Carol Ann Kennedy Behr, Regent
Sheila Kay Kennedy Hardy, Vice Regent
Anne Louise Boggs Scott, Chaplain
Mikie McKelway, Recording Secretary
Maria Roach, Corresponding Secretary
Marilyn Lee Hopkins Shimp, Treasurer
Deanna Doris Scott Lanham, Registrar
Marjorie Shepard Shelton, Historian
Deborah Wakeman, Librarian
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HISTORY OF THE CHAPTER
This chapter was named for Captain John Waller, early pioneer of Pendleton County, and founder of Falmouth, Kentucky, in recognition of his service in the Revolutionary War, and his service to the Commonwealth of Kentucky in its early struggling period.
Captain Waller was born December 27, 1758, in Stafford County, Virginia, and was a son of John Waller, Sr. He enlisted in the Continental Army, and was made a Sergeant. He starred at the Battle of Brandywine, and was commissioned Captain, on the field, by General George Washington. He served seven years in the Army.
Captain Waller and his brother, Edward Waller, along with George Lewis, came to Kentucky in 1783. We first find mention of them in Kentucky at Washington, situated in Bourbon County, current day Mason County. The record shows that Captain Waller assisted Simon Kenton in forming the settlement and in the building of a block house at Drennon's Spring or Station, one mile from Washington, in July, 1784. A few months later, probably in December, Captain Waller, Edward Waller, and George Lewis built the first double block house and cabin at Limestone, the current day Maysville, Kentucky. In 1785, the Waller brothers moved west, near Paris, and were prominent in the affairs of Bourbon County and the development of Paris.
Captain Waller was married to a Miss Garnett Routt of Bourbon County on August 16, 1786, by the Rev. Auston Eastin. The marriage took place at Paris, and is recorded there.
Captain Waller and John McKenney were elected to represent Bourbon County at the first session of the General Assembly in 1792. At that time, Bourbon County comprised the territory from Owen County on the west, to the Big Sandy River, a total of 38 current day Kentucky counties.
In 1786, Captain Waller settled in what is now Pendleton County. Being a surveyor, he platted a town on his land holdings and sold lots to early settlers, at a small price, in order to encourage the population of a community. Captain Waller died in February 1823, in a two story log house which he had built at Bunker Hill. He was buried in the garden graveyard, a custom in that early period. His last will and testament is recorded in Falmouth, Kentucky, and was probated February 20, 1823.
Last updated August 2022.