Charity (Taylor) Jolliffe (1739 - 1833)

Ancestors Descendants

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 More information about Charity 1.2 The South Branch of the Potomac River and the Trough 2 Citations 3 Acknowledgments 4 Sources

Biography

N.B. Charity's parents are frequently given as James Taylor and Elizabeth McGrath Lewis Taylor, but I have never seen an original source for either. PPH, 20150411.

I am removing James Taylor III and Alice Thornton Taylor as Charity's parents as I know of NO evidence that they WERE her parents and there is some evidence that they were NOT. (Patricia Prickett Hickin, 30 April 2018)

South Branch of the Potomac.

Charity was born on 18 Apr 1739, possibly on the South Branch of the Potomac, in the area of present-day Romney, Hampshire County, West Virginia, which would have been in Orange County, Virginia, at the time. Nothing is known of her early life except that she is sometimes said to have been a cousin of the Richard Taylor who was the father of President Zachary Taylor and who In 1769 explored the Ohio and Mississippi rivers with his older brother, Hancock Taylor. She is also said to have been the first white child born west of the Allegheny Mountains.

Charity may have been born on the South Branch of the Potomac River.

That seems unlikely. About seven years earlier, in “the year 1732, Alexander Ross and Company [Ross’s great-grand-son Lazarus was to marry Charity’s daughter Lydia in 1800] obtained a grant from the Governor and Council at Williamsburgh in Virginia, for 100,000 acres of land near a large creek called Opeckan” in Virginia. Ross settled there as did “diverse other Friends from Pennsylvania and Elk River, in Maryland, who soon after obtained leave from the quarterly meeting of [Friends at] Chester, . . . to hold a meeting for worship, soon after which land was purchased and a meetinghouse built, called Hopewell [about 6 miles north of present-day Winchester], where meetings are still held twice a week." It seems probable that some of these people settled west of the Alleghenies and had children before Charity was born.

Original Hopewell Friends Meeting House

On September 22, 1767, at the age of 28 (if a birthdate of 1739 is correct) Charity married Josiah Prickett, some seven years her junior. It is thought they married in Frederick County, Virginia, possibly at the home of a Hopewell Friend, but there is no extant record to show the place of their marriage. Josiah did record the date in a little New Testament, which is now on file in the West Virginia Division of Culture and History in Charleston. He wrote, "Josiah prickett and charity was married in the year of our lord on 22 day of Sept 1767."

Charity is also sometimes said to have been the first white woman to cross the Allegheny Mountains coming west in 1769, but we know there were other white women west of the Alleghenies by that date. Whether Josiah and Charity moved west at that time or in 1774 after Prickett’s Fort was built is unknown. (It is also said Josiah crossed back over the mountains in 1774 and brought Charity back with him. They are said to have ridden a horse or donkey and carried a spinning wheel with them.)

An eighteenth century spinning wheel that was in the Prickett family.

They began having children soon after their marriage. Charity probably got pregnant on her wedding night. Their first child, Susannah, was born on 16 June 1768 in Frederick County, and their second, Ann, was born on 10 December 1769. Ann’s place of birth is usually given as Prickett’s Creek, but as far as we know the Pricketts, perhaps including Josiah and Charity, were living on Georges Creek in western Pennsylvania at that time. Rebekkah was born just two years later, on 3 December 1771, and their first son, Isaac, arrived on 20 November 1773. Sarah was born on 6 August 1775, and Dorothy came along on 15 October 1777. A second boy made his appearance a little over a year later, on 10 Jan 1779. Then two more girls were born, Lydia on 26 November 1781, and Drusilla on 28 February 1783. Nine children – and only two of them boys to help with the farm work! But the final two were boys: John on 2 Feb 1786 and Job on 18 December 1788, when Charity was almost 50.

An early drawing of the exterior of Prickett's Fort.

In the meantime Charity had experienced the loss of her brother-in-law Isaiah when he was scalped by Indians on 3 September 1774 outside Pricketts Fort in Dunmore’s War. In later years – after she was old – Charity, who was quite a good story-teller, said that both Isaiah’s body and scalp had been found shortly after the tragedy and that her father-in-law had asked her and another woman to sew the scalp back on his head and that they had done so.

