Martin Coffey 1762-1867

   My Coffey family is very big in Russell County, KY. I have my line up as Bessie, E. Cordelia., Nancy, to Joel.
Joel Coffey was one of at least eight Joel Coffey's living in the Russell County area in the early 1800's.  There is no way that anyone will ever sort it out precisely.
   The Coffey researchers claim that my Joel is most likely the son of Martin Coffey.  There is a lot of information about him . I have combined and edited what I have found and included as much source info as I could relocate to post here I hope this gives you plenty of info to verify and perhaps find even more

  Please be sure to visit Coffey Cousins as well as Rootsweb and Fomily Search for much more.

MARTIN COFFEY
 Birth      Sept. 15, 1762 - Birthdate of Martin Coffey, according to family records and Bible records   of  Albert Galatin Coffey and William Martin Coffey, two of his grandsons
 Place has been given as Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, or Kentucky.

Marriage #1
  ca 1782 - Married in N. C to Elizabeth Bronson, he was 20 and she was 17.
(This according to Nina Jean Coffey Deavers, great granddaughter of George A.C. Coffey)
 TL NOTE= other researchers have not found this record.

Marriage #2
  Aug.17, 1798 - Madison County, Ky. marriage records show Martin Coffey married to Nancy Phelps.
  permission letter to marry signed by Mary Phelps and  listed Phillip Phelps and Gary? Phelps
Bond was by  Shad Phelps (Shadrack Phelps, age 60-70 in Russell County, Ky. 1840 census.
 Possibly a brother of Nancy Phelps.)
   MORE About Nancy Phelps

FATHER OF Nancy Phelps
John PHELPS Birth: EST 1732 in Henrico Co., VA Death: 7 Aug 1798 in Madison Co., KY
   Mary Katherine LEGRAND Birth: 1735 in Scottsdale, Albermaire, VA
    
Father of John Phelps
WILL OF Thomas Phelps
 I, Thomas Phelps of Ablemarle County being weak in body but in sound mind and perfect memory...
bequeath to,,,,,
 I lend my loving wife Elizabeth Phelps During her widowhood all my whole Estate Real and personal
 my loving son Thomas Phelps three hundred acres on both sides of Bridle Creek ...
 my loving son John Phelps the plantation where on I now dwell & and the Island I now tend in
       and three hundred acres of on both sides of hunts Creek
my daughter Mary Patteson one Shilling Sterling.
grand Daughter Joyce Patteson and my grand son Peter Patteson Betwixt them both one childs part
all my Personal estate equally Divided among all my children Except my Daughter Mary Patterson
ordain my son Thomas Phelps and my son in Law Richard Givin to be execut
inventory for the estate of Thomas Phelps, Sr. was returned to the Albemarle County Court November 14th, 1751
         If this is the father of Thomas he did not mention Thomas , but there is a grandson John so this could be right.
Father of Thomas Phelps
John Phelps Birth: EST 1655 in Maryland Death: 1747 in Bedford Co., VA
 Marriage  Margaret TALBOT b: EST 1689
 "Goochland County Deeds and Wills," Virginia Land Records, from The Virginia Magazine of
Hist ory and Biography, the William and May Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly. Genealogical Publish ing Co.,   Inc., Baltimore, 1982, p. 80
   Will of John Phelps (x) sic, son John the use of the land where he son lives,
 and at his death to his heirs; also one negro; to son the use of the land where James Stratford
 lives and at his death to heirs, and also 6 negroes, also 500 acres on Fleamon's Creek, 560 and also l
and testator lives on (after the death of testator's wife), negroes &c; to grandson John Phelps 54 acres  and one negro; to grandaughter Mary Phelps , one negro; grandaughter Sarah Phelps, one negro; 3 negroes for her life and then to son William, the use of plantation where testator lives, &c, &c; the negroes given to grandchildren to be in the care of Wm Phelps. Sons Samuel and William executors.       Dated February 14, 1747.

Marriage #3 Nancy HERIFORD (Hansford) b: 1793 in Jamestown, Russell Co., KY
Married: 1 Dec 1817 in Wayne County, KY  Justice of the Peace. Bond dated December 1, 1817. ( Research by David Coffey)        Surety by Thomas Back. Marriage by W. Barnes,
 * Wayne County marriages by Bork lists the bride's name as Nancy Hansford but the name could be Heriford.  A  Andrew Herriford was shown on a delinquent tax record.


