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Mary “Polly” Link,

wife of Samuel Dabbs

Link/Linck Proposed Lineage

Compiled by Judy Griffin, 2007 - email address

Johan Nicolaus Linck (John) (1748 - 1813) + Anna Margaretha Isaacson/Eisceken (1756 - )
..... 2 Johan Wilhelm Link, William (1780 - circa 1857) + Sally Grim
.......... 3 William Link Jr. (1804 - 1852) + (1) Miss Legge (circa 1812 - ), (2) Betty Brandy (circa 1814 - ), (3) Elizabeth B. Goostree (1822 - )
.......... 3 David Link (circa 1802 - after 1850) + Isabel _?_
.......... 3 Jacob Link (1802 - 1890) + Jane Weddle (1804 - )
.......... 3 Sarah Link (1806 - 1848) + Mr. Hunt
.......... 3 Mary “Polly” Link (circa 1809 - 1855) + Samuel Dabbs (circa 1808 - 1853) See Dabbs history.
.......... 3 Eli Link (circa 1813 - )
.......... 3 Catherine Link + George D. Roberts
.......... 3 Elizabeth Link + _?_ Martin.
.......... 3 Leah Link + _?_ Legg (this may be Elizabeth)
.......... 3 Drucilla Mae Link + Robert Williams
.......... 3 Margaret ( - before 1856) + William Wilkerson/Wilkinson
.......... 3 Philander Link (circa 1844 - ) may not be a child of William
..... 2 Johan George Link, George (1782 - 1813)
..... 2 Anna Elisabeth Link (1783 - ) + Christian Grim
..... 2 Johannes Link, John (1786 - ) + Barbara Winters (1786 - )
..... 2 Magdalena Link (1788 - 1794)
..... 2 Henry Link (1790 - 1864) + (1) Polly Winters ( - before 1842), (2) Rebecca Lykens
..... 2 David Link (circa 1795 - )
..... 2 Anna Link (1797 - ) + (1) Andrew Lucas (1797 - ), (2) James Crossley (1797 - )
..... 2 Daniel Link (1798 - )
..... 2 Catherine Link (1792 - ) + (1) Richard Hollis, (2) Elija Merchant
..... 2 Sara Salome Link (1800 - ) + David Lowman

While the support for Mary “Polly” Dabbs as a daughter of Johan Wilhelm (William) is relatively good, it is unresolved how she would have met and married Samuel Dabbs in Illinois. Current research places the Link family in Tennessee. Just how she ended up in Illinois is not known. This lineage is particularly replete with conflicting information, most of which has not yet been resolved. However, our direct line seems relatively accurate.

Johan Nicolaus Linck

(John Nicolas Link)

John Nicholas Link was born on November 17, 1748 in Breitenbach, Hessen-Kassel, Germany and died in Augusta County, Virginia. He married Anna Maargaretha Isaacson (Eisceken) who was born in 1756 in Virginia. (1) Other researchers state that John re-married a Margaret Pence circa 1795 in Rockbridge County, Virginia.

Researcher Patty Gill states that the grandfather of John Nicholas was a Nicklaus Weininger, born 1720 in Germany and died in June 1788 in Augusta County, Virginia. (2) Unless the birth dates are incorrect, it does not seem possible that Nicklaus Weininger could be the grandfather of John Nicholas Link. This Nicklaus married a Catrina circa 1744 in Germany. Catrina was born November 7, 1721 in Germany and died January 22, 1794 in Augusta County. Nicklaus immigrated to Pennsylvania on the ship Priscilla, departing from Rotterdam with 210 passengers on September 12, 1750. This could be the Nicklaus Weininger who was residing in Philadelphia Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1750 (early Pennsylvania census index). Nicklaus and Catrina had a daughter, born circa 1732 in Germany, who married a Link (died circa 1751-1811 in Virginia), circa 1724-1775. It was this unnamed daughter who may be the mother of John Nicholas Link.

