Marker, Plaque, Monument Monday

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Revolutionary War

Memorial

Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

[Click on photos to get larger images]

Front side of the SAR marker listing 71 men of

Christian Co., KY who participated

in the establishment of our country

during the Revolutionary War.  

On the Fourth of July, I attended the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the 9-foot tall granite monolith memorial to the Revolutionary War Patriots and Soldiers who lived in Christian Co., KY. I am directly descended from Thomas West of North Carolina that is etched on this marker along with 70 other men being honored. Several of these other men are related to me, but are not of direct lineage.

Back side of this large marker. 

There were several hundred people present including many of my cousins (along with their families) from my father's side of the family: Tommy Henderson, Eddie Deason, Barbara Oatts Smith, Joan McCarty, Chad Word... there were more that I met for the first time. This was such a thrill to know that my ancestor will be remembered for his involvement in establishing our independent nation!

 Cousin Eddie Deason pointing to our

common ancestor Thomas West.

 Dressed in a dark suit is Bob Fears, President of the John Manire SAR Chapter and Master of Ceremonies.  He is holding a proclamation from the Kentucky Governor.  To his left (right side of photo) is Major General McConville that gave the Keynote Address, William Turner (County Historian, publisher), and 3 members of the Manire SAR Chapter.  Next to Pres. Fears on the left side of photo is my cousin Chad Word, behind him is cousin Eddie Deason, next is KY State Representative Tilley, then finally me, John G. West, representing the Ohio Valley SAR Chapter of the Indiana Society - and my ancestor Thomas West.

 Cousin Tommy Henderson (left), who organized and directed the entire ceremony and was rushing around the whole morning, taking a moment to pose with Indiana Bones (right side of photo)!

Next to the Colonel John Green Chapter NSDAR wreath is my cousin Barbara Oatts Smith along with several other members of her DAR chapter. 

- Compiled by JGWest.

- Photos taken by Eddie Deason, Indiana Bones, and others.

From the First Mate's Photo Album

Sons of the American Revolution

Revolutionary War Memorial

Unveiling and Dedication

04 July 2012

Kentucky Verteran's Cemetery West

Hopkinsville, Kentucky

[click on photo for a larger image]

The above photo was the very first picture taken when we arrived for this ceremony that featured 71 men listed on the large monument that is covered with the red, white and blue cloth.  Thomas West, Jr. was one of these men.  Due to the heat, the outer edges came out "foggy" with the center clear providing for a very nice effect.  The wreath was placed here from the Colonel John Green Chapter of NSDAR.  Behind it to the right is the NSSAR flag.

- Photo taken by Indiana Bones.

Judging County Fair 4-H Genealogy Exhibit Notebooks

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Warrick County brought me notebooks entered by six 4-H members in the Genealogy Project for me to judge for the county fair.  This was last Friday, but I still have about 2 hours to finish evaluating the last ones to judge.  Today Gibson County delivered ten 4-H'ers exhibit notebooks to be judged. The entry for Division 5 in Gibson County looks very nice and has six 3-inch notebooks!  It takes about 30 minutes on average to judge one exhibitor's notebooks... it will take me 4-8 hours to go through the Gibson County exhibits.  But, believe me, judging these exhibits is a labor of love!

I have been judging county exhibits for the last 30 or so years and the Indiana State Fair exhibits for Div. 3 over the last five years.  Having the opportunity to judge at the State Fair is like a super big honor!  I have been involved with 4-H since I was a new first-year member at age 10 about 55 years ago.  It is a great youth organization and I am glad there is a 4-H Genealogy Project.  I served as the Vanderburgh County 4-H Genealogy Project Superintendent for about 25 years.  For the Tri-State Genealogical Society, I serve as the 4-H Coordinator and present awards in four counties in southwest Indiana for 4-H'ers enrolled in the genealogy project.  For the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution, I serve as the State Chair of the 4-H Youth Awards.

