George Wesley Armstrong

George Wesley Armstrong

Male 1877 - 1960  (83 years)

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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  George Wesley ArmstrongGeorge Wesley Armstrong was born 14 Feb 1877, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA (son of Eli Armstrong and Elizabeth Ann "Bettie" Bodkin); died 18 Jun 1960, Hoadly, Prince William, Virginia, United States; was buried , Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States.

    Notes:

    It is ironic to me that Wesley and Gertie share a common gravestone in the Doe Hill Cemetery after all those years of devotion by his common-law-wife, Maude. My understanding is that Gertie would not grant Wesley a divorce, even though she was the apparent perpertrator in the break-up.JHA6/2003.


    From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas

    1-12-3-9 GEORGE WESLEY ARMSTRONG

    11239 GEORGE WESLEY ARMSTRONG
    b. 5/29/1879 Pendleton County, WV
    d. 6/18/1960
    Bur: Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill, VA
    m. 4/1/1900 Gertrude Belle Propst
    b. 5/24/1881 - Pendleton Co., WV
    d. 7/13/1987 - Staunton, VA
    Bur: Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill VA
    Parents: James & Martha (Kiser) Propst

    George Wesley Armstrong was the ninth child of Eli and Elizabeth Ann (Bodkin) Armstrong. He was born May 29, 1879. He married Gertrude Belle Propst on April 1, 1900. They had one child, Mary Mae. Wesley and Gertrude separated but as fas I have learned they never divorced. Wesley died June 18, 1960 and is buried at the Doe Hill Cemetery, Highland County, Virginia.

    Gertrude Belle lived to the age of 106. She died on July 7, 1987, and is buried at Doe Hill, Va. I met Aunt Gerty at her 100th birthday party. She had lived in a Virginia Nursing Home for many years but was still very active. For many yearhe rode in the Staunton, Virginia, July 4th Parade.

    Wesley lived with Maude Ann Simmons in a common law marriage and they had 10 children, all who go by the name Simmons. "The Simmons Descendants of Pendleton Co.", by Walter Eye, says Maude was born December 1, 1897 and died May 102. She was the daughter of Wm. Edward and Christie Louise (Puffenbarger) Simmons. She is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Sangerville, VA.

    I remember Uncle Wes visiting Uncle Dick and Aunt Ruby in Randolph County. He liked to get together with the gang of fox and bear hunters, and I can still see him, in my minds eye, taking long walks around the hill at Aunt Ruby's. He worat and walked with a cane.

    My Dad told me that in the late 1920's, Uncle Wes was indicted on felony charges and served time in the Moundsville, West Virginia State Penitentiary. He was sentenced to four years for "moonshining" which was excessive for the crid his brothers, Jacob Riley and John Labon, worked very hard and got the sentence reduced. Tradition says, his still was never found and was hidden in the mountains close to a main road.


    NOTE:
    While searching in Pendleton County Court House, I found records pertaining to this indictment and trial. Ièy2 CONC èy2 CONC tion.

    COURT RECORDS FOUND AT FRANKLIN, PENDLETON CO. COURT HOUSE

    This day Olie Smith, Sheriff of Pendletion County returned his writ of Venire Facias for 16 Grand Jurors duly executed on all the Grand Jurors named therein.
    All the Grand Jurors were in attendance, to-wit: Wilbur Buffs, Baxter Hedrick, Olin Hammer, V.L. Mullenax, W.S. Lough, B.Frank Shreve, C.W. Leach, Riley Armstrong, Jacob Hoover, G.H. Blizzard, Harmon Sponaugle, B.C. Warner, Henry Bennett. J. Smith, Lee Davis and Phil Turbo, constituting a legal grand jury of 16; whereupon said Grand Jury appeared and was duly sworn with Riley Armstrong as Foreman, and after having received their charge from the Judge, returned to their room to consider of the matters given them in charge and after some time returned into court, having agreed upon the following indictments, to-wit:

    This was followed by a list of 11 indictment, 4 for misdemeanors and 7 for felonies, one being the State of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong - Indictment for a Felony, A True Bill, JR.. Armstrong, Foreman.

    NOTE: I find it very odd that Uncle Wesleyèy2 CONC and Jury that brought the indictment.

    **********

    LAW ORDERS-- PENDLETON CIRCUIT COURT W.VA.

    State of West Virginia
    vs. Wesley Armstrong

    This day came the attorney for the State and the defendant in person and by counsel, and the indictment being read to him, and for his plea he said he is not guilty, in manner and form as is in said indictment alleged and of this he put hf upon the country and the State does likewise and issue is joined. Whereupon a panel of 20 jurors were sworn and examined by the court and found free from all exceptions and qualified to serve in this case. Whereupon the attorney of the state struck off two and the attorney for the defendant struck off 6 leaving the following twelve persons to-wit: Scott Ritchie, Elmer C. Hedrick, Marvin Moyers, Pet Warner, Charles Nelson, Harry Judy, Dewitt Black, John J. Mallow, C.F. Burgoyne, Kennie Simmons, Harness Wimer and Ray Mitchell, who were sworn to well and truly try and true deliverance make between the State of West Virginia, Plaintiff, and Wesley Armstrong, defendant, the prisoner at the bar whom they have in charge and a true verdict render according to the evidence, and the evidence being concluded and argument of counsel, the jury retired to their room to consider of their verdict and after sometime returned into court with the following verdict, to-wit: "We, the jury find the defendant, Wesley Armstrong guilty as charged in the indictment. But recommend the mercy of the court. C.F. Burgoyne, Foreman"
    Thereupon the court proceeds to pass sentence upon said defendant, and it being demanded of him if he had anything to say, why sentence should not be passed upon him, and he having nothing to say, it is therefore considered by the court the said Wesley Armstrong be confined in the Penitentiary of this State for a term of four years, and that as soon as convenient and possible, the said Wesley Armstrong be removed and safely conveyed from the jail of this county, to the said penitentiary, therein to be confined and imprisoned and treated in manner prescribed by low, for the said term 4 years. Thereupon the defandent is remanded to jail, and it is further considered by the court the State of West Virginia do recover of and from the said Wesley Armstrong, a fine of Five Hundred Dollars her costs in this case expended including an attorney fee of $30.00.
    Ordered that L.J. Foreman be allowed $40.00 payable out of the county treasury for services as Special Counsel for the State, at this term of the court.
    Ordered that the following allowances be made payable out of the State Treasury to jurors for their services in the case of the State of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong upon an indictment for a felony:

    Scott Ritchie one day $3.50 Elmer C. Hedr8ci one day 3.50 Marvin Moyers one day 3.50 Pet Warner one day 3.50 Charles Nelson one day 3.50 Henry Judy one day 3.50 Dewitt Black one day 3.50 John A. Mallow one day 3.50 C.F. Burgoyne one day 3.50 Kennie Simmons one day 3.50 Harness Wimer one day 3.50 Ray Mitchell one day 3.50

    Ordered that the following State Witnesses for their services at this term of the Court in the case of the Sate of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong, upon an indictment for a felony: E.E. Rexrode Two days and forty miles $4.00. Hook Two days and 280 miles 16.00 Clinton Armstrong Two days and 440 miles 23.00 Mrs. Clinton Armstrong Two days and 440 miles 23.00 Sam McQuain Two days and 36 miles 3.80 John McQuain Two days and 36 miles 3.80
    ************* State of West Virginia
    vs Wesley Armstrong

    This day came the State by her Attorney and the defendant in his own proper person in the discharge of his recognizance and by counsel and on the motion of the State this case is continued and the defendant is admitted to bail. Whereupon safendant together with Floyd Moyers acknowledged themselves to owe and be indebted unto the State of West Virginia in the penal sum of $1000, to be levied of their respective goods and chattels, lands and tenements, and unto the state render, yet upon the condition that if the said defendant do and shall make Court on the second day of the next regular term thereof, to answer the indictment of which he stands charged and perform all orders of the court in relation thereto, and not depart thence without leave of the Court, then this recognizance to be void other wise of force.

    *************


    State of West Virginia
    vs. Wesley Armstrong

    This day came again the defendant in his own proper Armstrong, together with H.A. Hoover and Maude Simmons as his surety, jointly and severally, acknowledged themselves to owe and be indebted unto the State of West Virginia, in the penalf One Thousand Dollars, to be levied of their respective goods and chattels, lands and tenements, and unto the state render, yet upon the condition that the said Wesley Armstrong shall be and make his personal appearance before the Judge of our circuit Court on the 1st day of the next regular term thereof, to answer the charge of which he stands indicted, and perform all orders of the court in relation thereto, and not depart thence without leave of the court, then this recognizance to be void, otherwise of force.

    ***********


    CHILD OF GEORGE WESLEY AND GERTRUDE (PROPST) ARMSTRONG

    1-12-3-9-1 MARY MAY ARMSTRONG -- 1907 MARY MAY ARMSTRONG


    1-12-3-91 MARY MAY ARMSTRONG
    b. 11/25/1907
    d.
    m. Woodrow Botkin 1-12-3-911 Genevieve Armstrong
    b. 771925
    m. #1 John Fede
    #2 Robert Abalon
    #3 Roland Fennel

    1-12-3-9111 Laura Jean Armstrong

    1-12-3-9-1-2 Juanita Armstrong
    m. #1 Leo McQuain
    d. 7/6/1957 Steamshovel accident.
    #2 9/17/1954 Roy Taylor Dunlap
    CHILD BY #2 ROY T. DUNLAP 1-12-3-9-1-2-1 Bobby Lee Dunlap
    m. Lisa Kiser 1-12-3-91211 Wesley Ryan Dunlap
    b. 9/23/1983 1-12-3-913 Melvin H. Armstrong (Bobby)
    b. 11/11/1926
    d. 12/25/1949 Car Accident
    Bur: Doe Hill, Highland Co., Va. 1-12-3-914 Avanella Botkin
    m. Wilber Ray McDorman 1-12-3-9141 Daniel Ray McDorman 1-12-3-9142 Stephen McDorman
    d. 1973 13 years old 1-12-3-9143 Darla McDorman
    d. 1968 3 1/2 years old 1-12-3-915 Clarence Leon Botkin
    d. Martha Miller 1-12-3-9151 Pam Botkin 1-12-3-9152 Ricky Botkin 1-12-3-9153 Joey Botkin

    **********

    DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE WESLEY ARMSTRONG AND MAUDE ANN SIMMONS

    NOTE: I have been told all these children turned out well and have been a credit to their heritage.

    1-12-3-92 Van Simmons 1-12-3-93 Woodrow Simmons
    m. Elisa Stone 1-12-3-94 Arlie Simmons
    b. 8/3/1919
    d. 1/1/2000
    m. McConaugh 1-12-3-95 Elmer H. Simmons
    d. 7/3/1962 Car accident
    m. Helen Marlene Jackson
    d. 7/4/1962 Car accident 1-12-3-951 Martha Ann Simmons
    b. 1954
    d. 1998
    m. --?-- Corbin 1-12-3-952 Helen Marie Simmons
    b. 1958



    1-12-3-96 Charles C. Simmons "Sonny"
    b. 1940?
    d. 4/17/1994
    m. Judith A. Woods 1-12-3-9-6-1 Dale Simmons 1-12-3-9-6-2 Wesley Simmons

    1-12-3-97 Mildred L. Simmons
    m. Doyle F. Rigney 1-12-3-9-7-1 Roger Lee Rigney
    d. 1/4/1998 1-12-3-98 Nora Lee Simmons (Listed as "Dora" in Simmons Book)
    b. 9/24/1914
    d. 9/11/1999
    m. Robert Gum 1-12-3-99 Roy Simmons 1-12-3-910 Maggie Simmons
    m. Will Crummett 1-12-3-911 Herbert Simmons

    ***********

    George married Gertrude Belle Propst 1 Apr 1900, near Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia. Gertrude was born 24 May 1881, Pendleton, West Virginia, United States; died 13 Jul 1987, Staunton, Augusta, Virginia, USA; was buried 16 Jul 1987, Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet]

    George married Maude Ann Simmons Abt 1912 (Common Law), Pendleton, West Virginia, United States. Maude was born 1 Dec 1897, Moyers, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 10 Jul 1982, Woodbridge, Prince William, Virginia, United States; was buried , Cedar Hill Cemetery, Bridgewater, Augusta, VA, United States. [Group Sheet]


Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Eli ArmstrongEli Armstrong was born 18 May 1835, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States (son of Samuel Eli Armstrong and Mary (Polly) Taylor); died 8 Mar 1883, St. Paul Cemetery, Pendleton County, West Virginia, USA; was buried , Armstrong-Hiner Cemetery, Sally Hiner Road, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States.

