Person:James Elkins (13)

Parentage

Note: some researchers believe that this James Elkin may have been a son of Richard Elkins, others believe he was more likely a son of James Elkin/Elkins, born abt. 1717 in Virginia. More research and primary sources are necessary to prove.

Revolutionary War Pension Information

Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 2, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. :

Elkin, James - entered service 1776 in Botetourt County, Virginia; born 4/16/1755 in Henry [then Halifax] County, Virginia; moved from Russell County, Virginia, to Clark County, Kentucky, where granted Pension in 1832; died 6/6/1836; married 9/23/1782 to Martha Jackson on Frontier of Virginia; widow born 2/6/1765; widow granted Pension 1839 in Estill County, Kentucky; children's births: Katharin 6/2/1784 (died 12/18/1824, married 8/25/1801 to Mr. White), Mary 6/14/17869 (married 12/15/1808), Dorcas 6/29/1788 (married 9/13/1810), Martha 8/9/1791 (married 2/8/1810), Jean/Jane 1/15/1793 (married 9/10/1818), Rhoda 3/7/1796 (married 6/17/1819, Nancey 2/23/1799 (married 3/28/1824), James 5/19/1801 (married 12/12/1822), Zacheus/Zachariah 10/12/1803 (married 12/5/1822), William 12/30/1805 (died 11/6/1807), Sibbe 8/1/1808, Elizabeth 4/17/1811; other births (all surname Elkin): William Perry 1/31/1824, James Mic 1/27/1826, Luvica 1/7/1828, Thomas B. 10/3/1831; soldier's son-in-law James Crow age 38 in 1839; query letter in file 1927 from Minnie Elkin (Mrs. Joseph) Beard Sr., Lexington, Kentucky, states soldier's great grandson J.R. Elkin Jr., Long Lick, Clark County, Kentucky, age 76 had then soldier's family bible & original copy of Last Will & Testament of soldier's son James Jr., further querier was daughter of Z.F. Elkin who had family bible before her cousin J.R. Elkin Jr., further querier requested Pension Office to return to her cousin pages of that bible sent to Pension Office with soldier's widow's claim to Pension; query letter in file states soldier was son of William. F-W8803, R910.

Revolutionary War Service Declaration

Transcript:

In Clark County, Kentucky, on the 26th day of November 1832, James Elkin, resident of said county and state, aged 77 years made oath; that he was born on the 15th day of April 1755 in Henry County, Virginia (Note: was Halifax County in 1755), and moved from there to New River in Botstourt (?) County. That from this county, he went on a campaign against the Indians on the frontiers of Western Virginia as a picked man for a tour of 1 month under Captain Cloyd in the year 1775, sometime in the summer. We marched down New River some distance, thence across to colorado (?) River and on to Paint Lick whence we started, having acted as spy and ranger under the above Captain and colonel named Presten. The next tour was from the same company as a volunteer for 1 month to guard lackmore's Fort on Clinch River under Captain Boan. The next was a tour of 1 month as a volunteer under Captain Wm. Boan in 1777, sometime in the latter part of the summer. The next was another tour of 1 months as a substitute under a Lieutenant named Micarmack at a fort called General Rogers Fort. The next was at old Wm. Whitten's fort on a tour of 3 months in the fall of 1777, from Russell County Virginia under Captain James Maxwell, as a volunteer. During the most of the time on this tour we were guarding the above fort. At the end of the time, he received a discharge for 3 months, signed by his captain. The next was a tour of 7 months, from the same company as a volunteer under Captain Joseph Lock, on a campaign called McIntosh's Campaign, early in the fall of 1778. That they rendezvoused on Holsten while they got their horses, for on this campaign, he states he was put in the pack service. From thence, we went through the county seat of Betetourt (?) and across the James River on to Staunten, in Augusta, where we loaded with lead and flour and from thence to the south branch of the Potomac River and from thence to the north branch of the Potomac and from thence, across Alleghney to Monogahala, thence to Ft. McIntosh and delivered our load and were orderd to back to a place called Shistee on the shores of Monongahala, to feed and take care of our horses untill further orders. We were then ordered to return to Ft. McIntosh. There we loaded with flour and whiskey and some things and went from thence to Ft. Larance at which place we delivered our load in what is now the state of Ohio. We were then ordered back to the above place to feed and take care of our horses and were discharged sometime in March 1779, having served a tour of 7 months and were discharged this time by Captain Lock. The next tour was a tour of 3 months in the spring of 1779 under Captain Thomas Martin, Col Shelby from the same company. We went on and rendezvoused at Holstein and descended the river to Tennessee and on down to the boinling pot or within 8 miles of same, down the Tennessee River, here we landed and the Indians fled. We destroyed their town and burned their corn and killed some of the Indians. After accomplishing the object of our expedition, the most of our men went on down the river to Illinois.

