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Brandon Ray Kirk

Tag Archives: Montgomery County

White Family History at Pecks Mill, WV (1937)

15 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Giles County, Logan, Pecks Mill

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Anna Stuart, Appalachia, Arter White, Battle of New Orleans, Ben White, Betty Radford, Charles White, Editha White, Elijah White, Frank White, Franklin, genealogy, Giles County, Henry Mitchell, Hezekiah Staton, Hiram White, history, Howard White, Indiana, Isaac White, James Buskirk, James Thompson, James White, John Chambers, John Sansom, John White, Judith White, Lark White, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lucretia Elkins, Major White, Margaret White, Mason White, Maston White, Millard White, Mingo County, Monroe County, Montgomery County, Nancy White, Ohio, Pigeon Creek, Pleasant Chafin, Reuben White, Robert Chambers, Robert Whitt, South Carolina, Susannah Elkins, Susannah Marcum, Thomas White, Viola Ellis, Virginia, Wade Hampton, Wallace White, West Virginia, Will White, William White

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about the White family in Logan County, West Virginia. The story is dated May 21, 1937.

White Family Among Early Settlers in Logan County

Great Grandfather of Patrolman Frank White Moved From Pecks Mill to Mingo County; His Father Had Settled on Mitchell Farm

Among the pioneer families which settled in and around Logan during the early days of its building from a settlement to a village was the family of John White.

John White came to Logan and settled on the farm later owned by Henry Mitchell with a family of grown men and one daughter. Ben and James had come to Pecks Mill early in the 19th century and built their cabins.

His daughter, Nancy, married Robert Whitt, who afterwards moved to Ohio.

His sons were John, who married Susannah Marcum of Franklin; Ben, who married Anna Stuart of Montgomery; James, who married Lucretia Elkins; and William, who married a daughter of John Sansom, another pioneer of the county.

James, tiring of this section of the country because “hunting was bad”, moved to Mingo county and bought five miles of land on Pigeon Creek for a bear gun and a bear dog.

He reared his family and among his children was John, grandfather of Frank White, city patrolman, Mrs. James Buskirk, Power Plant addition, and Lark, Will, Millard, Howard, Wallace, and Mason, all of Logan.

John was the breadwinner of his family, his father having died not long after his son reached the age of 12. John hunted and filled the soil to take care of his aging mother and several brothers and sisters.

He married Betty Radford, also of Mingo county and was the father of twelve children. They were William, who married Editha White; John, who married Susannah Elkins; Thomas, James, Reuben, Isaac, Charles, Major, Elijah, Hiram, Masten, and Judith, who married James Thompson.

Elijah was the father of the Logan citizens named above. He left Mingo county and came to Logan where he married Viola Ellis.

Thomas, James, and Reuben went to Giles county, Virginia, and Major went to Indiana.

All the others remained in Logan and reared large families.

Ben White was the father of seven children, five sons and two daughters. His sons were John, Arter, Ben, William, and James, and his daughters were Nancy, who married Pleasant Chafin, and Margaret, who married Hezekiah Staton.

James had but one child, a daughter Nancy, who married John Chambers, a son of Robert Chambers of Monroe county.

William, the youngest son, joined the regular army in 1808 and was assigned for duty in a regiment that was being raised by Col. Wade Hampton of South Carolina.

When Hampton was made Brigadier-General in 1806 and assigned to duty at New Orleans, White went with him, and when Hampton was superseded by Wilkinson, White remained with Wilkinson and then under Jackson until after the Battle of New Orleans in which battle he participated.

He returned home in 1816 and married the daughter of John Sansom.

Stephen Hart and Harts Creek (1937)

14 Sunday Jul 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Big Creek, Big Harts Creek, Civil War, Hamlin, Harts, Logan, Midkiff, Ranger, Spurlockville, Toney

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Appalachia, assistant postmaster, Big Creek, Cabell County, Charles Spurlock, Cheat River, Cincinnati, civil engineer, civil war, doctor, genealogy, gunsmith, Hamlin, history, Jane Spurlock, John Spurlock, Lifas Spurlock, Lincoln County, Logan Banner, Logan County, Logan Post Office, Marshall Spurlock, Midkiff, Montgomery County, Omar, Pete Spurlock, preacher, Ranger, Robertson Spurlock, Seth Spurlock, Sheridan, sheriff, Spurlockville, Stephen Hart, surveyor, Union Army, Virginia, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Stephen Hart and Harts Creek in Lincoln and Logan counties, West Virginia. The story is dated April 14, 1937.

