Descendants of John Woolsey III (1737-1819)





Descendants of John III Woolsey (1737-1819)




JOHN WOOLSEY III (JOHN II5, JOHN43, GEORGE "JORIS"3, GEORGE SR2 WILLIAM WOLSEY1) was born October 15, 1737 in NY - Huntington, Long Island, and died January 14, 1819 in TN - Jearoldstown, Lick Creek, Greene. He married (1) PRISCILLA WOOLSEY November 20, 1761 in Marlboro, Ulster, New York, daughter of THOMAS WOOLSEY and SARAH PIERCE. She was born Abt 1741 in NY - Bedford, Westchester, and died 1771 in VA - Fincastle County. He married (2) SARAH B OLIPHANT November 20, 1773 in VA - Fincastle, Washington, daughter of EPHRAIM OLIPHANT and SARAH STOUT. She was born April 06, 1751 in NJ - Hunterton, and died Aft. 1819 in TN - Greene County.


NOTES: John and wife, Priscilla, were 3rd cousins. John III marriages are recorded in John Sr.'s Bible (I haven't seen it myself!) of which this family was to have been constructed from. John lived near/on Lick Creek, in North Greene County, Tenn., where land records verify his paying taxes. His death was between Jan. 14-25, 1819. - Steven Alsip of Corbin, KY:


MILITARY: John was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. - Source: Rena Stinson of Lyndsey, Calif., a double descendant of this line and the Oliphant line of Gloria Dunn.

In the Rev. War from VA, believe fought in battle of Kings Mtn. in 1780. - Source: Jim Willhite


FAMILY BIBLE:
1998 Sept 7, from Sue Morrison: A 1977 family history by Mattie Logsdon, "Climbing the Cherry Tree", refers to a WOOLSEY family Bible owned in 1922 by Roy Woolsey, Rt. 12, Greeneville, Tennessee. Roy's son Daniel (of Baileyton, TN) copied the record on 10 June 1922 and mailed it to a Mrs. N.C.WOOLSEY. The record apparently begins with John WOOLSEY, b. 15 Oct. 1737, mar. #1 Priscilla and #2 Sarah and lists the children of these marriages. John WOOLSEY d. in Greene County in 1819. Would like to know if the Bible still exists, the publication date, etc. of the Bible, and who has current possession of it or whether I could obtain photocopy of original. Also interested in exchanging information on WOOLSEY family.

Source: Jim Willhite
The following is to be found in the John Woolsey Family Bible, in Greene Co., TN. Up to 1965 Ray Woolsey had the Bible, but since his death the Bible has vanished.
1. George & Rebecca Cornell Wolsey
2. John & Abigail Stevenson Woolsey
3. John Jr. & Mary Sammis Woolsey
4. John III & #1 Priscilla Woolsey #2 Sarah Oliphant Woolsey

Source: Anna Ruth Davidson
1782-87 Tax List, VA
WOOLSEY
George 1 Brun Co., VA
Nanny Brun Co., VA
Randal 1 Brun Co.., VA
Zephaniah 1 Washington Co., VA


CORR:
1999 Feb 27, from Wilford W. Whitaker: Remember when Fincastle County, Virginia, is mentioned, the Woolseys have most likely settled on their land on the South Fork of the Holston River in an area that will become Washington County, VA in a few years. The date of the bond his administrators gave was 25 Jan 1819.

CORR:
1999 April 8, from Wilford W. Whitaker:
From my research, Rev Thomas Woolsey settled on the South Fork of Holstein River near the "toe" of Virginia in 1771 and that area was actually in several counties before it finally became Smythe County (1832), Virginia, where you may now see his head-stone. But before that it was Washington County (1776-7), and before that it was Fincastle (1772) and Montgomery (1776-7) counties, and before that it was Botetourt (1769-1790) county, Virginia. Now I have found records of them in all (I think) of those counties. But the Woolseys didn't move around, the county designations just changed.

The same thing happened in Tennessee. His sons and sons-in-law moved on down the Holstein valley, and moved over into what became Tennessee, settling on the Nolachucky river. It was easier for settlers to come into Tennessee from the north (Virginia) than it was from the east (North Carolina) because of the barrier of the Blue Ridge Mountains. So they traveled down the vallies.

From Fourth Edition of the Handy Book for Genealogists, p. 157: Some early settlers came into the northeast corner of Tennessee from the Uplands of North Carolina and banded together as the Watauga Association and spread over the eastern part of the section. North Carolina shortly accepted the district as Washington County, which eventually embraced all of the present Tennessee. Washington County (1772), North Carolina, was then divided into several counties, which included Greene (1783) County, Tennessee.

