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This fellow was M.L.K. Wells, a lawyer from Paintsville, KY. Regrettably,
the entire store is dead wrong. I am his great-great nephew and have his
collection of personal papers. M.L.K. changed his story at least five times
and put out many different versions of his Wells genealogy. He ignored
letters from his own uncles who stated catagorically that M.L.K. Wells'
grandfather, Richard Wells, did not have a brother named Zachariah and that
his father was not named Richard. It has been proved that the Richard Wells
of Johnson County, born in 1760, was the nephew of Dr. George Wells the son
of Dr. Richard Wells of Dover, Delaware. The available evidence also
indicates that Richard Wells of Johnson County was the son of Dr. Humphrey
Wells who died about 1767. It is most regrettable that M.L.K. Wells chose to
put forth such incorrect information & it is particularly embarrassing to me
as his collateral descendant. This is, in part, why I am doing research on
the Zachariah Wells branch of the Wells family. Even though there is no
evidence to suggest that Zachariah Wells was related to my Richard Wells I
feel a responsibility to set the record straight. I appreciate your post and
the information concerning the misinformation put forth by my ancestor.
John Wells
At 06:58 PM 1/21/98 -0500, you wrote:
>
>
>----------
>> From: John Wells <ekyrebel(a)foothills.net>
>> To: ZachariahWells-L(a)rootsweb.com
>> Subject: Fincastle County, VA
>> Date: Wednesday, January 21, 1998 11:14 AM
>>
>> The earliest record I have of Zachariah Wells is his inclusion in the
>1772
>> tax list for Fincastle County, VA. At that time he was an employee of
>> William Herbert.
>> Does anyone have additional info or hints as to Zachariah's origin? I
>know
>> that he is not of the Richard Wells family of Baltimore, MD. Are there
>any
>> other clues? Were there any other Wells families in the
>> Augusta/Botetourt/Organe County area at the right time to have been his
>> branch?
>>
>> John B. Wells III
>
>Maybe this will be of help to someone out there. Eleanor
>
>Zachariah Wells of Lee County, VA.
>After the preceding Wells article appeared in Craford's Weekly" a gentleman
>named M.S.K. Wells wrote a letter to the editor about the family, and it
>was published in the issue of Saturday 22 Sept. 1923. Here is the jest of
>the letter: Mr. Editor, I received one of your papers recently of date
>Sept 8, 1023 in which is a story of the Wells family of Wise County ,
>Virginia and noted that Zachariah Wells was the ancestor who first settled
>in Wise County. In order the writer might get some light or further
>history of the Wells Family I write something of my branch of the family.
>My grandfather was Richard Wells and was born in Philadelphia, Pa. And had
>7 brothers, was born Feb 11, 1760 and went with his brother George Wells to
>Augusta Georgia, when only a youth and the war of the revolution came up he
>and his Uncle both enlisted and was in the battle of stores and siege of
>Savannah, he came up to Washington Co. and enlisted again in 1779. As an
>Indian spy and served until 1781. He married in Russell Co. Va. in 1778 to
>Susanna Hutchinson and settled in Scott Co. VA and left there and came to
>Sandy River and settled in Floyd Co. KY. and died in the year 1838. The
>government furnished us with a monument for his grave a few years ago. And
>his descendants number something like 1000 and Zachariah Wells was his
>brother and two other brothers came into west VA and one of them was known
>to locate on this big Knawabah River. My grandfather left Scott Co. Va.
>near what was called Osburn Ford and my grandmother was a Beverly sister to
>Freeman Beverly of Scott County , my father was Dr. Wm. Green Wells born in
>the year 1818 being two year of age when the family came to KY. I was born
>Dec. 5, 1848. Will be 75 years of age at my birthday. If you will print
>the foregoing in your paper for the benefit of the Wells family I will
>thank you in advance. M.S.K. Wells
>
>Postscript
>
>II Zachariah Wells of Lee Co. VA. m. Abigail Osborn
> The name Zachariah Wells appeared in the records of Wilkes Co. NC. as
>early as 1778. The last record there was in 1798 when he sold land to
>Francis Sturgill, father-in-law of Jemima Wells Sturgill. His Signature,
>not a mark, appears on the deeds. Zachariah Wells bought 900 acres of land
>in Washington Co., VA in 1799. After Lee Co. VA was established, records
>of Zachariah Wells appeared there. Unfortunately, the census records of
>1800 and 1810 are not extant, and an elderly Zachariah does not appear as
>head of household in Lee co. VA in 1820. However, he probably was the male
>over 45 in the household of Jacob Wells. Jacob, born in 1793 was the male
>aged 26-45 years old. The exact date of death of Zachariah is not known
>but he sold Land in Lee Co. as late 17 March 1827. His signature appears
>on the deed, and there is no relinquishment of dower by his wife. Indeed,
>it appears that Abigail Wells had died before 6 Dec.1819 when Zachariah
>alone conveyed land to Robert Wells. Other deeds recorded in Lee Co. VA.
>in this time period bear the names of husbands and wives and often include
>a relinquishment of dower. Jacob Wells had moved to MO. by 1830, and we
>assume that he left VA after his father's death.
>
>III Zachariah Wells Loyalist of Wilkes Co. NC
>
>This Zachariah Wells had a confrontation with Col. Benjamin Cleveland near
>Old Fields , located in the extreme southwestern portion of present day
>Ashe Co. NC. He was hanged in 1781 by Cleveland and buried in the sand on
>the bank of a river. Two young boys witnessed this incident. Accounts
>were published in Historical Sketches of Wilkes County by John Couch (1902)
>and in Western North Carolina, A History by John Preston Arthur. Records
>of this Zachariah Wells may appear in Wilkes Co. NC. during the period of
>1778-1781.
