My DAR Line to Patriot John Adair Sr

As "Entry-taker" for the county of Sullivan in North Carolina, John Adair Sr, collected fees for land claims. In 1782, when the British were a serious threat, money was needed for ammunition and equipment for the local militia and John Adair Sr was approached for aid. His response is reported to have been, "I have no authority by law to make that disposition of this money. It belongs to the impoverished treasury of North Carolina, and I dare not appropriate a cent of it to any purpose. But, if the country is overrun by the British, liberty is gone. Let the money go too. Take it. If the enemy, by its use, is driven from the country, I trust that country to justify and vindicate my conduct. Take it." ¹

Because of this act, the DAR recognizes John Adair Sr as a Patriot in the American Revolution. Several women through the years have proved their descendancy from him. But in early 2017, his line was marked as having problems on the DAR website, so proof of the connections of each generation through the line was required. Acceptable documents to do that are birth, marriage and death certificates, as well as pension applications, obituaries, cemetery records, Bible records, land records, published genealogies, etc.

My maternal Grandpa Stan Bell is the fourth Great Grandson of John Adair Sr. I collected all the necessary papers to prove my line of descent to John Adair Sr through his son John Adair Jr (who is also a Patriot) and submitted it to DAR. I was excited to see it was recently approved. Why file supplemental applications when I'm already a member of the DAR? For one reason, as a way of honoring my Grandparents and their heritage. For another, I enjoy the research involved to prove the lineage, and each line that is proved helps potential members join DAR. Any female direct (blood) descendant of a Patriot is eligible for membership in the DAR. It's less of a challenge to provide the required proof when a potential member can connect with a previously verified member somewhere along the line.

My lineage to John Adair Sr is outlined below. His line is not marked as having problems now. Documentation proving lineage to one of the descendants printed in bold below is all that would be required. For more information, go to dar.org. 

Cicero Bell (1869-1944) married first to Mittie Ramsey (1783-1900). They had two children who survived to adulthood - 

     Frank  (1892-1954) married Chloe Davis
     George Oren  (1894-1988) married Viola Noon 
Cicero married second to Allie Lucinda Spann (1871-1958) and they had four sons - 
     Benjamin Arthur  (1901-1983) married Marie Dieckman 
     Edward Francis  (1903-1985) married Thelma Rogers 
     James Stanley  (1907-1970) married Violet McGrath - my Grandparents
     Virgil Hartwell  (1909-2005) married Helen Curtin 

Martha Evelyn Bell (1842-1928) had three children - 
     Cicero  
     John W (1874-1938)  married Elizabeth Gee Irwin 
     Laura  (1879-1973) married Carson Alcorn 

John Silas Bell (1814-1878) married to Rutha Simpson (1822-1907), they had seven children -    
     Martha Evelyn
     Ira Garner (1844-1935) married Martha E Simpson
     Mary Elizabeth (1846-1922) married John W Stringer 
     Elisha (1848-1933) married Rebecca A McFarland 
     Saphronia  (1850-by 1887) 
     Emily  (1854-after 1887) 
     Ursula Jane (1856-1890) married Henry Reynolds (at least one of her descendants has also proven this line in the DAR)
     

Mary "Polly" Adair (abt 1795-1873) married first to David Bell (1794-1818), they had four children -  
     Barbara (1813-1887) married Green Lee Alley 
     John Silas 
     Elizabeth (1816-1883) 

     William (1818-?) married Nancy McGowen
Mary married second to Garner Parmley (1801-1874), their children were -
     Robert 
     Aladin 
     Miles R
     Stewart 
     David 
     Sophronia 
     Martha
     Mary 

John Adair Jr (1754-1843) his wife's name is presumed to be Mary, her last name is unknown. They had at least these three children - 
     Barbara Adair (1793-?) married Robert Parmley 
     John Adair III (1794-1878 ) married Sarah Cooper 
     Mary "Polly" 

