Pleasant Slaven

Pleasant Slaven (Slavey, about 1823 – March 8, 1862) was a Union soldier from Scott County who died during the Civil War.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born about 1823 in the No Business community in the Big South Fork, Pleasant Slaven was the son of Richard Harve Slaven (1775-1840) and Susannah Mounts (1778-1830). His father is believed to be the first resident of the Big South Fork region.

Pleasant’s siblings included William Slaven (1805-1852), Absalom Slaven (1810-1877), Elisha Slaven (1817-1891) and Andrew Bailey Slaven (1825-1896). Other siblings included Rebecca Slaven (1792-1860), Mary Slaven (1801-1840), Sarah Slaven (1803-1888), James R. Slaven (1805-1880), Jonathan Slaven (1808-1880), Ruth Slaven (born 1809), Elisha Slaven (1817-1891), and Nimrod Slaven (1830-1901).

Pleasant married Susannah Hill on March 6, 1846 in Fentress County, Tenn. Their children included George W. Slaven (born 1847), William Samuel (born 1849), David Franklin Slaven (born 1850), John E. Slaven (born 1850), Absalom Slaven (born 1852), James Miller Slaven (born 1853), Stuart Slaven (born 1856), Cannon Slaven (born 1858) and Samuel Pleasant Slaven (born 1862).

Although Pleasant Slaven was originally from No Business, he did not live in Scott County after it was formed in 1849. Following their marriage in 1846, he and Susan made their home in Wayne County, Ky.

Civil War

Pleasant Slaven enlisted in the Union army on Nov. 1, 1861 at Camp Hoskins near Somerset, Ky. He was assigned to Co. I, 12th Kentucky Infantry. His brother, Andrew Slaven, served in the same regiment with him.

Pleasant was admitted to a hospital in Nashville on Jan. 1, 1862, due to typhoid fever. He died on March 8, 1862.

Two of Pleasant’s oldest sons, George and William, also served in the Union army during the war. George served in Co. G, 32nd Kentucky Infantry, and William served in Co. I, 49th Infantry.

Pleasant also had two nephews who served in the Union army: Elias Meshack Slaven and Richard D. Slaven. They were the sons of Absalom Slaven and Elizabeth Woods, and served in Co. I, 12th Kentucky Infantry along with Pleasant and Andrew.

Aftermath

Pleasant’s widow, Susannah, applied for a pension on Sept. 17, 1867. She was living in Casey County, Ky. at the time. She listed four children as being under the age of 16. She was found in Pulaski County, Ky. in 1870 and Adair, Ky. in 1880. She died on Oct. 15, 1897.