Southern Connections



Alexander Beggs

of Rockbridge County, Virginia





Generation No. 1 


        Alexander Beggs was born ca. 1715, and died between 21 November 1785 when he wrote his will, and 07 March 1786, when his will was probated in Rockbridge County, Virginia.  He married (1) Anne, who died aft 1778.  Alexander later married (2) Sarah.   Surnames of his wives are unknown.

Aside from marriage bonds of his children, a limited number of legal documents and Alexander's will,  much of the information about the Beggs family is unverified --possibly unverifiable.   When evaluating the information below, remember the golden rule of  genealogy  . . .

              
                   Assume nothing, prove everything . . . then prove it again.


                                                       
Notes for Alexander Beggs

From Orville F. Morton's A History of Rockbridge County Virginia; pub. McClure Staunton, VA 1920-:

Section I - Given Names and Surnames, pg.342-:. . . (in) the colonial time spelling was by sound, and surnames not frequently apperared in a guise (multiple spellings). Notable instances . . . Baggs--Beggs, Beiggs.

Section II-I Early Patents Outside Borden Tract, pg. 351-: . . . on the waters of the upper James between the Blue Ridge and the North Mountain . . .(”From records in the Virginia Land Office”.) The acreage is followed by the date of the patent. . .Beiggs, Alexander: 150-- 1765 -- Mill Creek.

Section V- Tithables of 1778, pg.365-: Bagg, Alexander - 2

Section XIV - Miscellaneous Data, pg.472 (From listings of the name Baggs/Beggsfound in will-books, deed-books, marriage lists, and other... sources.)

1. Agnes -m. Joseph Hickman, 1786.
2. Alexander - d. 1786--m. Ann_______C(hildren): Jean, Margaret, Martha (m. Jonathan Poague, 1794), Frances, Thomas (m. Ann Whitley, 1786), James (m. Jennet Anderson, 1787), Mary(b. 1770, d. 1860, m. John Hamilton, 1794).
3. David -- m. Isabella Scott, 1790.
4. Elizabeth -- m. Frederick Painter, 1815.
5. Fanny -- m. Mordecai Cross, 1801.
6. Isabella -- m. Andrew Reid, 1798.
7. Jane -- m. John McClung, 1814.
8. Sarah --(m) Samuel Whitley, 1787.
9. Thomas -- m. Mary Santon 1801.
10._____ m. Andrew Bailey, 1809.

 
               
Dr. George Diehl's ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VA  NOTEBOOK     
Compiled by A. Maxim Coppage III from articles published in the News-Gazette, Lexington, VA.

The Covenanters, Chapter II
Alexander Beggs came from the north of Ireland and was granted extensive acreage on Buffalo Creek.... He was so highly pleased....word was sent back along the "Pennsylvania Road" to kinsmen who were waiting for the information.

Founders of Falling Spring, Chapter IV:
On Nov. 24, 1750, (a) young surveyor sold a tract of 250 acres on Buffalo Creek hrough which a spring branch tumbled on its way to the larger stream .... called Falling Spring. The purchaser of the tract was Alexander Beggs, or Boggs, or Baggs --the spelling of names in the early records of the frontier was always by sound...    In 1765, Beggs was able to patent 150 acres on Mill Creek, giving him a plantation of 400 acres.


      Lynn Chalkley's
CHRONICLES of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia
        EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA CO. 1745-1800

Vol I  ORDER BOOK No. XVII
Nov 23, 1753 (75) John Mathews to be overseer of road from North Fork of James River, near John Mathew's, to Renix's Road, with these workers . . . James Trimble. . .Alexr. Beggs. . . Saml. Paxton, Wm. Paxton . . . .

AUGUSTA PARISH VESTRY BOOK. ADMINISTRATORS' BONDS
V II- pgs 458 449.--1767-68:
Processioned by James Simpson and John Mitchell: For John Mitchel, John   Thompson, James Dreaddon, David Dreaddon, John Davis, Arthur McClure, John Walker, Benj. Wattson, James McGavock, Robert Whittla, Alexander Beggs....John Poage, Charles Allison, James Gilmore, Wm. Crawford, Robt. Miller, Jno. White, John Gillmore, John Paxton .... Wm. McBride, James Simpson.

