title: Pioneer settlers of Grayson County, Virginia,
text: f; > -u -Jv-^ . Vft, <^^ •^ A :i o^\.- .0 ^ l'/^,", ^-p_ "V :i: ■■^■\' ..^^r- ^^ ■•■ ^^. .*'' >ik&> % ^ <^ » « " ^ 5*<^'* ^' '/ ^ O .0 ^^ 4 o C^ O ■A. -O " aV ^ J' I- - O «• . . s * .'V < 'o , » - I .Ho^ ^}^^^^ -r^'^, ,0 --^.^ N 4 O <J^ * » -. ° ' .^ ^' °* ■ i-". \. ,<^' v- .--^, ^ ^o> ,c- = .^^'o^ .-^.v:.;;^.% .... c° .^ ,4 o^ 0° ,-;-,^.,;-, °o '^. .^^ ^0 ^\o • .. ^ n ' o.> ' r-, * „ , . ' r> -^ <f*. *»«o' ,v:>^' o ♦ /, 1 • ' .0'' %, -r ^ 4 O ^^m: ^'^. • ^:'^6t^^ .^"^ •'-"■/^^nV^* -^z ^ •^ .0 ,^ ^O t^-o^ ,'J^^ ^ ^<^ » * ° . G .^ 0' '?'_ <> .f .* -^^ A >.>■. ,0 o '^^ V •"<^ .0^ ..:-yA7; 0' .^•' .^^ ^' '^ o !?'"^;.'*' ^^■' 4. o ^0 WW: J'%^ ov^ :^fe^' ^0^ ^^^a^ %/ '^^^^^ '^^ u PIONEER SETTLERS OF GRAYSON COUNTY VIRGINIA BY B. F. NUCKOLLS GALAX, VA. 1914 The Kihg Printing Company le roi press bristol, tennessee / Fsss. Bebtcatton HIS book is dedicated to the mem- ory of my father and mother ^ Clark Nuckolls and Rosa Bourne Hale Nuckolls; and also to other kindred and friends, many of whom have gone before, and many who are on their journey to the Mansions of Rest, ^ ff^e have lived and labored and loved together, and we hope to meet at last in the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who will finally gather all his faithful ones into their Heavenly Home, INTRODUCTION It is with unfeigned pleasure that I write these lines to introduce this modest volume to the reading public. I have known the author and the people of whom he writes for more than a half century. The author him- self is of one of the old pioneer families who, by their courage and stalwart virtues, made Southwestern Vir- gmia the garden spot of the world— "The land of the free, and the home of the brave." He was brought up among them, and is by blood akin to hundreds of them. He writes what he knows, and knows what he writes is true. The book is a recital of facts with but little embellishment— a garner for preserving for posterity, a history of the brave doings of the men and women of the generations gone by. This is clearly the author's purpose in writing it, and as such it is worthy of the hearty endorsement of the children of a noble ancestry. And it will be read by this and coming generations, not only in the happy homestead, the hills and valleys of South- western Virginia, but in many other states, for the sons of this hill country are spread far and wide over the South and West. Many men and women in the far off western plains will read with thrilling interest story after story of the early days of their fathers and grand- fathers who felled the forests and drove the wolves and bears from their lurking dens, and built their log cabins by the spring. The springs of laughing waters are still there, but the log cabins of the pioneers are gone — and beautiful homesteads, waving harvests and lowing herds tell of the comfort and good cheer of the country. The ramshackle school house, in which the children learned their a b c's in the years long gone, are replaced with academies and high schools of architectural taste and viii Pioneer Settlers adapted to educational purposes. And instead of the log cabin or humble private home of the settlers in which the "circuit-rider" used to conduct divine services, now the "church-going-bell" in every neighborhood calls the people to worship in elegant houses of worship. This book tells the how of all this change, and the worthy author merits the hearty thanks of all for putting the story in permanent form for preservation. I cordi- ally commend it to book lovers of the day. Knoxville, Tenn. D. SULLINS. October, 1913. PREFACE The times, opportunities, and surroundings have changed so much since the early settlement of this country that the people of the present generation do not realize what were the labors, privations, cares, and anxieties of their ancestors. They were such as try the nerve, strength, and fortitude of mankind. History proves to us beyond a doubt that our noble ancestors, by strenuous labors and perseverance, changed the face of this country, which they found wild and uncultivated, and that we now enjoy the fruits of their labor, while they "Rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." They cut down the forests, built their log cabins and stables, cleared up the low-lands and swamps, cleaned up the hills and mountain sides. Their cattle, sheep, and hogs lived on the range, but had to be brought in at night near the cabm to protect them from the ravenous wolves and other wild animals that were plentiful then. Bells were put on the cattle and sheep so that they could be found when they strayed away. The rich weeds and pea-vines and other vegetable growth afforded feed for the stock, and hogs fed on the mast, and foraged in the woodland. Pens were made, and the stock was driven into them at night, and often large log fires had to be built to keep the wolves away. We are not attempting in this book to givs sketches of all the families that have helped to make our section of the country what it now is, but will give some items of history and tradition that we think will be of interest to many and that have not hitherto been recorded. We hope that those who scan these pages will not read with the eye of the critic but with appreciation of the facts and items that have been gathered together. INDEX AsBURY, Bishop Francis 171 Anderson, Maj. James 67 Anderson, Orville, Clerk of Court 10 Bourne, William, first Clerk of Grayson 17 Bourne, Stephen G. 17 Blair, Thomas, Sr : 26 Blair, John.. 26 Blair, Lorenzo Dow 51 Bryan, Francis 163 Bryan, Joseph 131 Bryan, Lewis H 132 Bryan, Morgan 132 Canute, King of England 162 Canute, William 163 Canute, Col. Eli 163 Coltrane, Col. Ira B , 123 Cornett, Judge Geo. Washington 164 Cooley, Benjamin. -- 186 Carico, Rev. William 100 Cox, John, of revolutionary fame 167 Dow, Lorenzo 51 Dickey, Mathew 189 Dickey, John, Sr 188 Dickey, Dr. John R 184 Dickenson, Col. Martin 54 Dickenson, John 55 Davis, Col. Alexander M.._ 56 Early, John, Sr 205 Early, James 203 xii Pioneer Setlers Early, John, Jr — 203 Felts, Creed N 51 Felts, Thomas, Detective 52 Fulton, Rev. Creed 160 Fulton, Samuel 160 Fulton, Judge Andrew 16 Garland, Landon Cabell, LL. D 143 Garland, Charles —. 