Paul Westley/Wesley

Notes:

HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEEDS

Book 23 Page 591
Date 3 Sept. 1811 - Anthony Powell sold to Thomas Stanfield for $700.03 - Six Negroes: Jenny, Ellsey, Jack, Miller, Tom, and Jacob - signed by Thomas Watkins Sr.

Died:
The document lists Paul Wesley as being married at time of death

Paul married Elizabeth 'Betsy' Williamson 15 Nov 1821, Person, North Carolina. Elizabeth (daughter of William 'Billy' Williamson and Elizabeth Susan Wesley) was born 1805, Halifax County, Virginia; died Bef 1870, Halifax County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

1. John R. Wesley was born 23 Feb 1834, Halifax County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
2. Carolyn H. Wesley was born 1844, Halifax Co., Virginia; died 1883, Halifax Co., Virginia; was buried Age 30, First Crossroads Baptist Church Cemetery Turbeville, Halifax County, Virginia.
3. Eliza Westley/Wesley was born 10 Nov 1824, Halifax County, Virginia; died 13 Dec 1912, Halifax County, Virginia.
4. Agnes Westley/Wesley was born 1832, Halifax County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.
5. Mary Clementine Westley/Wesley was born 20 Jan 1830, Halifax County, Virginia; died 11 Mar 1916, Halifax County, Virginia; was buried , near Turberville, Virginia.
6. Charles Westley/Wesley was born 1836, Halifax County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown.

Notes:

HALIFAX CO. VA. DEEDS
8 Sept 1796 - John Wesley and wife Agatha sold to James Anderson Glenn 130 acres for 65 pounds on South side of Dan on Licking Creek boonded by Fanny Turner, Anthony Powell, John Wylie, Robert Stanfield Note: In July 1798 Agatha Wesley signed her conscent to this transaction. This is the last record we have of Agatha. This family name is usually spelled Wesley in the early records, but later it was sometimes Westley.

MARRIAGE RECORDS HALIFAX COUNTY

Sarah Wesley married Charles Gregory 3 March 1829, John Wesley her father, Bondsman Paul Wesley, Wit. James Wiley and Paul Wesley

Book 3 page 13 John R. Wesley married Nancy A. Lowery 25 Nov. 1859

From DAR records of Nancy Green Prewitt Hawkins found on LDS FHC microfilm Notes made by Hattie M. Scott, Frankfort KY, Mercer Co. Court Records See Deed Book, 1 page 14 James Hunter and Mary his wife and Hannah Harris sold 300 acres in 1792 to Charles Powell of Mercer Co. Ky. This suit seems to be over the title of 300 acres that Charles Powell bought of Mary Hunter, etc. Charles Powell's Heris vs Mathew Prewitt (Box P, NO. 9, 10, 11) At the house of Sally PRewitt, widow of Mathew Perwitt, Feb 15 1817. Thomas Crawford, adm. of Charles Prewitt (should be Powell) deceased filed Feb 26 1817. Charles Powell, Lewis Powell, Anthony Powell, Nathaniel Warren and wife Lucy, John Wesley and wife Agnes, George Cole and wife Rhoda, Fields Prewitt and wife Polly; Edmund Bottom and wife Sally, heirs and devisees of Charles Powell, deceased by Samuel Davis, attorney vs Sarah Prewitt, widow of Mathew Prewitt, deceased, Isham Prewitt, Nancy Prewitt, Edith Prewitt, Walker Prewitt, and Jas. Prewitt, heirs of Mathew Prewitt, deceased. This was land that Sarah Prewitt inherited form her father Wm. Stewart and Wm. Stewart's will given as exhibit, also deed of Charles Powell of Aug. 28 1792 from the Hunters, ect.

John married Agatha Powell. Agatha (daughter of Charles Powell and Sarah Jane Gholson) was born 3 Nov 1765, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

