KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

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Barkley's Birthplace
(Marker Number: 573)

County: Graves
Location: NW of Mayfield, Jct. KY 339 & 121

Description: Alben W. Barkley, U.S. Senator and Vice President, was born near here, November 24, 1877. A life-long leader in Democratic party. Elected Prosecuting Attorney for McCracken Co. 1905, County Judge 1909, Congressman 1912, and U.S. Senator 1926. Majority Leader of Senate longer than any other man. Vice President, 1949-53. Elected Senator 1954. Death on Apr. 30, 1956.

(Subjects: Barkley, Alben W.)

Bayou de Chine Church
(Marker Number: 1597)

County: Graves
Location: 2 1/2 mi. E. of Water Valley, KY 2422

Description: Named after a stream which flows nearby, this church congregation is the oldest of Mayfield Presbytery. It was organized circa 1826; original log church used until 1866. During Civil War part of CSA Army located near here at Camp Beauregard. When a measles epidemic swept camp, Bayou de Chine was used as hospital. Many soldiers are buried in community graveyard at site of the camp.

(Subjects: Camps | Civil War | Presbyterian Church)

Camp Beauregard
(Marker Number: 180)

County: Graves
Location: North edge of Water Valley, US 45

Description: On hill one mile east of this point stood Camp Beauregard. Training base for Confederate troops from six states 1861-1862. Severe epidemics caused heavy mortality rate here.

(Subjects: Camps | Civil War)

County Named, 1823
(Marker Number: 869)

County: Graves
Location: Mayfield, Courthouse lawn, US 45, KY 80

Description: For Maj. Benjamin Franklin Graves. Born Va., 1771, came Ky., 1791. A farmer, settled in Fayette Co. Elected to the General Assembly, 1801, 1804. Enlisted at beginning War of 1812, commissioned Aug. 7. Presumed killed by Indians after being wounded and captured, battle of River Raisin, Mich., Jan. 22, 1813. County, part of Jackson Purchase, formed from Hickman.

(Subjects: Raisin River, Battle of | War of 1812)

Daniel R. Merritt (1833-1907)
(Marker Number: 2010)

County: Graves
Location: Mayfield, Exchange Bank, S. 6th and E. Water Streets, KY 121

Description: This Graves County businessman was founder and first president of Merit Clothing Co. (1899), located in brick building across Sixth St. Also organized Mayfield Exchange Bank, 1899. Was Confederate surgeon (1861-65) in 3rd and 7th Ky. Inf. Regts. Born in Todd Co., he had outstanding medical and business career. Presented by Mrs. Ruth Merritt, Exchange Bank, and City of Mayfield.

Fancy Farm
(Marker Number: 1682)

County: Graves
Location: Fancy Farm, KY 80

Description: The town which grew up around St. Jerome's Church was named ca. 1845 for farm of John Peebles. Samuel Willett and Elizabeth Hobbs, from St. Rose's, Washington Co., were first permanent Catholic settlers in 1829. First church was built 1835-1836 by Rev. Elisha Durbin. The present church blessed by Bishop Wm. McCloskey in November 1893. Annual picnic is fundraiser for parish. Over.

(Reverse) Centennial Picnic, Aug. 2, 1980 - This blend of politics, community spirit and home cooking puts Fancy Farm in Kentucky headlines. First picnic in 1881; Reverend R. Feehan, pastor. Centennial picnic hosted by Reverend W. Hancock. First resident pastor was Reverend A. Hagan. Reverend C. Haeseley built present church, brick school and rectory. Other noted pastors include Msgr. A. Thompson, Msgr. E. Russell and Reverend C. Denardi.

(Subjects: Catholic Church)

Feliciana
(Marker Number: 1432)

County: Graves
Location: KY 94, 11/2 mi. from US 45 at Water Valley

Description: Site of a settlement established in 1830s. By 1838 it was most important trading point in the county. After a state road was built through Feliciana in 1845, it became one of the greatest commercial centers in western Ky. This community remained prominent until bypassed by the railroad in 1858. Abandoned when business interests moved to other towns.