Stephen Hart Settled at Cheat River, Pete Spurlock, A Great Grandson, Reveals

P.A. (Pete) Spurlock, assistant postmaster at the Logan post office, this morning revealed the destination of Stephen Hart, who went went after he had lived for a short time at the forks of the creek in the lower end of Logan county which now bears his name.

Spurlock said that Hart went to the Cheat River and settled permanently there to hunt deer and rear a family. He said the family name of Hart is as familiar there as the name Dingess is familiar in Logan county.

A daughter of Stephen, Jane, was Spurlock’s grandmother. She lived until 1913 and told her grandson much of the early history of the family which made its home in and around Spurlocksville, Sheridan, Ranger, and Midkiff.

Charles Spurlock, the progenitor of the Spurlock family, came to what used to be the Toney farm below the mouth of Big Creek in 1805 from Montgomery county, Virginia.

“Uncle Charley was a funny old cuss,” his great grandson Pete said this morning. “The story is told that a sheriff of Cabell county was given a capias to serve on the old codger for some minor offense when he was growing old and rather stout.

“Meeting him in the road one day, the sheriff informed Uncle Charley he had a capias to serve on him.

“None abashed, the old man informed the sheriff he was a law-abiding citizen and laid down in the middle of the road and told the sheriff to take him to jail.

“The ruse worked, for the sheriff chose to look for less obstinate prisoners,” Uncle Charley’s grandson said, chuckling.

Another story about the eccentric “Uncle Charley Spurlock” which has gone down in history, whether true or not, was that he lived for a short time below Big Creek under a rock cliff (known as a rockhouse) during the early summer while he was getting his cabin in shape for winter.

The tale is out that “Uncle Charley” explained his strange dwelling place in this way to his neighbors:

“Well I took Sarah (his wife) in a good substantial frame house in Virginia and she wasn’t quite satisfied. I took her to a log house and she wasn’t satisfied. I took her to a rail pen and still she grumbled. Then I took her to a rock house built by God Almight and still she wasn’t satisfied.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do with Sarah.”

Sarah evidently became accustomed to “Uncle Charley” for the couple reared four sons. They were John, Seth, Lifas and Robertson. There were no daughters.

Seth was P.A. Spurlock’s grandfather. His father, Marshall, is 78 and lives on his farm near Cincinnati.

Spurlock says “Uncle Charley” is buried on a point at Spurlocksville overlooking the haunts of his early manhood.

Robertson was a gunsmith and lived near Hamlin. Seth was a civil engineer and helped survey much of Logan county. He was a Union soldier. John was a country doctor who practiced at Ranger.

Lifas was a preacher for sixty years and lived at Sheridan.

Charles Spurlock, of Omar, is a distant cousin, the assistant postmaster said. He is the only relative that lives in this section of Logan county, Spurlock said.

Spurlock, at Omar, was born at Spurlocksville and is a grandson of one of the original “Charley’s” boys.

John Breckinridge Once Owned Logan, WV (1937)

23 Saturday Feb 2019

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in American Revolutionary War, Logan, Native American History

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Andrew Lewis, Appalachia, Aracoma, Battle of the Island, Big Creek, Boling Baker, Coal River, Dingess Run, Elizabeth Madison, George Booth, Gilbert Creek, Guyandotte River, Hatfield Island, history, Island Creek, John Breckinridge, Kentucky, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Mingo County, Montgomery County, Native American History, Native Americans, Spruce Fork, Thomas Madison, Virginia, Washington County, West Virginia

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of information about Logan’s early history printed on April 26, 1937:

Land On Which City Of Logan Now Stands First Owned by Breckinridge

The tract of land on which the city of Logan now stands and the Island–now “Hatfield’s Island”–once belonged to John Breckinridge, scion of an old Kentucky family and leader of the attacking party which broke the control of the Shawnee Indians in the Guyandotte valleys in the “Battle of the Islands.”

