Ball and Autrey Ancestry and Related Names

Source Citations

Andrew George Sr. ENDSLEY

¹1860 Georgia Federal Census. "Found on the Georgia Federal Census records of 1860, spelli ng Ensley. No "d" but this is the Leander EnDsley of our f amily. This is his first marriage.
For more Endsley information connected to this Endsley fami ly, please visit Jo's Font Porch located at:
http://members.tripod.com/~JoMAutreyJo Autrey is connecte d through Leander Endsley and Melissa Eastor (his second ma rriage) and has provided this information for this file.". " http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=jmautrey&id=I629  See the Autrey and Endley Site for more Information on Endsley."

Andrew BOYD

¹F.B. Kegley, Kegley's Virginia Frontier. "Kegley's Virginia frontier : the beginning of the southwest, the Roanoke ofcolonial days, 1740-1783 / by F.B. Kegley.  Introduction by Samuel M.Wilson, Lexington, Kentucky. -- Roanoke, Va. : Southwest VirginiaHistorical Society, 1938.








SOURCES:.".

²Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia : extracted from theoriginal court records of Augusta County, 1745-. "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia : extracted from theoriginal court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800 / by Lyman Chalkley. --Rosslyn, Va. : M. Lockwood, Hon. Vice-Pres. General, Nat'l Society, DAR,.     (v.2).".

³A Seed-bed of the Republic : a study of the pioneers in the upper(Southern) valley of Virginia / by Robert Douthat Stoner. "A Seed-bed of the Republic : a study of the pioneers in the upper(Southern) valley of Virginia / by Robert Douthat Stoner. -- Roanoke, Va. :Sponsored by th Roanoke Historical Society, Edmund P. Goodwin, President,c1962.".

⁴Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, v.2 / by Mary B. Kegley.

⁵Report from Mary J. Foster. "Report: prepared by Mary J. Foster at esmerlda@utxvms.cc.utexas.edu  15 Jan 1999

Notes:
Andrew Boyd born about 1745, married Mary Buchanan, the daughter of ColonelJohn Buchanan and Margaret Patton Buchanan.  They first settled atPattonsburg near present Buchanan on the James River, locating at the ferryplace where Andrew ha a license to operate an ordinary in 1773.  Just when they moved to Draper's Valley is notrecorded, but family tradition states that their son Thomas was born therein 1774.  Their other children included Jane, John, Sarah Anne Buchanan Boyd (called Sally), Ann Margaret, Alexander, James, andPriscilla.  Al of these appear in the will of Andrew Boyd recorded inBotetourt County.  Family records mention an Aelenor born 1776 (Chalkley,Chronicles, II, 172; III, 118, 248; Summers, Annals, p. 211; Jouet Boyd papers)

While living in Botetourt County, Andrew served on the jury several timesand wa appointed to view a road up the James River.  He received acertificate for 6,05 pounds of hemp in 1771 (Summers, Annals, pp. 127,137, 165, 172, 197).

In 1775 Andrew Boyd is mentioned in a letter from William Preston to LordDunmor which states that he delivered a letter to Little Carpenter and theCherokee Chiefs.  It also mentioned that he was applying for bounty land"due to officers of his brother's rank" (Preston Papers, Draper Mss., 44418).  The brother referred to inthis letter was Alexander Boyd who was active in the French and Indian Warand because of his service was entitled to 2,000 acres of land.  He died in1766 and Andrew became administrator of his brother's estate, claiming the militarygrant which was located in Kentucky (Chalkley, Chronicles, I, 128; Kegley,Virginia Frontier, pp. 276, 326).

In 1776 Andrew Boyd was appointed as overseer of the road from Little PineRun t Reed Creek and "with the usual hands of which W. Sayers will givehim a list," h was to keep the same in repair according to law.  Thisplaces Andrew Boyd on the Western Waters in 1776 (Summers, Annals, p. 648).

Andrew Boyd was a member of the second Committee of Safety for Fincastle County and as such attended themeetings held in that connection in 1775 and 1776.   On February 23, 1776,he with others was chosen to settle the price, receive the money, anddistribute the salt left at Fort Chiswell.  In June he was made a member of a subcommittee for four trials to beheld at Fort Chiswell (Harwell, Committees of Safety, pp. 69,78,79,91).

In 1776 Boyd was chosen as one of the appraisers of William Herbert'sestate, an in 1779 he was summoned tosettle these accounts in the court.  In 1777 Boyd was recommended for theposition of justice of the peace and took oath of office early in 1778.  Heserved in this capacity for many years and when the new count of Wythe wasformed in 1790 he was appointed for that county as well (Summers, Annals, pp. 651, 679, 683, 688, 710,729, 1356).

In 1779 the Montgomery County Court appointed Boyd to take the list oftithables in Captain Draper's and Captain McCorkle's companies.  The sameyear he was made Commissioner of Tax for the year.  In 1781 he took the list of tithables inPierce's and Edward's companies, and in 1782 was to take the list of allfree males over 21, and the names of slaves, also cattle, horses, mares,colts, mules wheels for riding carriages, billiard tables, and ordinary licenses in Bobbett' and Edward's Company"(Summers, Annals, pp. 704, 753, 757).

On February 7, 1781, he was asked to appoint the hands to work on the roadfrom Peak Creek to Andrew Crockett's smith shop.  In 1785 Andrew Duncan was to serve as overseer of the highway from the ford of Peak Creek toAndrew Boyd's, Gent., in the place of Frederick Edwards (Summers, Annals,pp. 747, 781).

Boyd purchased more than 2,000 acres of land on Pine Run and Mack's Creek,receiving the deeds to most of it from the executors of James Pattonbeginning in 1779.  The grant for the original 4,500 acres, of which Boyd'spurchases were part, was dated 1753.  As Boyd's children married he provided homeplaces for them, the deedsbeing recorded inWythe County.  In 1796 Thomas Boyd and John Boyd, Andrew's sons, wereliving in Fayette County, Kentucky, each of them located on 500 acres,parts of the military survey of 2,000 acres granted Andrew Boyd as heir ofAlexander Boyd deceased (Montgomery County Deed Books A, pp. 184, 199, 402; B, pp. 2, 134; Wythe County Deed Books1 pp. 344, 345; 5, p. 208).

In 1802 Samuel Shepherd married Ann Margaret Boyd (daughter of Andrew) andthe following year her parents sold them 553 acres.  In 1791 John Smith (Smyth) married Jane Boyd (daughter of Andrew) and the following year theyreceived 550 acres on Pine Run.  In 1804 William Foster, Jr., married SarahAnne Buchanan Boy (daughter of Andrew) and the same year received a tractof 690 acres (Wythe County Deed Books 1, p. 77; 4, pp. 96, 197; Wythe County Marriages).

In 1805, Andrew Boyd petitioned the General Assembly of Virginia for repealof the Act which allowed John Beale, Esquire to establish and build a tollbridge across the James River.  Boyd had received no notice of the fact that Beale intended to abut the bridge on Boyd'sland, and in fact did proceed to build the toll bridge and fixed thepillars before Boyd could object.  Boyd claimed rights to the ancient ferryestablished on one side of the James and acknowledged that Beale had a similar claim to the other side of theriver.  Although Boyd claimed that his lands would be flooded, and hisferry which had been there for about forty years would be useless, thepetition was denied (Wythe County Petitions, December 19, 1805, Virginia State Library, Archives).  The bridge wasbuilt but later washed away by a flood and was never rebuilt (Fulwiler,Buchanan, Virginia Gateway to the Southwest, p. 16).

In 1810 Robert Graham, Sr. purchased two tracts totalling 725 acres onLittle Pine Run from Andrew Boyd.  It is possible that this was the AndrewBoyd homeplace.  Sometime following this sale and prior to 1815 Andrew Boydand his wife returned to Botetourt County (Wythe County Deed Books 5, p. 243; 6, p. 348.)

... The [Andrew Boyd/] Joseph Graham house, with log part nowweatherboarded ove and the house remodelled, is located at theintersection of present Routes 100 and 654 in Pulaski County.

After returning to Botetourt, Andrew Boyd and Mary sold land to their sonThomas Boyd in 1815.  The tract contained 395 acres and adjoined SamuelShepherd in Draper's Valley.

There can be no doubt that Andrew Boyd, Sr. provided many families withprime land in the valley.  Through his connection and influence the Shepherds, Painters, Fosters, Howes, Grahams, and Crocketts and their descendantsestablished homeplaces which still can be identified.

The will of Andrew Boyd was probated in June 1820 in Botetourt County and named his children, John, Thomas, Sarah Ann Buchanan, Margaret, Priscilla("my unfortunate daughter"), and Alexander.  He also mentioned heirs of hisdeceased children Mary and James (Botetourt County Will Book C, p. 265).For information regarding Alexander and James Boyd and their relationship to the town of Buchanan, seeFulwiler, Buchanan, Virginia:  Gateway to the Southwest, pp.30-40.23

=====
"THE BOYDS-- Andrew acquired the entire James River Estate of Col. JohnBuchana from his widow, Margaret Patton Buchanan Anderson, and operatedthe Buchanan Ferry at Buchanan, also being licensed to operate an Ordinarythere as early as 1773.  He received two thousand acres for his service in the First Virginia Regiment underCol. George Washington, and Alexander Boyd received thirteen thousand acresfor his services as paymaster for Col. Washington.  The Boyd family was alsorepresented by James, to whom was issued the patent for a tract of 340acres on Looney's Mill Creek; that was the beginning of the famous MountJoy Estate.  A street in the town of Buchanan recognizes their activity in the establishment of that town.  AndrewBoyd married Mary, daughter of Col. John Buchanan."15

=====
Andrew Boyd, heir at law of Alexander Boyd served as a Lieutenant in theFirst Virginia Regiment from the second day of May 1759 until March 1762 when the sai Regiment was discharged for whichservice the said Alexander Boyd obtained Lord Dunmore's Warrant for TwoThousand acres of land.  It farther appears to the court by due Proof thatthe said Alexander Boyd served as paymaster to the Virginia forces ordered as an Expedition to the Ohio underthe command of Genera Braddock from the 31st day of March 1755 for whichhe never received any land.

It also appears to the Court that the said Alexander Boyd served aspaymaster of the Virginia Forces under the command of Colo. George Washington from thefirst of May 1756 by virtue of the Governor's Commission for which he norAndrew Boyd never received any land.  The said Alexander Boyd also served aMuster Master from the 18th day of June 1756, also as paymaster to the  Rangers from the 22nd day ofFebruary 1758 until May 1759; also as Lieutenant in the First VirginiaRegiment under the command of Colo. Adam Stevens from the 7th day of May1762, and as paymaster for the sd. Regiment, for which services he nor the said Andrew Boyd never received any land.For these services he is certified to the Register of the Land Office for13,000 acres of land.6

=====
July 10, 1766, John Smith made an entry for 400 acres at the mouth ofPurgatory Creek including the town of Pattonsburg.  In the year 1770 hesold his claim to Margaret Buchanan, widow of Col. John Buchanan.  MargaretBuchanan married William Anderson with whom she migrated to Kentucky.  They sold the land in 179 to Andrew Boyd,of Wythe County, Virginia.  Boyd vs. Mathews, Chalkley 2,128.6

=====
[Listed under "Judgements : Circuit Court Causes Ended"]:  "Boyd vs.Mathews--O.S. 152; N.S. 53--Deed dated 21st March, 1796, by WilliamAnderson and Margaret, his wife, of Fayette County, Ky., to Andrew Boyd ofWythe County, conveys tract in Botetourt County.  Recorded in Botetourt County, February-June 1797.  Recorded inFayette County, April, 1796.  On 10th July, 1766, John Smith made an entryfor 400 acres at mouth of Purgatory Creek on James River, includin town of Pattonsburg, which in 1770 he sold toMargaret Buchanan, widow of John Buchanan."8

Last Modified: 21 Aug 1998

SOURCES:

SOURCES:
Reference Note 6
Kegley's Virginia frontier : the beginning of the southwest, the Roanoke ofcolonial days, 1740-1783 / by F.B. Kegley.  Introduction by Samuel M.Wilson, Lexington, Kentucky. -- Roanoke, Va. : Southwest VirginiaHistorical Society, 1938.

