The student of pioneer life in the Kanawha valley owes a debt of gratitude to three West Virginians whose hobby was to collect and preserve its history -- Dr. John P. Hale, W.S. Laidley and George W. Atkinson.

In his introduction to Trans-Alleghany Pioneers, Dr. Hale wrote:

"Pioneer history does not repeat itself. Our country -- and especially our great western transalleghany country -- has but recently passed through, and is hardly yet entirely emerged, in the Far West, from a period of intensely active, exciting and eventful history, which can never be repeated."

Mr. Laidley wrote. "it is well to teach the younger generation, and to have our minds refreshed with the facts that made up the pioneer life: to know with what our ancestors were satisfied to endure, in order that they might have lived and left this land to us."

To understand the nature of the men and women who settled in the American backwoods and civilized it, one must know something of their "background" -- the conditions in which they were reared. The Van Bebbers later spelled Van Bibber, came from Holland. They were a notable and wealthy family in the Dutchy of Cleves. Henry Van Bibber, a member of our pioneer family, was a coffee merchant in Amsterdam and bore on his family escutcheon, a bee hive and a golden coffee bag, with the motto below the shield, "By industry, We Thrive."

The Van Bebbers were Mennonites who at the time of the Reformation espoused the doctrines of Simon Menn, a reformed priest of Friesland, and suffered persecution for their faith. When in 1681, William Penn offered refuge to the learned German scholar, Francis Daniel Pastorious, he came with a ship load of Quakers, Mennonites and other kindred sects to escape the savage persecutions in the Old World. They settled around Germantown.

Jacob Van Bebber, who it is said had incurred his father's wrath through an undesirable marriage, followed the Dutch and German immigration in 1684 and three years later came his father, Jacob Isaac, and his brother, Mathias.

In 1691, the town of Germantown received a charter, and we find Jacob Van Bebber, recorded as one of the committee men empowered to hold court, impose fines, make ordinances and hold a market. It was moreover ordered that "On the 19^th of one month in the year, the people shall be called together and the laws and ordinances read aloud to them." The Dutch and German colonists brought with them habits of industry and thrift so that it was long before the little own had become a center of weaving and printing. William Ritten Huysen built in 1690 the first paper mill in the colonies and it is claimed that the Bible was printed here in German 36 years before it appeared in English.

Apparently, the Van Bebbers preferred farming to industrial pursuits, for in 1762, Mathias began a settlement on the Skipeck, known as Bebber's town and in 1714 he purchased large estates in Cecil county, Maryland, known as Bohemia Manor, where his brothers joined him after their father's death in Philadelphia where he had established himself as a merchant.

-------------------

The records of the Van Bibber family do not make clear whose son was John, the daring Indian fighter of West Virginia, but we know that he came through the Shenandoah valley of Virginia with his brothers, Isaac and Peter and his sister, Brigetta. Peter came as far west as Greenbrier and built a house and fort on Wolf creek. John was a surveyor and found lands to his liking in Hampshire county and on the Greenbrier river, which he patented.

Daniel and Rebecca Boone gave him welcome and comfort. Thus began a friendship that lasted all their lives and was cemented by a marriage between their children. His return home was indeed a joyful event. No word had been heard from him during his nine months absence and Chloe Van Bibber had given him up as dead. He found the settlement in great perturbation on account of rumors of Indian depredations, and his presence was needed.

There is a story which had many times been told and has had wide circulation about Van Bibber's rock. The account given here is taken from an old copy of The Youths Companion, and in substance is as follows:

"Hiram Van Bibber lived on the bank of the Kanawha river across from the high rock which bears his name. One day he was hunting with a companion named Radcliff, when they were seen by a party of Shawnees, who opened fire upon them. Radcliff eluded the bullets and escaped, but Van Bibber was surrounded and driven to the great rock about the river. He faced his pursuers and with his rifle on his knee, kept them at bay until his last shot had been fired. His wife, in the meantime from their house across the river had heard the shots and had seen his predictiment. Followed by a pet bear she ran to the river and paddled their canoe across the rock. Van Bibber after firing his last shot, turned and leaped from the precipite into the river and swam to the canoe. Not one of the savages followed but they kept up their fire of rifles until the Van Bibbers reached the shore. They were unharmed but the pet bear was dead, his back riddled with bullets."

The story may or may not be true but it is a legend of the rock which still survives.

--------------------

In 1773 John Van Bibber with his brother and accompanied by Rev. Joseph Alderson were sent on a surveying expedition to the Kanawha valley. They set out from his brother, Peter's fort on Wolf creek in Monroe county, and crossed the mountains to Gauley river, and down Gauley to its junction with the New river. They crossed the Kanawha two miles below to avoid Indians of whom they had seen signs. Here they encamped beneath a high cliff upon which Van Bibber carved his name. Twenty-eight miles below, they camped again. That night, one of the surveyors went to the spring carrying a lighted torch. To his terror and amazement the torch set fire to the water, making a fierce flame. He thought it was a veritable Devil's hole. Captain Mathew, that intrepid and experienced frontiersman is said to have been one of the party who in this manner discovered Burning Spring. The report of this marvel spread far and wide, even to the ears of General Washington who purchased it.

