New River Notes

Since 1998 - Historical and Genealogical Resources
for the Upper New River Valley of North Carolina and Virginia

Biographies of the Men in William Herbert's Company in Lord Dunmore's War (1774)

Web page maintained by James A. Quinn who would appreciate comments, corrections and additions...

Table of Contents

Narrative History | Roster of Participants | New River Notes Home

The Loyal Land Company | The Origin of Lord Dunmore's War | Migration in an out of the Upper New River

Names beginning with: A-C  D-L  L-P  Q-Z

PART FOUR: Surnames from Q to Z

Ray, John

Unknown 1774 - John Ray or Rhea was at the Battle of Point Pleasant (served 104 days) and was on Capt. Herbert's pay list. There is a Samuel Ray, 1777 on Cox's militia roster and a Benjamin Ray 1771 in Herbert's company.

id= "reeves">Reeves, George

The Reeves family is said to come from, Chesterfield Co., VA (A. Cox 1900). This may be so for Jane Burton's ancestors, but a more likely ancestry for the Reeves is George Rives of Surry Co., VA (about 1660-after 1719) as he was an Indian trader and interpreter and it is likely some of his descendants took Indian wives. The Indian legend runs in this New River family too. For instance, Mary Hollifield, 1929: "The Reeves are said to come from Portugal. They had brown eyes and black hair. I've heard it said that they were part Indian too."

About 1745- George Reeves was born, perhaps in Chesterfield Co., VA, perhaps elsewhere.

Before 1770 - settled on New River, 5 or 6 mile southeast of present day Independence.

1771 - William Herbert's Company, Botetourt Co., VA (now Grayson Co.)(3 tithes) 1774 - Lord Dunmore's War. In Herbert's Company.

November 1780 - "Petition of James Roberts, Jesse Meeks and William Riddle received as members of the community as long as they behave as Good Citizens..." in the same court session: - George Reeves appeared before the Montgomery County Court, and it was decided that his property, taken from from by the Washington County Militia and part of the Montgomery County Militia, be restored to him as several witnesses appeared in his favor and none appeared against him: James Howell the same. William Roberts, Neal Roberts, Moses Johnson, Richard Green, Richard Wright, Clem Lee and George Herd were also to have their property restored as nothing appeared against them with regard to their being an enemy of the state.

1781 - "The three prisoners taken by Benjamin Cleveland were Captain Riddle, and two of his noted associates, named Reeves and Goss..." 1782 - Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 3 slaves, 40 horses, 18 cattle (fairly well to do) George married Jane Burton (she may be the child of Richard Burton b. about 1719 in Goochland Co., VA d. 1779 in Wilkes Co., NC and Mary, these Burtons descend from a numerous middle class family of old Henrico (now Chesterfield) Co., VA). Their sons were Jesse (1760?-1833 Ashe Co., NC, m. Charity Terrell), William 1772 (m. Ann Terrill, daughter of Timothy Terrill and Elizabeth Sexton), George (1776-1811 Ashe Co., NC, m. Jane Osborne, daughter of Enoch Osborne and Jane Hash), and John (m. Phoebe Osborne daughter of Enoch Osborne and Jane Hash), their daughters Anna (m. Bartholomew Austin, son of William Austin), Charity, Mary (m. Joseph Doughton), and Susan (m. William Toliver, son of Moses Toliver and Elizabeth -- William was acquitted of the murder of George Reeves Jr. and left the area afterwards) (list of children, A. Cox, 1900). Worldconnect genealogies supplies a similar list minus Charity and adding Elizabeth (m. Samuel Phipps 1762-1854 Alleghany Co., NC, son of Joseph Phipps and Mary Romal -- the Phipps family descend from Quaker settlers of Philadelphia Co., PA, signers of Wm Penn's Charter of Liberties, they migrated to New River after 1771 perhaps with refugees of the North Carolina Regulation from Alamance/Guilford/Randolph Co.) and Prudence (d. Lawrence Co., IN, m. Andrew Cox, son of David Cox and Margaret McGowan). Source: Worldconnect; A. Cox 1900 "Footprints in the Sands of Time"; NRHF; Mary Kegley, "Early Adventurers On the Western Waters, vol 1. p. 145; Annals of Southwest Virginia, 1769-1800, p. 744.

Riddell, William

Alternate spelling: Riddle, Ridley He is suspected to be the son of Moses Riddell who was part Scotch-Irish and part Indian and Moses' wife Mary Gibson. Moses Riddle and his wife Mary were on the 1755 tax list in Orange County, North Carolina, both marked "mulatto". This family's migration is similar to that of the mixed race Saponi people who lived in Louisa Co., VA and went west with the frontier, first to Orange County NC, then further west into SW VA and NW NC, then further west to the VA/KY border or into present day Hancock Co., TN. We think these people were often long hunters and guides for long hunters. Other people in Herbert's company with a similar migration pattern are Neal Roberts, William Roberts, James Wallen, Joseph Wallen, Thomas Wallen, James Wallin, William Ingram, George Sizemore, Micajer Bunch, Doswell Rogers, Nathaniel Wilshire, Clement Lee, George Keith, Elisha Collins, Lewis Collins, John Collins, John Collins Jr, Daniel Blevins, James Blevins and William Blevins according to Mary E. V. Hill (note Micajah Bunch, George Sizemore and William Ingram are not on Jeff Weaver's list of Herbert's company). Almost all of these men have been identified as Tories during the early part of the Revolution (i.e. opposed the war on the Cherokee).

Time-line:

1767 - on list of tithables in Pittsylvania Co., VA; listed next to him is Moses Riddell, Indian 1772-1780: Lived in present day Grayson Co., VA along Peach Bottom Creek or in the Elk Creek District. 1774 - Fought at the Battle of Point Pleasant in Herbert's company. 1774 - In Montgomery County court records in 1774 William Riddle (Ridley) and Caijah Bunch are defendants in a suit brought by William Herbert, assignee of Hugh Smith 1776 - A man named William Riddle was the second of four assignees to Jeremiah Clonch, who settled 400 acres in 1776 on the west side of Chestnut Creek, off the New River 1777 - Swore Allegiance to the Whig side while a member of Capt. John Cox's company 1779 - brought before the court as a Tory. "William Riddle and Nathaniel Brittain not entitled to invitation of the mercy of the court..."

1780 - "Petition of James Roberts, Jesse Meeks and William Riddle received as members of the community as long as they behave as Good Citizens..." in the same court session: - George Reeves, James Howell, William Roberts, Neal Roberts, Moses Johnson, Richard Green, Richard Wright, Clem Lee and George Herd were restored their property.

1780 - Riddell's "gang" raids the home of Capt. John Cox. 1780-1: Hiding out in the Wolf's Den on Riddle's Knob in present day Watauga Co., NC with a Tory band. Spring 1781: Leader of a Tory band that captured Col. Benjamin Cleveland. Cleveland escaped. 1781: Cleveland (or perhaps more likely Capt. Martin) captures Riddle in a skirmish and hangs him at Wilkesboro, NC, possibly along with son Moses Riddle. Selethia Martin's widow's pension app. and John Speltz RW pension app: While camped at a Rock House on New River Capt. Martin captured the Tories except two who escaped: Lewis Collins and David Gibson. 1782 - In the court records of Montgomery County, Virginia in 1782, Hoppe Riddle, William Riddle's wife, (spelled "Happy," in other records ) sued for the return of her cow which had been taken illegally by Capt. William Love in 1780 as he pursued Tories. Also, her two sons, James and John, were bound out by the Montgomery County Court the same year. 1784 - Happy marries William Ingram (RW pension file #S21314). Inventory of the estate of William Riddle. Shortly thereafter William Ingram and Happy move to the Kyles Ford area in present day Hancock Co., TN.

