USA > Virginia > Grayson County > Grayson County > Pioneer settlers of Grayson County, Virginia > Part 12
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"It was Isaac Worrell, Sr., who delivered the address of welcome to Gen. Lafayette and the veterans of the Revolution at their Reunion in Philadelphia in 1824. Isaac Worrell, Jr., son of Isaac, Sr., was commissioned brigadier general in the British war of 1812.
"Malcolm Lee Worrell was born in Hillsville, Carroll county, Va. He was educated at Roanoke College, Salem, Va., and V. P. I., Blacksburgh, Va. Previous to his present appointment, he was in the employ of the Norfolk and Western R. R. at Bluefield, W. Va."
Maj. C. Columbus Worrell, son of Capt. John Worrell
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and Olive Jones, is a worthy and useful citizen of Carroll county. He married first, Miss Latitia Ward; from this union, three sons, two daughters. His second wife was America V. Watson; from this union, four sons, one daughter. His third wife was Mrs. Rosa Beamer, nee Cox.
Minerva E. Worrell, daughter of Capt. John Worrell and wife, Olive Jones, married Harbert Kenney of Crooked Creek, Carroll county, Va. From this union, one daughter married Thomas Jones and lives near Woodlawn, Carroll county, Va. They have one son, Elmer Jones.
One son of Minerva Worrell and Harbert Kenney, married and lives near Woodlawn, Va.
Jessee P. Worrell, brother of Capt. John Worrell, married Rebecca Cooley, daughter of Benjamin Cooley and wife, Jane Dickey. He lived a while on Little Reed Island, but later moved to Missouri.
Esau, Jr., and Amos Worrell, brothers, lived on Little Reed Island, and reraed families. Two sisters, Nancy and Sallie. Nancy married Joel Franklin; lived near Hillsville; one daughter, Tima Franklin, married Mr. Staples. Two sons, Esau and Powatan Franklin live near Hillsville, Va.
Sally Worrell married Mr. Paul; kept hotel in Hillsville; married second time, James Crockett. They had no children.
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CHAPTER VIII
THE CORNETT FAMILY
Up to about the year 1871, the Cornett family of Grayson spelled their name Canute; in all their business transactions it was written Canute, and some of the older people still spell it and pronounce it that way. The family tradition is that they are descended from King Canute of England. The following is copied from Montgomery's English history:
Canute (1017-1035) Seveyn the Dane, conquered England (1013). "All the people," says the Chronicle, "'held him for full king.'" He was succeeded by his son, Canute, (1017). He was from beyond the seas, but could hardly be called a foreigner, since he spoke a language and set up a government differing but little from that of the English.
After his first harsh measures were over, he sought the friendship of both Church and people. He gave the country peace. He rebuked the flattering of courtiers by showing them that the in-rolling tide is no respecter of per- sons; he endeavored to rule justly, and his liking for the monks found expression in his song:
"Merrily sang the Monks of Ely, As Canute the King was passing by."
CANUTE'S PLAN; THE FOUR EARLDOMS.
Canute's plan was to establish a great Northern empire, embracing Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and England. To facilitate the government of so large a realm, he divided England into four districts: Wessex, Mercia,
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East Angelo, and Northumbria, which, with their depend- encies, embraced the entire country.
Each of these districts was ruled by an Earl invested with almost royal power. For a time the arrangement worked well, but eventually discord sprang up between the rulers. Their individual ambitions and their efforts to obtain supreme authority imperiled the unity of the country.
William Canute, Sr., was an early settler on Elk creek, now Grayson county, Virginia, and is said to be a descend- ant of King Canute, of England.
He married Jennie Sutherland, a daughter of John Sutherland, Sr., and wife, Elizabeth Bryan.
In the history of the Bryan family, written by the wife of William Jennings Bryan, she states, "The great grand- father of William Jennings Bryan had a brother, Francis Bryan, and a sister, Elizabeth Bryan, that moved west from Eastern Virginia, and the family has lost trace of them."
