On this site stood Kentucky Academy one of the two first institutions of higher learning west of the Allegheny Mountains organized by the Presbytery of Transylvania in 1794 by donations received from George Washington, John Adams, John Jay and others. It was preceded by a school established in 1785.
Marker placed 4th July 1949 by Kentucky Society, Sons of the Revolution
Photo credit: C. Mathews, 2022
And there is more to this story. Pisgah Academy, Kentucky Academy – there are more than a few names used in reference to this institution of learning that ultimately joined with an early Transylvania University. Another nearby marker at the corner of Pisgah Pike (KY-1967) and Lexington Road (US-60) states:
My 3rd-great grandparents, John Mathews and Sarah Mathews Price, are buried in this church cemetery. I suspect their homestead settlement was somewhere in the vicinity of the church and am working to identify the specific location. The deed references South Elkhorn Creek and both Woodford and Fayette counties.
The three children of John & Sarah – my 2nd-great grandfather William and his two brothers – attended this school (in some iteration) around the 1820s. Would it be safe to assume the family attended this church? Was this the place John Mathews’ mourners gathered in 1814?
A paternal cousin I never knew was married at this church. Apparently a distant McDowell relation served as a minister at this church in the early 1900s. There are many more lines of inquiry to pursue here and I look forward to uncovering more.
Chalk it up to whatever, but for the many years of traveling to and from family visits in the Bluegrass, I have felt something when passing along US-60 where the Kentucky Castle prominently sits at that intersection. When very young, I would light up at seeing my birth year on the highway signage and there is no denying the impact of a castle on the hill. Beyond what is shiny, so to speak, the feeling is something I cannot explain. I have a connection to this area that my conscious mind has yet to identify but my soul already knows. Have you ever experienced this?
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A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along
Here’s what I learned: These photos are all related and appear to be around the 1920s-1930s. Firstly, my grandmother Fanny Dean is in each one and she is approximately the same age in each. Also, three different members of the Bogie family are featured.
A quick check in ancestry.com & Google search located Betty Dean Bogie, mother of Rella, who lived in Nicholasville, KY the same time as my grandmother and who is buried in Maple Grove cemetery, as are many of my family members, including my grandmother.
My 28yo grandmother was a school teacher early in her career when in November 1930, she married a 36yo widower with a 5yo son. I do not know how they met or reconnected when she returned to Jessamine County from Missouri. Historically, rural one-room schoolhouses served concurrently varying ages of students from the adjacent communities. In those years teaching, Fanny Dean would board with families in a particular area where she taught. This period aligns with the timeline of her life as I understand it. Maybe she resided with the Bogie family during one of those stints. That is one theory.
Another is that Fanny “Dean” and Betty “Dean” may have been relations of some kind. Whether family or patrons, this family was significant to my grandmother. I did not find any references to Hughie in Fanny Dean’s writings but he is also the child of Betty according to some quick ancestry.com searching for connections.
Rella Bogie with Fanny Dean Corman (Jessamine County, KY)Fanny Dean Corman with Mrs. Betty Bogie (Jessamine County, KY)Fanny Dean Corman with Hughie Bogie (Jessamine County, KY)
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A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along
Love of animals can be inherited, right? I did not have the experience of farm living as most of my extended family did. I did not get to know reliance on other creatures for living as on a farm. I speak from a place of recognition and honor of my own ignorance. I have enjoyed, though, many pets in my life.
My own first pet was a turtle. We got Toby, a Cock-a-Poo (cocker spaniel+poodle) for our family dog in the mid-1970s and numerous pets came and went thereafter. Often, my parents “hosted” – a somewhat reluctant state, if memory serves. An iconic black cat named Puddy Tat lived with me – and a few other kind souls – from new born kitten when I was in college until the birth of my second baby – a good long life of sixteen years. Then, I have a series of stories about the puppy tales from my years mothering my own young ones, but that is a different blog.
Looking at these old photos of family, some featuring the animals of the farm, I wonder about their natures – what manner of beasts. Of course they had personalities, and they had relationships with their humans. Dad has told us stories, like the one about his younger self (not more than 10yo) milking cows at 4am, running into a bull in the dark one morning, and the reaction they both had being startled. Some stories are poignant lessons of surviving on the farm, most are funny as to hear a Mathews tell it. Some are heartbreaking.
