Showing posts with label Family Blake. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Family Blake. Show all posts

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Lee W. Blake's Monograph


Lee W. Blake (pictured tto the right), son of John Jackson Blake and Ella Mae (Foster) Blake. His monograph, which follows, is an important source of cultural and genealogical information for Orlando. It was taken as is from the internet several years ago. The transcriber is unknown. -ed

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This document has been copied exactly as written as much as possible

Blakes and Riffles

Going Back To The Seventh Generation


July 1953 Weston, West Virginia

This booklet is back to the seventh genration and to the present genration of today. there is no more of the forth generation of three marriages. thay only went to the forth genration. thay are reckorded in this booklet. see if you can find them. the date of the first was 1804 first marriage genoration seckond in 1824, as near as I can get date there ten childern borned, three of thes childern married in to one famiey. the 6 sons and 4 daughters was borned the seckond marriage. 4 sons and 4 daughters third marrieg. 4 daughters borned. ten sons and 12 daughters 22 childern in the three famileys that were double first cousins, all very helthy from 1844 two 1854. Five of thes sons married five of thes daughters. first marriage there was nine childern borned. the seckond marriage there was sixteen childern borned. none ever married. two daughters living. family name gone. third marriage eliven childern borned, none ever married. parents all children are dead. familey name gone at the forth genration. the forth marriage eight children borned, four married. eight childern borned, four of married, two of them have large famileys. the first marriage there was six childern married. the fifth marriage six children borned. one hunderd and six all grand childern living to day to the seventh genration. I ll give one marriage of first cousins. marring six children, borned only one daughter. married parents and all childer dead. family name gone. the forth genration at a familey Reunion of the Blakes august 2/ 1953, two more childern to ad to a marriage. nine other marriges of the first 22 that did not marry a Relation. i have a Reckord on one Familey. the others are scattered in differnt states. i can only give a complete Reckord on one there is Eight of the three first marriages i do not have the information on thir famileys. i will give the one i have the reckord on complet this marriage of 1883. there was nine childern borned. Eight of these married and have thirtynine childern, living to day twenty seven are married and have sixty nine childern living to day. one is a great great grand child of this marriage of 1883 the seventh genration from 1804 there is 116 living to day, august the 3/1953. all the marriages i have given was in Braxton and lewis county the reckodrs will show. i have knowen menny Catholic nothing like this ever taken place in enny of thir famileys i could give simler cases that has happened. it is going on to some extent here in lewis not so meny know it but it is still going on. i think all should be a ginst this practis this has cost Braxton and lewis, co, quite a bit.

what I have discribed of this relation last thrugh life you meet them you know there something the matter never but five have had the ability to take care of them selvs no one knowes how bad this has bin only the ones that has lived threw this i hate to here a remark made about some having no sence and here some why dont you no the relation of thir parents the Blake famileys is not the only famileys that have practis this I could show just as bad in other famileys where this has bin practis I am not trying to cast a shadow on eny one i am just telling what has happend in case of doubt you can investagate the geral publick dosent know so much about this and some dosent like to here this and say why do you tell this the only way i know to brake this up is to let the pulick know it and see the results of what has bin i think the Blakes and Riffles are a avrige people and are taking thir place with others i have twenty four grand childern I never want to see eny thing like this happen to them or eny one there is meny that knows all about what i have related the older people why not let the younger know it has never proved good for eny as i have knowen all the Blakes in this bookle but five that was dead before my time i have knowen two to get hurt by saying thay would whip them selves a little Blake one layed in bed for a week or more and he did not whip a blake the other was nocked uut for a hour or two all because of remarks about the Blake familey there is meny to day in other states when i first rember there was no Blakes that had a education that i knew or a Riffle you can find them in schools in difrent countys and thay have made good think in genral thay try to tend to thir own bisness you will find thay have thir falts along with others none are perfick thay have come a long ways sence i can rember let us all try to improve our ways we would be better of if we Did

Here are the disease i rember so well from 1890 to the present Typhord fever 22 cases 6 deths six cases of Diphtheria four death three famileys of twenty childern all had scarlet fever some was very bad one death in the twenty cases four famileys chicken pocks no deaths wasent very bad I remember two famileys seven childern Each all had what they called the black french measels this was bad no one died there has bin menny cases of mumps no one died The worst scars I rember was small pocks in 1898 Olvia. Sttutler of shady brook, and James Skinner, both of orlando, W.V.A. I think it was still called Confluence, at that time Stuttler and Skinner, was workin at cowen or camden on gauley stuttler got the small pocks tha y run of and got on train so they locked them in and run them to flat woods and left them locked uo tell the sherif and members of borad of helth could get there from sutton stuttler had broken a window was out when thay got there all was afraid get close to them thes officers come armed with shot guns stuttler was very sick laying in the snow he had to do what thay told him when he under stand thay was trying to help them thay put in a old house above the orlando cemetery and kept them about all winter Skinner never taken the small pocks that was the reason thay were kept in so long I knew two other famileys had small pocks no one died in this comunity clover fork creek is the line betwen Braxton,and lewi and thay had gards to keep you from one county to the other it hard to get to the store or grist mill the first few days was the worst Thay locked the mail train to the rail at Burnsville. finly let it thrugh I have knowen of three cases of Polo one death this all happend in a radis twenty mile square a long the lin betwen braxton and lewis county not more then ten mile deap in Either County All thes diseas I do not think have cost state and countys as much as this marriage of this cloce relation ship most of thes diseas only lasts three to five weeks you die or get well

havent writen this ofend eny one just trying to tell what has happend as i rember so well i do not have education to tell this as it should be told i hope you can under stand what i have tryed to tell the Blakes some were very superstisous belived in witchery and gosts i do not know eny to day that belives in eather. I will say to all that can look back fifty to sixty five years ago and think of all we have to be thankful for all that has taken place in that time i dont think there is eny one that can Emagin what will take place in the next fifty years this has all bin for our benfit we should be very thankful for it has made better living for us all i have meny mistake in spelling but i hope you can under stand what i am trying to tell there is some that say you should tell this it is not the Blakes alone that had practis this relation if you look around i have went thrugh this booklet very carful and found that some was no more at the forth genration while some has went to the seventh genration i have knowen all of thes names in this bookle but five who was before my time i got this information from the parties names in this booklet who are living to day i am just tryin to show what has happend to this relation .......................................................................................................................... The demand for truth is greater then the suply so it come high .......................................................................................................................... There is a over suply of untruth this makes it very cheap

In the following pages I have outlined some history of the Blake family. I remember much of it - and have received much more from others. This history dates back more than 130 years. In the beginning, six Blakes with no record of the parents. Some data on four sons and a daughter, coming from Greenbrier county and settling on Clover Fork north of Orlando. One was probably Andrew, who owned 500 acres of land at the site of Orlando in Lewis and Braxton counties. My great grandfather, Johnny B. Blake owned 320 acres adjoining the first brother---all in Braxton county. The next brother was probably George Blake who owned quite a bit of land up on Clover Fork. He married Nancy Heater; no children. He was either killed early in the Civil War or died about that time. The land was divided among the widow, Martha Blake and Elick Blake---a nephew and neice.Huey Blake owned a large tract of land on Chop Fork in Braxton County. Johnny B. Blake was born in 1804 and died in 1886. He married Abby Chrismore who was born in 1797 and died in 1895. To this union were born ten children. I will outline below the names as I know them or have been informed - on the families and families in which the Blakes married for the past 130 years. Johnny B. and Abby Blake, first son John was killed late in the Civil War; second son, Stuart J. Blake; third son, Anthony; fourth son, Ballard; first daughter, Elsie, Mary and Margaret. No information on other members of the original family. The first son, John Blake wed Elizabeth Riffle. Born to this union eight children, two sons and six daughters: Albert and Chester; Lydia, Elizabeth, Abby, Kathryn, Susan and Elsie. John and Elizabeth Blake: first son, Albert was married to Savina Posey and they had ten children, six sons and four daughters. Sons---Jenkins, George, Burl, Porter, Edward, and Dick or Richard. The daughters---Alice, Laura, Minnie and Ola. The first Son of Albert, Jenkins, married Lillie Taylor and had one son, Furman Blake. The second son, George Blake was wed to Zura Malcolm. The third son, Burl, married Mae Cottrill and to this family were born three sons and four daughters: Harry, James, and Harold (in Army); Juanita, Luma (deceaed), Mildred, Harry married Mary Conley and they have one son and two daughters: Junior, Mary and Sally.

James Blake, married, no information. The first daughter, Juanita, married Raymond Wooddell, four children; Mildred married Roy Ramsburg, two daughters. Porter Blake, fourth son, married Mona Brown; Edward married in New Jersey; sixth son, Richard, wed Civilla Workman, daughter and two sons. Albert and Savina Blake: first daughter, Alice married to George King; second daughter Lura, deceased; third, Minnie, married Edward Heath; and fourth, Ola, married Floyd Markley and lives in Parkersburg. John and Elizabeth Blake: second son, Chester married Mary Underwood, three sons and two daughters: Cecil, Clyde, Thomas, Myrtle and Eva. Clyde married Annie Droppleman, no children; Cecil wed Addie Savage; Thomas married Ona McCoy, two sons and a daughter; Chester and Clifford---no data on the daughter. Myrtle Blake wed Ray Norman; Eva married John Sandy. John and Elizabeth Blake: first daughter, Lydia married James Foster and they were the parents of four sons and three daughters: William B., Albert, George and Frank, and Lumie, Minnie and Annie. William married Eva Bennett and they had six sons and four daughters: Annie, Thelma, Nellie, Guy, Fred, Ralph, Brooks, Bennett and Woodrow. Albert Foster wed Matilda Alkire; George wed Dora Thornhill, two sons; Frank married a Smith. The three daughters named are married and live in Akron, Ohio.

