Dear List, The families listed above are the main of my research. The HARRIS and BYARS families arrived in Washington Co. about 1800 + or - a few years. The head of "my" Harris family is Nathaniel born in Louisa Co. 1763. He was married to Martha BYARS whose bros. and widowed mother had come to Washington Co. 179? + or - . My hope is to find the ancestry of some of the other HARRISes who were present there at the same time. If anyone has a HARRIS in their line that might help me, reply so we can compare notes. I have been unable to find any information about Nathaniel in Louisa Co. All the information is recorded in Smyth and it is very complete, will, death, deaths of his offspring who lived there and the birth of his grandchildren. The Census seems to be accurate for the years 1810-1850, showing Nathaniel as head of family with his offspring and later Census showing his sons as head of their families. The PORTER family arrived before 1850 the census shows William and his wife Hetty and their children. MORRIS, looking John and his wife Elizabeth JENNINGS MORRIS, their dau. Mary married My Nathaniel, Jr. (3rd) son of Nathaniel and Martha Byars HARRIS. I have a good handle on the BYARS and can do lookups. Also the descending list of HARRISes is in good shape and I can help others. Thanks in advance. Cheers, Wilma Kelly wkelly4901@aol.com

In a message dated 1/21/99 5:35:04 AM Eastern Standard Time, SW_VA-D- request@rootsweb.com writes: << From the same source as above; Emma White: My John Walker, II, b. 1667 Scotland: C. 1680-1705 John Walker Rutherford m. Katherine Rutherford and they >> The above should read: John Walker m. Katherine Rutherford..... Nancy S

Thus the speculators of Virginia's southwestern frontier had influence in Williamsburg, for Colonel Byrd was a power in official circles and Patrick Henry kept himself well informed as to Dunmore's interest in lands. It is clear, at any rate, that the governor cooperated heartily with both groups of land speculators throughout the earlier part of the year 1774. But his hands were tied to a considerable extent by orders from England. According to the instructions of April 7, 1773, no lands were to be granted except to officers and soldiers of the French and Indian War, who had been promised tracts under the proclamation of 1763. When spring came and travelling through the back country became practicable, the new movement to Kentucky got under way. On April 7, John Floyd, a deputy surveyor of Fincastle, set out from Preston's house for Kentucky. The end of the year 1774 found Kentucky with many new land claims established by the surveyors, but not a single white man had yet made his home permanently in the vast region." What is known as Dunmore's War in 1774, was a combination of treaties and agreements made and scrapped through the vacillation of Lord Dunmore and the action of the frontier troops under General Andrew Lewis. The Governor directed Lewis to march his forces to Point Pleasant at the mouth of the great Kanawha He was to build a fort there and await the arrival of the Governor with another body of men who were to come down the Ohio from Pittsburgh. Abernathy says, "When Colonel Lewis reached Point Pleasant, he found in a hollow tree a message from the governor. It was an order to march on and join forces with Dunmore at the mouth of the Little Kanawha. But Lewis had to await arrival of supplies and was still at Point Pleasant when day began to break a October 10, 1774. Two members of the force who had gone out early for purpose of hunting were fired on by Indians who had crossed the Ohio on rafts during the night. A general engagement followed which has come to be known the battle of Point Pleasant. The contest was severe and the issue doubtful until a flank movement led by Captains George Matthews and John Stuart and Lieutenant Shelby, the son of the Welsh pioneer, Evan Shelby, who also was in the battle in command of the Fincastle troops and who near the close of the fray directed the action at the front. Colonel Andrew Lewis had lost his brother, Major Charles Lewis, and Colonel Fleming had been seriously wounded. The casualties were heavy on both sides, for it was the greatest pitched battle fought with the natives between the French and Indian War and the outbreak of the Revolution. Thus ended Dunmore's War. The home government and the Virginia H of Burgesses opposed the governor's policy, and Lewis' army was disgusted that it was not allowed to pursue its advantage to a more convincing conclusion. was clear from the first that Dunmore wished nothing more than the Shaw cease interfering in the settlement of Kentucky. Numerous charges have been made to the effect that Dunmore's activities in whole struggle were thoroughly aggressive and purely selfish." The immediate results of the success at Point Pleasant was more than an end to Indian raids. It made possible the settlement of the Kentucky country next year, led to George Rogers Clark's conquest of the Northwest, definitely fixing the Canadian border, and was a powerful factor in final peace after Yorktown in Revolution. Immigration continued to pour into the country and thousands of pioneers sought and found homes for themselves along the streams and plateaus of west- Virginia. Consequently, not four years had passed when petitions were again presented to the assembly requesting that additional counties be formed due to vast extent and great inconvenience involved in traveling so far to the Fine County Seat. In 1776, the Ohio country was organized into Ohio county and the counties of Monongalia and Yohogania, the latter being eventually made part of Ohio county. Illinois county was formed in 1778, and included the territory of the Indiana Land Company. The question of the western lands could be fully disposed of until the North Carolina boundary should be expanded the boundary dispute with Pennsylvania settled. These controversies had drag through the years, but definite steps had now been taken to settle them, although they were not completed until 1779-80. The Virginia Assembly resolved that instead of creating one new county that they would extinguish Fincastle, named for Lord Dunmore's son, and form three counties and so the counties of Kentucky, Washington, the first named for him, and Montgomery were formed. Montgomery county was named for General Richard Montgomery, one of the heroes the French and Indian War, who died on the Field of Abraham at Quebec. According to Hardesty's History, "Montgomery County as it was then formed its northern extremity near Hardy's Ford on the Staunton River east of Roanoke county; thence a line marking its northern boundary extended northwest passing near Lewisburg to Hawk's Nest and Gauley Bridge on New River; thence down that stream and the great Kanawha to the Ohio River at Point Pleasant thence down the Ohio a distance of fifty-four miles to the mouth of the Big Sandy River, thence up that stream to North Spring where the three states of Virginia, West Virginia, and Kentucky join; thence in a southeasternly direction to Sugar Grove at the southern extremity of Wythe County; thence east to a point on the Blue Ridge, where the present counties of Carroll, Patrick, and Floyd join; thence northeast with the Blue Ridge to the place of the beginning. The territory thus embraced within its limits, included an area of 12,000 square miles; three times as great as that of Connecticut, six times that of Delaware, and ten times that of Rhode Island." Since its formation thirty-two counties wholly or in part have been formed am it, namely: Greenbrier in 1778; Kanawha, 1789; Wythe, 1790; Grayson, 1793; Monroe, 1799; Mason, 1804; Giles, 1806; Campbell, 1809; Logan, 1894; Floyd, 1831; Mercer, 1837; Pulaski, 1839; Tazewell, 1799; Smyth, 1832; Carroll, 1842; Raleigh, 848; Wayne, 1842; Fayette, 1831; Putnam, 1848; Roanoke, 1838; Summers, 1867; Lincoln. 1867; Craig, 1848; Boone, 1849; McDowell, 1866; Wyoming, 1865; Bland 1847: Bath. 1791; Alleghany, 1822; Buchanan, 1858; Dickinson, 1880; and Hi land, 1847. FIRST COURT FOR MONTGOMERY COUNTY The first court held for Montgomery county convened at Fort Chiswell, seven miles east of the present city of Wytheville, on the seventh day of January 1777 On December 21, 1776, Patrick Henry, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, issued Commmissions to William Preston, William Ingles, John Montgomery, Stephen Trigg, James Robertson, Waiter Crockett, James McGavock, James Thompson and James McCorkle as gentlemen justices for the new county. All of then were present, took the oath of office and sat together to hold court. William Ingles qualified as Sheriff of the County, Francis Byrd as Clerk, William produced a commission from the Governor appointing him Colonel of the county and William Preston as County Lieutenant. All of them took their oaths and entered into bond. The first civil case tried was that of Edward Almond, Agent for Ross and Trigg against William Price and resulted in judgement for the plaintiff. The court appointed the following constables in their several localities, as follows Benjamin Rogers, Sr., on Cripple Creek; Robert Miller, in the neighborhood of New Dublin; Thomas Alley, in the neighborhood of Little River; Bryant McDaniel, in the neighborhood of Tom's Creek; John Henderson, in the neighborhood of Walker Creek; James McFarland, in the neighborhood of Reed Creek; and Charles Luca in the neighborhood of Sinking Creek. Then the rates to be charged by ordinary keepers were fixed, and the court adjourned. The following accounts are taken from Hardesty's History of County: THE FIRST COUNTYSEAT "We have seen that the first court held for Fincastle convened at was known as the "Lead Mines." These mines are situated on New River, opposite the mouth of Cripple Creek. Formerly they were worked with great profit, but the discovery of lead in the far West has operated disadvantageously to the interest of these works, situated, as they are, so far inland and away from easy means of transportation. These mines were discovered very tarry, and were extensively worked during the Revolution. The first proprietor was Colonel Chriswell, an English gentleman, who built a frame house, the first of its kind in Southwest Virginia. It was still standing forty years ago, but in a dilapidated condition. The colonel opened the mines believing the ore to be that of silver, but in the days of the Revolution it proved to be something more valuable, lead. He afterward killed man in a quarrell <sic>, and died in prison. Colonel Lynch then became the proprietor and was in turn succeeded by Moses and Stephen Austin, the latter of whom was the father of Stephen Austin, whose name is so intimately connected with early history of Texas, he having been born at that place. They worked the mines until l796, since which time they have passed through the hands of several owners as the Whites. Pierces, Jacksons and others. Formerly, shafts were sunk perpendicularly at the top of the hill, from 50 to 150 feet, until ore was reached, when excavations were made in a horizontal direction. From the bottom of the shafts the was raised by windlasses. In or about the year 1840, an excavation was commenced horizontally 1,000 feet in solid limestone rock, the material being carried by a railroad. "Nearby is old Fort Chiswell, named for the first proprietor of the mines. Colonel John Chriswell. Here sat the first court for Montgomery County, and here stationed the body of English grenadiers during Braddock's war and here a local tradition fixes the place at which Daniel Morgan was tied and whipped unmercifully for beating a British officer. We very much doubt the correctness of this tradition, believing as we do that the transaction took place several hundred miles let north." The site of this Court House is perpetuated by a monument erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution on the Lee Highway in front of the Fort Chiswell mansion. THE FIRST LANDS LOCATED IN MONTGOMERY "The first lands surveyed within the present limits of Montgomery county were known as the "Patton Grant," by which permission was given by Governor Gooch, to locate 100,000 acres of land between the waters of the Roanoke and New Rivers. The first survey was made by Thomas Lewis, surveyor of Augusta County, in October, 1747, but the patent was not issued until June 20, 1753. In meantime, however, a number of surveys were made, in which many thousand acres were included, consisting of the best land lying in the region to which the survey were restricted. The patentee was Colonel James Patton, a son-in-law of Benjamin Burden, where mentioned. He was born in the town of Newton, Linaddy, Ireland, in year 1692; he was bred to the sea, and in the wars of England with the Low Countries, served as an officer in the royal navy. After the treaty of Utrecht he procured a passenger ship, and traded to the coast of Virginia. He is said to have I the Atlantic twenty-five times, bringing with him Irish emigrants, and returning with peltries and tobacco. Augusta county, then including the region in he located his lands, was largely settled through his agency. He was, in 1745, high sheriff of the county of Augusta, and subsequently, county lieutenant his title of colonel. In 1752 he served as one of the commissioners on the of Virginia at the treaty of Logstown, by which the colony secured the Indian title to all the region lying between the Alleghany mountains and the Ohio River. He was killed by the Indians in 1775, while surveying land in Drapers Meadow, near where the town of Blacksburg now stands. William Preston and William Thompson became his administrators, and as such parceled out and sold land to many purchasers, among whom were the ancestors of the Breckenridges in Botetourt County; the Magees, Montgomerys, Dunns and Crocketts of Wythe; the Boyds of Wythe and Russell, the Edwards, McMullins, Peppers, and Taylors, Montgomery; the Drapers of Montgomery and Pulaski, the Frys and Shannons, of Giles; and the Cecils of Pulaski.

