1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #70.
Listed as Ballard Blankenship, age 12, born in VA, in household of father,
Clayborn Blankenship.
2. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 31. Married Eliza Smith, age
24, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of George and Nancy (______) Smith, on 22
Oct 1857.
3. "Wyoming Co Wills 1850-1900", W.B. #1, Haga.
Bond Book #1. Wyatt Statton appointed as administrator of estate of Clayborn
Blankenship on 22 Dec 1854. Clayborn was Ballard's father.
4. "Marriage Records of Wyoming Co, WV...", Vol 1, Haga, page 12.
Ballard Blankenship, age 22, born in Logan Co, WV, son of Clayborn and Mary
Blankenship, married Eliza Smith, age 24, also born in Logan Co, WV, daughter
of George and Nancy Smith. They were married on 22 Oct 1857.
5. 1860 Census, Logan Co, VA (WV), Buffalo P.O., taken on 29 Jun 1860, Page 243, Family #279.
Listed as B. Blankenship, age 23, born in WV, farmer, head of household.
6. 1870 Census, Logan Co, WV, Rich Creek PO, taken on 25 Sep? 1870, page 528A, Family #161.
Listed as Ballard Blankenship, age 25 (sic, 30+), born in VA, farmer, head of household.
7. 1880 Census, Logan Co, WV, taken on 6 Jun 1880, Page 277A, Family #47.
Listed as Ballard Blankenship, age 43, born in VA, farmer, head of household.
1. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 31. Married Eliza Smith, age
24, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of George and Nancy (______) Smith, on 22
Oct 1857.
2. "Marriage Records of Wyoming Co, WV...", Vol 1, Haga, page 12.
Ballard Blankenship, age 22, born in Logan Co, WV, son of Clayborn and Mary
Blankenship, married Eliza Smith, age 24, also born in Logan Co, WV, daughter
of George and Nancy Smith. They were married on 22 Oct 1857.
3. 1860 Census, Logan Co, VA (WV), Buffalo P.O., taken on 29 Jun 1860, Page 243, Family #279.
Listed as Eliza Blankenship, age 23, born in WV, in household of husband, Ballard Blankenship.
4. 1880 Census, Logan Co, WV, taken on 6 Jun 1880, Page 277A, Family #47.
Listed as Suiza? Blankenship, age 47, born in VA, in household of husband, Ballard Blankenship.
1. 1860 Census, Logan Co, VA (WV), Buffalo P.O., taken on 29 Jun 1860, Page 243, Family #279.
Listed as Minerva Blankenship, age 1, born in WV, in household of father, Ballard Blankenship.
2. 1870 Census, Logan Co, WV, Rich Creek PO, taken on 25 Sep? 1870, page 528A, Family #161.
Listed as Minerva Blankenship, age 13, born in VA, in household of father, Ballard Blankenship.
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #70.
Listed as Floyd Blankenship, age 8, born in VA, in household of father,
Clayborn Blankenship.
2. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 32. Married first to
Elizabeth Grimmet, age 20, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of John and Nancy
(______) Grimmet, on 12 Jul 1862. Second to Mary Toler, age 20, born in
Logan Co, WV, daughter of Squire and Elizabeth (______) Toler, on 12 Dec
1866. Third to Mary A. Grimmett, born in Logan Co, VA, daughter of William
and Vina (______), on 12 Dec 1869.
3. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
In household of mother, Mary Toler Blankenship.
4. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Register; Book #___(1866); Page 14; Line #31; WV Archives Web Site.
Floyd Blankenship; age 25; born in Logan Co, WV; widowed; farmer; living in Wyoming Co, WV;
son of Clayborn and Mary Bl.; married on 12 Dec 1866 in Wyoming Co, WV; Mary Toler; age 20;
born in Logan Co, WV; single; living in Wyoming Co, WV; daughter of Squire and Elizabeth Toler.
5. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Clear Fork Dist, at Sunhill PO, Family 56.
6. "Wyoming Co Wills 1850-1900", W.B. #1, Haga.
Bond Book #1. Wyatt Statton appointed as administrator of estate of Clayborn
Blankenship on 22 Dec 1854.
1. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 32. Floyd Blankenship married
first to Elizabeth Grimmet, age 20, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of John
and Nancy (______) Grimmet, on 12 Jul 1862. Second to Mary Toler, age 20,
born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of Squire and Elizabeth (______) Toler, on 12
Dec 1866. Third to Mary A. Grimmett, born in Logan Co, VA, daughter of
William and Vina (______), on 12 Dec 1869.
2. 1850 Census, Logan Co, WV, taken 25 Aug 1850, page 141, Family #309.
Listed as Elizabeth Grimmett, age 8, in household of father, John
Grimmett.
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #70.
Listed as Floyd Blankenship, age 8, born in VA, in household of father,
Clayborn Blankenship.
2. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 32. Married first to
Elizabeth Grimmet, age 20, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of John and Nancy
(______) Grimmet, on 12 Jul 1862. Second to Mary Toler, age 20, born in
Logan Co, WV, daughter of Squire and Elizabeth (______) Toler, on 12 Dec
1866. Third to Mary A. Grimmett, born in Logan Co, VA, daughter of William
and Vina (______), on 12 Dec 1869.
3. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
In household of mother, Mary Toler Blankenship.
4. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Register; Book #___(1866); Page 14; Line #31; WV Archives Web Site.
Floyd Blankenship; age 25; born in Logan Co, WV; widowed; farmer; living in Wyoming Co, WV;
son of Clayborn and Mary Bl.; married on 12 Dec 1866 in Wyoming Co, WV; Mary Toler; age 20;
born in Logan Co, WV; single; living in Wyoming Co, WV; daughter of Squire and Elizabeth Toler.
5. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Clear Fork Dist, at Sunhill PO, Family 56.
6. "Wyoming Co Wills 1850-1900", W.B. #1, Haga.
Bond Book #1. Wyatt Statton appointed as administrator of estate of Clayborn
Blankenship on 22 Dec 1854.
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209B, Family #79.
Listed as Mary Toler, age 10, born in VA, in household of father,
Squire Toler.
2. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 32. Husband married first to
Elizabeth Grimmet, age 20, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of John and
Nancy (______) Grimmet, on 12 Jul 1862. Second to Mary Toler, age 20, born
in Logan Co, WV, daughter of Squire and Elizabeth (______) Toler, on 12 Dec
1866. Third to Mary A. Grimmett, born in Logan Co, VA, daughter of William
and Vina (______), on 12 Dec 1869.
3. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Register; Book #___(1866); Page 14; Line #31; WV Archives Web Site.
Floyd Blankenship; age 25; born in Logan Co, WV; widowed; farmer; living in Wyoming Co, WV;
son of Clayborn and Mary Bl.; married on 12 Dec 1866 in Wyoming Co, WV; Mary Toler; age 20;
born in Logan Co, WV; single; living in Wyoming Co, WV; daughter of Squire and Elizabeth Toler.
4. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
Listed in household of father, Squire Toler.
1. "Births of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1882.
Boyd Blankenship was born on 19 Jan 1882 to Floyd and Mary A. Blankenship.
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #70.
Listed as Floyd Blankenship, age 8, born in VA, in household of father,
Clayborn Blankenship.
2. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 32. Married first to
Elizabeth Grimmet, age 20, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of John and Nancy
(______) Grimmet, on 12 Jul 1862. Second to Mary Toler, age 20, born in
Logan Co, WV, daughter of Squire and Elizabeth (______) Toler, on 12 Dec
1866. Third to Mary A. Grimmett, born in Logan Co, VA, daughter of William
and Vina (______), on 12 Dec 1869.
3. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
In household of mother, Mary Toler Blankenship.
4. Wyoming Co, WV; Marriage Register; Book #___(1866); Page 14; Line #31; WV Archives Web Site.
Floyd Blankenship; age 25; born in Logan Co, WV; widowed; farmer; living in Wyoming Co, WV;
son of Clayborn and Mary Bl.; married on 12 Dec 1866 in Wyoming Co, WV; Mary Toler; age 20;
born in Logan Co, WV; single; living in Wyoming Co, WV; daughter of Squire and Elizabeth Toler.
5. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Clear Fork Dist, at Sunhill PO, Family 56.
6. "Wyoming Co Wills 1850-1900", W.B. #1, Haga.
Bond Book #1. Wyatt Statton appointed as administrator of estate of Clayborn
Blankenship on 22 Dec 1854.
1. Wyoming Co Marriages, 1854-1910, Turner, page 32. Floyd Blankenship married
first to Elizabeth Grimmet, age 20, born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of John
and Nancy (______) Grimmet, on 12 Jul 1862. Second to Mary Toler, age 20,
born in Logan Co, WV, daughter of Squire and Elizabeth (______) Toler, on 12
Dec 1866. Third to Mary A. Grimmett, born in Logan Co, VA, daughter of
William and Vina (______), on 12 Dec 1869.
2. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Clear Fork Dist, at Sunhill PO, Family 56.
1. "Births of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1880.
Minta Blankenship was born on 30 Oct 1880 to Floyd and Mary A. Blankenship.
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #70.
Listed as Jesse Blankenship, age 6, born in VA, in household of father,
Clayborn Blankenship.
2. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
Listed here as George? Is this Jesse?
3. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Clear Fork Dist, at Sunhill PO, Family 57.
4. "Marriage Records of Wyoming...", Vol 1, Haga, page 11.
5. "Wyoming Co Wills 1850-1900", W.B. #1, Haga.
Bond Book #1. Wyatt Statton appointed as administrator of estate of Clayborn
Blankenship on 22 Dec 1854.
