John CHRISTIAN

Other Events:

• _UID: 6F34681BB2C74CDDB0294ECBBDA77934CB26

Notes:

CENSUS RECORDS

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: John Christian
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: John Christian
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 1
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 5

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: John Christian
Age: 46
Birth Year: abt 1804
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1177
Household Members:
John Christian 46
Catharine Christian 45
Lidda Christian 10
Louisa Christian 7
Rebecca Christian 2

1860 United States Federal Census
Name: John Christian
Age in 1860: 54
Birth Year: abt 1806
Home in 1860: Buchanan, Virginia
Gender: Male
Occupation: Farmer
Post Office: Contrary
Household Members:
John Christian 54
Catharine Christian 48 [House Keeper, Illiterate]
Lavica Christian 14
Rebecca Christian 12
Lurany Christian 9

Land records
Cindy MasCps@aol.com

John Christian - 20 Sept 1834, Tazewell County,13 a. On the Dry fork of Sandy River, Grants No. 83, p. 489

John Christian - 1 May 1847, Tazewell County, 99 a. On Indian Creek a branch of Clinch, Grants No. 98, p. 495

John Christian - 1 May 1847, Tazewell County, 55 a. On the Grassy Spring Ridge, Grants No. 98, p. 496

John Christian - 1 May 1847, Tazewell County, 29 a. On the Belsher ridge,Grants No. 98, p. 497

John Christian - 31 Oct 1848, Tazewell County, 168 a. On Indian Creek,Grants No. 101, p. 96

John Christian - 1 Oct 1850, Tazewell County, 61 a. On a spur of the Red oak ridge waters of Dismal, Grants No. 104, p. 209

John Christian - 1 Nov 1853, Tazewell County, 30 a. At head waters of Dismal Creek, Grants No. 109, p. 223

John Christian and Henry M. Harman - 1 Nov 1853, Tazewell County, 100 a. On dividing ridge between Dismal and Dry fork, adjoining said Harman's 21 a. tract, Grants No. 109, p. 230

John married Catherine MCKENSTER 4 Aug 1823, Tazewell Co. VA. Catherine was born 1803, Virginia; died 1850, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: John Christian
Spouse's Name: Cathan Mckinster
Event Date: 04 Aug 1823
Event Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
GS Film number: 34214
Reference ID: Page 67

1. Daniel CHRISTIAN was born 11 May 1831, Tazewell Co. VA; died 04 Jul 1911, Wayne Co. WV.

John married Catherine (Katy) ALTIZER 27 Jul 1837, Tazewell Co. VA. Catherine (daughter of David Riley ALTIZER and Susan SLUSHER) was born Jan 1808, Floyd Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940
Name: John Christian
Spouse's Name: Katy Alltizer
Event Date: 27 Jul 1837
Event Place: Tazewell, Virginia
Indexing Project (Batch) Number: M01695-4
System Origin: Virginia-EASy
GS Film number: 34214
Reference ID: Page 136

1. Lydia CHRISTIAN was born ca 1840, Tazewell Co. VA; died 01 Mar 1905, Greenup Co. KY.
2. Louisa CHRISTIAN was born 1845, Tazewell Co. VA; died 1895.
3. Rebecca CHRISTIAN was born 1848, Tazewell Co. VA.
4. Lurena (Lurany) CHRISTIAN was born ca 1851, Tazewell Co. VA.

Other Events:

• _UID: 1B2F7D19EF3A4A6AAA5034573786D67E53DF

Notes:

THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN WAS NOT A DESCENDANT OF CHIEF CORNSTALK.

We know Thomas Bailey Christian (TBC) was orphaned and raised by Capt. Thomas Mastin, Sumner Co. TN. His parentage is the subject of much dispute among Christian researchers. One group says that Thomas Bailey Christian is the grandson of Chief Cornstalk and his father was Ellinipsico. Another group puts his parents as Nathaniel and Jane Christian with his ancestry going to the Isle of Man.

DNA studies are underway of several Christian descendants. The initial result shows no Native American ancestry, but rather European and Scandinavian, indicating the Isle of Man connection.

Kennith Simpson has been the leader in getting clarity the question of Christian DNA and Native American ancestry and of finding out more about Thomas Bailey Christian and Thoma Mastin. Kennith is a direct descendant of TBC on the "wrong side of the sheets" as his ancestor, Addison Christian, fathered a child out of wedlock.

Kennith A. Simpson > son of Addison D. Simpson > son of
Jerry Mastin Simpson > son of John Walden Simpson > son of
Elizabeth Simpson and Unknown Father. [Notice how Christan names like Mastin and Addison are used in his Simpson family.]

DNA, death certificate, and research indicates that the father was Addison "Attie" Bailey Christian > son of
Mastin Harman "Shootekitehl" Christian > son of Thomas Bailey Christian.

Kennith has written extensively about DNA testing and his test results on the Rootsweb Christian message board.

THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN WAS NOT NATIVE AMERICAN

"I am matched with Nathaniel Christian by DNA Y-Chromosome,both via Y-Search and Ancestry.Com, handed down from father to son etc. My Y-Search DNA match is with Nathaniel Christian from the G. Payne family tree. My Ancestry.Com matches me up with Nathaniel J. Christian from the Fred Christian DNA and in the Christian Family Tree.

Posted: 20 Sep 2012 7:00PM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

"It does appear that my assumptions are correct in that Addison "Attie" Bailey Christian was not Native American. If in fact Addison Christian was the grandson of Thomas Bailey "Cornstalk" Christian, then TBC was not the son of Elinipsico or Chief Cornstalk since the Y-DNA would have been handed down from father to son to grandson etc. However this does indicate that Thomas Bailey Kumskaka Christian Cornstalk was not NA.

We both share the same Haplogroup R1B which is of European and West Asia ancestry. Native Americans are not in the R1B Haplogroup.

While this does not show conclusive evidence that Addison "Attie" Bailey Chritian was my great, great, grandfather it does show that who ever it was, was a member of his family. My only conclusive evidence is of Course the Death Certificate naming Attie Christian as the father.

What the Y-DNA test and the BETA Ethnicity test has been able to conclude is that I am descended from the Christian family, Tazewell Virginia and that there is no Native American blood in the male lines. This does not rule out the possibility of NA blood in the maternal or female lines."

Posted: 31 Jan 2013 3:07 AM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

FINAL CONFIRMATION: THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN WAS NOT NATIVE AMERICAN

Kennith Simpson took a second DNA test form 23 and Me to confirm what Ancestry's test had indicated. Here are the results:

Today I received my DNA test results back from 23 andMe. The test results confirm that there is no Native American DNA in my blood line on either side. Therefore any Native American ancestry in my family would only be possible if it is by marriage and not by actual blood line. Both ancestry.com and 23 and Me stipulate 0% NA DNA results in all of my tests. I am still waiting on the results for DNA matches and will keep everyone informed.

What this means in a nutshell is that any one related to Thomas Bailey Christian the reported adopted son of Thomas Mastin would not be NA on the paternal side. Any Native American ancestry could only come down through the maternal side. Since the BETA ancestry test included both the maternal and paternal side it would also mean that Mastin Harman Christian nor his wife Jane McKinster had NA DNA. It would also mean that Louisa Katherine Harman did not carry any NA DNA. Any children of these men who had different mothers could still carry NA DNA from their maternal side.

Me, my father Addison D. Simpson son of Jerry Mastin Simpson son of John Walden Simpson, son of Addison "Attie" Bailey Christian son of Mastin Christian, son of Thomas Bailey Christian, are not or were not of Native American Descent. Thomas Bailey Christian was not the son of Chief Cornstalk or his son Elinispisco, and his mother was not of NA ancestry either. BETA DNA testing would have shown any NA DNA on either side of Thomas Bailey Christian.

Posted: 26 Nov 2013 3:01 AM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

FINAL WORD: NO NATIVE AMERICAN DNA PERIOD

Just to let everyone know that I have gotten other DNA matches, this time through the 23 and Me DNA testing. This has opened up a new problem however. Both the ancestry.com and the 23 and Me DNA BETA tests are ethnicity tests and help individuals determine their ethnicity. These test are not gender specific such as the Y-DNA and Mitochondrial DNA tests. The BETA test includes DNA findings for virtually every member of the family. Thus far I have not had a single match that shows any Native American DNA in any line of the families, male or female.

I am now convinced beyond a doubt that Thomas Bailey Christian was not Native American nor was his mother. And most likely no relative was related via DNA to any Native American Tribe, but I do not rule out that some distant relatives may have been raised NA and considered themselves as such. Thus passing down from generation to generation their Native American Ancestry. I also believe that there are two kinds of Ancestry, that which is substantiated by DNA testing and passed down through our DNA and that which we associate with as being our ethnicity the group or heritage that we most commonly relate to.

Date: Thu, 23 Jan 2014 21:55:51

OTHERS MALES CHRISTIAN RESULTS

"We now have three members of the TBC line that have taken at least one of the DNA test. Myself and Charlie have taken both the Y-DNA and the BETA DNA test. All tests show the same conclusion, NO NA DNA. Here is what is so good about this. You trace your line back to Thomas Scaggs Christian, Charlie goes back to Moses Christian and I go back to Mastin Christian. all are brothers, all are sons of Thomas Bailey Christian. Our big stumbling block now is connecting TBC Christian and Thomas Christian of Tazewell to the Christians of Charles City."

Posted: Sat, 21 Dec 2013 13:32:30 by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

----------------------------

THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN'S ANCESTRY GOES BACK TO THE ISLE OF MAN

From Kennith Simpson:

"I now have two verifiable matches from the BETA DNA test. One which does prove the connection with Charles City, Bedford Virginia area and one that does come back to Tazewell.

This is all good because the Tazewell connection is from DNA. Matching DNA is an indication that Thomas Bailey Christian was not Indian and that his origins most likely does go back to Charles City or to a member of that family.