From the family photo album circa 1930
Take Ring, for example, featured in images from when Mr. and Mrs. John S. Mathews lived in the “big” house, as my Dad recalls first knowing it. Mr. & Mrs. Mathews – they were my Dad’s grandparents, who both died within a month of each other in 1940 when Dad was barely five. They lived to 76yo and 71yo, respectively. Ring served their farm and according to other photos in the family archive, there were possibly two other collie-type dogs well-loved on the farm after Ring.
I doubt Ring was an inside dog. I gather from my father that was NOT a thing back then and ESPECIALLY no where near any kitchen. So, likely Ring slept in the barn or some other cover when it was cold. Ring looks most like a border collie and herding IS a farm job. I imagine I would feel very affectionate for the dogs guarding the homeplace and alerting to visitors, dangers and otherwise. In my memory, there was a long drive from Harrodsburg Road back to the house and included more than one fence gate and crossing a bridge at the creek. In other words, some ground to cover as a runner, whether four or two feet.
Here’s my question: Why is Ring posed solo in a portrait? It suggests to me Ring wasn’t considered just an old farm dog to whomever took the photo. It looks like Ring is smart, eager to please, has something in the mouth and is wearing a collar with a tag. Maybe Ring knew a few tricks, too. “Sit” being a good bet.
Cut to modern days. Now we dress our pets for special occasions, the stores are filled with varying gourmet feed, toy and treat options. I do not leave my pup outside in the cold. He’s always been an inside dog and I have the traveling tumbleweeds of hair and dander to prove no matter how often I run the vacuum. He, too, is a smart dog and I have pictures and video on my phone as evidence. I am certain he would love to run himself out in farm living, as would I.
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A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along
Ira Malcolm Corman, 2nd from right, my granduncle, died 1930 of typhoid fever at 26yo.
On reverse, the inscription reads:
This is the “Dauntless Four” as all the students call us. We all occupy the same room in the dorm. Reading from left to right we are as follows: Silas Mullen, Otis Marshall, Ira M. Corman and George E. Wilson.
Circa early 1920s. Likely Manhattan, Kansas where Ira attended Bible college.
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A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along
Headstone for Eliza Jane Murphy Corman, located at Corman Cemetery, Bethel Pike.
ELIZA
WIFE OF
SURBER CORMAN
BORN
APRIL 2 1872
DIED
JULY 16 1896
This is a sad kind of realization. If this woman, Eliza Jane Murphy Corman, had not died prematurely, tragically – I would not be here (at least not as I am in this form). In being a mother and protecting the life of her child, she died. She sacrificed by instinct is my guess.
Eliza Jane Murphy was born 1872 in Pleasant Hill, Mercer County, KY. She was 16yo when she married 21yo Surber Corman in Wilmore, KY, January 1889. Their first child, Minnie Pearl, was born March 31, 1890, followed by Roy Sidney in January 1893.
Surber Harden Corman with first wife Eliza Jane Murphy
The story goes that 3yo Roy fell into Jessamine Creek, that ran across their family farm, and in attempting to retrieve him, Eliza – who was pregnant with their third child – fell in but saved Roy. She died in July 1896, as did the unborn child, from complications caused by the accident. After only 7 years of marriage, Surber was a widower at 28yo with two young children.
At 34yo, Surber married his second wife, 20yo Martha Jane Bradshaw, in 1901. These were my great-grandparents.
My paternal 2nd great-grandfather was named Pleasant Cook. Not a name I think I’ve ever heard before until researching. But, pleasant. Is it possible to live up to it, though?
He was born at home in 1832 at the Cook Family Home, Harrodsburg Road on the border of Woodford and Jessamine Counties. His mother, Nancy Easley, died when he was 8yo and his father remarried to Pauline Bryant in 1841.
inscription on back: “farm with Pleas Cook in front of house” circa 1910-1917
Pleasant worked for 21 years as a carpenter following an apprenticeship to Woodford County carpenter Barry Holloway that began in 1847 when he was 16yo. In 1850, he was employed by Holman R. Crow as a carpenter along with Aaron Crow, George Crow, William Trisler and Neal Wilson.
Two years later, when he was 21, he went out on his own professionally and married Mary Chowning in October, 1852. Over the next 17 years, they had four children: John, Melvin, James, Charles and Mayme (my great grandmother). They farmed 230 acres at this homeplace he assembled over time in the same area as his in-laws.
My great-great grandparents, Mary Ann Chowning and Pleasant Cook. The image, therefore, appears to be a middle-aged period based. Best guess: circa 1880-1890. If you ask me, his hands suit his vocation. And, it may have been something for mother to hold a handkerchief, book or something – can’t distinguish.