6. "Births of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1873.
Ballard D. Blankenship was born on 2 Jun 1873 to George and Arisba
Blankenship.
7. 1880 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, compiled by William A. Marsh, Vol 4, page 694.
Clear Fork Township, page 003.
Listed as George Blankenship, age 39, head of household, a laborer.
8. "Marriage Records of Wyoming...", Vol 3, No 262, Haga, page 10.
Ballard David Blankenship, age 19, married on 26 Apr 1890 Bethena Toler, age
18, at James Toler's, with information given by Catherine Toler and George
Blankenship.
9. 1900 Census, Wayne Co, WV, Union District, taken on 13 Jun 1900, Page 223B, Family #101.
Listed as George Blankenship, age 55, born in WV in Mar 1845, married 32 years, farm laborer,
head of household.
10. 1910 Census, Wayne Co, WV, Union District, taken on 2 May 1910, Page 261A, Family #151.
Listed as George Blankenship, age 65, born in WV, married for 40 yrs, farmer, head of household.
1. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Clear Fork Dist, at Sunhill PO, Family 57.
2. "Marriage Records of Wyoming...", Vol 1, Haga, page 11.
3. "Births of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1873.
Ballard D. Blankenship was born on 2 Jun 1873 to George and Arisba
Blankenship.
4. 1880 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, compiled by William A. Marsh, Vol 4, page 694.
Clear Fork Township, page 003.
Listed as Arizza Blankenship, age 30, in household of husband, George
Blankenship, keeping house.
5. 1900 Census, Wayne Co, WV, Union District, taken on 13 Jun 1900, Page 223B, Family #101.
Listed as Arisbay Blankenship, age 52, born in WV in Dec 1847, married 32 years, 5 children, 4 living,
in household of husband, Jesse George Blankenship.
6. 1910 Census, Wayne Co, WV, Union District, taken on 2 May 1910, Page 261A, Family #151.
Listed as Arisby Blankenship, age 60, born in WV, married for 40 yrs, 4 children, 4 living, in
household of husband, George Blankenship.
1. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
Listed in household of father, Andrew Goodman.
2. "Marriage Records of Wyoming Co, WV...", Vol 1, Haga, page 37.
Andrew P. Goodman, age 21, born in Nicholas Co, WV, son of Andrew and Penina
Goodman, married Surrilda Blankenship, age 14, daughter of Claybourn and
Mary Blankenship, on 14 Jun 1860.
3. 1850 Census, Floyd Co, KY; taken on 14 Aug 1850, Page 440A, Family #408.
Listed as Andrew J. Goodman, age 12, born in KY, in household of father,
Andrew Goodman.
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #70.
Listed as Lucinda Blankenship, age 4, born in VA, in household of father,
Clayborn Blankenship.
2. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
Listed here as Surilda? Is this Lucinda?
3. "Wyoming Co Wills 1850-1900", W.B. #1, Haga.
Bond Book #1. Wyatt Statton appointed as administrator of estate of Clayborn
Blankenship on 22 Dec 1854.
4. "Marriage Records of Wyoming Co, WV...", Vol 1, Haga, page 37.
Andrew P. Goodman, age 21, born in Nicholas Co, WV, son of Andrew and Penina
Goodman, married Surrilda Blankenship, age 14, daughter of Claybourn and
Mary Blankenship, on 14 Jun 1860.
1. "Births of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1883.
Noah Goodman was born on 12 Nov 1883 at Clear Fork to A.J. and Lourinda
Goodman.
1. Ancestry.com Web Site, William Blankenship search, 24 Apr 2001, submitted by
bjbrowning@xwv.net
Clayborn Blankenship died in 1892 in Tazewell Co, VA; married Mary (______).
2. Ancestry.com Web Site, Clayborn Blankenship search, 9 Apr 2002, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net.
Clayborn Blankenship; born abt 1762 in VA; died in 1802 in Tazewell Co, VA;
son of Peter and Cicley Liggon Blankenship; married Mary Toler (sic?, other
researcher, Pam Blankenship, states she was not Mary Toler. Clayborn, son of
Eli and Mary Smith Blankenship, and grandson of this Clayborn, married Mary
Toler)
1. Ancestry.com Web Site, William Blankenship search, 24 Apr 2001, submitted by
bjbrowning@xwv.net
Clayborn Blankenship died in 1892 in Tazewell Co, VA; married Mary (______).
1. "McDowell Co, WV, Web Site", www.scioto.org/McDowell/MQS/queries1997.html
by C. Mitchem, wpka88A@aol.com.
Looking for information on Shorten Smith. He received a bounty land warrant
in Onondaga Co. NY and sold it. Children were: Joanna, Lavina, Isaiah,
Shorten, and possibly William and Joseph. William and Joseph married in
Tazewell Co, VA about the same time as the other children.
