Sam J. Bunger and Gertrude (Stith) - Paternal Great Grandparents
Sam J. Bunger - Paternal Great Grandfather
The original Sam and Gertrude Bunger house located at Hidden Spring Farm. The old smoke house is visible as the small building on the right edge of the photo. The large saddleback hay barn is still standing, clearly visible through the trees on the far left. Dad helped me collect lumber from that side of the barn before it was demolished a few years ago when the farm was leased.
Years later, one board was split, run through a planer, sanded, and framed for David Hamilton's Jr. wedding. All the guests signed it at the reception. The remainder of that wood is stored. Property owned by Bobby Hamilton. Sadly, "Daddy Sam" died on the farm. Then, "Mama Gert" moved to a home in Irvington, KY just down the street from the United Methodist Church. The Irvington house no longer exists. |
Of this enhanced image below, Bobby confirms that this is a picture of "Daddy Sam" Sam Bunger training horses. Horses were necessary before tractors became readily available and affordable. Sam worked with horses throughout his life, and Bobby said he didn't ever remember Daddy Sam driving a tractor. Photo was probably taken between 1938-45 in the old Bunger house yard, because the barn was built in 1936. The "hip-roof" or humpback barn, built in 1936 when Bobby Hamilton was 6 yrs old, is partially visible over the horse on the left. It was 80 ft long and 36 ft wide, in three 12 ft sections. The chicken house is highly visible between the horses and Daddy Sam.
Over the left horses back, you can see the "hip-roof" barn built in 1936 when Bobby Hamilton was 6 yrs old. The white building under the reins was used as an old chicken house. Bobby doesn't recall the original purpose of that building.
Over the left horses back, you can see the "hip-roof" barn built in 1936 when Bobby Hamilton was 6 yrs old. The white building under the reins was used as an old chicken house. Bobby doesn't recall the original purpose of that building.
Of this original photo, dad told me that this is a picture of Sam Bunger training horses. Photo was taken in the old Bunger house yard. The hump-back barn, partially visible over the horse on the left, was 80ft long and 36 ft wide in three 12ft sections. The chicken house is highly visible between the horses and Daddy Sam.
Arthur Bunger, Sam's brother, died in Flu epidemic. Wish I knew who the girl was who is aboard the horse he was training. Arthur is standing with a crook cane and wears a classic Skimmer Straw Hat, or "boater". Bobby Hamilton stated, "We called Sam 'Daddy Sam'. Both of them could break and train horses. Arthur could train a horse to do anything he wanted!"
Gertrude (Stith) - Paternal Great Grandmother
4 generations in The Bunger House "parlor"
Seated L to R - "Papa Ham" Thomas Columbus and wife "Mama Ham" Lena Frances (Ritchie) Hamilton [parents of "Daddy Robert"], Alice (Bandy) Stith [mother of "Mama Gert"] holding Patricia Miller Gail (Hamilton) Miller [2nd daughter of Robert F. Hamilton Jr.], "Daddy Sam" Sam and wife "Mama Gert" Gertrude (Stith) Bunger holding Mary Hamilton[1st daughter of Robert F. Hamilton Jr.]
Standing L to R - "Daddy Joe" Joseph Hager and wife "Mama Lillian" Lillian (Medley), and "Mama 'Lizbeth" Elizabeth (Bunger) and husband "Daddy Robert" Robert Hamilton Sn.
Photo taken in parlor of the Sam and Gertrude Bunger house, located on Hidden Spring Farm near Big Spring, KY. Property owned by Bobby Hamilton.
Seated L to R - "Papa Ham" Thomas Columbus and wife "Mama Ham" Lena Frances (Ritchie) Hamilton [parents of "Daddy Robert"], Alice (Bandy) Stith [mother of "Mama Gert"] holding Patricia Miller Gail (Hamilton) Miller [2nd daughter of Robert F. Hamilton Jr.], "Daddy Sam" Sam and wife "Mama Gert" Gertrude (Stith) Bunger holding Mary Hamilton[1st daughter of Robert F. Hamilton Jr.]
Standing L to R - "Daddy Joe" Joseph Hager and wife "Mama Lillian" Lillian (Medley), and "Mama 'Lizbeth" Elizabeth (Bunger) and husband "Daddy Robert" Robert Hamilton Sn.
Photo taken in parlor of the Sam and Gertrude Bunger house, located on Hidden Spring Farm near Big Spring, KY. Property owned by Bobby Hamilton.
All of "Mammy" Ethel (Foushee) Bunger's children and their spouses.
Pictured below, "Mama Gert" and "Daddy Sam" are the second couple from left. Gertrude (Stith) Bunger and Sam Bunger
BACK ROW: unknown female, Gertrude, Myrtle (married Bill Dooley) Sue Catherine (Catherine McGee's mother) Bill Dooley, wife of Glen, Jessie (was the County Jailer), and Jessie's wife. Later in life Jessie married "Aunt Betty"
FRONT ROW: unknown male, Sam J., Elijah "Lij" (married to Sue Catherine in back row), "Uncle Glen" Bunger ends the front row, his wife has the flashy top --- her hand is on his shoulder.
Pictured below, "Mama Gert" and "Daddy Sam" are the second couple from left. Gertrude (Stith) Bunger and Sam Bunger
BACK ROW: unknown female, Gertrude, Myrtle (married Bill Dooley) Sue Catherine (Catherine McGee's mother) Bill Dooley, wife of Glen, Jessie (was the County Jailer), and Jessie's wife. Later in life Jessie married "Aunt Betty"
FRONT ROW: unknown male, Sam J., Elijah "Lij" (married to Sue Catherine in back row), "Uncle Glen" Bunger ends the front row, his wife has the flashy top --- her hand is on his shoulder.
Pictured below Gertrude (Stith) Bunger [2nd from left], and her daughters, Elizabeth (Bunger) Hamilton [3rd from right], and Frances "Fran" (Bunger) Whallen is the one who has stepped forward to shepherd the Lamkin children, Bobby and Lois Lane. Is that Ethel (Foushee) Bunger, Gertrude's mother, 4th from left.