    Other Events:

    • AFN: C708-KV

    Notes:

    (from the files of Janice Armstrong Nicholas)

    THE CHILDREN OF ELI AND ELIZABETH ANN (BODKIN) ARMSTRONG

    1-12-3-1 JACOB RILEY ARMSTRONG m. Hannah C. Simmons 1-12-3-2 POLLY ANNE ARMSTRONG m. Eli J. Michael 1-12-3-3 SARAH ARMSTRONG Single 1-12-3-4 WILLIAM HARRISON ARMSTRONG m. Cora A. Todd 1-12-3-5 JAMES HARVEY ARMSTRONG m. #1 Jannie E. Wilson
    #2 Febbie Rolson
    #3 Jessie Simmons 1-12-3-6 MARTHA JANE ARMSTRONG m. William Crummett 1-12-3-7 JOHN LABON ARMSTRONG m. Nora Belle Cooper 1-12-3-8 JEMIMA ARMSTRONG Died at agG m. Gertrude Propst 1-12-3-10 JARED MORGAN ARMSTRONG m. Margaret Rexrode 1-12-3

    ELI ARMSTRONG

    1-12-3 ELI ARMSTRONG
    b. 5/18/1835 - Doe Hill, Highland Co. VA
    d. 3/8/1883 - Moyers, Pendleton Co. WV
    Bur: Armstrong - Hiner Cemetery, Moyers, WV
    m. 6/7/1860 - Elizabeth Ann Bodkin
    b. 7/1/1840 - Sugar Grove WV
    (near Palo Alto)
    d. 12/9/1909 - Mt. Solon, VA
    Bur: Armstrong-Hiner Cemetery, Moyers, WV
    Parents: James and Sarah (Hoover) Bodkin

    Eli Armstrong was born May 18, 1835, the third child of Samuel and Mary (Taylor) Armstrong. On June 7, 1860, he married Elizabeth Ann Bodkin. Marriage records show that Eli was 25 years old and Elizabeth Ann was 19 when they were marriede Rev. George Wine. Elizabeth Ann was born near Palo Alto, July 1, 1840, the daughter of James and Sarah (Hoover) Bodkin. Eli was known as a strong hard working man and lived in a hollow on the east slope of the Bullpasture Mountain in Pendleton County, the drainage flowing into the South Fork of the Potomac, north of Sugar Grove, W.Va. His home was approximately 2 miles southeast of the farm of his son, J. Riley, which is on the east slope of Thorn Mountain, on the Doe Hill-Moyers road. The road to the homeplace runs east at the Virginia- West Virginia state line, off the Doe Hill - Moyers Road. I'm told all that remains of the house are some foundation stones. Ièy2 CONC e. Note by JHA-- (In the mid-1900's this farm was owned by my father, Dice S. Armstrong. Known as 'the Lamb Place' it is now in the Paul Bennett family. JHA 2001)

    In the obituary of his son, Jacob Riley, it says Eli served as a Confederate Soldier during the Civil War. I have not been able to locate his name on any muster rolls. Dice Armstrong told me his father told him that Eli worked in the Saltr Mines during the war making gun powder for the Army of the South.

    Eli died of pneumonia at the age of 48, on March 8, 1883 leaving Elizabeth Ann to raise their younger children alone and with an iron hand. I am told that in her later years, Elizabeth Ann had somewhat of a bad temper, walked with a cane ad been seen striking out with it when she got angry. If someone tried to walk away before she had had her say, she would use the cane as a hook to hold them until she had said her piece. She made her home with her daughter, Sarah, near Churchville, Virginia before her death, December 19, 1909.

    Eli and Elizabeth Ann (Bodkin) Armstrong are buried in the ArmstrongHiner Cemetery, on the old Hiner farm, near Moyers, Pendleton County, West Virginia. ELI ARMSTRONG AND HIS DESCENDANTS





    1-12-3 ELI ARMSTRONG

    1-12-3-1 Jacob Riley Armstrong ------------ 1861-1929 1-12-3-2 Mary Ann (Polly Ann) Armstrong --- 1862-1942 1-12-3-3 Sarah Armstrong ------------------ 1865-1922 1-12-3-4 William Harrison Armstrong ------- 1867-1932 1-12-3-5 James Harvey Armstrong ----------- 1869-1931 1-12-3-6 Martha Jane (Mattie) Armstrong --- 1870-1939 1-12-3-7 John Labon Armstrong ------------- 1873-1933 1-12-3-8 Jemima Armstrong ----------------- 1875-1881 1-12-3-9 George Wesley Armstrong ---------- 1879-1960 1-12-3-10 Jared Morgan Armstrong ----------- 1880-1959


    From the files of: Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas
    118 Rainbow Dr. PMB 1875
    Livingston, Texas 77399-1018

    Eli married Elizabeth Ann "Bettie" Bodkin 7 Jun 1860, Highland, Highland, Virginia, United States. Elizabeth (daughter of James M. Bodkin and Sarah Elizabeth Hoover) was born 1 Jul 1840, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 19 Dec 1909, Mount Solon, Augusta, Virginia, USA; was buried , Armstrong-Hiner Cemetery, Sally Hiner Road, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet]


  2. 3.  Elizabeth Ann "Bettie" BodkinElizabeth Ann "Bettie" Bodkin was born 1 Jul 1840, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA (daughter of James M. Bodkin and Sarah Elizabeth Hoover); died 19 Dec 1909, Mount Solon, Augusta, Virginia, USA; was buried , Armstrong-Hiner Cemetery, Sally Hiner Road, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States.

    Other Events:

    • AFN: C708-L2

    Notes:

    Botkin Ancestry from the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas



    BODKIN ANCESTRY


    Elizabeth Ann Bodkin was born July 1, 1840, in Pendleton County, Virginia (now West Virginia). She was the first child born to James M. and Sarah (Hoover) Bodkin. She married Eli Armstrong on June 7, 1860. Thus, our Bodkin connection. See Chapter Four.




    James M. Bodkin was born August 25, 1814, in Pendleton County, the son of John and Elizabeth (Vint) Bodkin. He married Sarah Hoover on January 26, 1840. Sarah was born December 9, 1821 (or 1824) and died January 5, 1883. James died January 26, 1892 and they are buried in the Bodkin Family Cemetery between Palo Alto, Va. and Sugar Grove, W. Va. Children of James and Sarah Bodkin (1) Elizabeth Ann, b. 7/1/1840, d. 12/9/1909, m. Eli Armstrong. (2) Sidney, b. 4/15/1843. (3) James M., b. 4/25/1845, d. 12/3/1909, m. #1 Ruhama Bower, #2 Dorthory McCray. (4) Elias, b. 7/31/1848, m. Ida May Sims. (5) Sebastian, b. 7/29/1850, d. 2/18/1928 m. 2/1/1877, Sarah Crummett. (6) Susan, b. 7/29/1852, d. 6/8/1929 m. 1894 - William E. Armstrong (brother to Eli). (7) Sarah J., b. 9/18/1854. (8) William, b. 11/26/1856, d. 1/26/1939, Single. (9) Polly, b. 3/7/1859. (10) Nancy, b. 10/26/1861. (11) John, b. 7/919/1864, m. #1 10/29/1893 Lucy McCray, #2 Margaret Killingsworth.


    John Bodkin, Jr. the son of John Bodkin, Sr., was born in 1770, in Highland County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Vint on December 13, 1796. She was the daughter of William and Jane (Jordan) Vint, born in 1775, in Pendleton County. Elizabeth and John Bodkin, Jr. had nine children, all born in Pendleton County.

    Children of Elizabeth and John Bodkin, Jr. (1) William, b. 1799. (2) John III, b. 1803, m. 2/2/1826 - Mary Armstrong (daughter of John and Agnes Armstrong). (3) Joseph, b. 1805, m. Margaret Bodkin (daughter of Thomas). (4) Samue12/1835 - Barbara Wilfong. (5) Joshua, b. 1808, m. 5/7/1835 - Barbara Propst. (6) Jane, b. 1810. (7) Elizabeth, b. 1812, m. 5/24/1834 - John D. Keister. (8) Lettia, b. 1814, m. 4/15/1840 - William Eye. (9) James M., b. 8/25/1814, d. 1/26/1892, m. 1/26/1840 - Sarah Hoover.

    John Bodkin, Sr. was born approximately 1740 in Virginia. He was the third son of Richard Bodkin, Sr. His wife was named Mary, her last name unknown. John served in the Revolutionary War according to the text "Historical Register of Virginians in Revolution". John sold 200 acres on New Found Creek on August 10, 1759. He purchased part of the family homestead in 1762. He also purchased some land on the Cowpasture River on October 8, 1769 and August 7,1776, he obtained 100 acres on both sides of Highland County, Virginia. His family seemed to stay in the Highland County -Pendleton County area. John died in 1791 and is buried in Highland County. He and Mary were the parents of at least two sons and four daughters:

    Children of Mary and John Bodkin Sr.

    (1) William, b. 1764, m. 1793 - Elizabeth Bodkin (Daughter of Charles). (2) Euphremia, b. 1765, m. 9/29/1786 - William Bodkin (son of James, Sr.) (3) Mary, m. ? McCandless. (4) Letitia, m. 1822 - William Jordan. (5) Jane, b. 1768, m. Richard Bodkin (son of Hugh Sr.). (6) John Bodkin II, b. 1770, m. 12/13/1796 Elizabeth Vint.


    Richard Bodkin, Sr. was born approximately 1710 in Virginia. Some say there is a possibility that he was born in Ireland, however, others are of the opinion that he was a descendant of this line's actual immigrant and could be the son or grandson of one of the men who came to America in either 1653 or 1679. The first actual mention of him was in 1743, when he was patented 339 acres on Clover Creek, Augusta County, Virginia. This became the family homestead for 19 years, until May 17, 1762 when either he or his son, Richard, sold the homestead and moved higher up the valley. Richard was married to Elizabeth, last name unknown. Morton's History of Highland County Virginia states the Richard moved to Highland County with sons nearly full grown. Most of the following information was obtained from three sources: Morton's" History of Highland County Virginia", his "History of Pendleton County West Virginia" and Lyman Chalkey's "Chronicals of Scotch-Irish Settlement 1745-1800". Richard was a constable on the Cowpasture in Augusta County, which indicates that he could both read and write. His name was found on several petitions for roads in Augusta County. He was also listed as a private on the August 11,1756 muster roll of Captain George Wilson's company of Virginia militia. Richard was found listed in the 1756 and 1765 parish vestry books of Augusta County.
    After he sold the family homestead in 1762, there were three land conveyances to Richard in 1763, 1765 and 1768, however one can not be sure whether this was Richard, Sr. or Richard, Jr.

    Children of Richard Bodkin, Sr. (1) Hugh Bodkin, b. 1736, m. Hester Farmer. (2) Charles, b. in 1737 or 1739. (3) John Sr., b. 1740, m. 1791 - Mary. (4) James, b. 1742, m. Dinah Hicklin. (5) Richard, Jr., b. 1744.

    **********

    Children:
    1. Jacob Riley Armstrong was born 10 Feb 1861, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 17 Feb 1929, Staunton, Augusta, Virginia, USA; was buried 20 Feb 1929, Saint Paul Cemetery, Thorn, Pendleton, WV, United States.
    2. Polly Anne Armstrong was born 12 Dec 1862, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 19 Aug 1942, Spring Creek, Rockingham, Virginia, United States; was buried , Emmanuel Church Cemetery, Mt. Solon, Augusta, Virginia, United States.
    3. Sarah J. Armstrong was born 1865, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 19 Sep 1922, Churchville, Augusta, Virginia, United States; was buried , Green Hill Cemetery, Churchville, Augusta, VA, United States.
    4. William Harrison Armstrong was born 18 Aug 1866, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 17 Nov 1932, Sangersville (Mt. Solon), Virginia, United States; was buried , Emmanuel Brethren Church, Augusta County, Virginia, United States.
    5. James Harvey Armstrong was born 17 Feb 1869, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 4 Mar 1931, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , McKendree Cemetery, Highland County, Virginia, United States.
    6. Martha Jane "Mattie" Armstrong was born 20 Apr 1870, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 5 Dec 1939; was buried , Headwaters Cemetery, Bethel, Highland, VA, United States.
    7. John Labon Armstrong was born 23 Mar 1873, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 5 Jul 1933, Harrisonburg, Rockingham, Virginia, USA; was buried , Cooper-Mauzy Cemetery, Harman, Randolph, WV, United States.
    8. Jemima Armstrong was born 14 Feb 1876, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 15 Oct 1881, Pendleton, West Virginia, United States; was buried , Armstrong-Hiner Cemetery, Sally Hiner Road, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States.
    9. 1. George Wesley Armstrong was born 14 Feb 1877, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 18 Jun 1960, Hoadly, Prince William, Virginia, United States; was buried , Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States.
    10. Jared Morgan Armstrong was born 1 Sep 1880, Moyers, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 16 Jul 1959, Harrisonburg, Rockingham, Virginia, USA; was buried , Sangerville Church of the Brethren Cemetery, Sangerville, Augusta, Virginia, USA.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Samuel Eli ArmstrongSamuel Eli Armstrong was born 5 Dec 1804, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States (son of John Morgan Armstrong, Lt. and Agnes 'Nancy Ann' Ervine); died 29 Aug 1878, Shaws Fork, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , Headwaters Cemetery, Bethel, Highland, VA, United States.

    Notes:

    Bill Armstrong , Kingman, Az. records show him dying at Shaw's Fork, near Headwaters. This is probably accurate as his farm was located on Shaw's Fork, roughly north of Headwaters.JHA2003.

    1-12 SAMUEL ELI ARMSTRONG (From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas)

    1-12 SAMUEL ELI ARMSTRONG
    b. 12/5/1804 - Highland County, Virginia
    d. 8/29/1878
    Bur: Headwaters, Highland, Virginia
    m. 11/21/1830 - Mary "Polly" Taylor
    b. 1810 - Rockingham, Co. VA
    d. 1/17/1886
    Bur: Headwaters, Virginia
    Parents: William & Mary (Burrell) Taylor

    SAMUEL ELI ARMSTRONG

    Samuel Eli Armstrong was born December 5, 1804 near Doe Hill, Highland County, Virginia. He was the twelfth child of John and Agnes "Nancy" (Ervine) Armstrong. On November 21, 1830, Samuel E. and Mary (known as "Polly") Tar were married by the Rev. Abner W. Killpatrick, in Rockingham County. Mary was born in 1810, the daughter of William and Mary (Burrell) Taylor of Rockingham County, Virginia. More information on our Taylor ancestors can be found in the Chapter 5 of this report.
    Upon obtaining the Taylor information an interesting tidbit came into view: On June 10, 1828, Polly's brother, Daniel Taylor, married Mary "Polly" Knicely, of Rockingham Co., the daughter of Jacob and Ann (Campbell) Knicely. Accordo my notes, eight months earlier, on November 22, 1827, Samuel's sister, Nancy Armstrong, married John Knicely, of Rockingham Co., the son of Jacob and Ann (Campbell) Knicely. So, we find that Samuel's sister and Polly's brother married into the same family. NOTE: How and where did Samuel and Polly Armstrong meet? Ones imagination could run wild with the above piece of data. But the Knicely Family seems to be the common denominator. Nancy and John Knicely's first child, born 8/26/1828, in Rockingham Co., was named Samuel Ervine. (After his Uncle Samuel E. Armstrong???) The spelling of Knicely has also been found Knisley, Kniceley and Nicely.

