Notes: Curtis / Colyer family of Somerset Kentucky

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1	Lera Colyer in the Cook County, Illinois Marriage Index, 1930-1960 Name: Lera Colyer Marriage Date: 28 Dec 1950 Spouse: Frank T. Sokolik Marriage Location: Cook County, IL Marriage license: {A63CCD78-731B-4D0D-BA74-FB2DF5660983} File Number: 2165525 Archive Collection Name: Cook County Genealogy Records (Marriages) Archive repository location: Chicago, IL Archive repository name: Cook County Clerk	Family: F07751
2	Pulaski Co., KY Marriage Bk IV, pg 53	Family: F7929
3	Virginia Marriage Records; p. 278	Family: F505
4	15 APR 1877 in Pulaski Co., KY Marriage Bk III, pg. 60 Description: in the home of John Bray.	Family: F7917
5	1880 Wise Co Collier Census Name Relation Marital Sex Race Age Born Occ. Parents Status Born Milton H. COLLIER Self M Male W 35 KY Farmer KY KY Isabella COLLIER Wife M Female W 32 KY Keeping KY KY House Mary J. COLLIER Dau S Female W 14 KY At Home KY KY William H COLLIER Son S Male W 12 KY Works KY KY On Farm Benjamin S. COLLIER Son S Male W 10 KY Works KY KY On Farm Milton P. COLLIER Son S Male W 8 MO At Home KY KY Sarah E. COLLIER Dau S Female W 6 KS At Home KY KY James P. COLLIER Son S Male W 3 TX At Home KY KY Peter P. COLLIER Son S Male W 1 TX At Home KY KY Mary J. COLLIER Mother L W Female W 60 KY Asst In (VA) (VA) Keeping House	Family: F483
6	At least one living individual is linked to this note - Details withheld.	Family: F7995
7	Bowman, Fred Q. 10,000 Vital Records of Central New York 1813-1850. Baltimore, MD, USA: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986	Family: F059
8	Forrest (as he was known) was a farmer and had 100 plus acres in Pumpkin Hollow, Ky. outside Somerset or Elihu, Ky. He raised most everything they needed, he had milk cows, hogs, chickens, a huge garden, grape arbor, apple trees, several horses. He never owned an automobile, but rode his buckboard wagon to Somerset for supplies several times a year, particularly after his crops or hogs or beef sold to have what his family needed for the winter. He even raised a small patch of tobacco. He dried it and would bring it in in a special apron and shred it by hand to smoke in his pipe. They had no electricity in the house, only a battery powered radio that he turned on several hours each evening for the news. He also chewed tobacco and when I was small I would have to watch out for the "spitting" when he was on the front porch on his swing and chewing. He didn't look when he spit so you had to be careful. I remember he was a tall man, very gentle and had a smile and laugh that would make you enjoy just being around him. He was kind to the grandchildren who stayed in the summer for Ohio and educated them in the ways of the farm every chance he got. He farmed behind a horsedrawn plow right up until the hour of his death. He came in to rest and have lunch and as usual Pearl went to get him a dipper of water while he sat in the front yard in a chair in the shade. When she came back with the dipper of cold water, he was gone.	Family: F008
9	He came to America from England. According to his own recording in the family bible, he was a professor for 30 or 40 years. This was recorded when he was 79 years old. We do not know who he married or when he died. A recording in the bible said he left Virginia December 11, 1792. We believe he must have settled somwhere around Williamsburg or Rockhold KY.	Family: F687
10	http://genealogytrails.com/ken/lincoln/marriages.html Lincoln County, KY Marriages Source: Kentucky Birth, Marriage and Death Records ? 1852-1910. Microfilm rolls #994027-994058 Submitted by K. Torp Fred P Curtis abt 1852 July E Reynolds abt 1861 19 Dec 1878	Family: F044