Vol II Page 477, 449.-- 1767-68

Processioned For. . . Alexander Beggs. . .James Beggs... Thomas Beggs...
John Poage. . . James Gilmore . . . John Gillmore, John Paxton . . .


            
1783 Rockbridge Co. Personal Property Taxes/Categories
             name, free white males, slaves over 16, slaves age 12-16, horses and cows.
                    Alexr. Baggs           1-0-0-11-30
                    Alexander Beggs    1-0-0-  3-  4

      Note:   Are these both "Beggs?"   If so, is there an Alexander Jr.?

Robert Henry Beggs & Clara Beardsley Beggs, THE  BOOK O'BEGGS:-  privately printed 1928; courtesy of Rick Shaul. pg. 25 - 26

How many of the Beggs name joined the Scotch-Irish migration to America during the first half of the 18th century, it would be idle to inquire. That a considerable number landed on the shores of the Delaware before the Revolutionary war seems probable since half a score served in various Pennsylvania regiments during that conflict, and the  name was then, and still is, somewhat common in certain districts of the Keystone state.

Five are known to have gone southward into the valley of Virginia before 1750. The names of these five were Alexander, Henry, James of Lick River and James of Brock’s Gap, and Robert. Three of them served as constables. Henry was appointed May 18, 1748; James of Brock’s Gap on August 20, 1752; Alexander on May 29, 1755.  James’ of Brock’s Gap also served as road surveyor, having been appointed May 16, 1754.

The other James Beggs, the one whose Virginia home was on Lick Branch, was made guardian of Thomas Gilbert May 24, 1750, indicating that he had already established himself in a home at this date. He took up 100 acres of land joining the land he formerly lived on," Feb. 24, 1751. No other facts concerning his life have been ascertained. He died in 1752, leaving a daughter Ruth.

The name of Robert Beggs first appears in the Augusta County Records in 1748 when he served as a "processioner" for William Cowden of "Borden’s Grant," a tract of land now a part of Rockbridge County. In January of the following year, Robert Beggs bought a certain note of Rev. Charles Tenant, which note he sold August 28, 1749, to Thomas Armor. Under date of March 20, 1781, we find the following entry: "Robert Beggs produced a certificate signed by the Clerk and William Fleming, Esq., Commissioner of Kentucky, of having a primitive right, which, he sweares, he delivered to Colonel Daniel Boon, of which, he understands, he was robbed." In 1782 Robert Beggs had gone to Greenbrier County, Ky.

From the will of Alexander Beggs (who settled on Buffalo Creek about 1745), dated Nov. 19, 1785, and proved March 3rd  1786, we learn that he had ten children --two sons and eight daughters. Of the two sons, Thomas and James, the former appears to have been the older and was named the executor of the will. The daughters were Jean, Agnes, Elizabeth, Sarah, Mary, Margaret, Martha, and Frances. Thomas Beggs married Ann Whittlesey (sic) April 4 1786. Agnes married James Hickman May 3 1786. Sarah married Samuel Whittlesey August 2 1786. James married Janet Anderson Feb. 8th, 1787. Martha married Jonathan Poage Mar. 2 1794. Mary married John Hamilton Mar. 2 1794.  Frances married McBride-- no date. The estate of Sarah, widow of Alexander Beggs, was appraised  June 3, 1794.

(Ed. Note:  Francis Beggs did not marry a McBride. She was only 6-7 years old when her father's will was written. One author of Book O'Beggs admitted that:  "My information concerning Alexander Beggs was obtained during a scant three hours spent in the clerk’s office at Lexington, in April, 1912. As my time was short, I confined my search to the deed books, will books, and land books.")



Mike Gardebled's  ALEXANDER BEGGS OF ROCKBRIDGE COUNTY, VIRGINIA
                                                                                                                                                The First Generation (Excerpts):-

Augusta County was formed out of Orange in 1745. Botetourt was cut out of Augusta January 31, 1770, and from Augusta came Rockbridge and Rockingham on March 1, 1778.  In 1770 Botetourt County extended to the Mississippi River. All of Kentucky and Illinois, most of Indiana, not quite half of Ohio and half of West Virginia were all carved out of this county.  

Rockbridge County is named for Natural Bridge, located about six miles south of Alexander’s homestead.  Settlement began in 1737, nearly all the settlers came from Ulster in Ireland and Strathclyde in Scotland.   Others were English, Dutch, Swiss, German, and Welsh.   By 1790 the population was 6,548.

