Rev. Bazzel Ward

Basil's name is spelled Bazzel on his tombstone, but various other ways on documents. ___________________________________________________________________________

About 10-12 years ago, we went to Ohio County, Kentucky and attempted to find this cemetery. With the help of a local man who took my husband on a four wheeled ATV into the woods, the cemetery was located, but was so overgrown with virginia creeper, poison ivy, saplings, weeds, etc that no pictures could be taken. My husband said they he could see some of the stones peeping up under all the vegetation, but the cemetery had been unkempt for many years. That said, I am aware of other cemeteries that have been "cleaned up" over the years so don't give up hope, but I thought I would let you know the situation that we found. I truly, truly hope that this request is fulfilled.

I have a record for the Ward Cemetery which contains the following information.

"On farm of Mrs. Forrest P. Bell about one mile south of Beda.  At barn, on west side of Highway 231, just north of intersection of 231 & the Beda Road, walk back into woods about 30 feet or so.  Copied 4 February 1991 by Jerry Long, Owensboro, KY.  Signs of several unmarked graves."   When we were there, these directions weren't that helpful so we found someone who knew where the cemetery was.  At that time, there was no way of seeing the cemetery from the road.

The records that I have show the following for Bazzel.

Ward, Rev. Bazzel ("Minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; aged 46y 1m 27d.")  died 11 Feb 1847.  This is different than given on his Find A Grave memorial.  I have sent this information to the contributor of the memorial, so hopefully it will be added.

I also have this information from a book called "The History of No Creek, Ohio County, KY" by Harry D. Tinsley, pg 56.

"I might add here a short note concerning a Presbyterian preacher who was also in the midst of the people, and who performed marriage rites, many of them being No Creek citizens.  He was Rev. Bazzel Ward, who had a large family, among others being the late Ezra W., Joe B., Bazzel Len, and Martha, who married Hiriam B. Ward (the parents of the late Corvis Ward, of No Creek-Beda area).  His tombstone which stands in the family burying ground on his farm, located near Beda, and which was owned by the above last named son until his death in 1886, the farm now being owned by Alfred and Marshall Mills, read: 

"Sacred to the Memory of the Rev. Bazzel Ward, Minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church who departed this life February 11th, 1847, aged 46 & one month & 27 days."

I have created a Find A Grave memorial for Bazzel's wife Cassandra. She is NOT included on the cemetery list that I have, but this seems the most logical place for her to be buried. I have asked that if anyone knows otherwise that they contact me.

In lieu of pictures, I hope this helps.

Deanna Peterson