John and Elizabeth Blake: second daughter, Abby married Stuart L. Riffle, five sons and three daughters: Charles, Robert, Allen, John (deceased) and Clyde, sons and Amanda, Minnie and Bessie, daughters. The first son, Charles Riffle, wed Dona Blake---Ellis, Dana, Clarence and Jack, sons, and Joyce, Della, and Rena, daughters. Ellis married Nellie Mick and lives at Flemington; two other sons are married; Joyce married Red Beckner, two sons and two daughters; Della Riffle wed Tucker Wymer, three daughters and a son --- Janestine, Wanda, Susie. Abby and Stuart L. Riffle: second son, Robert, married Lillie Taylor, two sons, Ralph and Oliver (deceased). Third son, Allen married Nellie Groff; fourth son, John, deceased; fifth son Clyde single, lives at Burnsville; first daughter, Amanda married Ervin Conrad, five sons and two daughters---all blind but one daughter, Exie. Second daughter, Minnie, married Ersie Henline, two sons and three daughters, Ruth Jessie, data incomplete. Third daughter, Bessie Riffle married William McPherson, some children---they live in New York. John and Elizabeth Blake: third daughter, Elizabeth married Thomas Posey, three daughters, Mary, Martha and Ora and three sons, Charles, William and Alderson. No data on the children except Mary. She married Sam Ocheltree and they had three daughters. Dessie married Ernest Ocheltree; second daughter, Lulu married Clarence Blake and lives in Akron; Lillie is married. A son, Lydle Ocheltree was killed in action in World War II. Fourth daughter, Kathryn Blake married Sell Taylor. Four daughters and a son were born to this union: Luma, Mollie, Lily, Dora---nothing on son. Luma married William Riffle; Lillie Taylor marred Robert Riffle; Dora Taylor married Roy Riffle, two sons and five daughters---Roy, Zella, Mishie, Irene, Madeline and Katherine. All are married.

Fifth daughter, Elsie Blake married Rand Wooddell, a son, Ray; the sixth daughter, Susan Blake married Jack Riffle, three sons, Lloyd, George, Ellis. Lloyd married Alice Blake; George and Ellis both married. Johnny B. and Abby Blake: second son Stuart J. Blake married Lucinda Posey, a family of ten children in the union, six sons and four daughter---William L., Ballard, John Jackson, Stuart S., Joseph and Andrew, Mary, Savina, Sarah, and Lucy Blake. William L. Blake married Janie Blake, nine children, eight sons and a daughter---Charles, Burley, Robert, Harry, John, Walter, Wesley, Floyd, Charles (latter two deceased), and Esta. (changes to type) Sturt .J. Blake. & Lucindy Posey Blake 3 son John Jackson Blake. Ella Mae.Foster Blake Comenced on third page only giv to 4 sons familey fifth son Ruffus C.Blake married Cora Nay. of Sand Run, Wva June 30,.1923. Ruffus Decesed in 1945 born to thie union a son Lewi. a daughter Jene Lewis Blake married Jene Lewis of Adrion W.V.A. Jene Blake Married James Mcdowell of Statesville north Corlinia born to this onion two sons Wayn & Roger Mcdowell Ruffus. C and Cora Blake all live at 2137. 657. Fern Arlinton. V.A sixth son Stokes Blake married Lotta Riffle born to this union four sons Stanton & Ray & Jimmy & daugh Mary havent other names Stanton Blake served in world war two ..........................................................................................................................
6 son William. Ray. Blake marrie Zada. Willims a daughter of Sam and Roda Williams of Walkersville. W.V.A. born to two daughters Vera & Pauline both married nothing on familey Paulin. Lives in Baltimore. MD Vera Live in Weston. W.V.A. Eilliam Ray. and Zada Live in. Buckhanen
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John. Jackson. and Ella. Mae first daughter Myrtle. Elizebeth. Blake married Francis Marin Davisson. Borned to this union 12 Children Parents and two childern are deceased first son Hazel H. Davisson married born to this union three childern Margret & Harvy & Luciel. ..........................................................................................................................
Seckond son Melrose Davisson. married bored to this union a son William. Davisson. allon Melrose ..........................................................................................................................
third son Leroy.Davisson Married no childern ..........................................................................................................................
4 son Fred. K. Davisson single at home ..........................................................................................................................
5 son Paul. Davisson. married born to this union three childer Conney & Mamie & Nancy. ..........................................................................................................................
6.son Sherman. F. Davisson married bornd to this union A daughter Helen. Mere Davisson
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first daugh lives at Glenville. W.V.A
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2 daugh Paulin. Virgina Davisson . married Franklin. Burkhamer bornd to this union six childern Robert & Madline & Franklin JR. & Rasles. Garldin Bonney. allon Pauline and Franklin live on Bord St Weston. W.V.A.
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3 daugh Viola. Davisson married Raymon Riffle born to this union six childern sons Donld & Maion & Thomas & Truman Daug Opal & Jane Live at Orlando. W.V.A ..........................................................................................................................


John. Jackson and Ella Mae. Foster Blake seckond daughter Nora Blake married Roy. Hall borned to this union four sons and two daughters first son Hillery & Larance & Dellis & Bud. Hall daughter Edna & Mary. Edna. married Otto. Scott. no childern to this union seckond son Larnce. Hall. married Polin. Fox. borned to this union four childern live in Ohio the rest of the familey live R# 2. Roanoke. W.V.A all ..........................................................................................................................
John. Jackson and Ella .Mae. Foster Blake there is on hunderd forty three living to day counting inlaws from this marriage of 1883 fifth genration or the seventh from 1797 1804
.......................................................................................................................... seven other marriages in same familet and two repeat marriages nine in all there is not one hunderd and fifty libing to day you can find them in This Booklet this relation is not good for eny one less discurge this Practis to all (changes to print) Charles A. Blake married Daisy Heater, a daughter, Ruby who married Thomas Riffle. They had four children, Rosemary wed Paul Crutchfield, one child. Second son, Burley Blake married Dora Fox, several children. Third son, Robert, married Verney Townsend; fifth son, John, married Verna Riffle, no children: (John deceased); Walter is State Hospital; Wesley Blake at Flemington; daughter Esta Blake married Eli Riffle, sons Hoy, Raymond, Rodney, William and daughters Lottie, Eva, Naoma and Hazel. Raymond Riffle married Viola Davis; William Riffle married Ethel Doyle, twin daughters; Rodney Riffle married Virginia Taylor, one child; no data on Roy Riffle;

Eva Riffle married Icen Taylor, large family of children, names not available; third daughter married Will Boggess, several children; forth daughter, Nevie married; fifth daughter, Hazel, married Dwight Skinner, three children, name of oldest, Bernice. First daughter, Lottie Riffle married Stokes Blake, four children, Stanton served in World War II. Ray Blake, all children at home. Stuart J. and Lucinda Blake: second son Ballard, married Amanda Blake, sixteen children, all deceased but two daughters, oldest Rosie, and Nora Blake, not married. Stuart J. and Lucinda Blake: third son, John Jackson Blake, born in 1860 and died in 1940, married Ella Mae Foster. She was born in 1865, died in 1935. To this union, seven sons and two daughters: Lee W. Blake, Ezra, deceased, Alva, Vincent A., Rufus, Ray, Stokes, sons, and Lizzie and Nora, daughters. Lee W. Blake married Civilla Susan Riffle, October2 1906. Born to this union, four sons and three daughters---Gilbert L., Edward R., Vaden S., and Delis W. Blake, sons, and Pearl, Mae, and Phyllis, daughters. Gilbert L Blake married Wonda McCauley, three sons and a daughter---Francis L., David, Mike, and Carol. Edward R. Blake married Elizabeth McDonald, a son and daughter, William and Margie; Vaden S. Blake married Ruth Tinney, four sons and two daughters---Junior L., Opha, John B., Jean and Leota. Delis W. Blake married Mildred Wallace, born to this union three sons---Robert, Reggie, and Rodney, They reside in Miami, Fla. Pearl Blake married Edward Skinner, three daughters and two sons---Shelby and Shirley, twins, and Judy, Edwin and Darrell. Mae Blake married John Harkins, one son, Patrick; Phyllis Blake married John Zimmerman, two sons and a daughter---Johnny, Steve, and Sue, live in Brentwood, MD. John Jackson and Ella Blake: third son, Alva B. married Gertrude Dennison, three daughters, Mildred, Christine and Goldie. Mildred married Lee Conley, son and daughter, John and Mary. Christine married Olen Morrison, three daughters; Goldie married Bud Starrett, three children.

Vincent A. Blake married Clare Posey, two sons and three daughters; Arden Blake married Mary Gillespie, one son; Virgil Blake married Minnie Dye, two sons and two daughters---Mike, Donald, Carol and a sister; first daughter, Reva Blake married Shirley Myers, two sons and a daughter---Jerry and Jacie Myers and sister. Ina blake wed James Skinner, a son; Jean Blake married Harold Sands. Fourth son of Sturart S. Blake: Stuart, married Janie Posey, six sons and two daughters---Emory, Marion, Orvil, Oley, Amos, Edward, Bessie and Mamie. Emory died in Detroit in 1930; Marion married Charlotte Ethel Skinner, 14 children of whom 12 are living---Francis, Marion, Edward, Edna, Wayne, Katherine, Opal, Nina, Elija, Goldie, Fay, Patrick, Charles. The first son, Francis, married Betty Henline Fox, no children; Edward Scott married Ruth Riffle, son Leo; third son Wayne, married Joan Skinner, no children; Lijah, single, in US Nave; Patrick, single, at home; Fay, resides on Weston Route 4; Charles Duane, at home; Edna married John Ware, no children; Katerine married Arno Gould, three daughters---Helen Sue, Evelyn Joyce, and Alma Kay. The third daughter, Alma Kay, married A. M. W. Hall, two children, Marcella and Arcellus Ralph; Nina, fourth daughter married Foster Hardman, no children; Goldie, single. Orvil J. Blake, third son of Stuart S. and Janie Blake, married Ertha Bennett, some of the children are Richard, Frank, Homer, Cledith, Hazel, Audra, Madelyn---don't have all their names. Oley Blake, fourth son on Stuart and Jane Blake resides on Weston Rout 2; fifth son Amos, married Ethel Dennison, no children; sixth son lives with his sister, Mamie, at Orlando; the second daughter married Joseph Riffle and lives near Frenchton.

