The Mountain Laurel
The Journal of Mountain Life

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Genealogy - December, 1988

Issue: December, 1988


[Dear Editor,]
I would like to contact members of the Bower family of Floyd County, Virginia who are the descendants of Philip and Christopher Bower, brothers who married Snuffer sisters. I am preparing a history of the Snuffer family, who lived on the headwaters of Shooting Creek, Franklin County, Virginia before the Civil War.

Jim Wood
111 Daniel St.
Beckley, WV 25801


[Dear Editor,]
My husband, David, is seeking information about his great-great-great-grandfather, Hanson or Henson Rush. He was born in Virginia to Elizabeth Moore and Ephram Rush. He later mover to Kentucky. We would also like any information on any Rush Family from Madison or Culpepper Counties in Virginia.

I am seeking information on these families: Ullom from West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Illinois.

Oneal from Tennessee, Carroll County, Virginia, Missouri and Western Kansas. Larue from Kansas and Nebraska.

Bailey from Fayette County, Kentucky; Gentry County, Missouri and Illinois.

David & Dolores Rush
P.O. Box 203
Desoto, KS 66018


[Dear Editor,]
The 1850 census of Floyd County, Kentucky listed William B. Porter, 39, born in Kentucky; his wife, Jane, 29, born in Virginia; and the following sons all born in Kentucky: John 9, James 8, Elgin 5, Greenville 3.

I do not believe this family is connected with the William Porter family of Rockbridge, Virginia. Instead, they may belong to the Reese Porter, a Revolutionary War soldier who had a grant of land in Giles County, Virginia. John eventually settled in Michigan and served in the Civil War. He is my great grandfather.

I would appreciate any information. In particular, I would like to learn about William B. Porter's parents, place and date of birth; and Jane's maiden name and place and date of birth.

Sally Porter
728 Bradley Ave.
Novato, CA 94947


[Dear Editor,]
I would like to correspond with any descendents of Eden Harris, born around 1814 and his wife Catherine, born around 1806. According to Census of 1860, he was a farmer at Dugspur, VA He had four sons: William Franklin, John K., James R.J., and Joseph R. and a daughter Frances Alderman.

I am particularly interested in corresponding with descendents of William Franklin Harris who was born at Newbern, Pulaski Co., VA, Feb 3,1840 and died Dec 23, 1915. He married Narcisah Jane Bolt, daughter of W.H.C. and Anna Bolt on Sept. 15, 1865. Narcisah was born April 12, 1843 at Laurel Fork, Carroll Co., VA and died Feb 1913.

Edith Harris Butt
Route 1, Box 50
Bramwell, WV 24715


[Dear Editor,]
I would like to hear from descendants of James M. "Jim" Lawson, and Mahala Shelor. He was born 9 May, 1844, in Patrick Co., VA, son of Isham & Charlotte Vaughn Lawson, married 8 Feb. 1866 to Mahala Shelor Dehart, widow of Jonathon DeHart, who was killed in the Civil War at Druary's Bluff. I would like to know when both died and where buried, also birth date for Mahala. Their children were: Thomas Green Lawson, 2 Nov. 1866-15 Dec. 1918, married 16 Mar 1892 to Susan Florence Phillips in Carroll Co., VA; Beverage Monroe (twin of Thomas) died 3 May 1887 in Hylton (now Willis) VA. How?; Susan Mary Ellen Lawson, 1869-1900, mar. 1892, John William DeHart. Died where?; Lucinda A Lawson, (twin) 1870-? mar. 29 Oct. 1891 to Floyd Winfield Scott, son of Dan S. & Mary Ann Scott. When and where did she die?; Lurinda A. Lawson, (twin) called Jennie, 1870-?, married? to Ed Land, lived in Eden, NC area.; George Lee Lawson, 1872-?, mar. 21 Feb. 1897 to Florence Farmer, 1874-?, daughter of Fielden Farmer & Jane Snow, understand they lived in Fries, VA. where George was a fireman. Marled in Wythe Co.; Nancy A.E. Lawson, 1874- ?, Who did she marry & where did they live? I heard a Thompson, but not sure; Samuel Randolph, 1875, mar. Wythe Co., VA, 11 Mar 1896 to Mary Alice Farmer, daughter of Fieldon also, reported to have lived in Fries, VA. He was a miner; Sarah V. Lawson, 1877-?, I have never found anything on her.

Last I found the family, was on 1890 Census, they were in Floyd Co, Burk's Fork District. I would appreciate hearing from any descendents of these children, and family history. I'm granddaughter of Thomas Green, whom I never knew and my own father, never knew anything about his family. Will exchange information and reimburse postage. I would like to hear from you.

Florence L. Rager
427 Polk St.
Chillicothe, MO 64601