Looking for information on the book called "Some Branches of the Workman Tree", by Ralph H. Sayre. The article states that he went to Washington State in 1900, to set up a church there. The Church was organized on Rainy Creek, Lewis Co. Later he moved to Oregon State, then returned to Welch, WV. Several people went with him. Then he returned back to Welch, WV in 1924 he reorgainzed a church at Mineral. I am interested, to see if they have a list of who went with him. It also states that his 2nd marriage was to a Emily Grose b. June 5, 1871 McDowell Co., WV d. 30 May 1955 Riffe, WA. d/o Harrison Grose and Barbara Belcher. in 1900 they lived on Browns Creek, before going to WA.

David also writes in his book "The Webb's of Bearwallow Ridge" For generations descendants of Mary Jane (Wiley) Williamson have known that her father was an Indian Chief, the name of that chief has been identified as Benge, A Shawnee who, after Jenny's escape, swore "bitter revenge" and proceeded to terrorize settlers in Western VA. Bessie (Coridal) Williamson said, "I had always heard that the Indian Chief ancestor was bitter over losing Jenny because she was pregnant with his child and she knew the Indian language, customs and dances, and was part Indian herself." In "History of Southwest VA 1746-1786" a writer described Benge as "remarkable for his strength, activity, endurance, and a great speed as a runner. He was a man of more than average intelligence, as well as a great bravery and strategy." In "Historical Records in Washington County, 1770-1870" it was reported that LT. Vincent Hobbs of Lee Co., VA Militia and his men encountered Benge and his men on 9 April 1794 at Stone Mountain, near present Norton, Wise Co., VA. Benge was killed in the first fire. He also stated that the reason for Jenny Wiley's capture was becasue of revenge for the killing of several Indians by the Harmon family. They attacked the Wiley home by mistake.

I recently found a similar story about Jenny Wiley in the book called "The Webbs of Bearwallow Ridge by David Webb, he is now deceased. Mary Jane (Wiley) Williamson, mother of Alifair (Williamson) Webb and Charlotte (Williamson) Webb, was a daughte of Jenny (Sellards) Wiley. this would be in my Webb line also. Kathy B. Searching, Vance, Horn, Lesters, Davis, Stewarts, Rife, Peaks, Ankroms, Longs, Bemisdarfer's.

Someone said where Hendricks Mill was but now I have forgot. Can someone help. Please reply to the List, not me. -sysop From: JEver70555@aol.com Trying to track my g-g-g grandfather Isaac Newton Taylor who came from "Virginia" to Iowa. Found a notation in 1860 census of possibly his father who is Isaac b. circa 1804. in Hendrick Mill Township/Russell County. Household #629. The man I am looking for was born August 12 1851. and migrated to Iowa by himself via wagon train in 1959-60. Any help with birth records for this date would be appreciated. Thanks. Bea Taylor Everest Denver, Colorado "Toto, I don't think we are in NH any more."

HI, all! This is my first posting. I am trying to sort out Fugates and Tharps in Russell and/or Washington Counties. I have a lot of information, some of it conflicting (and what else is new)? Specifically, I'm looking for information on Benjamin THARP (b. 1820ish) who married Hannah FUGATE. There is a Benjamin FUGATE who married a Hannah DEVERS or WHITELEY. This is his grandfather and for the moment, not the source of my consternation. :) If you have these folks in your line, please contact me. Thanks!! Jennifer L. Williams Independent Museum-type Person (IMP) Boone, NC "I'm Captain Janeway. I don't believe we've been introduced."

Ray, Please learn to UNSUBSCRIBE before you join this List again. It is the responsibility of each member to learn their computer, the List operations and correct commands to join, post and unsub from the List. -sysop ********************************************** Subject: Help to unsubscribe To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com Forwarded by: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com I have followed instructions and still I get e mail from your site-I had a reply that said I am no longer on the list and perhaps the mail was backed up-It ihas now been almost 3 weeks since the reply and i still get mail from this site-Pleas help me to discontinue this,-Ray "No One Polled Me!"