John Nicholas Link, the father of William Link and grandfather of Jacob Link, David Link and William Link, was born in and reared in Germany. He came from Germany during the Revolutiona to help the British fight the Americans. He was captured at Brandywine and after peace was declared he settled in Virginia. It is supposed that he was buried there, as there is no record showing he ever left there. (3) Link researcher Helen Gant Donald relates the following regarding John Nicholas: (4)

On November 17, 1748, Johan Nicolaus Linck was born in Breitenbach, Hessen-Kassel, which today is part of the German State of Hess. Located on the Fulda River, Breitenbach lies North of Frankfurt and a few km East of Schluectern. . . . only 205 persons inhabited the tiny village of Breitenbach a year before Johan Nicolaus Linck’s birth.

At age 22, in 1768, Johan Nicolaus Linck enlisted in the Hessian Army. (5) Shortly thereafter, he was promoted to Corporal and assigned to the Erbprinz Regiment. Eight years later, he and his entire regiment shipped to Quebec to become part of Burgoyne’s Army. In October 1777 at the Battle of Saratoga, his regiment was captured with the entire Burgoyne Army. The prisoners were first kept at a camp near Boston. Later the prisoners were marched several hundred miles to the Albemarle prison near Charlottesville, Virginia, arriving in January, 1779.

Among the prisoners that left Boston in 1778 for the long trek to Albemarle, Johan Nicholaus was one of four Lincks born within a few km of Breitenbach. Three of the four served in the same Erbprinz regiment. Two of four Lincks escaped during the march Southward, and Der Hetrina reports that the 33-year-old Nicolaus “took off from the Albemarle barracks on July 11, 1779, and nothing has been seen of him since.”

After escaping from Albemarle, Johan Nicolaus Linck ‘Americanized’ his name and became known as John Nicholas Link. Obviously, he married sometime between July, 1779 and November, 1780 when his first son William, was born. Some sources say that he married Anna Margaretha Eisceken; however, searches of early Virginia records and of current telephone directories in the United States and Germany have failed to turn up the surname Eisceken. Nicholas Link’s will mentions his wife Margaret, and it is assumed that Eisceken is a misspelling of her surname.

Court records show that John Nicholas Link, known as Nicholas, lived in Augusta County, Virginia in 1800 when he testified that Salley Grim was “of age” prior to her marriage to his son William. In 1807 he obtained 133 acres South of Staunton on the present-day Route 252, near Middlebrook. The exact whereabouts of Nicholas Link between the time of his escape and 1800 remains a mystery, though he likely settled in Augusta County. Census records and Link genealogies of Halifax County indicate that he never lived there.

Two or more descendants of the Pennsylvania Links moved to Augusta County about the same time John Nicholas Link is believed to have settled there. There is no apparent relationship in this country, but in context of early German practices for naming children, there is a striking parallel in the names of the children of the two Augusta County Link lines.

John Nicholas and Margaret Link had ten children; of these, it appears that only William migrated to Tennessee.

John Nicholas died before his wife in June 1816 in Augusta County, Virginia. The will of John Nicholas Link, ancestor of the Sumner County Link families. (6)

In the name of God Amen. I Nicholas Link of the County of Augusta and State of Virginia do on this day being the eighteenth day of April 1816 make this my last will and testment that is to say I will my soul to God who gave it and my body to the grave. Likewise I do constitute Christian Grim of the County and State aforesaid to be my Executor and Administrator of this my last will & testament which is as followers to wit to my son William Link and his heirs I will and constitute the sum one dollar and to my son George Link deceased his heirs I will & constitute & consign the sum of one dollar and to my daughter Catherine Hollis one dollar and to my beloved wife Margret Link I will and bequeathe her living of my tract of land whereon I now live her lifetime and at her death I will and bequeathe this my land to my son David for which he is to pay unto Elizabeth Link now Elizabeth Grim the sum of six hundred and forty two dollars & eighty cents likewise he is to pay unto John Link and Henry Link and to my daughter Sally Link the sum of one hundred and forty two dollars and eighty five cents each to have the above sum if eighty hundred and fifty seven dollars and 15 cents to be paid equally to Elizabeth Grim and John Link and Henry Link and Ann Link by the paymt of the above sum the said David Link hold and to have all the lands that I now possess with regard to my movable property. My son David is to have all my movables to he have and to hold the same all the above & being in my wright mind and sound judgment I do confirm and enjoin my heirs my executors and adminstrators to confirm givin under my hand and in the peace of God I have set my name and fixed my seal the year & month above wrighten i say signed & sealed by me. Teste: John Nicholaus Link Seal

Thomas Rankin, William McCutchen, Samuel McCutchen

At a Court held for Augusta County on Monday June the 24th 1816 This last will and testament of Nicholas Link deceased was presented in Court and proved by the oaths of William McCuthchen & Samuel McCutchen two of the witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Christian Grim the Executor named in the will who made oath thereto & with William McCutchen & Jacob Beard his security entered into and acknowledged. Bond in the penalty of $1500 conditioned as the Law reqr which bond is ordered and recorded. Teste. Erasmus Stribling CC. Recorded in the Augusta County Clerk’s Office, Staunton, Virginia in Will Book 12, Page 171.

