Palmyra Armstrong

Notes:

1834 (ae 7 in 1850)

When the heirs of Samuel E. Armstrong signed the paper which had their share of their fathers land on Shaw's Fork deeded to brother John E. Armstrong, it was signed by P.F. Lamb. Did the "P.F." stand for Palmyra or her husband Peter?

From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas

Palmyra married Peter F. Lamb 6 Jul 1862, Highland, Virginia, United States. Peter was born 1836, Pendleton County, Virginia, USA; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
Info taken from marrriage license.They were married by the Rev. John S. Pullin.JHA2003.

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.
*********





**********

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

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]

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]

Other Events:

• Physical Description: Sgt.- French Indian War

Notes:

From the notes of Dice S. Armstrong---Robert Armstrong, an immigrant from North Ireland, served in the French and Indian War (1754-63). He served one mile south of Doe Hill, Virginia in 1759. He had a brother James. JHA, 28 Dec., 2000.
ARMSTRONG GENEALOGY









CHAPTER 1


RESEARCH ON
ROBERT ARMSTRONG

AND

ARMSTRONG PROGENITORS








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





ROBERT ARMSTRONG

ROBERT ARMSTRONG is thought to be the immigrant progenitor of this branch of the Armstrong Family. According to Morton's "History of Highland County Virginia", in 1746, 21 tracts of land on the Bullpasture River and Cowpasture River were laid off. All these surveys came under the order of council of 1743. One tract of 112 acres near the head of the Bullpasture River was laid off for Robert Armstrong. Morton says this Armstrong would appear to be the same Robert Armstrong who lived on Jackson's River below Warm Springs. Morton also points out that an enterprising pioneer would seize choice tracts of land even if it lay some distance from his home and didn't necessarily have to live on the land at the time they received it.
Morton's "History of Pendleton County, West Virginia", says James and Robert Armstrong settled one mile below Doe Hill, Virginia in 1759. This area coincides with the 112 acre tract of land on the Bullpasture River laid off in the name of Robert Armstrong in 1746 and it's in this area of Virginia that the "roots" of our branch of the ARMSTRONG FAMILY are the deepest.

QUESTION: Who was this James Armstrong, and what was his relationship to Robert?

On page 332 of his Pendleton County history, Morton questions which man, James or Robert, was the father of John, William and Amos.
There are several reports in "The New History Of Highland County Virginia", published in 1983, which says Robert Armstrong immigrated from Northern Ireland about 1735, married Jane VanArsdale in 1746, was a Sgt. in the French and Indian War and had at least three children; John, William and Amos.

We can't all be wrong!!!!! Or can we??

NOTE: One thing that has bothered me for some time is the fact that in the list of children we have found for both John and Wiliam Armstrong neither one of them have named one of their sons Robert after the man we think was their father. ODD. They both had a William, a Jared, a John, a James and a George, but no ROBERT.


One of the reports says Robert married Jane VanArsdale "of Vanordsdale". I have yet to find such a place, but will keep looking. Should this have read "Jane VanArsdale OR VanOrdsdale"?

I requested information on Sgt. Robert Armstrong from the National Archives Washington, D. C. I was told they do not have records related to military service before the Revolutionary War. They suggested I try the Virginia state archives.

In "The Armstrong Family", published by the National Genealogical Research Institute, Washington, D.C., there is a list of all known recorded immigrates of the Armstrong name that arrived here in or prior to 1800. Only one Robert Armstrong is listed. I have searched many passengers lists, most of then for ships entering at Philadelphia, and have not found Robert listed.

The sketch in "The Armstrong Family" reads:

ROBERT ARMSTRONG: born 1700, died 1775; emigrated from county Antrim, Ireland, to Philadelphia in 1735; later moved to Abbeville District, South Carolina; married to Alice Calhoun in 1728; had a son Robert and possibly other children.

COULD THE "SON ROBERT" BE THE ROBERT WE ARE LOOKING FOR?

**********

In "The Chronicles of the Armstrongs" complied by James Lewis Armstrong 19001902, there is this sketch on the above Robert Armstrong on page 368:

1735. Robert Armstrong of County Antrim, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1735, taking with him his wife, Alice Calhoun Armstrong, and his four year old son Robert. With them went also McBrides, Cunninghams, Bounds, and Calhouns. Soon after landing at Philadelphia they moved to one of the interior counties and settled upon the Susquehanna, where they resided for many years. Prior to 1768 they and a number of their countrymen removed to Abbeville District, now Anderson County, a settlement formed in South Carolina by the Calhouns. Alice Calhoun Armstrong was sister to Patrick Calhoun, grandfather of the eminent statesman John C. Calhoun. Some of Robert Armstrong's descendants subsequently settled in Tennessee. (See records of John McMillan Armstrong, Chattanooga, Tennessee.)