The following year was fought the battle of Point Pleasant in which the three Van Bibber brothers took part. Isaac, though a Baptist minister whose home was in North Carolina had come to visit his brother in Bottetout but when they marched away for the defense of the frontier, he went with them and was killed in the battle. Peter fought with such bravery that he was promoted on the field of battle. John was made captain and sent as commissary to Fort Randolph.

After the battle of Point Pleasant, John and Peter Van Bibber like many other adventurous young men in the army of General Lewis, decided to return to the scene of their military exploits and settle on the rich land along the Ohio and Great Kanawha rivers. The Indians had been driven out of the country and they thought it safe enough to bring their families with them. They therefore left Bottetourt and Greenbrier and moved with their families and household goods to the mouth of the Kanawha river near Point Pleasant.

Mrs. Miriam Welch Donnally a great-granddaughter of Captain John Van Bibber gives a picture of their life on the Ohio river as she heard it from the lips of her grandmother.

"They, in times of peace, lived a happy life on the border; though cut off from the luxuries of living they were self supporting. The loom supplied them with excellent woolen and linen clothes. The women mad exquisite laces and fine embroideries. The whir and buzz of the spinning wheel was heard from morn till night. A family of faithful colored women did all the hard work of the family. The colored men were in the service of the field with gun at hand beside the master to do his bidding, and faithfully they discharged their duties. Flat boats were seen plying between Pittsburgh and New Orleans, though they were fare. They came often enough to give the ladies an occasional piece of finery, I have heard my grandmother speak especially of two fine Panama hats that had cost $50 each. These did service for the four, Chloe, Miriam, Hannah and Marjorie, by cutting them in two. Each was trimmed with two and one half yards of ribbon at $10 a yard. There was an occasional dance at the garrison. The real side of this life however was a bitter struggle. The men worked with rifles strung to their backs. The women stood guard and molded bullets, blanched with fear for the men as they stooped at the loopholes or met the enemy in the open."

In 1787 and '88 the Indians grew more violent. The treaty, after the battle of Point Pleasant, was now disregarded. The details of murders and burnings on the border are barrible to relate. It is estimated at this time, 1,500 Kentuckians lost their lives and as many on the Virginia settlement on the Ohio, Kanawha and Greenbrier.

--------------------

John and Peter's only sister, Brigetta, who had married Isaac Robinson in Bottetout came with her husband and family to Point Pleasant in the party with her brothers. They settled on Crooked creek not far from her brothers. It was not long before they were to suffer a fate that was unhappily too common to the settlers on the Ohio river at that time.

Late one afternoon in the spring of the year of their coming to Crooked creek, their son Isaac, a boy about 8 years old, was fishing in the river some distance from the house. He was disturbed by the sound of shots and yells from the direction of his home, and immediately set off running across the clearing. He arrived to witness a scene of horror. His father lay dead. Indians were in the act of killing his baby brother, two years old, and his mother and 4 year old brother were prisoners. Isaac was made a prisoner and the savages after rifling the house set fire to it and made off with their captives and loot.

It was some hours later than John Van Bibber discovered the ruined home. He went immediately in pursuit and came upon the 4 year old John lying dead in the road. The Indians had a good start and they traveled fast that night so that he never caught up with them and had to return.

It was five years before Brigetta was heard of when she was purchased by a fur trader and returned to Bottetourt county. She related a story of cruelty and hardship. After two days and nights of rapid flight from Crooked creek, the Indians stopped to rest. That night beneath the stars a baby boy was born to her. Next day the journey was resumed, and a few days later, the baby, becoming burdensome to her captors, was killed and body thrown at her feet.

Arriving at the Indian village, Brigetta was made to cook and sew and do the work of a servant. This might have been bearable had not the only solace to her grief been taken from her, when an Indian brave adopted her son.

In 1795, seven years after her capture and two years after her release, George Wayne signed a treaty with the Indians under which all captives were to be released. Brigetta Robinson set out at once to discover the whereabouts of her son. It was a long and tedious journey. In one of the small Indian villages where she was led in her search, she fell ill with smallpox that had broken out in the village, and it was months before she could proceed further.

When at last she found him, she met disappointment and grief in his refusal to accompany her home. After weeks of entreaty, he was finally persuaded to return with her to his uncle's at Point Pleasant, where after four years his constitution yielded to the restraints of civilization and he died.