>
>IIII Zachariah Wells of TN and KY. Revolutionary War Veteran
>
>The pension file ( S 39119) of this man proves that he was born about 1745
>and that he enlisted in the continental service in Loudoun Co. VA. He
>served during the period of 1778-1779. His original pension claim was made
>in Sullivan Co. TN. in Sept. 1825. He was placed on the Pension Roll of
>East TN. in Nov. 1825. On 5 March 1833 he made a statement in Whitelly Co.
>KY regarding a change of address. He stated that he lived in Whitely co.
>for four years having resided previous in Washington Co. TN. His name
>appears on Supplementary Lists of Revolutionary Pensioners from the Federal
>Office Knoxville TN. which were published as an appendix in the book The
>Kings Mountain Men by Katherine Keogh White (1924.) The author does not
>say that these men participated in the Battle of Kings Mountain. Some
>early Wells researchers erroneously combined the records of this Zachariah
>Wells with those of Zachariah Wells of Lee Co. VA.
>
>
>==== ZachariahWells Mailing List ====
>Support Rootsweb
>
----------
> From: John Wells <ekyrebel(a)foothills.net>
> To: ZachariahWells-L(a)rootsweb.com
> Subject: Fincastle County, VA
> Date: Wednesday, January 21, 1998 11:14 AM
>
> The earliest record I have of Zachariah Wells is his inclusion in the
1772
> tax list for Fincastle County, VA. At that time he was an employee of
> William Herbert.
> Does anyone have additional info or hints as to Zachariah's origin? I
know
> that he is not of the Richard Wells family of Baltimore, MD. Are there
any
> other clues? Were there any other Wells families in the
> Augusta/Botetourt/Organe County area at the right time to have been his
> branch?
>
> John B. Wells III
Maybe this will be of help to someone out there. Eleanor
Zachariah Wells of Lee County, VA.
After the preceding Wells article appeared in Craford's Weekly" a gentleman
named M.S.K. Wells wrote a letter to the editor about the family, and it
was published in the issue of Saturday 22 Sept. 1923. Here is the jest of
the letter: Mr. Editor, I received one of your papers recently of date
Sept 8, 1023 in which is a story of the Wells family of Wise County ,
Virginia and noted that Zachariah Wells was the ancestor who first settled
in Wise County. In order the writer might get some light or further
history of the Wells Family I write something of my branch of the family.
My grandfather was Richard Wells and was born in Philadelphia, Pa. And had
7 brothers, was born Feb 11, 1760 and went with his brother George Wells to
Augusta Georgia, when only a youth and the war of the revolution came up he
and his Uncle both enlisted and was in the battle of stores and siege of
Savannah, he came up to Washington Co. and enlisted again in 1779. As an
Indian spy and served until 1781. He married in Russell Co. Va. in 1778 to
Susanna Hutchinson and settled in Scott Co. VA and left there and came to
Sandy River and settled in Floyd Co. KY. and died in the year 1838. The
government furnished us with a monument for his grave a few years ago. And
his descendants number something like 1000 and Zachariah Wells was his
brother and two other brothers came into west VA and one of them was known
to locate on this big Knawabah River. My grandfather left Scott Co. Va.
near what was called Osburn Ford and my grandmother was a Beverly sister to
Freeman Beverly of Scott County , my father was Dr. Wm. Green Wells born in
the year 1818 being two year of age when the family came to KY. I was born
Dec. 5, 1848. Will be 75 years of age at my birthday. If you will print
the foregoing in your paper for the benefit of the Wells family I will
thank you in advance. M.S.K. Wells
Postscript
II Zachariah Wells of Lee Co. VA. m. Abigail Osborn
The name Zachariah Wells appeared in the records of Wilkes Co. NC. as
early as 1778. The last record there was in 1798 when he sold land to
Francis Sturgill, father-in-law of Jemima Wells Sturgill. His Signature,
not a mark, appears on the deeds. Zachariah Wells bought 900 acres of land
in Washington Co., VA in 1799. After Lee Co. VA was established, records
of Zachariah Wells appeared there. Unfortunately, the census records of
1800 and 1810 are not extant, and an elderly Zachariah does not appear as
head of household in Lee co. VA in 1820. However, he probably was the male
over 45 in the household of Jacob Wells. Jacob, born in 1793 was the male
aged 26-45 years old. The exact date of death of Zachariah is not known
but he sold Land in Lee Co. as late 17 March 1827. His signature appears
on the deed, and there is no relinquishment of dower by his wife. Indeed,
it appears that Abigail Wells had died before 6 Dec.1819 when Zachariah
alone conveyed land to Robert Wells. Other deeds recorded in Lee Co. VA.
in this time period bear the names of husbands and wives and often include
a relinquishment of dower. Jacob Wells had moved to MO. by 1830, and we
assume that he left VA after his father's death.
III Zachariah Wells Loyalist of Wilkes Co. NC
This Zachariah Wells had a confrontation with Col. Benjamin Cleveland near
Old Fields , located in the extreme southwestern portion of present day
Ashe Co. NC. He was hanged in 1781 by Cleveland and buried in the sand on
the bank of a river. Two young boys witnessed this incident. Accounts
were published in Historical Sketches of Wilkes County by John Couch (1902)
and in Western North Carolina, A History by John Preston Arthur. Records
of this Zachariah Wells may appear in Wilkes Co. NC. during the period of
1778-1781.
IIII Zachariah Wells of TN and KY. Revolutionary War Veteran
The pension file ( S 39119) of this man proves that he was born about 1745
and that he enlisted in the continental service in Loudoun Co. VA. He
served during the period of 1778-1779. His original pension claim was made
in Sullivan Co. TN. in Sept. 1825. He was placed on the Pension Roll of
East TN. in Nov. 1825. On 5 March 1833 he made a statement in Whitelly Co.
