A Year Later...

Life took me away from the search for a while but I've been in contact with many family members who have provided some valuable resources for both sides of my family so I will be updating soon.

Ray Hammack's Letter

Here is the letter that Ray wrote to Mrs. Martha Miller (Hazel's mother Martha Texas McKinney Graham Miller) the day after the death of his wife, Hazel. I hope this scanned copy is large enough for you to read.

If not here is the transcript:

Skyles, W. Va.

Nov. 8, 1918

Mrs. Martha Millur

Sophia, W. Va.

Dear Mother.

This lonesome morning I will drop you a few lines to let your know how I am getting along. I am not well at all I am just getting over influenza.

Well, dear Mother, Hazel is gone. She passed away yesterday at about 3 o'clock in the evening. i would have brought her home to burry her but it is impossible. I done all I could in my power to save her but it was the Lords will for her to go. She had the influenza and got up to soon and

2

Taken a backset. and turned to pneumonia. I am sick not hardly able to get out have been sick for about two weeks.

The children have been sick but they are better. Sylvia is just about well. and Harry is on the mend. I think he will get along allright. Poor Hazel never requested nothing where she wanted to be buried or who she wanted to take care of the children.

So I will close for the present time will write more the next time.

Answer by return mail.

As Ever Your Son.

Ray.

Robert Lilly

Robert Lilly II was born in December 1720 in Fluvanna County, Virginia and died 1828 in Logan County, Virginia. He is buried at Flat Top, Mercer County, WV.

Although the information I have found goes either way, I am of the opinion that there were two Robert Lillys: one born in 1696 and his son born in 1720. There is a lot of documentation about Judith "Juda's" Lilly (born 1764), the sister of our Robert Lilly II. Some say Juda’s mother was Mary Frances, which would make Robert Lilly Sr. and Mary Frances both 68 years old when she had Juda. It would make more sense that this couple was Juda’s grandparents. However when looking at the Family Data Collection - Births [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2001 by Edmund West, comp., it lists Frances Fanny Moody as her mother. (???)

The original Robert Lilly, the son of John Lilly, married Frances Moody and settled in Albemarle County, Virginia, formerly a part of Goochland County.

Robert Lilly first lived on a farm of Charles Dameron and purchased it in 1776. The deed dated October 22, of that year, is recorded in Albemarle County and conveys to Robert Lilly 200 acres of land situated in that portion of Albemarle County which became part of Fluvanna County in 1777. Robert paid 32 pounds and 10 shillings for this tract of land, and sold it four years later for 3,000 pounds, or $9,000 dollars at that time. This deed is dated September 7, 1780, is recorded in Fluvanna County, Virginia, and signed Robert and Frances Lilly.

Robert was considered wealthy for his day. In 1781, he moved to a farm in Bedford County, Virginia, purchasing it three years later. The deed is dated August 23, 1784, from Richard and Susanna Watts to Robert Lilly, conveying 460 acres of land situated on Prathers Run, the southside of Staunton (Roanoke) River, in that portion of Bedford County which became a part of Franklin County, Virginia, in 1785.

A deed exists in Botetourt County, Virginia, dated January 7, 1783, in which one Arthur Cooper conveyed to Robert Lilly 100 acres of land situated on the south side of Back Creek, "the place where on Josiah Meadows, deceased, lived", and on a line with the said Lilly's line. The witnesses to this deed were Josiah Meadows, Jacob Meadows, and Robert Richardson. The deed shows that Robert Lilly and the Meadows family lived on adjoining farms and in adjoining counties for several years. The Josiah Meadows, deceased, mentioned in this deed was the father of Jacob Meadows and Reverend Josiah Meadows, who were two of the witnessed to this transaction. The Reverend Josiah Meadows married Juda (Judith) Lilly, a daughter of Robert and Frances Lilly. Also note that Rev. Josiah was the brother of Rosanna Edith Meador who married Thomas Edmond Lilly, parents of Pleasant Lilly.

Robert Lilly and Reverend Josiah Meadows moved west of the Allegheny Mountains, and lived a few years at the mouth of East River with John Toney and Jacob Meadows. They later moved near the mouth of Little Bluestone River in what is now Summers County, West Virginia, thenMontgomery County, Virginia.

