52 Ancestors 2021: Week 24: Father's Day

I am beyond late in posting this - as Father's Day was June 20th... and it's September 29th. I apologize, again, in how far behind in these challenges that I am. My summer has not been amazing. From laptop problems to family problems - I've really been struggling. That said... I thought I'd stylize this blog the same way I did for Mother's Day. 

For Mother's Day, I talked about my direct maternal line and for this - I'll talk about my direct paternal line, following the Mefford surname as back as I possibly can. Now - my Dad has done his DNA and he has three Mefford lines, so, we have a lot of Mefford cousin DNA matches. A LOT. I've successfully been able to make DNA matches through my 8x Grandfather because of this endogamy. 

First and foremost, my last name of Mefford comes from my Father. My Dad is still living so I won't talk too in-depth about him. He just celebrated his 56th birthday last month. He has been the breadwinner for our family for my whole life. Dad is a ASME certified welder, boilermaker, pipefitter, and honestly, a jack of all trades. He can fix pretty much everything... just don't ask him to fix your washer or dryer. That's his kryptonite. 

Thankfully with my Dad having done his DNA through 23andme, I know that my Dad's paternal haplogroup is I-Z58 and his maternal haplogroup is H1b.

I-Z58 is said to be from "most probably, Northern Europe." The greatest frequency is "northwestern Europe," and that makes sense for the Mefford's as we hail from Germany, and possibly before that, France. We are definitely "Germanic European." 

H1b is said to have branched off between as far back as 8,000 years ago, to as near as 4,000 years ago. It's most commonly found in eastern Europe and NW Siberia. The eastern European is a bit fascinating for me as my Dad and I continue to get "Ashkenazi Jewish" in our DNA results. Perhaps it is from this particular ancestor. I'll have to speak about my Dad's direct maternal line another time. 

So for my direct paternal line... from my father, we'd go to,

My Granddad: Glen Bastin Mefford. My Granddad was born on April 4th, 1938, in the Ennis/Drakesboro area of Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He was one of ten children, but a few unfortunately passed away young. Until his death, he was the oldest living brother to his siblings. Sadly, Granddad passed last year on August 11th, at the age of 82. He was home, at the farm, and under the care of hospice. The farm was his pride and joy. He loved the lake, and he loved spending the summer holidays there with his family.. but the farm is what he was most proud of, I believe. My Granddad was an ironworker, part of the local Union. He was a farmer his entire life. He loved to grow a humongous garden full of onions, leaf lettuce, tomatoes, corn, okra, squash, cucumbers, and so much more. I think his favorite meal ever was beans, bacon, cornbread, and green onions. 

My Granddad was married three times and had three kids, two stepchildren through his second marriage (my Grandma, Mina Geneva (Jones) Hendrix), and a stepdaughter in his last marriage. His oldest biological child was legally adopted, later on, by his stepfather and I've never met him to this day. 

Granddad is laid to rest in Forest Grove Cemetery in Ennis beside of his third wife, my step-Grammie, Nancy Lou (Estes) Fleming Mefford. 

My Great-Grandfather: Clinton "Clint" Mefford. Great-Granddaddy Clint was born on July 29th, 1903, in Ennis, KY. Clint married Edith Mae Bastin on June 26th, 1926, in Hartford, Ohio County, KY. Thank you to a book in the Henderson County Public Library for me even finding that information! They reared ten children and a few of them died quite young, sadly. 

Great-Granddaddy Clint worked in the coal mines most of his life and made very decent money doing so. I believe he, too, farmed quite a bit as well. He passed away on October 3rd, 1965, in Greenville, KY, of a myocardial infarction... due to arteriosclerotic heart disease. Runs in the family, sadly. He was only 62 years old. He died just a few months after my Dad was born and out of all the Mefford's -- I feel like my Dad resembles Great-Granddaddy Clint the absolute most. Especially when he's wearing a certain kind of hat like in the photograph I have of Clint. 

Clint is laid to rest in Allen's Chapel Cemetery in Ennis near his young children that went before him. His wife, Edith, re-married after his passing to Oscar Vincent.. She and Oscar are buried together in Rose Hill Cemetery in Central City. 

My 2x Grandfather: French Mefford. French was born on April 2nd, 1874 (as opposed to 1873 that's on his tombstone) in Paradise, Muhlenberg County, KY.

1874 is more consistent because A) his birth record says April 2nd, 1874.. and B) in the 1880 census which was summer of 1880, he was already 6 years old (1874), and C) His WW1 draft card that he helped fill out himself -- April 2nd, 1874. However, his death certificate says 1873 and I guess that's what they went with for his tombstone. 

