Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 74

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607

USA > Virginia > Frederick County > Frederick County > Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia. > Part 74

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

On the 10th, Genl. Lee bade his farewell to his army in well chosen language; and rode away towards Richmond.

The disbanded army was bewildered by the scenes around them. The hungry and worn-out men were virtually the guests of the victorious army. Genl. Grant had commanded officers and men to relieve the wasted Confederates, and with good will the order was obeyed. Within three days, the remnant of the Army of Northern Vir- ginia could be seen wending their way towards the desolate homes. To many, this was the drear- iest march of all. Of others, whose homes lay in the great Virginia Valley, their spirits were lightened as they scanned the blue mountains in the distance. Their work was done. They were obeying the last order of their beloved Com- mander. They were disappointed, but they were submissive; and never broke their parole. Genl. Grant's magnanimity was fully appreciated. His army had virtually closed its career; and when disbanded, many old soldiers returned to their distant homes, and entered into more congenial pursuits.

The Southern Armies under Johnston and others, soon effected terms of surrender; and thus, the great drama of 1861-65 closed with no blare of trumpets.

CHAPTER LXVII

Biographical Sketches

Benjamin Borden .- Some mystery is attached to this old settler. He first appears at the Jan. court, 1734, Orange County, with a commission as Justice of the Peace. At the Oct. Term, 1740, same court, Benjamin Borden, the justice, answered a summons to court. 1743 he was living on his Spout Run Plantation, North of Winchester. Executed a deed to his son Ben- jamin for tract of land on the Bullskin, being part of his grant of Oct. 1, 1734. This grant embraced several thousand acres of land on the James River in Orange County (later Augusta) and other tracts, from the Potomac Southward. In 1744, his widow, Zeuriah, was living in N. Jersey ;- executed a power of attorney to her son Benjamin to sell any lands of the estate except the 5,000 acres on James River, and mentions him as residing in Augusta County. Benjamin shortly thereafter made deed to Arthur Barrett for a plantation on lower Opecquon Creek. The will gives names of widow and sons: Benjamin, John, Joseph, and daughters.

He also says: "This plantation where I live, on Spought Run on Opeckon may be sold, etc."

The widow says in the power of attorney, that she is in New Jersey, and her age and sickness prevents her leaving N. Jersey. Ben- jamin, Jr., located on the Burden (Borden) grant on the James; and proceeded to execute title to land to the settlers as they appeared. His brother Joseph joined him, and did much to at- tract the Scotch-Irish settlers. Benjamin died 1753. Joseph and John have descendants through- out the Valley.

David Vance. (often written Vaunce by the first co. clk.) The first of the name was one of the Hite party-settled South of where Winches- ter now stands; reared a large family, who inter- married with many prominent families: Glass, Hoge, White and others. Their descendants are found in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, N. Carolina, and several Western States-some be- coming prominent in affairs of State and church. David was one of the justices forming the first court, 1743.

Old county records show numerous transactions in land-in the old county office fully one hun- dred entries made from the arrival of the emi- grant to 1840. Several of the descendants left

wills : Andrew Vance in 1743, David, 1745; Eliza- beth, James, John, James (2), Robert and Wil- liam-all of which are recorded in county clerk's office, and show names of children, etc., and much that can be learned of the location of many of them. In 1753 Samuel son of Andrew "sold his land and settled in Ky." Joseph C., son of David, settled on 450 acres of land in Hamp- shire Co., devised to him by his father. David and John inherited the home farm, which em- braced part of the farm near Hillman's Toll Gate on the Valley Pike. The old stone man- sion stood on the East side, a few hundred yards South of the gate, and was in good condition prior to the Civil War, when it was destroyed by Federal Soldiers in 1863, to avenge the kill- ing of a number of a scouting party, in a skir- mish with the writer's Company of Cavalry. A score of dismounted Confederates used the house as an impromptu fort, and wrought havoc on the advancing cavalry, while the main body of Confederates engaged the Federals on their flank. The old house was regarded as an historical land- mark,-it being held as one of the numerous places where the youthful Washington frequently visited his friend James Vance, who in 1778 en- listed in Company No. 7 under Daniel Morgan; and later held a commission. James married Eliza, second daughter of Samuel Glass the emi- grant. We have some evidence that three brothers came with Hite: Samuel, James and Andrew, though it has been considered by many of the descendants that James and Andrew were the sons of David. Andrew died in 1753, and owned land as early as 1742. James also had settled on his land in 1742.