11	http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=77308104 Birth: Dec. 25, 1924 Watson Atchison County Missouri, USA Death: Jul. 16, 2009 Fort Worth Tarrant County Texas, USA FORT WORTH -- Alice Louise Hays Collyer Young died on Thursday, July 16, 2009. Memorial service: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Edge Park United Methodist Church. Interment: Laurel Land Memorial Park. Alice was born on Dec. 25, 1924, in Watson, Mo., to Arlo and Mary Weston Hays. She was a graduate of Methodist Hospital in St. Joseph, Mo. Alice worked as an RN for the Fort Worth Public Health Center for 18 years, retiring in 1975. She was a member of Edge Park United Methodist Church and Order of the Eastern Star-Mineral Wells Chapter 44. She was preceded in death by her first husband and father of her children, Carl O. Collyer. Survivors: Husband of nine years, Jerry R. Young; children, Pat Hatchel and her husband, Bill, David Collyer, John Collyer and his wife, Debra, Mary Faherty, Vivian Culp and her husband, Doyle; eight grandchildren; one great-grandchild; sister, Ellen Simpson; nephews; nieces; and her stepchildren, Ronnie Young and his wife, Sheila, Richard Young and his wife, Kelly, Michael Young and John Young. Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) Date: July 19, 2009 Family links: Spouse: Carl Otis Collyer (1923 - 1992)* *Calculated relationship Burial: Laurel Land Memorial Park Fort Worth Tarrant County Texas, USA Plot: Garden of Last Supper 26	Family: F8022
12	Jack and Edith eloped by driving to Huntsville TN and arriving at night, drove to the house of the local Judge, and honked the horn in his driveway until he came out and married them. Jack and Edith drove down from Somerset with another couple one evening. Married by L.M. Jeffers (Rec.Book 18, pg 73)	Family: F001
13	At least one living individual is linked to this note - Details withheld.	Family: F686
14	married by the Rev John B Hoyt	Family: F059
15	Married: 24 APR 1883 in Pulaski Co., KY Marriage Bk III, pg. 6	Family: F211
16	Pulaski Co., KY Marriage Bk III, pg. 60	Family: F7925
17	Pulaski Co., KY Marriage Bk IV, pg. 52	Family: F7926
18	Pulaski Co., KY Marriage Bk IV, pg. 52	Family: F7930
19	Washington DC paper report of their weddings states they made their home in North Brookfield Mass.	Family: F662
20	[Archfam[2].FTW] 1880 Pulaski County Census, District 87, town of Somerset, shows: L. R. Collier, Head of household, age 35, born KY, both parents born KY Catherine, Wife, age 21, born KY, both parents born KY James, Son, age 12, born Ky, both parents born KY Andrew, Son, age 10, born KY, both parents born KY Cordelia, Daughter, age 6, born KY, both parents born KY John, Son, age 5, born KY, both parents born KY Charlie, Son, age 2, born KY, both parents born KY M. T. Collier, Uncle, age 50, born KY, both parents born TN	Family: F267
21	[Archfam[2].FTW] 6 March, 1913 Colyer, Oscar W. 19 1st marriage, res Pulaski County, born Pulaski County, Father & mother born Pulaski County, occupation- farmer. Waddle, Zada M. 21 1st marriage residence Pulaski County, Parents born Pulaski County, Place of marriage F. F. Stigall's with S. B. Lander presiding. Witnesses J. L. Waddle & J. E. Waddle. Surety-J. H. Colyer, Clerk-C. M. Langdon.	Family: F07783
22	[Archfam[2].FTW] Groom 24 1st b. Pulaski Co, father b. PUL, mother b. PUL Bride 18 1st B. Pulaski Co, father b. PUL, mother b. PUL Robert James Surety: Robert James Witnesses: C.M. Simpson, John James Presiding: F.M. Hill	Family: F07673
23	[Archfam[2].FTW] Pulaski County Kentucky, Marriage Record Book IV shows: 20 July, 1898, Parsons, Ernest, 21, 1st marriage, born Pulaski County, Father born Montgomery County, Mother born Pulaski County, Banker; Trimble, Ida B., 19, 1st marriage, born Pulaski County, Father born Pulaski County, Mother born Pulaski County, at H. G. Trimble house, Surety Sam Boone, Witnesses, L. D. S. Patton and James Harvey, Presiding E. B. Hill, minister Methodist Episcopal Church.
