Married:
Mary Catherine Bell abt. 1839
They had 5 Children:
Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine & Mary Kirby
Married:
Mary Ellen Ross abt. 1850
They had 4 Children:
Ellen, Elwood, John & Alvin Kirby.
Harry came from Maryland with his parents and siblings. According to family legend there were 14 children including Harry. Given name Henry Kirby. The story goes that their parents were Thomas and Nancy Kerby. Thomas and Nancy died in some tragedy between 1837 & 1843 in the Carolina's, leaving behind their children on a small farm. When authorities learned of the death of both parents they decided it best to take the children to an orphanage. The older Kirby children heard this from neighbors and took matters into their own hands. Each of the older children took one of the younger and scattered to the winds. When the authorities came, there was no one left at the farm.
Henry and his younger brother Joseph headed to Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY. The two young men took odd jobs in Louisville. It was not long before Henry was smitten by Miss Mary Catherine Bell. Henry became a night watchman / policeman. Henry and Mary soon began their family. She gave him five lovely daughters, Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine and Mary. Henry took in his mother-in-law Maria Bell and 2 of Mary "Catherine's" brothers. His was a very full and happy home until Mary Catherine passed in 1848.
Joseph too had fallen for a lovely young woman, married in 1843 and became a Stage Coach Driver. By 1850 the brothers lived in different counties. By then Harry had taken a second wife Mary Ellen Ross of Ireland. Mary Ellen gave Henry another daughter Ellen Belle Kirby and 3 fine sons, Elwood, John and Alvin Kirby. Throughout his life Harry carried on in his career as a Police Officer. He died of consumption after a year of suffering from the disease also known as pulmonary tuberculosis.
But fate was not finished with him. Harry was buried with some fanfare and honors. We know this because years later it was discovered that the caretakers of Eastern Cemetery had been re-selling these old grave sites. To this date it is unknown how many. The University of Louisville has a large Archeology Department which took part in the investigation of the Cemetery. Most of Harry's family was buried in their family plot there. When the dig was completed all that was found in the family plot which belonged there was a very detailed Heavy Metal Casket belonging to Harry. It remained only because it was too heavy for the perpetrators to remove. Both of his wives, his sister Sarah Kirby, 2 of his daughters and 2 of his sons had been ripped from their resting place. Oddly enough, his daughter Mary Thomas Kirby Gilmore had arranged burials on the same family plot. Mary along with her husband Charles and 2 of their sons, Carl and Harry are also no longer interred there either. Another family was buried above and around him in the 1960's.
A sad and dishonorable end to a most caring and honorable man. Rest in Peace Harry.
Bio by:
Lettie Kirby
Sources:
Ancestry.com
United States Census
1850 Dist 01 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1860 Ward 3 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1870 Ward 11 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
"ONE KIRBY"
UPON THIS COLD YET HALLOWED GROUND
BUT ONE KIRBY HAS BEEN FOUND.
HE LAYS ALONE WITHIN THIS EARTH
HIS LOVE AND LIFE SOLD FOR LESS THAN WORTH
AN HONORABLE MAN WHO MARRIED TWICE
HE LOVED HIS CHILDREN AS THEY WERE SPICE
HE MOURNED HIS WIFE AND SHED HIS TEARS
UPON THIS HALLOWED GROUND FOR YEARS.
HIS LIFE BY DAY WAS A GIFT TO YOU!
HIS LIFE BY NIGHT AS HIS FAMILY GREW
EACH DAY HE WALKED HIS SCHEDULED BEAT
TIL HERE HE REST HIS POLICEMAN'S FEET.
THEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AS HE LAID IN REST
THE THIEVES COMMENCED TO ROB HIS NEST.
THEY TOSSED HIS STONES NEAR AND FAR
DISTRIBUTED BONES, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE!
HERE HE WAITS WITH A SOULFUL MOAN.
AN HONORABLE MAN SO VERY ALONE.
Written by: Lettie Kirby
Sept 7, 2013
He served as a watchman/police officer for the Louisville Police Department at various periods from 1848 to at least 1867.
Source: Louisville Division of Police: 1806 - 2002" by Retired LPD Captain Mort Childress.