Hon. Zebulon Vance, the distinguished North Carolinian, was a descendant of the emigrant; likewise two prominent Presbyterian divines, now in active service in their church.

William Hogue ( Hoge) was of the Hite party, and settled on a branch of the Opecquon and called it Hogue Run. He erected his cabin at the fountain head, and continued to live there until his death. He claimed title through a grant independent of Hite; and controlled a large tract, and sold parcels therefrom without ques- tion as to his title. The homestead was due West from the Opeckon Memorial Church, and

411

412

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

in full view. It changed hands several times after the emigrant's death-Stephen Pritchard and family one of the first owners-the home now of Chas. H. Grim family. The brick mansion now on the old site, was built about 1850 by the Pritchard family. Stephen Pritch- ard's wife was Mary Cartmell. William Hoge settled on his grant about 1735. They were living in Chester County, Penna., in 1734. His wife was Barbara Hume. They had five sons : John, William, Alexander, James and George. John remained in Pennsylvania, and died at Hogestown 9 miles West of Harrisburg. The other sons and daughters accompanied the father to his Virginia home. William J. afterwards mar- ried a quakeress, and removed to what is now Loudoun County, and left many descendants. James settled near Middletown. Alexander be- came a lawyer; lived near Winchester; was a member of the first Congress of the U. S., and also of the Virginia Convention that adopted the first Constitution of the U. S. James the fourth son, was the father of the first Rev. Moses Hoge, who was direct ancestor of several preachers of that name-found afterwards in many parts of the country-Notably Rev. Moses D. Hoge, D.D., of Richmond, Va. Rev. John Hoge, who has been mentioned as the first regular pastor of Opecquon Church, was the son of John. George the fifth son, was a member of the first courts of Frederick County; subsequently he changed his residence to N. Carolina. One of the daugh- ters, Margaret, married Dr. Robert White a surgeon in the British Navy. A grandson of Solomon Hoge married Mary Glass, granddaugh- ter of Samuel Glass the emigrant. Through this line, the Hoge family of Berkeley County, Va., descends. No attempt will be made to fol- low the line fully. The other daughters of the emigrant Wm. Hoge, intermarried in prominent families. (Want of space forbids fuller men- tion of this family.)

William the emigrant, was a Presbyterian, and donated the land for the first "meeting-house" at Opeckon, Feb. 19, 1745. The Opecquon Me- morial Church stands on the same site. (See chapter on churches.)

John Willson. It is not claimed that John Willson came with Hite. He left the record of his arrival in Frederick County from Ireland, July 6, 1737. He was one of many composing the Scotch, English and Irish emigration in 1737, induced to seek homes in the Shenandoah Val- ley, through the agency of Joist Hite; and on their arrival, sought the old pioneer, who accord- ed them such welcome that they chose homes along and near the Opecquon. It has been well established that John Willson was the first school

teacher for the infant colony, and for years was the teacher at the first meeting-house at Opeckon, and doubtless was a leader in Gospel services on the Sabbath, until visiting ministers appeared from Donegal Presbytery. Mr. Willson tells a pathetic story on the old tombstone in Opeckon graveyard, in relation to his family, which doubt- less is the oldest marked grave in the Shenan- doah Valley. It appears that Robert Willson a brother came at the same time and settled on his plat of ground near the railroad station at Kernstown; erected a stone and log dwelling combined; lived there and reared a family, who intermarried with the Glass and McDowell fam- ilies. The Willson family removed to Kentucky and Tennessee.

