Mackey Cemetery - Beech Grove, McLean County, KY ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Glenda Willis 4558 Hwy 1155 Rumsey, KY 42371 gwillistree@yahoo.com Mackey Cemetery Recopied by Glenda Willis January - February 2000 The Mackey Cemetery is located about one and one-half miles north of Beech Grove, and west of Highway 56. It is within sight of Mt. Zion Cemetery. It contains about one-half acre and is surrounded on three sides with a fence filled with various sizes and kinds of trees. It is now kept mowed and trimmed. My first clear memory of Mackey Cemetery was when it was filled with shoulder-high meadow grass and saplings. It took my mother and me three hours to cut through the grass and finally find the first group of tombstones. The Mackey Cemetery was first recorded by Elizabeth Cox about 1977. With improved stone cleaning methods and cleaning materials from twenty years ago, several dates were able to be made clearer. I made many trips to the cemetery over the winter months, trying to reach the epitaphs on the stones, and to find some more information about the people buried here. Simon Mackey came with James W. Colthorp to the Wrightsburg Landing on Mar 20, 1848. This was on Green River above the present settlement of Beech Grove, KY. It was in the part of Daviess County that became McLean County in 1854. There was no town at this time, so they settled in the area of what became Mt. Zion Cemetery. Simon Mackey set up a shop as a blacksmith (1850 Daviess County Census). His oldest daughter, Elizabeth, was then 15 years old. James Colthorp became his apprentice and lived in his home until he married Narsisca (Sis) Sandefur, a daughter of Samuel A. and Obedience Collier Sandefur, who lived in the area. This marriage was in 1852 (Daviess County Marriage Records). Prudence Wells was born in Virginia and married Simon Peter Mackey in Oldham Co., KY, Sep 17, 1833. In 1840 Simon Peter and his brother John were on the Census in Jefferson County, KY. John later was in the Mexican War and was accidently killed in Carmargo, South America (military records). His wife, Julia Holtsclaw remarried, and his children moved to McLean County to be near their Uncle Polk Mackey. 1890 - Deed Book N page 443-444 - 22 May 1890 - deed - J. H. Mackey and Nancy his wife sold land to W. A. Clark - reserved one half acre for a graveyard 1893 - Deed Book A2 on Mar 3, 1893 - George Cline purchased land from W. A. Clark - he reserves one half acre for a graveyard. 1895 - Deed Book B2 page 235 -George E. and Mary E. Cline on Dec 6, 1895 sold land to M. O. Townes. - reserved one half acre for a graveyard. 1909 - Deed Book 1 page 209 - 7 Dec 1909 - deed between M. O. Townes and wife, Sallie Townes of Beech Grove, sold to W. L. Hayden about 47 and one half acres - reserved one half acre for a graveyard. There is a total of 36 tombstones, and four field stones used as grave markers. There are two more pieces of the same type of field stones piled against a tree. There are at least fourteen graves with no markers, and possibly more. The stone with the earliest death date is Joseph Fireline's stone, who died in 1871. The last death date is on Amelia Mackey's stone, with 1946. Quotation marks is around what is carved on the stone, and parenthesis is around added information. Everyone buried here is related, either by blood, or through marriage, so they were more than just neighbors and friends. There are two field stones in the row behind Bina Sandefur Wells. Bina's daughter, Lula Sandefur, said that these