Joseph blake married Martha Posey, two sons, Ova and Terry Blake, and four daughters---Lona, married; Violet, married James Townsend, several children, including Hubert. Third daughter, Nellie Blake married Calvin Riffle, two daughters and two sons; the fourth daughter Ella, at home. Sixth son of Stuart and Lucinda Posey Blake, Andrew Adam Blake, married Vestie Clark; Clarence, the first son married Lula Ocheltree reside in Ohio, no children; Lloyd Blake, the second son, married Ruth Skinner, Amick and Lela born to this union. Gaylord Blake married, lives in Ohio; Doyle Blake, married, one child; fifth son, Delmer, married. Mabel Blake, first daughter, married an Ocheltree; second daughter, Jeanette, married a Smith; third daughter, Agnes Blake married Red Belt, several children; fourth daughter married. John Blake, third son of Anthony, married Ella Thompson, no children; fourth son, Sam, married Matilda Butcher, a son, Perry, and two daughters, Ada and Genevieve Blake. Janie, the first daughter married William Blake, history previoulsy given; Amanda married Ballard, previously noted; and third daughter, Mollie, married Jackson Skinner, two sons, Oak and Ezra. Oak married Floda McCauley, three sons---Sam, Winford and one other; Ezra married Lettie Blake, two sons and a daughter; Maggie Blake never married. Fourth son of Johnny B. and Abby Chrismore Blake, Ballard, married Mary Jane Riffle, three sons---William Henry, John Jackson, and Bennie, and two daughters, Mary Ann and Alice. William Henry Blake married Mintie Williams, celebrated his 86th birthday in 1952. Born to this union: Sarah Jane Blake married Homer Allen; Georgia Blake wed French Conrad; James Blake married Mary Duncan; Reta Blake married Ezra Skinner; Richard Blake wed Irene Wooddell; Willard Blake married Mabel West, all living. William Henry Blake has 42 grand children, 48 great grand children. Their names are not avialable. John Jackson, second son was born February 14, 1872, died November 14, 1945. He married Biddie Jane Bragg, who was born on April 9th, 1878, died February 13, 1941. Born to this union, seven sons and eight daughters---Lloyd James, Wilbert, William, Pearl, Hobert Lee, John Ruben, Basil Henry Jackson. Lloyd James married Lola Robinson, four sons and a daughter, Ralph Junior, Paul Wesley, Vaughn, and Mattheny Blake, Marguerite Blake. Lora Wilbert Blake married Anna Pullman, eight children, Ruth, Opal, Eugene, Matoska, William Jackson, Clarence. William Pearl Blake married Litho Givens, two daughters, Lela Mae and Juanita. Hobert Lee married Beulah Riffle, five children, Harvey Lee, Earl Shea, Carl Ray, Eulah Anna, and Marjory. John Ruben Blake married Bertha Wade, three children, Grover, Lora Gordon, Lillian; second marriage to Bell Nicholson, two children, Woodson and Leva Mae Blake. Lula married Frank Dean, six children, Hermit E., Zilma, Law First daughter of Stuart J. and Lucinda Blake, Mary, was wed to Marcellus Blake, five daughters and a son, John. Bell, a daughter; Minnie, second, married Arch Riffle, two sons, Leo and Junior; daughter Charlotte Riffle married Bill Mullen; second daughter, Mary wed George Heater, no children; Sylvia married George Posey, two children; fourth daughter, Addie Riffle; fifth, Dorothy, no data. Second daughter, Stuart and Lucinda Blake, Sarah married Franklin B. Riffle, three sons and two daughters---Herman, Ezram, Moses, Dora and Vernie Riffle. Third son of Johnny B. and Abby Chrismore Blake, Anthony, married Rebecca Posey, sons---William J., James, John, and daughters Janie, Amanda, and Mollie. First son, William, married Sovina Blake, eleven children, have a record of but three---Roy, Bert, and Docia. James Blake, second son wed Rebecca Bull, two sons, Darius and Vincent, daughter, Tressie, Darius married daughter of Roy Williams and is in Ohio, as is the other son. Tressie married Howard Wymer. John Blake, third son of Anthony, married Ella Thompson, no children; fourth son,rence, Betty, Vance, Mino Dean.

Second daughter Myrtle married Issac Hosey, three children, Geraldine, Arline and Ernest Dewayne Dean. Third daughter, married Vaughn Cutlip, nine children---Vivain, Ruth, Vaughn, Fred, Earl Kendall, Lelah Mae, Jackie, Harry Dale, Iris Kay, Oris Cutlip. Bertie Blake Married Clyde Bosley, born to this union Azalea, Shea, and James Irvin. Basil Blake married Freda Steele, four children---Mabel, Johnny, Homer and Harold Gene Blake. Sarah Blake married James H. Singleton, a son Reetis Jackson Singleton, a daughter, Sue Carol. Lona Blake married Ernest Conrad, 2 children, Clarence Jarvis and Rena Gray; Macel Blake married Clarence Overall, six children, names of two are Dorothy and William. Youngest son not married. Daughters of John and Abbie Crismore Blake: Eliza Blake married Jacob I. Riffle, seven sons, three daughters. First son W. T. Riffle, known as Taylor, served the last year of the Civil War; second son Stuart L. Riffle married Abby Blake, history given in the foregoing; Henry Riffle, third son, fourth son Benjamin F. Riffle who married Sarah Blake, previously given; the fifth son, John Scott Riffle; sixth son, T. A. Riffle; and seventh son, Adam. First daughter, Elsie; second, Louisa; third daughter Samantha J. Riffle. W. T. or Taylor married a Posey, a son. Marion J. Riffle wed Cora Reynolds, three sons, Layton, Alva and Gilbert; daughters, Ora, Pearl, and Hettie. Layton married Bertha Mick, three daughters, Freda, Betty and Doris; two sons, Ronald and Buddy. Freda married John Vankirk, a daughter, Diana; Ronald married Jacqueline West. Betty, Doris and Buddy at home. Second son of Marion and Cora, Gilbert Riggle married Virgie Barrett, no children; third son, Alva married and lives in Baltimore. First daughter, Ora married Scott Legg, born to union, Grace, Bessie, Lawrence, Stanley; second daughter, Pearl married Bill Edgell, three sons, George, Ted and Junior; third daughter, married Homer Skinner, no children. W. T. or Taylor riffle, one daughter Minerva Riffle married Wade Mick, no children.

Jacob I. and Elsie, second son of Stuart L. Riffle, history given. Third son, John Scott Riffle married Mary Ann Skinner, a daughter of Granville Skinner. Born to this union, Effie, Ora, Anna, Hallie, Mamie, three sons, Joseph E., R. M. or Bos., Effie, Ora, first daughter, wed Joe Skinner, three sons, Obie, Rupert and Scott Skinner. Obie Skinner married Lulu Blake, no children; Scott Skinner married Mary Wines, four sons, Joe, Bob, Don, and Peck. Effie, first daughter, married Robert Ayard; Opal married Clem Crislip, children, Maxine and Tenna. Second daughter of John Scott and Mary; Ora, Riffle married Andrew Heater, two sons Jack and Ray Heater, and two daughters, May and Sybil Heater. May married Buster Parmer and Sybil Married Simon Cole. Third daughter, Anna Riffle married a Stutler. Born to this union were Oris Stutler who married Edith Skinner, four daughters one son. Bill, Virginia, Mary and Juanita. Mary Stutler married Leo Moran, a daughter; John married Juanita Price, no children, third son Everett married Ruth Henline, two daughtes, Betty and Carol Ann; fourth son Frank married Evelyn Gay, children Frank, Marylin, Arnett and Paul. Fourth daughter of John Scott and Mary Ann: Hallie Riffle married Sheridan Nicholson, children, Steele Paul, Bruce, James and Vera. Fifth daughter, Mamie married Roy Lester, children Roy, Carl, Robert, Dona, Belle, Mildred and Mary Ann. John Scott and Mary Ann: first son Joseph E. married Bettie A. Skinner, daughter of Frank and Lucy Posey Skinner; their daughters Grace, Margaret, Jessie and Katerine Grace married George Reynolds, two daughters, Betty, Bernice; Margaret married Cecil Fleming, two sons and two daughters---Joseph, Isaac, Pearl and Canna; third daughter Jessie married Pressley J. Bragg, children Margaret, Joseph, John; fourth daughter, Catherine married Cecil Skinner, Betty Jane and Linda Kay children.

