The Children of Owen & Susanna Roby

of Washington County, Maryland

Owen Roby appears in the 1790 U.S. census in Washington County, Maryland, where he was enumerated with 3 males under 16, 2 males over 16 [including himself], 6 females [one his wife Susanna]  and 3 enslaved people.[1] This suggests four potential sons and five daughters. It also suggests that three of the potential sons were born sometime between 1774 and 1790 and one was born before 1774. 

Nine years later, Owen wrote his will on 5 October 1799 in Washington County, Maryland. In it, he names his son William, daughter Mary, daughter Ann and his son James, described as “now an infant and from his appearance has not altogether natural understanding.” He also mentioned “my children heretofore not mentioned.” The will was proven on 11 February 1800. [2]

The estates of Owen Roby and Susanna Roby were settled on 4 Apr 1815. Their living children were named and each received £838.2.10 ½ , with a few specific adjustments for some of the children. The children named were: William, Mary Rigges, Ann Moreland [should be Moehler], Deborah Parrell [sic, should be Parriott], Statea Angle, Elizabeth Rigges, Owen, Isaac, Susanna Whitten. Administrators of the estates were William and Owen Jr.[3]

The administration names just three sons, William, Owen and Isaac, which suggests James, one of the sons mentioned in Owen’s will, had possibly died by 1815. The 1790 census record indicated five possible daughters, but the number of daughters from the administration of the estate suggests one born after 1790.

The fact that Owen Roby first appears in Washington County, Maryland in 1778 [4] and that all of the children but one are accounted for in the 1790 census, strongly suggests that all of the children were born in Washington County, Maryland.

Owen and Susanna Robey had at least four sons, William, Owen, Jr., Isaac and James and six daughters: Mary Riggs [Bazel Riggs] [5], Ann Mohler [Jacob Mohler], Deborah Parriott [Richard Parriott] [6], Statea Angle [husband unknown], Elizabeth Riggs [Edmund Riggs] [7] and Susanna Whitten [John Whitten] [8,9]. It seems likely that all of the children were born in Washington County, Maryland.

[1] 1790 U.S. census, Washington County, Maryland, p. 10 (penned), column 1, line 13, Owen Roby; image, Ancestry.com (https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/134047:5058 : accessed 10 April 2021); citing National Archives microfilm publication M637, roll 3.

[2] Washington County, Maryland, Wills 1777-1801, Liber A, pp. 427-428, Owen Roby, 5 October 1799; digital image, “General index 1777-1850 Wills Liber A-B 1777-1817,” images 438-439, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YMX-6KR : accessed 10 April 2021).

[3] Morrow, Dale and Deborah, Distribution of Estate Accounts, Washington County, Maryland 1778-1835 (Heritage Books: Westminster, MD, 2007) 19-20.

[4] Clark, Raymond B., Jr., editor, Washington County, Maryland, Records Oaths of Allegiance, 1778, and Balance Books on Estates (Distributions) 1778-1801 (self-published: St. Michaels, Maryland, 1989), 3-4.

[5] Ancestry, Find A Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/9985428/mary-riggs : accessed 12 April 2021), memorial 9985428, Mary Roby Riggs (1776-1836), Long Reach Cemetery, Sistersville, Tyler County, West Virginia;  gravestone photo by DeLoss McKnight III.

[6] Ancestry, Find A Grave, database with images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36004929/deborah-parriott : accessed 12 April 2021), memorial 36004929, Deborah Robey Parriott (1775-1849), Bellview Cemetery, Stephenson County, Illinois; gravestone photo by Ben Jacobsson.

[7] Washington County, Maryland, Maryland U.S. Compiled Marriages, 1655-1850, Edward Rigges-Eliza Robey; database, Ancestry.com (https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=7846&h=192609 : accessed 12 April 2021).

[8] Wetzel County, West Virginia, Record of Deaths, p. 23, Susan Witten, 28 March 1863; database with images, “Death Records,” West Virginia Archives and History (http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_view.aspx?Id=5917716&Type=Death : accessed 9 April 2021).

