James Ferguson (abt. 1777 - 1859)

Born about 1777 in Franklin, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died Jan 1859 at about age 82 in Floyd, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Barbara Bartlett Huff [send private message]

Do you have information about this person? Please contribute to this biography. Everything on WikiTree is a collaborative work-in-progress.

Biography

James was born about 1777 and was said to have been born in Franklin County, Virginia. However, Franklin County was not yet in existence in 1777. It was formed in 1786 from parts of Bedford County and Henry County. Which county may have been James' location is unclear. Records relating to James and his larger family heritage may, therefore, possibly exist in various county records.

James passed away in Jan 1859. No county death record or grave site was located but his death, apparently intestate, contributed to various legal controversies recorded in Chancery Court records.^[1] At the time of James' death, his property was in the Little River area of Floyd County on Chestnut Camp Creek.

In a Chancery Cause, it was represented that James Ferguson was never married. However, he was the father of children listed in the Chancery Cause. The mother was "Polly Guilliams, with whom the said James Ferguson lived as man and wife for a good many years... They were never married..."^[2] Polly Guilliams appeared on the 1850 census as Nancy Guilliams. There may be additional children mentioned in the Chancery Cause, as well as grandchildren and other relatives, etc., who may be able to be identified.

A public notice was published, apparently including a listing of interested heirs regarding James Ferguson's estate. More than one click may be required to view the document.

Children included:

1. Elizabeth "Betsy" Ferguson [aka Elizabeth Guilliams] (1820 - 1850). Married 1) John Huff, married 2) Stephen Payne, son of Lewis Payne^[3] Children: James Henry Huff and Ferdinand Huff; Mary Elizabeth (Payne) Koons and Sarah Ellen (Payne) Kasler.
2. Greenville Ferguson (c 1821 Virginia - 20 Mar 1880 Saint Louis, St. Louis City, Missouri). Married 5 Feb 1851 in Tazewell County, Virginia to Eliza Jane Wright (sister of Eleanor Miranda Wright, who married Greenville's brother). Children: Mary A. Ferguson (1853 - 1933); John Cyrus Ferguson (1855 - 1920); James F. Ferguson (1858 - died young); George Ferguson (1861 - 1927); and Eleanor "Nellie" (Ferguson) Eckhard (1864 - 1942). Only Eleanor married; none had children.^[4]
3. William Ferguson (20 Dec 1830 Virginia - 3 Aug 1888 West Virginia). Married Eleanor Miranda Wright (sister of Eliza Jane Wright, who married William's brother) on 1 Jan 1854 in Tazewell County, Virginia.^[5]
4. Jacob Minick. Spouse: Sarah. Unable to further identify.

Censuses

1840: Floyd County, Virginia^[6]

James Ferguson

1 male 60-69 yo.

1 female 50-59 yo.

1 male & 1 female 20-29 yo.

1 male 15-19 yo.

1 male 5-9 yo.

2 males 0-4 yo.

1850: Jacksonville, Floyd, Virginia^[7]

James Fergison 73 (est. 1777) Virginia

Nancy Guilliams 60 Virginia [referred to as Polly in the Chancery Cause]

James Huff 10 Virginia [grandson, son of Elizabeth (Guilliams aka Ferguson) Huff Payne]

Ferdinand Huff 8 Virginia [grandson, son of Elizabeth (Guilliams aka Ferguson) Huff Payne]

Research Notes

For potential investigation regarding possible parentage or relatives:

THE FERGUSON FAMILY in PIONEER FAMILIES OF FRANKLIN COUNTY VIRGINIA, by Marshall Wingfield. Virginia Book Company, 1964. pages 60-61. https://www.seekingmyroots.com/members/files/H011549.pdf

The first person of the name in Franklin County was Alexander Ferguson (1740-1817), who m. Mary, dau. of Capt, Thos. Parker. His name first appears on a return dated Fort Pitt March 17, 1778. It last appears on a muster roll dated Fort Pitt April 5, 1778. Bedford County records show he was living there April 22, 1782. When Franklin was formed, his home was cut off in the new county. He supplied beef for soldiers of the Revolution.

Alexander Ferguson had sisters, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mildred. He mentions nine children in his will....

Note: In some accounts, Alexander's year of birth has been indicated as 1747.

Sources

1. ↑ For example, Chancery Causes: Greenville Ferguson, et als... https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=063-1863-001, Image 39.
2. ↑ Chancery Causes: Greenville Ferguson, et als... https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=063-1863-001, Images 39-40.
3. ↑ (Lewis Payne died by suicide in 1860 in Floyd County, Virginia. Additional information regarding Stephen may be found on Elizabeth's profile at https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Guilliams-100)
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/62515694/greenvillegranville-ferguson : accessed 03 January 2022), memorial page for Greenville/Granville Ferguson (1821–20 Mar 1880), Find a Grave Memorial ID 62515694, citing Bethany Cemetery, Wellston, St. Louis County, Missouri, USA ; Maintained by Jennie (contributor 47691306) .
5. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118448177/william-ferguson : accessed 03 January 2022), memorial page for William Ferguson (20 Dec 1830–3 Aug 1888), Find a Grave Memorial ID 118448177, citing God Acre Cemetery, Rock View, Wyoming County, West Virginia, USA ; Maintained by Jennie (contributor 47691306) .
6. ↑ page187. Other Ferguson in Floyd Co., VA. https://sites.rootsweb.com/~vafloyd/BarbR_FCVAResearch/ferguson_Other_fcva.htm
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8DM-D7C : 23 December 2020), James Fergison, Jacksonville, Floyd, Virginia, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• Chancery Causes: Greenville Ferguson, et als vs James Ferguson (dec’d): by CoAdmrs. et als 9/1863. Floyd County, Virginia. Index number 1863-001. https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=063-1863-001. Available for download and view online in the Library of Virginia Chancery Records collection.