Oldest son Dwight, served in World War II, died two years after the war, at home. Second son, Brannon, married Thelma Nestor, children, Betty Jane, Donald Lee, deceased, Robert, Sheldon, Geraldine, Jerry and Brenda Joyce. Fourth son Eugene married Deltha Mick, three children, Dwight, Eugene and Sherry. Fifth son. Claude married Christine Gay, two children, Claudia, Jimmy; Sixth son, Jack married Mariana Finster, a daughter, Beverly Jo. Five brothers, Dwight, Glenn, Eugene, Claude and Jack all served in World War II Second son of John Scott and Mary Ann Riffle, known to many as "Boss" married Dennie Skinner, two sons, Fred at home and other son died young. Third and youngest son, Everett Riffle married Tina Scarff, two sons---Lynn Riffle, who married Mildred Posey, a son Tomas, daughter; Virgil Riffle married Edna Posey, a daughter of Lloyd and Maggie Posey, a son. Jacob I and Elsie Blake Riffle; Seventh son Adam, who died in 1951 at the age of 85, married, one son, Jacob Riffle. First daughter of Jacob and Elsie Blake Riffle, Jane married Alonzo Mitchell, six sons and two daughters. Son John married Minnie Henline, no children; William, Art and Cassie Mitchell, all deceased. Ossie married Minnie Godfrey, daughter Ruby; fifth son, Okey Mitchell married Pearl Snodgrass, two sons and two daughters, one son named Garland, others unknown; sixth son, Homer Mitchell, married Lula Henline, two sons. Nelson Mitchell married Francis Hamrick, sons Bobby and Stanley who married Louise Heater, a son. First daughter of Samantha Jane and Alonzo Mitchell, Ollie married John Groves, a daughter, Jacie. John was killed in a sawmill accident in 1896. Second daughter, Minnie M. Mitchell, married J. O. Ruble, five sons, Fred, Jim, Ray, Edward, and Victor, in Army since World War II. First daughter Gay, married a Goff, 12 children; second daughter, Victoria, at home; third, Mary, wed Chester Bruce, two sons. Second daughter of Jacob and Elsie Riffle, Louisa Riffle married James Pumphrey, one son William.

Jacob I. Riffle, second married to Matilda Riffle, a daughter of Jefferson and Elizabeth Heater Riffle: four sons and three daughters---Eli, Arch, Oscar, George, Tillie, Jennie and Ollie. Several of these are given in the foregoing or elsewhere in this history. Fourth son, George married Bessie Fox, several children. Hubert, Edward, Carry, Winnie, Ruth. First daughter, Tillie married Worthy Radcliff, no children; Jennie married Newton Riffle, children, Boss, Jiggs, Mamie, and Edna Riffle. Third daughter, Ollie Riffle, deceased. Johnny B. and Abby Crismore Blake: Second daughter, Margaret married a Donaldson. Born to this union 14 children, 12 living. One son was Alfred and a grandson, Charles. A grandson of Johnny B. and Abby Blake, know as little Stuart married Mollie Riffle. Children known are John, James, Lulu and Alice. John married Mary Atchison, several chidren, Matthew, Edward, Richard. Two sons married. Mabel married James Posey; Susie married Charles Hawkins. Johnny B. and Abby had two more daughters but have no information on them and can't trace the families. Johnny B. Blake had three brothers and on or two sisters. The brother may have been George who married Nancy Heater and who died or was killed first part of the Civil War. Calvin Skinner married Nancy after the war. Another brother may have been Anthony or Andrew Blake. No trace of this family. A sister---haven't her name---married a Matthews. A daughter, Francis, who married a Duval; a daughter or two and a son, Leet Duval; a daughter married Jackson Skinner. Children of this union---Gid C. Skinner, Delbert, Lloyd, Edmond, of Clarksburg, Earl of Weston, daughters Ama, Clara of Orlando, Lela of Elkins.

This Blake family came from Greenbrier county in the early 1800's. Johnny B. Blake was killed in the Civil War, married and the father of two sons and six daughters. Huey Blake, brother of Johnny B. Blake, grand children don't know whom he married. Four sons and four daughters, Joseph, Aleck, John, William Blake, Louise, Milly, Cindy and Martha. The first son, Joseph, no record of whom he married. He had a son, John and a daughter, Mary. He married a second time to Elizabeth Jane Sands, four sons and three daughters. Patrick Newlon Blake married Lorena Godfrey, daughter of David Newton and Mary Jane Skinner, a daughter and two sons. Carry Blake married Walter Sharp, no children; Ray Blake wed Jennita Posey, two sons and a daughter---Francis, Robert and Pauline. Francis married Conchita Alveres, two children, Martha Louise and David Blake. Pauline married Lester Carnes, two children, Shirley and Betty Lou Carnes. Ray Blake, second son Robert wed Wilma Conley, three children, Carrie Lynn, Brenda Paige and Stephen Randle. Second son of Patrick Newton and Lorina Blake, Pete Blake, married Fannie Riffle, eight children, Edward, Bernard, Glenn, Wilma, Emogene, Denzil, Billie and Pettie J. Blake, and an adopted daughter, Marie. Patrick Newton Blake was well known. He wrote for the Independent at Weston and for the Braxton papers and died in 1951.

Second son of Joseph and Elizabeth Blake, Joseph Blake, married, four children, no data. Third son, Francis M. Blake married Ollie Skinner, daughter of Frank and Lucy Skinner. Three daughters and a son. Lula Blake married Obie Skinner, long deceased, no children. The second daughter, Lilly Blake, third, Maysell, both married, no information on either. Four children, haven't their names---only Francis who lives in Charleston. Third son of Joseph and Elizabeth, Charles V. Blake, married Ollie Scarff, two sons, Wade and Walter and a daughter, Charlotte. Wade married Genevieve Henline, some children, no data. Walter married, no information. Charlotte married Amos Henline. Joseph and Elizabeth first daughter: Margaet married Joseph Scarff, six children, Ethel, Ovie, Myrtle, Elsie, Joseph, Lorine. Ethel married Lee Morrison, a daughter, Myrtle, deceased, and two sons, Ivan and Edward. Ivan married Nellie Godfrey; he is now deceased. Edward married Ruth Peck of Burnsville. Myrtle Scarff married Clyde Snyder. Joseph and Elizabeth's second daughter, Alice Blake married John Marshall Scarff, nine children: Clarence, Tina, Iva, Necie, Dorothy, Thomas, Herbert, Virgil and Walter. Clarence wed Lettie Davis, three daughters, Pauline, Grace and Mary Alice. Mary Alice married Doyle Skinner, no children; Grace is single, no data on Pauline. Tina, family given in marriage to Ebert Riffle. Iva married Edward Oldaker of Burnsville; Necie, no data; Dorothy married Ebert Posey, several children. Thomas, Herbert, Virgil and Walter all married. Virgil married Ruby Smith, several children.

Joseph and Elizabeth, third daughter; Belle married Danny Murphy, eight children, know only these: William, Patrick, Cecil, Arden, Lanta, Ina and Josephine. Huey Blakes' second son, Aleck married Corinne Ocheltree, four daughters, little known but their names. Ellen married Jack White; Maggie married Tucker Bragg, Rebecca married, Elsie married Asbury Losh, son Alonzo. Huey Blake's third son, John, married Elsie Ocheltree, sic daughters and a son; lived on Kanawha River a few miles above Burnsville. Mary Elsie died at the age of 91 last year. She married William Groff, these children: Docie married James Vankirk. Their first daughter Rose Vankirk wed Pearl Wines; Reatha wed Emmett Conrad; Henry married Charlene Mick; Helen at home; John married Freda Riffle; Nellie Groff married Allen Riffle. First son Mack married Nona Pritchard; Rosie wed Lee Holcomb; Rucks married Virgina Ocheltree; Mary Riffle wed Charles Oswald. Ettie Groff married Oscar Riffle, born to this union: Thomas, deceased, George, Wayne, Myrtle, Nina, Ivy, Ruby, and Fanny. Myrtle married Patrick Barnett; Nina married Arnold Posey, four children. Iva Riffle married Warren McCauley, two sons, Maynard and Barney, four daughters, Delfie, Rosie Lee, Bonnie and Peggy. Fourth daughter married Clarence Posey, a son. Fifth daughter, Fanny Riffle, married a Robinson. Lizzie Groff, fourth daughter of Mary Ellen and William Groff married Cecil Bee; a daughter, Freeda married Hayward Fox, two children.

John and Elsie Blake, second daughter, Margaret married Thomas Groff, the following children: Rosa Belle, deceased; second daughter maried Mack Ratliff; born to this union: Elsie, Nina who married Reva Conrad; Samuel Ratliff married Mary Ellen; Holden Ratliff in US; Jean, Weeda, James and Patty all deceased. Margaret and Thomas, second daughter, Lena married William C. Skinner, children Raymond and Forest Skinner, sons; Pauline and June, daughters. Raymond married Sylvia Posey. Forest wed Edith Reed. Pauline married Johnny Getz; June married Bill Clayborn. Lilly Groff married Bill Straight; their children---Margorie married Mike Zellic; Gail Straight wed Maxine; Max Straight wed Madge Williams; John Groff married Lucella Kellar; Ella Groff at home. John and Eliza Blake, third daughter: Sarah, married Ace Conrad, Roy, Charles, Gracie, Jack and Moses. Fourth daughter, Rosie married Morgan Riffle, children: Lena, Belcie, Glodie, Mattie, Clyde, Erroll, Ralph and Fred. Fifth daughter Allie married Ben Ratliff. First daughter of Huey Blake; Back in the early years John Townsend was united in marriage with Louisa Jane Blake. Six children, four sons and two daughters, Perry, Albert, Tom, John Jr., Mary Jane and Margaret. His second wife was Venda Meadley, one son and two daughters; George, Rosa and Diana, all deceased. John Jr., first marriage was to Margaret Mealey, son Darius; second marriage to Georgia Wilson, son and two daughters, Creed, Mildred and Belle. Albert married Virginia Barnett, three sons and three daughters, Cyrus, James, Willis, Vernie, Susan, and Mamie. Willis married Maude Teter, children: Nellie, Macel and Madeline; Susan married David Riffle, Vernie wed Harry Blake, and son and a daughter; James married Viola Blake, three children; Mamie marred Henry Ables, four children; Cyrus, deceased; Tom married Melissa Westfall.

