Rachel (Dalton) Dyer (1759 - 1862)

Born 1759 in Pittsylvania, Virginia

Descendants

Died 1862 at about age 103 in Leatherwood Magisterial District, Henry, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Nancy Samuelson, in her book The Dalton Gang Story, states that Rachel was likely the child of David Sr. and Hannah Dalton. She is listed in the book as having 9 children with her husband George Dyer - James, Benjamin, Frances, Phoebe, David Dalton, Elizabeth, Louisa, Rachel, & Martha Dyer.

Rachel was born in 1759 and passed away in 1862.

d/o David DALTON

. . .He [Geo Dyer] m. RACHEL DALTON, a highly educated lady. The couple lived in the Old Dominion until passing to their final rest, the wife dying at the extreme old age of 103 yrs.^[1]

"Aunt Edie," Servant for Many Yrs in the Gravely Family: A young negro girl, abt 16 yrs of age was given as a present to Mrs. Lewis Gravely by her mother, Mrs. Rachael Dalton Dyer. This girl being possessed of rather unusual intelligence, Mrs. Gravely said, "I shall train Edie to be a cook, I don't mean just a cook but one who can cook and serve a meal satisfactorily." Thus Edie became a noted cook and 5 generations of the Gravely family ate of her cooking. So devoted was she to the family that she was looked upon as a beloved "black mammy" and her pride in her "white folks'" children was evident in all she did throughout her long life of faithful service. She d at the age of 95 at the home of Mrs. Chester B. Gravely in Salem, VA, grandaughter of Mrs. Lewis Gravely. It is thought by some who knew this unusual colored woman that she had in her veins a mixture of East Indian blood and, aft death, her features strongly indicated that fact.^[2]

Census Records

Rachel Dyer, 90 yrs old and living in the home of Lewis and Martha Gravely^[3][4]

Rachel Dyer (101) living with Lewis and Patsy Gravely. 1860 Census indicates she was b in VA.^[5][6]

SOURCE: Franklin Co Death Records, abstracted by Pat Ross, Bassett Library: Rachel Dalton Dyer's name does not appear in the death records, 1853-1896, as being deceased. The only time during this period, 1853-1896, she is listed is when her daughter Martha Gravely died in 1876, and she and Geo are listed as Martha's parents.

Death Record

State of VA indicated:

No record was found in the city or county of Henry during the period of 1860-1870 for Rachel Dalton Dyer.

Franklin Co Death Records, abstracted by Pat Ross, Bassett Library:

Rachel Dalton Dyer's name does not appear in the death records, 1853-1896, as being deceased. The only time during this period, 1853-1896, she is listed is when her daughter Martha Gravely died in 1876, and she and Geo are listed as Martha's parents.

Little is known about parents of Rachel - David Dalton Sr., except that he was married to Hannah (family unknown). From 1797 through 1801, Camden Parish Vestry provided support for David and Hannah. From 1802 through 1804 support was provided for Hannah only; therefore, we can assume David Dalton was deceased by 1802 and Hannah Dalton was deceased by 1804.

The deposition of Rachel Dyer wife of George Dyer of the County of Henry, State of Virginia of lawful age taken at the house of said George Dyer in the said County of Henry on the first Saturday in February 1819 agreeably to notice a copy of which together with the Certificate of the proof thereof being present before us Benjamin Dyer & Jabez Gravely two Justices of the peace in and for said County of Henry and in pursuance to a commission to us directed from the Superior Court of Law for Fluvanna County in said State of Virginia to be read as evidence on behalf of Charles Perron in a certain suit depending and undermined in the said Superior Court of Law in Fluvanna County between the said Charles Perron Demandant and Claiborne Anderson and Rice Tilman Tenants.

The deponent Rachel Dyer being first sworn on the holy evangelist of Almighty God deposeth and saith that she perfectly knew Daniel McKinzie deceased farther to Alexander McKinzie that he (Daniel) married this deponents sister Sarah formerly Sarah Dolton that the said Daniel McKinzie died in the County of Henry thirty two years past leaving the said Sarah his widow and Alexander McKinzie his oldest son and heir at law who afterwards moved from said County of Henry to the Western County, that Daniel McKinzie formerly lived at the seven Island on James River State of Virginia for one Wm Henry and further the deponent saith not.

Henry County to wit: We Benjamin Dyer & Jabez Gravely two Justice of the peace for said County do hereby certify that the foregoing deposition was this day taken and subscribed before us by the witness named Rachel Dyer she having been first sworn on the holy evangelist of almighty God for that purpose given [word unknown] and in our hands and seal this the first Saturday in February 1819.

Sources

1. ↑ Portrait and Biographical Record of St. Charles, Lincoln, and Warren Cos MO, p390-391
2. ↑ History of Patrick and Henry Cos, VG Pedigo and LG Pedigo, p301
3. ↑ 1850 Census, Transcribed by Andrew Gravely
4. ↑ FamilySearch Digital Collections. "United States Census, 1850 Virginia Henry Henry county." No. 2 household of Lewis Gravely, son -in-law of Rachel Dalton Dyer, age 90, born Virginia Image 1 of 132. Familysearch.org Accessed 4 April 2023.
5. ↑ 1860 Census/Dyer Store Area
6. ↑ FamilySearch Digital Collections. "United States Census, 1860, Virginia, Henry County." House #327, Lewis Gravely, Rachel Dyer, age 101, born Virginia "FamilySearch.org" Accessed 4 April 2023.

• WikiTree profile Dalton-1528 created through the import of Vicki Norman family tree v2 (3).ged on Aug 1, 2012 by Vicki Norman. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Vicki and others.

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• Source: S-2042740782 Repository: #R-2139082615 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created. Page: Ancestry Family Trees Note: Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=21346868&pid=517
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• WikiTree profile Dalton-1607 created through the import of Vicki Norman family tree v2 (3).ged on Aug 1, 2012 by Vicki Norman. See the Changes page for the details of edits by Vicki and others.

• Source: S-1868101331 Repository: #R-1871065741 Title: Family Data Collection - Individual Records Author: Edmund West, comp. Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Note: APID: 1,4725::0
• Repository: R-1871065741 Name: Ancestry.com Address: http://www.Ancestry.com Note:
• Source: S-1871065740 Repository: #R-1871065741 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created. Page: Ancestry Family Trees Note: Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=29961448&pid=1056

Samuelson, Nancy B (1993). The Dalton Gang Story. (Lists Genealogy of Dalton Family Members)

• Rebecca Reuben Dyer