Genealogy Report (Custom)
1. Sir John1 Clay was born in 1558 in England/Whales.1 He married Mary Carlton, daughter of William Carlton. He died on May 16, 1632 in England. He was a coal baron, Knighted by Queen Elizabeth I.
Mary Carlton was born in 1561 in England/Whales. She died after 1587 in England.
Children of Sir John1 Clay and Mary Carlton were:
2. Capt. John Thomas2 Clay (John1) was born circa 1587 in England. He married Anne (--?--) before February, 1613. He married Elizabeth (--?--) before 1645. He died in 1655 in Jamestown, VA. He was an English Grenadier and landed at Jamestown, VA on the ship "Treasurer" in Feb. 1613 and settled later in Charles City Co., VA. The Clay's settled at "Jordan's Journey", Charles City County, VA on the south side of the James River below the site of the present city of Hopewell. Clay also owned land on the north side of the James near "Westover", described in a patent granted to Richard Milton, 1636. In addition, he owned 1,000 acres called "Clay's Clossett" which adjoined his 1635 patent on the south side of the James. This was part of a 2,000 acre tract which he, together with John Frame, had purchased from Captain Francis Hooke. William Bayly patented 400 acres of the latter tract, 1655, the deed reciting that it had been purchased from William Clay, son and heir of John Clay. The same year William Clay of Weyanoke Parish also sold 550 acres to John Didball, minister. This was the remaining portion of the Clay share of the 2,000 acre tract, the deed reciting that William had given 50 acres to Cornelius Clemence, which thus accounts for the entire acreage. The deed also mentions the grantor's father "John Clay, dec'd."2,3
Land Grant - "John Clay, 1200 acs. in Chas. City Co., 13 July 1635. Bounding from land granted by order of Ct. to Capt. Francis Hooke to the land of Ward his Cr., E. upon same, S.W. into the maine land & N. upon James Riv. 100 acs. due him as being an old planter at or before the govmt. of Sir Thomas Dale &c. 1100 acs. for trans. 22 pers."4
Anne (--?--) was born in 1588 in England. She died in 1638. She Arrived on the "Anne" in August, 1623 in Jamestown, VA.
Children of Capt. John Thomas2 Clay and Anne (--?--) were as follows:
There were no children of Capt. John Thomas2 Clay and Elizabeth (--?--).
3. Charles3 Clay (John2, John1) was born in 1638 in Charles City Co., VA. He married Hannah Wilson, daughter of John Wilson, in 1667 in Henrico Co., VA. He died in 1686 in Henrico Co., VA. He was the youngest son of Capt. John Thomas Clay. On October 3, 1660 John Wall conveyed two ewes to his "sonne-in-law" (step-son) Charles Clay. Wall had patented land, 1629, adjacent to John Clay.3 He joined Nathaniel Bacon in "The Great Rebellion of 1676". Bacon's Rebellion was a short-lived revolt in colonial Virginia. It began in May 1676 when Nathaniel Bacon led a small army of his fellow colonists in combat against both the royal governor and the Indians on the frontier. On October 2, 1682 Charles Clay made a deposition stating he was "about 37 years old," thus, he was but 15 years of age when his step-father gave him the "ewes."3 On February 18, 1685/86 Charles Clay gave a receipt for his wife's full share of her father's estate. The receipt recorded Apr 1, 1686, was signed by Charles and proved in Court. Shortly thereafter Charles died intestate for on Jun 1, 1686 his widow Hannah was granted administration of his estate. An inventory ordered by the Court was recorded Aug 2, 1686.
Hannah Wilson was born in 1650 in Henrico Co., VA. She died before August 20, 1706 in Henrico Co., VA; when Edward Stanley was ordered "to bring the remaining orphans of Charles Clay to the next Court to discharge the securitys of their estates." She made a deed of gift of cattle and personalty to "John Clay, Thomas Clay, Henry Clay and Charles Clay, my sonnes" and to "my daughter Judith" on October 1, 1687.
Children of Charles3 Clay and Hannah Wilson were:
4. Henry4 Clay (Charles3, John2, John1) was born on August 3, 1672 in Henrico Co., VA. He married Mary Mitchell circa 1707. He died on August 3, 1760 in Richmond, VA, at age 88.
He left a will on March 28, 1749:
"Henry Clay Will
In the name of God aman this Twenty eighth day of March in the year of our lord Christ one thousand seven hundred & forty nine I Henry Clay of Henrico County being of perfect health mind memory thanks be to God therefore and calling to mind my mortality and knowing that it is appointed for al men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament that is to say princably and first of all I give my Soul into the hands of God that gave it and as for my body I commend it to the earth to be buried in a christian like and decent form at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general resurection I shall receive the same again by mighty power of God and as touching my worldly estate wherewith it hath pleasest God to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in manner and form ----
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my Son William Clay the land and plantation whereon he now lives and my land and plantation on deep Creek in Henrico County whereon Richard Belcher now lives to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Henry Clay the land and plantation whereon he now lives and two hundred acres of land at Letalone in Goochland County it being the lower survey belonging to me at the same Letalone to him and his heirs forever and assigns.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Clay the plantation whereon he now lives and all the land on the north side of swift Creek and the lower side of the nuttree run to me belonging and also four hundred acres at Letalone being my upper survey at Letalone to him and to his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son John Clay the plantation whereon he now lives and all my land on the north side of Swift Creek and upper side of nuttree run to him and to his heirs forever and assigns.
Item. I likewise give and bequeath my grist mill on nuttree run to be equally divided between my sons Charles Clay and my Son John Clay to be held in Jointenancy to them and to their heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give to my daughter Amey Williamson five pounds current money.
Item. I give to me daughter Mary Watkins five pounds Current money.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandson Henry Clay two hundred and forty acres of land adjoining to James Hill to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Mary Clay daughter of Charles Clay one negroe girl named Phebe to her and her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give unto Mary my well beloved wife the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and my negroe man Lewis, also my negroe Joe, and Sue and Hannah and Jenny, and Sarah during her natural life and what stock and household goods she pleases to have or make use of, of mine.
Item. I desire that the rest of my slaves not heretofore given and stock and household goods be given and equally divided among my four sons aforementioned at their discretion. and also the negroes above written and gave to my wife may be equally divided after my wifes decease and the stock and household goods to her given also to divided all in manner and form aforementioned to my four sons above written and to their heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give to my four sons aforesaid and to my wife to be equally divided all the ready money and money out at use that I shall be possessed with at my death.
Item. after my wifes desease, I give my plantation whereon I now lives to my son John Clay and to his heirs and assigns forever together with the adjacent land therein belonging and I do hereby make constitute and ordain my four sons above written to be my only and sole executors of this my last will and Testament declaring all former wills by me made to be void and vocated of no effect declaring this and no other to be my last will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and affixed my seal the day and year above written.
Signed sealed and acknowledged before us Henry Clay -LS-
George Farrar
Alison (his X mark) Clark
George Reny Turner".5
Mary Mitchell was born on January 16, 1692/93 in VA. She died on August 7, 1777 in Chesterfield Co., VA, at age 84.
Children of Henry4 Clay and Mary Mitchell were as follows:
5. William Mitchell5 Clay (Henry4, Charles3, John2, John1). There is some speculation that he may have been born prior to the marriage of his parents in 1708, hence the use of his mother's maiden name as his middle name. He married Martha Runyon in 1729 in Henrico Co., VA.6 He married Martha Anne Lewis, daughter of John Lewis and Elizabeth Warner, in 1752.6 He married Agnes (--?--) before September 8, 1768.6 He died on September 10, 1774 in Pt. Pleasant, VA (now WV).
"A great deal of mystery revolves around the identities of William Mitchell's wives. Very little real information is available to support positive conclusions. The best explanation is presented by David Roper.
