Total Pageviews

Saturday, June 23, 2012

Dedication to B58 Hustler, "Pink Panther"


  Today, June 23, 2012, I attended the  dedication ceremony for the Historical Marker commemorating the December 12, 1966 crash of the B-58A Hustler 60-1119  76 assigned to 305th BW, known as the “Pink Panther”. Three United States Air Force personnel lost their lives that fateful day, Major Richard F. Blakeslee, pilot; Captain Floyd E. Acker, Nav/Bomardier; and Captain. Clarence D. Lunt.

B-58 Huslter, "Pink Panther"


With an application from Becky Riddle, the Kentucky Historical Marker Program Coordinator, Chris Bennett and Alan Reed were able to push the project forward. It was the dream of Major Richard Blakelee’s son, Rob to have a historical marker placed at the site of the crash.
Rob Blakeslee

Becky Riddle, Kentucky Historical Society



Darrell Hovius, an English Professor at the University of Cincinnati was a 14 year boy home watching “Big Valley” on the family TV, when simultaneously he heard the crash and the electric power went out. The family thought the Russians had attacked. Remember this was during the Cold War.  

Darrell Hovius


Rev Don Scilly

  Reverend Don Scilly shared a moving remembrance of the crash day. Much more personal information about officers who died, the airplane, and the historical marker project can be found at www.b58memorial.com. Honor guard for the dedication was provided by the VFW post 6097.

VFW Post 6097







Historical Marker B58 "Pink Panther"

Crash site 1966
B-58 Hustler, 60-1119 76 crashed about 1.3 miles west of McKinney, Lincoln County, Kentucky.

Alvin Hamm, Valerie Thompson, Don Scheffler

 I am proud to say that two of my own cousins, Alvin Hamm and Don Scheffler are members of the Kentucky Patriot Guard Riders who road today for this dedication.  More about the mission of the riders can be found at http://pgrofky.com/

I was pleased to observe the dedication ceremony and applaud all those responsible.
All photographs are my own.


Saturday, June 16, 2012

John Crawford and Sarah Aldridge Marriage Records 1840

John Crawford and Sarah "Sally" Crawford were married 3 December 1840 in Henry County Kentucky by Joseph Sewell.

The Marriage Bond for John Crawford and Sarah Aldridge


  Know all men by these presents that we, John Crawford and Henry Blackaby, are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Kentucky in the sum of Fifty pounds to the payment whereof will and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, Ex'er's and Adm'rs jointly and severally, virtually by these presents. 
Signed, sealed this 2 day of Dec 1840. 
  The Condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a marriage is about to be solemnized between the above bound John Crawford & Sarah Aldridge, daughter of John Aldridge of this County. Consent legally certified. 
  Now if it shall always appease that there is no lawful cause to obstruct said marriage then the above obligation to be void else to remain in full force and virtue. 
                                                                              John (his x mark) Crawford {Seal}
                                                                              Henry (his x mark) Blackaby {Seal}


Consent from John Aldridge, for his daughter Sarah


  Mr. E. J. Thomas Clerk of the Henry County Court you are hereby permitted and requested by me to issue license to John Crawford to marry my daughter,  Sally Aldridge. Given under my hand this 24th Nov 1840. 


Attest. Jas. E. Houghton                                                              John (his mark x) Aldridge 
Henry Blackaby


The Minister's Return





  The minister was required to record a list of the marriages he performed. This is the list for Joseph Sewell. The last couple on the list are John Crawford and Sarah Aldridge.

John Crawford to one Sarah Aldridge the 3 of December 1840.

Note: Henry County Kentucky early original marriage records are held at the Henry County History Center and Museum located in the Caplinger House at 219 S. Main Street, New Castle County Kentucky. This is also the home of the Henry County Kentucky Historical Society. They are not at the local courthouse in New Castle.

Photographs by Valerie J. Thompson, Professional Genealogist

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Alexander Thompson Surveys 1799

175 acres surveyed for Alexander Thompson 1799
  This past week I had the pleasure of assisting an Alabama descendant of Alexander Thompson  in the quest for the ancestral homelands.  Alexander Thompson had two land grants originally issued in Lincoln county Kentucky in 1799.  They are located at  the mouth of Cedar Sinking Creek,  South Fork of the Cumberland River. Lincoln County Survey Book for years 1792-1821, page 120, 122, 123.