From DAR records of Nancy Green Prewitt Hawkins found on LDS FHC microfilm Notes made by Hattie M. Scott, Frankfort KY, Mercer Co. Court Records See Deed Book, 1 page 14 James Hunter and Mary his wife and Hannah Harris sold 300 acres in 1792 to Charles Powell of Mercer Co. Ky. This suit seems to be over the title of 300 acres that Charles Powell bought of Mary Hunter, etc. Charles Powell's Heris vs Mathew Prewitt (Box P, NO. 9, 10, 11) At the house of Sally PRewitt, widow of Mathew Perwitt, Feb 15 1817. Thomas Crawford, adm. of Charles Prewitt (should be Powell) deceased filed Feb 26 1817. Charles Powell, Lewis Powell, Anthony Powell, Nathaniel Warren and wife Lucy, John Wesley and wife Agnes, George Cole and wife Rhoda, Fields Prewitt and wife Polly; Edmund Bottom and wife Sally, heirs and devisees of Charles Powell, deceased by Samuel Davis, attorney vs Sarah Prewitt, widow of Mathew Prewitt, deceased, Isham Prewitt, Nancy Prewitt, Edith Prewitt, Walker Prewitt, and Jas. Prewitt, heirs of Mathew Prewitt, deceased. This was land that Sarah Prewitt inherited form her father Wm. Stewart and Wm. Stewart's will given as exhibit, also deed of Charles Powell of Aug. 28 1792 from the Hunters, ect.

Notes:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=fl
etaaday&id=I4853
Name: Charles Powell 1
Sex: M
Halifax Co. VA Book 10 page 266, 1777, Charles Powell
of Halifax Co. purchased of George Rainey for 62 pounds,
150 acres on The waters of Licking Creek bound by Landers
line, Witnesses John Stanfield, John Gholson, George
Patterson.

Book 14 page 447 Recorded 22 June 1789 Charles Powell
and wife Sarah sold 150 acres on Licking Creek to Asher
Reeves for 100 pounds This land sold by Reeves to son
Anthony Powell in 1792, 1793

Book 16 page 181 Dated 26 April 1794 Nathanial Warren
bought 100 acres from James and Robert Holt on Holt Mill
Creek Bound by William Stanfield, James Warren, Isaac Smith
signed by Charles Powell Jr. his mark - this must be our
Charles Jr. Halifax Co. in 1794 OVERWHARTON PARISH REGISTER
Stafford County Virginia 1720 to 1760

From Halifax Co. VA mailing list
Halifax Deed book 13 p 356: 24 Aug 1784, John CHAPMAN
of 96 Dist in SC to Robt STANFIELD of Halifax Co VA.
Consideration: 100 lbs specie. [High Quality Tobacco] Land: 300 ac in Halifax..lying on the waters of John's Run & is bounded by the lines of the said Robert STANFIELD, Richard OLIVER, Charles POWELL, Joseph MILLER, Thomas GUTTERY, & John TURNER decd. Witness: John CASON, Lewis TURNER, Robert Standfield, John PULLIAM(Pullium)
recorded 19 Jan 1789 John CHAPMAN



+++++++++++++
1st (Harrison's) CONTINENTAL ARTILLERY REGIMENT
Authorized 26 November 1776 in the Continental Army as Harrison's Continental Artillery Regiment and assigned to the Southern Department. Organized in spring and summer 1777 at Williamsburg, Via, to consist of ten companies, including the Virginia State Artillery Company and the Virginia Continental Artillery Company. Relieved 13 March 1778 from the Southern Department and assigned to the Main Army. Redesignated 10 August 1779 as the1st Continental Artillery Regiment. Relieved 17 April 1780 from the Main Army and assigned to the Southern Department. Reorganized 9 May 1780 to consist of twelve companies, including the Maryland Continental Artillery Companies. Reorganized I January 1781 to consist of ten companies. Furloughed in summer 1783 at Winchester, Virginia, and Baltimore, Maryland. Disbanded 15 November 1783.
CAMPAIGNS Elements of this regiment served in the
following: Chesapeake Bay Philadelphia-Monmouth Charleston
1780 Defense of the Carolinas Yorktown Greene's Campaign

Charles Powell Sr. Will Mercer County Kentucky, Will
Book 4, pages 112-114 In the name of God Amen, I Charles
Powel of Mercer County and state of Kentucky, being in a
perfect state of mind and memory but feeling the
disposition of my mortaly approaching, do make, constitute,
ordain this to be my Last will and testament. First, I
recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the
earth to be buried at the discretion of my friends in a
decent manner and as to my worldly possessions, I give and
dispose of them in the following manner. To Wit: I will
that all my just debts be paid and that my Negro man Tom
and my Negro woman Dorah be emancipated and enjoy their
freedom form and after my death, and unto the balance of my
property both real and personal, be sold and the proceeds
of the sale be equally divided amongst my children having
due regard to legacies they have already received which
must be properly accounted for as part of their dividends.
In testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and
affixed my seal this 28th day of March 1810. Charles Powell
X his mark Witnesses: Archibald Bilbo, James Sanderfur