Charity was adept at needle work and she had a table (which was in the Jacob, Jr., log cabin in the 1960s, when I was at Prickett’s Fort) at which she may have done some of it. When Josiah died, she received the home place during her life and one-third of the personal property. A sale of personal property was held in early September 1807, and Charity bought a number of things at the sale, including some spinning and weaving items.

The list of her purchases shows she bought pewter dishes, 12 plates, 1 basin, 12 spoons, 5 brass spoons for $12; tinware, for $1.25; Queensware, bottles and tea ware for $2.50; a pewter teapot, 75 cents; 2 tables, 1 chest and 7 chairs $6.25; wearing apparel, $10; bed & bed covering, 2 bedsteads, $16.00. 4 bags, $1.50. 3 pots, 2 trammel, 1 Dutch oven, 1 frying pan, fire shovel, flatiron $5; 2 kettles and bales and 1 washing tub $5.00. I sorrel horse $30.00; 1 brown cow, white face $10.00; I red cow, white face, $12.00; 1 churn & conch shell, 75 cents; 6 geese, $2.50; cash wagon boxes, $1.30; 1 saddle $5.00; bay colt $16.21. Among the spinning and weaving items she purchased were cotton cards, worsted combs and sheep shears, $1.00; 36 lbs. wool, $9.00; big wheel, little wheel and reel, $4.00; 1 loom, hangings and reed for $5.00.

About a year and a half later, on 28 May 1809, Charity married William S. Jolliffe, perhaps more than

Frontier woman spinning and smoking

twenty years her junior, who had a store in Rivesville and was the father-in-law of two of her youngest children. Jolliffe’s first wife, Catherine Collins, had died five years earlier. William and Catherine Jolliffe had had thirteen children, of whom at least six were still living; Josiah and Charity had had eleven children, of whom ten were still living – so between them William and Charity had at least eighteen children, though a number of them had migrated or would migrate to the Midwest. In addition, Charity had at least 85 grandchildren and William at least 31 others (in addition to those he shared with Charity), although not all the grandchildren had been born by the time Charity and William married. Between them they must have had a hundred or so grandchildren at the time of their marriage. Charity is said to have been quite a good story teller, so we can imagine her sitting by an open fire on a winter's evening entertaining their grandchildren with her tales of life on the frontier.

When they married, Charity was perhaps seventy years old and William, 58. it seems likely that in 1820 the two of them were living with Charity’s youngest son, Job Prickett, and his family. A miller who had married at age 17 and who had a half-dozen children by 1820, Job was just 32 and his wife only 28, but the age distribution shows a male over 45 and a female over 45 living with them. However, there is also a census report for William Jolliffe (or Jolloff) showing a male over 45 and a female over 45 as well as one female age 16-26 (who could be William’s daughter Elizabeth, born in 1796). There is also a separate census report for Job’s father-in-law, Richard Price, so it is unclear who the two over-45-year-olds were. Perhaps the census-takers reported the Jolliffes twice.

Apparently Charity could read and write as her Bible and spectacles still exist.

Despite her greater age, Charity outlived her second husband. He died on May 4th, 1827; Charity on November 3rd, 1833. The causes of their deaths are unknown to me. (Pph20150420)

More information about Charity

• Glenn Lough, New & Long Ago: A History of the Marion County Area, 1969, p. 16: Charity said she was born in Orange County, Virginia, and was a cousin of Richard Taylor, father of Zachary, who settled in Monongahela Valley in 1769 -- citing Rev Henry Morgan Papers. (At the time of her birth, Orange County included what became Frederick, Augusta, and other western Virginia counties. Augusta County was formed in 1738, but not organized until 1745. PPH 20120429)

• Lough, New & Long Ago, says Charity was a daughter of James Taylor, who in 1745 left the South Branch of the Potomac and arrived at present Point Merion, Pennsylvania. He built 3 canoes and ascended the Monongahela to the present Tygart Valley River, then Muddy River, came near present Kingmont [about five miles upriver from Fairmont], Marion County, erected 2 cabins near present Hoult, and stayed for 1 year, when his wife gave birth to Charity. James Taylor and family lived in Berkeley County, Virginia. Ann Prickett Dragoo, a daughter of Charity's, was born near present Hoult.