Other researchers have stated that the first Martha was Martha Green, daughter of Thomas Greene and Martha Filmer. This is certainly in error, as this Martha was the wife of Charles Clay, William Clay's brother. Martha's sister Lucy was the wife of William's brother Henry."6
"Martha Lewis Clay evidently died sometime between 1764 and 1768, as no other record of her is found after 1764, and in 1768, William Clay placed an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette stating that "...my wife Agnes has eloped from my bed, and robbed me of things of considerable value..." William and Agnes were either back together in 1769, or she was living alone but still using his name, since she gave a deposition in the Chesterfield County court of May 5, 1769. Note that William Clay was in Bedford County by 1768."6
Between 1765 and 1768, he moved to Bedford County:
Our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred & Sixty five by and between William Mead & William Clay of Bedford County Witnesseth that the said William Mead for & in Consideration of the sum of Eighty pounds to him in hand Paid the Receipt whereof he doth hereby Acknowledge hath Granted Bargained & sold unto the said William Clay one Certain Tract or parcel of Land Lying on Blackwater River & Bounded as Follows, Vizt. Beginning at a hickory on the North Side thence New Lines North Twenty Degrees East forty six Poles to Black Walnut North fifteen Degrees west one Hundred & Eighty Two Poles to Red Oak North fifty six Degrees West Eighty Poles to Red Oak South fifty seven Degrees West sixty six Poles to Red Oak South forty five Degrees East Seventy Eight Poles to a Red Oak South six Degrees East one Hundred & fifty poles to a White Oak South seventy and an half Degrees East Ninty Poles to a White Oak on the said River & Thence up the Stream as it Meanders to the first Station with all houses Edifices Orchards Gardings waters Ways & all Other Profits Commodities & Hereditaments whatsoever to the same Belonging To have and to hold the said Granted Land & Premises & every Part there of with their & every of Their Appurtenances unto the said William Clay to his Heirs & Assigns forever to the only use and behoof of him the sd. Wm. Clay his Heirs & Assigns forever and the said William Mead doth Warrant and forever Defend the within Granted Land from him the sd. Wm. Mead his Heirs and Assigns & from all other Persons Whatsoever unto the Said William Clay his Heirs & Assigns forever in Witness whereof the sd. Mead hath hereunto set his hand and Affix'd his Seal the day & Year above Written
W Mead LS
Memorandum that on the day & Year first Within Written Quiet & Peasable Possession & Seison of the within Mention Land & Premises with all the Appurtenances was Given & made by William Mead to William Clay Agreeable to the within Indenture
W Mead
At a Court held for Bedford County May 24th 1768 This Indenture and Memorandum of Livery of Seizen thereon Indorsed were acknowledged by William Mead Party Thereto & Ordered to be Recorded Teste Ben Howard.7,6
He placed an advertisement in the Virginia Gazette, September 22, 1768, p. 2:
Whereas my wife Agnes has eloped from my bed, and robbed me of things of considerable value, and I expect will endeavor to run me in debt, I therefore forewarn all persons from dealing with her on my account, as I will pay no debts of her contracting.
William Clay.6
" William Clay grew up in Chesterfield and Henrico Counties and spent most of his adult life in Goochland and Cumberland Counties before moving west to Bedford County between 1765 and 1768. It is unclear as to when he moved to Bedford County since the indenture between William Mead and William Clay contains the year 1765 in the text, but wasn't acknowledged by the court until 1768. It is certain that he was living in Bedford County on the Blackwater River in 1770 when he sold some property to his son William Jr. This region of the county evidently became part of Pittsylvania County since later land sales (involving sons Mitchell and Jesse) for sections of the same land are found in that county. The last known record for William Clay in Pittsylvania County is for sale of land to John Kendall Short in 1773. It is unknown if William Clay left the county at that time. Several of his sons were migrating to areas further west at this time. Most notably was Mitchell Clay, who was given a grant of 803 acres in the Clover Bottom area in what is now Mercer County, West Virginia. Mitchell moved his family to this land in 1774, becoming the first settler of the county. David Clay and possibly Ezekiel were also in this region at this time. Jesse Clay apparently moved from Pittsylvania County to Henry County, as several records, including land grants, appeared in the 1780's."6
"William Mitchell Clay died on September 10, 1774, while hunting deer for Col. John Field's company of independent Rangers. He was part of the unit assembled under Gen. Andrew Lewis travelling to Point Pleasant to participate in the impending battle. Though it is not clear why a 64 year old man would be making a 250 mile journey on foot, he earned the dubious distinction of becoming the unit's first casualty. Clay appeared on roster of Charles Lewis' Regiment, with a note that he had been killed.
Death of Soldier named Clay in Col. John Field's Company, Sept. 10, 1774.
Excerpt:
When the army was preparing to leave Camp Union, there was for a while some reluctance manifested on the part of Col. Field to submit to the command of Gen. Lewis. This proceeded from the fact, that in a former military service, he had been the senior of Gen. Lewis; and from the circumstances that the company led on by him were Independent Volunteers, not raised in pursuance of the orders of Governor Dunmore, but brought into the field by his own exertions, after his escape from the Indians at Kelly's. These circumstances induced him to separate his men from the main body of the army on its march, and to take a different way from the one pursued by it,--depending on his own knowledge of the country to lead them a practicable route to the river.
While thus detached from the forces under Gen. Lewis, two of his men (Clay and Coward) who were out hunting and at some little distance from each other, came near to where two Indians were concealed. Seeing Clay only, and supposing him to be alone, one of them fired at him; and running up to scalp him as he fell, was himself shot by Coward, who was then about 100 yards off. The other Indian ran off unarmed, and made his escape. A bundle of ropes found where Clay was killed, induced the belief that it was the object of these Indians to steal horses; --it is not however improbable, that they had been observing the progress of the army, and endeavoring to ascertain its numbers. Col. Field, fearing that he might [126]encounter a party of the enemy in ambush, redoubled his vigilance 'till he again joined General Lewis; and the utmost concert and harmony then prevailed in the whole army.
1 This is misleading. On September 6, Col. Charles Lewis, with his Augusta troops, numbering about six hundred, were detached to proceed to the mouth of the Elk, and there make canoes for transporting the supplies to the mouth of the Great Kanawha. This body had in charge a drove of 108 beef cattle, and 400 pack-horses laden with 54,000 lbs. of flour. Field's company soon followed this advance. --R.G.T.
2 Saturday the 10th, Clay and Coward were sent out to hunt deer for Field's company, on the banks of the Little Meadow. Then occurred the incident related by Withers. The Indian who escaped, hurried on to the Shawnee towns and gave them their first notice of the approach of the army. Alarmed at this incident, Field hurried and caught up with the advance under Charles Lewis. The text reads as though he had hastened back to Andrew Lewis, who had not yet left Camp Union.--R.G.T."6,8
Martha Runyon. She died before 1768.
Children of William Mitchell5 Clay and Martha Runyon were as follows:
This Indenture made this 23d Day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one by and between William Clay Sen. and William Clay Jun. of Bedford County. Witnesseth that the said William Clay for and in Consideration to him in hand paid the Receipt whereof he Doth hereby Acknowledge hath granted and given unto the said William Clay Jun. one Certain Tract of Land Lying in Bedford County on Black Water River Containing forty acres more or Less Begining the New Line and Running up the River with all hawses Edfices Orchards Gardings Water Ways and all other profits Commodities and hereditments Whatsoever to the same Belonging To have to hold the said Granted Land and premises and every part thereof with their and every of their appurtenances unto the said William Clay to his heirs and assigns forever to the only use and behoof of him the said William Clay his heirs and assigns forever and the said William Clay Sen. Doth warrant and forever Defend the within granted Land from him the said William Clay Sen. his heirs and assigns and from all other Persons Whatsoever unto the said William Clay Jun. his heirs and assigns forever in Witness thereof the said Clay hath hereunto set his hand and fixed his seal the Day and year above Written.
