This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the July 7, 2005 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.
 

            We’ve had a little rain so we can be thankful as our yards are almost burnt to a crisp. Weather forecasters are predicting drought weather for the future.

            Although we got a late start decorating for the 4^th of July, we’ve devoted some time to that today as the city personnel was putting up flags throughout our town. We here at the “home twenty” had an offer of some help from the Adventures in Missions Group from Wisconsin and Michigan with one of their leader Stacy Cummings. This group is camping out next door in the Community Center.  In fact, their leaders saw R. C. Arnett and myself taking down a faded and torn “Old Glory” in front of the Community Center and offered to buy us a new one.  We ordered a replacement and if it arrives by Thursday we plan to raise it late Thursday evening as that group is leaving early Friday.  I’ve invited the Muzzleloaders to give a 21-gun salute.  If the large flag does not arrive, we will use the one supplied by Raleigh Shepherd which is about 5 X 8 feet in size. We appreciate the assistance of both Raleigh and Ms. Cummings’ group for helping provide flags for our county.

            The DAV has planned to conduct a flag raising ceremony on Saturday at 12 o’clock prior to the parade, as well as another ceremony in the park on Monday, July 4^th.

            We are pleased to announce that the plans to secure a monument to mark the gravesite of “Aunt” Sally Gardner Reed have been set in motion by Mollie and Imogene Conley as they gave a donation toward that cause.  They personally knew Aunt Sally.  Their cousin, Mattie Conley and my grandmother, Abbie Conley Helton-Kazee lived next door to Sally who is buried in the Penix Cemetery on Mash Fork.  Connie has emailed Jim Jackson to see if he can make a trip back for a dedication as he has been to our area several times researching his family. Right now, we plan on putting Aunt Sally’s obituary on the memorial marker, part of which I posted in last week’s Comments.

            If anyone has any knowledge of any other descendants, please let us know.

            Ron Wright ([email protected]) wrote to ask if we have any info on a Wright Cemetery located near the mouth of Wolf Branch in Floyd County.  I visited this cemetery today (Saturday) after I received your query.  I knew its location as several years ago I visited Columbus Wright whose home was at the mouth of Wolf Branch, a hollow where I’ve spend several nights roaming to hunt raccoon.  My son-in-law Larry Dotson is a grandson of Columbus through his mother Irene Wright Dotson, wife of Lewis Dotson.

            Wolf Branch is a hollow off State Road Fork which pours into Middle Creek, near the Magoffin/Floyd County line on Rt. 114.

            I had never been to the Waitsel Wright Cemetery which I had been told was high on the hill, according to info from Columbus, as well as Larry Dotson.  My daughter Jessica and I took off in 90 degree temperatures and soon found out they hadn’t exaggerated “high on the hill” but we finally found the cemetery. It is in an abandoned condition.

            I made out Watsell Wright b. 1861 d. 1929, Nannie b. 1854  d. 1945, Julia Wright b. 1868, then some children’s graves: Dennie Wright b. 1925 d.1927, Fronie Wright b. 1902 d. 1926, Clifford Wright b. 1921 d. 192?, it appears there are 10 or more unmarked graves with field stones, no lettering.

            The coordinates are N-37° - 41.820, W-082°-55.217, elevation 1127 feet, so it is not an easy climb to this cemetery and if it is attempted, I would advise to wait until cooler weather!

            We want to thank Mr. Delmas Saunders for a donation of his booklet: History of Abbott Creek and the Village of Bonanza.  He was here with Ed Dotson.  I had recently been visiting that area with Bobby Davis. I tagged along with him looking for Rev. War soldier Cudberth Stone so this book was so very interesting to me.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if someone would write the history of every community such as Delmas has of his own area?  How helpful it would be!

            We are also appreciative of the help from Larry Isaac and his wife, and from Chyrl Jean Morgan, whose monetary donations will help toward expenses of our library and printing costs.

            Freda Davis ([email protected]) wrote to request help in finding the grave of John Marshall Adams b. 16 Dec 1844 Grayson Co. VA and d. 9 May 1932, her 3^rd gr/grandfather.  John M. Adams was a Private in Co. I, 14^th KY Inf. and he was buried in the William Adams Cemetery on Lick Creek, according to the funeral home records.  Ms. Davis hasn’t been able to find his grave or stone and would like to set a marker there if anyone can help her find the gravesite.  She descends from Mary Belle Adams who m. in 1890 to Samuel Estep.

            Mary Belle was a dau of Margaret Jane Clay, first wife of John M.  Mary Belle had two sisters, Sarah Alice Adams b. 1870 (m. Wilburn Risner) and Laura who married William Jackson Pennington.

            Marshall married 2^nd about 1880 to Isabell Hay and they had 13 children. Of those, we find Joel Adams b. 1883, John H. b. 1885, Nora b. 1887, Ella b. 1891, Florence b. 1895, Robert L. b. 1896, Virga b. 1898, Floyd b. 1899 and Rosco b. 1901 in the 1910 census. Marshall m. 3^rd to Dicey Stidham b. ca. 1857, dau of Preston Stidham.  I have never been able to identify Marshall Adams’ gravesite either and ask if anyone out there knows, write or call.

            I didn’t find this family in 1920 but they are in the 1930 Magoffin census: Marshall Adams age 86 and Dicey (Stidham) age 76.  Marshall died in 1932 and Dicey Stidham Williams d. 19 Jul 1941 and is buried in the Williams Cemetery on Rt. 7-460 between the Fannin Bend and Cripple Creek. 

            Constance Prater Deutsch, Leesville, LA 71446 ([email protected]) is researching her family history and would like copies of any land deeds, wills, court orders, deaths or divorces for Micl Watkins, William Watkins and Peggy Prater.

            The 1870 census of Magoffin lists Micl. Wadkins age 50, Pagy age 28, Wesley age 7, Martha age 6, Bud age 5, Lewis age 4, Nelson age 8 (b. 1872), Morgan age 6, Tisie age 3, Isaac age 1, and Peggy Prather age 40, housekeeper.  Constance is a descendant of Nelson Prater and would like to know Nelson’s father’s name.

            I think Peggy is the mother of all the children who are listed in the 1900 Knott County census with the last name of Prater, not Watkins. Can anyone help Constance?

            Judy and Lance Carter wrote to remind everyone that there is a reunion for the Patrick Porter & related descendants on July 9th in Dungannon, VA at the old Train Depot. Registration starts at 10 AM, followed at 11 by Gospel Music. At 12 there will be a covered dish luncheon, at 1 PM a historical speaker. If anyone needs more info they can contact Bill Porter at [email protected] or 276-395-6288. He is the publicity chairman for the reunion.