  These are most likely a younger Martin but are listed on some researcher trees
Possible 4th wife:
Nancy Cundiff, 07 DEC 1825 , Wayne, KY (LDS - individual records)
Possible 5th wife:
Mary McGuire, 05 OCT 1830 , Russell, KY (LDS - individual records)

These are supposed to be Martin's Children
  With Elizabeth Bronson
    Mary Polly COFFEY b: AFT 1782 in North Carolina
    Lewis COFFEY b: AFT 1782 in North Carolina
    Elizabeth H COFFEY b: AFT 1782 in North Carolina
    Joel COFFEY b: AFT 1782 in North Carolina ** My line'***

  With Nancy Phelps
     Mary Ann (Polly) COFFEY b: 26 Sep 1799 in KY
     Martin COFFEY Jr. b: ABT 1800
     Elizabeth A COFFEY b: 11 Mar 1805
     (Infant Daughter) COFFEY
     Nancy Ellen COFFEY  b: 1813 in Wayne County, KY  **adopted**
     Artemasiah Coonis COFFEY  b: 1817 in Wayne County, KY *adopted*
     Joel Anderson COFFEY b: ABT 1818 in Russell County, KY
           ** TL NOTE this note about "Adopted" had no explanation
              and other researchers did not mention

  With Nancy Heriford
 Nancy Ellen COFFEY b: 1813 in Wayne County, KY  ** Cannnot be right ??
 Artemasiah Coonis COFFEY b: 1817 in Wayne County, KY
 James COFFEY b: 7 Sep 1818 in Jamestown, Russell Co., KY
 Francis COFFEY b: 1819
 Golson Wilson COFFEY b: 1822 in Wayne County, KY
 Andrew COFFEY b: 1824 in Russell County, KY
 (Infant Son) COFFEY b: 1825
 John C COFFEY b: 1828 in Jamestown, Russell Co., KY
    
1799 thru 1800 Green County, Ky. - Tax list
1802 thru 1807 Adair County Tax List  may not have moved because part of Green became Adair

February 26, 1809 - Wayne County, Ky., - William Ward and Polly Coffey married. Surety by Martin Coffey.   Parents consent by oath of Martin Coffey.
                
1812 - Wayne County, Ky. Court records - Martin Coffey fined $1.00 for rioting against
      John Waid and James Dean who were fined $2.00 each.

Notes contained in the records read as follows;
March 21, 1818, given under my hand, sir, I am consent to the marriage between Henry Meadow and Mary Coffey,     by Martin Coffey, witness Elisha Ballew.
          
       March 24, 1818 - Wayne County, KY, Polly Coffey married Henry Meadows.
               Marriage performed by William Scott. Surety by John Meadows.

Wayne County census - 1820
Martin Coffey - Head of household
2 Male children under 10 (James was 2)
2 Male children 16 - 26
1 Male 26 - 45
3 females under 10
2 Females 10 - 16
1 Female 16 - 26

June 28, 1821 - Wayne County Deed Book C, Pages 254 - 255:
          Indenture: James Jones to Martin Coffey....$80 for 40 acres granted to David Sheeks
       (Research by David Coffey)

March 11, 1822 - Wayne County Deed Book C, Pages 313 - 314: Indenture: Martin Coffey and Nancy, His wife,        to James McNeely...$200 for 50 acres being land granted to David Sheeks
       .Witness Rodes Garth, Ulyses Mills. (Research by David Coffey)

December 23, 1822 - Wayne County Court records show Martin Coffey & William Scott bound unto George Mundy         for a judgement against Martin Coffey for $25. James Dean, John Meadows and Gholston Wilson were         summoned to speak on behalf of Coffey in a matter of controversy. Martin Coffey did not appear for  trial and he was ordered to pay said Mundy $25 plus interest from January 9, 1822 and the cost of    the trial of 64 1/2 cents.

December 7, 1825 - Wayne County, KY - Martin Coffey married to Nancy Cundiff. Surety was Benjamin Stokes.   Witnessed by Martin Coffey and Benjamine Stokes. believed to be a Martin Jr.