Spotsylvania County Patriots 1774-1786, Spotsylvania
County Virginia Virginia Book Company, P. O. Box 421,
Berryville, Virginia 22611
1776 Spotsylvania County Militia
During The fall of 1776, the members of seven companies
of Spotsylvania County Militia became incensed at he
requirement to attend general musters at the Courthouse in
Fredericksburg. Because of this, the militia men resolved
to petition foe privilege of attending muster in a more
central locations...The original petitions are preserved in
the Virginia State Library in the collection of
"Spotsylvania Legislative Petitions."...All seven petitions
are virtually identical, and are dated November 14, 1776.
Captain Stubblefield's Company Beverley Williams, Harry
Stubblefield, Jas Wiglesworth, Lewis Holladay, James
Holladay, Abell Steers, William Wigleworth, John Smith,
John Graves, Samuel Bullock, Clayton Coleman, William
Brooks, Jos. Duarson, David Sandidge, Wm. Ehterton, W.
Cason, Harris Coleman, John Chiles, Henry Chiles , William
Blaydes , Jos. True, John Talbert, Phillip Daye, Jos.
Etherton, David Pulliam, Thomas Gaddis, Henry Lane, Thos.
Turner, Samuel Trainam, Thos. True, James Cason, Robt.
Shepherd, John Knight, Wm. Purkins, James Wheeler, Phillip
Johnson, Robt. Hart, John Canahan, Rolings Pulliam, Richd
Murf, Charles Cosby, Thos. Ward, John Sanders, Moses
Wheeler, Charles Powel, Dudly Harris, Joel Lewis, Nickles
Merriwether

Charles Powell, 3 years in the First Artillery, Samuel
Eddens, Captain Charles Powell In the First Artillery
Continental Troops Extracted from National Archives Records
Appointed January 3, 1777, for 3 years At Valley Forge June
3, 1778 , Pate $9 a month paid in New York currency, in
1778 At Camp White Plains August 8, 1778 Sick in Camp at
Camp Fredericksburg October 1, 1778 Promoted to Sergeant
October 1, 1778 Pay rate $10 At Camp Pluckamin December 21,
1778 At Middle Brook June 3, 1779 At Camp Smith's Clove
July 4, 1779 At New Windsor August 3, 1779 Discharged
January 10, 1780 - Morristown, New Jersey

On Sept. 1, 1783 Charles Powell signed as receiving 79
Pounds, 8 sh., 5 pn. From Officers and Privates of the
Revolutionary War, page 250 Colonel Harrison's Regiment of
the Artillery Company No. 8, As it stood at Valley Forge,
June 3, 1778 Sl Eddens, Captain Lewis Booker,
Captain-Lieutenant Richard Hill, First Lieutenant Abraham
Cole, Second Lieutenant (Sick in Virginia) John Chick,
Sergeant (Sick in Virginia) Christian Francis, Corporal
William Machie, Corporal Augustine Lawless, Bombardier
Christian Cawthorn, Bombardier Charles Powell, Bombardier
James Gentry, Bombardier Richard Croxton, Gunner Richard
Rogers, Gunner George Anderson, Drummer John Sneed, Fiffer
Matrosses for Three Years Joseph Clark John Denton Charles
Lyle Charles Morgan Issac Wesson Benjamin Lawson William
Creamer John Lyle Jacob Peales Edward Saggs William Vaughan
(Sick in Camp) John Wilds (Sick in Camp) Richard Parker
(Sick in Camp) William Bibb (Sick in Camp) Solomon Hall
(Sick in Camp) A list of Capt. Samuel Eddens' Company of
Artillery, as it stood at Smith's Clove, July 4, 1779 is on
page 251. There are thirty members listed in the Company at
Valley Forge and only twenty-one at Smith's Clove. All the
soldiers listed as sick on the first list are absent from
the second. It is possible they all died in camp at Valley
Forge. On the second list Charles Powell and Christian
Cawthorn are shown as promoted to Sergeant on Oct. 1, 1778.
Company Number 9 and 10 of this artillery both have a
William Powell on their rosters. It is not known exactly
who these two William Powells might be.


