Stokely Slayden (1776 - 1862)

Born 10 Mar 1776 in Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Nancy (Dodson) Slayden — married 6 Nov 1799 in Halifax, Virginia, United States

Descendants

Died 3 Jul 1862 at age 86 in Graves County, Kentucky

Problems/Questions Profile managers: A. Lay [send private message] and Leon Dotson [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Slaton Name Study.

Stokely Slayden was born 10 March 1776 in Virginia.^[1] A persistent family story is that his middle name was Westmoreland, but no records have been found to support that suggestion. He had a grandson by Thomas Allison Slayden known as Stokely Westmoreland Slayden Jr. (1839-1916). This has created confusion in attributing civil war service to the elder Stokely, who was about 85 years old at the outbreak of hostilities. But it could be thought to bolster the idea that the senior man was also middle-named Westmoreland.

On 6 November 1799 in Halifax County, Virginia, he married Nancy Dodson.^[2]

The given name is seen as variants Stockly, Stokley, etc.

Records found in Maury County Tennessee and Graves County Kentucky cited below strongly suggest that he, sons, and some brothers and other relatives are found in his proximity as he migrated.

Stokely died 3 July 1862 in Graves County, Kentucky and is buried in a family plot with his wife Nancy and son-in-law John W. Beadles, at Old Baltimore Cemetery, Baltimore, Graves County, Kentucky. ^[1] Daughters might be buried there, but no surviving stones confirm that.

Unfortunately, two courthouse fires have destroyed many Graves County Kentucky records.

Research Notes for issue?

The names of eight children (at this profile at this time) attributed to Stokely and Nancy from unsourced and broken links are questionable. Letters and papers of descendant Mary Slayden Green to Arthur Jackson Slaton show only four: Thomas Allison, Francis K. (female), Nancy, and Saunders Slayden. ^[3] A daughter Catherine is identified as such in her marriage record. This begs the question: were the six younger members of the 1820 household all children of theirs, and did they survive? Perhaps marriage or death records can bolster some of these names. Only four are supported by citational framework of evidence (at the time of this writing): Catherine, Frances K. (female), Nancy W, and Thomas Allison Slayden, with an unclear path to an alleged son Saunders. It is clear from census and deeds cited below that a Sanders Slaydon was in the same county of Maury in Tennessee with Stokely in the 1830s. But is this Stokely's son, or his nephew?

However, it should be noted that Margarita S Ashbrook has a infant in her household named Stokley Ashbrook, and there is a persistence in family stories among descendant/researchers claiming a son Saunders and the repeat of this given name down the male descendant lineage. It has also been questioned: are Catherine and Frances K. the same female? See continuing research below.

Pre-1850 census suggests at least three daughters and three sons by 1820, ^[4] and some enslaved people. One census recorded as "S Slayden" (1860) is conjectured as applying to him. ^[5]

A Catherine Slayden reportedly married Fleming Holloway, 12 Apr 1820, in Virginia, noted as "daughter of Stokely Slayden," in secondary sources as both Pittsylvania and Halifax counties (?) ^{[6] [7]} It is unclear if she is the same woman as Frances K. Slayden who married John W. Beadles in Caswell, North Carolina in 1828. ^[8] Because of 1) evidence that John W. Beadles died in Graves County, Kentucky, and is in the family plot; ^[9] and 2) the marriage to him was a woman surnamed Slayden and not with married name Holloway, these could be clues to identify Francis K. as a daughter of Stokely, and as a separate person from Catherine.

Note that son Thomas Allison Slayden also married a Beadles: Letitia, a sister of John W. Beadles mentioned above.

