The Mountain Laurel
The Journal of Mountain Life

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Heart of the Blue Ridge


Genealogy - April, 1987

Issue: April, 1987


[Dear Editor,]
I would like to ask your help in tracing my ancestors who settled in and around Fayette, Raleigh, and Kanawha Counties of West Virginia. My ancestors name is Toney and I'm led to believe they emigrated from Greece. I do not have any records other than knowing my father's name is Charles Ronald Toney, deceased, grandfather's name was John Pad Toney, deceased, great-grandfather's name was Jessie Toney, deceased. My birth date is 11 October 1934. If you have any information or you feel you may be helpful to me, please reply. I greatly appreciate any help you can give me. Thank you.

Oneda Joyce Toney Reeves
207 Jeanne Lane
Chaparral, Nm 88021


[Dear Editor,]
I am seeking information on the family of Augusta Rhudy, born 1843 at Burkes Garden, Virginia and died 1912 at Burkes Garden, Virginia. Augusta was the son of David Rhudy and Barbara Spracher.

Who was his wife and where is she buried? I would also like to know of his children and to hear from anyone who can give me this information.

Mrs. Paul Cox
Box 451
Burkes Garden, VA 24608


[Dear Editor,]
My grandmother, Mrs. Gladys E. (White) Oneal, has completed her family history search of the Whites and their kin and has had her findings printed in book form. She has several copies left which she would be willing to sell. These Whites came from Virginia to Kentucky, then to Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas and spread out from there. Please send inquiries to:

Mrs. Gladys Oneal
Rt. 1, Box 92
Satanta, KS 67870


Dear Mrs. Thigpen,
I enjoy your newspaper and have told others about it. I have also gotten some good leads in working on my family tree due to your newspaper. I want to ask your readers about two things.

First on working on our family ancestry, I found the foundation of a mill that we called Kelly's Mill. It was on Spoon Creek in Patrick County, Virginia. I know George W. Kelly's son Robert might have run the mill for awhile. Some people called the Tautum Mill. Do any of your readers know anything about the mill and does anyone have a picture of It?

Second, I discovered in the Franklin County Cemetery Book, an Ally Gallasphy (1798-1893 Notice her age and the time she lived). Ally Wade married a William Gallasphy. She is buried near Cooper Cemetery in Franklin County, Virginia. I am searching for information about the land of Cooper Cemetery and any information on William and Ally Gallasphy (Gillispie).

Thank you,

Elizabeth W. Gillispie
Rt.8, Box 318
Martinsville, VA 24112