    The Samuel E. and "Polly" Armstrong Family Bible is in the possession of Kent Botkin, It was on display at the Augusta County Library, Staunton, Virginia, in the summer of 1988. Kent sent me a copy of the birth/death register pagesd I have used the dates from them when there has been a conflict or question. I have ten children listed for Samuel and Polly Armstrong. Other information given to me says there were two more, unnamed male infants, but I did not find these children listed in the Family Bible. One source says, "Unnamed Infant - born September 1855 and died January 22, 1856." Jerry Campbell's "My Loving Family", lists "No Name Male born August 2, 1853, died January 22 1854" and "No Name Male, born July 29, 1856, died -?- ".
    Papers have been found in Highland County showing that in June of 1870, Samuel E. Armstrong qualified as the guardian of Barbara E. Armstrong. After Samuel's death, Allen H. Devericks was to become the guardian. Barbara was Samuel's grandhter. She was born May 4, 1861, the daughter of Samuel and Polly's second child, Jared, who was killed on March 15, 1862, at the Battle of Cross Keys.
    In the will of John Armstrong, Samuel's father, recorded in Franklin, Pendleton County, (now) West Virginia and dated June 9, 1820, the home "Plantation" was to go to Samuel and his brother Thomas and their descendants upon the der remarriage of their mother. The will says the "Home Plantation" was located in "Pendleton County, State of Virginia", but we know that Highland County was established in March of 1847, years after the will was dated. As of now, I don't know where the "Home Plantation" was located but, I think we will find it in what is now, Highland County, Virginia.
    A deed has been found, dated November 25, 1847, and recorded on March 23, 1848, for a long narrow tract of land sold to Samuel by George Harman of Pendleton County, for the sum of $10.00. The land was in Highland Co. and bounded land alreaned by Samuel. It sounds like this tract of land was to be used as a right of way or road.
    We know that at one time, Samuel and Polly lived on 286 acres of land on Bull Pasture Mountain (*1). On March 23, 1872, they deeded the land to their sons: Benami, Eli, Hudson, William, and John and their wives. The boys each paid one dolo their parents for the land. On June 2, 1875, a deed was made between Samuel, Polly, their sons and daughter-in-law's, to sell the 286 acres on Bull Pasture Mountain, to Samuel C. Eagle for $3500.00. On June 25, 1875, Samuel, William, John and their wives, appeared before J.A. Jones (*2), a notary, to be interviewed. The deed was explained to be sure they understood what they signed and that they did so willingly. It wasn't until February 3, 1877 that Benami, Hudson, Eli and their wives appeared before Jones and their signatures were acknowledged. The deed was recorded by the County Clerk on February 26, 1877. (*3) NOTES:
    (*1) In a description of the land for the deed, it says that the 286 acres were originally deeded to Samuel Armstrong on July 1, 1862. I wonder if this tract of land could be the "Home Plantation" mentioned in John Armstrong'? (*2) Could this J.A. Jones, be Jared A. Jones, who on November 25, 1878, qualified as administrator of Samuels's estate. (*3) Almost 21 months passed from the time the deed was written until it was recorded. Why did this transaction take so long?

    Another deed, dated February 21, 1877, shows that Samuel C. Eagle sold Samuel E. Armstrong a tract of 93 acres of land on the eastern slope of Shaws Ridge, Highland Co., Virginia, for $100.00. Samuel died August 29, 1878. A paper has beend dated January 10, 1880, that shows Samuel's heirs had J.A. Jones make a deed for this land giving it to John E. Armstrong, the ninth child of Samuel and "Polly" Armstrong. A "Widow Dower" of 21 acres was laid off for Polly Armstrong on September 8, 1881. This farm is now owned by Ray M. Botkin, of Staunton, Virginia the son of Nellie Jane (Armstrong) and Martin Botkin. Nellie Jane was the daughter of John E., the grand daughter of Samuel E. Armstrong. So, the land remains in the family.
    Samuel died August 29, 1878 and Polly died on January 17, 1886. They are buried at Headwaters, Virginia. NOTE: In June of 1990, Kent Botkin, son of Ray Botkin, took Nelson and me up Shaws Fork to see the farm. A new frame house wast in 1933 on the same spot the old log house once stood. Two of the original log out-buildings are still standing and they seem to be in good shape. It's a very pretty and peaceful place. No one was living there at that time, but it was mowed and well kept. It was a beautiful afternoon and an interesting trip back into our Armstrong heritage. Kent was a good tour guide. He told us about his grandparents and of some of the books and papers found in the attic. He knows many people of that area and is interested in the history of Highland County and family genealogy. **********
    Children of Samuel E. and Mary "Polly" Armstrong

    1-12-1 BENAMI ARMSTRONG 1831-1898 m. Mary C. Lamb 1-12-2 JARED ARMSTRONG 1833-1862 m. Sabine Lavina Varner 1-12-3 ELI ARMSTRONG 1835-1883 m. Elizabeth Ann Bodkin 1-12-4 MARGARET ARMSTRONG 1837-1913 m. Emmanuel Mitchell 1-12-5 TACY ARMSTRONG 1839-1888 m. Harrison Simmons 1-12-6 PALMYRA ARMSTRONG 1841- m. Peter Lamb 1-12-7 HUDSON ARMSTRONG 1843-1911 m. Malinda J.Ralston 1-12-8 WILLIAM E. ARMSTRONG 1846-1914 m. #1 Sarah C. Price
    #2 Susan Bodkin 1-12-9 JOHN E. ARMSTRONG 1848-1921 m. Barbara Crummett 1-12-10 GEORGE A. ARMSTRONG 1851-1862 1-12-11 ?? INFANT ?? 1-12-12 ?? INFANT ??

    This is a deed for a long narrow tract of land in Highland County, which bordered on land already owned by Samuel E. Armstrong. It was owned by George Harman of Pendleton County and he sold it to Samuel for $10.00.

    This Indenture (*1) made the 25th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and forty seven; Between George Harman of the CountyDEED 11/25/1847

    This is a deed for a long of Pendleton and the state of Virginia of the one part, and Samuel E. Armstrong of the County of Highland and the state aforesaid of the other part, witnesseth, that the said George Harman for and in consideration of the sum of ten dollars to him in hand paid by the said Samuel E. Armstrong the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained and sold and by these present doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Samuel E. Armstrong, his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in Highland County Virginia on the east side of Purgatory Knob, adjoining the lands of Armstrong, Silas Sims and George Whislesman by patent bearing date the 2nd day of April 1834 containing ? (blank) acres, and bounded as follows. Beginning at a chestnut oak on a slate Bank thence N 21 E. 37 poles to a pine & red oak Sims corner N 40 E 124 poles to two oaks Sims corner N 17 E 216 poles to Black and Chestnut Oaks near Sims line N 66 W 29 poles to a Maple Chestnut and Chestnut Oak on a line of Armstrong land and with the same SW 142 poles to a double Chestnut Oak on a ridge Armstrong Corner and with his line S 32 W 44 poles to a hickory & Gum tree eastwardly sixty five poles to the Beginning. Together with all and singular the appurtenances (*2) there unto belonging or in anywise appertaining. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with the appurtenances unto the said Samuel E. Armstrong his heirs and assigns forever And the said George Harman for his heirs, executors and administrators, doth covenant with the said Samuel E. Armstrong his heirs and assigns against the claims of heirs the said George Harman and his heirs what so ever shall ]]]] Warrant and forever do find by these present In witness where of the said George Harman hath here unto set his hand and seal this year and day first above written.
    George Harman * (seal)


    ******




    *1 - Indenture - a deed or contract made between two or more
    parties.

    *2 - Appurtenance - an incidental right (as a right of way)
    attached to a principal property right & passing in possession with it.

    State of Virginia Highland County towit:
    Mr. Able H. Armstrong and Thomas Jones Justices of the Peace in the County aforesaid and State of Virginia do hereby certify that the said George Harman party to the within deed hath duly acknowledged the same before us on the 25th day of Ner 1847 and desired us to certify the said acknowledgement to the clerk of Highland County in order that the said conveyance may be recorded. As witness our hands & seals this 25th day of November 1847.
    A. H. Armstrong * (seal)
    Th. Jones * (seal)

    ******


    Highland County Court Clerks Office. March 23rd 1848
    This deed from George Harman to Samuel E. Armstrong was this day presented in the office aforesaid and having the acknowledgement legally certified was admitted to record.

    Teste
    A. Stephinson Jr. Clek.

    ***********
    DEED 3/23/1872

    On 3/23/1872 Samuel E. Armstrong and his wife Polly deeded 286 acres of land on Bull Pasture Mountain, on which they lived, to their 5 sons; Benami, Eli, Hudson, William and John. The sons each paid one dollar to their parents for the land

    ******
    This Deed made this 23rd day of March 1872 between Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife of the county of Highland and State of Virginia of the one part and Benami Armstrong, Eli Armstrong Hudson Armstrong William Armstrong and John E. Arm
    g of the county and state aforesaid of the other part; witnesseth that for and in consideration of the natural loan and affection which the said grantors bear for their children the said grantees and for the further consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid by the said grantees to the said grantors, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the said Samuel E. Armstrong and his wife do grant unto the said Benami Armstrong Eli Armstrong, Hudson Armstrong, Wm. H. Armstrong and John E. Armstrong, all of the real estate of which the said Samuel E. Armstrong & his wife are seized and possessed, towit: One tract of land lying on Bull Pasture Mountain in said county adjoining the land of Samuel Bodkin, H.C. Jones., A.H. Armstrong & others containing 286 acres more or less and is the same land upon which the said Samuel E. Armstrong now resides. And the said Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife -------- that they will warrant generally the property hereby conveyed. Witness the following signatures and seals. Samuel E. Armstrong*(Seal)
    Polly (X-her mark) Armstrong (*Seal)
    Witness (5 ct IR affixed---) J.A. Jones Highland County towit:
    I J.A.Jones, a commissioner in Chancery for Highland County Court in said state, do hereby certify that Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife whose names are signed to the forgoing deed bearing date of the 23rd day of March 1872, personalleared before me in the county and State aforesaid and acknowledge the said writing to be their act and deed. And the said Polly Armstrong wife of said Samuel E. Armstrong being examined by me privily said apart from her said husband and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to her, she the said Polly Armstrong acknowledged the said writing to be her act and declared that she had willingly executed the same and does not wish to retract it. Given under my hand this 23 day of March 1872. J.A. Jones, Comn in Chy for Highland County Court

    ********** In Highland County Court Clerk's Office March 23rd 1872.
    This deed from Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife to Benami Armstrong, Eli Armstrong, Hudson Armstrong, Wm. H. Armstrong and John E. Armstrong was this day presented in the office aforesaid and the privy examinations and acknowledgmentsg legally certified was admitted to record. Teste J.C. Matheny - Clk **********
    The jest of the bill of sale and deed is that on July 1, 1862 Samuel E. Armstrong was granted a patent from the Commonwealth of Virginia for a tract of land on Bull Pasture Mountain. On June 2, 1875, Samuel and his family sold 286 acres, mor less, to Samuel C. Eagle for $3500. **********
    DEED 6/2/1875
    This Deed made this 2 day of June 1875, between Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife, Benami Armstrong & Catherine his wife, Eli Armstrong & Elizabeth his wife, Hudson Armstrong and Malinda his wife, William H. Armstrong and Susannh his wnd John E. Armstrong & Barbara his wife of the County of Highland and State of Virginia of the first part and Samuel C. Eagle of the County & State aforesaid of the second part witness that for and in consideration of the sum of Thirty five hundred Dollars the said parties of the first part do convey unto the said party of the second part a certain tract of land containing two hundred and eighty six acres more or less lying in the County and State aforesaid on the Bull Pasture Mountain adjoining the land of H.C. Jones, Joseph Rexrode, A.H. Armstrong and others and was granted to the said Samuel E. Armstrong by patent of the Commonwealth, bearing date the first day of July 1862 and is bound as follows towit: Beginning at a double Chestnut on the south side of a ridge S Bodkin and Armstrong corner and with a line of the former SB 1/2 E 75 poles to a White Oak and White Oak stump on the top of the mountain corner of same S 66. E 61 poles to two White Oaks on South side of a ridge former corner S 60. E 16 1/2 poles to a Standing of fallen black oak on side of same S 35. W 11 poles to the center of the public road and with same leaving Botkins lines and with said Jones lines S 48. E 12 poles in said road S 56. E 53 poles in same S 41 E 29 1/2 poles to Michaels line by said road leaving said Jones N 41 E 28 poles to a Chestnut Oak on a Slaty hillside N 32 E 116 poles to white oak and Chestnut on a low ridge former corner N 58 3/4 E 54 poles to a Gum and Chestnut Oak on a flat ridge Michaels (now Rexrode) corner leaving his lines. N 22 E 58 poles to a small Sugar near to and S of branch Said Siples (now Todds) corner and on his lines N 58 W 30 poles to a swamp Ash in said branch leaving Siples lineN 82 N 21 poles to two Lynns on the north side of a ridge. Jordans corner leaving his lines and with Siples lines N 50 W 26 poles to a large Sugar near the foot of a ridge above a Spring in Purgatory Hollow N25 W 44 poles to a large White Oak and small Sugar on SW side of a ridge former corner N 74 W 92 poles to a rock on Siple line A.H. Armstrong corner leaving Siples line and with the latter S 39. W 111 poles to a hickory and White walnut on top of a ridge former corner N 30 W 26 poles to a chestnut stump and rock and rock in a field corner of same S 34 1/2 W 78 poles to the beginning. And the said parties of the first part covenant that they will warrant generally the land hereby conveyed. Witness the following Signatures and Seals: Samuel E. Armstrong (Seal) Polly (X) Armstrong (Seal Benami Armstrong (Seal) Mary C. Armstrong (Seal) Eli Armstrong (Seal) Elizabeth (X) Armstrong (Seal) Hudson Armstrong (Seal) Malinda J. Armstrong (Seal) William H. Armstrong (Seal)

    Susannah (X) Armstrong (Seal) John E. Armstrong (Seal) Barbara A. Armstrong (Seal)


    Note: It would be interesting to find the original deed/patent dated July 1, 1862. Could this be the "Home Plantation" mentioned in John Armstrong's will, that was to go to Samuel and his brother Thomas? or did Samuel buy this landr was it a land grant to him for some reason by the Commonwealth of Virginia? Why did just some of Samuel's heirs sign this deed of sale to Samuel C. Eagle and not all of them? His sons Jared and George was dead by this date but none of the daughters and their husbands signed. Is there still a place known as Purgatory Hollow?

