This URL may be of interest to those of you whose ancestors may have migrated to Missouri--but you need to know the county. Also, the birth records seem to begin ca 1883 so your search may not reveal anything about your earlier ancestor. http://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/birthdeath/ E.W.Wallace Tell your friends!!!

Dear Madison Co., KY researchers, A number of early Anglo settlers of Madison Co., KY came from Caswell Co., North Carolina. Among these were the sons of Jesse Oldham, who died testate ca 1814 in Madison Co., KY. Jesse's son Richard *Ready-Money* Oldham (received Rev. War pension) and his first wife Ursala Duke nee Williams (the widow of Reuben Peoples) were among this group. Evidence gathered from deeds of Caswell Co. is that Ursala's brother Joseph Williams (wife Sally Searcy whom he married 1796 in Madison Co., KY) also migrated to Madison Co. Question: Did Daniel Williams, sibling of both Ursala and of Joseph Williams, also migrate to Madison Co.? The evidence I have gathered to date is unclear--that is the trouble with common surnames. Here are some notes I have gathered concerning Daniel Williams, who was underage when his father Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC died testate ca 1785. DANIEL WILLIAMS (ca. 1765 prob VA-d aft 1819 ? in Madison Co., KY?) Son of Henry Williams of Caswell Co., NC. He was the eldest son of Henry and Elizabeth Williams of Caswell Co., NC. He was not yet age 21 when Henry wrote his will in 1785. By 1786, Daniel Williams [III] is probably the one who married Ann Rice in Caswell Co. Daniel Williams & Ann Rice 5 Jan 1786, Anthony Thompson, bondsman. (K. K. Kendall, CASWELL COUNTY NC MARRIAGE BONDS 1778-1868) Daniel Williams appears on the 1786 tax list of Caswell Co. (Concerning Rice: Two of Henry Williams's daughters had married men named Rice, according to the will, or, more probably, the same Rice (William H.) groom married two of Henry's daughters--Nancy and then Susannah, probable widow of Brooks.) By July 1788, Daniel Williams witnessed Caswell Co. deed F-131-132 Rebeckah Berry to Hudson Berry, land on Toms & Country Line Creek. He witnessed several other deeds in Caswell Co., neighbors who lived near Country Line Creek., e.g. H-38-39, 1792. Evidently Daniel's primary residence was Orange Co., NC as deduced from Caswell Co. Deeds: DB H-171-2: 3 Oct 1792. Daniel Williams of Orange Co., NC, to John Anderson of CC, for 340 pds., 340 A on Stoney Cr being part of tract Henry Williams decd purchased of John Henslee and willed to son Daniel adj Joseph Williams. Wit: Robert Mitchell, John Layne, William Maughan. (Perhaps Robert Mitchell is a brother-in-law or a cousin-in-law.) DB H-370 Daniel Williams of Orange Co., NC to Elizabeth Williams for 45 pds., sale of negro girl Amey. 6 May 1794. Wit: Lancelot Johnston. (Elizabeth Williams is probably the mother of Daniel, as evidenced by the deed P-100, cited below, which again names the "negro woman Amy.") DB L-35: 3 Oct 1795. Daniel Williams of Caswell Co. to Elizabeth Williams of same, for 40 pds., 100 A. on Roley's Fork adj. Joseph Williams, Nathl Williams. Wit: Charles Brookes, David Gooch. (Note: Joseph and Nathaniel are probably brothers of Daniel Williams. David Gooch was married to Daniel's sister Jane. Charles Brooks or Brookes was married to Sally Williams, another sister.) DB P-100: "Elizabeth Williams of Caswell Co. to grandchildren Elizabeth Williams, Polly Williams, Anney Williams, Rebeckah Williams, John R. Williams, Nathan Williams, and James Williams - all children of son Daniel Williams - for love and affection, gift of negro woman Amy purchased of Daniel Williams; gift to be received after death of grantor. 