Pleasant outlived Mary by 8 years after she died in 1909 at 75yo. His wife’s obituary includes a reference to the Cook family as “one of the oldest families of the county.” Pleasant lived to be 86yo and died in August 1917. Grandson Pleas had just registered for the US draft in June 1917.
The “ol’ homeplace” on Jessamine Creek in Jessamine County, Kentucky at the time of my grandparents raising their children, including my fathercirca late 1940s
With confidence in research validations, I know Pleasant Cook and Mary Chowning to be my great-great grandparents. From Pleasant, I am working my way further along his tree including his father named Thomas Cook, mother Nancy Easley (surname also found in my maternal grandmother’s tree) and possibly three siblings or more. From the family artifacts collection, there is a handwritten listing of Chowning family and their respective birth, death and marriage dates which will come in handy when I get to that stage of research. The Chownings, along with the Singletons, were early settlers of the area and presumably purchased from surveyor and settler James Douglass. *Research topic for later
Cropped image of 1868 deed
According to Jessamine County land records, Pleasant Cook, at 37 yo, was first recorded in 1868 as a grantee of 10 acres for $1,000 by William Singleton. From that date, there are six entries in which Pleasant was a grantee. By tallying the descriptions in those deed records, he acquired more than 222 acres in the 34 years between 1868-1902.
He worked with his hands, creating things of utility and beauty both in the fields and in the workshop. I have been fortunate to have been gifted several pieces that belonged to “the Cooks” as Dad says he was told. Perhaps Pleasant made one of them himself . . .?
I wonder: Did Pleasant have his eye on this particular land for his assemblage into a farm for his family and subsequent generations? Was it the realization of his goals and dreams?
Clyde McQuerry (22 years old) married Violet Fayne (17 years old) on December 24, 1930 in Jessamine County, KY.
A Christmas Eve wedding
A courtin’ scene – Clyde Herbert McQuerry and Violet Sunbeam Fayne, my maternal grandparents circa 1928-30, Sugar Creek Pike, Little Hickman, Jessamine County, Kentucky
The phrase “don’t make ’em like they used to” comes to mind. I look at these young faces and see the beginning of a love story that spanned nearly a century. Look at their arms, hands. Entwined and naturally fitted together. A metaphor for their lives. Even after Clyde died from cancer in 1977, Cutters kept their connection a daily practice. She wrote to him in her diaries, everyday for 35 years until she could no longer see well enough to write. She reached 100 years before that happened.
Both families were members of Wesley Chapel on Sugar Creek Pike, Cutters was born next door to their church, which is where they met, although they did attend different schools. The McQuerrys lived on a large, likely multi-generational farm south on the banks of the Kentucky River. Up the hill from there on Sugar Creek Pike was (and is) Wesley Chapel and neighboring Fayne family. Her utter goodness must have shot through him like a lightning bolt. Or, what if it was a slow burn, like they played together as kids? Both born and raised in a rural church community, it is within the realm of possibility. (I will ask Daddy Mac & ‘Tuh.)
She carried a quiet wholeness and holiness, fingers ever in motion creating something for sharing like legendary bread and crocheted afghans. Cutters, as I knew Violet much later in her life, had this look at times of a far away thought. Her pause was nearly always just to the point you felt the need to pick up a dropped thread. You’d even inhale to speak, then suddenly, she released, nailing the reply. She reflected before speaking her wisdom and I suppose it was by the lessons along the way. She knew EXACTLY what was going on but she had to reflect and, in doing so, to compel you the same. In her presence you’d welcome the pause. She also delivered zingers with impeccable timing. Very clever. It was fun to giggle with Cutters.
The Cutters I knew also carried a sadness reminiscent of long-suffering as in The Bible. She carried it selflessly, though. She could experience joy and you can be sure if you were in her presence the light of that joy was always bright and it shone on you. Always, even in pain and brokenness, she spread light. And, she knew brokenness.
The proximity of Wesley Chapel to the house where Cutters (Violet Sunbeam Fayne McQuerry) was born on Sugar Creek Pike, Jessamine County, KY. Photo: C. Mathews taken on a Ya-Ya’s trip in 2020, 107 years after.
But, in this moment, Clyde, my grandfather at 22 years-old, and Violet, my grandmother at 17 years-old, were in love and embarking together on the future. Christmas Eve. It was a Wednesday. It was 1930. Was it magical? How I hope there may have been a photo I might discover. When did Clyde know she was an angel walking among us? Did he whisper to her “I want to marry you on Christmas?”