142 Garland, Mary 142 Garland, David S - 144 Garland, Samuel 146 Garland, Hugh A. 146 Garland, Augustus H. - 146 Garland, Rev. James Powell, D. D 147 Garrison, Isaac 155 Garrison, David - 155 Goodykoontz, David 193 Goodykoontz, Rev. Alfred M. 197 GwYN, James 58 Hale, Lewis, ancestor from Kent, England 107 Hale, Edward, ancestor from Kent, England 104 Hale, Judge Garland 121 Hale, Col. Stephen, Sr. 114 Hale, Capt. Lewis, Jr - 112 Hale, Capt. Peyton N 113 Hale, Capt. Fielden Lewis 118 Hale, Maj. Peyton G 127 Hale, Eli C - 116 Hale, Hasten 73 Hale, Prof. W. Stephen 116 Hash, Jane 173 Hanks, Joshua .._ 16 Pioneer Settlers xiii Hanks, "Nancy" 158 Hanks, Creed L 158 IsoM, David 118 Jones, Admiral John Paul 148 Jones, Churchill 153 Jones, Maj. Minitree 153 Jones, Maj. Spotswood 153 Jones, Maj. Churchill 153 Jones, Maj. Abner 156 Jones, William 155 Johnston, Capt. Robert 61 Johnston, James B _ 69 Johnston, Mary 61 Kyle, Judge William 52 Kenny, William 205 Kenny, Robert 205 Kenny, William, Jr _ 205 Kenny, John A 205 La Rowe, Louis 206 Lenoir, Gen. William..... 58 LUNDY, FiELDEN J., Clerk of Court 17 McCamant, Col. Samuel..._ 59 McCamant, Dr. Thomas Jefferson 60 McCamant, Thomas Jefferson, Jr 60 Moore, Col. Alfred 82 Moore, Spotswood J.._ 157 Moore, Churchill F 157 McMillan, Col. John 173 I xiv Pioneer Settlers Nuckolls, John, James, William, York, Eng 65 Nuckolls, Capt. Robert G... New River was first called Woods River and after- wards changed to New River. A Mr. Woods discovered the river, and set up claims on lands on the waters of Crooked and Chestnut Creeks. Other boundaries were secured by Buchanan. Some of the titles to land on which the town of Galax is built run back to the old Buchanan papers. In 1720, Spottsylvania was formed from portions of Essex, King William, and King and Queen counties, and was named for Col. Alexander Spottswood, who was one of the colonial governors of Virginia. Orange was formed from Spottsylvania in 1734; Augusta from Orange in 1738; Botetourt from Augusta in 1769; Fincastle coimty was formed from Botetourt in 1772, and covered far more than half of the present state of West Virginia, all of the present state of Kentucky, and all of what we now know as Southwest Virginia. In 1776, the county of Fincastle was abolished, and out of its territory three new counties were formed, to-wit: Montgomery, Washington, and Kentucky. Montgomery was formed from Fincastle in 1776; Wythe from Montgomery in 1790; Grayson from Wythe in 1792; Carroll county from Grayson in 1842. When Wythe county was formed from Montgomery m 1790 it included a large boundary reaching to the North 2 Pioneer Settlers Carolina line on the South, and embracing what is now known as Grayson and Carroll counties. Evansham (afterwards changed to Wytheviile) was selected as the place to hold courts and elections, and all free holders were required to go there to vote. The early settlers had selected land along New River and its tributary creeks, as they were most productive, and were rich with wild pea-vine and other vegetation for the stock. They did not like to have the county seat so far removed from them, so they called for a county on the south side. Flower Swift was one of the magistrates of the Wythe court. He, with others, made an effort to get a county cut off from Wythe, but was met with violent opposition. William Bourne was a candidate for the Legislature, but was not elected on account of his known intention to secure a new county. When the Legislature met, Bourne was there as a lobby member, and succeeded in carrying out his wishes. Mr. Grayson, of Montgomery county, gave much help in securing the new county, and in recognition of his services the county was named for him — "Grayson". The first court was held in William Bourne's bam on Knob Fork of Elk Creek. Flower Swift, Minitree Jones, and Nathaniel Frisbie were appointed magistrates. The members of the first court were Flower Swift, Enoch Osboume, Minitree Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Philip Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Matthew Dickey, Lewis Hale, and Moses Foley. William Bourne was appointed clerk of the court. Records of the first court held in Grayson county, in William Bourne's barn. May 21st, 1793, and partial proceedings of some subsequent courts : Grayson County, Va. 3 Be it remembered that on the 21st day of May, in the year of our Lord, 1793, at the house of Willaim Bourne, in the County of Grayson, a Commission of the Governor, Henry Lee, of the Common- wealth of Virginia, for the County aforesaid, directed to Flower Swift, Enoch Osbourne, Minitre Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Phillip Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Mathew