24	[Archfam[2].FTW] THE COMMONWEALTH, SOMERSET, KY., OCTOBER 24, 1919 Corrine Hudson, Society Editor. Mr. Vola Padgett and Miss Lyda Colyer surprised their many friends when they slipped quietly away to Oneida, Tennessee, on last Sunday night, and were married. They were accompanied by Mr. William Tanner and Miss Edna Young, when it was made known that Mr. Tanner and Miss Young have been secretly married since July 5. The two couples have been closely associated for some time. They returned to Somerset on (Southern Railway) No. 6 Tuesday, and will make their home in this city. The Commonwealth extends congratulations.	Family: F07750
25	[Archfam[2].FTW] Wedding Announcement, Somerset Commonwealth?, October, 1927 Miss Ola Colyer and Mr. Henry Parsons, popular members of Somerset's younger set, were quietly married Saturday morning at 8 o'clock at the parsonage of the First Methodist Church, Reverend W. P. Fryman officiating. The only attendants were Mrs. Fryman and Miss Ruby Berkley. Following the ceremony, they were driven to Danville by Misses Christine Waddle and Helen Higgins where they took the train for Chicago. Upon their return today they will go to housekeeping in an apartment on Central Avenue which has been attractively furnished. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Colyer, Jr., and is one of Somerset's most attractive and popular girls. She graduated from the Somerset High School and later took a business course. For the past two years she has been employed by the W. H. Tibbals Drug Company. Mr. Parsons is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Ernest Parsons, and is employed by the Consolidated Coach Company. He is held in high esteem by the officials of the company and is considered one of its most valuable employees. By his courteous treatment and pleasing manner he has made many friends among the patrons of the company. He is one of Somerset's splendid young men and has a host of friends who are extending congratulations and best wishes.	Family: F07721
26	At least one living individual is linked to this note - Details withheld.	Weldon Lee Barker
27	When John T Curtis bought his first farm in Waynesburg KY 1880 via court imposed auction, it previously belonged to a McMullen family. Wonder if the "M" stands for McMullen ? The family who lost the farm at auction are buried at Double Springs Baptist Church cemetery, Waynesburg, where John T Curtis attended church.	Alice M. Curtis (adopted)
28	I suspect that Polly Sinclair, John Colyer's first wife, was possibly the daughter of Alexander Sinclair (St. Clair). That is, I suspect John Colyer first married his cousin. 1860 census of James Alexander Colyer says both parents from TN. We know that is slight error, since it is reported that that John Colyer was born in Virginia on his tombstone, but we do know he was raised near Erwin TN Jonesboro TN area. There is a 1790 census record in Pendleton district of South Carolina that shows a Alexander Sinclair along with two other brothers. Then in 1800, there is an Alexander Sinclair that shows up with daughters in Buncombe county NC. This is very close to Erwin TN. At the time Buncombe County NC went to the Eastern TN state line. An area where we find other Colyer's in NC like Charles Colyer Sr., John Colyer's uncle that is the first Pulaski County Ky Colyer settler.	Polly (Sinclair) St. Clair
29	Is it possible that John Colyer 1781 first wife went by the first name of Polly ? This could be supported IF the John Colyer born 1815 of Bronston was in fact John's 1781 son, since John Colyer born 1815 death record in Pulaski Cty says mother was named "Polly". October 21, 2016 testing results of Y-DNA samples of a descendant of John Colyer 1815 were completed. They show a match on 110 out of 111 Y-DNA markers so within 5 generations ( ie. circa 1800) to a known descendant of John Colyer born 1781. Since the county death record of John Colyer born 1815 shows that his mother's name was Polly, it is concluded based on DNA evidence that the first wife of John Colyer was NOT Martha Minus, but RATHER Polly with unknown last name. The John Colyer 1815 death record does not reveal mother last name. The Somerset Republican newspaper obituary of a son of John Colyer 1781 says his first wife was a Miss Sinclair. Therefore this researcher concludes John Colyer 1781 first wife was named POLLY SINCLAIR.	Polly (Sinclair) St. Clair
