James A. McFall and his Remarkable Chicken, January 6, 1887, Augusta County, Virginia

 

The January 6, 1887, issue of the Valley Virginian published in Stanton, Virginia mentioned James A. McFall and his chicken in their column the 'Mt. Sidney Items':

   "Mr. James A. McFall is the owner of the oldest hen probably in the county. Her age is not exactly known, but twenty-three or twenty-four years ago she was traveling around with a brood of young chickens, and, with the exception of the last two years, she has continued to raise one or two broods every year since. The last two seasons she has curtailed her egg supply considerably, both in size and number of specimens, not producing more than half a dozen each season and not larger than partridge eggs. She still sings as lively as most young hens, but her voice is somewhat tremulous with age."

 

Jean, Nancy, Franky, and Sally Hall's 100-acre parcel, Albemarle County, Virginia

 

Nancy Hall was born about 1790 and married Thomas McFall August 23, 1814 in Albemarle County, Virginia. Rev. Benjamin Burgher, a Baptist minister, officiated the ceremony. Their marriage bond states Nancy was the daughter of James Hall, deceased. Isaiah Humphrey and Thomas McFall, both bound themselves to the Governor of Virginia in the amount of $150 ensuring a marriage would take place shortly. Isaiah declared Nancy was over 21 years of age before a court clerk the same day.

I wondered if Isaiah Humphrey might be related to either Thomas or Nancy. I found an “Albemarle County Chancery Cause 1820-014 David Humphrey’s Administrator & etc. vs. Isaiah Humphrey’s Administratrix, etc”.  I discovered David and Isaiah were Nancy’s uncles. Their sister, Mildred Humphrey, was identified as Nancy’s mother.

The chancery suit identified Mildred (Humphrey) Hall Bailey's children. Jane (also known as Jean), Nancy, Frances (also called Franky), and Sally were James Hall's daughters. Betsey (also called Elizabeth), John, Lewis D., and Patsey (also known as Martha) were John Bailey's children. 

This was the starting point for new research. The chancery disagreement began after brothers David Humphrey Jr. and Isaiah Humphrey died. David Junior’s widow and Isaiah’s widow were the plaintiff and defendant. The dispute likely began after their father David Humphrey Senior’s death in 1818 and involved the inheritance of David Senior’s slaves.

 Later research revealed James Hall and Mildred Humphrey married Oct. 14, 1785, in Albemarle County, Virginia. The Hall daughters were born sometime between 1785 and 1794 when Mildred was with James Hall. She married John Bailey April 2, 1794, at Albemarle County, Virginia. I’m assuming James Hall had died by this date, and I’m not looking at a divorce.

About nine months before the widowed Mildred Hall married John Bailey, a curious thing happened. On September 12, 1793, John Everitt sold a 100-acre parcel to Jean Hall, Nancy Hall, Franky Hall and Sally Hall all of Albemarle County, Virginia. This land sale piqued my interest and puzzled me. As James Hall and Mildred Bailey married in 1785, these girls would not have been old enough to legally buy land in the State of Virginia. Usually, there are witnesses to land transactions, but not this time. John Everett brought the indenture to the Albemarle Court and acknowledged the land sale in September 1793. [Albemarle VA Deed Book 11, pages 93-95]

The land description mentioned James Hall as a neighbor:

            “one tract or parcel of land containing one hundred acres be the same more or less beginning at a red oak said Everitt’s corner on John Bolings line thence on the same N13 degrees E 93 poles to pointers Wm Nelsons corner on said Bolings line thence on said Nelsons line S35 degrees W120 poles crossing two branches to a red oak John Wilkersons corner thence on said line to a corner of James Hall thence a new cut line to the head of a branch to afore & after poplar thence following the meanders of the branch to bolings line at the beginning”

Beginning in 1794, Jean, Nancy, Franky and Sally Hall were included on the Albemarle County land tax list. Each was taxed for a 25-acre tract which was paid until 1807. After that date, they no longer appeared on the tax rolls.