SOURCES: Reference Note 8
Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia : extracted from theoriginal court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800 / by Lyman Chalkley. --Rosslyn, Va. : M. Lockwood, Hon. Vice-Pres. General, Nat'l Society, DAR,.     (v.2)

SOURCES: Reference Note 15
A Seed-bed of the Republic : a study of the pioneers in the upper(Southern) valley of Virginia / by Robert Douthat Stoner. -- Roanoke, Va. :Sponsored by th Roanoke Historical Society, Edmund P. Goodwin, President,c1962.

SOURCES: Reference Note 23
Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, v.2 / by Mary B. Kegley.

SOURCES: Reference Note 31
Sue Ann Hayley (SuziH@aol.com): e-mail message dated 23 Sep 1998.  The nameof Andrew Boyd's father is actually in doubt.  That he was Alexander Boyd (son ofAlexander Boyd, who was possibly the son of William Boyd, 1st Earl ofKilmarnock, and Joan Cunningham), is just one of several theories.
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Notes below from Ancestral File:
Andrew BOYD (AFN: 1S7S-SJ5)
Sex:  M
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Submitter(s):
BILLIE D. WILSON Microfilm:  NONE
97 LOS ROBLES  Submission:
ARLINGTON TX
USA 76006
----------------------------------
THE BELOW INFORMATION WAS TAKEN FROM http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=boyd-trees&id=I16530
JohnHBoyd@compuserve.com


!(1) D.A.R. Patriot Index (1966) p.76.
(2) "Early Marriages, Wills, and Some Revolutonary War Records, Botetourt
County, Virginia," comp. by Anne Lowry Worrell (Hillsville, VA, 1958: reprint
Genealogical Pub. Co., Baltimore, 1976) p.58.

!Birth: (1) c.1745.
Marriage to Mary Buchanan: (1)
Death: (1) Before 6 Jun 1820.

(1) Private & PS, VA, Rev. War.
(2) 1820, Jun: Will of Andrew Boyd proved Botetourt Co., VA. Names children
John, Thomas, Sarah, Ann Buchanan, Margaret, Pricilla "my unfortunate
daughter," Alexander. The heirs of a deceased child, Mary and James.


Marriage 1 Mary Burke Buchanan b: ABT. 1746 in
Children
Alexander Boyd
John Boyd
Pricilla Boyd
Margaret Boyd
Ann Boyd
Sarah Boyd
James Boyd b: ABT. 1768 in Fort Lewis, Augusta Co., Va
John B. Boyd b: 7 MAY 1770 in Fort Lewis, Botetourt Co., Va
Thomas Boyd b: 19 SEP 1774 in James R. Ferry, Botetourt Co., Va
Eleanor Boyd b: 6 SEP 1776 in Pine Run, Fincastle Co., West Virginia
Salerle Boyd b: 12 FEB 1779 in Pine Run, Fincastle Co., West Virginia
Boyd b: 26 JUN 1786 in ."

Mary Burke BUCHANAN

¹Notes from Mary J.Foster. "!Notes: Mary was the oldest child of Margaret Patton and Col. John Buchanan.  Sheapparently was known as "Molly" when she was a child, as Col. James Patton,her grandfather, referred to her that way.  She was already born when Col.John and Margaret moved to their beloved "Anchor and Hope" estate, near present day Max Meadows,Virginia.

!Mary and Andrew Boyd lived in Buchanan, Virginia (Botetourt County) and also Wythe County (now Pulaski) formany years.  They sold the Wythe County place in 1815 (to the Grahamfamily) and moved back to Botetourt Co.  The Wythe County house is onRte.654, and is pictured in Mary B. Kegley's Early Adventurers on th Western Waters, v.2.

Last Modified: 21 Aug 1998


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mary Burke BUCHANAN (AFN: 1S7S-SKC)
Sex:  F

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Submitter(s):
BILLIE D. WILSON Microfilm:  NONE
97 LOS ROBLES  Submission:
ARLINGTON TX
USA 76006.".

William FOSTER "Soldier"

¹Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, v.2 / by Mary B. Kegley..

²Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 / by Jos. A. Waddell, Member of the Virginia Historical Society. --. "Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, from 1726 to 1871 / by Jos. A. Waddell, Member of the Virginia Historical Society. -- 2nd. ed. -- Harrisonburg Va. : C. J. Carrier Co., 1902. (reprinted 1972)

SOURCES: 1 NAME Montgomery County, Virginia-- Circa 1790 : a comprehensive study, including the 1789 Tax Lists, Abstracts of over 800 Land Surveys & Data Concerning Migration / Transcribed and edited by Netti Schreiner-Yantis, genealogist. -- Springfield, Va.
N. Schreiner-Yantis, c1972.

SOURCES: 1 NAME Montgomery County Story, 1776-1957 / compiled and edited by Charles W. Crush, Chairman of Montgomery County (Jamestown) Festival Committee.

SOURCES: 1 NAME Historical Significance of Rockbridge County, Virginia / by James W. McClung, Lexington, Virginia. -- Staunton, Va. : McClure, 1939.

SOURCES: 1 NAME A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia / by Oren F. Morton. - Staunton, Va. : McClure, 1920.

SOURCES: 1 NAME Kegley's Virginia frontier : the beginning of the southwest, th Roanoke of colonial days, 1740-1783 / by F.B. Kegley.  Introduction by Samuel M Wilson, Lexington, Kentucky. -- Roanoke, Va. : Southwest Virginia Historical Society, 1938.

SOURCES: 1 NAME Virginia's Colonial Soldiers / Lloyed Dewitt Bockstruck. -- Baltimore : Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988.".

³History for William Foster (Soldier) about 1740 and wife Mary. "Notes:
!William and Mary Foster bought property on Little Pine Run, a branch of NewRiver, from Robert Sayers on Sept. 3, 1788.  Here they were neighbors ofAndrew Boyd and Mary Buchanan Boyd, whose daughter, Sallie, later marriedthe Foster's son, William Fain.T. Boyd Foster indicates (in his book, Family Sketches) that William andMary Foster raised seven children: "These were Catherine, Isabella,Margaret, and one daughter, name not known. I am inclined t the belief that this was the Maryreported to have died January 10, 1806. The sons were James, Robert andWilliam." (9, p.8)  Other sources indicate there were nine, adding a son, Thomas, andanother daughter, Martha.
=====
!"William Foster, private, Capt. Mathew Jewett's Company, 7 VirginiaRegiment, also designated 3 and 7 Virgina Regiment, commanded respectfullyby Co. Alexande McClanachan, Lieut. Col. Holt Richeson and Lieut. ColonelWilliam Heth.  The dat ofhis original enlistment is not shown but the records show he enlisted toserve to April 10th, 1778.  His name first appears on the company musterroll covering the period from December 28th, 1776, to May 21st, 1777, andthe company pay roll covering the period from December 29th, 1776, to May 31st, 1777, shows time of service,five months and three days.  He enlisted for three years December 1, 1777;was transferred in June, 1778 to Capt. Thomas Hills' Company, sameregiment was transferred in November, 1778 to Col. William Russell's Company, 5 Virginia Regiment, also designated5 and 11 Virginia Regiment, Commanded by Col. William Russell; wastransferred in 1779 to Capt. Henry Young's Company, same regiment, and hisname last appears on the Company Muster Roll for November, 1779, dated Camp near Morristown, December 9th, 1779,which shows that he was on command to the South.  The said WILLIAM FOSTERis the ancestor who assisted in establishing American Independence, whileacting in the capacity of privatein the War of the Revolution. * * * War Department-- Adjutant General'sOffice.  Marriage record, deed references to land, Bible records, and Willof William Foster, Sr. certifie and filed in DAR Library ContinentalHall."  -- affidavit of ancestor's services application to Daughters of the American Revolution, Dorothy L.Foster Robertson and C. Joyce Foster Burk.
=====
!"William Foster (c. 1740-1803) purchased 480 acres of land in Draper'sValley in 1788 from Robert Sayers, but he was probably living there several years before the date of the deed. He is said to have served inthe revolutionary War as a private. His wife was Mary Gilmore (1742-1789),daughter of James Gilmore of Augusta and Rockbridge Counties, Virginia(Jouet Boyd papers; Montgomery County Deed Book A, p. 534).

!"William Foster wrote his will on May 20, 1803, and it was probated inAugust th same year, about a month after his death (Wythe County Will Book1, p. 258). The plantation on which he was living at the head of LittlePine River [Run] was to be divided among his sons. James was to have 120 acres on theupper end where he was living, to be laid off according to specificationsof the will. Son Thomas was deceased and his 115 acres were left to his sonWilliam Foster age 4, a grandson of William the testator. The grandson William was to pay his sisterJea Đ20 Virginia currency when she became 21, and in the meantime the tract ofland was to be in the hands of Mary his mother, the widow of Thomas Foster.The rent was to be applied for the maintenance and schooling "according to their rank," until thegrandson William was of age or widow Mary married. In that case theexecutors were to care for the estate.

!"The executors, James and William Foster, were to sell the personalproperty except a bed for each daughter Mary and Margaret and sons Williamand Robert. Mary and Margaret were to receive $50 each. The residue of theestate was to be divided among the daughters, Martha, Katherine, Isabell, Mary, and Margaret.

!"The personal estate of William Foster deceased was listed on December 10, 1803 by John T.Sayers, John Harrell, and James Ellis. Among the items listed were thefollowing: wagon, stack of rye, a still and 3 still tubs, table, 8 chairs,ol tools, stretchers, mattock, hoes, clevises, irons for doubletree, axes, harrow teeth, cutting box and knife, oldoven, shovel and tongs, firedogs, three books, sheep, one bay horse, cattleand other horses, a coat valued at $8, a short coat valued at $2, twowainscoats, 3 pair of breeches, 2hats, 2 bells and collar, and 35 hogs (Wythe County Will Book 1, p. 267).

!"In 1804 Robert G. Foster sold his share in the 240 acres to his brotherWilliam Foster. In 1815 William Foster and his wife Sally B. sold the 240acres to James Sayers and moved to Franklin County, Tennessee, where theydied and are buried (Wythe County Deed Books 4, p. 130; 6, p. 353; Jouet Boyd papers).