In Montgomery County there is a deed dated August 10, 1802, from Thomas Copley (who was married to Mary Day and in the McKinney line of the Hammack family) to Robert Lilly and Josiah Meadows, conveying 231 acres of land situated at the mouth of Little Bluestone. A plat has been made from the calls given in a copy of this deed which shows that this tractof land extended from the foot of Ellison Ridge crossing Little Bluestone, thence down the north side of Big Bluestone River two miles. This tract was divided into three parts: Reverend Josiah Meadows located on the upper part at the mouth of Little Bluestone; the elder Robert Lilly located about one-half mile below Meadows and the lower portion was occupied by two of his sons, Thomas Lilly and Edmond Lilly.

According to Mr. Miller's "History of Summers County, West Virginia", the first Robert Lilly died in 1810 at the ripe old age of 114 years; and his wife died in 1807, at the the age of 111 years. But the following deeds show that the original Robert and Fanny Lilly were stillliving in 1817. So it is all VERY confusing!

In Giles County, Virginia, there is a deed dated February 28, 1817, from Robert Lilly, Sr., conveying his personal property to his son, William Lilly, for the "maintenance of the said Robert Lilly and Fanny Lilly during life."(Signed:) Robert Lilly.

On March 1, 1817, Robert Lilly, Sr., of Giles County, Virginia, made a deed to his son, William Lilly, conveying 50 acres of land situated on the north side of Big Bluestone River for the "personal maintenance of himself, the said Robert Lilly, Sr., and his wife, Fanny Lilly during life.”
Also in Giles, Co there is a deed dated March 13, 1817, from Robert Lilly, to two of his sons, Thomas and Edmund Lilly, conveying the lower portion of his land situated on the north side of Big Bluestone River.

Ancient papers of the original Robert Lilly and Josiah Meadows families of Bluestone River were found December, 1948, by Mr. Garland Snuffer and his wife, of Glen White, WV. The batch of old papers were found lying in the yard of an old farm homestead near the Bluestone Dam. According to Mr. Snuffer, the papers were evidently thrown from the old house during the period when workmen at the Bluestone Dam were razing old dwellings to make way for the backwater from the structure. Many of the papers in Snuffer's collection, which number approximately 100 different items, date back as far as 1749. One letter was from the Territory of Upper Louisiana in the District of St. Louis. It was dated February 2, 1812, and was from William S. Lilly to his father Robert Lilly, Sr. of Giles Co, Va., now Summers Co, WV. Evidently William S. Lilly traveled a great deal, because on July 18, 1809, three years before, he was in Kanawha County (spelled Canawha). At this time he wrote to Josiah Meador, his brother-in-law.

Robert & Fannie were married about 1762. The Lilly family has been one of the most outstanding families in Southern West Virginia, many of them doctors, lawyers, bankers, merchants, businessmen, ministers, educators and farmers.

A historical marker overlooking the Bluestone Lake, says - Lilly - The historic village of Lilly was located at the confluence of the Little Bluestone and Bluestone Rivers three miles Northwest of this point. It was settled by Robert and Fanny Lilly who migrated here in the late 1700's from the Dublin-Pulaski area of the Botetourt County. The village was razed with the construction of Bluestone Dam in 1949. Remains from 149 graves were exhumed from Lilly Cemetery with most reinterred in Crews Cemetery on Sand Knob. Robert and Fanny Lilly were reinterred at the Lilly Reunion Grounds at Flat Top.

http://lillyreunion.org/id18.html

Interesting Story: Pleasant Lilly & his wives...

Just to recap: We have been tracing the lineage of my grandmother Sylvia Hammack Watson lately which goes as follows: Sylvia & Harry Hammack were the children of Ray Martin Hammack (1893-1968) and Hazel Graham (1896-1918). Hazel's parents were Robert Thomas Graham (1870-1908) & Martha Texas McKinney (1871-1950). Robert's parents were Anderson Graham & Marinda Adaline Shrewsbury-Lilly (or Solesbury or Salsbury, depending on which records you are tracing). This is the story of Marinda's parents, Pleasant Lilly & Nancy Jane Shrewsbury.