    **********



    On June 25, 1875, Samuel E., William H., John E., and their wives appeared before the Notary, J.A. Jones. Jones interviewed the wives apart from their husbands and explained the document to be sure they understood what they had signed, and that they did so willingly.

    **********

    Virginia Highland County towit:
    I J.A. Jones a notary Public for the county aforesaid in said State, do hereby certify that Samuel E. Armstrong, William H. Armstrong and John E. Armstrong whose names are signed to the writing here to annexed bearing date on the 25 day oe 1875, have acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid and I further certify that Polly Armstrong the wife of said Samuel E. Armstrong, Susannah Armstrong the wife of said William H. Armstrong and Barbara A. Armstrong the wife of said John E. Armstrong whose names are here Signed to said writing bearing date as aforesaid personally appeared before me in the county aforesaid and being examined by me privily and apart from their respective husbands and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to them they the said Polly Armstrong, Susannah Armstrong and Barbara A. Armstrong acknowledge the said writing to be their act and declared that they had willingly executed the same and do not wish to retract it. Given under my hand this 25 day of June 1875. J.A. Jones, NP **********

    NOTE: We have the name of William's wife as Susan. Here it appears as "Susannah". This could be a mistake, because it appears she couldn't write, she made her mark, "X" instead. Polly, Samuel's wife also signed her mark, &#X".

    *********


    On February 13, 1877, Benami, Hudson, Eli and their wives appeared before Jones. He interviewed them separately and explained the document to be sure they understood what they had signed and that they did so willingly.

    **********

    Virginia Highland County towit:
    I J.A. Jones a notary Public for the county aforesaid in said state do hereby certify that Benami Armstrong, Hudson Armstrong and Eli Armstrong whose names are signed to the writing hereto annexed bearing date on the 25 day of June 1875, haknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid, and I further certify that Mary C. Armstrong the wife of Benami Armstrong, Malinda Armstrong the wife of Hudson Armstrong and Elizabeth Armstrong the wife of Eli Armstrong whose names are (also) signed to said writing bearing date as aforesaid personally appeared before me in my county as aforesaid, and being examined by me privily and apart from their respective husbands and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to them, they, the said Mary C. Armstrong, Malinda Armstrong and Elizabeth Armstrong acknowledged the said writing to be their act and declared that they had willingly executed the same and do not wish to retract it. J.A. Jones, NP

    NOTE: Why did it take so long to verify these signatures? The deed was written 6/2/1875, the first signatures were acknowledged 6/25/1875, but almost two years lapsed before these last signatures were acknowledged on 2/13/1877.

    This deed written 6/2/1875 was recorded by the Highland County Clerk, J.C. Matheny on 2/26/1877. Why did it take son long to complete this transaction? Was their some kind of family dispute over the sale of the land? Highland County Court Clark's office February 26, 1877:
    This deed from Samuel E. Armstrong & wife & others to Samuel C. Eagle was this day presented in the office aforesaid & the privy examinations and acknowledgment being legally certified was admitted to record. Teste: J.C. Matheny

    On 2/21/1877 Samuel E. Armstrong bought 93 acres of land on the eastern slop of Shaws Ridge from Samuel C. Eagle and his wife for $100.00. **********

    This deed made the 21st day of February in the year 1877 between Samuel C. Eagle and Martha M. Eagle, his wife of the county of Highland and state of Virginia of the one part and Samuel E. Armstrong of the State and County aforesaid of ther part. Witnesseth that in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars in hand paid the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged the said Samuel C. Eagle does grant unto the said Samuel E. Armstrong all that tract or parcel of land laying and being in the county of Highland Virginia containing ninety three (93) and lying on the eastern slop of Shaws Ridge, adjoining the lands of Benjamin T. Hook and others and is part of the tract of 9295 acres granted to Benjamin Hiner by deed from C.B. Hayden Commissioner and is Bounded as follows. Beginning at a small white oak and chestnut oak on the side of a ridge near the foot or the place where a corner of the 200 acre tract of Hooks formerly stood and with said lines S 38 W 240 poles to a small hickory and four small chestnut oaks in the head of a hollow, thence leaving said lines N 52 W 68 poles to a black and three chestnut oaks on the top of a ridge N 15 E 69 poles to three pines on the top of Ball's Knob. N 21 W 16 poles to the Beginning. And the said Samuel C. Eagle hereby covenants with the said Samuel E. Armstrong, that he will warrant generally the property hereby conveyed, by the said grantor unto the said grantee. Witness the following signatures and seals
    Samuel C. Eagle (* Seal)
    Martha M. Eagle (* Seal) ********** Virginia Highland County, towit:
    I J.A. Jones a Notary Public for the county aforesaid in the said state do hereby certify that Samuel C. Eagle whose name is signed to the annexed writing bearing date of the 21st day of February 1877 has acknowledged the same before me inunty aforesaid and I further certify that Martha M. Eagle the wife of said Samuel C. Eagle whose name is also signed to said writing, personally appeared before me in my county aforesaid, and being by me examined privily and apart from her said husband, having the deed aforesaid fully explained to her, she the said Martha M. Eagle acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and declared that she has willingly excited the same and does not wish to retract it. Given under my hand this 21th day of Feb. 1877. J.A. Jones, NP **********
    WIDOW DOWER (Polly Armstrong)

    The following was layed off September 8, 1881, for Polly Armstrong (see plot). Beginning on the West side of the "Home Tract" at a Chestnut Oak at the head of a Hollow, east side of Shaw's Ridge, North 40 E 29 1/2 poles. " Cht oaks and Locust, North side of a ridge, along and across a ravine and passing near the buildings. South 56 1/2 East 109 poles, to sugar tree on the north bank of a Run. South 36 3/4 West 32 1/2 poles to 3 White Oak saplings in Ben. T. Hook's line. With the same North 55 W 110.4 poles to the beginning. Total 21 acres (20 square poles). **********


    DEED TO JOHN 1/10/1880

    To J.A. Jones,
    The undersigned heirs at law of Samuel E. Armstrong dec'd hereby direct you to make to John E. Armstrong a deed for the 81 acres of land sold by you to said Samuel E. Armstrong, and known as the Brown Place laying on Shaws Fork in the Couf Highland. Jany 10th 1880. Signed: Eli Armstrong B.A. Armstrong Wm. Armstrong BenAmi Armstrong William H. Simmons Hudson Armstrong P.F. Lamb Marget Mitchell (Note Spelling)

    **********

    NOTES: William H. Simmons was Tacy's husband, Samuel's son-in-law. P.F. Lamb was Palmyra' husband, Peter Lamb, Samuel's son-in-law. B.A. Armstrong could have been Barbara Armstrong, ward of Samuel E. Armstrong. She was Samuel's gd daughter, the daughter of his son, Jared who was killed in 1862 at the battle of Cross Keys.







    GUARDIANSHIP

    NOTE: From the notes of Richard Armstrong of Milboro, Virginia. This was sent to me by Kent Botkin.

    1. Box 28, No. 94 1881
    In June 1870, Samuel E. Armstrong, qualified as the guardian of Barbara A. Armstrong. After his death, Allen H. Devericks became the guardian.
    Samuel died in 1878, leaving the following heirs: Polly Armstrong - widow: Ami, Hudson, Eli, John and William H. Armstrong, Margaret (wife of Emanuel H. Mitchell), Tacy (wife of Harrison Simmons), Palmyra (wife of Peter Lamb), and Barbaramstrong ( ward of deceased son.)
    November 25, 1878, Jared A. Jones qualified as administrator of his estate. *********




    **********

    Married by Rev. Abner W. Killpatrick

    Bill Armstrong , Kingman, Az. records show him dying at Shaw's Fork, near Headwaters. This is probably accurate as his farm was located on Shaw's Fork, roughly north of Headwaters.JHA2003.

    1-12
    SAMUEL ELI ARMSTRONG (From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas)

    1-12 SAMUEL ELI ARMSTRONG
    b. 12/5/1804 - Highland County, Virginia
    d. 8/29/1878
    Bur: Headwaters, Highland, Virginia
    m. 11/21/1830 - Mary "Polly" Taylor
    b. 1810 - Rockingham, Co. VA
    d. 1/17/1886
    Bur: Headwaters, Virginia
    Parents: William & Mary (Burrell) Taylor

    SAMUEL ELI ARMSTRONG

    Samuel Eli Armstrong was born December 5, 1804 near Doe Hill, Highland County, Virginia. He was the twelfth child of John and Agnes "Nancy" (Ervine) Armstrong. On November 21, 1830, Samuel E. and Mary (known as "Polly") Taylor were married by the Rev. Abner W. Killpatrick, in Rockingham County. Mary was born in 1810, the daughter of William and Mary (Burrell) Taylor of Rockingham County, Virginia. More information on our Taylor ancestors can be found in the Chapter 5 of this report.
    Upon obtaining the Taylor information an interesting tidbit came into view: On June 10, 1828, Polly's brother, Daniel Taylor, married Mary "Polly" Knicely, of Rockingham Co., the daughter of Jacob and Ann (Campbell) Knicely. According to my notes, eight months earlier, on November 22, 1827, Samuel's sister, Nancy Armstrong, married John Knicely, of Rockingham Co., the son of Jacob and Ann (Campbell) Knicely. So, we find that Samuel's sister and Polly's brother married into the same family.
    NOTE:
    How and where did Samuel and Polly Armstrong meet? Ones imagination could run wild with the above piece of data. But the Knicely Family seems to be the common denominator. Nancy and John Knicely's first child, born 8/26/1828, in Rockingham Co., was named Samuel Ervine. (After his Uncle Samuel E. Armstrong???) The spelling of Knicely has also been found Knisley, Kniceley and Nicely.

    The Samuel E. and "Polly" Armstrong Family Bible is in the possession of Kent Botkin, It was on display at the Augusta County Library, Staunton, Virginia, in the summer of 1988. Kent sent me a copy of the birth/death register pages and I have used the dates from them when there has been a conflict or question. I have ten children listed for Samuel and Polly Armstrong. Other information given to me says there were two more, unnamed male infants, but I did not find these children listed in the Family Bible. One source says, "Unnamed Infant - born September 1855 and died January 22, 1856." Jerry Campbell's "My Loving Family", lists "No Name Male born August 2, 1853, died January 22 1854" and "No Name Male, born July 29, 1856, died -?- ".
    Papers have been found in Highland County showing that in June of 1870, Samuel E. Armstrong qualified as the guardian of Barbara E. Armstrong. After Samuel's death, Allen H. Devericks was to become the guardian. Barbara was Samuel's grand daughter. She was born May 4, 1861, the daughter of Samuel and Polly's second child, Jared, who was killed on March 15, 1862, at the Battle of Cross Keys.
    In the will of John Armstrong, Samuel's father, recorded in Franklin, Pendleton County, (now) West Virginia and dated June 9, 1820, the home "Plantation" was to go to Samuel and his brother Thomas and their descendants upon the death or remarriage of their mother. The will says the "Home Plantation" was located in "Pendleton County, State of Virginia", but we know that Highland County was established in March of 1847, years after the will was dated. As of now, I don't know where the "Home Plantation" was located but, I think we will find it in what is now, Highland County, Virginia.
    A deed has been found, dated November 25, 1847, and recorded on March 23, 1848, for a long narrow tract of land sold to Samuel by George Harman of Pendleton County, for the sum of $10.00. The land was in Highland Co. and bounded land already owned by Samuel. It sounds like this tract of land was to be used as a right of way or road.
    We know that at one time, Samuel and Polly lived on 286 acres of land on Bull Pasture Mountain (*1). On March 23, 1872, they deeded the land to their sons: Benami, Eli, Hudson, William, and John and their wives. The boys each paid one dollar to their parents for the land. On June 2, 1875, a deed was made between Samuel, Polly, their sons and daughter-in-law's, to sell the 286 acres on Bull Pasture Mountain, to Samuel C. Eagle for $3500.00. On June 25, 1875, Samuel, William, John and their wives, appeared before J.A. Jones (*2), a notary, to be interviewed. The deed was explained to be sure they understood what they signed and that they did so willingly. It wasn't until February 3, 1877 that Benami, Hudson, Eli and their wives appeared before Jones and their signatures were acknowledged. The deed was recorded by the County Clerk on February 26, 1877. (*3)
    NOTES:
    (*1) In a description of the land for the deed, it says that the 286 acres were originally deeded to Samuel Armstrong on July 1, 1862. I wonder if this tract of land could be the "Home Plantation" mentioned in John Armstrong's will?
    (*2) Could this J.A. Jones, be Jared A. Jones, who on November 25, 1878, qualified as administrator of Samuels's estate.
    (*3) Almost 21 months passed from the time the deed was written until it was recorded. Why did this transaction take so long?