William married Happy Roberts (daughter of Tory Capt. James Roberts or alternatively is a Rogers); William and Happy's children: Moses, hung by Benjamin Cleveland (?); James later of Cumberland Co., KY m. Sarah Davis; John m. Sarah Johnson (daughter of Moses Johnson d. Hawkins Co., TN and Sarah); Happy m. Henry Fisher (RW pension file #R26119); Joseph later of Cumberland Co., KY m. Rhoda Monk (daughter of Shadrack Monk and Mary Roberts -- Mary is the daughter of Cornelius Roberts and Mary Benton); Isaac m. Anna Grizzle; Thomas later of Bradley Co., TN m. Mary Igou (daughter of James Igou and Rebecca Thompson); William m. Ellen Choat (Cherokee Indian in part).

Source: Mary E.V. Hill, Riddle Newsletter Vol 4, Issue 1, December 1997; New River Notes tax lists, militia rosters; Worldconnect Interestingly William's brother John seems to have applied for a Revolutionary War pension: 15 Sep 1833 - John Ridley applied for a pension in Wilkes Co., NC citing his entry in service in 1776 in Grayson Co., VA under Capt. John Cox. In 1778 he marched on the Cherokee from the Long Island of the Holston and served 4 months.

Roark, Charles

(Not on Jeff's list, but he is on the list of those paid with Capt. Looney's Co. as were many others in Herbert's company)

Born about 1750, Augusta Co., VA (?). His parents may have been Timothy O'Rourke (b. Ireland, d. Frederick Co., VA?) and Rachel (Timothy married first Sarah Parker, see Timothy Jr. below).

Married Abigail (by tradition a Cherokee Indian) about 1775 in Fincastle Co., VA. She died before 1820 in Ashe Co., NC.

1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): Charles was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1781, 3 & 5 Listed on Capt. Enoch Osborne's militia lists

1782 Montgomery Co., VA tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 1 horse and 4 cattle.

Died after 1830, Ashe Co., NC

Children: Sarah 1775 (m. Stephen Taylor, s/o John Taylor and Mary (? Lewis) d. 1801 Ashe Co., NC), Rebecca 1776 (m. Richard Vanover), Jesse 1778 (m. Ellen "Nellie" Price), Mary "Polly" 1785 (m. Thaddeus Lewis); Kiziah Sosandra 1786 (m. William L. Price), Timothy 1790 (m. Rebecca), Jane 1798 (m. John Pope s/o Nathan Pope b. 1775), Eleanor 1792 (m. Nathan Lewis), Charles B. 29 Nov 1795 (b. NC, m. Letitia Jones); Abigail 1800 (m. Noah Mahala); Martin

Roark, Timothy (Jr.)

The Roark name is a variant of the Irish name O'Rourke. Charles above is Timothy's brother. Time-line:

1. - About 1740) Timothy Roark was born in Bucks Co., PA. His parents were Timothy Roark b. 1700 in Ireland, d. 1796 Frederick Co., VA and Sarah Parker b. 1707 (second wife of Timothy Sr. was Rachel - see Charles above. Timothy Sr. married Sarah 18 May 1738 in the First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia PA). Other children of Timothy Sr. and Sarah were Michael b. 1745 Bucks Co., PA d. Hawkins Co., TN or Rockingham Co., VA m. Letitia Grigsby, James, Charles m. Abigail (a Cherokee Indian, see above), and James.

2. - 1774 William Herbert's Company, Lord Dunmore's War 3. - 1777 Enoch Osborne's Company 4. - 1782 Elk Creek militia Companty 5. - 1782) Montgomery Co,, VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 7 horses, 9 cattle6. - June 16, 1811) Timothy died in Grayson Co., VA

Timothy married (1) unknown with child Sarah (m. John Deskins) and Timothy married (2) Rachel

Other Roarks in the militia during the RW: James (Elk Creek 1782); Joseph (Elk Creek 1782). Charles Roark is in the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA tax list with 0 slaves, 1 horse and 4 cattle.

Roark family addition: I the James Roark whose wife and several children were killed by the Shawnee in Tazewell county, Virginia early in 1789 a brother of Timothy and/or Charles Roark? After this attack, James and his surviving sons were the deadly enemies of the Indians and James and his son John were afterwards killed at Station Bottom, Floyd county, Kentucky (Harman's station?).

Roberts family

Col. James Robert's Tories were active on the NW side of the Blue Ridge in the Ashe Co., NC area according to Col. Richard Allen's pension claims. By family associations it has been suggested that Cornelius Roberts (Neal Roberts) is the son or brother of this man, but this is far from proven. James is also likely to be the father of Happy Roberts who married William Riddle and William Roberts who also appeared on the William Herbert 1774 militia accounts. A James Roberts appears in the area northwest of today's Martinsville, Henry Co., Virginia, by 1753 and in the late 1760s he is joined by a John and Cornelius. James Roberts may be the man who served at the Battle of Point Pleasant under William Campbell.

On 5 July 1776 the land of James Roberts in Montgomery Co., Virginia was confiscated and sold because he had taken up arms with the British. In 1779 his land in Surry Co., NC was also confiscated by act of the legislature in New Bern.

Benjamin Phipps pension app: " about the year 1779 or 80 he [Phipps] was engaged in making a crop of corn, when Colonel Roberts, at the head of a company of Tories, came there [to Capt. John Cox's] and made prisoners of him and William Craig and Beverly Watkins. The Tories carred him to the British Army commanded by Lord Rogers..."

David Cox pension app: "Sometime after this affair a certain Captain Roberts of the Tory party came into the neighborhood with a company of --, and this declarant with Major Love pursued them into -- near the head of New River, determined to overtake them but Capt. Baker of North Carolina heard of them and his party overtook, wounded or killed the whole party except Roberts their captain who made good his escape..."

George Morris Esq. - an old Whig on New River: "When friends and neighbors collected and pursued them to one Capt. Patrick John - near where the town of Jefferson now stands where they overtook them committing outrages on the old Captain - they had but a bridel rein around his neck and were leading him out of his gate to hang him when the Whigs came up - fixed on them - killed two of the English - wounded the other - took him prisoner - and Capt. Roberts and the other Tory narrowly escaped."

In the Draper manuscripts, "Roberts was on his route to Ninety-Six with about 20 men though he did not come with him. Col. Roberts was passing through [now] Ashe County and passed by Benj. Cuthbirth's and robbed his 5 valuable horses. I think this was 1781. Some time after this Capt. James Roberts, son of Col. Roberts passed through Ashe on the same trail that had been traveled by Col. Roberts. The Captain had but 4 men besides himself, one Tory and 3 British soldiers."

Capt. James Roberts (son of Col. Roberts) is thought to be the same man who later settles on the Clinch, in what is now Lee Co., Virginia and who raises some of William Riddle's children. In the 1791 tax list for the lower district of Russell Co., VA (became Lee County) are Joseph and William Ingrahm (m. Happy Roberts [or Rogers] Riddle), James Fulkerson (who lived near James Roberts in Pittsylvania [now Henry] Co., VA and sold land to him in Surry Co., NC), Williamson Roberts, John Rice, George Roberts, Philip Roberts, James Roberts (the Capt.), Thomas Rogers, Aaron Roberts, Doswell Rogers, Thomas Rogers Sr., a second Doswell Rogers, William Tate, John Tate, and the Waller/Wallens: Lewis, Elisha, Thomas, John and William.

Source for much of the facts above: Rodney Veitschegger; replies to a question of mine of Roberts Genforum; Mary E.V. Hill (Riddle Newsletter)

Roberts, Neal

Time-line for Cornelius "Neal" Roberts:

Born before 1746 in Halifax Co., VA, possibly a son of the Tory leader, Col. James Roberts (speculative).