William Clay
At a Court held for Bedford County July 23d 1771 This Indenture was Acknowledged by William Clay Sen. Party thereto & Ordered to be Recorded
Children of Charles5 Clay and an unknown spouse were:
7. Mitchell6 Clay (William5, Henry4, Charles3, John2, John1); Revolutionary War patriot and the first settler of present day Mercer County, WV10,1,6 was born in 1738 in Henrico Co., VA.1 He married Phoebe Belcher in Franklin, Franklin Co., VA. He died in April, 1811 in Giles Co., VA.1
He left a will; Will of Mitchel Clay, Sr., 1810 - Giles Co. VA
In The Name of God Amen I Mitchel Clay Sen. of the County of Giles and State of Virginia being very sick in body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given unto God Calling into mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my Last will and testament. That is to say Principally and first of all I Give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty God that Gave it and my body I Recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I Shall Receive the Same again by the mighty Power of God and as touching Such worldly Estate where with it has Pleased God to bless me with in this life I Give demise and dispose of the Same in the following manner and form firstly of all I Give and Bequeath to my Dearly beloved Daughter Patience Chapman one Dollar to be Raised and Levied out my Estate, Secondly I Give and bequeath unto my Dearly beloved Daughter Rebecca Pearis one dollar to be Raised & Levied out of my Estate Thirdly I Give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Obedience French one Dollar to be Raised and Levied out of my Estate Fourthly I Give and bequeath to my dearly beloved Daughter Polly Stuart one Dollar to be Raised & levied out of my Estate, Fifthly I Give and bequeath to my Dearly beloved Daughter Sally Peters one Dollar to be Raised & Levied out of my Estate Sixthly & I also Give and bequeath to Each of the Children of David Clay Decd one dollar to be Raised and Levied out of my Estate. Seventhly I Give and bequeath to my Dearly beloved Son Mitchel Clay the younger one negro Girl named Lidy to him & his heirs for Ever. Eighthly I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved son William Clay one Negro boy named Ned to him and his heirs forever Ninthly, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved son Charles Clay one negro boy named May to him and his heirs forever Tenthly I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved son Henry Clay one Negro Girl named Rachel together with all and singular the tract of Land wheron I now live it lying on the North east side of New River adjoining and below the lands of Mitchel Clay (the younger) with all its (appivelenances?) (missuages?) tenements dwelling house and out houses. Also all my stock of horses, Cattle hogs and stock of every kind household and kitchen furniture unto him and his heirs forever. Excepting three cows of an average value which I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Clay. Also I give and bequeath to my two sons Mitchel Clay (the younger) and Henry Clay the tract of land I bought of Reuben Roberts and was by the heirs of Reuben Roberts conveyed to (be?) me to them and their heirs forever to be equally divided between them. Provided the Said Mitchel Clay and Henry Clay do pay unto Reuben Roberts (ad----) the Sum of one hundred & Sixteen dollars or there abouts with the interest on the Same which Sum I am owing to the Said Estate of Roberts and in case they the said Mitchel Clay and Henry Clay fails to make the payment aforesaid then It is my will and desire that the said Tract of Land be sold and the money arrising therefrom to be appropriated to the payment of the debt aforesaid Also It is my will & desire that a tract of Land I own on the five mile fork of East River of about one hundred acres shall be sold to pay my debts I also give and bequeath unto my four Sons Mitchel Clay the younger Charles Clay William Clay and Henry Clay one Negro woman named Phebe and her boy Child name Jack to be Equally divided between them that is to say that Either two of my sons may keep the said two negroes and pay the other two of my sons their Share of their value and in Case they cannot agree then the Said two negroes to be sold and the money divided between my four Sons aforesaid Equally, also It my will and desire that my four sons (towith?) Mitchel Clay Charles Clay William Clay and Henry Clay do pay all my Just debts that may Remain unpaid after the payments are made heretofor provided for and in Case they fail to pay the Remaining debts aforesaid then the negro woman and her Child Jack to be sold & the Remaining debt paid and the Residue of the money If any Equally divided amonst my four Sons aforesaid Also it is my will and desire that my Executor collect all the debts that are coming to me and appropriate them in the payment of my debts and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and Every other former testament wills Legacies and bequests Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament, and I do hereby ordain constitute and appoint my four Sons Mitchel Clay Charles Clay William Clay & Henry Clay my Executors of this my last will & testament in witness where of I have here unto set my hand and Seal this twenty sixth day July 1810
Signed Sealed and Mitchel (his mark) Clay Seal
Delivered in Presents of
A. Johnston
John Brown
Joseph St-----
Henry (his mark) Dillian
Codicill
I Mitchel Clay Sen. of the County of Giles and State of Virginia being in perfect health of body and of sound mind and memory do make ordain & constitute the following Codicil as part of my will made and acknowledged the twenty sixth day of July 1810 That is to Say that so much of the said will and desires as bequeath one negro girl named Lidy to my son Mitchel Clay the younger I do hereby revoke and disannul and in lieu thereof I Give and bequeath unto my son Mitchel Clay my black woman named Pheboe and her boy Child named Jack to him and his heirs for Ever revoking and disannulling that part of Said will here referred to as Gives the said Pheboe and her child Jack to my four Sons Mitchel Clay Charles Clay William Clay & Henry Clay 2ndly I Give and bequeath unto my Son William Clay one negro girl named Liddy to him and his heirs heirs for ever in lieu of a negro boy named Ned as mentioned in my former will will to which this is a Supplement revoking that part of the Said will as bequeaths the Said Ned to my son William Clay 3dly in my former will to which this is a Supplement I Give and bequeath unto my son Charles Clay three Cows of an average value and Since the making the Said devise I have give him two of the Cows there in mentioned therefore I now give and bequeath unto the Said Charles only one Cow agree able to the terms in the Said will mentioned 4thly It is my will and desire that my negro boy named Ned Shall be sold and the money applyed to the payment of my Just debts in Case the provisions made in my former will to which this is a supplement proves in sufficient to the payment of my debts but in case the provisions there in mentioned be found Equal to meet my debts or in case there Should be a Surplus of the price of the negro boy after paying the debts in Either case my will is that the money be equally divided between my four Sons Mitchel Clay Charles Clay William Clay and Henry Clay and I do here by disannul all and every part of my former will to which this is a Supplement that comes within the p--------- of this Codicil Ratifying and confirming this Codicil is gather with my former will to which this is a Supplement so much there of as is not altered nor Changed by the Codicil to be my Last will and testament in which where of I have here unto Set my hand and Seal this thirtieth day of March in year of our Lord 1811
Signed Sealed and acknowledged Mitchel (his mark) Clay Seal
__________ before At Giles April Court signed 1811 this last will and testament of Mitchel Clay Dcd
Saml Brown was proven in Court by the oaths of
Wm Chapman
Andrew Johnston
John Brown
D Johnston
Henry Dillion
Also this Codicil was proven by the oaths of Andrew Johnston & David Johnston
two of the witness there to subscribed which Codicil together with the original will is ordered to be recorded
Test David French ------
TRADITIONAL ACCOUNT OF THE CLAY MASSACRE
In 1774, Mitchell Clay acquired land at Clover Bottoms of Bluestone River, upstream from "the Bluestone settlement," and moved his family there in 1775.
In 1778, the Indians wiped out "the Bluestone settlement" on their way to attack the settlers along New River. Families of the settlement are unknown.
