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Category : Family History

Roberts on the 1830 Lee County Federal Census

Filed Under : Family History by Jeff Roberts

Aug.30,2010

Roberts, John  0110010000000-3101100000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    317 19

(1 Free White Males 5-10, 1 Free White Males 10-15, 1 Free White Males 30-40, 3 Free White Females 0-5, 1 Free White Females 5-10, 1 Free White Females 20-30, 1 Free White Females 30-40)

Mom & Dad, 30-40 years old, born @1790-1800

Kids: 2 boys, 5 girls

Roberts, John  1300010000000-1000100000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    318  7

(1 Free White Males 0-5, 3 Free White Males 5-10, 1 Free White Males 30-40, 1 Free White Females 0-5, 1 Free White Females 20-30)

Mom, 20-30 years old, born @1800-1810, & Dad, 30-40 years old, born @@1790-1800

Kids: 4 boys, 1 girl

Others:

Roberts, Aron  0130010000000-1100010000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    317 14

Roberts, Emanuel  2000100000000-0000100000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    318  9

Roberts, Lewis  1100100000000-1210100000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    317 15

Roberts, Margrett  1100000000000-1000100000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    318  6

Roberts, Nancy  0100000000000-1120001000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    318 26

Roberts, Philip  2000001000000-1202010000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    318 11

Roberts, Rachel  1000000000000-1100100000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    318  5

Roberts, Thomas  1110010000000-0110010000000     000000-000000     000000-000000   00000  0000    318  8

Names found in the 1810 Lee County Personal Property Tax List.

Filed Under : Family History by Jeff Roberts

These are in alphabetical order and not in the order enumerated. You will have to consult original or microfilm copies of these lists for more information. Spellings are as they appeared.

