Sweet Confections

I am happy that temperatures are still around 40 degrees for now,since I have a few requests for cream candy orders.
So, gotta spend the afternoon cleaning and sanitizing my marble slab because we pour our candy outside.

Our cream candy is made with pure cream and sugar, using only the finest ingredients, a lot of hard learned skill and our own family recipe passed down for nearly 30 years. One pound of candy equals about 27-30 pieces of creamy, sweet indulgence!!
$10.00 per pound.

Old Sharpsburg Cemetery

Old cemeteries are markers of human history and possible links to family we never knew.
They are monuments to the people who once inhabited our communities; they hold valuable resources for historical and genealogical research as well as historical assets that tell about a community’s past.
Yet, these sacred remnants of the past are often abandoned or neglected and are in much need of being restored.
In doing so, we all regain a sense of our own place in time and history.
In my hometown of Sharpsburg is an old abandoned grave yard known as The Old Sharpsburg Cemetery.
As a child in the early 1970s I remember the Carl House and the old Black Smith Shop that occupied the grounds adjacent to the cemetery. Even back then I remember how the cemetery was hidden by thick brush and undergrowth.
Last year I learned that someone had taken an interest in the old cemetery with headstones dating back to the 1700s.
I was thrilled to know such an important piece of our local history was going to be preserved. The goal of this project is to identify, protect, restore and preserve as many graves as possible.
According to history on the 9th day of August in the year 1849 Robert F. Caldwell sold Lot 51 in the City of Sharpsburg for $25 for the purpose of a burying ground to the Trustees of Sharpsburg including J H Camplain, William Peck, J. Allen, Joseph Stephens, William F Matholias, HE Guerrant, DF Tidings and JP Mc Nary. Of these trustees, JH Camplain, JP Mc Nary, and Joseph Stephens along with family members are buried here.
The Old Sharpsburg Cemetery history is found on pages 363-4 in 'History of Bath County' by John A. Richards, Southwest Printers, 1961. According to Richards, the cemetery was established in 1832 during the cholera epidemic.
The first recorded burial was Mrs. Jonathan Camplin with her body interred by her husband in the lot that he then owned. We have found the first burial to be in 1818. Burials continued here until 1958. These burials include prominent citizens of the time and Veterans of the Civil War.
• Dr. Wright is listed as one of the first burials, a victim of cholera.
• Joshua Barnes a Physician born in Bath Co.
• Elijah E Webb first cousin 1x removed of Daniel Boone. James Webb, Elijah’s father, and Daniel Boone were first cousins and neighbors through childhood, with visits between the families documented in Daniel Boone's remembrances.
• Childs Wren, son of Jon Wren, prominent land owner.
• Harvey Ashby a veteran of the Civil War. US Colored Infantry
• James Gray Boyd and wife Elizabeth Perkins Boyd with children William A. (innkeeper) and Mary Jane from KY.
• Joseph and Jane Caldwell, relatives of Robert F Caldwell, owner of the land.
• JP McNary, Esq. A lawyer from PA. His wife Elizabeth C. from KY. Both age 41.
• Benjamin Ogden, tailor from KY and his wife Eliza J from KY. Children: Virgil, William (Willie), Benjamin F, Lucy, and Henry. Willie found in cemetery with no dates is age 5 in 1850.
• William S Sharp a physician from KY and his wife Mary also from KY. Children: Howard age 4, Joshua age 1, and William age 3 mos.
• Sara Sharp age 17 probably daughter of Mariah Sharp.
• Thomas Summers MD, farmer from KY, and his wife Margaret I from KY. Children Mary, Elizabeth, Virginia, Paulina, Thomas and James Eli, also a dau born in 1851 Margaret Ann. Possibly another child Lea Allen born in 1855.
• Margaret Potts Smathers consort of Andrew Smathers and Andrew Smathers. Children: Emma who married Hezekiah Crouch, Amelia Matilda “Mary” who married Nicholas A. Dimmitt. Andrew Smathers is a Freemason.
• Hugh Little from Ireland. Age 50 worked as a clerk for Mr. Ashby.
• Samuel McMichael was a hotel keeper in Sharpsburg. His wife Mary A Boyd is buried here. She is the daughter of J G and Elizabeth Perkins Boyd who are also buried here.
