I recently came across some info that I re-read again and that I would pass on
to everyone. It contains some of the same old errors that have been beat to
death already. But it contains some kernels of info that may help in looking
around for more substance on Ol' Zack.
It is a text document saved by Msworks. If anyone has problems opening it up
let me know and I will resave it in any format you processor can handle.
Claude
The following information is probably old news and a rehash of previously known data. I
just came across it again and thought that I would share it with you and to see if any of
it sparks some conversations.
It comes from a letter that was written in 1990 to my dear cousin who got me involved in
the search of the family. The original letter was written and contains copies of NSDAR
Genealogical Forms and some other hand written notes. The descendants of old Zack didnt
have to rely on Zachariah having to have served to qualify for connection to the DAR.
Especially the descendants from Winfield Scott Wells who was married to Sarah Margaret
Fugate. Her Great grandfather was Peter Morison who served at Kings Mountain. I wonder
from my data. Here is the info I am talking about.
This was apparently put together by a relative named Louise Nichols, her mother was a
Wells and she married a Wells who was a professor at a college in Charlottesville.
Some of this info I know is wrong from some of my research and other info that has come
out recently.
General James Wells b. 1672 Somerset England married Anne. Came to Baltimore, MD in 1725.
Children Richard Sr., George, Hannah and Alexander.
Richard Sr. by his first wife Nancy Brown had Alexander, Zachariah, Moses (WV) Aaron,
Nathaniel, Edmond, George, Mary, James William, Robert, Thomas, Patience and Richard Jr.
by his second wife: Mary Stevenson, he had Charles, Bazil and Hugh.
Richard Sr. b. 1715 d. 1808; Nancy Brown (wife no. 1) daughter of George and Nancy
Stevenson.
Zachariah Wells b. 1750 Eastern VA. d. 1825. married Abigail Osborn in 1805 (her grandson
John P. Wells list her name as Elizabeth). She was the daughter of James Osborn and Mary
Whittaker Osborn of Russell County, VA. James was the brother Stephen Osborn of Scott
County, VA. They were the sons of Caleb and Hannah Osborn. James was a soldier in
Washington County, VA in 1777 at Moores Fort. Abigail was listed in her fathers will
which was probated in Russell County, VA in 1822. James Osborn died December 14, 1821
(Friday night) in Lower Castlewood, Russell County, VA. The will was drawn up 04/29/1816.
James listed in the DAR patriots index p. 507.
Zachariah disagreed with his brother Robert and unable to settle dispute amicably- He was
in Wilkes County, NC in 1778 when he entered 100 acres in the county on the New River. He
sojourned to Grayson County. Where he met & married Abigail, 1st cousin to Easter or
Ester wife of Issac Richmond. Not long after the marriage they came to Lee County in 1799.
Over next 15-20 years purchased and sold land. In 1814 purchased land in Wise County, VA
near Big Stone Gap. In 1805 he owned land at Stoneys Creek, which is now Appalachia, VA.
They had 8 children: Thomas, Zachariah Jr., William, Jeremiah, Robert, Jacob, Jemima and
Abigail.
William T. known as Great Mountain Preacher. He married Rebecca Shepard b. ca. 1798 KY d/o
William Shepard and Lavinia. They had a daughter Lavinia born 1840 Lee County died
November 15, 1877 Wise County. Rebecca Shepard Wells died November 1, 1865 in Big Stone
Gap, Wise County, VA. William T. Wells died 1878 Wise County, VA at age 81 years old.
Jonathan Brickey Wells wrote book Genealogy of the Wells Family of Lee/Wise County, VA
he was the grandson of Zachariah and Abigail Wells. He was married to Patience Pendleton
and lived at Farmerville, TX. He was born in 1837 at Big Stone Gap and was a Confederate
veteran.
As I previously stated earlier I know that some of the info is now in error. General
James Wells was actually the second generation his father was also James Wells from
Somerset England. I am not sure of the sources that was used for this info, except some of
it came from family history and apparently several books written by Zachariah descendants.
The one mentioned above and possibly from the following: William Wells & His
Descendants 1755-1909 by Fredric Wells and Brief History of the Wells Family by Albert
Wells. And also from Early Settlers of Lee County, VA by Anne Farmingham.