!"In 1809 James Foster and his wife Elizabeth sold their part of the landsto Thomas Hughey, who with his wife Rody [Rhoda] soldto Henry Honaker, Sr. in 1832 (Wythe County Deed Books 5, p. 276; 12, p.247). The land which William Foster, Jr. received from his wife's parents,Andrew and Mary Boyd, was sold in 1820 to Samuel Shepherd (Wythe CountyDeed Book 8, p. 179).

!"The William Foster who purchased lands on Cripple Creek in the 1750's andwho sold the tract in 1770 with his wife Mary is not the William Foster ofDraper's Valley."23

Last Modified: 21 Aug 1998

!SOURCES:
!Reference Note 8
!Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia : extracted from theoriginal court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800 / by Lyman Chalkley. --Rosslyn, Va. : M. Lockwood, Hon. Vice-Pres. General, Nat'l Society, DAR,.     (v.2)

!SOURCES: Reference Note 9
!Family Sketches / by Thomas Boyd Foster, of Stevenson, Ala., in the 83rdYear of His Life, at the Request and Gratification of His Dear Children,and Relatives Scattered Abroad. -- [1893].

!SOURCES: Reference Note 23
!Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, v.2 / by Mary B. Kegley."

⁴Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia. "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia : extracted from theoriginal court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800 / by Lyman Chalkley. --Rosslyn, Va. : M. Lockwood, Hon. Vice-Pres. General, Nat'l Society, DAR,.     (v.2).".

Mary GILMORE

¹A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia / by Oren F. Morton. -- Staunton,Va. : McClure, 1920.. "A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia / by Oren F. Morton. -- Staunton,Va. : McClure, 1920.".

²Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia. "Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia : extracted from theoriginal court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800 / by Lyman Chalkley. --Rosslyn, Va. : M. Lockwood, Hon. Vice-Pres. General, Nat'l Society, DAR,.     (v.2).".

³Notes from Mary Foster. "Freda Wolf Strampe has indication that Mary Gilmore Foster and her husband,William, moved to Indiana, where Mary G. Foster died in Dec.1789.29.".

James GILMORE (Sr.)

¹Page 206 under  Augusta County, in "SectionII.  Th following entries are taken  from William W. Hening's collection ofthe. "James Gilmore is also listed on p.206, under Augusta County, in "SectionII.  Th following entries are taken from William W. Hening's collection ofthe laws of Virginia.  The soldiers mentioned in the schedule attached tothe act dated Oct. 1765 providing for the appointment of commissioners to examine and state the accounts ofthe militia ordered out into actual service during the French and IndianWar..."

On p.324, listed under"Augusta County Militia List August 1756" in the "List of Capt. Mathew'scompany", undated, is a James "Gillmore".

On p.337, a JamesGilmore is listed among men who were scheduled "to appear at next court toshow why they did not appear at the general muster on 16 April1767."7
-----
... "James and Marthahad children Margaret, Mary, John, James, Samuel, Joseph, Isabell, Eleanor,Agnes, Martha and William.  Many of these removed to Kentucky. I believe Robert Gilmore asanother son who was killed by Indians in 1777 near Ft. Randoph.

"James and Marthamoved with his parents, John and Agnes, and his younger brothers andsisters to Augusta County, now Rockbridge County, VA about 1745-1750.

"James and Martha Gilmore for [pounds]60 sold to Samuel Metiere 215 acresof lan granted to James Gilmore by Patent bearing date of 12 January 1746lying and being on Buffalo Creek in Boutetourt County being part of a Tract of 400 acres said James Gilmore bought of Col. James Wood...Signed. James Gilmore, Martha Gilmore.  Witnesses: Wm. Ingles, Hugh Hayes,Joseph (unreadable).  Botetourt Co. VA Deed Bk. 1, p.265, 266.

"On the 18th day of November 1760, James Gilmore purchased for one yearfrom Samuel and Mary McClure of Augusta County for five shillings a tractof land containing 190 acres on the Forks of James River and upon some ofthe Waters of Cedar Creek... to a red oak in Robert Poages line... to Thomas Huttons line... to a poplar inJohn Darrick's line... to a white oak and poplar... corner to Samuel Walkerand John Wilson.  Augusta Co. Deed Book 9, pp.52-53.

"On the 19th day ofNovember 1760, James Gilmore purchased forever the above lan for[pounds]100. Augusta Co. Deed Book 9, pp.54-56.

"On 11 Mar 1778, James and Martha Gilmore sold to William for 50 pounds 60acres which was granted to Joseph Looney by patent bearing date 14 Jul 1769and by him conveyed to James Gilmore lying in the County of Botetourt on the south side of the James River.  Signed:  James Gilmore.Witnesses:  Andrew Woods, Malcom Allen George Shiblum, David May.Botetourt Co., VA Deed Book 2, p.373."29.".

²SOURCES: Reference Note 5
A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia /                  by Oren F. Morton. -- Staunton,Va., by Oren F. Morton. -- Staunton,Va. : McClure, 1920.

³Freda Strampe, Headstone for James Gilmore. "The headstone at High Bridge Church Cemetery, Rockbridge Co., VA, has
James Gilmore 1710-1782  and under James name is
Martha Dennison
There were no dates for Martha.
 Also on the headstone are the names of James' son, Joseph, and his wife and
Joseph's son and his wife.".

Martha C. DENNISON

¹Text:. "Text:James Gilmore's wife was possibly either "Martha Beattie (Beatty), asurname found frequently connected to James Gilmore in Pulaski County [KY?]history, or Martha Denison.  Printed histories state she was a Denison.  Ihave found no proof of their marriage nor that Martha was, indeed, Martha Beattie or Martha Denison.  Thesurname Beatty is from DAR reference with Denison inparen[these]s."29





SOURCES: Reference Note 5
A History of Rockbridge County, Virginia / by Oren F. Morton. -- Staunton,Va. : McClure, 1920.

SOURCES: Reference Note 29
Freda Wolf Strampe: The Gilmore Family (notes provided Aug.1998).".

Thomas Boyd FOSTER

¹Thomas Boyd Foster, Family Sketches by Thomas Boyd Foster. "1. Family Sketches by Thomas Boyd Foster.
"


FAMILY SKETCHES



BY THOMAS BOYD FOSTER, OF STEVENSON, ALA., IN THE 83RD YEAR OF HIS LIFE, AT THE REQUEST AND GRATIFICATION OF HIS DEAR CHILDREN, AND RELATIVES SCATTERED ABROAD.



