Monday, April 21, 2014

pvt


Old Peter Skaggs Lawrence County, KY Old Peter Skaggs stops showing up in Virginia records in 1811. Apparently at that point he moves on to Kentucky, specifically Floyd County. A large part of eastern Kentucky was known as Floyd County then, later in 1822 Lawrence County was created from Floyd. Our evidence of Peter Skaggs in Kentucky is from present-day Lawrence County, specifically Blaine Creek. Peter Skaggs Sr.(b. 1765, d. 21 October 1841)
Peter Skaggs Sr. (son of Zachariah Skaggs and Nancy Wilcox) was born 1765 in Tazewell County, Virginia, and died 21 October 1841 in Terryville, Lawrence County, Kentucky. He married (1) Martha Cohun on 24 June 1788 in Fincastle, Montgomery County, Virginia.

Notes for Peter Skaggs:
Peter Skaggs and Martha were the first Skaggs family to settle in Floyd County in 1804. They moved to Martha, KY in 1812. They planted permeate roots at the Head of Blaine Creek, in what is now Lawrence County, Kentucky. The first Skaggs family to come to Big Blaine Creek (by 1804) was Peter Skaggs and his brother Solomon followed shortly. This source (Highland Echo) gives Peter's wife as Martha Cohun stating that they were married 1788 in Montgomery Co, VA. Martha Cohun was 1/2 Indian. Another source says she may have been born in Virginia. She’s American Indian in 1788 in Virginia. She is said to have been a member of the Cherokee Nation. She was living between 1849 and 1861 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. Martha Cohun lived as a widow with son John Skaggs and wife Mary Wood in 1850 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. In 1860 she lived with son Moses Skaggs in Lawrence County, Kentucky. She was a United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ member between 1849 and 1866 at Big Blaine, Lawrence County, Kentucky. Ancestral File number TC60.JO"Rose Dew" Cathrin Cohun (full blooded Cherokee)
As the story goes, The Cherokee maiden,” Rose Dew” Cathern Cothrun Cohun (reportedly full Indian ancestry) was given to Patrick Brown the "Trader". They had a daughter Martha "Patsy" Cohun Patrick b. 1771 in Wilkes Co. NC and d. 1865 in Lawrence Co., KY. Martha married Peter "Old Peter" Skaggs. (The town Martha, KY is named after her).

More About Peter Skaggs:
Burial: Old Terryville Rd, Terryville (Martha), Lawrence County, Kentucky.
Peter was a farmer and a Baptist Minister at the Big Blaine United Baptist Church and belonged to the Burning Springs Association. Both he and Martha were members of the Big Blaine United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. They came to the Head of Blaine, now Lawrence County, Kentucky in 1804 by way of Floyd County, Kentucky to make a home for their family, for the rest of their life. Floyd County was farther up the Big Sandy Mountains. They preceeded to build from scratch quite a sizeable estate within the coming years.
The Martha Post Office in Lawrence County, Kentucky, was name for Martha Cathron Patrick Skaggs. Old Peter died Oct 21, 1841, and was interred at Terryville, now Martha, Kentucky. "Patty" or "Patsy" as she was called died 1865, age 84. Old Peter Skaggs 1761-1841 married Catherine Patrick said to be thirteen years old. Catherine was from Wilkes Co., NC and is said to be of the Cherokee Tribe. They were married 1788 at Montgomery City, Fincastle, Virginia, and came to Kentucky in 1804. Catherine died in 1865. They were buried at Martha, Lawrence County, Kentucky.

Kentucky Land Warrants

In 1815 the Kentucky State Legislature passed an act relative to land distribution, and the records written in fulfilment of this statute are now known as Kentucky Land Warrant, 1816-1873. The act of the General Assembly governing this group of grants opened for sale, at $20.00 per 100 acres, all the vacant lands to anyone in Kentucky, except an alien. The method followed was similar to that originally employed by Virginia, the purchaser securing receipt from the State Treasurer which was in turn converted into a land office warrant, authorizing the owner to locate and survey a certain acreage. When this had been completed and returned to the land office it was registered and a land patent was issued to the owner within about six months. This law, however, did not apply to lands west of the Tennessee River.

Martha "Marthey" "Patsy" Cathrin Patrick Cohun MP
Place of Burial: Skaggs Cemetery, Terryville (now Martha), Lawrence, Kentucky, USA
Birth: 1796
Wilkes , North Carolina, USA
Death: in Terryville, (now Martha), Lawrence , Kentucky, USA
Immediate Family: Daughter of full blooded Cherokee Cohun and "Rose Dew" Cathrin Cohun
Wife of Rev Peter "Old Peter" L. Skaggs, Sr
Mother of Solomon Skaggs; Lewis L. Skaggs; Nancy Terry (Skaggs); Rachel Skaggs twin; Martha Skaggs twin and 11 others






