Date: Mon, 19 Jan 1998 16:38:26 -0500
To: "Orin R. Wells" <ORWells(a)bigfoot.com>
From: John Wells <doredad(a)foothills.net>
Subject: Re: Wilkes Co/Lee Co
Orin:
I did a bit more research on this Zachariah Wells "nut." I think it
is a nut that can be cracked. "by Harbert" obviously refers to William
Herbert of Fincastle County, VA. He was Captain of the Fincastle Militia
under whom Zachariah Wells served as a scout in 1774. He was also a
well'known area businessman who came directly to Augusta County, VA, in 1763
from Bristol, England. He was manager of a lead/silver mine and had
extensive landholdings all over Southwest Virginia. Interestingly, at least
one of his children eventually settled in Ashe/Surry County, NC, on the New
River. William Herbert died in Fincastle County in 1776 and his will was the
subject of several court actions. I have a very complete biographical sketch
of this fellow, but Zachariah is never mentioned. I suspect that he was an
employee of Herbert's. I also noted with interest that there were several
Osborne families who lived very near to Herbert in 1771-1776 and Herbert's
two sons were named Thomas and William. Note that Zachariah Wells named two
of his older sons Thomas and William. The more I search the more I feel that
the Zachariah Wells who lived in Fincastle County in 1772 is our man. Now,
to check for the name of Wells in the surrounding counties prior to the
founding of Fincastle in 1772. Does anyone on the listserver have any access
to Augusta and Botetourt County records & tax lists?
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