The problem of narrowing it down is so difficult, because the Y-Chromosome DNA pertaining to the male line, pertains to all the male line. So, Thomas Bailey Christian would have the Christian DNA but he could have been born in Tazewell from a father or grandfather from Charles City. All male Christians from a single line would carry the same DNA but could come from many areas. The original Christian line that carries my DNA goes back to the Isle of Man and then to Scandinavia. some Christians of the same line can go back to Ireland, England or Scotland but be of the same origin. It depends on how far back you can trace your ancestors. Everyone that shares the same Y-Chromosome DNA will eventually end up at a single beginning. When I said I had yet to find any thing that will connect the Tazewell Christians with the Charles City Christians. I would prefer to have male Y-Chromosome DNA in order to make the connection but any DNA is better than none.

May Elizabeth Christian is a direct descendent of Thomas Bailey Christian and a DNA match does connect the two branches, Tazewell and Charles City.

This would be my first verifiable BETA match to Tazewell.
The Young family DNA results connect the Charles City Christians with me. Elizabeth is my first match back to the old country through the BETA testing as opposed to the Y-Chromosome test.

In a nutshell, Elizabeth is old Country England. Young connects me with Charles City May Christian connects me with the Tazewell branch. Both Young and May Christian share my DNA per BETA testing therefor the two branches do meet and are one."

Posted: 10 Jan 2013 2:28PM GMT by Kennith Simpson on Rootsweb Christian Family message board.

------------------

AGNES BRANCH PEARLMAN, FOUNDER OF THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY CHRONICLES: THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN IS NOT THE SON OF NATHANIEL CHRISTIAN AND JANE EWING

Agnes Branch Pearlman, long-time Christian Family researcher and publisher of the Christian Family Chronicles, presented the best research that Thomas Bailey Christian of Tazewell County, VA is NOT the son of Nathaniel Christian and Jane Ewing, Thomas Ewing Christian.

Below is her response to this question in a message posted December 31, 2000 at 10:19:53 on http://genforum.genealogy.com/christian/messages/1207.html.

Mrs. Pearlman died 21 May 2010.

I am posting her research and results so this misinformation will not be continued to be spread.

"Dear Linda and other Christian Cousins:

The following is being sent to all of you who received information that "Old Lewis' brother Nathaniel settled in Tazewell Co., VA . . ."

Not so! Or at least I have never seen any evidence that would substantiate such a move. Indeed, I have written numerous letters within the last year showing that Nathaniel Christian's son Thomas was not the one who settled in Tazewell Co., VA. Where on earth is all this erroneous and dubious information coming from?

Thomas Christian, progenitor of Tazewell Co., VA, was born about 1770?a boy of only 9 years of age when Nathaniel Christian's estate was settled in Montgomery Co., VA. A 9-year-old boy would have been too young to have served as security of his father's estate. Nathaniel Christian's son.

Thomas, born about 1750-57, was one of the securities of Nathaniel's estate (along with Thomas' brother-in-law William Boydston); and, of course, as a 22 to 29-year-old was quite old enough to serve in such a capacity.

Nathaniel's son Thomas was living in Cocke Co., TN, in 1830 at the same time the other Thomas was living in Tazewell Co., VA. The U. S. census as well as other records document their presence and approximate ages. It is my guess that because, as court records reveal, Thomas of Tazewell was "an orphan," someone simply assumed that he must have been Nathaniel's son, but that simply was not the case.

As for Nathaniel Christian: Following are a few documented events of his life:

Nathaniel was born between 1723-1733 since he was named as underaged son in 23 October 1743 Goochland Co., VA, will of father, Thomas Christian.

Nathaniel married Jane (Ewing?) about 1747.

Nathaniel's daughter Elizabeth Christian was born 1748.

Nathaniel's son Thomas Christian was born 1750-57.

Nathaniel was listed as tithe in Lunenburg Co., VA, in 1752 as was his brother Thomas.

Nathaniel purchased 175 acres (of 225) on Cub Creek in Lunenburg Co., VA, 1 July 1754. Brother Thomas was witness to the purchase..

Bedford Co., VA, was formed from part of Albemarle and Lunenburg 1753-4.

Brother Thomas in Bedford Co., VA, by 25 November 1760.

Nathaniel's son Isham was born about 1760.

Nathaniel sold 175 acres on Cub Creek of Lunenburg Co., VA, 12 March 1762 with brother Thomas as witness.

Nathaniel made entry of 400 acres in Bedford Co., VA, lower side south of Blackwater on Hastie's & Smith's lines beginning at Irwin's corner red oak under Smith's Mountain 28 February 1763.

Nathaniel's son Anthony was born about 1765.

Pittsylvania formed from Halifax adjacent Bedford 1766-7; county boundaries in state of flux for several years.

Nathaniel was on list of tithables in Pittsylvania 1767.
Nathaniel attended Bedford Co., VA, court in August 1768 (28 miles from home).

Nathaniel entered 400 acres Poison Fork of Bull Run in Bedford Co., VA, adjacent his own lines & Swanson's 4 April 1769.

Nathaniel's daughter Drucilla was born about 1769.

Brother Thomas allowed 30 miles to Bedford Co., VA, Courthouse March 1771.

Nathaniel living in Pittsylvania Co., VA, 22 July 1773
[Note: Nathaniel's home location in Pittsylvania Co., VA, straddled Bedford Co., VA, near where his brother Thomas lived on Staunton River in Bedford.]

Nathaniel was assigned 400 acres on East River below Five-Mile Fork, 3 Miles from Mouth in Montgomery Co., VA, by James Adair about 1777.

Daughter Elizabeth married William Boydston 1777 in Montgomery Co., VA.

In 1777/1778 Nathaniel Christian and William Boydston swore allegiance to Militia in Montgomery Co., VA.

Sometime after 1777 and before November 1781, Nathaniel's brother Thomas died, apparently in Bedford Co., VA.

Nathaniel died intestate and estate was administered in Montgomery Co., VA, 2 March 1779. Widow Jane was named as administrator with son Thomas and son-in-law William Boydston as security.

As heir under laws of primogenitor, eldest son Thomas inherited 400 acres on East River in Montgomery Co., VA, which he assigned to brothers Isham and Anthony Christian 3 April 1786.

By 18 September 1799 Nathaniel's son Thomas Christian was of Cocke Co., TN

One final comment: I believe that the Thomas Christian of Tazewell Co., VA, was probably related in some way to this family; however, I do not have any documentation that proves such a connection. Was he perhaps a son of David Christian, another son named in the 1743 will of Thomas Christian?

I welcome your input and evaluation of the above information.

Agnes Branch Pearlman"

----------------

THERE MAY BE A NATIVE AMERICAN CONNECTION THROUGH THE WOMEN WHO MARRIED INTO THE CHRISTIAN FAMILY

The lack of connection to this Christian line has provided credence to an oral tradition handed down through several branches of Thomas Bailey Christian's descendants. So far there have been no Native American DNA from Thomas Bailey Christian's Y-DNA (Male line) from his descendants who have been tested through Ancestry.com.

HOWEVER, Native American ancestry most likely was from MATERNAL lines who married into this Christian family, especially the Skaggs, Whitt, and Lester families. There is no doubt of contact with Native American culture through the long hunter ancestry of the Whitt, Skaggs, and Harman men. With these two influences, TBS and his children may have been given Native American names. TBCs' Native American name was "Kumskaka." Are these names accurate? Are they Cherokee or Shawnee in origin? Who are the sources for these names?

I have made an editorial decision to keep these names rather than delete them because of the maternal lines as well as the cultural contacts.

There is a very active Yahoo group discussing this ancestry at http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/nikitie/conversations/messages.

According to James Red Wolf, after Chief Cornstalk and Ellinipsico were murdered at Point Pleasant. Ellinipsico's four children including his son Thomas Bailey were adopted by the Long Hunters. It now appears that TBC was not his son, but the other three may have been his children. Whatever the reason or circumstance, they came under the care or guardianship of Thomas Mastin and others.

There is a lot of discussion on the Christian family forums on Rootsweb, Ancestry, and Genealogy.com about the possible parentage of Thomas Bailey Christian and Rachel Skaggs.

Here is some of the discussion threads:
http://www.genforum.familytreemaker.com/christian/messages/2898.html

You can also search for more discussion at http://www.genforum.familytreemaker.com/christian/

There has been no definitive proof on this, although Mr. Red Wolf alludes to "proof" in the Virginia State Archives, but has not shared any proof beyond oral history from one part of the Christian and Skaggs families. His family tree is available at

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=adkinsfam&id=I19526

Other source:

http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:Thomas_Christian_%2813%29

NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DISCOUNTED

Tales of Native American heritage were passed down to his descendants. His great-grandchild Sallie Christian Charles, grandaughter of Moses Bailey Christian, and daughter of John Christian and Clemmie Harman, applied to the Eastern Cherokee in 1908. Application #10464. In her application she spells his name "Mose." Her application was rejected.

For more information about Cherokee genealogy, check out http://www.pollysgranddaughter.com. The following is from her article about Cherokee Wannabes. Since so much has been written about Moses' father, Thomas Bailey Christan, having Native American heritage, which has NOT been borne out by Y-DNA results or autosomal DNA results by any of his descendants.

This site has excellent articles on how to prove Cherokee ancestry. http://www.pollysgranddaughter.com/2011/06/fortune-hunters-guion-miller-roll-and.html#comment-form

The Guion Miller Roll is a list of Eastern Cherokee Indians who applied for compensation because of a 1906 lawsuit, and judgment in the tribe's favor in the United States Court of Claims on May 28, 1906, for them. This resulted in the appropriation of $1 million to the Tribe's eligible individuals and families. Newspapers were full of announcements that the Cherokees and/or Cherokee heirs would be receiving money anywhere from $5,000,000 to $11,000,000. Many times it was not made clear this was money for nearly the entire tribe but instead gave the impression that it was for specific families.

To be approved for funds the individual must have:
1. Been alive as of May 28, 1906
2. Established that he/she was a member or descendants of a person that had been included in the forced removal to Indian Territory, known as the Ross Party.
3. Not been affiliated with a tribe other than the Cherokee
4. Been members of the Eastern Cherokee tribe at the time of the treaties of 1835,1836, and 1845 between the United States and Eastern Cherokee.