I can still remember how I felt as a ten-year-old going to the 4-H County Fair for the first time and at age 65 this is always an exciting time of the year!

- Written by JGWest

"Flags Over America" Program in Hopkinsville, KY

I present a program to entertain and educate others about our country's heritage through flags... the presentation is called "Flags Over America!"  I have given this program at a TSGS meeting several years ago.  Below I am posing for a photo in front of part of the flags dressed in my Revolutionary War State Militia uniform.  I give the program as part of the Ohio Valley Chapter Sons of the American Revolution Speakers Bureau.  This time I had been invited to return for an encore performance for the DAR/SAR Annual Dinner Meeting in Hopkinsville, KY at the beautiful Oakland Manor.

 Becky West generally assists me in holding flags for everyone to see.  She dresses in typical Colonial women's attire.  My volunteer photographer, Chad Word, caught Becky relaxing before the meeting began.

 Becky & I just beginning the program in above photo.  Below we are nearing the end of the program showing one of my favorite militia flags known as the Guilford Courthouse Flag.  I had 25-3X5 foot flags on poles for display and to talk about.  This is a modified shorter version of "Flags Over America!"

 In the above photo you can see most of the flags on display.  My 4th. cousin Tommy Henderson is seated in lower far right corner in red knit shirt.  Below Tommy is giving an SAR report during the business meeting.

Becky & I had a great time.  I always put in plugs for the Tri-State Genealogical Society, as well as, Willard Library.  Special thanks to my set-up & take-down team of Tommy Henderson, Eddie Deason, Becky West and Chad Word.

- Photos taken by Chad Word.

"Published Family Records"

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I have a wonderful 4th. cousin from Hopkinsville, Kentucky (Christian County).  Tommy Henderson descends from our common ancestor, Thomas West, Jr. who came to Christian Co. about 1806-09 to the area not far from where Dad was born in the Ovil Community.  Thomas West came from Chatham County, North Carolina.  My cousin Tommy, as an active member of his local SAR chapter, invited me back for another presentation of my "Flags Over America" program to be given to the DAR/SAR Annual Joint Meeting Dinner.  I gave this program before to this same group about 3-4 years ago.  Tommy said with all of the newer members and those who saw it before wanted me to return!  The truth of the matter might be that they could not get anyone else, but I will go with what they told me about liking to see all of my flags and learning more about them.


At any rate, Becky & I had a great time at the meeting... it is great to visit with a lot of my father's family although many are somewhat distant cousins.  Quite a few of those present qualified for Daughters or Sons of the American Revolution through Thomas West, Jr. with most - I had no idea how we were related.  Others present shared a common ancestor in other lines: Rager, Martin, Williams, Buckner, Woodis, etc.  Tommy Henderson and I share about 4 common ancestors and their spouses.


The dinner (my wages for the program) was absolutely great!  Most was even diabetic healthy foods!!!  And what was not, was really good!!!  Everyone in attendance was very friendly and nice to us.  I think my presentation was very well received and each learned something new, including me!  Setting-up and taking down all of my flags takes some time & work, but the task was much easier with help from Tommy, Eddie Deason and Chad Word... which I deeply appreciate.  But the highlight of the whole evening was the gift Tommy gave me for giving my program... his book on the 8,201 descendants of Thomas West, Jr. that he had compiled from his extensive records.  This 958 page hard-bound book must have cost over $50 to publish, but it is not about the money... it is about this wonderful collection of cousins and direct ancestors that are listed in this book, all 8,194 of them (I am one of the listed, along with my 3 siblings and 3 sons - I have 2 more descendants, my grandkids that are not listed).


I can not think of a better gift for a genealogist than the book that Tommy gave me.  And from this book I am able to easily sort out how so many at the dinner were related to me.  Thanks, Tommy!