KY regarding a change of address. He stated that he lived in Whitely co.
for four years having resided previous in Washington Co. TN. His name
appears on Supplementary Lists of Revolutionary Pensioners from the Federal
Office Knoxville TN. which were published as an appendix in the book The
Kings Mountain Men by Katherine Keogh White (1924.) The author does not
say that these men participated in the Battle of Kings Mountain. Some
early Wells researchers erroneously combined the records of this Zachariah
Wells with those of Zachariah Wells of Lee Co. VA.
Orin,
Here is an email I received from Claude that I thought all the Zacharaih
Wells clan ought to see. I answered and told him I was circulating it to
the rest, and that you would put him on the list if he's not already there.
Eddie
>Date: Wed, 21 Jan 1998 11:32:23 -0800
>From: "Claude E. Wells" <claude.wells(a)lmco.com>
>Subject: Stirring up old troubles
>To: PWilson411(a)aol.com
>Cc: gkscalf(a)dcache.net, ewells(a)tstar.net, thegm(a)dcache.net, gloria(a)nfis.com
>Reply-to: cwells4944(a)bigfoot.com
>Organization: Lockheed Martin Aero & Naval Systems
>X-Mailer: Mozilla 3.01 (Win16; U)
>
>Hi! It's Claude Wells here! Just checking in on everyone to see if any
>progress has been made with everyones research. This is kind of a
>generic message to all so I am trying to word it so it applies to all,
>with only a few specfic references individuals may recognize.
>
>I have been occupied trying to trace down another family branch, the
>McMillan's, and had some luck in 99% identifying where they came from in
>Scotland. I fell across a Clan Society page for the McMillan's that had
>a contact pint at the Society Group in Scotland. They even had a contact
>address for the Clan Archivist. Fortunately he was aware of our
>particular family, the McMillans's that is, because he had been
>contracted by another descendant of my ancestors. Turns out the birth
>date for John may be off by three years, if correct this will change a
>lt of peoples records. I jut need comformation on the birth place for
>Marion to raise the likely hood to 99.9% they were from Edinburgh.
>Enough of that about the McMillan's, I now you all are so interested in
>an unrelated family, DAH! Any way the birth date info was kind of
>interesting in this case because John was considered to be an educated
>man, but he was not correct with his birthdate. Everyone kept reminding
>me that in those daystehy weren't as concerned about birthdates or
>birthdays as we are. So if you do come across a likely candidate for teh
>correct perosn, but are scared off by the date being wrong, check it out
>and search for clues that can either prove or disprove teh suspect.
>
>Now on to the Wells', just before Christmas I did a littel research
>looking through some books written by Robert W. Barnes, he writes books
>on genealogy. On eof his books, The Early Settlers(?) of Baltimore
>County" (I think it's Settlers but it maybe Inhabitants.) He had several
>pages referencing Richard Wells and his family, siblings and parents.
>According to the book there were two James Wells'. One was Richards
>father and the otehr his Grandfather. The elder james arrived in Anne
>Arundel County, MD and after spending several years there he moved to
>What is Baltimore County. According to the book several children
>attributed to Richard and Nancy were actually James the younger's or
>were by his second marriage, I Think I have to go back and review the
>notes. But unfortunately there was no Zachariah, but he states and
>"possibly others". Doesn't do a lot to clear up matters does it? I t
>mentions the move to Frederick County. There are otehr notes mixed in
>with the listings as well. He also noted that the is on file at the
>Prince Georges County Historical Society, research done by a lady named
>Montgomery. She for some reason did a lot of research on teh "Little
>Wells Family of MD". I haven't had a chance to follow that one up yet.
>
>If I remember correctly some of you were going to VA for some R & R,
>Rest and Research, I don't remember if anyone ever got back to me with
>their results. I know I made some suggestions about soem possible places
>or contacts, because there are many relatives still iving in the area. I
>have been trying to contact Don Chestnut, but I think he doesn't like me
>because he never responds to my mail lately. I want to try and followup
>the data he has on teh Zachariah marriage to Abigail, daughter of Caleb
>Osborne. He has his info on the internet on GENDEX, but I am having a
>hard time following teh line on net and terh structuring at GENDEX is so
>that it is tedious to try and download or print anything. I tend to
>think that Zachariah's father was a Richard Wells, but more possibly
>from the Eastern Shore of MD or NC. My motehr said my Grandfatehr always
>claimed that the first Wells of our family came from the Eastern Shore
>of MD, it seems there was a dispute over teh ownership of a cow or
>something. (Okay Grandpop said he stole it.) Again a family story
>doesn't have much merit on the whole, but there maybe be something lying
>below the surface that may be true. I am trying to follow that lead. My
>brotehr currently lives on the Eastern Shore of MD, he's one of the good
>guys, as a Department of Natural Resources police officer, ironic isn't
>it. Anyway I told my brother, Guy Wells, about the story my mother told
>me and he is going to try and follow up on the available data in the
>area to see what he can find.
>
>Anotehr point I want to bring up, everyone says the States of VA and NC
>always listed the Spouse name on land transactions. In some of the
>research I have done, I have never seen that fact as being true except
>on rare occasions. In fact just last night I was checking teh digital
>dta files at teh VA library research site and on neither teh index card
>not the copies of teh pages was there any mention of spoise on teh
>recrods i checked. If you have found this site yet, you can search by
>last name going through scanned index cards and when you find one of
>interest, with the proper plugin, you can view the actual document. Any
>way has anyone found the spouse being listed as the rule ratehr than the
>exception, from what I have seen it is the other way around. Oh well a
>minor point.
>
>Well I guess I have bored everyone quite enough for today. Either this
>will work or everyone will hate me for such a short novel and never talk
>to me again or I will hear from most of you about your recent adventures
>in teh world of family tree hunting, either physically or through
>cyberspace. I just picked one name for the mail to address, besides she
>was the first one I ever met on the Web to respond to my messages about
>teh Wells', and everyone else ended up cc:, no slight intended I JUST
>HOPE IT WORKS!!!!!!!