1767 Acquired 400 acres in what is now Henry Co., VA. By 1769 he had a survey of 798 acres along a fork of Reedy or Reed Creek called Grassy Fork or Solomons Branch or Glady fork. Listed as Neel Roberts a tithable to Peter Copland Gent. In Pittsylvania (now northern Henry) Co., VA. In 1769 he had another 398 acres or 798 acres total. Another 800 acres were surveyed off Beaver Creek. This land is northwest of Martinsville. John and James Roberts are in the same area and James' name first appears in 1753. 1771 - on records of Botetourt Co., VA, living on Beaver Dam Fork of Elk Creek in what is now Grayson Co., VA 1772, 1773 - on records of Fincastle Co., VA after it was formed from Botetourt 1774 Served 29 days under Lieut. John Cox, Daniel Boone and Capt. David Looney in Lord Dunmore's War: They were left behind to guard the frontier he did not make the march to Point Pleasant with Col. Herbert's men. June 15 1776 "Roberts with Tories on Elk Creek" (Wm Preston to Edmund Pendleton referring to Col. Or Capt. James Roberts I presume.) 1780 Montgomery Co., VA court record: property confiscated for Tory activities ordered returned due to lack of evidence of participation in the Tory militias. He may have been a member of the Elk Creek militia, but I do not find him on the militia musters (there is a John and James Roberts on the Elk Creek militia muster rolls). 1782 owned 150 acres, Montgomery Co., VA (now Grayson) 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 6 horses, 8 cattle

1783 Moved to Russell Co., VA, owned 352 acres along a tributary of the Clinch River.

1787 Sells the 352 acres and buys 200 acres on the Clinch River, also in Russell County. 1788 Killed and scalped by Cherokees, possibly led by Robert Benge on Black Mountain along the border of Lee Co., VA and Harlan Co., KY while digging ginseng.

Cornelius married Mary Benton about 1767 (perhaps a daughter of Sam Benton, her second husband was Rev. Frost. See also William Vaughan below who may have married a sister of hers). Their children: Mary 1768 m. Shadrack Monk (daughter Rhoda married Joseph Riddle), Elizabeth 1770 (d. 1833 Letcher Co., KY m. Abraham Childress, son of John Childress and Rachel Perkins), James 1772 (d. 1858 Pike Co., KY m. Nancy Damron -- daughter of Moses Damron and Aggie Owl), Nathan 1774 (m. Abigail Bishop in Knox Co., TN), Amelia 1775 (d. Walker Co., AL m. Edward Frost), Jesse about 1776 (d. 1857 Taylor Co., KY m. Mary Ann Simpson Skaggs), Daniel 1777 (d. 1846 Winston Co., MS m. Elizabeth Kiser), Susanna about 1779 (m. Lot Litteral), Sinai 1781 (d. 1874 Marion Co., TN m. Peter Anderson), Archibald 1784 (d. 1860, Wabash Co., IL, m. (1) Mary Thorpe, (2) Sarah Pennington in Cumberland Co., KY); Isaac 1786 (d. 1839 Caldwell, TX m. (1) Ann Enyart, (2) Rhoda); Mourning 1788 (d. 1866 Jackson Co., AL, m. Jacob Tally 1808). All children were born in Virginia.

Source: Derek Gilbert (Worldconnect); http://mkhgenealogy.com/Roberts/ (Mary K. Harris); New River Notes tax lists and militia musters; Jodie Necaise, Roberts Genforum #14436, Teresa Carlson # 14355, Mary E.V. Hill, Riddle Newsletter Vol 4, Issue 1, December 1997.

Roberts, William

William is probably a brother of Cornelius Roberts and more doubtfully a son of the notorious Capt. James Roberts (Tory leader). He shared an 1780 court venue with Cornelius

He is the William Roberts born about 1744 in old Lunenburg Co., VA who married Elizabeth "Betsy" Walling, daughter of Elisha Wallen and Mary Blevins.

1774: William was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1780 Montgomery Co., VA court session: George Reeves, James Howell, William Roberts, Neal Roberts, Moses Johnson, Richard Green, Richard Wright, Clem Lee and George Herd were restored their property for lack of evidence that they actively fought against the government.

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list:    1 tithe, 0 slaves, 12 horses, 13 cattle

Source: Worldconnect

Rodgers, Benjamin, Jr.

Benjamin Roger's father migrated to America with his brother William on the ship Caesar which landed in Virginia January 1734. It is likely that he and brother William had been convicted of some crime in 1733 in London and ordered deported to America. The children of this Benjamin Sr. are William 1748 (of Cripple Creek, Wythe Co., VA m. Letty Downing), Benjamin 1756, John 1757 (see below), Joseph 1758 (of Washington Co., IN m. Elizabeth Britton), James 1760 (m. Agnes Forgey), Reuben about 1761, David about 1763 (m. Hannah Kasten) and Jeremiah about 1765. Benjamin Sr. died 1802 in Blount Co., TN. Source: http://www.rogers-ben.com. Benjamin Rogers Sr. was in Walter Crockett's company in Lord Dunmore's War.

Benjamin Jr.'s time-line

26 January 1756, born Culpeper Co., VA, son of Benjamin Rogers (migrated to America, 1734) and "Sokey"

1772 - tithable, Fincastle Co., VA, John Montgomery's district.

1774 - in Herbert's company; paid for 104 days of service.

1774 - 104 acres on Baber's Creek, a branch of Cripple Creek next to Benjamin Sr.

1778- court case, Washington Co., NC vs. Peter Ford.

1781 - Participated in the Battles of Whitzell's Mill and Guilford Courthouse.

1781 - In Capt. James Newell's militia company, Montgomery Co., VA

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 3 horses, 0 cattle

1782-4 - In William Gleave's company

24 March 1788, Ft. Chiswell, now Wythe Co., VA: married Martha Brawley, daughter of John Brawley.

1796 - On jury in Blount Co., TN, lived near or on Little River in Blount County.

27 June 1834, died Campbell Co., TN

Children: Sarah (m. John Coats), Stephen , Reuben, William, Mary, Margaret

Benjamin and his older brother William filed Revolutionary War pension applications.

Source: Jerry Rogers (http://rogers-ben.com/benjamin/index.htm), Worldconnect

Rodgers, Doswell

Also spelled Rogers

Born 1736 Virginia, parents unknown - perhaps a son of the convict laborer William Rodgers who was Benjamin Jr.'s uncle.

Married: 1762 in Virginia, Ann -- perhaps the marriage took place in now Henry Co. (then Halifax Co., VA), married by Joseph Anthony

1771 - In William Herbert's Company, Botetourt Co., VA

1774: In Herbert's Company. Doswell was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1777: In Capt. John Cox's Company, Montgomery Co., VA militia

1782, 1786 records place him in Montgomery Co., VA

1791 - Lives along the Clinch in the lower tax district of Russell Co., VA (now Lee County) among some well known Tory families (i.e. Capt. James Roberts and the William Ingraham who married William Riddle's widow)

1792 Ann signs away dower rights in Wythe Co., VA

Died Between 1812 and 1819 in Lee Co., VA; May have lived at Kyles Ford, now Hancock Co., TN previously

Children: William (born 14 Oct 1763 in Halifax Co., VA, d. 1821 or 1822 in White Co., TN, m. (1) Margaret Heard, (2) Rosannah Heard d/o George Herd, (3) Susannah Walling d/o Joseph Walling and Millicent Jones); Joseph (descendants applied for Eastern Cherokee status, saying Joseph was on the 1835 Henderson Rolls; Joseph m. Susie; the assignment of Joseph to Doswell is problematical)

Rodgers, John

Last name also spelled Rogers.