January 31, 1826 - Wayne County, KY - Elizabeth A. Coffey married Elisha Mitchell.
         Consent by Martin & Nancy Coffey. Bond & Minister missing from records.
        - January 31, 1826, Wain County. This is to sartify that my daughter is not of age and
         I am willing for her to have Elijah Mitchell. Given under my hand by Martin Coffey and Nancy Coffey,     witness Joel Coffey. TL NOTE Might be my Joel

August 29, 1828 - Will Book 1, Russell County - Martin bought at the estate sale of edward Long,
       one pair of hames (wooden pieces to a harness) .121 1/2 cents and three pewter dishes for $3.00.
      (*Research by David Coffey)

September 10, 1835 - Wayne County, KY - William Kelsey & Artemasiah Coonis Coffey married.
                     Surety, Martin Coffey

October 22, 1840 - Russell County, Deed Book C, Page 451 - Martin borrowed $187.50 from
          James Coffey using pigs, cows, furniture, etc. as collateral. (Research by David Coffey)

October 24, 1840 - Russell County, Will Book 1 - Estate sale of Jane Kean, Martin bought
            1 bed quilt for $2.121. (Research by David Coffey)

August 26, 1843/44 Russell County, KY, George M. Brown married Francis Coffey.
               Ceremony performed by Will Bernard.

January 2, 1847 Russell County, KY, Martin & Nancy Coffey sold land to Andrew Meadows for $200.

April 9, 1850 - Russell County,Deed Book E, Pages 215-216 - Martin bought land from Silas
                 Sutherland for $80. (Research byDavid Coffey)

 1830 Census - Russell Co., Ky
                  Martin Coffey *2 Males under 5 * 2 Males 5 - 10 * 1 Male 10 - 15
                                *2 Females 10 - 15*  1 Female 30 - 40
 1840 Census - Russell Co., KY
         Martin Coffey* 1 Male 10 - 15 * 2 Males 15 - 20* 1  Male 60 - 70
                      * 1 female 15 - 20  1 Female 40 - 50  -

CENSUS: 1850 Census - Russell County, KY
            #408 Coffey, Andrew 26 M Farmer Born Ky.
               , Sarah A. 23 F , John W. 5 M , James W. 9/12 M ,
                 Martin 82 M Farmer Born N.C. , Nancy 53 F Born Ky. ,
        
CENSUS: 1860 census #711 - Russell County, KY -
             Coffey, Martin 94 M Farmer Born Va. , Nancy 65 F Born Ky.
               TL NOTE if Martin died in November 27,1867 he could have been 101 yrs old
                        This date is said to be recorded  the bibles of grandson's
                        Albert Gallatin Coffey and William Martin Coffey

CENSUS: 1870 census - Russell County, KY -
          Brown, John S. 25 , Mary S. 22 ,
         Sarah 5 , Sheldon D. 3 , Edward S. 1 Coffey,
         Nancy 76      *John Brown is probably a grandson of Martin
            This is the last record we have found of Nancy.

  SOURCES--
on ROOTSWEB March 22,2013
  Author Patty Bates
 Author email - hafenbates@ceturytel.net
tree --Family Pieces - Bates/ Hoffman/ Ellsworth/Clapperton; Hafenfeld/Wiedman/Crosier/Brodrick
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=hafenbates&id=I124
SOURCE ROOTSWEB  March 22,2013
   Family Tree OverfeltOaks
     Author no name
      Author email loverfelt@sprynet
---------------
SOURCE ROOTSWEB March 22,2013
FAMILY TREE  Small - Turner - Parry - Murray - Way Connections
    Author Lindaway45
     Author Email 28801@email.hal-pc.org  or  2880127@gmail.com  last update 2008