17 Oct 1806. Wit: Nathan Williams, Barzillai Graves." (Katherine Kerr Kendall, CASWELL CO., NC DEED BOOKS 1777-1817) Some months later, Elizabeth made a gift to son Henry Williams [II]. Daniel Williams and his mother Elizabeth must have been executors for the deceased father and husband Henry Williams. Daniel Williams of Orange Co., NC In Aug 1792, Daniel Williams was one of two witnesses to DB H-199, Arthur Lovins of Orange Co. to Robert Mitchell of CC. The land adjoined William Maughan (see above deed). Robert Mitchell was witness to Daniel Williams's deed cited above. Daniel Williams lived either in Orange Co. or Caswell Co. A study of marriage and court records indicate that Daniel probably migrated to Madison Co., KY. This is where one of his sisters--Ursley Duke Williams (the widow Peoples) and her second husband, Richard "Ready-Money" Oldham had migrated, as well as his brother Joseph Williams. A Daniel Williams appears in the 1810 census of Madison Co., KY. The following may not be totally accurate: 1-1-0-1-1 // 0-0-4-0-1, 5 slaves Some Tentative Evidence of Daniel's Residence in Madison Co., KY Question: Did Daniel Williams, son of Henry Williams I, migrate to Madison Co., KY? Did he alternate his residences? As stated, his siblings, Joseph Williams and Ursley Duke (Williams) Peoples, wife of Richard R/M Oldham, had migrated to Kentucky, and possibly another sibling, Henry Williams, had migrated to Madison Co., KY. A Daniel Williams appears on the transcribed tax list of 1789 Madison Co., KY. Other Williams males who appear on that year's tax list: Edward, Henry, Isaac, Phillip, Thederick [sic], and William. There is no proof of linkage to Daniel Williams nor to his brother Joseph Williams, who had also migrated to Madison Co., KY. One Daniel Williams, in Jan 1814, plus three Hally females witnessed the will of Jesse Oldham [Sr.] of Madison Co., KY. Since Jesse's son, Richard "R/M Oldham" had become the second husband of Ursley Duke (Williams) (Peoples), who was Henry's daughter and Daniel's older sister, it seems logical that a close relative would be a witness to the will. The Halley family are believed to be originally of Northern Neck, VA and are believed to have intermarried with the Oldhams and/or the Simpsons who were formerly of Northern Neck, VA, part of which became Fairfax Co., VA. From Madison Co., KY Court Order Book, May court 1787 is the following: "Ordered that Daniel Williams be appointed Constable in ..... in this County." Struck through are these words "in the bounds of Cap. Stearnes Company." But, later these marriage appears in Madison Co., KY records: Leonard Dozier & Elizabeth Williams, 27 Jun 1817; Daniel Williams, bondsman; Daniel Williams, father of bride. William Ford & Anny Williams, 17 Jan 1814; Daniel Williams, bondsman; Daniel Williams, father of bride. Charles Parks & Mary Williams, 19 Nov 1814; Daniel Williams, bondsman; Daniel Williams, father of bride. Nathan Williams & Sealy Oldham, 1 Feb 1819; Daniel Williams bondsman. (Bill & Kathy Vockery, MADISON COUNTY, KENTUCKY MARRIAGE RECORDS VOL. 1, 1786-1822 [Richmond, KY: Privately published, 1993], various pages) Certainly the names of the brides and the one groom who are identified with Daniel Williams correspond to some of the names in the Caswell Co. deed by the paternal grandmother Elizabeth Williams (widow of Henry Williams), which is cited above. Mary Williams could be the same person as Polly Williams. The name of Daniel Williams appears as bondsman for these additional Madison Co. marriages (groom only shown): John Adams - 1808 John Burough - 1814 Thomas Crews - 1801 I would appreciate your comments if you have knowledge of any of any of the persons named in this query. E.W.Wallace descendant of Richard R/M Oldham & Ursala Duke Williams :