Mary Jane Townsend married on April 4, 1889 to James A. Barnett, son of Pleasant and Betty Elizabeth Hitt Barnett. They were originally form England and came to Culpepper and Albemarle, VA. Six children, Ella Mae, Charles, Alva, Willa, Allie Belle and Laura Gay. Ella Mae Barnett married Tony Mick on March 16, 1916---two children, Alice Gay and Grover Lee. Alice Gay married Raymond McCoy, three daughters, Marie, Rena and Dorothy. Her second marriage was to D. D. Delaney of New London, Conn. Grover married Callie Rube of Tennessee, two children; Charles Barnett married on Dec. 14, 1919 to Gay Myers, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Will Myers of Walkersville: three children: Delmer Eloise of Weston and Emma May who married Calvin Carper, now in Ohio. Alva J. Barnett married Jessie Gay Marple, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln Marple of Green Hill, two sons, Denver and Harold. Denver married Rose Amos of Burnsville and they have two sons and a daughter: Denver Ross Jr., Robert Harold and Linda Rose Barnett. Harold Barnett married Eleanor Whiteman of Clarksburg. Willie Barnett married Marie Parmer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N. P. Parmer of Orlando, two sons and a daughter, Dale Leon, Billy Martin and Betty Jean. Dale Leon married Maxine Allman of Weston; Betty Jean wed Charles Mick of Orlando, a daughter Connie Lee and Billy Martin deceased; Lura Gay Barnett married Arthur O. Williams, son of Mrs. Sanford Williams of Walkersville on May 30, 1947; Allie Belle, died on December 20, 1944; Mary Jane Barnett died Sept. 13, 1947; and James A. died July 30, 1924. Rosa Townsend married John Alkire, both now deceased; children: Roy, Charles, Henry, Iza, Belle, Gay, Martha and Donna. Iza, Gay, Belle and Henry are deceased.

Sarah Ann Myers Harold celebrated her 90th birthday on July 19th. She is the third daughter of Huey Blake. Millie A. Blake was born April 19, 1840, married Samuel B. Myers Sept. 11, 1860. he died April 13, 1871, at the age of 30. Children, Sarah Ann Myers, married, deceased; children, Stella Law, Weston; May Spaur, Walkersville; Iza Harold, deceased; Lee Harold, Weston; Guy Harold, Altoona, PA.; and Roy Harold deceased. There are seven grandchildren, two great grandchildren, Belle Myers, one son, Leslie Myers; Allie Myers, deceased, married Will Fleming, children, Alula Fleming Knawl's Creek; Harry Fleming, Charleston; Zona Mick, Detroit; Cora Myers married Marsh Myers, now deceased, their children, Troy Myers of Weston; Minnie Cunningham of Knawl's Creek. First son of Cora Myers, Edwin born September 18, 1888, died November 7, 1918, four days before the Armistice in France. H. Tom Myers now deceased, married Ida Galford, also deceased, child, Grey Messenger, Macon, GA. Huey Blake, second daughter, Martha was born May 20, 1836. She married Pete Heater, a son and a daughter, Bennie Heater. Emsey born in 1855 died December 12, 1921. Pete Heater was killed duing the Civil War. Martha later married William Ocheltree, no children. Cindy Blake, fourth daughter married John Ocheltree, several children. Sam married Mary Posey; Phillip married Lucy Williams; Tom married Artie Murphy, some children. Only son of John and Ellie Blake, the information on Lockard Blake is he married a Wines who was nicknamed "Cute", several children. Blanche Blake who married Frank Riffle; Rissue Blake; Bud Blake married Bertha Singleton; Bobby Blake married Lou Singleton; Alice Blake wed Homer Lipps; Bessie married George Taylor; Belle Blake married Ballard Bleigh, several children: Blanche who married Earl Burkhammer; Rhoda, Mattie, Virginia, Elsie Lee, Thomas, Samuel, Clare, and Cleveland Bleigh. Three of theses sons served in World War II. Jeferson and Elizabeth: second daughter, Amanda married Nimrod Foster, to this union was born four sons and two daughters; first son, Thomas, married, no children; second son, Tucker C. Foster married Dora Cosner, two sons and four daughters, Raymond, deceased; Rondall Foster married; Mabel, Mildred, Lean and Maxine Foster all married. Homer Foster married Ocie Bennett, born to this union Randall Foster, Russell Foster, Carl Foster, Brannon Foster, Nellie and Garnet Foster, all married but no other information. Fourth son, Burton Foster married, some children; first daughter, Ida Foster marrieed William Smith, a daughter, Opal. Second daughter, Winnie Foster married Ersie B. Posey, four daughters and two sons. Vera Posey married Glenn Jeffries a son Jerry. Opal Posey, single; Lucille, single; Virginia Posey wed Paul Brown, a daughter, Patricia Ann. First son, Edward, second, Elwood, and third son Kenneth all single and all served in the Korean War. Matilda riffle married Jacob Riffle, history given. Fourth daughter of Jefferson and Elizabeth; Nancy Riffle married Cyrus Mitchell, three sons and three daughters: Minter Robert, Charles: Minter, married, no data. Minter is Methodist minister, stationed at Weston for a time, built the Memorial Methodist Church, now lives at St. Mary's. Robert Mitchell, deceased, married Necie Skinner, two sons, Luther and Benjamin Mitchell; Daughter Evelyn married Pete Wymer, one child. Third son of Nancy, Cyrus Charles Mitchell; Betty Mitchell, married; Annie Mithcell, married; third daughter, Katherine married a Simmers.

Jeferson and Elizabeth: second daughter, Amanda married Nimrod Foster, to this union was born four sons and two daughters; first son, Thomas, married, no children; second son, Tucker C. Foster married Dora Cosner, two sons and four daughters, Raymond, deceased; Rondall Foster married; Mabel, Mildred, Lean and Maxine Foster all married. Homer Foster married Ocie Bennett, born to this union Randall Foster, Russell Foster, Carl Foster, Brannon Foster, Nellie and Garnet Foster, all married but no other information. Fourth son, Burton Foster married, some children; first daughter, Ida Foster marrieed William Smith, a daughter, Opal. Second daughter, Winnie Foster married Ersie B. Posey, four daughters and two sons. Vera Posey married Glenn Jeffries a son Jerry. Opal Posey, single; Lucille, single; Virginia Posey wed Paul Brown, a daughter, Patricia Ann. First son, Edward, second, Elwood, and third son Kenneth all single and all served in the Korean War. Matilda riffle married Jacob Riffle, history given. Fourth daughter of Jefferson and Elizabeth; Nancy Riffle married Cyrus Mitchell, three sons and three daughters: Minter Robert, Charles: Minter, married, no data. Minter is Methodist minister, stationed at Weston for a time, built the Memorial Methodist Church, now lives at St. Mary's. Robert Mitchell, deceased, married Necie Skinner, two sons, Luther and Benjamin Mitchell; Daughter Evelyn married Pete Wymer, one child. Third son of Nancy, Cyrus Charles Mitchell; Betty Mitchell, married; Annie Mithcell, married; third daughter, Katherine married a Simmers.

Elizabeth Riffle married Sanford Posey, three sons and three daughters. Marshal Posey married Ida Plymall, several children; Ezra Posey married Bertie Butler, several children; Patrick, Allie and Rosa Posey, all married. Third daughter, Carrie Posey married Ernie fox, a son Dallas; Kathryn Fox, single. Elsie Riffle married John Foster, three sons, Nimrod and Vayden, both deceased, and Cecil, who married Clara Riffle; Mae, single; Floda and Ethel, both married. Seventh daughter, Lucy Riffle, married Hezikiah Fox, a son and a daughter, Benjamin and Lora Fox. Eighth daughter, Annie married; ninth daughter, Lilly Riffle married Albert Sponaugle, a son, Wayne is married; Ocie, single; Opal married Oley Collins, three sons and three daughters, names of two only---Evelyn and Ruth Collins. Of the nine daughters and two sons all are deceased except the last daughter, who was 79 last Feb 27, (1953) Jefferson and Elizabeth Riffle---first son, Benjamin married Sarah Posey, a son William, who married Columbia Taylor; Martin Riffle married Samantha Jane Mitchell, four sons, William, John E., Charles and George. Charles and George are deceased. Four daughters, Bertha, Eliza, Civilla S. and Eva Riffle. William B. Riffle married Daisy Todd, three sons and two daughters; Carl, Clyde, Earl, Donna and Lucille. All three sons are at home at Tioga; First daughter, Donna married William Cisna, Baltimore; a daughter. Lucille married William Handschumaker, a daughter, at Charleston. Bertha Riffle married Bingham Taylor, two sons, Cecil who married Dona Heater, Flemington, several children; Ison Taylor married Eva Riffle, Flemington.

A brother of Jefferson Riffle, part of the Charles Riffle family married Bessie Blake. Born to this union a daughter who lives at Wild Cat; a daughter, Dude, married Isaac Posey, three sons and two daughters: William, Joseph, Frank, Florence and Carrie Posey. William married Nora Clark, two sons and two daughters; Clarence married Ruby Riffle; Arnold Posey married Nina Riffle, data on both previously given. First daughter, Phoebe Posey marrieed George Riffle---history given; second daughter married Newton Skinner, several children; Isaac and Dude, first daughter, Florence married John Sandy; second daughter Carrie deceased; Joseph Posey lives in Clarksburg. Benjamin Riffle Married Sarah Jane Posey, A son william Riffle married Columbia Taylor; Martin Riffle married Samantha Jane Mitchell, four sons and four daughters: William B. Riffle lives at Tioga; John R. Riffle at Crowford; Charles Riffle, deceased; George Riffle, deceased; Bertha Riffle, deceased. She married Benjamin Taylor, two sons, Cecil who wed Dona Heater and Ison who married Eva Riffle. William B. Riffle married Daisy Todd, three sons, Carl, Clyde and Earl, and two daughters, Donna and Lucille.