[9] Washington County, Maryland, Deed Book BB, pp. 391-393, Riggs & others to Robey, 26 December 1815; images, Mdlandrec.net (https://mdlandrec.net/main/dsp_viewer.cfm?cid=WA&sp=391  : accessed 12 April 2021).

Beginning at the Beginning

With difficult ancestors, the ones who put up those brick walls that sometimes not even DNA can help you decipher, I love a timeline. It’s not as sexy as a narrative, but it’s one of those invaluable genealogical tools that I think shouldn’t be skipped. Building up a chronology that includes places and key details of life events gives me clarity on who this person was, were they were, who they associated with and maybe even if they liked coffee or knew how to read (I love a good inventory of an estate!).

For me, it all starts with what I have, which isn’t always the beginning —sometimes it’s the middle, a single deed, or a vital record — and it isn’t always a lot. Did they own other land? Were they surety on a daughter’s marriage bond? Did they pay personal property taxes? All the details are so much more than data-points, they’re context and, hopefully, clues. As I gather all I can find, I add my citations, so when I’m ready to tell someone’s life story, the daunting (for me) task of citing my sources is largely done.

This is a timeline for Isaac Brizendine who appears to have been born, or at least lived as a young man, in Essex County, Virginia. He died intestate in Charlotte County, Virginia, but fortunately (for us), after the death of his wife, his children initiated a suit against their brother, William Brizendine, the Executor of Isaac’s estate. Lots happened in between that help give framework to Isaac’s life —his friends, his moves and his property — all give more depth to his story. The timeline gives it clarity. It gives the opportunity to see where something doesn’t quite fit. It gives you pause to ask “Is this the right Isaac?” It also raises more questions and presents opportunities for more research, but it serves as a solid beginning for a well-organized and well-researched place to start his life story.

Meet Isaac Brizendine, who is both my 7th and 8th great-grandfather, but that’s a story for another post.

A Snapshot of the Area Isaac and His Family Lived In, Lunenburg County, Virginia

Hotchkiss, Jed, Preliminary Map of Lunenburg County, Virginia (Washington, D.C., 1871); digital image, Library of Congress (https://www.loc.gov/resource/g3883l.la001296/?r=0.305,0.441,0.298,0.155,0 : accessed 7 February 2021).

brizendine_isaac_chancery-1Download

timeline-for-isaac-brizendine-1Download

I Sue, You Sue, We All Sue!

It’s easy to love litigious ancestors because they often left a trail of clues along with their family’s “dirty laundry” in court records of all kinds. Brother against sister, children suing step-mothers, grandchildren versus widows —the combinations are endless. Legal battles over an estate and its division were plentiful, and depending on the state you’re working in, can be found in a variety of courts. A child of a decedent could have died between when a will was written and when it was probated, and would want to make sure things were “equally” distributed to their liking. These detailed documents can be genealogical goldmines and can go on for YEARS after a death. Some go on as long as 20 or 30 years, and when they do, they add to the genealogy and sometimes go on to name great-grandchildren, guardians of minor children and more.

This is one of many legal kerfuffles of the Estate of Minor Wilkes, Sr. of Lunenburg County, Virginia which explicitly names some children and grandchildren. One Chancery case involving one of the associated families of Minor Wilkes names more than 20 grandchildren. This suit and settlement were found in a County Order Book, and not in Chancery, but is every bit as valuable to prove relationships, marriages and even approximate ages in some cases.

Winn vs. Wilkes et al

William Wroe, An “Original” Land Mogul

William Wroe was the son of Original Wroe, and the father of another Original. The family scattered after William’s death, stay tuned for more as we follow them through the Northern Neck and beyond.

