Tazewell County, Virginia, History: Taborville, Tazewell County, Virginia, 1901-1908, Chapter 3 Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Karen Eagle Moman arizonaeagle1502@qwest.net ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities, when written permission is obtained from the contributor, so long as all notices and submitter information are included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Taborville, Tazewell County, Virginia 1901-1908 By Karen EAGLE Moman Chapter 3 The Families of Taborville Several dozen families are mentioned in the newspaper columns for Taborville between 1901 and 1908. Some of the families actually lived in the community, whereas others lived nearby and interacted with their Taborville neighbors and relatives. This chapter presents short sketches for many of these families. BAKER James William Baker was born on 17 January 1834 in Louisa County, Virginia, son of Levi Baker and Emily T. Yound/Young. (127) James was married on 28 June 1858 in Louisa County, Virginia to Fanny Ellis Baker. Fanny was born in 1836 in Virginia and was a cousin of James. (128) Prior to the Civil War he worked as a farmer in Louisa County. He enlisted in Company D of the 13th Virginia Infantry, under the command of Col. Tarrilland Capt. J. W. Hibbs. He entered service at Harper's Ferry and served with H. M. Baker and Geo. W. Nuckels of Louisa County. During the Civil War James fought for the Confederacy in the Wilderness Campaign and in the Battle of Gettysburg and was wounded on two occasions. He was promoted to Top Sergeant and one of the occasions he was wounded was at the battle at Bloody Angle on 12 May 1864. He was in charge of the division ordinance train at the surrender at Appomattox. (129) "J. W. Baker, and Henry Peck were two veterans said to have weathered the storms and dodged Yankee bullets, slept on the ground, ate hard tack and parched corn as they followed Lee and Jackson through the never-to-be-forgotten days of 1861-1865." (130) James later wrote an account of his experiences during the war: "STRANGE PREMONITIONS Confederate Soldier "Knew" He Would Be Shot Through The Head During the winter of 1861, we were in camp at Manassas junction. My bedfellow was Jim Winston, and a splendid specimen he was-a lawyer and a University man. He told me that he would be killed, and that he would be shot through the head. In 1862 at "Chantilly" almost in sight of Washington city, he was shot through the head and killed. Kit Wathall was one of my mess. He also told me that he would be shot through the head and killed. In the Shenandoah Valley in 1864, he was killed in battle, the ball passing through his head. About the first of May, 1864, we were in Orange county, on the Rapidan river. A German, one of my company, came into my tent. He was a great reader, nervous, and high strung. I said to him that in a few days many of us who were there would be wounded in battle, possibly lose a limb or be killed, and under the sod. He answered that he knew he would not be killed. I told him it was something he could not know: that the first cannon ball that came over, so far as he knew, might take his head off. To that he said that if he did not absolutely know that he would not be killed, he would go down that night, cross the river, and never stop until he has reached Holstein, Germany, his native country. I told him he was no prophet, nor son of a prophet, and could not know. He answered that he did know that he would not be killed, that he was going to be wounded, wounded in the leg. Then I told him that I had as much as I could stand, and he better leave. All this he told to the whole company. On the fifth day of May, 1864, the fighting began. Every morning the boys would say, "Schacht, is this the day you are going to be wounded in the leg?" He answered, "No, this is not the day." This passed under my eye until the 12th of May. On that day I was shot down and carried away. The boys told me this went on until the 19th of May. On that Morning they again asked, "Schacht, is this the day you are going to be shot?" He said, "Yes, this is the