William Huff Sr. (abt. 1746 - abt. 1803)

Born about Oct 1746 in Virginia [uncertain]

Husband of Mary (Hungate) Huff — married about 1768 in Virginia

Descendants

Died about Mar 1803 at about age 56 in Mercer, Kentucky, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Billy Huff [send private message] and Creed Huff [send private message]

Biography

Note: Paternal descendants of this ancestral line have a Y-DNA SNP of R-M269 and are not related to the many Huffs that have a SNP of Q-M242.

William Huff (c 1730 - Mar 1803 Mercer Co, KY) moved from Southwest VA to KY by 1788 and settled in Mercer Co. He was sometimes recorded as HOUGH, but all his ch took the HUFF spelling.

He had lived all his life on the frontier area of VA in Augusta, Botetourt, and Montgomery counties. While a young boy, he had been captured at his frontier home by Shawnee Indians. His parents may have been killed. He lived with the Shawnees for several years, learned their language, and learned their herbal medicine, which he later practiced with considerable success. One account states that Billy Huff, on being returned to his home in an exchange with the Indians, was lonely and returned to live with the tribe for several more years.

Eventually, he did go back to the VA frontier, where he was in the Augusta Co militia on 6 Apr 1764 along with Samuel HUFF. When Botetourt Co was formed in 1769, he was in that county.

He md Mary HUNGATE about 1770, and by 1771 had a family with 1 tithe in William INGLE's Comp, along with Joseph HUFF with 1 tithe and Leonard HUFF with 4 tithes. This company was at the head of Little River.

The HUNGATE Family History records that Mary HUNGATE was born about 1750 to William and Nancy HUNGATE in what was then Augusta Co, VA. She was still alive in Mercer Co, KY, in 1826. She may have died about 1830 in Washington Co, KY. Her father, William HUNGATE, had died when Mary was quite young, and her mother Nancy remarried. The mother Nancy and two of her HUNGATE ch were captured in a Shawnee raid, but Nancy escaped and made her way back to VA. William HUFF was asked to go to the Shawnee village to check on the ch, which he did. However, the Shawnees grew suspicious of his motives and planned to kill him. William was able to escape, but the fate of the ch was never known. William returned to VA and later md Mary HUNGATE and started a family. Probably all of their ch were born in VA.

William seems to have lived on the headwaters of Little River in the southern part of Botetourt Co. The Little River rises on the northwestern slopes of the Blue Ridge mountains and flows west into the New River just below Radford, VA. In 1787, William HUFF was next to William HUNGATE in Botetourt Co. When Montgomery Co was formed about 1788, the southern part of Botetourt was cut off and placed in Montgomery. The HUFF, HUNGATE, and HALE families show early land records in Botetourt Co and, after 1788, in Montgomery Co. (In 1831, this Little River area became part of Floyd Co, which it is today.) Among the other HUFF families of the area were those of John, Joseph, Thomas, and Leonard. Of this group, Thomas HUFF also moved to Mercer Co, KY.

The William HUFF land shows on surveyor's records to have been on Chesnut Camp branch of Little River. In 1788, William HOUGH bought for 40 pounds land in Mercer Co, KY, from James RENTFROE of Fayette Co, KY, and this was land on which William HOUGH then lived. (D. B. 1, p 90, 3 Sep 1788). It is clear that William was still on Little River in 1787 but living in Mercer Co the latter part of 1788. James RENTFROE had obtained the Mercer Co land 27 July 1786, and he sold William HOUGH half the 200 acre tract. Witnesses to this sale were Edward WILLIS; Joseph HALE; John HALE; and Robert CALDWELL.

