KYBOURBO-L Archives

From: DH747 <>
Subject: [KYBOURBO-L] It's a long story ( No kidding, it is)
Date: Mon, 11 May 1998 00:10:29 EDT

My name is Dwaine Hiland and I was born in Hendricks Co. Indiana across the
line from Boone Co. In. I now live in Kansas City, MO I have traveled
through Bourbon and Bath Co on old Hwy 60 for years stopping at times in
Owensboro to look for a "Hiland" and finding little. My grandfather Elias,
was married in Bath Co and as a kid, I was told my people came from Nickolas
Co. After stopping in Carlisle one time I found my GG grandfather"s marriage
certificate. Denman Hiland married Mary Kern Feb 1857. A few years later I
found that the original Denman Highland had settled in Bourbon Co on Hinkston
Cr, Flat Rock precinct in 1794. The further I searched, I realized there were
more Hiland/Highlands with the name Denman than I thought possible. So the
original became Denman # 1 with the people in KY. He had a son named Denman
(#2) that stayed in the area and his descendents are mostly around Mt.
Sterling. Denman #1 had 11 children, one of which was named Samuel that
married Sarah Jones in 1835 and they had 10 children. One was named Denman
(lets call him #3) and he is my gg grandfather. I think he lived in Nicolas
Co. but don't know where and haven't had time to search as you will see. In
about 1850 both Samuel and his son Denman #3 had relocated to Boone Co.
Indiana. My ancestors from Samuel on down are buried in Boone Co. and
Hendricks Co. Indiana. Two of Denman #1 's daughters (Nancy and Polly) are
also buried in Boone Co. Indiana. Two more of Denman #1 's children, James
married Martha or Mariah Hinkle and Amelia married William Hinkle. In Denman
(#1)'s biographical sketch, his children walked six miles to church barefoot
and put their shoes on just prior to entering the church. Could this have
been Cane Ridge???? I couldn't find them listed as early members there.

How we found the Highland Cemetery

A visit to the Paris area in 1993 was fruitless BUT, in the fall of 1996, my
wife and I , by a great stroke of luck found Mr. Richard Hinkle living just
north of Plum, KY, and he directed us to the Highland Cemetary on Convict rd.
north of Plum. The cem. isn't on any maps that I know of but a Ms. Highland's
name was on the land map of 1876. Richard said its in the cedar trees up the
hill across the road from an abandoned house that enclosed a log house and so
it is. Richard was born in that house in about 1804 and played in the cem as
a kid. In the cem we found a giant marble slab appox. 6' by 2' by 18" with no
name or marking. Someone worked very hard to drag that stone about 200 yds up
the hillside. We found another broken 3" thick slab about 2" square with a
death date of Aug 25, 1872. Trees had fallen over the area and we left with
nothing definite. Richard told us a ton of history of the area and how the
Hinkles settled further up the road in 1802, I think. When I returned to
Kansas City I was checking my notes and found that Rachel Highland, a daughter
of Denman (#1) died on Aug 25, 1872. We made immediate plans to return and
search further for the other part of the marker. I had picked up Charles
Hinkle's name and phone number and called him. I asked if he knew of a spring
anywhere near since a spring had been mentioned in Denman (#1) biography. He
thought he remembered a spring surrounded by rocks near the old house and he
called me back in 30 minutes and said there was a William Denman Hinkle in his
ancestors. Things were getting very interesting.

In June of 1997 two brothers, descendents of James and my brother and I met in
Lebanon, Indiana in Boone Co. and left for another trip to Bourbon Co. to
visit Richard and find the other part of the marker. I knew in my heart we
would find Rachel's name. First we spotted a spring across the road from the
old house and it had rocks around it. The four of us headed up the hill and
within 5 minutes we found what we were searching for. The other broken piece
was under a fallen tree and said " Rachel Highland Born Dec 11, 1797. The
slab was actually broken into three pieces but when placed together measured
more than 6" long and more than 2" wide and they fit exactly on top of the
hugh marble stone with a slight overhang all the way around looking some what
like the old stones at the Cane Ridge Church. We replaced the broken slab
back under the tree and left everything as we found it, however I think if I
get to Bourbon Co. again I will put the pieces on top of the huge stone where
I think it belongs and pray that no one will pick them up and drop or break
them further.

I can find no other burial place mentioned for Denman #1 and wife Amelia so I
assume they are also buried there. Richard Hinkle told me recently that there
is not a Hinkle Cemetery anywhere that he knows of therefore, I also assume
that some Hinkles are buried there. We estimate from other flat stones and
rocks stuck in the ground that approximately 30 people are buried there.

Richard does remember being told a story of a Civil War Veteran being buried
there. Richard took us around the area pointing out long lost locations of
schools and churches and where his father and grandfather lived. He showed us
Mcginnis's Ford that was mentioned in Denman #1's biography. He told us of a
gun fight to the death near another cemetery. You folks in Bourbon Co. have a
walking history book in Mr. Richard Hinkle and you should interview him on
tape and video as I did. He is now 83 and may not be able to talk too long
and you should first contact Charles, his nephew I believe to set it up.
DON'T WAIT TOO LONG. Charles works in the courthouse in Paris and I am sure
would be glad to help.

The old 2 story log house in the frame house is exposed to the elements and
will not last too long. The logs are still in surprising good shape. Richard
said if he had to pick the house that Denman #1, wife and children lived in,
it would be the one on Convict Rd. across from the graveyard. Is it the
original? who knows? Would Denman #1 have built a two story house? He had
one child when he came to KY from Maryland and if the 1794 date is correct.
By 1805 he and Amelia had 5 children and by 1817 he and Amelia had a total of
12 children so he needed a large cabin. Is there any way to tell the age of a
log cabin. Could the cabin be restored much like Daniel Boone's cabin just
northwest????.

As you can see I have gained a great deal of pleasure of discovery in my
quest. I still have many questions. Given the heritage of the Highlands and
Hinkles as early settlers of Bourbon Co., could the area be designated a
historic landmark?? Could markers be placed along the roadways pointing out
the locations of the early homesteads and graveyard. ??? What must I do to
get the Highland Cemetery identified on the Bourbon Co. list of Cem. for
future generations????

Denman #1 was the son of Hugh Hyland 1742-1804 and Ann (Riggs) Hyland
1738-1804. Both died in Washington Co. MD (obits in Hagerstown, MD papers)

Before I sign off, the house and land is owned by a member of the Hinkle
family along with surrounding land. It was once listed under ownership of
different Highlands. I must track the sale records further. Well I told you
it was a long story and hope of interest to the historians in Bourbon and
surrounding counties and maybe to some distant relations. I now know that
Richard and Charles are distant cousins of mine and who knows how many of
others.????

My e-mail address is . You may contact me on line or at
Dwaine E. Hiland
7919 N. Park Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64118

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• [KYBOURBO-L] It's a long story ( No kidding, it is) by DH747 <>