John Adair Sr (1732-1827) married Eleanor Crawford (1734-1827)  in Ireland. The known children of John and Eleanor are 
     John Adair Jr 
     Mary (about 1750-?) married Robert Christian 

---

SOURCES:
1 "The Annals of Tennessee to the End of the Eighteenth Century:...", by James Gettys McGready Ramsey, 1853 ^↩

 

Wayne County, KY John Adair's Estate

The name John Adair is a common one. One John Adair was Governor of Kentucky 1820-1824. My ancestors were John Adair Sr who died in Knox County, Tennessee in 1827 and his son John Adair Jr who died in Wayne County, Kentucky in 1843.

In March of 2015 I wrote a post for the Slave Name Roll Project in which I included a part of John Adair Jr's Will. I have since found the entire Will online at both Family Search and Ancestry.  He names his "friend" Isaac Burnett as his Executor. I'm looking for the connection between John Adair's family and Isaac Burnett, his name appears in several documents relating to my ancestors. Witnesses were Mark Foster and John Hurt. The appraisers of the estate were Giles M Loyd, Isaac Cooper and Washington Young Sr., no known connection there but all bear looking into. The maiden name of John Adair's wife Mary is unknown and these names might be a clue.

"I, John Adair of the County of Wayne and State of Kentucky do hereby make my last Will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, I desire that all my debts and funeral expenses be paid, after the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses I give
my daughter Polly Parmley my negro girl named Milley and her three children Julie Ann, William and Franklin & the clothing, beds & bedclothing that belongs to my house and a flax wheel.I also give my son John Adair my negro woman Hannah and half the price of my land.And the balance of my money ? and chattles I give and bequeath to Robert Parmley's children, to be equally divided among them.And lastly I do hereby constitute & appoint my friend Isaac Burnett executor of this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all other or former Wills or testaments by me here before made.In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal this 6th day of October in the year One thousand eight hundred & forty two.Signed, Sealed & published & declared to be the last Will & Testament of the above named John Adair in presence of us   

Mark Foster John ^his mark^ Adair *Seal 

 John Hurt"

Also searching deep through the caverns of the Family Search catalog, I found the Inventory Appraisal of his Estate and the Sale Bill of the property sold.  In the Sale Bill, some of the names that are related to John are: Garner Parmley (his son-in-law), Polly Parmley (his daughter) and John Bell (his grandson). I used a "D" in place of what looks like "Dr" in the original handwritten list, I'm not sure but I believe it's meant to indicate that the person named bought the item listed. I've transcribed all 9 pages below as well as I could read it, here's page one just as an example.

Family Search, Appraisals, Inventories 1839-1853 Vol B

Starting mid-page 342:
"Inventory and appraisment
of the estate of
John Adair dec'd

Was at the January term of the Wayne County Court, 1844, filed for and ordered to be recorded and is in words and figures following viz -

Wayne County ?
 A true and just inventory and appraisment of all the personal estate of John Adair deceased which was produced to us by Isaac Burnett his Executor
1 Negro woman named Milley about 25 years old .....  400.00
1 Negro girl named Julia Ann 7 years old .....  250.00
1 Negro boy 5 years old named William .....  250.00
1 Negro boy 3 years old named Franklin..... 175.00
1 Negro woman named Hannah about 45 years old .....  200.00
1 Negro man named Andy about 60 years old .....  125.00
1 Bay mare   ..... 25.00
1 Bay horse  .....   10.00
Amount brot down   ...... $1435.00