First Presbyterian Church
(Marker Number: 2187)

County: Graves
Location: US 80, Mayfield

Description: Mayfield’s oldest church, First Presbyterian, was founded ca. 1832 as Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Joined Presbyterian Church USA in 1906. Members have included Mayfield founder John Anderson and Congressmen Lucian Anderson (1863-65), William V. Gregory (1927-36), and Noble J. Gregory (1937-59). Presented by First Presbyterian Church.

(Subjects: Presbyterian Church | First Presbyterian Church)

Secession Abandoned
(Marker Number: 732)

County: Graves
Location: Mayfield, Courthouse lawn, US 45, KY 80

Description: In May, 1861, delegates of seven Kentucky and twenty Tennessee westernmost counties, the Jackson Purchase, met in Mayfield. Belief in Southern cause, dissatisfaction with Kentucky adherence to Union, and Tennessee delay joining South, caused convention vote to secede and form a Confederate state. With Tennessee's vote to secede, June 8, 1861, proposal abandoned.

(Subjects: Civil War)

Spence Chapel United Methodist Church
(Marker Number: 2095)

County: Graves
Location: Spence Chapel Rd., off KY 80

Description: Spence Chapel United Methodist congregation in Graves County has remained continuous since its founding in 1826. It was on the Wadesboro Circuit in 1834. The first log building was followed by two frame structures. Current brick sanctuary was built in 1917-18 to replace one that burned. Presented by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and the Kentucky Heritage Council.

(Subjects: Methodist Church)

St. Jerome Sesquicentennial
(Marker Number: 1785)

County: Graves
Location: Fancy Farm, Jct. KY 80 & 339

Description: Site of first St. Jerome, completed 1836 by the Rev. Elisha Durbin; first Catholic Church in the Jackson Purchase. Second church dedicated, 1858; present church in 1893. St. Jerome settlers were mainly descendants of Maryland Catholics from Washington Co., Ky. Missions: St. Charles in Carlisle Co., 1891; St. Denis in Hickman Co., 1913. Presented by St. Jerome Parish.

(Reverse) Elisha John Durbin, 1800-1887 - A missionary for over 50 years, Father Durbin aided in building ten Catholic churches, including St. Jerome. Born 1800, Madison Co.; ordained 1822; given pastoral care of Catholic population of western and southwestern Ky. (now Owensboro Diocese) in 1824. Headquarters at Sacred Heart in Union County. Buried in St. Louis Cem., Louisville, Ky. Presented by St. Jerome Parish.

(Subjects: Catholic Church | Cemeteries | Jackson Purchase)

Two Successful Raids
(Marker Number: 654)

County: Graves
Location: Mayfield, US 45, KY 80

Description: CSA General Nathan B. Forrest with main body of cavalry passed thru Mayfield to and from destructive raid on Paducah, March 25, 1864. Gen. Abraham Buford's division camped here. Kentucky regiments given leave to visit homes, enlist recruits. All returned. News item led Forrest to send Buford from Tenn. thru here again, April 14, to capture horses missed before.

(Subjects: Civil War | Forrest, Nathan Bedford)

Two Successful Raids
(Marker Number: 655)

County: Graves
Location: Dukedom, KY 116, 129

Description: CSA Gen. N. B. Forrest with main body of cavalry passed this way before and after destructive raid on Paducah, March 25, 1864. Returning, Kentucky regiments, camping near here, given leave to seek food, horses, get recruits, visit families. Not one deserted. News item led Forrest to send men back thru here again, April 14, to capture horses missed before.

(Subjects: Civil War | Forrest, Nathan Bedford)

Wooldridge Monuments
(Marker Number: 1288)

County: Graves
Location: Maplewood Cem., US 45 North, Mayfield

Description: Those enshrined here are Keziah Nichols, mother of Col. Henry Wooldridge; his brothers, W.F., Alfred, Josiah and John; his sisters, Narcissa, Minerva and Susan; small statues of great nieces, Maud and Minnie. His favorite hunting dogs, Tow-Head and Bob, a deer and fox along with Henry, himself, astride his favorite horse, Fop. See over.

(Reverse) Wooldridge Monuments - This rare statuary, a memorial to loved ones, was conceived by Colonel Henry Wooldridge, whose central marble image was carved in Italy. Devoted to the memory of his family and his life. Animal lover, famous fox hunter and member of the Masonic order, only he is entombed here. Details at Chamber of Commerce.