Random Genealogy Bits

  ISHAM SHARP (b abt 1755 d Nov 1840) - Revolutionary War soldier.  He can be found in Russell county, Kentucky with his wife Mary in the 1830 and 1840 census as well as the Pensioners census.   Mary is found living in home of Joel Coffey.                                                                                   A portion of Isham's pension application is here.  January 1834-                                         “ He states that in the early part of 1779 he was drafted  for three months in Guilford County, state of NC. He then belonged to Capt. LEAK’s company. That he immediately entered  the service of the United States as a privat...

  This Family has made me crazy for years -   My ggg grandfather James Meeks apparently used the name Harris for quite a while in his youth   That is the name he gave when he married and was even listed on death certificate as "Meeks alias Harris"  also Charley Harris is named as his father and simply "Meeks" as mother His brother Thomas has father unknown and Martha Meeks as mother. I have not yet located any records of  the oldest son Jackson beyond the 1870 census .  What I have tried to do is gather bits and pieces as I have seen them in the hope that it will someday  it will all "Click!"  So far , nothing. Here are some of the notes- they may or may not be accurate, many are message board post.  My line is Martha to James to Wm "Paps" to Bessie.  Bessie's nephew took the Y-dna test.  The results seem to most strongly identify him as a Harris.   1850 Wayne Co., Ky; District 2; 12 August; pg.19;...

 Here is the continuation of the Meeks story provided by Gregg L. K. Leeser on April 18, 2013.  Again, I cannot verify the accuracy, but I did not want the story lost in case some or all of it is accurate. Perhaps Mr. Leeser or his family will find us again and be able to provide the documentation.  From Gregg L. K. Leeser April 18, 2013 Samuel Meeks (the elder) born 1788. He was illiterate and in 1850 did not know his place of birth. In 1860 he gives it as Tennessee. I have also seen records which have given it as Kentucky and Virginia. He was NOT killed during the Civil War and did not serve and was not sent to a prisoner of war camp. One very badly written book mistakenly states that Samuel Meeks of the 11th KY Cav died in Camp Douglas. The 11th KY Cav was formed in Madison County, KY and only about 8 men joined up when that unit was based in Monticello. One of these was the younger Samuel Meeks, who I hope I've shown did not die during his time in captivity. Samuel Me...

In April 2013 a gentleman named Gregg Leeser posted comments on my first blog site (My Random Genealogy) I tried to contact him and my Meeks cousin Jenny tried also.  He never answered our questions, just that he had the research and knew his information was good. I am going to post his comments so that the story is not lost but I have not yet been able to prove or disprove the story.  If you can verify any part of this, it would be very much appreciated.    From Gregg L. K. Lesser April 18,2013 I have been working on my family research since 1979, so what I have is based upon actual documentation I have not any computer related searches which rely on other's work id only for transciption. I say this, because these are the provable facts that I have. Any additional information that can be proven through documentation would be appreciated. Samuel Meeks was born July 28, 1846 at Wayne County, KY (per his own statement when applying for a pension for service in the Civi...

 The Sharp Family           John Sharp  was probably born before 1718 in Virginia. He was living in Goochland County before the formation of Albemarle County in 1744. and died 1778 in North Carolina. He had multiple land transactions as he moved to North Carolina. He received a patent in Goochland This patent, issued to him 26 Mar 1739  [Patent Book 18, p. 227] , states...  for the consideration as 20 shillings.-----200 acres on the branches of Phills Creek, a branch of Bird Creek; ...  ( TL NOTE If required to be minimum 21 yr old then he was born at least by 1718),  and sold that land about 5 years later to Philip Hoggarth (in Weisiger, Goochland County, Virginia, Wills, 1742-1749, page 37, giving its date as 21 Aug 1744 and its location at Goochland County Deed Book 4, page 394. ). He then obtained a patent for land in Littleton Parish, Albemarle (the land was located in what later became Buckingham County). ------Albem...

 I am bringing some stories from my first blog site  My Random Genealogy ( I  cant' access it and am afraid these might get lost. TL  Apr 2025)  My Elizabeth was married to Eli T(h)ompkins about 1820. She was the daughter of Morning Wallen and Stephen Wilborn of TN. There has been some discussion that she was perhaps the second wife of Eli, the first could have been a Martha Beatty, (TL NOTE I believe "Beatty" was Betty as in Elizabeth.)  They had a lot of children at the very least these four girls Nancy Tompkins Morgan, Malinda Tompkins Adams, Mary Tompkins, Burnetta Tompkins Turner, and quite likely these two boys Charles Storm Tompkins and Benjamin H. Tompkins, and possibly Andy.  The marriage ended sometime between about 1840 to 1850, apparently the papers were found loose and no date is on them. Marriage Notes for Eli Tompkins and Elizabeth Wilborn: Transcription of divorce papers: To the Honorable the Judge of the Laurel Circuit Court, in C...

  This James Burk is an interesting character I will write more about later.  The mother of Grandma (Watkins) Turner (1899-1975) was Canzada (Gregory) Watkins (1874-1956).  Her great grandmother was Jane Burks. Tracking Jane's line led me to find this very interesting abstract.   List of crimes found in Virginia court records  Roanake, Virginia area mid -century 1700's                    DISCORDS IN THE MORAL TONES OF THE COMMUNITY " George Campbell was fined for absence from divine worship, Robert Cunningham for being drunk, James Burk for swearing, Humberton Lyons for adultery, Stephen Holston for breaking the peace, Patrick McDonald for being drunk and drinking the Pretender's health, John Graham for abusing Rev. John Hindman, John Flanagan for horse stealing, Samuel Hulls for breaking the Sabbath by singing profane songs, Daniel Evans for not providing for his children in a "desent" christian manner. John...

 THIS BLOG STARTED APRIL 2025.  I will store random genealogy related pictures, documents, stories, and likely a few thoughts along the way. I manage DNA test for several people that may have stories  I find interesting also.  I will try to label the posts for the two families, Turner for my mom's side or Smith for my dad's. Then of course, the various other names as I climb up the tangled branches of the tree. I may add other names for my extended families, but I will try to label those so as not to confuse my immediate circle of cousins.