This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the October 13, 2011 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.

          I was privileged to attend some of the activities at the Gardner Farm camp out the first weekend of this month.  The event got off to a cold, dreary start on Saturday with only a few tents and campers set up.  Thanks to Marlene Howard, all those in attendance got a delicious hot chili supper.  On Saturday morning we were treated to a bountiful breakfast, thanks to Burnis and Barbara Patrick, Jim Mortimer and others.  Every succeeding meal time was served with delicious food in abundance so we sure didn’t go hungry! 

          A solemn inspiring message was delivered by Chaplin William McKiven and that, along with the luminary display along the site of the many unknown burials outside the Gardner Cemetery made this a memorable and enjoyable weekend at the beautiful Gardner Farm.  We thank Ben and Ruth Gardner for their fine hospitality.

          We have had a nice book added to our genealogy collection.  This came from the library of Linda Lou Wallen Howard who donated an 1,800 page book by Carolyn D. Wallin on the Wallen (all spellings) family to use in our research.  We appreciate Linda’s generosity.

          Randall Risner, Jack Sizemore and Ole Todd took another hunt for the Sam Keeton burial site. I had copied this cemetery in 1979 and named it the Sam Keeton Cemetery. I gave the location as the Negro Branch of Pricey Creek.  At this time I listed burials as Sam Keeton b. 1856, Bill Keeton, George Keeton and Charlie Wilson b. 1865 as being interred there.

          Now, on this trip we went to another Keeton Cemetery that I had also copied in 1979.  We found it in deplorable condition as it has not been maintained. In 1979 I had listed 30 or more graves that were unidentifiable and also listed a Sam Keeton b. 1868.  On this trip we only found one marker with a plain enough inscription to read, this being James Lykins b. 11 Jan 1831 d. 14 Jun 1869. We also found markers for Jane Lykins b. 1817 d. 1899, John Lykins, L. H. Lykins b. & d. 1871, Lourane Keeton b. 1865, George Cook b. 1892 d. 1917, Wis Cook b. & d. 1913, Baby Brown b. & d. 1887.

          I’ve carried a picture of the gravesite of Sam Keeton in my memory since 1979 and I’m still not convinced that it could be in the Keeton Cemetery we visited but one thing is certain, this old cemetery surely needs a good clean-up.  But, this isn’t the only one; there is a big “bunch” out there that should be kept in a respectable condition.

          Back during our 33^rd Magoffin County Founders Days activities we had planned on a dedication for the new grave markers of the progenitors of the honored family, John and Usley (Salyer) Joseph.  We had to cancel that activity back on September 5 because of heavy rain. At our last regular meeting the date of October 9 was set to conclude this ceremony. 

          Well, October 9^th arrived with beautiful weather and we traveled out on Route 7 toward the Swampton community to meet with Joseph descendants and friends at the Carpenter Hill Cemetery.  Most everyone was already there by the time A. B. and I got there with the flag and wreaths to use for the occasion.  A. B. was dressed in his Muzzleloaders regalia which was very suitable for the occasion.

In the center of this large cemetery stands a large oak tree and underneath the shade of this magnificent tree is John Joseph who died in 1864, apparently the earliest burial in that cemetery.  The graves of many relatives, descendants and neighbors are spread out all around him.

          I spoke a few words of welcome to the group and Jim Joseph followed me with his comments and Invocation prayer.  A. B. Conley led us in the Pledge to the Flag then Priscilla Mullins Joseph gave a history of the Joseph family beginning with William “Clemmy” Joseph b. 1756 VA and died in 1853 Perry Co. KY and his wife Cassandra Stafford who were the parents of John Joseph as well as several other children.  John is the only child believed to have settled in the area that became Magoffin County in 1860. Priscilla has devoted much time and effort to researching the Joseph family and we all appreciate the efforts she and her family have made to collect and record this history.  Much credit is due her last husband Billy Rand Joseph.

          G. V. Joseph, Jr. and his brother Phillip Joseph were on hand and both told of their heritage.  G. V. placed wreaths at the gravesites and Phillip read the inscriptions on the markers to the group, inviting everyone to take time to read and reflect on the information for themselves, also. 

          Jimmie Allen told the group of his Joseph ancestry and related stories and relationships that helped everyone understand how the Joseph family intertwines with other area families.  He was urged to make a written record of his information so that others might use it in their family research. 

          We proceeded to the new markers for John and Usley’s daughter Nancy and her husband Elijah Conley.  Another child of John and Usley’s is also buried on this cemetery, Mary Joseph and her husband David Arnett, Jr.  It can be assumed that the two infants in the family are also buried nearby.  We are currently researching locations of the gravesites of the rest of the children of John and Usley.

          After visiting all areas of the cemetery and speaking of memories of departed relatives and friends, the group left with some good memories of a day of remembrance and respect for our ancestors.  I understand that Jim and Dianne Joseph took Connie and Dorothy to visit the gravesite of his ancestor, Johnson Joseph b. 1860 d. 1890, a grandson of John and Usley. Johnson’s wife was Delila Allen, dau of Simon Allen and Minerva Mann.  Also buried in that cemetery is Charles Joseph who also died in 1890.  He was married to Jaley Carpenter first and secondly to Rose Salyer, dau of Calvin Salyer.  Jim would like to know the cause of death of these two brothers which happened in July and December of the same year, 1890.

          We will report more on this part of the day at a later time. 

          The year of the Joseph family will be long remembered by the Magoffin County Historical Society as a time of learning about a fine family, both past and present.