>
>Any way hope to hear from everyone, hope you all have had some good luck
>and if you can't get back to me harumph!!!!, no just kidding good luck
>on your searches maybe someday we can get Ol' Zachariah straightened
>out. Wouldn't it of been nice if he had more foresight and had left
>beter documents about his life, but tehn we wouldn't be having so much
>fun at his expense.
>
>Claude E. Wells
>cwells4944(a)bigfoot.com
>http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/w/el/claude-e-wells (Home of my
>family reports in case I forgot to tell eveyone. The wells report still
>contains teh Richard and Nancy connection, which I will change as soon
>as we can prove otherwise.) Ok Ok Ok I will shut up.
>
>
I am beginning to lean towards a UFO theory. !!
Does anybody or anything look even remotely familiar???
At this point I will gladly appreciate any suggestion, information or
even corrections you might offer. I will gladly share any additional
information I might have.
These three WELLS may be related since they all married EVANS.
THOMAS WELLS
RICHARD WELLS
NANCY WELLS (my ancester)
Thomas Wells married Phebe Evans.
Richard Wells married Nancy Evans 05 Oct 1808 in Monongalia County,
Virginia.
Nancy Wells was born 13 Feb 1793 in Maryland, and died 09 Mar 1879 in
buried in Walters Christian Cemetery, Noble and Washington Counties
Ohio. She married John Williams Evans 13 Oct 1813 in Monongahela
County, Virginia (West Virginia), son of Dudley Evans and Anarah
Williams.
Children of Nancy Wells and John Evans are:
i. Julia Ann3 Evans, born 04 Jul 1826 in Monongalia County, Virginia
(WVa.); died 14 Apr 1898. She married John Walters 23 May 1844.
ii. Ava Evans. She married Mr. Exline.
iii. Charlotte Evans. She married Mr. Pindale.
iv. Nimrod Evans.
v. Panthera Evans. She married Mr. Combs.
vi. Sarah Evans.
vii. William W. Evans.
viii. James Evans, born 09 Apr 1824; died 14 Aug 1848 in buried in
Walters Christian Cemetery, Noble and Washington Counties Ohio.
ix. Mary Ann Evans, born ca 1831 in Monroe County, Ohio.
--
Thank You,
Larry Golden
16126 Ladino Run
Cypress, TX 77429
Gladly share information concerning following surnames and
locations....... ARMSTRONG (OH), BEDFORD (NY), BURKHALTER (SC, GA &
AL), CARTER (VA), CONNER (GA & AL), COOK (TX & OK), CRAWFORD (VA),
DELASHMUTT (NJ & MD), EMERY (VA), EVANS (WALES, PA & VA), GEORGE (GA &
TX), GOLDEN (SC), HARBUCK (GA), HOWARD (NC & SC), JOHNSON (VA & TN),
LANE (MD), LIVERMORE (MO & TX) - MALOTT (VA & OH), MARTIN (VA), MATTHEWS
(VA), MCDUFFY (NJ & KY), MILLIDGE (GA), MURPHEY (GA & AL), NEWSOM(E)
(VA, SC & GA), PERRYMAN (OH), REESE (VA, SC & GA), REEVE(S) (NY & NJ),
ROWE (MA), SHEPPARD (VA), SLY (VA & OH), SMITH (OH), SPENCER (VA),
STIDHAM (SC, GA & TX), TRACY (MD), VAN DER CULLEN (DE), WALTERS (VA, PA
& OH), WELLS (MD), WILLIAMS (VA)
The earliest record I have of Zachariah Wells is his inclusion in the 1772
tax list for Fincastle County, VA. At that time he was an employee of
William Herbert. William Herbert was a native of Bristol, England, who came
to Augusta/Botetourt County, VA to manage a "mineral" mine for John
Chiswell. After their relationship ended, Herbert set up his own ferry,
mill, tavern in what became Fincastle County. Herbert acquired several
large tracts of land and hired many locals to herd cattle, etc. Herbert was
also a Captain of the Fincastle County Militia during the Point Pleasant
Campaign and Zachariah Wells was employed as a "scout" for 10 days during
the campaign in 1774. Also in Herbert's tax district were several families
of Osbornes including that of Enoch Osborne.
Does anyone have additional info or hints as to Zachariah's origin? I know
that he is not of the Richard Wells family of Baltimore, MD. Are there any
other clues? Were there any other Wells families in the
Augusta/Botetourt/Organe County area at the right time to have been his
branch?
John B. Wells III
Researchers,
I am sure as technology helps us dig on Zachariah more clues will come up
and finally answers.
After my trips to Wise/Lee County I believe the leads are exhausted there.
The mystery of Zachariah, in my humble opinion, will be found in records of
one of the counties that Lee/Wise were derived from. there are many of them
and Fincastle one of them.
Personally, I feel that research in this area is the "hot" spot, at least
currently.
I also do not rule out the fact that our Zachariah could have been
sympathetic to the British in the Rev. War. Moving to the mountains with
little trace could be a good way of avoiding enemies or at least having
them forget about you. Of course, I am not sold on this idea, just that it
could be a possibility. Then again, records may turn up somewhere and solve
the whole mystery.
I also am not sold the Abigail Osborne was his wife. The 1770 Grayson
county reference is impossible because the county did not exist in 1770. It
could have been a section of a county in 1770 that later became its own
county.
Also, In my search this summer, I did find the "old Zachariah Wells
cemetery." In it is a marker for Elizabeth, wife of Zachariah, died April
3rd 1858.
While I know this is not the wife of "our" Zachariah - which one does this
one refer to. Unless our Zachariah in the late 1820, married a young lady.