Born 1 June 1757, Culpeper Co., VA. He is Benjamin Jr's brother (see above). John was known as "The Powder Maker." Parents: Benjamin Rogers Sr. and "Sokey"

He lived on Cripple Creek, Wythe Co., VA. The Brittains were neighbors. Ft. Chiswell and the lead mines were nearby.

1771 - Fincastle Co., VA tithable in William Herbert's area; took up 200 acres on Mine Mill Creek next to James Brawley. John Rogers Jr. and Sr. are both listed.

1774 In Herbert's Company. Paid for 104 days of service.

Occupation: Powder Maker, probably associated with the Lead Mines. http://rogers-ben.com/bits/ftchiswell.htm

Married (first name unknown) Britton about 1776 in Wythe Co., VA. Note: Nathaniel Brittain was a Tory involved in the plots on the Lead Mines in the Revolution (Duncan O'Guillon was the local Tory leader in the plot in 1779). Nathaniel was probably John's brother in law (father of Nathaniel was Jonathan Brittain).

1778 - Swore allegience to Virginia. Fined for refusing to march with the militia.

1781 - At Whitzell's Mills; At Battle of Guilford Courthouse (Annals of SW VA, p. 391-3 & 1405)

1781, 1782 - In Capt. James Newell's militia company

1781 - registered 400 acres in Powell's Valley

1782 - There is a John Rogers on the 1782 Elk Creek militia roster.

1782 - surveyed 200 acres in Montgomery Co., VA near Cripple Creek. Taxed for 200 acres that year.

1782 - Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 0 horses, 0 cattle

1785 - surveyed 106 acres North Fork of the Holston in Rich Valley.

1791 - moved family to Washington Co., TN

Married Mary "Polly" Brawley 19 August 1793 in Wythe Co., VA

1801 - moved family to Claiborne Co., TN

Married (first name unknown) Hudson about 1815

5 January 1822, died in the Powell Valley, Claiborne Co., TN

Children by Ms. Britton: Rev. William 1777 (d. Claiborne Co., TN), Maj. David 1779 (d. 1871 Claiborne Co., TN), John 1781, James 1783, Samuel, Isaac 1786 (d. Bartholomew Co., IN), Joseph 1787, Jesse Green 1791 (d. Webster Co., MO), Matilda 1793

Children by Mary Brawley: Reuben 1795, Sarah 1797, Benjamin R. about 1804 (b. Claiborne Co., TN, m. Artemsa), Anna 1808 (d. MO, m. James Gray), Elijah about 1809 (m. Margarette), Thomas about 1810, John F. about 1810, Robert about 1812, Stephen about 1814.

Children by Ms. Hudson: Wesley about 1818, Cornelius 1820.

Source: Jerry Rogers, http://rogers-ben.com/benjamin/john/index.htm; Worldconnect

Rurks, John

Unknown (Roark, Rourke, Rooks?)

Rutherford, John, Jr.

Born about 1730 in Essex Co., Virginia. Parents John Rutherford b. 1689 Essex Co., VA d. 1789 Logan's Fort, Lincoln Co., KY and Violetta Reynolds.

1771 - A John Retherford Jr. and Sr. are listed in William Herbert's Company

1774 - In William Herbert's Company company, Botetourt and Fincastle Co., VA (Lord Dunmore's War, 1774)

1782 Montgomery Co., VA tax list, Jun., 2 tithes, 0 slaves, 5 horses, 5 cattle

Died after 1798 in Lincoln Co., KY

Rutherford, Joseph

Born in Essex Co., Virginia. Parents John Rutherford b. 1689 Essex Co., VA

1771, 1774 - In William Herbert's company, Botetourt and Fincastle Co., VA (Lord Dunmore's War, 1774)

d. 1789 Logan's Fort, Lincoln Co., KY and Violetta Reynolds.

Rutherford, William

1771, 1774 - In William Herbert's company, Botetourt and Fincastle Co., VA (Lord Dunmore's War, 1774). William was paid for 104 days of service in Capt. Herbert's company. Also paid was an Archibald Rutherford 104 days in Herbert's Company and a John Rutherford 53 days in Crockett's Company.

1782 Montgomery Co., VA tax list

Rutherford, William 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 6 horses, 15 cattle

Rutherford, William, Jun. 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 5 horses, 4 cattle

There is a Thomas Rutherford on the list of delinquents from Osborne's company, Feb. 1783

There is a Benjamin "Retherford" on the 1771 list of William Herbert's company

Sanston, Edward (Sampson?, Sexton?)

A Charles and William Sanston appear on the 1771 Botetourt company of William Herbert

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list.

Sayers, David

1733 - David Sayres was born, probably in Pennsylvania, possibly the son of Robert Sayers and Catherine Harris (some say John Sayers was his father)

1771, 1774 - Lived on New River at the north end of William Herbert's militia district (now Wythe County).

1772 (approximately) - David Married Mary Beatty in Fincastle Co., Virginia.

1774 - Did not find David's name on the list paid for Dunmore's War but probable brother Robert was on the list (see below)

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 1 slave, 10 horses, 32 cattle

1819 - He died in Wythe Co., VA

Children: Joanna (b. 20 Nov 1772) m. Samuel Crockett (son of Andrew Crockett); William; Nancy m. Samuel McPherson; David (b. 1777) m. Rhoda Davis; Robert (b. abt 1780) m. Nancy Crockett (dau. of Andrew) and removed to Rutherford Co., TN.

Sources: Worldconnect, Genforum; New River Notes personal tax lists

Sayers, Robert

Robert was a son of William Sayers and Esther Thompson. He was born in October of 1754.

1771 Brother John Sayers is on Herbert's list in Fincastle County (now Wythe).

1774 - Lord Dunmore's War -- A Robert Sayers was paid for 108 days of service in Dunmore's War in Col. Walter Crockett's company and another entry is for Robert Sayers, 23 days service under Capt. William Campbell.

1776 (July 4) Commissioned Lieutenant Colonel (began as a Captain in the Revolution)

1782 - Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list - there are two Robert Sayers: Robert 1 tithe-0 slaves-1 horse-7 cattle and Robert 1 tithe-0 slaves-5 horse-13 cattle (the second man is probably him)

The Sayers and Crockett families intermarried frequently - here are the 1782 Wythe personal tax list results for Crockett: (tithe, slave, horse, cattle) Crockett, Andrew 1, 3, 23, 24; Crockett, James 1, 5, 19, 30; Crockett, John 1, 2, 16, 46; Crockett, Walter 1, 7, 10, 24.

Later in life he was one of the wealthiest man in southwest VA, owning a large tract of land at "Anchor & Hope" and in Crockett Cove. He was in the Legislature of Virginia for several sessions in the early years of the state, and was a Justice of the Peace.

He died 17 April 1826 at Anchor and Hope, Wythe Co., Virginia and was buried at Crockett's Cove near Wythesville.

Robert died a batchelor and left his estate to his nephews, the sons of John Thomson Sayers.

Robert's father, William Sayers, married Esther Thompson (b. I710, Co. Down, Ireland). Esther Thompson first married Samuel Crockett (1694-1749, son of James de Crocketagne and Martha Montgomery). The above referenced John Sayers is another son of this couple. John Sayers was a Major in the Revolution and was shot through the lungs at the Battle of Cowpens and lay on the battlefield overnight, but mostly recovered and married Susanna Crockett (dau. of Samuel Crockett, a brother of Col. Walter Crockett) and raised a family in Wythe County. When Esther Thompson died, William Sayers remarried to Elizabeth Drake, sister of Joseph Drake. Joseph Drake led the big long hunt from the New River area in 1771 with Henry Skaggs which went to Kentucky and was highlighted by the loss of 2300 deer skins to the Indians. The Drakes are another family that intermarried with the Crocketts, Newells and other Presbyterian families in the New River area. William Sayers (Robert's father) is the son of Robert Sayers and Catherine Harris and a brother to David Sayers above.

