights. Because of this injustice many Black women were the victims of rape. Ellen, Clayborn’s mother, bore several children by her husband as well several by the slave owner. Despite this blended family it is said that Clayborn’s stepfather tended to all of them as his own.

Margaret Hannah Higgins-Pennington was also a native of Lincoln County, Ky. Her parents were Palace T. Higgins, a Civil War veteran and Sylvia Higgins. Mag, as Clayborn affectionately called her, was several years Clayborn’s junior. According to the census of 1880, Margaret was about seven years old. She, too, was uncertain of her accurate birth year. She was also unable to read or write but managed to develop a metrical system of her own to keep inventory of the items, such as eggs, she sold at the market in town as well as the money she made.

To this union twelve children were born. It is said she also bore two sets of twins and a child; however, they did not survive past infancy. These twelve children affectionately called their parents Papa and Mother. Clayborn and Margaret named their children after their parents, siblings and other relatives. The children are listed in order of birth:

Samuel Andrew

Robert Henry

George Thomas

Anna Elizabeth

William Edward

Palis Raymond

Jesse James

Mary Sylvia

Margaret Ellen

Florence Esther

Mattie Bell

John FranklinThe family lived in a house on Maywood Road in Halls Gap, KY. This house was built by Clayborn with the help of the community. The farmhouse sat on approximately thirty-seven acres of land given to him by his father Ephraim Pennington. It was said to have been a house before its time. A few of its amenities were a

double-side brick fireplace, enclosed porch and a balcony. However, shortly following Clayborn’s death in 1956 the house caught fire and burned to the ground. The foundation is still standing.

The Pennington Clan was somewhat privileged for the time. They were musically inclined and would often sing and play instruments for church services at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Halls Gap. All of them became successful in their own right.

The Pennington Family Reunion dates back to the early 1950s. The first family reunion was held on Clayborn’a farm in Halls Gap. More than 300 Penningtons, both black and white, were in attendance. It would be nearly twenty years before another reunion would be held. George “Tom” Thomas would host several reunions in the mid to late 1970s on his farm in Somerset. After his death Mattie L. Hinkle and Aunt Mattie sponsored and

hosted the family reunion in Louisville, KY for nearly two decades. Many may remember the Shawnee Park and Chickasaw Park days! Everyone would bring a covered dish and a Dance would occur that evening. It was in the late 1990s to early 2000s the family decided to develop a more progressive approach by forming sub-committees in various cities for hosting the reunion.

Currently, the Family Reunion is held every year in a different city. On a rotating cycle the families located in Cincinnati, Louisville, Lexington, Somerset & Washington DC sponsor and host a fun filled weekend starting Friday evening and commencing Sunday after church. The Pennington Clan has grown to a family of several hundred persons who reside in States spanning from California to New York.

As we continue our great tradition let us always remember our heritage and honor our ancestors!

Samuel Andrew "Sam" was the oldest and first to leave home. He married Mary Sally and settled in Cincinnati. They had one child that died in a house fire. Sam was murdered and was found dead in the Ohio River.

Robert "Rob" Henry settled in Hustonville where he married Mattie Brown. She was a few years his senior and had taught many of his siblings in grade school. They lived on a farm in Hustonville where they owned land, real estate and it is said that he was a silent partner with People's Bank in Hustonville. Neither Uncle Rob nor

Aunt Mattie Rob had any children.

George "Tom" Thomas has the largest division of descendants in our family. He and his first wife, Ola Mae, bore eight children. After Ola's untimely death he married Clarine and four children were born to this Union. Tom settled in Somerset where he owned his farm. He was well respected in the community and served as a deacon at his church.

Anna Elizabeth, also known as Cat or Annie, was Lincoln County's midwife and delivered approximately 1500 infants during her career. She continued to make house calls and deliver babies until her sight began to fail her in her mid-late 80s. Aunt Cat was married eight times, seven of her husbands passed away suddenly. Folklore refers to Aunt Cat as the "Black Widow". She bore one child, Janie Elizabeth, who died shortly after birth.

William "Will” Edward settled in the Cincinnati area where he united with Pearl also known as Sister. Together they bore five children. Will was known for his humorous personality!

Palis "Pal" Raymond remained in Halls Gap all his life. He and his wife Merry owned a farm not far from his father's. To this union six children were born. Pal, named after his grandfather, was always welcoming to visiting relatives and friends.Jesse James resided in several areas including Chattanooga, TN. As a teenager he followed a herd of horses and didn't return home for several years. He had one child. It is said that the famous bank robber Jesse James resided in Lincoln County for a short period and was an associate of Clayborn’s. Uncle Jesse was named after him.

Mary Sylvia was said to be a happy child. Unfortunately, she passed at the age of 19. During the era of Jim Crow blacks were not allowed medical care in many places. While having appendicitis she waited for hours to see a doctor, however, he refused treatment because of the color of her skin. As her conditioned worsened he was finally coerced to treat her, but it was too late. Margaret Ellen known as "Maggie", "Ellen" or "Maggie Ellen" married James Faulkner Stewart, a fellow native of Lincoln County. They settled in Louisville, KY and had thirteen children, however, only three survived past infancy. In addition, she helped raise James' two small children from his previous marriage. Margaret, named for her mother and grandmother, was very active in her community and church.

Florence Esther was known for her witty and feisty personality. She lived in Covington and Louisville but made Covington her final place of residence. Florence was a cook second to none and would host breakfast at her house Monday - Saturday (every week, holidays included!) with a spread that was always cooked with a lot of love! She was the mother of three sons.

Mattie Bell married her high school sweetheart, Mack T. Hayes, a native of Halls Gap and they settled in Covington and Later Cincinnati. She attended nursing school and was among the first black Registered Nurses at Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. She remained in the field for 50 years. She continued to travel, host dinner parties and sew until her health began to decline. They had one child that did not survive past infancy.

John "Frank" Franklin was married to Ruby for more than fifty-five years. Frank settled in Detroit where he became a salesman for GM, specializing in Cadillacs. He was the first Black American to represent any automobile company at an international auto show. After retirement he and Ruby moved to New Mexico where they lived for over 30 years.