More British than a Brit...

The results are in...

I was so excited to find out that Ancestry.com recently updated my DNA results! No real surprises… my DNA is 100% European and almost all of my DNA matches the Great Britain area. In fact I have a higher percentage of DNA traced to Great Britain than the typical person born in Great Britain!  According to the information on Ancestry.com most people native to Great Britain has between 41%-100% of their DNA matching the region. The typical native has about 60%. My DNA, on the other hand, is 86% with a range of 65%-100% of my DNA matching. If you need a refresher, Great Britain is made up of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

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 Before I go further, let me explain how the DNA results are reached….

Ancestry.com determines what region the DNA matches by comparing the customer’s DNA to the to the ‘AncestryDNA reference panel’. This ‘panel’ consists of 3,000 DNA samples from 26 global regions. Before becoming part of the ‘panel’ the individual’s genealogy was extensively researched and documented to prove that their family is native to the region and has lived there for hundreds of years.  To determine the region matches, a separate analysis is done with 40 randomly selected portions of the DNA. Each of the 40 analyses gives an independent estimate of ethnicity. These 40 results are then averaged. So… for my Great Britain results the 40 estimates ranged from 65%-100% match with the average of the 40 being 89%. Got it? 

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The next highest percentage of DNA match is to European West 

This region is made up mostly of Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxemburg and Liechtenstein. But also found in other regions including England. I know I have ancestors from this region so it fits with my research. Both my Westfall and Flesher lines have been traced to this region. Some say James Jarrett was from France and my 6th great grandmother, a Gagnet, was most like from France. By the way, I asked the French teacher at my school about this name…. not pronounced ‘gag-net’ haha. More like ‘gan-yeah’ much nicer, huh?

To round things out I have small amounts of DNA from other regions:

• 2% Ireland (range of 0%-10%)
• 2% Scandinavia (range of 0%-9%)
• <1% Iberian Peninsula (range of 0%-5%) 

Ireland and Scandinavia fit into my research. The Iberian Peninsula, which is primarily found in Spain and Portugal, is a mystery to me. DNA in this area may also be found in France, Morocco, Algeria and Italy. Hmmm. I know that there is a large concentration of Castos in parts of Italy. There is also a legend that the first Castos in this country were from Spain. Other than Casto I have no clue as to where this little bit of DNA came from! Intriguing to say the least!

My family lived at the Lunatic Asylum!

Halloween is just around the corner so what better time to take another look at my Flesher family! What’s the connection you ask? Well, one of the ‘most haunted places in America ‘sits on land that was once owned by my 6^th great-grandfather. The Trans-Alleghany Lunatic Asylum in Weston, WV was built in the early 1860’s on what was once Henry Flesher’s farm. (So, the title was  a bit misleading) The present day Lewis County Courthouse was built on the ‘threshing floor’ of his barn. Henry owned many acres in what is now Lewis County. Henry was one of the first white settlers in the area where he and his wife, Elizabeth Bush, raised 10 children. I descend through his daughter Anna and her 2^nd husband Charles Parsons. I have some ‘dirt’ on Anna but that’s for another post!  

The town of Weston was first named Preston then briefly named ‘Flesherville’ but the family didn’t care for that so the name was changed to Weston. No one really knows where the name Weston came from but it was NOT Henry’s middle name. Prior to being Weston the area was Augusta County, Harrison County and finally Lewis County. Some have said that it would not be incorrect to compare Henry Flesher to Daniel Boone. He was just as tough and rugged as the more well know pioneer. I can’t imagine what West Virginia was like in the 1700’s! History tells us that it was not a safe place that is for sure! Indian attacks were quite common through the 1700’s and Henry Flesher has been credited with the last Indian killing in the area. Henry himself was attacked and almost killed by an Indian while returning to his cabin after working in his fields. The following is from “A History of Lewis County, West Virginia” written by Edward Conrad Smith and published in 1920.