A-F G-M N-Z

Abshear, John George, William Naper, Robert

Adams, Elisha Gibbs, James Napier, Edmond

Adams, Peter Gibbs, Michael Napier, Edmund Jr

Allen , William Gibbs, William Napier, Patrick

Allen, James Gibson, George Jr Neille, Daniel

Allen, John Gibson, George Sr Neille, Jeremiah

Alsup, William Gibson, Matthew Neille, William

Anglin, Abner Gibson, Robert Nelson, Joshua

Anglin, John Jr Gibson, Zacheriah Nethercut, William

Anglin, John Sr Gilbert, James Nichols, William Sr

Applegate, Hezekiah Jr Gilbert, Joseph Noe, Aquila

Applegate, Hezekiah Sr Gilbert, Nancy Noe, Charles

Ash, Daniel Gilbert, Thomas Noe, David

Ashinhurst, John Giles, John Noe, james

Averhart, Charles Gillam, Richard Noe, John Sr

Bailey, James Gillam, William Noe, Randolph

Bailey, William Gilly, Francis Noe, Samuel

Baldwin, Nicholas Gilly, John Nottingham, James

Ball, George Goff, Felix Nowlin, Stephen

Ball, Mary Goff, George Nowlin, Thomas

Ball, Moses Goff, Thomas Osburn, Edmund

Ballinger, John Graham, William Osburn, Elias

Barby, Mary Graybeel, Jacob Osburn, John

Barnett, Abner Grey, Jackson Owens, Phebe

Barnett, James Grey, James Owens, Robert

Barnett, Joshua Grey, Mary Owens, Washington

Beatty, Edward Grey, William Owins, John

Beatty, Martin Greybeel, John Page, John

Beatty, Patrick Griffen, Israel Page, Peter

Beatty, Richard Griffin, John Parker, John

Benham, Mary Griffin, Stephen Parrott, Mouring

Bennett, Levi Grimes, William Parsons, John

Bevers, Sampson Grimmet, William Parsons, Samuel

Bishop, Abner Guttery, Hugh Paulk, Jacob

Bishop, Elijah Guttery, John Payne, James

Bishop, John Jr Guttery, Milam Payne, John

Bishop, Peter Gwynn, James Peek, George

Bishop, Thomas Hale, Benjamin Peery, Jacob

Blakemore, James Hale, John Pennington, Edward

Blakemore, Joseph Hale, Richard Pennington, Micajah

Blakemore, Thomas Hall, Amy Pennington, Micajah Jr

Blanton, George Hall, David Pew, Joseph

Blanton, John Hall, Jacob Pew, William

Blare, Elsie Hall, John Pillion, John

Bledsoe, Abram Hall, Thomas Plank, Christian

Bledsoe, Thomas Halpane, John Porter, Thomas

Blessing, Henry Hamilton, Thomas Poteet, William

Blevins, James Hamlin, Champ Powell, William

Bluebaugh, Jacob Hamlin, Charles Powers, Jesse

Boggs, Eli Hamlin, Henry Preston, John

Boggs, Hugh Hamlin, John Prigmore, Theodorus

Boggs, James Hamlin, Paschal Provo, James

Boggs, John Hampton, John Qualls, David

Boucher, Robert Hampton, Thomas Randals, Daniel

Bowins, Reuben Hampton, Wade Randolph, Willoughby

Bowlin, Michael Hampton, William Rap, Daniel

Bowlin, William Hardister, Thomas Razor, Frederick

Bowyer, Samuel Hardy, Thomas Razor, Michal

Bowzer, George Hardy, William Razor, William

Breeding, Jeremiah Harmon, Peter Redmond, George

Brianu, William Harris, James Reilly, Edward

Brittain, James Harris, Matthew Rice, Holiman

Brittain, William Harris, William Ritter, John

Broadrick, William Hatfield, Abner Roberts, William Jr

Brown , Thomas Hatfield, George Roberts, William Sr

Brown, Leeroi Hatfield, Lynch Robertson, Absalom

Brown, Michal Hays, William Robertson, John

Brown, William Hayslip, Henry Robertson, Warren

Brown, William Hayslip, Joel Robinett, James

Bruner, John Hayslip, Robert Rodgers, James

Bunch, Elijah Head, George Rodgers, Thomas

Burchett, Burrell Head, Joseph Rollen, George

Burchett, John Helton, John Roller, Gasper

Burgin, Isaac Hemphill, Joseph Roller, Jacob

Burgin, James Hicks, James Roller, John

Burgin, John Hicks, Jane Root, John

Burke, David Hicks, John Rose, George

Burke, James Hignight, James Ross, David

Burns, Dennis Hill, James Rowland, Doudle

Buttern, William Hix, Samuel Rowland, Matthew

Calaham, John Hobbs, Absalom Rowland, Michal

Calypool, John Hogan, William Russell, David

Campbell, James Hoover, Jacob Russell, James

Campbell, James Sr Hoover, John Russell, John Jr

Campbell, John Hoston, Joel Russell, John Sr

Campbell, Matthew Howard, John Russell, William

Cannon, James Howard, Samuel Sage, Sampson

Carns, John Howe, William Sampson, Charles

Carrol, Augustus Howell, Berry Sampson, Joseph

Carrol, James Howpt, Anthony Sayers, William

Carter, Charles Howpt, Henry Scott, Isaac

Casebolt, John Howpt, Valentine Scott, Nimrod

Casebolt, Thomas Hubbard, Isham Scott, Samuel

Caudle, David Hubbard, Joel Scott, Thomas

Chadwell, David Jr Hudnell, Richard Shamlin, James

Chadwell, David Sr Huff, Charles Shamlin, William

Chadwell, John Huff, James Sharp, Benjamin

Chadwell, William Huff, William Sr Sharp, Debo

Chapman, John Hughes, Oliver Sharp, James

Chrisman, Gabriel Hunley, James Shelton, Jeremiah

Chrisman, Nimrod Hunley, Thomas Shepherd, James

Christy, Samuel Husk, Jesse Shepherd, Sampson

Chuk, William Huston, William Shepherd, Thomas Sr

Clack (or Clark?), John Hutchinson, Alexander Shepherd, William

Clark, Jesse Hyden, James Shepperd, Thomas

Clarke, Francis Hyden, James Short, David

Clarke, Robert Hyden, John Shuah, George