It was shortly after the murder of Isaac Robinson and the capture of Brigetta, that a great sorrow befell John Van Bibber. One day, with his colored man, Davy, he rowed across the Ohio river to make his year's supply of sugar. His eldest daughter, Rhoda, a beautiful young woman of 19 with abundant auburn hair, decided to row over with 12-year-old Jacob to meet him. As they drew near the shore, a party of Indians appeared and attacked them. Van Bibber, hearing the yells and shots hurried in the river. They were too late. By the time they reached the shore Rhoda had been killed and John made captive, and the Indians were in flight. Van Bibber and Davy pursued and killed four of the Indians, wounding a fifth, who was found dead a few days later. The remainder of the savages escaped with Jacob. He was taken to Detroit, where he soon learned to speak the French and Indian languages and was made an interpreter.

The British at that time, 1787, having little faith in the ability of the United States to hold together, were still in possession of the Northern forts, and were inciting the Indians against the advancing tide of settlers from the States. The British commandant of the fort at Detroit was offering bounties for scalps of white settlers on the Ohio and so Rhoda Van Bibber's scalp with its beautiful auburn hair was sold to the commandant for $60. Jacob told of seeing barrels of scalps of women and children. After Wayne's treaty, Mathias Van Bibber, his cousin, went in search of him and brought him home to his mother after an absence of seven years. He died the following year.

--------------------

The genealogy of the Van Bibber family follows:

Captain John Van Bibber born 1740, in Cecil county, Md., married in Baltimore about 1760, Chloe Standiford. His children were as follows:

James Van Bibber, oldest son, probably born in Maryland, b. Aug. 2, 1742, d. Aug. 3, 1841, was justice Kanawha county, lieutenant in militia, etc. He m. Louise Reynolds b. Aug 3, 1772 d. August 20, 1850 in Kanawha county on Jan. 6, 1779. He moved to Kentucky shortly after marriage. Issue of this marriage (a) Cyrus m. Mary S. Timberlake and has seven sons and six daughters, (b) James, (c) John, (d) Sydney, (e) Albert, (f) Clark, (g) Adnah, (h) Rhoda, (i) Hanah, (j) Eliza.

(A) Cyrus Van Bibber in Huntington probably of this branch.

Captain John has been credited with another son Joseph, but most accounts agree that Joseph was a son of Peter. This was probably--killed by Indians.

Rhoda, who was killed by the Indians about 1787. She was then about 17, hence born about 1770.

Chloe, b. about 1768, m. Jesse Boone, eldest son of Daniel Boone. They lived for a time near the mouth of Campbell's creek where he was salt inspector. The family moved to Missouri in 1816 where he had many descendants.

Hannah, b. November 23, 1778 in Botetourt county, d. at Kanawha Salines June 23, 1858, married May 16, 1797, Goodrich L. Slaughter b. Culpepper county, January 24, 1770, d. in Palmyra, Mo., July 30, 1833. They had issue:

Maria D. Slaughter (1798 - 1859) m. Samuel C. Reed, 1819; Rhoda VanB. Slaughter b. 1800, m. Isaac Reed 1815; Elizabeth James Slaughter b. 1802 d. 1833 in Missouri, m. Francis Loring; Catherine G. Slaughter b. 1804 d. 1885, m. Levi Welch (1785 - 1849) January 28, 1824. Their daughter Miriam m. Lewis Fry Donnally May 5, 1859, and had Amelia, m. William G. Hubbard, and other issue. Julia Welch m. James H. Fry. Amelia Welch m. John B. Smith; Frances Dawson Slaughter b. 1806, m. Charles G. Reynolds 1827 and had among others (A) Eliza Maria b. 1858 m. first wife Lewis Fry Donnally 1849 and had issue: Carrie who m. William E. Truslow (B) Emily Frances m. Andrew P. Fry; William Clark m. Annie Lewis Ruffner, issue Fanny and Sam Reynolds; Frances L. Slaughter b. 1808; Caroline D. Slaughter m. James Cogar d. in Iowa; Emily Slaughter b. 1812; John VanB. Slaughter b. 1814, d. in Iowa; Chloe Slaughter b. 1817 m. James Norton; Miriam R. Slaughter m. Frederick Walker; Edward Slaughter b. 1824.

Miriam, b. 1766, m. John Reynolds and had issue (a) VanBibber Reynolds m. Elizabeth P. Buster and had among other children Henry William Reynolds who m. Anne Whitteker. Of their children James m. Blanche Rooke, Thomas m. Fannie Rooke, John m. Lavinia Ryan, Nannie m. William Lohmeyer. (b) Franklin Reynolds m. Abigail McFarland. Issue: Julia m. Lewis Wood. (c) Minerva Reynolds m. Garland Todd. They had among others Alethia Todd m. Richard Putney and had Annette Putney m. Otis Thayer. Minerva Putney m. Rene Stanley, David Putney, Mosely Putney m. Littlepage. Alethia Putney, Lena Putney and Virginia Putney.