Albemarle County Deed Book 16, pages 346-347 reveal Jean Hall sold her one fourth share of the 100-acre parcel on Feb. 15, 1808, to Stephen Moore for 20 Pounds. Jean signed the indenture with her mark. There were four witnesses to the agreement. Wm. F. Styles, David Humphrey Jr., Andrew Hart and John Irvin. Wm. F. Styles and Andrew Hart witnessed the sale in June 1808. Jean’s uncle, David Humphrey Jr., served as a witness with no date. John Irvin witnessed Jean’s signature in April 1808 and carried the indenture to Court April 1808 and at a June 1808 Court where it was fully proved and ordered to be recorded.

The land description did not include any of the adjoining neighbors mentioned in the 1793 deed when John Everitt sold the 100 acres to the Hall’s. However, the parcel was said to be in North Garden bound on the east, south and west by Stephen Moore. Dabney Minor’s lands bordered on the north.

About five years later Nancy, Franky, and Sally sold their shares to William Moore of Albemarle County on Feb. 25, 1813. This indenture was indeed informative. [Albemarle VA Deed Book 18, pages 314-315]

            “This indenture Made this twenty fifth day of February one thousand eight hundred & thirteen between William Moore of Albemarle County & Nancy, Franky, & Sally Hall sheweth that said Moore hath Bought of said Nancy, Franky, & Sally Hall all the right interest & title they hold in the land they became Seized of in fee simple by a purchase Made by their dec’d Father of John Everitt who Made them the title they now hold which they have sold there undivided interest in said land to said Moore for & in Consideration of the sum of three hundred & twenty one Dollars to them”

The wording of the land description seems as if James Hall was alive on September 9, 1793, and purchased the tract from John Everitt in person. John Everitt, in turn, put the title in the girls’ names. This would explain my concerns about how minors would be able to legally buy land.                                                         

The following year Nancy would marry Thomas McFall. I did not find anything further about Jean, but Franky and Sally cropped up in future court records which I will blog about in the future. 

Cornelius and Thomas McFall, Feb. 12, 1808, Albemarle Co., VA

 

On September 13, 2022, I began my post “Starting Over with 4^th Great Grandfather Thomas McFall” with the following paragraph:

McFall family researchers have been studying Cornelius McFall as a possible father for Great Grandfather Thomas McFall for at least twenty years. I have been among that group for quite some time. While I successfully gathered records for Cornelius, I have struggled to find any documentation linking Cornelius and Thomas.

I still have not found documentation establishing Cornelius and Thomas McFall as father and son. However, I do have a recently discovered Albemarle County, Virginia deed where Cornelius and Thomas acted as witnesses to a land sale. Although I’m still lacking proof for my line, I’m pleased as this indenture places Cornelius and Thomas at the same place and same time.

The Albemarle County, Virginia deed was made February 12, 1808, between Benjamin Davis of the 1st part, Claiborne Rothwell of the 2^nd part and Nimrod Branham of the 3^rd part. All were residents of Albemarle County.

Benjamin Davis owed Nimrod Branham sixty-five pounds, seven shillings and mortgaged his 45 acres to Claiborne Rothwell to pay the debt. If Benjamin Davis did not pay Clairborne Rothwell by May 1, 1808, Rothwell could sell the 45 acres for money owed.

The indenture was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John R. Jones, Thomas Rothwell, Cornelius McFall and Thomas McFall. The agreement was produced at Albemarle June Court 1808.

I’m including images from the Albemarle County, Virginia Deed Book 16, pages 313-315 below that I acquired from Familysearch.org website.

                                                       

Albemarle Co. VA Deed Book page 313 (bottom of page)

Albemarle Co. VA Deed Book pages 314-315

Starting Over with 4th Great Grandfather Thomas McFall

McFall family researchers have been studying Cornelius McFall as a possible father for Great Grandfather Thomas McFall for at least twenty years. I have been among that group for quite some time. While I successfully gathered records for Cornelius, I have struggled to find any documentation linking Cornelius and Thomas.