In the early settlement of Southwest Virginia, Francis Bryan and his sister, Elizabeth Bryan, came to Fort Chiswell and the Lead Mines; from there they crossed the Iron Mountain and settled on Elk Creek. Elizabeth Bryan married John Sutherland, Sr., and brought up a family of sons and daughters. Francis Bryan married Phoebe Woodruff, and moved from Elk Creek to Ashe county, North Carolina.
John Sutherland's family were originally from Scot- land.
William Canute, Sr., and wife, Jennie Sutherland, had a large family; all settled on Elk Creek.
Their first son, Col. Eli Canute, married Sena Hale, daughter of Richard Hale and wife, Elizabeth Stone. They have two sons: first, Capt. William Cornett; sec- ond, Wiley Winston Cornett. They also had six daugh-
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ters: Matilda, Elizabeth, Amanda, Elvira, Theresa, and Jennie.
The second son, Levi Cornett, married Olive Hale, daughter of Dudley Hale and wife, Mary Burroughs. They had seven sons: first son, Francis Cornett, married first, Miss Austin, of Elk Creek, Virginia; had sons and daughters; his second marriage was to Miss Jane Dan- iels, of Elk Creek; they also had sons and daughters.
The second son of Levi Cornett and wife, Olive Hale, George W. Cornett, married first, Miss Herbert; they had one son, Thomas. He married the second time, Miss Sarah Gentry, daughter of Col. Allen Gentry and wife, Rebecca Reeves. Judge Cornett is a lawyer, rep- resented Grayson county in the Legislature, and was judge of the county court. He has been a useful and worthy citizen of Grayson county for many years.
He has four daughters and one son, by his second wife. His son, Munsey, is a lawyer; married and has children. First daughter, Myrtle, married Rev. Kelly Boyer, member of the Western North Carolina Conference.
Second daughter, Rebecca, married first, Mr .- , of Richmond, Virginia.
The second time married Frank Sanders, son of John L. Sanders, Chilhowie, Virginia.
Third daughter, married Prof. Morgan Cheek, Prin- cipal of Elk Creek High School.
Third son of Levi Cornett, William, first married Callie Delp; had one daughter, who married a Mr. Copenhaver, of Smyth county, Virginia. William second time, mar- ried Miss Fisher Asbury, Wythe county. One son, Thomas, married Miss Lundy, daughter of Ellis Lundy and wife, Alice Hale.
Fourth, Zach. M., married Gazilda Cecil, of Pulaski county, Va. and lives there; has children.
Fifth, Miles Foy, was a noble young man; died single.
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Sixth, Lewis K., married Nannie Warrick; he was representative in Legislature of Virginia from Grayson county the second time; has two children.
Friel, the youngest son, who lives at the old homestead, is a worthy citizen; he married Miss Hester Ring; one son, Romulus Ring; four daughters; first, Isabella, mar- ried Col. William Mitchell; two daughters; Martha mar- ried John Cecil, of Pulaski county; moved to Texas; have children. Nancy married Mr. Steffy, Wythe county, Virginia.
Second, Nancy, married Lewis Perkins; no children.
Third, Elvira, married James Cornett; live on Elk Creek; have children.
Fourth, Theresa, married Carson Andis; one daughter, married Robert Carson; one married Noel Tomlin, Jr.
The third son of William Canute and wife, Jennie Sutherland, was Francis Cornett, Sr. He married Miss Catherine Fulton, daughter of Samuel Fulton and wife, Miss Martha Powell-Jones. (See Fulton and Jones families.)
There were three sons: First, Samuel Monroe Cornett, married Jane McCarty, of Elk Creek. Prof. Fielden R. Cornett married Malissa Copenhaver, of Smyth county, Virginia.
The third son of Francis Cornett and wife was Peyton H. Cornett, who married Amelia Cox, daughter of Enoch Cox and wife, Susan Thomas, of Bridle Creek, Virginia.
There are also two daughters of Francis Cornett and wife: the first, Amanda, married Van Buren McCarta; the second, Martha Powell, died single.