Pleasant Lilly was born about 1807 in Giles Co., VA and died after 1881 Raleigh Co.,WV. He is buried along near the Odd Road (Raleigh County, WV).

Pleasant married Delilah Pittman about 1823 probably in Giles Co., VA. Delilah is the daughter of Rueben Pittman. She was born 23 Dec 1801. Prior to 1850 Delilah moved from the farm and is listed with her 16 year old son Christopher in the 1850 Raleigh Co., VA Census. She was 75 years old when she died 18 July 1877.

Children of Pleasant Lilly’s first marriage - Delilah were:
i. Levi Madison Lilly (1822-?)
ii. Hiram Robert Lilly (1825-1880) m Elizabeth U Lilly on 23 September 1847. They had 3 children.
iii. John S Lilly (1829-1917) m Salina Roles. They had 2 children.
iv. William H. Lilly (1832-1909), known as "Groundhog Bill", was married twice. His first wife was a Lilly and his second wife was a Ferguson. He was the father of twelve children.
v. Christopher Lilly (1834-1881)
vi. Annie Lilly (1840-?)

It seems there was a problem between Delilah and Pleasant. Their youngest son, William was born 16 Dec 1832 in Giles Co., Virginia. Pleasant looked elsewhere for companionship. Pleasant moved two sisters Millie and Nancy Shrewsbury/Solesbury onto his farm and started to raise two additional families. The first of his new familyarrived about 1836 from Nancy and the last also from Nancy arrived 16 July 1857. Between these dates Millie presented Pleasants with 11 children and Nancy another 10. Pleasant’s will names all his children that were still living when he died.

After Delilah left him, Pleasant moved into the household of Millie Shrewsbury. In the 1850 US census report Pleasant was listed as head of household with Millie and six children ranging from ages 2 to 13 years old. Two of Pleasant's sons by Delilah were living in the household.

Nancy Shrewsbury was next door to Pleasant & her sister on Pleasant's land. She was listed as head of household with seven children, ages ranging from 1 month to 14 years old. In the 1860 and 1870 census for Wyoming Co.

Legend has it that the two sisters told Delilah that they were going to kill her. Delilah would not give Pleasant a divorce. But it appears that Pleasant and Millie must have gotten married by 1867 because she was using the name "Millie Lilly" on her children’s marriage records after this date. No record of this marriage has been found. One source said it may have been accepted in their religious circle for a man to have more than one wife. Something to research…
Marriage #2 Amelia “Milly” Shrewsbury (1818-1881) m abt 1865

Children with Milly:
i. Green Washington Lilly (1828-?) Note: several sources site him as their son but that would make Millie only 10 years old when she had him. So one or both of their birthdates may be wrong.
ii. Elizabeth Jane Shrewsbury (1831-1900) m John Bragg & John Farley
iii. Daniel Boone Shrewsbury (1837-?) m Sula A ??. They had one son.
iv. Wilmuth Shrewsbury(1843- ?)
v. Clarissa Ann Shrewsbury (1845-?)
vi. Judith Shrewsbury (1845-?)
vii. Lydia Shrewsbury (1846-?)
viii. Amanda M. Lilly (1847-?)
ix. Margaret J. Lilly (1850-?) m George Washington Bowlen in 1867. They had 9 children.
x. John M. Shrewsbury (1852-1881)
xi. Pleasant L. Lilly (1854-?)

Marriage #3 Nancy Jane Shrewsbury (1821- ) After Millie died he married Nancy 6 Aug 1881 Raleigh County, WV. Pleasant Lilly Sr. was 74 years old and Nancy Jane Shrewsbury/Solesbury was 60. The story goes on to say that as he left the court house he said, "Now all my children are legal."