There is some information on the pay the Hessian soldiers received, which may relate to how John Nicholas fared after he deserted in 1779. (7) The British paid the various German States, who in turn paid their soldiers. At the National Archives at Kew (T 31/812) is a volume titled “Pay and Stoppages,” as it applies to the Ansbach-Bayreuth troops. ‘Pay’ would be the composite of pay and allowances. It is believed that the base pay for the various German States was the same as the British which was higher than the pay in peacetime garrisons in Germany. The British Private’s base pay was something like six pence per day or 15 shillings per 30 day month to which he would have stoppages for food, etc. Officers had a “bat and forage” allowance probably intended to cover the cost of their horse(s) and groom(s). The Brunswick Privates sent to Penobscot in 1782 had a half-penny per day allowance for “land supplies which is destined for the small pieces of regimentals;” however, the detachment commander complained “With 2 pairs of shoes and one shirt in the period of 13 Eng. months, the soldier will already be in debt here.” (8)

Another consideration is that while the Continental Congress issued paper currency without holding the wealth to back it; therefore, it became subject to runaway inflation, the British banking system continued to operate as before. Payment was made either in hard currency by discounted note drawn on some bank or merchant house. The discount at Penobscot on the British Paymaster General was 8% in 1782; i.e., for a note in the value of £100, the merchant would deliver only £92 in hard currency. The merchant then had to get the note to Halifax and present it to Paymaster General Alexander Thompson, where he would receive £100 in hard currency, of which £8 was his profit. In peacetime, the same transaction probably would have a discount of about 3%.

Although plundering was prohibited, it was an ongoing problem for the commanders; however, it was rife. The problem was that a soldier could only carry so much gold on his person and, if captured, could expect to have it confiscated by the captors.

It has been observed that the Hessian soldiers ‘hoarded’ their pay and were “virtually a rich man among the people who had nothing but worthless scrip for money.” (9)

In 1800, John Nicholas testified as a resident of Augusta County, Virginia that his eldest son William Link’s fiancé, Salley Grim, daughter of the late Jacob Grim was of age. This was prior to the 1800 marriage of Salley and William Link. (10) It is uncertain if the 1800 or the 1801 date is correct for the testimony prior to Sally and Williams’ marriage: 1801 - August 21, William Link and Jno. Nichs. Link, surety. William Link, son of said Jno. Nichs. Link. William Link and Sally Grim, daughter of Jacob Grim, deceased, late of Shenandoah County. Christian Beard (Bart) swears Sally is of age. (11)

The children of John Nicholas named in his 1816 will were: William, George, Catherine, David, Elizabeth (Anna Elizabeth), John, Henry, Ann. Link family researchers Helen Gant Donald and Patty Gill list these children:

• Johan Wilhelm (William) was born November 9, 1780 in Pitt City, Augusta County and christened on February 25, 1781 at St. John’s Church, Augusta County. He married Salley Grim (Salome “Sallie”) on August 16, 1801 in Augusta County, the daughter of Jacob Grim of Shenandoah County, Virginia. (Information on Johan below.)

• Johan George (George) was born February 2, 1782. He was deceased at time his father made his will. Other researchers state that he was born February 17, 1872 in Augusta County, christened in March 1782 at St. John’s Church, and died December 3, 1813 in Augusta County. He married Anna Catharin Frenger on March 6, 1804 in Augusta County. Anna was born September 22, 1785 in Augusta County. Helen Gant Donald has Anna Frenger married to George’s brother Daniel.

• Anna Elisabeth, born June 8, 1783, married Christian Grim, brother of Salley Grim. Patty Gill gives a birth date of February 20, 1783 in Augusta County, christening in May 1783 at St. John’s Church. She married Christian Grimm on May 27, 1809 in Augusta County.