The fourth son, Col. Alexander Cornett married Jemima Rhudy. Their sons: Friel N., James P., William J., Stephen H., and Eli C .; daugh ters: Martha, Elizabeth, Theresa, Charlotte, and Nancy.
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William Cornett, Sr., and wife, had three daughters: First, Charlotte D., married William Rhudy; had a family of sons and daughters.
Lucy H. married Andrew Porter; they had sons and daughters; lived on Elk Creek.
The third daughter of William Cornett and wife was Margaret. She married Rev. Abraham Elliott, a local Methodist preacher. Mr. Elliott and his wife first set- tled on Meadow Creek, near Grayson C. H .; afterward moved to Elk Creek to the Cornett mills; from there to Independence, Virginia. For some time they kept Hotel Elliott at Independence. Mr. Elliott was a tinner by trade; was a useful, industrious, good man; he and his wife both died and are buried at Independence. They brought up a family of sons and daughters; all settled in and around the town of Independence. Their youngest daughter, Margaret, married William Wright, editor of the "Grayson Journal." Mr. Wright has been editor of this paper for over forty years at Independence, Vir- ginia.
William Cornett, Sr., was an energetic, enterprising citizen, and brought up and trained his family for useful, industrious citizens of their country.
Elk Creek is a bold, swift mountain stream, flowing through a beautiful valley, and emptying into New River, furnishing fine water power.
William Cornett, in the early days, built a mill for grinding grain, also a saw mill, and a carding machine for carding wool. These mills were on the banks of Elk Creek, and were used by the settlers for many miles around.
CHAPTER IX
THE COX, OSBORNE, PHIPPS, HASH, AND REEVES FAMILIES
In the time of the early settlement of this country, there were, of course, few families, and they so inter-married one into the other that it is hard to write of them separ- ately, so I will, in this chapter, give these families together.
About the year, 1740, David Cox and John Cox, two brothers, came from Scotland to Virginia. They both located in what is now Grayson county, on New River, about ten miles west of Grayson Old Court House.
John Cox was captain of the Home Guard, or Regu- lators, during the Revolutionary war. He built a fort on a ridge at the mouth of Peach Bottom Creek, over- looking New River; supplies for the Fort were packed on horses from the Lead Mines in Wythe county.
It is said that there is yet a tree marked at a point on New River, near the mouth of Meadow Creek, show- ing the Old Trail from the Fort to the Lead Mines. This is on the farm of John Austin, who is a descendant of John Cox. After the Revolutionary war, Capt. John Cox moved up the river to the mouth of Cranberry Creek, on the South Fork of New River, opened up a large farm there, and is buried there in the family graveyard. Most of his family settled in Ashe county, N. C .; he had two sons, James and Joshua, and five daughters.
David Cox, brother of Captain John Cox, moved his family and located on the river near where his brother first settled, near what is now Cox's Ford, ten miles west of Grayson Old C. H. David Cox's wife was a Miss McGowan; they had eleven sons and three daughters.
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One of these sons, Samuel, known as Sheriff Sam Cox, married Rebecca Osborne, and reared a large family on the New River farm. Two of his daughters married brothers, John Blevins and Samuel Blevins. Three of his sons married sisters, Alexander married Miss Polly Osborn; Calloway married Miss Nancy Osborn; Samuel, Jr., mar- ried Miss Phoeba Osborn, and lives at the old homestead where Samuel Cox, Sr., lived. They, and their families, live in the same neighborhood, near the mouth of Little River; they are true types of their patriotic ancestors.
Another son of David Cox and wife, Miss McGowan, Joshua Cox, married Miss Ruth Osborne, and settled on Bridle Creek, in a rich and fertile valley, which industry and enterprise have developed into fine farming lands. Joshua Cox was a good citizen, and did much towards advancing the best interest of his neighborhood. They reared five sons, John, David, Harden, Samuel, and Isom; also three daughters, Hannah, Jennie, and Margaret. John Cox married Miss Nellie Ward; Esquire David mar- ried Miss Jane Doughton, and lived on New River; his daughter, Mary, married Warner Hale. Harden Cox married Miss Nancy Reeves, a zealous Christian, and active worker in the Methodist Church.