Princess Aracoma was killed in this battle and Boling Baker, her renegade white husband, was banished forever from the lush river valley where he had spent his days since his desertion from the English forces in Virginia.

Captain Breckenridge led the attack which made the valley safe for white settlers, and, in appreciation of his services, the new government allowed him 300 acres at the mouth of Island creek.

The land grant was made early in the 1780s along with a few others on Island Creek, Dingess Run, Gilbert Creek, Big Creek and the Spruce Fork of Cole River.

Surveying parties from Montgomery and Washington county, Virginia, braved the wilderness and apportioned the land in Guyan Valley and vicinity to early Indian fighters who had contributed their services to opening the valley for white settlement.

Included in the surveys made by deputy surveyors from Montgomery county were grants apportioning much of Island Creek, Spruce Fork, and Dingess Run to persons whose names are still remembered in the county has holders of much of this county’s land.

In these early surveys Andrew Lewis was given 3000 acres on Island Creek along with 2000 acres on Big Creek, and 3000 acres on Gilbert Creek.

Thomas Madison was given 2000 acres on Spruce Fork, 1000 acres on Dingess Run, and 2000 acres on Gilbert Creek.

Others who figured in this early allocation of land were Elizabeth Madison, who was given much of Spruce Fork; George Booth, who was awarded several thousand acres along Guyan River and on Island Creek; and George Booth [same name listed twice in this story], who received much of the land along Island Creek.

Later in the waning years of the 19th century other grants were made by the new government with the stipulation that settlement be made immediately, but these early grants were rewards for work well done in opening the valley of the Guyandotte for settlement.

Early Anglo Settlers of Logan, WV (1937)

10 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Guyandotte River, Logan, Native American History, Tazewell County

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Appalachia, Aracoma, Bluestone Valley, Boling Baker, Deskins Addition, Guyandotte River, Hatfield Island, Henry Mitchell, history, Island Creek, John Breckinridge, John Dempsey, John Dingess, Joseph Workman, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Montgomery County, Nancy McNeely, Native American History, Native Americans, Nimrod Workman, Peter Dingess, Shawnee, Tazewell County, Virginia, West Virginia, William Dingess, Wythe County

From the Logan Banner of Logan, WV, comes this bit of history about Logan’s earliest Anglo settlers in a story printed April 1, 1937:

First White Settler To Make His Home In Logan Lived on Hatfield Island

The first white settler to make his home near Logan was James Workman who was with the force of men who struck the blow that broke the power of the Shawnee in the valley of the Guyandotte.

He was a member of the group of white settlers who pursued Boling Baker from a settlement in the Bluestone valley to the island that is now known as “Hatfield Island” and there burned an Indian village and mortally wounded Princess Aracoma. Boling Baker escaped.

After Workman had a glimpse of the beautiful lush valley of the Guyandotte, it took little persuasion by John Breckinridge, who had been granted much of the valley after the battle of the Islands to get Workman and his two brothers Joseph and Nimrod to make settlement there, Breckinridge was forced to settle the land by the law of 1792 in order to hold title to it.

Workman and his two brothers came to the island in 1794 and built a cabin and planted a few acres of corn. In 1795 and 1796 the brothers planted the same land and James, who was a man of family, brought his wife and children from their old home in Wythe (now Tazewell) county, Virginia, where they continued to live until about the year 1800 when they moved to a farm nearby which was later owned by Henry Mitchell.

The first recorded permanent settlement was made by William Dingess, son of Peter Dingess, a German. Dingess was the oldest in a family of eleven children.

He was born in Montgomery county in 1770 and married Nancy McNeely. He purchased a survey of 300 acres, which covers the present site of the courthouse and a portion of the land across the river which is now Deskins addition.

Dingess moved to his survey in 1799 and made his home. John Dempsey came with him and built a cabin on the island, but afterwards moved to Island Creek.

William Dingess was said to be almost a giant in strength, but so peaceable that no one could induce him to fight. He was a relentless Indian fighter in the Guyan Valley, however. A story is told that he was with a force of whites who pursued a band of Indian marauders as far as the falls of the Guyan where they killed several braves.

Dingess cut a portion of the skin from a forearm of one of the braves and tanned it using it for a razor strop until his death.