Dickey, Lewis Hale, and Moses Foley, Gent., bearing date the 10th day of Decem- ber, 1792, was produced as being read, and thereupon Flower Swift took the Oath of Allegiance to the Commonwealth, the Oath to support the Constitution of the United States, the Oath of a Justice of the Peace, and the Oath of a Justice of the County Court in Chancery, which Oaths were administered to him by Minitree Jones and Nathaniel Frisbie, and then the said Flower Swift administered all the aforesaid Oaths to the aforesaid Enoch Os- bourne, Minitre Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Phillip Gaines, William Bourne, Nathaniel Pope, Mathew Dickey, and Lewis Hale, who took the same. A Commission from His Excellency, Henry Lee, Governor of the Commonwealth, to Phillip Gaines to be Sheriff of the County of Grayson to take effect from and after the 13 day of this instant, was produced by the said Phillip Gaines and Read, and thereupon, he, together with William Bobbitt and John Stone his Security, and entered into and acknowledged their bond for the said Phillip Gaines due performance of his Office, which is Ordered to be recorded and Flower Swift and Enoch Osbourne administered to the said Phillip Gaines the Oath of Allegiance to support the Common- wealth of the United States, and also the Oath of Sheriff. At a Court held for Grayson County the 27th day of May, 1793. Present: Flower Swift Enoch Osbourne Nathaniel Frisbie Nathaniel Pope Mathew Dickey Lewis Hale Gentlemen, Justices. The Court proceeded to appoint a Clerk. Whereupon William Bourne was chosen to that office, and thereupon, he together with Thomas Blair, Jeremiah Stone, and John Stone, his Security, entered into and acknowledged their bond according to law for the 4 Pioneer Settlers said Bournes due performance of the duties of his said office, and the said William Bourne thereupon took the Oath of Allegiance, the Oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and the Oath of the Clerk of a County Court. Present: MiNiTRE Jones, Gent. Phillip Gaines, Esq., is Nominated as Surveyor, and it is Ordered that the same be certified to the president and professors of William and Mary College. Alexander Smyth, Gent., produced License Signed by Richard Carey, Henry Taswell, and Edmond Winston, permitting him to practice as an Attorney in the Inferior and Superior Courts within this Commonwealth, and having taken the Oath prescribed by law, is admitted to practice in the Courts. The Court adjourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow. Flower Swift. At a Court continued and held for the County of Grayson on the 22nd day of May, 1793. Present: MiNiTRE Jones, Nathaniel Frisbie, Mathew Dickey, Lewis Hale, Gent. William Drope is admitted a Deputy Clerk to this Court, where- upon he took the Oath prescribed by law. Ordered, that for the purpose of appointing Commissioners to value property taken by E, the County be divided into two Districts, that part eastward of Meadow Creek and New River to form one end, and the residue of the County the other. William Bobbitt, Jacob Colyar, and George Martin are appointed Commissioners to value property in the lower Eastern District; and Enoch Osbourne, David Cox, Stephen Goast, in the upper or Western District, and it is ordered that they be served with notice to qualify according to Law. Present, Flower Swift, Enoch Osbourne, Nathaniel Pope, Gent. Grayson County, Va. 5 The Court proceeded to fix upon a place of holding Courts, and fixed upon a place known by the name of Rose's Cabins, cr within one mile thereof, and appointed the house wherein Court now sits as the place of holding Courts until publick buildings shall be erected. Minitre Jones and Enoch Osbourne, Gent., entered their dissent to the order fixing the permanent place of holding Courts. Absent, Flower Swift, Gent. Charles Nuckolls, Flower Swift and Phillip Gaines, Gent., in Court agree that they will Convey to trustees for the use of the Courts, 100 Acres of land at the seat of the public buildings, one- half thereof to be laid out into Lets and Streets, and establish a Town; the balance to be Common, Reserving three half-acre Lotts at their choice after the Lotts were laid off. -Minitre Jones and Mathew Dickey, Gent., are appointed Com- missioners on behalf of the Courts to fix on the situation for the publick Buildings within the District aforesaid, to receive from the proprietors of the Lands there a conveyance there of, or an Obli- gation for the Same, and to contract with an undertaker for the erection of the necessary buildings according to plans to be by them prepared, and finally to lay off a Town at the place; provided that the auction of the buildings shall be let by auction to the lowest bidder, on some Court day, on public notice. Present, Flower Swift, Gent. On motion of Phillip Gaines, Esq., David Vaughn is admitted a Deputy Sheriff in the County, whereupon he took the Oath prescribed by Law. Alexander Smith is appointed Deputy Attorney for the Common- wealth, in this Court, which is ordered to be Certified to; And it is further ordered that he be allowed the Sum of Twenty pounds in the levy the present year, as a compensation for his services for one year from this time. The Court also appoints Minitre Jones and Mathew Dickey to hold elections for overseer of the poor, the election to be held at the Forge on the 12th day of June next. Ordered that Shadrack Greer