• Johannes (John), born 1786, married Barbara Winters in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Patty Gill states that he married Barbara Winther (Winters) on November 24, 1813 in Rockbridge County. Barbara was born in 1786. They had a daughter, Maria Margarethe Link, born March 20, 1817.

• Magdalena was born in 1788 and died in 1794. Patty Gill states Magdalena was born November 10, 1788 in Augusta County, christened at St. John’s Church, and died on April 22, 1794 in Augusta County.

• Henry was born on June 8, 1790 and married Polly Winters in Rockbridge County, Virginia. Patty Gill states that he was Johan Heinrich “Henry” Link, born July 9, 1790, and died in 1864 in Floyd County, Virginia. He married Mary (Polly) Winters on November 1, 1811 in Rockbridge County, and she died before 1842. He Then Married a Rebecca Lykens. He was found in the 1850 census in Floyd County with his wife Rebecca, a farmer.

• Anna was born on January 22, 1797 and married (1) Andrew Lucas and (2) James Crosley. Patty Gill states that Anna’s baptism was recorded at St. John’s German Reformed Church. Anna married Andrew Lucas (born 1797) on August 26, 1816 in Augusta County. She then married James Crossley (born 1797) on January 23, 1826 in Augusta County. After James Crossley died, Anna went to live with her brother Daniel. In 1850 she was found living with her son, Andrew J. Crossley, in Rockbridge County.

• Daniel was born November 6, 1798 in Augusta County and married Anna Catherine Frenger. Other researchers have Anna married to Johan George. Patty Gill states that Daniel was christened on May 29, 1803 at St. John’s Church. He married Hannah Mowry who was born circa 1796. They had a son, David Lowman Link, born 1821 in Staunton, Virginia. There is a record for a David Link who married a Hannah Mowry on November 20, 1817 in Augusta County. There seems to be considerable confusion regarding a Daniel and a David Link. Another researcher has a David Link, died March 19, 1875, resided Sumner County, Tennessee in 1850, married Hannah Mowery on November 10, 1817 in Augusta County. In the 1850 Sumner County census, David Link, Sr.’s wife is Rebecca.

• Catherine was born August 24, 1792, and married (1) Elija Merchant and (2) Richard Hollis. Patty Gill states that Catherine first married Richard Hollis (born 1792) in 1813 in Virginia and had a daughter Sarah Ann, born in 1820. Catherine then married Elijah Merchant (born March 21 1776) on July 1, 1854 in Augusta County. Elijah and Catherine were listed in the 1850 census for Augusta County. Elijah was an 84 year old teacher, Catherine was 58.

• Sara Salome was born November 11, 1800 and married David Lowman. Patty Gill has Sara Salome married to David Lowman (born 1800) on August 5, 1824 in Augusta County.

Helen Donald lists a Daniel, Magdalena and Sara Salome who were not listed in the will. Magdalena died young and would not have been listed. Daniel may be the David listed in the will, Helen does not list a David as a child. Sarah Salome may be the Sally listed in the will.

William Link

Johan Wilhelm Link

William Link (John/Johan¹) was born on November 9, 1780 and died circa 1857. (12) He was born at Pitt City, Virginia and is buried at Portland, Sumner County, Tennessee on the Searcy farm. (13) William married Sally Grim, daughter of Jacob Grim. Debra Poole Williams states that Sally’s name was Salome Sally Grim, born 1780, and that they married on August 21, 1801 in Augusta County, Virginia. Debra also states that William married, second, a woman who was born October 13, 1771 in Pitt City, Virginia. They married in circa 1809 in Sumner County, Tennessee and had a son, William Jr. born circa 1810 in Virginia. The date and place are not consistent with other information, William Jr. may be a son of William’s first marriage. William came to Tennessee in 1828, probably East Tennessee, and finally settled in Sumner County, Tennessee by 1836. (14)

The Link Family - Part One (15)

T. W. Briley, 1930

William Link, son of John Link, was born November 9, 1780. He was a native of Virginia. He came to Tennessee in 1828. We have no record of who he married, or when he married. He was a wagon maker by trade. He must have married a lady whose initials were M. F., for the marker at a grave beside his grave bears the inscription M. F. Link, born October 13, 1771 and died December 17, 1849; 8 years previous to his death. The inscription fails to show whether the person whose initials are M. F. Link was a man or woman, but it is naturally supposed that it was his wife.