Charles Powell was discharged January 10, 1780 at
Morristown, New Jersey. Among those listed at the same time
were: Ambrose Bohannan, Lieut. & P. M., on furlough to
Virginia Charles Powell sold his military warrant to A.
Bohannan, 1783 Also, John C. Carter (could this be John
Crump Carter?) Thomas Carter Samuel Coleman Thomas Coleman
Whitehead Coleman
Note: ( Charles Powell sold Sarah Gholson's land
inherited from her grandfather Sandridge to Clayton Coleman)

Charles Powell, Halifax Co. VA Militia A list of the
mens names belonging to Maj. Jones Battalion of Militia who
have deserted, Distinguishing those who carried off their
arms from those who did not, also those who deserted from
their post.n Point Feby. 23 1781 John Anderson,Judfood
Parrott, John Pulliman, Macajah Simms, Ashwell Stone, Isham
Turner, Elijah Parrott, Thomas Watkin, William Warmack,
William Young, William Dye, William Taylor, Jacob Miller,
John Foster, Thomas Whitlock, Reubin Graves, John Hall,
Thomas Brooks, Joseph Peterson, William Davis Moses Turner,
John Smithey, Robert Wade, Zacheriah Hill John Carter,
Charles Powell, David Jones Note: These are the 27 names of
men from Halifax County on this list. Charles Powell is
listed as taking his gun, bayonet, cartridge box, flint,
and cartridges. Everyone on the list is listed as deserting
"From Post". We have only the first page of this list. We
do not know the total number off pages. This page contains
41 names with others from Buckingham, Bedford and
Mecklenburg County.

1782 Halifax Co. Tax list Charles Powell 10 Whites, 3
Blacks 1787 Halifax Co. VA Tax list Charles Powell 1Black
+16 yrs, 4 Blacks 1-16 yrs, 4 horses, 14 cattle 1810 Mercer
Co. KY Will/Inventory 1 Negro man Tom 1 Negro woman Dorcah
8 cattle,eep, 3 horses, 56 hogs


Halifax Co. Marriages

Charles Powell to Salley Nelson April 23 1794 Sur. John
Nelson Married 24 April by Rev. Leonard Baker p. 30

David Powell Jr. to Sarah Winn Smith Johnson Jan 17
1791 Wit. Robert Terry. Sarah dau. of John ans Susanna
Wooding. Step-dau. fo John and dau. of Susanna. Married 18
Jan by Rev Alexander Hay p. 21

David Powell to Susannah Carter Nov 11 1796 Susannah
signs her own consent. Married 17 Nov by Rev. Jaems
Watkins. p. 34

James Powell to Nancy Adams Feb 11 1800 dau. of Will
Adams who consents. Sur. Philip Adams. Wit Obadiah Roberts.
Married 13 FEb by Rev Reuben Pickett p. 45

Joshua Powell to Fanny Willinham June 2 1787 Sur. David
Powell p. 12

Thomas Powell to Nancy Wamack Sept 4 1792 dau. of
Charles Womack who consents. Sur. Enoch Farmer. Married 6
Sept by Rev. Hawkins Landrum p. 24

William Powell to Sally Johnson Sept 16 1784 Sur. Smith
Johnson. Wit. Henry Goare p. 6

William Powell to Nancy Nelson Dec 25 1798 Sur. John
Hodges. Married 26 Dec by Rev. Leonard Baker. p. 39

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~cst/bartlett/wspotsva.htm
Page 139. BARTLETT, William, Berkeley Parish, d. Oct. 13,
1774, p. Dec 21, 1775. Wit. Edward HERNDON, Joseph
Willoughby, Charles POWELL. Ex. Susannah BARTLETT and son
Harry BARTLETT.. son Harry BARTLETT; my wife Susannah; my
five children, viz; Thomas, William and Harry BARTLETT, Ann
MONTAGUE and Isabel GRAVES.

Spotsylvania Co. VA records
Octr. 9, 1769. George Humphries of Orange Co. and
Eleanor, his wife, and Edward Graves of Culpeper Co. and
Sarah, his wife, to John Chiles of Spts. Co. £10 curr. 120
a. in Spts. Co., part of a tract willed by John Graves,
Decd., to his sonse sd. Edward and Thomas, John and Isaac
Graves, etc. Witnesses, Henry Chiles, Ben. Chiles, Chas.
Powell, Joseph Dicken. May 7, 1770.



From DAR records of Nancy Green Prewitt Hawkins found on LDS FHC microfilm Notes made by Hattie M. Scott, Frankfort KY, Mercer Co. Court Records See Deed Book, 1 page 14 James Hunter and Mary his wife and Hannah Harris sold 300 acres in 17o Charles Powell of Mercer Co. Ky. This suit seems to be over the title of 300 acres that Charles
Powell bought of Mary Hunter, etc. Charles Powell's Heirs
vs Mathew Prewitt (Box P, NO. 9, 10, 11) At the house of
Sally PRewitt, widow of Mathew Perwitt, Feb 15 1817. Thomas
Crawford, adm. of Charles Prewitt (should be Powell)
deceased filed Feb 26 1817. Charles Powell, Lewis Powell,
Anthony Powell, Nathaniel Warren and wife Lucy, JOHN WESLEY
and wife Agnes, George Cole and wife Rhoda, Fields Prewitt
and wife Polly; Edmund Bottom and wife Sally, heirs and
devisees of Charles Powell, deceased by Samuel Davis,
attorney vs Sarah Prewitt, widow of Mathew Prewitt,
deceased, Isham Prewitt, Nancy Prewitt, Edith Prewitt,
Walker Prewitt, and Jas. Prewitt, heirs of Mathew Prewitt,
deceased. This was land that Sarah Prewitt inherited form
her father Wm. Stewart and Wm. Stewart's will given as
exhibit, also deed of Charles Powell of Aug. 28 1792 from
the Hunters, ect.