There have been references to an Elizabeth as the wife of our Zachariah.
Another item to think about, and correct me if I am wrong, In Virginia the
wife's name appears on land transactions. I have seen all of them from Lee
County and Wise County and I can't remember seeing the name of a wife on
one.
Just speaking my mind and food for thought.
Greg Scalf
Orin,
Who is the person named John in this transmission and what is individual
e-mail address?
Greg
----------
> From: Orin R. Wells <ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
> To: John Wells <doredad(a)foothills.net>; ZachariahWells-L(a)rootsweb.com
> Subject: Re: Zachariah Wells
> Date: Thursday, January 15, 1998 10:35 PM
>
> John,
>
> I am posting the message you sent to the Zachariah Wells list. I hope
that
> someone will get back to you. I am a bit surprised no one has done so at
> this point. I am totally booked out right now or I would dig in the
files
> and try to come up with the answers. I was hoping that someone else
would
> have the answers at their finger tips.
>
> At 06:07 PM 1/15/1998 -0500, you wrote:
>
> >Today I discovered the connection of Zachariah Wells of Lee county, VA,
to
> Wilkes Co., NC. The 1797 tax list of Wilkes County includes Zachariah and
> his sons. The 1799 list for Lee co. is almost a carbon copy. I am
compiling
> what I have concerning Zachariah's line to send you via snailmail. As
yet
> I have not heard one single word from any of the researchers working on
the
> Zachariah Wells line. I am most interested in pursuing this with someone!
I
> can do it alone, but I'd rather not "invent the wheel" all over again. I
> want to follow up on the Fincastle County connection.
>
> John<<
>
> I don't know that I have seen these tax lists so learning that they match
> is a good confirmation. I will look forward to the snail-mail.
>
>
> Orin R. Wells
> Wells Family Research Association
> P. O. Box 5427
> Kent, Washington 98064-5427
> <ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
> http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
>
>
> ==== ZachariahWells Mailing List ====
> Visit the Wells Family Research Association website
> to keep up on new Wells genealogy information.
> http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
>
>
>
It would help when you post a response to something if you identify the
specific subject. Some of us see so many messages that it all becomes a
blur and we have to really put on the thinking caps and read between the
lines to figure out the subject.
Here it was Richard Wells and Nancy Brown as the supposed parents of
Zachariah. I think at this point most researchers of both the Zachariah
Wells family and the "Little Wells" family (e.g. Richard Wells) pretty much
agree that this Richard was not the father of Zachariah. It seems this
supposed connection was first put forward by M. L. K. Wells who provided
it to the write of "Jenny Wiley Country" and "History of Johnson County,
Kentucky". This was picked up and duplicated by others (often without
citing where they got it).
There are still some questions on some of the children of Richard and Nancy
and there are some holes where you could poke another child, but it appears
that Zachariah just does not fit. I could tell you that you have to prove
that he does, but that would not be helpful. I secretly hold open slightly
the possiblity that someone some day will find the proof that he was, but I
don't expect it to happen.
One of the considerations is that Zachariah was supposedly born Cir 1739
(some say 1745 - I don't think anyone has come up with a REALLY good date).
He was also supposedly born in Virginia. All of Richard's children were
born in Philadelphia. While it is true that some of his relatives were
living in Brooke County, Virginia (now West Virginia) about that time and I
suppose it is possible that he and Nancy could have been there when
Zachariah was born I think it is a bit of a streach.
The name Zachariah was never used in the "Little Wells" family which was a
family that frequently carried names down through generations.
>>Who do you have as his spouse Elizabeth/Abigail Osborn(e) daughter of
Jonathan Osborn(e) or Abigail Osborn(e) of Caleb Osborn(e) and Hannah
Howard?<<
Since many of us are very uncomfortable to unaccepting of the Abigail
Osborn(e) daughter of Jonathan, we are open to any new idea that can be
followed. What do you have to share regarding the Caleb Osborn(e) family?
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
John,
How do you know that the Wilkes Co?/Lee County Zachariah is not a son of
Richard Wells and Nancy Brown? I do not have proof that he is, but I
have seen that connection in other peoples research. I believe there was
a family member way back (M.S.K. Wells) who responded to an article on
the family of Zachariah Wells of Lee County. He says that his
grandfather was Richard Wells from Philadelphia, PA and was a brother of
Zachariah Wells. There were two other brothers one of which located on
the Knawabah River. M.S.K. Wells' mother was a Putcher raised in Scott
Co. near Osburn Ford. His father was Dr. William Green Wells born 1818.
The Brown family name appears in the marriages of descendants. One in
particular was Susannah Wells (b. ca 1840) who was a daughter of Ezekiel
Wells and Emeline Day. She married George W. Brown Jan 1, 1856. They
named one of their children Larkin E. Brown.
I'm just getting beginning to "get my feet wet" in the area of
historical research. Most of the research that I have found has been
given to me by kindly cousins on the web. My own orignal information
comes from Wise County Va. and Letcher County, KY census records and
marriage records. I read a lot of history books which may not have
totally accurate information. I take bits and pieces where I find them
and make notes of their source.
No, I'm not ready to go to England. I just want the facts on the origins
of my ancestors. I'm not researching for the prestige or fame of family
names. My motivation is just the pure fascination of knowing my great
greats. I'm learning a lot of U.S history and geography in detail as I
go.
The Zachariah Wells mystery has me very curious. I will do what I can to
help solve it unless some of these more experienced Wells descendants
unravel it first.
Lucille Graves
lucy(a)3wave.com
Wish I could answer that question myself. My cousin passed on info saying he
was but then I found the Wells Family Research group and found out it may not
be so. You state that he definitely was not, do you have something that
specifically shows he isn't? Who do you have as his spouse Elizabeth/Abigail
Osborn(e) daughter of Jonathan Osborn(e) or Abigail Osborn(e) of Caleb
Osborn(e) and Hannah Howard?