    Another deed, dated February 21, 1877, shows that Samuel C. Eagle sold Samuel E. Armstrong a tract of 93 acres of land on the eastern slope of Shaws Ridge, Highland Co., Virginia, for $100.00. Samuel died August 29, 1878. A paper has been found dated January 10, 1880, that shows Samuel's heirs had J.A. Jones make a deed for this land giving it to John E. Armstrong, the ninth child of Samuel and "Polly" Armstrong. A "Widow Dower" of 21 acres was laid off for Polly Armstrong on September 8, 1881. This farm is now owned by Ray M. Botkin, of Staunton, Virginia the son of Nellie Jane (Armstrong) and Martin Botkin. Nellie Jane was the daughter of John E., the grand daughter of Samuel E. Armstrong. So, the land remains in the family.
    Samuel died August 29, 1878 and Polly died on January 17, 1886. They are buried at Headwaters, Virginia.
    NOTE:
    In June of 1990, Kent Botkin, son of Ray Botkin, took Nelson and me up Shaws Fork to see the farm. A new frame house was built in 1933 on the same spot the old log house once stood. Two of the original log out-buildings are still standing and they seem to be in good shape. It's a very pretty and peaceful place. No one was living there at that time, but it was mowed and well kept. It was a beautiful afternoon and an interesting trip back into our Armstrong heritage. Kent was a good tour guide. He told us about his grandparents and of some of the books and papers found in the attic. He knows many people of that area and is interested in the history of Highland County and family genealogy.
    **********
    Children of Samuel E. and Mary "Polly" Armstrong

    1-12-1 BENAMI ARMSTRONG 1831-1898 m. Mary C. Lamb
    1-12-2 JARED ARMSTRONG 1833-1862 m. Sabine Lavina Varner
    1-12-3 ELI ARMSTRONG 1835-1883 m. Elizabeth Ann Bodkin
    1-12-4 MARGARET ARMSTRONG 1837-1913 m. Emmanuel Mitchell
    1-12-5 TACY ARMSTRONG 1839-1888 m. Harrison Simmons
    1-12-6 PALMYRA ARMSTRONG 1841- m. Peter Lamb
    1-12-7 HUDSON ARMSTRONG 1843-1911 m. Malinda J.Ralston
    1-12-8 WILLIAM E. ARMSTRONG 1846-1914 m. #1 Sarah C. Price
    #2 Susan Bodkin
    1-12-9 JOHN E. ARMSTRONG 1848-1921 m. Barbara Crummett
    1-12-10 GEORGE A. ARMSTRONG 1851-1862
    1-12-11 ?? INFANT ??
    1-12-12 ?? INFANT ??

    This is a deed for a long narrow tract of land in Highland County, which bordered on land already owned by Samuel E. Armstrong. It was owned by George Harman of Pendleton County and he sold it to Samuel for $10.00.

    This Indenture (*1) made the 25th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and forty seven;
    Between George Harman of the CountyDEED 11/25/1847

    This is a deed for a long of Pendleton and the state of Virginia of the one part, and Samuel E. Armstrong of the County of Highland and the state aforesaid of the other part, witnesseth, that the said George Harman for and in consideration of the sum of ten dollars to him in hand paid by the said Samuel E. Armstrong the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained and sold and by these present doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Samuel E. Armstrong, his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in Highland County Virginia on the east side of Purgatory Knob, adjoining the lands of Armstrong, Silas Sims and George Whislesman by patent bearing date the 2nd day of April 1834 containing ? (blank) acres, and bounded as follows. Beginning at a chestnut oak on a slate Bank thence N 21 E. 37 poles to a pine & red oak Sims corner N 40 E 124 poles to two oaks Sims
    corner N 17 E 216 poles to Black and Chestnut Oaks near Sims line
    N 66 W 29 poles to a Maple Chestnut and Chestnut Oak on a line of
    Armstrong land and with the same SW 142 poles to a double Chestnut Oak on a ridge Armstrong Corner and with his line S 32 W
    44 poles to a hickory & Gum tree eastwardly sixty five poles to
    the Beginning. Together with all and singular the appurtenances (*2) there unto belonging or in anywise
    appertaining. To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of
    land with the appurtenances unto the said Samuel E. Armstrong his
    heirs and assigns forever And the said George Harman for his heirs, executors and administrators, doth covenant with the said
    Samuel E. Armstrong his heirs and assigns against the claims of
    heirs the said George Harman and his heirs what so ever shall
     Warrant and forever do find by these present In witness
    where of the said George Harman hath here unto set his hand and
    seal this year and day first above written.
    George Harman * (seal)


    ******




    *1 - Indenture - a deed or contract made between two or more
    parties.

    *2 - Appurtenance - an incidental right (as a right of way)
    attached to a principal property right & passing in possession with it.

    State of Virginia Highland County towit:
    Mr. Able H. Armstrong and Thomas Jones Justices of the Peace in the County aforesaid and State of Virginia do hereby certify that the said George Harman party to the within deed hath duly
    acknowledged the same before us on the 25th day of November 1847
    and desired us to certify the said acknowledgement to the clerk
    of Highland County in order that the said conveyance may be
    recorded. As witness our hands & seals this 25th day of November
    1847.
    A. H. Armstrong * (seal)
    Th. Jones * (seal)

    ******


    Highland County Court Clerks Office. March 23rd 1848
    This deed from George Harman to Samuel E. Armstrong was this
    day presented in the office aforesaid and having the
    acknowledgement legally certified was admitted to record.

    Teste
    A. Stephinson Jr. Clek.

    ***********
    DEED 3/23/1872

    On 3/23/1872 Samuel E. Armstrong and his wife Polly deeded 286 acres of land on Bull Pasture Mountain, on which they lived, to their 5 sons; Benami, Eli, Hudson, William and John. The sons
    each paid one dollar to their parents for the land.
    ******
    This Deed made this 23rd day of March 1872 between Samuel E.
    Armstrong and Polly his wife of the county of Highland and State
    of Virginia of the one part and Benami Armstrong, Eli Armstrong
    Hudson Armstrong William Armstrong and John E. Armstrong of the county and state aforesaid of the other part; witnesseth that for and in consideration of the natural loan and affection which the said grantors bear for their children the said grantees and for the further consideration of the sum of one dollar in hand paid by the said grantees to the said grantors, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the said Samuel E. Armstrong and his wife do grant unto the said Benami Armstrong Eli Armstrong, Hudson Armstrong, Wm. H. Armstrong and John E. Armstrong, all of the real estate of which the said Samuel E. Armstrong & his wife are seized and possessed, towit: One tract of land lying on Bull Pasture Mountain in said county adjoining the land of Samuel Bodkin, H.C. Jones., A.H. Armstrong & others containing 286 acres more or less and is the same land upon which the said Samuel E. Armstrong now resides. And the said Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife -------- that they will warrant generally the property hereby conveyed. Witness the following signatures and seals. Samuel E. Armstrong*(Seal)
    Polly (X-her mark) Armstrong (*Seal)
    Witness (5 ct IR affixed---) J.A. Jones
    Highland County towit:
    I J.A.Jones, a commissioner in Chancery for Highland County Court in said state, do hereby certify that Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife whose names are signed to the forgoing deed bearing date of the 23rd day of March 1872, personally appeared before me in the county and State aforesaid and acknowledge the said writing to be their act and deed. And the said Polly Armstrong wife of said Samuel E. Armstrong being examined by me privily said apart from her said husband and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to her, she the said Polly Armstrong acknowledged the said writing to be her act and declared that she had willingly executed the same and does not wish to retract it. Given under my hand this 23 day of March 1872.
    J.A. Jones, Comn in Chy for
    Highland County Court

    **********
    In Highland County Court Clerk's Office March 23rd 1872.
    This deed from Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife to Benami Armstrong, Eli Armstrong, Hudson Armstrong, Wm. H. Armstrong and John E. Armstrong was this day presented in the office aforesaid and the privy examinations and acknowledgments being legally certified was admitted to record.
    Teste
    J.C. Matheny - Clk
    **********
    The jest of the bill of sale and deed is that on July 1, 1862 Samuel E. Armstrong was granted a patent from the Commonwealth of Virginia for a tract of land on Bull Pasture Mountain. On June 2, 1875, Samuel and his family sold 286 acres, more or less, to Samuel C. Eagle for $3500.
    **********
    DEED 6/2/1875
    This Deed made this 2 day of June 1875, between Samuel E. Armstrong and Polly his wife, Benami Armstrong & Catherine his wife, Eli Armstrong & Elizabeth his wife, Hudson Armstrong and Malinda his wife, William H. Armstrong and Susannh his wife and John E. Armstrong & Barbara his wife of the County of Highland and State of Virginia of the first part and Samuel C. Eagle of the County & State aforesaid of the second part witness that for and in consideration of the sum of Thirty five hundred Dollars the said parties of the first part do convey unto the said party of the second part a certain tract of land containing two hundred and eighty six acres more or less lying in the County and State aforesaid on the Bull Pasture Mountain adjoining the land of H.C. Jones, Joseph Rexrode, A.H. Armstrong and others and was granted to the said Samuel E. Armstrong by patent of the Commonwealth, bearing date the first day of July 1862 and is bound as follows towit: Beginning at a double Chestnut on the south side of a ridge S Bodkin and Armstrong corner and with a line of the former SB 1/2 E 75 poles to a White Oak and White Oak stump on the top of the mountain corner of same S 66. E 61 poles to two White Oaks on South side of a ridge former corner S 60. E 16 1/2 poles to a Standing of fallen black oak on side of same S 35. W 11 poles to the center of the public road and with same leaving Botkins lines and with said Jones lines S 48. E 12 poles in said road S 56. E 53 poles in same S 41 E 29 1/2 poles to Michaels line by said road leaving said Jones N 41 E 28 poles to a Chestnut Oak on a Slaty hillside N 32 E 116 poles to white oak and Chestnut on a low ridge former corner N 58 3/4 E 54 poles to a Gum and Chestnut Oak on a flat ridge Michaels (now Rexrode) corner leaving his lines. N 22 E 58 poles to a small Sugar near to and S of branch Said Siples (now Todds) corner and on his lines N 58 W 30 poles to a swamp Ash in said branch leaving Siples lineN 82 N 21 poles to two Lynns on the north side of a ridge. Jordans corner leaving his lines and with Siples lines N 50 W 26 poles to a large Sugar near the foot of a ridge above a Spring in Purgatory Hollow N25 W 44 poles to a large White Oak and small Sugar on SW side of a ridge former corner N 74 W 92 poles to a rock on Siple line A.H. Armstrong corner leaving Siples line and with the latter S 39. W 111 poles to a hickory and White walnut on top of a ridge former corner N 30 W 26 poles to a chestnut stump and rock and rock in a field corner of same S 34 1/2 W 78 poles to the beginning. And the said parties of the first part covenant that they will warrant generally the land hereby conveyed. Witness the following Signatures and Seals:
    Samuel E. Armstrong (Seal)
    Polly (X) Armstrong (Seal
    Benami Armstrong (Seal)
    Mary C. Armstrong (Seal)
    Eli Armstrong (Seal)
    Elizabeth (X) Armstrong (Seal)
    Hudson Armstrong (Seal)
    Malinda J. Armstrong (Seal)
    William H. Armstrong (Seal)

    Susannah (X) Armstrong (Seal)
    John E. Armstrong (Seal)
    Barbara A. Armstrong (Seal)


    Note:
    It would be interesting to find the original deed/patent dated July 1, 1862. Could this be the "Home Plantation" mentioned in John Armstrong's will, that was to go to Samuel and his brother Thomas? or did Samuel buy this land? Or was it a land grant to him for some reason by the Commonwealth of Virginia? Why did just some of Samuel's heirs sign this deed of sale to Samuel C. Eagle and not all of them? His sons Jared and George was dead by this date but none of the daughters and their husbands signed. Is there still a place known as Purgatory Hollow?

    **********



    On June 25, 1875, Samuel E., William H., John E., and their wives appeared before the Notary, J.A. Jones. Jones interviewed the wives apart from their husbands and explained the document to be sure they understood what they had signed, and that they did so willingly.

    **********

    Virginia Highland County towit:
    I J.A. Jones a notary Public for the county aforesaid in said State, do hereby certify that Samuel E. Armstrong, William H. Armstrong and John E. Armstrong whose names are signed to the writing here to annexed bearing date on the 25 day of June 1875, have acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid and I further certify that Polly Armstrong the wife of said Samuel E. Armstrong, Susannah Armstrong the wife of said William H. Armstrong and Barbara A. Armstrong the wife of said John E. Armstrong whose names are here Signed to said writing bearing date as aforesaid personally appeared before me in the county aforesaid and being examined by me privily and apart from their respective husbands and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to them they the said Polly Armstrong, Susannah Armstrong and Barbara A. Armstrong acknowledge the said writing to be their act and declared that they had willingly executed the same and do not wish to retract it.
    Given under my hand this 25 day of June 1875.
    J.A. Jones, NP
    **********

    NOTE:
    We have the name of William's wife as Susan. Here it appears as "Susannah". This could be a mistake, because it appears she couldn't write, she made her mark, "X" instead. Polly, Samuel's wife also signed her mark, "X".

    *********


    On February 13, 1877, Benami, Hudson, Eli and their wives appeared before Jones. He interviewed them separately and explained the document to be sure they understood what they had signed and that they did so willingly.

    **********

    Virginia Highland County towit:
    I J.A. Jones a notary Public for the county aforesaid in said state do hereby certify that Benami Armstrong, Hudson Armstrong and Eli Armstrong whose names are signed to the writing hereto annexed bearing date on the 25 day of June 1875, have acknowledged the same before me in my County aforesaid, and I further certify that Mary C. Armstrong the wife of Benami Armstrong, Malinda Armstrong the wife of Hudson Armstrong and Elizabeth Armstrong the wife of Eli Armstrong whose names are (also) signed to said writing bearing date as aforesaid personally appeared before me in my county as aforesaid, and being examined by me privily and apart from their respective husbands and having the writing aforesaid fully explained to them, they, the said Mary C. Armstrong, Malinda Armstrong and Elizabeth Armstrong acknowledged the said writing to be their act and declared that they had willingly executed the same and do not wish to retract it.
    J.A. Jones, NP

    NOTE: Why did it take so long to verify these signatures? The deed was written 6/2/1875, the first signatures were acknowledged 6/25/1875, but almost two years lapsed before these last signatures were acknowledged on 2/13/1877.