Clarkson, Thomas Hyden, William Shumate, Mark

Claypool, David Hyden, William Simms, Robert Jr

Cloud, John Hynes, Matthias Sims, James

Coger, Joseph Ingrum, Job Sims, Micajah

Coldiron, Henry Ingrum, Silas Sims, Roberts

Cole, Adam Ingrum, Thomas Sims, William

Cole, Matthew Irby, Francis Sisk, Daniel

Collier, Aron Isaac, Caleb Skidmore, Henry

Collier, Randolph Ison, Gideon Skidmore, John Jr

Collier, Shadrach Jane, James Skidmore, John Sr

Collins, Absalom Jane, Stephen Skidmore, Thomas

Collins, Daniel Jenkins, Robert Sloan, Reuben

Collins, James Joans, Alexander Sloan, Thomas

Collins, John Johnson, John Smith, Absalom

Collins, Martin Jones, Abram Smith, Benjamin

Collins, Mitchel Jones, James Smith, David

Collins, Solomon Jones, Jonathan Smith, David

Collinsworth, Edmond Jones, Samuel Smith, Edward

Comer, Martin Jones, Stephen Smith, George

Connolly, Charles Jones, Thomas Smith, John

Connor, James Jones, William Smith, Mial

Coop, John Jones, Wylie Smith, Reddin

Cooper, John Kelly, John Smith, Theophilus

Cooper, Jonathan Kennedy, Stephen Smith, William

Cooper, Samuel Kincaid, James Smith, William

Cooper, William King, James Smith, William

Corry ?, James King, Joel Snider, Barnett

Covy, Noble Kirk, Willie Souders, Abram

Cowan, Richard Knotts, Thomas Souders, Elizabeth

Cox, John Lambert, John Souders, Henry

Cox, William Lane, Michal Souders, Jonathan

Crabtree, Jacob Latham, John Souders, Peter

Crabtree, Job Lawrence, Charles Spears, Joshua

Crabtree, John Lawrence, Richard Spears, Robert

Craig, Hiram Lawson, David Spencer, Aron

Craig, William (con.) Lawson, Hutson Spencer, John Sr

Creech, Elijah Lawson, John Spencer, Joseph

Creech, Elisha Lawson, Moorman Spencer, Moses

Creech, John Lawson, Stokely Spencer, William

Creech, Jonathan Lawson, Thomas Spencer, William

Creech, Zadock Leddington, Thomas Spilman, Samuel

Daniel, John Lewis, John Spurlock, Drury

Daniel, William Lewis, Thomas Spurlock, Jesse

Davis, Benjamin Lewis, William Standerford, William

Davis, David Likings, Peter Stanly, John

Davis, Deale Litteral, Abigal Stephens, David

Davis, John Litteral, John Stephens, Gilbert

Davis, John Litteral, Samuel Stephens, Solomon

Dawson, Nimrod Little, Eb. Stuart, David

Dean, Laban Locke, Abram Stuart, James

Deaton, John Locke, Samuel Stuart, Thomas

Denham, Philip Louder, William Sullivan, Owen

Dickinson, Daniel Lucus, Raspberry Summers, Daniel

Dixon, John Macfarlane, George Sutton, Smith

Dizzern, Elisha Macfarlane, John S. Tackett, Philip

Dizzern, Francis Maddin, George Tausser, Henry

Dizzern, Frederick Mahon, Joseph Taylor, John

Dottson, Edward Mainos, Jacob Tharp, William

Dottson, Simon Mark, John Thomas, Joseph

Dougherty, John Mark, samuel Thompson, Electius

Dougherty, Joseph Markham, Reuben Thompson, Henry

Dougherty, Nathaniel Markham, Samuel Thompson, Jonathan

Dougherty, William Marshal, David Thompson, Joshua

Duff, James Marshal, Hugh Thompson, Stephen

Duff, Robert Marshall, Thomas Thompson, William

Duff, Robert L. Martin, Allen Tipton, Jonathan

Dunlop, John Martin, Hatfield Tittle, David

Dyches, James Martin, John Todd, Elizabeth

Earls, Charles Martin, John Sr Towell, John

Edwards, Jesse Matlock, William Townsend, George

Edwards, John Mattock, John Travis, George

Eli, George Mattock, John Sr Travis, James

Eli, Isaac McBriant, Joseph Tritt, Elizabeth

Eli, John McCaleb, Isaac Trotter , Isaac

Eli, Joseph McCelland, Hugh Trotter, James Jr

Eli, Robert McCord, Benjamin S ? Trotter, James Sr

Eli, William Jr McCully, Hugh Trotter, John

Eller, George Jr McCully, Reuben Turner, James

Eller, George Sr McDewell, John Turner, Jonas

Eller, John (con) McDowell, Edward Turner, Joseph

Ely, David McDowell, John Tyre, David

England, John McDowell, Luke Vernon, John

Ewing, Joshua McDowell, Michal Waddle, David

Ewing, nathaniel McGee, John Waddle, James

Ewing, Samuel McGee, Samuel Waddle, Thomas

Ewing, William McGuire, Francis Walker, Robert

Failing, Thomas Mcheon, John Wallen, Elisha

Farlor, Farost McInnelly, John Wallen, James

Farlor, Francis McKinney, John Sr Wallen, James Jr

Farlor, William McKinney, Michal Wallen, John Jr

Ferguson, Elisha McKinny, Abram Wallen, John Sr

Ferguson, John McKinny, David Wallen, Jospeh

Ferguson, Obadia McKinny, James Warner, John

Files, Manly McKinny, John Jr Warren, Aron

Flanery, James McKinny, Shadrack Warren, Thomas

Flanery, John McMillan, Andrew Watson, Hezekiah

Flanery, John Jr McQuown, Hugh (Jr?) Watson, Thomas

Flanery, Thomas McSpadden, Archibald Watson, William

Fleming, Robert Miles, James Waughtel, Frederick

Fletcher, David Miles, David Sr Weaver, William

Fletcher, Drury Miles, Wright Wells, Jacob

Fletcher, George Miller, Henry Wells, Jeremiah

Fletcher, James Miller, Joseph Wells, Thomas

Fletcher, James Jr Miller, William Wells, Zachariah Sr

Fletcher, Jesse Minx, Peter Welsh, Joseph