Sources: Worldconnect; Adventures on Western Waters (Mary Kegley); The Conquest of the Old Southwest (Archibald Henderson); New River Notes personal tax lists; Library of Virginia web site; Genforum.

Scott, William

1774 - I did not find a William Scott on the Dunmore pay lists, but I did find the following Scotts: John 105 days (under Wm Campbell); Charles 38 days under Campbell; George 40 days under Campbell; James 108 days under Campbell;

1774 - brought lawsuit against Ephraim Osborne Sr. and Robert Osborne. Suit later abated.

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list. (David 1-0-2-13, James 1-0-6-20, John 1-0-5-16 & Samuel 1-0-3-9)

Sexton, Charles

A Charles Sanston appears on the 1771 Botetourt company of William Herbert

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list.

Smith, Moses

1771 - William Herbert's Company, Botetourt Co., VA

1774- Lord Dunmore's War, William Herbert's company. Not on the pay lists for the War.

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list.

Stotts, Andrew

1771, 1774 In Herbert's company under the name Andrew Stott. Not on the pay lists for Dunmore's War.

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: first name not identified - 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 4 horses, 17 cattle

note: Solomon Stotts m. Ursula Vaughan b. abt 1755 Halifax Co., VA d/o Thomas Vaughan of Pittsylvania Co., VA

Thomas, William

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 4, horse, 4 cattle; also Benjamin 1-0-2-0; Michael 1-0-2-9

Thompson, James

1771 - William Herbert's company, Botetourt Co., VA

1774 - Lord Dunmore's War, Herbert's Company. Not on the pay lists, but the following Thompson's were: Andrew Thompson, ensign under Crockett, 26 days served.

Suspect this may be the James Thompson who married Sarah Renfro and lived on Little River. Some of his children lived later in Carroll Co., VA.  There are other James Thompsons in what was then Fincastle/Botetourt/Montgomery County at this time but they lived towards Ingles Ferry (Blacksburg).

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list.

Tuttle, James

1774 - Not on the pay lists for Dunmore's War.

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 1 slave, 9 horse, 23 cattle

Vaughn, Thomas

Born about 1750, probably in Virginia. Parents not known.

1774 - In Herbert's Company at the time of Lord Dunmore's War (per Jeff Weaver) - not on the pay lists as far as I could determine.

1778 In Montgomery Co., VA, married Ruth.

1781, April 2 1783, 1785 - Enoch Osborne's militia roster

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 0 horses, 0 cattle; also George 1-0-2-4

early 1780s or later - Moved to Kentucky

1825 - died in Barren Co., KY. Left will.

Children: Reuben Hezekiah b. abt 1775 (d. 1825 Barren Co., KY, m. 1798 Charlotte Despain b. abt 1781, Meadow Creek, Montgomery Co., VA d/o John Despain and Susan Scott); Jane; Sarah Mary; Elizabeth Ruth 1779; Thomas Jr. abt 1780; Lydia b. abt 1780 VA (d. 1870 m. (1) James Pepper in Greene Co., KY and (2) in KY Nathan Blevins s/o James Blevins and Elizabeth Ward); Henry; William; Lotty; Joanna; Most children married in Green Co., KY.

Source: Henry Eckard's Worldconnect database; Note: Despaigne family immigrant ancestor (John's father) was Samuel b. 1692 Canterbury, England, lived along the Maherrin River in old Brunswick Co., VA and d. Warren Co., NC (source Elna Despain Petersen, LDS).

Vaughan, William

1750-1755, born in Wales. Parents unknown.

1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): William was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1776-1782 - (per Eddie Davis): William sort of disappears during the Revolutionary War and there have been whisperings that he was sympathetic to the British. We have no documented Rev. War service. After the War he moved to Russell Co., VA.

Moved from Virginia to Hawkins Co., TN and thence to Wayne Co., MO and then to Crawford Co., AR on the Arkansas River near Short Mountain Creek across from a large Cherokee Indian village. Since they were squatting on Indian land the Vaughan family was forced to move in 1826 to Washington Co., AR and finally in 1828 to the Tuttle Settlement.

1838 - died in Madison Co., Arkansas

Tradition: William Vaughan came from Wales, being a descendant of Thomas and Henry Vaughan. It is reported that he became an Indian trader and followed the old Indian trails from Virginia into Kentucky and Tennessee. Daniel Boone records meeting him in the wilds of Kentucky on his first visit (Howling Wilderness). William married a Cherokee maiden by the name of Fair-A-Bee-Luna in Tennessee. It was around his wife's tribal fire that he first heard of the old Indian Healing Springs, now known as Eureka Spring, Arkansas. (Don Byrne)

A family tradition is that his wife, Fereby Benton, was part Cherokee Indian, which might explain the Tory leanings. Eddie Davis was unable to prove Fereby's Cherokee ancestry through DNA testing. Fereby Benton is likely the sister of Cornelius Robert's wife Mary Benton. Both are likely to be granddaughters of Epaphroditus Benton who lived on the border of Virginia and North Carolina as mentioned in the History of the Dividing Line. (Eddie Davis).

Children: Thomas abt 1773 (d. 1846, Wayne Co., VA (WV), m. Nancy Ford d/o John Ford and Betsy Hill); John 1774 (d. 1864 Madison Co., AR); Samuel 1776 (d. 1852 Madison Co., AR); Daniel abt 1787 (d. Madison Co., AR, m. Margaret Hammons); William abt 1789; Elizabeth abt 1790 (d. Madison Co., AR, m. [Hawkins Co., TN] James Calico)

Source: Eddie Davis (Roberts Genforum message #14503); Don Byrne's Worldconnect database; Message from Dana Harp/Eddie Davis on Ronald Gene Custer's Worldconnect database.

Wallen (Walling) family

The Wallen family were probably religious dissenters in Massachusetts, perhaps Quakers or Quaker sympathizers who left for Rhode Island after the Salem witch trials. From Rhode Island they migrated to southern New Jersey with other Salem families and from there to Maryland and finally to old Lunenburg Co., Virginia where they now appear to be long hunters. They moved west with the frontier, appearing on the New River and Clinch frontiers very early. They co-migrated from New England with the Blevins family with which they are heavily inter-married. Their last name is sometimes spelled Walling.