**********


November 1992 -- Prodigy Contact -- Deborah Wesley (DNBR44A) researching the Robert and Alice (Calhoun) Armstrong Family says Robert Armstrong b c 1700 Ulster, Ireland
m 1728 Alice Calhoun b 1705
immigrated 1735 Philadelhia
Children: John, Robert, James, Benjamin, Kate, Hannah, Alice. The first two born in Ulster, the rest in PA.
Their son Robert was born in 1731 and married Margaret Cunningham in 1767. They lived most of their lives in Tenn., and had children: Robert, John, Elizabeth, Martha, Margaret, Moses, and Aaron.

NOTE: Oh well, Just another bump in the road of genealogy.
We live to search another day!!!



From the "Annals of Bath County VA, by O.F. Morton:

Robert Armstrong of Jackson River is mentioned by Dr. Walker in 1750. Another Robert Armstrong was living at the same time near Churchvill, Virginia and so we can not always tell which man is referred to in the records. There even seems to have been a third Robert. The one in Bath County moved to Kentucky about 1793 but his son of the same name lived here several years longer and was often foreman of the grand jury. He gave much attention to raising horses. Archibold Armstrong was a neighbor and probably kinsman who finally removed to Augusta. Archibald who died here in 1800 had children named Robert, Ann, Thomas, Isabella, William and Jean. Ann was the wife of James Elliot.

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


COPIED FROM; Armstrong Bulletin Board - Issue No. 91-4
#428 Anna Herbertson, 6584 Bull Hill Court,
Colorado Springs, CO 80919:


There was a Robert A* who d. Nov. 12 1754, Augusta Co. VA, will written Nov. 10, 1754, proven Nov 21, 1754. Children named in will: 1) Hannah, mrd. Robert KIRKHAM. 2) Catherine, mrd. FINNEY. 3) John, mrd. Elizabeth Morris (see query 319) 4) Robert. 5) James. 6) Benjamin. 7) Martha. 8) Agnes. 9) Alice. The foregoing is from "Chalkley's Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish". I have been told that son, Robert mrd. 1746 Jane Vanarsdale and had sons John, William and Amos. And that this John and William are ref. as brothers in Morton's Pendleton Co., VA/WV History and Highland Co., VA History. I think there is another William, making Morton's two actually uncle and nephew. I suggest the following may be the correct relationship:
1. Robert A* mrd. Jane Vanarsdale, sons: John, b. c 1759, mrd. c 1780 Agnes Erwin; Amos, d. 1799.
2. William A*, b. 1748, of Loudoun Co., VA mrd. 1794 to Jane -?- Will proved Pendleton Co. VA 1814, had children: Mary, Margaret, John, James, Elizabeth VANHORN, Sarah VANHORN, Ann CRAIG, and William.
3. William A*, b. c.1768, mrd 1788 in Augusta Co. to Elizabeth Erwin. This William I know about, and from land records and transfers, I also know that his father was a William A*. William the son d. intestate and his land was divided equally between his children and widow. A. son, William (III) purchased the interest of some of his brothers and sisters.
(R#383, also has query 323a, upd. 91-1)

This query brings up some interesting questions, for here is another bit of information that may link our branch of the family to two Roberts. I will write to this lady and see what I come up with. I am not convinced the William Armstrong will she talks about is the will of our William, and I have found John and William listed as brothers in too many places to believe her suggestion that they were uncle and nephew.


The list of children for Robert and Alice (Calhoun) Armstrong in Deborah Wesley's Prodigy message, is the same as Anna Herbertson's query in the Armstrong B.B.

- QUESTION -
If the older Robert went from PA to SC "prior to 1768" as stated in "The Chronicles of the Armstrongs", can he really be the same Robert Armstrong who died Nov. 12, 1754, Augusta Co., VA., as stated in the will Anna mentioned ???


On page 36 in ... "The Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia", Volume III, Abstracts of wills of Augusta County, Virginia, Augusta County Court.

