06 Tuesday Mar 2018
Posted in Big Harts Creek
Tags
Appalachia, Big Branch, county clerk, genealogy, Guy Conley, Harts Creek, Henry Conley, history, Lincoln County, Logan County, Patton Thompson, Richard Elkins Branch, Thompson Branch, Virginia, W.I. Campbell, West Virginia, William Straton
Deed Book C, page ____, Logan County Clerk’s Office, Logan, WV. Local historian Billy Adkins believes that Richard Elkins Branch is now called Thompson Branch. This property is located in present-day Lincoln County, WV.
Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain
This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.
Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond
A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century
Brandon Ray Kirk 
Hi Brandon, I’m confused (what’s new) so Patton sold this to Guy for 200.00 ? Wasn’t Guy his brother in law?
Thanks
Deb
Hi, Deborah! By my calculations, Guy Conley was a first cousin to Patton Thompson. Guy’s mother, Mary “Polly” Thompson, was a sister to Patton’s father, William Patton Thompson. The Henry Conley referenced in this deed was Patton’s uncle. As to your question: I’m no lawyer so my interpretation of the trust deed may be incorrect, but I believe that Patton owed a $200 debt to Henry Conley and he promised to pay it (plus interest) within two years or give up all of the items mentioned in the deed.
Thanks!
I believe this Patton fella was uncle to William Thompson. William’s father was a Jefferson Thompson. Might you have any information on William, born about 1853? He was married to Eliza Muncy. It seems he was shot in 1880, by whom or why I do not know. It looks to be that Eliza died the same year. William seems to possibly be my 3rd great grandfather.
Thanks,
– Emily
Hi, Emily. Patton Thompson (b. 1824) is my great-great-great-grandfather. He had a brother named Jefferson Thompson. These folks lived on Harts Creek. Their dad was named William Patton Thompson. Jefferson had a son named William who married Elizabeth Muncy. I’m curious about the shooting story: is that something handed down in your family or is it documented in an old record? Thanks!
My search for ancestors actually led me to your site, which it great by the way. My family has no prior knowledge of any stories or even the names beyond my paternal grandfather’s mother who we know was Emma Zettie (Davis) Jewell (b. 1905 d. 1942). Emma’s mother was Nancy A (Thompson) Davis (b. 1879 d. 1905). Nancy died of “consumption” when Emma was a baby, so Emma’s grandma Barbara (Ferrell) Davis raised her, & Nancy’s husband later remarried. Last week, I discovered that Nancy was daughter of William Thompson & Eliza Muncy.
US census mortality index lists:
William Thompson: died December 1880 in Lincoln County, WV; age 25; occupation: Farmer; cause of death: shot.
Eliza’s death is also recorded as a 1880, but I haven’t yet found additional information.
I did find a census from West half of Lincoln, Wayne county recorded on June 21, 1880 that lists an Eliza Thompson age 25 widowed with 3 children.
The 3 children are James N, John W, & Nancy A.
I think William was probably shot in December 1879 before the calendar year rolled to 1880 when the event may have actually been recorded. Which, ironically & mysteriously, is the same month Nancy was born. Eliza is widowed with 3 children & then allegedly dies later that same year, leaving behind 3 orphan children under 5 years old.
Fun fact: there is a Nancy Thompson listed as niece living with Patton & Delana Thompson (who are in their 70’s) in Carroll, Lincoln, WV in 1900. Is this my Nancy A Thompson? I think it could be, even though the age is 3-4 years younger.
Maybe they fudged Nancy’s age so she could be under their care longer?… 1880: Nancy is a baby, her parents are both dead, 2 of 4 grandparents (possibly all 4) are dead. It makes sense that she (& possibly her 2 brothers) might have been taken into guardianship by great-uncle Patton Thompson. I am still searching to connect this time frame of her life. What are your thoughts?
– Emily
I should make a correction. That would make Jefferson Thompson my father’s 3rd great grandfather, & so my 4th great grandfather. Sorry for the mistake.
– Emily