The second son of Martin and Samantha Jane Riffle, John E. Riffle, married Mary Clarks in 1906, eight sons and three daughters; Nelle, Madge, Mildred, Brooks, Rex, Onward, John, Neil, Warren, Melvin and Hollis Riffle. Nelle married S. L. White, born to this union Kellus, Kullus, Donald Lee, Roberta Jean and Carol Ann White. Brooks Riffle married Pearl Wymer, a son and two daughters, Robert, Shirley and Jean. Madge Riffle married Casey Hawkins, four daughters and a son: Laverne, Louise, Virginia, Charline and Robert Linn. Rex Rifffle married Irene Speicher, a daughter Mary Camilla; Onward Riffle married Edith Greenlief; Neil Riffle married Margaret Llewellen; John V. Riffle married Mabel Edwards, a daughter Sonya and a son Donald Edward. Warren Riffle marreid Nancy Lovejoy, a son, Warren Harold Riffle. Melvin Riffle married Margaret Holland, a daughter and two sons: Sandra Sue, Melvin Lee and William John. Mildred Riffle married Ralph McCoy, children Patricia, Diane, Sharon Sue, Hollie Riffle is single, at home. Nellie Riffle White's children. Donald Lee married Anna Lee Mollohan, a daughter, Sharon. Roberta Jane married Frank Gay, two sons: Frank Junior and William Gay; Madge's daughter, Laverne Hawkins married Junior Corathers; Louise Hawkins married Robert Martin, a son, Robert Paul Martin. Second daughter of Martin and Samantha Jane Riffle, Lizzie Riffle, at home; third daughter, Civilla Susan Riffle married Lee W. Blake. Eva Riffle, deceased. (changes to type)

Jacob.I.Riffle.and.Elise.Blake.Riffle 6 son Thursa.Anthny.knowen by menny as T. A. Riffle. who married.Lucy.Skinner a daughter of granvil.Skinner.borned to this union two daughters and three sons first daughter Dessie.seckond daughter Tiney.First son Ersie.seckond.Cllie.V.Riffle third .W.R.orWilliam.Rosco.Riffle first daughter Dessie married Ura.Mcfee borned to this union three daughters and two sons daughters Lucy Lulu Alberta sons Warren. and Edward Alberta Married Ray Ruble borned to this union two childern all information I have on Dessie familey...Tiney seckond daughter married Thomas.W.Wymer thay have a daughter Hellen she married Doil Groves thay a child all on Tiney Familey. ....................................................................................................................... T.A.and Lucy first son Ersie.Riffle. Ethel.Tuliver.borned to this union a son Evert.and two daughters Nine. and Elcie Evert.married Jewell.Bligh a daughter of J.O.Bligh.borned to this union three sons Paul.and Jimmy.and Charles.and a Daughter Doris all on Evert.and Jewells .. Familey .......................................................... Erseie.and Ethel.first daughter Nine married Glenn.Butcher borned to this union three childern Barba.Jene and Jerry.and.Sue. all on nine familey ...................................................................................................................... Ersie.and Ethel.seckond daughter Elsie.married Joseph.Lewis all I have on Elsie .............................................................................................................. T.A.and .Lucy seckond son Cllie V. Riffle was in world war one in germeny was killed in battle october the 24. 1918 ...................................................................................................................... T.A.Riffle.and.Lucy.Skinner.Riffle.third sonWilliam.Rosco.Riffle married Bessie Skinner born to this union four sons a daughter sons Arnold.Arnet Gaylord and Raymond a daughter Anna Besie dedesed
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William Rosco Riffle seckond marriage no information all the Jacob I. Riffle And Elise.Blake.Riffle.thre is meny of the sixth genration and several of the seventh only three of the third genration living to day I will give the names and berth date that are great grand parents and great.great.great. to menny living to day you will find names on the front page of this booklet
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Johney.B.Blake.was borned in 1804 Abby Crismore.was.borned in 1797 Thay have menny desendents to day of the seventh genration all the Riffle Famileys formely Lewis county Orlando.W.V.A. ...........................................................................................................................
T.A Riffle and Lucy .famileys most live in Parkersburg, W.V.A. I said i would tell about four other famileys that are not Blakes that has practised this relation and it has bin just as bad as any thing i have ever noted being borned mently sick or blind or deformed or no helth thay cant help this meny has died in state hospital thay did have the ability to take care of them selves meny has died there the geral publick dosent know about this relation ship meny are embarsed by people asking the matter with thes childern or what the matter with him or her i have talked to some that did not know the relation of thir parents
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there is meny grand childern to day that do no know the relation of thir grandparents thay have taken thir place in publick as thay should this relation ship is not quite sa bad as it was forty years ago parents have fought aginst this i can rember back more then sixty years as my own famile was mixed up in this so much it made me note all other parties that practised this relation ship i do think it is good for anyn case of doubt of any thin i have told the reckors in Braxton,lewis Countys will show ...........................................................................................................................
I have twenty four grand childern two are married i never want to see this happen to any familey as i have noted the results in all cases of this relation I have knowen about havent told the names of thes parties i have told about most of thir names are in this Booklet i did not know this practis was this bad tell i went to geathring this information and found meny that have practised this relation i think we should eduicate our childern better practis then this relation ship as I rember back to 1896 the Blakes was hard woking in wood thay made all thir own furnituere and for the publick in genral made looms spining wheels raised flax made about allo thir own clothing of this and wool a corn planter was more to see then a new mocel car is to day and people go for miles to see a moing machin there was not much cleard land then mostly bottom land this was along the line of Braxton and lewis county very little stock kept by farmers at that time as was very few had land cleard to keep stock most all had a cow or two thay let them run out to the comons as thay called it them no rail road in ether Braxton or lewis at that time may have bin a nar gage rail road from clarksburg to weston, all merchants had to have thir goods halled from clarksburg or weston. there was plenty of road houses from one county seat to other county seat to take care of men and teams at that time then the rail road came threw lewis and braxton countys some where in the early eighteen ninetys this give a lot employment to the people in meny ways the next was the C&P.rail road this brought more employment to all in coal and timber this made better living for all

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333 There is meny living to day that rember when we had no victrola or raido or car tha was all writen about long before we had them in genral use thay have brought better living to all there is meny of us that are not thankful for this and think this just happend it has happend for all there was a will put forth and a efort to bring all this I wonder what the next fifty years will Bring us i can not emagin as meny things brought to us for our comfort in the next fifty years I dont think ther is eny one that can emagin the changes that will take place in the next fifty years let us hope thay will be as great as the past fifty years I belive thay will if we would all try to impruve as our convinces has it would be a much better world to live in and we could make it that way if we try i have no eduication to tell what i would like to tell as i never learned to write my name in school may have went as much as six months all to geather if you wasent able to buy books and dress for the cold weather there was no way provided as of to day i knew two other famileys in the same conditon as our familey so thir education was very limited like ours i liked to had a free school education i have learned a little just by reading and listning to others i was always dertermend all my childern should have a free school education which thay all did three went to high school one went glenville state teachers school the others had a chance to go to high school but did not take it so thay have all bin albe to take care of them selves
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and I have not told this to reflect on any one as there is meny that knows this but did not know how bad this had bin tell you would find the persentage that has survived ,


what i dident know that i told i got from thes parties who name is in the Booklet the blakes some of them was very superstious belived in wiches and gosts i think this is the stronger mind pring on the weaker mind i learned this thrugh life, ........................................................................................................................
always try to be satfide with what you have,if you want better things then you have you can have them if you will make a efort to have them do not try to have things you are not able to have, some one elce may hafto pay for this,if you you always live up to your word you will be all right
...................................................................................................................... Somithing to rember The suply of untruth is greate then the demand this makes it very cheap, ......................................................................................................................
The demand for truth is greater then the suply this makes it come high. ......................................................................................................................
one fault mended is worth two falts made
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if we thought more about others then we do of our selvs we would have more frids
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There is so much bad in the best of us and so much good in the worst of us that it dosent behove any of us to speak ill of the rest of us
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it has bin more then six years sence i bin able to work i can do nothing and i am geathring this information and writing this to help pass the time i have found meny things i did not know
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I would like to see a movie made of what i have related of this relation ship and let the public see what the results of this relation has bin meny do not know the relation of thir parents i have found in talking to them you here so meny remarks made about them that are not right something the matter with them thay cant help this, in all this relation i have knowen about there has always bin something wrong withpart of the familey i have seen only one normal in familey of six one normal in familey of eleven three norma in a familey of sixteen childern i could go on and name meny more this mental sickness lasts thrugh life let us all discurge this practis i bleive this has cost the state and countys more then eny thing i know it is a cost to all (changes to hand written)] Vayden S Blake third son of Lee W. Blake Civilla Riffle Blake his children. Betty Jo married Darell Crites 2 daughters Brenda & Myra K Junior Lee married Georgie Steele 3 boys Gary Vaden Lee & Dennis Stanley O. Married Janie Church 2 sons Allen & Steve. Jean married Cecil Hornbeck one daughter Careen. Leota married John married Faye Barron

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

“Dear Son and Daughter . . .”

by David Parmer

Two letters of the Blake family recently have come to light, each well over a century old, written by parents to their son James Alvin Blake who left his West Virginia home after the Civil War for the forests of Wisconsin.