Hope to hear from you with what you may have! If you want I have a user page
on Family Tree Maker Web Site,
http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/w/e/l/claude-e-wells/ I have several
reports on my research there including the Wells', of course, it still has the
Richard Wells connection back to MD, buut that will change as sson as the
slightest thread of evidence shows other wise. Have been kind of wondering
about other items that reference a possible NC connection. Including the fact
that Abigail daughter of Caleb was possibly from NC where thay may of met and
married. Any help here?
Claude
Just a few thoughts on the connection between Zachariah Wells of Lee County
and Wilkes Co., NC:
1. Zachariah sold two parcels of land on 30 June 1798 in Wilkes Co which
seem to correspond to two purchases in 1778.
2. He is not found on any census or tax list after that date in NC.
3. He purchased land in Lee Co in 1799.
4. He is not found in VA on any tax list or census prior to 1799 unless he
is the same Zachariah found in the Fincastle Co area prior to the war. If
so, he could very well still be the same guy.
5. Other names found with Zachariah in Wilkes Co such as his neighbor
Micajah Pennington and his future son in law William Landreth are found
later in Lee Co.
To follow up on Fincastle Co, I found a Zachariah on a list of tithables
for Botetourt Parish, Fincastle County for 1772, 1773 in The Magazine of
Virginia Genealogy Vol 25 #1, Feb 1987 by the VA Gen Soc. It reads as
follows:
Wells Zachariah 1
Harbert to pay
Now if I remember correctly, a wife did not count as a tithable, so this
does not tell us whether he was married or not. Perhaps this Harbert is a
clue to Zachariah's identity.
>>Richard lived in the Upper District while William and JOHN Wells were
listed in the Lower District. Who was this John?<<
Got me!
>>John and Elizabeth Wells sold prperty on Big Moccasin Creek in 1806.
William Wells bought prperty on Big Moccasin Creek in 1801, 1804, and sold
it in 1803 & 1804. In two of the deeds the grantors are William and
Jeremiah(poss. Jemima) Wells. I have my doubts about this William being the
same as the son of Zachariah since William is listed in Lee Co. with
Zachariah in the 1801 tax list while there is still a William listed in the
Russell County list for the same year<<
I agree. However, gut feel is that if both John and William were selling
land in the same area at the same time I bet they were getting ready to
move on someplace else. On the other hand, if William still owned land in
Russell County, he would show up on the tax roll there even if he had moved
away and owned other land elsewhere, wouldn't he?
>>I'm curious, has anyone else identified this other bunch of Wellses in
adjoining Russell County? SIGH!<<
It they have, I would surely like to know who they are too.
>>Too daggone many Wellses!<<
You're telling me?!
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
Date: Thu, 15 Jan 1998 23:03:57 -0500
From: John Wells <doredad(a)foothills.net>
Subject: Zachariah Wells family
I was reviewing the notes of Martha Heinneman this evening and found a
statement that could open up a new avenue of clues. She said that William
Wells, the son of Zachariah & Abigail(Osborne) Wells, left Wilkes County,
NC about 1798 and shows up "first" in Russell County, VA in the 1798 tax list.
I checked the Russell Co. tax list and there were three Wells men listed in
1798. The first was my ancestor Richard Wells who is listed separately from
the other two. Richard lived in the Upper District while William and JOHN
Wells were listed in the Lower District. Who was this John? There was a
John Wells who lived in Washington County, VA in 1783 and two men by that
name signed the petition to form Russell County in December 1785. John and
Susannah Wells sold prperty on "Elk Garden & Cedar Creek" in 1789 and John
and Elizabeth Wells sold prperty on Big Moccasin Creek in 1806. William
Wells bought prperty on Big Moccasin Creek in 1801, 1804, and sold it in
1803 & 1804. In two of the deeds the grantors are William and Jeremiah
(poss. Jemima) Wells. I have my doubts about this William being the same as
the son of Zachariah since William is listed in Lee Co. with Zachariah in
the 1801 tax list while there is still a William listed in the Russell
County list for the same year/ I'm curious, has anyone else identified this
other bunch of Wellses in adjoining Russell County? SIGH! Too daggone many
Wellses!
John Wells
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
John,
I am posting the message you sent to the Zachariah Wells list. I hope that
someone will get back to you. I am a bit surprised no one has done so at
this point. I am totally booked out right now or I would dig in the files
and try to come up with the answers. I was hoping that someone else would
have the answers at their finger tips.
At 06:07 PM 1/15/1998 -0500, you wrote:
>Today I discovered the connection of Zachariah Wells of Lee county, VA, to
Wilkes Co., NC. The 1797 tax list of Wilkes County includes Zachariah and
his sons. The 1799 list for Lee co. is almost a carbon copy. I am compiling
what I have concerning Zachariah's line to send you via snailmail. As yet
I have not heard one single word from any of the researchers working on the
Zachariah Wells line. I am most interested in pursuing this with someone! I
can do it alone, but I'd rather not "invent the wheel" all over again. I
want to follow up on the Fincastle County connection.
John<<
I don't know that I have seen these tax lists so learning that they match
is a good confirmation. I will look forward to the snail-mail.
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
>First, there appear to have been at least four separate men by the
>name of Zachariah Wells operating in the same general geographic area.<
We all agree that there were at least 3, but feel the fourth is, in fact,
one of the other three.
>>The first was Zacharaih Wells of Orange County, North Carolina, who
married Elizabeth Freeman on 7/17/1799.
This is a later Zachariah. He is not connected (as far as I know) with any
of the others. He was a son of Joseph Wells and Martha Dix; Joseph was a
son of Joseph Wells and Charity Carrington; Joseph Wells was a son of
Joseph Wells and Margaret Swanson; and Joseph Wells was a son of Thomas
Wells & Frances ___ who was the ancestor of Elaine R. Wells' husband. Not
connected to the Lee County Zachariah.
