USA > Kentucky > Franklin County > Frankfort > History of the Frankfort cemetery > Part 2
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The following is a list of the Kentuckians who were killed in the different battles of the Mexican War, and whose remains were brought back and buried in the State lot. near the State Monument, at the expense of the National Government. to-wit:
William H. Maxey
Mexico
Sergt. Henry Wolf
Buena Vista
James Seston
Buena Vista
Major Updike
Buena Vista
Robert Latta
Mexico
L. B. Bartlett
Buena Vista
John Spratt
Mexico
William Blackwell
Buena Vista
Ezra R. Price. Born Dee. 23, 1817; Died July 7th, 1848 John Ellingwood
Mexico
Buena Vista
HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
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Abram Goodpaster Buena Vista
Lieut. Ed. F. Hogg, 19 Ky. Vol. Inft. Died Feb. 4th, 1863; aged 24 years
John Sanders Buena Vista
Henry Edwards
Buena Vista
W. C. Green
Buena Vista
Yves J. Thorean
Buena Vista
Thorean was a Mexican who joined the U. S. forces and was killed the follow- ing day.
C. B. Thompson
Buena Vista
Tilford McH. Dozier
Buena Vista Mexico
Enoch Bronton
Oliver H. P. Beard, Capt. of
the 1st Regt. Ky. Vol.
Died of wounds received at the battle of Buena Vista.
John A. Scott
Mexico
Harvey Trotter
Buena Vista
Ambrose H. Hampton, Died Dec. 25th, 1883, aged 69 years.
Cincinnattus Ramey
Buena Vista
Thomas Weigert
Buena Vista
Clement Jones
Buena Vista
Henry Carty
Buena Vista
William Thwaits
Buena Vista
William W. Bayles
Buena Vista
On the south side of the military grounds is a stone, in- scribed "G. W. Gihnore, a Lieut. in the Mexican War. Repre- sentative from Pulaski County 1850-1. Died in Frankfort while serving as senator from the 17th District, May 7th, 1880, aged 56 years.".
Located on the southern part of the State mound is the un-
.
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
marked grave of an unknown Mexican soldier. He might be regarded as the "typical unknown" from Franklin County who gave his life for the honor of his country. The following is the story concerning this grave: When Captain Benjamin Cave Milam, who is buried a short distance south of the State mound, was organizing his Franklin County Company of Cavalry for the Mexican war, a young man from Shelby County. Kentucky, made application to become a member of this company, but on account of his extreme youth the Captain refused to enlist him : a few days later he renewed his applica- tion, his widowed mother came with him and joined in the re- quest and thereupon he was enlisted ; he manfully bore his part of the toil and hardships of the campaign.
When Captain Milam was ordered to charge the Mexican Lancers at Beuna Vista he directed the boy to remain in a place of safety. but he begged to participate and said that he would be called a coward if he did not do his part: Captain Milam very reluctantly yielded his consent and after the battle the boy was found on the battlefield pierced through by a Mexican lance, his body was returned with the other members of his Company who lost their lives at that battle, but by oversight or some unknown reason his grave was left unmarked. The foregoing is only tradition, but the grave is there unmarked and it has become the "typical unknown" of the Mexican heroes who gave their lives for their country.
In the year 1851 the Legislature of Kentucky, by com- missioners, contracted with Mr. Robert E. Launitz for the ere(- tion of a monument to the memory of Col. Richard Mentor Johnson and for which the State paid the sum of nine hundred dollars. At the time this work was completed it was considered one of the most beautiful monumental structures in the United States and though the elements and vandals have greatly marred its beauty during the past half century. it still shows that a master in his art planned and executed the work. It is located at the extreme southern point of the military mound. It is made of Italian marble : the base is of granite on which is a shaft about ten feet tall and four feet square. A good like- ness of Col. Johnson is carved on the north side and cannons
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
are on each corner. On the east side is inscribed "Richard Mentor Johnson, born at Bryan's Station, Kentucky, 1781; died in Frankfort, Kentucky, on the 19th day of November, 1850." On the south side Col. Johnson is represented on horse back in the act of killing Tecumseh. The Indian is on one knee falling backward, with a tomahawk in his hand.