• Lough, Now and Long Ago, p16 (citing the Rev. Henry Morgan Papers): Charity said she was born in Orange County, Virginia, and was a cousin of Richard Taylor (the father of President Zachary Taylor), who explored the Monongahela Valley in 1769.

• Virginia census Heads of family, 1790, shows no Taylors in Monongalia County; Edward Taylor and Benjamin Taylor in Frederick County, Virginia.

• Taylor Family Genealogy Forum "Re: Charity Taylor, Marion Co, WV b.1746," Posted by: M. Williamson on May 06, 2001 at 08:27:02 In Reply to: Charity Taylor, Marion Co, WV b.1746 by Linda #16767: Charity TAYLOR was the daughter of James TAYLOR. In the book by Glenn Lough, Now and Long Ago, Wildy Taylor is believed to be her brother. I ordered his probate papers but all I received was the sale. I descend from Charity and Joseph [sic.] Prickett thru their daughter Lydia. She married Lazarus ROSS. Thru their daughter Mahala Ross who married Joseph WISBEY/WISBY thru their daughter Epenetus "Eppie" . She married Harvey Harrison DEAN 1858, Belle Plain, Scott, Minn. Much is written of James Taylor in the book, but he does not name any of the other children nor wife. marydeanWat

aol.com Followups: (No followups as of 20020421Pph)

• Fernando Pricket, Rivesville, descended from Josiah and Charity, says that on settling they lived for a few years at Hoult in a double log cabin with a stone floor.

• Information in regard to marriage to William Joliffe is from DAR Magazine, vol. 62 #6 (July 1928), p 421. Surety was Jacob Loucey Also Lough, Now and Long Ago, p. 388, has information in regard to her marriage to Jolliffe.

• Charity turned over most of her belongings to [son-in-law] John Dragoo shortly before she married William Jolliffe. Prickett Fence, 3:4:62.

• Lough, Now and Long Ago, p301: Charity lived to be very old; she was quite a story teller.

• Melissa May, Executive Director Pricketts Fort State Park, Pricketts Fort State Park, Teaching History through the Arts (www.historythruarts.org : accessed 11 Sep 2008), Charity Taylor Prickett. Rec. Date: 11 Sep 2008; From www-historythruarts-org 20080911

The South Branch of the Potomac River and the Trough

(from Wikipedia, and WVExp, http://www.wvexp.com/index.php/The_Trough. (Copied by PPH, 20120503) From Wikipedia, 3 May 2012

The South Branch of the Potomac In its eastern course from Petersburg into Hardy County, the South Branch [of the Potomac River becomes more navigable allowing for canoes and smaller river vessels. The river splits and forms a series of large islands while it heads northeast to Moorefield. At Moorefield, the South Branch is joined by the South Fork South Branch Potomac River and runs north to Old Fields where it is fed by Anderson Run and Stony Run. At McNeill, the South Branch flows into the Trough . . . where it is bound to its west by Mill Creek Mountain (2,119 ft) and to its east by Sawmill Ridge (1,644 ft). This area is the habitat to endangered bald eagles. The Trough passes into Hampshire County and ends at its confluence with Sawmill Run south of Glebe and Sector. The South Branch continues north parallel to South Branch River Road (County Route 8) toward Romney with a number of historic plantation farms adjoining it. En route to Romney, the river is fed by Buffalo Run, Mill Run, McDowell Run, and Mill Creek at Vanderlip. The South Branch is traversed by the Northwestern Turnpike (U.S. Route 50) and joined by Sulphur Spring Run where it forms Valley View Island to the west of town. Flowing north of Romney, the river still follows the eastern side of Mill Creek Mountain until it creates a horseshoe bend at Wappocomo's Hanging Rocks around the George W. Washington plantation, Ridgedale. To the west of Three Churches on the western side of South Branch Mountain, 3,028 feet (923 m), the South Branch creates a series of bends and flows to the northeast by Springfield through Blue's Ford. After another horseshoe bend, the South Branch flows under the old Baltimore and Ohio Railroad mainline between Green Spring and South Branch Depot, and joins the North Branch to form the Potomac.