30	Note: one son named James Alexander Colyer has daughter he has named Polly per 1860 census.	Polly (Sinclair) St. Clair
31	One of the original purchasers of the town of Hadden, CT	Nicholas Achley
32	He appeared in the census in 1860 in New York. He died before 1870.	Charles L. Ackley
33	He was living between 1850 and 1870 in McDonough, Chenango , New York. living with parents 1850 On 14 September 1850 he was a Pedlar in McDonough, Chenango , New York. On 26 June 1860 Charles was a Justice of the Peace in McDonough, Chenango , New York. On 24 August 1870 he was a BookKeeper in McDonough, Chenango , New York. On 22 June 1880 he was an a laborer in Waterloo, Black Hawk , Iowa. Charles was living between 1880 and 1900 in Waterloo, Black Hawk , Iowa. He died on 28 April 1905. He appeared in the census 1850, 1860 & 1870 in New York. Charles appeared in the census 1880, 1895 & 1900 in IA. Town of East McDonough, WAR OF THE REBELLION--The part taken by this town in aid of the war is one to which its inhabitants may point with just pride. The town furnished six men in excess of its various quotas. All the special meetings called to consider the question of paying bounties and to devise means for filling the quotas were held in the room of Varanes C. Emerson's store, which is hallowed by many of the gravest associations of that historic period. At a special meeting held Sept. 20, 1862, it was resolved to pay a bounty of $50 to each volunteer applied on the quota of the town under the call for 600,000 men after July 2, 1862. Eleazer Isbell, Eli L. Corbin, Joseph L. Beebe, Jacob P. Hill and Asa M. Daniels were appointed a committee to raise the money and pay said bounties. Sept. 26, 1862, the committee borrowed $2,000 of the Bank of Norwich and gave their note therefor, payable in eighteen months. They paid to each of 27 individuals $50, and to each of 13 individuals, $48, making a total of $1,974. At a special meeting held Jan. 16, 1864, a bounty of $323 was voted to each volunteer applied on the quota of the town under the recent call, and Varanes C. Emerson, Stephen Lewis 2d, and Charles T. Ackley were empowered to raise the money, pay the bounties and issue the bonds of the town for the amount necessary, payable Feb. 1, 1875.	Charles T. Ackley
34	Waterloo Daily Reporter, Saturday, April 29, 1905, Waterloo, Iowa DEATH OF A PIONEER C.T. ACKLEY SUCCUMBED TO CANCER OF THE STOMACH AT HIS HOME, 919 WALNUT STREET WAS ILL ALL WINTER Came to Waterloo in a Stage Coach Nearly a Half Century Ago - Funeral will be Sunday Charles T. Ackley, a resident of Waterloo for a period of nearly forty-five years, passed away yesterday afternoon at 3:40 o'clock, at the age of 78 years. Deceased had suffered from cancer of the stomach since the early part of the winter, and for a number of weeks had been very low. The attending physician informed the relatives yesterday morning that Mr. Ackey could not survive longer than ten hours at the most, and the relatives were partially prepared for the end when it came. Deceased, had been in poor health for a number of years, but was not. seriously ill until about three months ago. Mr. Ackley was a pioneer resident of Waterloo, having moved here in the early sixties. He took an active interest in the upbuilding of the city and did much to promote its growth. When Mr. Ackley first settled here, there were no railroads in this section and he was obliged to bring his family and household goods by stage from Dubuque. At the time of death he lived at 919 Walnut Street. Charles T. Ackley was born May 27, 1826, at McDonough, New York, and lived there until coming to Waterloo. He made his home here, but took occasional trips to the old home and during the latter part of life the journey was taken regularly. He was married in 1852 at the old home town, but the wife died about thirteen years ago. To them were born three daughters and one son: Misses Mary, Julia and May Ackley, all of whom reside in Waterloo, and George D. Ackley, who passed away ten years ago. The only other immediate relatives are a grandson and granddaughter, Leonard and Laura Ackley. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 1:15 o'clock from the residence, 919 Walnut Street, Rev., Earl officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery. Waterloo Daily Reporter, May 2, 1905, page 5 April 28.?Chas. T. Ackley died at 919 Walnut street of cancer of the stomach. Aged 78 years, Fairview.	Charles T. Ackley