David Gass' will proved 5 May 1806 - Madison Co, Ky David Gass had son John Gass and nephew John Gass David Gass - b. abt 1733 - Cumberland Valley, Lancaster Co, Pa - son of John & Margaret ( ) Gass. David's father, John Gass, will dated Jun 1734 proved 31 Dec 1734. Margaret was still widow Gass 26 Apr 1738. After that date Widow Margaret Gass married Widower William Magill/McGill About this time there was a migration from Cumberland Valley, Lancaster Co, Pa to Goochland Co, Va which later became Albemarle Co, Va. The families connected to the Gass family were Woods, Wallace, Gass/Goss who made this move. William Magill/McGill - and new wife Margaret ( ) Gass and stepson, David Gass settled in Augusta Co, Va which became Rockingham Co, Va William Magill/McGill will 10 Oct 1749 - Augusta Co, Va - in which he named wife Margaret and her son David Gass David Gass' brother or half-brother was Henry Gass of Cumberland Co, Pa. Henry Gass had 3 sons and a daughter. The sons were John, James, and Samuel. John Gass - son of Henry - was with David Gass, and Daniel Boone - 17 Jul 1776 when Jemima Boone and the Callaway sisters were taken by Indians.from the river near Boonesborough, Ky. John Gass, the nephew of David Gass, swam the river and got the canoe the girls had been using. John Gass - son of Henry Gass - sold land to his cousin John Gass son of David Gass - 24 Oct 1798. The deed so states. John Gass - son of Henry Gass - signed his will John Gass son of Henry Gass. It was dated 8 Jan 1815 proved 22 Apr 1816 Clark Co, Ky. He had no wife or issue. All was left to the sons & daughters of his brother James Gass. James Gass - son of Henry Gass - married twice in Cumberland Valley of Pa. He and his family came to Kentucky. He died about 1829. His heirs sold his land 1830 in Clark Co, Ky Samuel Gass - son of Henry Gass - of Cumberland Co, Pa m. Nancy Rose. They had several children in Pa. He may have been Samuel Giss of Huntingdon Co, Pa - 1790. Samuel was in Madison Co, Ky - 1793-1795, Hawkins Co, Tn 1796-1804, Monroe co, Ky 1804-1819, Franklin Co, Tn 1819 -until his death

Thanks for the information on the John Guess of Craven Co; he may be related to my John Guess in Granville Co -- he was born around 1750 but we have no additional information yet on where he came from or who his parents were. Thanks for the tips on searching for early North Carolinians. I live near Wash, DC and will make a trip to the DAR library to check it out. Stuart Neel ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, November 30, 2003 2:42 PM Subject: [MADKY-L] Guess Surname in Colonial Craven Co., NC > You mention that you find the name Guess in Granville Co., NC as well as in > Madison Co. KY. > > As you must know, a good many people migrated from North Carolina to Madison > Co., KY where Boonesborough is located. The impetus was provided no doubt by > the Transylvania Colony, later called in western Kentucky as Henderson & Co. > In fact, one of my ancestors, William Williams of Granville Co., NC died at > Boonesborough Dec 1775, writing his will there as he lay dying. Another > ancestor accompanied Daniel Boone there on one (at least but probably several) of his > expeditions there. > > At any rate, concerning the surname Guess, I was reading some photocopied > pages from Craven Co., NC (where New Bern is located) and found the name Guess. > This may be of interest to you. > > This is an excerpt from Weynette Parks Haun, Craven County North Carolina > Court Minutes Book VI 1764-1771 [Durham, NC: 1993], p. 32 [book at DAR > Library, Washington, DC] > > [181]-162-folio 23 [noted at top of page : Apr-Jul 1765] > > ..... > On Motion of Mr. Heritage Ordered that Thomas McLin have Administration on > the Estate of John Guess decd. Unadmd. by John Camsey late admr. of the said > Guess he giving Thos. Coc?K & Wiloughby ..... Secy. in the sum of Sixty Pounds > Proclamation money at the same time he Qualified as Admr. agreeable to Law. > > Submitted by E.W.Wallace > > Comment: If this John Guess, deceased, of Craven Co., NC had male offspring, > it is conceivable they may have had Revolutionary War service. Also Guess > surnames may appear in either the Colonial Records of North Carolina or the > State Papers of North Carolina. These hefty volumes, found in many LARGE > libraries, such as University libraries or large city libraries or large genealogical > libraries, are well indexed, and are pretty good people-finders for early > North Carolinians. In case you are really interested in North Carolina events, > these volumes named above have been put on microfilm by the Family History > Library at Salt Lake City, and probably can be purchased by you (or any other > subscriber) for 15 cents apiece for your local LDS family history center. But > first check the number of fiche as they may run into the hundreds!!! Check the > FHL catalog on www.familysearch.org > > EWW >