The first settler had no children by his first wife. In 1800, Peter Dingess and John Dingess joined him and built their homes in the fertile land on each side of the river near the islands. Other settlers followed in time and the little settlement grew to a thriving frontier town.

Aracoma Memorial in Logan, WV (1936)

22 Saturday Sep 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in American Revolutionary War, Logan, Native American History

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American Revolution, Appalachia, Aracoma, Aracoma Hotel, Bluestone River, Boling Baker, C.A. Davis, Cornstalk, Daughters of the American Revolution, Edwin Goodwin, Elmer McDonald, Harris Funeral Home, history, Jimmy Browning, Logan, Logan Banner, Logan County, Lyle Burdette, M.R. Atkinson, Montgomery County, Native American History, Native Americans, photos, sheriff, Virginia, W.C. Turley, West Virginia

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Aracoma Memorial at the Logan Courthouse, Logan, WV. 18 May 2017.

Princess Aracoma Memorial Given to the Public by D.A.R. Chapter is Formally Unveiled and Dedicated

The monument to Princess Aracoma was dedicated yesterday afternoon by the local chapter of the D.A.R. which bears her name, with a brief ceremony in which the romantic history of the chief of the first tribe known to have settled in this vicinity was reviewed.

The dedication service took place at 4:30 o’clock at the northeast corner of the courthouse, and was opened with an assembly bugle call by Boy Scout Edwin Goodwin. Rev. M.R. Atkinson led in prayer and Jimmy Browning gave the salute to the flag.

Mrs. S. Elmer McDonald, regent of Aracoma chapter, presided, saying, “We have gathered here to honor Princess Aracoma, an Indian princess who with her tribe first settled in this valley.”

W.C. Turley, whom Mrs. McDonald introduced as the descendant of one of the oldest families of the county gave a talk reviewing the traditional settling of the Indians in this vicinity.

“I think it striking evidence of patriotism for your Princess Aracoma chapter to place this monument in memory of Princess Aracoma,” he said.

Mr. Turley said that Princess Aracoma was born somewhere between 1740 and 1745, the daughter of Cornstalk, chief of the Shawnee Indians, who was killed in the first land battle of the Revolution.

“When the princess was a young girl she interceded in behalf of Boling Baker, a white soldier who had deserted from the British army and had been captured by her tribe. Through her plea his life was spared and he was initiated into the tribe.

“According to the Indian custom, when Princess Aracoma became of age she was given a portion of the tribe to settle under her leadership in new hunting grounds, and chose the island first settled in this territory. Shortly after settling in their new home, the Princess and Boling Baker were married at a large ceremony attended by Cornstalk and other chiefs.

“The tribe lived happily and prospered until, in 1776, a plague struck them taking many of their members including all of the children of the princess and her white husband.

“Baker, seeking to replenish the goods of the tribe went with some scouts to a settlement on the Bluestone river, where, posing as an escaped captive, he gained the confidence of the settlers. Then one night he led his scouts in a raid on the camp, stealing their horses and provisions.

“The sheriff of Montgomery county, of which Logan was then a part, designated Col. Breckenridge and Gen. Madison to lead a force of 90 men to seek revenge on the Indians. In the ensuing battle, which took place near where the power plant now stands, Princess Aracoma was killed.

“According to tradition, she was buried somewhere in the vicinity where the Aracoma Hotel and Harris Funeral Home now stand. Skeletons and Indian burial pieces were unearthed when the excavation for these buildings was made.”

At the close of Mr. Turley’s address, the monument was unveiled by Mrs. Lyle Burdette and Mrs. C.A. Davis.

Source: Logan (WV) Banner, 28 October 1936.

NOTE: This article incorrectly references the Battle of Point Pleasant as part of the American Revolutionary War.