342*  Amount brot forward .....   $1435.00
1 Bay horse mare  .....  21.00
1 Bay mare waggon  .... 30.00
1 yoke of oxen  .....  14.00
2 young steers  .....  8.00
6 cows & 2 calves & 2 heifers  .....  40.00
3 head of hogs shoats  .....  18.00
3 sheep and 1 bell  .....   2.00
1 Log chane  .....   4.00
3 Pair of harness & singletree and some old chains  .....  1.25
2 Bells  .........  .41 1/2
1 Cutting knife & 1 inch chisel  .....  1.00
1 foot ads & howell  .....  1.25
2 shovel plows  .....  1.25
1 Brand axe  .....  1.50
1 Rat trap  .....  .12 1/2
1 Brand chisel & 1 drawing knife and one old hand saw  .....  1.25
1 singletree & chains & rod and tang plow  .....  1.00
2 old axes & 1 three grater auger  .....  1.25
1 hose 1 grubing hoe  .....  .75
1 Raw hide  .....  1.00
1 Pair of hand irons & 1 wedge  .....  1.25
1 Tub 1 pail 2 piggins ......  1.12 1/2
2 skilets  .....  .50
1 Pot rack 1 shovel  .....  1.37 1/2
1 Pot  .....   1.50
1 Tub 3 old pails 1 old churn  .....  .50
2 ovens 2 lids 1 kitel .....  2.00
1 mare saddle ...... 5.00
1 womans saddle  .........  8.00
1 Gun  .............. 4.00
1 Kittle  .....  2.00
1 Clock  ..... 8.00
2 Chest 1 table  .....  5.50
4 Chairs 1 soap stand ...... 1.00
2 jugs 2 jars 2 crocks ..... 2.00
1 Lot of cupboard furniture  .....  3.00
1 Bar of Iron  .....  .75
2 tin trunks 1 pocket book  ..... 1.50
3 Beds and furniture  .....  25.00
2 Pair of sheep shears  ...... 1.00
1 Pair of Hyllands & Hung Plow one rod and 1 half inch auger  ..... 2.00
Amount brot down
*Should be 343

344  Amount brot over
Cash on hand  .....32.61

Notes and accounts towit,
One note on Isaac Burnett calling for one thousand dollars due the 1 day of March 1844...1000.00
One note Robert Parmley calling for one hundred and thirty five dollars due 23 of Sept 1844 ... 135.00
One on Garner Parmley calling for eighty five dollars due the 19 of February 1838  ...... 85.00
One on John S. Bell for forty five dollars due 1838  .....  45.00
One Note on Garner Parmley for fifty five dollars due 24 of December 1837, with credit on it for twenty seven dollars paid 15th October
One Note on Garner Parmley for one hundred dollars due the 16th day of March 1833  ..... 100.00
One Note on Hiram Gregory for thirty two dollars 19 cents due 16 of Juen 1839  ....  32.19
One Note on James Sandusky calling for twenty three dollars due 9th of March 1840  .....  **
One smoothing iron ........  .62
One lot of Corn judged to be 24 barrels ......  16.00
1 flax wheel 1 chec reel 1 sifter 1 bread tray  .....  3.00

I do certify that the foregoing inventory contains all the personal estate of John Adair dec'd which hath come to my hands at this time on Beaver Creek.
Isaac Burnett

We do certify that the foregoing appraisment was truly and justly made of the personal property of John Adair deceased which was produced to us by his Executor to the best of our judgement all of which we respectfully report to the Wayne County Court.
Given under our hands this the 8th day of December 1843.
Giles W. Loyd
Isaac Cooper
Washington Young Sr
**Amount not listed in the column

345  Wayne County Ky
A true and just inventory and appraisment of all personal estate John Adair deceased which was produced to us by Isaac Burnett his Executor
One Clock five dollars  .....  5.00
2 Stills and ivories 18 tubs 1 dollars  ..... 16.00
1 brill syths 2 bells one ax 75 cts  .....  .75
2 Sythes Cradles one dollar  .....  1.00
6 Tubs at one dollar 37 1/2 cts  .....  1.37 1/2
1 Lot of plonder at  .....   .75
2 Plows and ot of plonder  .....  2.00
1 Steel trap one dollar  .....  1.00
1 Loom one dollar & fifty Cents  .....  1.50
2 Wheels 1 tub 1 bellow  .....  1.50
1 Cupboard six dollars  .....  6.00
3 Books at fifty cents  ....  .50
1 Sheep at fifty cents  .....  .50
12 Hogs at twelve $ fifty cents  .....  12.50
...................... $50.37 1/2