Another source of confusion is the assumption by Mrs. Green that a Saunders or Sanders Slayden is a proven son of the man at this profile, but see Saunders (Slayden) Slaton. It is unclear if there were two men with similar given names, but such a name is found enumerated above Stokely in 1830: Sanders M. Slaton "of twenty and under thirty" years of age (1801-1810). ^[10] and possibly yet again in the same census. ^[11] and such the clerical rendering of Sanders W. Slaydon appears in a Maury County sale of property to Stokely. ^[12]

Deeds and Other

Allen Caldwell of Halifax to Robert Walters of Pittsy. 40#. Tract on branches of lower [Double] Creek. Begin corner post oke in Walters & Josiah Atkinsons line, along Atkinsons line to Alexander Lees line as it turns to Thos Bennets line, along his line to Nathan Tates line, to Robert Walters line, George Dodson line to the beginning. 175 acres. Land said Caldwell purchased of John & Jesse Bennett. Signed: Allen Caldwell Wit: Jackson Walters, Stokley Slayden, Arter Slaydon, William Bryson, Archer Walters 16 Jul 1798 Proved by 3 witnesses. ^[13]

Deed transaction: Slaydon Stokely to Thos Shelton, 50 acres on Double Creek^[14]

Grants: Stockly Slayden, 160 acres, SW Qr, Sec 6 range T-2 R-1 W, KY. ^[15]

Maury Co TN Deed, March Term 1830 '...for fifty dollars...[Sanders W Slaydon sells to Stokely Slaydon, both of Maury County, Tennessee] one negro girl named Mary Ann One Wagon and appurtenances thereto belonging, two Horses all my stock of cattle and hogs two feather beds and [all my household and kitchen furniture] ...in presence of John W. Beadles Flemming Hallaway signed S.W. Slaydon ^[12]

Tax Records, Book 1824-1833, Graves Co, KY, by Don Simmons; Stokely SLAYDEN, 160 acres on Obion Creek, South Graves County, 1839-40.

SLAVE RECORDS: "Owner" Stokely Slaydon
Frank - date not recorded ^{[citation needed]}

Family Story

COMMENT: An undocumented "family story" from the late Mr. T D Boaz Jr is that one of Joseph Slayden's sons was a stage-coach driver, but this would seem an anachronism in TN, implying a system of inns and/or stations. These did not exist in middle TN in the 1820s & 1830s, as attested by the challenges met by James Winchester in constructing his home "Cragfont." The rivers were the main thoroughfares until the middle 1840's. It is more likely that some men hired themselves as "teamsters" to help transport settlers, or that any "stage" operations were limited to VA/NC, such as the runs from Richmond VA to Milton NC. That Stokely Slayden might have provided such service is unproved.

Thomas R. Edwards - Will

ABSTRACT: THOMAS R. EDWARDS’ Will. Brothers and Sisters: Joshua Dodson, Sister Leathy Dodson, Susannah Dodson and James Dodson. Bequeathed to my Sister Leathy Dodson, one feather bed, to wit: The Bed left with my Mother when I left Virginia. Has Lands in Granville County, North Carolina, to go to his brother James Dodson, claimed by my Father Thomas Edwards, dec’d. Executors: Martin Dodson, my step Father and Stokley Slayden, both of Halifax County, Virginia. Signed X, Apr 23, 1820. Witness: Samuel Davis, John Roper, M.D., and James Garrett. Proven Jan 15, 1821.^[16]

Research Needs

An estate record for this man, to help cite possible issue for him and Nancy. Unfortunately, courthouse fires have destroyed many Graves County Kentucky records.

Research Notes for grandson of the same name

Confederate military service attributed to him in online trees applies to the same-named grandson mentioned above, but is recorded here for future use and to avoid confusion:

[Colonel Edward Crossland arrived in Mayfield, Kentucky] accompanied by his staff and other soldiers, all from the Seventh and Twelfth Kentucky [CSA]. Crossland saw his old friend and law pupil Stokely W. Slayden, who invited the colonel and his party to spent the night with his father. [But Crossland was told that] the senior Slayden was afraid the Yankees...would burn him out if he harbored the colonel and his entrourage. ^[17] The "senior Slayden" referred to was Thomas Allison Slayden, not the Stokely Slayden at this profile.