French was one of four children - at least four that survived, anyway. Unsure if his parents lost any young children. French married Emma Lillie Turner on February 7th, 1898, in Muhlenberg County, KY. He and Emma Lillie reared four children: three daughters and a son. 

French was a farmer in occupation in all the censuses (through 1940). It appeared he worked on his own account in 1940. French, in my opinion, looks quite German. He looks like he was a decent sized man...and hopefully I don't get smacked when I get to heaven for saying this... the man had car doors for ears. Literally - I am so floored that my Dad and I don't have bigger ears because of him! 

French passed away at the age of 81, on April 24th, 1955, in Louisville. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage, due to hypertensive cardiovascular disease. He also had arteriosclerosis, and had a coronary incident two years prior to his death. 

He was laid to rest in Union Chapel Cemetery in Ennis, KY. His parents, too, are buried in this cemetery. 

My 3x Grandfather: George Washington Mefford. He was born on July 13th, 1847, in Muhlenberg County, KY. On March 19th, 1868, he married his first cousin - Amanda E. Hardison and they had four children: two girls and two boys. 

George was a farmer by occupation for most of his life it appears. In the 1920 census, he reports that he can indeed read and write. However, in prior censuses, he says he is not able to read or write. So sometime between 1910 and 1920, he perhaps either self-taught or someone taught him how to read and write. Perhaps he finally retired from farming and one of his daughters taught him how. Just speculating. In that 1920 census, he lives with his son, Buck Morton Mefford.

George lived to see the age of 82 - passing away on January 30th, 1930, in Ennis, KY. He died of chronic nephritis and was buried in Union Chapel Cemetery next to his wife who died before him in 1918. 

My 4x Grandfather: Andrew Jackson Mefford. Andy Mefford was born on February 25th, 1817, most likely in Muhlenberg County, but could have been Butler County, KY. On July 10th, 1839, in Muhlenberg County, he married his DOUBLE first cousin, Catharine "Katie" Mefford. They reared at least seven children before she passed away in 1855. 

After Katie's death, Andy remarried to Nancy C. Webb on January 4th, 1858, and that union produced at least one son. Nancy was twenty years younger than Andy and of course, she outlived him as well. 

Andy, too, like his descendants, was a farmer. According to the 1870 census - he could not read or write. 

Andy passed away on July 28th, 1873, in Muhlenberg County. It is unknown where he's laid to rest but it's probably Union Chapel Cemetery or another cemetery in Ennis. He, nor his first wife Katie, have had a tombstone found in any cemetery as of yet. It could be because their graves were never marked, or it could be because the tombstones have been lost/destroyed over the years. 

My 5x Grandfather: George W. Mefford. George was born on January 11th, 1789, in the great state of Virginia. He married, sometime around 1811 to Anna Hudlow. His brother, Jacob, would marry Anna's sister Susan. Then George & Anna's son, Andy, married Jacob & Susan's daughter Katie (that's how they were double first cousins.) 

George and Anna eventually moved to the Butler County, KY area sometime, I believe, between 1820 and 1830. They had at least eight children together. George, too, was a farmer.. and according to the 1870 census, he could not read or write. 

George died of "old age" as it appears in the death ledger on October 24th, 1877, in Butler County, KY. He was 88 years old - although the death ledger says he was 96. The death ledger also seems like he was born to a "Jake" Mefford, but his Dad's name was actually John. However, his brother was indeed Jacob "Jake" Mefford. 

George and his wife Anna are buried in New Midway Church Cemetery in Rochester, Butler County, KY. Their tombstones still exist! I have yet to go to their grave site but it's on my bucket list!

My 6x Grandfather: John Mefford was born on October 8th, 1764, in the state of Pennsylvania it is said. He married Miss Mary Lemon on January 8th, 1787, in Rockingham County, Virginia. Sometime I believe between 1810 and 1820 -- he moved his family to the Logan County, KY area. John and Mary had at least two sons and two daughters to the best of my knowledge. 

John, like his descendants, I assume was a farmer. He, too, probably couldn't read or write... but since he died prior to 1850 - I can't find out all that awesome information. No, John passed away at 77 years of age, according to everything I've found. His date of death was April 18th, 1842, in Logan County, KY. He applied for a Revolutionary War pension in Logan County in December of 1840. 