Marriage 1 Sarah Gholson b: Abt 1745 in Spotsylvania Co.,
VA.
Married: 1764 in VA 1
Children
Agatha Powell b: 3 Nov 1765 in Spotsylvania Co, VA
Lucy Powell b: 26 Sep 1767 in Spotsylvania Co, VA
Anthony Powell b: 19 Nov 1769 in Spotsylvania Co, VA
Rhoda Powell b: 9 Mar 1772 in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia
Charles Powell b: 5 Jul 1774, Spotsylvania Co, VA
Lewis Powell b: 29 Oct 1776, Spotsylvania Co, VA
Mary Ann Polly Powell b: 30 Jul 1779 in Halifax Co. VA
Sarah Jane Powell b: 1 Feb 1782 in Halifax Co., Virginia

Captains Stubblefield's Company

Beverley Williams, Harry Stubblefield, Jas Wiglesworth, Lewis Holladay, James Holladay, Abell Steers, William Wigleworth, John Smith, John Graves, Samuel Bullock, Clayton Coleman, William Brooks, Jos. Duarson, David Sandidge, Wm. Ehterton, W. Cason, Harris Coleman, John Chiles, Henry Chiles , William Blaydes , Jos. True, John Talbert, Phillip Daye, Jos. Etherton, David Pullaim, Thomas Gaddis, Henry Lane, Thos. Turner, Samuel Trainam, Thos. True, James Cason, Robt. Shepherd, John Knight, Wm. Purkins, James Wheeler, Phillip Johnson, Robt. Hart, John Canahan, Rolings Pullaim, Richd Murf, Charles Cosby, Thos. Ward, John Sanders, Mosis Wheeler, Charles Powel, Dudly Harris, Joel Lewis, Nickles Merriwether

Charles married Sarah Jane Gholson. Sarah (daughter of Anthony Gholson, Jr. and Mary Sandridge) was born Abt 1740, Halifax Co., Virginia; died Oct 1834, Mercer County, Kentucky. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/h/o/Linda-K-Gholsonhoffine/GENE1-0003.html

SARAH3 GHOLSON (ANTHONY2, ANTHONY1) was born 1745, and died Aft. 1779. She married CHARLES POWELL 1765 in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia.