Peter Skaggs Sr. paid 50 pounds current money for Martha. He chose Martha Cathun, Cherokee Indian at age 17, she was a mere 13 or so the calculated age go. The original marriage bond has her name as Marthey Cohun. She married Peter Skaggs on June 24, 1788 in Montgomery County, Fincastle, Virginia. Both their marriage bond and also Mary B. Kegley's book Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol. II, bond dated 24 day June 1788. Peter Skaggs and Martha names on the bond is Marthey Cohun, sur. William Lester. The minister returns list started 21 Feb 1788 and Mary Kegley's book also writes her name Martha Cathon and Petes Skaggs. Peter's Will dated 23 day Sep 1833. Peter refers to her as Patty. The Will was produced in open court 22 day Nov 1841. His son Moses Skaggs bible states his death as 21 Oct 1841.
Peter was a farmer and a Baptist Minister at the Big Blaine United Baptist Church and belonged to the Burning Springs Association. Both he and Martha were members of the Big Blaine United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ. They came to the Head of Blaine, now Lawrence County, Kentucky in 1804 by way of Floyd County, Kentucky to make a home for their family, for the rest of their life. Floyd County was farther up the Big Sandy Mountains. They preceeded to build from scratch quite a sizeable estate within the coming years.
The Martha Post Office in Lawrence County, Kentucky, was name for Martha Cathron Patrick Skaggs. Old Peter died Oct 21, 1841, and was interred at Terryville, now Martha, Kentucky. "Patty" or "Patsy" as she was called died 1865, age 84.
Source Mary Jenkins: Peter Skaggs 1761-1841 married Catherine Patrick said to be thirteen years old. Catherine was from Wilkes Co., NC and is said to be of the Cherokee Tribe. They were married 1788 at Montgomery City, Fincastle, Virginia, and came to Kentucky in 1804. Catherine died in 1865. They were buried at Martha, Lawrence County, Kentucky. Some of this information comes from the Baptist Church records.
In a letter from Mollie Vicich to Mary Klink, Mollie writes that Martha Cothron was 1/2 Indian. Another source says she may have been born in Virginia. She American Indian in 1788 in Virginia. She is said to have been a member of the Cherokee Nation. She was living between 1849 and 1861 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. Martha Cothron lived as a widow with son John Skaggs and wife Mary Wood in 1850 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. In 1860 she lived with son Moses Skaggs in Lawrence County, Kentucky. She was a United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ member between 1849 and 1866 at Big Blaine, Lawrence County, Kentucky. Ancestral File number TC60.JO
Martha "Patsy" Cathron was a full blooded Cherokee Indian from North Carolina. She married Peter Skaggs when she was 13 years old. There are some researchers who state that Martha's real name was Martha Kathrin Patrick. Patrick is one of the names that some of the Cherokee used. Hence the nickname Pattie, Cothrin is supposedly a misspelling of the name Kathryn. None of which is substantiated. per Carolyn Wellen, Martha's name on the original marriage bond, book A, page 25 her name was Marthey Cohun. Original bond does state the William Leister was Peter Scaggs surety. Peter, paid fifty pounds current money for her {Martha Cohrun}. They wrere married 24 June 1788. 1. Title: Martha Sisler, Lucasville, OH Media: Book 2. Title: Fincastle Va. Bond #A25-A345
Peter Skaggs, 100, D, 392, 6-24-1817, Floyd, Big Blanes Cr
John Skagg, 100, G, 402, 12-20-1819, Floyd, Clain Cr
Lewis Scaggs, 50, H, 41, 6-5-1817, Floyd, Big Blains Cr

100 acres on Big Blaine Creek was patented to Peter Skaggs from the State of Kentucky on June 24, 1817. Land was also patented to his sons Lewis and John.

1820 Census – Floyd County (the county Prior to Lawrence), KY:
Peter Skaggs
4 Males under the age of 25
1 Male 45 +
1 Female under the age of 10
1 Female 25-45

It looks like from the 1820 census that Peter lived with his wife, four sons and a daughter.

1823 – First Tax List for Lawrence County, KY – the portion that was
in Floyd County, KY before 1823:

Jeremiah Scaggs, John Scaggs, Lewis Scaggs, Peter Scaggs, Solomon
Scaggs, Solomon Scaggs, Jr.

The initial tax list for the new Lawrence County (formed from Floyd County) KY compiled in 1823 listed Peter and his sons Lewis, John, Jeremiah and Solomon. Also listed was an older Solomon Scaggs. Legend has it that this older Solomon was Peter's brother.

1830 Census - Lawrence County, KY:

Peter Scags, Sr.
3 Males under the age of 19;
1 Male 60-69
3 Females under the age of 19;
1 Female 50-59

The 1830 census has Peter living with his wife, three sons and three daughters.

1840 Census – Lawrence County, KY:

Peter Skeggs
2 Males under the age of 30
1 Male 80 – 90
1 Female 60 – 70

The 1840 census has Peter living with his wife and two sons.

Peter died October 21, 1841 in Lawrence County, KY. He was survived by his wife, Martha.