According to paperwork found by other family members - his pension was turned down as he didn't "serve enough time," in the war. He apparently had served as a Minute Man guarding prisoners. He acted as his father's substitute in the year that Cornwallis was taken prisoner. 

John nor his wife Mary's tombstones have ever been found in a cemetery. They're likely buried in an old, possibly family cemetery in Logan County that is either destroyed or undiscovered/lost. 

My 7x Grandfather: Casper Mefford (Meffert). Casper was born in the Hessen area of Germany on August 27th, 1741. He and his two brothers: George and John (Gorg and Johann) came over with their father, Andrew (Andreas) and were a few of the first Meffert's / Mefford's to come to America. They came in 1749 aboard the ship "Rainer." 

Casper and his father and brothers came into the country in Pennsylvania and from there, spread out. Casper married Maria Siegler in Philadelphia on March 30th, 1763 - and for a while it seems they removed to Frederick County, Maryland, but eventually they headed south for Rockingham County, Virginia. I believe it was around 1778 when they arrived in Virginia.

In 1795, Casper had his land surveyed - he owned 225 acres. In 1793, he bought another 41 acres. They lived close to the North River - to the south of it. Probably south of today's Bridgewater, VA. 

Casper is said to have died in Rockingham County on November 23rd, 1805. Part of Casper's will still exists in Rockingham County - but apparently a lot of it was burned. According to family folklore, there was quite a battle over his estate. His wife is said to have survived him, living until 1816.

I would imagine that Casper and Maria are probably buried on Casper's original 225 acres...somewhere. No tombstones have ever been found/recovered. 

My 8x Grandfather: Andreas Meffert - the patriarch of any and all Mefford's in America today (or at least, it feels that way). It is said that Andreas and his three sons -- Johann, Gorg, and Casper came to America together on the ship "Rainer" in 1749. Apparently, his daughter Maria Magarathe and his wife, Anna Magdalena came as well - either at the same time or right near/around the same time. 

It is said Andreas and Magdalena had more children - but only Maria, Johann, Gorg, and Casper are named in Andreas' will. It's entirely possible that they had infants that died at birth or shortly thereafter.

Andreas himself is said to have been born January 2nd, 1707, in the Hessen area of Germany. He is said to have died on August 13th, 1760, in Washington County, Pennsylvania. The immigration documents suggest the ship Rainer left Rotterdam, England, and came to Philadelphia. 

Between 1749 to 1753, it's said that Andreas and his family likely stayed in the Philadelphia area with a cousin - Egidius Meffert. Aegidius or Egidius came to America in 1748 it's said with a possible son - Johann Peter Meffert. Egidius was Andreas' first cousin, their fathers were brothers. 

After 1753 to 1760, Andreas appears on a tax list for Chester County, Pennsylvania. His will was written up on May 31st, 1760. He died soon after. 

Andreas and his wife on Find-a-Grave are listed in Peters Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania. I don't think that's correct whatsoever... I believe an amateur family historian slapped them in there when Find-a-Grave was just starting out years ago. Likely, they are buried more in the Washington County, PA area on land they probably owned, or an old city cemetery potentially. Perhaps a church cemetery, a church comprised of primarily German immigrants. Anything is possible. 

Through Andreas' son Johannes "John" (whereas I come through son Casper), actor Tom Hanks is my 7th cousin 2x removed. Mr. Rogers (Fred McNeely Rogers) was also my 7th cousin 2x removed through Andreas. Tom Hanks and Mr. Rogers are 6th cousins through Johannes Meffert. Tom Hanks descends through the son, Jacob Mefford; and Mr. Rogers descends through the son William Mefford.

Today.com Article

Imagine my surprise when I read that article when it popped up on Facebook out of curiosity... only to see MEFFORD/MEFFERT staring at me!! I never ever thought it would actually be cool to be a Mefford!

My 9x Grandfather: Johann Conradt (John Conrad) Meffert. Born about 1666 and died, supposedly, on July 22nd, 1731. Not much is known about these "pre-America" Meffert's but.. it's believed Johann Conradt was married first to Anna Marie Glinder and had children with her... she died in 1702. Then he married my ancestor, Anna Maria Koch, who I believe survived him. 

In all, he had at least three children with the first wife and at least eight children with the second wife (my ancestor). Three of the daughters died very young, so they never married. One of the daughters married a surname of "Will." It's said that these Meffert's still have living descendants in Germany today. I've conversed with a few of them over the years. 

