Dear List members:
My name is Grady Loy and I have just subscribed. I am sure I have
corresponded with some of you in the manner of posting and replying on the
rootsweb site.
My nearest Carver ancestor is Margaret Carver who married Isaac Thomas Swift
in Wilson Cy Texas ca 1876. Her father was Isaac Carver (b. Ky married Mary
Neal daughter of John Neal and Ann Smith) and Isaac's parents were Ishmael
Carver (b.. Ky 1806) and Clarissa Petch. Ishmael was son probably (there is
still some debate) of Pleasant Carver and his wife Nancy (both born in the
Tenn/NC border area ca 1785 or perhaps earlier in Pleasant's case) They
show up (we think) in the Grayson Kentucky census of 1810 (and then the
family was probably in Hardin.)
Ishmael had brothers Jesse, Pleasant, Thomas and Jerrel and sisters Nancy,
Mary and Elizabeth, He also had a cousins Jesse and Milly who remained in
Kentucky. Ishmael's parents relocated to Indiana in 1830 first to
Montgomery Cy, then apparently to Parke and last to Vigo.
There the family split and some went with the related McMains family to
Mahaska Iowa. The others went to Hickory Cy Missouri. Ishmael was a member
of the latter group. His brother Thomas went straight to Iowa. Elizabeth,
Nancy, Pleasant (and either Milly or Mary - I need to get that straight) and
Jerrel went to Missouri first and then to Iowa. Ishmael went from Missouri
to Arkansas and his son Isaac on to Texas.
This branch of Carvers because of the recurrence of the unusual name Jerrel
appears to be a branch of the old Virginia family of Robert Carver. However
some names characteristic of that family (I think) like Archibald and
Conrelius do not show up in this western branch.
There is probably a relation far back among several major Carver branches.
They were fond of certain names that while not rare were not the most common
names in combination.
I look forward to exchanging thoughts and information with you all in the
future.
Best Regards
Grady Loy