Hi Guys! To those of you w/ the Benge book, I would really appreciate it if you could tell me if there is any information in it, concerning Benge and Jenny Wiley. Jenny Wiley State Park in KY commemorates my fourth great grandmother and her captivity by the Indians, but the area was VA at the time this took place. In all the accounts that I have read there is no mention of Benge, but of a Cap John, but lately Benge's name has started cropping up. My ancestor, Jenny's daughter Jane was the first born of the children after returning from captivity. One branch of Jenny's family says that Jane is the daughter of Benge. I am copying a story of Jenny Wiley below, and I would like to know if anyone or if the book mentions Benge as a part of the party who captured Jenny Wiley. Nancy S Jennie Wiley has a state park named for her in Kentucky. She was captured by the Indians and escaped. Her story is known as The Indian Captivity of Mrs. Jennie Wiley. Two books have been written about Jennie; Dark Hills to Westward is a fictionalized version of her capitivity and also White Squaw which I believe is a children's book. The following article was sent to me by Joann Sparks Reitenour of Birmingham, Alabama. she said that her sister Ruby Sparks Campbell had sent it to her. The article is a copy and says "Profile" Jenny Wiley Survivor by Olive Smith Stone. The bottom of the page of the article says, "22 Back Home in Kentucky". "Editor's Note: Some of history's best stories are passed from generation to generation. This story is the author's account of what her family's tradition reports her great, great, great grandmother Jenny Wiley, endured during her captivity with the Indians. Although history text books repeat much of this information, this is a story that has survived over 200 years in the Wiley family - just as Jenny survived her trials in the wilderness. Jenny Sellards, the daughter of Hezekiah Sellards, was born in 1760 and married Thomas Wiley in 1779. Hailing from Northern Ireland and traveling with a group from Strausburg, Virginia, he and his brother settled near the Sellards in 1777. After their marriage, Jenny and Thomas lived in a cabin at the Walkers Creek settlement in Virginia on the edge of the frontier. In 1789, they had four children and another on the way. One early October morning, Thomas and his brother went genseng hunting while a pregnant Jenny stayed home to work at her loom. Her younger half-brother was playing with the children when John Borders, Jenny's brother-in-law, stopped by the cabin to take them to his place for the night. Jenny was almost done with her weaving and told him they would be right along when she finished. Thinking back, John later said his horse seemed a bit 'spooked' as he left. The Indians must have been near by. Jenny had banked the fire in the fireplace as she prepared to spend the night away when a group of Indians burst through the door. They grabbed her and Tomahawked her half-brother and three of her children, later scalping them. Jenny and her youngest child, Tommy, were spared, but were kidnapped by the angry raiding party. The Indians fled the cabin, taking supplies such as pots, pans, food, and a musket. As rain began to fall, the Indians left the cabin burning as they dragged Jenny away. The scalps of her family hung clearly visible on her captor' belts. page 23 March/April 1994 Her woolen clothing was soon soaked and heavy. Jenny quickly grew tired from carrying the weight of her young son, her unborn child, and the stolen supplies her captors piled on her. She traveled too slowly to suit the Indians. Soon the baby grew hungry and tired and began crying. Growing impatient with the young boy, an Indian dashed him against a tree, ending his life. They dragged Jenny along, making her walk in her agony and grief until she was numb with pain. They planned to take her to the Shawnee Village at Chillicothe, about 300 miles away - 300 miles of brush, rocks, rivers, and streams. Traveling at night, the party continued to prod Jenny along. They kept moving at a rapid pace because a search party wouldn't be far behind. When they stopped at daylight, Jenny was given parched corn and dried meat. Her feet were swollen in her wet footwear. The untanned leather shrank when wet, and her heavy woolen clothing hung in shreds from the brush and briers. Her wet, heavy hair hung loose on her shoulders. She grieved her losses and began to wonder if she herself would survive. As they neared the Tug River, a scout reported the search party was gaining ground. The tribe knew their only escape lay across the river. With a brave swimming on each side of her, Jenny weathered the current and rocks. On the other side, her captors camped in a cave and bound and gagged her and watched for the rest of the party. Hot on the Indians trail, the search party soon found Tommy's remains and buried him. Assuming Jenny had met the same fate, they gave up their search for her. Jenny's son, Robert was born in a cave a short time later. She was given a knife to cut the cord and thought of using it in an escape attempt. But she knew she was too weak. When the baby was a few months old, the Indians tested him to see if he would make a warrior. They tied him to a piece of bark and pushed him into the cold river current. If he cried when the cold water hit him, he would be considered cowardly; if he didn't cry, they would adopt him into the tribe. She watched them murder the boy when he screamed. Jenny worked as the camp slave skinning game, cooking, gathering wood, and