2. "Property Sales By Date of Recording, Town of Tully: 1791-1819", Onondaga
Co, NY, submitted by Kathy Crowell, 6 & 14 Apr 2000,
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyonondaga/TULLY/propertysales.html.
Shorter Smith granted rights for Lot 34 to A. Maxwell, recorded in 1795, Book
1CF, Page 477.
("Onondagaga's Centennial: Gleanings of a Century, Vol 1, Chapter XL, The Town
of Tully; Page 889; "... fifty lots of about 600 acres each..." "... were drawn by soldiers
as bounty lands for services in the Revolutionary War...")
(This A. Maxwell is Anthony Maxwell who was a Lieutenant in Spencer's
Regiment in NY. He retired on 1 Jan 1781 about the same time as Shorten
enlisted. See Ref 20 below).
Shorten Smith granted rights also for Lot 34 to J. Colgreave (or Cotgreave),
recorded in 1795, Book 1CF, Page 477.
3. "New York in the Revolution as Colony and State", Vol 1, Extracts, published
by J.B. Lyon Co, Albany, NY, 1904, page 38.
Shorten Smith lived in New York City in 1776; Comments: Second Regiment.
4. "Annals of Southwest Virginia", Summers, Page 498.
Land survey for Shorten Smith in Botetourt Co, VA, 10 Sep 1785, 112 acres on
the South side of Pilot Mountain, known by the name of the "Cock Pit".
(Per map also contained in this reference Pilot Mountain is located just
southeast of Christianburg, VA in present day Montgomery Co, VA.)
5. Ibid, Shorten Smith appears in the tax list for Montgomery Co, VA taken on
25 Oct 1788. This part of Botetourt Co was split-off to go to Montgomery Co,
VA.
6. Ibid, Shorten was not listed in the 1794 Personal Property Tax List for
Botetourt Co, VA; however, there was a Jonathan Smith with one male over 16
and three horses listed. Could this have been Shorten's father?
(There was a Jonathan Smith who married Mary Moor on 14 May 1741 at Monk
Heslsdon, Durham Co, England and a Jonathan Smith who married Sarah Smith on
24 Dec 1746 at Gorleston, Suffolk Co, England. Short Smith, son of Jonathan
and Elizabeth Moor Smith was born on 13 Apr 1754 christened on 24 Apr 1754
This is not Shorten Smith. This Short Smith married Alice Knight on 18 Nov 1779 and
remained in Wattisfield, County Suffolk until at least 1800)
(It is known that Shorten was born in England, per his son, Isaiah's statement in the
1880 Census.)
7. "Archives of Pioneers of Tazewell Co, VA", Nettie Yattis, footnote, page
383, page 281.
The Tazewell Co, VA Order Book for the year 1818, June Term of the Court
gives the following information: "... Shorten Smith a citizen of Tazewell
County, came into Court and declares on oath that he served in the
Revolutionary War in the Continential Service against the Common Enemy. He
states that he entered with Captain Henry Debais (sic, Dubose) in the State
of New Yourk (sic, York), he was marched from Poughkipsee (located in
Dutchess Co, NY) in the said State of New Yourk to Senectedy (sic,
Schnectady) and afterwards jointd (sic, joined) the company of Captain
Samuel T. Pell the Regiment, Second New York of the New York Line on the
Continential establishment, Commanded by Col. Phillip Vancourt (sic, Van
Cortandt) and he was afterwards marched to John Town fourt (Johnstown,
Montgomery Co, NY which is approximately 30 miles northeast of Schnectady)
and from thence to fourt (sic, fort) Herkimer and thence to fourt Stammix
(Fort Stanwix was located in western NY on the Mohawk River, the Battle of
Oriskany was fought here on 6 Aug 1777) and was left a guard at Prinston
(sic, Princeton, NJ) as his Co (Company) dep (departed) to little York
(Yorktown, VA) where Cornwallis was Captured (Cornwallis surrendered on 19
Oct 1781 at Yorktown, VA), he (Shorten) thinks the time he enlisted (was) in
the year 1781; after the Capture of Corn Wallis he was marched to Jessey
(sic, Jersey) and from thence to Snake Hill (NJ); where he was discharged, he
was discharged the 7th of June 1783 and cannot now furnish his discharge, he
relinquishes all other Claims to any other pension..."
As a result of this affidavit Shorten received Bounty Land Warrant #7741,
issued on October 10, 17__ to Anthony Maxwell and assigned to Smith.
This was the same Anthony Maxwell mentioned above in Ref 2.
Snake Hill, NJ is located west of Hoboken, north of Bergen on a bend of the
Hackensack River per "Map of New York, 1776".