The Trough <http://www.wvexp.com/index.php/The_Trough> >> The Trough Grant County, Hampshire County: N of Moorefield, WV The Trough of the South Branch of the Potomac River is created where the river flows straightly between two long ridges (Sawmill Ridge and River Ridge). George Washington, on his first surveying trip, in 1748, described the Trough as "a couple of ledges of mountain impassable running side and side together for about 7 or 8 miles and the river down between them." The Trough is a popular canoing run and fishing area and is a highlight of a journey on the Potomac Eagle scenic railway excursion, which follows the river through the narrow valley. The upstream entrance to The Trough may be reached by motor vehicle from U.S. Route 220 (US-220) north of Moorefield, West Virginia. Public access is provided to wooded and old fields parts of the area included in the South Branch Wildlife Management Area. The Trough is a large river gorge carved by the South Branch Potomac River and situated in the Allegheny Mountains of Hampshire and Hardy Counties, West Virginia, USA. The area was the site of a 1756 skirmish of the French and Indian War, known as the "Battle of the Trough". The steep slopes of the Trough are forested primarily with oaks, hickories, and Virginia pine with several rock outcrops visible on both sides. The two wooded ridges that define The Trough make it inaccessible from either side. Entry into The Trough is only by the South Branch Valley Railroad (along the foot of Mill Creek Mountain) or by canoe or boat. The Trough is a narrow valley bounded by Mill Creek Mountain to its west and Sawmill Ridge (1,716 feet) to its east with the South Branch Potomac River flowing in between them. The Trough's opening is located at the southern slopes of Mill Creek Mountain and Sawmill Ridge at McNeill in Hardy County. Mill Creek Mountain on its western edge is made up of steep several ridges and knobs while Sawmill Ridge to its east is one long continuous sharp ridge. River Ridge (1,906 feet) is the first of Mill Creek Mountain's ridges to rise over the South Branch. For canoers, The Trough officially begins at the South Branch Valley Railroad's wooden trestle at Sycamore just after Stony Run empties into the river. The Trough continues its northwestern track with several bends in the South Branch Potomac and large boulders dislocated from the ridges above dotting its shores. The Trough then passes into Hampshire County at High Knob (2,648 feet) on Mill Creek Mountain followed by a series of knobs separated by spring gaps. It is at the third spring gap where Wickham was once located at on the railroad. Following Wickham, Mill Creek Mountain's Long Knob (1,725 feet) spans the western side of The Trough while Sawmill Ridge remains to its east. Sawmill Ridge ends at The Trough's Mouth where Sawmill Run runs off it and joins the river. Sector is located at the mouth's western edge with Glebe located to its east. The cement supports of the old bridge that once carried Fleming-Sector Road (County Route 8/3) connecting these two communities are still visible on either side of the river. For canoers today, the area is well-known as a habitat for endangered bald eagles, hence its Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad sightseeing train on the SBVR. Visitors can board the train at Wappocomo Station on West Virginia Route 28 in Romney.

Citations

Acknowledgments

• Patricia Prickett Hickin created Charity (Taylor) Jolliffe on 23 Aug 2012.

Sources

• Bible of Josiah Prickett, in Prickett family. Papers, Marion Co, including militia at Prickett's Fort, 1772-1785. Prickett Family Collection, 1772-1785, Collection #: Ms79-179). Repository: West Virginia Division of Culture and History, WV Division of Culture and History, CAPITOL COMPLEX,1900 Kanawha Boulevard East, Charleston WV 25305-0300, WV 26506, USA.

• Jolliff, Oliver P, and James S. WATSON, Family Record and Genealogy of the Jolliff Family, from the year 1760 to 1878, inclusive. (Morgantown, W.VA.: Morgan & Hoffman, Book and Job-Printers, 1878.).

• [Jolliffe, William], Historical, Genealogical, and Biographical Account of the Jolliffe Family of Virginia, 1652 to 1893 also Sketches of the Neill's, ... and Other Cognate Families (Philadelphia: Printed by J.B. Lippincott Company, 1893.

• Unknown - Xerox of book in Brown Co, Ohio, Prickett family folder, pp.846-7. (Unknown I p/c on 1998 visit.). Repository: Brown Co., OH Library.

• Lough, Glenn. Now and Long Ago: A History of the Marion County Area (Morgantown, W. Va., Printed by Morgantown Print. and Binding Co., ©1969]).

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