The Indians did not bother the Clay family, as it was not in their path to New River and, perhaps, they did not know that Clay had settled there in 1775.
In 1781, after the summer work was complete and before time for the fall hunt, probably mid-September, a neighbor, probably James Moore of Abb's Valley, and Mitchell went to buy salt in preparation for the fall hunt, leaving his sons to look out for the family, and to fence the wheat stacks so that the livestock could be turned into the field for late pasture.
The older son, David, had left home at the time, and as no signs of Indians had been seen in the area, sons Charles and Mitchell Jr. decided that it was safe to go hunting, leaving Bartley and Ezekiel to fence the wheat stacks.
Feeling safe, Phoebe started the day's activities, sending Tabitha down to the river to wash clothes with some of the bigger children, while the older sister, Rebecca, was in the house with the normal household chores and the younger daughter, Obedience, was in the yard tending to the smaller children and helping her mother.
Unknown to the Clay family, an Indian had been watching the house for several days from the top of the ridge across the river, while the Indians, in two parties, were hunting for horses to steal, one party on the Guyandotte and the other in Abb's Valley.
Watching the normal activities at the Clay house was the Indians method of knowing that their presence had not been detected, as anyone from either Abb's Valley or the Guyandotte going for help from the New River settlement would pass this way.
The unsuccessful party in Abb's Valley had returned the night before and camped across the river from the Clay house, unseen due to the trees and brush along the river.
The spy on the ridge had seen Mitchell and James Moore leave in one direction, and the two older boys then leave in the opposite direction when Bartley and Ezekiel went to fence the wheat stacks before joining the party at the river, but had not seen Tabitha and the children come down to the river directly opposite where they were camped.
The Indians decided to take scalps or captives of Bartley and Ezekiel, so they moved down the north side of the river to cross, then back up the river bank even with the boys still not seeing Tabitha and the children.
Tabitha, hearing the shot, started running with the children toward the house.
The Indians having surrounded Ezekiel, saw Tabitha and the children, and two of them attempted to capture Tabitha while others tried to catch the children.
Tabitha fought off the Indians while the children were climbing the hill to the house.
Unknown to the Indians, Mr. Blankenship was on his way back to New River from a visit to a more remote settlement and had stopped by the Clay house at the time, and was in the yard talking with Phoebe, who asked him to shoot the Indian fighting with Tabitha.
Mr. Blankenship would not shoot, knowing that he might hit Tabitha instead, and if he did kill the Indian, he could not save her from the other, and an empty gun would cause a rush on the house.
He held the Indians at bay with his loaded gun until Phoebe and Obedience had all of the children into the safety of the house.
After the Indians had taken the scalps and captive, they retreated to the river bank, and Mr. Blankenship told Phoebe that he would attempt to draw the Indians away from the house and go for help, so she and the children could get away undetected to James Bailey's on Brush Creek by going over Black Oak Mountain.
He then left the house, first stopping by the body of Tabitha, then went on to the body of Bartley some three hundred yards from the house toward the settlement.
The Indians, thinking he had gone to recover the bodies, moved upstream to intercept him on his return to the house about the same distance the path was from the river.
With this extra head start, he then started running toward the settlement, the Indians giving chase, until he was some distance from the house.
When he needed to rest, he would leave the trail and go some distance along the trail, thus causing the Indians to hunt for his hiding place where they saw him leave, thus giving him time to rest.
Then he would step back onto the trail, letting the Indians see him and start running again, thus leading the Indians a sufficient distance from the house for the Clay family to get a good start for James Bailey's residence.
He then left the trail for a sufficient distance until they could not see him re-enter the trail and continue on to the settlement.
The Indians continued to follow him to about two miles of the settlement.
After the Clays were to safety at James Bailey's, James started for the settlement for help, not knowing if Mr. Blankenship would get there or not. He arrived there shortly before daybreak to find the pursuit party had formed and were waiting for the Captain of the Militia to arrive. He had time for a breakfast and short rest before the Captain arrived and the party started out after the Indians.
Mitchell and James Moore arrived back at the Clay house a couple of hours before sundown to find the two bodies and the family gone. They placed the bodies in the house, one on the bed and the other on the table.
The two sons arrived shortly afterward, having wounded a deer and followed it some distance away from home. The four then set out for the settlement, thinking that the entire family had been taken captive. Some few miles from the settlement, they heard the Indians approaching in front of them and stepped to the side of the trail while they passed by.
They met the pursuit party about a mile from the settlement and, after hearing the account from James Bailey and knowing that the rest of the family was safe, they joined the party to go after the Indians.
They followed the Indians, and the next morning, they came upon where the Indians had met with another raiding party with horses and had camped for the night. The ashes of the campfire were still warm. The two parties had taken different routes, so they followed the horse tracks believing that the captive would be with the horses. When they overtook the Indians (I believe) Edward Hale shot and killed an Indian, as did Mitchell Clay, Jr. Charles Clay shot and wounded one (having "buck-fever"), which Mr. Wiley then shot and killed the one Charles had wounded. Both Edward Hale and Mr. Wiley then each took a strip of hide form the back of the Indian he had killed for a razor strap, Mr. Wiley taking two strips, giving one to Charles, who had wounded the Indian.
After taking up the other trail, it was decided that they could not overtake the Indians, so they returned to the house and buried the two children in shallow graves near the house, which Mitchell later moved to the hill behind the house, after he recovered Ezekiel's body and buried it there.
After returning to James Bailey's home and a reunion with his family, Mitchell decided to go to the Indian town and try to ransom Ezekiel. Phoebe would not agree to let the two sons go with him. James Bailey, Phoebe's nephew, and James Moore, went with him.
When they reached the Indian town, they saw the smoke from the stake still burning, so Mitchell left his two companions outside the town and went in alone, passing by the stake and seeing that Ezekiel was dead, and kicking away the remaining, still-burning sticks of wood. He recovered the body and, with the loan of a horse from the chief, he brought Ezekiel's body home and buried it on the hill behind the house and then moved the other two children to that location.
Phoebe would not return to the homestead, so Mitchell moved his family to New River.
The date of the Clay massacre has been given as the year, 1781, 1782 and 1783. 1783 was the date that the Clays moved back to New River. When this date appeared on the historical highway marker, it was strongly disputed by the local residents of the area, who were well versed in the traditional account.
The year 1782 was assigned by many, based on the building of the Bailey Fort in that year, completed in 1783, and the Clays living with the Baileys during the time and helped with the building of the fort before resettling at New River.
The year 1781 was assigned by some. Due to the time of year that the wheat would have been harvested. August was assigned as the month as the wheat had been harvested, while September was more likely as preparations were being made for the fall hunt, which would start with the first frost, normally mid-October.
The moving of the Bailey family to join James on Brush Creek was after the massacre. Normally, relocations were started after the harsh weather of February as early as possible in order to allow time for planting corn and a garden in May. Some writers have disputed that Mitchell Clay was the first settler of the area.
The massacre of the settlers on Bluestone in 1778 is verified through the pension application of John Prewett, as shown in Annals of Tazewell County, p. 229-232, to quote, "to defend the frontier settlements from the depredations of the Indians, who had lately killed and carried off some persons in the settlements near the Clover Bottoms;"
For the critic who would say "Judge Johnston didn't say that." There was a lot that he did not say. This account is what was said by the many Bailey descendants as to the part played by James Bailey; the part played by Mr. Blankenship as passed down through the numerous descendants of witness to the massacre, Obedience Clay French and witness Rebecca Clay Pearis Peters, and the other survivors who scampered up the hill to safety through the heroic efforts of Tabitha, or into the house aided by Mr. Blankenship and the part played by Mitchell Clay's friend and companion, James Moore.