The McQuerry-Fayne marriage ceremony was conducted at the parsonage of Rhodes Thompson, minister of the Nicholasville Christian church. [NOTE: I would like to locate this minister’s home address in future research.] You might wonder why the wedding ceremony did not take place at their own church, nor with their own minister. I wonder about that, also. Maybe these “crazy kids” had a reason.
Shirley (unk), Mary C (unk), Clyde & Violet date unrecorded, circa 1928
She had graduated from high school in the summer. She was a teenager, they were young’ns. So, you graduate high school and you plan to be married at Christmas? Don’t you wonder what the “kids” talked about then? Their connection to the outside world was through radio, newspapers, telegrams and word of mouth. The Wall Street Crash had occurred in October 1929 and now, one year later, people were IN the Great Depression. Also, prohibition was in effect, but I don’t think either of them drank alcohol ever.
In the photograph of four friends, you can see what looks like a buckboard in the corner, a fence and a large wooden gate. It reminds me of watching Little House on the Prairie growing up. Cutters liked to watch the TV show, also. I have a litany of “LHotP” stories. That Pa, though. More for another time.
Certificate of Person Performing Marriage Ceremony
TO BE DELIVERED TO PARTIES MARRIED
I, Rhodes Thompson, minister of the Nicholasville Christian Church or religious order of that name do certify that on the 24th day of December 1930 at Nicholasville Kentucky, under authority of a license issued by E. H. Fuller, Clerk of County Court of Fayette County (or city), State of Kentucky, dated the 23rd day of December 1930, I united Clyde McQuerry and Violet Fayne Husband and Wife in the presence of Arab Madilla Herrin(sp?), Henry Lester McQuerry Given under my hand this 24th day of December 1930.
Person Performing Ceremony, Sign Here – Rhodes Thompson
Title of Office – minister
Witnessed by two people: A. M. H. (need help deciphering what is both hard to read and completely unfamiliar) and Henry Lester McQuerry. Should I expect to see a vouchsafe for the bride (because I do)? Where is the implication for her parents’ permission in this process? Or, was that not a thing? Their minister and her family are not represented on the certificate. I mean, where were HER people? Where was Big Mother and Ol’Daddy?
Celebrating Christmas for me was never complete until going with family to “Cutters’ Christmas.” I would venture to guess any of the cousins would say the same. The annual tradition remained a deeply special occasion for decades and maybe that was how Violet chose to honor their special day and her love Clyde each year.
Merry Christmas Eve and Happy Anniversary to you, Clyde and Violet. May you be entwined around each other celebrating for eternity.
Rev. Ira Malcolm Corman, BORN 26-Feb-1904, Wilmore, KY, DIED 30-Jul-1930 Vesta Jane McCord, BORN 22-Nov-1902, Bartholomew, IN, DIED 5-Apr-1995 my granduncle and grandaunt
Ira (22yo) married Vesta Jane (23yo) on Wednesday, July 28, 1926, in her hometown in Bartholomew County, IN. He attended seminary at Manhattan Bible College (present-day Manhattan Christian College) which opened in 1927 as Christian Workers University in Kansas. How did they meet? Still working on that detail.
Wedding Day, July 28, 1926 “Ira and Vesta Jane”
They were married only four years when Ira died July 30, 1930, of typhoid fever while living and preaching in Erlanger, KY. Typhoid fever rates had declined since the advent of drinking water purification efforts and is caused most commonly by exposure to Salmonella bacteria (see Johns Hopkins references) At the time, there was less than a 20% chance (20 in 100K) incidence of typhoid fever, according to The CDC, so somewhat rare. They had no children. They had only just celebrated their 4-year wedding anniversary two days before his death. Maybe he was already sick and they could not celebrate.
Brother’s calling card
As recorded in the 1950 US Census just released this year, Vesta J. Corman was a 47 year old widow, “lodger” who “teaches grade school” living in Fort Thomas, Campbell Co, KY. The handwritten letters of the census taker appears to be on “Alex Pine” with “River View” street on one side and “So. Fort Thomas Ave” on the other side. I will map this eventually.
Although Vesta Jane remarried following Ira’s untimely death, they are buried together in Section 50, Garland Brook Cemetery, Columbus, Barthlolomew County, Indiana.
Interestingly, Vesta Jane’s second husband Howard Long was the widower of Ira’s eldest step-sibling, Minnie Pearl Corman Long. Minnie Pearl, a nurse, died at 58 years old on Dec. 28, 1948, due to a stroke.
