Here are the facts surrounding Zachariah Skaggs:
Bible of Martha "Patty" SKAGGS WHITT, wife of Griffy WHITT, has
the following:Nancy
Martha Whitt's bible states that Zachariah was married to a Nancy, also called Annie.
Also their son Jeremiah was born on October 25, 1766.
A List of Tithables for Pittsylvania County
1767 Zachariah Skaggs listed on
Zachariah showed up in the initial tithables list for the new Pittsylvania County, VA, carved out from Halifax County in 1766/67. A John Skaggs and a Charles Skaggs also showed up on this tithables list with Zachariah. To be tithable as an independent head of household these guys had to be at least 21 years old.
Dunmore's War (commenced 10/10/1774 at Point Pleasant)
General Andrew Lewis' Army (Battle of Point Pleasant)
Reuben Skaggs
Zachariah Skaggs
Zachariah was enlisted in General Andrew Lewis' army for Lord Dunmore's War against the Indians in 1774. Dunmore's War culminated with the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774. The Indians surrendered their white captives as part of the treaty ending Dunmore's War.
A list of persons sworn to the State in Capt. McCorkle's Company of Montgomery by Stephen Trigg in 1777
Zachariah Skaggs appears on list taken by Stephen Trigg of those who swore allegiance to the States(Capt. Daniel Triggs Co) . Also listed were: John Skaggs, Junr., Archibald Skaggs, Charles Skaggs, John Skaggs (Gourd Head), Abner Lester, John Elswick, Moses Skaggs, John Hankins, Hezekiah Whitt, John Skaggs, Henry Skaggs (son of Aaron), Richard Whitt, James Skeggs (longman).
So Zachariah Skaggs swore an oath of allegiance to the State of Virginia in Montgomery County, VA in 1777. He moved from Pittsylvania County to Montgomery County sometime between 1767 and 1777.
1777 Zachariah Skaggs listed onMontgomery County Virginia
The titheable list for 1777 also confirms Zachariah living in Montgomery County.
Page 67
John Charlton ,assignee of Zacharia Skeggs,heir to John Skeggs,commissioner`s certificate,150 acres onthe branch of Meadow creek(New River).Settled 1774.
Sept.23,1780Montgomery County ,Va.
Montgomery County Survey for John Charlton, 112 acres on Branch of Meadow Creek on Commissioner's Certificate; assigned by Zachariah Scaggs, heir-in-law of John Scaggs. --Mary B. Kegley, Early Adventures on Western Waters Vol I, p.309
These two records show the sale and survey of 112 acres (roughly estimated at 150 prior to the survey) assigned to John Charlton from John Scaggs via his heir-at-law Zachariah. This likely shows a father-son relationship between John and Zachariah, and that John had died prior to the September 23, 1780 sale. The first entry also shows that the land was settled in 1774. So it is likely that Zachariah (and John) moved from Pittsylvania to Botetourt (later Montgomery was created from Botetourt) County between 1767 and 1774. It's interesting that Zachariah apparently inherited 112 acres, yet he sold it. Why?
1782 Zachariah Skaggs was taxed for 150 acres inWashington County , Virginia
1783 June 14, Zachariah Skaggs of Washington County gets a survey of 100 acres on Indian Creek, waters of the Clinch River, beginning at three white oaks on the north side of said creek near a path, near Blue Springs Book 1, page 338
The answer is: he bought land and likely moved from Montgomery to Washington County in 1782. The American Revolution was basically over at that point, his father was dead and he appeared to want a new start.
1 Nov. 1788 Jeremiah Skaggs md. Hannah Lester d/o Abner Lester, sur. Zachariah Skaggs.
Zachariah's son Jeremiah married Hannah Lester in 1788 in Montgomery County. Zachariah provided the marriage bond and thus the key question: Why did Zachariah provide surety for Jeremiah's marriage but not for Peter Skaggs' subsequent 1788 marriage, if Peter was Zachariah's son?
1792 Feb. 22, Zachariah Skaggs acquired tract of land, lying on Indian Creek,Russell County , Virginia
1794 Mar. Zachariah Skaggs grantor of 140 acres on Indian Creek to Simon Cockrell and wife Magdeline, in Russell County Virginia Deed Book 1,page 314
Son Jeremiah dies and Zachariah provides security for Hannah Skaggs as executor of the estate.
Page 248 - October 27, 1801 between Zachariah Scaggs & Nancy and John Horton...5 ac...Beginning...at the foot of a ridge corner to John Horton & Zachariah Scaggs...on a spur of the Clinch...Signed: Zachariah Scaggs & Anne Scaggs. No witnesses.