Marjory, b. March 1781, d. February 14, 1850, m. Col. Andrew Donnally, Jr. They had 13 children of whom (a) Chloe m. Henry Fry, a descendant of Col. Joshua Fry, (b) Caroline m. John Lewis, son of Col. John Lewis who fell at Point Pleasant, (c) VanBibber m. Mary Waggoner and had William Boyd Donnally and others, (d) Dryden m. Mary Thomas, (e) Jane m. Henry Fry his second marriage. (f) Andrew F. married Lucy Brown, (g) John J. m. Kitty Morris, (h) William m. Margaret Wood, (i) Lewis Fry m. Eliza M. Reynolds.

In Kanawha county will book No. 1, page 6, there is recorded:

The descent of Peter Van Bibber is not as clear as the descent of Captain John. The name of his wife is not known. He lived at the Wolf creek fort until about 1781 when the Van Bibbers moved to the mouth of the Kanawha. He and John were among the petitioners for the restortion of Fort Randolph at Point Pleasant in 1791. He was living as late as 1792 at which time he was listed as one of the "tithables" in Kanawha county. He had among others:

Jesse b. c 1770 d. 1852, described as an old man in 1843. He fought at the battle of Point Pleasant. He was ensign in the first Militia organization of Kanawha county. He had one daughter Elizabeth who m. (1) Joseph Smith, (2) Richard Tullis.

Matthias b. December 27, 1772 at Wolf Creek fort (Boone Mss, Vol 28, No. 82). He went with his parents to Point Pleasant where he remained until 27 years old. He m. Margaret Gardner in 1797 (Kan. Co. Mar. Reg.) and moved to Nicholas county according to the statement of his son David made in 1867. This must have been late in life as he lived in Kanawha many years. David says he went to Missouri with Boone in 1805 but soon returned. Matthias died March 9, 1827. About 1789 Matthias and his brother Jacob were attacked by Indians near Point Pleasant. Matthias (Tice) was slightly wounded but escaped. His younger brother Jacob was taken prisoner. According to Dr. Hale (Trans-Alleghany Pioneers) Matthias was a chainman on the last survey made by Daniel Boone in Kanawha valley and when Boone left Kanawha county he gave a cane to Matthias who gave it to his son David. Matthias served under Wayne at Saratoga. David son of Matthias was living in Nicholas county in 1880 aged 81 (Boone Mss, Vol 23, No. 122)

Jacob b. c 1771, captured by Indians about 1788 or '89. He escaped after about a year. He served under Wayne at Saratoga. He had a son who was living in Greenup, Ky., in 1857. Other descendants in Mason county. He married Sarah Miller in 1795 (Kan. Co. Mar. Reg) and is said to have moved to Missouri.

Joseph. In some account shown as son of John. The evidence of members of the family living in the 1840's to 1860's is that he was son of Peter. He was captured by the Indians at the same time that Captain John's daughter Rhoda was killed. He finally escaped but died young.

The descent of Isaac Van Bibber, brother of John and Peter, is not clear. While married in North Carolina, he must have come to live with the other Van Bibbers at Wolf creek before the battle of Point Pleasant where he was killed. He had a son Isaac who fought in the Revolution and a daughter who m. George Yoakum of Muddy creek in Greenbrier county.

Bridget or Brigetta Van Bibber m. in Bottetourt county Isaac Robinson and moved to Crooked creek near Point Pleasant. They were attacked by Indians and Isaac Robinson was killed and his wife and two young sons captured. The Indians killed the younger son John when he could not keep up with them. Brigetta Robinson and her oldest son Isaac finally escaped.

The Charleston Daily Mail -- Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia -- May 6, 1934 -- Sunday -- Page #14.

---------------------

-----------------

----------

The Kansas City Journal of Monday contained the following story of Mrs. Emma Van Bibber of this city, who is at the Helping Hand Institute in Kansas City homeless and friendless, and who says she is looking for relatives in that city:

Emma Jane Van Bibber, 72 years old, once a wealthy woman, who claims to be the daughter of a cousin of Napoleon Bonaparte, Sunday was a guest of the Helping Hand Institute, a recipient of the favors accorded the destitute and friendless by that charity organization, after a night spent on a cot in the depot waiting room. She came to Kansas City from Chillicothe, Mo. Mrs. Van Bibber says that thirty-two years ago she gained national fame as the first woman to defend and win her own case in a Missouri court.

Explaining her relationship with the great French general, Mrs. Van Bibber said that Napoleon's mother was her great-grandfathers' sister.

"My grandfather was Dr. William Barbee, said to have been one of the foremost physicians of France during his time. Napoleon and my grandfather were intimate friends."