Notes for SARAH GHOLSON:
Sarah"s father was Anthony Gholson, Jr. and his wife Jane. Her mother was Mary Sandrifge the daughter of William and Ann Sandridge of Spotsylvania County, Virginia. Sarah was named for her grandmother, Sarah Jane Gholson. Anthony Gholson, JR. married Mary Sandridge probably around 1744. Sarah grew up in St. George's Parish, in Spotsylvania County, next to the Sandridge family. Her father kept this land until June 4,1764, when he sold it to Peter Marye, so Sarah probably spent most of her childhood in this area. Her father, Anthony Gholson, Jr. was not a wealthy plantation owner but rather a moderatlely well off planter. He owned several slaves, research indicates his wife's family was somewhat better situated financially.
Spotyslvania County was still back country when Sarah was growing up and raising her own children there. The fall line ran through this piedmont county, distinguishing it from the tidewater counties in Virginia.
In general, piedmont country was more sparsly settled than the coastal areas, with more wilderness, fewer less well-maintained roads, and less ready access to commodity markets.
Sarah Gholson married Charles Powell by early 1765, if not before. Her first child, a daughter named Agatha, was born Novemeber 3, 1765. Sarah says Charles Powell owned only a horse and wearing apparel when they were married. As she owned the 100 acres of farmland William Sandridge willed her, it seems likely Charles and Sarah lived on this land when they were first married. Her father probably moved to Louisa County after he sold his land in 1764, but since Louisa is a bordering county to Spotyslvania. I doubt they lived far from each other.
Sarah gave birth to five more children at this Spotsylvania homestead: Lucy in 1767, Anthony, her first son which she names for her father, in 1769, Rhoda in 1772, Charles, Jr. in 1774, and Lewis in 1776. Charles and Sarah sold this landon July 22, 1776. Charles served in Captain Stubblefield's company of the Spotsylvania Militia and signed a petition to the legislature on November 14, 1776 with this company. Anthony Gholson, Jr. bought 225 acres of land in Halifax County on February 10,1777. They must have moved to Halifax County between these two dates.
By the time of this move, Sarah had two daughters old enough to help with the household. Agatha, twelve years old, and Lucy, ten years old. Anthony, at eight years old , was probably just beginning to help his father in the fields. If Charles and Sarah did noy already own slaves, it is likely her father's slaves helped Sarah with her work.
In Halifax County, Charles and Sarah may have lieved with her parents. Her Father died in 1779, leaving his land to his wife durning her lifetime, and to his youngest son, Dabney after her death. Dabney would have been only about 10 years old at theis time and Charles Powell may have managed the land for the widow Mary Gholson. From the early tax lists of Halifax County, it is evident that Charles at least lived close to Mary Gholson. From recourds found in james M. Black's book, I believe Mary Gholson's land bordered the south side of the Dan River in the western part of Halifax County.
Halifax County was also piedmont land and was even more primitive tha Spotsylvania County. Since Anthony and Charles were surely tobacco farmers, and tobacco wore out the land so quickly, they likely moved to Halifax to obtain fresh tobacco farming land. It could be that they moved to distance themselves from the intense action of the Revolutionary War. It seems significate to me that we find so many names of Spotyslvania families in Halifax County with our family. Several families must have made this move together for some reason. Spotsylvania was first settled in the early 1700's, but Halifax although it had been inhabited by colonist for over 25 years, was still thinly populated in 1777.
A HISTORY OF HALIFAX COUNTY GIVES THIS ACCOUNT OF LIVING __CONDITIONS
______________________________________________________________
"This was "back Country", remote from Tidewater, in a day of difficult travel. Our planters lived of necessity on the simple scale. All mercantile goods had to come overland from Petersburg, some seventy miles or more away, and all tobacco had to find it's way back there. many large tracts of land had been taken up years before by great landowners of Tidewater. The land was rich in promise; there were broad and fertile river lowgrounds, and creek bottoms , as well. But the problem of the planter was to get his produce to market, and this was always to be a determining factor in the history of our economy.
A traveler who visited Mecklenburg County on the eve of the Revolution, Dr. John F. D. Symthe, wrote of the back country people:
A planter raises his own meats, beef, and bacon, his own corn and bread, his drink, cider, and brandy, his fruit, apples, peaches, ect. and great part of his clothing, which is cotton.
He has no market to repair but the nearest store;which chiefly supplies him with finery,articles for agriculture, and what else may be his staple produce, and is always in arrears.
The houses here are almost always all of wood, covered with the same; the roof with shingles, the sides and ends with thin boards, and not always lathed and plastered within; only those of the better sort are finished in that manner, and painted on the outside. The chimneys are sometimes of brick, but more commonly of wood, coated on the inside with clay. The windows of the best sort have windows in them, the rest have none, and only wooden shutters".
______________________________________________________________
These were the conditions Charles and Sarah lived under in Halifax County. It was probably a fairly comfortable life for them, with few real hardships other than the hazards of failed crops always faced by farmers until war exploded into their world.
Charles served in the Halifax Militia durning the Revolution. We do not know how much service he actually saw. If he did not serve in the regular Continental Army, he probably was at home much of the time. After the destruction of Norfolk in 1775, Virginia saw very little military action until 1779 when the British started a campaign of destruction against Virginia becasue she was such an important supplier of men, materials, and financial backing for the Rebel cause. There was much action in the Southern theatre after this time, and the Virginia Militia was called on again and again to support this cause. Units from the southwest Virginia were at Kings Mountain, South Carolina and at Guilfords Court House, North Carolina in 1780. Such was the nature of this war, that the same men who marched the torturous miles and fought the awful battles also had to sow and reap the cropsto feed them selves and their families. It was imperative for the men of the Malitia tobe home to tend the crops but the enemy would not wait for the harvest.
Durning this time Sarah had two more children;Mary Ann (Polly) in 1779, and Sarah Jane,in 1782, just after the end of the Revolutionary War. /She may have had to do a man's work while Charles was fighting. She and Charles probably endured many hardships durning the War.
The next move for Charles and Sarah, I believe in the winter of 1789, was a giant step into a different world, the wilderness of Kentucky.
Sarah probably was excited about going into a new land even in view of the hardships she must have known she and her family would face. Her sister, Susanna Gholson Prewitt, almost 20 years her junior, the wife of Anthony Prewitt, either made the journey with her or was waiting in Mercer County, Kentucky, but died shortly after the move. Possibly, her sister, Mary, wife of James Jones, and her sister, Elizabeth, wife of David Jones, also accompanied the Pwell family to Kentucky. Many families from Halifax County can be found in the early records of Mercer County and surrounding areas. Sarah had many neighbors and friends in Kentucky that she already knew from Virginia.
Sarah was leaving three married children, Agatha, Lucy and Anthony, behind in Virginia. She was surely aware she would most likely never see them again, and possibly never hear from them again. It is possible word of family members was carried back and forth between Halifax County and Kentucky by frontier parties returning for supplies, but it is doubtful if she had much contact with these three children, after she moved to Kentucky. Over the years, she must have wondered many times how they and their families were faring.
By the time Sarah Powell started down the Wilderness Road for a new life in the Kentucky wilderness, she would have been about 45 years old. Just imagine, starting over in the wilderness society at 45. Charles Jr. and Lewis were old enough to do a man's work as well as provide food for the table by hunting and fishing. Seventeen year old Rhoda and ten year old Polly were of an age to be skilled in weaving, sewing and other household skills. Sarah Jane would have been able to do some household chores.
On March 11,1790 Rhoda married George Cole, and left her mother to handle the household on Doctors Fork with only the aid of her slaves and the two young sisters. Sarah probably had a rough time the first few years in the wilderness, trying to make a home for her family with onlythe bare essentials of housekeeping. Still she preserved, and to the best of our knowledge, raised all her children to adulthood. That in itself was no small feat in the era in which she lived.
In 1807, after all her children had married and left the home , she and Charles seperated. She accused him of several indignities, including beating her. I believe she went to live with her youngest child, Sarah Jane Bottom and her husband Edmund Bottom, who lived close by Charles and Sarah on Chaplain River. A female, over 45, is listed with Edmund Bottom on the Mercer County census in 1810, and in 1830 a female 90 to 100. This would mean Sarah was born by 1740. She lived with her daughter 27 years, helping her to raise Sarah's eight children.
Sarah secured a separation agreement with Charles Powell ( see copy attached) that gave her an income for life. In 1807 it was uncommon for a woman in Sarah's position to leave her husband. It was equally uncommon for her to pursue a settlement with her husband in the courts, and it was almost unheard of for a womanto win in such a suit. Sarah had to be made of stern stuff.
Sarah Gholson Powell died sometime before October 4,1834, when her estate was appraised in Mercer County, Will Book 10, page 243. The only asset listed is one bond on Jeremiah Briscoe for $1000, plus interest $26288.33 1/8, minus subdry credits of $1560.00, balance due $1068.331/8.
This would be an estate of considerable value for a 90 year old woman in 1834, but it has not been determined if her heirs collected the balance on this note. Although Charles referred to her as old and infirm in 1807, she outlived him by 24 years.
Sarah Gholson Powell participated in the colonization of a new world, the founding opf a new nation, and the settlement of a wilderness state. Although the part she played in all this might be considered small by some people, we who are numbered amoung her descendants, owe her a great deal. If you a Powell woman, sometimes feel the fire of the Powell temper raising within you, maybe it is Sarah's will of Steel flowing through your veins. She was a woman of uncommon courage and valor.