- Written by JGWest

Revolutionary War Monument Ground Breaking

Hopkinsville, KY... TSGS President Don Counts and Vice-President John G. West attended the ground breaking ceremony yesterday evening (17 May 2012) in the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West (one of four state veteran's cemeteries). [Click on photos to get a larger image]

[photo at entrance to cemetery]

The monument is being erected in honor of the Revolutionary War Soldiers and Patriots that lived or were buried in Christian County, KY.

[East side of monument]

The 9-foot tall monument will be officially dedicated on 04 July 2012 featuring 71 men recognized for providing us an independent nation.  It is being erected by the John Manire SAR Chapter of the National Society Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR).

[List of the 71 men to be recognized]

Counts and West are active members of the Ohio Valley SAR Chapter of the Indiana Society of NSSAR, having each served as Chapter Presidents and both are currently serving as State Officers of the Indiana Society of NSSAR.  For John West this was an exceptionally special occasion as his ancestor Thomas West, Jr. is one of the 71 men being honored. 

[NSSAR President General David Sympson presented the  Keynote Speech]

The Keynote Speech was delivered by NSSAR President General David Sympson.  A few of the other distinguished guests included John Manire SAR Chapter President Robert L. Fears (Master of Ceremonies) and one of my cousins genealogist Tommy Henderson of the same chapter.

[Charles A. Henderson]

The 3-member committee for the Memorial & Ground Breaking were Charles A. Henderson (Civilian Aide to the U.S. Secretary of the Army), William Turner (Historian, Publisher) and Judge James G. Adams.

[William Turner]

[Judge James G. Adams]

- Photos taken by JGWest and article compiled by JGWest

A Tribute to George Rogers Clark & the Capture of Fort Sackville

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TSGS President Don Counts & I drove up to Vincennes, Indiana on Saturday 25 Feb 2012 (along with our wives, Betty Counts & Becky West) for Don & I to participate in the 233rd. Anniversary Commemoration of the capture of Fort Sackville. [Click on photos to enlarge images.]
On the morning of 25 Feb 1779, Colonel George Rogers Clark and his small force of frontiersmen received the surrender of Fort Sackville from British Lt. Governor Henry Hamilton. Clark's great triumph at the now site of the George Rogers Clark Memorial in downtown Vincennes, was achieved only after an incredible 18-day midwinter journey through the icy floodwaters of the Illinois country. Above is the bronze statue in the rotunda that stands from the floor 12.5 feet tall, weighing about 12 tons. The exterior of the memorial building is 80 feet tall and 180 feet across at the base. Inside of the rotunda are seven murals, each created on a single piece of Belgium linen 16 feet wide by 28 feet tall.Above is a photo of the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution (INSSAR) Color Guard. Representing the Ohio Valley SAR chapter & who are also members of TSGS are (from right): Ken Gilkey, President Don Counts, Vice-President John G. West.Above: during the Pledge of Allegiance & singing of the Nation Anthem, the Color Guard was at "Present Arms" with the red & green striped George Rogers Clark flag dipped. John G. West was given the honor to carry the George Rogers Clark flag!The ladies above attended dressed in Colonial period dress. They are members of the INSSAR Ladies Auxiliary. Two of them are members of TSGS - Peggy Gilkey on the left & Betty Counts on the right. Not pictured was TSGS Program Chair Becky West.This beautiful wreath of flowers was placed by two very small students of the South Knox Elementary School. Patriotic songs & music was provided by the St. John Folk Group of St. John Catholic Church.

It was a very cold & windy day with snow flurries. Inside it was warm, but the marble benches that circle around the rotunda were very cold! But, the ceremony warmed our hearts and reminded us of what many of our ancestors endured 233 years ago!