Flin, George Miracle, Abram West, Charles

Flin, Jacob Miracle, Frederick Whaley, Hercules

Flin, Martin Miracle, John Wicker, Evan

Fortnu, Richard Moore, David Wicker, Pleasant

France, William Moore, David Wilcox, George

Frigate, James Moore, George W. Wilcox, Sarah

Fritz, John Moore, Shadrack Williams, Isaac

Fukle, Absalom Morgan, Zacharia Williams, John

Fulkerson, Abram Morriss, Joseph Williams, Jospeh

Fulkerson, Frederic Muncy, Francis Willis, John

Fulkerson, Isaac Muncy, James Wilson, Catharine

Fulkerson, John Muncy, Peter Wilson, William

Fulkerson, Peter Muncy, Samuel Wissman , Philip

Muran, Samuel Wissman, Michal

Wolfenberger, Jacob

Wolfinberger, Joseph

Wood, Richard

Woodard, James

Woodard, Jesse

Woodard, John

Wylie, James

Wylie, William

Wynn, Elkanah

Yates, Benjamin

Yates, Joshua

Yates, William

Yeary, Henry

Yeary, William

Young, James

Young, John

Young, William

Roberts on the 1795 Lee County, Virginia, Personal Property List

Filed Under : Family History by Jeff Roberts

1795 Lee County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List

Surname	Given Name	White Males 16+	Blacks 12-16	Black Males 16+	Horses, Mares, Colts & Mules
Roberts	George	1			1
Roberts	William	1(William Jr.?)			3

Blackwater, Virginia

Filed Under : Family History,Local History by Jeff Roberts

The small community of Blackwater has been mostly unnoticed by historians of southwest Virginia. It was given its name of Blackwater by the first hunters that ventured into the area perhaps as early as the 1750s.
At that period of time, a spring or stream that contained minerals such as common table salt was referred to as Blackwater [Etymology: “The history of linguistic form”] The term brackish water derives from the Low Saxon word brackwater, which is the water of a brack. A brack is a small lake created when a storm tide breaks a dike and floods land behind the dike. Low Saxon (in Low Saxon, Plattdüütsch, Nedderdüütsch or Neddersassisch) is any of a variety of Low German dialects spoken in northern Germany and the Netherlands. It also includes Plautdietsch, which is spoken by Mennonites in North America.
Blackwater is located at the crossroads of the old trading route from the Cumberland River to the Cherokee nation in East Tennessee and the old hunters trace from the New River to Kentucky. Today, Blackwater is an isolated community as to commerce and transportation, but it was not so isolated in the mid eighteenth century due to the large Buffalo lick. Over the eons of time, herds of buffalo had carved out trails radiating out from the lick to the grazing meadows in Powell Valley, Rye Cove, and south to the Clinch River valley. Herd animals would travel great distances to a salt lick to replenish their need for salt, an essential mineral in their diet. A salt lick is a site where the soil and rocks contain a natural deposit of salt and was called a lick because the animals would lick the soil or rocks to a depth of several feet to satisfy their need for this essential element.

A salt lick was the favorite hunting site of the Indians and long hunters. The hunters would position themselves at strategic points along the trails the animals traveled to the lick and make their kill. Numerous historical records of the frontier give accounts of the well known licks such as the Bledsoe lick in Sumner County Tennessee, the Blue lick in central Kentucky and the French lick in southern Indiana, but little is known about the large lick at Blackwater. Perhaps this is because the Blackwater lick was discovered at least a quarter of a century before the licks in Sumner County in Tennessee, Kentucky, and Indiana and by the time of their discovery the pressure of hunting at the Blackwater lick had depleted the size of the herd animals to near extinction; however, the trails carved out by buffalo remained and were used by the hunters as the choice route leading from the frontier to Kentucky. The long hunters knew about the lick as early as 1761, and it was a landmark on the old hunters path from the New River to Powell Valley.

Land records tell us much about the route the hunters took to seek game around the large salt lick and the grazing grounds in Lee County. The Hunters path is well defined until it reaches the little salt lick, Duffield, but from this point little is known about the route to Powell Valley; however, the land surveyors made notations on their surveys that give clues as to the route of the path. A land grant to Arthur Campbell [LO 45-325] describes the location of the grant as being at the Hunters Gap in Lee County and on both sides of the Hunters path. This tells us that the Hunters path ran along the south side of Powell Mountain from Duffield to Blackwater and crossed the mountain at Hunters Gap. The path ran down Wallen creek to near it mouth on Powell river where again the land surveys pick up the route of the Hunters path.