From Mattie T. Logsdon, "Climbing the Cherry tree", Ada, Okla. 1977. p. 246ff.:         "In searching records in Greene County, Tennessee, one needs to know that Greene County was established by an Act of the North Carolina General Assembly on 18 Apr 1783, the third established in the territory now the state of Tennessee. The Act provided that Washington County be divided into two counties. Greene County was named in honor of Gen. Nathaniel Greene, Rev. War hero.

"On the third Tuesday in August, 1783, Greene County was organized into four districts .... the third district included "all residue of said County the North side of Nolachucky River and French Broad River." ... Fourth district - all south of Nolachucky...."

"We don't know if John and his brother Zephania came to Greene County together, or not. We do know from Court records, etc., that Zephaniah Woolsey settled south of the Nolachucky river - some of his descendants are still living in the same area. . . . .

"John Woolsey settled on the North side of Nolachucky river, where many of his descendants still live. It is interesting to learn that those descendants don't seem to know (or recognize) the fact that their ancestors of Greene County were brothers.

MAP: Lands owned by John Woolsey III -
LAND GRANT: "John Woolsey was in Greene County by 1784 (jury duty, grand jury etc) and in 1787 John Woolsey purchased a Land Grant #1952 for 100 acres adj Nathaniel Davis' Line, which was on Lick Creek (third district) (Greene County)."
        The Nolachucky river runs through the lower 1/3 of Greene County, so John Woolsey (whose 1st wife was Priscilla Woolsey, and 2nd wife was Sarah Oliphant) and his descendants settled north of the Nolachucky and John's brother Zephaniah Woolsey and descendants settled south of the Nolachucky, both in Greene County.
        John and Zephaniah Woolsey were sons of John Woolsey and Mary Sammis, and many of John's and Zephaniah's descendants went into Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas.
        So....... I think it would be safe to say that these descendants were born in Greene County, Tennessee.

CORR:
1999 Oct 1, from Kelley Biskey: No. 1952 John Wolsey 100 acres Joining Nathaniel Davis' lines. Greene County 1787 Source: North Carolina Land Grants in Tennessee, 1778-1791

"They Went West & Lived" provided by Jayne McCarley:
Early Greene Co.
There were setters in the area of Mill Creek and Lick Creek earlier than 1783-88. The area was then Washington Co., NC. The land Grants for these early settler's can be found by writing to the North Carolina Land Office. Some people are not aware that the 1783 Greene Co. grants were "copied" from the "earlier" Washington Co., NC grants when Greene was formed and that the copies were poorly done. Some of the original grants contain a lot more information than those that you find from 1783 on.

Renaee - TNGreene mailing list: Lick Creek is a very large creek that runs all the way through Greene County with small tributaries shooting off the main artery. Most of the area on the creek is somewhat "marshy" and prone to flooding. It lies mostly in a valley of sorts but to either side will be some hilly areas. (Some parts are not hilly). For instance, on Iron Bridge Rd. , the road is above the creek but on the one side of the creek is nothing but flat land. This land is used mostly for pasture land and growing hay.

In my neck of the woods, the tributary that runs through here has a lot of sycamore trees, dogwoods, redwoods and pawpaws. Many of the sycamores look as old as the hills, but I'm not a botanist. My 4th great grandfather built his house in Locust Springs, near Lick Creek. The house is relatively small and made of handhewn lumber that I'm sure he cleared from his own land. The house was built c. 1820 or so. He was here before then, but I've not been able to locate a previous house.

From what I gather, Tennessee was considered the "wild frontier" back in the late 1700's. The land has been cleared over a period of time, but occasionally, there is evidence that it was once all forest with creeks and abundant wildlife. Greene County, itself, sits in a cradle, with mountain ranges on all sides. We have North Carolina to the east and south and Bays Mountain to the north. To the west would be heading into Gaitlinburg.

Greene County is a beautiful place, but it can also be harsh. Living right on Lick Creek could mean the loss of life, house, crops, animals, etc. Most people lived back from the creek and either dug wells or drew their water from the creek that was some distance from their homes. The land can and does provide a lot of food, even in the wild. Crops grow well here but we are prone to dry spells.

