New Year January 2022

 Dear Followers,

     I so wish I didn't have to write, the past year was another rough one! 

 May 28, 2021 my youngest sister, Vanessa Jean Bailey was killed when another driver hit her. Again, so very tragic when in January of 2020 my only brother, Charlie, was also severely injured in head-on collision. Thankfully, he is now home after more than a year in care facilities.

  In late August of 2021 my Father, Charles A., and daughter, Julie, and I all suffered through Covid. My Mother, Myrtle Ann Thompson passed August 2 from complications of dementia at age 92. 

  Before the year was out, the family lost three more due to Covid - my maternal cousins Lee Blevins and his son, Cache in Brooksville, Florida, and Tim "Bo" Spurlock of New Lebanon, Ohio. In May Tim's brother, Royce, also passed.

  God willing, on January 20, we will celebrate Dad's 92nd birthday. I pray that 2022 will be better for everyone.

  

2020 December Thoughts

 Dear Followers,

Needless to say, but it’s been a tough year indeed!

Few have been exempt from the Covid virus in one way or another. 

Personal tragedy struck my family last January when a driver crossed the center line and hit my brother head on. He’s still in a care facility, and recovering from the Covid-19 virus. 

Each day I do my best to care for my parents, Mother is 91 and Dad will be 91 in January. 

I do find time to research family genealogy for others. My donated files are locked up in the historical society due to the virus. Good resources are still available. It is my pleasure to assist where I can. 

This Christmas season I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I want to thank each and every person who made a difference, gave a smile, brought a meal, prayed and gave Hope. 

Kindest Regards,

Valerie Thompson

 

Christmas 2019

Wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF

DRURY HAM, Revolutionary War Soldier

Transcribed by

Valerie J. Thompson

March 1, 2019

Lincoln County, Kentucky Will Book M, pages 84,85

     I, Drury Ham of Lincoln County and State of Kentucky do hereby make my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say, 1^st, I desire that all my just debts be paid,  2^nd it is my desire that my wife, Mariah, have two hundred dollars paid to her at my death, and two hundred dollars more at the end of one year thereafter, and should she die before I do, it is my desire that my wife’s son, Lilburn Johnson shall have the last two hundred dollars named in this item, and the first two hundred dollars named in this item returned to my legal heirs, and it is hereby understood and agreed upon by and between myself and my wife, Mariah, that she is not to come in or claim any more of my estate exclusive of the four hundred dollars named above in this item. 3rdly, it is my will and desire that my daughters, Sally Harris and Matilda Wheeldon, and my son, Hardin W Ham shall have an equal part both real and personal of the balance of my estate that I have not herein before disposed of. 4^th, it is my will and desire that the children of my daughter Lucinda Graham have one equal part of my estate the same as my two daughters and my son named in the 3^rd item of this my Last Will and Testament, and the said Lucinda Graham shall be the agent for her children, and receive their part of my estate and apply it to their benefit. 5^th, It is my will that Charles N. Talbot and Drury W. Talbot, and Hardin W. Talbot, infant children of my deceased daughter, Malinda Talbot, shall have one equal part of my estate the same and equal with my children herein before named and that their part of the money arising from my estate be put in interest until they arrive at the age of twenty-one years

Page 85

old, and in case either of the children named in this item should die before they arrive at the age of twenty-one years old, the part of each child to return to his brothers, and in case all three of said children should die before they arrive at the age above named, then and in that case their part is to return to my legal heirs. Lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint Elisha Perkins and Lewis Ball as my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 26^th day of September 1835.

N B: The words, she, to and part were entered before assigned. 

                                                                                          Drury Ham {Seal}

Signed and sealed

In presence of:

Lewis Ball

Lewis X Padgett (his mark)

E. Perkins

Dabney Gooch

Lincoln County Kentucky Court Set

At a county court holden for the County of Lincoln on Monday, the 28^th of December 1835, the Last Will and Testament of Drury Ham was exhibited into court and was proven by the oath of Lewis Ball, one of the subscribing witnesses, and ordered to be recorded by Elisha Perkins, one of the Executors named in said will, who made oath as the law directs, and executed bond in the amount of three thousand and five hundred dollars with Moses Grimes and Green Moore, his securities, with proper condition ordered that a certificate be granted to him in and form of law.

