OLD FREDONIA CEMETERY CLEANUP SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010 We need your help to put our best foot forward Dr. Scott Giltner and the Gov. Isaac Shelby Chapter Sons of the American Revolution are planning a "Grave Marking and Dedication Ceremony" in two local cemeteries sometime this spring or early fall for three and maybe four Revolutionary War Veterans. The dedications will begin with Robert Leeper at the Old Fredonia Cemetery. Robert passed away on Jan. 25, 1823. His wife, Jane N. Leeper died on May 3, 1850. The N. stands for Neel, her maiden name. In the course of the Revolution, Jane's father Col. Thomas Neel and all of her brothers would perish. After the Leeper dedication we plan to move down the hill about 150 yards to the Livingston Presbyterian Church Cemetery also known as Centerville Cemetery. Marker dedications will be for Lieutenant Colonel James Hawthorn and John Elder. Hawthorn is recognized, as a national hero, for his command at the battle of King's Mountain in South Carolina. John Elder passed away Oct. 21, 1799, his tombstone has been documented as the oldest tombstone in Caldwell and Crittenden Counties. We are still trying to verify information on William Hamilton, age 50, died Oct. 27, 1800. We are expecting people from South Carolina, Indiana and Illinois for the dedications and we should do our best after all look what these veterans have given us. The Livingston Presbyterian Church Cemetery will be ready but we need your help on the Old Fredonia Cemetery. The Caldwell County Cemetery Board has scheduled a cleanup on Sat. Jan. 9, 2010. With little care and the last cemetery cleanup being 5 years ago, add the ice storm of Jan. 2009, it is in bad shape. The Cemetery Board will bring chainsaws and tools. What we need are lots of volunteers to help carry broken limbs and straighten stones. If for health or age reasons you feel unable to help, please come and visit anyway. You will be surprised just how much we can accomplish. Family names known to be buried here; Armstrong, Brasher, Bugg, Byrd, Cox, Driver, Davidson, Deboe, Elder, Emily, Freeman, Hamilton, Harmon, Leeper, Lowery, Loyd, Pemberton, Smith, Travis, Vogel and probably more than 100 lost and unmarked graves. Where? You can get to the cemetery three ways. 1. Hugh Yates Drive, just off Hwy 641-91. Come to the end of the road, park out of the way and walk straight up the fence row about three hundred feet. 2. Mary Boone farm 21804 Marion Rd. just north of Fredonia on Hwy 641-91. Look for a pond with old team equipment displayed. Someone will take you to the cemetery, even if you are running late someone will be at the barn to carry you up. 3. Marion Ivy Phelps farm. Turn right at Feagan's on 902 East for about 1/2 mile. After the S curve and at the top of the hill, his driveway will be on the left. Take that driveway and go behind the house to a barn. Make sure and close all gates because there may be horses in the fields. What time? We will start at eight AM and the Cemetery Board usually stops around twelve. It's according to weather, what we get accomplished and how much help we have. During a break, refreshments will be provided and we plan to tell more about the people and the cemetery's history. Please help us to locate and identify veteran's graves. -- Ken & Peggy Gilkey Ky Vital Records Project Volunteers \\\|/// \\ ~ ~ // ( @ @ ) ---oOOo-(_)-oOOo---McGillekehr http://www.kyvitals.com --Ky Vital Recs. Project http://www.westernkyhistory.org/crittenden --KYGENWEB http://www.westernkyhistory.org/livingston --KYGENWEB http://www.westernkyhistory.org/caldwellcemetery/ -Caldwell Cems. http://www.westernkyhistory.org/lyoncemetery/ -Lyon Cemeteries http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~inovcsar/ -SAR