Among the following information on Patrick Porter who is my 5th great- grandfather, there are quite a few other SW_VA surnames. Descendants of Patrick Porter 1 Patrick Porter b: May 01, 1737 in PA d: 1807 in Falling Creek, Scott Co., VA .. +Susanna Ann Walker b: March 31, 1739 in VA m: Abt 1756 in Guilford Co., NC d: Abt 1814 in Floyd Co., KY Father: John Walker III Mother: Ann Houston .MY LINE:. 2 John Walker Porter ...... +Martha Patsy Hutchinson m: January 31, 1789 Father: George Hutchinson Mother: Green .. 2 Patrick Porter, Jr. b: 1776 ...... +Elizabeth Pendleton .. 2 Samuel Porter ...... +Mary "Polly" Alley .. 2 Susanna Ann Porter ...... +John Montgomery b: 1764 Father: Alexander Montgomery Mother: Martha Walker .. 2 Mary Porter ...... +Andrew Cowan The following story comes from Dr. Henry Martin's book "Pickin Up The Porters" and is found on pages 117-119. <<<<<<<<< The Indian Missionary >>>>>>>>>>> It seems very strange indeed that an Indian boy would want to become a missionary among the white people. But there was such a boy. His name was Dale, and he belonged to the Mingo tribe which lived on the Ohio River. Patrick Porter, who had a fort near Falling Creek on Clinch River, went with the Clinch Valley troops to fight Cornstalk at Point Pleasant in 1774. One night after the troops were told they could go home, there came to Patrick Porter's camp fire the notorious Chief Logan. Chiel Logan, tall and reddish-brown, clad in a hunting coat, moccasins and leggins, tapped Patrick Porter on the shoulder and said, "You are Patrick Porter. You live on CLinch RIver. I have been to your fort. Many times I could have killed you, but I would not. You good man. You good father to children who lived near your fort." Patrick Porter reached out a hand. The Indian chief shook it. "What can I do for you, Chief Logan?" Patrick Porter asked. "Much," said the chief. "Not for me but for a friend of mine." "What is it, Chief Logan?" Patrick Porter held to his long rifle. A coon tail hanging from his cap flapped in the wind. The air was chill. Leaves rustled as they swept along over the woodland floor. It was autumn. Out of the dark came an Indian boy. He was naked, save moccasins on his feet and a piece of deer skin about his loins. "This is Dale," the Indian chief said. Patrick Porter shook hands with the boy. "Glad to know you, Dale," he said. The boy merely grunted. The campfire crackled. A flame leaped up, lighting Dale's tired face. Away in the woods an owl hooted. Chief Logan put a hand on Patrick Porter's shoulder again. "White people kill all of Dale's family. Kill all of his kin. Now he wants to go with white men and learn to read from their books. He wants to preach the word of God." Patrick Porter was amazed. He said, "The white people kill your relatives, yet you want to go and live with them?" Dale nodded. "He want to go with good white people, like you, Capt. Porter. And I know you are good. I pick you to take him." Patrick Porter stooped and threw a fresh stick of wood onto the fire. Sparks flew. Smoke twisted up in a spiral and was snatched by the wind. "Chief Logan," Patrick Porter said, "we white people need to do some kind deed for your people because the whites have been cruel. Especially have they been cruel to your people, Chief Logan." "Uh! Very cruel," Chief Logan grunted. HE folded his arms across his big chest. "Then Patrick Porer will take Dale?" "I should like very much to take him," Patrick Porter replied. He paused and leaned heavily on his gun. Then he added, "But I am afraid to take him. The Migoes are still angry with the white people. They will follow me to my home and kill me for taking the boy." "No, no!" said Chief Logan, shaking his head. "We will fix that someway." "I'm afraid we can't," Patrick Porter said. "Now you take him away before your tribesmaen come. The war is over. Let's spill no more blood." Chief Logan and the Indian boy went away into the woods. The trees seemed to cry. Patrick Porter felt bad. He lay down by the fire, but he could not sleep. He wondered whether Chief Logan would bring Indain braves and attack his camp. Early next morning Patrick Porter, lying near the campfire, heard the leaves rustle. He leaped up, gun in hand, ready to shoot. But after one close look he let the gun barrel drop. There before him stood the boy Dale, alone. In his hand was a scrap of paper. He reached it toward Patrick Porter who took it, turned to the firelight, and read in English which he knew a white man had written. But to the note was Chief Logan's name. The note read: "Mr. Porter, I ask you again to take Dale. I have fixed it so Mingoes won't follow. I told them that Dale had been drowned in the river whitle crossing." Patrick Porter shook his head. "I cannot take you," he said. "I tell you the Mingoes will find you. They will kill me and all my people." The Indain boy reached out his hands, pleading. He did not speak. Patrick Porter's heart was touched too deeply for him to keep on saying no. "Very well,'" he finally said. "I will let you go. I shall risk it. Now lie down here by the fire and rest." Dale traveled all the way to the Clinch River with Patrick Porter and lived with him at the fort on Falling Creel near the river. He was a happy lad, and he really tried to learn. Little by little he came to understand English words. Then he begged to be taught to read and write. Patrick Porter saw to it that he had a tutor. Patrick Porter was himself a student of the Bible, and he interested the Indain boy in it's stories. After a few years, Dale was able to read for himself. "You need more name than Dale," Patrick told him one day. "and I am giving you the name Arter. From now on you are Arter Dale." "Good," said Dale, thumping his youthful chest. "I like the name Arter Dale." The boy grew to manhood, and there on Clinch River he married a white girl. Today, many are the people who pride themselves in having in their veins the blood of Arter Dale. Arter became a leader in his community. He became a convert to Christianity and later joined the Methodist Church. For many years he served the Church as a minister preaching to the white people along the river valley. SOURCE: History of Scott County, Virginia. notes: As you can tell after reading the above story, the author of the above more than likely took liberty with embellishing the prose of the story and making it sound mre exciting and poetic. But the underlying truth remains, there was a man named ARTER DALE and he did live and die as was stated in the above story. One Dale Carter was killed by the Indians. There was another Dale Carter also there at the same time. Arter Dale and Dale Carter were two different people. Dale Carter descends from Capt. Thomas CARTER of the Rev. War and his wife Katherine DALE. Apparently, Patrick Porter and John Walker, and people who moved into southwest Virginia at this period of time, first bought their land from the Loyal Land Company. They then lived on this land for several years and the State of Virginia decided to have everyone prove that they actually owned the land they were living on and then give out "new" state land grants to the ones that could prove ownership. Patrick Porter Land Grant No. 1 Patrick Henry, Esquire, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, To all Whom these presents shall come, Greeting, Know ye, that by virtue of a certificate in Right of Settlement given by the Commissioners for Adjusting the titles to unpatented Lands in the District of Washington and Montgomery and in consideration of the Ancient Composition of one pound sterling paid by Patrick Porter into the Treasury of this Commonwealth, there is granted by the said Commonwealth unto the said Patrick Porter a certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing one hundred and eight five acres by survey bearing date, the twenty fifth day of March, one thousand seven hundred and eighty three, lying and being in the County of Washington on both sides of Falling Creek, a south branch of Clinch River and bounded as followeth, TO WIT, BEGINNING on the North bank of said creek, at a buckeye and two small elms and running thence, South forty three degrees, West sixty two poles crossing the creek often to a large white oak and on the top of a ridge, North sixty seven degrees, West ninety one poles to a large poplar on a rocky knob, South eighty one degrees, West thirty eight poles to a sugar tree and turn at the foot of said knob, North thirty five degree West one hundred and eight poles to a rock and dogwood sapling near the top of a ridge, North Thirty degrees, East eighty four poles to a white oak on said ridge, South seventy two degrees, East one hundred and forty poles to an ash on the top of a ridge, North sixty one degrees, East forty one poles to an ash and sugar sapling on the east side of a ridge, North ten degrees, East thirty eight poles crossing the creek to two white oaks on the bank of the same, thence, South five degrees, East one hundred and sixty seven poles to the Beginning with its Appurtenances to have and to hold, the said tract or parcel of land, with its apppurtenances to the said Patrick Porter and his Heirs forever. In Witness whereof, the Patrick Henry Esq., Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia hath hereunto set his hand and causes the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the twentieth day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand seven and eighty four and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Patrick Henry From" Walker Family History" by Delores Caylor Lansford -birthplace By around 1778, the only Walker family left in Washington Co. VA area was the one of Susannah WAlker and Patrick Porter. Other Walkers in that area after 1785 have no known connection with the Wigton line. Another point of interest: "Patrick Porter deposes 28th April, 1798, that about 1770-1771 he moved to Clinch and a certain Robert Elsom came about the same time and settled at the head of Hay's Creek. Rachel Haunspale, late a wife to Robert Elsom, deceased, deposes at Herbert's Ferry in Wythe County, 11th July, 1798, that Robert was employed in 1770 to go to Clinch. Robert together with Rachel's father, William Hayes, went to Clinch and settled at a spring. Copy of William Herbert's will dated 28th May, 1776, proved in Fincastle County Court, 3d September, 1776. Certified as of the records of Montgomery County, 24th February, 1796, to wife, Sarah, plantation called Poplar Camp, and slaves; to eldest son, William, plantation on Reed Island, where Joseph Barren, Jr., is now living; to youngest son, Thomas, plantation where Josiah Hamilton lives; to eldest daughter, Martha, to youngest daughter, Joanna. William's father and mother are alive and living with him. Certain moneys due him by a Mr. Ozborn, iron mongers in West Street, without Lawful Gale Bristol in Old England." Also, this entry: "CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800 ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. WILL BOOK NO. V. ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. page 133 Page 193.--15th March, 1774. Recorded. David Dryden's appraisement by Alex. McClure, James Thompson, Wm. Ramsey--1 note on Patrick Porter, of North Carolina, payable November, 1772. Legacies appraised, viz: To wife, Dorothy, son Nathaniel, son William, son Thomas." This was listed under "military listings under PORTER" PORTER Patrick 175? Delaware, Rev.War {813}:765, 790, 810 Am not sure that this is the Patrick Porter mentioned above.

