1. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; McDowell County Historical Society;
1995; "Jake Brant"; Article; Pages 105 and 106; submitted by Crystal Brant, Iaeger, WV 24844.
2. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Bradshaw; taken 3 May 1910; Page 73B;
Image 18 of 28; Family #133/134.
Listed as Benjamin Brant; age 5; born in WV; in household of uncle, Lewis Kennedy.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1924); Page 105; WV Archives Web Site.
Bennie Bryant; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; farmer; living at Rockridge, WV; son of
Jake and Mary; married on 17 Dec 1924 at Beartown, WV; Pearl Beavers; age 18; born in Tazewell
Co, VA; single; daughter of Tilden and Hannah.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1924); Page 105; WV Archives Web Site.
Bennie Bryant; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; farmer; living at Rockridge, WV; son of
Jake and Mary; married on 17 Dec 1924 at Beartown, WV; Pearl Beavers; age 18; born in Tazewell
Co, VA; single; daughter of Tilden and Hannah.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'70 013643; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Pearl B. Brant; age 64; born 18 Jul 1906 in VA; married,; wife of Ben Brant; housewife; living at
Beartown, WV; daughter of Tilden and Hannah (McCoy) Brant; died 29 Aug 1970 in Stevens Clinic,
Welch, WV; from bilateral pneumonia with septicemic shock due to laryngeal growth, etiology?;
buried 1 Sep 1970 in Brant Cemetery, Rockridge, WV.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1932); Page 133; WV Archives Web Site.
Haron Spencer; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; truck driver; son of Roby and Robina;
married on 20 Sep 1932 in McDowell Co, WV; Marie Farmer; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV;
daughter of Art and Carrie.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1932); Page 133; WV Archives Web Site.
Haron Spencer; age 22; born in McDowell Co, WV; single; truck driver; son of Roby and Robina;
married on 20 Sep 1932 in McDowell Co, WV; Marie Farmer; age 21; born in McDowell Co, WV;
daughter of Art and Carrie.
1. "Bluefiled Daily Telegraph"; Tuesday, 25 Sep 2012; Newspaper Obit.
"ANAWALT — Reda Marie Spencer Nance, age 72, of Antler Branch Road (Elkhorn Mountain), Anawalt, passed away on Monday, Sept. 24, 2012 at the residence of her daughter in Gary."Born on Jan. 2, 1940 in West Virginia, she was a daughter of the late Haron and Marie Farmer Spencer. She had been a lifelong resident of McDowell County and was a member of the Brushfork Baptist Church.
"She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Micky Spencer.
"Reda was a loving wife and mother who devoted her life to her family.
"Left to cherish her memory are her: Husband: Billy J. Nance of the home; son: Neil Nance of Elkhorn Mountain; daughters: Gail Carr and husband David of Gary, Janis Kimble and husband Frank of Falls Mills, Va.; six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; two brothers: Bill Spencer and James Spencer; one sister: Deanna Davis and husband Roger.
"Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, Sept. 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the Cravens-Shires Funeral Home in Bluewell with the Rev. Jim Blevins officiating. Burial will follow at the Nance Family Cemetery in Jenkinjones..."
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1922); Page 411; WV Archives Web Site.
Fred McDonald; age 24; born in Clinton Co, KY; single; miner; living at Avondale, WV; son of Henry
and Alice E.; married on 22 Aug 1922 at Avondale, WV; Dora Roberts; age 18; born in McDowell Co,
WV; single; daughter of Thomas and Lena.
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1922); Page 411; WV Archives Web Site.
Fred McDonald; age 24; born in Clinton Co, KY; single; miner; living at Avondale, WV; son of Henry
and Alice E.; married on 22 Aug 1922 at Avondale, WV; Dora Roberts; age 18; born in McDowell Co,
WV; single; daughter of Thomas and Lena.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'65 011872; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Dora McDonald; age 58; born 7 Feb 1907 in WV; widow; living at Avondale, WV; housewife;
daughter of Tommy and Katherine Roberts; died 5 Aug 1965 in Grace Hospital, Welch, WV; from
a cerebral hemorrhage with hypertensive cardio vascular disease and marked obesity; buried 9 Aug
1965 in Mullins Cemetery, Avondale, WV
1. McDowell Co, WV; Marriage Records; Vol #__(1898); Page 84; WV Archives Web Site.
Peter McNealy; age 23; born in Logan Co, WV; single; son of ____; married on 28 Apr 1898 at the
house of Link Mullins; Siller Jones; age 19; born and living in McDowell Co, WV; single; daughter
of Pres and Pricy.
2. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'65 016445; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Pete McNeeley; age 90; born 14 Jun 1875 in WV; farmer; married; living at Big Sandy, WV; son of
Martin and unknown mother McNeeley; died 22 Oct 1965 in the Welch Emergency Hospital, Welch,
WV; from chronic pt.due to pulmonary embolismwith artioic sclerosis heart disease; buried 25 Oct
1965 in Short Ridge Cemetery, Garland, WV; informant, Edie McNeeley, Big Sandy, WV.