So, in today’s blog, I’ll tell you what I know about Thomas McFall and hope you can help.

I first learned about him when I employed Mrs. Katherine Bushman, from Augusta County, Virginia to uncover my ancestry in 1991. She quickly traced my Great Grandmother Flora Belle (McFall) Joseph to James Addison McFall to David McFall to 4^th Great Grandfather Thomas McFall.

Thomas was born about 1790 in Virginia and died February 3, 1854 in Augusta County, Virginia where he resided for many years. The Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser printed his death notice March 8, 1854.

DIED.

                              In this county, at his residence, on the 3d of Februa-

                              ry, Mr. THOMAS McFALL, aged about 64 years.  He

                              was formerly of Albemarle, but had been a resident of

                              this county for the last thirty years.

To set the record straight, he had been an Augusta County, Virginia resident for more than thirty years. Records indicated it was forty-two years. I found him in an 1812 Augusta personal property tax list when he was a young man about 21-22 years old.

Thomas had documented connections to Albemarle County, Virginia dating back to August 1814 when he married in that county. A marriage bond dated August 23, 1814 declared his intention to marry 4^th Great Grandmother Nancy Hall, daughter of the deceased James Hall.

By the way, Albemarle is where Cornelius McFall lived as early as the American Revolution casting a research trail that I would follow looking for a 5^th great grandfather.

Let’s get back to Thomas’ early life. As I said, he began appearing in the Augusta personal property tax lists in 1812. The 1815 Augusta County personal property tax list dated March 2 reveal Great Grandfather owned 1 horse, ass, mule, mare, or colt and 1 head of cattle.

The August 7, 1820 federal census enumeration found the Thomas McFall home in Staunton, Augusta, Virginia:

4 Free White Males Under 10: sons, James, John, William, and David

1 Free White Male - 26 thru 44:  Thomas age about 30 years

1 Free White Female - 16 thru 25: wife Nancy (maybe 20-24 years)

1 Person Engaged in Agriculture: Thomas

4 Free White Persons Under 16: 4 McFall sons

Free White Person - Over 25: 1 must be Thomas

Total Free White Persons: 6

Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 6

1820 U S Census; Census Place: Staunton, Augusta, Virginia; Page: 30; NARA Roll: M33_132

 I have not been able to find the McFall’s in the 1830 federal census but know Thomas remained in Augusta County as I found him in the 1830 personal property tax list. During the 1820’s two more children were born—Mary Jane in 1821 and Isaiah 1825.

By January 12, 1832, Great Grandfather was a widower and married Ann Smith in Augusta County.

The 1835 Augusta County, Virginia personal property tax lists included Thomas as well as his eldest son, James McFall. James must have been 16 to 18 years old to be taxed on his own behalf. James and Thomas both were taxed in 1836. In 1837. Thomas’ sons John and David McFall appeared in the county tax lists. Thomas, sons David and William were taxed in 1839.

 Augusta County was still home to the McFall’s per the 1840 federal census:

 Name: Thomas McFall

Home (City, County, State): Augusta, Virginia

1 Free White Male - 50 thru 59: Thomas age about 50 years

1 Free White Female - 15 thru 19: Daughter Mary Jane McFall

1 Free White Female - 40 thru 49: 2^nd wife Ann

1 Person Employed in Agriculture: Thomas

1 Free White Person - Under 20: Mary Jane McFall

1 Free White Person - 20 thru 49: 2^nd wife Ann

3 Total Free White Persons: Thomas, Ann, and Mary Jane

Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 3

Year: 1840; Census Place: Augusta, Virginia; Roll: 551; Page: 12; Image: 28; Family History Library Film: 0029684

The older McFall sons no longer lived with their father, but I was surprised to see the youngest boy, Isaiah (about 15 years) was not in Thomas’ home either.

