KY:Historical Society - Historical Marker Database

KYHistorical Society

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American Historian
(Marker Number: 985)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville, US 23 Bypass

Description: William Elsey Connelley, born on Middle Fork, Jennie's Creek, 1855. Wrote: The Founding of Harman's Station, The Wiley Captivity, History of Kansas and 13 other major works; collaborated with Coulter on History of Kentucky, edited by Kerr. Contributed to journals on ethnology, folklore of Wyandots; prepared only written vocabulary of their language. Died, 1930.

(Subjects: Wyandot Indians)

County Named, 1843
(Marker Number: 1125)

County: Johnson
Location: 1/2 mi. N. of Paintsville, near high school, US 23

Description: For Richard M. Johnson, native of Kentucky, US Vice-President, 1837 to 1841, US Rep. 1807-19, 1829-37, US Senator 1819-29, intimate of President Jackson. His tactics as Colonel of Ky. Mounted Riflemen, War of 1812, won Battle of the Thames and earned him title: "Father of American Cavalry." Johnson was formed from parts of Lawrence, Floyd and Morgan counties.

(Subjects: Jackson, Andrew | Johnson, Richard M. | Thames, Battle of | War of 1812)

Harman Station
(Marker Number: 736)

County: Johnson
Location: 5 mi. S. of Paintsville, US 23, 460

Description: The first settlement in Eastern Kentucky. Matthias Harman's party of hunters from Virginia built stockade near river bank, 1787. Indians forced evacuation in 1788, and burned blockhouse. Harman and others returned, 1789, and rebuilt an enduring fort. These men at Blockhouse Bottom broke Indian hold on Big Sandy Valley, opened Eastern Kentucky for settlement.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations)

Jennie's Creek
(Marker Number: 571)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville, 1/2 mi. W. of Jct. US 23 & 460

Description: Under orders to dislodge CSA from this area Col. James A. Garfield's troops reached Paintsville on Jan. 6, 1862. The next day he sent Col. Wm. Bolles to clear out CSA cavalry at mouth of Jennie's Creek. After Confederate defeat here, Gen. Humphrey Marshall withdrew to Middle Creek. After a heavy engagement there on Jan. 10, Marshall returned to Virginia.

(Subjects: Civil War | Garfield, James A. | Marshall, Humphrey)

Jenny (Jennie) Wiley
(Marker Number: 735)

County: Johnson
Location: 5 mi. S. of Paintsville, US 23, 460

Description: Captured by Indians in present Bland Co., Va., Oct. 1787 or '89. Four children and brother killed. A child born in captivity killed also. Harman party pursued, had to give up. Came here and joined by others built stockade. After nearly a year Mrs. Wiley escaped, followed "dream" to safety here. Reunited with husband in Va. They settled in this county in 1800.

(Subjects: Indians)

John C.C. Mayo-"Dreamer"
(Marker Number: 1632)

County: Johnson
Location: 3rd & Court Sts., Paintsville

Description: Mayo (1864-1914) migrated to this county with his family at an early age. He foresaw the wealth in coal and with meager savings from teaching, he and two others bought mineral rights in Johnson Co. Soon his holdings extended throughout the valley. By early 1900s he had interested Eastern capitalists in Big Sandy coal fields; served as primary link in their development.

(Reverse) John C.C. Mayo-"Doer" - Mayo promoted railroads and helped organize banks to assist rail and coal companies. Having gained extensive wealth, he established many religious, educational and financial institutions to help the mountain people. He built his home on this corner, 1904-11, and Mayo Memorial Methodist Church. Mayo State Vocational School had its beginning with the Mayo College.

(Subjects: Coal | Methodist Church)

Mission Accomplished
(Marker Number: 556)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville, US 23, 460

Description: On mission to clear area of CSA forces, Colonel G. W. Gallup with USA troops was attacked here April 13, 1864 by CSA force under Lt. Colonel E. F. Clay. Union troops repulsed Confederates. Next day USA attacked CSA at Half Mountain, south of Salyersville. 60 CSA killed or wounded; 60 men, 200 horses, 400 saddles, 300 small arms captured. USA losses were slight.

(Subjects: Civil War)

Morgan's Last Raid
(Marker Number: 700)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville, South, US 23, 460

Description: On tragic last Kentucky raid, CSA Gen. John H. Morgan and Raiders entered state June 1, 1864, took Mt. Sterling June 8, lost it on 9th, took Lexington on 10th, and Cynthiana on 11th. USA under General S. G. Burbridge defeated CSA next day. Morgan retreated through here, reaching Virginia June 20. See map on other side. Raiders never recovered from this reverse.

(Subjects: Burbridge, Stephen G. | Civil War | Cynthiana, Battle of | Lexington | Morgan, John Hunt | Mt. Sterling)

Paintsville
(Marker Number: 1126)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville bypass, Jct. Jefferson Ave. & US 23

Description: The second oldest settlement in Eastern Kentucky, at first named Paint Lick Station. Established in 1790 by Col. John Preston. Dr. Thomas Walker probably camped at mouth of Paint Creek, near some abandoned log cabins, in 1750. Rev. Henry Dixon laid out town and built first house in 1826. Paintsville incorporated in 1872, but city government much older.

(Subjects: Forts and Stations)

The Walker Expedition
(Marker Number: 903)

County: Johnson
Location: Paintsville, KY 40 at KY 581

Description: Doctor Thomas Walker led first expedition of record from Virginia into eastern Kentucky and camped at present site of Paintsville in 1750. Here, June 7, 1750, he discovered French cabins at mouth of Paint Creek and named river Louisa, honoring daughter of King George II and sister of Duke of Cumberland for whom Walker named the Cumberland River and the Gap.

War on the Big Sandy
(Marker Number: 608)

County: Johnson
Location: Hager Hill, US 23, 460

Description: On mission to dislodge CSA from area, Colonel James A. Garfield's troops reached Paintsville on Jan. 6, 1862. Under threat of USA flank movement on left and rear, Gen. Humphrey Marshall abandoned his strong breastworks here at Hager Hill. Moving to Middle Creek he was overtaken on Jan. 10 by large USA force. After engagement Marshall retreated to Virginia.

(Subjects: Civil War | Garfield, James A. | Marshall, Humphrey)