day." They were then near the road that leads from Fredericksburg to Spottsylvania C. H. (sic). That morning a skirmish was thrown out, but not a Yankee could be found anywhere. Then the boys tooted and they howled, and Schacht called their attention to the fact that the day had not yet ended. Late in the day they again marched through the fields and pines. Just before sundown they ran against reinforcements coming to Grant. A sharp fight resulted, and Schacht was shot through the leg. Again, late in the summer, he was shot through the leg. After the war, he lived in Louisa County. I have given you the facts known to many men. Will the fellows who know everything please explain the how, why, the wherefore." (131) James moved his family from Louisa County to Tazewell County in 1869. (132) Fannie Ellis Baker sold her jewels to be able to make this move, with their five children. (133) In 1880, James taught school while living in Tazewell County. Fanny was keeping house while taking care of their seven children: Dudley, Emily, Rosa, Frank, Mildred, Margaret, and Alfred. The oldest son, Dudley, was helping out on the farm. (134) In 1900, James was still working as a teacher and Fannie was keeping house. Three of their daughters lived at home, all were also employed as teachers. (135) Fanny died in 1902. (136) Her will was probated in August 1902 and she left her estate to her three daughters: Emily E. Hankins, Rose C. and Maggie M. Baker. (137) In April 1905, James was living in Mud Fork when he visited Taborville. (138) James moved to Lafolette, Tennessee and lived there for a dozen years. He was in Tennessee in June 1919, when his grandson was married in Tazewell County. (139) James received a Virginia pension for his Civil War service. Previously he had received a pension in Tennessee and at first the Virginia authorities were hesitant to give him a Virginia pension. He wrote the pension board that he was suffering from general debility and a broken thigh caused him to use crutches. He had returned from Tennessee on 9 December 1919 and expected to "stay until the end." He was living in Boissevain. (140) In 1920, James was living with his son Dudley and his family in Boissevain. (141) James died on 14 June 1928 at the home of his granddaughter, Mrs. Guillion, Boissevain, Tazewell County and is buried in the Tazewell/ Jeffersonville Cemetery in Tazewell, Tazewell County. (142) An obituary appeared in the Bluefield Daily Telegraph: "JAMES W. BAKER ANSWERS TAPS Tazewell County Confederate Veteran Was Historian if Note and Had Large Circle of Friends James W. Baker, 94, a veteran of the Civil War was one of the best known men in Tazewell county and the entire region, died at the home of a granddaughter, Mrs. Joseph A, Gullion at Boissevain. Mr. Baker was stricken with paralysis last Sunday and his condition had been critical since. Although he had lived four score and fourteen years Mr. Baker was active in public affairs until the time of his death. He was personally acquainted with thousands of Tazewell and Southwest Virginia people. He was a historian of note and had written interesting articles which had been published in magazines and newspapers throughout the county. Mr. Baker served the full four years of the Civil war with the Confederate army and was wounded in 1864. He was at Appomattox, Va., when Lee surrendered and was said to have been a personal friend of the commander-in-chief of the confederate army and General Stonewall Jackson. He was born January 17, 1834, in Louisa county, Va., a son of the late Levi and Emily T. Baker. On August 30, 1858 he was married to Miss Fannie E. Baker and to this union the following children were born: Lillian, D. D., Emily E., Rosa C., Frank, Mildred, Margaret M., and Alfred M., five of whom have died. His wife died in Tazewell in 1901. Mr. Baker had been a resident of Tazewell county for sixty-two years. At the close of the war he was in the state auditor's office in Richmond, Va,, for a few years and then took up school teaching. He was a teacher when he first settled in Tazewell county. Later he worked in the Tazewell bank but gave up his position to resume his old vocation as a school teacher. In recent years he had lived a comparatively retired life but still took an active part in public affairs of Tazewell County. Mr. Baker had been a member of the Christian church since he was 24 years old. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Tazewell Christian church and interment will be made in the Tazewell cemetery beside the grave of his wife. The Rev. J. N. Harman will officiate and he will be assisted by Rev. J. N. Johnson. The active pall bearers will be the grandsons of the deceased. They are as follows: James W. Dickenson, Everett T. Baker, Dudley T. Baker, George M. Baker, Alfred E. Baker, Joseph A. Gullion, F.W. Barbour, Robert Sisk, S. B. Wilson, and Clinton Tabor. Honorary pall bearers: W. T. Gillespie, Barnes Gillespie, H. G. Mc Call, S. F. S. Harman, J. E. Jackson, Rev. J. Tyler Frazier, W. O. Barnes, Frank Witten, W. L. Burton. Dr. J. W. Witten, J. Grat Gillespie, J. C. Fink, O. P McMullen, C. B. Moore, John W. Buchanan, R. C. Harrison, S. O. Wagner, J. S. French, Elbert Mustard, A. S. Perry, Robert Perry, N. Clarence Smith, L. B. Crawford, J. K. Whitehead, Harry Javirs, R. H. Harry, Henry Tabor, E. J. Elliott, Dr. W. Preston Burton, Dr. M. J. Alexander, Dr. John P. Haller, H. P. Brittan, W. C. Harry, Frank C. Murphy, George W. Gillespie, Ben G. Gillespie, M. Harvey, and the Rev. L. D. Yost." (143) James and Fanny (Ellis) Baker were the parents of eight children: i. Lillian 'Lillie" Baker was born on 1861 in Louisa County, Virginia. Lillie was married on 16 March 1877 in Tazewell County to John Christian Dickenson. He was born in 1841 in Russell County, Virginia, son of John Dicksenson and Fanny Robinson. (144) Lillie died on 19 July 1901 in Tazewell County. (145) ii. Dudley Davis Baker was born on 18 February 1862 in Louisa County, Virginia. (146) He was married by A. E. Waggoner on 22 September 1885 in Tazewell County to Sallie T. Tabor. (147) Sarah T. 'Sallie' Tabor was born on 22 September 1869 in Virginia, daughter of Stephen Paris Tabor and Eleanor 'Ellen' Havens. (148) Dudley died on 1 June 1922 at Boissevain, Tazewell County and is buried in the Tabor Cemetery in Falls Mills, Tazewell County. (149) iii. Emily Ellis Baker was born in 1864. She was married to Joseph Hankins. Joseph was born about 1852 in Virginia, son of William Harrison Hankins and Hannah Harrison Asbury. (150) iv. Rosa Carlton Baker was born about 1866. v. Francis 'Frank' Baker was born about 1868. vi. Mildred Thompson 'Millie' Baker was born about 1871. She died from tuberculosis on 15 February 1901 at Bluefield, Tazewell County. (151) vii. Margaret Montague 'Maggie Baker was born about 1873. She was married in LaFollette, Tennessee on 23 March 1916 to Tolbert Bills. viii. Alfred Martin Baker was born on 15 December 1875 in Virginia. He was married to Nannie G. (-?-). Alfred died on 25 March 1862. (152) BELCHER Robert H. Belcher was born about 1838 in Tazewell County, Virginia, (153) son of Moses Belcher and Nancy Jane Elizabeth Tabor. He was married by Evan H. Brown on 10 [?] February 1864 in Tazewell County to Aurelia E. Compton. (154) Aurelia was the daughter of Cornelius Compton (circa 1818- 1890) and Rebecca Jane Patterson (circa 1813-1893). In 1870, Robert worked as a farmer in Tazewell County. His wife Aurelia (listed as Amelia) was keeping house and caring for their five children: Harriet, Moses, L., Hiram, and Emfield. (155) In 1880, Robert was still farming and Aurelia (listed again as Amelia) was caring for their ten children: Harriet, Moses, Charles, Hiram, Katie, Winfield, Crockett, Maria, Laura, and Sally. (156) In October 1887, Robert Belcher was involved in the fatal shooting of two of his distant cousins, John Tabor and George Tabor. The Clinch Valley News reported on 28 October 1887: "A horrible shooting scrape, in which one man was killed instantly and another probably fatally wounded, occurred at Falls Mills, this county, last week. It appears that they had gone to the residence of one Belcher, to demand the release of a mule which Belcher had in his possession