Harden Cox served his country as a justice of the peace for many years, and was assessor when Grayson and Car- roll were all one county; their eldest son fell in the Con- federate Army, a brave soldier.
Esquire Elbert Sevier Cox lived near the old homestead; he first married Rebecca Hale, daughter of Mastin Hale and wife, Susan Perkins, of Elk Creek; his second wife was Miss Jane Hampton, daughter of Alexander Hamp- ton and wife, Jestena Fulton, who was daughter of Samuel Fulton, Sr., and wife, Martha Powell-Jones.
Joshua McGowan Cox and family ived at the old family residence, near Independence. Enoch Cox, another
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brother, married Miss Susan Thomas, an amiable, good woman; their daughter, Mollie, married Zachariah Osborne, Jr.
Samuel Cox married Miss Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Jonathan Thomas and wife, Patience Bourne; they lived on Bridle Creek; he and his amiable Christian wife reared an intelligent and worthy family.
Capt. Meville B. Cox, their son, a prominent citizen, contributed much for the improvement of society and his country. His wife was Miss Martha P. Fulton, a lady of cultivated intellect and refinement. Capt. M. B. Cox and wife, were both members of the Methodist Church, South, having been brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Their example in the family circle will live when they are gone from this life. Their sons and daughters are following the example of their parents.
Emeline, daughter of Samuel Cox and Elizabeth Thomas, married Harden Cox, Jr., and lived on Potato Creek. They were active and exemplary members of the Methodist Church, built an elegant home, and have done much for the community and county in which they live. Their son, Charles, and wife, live with their mother, in their happy home of beauty and comfort, the fruit of their labor.
Caroline, another daughter of Samuel Cox and wife, married Mr. Bridges; they had one daughter, Miss Vir- ginia Bridges, who married Verda Hampton; they have one son, Samuel Cox Hampton. Mrs. Hampton died young, but she had accomplished her work, and died in the triumph of the Christian's hope; she leaves an influence that will live while she sleeps. Her mother lives with Mr. Hampton and his little son, Samuel C., and will train the little boy for usefulness in this life.
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The youngest son of Samuel Cox, and wife, McGowan, died suddenly at the old homestead when a young man. His death was a shock to the family, but he rests in peace. Thomas Cox married Miss Ransom of Washington county, Va .; he was sheriff of Grayson county; he and his wife were Christians, and brought up a nice family of sons and daughters, who reflect honor on their parents.
Dr. Everett Cox was a practicing physician; also a Methodist preacher. He married Miss Scott, daughter of Rev. Andrew Scott, of Rye Valley, Smyth county, Va. They have two daughters.
Miss Jinsey Cox, daughter of Samuel Cox and wife, married Mr. Bartley, of Eastern Virginia; they have one daughter, Bessie, who married Dr. Halsey, of Wilson.
Margaret married Enoch Reeves, of Grayson; they had sons and daughters. Ruth married John Calloway and they lived on New River; had one son.
Isom Cox married Miss Jincy Phipps, daughter of Joseph Phipps and wife, Miss Nancy McMillan; Mrs. Cox was an intelligent, energetic lady, and a blessing to her family. They were among Grayson's best citizens, and largest farmers. Isom Cox owned the land where Bridle Creek Academy and Methodist Church are located. He did much for church and state; was ever ready to assist in any laudable enterprise for the good of society. He and his faithful wife were members of the Methodist Church, South. Their example is a priceless heritage to their children, and the children have honored their parents by following their example.
Third daughter, Ruth, married Thomas Worth, son of David Worth and wife, Elizabeth Thomas.
Third daughter, Bena, married Alexander P. Bryant, son of Lewis Hale Bryant and wife, Miss Drucy Phipps.