were the graves of James Coleman and Mary Bottom Sandefur. Their death certificates verifies that they were buried in Mackey Cemetery. Mackey Cemetery Row 1 Sandefur, A. G. Oct 17 1854 Feb 18 1929 (Albert Gallatin) (son of Samuel A. Sandefur and Obedience Collier) Sandefur, Florence 7 Feb 1861 --no date-- (nee Browning) (third wife of Albert G.) (Florence died May 25 1940) Sandefur, Odelia Smock 1858 1892 "Mother of Letcher, Luther, Billie, Gertie, Louella, Mary" (first wife of Albert G. Sandefur - died of burns in the autumn when dress caught on fire from the fireplace. She died three days later, on Nov 29, 1892, from respiratory failure due to pneumonia) (dau of Thomas Smock and Mary Ann Brand and twin sister of Ophelia Smock Craig) Sandefur, Letcher 1882 1924 military - WWI "Co. G. 21st Infantry" (son of Samuel A. Sandefur and Obedience Collier) Row 2 -evidence of maybe one double grave - no marker Colthorp, J. W. Jun 06 1828 Jan 13 1921 (this is James Willam who was born in TN, and came to Wright's Landing in 1848 with Simon Mackey)(son of Joseph William Colthorp and Nancy Coffman, who moved to Indiana later in the year after James was born) Colthorp, Narsisca Jul 10 1828 Feb 23 1911 "They died as they lived Trusting in God." (wife of J W) (sister of Albert G. Sandefur, and dau of Samuel Sandefur and Obedience Collier) (called "Sis") -evidence of 3 single graves - no markers Tanner, Thomas Levi May 16 1848 Aug 10 1906 "Father" "An amiable father here lies at rest As ever God with His image blest, The friend of man, the friend of truth, The friend of age, the guide of youth." (son of John S. Tanner and Nancy Howard) Tanner, Jane C. Dec 09 1850 Sep 15 1905 "Mother" "Mother, thou hast from us flown To the regions far above We to thee erect this stone Consecrated by our love." (nee Mackey - sis of Simon Peter Mackey)(wife of Thomas L. - called Hannah Jane on Census)(On the 1870 McLean Co Census, Levi and Hannah were living in household of Simon Peter) Tanner, S. O. Aug 15 1870 Aug 10 1905 "All the plans of life are broken All the hopes of life are fled Counsel, comfort, and advisor Alas, alas, for thou art dead." (Simeon Overton)(killed in mine in Muhlenberg County) Tanner, Obyteen Jul 14 1905 Aug 06 1906 "dau of S. O. and Lillie Tanner" "A little time on earth she spent Till God too soon His angel sent." Row 3 Sandefur, W. P. Oct 18 1846 May 29 1929 (William Powhatan) (son of Samuel A. and Obedience Collier Sandefur) Sandefur, Rachel Dec 25 1853 Oct 29 1945 (nee Sharp)(wife of William Powhatan) (her death has recently been carved) Mackey, C. E. May 11 1862 May 13 1909 "Dearest Ed, you have left us Thy presence we deeply feel God called thee, He knows best" Woodmen of the World Memorial -in shape of tree trunk)(Charles Edward, son of Wm. Henry Mackey and Margaret Elizabeth Sturgeon) -evidence of a single grave - no marker -evidence of one double grave - no marker -evidence of a single grave - no marker -evidence of a single grave - no marker Mackey, J. H. Apr 01 1874 Mar 06 1908 (J. Henry) Mackey, Sallie A. Oct 21 1871 no date (wife of J. Henry)(nee Simmons)(Sallie married #2 Henry Sandefur and is bur at Mt Vernon. She died Nov 28 1962) Mackey, William Henry no dates on military stone (b Sep 30 1836 d Jul 18 1904) military - Civil War - Union Co. H 17th KY Infantry (wounded twice - received pension until his death) Mackey, Amelia Sep 21 1865 Feb 21 1946 (nee Sutton)(third wife of Wm. Henry Mackey - they m. Feb 18, 1891 in Ohio Co.) Sandefur, James Coleman Aug 28 1826 Mar 11 1911 (son of Samuel