8. http://www.nycincinnati.org/Biographies.htm
"Van Cortlandt was appointed 21 November 1776 colonel of the Second New York Regiment, which he joined at Trenton, where he saw the Hessian prisoners that had been taken, and met with Washington and congratulated him on the victory at Trenton and Princeton. Van Cortlandt served in the Mohawk Valley, at Saratoga, and at Kingston; and he was at Valley Forge in the winter of 1777–1778. In 1779 his regiment served in General Sullivan’s campaign in western New York, and then wintered at Morristown, New Jersey until 1780, when he and his regiment were ordered to West Point. In the fall of 1781 his regiment marched to Yorktown, and after the surrender of Cornwallis returned north to quarters in Pompton, New Jersey. In 1783 he was awarded the rank of brigadier general, in recognition of his “gallant conduct” at Yorktown. ..."
9. "Federal Land Series, Vol 2, 1799-1835", Clifford Neal Smith, Chicago 1973,
pages 61 and 353.
Federal land warrant #7741 for 100 acres was issued to Anthony Maxwell on 10
Oct 1791. This was the track that was assigned to Shorten Smith. It can be
located on the map on page 353 in the "XI, 1" block, SE of Newark, OH just
south of the Licking River in Licking Co, OH.
10. "New York in the Revolution", Berthold Fernow, orginally published as
"Documents Relating to the Colonianl History of the State of New York, Volume
XV" Albany, New York, 1887, page 38.
Shorten Smith is given one of the 5,011 men serving in the four regiments as
an "enlisted man" in the 2nd Regiment of the NY Line commanded by Colonel
Phillip Van Cortland.
11. Ibid, page 116.
Henry Dubois was appointed adjutant in the 5th Regiment on 26 June 1776. He
was promoted and served as Captain from 22 December 1779 through January
1782. Samuel T. Pell served as a Captain of the 4th Company from 21 Nov 1781
to Jan 1782. The 4th Co was in the 2nd Regiment commanded by Col. Phillip
Van Cortlandt.
12. URL http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/lineage/ewyork.htm; pages 3 and 4 of
9, providing the lineage of the New York Regiments.
2nd New York Regiment "...Authorized on 25 May 1775...Consolidated 1 Jan
1781 with the 4th and 5th New York Regiments...with consolidated unit
designated as 2nd New York Regiment...Engagements... New York City (no
dates), Trenton-Princeton (NJ), Saratoga, Philadelphia-Monmouth, Iroquois
1779, Yorktown"
13. "Spy Letters of the American Revolution", from Clements Libaray Collection,
http://www.clements.umich.edu/spies/timeline.html, page 10 of 12.
21 May 1781, George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau agreed to attack
NY...
5 July 1781, Rochambeau's French troops moved from Rhode Island to join
Washington's troops above NY...
14 Aug 1781, Washington received letter from French Naval commander de
Grasse to join American troops in Chesapeake Bay. Washington decided to
abandon attack on NY and prepared to march to VA instead...
17/19 Oct 1781 Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, VA...
13 Jun 1783 US Army disbanded.
14. "The War of the Revolution", Christoper Ward, 1952, New York, pages 650 and
651.
"...There was comparative peace in the valley for some two months. In
January 1781, (Mohawk Chief Joseph) Brant again took to the warpath. The
Oneida villages had been destroyed in 1780 by an expedition sent down from
Canada by Sir Fredrick Haldimand as punishment for their adhesion to the
American cause. Their inhabitants had been forced to flee to the white
settlements near Schnectady for shelter and food...Brant's Indians now
dared openly to visit German Flats in small parties and carry on their work
of destruction. In March fifteen men from Colonel Phillip Van Cortlandt's
2nd New York Continentials convoying provisions for Fort Stanwix were cut
off and captured. In April a similar party was taken...Fort Stanwix ...was
abandoned in May... Shell's Bush, five miles north of Herkimer village, was
attacked in August by a Scottish refugee from Johnstown, Donald McDonald,
with 60 Indians and Tories..."
(Ft. Stanwix was later called Fort Schuyler and is located just SE of Lake
Ontario and NE of the "finger lakes of NY".)
15. Will Book 2, page 86; Last Will and Testiment of Shorten Smith; original in
Tazewell County Court Records, Tazewell, VA.
(Spelling and other minor errors corrected herein)
"State of Virginia - October the 29 day of 1836 Tazewell County.
Known all persons whom it may concern that I, Shorten Smith, am about to
resign my body to the tomb and my sole to God. That after my funeral
expense is paid I want all my real and personal property delivered in the
hands of Rebecca Mitchem, my grand daughter or her agent. Namely a certain
tract of land of forty-five acres lying on the Tug River; a Black mare, one
cow and yearling with all my household furniture and that I do make a choice
of James Milam for her agent and that if it please God I recover my health
this property is to remain mine until my final disolution then to remain in
the hands of her parents until she comes of age; then to deliver up to her
as her lawful right. They are not to make away or dispose of their property
in no way, only to use it. I do hereby assign? this as my last will and
testament. Shorten "X" Smith, Witnessed by James and Henry Milam".The following is also written on the original of the will:
"Virginia, in the County Court of Tazewell Dec 28th 1836, an instrument of
writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Shorten Smith,
Deceased was partly proven by the oath of James Milam one of the subscribing
witnesses thereto. Teste. GW G Brown, DC, WB 447"and at another day to wit, the the same Court, February 1st 1837 This
writing purporting the last will and testament of Shorten Smith Deceased was
again produced for proof by James Milam whereupon motion of Eli Blankenship
and Isaiah Smith by their attorney, it is ordered that the said will be
contested on the first day of the next term. 453"and at another day to wit, in the same Court on the 1st day of March 1837
this writing purporting the last will and testament of Shorten Smith,
Deceased was again produced in Court by James Milam and by consent of the
parties the said writing was further proven by the oath of Henry Milam, a
subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. Teste GW G Brown
DC 455."