Their two sons, Haywood and Joseph, fell in the Con-
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federate Army. Nobler young men and better soldiers never honored an army or country. Joseph married Miss Emma Phipps, daughter of Alexander Phipps and wife, Ludema Thomas; no issue.
There were five daughters of Isom Cox and his wife. Emeline married William H. Bryant, son of Joseph Bryant and wife, Sarah Hale. They brought up a nice family. Nannie married Columbus Phipps, of Bridle Creek, Va. (See Phipps family.) Elizabeth married Preston Reeves; lives on New River.
THE OSBORNE FAMILY
Esquire Enoch Osborne settled on New River, near Bridle Creek; this for many years was known as the Osborne settlement. Enoch Osborne had three brothers, Solomon, Ephriam, and Johnathan, who came to this country with their families about the same time, and settled on New River, near together.
A fort was built on the farm now occupied by Joshua Osborne and son, John, at Ancella Post Office. Indian depredations were common on the border settlements, and preparationsfor protectionand defence were necessary.
It was fortunate for society that the first settlers were people of moral worth and piety.
Enoch Osborne's wife was a Miss Hash. He and his wife were Christians, and aided very much in planting the standard of Christian civilization over the land that was so recently inhabited by savages.
Their home was a resting place for the wayworn trav- eling preachers. The venerable Bishop Asbury called with them, rested, and took refreshments, as he was making his ministerial tours through this newly settled country, preaching the gospel.
It was at the old Fort where Esquire Enoch Osborne, Sr., first located a home.
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An incident occurred with the Osborne brothers, in their newly occupied territory, that tells of the dangers and exposures to which pioneer settlers were subjected.
Enoch Osborne and brothers, Solomon and Ephriam, went into what is now Watauga, N. C., on a hunting trip, deer being plentiful in that section. Getting wet by a shower of rain, and wet bushes, they struck up camp in the evening, and lay down to sleep and rest, hanging up their clothes by the camp fire to dry. The Indians surprised them by shooting into the camp and killing Solomon Osborne; an Indian chased Enoch some distance, and lost him in the dark. Ephriam, after fleeing from camp carefully crept back in the dark to his horse that was fastened with a hickory bark halter to a tree, loosed him and rode home. Enoch returned home without shoes, and in his night clothing. These facts are gathered from Mrs. Mary McMullen, wife of Hon. Lafayette McMullen, member of Congress, from Scott county, Va., for several sessions. Mrs. McMullen, before her marriage, was Miss Mary Woods, granddaughter of Solomon Osborne, who was murdered in the camp by the Indians.
Up to the present day, the Osborne family have lived in Grayson county; some have moved to the West, while quite a number have remained as worthy, indus- trious citizens of their native county.
Solomon Osborne, Jr., married Hannah Cox, lived at the old fort on New River, and on the same farm his son Joshua now lives; others of this family live in the same community.
Zachariah Osborne married Miss Jincey Burton, a lady of deep piety, a faithful wife and affectionate mother. Zachariah Osborne and wife brought up a large family on the river near the fort; three daughters, Mary, Nancy, and Phœbe, married three brothers, Alexander, Galloway, and Samuel Cox, Jr. Mahala married Joshua Cox;
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Biddie married David Cox; one married Daniel Boyer; Caroline married Johnston Hale. Margaret married John Phipps, of Saddle Creek.
Their son, Enoch Osborne, married Miss Cox; Allen married; Floyd married Miss Rosa Hale, daughter of Warner Hale and wife, Miss Mary Cox; Preston married Miss Isabelle Cox; Zachariah, Jr., married Miss Mollie Cox; both the above Isabelle and Mollie were daughters of Enoch Cox and wife, Miss Susan Thomas.
Floyd Osborne and Preston Osborne both settled on Meadow Creek, near Old Town, and have brought up their families there. Emmett P. Osborne, son of Floyd Osborne, married Miss Mary Williams, daughter of Hyram Williams and Miss Jane Brown. He lived on the old Brown farm on Meadow Creek; died at the Jefferson Hospital, Roanoke, Va., from an operation for appendicitis; he leaves a wife and six children.