Goodspeed's History of Greene County published 1887 Green County is the fourth county in size in East Tennessee, having an area of 530 square miles. It lies between the Unaka Mountains on the south and Bays Mountains on the north, and is traversed by a series of valleys and ridges. The principal stream is the Nolachucky River, which receives as tributaries Lick Creek, Little Nolachucky, Horse Creek and Camp Creek. The soil of the county is generally fertile, with the exception of the extreme southern part, and even in this section the lands are found to be well adapted to tobacco culture. The richest farming lands occupy the northern portion of the county and the bottom of the "Chucky River." The minerals embrace almost every variety found in East Tennessee, with the exception of coal. Iron is especially abundant in many places, and has been worked with success. The settlement of what is now Greene County was begun about 1788. One of the first settlers was Anthony Moore, who in that year located not far from Henderson's Station, and whose daughter is said to have been the first white child born in the county. Other settlers followed soon after, and during the next two years, the greater part of the land, along Lick Creek and the Nolachucky River had been occupied. Among the other early settlers of the county were James English, on the headwaters of Lick Creek; Joseph Hardin, on the Roaring Fork of Lick Creek; George, William and Henry Conway, at the mouth of Lick Creek; Amos Bird, on the Chucky River; Alexander Galbraith, on Sinking Creek; James Delaney, on Holley Creek; Lewis Brayles, on Horse Creek; James Houston, in what is known as the Cove; Lanty Armstrong, on the sight of Rheatown; Robert Carr and Robert Hood, on the sight of Greeneville; James Patterson, who had four sons -- James, Andrew, Nathaniel and William -- located on Lick Creek in 1783. The Moores, Rankins and David Rice also settled in the same vicinity. A station was erected by the Carters about eight miles northwest of Greeneville. Tephaniah [sic] Woolsey lived south of the river.


WILL: Abstract of will: Goldene Burgner, "Greene Co. TN Wills, 1783-1890" Olds Wills Book, Pg 63-67 JOHN WOOLSEY Probated January 1819 $5000

To wife, Sarah, 15 acres land, house, tools, furniture, $30 in silver, a Bay mare, saddle and bridle and her choice of my stock of cattle. To eldest son, John, one dollar as I gave to him heretofore. My loving son,Thomas, one dollar. My daughter, Mary English, wife of Andrew English, one dollar and no more.

The heirs of William Osburn and Sarah Osburn, one dollar. To son Samuel, 50 acres adjoining Andrew Dobkinses tract. A land taken in one intier body.... To Zephaniah Woolsey 50 acres of land lying at the lower end of the tract whereon Turner Smith lived on the Main Lick Creek... To Israel Woolsey the upper 50 acres in the afforsaid tract including the buildings wherein Turner Smith lived...         To Fethias Woolsey 50 acres of land adjoining Simon Popes lands... To son Olapher Woolsey, 60 acres including the manslin house and barn and orchard and adjoining the 15 acres that was bequeathed to my wife Sarah Woolsey..... What balance of land remains to be divided among Samuel, Zephaniah, Israel, Olapher and Fethias Woolsey equally plus $150 each. I bequeath unto Turner and Rebecca Smith, David and Priscilla Logan all my book debts and balances of my notes that haven't heretofore been bequeathed on. It is my meaning that after my five sons and my wife is satisfyed then several shears as I have heretofore stated it is my will they have the balance of my book debts and notes at hand to be equally divided betwean them and their heirs. Executors: Israel, Fethias & Olapher Woolsey 13 Jan 1819 Test: John Crawford, Johanna Dobkins, Cornelius Newman, Andrew Dobkins signed: John Woolsey


More About JOHN III WOOLSEY:
Burial: TN - Lick Creek, Greene - Woolsey Family Cemetery
Christening: October 19, 1737, NY - Huntington, Long Island, Main Street, Old First Church - Presbyterian
Family Researcher: Carolyn Woolsey Wilkerson
Family Researcher 3: Nancy Curran
Military: Revolutionary War

More About SARAH B OLIPHANT:
Burial: TN - Lick Creek, Greene - Woolsey Family Cemetery
Religion: Baptist

Children of JOHN WOOLSEY and PRISCILLA WOOLSEY are:
    i.   JOHN WOOLSEY IV, b. February 22, 1763, NY - Marlboro, Ulster; d. August 13, 1842, TX - Clarksville, Red River, Republic-Texas; m. MARY GILBERT, June 14, 1787, TN - Greene County; b. Abt 1765, TN - Robertson County; d. Abt 1846, TX - Clarksville, Red River, Republic-Texas.

    ii.   THOMAS WOOLSEY, b. May 01, 1765, NY - Marlboro, Ulster; d. November 1828, AR - Hempstead; m. JOANNAH GILBERT, Abt 1798, Tennessee; d. July 1836, AR - Hempstead.