making clothing. The only task she remotely enjoyed was when she was allowed to gather plums and nuts. This, she felt, would provide her opportunity for escape. Unfortunately, she was always closely guarded. But, as time passed, she adjusted to the Indian lifestyle, trying to win friends and earn their trust. When the Indians were ready to move on, a young brave piled his possessions on top of the heavy load Jenny was already carrying. When she threw it it off, he replaced it. Losing her temper, she threw the load down again and flogged him until he retreated. Expecting to die for her act of rebellion, Jenny was surprised when her captors laughed and applauded her actions. This newly-found camaraderie was not permanent. After the Indians captured a group of white men, they celebrated and burned them at the stake. In their excitement, they decided to burn Jenny also. Fearing this, she asked a native friend, Cap John, to simply shoot her. Cap John knew English and had helped her learn some of the Indian tongue. Instead of shooting her, he decided to buy her and return her to his camp so she could teach the women there to weave. When Jenny saw him hand over his gun to tribal leaders following some discussions, she knew she had been bought. (There are three pictures on this page: one of Alifair (Williamson)Webb born in 1834, daughter of Richard and Mary Jane Wiley - third generation from Jenny Wiley, - Alifair looks like my uncles Walter and Freddie Sparks - also a picture of Pricey Smith and her older brother Lawrence at her Evans, W.VA. home about 1959 - great, great grandchildren of Jenny Wiley and my (NSM) great grandmother, and a picture of the author and her cousin.) Profile continued from page 23/ p.36 As Cap John's group traveled back to their camp, the men often went hunting. Not trusting Jenny, he tied her up to prevent escape. During her time with these Indians, she befriended a small dog and gave it scraps when she dressed the game. One fateful day, she was left tied under a rock cliff, lying with feet bound and her hands tied to a stake above her head. As it began to rain, Jenny worked the stake loose and rolled until her wrists were under the dripping overhang. The wet rawhide loosened - she freed her hands and feet. Taking a knife, a blanket, and the small dog (realizing it could be used to track her ), Jenny fled. Using skills she learned from her captors, Jenny carefully made her way through the forest. She hoped the rain would wash away all signs of her trail. After traveling all night, she found shelter in a hollow log and soon fell asleep. Awakened by sounds of her angered captors, Jenny reluctantly used the knife to kill the dog, fearing it would give away her location. The Indians approached the log, and Cap John struck it with his tomahawk, shouting, "White Squaw die!" Too scared to move, Jenny stayed in hiding long after the Indians left the area. Lost, Jenny wandered through the woods. Her knowledge of edible plants kept her from starving, but no doubt exposure, exhaustion, and lack of nourishment led to hallucinations. She later said visions helped her find her way. Once a voice told her to turn right at a sycamore tree, another time she followed a red bird. She was convinced the Indians continued to follow her. Her path eventually led to Big Sandy River where she spied a white man across the river. The man quickly constructed a rough raft and crossed the river. Once she joined him on the raft, it began to fall apart. Jenny, the survivor, took over from her frightened rescuer and paddled the two to shore, Angry Indians appeared on the opposite shore just as they reached safety. The settlement to which Jenny returned was actually the newly built Harmon's Station. She warned the settlers of a planned Indian raid and afterwards traveled to Walker's Creek where she and Thomas were reunited after almost a year. In 1800, Thomas and Jenny moved to River, Kentucky, and made their home, ironically, near one of the caves where she was held captive. There they raised five more children. Jenny often said, "God gave me back the five I lost." Jenny had only a few years left with Thomas - he died in 1810. She, on the other hand, live 71 years before her death in 1831. Jenny is buried near the state park named in her honor in Prestonburg. Thomas is buried nearby. Like Jenny, her descendants are survivors and today can be traced across the United States. Editor's Note: Jenny Wiley State Resort Park in Prestonburg is open year-round offering lodging, camping and recreational opportunities. The Jenny Wiley Story is performed biennially and is scheduled this year.(1994) For information, call 606/886-2711." This story differs in quite a few details from the story passed on in my family. Most notably Jenny waded down several creeks in making her escape, realizing that if she continually went down stream, she would find an intersection with another creek or finally a river where there might be people. She also recognized the need to hide her footprints from Indians who were excellent trackers. She also in our story suffocates the dog accidentally by holding its muzzle to keep it from barking when the Indians were near and she and the dog were hidden in the hollow log. The log incident also differs in that while Jenny slept a spider spun a line from the top to the bottom of the opening and proceeded to build a web. When the Indian leaned over to look into the log, he saw the web and didn't look further, thinking no one would be inside since the web was unbroken. .