You mention that you find the name Guess in Granville Co., NC as well as in Madison Co. KY. As you must know, a good many people migrated from North Carolina to Madison Co., KY where Boonesborough is located. The impetus was provided no doubt by the Transylvania Colony, later called in western Kentucky as Henderson & Co. In fact, one of my ancestors, William Williams of Granville Co., NC died at Boonesborough Dec 1775, writing his will there as he lay dying. Another ancestor accompanied Daniel Boone there on one (at least but probably several) of his expeditions there. At any rate, concerning the surname Guess, I was reading some photocopied pages from Craven Co., NC (where New Bern is located) and found the name Guess. This may be of interest to you. This is an excerpt from Weynette Parks Haun, Craven County North Carolina Court Minutes Book VI 1764-1771 [Durham, NC: 1993], p. 32 [book at DAR Library, Washington, DC] [181]-162-folio 23 [noted at top of page : Apr-Jul 1765] ..... On Motion of Mr. Heritage Ordered that Thomas McLin have Administration on the Estate of John Guess decd. Unadmd. by John Camsey late admr. of the said Guess he giving Thos. Coc?K & Wiloughby ..... Secy. in the sum of Sixty Pounds Proclamation money at the same time he Qualified as Admr. agreeable to Law. Submitted by E.W.Wallace Comment: If this John Guess, deceased, of Craven Co., NC had male offspring, it is conceivable they may have had Revolutionary War service. Also Guess surnames may appear in either the Colonial Records of North Carolina or the State Papers of North Carolina. These hefty volumes, found in many LARGE libraries, such as University libraries or large city libraries or large genealogical libraries, are well indexed, and are pretty good people-finders for early North Carolinians. In case you are really interested in North Carolina events, these volumes named above have been put on microfilm by the Family History Library at Salt Lake City, and probably can be purchased by you (or any other subscriber) for 15 cents apiece for your local LDS family history center. But first check the number of fiche as they may run into the hundreds!!! Check the FHL catalog on www.familysearch.org EWW