     * CHRONOLOGICAL EVENTS IN THE LIFE OF MARTIN COFFEY ( 1762 - 1867 )
       Compiled by Ethelyn E. Coffey
       107 Northridge Dr., Mt. Sterling, Ky.
  AND  one researcher gives these as some of her sources
        SOURCES: Title: Coffey Family Bibles Repository:
        Call Number: Media: Book
        Text:  Birth and Death dates from the Bible of Martin's grandson, Albert Galatin Coffey.
        * Title: Nina Jean Coffey Deavers Repository:
          Call Number: Media: Book
         Text: Information on Martin's 1st marriage to Elizabeth Bronson
        *Title: Census records, Family records & marriage records
        Repository: Call Number: Media: Book
         Text: The children's names and births were obtained from these
        sources Note: Census records, Family records & Marriage records.
       * Title: IGI Record - Film #1985568 Repository: Call Number: Media: Book
       * From the book "A Century of Wayne County, KY", Page 8:
SOURCE
United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZBB-KV5 : accessed 21 Mar 2013),
 Martin Coffey, , Russell, Kentucky; citing p. 102, family 711;
NARA microfilm publication M653, FHL microfilm 803394.
FOLLOWING IS the "Martin" section of an abstract index
             created by Kevin Coffey and Fred Coffey 
             found at Coffey Cousin web site  http://www.thecoffeycousins.org/text.html

     LFC:     Russell&Neighbors-CoffeyCousins.xls     
        AbstractsIndex 
  
"Martin" Coffey  
 1802 1802 Adair Tax List 659
 4 Mar 1805 Adair Court Orders 1802-1808 659
1828 Russell Tax Books
 1829 Russell Tax Books
 1831 Russell Tax Books
 1833 Russell Tax Books
 1837 Russell Tax Books
 1838 Russell Tax Books
 1838 Russell Tax Books
 1838 Russell Tax Books
 29 Aug 1828 Russell Will Book 1826-1854
 30 Jul 1836 Russell Will Book 1826-1854
 24 Oct 1848 Russell Will Book 1826-1854
 16 May 1850 Russell Will Book 1826-1854
 16 May 1850 Russell Will Book 1826-1854
 14 May 1832 Russell Deeds 1828-1835
 11 Mar 1822 Wayne County KY Deed Books
 1 Dec 1817 Wayne County Marriages
 7 Dec 1825 Wayne County Marriages
   Martin (Black) 673 8 Jul 1837 Russell Will Book 1826-1854
   Martin B 577 1837 Russell Tax Books
   Martin Black 558 1836 Russell Tax Books
 444 1827 Russell Tax Books 746
 517 1833 Russell Tax Books 746
 536 1835 Russell Tax Books 746
 447 1827 Russell Tax Books 659
 466 1828 Russell Tax Books 659
534 1835 Russell Tax Books 659
 587 1837 Russell Tax Books 659

Lily McIlhaney Bowen 1709- 1780

 
Lily McIlhaney
   Ah the Irish woman I hoped to claim.  She was the mother of a Rebecca Bowen.
I have not pursued this too much since I doubt she is my relative.  But I just hate throwing out any research  so perhaps someone else will find this useful.
Lily McIlhaney was said to be born about 1709 in Ireland to Henry MCILHANEY (b: 1673 Ireland and  Jane MCGEEHAN (b: 1673 Ireland)
I have no info about her trip here but it appears she met John Bowen in PA possibly Chester or Delaware Co.
 She married  John BOWEN (b 1696 in Gwynnedd township, Chester Co. PA)
 I read a lovely story about John Bowen being awestruck by the lovely Irish lass but who knows the truth of their meeting.
 I found this quote about John though " the Quaker who was remarkable for his personal prowess, and an active,       energetic farmer of considerable wealth for that day"  I read they owned slaves and are said to be mentioned in    "Lyman Chalkley's Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia -
   Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800."
  It does seem they were married and living in VA by 1730.

John died  by 1761  Wife, Lillis ( Lillie), named sole executor and guardian  of the youngest girl, Mary.
 At that point it appears in various online biographies  about her , Lily was a very good business woman herself, increasing the family wealth after John's death.  This may explain why she was executor not one of the adult sons.

In 1779, she purchased 800 acres on Holston River Valley in VA. This was after John's death

This is a list of children I found
Nancy BOWEN b: BET 1729 AND 1732 in Orange Co., (then Spotsylvania Co.) VA
Agnes BOWEN b: BET 1735 AND 1740 in Orange Co., VA
John BOWEN b: 21 MAY 1735 in VA
Reece BOWEN b: 1737 in Rockingham Co., (then Augusta Co.) VA
Henry BOWE N b: 1738 in Augusta, Augusta Co., VA
Jane BOWEN b: 1739 in Augusta Co., VA
Robert BOWEN b: 1740 in Augusta Co., VA
Rebecca BOWEN b: 1740 in VA
William BOWEN b: 1742 in Fincastle Co., VA?
Arthur BOWEN b: 17 JAN 1743/44 in Augusta Co., VA
Mary BOWEN b: 1748 in Augusta Co., VA
Charles BOWEN b: SEP 1749 in Augusta Co., VA
Moses BOWEN b: 1754 in VA