Here is a descent from Sarah Burt Bassett, accused of being a witch in Salem: Sarah Burt (b. Surrey, England, d. Lynn, Essex Co., MA) m. William Bassett (1624-1703). Sarah Bassett (1651 Lynn, MA - 1692 Salem, NJ) m. Thomas Elwell (1654-1706); Sarah Elwell (1676 Gloucester, Essex Co., MA - bef. 1724 Salem Co., NJ) m. Thomas Walling (1652/3 Providence RI - 1724 Salem Co., NJ - Thomas is the son of Thomas Walling b. 1627 Plymouth MA, d. 1674 Providence RI and Mary Abbott); Elisha Walling (b. 1708 Salem Co., NJ - d. 1785 Henry Co., VA) m. Mary Blevins (b. about 1710 Westerley, RI d. after 1757 - she is the daughter of William Blevins and Ann Bunch). From Elisha Walling Sr. the Wallings of the frontier are descended. The children of Elisha and Mary are: Elisha Jr. m. Catherine Blevins; Joseph (1735-1791 Hawkins Co., TN m. Millicent Jones; Sarah Walling b. 1730 Freehold Middlesex Co., NJ m. Clement Lee;

A snapshot of this family from the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA tax list:

Wallen, Elisha, Jun -- 1 tithe, 3 slaves, 38 horses, 18 cattle (b. 1734 Prince Georges Co., MD - d. 1814 Wallen Plantation, Washington Co., MO m. Catherine Blevins, daughter of William Blevins and Agnes Walling)

Wallen, James -- 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 5 horses, 8 cattle - see below

Wallen, Joseph -- 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 10 horses, 12 cattle - see below Wallen, William -- 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 4 horses, 6 cattle

William Walling was the Lieutenant of the Elk Creek Miltia, September 6, 1782

Elisha Wallen was born 26 July 1708 in Cohansey, Salem Co., NJ. He left NJ, reportedly to avoid being bound into a trade. He first appears in the Monocasy, Prince Georges (now Frederick) Co., Maryland records in 1733 with his brothers James and William. By 1745 he is in Lunenburg Co., VA where he patented 400 acres on Cherrystone Creek. In 1746 he patented land on the Irwin and Smith Rivers about 2 miles east of the present town of Martinsville (now Henry Co., VA). He was appointed constable of the western part of old Lunenburg County (today's Patrick and Henry counties) in 1748. It has yet to be proved that his wife was actually Mary Blevins, daughter of William Blevins, although this is certainly the family legend. It was his son Elisha who now appears to have been the long hunter Elisha Walling (not Elisha Sr.). His other sons were also on the long hunts. Three of them James, Joseph and Thomas are on the list Jeff Weaver compiled for Herbert's company in Lord Dunmore's War. Elisha Sr. signed the oat of allegience in 1777 in Henry Co., VA and was reimbursed for supplying the troops.

Source: Molly Martin's "Martin-Sutterfield's in Missouri" Worldconnect database.

Wallen, James, Wallin, James

1746 - born, Lunenburg Co., VA, son of Elisha Walling and Mary Blevins.

1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): James was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1781, April 2 1783, 1785 - Enoch Osborne's militia roster

after March 1786 - died near what is now Wilson Creek, Grayson Co., Virginia. Buried Pugh Cemetery, Grayson Co., VA. Left a will in Montgomery Co., VA. (Doswell Rogers, Wm Rogers and James Anderson witnessed the March 1786 will)

About 1766 - Married Mary (White?, Pugh?) and/or Rebecca Bryant (unnamed wife mentioned in will)

Children: Elizabeth 1768; John 1775 (d. 1841 Nagadoches, TX, m. Anne Chisum b. 1777 d/o John Chisum and Margaret Davis); James 1773 (d. 1849 White Co., TN, m. Phoebe Jones b. 1771 d/o Berryman Jones and Lucretia Bryant); Thomas b. 1778 NC (d. 1855 Warren Co., TN, m. Nancy Jones b. 1780 VA d/o Berryman Jones and Lucretia Bryant); Bryant; Nancy 1781; Morning (m. Anderson); Catherine 1786

Wallen, Joseph

1734 - was born, probably in Prince Georges Co., MD. Parents Elisha Wallen and Mary Blevins.

1746 - paid a bounty for a Wolf's head.

Before 1771 he lived in what is now Henry Co., VA. From there he joined the long hunts.

1771 - In William Herbert's company, Botetourt Co., VA - also Elisha Wallen

1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): Joseph was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1777 - John Cox's militia roster

1787 - received land grant from NC

1789 - granted 640 acres in Sullivan Co., TN

1792 - killed by Indians on a trip to New York, perhaps in Kentucky, perhaps by Benge's gang. Was living at the time in Hawkins Co., TN. Buried in a mass grave, Wallen's Creek, KY with others killed by the Indians.

Joseph married abt 1768 Millicent Jones (b. abt 1750 - d.. abt 1820, d/o Thomas Jones and Diana)

Children: Elizabeth 1769 (m. Littleton Brooks); James C. 1771 (d. 1845); Nancy 1773 VA (d. Brown Co., IN, m. 1. William Currey and 2. Elias Weddle); Susannah b. 1778 VA (d. 1841, White Co., TN m. John Herd); Rosamond 1780 (d. 1850, Brown Co., IN, m. Thomas Weddle); Mary 1782 (m. Daniel Weddle); Morning b. 1784 in now TN (m. Stephen Welburn);

Wallen, Thomas

1730-1733 born, Prince Georges Co., Maryland. Alternative birth: 10 Jun 1748 in old Lunenburg (now Henry?) Co., VA. Parents: Elisha Wallen Sr. and Mary Blevins. With children being born starting in the 1750s, the earlier date and place is preferred. Thomas was one of the long hunters exploring southwest Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky.

1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): Thomas was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1775 - Thomas Wallen and Charles Cocke and others are appointed by the Virginia legislature to find a better road into Kentucky.

1777 - John Cox's militia roster

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list. - had moved to the Clinch or Powell River valley in Virginia or Tennessee near Kyle's Ford by then (probably moved at about the outbreak of the Revolution).

1800 - died in eastern Tennessee.

Married Mary Cox or Cocke. In my opinion, at first blush, it seems unlikely she would be the child of Stephen Cox and Judith Woodson, as they are from a different cultural group, but the children's naming pattern suggests it is possible.

Children: Stephen (b. 1756 m. Mary), William (b. 1759, d. 1838 Hawkins Co., TN, m. Mary), Elisha (b. 1760, d. Warren Co., OH, m. Anne), Judy [Judith?] (b. 1768, d. MO, m. Isaac Chrisman b. 1767 Hampshire Co., VA, d. Franklin Co., MO s/o Isaac Chrisman and Jane Scott), Mathias (b. abt 1770 VA, d. Kentucky, m. Amy Rice), Joseph (b. 1775 d. Scott Co., VA m. Fanny) and Catherine (m. ? Herd).  

By family tradition, Thomas' daughter Judy was part Cherokee. According to notes in Tobias Harkleroad's Worldconnect database, Thomas was "living with the tribe after his marriage to her mother [Mary Cox?], and taking part in tribal life. It is a tradition in the family that when Isaac Chrisman's wife [Judy Walling] was a young girl she witnessed the torture of a young Creek Indian captured by her people in one of their tribal wars. Though burned to death at the stake, the victim, true to Indian ethics, did his best to conceal his suffering, and succeeded in so far as his feature were concerned, but in spite of his best efforts his hands twisted as the fire licked into his flesh. The incident made a deep impression on the young girl, and is said to be the forerunner of the twisted hands of some members of the family in every generation since. Her Indian name in sound, very closely resembles 'Wannah'.

Ward, James

James lived first in what is today Wythe Co., VA. His diversion with Lieut. John Cox's men to the Clinch in Dunmore's War may indicate he was then living further south near Cox, or may indicate he was a good Indian scout.

1771, 1773 Taxed in Botetourt Co., VA

1773 militia list for Capt John Montgomery's company there were 4 Wards: Nathan, Wells, James and Zachariah

1774 participated in William Herbert's Company, Lord Dunmore's War. 1774 James was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 0 slaves, 2 horses, 6 cattle

Ward, Nathan (see also Wells Ward)

Born about 1730, probably in Maryland. It is thought that he is the son of another Nathan Ward and the brother of Wells Ward who lived to the West on Saddle Creek in today's Grayson county. Many researchers are also looking at connections to Ward lines from Baltimore (now Prince Georges) Co., MD (where the names Nathan and Wells are also found) and it is possible that the Ward family co-migrated with the Swift and Carr families.