In the 1940 Census, Howard Long, his wife Minnie, their adopted son Alan and Howard’s mother Elizabeth (Vandiver) Long lived at 220 Forest Park Road in Lexington, Fayette Co, KY. Eight years later, Minnie died.
The 1950 Census places Howard Stanley Long still living at Forest Park Road. He is 56 years old, widowed and working for the water company in the occupations of “Reading and Repairing Water lines” with an income of $3,730. Living in the residence are 14 year old son Alan B. Long, 87 year old mother Elizabeth P. Long, and Stella J. Hamilton, the 60 year old nurse who’s occupation is listed as “Nursing and companion.” Presumably, this was for the senior Mrs. Long.
Sometime between 1950 and Howard’s death in 1959, Vesta and Howard married. Vesta Jane lived another 36 years as a widow again and joined the cadre of Corman women who lived to their ripe old ages caring for others and for each other. They were my role models, these women in community.
It’s That Kentucky Girl
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A 6th-generation Kentuckian on a journey to find out – follow along
JOHN MATHEWS – This man has eluded me for several years now. Finally, I was able to connect the Mathews line back to him as my 3rd-great-grandfather. Records confirm mostly as his headstone reports his birth date as February 20, 1773, and death on December 18, 1813. I commonly find references to Augusta County, Virginia, his birthplace in my research. I am learning much about the development of land boundaries, the morphing of counties and the complexity of searching in multiple locations for the same thing. What was called Augusta County might soon be called Staunton but refers to the same spot.
The name John Mathews was common and was (is) often misspelled as Matthews, also a common surname at the time. (Yes, that extra “T” is a mistake, an assumption on your part, but I digress…). His father was William and his mother Mary. Also, common names. In fact, I have located two sets of William & Mary Wright Mat(t)hews parents of large families. John is reportedly the 9th of 11 children born to William and Mary Wright.
I find it curious that John was comparatively older for the time period when he married. I will continue to look for evidence of any first marriage or otherwise an explanation for his relative delay in starting a family. That being said, John Mathews (31yo) married Sarah “Sallie” McDowell (20yo) in 1804 and they had four children:
Son, Joseph McDowell Mathews, b. December 8, 1804 in Augusta, VA
Son, William Harvey Mathews, b. December 29, 1806 in Augusta, VA
Daughter, Margareet Mathews, b. October 29, 1808, died 1809 in Augusta, VA
Son, Caleb Moffett Mathews, b. October 27, 1810 in Staunton, Augusta, VA
John, his young wife Sarah and their three boys – 9yo Joseph, 7yo William and 3yo Caleb, settled in Fayette Co, KY in 1813. (I am fully prepared to discover that Fayette Co was formed from Augusta VA.) There was a William Mathews who died in Augusta, VA in 1811 who named his executor as his son, John Mathews.
In December of the year following their arrival to KY, John died at 41yo. Sarah, 30yo, was far away from her family, had three young boys and was a widow in winter, grieving at Christmastime. I am learning other family members settled in the area and she may not have been facing the dire circumstances on her own the entire time. The way these three children grew up appears to have effected them with a drive for pursuits. They each realized a level of professional success as an educator, a merchant and a judge. They were sent to school, a now historic school, known as Kentucky Academy, Marshall Academy, and other names, will be covered in more depth later.
Fayette County Records
June 2022: I had the best experience visiting the Fayette County Clerk‘s Office in downtown Lexington twice this year. The land records division is headed by a Kentucky native, Deputy Clerk Mr. Shea Brown, who I later saw featured in a KET broadcast about the Digital Access Project. The equipment they utilize yields quality images and they are extremely helpful so I am really happy they have this opportunity to provide virtual access for a wealth of records. But, as I can attest, the in-person experience with this office was wonderful and fruitful.
DEED 1793: John Mathews, Fayette County
The Fayette County 1793 deed signed by Levi Todd, grandfather of Mary Todd Lincoln.Other names referenced include: John Rogers, Jacob Troutman, Adam Troutman
ESTATEINVENTORY February 1814: John Mathews, deceased – This confounds me because his recorded death date is December 1814. So, was there more than one John Mathews in Fayette County?
DEED November 10, 1818: George Moffett for Mathews, Joseph, William H. & Caleb.
A deed of indenture was written in 1818 between George Moffett (again with the Moffett name and further research needed) and the three heirs of John Mathews for $6,570 along with 120 acres of land in Fayette Co on the waters of South Elkhorn. Another deed references being part of a “settlement” lying in Fayette Co on Davey’s Fork, a branch of Elkhorn. The General Index references David’s Fork.