Mrs. Van Bibber was born in Claiborne county, in Eastern Tennessee, of French parentage, her father and mother having come to this country from France a few years before her birth. At the age of 16 years she came to Kansas City, and later moved with her parents to Ray county, Mo., where she met and married William H. Herron in 1853. Herron died in 1864, at the close of the civil war, from the effects of a gunshot wound received in the battle of Cold Harbor. He was a Union soldier.

Two years later Van Bibber appeared on the scene, and within a year Mrs. Herron had become his wife. Van Bibber died in 1870.

The woman appled to Mrs. Ollie Everingham, matron of the Union depot, for assistance in finding her nephew, Sam Shoemaker, who she declared lived "across the Kaw."

The Chillicothe Constitution -- Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri -- April 20, 1909 -- Tuesday -- Page #1.

A Picturesque landmark of Charleston's early history is the Old Donnally family cemetery at 57^th street and Kanawha avenue, S. E.

The site of the cemetery was originally part of the garden of the Old Donnally homestead, erected by Andrew Donnally, Jr., who was born in Fort Donnally, near Lewisburg, Oct. 17, 1778, the son of Colonel Andrew Donnally. Andrew, Jr., died on June 21, 1849. The old homestead was torn down about 50 years ago.

The number of persons buried in the plot has never been determined. Several years ago the Donnally family of Virginia street and Charleston Colonial Dames collaborated in fencing a plot, 30 feet by 60 feet, shown in the accompanying photo.

Only 12 of a large number of tombstones remain. Others, it is believed, were carried away during the years by persons and for reasons unknown. These 12 markers were encased in new concrete bases.

Buried in the plot is Andrew Donnally, Jr., and his wife, who was born in 1781 and died on St. Valentine day, 1850. Others bearing the Donnally name in the plot are Melinda J. Donnally, wife of Andrew F. Donnally, born in 1822, died in 1848; Eliza M. Donnally, wife of Lewis F. Donnally, who died in 1858 at the age of 27 years; James J. Donnally, son of Andrew and Marjery Donnally, who died in 1845, aged 25 years; and Virginia Lewis Donnally, infant daughter of Andrew F. and Lucy W. Donnally.

Colonel Donnally and his wife were buried in a nearby hallow. Their tombstones were destroyed during the Civil war. He was a leader in founding Kanawha county and served as one of its first delegates.

The colonel's son, Andrew, Jr., was the father of 13 children. He built the house at Broad and Kanawha streets, which later became known as the old Goshorn property, site of the new building being erected for United Carbon company, recently known as the Tally Ho tea room.

The oldest grave marked by tombstone is that of Mary Ormiston, wife of James Ormiston. She was born in Kanawha county, Feb. 13, 1809, died April 5, 1839.

Other markers are those of Hannah V. Slaughter, wife of Goodrich Slaughter, born in 1778, died in 1858; Mary Slaughter, wife of Reuben Slaughter, died in 1851 at the age of 81; Mary Eliza Effrey, died 1864, aged 2; and Emily Morton, wife of Moses Morton and daughter of Samuel C. Reed and Maria Reed, who was born in 1840, died in 1868.

The cemetery is situated on the south side of Kanawha avenue, a silent tribute to many pioneer residents who helped pave the way for the city of progress, culture and opportunity that Charleston is today.

The Charleston Daily Mail -- Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia -- March 23, 1941 -- Sunday.

[p. 392]

Isaac Vanbebber to James Owens & Hannah Owens

State of Tennessee {

Claiborne County { Personally appeared before me Fedilio S. Hunt Clerk of the Circuit Court of Claiborne County Isaac Vanbebber Esqr. with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledged the executed the above deed of release for the purpose there in contained, on the day ___ ____ _____.

Given under my hand at office the 19th day of Dec. 1834 F. S. Hunt Clerk

[p. 393]

Know all men by these present, that I, Isaac Vanbebber, Senior of the County of Claiborne in the State of Tennessee for and in consideration of the sum of fifty cents to mine hand paid have and by these present, do release unto James Owens and his wife Hannah Owens all action, suit, cause of actions, or suit damages, covenants or agreements that I have or possibily might or may have against them or others of their heirs by Releasing forever and fully discharging the said James Owens and his wife Hannah Owens from all or any liabilities, actions, duty, causes of action or suit of damages, covenants, agreements.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of December 1834.

Isaac Vanbebber {seal}

Registered the 20th day of Dec. 1834 Wm Rogers Register by

B. F.Celind D.B.

James Owens & Hannah Owens to Heirs of James Vanbebber decd.

State of Tennessee { Personally appeared

Claiborne County { before me F. S. Hunt Clerk of the Circuit Court of Claiborne County

James Owens and Hannah Owens with whom I am personally acquainted and who acknowledge that they executed the within Deed for the purpose therein contained witness my hand at office the 19th day of Dec. 1834 F. S. Hunt Clerk

And Hannah Owens having also personally appeared before me privately and

[p. 394]

apart from her said husband James Owens acknowledges the execution of said deed to have been done by me freely voluntairily and understandingly with compulsion or restraint from her said husband and for the purposes therein afforesaid

Given under my hand at office the 20th day of Dec. 1834 F. S. Hunt Clk.

