(5) Joseph6 (Peter5, Theodores4, John Peter3, Gideon2, Josias1) Malott was b. cl759/1760. His age is not actually known, however, in the 1810 Census of Madison Co., Ky he gives his age as over 45 and in the 1830 Census of Liberty Twp., Clay Co., MO he lists his age as between 70 and 80 thereby making his birth date sometime between 1750-1760. The reasoning is explained in Peter5. Much more research is needed in Kentucky between 1780-1789. Perhaps the Archives in Virginia may reveal something new. Lincoln Co., Ky records may reveal new information. Jefferson, Fayette and Lincoln Counties were formed 1 Nov 1780 while Kentucky was still a county of Virginia. Lincoln County was the parent county for Madison and Mercer Counties, both formed 1 Aug 1785. More research is needed in the National Archives of Washington DC for the possibility that Joseph may have been a paid frontiersman or part of an outfit of the service for the protection of the settlers.
It is known that Joseph was in Madison Co., Ky by 1789 because of his marriage to Katherine "Katy" South. A Samuel South posted bond for the marriage. The marriage took place on 22 April 1789 by Christopher Harris. There are four known children born of the marriage. Katherine must have died just a few years before 1805 as Joseph married Mary "Polly" White in March 1805 in Madison Co., KY. Polly was the daughter of Nathan White, b. 1752; d. 5 Aug 1834.
Mr. Merle M. Jackson of Brentwood, MO (Grandpa Chief as he is affectionately known) has researched this family. He shared with the compiler the following information and prepared a narrative which I wish to present here.
To date (1985), I have not found any letters, written by my Malott ancestors that tell of the route followed from Madison Co., Ky to MO.
Bryan and Rose tell us that - "Most of the pioneers of Missouri were from Kentucky and Virgina. --- "They were a hardy, honest, friendly class of people. Most of them came to the West because they wanted to be free, free from the restraints and shams of Society and the domineering influence of money and aristocracy."
I want to believe that my Malott ancestry came to Missouri to better themselves. After studying their background over a period of years, one concludes that the Malotts of Kentucky who migrated to Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri were energetic, hard working people. They were ready for a new life in a new part of our Nation.
We often wonder what mode of transportation did Joseph Malott and his sons, John South and William Buck, use to get to the western part of the State of Missouri.
Quoting again-- "In those days, there were no railroads or steam boats, nor even a stage coach to convey the passengers from place to place. These early settlers had to depend upon their own resources. Some built flatboats and keel boats, into which they loaded their goods and families, and floated down the Ohio River and its tributaries to the Mississippi and then up the Mississippi River to the Missouri River".
Working their way up the Missouri, they would pass by the town of St. Charles. Perhaps here they would land and move Westward on land through Howard County and into Clay.
For myself, I like to believe that our families continued by boat, occasionally stopping for food and wild game. Perhaps they stayed for a few months or a year!! However, the boat could have continued on to Clay Co., MO. The Missouri River borders Clay County before it drifts onward by Leavenworth, Kansas and further north.
From Clay County, it is more likely that they took the trail by land leading to Platte County, MO where I find my ancestor John S. Malott and his descendants.
Of course, some early pioneers came on horse through the wilderness, living off the land with game killed by their rifles as they made their way slowly Westward. "Others too poor either to own horses or build boats, shouldered what few articles of worldly goods they possessed and came on foot."
In absence of proof, then each can choose the route that he believes his ancestor chose to get to Missouri. We do know they were among the early settlers since Missouri did not become a State until 1821.
Using land records as background and referring to the First Plat Book of Clay Co., MO 1819-1875, we note John South Malott patented land rights in March 1821. Section 31, Twp 51, Range 32, when studying a map, is located in Gallatin Twp and SW of Liberty, MO. John South Malott purchased more land in 1829.
Joseph Malott, father of John S. and William Buck Malott, patented land in November 1829 and July 1833. William Malott, son of Joseph, patented land in September of 1831 and August 1833. Thomas Malott, son of Joseph and his second wife, Mary, established land rights in February 1836.
From land records, it would appear, that John South Malott came first to Clay Co., MO in 1821 followed by his father, Joseph and then his brother, William Malott.
In a letter written Jan. 1, 1934 to Mrs. Jouett Taylor Cannon of the Kentucky Historical Society by Mrs. Laura D. Armstrong, a diligent researcher on her ancestor Thomas P. Malott, state "Joseph Malott married second Mary White around 1805. They had children - Hiram, Samuel, Sally Ann, Thomas P., Lucinda, Hardin and Elizabeth. This entire family came to Missouri about 1821, we believe." Other researchers, like myself, believe it more likely that John South Malott, the oldest son of Joseph, came first to Missouri. After establishing himself in 1821, the rest of the family made the long trek to Missouri.
Ref: History of the Pioneer Families of Missouri. Early Days in MO., Wm S. Bryan and Robert Rose. Publisher, Bryan, Brand & Co., St. Louis MO 1876., pgs 66, 68 & 69.
Written for background for my fellow researcher -- Mary Malott Everhart on this day June 15, 1985. (Text of the above)
Joseph and Mary "Polly" (White) Malott finished raising their family in Clay Co., MO on the land that he had patented. It was probably on this same land where Joseph died and left the following will, dated at the top, July 1, 1834.
WILL: In the name of God Amen I Joseph Malott do make and declare this last will and testament In manner and following-Viz: First I resign my soul in the hands of Almighty God, Hoping and Believing in a remission of my sins by the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ and my body I commit to the earth to be buried at the will and discretion of my Executor herein after named and my worldly estate I give and bequeath as follows: First I give unto my -wife Mary Malott during her natural life all my personal estate both in and out that is to say all my horses, cattle, hogs, sheep and the increase thereof. Also I further give and devise unto her my land and farming utensils etc. to have hold and enjoy the benefits thereof during her natural life as aforesaid and then to dispose of any of the stock or such at her free will and pleasure and no other person or persons to possess or to have any of the stock or ? during her life only as she thinks proper to give or sell for the benefit of herself or her children and I do hereby appoint Thomas Malott Executor of this my last will and testament. Signed sealed published and declared by the said testator as and for his last will and testament In presence of us who at his request in his presence and in presence of each other have subscribed out names as witnesses thereunto:
Joseph Malott
Thomas P. Malott
Peter Rogers
Hiram Sneed
Hardin Malott
Recorded in Book B, pg. 206 Clay
Co., State of Missouri. No date as to
when the will was presented to court.
Mary, wife of Joseph, lived until the
year of 1837. She made her will
3 January 1837 and it was probated
2 June 1837.
WILL: Know all men by these presents that I Mary Malott of Clay County, Missouri on this the 3rd day of January A.D. 1837 make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit: that is to say first I give and bequeath unto my daughters each one hundred dollars over and above a division share to be given first of all out of the first money made of my whole estate. Second I give and bequeath unto all my children both boys and girls the remainder of my whole estate to be an equal division all round with two exceptions First I give Sally Ann and Lucinda all the household and kitchen furniture Second I give Hardin one feather bed one coverlet and sheet for the same, provided always. I want all my just debts paid out of my estate that is my personal estate when ? and as soon may be possible to sell and collect and I further want Hiram Sneed to sell as appears most proper on a credit or for cash in hand enough of my aforesaid estate before any division made among children to pay all my just debts and see the division made as above directed. In witness whereof I set may hand on this 3rd of January, 1837.
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence her mark of us and in presence of each otherMary X Malott
Wesley Gaines
Hardin Malott