16. Will Book 2, page 83, Tazewell Co, VA. An inventory of Shorten's estate
as taken by Andrew Sarver, Isaac Becklehiemer and William Belcher on 6 Jul
1837 is recorded:
Three head of cattle, $20; 1 mare, $35; household furniture, $12.50; one
tin trunk, $.50; and 1 pair drawing chains and old saddle, $1; total $69.
One note on (Eli) Blankenship, $10; another note on Blankenship, $3; one
note on same man, $5; one note connected with, $2.50; one note on Isaiah
Smith, $15 dated 6 Apr 1836; and one note on Jonah Alason, $2.
17. Per Yattis as above
Shorten Smith appears on the tax lists for Tazewell Co, VA in the years
1807, 1810, 1811 (2x) and from 1814 thru 1820.
18. Patent Book, Vol 65, page 280, Tazewell Co, VA.
Shorten Smith received 74 acres on Indian Creek, a branch of the Upper
Guyandotte River at the upper end of Turkey Wallow Bottom on 7 Jul 1815.
This land was surveyed on 5 Oct 1813. It is located in present day Wyoming
Co, WV at Wolf Pen. I (Larry E. Smith) plotted the survey in 1992 on a USGS
map. The meets and bounds given in the 1813 survey closed. The property
runs on both sides of WV Route 16 from the site of the Wolf Pen Church north
to the intersection of County Road 12/4 which runs down Indian Creek toward
Fanrock, WV.
19. Deed Book 2, Tazewell Co, VA, page 455.
Shorten and wife, Lavina (this is the only record located which identifies
her name), sold the 74 acre tract to George Rhinehart on 23 Sep 1817.
20. Patent Book, Vol 67, page 409.
Shorten was granted 70 acres on 1 Aug 1818, which had been surveyed on 8
Apr 1817. Land was located on Tug River "opposite the mouth of Dismal".
Have not been able to locate this property. There is a Dismal Creek in
present Buchanan Co, VA which runs into the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy
River at Jewell Ridge, VA. This is probably not the same Dismal Creek. It
is a good distance from the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River.
21. "The Biographical Cyclopedia of American Women, Volume II", page 385.
Anthony Maxwell; NY; Sergant of Malcom's Continential Regiment, 1 May 1777;
Ensign 1 Jul 1777; Second Lieutenant, 28 Feb 1778; transferred to Spencer's
Regiment, 22 Apr 1779; First Lieutenant, 24 Apr 1779; retired 1 Jan 1781;
died in 1825.
Other references lists birth in 174_ in NY.
"10,000 Vital Records of Central NY, 1813-1850"; Ancestry.com Web Site.Land
Anthony Maxwell, Capt; age 70; died in Hudson (Columbia Co, NY); a Rev. soldier; 6/7 Sep
1825.
22. 1820 Census, Tazewell Co, VA, Page 572.
Listed as Shorten Smith, age 45-100, head of household.
(1 male age 10-26, probably Isaiah; and 1 female age 45-100, probably Lavina, his wife; are also
listed here).
23. Muster Roll; 1st Company, 2d NY Regiment of Foot; April-May 12, 1782; Footnote.com Web
Site.
Shorten Smith, Term of Enlistment, (duration of) War;
24. Ibid; May 1782 - "Not Dated"
25. Ibid; Jul 1782 - Sep 8, 1782.
26. Baldwin/Beverly/ Bolling/Mullins/Mitchem/Lane Families; Doris Baldwin, Owner.
Shorten Smith born in 1770 (sic, this was the older Shorten's son) in VA (sic, England); died 28 Dec
1836 in Tazewell, Tazewell Co, VA; son of Sgt Isaiah and Joanna (Davis) Smith.
(Shorten's son Isaiah Smith stated in in the 1880 Census that his father was born in England. Sited
death date was date Shorten's will was entered in court, not necessaryly his exact death date.
Parents are very questionable)
1. Deed Book 2, Tazewell Co, VA, page 455.
Shorten and wife, Lavina; sold the 74 acre tract to George Rhinehart on 23 Sep 1817.