Mary Catherine Bell abt. 1839
They had 5 Children:
Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine & Mary Kirby
Married:
Mary Ellen Ross abt. 1850
They had 4 Children:
Ellen, Elwood, John & Alvin Kirby.
Harry came from Maryland with his parents and siblings. According to family legend there were 14 children including Harry. Given name Henry Kirby. The story goes that their parents were Thomas and Nancy Kerby. Thomas and Nancy died in some tragedy between 1837 & 1843 in the Carolina's, leaving behind their children on a small farm. When authorities learned of the death of both parents they decided it best to take the children to an orphanage. The older Kirby children heard this from neighbors and took matters into their own hands. Each of the older children took one of the younger and scattered to the winds. When the authorities came, there was no one left at the farm.
Henry and his younger brother Joseph headed to Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY. The two young men took odd jobs in Louisville. It was not long before Henry was smitten by Miss Mary Catherine Bell. Henry became a night watchman / policeman. Henry and Mary soon began their family. She gave him five lovely daughters, Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine and Mary. Henry took in his mother-in-law Maria Bell and 2 of Mary "Catherine's" brothers. His was a very full and happy home until Mary Catherine passed in 1848.
Joseph too had fallen for a lovely young woman, married in 1843 and became a Stage Coach Driver. By 1850 the brothers lived in different counties. By then Harry had taken a second wife Mary Ellen Ross of Ireland. Mary Ellen gave Henry another daughter Ellen Belle Kirby and 3 fine sons, Elwood, John and Alvin Kirby. Throughout his life Harry carried on in his career as a Police Officer. He died of consumption after a year of suffering from the disease also known as pulmonary tuberculosis.
But fate was not finished with him. Harry was buried with some fanfare and honors. We know this because years later it was discovered that the caretakers of Eastern Cemetery had been re-selling these old grave sites. To this date it is unknown how many. The University of Louisville has a large Archeology Department which took part in the investigation of the Cemetery. Most of Harry's family was buried in their family plot there. When the dig was completed all that was found in the family plot which belonged there was a very detailed Heavy Metal Casket belonging to Harry. It remained only because it was too heavy for the perpetrators to remove. Both of his wives, his sister Sarah Kirby, 2 of his daughters and 2 of his sons had been ripped from their resting place. Oddly enough, his daughter Mary Thomas Kirby Gilmore had arranged burials on the same family plot. Mary along with her husband Charles and 2 of their sons, Carl and Harry are also no longer interred there either. Another family was buried above and around him in the 1960's.
A sad and dishonorable end to a most caring and honorable man. Rest in Peace Harry.
Bio by:
Lettie Kirby
Sources:
Ancestry.com
United States Census
1850 Dist 01 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1860 Ward 3 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1870 Ward 11 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
"ONE KIRBY"
UPON THIS COLD YET HALLOWED GROUND
BUT ONE KIRBY HAS BEEN FOUND.
HE LAYS ALONE WITHIN THIS EARTH
HIS LOVE AND LIFE SOLD FOR LESS THAN WORTH
AN HONORABLE MAN WHO MARRIED TWICE
HE LOVED HIS CHILDREN AS THEY WERE SPICE
HE MOURNED HIS WIFE AND SHED HIS TEARS
UPON THIS HALLOWED GROUND FOR YEARS.
HIS LIFE BY DAY WAS A GIFT TO YOU!
HIS LIFE BY NIGHT AS HIS FAMILY GREW
EACH DAY HE WALKED HIS SCHEDULED BEAT
TIL HERE HE REST HIS POLICEMAN'S FEET.
THEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AS HE LAID IN REST
THE THIEVES COMMENCED TO ROB HIS NEST.
THEY TOSSED HIS STONES NEAR AND FAR
DISTRIBUTED BONES, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE!
HERE HE WAITS WITH A SOULFUL MOAN.
AN HONORABLE MAN SO VERY ALONE.
Written by: Lettie Kirby
Sept 7, 2013
He served as a watchman/police officer for the Louisville Police Department at various periods from 1848 to at least 1867.
Source: Louisville Division of Police: 1806 - 2002" by Retired LPD Captain Mort Childress.