and Tobias Phipps be recommended as Justices of the Peace for this County. The Court appoints the oflicers for the regiment of Malitia; Ordered that Flower Swift be recommended as Leut. Col., Minitre 6 Pioneer Settlers Jones, Major of the first Battalion, Avery Henick, Captain of Rifle Company, first Battalion, John Wilson, Leut., William ChaflBn, Ensign. James Anderson, Captain of Rifle Company, Second Battalion, William Vaughn, Lieut., and Geo. Levesy, Ensign. There are 3 Companies for first Battalion, Three Captains, Nathaniel Pope, John McCoy, John Pickerell. Second Battalion, Three Captains, Jonathan Ward, Abner Jones, George Howell. Court adjourned until Court in Course. Flower Swift, Gent. Court 10th of June, 1793: A deed from Flower Swift and Mary his wife, to Mathew Dickey, proven by Minitre Jones, and Redmond Cody. Ordered that Revd. Moses Foley be admitted to solemnize the rights of matrimony, agreeable to the rules of his church, so soon as he shall enter into bond according to law. Ordered, that a road be opened from Blair and Dickey's furnace to the county line. From the Furnace to the ground where the Courthouse is to be erected, thence to the Forge, thence to William Jennings, Joseph Mill, Nathaniel Pope, James Cock, and William Williams (Wagoner), views the grounds to County line. Dennis Fielder, Rubin Cornute, and William Long, who were at the last Court, appointed to view Different ways petitioned for by the Inhabitants of Elk Creek, upon their Oaths do say there may a waggon Road be made from Jeremiah Stones to Hale's Meeting house, from thence to the Widow Roarch Cabin, from thence to Richard Wrights, Sen., to Richard Wrights, Jun., and that the Survey of the same keep it in Repair according to Law. Ordered that John Nash be allowed for the killing one Old Wolfe out of present County Levy. Ordered that Joseph Fields be allowed for the killing one Old Wolfe out of present County Levy. At a Court Continued for the Examination of a Negro man named Natt, the property of James Cox, on Suspicion of his Felon- iously taking from Thomas Blair one Duck Blanket to the value of fifteen Shillings. The above named Natt was led to the Bar, and upon Examination, denieth the Fact, Wherewith he stands charged, upon which several Witnesses were Sworn and examined, and the prisoner heard in his own Defence; On Consideration of which of the Circumstances Grayson County, Va. 7 relating to the Crime, the Court are of Opinion that he is guilty of the fact wherewith he stands charged, but the things being of Small Value, and the prisoner praying Corporal punishment, it is ordered that he Receive fifteen Lashes at the publick whippin post of the County on his bare back, well laid on, and it is said to the Sheriff that Execution thereof be immediately done. Ordered that this Court adjourn until Court in Course. Flower Swift. A Suit on Bond given by Phillip Gainer. Martin Dickenson Plf. V Daniel Sheffy Dft. Upon a bond for the forthcoming of the property at the day of Sale upon an Execution obtained from Court. Robert Sayers proved two days attendance as on evidence in the Suit Baker vs. English, and 16 miles traveling here, and the same returning each Daj^. Baker vs. English Judy for ;^3. sl5. 6 and cost. The Court proceeded to Lay the County Levy, and find the Claims for and against the Same as follows, viz.: To the Clerk's Publick Services the present year 25 Dol. The Sheriff same 25 Dol. To Clerks and Surveyor Book, &c, 50 Dol. To Alexander Smith Att. Com 66.67. To Creditors for Wolfe heads 50 D. To Clerks for examining Com. Books 5 Dol. To account for Delinquents 25.33 D. Ordered that the Sheriff Collect the Levy and give Bond in the Clerk's Office in ten Days. The Court proceeded to fix the rates to be observed by Ordinary keepers: (You will see this Order on p. 35 in the old records of the first Courts for Grayson County which belongs to the Clerk's Office at Independence, Va. William Bourne, first Ordinary Keeper, at his house. B. F. N.) COURT RECORDS (See page 35) The Court proceeded to fix the rates to be Observed by Ordinary keepers, viz.: 8 Pioneer Setters £ s d A breakfast with Coffee 13 Ditto Without Coffee 10 Dinner Warm, if good 16 Cold 13 Lodging Clean for 1 in bed 6 2 in bed 4 More than 2 in bed Stableage pr night 6 Do pr 24 hours 9 Do. for less than 24 hours 6 Pasturage in Season pr night 6 Do. pr 24 hours 9 Corn pr. Gallon 8 Oats pr. Gallon 6 Wine Madera pr. quart..._ 8 Do. inferior 5 West India rum pr half-pint..._ 10 Cosbert Do per Do 6 Taffia Do pr. Do. 6 French brandy pr. Do 9 Peach Do. per Do 6 Gin pr. Do 8 Whiskey pr. Do 6 Good Cider pr. qt.._ 8 Good Beer pr. Do.._ 6 Small beer 4 At a Court held for the County of Grayson on the 24th Day of June, l'}94. Present: Flower Swift, Enoch Osbournb, MiNiTRE Jones, Mathew Dickey, Lewis Hale, Gentlemen Justices. Ordered that Joshua Cox be allowed in the next County Levy for the Killing of five Young Wolves." "Ordered that this Court adjourn from the house of William Bourne to the New Courthouse, Court in Course". Last Court. Wm. B.'s House. Flower Swift Grayson County, Va. 9 First Court, N. C. House: At a Court held for the County of Grayson on the 22nd day of July, 1794. Present: Flower Swift, Nathaniel Frisbib, Nathaniel Pope, Lewis Hale, Gent, Justices. Ordered that the Stock Mark of George Martin be Recorded a half Crop off the Left ear, and a half penny out of the right ear, viz.: the half Crop out of the upper side of the left and