(This is the only record located which identifies her given name),
2. 1820 Census, Tazewell Co, VA, Page 572.
Listed as Shorten Smith, age 45-100, head of household.
(1 male age 10-26, probably Isaiah; and 1 female age 45-100, probably Lavina, his wife; are also
listed here).
3. 1880 Census, McDowell Co, WV, compiled by William A. Marsh, Vol 9, page 801.
Elkhorn Township, page 003.
Listed as Isaiah Smith, age 77, father born in England; mother in SC; head of household, a farmer.
(Only record of Lavina's birth location)
4. Baldwin/Beverly/ Bolling/Mullins/Mitchem/Lane Families; Doris Baldwin, Owner.
Lavina Fletcher; born abt 1765 in SC; died in Sep 1817 in Tazewell Co, VA.
(Maiden name, birth and death dates and places obtained from this site are very questionable.)
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #71.
Listed as Levi Blankenship, age 14, born in VA, in household of father, Eli
Blankenship.
2. "Reference Book of Wyoming County History", Mary K. Bowman, page 397.
First married Rachel Grimmett, second (_________) Clayborne.
3. "1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV", Annotated by James E. Richardson, 1992, page 17.
Son of Eli and Mary Smith Blankenship. Married Rachel Louise Grimmett,
daughter of William and Levina Toler Grimmett on 29 Nov 1866.
4. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
Listed with mother, Mary Smith Blankenship.
5. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Dist, Family 13, transcribed by
Haga.
6. 1880 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, taken on 5 Jun 1880, Page 519A, Family #26.
Listed as Levi Blankenship, age 45, born in WV, farmer, head of household.
7. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, page 259A, Family #74.
Listed as Levi Blankenship, age 62, born in Dec 1837, married 14 years, head of household.
8. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Huff Creek District; taken on 16 Apr 1910; Page 252B;
Family #49/52.
Listed as Levi G.? Blankenship; age 72; born in WV; married twice, last time for 22 yrs; farmer;
head of household.
9. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Levi Blankenship; son of Eli and Mary Smith Blankenship; born abt 1835;
married first, (_______) Clayborn; second, Rachel Louise Grimmett; third,
Elizabeth Toler on 13 Feb 1887 in Wyoming Co, WV.
10. "Dawn Lewis Family Tree"; submitted by Dawn Lewis; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Levi G Blankenship
1837–1915
Birth DEC 1837 • Logan County, West Virginia, USA
Death APR 1915 • Wyoming County, West Virginia"
1. 1850 Census Logan Co, WV, District 32, page 141, taken 26 Aug 1850.
Family #312.
Listed as Rachel Grimmett, age 8, in household of father, William
Grimmett.
2. 1860 Census, Logan Co, WV, page 78, Family #495.
Listed as Rachel Grimmett, age 18, born in VA, in household of husband,
William K. Grimmett.
3. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, Family 13.
4. 1880 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, taken on 5 Jun 1880, Page 519A, Family #26.
Listed as Rachel Blankenship, age 39, born in WV, in household of husband, Levi Blankenship.
5. "Marriages of Wyoming...", Vol 1, Haga, page 39.
Rachael Grimmett, age 18, daughter of William and Louisa Grimmett married
William Grimmett, age 23, son of John and Nancy Grimmett.
6. Ibid, page 12.
Rachael Grimmett, age 25, a widow, daughter of William and Luvisa, married
Levi Blankenship.
1. 1880 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, taken on 5 Jun 1880, Page 519A, Family #26.
Listed as Penallopy Blankenship, age 19, born in WV, in household of father, Levi Blankenship.
1. "Deaths of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1876.
Died of Diptheria.
1. "Deaths of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1876.
Died of Diptheria.
1. 1880 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, taken on 5 Jun 1880, Page 519A, Family #26.
Listed as Mary I. Blankenship, age 3, born in WV, in household of father, Levi Blankenship.
2. "Births of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1876.
Mary Blankenship was born on 1 Sep 1876 to L. and Reubin (sic Rachael)
Blankenship.
1. "Deaths of Wyoming Co, WV, Haga, 1879.
2. "Births of Wyoming Co, WV...", Haga, 1878.
George W. Blankenship was born on 3 Aug 1878 to Levi and Rachel Blankenship.
1. 1850 Census, Wyoming Co, VA, taken and 8 Aug 1850, Page 209A, Family #71.
Listed as Levi Blankenship, age 14, born in VA, in household of father, Eli
Blankenship.
2. "Reference Book of Wyoming County History", Mary K. Bowman, page 397.
First married Rachel Grimmett, second (_________) Clayborne.
3. "1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV", Annotated by James E. Richardson, 1992, page 17.
Son of Eli and Mary Smith Blankenship. Married Rachel Louise Grimmett,
daughter of William and Levina Toler Grimmett on 29 Nov 1866.
4. 1860 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, transcribed by Pauline Haga.
Listed with mother, Mary Smith Blankenship.