Married:
Mary Catherine Bell abt. 1839
They had 5 Children:
Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine & Mary Kirby
Married:
Mary Ellen Ross abt. 1850
They had 4 Children:
Ellen, Elwood, John & Alvin Kirby.
Harry came from Maryland with his parents and siblings. According to family legend there were 14 children including Harry. Given name Henry Kirby. The story goes that their parents were Thomas and Nancy Kerby. Thomas and Nancy died in some tragedy between 1837 & 1843 in the Carolina's, leaving behind their children on a small farm. When authorities learned of the death of both parents they decided it best to take the children to an orphanage. The older Kirby children heard this from neighbors and took matters into their own hands. Each of the older children took one of the younger and scattered to the winds. When the authorities came, there was no one left at the farm.
Henry and his younger brother Joseph headed to Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY. The two young men took odd jobs in Louisville. It was not long before Henry was smitten by Miss Mary Catherine Bell. Henry became a night watchman / policeman. Henry and Mary soon began their family. She gave him five lovely daughters, Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine and Mary. Henry took in his mother-in-law Maria Bell and 2 of Mary "Catherine's" brothers. His was a very full and happy home until Mary Catherine passed in 1848.
Joseph too had fallen for a lovely young woman, married in 1843 and became a Stage Coach Driver. By 1850 the brothers lived in different counties. By then Harry had taken a second wife Mary Ellen Ross of Ireland. Mary Ellen gave Henry another daughter Ellen Belle Kirby and 3 fine sons, Elwood, John and Alvin Kirby. Throughout his life Harry carried on in his career as a Police Officer. He died of consumption after a year of suffering from the disease also known as pulmonary tuberculosis.
But fate was not finished with him. Harry was buried with some fanfare and honors. We know this because years later it was discovered that the caretakers of Eastern Cemetery had been re-selling these old grave sites. To this date it is unknown how many. The University of Louisville has a large Archeology Department which took part in the investigation of the Cemetery. Most of Harry's family was buried in their family plot there. When the dig was completed all that was found in the family plot which belonged there was a very detailed Heavy Metal Casket belonging to Harry. It remained only because it was too heavy for the perpetrators to remove. Both of his wives, his sister Sarah Kirby, 2 of his daughters and 2 of his sons had been ripped from their resting place. Oddly enough, his daughter Mary Thomas Kirby Gilmore had arranged burials on the same family plot. Mary along with her husband Charles and 2 of their sons, Carl and Harry are also no longer interred there either. Another family was buried above and around him in the 1960's.
A sad and dishonorable end to a most caring and honorable man. Rest in Peace Harry.
Bio by:
Lettie Kirby
Sources:
Ancestry.com
United States Census
1850 Dist 01 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1860 Ward 3 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1870 Ward 11 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
"ONE KIRBY"
UPON THIS COLD YET HALLOWED GROUND
BUT ONE KIRBY HAS BEEN FOUND.
HE LAYS ALONE WITHIN THIS EARTH
HIS LOVE AND LIFE SOLD FOR LESS THAN WORTH
AN HONORABLE MAN WHO MARRIED TWICE
HE LOVED HIS CHILDREN AS THEY WERE SPICE
HE MOURNED HIS WIFE AND SHED HIS TEARS
UPON THIS HALLOWED GROUND FOR YEARS.
HIS LIFE BY DAY WAS A GIFT TO YOU!
HIS LIFE BY NIGHT AS HIS FAMILY GREW
EACH DAY HE WALKED HIS SCHEDULED BEAT
TIL HERE HE REST HIS POLICEMAN'S FEET.
THEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AS HE LAID IN REST
THE THIEVES COMMENCED TO ROB HIS NEST.
THEY TOSSED HIS STONES NEAR AND FAR
DISTRIBUTED BONES, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE!
HERE HE WAITS WITH A SOULFUL MOAN.
AN HONORABLE MAN SO VERY ALONE.
Written by: Lettie Kirby
Sept 7, 2013
He served as a watchman/police officer for the Louisville Police Department at various periods from 1848 to at least 1867.
Source: Louisville Division of Police: 1806 - 2002" by Retired LPD Captain Mort Childress.