There were 45,857 applications filed for about 900,000 claimants. 30,254 of those claimants were entitled to share in the funds. This means nearly 2/3 of all claimants were NOT entitled and therefore rejected.

A common assumption of those who descend from people who were rejected on the Miller Roll is that their ancestors were Cherokee, but they just couldn't prove it at that time. These families were usually always listed as white in vital records and were never listed in the Cherokee records or on any Cherokee rolls. They simply had no documentation or proof.

People applied for the Miller Roll who had never heard they were Cherokee before the money or land topic came up. They were suddenly informed by someone that they were Cherokee or related to a specific family and should apply. There were families who had heard they were Indian or "kin" to them, so they applied even though they had never heard what tribe of Indians they might be "kin" to. There were people who were notified by "claim agents" and lawyers that they were entitled to lots of money so they applied. There were people who were told they would be receiving both land and money, so they applied. There were people who applied because they thought they were enrolling in the Eastern Cherokee tribe and then would be entitled to land and money.

Many of the rejected claimants, for one reason or another, filed a claim believing they were going to come into money. One has to be careful of not basing claim to Cherokee ancestry based on a rejected claim from the Miller Roll. Though these applications often offer a lot of genealogical information, they don't necessarily offer any proof of Cherokee ancestry.



RECORDS ON THOMAS BAILEY CHRISTIAN

Source: "Reed and Related Families of Tazewell County, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia", by Juanita S Halstead.

From various records extant today, we have found that Thomas Christian was orphaned and raised by Major Thomas Mastin. We do know that he appears in Tazewell County
records as early as 1806, and that he owned several tracts of land, making his home on the Sinking Waters in that county. There is a case on record in Augusta County, VA in which Thomas Christian had a suit against John Wray over this land on the Sinking Waters of Tazewell County.

LAND RECORDS

Land Grants

Thomas Christian - 21 Feb 1785
Montgomery County
255 a. On Brush Creek, a branch of Bluestone the waters of New River
Grants No. N, p. 696 [This could be Thomas (13) or Thomas (18) depending on where the Montgomery County border fell. More research needed.]

Record of the Taxes in Sumner County for the Year 1792
Thomas Christian, 1 poll, tax 1 pound. Next household is Thomas Mastin.

Chalkley's Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish there is a lawsuit "Thomas Christian vs. Wray" 23 Jul 1803 which in a nutshell states Joseph Wray obtained certificate by right of settlment in Washington (afterwards Russell) now Tazewell Co. Joseph d. intestate, leaving son John Wray heir-at-law. John Wray sold a piece of land twice - first to Thomas Christian, of Sumner Co, territory south of the Ohio, by deed dated 26 Sep 1794 and then sold it a second time to Craven Belsha who bribed him......it states Thomas Christian was an orphan. Thomas Christian won the case.

Thomas Christian - 17 Jun 1824
Tazewell County
40 a. On Indian Creek
Grants No. 73, p. 180

Thomas Christian - 17 Jun 1824
Tazewell County
120 a. On Indian Creek
Grants No. 73, p. 192

Thomas Christian - 6 Sept 1826
Tazewell County
15 a. On Tug River and lower end of his land
Grants No. 75, p. 274

Thomas Christian - 10 Jul 1826
Tazewell County
58 a. On the Tug fork of Sandy River
Grants No. 78, p. 228

Thomas Christian - 21 Mar 1836
Tazewell County
77 a. At the mouth of Crain (sic) Creek
Grants No. 85, p. 403

Thomas Christian - 1 May 1855
(of David)
Tazewell County
392 a. On Left hand fork of Indian Creek of Clinch
Grants No. 111, p. 180

Thomas B. Christian - 1 Jun 1856
Tazewell County
140 a. On a ridge dividing waters of Indian Creek from Middle Creek
Grants No. 112, p. 547



CENSUS RECORDS

1820 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over : 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 3
Free White Persons - Under 16: 4
Free White Persons - Over 25: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 8

1830 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 7
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 10

1840 United States Federal Census
Name: Thomas Christian
Home in 1840 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 60 thru 69: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Persons Employed in Agriculture: 2
No. White Persons over 20 Who Cannot Read and Write: 2
Free White Persons - Under 20: 5
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 2
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 8

1850 United States Federal Census
Name: Thos Christian
Age: 80
Birth Year: abt 1770
Birthplace: Virginia
Home in 1850: Western District, Tazewell, Virginia
Gender: Male
Family Number: 1170
Household Members:
Thos Christian 80
Mary Christian 40
Mathias Christian 16
George Christian 14
Susana Christian 13
Sally Christian 10
Letty Christian 8

Birth:
Land is now part of Tazewell Co. VA

Occupation:
millwright

Died:
Another source for DOD
Name: Thomas Christian
Death Date: Dec 1852
City: Tazewell
State: VA

Edmund West, comp.. Family Data Collection - Deaths [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001.
The Family Data Collection - Deaths database was created while gathering genealogical data for use in the study of human genetics and disease.

Thomas married Louisa HARMAN 04 Jun 1793, Wythe Co. VA. Louisa (daughter of Mathias (Tice or Tias) HARMAN, Sr. and Lydia SKAGGS) was born 1776, Strasburg, Orange Co. VA; died 1829, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: FD53EAC4E21E407DB4F577989D94229E645B

Notes:

"Alleghaney Co (VA) Heritage", Hildreth Smith article, page 192.
Louisa Harman married Thomas B. Christian

Notes:

Married:
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name: Thomas Christian
Gender: Male
Birth Year: 1770
Spouse Name: Louisa Harman
Spouse Birth Year: 1772
Marriage State: VA
Number Pages: 1

Notes:

Thomas Mastin and Daniel Smith were among the many Virginians who migrated to the Territory South of the Ohio River (now TN) in the latter part of the 1700s. Major Mastin was an outstanding frontiersman, having been one of the leaders in fighting the Indians during the Chickamauga
Campaign. He was involved in other frontier actions which I shall not enlarge on at this time. He was the first sheriff of Davidson County, TN; also, the first sheriff of Sumner County, TN, where he died ca 1810. Source: "Reed and Related Families of Tazewell County, Virginia and McDowell
County, West Virginia", by Juanita S Halstead.

About 1772 and 1773 Thomas Mastin was living on the western side of Baptist Valley (in what is now Tazewell County). [Note: At that time it was part of Fincastle Co. which was formed in 1772 1772 from Botetourt County. It became extinct in 1776 when it was divided to form Montgomery and Washington counties in Virginia.]

Source: Johnston, David E. (David Emmons). A history of middle New River settlements and contiguous territory. (Huntington), Chapter V. 1795 - 1836 (Part 2), 1906.

Excerpt: "Thomas, John and William Peery settled where the present town of Tazewell is now located, and John Peery, Jr. at the fork of Clinch one and one half miles east of the present county site. In the meantime a number of settlers, among them the Scaggs, Richard Pemberton, Johnson, Roark, and others settled in Baptist Valley, and Thomas Mastin, William Patterson, and John Deskins farther west in the same valley, Richard Oney and Obadiah Paine in what is now known as Deskins Valley."

Source: Bickley, George W. L. (George Washington Lafayette), and J. Allen Neal. History of the settlement and Indian Wars of Tazewell County, Virginia. (Parsons, West Virginia: McClain Print. Co., 1974), CHAPTER VII.

Excerpt: I have been unable to learn anything of the particulars of this occurrence, more than the bare fact, that Joseph Ray and his family were killed by the Indians, on Indian Creek, in 1788 or '9. It is from this circumstance that Indian Creek has taken its name.

Thomas Maston (sic), William Patterson, and John Deskins farther west in the same (Baptist) valley in what is now Tazewell County.

Source: Hamilton, Emory L. Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and Holston Rivers of Southwest Virginia, 1773-1794. (Unpublished).

Excerpt: 19th of May, 1783 letter written by Colonel Daniel Smith to Arthur Campbell, on that date, wherein he states: On my return from Cumberland, I came through Cassells Woods just after the Indians had been at the Fort at Hamlin?s Mill.(1) The people were greatly distressed: half of them had moved away, and the remainder ready to go, should the Indians make their appearance again. This was due, to their not having any assistance or protection from the interior...Last Wednesday the Indians murdered Joseph Ray, and several members of his family, also one Samuel Hughes, who happened to be there. Mr. Ray was a neighbor to Major (Thomas) Mastin. They have killed and made prisoner eight persons.


26 Oct 1773 Fincastle Co., Virginia, purchased land from James Skaggs and wife Rachael 78 acres on Me(a)dow Creek, New River, Fincastle Co.

Source: Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, John H. Gwathmey, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1979 p. 506.

He is listed as Captain Thomas Mastin, Washington Co. VA Militia.

Source: Whitt, Hezekiah. Revolutionary War Pension Application. (Tazewell County, Virginia: National Archives, 27 March 1844).

Describes his service under Thoams Mastin and includes an affidavit from his adoptive son, Thomas Bailey Christian stating the friendship between Thomas Mastin and Hezekiah Whitt.

Mastin was a captain of a company of militia for Col. William Christian's Cherokee Campaign in 1776. Among Mastin's soldiers on this campaign were Richard Cavett, John Harmon, Israel Harmon, Jacob Harmon, Sr. and Jacob Harmon, Jr.

About 1777, Thomas and his wife Agnes adopted 4 orphans from the Cornstalk family. When Chief Cornstalk and his son, Elinipsico, were murdered at Ft. Randolph, WV November 10, 1777, Thomas Mastin, and his wife Agnes, took in the orphans Kumskaka (renamed Thomas Bailey Christian), Low Hawk (renamed Hezekiah N. Whitt), Outhowwa Shokka Cornstalk, and Mountain Raven (renamed Sarah Mastin).

Mastin was part of the campaign against the Cherokees of Chickamauga in 1779 led by Col. Evan Shelby. Two pension statements preserve the names of two of his men: Lyles Dolsberry and James Elkins. It is also known that Hezekiah Whitt was in that company.