Peter Stephens, the emigrant, located on a tract of land South of the Opeckon, for which he ob- tained an order of the Colonial Council, to have it surveyed and laid off for himself and several families. This was subsequent to the order granted Hite for his large grants. Stephens failed to comply with the conditions of his order; and allowed it to lapse. Hite's order covered all unsurveyed and ungranted land in that vicinity. When his survey and report was returned, he conveyed and caused to be made a transfer of a large tract to Peter Stephens, who for some reason failed to have it recorded. He was never disturbed in his title as will be seen elsewhere. Hite conveyed to Lewis Stephens Apl. 28, 1738, a large tract of land on Crooked Run, a small stream having its source in the vicinity of the New Town that was thereafter incorporated by Lewis Stephens as Stephensburg. The Stephens family was of the German contingent to the Hite party. Lewis Stephens was given a charter to erect his town, by the General Assem- bly, 1758, on part of his 900 acres; and referring to the Act (appearing elsewhere) it will be seen he represents that all of the lots with the out- lots annexed "are purchased by different per- sons who are now settling and building thereon." This proves that Lewis Stephens was fully alive to the development of his section, and his en- ergy and intelligence made it possible to secure recognition from the county court; and it was in doubt for several years whether his influence, supported by that of Lord Fairfax, would not result in the selection of his town for the county seat. He has the credit of fixing the site and donating the lot for the first Methodist Church erected West of the Blue Ridge. On this lot John Hite and his sister Mrs. Phelps, erected the church mentioned in Sketch of the Methodist Church. This Lewis Stephens and his family acquired riches, consisting of farms, town lots in Stephensburg and Winchester, five families

413

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

of slaves, and other property; and in the early part of the 19th Century, we find the accumula- tions had become immense. The will of Mary Stephens, widow of Lewis (2nd), in 1829, dis- posing of a large estate, does not mention any children, but devises property to her nephew Wm. Hening and his sister Elizabeth, and to. James Hening, and to Col. Henry Beaty husband of her deceased sister Sarah Hening, and to her sister Shannon of Kentucky; devises slaves to Wm. Hening; provides for their maintenance, he to pay her aged sister Joanna McChesney; also legacies to nieces and nephews of her hus- band, the children of Robert Hening of Ken- tucky. In a clause of her will may be found several interesting matters. "To carry out the intentions of my husband which he was pre- vented by the suddenness and nature of his last sickness, I devise to Thos. A. Tidball, Alex. S. Tidball and John R. Cooke, Esqs.," certain valuable property, etc., "for them to hold in trust for the use of the Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in Prince- ton, N. Jersey, for the purpose of endowing a scholarship in said Seminary, etc." "I also direct that the Presbytery of Winchester shall have the right to select and appoint the beneficiaries who are to profit by this charitable fund." She makes some changes in this bequest by a codicil to her will, which is: "Whereas the Theological Semi- nary at Princeton has acquired large funds, and is in successful operation, I direct this fund to be used for the benefit of the Theological Sem- inary lately established at Hampden Sydney Col- lege in Prince Edward County, Virginia, and sur- plus to be kept until sufficient sum is realized for the endowment of a second scholarship at same Seminary."

Query : Did Hampden Sydney and Winchester Presbytery get the benefit of this endowment?

The Lewis Stephens referred to, was the son of Lewis the founder of Stephensburg, who by his will, probated 1805, devised the bulk of his fine estate to his son Lewis. His will mentions among other things, that he devises to his son "the piece or parcel of land commonly known as the muster ground on the West side of the town." This parcel of land has been a subject for litigation for two years-Some citizens of the town regarding it as waste land, secured a grant from the Commonwealth and surveyed what was termed ungranted land. The people are con- testing this right. The family name is fast dis- appearing from the records of the present day. Many descendants, however, by intermarriage, are citizens of the Lower Valley.