A. Sandefur and Obedience O'Bannon Collier) Sandefur, Mary Ann Jan 19 1836 1915 (dau of James A. Bottom and Elizabeth Biggs ) There are only two rough field stones marking the grave of James and Mary Ann Sandefur. On James' death certificate, his son, Monroe, stated that James was buried here. Lula Sandefur said that James and Mary Ann, her uncle and aunt, were buried in the row behind Obedience Collier Sandefur and Bina (Matilda Melvina Sandefur) Wells, and at the base of a cedar tree. She was there when they were buried. Row 4 Fireline, John W. 1872 1919 (John died of the influenza during the epidemic) Fireline, Ella 1880 1934 (wife of John)(nee Wiggins) Fireline, W. W. Nov 28 1859 Dec 24 1914 "at rest" (This is William Wesley) Fireline, Mary F. Dec 23 1852 Feb 19 1897 "wife of W W Fireline" "at rest" "Twas hard to give thee up But Thy will O Lord be done" (on back of stone) (nee Wells) Fireline, Robert Virgil Mar 17 1903 Aug 25 1904 "Darling, we miss you" (son of W W & Viola Sandefur) -evidence of at least 3 graves - no markers Tanner, Scott Sep 16 1872 Jan 12 1881 "son of T L & H J Tanner" "I loved our boy's grin and smile On earth we shall see him no more He has gone to his home in heaven And all his afflictions are gone." (died ice-skating) Wells, Bina Mar 08 1851 Mar 08 1889 "wife of J A Wells" "Farewell, dear child" "Now my life is past My love was yours While life did last After me no sorrow take, but love each other for my sake." (Matilda Melvina Sandefur Wells)(dau of Obedience O. Collier and Samuel Sandefur) (wife of Joseph Wells, who is buried in Ark.) Sandefur, Obedience O'Bannon 1808 1890 (dau of Claiborne Collier and Matilda Duncan)(her middle name was O'Bannon, her maternal grandmother Caty O'Bannon's maiden name) Sandefur, Samuel A. 1804 1884 "In memory of" (son of Bennett Sandefur and Judith Bilbo)( military - Civil War - Union Co. B 12th Regiment KY Volunteer Cavalry (m. 12 Nov 1826 Henderson Co., KY) Row 5 Higdon, Samuel May 26 1825 Jul 04 1898 "Father, let Thy grace be given That we may meet in heaven" Higdon, Mary E. Jan 18 1835 Sep 07 1894 "wife of S. Higdon" "Rest mother, Rest in sweet sleep While friends in sorrow o'er thee weep." (Mary Elizabeth, married Samuel on 11 Nov 1851 in McLean County) (dau of Simon Peter Mackey) -evidence of at least 3 graves, maybe 4 - no markers Mackey, Sarah A. Mar 04 1846 Feb 28 1884 "wife of N. L. Mackey" (nee Wiggins) "Our father and mother are gone They lay beneath the sod Dear Parents, thou we miss you much We know thou art with God" Mackey, Norbin L. Jun 14 1846 20 Jul 1878 "A faithful man and husband dear Only thy body lies here" (son of Simon and Prudence Mackey) (nickname was Dock) -evidence of 2 or 3 graves - no markers Fireline, Joseph Nov 24 1870 Feb 03 1871 "son of W W & M F" "Sleep on sweet baby And take thy rest God called thee home When He thought best" (carving of baby lamb at the top) Fireline, Willie May 29 1874 Jun 24 1874 "dau of W W & M F" "Sleep on sweet baby And take thy rest God called thee home When He thought best" (carving of a rose at the top) Fireline, James M. Jan 29 1875 Jun 14 1876 "son of W W & M F" Fireline, Clinton Aug 29 1881 Oct 14 1881 "son of W W & M F" (has carving of hand pointing toward heaven) (broken in two pieces) Row 6 -evidence of a single grave -no marker Mackey, Taylor 1848 1938 "Grandfather" (Nicholas Taylor - hus of Virginia Fireline) (son of Simon Peter Mackey and Prudence Wells) Mackey, Virginia A. Jan 12 1851 Feb 24 1906 "She was an affectionate wife, a fond mother and a friend to