Adam Waggoner Last Will and Testament (1785)

28 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Montgomery County, Tazewell County

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Adam Waggoner, Anne Waggoner, Appalachi, Christiansburg, Christina Waggoner, Daniel Waggoner, David Waggoner, genealogy, George Waggoner, Henry Stogough, history, Jacob Waggoner, Jane Waggoner, Montgomery County, Neman Cloyd, Rebecca Waggoner, Sarah Waggoner, Susanna Waggoner, Thomas Patton, Virginia, William Cox, William Day, Wolf Creek

During a recent visit to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, I viewed the Last Will and Testament of my great-great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather, Adam Waggoner (c.1720s-1785):

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In the name of God Amen I Adam Wagonner being through the abundant Mercy and goodness of God tho weak of body yet of sound memory and perfect understanding do constitute this my Last will and Testament in manner following. Viz. first I bequeath my soul to Almighty God my maker beseeching his most gracious exception of it. My body to the earth to be buried Decently at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named unto my Worldly Estate. I will and order that all my Debts be paid.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son George Wagonner one half of my Land on Wolf Creek containing near four hundred acres, him taking Choice for his part of the said Land To him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Daniel Wagonner The Other half of my Land on Wolf Creek, only he is to pay to George Wagonner Twenty pounds in any thing to his Satisfaction.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Jacob Wagonner a tract of Land joining mine which he sold to Wm. Day.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son David Waggoner the Tract of Land I now life on to him and his his heirs forever, only my wife Jane Wagonner is to have her third out of it During her natural life.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Rebekkah Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows and a good feather Bed, a good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, and a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Christiner Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows and a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Susanna Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Daughter Anne Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, a good feather Bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. I give and bequeath to my Son David Wagonner one brooding mare.

Item. I give and bequeath to my wife Jane Wagonner one brooding mare, two Cows, a good feather bed and good furniture or the value thereof.

Item. My will is that my young Children be School’d and raised out of the Estate.

Item. My will is that all the remainder of My Estate, viz. the Land where Henry Stogough Lives, the Land I purchased of Neman Cloyd, the remainder of my Stock, all the Cash and Debts due to be Equally Divided with my wife and all my Children, only pots and pewter and the necessaries for house keeping to my wife, and to my son David.

Item. My Daughters Rebekkah , Sarah, Christiner, Susanna and Anne Waggoner is to have each a good Saddle.

Item. My son David Wagonner is to have 100 acres of Land of a preemption, Joyning the other Tract, and a good Saddle.

Item I do appoint my wife Jane Wagonner Executor, Thomas Patton and William Cox my whole and Sole Executors of this my Last will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 23th Day of may 1785.

Adam Wagoner

Signed and Sealed in presence of

Wm. Day [his mark]

Tofan(?) Payn(?)

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Source: Wills Box (1791-1799), Montgomery County Circuit Clerk’s Office, Christiansburg, VA.

Thomas Farley Last Will and Testament (1796)

21 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in African American History, American Revolutionary War, Montgomery County

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American Revolution, Appalachia, Christiansburg, genealogy, Henry Farley, history, John Farley, John Kirk, Judith Farley, Logan County, Montgomery County, slavery, Thomas Farley, Virginia, West Virginia

During a recent visit to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, I viewed the Last Will and Testament of my great-great-great-great-great-great-grandfather Thomas Farley (c.1730-1796). Thomas was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.

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In the Name of God Amen

I Thomas Farley of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia being sick in Body but of a good and sound memory calling to mind the uncertain estate of this Temporary(?) life and knowing that all flesh must yield to death when it shall pleas God to call. I commit my soul to almighty God that give it and my Body to be buryed as my Friends Shall See cause. In the first place I desire as much of my Estate may be sold as shall pay all my Just debts, Such things as my Dear wife shall think fit. Secondly I give and bequeath to my Dear wife three Negros and all my Pertional estate to dispose of as she Shall See fit and Likewise all Bonds Notes and demands. In the third place I give and Bequeath unto my Dear Sons Such Lands and I have heretofore given them agreeable to Such lines as I have directed and this I believe to be my Last Will and Testament this thirty first day of  May one thousand seven hundred and ninety six.

Thomas Farley

Signed and Sealed

In the presence

Test

John Kirk

John Farley

?Winney Thomp (her mark)?

I also leave Gordon Cloyd and John Kirk my true(?) Friend as Executors

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NOTE: Henry Farley, pioneer settler of Logan County, WV, is the son of Thomas Farley.

