James Sallust (abt. 1761 - abt. 1825)

Born about 1761 in Montgomery county, VA

Husband of Margaret (Shell) Sallust — married 4 Nov 1786 in Montgomery County, VA

Descendants

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Biography

Alternate last name spellings: Salles, Sollis, Salles, etc.

James was the son of Nicholas Sallust and Margaret (Unknown). Margaret had previously been married to John Wall(Sr.) and had two sons by him: Adam and John, Jr. John Wall, Sr. died sometime before February 1761. Of the two men bonded to administer his estate, one was a Nicholas Sallas. He apparently married the widow shortly thereafter and Margaret bore him James. When James was about 11-12, his father bonded him to another man, and then apparently left the area. James ran away from his guardian, so his mother petitioned the court in 1773 to bond James instead to his half-brother Adam Wall, 'with whom Margaret was then living.' Adam stood as surety for James' marriage to Peggy Shell.

After they married, James and Peggy apparently made their first home near the Shell homestead on the Horseshoe. James was in the same militia company as his Shell in-laws and his Wall relatives.

There were a lot of Walls living in the Horseshoe area. Half-brothers Adam and John, Jr. had inherited land near the Shells from their father John, Sr. and their aunt Abigail Wall Hill. Their mother Margaret Wall Sallust probably lived her remaining days there with them. Conrad Wall, Jr. was apparently Adam and John, Jr.'s first cousin, and a half-cousin to James Sallust. He had married first Peggy Shell's sister Fanny and also initially settled near the Shell homestead. Later, Conrad and James Sallust bought a parcel together on Stroud's Branch(further south) and established homes next to each other there.

'In 1796, he( James Sallust) obtained permission to build a water grist mill on his land.' He made many more land investments, such that by 1799 he had accumulated 1000 acres.

James wrote his will in June 1825 and passed in November that same year. His only son, James, Jr. inherited most of his land. His widow Peggy apparently stayed in the area, and passed about seven years later.

Sources

• 1810/20 Blacksburg/Montgomery/VA census
• Early Adventurers on the Western Waters, Mary Kegley, 1980
• Montgomery County, VA Will Book 4