Russell County Clinch Mountain 1815 Russell County, VA property tax assessments
ZACHARIAH SCAGGS, one farm on Indian Creek, 242 acres valued at $500. More land trading and property taxes in the early 1800s.
1816 Mar. 1, Zachariah Skaggs of Russell County to John Scaggs for the natural love and affection which the said Zachariah Scaggs beareth unto John Scaggs grant and convey unto John Scaggs 242 acres lying on Indian Creek by survey dated Feb. 23, 1792 except 42 acres which Zachariah lives during his life.Here Zachariah deeds his land to his grandson, John Scaggs, leaving himself a home until he dies. If Peter was Zachariah's son he would likely be legal heir, not Jeremiah's son John. Also, remember that Peter has a living brother at this time, Solomon, who would also be a legal heir. Yet Zachariah's land was deeded to John. This makes me think that grandson John is Zachariah's oldest living male heir and Jeremiah was Zachariah's only living son at the time of Jermiah's death in 1798.
1818 June 2, Zachariah Skaggs diedRussell County
1818 July 7, Appraisel, inventory was returned to court, Testiment of James P. Carrol Deputy clerk.
1818 July 2, Zachariah Skaggs deceased, John Skaggs as the administratorRussell County Virginia
Zachariah dies in 1818 and his estate is administered by his grandson John.
1819 Mar. 4,_ Zachariah Skaggs grantee of 242 acres on Indian Creek from John Skaggs, in Russell County Virginia Deed Book 5, page 531
I'm not sure what this deed is doing unless it is just cleaning up the property ownership trail in the Russell County deed book. Perhaps John Skaggs had a son Zachariah and he deeded him this property?
So, based on the evidence here is what we can say about Zachariah. The 1766 birth of his only proven son, Jeremiah, shows he maintained a separate household from his father. The 1767 Pittsylvania tithable also confirms this, since Zachariah and John were listed separately. We don't really know when he was born but likely prior to 1745. He was in the militia during Dunmore's War and the American Revolution. A deed confirms his father, John, settled on that property in Botetourt (later Montgomery) County in 1774. He moved c. 1782 to Washington (later Russell) County and died there in 1818, survived by his wife Nancy "Annie," and his grandson John Scaggs. Peter Skaggs was not involved in any of the transfer of property prior to Zachariah's death or Zachariah's inheritance. Also, Zachariah did not post bond for Peter's marriage like he did for Jeremiah. There is just not much evidence that Zachariah was Peter's father.
Dunmore's War (commenced 10/10/1774 at Point Pleasant)
General Andrew Lewis' Army (Battle of Point Pleasant)
Reuben Skaggs
Zachariah Skaggs
Zachariah was enlisted in General Andrew Lewis' army for Lord Dunmore's War against the Indians in 1774. Dunmore's War culminated with the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774. The Indians surrendered their white captives as part of the treaty ending Dunmore's War.
A list of persons sworn to the State in Capt. McCorkle's Company of Montgomery by Stephen Trigg in 1777
Zachariah Skaggs appears on list taken by Stephen Trigg of those who swore allegiance to the States(Capt. Daniel Triggs Co) . Also listed were: John Skaggs, Junr., Archibald Skaggs, Charles Skaggs, John Skaggs (Gourd Head), Abner Lester, John Elswick, Moses Skaggs, John Hankins, Hezekiah Whitt, John Skaggs, Henry Skaggs (son of Aaron), Richard Whitt, James Skeggs (longman).
So Zachariah Skaggs swore an oath of allegiance to the State of Virginia in Montgomery County, VA in 1777. He moved from Pittsylvania County to Montgomery County sometime between 1767 and 1777.
1777 Zachariah Skaggs listed on
The titheable list for 1777 also confirms Zachariah living in Montgomery County.
Page 67
John Charlton ,assignee of Zacharia Skeggs,heir to John Skeggs,commissioner`s certificate,150 acres onthe branch of Meadow creek(New River).Settled 1774.
Sept.23,1780
These two records show the sale and survey of 112 acres (roughly estimated at 150 prior to the survey) assigned to John Charlton from John Scaggs via his heir-at-law Zachariah. This likely shows a father-son relationship between John and Zachariah, and that John had died prior to the September 23, 1780 sale. The first entry also shows that the land was settled in 1774. So it is likely that Zachariah (and John) moved from Pittsylvania to Botetourt (later Montgomery was created from Botetourt) County between 1767 and 1774. It's interesting that Zachariah apparently inherited 112 acres, yet he sold it. Why?