Riner Historic District in Riner, VA (2018)

09 Tuesday Jan 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Montgomery County

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Appalachia, Brandon Kirk, history, Montgomery County, photos, Riner, Riner Historic District, Virginia

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Welcome to Riner Historic District, Riner, VA. 4 January 2018. For more information about the district, visit here: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Montgomery/060-0044_Riner_Historic_District_1991_Final_Nomination.pdf

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Riner Historic District, Riner, VA. 4 January 2018.

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Riner Historic District, Riner, VA. 4 January 2018.

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Riner Historic District, Riner, VA. 4 January 2018.

Archibald Elkins Last Will and Testament (1791)

07 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in Montgomery County

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Absolem Elkins, Appalachia, Archibald Elkins, Barnett Farmer, Camp Creek, Christiansburg, David Elkins, Elizabeth Elkins, genealogy, history, John Bishop, Lydia Elkins, Margaret Elkins, Mary Elkins, Montgomery County, Virginia

During a recent visit to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, I viewed the Last Will and Testament of Archibald Elkins (1735-1791).

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In the Name of god Amen: As I the testator am in a prelarious State of health: But perfect in mind & reason: I do Announce this to Be my last will and testament:

In the first place I commit my soul into the hands of the living god. I also commit my Body to the Care of my friends to Be decently intered. I do Allow as much of my moveble property to Be desposed of as shall Be suficient to discharge all lawfulll debts. I do give and Bequeath unto my wife Margaret one third part of the tract of land I now live on (viz) the lower End of the survey (Containing five Hundred acres) ______ land During her life and after her Decease to be fairly divided Between my three Daughters (viz) Mary, Elizabeth and Lydia — the other two thirds of Sd tract off five Hundred acres that is the uper End of the survey to be Equaly divided when my son Absolem shall be twenty one years of age: and I do give and bequeath my sons David and Absolem the Above mentioned division of land to them and their heirs forever: But if either of the forementioned sons should die Before Sd Absolem shall Be of Age Sd division shall be made and devolve on the next lawfull Heir when the time shall relapse that Sd Absolem should have become twenty one years of age– I do also give and Bequeath to my son John one Hundred and thirty acres of land laying on Camp Creek when he is twenty one y ears of age. I do nominate my wife Margaret to be my Executrix to dispose of the movables and profits of all lands above mentioned Acording to the best of her judgment to bring up my Children given under my hand and seal as my last will & testament.

Archibald Elkins

August ____ (page is torn)

Witnesses:

John Bishop

Bonet farmer

Ezekiel Howa__

***

On the paper’s back:

At a court held for montgomery County the 6th Day of Sept. 1791

The Last Will and Testament of Achibald Elkins was Proved by the oaths of Barnett farmer and John Bishop and ordered to be certified.

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Source: Wills Box 1791-1799, Circuit Clerk’s Office, Montgomery County Courthouse, Christiansburg, VA.

George Fry Last Will and Testament (1793)

07 Sunday Jan 2018

Posted by Brandon Ray Kirk in American Revolutionary War, Montgomery County

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Ann Fry, Appalachia, Barbara Eley, Charity Eley, Charles Duncan, Christiansburg, genealogy, George Fry, history, John Fry, Joseph Benlay, Lincoln County, Mary Adkins, Mary Lucas, Montgomery County, Montgomery County Courthouse, Susanna Byars, Susannah Adkins, Thomas Kirk, Virginia, West Virginia

During a recent visit to the Montgomery County Courthouse in Christiansburg, Virginia, I viewed the Last Will and Testament of my great-great-great-great-great-grandfather George Fry (c.1725-1793).

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In the Name of God, Amen: I George Fry of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia, Farmer, Being very sick and weak in Body But of Perfect Mind and Memory thanks Begiven unto God for his Mercy Calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Body, and Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die; do Make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the Hand of Almighty God that gave it. My Body I Recommend to the Earth to be Buried in Decent Christian Buriel at the Discretion of my Executors Nothing Doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall Receive the same again by the Mighty Power of God. And as Touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God To bless me in this Life I give Devise and Dispose of the same in the Following Manner and Form, First I give and Bequeath to Anna Fry, my Dearly Beloved Wife one Mare and Two Cows, her Choice out of My Stock to be her own Right and Property to Dispose of as She Shall think Proper…