Children are believed to include:

1. probably James Huff (c 1765/66 Virginia - after 1860 probably Harlan County, Kentucky) was the son of one of the Huff families of Southwestern VA frontier. Based on tax records. Historian Granville Hough believed that the parents of James Huff were William Huff Sr and his wife Mary Hungate. In 1810 in Lee Co, Virginia, both James Huff and William Huff and also Charles Huff, son of William Huff Sr and Mary Hungate. Some recent trees on other sites list Thomas Huff and his wife Elizabeth Islam as James' parents but no records have been found that substantiate this parental relationship. Children are believed to have included: James Huff Jr (1793 VA - 10 Feb 1879 Wayne Co, WV) md (1) Ann PENNINGTON (or PENDLETON) (1793 VA - 19 July 1864 Wayne Co, WV); md (2) in 1869 Wayne Co, WV, Mahala WELLS ( - 13 Jan 1927); Nancy Huff (15 April 1801 Lee, Virginia - 1861Lee, Virginia) married Nathan Sword (c 1799 – 1862; Isaac W Huff (1802 VA - 25 Apr 1879 Harlan County, Kentucky) md (1) Rebecca HUGHES (1804 Virginia - about 1839 Kentucky) and (2) Elizabeth LEWIS (Apr 1820 VA - after 1910 KY:; Winston Huff (1806 VA - aft. 1880 Kentucky) in 1827 md Stacey PARKER (1810 NC - ); Thomas Jefferson Huff (1802 Lee, Virginia - 17 July 1882 Wise, Wise, Virginia) md (1) ??? and (2) Catherine MORRIS. Additional births/children are possible.
2. Richard HUFF (c 1770 VA - after 1820) md 21 May 1795 Nancy DAVIS, dau of George DAVIS. He lived in Ohio and Hancock counties for some time. He seems to have no ch with him in 1820, but there could have been some. There are numerous families in Ohio and Hancock counties whose lineages are not now known. Richard lived near John HUFF and Goldsberry HUFF, who could have been his sons.
3. William HUFF, Jr ( - before 20 Jan 1848 Mercer Co, KY) on 15 Apr 1811 md Abigail HALE, surety Joseph HALE, and lived in Mercer Co. His probate proceedings indicate he had no ch. His heirs were his brothers and sisters or their heirs. Samuel HUFF, his brother, bought the rights of the other heirs to the 100 acres William HUFF had on Chaplin Fork in Mercer Co. (D. B. 26, pp 170-173).
4. Charles HUFF ( c 1775 VA - will of 1835 Ohio Co, KY) md in Mercer Co on 23 Mar 1796 Mary "Polly" NEW (c 1778 VA - after 1850), Edward WILLIS surety, and lived in Mercer and Ohio counties. Ch are not all known but incl Sally HUFF; William HUFF: Lewis HUFF; Charles HUFF; Nancy HUFF; Hannah HUFF; and John HUFF. These children were his survivors in 1838.
5. Samuel HUFF (c 1776 VA - 3 Apr 1855 Westerfield's Mill, Mercer Co, KY) md (1) in Mercer Co, KY, on 29 June 1806, his first cousin, Polly Ann HUNGATE (1785 Mercer Co, KY - before 1809), He md (2) on 10 Oct 1809 Larana HIGH, and (3) on 19 Mar 1817 Elizabeth VANARSDALE. He lived mostly in Mercer Co. Ch may include Eliza HUFF; John HUFF; and others not known.
6. John HUFF (c 1770/80 KY - ) joined others in the 1818 sale of William HUFF land to Samuel HUFF. He lived alone in Mercer Co in 1820.
7. Sally HUFF ( c 1773 VA - ) md John BANNON in Mercer Co, KY on 29 Sep 1791. The bride's father was William HUFF and surety was John HUNGATE, and witness was William MCDONALD. They lived in Ohio Co, KY, and ch incl James BANNON; John BANNON; and possibly others..
8. Rhoda A. HUFF (3 Aug 1782 VA - 6 Aug 1845 Ohio Co, KY) in Mercer Co, KY, on 7 Dec 1803 md John Barton HAYNES (10 May 1782 - ). They lived in Hancock Co, KY, and ch incl: Hannah HAYNES; William HAYNES; Josiah Ellis HAYNES; John HUFF HAYNES; Louis Huff HAYNES; Polly HAYNES; Elizabeth HAYNES; Nancy HAYNES; Henry HAYNES; Hardin HAYNES; Jesse HAYNES; Sally HAYNES; and Charles Lewis HAYNES. One dau, Polly HAYNES, md her cousin, LewisHUFF, son of Charles HUFF.
9. Mary "Polly" HUFF ( c 1779 VA - ) on 15 Nov 1808 in Mercer Co, KY, md John IRVINE (or ERWIN), surety John BANNON, and lived in Gibson Co, IN, in 1850.
10. Hannah HUFF (c 1770 VA - alive to apply for Widow's pension 15 May 1855) on 17 Mar 1789 in Danville, Mercer Co, KY md Edward WILLIS^[1], father of the bride William HOUGH, minister Rev. RICE, a Presbyterian. They lived in Mercer Co, KY. Edward was a Rev. War veteran, and Hannah lived to apply for a widow's pension. Their ch incl:
11. Nancy HUFF ( -alive 1818) md Jesse HALE and lived in Mercer Co. Jesse may have died by 1818, as he was not mentioned when Nancy sold her share of her father's land. Their ch are not known.