Another grant to Arthur Campbell [LO Q-318] is described as being on the south side of the Powell River and on both sides of the Hunters path. This grant is located about one mile west southwest of where Wallen Creek flows into Powell river. The Campbell grant [LO Q-318] is adjoined on the west side by a land grant to Robert Preston [LO 27-57]. The Preston grant is described as lying on both sides of the Hunters path. From this information, we know that the Hunters path ran from near the mouth of Wallen Creek across the area known as the Rob bottoms and crossed the Powell River at White shoals. Again, the surveys tell us that the path ran in a north or northwest direction from White shoals as a grant to Robert Preston [LO 27-41]is described as lying on the west side of trading creek and one of the survey points is described as “white oak south side of the old Kentucky trace on John Ewing line with same”. From this point, the path or trace ran to Martins station but the exact route cannot be proven by land records.

Records show that Elisha Wallin and William Newman hunted around the Blackwater buffalo lick as early as 1761. Wallins Ridge and Newman Ridge were named after them. Other long hunters surely knew about the lick. Evidence of the buffalo trails remains on modern maps by the names of geographic features such as hunters ford, hunters valley, hunters gap and hunters branch. No doubt the long hunters in quest of game followed the herd animal paths from their favorite grazing grounds to the salt licks. There were many small licks in the area used by deer and other small game, but needs of the herd animals would require the mineral deposits of a much larger lick such as the Buffalo Lick at Blackwater.

The importance of the Blackwater lick is clearly pointed out by the claims of the land speculators. As early as 1775, Thomas Osburn had settled on land adjoining the Buffalo lick and obtained a land grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia by virtue of Right of Settlement. “Washington County Survey Book 1,Page 389 Commissioners Certificate – on the forks of black water a north branch of Clynch River – beginning at the foot of Powells Mountain on the west side of the Buffalow Lick – at the foot of Newman’s ridge on both sides black water joining Powells Mountain, includes improvements, actual settlement made in 1775 – August 22, 1781”.

The name Blackwater appears in land claims as early as 1775, and the name was known far and wide. Claims were filed in the Virginia Land Office and the North Carolina Land Office for land at Blackwater so hunters from North Carolina and Virginia had spread the word about the large buffalo lick at the Blackwater. From the North Carolina Archives, we find that Walter and Robert King filed an entry with the North Carolina Land Office for 250 acres that was to include an old buffalo lick. “Recorded in North Carolina Land Office File No 28 Hawkins County records. Walter King & Robert King make entry No 1947 entered 12 Oct 1779,250 acres near the foot of Powell mountain by the name of Black Water: Beginning near the creek at a poplar, white oak, poplar s;150 poles to a stake, then W;280 poles to a stake, then n;150 poles to a stake, to include an old Buffalo Lick, surveyed 16 Sep 1793. Thomas Church assigned his interest in the Wilkins land to William Hord and Hord assigned it to Walter King & Robert King 1 Nov 1792”.

In the meantime, Walter Preston was issued a land grant from Virginia that bordered the Thomas Osborne grant and included the buffalo lick. To further complicate the issue Arthur Campbell also obtained a grant from Virginia that included the buffalo lick, all of the Thomas Osborne grant and much of the Preston grant. Apparently Preston ended up as the legitimate owner as he sold his grant to James White. The heirs of Campbell made an effort to reclaim their Blackwater grant, but I find no record that they were successful. The Thomas Osborn grant ended up under the ownership of James and Stephen Osborn. A deed recorded in Lee County Deed Book 3, page 189: “Stephen Osborn & Comfort & James Osborn & Mary to William Roberts, 31 Jul 1810, DB 3-189. 400A by survey only the 1/2 of the Buffalo lick excepted for James Osborn the same being the west side of the said lick running through the middle thereof with the conditional line made by John Osborn & Roberts from thence marked around the lick on or near the bank of the same $650”.

This deed shows that James Osborn reserved for himself ½ interest in the salt lick when the Thomas Osborn grant was sold to William Roberts. Apparently the lick site was developed as a salt works as a deed made 29 December 1817 and recorded in Lee County Deed Book 3, page 399, shows that William Roberts and his wife, Catherine sold ¼ part of a tract known as the Blackwater tract, to Jessee G. Rainey. “Being a part of tract said Roberts purchased of James & Stephen Osburn. Including the lick premises and well, now occupied by said parties together and including 100 acres”. The deed shows that by the year 1817 a well had been dug at the salt lick site. On 5 June 1818 William Roberts and wife sold 1/8 part including the lick premises and well recorded in Lee County Deed Book 3, page 405, and on 12 May 1818 William Roberts and wife sold ½ interest of the lick tract to Joseph and James McReynolds of Bledsoe County, Tennessee for $3,000. Recorded in Lee County Deed Book 3, page 406. The McReynolds deed shows that something of great potential lay within the boundary of the tract. At that point in time, land in and around Blackwater was selling for $1 to $2.50 per acre. The McReynolds paid $60 per acre.

