Program

Patriot Burials®

Subject

Cemetery, People, Site

Location

789 Bullfork Rd, Morehead, KY 40351, USA

Lat/Long

38.158423394327, -83.51223927138

Grant Recipient

Kentucky Society - Sons of the American Revolution

This marker comes from the Kentucky SSAR, and is proposed to go in Siloam Cemetery, which is operated by a cemetery association. The cemetery caretaker, Mark Elam, carefully selected a site for the proposed marker that, while still visible to those driving by, is set further back than we typically see due to several vehicular accidents that have occurred on the nearby curve of Bullfork Rd. Mark recommended setting the marker appx. 20 feet from the main road, in a safer spot, to avoid the risk of it being damaged or destroyed.  

Born in Virginia, Jessie Davis served in the Western Battalion under Joseph Crockett during the Revolutionary War. While in service, Davis assisted in guarding prisoners of Burgoyne’s army, eventually escorting them to Maryland. Shortly after, he joined an expedition to Pittsburgh led by General George R. Clark. He was discharged from service in December of 1781 and later qualified for a military pension. 

The Morehead History and Railroad conducted extensive research to ensure there were no other Patriots interred in the cemetery, and they are confident Davis is the only one buried in Siloam Cemetery. 

If approved, A Patriot Grave Marking Service will be scheduled for the fall of 2026 to honor Davis and to dedicate the Patriot Burial Marker. The applicant notes there is ample and safe space for visitors to pull off the road to read the inscription and visit Private Jessie Davis’ grave.