Thomas H. Osborne, youngest son of Floyd Osborne, lives at the old homestead on Meadow Creek.
John H., another son, lives on Rock Creek, Va.
THE PHIPPS FAMILY
Benjamin Phipps came from Rowan county, N. C .; settled on Bridle Creek; his brother, Isaiah, and the Hash family, came also about the same time. Benjamin Phipps married Miss Jane Hash, an excellent, good woman; she lived to be nearly one hundred years old; lived to see her children and grandchildren to the fourth gener- ation.
Their son, Captain Joseph Phipps, married Miss Nancy McMillan, daughter of John McMillan, a native of Scotland, and a man of letters. He came to Ashe county and settled on Elk Creek. He brought his excellent wife with him from Scotland. He was an extensive farmer and good citizen, and was first clerk of Ashe
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county. His family had the industry and watchfulness in business affairs peculiar to their nationality.
Captain Joseph Phipps and wife settled on Saddle Creek, Va., and he was one of Grayson county's best farmers,-a man of great energy, and a successful manager of business. He acquired a handsome amount of property, and reared a worthy family. He and his excellent wife went down to their graves, honored, loved and respected.
They had three sons, John, Alexander, and Joseph Phipps, Jr. John Phipps married Miss Margaret Osborne and settled on Saddle Creek; they reared a nice family.
Alexander Phipps married Miss Ludema Thomas, daughter of William Thomas, and settled at the old Field's place, Bridle Creek; they have two sons, Colum- bus and Stephen Phipps; they live on Bridle Creek.
Columbus Phipps married Miss Nannie Cox, daughter of Isom and Jincey Cox. Mr. Phipps has used more than ordinary energy in all that pertains to temporal, business and religious duties. His faithful services as the superintendent of the Sunday School have done much to advance the number of its members and interest. The home of Mr. Phipps and excellent family shows what industry and economy can do. He has a fine farm, improved stock, and stately dwellings. He and his son are also doing a good business in the mercantile line, selling dry goods. His youngest daughter, Rosa, mar- ried Rev. French Wampler of the Holston Conference, now at Fountain City, Tennessee.
Stephen Phipps married Miss Mattie McMillan; has a nice home near the old homestead, and has a nice family.
Alexander Phipps and wife had three daughters; first, Rosamond, married Mathew Dickey, Jr .; second, Martha married Dr. Martin Dickenson; lived at Inde- pendence, Va.
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Emma married Joseph Cox, son of Isom Cox and wife. He died in the army and his wife died soon after he did; no issue.
Joseph Phipps, Jr., married Miss Cynthia Bourne, daughter of Stephen Bourne, of Knob Fork; they had two sons: Dr. John Phipps, who married Miss Cora Miller, daughter of Rev. Charles K. Miller and wife, Miss Mattie Young. They lived at Rural Retreat, Va.
Second son, Con Phipps, lives at the old homestead, which his father inherited from his father, Captain Benjamin Phipps, on Saddle Creek.
There were two daughters, first Etta, married Ken Bryant; lives on Saddle Creek; their daughter married Dr. Robinson; they live at Woodlawn, Va .; one daughter married Robert C. Fulton.
One daughter of Joseph Phipps and wife married Mr. Miller, of Rural Retreat.
Capt. Joseph Phipps had seven daughters. Rena married Fielding Young; Jincey married Isom Cox; Emily married Dr. Fleming Thomas; Mazy married Stephen H. Bryant; Jane married Stephen M. Dickey; Drucey married Louis Hale Bryant, and Nancy married John M. Dickey. This family of Capt. Joseph Phipps has been a great benefit in the settlement and improve- ment of Grayson county.
When we look around over this country and see the highly cultivated and well-stocked farms with splendid buildings; when we count the prosperous towns and villages, with their schools and churches and good government, and then contrast the present conditions with those of the early days, when there were only a few white settlers in a wild Indian country, with just a few forts and block houses for defense, we appreciate all the more the courage and bravery and industry of our ancestors, and the
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