Family of Peter Vealey


The Family of Peter Vealey


Peter Vealey is most likely the ancestor of all those with this surname who are from the Coal River area of Boone and Raleigh County West Virginia. He was born about 1790 and lived past 1860. His oldest son was named Simon, matching the name of a landowner in Bedford Co. who died by 1817 and maybe the father or grandfather of Peter. Sometime between 1830 and 1840 Peter Vealey moved to Fayette County - probably the same area along Coal River that became Raleigh County when it was formed in 1847.

This name is rendered various ways in records: Vealey, Veely, Vely, Viele, etc. The surname is quite rare in Virginia strongly indicating that this family moved here from somewhere else. It does occur in NY and may be of Dutch origin. Peter Vealey lived in Bedford Co. Virginia in the early 1800's where a few others with the surname appear in the local records. Below is a summary of records I have found:

Census Records

1810 Census Bedford Co. Isaac, Michael
1820 Census Bedford Co. Peter
1830 Census Botetourt Co. Peter
1840 Census Fayette Co. Peter
1850 Census Raleigh Co. James, Rachel(1)
1850 Census Boone Co. Peter (jr.)
1860 Census Raleigh Co. Peter, James
1860 Census Boone Co. Peter, John, Isaac, William

(1) Rachel Vely, age 65 born in Virginia living with George Bradley family.
(2) Peter Vealey lived at Jarrells Valley PO in 1860.

Early Marriage Records:

Michael VEILY to Lucy BROWN, 14 Sept. 1807. Bedford Co.
Joshua BRADLEY to Harriet VEALEY, 27 March 1813. Bedford Co.


Court Records

1817 Bedford County Insovency List:
"Veileys, Simon Est (=estate?) 252 acres on Falling C. adj S Howell
18 miles west of courthouse"
This record was found on some loose papers in the courthouse and reported in Virginia Appalachian Notes May '89 p. 70.

Civil War Soldier
VEALEY, WILLIAM 7th WVa Cavalry Co. H, Kanawha Co. (Union)

First Generation

Peter Vealey        b. ca. 1790 (birthplace unknown). resided in Bedford Co. VA at time of 1810/1820 census

1. married Virginia Newman? in Bedford Co.

        i. Nellie b. 1815 m. George Bradley 1835
        ii. Sally b. 1817
        iii. Simon b. 1819
        iv. Sarah b. 1820 m. James Albright Boone Co. d. 23 Jan. 1856
        v. Rachel b. 1822 m. Sinclair Pettry 8 July 1841 in Fayette Co.
        vi. James b. 1826 m. (1) Celia Pettry 12 Jan 1849, (2) Mary? d. 15 Oct 1887
        vii. Peter b. 1828 m. Sarah Ferrell 1 Sept. 1860 Boone Co.
        viii. Isaac b. 1830 m. Rhena Dotson 26 Sept. 1856 Boone Co.
        ix. Nancy Ann b. 1833 m. James M. Bays 13 Oct 1853
        x. Henry b. 1837 m. Rhoda Dickens 16 July 1863
        xi. John b. 1840 (living with James in 1860 Census?)
        xii. Augustus b. 1841 (lived with Jacob Pettry in 1850)
        
        notes: James death record gives his parents as Peter and Virginia Vealey

2. married Martha (Mattie) MASSEY

        i. Cornelius b. b. 17 Feb 1844 (lived with James Vealy in 1850)
        ii. William b. 1846 civil war soldier from Kanawha Co.
        iii. Charles b. 1847

3. married Elizabeth DICKENS
        i. Martha Rene b. 1853
        ii. Michael H. b. 7 May 1854 m. Mary E. Cantley b. Dec. 1856
        iii. Daniel b. 21 May 1856
        iv. Harriett
        v. Margaret b. 1 Mar 1858
        vi. Elijah (twin) b. 30 May 1860
        vii. Easter (twin)b. 30 May 1860
        viii. Spicey Catherine b. 1862
ix. Floyd (???) b. 1869
         notes - 1860 Census Raleigh Co. (hard to read):
Peter 60, Elizabeth 34, ? 12 (female), Martha 8, Michael 5, ? 2 (female), ? 1 month (female) + Janet Vealy 21

Second Generation
James Vealey b. 1826 m. (1) Celia Pettry 12 Jan 1849, (2) Mary?
d. 15 Oct 1887

        1. Virginia b. 1849/1850
        2. Mary b. 13 Aug 1853 Raleigh Co. d. or div. bef. 1892
        3. Albert b. 13 May 1859 d. bef. 1870

note - Celia in 1910 census said she had 3 children, none were living; James death reported by wife? Mary - could this have been his daughter and he didn’t remarry?

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