I do certify that the foregoing inventory contains all the personal estate of John Adair deceased which hath come to my hands at this time on the Little South fork.
Isaac Burnett

We do certify that the foregoing appraisment was truly and justly made of the personal property of John Adair deceased which was produced to us by his executor to the best of our judgement all of which we respectfully report to the Wayne County Court.
Given under our hands this the 16 day of December 1849.
Isaac Cooper
Washington Young Sr
Washington Young Jr


346 Sale Bill of the estate of
John Adair dec'd
Was at the January term of the Wayne County Court 1844 filed and ordered to be recorded and is as follows

1st Garner Parmley D for a lot of hogs ..... 18.50
John W Higginbottham D. for a waggon ...... 25.00
C S Higgenbottham one lock chain  .....  4.00
Isaac Cooper D for Sheep .....  1.00
Garner Parmley D for a yoke of oxen .....  10.00
John Parmley D for two steers  .....  8.50
William Heriford D for one cow  .....   4.75
Isaac Cooper D for two cows .....  7.25
T J Cooper D for 2 cows 1 calf  .....  6.18 3/4
Washington Young D for 1 cow 2 heifers  .....  5.68 3/4
T J Cooper D for one bay mare  ......  15.00
C S Higgenbottham D for one bay mare  ......  10.25
Garner Parmley D for one horse  .......  2.00
Garner Parmley D for oxen   .....  1.25
Jacob M Cooper D  - - - -  .....  1.50
Isaac Cooper D for one hand saw  ...... .12 1/2
Washington Young D for a lot of tools  .....  2.31 1/4
Garner Parmley D for a lot of tools  ......  1.77
Garner Parmley D for a pair of Shylands  ......  .50
Wm A Wright D for one pot and skillet   .....  1.38
Wm A. Wright D for one lot of plunder  ...... 1.00
John Morrow D for one lot of plunder   .....  1.40
John Bell D for a braid axe and auger  ...... 1.70
Washington Young D for a lot of plunder  ......  1.10
William Carter D for 1 kittle and iron  .....  2.12 1/2
William Bell D for a mans saddle  ......  2.62 1/2
Thomas Baker D for one saddle  .......  4.00
John Parmley D one gun  ....... 3.31 1/4
William A Wright D for a lot of plunder  ...... .81
Garner Parmley D for a lot of cover  ......  10.00
Washington Young D for 1 pocket Book  .....  .18 3/4
John Morrow D for 1 lot of plunder  .....  1.70
2nd James Parmley D for one block  ..... 3.50
John Parmley D for one still worn & eight tubs .....  5.25
Robert Parmley D for one still & nine tubs  .....  2.00
Washington Parmley D for one lot of tools .....  1.06 1/4
Edward Young D for one sythe cradle .....  .50
Washington Parmley D for one sythe cradle  .....  .37 1/2
Jonathan Burnett D for 6 tubs  .....  1.00
Jacob Sandusky D for one lot of tubs  ..... 1.18 3/4