Source: Summers, Lewis Preston. Annals of southwest Virginia, 1769-1800. (Kingsport, TN: Kingsport Press, 1929, 1967, 1972).

26 Feb 1777 Washington County, Virginia, he became Captain in the militia.

29 April 1777 Washington County, Virginia, Daniel Smith & Thomas Mastin, two of the Gentlemen named in the Commission of the Peace for this County, took the Oath of Office.

22 March 1781 Washington County, Virginia,(now Tazewell County) became a Major in the militia.

Source: Aronhime, Gordon. Thomas Mastin: important unknown of the early Clinch River Settlement, 3-11, May 1982.

Historical Sketches of Southwest Virginia, Publication 17 - 1984, Historical Society of Southwest Virginia, he Ten Washington County Years, 1776-1786

"The tithable list of Major Thomas Mastin of Baptist Valley, Daniel Smith's close friend, ..... Major Mastin's list contained 82 taxable males, each with the number of horses, cattle, and slaves owned. It is interesting that no one in the precinct besides the brothers Smith had slaves in 1782, save for Levisa, widow of Rees Bowan with two slaves. In the entire precinct of 82 persons taxed, only six others had as many as ten cattle listed. These were Thomas Mastin with 20, Simon Cockrell with 19, Levisa Bowen and her neighbor, David Ward, with 16 each, John Deskins, Sr., with 13, and Mrs. Comfort Brewster with 11."

1 Apr 1785 Washington County, Virginia,(now Tazewell County) sold 275 acres in Baptist Valley, moved to Tennessee.

Source: Historic Sumner County, Tennessee By Jay Guy Cisco, 1909

Chapter 2

" The first settlers came chiefly from the Watauga, North Carolina and from Virginia, though a few came from Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Many of these hardy men were fresh from the battlefields of the revolution, and brought with them the rifles and the muskets with which they had helped to win independence for their country. Better than rifles and muskets, they brought with them strong and vigorous minds, strong and healthy bodies, a love of freedom, undaunted courage and a determination to conquer dangers and difficulties and build new homes for their descendants or die in the wilderness.

Gilmore says in his "Life of John Sevier:" "With but one exception, the trans-Allegheny leaders were all Virginians, Sevier, Donelson, and the two being from the ranks of the gentry, Robertson and Cocke from that of the yeoman class, which has given some of its most honored names to English history.

Among the early settlers, of whom the writer has not been able to collect detailed information are the following families: Alexander, Allen, Bryson, Belote, Bentley, Brown, Baker, Baber, Bowyer, Bracken, Chenault, Cantrell, Chapman, Cryer, Crenshaw, Carter, Cummings, Dickinson, Dunn, Darnell, Duffey, Franklin, Gillespie, Clendening, Hassell, Hargrove, Hays, Hanna, House, Harris, Joyner, King, Lewis, Mitchner, Murray, Montgomery, McCain, Provine, Perdue, Pond, Pryor, Roscoe, Read, Rawling, Robb, Turner, Tompkins, Mastin, Watkins, Wherry, Witherspoon, Woodson, Walton, Williams, Grant, and others.

From the beginning, the settlers of Sumner county were in constant peril. The men seldom ventured from their homes without arms. They lived in groups of several families, bound together by ties of common interest, exposed to common dangers, and ever ready to hazard their lives for the common good. Most of them had been born and reared on the frontiers of Virginia and North Carolina during the stirring times immediately preceding the Revolution.

The Cherokees and the Creeks were constantly on the war path. There ,was no safety for the settlers until General Robertson ordered the destruction of the Chickamauga towns, and that order was successfully executed on September 13, 1794. After that time there was peace and safety. But many homes were in mourning for loved ones who had fallen victims to savage cruelty."

Chapter 3

"The first court held under the Tennessee State government was in July, 1796 (previous to that date they were held under the jurisdiction of North Carolina), at the home of Ezekiel Douglass. It was composed of the following members, commissioned by Governor John Sevier: William Cage, Stephen Cantrell, James Douglass, Edward Douglass, James Gwyn, Wetheral Lattimore, Thomas Masten, Thomas Donald, James Pearce, David Wilson, James Winchester and Isaac Walton.

December 15, 1790. Appointed and commissioned for the County of Sumner, Isaac Bledsoe, David Wilson, George Winchester, William Walton, Anthony Sharp, Edward Douglas, Joseph Kuykendall, James Winchester and Thomas Masten Justices of the Peace for Sumner county, of whom George Winchester, Anthony Sharp, and Edward Douglass, being those present, did take be- fore Judge McNairy in presence of the Governor an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and also an oath of office."

Tax List, Sumner Co. TN
Consists of a portion of a tax list for Sumner County, Tennessee, taken by Thomas Mastin, Justice of the Peace, in the district of Capt. Hansb[roug]h's militia company. The document lists names, number of acres owned, location, number of free polls and black polls, number of stud horses, and amount of taxable property. Based on the names included, the tax list appears to be from the 1790s or early 1800s.

April, 1787, Record of Stock marks and Brands of the inhabitants of Sumner County lists Thomas Mastin.

7 June 1787 Sumner, Tennessee, first Sheriff of Sumner County (for one year).

12 July 1788 Sumner, Tennessee, purchased 200 acres from his old friend Daniel Smith, then 68 acres, where he lived the rest of his life.

Record of the Taxable Property in Sumner County for the Year 1789 lists Thomas Mastin, 200 acres.

Source: U.S. Census Reconstructed Records, 1660-1820
Name: Thomas Masten
Gender: M (Male)
State: Tennessee
Locality: Territory South of Ohio River
County: Sumner County
Residence Year: 1790
Household Remarks: He was appointed a Justice of the Peace for Sumner County, 15 Dec 1790.

Source: Aronhime, Gordon. Thomas Mastin: important unknown of the early Clinch River Settlement, 3-11, May 1982.

1790 Sumner, Tennessee, tax list

On 2 Jan 1796, Thomas Masten sold to Peter Hansbrough, 505 acres on the north bank of Cumberland River abutting land of William Green and Robert Green in Sumner County. On 14 Feb 1798, William Green sold to James Mason, 227 acres part of a tract of 1,000 acres granted to Hezekiah Linton heir of Jesse Linton on the north side of Cumberland River in Sumner County with witnesses Smith Hansbrough and Thomas Maston.

Sumner County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, 1796
At a Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions (illegible) met at the house of Ezekiel Douglass on the first Monday in October 1796. Deed of Conveyance from Thomas Mastin to James Fugate for two hundred & twenty five acres of land lying in Russell County & Commonwealth of Virginia was duly acknowledged by the said Thomas Mastin.

Russell Co. VA Deed Book Page 440 - September 27, 1797 between Thomas Masten of Sumner Co., TN and James Fugate of Bourboun Co., KY...275 ac granted to Thomas Masten dated April 1, 7985 on the waters of Clinch River in the Baptist Valey...Beginning on a high ridge corner to John Hankins land...on the side of Cants Ridge...Signed: Thomas Masten. No witnesses.

Was bondsman in Sumner Co. TN 1 Feb. 1790 for the marriage of Robert Erspy and Curry Cribbins, 7 May 1796 for the marriage of John Reed and Sarah Dixon, and 7 October 1796 for the marriage of John Searcy and Patty Claybrook Whitworth.

Sumner County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, held for the County of aforesaid on the first Monday in April 1798.
At the house of William Gillespie agreeable to adjournment.
Members Present :
Wm. Cage
Thomas Mastin
James Gwin
Witheral Latimer

The Court Adjourns till tomorrow 9 o'clock - Tuesday April the 3rd 1798.
The Court met according to adjournment, present: Esquires
Edward Douglas
Thomas Mastin
Witheral Latimer

Deed from William Green to James Mason for 227 acres of land was proved by Thomas Mastin.

Record of the Taxes in Sumner County for the Year 1792
Thomas Mastin, 1 poll, 200 acres tax 1 pound 8 shillings. Next household is Thomas Christian.

1804-1808 Sumner, Tennessee, Sheriff of Sumner County

Deed 20 Feb 1804 Thomas Mastin, Collector Direct Tax, to Joshua Rice, $ 1.43, having been the property of Andrew Armstrong, 640 acres. Wit: None" "Sumner County, Tennessee Deed Abstracts 1793-1805"

6 Oct 1808 Sumner, Co. Tennessee, No children mentioned. Only "beloved wife, Agnes"


Source: Lula Hunter. Skaggs & Hankins, Beginnings with Never Endings Msg 3-A.

Excerpt: Thomas Mastin and Daniel Smith were among the many Virginians who migrated to the Territory South of the Ohio River (now TN) in the latter part of the 1700s. Major Mastin was an outstanding frontiersman, having been one of the leaders in fighting the Indians during the Chickamauga Campaign. He was involved in other frontier actions which I shall not enlarge on at this time. He was the first sheriff of Davidson County, TN; also, the first sheriff of Sumner County, TN, where he died ca 1810.

17 March 1812, Russell County, Virginia now Tazewell County

This is a land grant for Walter Preston dated 17 March 1812. Thomas Mastin is mentioned, along with John Hankins in the description of the property.


Birth:
Source: DAR Application for Ancestor A075173

Died:
Source: DAR Application for Ancestor A075173

Thomas married Agnes 04 Jan 1773, Spotsylvania Co. VA. Agnes died 06 Oct 1808, Sumner Co. TN. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Record of the Taxable Property in Sumner County for the year 1819

Agnes Mastin, 287 acres, location "where on she lives"

Died:
Source: DAR Application for Ancestor A075173

Notes:

Adopted parents of Thomas Bailey Christian.

Kennith Simpson is a direct descendant of Thomas, from an son born out of wedlock to Addison "Attie" Christian. Kennith has done considerable research on his ancestor, as well as extensive DNA studies. Here is a recent post on the Rootsweb Christian Forum on Thomas Mastin's relationship with Thomas.