Alternate list of children
Nancy Anne  b: 1729- 1732 in Orange or Spotsylvania , VA
Agnes b: 1735-1740 in Orange Co., VA
John b: 21 May 1735 in Augusta Co., VA
Jane  b: 1736 in Augusta, VA
Rees  b: 1737 in Tazewell  or Rockingham or Augusta Co., Va
Henry b: 1738 in Augusta Co., VA
Jean Jane  b: 1739 in Augusta, VA
Moses  b: 1739 in Augusta, VA
Rebecca  b: 1740 in Augusta Co., VA
Robert P. b: 174 0 in Augusta Co., VA
Arthur M.  b: 17 Jan 1742/43 in Augusta Co., VA
William R. b: 1744 in Augusta or Fincastle, Virginia
Mary  b: 8 Apr 1748 in Augusta, VA
Charles  b: Sep 1749 in Augusta Co., VA

 Lily signed a will April 4, 1780 and I believe it was taken to probate in June 1780 Washington Co., VA,   she left her estate to Reece, William, Robert, Henry, Charles, Agnes, and Jean.
(TL NOTE No Rebecca but also no Jane, John, Arthur, or Mary  I know there was a Mary from John's will did she (Mary) die?)

It appears Lily may be in the DAR register--- I found this note about her --"She became a patriot in the American Revolution by furnishing supplies and feeding and clothing colonial troops in the continental army." I read all of the sons were in the Revolutionary War and all of the daughters
married men who were in the war also.

If my family is thru the George Schmidt Smith line, then this is reportedly a grandmother.
 I have many doubts about this  line including the  distrubing  statement that the Rebecca Bowen  married John Whitley, died,   Neither John or Lily named her in their wills .  John Whitley was still nearby as he signed as a witness for Lily.

If  Rebecca was still living,  if she had run away from John as some have claimed, why would Lily still associate with John? 

I have seen some strange family relationships  in my own experience, so I cannot rule the possibilty .

Clinton County KY Church

The George Smith  is said to be a german immigrant who was orphaned after he arrived here. He married a woman named Rebecca Bowen and was an early settler . One of his sons  would later be a famous preacher called "Raccoon John".  I believe he performed the wedding of my Henry Hill to Sally Tackett

 not my relative but  is close to George Smith family  --from  www.dentongenealogy.org
Rev. Isaac Denton -- Clinton County's first preacher. At the age of 18 he moved with his parents to Tennessee.
 Here he made a profession of religion and was baptized in 1792. He was ordained to the ministry soon after and spent some years preaching among the churches of the area. Through the persuasion of friends he left TN and came to Clinton CO, KY. He was instrumental in organizing Beaver Creek Baptist church in Wayne CO, probably the first in that county,

Clear Fork Church
Founded 1802
April 1, 1802, the church was constituted.  Page 411 of the
original record book shows the following charter members:
James Brock-  Agnes Couch- James Couch-
Benjamin Campbell-  Anna Denton-  Isaac Denton
Martha Denton-  William Goodson -
George Smith-
Thomas Stockton-  Samuel Wood - William Wood

TL NOTE t Racoon John studied with Denton and the George Smith family named children, Denton  so I presume they were  all close

this is a different member list I found ............

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/
From: KyArchives [Archives@genrecords.org]

