Edwards Family History

Edwards Family History

In search of 'Edward Hardin Edwards' father

To: Index Contact: Joe Crouch

 

In looking for Edward Hardin Edwards father I culled through the 1768 to 1870 Tax Records & Federal Census records for Christian, Logan, and Todd Counties, Kentucky & Buckingham and Cumberland County, Virginia..  It appears that multiple 'Edwards' lines migrated into Christian County, Todd County and Logan County Kentucky prior to 1850.  Cross checking the census individuals with submitted genealogy files on sites.rootsweb.com shows that they migrated from Cumberland County, Virginia; Lynchburg, Virginia; either Richmond City or Richmond County, Virginia (they're two different locations separated by 60+ miles); Southampton County, Virginia; and Stafford County, Virginia; Georgia and North Carolina.

Counties of Virginia

 

Reviewing Edward Hardin Edwards children's names shows there are at least three that tie him to William Edwards from Cumberland County, Virginia as his grandfather.  They are 'Nehemiah Edwards', 'Martha Gillie Edwards' and 'Coleman P. Edwards'. The given names Nehemiah ,William, Coleman and Gillie are mixed across William Edwards grandchildren.  Nehemiah Edwards, William Edwards and Bernard Edwards are possible candidates for being the father of Edward Hardin Edwards. 

One of the sons of Nehemiah Edwards born Virginia 1806 was named Peyton.  And one of the sons of Bernard was named Peyton born Kentucky 1826.  Bernard's daughter Gillie G. Edwards and Edward Hardin Edwards daughter Martha Gillie Edwards also seem to tie Bernard to the Cumberland County, Virginia.  One of the first cousins to the children of of John William Edwards and Grizzle Ghee was named Gilley [1].   The will [4] of Bernard Edwards does not reference Edward Hardin Edwards so I believe he can be crossed off.   Note: William Edwards married Grizzle Ghee, not Gazelle Ghee as the transcribed marrige record incorrectly transcribed.  See: See Grizzle Edwards vs Gazelle Ghee

Nehemiah Edwards born 1780 Cumberland, Virginia appears in the 1850 Logan County, KY. Federal Census. Possibly in the 1840 Todd County Federal Census.  Before that he appears in the 1830 Cumberland, Virginia census record. And the 1810 Buckingham County, Virginia Census.   Nehemiah Edwards died intestate and the courts appointed William B. Edwards as administrator of the estate.  William B. Edwards was a son of the below William Edwards and his appointment as administrator of the estate reflects the probable sibling relationship to William Edwards even though it appears Nehemiah Edwards arrived in Logan County, KY. later.

William Edwards: A William Edwards appears in the 1810 [11], 1820 [11], 1830,  two in the 1840 Logan County, KY Federal Census's two in the 1850 census. One William Edwards died in December 1846 (Will Book H) which I believe is the son of William Edwards and Grizzle Ghee, one William Edwards, age 71 in 1850 census, is living with his son-in-law John Lee Coursey and his estate is an 1857 Logan County, KY Equity Case, and a third William Edwards is living at South Union (Shaker Village near Auburn, KY.)  [9]  These William Edwards can be discounted as the father of 'Edward Hardin Edwards'.

Bernard Edwards, born Oct. 19, 1785.  The Will [4] below documents who his children were.  He can be discounted as the father of 'Edward Hardin Edwards'. Note issue as to Bernard Williams birthplace highlighted in red in table below and NOTE:[5]

Gideon Edwards, the younger brother to the above Nehemiah and William was born in 1795 and would have been too young to be the father of Edward Hardin Edwards born in May 1812.  He died 5 Mar 1859, Keysburg, Logan County, Kentucky.  See Note [8] for a list of his heirs.  The name 'Gideon' seems to have derived from his grandfather 'William Edward's youngest brother 'Gideon Edwards' who migrated to Surry, North Carolina.

Net result, Nehemiah Edwards initially by circumstantial evidence (the given names for his children matching the given names for children of apparent siblings and the apparent same Virginia county of origin.) and the Finally by the obtaining a copy of the Logan County Kentucky Court Equity Case where it listed his nine children is the father of Edwards H. Edwards.

Text in Red is from Rootsweb genealogy files.  Confirmation needed of birth / marriage date / location.