Anyway, we have historical data showing that he had three children, if not more. The records show that he had three boys: Jacob Link, David Link, and William Link. He died November 9, 1857, on his seventy-seventh birthday. He was buried on the Searcy farm in the fifteenth district of Sumner County. There is also another grave marker in same burying ground, with S. Link, born April 20, 1806 and died May 28, 1848. It might have been one of his children. Whether a man or woman we do not know.

Briley traced the migration of William and Salley Grim Link and their sons Jacob, William, and David to Sumner County. Other children born to William and Salley Grim Link were: Catherine, Elizabeth, David, Leah, Polly, Sarah, and Eli.

William’s will named his children, including our Mary “Polly” Dabbs:

In the name of God Amen I William Link do make and publish this as my last will and testament thereby ???king and making void all other wills at any other time by me made.
First I will my sole to the God that gave it and my bodie to be buried in a decent Christian like manner.
Secondly I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts be paid as soon after my death as possible out of any moneys that I may died possessed of and may first come to the hands of executors.
3rd I desire that my executor have placed at the head and foot of my grave and the graves of my wife and daughter Sarah a decent head and foot stone.
4th I give and bequest to my son Eli Link Eighty dollars in cash to be placed in the hands of G. D. Roberts as trustee of the said Eli Link and to be kept for his special benefit and in case not so used to go to my five grand children heirs of William Link, decd at his death.
5th I give and bequeath to my son Jacob Link a equal share of the remainder of my estate.
6th I give and bequeath to my son David Link a equal share of the remainder of my estate.
7th I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Martin a equal share of the remainder of my estate.
8th I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Dabbs a equal share of the remainder of my estate.
9th I give and bequeath to my daughter Leah Legg a equal share of the remainder of my estate.
10th I give and bequeath to my daughter Catherine Roberts a equal share of the remainder of my estate.
11th I give and bequeath to my daughter Doris(?) Mae Williams a equal share of the remainder of my estate.
12th I give and bequeath to my grand children heirs of William Link decd namely Mary, Columbus, George Taylor, Sarah, and Victoria one dollar each as their share of my estate.
13th I give and bequeath to my two grand children heirs of my daughter Margaret Wilkinson a a equal share of the remainder of my estate namely Thomas and Lycurgus.
Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint G. D. Roberts my executor in witness where of I do to this my will set my hand and seal this the 27 day of November AD 1856. William Link. Test. Benj Roney/Raney?, John H. Turner

Another researcher gave this information regarding William’s will: Jacob Link, David Link, William Link, Eli Link, Elizabeth Martin, Polly Dabbs, Leah/Lear Legg, Margaret Wilkerson, Catharine Roberts, Drucilla Mae Williams; his daughter Sarah Link and his [William’s] wife (not named) were dec’d. (16)

There is a marriage record for a Drucilla Link and Robert Williams, October 30, 1846, bondsman William Wilkinson, in the Sumner County records. (17) This may be the Doris M. Williams in the above Will record.

Evidently there were some issues regarding the administration of William Sr.’s estate. (18) There are the following in the Sumner County records: Link, Eli vs. Roberts, George D. in 1857 (probably husband of Catherine who lived in Missouri in 1860 census); Link, Jacob vs. Roberts, G. D. in 1858.

William Link, and his son William Jr. were found in Sumner County records. There was a deed where William Sr. and Jr. purchased 158 acres of land from a James Adams in 1839. In June 22, 1843 William served on a jury for two cases brought before the county court. (19) There is an additional record, Link, Wm. admr. vs. Biggs, Martha year 1849.

William Sr. and Jr. were found in the 1850 census for Sumner County. William Sr. was seventy years old, a wagon maker, born in Virginia with real estate valued at $1,000. Living in his household were Catharine, age 30, born in Virginia, and Philander (male), age 16, also born in Virginia. Enumerated on the next page was William Jr., who had probably died before William Sr.’s will in 1856. In 1850 William Sr. and Jr., David Sr. and Jr., probably Elizabeth, and Jacob were all living near each other in Sumner County. William Sr.’s sons appeared to continue the trade of wagon making.