Sent: Friday, July 29, 2005 7:33 PM
To: Ky-Footsteps
Subject: Clear.Fork.Baptist.Clinton-Cumberland.CHURCH
..........
Clear Fork Baptist 
Clinton-Cumberland County KyArchives Church Record
List of members of first day of Apr 18-- [blank]: Isaac DENTON (died Jan? 185- ), Thomas STOCKTON, James CROUCH, Benjamin CAMPBELL, Martha DENTON (d Feb),
Varden LEE, Elizabeth GENTRY, Anis WILLIAMS, Thomas SCOTT, William LEE, James
WOOD, Milly SMITH, Thomas SMITH, Patey HUDDLESTON, Milley HUDDLESTON, Pink
BECK, Christian MYERS, Moses ROBERTS, Mary WHITEHEAD, George SMITH, Samuel
WOOD, Anna DENTON Sr, James BROCK Sr, Jesse ROBERTS, Martha BRISTOW, Nathan
BOND, Nancy RIGHT, Letter? SCOTT, Mary SMITH, Savanah WOOD, John SMITH, Joseph
CRAWFORD, Caty HUDDLESTON, Ann ROBERSON, Celita LEE, Rannett T RICHARDSON,
Elizabeth SMITH, Elizabeth READS
William WOOD, Wm GOODSON Sr, Agness CROUCH, Cleo CAMPBELL, Joseph BRISTOW,
Nicholas GOSNELL, Rebecky PARMLEY, Druzna TULLEY, Joseph PATTON, Ann PAGE,
Mary WILLIAMS, Philip SMITH, Obed GARDNER, Martha DENTON, Agnes FRANKLIN,
William BROWN, Hoomy BECK, Robert WHITEHEAD, ******George SMITH.****
Submitted by: Sandi Gorin http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00002.html#0000404

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/

Thomas Day Summary

I found this in files, It has some info on Dorothy as well as some sources- decided to post

Thomas Day was  probably born about  1651 
He married a woman named Dorothy Hudson . There is some conflict of who she was there is this --
Researcher claims  from the "Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia, page 79: 1676, Day, Thomas Married Dorothy, daughter of Thomas Hudson. Book D 5, Page: 514.

OR  THIS ---

"Know all men that I Thomas DAY of Rappa Planter de upon consideration of a Marriage with Dorothy HUDSON as alsoe for and in consideration of a Horse received of the said Dorothy hereby engage myself my heirs & assigns to buy a Mare filly of a yeare old the same to be bought within this two years and what Female increase comes of the said Mare to be equally divided between Laurana, Anne & William HUDSON and Mary BARTLET ......" etc.


 ***TL NOTE -**she might have been a widow -possibly of Edward Hudson- with perhaps four children. This appears to be 1673 ( could be 1676) I assume that Laurana, Anne, Wm and  Mary are all her children. It appears Mary is already of age to be married which would likely make Dorothy as a bit older than our Thomas who is likely only 22 to 25 years old at this time. If the deceased husband had been married before,  then the mother of these children could be in doubt.  Would need to locate info on his will & probate. (see Combs Family site below for more info)****

Thomas Day purchased land from William Hudson and wife Rebecca Woodnut Hudson located in Essex County, Virginia in 1687 and another 189 acres from John Brookes in 1693
 No record yet located about what happened to Dorothy.
By 1698, Thomas appears to have married second time, to Elizabeth (surname unknown). Thomas had one daughter, Elizabeth Mary Angelica Day, born between 1688 and 1699, who later married George Shepherd. There has not been any proof that I know of whether E.M.A. Day is the daughter of Dorothy Hudson or Elizabeth Unknown but the name implies she is Elizabeth's daughter. Her children were born between 1730-1739 so best guess of childbearing age would put her birth 1690-1699.
Sometime before Feb 10, 1699  a neighbor, Mary Hodges, visited the Day home and found Elizabeth Day  "lying dead upon the bed in a most horrod and barboriy mannor all Gored in Blood " and Thomas Day also had wounds on his face. Thomas Day said his wife died about two hours before sunrise, but he did not know what had happened to her. (more info on the 1st page about Day)

 All witnesses recorded in the court record gave the same report. The jurors decided "Thom. Day is Guilty of ye murdering ye said Elizabeth Day. "  February 10, 1699

THEN in 1700 -"In Aprill Generall Court 1700 Day of Essex County for ye Murder of Eliza Cay wife of Thomas Day of Essex  Acquitted and discharged"

"In October General Court 1700 John Smith for Felony & ye murder of Eliza Day Wife of Thomas Day of Essex County.   Found Guilty. Condemned and was Executed"  (See McIlwaine info below for more)
So far I have found no other info of  who John Smith was or why he  may have murdered Eliza Day

It appears that Thomas never truly recovered from the ordeal.

"I Thomas Day of South Farnham Parish in Essex County, Planter, doe assigne and sett over
 all my right title clayme and interest unto the within written deed unto Jacob Devillard
of the aforesd county, .....this seaventeenth day of March 1701/2 ...Acknowledged in Essex
county court the 11th day of May 1702 and truely recorded"    .