the half penny out of the underside of the right. A Deed from Mathew Dickey and Rebaca Dickey his wife to Thomas Blair, proven by the Oath of Greenberry McKinzie, and ordered to be Certified. A Deed from Flower Swift, and Mary his wife, to Jessie Williams was proven by the Oaths of William AUin, John Williams, and Augustus Webber, three of the witnesses there to, and 0. R. On the motion of George Ring and Richard Hale, a certificate is granted for obtaining letters of administrations on the Estate of Martin Ring, and Whereupon they entered into with William Hale, Lewis Hale, Dudley Hale, and Jacob Spraker, their Securities, and qualified according to law. Ordered that John Fielder, Elisha Bedsaul, and Martin Dick- enson be appointed to appraise the personal property and make report there of to Court. Ordered that Dudley Hale be appointed Overseer of the road in place of Timothy Roark, and that he, with the usual hands, keep the same in repair. On motion of Robert Nuckolls, who, having produced the receipt of the Clerk of this Court for the sum of Twelve Dollars and fifty Cents, a license is granted him to keep an Ordinary at his house in Greenville, One year from the first of May last. Whereupon he entered into bond with Security accordingly. A List of Insolvent Tythes for the year 1810 was produced in Court and allowed by the Court, aud proved by the Oath of Abner Jones. A Commission from his Excellency, James Wood, Leutenant Governor, in the absence of the Governor, appointing Abner Jones 10 Pioneer Settlers and John Robertson Justice of the Peace for Grayson County in Chancery. This closes the copies from the first Book of Record for the Courts of Grayson county. Said book begins with the date of the 21st day of May, 1793, and closes with the 31st of May, 1811. First court held in new courthouse, on 22nd of July, 1794. Second courthouse built about 1838. County divided, and Carroll cut off of east end of Grayson, in 1842. (For record of First Court for Carroll, June, 1842, see F. L. Hale's obituary.) Independence was chosen as the county seat of Grayson, in 1850 or 1851. Orville Anderson was clerk. He moved to Independence, and died there soon after moving. The following, in reference to the laying of the comer- stone of the M. E. Church at Fries, Virginia, is taken from The Roanoke Times of November 27th 1902: NOTABLE DAY FOR FRIES "The gods have indeed been kind to our infant city on this day of days in her history. The laying of the corner-stone of any pioneer church of any settlement is a vital event in the history of that place, and the people of Grayson, Wythe, Carroll and other counties, have beyond question shown their appreciation of this fact, as demonstrated by their large outpouring today. The occasion which gathered so many hundreds of noble women and men within the corporation of Fries today was the laying of the corner-stone of the M. E. Church, South. The ceremonies were entirely in the hands of the Masons and Odd Fellows and conducted in their very impressive style, each and every ofiicer being in good voice and all were men of high intelligence and fine personal bearing. The Order of Rebekah, with its queenly membership, was in good evidence, and under command Grayson County, Va. 11 of its noble grand, Miss Donna Fielder. Marshals of the day were Dr. Koontz and R. L. Dickenson. "Lodges were represented from Wytheville, Crozier, Ivanhoe, Hillsville, Old Town, Independence and Pulaski. Dixie Lodge, of this city, has for its worshipful master. Judge Padgett, of Grayson county court. The noble grand of Fries Lodge of Odd Fellows is J. D. Baley. "Deposited in the corner-stone is a list of Old Town Lodge, No. 68, A. F. & A. M., names of charter members and names of members at this time; a list of members of Dixie Lodge, and time of organization; also a list of Fries Lodge, No. 39, L 0. 0. F., with time of organization; a list of Fries Sunday-school; an account of the massacre of the Bartlett family and others by four runaway negroes on the 11th of August, 1851; list of trustees of the chui'ch; list of members of the church at this place; paper giving time of organization of Washington Mills and names of directors, copies of Holston Conference Annual, Methodist Discipline, Holston Methodist, Grayson Gazette, Grayson Journal, Virginia Odd Fellows, Christian Advocate, Wytheville Dispatch and Roanoke Times. "The church building has brick foundation and is to be of wooden super-structure, with a seating capacity of about 800. It will be completed by spring and will have practically no debt hanging over it, due to the liberality of Col. Fries and the public. The church will be, as it now is, under the charge of Rev. T. C. Vaughan, a man of christian zeal and noble personality. "Rev. E. F. Kahle, presiding elder of this conference, delivered the oration of the day. In clear, well niodulated tones and classic style he portrayed the building of Solomon's temple, injecting the thought that, after the colossal work was done it fell short of the humblest meeting house of this era. Since it never knew the Savior of man. His masterful address received the closest 12 Pioneer Settlers attention and will be treasured a long time by those who heard him. "Within a hundred feet of the church stands the public school, which, when completed, will accommodate 500 children. "These buildings are under the architectural guidance of Capt. R. P. Henry, who has charge of the extensive and difficult building of