- Compiled by JGWest

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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A colorful sign at the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville promoting the zoo's "Adopt an Animal" program. My Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution have been adopting an American Bald Eagle for the last five years. One of the local DAR chapters followed our lead and are adopting an eagle, as well. The "adoption" program offers several levels of donating to the zoo to help raise money for the zoo. The donors/adoptees recieve a certificate and get a paw-shaped sign with their name that is placed on a larger board and promently displayed at the zoo.
- Photo taken by JGWest

NSSAR Library, Louisville, Kentucky

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National Society

Sons of the American Revolution

Library in Louisville, KY

(Open on Saturdays until Labor Day)

Just a couple hours drive from Evansville is the new site of the library (pictured above) for the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (NSSAR). It is very beautiful and well organized. It is located across the street from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory with the super giant-sized baseball bat leaning against the museum five-story building. Becky & I was visiting the museum (yesterday - Saturday) and noticed that the library was just across the street (I had planned on taking a close look at it later). After our museum tour, we planned on walking to the Hard Rock Cafe for a late lunch... so we crossed the street to look through the windows. The sign said it was open on Mon. - Sat. 9:30 AM to 4:30PM and it was only 4:27PM! We opened the door and apologised for coming by so late, but just wanted to take a peek. The receptionist was so very nice and told us to go into the library. Mr. Michael A. Christian, MLS is the Head Librarian who insisted on us taking a good look at the Library despite the fact they were now closed. I took the above photo to show off this library collection of over 70,000 (non-circulating) volumes. The collection is available for on-premises study at no cost to SAR, DAR, CAR & SR members and to the public (for a nominal charge). In 1958, Librarian General Robert S. Walker defined appropriate & acceptable library material to that which was "exclusively genealogical, historical (Revolutionary period or thereabouts), biographical, and town, county or state histories." Visit the NSSAR Library Online which is currently undergoing reconstruction!

The above spectacular scuptured piece "Cornerstone of Freedom" was donated by Retired Colonel Dr. Rex Legler, II & wife, April. Rex is a member of my Ohio Valley SAR Chapter. I took a photo of the plaques, but it did not come out. The "Cornerstone of Freedom" stands just inside the door into the reception area of the library.

-Photos taken & submitted by JGWest. - Article compiled by JGWest

S.A.R. Applications Free Access!

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Submitted by Christopher D. Myers via Ancestry.com In celebration of the 4th of July, Ancestry.com’s new collection – the Sons of the American Revolution applications – will be available FREE this weekend. These records can take a family back two centuries in just one document, and shed light on our forbearers’ brave actions that founded the United States.

4th of July - Ancestry.com
www.ancestry.com

The Captain's Log - TSGS News

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TSGS Meeting Reminder!

When: 14 Jun 2011 Tuesday Night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Rebecca Shelton ~"The Founding Mothers" Anyone interested in genealogy, history or the impact of Women in Colonial America is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

We will have the election of TSGS 2011-12 Officers. Since June 14 is Flag Day the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will perform a brief presentation for the U.S. Flag.


John G. West, TSGS President

The Captain's Log - TSGS News

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TSGS Meeting Notice!

When: 14 Jun 2011 Tuesday Night
Time: 7:00 PM
Where: Willard Library - 2nd. Floor
What: Monthly Meeting

A drawing for an attendance prize will be awarded at close of meeting... you must be present to win.

The Tri-State Genealogical Society will have a brief business meeting followed by a presentation by Rebecca Shelton ~"The Founding Mothers" Anyone interested in genealogy, history or the impact of Women in Colonial America is invited... you do not need to be a member to attend the society's monthly meetings.

We will have the election of TSGS 2011-12 Officers. Since June 14 is Flag Day the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will perform a brief presentation for the U.S. Flag.


John G. West, TSGS President

"Tri-State Connection to TV Show!"