>The second was a Zachariah Wells of Wilkes County, North Carolina.
He first appeared 9/9/1778 when he received 100 acres on the New
River...Zachariah Wells of Wilkes County was a notorious Tory during the
Revolution and a member of Col. William Riddle's band. It seems that
Zachariah was captured by Col. Cleveland's "Patriots" in 1782 and hung.<<
As I recall, he was hung by British soldiers, but I don't recall the
details and I could be mistaken. He was captured by the brother of an
officer he had ambushed and kidnapped. You are correct, this is NOT the
one who was in Lee County. He died about 45 years too early.
>>Zachariah Wells was buried on the banks of the Yadkin River about six
miles from the land patented in Wilkes County in 1779!<<
I had not picked up on him being from Wilkes County. If so, then we must
ask the question "were these two related?".
>My first ... and obvious ... question is if Zachariah Wells of
Wilkes County was a Tory and was hung in 1782, who was the Zachariah Wells
who is listed in the 1787 tax list of Wilkes County.<<
Certainly NOT the one who was hung. This, we believe, is the one who ended
up in Lee County.
>>the DAR PATRIOT INDEX includes Zachariah Wells as a private in the
Patriot forces during the Revolution.<<
Not the same guy. Just like you had folks from your family on both sides
in the Civil war, it happened in the Revolution. Not, necessarily, that
these were from the same family. So far the assumption has been that the
Zachariah who was hung was not related to the one who was not. Now, I am
wondering.
This, the one who was not hung and who eventually ended up in Lee County, I
presume is the third Zachariah.
>O.K., the fourth Zachariah Wells is the one from Loudon County,
Virginia. He is listed in the Loudon County tax lists ...this is the
Zachariah who later drew a Revolutionary pension in Sullivan County...in
the 1818 pension list in Sullivan County, TN as age 89 which means he was
born about 1729!<<
And he died several years later (exact date escapes me). We toyed with the
thought that he might have been the same guy as the one in Lee county, but
pretty much eliminated that because of the locations and the fact the the
Lee County Zachariah was still there in 1827.
>there is one more Zachariah Wells. ...Zachariah Wells as a "scout" and was
paid for ten days service as such. Fincastle County was formed in 1772, but
became Washington and Russell counties in 1777. As you know, Russell County
was later split and part of it became Lee County. HHHMMMMM!<<
I hadn't seen this before. But my instinct tells me that this may well be
the same Zachariah who was in Lee. But I don't know that there is
supporting evidence for this.
That is maybe 5 Zachariah Wells!
>I have one more... James Robertson, George Freeland, ZACHARIAH WELLS,
James Healey, William Neeley, Ed Swanson ... made the trip to the present
site of Nashville[Tennessee] in 1778-1779 to look the situation over. WHO
WAS THIS GUY!!<<
Got me. I have not seen this before either. Maybe one of the Zachariah
Wells researchers will know.
>>Why the researchers have attached him to Wilkes County is beyond me.<<
I don't recall why, but I am sure someone can refresh my memory and inform
you.
>>I'd be much more interested in the Zachariah Wells who served as a scout
in the Fincastle County, VA Militia in 1774. That seems to be a more
logical fit.<<
And why couldn't he be all three? In Fincastle in 1774 (doesn't mean he
lived there). Wilkes County, NC is under 150 miles from Lee County, VA.
And Russell County is within 50 miles. That was a piece of cake for those
old boys. Don't forget what Dr. George did moving from Philadelphia to
North Carolina and then Agusta, Georgia. I have no paroblem believing one
Zachariah could have been in all three places. Proving it is another
matter.
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
Received the following from John B. Wells III. If anyone can clarify some
of this, please step in and do so. Make sure you reply to the list so
everyone can see it and also cc: John - doredad(a)foothills.net
>Date: Wed, 14 Jan 1998 09:32:01 -0500
>From: John Wells <doredad(a)foothills.net>
>Subject: Zachariah Wells
>Orin:
> I had a little time yesterday to do a little work on the Zachariah
>Wells line of Lee County, VA. Regrettably, I came away even more confused.
>Here's what I found:
>
> First, there appear to have been at least four separate men by the
>name of Zachariah Wells operating in the same general geographic area. The
>first was Zacharaih Wells of Orange County, North Carolina, who married
>Elizabeth Freeman on 7/17/1799.
>
> The second was a Zachariah Wells of Wilkes County, North Carolina.
>He first appeared 9/9/1778 when he received 100 acres on the New River next
>to Micajah Pennington's land. This Zachariah is mentioned in two more deeds
>on 1/2/1779 and 12/22/1779 and is listed in Wilkes County tax lists for 1782
>and 1787. Now comes a little twist. According to THE LAND OF WILKES by
>Johnson J. Hayes, Wilkes Co. Hist. Soc., Wilkesboro, 1962, pp. 55-57,
>Zachariah Wells of Wilkes County was a notorious Tory during the Revolution
>and a member of Col. William Riddle's band. It seems that Zachariah was
>captured by Col. Cleveland's "Patriots" in1782 and hung. This account is
>confirmed by the book KING'S MOUNTAIN AND ITS HEROES by Lyman Draper, Gen.
>Pub., 1967, pp.436-447, which gives the same account. Zachariah Wells was
>buried on the banks of the Yadkin River about six miles from the land
>patented in Wilkes County in 1779!
>
> My first ... and obvious ... question is if Zachariah Wells of
>Wilkes County was a Tory and was hung in 1782, who was the Zachariah Wells
>who is listed in the 1787 tax list of Wilkes County. I also found it amuzing
>and confusing that the DAR PATRIOT INDEX includes Zachariah Wells as a
>private in the Patriot forces during the Revolution. I wonder how the family
>swung that!