347 Amount brot forward

James Parmley D for one plow  ......  1.00
Washington Young Jr D for one plow  ..... 1.00
Washington Young Jr D for one steel trap  ...... 1.06 1/4
Isaac Burnett for one cupboard  ...... 6.00
James Parmley D for 2 wheels & one bellows  .....  2.50
Jonathan Burnett d --one cupboard--  ..... ***
James Parmley D
Jonathan Burnett D for one ? four dollars ..... 4.00
William Crabtree d for one sheep  .....  .56 1/4
Jeremiah Burnett d for three books  ......  .37 1/2
Isaac Burnett D for 12 head of hogs  ......  12.50
3rd
A list of the remainder of property sold on Beaver Creek, at the last sale
[Transcription by Laura Mattingly, Old Trunk in the Attic]
William Sear D for one clock  .....  4.00
Garner Parmley D for 2 trunks  .....  .87 1/2
Garner Parmley for chest  .....  .62 1/2
Garner Parmley D for 5 chairs  ......  .86 1/4
Polly Parmley D 1 reel 1 wheel  .......  .18 3/4
William Sarr D 1 set of plates & forks 3  .....  1.06 1/4
William Sarr D 1 dish 3 glasses  ...... .62 1/2
William Sarr D for 1 lot of ware  ...... .50
William Sarr D for 1 pitcher  ...... .50
Garner Parmley D for 1 table  ...... .50
Galeon Socker D for 1 chest  .....  2.63 1/2
William Herriford D 1 pocket compass  ..... .10

Settlement with the --Executor--^ Administrator of the estate of
John Adair Dec'd
Was at the          term of the Wayne County Court 184__  Ordered to be recorded and is in these words and figures towit.
Upon the application of Isaac Burnett and Robert Parmley administrators of the estate of John Adair dec'd (who were both present) the undersigned two of the commissioners appointed by the Wayne County Court to state and settle the accounts of executors, administrators and guardians, within the County of Wayne, did on Thursday the 8th day of
*** Looks like 6.00 was erased


348   January 1846 meet at the Clerk's office in Monticello, for the purpose of stating, and settling the accounts of said administrators, and it appearing from the Sheriff's return upon the summons filed herein against the heirs, distributors and Guardians that the same had not been served. It is therefore agreed between said Commissioners, and said Administrators that an alias summons issue against said hears and Guardians returnable to the 24th day of January 1846 and that all further action herein on the part of said commissioners be suspended until the said 24th day of January 1846 and then to agreeable at the above renamed place for the purpose of making said settlement.
W Simpson Court

And whereas afterwars towit, on the 24th day of January 1846 said commissioners and said Administrators assembled for the purpose above named (the alias summons issued herein having been regularly served according to law and proceeded to the discharge of their duties and report as follows viz.
1st said Commissioners upon an examination of this sale bill of the personal property returned and recorded, of the estate of the said John Adair dec'd bearing date the     day of      18     a certified copy of which is herewith filed as an exhibit in this settlement that said administrators are chargeable to this sum of 212.77 1/4

Said Commissioners upon an examination of the Inventory and appraisment list returned and recorded in the County, a certified copy of which is herewith filed as an exhibit in this settlement, that said Administrators are chargeable to the further sum for cash on hand 32.61
To One Note on Isaac Burnett due the first day of March 1844 for   ..............  1000.00
" One do on same due 16th day of Dec 1843
   per additional Inventory of Notes (B)  ..............................................................  19.06 1/4
" One do Robert Parmley due 23rd Sept 1844  ..................................................  135.00
" One do on do Due 3rd Dec 1843
   per additional Inventory of Notes C   ................................................................. 40.00
      Amount brot down  ...................................................................................  $1439.44 1/2


349  Amount brot forward  $1439.44 1/2
One Note on Robert Parmley Inventory of Notes D  .....  2.00
   due 15 Dec 1843
T  One do on Garner Parmley due 19th Feby 1835  ..... 85.00
     Interest on same list 13th July 1844
T  On do on same due 24th Dec 1831 for $55
     with a credit of $27 pd 15th Oct bal & interest  .....  49.14
T One note on Garner Parmley due the 16th March
     1833 on which was brought in the Wayne 
      Circuit Court by Said Admrs and on
      which Judgment was rendered at the
     April Term 1844 for $100 Subject to a
     Credit of $50 paid 16th March 1833
     balance principal of $50
     Interest on same 34
          Balance   .....  84.00
T  One do on John S Bell due 1838  .....  45.00
T  One do on Hiram Gregory due 16th June 1839
     $32.19 with a credit of $10 pd 17 August 1844
     balance including interest   .....  33.94
T  One Note on James Sandusky due 9th March 1840  .....  23.00
     Interest collected on same   .....  3.00
T  One Cupboard on Inventory not sold  .....  6.00
T  12 head hogs  .....  12.50