From this time forward, the land records do not show what happened as to the ownership of the salt lick tract; however, on 19 January 1835, by order of the Lee County court, Jacob V Fulkerson, commissioner of the court, sold one moity of the Blackwater salt lick to Dale Carter of Russell County, Virginia. Carter was a large land owner and land speculator who owned large tracts in the Elk Garden and in present-day Wise County, Virginia.

Why all the interest in the buffalo lick? Most likely these early land speculators had visions of developing the site as a salt works much like the one at Saltville. In fact, a salt works was operated at Blackwater for a period of time.

In conclusion, the first white traders with the Indians and the long hunters used the buffalo lick at Blackwater as a well known land mark to describe the route from the frontier to the hunting grounds in Powell Valley and Kentucky. The buffalo paths from the grazing grounds led to the lick. Daniel Boone in his aborted journey to Kentucky in 1773 most likely used the hunters path to the Powell river. It was a route well known to him and other hunters. The Boone party consisted of some forty individuals, pack horses and a small herd of cattle. A party this large would have had to follow a well-defined Buffalo trail to keep some order to their journey.

Lee County Order Book 2, page 364 27 Jan 1818; David Burk proposes an alteration in the road leading from the Blackwater salt works up Blackwater to the state line.

Lee County Order Book 2, page 374, 29 Apr 1818: John B Neil, Elisha Rogers; Thomas Roberts; William Wallin and David Lawson view a road from the forks below the Blackwater salt works to John B Neils.

Elisha Wallen the Long Hunter

Filed Under : Family History,Local History by Jeff Roberts

Aug.27,2010

From: Pathfinders, Pioneers, & Patriots

originally posted at http://www.ancientfaces.com/research/story/383170

Born in 1732 in Prince George County, Maryland, Elisha Wallen was to become an important character in the history of the settlement of the West.

He stood about 5’10” tall and weighed about 180 lbs., was squarely built, and had a dark complexion with rough features. Although he had little education, he was quick witted, easy-going, and very honest and disciplined. He lived entirely by hunting, and the knowledge he acquired on his expeditions did much to encourage settlers to follow.

In 1761, as soon as the Cherokee were pacified, Wallen gathered a group of relatives and friends for a big hunt far beyond the settlements in the valleys of the New River. With him were his father-in-law, brother-in-law, William and Jack Blevins, Henry Skaggs, Walter Newman, Charles Cox, and about a dozen other trained woodsmen (including Daniel Boone, who traveled with the party to Wolfe Hills, (Abingdon, Va.) ). They crossed the Blue Ridge Mtns., into the road leading beyond the New River and ranged into the hidden coves and valleys of the Holston, Clinch, and Powell Rivers. They followed buffalo paths to big licks, wandered up and down streams, and crossed rugged mountains. And they found a veritable hunter’s paradise. They feasted on the game and collected many skins and furs for the Eastern Market. In camp they built pole scaffolds several feet above the ground on which they piled their pelts. A pole on top kept the skins packed together. An elk or buffalo hide, or strips of bark protected them from the weather. When enough were collected, the men folded and packed the pelts in bales weighing 50 – 100 pounds. Two bales made a horseload.

Their trip lasted for 18 months and covered much of the wild region between Long Island and Cumberland Gap – the country later traversed by the Wilderness Road. They named many ridges and streams. Wallen himself is remembered by Wallen’s Ridge and at least two Wallins’ Creeks.

Newman’s Ridge was named for Walter Newman, a member of the party. Wallen’s men changed Walker’s Beargrass River to Powell River, because of the frequency with which they came upon “A.Powell” – carved by Thomas Walker’s companion on beech trees along the bank. It is also likely that they changed the name of “Cave Gap”, to “Cumberland Gap”.to conform with the name by which the mountains were now being called.

In 1762, he participated in a second Long Hunt, travelling through Flower Gap to the New River. From there he proceeded over Iron Mountain at Blue Springs, down the South Fork of the Holston River and on to Elk Garden. Between Jonesville and Rogersville, he made a “station camp” for his hunting party to use as a base for their hunting.