• William Jr. was also a wagon maker, age 46, born in Virginia with real estate valued at $600 in the 1850 census. William Jr.’s wife was an Elizabeth, age 29 and listed are their children: Mary, age 8; Columbus, age 6; George, age 5, and Sarah, age 2; all of whom are listed in William Sr.’s will. Also living in William Jr.’s household was Eli Link, age 37. Not listed was the Victoria mentioned in the Will.

  T. W. Briley related that William Jr. was married three times, first to a Miss Legge (no children), next to Betty Brandy, and last to Miss Goostree. He had two children by Betty Brandy. He had five children by Miss Goostree, two sons and three daughters: Columbus, Taylor, Mary E., Sarah C. and Queen Victoria. If Briely is correct, Miss Goostree must have been the Elizabeth in the 1850 census, since William was deceased before his father’s will was made in 1856. Briely claims William Jr. died in 1852, “buried at the old Dr. Walter farm, where Blonnie Tomlinson now lives. There is no marker to his grave.” Researcher Lloyd D. McDaniel states that an Elizabeth Goostree married William Link circa on May 13, 1841 in Sumner County. (20) She married, second, Richard Pond in 1864. Elizabeth was born May 25, 1822 in Virginia and died on March 16 1900 in Sumner County. She was the daughter of Watson and Elizabeth Goostree.

  When the probate file for William Link, Sr. was received, a great deal of the estate records for William Jr. were included. William Jr. did die in 1852. The inventory and sale of his property (not land) was extensive and reflected his occupation as a wagon maker. His son Jacob was the executor. Evidently William Jr. owned slaves, at least two at the time of his death. Jacob had to request court approval to sell one of their slaves, the about forty year old Daniel, to pay the four to five hundred dollar debts. The other slave, Nathan, was to remain with Elizabeth to “aid her in raising the children.” The record claims these were the only slaves held by the family. A check of the 1840 census did not list any slaves or free persons of color for the various Link families.

  According to Briely, these were the children of William Link, Jr.:

• George was the first born. He died September 16, 1895, at the age of 25 years. This must be either a typographical error or Briely was in error. He was circa five years old in the 1850 census. (21)

• Amanda Link, the eldest daughter, was born October 15, 1865. She was married to Robert Perdue and had three children: Annie Perdue, age 35; Myrtle, aged 32, and Luther, age 25. They are all married and have children of their own. This is in error, William died before this date. At least two of William Sr.’s sons named a daughter Amanda.

• Mary E. Link, daughter of William Link. I was unable to find the date of her birth or marriage. She married Green Perdue. They had one child, Will Perdue. He is about seventy years of age. Mary and her husband are dead, so I have been informed. This is probably the Mary, age 8, in the 1850 census.

• Sarah Link, daughter of William Link, was born somewhere from 75 and 90 years back and has been dead for years. She married Tess Jackson. They had two children, both girls, Claudie and Low. Claudie married a Jackson and Low married Joe Ealum. He died and she married again lives in Nashville. This is probably the Sarah, age 2, in the 1850 census.

• Columbus Link, son of Dave William Link, was born August 12, 1844. He married Miss Sarah E. Roney December 8, 1864. To their union were eight children, four of whom are living. This must be the Columbus, age 6, in the 1850 census, and the Jacob C. in William Jr.’s estate.

Other researchers state that William Link, Jr. was born circa 1810 in Virginia and died in Sumner County. He married his first wife, Miss Legge (born circa 1812) in circa 1829. The then married Betty Brandy (born circa 1814) in circa 1835. His last marriage was to an Elizabeth B. Goosetree (born May 25, 1822 in Virginia) on May 13, 1841 in Sumner County. Their children are said to have been: Mary E., born September 24, 1842 in Sumner County; J. Christopher Columbus, born August 12, 1844 in Sumner County; George Taylor, born July 4, 1846 in Tennessee; Sarah C., born circa 1848; and Queen Victoria, born December 23, 1850 in Tennessee.

• Jacob was named in the will (see below).