Judge Johnston did not say how James Moore , from Abb's Valley, happened to be a part of the pursuit party organized along New River, nor how Charles and Mitchell Clay, Jr., happened to be a part of the pursuit party, their whereabouts being unknown at the time that the massacre occurred.
It is tradition that lives on. This account is an attempt to pass on the tradition so widespread around Clover Bottoms during my early life. Tradition needs no authority and takes on varied forms, but it lives on. This account stands on its own merit and completeness in what Johnston did not say. The cited authority for the 1778 massacre is for the benefit of those who are already critical of some earlier accounts of the Clay story. Those who know the traditional accounts may differ in relating the story and can add details that have been left out in this account.
No blame was placed on the sons, who had gone hunting, as everyone thought that there were no Indians around. James Moore was not aware that the Indians had been in Abb's Valley hunting for horses, Mitchell went for salt, and Phoebe sent Tabitha and the other children to the river.
Perhaps, the Johnston account reflects some self-imposed blame felt by Charles and Mitchell, Jr., for going hunting.
In 1782, after the massacre of the settlers at lower Clover Bottoms of Bluestone in 1778, and the Clay family had been massacred and driven to safety at James Bailey's near New Hope in 1781, Richard Bailey brought his family and settled near his son, James. With the help of his sons, the Clays and the sons of John Davidson, they first built a house followed by the fort located for the greatest protection to the settlers and a place of retreat when needed.
The fort was so located to block the path of the Indians who may enter into Giles along East River and, at the same time, those going into Bland through the gap, thus, protection to the Davidson settlement there. The New Hope settlement was in less danger, as it was not in the path of attack against the settlers east of the mountain.
The unmarried sons of the settlers moved to the fort and acted as spies and scouts, often one like Joseph Davidson posted in the fort going with one like Richard Bailey living at his home on the scouting trip.
These men posted in the forts were not a part of the organized militia, but engaged full-time in the defense of the frontier, thus, leaving the militia free to move from place to place, as needed.
While the fort was being built, the Clay sons did their part of the work. Mitchell Clay spent most of the time returning to Clover Bottoms to maintain his farm and Richard Bailey, Jr., would go with him, crossing the River and starting a clearing of his own, while Mitchell was tending his. It was on one of these trips that they arrived to find the Indians had removed the one horse from the field that they had loaned to Mitchell to bring back the body of Ezekiel, being careful to close the fence so the others could not get out to follow the horses that they had stolen elsewhere on their raid.
With the fort completed in 1783, Phoebe still refused to return to Clover Bottoms, so Mitchell moved to the Pearisburg area, thus, causing that later date to be assigned as the date of the massacre.11
Phoebe Belcher12 was born in 1740 in Bedford Co., VA.13 She died in 1809.13
Children of Mitchell6 Clay and Phoebe Belcher were as follows:
8. Mary7 Clay (Mitchell6, William5, Henry4, Charles3, John2, John1)12 was born in 1772 in Bedford Co., VA. She married Capt. Ralph Stewart, son of James Stuart and Mary Ann Lafferty, on June 25, 1788 in Montgomery Co., VA. She died on April 25, 1851 in Wyoming Co., WV. She was buried in Keatley Cemetery, Clear Fork, Wyoming Co., WV; Headstone is marked as "Wife of Capt. Ralph Stewart". Headstone does not contain a date. This cemetery is located in Clearfork, near Crany. To find Keatley cemetery, take route 85 from Oceana, towards Kopperston. At Country Junction, in Toney Fork, take a right towards Toneda Baptist Church. It's roughly 4 or 5 miles down this road, on the left hand side of the road. It's about 15, or 20, yards up in the mountain. To make it even more difficult, you can't see it from the road due to the brush and trees. Very hard to find.
Capt. Ralph Stewart; may have been know as Ralph STUART, a Revolutionary War patriot and second settler of present day Wyoming County, West Virginia was born on January 17, 1748/49 in Cowpasture River, Augusta Co., VA.14 He married Mary Elliott in 1769. He died on November 17, 1835 in Wyoming Co., WV, at age 86.14 He was buried in Keatley Cemetery, Clear Fork, Wyoming Co., WV; This cemetery is located in Clearfork, near Crany. To find Keatley cemetery, take route 85 from Oceana, towards Kopperston. At Country Junction, in Toney Fork, take a right towards Toneda Baptist Church. It's roughly 4 or 5 miles down this road, on the left hand side of the road. It's about 15, or 20, yards up the mountain. To make it even more difficult, you can't see it from the road due to the brush and trees. Very hard to find. There is some debate on Ralph's date of birth. Some show it as December 17, 1752, others show January 17, 1749. The dates used are those copied off of his headstone by Jim Cook of Oceana, WV.14 On February 17, 1762 in the Orphans Court of Augusta Co., VA, 15 year old Ralph Stuart, Jr. (Stewart), orphan of James Stuart, chose his older brother Robert Stuart as his guardian. He was at Point Pleasant under Gen. Andrew Lewis in the "Battle of Point Pleasant", fought against the Indians led by Chief Cornstalk on October 10, 1774. After peace with the Indians was made, Ralph and his brother James, went on a prolonged hunting trip. While on this trip, a band of Indians ambushed them. The following night, Ralph and James, following the trail of the Indians, slipped up on them and killed five of them. This act was a violation of the "Declaration of Peace" signed by the government, and made them liable for prosecution for murder. With this charge of murder hanging over their heads, they hid out in the woods for almost two years. Later, Ralph told a hunting companion of this incident, and a short time later, this "friend" and Ralph became rivals for the affections of a young lady. The "friend" swore out a warrant for Ralph's arrest. Again, Ralph and James took off, this time to an uninhabited area of the New River, staying there for 18 months. Later on, the Governor of Virginia Pardoned them. When Cornwallis surrendered at Yorkton, General Washington made Ralph one of the guard that kept the English commander a prisoner of war on October 19, 1781.
Revolutionary War Pension File Abstract:
"STEWART, Ralph (Captain) Service-Virginia VA. No. 23949 No. W. 6168 Born in Augusta County, Virginia, 1752, later removed to Giles and Montgomery County, and died in Logan County, November 17, 1835. About 1800, he had a cabin on Clear Creek in what is now Wyoming County, West Virginia. His wife; Mary Clay, was the daughter of Mitchell Clay, first settler of Mercer County, Virginia, and their marriage bond, dated June 25, 1788, is filed in Montgomery County, Virginia. They were married by the Rev. Edward Morgan.
Was commissioned captain in 1773 by Lord Dunmore, Governor of Virginia, and served as a ranger. Was at Point Pleasant under General Lewis in the battle in 1774. In 1778, his commission was renewed by Patrick Henry, then Governor of Virginia, was ordered with his company to South Carolina to join the army under General Green, and was attached to a regiment commanded by Colonel c and Major Smith. Fought at Guilford Courthouse, Hot Water, Ground Squirrel, Charlottesville, and Yorktown. He was wounded in the right arm by a sabre cut from one of "Butcher" Tarleton's men and was on the invalid roll for the state of Virginia. His commission and discharge, left with Colonel George Pearls for safe-keeping, were lost or stolen when the latter's home was plundered.
Soldier received pension in 1834 and his widow received pension in 1846 at which time she was 74 years old. Supporting data was submitted in this case by Edward Burgess, Patience Chapman, Mitchell Clay, Francis Hedrick, Charles L. Clay, and the Rev. Richard Brooks."
Children of Mary7 Clay and Capt. Ralph Stewart were as follows:
9. Catherine8 Stewart (Mary7Clay, Mitchell6, William5, Henry4, Charles3, John2, John1) was born in 1789 in Giles Co., VA (now KY). She married William Cooke, son of John Cooke and Nellie Pemberton, on August 16, 1806. She married Rev. Layne Shannon circa 1859 in Wyoming Co., WV.16 She died on May 26, 1888 in Wyoming Co., WV. She also went by the name of Katie. She was a charter member of the Guyandotte Baptist Church in 1812.