In 1763, he went on his 3rd hunt, with approximately the same group as before. They followed the old trail through Cumberland Gap and trapped on the headwaters of the Cumberland River, in South Eastern Kentucky – notably “Stinking Creek”, a tributary of the Cumberland, often mentioned in the annals of the Wilderness Road. They extended their hunt to Rock Castle Country, and Westward until they encountered flatter land. They came to a large crab orchard at some great springs. That spot, still known as Crab Orchard, became a significant point on the Wilderness Road. News of Wallen’s profitable long hunts, stimulated others on the border. The fur trade was attractive and became an important way for settlers to supplement their income when crops were in.

In 1767, he was elected Captain of the County Militia under Major Theophilas Lay.

Later in his life he built a cabin and resided near his Wallen’s Station between Kyles’ Ford and Jonesville, Va.

William Roberts Sr. & Cornelius Roberts-brothers?

Filed Under : Family History,Family Stories,Local History by Jeff Roberts

Originally posted at http://sites.google.com/site/descendantsofcorneliusroberts/fsdbhdj

13 Aug 2010

Col. James Robert’s Tories were active on the NW side of the Blue Ridge in the Ashe Co., NC area according to Col. Richard Allen’s pension claims. By family associations it has been suggested that Cornelius Roberts (Neal Roberts) is the son or brother of this man, but this is far from proven. James is also likely to be the father of Happy Roberts who married William Riddle and William Roberts who also appeared on the William Herbert 1774 militia accounts. A James Roberts appears in the area northwest of today’s Martinsville, Henry Co., Virginia, by 1753 and in the late 1760s he is joined by a John and Cornelius. James Roberts may be the man who served at the Battle of Point Pleasant under William Campbell.

On 5 July 1776 the land of James Roberts in Montgomery Co., Virginia was confiscated and sold because he had taken up arms with the British. In 1779 his land in Surry Co., NC was also confiscated by act of the legislature in New Bern.

Benjamin Phipps pension app: ” about the year 1779 or 80 he [Phipps] was engaged in making a crop of corn, when Colonel Roberts, at the head of a company of Tories, came there [to Capt. John Cox’s] and made prisoners of him and William Craig and Beverly Watkins. The Tories carred him to the British Army commanded by Lord Rogers…”

David Cox pension app: “Sometime after this affair a certain Captain Roberts of the Tory party came into the neighborhood with a company of –, and this declarant with Major Love pursued them into — near the head of New River, determined to overtake them but Capt. Baker of North Carolina heard of them and his party overtook, wounded or killed the whole party except Roberts their captain who made good his escape…”

George Morris Esq. – an old Whig on New River: “When friends and neighbors collected and pursued them to one Capt. Patrick John – near where the town of Jefferson now stands where they overtook them committing outrages on the old Captain – they had but a bridel rein around his neck and were leading him out of his gate to hang him when the Whigs came up – fixed on them – killed two of the English – wounded the other – took him prisoner – and Capt. Roberts and the other Tory narrowly escaped.”

In the Draper manuscripts, “Roberts was on his route to Ninety-Six with about 20 men though he did not come with him. Col. Roberts was passing through [now] Ashe County and passed by Benj. Cuthbirth’s and robbed his 5 valuable horses. I think this was 1781. Some time after this Capt. James Roberts, son of Col. Roberts passed through Ashe on the same trail that had been traveled by Col. Roberts. The Captain had but 4 men besides himself, one Tory and 3 British soldiers.”

Capt. James Roberts (son of Col. Roberts) is thought to be the same man who later settles on the Clinch, in what is now Lee Co., Virginia and who raises some of William Riddle’s children. In the 1791 tax list for the lower district of Russell Co., VA (became Lee County) are Joseph and William Ingrahm (m. Happy Roberts [or Rogers] Riddle), James Fulkerson (who lived near James Roberts in Pittsylvania [now Henry] Co., VA and sold land to him in Surry Co., NC), Williamson Roberts, John Rice, George Roberts, Philip Roberts, James Roberts (the Capt.), Thomas Rogers, Aaron Roberts, Doswell Rogers, Thomas Rogers Sr., a second Doswell Rogers, William Tate, John Tate, and the Waller/Wallens: Lewis, Elisha, Thomas, John and William.

Source for much of the facts above: Rodney Veitschegger; replies to a question of mine of Roberts Genforum; Mary E.V. Hill (Riddle Newsletter)

Roberts, Neal

Time-line for Cornelius “Neal” Roberts:

Born before 1746 in Halifax Co., VA, possibly a son of the Tory leader, Col. James Roberts (speculative).