Will of William Wroe, Westmoreland County, Virginia, Deeds & Wills Book 16, pp 162-163¹

[in margin] William Wroe’s Will

In the name of God Amen I William Wroe of Westmoreland County & Parish of Washington Planter, being very sick and low and in perfect sence  and memory thanks be to Almighty God but calling to mind the transitory Estate of man, and all flesh must yield to death when it shall please God to call him, I therefore make and ordain this to be my Will & Testament, in manner and form as followeth First and principally I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almight God not doubting; but trusting [?] the merits and Mediation of Jesus Christ my Saviour, to receive forgiveness of all my sins, [portion erased] and as for my Body to be buried according to the discretion of my Extors hereafter mentioned and in a decent & Christian like manner, and as for my worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and bequeath as followeth ~ In primis I give and bequeath to my son Original Wroe, all my land in King George County to him and his heirs forever, and if he die without heirs lawfully begotten then the Land to decend to my son William Wroe. I give to my son Original Wroe one negro man known by the name of Dick, & one feather Bed & furniture, I give and bequeath to my Son William Wroe my Tract of Land in Culpeper County to him and his heirs forever,  and also the first Colt that shall be folded from any of my beasts,  Now, I give and bequeath to my loving Wife all my Estate that is not given, and if she should marry or die then the whole of my Estate to be sold and Equally divided among my six children namely William Wroe, Katharine Elenor Rebeckah, Jenny & Gracey — I do appoint my Wife and my Son Original Wroe Executrix and Executor of this my last Will and Testament, revoaking annulling all other Wills by me made.  In witness whereunto I have set my hand & affixed my Seal this 18^th day of January One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty one —

[witnesses]                                                                    William Wroe (seal)

John Tancill

Henry Roe

Daniel Kelley

At a Court held for Westmoreland County

the 27^th day of November 1781

This Will was proved according to Law by the Oaths of John Tanceil Henry Rose & Daniel Kelly the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Grace Wroe & Original Wroe the Exors therein named who made Oath thereto according to Law and together with John Tancitt & Thomas Wroe  their Securities entered into and acknowledge Bond with Condition as the Law directs Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

                                                                           Teste

                                                                           Richard Bernard CWC

¹ Westmoreland County, Virginia. Deeds and wills 16, 1773-1787: 162-163. Will and probate of WIlliam Wroe, 18 Jan 1781; Library of Virginia. Richmond. Reel 13.

Transcription by Kelley Conner Lear 1 Jun 2017; copy of original available on request.

 © Sinners + Saints Genealogy, 2020

Why, Lunenburg, Why?

Maybe it’s just me, but it seems a little dark to list marriages — even arranged ones that maybe made a family 200 acres richer at the time — in a will book. Those are for death and impending fights over land. Not so in Lunenburg County, Virginia, where I guess they reasoned, they didn’t have anywhere better to put them. In the process of researching two men named Carter White, one who occasionally went by Junior and one who occassionally went by Senior (but not always, an even more frustratingly weren’t father and son, but uncle and nephew), I discovered a few associated records worth posting. Often, the indexed records, don’t include seemingly minor details, like the minister’s name who performed the ceremony which help in discovering what religion our ancestors practiced and help give clues on family associations. Citations are all from Lunenburg County Will Books.

22 Nov 1793, William Stone of Mecklenburg & Tabitha Neals, William Creath, Minister of Gospel [WB 4, p 35]

1793 [no day/month given], Isaac Stone & Rebecca Whiteworth, by William Creath [WB 4, p 46]

Sometime between Nov 1790-May 1791, Carter White & Betsey Winn Cockerham, by James Shelburn [WB 4, p 12]

13 Jan 1791, Minor Wilks & Phebe White, William Ellis, Minister [WB 4, p 14]

30 Jan 1794, Carter White, Jr. to Betsy Wood, by James Shelburn, Baptist Minister [WB 4, p 87]

6 May, 1799, Carter White & Mary Cockerham, William Ellis Minister [WB 5, p 22]

14 Jul 1804, William White to Elizabeth Cockerham, William Ellis, Minister of Gospel [WB 6, p 122]

11 Aug 1804, Minor Wilks to Elizabeth Seneth (hard to decipher), William Ellis, Minister of Gospel [WB 6, p 122]

2 Aug 1805, Richard Wilks to Jincy Stone, by William Ellis [WB 6, p 135A]

31 Dec 1803, Thomas Wilks to Jiney Winn, Joel Johns, Minister [WB 6, p 76]

5 Sep 1809, William Wilkes & Phebe Winn, Joel Johns, Minister [WB 6, p 265]

The Ghost of William Conner

We all have a long lost ancestor who haunts us. The one that follows me, and taunts me from the great beyond, is my fifth great-grandfather, William Conner.

