The Chapline Farm
James and Samuel Harrod first came to the Bluegrass Region of Kentucky in search of furs in 1767. They explored the headwaters of the Salt River, in what is now Mercer County, locating their future landing place. They returned to Pennsylvania enthusiastic about the possibility of claiming land in the new territory which was part of Virginia. In 1772, James Harrod (1746-92) discussed plans for the exploration of Kentucky with Daniel Boone and others. Actualization of those plans came in 1773 when Harrod joined the Thomas Bullitt party bound for Kentucky. Thomas Bullitt (1730-78) led a company of more than 30 men to Kentucky in 1773 to make surveys for military land warrants. Most of the activity in Kentucky during this time was centered on surveyors employed by various Land Companies eager to win vast land holdings. Most of the surveyors were inexperienced, and spent little time looking for indications of previous surveys when they found good land. Claims inevitably conflicted, and within a few years much of Kentucky was burdened with overlapping and disputed claims.

In the spring of 1774, Harrod lead 31 men up the Kentucky River to present-day Mercer County. They went overland a few miles, and then on June 16, 1774, they began laying out Harrodsburg (originally Harrodstown) on the site Harrod had previously selected. The men surveyed and marked claims, laid off town parcels, started constructing improvement cabins and cleared land for a late corn crop. 31 one-acre “In Lots” and an undetermined number of ten-acre “Out Lots” were marked off, and Harrod and each man in his company were awarded one “In Lot”.

John Floyd, a Fincastle County surveyor, led a second party to Kentucky in 1774. They camped at the mouth of the Kentucky River where 11 men separated from the main body and traveled south to join Harrod. Although they arrived too late to claim a town lot, they increased the number of the Harrods company from a total of 31 to 42 men. Abraham Chapline was a member of Harrod’s original party, and would later lay the claim to what is now the Chapline Farm.

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