This series of caches was put out to celebrate our ten years of geocaching. We have spent many hours volunteering at the Atkins-Johnson Farm and also wanted to celebrate this historic area.
The Atkins-Johnson Farm has only been owned by 5 families since 1824 and was purchased by the City of Gladstone in 2005. The property was listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 2007. The City acquired the abandoned Big Shoal Cemetery in 2009. The City and the Friends of the Atkins-Johnson Farm have worked to restore the farmhouse and the cemetery. The house is available for free tours Wednesday through Saturday, April to early December, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The farmhouse is built around the original two story log cabin. The walking trail and cemetery are available year-round during daylight hours.
Spend some time enjoying the serenity of the farm. Keep your eyes open for the deer, turkeys, ground hogs, and other wildlife.
Richard Lee Barnes
Richard Barnes is buried in Big Shoal Cemetery. He was born in Virginia on Aug. 7, 1791. His family moved to Kentucky in 1794. Richard volunteered to serve in the War of 1812 in Harrodsburg, Mercer County, Kentucky on August 23, 1812. He served as a private in Captain Peter Jordan’s company, Lieutenant Colonel Joshua Barbee’s Seventh Regiment of the Kentucky Volunteer Militia. Richard mustered out on May 1, 1813 but volunteered again on August 13, 1813 and served until November 19, 1813. He was involved in the Battle of the Thames in which the Shawnee War Chief, Tecumseh, was killed.
Richard married Elizabeth Atkins, sister of Jonathan Atkins, on Oct. 15, 1818 in Woodford County, Kentucky. They moved to Clay County in 1823 and raised seven children. He was a charter member of the Big Shoal Baptist Church and a member of the building committee. He frequently served as the moderator for the church.
Richard was appointed Constable for Clay County in 1827.
Richard died January 5, 1861 at the age of 69.