Dean Callaway of Marana, Arizona, great granddaughter of William R. and Louisa HICKEY has been active in fundraising efforts to provide a memorial for her ancestors, JOHN and SARAH HICKEY. On 28 June 1999, she was present  when a memorial monument for the pioneer Hickey family was placed in the historic Newton Cemetery, near Hagarville, S14-T10N-R22W, Johnson Co., AR.  

This very old frontier cemetery is located on a hill overlooking the Little Piney Valley where the elderly couple and their sons, Charles, William R., and James, and their families settled before 1830. Charles Hickey claimed the valley of Little Piney before the original survey and platting in 1842. He sold his claim to others who later applied for and received title from the US Government. By 1845, Charles and his family had relocated in Scott Co., AR. William R. died sometime after 1852 and probably before tax time in 1853. Most of William's family relocated to TX, settling in the same area as descendants of  his deceased brother, John [III]. James and his family remained in AR, moving between Johnson and Pope Counties. He died in Johnson Co. in 1875.

Memorial Stone Front Side: In Memory of HICKEY JOHN 1764/65 - 1830/33 SARAH 1760/70 - 1836/37 BOTH DIED IN LITTLE PINEY VALLEY John & Sarah came from Henry Co., Virginia to Tennessee by 1795. Three of their sons, Charles, William R., & James came with them to Arkansas by 1830. Charles Hickey had the first land claim in Little Piney Valley.    

Reverse:          HICKEY Pioneer Family  

The oldest part of Newton Cemetery can be seen in the background of John and Sarah Hickey's memorial.. Two children's graves are enclosed by a low native stone wall.  A complete inventory of this pioneer cemetery is planned. A preliminary survey by Arizona Chronister and Debra Blackard indicated about one hundred graves, most marked only by fieldstone markers.

In November 1998, Karen Brantley , descendant of Charles and Lucinda England Hickey, visited Johnson County. Karen is photographed against a backdrop of  Little Piney Creek and valley. This location is near Newton Cemetery.