 ( I encourage  you to visit the rootsweb site of Mr. Sheppard for all of info and much more,
    he deserves the  credit)
I assume Thomas was too ill  or otherwise incapable of caring for his property. 
 Then just four years later he writes his will in December 1705 and it is in probate
the following February 1706
From "Fleet's Colonial Abstracts"---Essex County, VA Vol 29, pae 81 No. 12, page 181
"To all to who these presents shall come Greting know yee that I
thomas Day of the parish of South Farnham in the County of Essex
in Virginia being in a sickly weake and low condition and noe(ways)
waies Capable to tke care of, or provide for myself and that little Estate
 it hath pleased God to bestow upon me (it chiefly lying in Perishable Creatures)
 have and by these presents doe Bargain Sell Bind and firmly make over unto
Jn'o Fargason of the parish and County aforsaid planter all and singular my said Estate",
etc. In consideration Fargason "to maintain and keep me the said Day During my naturall
 life with sufficient accomodation of victuals Cloathes washing and lodging and give to
Eliza a Mary Angillica Day my Daughter when whe arrive to the age of Eighteen* or when
 married one Cowe and Calfe."
5 Dec 1705
signed
Tho x Day
Wit: John Fargason ---------Wm. Aylett -----------Adam Denning
Ack and rec 11 Feb 1705/6

     *This indicates Elizabeth is still a minor in 1705

Please be sure to check these sites, Much more info on all.

Sources for Thomas DAY
www.combs-families.org/combs/records/va/rappahannock/
www.danielprophecy.com/daye.htm
author:  Michael Sheppard < sheppard@cs.unm.edu >
title:  Genealogical events for Thomas DAY
 url:  http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~shep/shep/I995.html
updated:  4 Oct 2007
_H R McIlwaine, Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial VirginiaVol II
 (Virginia State Library, ed. 1927),
Vol II (August 3 1699-April 27,1705) page 154.
From "Fleet's Colonial Abstracts"---Essex County, VA Vol 29, pae 81 No. 12, page 181

Doubts at every turn

         This weekend I decided to change my family tree.  For over a year now I have known that DNA evidence was not leading me up the Smith branch of my tree the way I had been told by other researchers.  But I was holding fast that it would eventually be shown that my supposed gggg-grandfather  was a cousin to the DNA proven line.  I like the story that he  and his wife have attached to them.  But when I found myself trying to make the evidence fit my theory, instead of following the trail of evidence to wherever it may lead... Then I knew it was time to give it up.  No point in leaving that on the list, I can always put him back if the evidence ever supports it ,right?

          So with a deep breath I hit DELETE.

         Then to console myself , I decided to dig around a bit with one of my favorites, Hot Grandma Elizabeth.  I  found her Wild Child Malinda mentioined in an old Rootsweb list and began to read about her husbands and children and then----OH NO!!!  The writer suggested that Malinda was the granddaughter of Lewis Wilburn.  Now I am sure Lewis was a great guy, he was the brother of Stephen Wilburn , the grandpa I have listed.  The problem with this Lewis theory is that, if true, I will lose my beloved Wallen/ Walling connection!!!!! I have spent hours reading about the Longhunters and their adventures. I have studied the Salem Witch Trials, and poured thru pages of early New England Puritan history.  Now to possibly lose that whole line!!!!!!. 

       So I pushed myself away from the computer last night, with a very Scarlett O'Hara attitude of     "I'll think about that tomorrow".  
      
        This morning I turned to Morning Wallen, sad that I could lose her wonderful history.  I looked at the picture I had attached to her not really sure what that was, though I  thought it was a page from the marriage records book.  When I brought it up on screen -Lo and Behold- it was a page from a diary dated 1850  listing  births of her, Stephen,  and their children including Hot Grandma Elizabeth! 

From intro to document: The pages copies herein are from an old record book brought from Eastern Tennessee to Southwest Missouri and Northwest Arkansas in 1850 and discovered among the personal papers of Thomas J. Walden, Busch, Arkansas, after his death in 1951

 

 That is what happens when you collect so much you can not keep track of it all.  Anyone that wishes to see that page can find it at Ancestry.com   posted on the Kelsey Wilburn Family Tree