Lineage:

Presently uncertain. Historian and researcher Granville Hough wrote ^[2] "Beginning about 1730, we have a fantastic assortment of Huffs, Hoffs, Houghs, Hoofs, Houfs pouring into Virginia".

Y-DNA Analysis:

The Hough Project on Family Tree DNA has a Huff that lists William's son, Dr. James Huff, as his paternal ancestor. His SNP is R-M269.

There is a profile linkage problem due to Huffs with SNP of Q-M242 showing on this profile due to link connections at a higher level. This link problem will be resolved by removing Leonard Huff as the father of William.

References:

• 1764 Augusta Co, VA, William and Samuel Huff in Militia.

• 1769 Botetourt Co, VA, William Huff land survey.

• 1771 Botetourt Co, VA, Little River, tax list incl William Huff, Joseph Huff, Leonard Huff, William Hungate, and John Hale. These families were still there in 1787. Leonard Huff and Joseph Hoff were also there in 1769.

• 1769 - Botetourt Co VA, Land Survey, Others nearby were Leonard and Joseph Huff.

• 1771 On list of tithables, 1771, Head of Little River, Botetourt County, VA. Others nearby on the same list as William Hungate and John Hale.

• 1774 Botetourt Co, VA. William Huff on tax list along with two John Huff's, Joseph, Leonard, and Phillip Huff.

• 1782 Botetourt Co, VA, the Hungates were in Capt Eason's Comp., along with Joseph Huff. William Huff not listed in that company, but he does show on other lists along with Leonard Huff, Sr; Leonard Huff, Jr; Peter and Phillip Huff. On 10 May 1782, William Huff received 73 acres of land at Chestnut Camp.

• 1783 Botetourt Co, VA, William Huff received 27 acres of land on Little River.

• 1784 Botetourt Co, VA, William Huff on tax list

• 1787 Botetourt Co, VA, William Huff next to William Hungate. This was the last entry found in VA for William Huff. John, Leonard, and Philip Huff were also on this list.

• 1788 Mercer Co, KY, William Huff bought land from James Rentfroe. (D. B. 1, p 90)

• 3 Sep 1788 Mercer Co KY Deed Book 1, p. 90 - Sep 3, 1788 - Bought the ground on which he was then living on Chaplin Fork from James Renfrow for 40 pounds, 100 acres. Witnesses to the deed were James Rentfro, Edward Willis, Joseph Hale, John Hale and Robert Caldwell. William Huff, Jr. purchased the same land from the other heirs Aug 11, 1818. Deed Book II, p. 12.

• 1789 Mercer Co KY - Witnessed the will of Joseph Willis, Sr, father of son-in-law Edward Willis

• 1790-95 Mercer Co, KY, William Huff on tax lists.

• 1800 tax list, Mercer Co KY has following names: abram Huff, Isaac Huff, Peter Huff, Samuel Huff and William Huff

• Apr 23, 1803 Mercer Co KY Will Book I: - appraisement of the estate of William Huff: Adms: William Huff and Mary Huff. Appraisers Charles Hungate, William McDonald and Jas. Haynes.: 1800 tax list, Mercer Co KY has following names: abram Huff, Isaac Huff, Peter Huff, Samuel Huff and William Huff

• Mercer Co KY Will Book I: Apr 23, 1803 - appraisement of the estate of William Huff: Adms: William Huff and Mary Huff. Appraisers Charles Hungate, William McDonald and Jas. Haynes.