                                                                                 Witness: Thomas Helm

                                                                                 Clerk of Lincoln County Court

According to the pension papers of Drury Ham W27878, he died the day after Christmas, the 26^th of December 1835. He had previously been married to Rachel Williams, 21 June 1791 in Madison County, Kentucky. He married Mariah Johnson 6 April 1827 in Lincoln County, Kentucky. He was born 9 July 1760 in Orange County, Virginia. From census records, Mariah was born in 1800. 

There are other estate papers for Drury Ham, in Lincoln County, Kentucky Estate Box 34, and further record in Order Book 10, pages 398-400

Mariah married Elisha Perkins 6 February 1840 in Pulaski County, Kentucky. The marriage bonds are recorded in the pension papers. Elisha Perkins died 22 November 1864. James Eubank and Benjamin F. Eubank gave statements that "Elisha Perkins died on the 22 day of November 1864 and that she [Mariah] has remained a widow from that date until the present time.They further state that they are able to fix the date of death of Elisha Perkins for the following reasons, that they were present soon after the death and helped dress and lay said Elisha Perkins out after his death. Also,the said Elisha Perkins died on the 22 day of November 1864, it being the same day that we killed a lot of large hogs that was bought at James Crows, and furthermore, the above date is inscribed on said Perkins tombstone..." 

Mariah Perkins is buried at the Barrier Johnson Farm Cemetery in Lincoln County, Kentucky.
Mariah, wife of Elisha Perkins June11, 1800-May 15, 1875 Presious Gran Ma
Photograph of her tombstone is located at https://sites.rootsweb.com/~kylinco2/3Cemeteries/PerkinsMariah-Barrier FarmJohnsonCem.jpg

James M. Siler, POA for Sarah Griffits, relict of Weimer Siler

James M. Siler is my third great grandfather on my father's side of the family. My grandmother was Flora Siler, daughter of Sampson Siler, son of Sherrod Siler, son of James M. Siler, whose father was Weimer Siler, and whose father was Jacob O. Siler, youngest son of immigrant Plickard Dederic Siler. He came to America aboard a two masted ship, "Snow Two Sisters" the 9th September 1738.

Power of Attorney to James M. Siler from Sarah Griffits, formerly Sarah Moad Siler, and the sale of Weimer Siler's land to Jacob Siler

Transcribed by Valerie J. Thompson, July 5, 2015

Whitley County, Kentucky Deed Book 4, page 324 –

Know all men by these presents that I, Sarah Griffit, formerly Sarah Siler, Relick of Wimer Silar deceased have this day appointed and constituted James M Silar my agent and attorney in fact and do hereby constitute and empower the said James M Silar to act for me and in my stead in the transaction of my business in as full and ample a manner as I myself could do to sell and convey by and any land or interest in said land which I may have in the State of Kentucky or else where, to receive any monies which may be due and owing to me from the estate of the said Weimer Silar, Dec’d, or any other person in the state of Georgia and receipt for the same and do all of her acts which it may be necessary to be done in the transaction of my business. In witness whereof I, Sarah Griffitt have hereunto set my hand and seal, affixed my seal together with my husband, Emanuel Griffits whose hand and seals are hereto affixed the day and date above written.   [No date written]                                                                     Sarah X Griffitts  (her mark)

                                                                                                                            Emanuel Griffitts

State of Tennessee

McMinn County

Personally appeared before me William George, Clerk of the County Court of McMinn County, Sarah Griffitts  and Emanuel Griffitts who after being duly sworn according to law, do say that the foregoing Power of Attorney was made by them and for the purpose therein explained. In witness I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office…this 23^rd day of May 1856.  

