Descendancy Diagram for William Edmiston

Southwest Virginia Project

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The following is a working diagram showing a commonly proposed view of how various Edmiston's in Southwest Virginia relate to each other. As data is gathered, this diagram will be expanded, and revised. The diagram begins with William Edmiston who settled somewhere in Old Chester County, PA sometime before 1740. At least two of his sons, William and John moved to Borden's Grant about 1740. A third son, David, is sometimes described as moving to Cumberland County, PA, but may actually have moved to Borden's grant as well.

Shown in green in the above diagram are the individuals believed to have signed the Ebbing Springs Call in 1773. Many of these Edmiston signatories are identified as the children of John Edmiston and margaret Buchanan. Note, however, that the children of Robert Buchanan, son of William Edmiston, show a similar suite of names, and it is possible that some of the signatories are actually his children, not John's. We are in the process of working this out. Also note that John's wife is identified as Margaret Buchanan. A Margaret Edmiston did in fact sign the Eppig Springs Call, one of the few woman to do so. The fact that she signed the call suggests that she was the acting head of household, and a widow. This seems to be consistent with the identification of her as the wife of John Edmiston of Rockbridge County. Additonal work needs to be done to firm this connection. While it is commonly accepted that she was a "Buchanan", evidence to support that identification is needed.