One of my Madison County ancestors was John Guess who emigrated there in the 1790s from Granville Co, NC. I've found his named spelled Gass, Gess, and Gest in the tax records. This, of course, complicates research on this fellow, particularly as there are two other individuals named John Gass in the area at the same time -- apparently the son and brother of David Gass. It's possible that this Gass family is related to my John Guess but I haven't found any definitive links yet. There are a number of researchers who are looking at the David Gass family and have traced them back to Pennsylvania. I'd be happy to provide those names to anyone interested. Stuart Neel ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, November 24, 2003 12:30 PM Subject: Re: [MADKY-L] David Gass of Madison Co., KY > You asked about David Gass of early Madison Co. KY. > > You also wonder whether the name Guess may be another interpretation of Gass. > I have not found the name Guess associated with Gass--but in genealogy, > anything is possible, I have discovered. I have a friend who always wants to > argue about spelling of surnames!!!! Forget it!!! Anything the county clerk > wrote down is acceptable, at least to me. (I read a short deed in which the > county clerk spelled the surname Harris three different ways!) > > I am NOT a descendant of David Gass nor of any of his descendants--that I > know of. One of my collateral Harris males married a Susannah Gass, probably in > Madison Co., KY. > > I suggest you do a www.google.com search for David Gass, putting his name in > quotation marks. There seem to be two or three links to that name, one or two > claiming to be biographies. > > In case you ever have the time, the Fam Hist Library in Salt Lake City has > LOTS of films for Madison Co., KY, including LOTS of deeds. The grantor and > grantee indexes are nicely typed, and frequently from the indexes alone, one can > discover clues. For example, there may be a listing for a male (a few > females) and then the word Hrs. may be beside the name. That means heirs. Those > deeds are gems!!! > > Another peculiarity of Kentucky deeds, as time went on, is Commissioners > deeds. Frequently the court appointed a commissioner to settle a family dispute > (I'm reading between the lines in actual documents) or a family estate. These > deeds are listed under the letter C. > > So many of my early Madison families are intermarried that it seems almost > everyone who settled around Otter Creek are relatives of some degree or another. > My North Carolinians, who had Virginia roots, intermarried with the recent > Virginia immigrants, and there we go. > > The research takes time and is hard on a working person with additional > family obligations!!! But the research is rewarding if you have a curiosity and > realize that not everything is on the internet!!! > > I suggest you do some preliminary research on the surname Guess on the > International Genealogical Index (more reliable than the Ancestral File) which may > be found on the LDS website - www.familysearch.org > > Also do a surname search and see what publications the Fam Hist Library in > Salt Lake City has for your various families!!!! > > E.W.Wallace > > ______________________________

Anyone have any knowledge of a Hockersmith family in Madison County, Ky...there was George, William, Andrew, Edward. Conrad and others. George Hockersmith married Sally Miller there in 1803 , was in 1810 census with a family; more children than could have been born of their marriage in 1803...anyone who can offer anything on this family..it will be ever so much appreciated. [email protected]

We have new information regarding one Davis family, whose descendants settled on Otter Creek, Madison County, KY. Richard Davis died about 1796-97 in Fayette County, KY. His wife was Margaret. She died about 1807 in Madison County, KY, with Edward Davis as administrator. They may have come from Baltimore, Maryland and her maiden name may have been Stocksdale, daughter of Edward. In his estate papers, there are mentioned 4 sons: Aaron Davis Edward Davis b. 1859 died 1835 in Madison County, KY Nathaniel Davis--killed while transporting slaves down river in 1801 Solomon Davis--killed while transporting slaves down river in 1801 There was probably one more heir, as it appears the Richard Davis estate was divided up 5 ways. Nathaniel Davis may be the man who married Margaret Hutson in 1785 in Baltimore, MD. His probate papers are in Montgomery County, KY. Their children were: Richard Davis; Polly Davis married Thomas Igo; Daniel Davis; Elizabeth Davis married Thomas McClain; Nathaniel Davis; Solomon Davis & Levi Davis. Some of the children went to Indiana and Levi Davis went to TX. Solomon Davis married Sarah Blackwell, daughter of William, in 1791 in Madison County, KY. Their children were Peggy, Spicy, John, Richard, born 1799; died 1874 in Madison County, KY. Edward Davis' children were : Paulina married Austin Ballard; Susan married William Moberly; Clifton Davis; Schuyler Davis; Jackson Davis & Richard Q Davis. He may also be the father of a Jane D. Davis (by previous marriage?) who married an Ogelsby and is buried in the family cemetery. She died prior to her father.

