The First Adams Cemetery in Letcher County, Kentucky
Written by Joanna Adams Sergent
Walking through a cemetery is a walk into the past. You find people who walked upon this Earth that lived and died and some had a major part to play in history. You will also find many relatives and friends of those relatives that complete stories told from long ago.
One of the oldest Cemeteries in Letcher County is located off of Kentucky Highway 119 in Mayking, Kentucky. Located by the Mayking LKLP Head Start Building, the Cemetery there holds one of the oldest graves in Letcher County. Known as “John of All” and the first Adams in Letcher County, my Great Great Great Great Grandfather John Adams who died in 1815 is buried there.
Also of interest is a grave stone that was placed there by, then President of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt for the honored service of Fred L. Arthur Jr. Fred L. Arthur Jr. was also a purple heart recipient during WWII as shown on his grave marker.
Also there rests many soldiers from the Civil War era. One of my Great Great Uncles, Henry Adams (one of the men who was accused and indited but never convicted of the Killing Rock Massacre) is also buried there. William G. “Billy Grit” Adams is also buried there.
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I have attended the University of Kentucky. I have an Associates Degree from Hazard Community College and Technical School. I have also attended the University of Pikeville. I have taken several classes in Journalism as well as in the Appalachian History, Literature, and Sociology during my time at those schools.
I was born in Florida and grew up in Burdine, Kentucky. I have been married to David W. Sergent since May 4, 2013. I have two children and four grandchildren from a previous marriage. I currently live in Tennessee but my hope is to one day come back home to live in the beautiful mountains once more.