Stone Coal Creek

The first attack following the close of the Revolution took place on the spot destined in later years to be chosen as the seat of government of the county. About the middle of October, 1784, assisted by Paulser Butcher, then a mere youth, but later one of the largest landholders in the county, Henry Flesher had been engaged in hauling logs for a stable to be built near where the Baptist church now stands. Flesher went to his house to get a bell to put on his horse preparing to turn him out to graze in woods. When he reached the ravine which came down the hill about where Bank Street now is he was fired upon by an Indian lying in wait. The ball passed through his arm, and he immediately started to run to his cabin. The savage ran after him and almost succeeded in overtaking him at his own door. In attempting to kill him before he entered the house the Indian, using his gun as a club, brought it down against the logs of the house with such force that the stock was shattered. Mrs. Flesher succeeded in pulling her husband into the house, and then scared the Indian away by calling- upon the other men in the house to fire. The family spent the night in the woods, fearing a renewal of the assault. There is a tradition that Mrs. Flesher carried her husband into a thicket near the house and spent the night under the widespread limbs of a sycamore which stood at the mouth of Stone Coal creek. The next morning she met John Schoolcraft, who summoned help from West's fort. Another account states that a young woman of the family reached Hacker's creek the next morning and that the remainder of the family were guided into West's fort by Edward Hughes. The Flesher family and young Butcher remained at West's fort until the near approach of winter made it unlikely that any savages were in the vicinity, when they returned to their home.

Henry Flesher’s name is found no less than 65 times in the book and anyone interested in reading more can find the book online for free at: 

A History of Lewis County West Virginia

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I also transcribed Henry’s will today 

(I can spell.... just transcribed what I saw!)

Henry Flesher

Will

1802

  In the Name of God amen I Henry Flesher Sen of Harrison County and State of Virginia am of perfect mind and Memory thanks be given unto God Caling to Mind the mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die Do make & ordain this my Last will and Testament that is to say princepally and first of all I give and recommend my Soul unto the hand of almighty God that it and my body to be buried in a Decent Christian burial and as Souching Such worldly Estate. I give and bequeath to Elizabeth my wife her bed & ___ furniture that belongs to __bed- Andrew [smudge] & [smudge] Peter my three sons the House Each the Share [smudge] My son Henry is to have the Plantation Whereon [smudge] I Now Live Beginning at the upper corner Tree Then [smudge] urning over the river to Peter Flesher cornor then with the Meanders of the river to the mouth of Stone Coal creak then up sd Creek with the Meanders thereof to the upor End of apopla bottom to a small D___ and up the Same to the Line & to my Son John I give the Tract of Land on poke creek Lying between Peter Flesher Line and John P Dwallading thereto Sixty Dollars in Cash out of my movable &to my Son William I give the Land Lying on the Lower Side of Stone Coal Creek ___ the Line runs Joining Land with Charles Parsons ading thereto __him fifty Dollars and the old Sond mares coalts to my Grandson David Sleth I give to Him the Bull Mares Coalt and as for all the remainder of my Estate Shall be Sold at Publick Sale and Eighteen monthly Credit given and then my wife Elizabeth to have her ____ of the money when my Debts is Paid and the Balances to be Divided equal amongst my four Daughters Ann Elizabeth Mary and Susannah but as for my Son Henry Shall pay to John and William Each Eighty Dollars in hand for their part of the old Plantation as Soon as they become the age of twenty one years but as for William he shall be Bound for for traid at the age of the age of Seventeen and I also appoint___ my Sons Adam and Henry Flesher as my Executors & administrators there shall also be no due __ three pounds out of my Daughter Susannahs Share for the Land She now Lives on ___ Creek & I Do hereby utterly revoke and Disannull all and any other fomer will and Testament in any wise before Named ___ Witness whereof I have here unto Left my Hand and Seal this Twenty Sixth Day of November One thousand and eight hundred and two
Signed Sealed & Delivered by the said Henry Flesher Sen S__is his Last Will and Testament
           

The words Henry Flesher is wrote in German (not my comment this is stated in the actual will)

In the presences of

Paul Butcher, John Law

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West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971, Harrison County Will book, v. 002 1788-1794

Pruning the Pendells!

