Dee Wheaton's "James Halstead: Pioneer of Indian Creek"

      Of the many books I came across related to my ancestors, I think one of the best researched books was Dee Wheaton's James Halstead: Pioneer of Indian Creek. Anyone who isn't related to James Halstead should at least take a look at the comments she makes pertaining to the history of West Virginia. Although she centers the research around James, she includes other important figures. Given the limited scope of the internet related to family history at the time she wrote the book (1999), I think it's an excellent attempt at tackling an enormous amount of printed information. 

      She covers a great deal of ground related to early frontiersmen, including James Ellison, Josiah Meadows, Francis Meadows, Jacob Mann, Jacob Miller, Francis Farley, Matthew Farley, and Drewry Farley (just to name a few). It may be difficult to find a copy of the book. Apparently, it was self-published. The last time I checked, Summers County library had a copy (that was 12 or more years ago). I have a copy given to me by a distant cousin. I presume Wheaton made a limited number of copies and sold them locally. 

    Anyway, there are some important descriptions that she makes in the book. Although the facts can be found in other books, she sometimes combines the information in a way that I found (and still find) extremely helpful as a family history researcher. For instance:

Related to James Ellison:

   "James Ellison of Crump's Bottom lived opposite the mouth of Indian Creek presently in Summers County. He served as a spy with a companion ranger from 1776 to 1781, usually for seven months a year except 1779, when a longer tour prevented him from raising his corn crop for the support of his family. His pay was five shillings a day. In his application for pension- 1834, he describes  the 1778 tour of exploring the country between Indian Creek, New River and Sewell Mountain. The Indians took him prisoner on one occasion about fifteen miles beyond the top of Bluestone Mountain, and after dark he stopped, pretending to tie his moccasin, permitting those ahead to get some distance. He then ran down a steep hill, and after being pursued for about half a mile he escaped and returned to the fort. James Ellison Sr., was born in Sussex County, New Jersey 1735, migrated to New River and Hans Creek in 1771.

    "The Ellison's were noted spinners and one house held only looms, spinning wheels, cards and spindles. One loom had twenty treadles necessary for double-weave coverlets. (Golden Seal). There are other stories about Ellison's and Farley's and their trouble with Indians written in other books."                My note: [Golden Seal was a popular clothing pattern in the 1800s]

For my cousins: we are related to James Ellison through our Pack line. Alexander Basham's wife Mary Jane Pack's mother was Elizabeth Dell Harvey whose mother was Sarah Ann Swope and her mother was Mary Eleanor Ellison (daughter of James Ellison). 6th Great Grandfather.

Related to Josiah Meadows:

      "Josiah Meadows came from Bedford County and served two or more times on the frontier against the Indians and was in the American Revolution. He enlisted in the spring of 1778 under Captain Renfroe and marched with the company to Jarret's Fort on Wolf Creek where the company was divided and he being sent to Keeney's Fort where he was stationed at the time of the attack on Donnelly's Fort  [my note: this was an attack of Wyandot and Mingo Indians on Donnally's Fort (in Rader's Valley, Greenbrier County). Keeney's Fort was situated below Keeney Knob near Glenray, WV. in Summers County. It is also called Arbuckle's Fort.]  After the expiration of terms he again enlisted in Captain Taylor's Company and a Regiment commanded by Col. John Montgomery, then marched through the Holston country, fighting back the Indians from the frontier, which was along the Blueridge and Cumberland mountains to Indian town of Chicamaugua which they destroyed. He was with a portion of the army that had charge of British prisoners captured at Yorktown and helped convey prisoners to Fredericksburg. Josiah took part in George Rogers Clark's expedition. In his later years Josiah was a Baptist Minister and organized the church at Bluestone which was a double log cabin with a dirt floor, the church is there today. Josiah married Judy Lilly and lived at Bluestone."

    To my cousins: We are related to the Meadows through both Andrew Lewis Lilly's parents. The first is through Andrew Lewis Lilly's (married to Sarah Mooney) father, John Lilly's mother was Edith Meadows (she was a sister to the above Josiah Meadows). Second, Andrew Lewis Lilly's mother was Margaret Meador. Her father was Jesse Meador, who was a brother of Josiah. 

     By the way, and on the subject of Josiah Meadows, be very careful when doing research on him and his relations, etc. Many researchers fall into the trap of confusing dates, names, marriages, etc. Double-check with primary sources as best you can. This happened to me!

     Wheaton gives an excellent list of sources that are worth using for anyone's research. When I can, I will make some more posts related to the book.