On the west side is the following inscription: "To the memory of Col. Richard M. Johnson, a faithful public servant for half a century, as a member of the Kentucky Legislature and Representative and Senator in Congress, author of the Sunday Mail Report and of the laws abolishing imprisonment for debt in Kentucky and in the United States; distinguished by his valor as a Colonel of a Kentucky regiment in the battle of the Thames: for four years Vice-President of the United States. Kentucky, his native State, to mark the sense of his eminent service in the cabinet and in the field, has erected this monument in the resting place of her illustrious dead." The shaft has a flag of stars and stripes around the top, falling to one side and crowned with a large American eagle, which holds a laurel wreath in its beak.
On the military mound south of the State monument is the tomb of a soldier, editor, lawyer and poet, with the simple inscription of "Theodore O'Hara, Major A. D. C .; died June the 8th, 1867." and of recent date there has been added the further inscription "Author of the Bivouac of the Dead." No other poem has ever been written that can stir to such depth the martial spirit of Kentnekians.
Col. O'Hara was admitted to the bar in 1845; later he was appointed to a position in the Treasury Department at Wash- ington. He was a Captain of Volunteers in the army against Mexico, and on August 20th. 1847, was brevetted Major for gallant conduct in the battle of Contreras. He went with a filibustering expedition to Cuba, where he commanded a regi- ment. He became editor of the Mobile Register and was after- wards connected with the Louisville Sun and Frankfort Yeoman. He performed several diplomatic missions for the Federal Government and was prominent in the negotiations regarding the Tehnantepec grant.
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
During the Civil War he cast his fortunes with the Con- federacy and was made Colonel of the 12th Alabama Regiment and subsequently served on the staff of Gen. John C. Breckin- ridge and Gen. AAlbert Sidney Johnson. When the remains of the Kentucky soldiers who fell at Buena Vista were brought to their native State, Maj. O'Hara wrote for that occasion the im- mortal poem by which his fame is established, "The Bivouac of the Dead."
The muffled drum's sad roli has beat The soldier's last tattoo; No more on life's parade shall meet The brave and fallen few. On fame's eternal camping-ground Their silent tents are spread, And glory guards the solemn round The bivouac of the dead.
No rumor of the foe's advance Now swells upon the wind, No troubled thought at midnight haunts Of loved ones left behind : No vision of the morrow's strife The warrior's dream alarms, No braying horn or screaming fife At dawn shall call to arms.
Their shivered swords are red with rust. Their plumed heads are bowed. Their haughty banner trailed in dust Is now their martial shroud. And plenteous funeral tears have washed The red stains from each brow. And their proud forms in battle gashed Are free from anguish now.
The neighing steed. the flashing blade. The trumpet's stirring blast.
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
The charge, the dreadful cannonade, The din and shout are past ; No war's wild note, nor glory's peal, Shall thrill with fierce delight Those breasts that never more shall feel The rapture of the fight.
Like the dread northern hurricane That sweeps his broad plateau, Flushed with the triumph yet to gain Came down the serried foe ; Our heroes felt the shock, and leapt To meet them on the plain; And long the pitying sky hath wept AAbove our gallant slain.
Sons of our consecrated ground Ye must not slumber there, Where stranger steps and tongues resound Along the heedless air. Your own proud land's heroic soil Shall be your fitter grave ; She claims from war his richest spoil- The ashes of her brave.
So 'neath their parent turf they rest, Far from the gory field; Borne to a spartan mother's breast On many a bloody shield : The sunshine of their native sky Smiles sadly on them here, And kindred hearts and eyes watch by The heroes' sepulcher.
Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead! Dear as the blood ye gave ; No impious footstep here shall tread The herbage of your grave !
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
Nor shall your glory be forgot While fame her record keeps, Or honor points the hallowed spot Where valor proudly sleeps.
Yon marble minstrel's voiceless stone In deathless song shall tell,
When many a vanished year hath flown, The story how ye fell : Nor wreck, nor change, no winter's blight, Nor time's remorseless doom, Can dim one ray of holy light That gilds your glorious tomb.
Near the O'Hara sarcophagus is a small stone inscribed : "Col. T. T. Hawkins. an officer in the Mexican War; died Sept. 6th, 1879. Erected by order of the Legislature of 1883-4."
CHAPTER H.
LOTS PURCHASED BY THE STATE.
In the year 1851 the Legislature passed an Act authorizing and directing the Governor to purchase from the Cemetery Company the lots numbered 131, 132, 143, 144, 154 and 155 "in which to bury the remains of Kentucky's illustrious dead." The price paid for these lots was six hundred dollars; they are located some distance south of the State monument.
