Re: James Crow Burial Site
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Limestone
I live in Woodford County, close to the Old Taylor, Old Crow and Labrot & Graham distilleries. I saw in the book "Bluegrass, Belles and Bourbon" by Harry Harrison Kroll that James Crow was originally buried "in the mountains near Vanceburg," but was later "removed to Woodford County." Nothing more specific than that. I thought I heard he was buried somewhere in Millville...I know people who live there but haven't had the chance to ask, if they even know.
Anyone know for sure? I was wanting to go get photos of the site.
A great book, by the way:
"I recall my visit to Vanceburg, and the same lonely and lost graveyard. James Crow had been stricken with a heart attack at the stillhouse in 1858 and died penniless, leaving his widow and daughter on the charity of friends, although his whisky made the Peppers wealthy. On the stone there was no name nor date and if his wife and child were buried nearby, I saw no identifying remark. I saw only a forgotten Kentucky graveyard, the the lichened and weathered stones standing awry in the summer sunlight; and through the trees loomed blotches of deep blue that were the quiet, beautiful Ohio. Only now can I remind myself again how man is of so few days and full of trouble, and even his bones are unremembered."
Thanks!
cue the complaining about how Beam has ruined Old Crow...:deadhorse:
But seriously, that's a beautiful passage there. It would be fun to visit the burial sites of some of the significant figures of whiskey history. I haven't found anything on Crow (but I'll keep looking).
Here are some from find-a-grave:
Hiram Walker (1816-1899)- Elmwood Cemetery (section B), Detroit MI
Jack Daniel (1850-1911) & Lem Motlow (1869-1947)- Lynchburg City Cemetery, Moore Co., TN
E.H. Taylor (1830-1923)- Frankfort Cemertery, KY
James B. "Jim" Beam (1864-1947)- Bardstown City Cemetery, KY
Jacob Beam (1787-1843)- Poplar Flat Cemetery, Bardstown, KY
Re: James Crow Burial Site
More:
George T. Stagg (1835-1893)- Richmond Cemetery, Richmond, KY (Madison Co.)
William (Laurie?) Weller (1819-1896)- Middle Creek Bapt. Church, Larue Co. KY
I should have some more later this afternoon. I know it's all on the internet, but it might be nice to have it in one place.
Re: James Crow Burial Site
Josh,
Thanks for the info. It would be good to have it all in one place for archives. I'm going to head down to the Woodford Co. Historical Society in a minute and see if they know or have any records...which they almost certainly do if he's here somewhere.
Beam and Old Crow...haven't tried the 'new' version of Old Crow. It's generally so far down on the bottom shelf that I have to crawl to see it. If advertising and price mean a thing, it doesn't look too appetizing.
Re: James Crow Burial Site
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Limestone
Josh,
Thanks for the info. It would be good to have it all in one place for archives. I'm going to head down to the Woodford Co. Historical Society in a minute and see if they know or have any records...which they almost certainly do if he's here somewhere.
Beam and Old Crow...haven't tried the 'new' version of Old Crow. It's generally so far down on the bottom shelf that I have to crawl to see it. If advertising and price mean a thing, it doesn't look too appetizing.
Let us know what you find out! My wife & I stayed at a B & B in Versailles last time we were in KY, last July. Nice little downtown and still close to Lexington. Beautiful rolling countryside too.
As for the new Old Crow, it's ok. It's just underaged Beam juice. Which is fine, but it's not something that's in my regular rotation.
Re: James Crow Burial Site
There's a good chance you stayed on Rose Hill. If so, I live right up that street...that's sort of false-advertising since I don't have one of the beautiful homes you see on there. We live really close to the Storybook Inn.
If you come back around again, let us know. I've been wanting to sneak into the abandoned Old Taylor distillery in Millville and take some photos. I have some old photos of the place in it's prime, so I'd love to see it now. Another person interested would be about all of the reason I'd need to trespass. (I'm sure several have done it already, I'd just like to see it for myself)
Re: James Crow Burial Site
Quote:
Originally Posted by
barturtle
There is a major problem with his writing-you can't see the Ohio River from Woodford County, KY...
He could have had a telescope.
UPDATE: It appears that Vanceburg is indeed near the Ohio. So maybe he wasn't buried in Woodford Co. after all?
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=vanceb...NKqmofgL&z=13>
Re: James Crow Burial Site
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Josh
He could have had a telescope.
Ah, you beat me to the quote...I re-read it...he was in Vanceburg...which is on the Ohio River.
Re: James Crow Burial Site
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Josh
Quote:
Originally Posted by
barturtle
Ah, you beat me to the quote...I re-read it...he was in Vanceburg...which is on the Ohio River.
And you beat me to mine!
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Re: James Crow Burial Site
James Crow, his wife, and daughter, are buried in the Versailles Cemetery that is within sight of the Woodford County Historical Society. I think that's the name. Anyway, it's the big cemetery that's right there in town, on the main drag. I don't recall if they had a map, but it was easy to find.
As I stood by his grave I took a long pull off a bottle of Elijah Craig 12, and Dr. Crow didn't seem to mind.