Posted: 12 Sep 2013 11:31AM GMT

"Today I received a response from the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia, pertaining to my inquiry on Thomas Mastin and the adoption of the orphans in 1777. The researcher did extensive research on my question and sent me a detailed finding. Her conclusion can be summed up in one sentence; I found no references in any of their sources for any such adoptions.

I was sent some very good information with the response.

'Thomas Mastin Important Unknown of the Early Clinch River Settlement by Gordon Aronhime.'

'Extracts from the James T. Preston Papers, Washington County and the 150th Virginia Militia Regiment, edited by George Stevenson.'

'Members of the Historical Society of Washington County, Virginia, compiled by M. Margaret Hughes.'

A quote from the first source,'Mastin's personal life was curiously similar to that of his friend, Daniel Smith, in that the record is one completely drained of the essential personality of the subject. Even the date of Mastin's death is a puzzle. He made a will on 6 October 1808 soon after his final months as Sheriff of Sumner County.'

This document is also strangely unrevealing. There are no children mentioned, no descendants, only his 'beloved wife, Agnes,' maiden name unknown. There is no date of probate in the Sumner county records either.

In his will he left his slaves and his furniture, stock of horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs to Agnes. Then comes the surprise. He leaves his 268 acre farm to 'My friend Daniel Smith and his heirs after the death of his wife.'

I think that no matter what the relationship was between Mr. Mastin and the children, on his death bed he would have wanted to leave them something even if only a token inheritance or at least acknowledge them.

All records appear to show that Daniel Smith and Thomas Mastin had a unique relationship. Thomas followed Daniel, Daniel did not follow Thomas. Other than Agnes, Daniel appears to have been the only close friend Thomas Mastin had. There is no evidence at all to suggest that there existed a strong relationship between Thomas Mastin and the orphans.

An interesting fact is that another document sent me shows that in 1788 Thomas Mastin purchased 200 Acres of land from his old friend Daniel Smith, then he purchased 68 more acres where he lived the rest of his life. This is interesting because in his will he leaves 268 acres to his friend Daniel Smith. Also starting around 1796 Thomas Mastin begins selling off all of his land except the 268 acres. It is not known what he did with the proceeds but I find it interesting to note that he leaves Agnes property but no cash.

One notation in the documents did confuse me because it refers to the adoption in 1777 of the children by Thomas Mastin but in the next sentence it states that he simply 'took in the orphans.'

This came from the Annuals of Southwest Virginia. So could it have started with him just taking in the children and then over the years people just assumed that he adopted them. Also this part of the article gives the Indian names of the children and the names that they were given supposedly by Mr. Mastin. One of the children was called Sarah Mastin, of all the children she was the only one that got the name Mastin? I seriously question this entire matter. All records show that Mr. Mastin was a very close friend of Daniel Smith, yet none of the children were given Smith as a last name. Hezekiah Whitt and Mr. Christian were not close friends they were individuals Mr. Mastin only knew as a result of his military activities. Daniel Smith is the only person ever referred to as a close or dear friend, yet none of the children carried his name.

I do not believe that Thomas Bailey Christian was blood related to either Chief Cornstalk or his son. I do not believe there was an adoption. I now believe that over the years oral tradition has left us with a mystery that simply can not be verified."

Other Events:

• _UID: 0157FFA68916496E877E9F77AD53587C422F

Notes:

"Annals of Tazewell Co, VA", Harman, Vol II, page 445.
The Harman Family. Son of Heinrich Adam Harman, Sr. Born in Straburg, VA.

Connelley, William Elsey. The founding of Harman's Station: with an account of the Indian captivity of Mrs. Jennie Wiley and the exploration and settlement of the Big Sandy Valley in the Virginias and Kentucky, to which is affixed a brief account of the Connelly family and some of its collateral and related families in America. (New York, New York: Torch Press, c1910).

"Matthias Harman was called "Tice" or "Tias" Harman by his companions. He was diminutive in size, in height being but little more than five feet, and his weight never exceeded one hundred and twenty pounds. He had an enormous nose and a thin sharp face. He had an abundance of hair of a yellow tinge, beard of a darker hue, blue eyes which anger made green and glittering, and a bearing bold and fearless. He possessed an iron constitution, and could endure more fatigue and privation than any of his associates. He was a dead shot with the long rifle of his day. The Indians believed him in league with the devil or some other malevolent power because of their numbers he killed, his miraculous escapes, and the bitterness and relentless daring of his warfare against them. He was one of the Long Hunters, as were others of the Harmans, and more than once did his journeys into the wilderness carry him to the Mississippi River. He and the other Harmans able to bear arms were in the Virginia service in the War of the Revolution. He is said to have formed the colony which made the first settlement in Ab's Valley. He formed the colony which made the first settlement in Eastern Kentucky and erected the blockhouse. He brought in the settlers who rebuilt the blockhouse, and for a number of years he lived in the Blockhouse bottom or its vicinity. In his extreme old age he returned to Virginia and died there. It is said he lived to be ninety-six, but I have not the date or place of his death."

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Historical marker #736 (Kentucky)
Harman's Station is Kentucky historical marker #736 located 5 mi. S. of Paintsville, US 23, 460.

Description: The first settlement in Eastern Kentucky. Matthias Harman's party of hunters from Virginia built stockade near river bank, 1787. Indians forced evacuation in 1788, and burned blockhouse. Harman and others returned, 1789, and rebuilt an enduring fort. These men at Blockhouse Bottom broke Indian hold on Big Sandy Valley, opened Eastern Kentucky for settlement.

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Historical marker X-25 (Dry Fork, Virginia)
Sign reads: Harman helped establish the first permanent English settlement in eastern Kentucky in 1755. In 1789 he founded Harman?s Station on the Levisa River near John?s Creek in present-day Johnson County. He and his wife, Lydia, settled in this area in 1803.

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Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. (Online: Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.).
English, West Virginia Mathias Harman and his wife Lydia were the first English settlers in the present county. They lived in a cabin along the Dry Fork River as early as 1802.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English,_West_Virginia

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Served in the American Revolution as a Captain in James Maxwell's Company.
http://services.dar.org/public/dar_research/search_descendants/?action=list&MyPrimary_Seqn=866595&MyLineageCount=1&Control_Min_Seqn=866595

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"Heritage of McDowell Co, WV...", John Estel Harman article, page 163. Henry Mitchell Harman, son of Mathias and Lydia Skaggs Harman, married Susan Christian. Mathias Harman lived and died 2 April 1832 on Dry Fork, Tazewell Co, VA.

"Alleghaney Co (VA) Heritage", Hildreth Smith article, page 192.

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Source: "Reed and Related Families of Tazewell County, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia", by Juanita S Halstead.

Mathias Harman, Sr was a son of Heinrich Adam Harman and Louisa Katrina. Mathias was well known in Southwest VA as an Indian fighter, a "Long Hunter", and a conqueror of the wilderness. He and others were the founders of Harman's Station in KY near what is now Paintsville, KY. It was back to this fort that Jenny Wiley made her way when she escaped from the Indians. Jenny was escorted back to her home in Virginia, but she and her husband returned to KY and made their permanent home near to where "Jenny Wiley Park" is now located. Mathias and Lydia (nee Skaggs) Harman returned to Tazewell County where they lived out their lives. The site of Mathias' home is on Dry Fork and I have been told that there is an old family cemetery on this land.

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From the unpublished manuscript, Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and Holston Rivers, by Emory L. Hamilton pages 164-172.

This family of Harmans were of German origin, Adam Heinrich Hermann emigrating to America in 1726, with a brief stop over the Isle of Man, where Henry Harman of this sketch was
born. Seven Harman brothers emigrated from Germany together, Jacob, Valentine, Mathias, George, Daniel, John, and Heinrich Adam. They first stopped off in Pennsylvania, then emigrated to the Shenandoah Valley and some on into North Carolina. At least three of these brothers settled in
Southwest Virginia, namely, Heinrich Adam, Valentin and Jacob. They were living in the New River German settlement, the first settlement ever made west of the Alleghenies on the "Western Waters", and were living there prior to 1745. In 1749 Moravian Missionaries conducted the first recorded religious services in Southwest Virginia in the home of Jacob Harman, and Dr. Thomas Walker mentions stopping at the home of Harman on his memorable exploration trip in 1750.

Valentine and Jacob were both killed by Indians on New River. Valentine was killed on Sinking Creek in what is now Giles Co., VA. In a land suit filed in the High Court of
Chancery in Augusta Co., on the 23rd of July, 1807, Taylor vs Harman, Mathias Harman, nephew of the slain Valentine, says: Valentine was killed by the Indians on New River and at the same time his (Mathias') brother, Daniel Harman and Andrew Moser were taken prisoner. Daniel made his escape, but Andrew was held prisoner.

On the 30th of June, 1808, Daniel Harman, deposes, in the same land suit, saying: In 1757, Valentine was killed in my presence less than a foot away from me, and I was taken prisoner. Valentine Harman, who was slain left a widow
Mary Harman, but no children.

The Harmans of this sketch are the descendants of Heinrich Adam Hermann who emigrated from Germany, who married Louisa
Katrina, October 8, 1723. Louisa Katrina died March 18, 1749. The children of this marriage were:

[1] Adam Harman, the eldest, born in Germany in 1724;

[2] Henry Harman born on the Isle of Man in 1726;

[3] George Harman, 1727 - 1749;

[4] Daniel Harman, born Pennsylvania, 1729;

[5] Mathias Harman, born near Strausburg, VA, in 1736;

[6] Christina Harman, who married Jeremiah Pate, and lived on Little River in Montgomery Co., VA;

[7] Catherine Harman who married Ulrich Richards in Rowan Co., NC;

[8] Phillipina Harman, who died in 1751;

[9] Valentine Harman who settled on the upper Clinch River in 1771, and moved to Lincoln Co., KY, about 1775, and was a member of the Henderson Legislature at Boonesboro in May, 1775;

[10] A daughter, name unknown, married a Mr. Looney;

[11] Jacob Harman, perhaps the Jacob who settled in Tazewell
Co., VA in 1771.

