The following is our impression of our "journey through time" that Mike and I took with my mother, Doris, when she visited us September 2005. We explored the area where Thee was born and grew up in Western Kentucky and I'm so excited to be able to share our impressions of this journey!!!

Special thanks to Mike Bailey (Mike, you'll love the last photo!) who first helped me discover which counties and what state to look in (right here in Kentucky, for pity sakes!) and Carole Palmer, Historian "extraordinaire" who put the information on the web and found so many documents--and became such a friend!, and Dot Lauver, our wonderful new connection in Henderson!

Debbie Mecca

The main thing I'd like to share is the fact that we actually found Dr. Jim Davidson's headstone in a little cemetery out on Hwy 56 about 19 miles south of Henderson, about 5 miles south of Robards, and due west of Sebree, in Henderson and Webster Counties in Kentucky. (South of Evansville, IN). All locations are mentioned in Thee's letters!

I searched long and hard for "Petersburg, KY"...well--I think it's one of those places that "used to be"...because I saw no Post Office or any other semblance of a town--just this pretty little country church, a few houses nearby, with corn and tobacco fields all around and a cemetery on the hillside out back.

Mom and Mike and I had looked at about every headstone when I went back to our vehicle and located a listing of the headstones that had been given to me by the Webster County genealogy wizard, Carole.

I checked out headstones until I found the first in the row where Dr. Jim should be. Mike and I matched names with stones up the row then hit a section with no stones. I got a sinking feeling that Dr. Jim's grave wouldn't be marked--then, presto!...found his marker right next to his wife, Amanda's!!

Standing at this site and looking around these towns really brought me close to the place where Thee started out. Looking out from the cemetery hill, I could imagine Thee having been born on one of the nearby farms and going into these towns in the olden days and while the Civil War was tearing through this part of the country! As you know, Thee fought for the South, in and around this area.

This journey through time has been about 20 years in the making for me--and I know there are some of the family members this will still mean something to. Dr. Jim had showed up in Thee's letters twice and I have another fabulous find to share in my next e-mail that places Dr. Jim with Thee when he gave a Provost Marshall statement after the civil war at Henderson!! Hold on to your hats when you see what else I found there...but for now, enjoy cruising through some photos...all were taken Saturday, September 24, 2005.

Love, Debbie

Our adventure began with a nice dinner at the historic restaurant/tavern "Hall's on the River" just up
from Ft. Boonsboro and Southeast of Lexington. This evening was so exciting for me as it was the
first time I had met Carole Palmer who had become my greatest supporter in finding information about Thee.
From left to right: Mike Mecca, Doris Sorrels, Carole Palmer, Debbie Mecca and Bill Palmer.
The evening was even more special as it was the Palmer's anniversary.

  

Doris, Mike, and Debbie, at John James Audubon State Park, Henderson, KY,
Saturday, September 24, 2005 where we begin our "search for Thee".

Civil war display case, Historical Museum, Henderson, Kentucky

Henderson Court House, Henderson, Kentucky. Adam Johnson and
his men captured this court house for a day.

Historical marker on the site of the old courthouse (new court house replaced old 1960's)

Streets of downtown Henderson where Thee signed Provost Marshall Statement 1865

Dr. Jim Davidson, Thee's Uncle, lived to be only 45 years of age.
Dr. Jim is buried just west of Sebree, Kentucky at Petersburg Cemetery

Debbie and Doris at Dr. Jim and Amanda's headstone.
Amanda Quinn passed away 1864

Liberty Missionary Baptist Church sits among corn and tobacco fields on Hwy. 56

I had searched and searched for "Petersburg, KY" for so many years,
and here it is...just a church out in the country in Webster County Kentucky.
Thee's letters mention "The Burg" and "Petersburg" several times.