Most information on the Walker Family comes from the book Genealogy of the Descendants of John Walker, of Wigton, Scotland, by Emma Siggins White, 1902. "Genealogy of the Descendants of John Walker of Wigton, Scotland with records of a few Allied Families. Also war records and some fragmentary notes pertaining to the History of Virginia. 1600 - 1902". by Emma Siggins White. Kansas City, MO. 1902 The following notes are on a sibling line of my Walker family: Genealogical data found in the account of Mary Moore in "Sketches of Virginia, Historical and Biographical" by the Rev. William Henry Foote, D.D., Pastor of the Presbyterian Church, Romney, Virginia, published in Philadelphia by William S. Martien in 1850: James Moore, of Scottish ancestry, was born in Ireland. He immigrated to America with his brother Joseph about 1726. Joseph died in Pennsylvania about two years later. James married Jane Walker, daughter of John Walker of Wigton, Scotland. John Walker immigrated from Scotland to Ireland to America. He was the father of seven children of which Jane was the fourth. James and Jane Walker Moore resided in Pennsylvania and were in the Nottingham congregation for a number of years. John Walker moved his family to Rockbridge County, VA and settled on a creek which bore the family name. After the birth of their fourth child, James and Jane joined the Walkers in Virginia. Here six more children were added to the family. The sixth child, named after James Moore became the father of Mary Moore the wife of Rev. Samuel Brown. The eldest daughter of James and Jane Walker Moore, Mary, married Major Stuart who lived near Brownsburg. They were the parents of "the late" Judge Alexander Stuart. James Moore, the sixth child of James and Jane Walker Moore, married Martha Poage. They had five sons and four daughters. Their first four children were born at Newell's Tavern: John, James b. 1770, Jane, and Joseph. The other five were born at Abbs Valley-- named for Absolom Looney, a hunter, supposed to be the first white man in the valley. Mary, the fifth child and second daughter born 1777, was named for her aunt Mary Moore Stuart. Other named children: Rebecca, William and Margaret. This Moore family was attacked by Indians 14 July 1786. All were killed except three: Joseph was at school; Mary was captured; James had been captured by Indians 7 Sep 1784. Before attacking the Moore's, the Indians murdered a Mr. and Mrs. Davison and burned their dwelling. Samuel Walker was a cousin to James Moore (son of James and Jane Walker Moore). John Poage lived two and quarter miles from the Moore family in Abbs Valley. The Moore's had an English servant named John Simpson who was also killed in the Indian attack. Martha Ivans, a sister of Thomas Ivans, is noted as a member of the family. She was living with the Moore family in Abb's Valley. She was also captured on 14 July 1786. The Indians sold Mary Moore and Martha Ivans in the fall of 1788. A man named Stogwell purchased Mary. He lived at Frenchtown, near the western end of Lake Erie. Martha Ivans was purchased and freed by a man near Detriot. She found work with a wealthy English family named Donaldson. James Moore was purchased and freed by a French trader from Detroit named Baptiste Ariome. In 1789, all were retrieved by Mr. Thomas Ivans. William McPheeters was an uncle of James and Mary Moore the surviving children of James and Martha Poage Moore. Shortly after her return, Mary Moore went to live with her uncle Joseph Walker in Rockbridge County. At the age of 12, she was baptized by Rev. Samuel Houston, pastor of High Bridge and Falling Spring. She later became the wife of Rev. Samuel Brown, pastor of New Providence. They were the parents of eleven children. Martha Ivans married a man by the name of Hummer, moved to Indiana, and reared a large family. Two of her sons became Presbyterian ministers. James Moore married and raised a large family in Tazewell. He died in 1848. ----- This book contains a personal narrative of James Moore's captivity and redemption. He gave the narrative to Rev. James Morrison, son-in-law of Samuel and Mary Moore Brown in 1839. >From the same source as above; Emma White: My John Walker, II, b. 1667 Scotland: C. 1680-1705 John Walker Rutherford m. Katherine Rutherford and they migrate from Wigton, (now Wigtown) Scotland to Ireland, probably settling around Newrey, but perhaps further north in Londoderry. Record here is very limited. In 1726 (perhaps as late as 1728) John II and family, plus nephews, nieces, inlaws and outlaws, migrate fro Ireland to America, leaving Strangford Bay in May and making landfall 2 August, in Maryland, (may have been Chester) on a ship commanded by Richard Walker. (Relationship unknown.) They settled in Chester County, MD. John II died in 1734, Katherine in 1738, both buried in the cemetary of the Nottingham Meeting House - they were Presbyterian not Quaker, the term meeting house was used by several nonconformist sects. The loction of the Nottingham MH is in some question. It was somewhere along the modern PA?MD border, but it is not clear that it was in PA or MD. Most say PA, since that's what the oral tradition has, but the area in question was part of the MD/PA border dispute settled by the Mason Dixon, and what was in PA became MD in 1755. Their children, inlaws, cousins, etc. moved to Rockbridge Co., VA (modern name) settling in Borden's Grant on what is now called Walker's Creek, probably at the confluence of Hays Creek. During the French and Indian War, John III, migated to NC, settling in the general area of MOON's Creek in modern Caswell Co., NC. There was a major outflux of settlers from Borden's grant and surrounding lands at this time, fleeing Indian attacks from the French and Indians. The area was pretty well decimated - estimates say 30% or more. Cont'd on John Walker, III b. 1704/05 notes: About 1770 some or all of the family again moved, this time making settlement in the vicinity of Castle's Woods - then the fartherst westward settlement in Virginia. John II by this time was getting on in years, and Ann was probably dead. He took up a bit of property on Sinking Creek south of Castle's Woods, and just west of Fall Creek (Where Patrick Porter, husband of daughter Susannah, established a mill). Supposedly he called his 'plantation' "Broad Meadows." The DOD of John III, is commonly given as 1778, but you should be aware that's the date his will entered the legal process. Most seem to accep 1778, but it may have been earlier. Cont'd on John Walker, IV, b. abt 1734 (not my direct line) notes: About 1770 some or all of the family again moved, this time making settlement in the vicinity of Castle's Woods - then the fartherst westward settlement in Virginia. John II by this time was getting on in years, and Ann was probably dead. He took up a bit of property on Sinking Creek south of Castle's Woods, and just west of Fall Creek (Where Patrick Porter, husband of daughter Susannah, established a mill). Supposedly he called his 'plantation' "Broad Meadows." The DOD of John III, is commonly given as 1778, but you should be aware that's the date his will entered the legal process. Most seem to accep 1778, but it may have been earlier. Hope these notes will be useful to someone. Nancy S

I don't know where I got this. Some day I will learn to write down the book title when I copy a page. - sysop NAMES MENIIONED IN MINUTES OF THE FINCASTLE COUNTY COMMITTEE OF SAFTY, 1775-76 Anderson, John, Ensign Alley, Thomas Britton, Nathaniel Bryon, James Burks, Captain Buchanan, William Buchanan, Capt. Robert Buchanan, John Buchanan, Robert Byrns, James Berry, John Baker, Josias Bledsoe, Maj. Anthony Bledsoe, Isaac Boyd, Andrew Blackmore, John Blevins, William Blevins, James Blevins, John Campbell, Capt. John Campbell, Arthur. Lt. Col. Campbell, Samuel Cox, David, Lt. Cloyd, Joseph, Capt. Cox, John W. Cock, Capt. Wm. Craig, James Campbell, Charles Crackett, Joseph Christie, Gilbert Crawford, John Crabtree, James Crockett, Andrew, Ens. Crockett, Hugh Crockett, Walter Davis, Robert Doak, William Davies, William Drake, Ephram Drake, Joseph Draper, Capt. Joshua S. Derrieux, Charles Dunken, Capt. John Draper, John Ewing, Samuel Ewing, George Ewing, Alex Edmondston, William Edwards, Frederick Francis, Henry Frazier, John, Ensign Foster, Thomas Francisco, Jacob Gleeve, Wm. Gray, Joseph Hubert, Capt. Hart, Thomas Hatfield, Andrew Hays, Samuel, Lt. Hill, John Ingles Wm., Col. Ingles, Thos. Jenkins, John Kincaid, Lt. John Kerr, James Katherine, Jacob Kavanaugh, Philemon Knox, James Lewis, Capt, Aaron Lorton, Israel Looney, David Lucas, John Lowery, John, Ensign Lybrook, Paulser Morris, Shadrick Montgomery, John Montgomery, James Madison, Thos., Capt. Montgomery, Alexander Maxwell, Lt. James Maxwell, George Martin, George Martin, John Martin, Joseph McMullin, William McCorkle, James, Capt. McCorkle, John McCellan, Abraham McCorkling, Richard McCarthy, John McGavock,James Osburn, Enoch Porter, William, Ensign Pate, Joseph Preston, William Pate, Jeremiah Pierce, Capt. Jerimiah Patton, Henry Robertson, Col. James Reed, Nathan Shelby, Capt. John Shelby, Capt. Evan Stephens, Capt. Simpson, John Spratt, John Skeggs, Capt. James Stephens, John Sawyers, Wm. Snoddy, Lt. John Smith, Daniel Sayers, William Sayers, Robert Thompson, Henry Thompson, Samuel Taylor, Capt. Trigg, Abraham Trigg, Stephen Taylor, William Trimble, Robert Topp, Roger, Ensign Thompson, Andrew Thompson, Capt. James Williams, Lt. John Ward, James Wiley, Peter Woods, Archibald Ward, Will

Members: The following addresses match: SW_VA-L: ehoward@conknet.com Out of 350 mail mode subscribers, 104 digest subscribers (454 total). We now have over 450 members. That's great!! We average about 20 members coming or going in one week. But . . . with that many members we should have more data posted. There is little point of us sitting and waiting for OUR data to come to us. We MUST be researching! Please get a book, order a film from the LDS FHC library, learn to exchange GEDCOM files via Email, etc. -sysop

---------- > From: Sarah Ann Roepke <sar@bright.net> > To: APPALACHIAN FAMILY MAIL LIST <appalachianfamily@onelist.com> > Subject: [appalachianfamily] VADIN COLLINS, MATILDA GIBSON, ALEXANDER GIPSON > Date: Wednesday, January 20, 1999 8:57 PM > > From: "Sarah Ann Roepke" <sar@bright.net> > > Hi folks, > > 1.Vadin Collins m Matilda Gibson b abt 1830 in VA. > Found in Hawkins Co TN 1860 census with 2 children; > listed above information on Vardy Collins. Lived in > Rockcastle Co. KY. Need parents for Vadin Collins > and Matilda Gibson (is she connected to Shepherd > Gibson?) > > 2. Parents for Alexander Gipson m Mary Elizabeth Pence > b. 1852 OH dau of Peter & Elizabeth Cook Pence. Alexander > & Mary Elizabeth Gipson had 5 children, born in Greenup and > Elliott Co. yrs. 1875-1887; Belle,James, Joseph, Alonzo & Myrtle. > Other family names Fultz, Sexton , Ferguson, Duncan, > > 3. Need information on Catherine Owens dau of Reuben & Margaret Widener > Owens (parents married in Carter TN Jan. 1811,had 10 children; both died in > > Washington Co.VA) CATHERINE OWENS was born Sept. 10, 1820 in VA. > > 4. Need information on Rees Owens, VA TN? Perry Co. KY. Who were his > Children, etc. > > I know this is a lot of questions; but I surely appreciate any and all > help. > Thank you, Sarah > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > To unsubscribe from this mailing list, or to change your subscription > to digest, go to the ONElist web site, at http://www.onelist.com and > select the User Center link from the menu bar on the left.

I am seeking a little help on the Petts family that lived in Burke's Garden in Tazewell county prior to the civil war. My great, great grandmother Delilah Fannin married a Petts. I do not know his name. Their children were John, Hosea, Harvey, Margaret, Kate and Molly. I think her husband was either Aaron, Isaac or Adam Petts?? Supposedly, he or his father was a revolutionary war soldier but I have been unable to find any supporting or identifying information in Wythe or Tazewell Co. records. Thanks.