Will Book No. 2, page 75... 10th November, 1754. Robert Armstrong's will -- Daughter Hannah Kircum 1/3 of tract he now lives on bought of Col. Patton; daughter, Catherine Finney, 1 English shilling; sons, John and Robt., tract on Mill Creek bought of John Allison; sons (and Daughters). infants, viz: James and Benjamin; daughters (under 18); to son, James, entry on head of McClure's Run; wife, Martha, executrix; daughters, Martha, Alice and Agnes, infants. Teste: John Mathews, Sr., William Woods, John Mitchell. Proved, 21st November, 1754, By Mathews and Mitchell, and Martha qualifies executrix, with sureties John and Joshua Mathews.


This is the same will as mentioned before, note the date and names of the children, but this says Robert's wife was Martha, not Alice Calhoun.

So I'm back to square one !!!!


Another bit of information linking our branch of the family to two Roberts has been found in some D.A.R. research papers and applications:
In the early 1950's, Mrs. Rose C. (Armstrong ) Hicklin joined the Daughters of the American Revolutionary. Her son, Graham Hicklin, has a box of her personal papers which included her D.A.R. research papers. In 1989 Kent Botkin got to look at them.

Mrs. Hicklin listed her family line as:
William H. & Rachel E. (Wandless) Armstrong
John T. & Jane B. (Hiner) Armstrong
Jared & Agnes (Hiner) Armstrong
John & Agnes (Ervine) Armstrong
Robert Armstrong
Robert Armstrong, Sr.


Mrs. Hicklin listed her research sources as:

1. Loundon & Frederick Co. Va. Histories
2. Va. Soldiers in the Revolution
3. Roll of Honor Volunteers of DAR Books
4. Highland and Pendleton Co. Histories
6. Pratt Library
7. Library of Congress
8. Clerks office, Leeburg, Va. (Visited - 1950)

I requested a copy of Mrs. Hicklin's DAR application for membership from the Registrar General NSDAR, 1776 D Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. They sent me a copy of Mrs Hattie Elizabeth (Armstrong) Lee of Charleston, Illinois. # 469379, dated Sept. 21, 1959. Mrs Lee was the daughter of John Shaffer Armstrong, whose father was John T., son of Jared, the third child of John and Agnes (Ervine) Armstrong. Mrs. Lee stated on the application, "Mrs W.R. (Rose) Hicklin gave me permission to use her National Number #399527.

**********

ODDS AND ENDS
INFORMATION ON MEN NAMED
ROBERT ARMSTRONG

Volumes I, II, & III of "The Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia."

Extracted from the original court records of Augusta County, 1745-1800. There are many entries on men named Robert Armstrong, but I haven't been able to connect many of them to our line.

**********

West Virginia Heritage - Vol. #3
Copied from Dr. Walkers Journal

"July 8, 1750 - having shaved, shifted and made new shoes we left our useless Raggs at Ye camp and got to Walker Johnstons, about noon; we moved over to Robert Armstrongs in the After-noon and staid there all Night. The people here are very hospitable and would be better able to support Travellers, was it not for the great number of INDIAN WARRIORS that frequently take what they want from them, much to their prejudice."

A footnote says:
"This Johnston probably lived on the strip of land extending westward from Jacksons River to the Allegheny crest which subsequently was patented to Samuel Johnston. This Robert Armstrong, in 1746, lived on what was then called Newfoundland Creek, now called Bullpasture, but in the same year he obtained a survey of 270 acres on Jacksons River in the lower edge of Bath County, at the place where the road leading from Warm Springs to Greenbrier Court House leaves the river and goes over the Allegheny Mountains, through this 'old Johnston land'."

NOTE:
This could well be our ROBERT ARMSTRONG, the same man mentioned by Morton as living on Jackson's River below Warm Springs (Bath Co.) in 1746, when 112 acres near the head of Bullpasture River was laid off for him. The time frame is right, so is the geographical area.

**********

Another reference to the Robert Armstrong Ordinary
Journal of the Braxton Historical Society, Vol. 11 #3, September 25, 1983, pages 57 & 58. An account of "The Traveller", appeared in the May issue of the Southern Literary Messenger, 1838, and reprinted in Southern Historical Magazine, June 1892.