belonging to them. The mule had been annoying Belcher some time by being in his fields. After repeatedly warning the Tabors (the men to whom the mule belonged) that he would do so he put the mule in his stable. On them coming after it Belcher and his son went out to meet them and soon became engaged in a quarrel, the old man Belcher returned to the house and procured two shot guns one of which he handed to his son the other he set against a post. Presently something so enraged Lee Tabor, the one killed, that he drew his shot gun to shoot. Belcher jumped behind the post, at the same time getting up his gun, which he put in a few inches of Tabors head, and fired, young Belcher shooting the other Tabor at the same time. They came to town Saturday and employed council to defend them, and were bailed out to the sum of $4000.00 each." John Tabor died on 27 October 1887 and George Tabor on 18 November 1887. Ironically, Robert was the one who reported the deaths of these men to County officials. (157) These men were sons of William J. Tabor and Elizabeth Crockett. In January 1888: "The trial of Belcher for the killing of the Tabors before the Justices' Court was prolonged for nearly two weeks. Belcher was sent on to the grand jury." (158) In May 1888 it was reported: "The jury trying the case of Commonwealth against Robert and Lendo Belcher for the killing of John and *Lee Tabor were out about two minutes when they brought in a verdict of not guilty." (159) In June 1902, Robert and his wife and Mattie Belcher visited in Taborville. (160) Robert was living in Clover Bottom, Virginia in September 1902 when he and Aurelia moved to Taborville because Robert was in bad health. (161) Robert and Amelia (Compton) Belcher were the parents of ten children: (162) i. Moses E. Belcher was born in 1863 in Tazewell County, Virginia. Moses was married on 8 January 1891 in Mercer County, West Virginia to Lura M. Hurst. Lura was born in 1874 in Mercer County, daughter of James Hurst and Sarah P. (--?--). (163) Lura died in 1942 and Moses died in 1956. They are buried in the Lambert Cemetery in Mercer County, West Virginia. (164) ii. Harriet Belcher was born about 1865 in Tazewell County. iii. Charles Belcher was born about 1867 in Tazewell County. iv. Hiram Belcher was born about 1868 in Tazewell County. v. Emfield/Winfield Belcher was born in 1869 in Tazewell County. vi. Katie L. Belcher was born about 1872 in Tazewell County. vii. Crockett Belcher was born about 1875 in Tazewell County. viii. Laura D. Belcher was born about 1877 in Tazewell County. ix. Mariah Laura 'Marie' Belcher was born on 30 October 1877 in Virginia. Marie was married to Samuel Watson 'Wat" Compton (see family sketch below). x. Sarah 'Sallie' Belcher was born in 1879 in Tazewell County. BUCKLAND Charles Edward Buckland was born on 5 June 1872, probably in Tazewell County, Virginia, son of William Jasper Buckland and Emily Tabor. (165) In March 1901, Charles "paid Tazewell a flying visit." (166) The following week the Clinch Valley News noted: It is strange how strong the ties of relationship are between some people. Ed Buckland goes to see his Uncle Hugh every Saturday. (167) Charles and J. B. Graham went to Welch in April 1901 "on a horse trading expedition." (168) In May 1901, Sam Marrs says that he will bet a cracker that Ed Buckland is too tired to visit his Uncle Hugh next Friday. He had been repairing bridges with the bridge force. (169) The following year, in May 1902, he moved to Bramwell as an employee of the American Bridge Company. (170) By 1905 Charles was postmaster at Falls Mills. He was married on 18 January 1905 to Elizabeth B. Hudgins. (171) She was born about 1880 in Virginia. (172) In 1920, Charles and Elizabeth lived in Falls Mills with seven children: Louise, William, Joseph, Una, Maudie, Curtis, and Charles. (173) In 1938 it was reported that: BROTHER BUCKLAND COMES TO TOWN "Mr. C. E. Buckland, of Falls Mills, one of the few remaining citizens of the old school of that community, came to town last Saturday, accompanied by Charles E., Jr., as bodyguard. The Falls Mills man seems to have been able