Anyone one know anything on the following family? They lived in Lee Co., VA. E. Alexander Burke b. ca Jun 1866 (s/o Catherine ? Burke) md. Louisa Patience Penley (Rev. James N. Penley & Louisa Hood) Known children 1. Sarah L. McLain md. John T. McLain 2. James Burke 3. William Burke 4. Harrison Burke 5. Eliza Burke md. Andy Stewart 6. Lola Burke 7. Otis Burke 8. John D. Burke 9. George Burke -William One man with courage makes a majority.-Andrew Johnson, American President

I have followed instructions and still I get e mail from your site-I had a reply that said I am no longer on the list and perhaps the mail was backed up-It ihas now been almost 3 weeks since the reply and i still get mail from this site-Pleas help me to discontinue this,-Ray

Lawrence, my book arrived here in N. CA today. Thanks. I am anxious to start reading it. Will comment later. Diane

jomay@eastky.net (Jonah May) wrote: David, Do you descend from the Elijah Hensley that was in Eastern Ky. and married to Mahala (Polly) Gidden? If so, I have info on them if you want it. Jonah Yes, Jonah, and I just heard back from Pam with info which she also sent to you. I will look it over and get back to you if I have anything to add. I have tons of questions about them. Hang on... David David & Jayne Chafin

I am seeking information on the following family: Laughlin McGrady b. ________, Bedford County, Va. was residing in Franklin County in 1786 moved to Wilkes County, NC in 1788 his son, Jacob McGrady, b. in Bedford Co., m. Amiah _________. Jacob d. 13 Feb. 1816, Wilkes Co., NC his son, Edmond, b. 1800, Wilkes Co., NC m. [1] Elizabeth Brown who divorced him and was shown living in Wilson Dst., Grayson Co., in 1870 m. [2] Sarah Porter 5 Oct 1841 his daughter [by Sarah Porter]. Rebekah b. 1842 m. Abram Hash in Grayson Co., VA 13 March 1864, at the home of C.M. Young Their son, Rev. Walter A. Hash [d. 1962] was my grandfather. Thank you. Pat Burris

Hello William and everyone, William, if you are descended from Mr. Burke and Patience Penley, then we are cousins! William, I can help you on Patience Penley who married Mr. Burke and that Penley line. I did not know the given name of Burke but you have just provided it to me and for that THANKS! Please contact me at Penjacc@aol.com For more on the Patience Penley's line, go to my web site at: www.penjaccphoto.com Until later, good hunting, Jerry in Kingsport, TN

I thought that my great uncle, Peter Franklin Reasor, had died of flu during the 1918 epidemic; however, I discovered that he died of flu in 1911. Was there an epidemic during that year? He was 23 years old when he died. SueBee