200 acres surveyed for Alexander Thompson 1799



Modern mapping of the surveys
With a huge assist from Jeff Renner, author of Three Springs and a Wilderness Station,  the surveys can be seen on a current satellite map. Jeff is a Pulaski County resident, and county coordinator for the Rockcastle County genealogy site http://kykinfolk.com/rockcastle/

Alexander Thompson was born between 1770-1761 according to the 1830 Census of Pulaski County. He was married to Mary "Polly" Norton, daughter of Messer Norton who is listed as chain carrier on both of Alexander's survey's. He was listed on the 1810 Census of Wayne county Kentucky, and the 1820 Census of Pulaski County Kentucky. His surveys are very close to the Wayne and Pulaski county lines. Alexander is listed on the 1831 tax list for Pulaski County Kentucky. He may have removed to Benton county Alabama shortly before his death, or he may have died in Kentucky and his widow removed to Benton county Alabama to be with an older child there prior to the settlement of his estate.  There are no land records in Alabama for Alexander. Deed records regarding the Power of Attorney given to his son William D. Thompson to sell the property in Pulaski County are recorded in  Deed Book 10, page 61-73, dated 1838. Names of his heirs are listed. Polly Thompson, Alexander's wife, also relinquished her right of dower.  Final settlement was in Alabama in 1841.

Children of Alexander Thompson and Mary "Polly" Norton are:
1. John A. Thompson was born 25 Feb 1795. Census records read he was born in Tennessee. By 1835 John and his wife, Martha Harper, had removed to St. Clair County Missouri. He died there 8 July 1867 and is buried at the Iconium Cemetery, St. Clair County, Missouri. Photo of his tombstone can be found at Findagrave.com.
2. William D. Thompson was born about 1797 in Kentucky. His wife's name was Mary. He died in February of 1849 according to the 1850 Mortality Schedule of Benton, now Calhoun County Alabama.
3. Anna "Anny" Thompson was born about 1805. She married Oswell Griffin. This family, too, removed to Benton, now Calhoun County Alabama. She died about 1878. Bible records of Oswell Griffin give some information about this family. See footnotes: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jareeves&id=I1280
4. Martha "Patsy" Thompson was born about 1806 in Kentucky and died after 1860. She married Eli Phillips. This couple were on the 1860 Census St. Clair County, Alabama. 
5. Mercer Thompson was born 18 May 1807 in Kentucky. He married Matilda Sullins. He married second, Cassandra Elizabeth..... He also migrated to Alabama. He died there 25 Nov 1887 Etowah County, Alabama. He and both wives are buried at the Lebanon Avent Cemetery in Gadsden, Etowah County. Photos of stone at Findagrave.com
6. Sampson Thompson was born 1 Aug 1809 in Kentucky. He married 21 Mar 1829 Pulaski County Kentucky Elizabeth Fry, daughter of Valentine Worley (per consent).  Alexander gave written consent for this son, as did Valentine Worley. Mercer Thompson was witness to both consents and Bondsman. He and his wife are buried at Lystra Baptist Church Cemetery in Cullman, Alabama. Eliza Thompson died 1901. Photo of her stone can be found at Findagrave.com
7. Hester "Hettie" Thompson was born about 1810 in Kentucky. She married Humphrey Hardwick 5 Dec 1833 in Wayne County Kentucky. She died after 1864, Humphrey Hardwick died 20 Sept 1862 according to the affadavit Hettie filed for his pension. He is buried at Zion Hill Cemetery Calhoun County Alabama.
8. Leonard Thompson was born about 1811 in Kentucky. He married Mary "Polly" Laughlin 14 Feb 1837 in Calhoun County Alabama. He was living in Jackson County Alabama in 1870.
9. James Thompson was born about 1815 in Kentucky married Ann Grimes 28 Mar 1837 Benton/Calhoun County Alabama. He was living in Calhoun County Alabama in 1860. 



Thursday, April 26, 2012

Richard Brock 1795-1864







Richard Brock was born Aug 27, 1795 and died May 15, 1864 in Lincoln County Kentucky.
He married Hannah Jones April 10, 1819 Casey County Kentucky. Their residence was in Hustonville, Lincoln County Kentucky in 1850 and 1860. The 1860 Census indicates Richard was born in South Carolina, and the value of his personal estate was $4,475.

Photos of their tombstones can be found at
 http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~kylinco2/3Cemeteries/Brock_Richard_MtSalem.jpg


Receipt for headstones was found among the estate papers for Richard Brock

$40 Rec'd June 13th 1871 of D S Jones Administrator
 of R Brock Dec'd the sum of forty dollars in
 full for two sets of grave stones put up at
the graves of Richard & Hannah Brock.
Saml Larimer

The above Estate Settlement was found in Will Book 'Y', page 464 Lincoln County Kentucky.  Richard's Estate papers are numerous and contain several notes and receipts. The Inventory and Appraisement is lengthy, as is the Estate Sale. 
Richard left his estate to the heirs of Chesley Brock, the heirs of Davis Brock, and the heirs of Harvey Brock. For more information on these individuals see previous posts at www.brockancestry.com






Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Will of George Woodroof, Spotsylvania County Virginia 1769

Will of George Woodroof, Spotsylvania County Virginia, Will Book D, page 494
Transcribed by Valerie J. Thompson, 17 Mar 2012

In the name of God, Amen. I,  George Woodroof, of Spotsylvania County being of perfect mind and memory, Thanks to God for the same, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following. That is to say, I recommend my soul to God hoping to receive pardon and remission of all my sin thru the merits of Jesus Christ, and my body to the Earth to be interred in a Christian way at the discretion of my Exec’rs herein after named and for what worldly goods God in his Mercy hath been pleased to bestow upon me, I give and bequeath the same as follows, Viz:

…It is my will that all my just debts, and funeral expenses ….be paid.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my son, Richard, and his heirs forever the tract of land whereon I now live.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my said son, Richard, one feather bed & furniture, my horse, bridle, and saddle, and all my wearing clothes.

Item: I likewise give unto my said son, Richard, Two cows and calves, also, two Ewes, one dish and two plates and two Chairs.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson BenOny (son of my daughter, Sarah) Fifty pounds current money.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Sarah, one bed and furniture, her mothers trunk, also her Mother’s mare that she used to ride, and her saddle and bridle.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Jean, ten pounds current money

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, fifteen pounds current money

Item: It is my will that the balance of my estate shall be equally divided between my son, Richard, and daughter, Sarah.

Item: It is my will that my Exr’s shall put the fifty pounds given to my grandson, Benony to interest and they shall apply the interest of the said money towards his schooling and maintenance.

Item: It is my will that if my said grandson should die, he comes to age, or marries, That the fifty pounds given to him shall go to my daughter, Sarah.

Item: It is my will that there shall be no appraisement of my estate only an inventory returned to court.

Item: I appoint and constitute my son, Richard, and my friends, Joel Parish, and Thomas
Minor, Executors of this my Last will and Testament, and lastly, I do revoke and make void all former wills heretofore made by me, and do declare this to be my Last will and Testament.

In Witness whereof,  I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Fifth day of October 1769.

                                                                                              Geo. Woodroof {Seal}
Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged by
Geo. Woodroof, the testator to be his Last will and Testament
In presence of us

Page 495
George Carpenter
William Clift
Nathaniel Parrish
Sarah Parrish

Know all men by these presents that we Richard Woodroof, Joel Parish and Thomas Minor are held and firmly bound unto Fielding Lewis, Charles Dick, John Carter, & Charles Washington, Gentlemen Justices of the County Court of Spotsylvania now selling in the sum of five hundred pounds current money to the payment Whereof well and truly to be made to the said Justices and their successors, we bind ourselves and each of us our and Each of our heirs, Executors and Adm’rs, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents sealed with our seals this 19th day of September 1771. The Condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound Rich’d Woodroof, Joel Parish, & Ths. Minor, Executors of the Last will and Testament of George Woodroof Dec’d do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular, the goods and chattels and credits of the said Dec’d, which have or shall come to the hands, possession, or knowledge of them the sd Ex’rs as into the hands, or possession of any other person or persons for them and the same so made, do Exhibit, or cause to be Exhibited into the County Court of Spotsylvania at such time as he shall be there unto required by the said Court and the same good, chattels and credits of ….at the time of his death, which if at any time after shall come to the hands or possession of the said Ex’ers, or into the hands or possession of any other person, or persons for him do well and truly Administer according to law and further do make

Page 496
A Just and true account of their actings and doings therein, when thereto required by the said court and also do well and truly pay and deliver all the legacies contained & specified in the said Testament as far as the said goods, chattels and credits will make unto Extant according to the virtue, thereof, and as the law shall charge, then this obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
                                                                                         Rich’d Woodroof {Seal}
Sealed and Delivered                                                        Joel Parrish {Seal}
In Presence of }                                                                Thomas Minor {Seal}
                                                                                         J. Lewis {Seal}

Monday, February 13, 2012

DICKERSON PARRISH

Dickerson Parrish, a man whose last wishes speak volumes about the man. He was born in Virginia about 1785 and died in Clark County Kentucky in 1852.  He was the son of Timothy and Mary Parrish. 

Will of Dickerson Parrish, Clark County Kentucky Book 13, page 232-234
Transcribed by Valerie J. Thompson Jan 28, 2012

I, Dickerson Parrish of the County of Clark and State of Kentucky being of sound and disposing mind and memory hereby make ordain and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others, by me at anytime heretofore made.

Item 1st, I direct the payment of all my debts of which the amount will be found small.