1767 Acquired 400 acres in what is now Henry Co., VA. By 1769 he had a survey of 798 acres along a fork of Reedy or Reed Creek called Grassy Fork or Solomons Branch or Glady fork. Listed as Neel Roberts a tithable to Peter Copland Gent. In Pittsylvania (now northern Henry) Co., VA. In 1769 he had another 398 acres or 798 acres total. Another 800 acres were surveyed off Beaver Creek. This land is northwest of Martinsville. John and James Roberts are in the same area and James’ name first appears in 1753. 1771 – on records of Botetourt Co., VA, living on Beaver Dam Fork of Elk Creek in what is now Grayson Co., VA 1772, 1773 – on records of Fincastle Co., VA after it was formed from Botetourt 1774 Served 29 days under Lieut. John Cox, Daniel Boone and Capt. David Looney in Lord Dunmore’s War: They were left behind to guard the frontier he did not make the march to Point Pleasant with Col. Herbert’s men. June 15 1776 “Roberts with Tories on Elk Creek” (Wm Preston to Edmund Pendleton referring to Col. Or Capt. James Roberts I presume.) 1780 Montgomery Co., VA court record: property confiscated for Tory activities ordered returned due to lack of evidence of participation in the Tory militias. He may have been a member of the Elk Creek militia, but I do not find him on the militia musters (there is a John and James Roberts on the Elk Creek militia muster rolls). 1782 owned 150 acres, Montgomery Co., VA (now Grayson) 1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 6 horses, 8 cattle

1783 Moved to Russell Co., VA, owned 352 acres along a tributary of the Clinch River.

1787 Sells the 352 acres and buys 200 acres on the Clinch River, also in Russell County. 1788 Killed and scalped by Cherokees, possibly led by Robert Benge on Black Mountain along the border of Lee Co., VA and Harlan Co., KY while digging ginseng.

Cornelius married Mary Benton about 1767 (perhaps a daughter of Sam Benton, her second husband was Rev. Frost. See also William Vaughan below who may have married a sister of hers). Their children: Mary 1768 m. Shadrack Monk (daughter Rhoda married Joseph Riddle), Elizabeth 1770 (d. 1833 Letcher Co., KY m. Abraham Childress, son of John Childress and Rachel Perkins), James 1772 (d. 1858 Pike Co., KY m. Nancy Damron — daughter of Moses Damron and Aggie Owl), Nathan 1774 (m. Abigail Bishop in Knox Co., TN), Amelia 1775 (d. Walker Co., AL m. Edward Frost), Jesse about 1776 (d. 1857 Taylor Co., KY m. Mary Ann Simpson Skaggs), Daniel 1777 (d. 1846 Winston Co., MS m. Elizabeth Kiser), Susanna about 1779 (m. Lot Litteral), Sinai 1781 (d. 1874 Marion Co., TN m. Peter Anderson), Archibald 1784 (d. 1860, Wabash Co., IL, m. (1) Mary Thorpe, (2) Sarah Pennington in Cumberland Co., KY); Isaac 1786 (d. 1839 Caldwell, TX m. (1) Ann Enyart, (2) Rhoda); Mourning 1788 (d. 1866 Jackson Co., AL, m. Jacob Tally 1808). All children were born in Virginia.

Source: Derek Gilbert (Worldconnect); http://mkhgenealogy.com/Roberts/ (Mary K. Harris); New River Notes tax lists and militia musters; Jodie Necaise, Roberts Genforum #14436, Teresa Carlson # 14355, Mary E.V. Hill, Riddle Newsletter Vol 4, Issue 1, December 1997.

Roberts, William

William is probably a brother of Cornelius Roberts and more doubtfully a son of the notorious Capt. James Roberts (Tory leader). He shared an 1780 court venue with Cornelius

He is the William Roberts born about 1744 in old Lunenburg Co., VA who married Elizabeth “Betsy” Walling, daughter of Elisha Wallen and Mary Blevins.

1774: William was among those diverted to Capt. Looney’s company on the Clinch and did not fight at Point Pleasant. Instead he was with Capt Looney, Lieut. Daniel Boone and Lieut. John Cox guarding the Clinch frontier.

1780 Montgomery Co., VA court session: George Reeves, James Howell, William Roberts, Neal Roberts, Moses Johnson, Richard Green, Richard Wright, Clem Lee and George Herd were restored their property for lack of evidence that they actively fought against the government.

1782 Montgomery Co., VA personal tax list: 1 tithe, 0 slaves, 12 horses, 13 cattle

My Long Hunters

Roberts, Wallens, Bakers & Burkes in East TN & Southwest VA

Category : Family History

Roberts on the 1830 Lee County Federal Census

Names found in the 1810 Lee County Personal Property Tax List.

Roberts on the 1795 Lee County, Virginia, Personal Property List

1795 Lee County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List

Blackwater, Virginia

Elisha Wallen the Long Hunter

William Roberts Sr. & Cornelius Roberts-brothers?

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