• David was named in the will. He married an Isabel. They were found in the 1850 census in Sumner County. David was also a wagon maker, with real estate valued at $400. Isabel was age 42, born in Virginia. Listed with them are children ages one to twenty. (22) David is said to have been born circa 1804 in Virginia and died after 1850, buried in Davidson County, Tennessee. Their children are said to have been: Lou Anna, born December 25, 1831 in Illinois; Mary (Mollie) born circa 1833; Thomas Wesley, born December 19 1835 in Virginia; David Jr., born circa 1838; Rice H., born July 26, 1839; Letita, born February 25, 1842 in Portland, Sumner County; William Levi, born February 22, 1845 in Sumner County; John H., born circa 1849; and Sylvanus B., born May 18, 1850 in Tennessee.

• Catherine was named in the will and married George D. Roberts, they resided in Missouri.

• Elizabeth was named in the will and married a Mr. Martin.

• Polly Dabbs was named in the will. See Dabbs history, part 2.

• Sarah was named in the will and had died by 1856. One researcher states that Sarah A. Link was born on April 20, 1806 and died on May 28, 1848 in Tennessee. She married a Mr. Hunt.

• Eli was named in the will. In 1850 he was living with his father, in 1860 he was living with William Jr., classified as an idiot. This explains the special mention Eli is given in his father’s will.

• Doris Mae was named in the will and married a Williams. This may be Drucilla Mae. There is a marriage record for a Drucilla Link and Robert Williams, October 30, 1846, bondsman William Wilkinson. They were found in the 1850 census for Sumner County, living not far from the rest of the Link family. (23)

• Margaret was named in the will. She married William Wilkerson/Wilkinson and had died by 1856. Her husband was probably the William Wilkinson who was a bondsman for Drucilla’s marriage. Margaret, William and their two sons named in the will were living quite near Drucilla in the 1850 census.

• Philander was not named in the will. In 1850 he was listed in William Sr.’s household, born circa 1844. It is not known if he was a child of William.

• Leah who married a Legg was named in the will. This may be Elizabeth in the 1850 census, an Elizabeth and John Legg, living next door to Jacob and not far from William Sr. (24)

Jacob Link

Brother of Mary “Polly” Linck

Jacob Link (William/Wilhem², John/Johan¹) was born June 15, 1802 in Virginia. Debra Poole Williams states that Jacob died November 2, 1890 in Portland, Sumner County and was buried in the Jake Link Cemetery. In 1930 Briely gave the following information on Jacob and his family: (25)

“Jacob married Jane Weddle circa 1824. Jane was born on April 10, 1804 in Virginia. They moved to Sumner County in 1832 where Jacob purchased 225 acres. They were the parents of eight children: William, Susannah, Martha, John F., Christian, James M., and Jacob W. The two daughters are dead. Mr. Link on coming to this place purchased the farm where he now lives. He owns 225 acres of land and in connection with wagon making has carried on farming. His wife who was an excellent woman and a true Christian, died March 9, 1889, mourned by all who knew her. Mr. Link is now the oldest man in his district and is much respected and esteemed; he did not take part in the late war but was in sympathy with the Union. His sons, James M. and Jacob W., were in the war.

“Jacob Link (or Uncle Jack, as he was familiarly called), as stated in his own writing, was born Jan. 15, 1802 and died November 2, 1890, age 88 years. His marriage to June Weddle was in 1826. She was born April 1804 and died March 9, 1884, age 80 years. They were buried on the farm where they had spent so many years in what is now called the Link Cemetery on Mulloy and Fountain Head Road.”

In the 1850 census Jacob was listed as a wagon maker with real estate valued at $750. (26) Listed with him was his wife Jane, age 47, and children Susan, age 22; Martin, age 17; John, age 16; Christian, age 13; James, age 11; and Jacob, age 7. In the 1860 census he was listed as a wagon right with real estate valued at $3,000. (27) Their children are said to have been:

• Martha J., born circa 1826.

• Susanna Link, daughter of Jacob Link, was born April 13, 1827. She married a Mr. Winters. They had one child, Sarah J. Winters. She was born June 26, 1855, and married R. M. (Boone) Johnson. They had one child, a girl named Susie, who never married and died November 17, 1925. Susanna Link Winters died June 13, 1860; her daughter Sarah J. Johnson died November 5, 1877. In the 1860 census a Susana Winters, age 33, born Virginia, was listed just after her father Jacob. She was probably a widow, listed as the head of household with two daughters, Sarah and Julia.