My ggg grandmother, Eva or Ava Nancy GIBSON, was born btwn 1790 -1795 in Tennessee. Her father may have been named George and she also may have had a brother named George. She married Samuel MARION (Jr.) Their children were Elizabeth Marion, b btwn 1810 and 1814, VA; Eleanor Marion, b 24 July 1814, VA; Rebecca Marion, b 1815, Lee County, VA; Betsa Lavica Marion, b 27 June 1818, VA; Clayborne Marion, b 1819 or 1820, VA or TN; Annis Marion, b 1820 or 21, TN; Tipton Marion (my gg grandfather), b 26 April 1824, Hawkins Co., TN; William C. Marion, b 26 Jan 1826, VA; Catherine M. Marion, b 15 Sept 1826, TN; Sarah Marion, b 1828, IL; Roseanna J. Marion, b 1831, Coles Co., IL; Martha A. Marion, b abt 1831 or '32, Coles Co., IL; Tabitha Ann Marion, b 9 Feb 1837?, Charleston, Coles Co., IL. Rebecca was the only one who stayed in the area, she married Fleming Thorp, and died 20 Oct 1857, in Lee Co., VA. My ggg grandmother Eva/Ava Nancy Gibson died in 1866, in Fairfield, Jefferson Co., Iowa. Would love to hear from anyone connected with this family. Sheila >______________________________ >X-Message: #7 >Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 12:34:46 -0500 >From: "Sarah Ann Roepke" <sar@bright.net> >To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com >Message-Id: <199903111731.MAA05175@sparticus.bright.net> >Subject: MARION & GIBSON >Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 >MIME-Version: 1.0 >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > >Hi Sheila, > >I would like for you to post what you have on >your Gibsons. I have Gibsons of VA, TN ? >and Perry, Knott & Floyd Co. KY. > >Thanks, >Sarah Ann > >______________________________ >X-Message: #8 >Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 13:51:36 EST >From: NMorri3924@aol.com >To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <e3baee06.36e810b8@aol.com> >Subject: Re:1918 FLU >Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII >MIME-Version: 1.0 >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > >My grandmother was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and my mother has been >diagnosed with Supranuclear Palsy. The doctor blames the 1918 flu for these >problems. Both my grandmother and mother had the flu, but survived. > >Also why am I receiving this list in all italics? >Nancy S > >______________________________ >X-Message: #9 >Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 11:55:58 -0800 >From: "Robert Crabtree" <crabtree@speedlink.com> >To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com >Message-ID: <000001be6bf9$2e598500$d4298ed1@crabtree.crabtree> >Subject: RE: 1918 Flu Epidemic >Content-Type: text/plain; > charset="iso-8859-1" >MIME-Version: 1.0 >Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit > >My grandfather Harold H. Crabtree, died of flu October 23, 1918 in Bluefield, >VA. He left his wife Mary Margaret and three boys, 8, 10, and 12 years of age. >His nephew, George Washington Crabtree died of the flu October 26, 1918 leaving >his wife Virginia and seven children ages ranging from 6 months to 12 years of >age. Both families moved in with the Howard and William Harris families in >nearby Bramwell, WV. Virginia, William and Howard Harris were the children of >Mary Margaret and her first husband John Leander Harris. Needless to say, >this >was a close family by marriage and association. They always looked after one >another. Their origins were all of Smyth, Russell and Washington Counties. >The >Harris and Crabtree families were neighbors as listed in the 1860 Smyth County >Census. The family closeness of these families still remain today. >Robert Crabtree (formerly of Tazewell County, VA) > >______________________________ >X-Message: #10 >Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 15:43:29 -0500 >From: "S. Henrichsen" <henricsf@casmail.muohio.edu> >To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com >Message-Id: <3.0.5.32.19990311154329.007b82f0@casmail.muohio.edu> >Subject: "The Spanish Lady Flu" >Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" >MIME-Version: 1.0 > >I ran across a book that referred to the flu epidemic of 1918 as "The >Spanish Lady Flu." The book is called: > >"Talk about trouble : a New Deal portrait of Virginians in the Great >Depression" (edited by Nancy J. Martin-Perdue and Charles L. Perdue, Jr., >Imprint Chapel Hill : University of North Carolina Press, c1996.) > >It's great reading and includes bibliographical references. It discusses >Virginia -- social life, customs, and conditions, the Depression and New >Deal. Lots of interviews from people all over Virginia. Most of it is >made up of WPA interviews from the late 20's, early 30's. I was very >surprised to find some relatives. It gives you a great idea of what life >was all about in Virginia during the first part of the 20th century. (Not >unlike what is discussed on this list.) I would imagine that the book is >in a lot of Virginia libraries, due to it's content. > >S. Henrichsen > >A legend may not be a record of fact, but the existence of a legend is >itself a fact, and requires an explanation. >......attributed to G. Ash > > > > > > > > > > > >______________________________X-Message: #7 >Date: Wed, 10 Mar 1999 21:53:05 -0500 >From: "Edgar A. Howard" <swvaroot@swva.net> >To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com >Message-Id: <199903110253.VAA11944@ctc.swva.net> >Subject: 1918 Flu Epidemic >Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII >Content-transfer-encoding: 7BIT > > Does anyone know stories of deaths in the familes of SW VA >from the flu of 1918?? Nearly one million Americans died and 18 >million worldwide. I wondered if SW VA suffered any more or less. > >-eddie >