Probable G-Grandfather:     William Edwards married Jan. 1750 Cumberland Co., VA. Grizzlle Coleman [1]    
Probable Grandfather:     William Edwards married 1779 Cumberland Co. VA Grizzle Ghee    
  1 2 3 4 5 6 7
William Edwards children: Nehemiah Edwards[14] William Edwards [14] Nancy Edwards Bernard Edwards [14] Gracy Edwards [1][14] Gideon Edwards [14] Mary Edwards [14]
Born: 1780 Cumberland, VA. 1781 Cumberland, VA. 1783 Cumberland, VA. 19 Oct. 1785 Cumberland Co., VA [13] 1787 Cumberland, VA. 1795 Cumberland, VA. 1800 Cumberland, VA.
Spouses: 7 Nov 1832 Cumberland Co., Land Indenture lists Betsy Ann as Nehemiah's wife. 1) Martha (Patsy) Coleman b. 1 Dec 1793 Buckingham Co. VA. d. Oct 1821

2)  Dorothy Glover Davenport b. 1808-d. aft 1880
on 14 March 1835 Todd Co., KY
.
Unknown Edwards 2nd married  [14]Thomas Coleman b. 1785 Cumberland Co., VA.-bef 9 May 1864 Todd Co., KY.[14] Martha Davenport James B. Woodson [14]  1) Virginia Archer 2) Jeminia Hatcher [8] William S. Gauldin b. 1794-d. [14]
Married: Virginia 18 Dec. 1817 Cumberland, VA  Thomas Coleman 28 Dec 1826 Cumberland Co. VA 20 Nov. 1811 Charlotte, VA. 14 Dec. 1813 Cumberland, VA. 2) Abt. 1833 in KY Bef. 1826 Cumberland Co., VA
Estate Settlement: Page 1  Will Book H Estate Settlement [9] Deceased 1862 ? Todd Co. KY See Will
Note [4]
  Page 1  
Grandchild #01: Daniel C. Edwards b: 1806 [3][10] William Barnet Edwards b: 21 Aug 1820 [2][9] William H. Edwards b. 1807 Cumberland Co., VA Mary Ann Edwards b. 1812; died 1870 Clarksville, Red River, TX.; m. Garrard Peyton Cherry 14 Nov 1831 Todd Co. KY. [7] James Bernard Woodson b. 1820-1894 James Archer Edwards b: 8 Aug 1820 [2]; Married - resided in TN.  
Grandchild #02: Peyton Edwards b: 1807 [3][10]  Henry Clay Edwards born 1845 - 1926   William Martin Edwards b: 1813; died 1908 Martha Ugilla Woodson b. 1825-1911 Francis G Edwards b: 12 Jan 1822 Married John B. Lewis on 9 Jan 1856 Todd, KY  
Grandchild # 03: Edward Hardin Edwards b: May 1812 [10]     Gillie Glenn Edwards [6] b: 31 Aug 1818 married John Lee Atkins Grace Susan Woodson b. 1829- Julius Coleman Edwards b: 7 Feb 1825  
Grandchild # 04: Martha Giley Edwards b. 1827 [10] (married Wm B. Edwards)     Booker Bernard Edwards b: 1822 Todd, KY Judith Rebecca Woodson 1834-1873 Mary E. Edwards [2][9]  
Grandchild # 05: Ann Edwards b. 1815 (married Wm Ligon)[10]     Louisa Fontaine Edwards b: 25 Nov 1825 married George L. Young Gabriel Woodson 1847-1873
(unlikely to be a son of Gracy as she would have been 60 years of age)
William Hopson Edwards b: 1834 [8] married Minerva Ann Frey  
Grandchild # 06: Nehemiah Edwards, Jr. b. 1821 [10]     Peyton Glover  Edwards b: 12 Jun 1827 married Mary F. Graham Juan Andres Woodson 1850-1907 (unlikely to be a son of Gracy as she would have been 62 years of age) John Edward Edwards b: 20 Oct 1835 [8] married Anna Eliza Stover  
Grandchild # 07: Eveline Edwards[10]         Rebecca Ann Edwards b: 1839 [8] died 16 May 1927; married James Pleasant Bagby  
Grandchild # 08: Mary Street Edwards b. 1826 [10]         Mary E Edwards b. 10 Nov 1841 [8] married Wesley A. Prince  
Grandchild # 09: Lucy Eunis Edwards b. 1829[10]         Malissa F. Edwards b: 1843 [8] married John F Edwards  
Grandchild # 10:           Martha L.. Edwards married Charles David Hooser, born 7 June 1850; died 21 Mar 1931 [8]  
Grandchild # 11           Malone Edwards b: 1853 [8]  

NOTES:

[1] Coleman Genealogy:  The name Grizzell, a Scottish form of "Grace", was usually given to daughters.