More than likely, as with other Meffert's in Germany during the time - Johann Conradt and his wives likely were of the German Lutheran faith. It is likely Johann Conradt was born and died in the area of Hessen. 

My 10x Grandfather: Hans Heinrich Meffert. Hans was born about 1634 in Hessen, Germany. He married on November 25th, 1659, to Anna Margarethe Emmel. They had at least seven children before she died in about 1680. Then he married Juliana Zehn and had at least five more children with her. These Meffert children still have living descendants in Germany today. 

It is said that Hans died in the Wachenbuchen area of Germany (Hesse) on June 10th, 1704. For a long time, Hans was the dead end for the Meffert family... but I believe I've managed to get a little further. 

My 11x Grandfather: Friedrich Meffard. Born in about 1594, probably in the Rheinland area of Germany. Friedrich married Margarethe Gildenfelder in the German Evangelical Reformed Church on January 8th, 1615 in Barbelroth, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany. Being that they married in 1611 and Hans wasn't born until about 1634.. it is very possible that Hans had a lot of older siblings, or perhaps there is a generation between Hans and Friedrich. It's possible for Friedrich to have had a son in say, 1612, that was the father of Hans in 1634. 

My 12x Grandfather: I believe the father of Friedrich is Michel Meffard born about 1574 in perhaps Gotha, Thuringia area of Germany. Michel's wife's name is reportedly Catharina. This is my wall/stump as of 2021. I haven't made any DNA matches past Andreas Meffert, technically... but they could be in my Dad's low low DNA matches (like 10cM and less). 

It is interesting that the last name has went from Mefford, to Meffert, to Meffard. I'm hoping in time my Dad will do his Y-DNA and that might yield us some better understanding of the Meffert last name and its migration patterns. :)

Thank you for reading my paternal line history. Maybe next year for Father's Day I can write about my Blanford direct paternal line.. and for Mother's Day I could write about my Grandma Mina's direct maternal line. 

52 Ancestors 2021: Week 23: Bridge

For the topic of bridge, I could probably sit here and try to think up at least ten different things I could write about. I struggled at first - because really besides my Granddad being an Ironworker and working on buildings and bridges, I couldn't think of a further back ancestor to write about. I can't think of any ancestors that would have regularly crossed bridges going here and there.

But then I got to thinking... I do have a lot of river ancestors. On my paternal side -- the Jones' and the White's lived in Mississippi County, Missouri, very close to the Mississippi River. On my maternal side -- my Blanford's and LaRue's lived down in the Geneva, Smith Mills, and Alzey Bottoms areas which is very, very close to the Ohio River. 

I know infinitely more about my maternal side and being that I still reside here in Henderson County today.. I'll write about them for this topic. 

Now, for the literal "bridge," part of this... I'm not too sure how often my ancestors went over bridges. I know there was a ferry in the Alzey Bottoms at one time. There was McDonald's Landing and also an Alzey Landing at one time. I believe the ferry might have moved a person between McDonald's Landing (Kentucky side) and the West Franklin area (Indiana side.) The Alzey ferry, it would have took you to Indiana but into the country -- you'd have still had to travel to Mt. Vernon if that's where you planned to go. Most people probably would have travelled to Uniontown, KY, and crossed directly to Mt. Vernon via their ferry. 

I mention the ferry to Mt. Vernon because my Byrd ancestors came from Posey County, Indiana, to Henderson County, Kentucky, and you guessed it -- settled into the Smith Mills/Alzey/Geneva area. Let's start with the nearest generation -- my Grandpa. Grandpa Jady was born at the old Henderson Hospital (Washington St) here in Henderson on July 31st, 1936. They lived, however, out in the Smith Mills area. 

According to my Grandpa, they lived in three different places that burned before finally settling on what was called "The Latta Place," at the end of Star School Rd in Geneva. Surrounded by corn fields and bayou - I'm sure it made quite an interesting place to grow up through the 40's and 50's. 

His parents - Richard Jerome Blanford was born November 5th, 1913, in Union County, KY (probably somewhere near Morganfield.) Verna Lorene LaRue was born October 9th, 1914, in Smith Mills. 

By the 1920 census, Richard and his family lived on "The Burbank Rd," which is in the Geneva-Smith Mills area. In the 1920 census, Lorene and her family lived in Smith Mills with no road name listed. 

In the 1930 censuses -- Lorene and her family have moved closer to Corydon and in fact, Lorene graduated Corydon High School in 1932 (after she married Richard Blanford as a matter of fact.) Richard and his family, in 1930, live on Trigg-Turner Rd, which again, is in the Geneva area. 