I have known people who knew people who knew him. So I know he was real. I know I have the right William starting in 1804. But he was born in 1767. Somewhere. To someone.

The mocking begins with his birthplace. There are a plethora of sources that say he was born in North Carolina, including his own Census record from 1860₁. It seems so promising, but don’t get even a little bit excited for me. There are an equal number of records that state that he was born in Virginia. And yes, that includes his only other detailed Census record from 1850₂ when he was living in Cabell County, Virginia. His children’s Census records from later years state their father’s birthplace as North Carolina, Virginia and even West Virginia — which didn’t become a state until shortly before William died.

I do know a few things about him with some certainty. He was married to Susannah Kendall in Patrick County, Virginia on the 7^th of April in 1804₃. I know I have the right William because thankfully, he stayed married to Susannah into old age. Their first three children, according to those children, were born in Virginia. If I had to guess, James, Andrew and Lucinda were most likely born somewhere near Patrick County. He went on to have five more children, some in Kentucky, some in Cabell County.

So it seems hopeful that the spirit of William Conner left me this little genealogical treat to go on. He got married in Virginia. This is a fact supported by some good, old-fashioned primary evidence. Unfortunately, Patrick County, one of my only clues, lies right on the border of guess where?…North Carolina.

This is also the first official document where someone who I know is my William appears. He’s already 37 at this point. He’s practically lived an entire lifetime already. Surely he’s been married at least once at this point. Maybe had kids. Maybe was born in Virginia. Maybe North Carolina. Definitely has left no clues of who his parents are.

SO many questions when someone is this old when you first find them. And SO many William Conners. SO many lost records. SO many dead ends.

His weird migration west to Clark County, Kentucky around 1810 and then back east to Cabell County, Virginia — which later became West Virginia — doesn’t help much either. I have a will₄ which kindly names all of his children and even a few grandchildren, but no death record — still no parents. Biologically speaking, someone has to have parents so there’s another option…

“Um, hi dad…” It’s DNA time, genetic ghostbusting, but William continues to rattle his chains even when I have secured his Y-DNA Haplogroup — R-M269. The most common in Western Europe! Perfect! I held so much hope for DNA. Answers. I was buying answers! But our particular little ragtag sub-set of Conners is a band of misfits with no known origins and surnames far beyond Conner. My closest match, at 1-step, also knows nothing of her Conner gentleman’s parentage.

None of this will stop me from digging through dusty court records, trolling tax records and creeping around the Conner DNA project from time to time. I am still working in the dark, but I will continue to knocking on all the genealogical doors, hoping for a treat.

Who haunts you?

₁ 1860 US Census, Cabell, VA, p 176, hh#1192

₂ 1850 US Census, Cabell, VA, p 43A, hh#589

₃ Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940, Ancestry.com

₄ West Virginia, Wills and Probate Records, 1724-1985

What’s the Deal with Duels?

I always knew Alexander Hamilton died at the hands of Aaron Burr in their infamous duel, but I had no idea that duels were so all-the-rage. It makes our current political landscape seem kind of tame.

So I was tickled to find a dueling scallywag of my very own — my first cousin, seven times removed, John G. Jackson. He was the grandson of my seventh great-grandparents, John Jackson and Elizabeth Cummins. The very same couple who were also the great-grandparents of Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson, my second cousin, six times removed — practically my BFF!

Back to John. John G. Jackson was a State Legislator in West Virginia, a US Congressman, a Federal Judge, and apparently a very busy gentleman.₁ He was also the brother-in-law of President James Madison. Basically, it sounds like he did okay for himself most of the time.