all" "wife of N T Mackey" (nee Virginia Ann Fireline) (Note: Virginia and Taylor are surrounded by an iron fence) -grave marked by a field stone -grave marked by a field stone Mackey, Sarah E. 10 May 1836 17 Dec 1887 (There are two Sarahs - Sarah E., and Sarah A., wife of Norbin. This Sarah is beside Simon Peter Mackey. There is a Holy Bible carved at the top) "Farewell my friends and kindred all God from you a sister doth call" Mackey, Simon P. Dec 27 1813 Oct 28 1876 (Simon Peter) "Dearest father thou hast left us Here thy loss we deeply feel But tis God that has bereft us He can all our sorrows heal" "He was a kind and affectionate father He is going to his reward to live with God forever." (has a carving of a Bible at the top) (Simon's son John Thomas m. Pamelia Ann Sandefur, at James Sandefur's Dec 25, 1861 McLean Co.) Mackey, Prudence Feb 20 1814 Apr 15 1877 "wife of S P Mackey" "Dearest mother we will try to meet you happy when we die Trusting it may be our lot Trust we will never be forgot." "She was a kind and affectionate mother. She is gone to her reward to live with God forever." (m. 17 Sep 1833 Oldham County) (dau of William K. Wells and b. in Va)(has a carving of a Bible at the top) Mackey, Willie Mar 30 1877 Apr 18 1896 "dau of N T & V A Mackey" "Budded on earth to bloom in heaven." Mackey, Millie Mar 30 1877 May 15 1878 "dau of N T & V A Mackey" "She passed from our sight Like a dream or a story From a bossom of love To a mansion of glory" (Note: Willie and Millie are surrounded by an iron fence) Jackson, Minerva P. Jun 10 1876 Jun 10 1876 "dau of E & C Jackson" "Sleep on sweet babe and take thy rest God called thee home He thought it best" -possible grave - no tombstone There was a flat stone, about 12 by 8 inches, broken in two, lying just below the ground with no words or carvings on either side. The grass had completely grown over it. It would not have been visible in the summer when the grass was growing. There is a slight depression, that could be a small grave right beside Minerva, but I'm not completely sure. Row 7 Mackey, Olliver P. Jan 21 1869 Aug 23 1900 "Our dear brother has gone to dwell with mother and illuminate God's mansion." "Died in Carlagenic, South America" "son of J H and Nancy J. Mackey" (died in service of yellow fever - he was cremated and his box of ashes was brought back and buried here) Mackey, James H. 1844 1930 (May 31 1844 Nov 24 1930) (James Henry - called Polk, or Uncle Polk) (son of Simon Peter Mackey and Prudence Wells Mackey, Nancy J. 1846 1891 "his wife" (Sep 15 1846 Jul 10 1891) (first wife of James Henry) (nee Tanner) These people are known to be buried here, from family members and their death certificates. They do not have tombstones and their grave location is known only to God. Mackey, Jessie no marker (b. Nov 22 1895 - d. Mar 25 1952 (daughter of Wm. Henry and Amelia) Mackey, Ollive no marker (b.Aug 13 1897 - d. Oct 21 1921) (called Ollie) (son of Wm. Henry and Amelia) Mackey, Paul no marker (b. Mar 11 1901 - d. Jan 19, 1919) (son of Wm. Henry and Amelia) Mackey, Maggie no marker (b. Jul 03 1903 - d. Apr 22 1923) (dau of Wm. Henry and Amelia) Fireline, H. C. 1865 1924 This must be Henry, son of John (b. 1825 Germany) and Mary (b. 1827), who are bur. at Mt. Zion Fireline, - - - - wife - - - - ---- Aug 08 19- (This must be Mary A. Cooper) (This stone is not here. It was here in 1977 when Elizabeth Cox copied the cemetery, but she said it was broken. The information is from her copy of the cemetery. There is no sign of the stone now.)