35	She appeared in the census between 1880 and 1895 in IA. She was living in 1895. Emma appeared in the census in 1910 in New York. She was living in 1910 in Pharsalia, Chenango, New York. living with Aunt Ellen Brown 1910 She appeared in the census in 1930 in California. Emma was living in 1930 in Los Angeles, Los Angeles , California. living with sister Julia 1930	Emma Mae Ackley
36	He appeared in the census in 1870 in New York.	Emmit A. Ackley
37	He appeared in the census in 1870 in New York. On 22 June 1880 he was an a laborer in Eureka, Sac , Iowa. George appeared in the census in 1880 in IA. He was living in 1880 in Eureka, Sac , Iowa. living with uncle Asahel Brainerd Holmes	George N. Ackley
38	appeared in the census in 1880 in IA.	Harry Ackley
39	On 22 June 1880 she was an a school teacher in Waterloo, Black Hawk , Iowa. She was living between 1880 and 1895 in Waterloo, Black Hawk , Iowa. living with parents 1880 living with father 1895 Julia was living in 1910 in Pharsalia, Chenango, New York. living with Aunt Ellen Brown 1910 She appeared in the census in 1930 in California. She was living in 1930 in Los Angeles, California. Julia appeared in the census 1860, 1870 & 1910 in New York. She appeared in the census 1880, 1895, 1900 & 1910 in IA. also listed as living and teaching school in Burlington, Black Hawk, Iowa in 1880	Julia A. Ackley
40	Julia's uncle, William D. Purple, was a medical doctor who practiced medicine in McDonough NY 1830-1840 per McDonough section of book History of Chenango and Madison County NY	Julia Ann Ackley
41	Per 1830-1860 NY census: He was living in 1830 in Saithville, Chenango , New York. He was living between 1840 and 1860 in McDonough, Chenango , New York. On 14 September 1850 Lyman was a Farmer in McDonough, Chenango , New York. On 25 June 1860 he was a Retired Farmer in McDonough, Chenango , New York.	Lyman Ackley
42	On 24 June 1880 she was an a milliner in McDonough, Chenango , New York. She was living in 1880 in McDonough, Chenango , New York. living with Levi Sanford 1880 Mary appeared in the census between 1895 and 1910 in IA. She was living in 1895 in Waterloo, Black Hawk , Iowa. living with father 1895 She appeared in the census 1860, 1870 & 1880 in New York.	Mary J. Ackley
43	appeared in the census in 1880 in IA.	Susan Ackley
44	He appeared in the census in 1850 in New York. He was living in 1850 in McDonough, Chenango , New York. living with parents On 14 September 1850 William was a Lawyer in McDonough, Chenango , New York. He was living between 1860 and 1870 in Waterloo, Black Hawk , Iowa. On 20 June 1870 he was a Real Estate Dealer in Waterloo, Black Hawk , Iowa. On 1 June 1880 William was an a lead miner in Dubuque, Iowa. He was living in 1880 in Dubuque, Iowa. He died about 1900. William appeared in the census 1860, 1870 & 1880 in IA. The town of Ackley, Hardin, Iowa is named after him. Roby was the first postmaster in this part of the country. He lodged the passengers on the stage that made the first trip to Waterloo. He was the owner of the present site of the city of Ackley, and conveyed to the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad Company one half of the town site, or every alternate lot. The company conveyed their interest to William J. Ackley of Waterloo, hence the town derived its name. He was, at one time, owner of 2,500 acres of land in the county. He also gave the railroad the right of way through his entire tract of land, and worked earnestly for the establishment of the rail line. He was also liberal in donating to the Iowa Central Railroad Company. What's strange is that Ackley never resided in Ackley. From what we were told, Ackley also founded the town of Aplington about 15 miles east of Ackley. Ackley had purchased land in the area for the expantion of railroads.	William J. Ackley