As we have learned from that popular Broadway musical, duels were cool. Everyone who was anyone was dueling. During a disagreement with a group of Federalists — led by none other than Aaron Burr₂ — words were exchanged between Mr. Jackson and Joseph Pearson, a Congressman from North Carolina. The words escalated into articles and editorials on the subject of their disagreement, which continued to fan the flames. Letters were exchanged and then two quiet months passed with no word from either.

Then, in late October of 1809, Pearson arrived in Clarksburg, West Virginia with his friend, Major James Stephenson. The next day, on October 22, Pearson sent word to Jackson that he received his letter and found his reply unsatisfactory and authorized Major Stephenson to arrange a duel. [Editorial note: Just imagine it. Duels over saying mean and derogatory things. We’d have one every. Single. Day. Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat…a duelers dream come true.]

Back to the duel. Jackson accepted. James Pindall, agreed to serve as Jackson’s second. The seconds requested the duel take place in Pennsylvania since duels could be prosecuted under Virginia law. “Seconds”, if you haven’t memorized the soundtrack from Hamilton, are the negotiators. Their goal is to keep the duel from happening in the first place, but if that’s not possible, they negotiate the fine type.

Yet another argument broke out over the type of weapon to be used₃. Pearson intended to use a pistol with a sight which was considered not to be appropriate in “affairs of honor between gentlemen.4” The talks broke down and no duel went down that day.

The men went their separate ways, but after Congress reconvened at the end of November, Pearson threw down the gauntlet again. This time, the duel would take place in Maryland. Apparently, Pennsylvania and Maryland weren’t as opposed to gun-toting Congressman. Major Stephenson remained as Pearson’s second, but Congressman Benjamin Howard of Kentucky stepped up as Jackson’s second for this round. The duel commenced and it is said that the men exchanged two shots. Pearson was not hit, but Jackson received a bullet to the hip₅. Pearson presumed Jackson to be mortally wounded and expressed a desire for a reconciliation sealed with a handshake₆. Jackson agreed.

Jackson lived.

Three days later, a motion was brought before the House of Representatives reminding them of the 1796 resolution stating that any member of Congress engaging in a duel while Congress was in session be expelled from the House₇.

The motion was tabled. Apparently it was totally okay for members of the House of Representatives to duel when Congress was on recess. Totally fine for US Congressmen to shoot at each other. Unless, of course, you were in Virginia.

 

₁ Brown, Steven W., Satisfaction at Bladensburg: The Pearson-Jackson Duel of 1809, The North Carolina Historical Review, Vol. 58, No. 1 (January, 1981), pp. 23-43, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23534695

_{2, 4, 6} Brown, Steven W., Voice of the New West,: John G. Jackson His Life and Times, Mercer University Press, pp. 85-92

₃ Sisson, Robert Hawkins, America the Great, Google Books, https://goo.gl/uRSoXz, pp. 923-924

₅ http://politicalgraveyard.com/special/duel-participants.html

₇ The Congressional Globe, US Congress, Blair & Rives, 1838, p. 233

Corn Fight

Let me begin with one of the greatest known misfortunes that has fallen from my tree. There is a scoundrel — or two —in this story and sadly, it is a tragedy, a calamity, of soap opera proportions. And probably one of the most gossip inducing incidents that ever went down in Wetzel County, WV in the 20th century. The man was, and is, my great, great grandfather William Jobes.

William was born sometime around 1863 in Pennsylvania.1 In 1880, at the age of 18, he was living and working on the farm of his father, Ira Jobes, in Aleppo in Green County, Pennsylvania.₂ He disappears from records until the year 1897. He has wondered about 80 miles South to Wetzel County, WV and met a young woman named Margaret Jane Merriner. On the 3rd of March, 1897, they go to get their marriage license. Six days later, on March 9th, the union is solemnized by Amos Hemelrick at Jesse Merriner’s.₃ Not important to this particular story, but maybe of interest, Jesse Merriner was Margaret Jane’s father.₄

William and Margaret Jane Jobes‘ first child was Mary Sereptha Jobes. I own some of Mary’s rings, and I wonder if they were new to her, or passed down by some other unknown-to-me aunt or grandmother of hers. But I digress. Census records will tell you that Mary was born around 1898, no scandal, no shot gun wedding.₅ But her Social Security Claim Index shows her birth date a full year ahead of her parent’s wedding date on March 24 1896. It’s neither here nor there, I guess, just a curious little tidbit.

