I received this from Dick (Richard Vallandingham) vjournal@hargray.com on my Anderson line but it had a wealth of information and various surnames wanted to share it with the list. Barbara ---------------------------------------------------------------------- I spoke with a lady with extensive background in the VA Alexanders who said that she thought that Travis was a transplanted VA Alexander. That's all I know right now. Dick "Travis and Fanny Denny Alexander" by Florence Brock Travis Alexander was born in Wilkes County, North Carolina, at a period antedating the War for Independence. Tradition claims that Travis was a Patroit and bore arms in the Revolutionary War. It has been stated that he was a member of the Ancient Order of Free and Accepted Masons. Deed books show (Register of Deeds Office, Wilkesboro, Wilkes County, North Carolina, B1, P. 319) that Travis Alexander was granted by the State (State Grant no. 2556, Feb. 21, 1790) 100 acres of land lying on the Roaring River. He paid 50 shillings per hundred acres for this land which lies on Tar Kill Branch, themiddle prong of Roaring River in Walnut Grove Township. On May 3, 1793, B-I-276, Travis Alexander purchased from Edmond Denny 294 acres of land lying on Roaring River. Traverse, and Travis, easily confused unless pronounced correctly. Traverse was probably shortened Travis. The marriage records of Wilkes County do not go further back than 1824; therefore, must conjecture date when Travis and Fanny Denny were married. After independence was achieved, Travis sold his plantation in North Carolina and came to Scott County, Kentucky, where he purchased an extensive body of land, and engaged in raising cattle and mules, until the time of his death, he was slave owner. The early records of Scott County, Kentucky, were destroyed by fire in 1833 so Travis plantation has not been located. However the records of the Baptist Church, Stamping Ground, Kentucky, show that Travis Alexander became a member of that organization in 1800. We have other evidence of his being in Scott County, Kentucky, for the History of Kentucky Baptist 1886, there is a sketch of Lewis Alexander, a Baptist minister and son of Travis. The article states, "Lewis came with his father to Scott County, Kentucky, in the fall of 1803 and here was brought up by pious Baptist parents. Of the seven children and Fanny Denny Alexander we have a record of four who came to Owen County, Kentucky. Fielding Denny went to an eastern state. A son of his came to visit in Kentucky. You will note the name "Fielding" is carried through the family contracted to "Phill" or "Phillip", originally Fielding was the name. Photostatic copies from the family Bible show "Fielding Wesley Denny the third son, who married Marsha Baker in 1816 came to Owen County and joined the New Liberty Baptist Church. That Church licensed him to preach in 1826. The following year he moved to Henry County, Kentucky, and the Church he united with, ordained him a minister. He was Pastor at Lagrange, Kentucky, in 1830, and at Ballardsville, Kentucky, in 1833. His labors were much blessed and gave promise of great usefulness when he died in 1835. Lewis Denny Alexander married Louvenia Chambers and in 1835 they came to Owen County, Kentucky, buying a farm ajoining his brother, John Denny. His name became well known in Owen and Carroll Counties. Lewis Denny was licensed to preach by the New Liberty Baptist Church. He baptized about 2000 during his ministry and according to Owen County marriage records officiated at numerous weddings. "Ruth Denny Alexander", we do not know the exact year she, the youngest of the Travis children came to Owen County; however she was married after coming there to John Quicksell Baker and lived where the Wheatly-Bucks Run converge. According to the standards of those days they were a family of means, owning land and slaves. Their brick home and part of the original farm is in excellent condition and owned by a grandson of N. S. and family. A descendent of William Denny, the second son of Travis and Fanny, claims that he enlisted as a soldier in the War of 1812 and was at the massacre of the "River Raisin", barely escaping with his life. William in early manhood was raised to the degree of Master Mason. On Dec 25, 1814 he married Elizabeth Denny. Travis and Fanny probably were buried on their plantation when they died in 1823. This seemed to be the custom, since their sons who moved to Owen County were buried on their farms. John Denny Alexander, the eldest of the Travis family, was on a trip to Louisville, Kentucky, in 1810. While there he met the William Orr family of Culpepper, Virginia. Mr. Orr was looking for a place to settle in Kentucky, so young Alexander persuaded him to go to Scott County. Elizabeth Pendelton Orr, eldest of eight children, carried the baby sister, Loucretia, with her on horseback as the family accompanied by John Denny Alexander journeyed to Scott County. Betty and Loucretia Orr were closely linked with the Alexander family. John Denny and Elizabeth were married in 1811. Loucretia married William Van Pelt Smith, and three of their daughters married Alexanders. John Denny and Elizabeth were the parents of eleven children. Only two of the children were born in Scott County, for in 1815 the family came to Owen County, Kentucky. They settled on a 230 acre farm near the source of "Little Twin Creek". John Denny built a one and a half story brick house. It was probably among the first of the brick homes in the community. No doubt the bricks were made right on the farm. John Denny was a man of education and superior intellegence; while his occupation was that of a farmer, he was in the front ranks of his calling. He owned negro slaves but was a good master. In his will dated 4-11-1865 he stated, "Should my negroes remain by law slaves, it is my wish that they remain in the family. If from age or infirmity any of my slaves should be a charge, then my executors are directed to provide for them." He was a conscientious and devoted member of the Baptist Church. At New Liberty he served as Church Clerk from 1821 to 1840. With a group of others he helped organize the Dallasburg Church at Wheatly, Kentucky, in 1851 and was the first moderator of that Church. The town of Wheatly, Kentucky, was first called Dallasburg. He and his wife, Betty, were buried at the home place. Later their bodies were removed and placed in the New Liberty Cemetery. The descendents of John and Elizabeth Pendleton Alexander comprise many of the inhabitants of the Wheatly community, for his children married and established homes there. Several sons were farmers, one a merchant, one a minister and one served in the State Legislature. The three daughters married men of ability and upright character. Education Early common schools supported by subscription and often the teachers "boarded around". As late as 1863 an agreement dated March 1st of that year, was concerning the building of a school in the vicinity of James McNeal and N.S. Riley, on the Marion Road about three miles from what is now known as Wheatly. John James Alexander pledged $50.00; James McNeal the same amount and one acre of ground as long as the building was used for school purposes. "Twelve men signed the agreement and made pledges. It was called "The White School". Years later this old school house, no longer used, was moved to Wheatly and rebuilt by James McNeal and Sons as a residence for the widow and three children of his oldest son, Will, whose home caught fire and burned. In trying to save his family and belongings, he lost his life, so the old "White School" still stands and has been a home for many McNeals and Riley descendents. There was an Academy at New Liberty, Kentucky, "Concord" that the girls attended going to and from on horseback. They were as lively on the side saddle as the present days youngsters are in their cars. Lewis and Phil, twin sons of John D. Alexander, attended Hanover College in Ind.; this College is still in existence. John James Alexander's three sons went to college; Lewis Phill Russellville, Ky. in 1877; Robert Lee and Scott, Georgetown Ky. in 1882, both of these are Baptist schools. Georgetown College is still outstanding, but Bethel, a school for boys, Russellville is no more. The daughter, Mary Ella, attended Prof Rucker's "Seminary for Young Ladies" in Georgetown, Ky. According to the times of the day they were well educated. Christian Faith As far as can be learned the family is still of the religious faith of their forefather, Travis; the "Baptist Denomination". "A comment by Florence Brock", July 22nd, 1969 in copying this will say, the old home which was built out of the old school house burned.