Ok, Eddie, You just sent some info of great impt. to me in my family research!! My gr.gr.gr.gr.grandfather, John Miller, started the 1st Mill...BUT!! we had always been told it was in the Shenandoah Valley area & prob. Augusta Co. Never did I think it was in Fincastle!! Also, the Peter Kinder should be KINZER.... because that is reference to him. Have you ever seen anything else who these families?? This looks as if it might be a break through on some of the brick walls. I couldn't be lucky enough for any hint to John Miller's wife, Barbary Mauzy (++all spellings!), to have been mentioned?? I have spent over 35 years searching for her parents!! Thanks again!! One never knows where their next clue or break through is going to come from. I thought mine would come via Augusta on this and look at it!! Diana Kinzer Heath ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ USGenWeb County Coordinator for: Roanoke Co., Roanoke City & Salem City, VA at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~varoanok/index.html Wood Co., WV at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvwood/indexa.htm Mason Co., WV at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvmason/ Rootsweb Mail List Owner/Admin for: VAROANOK-L@Rootsweb.com WVWOOD-L@Rootsweb.com KINZER-L@Rootsweb.com GRALEY-L@Rootsweb.com MILLER-L@Rootsweb.com SCHMIDT-L@Rootsweb.com BERNHARD-L@Rootsweb.com KARP-L@Rootsweb.com GenConnect Surname Boards Admin. for: KINZER, CORNS & MILLER. MY HOME PAGE: http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/h/e/a/Diana-K-Heath/ ***Proud Rootsweb Sponsor*** -----Original Message----- From: Edgar A. Howard <ehoward@conknet.com> To: SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com <SW_VA-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, January 20, 1999 4:04 PM Subject: German settlers of SW VA Excerpts from: THE VIRGINIA GERMANS pg. 28 The logical chain of planning, however, was broken by unforeseen events As inaccessible as the Valley looked from the east, it was an inviting path for those moving from north to south. The wilderness offered few other highways so well laid out by nature. Where Indians had traced out the natural course, with easily fordable streams to cross and few hills to surmount, traders and travelers hardy enough to brave the solitude found ready passage. From the Potomac an southward, the Valley continues as a natural road into the Carolinas, and on through Cumberland Gap into Kentucky Early contacts with Indians along the Pennsylvania frontier explain the knowledge inhabitants of Penn's colony had gained about this north-south route. Hunters and traders on this trail could not help being impressed by the lands they saw. The immediate interest of numerous Germans in the reports from the Virginia hinterland was not quite adventitious In a sense, the tide of German migration was just then heading in the direction from where the tidings of fertile land came From 1683 onward, Germans had been emigrating to Pennsylvania At first they occupied land around Philadelphia, but within a few years after the turn of the century their numbers increased so much by new immigration and by the exodus of many others from the New York frontier that they soon swarmed all over the fertile limestone soil of eastern Pennsylvania. As thousands more were arriving every year from Germany and Switzerland, settlement proceeded in a southwesterly direction until by 1720 it reached the Susquehanna, where it came to a temporary halt. Only a few years later, Germans began to cross the broad river, and as land prices in Pennsylvania showed a rapid upward trend, they followed the Monocacy trail through Maryland to the Potomac. THE VIRGINIA GERMANS pg. 38 Nor did the German migration stop at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley. The Scotch-Irish were nor alone in pushing on southward and westward. Their predominance in the southern valleys did not deter many Germans from venturing into the "Irish Tract" and beyond. Early pioneers on the Virginia frontier showed much more readiness to intermingle than the solidification of ethnic areas in later years leads one to believe. During the first decades, settlement was in no way final for many people: names which appear in the thirties in the Shenandoah Valley are encountered in southwestern Virginia in subsequent years. There was a considerable strain between the attachment to the land they tilled and the lure of better land still farther away. Many Germans succumbed to the temptation to continue their wanderings. Willing to forgo the convenience of having neighbors of their own language and faith, individuals wandered forth into the far-off river valleys in search of unknown and isolated places which could be appropriated. Family groups scouted for rich bottom land that could provide ideal fields and pastures. In the Southwest land was still available for the asking while contentions over titles, such as existed over the Hite grant, made some of the Shenandoah lands unattractive to newcomers. Among the Scotch-Irish on the James and Roanoke rivers and their tributaries, German names began to appear. In 1740 John Peter Saling settled in the first fork of James River below Natural Bridge. Christopher Zimmerman obtained a 400-acre grant in the James River country in June 1743. John Miller (Johannes Müller) built the first mill at present-day Fincastle. It was operating when Colonel John Buchanan visited Miller in October 1745. Peter Kinder (Günther) came to the Roanoke soon after 1740 and made his home on what became known as Peter's Creek. Tobias and Erich Bright (Brecht) settled between Pearls and Brush Mountains on the North Fork of the Roanoke About 1746 Stephen Holston (Holstein) built his cabin at the head springs of the river which bears his name to this day. Between the years 1743 and 1745 several German family groups moved southward through the Shenandoah Valley and the James River country. They bypassed the settled areas, crossed the dividing ridge to the valleys of the western waters, and settled on apparently unclaimed land. *pg. 39 When James Patton and others, to whom 100,000 acres had been granted on the three branches of the Mississippi River, sent a surveyor into the New River country, he found several groups of people already seated there, among them two distinct German neighborhoods. Adam Harman (Henrich Adam Hermann), a Shenandoah settler of 1736, had led the first group, many of them his relatives, to the New River about 1743. They occupied the horseshoe bottoms along the western bank. More Germans from the Shenandoah and from Pennsylvania joined the Harman group until the most fertile sections along the dyer were taken up and the settlement spread north over the plateau beyond Price's Fork and west into present Giles County. In the autumn of 1745 Israel and Samuel Eckerlin and Alexander Mack, Jr, disgruntled leaders of the Sabbatarian cloisters at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, arrived on New River and established Mahanaim, a religious colony which attracted many other Ephrata Brethren and kindred spirits. First conceived as a secluded refuge for celibate Sabbatarians, the assembly of log cabins on Dunkard's Bottom, a few miles south of present-day Radford, was soon surrounded by the farms of Dunker families, the "householders" of the Sabbatarian order. Some of these Dunkers also lived an Sinking Creek. Their presence naturally aroused much curiosity on the frontier. By October 1745 the Woods River Company sent John Buchanan out to arrange far the terms of their land. At William Mack's cabin he encountered the first long beard... Thomas Walker visited Mahanaim in April 1750 and left a vivid description of this "odd set of people who mate it a matter of Religion not to Shave their Beards, b an Bees, or eat Flesh, though at present, in the Last, they transgress, being constrained to it as they say, by the want of sufficiency of Gram and Roots, they having not long been seated here I doubt the plenty and deliciousness of the Venison and Turkeys has contributed not a little to this. The unmarried have no private property, but live on a common Stock. They don't baptize either Young or Old, they Keep their Sabbath on Saturdays, and hold that all their men shall be happy hereafter but first must pass through punishment according to their Sins. They are very hospitable." The Swedish clergyman Israel Acrelius noted in one of his reports that the New River Sabbatarians did not build community houses as in Ephrata but "dwell in separate houses, but in one neighborhood, and so by themselves that they neither help nor desire help from other people. pg. 41 While he carried on an extensive trade with the Cherokees, he also contracted the hatred of other Indians in the area. Samuel Stalnaker left the New River community and moved his family westward in order to be closer to his trading partners. In April 1748 Dr. Thomas Walker, then on one of his surveying tours, met Stalnaker between Reedy Creek and Holston River. The German was on his way to the Cherokees. During this encounter, Stalnaker is credited with having indicated to Walker where the Cumberland Gap is located, a road which was then still unknown to Virginians. The two met again in 1750 when Samuel and Adam Stalnaker had moved to the north side of the Holston. Walker came upon their camp in March and he and his party helped Stalnaker raise his house. On Fly and Jefferson's map of 1751, the German's place is shown as the extreme western habitation in Virginia. Stalnaker's renown as a frontiersman spread throughout the colony. Governor Dinwiddie soon would have reasons to avail himself of the services of this man "well acquainted with the woods, and a good Pilot or Guide upon occasion. For a number of years, the Harman clan on New River carried on daring hunting expeditions into the mountains to supply their extensive trade in furs and skins. At least seven brothers of this family came to Virginia in the 1730'9 and early 1740's Their favorite hunting region lay along Bluestone River deep in the mountains where they obtained a grant for 15,000 acres of land in 1750. pg. 69 Wherever Germans formed the majority of inhabitants, the landscape soon bore the stamp of their agricultural skill. A pamphlet on Virginia, published in Germany in 1772, said of the Valley: "There are now seated a great number of Germans who grow considerable quantities of good wheat, rye, barley, oats, hemp and flax, and they keep much livestock so that this Province is now acquiring a very beautiful aspect." pg. 102 THE VIRGINIA GERMANS was unrest among the Germans, Hodson sensed: "They are evidently beginning to feel the inconveniences which drove their fathers further west, and will, probably, gradually imitate their example, in spite of their old steady German habits." Some years later, in 1837. the young Lutheran minister Henry Wetzel wrote from Rural Retreat: "Our friends are nearly all selling off, and some have sold, among them same old people, and intend to remove to the west." Notwithstanding a considerable exodus, which was quickened by serious internal dissensions in the German churches, a substantial number of the descendants remained in Wythe or spread into adjacent counties In 1852, a newly arrived German immigrant, Louis Heuser, marveled at the farms near Wytheville "inhabited by German- speaking Pennsylvanians. They were all born in America and speak but a poor German."' The original Wythe settlement overflowed early beyond the present county lines to the south, west, and north. On Elk Creek in Grayson County, German farmers organized a union church which, however, faded out of existence in the first half of the nineteenth century." Many of the first settlers of Bland County were Germans coming either across Walker's Mountain from Wythe or up Walker's Creek from the New River neighborhoods. Sharon Lutheran Church near Ceres was the center of a farm community that developed along the headwaters of the North Fork of the Holston. Other Germans located on Walker and Kimberling creeks. In Tazewell County, migration followed the head branches of the Clinch River. In 1771 three brothers of the Harman family from New River, Mathias, Henry, and Jacob, already made their homes near the sire of Jeffersonville. The first court in Tazewell was held in June 1800 in the large log house of Henry Harman, Jr. The ovally shaped basin of Burke's Garden was largely settled by German farmers Walled in by ridges rising to a thousand feet above the level bottom land, the Garden lent itself ideally to intensive farming and stock raising. There was a Lutheran church in Burke's Garden, and German itinerants served preaching points at Poor Valley southwest of the Garden and at Concord near Tazewell. The three forks of the Holston, the Clinch, and the Powell all received a fair number of Germans. On the South Fork of the Holston, their names appeared in the land records from 1781 on. Adam Lerberber, Balzer Rouse, and Jacob Hartenstine were among the first to settle. Typical German neighborhoods evolved only along the Middle Fork in Smyth County. The Largest one, extending from Atkins to the county line on both sides of the river, supported two churches, Schneble's near Groseclose and St. Mark's near Atkins, both maintained jointly by Lutherans and Reformed. The old Chilhowie country, where Samuel pg 103 Stalnaker lived in colonial days. attracted a German colony centering around Ebenezer Church. The first landholders on the Middle Fork, during 1774-86, were Hunchrist and Conrad Carlock, Peter Harman, George Spangler, and Henry Kounts. Along the Holston's North Fork and in Rich Valley, Germans were well represented. The earliest land surveys date from 1774 for Frederick Gobble, Michael Hoffaker, and Gasper Mansaker. Other pioneers in Smyth and Washington counties were Caspar Fleenor, Peter and Jacob Spangler, Adam Deck, John Schafer, Peter Münch, Frederick Koppenhafer, Peter Fuchs, John Hagey, Peter Groseclose, Jacob Bluebaugh, Christian Lutspike, and Anthony Horn. During the summer of 1805 Pastor Butler visited "divers streams of the Holstein River whereon many Germans are found living in various directions." In Smyth County, he preached to Germans gathered in the home of Philip Greever, and at Seven Mile Fort to "a cold and ignorant neighborhood" made up of sixteen German families. At Abington, Butler noted "only few Germans who have partly turned Presbyterians for want of a German preacher." Many of the Wythe and Holston families spread into Scott, Lee, Wise, Dickinson, Buchanan, and Russell counties. Susong, Blabough, Engle, Fleenor, Hinkle, Kaiser, Kinder, Snider, Spangler, Hunsaker, Kinser, Rosenbaum, Brunk, Grabill, Hartsock, Rivercomb, Henderlite, Wassum, Copenhaver, Greever, and Carlock are names which all have a familiar ring in these westernmost counties of Virginia. When individuals and families moved on into the narrow valleys, they became dispersed and neither German churches nor schools emerged. Assimilation was an absolute necessity for them long before the communities in Wythe and Smyth gave up their cherished language and traditions The maps still witness the widespread infiltration of Germans. Olinger and Stickleyville, both in Lee County, Wampler, Honaker, and Repass in Russell County, Fleenor, Hanckel, Litz, and Neff in Washington, and Shraders, Snapp, Harman, and Groseclose in Tazewell are hamlets and neighborhoods whose names are traces of the extreme outposts of German settlement, Hess Hollow (Russell), Heniger Gap (Tazewell), Foglesong Valley (Bland), Shafer Creek (Lee), Bumgardner Branch (Washington), and Steffler Run (Smyth) are but a few examples of geographic reminders of the German share in the amalgam of the population of Appalachia. Virginia ports played only a very minor role in the mass immigration of the eighteenth century which provided the many German and Scotch-Irish settlers who peopled western lands. Most of the immigrants reached America through the port of Philadelphia. ==== SW_VA Mailing List ==== #6 HELP is available from the sysop/owner anytime at: ehoward@conknet.com or swvaroot@swva.net