Confederate Volunteer: #110 Stokely W, enlisted Apr 23, 1861 from Clinton KY, vol 1 page 124 roll of Co H, 3rd KY (Mounted) Infantry acknowledged: Pvt, Co S, 1st Kentucky, Captain Ed Crossland's Company (C), 1 Batallion Kentucky Infantry, muster roll 20 June 1861, 21 years old, enrolled Apr 23, 1861 Nashville Tenn, 12 months, 200 miles travelling to rendezvous; muster roll, May 12, 1861, Harper's Ferry, Va; muster roll Jan 1 to May 13 1862, Hospital sick. 5' 11", dark complexion, grey eyes, dark hair. ^[18]
(https:// www.fold3.com/image/#105152049)
(https://www.fold3.com/image/#105152048)
(https://www.fold3.com/image/#105152054)
(https://www.fold3.com/image/#105152060)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84242079/stokley-slayden : accessed 03 October 2021), memorial page for Stokley Slayden Sr. (10 Mar 1776–3 Jul 1862), Find a Grave Memorial ID 84242079, citing Old Baltimore Cemetery, Baltimore, Graves County, Kentucky, USA; Maintained by KentuckyHistory (contributor 46821153) .
2. ↑ Virginia, Marriages, 1660-1800 Author: Dodd, Jordan Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1997.Original data - Electronic transcription of marriage records held by the individual counties in Virginia.
3. ↑ Arthur Jackson Slaton. Slaton Family Ab Antiquitas, Whittier: Calif., 1974, pages 148-149.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLC-VK7 : accessed 3 October 2021), Stokes Slayton, Meadsville, Halifax, Virginia, United States; citing p. 70, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 131; FHL microfilm 193,690. Code 10111:1111 with 3 slaves.
5. ↑ "United States Census, 1860," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9B9J-9VVX?cc=1473181&wc=7QXT-GNR%3A1589426984%2C1589427642%2C1589422206 : 24 March 2017), Kentucky > Graves >S Slayden > Not Stated > image 269 of 330; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.)
6. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5Y5-T3J : 6 August 2020), Fleming Holloway, 1820.
7. ↑ "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X5YT-48Q : 29 January 2020), Fleming Holloway, 1820.
8. ↑ "North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979 ," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSM-RGSH : 4 February 2022), John W Beadles and Frances K Slayden, 27 Mar 1828; citing Caswell, North Carolina, United States, p. , North Carolina State Archives Division of Archives and History; FHL microfilm .
9. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84242152/john-w-beadles : accessed 04 February 2022), memorial page for John W. Beadles (22 Feb 1806–28 Jan 1857), Find a Grave Memorial ID 84242152, citing Old Baltimore Cemetery, Baltimore, Graves County, Kentucky, USA ; Maintained by KentuckyHistory (contributor 46821153) .
10. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHG2-L9D : 20 February 2021), Sanders M Staton, Maury, Tennessee, United States; citing 381, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 177; FHL microfilm 24,535.
11. ↑ "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHG2-GXF : 20 February 2021), Sanders Slaton, Maury, Tennessee, United States; citing 407, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 177; FHL microfilm 24,535.
12. ↑ ^{12.0 12.1} Maury County Tennessee Deed Book O, 289, (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4T-MRF5?i=422&cat=141392)
13. ↑ Pittsylvania Deed Book 11 p.327 26 Nov 1797
14. ↑ Pittsylvania Deed Book 14, p 509, 1803-12-03
15. ↑ Grants West of Tennessee River, 1822-1858, Book 3 p 291.
16. ↑ March, Helen and Timothy, Abstract of Wills, Lincoln County Tenneseee 1810 -1895,"Will Book and Inventories" , p 311.
17. ↑ Barry Craig. Kentucky Confederates: Secession, Civil War, and the Jackson Purchase, University Press of Kentucky, 2014, 259
18. ↑ Report of the Adjutant General of the state of Kentucky

• "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHG2-L96 : 3 October 2021), Stokely Slaton, Maury, Tennessee, United States; citing 381, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 177; FHL microfilm 24,535.

• "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHR1-B1H : 8 December 2020), Stokeley Slayton, Graves, Kentucky, United States; citing p. 124, NARA microfilm publication , (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll ; FHL microfilm .

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M65Q-DB4 : 19 December 2020), Stokeley Slaydon, Graves, Kentucky, United States; citing family , NARA microfilm publication (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "Genealogy of the Dodson (Dotson) Lucas, Pyles, Rochester, and Allied Families" (pg 3) by Lucas, S. Emmett

Acknowledgements

The publications of Don Simmons are recommended in light of the destruction of so many records pertaining to Graves County Kentucky.