• William Link, son of Jacob Link, was born December 25, 1828. He married a Miss Shaw. To that union were born four boys: Frank, Billie, Henry, and Logan. His wife, S. E. Link, was born February 14, 1835. Mr. Link and she were married May 15, 1857. She died May 10, 1862. Mr. Link married again, a Miss Fanny Hollis. To that union were born two children, Jacob Link and Rose Link. Both of them are dead. Mr. William Link died November 27, 1908.

  In the 1860 census, William Link, age 31, a farmer with real estate valued at $1,200 was living in Sumner County. His wife was Susan and there were three children listed: Martin (age 6), Franklin (age 4), and Logan (age 2). The 1870 census for William Link in Sumner County is probably this William. William was age 45, a farmer, with his wife Francis A., age 26. Children listed were: M. J., age 17 (probably Martin); F. L., age 14 (probably Franklin); Logan, age 12; W. J. age 10, male; Margaret, age 6; and Jacob A., age 3.

• Martin, born November 26, 1832.

• John Franklin, born September 18, 1834.

• Christian, born June 21, 1837 in Sumner County.

• J. M. Link (James M.), son of Jacob Link, was born April 5th, 1839, was never married. He lived with his father and mother during their life and after their death he lived alone the most of the time. He was County Surveyor of Sumner County four years; owned quite a lot of land at one time; was a member of Cherry Mound Lodge of F. and A. M. for years. He loved his lodge and attended regularly until the infirmities of old age kept him away. He died January 25, 1926. Mr. J. M. Link enlisted in the Southern Army in the War Between the States, made a valiant soldier until he got shot through the right shoulder.

• Jacob “Dock” W., born February 28, 1843.

Jacob Grim

Possible father of Sally, wife of William Link (Johan Wilhelm Link)

This land record could be Jacob Grim, father of Sally, if so, then Jacob’s wife Margaret was named: (28)

Between Daniel Roadcap & Frainey his wife late Frainey Hoffman of Shenandoah County [to] Mary Hoffman of same County ... for and in consideration of two hundred and sixty dollars & Sixty six cents ... tract of Land ... being the same land conveyed to said Frainey Hoffman now wife of said Daniel Rodecap by James Campbell and Elizabeth his wife by their Deed recorded in Shenandoah County Court ... Adam Gomers corner ... in Michael Burakers line ... Containing forty five Acres Excepting three acres taken out of same for a Meeting house built by the Lutherans ... the same land which was formerly conveyed to said James Campbell by Jacob Grim & Margeret his wife by their Deed the 13th Jan. 1795 ... Wit: Jacob Rinker signed in German, Jacob Shaffer, Frainey (X) Roadcap, Abraham Judy, John A. Barbee, Isaac Strickler. Recorded: 7 Dec. 1812

A Jacob Grim was on the Shenandoah County, Virginia tax list in 1783. (29) A John, Peter and Philip Grim were also listed. There was also a Jacob Grim in Frederick County, Virginia in 1782. The children of Jacob Grim were:

• Sally/Salley who married William Link (see above). “William Link, son of said Jno. Nichs. Link. William Link and Sally Grim, daughter of Jacob Grim, deceased, late of Shenandoah County. Christian Beard (Bart) swears Sally is of age.” (30)

• Christian who married Anna Elisabeth Link on May 27, 1809 in Augusta County.

• Mary Grim was possibly a daughter. There is a marriage record for a Mary Grim and Christian Beard on January 28, 1783. (31) Bond dated January 25, 1783, by Christian Beard, Frederick Bosserman and John Grim. Attached to the bond is a permission note, dated the same day, signed by Catherine X Grim. The father of the bride is said to have been already deceased. Note that a Christian Beard swore that Sally Grim was of age, strongly suggesting this Mary was a sibling of Sally and daughter of Jacob.

There were three Grims from Oberfischbach, Hessen-Nassau who came to Virginia in circa 1740. (32) Johannes Grim (age 39), Johannes Jr. (age 5), and Hans Jacob (age 35) arrived at Philadelphia on December 3, 1740 on the ship Robert & Alice, sailing from Rotterdam. They ended up going to Little Fork, Culpeper County, Virginia.

Endnotes