5. 1870 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Dist, Family 13, transcribed by
Haga.
6. 1880 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, taken on 5 Jun 1880, Page 519A, Family #26.
Listed as Levi Blankenship, age 45, born in WV, farmer, head of household.
7. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, page 259A, Family #74.
Listed as Levi Blankenship, age 62, born in Dec 1837, married 14 years, head of household.
8. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Huff Creek District; taken on 16 Apr 1910; Page 252B;
Family #49/52.
Listed as Levi G.? Blankenship; age 72; born in WV; married twice, last time for 22 yrs; farmer;
head of household.
9. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Levi Blankenship; son of Eli and Mary Smith Blankenship; born abt 1835;
married first, (_______) Clayborn; second, Rachel Louise Grimmett; third,
Elizabeth Toler on 13 Feb 1887 in Wyoming Co, WV.
10. "Dawn Lewis Family Tree"; submitted by Dawn Lewis; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Levi G Blankenship
1837–1915
Birth DEC 1837 • Logan County, West Virginia, USA
Death APR 1915 • Wyoming County, West Virginia"
1. "Marriages of Wyoming Co, WV", Vol 3, No 65, transcribed by Pauline Haga, Vol
I, page 11.
Levi Blankenship, born in Logan Co, WV, married on 13 Feb 1887 Elizabeth
Toler in Wyoming Co, WV.
2. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, page 259A, Family #74.
Listed as Elizabeth Blankenship, age 35, born in 1854, married 14 years,
in household of husband, Levi Blankenship.
3. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Huff Creek District; taken on 16 Apr 1910; Page 252B;
Family #49/52.
Listed as Elizabeth Blankenship; age 48; born in WV; married once for 22 yrs; 8 children, 7 living;
in hosuehold of husband, Levi Blankenship.
4. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Levi Blankenship; son of Eli and Mary Smith Blankenship; born abt 1835;
married first, (_______) Clayborn; second, Rachel Louise Grimmett; third,
Elizabeth Toler on 13 Feb 1887 in Wyoming Co, WV.
5. "Reference Book of Wyoming County History", Mary K. Bowman, page 397.
First married Rachel Grimmett, second (_________) Clayborne.
Could Elizabeth Toler have been Elizabeth Clayborn Toler?
6. "Dawn Lewis Family Tree"; submitted by Dawn Lewis; Ancestry.com Web Site.
"Elizabeth S "Bettie" Toler
1854–1925
Birth 22 NOVEMBER 1854 • Wyoming County, West Virginia, USA
Death 1925"
1. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, page 259A, Family #74.
Listed as Sigga Birta Blankenship, age 11, born in May 1889, in household of
father, Levi Blankenship.
2. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Sigga Birta Blankenship; daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Toler Blankenship;
born on 18 May 1889.
1. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Martia Blankenship; daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Toler Blankenship;
born on 7 Jan 1893.
1. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, page 259A, Family #74.
Listed as Sarah E. Blankenship, age 5, born in Jan 1895, in household of
father, Levi Blankenship.
2. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Huff Creek District; taken on 16 Apr 1910; Page 252B;
Family #49/52.
Listed as Ellen Blankenship; age 15; in household of father, Levi Blankenship.
2. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Sarah E. Blankenship; daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Toler Blankenship;
born in Jan 1895.
1. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, page 259A, Family #74.
Listed as Levi K. Blankenship, age 2, born in Dec 1897, in household of father, Levi Blankenship.
2. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Huff Creek District; taken on 16 Apr 1910; Page 252B;
Family #49/52.
Listed as Levi Blankenship; age 12; born in WV; in household of father, Levi Blankenship.
3. Wyoming Co, WV; WW I Draft Registration Card #1703; Pineville, WV Draft Board; 12 Sep 1918.
Levi Kelly Blankenship; age 20; born on 22 Dec 1898; living at North Spring, Wyoming Co, WV; self
employed farmer; nearest relative, Elizabeth Blankenship, North Spring, WV; medium height and
build; blue eyes and light hair; 3 fingers off of left hand.
4. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Levi K. Blankenship; son of Levi and Elizabeth Toler Blankenship;
born in Dec 1897.
1. 1900 Census, Wyoming Co, WV, Huff Creek Township, page 259A, Family #74.
Listed as Rebecca Blankenship, age 4 months, born in Jan 1900, in household
of father, Levi Blankenship.
2. 1910 Census, Wyoming Co, WV; Huff Creek District; taken on 16 Apr 1910; Page 252B;
Family #49/52.
Listed as Allie Blankenship; age 10; born in WV; in household of father, Levi Blankenship.
3. Ancestry.com Web Site, Levi Blankenship search, 11 Oct 2001, submitted by
James W. Blankenship, jkblank@avci.net
Rebecca Blankenship; daughter of Levi and Elizabeth Toler Blankenship;
born in Jan 1900.