The 1850 federal census:

District No. 2 and 1/2; Augusta County, Virginia

Page 339a, Line 26, Dwelling 261, Family 267

Thos McFall  age 58  male  Farmer  Value of Real Estate Owned $578  Place of Birth Virginia

Anne McFall  age 59  female  Place of Birth Virginia  Cannot read & write

After Thomas’ death, his widow Anne, initiated a chancery cause to have her dower rights assigned to his estate. The Staunton Spectator published details of the case in their April 25, 1855 issue:

VIRGINIA ;--At Rules held in the Clerk’s

     Office of the Circuit Court for Augusta coun-

ty, March the 31^st, 1855, Ann McFall, Samuel

Good and David W. Riddle,--Plaintiffs,

      AGAINST

James McFall, John McFall, Catharine McFall

and Margaret McFall, Hamilton McFall, James

McFall, Stuart B. McFall and David McFall, in-

fant children of David McFall, dec’d.,--Defen-

dants.

    The object of this suit is to obtain an assign-

ment of dower for the plaintiff Anne McFall, the

widow of Thomas McFall, dec’d., in the real es-

tate, of which said Thomas McFall died seized

and a partition or sale of the residue of said real

estate.

    The Defendants James McFall and John Mc-

Fall not having entered their appearance and giv-

en security, according to the act of Assembly,

and the Rules of this Court, and it appearing by

satisfactory evidence that they are not inhabitants

of this Commonwealth:  It is ordered that the

said Defendants do appear here within one month

after due publication of this notice and answer the

bill of the plaintiff and that a copy of this order

be forthwith inserted in some newspaper printed

in Staunton, for four weeks successively, and

posted at the front door of the Court-house.

             A Copy—Tests,

                                         N. C. KINNEY, Cl’k.

   April 4, 1855—4w.—H. W. Sheffey, P. Q.

Thomas’ daughter, Mary Jane and husband James Dalton had already sold their interest in her father’s estate to Samuel Good prior to the chancery suit. The same was true of William McFall and his wife Susan in October 1854 when they sold their interest to David W. Riddle. Isaiah McFall predeceased his father dying in 1847.

The October 15, 1856 edition of the Staunton Spectator and General Advertisers reports on the pending Commissioner’s sale of Thomas McFall’s land.

COMMISSIONER’S SALE.—By virtue of a

   decree of the Circuit Court of Augusta county,

rendered on the 20^th day of June 1856, in the case of

Ann McFall, &c., vs. Catharine McFall, &c., I shall pro-

ceed, on Tuesday, the 18^th day of November next, to

sell on the premises the TRACT OF LAND of which

Thomas McFall died seized and possessed, lying in Au-

gusta county, near Mt Pisgah Church, and containing

about 33 Acres. The improvements consist of a com-

fortable DWELLING HOUSE and suitable out-build-

ings.

   TERMS OF SALE:--Cash for the expenses of sale and

reasonable costs of suit; the balance in six, twelve and

eighteen months; bonds, with good security, to be ta-

ken for the deferred payments, and the title to be re-

tained until the purchase money is paid.

                                        HUGH W. SHEFFEY, Com’r.

   Oct. 15, 1856.—tds.

#52 Ancestors: Miss Maggie, The Maiden Aunt

I’m joining Amy Johnson Crow’s Week 14 writing prompt ‘The Maiden Aunt’. Most of my grandparents’ sisters married; I had to look back to the 2^nd Great Grandaunts before I found a few maiden aunties.

I selected my 2^nd Great Grandfather James Addison McFall’s sister, Margaret Jane McFall, to be the subject of today’s post. Aunt Maggie lived with her mother and unmarried brothers in the McFall home for most of her life at Mt. Solon, Augusta Co., VA.

An obituary published in The News Leader, Staunton, VA is a great McFall family read and I’m anxious to share it with you.

FUNERAL OF MISS M.