this city. "After the ceremonies matters were handed over to the tender care of a committee of ladies, who undertook, with happy result, the feeding of the vast multitude, serving a splendid dinner and supper. " More anon from this strenuous little city. " The first trial held in the new court-house in Independ- ence was that of the four negroes who were engaged in the fight of which an account is given below : "An account of a fight or massacre that occurred with the Bartlett family, John Clements, William B. Hale and Currin C. Hale and four runaway negroes, on the grounds now occupied by the Fries Company, which fight or massacre took place on Monday morning, about 10 o'clock, August 11, 1851. "Wilham Bartlett and Elizabeth Paschel, his wife, moved to New River, Grayson county, Va., in 1834, with their two sons and one daughter — Samuel Bartlett, Alfred G. Bartlett and Matilda Bartlett, wife of Cyrus Wilcox. "William B. Hale moved to the adjoining far-m east on the river, with his son, Currin C. Hale, about 1838. "John Clements moved to the mill west of Wm. Bart- lett's, on the river, about 1847. "In the Year 1849 two men came into the county of Grayson by the names of Bacon and Cook. These men claimed to be Methodist preachers from Ohio. They Grayson County, Va. 13 traveled over the county and preached. But it was soon known that they were "aboUtionists" and that they were interfering with the negroes, talking with and advising them to run away and go to Ohio, and that they would help them get through. "On Sunday night of the 10th of August, 1851, four negro men started for Ohio. Two of them, Simon and Lewis, belonged to John Reeves, and the other two, Jack and Henry, belonged to a man named Cox. "These negroes got a canoe, armed themselves with butcher knives and scythe blades, and started down the river for Ohio. Their instruction from Bacon was to travel down the river at night and lay by in the daytime, and that he would meet them at the Kanawha Falls and take them across to Ohio. They reached the falls near the Clements' mills about daylight Monday morning, August 11, 1851, tied up their canoe and went up into a ravine in the woods and started a fire. The smoke was discovered by John Clements, who went into the woods and found the negroes in camp for the day. "Mr. Clements sent Calvin Bobbitt for help to take the negroes. Samuel Bartlett, Alfred G. Bartlett, Cyrus Wilcox, William B. Hale, Cunin C. Hale and Leftrick Hill came, with guns and a bulldog, and demanded their surrender. "At once two commenced the fight, the other two run- ning for the river. Samuel Bartlett was struck with a scythe blade and his head cut open. John Clements was cut on the head. Alfred G. Bartlett was struck on the head, cut on the wrist, and his thumb nearly cut off in his efforts to keep off the blows. "The fight was then between A. G. Bartlett, Cyrus Wilcox and the two stout negroes. Wilcox seized one of the negroes and threw him to the ground. Alfred shot at the other, but failed to hit him, and the negro ran to 14 Pioneer Settlers Wilcox and stuck the butcher knife through his neck, just missing the jugular vein. Bartlett struck the negro Simon across the back with his gun barrel, having broken the breech of his gun in the fight. "In this severe and desperate struggle Bartlett and Wilcox so disabled these two negi'oes that they surrendered. The other two v/ere pursued by W. B. and C. C. Hale. Several shots were fired at them without effect. Currin Hale struck at one with his gun barrel and bent it. Jack threw a rock and struck William Hale on the neck. The other did not attempt to fight, but ran into the river and was caught by the bulldog. "Thus the bloody struggle ended for the day. Sam'l Bartlett lived about six hours. John Clements afterwards died in Nebraska of his wounds. Cyrus Wilcox recovered ; also Wm. Hale and Alfred Bartlett. Only two are now living who were in this bloody and dangerous fight — ■ Alfred Bartlett and Currin Hale. Hale lives in Nebraska. Bartlett remained at the old home until he sold to the Fries M'f'g Co., and now lives near-by. He has by his energy and enterprise reared a large and respectable family, and amid his affliction and disabled condition continues as one of Grayson county's best citizens. "Two of the negroes left at the camp — Simon and Lewis — revived, tied up their wounds and started again for Ohio, but after several days were captured in Bland county — one in a house stealing something to eat — the other in a com field stealing com. The other two — Jack and Henry — went back to their home. They were all brought to Independence and tried in court. Hemy was released, as he did not fight. Simon, Lewis and Jack were condemned to hang, and were executed on Friday, Nov. 1, 1851, at Independence, Grayson Co., Va. "After this massacre the county was in a state of ex- citement and men gathered from Old Town, Elk Creek, Grayson County, Va. 15 Knob Fork and other places to search for the man Bacon, who had caused the trouble and bloodshed, as he had told these negroes to fight their way through. Bacon was found at Amos Moore's, but before the men could catch him he ran to Iron Mountain and got away. If he had been caught he would doubtless have been hanged at once. Cook had disappeared before this time. "The foregoing facts are known to many of us, but have not gone into history. "We therefore desire these facts to be placed by the hands of Alfred Bartlett in the corner-stone of