                                                                                                                               Wm George, MC

State of Kentucky

Whitley County Court

I, G. C. Mathis, Clerk of the County Court for the county aforesaid do certify this the foregoing Power of Attorney for Sarah Griffit & Emanuel Griffit to James M Siler was this day processed to me my office and proved by the seal and certificate of William George, Clerk of McMinn County Court. Whereupon the same together with this certificate….”

Whitley County, Kentucky Deed Book 4, page 331 –

     This indenture made and entered into this the 31^st day of May 1856 by and between Jacob Silar of the first part and James M Siler of the second part all of the County of Whitley and State of Kentucky, Witnesseth the said James Silar, att’y has this day sold and by these presents, Give, Grant, Bargain and Sell unto the aforesaid Jacob Silar my interest in the home farm of Wymer Siler, deceased, supposed to contain five [?] hundred acres be the same more or less, lying and being in the county and state aforesaid and adjoining the land upon which the said Jacob Silar now lives and , I James M. Silar, att’y, do hereby warrant and defend the title to the aforesaid land from the claim of myself, my heirs, or assigns and all other persons. In witness, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this day and date written.                                                                             James M. Silar {Seal}

                                                                                            Attorney for Sarah Griffitt

State of Kentucky, Whitley County

     I, J C Watkins Clerk of the County Court, holden for this county aforesaid do certify that this deed from James M. Silar attorney for Sarah Grifit was this day produced to me in my office and acknowledged by the said James M Silar, att’y to be his act and deed whereupon the same together with the certificate hath been duly admitted to record in my office. Given under my hand this 14^th day of June 1856.                                                                           J. C. Watkins

ANNA THOMPSON SEARCE

ANNA  THOMPSON SEARCE

By

Valerie J Thompson

Professional Genealogist

November 2, 2017

     Anna Thompson was the daughter of David and Anna Thompson. She married William Searce the 30th of June 1789 in Woodford County, Kentucky. This marriage occurred prior to  Kentucky's statehood. Image of the marriage Bond is located at Ancestry.com and Familysearch.org, “Kentucky County Marriages”. Image of the Consent for Anna’s marriage to William Searce is signed by her father, David Thomson (spelled without the ‘p’).

When  her father, David Thomson died about 1826/27 she received her 1/12 part of  the property of her father, along with her eleven siblings. Oldham County, Kentucky Will Book 1-2, 1824-1844 (Ancestry.com)

Pages 89-90 Settlement of the Estate of David Thompson, Thomas Mount and Redding Fisher were the Administrators. Settlement was dated 17^th March 1827, and recorded 21^st May 1827.

Delay in the division was due to a complaint of a few of the heirs:

Oldham County, Kentucky Order Book B-E 1828-1847, Index

David Thompson Heirs, pages 62, 74, 89, 113, 164, 206, 248, 394, 407, 459, 516, 544, 566

Deed record Oldham County, Kentucky Deed Book C, page 579, division of land of David Thompson

dated 26 March 1836. 

William Scearce her husband wrote his Last Will and Testament 16^th of September 1830, which was probated in October of 1830. Executors were his wife, Anna, and sons, John and Henry. (From Annie Walker Burns book, Woodford County, Kentucky Wills, Will Book H, page 438) Image at Ancestry.com, “Kentucky Wills and Probate 1774-1989” 

Oldham County, Deed Book ‘C’, page 628 Anna appointed her son, Henry, as her Attorney in fact to sell Susan Thompson’s part of the division of the land of David Thompson, as well as, Ann’s part of twelfth part of the division of her father, David Thompson’s land. This appointment of attorney was dated 28 October 1836. 

