The Mountain Laurel
The Journal of Mountain Life

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Heart of the Blue Ridge


Genealogy - July, 1987

Issue: July, 1987


[Dear Editor;]
I would like any information about my maternal grandfather's family, who was Charles E. Lewis. He and brothers Joe and Jim and sister Polly came to Tazewell County Va. about 1870 from Ash Co., NC. Had sister who married a Hopkins. She had a son Joe Hopkins who visited them at one time in Va. about he beginning of this century.

C. W. Dunford
Rt. 2, Box 58
N. Tazwell, VA 24630


[Dear Editor;]
I would like information on the Cockram's, Kendrick's, and Radfords. Were Nathanial Cockram and Sarah Kendrick the parents of Edward Cockram, Sr. Whose wife was Mary? I will glad to trade information with anyone interested in these families.

Virginia C. Tilley
811 Collier Ave.
Mullens, WV 25882


[Dear Editor;]
The ancestor I am researching is my husband's great–grandfather, David Smyth, born May 20, 1810 in Wythe County, Va. (according to family information). He married Nancy Shepard (Shephard), possibly of North Carolina. The first additional information we have is of the birth of their first child, William Edward in May, 1838 in Jackson County, Missouri.

In going through the limited materials available at my local library, I find a number of Smyth's listed in Grayson County in the census of 1810. Also, the book "Pioneer Settlers of Grayson County" mentions Alexander Smyth as "the first attorney in Grayson County" and also that "he help organize Wythe County".

Mrs. Charles M. Redman
4500 Panorama
Las Cruces, NM 88001


[Dear Editor;]
I would like to have any information regarding Obedience Hylton who married James Pratt. He was killed in the war of 1812 at Norfolk, Virginia leaving her with seven small children. They lived in Montgomery County which is now Floyd County. Thank you.

Judith G. Blackwell
224 Cristian Ave. NE
Roanoke, VA 24012


[Dear Editor;]
I am seeking information about my father, Lester Marshall. He was born in Carroll County, Va. in 1889 the only child of Henry and Ellen Hull Branson. They both died when he was young. He had several older half–brothers and sisters. He may have lived with his half–brother, Hamilton Marshal and attended school at Laurel Fork between 1895–1900. My mother did not have any pictures of him and did not know many details of his early life. They were married in 1919 and he died in 1924.

Mrs. Marie M. Thomasson
8916 Oxford Place
Huntersville, NC 28078


[Dear Editor;]
I am looking for information on the family of my great–grandfather who was James W. Mitchell (1849–1896). His wife was Nebraska Gray Mitchell (1857–1883). They had a daughter, Magy Mitchell, (1880–1882). Their son, Elbert Mitchell, was my grandfather. They were from Floyd, Virginia. Any information will be appreciated.

Ruby L. Boyd
1401 Southview Dr.
Bluefield, WV 24701