On the 19th day of January, A. D., 1893, being shut in by cold without, which has continued for several weeks, a heavy snow upon the ground, the thick ice floating down the Tennessee river near by, while I ame [sic] comfortably seated in an arm chair, before a bright, blazing wood fire, far advanced in my eighty-third year, physically disqualified for manual labor of any kind, but still able to write a legible hand.  At the request of my sons living in the far West, I have undertaken to collect and to commit to writing so much of my family record and history as I may be able to gather from those interested, and from personal knowledge.  My mind is almost as active and clear as at any past period of my life.  I find this change, however, and it appears remarkable, circumstances of recent date make but little impression on my mind, and pass away almost imperceptibly, while the transactions of my early life and my manhood days are apparently more vividly impressed upon my mind than in former times.  Anothor consideration may have had some impelling influence upon me, prompting me to undertake this task, if such it may be called.  From a boy, until recently, I have been actively employed, almost without intermission.  Surrounding circumstances have made this necessary.  Had my circumstances in life been different, I think my course, so far as relates to employment, would have been the same.  I have long held, unwaveringly, that every member of the human family should be employed, and well employed--employed in doing something good and profitable.  I care not what his or her financial conditions may be.  It may be abundant.  The possessor may be surrounded by a sufficiency to supply every want, and yet they have no right to claim exhonorations from labor. God demands
it, the needy demand it, no exemptions allowed in this war.  All are required to enter the conflict, and continue the warfare.  These sketches and historical relations, so far as concerns my ancestry, must, necessarily, be very meager, as almost all of those who lived during my early life, and from whom I could have expected to get information, have passed away.  Most of them have fallen in distant lands, so that but little of their lives or deaths can be procured.  Again, while I have been a lover of my kindred, and proud of my family relations, especially my ancestry, we have been much scattered, and I have been careless about recording dates and circumstances.  When these sketches were first contemplated I intended to confine myself exclusively to my own life and that of my offspring, but after much reflection, I determined to pursue a different course, and to begin with my grand parents.  Of these I knew but little, and the means of adding to the stock on hand was limited.  The difficulties, however, obstructing my pathway did not serve to change my course.  By the assistance of kind relatives many of those obstcles [sic]  have been removed.
My fathet's [sic] parents were emigrants from the Emerald Isle  .  Crossed the great waters in a sail vessel long before the war of the revolution.  My mother's parents emigrated from that old and historic country designated on the map of the world as Scotland  .  They too crossed the Atlantic ocean in a sail vessel prior to the war of the Revolution.  Both families settled in the commonwealth of Virginia, and took part with the thirteen Colonies in their struggle for liberty.
The Irish people are famous for their generosity, and as a loving, warm-hearted, sympathetic and witty race, have never been surpassed.  Religiously, they have been crushed and ruined by Roman Catholicism.  Politically, they have been the serfs, the hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Baitish [sic] nation.  It is to be hoped that through the labors of that grand old man, W.E. Gladstone, their redemption draweth nigh.
The Scotch are noted for their intelligence, their pride of character, and their warm devotion to home and friends.  Hence I am proud of my ancestry as a race.  I am proud that I sprang from the intermingling of two such noble races.  I am proud that I am justly entitled to the epithet of a Scotch-Irishman  .
Nationalities do not always confer the same exaltation or immunities of character upon each of its families.  I suppose my parents inherited their natural share.  It was not suffered to run to waste.  My father, though inheriting but a small portion of the goods of this life, was well qualified by nature and a limited education for all ordinary business.  He was a good penman[,] a correct accountant, and a safe business man.  He spent several
years of his early manhood as clerk and salesman in a mercantile house at Lea Court House, in Virginia.  He was in the employment of David Denison.  While thus employed, Denison became dissipated, and, as usual in such cases, wasted his means, was broken up.  My father returned to the parental roof.  His parents had grown old and needed his help.  He had a promise, too, that if he would take care of his parents during their natural life, that at their death the homestead should be his.    I infer from circumstances that he was the youngest child, and perhaps the only one unmarried at that time.  His course in life as a moral, active, correct business man, combined with his appearance, being tall, straight and robust, black hair, a clear, hazel, penetrating eye, and weighing over two hundred pounds, made him a favorite, and may have served more readily to introduce him into the family of my mother's father.  This family was wealthy, influential and aristocratic.  My father became an associate, a friend, a lover.  He and mother not only bocame [sic] lovers, but in the eyes and laws of God and man, became one.  My father, William Foster, was born in Rockbridge County, in the State of Virginia, on the 30th day of July, 1774.  My mother, Sally B. Boyd  , was born in Montgomery County, in the same State, on the 12th day of February, 1779.  They were married on the 28th day of June, 1804, and settled in Wythe County, in the same State.  I suppose on the farm given by my grandfather Foster, to my father.
They remained here until the fall of 1815.  In the latter part of the year 1814, as appears from circumstances, my father sold this farm to James Sawyers , came on horseback to Franklin County, in the State of Tennessee, and on the 8th day of January, 1815, purchased a new home from William Street.  After my father had purchased his new home, and returned to Virginia, he gave possession of the residence to Sawyers  , and moved the family to another house upon the farm, occupied by Jane Smythe, one of my mother's sisters.  While living here my parents had born to them eight children.  Here, too, my father was taken with consumption, and his first hemorrhage, produced by that fell destroyer that preyed upon his system fifteen or sixteen years before life was destroyed.  In the fall of 1815 (I suppose in the month of October), we left our old home and friends, bound for our new home in Tennessee.
We were as comfortably prepared for the journey as circumstances would allow.  We had two good wagons (one hired, the property of a Mr. Simpson  ), each drawn by four fat, stout horses.  These wagons were loaded with our household goods.  We had also a large, double-seated, and closely-covered carriage, for the accommodation of the family.  This, too, was drawn by two
stout, but gentle, horses.  Added to this, we had good, and secure tents, so that camping at night, especially in dry weather, was almost as comfortable as home lodging.  Thus equipped, we moved on through the greater part of our journey with great comfort, for travelers exposed to camp life, being always under the watchful care and immediate supervision of our parents, than whom none ever excelled.  When, however, near the end of our journey, through the over-kindness of Cousin William Foster, who was driving one of the teams, I was permitted to ride, what was then known as the off-wheel horse, that is the horse on the right at the rear of the team.  While going down a slant in the road, I fell from the horse.  A negro woman sitting in the front part of the wagon, seeing me fall, jumped out over the horse from which I had fallen.  This frightened the team, and they turned suddenly to the left.  This saved me from being crushed.  One wheel passed over one of my legs.  I had to be hauled to our new home.  About this time, my father had his second hemorrhage.  These spells were worse on him than any other consumptive I ever knew.  After this bleeding, my father, weak and suffering greatly, late in the evening, cold and raining, we approached a comfortable residence.  My mother asked a lodging place, especially for my suffering father that he might be sheltered from the cold and rain.  This request was not granted; but the landlord, being a hatter by trade, my mother was granted the privilege of lodging her suffering husband in his shop.  Every exertion that loving hearts and strong hands could put forth was used to make our temporal resting place as comfortable as possible.  We were now about eight miles from our new home.  This we reached the next day.  Here we found Street, the man from whom my father had purchased the house, still occupying with a large family.  Only one house, it cold, and my father very sick.  In a few days, Street with his family, vacated, and we were left alone.  On our arrival a physician was called.  Mother would not allow the wagons unloaded.  Simpson, the owner of one of the teams, was anxious to return to his home in Virginia, but would not leave without mother's consent, which she was unwilling to give, intending if father died to return to Virginia.  After a time prospects of father's recovery brightened.  The wagons were unloaded, and Simpson returned to his home.  Now we were at home, not to spend the precious moments in idle frivolity; we were strangers among strangers; in a new and fertile country.  Cotton, corn, wheat, and oats all grew luxuriently.  Houses were needed; land must be cleared before farming could be made successful.  The family, both black and white, seemed clearly to comprehend the situation, and such industry and economy, after many long years of observation, and after
visiting, perhaps, thousands of families, I have never seen put forth elsewhere.  Our economy was not to the extent to be called niggardly, far from it.  My parents were saving, industrious and frugal, but free and generous.  Property increased upon their hands without any apparent effort.  The house in which we lived was too small.  Street had logs hewed before he sold, intending to build a new house.  The logs were to build a house twenty by twenty-four feet.  Here we used water drawn from a well.  This well was bout forty feet deep, and furnished plenty of good water, but here was a family of small children.  My parents had always used water taken from a spring.  The logs prepared by Street were taken to the opposite side of the farm, to the base of the mountain, where was a small spring, and out of them was erected a building, one and a half stories, and into this the family moved, about the year 1819.  In the year 1817, the ninth child was born, and in the year 1820, the tenth, and last child was born.  Soon after this another building, adjoining this was erected.  The last building was twenty feet square, and two stories high.  This was put up in 1822-23.  Before this, my father purchased fifty acres of land (Street had previously sold off the farm to John Nelson), and within the next few years he purchased three other small farms in the neighborhood.  These gave us much assistance in the way of rent.  Father had become quite feeble.  As he advanced in life the hemorrhages became more frequent and more debilitating.  It was evident that the man, once so stout and robust, must succumb.  For a long time he was confined to his home, and much of the time was upon his bed.  He was a close reader.  When his neighbors would call in and engage him in conversation, he apparently forgot his sufferings.  He never became impatient, but bore his sufferings with perfect resignation, without a murmer, and almost without a sigh.  Every comfort that loving hands could give, was cheerfully and tenderly supplied.  The fatal hour, so long and painfully looked for, came.  On the morning of the 16th day of August, 1830, he was seized with a chill.  All were satisfied that the time of his departure was at hand.  About 10 o'clock a. m. he quietly passed away.  This was assuredly a blessed relief to him, who had been a great sufferer for many years.  His pains ended--no more bleeding of the lungs, no more coughs, no more fevers, no more night-sweats.  All these ceased, forever ceased; everlasting joys succeeded.  The once loving husband and indulgent father gone, and a once happy and prosperous family torn asunder--ruined.  A wound inflicted the world can never heal.  My mother, who seemed never to tire, but took pleasure in ministering to an afflicted husband, and at the same time providing comforts for a numer-
ous household, was almost heartbroken; the joys of earth all blighted.  She continued to live lonely and sad for more than ten years after the death of her husband.  Her children scattered.  A few of them lingered about the homestead, ready to give all needed assistance.  She peacefully fell asleep, in the presence of several of her children, on the 17th day of September, 1840.
I would not attempt an eulogy on my parents, especially at so remote a period from their demise.  I feel, however, that it is my privilege, and I believe, too, that it is my duty to say that after a long life, a large observation and much experience, I can candidly and truthfully say that I have not known them surpassed, if, indeed, I have ever known them equalled.