<<Eddie - will you please post again, the address to order Benge. I've been giving people his home address and I don't think he wants that. Sue, This is what Larry sent to me. I would send the $14.94 to him at the address he gave. Give your name and mailing address. 5532 Powell Valley Rd. Big Stone Gap, Va. 24219 March 1, 1999 Dear Customer: You purchased a copy of my first book, The Bear Grass, A History, from me. It is now sold out. The response to it was very gratifying. Thank you for your purchase. Perhaps the best part of the response to that book was a surprising out pouring of folk traditions people brought to me concerning the chapter on Chief Benge. It is surprising how much uncollected new material there is out there amongst the people of East Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, and of Eastern Kentucky. I even have had the privilege of talking to some relatives of his. The material began to come together into a story of great pathos, one that required printing into a book dedicated to Benge alone. The material not only covers him from birth to death, but also covers his forebears from their landing at Jamestown and passage into the Cherokee nation. His story is cast against a background of historical context, giving a new perspective on the history of the region, and of the interactions of the settlers and the Cherokee. The book is entitled Benge!, and has 119 pages of narrative, maps, pictures, genealogies, and a complete collection of the historic reference documents, some never before in print. It is in paper back. I would like to mail a copy of this speciality item to you for a total cost of $14.95, which includes sales tax, packaging, and postage. If you are interested, please send your check to the above address. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, Lawrence J. Fleenor, Jr. "Toto, I don't think we are in NH any more."

There is a new book just out (have not recieved yet) about Doc Andy Osborne of Blackwater, Lee Co .(MY Great uncle) He treated a lot of the people with the flu.It might have some names in it. I know he saved my dads life and many more.Have more info later. Elizabeth Wade Carden

David, Do you descend from the Elijah Hensley that was in Eastern Ky. and married to Mahala (Polly) Gidden? If so, I have info on them if you want it. Jonah >Just curious, what Hensleys you are researching. I am descended from Elijah. >Hope we can connect! >David > > >David & Jayne Chafin > > >David & Jayne Chafin > > >==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== >#5 It is YOUR responsibility to know how to SUBSCRIBE & UNSUBSCRIBE. It is done >by computer. Put the word SUBSCRIBE in the body of the message with nothing >else. The address is sw_va-l-request@rootsweb.com . or -d- for DIGEST mode. >All this is in the Welcome statement I ask you to save. -sysop >

Pam wrote: Researching the following surnames: BURKE, CARTER, PARTICK, WINGO, McGRADY, WIMBERLEY, WITT/WHITT, HENSLEY, ROBERTSON. Just curious, what Hensleys you are researching. I am descended from Elijah. Hope we can connect! David David & Jayne Chafin David & Jayne Chafin

I just recently was given a letter that was written by my maternal Gmother, Grace Lemons Blevins. It was from Vicco, VA (in Little Tom Hollow at Banner, VA) and dated Oct. 21, 1918. She wrote that there was so much sickness that the (coal)mines were about to shut down because there were not enough men to work them. She had seen the Doctor and he said she had the flu. She died a few days later at the age of 33, leaving 4 small children. I would like to have the letter restored as parts of it has faded. Any suggestions? Helen Lawson Quillen Looking for LEMONS, LYONS, BLEVINS, CARICO