1. 1900 Census, McDowell Co, WV, taken 21 Jun 1900, Big Creek Township, Page 86A, Family #235.
Listed as Walter Murphy, age 15, born in Apr 1885, in household of father, Montaville Murphy.
2. Marriage Records; Mingo Co, WV; Vol #__(1907); Page 53; WV Archives Web Site.
Walter Murphy; age 21; born in Logan Co, WV; single; farmer; living at War Eagle, WV; married on
2 May 1907 at residence of Byron Chrisyian, minister in Mingo Co, WV; Celia Lester; age 22; born
in Logan Co, WV. (No parents were listed)
3. "The Heritage of McDowell County, West Virginia, 1858-1995"; 1995; Edited by Dr, Thomas C.
Hatcher; Geneva Steele; Sandra Long and Christine Carr McGuire; "Fred F. Murphy" Article; Page
212; submitted by Loraine Murphy, War, WV 24892.
1. Marriage Records; Mingo Co, WV; Vol #__(1907); Page 53; WV Archives Web Site.
Walter Murphy; age 21; born in Logan Co, WV; single; farmer; living at War Eagle, WV; married on
2 May 1907 at residence of Byron Chrisyian, minister in Mingo Co, WV; Celia Lester; age 22; born
in Logan Co, WV. (No parents were listed)
1. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'65 003717; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Hazel M. Nease; age 51; born 26 Mar 1913 in WV; housewife; married; living at Iaeger, WV;
daughter of Walter and Celia (Lester) Murphy; died 20 Feb 1965 at Iaeger, WV; from a coronary
occlusion due to arterosclerotic heart disease; buried 23 Feb 1965 in Oak Log Cemetery, Basiden,
WV; informant, Lowell Riffe, Bassett, VA.
1. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Jess Nelson
Gender Male
Birth Date 30 Aug 1901
Birth Place Buchanan, Virginia, USA
Certificate Number 1901005822
Father Charlie Nelson
Mother Ella Whitt"
2. 1910 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; taken on 14 May 1910; Page 210A;
Family #411/425.
Listed as Jesse Nelson; age 8; born in WV; in household of father, Charles H. Nelson.
3. 1920 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Browns Creek District; Solvay Colleries; Hemphill; taken on
19 Jan1920; Page 270B; Family #185/185.
Listed as Jesse Nelson; age 18; born in VA; boarder; single; coal miner; in household of Wiley
G. Blair, with father and brother, Doak.
4. 1930 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Big Creek District; taken on 17 Apr 1930; Page 148B;
Family #341/350.
Listed as Jesse J. Nelson; age 28; born in VA; single; in household of father, Charles H. Nelson.
5. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registery; Vol #__(1932); Page 24; Line 18; WV Archives Web Site.
Jess Nelson; age 29; born in WV; single; living at Valls Creek, WV; married on 4 Jan 1932 at
Princeton, WV; Dora Simms; age 19; born in WV; single; living at Bluefield, WV.
6. 1940 Census McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Bradshaw; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1210B;
Household #38.
Listed as Jessie J. Nelson; age 39; born in VA; married; 5th grade education; lived in same house
on 1 Apr 1935; tippleman for coal mine; head of household.
7. McDowell Co, WV; WW II Draft Registration Card #T 91; 16 Feb 1942; Ancestry.com Website.
Jess Nelson; age 40; born 30 aug 1901 in Tazewell Co, VA; living at Bradshaw, WV; employed by
Pond Creek Pocahontas, Raysal, WV; names of person who will always know address, Dora Nelson,
wife; 5'9" tall; 150 lbs; blue eyes; brown hair; light complexion.
8. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Caretta; Shaft Hollow; taken 3 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 2;
Dwelling #290.
Listed as Jess Nelson; age 48; born in VA; married; trackman in coal mine; head of household.
9. Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014; Ancesty.com Website.
"Name Jess Nelson
Social Security Number 236-09-9740
Birth Date 30 Aug 1901
Issue year Before 1951
Issue State West Virginia
Death Date Oct 1965"
10. McDowell Co, WV; Death Certificate #'65 014833; WV Archives Web Site via LDS Web Site.
Jess Nelson; age 64; born 30 Aug 1901 in Tazewell Co, VA; married; coal miner; living at Caretta,
WV; SS #236-09-9740; son of Charles and Ella (Whitt) Nelson; died 5 Oct 1965 in Stevens Clinic,
Welch, WV; from carcinoma of stomach; buried 8 Oct 1965 in Grandview Memory Gardens,
Bluefield, VA; informant, Dora Nelson, Caretta, WV.
1. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1920: Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Dora Edith Simms
Gender Female
Birth Date 23 Feb 1913
Birth Place Tazewell, Virginia, USA
Certificate Number 1913011390
Father S A Simms
Mother Rosa B Simms"
2. Mercer Co, WV; Marriage Registery; Vol #__(1932); Page 24; Line 18; WV Archives Web Site.
Jess Nelson; age 29; born in WV; single; living at Valls Creek, WV; married on 4 Jan 1932 at
Princeton, WV; Dora Simms; age 19; born in WV; single; living at Bluefield, WV.
3. 1940 Census McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Bradshaw; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1210B;
Household #38.
Listed as Dora E. Nelson; age 26; born in VA; married; 3rd grade education; lived in same house
on 1 Apr 1935; in household of husband, Jesse J. Nelson.
4. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Caretta; Shaft Hollow; taken 3 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 2;
Dwelling #290.
Listed as Dora Nelson; age 36; born in VA; married; in household of husband, Jesse J. Nelson.
5. Russell Co, VA; Marriage License #66 046202; Ancestry.com Website.
Arthur Pruitt; age 62; born in Buchanan Co, VA; widowed; one previous marriage; living at Caretta,
WV; son of J.A. and Josie (Smith) Pruitt; married on 7 Dec 1966 in Pocahontas, Tazewell Co, VA;
Dora Nelson; maiden name Simms; age 52; born in Richlands, VA; widow; one previous marriage;
living at Caretta, WV; daughter of Steve and Rosa (Lawrence) Simms.
6. North Carolina, U.S., Death Indexes, 1908-2004; Ancestry.com Website.
"Name Dora Simms Pruitt [Dora Simms Simms]
Gender Female
Race White
Marital Status Widowed
Age 79
Birth Date 28 Feb 1913
Birth Place Virginia, USA
Residence Place Stokes, North Carolina
Death Date 6 May 1992
Death Place Winston-Salem, Forsyth, North Carolina
Social Security Number 227059522
Father's Last Name Simms
Source Vendor NC Department of Health. North Carolina Deaths, 1988-92
Notes Disposition: Burial out of state, Autopsy: No, Attendant: Physician, Hospital Status: General Hospital"
7. "Winston-Salem Journal"; Winston-Salem, NC; Thursday, 7 Thursday 1992; Page 34;
Newspapers.com Website.
"Pruitt
"King-- Mrs. Dora Sims Nelson Pruitt, 79, of 209 Redwood Bend, King died Wednesday morning,
May 6, 1992 in Forsyth Memorial Hospital after two years of decloning health. Mrs. Pruitt was born
in Tazewell County, Va., the daughter of Steven and Rosa P. (sic, D) Sims. She was formaly of
McDowell Co, W.Va. and had been a resident of King for the past eight years. Mrs. Pruitt was of the
Baptist faith. She is survived by a companion, Raymond Dunford of the home; a daughter and
son-in-law, Vergie N. and Jerry Warf of Winston-Salem; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jessie and
Ruby Nelson of Bluefield, W.Va.; Calvin D, and Doris Nelson of Kin; nine grandchildren and eight
great gandchildren. Mrs. Pruitt was preceded in death by her first husband, Jess Nelson, in 1965
and second husband, Arthur Pruitt, in 1981.Services will be at Hayworth-Miller Rural Hall Chapel
7:30 p.m. Thursday. The family will receive friends following the service. Service and burial will be
conducted 2 p.m. Friday at Grandview Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Bluefield, Va. by Rev. Bill
Johnson. Memorials may be made to Pinnacle Baptist Church, c/o Mike Towe, PO Box 126,
Pinnacle, NC 27943."
1. 1940 Census McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Bradshaw; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1210B;
Household #38.
Listed as Virgie M. Nelson; age 7; born in WV; no education; attending school; lived in same house
on 1 Apr 1935; in household of father, Jesse J. Nelson.
2. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Caretta; Shaft Hollow; taken 3 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 2;
Dwelling #290.
Listed as Virgie M. Nelson; age 17; born in WV; single; in household of father, Jesse J. Nelson.
1. 1940 Census McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Bradshaw; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1210B;
Household #38.
Listed as Jessie J. Nelson; age 2; born in WV; in household of father, Jesse J. Nelson.
2. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Caretta; Shaft Hollow; taken 3 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 2;
Dwelling #290.
Listed as Jessie J. Nelson; age 13; born in WV; single; in household of father, Jesse J. Nelson.
1. 1940 Census McDowell Co, WV; Sandy River District; Bradshaw; taken 23 Apr 1940; Page 1210B;
Household #38.
Listed as Calvin D. Nelson; age 10 mons; born in WV; in household of father, Jesse J. Nelson.
2. 1950 Census, McDowell Co, WV; Caretta; Shaft Hollow; taken 3 Apr 1950; Sheet Number 2;
Dwelling #290.
Listed as Calvin D. Nelson; age 11; born in WV; single; in household of father, Jesse J. Nelson.