You asked about David Gass of early Madison Co. KY. You also wonder whether the name Guess may be another interpretation of Gass. I have not found the name Guess associated with Gass--but in genealogy, anything is possible, I have discovered. I have a friend who always wants to argue about spelling of surnames!!!! Forget it!!! Anything the county clerk wrote down is acceptable, at least to me. (I read a short deed in which the county clerk spelled the surname Harris three different ways!) I am NOT a descendant of David Gass nor of any of his descendants--that I know of. One of my collateral Harris males married a Susannah Gass, probably in Madison Co., KY. I suggest you do a www.google.com search for David Gass, putting his name in quotation marks. There seem to be two or three links to that name, one or two claiming to be biographies. In case you ever have the time, the Fam Hist Library in Salt Lake City has LOTS of films for Madison Co., KY, including LOTS of deeds. The grantor and grantee indexes are nicely typed, and frequently from the indexes alone, one can discover clues. For example, there may be a listing for a male (a few females) and then the word Hrs. may be beside the name. That means heirs. Those deeds are gems!!! Another peculiarity of Kentucky deeds, as time went on, is Commissioners deeds. Frequently the court appointed a commissioner to settle a family dispute (I'm reading between the lines in actual documents) or a family estate. These deeds are listed under the letter C. So many of my early Madison families are intermarried that it seems almost everyone who settled around Otter Creek are relatives of some degree or another. My North Carolinians, who had Virginia roots, intermarried with the recent Virginia immigrants, and there we go. The research takes time and is hard on a working person with additional family obligations!!! But the research is rewarding if you have a curiosity and realize that not everything is on the internet!!! I suggest you do some preliminary research on the surname Guess on the International Genealogical Index (more reliable than the Ancestral File) which may be found on the LDS website - www.familysearch.org Also do a surname search and see what publications the Fam Hist Library in Salt Lake City has for your various families!!!! E.W.Wallace

I posted some material a few days ago about David Gass of Madison Co., KY and this message brought some queries about Gass family. I confess that I know very little about David Gass, but I just did a www.google.com search for david gass (which I enclosed in quotation marks). A more comprehensive biography (which should be double-checked) came up on the internet, and there are some citations for those interested in David Gass, who reportedly was Daniel Boone at times. As far as I have determined, there is no blood relationship to the Boone family, but your own research may turn up a relationship. May your research be fruitful! E.W.Wallace

F W Wallace, I found your post on the Madison Co., KY list interesting as I have an Elizabeth Goss/Gass b 1778 Where??? I have no idea who her parents were, but she md John Hedges b. 1772 in Frederick Co. MD. I have no further info on Elizabeth, such as when or where they married. John d. in 1847 in Bloomfield, Jefferson Co., OH. This John Hedges G. Grandfather immigrated from Glocester London, England, lived in NJ, then in Chester Co, PA. He married then went to Monoguacy Creek, MD. This G. Grandfather's sons' info are that Joshua patented over a thousand acres of land in VA in 1743. Jonas founded Hedges Villa (Hedgesville) in 1746. This was info found in Biography of Joseph Hedges, Charles Joseph Hedges in the History of Kentucky by E. Polk Johnson. (I need to get my hands on a copy of this book) I would then assume they had something to do with KY if it is in the KY history. -JO (Jeanne) I have collected some brief information about David Gass as his daughter Susannah was married to James Harris, one of the many children of my ancestor Christopher Harris (d. 1794 in Madison co., KY), formerly of Albemarle Co., VA. Seemingly David Gass resided there before migrating to Kentucky. Is David Gass originally of Pennsylvania???