[2] The above Coleman Genealogy states that James Archer, Francis and Julius Coleman are children of William Edwards and Martha Coleman based upon an Edwards family bible. And then follows with questioning the birth date on William Barnet Edwards.  The same three children also appear as children of Gideon Edwards.  Per an Equity Suit as part of the Estate Settlement for Gideon Edwards born 1795, James Archer Edwards is the son of Gideon Edwards since his first wife's surname was 'Archer'. As well as Francis Edwards and Julius Coleman.   Julius Coleman Edwards married Lucy P. Graham a younger sister of Martha Jane Graham who married Edward Hardin Edwards which suggests that Julius Coleman Edwards was closely related to Edward Hardin Edward (  a 1st cousin based upon the Estate Settlements ).

[3] 1850 Logan County, Kentucky Federal Census - Living in household

[4] Todd County Will Book M, p. 69 as provided to me by Amelia Morrow Gerlicher a descendant of Bernard Edwards:

I Bernard Edwards of the County of Todd and state of Kentucky, knowing the uncertainty of life and feeling desirous to arrange my temporal matters do as to preserve peace and good feelings among my children afer my death, frelly possessed of all my natural[?] faculties and rightly understanding the nature, force and effect of this deed, do make and declare this instrument to be my last will and testament revoking all others.

Item 1st. I wish all first debts against me and my funeral expenses paid.

2d. I have heretofore given to my son William M. Edwards 100 acres of land and 20s per acre, also 1 negro boy worth 35 ? also at sundry times 750s in cash, together with a horse saddle and bridle worth 50s making three thousand one hundred and eighty dollars to be charged against him on the fair settlement of my estate. TO my daughter Mary Ann Cherry, I have given a negro worth Eighteen hundred dollars, one hundred dollars in cash and a horse, saddle and bridle worth one hundred dollars, making two thousand dollars to be charged to her in the settlement of my estate. To my son Booker B. Edwards I have given Eighteen hundred dollars in cash, one horse saddle briddle worth 100s, making nineteen hundred dollars to be charged against him. To Peyton G Edwards I have given a horse saddle and bridel worth one hundred dollars used in view of his attention, care and devotion to me in my declining life I make no other charge against him. To Louisa Young, I have given negro boy worth Seven hundred dollars and a horse saddle and bridle at seventy five dollars making Seven hundred and seventy five Dollars to be charged against her on the final settlement of my estate against my grand children Gilly and Todd Atkins no advancements are charged.

3 I give and bequeath to my son P.G. Edwards one hundred acres of land to include the building and improvements attached to my present residence for which he is to pay three thousand five hundred dollars in the settlement of my estate. 4th I desire that the balance of the land belonging to me together with all my stock of crop description[?] be sold and the proceeds arising from teh sale of my land, stock, furniture and personal effects, together with all money, notes and accruels be equally divided amongst my children and my two granddaughters (they apportioning one share between them) do as to make them equal in the division.

5th I hereby ?? and appoint my son in law George S. Young and my son Peyton G. Edwards Executor of this my last will and testament - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 29th of September 1869.

Bernard Edwards

Attest: Robt Browder. G.S. Young. Josephine Browder (mark)

Presented to court 11 Jun 1877.

[5] In searching online 'The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' genealogical records for 'Bernard Edwards' & Any Place "Virginia" & Any Year Range "1785 to 1870" on www.familysearch.org three instances of the above Bernard Edwards are found:

1) Bernard Edwards marriage to Martha Davenport in Charlotte, Virginia on 20 Nov 1811.  This marriage date would line up nicely with the birth of their first born William M. Edwards about 1812. Was there a second marriage to Martha (Patsy) Coleman.

2) Bernard Edwards in the 1870 U.S. Census (Note this query result was based upon his Virginia birth, not his place of residence.)

3) Bernard Edward (minus the 's') in the 1860 U.S. Census (Note this query result was based upon his Virginia birth, not his place of residence.)