The sons of old Heinrich Adam Hermann, the German emigrant, became great hunters and Indian fighters. While most of them were great hunters, one in particular became one of the noted Long Hunters. It is hard to determine just which
son this was, but evidence points to the youngest who was Jacob.

Sources:

Calender Virginia State Papers, Vol. IV, page 564.
Harman Genealogy by John Newton Harman
Augusta Court Causes Ended, Taylor vs Harman.
Augusta Court Causes Ended, Wynn vs Inglish heirs.



CENSUS RECORDS

1830 United States Federal Census \
Name: Mathias Harman
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Tazewell, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 90 thru 99: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 30 thru 39: 1
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total Slaves: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 9

Buried:
Grave site located on findagrave.com

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Harman&GSfn=Mathias&GSbyrel=in&GSdy=1832&GSdyrel=in&GSst=48&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=17120003&

Mathias married Lydia SKAGGS 1760, Virginia. Lydia (daughter of James SKAGGS and Rachel) was born 1745, Strasburg, VA Orange Co. VA; died 2 Oct 1814, Dry Fork, D.G. Sayers Farm, VA; was buried , Mathias Harman Cemetery, Dry Fork, Tazewell Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: A6B332468C154E56B673575EE91FDAEAC004

Notes:

Source: "Reed and Related Families of Tazewell County, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia", by Juanita S Halstead.

Lydia Skaggs was a sister to the famous "Long Hunter" Henry Skaggs. They had other brothers who were noted "Long Hunters", also. Again, we don't know who the parents were of these hardy, adventurous men and women. This writer leans toward the idea that James and Rachel Skaggs of Montgomery County, VA may well have been the parents.

Deposition of WILLIAM RATLIFF (27 April 1836 at the home of WILLIAM SKAGGS, Aleck Fork of Pitman Creek). I was acquainted with MOSES SKAGGS of Green County, KY. He had 4 sisters, to wit: SUSANNAH, wife of RICHARD WHIT; LYDIA, wife of MATTHIAS HARMON, ELIZABETH "Betsy," wife of JOHN HANKINS; and NANCY, wife of WILLIAM MERIDY. I was quite intimate with them in Virginia. I knew them before they married. MOSES had a brother named JOHN SKAGGS. . . I knew the brothers of MOSES SKAGGS. They were HENRY, JAMES, CHARLES, JOHN, RICHARD and JACOB SKAGGS. I knew them in Kentucky and they all raised large families.

Deposition of FRANCES SAMPLES (27 April 1836). I was familiar with MOSES SKAGGS who died in Green County about 40 years ago. He had 4 sisters, to wit: SUSANNAH, wife of RICHARD WHIT; LYDIA, wife of MATTHIAS HARMAN; ELIZABETH, wife of JOHN HANKINS, and NANCY, wife of WILLIAM MERIDY. They lived in Virginia. When I knew them, MOSES had 6 brothers: HENRY, JOHN, JAMES, CHARLES, RICHARD and JACOB.
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ky/green/estates/skaggs1.txt
http://www.getnet.com/~cingram/f614.htm

John Newton Harman, Sr., Harman Genealogy (Southern Branch) with Biographical Sketches, 1700-1924 (Richmond, VA: W. C. Hill Printing Co., 1925), 268, 269, __; page images available at Ancestry.com



Buried:
Grave site located on findagrave.com

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Harman&GSfn=Lydia&GSbyrel=in&GSdyrel=in&GSst=48&GScntry=4&GSob=n&GRid=17120011&

Notes:

Married:
U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
Name: Lydia Skaggs
Gender: Female
Birth Year: 1736
Spouse Name: Mathias Harman
Spouse Birth Place: VA
Spouse Birth Year: 1736
Marriage Year: 1760

Other Events:

• _UID: C9BACFE828E34063AEF4F63987A7975BD9C3

Notes:

Name is frequently listed as Harman. Hermann is another spelling.

Alternate death location, Giles Co,VA.

"Reed and Related Families of Tazewell County, Virginia and McDowell County, West Virginia", by Juanita S Halstead.

Heinrich Adam Harman came to American from Germany in the early 1700's. Because so many people in Tazewell County are descendants of Adam and Louisa, this writer doesn't feel the necessity of saying much about them. We are proud of our Harman heritage because we are aware that the Harmans were among the very first to venture into the region of "the western waters." It is said that Adam established the first English-speaking settlement west of the Alleghenies. Too, he and his sons figured in the rescue of Mary Ingles when she escaped from the Indians and made her tortuous way back home by walking from a point in KY along the banks of the Ohio River (upstream), following the Kanawha River upstream, and then the New River until she came to the hunting cabin of Adam Harman (Giles County). Adam took her in, then went to the field and killed a beef to make broth to feed her. When she was able to travel, he escorted her on to Draper's Meadows (Blacksburg, VA). Those who have not read Thom's "Follow the River" should do so because it is a thrilling account of Mary Ingles' ordeal. There is also a booklet, which has this story as written by her son, therein. The descendants of Adam Harman today would be most difficult to number.

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From the unpublished manuscript, Indian Atrocities Along the Clinch, Powell and Holston Rivers, by Emory L. Hamilton pages 164-172.

This family of Harmans were of German origin, Adam Heinrich Hermann emigrating to America in 1726, with a brief stop over the Isle of Man, where Henry Harman of this sketch was
born. Seven Harman brothers emigrated from Germany together, Jacob, Valentine, Mathias, George, Daniel, John, and Heinrich Adam. They first stopped off in Pennsylvania, then emigrated to the Shenandoah Valley and some on into North Carolina. At least three of these brothers settled in
Southwest Virginia, namely, Heinrich Adam, Valentin and Jacob. They were living in the New River German settlement, the first settlement ever made west of the Alleghenies on the "Western Waters", and were living there prior to 1745. In 1749 Moravian Missionaries conducted the first recorded religious services in Southwest Virginia in the home of Jacob Harman, and Dr. Thomas Walker mentions stopping at the home of Harman on his memorable exploration trip in 1750.

Valentine and Jacob were both killed by Indians on New River. Valentine was killed on Sinking Creek in what is now Giles Co., VA. In a land suit filed in the High Court of
Chancery in Augusta Co., on the 23rd of July, 1807, Taylor vs Harman, Mathias Harman, nephew of the slain Valentine, says: Valentine was killed by the Indians on New River and at the same time his (Mathias') brother, Daniel Harman and Andrew Moser were taken prisoner. Daniel made his escape, but Andrew was held prisoner.

On the 30th of June, 1808, Daniel Harman, deposes, in the same land suit, saying: In 1757, Valentine was killed in my presence less than a foot away from me, and I was taken prisoner. Valentine Harman, who was slain left a widow
Mary Harman, but no children.

The Harmans of this sketch are the descendants of Heinrich Adam Hermann who emigrated from Germany, who married Louisa
Katrina, October 8, 1723. Louisa Katrina died March 18, 1749. The children of this marriage were:

[1] Adam Harman, the eldest, born in Germany in 1724;

[2] Henry Harman born on the Isle of Man in 1726;

[3] George Harman, 1727 - 1749;

[4] Daniel Harman, born Pennsylvania, 1729;

[5] Mathias Harman, born near Strausburg, VA, in 1736;

[6] Christina Harman, who married Jeremiah Pate, and lived on Little River in Montgomery Co., VA;

[7] Catherine Harman who married Ulrich Richards in Rowan Co., NC;

[8] Phillipina Harman, who died in 1751;

[9] Valentine Harman who settled on the upper Clinch River in 1771, and moved to Lincoln Co., KY, about 1775, and was a member of the Henderson Legislature at Boonesboro in May, 1775;

[10] A daughter, name unknown, married a Mr. Looney;

[11] Jacob Harman, perhaps the Jacob who settled in Tazewell
Co., VA in 1771.

The sons of old Heinrich Adam Hermann, the German emigrant, became great hunters and Indian fighters. While most of them were great hunters, one in particular became one of the noted Long Hunters. It is hard to determine just which
son this was, but evidence points to the youngest who was Jacob.

Sources:

Calender Virginia State Papers, Vol. IV, page 564.
Harman Genealogy by John Newton Harman
Augusta Court Causes Ended, Taylor vs Harman.
Augusta Court Causes Ended, Wynn vs Inglish heirs.

Died:
Source of DOD: Harman genealogy (southern branch) with biographical sketches, 1700-1924 by John Newton Harman, 1925, W.C. Hill printing Co., Richmond, Va., W.C. Hill printing Co., p. 53

See Appendix ?A? for additional dates and events in the life of Heinrich Adam Herrman. He died on New river in
1767.

p. 321

1767, February 24. Captain English from New River, was here, on his way to Georgia. . . . He confirmed the report about the murder (by the Indians) there. He also told us that our old friend Adam Herrman died there four weeks ago.

Heinrich married Louisa Katrine Mathias 8 Oct 1723, Mannheim, Germany. Louisa was born 1704, Rhine, Germany; died 18 Mar 1748/49, New River, Giles Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 134592B5036E4D46A25EF5D5385D57CE27BA

Other Events:

• _UID: C844C84B3B6C4627B47BE9C8F7497FBA8C88

Notes:

James was born on the ship from Ireland to America. Soource: The Ragles of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Kansas, Author: Compiled and Published by Dr. Harold E. Ragle in 1971.

Alternate DOD 1798, Green Co. KY Green county Court House: File #387l

The name of James SKAGGS, believed to be the patriarch of the SKAGGS clan in southwest VA and west-central KY, first appears in the records in August 1746 when he and other local residents were appointed to build a new road from Adam HARMAN's to the North Branch of the Roanoke River. Sources: Mary B. and F.B. Kegley, Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, v.1 (Orange, VA: Green Publishers, 1980), 367.

F.B. Kegley, Kegley's Virginia Frontier, v. (Roanoke, VA: Southwest Virginia Historical Society, 1938), 117; Ulysses S.A. Heavener, German New River Settlement--Virginia (by the author, 1928; 1961 printing), p. 12.

not sure of date, but probably 1746 or 1747:
Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume 1 Augusta County Court Records. Order Book No. XXIV. page 431

"Humberstone Lyon deposeth that James Conoly said Humberstone Lyon stole fifteen red deer skins and also twenty-eight red deer skins which Conoly had left at the house of JAMES SCAGGS. Also deposition by Samuel Stolucher, the same. Also deposition by Erwin Patterson."

Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume 3 Abstracts of Wills of Augusta County, Virginia. Augusta County Court. Will Book No. 1. page 18 Page 276.

Chalkley, Vol. 1, page -130
"November 19, 1746. Road ordered from Adam Harmon's to the River and No. Branch of Roan Oak--Adam Harmon, overseer, with these workers: Geo. Draper, Israel Lorton and son, George Hermon, Thos. Looney, Jacob Hermon and three sons, Jacob Castle, John Lane, Valentine Harmon, Adren Moser, Humberston Lyon, James Shaggs, Humphrey Baker, John Davis, Fredk. Stering and two sons and all other persons settling in the precincts."

"11th July, 1749. John Elswick's appraisement, by Thomas Ingliss, JAMES SCAGGS, Ebenezer Westcoat." (Can find the extracts on Ancestry.com)

Chalkley, Page 226.
28th May, 1751. Francis Reiley to James Skeegs, farmer, 100 acres on Little River of Wood's River.

Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume 3 Abstracts of Wills of Augusta County, Virginia. Augusta County Court. Will Book No. 3. page 75 Page 202.

Page 100. 11th January, 1754. Daniel Ratcliff to James Scags, 104 acres patented to Samuel 22d August, 1753, on Meadow Creek of New River.

Page 103. 11th January, 1754. William Pellum to James Scags, 134 acres patented to William 22d August, 1753, on Meadow Creek of New River.

Page 203 "17th February, 1758. Colonel James Patton's estate; appraised by Thomas Stewart, John Ramsey, Edward Hall. List of bonds, bills, &c., due the estate: [includes from a lengthy list] JAMES SCAGGS, 12th February, 1753." (Can find the extracts on Ancestry.com)

Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800 Deed Book No. 16. page 490 Page 49.

"26th April, 1769. JAMES ( ) SCAGGS (SKEGGS), Sr., and RACHEL ( ) to JAMES SCAGGS, Jr., £100, 104 acres patented to Samuel Ratlive 22d August, 1753, and conveyed to JAMES, Sr., on Meadow Creek, a branch of New River. Teste: William Preston, Richard Whitt, James ( ) Skggs,* John ( ) Skggs,** Is. Christian, James Buchanan, W. Ingles."

*Note that James Sr. conveyed to James Jr., and a third James signed as witness.

**This John may a grandson rather than the son of James and Rachel.

Lyman Chalkley, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800, Volume 3 Deed Book No. 16. page 490 Page 51.

"25th April, 1769. Same to HENRY SCAGGS, £100, 100 acres by deeds from Francis Rieley to JAMES, 29th May, 1751, on Little River, a branch of Woods' River." (Can find the extracts on Ancestry.com)

Source: Kentucky Ancestors, Volume 6, page 80, October, 1970

2 March 1773, X 36, James and Rachel Skaggs, Fincastle County sold to John Plickinsarver, 82 acres, (Monetary terms mentioned), on New River, Botetourt County, Virginia on Meadow Creek. Witnessed by William Christian, Stephen
Trigg, Jonathan Elswick, and William Lesley.

Harwell, Committee of Safety, 76, in Kegley, Early Adventurers, p. 367.

1776. Fincastle Co., VA. "In 1776 the Committee of Safety for Fincastle County recorded that Captain JAMES SKAGGS was unable to serve any longer because of his infirm state of health, and Thomas INGLES was appointed to succeed him. Presumbaly this is James SKAGGS, Sr."

Kegley, Early Adventurers, p. 367.

1781. Montgomery Co., VA. According to a certificate from the Commissioners dated 1781, RACHEL SKAGGS had a tract of 150 acres surveyed in her name. (Although no will or estate settlement has been found in the records, this survey indicates that Rachel's husband, James, had probably died because only widows and single women, but not married women, were allowed to conduct business in their own names.)

Kegley, Early Adventurers, p. 367: "JAMES SKAGGS (also SCAGGS, SKEGGS) was one of the earliest residents on Meadow Creek, appearing first in 1749 when he served as one of the appraisers of John ELSWICK's estate. He had lands surveyed as early as 1751 and added other tracts on Meadow Creek and Little River by deed (Chalkley, Chronicles, III, 18, 293, 321; Augusta County surveys). In 1769 James SKAGGS and his wife, Rachel, sold part of their lands to Henry SKAGGS and James SKAGGS, Jr. probably their sons (Chalkley, Chronicles, III, 490). Other tracts were disposed of to Thomas MASTIN and John PLICKINSTARVOR (Summers, Annals, pp.668, 1671).

"In 1776 the Committee of Safety for Fincastle County recorded that Captain James SKAGGS was unable to serve any longer because of his infirm state of health, and Thomas INGLES was appointed to succeed him. Presumably this is James SKAGGS, Sr. (Harwell, Committee of Safety . . . p.76).

"There is no record of a will or settlement of James SKAGGS' estate in Montgomery County and so no list of children can be established. Other SKAGGS mentioned include James, Henry, Charles, Richard, Moses, and Aaron. In the militia records and tithable lists additional names appear including William, Archibald, John Jr., John (Goard Head), Zachariah, Henry (son of Aaron), James (Longman) and Jacob. The D.A.R. lists Charles, James, John, and William. The 1810 Montgomery County census only lists Joseph. Marriages for Isaac in 1787, Jeremiah and Peter in 1788, and William in 1825 are recorded in Montgomery County (Montgomery County marriages; 1810 census; Kegley, Tithables; Kegley, Militia; Kegley, Tax List; D.A.R. Patriot Index).

See Combs &c. Families of Green Co., KY, http://www.combs-families.org/~combs/records/ky-green.htm

The booklet, "The Ragles of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky, and Kansas" by Dr. Harold E. Ragle, written in 1971 and published by the Casey Co., KY, Historical Society, is listed "over and over" as the source of background information on the Skaggs. This booklet details the descendants of Jacob Ragle of Bucks Co., PA, one of whom was Peter Ragle who married Margaret "Peggy" Wadsworth, daughter of Thomas Wadsworth and Nancy Skaggs. Nancy Skaggs father was Solomon Skaggs, son of Henry Skaggs, the Longhunter. --Kaye in OK (lkcopelanier@hotmail.com), Jan. 20, 2007

Another source for early Skaggs info is Longhunters Kin House by Burdette and Berley. --Ginny Keen (keen02@insightbb.com), Feb. 10, 2007

JAMES SKAGGS SR had settled sometime abt 1750 (likely earlier) in the neighborhood of Draper's Meadows. In 1751 he was buying additional land from Col. James Patton on Meadow Creek. [Kegley.]

Dale Van Every's "Forth to the Wilderness, The First American Frontier 1754-1774"
Van Every describes James Patton as a remarkable man. He had been an English sea captain who made many transatlantic crossings with shiploads of hopeful immigrants and redemptioners. At some point he took it into his mind to do more than transport settlers-- he would get a large tract of Virginia land and supervise the settlement of it himself. Governor Gooch granted him 120,000 acres of land beyond Virginia's then western frontier. By 1748 he had a station at the New River-- the first English settlement on the western slope of the Allegheny Divide.

James Patton died at the onset of the French and Indian War. According to Dale Van Every, "Draper's Meadows was overwhelmed by the first Indian attack of the French War to strike the Virginia frontier. On July 8, 1755, the day before Braddock's disaster on the far-off Monongahela, a Shawnee war party swept in upon the little settlement. James Patton himself was present, being engaged with the help of young William Preston in distributing a fresh supply of ammunition to the more outlying stations. He was then 63 but the old sea captain was as freshly vigorous as ever. He cut down two Indians with his broadsword before being borne down by numbers." His companion, William Preston, escaped-- and was Henry Skaggs' colonel during the Revolutionary War. Many others in the settlements were killed or captured, including Mary Ingles and her children.

During the War (1755- 1762), the Virginia frontier suffered both from repeated attacks and from the perpetual threat of attack. Many people fled, some southwards to the Carolinas, where the Cherokee and the Catawbas were (at that time) peaceful. In fact, the Virginia governor was pleading with the SC governor to send up troops of Cherokee and Catawba to fight the Shawnee. In a meeting in March 1756, the Cherokee agreed to go to Va to help IF, in return, the Governor of SC would erect an English fort to protect the Cherokee women and children while the warriors were away fighting. The SC Governor agreed, and several Virginians came down in the summer of 1756 to assist in the building of a fort.

It was in this period that at least two SKAGGS-- Charles and Aaron, and a possible third (William's father-- if he is not Aaron's son)-- ventured themselves down into the Carolinas. Were they-- perhaps at the prompting of the Mrs. Skaggses-- escaping the misery of the Virginia frontier? Did they move to SC to assist in building a fort for the Cherokee? We may never know their exact motivation. But we can agree that after mid -1755, the ambience of North and South Carolina was much more salubrious than Virginia's.

Sons of James and Rachel listed in the Pioneer Baptist Church Records of South-Central Kentucky and the Upper Cumberland of Tennessee 1799-1899 by C. P. Cawthorn & N. L. Warnell copyright 1985. Portions received from Brenda Harper 3-15-97.

"When the gospel was first sent to the Green River section of Kentucky, the land was wild and uncultivated. Alas! for the poor Baptists, death at the hands of lawless savage was an ever present chill on the hearts of the living, and who could tell whether it would continue to advance with the quiet of a blight, or vet burst upon them with the fury of a tempest?

"A great number of these first Baptists were among the 'Long Hunters' who came from the "Baptist Valley" area of SouthWest Virginia. These families were the forerunners of the 'foot-washing' [Primitive] Baptists which subsequently moved into Kentucky and established many of the Baptist Churches of the frontier land. Among the leaders was the Skaggs family consisting of Rev. James Skaggs and his brothers Henry, Richard, Jacob, Charles, Moses and William. These were the early 'Long Hunters' of 1761-1755 of which the Kentucky historians have recorded much about. Henry and Richard were particularly prominent. henry Skaggs was at the present site of Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1775. A brother Moses was killed by Indians on his second trip into Kentucky. Richard Skaggs had 3 sons named Shadrach, Mashack and Abendnego. It was Mashack who was killed by Indians on the creek named after him in present Monroe County, Kentucky.