          It has been a while since I added anything new to my little blog…. But that doesn't necessarily mean that I haven’t been doing a little research! I have been trying to stay focused on one line but that is not easy, not for me! So… I've started to meander off the Carnes line just a bit and found myself somewhere among the Pendell branches! Arthur Carnes married Harriet Pendell… so it was a logical jump over to the Pendell branch! This particular branch I haven’t worked with much and a lot of my information is either not sourced or sourced by someone else’s tree, something that I haven’t done in a very long time. This part of my tree needs pruning and cleaning up and I decided that now’s the time! This part of my tree is embarrassing to say the least! While looking for documentation to prove what I have in my tree I have come across some interesting information that I think is worth posting.

            I’m always looking for more Revolutionary War Patriot ancestors and I think I have found a Pendall. Elisha Pendell is my 5th Great-Grandfather and I believe he was a Patriot. He may not have fought, haven’t found proof of that just yet, but he did declare his loyalty to the United Colonies. Along with Elisha Pendell there are also two men with the last name of Boynton. Elisha’s wife’s maiden name was Boynton so it is quite possible that one of the men may have been her father, brother or both. 

I have only included the section of names from Gilsum, New Hampshire but the book is free on Goggle Books. Google Books is one awesome resource!!!

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Miscellaneous Revolutionary Documents of New Hampshire

~ Page 1 ~

ASSOCIATION TEST

Colony of New Hampshire

IN COMMITTEE OF SAFETY

April 12th, 1776

In Order to carry the underwritten RESOLVE of the Hon’b1e Continental CONGRESS into Execution, You are requested to desire all Males above Twenty One Years of Age (Lunaticks, Idiots, and Negroes excepted) to sign to the DECLARATION on this Paper; and when so done, to make Return hereof, together with the Name or Names of all who shall refuse to sign the same, to the GENERAL-ASSEM BLY, or Committee of Safety of this Colony.

 M. Weare, Chairman.

In CONGRESS, March 14th, 1776

 Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and Councils, or Committees of Safety of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all Persons to be disarmed, within their Respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaflected to the Cause of AMERICA, Or who have not associated, and refuse to associate, to defend by ARMS, the United Colonies, against the Hostile Attempts of the British Fleets and Armies.

 (COPY)                                                          

 Extract from the Minutes

Charles Thompson, Sec’ry.

In Consequence of the above Resolution, of the Hon. Continental CONGRESS, and to shew our Determination in joining our American Brethren, in defending the Lives, Liberties, and Properties of the Inhabitants of the UNITED COLONIES

             WE, the Subscribers, do hereby solemnly engage, and promise, that we will, to the utmost of our Power, at the Risque of our Lives and Fortunes, with ARMS, oppose the Hostile Proceedings of the British Fleets, and Armies, against the United American COLONIES.

~ Page 58 ~

GILSUM
Ebenezer Dewey Pelatiah Pease Gershom Crocker Ebenezer Kilbarn Josiah Kilburn Jr Jonathan Adams Henry White Stephen Bond David Bill Elisha Mack Levi Bliss Abner Bliss Jonathan Bliss Jr Joel Kilbourn Ebezer Willcox John Marks James Rowe John Boynton John Dimick Juner Timothy Dimock John Row juner	Justus Hurd Ebenezer Dewey Jr Josiah Kilburn Tho morse Ebenezer Church Ichabod youngs Shubael Hurd Joseph Youngs Stephen Bond Jr Obadiah Smith Jonathan Bliss David Bliss Ebenezar Bill Obadiah Willcox juner John Chapman Stephen Griswold Elisha Pendell John Boynton Jun John Dimeck John Row Obadiah Willcox
This may Certifey that the Names Annexed to this paper are all the inhabitants of the Town of Gilsum that Come within the Limits of this Request Test
Eben’r Dewey Jr                                                                         Pelatiah Pease		Selectmen of Gilsum

               

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                  I also found some info in another book stating that Elisha Pendell was a Selectman. In New England the executive branch of the government is the Board of Selectmen. There were usually 3-5 members and according to these records, Elisha would have been one of the members in Gilsum, NH in 1779.

