This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the January 10, 2008 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.
 

          Karen Faye Ortegel (ortegelk @yahoo.com) writes that she is the dau of Bernard John Wilcox and Polly Faye Dyer born at Seitz in Magoffin Co. KY.  Polly Faye was the dau of Oscar Dyer (b. 1879) and gr/dau of Lark Dyer b. 1870.  Lark was a son of James Dyer b. 1841 and a gr/son of Nelson Dyer b. 1796 VA.  It appears that Nelson may be a son of Francis Dyer; a Frenchman who came over with Lafayette and fought through the Revolutionary War but Karen would like to find more info to prove or disprove this.
          Nelson Dyer married Clarissa Gullett.  James Dyer married Rebecca Arnett. Rebecca was born in 1847 to David Arnett (b. 1812) and Lydia Gullett.  David was a son of Reuben Arnett (b. ca. 1784) and Susan Kilgore.  Reuben was a son of David Arnett and wife Leticia of Harlan Co. KY.
          Lark Dyer married in 1895 to Mary “Mollie” Arnett (b. 1877) dau of Larkin Arnett.  Larkin was born in 1853 to David Arnett and Lydia Gullett.
          Larkin Arnett married Fannie Patrick (b. 1855) dau of “Squire” John Patrick. Squire John was a son of Reuben Patrick and a grandson of William Patrick, Jr.  William Jr. was a son of William Patrick Sr. and a grandson of Jeremiah Patrick (Revolutionary War soldier) and Sarah Blair.  William Patrick, Sr. married Mollie Reins, a dau of Meredith Reins.  William Patrick, Jr. married Nancy Prater, dau of Archibald Prater (Revolutionary War soldier) and Sarah Blair.
          Oscar Dyer married Laura Patton. Laura was born in 1909, a dau of James L. Patton (b. 1872). James L. was a son of Malinda Patton. Malinda was born in 1846 to Frazier Patton (b. 1812). Frazier was a son of Christopher Patton (b. 1780) and Susannah Akers.  Frazier Patton married in 1833 to Ester Conley. She was born in 1816 to David Conley. David was born in 1787, a son of Capt. Henry Connelly who was born in 1752 Chester Co. PA and was a Revolutionary War soldier.  He married in 1774 to Ann McGregor, dau of Archibald McGregor and Edith McAlpine.  David Conley married 1813 to Margaret Phillips, a dau of Elijah Phillips.
          I see that there are several Revolutionary War soldiers in Karen’s line: Capt. Henry Connelly, Archibald Prater, Jeremiah Patrick, William Patrick, Sr., and Francis Dyer, Sr.
          Frazier Patton was a son of Samuel Patton. Samuel was a son of James Patton who married Florence Graham. Florence was a son of David Graham b. 1740 d. 1767 and served as a Ranger under Capt. William Preston during the Indian Wars in 1750.
          We have learned of the death of Dr. George Bellamy b. 1931.  He was a son of Ora Bellamy who was born in 1906, a son of George Bellamy. George was born in 1875 in VA and married in 28 Feb 1900 to Alma L. Blair. Alma was born in 1882, dau of William G. Blair b. 1858. William G. was a son of David Blair b. 1830.  David was a son of William Blair (b. 1806) and Lydia Caskey.
          David married Clarinda Nickel who was born in 1833 to parents John Nickel (b. 1807) and Malinda Fugate.
          William G. Blair married in 1879 to Martha Easterling b. 1861, a dau of James Easterling. James was born in 1834 and married Cynthia Fannin. She was born in 1837 to James Fannin (b. 1811) and Elizabeth Nickel (b. 1814).  James was a son of William Easterling b. 1797 VA and Susannah b. 1797 (surname unknown).
          William G. Blair’s daughter Alma L. Blair was born in 1882 and married in 1900 to George M. Bellamy. George was born in 1875 VA.  Their son was Ora Bellamy b. 1906 who married in 1927 to Maryetta “Etta” Taulbee b. 1910. Etta was a dau of Russell B. Taulbee b. 1887 and married in 1905 to Mary Anderson b. 1891. Ora and Etta’s son George R. Bellamy who was born in 1931 was laid to rest Sunday, December 29th, 2007 in the Flatwoods Cemetery, Woodsbend, Morgan Co. KY.
          Mary Frances Stephens, 15631 Beach Blvd. #137, Westminster, GA 12882 inquired about her Hall ancestors.  William Townsell Hall was a son of Isham Hall (b. 1869 d. 1957).  Isham married in 1883 to Mary Ellen Adams (b. 1867 d. 1958), dau of James Preston Hall. James P. was born in 1846 and died in 1925. He was buried in the Marion Conley Cemetery on Jellico.  He married first to Louisa J. (surname unknown) who was born in 1847 and died in 1919.  Marion m. 2nd to Elizabeth Jane Franklin, dau of Shadrack Franklin and Jala Addington.  Further information would be appreciated.
          Karla Buckmaster ([email protected]) wrote in response to our question about Susie Montgomery Collinsworth. She reports that Susie was buried at the Mouth of Puncheon Cemetery on Middle Fork according to info on her death certificate.  Susie Montgomery was born 7 May 1832 and died 11 Apr 1900 at age 79 years, 11 months and 4 days. She was the dau of John Montgomery, Jr. and Sarah Flannery.

We enjoy hearing from you so please write if you have family history queries or can provide additional family information for our files. Write to the Magoffin County Historical Society, Box 222, Salyersville, KY 41465 (email: [email protected]). The telephone number at this location is 606-349-1607.