the church, to be laid at Fries on Nov. 21, 1902, as this M. E. Church, South, is being built on the former Bartlett estate and on the ground where Sam'l Bartlett lived at the time of his being killed in the fight. "Given under my hand, and by the assistance of Alfred G. Bartlett, an eye witness and actor in this distressing piece of history. Written on the 16th day of Nov., 1902. "BEN FLOYD NUCKOLLS, "Minister of M. E. Church, South." Carroll county was named for Charles Carroll, of Carrolton, Maryland, who was one of the signers of the American Declaration of Independence. He survived all the other signers by six years, and had been dead only ten years when Carroll county was formed. The following was copied from the record of Carroll's first court: First order: "Be it remembered that on the sixth day of June 1842, a commission of the peace for the county of Carroll from John M. Gregory, Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, acting as Governor, under the seal of the Commonwealth, directed to Joshua Hanks, John Blair, Benjamin Cooley, John Cocke, William Lindsey, John B. Mitchell, Hugh Currin, 16 Pioneer Settlers William Raines, William C. Hall, and John Vaughn, and bearing date March 29th, 1842. ''Whereupon, the several persons named above appeared and took the several oaths required by law as Justices of Carroll county, which said oaths were administered to them by Thomas McCabe, a justice of the peace in Floyd county." The record then recites that these justices opened court in the house of James Stafford, in Hillsville, Virginia. Harold Mathews was appointed clerk pro. tem. of the court. A. S. Fulton, Benjamin R. Floyd, Richard T. Mathews, Archabald Stuart, Samuel McCamant, William H. Cook, Madison T. Carter, and Joseph C. Spalding were admitted as attorneys to practice law in the court. William Lindsey was then elected clerk of the court, and Harold Mathews qualified as his deputy. James L. Mitchell was appointed county surveyor, and Robert Kenny, coroner. Nathaniel W. Vaughn, Fianklin Clements, Joshua Hanks, Jr., Jonathan R. Sumner, Joshua G. Mabey, Thomas Dalton, Lacy Bobbitt, William Lewis, and John Webb were appointed constables for the county. The court remained in session for two days and adjourned to meet again on the 30th of June (1842) at the house of Parks Ashworth in Hillsville, Virginia. ■1^^ FRANCES BOURNE Daughter of WilUam Bourne, Sr., and wife of Stephen Hale, Sr. CHAPTER II THE BOURNE FAMILY From the account given of the formation and early history of Grayson county, we learn that William Bourne was a man of much force, and had a large share in devel- oping the county. Following is a copy of the family record of William Bourne and Rosamond Jones, his wife, in the old Bourne Bible, now the property of Mrs. Elizabeth D. Lundy, widow of Fielden Johnston Lundy, and youngest daughter of Stephen Bourne and wife, Patty Mays: "Stephen Bourne (Grey) was the son of William Bourne and his wife, Rosamond Jones. Rosa Jones, wife of William Bourne, was a daughter of Minitree Jones, Sr., who married Miss Spottswood. Rosa Jones had three brothers, Minitree, Jr., Spottswood and Churchill, all of Revolu- tionary fame." BIRTHS AND DEATHS William Bourne, born August 23, 1743. Rosamond, his wife, bom Feburary 14th, 1750. Rosamond, wife of William Bourn, Sr., died 16th March, 1821, age 71 years. William Bourn, Sr., died June 8th, 1836, aged 88 years. Stephen Bourn, G., departed this life April the 29th, 1849, on Sunday, 12 minutes after 8 o'clock in the morning. Patsy Bourn, his wife, departed this life, April the 29th, 1849, on Sunday, 35 minutes after 9 o'clock in the morning. (Only 1 hour and 23 minutes after her husband.) Children of William Bourn and his wife, Rosamond Jones, were seven daughters and two sons, as follows: 18 Pioneer Settlers First, Patience, November 18th, 1770. Married Jonathan Thomas. Second, Milly, March 7th, 1773. Married Jessie McKinney. Third, Charity, November 7th, 1775. Married John Blah-. First, Stephen, February 26th, 1779. Married Patsy Mays. Fourth, Mary, January 5th, 1782. Married Martin Dickinson. Fifth, Elizabeth, March 20th, 1785. Married Capt. Lewis Hale. Sixth, Frances, June, 5th 1788. Married Stephen Hale, Sr. Seventh, Celia, December 25th, 1790. Married Robert Johnstone, Roaring River, Wilkes county, N. C. Second, William, May 4th, 1794. Married Mary Johnstone, Roaring River, Wilkes county, N. C* The seven daughters and two sons lived to be old, and brought up large families; also raised a number of negroes. The seven daughters were all widows, at the same time, and by their energy and perseverance managed their estates well. None of the family married the second time. The following is copied from the Southwest Virginia Enterprise of March, 1912: "The following paper was read by Miss Bertha Nuckolls of Galax at a meeting of the Women's Missionary Society held in the Galax Methodist Church March 1st, 1912. We clip from the Post-Herald: "The first missionary woman of Grayson county was Rosa Bourne. Rosa Jones was a descendant of James Jones, brother of Admiral Paul Jones and lived on a large grant of land near Fredericksburg, Virginia. "About the year of 1765, Rosa Jones was married to Grayson County, Va. 19 William Bourne in Hanover county, Virginia, near Rich- mond. Soon after their marriage they left the old colonial home and moved out into the wilderness of New- River, which was then Botetourt and Washington district, but now Grayson