They had two more children that we know of — John Wesley Jobes, who was born March 25, 1903₆, presumably in Wetzel County, WV, but the young Jobes couple cannot be found in the 1900 US Census in Wetzel County. Then their daughter Annie Jobes was born sometime in 1905₇ in West Virginia. It is possible that another child was born in between these two as well since Margaret Jane’s 1910 Census indicates a child was born, but is not living₈.

Now, we come to the tragedy, the stranger-than-fiction story that unfolded on the morning of October 30, 1904. It appears that William Jobes and George Roberts had been involved in a feud for some time over the division of some corn. Threats had been made, tempers shown. As Mr. Roberts returned to his home on this particular Sunday morning, he found Mr. Jobes having a conversation with Mrs. Roberts. Words were exchanged, and a gun drawn. Mr. Roberts shot Mr. Jobes and it is said he died almost immediately. Mr. Roberts made his way up to his barn where another shot was heard and Roberts was found dead by his own hand. It was reported in The Wetzel County Republican that the tragedy “was not altogether unexpected₉” as Roberts had threatened this very scenario.

So Margaret Jane, was now a widow with two young children and one on the way at the age of 24.

I had heard iterations of this story told when I was a child, but they were kinder, gentler versions of it. “William Jobes was the Sheriff and was shot by a bad man…” “William Jobes was hit by a train…” Were they trying to hide the pain? The shame? Protect a child? To rewrite history? Or to just try and forget?

_{1, 2} 1880 US Census, Aleppo, Greene, PA, p 177A, hh#36

₃ Marriage Record, Jobes-Merriner, http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/

₄1880 US Census, Church, Wetzel, WV, p 24D, hh#359

_{5, 7, 8} 1910 US Census, Church, Wetzel, WV, p 3A, hh#41

₆ US Social Security Death Index, 1936-2007, http://home.ancestry.com/

₉The Wetzel Republican, New Martinsville, WV, 3 Nov 1904, p. 1

In the Weeds

I love wading through rural cemeteries knee-deep in weeds, or holding original land deeds extra-carefully with white gloves, or the joy of meeting new cousins when DNA inextricably links us. Genealogy is our real-live link to a living, breathing history.

I have been interested in genealogy since I was twelve. Of course, the bait of being told I was related to Pocahontas made it pretty enticing (I will get to that story later). I had only dabbled in it since then. But about five years ago, I started educating myself on genealogical standards and primary evidence by taking classes, attending conferences, and reading, reading, reading. When my mom was diagnosed with a terminal illness, my desire to tell these stories — and hear the stories told — became more urgent. We shared those stories, identified photos and relived memories of those that have gone before us without having their stories told.

I dug deep and fast and we learned together about our shared past. I helped mom join the DAR and four months before she passed away, she got her National Number. We — my immediate family — were given the great gift of a twisted sense of humor, and we both loved that her Patriot, fittingly, didn’t have a “normal” name — Abednego Hodges. We have plenty of Smiths in our past, but we went for Abednego. She loved that. And so, of course, I loved that. I wish everyday that her story was not one of the past, but it is my job now to keep and tell the stories of all of those that preceded us and make sure their stories are told — the good, the bad, and everyone else.

Exploring that family history usually begins hoping, fingers crossed, for a few elusive Saints…or at the very least some Kings, Queens, Statesmen or Revolutionaries. The very word pedigree implies someone extra-fancy might be lurking in there. But what about the sinners? The scoundrels? The ne’er-do-wells? For better or worse, they are ours too, and we wouldn’t be here without them. I want to dig deep and shake every branch of my twisted tree and explore whatever falls from the pages of a history that cannot be undone.

Join me.