The Glass Family Dr. William H. Foote, author of Sketches

of Virginia, published in 1855, in its first pages, introduces his readers to the first settlers of the Shenandoah Valley, giving prom- inence to this Scotch-Irish family in this lan- guage : "Samuel Glass and Mary Gamble his wife, who came in their old age, from Ban Bridge, County Down, Ireland, and were among the early settlers, taking their abode on the Opecquon in 1736. His wife often spoke of "her two fair brothers that perished in the siege of Derry." Mr. Glass lived like a patriarch with his de- scendants. Devout in spirit, and of good report in religion, in the absence of the regular pastor, he visited the sick, to counsel and instruct and pray. His grandchildren used to relate in their old age, by way of contrast, circumstances show- ing the strict observance by families-Mr. Glass, in the midst of wild lands to be purchased at a low rate, thought sixteen hundred acres enough for himself and children."

The writer has been requested to write a sketch of this emigrant and his numerous family. The reader would be appalled at the outset, if he thought this request would be complied with. The scope of this volume can only em- brace the foundation for sketches of the various lines emanating from the founder of Greenwood. To this task the writer will devote willingly his best efforts to unfold an intelligent tracing of every generation of this family from the emi- grant down to the present date. This is all that can be done. This tracing can be regarded as reliable, taken as it is, from the only known genealogical chart of this family, kept by the Glass family of Frederick County for ages, and finally descending to one member of this family who kept in touch with the scattered tribe, and year after year added to each line the additions she gathered. This was the wife of the writer, who now holds it in sacred trust for his only child Annie Lyle Randolph. The knowledge of this chart caused numerous members of this family to make the request referred to. In sketches of Opeckon and other Presbyterian churches, found in this volume, the Glass fam- ily is necessarily mentioned. Ireland in the early part of the 18th Century, furnished many families renowned for their thrift and love of freedom, and a desire to try their fortunes be- yond the narrow confines of their Emerald Isle. The Ulster people were the first to organize for emigration. Consulting Marmion's Maritime Ports of Ireland, we find that one hundred fam- ilies sailed from Lough Foyle in 1718. They set- tled in New Hampshire. This colony became as famous in America as the Plymouth Colony. More distinguished men descended from this first Ulster emigration, than from the latter. In 1727, three thousand people sailed for the North Amer-

414

CARTMELL'S HISTORY

ican colonies from Belfast Lough. The follow- ing year seven ships took one thousand more; and in the next three years as many as forty- two hundred. These emigrants were for the most part of Scotch origin. Their success in securing good "seatings" in the New World, in- duced many more to follow. We find that be- tween the years 1720 and 1742, over three thou- sand emigrants annually left Ulster County alone. (Gordon's History of Ireland). The golden pros- pect in America was one reason for this. The oppressive land laws and the restrictions placed on all Irish industries, were the main causes, doubtless, for this desertion of the Island homes- Venturing the perilous voyage across the At- lantic in sail ships, with all the discomforts known to exist aboard the best of them, and requiring in many cases six months before they could land on American shores. It was during this great upheaval, that the subject of our sketch, severed every tie that bound him to his native land and, together with his sons and daughters and grandchildren, sought the Valley of the "Sherrandore." The writer has on his table "The Belfast Witness" bearing date March 19, 1877, which gives a comprehensive review of the periods mentioned, furnishing the names of many prominent families that left Ireland at that date. A clipping from the Belfast paper says: In 1736 a number of families emigrated from Benbridge and neighborhood, amongst them were members of the Glass, McDowell, Magill, Mul- holland, Linn and other families. These people settled in the Shenandoah Valley on the banks of the Opeckon, Virginia" * * This * from the same paper: "Samuel Glass had six children : John, Eliza, Sarah, David, Robert and Joseph, all born at Benbridge." It is this Sam- uel Glass and his family that we now propose to trace after their arrival on the Opeckon. The family chart says: "Samuel Glass and his wife Mary Gamble, came from Ireland 1735, settled on the Opeckon 1736. They were advanced in life when they came, with children and grand- children. He purchased 1,600 acres of land from Joyce Hite and Lord Fairfax, whose grants were divided by the Opeckon."

(1) John Glass mar. Miss Bicket in Ireland. He settled in Augusta County, Va. His children removed to Tenn., and did not keep up commu- nication with the family-names unknown.