>
> O.K., the fourth Zachariah Wells is the one from Loudon County,
>Virginia. He is listed in the Loudon County tax lists for 1770, 1771, 1772,
>1773, 1774, 1775, 1779, 1782 in Shelburne Parish. Deed records confirm that
>he never left the County during that time. This is the Zachariah who later
>drew a Revolutionary pension in Sullivan County, TN. for service in the
>Dragoons and Lee's Legion. The book 2,400 TENNESSEE PENSIONERS by Zella
>Armstrong, Gen. Pub., 1987, p.115, lists him in the 1818 pension list in
>Sullivan County, TN as age 89 which means he was born about 1729!
>
> If this wasn't enough, there is one more Zachariah Wells. The book
>SOLDIERS OF FINCASTLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA - 1774 by Mary B. Kegley, Dublin, VA,
>1974, p.68, lists Zachariah Wells as a "scout" and was paid for ten days
>service as such. Fincastle County was formed in 1772, but became Washington
>and Russell counties in 1777. As you know, Russell County was later split
>and part of it became Lee County. HHHMMMMM!
>
> If this wasn't enough, I have one more. In the book THE OVERMOUNTAIN
>MEN by Pat Alderman, p.50, "At the close of the [Long Island] Treaty, Col.
>Donelson returned to his home in Virginia and began preparation for moving
>to Salt Lick. James Robertson, George Freeland, ZACHARIAH WELLS, James
>Healey, William Neeley, Ed Swanson ... made the trip to the present site of
>Nashville[Tennessee] in 1778-1779 to look the situation over. WHO WAS THIS
GUY!!
>
> Now, the very first record we have of Zachariah Wells in Lee County,
>VA, is his purchase of land on the Powell River on May 3, 1799. He is also
>included in the 1799 tax list. However, I can find absolutely no proof to
>connect him with any of the above men by the name of Zachariah Wells. Why
>the researchers have attached him to Wilkes County is beyond me. Perhaps,
>you can copy this message to some of the Zachariah Wells researchers for an
>explanation. If I were a betting man I'd be much more interested in the
>Zachariah Wells who served as a scout in the Fincastle County, VA Militia in
>1774. That seems to be a more logical fit.
>
> What is your take on all this?
>
>
>John Wells
>
>
>
>
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html
Dear fellow Wells researchers:
I am leading a Wells Heritage Tour of England in June 1998 to visit the
villages and towns where the various branches of our family originated(or
lived) prior to coming to America. All but two of the passengers' lines are
well-documented and the places of origin known. However, I do have two
folks who descend from the Zachariah Wells line of Wilkes Co., NC & Lee
County, VA, who desperately want to make some sort of English connection,
no matter how tenuous. Can any of you assist me?
I know that Zachariah is definitely NOT the son of Richard and Ann "Nancy"
(Brown) Wells, but that is all I know. Are there any clues out there that
hint to Zachariah's connection to any of our established British lines?
I will appreciate any help you can provide. Thanks!
Sincerely,
John B. Wells III, Historian
Wells Family Association, Inc.
733 Court Street
Paintsville, KY 41240
<ekyrebel(a)foothills.net>
>From: "Vicky Rantz" <rantz(a)gte.net>
>To: <CHESNUT(a)FIDO.MM.UKY.EDU>
>Subject: LARKIN WELLS SEARCH
>Date: Sun, 28 Dec 1997 12:59:09 -0800
>X-MSMail-Priority: Normal
>
>Hello,
>
>I am researching my WELLS family history and notice on the internet that
>you have reseached a Larkin WELLS. The Larkin WELLS that I am looking for
>is possibly from Virginia and was possibly married to an Elizabeth(?)
>Larkin and Elizabeth had a daughter by the name of Sofornia (?) June WELLS
>who married a James Erwin FINNEY. James and Sofornia had a daughter by the
>name of Clementine FINNEY who married Jacob RANTZ. Jacob and Clementine
>had a son by the name of Lee Roy Lordford RANTZ who married Harriet
>Elizabeth PARSCALE. Lee Roy and Harriet had a son by the name of La Verne
>RANTZ. La Verne married Aletha Fern KEITHLEY and here I am -- me -- Ricky
>La Verne RANTZ.
>
>If the Larkin WELLS that you have in your records is the same one that I am
>searching for, please let me know. The later of the line above is from
>Missouri. I would very much like to share information and look forward to
>hearing from you.
>
>All the best in the new year!
>
>RICK RANTZ
>P.O. BOX 363
>LOS ALAMOS, CA 93440
>
>rantz(a)gte.net
>cc:
>rantz(a)jetlink.net
>
>
>
>
>
This was posted on the Wells-L list on Thursday. Anyone want to answer
this one? Please copy the list when you do. I am not aware that Mildred
is connected to the Zachariah Wells line, she is probably just following
any likely lead.
>From: Mildred Prather <mprather(a)mail.coin.missouri.edu>
>Subject: Jeremiah WELLS & Elizabeth CULBERTSON
>>Re: Query by Kenneth Kristensen on Jeremiah Wells b: 1799 m: Elizabeth
Culbertson.
>>Ken, Jeremiah b: Cir 1789 Big Stone Gap, Virginia was a son of Zachariah
Wells (b: Cir 1739 VA) and Abigail Osborne (b: Cir 1753 Russell Co., VA).
>>...........snip
Is anything known about this Jeremiah WELLS and Elizabeth CULBERTSON?
Mildred Prather
Columbia, MO
mprather(a)mail.coin.missouri.edu
Orin R. Wells
Wells Family Research Association
P. O. Box 5427
Kent, Washington 98064-5427
<ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
http://www.rootsweb.com/~wellsfam/wfrahome.html