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There is a connection to the Tim McGraw episode of the NBC TV show "Who Do You Think You Are?" in the Tri-State area. Tim discovered that when George Washington was 16 years old he kept a journal and mentioned that he stayed with Tim's ancestor Jost Hite. Twenty years later George Washington met with Captain John Posey and the Hite family was brought up. Posey lived on land adjacent to George Washington's Mt. Vernon home. This John Posey was the father of General Thomas Posey of which Posey County, Indiana is named. The General served as the Aide-De-Camp to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War. General Posey died of Typhus fever on March 19, 1818 in Shawneetown, Illinois, aged 67, and was buried in the Westwood Cemetery. When the General died he was serving as the Governor of the Indiana Territory.

General Posey's grave marker in Westwood Cemetery in Shawneetown, Illinois.
SAR Color Guard from the General Thomas Posey Chapter of Posey County, Indiana. L-R: Robert Hall, Ruth Hall, Wil Teague, Becky West, John G. West (I am carry the 13-Star Betsy Ross Flag while Hall & Teague are carrying muskets to guard the flag)

I am a member of the General Thomas Posey Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution that meets in Mt. Vernon, Indiana in Posey County. We were invited to participate in a SAR/DAR grave re-dedication ceremony for General Posey in Shawneetown, since our chapter was named for him. Several of us dressed in our Revolutionary War uniforms to provide a Colonial Color Guard for the ceremony.

-Written by JGWest

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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... last night's TSGS meeting.

We had about 20-25 attend our meeting! We are trying to get more of our 425 members to attend, with a slight increase noted over some meetings of our last fiscal year of 15-20 attending. We would love to have more members & guests to come join us.
Our guest soeaker was Ken Gilkey, Presideent of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. Ken gave an interesting account of George Rogers Clark capture of Ft. Sackville (Vincennes, IN). The after meeting comments were very good. Thanks, Ken!

The red & green 13 striped flag is known as the George Rogers Clark flag. Colonel Clark was a brother to William Clark of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

After cleaning the small G.A.R. sawhorse type stand, I showed it to our members to see if anyone knew why these were at Oak Hill Cemetery. This one was on loan to show. Everyone that gave a comment suggested this plus the other 8 or so others were used to set a coffin upon at the cemetery before it was moved to lower the coffin into the grave. (They may have been, also, used in the homes or other places where the body of the deceased may have been on display before going to the cemetery.) All agreed that it was interesting that these existed. "G.A.R." was determined to stand for the Grand Army of the Republic.

We had a very good meeting that many missed... next month's meeting will feature Robert N. Hall a very entertaining speaker who will discuss the works of author Washington Irving including Rip VanWinkle and the "Legend of Sleepy Hollow" (kind of a fall/Halloween theme). Mr. Hall will be dressed as Ichabod Crane! I have heard this and about 5 other programs by Bob and I believe this is his very best of the great programs I have had the opportunity & pleasure to hear!

- Photos taken & submitted by JGWest

THE CAPTAIN'S LOG –TSGS News

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Summer Vacation time for TSGS
has come to an end...

... the society is ready to begin an exciting new year!

Our first meeting of the 2010-2011 year will be next Tuesday night - 14 Sep 2010 at 7PM (notice we are meeting at a different time, one half hour earlier... our new time to be able to leave a little earlier for the library employees). We always meet on the second Tuesday of each month except for the vacation months of July & August.

Kenneth Gilkey of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution will be our guest speaker. He will tell us about the exciting, interesting tale of the capture of Ft. Sackville in Vincennes during the Revolutionary War.

Another important event will happen just 4 days after this first TSGS meeting on Saturday, 18 Sep 2010 at Willard Library... a free all-day genealogy workshop proudly sponsored by the Tri-State Genealogical Society. The event begins at 8AM and goes through 4PM. It is called "Tree Roots" with the four sessions presented by Terry Prall, a retired teacher; his genealogical adventure began in 1990. He attended the Institute of Genealogy & Historical Research at Samford University in 2001 and The Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy, 2000-present.

John G. West, TSGS President

From My Email Box - "Links!"

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From TSGS member Kay Lant:
Dave Van Bibber has added 141 photos to his Picasa Web Album "Evansville, Indiana in days of old."