    This deed written 6/2/1875 was recorded by the Highland County Clerk, J.C. Matheny on 2/26/1877. Why did it take son long to complete this transaction? Was their some kind of family dispute over the sale of the land?
    Highland County Court Clark's office February 26, 1877:
    This deed from Samuel E. Armstrong & wife & others to Samuel C. Eagle was this day presented in the office aforesaid & the privy examinations and acknowledgment being legally certified was admitted to record.
    Teste: J.C. Matheny

    On 2/21/1877 Samuel E. Armstrong bought 93 acres of land on the eastern slop of Shaws Ridge from Samuel C. Eagle and his wife for $100.00.
    **********

    This deed made the 21st day of February in the year 1877 between Samuel C. Eagle and Martha M. Eagle, his wife of the county of Highland and state of Virginia of the one part and Samuel E. Armstrong of the State and County aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that in consideration of the sum of one hundred dollars in hand paid the receipt where of is hereby acknowledged the said Samuel C. Eagle does grant unto the said Samuel E. Armstrong all that tract or parcel of land laying and being in the county of Highland Virginia containing ninety three (93) and lying on the eastern slop of Shaws Ridge, adjoining the lands of Benjamin T. Hook and others and is part of the tract of 9295 acres granted to Benjamin Hiner by deed from C.B.
    Hayden Commissioner and is Bounded as follows. Beginning at a small white oak and chestnut oak on the side of a ridge near the foot or the place where a corner of the 200 acre tract of Hooks formerly stood and with said lines S 38 W 240 poles to a small hickory and four small chestnut oaks in the head of a hollow, thence leaving said lines N 52 W 68 poles to a black and three chestnut oaks on the top of a ridge N 15 E 69 poles to three pines on the top of Ball's Knob. N 21 W 16 poles to the Beginning. And the said Samuel C. Eagle hereby covenants with the said Samuel E. Armstrong, that he will warrant generally the property hereby conveyed, by the said grantor unto the said grantee.
    Witness the following signatures and seals
    Samuel C. Eagle (* Seal)
    Martha M. Eagle (* Seal)
    **********
    Virginia
    Highland County, towit:
    I J.A. Jones a Notary Public for the county aforesaid in the said state do hereby certify that Samuel C. Eagle whose name is signed to the annexed writing bearing date of the 21st day of February 1877 has acknowledged the same before me in my county aforesaid and I further certify that Martha M. Eagle the wife of said Samuel C. Eagle whose name is also signed to said writing, personally appeared before me in my county aforesaid, and being by me examined privily and apart from her said husband, having the deed aforesaid fully explained to her, she the said Martha M. Eagle acknowledged the same to be her act and deed and declared that she has willingly excited the same and does not wish to retract it. Given under my hand this 21th day of Feb. 1877.
    J.A. Jones, NP
    **********
    WIDOW DOWER (Polly Armstrong)

    The following was layed off September 8, 1881, for Polly
    Armstrong (see plot). Beginning on the West side of the "Home
    Tract" at a Chestnut Oak at the head of a Hollow, east side of
    Shaw's Ridge, North 40 E 29 1/2 poles. " Chestnut oaks and
    Locust, North side of a ridge, along and across a ravine and
    passing near the buildings. South 56 1/2 East 109 poles, to sugar
    tree on the north bank of a Run. South 36 3/4 West 32 1/2 poles
    to 3 White Oak saplings in Ben. T. Hook's line. With the same
    North 55 W 110.4 poles to the beginning. Total 21 acres (20
    square poles).
    **********


    DEED TO JOHN
    1/10/1880

    To J.A. Jones,
    The undersigned heirs at law of Samuel E. Armstrong dec'd hereby direct you to make to John E. Armstrong a deed for the 81 acres of land sold by you to said Samuel E. Armstrong, and known as the Brown Place laying on Shaws Fork in the County of Highland.
    Jany 10th 1880.
    Signed: Eli Armstrong
    B.A. Armstrong
    Wm. Armstrong
    BenAmi Armstrong
    William H. Simmons
    Hudson Armstrong
    P.F. Lamb
    Marget Mitchell (Note Spelling)

    **********

    NOTES:
    William H. Simmons was Tacy's husband, Samuel's son-in-law.
    P.F. Lamb was Palmyra' husband, Peter Lamb, Samuel's son-in-law.
    B.A. Armstrong could have been Barbara Armstrong, ward of Samuel E. Armstrong. She was Samuel's grand daughter, the daughter of his son, Jared who was killed in 1862 at the battle of Cross Keys.







    GUARDIANSHIP

    NOTE:
    From the notes of Richard Armstrong of Milboro, Virginia. This was sent to me by Kent Botkin.

    1. Box 28, No. 94  1881
    In June 1870, Samuel E. Armstrong, qualified as the guardian
    of Barbara A. Armstrong. After his death, Allen H. Devericks
    became the guardian.
    Samuel died in 1878, leaving the following heirs: Polly
    Armstrong - widow: Ami, Hudson, Eli, John and William H.
    Armstrong, Margaret (wife of Emanuel H. Mitchell), Tacy (wife of
    Harrison Simmons), Palmyra (wife of Peter Lamb), and Barbara A.
    Armstrong ( ward of deceased son.)
    November 25, 1878, Jared A. Jones qualified as administrator of his estate.
    *********





    **********

    Samuel married Mary (Polly) Taylor 21 Nov 1830, Rockingham County, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of William Taylor and Mary Burrell) was born Abt 1810, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 17 Jan 1886, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , Headwaters Cemetery, Bethel, Highland, VA, United States. [Group Sheet]


  2. 5.  Mary (Polly) Taylor was born Abt 1810, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA (daughter of William Taylor and Mary Burrell); died 17 Jan 1886, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , Headwaters Cemetery, Bethel, Highland, VA, United States.

    Notes:

    Taylor Ancestry--From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas

    TAYLOR ANCESTRY

    Mary Taylor (known as "Polly") was born in Rockingham County, Virginia in the year 1810. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Burrell) Taylor. On November 21, 1830, she and Samuel E. Armstrong were married in Rockingham Co., by the Rev. Abner W. Killpatrick. Thus, our Taylor connection. See Chapter Three. ancestry. NOTE: The following information was given to Kent Botkin in a letter from Frank Taylor. It is from the files of Rebecca H. Good, and came with a note saying that this line was being prepared for publication. Also included was Daniel Taylor's Pension Application which I have copied into this report.

    William Taylor was born c 1774, near the "Little Levels" in then Greenbrier County, (now) Pochantas County, West Virginia. His parents, Daniel and Mary Taylor were separated when he was young and he was bound out to Valentine Cackley, a German, of Bath County, now Pocahontas County. William was raised by the Cackleys, became a blacksmith and married Mary Burrell on February 6, 1796. Their children were: (1) Daniel, m. Mary (Polly) Nicely, (2) Solomon, (3) Eli, (4) Mary, m. Samuel E. Armstrong, (5) Elizabeth, m. Philander Bush, (6) Frances, m. Samuel Emswiler, (7) Nancy, died young.

    Daniel Taylor was born on September 18, 1748 in New Jersey, parents names not known. He came as a child to Frederick County Va. and lived near Winchester. In the year 1770, he left Frederick County and went to the Greenbrier settlement in what is now Pocahontas County. He died on February 27, 1841 in Missouri, probably in Warren County. Daniel married Mary, maiden name not known, before June of 1773. Daniel Served in the Revolutionary War as a militia soldier in Greenbrier County. Fought as a private in the Battle of Point Pleasant and served in building and guarding the fort at Fort Defiance. After the Revolution he and Mary separated and Mary went to live with one William Ewing. Daniel left Virginia and went to Kentucky about 1790. In 1791, Mary married William Ewing, the marriage is recorded in Bath County. Because there were two William Ewings in Bath County at that time, he was called "Long William" to distinguish him from the other William, who was called "Swago Bill" There are court records in Bath County which show that William Ewing and Mary Taylor were brought before the court for living together in adultly, her husband, Daniel Taylor, being still living. By his removal to Kentucky, he evidently made it possible for them to marry, since it seems that the suit was not prosecuted further. Mary and William both died in Pocohantas County, West Virginia. He in 1827 and she in 1836. The children of Daniel and Mary Taylor were: (1) William, b. c 1774, m. Mary Burrell; (2) Eli, b. c 1776; (3) Solomon, b. c 1778, a captain in the War of 1812; (4) Diadema, m. Samuel Wood; (5) Diana, m. Abraham Hawk.


    RECORD BOOK E - VOLUME 8 - PAGE 88 APPLICATION OF DANIEL TAYLOR FOR A REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION

    State of Missouri, County of Montgomery, ---- day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Count before the Judge of the Circuit Court of the County of Montgomery aforesaid now sitting,l Tayolor, a resident of Lewiston Township in said County and State, aged about eighty-four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth make the following statement in addition of the one which he has here tofore made in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, 7th of June 1832, for the relief of soldiers of the revolution. That he was, he thinks in the year 1774 in a battle which was fought near the mouth of the great Kanawa between Colonial forces under command of General Lewis and the Indians, that he was then a married man; that he was born in Jersey about 40 miles from city of New York, in the year of 1748 on the 18th of September, according to the record of his birth which was in his fathers bible out of which he copied it - that his father when this affiant was still quite young removed to Frederick County, Virginia near to Winchester, that this affiant remained there until he had become a man and there learned his trade of a house carpenter, that he removed from there to the Greenbrier River to a settlement that was there and remained there 12 years having married there, and it was some few years after his removal to this settlement that the revolutionary war broke out. The settlement on the Greenbrier at this time was small and could not produce more than 30 or 40 men and was from its distance from the interior and the proximity to the wilderness extremely exposed to danger from the Indians inhabiting to the west and south who were generally hostile to the Americans. In this situation, the inhabitants of the settlement were organized into militia under command of on John Cook and this affiant in conjunction with the rest of the Command of Captain Cook erected a fort at a place called the Little Levels, within one mile and half of Greenbrier River and gave it the name of Fort Defiance, that this fort was built in the year seventy-six and from the time of its erection this affiant was engaged during nearly the whole of every summer for six years under the Command of Captain Cook spying, guarding the fort and ranging. During that time several of the men were killed by the Indians but the fort was not attacked being on an eminence in open ground, the Indians it seemed were unwilling to expose themselves to the danger of an open attack. A fort within about 14 miles from Fort Defiance was attacked by 300 Indians but was successfully defended - this was Fort Donaldson - and during the six years the affiant was engaged in guarding and defending Fort Defiance, and the neighboring settlement he assisted on several occasions to equip young men of the settlement who were desirous to partake in the defence of their country against the British invader, tho he never went himself, and indeed it was the desire of the Government that the fort and settlement on the Greenbrier should be maintained as a protection to the interior settlements, and the people of the settlement accordingly received a message, said to come from the Board of War, requiring them to maintain their position, and promising them their services rendered in its defense and protection should be accounted as services rendered the government in the line of the Continental Army. This affiant, after remaining at Fort Defiance six years or thereabouts, returned to the neighborhood of Winchester where he remained some three or four years and then moved back to Greenbrier and after a couple of years moved to Kentucky where he resided part of the time near Bardstown and part in the barrens and after remaining there some twenty years he removed to this County where he has remained since and expects to die. It is impossible for this affiant to state the number of months or years he was engaged in active service in defense of his country, but he thinks that this ought not to preclude him from receiving something from his government with which to smooth his path to the grave, and in his circumstances anything would be much butter than nothing at all. His extreme age, too, has affected his memory, but he believes he is very safe in saying he must have been engaged in actual service under Captain Cook for at least one year, as the greater part of each summer for six years was occupied by him in the woods or fort as he before said. The affiant states that other officers in the company were George Clendenon, Lieutenant, and John McNeil, Ensign, that he himself was a private and for the greater part of the time acting as a spy. That he was a volunteer in all his services and never got a discharge, but each one went his way when the war was over. This affiant does not know of anyone living by whom he is able to prove the services mentioned above. He is known to several persons who are in this State, and to many in Kentucky, who have known him for many years, but they are out of his reach and he is obliged to resort to his neighbors in this County for the only testimonials of his character, and the reputation of his revolutionary services which he is able to produce, in amongst those he named; Nathaniel Dryden, Amos Kibbe and Jacob L. Sharpe. This affiant farther states, that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or of the United States and that he has never made any application for a pension save the present and hereby relinquishes all claims to pension of annuity for or on account of revolutionary services save what he seeks by this petition, and which may be granted him under the law of the seventh of June last - this affiant believes that he has stated all that he knows mentioned in this application and farther saith not.
    Signed: Daniel Taylor

    Taylor Ancestry--From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas

    TAYLOR ANCESTRY

    Mary Taylor (known as "Polly") was born in Rockingham County, Virginia in the year 1810. She was the daughter of William and Mary (Burrell) Taylor. On November 21, 1830, she and Samuel E. Armstrong were married in Rockingham Co., by the Rev. Abner W. Killpatrick. Thus, our Taylor connection. See Chapter Three. ancestry.
    NOTE:
    The following information was given to Kent Botkin in a letter from Frank Taylor. It is from the files of Rebecca H. Good, and came with a note saying that this line was being prepared for publication. Also included was Daniel Taylor's Pension Application which I have copied into this report.

    William Taylor was born c 1774, near the "Little Levels" in then Greenbrier County, (now) Pochantas County, West Virginia. His parents, Daniel and Mary Taylor were separated when he was young and he was bound out to Valentine Cackley, a German, of Bath County, now Pocahontas County. William was raised by the Cackleys, became a blacksmith and married Mary Burrell on February 6, 1796. Their children were: (1) Daniel, m. Mary (Polly) Nicely, (2) Solomon, (3) Eli, (4) Mary, m. Samuel E. Armstrong, (5) Elizabeth, m. Philander Bush, (6) Frances, m. Samuel Emswiler, (7) Nancy, died young.