He states that he, with some others, returned back whence they started, that his captain was sick on his return and had to rest frequently. However, they got home sometime in the summer and was discharged, having served a tour of 3 months. The next was a tour of 3 months as a volunteer under Captain Reece Boan, and Col. Edmonson, on an expedition to King's Mountain, in 1780, a very short time before the battle at King's Mountain, that they rendezvoused at Holston; some short time before we got to the mountain the battle was over. We obtained information of the services of the American Army somewhere near the Cherokee Ford on Broad River. After the battle, we had several prisoners put under our care and we guarded sometimes and were ordered to return with the wounded, and on our return, we received a discharge for 3 months. Here his Revolutionary War services ended. Having served a tour of 20 months, he received a discharge for all of the above tours. That he has a record of his age at his home in his Bible. That he removed from Russell County, Virginia, to what is now Clark County, Kentucky.

A family record was on file, which contained the data; Katherine Elkin, daughter of James and Martha Elkin his wife, were married August 25, 1801. Mary Elkin, daughter of the aforesaid was married December 15, 1808. Dorcas Elkin, daughter of the aforesaid, married February 8, 1810. Jane Elkin, daughter of the said James and Martha Elkin was married September 10, 1818. Rhoda Elkin, daughter of the aforesaid, married December 5, 1822. Nancy Elkin, daughter of the aforesaid married 28, of March 1824.

Births: Katherine Elkin, daughter of James and Martha, his wife, was born June 2, 1784. Mary, daughter of the same was born June 14, 1786. Dorcas Elkin was born June 20, 1788. Martha Elkin was born August 9, 1791. Jean Elkin was born January 15, 1793. Rhoda Elkin was born March 7, 1796. Hanary Elkin was born February 23, 1799. James Elkin, said was born May 19, 1801. Achans, son of the aforesaid was born October 12, 1803. Wm. Elkin was born December 20, 1805. Sibbe elkin was born August 11, 1808. Elizabeth Elkin was born April 17, 1813. Wm. Perry Elkin was born January 31, 1824. James Mick(?) Elkin was born Jan. 17, 1826. James Elkin Sr. was born April 16, 1755. Martha Jackson (alias Elkin) was born February 6, 1765. Lucicia/Luvicia Elkin was born January 7, 1828. Thomas Elkin was born October 31, 1831. Wm. Elkin was born November 6, 1807. Katherine White, daughter of the aforesaid was born December 18, 1824 aged 40 years.

James Elkin of Clark County, who was a private in the Virginia Line for 19 months was inscribed on the Roll of Kentucky, to commence on the 4th day of March 1831. Certificate of the pension was issued 31st., of January 1833.

In Estill County, Kentucky, on the 18th day of July 1839, Martha Elkin, resident of Estill County, Kentucky, aged 74 years the first of February, made oath: That she is the widow of James Elkin who was a pensioner on the Roll of the Kentucky Agency. That she was married to James Elkin in Virginia, on September 23, 1782. That her husband, the aforesaid James Elkin died on the 6th June 1836.

1.   .

   Grandfather, Luther Lunsford
   Grandfather, Luther Lunsford, was born Nov. 1894 in Estill County, KY. His sister, Tallitha was three years old, and his brother, John W. was two years old. In July of 1896, his younger sister, Annie was born.
   
   Luther’s mother, Laura Frances Fox, was born in Estill County, KY in Nov. of 1868-69. His father, George Washington Lunsford, was born in Jackson County, KY in March of 1863. George was the only son of Margaret Portwood and John Lunsford. Note: Margaret died when George was about three years old (approx. 1872), or alternatively, Margaret left George.
   