Peter Scaggs' will from the Lawrence County, KY Will Book 1, Page 19:

In the name of God, Amen. This 23rd day of Sept. in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty three, State of Kentucky, Lawrence County. I, Peter Skaggs, of said county and state aforesaid being in very feeble state of body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament at the same time eitterally revoking all other declaring this to be my last will and testament.

First, My just debts to be paid and my body resigned to the tomb andmy soul to God who gave it. I give and bequeath the whole andresidue of my estate whether real or personal and everything I am possessed of what so ever or where so ever; I give and bequeath the whole to my beloved wife Patty Skaggs during her natural life and at her decease a sale to be made of all that remains of my said estate, I give and bequeath to my youngest son Christian Skaggs fifty dollars and no more and the balance if any remains to be equally divided among my loving children and at the same time I do appoint my son Sollomon Skaggs my executor of this last will and testament. To which I have here unto set my hand and seal this day and date above written.

Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of: Campbell Rice, Walter Osborne, Meredith Edwards

Peter (his X mark) Skaggs

State of Kentucky
Lawrence County

I George F Hatcher clerk of the county court for the county aforesaid do certify that this last will and testament of Peter Skaggs, Sr. appears to have been produced in open court on 22nd day
of November, 1841 and proven and ordered to record wherefore the same is accordingly done.

ATTEST: George F Hatcher, Clerk

Peter wrote his will on September 23, 1833 and his son Solomon was executor. The will was read on November 22, 1841. Children of Peter and Martha
There has been some confusion about who Old Peter Scaggs' children were. I believe this is because Peter's brother Solomon and Solomon's wife died close together in time and Peter and Martha took charge of his brother's orphaned children. These orphans get confused with Peter's own children.

I'm going to list the facts of what I know about the children of Old Peter Scaggs, based on actual evidence:

Lewis
b. c.1788 in Virginia, per 1850 census listed age 62 and 1840 census age 50-59
m. 21 Aug 1812 to Nancy McDowell, there is a marriage bond record:
Bond dated 4, Aug. 1812 by Lewis Skaggs and William McDowell for
a marriage shortly to be had between Lewis Skaggs and Nancy McDowell.
Kentucky, Floyd County. August 3, 1812. Sir, Please
to let Lewis Skaggs and my daughter Nancy have license
and your will oblidge your friend. (S) William McDowell

Nancy
b. c. 1792 in Virginia, per 1850 census listed age 58
m. 27 Sep 1812 to Miles Terry, there is a marriage bond record:
Bond dated 25, Sept. 1812 by Miles Terry and Peter Skaggs for a
marriage shortly to be had between Miles Terry and Nancy Skaggs

Solomon
b. c. 1797 in Virginia, per 1850 census listed age 53 and 1860 census listed age 62
m. 14 Oct 1817 to Sylvenus Cains per Kentucky Marriage Records: From the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, excerpted and reprinted from The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1983. p. 194.

John Patrick
b. c. 1797 in Virginia, per 1850 census listed age 53, 1840 census listed age 50-59, 1830 census 30-39
m. Mary, per the 1850 census; 1 Oct 1818 to Polly Woods per Kentucky Marriage Records: From the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, excerpted and reprinted from The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1983. p. 194.

Jeremiah
b. c. 1797 in Virginia, per 1850 census listed age 53, 1830 census age 30-39
m. 22 Jul 1821 to Milly Holebrook per Kentucky Marriage Records: From the Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, excerpted and reprinted from The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1983. p. 194.

Moses
b. c. 1802 in Virginia, per 1880 census
m. Elizabeth, per 1850, 1870 and 1880 census

Peter L Jr.
b. c. 1803 in Virginia, per 1850 census age 47, 1860 census age 57
m 20 Mar 1823 to Cleruda Prince per Miscellaneous Lawrence County Marriages, 1822-1854 extract from handwritten ledgers

Christian
b. c. 1808 in Virginia, per 1880 census
m. 24 Feb 1829 to Elizabeth Peary per Miscellaneous Lawrence County Marriages, 1822-1854 extract from handwritten ledgers

Rutha
b. c. 1811 in Kentucky, per the 1850 census and the 1880 census
m. Amos Scaggs, per the 1850 census and the 1880 census
d. 9 Dec 1880 in Lawrence County, KY, found in the death listings for 1880 in the county clerk's office in Louisa, KY.

If these birth dates are right, Martha Scaggs would likely have had a multiple birth around 1797 with at least twins and perhaps triplets. There may be a set of twins in there with another birth within a year.



  • Regina Barker Waddell So Darl, are u one of his many descendants? Peter and Martha are as far back as I had the family tree. You just posted more info than I imagined. Thank You
  • Marlitta Perkins Darl, hate to be a kill joy, but this photograph is mine. I took it personally. The way it works is that you ask permission first before taking anything that doesn't belong to you. And then you give proper credit to the owner once you have permission. You haven't done, either. Yes, copyright laws apply even on fb. You have 24 hours to fix this.

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