Substituting 'Kentucky' for 'Virginia' in the above query then finds Bernard (aka Barnard) Edwards in the 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850 Todd County, Kentucky U.S. Census Records.

Missing is any reference to Lynchburg, Virginia or Campbell County, Virginia.  (Note Lynchburg is an Independent City and does not reside within Campbell County. Was Lynchburg stated as a birthplace just because it was a large close by city or as hypotheseized in Note [13])?)  In checking the 1790 and 1800 Virginia Tax List Census for Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford and Campbell Counties, Virginia we find: Daniel Edwards & John Edwards in the Bedford County 1790 Tax List,  a Daniel Edwards in the Campbell County 1790 Tax List, a Thomas Edwards shows in the Amherst 1800 Tax List.

Charlotte County, Virginia where Bernard Edwards married Martha Davenport is immediately south of Cumberland County, Virginia. There are no 'Edwards' in the 1790 Charlotte County, Virginia Tax Lists, but in the Charlotte County, Virginia 1800 Tax Lists there is Benjamin Edwards and Jacob Edwards. Are they possible relatives to the Cumberland, Virginia Edwards?

Sixteen of seventeen submitted GEDCOM's on sites.rootsweb.com have Bernard Edwards as having been born in Lynchburg, Virginia.  Given the distance (63 miles on current U.S. 460) in Colonial times between Lynchburg and Cumberland County, Virginia it seems unrealistic for Bernard's mother to have been in Lynchburg when he was born.  Bernard's marriage to Martha Davenport in Charlotte, Virginia seems to reinforce that belief.

Six of the seventeen submitted GEDCOM's have his  father William Edwards wife as Patsy Glover. While seven of the submitted files has his father married to Gazelle Ghee. Note Gazelle was a transcription error, it's actually Grizzle Ghee.  See Grizzle Edwards vs Gazelle Ghee  Found 1779 documentation for William Edwards marriage to Grizzle Ghee, but have not find documentation to validate/invalidate Patsy Glover, although one son and a grandchild had middle names of 'Glover' which seems to suggest 'Glover' was an ancestor surname.

There were also business transactions between Nehemiah Edwards of Logan County, KY and Bernard Edwards of Todd County, KY. as evidenced by two IOU's in the Estate Settlement of Nehemiah Edwards. IOU-1 & IOU-2.  This also suggest family connections.

[6] BAXTER C. PORTER is a son of the Rev. Thomas Porter, an early Presbyterian minister of Hopkins and Todd Counties, who was born in Virginia, May 12, 1788. Thomas Porter came in childhood to Logan County, Ky., where he attained his manhood, and where in June, 1808, he married Nancy Lawrence, who before her death in December-, 1831, bore him three children, none of whom are residents of Todd County. In February, 1833, he married Jane H. Lawrence, a sister of his deceased wife. This union resulted ' in the birth of three children, B. C. Porter being the youngest. He was born in Hopkins County, Ky., on the third day of December, 1838, and in the early part of 1839 his parents removed to Todd County, settling on the farm now owned and occupied by F. M. Byars. There the ' father died in 1839, and soon after his widow purchased 125 acres of land, where B. C. Porter is now living. To this place she removed, superintending the cultivation of her land until her son was of sufficient age to assume its control. She died on this homestead June 12, 1871. Baxter C. was therefore reared to the pursuits of the farm, to which he has adhered. He received the advantages of a common school education, and on the 25th of January, 1866, in Todd County, was married to Miss Henrietta, daughter of John Lee and Gillie (Edwards) Atkins (parents married Aug. 11, 1842 Todd County, KY). She was born on the 4th of September, 1843, in Arkansas, and came with her parents to this county in childhood. Her mother died in this county, in 1845, and her father is still a resident of the county. Mr. Porter now owns a beautiful farm consisting of 375 acres, mostly under cultivation, on which he produces tobacco, wheat and corn, and is giving some attention to stock raising. Their family consists of six children, viz.: Carrie Bell, born November 9, 1866; Herschel G., born July 22, 1870; John T., born August 1, 1872; Bessie, born August 27, 1875; Virgil, born January 3, 1879; and Thusa G. Porter, born September 16, 1880. Both Mr. and Mrs. Porter are worthy members of the Mount Hermon Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

[7] Mary Ann Edwards ,daughter of Bernard Edwards, born 1812 married Garrard Yarrell (or Young) Cherry.  They had a son named Thomas Glover Cherry, daughters Lilly Drucella Cherry and Stella Virginia Cherry.