Land Grants. I certify that the Bearer hereof William Davies is entitled to two hundred acres of land for his Service as a Sergeant in a Company of Rangers under my Command disbanded in May 1759 according to his Majesty's Proclamation of the 7th of Oct. 1763. Given under my Hand this first day of March 1774. Wm. Preston I Certifie that Mr. George Skillern Served near two year as a Serjeant in a Company of Rangers under my Command in the time of the last French War & that he is entitled to two hundred acresof Land for sd. Service agreeable to the Royal Proclamation of 1763. That the Said Skillern never made application to the Governor of Virginia for sd. Land, nor did he before this Obtain a Certificate from me. That the Commissioned non Commissioned officers of sd. Comp. who obtained Certificates and applied to Sd. Dunmore when Governor of Virginia obtained Warrants to Survey their Lands. Wm. Preston November 1st 1779 I Certifie that Archibald Buchanan Served as a Corporal in a Company if Rangers under my Command in 1755 & part of 1756 raised by act of Assembly, and that he is entitled to two hundred acres of Land for sd. Service agreeable to the Royal Proclamation of the 7th of October 176~. Given under my hand this 9th day of Sep. 1779. Wm. Preston I Certifie that Doctr. Thomas S. Cloyd Served as a Serjeant in a Company of Rangers under my Command, upwards of two years, in the late French War. That he is entitled to two hundred Acres of Land for Said Service agreeable to the Royal Proclamation on Octr. 1763 end that he never before obtained a Certificate for Said Service nor made Application of his Land. Mr. Preston Novr. 3d 1799 March the 8th 1777 To Capt. McCorkle Sr. Pleas to pay the Bearer here of Thomas Neale what is becoming to mee for my Services in your Company and in So Dowing 'o will obledg your Homble Servant. Edward Neale

Excerpts from: THE VIRGINIA GERMANS pg. 28 The logical chain of planning, however, was broken by unforeseen events As inaccessible as the Valley looked from the east, it was an inviting path for those moving from north to south. The wilderness offered few other highways so well laid out by nature. Where Indians had traced out the natural course, with easily fordable streams to cross and few hills to surmount, traders and travelers hardy enough to brave the solitude found ready passage. From the Potomac an southward, the Valley continues as a natural road into the Carolinas, and on through Cumberland Gap into Kentucky Early contacts with Indians along the Pennsylvania frontier explain the knowledge inhabitants of Penn's colony had gained about this north-south route. Hunters and traders on this trail could not help being impressed by the lands they saw. The immediate interest of numerous Germans in the reports from the Virginia hinterland was not quite adventitious In a sense, the tide of German migration was just then heading in the direction from where the tidings of fertile land came From 1683 onward, Germans had been emigrating to Pennsylvania At first they occupied land around Philadelphia, but within a few years after the turn of the century their numbers increased so much by new immigration and by the exodus of many others from the New York frontier that they soon swarmed all over the fertile limestone soil of eastern Pennsylvania. As thousands more were arriving every year from Germany and Switzerland, settlement proceeded in a southwesterly direction until by 1720 it reached the Susquehanna, where it came to a temporary halt. Only a few years later, Germans began to cross the broad river, and as land prices in Pennsylvania showed a rapid upward trend, they followed the Monocacy trail through Maryland to the Potomac. THE VIRGINIA GERMANS pg. 38 Nor did the German migration stop at the southern end of the Shenandoah Valley. The Scotch-Irish were nor alone in pushing on southward and westward. Their predominance in the southern valleys did not deter many Germans from venturing into the "Irish Tract" and beyond. Early pioneers on the Virginia frontier showed much more readiness to intermingle than the solidification of ethnic areas in later years leads one to believe. During the first decades, settlement was in no way final for many people: names which appear in the thirties in the Shenandoah Valley are encountered in southwestern Virginia in subsequent years. There was a considerable strain between the attachment to the land they tilled and the lure of better land still farther away. Many Germans succumbed to the temptation to continue their wanderings. Willing to forgo the convenience of having neighbors of their own language and faith, individuals wandered forth into the far-off river valleys in search of unknown and isolated places which could be appropriated. Family groups scouted for rich bottom land that could provide ideal fields and pastures. In the Southwest land was still available for the asking while contentions over titles, such as existed over the Hite grant, made some of the Shenandoah lands unattractive to newcomers. Among the Scotch-Irish on the James and Roanoke rivers and their tributaries, German names began to appear. In 1740 John Peter Saling settled in the first fork of James River below Natural Bridge. Christopher Zimmerman obtained a 400-acre grant in the James River country in June 1743. John Miller (Johannes Müller) built the first mill at present-day Fincastle. It was operating when Colonel John Buchanan visited Miller in October 1745. Peter Kinder (Günther) came to the Roanoke soon after 1740 and made his home on what became known as Peter's Creek. Tobias and Erich Bright (Brecht) settled between Pearls and Brush Mountains on the North Fork of the Roanoke About 1746 Stephen Holston (Holstein) built his cabin at the head springs of the river which bears his name to this day. Between the years 1743 and 1745 several German family groups moved southward through the Shenandoah Valley and the James River country. They bypassed the settled areas, crossed the dividing ridge to the valleys of the western waters, and settled on apparently unclaimed land. *pg. 39 When James Patton and others, to whom 100,000 acres had been granted on the three branches of the Mississippi River, sent a surveyor into the New River country, he found several groups of people already seated there, among them two distinct German neighborhoods. Adam Harman (Henrich Adam Hermann), a Shenandoah settler of 1736, had led the first group, many of them his relatives, to the New River about 1743. They occupied the horseshoe bottoms along the western bank. More Germans from the Shenandoah and from Pennsylvania joined the Harman group until the most fertile sections along the dyer were taken up and the settlement spread north over the plateau beyond Price's Fork and west into present Giles County. In the autumn of 1745 Israel and Samuel Eckerlin and Alexander Mack, Jr, disgruntled leaders of the Sabbatarian cloisters at Ephrata, Pennsylvania, arrived on New River and established Mahanaim, a religious colony which attracted many other Ephrata Brethren and kindred spirits. First conceived as a secluded refuge for celibate Sabbatarians, the assembly of log cabins on Dunkard's Bottom, a few miles south of present-day Radford, was soon surrounded by the farms of Dunker families, the "householders" of the Sabbatarian order. Some of these Dunkers also lived an Sinking Creek. Their presence naturally aroused much curiosity on the frontier. By October 1745 the Woods River Company sent John Buchanan out to arrange far the terms of their land. At William Mack's cabin he encountered the first long beard... Thomas Walker visited Mahanaim in April 1750 and left a vivid description of this "odd set of people who mate it a matter of Religion not to Shave their Beards, b an Bees, or eat Flesh, though at present, in the Last, they transgress, being constrained to it as they say, by the want of sufficiency of Gram and Roots, they having not long been seated here I doubt the plenty and deliciousness of the Venison and Turkeys has contributed not a little to this. The unmarried have no private property, but live on a common Stock. They don't baptize either Young or Old, they Keep their Sabbath on Saturdays, and hold that all their men shall be happy hereafter but first must pass through punishment according to their Sins. They are very hospitable." The Swedish clergyman Israel Acrelius noted in one of his reports that the New River Sabbatarians did not build community houses as in Ephrata but "dwell in separate houses, but in one neighborhood, and so by themselves that they neither help nor desire help from other people. pg. 41 While he carried on an extensive trade with the Cherokees, he also contracted the hatred of other Indians in the area. Samuel Stalnaker left the New River community and moved his family westward in order to be closer to his trading partners. In April 1748 Dr. Thomas Walker, then on one of his surveying tours, met Stalnaker between Reedy Creek and Holston River. The German was on his way to the Cherokees. During this encounter, Stalnaker is credited with having indicated to Walker where the Cumberland Gap is located, a road which was then still unknown to Virginians. The two met again in 1750 when Samuel and Adam Stalnaker had moved to the north side of the Holston. Walker came upon their camp in March and he and his party helped Stalnaker raise his house. On Fly and Jefferson's map of 1751, the German's place is shown as the extreme western habitation in Virginia. Stalnaker's renown as a frontiersman spread throughout the colony. Governor Dinwiddie soon would have reasons to avail himself of the services of this man "well acquainted with the woods, and a good Pilot or Guide upon occasion. For a number of years, the Harman clan on New River carried on daring hunting expeditions into the mountains to supply their extensive trade in furs and skins. At least seven brothers of this family came to Virginia in the 1730'9 and early 1740's Their favorite hunting region lay along Bluestone River deep in the mountains where they obtained a grant for 15,000 acres of land in 1750. pg. 69 Wherever Germans formed the majority of inhabitants, the landscape soon bore the stamp of their agricultural skill. A pamphlet on Virginia, published in Germany in 1772, said of the Valley: "There are now seated a great number of Germans who grow considerable quantities of good wheat, rye, barley, oats, hemp and flax, and they keep much livestock so that this Province is now acquiring a very beautiful aspect." pg. 102 THE VIRGINIA GERMANS was unrest among the Germans, Hodson sensed: "They are evidently beginning to feel the inconveniences which drove their fathers further west, and will, probably, gradually imitate their example, in spite of their old steady German habits." Some years later, in 1837. the young Lutheran minister Henry Wetzel wrote from Rural Retreat: "Our friends are nearly all selling off, and some have sold, among them same old people, and intend to remove to the west." Notwithstanding a considerable exodus, which was quickened by serious internal dissensions in the German churches, a substantial number of the descendants remained in Wythe or spread into adjacent counties In 1852, a newly arrived German immigrant, Louis Heuser, marveled at the farms near Wytheville "inhabited by German- speaking Pennsylvanians. They were all born in America and speak but a poor German."' The original Wythe settlement overflowed early beyond the present county lines to the south, west, and north. On Elk Creek in Grayson County, German farmers organized a union church which, however, faded out of existence in the first half of the nineteenth century." Many of the first settlers of Bland County were Germans coming either across Walker's Mountain from Wythe or up Walker's Creek from the New River neighborhoods. Sharon Lutheran Church near Ceres was the center of a farm community that developed along the headwaters of the North Fork of the Holston. Other Germans located on Walker and Kimberling creeks. In Tazewell County, migration followed the head branches of the Clinch River. In 1771 three brothers of the Harman family from New River, Mathias, Henry, and Jacob, already made their homes near the sire of Jeffersonville. The first court in Tazewell was held in June 1800 in the large log house of Henry Harman, Jr. The ovally shaped basin of Burke's Garden was largely settled by German farmers Walled in by ridges rising to a thousand feet above the level bottom land, the Garden lent itself ideally to intensive farming and stock raising. There was a Lutheran church in Burke's Garden, and German itinerants served preaching points at Poor Valley southwest of the Garden and at Concord near Tazewell. The three forks of the Holston, the Clinch, and the Powell all received a fair number of Germans. On the South Fork of the Holston, their names appeared in the land records from 1781 on. Adam Lerberber, Balzer Rouse, and Jacob Hartenstine were among the first to settle. Typical German neighborhoods evolved only along the Middle Fork in Smyth County. The Largest one, extending from Atkins to the county line on both sides of the river, supported two churches, Schneble's near Groseclose and St. Mark's near Atkins, both maintained jointly by Lutherans and Reformed. The old Chilhowie country, where Samuel pg 103 Stalnaker lived in colonial days. attracted a German colony centering around Ebenezer Church. The first landholders on the Middle Fork, during 1774-86, were Hunchrist and Conrad Carlock, Peter Harman, George Spangler, and Henry Kounts. Along the Holston's North Fork and in Rich Valley, Germans were well represented. The earliest land surveys date from 1774 for Frederick Gobble, Michael Hoffaker, and Gasper Mansaker. Other pioneers in Smyth and Washington counties were Caspar Fleenor, Peter and Jacob Spangler, Adam Deck, John Schafer, Peter Münch, Frederick Koppenhafer, Peter Fuchs, John Hagey, Peter Groseclose, Jacob Bluebaugh, Christian Lutspike, and Anthony Horn. During the summer of 1805 Pastor Butler visited "divers streams of the Holstein River whereon many Germans are found living in various directions." In Smyth County, he preached to Germans gathered in the home of Philip Greever, and at Seven Mile Fort to "a cold and ignorant neighborhood" made up of sixteen German families. At Abington, Butler noted "only few Germans who have partly turned Presbyterians for want of a German preacher." Many of the Wythe and Holston families spread into Scott, Lee, Wise, Dickinson, Buchanan, and Russell counties. Susong, Blabough, Engle, Fleenor, Hinkle, Kaiser, Kinder, Snider, Spangler, Hunsaker, Kinser, Rosenbaum, Brunk, Grabill, Hartsock, Rivercomb, Henderlite, Wassum, Copenhaver, Greever, and Carlock are names which all have a familiar ring in these westernmost counties of Virginia. When individuals and families moved on into the narrow valleys, they became dispersed and neither German churches nor schools emerged. Assimilation was an absolute necessity for them long before the communities in Wythe and Smyth gave up their cherished language and traditions The maps still witness the widespread infiltration of Germans. Olinger and Stickleyville, both in Lee County, Wampler, Honaker, and Repass in Russell County, Fleenor, Hanckel, Litz, and Neff in Washington, and Shraders, Snapp, Harman, and Groseclose in Tazewell are hamlets and neighborhoods whose names are traces of the extreme outposts of German settlement, Hess Hollow (Russell), Heniger Gap (Tazewell), Foglesong Valley (Bland), Shafer Creek (Lee), Bumgardner Branch (Washington), and Steffler Run (Smyth) are but a few examples of geographic reminders of the German share in the amalgam of the population of Appalachia. Virginia ports played only a very minor role in the mass immigration of the eighteenth century which provided the many German and Scotch-Irish settlers who peopled western lands. Most of the immigrants reached America through the port of Philadelphia.

