VA records indicate that the Kegleys and Catrons had close ties to that
state, and it may be that both families came into the Carter (Elliott) Co
area about the same time.  We know that they all settled in the same
general area of northern Elliott Co.
        Relatives tell the story that Elizabeth Catron and Samuel Kegley were both
present at a "working" somewhere in the Mauk Ridge area, and, upon seeing
Samuel, Elizabeth commented, Although she lived to be very old, she was never back in VA and never saw
her parents again. 
        In 1870, when the first census of Elliott Co was taken, Samuel Kegley was
found living in the Moccasin Precinct.  He was 30 years of age, Elizabeth
was 25.  Three children were named in this census: William, age 6; Jackson,
3; and Sarah, 10 months.
        The 1880 Elliott Co census reveals that Samuel Kegley was still a resident
of the Moccasin Precinct.  He stated that he was 33 years of age, which
seems to be incorrect; Elizabeth was 35.  Their children listed in the 1880
report were: William, 15; Jackson, 12; Sarah, 9; Virginia Carolina, 7;
"That man will be my husband someday".
Elizabeth's descendants also tell us that when she was a mere girl, barely
a teenager, her brother's family was preparing to move from Wythe Co to our
Elliott Co.  When the wagon was loaded and ready to begin moving, Elizabeth
climbed on and made the long journey across the mountains to eastern KY.
Margaret A., 4; and James A., 1.
        The 1890 Elliott Co Tax Assessments show Samuel Kegley the owner of 28
acres of land in the Moccasin Precinct.  He indicated that his nearest
neighbor was James White.
        When the 1900 Elliott Co census was taken, Samuel Kegley was a resident of
the Cracker's Neck Precinct.  At that time he said he was 59 years of age,
having been born in Jan 1841, which differs from the month of Aug indicated
on his grave marker.  Elizabeth was 56, stating that she was born Sept
1843.  Their children living at home with them were: Marget E., 24, born in
May 1876; James A., 21, Apr 1879; Julia A., 18, July 1882; and George, 7,
May 1893.
        The oldest son, William F., called Frank by the family, had married Tinie
Conn.  They established their home in Greenup Co, where Frank died on Dec
28, 1928.  The next oldest son, Jackson, had also married and established a
home in the Moccasin Precinct.  Sarah E., was the daughter called Ellen.
She married Sam Conn, a son of Freeling and Angeline Shelton Conn.  Sam and
Elizabeth Kegley's daughter called Virginia C., in the earlier census
reports, was Caroline, who married John Shelton.  They established their
home in an area between Concord, on Brown Ridge and Caney Creek.  They have
many descendants in this area today, mainly through Charlie and Johnnie
Shelton and Lizzie Shelton Dehart.
        Samuel Kegley died Feb 17, 1910, therefore, he is not named in the 1910
Elliott co census.  His widow, Elizabeth, still survived, and made her home
with her children until her death.  Most of her later years were spent with
her widowed daughter, Caroline Shelton.
        Samuel and Elizabeth Catron Kegley are buried in the tick Ridge Cemetery a
short distance out of Olive Hill.       
        The United States became involved in the Spanish-American War in 1898.
Descendants of Samuel Kegley say he went Immediately and attempted to
volunteer for service.  Of course, being somewhat advanced in years, he was
not accepted for military service.