"The men who lived on the frontier took protracted hunting trips into Kentucky, hence the name 'Long Hunters' later when Daniel Boone led a group of Yadkin farmers into Kentucky, they used a wilderness track referred to as the 'Skaggs Trace.' This track became a part of the Boone Trace and Wilderness Road that led the pioneers into Kentucky from Virginia.

"The first settlement of the Green River Baptists was in Green County in 1780, and was known as Skaggs station. It was established by Rev. James Skaggs and was the third station in what is now Green county, Kentucky. Glovers station having been established in the Fall of 1779 and Pitman's Station in March of 1780. In March of 1780, James Skaggs Station was broken up and burned by the Indians. Rev. James Skaggs daughter was killed and scalped."


SKAGGS FRONTIERSMAN
From 1658 to 1761 very little has been found about the migrations of the Various Skaggs families. However, near the end of that period records of their living in southwestern Virginia begin to appear. After 1761 they are found in the vanguard of the slow but steady stream of pioneers into Tennessee and Kentucky.

Robert L. Kincaid, in his book, The Wilderness Road, tells about the Long Hunters who pushed farther and farther west after 1761, traveling long distances in unexplored country for months at a time in their quest for pelts which could be sold or traded at home. In the meantime it was up to their wives and children to do the farming and gardening.

One of the early leaders in these hunting expeditions was a man by the name of Walden. On one of his first trips he was accompanied by his father-in-law, William Blevins, his brother-in-law, Jack Blevins, HENRY SKAGGS, Walter Newman, Charles Cox and about a dozen other trained woodsmen. The party spent about eighteen months on the trip and ranged as far as the vicinity of Cumberland Gap. The area was a hunter's paradise abounding in deer, buffalo, beaver, otter and mink and small game for their daily food supply. They brought home a large supply of pelts and hides.

In 1763, Walden and his party again went on a Long Hunt, passing through Cumberland Gap this time and going as far as the present town of Crab orchard, Kentucky. The news of their successful hunts soon spread and led others to venture on similar trips. In June, 1769, a party of hunters gathered at Fort Chiswell as the starting point for their hunt. Among the leaders was RICHARD SKAGGS. They went as far as present Nashville, Tennessee. In the following year, 1770, a large party passed through Cumberland Gap, ranging as far as Green River and the Barrens in Kentucky where many Skaggs later settled.

In May, 1769, Daniel Boone and his party followed the Wilderness Road through Cumberland Gap into Kentucky but at Hazel Patch turned northward to the site of Boonesborough which he would later establish as a settlement. By the year 1775 the branch of the Wilderness Road that pointed toward Louisville, Kentucky was known as the SKAGGS TRACE and was named for three Irish brothers, HENRY, CHARLES AND RICHARD SKAGGS. Long Hunters who had spent much time in the region according to Kincaid, page 113. There is also a stream known as SKAGGS CREEK.

During the Revolutionary War, the Indian allies of the British waged war against the Kentucky settlers. Beginning in 1777 the fighting was bitter bringing much loss of life and hardships to the people. Several Skaggs were in the war, at least three of them being killed. Virginia and Kentucky Skaggs in the war included JAMES, JOHN, RICHARD, WILLIAM, ARCHIBALD, HENRY, CHARLES, MOSES, JACOB, JORRE AND AARON [SKAGGS] and a few with the same names as some of the above. MOSES and AARON [SKAGGS] are said to have been killed and also a PETER SKAGGS. Several of them received pensions later according to the records.

The Draper Manuscripts include a statement that "A number of Skaggs brother came to Green County, Kentucky, most of them very early, long before any settlement, and then they became the earliest settlers. JAMES, HENRY, JOHN, CHARLES AND RICHARD SKAGGS left records in Green County, while MOSES AND AARON [SKAGGS] were said to have been killed there." Note: In 1798 Barren County was split off Green County.

The Skaggs brothers, sons of JAMES AND RACHEL SKAGGS are believed to have been HENRY, CHARLES, RICHARD, JAMES, JR., AARON, MOSES and possibly JOHN SKAGGS. Many of their descendants still live in Kentucky but as early as 1820 there were three Skaggs in Indiana and at least one is known definitely to be from Kentucky.

The name of James SKAGGS, believed to be the patriarch of the SKAGGS clan in southwest VA and west-central KY, first appears in the records in August 1746 when he and other local residents were appointed to build a new road from Adam HARMAN's to the North Branch of the Roanoke River. --Mary B. and F.B. Kegley, Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, v.1 (Orange, VA: Green Publishers, 1980), 367; F.B. Kegley, Kegley's Virginia Frontier, v.? (Roanoke, VA: Southwest Virginia Historical Society, 1938), 117; Ulysses S.A. Heavener, German New River Settlement--Virginia (by the author, 1928; 1961 printing), 12.

Kegley, Early Adventurers, 367: "James SKAGGS (also SCAGGS, SKEGGS) was one of the earliest residents on Meadow Creek, appearing first in 1749 when he served as one of the appraisers of John ELSWICK's estate. He had lands surveyed as early as 1751 and added other tracts on Meadow Creek and Little River by deed (Chalkley, Chronicles, III, 18, 293, 321; Augusta County surveys). In 1769 James SKAGGS and his wife, Rachel, sold part of their lands to Henry SKAGGS and James SKAGGS, Jr. probably their sons (Chalkley, Chronicles, III, 490). Other tracts were disposed of to Thomas MASTIN and John PLICKINSTARVOR (Summers, Annals, pp.668, 1671).

"In 1776 the Committee of Safety for Fincastle County recorded that Captain James SKAGGS was unable to serve any longer because of his infirm state of health, and Thomas INGLES was appointed to succeed him. Presumably this is James SKAGGS, Sr. (Harwell, Committee of Safety . . . p.76).

"There is no record of a will or settlement of James SKAGGS' estate in Montgomery County and so no list of children can be established. Other SKAGGS mentioned include James, Henry, Charles, Richard, Moses, and Aaron. In the militia records and tithable lists additional names appear including William, Archibald, John Jr., John (Goard Head), Zachariah, Henry (son of Aaron), James (longman) and Jacob. The D.A.R. lists Charles, James, John, and William. The 1810 Montgomery County census only lists Joseph. Marriages for Isaac in 1787, Jeremiah and Peter in 1788, and William in 1825 are recorded in Montgomery County (Montgomery County marriages; 1810 census; Kegley, Tithables; Kegley, Militia; Kegley, Tax List; D.A.R. Patriot Index).

James married Rachel Bef 1723, Maryland. Rachel was born Abt 1705, Fincastle, VA; died 1789, Montgomery Co. VA. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• _UID: 7AE7CEF1D07749B19C9E4155873203E8D59B

Notes:

DOB source: The Ragles of Pennsylvania, Virginia, Kentucky and Kansas, Author: Compiled and Published by Dr. Harold E. Ragle in 1971

CONFUSION

More than likely, Rachel's maiden name was not Moredock. There were two James Skaggs living in the New River Valley at the same time. The James married to Rachel were the parents of the famous Long Hunters. The other James was married to Susanna and eventually ended up in Warren Co. KY. Her maiden name may have been Moredock. Many researchers have combined the two women into Rachel Susannah Moredock, but in reality they are two separate women who married two different James Skaggs and lived side by side at one time.

For a good explanation and sources for research:
http://oldpeterskaggs.blogspot.ca/2015/06/will-real-james-skaggs-please-stand-up_16.html

FAMILY INFORMATION

177? Sept. 13. A list of persons sworn to the States in Capt. McCORKLE's Company of Montgomery Co., VA, includes HENRY SCAGGS, son of AARON; James (longman); John (Gourd Head); John, Jr.; John Zachariah; and Moses SCAGGS.

Another researcher interpreted the preceding list as:
Sworn of Capt. Daniel Triggs Company: 9th September 1777
Sept. 13, 1777, includes John Scaggs, Junr.; Archibald Scaggs; Charles Skaggs; John Skaggs (Goard Head); Moses Skaggs; John Hankins [md. Elizabeth "Betsy" Skaggs]; John Skaggs; HENRY SKAGGS (son to AARON); Zachariah Skaggs.
Sept. 15: Richard Whitt [md. Susannah Skaggs]; James Skaggs (Longman).

Ruby Altizer Roberts, Cambria, Va., in Virginia Vital Records (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1984), 214-15; actual page images at Family Tree Maker's GenealogyLibrary.com

Deposition of WILLIAM RATLIFF (27 April 1836 at the home of WILLIAM SKAGGS, Aleck Fork of Pitman Creek). I was acquainted with MOSES SKAGGS of Green County, KY. He had 4 sisters, to wit: SUSANNAH, wife of RICHARD WHIT; LYDIA, wife of MATTHIAS HARMON, ELIZABETH "Betsy," wife of JOHN HANKINS; and NANCY, wife of WILLIAM MERIDY. I was quite intimate with them in Virginia. I knew them before they married. MOSES had a brother named JOHN SKAGGS. I knew the brothers of MOSES SKAGGS. They were HENRY, JAMES, CHARLES, JOHN, RICHARD and JACOB SKAGGS. I knew them in Kentucky and they all raised large families.

Deposition of FRANCES SAMPLES (27 April 1836). I was familiar with MOSES SKAGGS who died in Green County about 40 years ago. He had 4 sisters, to wit: SUSANNAH, wife of RICHARD WHIT; LYDIA, wife of MATTHIAS HARMAN; ELIZABETH, wife of JOHN HANKINS, and NANCY, wife of WILLIAM MERIDY. They lived in Virginia. When I knew them, MOSES had 6 brothers: HENRY, JOHN, JAMES, CHARLES, RICHARD and JACOB.