county. "On their move they came as far as Fort Chiswell in wagons, and from there they packed their baggage on horses across Iron Mountain to Knob Fork, and settled on the waters of New River, and commenced to open up this country. At that time there were but eight settlers in this part of the country. " They built cabins and other temporary buildings and cleared out the best portion of the land. Soon after they came here, they discovered iron ore and in addition to his other work, Wm. Bourne began to work the ore in a crude way and finally developed the mineral. He built forges, and also a furnace for moulding castings at the fall of Peach Bottom Creek, near what is now Independ- ence. There are marks where the old furnace stood. There is now at this place an electric plan t and the elec- tricity is used to run the mills and light the town of Independence. "When William Bourne and young wife started their married life in the wilderness of S. W. Virginia, they pos- sessed foresight and perseverance, and prepared the way for progress and civilization, and did much to make this wilderness blossom as the rose. Their descendants have been and are yet found among the foremost men and women of this country. By perseverance and energy they opened the way for usefulness and prosperity for the coming generations. "Rosa Bourne was always kind to their negroes and provided well for them. She was their doctor when sick, their comfort in trouble, a Christian woman and would say to the sick all around about her, 'You must pray 20 Pioneer Settlers to the Lord for help, and I will pray for you and help you all I can. ' She would go to all her friends and neighbors and help them in time of need. "They had two sons and seven daughters, all married and settled in this country, reared large families, who have been representatives both in church and state over 150 years past; in fact their generations have settled this part of the country. "Rosa Bourne was bom February 14th, 1750. "William Bourne and wife lived and died on Knob Fork and are buried where he built his first house. His land estate was inherited by his youngest son, Wm. Bourne, Jr., who, having brought up his family there, sold 2700 acres to Dr. Gage. Since then his home has been owned by some of his descendants, and is now held by Prof. F. R. Comett, and son, Glenn, whose wife, Agnes Phipps, daughter of Columbus Phipps, is a direct descend- ant of Patience Bourne. "Rosa Bourne died March 16th, 1821, age 71 years. "William Bourne died June 8th, 1836, age 88 years. "Their graves are marked with large tombstones made by hand of soapstone. These tombstones and the in- scriptions were the works of John Blair who married Charity Bourne, daughter of William and Rosa Bourne. " The following clipping was printed in a Marion paper several years ago: "Ballard E. Ward, Esq., who is the owner of one of the largest and best farms in Grayson county, has an old log bam upon his farm, in a good state of preservation, in which the first county court of Grayson county was held after the county was formed. The old bam is very large and to cover it requires 36,000 shingles. On the same farm there is a very old graveyard, which has been abandoned for many years as a burying ground. On one MASTIN HALE Eldest Son of Stephen Hale, Sr., and wife, Frances Bourne, and the First of Thirteen Children. He died in his ninety-eighth year Grayson County, Va. 21 of the tombstones appears the following singular inscrip- tion, which was done about 53 years ago: Here Rosa Bourne's body laid of whom in truth no harm was said. Her Sovereign will was much obeyed While here with us on Earth she Stayed Because that her deportment made through perfect love, all feel afraid. the Man who wrote these lines to tell of her character knew her well He put these lines upon the Stone To make it to the readers Known, That they like her may do the same, In order to obtain a name And to perpetuate their fame. Among the household goods of William Bourne was a "Grandfather Clock," a sketch of which is given below: THE OLD BOURNE CLOCK This clock was brought to what is now Grayson county, about the year 1770. This was the first clock that was brought to this upper part of the New River Valley and was the property of William Bourne and his wife, Rosa Jones. After the death of William Bourne and his wife (1836) it passed into the hands of Stephen Bourne, their son; from him to his son, Martin Bourne; from him to his son, Montgomery Bourne; from him to Benj. Floyd Nuckolls, great grandson of William Bourne and wife, and from him to Ruth Nuckolls Johnston, Cleveland, Tenn. The clock is running and keeping correct time, in this the year of 1913. It is all made of the best material, and the case and works show the ingenuity and taste of an honest workman. The case of the clock is made of mahogany, and stands eight feet, three inches from the floor to the tip of the central brass knob on top of the clock. The trimmings are 22 Pioneer Settlers of brass, and there are rows of different colored blocks of wood inlaid around the case. The wheels and pendulum are of brass, and the weights are cast iron. It is an eight-day clock, and is wound with a brass key. There is no date on the clock but it was brought to Grayson county about the year 1770. The following is copied from a card that was tacked inside the case when the clock arrived in Grayson.: Common House Clocks, Table Spring Clocks. Time Pieces of different Conftructions. 