Also I give and Bequeath to Ann Fry my Dearly beloved Wife for Dureing the time she Continues my Widow My Dwelling Houses and Household Furniture With Five Head of Sheep and My Stock of Swine and my insuing Crop, also the Present Meet and Grain which is provided for Family Use and My Garden and Meadow and Meadow Orchard Likewise the Sixth part of Grain which is Raised on the said Land For During her Widowhood Continuence on the Sd. place. Then on leaving the Sd. place or at her Decease the Sd. property to be Equally Divided Between my Four Daughers…

Also I give and Bequeath to George Fry My Beloved Son all My Iron Tools and Two Suits of Cloaths, To Dispose of as he Shall think proper…

Also I give and Bequeath to Barbary Eley Two Cows to Dispose of as she shall think proper…

Also I give and Bequeath to Susanna Byars Two Cows to Dispose of as she shall Think proper…

Also I give and Bequeath the Balance of my property to my Dearly Beloved Daughters viz Mary Adkins, Chaty. Eley, Barbary Eley, Susanna Byars to be Equally Divided  Then to Despose of as they shall think proper…

And I do Hereby Utterly Disallow Revoke and Disannul all and Every Other Former Testaments Wills Legacies Bequests and Confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament, In Witness whereof I have here unto set my Hand and seal this Twenty Seventh Day of March in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety three–

George Fry (My Mark)

Signed sealed and published pronounced and Declared by the Sd. George Fry, as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us in his presence & in the presence of Each other have Here unto Subscribed our Names…

Charles Duncan

Joseph Benlay

Thomas Kirk

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Source: Wills Box 1791-1799, Circuit Clerk’s Office, Montgomery County Courthouse, Christiansburg, VA.

Note: I descend from George Fry through his granddaughter Mary (Fry) Lucas and his grandson John Fry, who settled in present-day Lincoln County, WV. John and another granddaughter Susannah (Fry) Adkins are buried near my residence.

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  • Gilbert
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  • Gill
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  • Halcyon
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  • Holden
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  • Huntington
  • Inez
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Feud Poll 2

Do you think Milt Haley and Green McCoy committed the ambush on Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

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Feud Poll 3

Who do you think organized the ambush of Al and Hollene Brumfield in 1889?

Recent Posts

  • McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1866-1870)
  • Aly Hatfield Survey (1849)
  • Absentee Landowners of Magnolia District (1870, 1886, 1889)

Ed Haley Poll 1

What do you think caused Ed Haley to lose his sight when he was three years old?

Top Posts & Pages

  • Aly Hatfield Survey (1849)
  • McCoy Property in Magnolia District (1866-1870)
  • Paw Paw Incident: Ellison Mounts Deposition (1889)
  • The Smoke House Restaurant in Logan, WV (1927)
  • Jack Dempsey’s Broadway Restaurant Location in New York City (2019)

Copyright

© Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com, 1987-2021. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Brandon Ray Kirk and brandonraykirk.wordpress.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

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Appalachia Ashland Big Creek Big Ugly Creek Blood in West Virginia Brandon Kirk Cabell County cemeteries Chapmanville Charleston civil war coal Confederate Army crime culture Ed Haley Ella Haley Ferrellsburg feud fiddler fiddling genealogy Green McCoy Guyandotte River Harts Harts Creek Hatfield-McCoy Feud history Huntington John Hartford Kentucky Lawrence Haley life Lincoln County Lincoln County Feud Logan Logan Banner Logan County Milt Haley Mingo County music Ohio photos timbering U.S. South Virginia Wayne County West Virginia Whirlwind writing

Blogs I Follow

  • OtterTales
  • Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC
  • Piedmont Trails
  • Truman Capote
  • Appalachian Diaspora

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OtterTales

Writings from my travels and experiences. High and fine literature is wine, and mine is only water; but everybody likes water. Mark Twain

Our Appalachia: A Blog Created by Students of Southern West Virginia CTC

This site is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and promotion of history and culture in Appalachia.

Piedmont Trails

Genealogy and History in North Carolina and Beyond

Truman Capote

A site about one of the most beautiful, interesting, tallented, outrageous and colorful personalities of the 20th Century

Appalachian Diaspora

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