Provincial Papers Documents & Records Relating to the Province of New Hampshire

                

 Then the above named Capt. John Griggs Elisha Pendel and Ebenezer Church Select men of the town of Gilsum for the year 1779 personally appeared and made Sollum oath that the above account is true and justly charged

                                                                           Before me Isaac Wyman Just peace    
                                                                                                                     pg. 662
 

Taking another look at the Taylors

Well, back to school time came early this year. Teachers returned on August 8^th!!! Way too early and it has been obvious around the school house. No one was ready to return and I think we are just now realizing that school is in session and things are getting back on track! Anyway…. Once again my job is getting in the way of family history time!

My copy of “Jackson County Past and Present” finally arrived in the mail a week or so ago. I had placed my order back in late May or early June so I had just about given up hope until... surprise! ... Dave found it waiting on the porch one afternoon! Flipping through the pages rekindled my interest in my Jackson County WV roots, namely my Taylor family line. Tracing my Taylors is much like tracing a ‘Smith’ or ‘Brown’….  

My Granddaddy Taylor’s family is ‘stalled’ with Thomas Taylor b. abt 1793 in VA and died in 1866 in Saltville VA. I descend through his son Charles W. >>> William James >>> Omer Martin >>>Donald Lee >>> then me. I have proof of the line through Charles W but the fact that Charles’s father was Thomas Ewing Taylor was acquired from a distant cousin. I seem to be spinning my wheels as far as this line goes so I decided it was time to take the advice of every experienced genealogist, “start with what you know and gather every bit of information you can before moving on to the next generation” So… it is time for me to go back and fill in all the gaps starting with Granddaddy’s siblings and then his aunts and uncles.

My first objective is to answer two burning questions:

1. What happened to Franklin Taylor (paternal great grand uncle)?

2. Who the heck is Andrew Taylor (appears to be a paternal grand uncle)?

This past week I've been filling in some blanks in Granddaddy’s family. He was the baby of 15 and I didn’t have birth/death dates for all or I didn’t have documentation proving the dates that I had. Grandmother Taylor wrote out birthdates for all of Granddaddy’s siblings (The woman had one heck of a memory!).

Children of William J. and Lucinda Westfall Taylor’s children:

Name	Birth	Death	Marriage
Amanda Jane	11 May 1876 Roane, WV	5 Mar 1925 Longacre, Fayette, WV (visiting brother ‘Ned’)	Luther Melancthon Hatcher 1898 Jackson ,WV
Leander	23 March 1878 Roane,, WV	2 Feb 1969 Charleston, Kanawha, WV	Rachel Minerva Cobb 14 Nov 1897 Roane, WV
James	27 Apr 1879 Roane,, WV	16 Jan 1939 Belgrove, Jackson, WV	Mary Carpenter 18 Dec 1898 Roane, WV
Jesse	4 July 1880 Roane, WV	6 Aug 1956 Kanawha, WV	Icie Carpenter 13 May 1906 Roane, WV
Lillie	4 Feb 1883 Jackson, WV	4 Jan 1969 Charleston, Kanawha, WV	William Alonzo Doughty 17 Nov 1909 Jackson, WV
Mary E Taylor	Dec 1884 Jackson WV
Francis Marion “Ned”	3 Feb 1886 Jackson, WV	14 Jun 1980 Orlando, Orange, FL	Beulah Dallas Fields 25 Sept 1910 Roane, WV
Henry Clay	10 May 1889 Jackson, WV	6 Oct 1964 Kanawha, WV	Ada Whited 29 Nov 1914 Jackson, WV
Cora Ann	18 Oct 1890 Jackson, WV	22 Mar 1970 Charleston, Kanawha, WV	Holly Azetta Cobb 22 Oct 1911 Jackson, WV
John Perry	30 Dec 1894 Jackson, WV	17 Jan 1972 Charleston, Kanawha, WV	Carrie Carpenter 10 Aug 1913 Jackson, WV
Icie Ivy	1 May 1896 Jackson, WV	6 Sept 1982 Charleston, Kanawha, WV
Orlie Annis	10 Aug 1897 Belgrove, Jackson, WV	25 Mar 1987 Charleston, Kanawha, WV	Benjamin Coy Cobb 28 Feb 1918 Jackson, WV
Corda Elva	19 Feb 1899 Belgrove, Jackson, WV	4 Sept 1994 Deltona, Volusia, FL	Mark Whited
Eva	4 Mar 1902	25 Jun 1989
Omer Martin	20 Sept 1904 Belgrove, Jackson, WV	21 Dec 1994 Charleston, Kanawha, WV	Reva Opal Cobb 11 Aug 1926 Charleston, Kanawha, WV

