John Starkey (abt. 1773 - 1807)

Born about 1773 in Bedford County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Plybon) Dillon — married 20 Oct 1799 in Franklin County, Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died 7 May 1807 at about age 34 in Franklin County, Virginia

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Biography

John Starkey was born about 1773 in Bedford County, Virginia. He was the son of Joshua Starkey and Honor Hutts.

John most likely grew up on Gills Creek in Franklin County, on land acquired by his grandfather. That land was part of Bedford County prior to 1786, when Franklin Co. formed. John and his father also owned some land on Blackwater River, just west of the community of Crossroads.

John married Mary 'Polly' Plybon in 1799 in Franklin County, Virginia. They had four children:

1. Austin Starkey, born c. 1799 Franklin Co., died 6 July 1881 Franklin Co., married Temperance Tabitha Spradling 18 October 1819 Franklin Co. She was the daughter of Edward Spradling and Lucy Brown (married 14 June 1791 Bedford Co.).
2. John Starkey, born 15 November 1802 Franklin Co., died 21 October 1884 Franklin Co.; married Elizabeth Ferguson 2 February 1829. Elizabeth was the daughter of Alexander Ferguson.
3. Anna Starkey, born in 1806, married John Smith Divers 21 February 1821 in Franklin Co. By 1850, Anna and John had moved to Pettis Co., MO. John was the son of Christopher Divers and Lucy Sally Smith and he was a private in the 7th Regiment of Virginia Militia in the War of 1812. After John Starkey died, John Plybon (c. 1762-1807) was named her guardian (Franklin Co., Chancery Case # 1839-014, John Divers and wife vs John Plyborne).
4. Joshua Starkey, born c. 1807, married Lucy Mason 7 April 1838 Franklin Co., died 18 August 1860 Franklin Co.

John wrote his will in January 1807 and the will was proven in court 1 June 1807. He would have been about 34 years old. Property tax lists for Franklin Co. record him from 1793-1801. His absence from tax rolls in 1802-1803, and his death in 1807, may indicate John was ill for the last few years of his life.

His widow, Mary, then remarried to William Dillon and had several more children.

Sources

• Marriage Bonds of Franklin County, Virginia, by Marshall Wingfield, 1786-1858, p. 216, Starkey, John and Polly Plybon, Oct. 20, 1799. Sur. James Callaway, Jr.

• Franklin County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1786-1803, Binns Genealogy, 2009:
  

1793B Moses Greer District; 27 April, John Starkey, 1,0,0,1
1794B Moses Greer District; 3 April, John Starkey, 1,0,0,1
1795B Moses Greer District; John not recorded.
1796B George Turnbull District; 16 April, John Starkey, 1,0,0,1
1797B George Turnbull District; 1 April, John Starkey, 1,0,0,0 + 1 stud horse
1798B George Turnbull District; 7 May, John Starkey, 1,0,0,1
1799B William Turnbull District; 25 March, John Starkey, 1,0,0,0
1800B Richard French District; 19 April, John Starkey, 1,1,0,1
1801B Richard French District; 9 May, John Starkey, 1,1,0,1
1802-1803; John not recorded.

• Franklin County, Virginia Court Orders, 1793-1799, FHL Film # 7898091, p. 85, 6 October 1794, John Starkey paid for patrolling.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants 39, p. 347; 19 June 1797, Franklin County, Land grant to Peter Booth for 200 acres on branches of Gills Creek adjoining Richard Booth, John Starkey.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 3, p. 501; 5 December 1795 (recorded September 1797), Thomas Matthews and Catherine his wife to Jonathan Starkey, 134 acres adjoining John Starkey, Ballard, Clark. Wit: Thomas Charter, John Smith, Tobias Demoss, Booker Richardson.

• Franklin County, Virginia. Deed Book 3, p. 632; 26 February 1798, Israel Evans to John Starkey, 150 acres on south side of Blackwater River adjoining Samuel Gilbert, Maple Branch, north east fork of Canoo Branch. Wit: Robert Pasley, Barnett Epperson, John Smith, William Martin, Frances Wilks, Jonathan Epperson.

• Franklin County, Virginia. Deed Book 3, p. 691-692; 21 December 1798, John Starkey of Franklin Co. to John Chitwood of Franklin Co. 150 pounds current Virginia money. 140 acres more or less on the south side of Black River. CG. Adj: in Samuel Gilberts line on the said river; his lines; to the Maple Branch; up said branch as it meanders; on the said Branch; up the said Branch; the old line of said survey made for John Lumsden; to the north east fork of the Canoo Branch;…down the said Branch to Black Water River; up said River as it meanders. Wit: James Burns, William Starkey, Peggy Burns

• Franklin County, Virginia. Deed Book 3, p. 697; 28 March 1799, John Starkey to David Custer, 10 acres on Maple Branch. No wit.

• Franklin County, Virginia. Deed Book 3, p. 721; 21 December 1798, John Starkey to John Chitwood, 140 acres on Blackwater River adjoining Samuel Gilbert, Maple Branch, John Lumsden, north east fork of Canoo Branch. Wit: James Burns, William Starkey, Peggy Burns.

• Franklin County, Virginia Court Orders, 1800-1805, FHL Film # 7898091, p. 12, 5 August 1800, John Starkey on jury; p. 13, 6 August 1800, John Starkey on jury; p. 15, 7 August 1800, John Starkey on jury; p. 16, 7 August 1800, John Starkey on jury.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 33; 16 October 1804, Benjamin Epperson and Polly his wife to John Starkey, 170 acres on north side of Blackwater River. Wit: Lawrence Feller, Joshua Starkey, Barnet Starkey, William Hutts, Robert Stewart.

• Franklin County, Virginia Court Orders, 1800-1805, FHL Film # 7898091; p. 357, 7 January 1805, Deed from Benjamin Epperson and wife to John Starkey acknowledged and dower relinquished.

• Franklin County,Virginia Will Book 1, page 335; 22 January 1807, Will of John Starkey, “I, John Starkey, am sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory. First, I want all my just debts paid. To my wife Polley Starkey – 2 feather beds & furniture, 1 cow and calf, with all my house and kitchen furniture, during her natural life, to raise and school my children. At her death, to be equally divided between all my children hereafter mentioned. I want my executors to sell the land whereon I now live, and all my horses, cattle and hogs, corn except 5 barrels, wheat except 5 barrels, rye fodder, and all my plantation tools etc. and the profits of the above sale to be equally divided between my children, Austin Starkey, John Starkey, Anna Starkey and Joshua Starkey, when they shall arrive at age or married. Executors: George Bowsman and John Roop. Signed: Jan 22 1807 – John (+ his mark) Starkey. Wit: Robt. Pasley, John Plybon, Jesse Dillion. At F Court of Jun 1 1807, the will of John Starkey, deceased, was proved by the oaths of all 3 witnesses, and OR. And on the motion of both executors, who gave bond and security, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate.

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 1, page 311; Apr 16, 1808. Inventory and appraisement of the personal estate of John Starkey, dec’d, done per F Court order. Items mentioned include: 1 cow, 1 bake oven, 1 looking glass. Total value: 31 [pounds] 3 shillings 6 pence. Signed: Stephen Sink, James Greer, Jesse Dillion. Recorded Jun 6, 1808.

• Franklin County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1806-1811, FHL Film # 7897650; p. 202, 6 June 1808, An Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of John Starkey deceased returned and ordered recorded.