Mary Catherine Bell abt. 1839
They had 5 Children:
Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine & Mary Kirby
Married:
Mary Ellen Ross abt. 1850
They had 4 Children:
Ellen, Elwood, John & Alvin Kirby.
Harry came from Maryland with his parents and siblings. According to family legend there were 14 children including Harry. Given name Henry Kirby. The story goes that their parents were Thomas and Nancy Kerby. Thomas and Nancy died in some tragedy between 1837 & 1843 in the Carolina's, leaving behind their children on a small farm. When authorities learned of the death of both parents they decided it best to take the children to an orphanage. The older Kirby children heard this from neighbors and took matters into their own hands. Each of the older children took one of the younger and scattered to the winds. When the authorities came, there was no one left at the farm.
Henry and his younger brother Joseph headed to Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY. The two young men took odd jobs in Louisville. It was not long before Henry was smitten by Miss Mary Catherine Bell. Henry became a night watchman / policeman. Henry and Mary soon began their family. She gave him five lovely daughters, Harriett, Louise, Anna, Josephine and Mary. Henry took in his mother-in-law Maria Bell and 2 of Mary "Catherine's" brothers. His was a very full and happy home until Mary Catherine passed in 1848.
Joseph too had fallen for a lovely young woman, married in 1843 and became a Stage Coach Driver. By 1850 the brothers lived in different counties. By then Harry had taken a second wife Mary Ellen Ross of Ireland. Mary Ellen gave Henry another daughter Ellen Belle Kirby and 3 fine sons, Elwood, John and Alvin Kirby. Throughout his life Harry carried on in his career as a Police Officer. He died of consumption after a year of suffering from the disease also known as pulmonary tuberculosis.
But fate was not finished with him. Harry was buried with some fanfare and honors. We know this because years later it was discovered that the caretakers of Eastern Cemetery had been re-selling these old grave sites. To this date it is unknown how many. The University of Louisville has a large Archeology Department which took part in the investigation of the Cemetery. Most of Harry's family was buried in their family plot there. When the dig was completed all that was found in the family plot which belonged there was a very detailed Heavy Metal Casket belonging to Harry. It remained only because it was too heavy for the perpetrators to remove. Both of his wives, his sister Sarah Kirby, 2 of his daughters and 2 of his sons had been ripped from their resting place. Oddly enough, his daughter Mary Thomas Kirby Gilmore had arranged burials on the same family plot. Mary along with her husband Charles and 2 of their sons, Carl and Harry are also no longer interred there either. Another family was buried above and around him in the 1960's.
A sad and dishonorable end to a most caring and honorable man. Rest in Peace Harry.
Bio by:
Lettie Kirby
Sources:
Ancestry.com
United States Census
1850 Dist 01 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1860 Ward 3 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
1870 Ward 11 Louisville, Jefferson, KY.
"ONE KIRBY"
UPON THIS COLD YET HALLOWED GROUND
BUT ONE KIRBY HAS BEEN FOUND.
HE LAYS ALONE WITHIN THIS EARTH
HIS LOVE AND LIFE SOLD FOR LESS THAN WORTH
AN HONORABLE MAN WHO MARRIED TWICE
HE LOVED HIS CHILDREN AS THEY WERE SPICE
HE MOURNED HIS WIFE AND SHED HIS TEARS
UPON THIS HALLOWED GROUND FOR YEARS.
HIS LIFE BY DAY WAS A GIFT TO YOU!
HIS LIFE BY NIGHT AS HIS FAMILY GREW
EACH DAY HE WALKED HIS SCHEDULED BEAT
TIL HERE HE REST HIS POLICEMAN'S FEET.
THEN YEAR AFTER YEAR AS HE LAID IN REST
THE THIEVES COMMENCED TO ROB HIS NEST.
THEY TOSSED HIS STONES NEAR AND FAR
DISTRIBUTED BONES, WHO KNOWS WHERE THEY ARE!
HERE HE WAITS WITH A SOULFUL MOAN.
AN HONORABLE MAN SO VERY ALONE.
Written by: Lettie Kirby
Sept 7, 2013
He served as a watchman/police officer for the Louisville Police Department at various periods from 1848 to at least 1867.
Source: Louisville Division of Police: 1806 - 2002" by Retired LPD Captain Mort Childress.
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