STUMBLIN' AROUND (Daniel Boone and the Howards of NC) Dwaine H. Howard was recently working in the Huntsville, Alabama, library and care across a tart titled "THE LONG HUNTER" - A New Life of Daniel Boone. (Auth: Lawrence Elliott, Beaders Digest press). In Chapter 3, it says: "That winter (1762), the abandoned, weed-grown cabins along the Yadkin (River, Yadkin Co., NC) came alive again. The Boones came back, Daniel, and Rebecca, Sarah, Squire and all their kin. There were crackling fires on hearths that had long been cold, and children played in the dooryards and the ran want to work clearing away the wild growth in their deserted fields. But the Indian wars had lasted a long time and the frontier still flared with unrest, the fragile social order tearing apart. Now in every border settlement there were those without heart for the clogging, sweaty work of pioneering: and in the troubled tires, their instincts prevailed. Along the Yadkin, even after the war was over, there were some who continued their "vicious habits and became pests to society". Bands of desperadoes. hidden away in strongholds in the hills, raided farms and robbed storekeepers, Local government, chaotic and sometimes itself corrupt, seemed incapable of protecting the settlers from even the most outrageous crimes. Two men kidnapped the daughter of a farm family and the father was forced to appeal to his neighbors for help; Daniel Boone led the group that rescued her. Not long after a man named CORNELIUS HOWARD, a respected member of the community was found to be in league with a ring of freebooters that had been preying on the settlers for two years. A neighbor had chanced on a treasure of stolen tools and farm implements in his barn. Boone was badly shaken. Howard was married to Rebecca's sister, Mary: he himself had been hunting with the man. But when an angry crowd case for the purpose of hanging Howard from his own rafter, Boone persuaded them otherwise. They would rake the culprit lead then to the gang's hideout, he said: perhaps they could recover more of their lost property. Soon Boone was bound into the hills at the head of a party of seventy, Howard unhappily shoving the way. At the cleverly reeked hideout, more than twenty miles from the settlements, they surprised the thieves and quickly overpowered then. They found heaps of farm equipment, dry goods, log chains and household articles: in a nearby meadow were dozens of rustled horse and cattle. The ringleader's wife. a tornado of a woman named Owens, turned violent with rage when she realized that it was Howard who had given then away. She went for a concealed pistol and would have killed his on the spot if someone hadn't wrenched it away from her. She cursed and called Howard a Judas, vowing revenge. All the gang members were taken to prison in Salisbury and soon condemned to the gallows. But Howard, who had helped the settlers break the ring, and Mrs. Owens, who was after all, a woman, were eventually freed. And one day while "Judas" Howard. as he came to be known, was leading his horse across a stream, he was shot dead from the bordering woods. No one ever doubted who dispatched him."

(Record of Service Against the Indians) * From Montgomery Co. records John Wiley makes oath that the above Facts are true, ashe was also a Soldier with his Brother. Wm. Christian.I certify that Wiley is entitled to fifty acres of Land for serving on the Cherokee Expedition as a soldier. 1760. Under the King's Proclamation of l763. Wm. Christian. 1780. Feby. 21. Believed to be a Record of Service Against the Indians. Abram Trigg Andrew Crockett Jos. Eaten Henry Baron James Simpson Andrew Boyd Thomas Patton David Crouch Rich'd. Reigns Daniel Waggoner Henry Trollinger Edward Corder Crocon MossWm. Lawson FaulknerCary Alien Henry Bishop John Howerton Ton Arthur John Ross Thomas Hollins Alexander Evans John Runnion Anthony Duncan Abram Trigg James Cloyd Joseph Williamson Alexander Mars John Scott Isaac Dailey Mat. ClumWilliam Canterberry Williams Ekins Thomas Kirk Thomas Evens Jacob Blackburg Anthony Payte Robert Bell Barnett Farmer Richard Ratcliff Daniel Dobbins Edm. Collings John Collinsworth Abram Helton William Bradley Thom. Payte Wm. Hall John Dispair John Arthur Jacob Hollins Samuel Connoway James Fuget (Fugate??) William Lynsey William Jones Peter Brown Henry Trollinger Richard Reigns Jos. Mars Samuel Scott Albertus BriteJames Miller

Would any of you by any chance have any connections to the KIMBLE family (KIMBEL, KIMBALL) in Tazewell, Smythe, Washington counties? I have these particular people in my line, but I'd be interested to hear from anyone with this surname as I believe there will be a connection somewhere. Wiley KIMBLE b. abt 1760-1770 lived in Washington Co. William A. (or H.) KIMBLE b. 1802 Washington m. ELizabeth DeBORD 1832 in Smyth Co. Wiley N. KIMBLE b. abt. 1845 in Smyth Co. Va. Civil War vet d. bef 1917 m. Mary J. BARROW William Elbert KIMBLE b. 1874 in Monroe Co. Missouri d. 1962 in Tazewell m. Lula May LEWIS Oscar George KIMBEL b. 1904 in Tazewell m. Ella B. VANCE I'm beginning to suspect that Wiley the elder's parents may have been from Pennsylvania because of all the KIMBLEs to be found there in the late 18th century and the all but disappearance of the name from Virginia records in the same time period. Thanks, Alana Kimbel Considine P.S. There are a few additional details on these people on my website. *-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-* Marc & Alana Considine Bee's Wing Books <beeswing@inconnect.com> http://www.inconnect.com/~beeswing

The name BLEVINS sounds familiar to me...Do you have a Mandy and Jack Mullins from Coeburn (Wise Co)? Also, I have a lot of info on the Lawson family from Wise Co. Maybe there is a connection here somewhere? Gloria Dixon gldixon@rhtc.net