• 1803 Mercer Co, KY, William Huff inventory (Mercer Co, Will Book 2, p 338)

• 1810^[3]: Mercer Co, KY, p 316, Mary Huff, 00110-00010

• 1818 Mercer Co, KY, all the heirs of William Huff agreed to the sale of his land to William Huff, Jr. Those in Ohio Co, KY were Charles and Richard Huff, John Bannon and wife Sally, John Haynes and wife Rhoda, John Erwin and wife Polly. Those in Mercer Co were Samuel Huff; Edward Willis and wife Hannah; John Huff; and Nancy Hale. (D. B. 11, pp 212, 431).

• 1820^[4]: Mercer, Kentucky, United States, pg 20, William "Hough". Charles Hungate on same page. Also Charles, Richard, Thomas, Samuel and John Hough

• 1826 Mercer Co, KY, Mary (Hungate) Huff agreed to the sale of her father William Hungate's land in Montgomery Co, VA. (Montgomery Co, VA, Deed Book I & J, p 447).

Other Notes:

• From George O Huff, Tell City, IN - William Huff, in his youth, had been captured by the Indians and was adopted by a squaw who was very kind to him and who he called mother. While among the Indians, William Huff learned their language and also learned their method of collecting herbs and raising them as medicine. William later escaped and returned to his people. After marrying and moving to Mercer Co KY, he practiced as a physician.

• Most of the foregoing info is from Mrs. Charles Huff, Crown Point, IN

• AKA - HOUGH

William Hough came to Mercer Co KY before 1788 (Hungate Family History says 1786). All of the children used the Huff Spelling.

John and William Hale were neighbors of William Huff in Botetourt County VA

William and Mary Hungate Huff followed her brothers to KY.

 ??Father: Leonard HUFF b: 1710 in NJ ?Mother: ELIZABETH?? Marriage 1 Mary B HUNGATE b: 1748 in Montgomery County, VA

 ? Married: 1768 in Virginia 1

Children

1. Richard HUFF b: 1770 in Virginia

2. Hannah HUFF b: ca 1771 in Virginia

3. Nancy HUFF b: 1771 in VA

4. Sarah 'Sally' HUFF b: 1774 in VA

5. Samuel HUFF b: 1775 in Virginia

6. Elizabeth 'Betsy' HUFF b: 1777

7. Charles HUFF b: 1778 in VA

8. Mary 'Polly' HUFF b: ca 1779 in VA

9. Rhoda HUFF b: 3 AUG 1782 in VA

10. William HUFF b: 1787 in VA

Marriage

Source needed

Husband: William Huff

Wife: Mary Hungate

Date: ca 1780s

Place: Madison Co VA [sic, Madison County was not formed until decades later]

Child: Rhoda Huff

Apparently, previously this profile (and possibly various family trees on other sites) showed a marriage with Elizabeth Van Arsdale (or VanArsdale). Elizabeth Van Arsdale on 19 Mar 1817 in Mercer County, Kentucky, married William Huff's son, Samuel Huff (as Samuel's third wife). If there is documentation of a marriage of Elizabeth Van Arsdale to William Huff, please add the details and source, etc.

Sources

1. ↑ "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1797-1954," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5Z6-4LR : 17 May 2018), William Hough in entry for Edward Willis and Hannah Hough, 17 Mar 1789; citing Marriage, Mercer, Kentucky, United States, various county clerks and county courts, Kentucky; FHL microfilm 191,840.
2. ↑ Granville Hough, "Hough and Huff Families of the United States, 1620-1820: The Southeast", Heritage Books 1972
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2P-X8V : accessed 4 October 2019), Mary Huff, Mercer, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 316, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 181,352.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHGC-W6K : accessed 4 October 2019), William Hough, Mercer, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 97, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 26; FHL microfilm 186,186.

See also:

• Granville W. Hough, "Hough and Huff Families of the United States, 1790-1850: The South" Heritage Books, 1993, pg 24 (originally published in two volumes in 1976)

• Granville W. Hough, "William and Mary Huff of VA & KY", 11/1/91

• Carroll Paul Hungate, The Hungate Family, Vol II.

Acknowledgments

• This person was created through the import of Shortened files.ged on 30 December 2010.
• Huff-1859 was also created by Creed Huff through the import of CreedWilliamHuff.ged on Mar 30, 2015 (and profile merged)