Richard Hawes (1772-1829) and his wife Clary Walker Hawes (1776-1848) came here in 1810 from Virginia. Their son Richard became Confederate governor of Kentucky. After her husband's death, Clary was licensed to operate the Hawesville and Cannelton ferry in 1831. The cemetery was long maintained by Col. Benjamin Walker Hawes, who formed a board of trustees for its future care.