to hold body and soul together during the strenuous years of high powered automobiles and cigarette smoking women. Many of the substantial citizens of his community have been called on. It is interesting to recall the days of Waltons, Tabors, Harrys and the older Bucklands who lived at the Falls in the years past. May C. E. live to see many a Christmas yet." (174) Charles died on 31 August 1946 and is buried in the Harry Cemetery in Falls Mills, Tazewell County. (175) Charles and Elizabeth (Hudgins) Buckland were the parents of seven children: (176) i. Annie Louise Buckland was born circa November 1905 in Virginia. (177) ii. William C. 'Bud' Buckland was born on 11 April 1908 in Virginia. William was married to Grace Atwell. Grace was born on 29 August 1911, daughter of John Atwell and Martha E. (-?-). William died on 20 March 1974 and is buried in the Atwell Cemetery, Tazewell County. (178) iii. Joseph Buckland was born about 1911. iv. Una B. Buckland was born about 1913. v. Maudie C. Buckland was born about 1915. vi. Curtis Buckland was born about 1916. vii. Charles Edward 'Cute' Buckland was born on 22 June 1919. He was killed in a car accident on 23 February 1941 and is buried in the Harry Cemetery in Falls Mills, Tazewell County. (179) James J. Buckland was born in September 1869 in Virginia, son of William Jasper Buckland and Emily Tabor. (180) He was married on 19 December 1894 in Tazewell County to Sarah Elizabeth 'Sallie" Murrell. Sallie was born circa October 1877 in Virginia. (181) In 1900, James and Sallie lived in the Clear Fork District with their children Walter and Alice. (182) In 1910, James and Sallie were still in Clear Fork, living with their five children: Walter, Alice, Clarence, Aletha, and Oscar. (183) Sallie died between 1916 and 1920. (184) In 1920, James worked as a farmer in Falls Mills, living with seven children: Alice, Clarence, Letha, Oscar, Charles, Marian, and Arthur. (185) James was married on 17 February 1921 at Falls Mills to Frances Geneva 'Fannie" (Compton) (Caldwell) Givens. Fannie was born on 28 June 1878 in Tazewell County, Virginia, daughter of Ballard Preston Compton and Delilah Harless. James and Sallie (Murrell) Buckland were the parents of nine children: (186) i. Walter C. Buckland was born in July 1896 in Tazewell County, Virginia. ii. Alice J. Buckland was born in December 1899 in Tazewell County, Virginia. iii. Clarence H. Buckland was born about 1904 in Virginia. iv. Aletha M. 'Letha' Buckland was born 18 January 1906. (187) She was married to Clarence K. McCroskey. v. Oscar W. Buckland was born circa 1908 in Virginia. vi. Charles Edward Buckland was born circa 1911 in Virginia. vii. Marian V. Buckland was born circa 1913 in Virginia. viii. Alberta Buckland was born circa 1917 in Virginia. ix. Arthur Lee Buckland was born circa 1916 in Virginia. Arthur died in the service during World War II sometime prior to 11 May 1945.. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Footnotes: (127) Data on the Baker family came from Fannie (Ellis) Dickenson; Tazewell County Heritage, Volume 1, Tazewell County Historical Society (1995); Carol June (Shrader) Lowe. (128) Birthdate from Fannie (Ellis) Dickenson; 1900 U.S. Census; Tazewell County Heritage, 1799-1995, Volume I, Tazewell County Historical Society. (129) Virginia pension records, online at http://lvaimage.lib.va.us/CP/html/43052.html (130) Tazewell County, Volume II, by Louise Leslie, page 589. (131) "Strange Premonitions," Clinch Valley News, 16 June 1916. (132) Fannie (Ellis) Dickenson; Tazewell County Heritage, Volume 1, Tazewell County Historical Society (1995) (133) Fannie (Ellis) Dickenson related this family story. (134) James W. Baker household, 1880 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, 88th District, page 296. (135) Jas. W. Baker household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, Tazewell town, page 82. (136) Fannie (Ellis) Dickenson; Tazewell County Heritage, 1799-1995, Volume I, Tazewell County Historical Society. (137) Annals of Tazewell Co VA 1800-1922, Volume II, page 172. (138) Taborville column, Clinch Valley News, 