Item 2nd, I bequeath to my brother William D. Parrish the two debts he owes me and evidenced by his two several notes, which notes, I direct to be delivered up to him.
 And, to my brother, Dabney W. Parrish, and his heirs the sum of two thousand dollars in money to be considered due the one half at the end of thirty days after the probate of my will and the other half at the end of twelve months, thereafter interest, however, that the said Dabney W. Parrish and his heirs shall pay over to the said William D. Parrish the interest on said money yearly for his support and maintenance and at the death of said William D Parrish the amount remaining unpaid of said sum of two thousand dollars to revert to my estate.

Item 3, I bequeath to my niece, Mary E. Carty, Fifteen hundred dollars To my niece, Sarah Ann P Stephens, Fifteen hundred dollars. To my niece Catherine R. Ellis, Two thousand dollars to be due and paid to them respectively the one half in thirty days after the probate of my will and the other half at the end of twelve months, thereafter, and to be held by them respectively for their separate use and benefit free from the control of such husbands, as they may at any time have, during their respective lives and upon the death of either of them her legacy to be distributed among such issue as she may have living at the time of her death and in default of such issue then among her sisters, and if any of her sisters should at that time be dead leaving issue then living such issue to stand in the place of the parent.

Item 4, I bequeath to my brother Dabney W. Parrish the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, the one half to be considered due in thirty days after the probate of my will and other half at the end of twelve months thereafter. In trust after reserving a proper commission or compensation for his service as trustee to pay over the interest and such portion of the principal as he may think proper to my niece, Martha L. Fishback for her separate use free from control of her husband during her life and upon her death the amount so paid to her of the principal and the balance of the principal and interest remaining unpaid to be distributed among the issue of said Martha L. Fishback to be paid over to such issue of said Martha L. Fishback to be paid over to such issue as they respectively arrive at the age of twenty-one years or may and in case of death of any of such issue before arriving at age of twenty-one years or marrying then the portion of such issue to go to the survivors, and in case of death of the said Martha L. Fishback without leaving issue at the time of her death then the legacy hereby be bequeathed to her to be distributed among her sisters and in case any of them should at that time be dead leaving issue at the time of the death of said Martha L. Fishback such issue to stand in place of parents.

Item 5, I bequeath to my nephew, Peter D. Dudley the debt he owes me and direct his note be give up to him.

Item 6, I hereby emancipate my old slave, James and bequeath to him my old broad axe and a good common chopping axe and also the sum of one hundred dollars to be paid in installments from the time of the probate of my will

Item 7, I bequeath to the American Bible Society located in Cincinnati, Ohio five hundred dollars, to the American Christian Missionary Society organized in Cincinnati, Ohio in the year 1849, Five hundred dollars and to the Female Orphan School located near Midway, Kentucky the sum of Five hundred dollars, in which last, however must be my note or subscription of Fifty Dollars to the Institution of which subscription I have already paid ten dollars. The legacies in this seventh Item mentioned are to be paid in five equal and annual installments commencing one year after the probate of my will.

Item 8, I desire and bequeath to my brother, Dabney W. Parrish, all the rest and residue of my estate, land, slaves, money, bonds, notes, crop, stock, and property of every kind and description whatsoever to him and his heirs forever. I hereby appoint my said brother, Dabney W. Parrish, my Executor and request and direct that no security be required of him for the execution of the trust, hereby confided to his care. This done and published this the 20th day of January one thousand and eight hundred and fifty.
                                                                                         Dickerson Parrish {Seal}

In presence of us as witnesses who sign the same in presence of the said Dickerson Parrish at this request and in presence of each other, August 19, 1852
John Spencer
John M Fishback

Clark County September Court 1852
This last will and testament of Dickerson Parrish deceased was produced in open court and proved according to law by the oaths of John Spencer and John M Fishback.
Witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded.
                                                              
                                                                                        Att. Cad Jones, Clerk

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Oscar H. Murrell


   Master Sargent Oscar H. Murrell, WW II Purple Heart recipient, was born December 10, 1914 in Lincoln County Kentucky to Granville L. Murrell and Sally Thompson. He enlisted September 5, 1941 in the United States Air Force at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indiana. He was killed and listed as missing at Bari Harbor, Italy 2 Dec 1943, eight days short of his 29th birthday. He was a member of the 343rd Bomber Squadron, 98th Bomber Group, a World War II Honor Roll member. He was awarded the Purple Heart. His name is engraved on the Tablet of the Missing at the Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy. There is also a memorial "erected in Memory of Oscar H. Murrell"   in Ladoga Cemetery, Ladoga Indiana where his parents are buried.

Note: Photo that was previously posted to this blog was misidentified. All information about Oscar H. Murrell is, however, correct.