I have very little information on Pleasant & Nancy’s children’s families, but what I have is as follows:
i. Eliza Jane Shrewsbury (1836-1900) m James Jonas Bragg in 1853. They had 5 (?) children.
ii. Rebecca Shrewsbury (1838-?)
iii. Frances Shrewsbury (1840-?)
iv. Cynthia Shrewsbury (1842-?) m Job Meadows on 25 Aug. 1892.
v. Marinda Adaline Shrewsbury (1844-?) m Anderson Graham on 17 Oct. 1864. They had 12 children.
vi. Augustus “Gus” Bird Shrewsbury (1847- 1938) m Mary E Meadows on 13 Jan. 1867. They had 8 children together between 1871-1900. He also had 11 children between 1883-1915 with “girlfriend” Virginia Polk. “Gus had little houses on his farm where his "girlfriends" lived (Ginny Polk) lots of kids and grandkids living with him at the time(1910).” (Like father like son??)
vii. Nancy Catherine Shrewsbury (1850-1933) m Creed T Meador in 1865.
viii. Rhoda Shrewsbury (1851-?)
ix. Docia Shrewsbury (1855-?)
x. William Edward Shrewsbury (1857-1939)

Millie and Nancy are the daughters of Phillip "Thomas" Shrewsbury/Solesbury (1779-1834) and his wife Lucy Maxey (1786-sometime after 1823). Thomas and Lucy were married in Franklin County, VA on 7 January 1801. The name is spelled Salsbury in the marriage record. Lucy is listed as the daughter of Phoebe and the Surety was John Maxey.

Thomas Shrewsbury was the son of Jeremiah Solesbury (1755-1809) and Mary Elizabeth Clay (1755-1810). Lucy Maxey was the daughter of Josiah Maxey (1748-1793) and Phebe Boaz Arthur (1748-??) .

Pleasant's parents were Thomas Edmond Lilly (1770-1834) and Rosanna Edith Meador (1771-1851). Thomas is the son of Robert Lilly II (1720-1818) and mary Frances Moody (1732-1818). More on them next time.

Rosanna was the daughter of Josiah Meador Sr. (1734-1797) and Lavinia Lorena Moody (1729-1798).

Here’s another interesting note, Pleasant obvious could not read or write, his signature at the end of the deed transcribed below was an X. The following deed was recorded in Wyoming Co. WV:
This deed made the 19th day of July 1867 between Pleasant Lilly of the one part and Pleasant Lilly Jr., Hannah C. Lilly, John W. Lilly, Pleasant Solesbury, Edward Solesbury and John Solesbury of the other part. Witnessth that in consideration of the sum of One dollar the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and in further consideration of Maternal love and affection he the said Pleasant Lilly Sr. doth hereby grant unto the said Pleasant Lilly and Hannah Lilly all that portion of land lying on the waters of Piney and Guyandotte river in the County of Wyoming and Raleigh which lies in the county of Raleigh and he grants unto the said John M. Solesbury, Pleasant Solesbury, Edward Solesbury all that portion of said tract of land which lies in the County of Wyoming and he the said Pleasant Lilly also grants unto the said John Solesbury a tract of land lying in the county situated on Mitchells Ridge and containing two cows, one horse and 10 hogs and the said Pleasant Lilly Sr. warrants generously the property hereby conveyed. Witness the following signature and seal. X

Graham family of Virginia & West Virginia

James Graham (1745-1782) married Sarah Farley (1745-1825), daughter of John Farley (1730-1766) and Sarah Cocke (1728-1792) on 12 Feb. 1763 in Botetourt, VA. Together James & Sarah Graham had 10 children (one set of twins):
I. Jesse Graham (1767-1807) m Margaret Wray in 1790
II. Priscilla Graham (1769-?)
III. Robert Graham (1770-1834) m Rachel Delaney on 2 March 1790
IV. Molly Graham (1771-?)
V. Sarah Graham (1773-?)
VI. Sally Graham (1773-?) m Daniel Hicks/Hixon
VII. Elizabeth Graham (1775-1870) m Thomas Jewell in 1796
VIII. Jonathan Graham (1778-1831)
IX. William Graham (1778-1830) m Mary Elkins in 1796
X. Deborah Graham (1780-1850) m Charles Furrow in 1796