The first census that sees Richard and Lorene married was 1940 -- again, they live on Trigg-Turner Rd. This area, even today, is "Blanford stomping ground." This house that they live in, in 1940, is probably one of the "three that burned." The 1950 census will be released in April of 2022 and I would imagine by that point, the family will be on Star School Rd at the Latta Place. 

Going another generation back -- Martin Blanford in the 1940 census has moved from Trigg-Turner to the "Corydon Smith Mill Rd." Charles LaRue and his wife, Carrie, live on the "Back Corydon Rd," and it lists them as Smith Mills, KY. 

At their deaths - I know Martin Blanford had moved into the city of Henderson proper when he passed in 1968 - but he actually died in Evansville.

I believe the family still lived in Smith Mills when Carrie (Byrd) LaRue passed in 1955... and Charles LaRue lived with his daughter and son-in-law, Richard and Lorene, when he died in 1980. Richard and Lorene had built a wonderful house at 6149 Trigg-Hooper Rd in Geneva. That, too, is where they lived when they passed in 1991 and 1995. 

Let's go another generation back -- to my 3x Grandparents, John Byrd (1839-1922) and Maria Moore (1849-1932). Both were born in Posey County, Indiana. They married there in 1864 - and by the 1880 census, they'd moved their family across the river to the Corydon area of Henderson County. By 1900, they were in the Smith Mills area. 1920 - "Smith Mills Rd," as they call it. In the 1930 census, the widowed Maria is listed as being on "Sandefur Hill Rd," in Smith Mills. 

John and Maria (Moore) Byrd, Charles and Carrie (Byrd) LaRue, & Benjamin and Mary (Lawrey) LaRue are all buried in Smith Mills Cemetery. (Ben & Mary are unmarked, according to family story.)

To this day, the Blanford's, LaRue's, and Byrd's are still prominent out in the Smith Mills area and do a lot of farming in the community -- a lot of that farming is impacted by the Ohio River and the close proximity of it. Some of them even farm on Diamond Island, or at least, they used to. Not sure if they still farm the island today or not. 

I remember many stories my Grandpa would tell, talking about how the flooding of the river impacted their harvest in this year, and that year. Farming here in Henderson County -- our soil is wonderful (or so I've been told) but, if you live close enough to the river... it really is a constant gamble and sometimes, you don't come out a winner. Most gardens in our county can withstand some rain but, having backwater or headwater from the river on top of your field, a foot or more deep, for sometimes a week straight... a lot of times, you can't come back from that. It'll be a complete loss. 

"The Latta Place," that I mentioned before, was on the bayou in Geneva -- and we all know the bayou was fed by the river and rainwater. I imagine at times, that fact made farming the cornfields around Latta Place a daunting task. There is a cemetery not too far away from the Latta Place -- it's kind of like the "Geneva Community Cemetery," but it started out as the Clay family cemetery... known today just as "Clay Cemetery." 

When you look at a map, it's hard to believe that the cemetery itself doesn't get flooded. When I first became curious of going out to that cemetery - I asked my Grandpa numerous questions. Apparently the road will occasionally flood, due to the bayou, to get back to the cemetery... but the cemetery itself won't flood. I was very surprised to learn this fact. 

There are many other cemeteries in the Alzey (especially), Smith Mills, and Geneva areas that aren't as lucky. Matter of fact - a lot of them have been lost to time due to the river. I believe it's the old "Alves family cemetery," that was lost during one of the big flooding events - most probably the 1937 flood took the last of it. The Alves family is an old one in our county with a lot of money and had a lot of land back in the day. A lot of them are buried next door to me in Fernwood Cemetery but before Fernwood came into existence (1852 was its first proper burial in its new location) the family would bury their deceased in the family cemetery in the Alzey area. 

The 1937 flood was probably the most detrimental to the Alzey area here in Henderson County and the Scuffletown bottoms (out near Spottsville/Beals). The city of Henderson, while it does have some low-lying areas in town that will flash flood... we have a motto: "on the Ohio, but never in it." The city proper (city limits) doesn't flood unless it's a torrential downpour (flash flooding) or the area right on Canoe Creek, which of course, is fed by the Ohio River. 

The "top" part of our county is impacted by the Ohio River, but we also have the Green River that cuts through the Eastern part of our county and impacts the Spottsville, Bluff City, Hebbardsville, Niagara, and areas surrounding them. Some of my ancestors lived in the Niagara area - but not too close to the river.. not enough to be impacted by it. But there, too, was a ferry there that I imagine they utilized quite often. 