    Daniel Taylor was born on September 18, 1748 in New Jersey, parents names not known. He came as a child to Frederick County Va. and lived near Winchester. In the year 1770, he left Frederick County and went to the Greenbrier settlement in what is now Pocahontas County. He died on February 27, 1841 in Missouri, probably in Warren County. Daniel married Mary, maiden name not known, before June of 1773. Daniel Served in the Revolutionary War as a militia soldier in Greenbrier County. Fought as a private in the Battle of Point Pleasant and served in building and guarding the fort at Fort Defiance. After the Revolution he and Mary separated and Mary went to live with one William Ewing. Daniel left Virginia and went to Kentucky about 1790. In 1791, Mary married William Ewing, the marriage is recorded in Bath County. Because there were two William Ewings in Bath County at that time, he was called "Long William" to distinguish him from the other William, who was called "Swago Bill" There are court records in Bath County which show that William Ewing and Mary Taylor were brought before the court for living together in adultly, her husband, Daniel Taylor, being still living. By his removal to Kentucky, he evidently made it possible for them to marry, since it seems that the suit was not prosecuted further. Mary and William both died in Pocohantas County, West Virginia. He in 1827 and she in 1836. The children of Daniel and Mary Taylor were: (1) William, b. c 1774, m. Mary Burrell; (2) Eli, b. c 1776; (3) Solomon, b. c 1778, a captain in the War of 1812; (4) Diadema, m. Samuel Wood; (5) Diana, m. Abraham Hawk.


    RECORD BOOK E - VOLUME 8 - PAGE 88
    APPLICATION OF DANIEL TAYLOR
    FOR A REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSION

    State of Missouri, County of Montgomery, ---- day of May in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty three personally appeared in open Count before the Judge of the Circuit Court of the County of Montgomery aforesaid now sitting, Daniel Tayolor, a resident of Lewiston Township in said County and State, aged about eighty-four years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth make the following statement in addition of the one which he has here tofore made in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, 7th of June 1832, for the relief of soldiers of the revolution. That he was, he thinks in the year 1774 in a battle which was fought near the mouth of the great Kanawa between Colonial forces under command of General Lewis and the Indians, that he was then a married man; that he was born in Jersey about 40 miles from city of New York, in the year of 1748 on the 18th of September, according to the record of his birth which was in his fathers bible out of which he copied it - that his father when this affiant was still quite young removed to Frederick County, Virginia near to Winchester, that this affiant remained there until he had become a man and there learned his trade of a house carpenter, that he removed from there to the
    Greenbrier River to a settlement that was there and remained there 12 years having married there, and it was some few years after his removal to this settlement that the revolutionary war broke out. The settlement on the Greenbrier at this time was small and could not produce more than 30 or 40 men and was from its distance from the interior and the proximity to the wilderness extremely exposed to danger from the Indians inhabiting to the west and south who were generally hostile to the Americans. In this situation, the inhabitants of the settlement were organized into militia under command of on John Cook and this affiant in conjunction with the rest of the Command of Captain Cook erected a fort at a place called the Little Levels, within one mile and half of Greenbrier River and gave it the name of Fort Defiance, that this fort was built in the year seventy-six and from the time of its erection this affiant was engaged during nearly the whole of every summer for six years under the Command of Captain Cook spying, guarding the fort and ranging. During that time several of the men were killed by the Indians but the fort was not attacked being on an eminence in open ground, the Indians it seemed were unwilling to expose themselves to the danger of an open attack. A fort within about 14 miles from Fort Defiance was attacked by 300 Indians but was successfully defended - this was Fort Donaldson - and during the six years the affiant was engaged in guarding and defending Fort Defiance, and the neighboring settlement he assisted on several occasions to equip young men of the settlement who were desirous to partake in the defence of their country against the British invader, tho he never went himself, and indeed it was the desire of the Government that the fort and settlement on the Greenbrier should be maintained as a protection to the interior settlements, and the people of the settlement accordingly received a message, said to come from the Board of War, requiring them to maintain their position, and promising them their services rendered in its defense and protection should be accounted as services rendered the government in the line of the Continental Army. This affiant, after remaining at Fort Defiance six years or thereabouts, returned to the neighborhood of Winchester where he remained some three or four years and then moved back to Greenbrier and after a couple of years moved to Kentucky where he resided part of the time near Bardstown and part in the barrens and after remaining there some twenty years he removed to this County where he has remained since and expects to die. It is impossible for this affiant to state the number of months or years he was engaged in active service in defense of his country, but he thinks that this ought not to preclude him from receiving something from his government with which to smooth his path to the grave, and in his circumstances anything would be much butter than nothing at all. His extreme age, too, has affected his memory, but he believes he is very safe in saying he must have been engaged in actual service under Captain Cook for at least one year, as the greater part of each summer for six years was occupied by him in the woods or fort as he before said. The affiant states that other officers in the company were George Clendenon, Lieutenant, and John McNeil, Ensign, that he himself was a private and for the greater part of the time acting as a spy. That he was a volunteer in all his services and never got a discharge, but each one went his way when the war was over. This affiant does not know of anyone living by whom he is able to prove the services mentioned above. He is known to several persons who are in this State, and to many in Kentucky, who have known him for many years, but they are out of his reach and he is obliged to resort to his neighbors in this County for the only testimonials of his character, and the reputation of his revolutionary services which he is able to produce, in amongst those he named; Nathaniel Dryden, Amos Kibbe and Jacob L. Sharpe. This affiant farther states, that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state or of the United States and that he has never made any application for a pension save the present and hereby relinquishes all claims to pension of annuity for or on account of revolutionary services save what he seeks by this petition, and which may be granted him under the law of the seventh of June last - this affiant believes that he has stated all that he knows mentioned in this application and farther saith not.
    Signed: Daniel Taylor

    Notes:

    Married:
    Rev. Abner West Killpatrick

    Children:
    1. Child Armstrong
    2. Benami "Ami" Armstrong was born 26 Dec 1831, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 18 Mar 1898.
    3. Jared Armstrong was born 13 Sep 1833, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 15 Mar 1862.
    4. 2. Eli Armstrong was born 18 May 1835, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 8 Mar 1883, St. Paul Cemetery, Pendleton County, West Virginia, USA; was buried , Armstrong-Hiner Cemetery, Sally Hiner Road, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States.
    5. Margaret Armstrong was born 20 May 1837, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 21 May 1913.
    6. Tacy Armstrong was born 27 Apr 1839, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died Jun 1888; was buried , Simmons Family Cemetery, Highland, VA, United States.
    7. Palmyra Armstrong was born 1843, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown.
    8. Hudson Armstrong was born 17 Dec 1843, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 7 Jun 1911, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , Laurel Gap Church of the Brethren, Highland County, VA, USA.
    9. John E. Armstrong was born 5 Jun 1848, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 18 Jun 1921; was buried , Headwaters Cemetery, Bethel, Highland, VA, United States.
    10. George A. Armstrong was born 18 Oct 1851, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 5 Mar 1862.
    11. Child Armstrong was born 29 Apr 1856, Highland, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown.

  3. 6.  James M. Bodkin was born 1818, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA (son of John Bodkin, II and Elizabeth Vint); died 26 Jan 1892; was buried , Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States.

    Notes:

    From the notes of Janice L. (Armstrong ) Nicholas

    James M. Bodkin was born August 25, 1814, in Pendleton County, the son of John and Elizabeth (Vint) Bodkin. He married Sarah Hoover on January 26, 1840. Sarah was born December 9, 1821 (or 1824) and died January 5, 1883. James died January 26, 1892 and they are buried in the Bodkin Family Cemetery between Palo Alto, Va. and Sugar Grove, W. Va. Children of James and Sarah Bodkin (1) Elizabeth Ann, b. 7/1/1840, d. 12/9/1909, m. Eli Armstrong. (2) Sidney, b. 4/15/1843. (3) James M., b. 4/25/1845, d. 12/3/1909, m. #1 Ruhama Bower, #2 Dorthory McCray. (4) Elias, b. 7/31/1848, m. Ida May Sims. (5) Sebastian, b. 7/29/1850, d. 2/18/1928 m. 2/1/1877, Sarah Crummett. (6) Susan, b. 7/29/1852, d. 6/8/1929 m. 1894 - William E. Armstrong (brother to Eli). (7) Sarah J., b. 9/18/1854. (8) William, b. 11/26/1856, d. 1/26/1939, Single. (9) Polly, b. 3/7/1859. (10) Nancy, b. 10/26/1861. (11) John, b. 7/919/1864, m. #1 10/29/1893 Lucy McCray, #2 Margaret Killingsworth.

    Dice S. Armstrong has 8 children in his records--Janice has 11--needs more research. JHA 2001.

    From the notes of Janice L. (Armstrong ) Nicholas

    James M. Bodkin was born August 25, 1814, in Pendleton County, the son of John and Elizabeth (Vint) Bodkin. He married Sarah Hoover on January 26, 1840. Sarah was born December 9, 1821 (or 1824) and died January 5, 1883. James died January 26, 1892 and they are buried in the Bodkin Family Cemetery between Palo Alto, Va. and Sugar Grove, W. Va.
    Children of James and Sarah Bodkin
    (1) Elizabeth Ann, b. 7/1/1840, d. 12/9/1909, m. Eli Armstrong.
    (2) Sidney, b. 4/15/1843.
    (3) James M., b. 4/25/1845, d. 12/3/1909, m. #1 Ruhama Bower, #2 Dorthory McCray.
    (4) Elias, b. 7/31/1848, m. Ida May Sims.
    (5) Sebastian, b. 7/29/1850, d. 2/18/1928 m. 2/1/1877, Sarah Crummett.
    (6) Susan, b. 7/29/1852, d. 6/8/1929 m. 1894 - William E. Armstrong (brother to Eli).
    (7) Sarah J., b. 9/18/1854.
    (8) William, b. 11/26/1856, d. 1/26/1939, Single.
    (9) Polly, b. 3/7/1859.
    (10) Nancy, b. 10/26/1861.
    (11) John, b. 7/919/1864, m. #1 10/29/1893 Lucy McCray, #2 Margaret Killingsworth.

    Dice S. Armstrong has 8 children in his records--Janice has 11--needs more research. JHA 2001.

    Birth:
    6 May 2013--Headstone says birthdate is 25 Aug 1814.

    James married Sarah Elizabeth Hoover 26 Jan 1840, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA. Sarah was born 1820, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 5 Jan 1883; was buried , Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States. [Group Sheet]


  4. 7.  Sarah Elizabeth Hoover was born 1820, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 5 Jan 1883; was buried , Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States.

    Notes:

    The Bodkin Family Cemetery is located between Palo Alto, Virginia (now gone-formerly located near the Va.-W.Va. state line) and Sugar Grove, West Virginia. JHA 2001

    The Bodkin Family Cemetery is located between Palo Alto, Virginia (now gone-formerly located near the Va.-W.Va. state line) and Sugar Grove, West Virginia. JHA 2001

    Children:
    1. 3. Elizabeth Ann "Bettie" Bodkin was born 1 Jul 1840, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; died 19 Dec 1909, Mount Solon, Augusta, Virginia, USA; was buried , Armstrong-Hiner Cemetery, Sally Hiner Road, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States.
    2. Sebastian Sidney Bodkin was born 15 Apr 1843, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died Yes, date unknown.
    3. James M. Bodkin, Jr. was born 25 Apr 1845, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 3 Dec 1909; was buried , Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States.
    4. Elias Bodkin was born 31 Jul 1848, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 12 Mar 1926; was buried , Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States.
    5. Susannah J. Bodkin was born 22 Jul 1852, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 8 Jun 1929, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , McKendree Methodist Church Cemetery, Acquinton, Highland, VA, United States.
    6. William A. Bodkin was born 26 Nov 1856, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 26 Jan 1939, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA; was buried 27 Jan 1939, Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States.
    7. Harvey Bodkin was born 1861, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; was buried , Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States.
    8. John Bodkin was born 1867, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died Yes, date unknown.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  John Morgan Armstrong, Lt. was born Abt 1754, Loudoun, Virginia, United States (son of Robert J. Armstrong, Lt. and Jane Van Arsdale); died Abt 1821, Pendleton, Virginia, United States.

    Notes:

    Source: Va H 2; History of Highland County; 1850 Census. We believe his father was Robert Armstrong, an immigrant from North Ireland who served in the French and Indian war ( a sergeant) from 1754 to 1763. In 1759 he served one mile south of Doe Hill. He married a Jane van Arsdale, from New Jersey and had three sons-John (above), William and Amos. He also had a brother, James. William and John, with their families, came to Doe Hill area with their families in 1794-From Loudoun County supposedly--further research needs to be done. JHA 8/4/2000.
    James C. Walls research shows John with a middle name of Morgan.JHA 1/12/2003.



    ARMSTRONG GENEALOGY




    Chapter 2


    JOHN ARMSTRONG
    AND
    HIS DESCENDANTS




    1 JOHN ARMSTRONG
    Information and will ----------- Page
    1-1 Elizabeth Armstrong ------------------- Page
    1-2 William Armstrong --------------------- Page
    1-3 Jared Armstrong ----------------------- Page
    1-4 Jane Armstrong ------------------------ Page
    1-5 John Armstrong ------------------------ Page
    1-6 Margaret Armstrong -------------------- Page
    1-7 Mary Armstrong ------------------------ Page
    1-8 James Armstrong ----------------------- Page
    1-9 George Armstrong ---------------------- Page
    1-10 Thomas B. Armstrong ------------------- Page
    1-11 Nancy Armstrong ----------------------- Page
    1-12 Samuel E. Armstrong -- See Chapter 3 -- Page






    From the Files of: Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas
    118 Rainbow Dr. PMB1875
    Livingston, TX 77399-1018






    REFERENCES TO JOHN ARMSTRONG

    Reference:
    Morton's histories of Highland County and Pendleton County:

    John Armstrong was born in 1759 and died in 1821. We think he was the son of Robert and Jane (VanArsdale) Armstrong, but this is still unproven. Morton says John Armstrong and his brother William went from Loudoun County to Highland County, Virginia, settled near Doe Hill, married sisters, raised large families, and precedes to give some family genealogy.