My mother's father was Alexander Boyd  .  I am not able to give the name of her mother.  They were wealthy and aristocratic; raised, I think, four sons and four daughters, three of whom were Thomas, James and Andrew  .  I have no recollections of any but Thomas.  I suppose they were all dissipated and extravagant.  Thomas was a physician; but for intemperance would have been a fine practitioner.  He settled somewhere in East Tennessee, and raised a beautiful and intelligent family.  I knew two of his children  --Angelina and Thomas.  Angelina married a Mr. Hicks , and settled in McMinnville, Tenn.  The husband and wife are dead; I know nothing of their offspring.  Thomas was somewhere in Texas when last heard from.  The daughters were Jane, Margaret, Sallie and Priscilla.  Jane was born June 26th, 1769, and married John Smyth July 4th, 1791.  The husband was born January 2nd, 1764.  They had three children--Margaret, Charlotte, and James B.  The last named was born January 17th, 1791.  The mother of these were living on my father's land when he sold to Sawyers.  She was now a widow, her husband having died August 26, 1804, about four months after the marriage of my parents.  While Aunt Jane was living on my father's place, her daughter, Margaret, married William Lindsay.  This occurred in September, 1814.  They settled in Knoxville, Tenn.  Lindsay was a large, stout, fine-looking man, a blacksmith by trade.  He became quite popular, served his county in the State Legislature; was merchandising at the time of his death.  They raised eight children.  Robert, born June 15th, 1815, is now (1893) the only one living.  He resides at Hooker, Dade County, Ga., about twelve miles west of Chattanooga, Tenn.  He has a small family, is a widower, a truly good man, is paralytic, and has a daughter asthmatic.  The oldest daughter, Margaret, was born April 22nd, 1817; Charlotte S., born April, 1819; John, born January 8th, 1821; Jane Boyd, born February 24th, 1824; Mary Ann, born October 26th, 1826; Moses, born
June 13th, 1831; Elizabeth V., born February, 1835.  Margaret, Elizabeth and Moses died in Knoxville, Tenn., Charlotte and Jane died in Mississippi, Mary Ann died in Arkansas, John died in Talladega county, Ala.  Aunt Jane Smyth, the grandmother, died May 14th, 1819.  William Lindsay died October 16th, 1837.  His wife, Margaret, died June, 1850.  Thus we pass away.
James B. Smyth will be spoken of in connection with my father's family.
Charlotte, the youngest sister, left Wyth [sic] County, Virginia, and came to Knoxville, Tenn., and for a long time lived with her sister (now Mrs. Lindsay), then came to my father's in Franklin County, Tennessee.  Her brother, James, had married Charlotte Foster, and settled on an adjoining farm to my father's.  She stayed sometimes with one family and sometimes with the other, until the summer of 1828, when she was married to George W. Thompson, who lived in the north part of Franklin County (now Coffey County).  Thompson was a prosperous man, financially; owned good property; was a widower with a family of children.  His second wife bore him two children.  The parents are dead, and I am not able to tell what has become of the children.
The second daughter, Margaret Ann Boyd  , generally known among her relatives as "Aunt Peggy," married Samuel Shepherd.  I am not able to give the birth of either, nor date of their marriage.  They settled in Wyth [sic] County, Virginia.  They were prosperous.  My recollection is that Shepherd was a man above medium size, and lame; a fine farmer.  They raised seven children.  Magdalen, who married Matthew Wilson; Harvey, who married Matilda Scott, January 8, 1839; Eliza, who married John Caddall; Mary, who married Abram Painter; Sarah, who married John D. Howe; Garland, who married Mary Bell; Frances died in infancy.
Harvey Shepherd, one of the above-named heirs of Samuel Shepherd and Margaret Boyd, and who married Matilda Scott January 8th, 1839, had seven children.  Mary Ellen Buchanan, born June 27th, 1843, and married to William Bagley, September 20th, 1865; Sarah Jane Wood Shepherd, born August 18th, 1841, and married James M. Bennett, December 20th, 1874, now lives in Decatur, Texas, has two beautiful and smart little daughters.  The mother is handsome and intellectual, but a sad cripple for life; Charles Robert Garland Shepherd, born November 19th, 1856, and married to Fannie Brunk, March 14th, 1887; Margaret Angelina Shepherd, born October 20th, 1839; William Harvey Shepherd, born May 4th, 1845; Eliza Frances Virginia Shepherd, born April 10th, 1850.
Priscilla Boyd (I suppose the youngest sister) was idiotic from
a child, caused by a fall from a bed, through the carelessness or neglect of a negro nurse.  I never saw her until she was far advanced in life.  She was sent to my mother, and with her a family of negroes, about the year 1820  .  She was taken care of until her death, which occurred about 1828.  She had to be treated like a child.
I see from a transcript in my possession, taken from the family bible of Uncle James Foster, late of Bledsoe County, Tennessee, that Mary Foster died December 17th, 1799  , and another Mary Foster died January 10th, 1806.  Also I see that William Foster died July 18th, 1803, and that Thomas Foster died July 18th, 1802.  I am satisfied that two of these were my grand parents, but am not able to ascertain which.
As far as I am able to ascertain, my grand parents Foster raised seven children.  These were Catherine, Isabella, Margaret, and one daughter, name not known.  I am inclined to the belief that this was the Mary reported to have died January 10th, 1806.  The sons were James, Robert and William.  Catharine [sic] Foster married Joseph Long, and settled in Bedford County, Tennessee.  They raised a large family.  Henry, the oldest son, married a Miss Anderson; was a Methodist minister; accumulated but little property; raised a large family of children; was a good and useful man, and when far advanced in life went to Texas and died.
William F. Long, the second son, was a very fine looking man, much stooped in the back, caused by rheumatism in early life; married a Miss Black; was quite prosperous; thought for a time to be worth fifty thousand dollars.  He, in company with several others, issued change certificates in the shinplaster race of 1837.  When they had issued tickets for a large amount, his partners put their property out of the reach of law.  Long disdained such a course, and took up the tickets as they were presented for payment.  In this way the most of the property was expended.  He married a second wife, moved to Taladega, Ala., and died about the year 1840, or perhaps a little later.
Joseph Long was probably the third son; married a Miss Flack; prospered well in life.  I think there was another brother, James.  One of the daughters married Andrew Wittenburg, and another married William Carpenter.  These and perhaps others of the family, settled in Taladega County Alabama.  Some of them moved to that county while the Cherokee Indians still occupied the country.  As far as I ever knew of this family, they were remarkable for their uprightness, integrity and industry, and more especially for their piety.
The Mary Foster, who died January 10th, 1806, was probably my father's sister.  One of his sisters was sadly wounded by
a needle, which had been by neglect left in her dress.  She, not knowing it there, in getting on a horse stuck it in her leg.  It remained there for a long time, perhaps for years, before it was extracted.  Her health was impaired.  She never raised a family, and died young.
Isabella Foster married Thomas Foster, a distant relative, and some time before the year 1814, or it may have been as late as 1814, moved from Virginia and settled in Warren County, Tennessee, about five miles south of McMinnville, on the road leading to Winchester.  I am not able to say much of this family.  I visited them near the close of the year 1825, when young.  The husband died before this.  I again visited the old homestead in the fall of 1830.  The family had moved to the State of Missouri.  I think Aunt Isabella died in 1835, if so her remains sleep somewhere in that State.  This family, though among the early settlers of the country and located in a lovely place, failed to secure a good home, were wanting in energy.  After they removed from Tennessee I lost sight of them.
Aunt Margaret Foster, or as she was usually called Aunt Pegy [sic], married Joseph Carper, in the State of Virginia.  I have not been able to arrive at the birth of either husband or wife nor of their marriage.  Not long after their marriage they moved and settled in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Here they remained until after the death of the husband, which occurred about the year 1832.  They raised five children, two sons and and [sic] three daughters.  One of the daughters married much against the wishes of the family, died having no offspring.  Another daughter married Anthony Moore.  These both died in Harrison, Hamilton County, Tennessee.  The wife about the year 1866 and the husband about the year 1870.  I have no account of the third daughter.
The oldest son was William Foster Carper, born December 1st, 1810, and was married June, 1837, to Miss Elizabeth W. Spicer, who was born November 9th, 1820.  They raised five children, two sons and three daughters.  Sarah Jane, born July 11th, 1842, married a Mr. Standefer.  They now reside at Tiner, Tennessee, have had born to them nine children.  Joseph Henry, born May 8th, 1844, has had two wives, and eight living children.  Margaret M., born July 23rd, 1846, married a Mr. Summers, by whom she had one child.  Afterward, married Mr. Smith, by whom she had ten children.  They reside at Chatata, Tennessee.  William Alexander, born October 10th, 1852.  He has nine children.  Hattie Angeline, born February 8th, 1854.  Her husband, Azariah Shelton, was born June 24th, 1850.  These were married August 27th, 1868.  They now reside in the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Shelton seems to have been, and is now, a popular man.
He served as Trustee of the County of Hamilton, then was elected Sheriff, and is now in the County Court Clerk's office.  This shows his ability, as well as attention, to business.  It also argues strongly in favor of the worthiness of the wife.  A family with such success exhibits proof of correct planning and prompt execution.  They moved from Tiner to Chattanooga, October 11th, 1883.  Have four daughters and one son.  Mary Ellen, born October 23rd, 1869, and married to Elias M. Shelton (not a relative), May 26, 1892.  Alta Foster, born December 24th, 1871.  Her ma tells me she is proud of her name.  I am proud of her, the name of Foster is dear to me.  Jessie Ida, born January 27th, 1875.  She has just completed her school work.  I hope she does not mean her education is completed.  The foundation is laid.  It takes all of life to complete the structure.  Mrs. Shelton writes:  My two brothers are in Arkansas.  The only one of Aunt Peggy Carper's family now living is Alexander, in Polk County, Arkansas, who is over seventy years old.
Uncle Joseph Carper was not prosperous.  He loved to hunt and fish better than he loved to grub and plow.  After his death, William F., the oldest son, with his mother, one of the best women I ever saw, and a younger brother, and I think a younger sister, moved to Hamilton County, about ten miles above where now stands the city of Chattanooga.  The country was then occupied by the Cherokee Indians.  William F. had learned the tanners trade with William Buchanan and Zach Wortham, at Winchester, Tennessee.  He had procured some money.  He sunk a tan yard on a small scale.  He purchased hides when he could pay cash for them, and when not able to pay cash for hides he would tan for half the leather the hide made.  These lands upon which he lived had belonged to the Indians, and purchased from them by the State of Tennessee, and now sold to settlers at a very low price.  William F. purchased a sufficiency of these lands, though not rich, to make him a good home, and for a time prospered well.  How uncertain are all earthly enjoyments?  He fell a victim to disease and died of consumption October 29th, 1859.  The widow survives to the joy of her children.
James Foster (I suppose this is my father's oldest brother), born February 14, 1768.  Elizabeth Hoge, born September 25th, 1777.  These I suppose were born in Wythe County, Virginia, and were made husband and wife October 1st, 1801.  In the year 1808 or 1809 they moved and settled in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  This, perhaps, was as early as settles [sic] would be permitted to settle upon these lands.  Uncle James procured a good home.  The lands were rich and very productive.  This couple had born to them seven children, four sons and three daughters.  Mary
Gilmore, William, James Hoge, Thomas, Joseph, Harvey, Elizabeth Howe and Sarah Stafford.
Mary Gilmore, born October 1st, 1802, married to Thompson Ashburn, March 22nd, 1821.  He was a plain but noble Christian gentlemen [sic]; a fair farmer.  They settled in Marion County, Tenn., a few miles north of Jasper.  They remained here in peace and quietness until called to their eternal home, in a ripe, good old age.  They raised ten children--Martin, born January 17th, 1822; Elizabeth H., born January 12th, 1824; James, born January 20, 1826; William F., born January 4th, 1828; Franklin born September 14th, 1830; Andrew, born December 10th, 1832; Isaac H., born January 3rd, 1835; Sarah, born February 23rd, 1837, and Caroline and Martha, whose births I have not been able to ascertain.  I am informed that one of the sons only is living.  This is B. F. Ashburn, living at Whitsville, Tenn.  I know noth- [sic] definite of any of the daughters.  I once met with, and boarded with a member of the State Legislature, in the city of Montgomery, whose name was Cowan.  His wife was a daughter of Thompson Ashburn and Mary G. Foster.  They have a grandson, Thompson Ashburn, at Dyersburg, Tenn.; another grandson,Thompson Ashburn Cowan, on the Pacific coast.  Both of these grandsons are ministers in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and both useful men.  Thompson Asburn [sic], of Dyersburg, Tenn., has a wife and two children, is doing a good work.  I regard Cowan, on the Pacific coast, as one of the best workers in the C. P. Church.
William Foster, born January 15th, 1804, Wyth [sic] County, Va., married to Rhoda Robertson November 10th, 1825. They had born to them eleven children--James, born December 14th 1826, married to Semiramus Brown, March 23rd, 1847, married a second wife, Julia A. Morris, April 6th, 1858.  Harvey, born April 30th, 1829; I have no account of his death or history.  Elizabeth, born January 17th, 1831, married to R. J. Grant, November 4th 1855.  Elizabeth Grant and Dr. C. K. Muzy were married September 10th, 1860.  Orpha born May 7th, 1833.  Mary and Martha, born October 11th, 1835; Mary married William Gamble, Decem- [sic] 26th, 1866.  William R., born March 5th, 1838, married Tennessee Darwin, November 10th, 1859.  Rhoda, born December 2nd, 1841, married Douglas Young, September 6th, 1864.  Virginia, born January 25th, 1844, married J. H. Hoge, November 12th, 1867.  Their oldest daughter is teaching at Dayton.  The second daughter was married April 30th, 1893, to A. A. Cook.  The mother writes: "This marriage breaks the home circle and puts one of my brightest jewels in the care and home of another, reminding me, too, that my own home will soon be a thing of the past."  Caroline A., born March 16th, 1847, married E. T. Kelly, December 23rd, 1868.  Alace J., born October 27th, 1851, married E. G. H. Pryor, Decem-
ber 14th, 1875.
The father of this.".