Nathan settled on Coal [Cole] Creek in present day Carroll County by at least 1773 and had his land surveyed in 1774. Ward's Mill Run is named after his family.  On the 1773 militia list for Capt John Montgomery's company there were 4 Wards: Nathan, Wells, James and Zachariah    The community he settled in was predominantly Quaker and did not participate in Lord Dunmore's war, but Nathan was no Quaker. Nathan served in the Flower Swift Militia Company during the Revolution. Nathan Ward was not on the list of those fined for missing militia musters in the Revolution nor could I find any Tory references to him, so it is suspected he actively participated on the Whig side, at least in militia duties. A Nathan Ward was made a captain on the formation of the 78th Regt of militia in August 1793 soon after the formation of Grayson county. He purchased his land from the Loyal Land Company and it was a conflicted purchase not validated until 1802. He died March 14, 1803 in Grayson County.

1782 tax list: Nathan Ward, 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 2 horse, 8 cattle. In 1793, District 2 of Wythe there is a Nathan Ward with 7 horses and no blacks and another Nathan Ward with 3 horses and no blacks (one of these is his nephew by brother Wells).

Children: Nathan's daughter Margaret married Morris Cox, a son of Thomas Davis and Elizabeth Knox (Quakers). Other children: Nathan m. Anne Williams and removed to Hawkins Co., TN, Enoch (removed to Rutherford Co., NC), Elizabeth m. Jeffrey Clark, William m. Elizabeth Wilson (and remained in Carroll Co., VA) and Wells.

Ward, Wells (see also Nathan Ward)

June 30, 1735 - Wells Ward born in Queen Anne Parish, Prince Georges Co., Maryland. His parents are Nathan Ward and Margaret. Nathan Ward of Coal Creek (above) is his brother. His father Nathan Sr. was the son of James Ward and Susannah Swanson. When James Ward died Susannah married George Wells (thus the name Wells Ward).

Time-line for Wells Ward

1771, 1773 Taxed in Botetourt Co., VA

1773 militia list for Capt John Montgomery's company there were 4 Wards: Nathan, Wells, James and Zachariah

1781 - Wells Ward on the militia roster for Capt. Enoch Osborne's company

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax lsit: Wells Ward: 0 slaves, 5 horses, 7 cattle

4 February 1783 Wells Ward in Enoch Osburn's Company (from Preston Papers)

1 June 1791 Witnessed deed of Enoch Osborne & Wm. Landreth, Wilkes Co., NC;

1815: Owned farm, Saddle Creek, Grayson Co., VA; 50 acres, house, cabin, grist mill; $100;

about 1821 - Wells Ward dies in Grayson Co., VA

sources for time-line: Ginger Baker (NRHF), Brenda Reed (NRHF), Eugene Hoover (NRHF), Andrew Weyer (Genforum)

Wells Ward's wife's name was Elizabeth. Their children were: Wells, James, Benjamin, Stephen, Nathan ("of Saddle Creek", about 1760-1835, m. Sally, an Indian), Abigail (1759-1859, m. Isaac Barton); and Margaret.

Ward, Zachariah

1773 militia list for Capt John Montgomery's company there were 4 Wards: Nathan, Wells, James and Zachariah.

1774 participated in William Herbert's company, Lord Dunmore's War.

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list.

Zachariah does not exist in Worldconnect. In www.familysearch.org there is a Zachariah Ward, son of James Ward and Nancy Brown. This Zachariah is said in that reference to have been born about 1740. It comes with the (impossible) birthplace of Carroll Co., VA.  

Weaver, Isaac

1771 a Josiah Weaver is listed in William Herbert's company.

1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): Isaac was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

Jeff Weaver: "1771 -- Josiah Weaver is actually Joshua Weaver. Joshua Weaver, born ca. 1716 in New Kent County, VA, was restless. He moved with his father to Goochland Co., VA ca. 1727, and from there he was in Lunenburg Co., VA (1748) then in Halifax Co., VA (1750) He was in Pittsylvania Co., Va in 1767. In 1767-1768 involved in several law suits, and shows up on the west side of the Blue Ridge in 1771. He moved to Weaver's Ford, Ashe Co., NC at some undetermined point in time, but was listed there in some deeds as early as 1778. He was alive in 1787, but apparently dead by 1790. Joshua was probably buried in the Weaver Family Cemetery, Weaver's Ford, Ashe Co., NC. Other branches of the Family went to South Carolina, Georgia, and Kentucky. Children of Joshua and Rachel Weaver: William, Isaac, Thomas, Samuel, John and Absolom.

Isaac Weaver, was born 1747-1748 in Lunenburg Co., VA. Son of Joshua Weaver (above) and wife, Rachel. Died in 1814 Ashe County, NC (Family Bible states he died in 1814 age 66). Married to Sarah Maxwell, (b. about 1750 Scotland d. after 1850 in Coles Co., IL.) Isaac Weaver lived on Staggs Creek in Ashe County and has some Wilkes Co., NC deeds from 1778. After the Revolution, served as Captain in the Wilkes Co., NC militia. Seems to have "laid low" during the Revolution. I don't think the Weavers actually took sides, which may have been difficult. Founded North Fork of New River Primitive Baptist Church in 1785."

Children of Isaac and Sarah Weaver: Mary b. 1768 (d. 1860 Ashe Co., NC m. John Jones b. 1770 Ireland); Mark b. abt 1770; Joshua 1776 (d. 1866 Ashe Co., NC, m. Susannah); Isaac b. 1780 (d. 1855 Ashe Co., NC, m. Jane Lewis b. 1784 NC d/o Gideon Lewis and Nancy Osborne); William 1783 (m. Farraby); Valentine 1787; John 1790 (m. Mary Maxwell); Samuel b. 1794 (d. 1849 Coles Co., IL m. Grace Taylor b. 1795). [source Linda Blevins Worldconnect database]

Williams, Edward

1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): Edward was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

Possibles

-- b. 1750-60 VA, d. 1834 Campbell Co., TN, m. Elizabeth (Dangerfield?). Migrated to TN from NC about 1800. Children: Alexander T. b. 1797 NC m. Agnes (Goebel?) d. 1830 Campbell Co., TN; parents: William Williams; brothers: William (of Grainger Co., TN), John and David. Migrated from Chester Co., PA?

-- b. 27 Oct 1731 Chester Co., PA, d. 4 Sep. 1804, Mt. Sterling, Montgomery Co., KY, married (1) Mary Lydia Emory, he lived on the headwaters of the Potomac in 1763, m. (2) Jemima Anderson b. 1742 in 1780 at Ft. Boonesborough (Squire Boone Jr. officiating). In Boonesborough by at least 1779. Parents: Joseph Williams (b. 1704/5 Plymouth twp., Philadelphia Co., PA, d. Chester Co., PA and Sarah Griffith - Welsh Quakers). This Edward was Sheriff of Berks Co., PA and was a friend of Daniel Boone's. He migrated from PA to now WV (Potomac valley) to NC and to KY. Was in George Rogers Clark's command (Revolutionary War Pension File #17199). His first wife, Mary Lydia Emory was by her first husband, Evan Davis, the grandmother of Jefferson Davis the President of the Confederacy.

Wilshire, Nathaniel

Also spelled Witcher?

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list. There are: Daniel Witcher, 1-0-4-9; Ephraim Witcher 1-1-5-14; John Witcher 1-0-1-5

There is a Welcher family 1820 in Barren Co., Kentucky that named a son Nathaniel (aka Nathan Wiltshire)

There is a William Witcher b. abt 1735 England, d. 8 Jun 1808 Pittsylvania Co., VA m. Lydia Adkins. He is not said to have a son named Nathaniel. William signed at oath of allegience in 1777 in Pittsylvania Co., VA with members of the Dalton family. William had 3 brothers Ephraim (who married Elizabeth Phipps b. 1756, Charlotte Co., VA), Daniel and John and these 3 are in Montgomery Co., VA 1782.