Robert and Rachel Graham had 9 children:
I. Thompson Graham (1790-?)
II. Sarah Sally Graham (1794-1850) m George Reed in 1811
III. Nancy Graham (1796-1879)
IV. Samuel Graham (1798-1835) m Judith Christian Daniel
V. James Graham (1798-1880) m Mary Polly Holliday in 1821
VI. John R Graham (1804-1889) m Mary Cock in 1826 and Martha A Owens in 1860
VII. Mariah Graham (1806-1879) m John Howerton (1804-1879) 1 March 1825. They had 6 children. One, Sophia Howerton (1838-1918) married William Anderson McKinney (1836-1925) on 6 March 1856. They had 9 children, one of whom, Martha Texas McKinney (1871-1950) married Robert Thomas Graham (1870-1908) 9 March 1885. They had 7 children together, of which one is Hazel Graham (1896-1918), mother to my Grandmother Sylvia Hammack.
VIII. Elizabeth Graham (1810-1880) m Emery Akers in 1821
IX. Luke Graham (1812-1869) m Mary Duncan (1813-1866) on 25 March 1833 in Wyoming County, VA (now WV).

Luke and Mary Graham settled in Wyoming County, VA (WV) where they raised 7 children:
I. Lewis Graham (1833-1917) m Arminta J ? in 1861
II. James Lee Graham (1836-1880) m Sarah Akers in 1856
III. Hiley Graham (1838-?)
IV. Thomas Graham (1840-?)
V. Robert Graham (1842-?)
VI. Anderson Graham (1844-1903) m Marinda Adeline Shrewsbury (1843-?) on 17 Oct. 1864
VII. Luke Graham Jr. (1849-?)

Anderson and “Rindy” Graham had 12 children (one set of twins):
I. William A Graham (1865-1930)
II. Nancy J Graham (1867-?)
III. Polly E Graham (1868-?)
IV. Robert Thomas Graham (1866-1908) m Martha Texas McKinney (1871-1950) on 9 March 1885
V. Mary Elizabeth (Polly) Graham (1866-?) m Samuel Paris McKinney (brother of Martha T McKinney)
VI. Jno. E Graham (1872-?)
VII. Sarah M Graham (1873-?)
VIII. Luke Graham (1876-1952) m Valeria Susan Kinzer in 1898
IX. Martha E Graham (1877-?) m James Granville Hendrick in 1895
X. Sam Graham (1883-?)
XI. Wyley Graham (1884-?) m Nannie Lester
XII. Hyley Graham (1884-?)

Robert Thomas & Martha Texas Graham had 7 children (one set of twins):
I. Clara Frances Graham (1886-1886)
II. Cora Mae Graham (1886-1975)
III. Mary L Graham (1888-1889)
IV. Birthy Graham (1889-1890)
V. Cosettia Graham (1891-?) m Alfred Cecil in 1908
VI. Charles Frederick Graham (1893-1916)
VII. Hazel Graham (1896-1918) m Ray Martin Hammack (1893-1968) in 1916

Graham family comes to the American Colonies pt 1

The Graham family descends from the ancient Clan Graemme. As is true of many other families during the time of King James, the Grahams living on the border of England fled from Scotland to Ireland, and then on to the American Colonies. The Grahams, like many of the early settlers of the Valley of Virginia, were of Scotch-Irish descent and came from the counties of Donegal and Londonderry, in the northern part of Ireland. The term Scotch-Irish, does not necessarily mean a blending of blood between the Scotch and Irish nations, but implies the Scotch who emigrated from Scotland and settled in Ireland. During the years beginning shortly after the middle of the Seventeenth Century, there was a large emigration from Scotland and Ireland, having been brought about on account of religious persecution of the Scotch received at home. The Grahams were Presbyterians.

Christopher Graham was born around 1670 in either Scotland or Ireland and migrated to the American Colonies before 1700. He was a knight to Malcolm III, Canmore, King of Scotland. Custom states he was direct descendent of Earl of Montrose, who was beheaded.