References: Taken directly from "the Powell Times and Lines"
The life and Times of Charles Powell Sr. and Sarah Gholson Powell, Mercer County, Kentucky. Volume 1, No. 2 Winter of 1993 Published by Three Sisters Publications Route 1, Box 201 Green Forest Ar. 72638

Notes:

Married:
Children of Charles Powel, Sr.

[Agatha] Agathy Powel was born November 3, 1765
[Lucy] Lewsey Powel was born September 26, 1767
[Anthony] Anthoney Powel was born November 19, 1769
Rhoda Powel was born march 9, 1772
Charles Powel was born July 5, 1774
Lewis Powel was born October 29, 1776
Mary Ann Powel was born July 30, 1779
Sarah Powel was born February 1, 1782

Notes:

Library of Virginia, Halifax County, Virginia, Deed Book 14, Page 83, 20 April 1787 Bond, Edmund King, William McDaniel, Wm Murphey, & Wm Powell Abstract: We, Edmund King, William McDaniel, Wm Murphey, & Wm Powell, give bond of 500 pounds to the Halifax, VA Justices this Apr 20, 1787 to warrant that aforesaid Edmund King, who was undertaken to build a bridge over Banister River at the place called "Gills Mill? and to Maintain to be a good bridge for wagons & teams & all other travelers, the term of 5 years from the present date, and will continue said bridge during the aforesaid 5 years, then this bond to be void.
Signed: Edmund King, William McDaniel, Wm Murphey, Wm Powell.
Wit: none.
Recorded Apr 20, 1787




Edward Powell, David Powell, and William Powell with Moses Terry and Wm. Gent involved in the estate of Stephen Neal; grandfather of Elizabeth Neal who married Samuel Carter of Carter's Tavern. The Will also names a daughter Catherine Powell.