 I, Ann Scearce of Woodford County, Kentucky do nominate and appoint my son & friend, Henry Scearce of Woodford County, Kentucky, my true & lawful Attorney in fact to sell and dispose of land in Oldham County, which was allotted to Susan Thompson in a division of land formerly owned by David Thompson, dec’d, descended to heirs of law of Susan Thompson, dec’d of whom the s’d Ann Scearce is one. I also wish to sell & convey the portion allotted to Ann Scearce, she being one of the children and heirs of David Thompson, dec’d. [Signed] Ann Scearce

Anna died in 1847. Henry Searce and Samuel Berry were bound in the amount of $5000 for the appointment of Henry/Harry Searce as the Administrator of the “goods, chattel, and credits of Anne Searce.” (Kentucky Wills and Probate 1774-1989, Woodford County, Kentucky Administrator’s Bonds 1818-1868, image at Ancestry.com and Familysearch.org)

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF ALLEN JONES, CARLISLE COUNTY, KY

Carlisle County, Kentucky Will Book 1886-1927, Vol. 1 page 156:
     Know all men by these presents that I, Allen Jones, of Carlisle county, Kentucky being of sound mind, but growing old, and desiring to give disposition of my property after my death, do make and publish this as my last will and testament.
First,
     I hereby give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Viola Belle Jones all of the property both real and personal of every kind and nature to have and use as she may wish during her natural life only, and after her death all of my said property both real and personal of every kind and nature that my beloved wife has not used during her natural life in paying my just debts, and her support during her natural life, I will and bequeath to my youngest daughter, Lenia Jones in fee absolute, with the following conditions, to wit, in case if my said daughter, Lenia Jones, should die before she becomes 21 years of age, or has issue of her body, or has heirs of her body, then in that event, it is my will and wish that the residue of all my property that is left after my beloved wife death, I hereby give unto my heirs at law.
     In testimony whereof I, Allen Jones, have set my hand and seal to the foregoing typewritten paper as my last will and testament revoking all former wills by me made and declared.
Witness my hand in the presence of J. U. McKendree and H. L. Wiley who at my insistence and request witness my signing
Page 157
and declaring of this paper as my last will and testament, This February 22/1908.
                                                                                [Signed] Allen Jones
Attest: J. J. McKendree
              H. L. Wiley

We, J. U. McKendree and H. L. Wiley at the instance and request of Mr. Allen Jones subscribes ourselves as having been present and seeing said Jones sign his name to the foregoing paper and declaring it to be his last will and testament, we in his presence and the presence of each other, This February 22, 1908

                                                                                                        J. U. McKendree
                                                                                                        H. L. Wiley
State of Kentucky
Carlisle County
I, R. O. Willingham, Jr., Clerk of the County Court of the County aforesaid, certifiy that on the 9th day of August 1909, at a regular term of the Carlisle County Court, the foregoing will of Allen Jones, deceased, was filed for probate and proven by the oath of J. U. McKendree and H. L. Wiley, two subscribing witnesses thereto, and allowed and established as and for the last will and testament of Allen Jones, dec'd, and ordered to record which has been done accordingly.
Given under my hand this 11th day of July 1910.
                                                                        [Signed] R. O. Willingham, Jr., Clerk

Jones, Allen Vol. 1. 156 2/22/1908 8/9/1909 Wife: Viola Belle Jones; Youngest daughter Lenia Jones http://kykinfolk.com/carlisle/WillBk1.html

Image of the Will can be found at Ancestry.com "Kentucky, Wills and Probate Records, 1774-1989"

Viola Belle Allen and  Allen Jones were married 4 March 1897 in Hickman County, Kentucky, Familysearch.org, image at "Kentucky County Marriages"
Two children, Lena and Allen were born of this union,

Allen Jones was previously married to Caroline Holder 10 January 1843 in White County, Tennessee.( Image at Ancestry.com Tennessee Marriages 1780-2002, was mistranscribed as Janes)

:

Children of Allen Jones and Caroline Holder, listed on Census records of Ballard County, Kentucky were:

James J. Jones

Nancy Jones Holder

Mary Elizabeth Jones Vaughn

George Jones

Mika C.Jones Allen Layton