There are eight Revolutionary soldiers in these lots, to-wit: John Adair; born in Chester District, S. C., January 9th, 1757. Died at White Hall, Mercer County, May, 1840; aged 83 years. This monument is erected by the people of Kentucky in pursuance of a resolution of the General Assembly, approved March the 5th, 1872, as a mark of their appreciation of his services as a soldier and a statesman.
As a soldier he entered the Revolutionary Army at the age of seventeen : served through the war, first as a private, after- wards as aide-de-camp to General Sumpter. removed to Ken- tucky in 1787; participated in the Indian campaigns 1791-92- 94, and the war with Great Britain 1812-13. He commanded the Kentucky troops at New Orleans as Brigadier-General under General Jackson, 1814-15.
As a statesman. previous to his removal from South Caro- lina. he served as a member of the State convention which revised the Constitution of the United States. Becoming a citizen of Kentucky, he represented the County of Mercer in the Legislature 1795-96. afterwards frequently in both House and Senate. In 1805 he was elected to the United States Senate. to fill an unexpired term. In 1820 he was elected Governor, and served a term of four years. In 1831 he served a term in the United States Congress from Mercer District. "He sleeps the sleep of the brave and just."
Catherine Adair. wife of Gov. John Adair, was removed from her home. "Montrose." near Frankfort, and buried in the
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
same grave with her husband. "A union in life of fifty-six years ; in death they are not divided."
On the Christoper Greenup monument is the following:
This monument was erected by the Legislature of Ken- tucky to commemorate the public services of Christopher Greenup. third Governor of the Commonwealth, by resolution approved January 16th. 1874.
A soldier of the war of the Revolution and engaged in the early conflicts with the Indian savages, he discharged his duties without fear and without reproach. His capacity, fidelity and usefulness in civil service is amply proven by his repeated ele- vation to and long continuance in office, executive, legislative and judicial, of the highest grade. He served repeatedly in the State and Federal Legislatures, filled the office of judge in several courts, inferior and superior, and was elected Governor of the Commonwealth in August. 1804. Patriot, soldier and statesman. through a long life of service he distinguished him- self in war and peace, and died in the full enjoyment of the con- fidence of his countrymen. in the 69th year of his age. April the 27th. 1818.
Captain John Howell. a gallant soldier of the Revolution. served through the war. He was an officer in the First Jersey Regiment : was in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth and Yorktown: settled in Kentucky between 1795 and 1800: died in Ohio County, Kentucky, in the year 1830. His remain- were removed to this place, and a monument erected by direction of joint resolution of the General Assembly of Kentucky, approved January. 1874.
In 1779 Major Bland Ballard came to Kentucky at the age of eighteen years. He was with Col. Bowman on his expedition to the Indian town of Chilicothe. In 1781 he was with Gen. Clark in the attack on Pickawa towns. and was wounded in action. He was with Floyd's party and survived the defeat on Floyd's Fork. In 1786 he was a spy for Gen. Clark on the expedition to the Wabash. He was present in 1794 when Gen. Wayne routed the Indians at the Maumee Rapids. ยท
Ile was a soldier in the War of 1812 and was a captain in
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
the regiment of Col. John Allen. He was twice wounded at the battle of the River Raisin and was taken prisoner. He repeat- edly represented Shelby County in the Kentucky Legislature. He died in Shelby County in 1853, at the age of 94 years.
A very small stone marks the last resting place of Gover- nor Scott, though a Revolutionary soldier and a Governor. The inscription is as follows: "Governor Chas. Scott. Born in Powhattan County, Va., 1741. Died in Clark County, Ken- tucky. 1813."
Governor Scott was one of the strong characters of the period in which he lived. For more than half a century he served his country with honor, both in tented field and couneil chamber. In 1755 with Washington he fought in that disas- trous battle which resulted in the defeat and death of General Braddock.
In the Revolutionary War he raised the first company of volunteers south of the James River, and so distinguished him- self that a county in Virginia was named for him as early as 1777. Gen. Washington appointed him to the command of a regiment in the Continental line ; he was a Brigadier-General at the battle of Charleston. He moved to Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1785. In 1791 he was with Gen. St. Clair. at St. Clair's defeat by the Indians. In 1794 he commanded a por- tion of Gen. Wayne's army at the battle of the Fallen Timber, where a great victory was gained.
Gen. Scott was not an educated man: he thought the of- fice of Governor was too high a place for his ability, and he told the people that his competitor was much better qualified for the position. He was almost unanimously elected Governor in 1808, and served the full term of four years.