William married Elizabeth Mrs. William Powell. Elizabeth was born Abt 1730; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=fletaaday&id=I2706

Anthony Gholson
Sex: M
Birth: Bet 1707 and 1708 in Spotsylvania Co., VA.
Death: 1779 in Halifax Co. VA.
Note:

Halifax Co. Land Records Book 10 page 265 Dated 10 Feb 1777 Anthony Gholson of Louisa Co. purchased of John Williamson of Halifax Co. for 125 pounds 225 acres "lying and being on the South Side of Dan on the lower side of Deep Bottom creek...Down new Road" bound by John Dickies, William Wiley and Joyn Raney, Joseph Talbert, Elizabeth Miller- "its being a tract of land bequeathed to Jacob Miller by the last will and testament of Harmen Miller Dec. and conveyed by deed from the said Jacob Miller to John Williamson"

Book 14 page 485 dated 3 Jan 1789 - Dabney Goalson sold to John Goalson 100 acres for 100 pounds land described as "being upper part of the land given to me by my fathers last will...beginning on Charles Powell line" bound by John Dickie, Charles Powell, James Watkins - Witnesses Charles Powell, Thomas Hix, Arch Commical . This proves that Charles Powells land bordered Anthony Gholson's land and was also on the South Side of the Dan.

Anthony Gholson, Jr. was probably born and raised in Spotsylvania County, VA and married Mary Sandridge, daughter of William and Ann Sandridge , by 1743. He & Mary lived close by her parents on land he purchased from William Sandridge from 1744 until 1764, when he probably moved to Lousia County. In 1777 he migrated to Halifax County, V A and it seems most of his married children migrated with him. Anthony Jr. died in 1779. Mary Gholson married John Brown Aug. 8, 1788, Halifax Co. VA and died after 1798. The known children of Anthony Jr. & Mary are as follows.

Sarah mar. Charles Powell ca 1765 Ann mar. Mr. Fleming John mar. Ann Pettus * to Wilkes County, GA Joseph b. ca 1751, mar. Frances Waddell Mary b. ca 1753 mar. James Jones Elizabeth b. ca 1755 mar. David Jones Eunice Gholson Dabney b. ca 1759, mar. 1 Elizabeth Pulliam, mar. 2. Mary Bullock * to Wilkes Co. GA Susanna b. ca 1761, mar. Anthony Prewett * to Mercer Co., KY

Name:
Halifax County Virginia Land Records

Book 10 Page 265
Recorded August Court 1777
Dated 10 Feb. 1777 - Anthony Gholson of Louisa Co. purchased of John Williamson of Halifax Co. for 125 pounds, 225 acres "lying and being in the County of Halifax aforesaid and on the South side of Dan on the lower side of Deep Bottom creek...Down new Road" - Bounded by John Dickies, William Wiley and John Raney, Joseph Talbert, Elizabeth Miller - land formerly owned by Jacob Miller - Witnesses: James Coleman, Joseph Talbert, Thomas B??, John Gholson

Book 14 page 485
Dated 3 Jan. 1789 - Dabney Goalson sold to John Goalson - 100 acres for 100 pounds - land described as "being upper part of the land given to me by my fathers last will...beginning on Charles Powell line" - Bounded by John Dickie, Charles Powell, James Watkins - Witnesses: Charles Powell, Thomas Hix, Arch Commical
Note: This record describing the land received from Anthony Gholson as beginning at Charles Powell line proves Charles' land was adjacent to his father's-in-law land on the South side of the Dan. There were many other Powells in the land records (William, Luke, David, Mark, John, Joshua, and another Charles) but the land was mostly in Northern Halifax Co. on and near the Bannister River. I have not connected any of these other Powells with our Charles, but it is possible there is a connection.

Anthony married Mary Sandridge 1764, Virginia. Mary was born 1722, Spotsylvania County, Virginia; died Yes, date unknown. [Group Sheet]