His son, Peter Livingston, had become the owner of his valuable lands and numerous Negro slaves. The Indians, in making their incursions into the country, never failed to steal and carry off a Negro slave when possible. There can be but little doubt that the presence of the Negroes on the Livingston farm attracted the attention of the Indians An account of the Indian raid on the Livingston estate is given by Mrs. Elizabeth Livingston, the wife of Peter Livingston. It was recorded in her presence almost in her own words. It follows: BRAVE MRS. LIVINGSTON "April 6, 1794--About 10 o'clock in the morning, as I was sitting in my house, the fierceness of the dogs barking alarmed me. I looked out and saw seven Indians approaching the house. "They were armed and painted in a frightful manner. No person was then within, but a child of 10 years, another of two, and my sucking infant. My husband and his brother Henry had, just before, walked out to a barn some distance in the field. "My sister-in-law, Susanna, was with the remaining children in an old out-house, Old Mrs. Livingston, the wife of Todd Livingston, was in the garden. "I immediately shut and fastened the door. The Indians came furiously up, and tried to burst it open, demanding of me several times to open the door, which I refused. They then fired two guns; one ball pierced through the door, but did me no damage. "I then thought of my husband's rifle, took it down, it being double-triggered I was at a loss. At length I fired through the door but, it being not well-aimed, I did no execution. "However, the Indians retired from that place and soon after that an old adjoining house was on fire. I and my children, suffering much from smoke, I opened the door and an Indian immediately advanced and took me prisoner, together with the two children. "I then discovered that they had my remaining children in their possession, my sister-in-law, Susanna, a wench with her young child, a Negro man of Edward Callihan's, and a Negro boy of our own, about eight years old. "They were fearful of going into the house I left, to plunder, supposing that it had been a man that shot at them and was yet within. "So, our whole clothing and household furniture were consumed in the flames which I was pleased to see, rather than that it should be of some use to the savages. "We were all hurried a short distance where the Indians were very busy, dividing and putting up in packs for each to carry his part of the booty taken. I observed them careless about the children and, most of the Indians being some distance off in front, I called with a low voice to my eldest daughter, gave her my youngest child and told them all to run toward neighbor John Russell's, (the house now occupied by Sally White on the Holston River opposite Foley's Gap, the line that divides Washington and Scott counties.) "They, with reluctance, left me, sometimes halting, sometimes looking back. I beckoned them to go, although I inwardly felt pangs not to be expressed on account of our doleful separation. "The two Indians in the rear either did not notice this scene, or they were willing the children might run back. That evening the Indians crossed Clinch Mountain and went as far as Copper Creek, distant about eight miles. "April 7, set out early in the morning, crossed Clinch River at McLean's fish dam about 12 o'clock, then steered northwardly toward the head of Stoney Creek. There, the Indians camped carelessly, had no back spy nor kept sentries out. this day's journey was about 20 miles. "April 8, continued in camp until the sun was more than an hour high; then set out slowly and traveled five or six miles and camped near the foot of Powell's Mountain. "This day Benge, the Indian chief, became more pleasant and spoke freely to the prisoners. He told them he was about to carry them to the Cherokee and Shawnee towns (which was then where Chillicothe, Ohio now stands); that in his route in the wildness was his brother with two other Indians hunting, so that he might have provisions when he returned; that at his camp were several white prisoners taken from Kentucky, with horses and saddles to carry them to the towns. "He made inquiry of several persons on Holston, particularly Old General Shelby, and said he would pay him a visit during the ensuing summer and take away all his Negroes. He frequently inquired who had Negroes and threatened he would have them all off the North Holston. He said all the Chickamooga towns were for war and would soon be very troublesome for the white folks. "This day, April 8, Benge sent two of the Indians ahead to hunt. "April 9, after traveling about five miles which was over Powell's Mountain and near the foot of Stone Mountain (near Dorchester, Wise County.) a party of 13 men under Lieutenant Vincent Hobbs of the militia of Lee County, met the enemy in front and attacked and killed Chief Benge the first fire, I being at that time some distance off in the rear. "The Indian who was my guard at first halted on hearing the firing. He then ordered me to run which I performed slowly. He attempted to strike me in the head with a tommahawk, which I defended as well as I could with my arms. By this time two of our people came in view which encouraged me to struggle all I could. "The Indian, making an effort at this instance, pushed me backwards and I fell over a log, at the same time aiming a violent blow at my head which in part its force on me and laid me for dead. "The first thing I afterwards remembered was my friends around me giving me all the assistance in their power for my relief. They told me I was senseless for about an hour. Certified this the 15th day of April, 1794. (Signed) A. CAMPBELL.

According to the above certificate, the first settlement it seems, was made within the present limits of Scott County by Thomas McCulloch at Fort Houston, on Big Moccasin Creek. Houston and his neighbors erected a fort upon his land. This fort afforded a place of safety for the earliest settlers in this portion of Big Moccasin Valley. Even settlers as far away as the Rye Cove, it is alleged, fled to Fort Houston in times of danger. (Judge Wood's Letter, Draper Manuscripts 4 C 27.) Fort Houston stood near the place where the brick residence on the Grigsby farm now stands. One of the earliest settlers in the neighborhood of Fort Houston was Jonathan Wood. One hundred and eighty-five acres of land, near the lands of William Houston were surveyed for him December 15, 1774. Jonathan Wood, with his wife and stepson, James Osborn(e), emigrated from eastern Virginia to his land on Big Moccasin, in the year 1773. (Note: Jonathan Wood was born near the Potomac River in eastern Virginia, [Loudoun Co., which was a heavy German area. This raises the possibility that WOOD is an Anglicized German name - sysop note ) in the year 1745, and died at his home on Big Moccasin Creek in 1804. He married the widow of Solomon Osborn, in 1767. His wife's maiden name was Davidson. She had one son named James, by her first husband. Her first husband was killed by the Indians. [This would have been in Loudoun Co. and I can't believe there were Indians there at that date ] Jonathan Wood had three sons and one daughter, named respectively John, Henry, Jonathan, and Polly. Henry Wood, the second son of Jonathan, Sr., was born the 18th day of May. 1773, near Fort Houston, on Big Moccasin. This record is taken from Henry Wood's Bible, and it fixes the fact of Jonathan Wood's residence on FORT HOUSTON ON BIG MOCCASIN CREEK pg. 111 Big Moccasin in February, 1773. Judge Wood, in his History o/ the Wood Family in Virginia, gives the date of Jonathan Wood's immigration to Big Moccasin Valley as 1770. He built his residence near Fort Houston, on the rite known to the present generation as the Skillern Wood farm.) Some years after the completion of Fort Houston, a band of Shawnee Indians made their appearance in the settlement. The settlers, on learning of the enemy's approach, lost no time in fleeing to the fort. The Indians then surrounded the fort, and, to all appearances, commenced a regular siege. This they continued for three days when suddenly they disappeared, going toward the northwest. While in the neighborhood, however, they inflicted much damage by stealing whatever they could lay hands on. While this three-day siege was in progress, one of the men in the fort, whose house was in sight of it, and only a short distance away, determined to go home for some purpose. Realizing the foolhardiness of the attempt, his friends tried to dissuade him from going, but were unable to do so. He had proceeded but a short distance from the fort gate when he was fired on by the Indians and mortally wounded. Seeing this, Jonathan Wood, in great danger to his own life, rushed out to the rescue of his wounded neighbor. Several shots were fired at him but fortunately none of them took effect. He succeeded in bringing the wounded man into the fort where he died that night. At another time the Indians made a raid into the settlement of Fort Houston. By this time, Jonathan Wood had built a very large smokehouse upon which he had placed a round roof. This roof, owing to its unusual shape, gave the building a peculiar and striking appearance which at once attracted the attention of the Indians. Observing it curiously from a distance they fired several shots into it, while one who could speak English remarked that "The big man lived in it. Fearing, it seems, that the smokehouse might conceal some danger of which they did not know, they did not approach very close to it, and soon departed without doing any do whatever. But the round roof smokehouse seemed to lost its novelty, and consequently ill power to afford the owner protection, for the next time the Indians came into the neighborhood, they burned Jonathan Wood's dwelling and all of its contents. Wood and his family, in the meantime, had taken refuge in Fort Houston. On still another occasion, the Indians came to the home of Jonathan Wood, and, on approaching the house, so frightened his horses and cattle that they left off grazing and ran to the house. Wood war absent from home at the time, and no one was at the house except his wife and a Negro slave who had only recently been imparted from Africa. The Negro, although acquainted with savage life in the jungles of Africa, seemed as much frightened as the horses and cattle, and sat upon the fence, making queer gestures and jabbering his unintelligible language. Either the uncanny actions of the slave or the mystery of the round roof smokehouse must have changed their purpose far they went away without attacking the house or doing other damage. This was the last visit of the Indians to the neighborhood of Fort Houston. Jonathan Wood was a soldier in the Revolution. He was present at, and participated in, the battle of King's Mountain. He always believed that he fired the fatal shot at Colonel Ferguson in that battle. It is said that standing by his horse, and resting his gun upon his saddle, he fired seven times, taking deliberate aim each time. He had a bearskin cover for his saddle and near the close of the battle one of the enemy's bullets, striking the bearskin close to his head, threw hair and dust into his eyes. Thus blinded, he stumbled and fell, whereupon, being observed by some of his comrades who preceded him on their return home, it was reported that he had been killed in battle. Henry, the second son of Jonathan Wood, married Sally Lawson August 14, 1194. More than two years after his marriage he lived with his father near Fort Houston. In 1797, he purchased a large tract of land in Big Moccasin Valley, about three miles east of Gate City, and now known as the Dr. Moore farm. Soon after moving to his new home, while driving his cows, Henry Wood saw an Indian skulking among the trees. On seeing Wood, however, the Indian sprang behind a large tree and disappeared This, according to Wood, was the last Indian ever seen in that immediate neighborhood. Wood furthermore states that it frosted throughout the summer of 1816, thereby making such an unfavorable season that the corn did not mature. The 1817 crops were produced by planting 1815 seed. Henry Wood was twice elected a member of the legislature of Russell County, of which the section where he lived was a part. As a member of the General Assembly, he was present at the burning of the Richmond Theater, in 1811, but escaped without injury. He was Commissioner Revenue of Russell County in 1811, and again in 1813; he was also a justice of the peace of Russell and Scott Co. after its formation. He was sheriff of Scott County a number of years. Jonathan Wood was the first surveyor of Scott County after its formation. The compass which he used in surveying is now in the possession of John J. Wood, one of his descendants. The land which he owned is in the possession of his direct descendants. THE OLD KILLGORE FORT HOUSE: DORTON'S FORT Dorton's Fort was located on the Combs farm, about one mile southeast of Nickelsville. It seems to have been built sometime about the year 1790, and therefore, was not so much exposed to the dangers of Indian attack as the forts erected at an earlier date. In fact, there is neither traditional account nor written record of any attack having been made upon it by the savages. Protected, as it was, by the forts in Castlewood, Porter's Fort, Blackmore's Fort, Rye Cove, Fort Patrick Henry, and Fort Houston, not to mention others to the east of it, Dorton's Fort enjoyed an immunity from Indian attack seldom experienced by the more exposed places on the frontier. Although Dorton's Fort was singularly free from Indian attack, it was not entirely free from Indian visitation. More than once the settlers in its vicinity were forced to seek safety within the walls of its rude stockade. It may be said, in this connection, that as the danger of Indian attack became less, stockaded forts were less frequently and strongly built. In 1790, strongly built houses were taking the places of forts in this section. One of these fortified houses, in an excellent state of preservation, still stands at the ford of Copper Creek, about two miles west of Nickelsville, VA.