It is believed that Christopher Graham settled first in Paxton Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania where some of his children were born. The name of his wife has not been established beyond question, but some records show that her name was Margaret F. Risk (some say Florence). "A history of Highland County, Va. states that Christopher Graham and some of his sons settled in Highland County before1740." However, according to Carol McGinnis in Virginia Genealogy: Sources and Resources, Highland County was not formed until 1 May 1847; and white settlement did not start until 1745. Part of it was formed from Bath County, which, in turn was formed from Augusta County. (p. 183 and p. 163.)

Christopher Graham died in 1745 in Augusta County, Virginia. His son, Robert Graham, was appointed as administrator of his father's estate on February19, 1746. (Abstracts from the Records of Augusta County, Virginia, by Lyman Chalkley, pages 6 and 10, Vol. III).

The children of Christopher & Margaret Graham were:
i. John Graham(1700-1771) m. Elizabeth Elliott (1700-1779) in1722
ii. Robert Graham (1712-1763) m. Jean Hicklin in 1734
iii. William Graham (?-1748) m. Jane May in 1748
iv. Archibald Graham (?-1748) m. Margaret Shed in 1751
v. Jane Graham (?-?) m. Thomas Feamster, Jr

It is believed that the first of these children were born in Pennsylvania and perhaps married there. Jean Hicklin who in 1734 married Robert Graham, was the daughter of Thomas Hicklin, one of the pioneers and early settlers of the Calf Pasture River, VA section, then part of Augusta County, now in Highland County.

From the histories of Highland County, it appears that around 1740 or before John and Robert Graham with others of their family migrated from Pennsylvania to Virginia, settling in Calf Pasture section where they became large land owners. Their father, Christopher Graham, later settled in and later died in Calf Pasture.

Robert Graham (1712-1763)became Road Overseer and Surveyor in Augusta County, VA. He was the first Constable of Calf Pasture Valley in 1745. He fought in the French and Indian War under Capt. Preston from 1757-58.
John and Elizabeth Graham reared a family of five sons and five daughters on the banks of Calf Pasture and died there about the year 1771.
The children were of John & Elizabeth Graham were:
I. Lancelot or Lanty Graham (1724-1780) m Elizabeth ?
II. Robert Graham (1725-1774) m Elizabeth Lockridge (1740-1832), daughter of James Lockridge and Isabella Kincaid on 24 June 1763.
III. John Graham(1726-1815) m Martha Patton (note: one of their daughters married into the Bratton family in the Hammack-Givens line of my family)
IV. James Graham (?)
V. Elizabeth Graham(1741-?) m Robert Armstrong
VI. Jane Graham (1742-?) m Andrew Lockridge (brother to Elizabeth) in 1761
VII. Anne Graham (?) m John Kincaid
VIII. Rebecca Graham (?) m John Bell in 1787
IX. Florence Graham (1744-?) m James Graham in 1748 (son of Uncle William & Jane Graham)
X. William Graham (?-1751) M Jane Walkup

Robert & Elizabeth remained in Augusta County, Virginia the rest of their married lives. I have only been able uncover 2 sons born to this couple: Jacob Graham (1741-1812) and James Graham (1745-1782).

To be continued...

Graham Family Crest

Going back to Hazel Graham (my great-grandmother, Sylvia Hammack's mother), let's begin with the family crest (or Coat of Arms)...

Surname: Graham Although now widely associated with Scotland and Ireland, this distinguished surname is of Anglo-Saxon origins. It was a locational name originally from the town of Grantham in Lincolnshire, and as such recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as both Graham and Grandham. The translation is either the homestead (ham) on the gravel from the Olde English pre 7th century grand, meaning gravel, or perhaps the personal name "Granta" and hence Granta's homestead. Locational surnames usually developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. The surname Graham was taken to Scotland at the beginning of the 12th Century by the Norman baron William de Graham, holder of the manor in Lincolnshire, from whom many if not all modern bearers are probably descended. James Graham, first marquis and fifth Earl of Montrose (1612 - 1650), fought on behalf of Charles 1st and became lieutenant- general to Charles 11 in 1648. This most notable surname has no less that forty-five entries in the "Dictionary of National Biography", and over forty coats of arms granted to families of the name. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of William de Graham, which was dated 1127, in the Foundation Charter of Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh, during the reign of King David 1st of Scotland, 1124 - 1153.