Know all men by these presents that we James Owens and Hannh Owens of the county of Claiborne and State of Tennessee for and in consideration of the sum of fifty cents to us in hand paid have and by these present do hereby Resign Release and forever quit claim to the heirs at law of James Vanbebber ( who was the father of said Hannah Owens wife of James Owens) to mt. Hannah Vanbebber wife of said deceased - to Isaac Vanbebber to Elizabeth Rogers wife of Anderson Rogers Polly Sharp wife of Powell Sharp, Peggy Ross wife of [blank space] Ross Sarah Wheeler wife of Joshua Wheeler Patsy Vanbebber wife of Lazarus Vanbebber Robert Vanbebber James Vanbebber & James Moss Vanvebber who are the heirs at law together with the said James & Hannah Owens to the said James Vanbebber deceased, all the right title claim interest and demand that we now have or hereafter possibly can have of and to any of this estate Real or personal of said James Vanbebber decd. as heirs at law to said deceased and also all the interest that we may have under

[p. 395]

the will of said deceased.

Given under our hand and seals this 19th. day of December 1834.

his

Registered this 20th Dec. { James X Owens {seal}

1834 Wm. Rogers Register by his{ mark

Depty B. F. Celind {

her

Hannah X Owens {seal}

mark

Claiborne County Tennessee Deeds Book -- Volume K -- Pages #392 - 395 -- FHL Film #898406.

[Transcribed by Zilla May Owens-Brown. Note: unclear entries shown with a blank line. Original page numbers and punctuation included].

The following are five deaths from the California Death Records, between the years of 1940 and 1997, who have a Van Bibber connection.

John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
   Hannah VanBibber and Goodrich Lightfoot Slaughter
      John VanBibber Slaughter and Elizabeth Ann Swazey
         Marian Walker Slaughter and Richard Thomas Cresap

Annie Laura Cresap and Oscar L. Meek
Last Name: Meek
First Name: Annie
Middle: Laura
Birth Date: December 25, 1863
Mother Maiden: Slaughter
Father Last: Cresap
Sex: F
Birth Place: Iowa
Death Place: Los Angeles County
Death Date: April 16, 1958
Age: 94 years

--------------------

John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
   Hannah VanBibber and Goodrich Lightfoot Slaughter
      John VanBibber Slaughter and Elizabeth Ann Swazey
         Marian Walker Slaughter and Richard Thomas Cresap

Edward Frank Cresap
Last Name: Cresap
First Name: Edward
Middle: Frank
Birth Date: April 19, 1873
Mother Maiden: Slaughter
Father Last: Cresap
Sex: M
Birth Place: Iowa
Death Place: Los Angeles County
Death Date: April 16, 1950
Age: 77 years

--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   Martha VanBebber and George Yoakum, Sr.
      George Yoakum, Jr. and Mary Ann Maddy
         Washington Campbell Yoakum and Mary Elizabeth Tunstill
            George Washington Yoakum and Laura Hunt
               Alice Yoakum and George Haynes Bridges

Edwin Shirley Bridges
Last Name: Bridges
First Name: Edwin
Middle: Shirley
Birth Date: February 3, 1915
Mother Maiden: Yoakum
Father Last:
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: Orange County
Death Date: October 10, 1986
Age: 71 years

--------------------

Peter VanBibber and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Ezekial VanBibber and Susan Rice
         Mary Elizabeth VanBibber and George W. Crawford
            Sarah Elizabeth Crawford and Benton McNiece Ihrig

Jonas Basil Ihrig
Last Name: Ihrig
First Name: Jones
Middle: Basil
Birth Date: October 24, 1891
Mother Maiden: Crawford
Father Last: Ihrig
Sex: M
Birth Place: Missouri
Death Place: Stanislaus County
Death Date: December 11, 1948
Age: 57 years

--------------------

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      Isaac VanBebber and Mary Martin
         John M. VanBebber and Nancy Elizabeth Beeler
            Esther Belle VanBebber and Joseph Hunter Yaden
               Mary Belle Yaden and Preston A. Roberts

Last Name: Roberts
First Name: Mary
Middle: Y.
Birth Date: February 16, 1899
Mother Maiden:
Father Last:
Sex: F
Birth Place: Kentucky
Death Place: Alameda County
Death Date: June 25, 1977
Age: 78 years

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      James VanBebber and Elizabeth Betty Yoakum
         Barthena A. VanBebber and Calvin VanBebber
            William Franklin VanBebber and Eliza Ramsey
               Bertha Elizabeth VanBebber and George Washington Cleveland

Bertha E. Cleveland was born near Willits in 1893 and died in a Ukiah hospital on February 23 after a long illness. She had spent most of her life in the Willits area.