You wrote in one of your e-mails to the Germanna list that you were related to David Gass. I have collected some brief information about David Gass as his daughter Susannah was married to James Harris, one of the many children of my ancestor Christopher Harris (d. 1794 in Madison co., KY), formerly of Albemarle Co., VA. Seemingly David Gass resided there before migrating to Kentucky. Is David Gass originally of Pennsylvania??? By the way, Gass is not my direct ancestor. I collect collaterals of my main families, as they intermarried, migrated together, witnessed each other's documents, etc. E.W.Wallace DAVID GASS. (d. 1806, Madison Co., KY) Little is known of David Gass. He probably was earlier of Hanover Co., Va and possibly later of Albemarle Co., VA. His name, and that of John Gass, apparently his son, appear on a petition to divide the county of Lincoln [Kentucky, but then a part of Virginia] into three counties, Lincoln, Mercer and Madison. 1786. Granted "Many of the signers of this petition were at Boonesboro," states the compiler. (Katherine Phelps Caperton, "A Partial List of Those at Fort Boonesborough," in THE REGISTER OF THE KENTUCKY STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, VOL. 23, p. 151 [renumbered, it seems, from original].) He appears on Madison Co. tax lists from time to time from 1787 to 1799. Some years his name does not appear, probably meaning he was delinquent. Other Gass males who appear: John, also 1787 to at least 1795; Thomas, 1789 & 1791; William, 1799. He died in Madison Co., KY between 14 Apr and 5 May 1806. The first date is the date he wrote his will, and the second date is when the will was proved. In the abstracted will, he names his wife Sarah. His named children were Susannah Harris; John, William, James [with assumed surname of Gass]; Mary Black; Thomas [no surname] Margaret Mitchell. Son-in-law John Mitchell. Gr.son James Mitchell. Ex: wife, sons John and James. Wit: Richard Gentry, John Reed. (J. Estelle Stewart King, Abstract of Early Kentucky Wills and Inventories (Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., 1969), p. 163) Comment: Richard Gentry, witness, was married to a daughter of Christopher Harris the elder. Susannah Gass was married to James Harris, another child of the elder Christopher Harris of Madison Co., KY. Some Virginia Records There is a reference to a neighbor of William Harris of Hanover Co. in his patent of Aug 1745 on the N. side Saxons Sw near the Rod [Road]... adj the sd. Harris, Davis, Gasse/Gass, Robert Shildrake, Charles Yancey, John Field & John Williams. (Dennis Ray Hudgins, CAVALIERS AND PIONEERS, VOL. FIVE, [Richmond: Virginia Genealogical Society, 1994], p. 98) From Albemarle Co. Deed Bk 2-143: 14 Jun 1759 David Glass [Gass?], planter, to Wm. Shelton for 37 pds., 10 shill., 275 acres N. side Mt., Buck's Elbow, Moreman River; adj. Rich. Blalock. Pat 7 May 1759. Wit: Dan Burford, Arch. Woods, Jno. McCord, Robt. Harris. (Shelton's wife was a daughter of Major Robert Harris of Albemarle Co. but earlier and later of Louisa Co., VA.) Kentucky Records The name of David Gass appears in a list of men in the company of Captain John Holder, in Madison Co., VA but later KY near Boonesborough June 10 1779. This appears in Lewis Collins' History of Kentucky. It is unknown whether David Gass was married when he first appears in the Kentucky records. His wife's name may have been Mary, instead of Sarah, as the name Mary Gass shows up in the court records of Madison Co., KY May 1792; she apparently was a witness for James Stephenson. (Gass did have a daughter named Mary, whose married name in 1806 was Black.) David Gass was early in Kentucky as reflected in Lincoln Co., KY (then Virginia) court order books, Lincoln Co., KY which was the parent county of many other Kentucky counties. On 22 Jan 1783, he was one of three appraisers appointed by he court to appraise the estate of Adam Caperton (COB 1-28). On 18 Mar 1783, he was appointed one of three commissioners "for the purpose of collecting the specific tax in this County." (COB 1-34) The following day, he and the other two commissioners, made bond. On 16 June 184, he recorded his stock mark, "a smooth crop in the right ear." (Michael L. Cook, LINCOLN COUNTY, KENTUCKY RECORDS, Vol. 2 [Evansville, IN: Cook Publications, 1988], p. ) "On the motion of David Gass, surviving Trustee of the town on [sic] Boonesborough, it is ordered that the Sheriff summon the freeholders of said town to proceed to the election of other Trustees in place of those who are dead and otherwise disabled by law." (COB 1-226) Gass was residing in Madison Co., KY in 1792, as his name shows up in Court Order Bk B: 6 Mar 1792: Ordered that David Gass sheriff make the necessary repairs to the prison in this County. (Jackie Couture, MADISON COUNTY, KENTUCKY COURT ORDER BOOK B, 1791-1801 [Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 2000), p. 15)