• Harriett McCarty Ashby- dau of George McCarty and Patsy Thompson McCarty. Housewife and Fancy domestic Cooking. Mother of 12! Wife of Harvey Ashby, veteran of the Civil War.
• Mary Polly Moffett sister of the Reverend James Moffett.
• Joseph Darrell veteran of the Civil War. Civil War-US 13th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery
• Joseph Stephens, postmaster and veteran of the Civil War Regiment: 7th Cavalry Regiment KY
and his wife Elizabeth.
• James Johnson member of the Independent Order of the Oddfellows.
There are many others buried here, marked and unmarked, prominent in their own right.
In early April of 2010 John Small and his wife Michelle began the restoration process to clean up what is believed to be the towns original cemetery.
John and his wife’s interest in the old cemetery began with the search for the burial site of John’s great, great, great grandfather, George Small.
“We have been told that it was the original cemetery in Sharpsburg. After the new cemetery was deeded, then this cemetery became primarily a cemetery for African Americans,” John said. “We are in the process of trying to uncover headstones and grave markers. We are documenting the placement and, of course, leaving the stones where they are found. Hopefully, we will eventually restore it to a suitable resting place for those buried there. Maybe George will be here.”
Johns love for family history was passed down to him by his father.
“Our lineage can be traced to George Small and John Caughey, who both fought in the Revolutionary War and, along another branch, to John and Pricilla Alden, who were among the original Pilgrim,” John said. John Caughey settled in Nicholas County as did Lottimore Hayden, an ancestor and descendent of John Alden. George Small, whose father emigrated from Germany (Schmahl) settled in Bath County in what is now Sharpsburg. His son, Moses, and many of his decedents settled in Nicholas County and later moved to Tipton, Indiana and Tipton, Iowa.
Johns father,Herbert William Small was born at Ruddell's Mills in Bourbon County on November 20th, 1918, the eldest of six, reared on the family farms in Needmore and Crayton, Nicholas County, and settled in Carlisle, county seat of Nicholas County. He served in the US Army during WWII, stateside and in the Pacific Theater from 1939 thru 1945. He married Mary June Thompson January 20, 1943 and reared a family of four. Herbert joined his father-in-law, Luther Thompson, in the floral business in 1946, now Small's Florist and Greenhouses, Carlisle, KY. He died at Central Baptist Hospital, Lexington, KY, May 1st, 2008, due to complications following a fall at home two days previously.
He was predeceased by his father and mother, Elva and Nona Small, brother James and Edward, and daughter Susan Lewis, wife of Joe Lewis. He was followed a month later on June 10, 2008, by his wife, Mary June Small. He is survived by two sisters, Robbie Jenkins, Indianapolis, and Peggy Harris, Milford, OH and one brother, David Small, Louisville. He is also survived by one son, John Small, Campton, KY and Arlington, TX and two daughters, June Tincher, Carlisle, KY and Cathy Mathis, Lawrenceburgh, KY.”
In the past year John and Michelle along with Sharpsburg Mayor Dorothy Clemons, Charles Jones, Chairperson of the Old Sharpsburg Cemetery Task Force, Councilwoman Thelma June Gulley, and several volunteers who are residents of Sharpsburg, restoration efforts are well underway.
To date over 700 graves have been staked out, 100 headstones recorded and lots of dense undergrowth has been cleared away.
For a more thorough list and photographs of the restoration in process please go to http://www.pbase.com/jtsmall/old_sharpsburg_cemetery
Family Names found so far at the cemetery are as follows:
ARRASMITH
ASHBY
BARNES
BATTAILLE
BLOUNT
BOYD
BRECKENRIDGE
CALDWELL
CAMPLIN
CLEMONS
DARRELL
DAVIS
DUCKWORTH
EDEN
GOFF
GREEN
HALL
HALL
HAMILTON
HATHAWAY
HAZELRIGG
HORD
HOVERMALE
JACKSON
JOHNSON
JONES
LAINGOR
LANE
LEWIS
LITTLE
MC MICHAEL
MC NARY
MASSIE
MILLER
MOFFETT
NORTHCOTT
OCHGUS
OFFUT
OGDEN
PERKINS
POTTS
REED
ROBY
SANFORD
SCOTT
SHARP
SMATHERS
STEPHENS
SUMMERS
TRUMBO
VICE
WEAVER
WEBB
WEBSTER
WHALEY
WREN
WRIGHT
Sharpsburg and Bethel have lots of wonderful history just waiting to be uncovered.
Each week I hope to bring our readers even more tidbits of local history as well as interesting feature stories about the citizens who live and work in the little town I will always be proud to call home.