(2) Eliza Glass, mar. James Vance in Ireland. They had two children, Samuel and William. Samuel mar. Miss Rannells. William mar. twice, first wife Miss Gilkeson: Issue by this union re- ported : James Vance, mar. Catherine Heiskill. They had two sons, William and John Thomas. The three children of Wm. Vance and his wife Miss Colville : William married Margaret Myers ;

six children by this union, Mary Catherine, Edwin, Susan E., Wm. Alexander, James Henry, and Sarah Emily. Elizabeth dau. of William Vance and Miss Colville, mar. Dr. Tilden, no children of this union reported. John Vance one of three children of William Vance and Miss Colville was married four times, Ist wife Emily McNeill, three children by this union, Mary, Sally, Cary, and Laura. 2nd wife Susan Myers, 3rd wife Eliza Hoge, 4th wife Catherine Williams.

(3) Sarah dau. of the emigrant, mar. Mr. Beck- ett, 5 children by this union, to-wit: Robert, Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth and Joseph.

(4) David, son of Samuel Glass, mar. Miss Fulton; his children removed to Ky .- names un- known.

(5) Robert, son of Samuel, was born in Ire- land 1716. He mar. Elizabeth Fulton; from this union sprang many descendants. This branch comprised many families who were known in Frederick County for several generations. They reared 13 children. The Ist, Samuel, mar. Eliza- beth Rutherford; 7 children by this union, to- wit : Samuel, Sarah, Benjamin, Robert, Thomas, Elizabeth and James. Thomas mar. Catherine Wood, grand dau. of James Wood the first Clerk of Frederick Co. Two children by this union, Ella, died unmarried; William Wood Glass; mar. twice; Ist wife Nannie Lucket, no issue; 2nd wife Nannie R. Campbell; children by this marriage Katherine R., Hattie, mar, W. B. Davis, Susan Louise, mar. Harry Strider. She and one child survive her husband. Other children of William Wood Glass: Thomas, William, Robert and Wood. This branch is more fully mentioned in the sketch of the James Wood family. Mary, 2nd child of Robert, mar. James David Vance, their children being James David, Robert Cham- bers, Mary and Martha Cornelia.

Elizabeth, 3d child of Robert, mar. John Cum- mings and removed to Illinois.

Sarah, 4th child of Robert and 5th Susan, not married.

Martha, 6th child of Robert, mar. Henry Sher- rard. Their daughter Sarah mar. (first) Mr. Barbee and, (second,) Col. Sowers.

Ann 7th child of Robert, mar. (first) Wm. Vance, one child Mary; 2nd husband Robert Gray of Winchester, two sons by this union, to-wit: Wm. Hill and Joseph Gray; her granddaughter, dau. of Wm. Hill Gray, mar. Capt. Wm. N. McDonald.

Ruth, 8th child of Robert Glass, mar. Rev: James Vance, three sons by this union, to-wit : Robert, David and William.

Margaret, 9th child of Robert Glass, mar. Thomas White, three children : Robert, James and Sarah.

Robert David, 10th child of Robert Glass, mar.

Greenwood Homestead, founded by Samuel Glass, 1738

Old Mill; erected by Samuel Glass, 1740 (Only one of the kind in the County)

417

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

family of this name was living at that date in New Jersey, having purchased two tracts of land from the Lord Proprietors. The head of the fam- ily was Nathaniel. After long and careful re- search, it was found among the Shire records, that a Nathaniel Cartmell sold his belongings and "took sail with his family and certain others of the Sect of Friends," to seek homes in the North American Colonies. In order to establish proof of the relationship, Mr. George E. Cart- mell sought out the old Church Yard, where many of the name had been entombed for sev- eral centuries. There he found such family names as have been adopted by all the genera- tions in America; and from this we jointly con- cluded that the connection was fully established. Later on, the author of this volume procured a photograph of the Cartmell Church and its his- tory, which, for its antiquity and quaint archi- tectural features, he embodies in this sketch; as doubtless it will be a revelation to the American members of this family who may chance to see this history. The following description accom- panied the photograph :

