Dedication Ceremonies Proposed
The Wayne County Genealogical & Historical Society has begun
tentative plans for the joint dedication and unveiling of the two Revolutionary Soldier
Highway Markers displayed here, honoring Samuel Hatton and Micajah Frasher.
One of our local members, Jarrett Peters, has volunteered to begin work on this project.
Jarrett has already contacted the Board of Education, the various Veterans organizations,
Boy Scouts, DAR and SAR societies, and other groups, to gain their support.
This project will require other volunteers. We need to identify speakers with connections
to each of these families. Surely there are hundreds of descendants of these two great
men, in this great country, who can be of help. At the moment, it appears the location for
the dedication ceremonies will be the Fort Gay Middle School (the old Ft. Gay High
School). A problem of providing lunch also has to be addressed.
Our Society President, Herb Dawson, has volunteered to serve as the
Master of Ceremonies. Herb has filled this position on previous dedications, and has done
an exceptional job.
Be aware
that this dedication is only in the planning stage. It is going to take a lot of hard work
to make it happen. At this time, the date of July 3, 2010 has been selected. We felt this
to be an appropriate time, as it falls on Saturday and precedes the day in which we
celebrate our independence.
This planned project should serve as an educational tool, both for the adults and for our
children. Our country seems to be on a rather slippery slope at the moment, and our
children need to know more about the founding of our country and the formation of our
Republic.
We have now identified about 17 Rolutionary War Soldiers who have some connection with
Wayne County. As you know, we have previously erected Highway Markers for two others of
them, Josiah Marcum and Samuel Ferguson. We are just this week notified that our marker
for Hezekiah Adkins is completed and has been shipped to the Department of Highways Garage
in Huntington. Planning will begin soon for the erection of that sign.
Books have been published on the family history of both Micajah Frasher and Samuel Hatton.
The Frasher/Frazier Family History, which was written by Harry L. Sellards and Samuel
Hatton, Sr., The Beginning Of all Hattons In The Big Sandy Valley, by Virgil Hatton. If
you do not possess either of these books, they can be found in the libraries at Wayne,
Huntington and Louisa, KY. Copies of the Frasher book are still available from the author,
Harry Sellards, 4031 Grand Ave., Deland, FL 32720. 386-985-0909
If you have ideas you would like to share, or if you have a desire to become involved,
please contact us and let us know. We will be happy to hear from you. We hope you will get
on board. You may contact us by email at wcghs@citynet.net
or personally at the following telephone numbers:
Jarrett
Peters 304-429-2033
Herb Dawson
304-393-3792
Howard Osburn 304-272-3443
An Update - May 18, 2010
As we wrote in the last newsletter, plans are well underway
for the dedication ceremony of the roadside markers for Micajah Frazier and
Samuel Hatton. The dedication is scheduled to take place on July 3, 2010, at the
Old Fort Gay High School, beginning at 10:00 a.m. We will provide equal time for
each dedication, with a lunch break in between. After the dedications are
complete, we will proceed to the uncovering of the two signs.
As this will be a great learning experience, everyone is most welcome to attend.
We would especially like to see in attendance many of the younger people from
the various schools, along with their teachers and other school officials. It is
of the greatest importance that our young children become more aware of the
history of our country, along with the history of their families living here.
The plans for the day are being formulated daily. To date, we have Mrs. Patty
Rollins, of the Rollins Funeral Home and a DAR Member, who will deliver the
speech for Samuel Hatton. She is a direct descendant of Samuel Hatton and a long
time researcher. Speaking in behalf of Micajah Frazier will be Mr. Gary Frazier.
Mr Frazier is a retired history teacher and direct descendant of Micajah
Frazier. Mr Frazier was the principal donor to the erection of the Frazier
marker. He lives in Oregon and is traveling here for the dedication.
Others who have volunteered their time are the Louisa V.F.W. Post 6103 and
American Legion Post 89, both of Louisa, Ky, who will serve as Honor Guard,
conducting a 21 gun salute at the site of the Frazier sign. American Legion Post
93 of Kenova will be present as Honor Guard in behalf of the Hatton sign. The
Jr. ROTC at Spring Valley has also volunteered to be present for the presenting
of the colors at the dedication, as well as helping in other areas.
We also anticipate having members of the Daughters Of The American Revolution,
as well as members of the Sons Of The American Revolution. Hopefully, other
Historical groups will decide to attend. The Wayne County Genealogical Society
will also have copies of their publications available for purchase.
Sheila Cyrus and the Women’s Society of Fort Gay has offered to furnish flowers
for the occasion, including wreaths for the two graves. Mr. Herb Wellman and the
Vietnam Veterans Group will be in charge of serving lunch and refreshments.
As our planning continues, we are in communication with various other
organizations, and surely will have additional volunteers.
There are many other Revolutionary Was Soldiers with connections to Wayne
County, and it is our hope that in time all of them will be honored in a like
way. As you know, our society has in the past erected highway markers for Josiah
Marcum and Samuel Ferguson, with dedication ceremonies for each of them. We now
can report the completion of the highway marker for Hezekiah Adkins, which will
soon be erected, followed by a dedication.
This has been an enormous amount of work, which I am sure each of you appreciate
very much. Please try to attend and make this day memorable. There will be
updates on our website.
John Jarrett Peters
Member, Wayne County Genealogical & Historical Society.