Sandra Stone Krajewski-Noted Kentucky Author

She’s a teacher, a writer and a singer, lover of words, music and people.
Bath County native Sandra Stone Krajewski is content to go in the direction she says, God has mapped out for her.
With three brothers and an equal number of sisters, life for Sandra was anything but dull in the tiny town of Sharpsburg where she grew up.
From the time she was a just a little girl she knew that someday she would grow up to write stories as good as the ones her grandmother used to tell.
Sandra is the daughter of Golden Moore and Lucinda Thompson Stone. She attended Bethel Elementary then she and her family moved to Montgomery County.
“My Grandmother Thompson loved to tell stories and was a wonderful story teller. She spent most of her life in Nicholas County, in the little community of Moorefield, but lived with us for a while when I was growing up. She was the perfect entertainer for a small child” Sandra said. “Because of this, I loved living in an extended family. I loved to hear her stories, and folk lore.”
While she also credits her talent for writing to her mother, Sandra says she got her love for music from her father.
“My Mom was a poet and didn't know it. She would always write me little life antidotes in the form of a poem and they were so cute. I don't know if she picked them up somewhere, or if she created them,” Sandra said. “She would write in my year books or leave me little notes that said you're a cute little girl with a cute little figure, but don't mess with boys, till you get a little bigger. Or, my favorite, Love many, trust very few learn to paddle your own canoe. She was a unique woman. I credit my love of writing to her, my Grandmother, my sister Brenda and my teacher in 7th grade Mrs. Malone. They could be busy as can be but if I wrote something, they always stopped everything to read it or have me to read it to them.
My love of music, I think I got from my father. He was in a band when he was young. He sang and played a little saxophone. But that was before I was born, so I didn't know it, but everyone always told me that's where I got it from. Also, when I was 15, my father convinced my mom to allow me to play with my first band Foxfire.
My Father was my hero and still is my protective angel. He is still around me today, even after his passing. He and my mother, my two deceased brothers, and Grandmother (as well as many recent people I've lost here on earth; take turns wrapping me in their protective and inspiring, motivational and encouraging love.
It is because of all their influences and guidance that I refuse to give up on success. Their inspiration is with me every minute of every hour of every day. And so each day I get closer to what God has for me, though love that never dies. It just gets bigger with each new angel God takes from down here to watch over me. And that is what I truly believe.”
Today Sandra is a published author and has several books in print. “There are No Lighthouses in Kentucky”, Countdown to Grandma's House ,”Christmas Stories”, “Naomi’s Journey”,” Kitty, Kitty” and “Numbers with Attitude” can be purchased at Amazon.com or Barns and Noble and her latest book “Passin” is due out sometime in the near future.
For a little rest and relaxation Sandra performs with her band Sweet Emotion.

In addition to writing, Sandra loves working with children, and is currently working on a screenplay, several commercials.
Sandra is a 2004 graduate of National College of Business and Technology in Lexington, Kentucky. She received the Joseph E. Hurn Award in Radio and Television Broadcasting and the Who’s Who among Students In American Junior Colleges. She speaks at both elementary, middle, high schools and recently spoke before 2500 college graduates at the Singletary Center for Arts at the University of Kentucky where she was presented with the National College Alumni hall of Achievement Award.
She enjoys and is available for doing book signings, public speaking engagements and lectures with elementary, middle school and high school and college students. She has done both radio and TV appearances and enjoys motivational “brain-storming” while involving children.
In her journey to become a writer Sandra says her life’s experiences have filled her with gratitude.
“Being a mother, grandmother, a teacher and an author has made my life full and because of that I am happy, fulfilled and thankful. God has been and continues to be so good to me,” Sandra said. “I thank God for his graciousness and his goodness each and every day.”