According to the above certificate, the first settlement it seems, was made within the present limits of Scott County by Thomas McCulloch at Fort Houston, on Big Moccasin Creek. Houston and his neighbors erected a fort upon his land. This fort afforded a place of safety for the earliest settlers in this portion of Big Moccasin Valley. Even settlers as far away as the Rye Cove, it is alleged, fled to Fort Houston in times of danger. (Judge Wood's Letter, Draper Manuscripts 4 C 27.) Fort Houston stood near the place where the brick residence on the Grigsby farm now stands. One of the earliest settlers in the neighborhood of Fort Houston was Jonathan Wood. One hundred and eighty-five acres of land, near the lands of William Houston were surveyed for him December 15, 1774. Jonathan Wood, with his wife and stepson, James Osborn(e), emigrated from eastern Virginia to his land on Big Moccasin, in the year 1773. (Note: Jonathan Wood was born near the Potomac River in eastern Virginia, [Loudoun Co., which was a heavy German area. This raises the possibility that WOOD is an Anglicized German name - sysop note ) in the year 1745, and died at his home on Big Moccasin Creek in 1804. He married the widow of Solomon Osborn, in 1767. His wife's maiden name was Davidson. She had one son named James, by her first husband. Her first husband was killed by the Indians. [This would have been in Loudoun Co. and I can't believe there were Indians there at that date ] Jonathan Wood had three sons and one daughter, named respectively John, Henry, Jonathan, and Polly. Henry Wood, the second son of Jonathan, Sr., was born the 18th day of May. 1773, near Fort Houston, on Big Moccasin. This record is taken from Henry Wood's Bible, and it fixes the fact of Jonathan Wood's residence on FORT HOUSTON ON BIG MOCCASIN CREEK pg. 111 Big Moccasin in February, 1773. Judge Wood, in his History o/ the Wood Family in Virginia, gives the date of Jonathan Wood's immigration to Big Moccasin Valley as 1770. He built his residence near Fort Houston, on the rite known to the present generation as the Skillern Wood farm.) Some years after the completion of Fort Houston, a band of Shawnee Indians made their appearance in the settlement. The settlers, on learning of the enemy's approach, lost no time in fleeing to the fort. The Indians then surrounded the fort, and, to all appearances, commenced a regular siege. This they continued for three days when suddenly they disappeared, going toward the northwest. While in the neighborhood, however, they inflicted much damage by stealing whatever they could lay hands on. While this three-day siege was in progress, one of the men in the fort, whose house was in sight of it, and only a short distance away, determined to go home for some purpose. Realizing the foolhardiness of the attempt, his friends tried to dissuade him from going, but were unable to do so. He had proceeded but a short distance from the fort gate when he was fired on by the Indians and mortally wounded. Seeing this, Jonathan Wood, in great danger to his own life, rushed out to the rescue of his wounded neighbor. Several shots were fired at him but fortunately none of them took effect. He succeeded in bringing the wounded man into the fort where he died that night. At another time the Indians made a raid into the settlement of Fort Houston. By this time, Jonathan Wood had built a very large smokehouse upon which he had placed a round roof. This roof, owing to its unusual shape, gave the building a peculiar and striking appearance which at once attracted the attention of the Indians. Observing it curiously from a distance they fired several shots into it, while one who could speak English remarked that "The big man lived in it. Fearing, it seems, that the smokehouse might conceal some danger of which they did not know, they did not approach very close to it, and soon departed without doing any do whatever. But the round roof smokehouse seemed to lost its novelty, and consequently ill power to afford the owner protection, for the next time the Indians came into the neighborhood, they burned Jonathan Wood's dwelling and all of its contents. Wood and his family, in the meantime, had taken refuge in Fort Houston. On still another occasion, the Indians came to the home of Jonathan Wood, and, on approaching the house, so frightened his horses and cattle that they left off grazing and ran to the house. Wood war absent from home at the time, and no one was at the house except his wife and a Negro slave who had only recently been imparted from Africa. The Negro, although acquainted with savage life in the jungles of Africa, seemed as much frightened as the horses and cattle, and sat upon the fence, making queer gestures and jabbering his unintelligible language. Either the uncanny actions of the slave or the mystery of the round roof smokehouse must have changed their purpose far they went away without attacking the house or doing other damage. This was the last visit of the Indians to the neighborhood of Fort Houston. Jonathan Wood was a soldier in the Revolution. He was present at, and participated in, the battle of King's Mountain. He always believed that he fired the fatal shot at Colonel Ferguson in that battle. It is said that standing by his horse, and resting his gun upon his saddle, he fired seven times, taking deliberate aim each time. He had a bearskin cover for his saddle and near the close of the battle one of the enemy's bullets, striking the bearskin close to his head, threw hair and dust into his eyes. Thus blinded, he stumbled and fell, whereupon, being observed by some of his comrades who preceded him on their return home, it was reported that he had been killed in battle. Henry, the second son of Jonathan Wood, married Sally Lawson August 14, 1194. More than two years after his marriage he lived with his father near Fort Houston. In 1797, he purchased a large tract of land in Big Moccasin Valley, about three miles east of Gate City, and now known as the Dr. Moore farm. Soon after moving to his new home, while driving his cows, Henry Wood saw an Indian skulking among the trees. On seeing Wood, however, the Indian sprang behind a large tree and disappeared This, according to Wood, was the last Indian ever seen in that immediate neighborhood. Wood furthermore states that it frosted throughout the summer of 1816, thereby making such an unfavorable season that the corn did not mature. The 1817 crops were produced by planting 1815 seed. Henry Wood was twice elected a member of the legislature of Russell County, of which the section where he lived was a part. As a member of the General Assembly, he was present at the burning of the Richmond Theater, in 1811, but escaped without injury. He was Commissioner Revenue of Russell County in 1811, and again in 1813; he was also a justice of the peace of Russell and Scott Co. after its formation. He was sheriff of Scott County a number of years. Jonathan Wood was the first surveyor of Scott County after its formation. The compass which he used in surveying is now in the possession of John J. Wood, one of his descendants. The land which he owned is in the possession of his direct descendants. THE OLD KILLGORE FORT HOUSE: DORTON'S FORT Dorton's Fort was located on the Combs farm, about one mile southeast of Nickelsville. It seems to have been built sometime about the year 1790, and therefore, was not so much exposed to the dangers of Indian attack as the forts erected at an earlier date. In fact, there is neither traditional account nor written record of any attack having been made upon it by the savages. Protected, as it was, by the forts in Castlewood, Porter's Fort, Blackmore's Fort, Rye Cove, Fort Patrick Henry, and Fort Houston, not to mention others to the east of it, Dorton's Fort enjoyed an immunity from Indian attack seldom experienced by the more exposed places on the frontier. Although Dorton's Fort was singularly free from Indian attack, it was not entirely free from Indian visitation. More than once the settlers in its vicinity were forced to seek safety within the walls of its rude stockade. It may be said, in this connection, that as the danger of Indian attack became less, stockaded forts were less frequently and strongly built. In 1790, strongly built houses were taking the places of forts in this section. One of these fortified houses, in an excellent state of preservation, still stands at the ford of Copper Creek, about two miles west of Nickelsville, VA.

Reprint from an earlier Post Dr. James T. Martin was born near Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia, August 3. 1846, and died April 3, 1908, aged sixty-one years and eight months. He was educated principally in the Academy in Abingdon. When but a boy he was afflicted with white swelling which made him a cripple for life in his right leg, otherwise he was strong and healthy. In early manhood he taught school for a time in order to obtain money with which to attend some medical college. He was diligent in his business and saving of his means. His heart was set on the study and practice of medicine and to accomplish this purpose he bent every energy of body and of mind. He read medicine under Dr. Wm. Phillipps, of Wallace, Va. Then, with some aid from hisparents, whose moans were limited, and his own hard earnings, he attended the Kentucky School of Medicine, Louisville, Ky., in 1875-6. Returning home he began the practice of medicine in the vicinity of Mendota, Virginia. After some two years of successful practice he attended the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Baltimore, Md., graduating from said college in the Spring of 1879. Returning to Mendota he resumed the practice of medicine, in which he was eminently successful. On the seventeenth day of July, 1879, he was married to the Mattie Livingston, of Scott County, Virginia. Twelve children were born to this union--nine sons and three daughters, ten of whom are yet living, viz: Seven sons and three daughters, who, with the mother, mourn the irreparable loss of the father and the husband. The two older sons, W. M. and Claude G., both practicing physicians of Kentucky, were at the bedside of the father when he died. All the children were at home except one son, Edgar, who was in Colorado. The deceased, like all mortals, was not without his faults and his weaknesses, but he had his virtues and he had many strong points of character. He was impulsive and sometimes passionate. Very decided in his likes and dislikes. He was quick to express his opinion and very frank in doing so. If he believed a thing to be right he was for that thing with all his soul until convinced, if convinced at all, that he was in the wrong. He always made choice of sides concerning matters and did not fear to assert himself in the cause which he espoused. This sometimes made him enemies, but he was never without friends. He was cheerful in disposition and warm in his admiration of those wham he honored and esteemed. He rarely, if ever, forgot a favor or a kindness shown him He would go his length far his friends. Nothing that he could reasonably do for them but what he would willingly do. He met them with a hearty hand shake, a welcome greeting, and often with some mirth-provoking jogeanda heary, riuginglilugh. In this respect he was often like cheerful sunlight coming into the homes of his patients. He sought to cheer them in spirits by his word and manner, as veil as to administer medicine for their bodily ills. No weather was too hot or too cold, no night was too dark, while he was in health, for him to go when called professionally to the homes of his friends. For a period of thirty-one years he practiced his chosen profession in Mendota and vicinity, and when the end came he died at the home where he had gone to relieve the sick. Saturday, March 28, he was stricken with paralysis in the right side while at the home of Oscar Hunter eight miles east of Mendota. He was never able to be removed. April 4 his remains were brought home. He had been in declining. health for four years, but was unwilling to give up his practice. Truly he may be said to have fallen with the harness on, doing his duty as a physician faithfully to the last. During his life he held many positions of honor and trust. He was many years vice-president and treasurer of Hamilton Institute, and far a time president. He was a member of Mendota Lodge No. 174 A. F. g~ A. M., and served the lodge as an officer in various positions including that of worshipful master. He was a local surgeon of the V. & S. W. Road, and had held a pass as such for 3 nllmherOf yea" He was an honored member of the Southwest Virginia Medical Association and the East Tennessee Medical Association. By energy and perseverance, coupled with good financial ability, he rose from obscurity and · comparative poverty to honor in his profession, and to comparative wealth. He loved his family, and amply provided for his household. He sought the best for his children. By his council and his money he was ever ready to help them to obtain an education. He was ready to spend and be spent far wife and loved ones. During his aged father's life, the care which he manifested toward him was touching and beautiful. A number of years ago he made a profession of faith in Christ and later united with the Methodist church. To use his own words, he "many times went astray, " but during the last few years of his life he told his wife that he was not afraid to die, that he felt that he was saved. When she saw that he was stricken for death she ask him if he still felt that he was ready to die and he assured her as best he could that he did. At about five o'clock p. m., Friday, April4 he died without a struggle. The funeral sermon was preached by Rev. H. W. Bellamy to a large number of friends and relatives in the Methodist church in Mendota Sunday, April 5. Text: "Who hath abolished death and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (II Timothy 1:10) after which the remains were laid to rest in the village cemetery. Peace to his dust and sympathy to the bereaved family who, nevertheless, "Sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." - 1 Thess. 4:13 H. W, B.