That's a story for another day, of course. 

Robert Jackson Sellars: A great loss.

I found an obituary in the Evansville Courier & Press for Robert Jackson Sellars. 

I thought it was interesting they said of him, "he was one of the most prominent farmers in the community and his death is a great loss." 

A great loss it was. 

He was the son of Isham Sellars and Lucy Ann Hughes. 

Robert married Malinda Belle Gibson on November 28th, 1888, in Henderson Co, KY. 

They reared just two children: Pearl and Fidelia, and unfortunately, Pearl died at just four years old. Possibly of typhoid fever herself - but I've found no death ledger. 

Malinda remarried to George Hickman Cates. The daughter, Fidelia, married Rufus Cates.

Robert and Malinda are buried in Gibson Cemetery #2 with their daughter, Pearl Sellars.

Eliza Thompson: The mystery of your family tree is no more!

 

I'm really ecstatic to have finally figured out the paternity of Eliza Thompson, buried in Gibson Cemetery #2. 

I knew Eliza was raised by her "adoptive" parents - James William Gibson and his wife, Mary Royster. 

Then I finally found James' will, which referred to Eliza was the 'daughter of Willie Thompson, desc'd.' Somewhere in the will it also states that Eliza had been in James' and Mary's care since she was "about a year old." 

Well, MY Thompson's pretty much stayed in the Union County, area.. but the Thompson's married into the Gibson's via my 2x Grandparents -- John Rowan Thompson marrying Mary Janella Nally, daughter of Vandalia Gibson. 

So I decided to look at neighboring families in the 1870 census of James William Gibson (who already had Eliza Thompson in his care by this point). Well, no Thompson's lived near by.. but sure enough a few doors down is Thomas Nally and his wife, Martha.. the parents of Henry Oliver Nally - who married Vandalia Gibson. 

I decided at that point... Eliza has to be from my Thompson's. Well. John Rowan Thompson's brothers are too young to be Eliza's Dad... so I looked at John Rowan's uncles. Hmm. He has an Uncle named Willis Thompson who was born about 1844 and died about 1870..

Jackpot. 

Willis Thompson's wife was Emily Adeline Pritchett -- and let's face it, the Pritchett's marry into the Gibson's umpteen times. Emily's second marriage was Jack Koonce, and the Koonce's are buried in Gibson Cemetery #1. Emily's sister, Sudia, married Robert Benjamin Gibson, who was a brother of Vandalia Gibson!

I already had Willis' daughter Elizabeth in my tree - birth date October 20th, 1868, and baptism (christening in the Catholic church) May 11th, 1869.. and Eliza's birth date is supposedly October 20th.. so jackpot. This is the correct person. 

Her tombstone looks more like a birth year of 1869, but, with some cleaning, it may reveal 1868 not 1869. Tombstones can sometimes be a year or two off, anyway. It lines up that 1868 is the correct birth date since she was christened in 1869 and is already a year old in the census of 1870 (she would have turned two after the census was taken that year.) 

So Eliza is my 1st cousin 4x removed. The mystery of your family tree is no more, cousin!!

Cemetery Spotlight: Cabell Cemetery in Henderson County, Kentucky

I was messaged by a woman on my genealogy Facebook asking some questions about Cabell Cemetery -- it's a little cemetery out in the county that doesn't get much attention and I don't believe I've ever sat and written about it before so.. I typed this up the other day for my cemetery group and genealogy page, and I thought I'd share it here, too.

This is a cemetery I haven't personally visited, but you can spy it from the road, which I've driven past it numerous times. It is photographed for Find-a-Grave by fellow cemetery researcher David Melton, who I am friends with. 🙂

Cabell Cemetery on Find-a-Grave

Mr. Blue documented this cemetery and it is included in his Gone But Not Forgotten book and accompanying map. If you turn on Rucker #1 coming from Spottsville (off of US 60), it's located in the second curve on the right... (It's kind of an S curve right there, if you will.)

In the 1900 census, Peter G. Cabell, an African-American man, lived on what they call the "Spottsville Highway Road," and he owned his own home and farm. He was a farmer by occupation. His wife was Sarah (Terry) Cabell. I'm unsure if this land, where they are buried, is where their home and farm was or not.