This chronicle is in three parts. The first part is an introduction to the family and life of James Alvin Blake. The second part is about the letter sent to him by his father Joseph in 1873. The third part is about the letter his stepmother Elizabeth Jane (Sands) Blake sent in 1883. These two letters give us an unusually intimate look at life in the Oil Creek area before the railroad. We also see the hardships experienced by our forefathers. Disease, death and poverty visited the hearths of the log cabins which dotted the hills and valleys of the Oil Creek valley over a hundred years ago, and uncertainty stalked the everyday existence of the common folk who were our ancestors.

Right: James Alvin and Anna (Hall) Blake. James was the son who received the two letters from Orlando.

1. James Alvin Blake’s Heritage and Life
Pioneers
The 1830’s witnessed considerable migration to the northern end of Braxton County. Still largely unsettled by the third decade of the 1800’s, migrants from Greenbrier County and other counties began to find their way to the watershed of the Little Kanawha River. Waltons, Blakes, Williamses, and Ocheltrees were among the families who blazed a trail from Lewisburg in Greenbrier County. Part of that trail later would be followed by the Weston-Gauley Bridge Turnpike.


Left: map ofAlign Right central western Virginia/ West Virginia showing the Staunton Parkersburg Turnpike and the Gauley Bridge/Weston Turnpike as they we roughly located before and at the time of the Civil War. Click on the map to enlarge it.


Coming from Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, the pioneering Blake family, including parents Andrew and Margaret (Williams) Blake and their adult children, Rebecca, Hannah, Andrew Jr., Hugh, John and probably Patience and their spouses, settled along Clover Fork and over the hill on the waters of Knawls Creek during the early 1830’s.
~ Rebecca was married to Alexander Ocheltree,
~ Hannah was the widow of Isaac Ocheltree,
~ Andrew Jr. was married to Catherine Crysemore.
~ John Burton was married to Catherine’s sister Abigail Crysemore
~ Patience was married to George Matthews.
~ Hugh was married to Martha Williams

Several of these Blake families settled along Knawls Creek. John Burton and Abigail (Crysemore) Blake settled in the Oil Creek watershed on upper Clover Fork, near the Knawls Creek families. Several of the offspring of the Knawls Creek Blakes would also settle in the Oil Creek watershed. For example, George and Patience (Blake) Matthews’ granddaughter Patience Duvall would marry Jackson McWhorter Skinner, son of Alexander and Phoebe (Conrad) Skinner, and live on Clover Fork and in downtown Orlando. Several of Andrew and Catherine (Crysemore) Blake’s grandchildren would live along lower Oil Creek.

James Blake’s Parents
The (apparently) oldest child of early settlers Andrew Jr. and Catherine (Crysemore) Blake was Joseph T. Blake who was listed in the 1850 census as age 24, a resident of Braxton County and married to the former Elizabeth Walton, who was listed as aged 36. Elizabeth was the daughter of Samuel and Nancy (Hannah) Walton. Both sets of parents were from Greenbrier County.

Joseph and Elizabeth were parents of (apparently) only two children. One was a son, James Alvin, who was born in 1847. James Alvin was seven years of age when his sister, Mary Anne, was born in April 1854. Regrettably, their mother died two months later from complications of Mary Anne’s birth.

In 1856, two years after the death of his first wife, Joseph married Elizabeth “Betty” Jane Sands. Young James Alvin Blake would have been nine years of age when his father re-married.

Joseph and Betty became parents of nine more children: William, born 1857; John T., born 1859; Francis Marion, born 1860; Sarah, born 1863; Joseph, born 1864; Patrick Newton, born 1867; Martha, born 1869; Virginia, born in 1871; and Charles Victor, born in 1873. James, the child of his father’s first marriage, had grown to manhood and would leave home even before some of his later siblings were born. The younger children would know him only as their brother who lived in the west, but before that there would be the matter of a Civil War.
The Cavalryman
The hills and valleys of northern Braxton County were in turmoil in 1861. Virginia had seceded from the Union and northwestern counties of the Old Dominion State had in effect seceded from the Old Dominion. Out of control Ohio troops roaming the Weston-Gauley Bridge Turnpike were summarily executing anyone they suspected of being a “bushwacker” and were burning the homes of those they thought probable of being Southern sympathizers. Southern-sympathizing partisans were earning the accusations of bushwhacking by taking potshots at the “bluebellies” riding up and down the Turnpike from vantage points high on the ridges and were disappearing before the Yankee cavalrymen could reach the heights to exact revenge.

Right: a Union Cavalryman's hat.

James Alvin Blake was mustered into the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry, 3rd Regiment at Buckhannon on November 9, 1863. Although he gave his age as 18, other records suggest he was closer to 15. During late 1863 and early 1864, the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry was assigned to guard and picket duties from Clarksburg to Charleston. James’ Company “I” participated in the raid on Lewisburg, at the battles of Droop Mountain, Moorefield, and Wytheville. In 1864 the 3rd West Virginia Cavalry was sent to the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia where it participated in several battles during Sheridan’s Shenandoah campaign. In early 1865, the unit participated in campaigns in central Virginia and was present at Appomattox when General Lee surrendered. In the course of the war James was a Prisoner of War, held at Libby prison where he contacted measles. During the war, the 3rd West Virginia suffered losses of 6 officers and 40 enlisted men and lost 136 to disease. James came through unscathed. James was discharged from service in 1865.

Annette Frank, his great granddaughter, tells us that James left for the West soon after his discharge from service because of acrimony in the neighborhood from former Southern sympathizers, many of whom were family. At the end of the war, James drew his final pay of $11.70 and his enlistment bounty of $75.00. He elected to retain his cavalry saber and paid the government $5.00 for it.

James Alvin Blake Left the Hills
James went to forests of Wisconsin in 1865. Vast tracts of virgin timber covered Wisconsin in the 1860’s which had been cleared of hostile Indians not long before. Huge forests were located on the Eau Claire, Black, and Chippewa Rivers and several nearby lakes. This standing timber brought wealth to those who were clever enough to take advantage of the assets of the region. James married Anna Jane "Jennie" Hill in Wisconsin. According to the History of Northern Wisconsin, James first located at the Wisconsin town of La Crosse and was in business with Martin Jefferson for about a year. He then went to lumbering along the Black River, both in the pineries and on the river where he rafted logs to the mill. Later in 1868, James worked in a saw mill and also worked on building a dam on the Black River near Alma.

Left above: Map of Wisconsin showing the towns where the Blakes spent most of their Wisconsin years. Click on the map to enlarge it.
Left below: generic photo from 1905 from the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company

In 1873, according to our letter, James was considering buying a farm and moving back to West Virginia. However, in the 1880 census James listed his occupation as “lumberman” and his place of residence as Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 1881 found James working as a filer for the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company in Chippewa Falls. By 1890, James and his family were living at nearby Chippewa, and in 1900 the family was living in Big Bend, also near Chippewa. .
From James’ great granddaughter Annette Frank we learn that James and Jennie and their family visited their West Virginia kinsmen for a brief reunion in 1908. A family story recalls that Jennie was horrified because none of James' female family members used a tera towel to dry the dishes. The census shows that by 1910 the Blake family was back in Eau Claire. But the big move was yet to come.

About 1912 James and Jennie left Wisconsin and migrated farther west to Washington, the Evergreen State. Two of thei daughters had married and moved there. At first they lived in Lents, Washington. In 1913 they settled in Camus, on the north bank of the mighty Columbia River. James worked in the mill at Crown Willamette until he was injured in 1915. His leg was broken in the mill when he was walking near the tracks and a car came by and a protruding piece of lumber hit him. Anna (Hill) "Jennie" Blake died in 1919. James died in 1927.
Right: daughters of James and Anna Blake, Mary, Anna and Edna Blake. There were two more children: Hazel, who died at the age of four, and Elizabeth.

The Letters

2. His Father’s Letter
Joseph T. Blake to James A. Blake

Braxton Co. West Va
April the 20, 1873

Son and daughter I seat myself this morning to inform you we are all well at this time hoping this may find you the same We received your kind and welcome letter and was glad to you was all well More over we was all glad to hear that you was coming home. James you wanted me to buy land and you would send some money I have not bought it yet I have the offer of two or three farms one is a little farm containing 50 acres price 400 dollars It is joining the Garling Ocheltree farm Terms two hundred dollars paid this fall the rest paid in two years the man will make any sort of deed that you would want a house a stable smoke house corn cribs a good young orchard a grass road The rail road will be in one mile the place The man wants you to let him know soon

James tell me how much money you can pay on a place Elias Cunningham will let me have a place with good improvement for six(?) hundred dollars.

James, when can you come home if you have got your discharge yet make the best of it you can do if you intend to come make and save all you can I am sure you can do better if you want to farm according to your own letter times is hard hear but if a man has land he can live this country is better than when you left it

I have told you all I can about land
I have no news I can tell you at this time we had a hard winter and a cold spring so far the messels is all around us – are in one mile of us at this time None of us has never had them yet Jenny we would all like to see you and the baby I suppose it still grows fine give it a kiss for every one of us can little Mary sit alone yet If she can she is a little woman Come home little Mary We have wrote to you latly and have had no answer yet tell us what you are doing this summer James I am not very able to work any more but I want to do all I can I must tell you about grain ear corn is from sixty to seventy- - wheat one dollar fifty cts bacon 10 cts oats 50 cts eggs 10 cents per dozen butter 50 cts per pound we can get coffee hear from 25 to 30 cts pound I have told you prices of things hear I ask you to wrigt as soon as you get this letter this fall or wen direct your letter to –vil Braxton Co Wes Va I must close for this time so good by for this time

I remain your father until death

According to Annette Frank, great granddaughter of James and Anna Blake, in this letter Joseph was urging his son to return to West Virginia from Wisconsin and take up farming in West Virginia. Joseph discussed two farms of interest: the “Garling” Ocheltree farm (actually “GarlandOcheltree, son of John and Lucinda (Blake) Ocheltree and the Elias Cunningham farm. The Ocheltree farm could be had for $400 and the Cunningham farm for $600. Both farms were in the Knawls Creek – Clover Fork neighborhood and undoubtedly James would have been familiar with both. We know, of course, James chose lumbering in Wisconsin rather than farming in West Virginia.