          Amt of delinq (?)  ........  $1815.63 1/2

Said Commissioners now find and allow said administrators the following Credits per vouchers and receipts to us produced & numbered and herewith filed viz - 
By Note on John S Bell due 1838 which was discharged by the obligor. by a Plea of infancy as per Certificate, of Giles W. Loyd JP. before whom the Cause was tried  .....  45.00
By Fee bill pd M. P. Buster Ds  .....  .84
"  "  "  pd Wm Harder J.P.  .....  .37 1/2
"  "  "  "  G W Loyd J.P.  .....  1.12 1/2
"  "  "  "  Shff W C  .....  1.67
"  "  "  "  do  do  ....  .80
Amt Paid G W Loyd for Coffin  .....  4.00
"  "  Thos Baker, Crying property  .....  1.50
"  "  do  do  Serving notices  .....  4.00
Fee bill pd C. I. Higginbottham J. P.  ....  1.00
Paid Washington Younger appraiser  .....  4.50
"  Isaac Cooper  same  .....  4.50
"  G W Loyd     same  .....  1.50
Amt of Credits brot down  .......... $70.81


350 Amount of Credits brot over    $70.81
Paid Washington Young Jr appraiser  .....  1.00
"  Harry Chrisman witness  .....   .50
"  Wm Redman ac  ......   .37 1/2
"  Miles Gregory SWC  .....  1.75
"  Wm P Gooding work on graves  .....   20.00
"  Joseph Beck fee bill  .....   .25
"  Amount pd F. P. Stone atty at law
     $25 pr receipt filed, Adm. however
     only instilled to a Credit of $20 as
     $5 was taxes in bill of costs & collected  .....  20.00
By a Judgment and costs in favor of Hiram Gregory in the office of W. P. Harder  ..... 5.49
" Taxes pd Shff for 1841  .....  5.99
" Clerks fee bill 1844  .....  2.75
"  do  "   "   1844  .....  4.62
"  do  "   "   1843  .....  3.81
"  do   "   "   1845  .....  3.90
"  do   "   "   1846  .....  4.50
Amount pd Comms for making this Settlement three days Service  .....  9.00
Said Commissioners find from an examination of an article of settlement between the heirs of John Adair dec'd bearing date 25th April 1844 a copy of which is herewith filed that the Costs of a Inst brought in the Wayne Circuit Court by the Guardian and heirs of Robert Adair dec'd to set aside the Will of John Adair dec'd, and which pursuant to said agreement was dismissed at the April term 1844, were to be paid out of the estate of the said John Adair dec'd. We therefore allow said administrators an account filed by Thomas Baker Guardian for Robert Adair's heirs pd S Beard and Jacob B Calling for advising and bringing and prosecuting the above named Inst.  .....   80.00
By Account due Isaac Burnett for Keeping and     
     feeding hogs .....  6.00
     Shffs fee bill 1844  .....  9.92
Said Commissioners allowments said Adms for their services and trouble in administering on and winding up Collecting and disbursing said estate the sum of eight per Anton (?)  .....  $815.63
     Amount of Credit brot down  .....  $316.61

351  Amount of Credit brot forward  ....  $316.61

and four percent on the $1000.00 owed by Isaac Burnett to said estate as compensation for disbursing said $1000  ......  $40.00
        ............................$356.61

Amount of Debit brot down  .....  $1815.63 1/2
Amount of Credit deducted  .....   $356.61
Leaving in Adms hands the sum of   .....  $1459.02 1/2
Fourteen hundred and 59 dollars & two cents
Given under our hands this 27th day of January 1846.
Wm Simpson
M Phillips    Coms"