     JANE McFALL

   The funeral services of Miss Maggie McFall, who died at her home in Mt. Solon, on Tuesday, March 12, were held on Thursday, March 14, from the Methodist church. The Rev. J. M. Harris, of Mossy Creek Presbyterian church, of which she was a member, was in charge, assisted by the Rev. J. B. Grimes, the resident Methodist minister. A large concourse of friends, relatives and neighbors was in attendance.

   The music was remarkable for the selections made and the sweetness of the singing. With Prof. James Clarke, at the organ, the singing was rendered by the choir, composed of Mrs. George Chapman, Messrs. Guy Stoutamyer, Russell and Mansen Baylor.

   The remarks of the officiating clergymen embodied little in the wav of eulogy. “Miss Maggie,” as she was familiarly known, had spent her entire life in the community in which she died and had left a record which, in itself, was laudatory of her life and character.

   In early life she was united with old Mossy Creek Presbyterian church and to the end held her membership in that church. During her later life, she was unable to attend her own church with regularity. But she was regular in her attendance at all the services of the nearby Methodist churches.

   She was born May 5, 1842, and had she lived until May 5 next, would have rounded out the 87^th year of her age.

   Her father was David McFall, a prominent merchant of Mt. Solon, who died many years ago. Her mother was Mrs. Catherine Todd McFall, who lived to a ripe old age, having died in February 1908.

   Miss McFall leaves two brothers, Hamilton B. McFall, one of Augusta County’s most widely known citizens; and Stewart B. McFall, formerly of Harrisonburg, but now of Indianapolis, Ind.

   James A. McFall, another brother, died at Mt. Solon in 1887 and David Chambers, the youngest of the family, preceded her to the grave a few years ago, having died during September 1924.

   She is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews, among them being Mrs. Clara Irvine, of Avon; Mrs. Knizer Richcreek of Staunton; Paul McFall, of Waynesboro; Lawrence McFall, of Chicago; James McFall, of Philadelphia; Mrs. Weldon Berry, of Harrisonburg and Walton H. McFall with whom Miss McFall had long made her home in Mt. Solon.

   Beside the above there is a number of grand and greatgrand-nieces and nephews.

   The body was buried in the old Mt. Solon burying ground beside those of her mother and other members of the family.

   The following friends and neighbors acted as pall-bearers. Messrs. Charles Hanna, Bernard Reeves, Eugene Reeves, Chambers Kiracoffe, Frank Reeves, Emmett Wilberger, Harry Denkle, and Edward Hogshead.

   The flower-bearers were grand-nieces of Miss McFall, as follows: Mrs. Robert Dickson, Misses Mary McFall, Martha Hope McFall, Frances McFall, Charlotte McFall and Catherine Hanna.

          The News Leader, Staunton, Virginia, Thursday, March 21, 1929 edition

Staunton Light Infantry in 1840

Recently I posted David McFall Born and Reared in Augusta, Virginia describing my 3^rd Great Grandfather David McFall’s July 4^th, 1849 celebration. Captain McFall and the Mt. Solon Artillery led the day’s parade accompanied by the Mt. Crawford band.  

Nine years before, Great Grandfather served as a private with the Staunton Light Infantry. The Staunton Spectator’s article “Staunton Light Infantry 63 Years Ago” dated Friday, March 6, 1903, published a muster roll of the unit. It was discovered 63 years after the event by the proud Spectator Staff. 

Private David McFall was soldiering and the same year teaching school. See Captain David McFall’s Teaching Days.

Take a look and see if you can find your Augusta County, Virginia men among the Staunton Light Infantry comrades.

A transcription of the article follows the image. 

Staunton Spectator & Vindicator,

Staunton, Virginia

Friday, March 6, 1903

Transcription:

Staunton Spectator & Vindicator, Staunton, Virginia

Friday, March 6, 1903

Staunton Light Infantry 63 Years Ago.