45	https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ackley,_Iowa William Ackley purchased the land for the railroad route and discussed founding a town. He and three other land developers purchased the land which is now the town itself for $25.00 an acre. They then sold sites for developing the town. In 1857, the town of Ackley was staked out. The plan was signed December 12, 1857.[8] Even though Ackley never lived here, he gave the town his name.[9][10] In 1865, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad bought nearly all the timber at Island Grove and corded it up where the Illinois Central depot stands. By October, when the railroad reached Ackley, there were 10 business establishments and several homes. The completion of the railroad brought on a rush of settlers and businessmen and the town boomed. The Fontaine post office was moved to Ackley and its name was changed. The town of Ackley was incorporated and William A. Francis became the first mayor. The Ackley Civic Center now stands at the site of a store once owned by Francis. As Ackley expanded more buildings were being constructed in the business area. A brick, six-room school was built at State and Second Street for $14,000. Catholics, Methodists and Presbyterians built frame churches. The population soared to 500.	William J. Ackley
46	At least one living individual is linked to this note - Details withheld.	Janet Oma Lee Avera
47	At least one living individual is linked to this note - Details withheld.	June Avera
48	Diary of a Geological Tour by Dr. Elisha Mitchell in 1827 and 1828 with Introduction and Notes by Dr. Kemp P. Battle, LL.D. Published as James Sprunt Historical Monograph No. 6, by the University of North Carolina, 1905 45. Meredith Ballou, a Frenchman, came to Ashe about A.D. 1800, and died in 1847, bought nearly all the available iron ore in the county. He was an influential man, surveyor of note, and was for a while County Surveyor. He left sons and daughters, all of whom had families. Among his sons was Napoleon Ballou to whom he deeded all his mineral interests a year before he died and Napoleon endeavored by will to entail his property, but the will was broken. There was also litigation over the purchase of his interests at a Sheriff's sale. Many prominent lawyers were employed on one side or the other of the various Ballou suits, including two concerning the will of Meredith Ballou. It is said that Napoleon once refused $50,000 cash for his interests. The old forge is not worked now and has not been for years. A grandson of the old Frenchman, Albert Lucien Ballou, was a law student of the University of N.C. in 1902.	(Owen) Merideth Ballou
49	From Ballous in America by Hawley 1937: Merideth Ballou spent his adult life in two several sections of Ashe Co., N. C. He was a man of distinction -- wealthy in lands, mines, negroes and all the concomitants of an old fashioned Southern planter -- an influential magistrate of his County -- and an eminent member of the Regular Baptist denomination. Mrs. Mary, the wife of his youth, a pious Baptist, and the mother of the above named chn., d. June 12, 1831, a. 51 yrs. 1 mo. and 9 ds. At the age of 70, Merideth3 m. his 2d wife, but had no further issue. He d. Mar. 17, 1847, a. 80 yrs. 5 mos. and 18 ds. He left a large estate to his chn. He owned, at one time, 10,000 acres of land, rich in mineral ores.	(Owen) Merideth Ballou
50	source: http://www.danielprophecy.com/Meredith_Ballou.html Owen Meredith Ballou "Pioneer Iron Man" 1766 - 1847 One of the more distinguished ancestors of Grover and Harrison Shepherd was their great grandfather Owen Meredith Ballou. Meredith was an entrepeneur who amassed large land holdings and mineral rights, established the forging of iron in Ashe County, and contributed significantly to the industrialization and development of the County during its earliest formative years. Meredith was born September 29, 1766 in the James River Valley of Amherst County, Virginia as the third son of Leonard Ballou and Ms. Boliew (first name unknown). He was the first of the Virginia Ballous to come to Ashe County. At the time Meredith arrived, Ashe County had not yet been formed. Ashe County was established in 1799. Prior to that, it was part of Wilkes County. Most sources list Meredith Ballou as coming to Ashe County in 1800. This is based on the first Ashe County census of 1800. Eleanor Baker Reeves, a Ballou researcher, author and historian, feels there is ?ample evidence that Meredith came some time between 1790 and 1795, the latter date having been the year of his marriage.? [1] Meredith?s name appears regularly in works concerning early Ashe County history. He