Historians of early America, including Southern colonies and later States, will be interested in the maps on this website http://www.tradingpath.org/ If you click on other maps (the last link, if memory serves), there is a map of the Wilderness Road, with features such as Cumberland Gap, Old Crab Orchard, Boonesborough, New River, etc. Tell your genealogical friends (and your student friends). E.W.Wallace whose ancestors to Kentucky from North Carolina came through the Cumberland Gap and used the the Wilderness Road

Thank you all for sending that information. I appreciate your help. Elizabeth

Can anyone tell me the cost of obtaining a copy of an old 1832 marriage record from Madison County? I believe the request is made to the County Clerk, or is there anyone who will look up a record? Many thanks, Elizabeth

Do you have a source for a marriage of Mariah Ratekin and ??? Ody or Oder in Madison Co.? This would have occurred about perhaps ca.1810 Mariah Ody is in the 1820 census, living with her children Her father John Ratekin is also in the 1820 census I cannot tell if her husband might be Ody, or Oder. In 1844 her son George Oder witnessed a marriage, so he used the last name Oder. Also her daughter Cassandra Oder (who married Peyton Brock) used the last name Oder. Thanks for any help Donna Bray [email protected]

Here is contact info for Madison County Clerk that maintains the marriage records. Madison County Clerk Mary Jane Ginter 101 West Main Street Richmond, KY 40475-1415 Phone: (606) 624-4703 FAX: (606) 623-3071 Vockery's compilation of those records indicates that Stephen Coy married Mrs. Polly Million on 27 July 1817 Darwin Newton 101 Maple Cambridge, KS 67023 [email protected]

Would someone tell me where in Madison, Kentucky I could send for a marriage license that occured in 1816. Looking for Stephen Coy and wife Polly Million. Thanx much Glo

Does anyone have the will index for Madison County and would look for me to see if there are any Simpson or Brooks wills? Very interested in these two families and how they are related. Thanks. Bill B.

For Harris Hunters who suspect your Virginians [or North Carolinians or Pennsylvanians or even Tennesseans] went to Kentucky, here is an excerpt from MADISON COUNTY KENTUCKY - Index to Willis [from FHL film 183,265] Harris surnames only - middle number is Will Bk & page; last number is year Christopher - A-54 - 1794 Thomas A-342 - 1806 Margaret B-47 - 1814 Overton D-331 - 1827 James O. M-177 - 1856 Wiley W. O-345 - 1861 Robert P-57 - 1863 Albert R-330 - 1865 Christopher T-502 - 1871 William U-380 - 1872 J. V. 1-213 - 1882 Elizabeth 1-270, 1884 Clark 2-50, 1892 (The only persons I can tell you about are the 1794 Christopher and one of his younger sons, Overton Harris, 1827. You will have to order the probate films yourself or write to the Madison Co. court and request the will. The Family History Library in Salt Lake City has many films for Madison Co., parts of which I understand later became six other counties!) If your Harris in Madison Co. (or any other place in Kentucky) died without a will, search the probate and court records for an administration, inventory, estate sale, guardianship, etc. Also, by reading deeds, I have discovered tha in later Kentucky Commissioners deeds (indexed in the grantor indexes under C) often have to do with sales of partitoned lands by the heirs. Even though the heirs do NOT always give their places of residences, by studying the census indexes for Missouri (and occasionally the marriage records), I have found that the heirs and/or their spouses have returned to Madison Co. from out-of-state. You are indeed fortunate when the residences of the heirs are given. (Lots of detective work in genealogy. That's why so many retired folks do this--it takes LOTS of time.) E.W.Wallace