    Reference:
    Chalkley's Chronecles, Vol II, page 301, Augusta Co.
    Marriage Bonds:
    1788 - April 1, - William Armstrong and John Armstrong surety. William Armstrong and Elizabeth Erwin, daughter of Jarred Erwin (consent). Teste: John Armstrong and Andrew Jerdan.

    Reference:
    Chalkley's Chronecles, Vol. II, page 348:
    November 10, 1788 - the Rev. Archd. Scott entered William and Elizabeth's marriage into Augusta County court records as April 1, 1788.

    Reference:
    From D.A.R. Applications, #399527 & #469379:
    John Armstrong in uniform in 1780.
    John Armstrong listed as Private in Capt. Kirk's Company, Augusta County, Virginia Militia 1783.

    Reference:
    D.A.R. Patroit Index, Centennal Edition Part I, pg 78:
    John Armstrong is listed.

    Reference:
    Morton's History of Highland Co. page 185:
    John Armstrong was appointed Lieutenant in 1793.

    Reference:
    Morton's History of Pendleton Co. page 396:
    John Armstrong is listed a Lieutenant in the 46th Regiment, 1st Battalion, under Colonel Peter Hull, in 1793.




    Reference:
    Morton's History of Highland Co. page 195:
    John Armstrong listed as Lieutenant on the Muster Roll of Captian Jacob Hall in 1814.

    Reference:
    Morton's History of Highland Co. page 110:
    John Armstrong listed a serving on Pendleton Co. grand juries.

    Reference:
    Chalkley'y Chronecles, Vol. III , Page 580: Augusta
    County Deed Book 26, Page 2:
    A deed that places John Armstrong on the Bullpasture
    River: Augusta County Deed Book 26 - page 2: - 7/5/1787
    John ( ) Jordan of Bullpaster and Ann ( ) to John
    Armstrong part of patents to John, 90 acres 1st March
    1773 & 170 acres 1st June 1782.

    **********

    THE WILL OF JOHN ARMSTRONG

    PENDLETON COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA - WILL BOOK # 4, PAGE 56 & 57

    In the name of God Amen. I John Armstrong of Pendleton County and the State of Virginia being through the abundant mercy and goodness of God, thou weak in body yet of sound and perfect understanding and memory do constitute and appoint this my last will and testament and desire it to be received by all as such. I give my body to the earth from whence it was taken in full assurance of its reserection from thence at the last day, as for my burial I desire it may be decent without pomp or state at the discression of my dear wife and my executors here after mentioned. Who I doubt not will manage it with all requisite prudence as . My worldly estate that it hath pleased God to bless me with I will and positively order that all my just debts be paid. I will to my beloved wife Agnes Armstrong the Plantation I now live on her lifetime or during her widowhood and her choice of my horse beast and three head of cows her choice out of my stock and eight head of sheep, and at her own disposal except the plantation that is to fall to my two sons Thomas and Samuel Armstrong and theirs forever as it is laid off for them, The Mowry Place as it is  I will to my two sons James and George Armstrong and their heirs forever but if either of them should die without any lawful heirs then his division of land to fall to the place it was taken from. Ten years after my death my son Thomas, is to pay each of my two daughters Mary and Nancy a good horse worth sixty dollars and fifty dollars in money and their beds and bedding if they should require it and they are to live on the plantation with their mother her life time unless they should marry and if not married at my wifes death they are to live with my son Thomas still and have a good living with him with their. And for my son Jared Armstrong I allow him to pay to my Grandson Able Armstrong who lives in the State of Ohio fifty dollars out of the ninety dollar that he is  me when he comes to age, and the balance he may keep to himself. As for my two daughters Jane Hiner and Margaret Crumet I will each of them ten dollars to be raised out of my estate and my little Grand Daughter Margaret Armstrong Hiner I will her to have twenty five dollars to be raised out on my estate against she comes to age. I desire there shall be a sale made as soon as convenient, for to raise the sum of one hundred pounds with what paper money I may have at my death for my son John, who lives in the State of Ohio. If he should be living, when we hear from him, If he should be dead, I will to each of his heirs fifty dollars. If he has any when they come to age and if he has no heirs his widow is to receive fifty dollars all to be raised out on my estate and I do constitute and appoint my three sons Jared James and George Armstrong or any two of them as they may think fit Executors of this my last will and Testament.
    In  where of I have  set my hand and seal this 9th day of June in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty.

    Acknowledged Signed John Armstrong * Seal
    in the presence of us
    Joseph Hiner (his)
    Jacob A. Eye (his) All my moveable Estate that is
    John Henry (mark) left after my son Thomas has
    paid of the  Legateer, the
    balance of my moveable if
    there should be any left to
    fall to my son Thomas.
    At a Court held for Pendleton County this 7th day of August 1821. This last will and testamant of John Armstrong (died) was
    presented to Court and proved by the oath of Jacob Eye and John Hiner and ordered to be Recorded.
    Teste
    L Dyer
    **********


    SWORN STATEMENT OF INTENT BY NANCY ARMSTRONG

    Pendlenton County West Virginia
    Will Book #4 Page #120

    Virginia Pendleton County to wit: Personally appeared before the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for the said county: Joseph Hiner and George Armstrong who being sworn, saith, that on the 8th Inst at the house of Thomas Armstrong, where she had resided for many years previous, and during her last illness Mrs. Nancy Armstrong informed them with an apparent intention, that they should take notice there of that it was her desire, that her property should be co-equally divided between her two sons, Thomas and Samuel.
    Given under my hand this 11th August 1827.

    Th. Jones

    At a court held for Pendleton County the 6th day of November 1828, This  Will of Nancy Armstrong (died) was returned to court and ordered to be recorded.
    Lester L. Dyer C.C.

    **********

    JOHN ARMSTRONG

    From the forgoing references we find that John Armstrong, the pioneer ancestor of our branch of the Armstrong Family, was the son of Robert, born in 1759, died in 1821, came to Highland County from Loudoun County Virginia and settled near Doe Hill. He bought land on the Bullpasture River, married Agnes Ervine the daughter of Jared and Elizabeth Ervine and had twelve children. Agnes was born in Augusta County in 1764 and died in 1827. I have found her name listed as Agnes, Nancy Agnes, Agnes Nancy and Nancy Ann.

    We know that John was in the Virginia Militia, served as a private and was appointed the rank of Lieutenant in 1793. He was first found in uniform in 1780 (age 21) and the last reference I found was a muster roll in 1814 (age 55). John must have been highly regarded by his peers for at that time under the militia system, captains and lieutenants were chosen by privates, recommended to the county court, the governor considered the courtÿ2 CONC n and issued the appointments. I wrote to the National Archives, Washington, D.C. for Lieutenant John Armstrongÿ2 CONC d requested and recommended I search under Pvt. John Armstrong. I wrote again requesting Service Records, Bounty-Land Warrants and Pension Application but never received a reply.

    I found Johnÿ2 CONC g his will I have surmised that my G.G.G. Grandfather John Armstrong was very well off for a man of his time. He owned sheep, cattle horses and at least two tracts of land described as, (1) the "Mowry Place" and (2) "the Plantation I now live on".

    I have been told there is a Bodkin lady who knows where John Armstrong and his brother William are buried. I sure would like to talk to her. I still need to search in both Highland Co., Virginia and Pendleton County, West Virginia, for more information on tax lists, deeds, and Census Records. Highland County was established out of part of Pendlenton County and the area was again divided when West Virginia became a seperate state.

    THE CHILDREN OF JOHN AND AGNES (ERVINE) ARMSTRONG

    11 ELIZABETH ARMSTRONG 1780- m.
    12 WILLIAM ARMSTRONG 1783- m. Mary Punt
    1-3 JARED ARMSTRONG 1785-1865 m. Agnes Hiner
    14 JANE ARMSTRONG 1787-1857 m. Joseph Hiner
    15 JOHN ARMSTRONG 1790- m. Margaret Jones
    1-6 MARGARET ARMSTRONG 1792- m. George Crummett
    1-7 MARY ARMSTRONG 1792-1867 m. John Bodkin, III
    1-8 JAMES ARMSTRONG 1795- m. #1 Elizabeth Hiner
    #2 -?- Smith
    1-9 GEORGE ARMSTRONG 1797-1870 m. Sarah Hiner
    1-10 THOMAS B. ARMSTRONG 1799-1874 m. Sarah H. Pullin
    1-11 NANCY ARMSTRONG 1802-1858 m. John Kniceley
    1-12 SAMUEL E. ARMSTRONG 1804-1878 m. Mary "Polly" Taylor


    **********

    John married Agnes 'Nancy Ann' Ervine Abt 1779, Augusta, Virginia, United States. Agnes was born Abt 1758, Augusta, Virginia, United States; died 1821, Pendleton, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet]


  2. 9.  Agnes 'Nancy Ann' Ervine was born Abt 1758, Augusta, Virginia, United States; died 1821, Pendleton, Virginia, United States.
    Children:
    1. Jared Armstrong was born 1785 (1850 ae 65), Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 16 Apr 1865, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States.
    2. Elizabeth Armstrong was born 1780, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died Abt 1820.
    3. William Abel Armstrong was born 1783, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 1807, Jeffersonville, Fayette, Ohio, United States.
    4. Jane Armstrong was born 2 Nov 1787, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 29 Aug 1858, Highland County, Virginia, United States.
    5. John Armstrong was born 14 Apr 1790, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 9 Feb 1865, Fayette, Ohio, United States.
    6. (twin) Margaret Armstrong was born 1792, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown.
    7. (twin) Mary Armstrong was born 1792, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 1867, Virginia, United States.
    8. James Armstrong was born 24 Sep 1792, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 24 Apr 1870, United States; was buried , Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia, USA.
    9. George Washington Armstrong was born 16 Aug 1797, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 27 Mar 1871, Pendleton, West Virginia, United States.
    10. Thomas B. Armstrong was born 1799, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 8 Oct 1874, Lewis, Kanawha, West Virginia, United States.
    11. Nancy Ann Armstrong was born 22 Oct 1802, Doe Hill, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died 19 Jan 1858, Braxton, Virginia, United States.
    12. 4. Samuel Eli Armstrong was born 5 Dec 1804, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States; died 29 Aug 1878, Shaws Fork, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , Headwaters Cemetery, Bethel, Highland, VA, United States.

  3. 10.  William Taylor was born Abt 1774, "Little Levels', Greenbrier, Virginia (son of Daniel Taylor and Mary H).

    Notes:

    William Taylor was born c 1774, near the "Little Levels" in then Greenbrier County, (now) Pochantas County, West Virginia. His parents, Daniel and Mary Taylor were separated when he was young and he was bound out to Valentine Cackley, a German, of Bath County, now Pocahontas County. William was raised by the Cackleys, became a blacksmith and married Mary Burrell on February 6, 1796. Their children were: (1) Daniel, m. Mary (Polly) Nicely, (2) Solomon, (3) Eli, (4) Mary, m. Samuel E. Armstrong, (5) Elizabeth, m. Philander Bush, (6) Frances, m. Samuel Emswiler, (7) Nancy, died young.

    William married Mary Burrell 6 Feb 1796, Greenbriar, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet]


  4. 11.  Mary Burrell
    Children:
    1. 5. Mary (Polly) Taylor was born Abt 1810, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 17 Jan 1886, Highland, Virginia, United States; was buried , Headwaters Cemetery, Bethel, Highland, VA, United States.

  5. 12.  John Bodkin, II was born 1770, Bull Pasture area, now Highland, Virginia (son of John Bodkin, Sr. and Mary Moore); died Yes, date unknown.

    Notes:

    Sheet submitted by LaRue Peterson of Woods Cross, Utah. Records obtained from Hist. of Highland Co., Va.; Va. H
    2 p. 268, 371; 1850 census Highland Co.; F Va. 24 pt. 4. JHA 8/4/2000.

    From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas

    John Bodkin, Jr. the son of John Bodkin, Sr., was born in 1770, in Highland County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Vint on December 13, 1796. She was the daughter of William and Jane (Jordan) Vint, born in 1775, in Pendleton County. Elizabeth and John Bodkin, Jr. had nine children, all born in Pendleton County.

    Children of Elizabeth and John Bodkin, Jr.
    (1) William, b. 1799.
    (2) John III, b. 1803, m. 2/2/1826 - Mary Armstrong (daughter of John and Agnes Armstrong).
    (3) Joseph, b. 1805, m. Margaret Bodkin (daughter of Thomas).
    (4) Samuel, b. 1807, m. 2/12/1835 - Barbara Wilfong.
    (5) Joshua, b. 1808, m. 5/7/1835 - Barbara Propst.
    (6) Jane, b. 1810.
    (7) Elizabeth, b. 1812, m. 5/24/1834 - John D. Keister.
    (8) Lettia, b. 1814, m. 4/15/1840 - William Eye.
    (9) James M., b. 8/25/1814, d. 1/26/1892, m. 1/26/1840 - Sarah Hoover.

    John married Elizabeth Vint 13 Dec 1796, Pendleton, Virginia, United States. Elizabeth (daughter of William Vint and Jane Jordan) was born Abt 1775, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]


  6. 13.  Elizabeth Vint was born Abt 1775, Pendleton, Virginia, United States (daughter of William Vint and Jane Jordan); died Yes, date unknown.
    Children:
    1. John Bodkin, III was born 1803 (1850 ae 47), Pendleton, Virginia, United States.
    2. Joseph Bodkin was born 1805 (1850 ae 45), Pendleton, Virginia, United States.
    3. Samuel Bodkin was born 1807 (1850 ae 43), Pendleton, Virginia, United States.
    4. Joshua Bodkin was born 1808 (1850 ae 42), Pendleton, Virginia, United States.
    5. William Bodkin was born Abt 1799, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown.
    6. Letitia (Letty) Bodkin was born Abt 1809, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown.
    7. Jane Bodkin was born Abt 1810, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown.
    8. Elizabeth Bodkin was born Abt 1812, Pendleton, Virginia, United States; died Yes, date unknown.
    9. 6. James M. Bodkin was born 1818, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died 26 Jan 1892; was buried , Bodkin Cemetery, Pendleton, WV, United States.