served various terms as county surveyor and many times as a member of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions. The following biography of Meredith Ballou appears in An Elaborate History and Genealogy of the Ballous in America by Adin Ballou: ?Merideth Ballou spent his adult life in two several sections of Ashe Co., N.C. He was a man of distinction-wealthy in lands, mines, negroes and all the concomitants of an old fashioned Southern planter-an influential magistrate of his County-and an eminent member of the Regular Baptist denomination. Mrs. Mary, the wife of his youth, a pious Baptist, and the mother of the above named chn., d. June 12, 1831, a. 51 yrs. 1 mo. And 9ds. At the age of 70, Merideth m. his 2d wife, but had no further issue. He d. Mar. 17, 1847, a. 80 yrs. 5 mos. And 18ds. He left a large estate to his chn. He owned, at one time, 10,000 acres of land, rich in mineral ores.? (sic) [2] Arthur Fletcher in his Ashe County: A History, provides a list of men who were developing all parts of Ashe County in the early days. He pays tribute particularly to Henry Poe, Martin Gambill, Thomas Sutherland, Timothy Perkins, John Cox, Henry Hardin, Canada Richardson, James Douglas, Daniel Dickerson, Elijah Calloway, Meredith Ballou, and Thomas Harbard. [3] Married Mary (Polly )Baker Meredith Ballou married Mary (Polly) Baker, a local resident of Wilkes County (later Ashe). She was the daughter of Morris Baker, one of the leading men responsible for the formation of the County of Ashe, and the granddaughter of James Baker, the first man to hold title to land in this area. In regards to early setters of Ashe County, Fletcher said, ?The question, ?Who came first?? to Ashe County will probably never be answered to the satisfaction of anybody. Bill Sharpe in his Geography of Ashe notes that Bishop Spangenberg and his explorers were there in 1752, but he also states that history records that Peter Jefferson and his surveying party, engaged in establishing the line between North Carolina and Virginia, were on Pond Mountain in 1749. Sharpe says that so far as his research goes, the first white man to acquire title to land in Ashe County was James Baker, in 1773.? [4] This makes James Baker a great, great, great grandfather of Grover and Harrison Shepherd. A quick view of this line follows. The direct descendent of the previous generation is in bold: James Baker Morris Baker Mary (Polly) Baker married Meredith Ballou John Rice Ballou married Sarah Porter Sarah Ballou married John Calvin Shepherd Sons: Grover and Harrison Shepherd Acquired Much Land Meredith Ballou came from a mining family and embarked on Ashe County in search of iron ore. He found outcroppings of iron ore in the areas of the North Fork New River and Big Helton Creek. Meredith built a spacious home on the banks of the North Fork about 1/4 mile north of the current Crumpler Post Office and set about building his fortune. Through state land grants and purchases from individuals, Meredith eventually acquired about 10,000 acres of land in Ashe County. Fletcher includes Meredith Ballou in a list of about 30 men who could be considered ?big real estate men? in Ashe County between 1799 and 1820. [5] Mining and Iron Forging Aside from his other accomplishments, Meredith?s legacy is in iron. His acquistion of mineral rights, mining, and subsequent forging of iron earned him the designation of ?pioneer iron man.? For about 80 years, the manufacture of iron was an important industry in Ashe, and was one of the cornerstones of the Industrial Revolution. As the county developed, there was great need for iron products such as plows, hoes, wagon wheels, axes, mattocks, scythe-blades, shovels, and other tools and equipment. With Helton Creek as its iron-making center, Ashe County?s six or seven forges turned out sufficient iron for local needs and provided a surplus to ship by wagon to Fayetteville and other points in eastern North Carolina, and to Charleston, South Carolina. To encourage ironmaking in North Carolina, a legislative act of 1788 offered to everyone who erected a set of ironworks and produced 5,000 pounds of iron, a bounty grant of 3,000 acres of vacant land certified by the county court as unfit for cultivation. One person to receive such a grant was Daniel Dougherty, who later sold 2,725 of his 3,000-acre