FOOTNOTES:
[112] The town on the property of Thomas Brooks—one of the early pioneers who came to Kentucky before 1776—was called “Rittersville;” that of John Coburn was first designated as “Madison,” but later as “Liberty.”
Judge John Coburn was a Philadelphian who came to Kentucky (1784) on the advice of Luther Martin, living at Lexington until 1794, when he removed to Mason County, and was made judge of its courts. A prominent Democrat, he declined the position of judge in the territory of Michigan; but later accepted the same for that of Orleans, holding court at St. Louis. Coburn was an ardent friend of Daniel Boone, and the act appropriating land for the latter in his old age was passed at his instance. He also served as commissioner (1796) to run the boundary between Virginia and Kentucky; and after holding many offices of trust, died in 1823.—Ed.