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Built in 1798, The Null House is the oldest, on-site exposed log
home in Warren County and once was a safe haven for runaway slaves
during the Civil War...
Please be respectful of the neighbors and use the driveway
provided for the site...
Bring your own pen...
Who is Christian Null?
The Christian Null Story
Our story begins in Virginia over 200 years ago. A somber group of
men made their way to the home of the Henry Null family. They led a
riderless horse and carried a saddle, sword and side arms.
Tragedy
had struck. Their son Jacob was a casualty of the Revolution.
Especially affected by this bleak circumstance was 12-year old
Christian Null. With the death of his brother, Jacob, Christian
decided to carry the Null family name forward, and so at this
tender age, he enlisted into the Revolutionary War.
At age 20, Christian had matured and achieved skills in the ways of
the wilderness, more so than men twice his age. His father, having
observed his skills and restlessness, gave him $500 and a mission.
His assignment was to migrate westward to the grand frontier and
purchase better farmland for the family.
His travels took him overland to the Monongahela River. Here he
offered himself for work in order to secure passage on a flatboat
heading down the Ohio River. The men refused him, but the ladies
of
the craft thought otherwise, speculating that he might be of some
help.
In just three days Christian was selected as helmsman. As they
floated down the long winding river, a life-threatening event
occurred, the horses had kicked loose a board beneath the water
level. Water quickly poured into the craft. The men stood frozen
while the women screamed uncontrollably. Christian jumped into the
river, grabbed the loose board and forcibly pushed it back onto its
pegs. All was not well yet, as the
travelers bailed endlessly. Eventually, they reached their ultimate
destination at Limestone (Maysville), Ky.
Christian worked, saved his money, and not until the Indian Peace
Treaty in August 1795 could he fully explore the Ohio country. Many
trips were made north of the Ohio until at last he found his
home-site high atop a hill above Clear Creek.
Word was sent back home to Virginia for his brother Charles to join
him in building a cabin on his newly purchased land. A beehive of
activity was now being performed in this new location. Large walnut
and oak trees were being felled and carried to the pinnacle. A
sizable two and one-half story home, constructed of square-hewn
logs, was now being crafted. Stone fireplaces, laid with rock
from
the valley of Clear Creek, were fashioned into each floor. One of
these marvels consisted of a built-in oven. The second floor and
attic accesses consisted of a narrow stairway, which turned 180
degrees in just six feet.
It was in the year 1798 that the Null log home was built. It is the
oldest on-site exposed log building in Warren County. After
completion, Christian returned to Virginia for the rest of the
family. By 1802, the Null family had settled into their new
log
home.
Christian Null was born in Harrisonborough, Rockingham Co.,
Virginia, in 1770. He married Kathryn Bone of Oldtown, Allegheny
Co., Maryland. They raised all twelve children in their Clear Creek
home.
After Christian's death, in 1832, Kathryn and the children moved
westward. He is buried in the United Brethren cemetery on land that
belonged to the Null family descendants until 1953.
The Taylor family assumed ownership of the Null residence in 1832.
During their tenure two cribbed wings and a full-sized cellar were
added. Some years later the cellar was used as a refuge for
fugitives of the Underground Railroad.
Used by permission of Dallas Bogan & Arne Trelvik - Thank
You!!!
Minor correction thanks to TommyGator:
Incidentally, I have a minor correction for the cache webpage----Christian Null is no longer buried at the United Brethren Cemetery (I was there today). He is now buried in the Dayton National Cemetery.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Jung'f orgjrra 31 naq 33?