This biographical sketch of John R. CUNNINGHAM came from a little booklet "Amherst County Families and History" compiled from Henry Hardesty's Historical and Geographical Encyclopaedia first published 1883. John R. Cunningham- is a native of Nelson county, Virginia, born July 31, 1823, and has been a resident of Amherst county since 1838. In this county he married Mary F. Davies, who was born here December 12, 1831. The children of their union are eight living, four deceased: Joseph F., born August 29, 1851, married Laura E. Rucker; George E., born February 23, 1853, married Nannie L. Richerson; Bettie J., born September 2, 1854, died September 4, 1861; John W., born April 3, 1856, died November 30, 1861; James R., born March 4, 1858; Mary E., February 11, 1860; Ollie V., December 30, 1861; Charles M., June 15, 1867, died February 1, 1868; William R., September 13, 1868; Frank D., January 13, 1870; Annie V., March 10, 1871, died June 15th following: Harry R., May 9, 1872- the living children all in Amherst county. Reese and Jane C. (Dillard) Cunningham were the parents of John R. His father died in Amherst county, and his mother in Nelson county. James Cunningham, of Nelson county, was the paternal grandfather of John R. His mother's father was James Dillard of Amherst county, who held a captain's commission in the Continental army, war of 1776, and married Mary Ann Starke. Nicholas Davies and John McDaniel, of Amherst county, were the grandfathers of Mrs. Cunningham. In July, 1861, John R. Cunningham enlisted in Company G., 51st Virginia Infantry, and he served till the close of the war. He was desperately wounded at Winchester, September 10, 1864, and taken prisoner to Point Lookout. His brothers, Marshall R. and Valentine H. served in the war. His father was a soldier of the 1812 war. Charles C. and Arthur B. Davies, brothers of Mrs. Cunningham, were soldiers of that war. John R. Cunningham is a farmer of Pedlar district; postoffice address, Allwood, Amherst county, Virginia.