The Pioneer Village at Yellow Creek Park gained an additional log cabin on Saturday, June 1, when the Jesse Jones cabin was dedicated as part of a weekend-long ceremony. What began as a request to dismantle the cabin and donate it to the Owensboro Science and History Museum, became a vision that resulted in a restored cabin that now shares the property at Yellow Creek. Prior to Saturday, Yellow Creek Park was home to two log cabins and two log barns.
Jones’ family members from as far away as California, traveled to Owensboro this past weekend to be a part of the ceremony, and family reunion of sorts, that would add a fifth log structure to the park’s grounds.
Some family members traveled from Virginia, as well as North and South Carolina, making a similar trek to Revolutionary War soldier James Jones who relocated his family to Daviess County from Salisbury, N.C. by wagon in 1823.
Jones, the patriarch of the family, had 17 children, most of which made the move to Kentucky. Jones’ wife did not survive the trip, so when the family settled and built a cabin at what is now 5245 Jones Rd., Jones lived with his son, Jesse Jones, the namesake of the cabin.
A two-story log structure attached to the cabin on Jones Road was where 92-year-old Ruth Harrison was born and later married. Harrison sat on the historical porch and shared stories with the crowd Saturday of special memories from the past.
“I was very fortunate to be born into that family and in that home, “ Harrison said.
After Harrison spoke, Cannoneer Max Soaper set the festivities in motion by firing a full replica 1680 British four-pounder cannon, similar to what would have been used during James’ service in the American Revolutionary War.
Local historian, and Jones’ family member, Sue Berry, then led a live Voices of Elmwood-style reenactment for the crowd of over 100.
Daviess County Judge-Executive Al Mattingly, Daviess County Parks and Recreation Director Ross Leigh and several others were present for the festivities and joined Harrison in the official ribbon cutting ceremony.
“We are extremely excited that they were able to make this come to life,” Leigh said. “This is five generations tied to this structure. To be able to have so much regarding that cabin is almost unparalleled.”
Harrison was overwhelmed, both by the turnout and the idea of being the family member selected to help commemorate such a precious piece of her history.
“I’m so proud to get this done — I think it’s just wonderful,” Harrison said. “I almost died in April of 2017 and I never could understand why I was left. But, the Lord had something else for me to do, and I think this was it.”
Harrison said, soon after her illness, she was contacted about the historical value of the cabin and donating it to the museum. From there, Harrison and Berry were present while the cabin was disassembled in preparation to be restored at Yellow Creek.
The dedication events began on Friday, at South Hampton Baptist Church, where a local walking tour was conducted of the historic part of the cemetery where many Jones descendants had been buried.
Saturday, the events resumed with a wreath laying at the gravesite of James Jones in Dale, Ind. by the General Evan Shelby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Afterward, historical exhibits, beekeepers, herb society examples, antique bicycles and educational booths were on display. On Sunday morning, the weekend festivities will conclude with a family church service at Mt. Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Philpot.