General Henry Crist. "Beneath this stone were deposited the remains of General Henry Crist, a pioneer soldier and statesman. Born in Hanover County, Va .. in 1764. He emi- grated to the west while young. and shared in the dangers, hardships and privations of the first settlement of Kentucky, as the history of his adopted State attests. He departed this life in September, 1844. The State of Kentucky erected this monument to his memory."
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
General John Caldwell. "Dedicated to the memory of General John Caldwell in pursuance of an order of the Legis- lature of Kentucky, approved 15th of January, 1831. The son of Robert and M. Caldwell: he was born in Charlotte County. Virginia. on the - day of - and departed this life on the 9th of November, 1804. A meritorious officer of the Revolu- tion. He was taken prisoner by the British at the siege of Charleston in 1780.
Emigrated to Kentucky at an early day and was an ef- ficient officer against the Indians of the West. As an evidence of the high estimation in which he was held by his country- men and of his capacity to be useful, he was, after many years of distinguished services as a Senator. elected Lieut. Governor, which office he filled at the time of his death."
"To the memory of George Madison. fifth Governor of Kentucky. This monument was erected in compliance with a resolution of the Legislature approved January 16th. 1874. which directed his remains to be removed from the old burial ground northeast of the capitol to this cemetery.
.
He was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. of the various conflicts with the Indian savages of the frontier, particularly distinguished in the campaigns of Scott and Wilkinson, and in the battles fought by St. Clair and Adair, in both of which he was wounded.
Ilis military career was gloriously closed at the River Raisin, where his heroic resolution saved the troops under his command from the general massacre. although resulting in honorable captivity for himself in the British prison of Quebec.
Alike distinguished in civil employment, he served the State with probity and intelligence for more than twenty years as Auditor of Public Accounts, and was finally elevated in Au- gust. 1816. by the unanimous voice of the people of Kentucky to the highest office within their gift.
While in the public service. in the 53rd year of his age, on the 11th of October, 1816. his private and public virtues-civil and military life. were crowned by a death hallowed by religion evineing its consolation to the good and the brave."
In addition to the Revolutionary soldiers named above. the
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
following fourteen named persons complete the list of those buried in the State lot, to-wit: Governor James T. Morehead, 1797-1854; William T. Barry. B. I. Clark, John C. Mason, Judge John M. Elliott and Susan J. Elliott, his wife, Col. Walter Chiles, 1810-1862. Ile was State Senator. Milton B. Buster. 1821-1864, was also State Senator. Col. Drury W. Poor, Representative from Logan County, died at Frankfort. Col. Thomas Dollerhide, a soldier in the War of 1812, died at Frankfort. December 8th, 1827. He was a Senator from Pulaski County. John F. Floor. Representative from Logan County; Catherine Adair, wife of Governor John Adair; Joel T. Hart and Chief Justice Caswell Bennett.
Judge William Taylor Barry was born in Virginia on February 15th. 1784. came to Kentucky in 1796, was educated at Kentucky Academy in Woodford County, and Transylvania. He located in Lexington in the year 1805, and commenced the practice of law. In a short time thereafter he was appointed Attorney General for the Commonwealth. He represented Fayette County in the Kentucky Legislature several times and subsequently was in the State Senate and represented his dis- triet in Congress. In the War of 1812 he was aide-de-camp of Governor Shelby. and was at the battle of the Thames. ITe was Speaker of the Kentucky House of Representatives, and later was elected to a seat in the United States Senate. In the contest between the New Court and the Old Court he was a leader of the New Court Party with Rowan. Bibb, Sharp and Bledsoe. and became Chief Justice of the New Court. Later he became Lieutenant-Governor of Kentucky.
On the election of General Jackson as President, he ap- pointed Mr. Barry to the position of Postmaster-General. In 1835 he was appointed Minister to Spain. but he died at Liver- pool on his way to his post of duty.
Joel T. Hart, sculptor and poet. Born 1810; died 1877. He made the busts of Cassius M. Clay, Andrew Jackson, John J. Crittenden and Henry Clay. Those of Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay in the Historical Rooms at Frankfort, Kentucky.
His ideal productions made him famous, among which are his "Venus de Medici." "Angelina." etc. His last and
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
greatest work was "Triumph of Chastity," on which he worked for more than twenty years. This was the finest piece of statuary ever seen in America. It was destroyed when the court house at Lexington was burnt.