My Dad, who trained as a surveyor while attending UK engineering school, provided his analysis of the land as described in the deed. To his calculations, the parcel exceeded the 100 acres noted in the deed. With so many references to ephemeral landmarks – black walnut, elm and buckeye, it might be virtually impossible to determine exactly. Or that is his assessment. He did sketch the shape, distance and degrees.
The culminating depiction through these three documents appears consistent. As best I can estimate, their home was near present-day Keeneland and the Kentucky Castle, perhaps somewhere along US-1967 (the year I was born, by the way). I fear that will be a much bigger undertaking that may end up inconclusive. It is on the list for later.
This parcel of land crossed over into Woodford Co and adjoined the land of Sarah (Mathews) Price, who had remarried in 1816 to Larkin Price. It appears Sarah had five children by Price, including Larkin Foster Price, a noted lawyer, state legislator and Judge in Texas who is buried in Alamo Masonic Cemetery, San Antonio, TX.
It is possible Sarah’s mother, Margaret Moffett, died in Woodford Co that same year and possibly the same month as the marriage. What are the circumstances for Margaret’s death? It is very easy to get your head turned around in trying to navigate the McDowell and Moffett families. More on that to come.
Sarah Mathews Price is buried in the Pisgah Presbyterian Church cemetery, Versailles, Woodford Co, KY, between John Mathews, her first husband, and Larkin Fahr Price, her second husband. She outlived them both, so she had the final say.
My Dad with me on a recent research trip who was surprised to find Happy Chandler’s headstone as we wandered. After looking around a good while in fairly cold temperatures, we found the graves of John Mathews and Sarah McDowell Mathews Price, his great-great-grandparents. I do not think my Dad had ever been to their graves before this day. The taller, much older headstone belongs to Larkin Price, Sarah’s second husband. Both John and Sarah’s headstones have been updated. My question: by whom and when?
This is where I have paused. I feel the need to have more proof before I move beyond this generation. If the details I’ve compiled from records are accurate, Sarah’s parents’ families – the McDowells and the Moffetts – were Patriots and Revolutionary War heroes. Seeing the “McDowell” and “Moffett” middle names of the children supports the theory that Sarah was, in fact, from this same prominent family. But, I continue to explore these connections for additional confirmation.
Mayme Cook Mathews, my great-grandmother born 1869 and died 1940 in Jessamine Co
Mrs. John S. Mathews – Mayme Cook
MATHEWS
Mrs. John S. Mathews, 71, died at her home on Brown street here Monday after a two-day illness. She is survived by her husband and two sons, Pleas C. and John Mathews, both of Nicholasville.
Deceased was the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Pleas Cook one of Jessamine county’s oldest families. She was a kind Christian woman and was loved by a large host of friends and acquaintances.
Funeral services will be held at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning at the Baptist church, the Rev. J. A. Stallings officiating. Interment in Maple Grove cemetery here.
Mamie Mathews’ death certificate is missing details and has her name misspelled. Was the authorizer hurried? The cause of death is noted as “cerebral hemorrhage” which could be due to an injury or a stroke. The Lexington obituary cites paralysis, which again leads me to believe she had a stroke.
Nicholasville Resident Succumbs to Paralysis
Nicholasville, Ky., April 16 (Special) – Mrs. Mayme Cook Mathews, 72, of Nicholasville, died at her home at 5 o’clock Monday afternoon after a short illness of paralysis. She was a daughter of the late Pleas Cook of Jessamine county. She is survived by her husband, John Mathews; two sons, John and Pleas Mathews, Nicholasville; a brother, Melvin Cook, Jessamine county, and six grandchildren. Funeral services will be held at 10 o’clock Wednesday morning at the Nicholasville Baptist church with the Rev. John T. Stallings officiating. Burial will be in the Maple Grove cemetery.
The Lexington Leader, Lexington, KY, Tuesday, April 16, 1940 – Page 11
Maple Grove Cemetery, Nicholasville, Jessamine County, KY image borrowed from Find A Grave
FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Why is her address listed as Brown Street? Brown Street is in town and runs off Main Street near where the new library was opened. I thought John & Mayme Cook Mathews lived on the farm until John died, ironically about a month after Mayme died.
![[ARTIFACT] 1984: The Jessamine Journal, Thursday, October 18, 1984](https://thatkentuckygirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/screen-shot-2023-07-24-at-6.11.07-pm.png?w=89)
that Kentucky girl 