    iii.   MARY E WOOLSEY, b. September 14, 1767, NY - Marlboro, Ulster; d. 1859, TN - Greene County; m. ANDREW ENGLISH, February 03, 1790, TN - Grundy County; b. Abt 1740, PA; d. Bef. January 27, 1818, TN - Greene County.

    iv.   SARAH WOOLSEY, b. December 13, 1769, NY - Marlboro, Ulster; m. WILLIAM OZBURN, June 30, 1789, TN - Greene County. Marriage Records: Record #144 Greene County, Tennessee Marriages, 1738-1868


Children of JOHN WOOLSEY and SARAH OLIPHANT are:
    v.   SAMUEL WOOLSEY, b. January 06, 1776, VA - Fincastle; d. November 25, 1844, TN - Lawrence County; m. CASSANDRA GILBERT, September 01, 1801, TN - Greene County; b. May 20, 1773, TN; d. Bef. 1820, TN - Greene County.

    vi.   PRISCILLA WOOLSEY, b. August 29, 1778, VA - Washington County; d. December 23, 1856, TN - Greene County; m. (1) ANDREW COLE, September 29, 1798, TN - Greene County; m. (2) DAVID LOGAN, October 28, 1806, Greene County, Tennessee; b. May 23, 1782; d. May 04, 1849, Greene County, Tennessee. Source: Marriage information - Record #551 "Greene county, Tennessee Marriages, 1738-1868" compiled by Goldene Fillers Burgner - Witnesses: Phillip Cole

    vii.   REMEMBER WOOLSEY, b. March 24, 1781, VA - Washington County; d. Bef. 1819; m. DAVID COLE, November 09, 1797, WV; b. 1777; d. 1861.
Remember Woolsey was not mentioned in her father's will, so prob died before 1819. Remember Woolsey md abt 1801 David Cole [???a brother of Andrew Cole?????www] David Cole was b abt 1779 and they had 5 ch.
    viii.   ZEPHANIAH WOOLSEY, b. November 11, 1783, VA - Washington County; d. December 16, 1854, KY - Clinton County; m. (1) SUSANNA BAXTER, December 25, 1809, Cumberland County, Kentucky; m. (2) ANNA CROUCH, July 11, 1811, TN - Greene County; b. November 24, 1793; d. December 31, 1845.
    ix.   REBECCA (REBECKAH) WOOLSEY, b. October 22, 1785, TN - Washington County; d. Abt 1867, TN - Greene County; m. TURNER SMITH, January 06, 1807, TN - Lick Creek, Greene County; b. October 20, 1784, VA; d. September 29, 1854, TN - Greene County.
    x.   ISRAEL WOOLSEY, b. March 30, 1788, TN - Greene County; d. July 19, 1871, TN - Lick Creek, Greene; m. (1) ISABELL ELIZABETH NEWBERRY, April 23, 1812, TN - Greene County; b. July 26, 1787, NC; d. October 23, 1868, TN - Greene County; m. (2) REBECCA REGISTER, July 07, 1853, Greene County, Tennessee; b. November 09, 1784, Delaware; d. May 03, 1868, Greene County, Tennessee/Knox County, Tennessee.
    xi.   OLIPHANT (OLIPHAR) "OLIVER" WOOLSEY, b. December 06, 1790, TN - Greene County; d. 1826, KY - Cumberland County; m. ELIZABETH BERNARD, 1811, TN - Hawkins County; b. Aft. 1790, TN - Beach Creek, Hawkins; d. 1840, TN - Roane County.
    xii.   JACOB WOOLSEY, b. February 15, 1792, TN - Greene County; d. Bef. 1819, TN - Greene County. Jacob died at a young age and is buried in the Woolsey Family Cemetery, Greene County, TN.
    xiii.   ISAAC WOOLSEY, b. February 15, 1792, TN - Greene County; d. Bef. 1819, TN - Greene County. Isaac died at a young age and is buried in the Woolsey Family Cemetery, Greene County, TN.
    xiv.   FETHIAS WOOLSEY, b. March 23, 1796, TN - Greene County; d. January 30, 1835, TN - Ten Mile Stand, Roane; m. (1) ELIZABETH CROUCH, 1818, KY - Clinton County; d. July 1823, KY - Clinton County; m. (2) MARGARET PEOPLES, April 02, 1824, TN - Horse Creek, Sullivan; b. August 08, 1801, TN - Sullivan County; d. October 09, 1880, TN - Ten Mile Stand, Meigs.




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