She was preceded in death by her husband George Cleveland in 1963.

Mrs. Cleveland was the last survivor of the 11 Van Bebber children several of whom lived in Willits all their lives.

She is survived by her daughter Ellamay Murray and son-in-law Corky of Cloverdale; her daughter Marjorie Gilley and son-in-law Curtis of Ukiah and he son Walter Cleveland and daughter-in-law Lea of Stockton.

Mrs. Cleveland is also survived by her grandchildren Suzie Demolski and Gary Murray of Cloverdale, Yvonne Gilley of Santa Rosa, Kathy Moran and Robert Cleveland of Stockton and Diane Frederick of Oregon; four great grandchildren, Nina Frederick, Jennifer Frederick, Josh Stremich and Ryan Demolski; and several nieces and nephews.

The Willits News -- Willits, Mendocino County, California -- March 1, 1989 -- Wednesday -- Page #4.

Elizabeth Hannah Van Bibber, infant, of Modesto died at Lucile Packard Children's Hospital of Palo Alto.

She is survived by her parents, Kevin and Erica Van Bibber of Modesto; and grandparents, Donald and Donna Van Bibber of Modesto, and Bill and Joanna Sehl of Oakdale.

A memorial will be at 3 p.m. Monday at Oakdale Christian Church. McHenry Chapel of Franklin and Downs in charge of arrangement.

Remembrances may be made to the Angel Tree Jubilee Partners, P.O. Box 97103, Washington, D.C. 20090-7103.

The Modesto Bee -- Modesto, California -- June 7, 2003.

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Matthias VanBibber and Margaret Robinson
      David Campbell Robinson VanBibber and Jane Ann Williams
         Moses Hill VanBibber and Joanna D. Pierson
            Joseph Franklin VanBibber and Nancy Arabella Drake
               Benjamin Franklin VanBibber and Clara Idessa Edens
                  Thayre Leawood VanBibber

Miss Juanita Van Bibber entertained at her home in Hillcrest drive, Thursday evening, celebrating the birth of her brother, Mr. Leawood Van Bibber.

The guest were:

Miss Dolores Werner, Miss Wills Parkins, Miss Mildred Cooke, Miss Erma Jividen, Mrs. W. H. Fielder, Miss Marian Mollohan, Miss Geraldine Jividen, Miss Virginia Parsons, Miss Ruby Eplin, Miss Freda Van Bibber, Miss Zulena Hayzlett, Mrs. B. F. Van Bibber.

Mr. Harold Roush, Mr. Harley Roush, Mr. Lloyd Roush, Mr. Russell R. Daniels, Mr. Glen Ellison, Mr. W.H. Fielder, Mr. Louis F. Schultz, Mr. Louis Schultz, Jr., Mr. Hubert Schoonover, Mr. Charles McGill, Mr. William Tinsley, Mr. Robert Van Bibber, Mr. Jesse Parkins, Mr. James Cummings, Mr. James Van Bibber and Mr. B. F. Van Bibber.

The Charleston Daily Mail -- Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia -- August 4, 1935.

Note: Leawood Van Bibber was born on August 1, 1918.

Peter VanBibber, Jr. and Marguery Bounds
   Jacob VanBibber and Sarah Miller
      Ruth A. VanBibber and George Washington Hensley, Sr.
         Sarah Ellen Hensley and William Henry Lightner
            George Washington Lightner and Anna Callihan
               Henry Allen Lightner and Junie Pearl Vaughn
                  Wanda Lucille Lightner and James Bernard Perraut
                      James Michael Perraut

Jim and Wanda Lightner Perraut of Aberdeen, Ohio are pleased to announce the engagement of their son, James Michael Perraut to Sharletta Robin Goodwin. The wedding will take place September 6, 2003 at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in May's Lick, Kentucky. Robin is the daughter of Howard and Grace Ginn Goodwin of Maysville, Kentucky.

Isaac VanBibber and Sarah Davis
   John VanBebber and Margaret Chrisman
      Isaac VanBebber and Mary Martin
         Isaac C. VanBebber and Margaret Catherine Frazier
            Isaac Criss VanBebber, Jr. and Martha Jane Savage
               Andy Newton VanBebber and Anna Lee Scott
                  Paul Edward VanBebber and Bettye Mitchell

White stocks and gypsophalia in tall white baskets with a background of fern graced the Nyland Community Church this morning for the wedding ceremony which united Miss Bettye Mitchell of Oxnard and Paul Edward Van Bebber of Ventura.

The bride, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Mitchell, was lovely in an aqua afternoon dress of taffeta with which she wore white accessories. Gardenias formed her corsage.