   
                                
   ALEXANDER'S CHILDREN
                                                                                                                
                                                       
                   Diehl's Covenanters       In order as named in will
                            wife Ann                          wife Sarah
                              Jean                      Oldest daughter, Jean
                          Margaret                     Three youngest, viz.
                            Martha                              Margaret
                           Francis                                 Martha
                            Thomas                         Francis
                             James                                Thomas
                                                                         Mary
                                                                         James
                                                                        Agness
                                                                        Elizabeth
                                                                          Sarah
                                                             Daughter Jean's child, Sarah

                                                    

THE CHILDREN:-

JEAN -- oldest daughter. She and her child, Sarah, were named in Alexander's will.

MARY --  born Jun. 3, 1770, died Dec. 29, 1860,  married JOHN HAMILTON   by Rev. Samuel Houston on March 20, 1794.  Death register has her as daughter of Alex. and Anne.  Information reported by son Alexander.

AGNESS -- married JACOB HICKMAN by Rev. Edward Crawford May 30, 1786.

SARAH -- married SAMUEL WHITLEY by Rev. James McConnell August 29, 1786

ELIZABETH --Named in her father's will. No additional information.

PEGGY -- married JACOB SUSONG  March 17, 1792

MARTHA --born before 1773, died May 19, 1840;   married
JONATHAN POAGE by Rev. Samuel Houston.  License, March 24; Bond, March 25; Marriage, March 27, 1794.
                                  
FRANCESS-- born Sep 20, 1779, married MORDIACI CROSS on September 7, 1801  Marriage consent was signed  on  Sept 7, 1801 by herbrother Thomas states that "Francess... d/o Alexander Beggs, decd.... is now in her 22nd year".

JAMES --married Jannet Anderson on May 6, 1787. (Note: James and his family moved to Ohio.)


THOMAS born about 1760, died late 1839--early 1840 married ANN WHITLEY by Rev. Edward Crawford on May 30, 1786.


THE TIMELINE UNCERTAINTIES:-
Part A: In Alexander Beggs’ Will, Francess is named as one of the three youngest daughters.
1) One Fanny Beggs signs on her behalf a license for marriage (Sept. 7, 1801) to Mordicai Cross (b. abt. 1775).
2) On the same day, Thomas Baggs swears an oath that Francess Beggs, daughter of Alexander Beggs Dec’d, is in her 22nd. year.
3) Francess’ birth is Sept. 20, 1779, roughly six years before Alexander Beggs dies.
4) Sarah and Alexander were married after 1779.
5) First wife Ann/Anne would have to be about 20-25 years younger than Alexander.


Part B: The Covenanters surmises Alexander Beggs and John Poage arrived in Augusta (RB Cty.) ca 1740 and that Alexander had a sister named Jane. A Jane Boggs (also as Beggs) was John Poage’s second wife. One of their nine children, Jonathan, married Alexander’s daughter Martha in 1794. This would make Jonathan and Martha first cousins. [Ed. Note: Not uncommon at the time.]
It is quite possible that Alexander was born in Pennsylvania where a number of Beggs and Poage’s settled in the early 1700s. Several Beggs also settled in the Brock’s Gap area in Rockingham Cty., north of Augusta. But, it was with John Poage that Alexander made his way to RB Cty.

1) Considering the 1779 birth of Francess and the early 1786 death of Alexander, Alexander may have been born about 1715-20.  Arriving in RB Cty. in 1740 would make him 20-25 years old.
If true, he was between 65-70 at her birth and 71-76 at his death. This age for fathering Francess is marginal.
2) Ann, on the other hand, would have to be 20-25 years younger than Alexander. It is possible, but unlikely, that Ann was over 45 years old when Francess was born.
3) Ann has to die within a few years after 1779 to give Alexander time to remarry.
4) Alexander bought 250 acres along Buffalo Creek in 1750.
5) If Alexander is born later than 1715-20, he arrives in RB Cty. younger, but still buys property 10 years later, so there is not much leeway. Yet, this would allow Ann to be closer in age to Alexander and be younger for Francess’ birth.