In a story told by Ohley Cook, her youngest grandson:
"Katie and her older half-brothers were in a field pulling flax before the family left Kentucky, taking the usual precaution of carrying with them a loaded rifle, which leaned against a tree conveniently near their work. Although a child of tender years, she could shoot a gun almost as well as her older half-brothers. As the children proceeded with their work, unknown to them two Indians crept up close to them, concealed by the bushes and timber which surrounded the clearing. They first made their presence known by firing a shot at the boy which struck him in the hip, and he fell. A second Indian sped toward him for the kill. The boy, acutely aware of his danger, was strong and active. Instantly he grappled with the Indian and warded off the fatal blow for the moment. Katie, watching, also aware of the danger, instantly seized the rifle and, as the second Indian ran from the woods to aid his companion, she shot him and he faltered. As he fell, she raised the gun by the barrel and advanced to where the two were grappling on the ground. With the gun butt, she clubbed the Indian over the head and killed him before he succeeded in knifing her brother, thus saving her brother from instant death and herself from a horrible fate, all of which happened in much less time than it takes to tell the story."17
During the Civil War, when Andy Gunnoe and his raiders visited Wyoming County, they were scavenging for food and anything else they could get their hands on. When they visited where Catherine was staying, she would be on her rocker on the front porch. Unknown to the raiders, underneath the rocker was the family coffee supply, which they never found, covered by her long skirts.18
William Cooke was born on June 4, 1784 in Shenandoah Co., VA. He died on August 10, 1853 in Wyoming Co., WV, at age 69. He was buried in Delilah Cemetery, Oceana, Wyoming Co., WV; This cemetery is located on the right side of the "Delilah Chapel", on Weaver Street, in Oceana. There is a road side marker for John Cooke beside the sidewalk on Main Street. His grave is located about 50 yards directly behind it. The marker on William Cooke's grave site reads: "William Cooke, Sr., 1784 -1853, Founder of the Town Of Oceana in 1850, Married Catherine Stewart, Daughter of Captain Ralph Stewart, Both charter members of the Guyandotte Baptist Church 1812."
William was successful in farming and business. He built and operated a Gristmill at the "Narrows of Laurel." He was active in promoting separation of Logan Co. to form Wyoming Co., and even more so in promoting establishment of the County Seat on his land near Clearfork River. For this purpose he donated an acre of his best land for the Public Square.19
Children of Catherine8 Stewart and William Cooke were as follows:
There were no children of Catherine8 Stewart and Rev. Layne Shannon.
Children of Sarah8 Stewart and an unknown spouse were:
Children of Sarah8 Stewart and Andrew Gunnoe were:There were no children of Sarah8 Stewart and Daniel H. Gunnoe.
Margaret Cooke was born in 1822. She died in 1864.
Children of George P.8 Stewart and Margaret Cooke were:
12. John Logan9 Cooke (Catherine8Stewart, Mary7Clay, Mitchell6, William5, Henry4, Charles3, John2, John1) was born on July 15, 1810. He married Sarah G. Ellison in 1831. He died on July 9, 1877 at age 66. He was a Justice of the Peace in Center District, Wyoming Co., WV.
Sarah G. Ellison was born on January 4, 1808 in Wyoming Co., WV. She died on November 12, 1884 in Wyoming Co., WV, at age 76.
Children of John Logan9 Cooke and Sarah G. Ellison were as follows:
Emily Shannon was born in 1816.
There were no children of James9 Cooke Esq. and Emily Shannon.
Children of James9 Cooke Esq. and Martha Cooke were as follows:
He first settled on a grant (Pat. 1009) of 80 acres on the Rockcastle Creek. John H. Stewart was his neighbor in 1840.23 He donated one acre of land at the Forks of Rockcastle (left hand fork of Rockcastle Creek, past Coon Fork) and sufficient timber to build a meeting house. Later the church decided to locate the meeting house at Rockview where it bought a site and put up log walls for a meeting house which was never finished in 1859.24 He moved to Mercer Co., WV after the death of his first wife, Rebecca Jane Sizemore Cooke.
Rockcastle Baptist Church
Rockcastle, WV
By 1858, the Rockcastle area was fairly well settled and in need of a church. Many people living in the area attended and belonged to the Guyandotte Baptist Church in Oceana. During the first week of November 1858, ten members of Guyandotte Baptist who lived in Center District were granted letters of dismissal in order to join a new organization at the Rockcastle settlement.
November 8, 1858: At the Rockcastle Creek home of Silvestor Cooke (present day Rockview), Elders Matthew Ellison and William Walker, being a Presbytery, convened to draft a constitution for a new church. On a motion from Matthew Ellison, William Walker was chosen Moderator and Isaac Bailey, Clerk, after which Rev. Ellison requested the members wishing to go into the Constitution go give their names, All of whom "signed" the Constitution.
The ten former members of Guyandotte Baptist who signed the new Constitution and Declaration of Faith were, John and Tamsey Browning; John Browning Jr.; Thomas and Rebecca Cooke; Sally Cooke; Silvester and Eliza Cooke; David Goode, and Rodah J. Stewart.
William Walker then requested other church members present to unite in counsel with the Presbytery in regard to the Constitution of the new church, and desired those disposed to do so to give their names, whereupon: Aury Bailey, Isaac Bailey, Nancy Bailey, Thomas Bailey, Ann Clay, James Cooke Sr., James Cooke Jr., Jane Cook, Josiah Cooke, Martha Cooke, Nancy Cooke, Andrew Gunnoe, Christena Gunnoe, the names given.
Matthew Ellison and Isaac Bailey were appointed to the committee to draft a constitution for the new church.
November 9, 1858: The convention was called to order by the moderator, William Walker. After a prayer by Brother John Stewart, the letters of dismissal of those to be constituted into the new church were handed in. Brother Ellison then read the Church Covenant and Declaration of Faith.
The Convenient and Declaration was unanimously adopted by the following members: Silvestor and Liza Cooke; John W. and Tamsey Browning; Thomas and Rebecca Cooke; John H. and Elizabeth Stewart; Hubbard and Judy Meadors; Edmond and Cinthy Browning; John Browning Jr.; David Goode Jr.; Roda Stewart; and Sally Cooke.
The church was pronounced constituted by the Presbytery and named The Rockcastle Missionary Baptist Church.17,23,25,14
Rebecca Jane Sizemore was born in 1816 in NC.14 She died on December 11, 1861.14 She was buried in Key Rock, Wyoming Co., WV; Mitchell Harris Cook Cemetery is located about 4 miles from the Stewart Family Cemetery. As you drive up Key Rock, it sits on the right hand side of the road, on top of a grassy hill side. Across the road is an old (white) Methodist church.14
Children of Thomas Munsey9 Cooke and Rebecca Jane Sizemore were as follows:
BIOGRAPHY - Probably written about 1916 - author unknown:
"Rev. William Henry Harrison Cook
The Baptist cause in Southern West Virginia, owes more to the venerable Senator W.H.H. Cook, of Wyoming County, than to any other Baptist minister who has ever labored here. I think he was born in this county Nov. 5, 1840, and is now in his 76th year. He served as a Union Soldier in the 7th Regiment, West Virginia Cavalry from 1863 until the close of the war in 1865. On the 27th day of November 1865, he organized and taught the first free school in Wyoming County, teaching in his father's kitchen just above the Rock Castle Baptist Church. He was converted and joined the Rock Castle Baptist Church at its third Sunday, Aug. meeting in 1869 and was baptized the third Sunday in Sept. 1869. He preached his first sermon on Christmas Day, 1870 in the home of Monroe Wyatt, on the Bear-Hole Fork of Rock Castle Creek, about two miles south of Rock Castle Church. (Mr. Wyatt has been for many years a distinguished Primitive Baptist or Hardshell preacher). Brother Cook soon developed remarkable strength and wonderful gifts as a preacher. His services were in demand everywhere, a number of churches calling him as pastor, among their number of the Guyandotte and Rock Castle Churches, both of which he has served in that capacity for the greater part of the past 45 years. Brother Cook was ordained to the ministry at the second session of the Raleigh Association which was held at Oceana October 11, 1873; with Elders Matthew Ellison, J. L. Marshall, Martin Bibb, Jonathin Smith and J. Calvin Prppeote composing the ordaining council. In addition to preaching the gospel, serving churches, building church houses and baptizing hundreds of converts, he has found time to serve his county and district in the House of Delegates, and State Senate of West Virginia Legislature for 12 years since 1886, serving two terms in each capacity. And while thus serving his constituency, he introduced the first bill that had for its object state wide prohibition in West Virginia. He served as moderator of the Raleigh Association for 14 years, and has served the Rock Castle Association as moderator for 10 years and is the present incumbent.