[8] Per the 'Logan County Genealogical Society': Equity Box 89, Case Number 2291 - H.V. Frey administrator of Gideon Edwards vs. Edwards heirs: Jemima Edwards, W.H. Edwards, John E. Edwards. Rebecca A., Mary E., Malissa F., Martha S., Malone and B.B. Edwards.

[9] Per the 'Logan County Genealogical Society': William Edwards estate was settled 22 Jan 1850.    Settlement of Estate payments indicate he was died in December 1846 based upon a receipt dated December 28, 1846 for a lined walnut coffin for the sum of $12.  The estate settlement states: "Presents Wm B. Edwards and Henry Clay Edwards - a little boy- the only heirs known to us or of which we are advised."

Note that there was an Equity Case filed on March 4, 1857 lists William Edwards heirs as Presley Edwards, Benjamin Edwards, John Edwards, William Edwards, Edmund Edwards and Isham Edwards filed by John Lee Coursey and his wife Elizabeth Coursey (nee Edwards).  This was a different William Edwards, decd. as he was living with his son-in-law John L. Coursey in the 1850 Logan County, KY. U.S. Census.

[10] Will Book 'H' pages 340 & 377 documents the settlement of the estate of Nehemiah Edwards deced list nine children as identified above.  Within Nehemiah Edwards, Senrs Settlement of Estate was a claim by a Subscription Service in Lynchburg, Virginia for money owed. Was subscription used to keep abreast of news and events in Buckingham and Cumberland Counties in Virginia?

[11] William Edwards bought 50 acres of land on Laurel Creek in Logan County, KY on 17 Aug 1812.  William Edwards bought 140 acres of land on Laurel Creek in Logan County, KY on 14 Dec 1819.  William Edwards bought 150 acres of land on the banks of the Muddy River in Logan County, KY on 5 Nov 1827. William Edwards sold 300 acres of land on the banks of the Muddy River in Logan County, KY on 30 Mar 1843 to Benjamin D. Edwards & John L. Coursey. 

[12] This Genealogy.com webpage seems to discount this William Edwards as having married Leafy Everton as the children listed on this webpage were born concurrent with the Cumberland County, Virginia 'William Edwards' children.  And the 'Mobajackbaycolemans' webpage for (6) John Coleman specifically states Martha 'Patsy' Coleman married William Edwards.

[13] Bernard Edwards and wife Martha of Todd Co., KY. signed a 4 Oct 1832 land indenture, which was filed in Cumberland Co., VA. on the 19 Nov. 1832 wherein he sold his 1/7th of his father William Edwards Senr's land that was partitioned in an 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. Chancery Court suit and sold it to his brother William Edwards and his mother Grizzle "Gilly" Edwards.

In searching for information on the children of William Edwards Sr. (born circa 1720) I discovered an obituary for Daniel C. Edwards who was born in Cumberland County, Virginia and died in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. The obituary was printed in the 24 Dec 1832 'Lynchburg Virginian' newspaper. In culling through the estate settlement for William Edwards 3rd born 1781 I came across the attached subscription payment to the 'Lynchburg Virginian'. I also remember seeing a similar subscription in either his brother Nehemiah or Gideon Edwards estate settlement. The finding of the obituary for Daniel C. Edwards reminded me that one of the present day Amish newspapers 'The Budget' (New York Times article) is printed in Sugarcreek, Ohio and is distributed nationally with news items / announcements (births, marriages, deaths) submitted by subscribers to keep other family members updated to their going on's for those who have migrated elsewhere. I believe the 'Lynchburg Virginian' provided a similar type service which makes me think that Bernard Edwards may also have been a subscriber to the Lynchburg Virginian. If so, a family researcher may have concluded he was from Lynchburg, Virginia. It'd take perusing the settlement of Bernard Edwards estate to confirm if he also subscribed.

[14] Library of Virginia - Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index -0049-1827-008.  Locality, Index Number, Original Case Number. CUMBERLAND CO, 1827-008. Plaintiff(s), Defendant(s). Benjamin E Scruggs, WIDOW OF William Edwards ETC. ( PDF copy )