Over 40 people, including many Kneebone family descendants from around the country, gathered in a drizzle on Saturday, Oct. 25, to dedicate two plaques commemorating the Kneebone family ranch and cemetery in the Spenceville Wildlife Area. Pioneer Joseph Kneebone emigrated from Cornwall in 1867 and was soon followed by his wife and children.
Here is the text of the landmark plaque:
"Joseph Kneebone came to California from Cornwall, England, in 1867, acquired this 1,595-acre ranch near the historic town of Spenceville and started a very successful teaming business. He and his sons Andrew and Joseph drove 20 mule team wagons, using a “jerk line” to one lead animal, from the 1860s to 1890s from Wheatland to Virginia City following the old Henness Pass Road. Joseph's wife, Mary Martin Kneebone, arrived in Spenceville in 1871 with three of their children, William, Joseph Reed, and Esther. The eldest child, Andrew Reed Kneebone, remained in England to complete his education. Andrew, born in England, arrived in Spenceville in 1875. On the hill overlooking the Kneebone Ranch are buried five of the original pioneer Kneebone family members: Joseph Kneebone, wife Mary Martin Kneebone, Joseph Reed Kneebone, Richard Kneebone and Mary Kneebone."
The family placed a second plaque near the cemetery:
"Life was hard, and often cruel, on the frontier. Joseph's namesake son was murdered driving his freight wagon home after delivering goods to the mines in the high country, while his son Richard drowned in the farm's pond at the age of two. Mary and their new baby died in childbirth only a few years after that loss. Joseph himself was murdered at the family home some years later.
Presented on behalf of the Kneebone Family Descendants–2025
Joseph Kneebone 1838–1907 Mary Ann Martin Reed Kneebone 1841–1878 Joseph Reed Kneebone 1864–1888 Richard Kneebone 1874–1876 Mary Kneebone 1878–1878"
Over three years ago, Karen Hill, a Kneebone descendent who lives in Atlanta, applied to the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission to designate the ranch and cemetery as a County historical landmark. It took a while to get the necessary state consent, but thanks to the tireless efforts of commissioner Chuck Scimeca, on June 3, 2025, the Board of Supervisors declared it a historical landmark, NEV 25–06. The Commission thanks Mark Carroll, Superintendent of the Spenceville Wildlife Area, for his cooperation and support.
The Kneebone Ranch and Cemetery will be featured in the next edition of the Commission’s interactive map and e-guide. The e-guide is an electronic book cataloging all the over 250 historical landmarks in the County, and is available for any smartphone or tablet from Apple or Amazon. Go to You Bet Press (youbetpress.com) to find clickable links.
The purpose of the Nevada County Historical Landmarks Commission is to promote the general welfare of Nevada County and its citizens through official recognition, recording, marking, preserving and promoting the historical resources of Nevada County. For more information, please call 530-264-0115.