My Relationship to:

John Adair: Fifth Great Grandfather

The lineage:
1. My Fifth Great Grandfather: John Adair Jr
2. My Fourth Great Grandmother: Mary "Polly" Adair Bell
3. My Third Great Great Grandfather: John Silas Bell
4. My Great Great Grandmother: Martha Bell
5. My Great Grandpa: Cicero Bell
6. My Grandpa
7. My Mom
8. Me

Slave Name Roll Project - Will of John Adair, 1843

This is my contribution to the Slave Name Roll Project created by Schalene Dagutis which you can read about at Tangled Roots and Trees.  The idea being to make accessible the names of slaves and their owners so that they may be found by their descendants through search engines on the internet.  

This image of the will of John Adair, of Wayne County, Kentucky is available through familysearch.org, but the next two pages are missing.  Years ago, I received a transcription of this Will. 

Wayne Co. Will Book A, pg 81-82
Written 6 OCT 1842, proved NOV Court 1843

I John Adair of the county of Wayne and State of Kentucky do hereby make my last will and testament... 

I give my daughter Polly Parmley my negro girl Milley and her three children Julia Ann, William and Franklin, and the clothing, beds and bedclothing that belongs to my house and a flax wheel.

I also give my son John Adair, my negro woman Hannah and half the price of my land. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 6th day of October in the year One thousand eight hundred and forty two.  Signed sealed and published and declared to be the last will and testament of the above named John Adair in the presence of us Mark Foster, John Hurt.


Update 10/21/17: The entire Will can be found at Family Search in the record set titled "Will Records 1836-1909 Vol A" (Image #65) or at Ancestry in the database "Wills, Vol A 1801-1971" (Image #128). I have posted the entire Will and more information on the enslaved people now in my post  "Wayne County, KY John Adair's Estate".

Tombstone Tuesday - Bells in Kentucky

""Rutha Bell" is etched in this stone, I could make out some of her name and "April" and "April 1907".  Rutha is Martha's mother, born April 22, 1822 and died April 11, 1907.  In 1996 I didn't know findagrave.com existed (it only had for a year).  I was a novice at taking gravestone photos.  My old Canon Sure Shot camera took great pictures or so I thought until digital came along.  This is good, but if I had had digital then, maybe the lettering would show up a little more.  My video camera was still a new toy and I took video here, too.  

This old stone was so hard to read, I apparently didn't take a snapshot of it.  But I did get it on video and I say how I can almost make out "John S Bell".  This is a screen shot from my computer I took from the paused DVD that had been transferred from the video, the extent of my photo skills (can blurry be photoshopped?).  This stone was to the left of Rutha's in the Stringer Cemetery on Cooper Ridge Road.  This cemetery looked like it was in someone's back yard and had not been mowed all year.  Also buried in this cemetery were Martha's sisters, Elizabeth, Emily and Ursula.

The sun was behind this one, makes for terrible lighting.  Polly's is one of the graves that I believe did get moved before the Wolf Creek Dam was built.  Her second husband, Garner Parmley, is buried beside her there and has a stone just like this one. They obviously are not that old.  This was in the New Bethel Cemetery behind the Parnell Methodist Church on Beaver Lodge Road.  

Those Places Thursday - Cumberland Lake

Somewhere along Hwy 127 I took this photo of Cumberland Lake in 1996.  Wolf Creek Dam which created Cumberland Lake was completed in 1951.  The US Army Corps of Engineers moved some cemeteries before the land was flooded, but they weren't aware of all burials.  Some were unmarked, others were on private land.  David Bell, my 4th Great Grandfather died in 1818 and was buried somewhere under what is now Lake Cumberland. David was married to Mary "Polly" Adair and their son John Silas Bell was Martha Bell's father, my 3rd Great Grandfather.