The Witchers moved across the line into North Carolina and show up in Ashe Co., NC records until the Civil War (Jeff Weaver).

Woods, Michael

1771 - There is a "Luck" Woods in the William Herbert Company

1774 - In the William Herbert Company, Lord Dunmore's War

Not on the 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list.

Possibilities from Worldconnect. There are three Michael Woods associated with the southwest Virginia frontier, but none are associated with the upper New River area now in Wythe, Grayson and Carroll counties. All are said to originate from the Michael Woods family (b. 1684 of Castle Dunshauglin, Co. Meath Ireland m. Mary Campbell) that first came to Cecil Co., MD, then settled in what was then Albemarle Co., VA.

Michael, s/o John Woods and Susannah Anderson (this Michael is later associated with Madison Co., KY)

Michael m. Hannah Wallace (associated with Greenbrier Co., VA and later moved to Kentucky), s/o William and Susannah Wallace Woods.

Michael m. Margaret Trimble and Jean Lackey, came to Washington Co., TN area about 1771 from Georgia where he moved to from Virginia in 1765. s/o Archibald and Isabella Goss Woods.

The name Michael suggests that the man in Herbert's company may be a member of this extended family if not one of these three men.

Young, Ezekiel

1. - Ezekiel Young was born about 1735 in Bristol, England. He married Ruth Whitehead (b. about 1750, NC) in 1768. He died about 1800 at now Volney, VA and is buried near the Mouth of Little Fox Creek, Grayson Co., VA.

2. - 1771 - In William Herbert's company, Botetourt Co., VA (now Grayson Co., VA)

3. - 1774 (Lord Dunmore's War): Ezekiel was among those diverted to Capt. Looney's company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

4. - 1777, 1781, 2 April 1783 and 1785 - On Enoch Osborne's militia rosters.

5. - 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: Young, Ezekiel: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 5 horses, 18 cattle; also John 1-0-5-6

6. - 1796 Grayson county land tax list: Ezekiel Young 50 acres worth $16.67. Joseph Young had 100 acres.

Children of Ezekiel and Ruth Young: Robert (b. about 1770, d. Green Co. KY m. Catherine McFarland); Joseph (b. 1771, d. 1857 Mouth of Wilson, Grayson Co., VA m. Lucy Perkins, daughter of Timothy Perkins and Miriam Sherry - Timothy Perkins was a Tory, thought to have died in the Revolution); Ezekiel (b. 1772, d. 1826, Green Co., KY m. Rebecca McFarland 1808 in TN); William (b. about 1775, d. 1826 VA m. Elizabeth Hart -- the Harts are maybe originally from PA or NJ and may have gone south as Baptist missionaries to the Indians -- there are rumors of Indian blood in the Hart family); Thomas (b. 1780 Montgomery Co., VA d. Fox Creek, Grayson Co., VA, m. Milla Sizemore -- Sizemores were a well-known part-Indian Tory family migrating to New River from old Lunenburg Co., VA)

About the Loyal Land Company

From Carol Osborne Hackett (editorial comments by James Quinn):

"The Loyal Land Company of Virginia was organized in 1748 by a group of private men who obtained a grant of 800,000 acres of land largely for speculative purposes. The governments of Great Britain and Virginia made these grants because they were anxious to get the frontiers settled, partly as insurance against claims to the territory by the French and partly to insure more protection to the few settlers who were there against the Indians." (JQ: Can't think of anything more likely to stir the Indians up -- seems to me that a motive is missing: the chance of making a fortune selling land, since members of those same governments were involved in the land companies) "The companies to which these grants were made were given a limited time in which to dispose of the land. The Loyal Land Company circulated advertisements throughout the British colonies inviting settlers to come and settle their lands by promising to survey for them the place and quantity of land they should choose, at the cheap rate of three pounds per hundred acres with the surveyors' fees, right or composition money and patent fee; at the same time offering, if required, a reasonable time for payment, in which case the company was to retain the title as security for the purchase money and receive interest after a limited time. The company's work was interrupted and they had to ask for several extensions of time. In 1756 the French and Indian War broke out and they practically ceased work. In 1763 came the King's Proclamation prohibiting any grants of settlements on the west of the Alleghenies. However, some of the company's agents continued to encourage people to come and settle, although official patents could not then be issued. The affairs of the Loyal Company remained in a state of inactivity until 16 December 1773, but in the interval many people settled on the land. On that date the Virginia Council, in anticipation of the reopening of the country to grants, permitted the settlers who were already on the land to obtain surveys from the agents under contracts to pay the original purchase price set by the company."

JQ - A key to understanding the politics of this region is to know who the players are in the Loyal Land Company. Almost all the Scotch-Irish Presbyterian leaders of the militia in Lord Dunmore's war and the Whig side of the Revolution had family ties to the business of the Loyal Company. This includes the Pattons, Lewis's, Prestons, Christians and Campbells who were intermarried with each other and in two cases married sisters of the famous Patrick Henry. Henry, himself, was involved in land speculation in the area. Other famous participants in the Loyal Company included some wealthy planters from Albermarle County such as Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson and Dr. Thomas Walker, the explorer.  

Some of the land in the original Loyal Company grant was also claimed by the Cherokee, who were the first target of these same leaders in the Revolution. Much of the rest of the land was the ancestral home of the Shawnee, who had been driven from northern and central Kentucky by the Iroquois in the 1660s. The men in Herbert's company, including Herbert, were not part of this Loyal Land Company scheme for the most part, although I have heard people suggest that Enoch Osborne and John Cox may have had some long standing business ties to the company. In fact, many of the people in Herbert's company had trading or even familial ties to the Cherokee, and so it is not surprising that so many became Tories when the Cherokee were attacked in 1777.

Reference: Wiley Winton Osborne - His Ancestors and Descendants by Carol Osborne Hackett and Myrtle Greer Johnson.

Some key dates:

1748 -- Dr. Thomas Walker, John Buchanan and James Patton crossed New River, on surveying expedition to Kentucky.

1748/9 -- The Loyal Land Company was organized by Dr. Thomas Walker, James Patton, and others, based on a grant of 800,000 acres of land, lying north of the North Carolina line and west of the mountains. A provision of the grant required settlement of the land within four years. On June 14, 1753 the Company was granted an additional 4 years to settle the land

1749 -- William Byrd, Joshua Fry, Peter Jefferson, Daniel Weldon and William Churton survey the border between Virginia and North Carolina. The surveyors extended the boundary from Peter's Creek 90 miles due west to Steep Rock Creek, just southeast of present day Damascus, Virginia.

1750 -- Dr. Thomas Walker made his second surveying journey to Cumberland Gap and Kentucky. With Walker were Ambrose Powell, William Tomlinson, Colby Chew, Henry Lawless, and John Hughes.

1754 -- The French and Indian War breaks out, discouraging settlement of the Loyal Company grant.

1757 -- The New River Lead Mines were discovered by Colonel Chiswell, and operations begun.

1759 -- Fort Chiswell (Wythe County) Virginia was built under direction of Colonel William Byrd.

1761-1773 -- Long Hunters' expeditions into Kentucky from the Fincastle County/Lower New River area. Settlement of the New River valley of Virginia begins.

1763 -- The Proclamation of 1763 forbids further settlement of the Loyal Company grant.

1768 -- Treaty of Hard Labor between the Cherokee and North Carolina drew the western border of the Cherokee Nation from the Chiswell lead mines to Tryon Mountain in North Carolina.

1769 -- Settlement of the Powell Valley in far southwest Virginia by the Loyal Land Company begins

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New River Notes On-line resources used on this page