Page 57, ".... pursing my way through the continuous meadows to the little Youghl, I found myself at sunset in comfortable quarters at old Armstrong with a good fire, which the cool evenings made agreeable; and strong coffee, good tea, exquisite venison and fine trout to regale me. Next morning I resumed my march with little hope of such another inn. In a dozen miles I left the glade, and ascended Briary or Cheat Mountain,....."
Page 58, ".... evening brought me to Gandy's far famed as being the worst house on the road. But unfortunately there is no missing it. He who luxuriates one night at Armstrong's, was always destined inevitably to all sorts of discomfort at Gandy's ....."
**********

Copied from "A History of the Valley of Virginia", by Samuel Kercheval. Page 371:

"A man by the name of Robert Armstrong, in those troublesome times had removed his family across the mountain to a place of safety. He was on a visit to his family, accompanied by a young man. Seven Indians approached his house, and were in the yard before discovered. Armstrong told the young man to jump into bed and threw a blanket over him. The indians pushed into the house and Armstrong went to the bed, raised the blanket, and asked the man if he were better. He replied in the negative. An indian immediately asked, "Man very sick?" "Yes, small pox, very bad." They cried "Wough." and ran off, crying as they ran, "Small pox! Small pox!" as far as they could be heard. It is said the Indians were dreadfully afraid of the disorder. Armstrong, by this stratagem, saved himself and property from being touched by the enemy.
*********
 ARMSTRONG PROGENITORS

IMMIGRANT
ROBERT ARMSTRONG, the progenitor of at least two branches of the Armstrong Clan immigrated from Northern Ireland about 1735. Information has been found in old research papers for a DAR application, which says Robert was the son of Robert. He was a Sgt. in the French and Indian War, owned 112 acres of land on the Bullpasture River in the vicinity of Blackthorn Creek, married Jane VanArsdale in 1746, and had at least three sons: John, William and Amos. John and William came from Loudoun County, married sisters and raised large families in the Pendleton/Highland County area of Virginia. The only information found on Amos is his death date, 1799.

PIONEERS
JOHN ARMSTRONG, (17591821)
John Armstrong was a member of the Virginia Militia during the Revolutionary War. He must have been highly regarded by his peers for he was appointed Lieutenant in 1793. He married Agnes "Nancy" Ervine (17641827), the daughter of Jared and Elizabeth Ervine, and they settled near Doe Hill. In John's will recorded at Franklin, Pendleton County, West Virginia, Will Book #4, page 56, it says his "plantation" was in Pendleton County, Virginia, is dated June 9, 1820 and was recorded August 11, 1827. After reading his will, I have surmised John was a christian man and very well off for a gentleman of his time. John and Agnes had twelve children.

1-1 ELIZATBETH, b. 1780, Single.
1-2 WILLIAM, b. 1783, m. 1805, Mary Punt and moved away.
1-3 JARED, 17851865, m. 1820, Agnes Hiner 17891867.
1-4 JANE, 17871857, m. 1808, Joseph Hiner 17781865.
1-5 JOHN, b. 1790, m. 1812, Margaret Jones.
According to his fathers will, moved to Ohio.
1-6 MARGARET, b. 1792, m. George Crummett b. 1787.
1-7 MARY, 17921867, m. 1826, John Bodkin, III.
1-8 JAMES, b. 1795, m. #11819 Elizabeth Hiner,
#21836 Sarah (?) Smith.
First moved to W.Va., then to Indiana.
1-9 GEORGE, 17971870, m. 1824, Sarah Hiner 18051869.
1-10 THOMAS B., 17991874, m. 1822, Sarah H. Pullin 18031881.
Moved to Lewis Co. in 1835.
1-11 NANCY ANN, 18021858, m. 1827, John Kniceley 18071891.
They moved to Braxton Co. (now W. Va.) in 1846.
1-12 SAMUEL ELI, 18041878, m. 1830, Mary Taylor 18101886.
More information on the descentants of John Armstrong can be found in Chapter Two, along with a copy of his will.


WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, SR., (b. , d. 1814)

On page 388, in the Family History section of W. B. Cutright's "History of Upshur County West Virginia", is a report on David Neeson Armstrong, a great great grandson of William Armstrong, Sr.. Cutright says, "... William Armstrong, Sr., immigrated to the U.S.A. from Wales in an early day." According to my findings, this is misinformation and should be noted by others interested in the history and genealogy of the Armstrong Family. William Armstrong, Sr. was the son of Robert and the brother of John. Early recorded land sales show that William bought a tract of 200 acres near Doe Hill in 1794 from Robert Duffield, for which he paid $1000.00. He married Elizabeth J. (Jane) Ervine, the daughter of Jared and Elizabeth Ervine. They raised eight children, of which at least three of whom married and moved their young families to the Lewis/Upshur County area of (now) West Virginia. Many descendants of there early settlers still live in that area.

