| OCHGS Officers | Nancy Moulton
President
Shirley Elkins
Vice President
Cinda Byrd Deaton
Secretary
Ruth Klein
Treasurer
Joel Meyers
Board Member at large
Michelle Cole
Board Member at large
Website Legal Disclaimer
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Website
Welcome to The Owsley County History and Genealogy Society website.
Our goal is the preservation of the history of Owsley County and surrounding counties of Kentucky and researching families who lived in this area of southeastern Kentucky.
If you wish to share information or have questions, please feel free to contact us by sending an email to the addresses listed under OCHGS OFFICERS to the left or to contact the Web Team, simply email us at
Membership to the society is not required to explore all the information and data stored here in our archives. This websites uses no membership database as it is not required.
The material is here for your viewing and research. If you would like a copy please email the Web Team at the address shown above and let us know you wish to have a copy and how you are related. Please give credit to the source and the contributor! Not for use in publications or public forums without the express permission of the owners.
If you would like to join The Owsley County History and Genealogy Society please place your cursor here and click for more information.
Enjoy the site and if you have questions please feel free to contact us.
The Owsley County History and Genealogy Society
P.O. Box 976, Booneville, Kentucky 41314
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FEATURED PHOTO: Back/Bach Family of Perry County
Wednesday, April 30 @ 12:19:02 EDT - (25 reads) | This is The Back/Bach Family taken at the William Cornett Family Cabin early 1900's in Perry County. If you can identify anyone in the photo, please contact Nancy Frost Moulton, e-mail address shown at left.
Submitted by Nancy Frost Moulton
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Spring 2008 OCHGS Newsletter
Wednesday, April 30 @ 11:46:12 EDT - (21 reads) | Additional copies of the current Spring 2008 Edition of the OCHGS newsletter are available to OCHGS members and non-members:
Member price: $ 8.50 (applies to members of The Owsley County History and Genealogy Society)
Non-member price: $10.00
Just mail your check or money order to:
OCHGS Newsletter
P.O. Box 976
Booneville, KY 41314
Indicate that you are ordering the 2008 Spring Edition. And, of course, be certain to include your mailing address.
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Will Transcriptions Available
Wednesday, December 12 @ 14:29:12 EST - (134 reads) | | Owsley County will transcriptions are now available!
Harley Bowling has transcribed Owsley County Wills from Will Book I, April 1930 - September 1971 and from Will Book II, January, 1970 - September, 1983.
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John ''Speed'' Hamilton Tombstone Dedication
Tuesday, October 16 @ 09:55:43 EDT - (231 reads) |
Photo by Tommy Barrett
John Speed Hamilton
Tombstone Dedication
September 4, 2007
Hamilton/Venable Cemetery
Marcum Ridge Rd.Vincent, Owsley Co., Kentucky
Thank you to all who gave of their time and money to make this stone dedication a reality and all those who attended this stone dedication for John Speed Hamilton, United States Marshall killed in the line of duty one hundred and fifteen years ago, almost to the day.
Patrick Hamilton, Sr., great grandfather to John Speed Hamilton, came into Kentucky from Augusta Co., Va. through the Cumberland Gap on the Wilderness Trail shortly after Daniel Boone and his 30 axmen carved the trail out in 1775. Patrick settled in Estill County, Kentucky and began grubbing out his homestead. Hard work and many trials faced these early pioneers. In 1785, Patrick Hamilton, Jr., Speed Hamilton’s Grandfather, was born. As his father before him, he proceeded to raise his own family the best way he could. To him and his wife, Sarah “Sally Stivers, John Speed Hamilton’s father was born. Owen Hamilton stayed in the Estill County area until he was 17 years old and migrated to Owsley Co., Ky. with his parents. Here he met and married Anna Roberts in 1845. During the bloody War Between the States, John Speed Hamilton was brought into this world. He was born on July 25, 1863.
As a small child, John witnessed the savage raids and revenge killings by the Rebels who could not accept that the war was over. Lawlessness prevailed all over the area where John lived. The main instigator was moonshine whiskey. It was known as the Devil’s Brew. Honest hardworking men, after consuming the brew, would fight and kill their neighbors. John must have realized his mission in life at an early age. He had to help bring down these brewers of death and destruction. He became a United States Marshal and waged his own war against these Moonshiners. John, along with other Marshals, had arrested dozens of these men and put them out of business.
On August 25, 1892 John and his Deputy, a Mr. Riley, received tips that a big moonshine operation was being conducted by John Sandlin and Estill Deaton in Breathitt Co., Ky. They set out on horse-back for Breathitt County and nearing Crockettsville, they were ambushed by gunfire. Deputy Riley was shot in the arm and John was hit six times. The shooters fled and Riley managed to get John on his horse and took him back to his home in Owsley County. John Speed Hamilton died from his wounds a few days later on August 28th.
We dedicate this stone in memory of John Speed Hamilton, United States Marshall. Born July 25, 1863 and died in the line of duty from gunshot wounds on August 28, 1892. The letters carved in this stone will serve as a lasting memorial for all who stand before it.
Remember forever the bravery, valor and courage interred beneath the stone.
Thanks go to the members of The Owsley County History and Genealogy Society for donating their time and money, for looking for details to his life and death, and to Sheriff Kelly Shouse, Searcy and Strong, and all the attendees for taking the time to come and share in this memorial, Kelly Shouse, Owsley County Sheriff, Johnnie Moore, Owsley County Deputy Sheriff, Officer John Logsdon, Chief of Police, Booneville and Trooper James Gross of the Kentucky State Police, Post 7. Thank you to ordinary citizens, Tom TT Barrett, Joel Meyers, and his sister Jill Frese from Manhattan, Kansas and Lavonne Smith. The dedication eulogy was given by Joel Meyers and flowers by John and Jill Frese, the Flag from Tom. Thanks to Tom and Wendell for setting the stone.
Photo by Jill Frese
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Civil War Pension Records book now available!
Thursday, July 19 @ 18:19:04 EDT - (643 reads) | 
The new book, "Civil War Pension Records of Owsley County, KY Veterans" is now available!! This book of transcribed pension records measures 8½" X 11" and is 505 pages, including a 16 page every-name-index. It's coil binding allows it to lay flat for ease of research. Volume I includes surnames A-B (see Table of Contents) and is formatted to resemble the original records. View a sampling of a pension record from the book. The genealogical information you can find in these pages is invaluable. Some of the things you can learn about your ancestor, besides his service record, are where he lived before and after the war, who his neighbors and close friends were, where he was born and his physical description. You can also find when he died, what caused his death and possibly where he was buried. If he was living in 1897, 1898, or 1911, he was required to file a Family Report, naming his children and their birth dates, his wife (or wives) and their marriage, death, &/or divorce dates.
If his widow survived him, you may find the location and description of the property he left her, and a marriage and death record. Some pension files even have Certificates of marriage and death records, and copies of these are included in the book.
Besides all of these things, you may find historical tidbits, and possibly — family secrets.
We invite you to take advantage of this opportunity to learn more about your family history and about the early families of Owsley County, KY.
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