14 April 1905. (139) "Baker-Kinzer," Clinch Valley News, 5 September 1919. (140) Virginia pension files, online at http://lvaimage.lib.va.us/CP/html/43052.html (141) Dudley Baker household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, Boissevain, Clearfork District, page 360. (142) Carol June (Shrader) Lowe provided information about Baker's death, including the CSA Memorial; ">From Our Early Files," Clinch Valley News, 18 June 1948 (reprinted from 22 June 1948). (143) "James W. Baker Answers Taps," Bluefield Daily Telegraph, June 15, 1928 (144) Tazewell County Marriages, page 13 #21; Fannie (Ellis) Dickenson. (145) Obituary Index Taken from Tazewell, Virginia Publications, Ashley K. Nuckles. (146) Tabor Cemetery, Falls Mills, Tazewell County; Michael Otis Tabor also provided data. (147) Tazewell County Marriages, Volume 3. (148) Tabor Cemetery, Falls Mills, Tazewell County. (149) Tabor Cemetery, Falls Mills, Tazewell County. (150) 1860 U.S. Census, Tazewell County; Annals of Tazewell County, Virginia, from 1800-1922, by John Newton Harman, Jr. (151) Clinch Valley News, 21 February 1936. (152) Carol June (Shrader) Lowe provided information on Alfred Baker. (153) Birthdate calculated from the 1860 and later censuses. (154) Annals of Tazewell County, Virginia, by John N. Harmon, Sr., Volume II, page 29 (155) Robert Belcher household, 1870 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, page 106. (156) Robert Belcher household, 1880 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, Clear Fork township, page 174. (157) 1872-1896 Death Register of Tazewell County, Virginia, by Wilson and Wilson, page 81. (158) Clinch Valley News, 27 January 1888. (159) Clinch Valley News, 4 May 1888. (160) Taborville column, Clinch Valley News, 13 June 1902. (161) Taborville column, Clinch Valley News, 12 September 1902. (162) Birthdates were calculated from the 1880 census. (163) Mercer County Virginia/West Virginia Marriage Book 1, 1854-1901, by Sallie Hays, page 72. (164) Sesquicentennial Year 1987 Mercer County, Virginia to West Virginia, Mercer County Historical Society. (165) Birth date from tombstone as read by James Allen Thomason in July 2000. (166) Falls Mills column, Clinch Valley News, 8 March 1901. (167) Falls Mills column, Clinch Valley News, 15 March 1901. Karen Eagle Moman suspects that Charles was visiting a girlfriend. (168) Falls Mills column, Clinch Valley News, 12 April 1901. (169) Falls Mills column, Clinch Valley News, 3 May 1901. (170) Clinch Valley News, 9 May 1902. (171) "From Our Early Files," Clinch Valley News, 19 January 1940 (reprinted from 20 January 1905). (172) Birth date calculated from 1910 U.S. census. (173) Charles Buckland household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, Clearfork District, ,Falls Mills page 161. (174) "Brother Buckland Comes to Town," Clinch Valley News, 30 September 1938. (175) Death date from tombstone as read by James Allen Thomason in July 2000. (176) Children's birthdates calculated from the 1910 and 1920 censuses. (177) "From Our Early Files," Clinch Valley News, 29 November 1940 (reprinted from 3 December 1905). (178) Tazewell County, Virginia, Some Old Cemeteries, by Rose Brown Perry and Betty Toreyson Hollowell. (179) "Six Killed in Speeding Auto," Clinch Valley News, 24 February 1941. (180) Birth date calculated from 1880 and 1900 U.S. Census. (181) Sallie's birth date calculated from the 1900 census. (182) James J. Buckland household, 1900 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, Clear Forks District, page 268. (183) James J. Buckland household, 1910 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, District 96, Visit 205. (184) Death date is between the birth of son Arthur and the 1920 census, when husband James is listed as a widower. (185) James Buckland household, 1920 U.S. Census, Tazewell County, Virginia, population schedule, Clear Fork District, Falls Mills, page 83. (186) Birthdates calculated from 1910 and 1920 censuses. (187) Aletha's birth date is from her tombstone in the Harry Cemetery in Tazewell County, as read by James Allen Thomason in July 2000.