W.H.H. Cooks Brothers:
Cook, John A., born Mercer Co., Preacher, Ord. June 22, 1893.
Cook, Thomas Boyd, born Wyoming County, Preacher, Ord. Nov. 3, 1896. Pastor,
Rock Castle Baptist Church, WV
Cook, George Frederick, born Chatham, Va., preacher, Ord. Oct. 8, 1892.
Son: Rev. John J. Cook, Pastor, 20th St. Baptist Church, Huntington, WV."
In 1904, the Eastern Cherokees won a judgement against the United States Government because of violations of the treaties of 1835 and 1836, and again in 1845. The payments were to go to all living persons who had been a member of the Eastern Cherokee Tribe at the time of the Treaties, or to their descendants if they were deceased. Over 46,000 people filed claims to their "rightful" portion of the claim, Anna Cook Bailey and Marinda Cook Horton being among them. The "Sizemore claimants" were rejected due to insufficient proof of their connection to the Cherokee Tribe.26
ECA #12939 of Mary Marinda Horton, living at Joe Branch, Wyoming County dated January 21, 1907, wherein she gave the names of her children: Kern Cook b. 1870; William B. Cook b. 1872; Ambrose E. Cook b 1874; So__ Cook b. 1876; May Cook b. 1879; Beecher Cook b. 1881; Arizona Cook b. 1883; Dexter Cook b. 1885; Dwight Cook b. 1888; Arnold Browning b. 1895 and Yandle Browning b. 1892. J. N. Horton "Beige" was age 44. Her mother died about 1861.26
In 1904, the Eastern Cherokees won a judgement against the United States Government because of violations of the treaties of 1835 and 1836, and again in 1845. The payments were to go to all living persons who had been a member of the Eastern Cherokee Tribe at the time of the Treaties, or to their descendants if they were deceased. Over 46,000 people filed claims to their "rightful" portion of the claim, Anna Cook Bailey and Marinda Cook Horton being among them. The "Sizemore claimants" were rejected due to insufficient proof of their connection to the Cherokee Tribe.26
ECA #10488 of Anna Bailey, living at Dott, Mercer County dated 1/9/1907, states her birth as 2/10/1856, a daughter of Thomas Cook and Rebecca Sizemore. She married Augustus I. Bailey (age 56 at application date). She states her father, Thomas Cook, died 11/22/1884 and her mother died February 1861. She gives the names and dates of her brothers and sisters: Sarilda Cook b. 1840/42; Calvin J. Cook died 4/1/1882; Edward H. Cook b. 3/18/1842 d. 1862; John N. Cook (11/15/1844-1/9/1875); George P. Cook d. 1906; Mary M. Cook age 53; Annie Cook age 51; T. B. Cook age 48; Nellie C. Cook age 46; W. H. H. Cook age 67; and E. Jane Cook (no date). Her paternal grandparents were William Cook and Catherine Stewart. Her maternal grandparents were Ned Sizemore Jr. and Annie Baldwin. She also lists her son Eli C. Bailey born October 2, 1895. As a further affidavit, for her daughter, she provides the following: Augustus A. Meadows, Ezra Meadows, Marinda A. Meadows and Lewis Meadows are children of Charlotte S. Meadows, daughter of Annie Bailey, a daughter of Rebecca Sizemore that married Thomas Cook, and she was daughter of Ned Sizemore Jr., son of George Sizemore, son of Old Ned Sizemore. Charlotte S. Meadows died July 14, 1902.26
Children of Thomas Munsey9 Cooke and Nancy P. McComas were as follows:
Mary R. Cooke was born on May 30, 1823. She died on August 19, 1864 at age 41.
There were no children of Mitchell9 Cooke and Mary R. Cooke.
Children of Mitchell9 Cooke and Jane Minerva Pasley were:
16. Richard Madison9 Cooke (Catherine8Stewart, Mary7Clay, Mitchell6, William5, Henry4, Charles3, John2, John1) was born in 1822. He married Mary Gunnoe, daughter of Andrew Gunnoe and Sarah Stewart.Mary Gunnoe was born in 1821. She died in 1885. She was Catherine Stewart's granddaughter, therefore, Richard M. Cook's niece. New information - This may be incorrect, The Reference Book of Wyoming County History states that Mary's mother, Sallie Stewart, was Catherine Stewart's sister, which would make Mary, Catherine's niece and Richard M. Cooke's first cousin.
Children of Richard Madison9 Cooke and Mary Gunnoe were as follows:
William Roach was born on May 17, 1822.
Children of Nellie9 Cooke and William Roach were as follows:
Richard Madison Cooke was born in 1822.
Children of Mary9 Gunnoe and Richard Madison Cooke were as follows:
John N. Cooke was born on November 5, 1844 in Wyoming Co., VA (now WV). He died on January 8, 1898 in Mercer Co., WV, at age 53.18
Children of Margaret9 Stewart and John N. Cooke were as follows:
20. Clarinda Ruth10 Cooke (John9, Catherine8Stewart, Mary7Clay, Mitchell6, William5, Henry4, Charles3, John2, John1) was born on February 28, 1839 in Wyoming Co., WV.22 She married Daniel Samuel Perdue. She married Thomas Wilburn Sizemore on June 17, 1856 in Wyoming Co., WV.22
Daniel Samuel Perdue was born in Wyoming Co., WV.22
There were no children of Clarinda Ruth10 Cooke and Daniel Samuel Perdue.
Children of Clarinda Ruth10 Cooke and Thomas Wilburn Sizemore were as follows:
James H. Stewart was born on June 1, 1838 in Lawrence Co., KY.22 He died in 1918 in Wyoming Co., WV.22 He was a school teacher, taught school in Wyoming Co. for 43 years.
Children of Catherine10 Cooke and James H. Stewart were as follows:
He was also known as John N. Cook he and some of his children dropped the "e" after the Civil War.18
"The family home was established on Widemouth Creek, Mercer Co., WV. A large log cabin was erected, where he cleared a large farm and reared his family.