Ilis last resting place is marked by a square block of Quincy marble. the top of which slopes to the east, and on which is carved "Erected to the memory of Joel T. Hart, by the State of Kentucky. Born February 11th, 1810. Died March 2nd. 1877. Seek him not here but in the stone where he lives in his own art's immortality."
Jame T. Morehead. 1797-1854. Small marker located in State lot near Governor Charles Seott. James T. Morehead, a thoroughly educated lawyer. was elected Lieutenant-Gover- nor in 1832. and became Governor on the death of Governor Breathitt. February, 18:4. He was a fluent and graceful speaker and strong writer: was United States Senator from 1841-1847. Governor Morehead was doubtless the best edu- cated man who was ever Governor of the State.
On the B. L. Clark monument is found "Beverly Leonidas Clark. Born at Winterfield. Chesterfield County. Virginia, February 11th, 1808. Died in the City of Gantemala, Central America, March 18th. 1860. As a representative from the County of Simpson in the Legislature of Kentucky. as a mem- ber of Congress of the United States, as a delegate of the Ken- tueky convention which formed the present Constitution of the Commonwealth. and as Minister from the United States to C'en- tral America. Beverly L. Clark di-charged every duty with dis- tinction to himself. fidelity to his State and imperishable honor to his country. Kentucky mourns the loss of her patriot son."
"Kentucky by joint resolution of her General Assembly, approved 5th of February, 1868, in memory of the services of her distinguished son. directed that his mortal remains should be removed from the city of Gautemala in Central America. where he died. in the service of his country, to the public ceme- tery at Frankfort, and that this monument should be erected to mark the spot where he slept."
Near the Clark monument is a small pillow marked "John (. Mason. Born in Montgomery County. Kentucky. August
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HISTORY OF THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY
4th. 1802. Married Annie L. Owens, of Owingsville, Kentucky, June 6th, 1847. Died August 4th, 1865. Honored by the United States of America for services rendered at the battle of Monterey ; served six years in the United States Congress."
Judge John Milton Elliott. born May 6th. 1820; assassi- nated for having done his duty as a Judge, March 26th, 1879; a statesman of stainless honor. He was a member of the Legis- lature of Kentucky, served three terms in the United States Congress, and two terms in the Confederate Congress. "A Judge of pure heart. strong intellect. fearless, faithful, kind and efficient as a Circuit Judge and Judge of the Court of Ap- peals, he was without reproach."
On the west side of column :
"As a man he was ardent, social, genial, by nature a philanthropist: he won the love of his fellowmen by his gen- erosity and worth. Devoted as a husband : as a friend, faithful and just : a dutiful citizen. an upright official. His crowning virtues were candor, integrity and love of truth."
On the north side of the stone is the bust of Judge Elliott. which is said to be a fine likeness. The column is crowned by a statue of Astraea, the Goddess of Justice, blindfolded, with the Scales of Justice in her hands.
In this same locality is the unique and beautiful monu- ment erected to the memory of James Francis Leonard, on the east face of which is a telegraph instrument with a hand operat- ing it, and beneath which are the figures "30." On the north side is "James Francis Leonard. Born at Frankfort, Kentucky, September 8th. 1834. Died at Columbus, Mississippi, July 29th. 1862. Called home by the Grand Chief Operator to work the eternal circuit above." On the west side: "His comrades. the Old Time Telegraphers, have caused his remains to be brought back to his 'Old Kentucky Home,' and erected this monument to his memory." On the south side is: "Ablaze with genins and aflame with zeal, he caught the spirit of the electric force. The first sound reader. He interpreted the telegraphic alphabet of Morse."
CHAPTER III.
OTHER PROMINENT PEOPLE BURIED IN THE FRANKFORT CEMETERY.
There are between ten and twelve thousand people buried in these grounds, the average being about one hundred and fifty per year. To give a short history of each would require more space than the scope of this work will permit; only a short sketch of some of the most prominent are given.
There are a number of prominent people buried in these grounds who have no marker of any kind, and the location of their graves are known to only a few people who are now living. Among this number can be named Judge Willian Lindsey, Judge Caswell Bennett, Judge P. U. Major, General Scott Brown, Congressman A. Y. Fitzpatrick and many others.
Albert G. Hodges (1802-18$1) was identified with the his- tory of Kentucky for half a century. He commenced his news- paper career in Lexington, but married a Frankfort woman and moved to Frankfort in 1826. Ile formed a partnership with James G. Dana in the publication of the Commentator. In 1833 he began the publication of the Commonwealth, and was elected Public Printer, which position he held for a quarter of a century.
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