James Jarrett Will

Here is a transcription of James Jarrett's will. There are a few places where it was very difficult to read but I did my best! I put links to images of the original will and the property appraisal at the end of this post.




In the name of God Amen,
I JAMES JARRETT of the count of Greenbrier and commonwealth of Virginia being weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound mind and memory blessed be to mighty God for the same I make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first I give and bequeath unto beloved wife ROSANNA JARRETT this my house together with all my plantation and land on this side of Muddy Creek to have hold use occupy possess and enjoy all and singular the profits and advantages during her natural life also all the cleared land on the other side of said creek as far as the top of the ??? land ridge during her widowhood so as not to interfere with the land of JACOB JARRETT and MORRIS, I also give and bequeath to my beloved wife on third of all my house hold and kitchen furniture during her natural life also one negro woman named RACHEL on wagon and five horses six milk cows ten sheep twenty hogs her choice during her natural life also one negro man named GABRIEL and one negro man named SAM which she is to hold during her widowhood ? as the above is released from her my marriage or by the expiration of her natural life it returns to my heirs has herafter provided…….
Then I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter DELILAH JARRETT one negro girl named VINA, and one negro boy named CAPERTON one ? mare and one third of all of my household and kitchen furniture all of which to remain with her mother until she shall arrive at full age or marry then I give and bequeath also one carriage and harness. Then I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter AVELINA JARRETT one negro girl named MARY and one negro boy named MISCORY one mare her choice also one third part of all my household and kitchen furniture which is to remain with her mother until she shall arrive at age or marries….
Then I give and bequeath to my two sons JACOB JARRETT and MORRIS JARRETT jointly one hundred acres of land lying attached to the house built by Burtin also one hundred acres on the opposite side of Muddy Creek beginning on a corner white oak on the bank of the of the creek with HENRY METZKERS line and running up the ridge for quantity also one negro boy called JONATHAN to be evenly between them and the land to be divided agreeably to quality and quantity provided never the less that if either of them should die without ?? I give then the surviving one to possess the whole. Then I give and bequeath to my two sons GEORGE WASHINGTON JARRETT and JAMES MADISON JARRETT the residue of Mathis Braet including that part left as to my wife during her widowhood to them by ?? heirs forward to be divided between arguable to quantity and quality equally also the two negro men left to my wife during her widow hood if either them should die without issue (?) the other gets all.
Then I give to my sons VINCENT JARRETT and LEVI JARRETT at the expiration of my wife’s natural life the home tract of land to be divided agreeable to quality and quantity equally between. It is also my will that if the above named negro woman named Rachel should breed and have children that they be equally divided between my two sons VINCENT and LEVY JARRETT at the expiration of my wifes widowhood if either of them dies without issue then the other enjoys all…
Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son WILLIAM JARRETT and his heirs forever the tract of land whereon he now lives also two hundred dollars in cash to be paid by my executors as soon as convenient after my decease.
Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son JAMES JARRETT and to his heirs forever four hundred acres of land (bituate) lying and being in Greenbrier County on Mill Creek mountain opposite to land surveyed for JACOB SKYES also one negro boy named CHARLES.
Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son DAVID JARRETT the tract of land where on he now lives then I give and bequeath to my beloved son ABRAHAM JARRETT my part of a tract of land survey in partnership by Co… Dickenson and myself lying on Elk Creek Kanawha County .
Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son Owen Jarrett seven hundred acres of land where on he now lives.
Then I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter LEAH GRAHAM one negro boy named PLYNN and three hundred dollars to be paid by my executors as soon as convenient after my decease. Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son in law and daughter BENJAMIN MORRIS and NANCY his wife the following property ??? one negro man named JERRY, one negro woman named MARY and their youngest child and five hundred dollars in cash to be raised out of the profits of my salt works or otherwise. Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son in law LEVI MORRIS and MARGERT his wife eight hundred dollars in cash to be paid as above described.
Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son in law and daughter WILLIAM JONES and ELIZABETH his wife eight hundred dollars in cash to be paid by my executors as soon as it can be made by the sale of my personal property or otherwise. Then I give and bequeath to my beloved son ISAAC JARRETT eight hundred dollars in cash to be paid as soon as can be made by my executors. It is also my will that my executors lay out ten thousand dollars of the salt works money in congress land in the western country to be equally divided between all of my heirs it is also my will that my wife have the use of all my farming utensils gave and so forth it is also my will that the smith tools remain for the use of the children that is convenient it is also my will that if my wife should marry that my executors shall take care of the furniture left to my two daughters if it appears likely to go to waste. Lastly for the residue of my estate goods and chattels I leave them to be sold and disposed of by my executors. I also ??? and appoint my beloved wife Rosanna Jarrett executrise and BENJAMIN MORRIS, JAMES JARRETT AND JOHN HENCHMAN executor to this my last will and testament and my wife ROSANNA JARRETT and BENJAMIN MORRIS guardians to my children which I have had by my wife ROSANNA JARRETT and thereupon leave this my last will and testament reversing all former wills by me made.
-Jm witnesses Whereoff and have here unto set my hand and afford my seal this nineteenth day of January one thousand eight and twenty two.
his
James X Jarrett
mark