grant to Meredith in 1814. Others to receive these grants were Thomas Calloway, a close business associate of Meredith Ballou, and Jesse Ray. Fletcher says, ?That there were similar grants to Meredith Ballou, William Harbard, and others is certain, but the only grant appearing in the County Court records was to Jesse Ray?? [6] Ballou?s Iron Forges The first iron forge to operate in Ashe County was the Harbard Bloomery Forge, built about ¼ mile up from the mouth of Big Helton Creek in 1807 by William Harbard. The Harbard Bloomery Forge was sold to Meredith Ballou in 1813. It washed away in 1817. Meredith Ballou set up his second forge in 1817. It was called ?Ballou?s Bloomery Forge?, and was situated 12 miles northeast of Jefferson at the falls of North Fork of the New River. It was washed away by an ice feshet in 1832. After Meredith?s death in 1847, his son John Rice Ballou (grandfather of brothers Grover and Harrison Shepherd) set up a forge near the mouth of Big Helton Creek in 1848. This forge was reported to have been rebuilt in 1871 by Jefferson Pasley, and later abandoned. The reason this forge had to be rebuilt is not known. It could have also suffered from flood waters, or it could have possibly been destroyed by Union Raiders during the Civil War. The site of this forge would later be the site of Ballou?s Grist Mill. Ore Knob Copper Mine Among the many land purchases of Meredith Ballou was about 300 acres that later came to be known as Ore Knob. Meredith was in search of iron, but found that this site ?was so badly adulterated with copper that it was useless.? Meredith and his sons neglected this tract of land and never paid the taxes due. Eventually, the sheriff sold the tract for taxes in 1848. It brought enough to pay the taxes and cost of sale, leaving a balance of $11, which was divided among Meredith's heirs. Later, the Ore Knob Copper Mine was opened and became successful. Interesting Notes In James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, Reeves records some interesting diary entries about Meredith Ballou by Rev. Elisha Mitchell, D.D. bearing the date of July 1828. Dr. Mitchell, for whom Mount Mitchell, the highest point East of the Mississippi is named, spent some time with Meredith Ballou and recorded the following: ?Mounted my horse and rode to the North of Helton ten miles and fording the stream thirty-two times in the distance and then down North Fork to Col. Meredith Ballou?s.? ?Col. Meredith Ballou, at whose house I put up on Thursday, is of French extraction, a native of Amherst County, Virginia. He owns a forge, is a busy active little man still, though sixty-one years of age and the father of eleven sons and two daughters, but a wife thirteen years younger than himself and looks as if she might bear a number of children more. Between the ages of his oldest and youngest daughters there is a difference of thirty years.? ?He tells me that the first forge in this county was built on Helton Creek a little above where he lives, about twenty years ago by one Harbert. Shortly after another was built a little higher up the same creek, fourteen years ago; that on Little River, four or six years ago.? ?----- After dinner Ballou rode with us two or three miles to see his ore banks, which are numerous and rich. Indeed, I judge the range of greios heretofore spoken of to be full of ore.? [7] NOTES 1. Eleanor Baker Reeves, James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, 1969, page 81. Return 2. Adin Ballou, An Elaborate History and Genealogy of the Ballous in America, (Proprietary Publishers, 1888), page 1225. Return 3. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 116. Return 4. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 39. Return 5. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 48. Return 6. Arthur L. Fletcher, Ashe County: A History, (Jefferson NC., Ashe County Research Association, Inc. 1963), page 86. Return 7. Eleanor Baker Reeves, James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, 1969, pages 87, 88 Return 8. Lists comprising the children of Merdith and Mary Ballou list the aforementioned 11 children. Other sources report 13 children, but names of the other two children are not given. Return 9. Eleanor Baker Reeves, James Larkin Ballou Physician and Surgeon, 1969, page 84. Return	(Owen) Merideth Ballou