The first tombstone (earliest date) seems to be for John Jason Blackshear who died in 1907, a year earlier than Peter Cabell. John Blackshear, who was Peter's son-in-law was an African-American minister who was born in Alabama in 1871 -- in the 1900 census, he and his wife (Katherine) are living in Indianapolis. His wife survived him and is mentioned, too, in her father Peter's will in 1908.

Their daughter, Odessa Blackshear Arnold is also buried in this cemetery.

Delos, who passed in 1949, a son of Peter & Sarah resides in the cemetery. As does another son, the Reverend Philip H. Cabell, who died in 1938.

John Ware, who was the husband of Nancy "Nannie" Cabell (daughter of Peter & Sarah) is also located in this cemetery. He died in 1919.. In the 1920 census, Nancy lives with her widowed sister, Katherine Blackshear... and they both disappear after that. If they both passed in the 1920's, it definitely would be likely that they reside in this cemetery now. I haven't found a death certificate for Nancy or Katherine as of this time.

One more burial exists, but perhaps no tombstone, and that's for John Gabe Smith, son of Margaret Cabell, grandson of James Cabell, and great-Grandson of Peter & Sarah. His death certificate states a burial in Cabell. I'm unsure where Margaret is buried (haven't found a death certificate), and I'm unsure where James' resting place is as well. James disappears after 1910.. there is a James Cabell who passed in Evansville, his family information unknown, in 1942. It says he was born in Henderson County in 1864 and he was widowed... that COULD be our James Cabell, but I don't know.

Prior to the 1870 census - I haven't found Peter Glider Cabell.. that seems indicative to me he had likely been a slave prior to the emancipation proclamation. In the 1850's, there is a white Cabell family living here in Henderson and they hailed from Virginia (which is where Sarah Terry Cabell says she was born) so it's very possible Peter had been a slave of the Cabell family - that's just speculation as I know a lot of slaves took on their owners name, even after they gained their freedom. I know the Cabell family has been here for many, many generations, and they are plentiful here in Henderson today. It would be very interesting to see the DNA of a Peter Cabell descendant and if it lines up with the white Cabell family here in Henderson. The genealogist is curious.

The white family of Cabell's in the 1850 census is Robert Bolling Cabell and his wife Eleanor (Hart) Cabell. They reside in Fernwood Cemetery. They hailed from the, I believe, Amherst Co, VA area.

Just a little genealogy rabbit hole for all of you tonight. Thanks for reading my rambles, as always!

52 Ancestors 2021: Week 22: Military

 

Joel Gibson is my 6x Great-Grandfather and someone I write about most frequently. I probably know about his military service more so than any other ancestor in my tree. He certainly isn't my only veteran ancestor... certainly not the only one who served in the Revolutionary War but, again, I know the most about his service. 

That's mostly due to there being a good record within the Henderson County courts of when Joel applied for his Revolutionary War pension and he detailed his service record for them which has been transcribed by many people over the years. 

It reads:

On the 26th day of July, 1824, personally appeared in open court, in the County of Henderson at the courthouse in Henderson in the Commonwealth of aforesaid, and on the day aforesaid, Joel Gibson aged seventy five years, resident in the County of Henderson, and district of Kentucky, who being first duly sworn according to law doth on his oath declare that he served in the Revolutionary War as follows. 

He entered as a private soldier and left it with an honorable discharge. He served in the First North Carolina Regiment commanded by Colonel James Moore, and in Captain Henry Dixon's company, and of the continental line; and I do solemnly swear that I was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property or any part thereof so to diminish it as to come within the provision of an act of Congress entitled "an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary war" passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed and I do swear that I have no property, neither real, nor personal, that my occupation is the cultivation of the soil, and my age and infirmities prevent my being useful in the cultivation of the soil, that the number of my family is nine, myself being obliged to depend on my son, Bailey Gibson, for support. 

Signed, Joel Gibson (X) his mark

On this 25th day of April, 1825, personally appeared in open court, the County Court for said County of Henderson being a court of record, and made so by the laws of the aforesaid state of Kentucky, which created it, Joel Gibson, resident in said County aged seventy five years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of the Congress on the 18th March 1818, and the 1st of May 1820, the he, the said Joel Gibson, enlisted for the term of six months in the year (say 1775), or when hostilities commenced in North Carolina, the date of enlisting, and also of discharge not recollected, papers being lost by fire in the state of North Carolina, in the company commanded by Captain Henry Dixon in the regiment commanded by Colonel James Moore in the line of the State of North Carolina on the North Carolina continental establishment. That he continued to serve in the said Corps until (as above) when he was discharged from the service in Wilmington in the State of North Carolina.