BIRTH:

2. SOUR  TEXT Family Sketches / by Thomas Boyd Foster, of Stevenson, Ala., in the 83rd Year of His Life, at the Request and Gratification of His Dear Children, and Relatives Sc."

Eleanor Susan COWAN

¹SOUR  TEXT Family Sketches / by Thomas Boyd Foster, of Stevenson, Ala., in the 83rd Year of His Life, at the Request and Gratification of His Dear Children, and Relatives Sc.

²SOUR  TEXT Caperton ancestry provided by Jerry Wallace.

Thomas Boyd FOSTER

¹Thomas Boyd Foster, Family Sketches by Thomas Boyd Foster. "1. Family Sketches by Thomas Boyd Foster.
"


FAMILY SKETCHES



BY THOMAS BOYD FOSTER, OF STEVENSON, ALA., IN THE 83RD YEAR OF HIS LIFE, AT THE REQUEST AND GRATIFICATION OF HIS DEAR CHILDREN, AND RELATIVES SCATTERED ABROAD.



On the 19th day of January, A. D., 1893, being shut in by cold without, which has continued for several weeks, a heavy snow upon the ground, the thick ice floating down the Tennessee river near by, while I ame [sic] comfortably seated in an arm chair, before a bright, blazing wood fire, far advanced in my eighty-third year, physically disqualified for manual labor of any kind, but still able to write a legible hand.  At the request of my sons living in the far West, I have undertaken to collect and to commit to writing so much of my family record and history as I may be able to gather from those interested, and from personal knowledge.  My mind is almost as active and clear as at any past period of my life.  I find this change, however, and it appears remarkable, circumstances of recent date make but little impression on my mind, and pass away almost imperceptibly, while the transactions of my early life and my manhood days are apparently more vividly impressed upon my mind than in former times.  Anothor consideration may have had some impelling influence upon me, prompting me to undertake this task, if such it may be called.  From a boy, until recently, I have been actively employed, almost without intermission.  Surrounding circumstances have made this necessary.  Had my circumstances in life been different, I think my course, so far as relates to employment, would have been the same.  I have long held, unwaveringly, that every member of the human family should be employed, and well employed--employed in doing something good and profitable.  I care not what his or her financial conditions may be.  It may be abundant.  The possessor may be surrounded by a sufficiency to supply every want, and yet they have no right to claim exhonorations from labor. God demands
it, the needy demand it, no exemptions allowed in this war.  All are required to enter the conflict, and continue the warfare.  These sketches and historical relations, so far as concerns my ancestry, must, necessarily, be very meager, as almost all of those who lived during my early life, and from whom I could have expected to get information, have passed away.  Most of them have fallen in distant lands, so that but little of their lives or deaths can be procured.  Again, while I have been a lover of my kindred, and proud of my family relations, especially my ancestry, we have been much scattered, and I have been careless about recording dates and circumstances.  When these sketches were first contemplated I intended to confine myself exclusively to my own life and that of my offspring, but after much reflection, I determined to pursue a different course, and to begin with my grand parents.  Of these I knew but little, and the means of adding to the stock on hand was limited.  The difficulties, however, obstructing my pathway did not serve to change my course.  By the assistance of kind relatives many of those obstcles [sic]  have been removed.
My fathet's [sic] parents were emigrants from the Emerald Isle  .  Crossed the great waters in a sail vessel long before the war of the revolution.  My mother's parents emigrated from that old and historic country designated on the map of the world as Scotland  .  They too crossed the Atlantic ocean in a sail vessel prior to the war of the Revolution.  Both families settled in the commonwealth of Virginia, and took part with the thirteen Colonies in their struggle for liberty.
The Irish people are famous for their generosity, and as a loving, warm-hearted, sympathetic and witty race, have never been surpassed.  Religiously, they have been crushed and ruined by Roman Catholicism.  Politically, they have been the serfs, the hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Baitish [sic] nation.  It is to be hoped that through the labors of that grand old man, W.E. Gladstone, their redemption draweth nigh.
The Scotch are noted for their intelligence, their pride of character, and their warm devotion to home and friends.  Hence I am proud of my ancestry as a race.  I am proud that I sprang from the intermingling of two such noble races.  I am proud that I am justly entitled to the epithet of a Scotch-Irishman  .
Nationalities do not always confer the same exaltation or immunities of character upon each of its families.  I suppose my parents inherited their natural share.  It was not suffered to run to waste.  My father, though inheriting but a small portion of the goods of this life, was well qualified by nature and a limited education for all ordinary business.  He was a good penman[,] a correct accountant, and a safe business man.  He spent several
years of his early manhood as clerk and salesman in a mercantile house at Lea Court House, in Virginia.  He was in the employment of David Denison.  While thus employed, Denison became dissipated, and, as usual in such cases, wasted his means, was broken up.  My father returned to the parental roof.  His parents had grown old and needed his help.  He had a promise, too, that if he would take care of his parents during their natural life, that at their death the homestead should be his.    I infer from circumstances that he was the youngest child, and perhaps the only one unmarried at that time.  His course in life as a moral, active, correct business man, combined with his appearance, being tall, straight and robust, black hair, a clear, hazel, penetrating eye, and weighing over two hundred pounds, made him a favorite, and may have served more readily to introduce him into the family of my mother's father.  This family was wealthy, influential and aristocratic.  My father became an associate, a friend, a lover.  He and mother not only bocame [sic] lovers, but in the eyes and laws of God and man, became one.  My father, William Foster, was born in Rockbridge County, in the State of Virginia, on the 30th day of July, 1774.  My mother, Sally B. Boyd  , was born in Montgomery County, in the same State, on the 12th day of February, 1779.  They were married on the 28th day of June, 1804, and settled in Wythe County, in the same State.  I suppose on the farm given by my grandfather Foster, to my father.
They remained here until the fall of 1815.  In the latter part of the year 1814, as appears from circumstances, my father sold this farm to James Sawyers , came on horseback to Franklin County, in the State of Tennessee, and on the 8th day of January, 1815, purchased a new home from William Street.  After my father had purchased his new home, and returned to Virginia, he gave possession of the residence to Sawyers  , and moved the family to another house upon the farm, occupied by Jane Smythe, one of my mother's sisters.  While living here my parents had born to them eight children.  Here, too, my father was taken with consumption, and his first hemorrhage, produced by that fell destroyer that preyed upon his system fifteen or sixteen years before life was destroyed.  In the fall of 1815 (I suppose in the month of October), we left our old home and friends, bound for our new home in Tennessee.
We were as comfortably prepared for the journey as circumstances would allow.  We had two good wagons (one hired, the property of a Mr. Simpson  ), each drawn by four fat, stout horses.  These wagons were loaded with our household goods.  We had also a large, double-seated, and closely-covered carriage, for the accommodation of the family.  This, too, was drawn by two
stout, but gentle, horses.  Added to this, we had good, and secure tents, so that camping at night, especially in dry weather, was almost as comfortable as home lodging.  Thus equipped, we moved on through the greater part of our journey with great comfort, for travelers exposed to camp life, being always under the watchful care and immediate supervision of our parents, than whom none ever excelled.  When, however, near the end of our journey, through the over-kindness of Cousin William Foster, who was driving one of the teams, I was permitted to ride, what was then known as the off-wheel horse, that is the horse on the right at the rear of the team.  While going down a slant in the road, I fell from the horse.  A negro woman sitting in the front part of the wagon, seeing me fall, jumped out over the horse from which I had fallen.  This frightened the team, and they turned suddenly to the left.  This saved me from being crushed.  One wheel passed over one of my legs.  I had to be hauled to our new home.  About this time, my father had his second hemorrhage.  These spells were worse on him than any other consumptive I ever knew.  After this bleeding, my father, weak and suffering greatly, late in the evening, cold and raining, we approached a comfortable residence.  My mother asked a lodging place, especially for my suffering father that he might be sheltered from the cold and rain.  This request was not granted; but the landlord, being a hatter by trade, my mother was granted the privilege of lodging her suffering husband in his shop.  Every exertion that loving hearts and strong hands could put forth was used to make our temporal resting place as comfortable as possible.  We were now about eight miles from our new home.  This we reached the next day.  Here we found Street, the man from whom my father had purchased the house, still occupying with a large family.  Only one house, it cold, and my father very sick.  In a few days, Street with his family, vacated, and we were left alone.  On our arrival a physician was called.  Mother would not allow the wagons unloaded.  Simpson, the owner of one of the teams, was anxious to return to his home in Virginia, but would not leave without mother's consent, which she was unwilling to give, intending if father died to return to Virginia.  After a time prospects of father's recovery brightened.  The wagons were unloaded, and Simpson returned to his home.  Now we were at home, not to spend the precious moments in idle frivolity; we were strangers among strangers; in a new and fertile country.  Cotton, corn, wheat, and oats all grew luxuriently.  Houses were needed; land must be cleared before farming could be made successful.  The family, both black and white, seemed clearly to comprehend the situation, and such industry and economy, after many long years of observation, and after
visiting, perhaps, thousands of families, I have never seen put forth elsewhere.  Our economy was not to the extent to be called niggardly, far from it.  My parents were saving, industrious and frugal, but free and generous.  Property increased upon their hands without any apparent effort.  The house in which we lived was too small.  Street had logs hewed before he sold, intending to build a new house.  The logs were to build a house twenty by twenty-four feet.  Here we used water drawn from a well.  This well was bout forty feet deep, and furnished plenty of good water, but here was a family of small children.  My parents had always used water taken from a spring.  The logs prepared by Street were taken to the opposite side of the farm, to the base of the mountain, where was a small spring, and out of them was erected a building, one and a half stories, and into this the family moved, about the year 1819.  In the year 1817, the ninth child was born, and in the year 1820, the tenth, and last child was born.  Soon after this another building, adjoining this was erected.  The last building was twenty feet square, and two stories high.  This was put up in 1822-23.  Before this, my father purchased fifty acres of land (Street had previously sold off the farm to John Nelson), and within the next few years he purchased three other small farms in the neighborhood.  These gave us much assistance in the way of rent.  Father had become quite feeble.  As he advanced in life the hemorrhages became more frequent and more debilitating.  It was evident that the man, once so stout and robust, must succumb.  For a long time he was confined to his home, and much of the time was upon his bed.  He was a close reader.  When his neighbors would call in and engage him in conversation, he apparently forgot his sufferings.  He never became impatient, but bore his sufferings with perfect resignation, without a murmer, and almost without a sigh.  Every comfort that loving hands could give, was cheerfully and tenderly supplied.  The fatal hour, so long and painfully looked for, came.  On the morning of the 16th day of August, 1830, he was seized with a chill.  All were satisfied that the time of his departure was at hand.  About 10 o'clock a. m. he quietly passed away.  This was assuredly a blessed relief to him, who had been a great sufferer for many years.  His pains ended--no more bleeding of the lungs, no more coughs, no more fevers, no more night-sweats.  All these ceased, forever ceased; everlasting joys succeeded.  The once loving husband and indulgent father gone, and a once happy and prosperous family torn asunder--ruined.  A wound inflicted the world can never heal.  My mother, who seemed never to tire, but took pleasure in ministering to an afflicted husband, and at the same time providing comforts for a numer-
ous household, was almost heartbroken; the joys of earth all blighted.  She continued to live lonely and sad for more than ten years after the death of her husband.  Her children scattered.  A few of them lingered about the homestead, ready to give all needed assistance.  She peacefully fell asleep, in the presence of several of her children, on the 17th day of September, 1840.
I would not attempt an eulogy on my parents, especially at so remote a period from their demise.  I feel, however, that it is my privilege, and I believe, too, that it is my duty to say that after a long life, a large observation and much experience, I can candidly and truthfully say that I have not known them surpassed, if, indeed, I have ever known them equalled.