"The Church dates back to 677; and Egfred, King of Northumberland, gave to St. Cuthbert the land and all the Britons in it. A priory was founded in 1188, which was destroyed, but the site was regranted by Henry VIII. Cartmel town is 15 miles long, 4 or 5 wide, and indeed it is difficult to imagine that even Adam, in all the beauty of Paradise, looked upon a much fairer landscape than that which meets the eye, when from the summit of Hamps Fell, the Val- ley of Cartmel is seen lit up with the setting lustre of an Autumn sun: In the South the sea, in the North the Valley, in the East the Fell, in the West Howbarrow and tree-clad St. Ber- nard.

The organ was erected in 1780. The stalls of choir are in Grecian style, surmounted by Corin- thian capitals, with sculptured heads. The grant of the rectory of Cartmel was made to Cuthbert, a bishop of Chester, in the fourth or fifth year of the reign of Philip and Mary, 1554."

It is the American Cartmells that the author will endeavor to trace; and lest some of the name may expect a connected chain, he an- nounces now, that after most diligent search and correspondence, and personal visits, he can give only what may seem partial history. One or two lines are reliably traced; while other lines that have unmistakable identity with the emigrant family, have many broken links in the chain. Possibly from these broken chains-that one of the tribe submits for study-some of the present generation may take up and supply the missing links.

We are unable to account for the large family

found in New Jersey in 1724 and for several years thereafter. We know that the name ap- peared in the records there for a brief period after the family sold out in New Jersey and fol- lowed the fortunes of Hite, in the Virginia Val- ley, though they came not with Hite. A minor grant was secured which placed a family within the 100,000 acre grant of . Hite. This family consisted of the widow of Nathaniel, and her sons Martin, Nathaniel, Nathan, and Edward, and several daughters, names not mentioned. The date of their order for survey of several' large tracts was 1735. No report of survey, how- ever, until March, 1737. These surveys locate the widow with her son Edward and his sisters on a tract of land South of the Opeckon. This was the land in the old Quaker Graveyard vicinity. Adjoining this tract of unknown quan- tity, her son Martin was seated on a tract of over 700 acres. He also had a survey for 1,100 acres on North side of Opeckon Creek, adjoin- ing on the West the Thomas grant. This evi- dently was the tract which became known as Homespun. The other brothers, Nathaniel and Nathan, must have been minors, for no survey was at that time made in their names. All surveys in name of Martin. There were two other tracts surveyed near the site of Middletown, and there Edward was seated. Nathaniel and Nathan lived at some point on the big survey North of the Opeckon. Martin lived and died near his aged mother's home. In his will dated 1749, he makes provision for his mother and his wife Esther, and then wills his lands to his sons Nathan, Edward and Nathaniel. Same old family names. And this makes it difficult to sep- arate the second generation from the first. Mar- tin must have been an old man, although his mother was still living. Her three grandsons were certainly of lawful age, for Martin charges them to provide for his mother, out of the lands he devises to them. We have no evidence that Martin's brothers, Edward and Nathan were mar- ried, and none of their death. We have evi- dence that Edward, whom we find living with his mother and subsequently settling on the survey near Middletown, was succeeded by his nephew Edward, and that he himself plunged deeper into the wilderness and traded with the Indians. No trace of him after that. Thus the two Edwards, uncle and nephew, have caused much confusion. After Martin's death, 1749, we find his son Na- than continued to live with his mother until his death, 1755. His will shows he was unmar- ried; that he bequeathed his property to his brothers Edward and Nathaniel, and charges them to give good support to his mother Esther. Mar- tin's will shows that his sons Nathaniel and Ed- ward remained on tracts South of the Opeckon.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Shenandoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants: A History of Frederick County, Virginia., Part 74

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920 Publication date: 1909 Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.] Number of Pages: 607

Author: Cartmell, T. K. (Thomas Kemp), 1838-1920
Publication date: 1909
Publisher: [Winchester, Va.] : [Printed by the Eddy Press Corp.]
Number of Pages: 607