On my first visit to the old Cementery, on Compton Mountain, we located my Gr, grandmother Elizabeth, and Gr, grandfather George. I looked at the stone at the tree. Its the one right in front of the tree, and up close, leaning a little to the left.
There seemed to be something written on it but I couldnt make it out. There was a mossy like substance on the rock, and it had been whitewashed. We were thinking that perhaps it was Caroline buried there.
Caroline died in 1862 of measles, I know within reason that since Joel was an avid "Bee Hunter" that he had sections of hollow logs around to use for bee hives.
The next time we visited the site we brought a steel brush, and some water to wash the stone with. We was hoping to find something on the stone to indicate that it was Caroline buried there.
When we had the stone somewhat clean, the writing became clear enough to read. The letters J.C. was chiseled in using fairly large letters, and a little bit fancy, then in smaller letters , Died April 11, 1871, (it could have been 1876)
We were elated. We thought, and still think that we found the grave of Joel Church Sr. The J.C. matched, and the death date matched as well as we could tell. The last account we had of Joel was the Census record of 1870, which said that he was 110 years old. (I think that he was actually around 95.
When Caroline died, in 1862, I believe that she and Joel had a home (15 acres) somewhere near the mouth of Bill Young, just across the stream (Dismal River) from Pilgrims Knob. However I believe that They, Joel, and Caroline, had taken Their daughters Milly, and Margaret, along with Thomas's wife Margaret, and the foodstuff, and livestock to their daughter Nancy's home up in Spruce Pine Hollow, in an attempt to avoid soldiers who would take their food, and livestock.
Thomas, and George, was off soldiering for the South, as was Nancy's husband "Mose Mullins" ,and Milly's husband "Henry(Son) Horn,and his brother Squire Horn.
Joel was living with George, and George's first wife Emaline Mullins, in 1870, and this was in a hollow called Spruce Pine, which is down stream a little piece from Pilgrims Knob .
The Cementery, where George and Elizabeth, and I believe Joel, and perhaps Caroline is buried, is at the head of Spruce Pine. There are several of Joel's grandchildren buried in the old Cementery .
Some folks think that Joel had a wife in between Margaret, and Caroline. The census is is hardly ever consistant with peoples age The age reported on the census from N.C. in 1810 , and Floyd Co Ky, 1820, and Clay Co Ky. 1820, is a little confusing, but I don't believe that there was a third wife. I believe that Joel moved his family from Clay Co. Kentucky, to Floyd County during the census year, and now show's up in both reports, he and Margaret had a baby girl that year.
I believe that Joel was buried in the old Cementery on the mountain, beside of Caroline, and a great Hickory Tree grew between their graves.
2. Millie Church, Born: Abt. 1842, md. Henry Horn Jr.
3. George Church, Born: 1844, md. 1.Emeline Mullins, 2. Elizabeth Dereberry
4. Margaret "Peggy" Church, Born: Abt. 1846
5. James Church, Born: 1848, Died 1854