My mother's father was Alexander Boyd  .  I am not able to give the name of her mother.  They were wealthy and aristocratic; raised, I think, four sons and four daughters, three of whom were Thomas, James and Andrew  .  I have no recollections of any but Thomas.  I suppose they were all dissipated and extravagant.  Thomas was a physician; but for intemperance would have been a fine practitioner.  He settled somewhere in East Tennessee, and raised a beautiful and intelligent family.  I knew two of his children  --Angelina and Thomas.  Angelina married a Mr. Hicks , and settled in McMinnville, Tenn.  The husband and wife are dead; I know nothing of their offspring.  Thomas was somewhere in Texas when last heard from.  The daughters were Jane, Margaret, Sallie and Priscilla.  Jane was born June 26th, 1769, and married John Smyth July 4th, 1791.  The husband was born January 2nd, 1764.  They had three children--Margaret, Charlotte, and James B.  The last named was born January 17th, 1791.  The mother of these were living on my father's land when he sold to Sawyers.  She was now a widow, her husband having died August 26, 1804, about four months after the marriage of my parents.  While Aunt Jane was living on my father's place, her daughter, Margaret, married William Lindsay.  This occurred in September, 1814.  They settled in Knoxville, Tenn.  Lindsay was a large, stout, fine-looking man, a blacksmith by trade.  He became quite popular, served his county in the State Legislature; was merchandising at the time of his death.  They raised eight children.  Robert, born June 15th, 1815, is now (1893) the only one living.  He resides at Hooker, Dade County, Ga., about twelve miles west of Chattanooga, Tenn.  He has a small family, is a widower, a truly good man, is paralytic, and has a daughter asthmatic.  The oldest daughter, Margaret, was born April 22nd, 1817; Charlotte S., born April, 1819; John, born January 8th, 1821; Jane Boyd, born February 24th, 1824; Mary Ann, born October 26th, 1826; Moses, born
June 13th, 1831; Elizabeth V., born February, 1835.  Margaret, Elizabeth and Moses died in Knoxville, Tenn., Charlotte and Jane died in Mississippi, Mary Ann died in Arkansas, John died in Talladega county, Ala.  Aunt Jane Smyth, the grandmother, died May 14th, 1819.  William Lindsay died October 16th, 1837.  His wife, Margaret, died June, 1850.  Thus we pass away.
James B. Smyth will be spoken of in connection with my father's family.
Charlotte, the youngest sister, left Wyth [sic] County, Virginia, and came to Knoxville, Tenn., and for a long time lived with her sister (now Mrs. Lindsay), then came to my father's in Franklin County, Tennessee.  Her brother, James, had married Charlotte Foster, and settled on an adjoining farm to my father's.  She stayed sometimes with one family and sometimes with the other, until the summer of 1828, when she was married to George W. Thompson, who lived in the north part of Franklin County (now Coffey County).  Thompson was a prosperous man, financially; owned good property; was a widower with a family of children.  His second wife bore him two children.  The parents are dead, and I am not able to tell what has become of the children.
The second daughter, Margaret Ann Boyd  , generally known among her relatives as "Aunt Peggy," married Samuel Shepherd.  I am not able to give the birth of either, nor date of their marriage.  They settled in Wyth [sic] County, Virginia.  They were prosperous.  My recollection is that Shepherd was a man above medium size, and lame; a fine farmer.  They raised seven children.  Magdalen, who married Matthew Wilson; Harvey, who married Matilda Scott, January 8, 1839; Eliza, who married John Caddall; Mary, who married Abram Painter; Sarah, who married John D. Howe; Garland, who married Mary Bell; Frances died in infancy.
Harvey Shepherd, one of the above-named heirs of Samuel Shepherd and Margaret Boyd, and who married Matilda Scott January 8th, 1839, had seven children.  Mary Ellen Buchanan, born June 27th, 1843, and married to William Bagley, September 20th, 1865; Sarah Jane Wood Shepherd, born August 18th, 1841, and married James M. Bennett, December 20th, 1874, now lives in Decatur, Texas, has two beautiful and smart little daughters.  The mother is handsome and intellectual, but a sad cripple for life; Charles Robert Garland Shepherd, born November 19th, 1856, and married to Fannie Brunk, March 14th, 1887; Margaret Angelina Shepherd, born October 20th, 1839; William Harvey Shepherd, born May 4th, 1845; Eliza Frances Virginia Shepherd, born April 10th, 1850.
Priscilla Boyd (I suppose the youngest sister) was idiotic from
a child, caused by a fall from a bed, through the carelessness or neglect of a negro nurse.  I never saw her until she was far advanced in life.  She was sent to my mother, and with her a family of negroes, about the year 1820  .  She was taken care of until her death, which occurred about 1828.  She had to be treated like a child.
I see from a transcript in my possession, taken from the family bible of Uncle James Foster, late of Bledsoe County, Tennessee, that Mary Foster died December 17th, 1799  , and another Mary Foster died January 10th, 1806.  Also I see that William Foster died July 18th, 1803, and that Thomas Foster died July 18th, 1802.  I am satisfied that two of these were my grand parents, but am not able to ascertain which.
As far as I am able to ascertain, my grand parents Foster raised seven children.  These were Catherine, Isabella, Margaret, and one daughter, name not known.  I am inclined to the belief that this was the Mary reported to have died January 10th, 1806.  The sons were James, Robert and William.  Catharine [sic] Foster married Joseph Long, and settled in Bedford County, Tennessee.  They raised a large family.  Henry, the oldest son, married a Miss Anderson; was a Methodist minister; accumulated but little property; raised a large family of children; was a good and useful man, and when far advanced in life went to Texas and died.
William F. Long, the second son, was a very fine looking man, much stooped in the back, caused by rheumatism in early life; married a Miss Black; was quite prosperous; thought for a time to be worth fifty thousand dollars.  He, in company with several others, issued change certificates in the shinplaster race of 1837.  When they had issued tickets for a large amount, his partners put their property out of the reach of law.  Long disdained such a course, and took up the tickets as they were presented for payment.  In this way the most of the property was expended.  He married a second wife, moved to Taladega, Ala., and died about the year 1840, or perhaps a little later.
Joseph Long was probably the third son; married a Miss Flack; prospered well in life.  I think there was another brother, James.  One of the daughters married Andrew Wittenburg, and another married William Carpenter.  These and perhaps others of the family, settled in Taladega County Alabama.  Some of them moved to that county while the Cherokee Indians still occupied the country.  As far as I ever knew of this family, they were remarkable for their uprightness, integrity and industry, and more especially for their piety.
The Mary Foster, who died January 10th, 1806, was probably my father's sister.  One of his sisters was sadly wounded by
a needle, which had been by neglect left in her dress.  She, not knowing it there, in getting on a horse stuck it in her leg.  It remained there for a long time, perhaps for years, before it was extracted.  Her health was impaired.  She never raised a family, and died young.
Isabella Foster married Thomas Foster, a distant relative, and some time before the year 1814, or it may have been as late as 1814, moved from Virginia and settled in Warren County, Tennessee, about five miles south of McMinnville, on the road leading to Winchester.  I am not able to say much of this family.  I visited them near the close of the year 1825, when young.  The husband died before this.  I again visited the old homestead in the fall of 1830.  The family had moved to the State of Missouri.  I think Aunt Isabella died in 1835, if so her remains sleep somewhere in that State.  This family, though among the early settlers of the country and located in a lovely place, failed to secure a good home, were wanting in energy.  After they removed from Tennessee I lost sight of them.
Aunt Margaret Foster, or as she was usually called Aunt Pegy [sic], married Joseph Carper, in the State of Virginia.  I have not been able to arrive at the birth of either husband or wife nor of their marriage.  Not long after their marriage they moved and settled in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  Here they remained until after the death of the husband, which occurred about the year 1832.  They raised five children, two sons and and [sic] three daughters.  One of the daughters married much against the wishes of the family, died having no offspring.  Another daughter married Anthony Moore.  These both died in Harrison, Hamilton County, Tennessee.  The wife about the year 1866 and the husband about the year 1870.  I have no account of the third daughter.
The oldest son was William Foster Carper, born December 1st, 1810, and was married June, 1837, to Miss Elizabeth W. Spicer, who was born November 9th, 1820.  They raised five children, two sons and three daughters.  Sarah Jane, born July 11th, 1842, married a Mr. Standefer.  They now reside at Tiner, Tennessee, have had born to them nine children.  Joseph Henry, born May 8th, 1844, has had two wives, and eight living children.  Margaret M., born July 23rd, 1846, married a Mr. Summers, by whom she had one child.  Afterward, married Mr. Smith, by whom she had ten children.  They reside at Chatata, Tennessee.  William Alexander, born October 10th, 1852.  He has nine children.  Hattie Angeline, born February 8th, 1854.  Her husband, Azariah Shelton, was born June 24th, 1850.  These were married August 27th, 1868.  They now reside in the city of Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Shelton seems to have been, and is now, a popular man.
He served as Trustee of the County of Hamilton, then was elected Sheriff, and is now in the County Court Clerk's office.  This shows his ability, as well as attention, to business.  It also argues strongly in favor of the worthiness of the wife.  A family with such success exhibits proof of correct planning and prompt execution.  They moved from Tiner to Chattanooga, October 11th, 1883.  Have four daughters and one son.  Mary Ellen, born October 23rd, 1869, and married to Elias M. Shelton (not a relative), May 26, 1892.  Alta Foster, born December 24th, 1871.  Her ma tells me she is proud of her name.  I am proud of her, the name of Foster is dear to me.  Jessie Ida, born January 27th, 1875.  She has just completed her school work.  I hope she does not mean her education is completed.  The foundation is laid.  It takes all of life to complete the structure.  Mrs. Shelton writes:  My two brothers are in Arkansas.  The only one of Aunt Peggy Carper's family now living is Alexander, in Polk County, Arkansas, who is over seventy years old.
Uncle Joseph Carper was not prosperous.  He loved to hunt and fish better than he loved to grub and plow.  After his death, William F., the oldest son, with his mother, one of the best women I ever saw, and a younger brother, and I think a younger sister, moved to Hamilton County, about ten miles above where now stands the city of Chattanooga.  The country was then occupied by the Cherokee Indians.  William F. had learned the tanners trade with William Buchanan and Zach Wortham, at Winchester, Tennessee.  He had procured some money.  He sunk a tan yard on a small scale.  He purchased hides when he could pay cash for them, and when not able to pay cash for hides he would tan for half the leather the hide made.  These lands upon which he lived had belonged to the Indians, and purchased from them by the State of Tennessee, and now sold to settlers at a very low price.  William F. purchased a sufficiency of these lands, though not rich, to make him a good home, and for a time prospered well.  How uncertain are all earthly enjoyments?  He fell a victim to disease and died of consumption October 29th, 1859.  The widow survives to the joy of her children.
James Foster (I suppose this is my father's oldest brother), born February 14, 1768.  Elizabeth Hoge, born September 25th, 1777.  These I suppose were born in Wythe County, Virginia, and were made husband and wife October 1st, 1801.  In the year 1808 or 1809 they moved and settled in Bledsoe County, Tennessee.  This, perhaps, was as early as settles [sic] would be permitted to settle upon these lands.  Uncle James procured a good home.  The lands were rich and very productive.  This couple had born to them seven children, four sons and three daughters.  Mary
Gilmore, William, James Hoge, Thomas, Joseph, Harvey, Elizabeth Howe and Sarah Stafford.
Mary Gilmore, born October 1st, 1802, married to Thompson Ashburn, March 22nd, 1821.  He was a plain but noble Christian gentlemen [sic]; a fair farmer.  They settled in Marion County, Tenn., a few miles north of Jasper.  They remained here in peace and quietness until called to their eternal home, in a ripe, good old age.  They raised ten children--Martin, born January 17th, 1822; Elizabeth H., born January 12th, 1824; James, born January 20, 1826; William F., born January 4th, 1828; Franklin born September 14th, 1830; Andrew, born December 10th, 1832; Isaac H., born January 3rd, 1835; Sarah, born February 23rd, 1837, and Caroline and Martha, whose births I have not been able to ascertain.  I am informed that one of the sons only is living.  This is B. F. Ashburn, living at Whitsville, Tenn.  I know noth- [sic] definite of any of the daughters.  I once met with, and boarded with a member of the State Legislature, in the city of Montgomery, whose name was Cowan.  His wife was a daughter of Thompson Ashburn and Mary G. Foster.  They have a grandson, Thompson Ashburn, at Dyersburg, Tenn.; another grandson,Thompson Ashburn Cowan, on the Pacific coast.  Both of these grandsons are ministers in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and both useful men.  Thompson Asburn [sic], of Dyersburg, Tenn., has a wife and two children, is doing a good work.  I regard Cowan, on the Pacific coast, as one of the best workers in the C. P. Church.
William Foster, born January 15th, 1804, Wyth [sic] County, Va., married to Rhoda Robertson November 10th, 1825. They had born to them eleven children--James, born December 14th 1826, married to Semiramus Brown, March 23rd, 1847, married a second wife, Julia A. Morris, April 6th, 1858.  Harvey, born April 30th, 1829; I have no account of his death or history.  Elizabeth, born January 17th, 1831, married to R. J. Grant, November 4th 1855.  Elizabeth Grant and Dr. C. K. Muzy were married September 10th, 1860.  Orpha born May 7th, 1833.  Mary and Martha, born October 11th, 1835; Mary married William Gamble, Decem- [sic] 26th, 1866.  William R., born March 5th, 1838, married Tennessee Darwin, November 10th, 1859.  Rhoda, born December 2nd, 1841, married Douglas Young, September 6th, 1864.  Virginia, born January 25th, 1844, married J. H. Hoge, November 12th, 1867.  Their oldest daughter is teaching at Dayton.  The second daughter was married April 30th, 1893, to A. A. Cook.  The mother writes: "This marriage breaks the home circle and puts one of my brightest jewels in the care and home of another, reminding me, too, that my own home will soon be a thing of the past."  Caroline A., born March 16th, 1847, married E. T. Kelly, December 23rd, 1868.  Alace J., born October 27th, 1851, married E. G. H. Pryor, Decem-
ber 14th, 1875.
The father of this.".

