Old Paint Lick Cemetery in rural Garrard County is one of my favorite places to visit. It’s beautiful with gently rolling land, the grass a lovely shade of green in spring. Tall trees, many of which have been struck by lightning over the years, give it a very peaceful feeling – although perhaps not during a thunderstorm. Located in the southern portion of the county, opposite to my Hill family graveyard in the northern section, the land is still the same. Most of Garrard County is made up of small knobs, one after the other – a beautiful place!
If you take Hwy 52 east from the city square you will find a small road to the left called Manse Road. This is where the cemetery is located. Watch for Hwy 954 on the right, the next left is your turn.
The old church, organized in 1784, was located in the cemetery; the new church is across the street.
Today I want to talk about the Shumate family. Considering the early date of the church, the Shumate family were late-comers – arriving about 1806. Daniel Shumate was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, October 5, 1769, the son of William Shumate and Ann McCormick. He married Millender ‘Milly’ Skinner February 26, 1791.
William Shumate was born February 8, 1802 and departed this life the 20th day of April 1842. Old Paint Lick Cemetery, Garrard County, Kentucky.
The earlier census records are not helpful since they do not give names except for head of household. In 1840 Daniel and Milly are listed aged 70-80. This fits perfectly with the 1769 birth of Daniel, and Catherine would have been 67, close enough. One male, aged 30-40, was also in the household. Son William would have been 40 – he died in 1842.
Millender Shumate departed this life August 3rd, 1849, supposed to be 76 years old.
Millender Skinner Shumate died August 3rd, 1849.
Daniel Shumate was living by himself in the 1850 census for Garrard County. Son Mitchell 58, born in Virginia, his wife Catherine, 51, and children Eveline, 18; Mary, 13; and Francis, 9; live in the household next door. On the other side of Daniel lives his grandson Mitchell, 23, with his wife Martha, 19, and infant daughter Martha, one month.
Daniel Shumate was born the 5th of October 1769 and died August 29, 1851.
In his will, Daniel leaves everything to the children of his son Daniel. Perhaps he had given land and money to Mitchell and his children while he was still living.
Will of Daniel Shumate
Will Book M, Page 366
I, Daniel Shumate, Sr., of the County of Garrard and State of Kentucky, being of sound mind but advanced in years, do make and ordain this my last will, revoking all others.
1st. My desire is that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid.
2nd. My desire is that all my property that may not be disposed of at my death be sold by my executor and that, and what money may be on hand, be equally divided between my son Daniel’s children, except his son Daniel, my desire is that my executors pay him fifty dollars extra and above the rest of said children.
August 26th, 1850, I appoint George Dewey and James H. Spillman my executors to this will.
Daniel Shumate
Witnesses J. H. Spillman, John Henderson, George Dewey
State of Kentucky, Garrard County
I, William B. Mason, clerk of the Garrard County Court, do certify that the foregoing will of Daniel Shumate, Sr., deceased, was produced to court at the September County Court 1851 and proved by the oaths of James H. Spillman and George Dewey, two subscribing witnesses thereto, and approved and ordered to be recorded, which is done.
Given under my hand this 17th day of September 1851
William G. Mason, Garrard County Court Clerk
Mitchell Shumate lived another 20 years after the death of his father.
Will of Mitchell Shumate
Book S, Page 104
I, Mitchell Shumate, do hereby make and ordain this as my last will and testament.
I will and bequeath to my wife, Catherine Shumate, all of my estate both personal and real during her lifetime.
Secondly. It is my wish at her death that the whole of the estate, what remains of both the personal and real be sold to the highest bidder and the money equally divided between my children.
I hereby appoint my friends H. T. Terrell and George Denny executors of this my last will and testament this October 25th, 1870.
Mitchell Shumate
George Denny, H. T. Terrell
State of Kentucky, Garrard Court
I, W. H. Wherritt, clerk of the Garrard County Court, certify that the foregoing property was produced to the court at the March term 1871, proven by the oath of George Denny and H. T. Terrill, two subscribing witnesses thereto to be the act and deed of testator. They also testify to the surety of the decedent and the same and declared to be the last will and testament of Mitchell Shumate, deceased, and as such ordered to be recorded which is done this 13th day of June 1871.
- H. Wherritt, Clerk by A. G. Lackey
Mitchell Shumate born February 7, 1792, died March 1, 1871.
Catherine Champ Shumate, daughter of William and Susannah ‘Hannah’ Daugherty Champ, lived another sixteen years after the death of her husband Mitchell.
Catherine, wife of Mitchell (incorrectly listed as Michael) Shumate, born June 5, 1799, died January 24, 1887.
William and Hannah Champ are also buried at Paint Lick – I found Hannah’s stone.
Hannah Champ was born in May 1877 and died November 1851.
Categories: Family Stories