Part C: Peggy Beggs marries Jacob Susong March 17, 1792.
1) The license for marriage is given by Sarah Baggs. No bond was found
2) Alexander’s Sarah has an estate inventory June 3, 1791 implying that she died. No will was found. The inventory could be for other purposes. Since daughter Sarah married Samuel Whitley in 1786 it is unlikely she signed the license using her maiden name.
3) Peggy may be Margaret or Elizabeth.  (Other than the marriage between Peggy and Jacob, no  information was found regarding these two.
4) Curiously, neither Thomas nor James signed, yet this was customary.

Part D: No information regarding Jean was found.
   

MISCELLANEOUS
The Beggs’ homestead  at 2880 Forge Rd. was built between 1770-74 by Alexander and Thomas. This information comes from W&L Univ. Considering son Thomas’ age, this Thomas may have been a brother of Alexander. It is the home willed to son Thomas.  (See photo at top of page.)

The home willed to James is less than a mile north and set back far from Forge Rd. Improvements have made it such that it is unrecognizable from its early days. James sold it on Apr. 1, 1810. It was sold again on Oct. 30, 1826 to William Weaver. Weaver was a well-documented industrialist through the Civil War.   
James’ house was purportedly built in 1740 by Alexander and was the one he lived in until his death.

Falling Spring Presbyterian Church :  The log structure stood on an acre of ground
donated by Alexander Beggs. This is evidenced by the will of Beggs, probated March 7,1786, wherein he bequeaths the Plantation the Meeting House stands on now to his son James,  but he excepted the one acre on which the church was located for the use of the congregation.

Considering the dilemma of the timeline and Francess, it just may be such that Alexander was a junior and it  was Alexander Sr. and John Poage’s family arriving in RB Cty. in 1740.

John Poage’s first wife was a Boggess. John Jr. was born Jan. 27, 1738 and eventually moved his family to the west. At that time, it was probably still east of the Mississippi.

The land in the Falling Spring area is noted by Diehl as being part of Benjamin Borden Tract of  Nov. 6, 1739 (92,100 acres). Unless there were two Borden Tracts at that time, this is incorrect. The southern part of the  tract was at the branch of the North and South Rivers (between Buena Vista and Lexington) which puts Falling Spring almost 12 miles south.

The North Fork of the James became the North and is now the Maury River. A 1749 map has Fluvanna as the name of the James River.

Four Beggs are listed in the 1787 personal property tax records. Thomas and James Beggs were living on adjacent farms as left by Alexander Beggs, plus Sarah Baggs and a Stephen Baggs. No record of any kind has been found for Stephen. According to the tax records Sarah and Stephen were close neighbors. Stephen later moved to Botetourt Cty. and must have done something of note since he is named with other pioneers on a 1770-1820 map.


ENDGAME
The above information was collected over three years through numerous E-mails, probing the internet, trips to Rockbridge and Botetourt Counties, pouring over documents in the court houses in Lexington and Fincastle, Virginia, searching the Special Collections Department of Washington and Lee University, and spending countless hours searching the genealogy sections of the Lexington and Baton Rouge libraries.

During the course of the three years, I did and saw it all: Studied maps from the late 1600s through the Civil War, satellite topographic maps of the Falling Spring area, marriage records, license and bond records, death records, census records, books, cemetery records, articles, wills, baptismal and court records from Augusta County (1740-49), trespassed on private property, chatted with old-timers at the Buena Vista Motel at the foot of the Blue Ridge, visited the Rockbridge and Botetourt County Historical Societies,  and the Lexington Visitors’ Center; looked at every tombstone in every old Presbyterian cemetery in the area of Natural Bridge to Buena Vista and from the foot of the Blue Ridge to Lexington (stopped counting after 900), stole dirt from the area where in 1747 Alexander Beggs settled and founded what was later to become Falling Spring Presbyterian Church, interrupted a meeting of elderly ladies at Falling Spring to inquire about the cemetery (had lunch, took photos), met with ministers at High Bridge and Timber Ridge (Sam Houston’s church) Presbyterian Churches. And, making it all worthwhile was touching the 217 year old signature of Alexander Beggs on the parchment of his Will dated, November 21, 1785.


alex_signature




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Particular thanks to Mike Gardebled for the above report and the copy of Alexander's signature.... jmk.


Will  of Alexander Beggs


Beggs Generation 2