BIRTH:

2. SOUR  TEXT Family Sketches / by Thomas Boyd Foster, of Stevenson, Ala., in the 83rd Year of His Life, at the Request and Gratification of His Dear Children, and Relatives Sc."

²Marriage Record of Thomas Boyd Foster and Sallie Mundford Mason (2nd Wife). "

[cont. from first wife's note]-
On February 28th, of this year [1856], I married Sallie Munford Mason, a daughter of William Mason, once of Lunenburg, Va., and cousin to Gen. Winfield Scott.  Soon after this I purchased eighty acres of land from the estate of Meredith Price, deceased.  This land lay near me, and would supercede the necessity of crossing the river to work.  The land on the south side could be rented, and my oldest sons, most grown, I thought it best for them.  My wife was a good mother, kind and helpful to all.  A wonderful acquisition to my family, and, so far as possible, made up our losses.  She became the mother of three children, Geo. Winfield, born December 19th, 1856 (his mother added Scott.  Gen. Scott, though a Virginian, fought with the North, and was scandalously whipped at Bull Run.  We were glad he was whipped, and the name of Scott, as an unworthy appendage was dropped); Mary Eliza, born January 3rd, 1859, and Irving Munford, born December 17th, 1860, and the mother died January 1st, 1861. Her babe died July 12th, 1861.  Again we were broken up.  When my first wife died, besides a large family of children, I had a negro girl, perhaps a little older than any of my children; now this negro had grown to womanhood.  Some of my boys were young men.  After much consideration I determined to try to fill the place of both parents.  This I carried out to the best of my ability. My oldest daughters were quite prudent and industrious, and were rather remarkable for their willingness and ability to carry out my wishes.

Soon another trouble comes upon us.  War was made on the South for the freedom of the negro.  I disdained the epithet of Rebel, but was for Southern rights.  I was unwilling to bear the contempt and injustice heaped upon the Southern people.  My sons were of the proper age for soldiers.  They volunteered.  It was not in my heart to oppose.  They went; my prayers went with them.  Preferring an honorable death to an ignominious life.  Five entered the service; two were killed; one lost a foot; the other two imprisoned in health.  At the close of the war; their health impaired; made their home in the far-off West, that they might find a more congenial clime and recuperate broken health.  All this beats toryism.  In 1863 the Northern army visited our part of the country.  Many of them were the worst thieves and robbers I ever knew.  They were in an enemies country but their conduct proved them to be trained rogues. For a time they were driven back, but again returned, and held the country until the close of the war.  Before their return I left my home and went to the Sand Mountain.  We were now five miles from the river.  I, and a son too young to leave home made a small crop of corn; two other old men working part of my land.  These were Ab. Baker and Robinson Jones.  The corn my family used was packed from the valley on horseback at night and hid.  Many of the Northern soldiers, on their way to the Chicamauga battle, passed near us.  They robbed the country.  We were without bread.  They left a lot of flour with some women living near us.  These kindly gave us about two hundred pounds.  Fall of the year came; I had corn in the field.  These women had no bread.  I told them to go and gather all they needed.
The war closed; three of my soldier boys reached home.  I was now in my fifty-fifth year; my system much impaired.  In June or July of the next year, I was prostrated with typhoid fever.  I lay until time for gathering crops.  I required help.  Work on the farm could not be successfully carried on.  I wanted to be taken to the valley; the doctor opposed--a good doctor and a noble man.  A wagon was filled with bedding and I on top of this.  In this way I was taken to the top of the mountain, but could not bear the jolting in going down, and was carried on a litter my friends had kindly prepared for that purpose.  When they reached the cabin at the foot of the mountain, I was laid on the floor.  I could scarcely avoid wishing I was dead.  Weeks passed before I could walk.  I remained here all winter, unable to do much.  The next spring 1867, we returned to our old home.  Just the hull of our dwelling was left, and it saved by a tory moving into it.  All our out houses and fencing gone.  My timber cut and hauled off.  Tories even presumed to claim my home by right of possession.  The General in command, a Polander, made them give place.  I cut the logs to build stables and a crib.  My boy hauled them on the fore wheels of a wagon I had hid and was not found.  We put the ends on the axle and dragged them.  When we would get a lot of them hauled the boys would come and put them up for me.  I had no money; was in debt on my own account, and as surety for others.  These debts had to be paid.  A friend sold eighty acres of my land to a Dutch soldier for a fine price.  I sold a horse I had saved through the war.  These sales supplied all my pressing wants.  That year a fine crop was made on my land.  I cribbed mine on the bank of the river.  The river rose higher than ever known at any other time.
I lost all.  Hugh, one of my sons, had made plenty and hauled it to the foot of the mountain.  I used his.  My sons were now men; had little education and no property.  They must be educated in their own personal interest.  I must do my own work.  I was not alone, I still had two sons with me.  The one that was with me during the war was stout and very attentive to business.  I was Justice of the Peace and County Surveyor.  With these helps and the rent of my land I made a good support, as the sequel will show. (pp.36-38) SOUR @S9@."

Sallie Munford MASON

¹IGI , Family History Library. "Sealing to Spouse done 5 Mar 1993 JRiver Temple.". "Sallie Munford Mason; Female; Birth: About 1832 Of, , Lunenburg, Virginia; Death: 01 JAN 1861; Father: William Mason; Spouse: Thomas Boyd Foster; Marriage: 26 FEB 1856 Of, , Jackson, Alabama."

²Marriage Record of Thomas Boyd Foster and Sallie Mundford Mason (2nd Wife). "

[cont. from first wife's note]-
On February 28th, of this year [1856], I married Sallie Munford Mason, a daughter of William Mason, once of Lunenburg, Va., and cousin to Gen. Winfield Scott.  Soon after this I purchased eighty acres of land from the estate of Meredith Price, deceased.  This land lay near me, and would supercede the necessity of crossing the river to work.  The land on the south side could be rented, and my oldest sons, most grown, I thought it best for them.  My wife was a good mother, kind and helpful to all.  A wonderful acquisition to my family, and, so far as possible, made up our losses.  She became the mother of three children, Geo. Winfield, born December 19th, 1856 (his mother added Scott.  Gen. Scott, though a Virginian, fought with the North, and was scandalously whipped at Bull Run.  We were glad he was whipped, and the name of Scott, as an unworthy appendage was dropped); Mary Eliza, born January 3rd, 1859, and Irving Munford, born December 17th, 1860, and the mother died January 1st, 1861. Her babe died July 12th, 1861.  Again we were broken up.  When my first wife died, besides a large family of children, I had a negro girl, perhaps a little older than any of my children; now this negro had grown to womanhood.  Some of my boys were young men.  After much consideration I determined to try to fill the place of both parents.  This I carried out to the best of my ability. My oldest daughters were quite prudent and industrious, and were rather remarkable for their willingness and ability to carry out my wishes.

Soon another trouble comes upon us.  War was made on the South for the freedom of the negro.  I disdained the epithet of Rebel, but was for Southern rights.  I was unwilling to bear the contempt and injustice heaped upon the Southern people.  My sons were of the proper age for soldiers.  They volunteered.  It was not in my heart to oppose.  They went; my prayers went with them.  Preferring an honorable death to an ignominious life.  Five entered the service; two were killed; one lost a foot; the other two imprisoned in health.  At the close of the war; their health impaired; made their home in the far-off West, that they might find a more congenial clime and recuperate broken health.  All this beats toryism.  In 1863 the Northern army visited our part of the country.  Many of them were the worst thieves and robbers I ever knew.  They were in an enemies country but their conduct proved them to be trained rogues. For a time they were driven back, but again returned, and held the country until the close of the war.  Before their return I left my home and went to the Sand Mountain.  We were now five miles from the river.  I, and a son too young to leave home made a small crop of corn; two other old men working part of my land.  These were Ab. Baker and Robinson Jones.  The corn my family used was packed from the valley on horseback at night and hid.  Many of the Northern soldiers, on their way to the Chicamauga battle, passed near us.  They robbed the country.  We were without bread.  They left a lot of flour with some women living near us.  These kindly gave us about two hundred pounds.  Fall of the year came; I had corn in the field.  These women had no bread.  I told them to go and gather all they needed.
The war closed; three of my soldier boys reached home.  I was now in my fifty-fifth year; my system much impaired.  In June or July of the next year, I was prostrated with typhoid fever.  I lay until time for gathering crops.  I required help.  Work on the farm could not be successfully carried on.  I wanted to be taken to the valley; the doctor opposed--a good doctor and a noble man.  A wagon was filled with bedding and I on top of this.  In this way I was taken to the top of the mountain, but could not bear the jolting in going down, and was carried on a litter my friends had kindly prepared for that purpose.  When they reached the cabin at the foot of the mountain, I was laid on the floor.  I could scarcely avoid wishing I was dead.  Weeks passed before I could walk.  I remained here all winter, unable to do much.  The next spring 1867, we returned to our old home.  Just the hull of our dwelling was left, and it saved by a tory moving into it.  All our out houses and fencing gone.  My timber cut and hauled off.  Tories even presumed to claim my home by right of possession.  The General in command, a Polander, made them give place.  I cut the logs to build stables and a crib.  My boy hauled them on the fore wheels of a wagon I had hid and was not found.  We put the ends on the axle and dragged them.  When we would get a lot of them hauled the boys would come and put them up for me.  I had no money; was in debt on my own account, and as surety for others.  These debts had to be paid.  A friend sold eighty acres of my land to a Dutch soldier for a fine price.  I sold a horse I had saved through the war.  These sales supplied all my pressing wants.  That year a fine crop was made on my land.  I cribbed mine on the bank of the river.  The river rose higher than ever known at any other time.
I lost all.  Hugh, one of my sons, had made plenty and hauled it to the foot of the mountain.  I used his.  My sons were now men; had little education and no property.  They must be educated in their own personal interest.  I must do my own work.  I was not alone, I still had two sons with me.  The one that was with me during the war was stout and very attentive to business.  I was Justice of the Peace and County Surveyor.  With these helps and the rent of my land I made a good support, as the sequel will show. (pp.36-38) SOUR @S9@."

Irving Munford FOSTER

¹Sketches by Thomas Boyd Foster. "Irvng Munford was born December 17th, 1860.  The mother took cold, and on the 1st day of January, 1861, died.  The babe was kindly taken by Mrs. Elizabeth Cowan, my former mother-in-law, and her daughter, Malinda, now Mrs. Graham, and nursed with all the tenderness that loving hands, couples with large experience, could bestow.  I have always regarded it as a noble and generous act of kindness, but on the 12th of July, 1861, the little boy died.".