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Reminder: our next TSGS Meeting is the second Tuesday of September (13 Sep 2010) beginning at 7:00 PM. Guest Speaker will be Kenneth Gilkey of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. He will speak about the capture of Ft. Sackville (Vincennes, IN) by George Rogers Clark during the Revolutionary War.

From My Email Box - "Links & Other News!"

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Ohio Valley SAR Chapter member John Van Zandt sent me this info: "This email came to me from the Mississippi Society President on 7-13-2010." Hopefully by this time next year, you will be able to view SAR applications on Ancestry.com. The SAR has signed a contract with Ancestry which provides that Ancestry will digitize and index ALL SAR applications, and will post on their website those applications that were approved through 1970. - Joseph W. Dooley, NSSAR Genealogist General

This is a neat photo gallery that Don Counts forwarded to me: Captured: America in Color from 1939-1943 – Plog Photo Blog... These images (70), by photographers of the Farm Security Administration/Office of War Information, are some of the only color photographs taken of the effects of the Depression on America’s rural and small town populations. The photographs are the property of the Library of Congress and were included in a 2006 exhibit Bound for Glory: America in Color. This is on the DenverPost.com site.

Virginia L. Aldridge sent this via the invander@rootsweb.com email list: Subject: Re: [INVANDER] Browning Funeral Home Records [Her message was in response to people posting that they could not get the Browning Online Genealogical Database to upload.] "I had a similar experience recently. I believe they might have changed the name for the web page, as when I did a Google search I had no trouble locating it. Here is the link I put on my Resources Online page: http://browning.evpl.org/ "

This from TSGS Program Chair Becky West: "Remind everyone that starting at our 14 Sep 2010 meeting, we will begin the meetings at 7:00 PM this is one half hour earlier than it used to be... this is the new time as voted into practice by the TSGS members."

Deborah Hull sent this via the MyFamily.com site - Our Breckinridge, Hancock and Ohio County Cousins: "Found this at Access Genealogy." http://www.accessgenealogy.com/worldwar/kentucky/breckinridge.htm

Access Genealogy claims to be the largest free genealogy web site not owned by Ancestry.com! And it has some great data... check it out.

RACING DOWN the RIVER -Brief Genealogical Notes

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From my nephew, Scott West: Southern Campaign Revolutionary War Pension Applications & Rosters http://southerncampaign.org/pen/ The web site below was passed along by Compatriot Baron Fain [Sons of the American Revolution]. There are almost 9000 applications from Revolutionary War solders involved primarily in the Southern Campaigns presently on this site. Most of these applications were filed in the early 1830s by the soldiers, or their widows, pursuant to a Congressional act of 1832 allowing pensions for the soldiers or widows. It's a great site for historical research on the battles and to perhaps find the applications from your patriot ancestor.

Please make a note to remember that our TSGS meeting times has changed to begin one half hour earlier... the September 14 meeting will start at 7:00PM at Willard Library!

From the FIRST MATE's PHOTO ALBUM...

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2010 SWIRCA Kitchen Band...

TSGS & OVC INSSAR Member Ernest Payne, Jackie Payne Band Conductress & Don Counts Past President TSGS & OVC INSSAR (Don currently serves on the TSGS Board of Directors).
John G. West's Great Aunt, Susan Margaret Wood, played in this band in the 1990's.

- Photo submitted by Don Counts

Tombstone Thursday - Kasper

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Oak Hill Cemetery Mausoleum

Evansville, Indiana

Hal Hon Kasper

19 Feb 1926 - 01 May 2010

RH sct 1B, Crypt 131R

Hal Kasper was a member of the Tri-State Genealogical Society and was a Past President of the Ohio Valley Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. During World War II, Hal was presented the Purple Heart.

- Photo taken & submitted by JGWest

[Tombstone Thursday is dedicated in memory of Donald G. West 1952-2000]