1782 Zachariah Skaggs was taxed for 150 acres in
1783 June 14, Zachariah Skaggs of Washington County gets a survey of 100 acres on Indian Creek, waters of the Clinch River, beginning at three white oaks on the north side of said creek near a path, near Blue Springs Book 1, page 338
The answer is: he bought land and likely moved from Montgomery to Washington County in 1782. The American Revolution was basically over at that point, his father was dead and he appeared to want a new start.
1 Nov. 1788 Jeremiah Skaggs md. Hannah Lester d/o Abner Lester, sur. Zachariah Skaggs.
Zachariah's son Jeremiah married Hannah Lester in 1788 in Montgomery County. Zachariah provided the marriage bond and thus the key question: Why did Zachariah provide surety for Jeremiah's marriage but not for Peter Skaggs' subsequent 1788 marriage, if Peter was Zachariah's son?
1792 Feb. 22, Zachariah Skaggs acquired tract of land, lying on Indian Creek,
1794 Mar. Zachariah Skaggs grantor of 140 acres on Indian Creek to Simon Cockrell and wife Magdeline, in Russell County Virginia Deed Book 1,page 314
From the 1796 Russell County, VA land tax list: Zachariah Scaggs, 140 ac.
Zachariah trading land in the early 1790s in Russell County (created from Washington County).
1798 May 22, Jeremiah Skaggs deceased, Administrator to Hannah Skaggs with Zachariah Skaggs giving security Russell County , Virginia
From the Russell County, VA deed book 3 (1798-1806):
Page 249 - October 27, 1801 between John Horton & Issabel and Hannah Whitt and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body by Jeremiah Scaggs, decd...paid by Jeremiah Scaggs, decd...48 ac...on the spurs of Clinch Mountain
From the 1814 Russell County, VA land tax list:
Scaggs, Zachariah
ZACHARIAH SCAGGS, one farm on Indian Creek, 242 acres valued at $500. More land trading and property taxes in the early 1800s.
1816 Mar. 1, Zachariah Skaggs of Russell County to John Scaggs for the natural love and affection which the said Zachariah Scaggs beareth unto John Scaggs grant and convey unto John Scaggs 242 acres lying on Indian Creek by survey dated Feb. 23, 1792 except 42 acres which Zachariah lives during his life.Here Zachariah deeds his land to his grandson, John Scaggs, leaving himself a home until he dies. If Peter was Zachariah's son he would likely be legal heir, not Jeremiah's son John. Also, remember that Peter has a living brother at this time, Solomon, who would also be a legal heir. Yet Zachariah's land was deeded to John. This makes me think that grandson John is Zachariah's oldest living male heir and Jeremiah was Zachariah's only living son at the time of Jermiah's death in 1798.
1818 June 2, Zachariah Skaggs died
1818 July 7, Appraisel, inventory was returned to court, Testiment of James P. Carrol Deputy clerk.
1818 July 2, Zachariah Skaggs deceased, John Skaggs as the administrator
Zachariah dies in 1818 and his estate is administered by his grandson John.
1819 Mar. 4,_ Zachariah Skaggs grantee of 242 acres on Indian Creek from John Skaggs, in Russell County Virginia Deed Book 5, page 531
I'm not sure what this deed is doing unless it is just cleaning up the property ownership trail in the Russell County deed book. Perhaps John Skaggs had a son Zachariah and he deeded him this property?
So, based on the evidence here is what we can say about Zachariah. The 1766 birth of his only proven son, Jeremiah, shows he maintained a separate household from his father. The 1767 Pittsylvania tithable also confirms this, since Zachariah and John were listed separately. We don't really know when he was born but likely prior to 1745. He was in the militia during Dunmore's War and the American Revolution. A deed confirms his father, John, settled on that property in Botetourt (later Montgomery) County in 1774. He moved c. 1782 to Washington (later Russell) County and died there in 1818, survived by his wife Nancy "Annie," and his grandson John Scaggs. Peter Skaggs was not involved in any of the transfer of property prior to Zachariah's death or Zachariah's inheritance. Also, Zachariah did not post bond for Peter's marriage like he did for Jeremiah. There is just not much evidence that Zachariah was Peter's father.
It's worth noting that neither Peter nor Solomon named a son Zachariah. However, Solomon did leave Virginia to join Peter in Kentucky about the time of Zachariah's death.
ReplyDeleteYes, that's true. However, remember that Zachariah's grandson John was his heir. If either Peter or Solomon were a son of Zachariah, one would have expected them to have inherited his estate. John as heir implies that Zachariah had no living sons at his death.
ReplyDeletecould it be that perhaps he was disowned ? just a stab
ReplyDeleteDNA testing has demonstrated that Zachariah Skaggs could NOT have been father or older brother to Old Peter Skaggs.
ReplyDelete