That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present, that his name is not on the roll of any state, except North Carolina; and that the following are the reasons for not making earlier application: his being totally unlettered, neither able to read or write, and failing for two years, after strenuous application to get any one to undertake it for him; that he also served three months at the siege of Ninety Six (in South Carolina, May 22nd, - June 19th, 1781) with a forage wagon, under General McCastle, wagon master General, and in pursuance of the act of the 1st of May 1820, I do solemnly swear, that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not since that time by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of my property, or any part therefore, with intent thereby so to diminish it, as to bring myself within the provisions of an act of Congress entitled "An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War" passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not, nor has any person in trust for me any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to me, nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed, and by me subscribed; that my occupation has been the tiling of ground, but through old age and bodily infirmities, I have been rendered totally incapable of following agricultural pursuits; that I have no wife, and my children being all married and gone from me, am obliged to depend for support on my son, Bailey Gibson, who has a numerous family of small children to support that since the 18th of March 1818, no change has been made in my property. 

Schedule of Joel's property: Three pewter plates and perhaps some old knives and forks. 

Joel Gibson (X) His mark.

It is most interesting to note that General Henry Dixon's family ended up coming to Henderson County, Kentucky, as well. His son, Wynne Dixon, married Rebecca Hart -- and they were parents of Archibald Dixon, who became a Senator of Kentucky. Their other son, Henry Dixon, married Mary Johnston and then Rhoda Hart and they have many living descendants here in Henderson County, KY, today. It's also interesting to note that Rebecca Hart was a niece of famous Benjamin Hart and Nancy (Morgan) Hart, and Rhoda Hart was their granddaughter. 

Here in Henderson we have a monument dedicated to our Revolutionary War ancestors and it's on the corner of 1st and Main St beside our courthouse. I'll share some photographs of the names on the stone. 

This is the back of the stone that reads the names of Lt. Turner Anderson, Joseph Cabell Jr, Abraham Hatchett, Nancy (Morgan) Hart, Capt. Blackman Moseley Sr, John Hart, Lewis Rouse, Lt. John Harrison, Dr. Joseph Savage, Srgt. John Hughes, Capt. Obadiah Smith, Thomas Smith Sr, and Srgt. William Walker Jr.

This is the side of the monument which reads, Lt. Col. Charles V. Clay, Thomas Baker, Edward Baldwin, Jacob Barnett, Michael Book, William Brown, Joseph Butler, Maston Clay, James M. Edwards, William Frazier, Taliaferro Grigsby, Peter H. Mathews, John Moss, John Ramsey, Michael Sprinkle, Josiah Stone, George A. Sugg, Jacob Upp, and Samuel Williams. 

This is not the best photograph of the front (taken from Google), I need to get downtown and get a new photo of the front (because I can't find mine) but the names read: General Samuel Hopkins, Col. Wynn Dixon, Col. Nathaniel Powell, Col. John Cannon, Col. William Marshall, Col. Gabriel Green, Capt. John Furna Cannon, Major John Holloway, Isham Sellers, John Martin, Edward Davis Bennett, and Joel Gibson. 

The way I understand it -- Henderson has a rich history of Revolutionary War soldiers coming here probably partly because of the town being founded by General Samuel Hopkins (word of mouth, ya know?) and partly because of land grants given to the soldiers after the war. That's what I've always been told, at least. It's really not a far cry to say that our town truly was founded by Revolutionary War veterans -- but then again, pretty much every able bodied man from probably 15 or 16 years of age through upwards of 60 fought for their country if they had the chance back then. That's why a lot of us who've done our family tree back that far -- we've found sometimes upwards of 20 to 30 ancestors who fought in the Revolutionary War alone. Some of these men, if they were young enough and served in the Rev. War, then they served a few decades later during the War of 1812. 

In a future blog - I might take you through the genealogy/family history of each man listed on this Revolutionary War monument because I'm pretty sure I've got at least 90% of them in my Ancestry tree currently. Each one of them still have descendants alive and well in this town -- even if they don't know it! 

It's fascinating to think these men have descendants that pass by this monument every single day and they have no idea that their Great-Great-Great some-odd Grandpa is listed on it. That's why I feel like Henderson's rich history should be taught in our schools... so many Powell's, Dixon's, Gibson's, Hughes', Holloway's, Sellers', Hart's, etc... they don't know their family legacy and it makes me so sad...and so upset. 

Let me promise you, Joel... I certainly will never forget you or let you be forgotten!