Signed sealed published and declared
By the said JAMES JARRETT to be his last
will and testament in the presence of us
At his request and in his presence have
Hereunto subscribed our names as
Witnesses to the same
ANDREW HAMILTON
JOHN FRAZER
WM JOHNSON



Greenbrier County Court
July Term 1822

This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of JAMES JARRETT decd was presented in court and proved by the oaths of ANDREW HAMILTON and JOHN FRAZER two of the ??? bring witnesses there un to have been duly executed and acknowledged by the said JAMES JARRETT decd and for his last will and testament which is ordered to be recorded and thereupon BENJAMIN MORRIS JAMES JARRETT and JOHN HINCHMAN therein named appeared in court together with Rosanna Jarrett the executrix there in named who refusing to take upon herself the execution of said the said BENJ MORRIS JAMES JARRETT and JOHN HENCHMAN entered into bond with JOSEPH ALDERSON JACOB HOCHMAN (OR HOCKMAN) ROBERT RENNIK WM GRAHAM and JOEL SLODGIL their securities n the penalty of sixty thousand dollars conditioned as the law directs and took the oath prescribed by law.
Therefore probate and letters testamentary is granted the said BENJAMIN MORRIS JAMES JARRETT and JOHN HINCHMAN in due form of law as the acting executors of the said JAMES JARRETT dec.



Teste LEWIS STUART C,G,C,

James Jarrett Will page 1

James Jarrett Will page 2

James Jarrett Will page 3

James Jarrett property appraisal pg 1

James Jarrett property appraisal pg 2

James Jarrett property appraisal pg 3

James Jarrett property appraisal pg 4

Will West Virginia Will books, 1756-1971
Greenbrier, v.1 1777-1883 p. 538
Familysearch.org (image 233)