She was given in marriage by her father and attended by Mrs. Hal Rice, matron of honor. Mrs. Rice wore a pink suit with blue accessories and a pink carnation corsage with gysophalia.

Mr. Rice served as best man and Rev. Gordon Davies, pastor, officiated at the 11 o'clock rites. Ushers were Harold Alstot and Arlin Cargill.

Nuptial music was played on the organ by Mrs. Elzie Swor, who also accompanied Miss Anna Swor as she sang "Because," and "The Lord's Prayer."

Mrs. Mitchell witnessed her daughter's wedding in a Navy blue afternoon dress embellished by a pink carnation corsage.

Mr. and Mrs. A. Van Bebber of Lindsay, Okla.; parents of the bridegroom were unable to be present.

For her going away attire the bride chose a grey suit with white accessories.

The new Mrs. Van Bebber attended Oxnard High School while her husband received his education in Lindsay, Okla. They will live in Nyland Acres. Mr. Van Bebber is employed by the Shell Oil Company in Ventura.

The Oxnard Press Courier -- Oxnard, Ventura County, California -- June 4, 1949 -- Page #5.

The James Van Bibber annual family reunion was held on Saturday, June 28, 2003 in the City Park of Greenup Co., Ky. It may be classified as our 'Special Mini Reunion' as there were only nine of us present this year. None of the ordinarily faithful descendants of James Van Bibber and his second wife Margaret Jane Webb were able to make it, due to illness or other commitments. Those in attendance were: Clara Irene (Van Bibber) Bryan of Greenhills, Ohio, Harrison B. Van Bibber of Myrtle Beach, S.C., James Chad Van Bibber of Oxford, Ohio, Fay (Hall) Hern of Raceland, Ky., Neville & Hazel (Van Bibber) Trimble of South Portsmouth, Ky., Heidi Lynn Murphy of South Webster, Ohio, Jean (Van Bibber) Murphy, Ironton, Ohio - all descendants of James Van Bibber and his first wife Sarah Margaret Bradburn; Bruce Logan of Wheelersburg, Ohio a descendant of Ezekiel Van Bibber and Susan Rice was also in attendance.

Although we were disappointed that many more relatives were unable to join us, we enjoyed our visit with one another in the lovely, quiet & peaceful park on the beautiful Ohio River. We are planning on having our next reunion in the same park, on the same date in 2004. We hope that you will be able to join in our friendship and fellowship next year.

194. VAN BIBBER -- Would be very much obliged if you would ask through your column when the battle of Point Pleasant was fought. And can any one give me any information of Isaac Van Bibber, who fell in that battle? His daughter married George Yoakum. Thanking you in advance.

The Constitution -- Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia -- October 7, 1901 -- Sunday.

John VanBibber and Chloe Staniford
   Margery VanBibber and Andrew Donnally, Jr.
      Chloe Donnally and James Henry Fry
         Margery Jane Fry and Alvin George Goshorn
            Jane Adelia Goshorn and Charles Philip Snyder
               Charles Philip Snyder

A Charleston-born four-star admiral, Charles Philip Snyder, has been appointed a member of the navy's general staff by an executive order of the President. He will serve as naval inspector general.

Adm. Snyder, who visited in Charleston in November of 1944 when he spoke to members of the Charleston Rotary club, has spent 50 years in the navy.

He was graduated from Charleston high school in 1896 and entered the naval academy at Annapolis, where he was graduated in 1900. He is the son of the late Philip and Jane Goshorn Snyder and was born in Chalreston on July 10, 1879.

In 1933 he was promoted to the rank of rear admiral and is believed to be West Virginia's only four-star admiral. He has commanded the Argonne, Concord and Tennessee and has served as commandant of the Portsmouth, N. H., navy yard and as president of the Naval War college at Newport. He is the only member of his class of 200 at Annapolis to be a four-star admiral.

His son, Charles P., Jr., also is an Annapolis graduate and holds the rank of captain in the U. S. navy. The admiral also has two daughters. His wife died several years ago. He has received the Navy Cross, as well as other decorations and citations.

Other members of the navy's general staff include Feet Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, chief of naval operations; James V. Forrestal, secretary of the navy; John L. Sullivan assistant secretary of the navy; one rear admiral and seven vice admirals.

The Charleston Daily Mail -- Charleston, Kanawha County, West Virginia -- February 6, 1946 -- Wednesday -- Page #1.

Liberty, MO., June 28 -- Noah Vanbibber, 23 years old, of Smithville, Mo., was sentenced to two years in the state penitentiary by Judge Ralph Hughes in circuit court here today on a charge of stealing motor car parts from J. E. Johnson, a farmer near Smithville, February 27, 1927. Fred Z. Courtney, Clay county prosecutor, ran his total of successful criminal prosecutions to seventeen by gaining the conviction of Vanbibber.

The Chillicothe Constitution Tribune -- Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri -- June 28, 1927.