   We have found among the papers of the first editor of the SPECTATOR the roll of the Staunton Light Infantry, bearing date January 1840 Kenton Harper, captain. It is interesting to see how many of the young men of 63 years ago from Staunton, were, 21 years afterwards, brave soldiers in the war between the States or distinguished in political and civil life subsequently. On this roll some of the old men of today will recognize their fathers, others their grandfathers, and other relatives. It is curious to note in the military companies then there were in each, two 1st lieutenants and two 2d lieutenants. The roll of officers for 1841, also before us, shows that M. G. Harman had been promoted from the ranks to 3d sergeant. Our esteemed fellow townsman, Mr. Harman J. Lushbaugh, is the only surviving member of the company, so far as we are aware of.

   Kenton Harper, capt.; Matthew Blare, 1^st lieut.; John H. Ast, 1st lieut.; Murrill Cushing, 2d lieut.; Robert W. Stevenson, 2d lieut.; John Carroll, 1st sgt.; Wm. Peters, 2d sgt.; Nicholas K. Trout, 3d sgt.; Charles T. Cameron, 4th sgt.; Alex McD Cowan, 5th sgt.; John B. Baldwin, 1st cor.; Robt. G. Bickle, 2^nd cor.; Jas. Landridge, 3rd cor.; Elijah Calvert, 4th cor.; Jacob K. Stribling, 5th cor.; John D. Stevenson, 6th cor.  Privates—James F. Patterson, Nathaniel B. Long, Judson McCoy, Robt. H. Kinney, Matthew McKever, Wm. Carroll, Wm. B. Johnson, Wm. Crawford, Wm. G. Sterrett, Wm. Chambers, John Dudley, Henry Bare, John Crawford, Jas. A. Forbes, Sam’l E. Clarke, Henry Taylor, Jacob N. Rhoads, Benj F. Points, John Grandstaff, John T. Arnall, David McFall, Daniel Fishburn, James Bickle, David J. Fox, John Trayer, Jacob Sheets, John Harman, Archibald Davis, A. D. Wrenn, Samuel Laughlin, Geo. W. Fuller, Francis Huff, Wm. P. Hall, Warwick W. Hamner, Elisha Curry, Jas. S. Graham, Harman J. Lushbaugh, Vincent T. Cooper, Samuel C. Charlton, Wm. Blackburn, Wm. W. Murry, Magness W. Stribling, H. Jouett Harrow, Thomas Eskridge, John K. Moore, Thos. W. Murry, Michael G. Harman, Wm. Martin, John Forbes, Robert Eskridge, John Fisher Jr., Jacob Long, Addison Fleisher, Hugh W. Sheffey, Osburn Welling, Andrew Robertson, Augustus Garber, Chesley Kinney, F. T. Geiger, James Forbes, John B. Watt, Jessy Forbes, Sohn S. Smith, John Donaho, Wm. Fuller.  Musicians Wm. Suthers, Valentine Teoffer.

Captain David McFall’s teaching Days

The front page of the Staunton Spectator and Vindicator published a piece called “Recollections of Bygone Days – An Interesting Bit of History – Old Days in Augusta – Many Familiar Names and Places, Etc.” Friday, July 31, 1903. The author, only identified as E. L. H., recalled David McFall’s teaching days in Augusta County, Virginia.

3^rd Great Grandfather’s student reminisced:

            “A few years later in 1840, I was again a school boy near the valley turnpike, the school-house at this time was an old dwelling house converted into a school room on the farm formerly owned by the late Daniel Sheffey, and stood nearly opposite the present residence of Mr. Samuel Parkins. The teacher was the late Capt. David McFall, father of Hamilton McFall, of Mt. Solon.   A better teacher was not in those days, and cannot be surpassed in these.”

In 1840 David McFall was a single man about 21 years old. To know more about Great Grandfather, see my last post David McFall Born and Reared in Augusta, Virginia.

To read “Recollections of Bygone Days – An Interesting Bit of History – Old Days in Augusta – Many Familiar Names and Places, Etc.” in its entirety on the Library of Congress web site, click here.

Source: Chronicling America, Staunton Spectator and Vindicator (Staunton, Va.)

July 31, 1903, Image 1