John N. Cook was a Union soldier and the hardships he endured permanently impaired his health. His active career was farming. A Baptist deacon for twenty years, he served as a member of the school board and was influential in community affairs. He, his brothers Calvin and Reverend Thomas Boyd Cook, and the Bailey family formed the Giatto Baptist Church. He was ordained on June 22, 1883" in 1874.18
"Brief History of the Seventh West Virginia Cavalry
Adapted from Loyal West Virginia 1861-1865, by Theodore F. Lang
The Eighth Regiment, Virginia Infantry, (of the Union Army) was organized in the Kanawha Valley, by Major John H. Oley, during the fall of 1861, headquarters being at Charleston. The regiment was ordered to New Creek in April, 1862, becoming a part of General Fremont's Mountain Department, and with the Sixtieth Ohio Infantry, was organized as an advance brigade, and placed under the command of Colonel Cluseret, A.D.C. to General Fremont. In the pursuit of Stonewall Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley, this brigade had the advance, and were engaged in several skirmishes with Turner Ashby's cavalry, following him closely to Harrisonburg, where they engaged him, resulting in the death of Ashby. This brigade occupied the center at the Battle of Cross Keys and was complimented by General Fremont for its gallantry.
The regiment became a part of General Bohlen's brigade, Sigel's Corps, in General John Pope's campaign, and served with great gallantry in all the engagements of that campaign, including the Second Battle of Bull Run. On arriving at Washington, D.C., the regiment was transferred to General Milroy's brigade, and returned with him to western Virginia, and was again assigned to duty in the Kanawha Valley. In November, 1862, it was transferred to Colonel Moor's brigade. On the assignment of General Averell to the Fourth Separate Brigade, this regiment was mounted, and became a part of his brigade, as the Seventh West Virginia Cavalry, with which it served as long as the organization existed.
The regiment spent the last years of its term in the Kanawha Valley, occupying the following different posts: Charleston, Coalsmouth, Winfield, Point Pleasant, and Guyandotte. Early in January two or three brigades of Confederate troops were sent to winter in the counties immediately in the front of these posts, and the regiment was kept very actively engaged during the winter, to prevent incursions by them, and in the protection of loyal citizens and their property. Several small engagements took place, in which a number of the enemy were killed, and about two hundred prisoners taken. About the 1st of February, 1865, six officers and nearly one hundred fifty men were discharged by reason of expiration of term of service, but the regiment was immediately filled to the maximum by the muster-in of recruits.
From the time of the surrender of Lee's army the regiment was engaged in patrolling the twenty counties of southwestern Virginia, composing the District of Kanawha, for the purpose of paroling returned Confederates and maintaining order in the country. Over 5000 Confederates were paroled by the officers of this regiment. In June, 1865, Colonel John H. Oley, who had been in command in the Kanawha Valley for a year previously, received an appointment as Brevet Brigadier-General, to rank from March 13, 1865, for gallant and meritorious service in West Virginia.
The regiment was mustered out at Charleston, West Virginia, on August 1, 1865.
The regiment lost during the war: killed in battle and died of wounds, 5
officers and 28 enlisted men; died of disease or accident, 2 officers and 201
enlisted men; total, 236.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Service of the 7th West Virginia Cavalry
Adapted from Compendium of the War of the Rebellion by Frederick Dyer
8th REGIMENT INFANTRY
Organized at Buffalo, W. Va., November, 1861. Attached to District of the Kanawha, W. Va. Unassigned to May, 1862. Cluseret's Advance Brigade, Dept. of the Mountains, to June, 1862. Bohlen's Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Corps, Pope's Army of Virginia, to September, 1862. Milroy's Independent Brigade, Defences of Washington, D.C., to October, 1862. Point Pleasant, W. Va., District of the Kanawha, W. Va., Dept. of the Ohio, to March, 1863. Averell's 4th Separate Brigade, 8th Army Corps, Middle Department, to June, 1863. Averell's 4th Separate Brigade, Dept. of West Virginia, to December, 1863. 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, Army of West Virginia, to January, 1864.
SERVICE.--Post duty at Buffalo, W. Va., till April, 1862. Ordered to New Creek, W. Va. At Franklin till May 25. Pursuit of Jackson up the Shenandoah Valley May 26-June 19. Mt. Carmel Road near Strasburg June 1. Strasburg and Staunton Road June 1-2. Harrisonburg June 6. Battle of Cross Keys June 8. Port Republic June 9. Moved to Strasburg June 19-22, thence to Middletown June 24, and duty there till July. Middletown July 7. At Winchester till August 2. Pope's Campaign in Northern Virginia August 2-September 22. Fords of the Rappahannock August 20-23. Freeman's Ford August 22. Sulphur Springs August 23-24. Waterloo Bridge August 25. Gainesville August 28. Groveton August 29. Bull Run August 30. In the Defences of Washington, D.C., till September 29. Moved to Mt. Pleasant, W. Va., September 29-October 9. Outpost duty at various points in District of West Virginia, till June, 1863. Skirmish, Gilmer County, W. Va., April 24, 1863. Regiment mounted at Bridgeport June, 1863. Moved to Grafton June 17. Beverly July 2-3. Huttonsville July 4. Moved to Cumberland, Md., July 7. Hedgesville and Martinsburg July 18-19. Averell's Raid through Hardy, Pendleton, Highland, Bath, Greenbrier and Pocahontas Counties, W. Va., August 5-31. Huntersville August 22. Warm Springs August 24. Jackson River August 25. Rocky Gap near White Sulphur Springs August 26-27. At Martinsburg till November, Averell's Raid against Lewisburg and the Virginia & Tennessee Railroad November 1-17. Mill Point November 5. Droop Mountain November 6. Covington November 9. Averell's Raid to Salem on Virginia & Tennessee Railroad December 8-25. Gatewood's December 12. Covington, Jackson River and Scott's or Barber's Creek December 19. At Martinsburg till January, 1864. Designation changed to 7th West Virginia Cavalry January 26, 1864.
7th REGIMENT CAVALRY
Organized from 8th West Virginia Mounted Infantry January 26, 1864. Attached to 3rd Brigade, 4th Division, West Virginia, to April, 1864. 3rd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, West Virginia, to June, 1864. 2nd Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, West Virginia, to July, 1864. 1st Separate Brigade, Kanawha Valley, W. Va., to August, 1865.
SERVICE.--Duty at Martinsburg and Charleston, W. Va., to April, 1864. Crook's Raid on Virginia & Tennessee Railroad May 2-19. Rocky Gap May 6. Cloyd's Mountain May 9. New River Bridge May 10. Cove Gap May 10. Blacksburg May 11. Union and Pond Mountain Gap May 12. Meadow Bluff May 24. Hunter's Raid to Lynchburg May 26-July 1. Buffalo Gap June 6. Lexington June 11. Buchanan June 13. New London June 16. Diamond Hill June 17. Lynchburg June 17-18. Liberty June 19. Buford's Gap June 20. About Salem June 21. At Loup Creek June 29. Ordered to the Kanawha Valley and duty at Charleston, Coalsmouth, Winfield, Point Pleasant and Guyandotte till August, 1865. Coalsmouth September 30, 1864. Skirmish at Winfield October 26, 1864 (1 Co.). Operations in the Kanawha Valley November 5-12. Mustered out August 1, 1865."31
John N. Cook Will
This Will and Testament of John N. Cook, made this 8 day of January, 1898, and Thomas B. Cook, A. B. Godfrey called as Witnesses, That John N. Cook will as follows: The entire lot of property belonging to John N. Cook is to be willed to Margaret Cook including three horse __, two cows and 1, 2 year heifer, four calves, 29 sheep, five hogs, 40 chickens and all the house hold and Kitchen furniture and wills the following lands. 1st tract Known as the home place where the said John N. Cook now resides. 2nd tract Known as the Angle Place where Troy Waddle now resides. First tract to be deed __ to W. S. Cook, my son by Margaret Cook. Second tract to be deeded to Cozette Cook my daughter by Margaret Cook - 3rd tract lying on the west side of a ridge running off to M. E. Bailey's and adjoining the lands of R. S. Cook, H. I. Cook, Wm. T. Meadows, et al to be deeded to Bellgand Cook my daughter by Margaret Cook. 4th tract lying on th