Banta Family History

Banta

History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed.
by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882. p. 732.
[Nicholas County] [Carlisle City and Precinct]

ABRAM BANTA, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, youngest son of Henry Banta's (see
Peter Banta's history); he was born April 18, 1805, and attended school
about three months, during which time he received his theoretical
education. He remained with his parents until in the year 1839, when he
came to the farm upon which he now resides. He was married in 1828, to
Miss Dorcas Hedges, born July 28, 1806, to James and Annie (Forman)
Hedges, who were heirs in the famous "Hedges Estate." The Bantas and
Hedges are among the early settlers in the "Region" and noted for their
longevity. Mr. Banta is the father of eight children, all of whom grew
to maturity. They were: Scythia A., born Dec. 24, 1829, was wife of
Samuel Fulton, and James H., born Aug. 14, 1831; both are residing at
Ridge Farm, Vermillion County, Ill.; Margaret L., born May 28, 1833, wife
of Thomas Campbell, residing in Headquarters Precinct; Andrew J. died a
prisoner at Camp Morton, Aug. 20, 1864, aged twenty-nine years, Sarah F.,
born April 4, 1830, died March 19, 1877, leaving one child, Nannie; J. M.,
the father, Edwin Collins, engaged in business at Carlisle, William F.,
born May 28, 1841; farming in Edgar County, Ill.; Elizabeth, a twin sister
to William F., wife of Lon Campbell, of Carlisle; Amie Marie, born Aug. 9,
1847, wife of Henry Bogart, of Vermillion County, Ind. The parents are
vigorous old people, highly esteemed citizens of the community in which
they live and with their family belong to the Christian Church.

Banta Hedges Forman Fulton Campbell Bogart
=
Vermillion-IL Edgar-IL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/nicholas/banta.a.txt

History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, ed.
by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co., Chicago, 1882. p. 732.
[Nicholas County] [Carlisle City and Precinct]

JUDGE A. J. BANTA, Judge of the County and Quarterly Courts, P. O.
Carlisle, was born in Bourbon County, Aug. 2, 1824 (see Peter Banta's
history); he received a common school education, assisting his father
until the year 1842, when he engaged in farming on his own account,
removing to Nicholas County in February, 1846. He was married on Oct. 5,
1846, in Flat Rock, to Elizabeth Johnson of Bourbon County; where she was
born in November 1824, to John and Lettie (Call) Johnson, natives of
Bourbon. Her parents both died in 1833 of cholera. By this union there
have been four children, two of whom died in their infancy; those living
are: Letitia J., wife of M. A. Glenn, a farmer of Nicholas; and John P.,
farming in Bates County, Mo. Mr. Banta and family are of the Christian
faith, religiously, and Democratic politically. He was Sheriff of the
county at the breaking out of the late war, but was compelled by order of
the Federal troops to relinquish his office, which proved disastrously
to him in a financial point of view. He espoused the cause of the
Confederacy, enlisting in 1862 in the 9th Kentucky Regiment, was made First
Lieutenant of Company B., but on account of bad health was appointed to
the commissary department for general supplies for the Southern Army,
in which he served until the close of the war, when he returned home and
engaged in farming and distilling. He is now engaged in various other
pursuits besides his judicial duties.


The photograph above is of the Banta one-room school in rural Nicholas County, Ky.
The little community of Banta covered an area on both sides of U.S. 68 near the original Gallows Hill Road. According to Wanda Hamm Dotson, Banta was believed to be named for one of the children of Andy Jackson Banta, who came to Nicholas County with his wife and children by horse and wagon from Missouri over 100 years ago.

Banta School-Circa 1921
I would love to have the names of each student in this photograph!!
My paternal grandmother was Willie Lee Hawkins
My paternal great grandparents were Marion Francis and Ella Mae Banta Hawkins. My great, great grandparents were Anderson Henry and Kiziah Minerva Soper Banta.
Kiziah's parents were Elizabeth Boardman, she married Henry Soper.