2-1 Elizabeth, b. 1787, m. 1823, John Douglas. Moved to
Lewis (now Upshur) County in 1845.
2-2 William, Jr., m. 1829, Eleanor Wilson. Their son Harvey
moved to Upshur County in 1862.
2-3 Jared, m. 1820, Martha Wilson.
2-4 Jane, m. 1819, Samuel Wilson.
2-5 John Friel, 17911871, m. 1812, Mary Wilson, b. 1790.
They moved to Lewis (now Upshur) County in the
early 1840's.
2-6 George, b.1805, m. Eunice Christine Propst b.1809.
They moved to Lewis County in late 1830's.
2-7 James, m. Maria Hiner 18191857.
They may have moved to Indiana.
2-8 Nancy J., m. 1831, Godlove Hinegarner, d. 1895.

More information on the descendants of William Armstrong can be found in Chapter Seven.
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THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMES FROM THE PEDIGREE RESOURCE FILE-Compact Disc # 39 and was submitted by JAMES C. WALLS, 3 Spring Rd. N. Paradise, Tx. 76073 phone # 1-940-433-8850. James H. Armstrong, 21 Jan. 2003.

All information on Lt. Robert Armstrong and his two wives from Bill Armstrong.

Notes for ROBERT RN-9077 J. (LT.) ARMSTRONG:
When Robert was four years old he emigrated to America with his father, mother, and at least one brother, John Armstrong, in the year 1735, landed in Phildelphia, and settled with them in an interior County of Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River. Some time previous to the year 1760, the exact date not being given, they followed the Calhouns to Abbeyville District South Carolina, where the Calhouns had established a settlement.

Robert served in the Revolution, and probably before that time, in the Colonial Army. It is of him that the Family Bible speaks in the quotation already given: "He was of patriotic spirit." He was prominent in the military affairs of the state(South Carolina) for many years. Robert Armstrong's name appears as First Lieutenant of the First South Carolina regiment. This was the regiment made famous by such Officers as Colonel Charles Pinckney and General Francis Marion.
Source-Heitman's Historical Records, p. 66

Robert Armstrongs "Will" dated 15 June 1796, Probated 28 Feb. 1798 in
Knoxville, Tn. Ref: Marriage recorded in Knox Co., Tn. , "Will Book".
Source-Roster of the Arkansas DAR and Register of Ancestors. Ancestor # 1078
name of decendent, Lula Henrietta Watkins Doyle.
Source-Notable Southern Families by: Zella Armstrong(1918)
Source-Roster of soldiers & patriots buried in Tn.
Source-Armstrong/Branyon/Bryson & Allied families of the South by Ethel S. Updike
James 'Will' dated 15 June 1796, Probated 28 Feb. 1798 in Knoxville Tn.
Ref: Marriage recorded in Knox Co., Tn. 'Will Book'
Source-Roster of Arkansas DAR & Register of Ancestors. Ancestor # 1078 names decendent Lula Henrietta Watkins Doyle.
Source-Notable Southern Families by Zella Armstrong(1918)

Served as Lt. in S.C. Regt. under Col. Pinckney
Source-Roster of Soldiers & Patriots buried in Tn.
Source-DAR # 449482
In James fathers 'Will', he left him the other 1/2 of the Mill Tract in S.C., which
he sold to John Moore in 1767, in 1768 he bought 100 acres from Aaron Alexander in the Long Cane Creek section of Abbeville Co., S.C., and sold it in 1770 to John Houston.
Buried at Armstrong Cemetery in East Knox Co., Tn.
Source-White: KMM, p. 144; Heitman; 2nd Ed., p. 75;
Source-DAR # 449482
Source-In 1993 Clan #2207 Christopher R. Armstrong 3427 Hills Church Rd.
Export, Pa. 15632
Compiled by W.L.A.(Az.)
Source-American Ancestry, giving the name and descent in the male line, of Americans whose ancestors settled in the United States previous to the Declaration of Independence A.D. 1776, vol. 3
Source-DAR Patriot Index, part 1

Notes for MARGARET CUNNINGHAM:
Source-Notable Southern Families by Zella Armstrong(1918)
Source-Armstrong Clan
Compiled by W.L.A.(Az.)

Robert married Jane Van Arsdale Abt 1746, Loudon, Virginia Or New Jersey. Jane was born Abt 1730, Loudoun, Virginia, United States; died Abt 1760, Loudoun, Virginia, United States. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Cannot verify spelling of last name.JHA2005.

Daniel married Mary H. [Group Sheet]