Sadly, Joseph died of typhoid fever at age 49 the following year on Christmas Eve, leaving his widow landless and with nine children, five of whom were under the age of ten.
3. His Stepmother’s Letter
From Betty Jane Blake to James A. Blake
February 25, 1883
Dear Son an Daughter I seat my Self to answer your kind and welcome letter I hope this will find you well. It leaves me well. I would like to go to you of I thought I could live satisfied out there. The children are willing to go but I don’t think I could be contented so far from the home of my childhood. Joe wants me to go to him in Kansas. He says it is fine country but I think I will stay here an do the best I can. I wish I could see you an Jennie and the children. Tell them I am so proud of them picture Mary has them now. I must get them home. I am going to Mary’s soon. Mary has two children Ida and Roy. Ida has black eyes and Roy has blue eyes. The young one is the largest. Your Aunt Martha Skinner has five children married the people is getting married they never think of hard times. Well it ain’t as hard as living a widow for I think I see trouble enough to go crazy. It is so hard to provide for a family when they can’t have plenty to go on. It is hard for a man and it is a good deal harder for a woman. Soon as the boys get big enough to do me any good they leave me to do for the rest. I am going to tell Joe he has to help me --- days. Love nor money won’t bring him back to W Va but he can send something. James, you said you would send me some money if you do God will reward you for he knows you will be keeping the poor and needy for I sometimes think I can’t get along but I put my trust in God so you belong to the church. I think Jennie is a good woman her letter makes me think she has a good heart. I will have to bring my letter to a closeasking you to rite soon and often. From your mother

I forgot to tell you May got married. She got married on her birthday. Her man is Joseph Scarff. I will give you the children ages
Frank is 22 Dec 14
May is 20 Feb 13
Joe is 18 March 8
Pat is 16 April 8
Alice is 14 March 27
Bell is 12 June 9
Charley is 10 Oct 21

James if you send me any money send it soon for I am in great need.
May god bless you
Left: Charles, Bell, Martha, Patrick Newton, Joseph and Frank with their mother Elizabeth Jane (Sands) Blake Donaldson.
This second letter to James, written by his step-mother Elizabeth “Betty” Jane, was dated February 25th, 1883. This letter responds to a letter from James, which apparently offered her a home with her stepson and his family in Wisconsin. Elizabeth declined the offer because of her attachment to the land of her birth. Elizabeth did however ask for financial assistance from James, stating her situation as “poor and needy.”

Whether any help came from her stepson is lost to the ages. We do know from the 1900 census that the widow Elizabeth (Sands) Blake had married James Donaldson about 1883 and they were living on Oil Creek below Orlando. Fifteen years his senior, Elizabeth was then 59 years of age and James was 44. The 1900 census reports that James was a “day laborer,” presumably in connection with the oil and gas fields which were then being exploited in the area.

In Conclusion, The Folks Back Home
Most of the Blake family remained in the Orlando area. Brother Francis Marion “Frank” was the Postmaster, youngest brother Charles V. Blake was Orlando’s first RFD mail carrier and Patrick Newton “Newt” was Orlando’s own newspaper columnist Uncle Zeke. However, one of James’ younger brothers, Joseph George “Joe” Blake, who was born in 1864, left his West Virginia home in 1885 and located in Minnesota. After living a while in Minnesota, Joe Blake moved to Eau Claire, Wisconsin which was also the home of his half brother, our James Alvin Blake. By 1920, Joe was operating a garage and service station in Eau Claire. P. N. Blake, known in Orlando as “Uncle Zeke,” was the full brother of Joe and a half-brother to James Alvin. Uncle Zeke frequently chastised his brother Joe in the Buzzardtown News column for failing to write to his West Virginia siblings. On April 2, 1930, Uncle Zeke wrote:
There is a man in Chippewa,
He went there years ago.
I guess he must have gone to stay,
At least it seems just so.

He operates a service station.
His name perhaps you know.
He is as ugly as all creation;
We always called him Joe.

When he receives the Democrat
And reads this little poem,
Perhaps he might pick up his pen
And write a letter home.
Curiously, Uncle Zeke, never mentioned his brother James in his column. Neither did he ever mention his step-father James Donaldson or his mother’s (James’ stepmother’s) death in 1919.
Left and right: Gravestones of James Alvin Blake and Anna Jane(Hill) Blake









. . . . .
Note 1: Concerning the Name “Crysemore” Greenbrier County natives and Braxton County pioneers Andrew Blake Jr. and his brother John Burton Blake married sisters, Catherine and Abigail Crysemore respectively. The correct spelling of the name “Crysemore” is uncertain. The first acquaintance of this writer with the name “Crysemore” came many years ago in the Greenbrier County Courthouse while reviewing the marriage records of the Blake brothers. Since the last name of the sisters was spelled “Crysemore” this writer has always spelled the name accordingly. Since that first experience with the name, this writer has seen the name spelled a number of different ways, for example, “Crissmore,” “Crissamore,” “Crismore,” and “Crisamore.” Undoubtedly, there are other variations of the spelling of the name. There are many thousands of descendants of Catherine (Crysemore) Blake and Abigail (Crysemore) Blake who probably want to know the correct spelling of the name of their Crysemore ancestor. Despite the many choices available, this writer will continue spelling the name “Crysemore” while others will continue spelling the name the way they first saw it spelled. Who can say which is correct?

Note 2: about James' mother's family; Elizabeth Walton's family:
In 1848, Franklin (believed to be a middle name) Walton, who is either a brother or uncle of Samuel Walton, owned a large tract of land in northern Braxton County. In this year Franklin bought 684 acres from John C. Haymond. A couple of months later, Franklin re-conveyed this 684 acre parcel to Samuel and Nancy Agnes Walton by deed of lease. The term of the lease agreement expired by 1851 and Franklin then conveyed 434 acres of the land located on Chop Fork to Samuel’s three youngest daughters Margaret, Martha and Miriam Walton. Franklin Walton conveyed the remaining 250 acres to Samuel’s grandsons Andrew, George and John Walton, who were sons of James McClung Walton and Eveline (Brown) Walton. Samuel and Nancy (Hannah) Walton’s oldest daughter, our Elizabeth, was already married by this time to Joseph T. Blake and she was not involved in the land transactions. The real estate conveyed bordered on lands owned by Hugh Blake, Andrew Blake, James Williams, and Mose Cunningham.

In 1849, Samuel Walton was in poor health, although he would not die until 1855. An interesting agreement was executed in 1849 between Franklin Walton and Samuel Walton which provided that Franklin would care for Samuel’s family as long as they remained in the family, which presumably meant for so long as they did not marry. In exchange for this promise by Franklin, Samuel transferred to Franklin, two horses, two cows, and twenty-four head of hogs. An amendment to this agreement was made in 1851 to specify that Franklin would provide care for Samuel’s daughters Margaret, Martha, and Miriam Walton. The agreement was notarized in 1853.

NOTE 3: about James' stepmother's family; Elizabeth Jane Sands' family:

Elizabeth "Betty" Jane Sands, the second wife of Joseph Thomas Blake, and step-mother of James Alvin Blake, was the daughter of pioneer children James F. and Mary (Riffle) Sands. Elizabeth was the sister of

~ Samuel Sands who married Millie Perrine,

~ Susan Sands who married Andrew Graff,

~ Sarah Sands who married Patrick Taggart (grandparents of Clarence McCauley),

~ John Sands

~ Alice Sands.

Elizabeth’s mother, Mary, was the daughter of Isaac Riffle Sr. and his wife, Elizabeth.

Note 4: Annette Frank tells us that during the Civil War, Thomas J. Hill and John F. Hill, two brothers of Anna Jane Hill (who later married James Alvin Blake) served with the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment which participated in many battles in the western theater of the war.
During the early summer of 1861 after the Civil War had begun, an Indian of the Lake Flambeau tribe in Wisconsin sold a magnificent bald eagle which had been captured to Daniel McCann of Eagle Point, Wisconsin. McCann, in turn, sold the eagle to a just-forming unit of the Eighth Wisconsin Regiment to use as a mascot.

The handsome eagle was dubbed “Old Abe” and was fitted out with a ribboned necklace and a breast rosette. His cage was resplendently decorated with miniature flags giving the 8th Wisconsin a “one-of-a-kind” mascot to take into battle.
Anna’s brothers, Thomas and John, at various times during the Civil War, were honored by being designated as “War Bearer of the Eagle and Peace Attendant” of “Old Abe.”
This unique mascot was widely envied by other Union units and was much in demand to be seen by the Yankee soldiers. After serving as a mascot during the war, “Old Abe” served his state in an exhibit in the State Capitol of Wisconsin at Madison until its death in 1881.

. . . . .

Many thanks to Barbara Ulowetz Hottle, great grand daughter of James Alvin Blake, for sharing these letters with us. The original letters repose in a safety deposit box, gathering age. We are fortunate to have the transcribed copies of the letters to present with this story.