   Luther was about six years old when his cousin, Laura Kansas Bowles (born March 1893), came to live with her Aunt Laurie, for whom she was named. Laura’s father had gone to prison for shooting and killing his father, William Teddy Bowles, on a Christmas Eve early in 1901-03. Laura’s mother died of tuberculosis in Indiana, perhaps in a TB sanitorium. Laura Bowles described her Aunt Laurie as “so mean” that she married Robert Williams “just to get away from her.” This treatment might have been the beginning of ill-feelings between the Williams and Lunsford-Wells families. Later in life, Laura Williams and her cousin, Tallitha Wells were not on speaking terms.
   
   In 1903-04, George Lunsford got drunk and went to see his father, John. He took a shot at John, missed him and hit the clock on the mantle, shattering it. John Lunsford happened to have company, the Manus brothers, Charley and Irvin. When they objected to George’s drunken behavior, he shot them both. Charley Manus died and Irvin was badly wounded. This event caused outrage and George was almost lynched. George is in both the 1910 and 1920 Census in prison. George Washington Lunsford died in prison.
   
   It’s possible that Luther’s parents were separated by the 1900 Census, Station Camp, Estill County, KY. At this time, Laura is listed as head of household. She has all four children and an uncle, Jesse Lunsford, age 78, living with her. Jesse is listed as “a pensioner.”
   
   By 1910, Laura Fox Lunsford, had married Elisha Tudor. Elisha was thirteen years younger than Laura. In the 1910 Census, Station Camp, Estill County, KY, Luther’s brother, John has left home and his sister, Tallitha has married Solomon Wells. James Bowles, nephew, age seven is living with Laura’s family.
   
   Between 1910 and 1919, Luther arrived in Oklahoma. On May 3, 1919, he married Vida Annie Willson in Lawton, Comanche, OK. Luther was twenty-five years old and Vida was twenty. They are listed in the 1920 Census in Lawton Comma, Comanche, Washita
   County, OK. Luther is described as a “Barber Maker” “working in a shop.” Luther and Vida’s first child, George Edward was born in Lawton in March of 1920.
   
   [A geographical note: Evidently, Washita County and the town of Cloud Chief was/is divided between Comanche and Caddo. There are two Washita Counties and two towns called Cloud Chief. One county/town is in Comanche and the other in Caddo.]
   
   Luther Lunsford returned to Estill County, Ky before Oct. of 1921/22, when his daughter, Laura Kate was born. On Sept 5, 1923, a son named Luther was born and died shortly after birth. On Jan 24, 1925, a second daughter, Tallitha Annie was born in Estill County.
   
   Three years later, in 1928, Luther Lunsford was shot and killed by his stepfather, Elisha Tudor. He died at age 32, leaving his wife, Vida (age 27) and three children: George (age 8), Laura Kate (age 7), and Lithy (age 3).
   
   Luther Lunsford’s Pedigree (Short Version):
   Father’s Side:
   
   Lemuel Lunsford (1774-1840, NC) and Martha Hollingsworth (1775-1850, NC) were the parents of: Ephraim Lunsford (b. 1792 NC) who married Sarah Collins (b. 1801 NC). Ephraim and Sarah were the parents of John Lunsford, born May 1836 KY. John was the father of George Washington Lunsford (b. March 1863) and the grandfather of Luther Lunsford (b. Nov. 1894, Estill County, KY). Lunsford Family researchers have noted that Lemuel and Martha Hollingsworth Lunsford were Full Blood Cherokee, as were their children, including Ephraim.
   
   George Lunsford’s mother was Margaret Portwood, born between 1836-1846 in Madison County, KY. Margaret’s parents were William Hardin Portwood and Mariah Brandenburg. Mariah’s parents were Joseph Henson Brandenburg and Nancy Snowden.
   
   [Interesting note: The Brandenburg’s were rumored to be royalty from the Dukedom of Brandenburg in Teck.]
   Mother’s Side:
   
   Laura Fox’s father was John Fox, born about 1823 in TN. John Fox’s father was William Fox, born in NC and his mother was Catherine Briggs, born in VA. John Fox married LouVina Elkins June 15, 1857 in Estill County, KY.
   
   [Close family members have described Laura Fox’s sister, LouAna, as “definitely Native American.” LouAna Fox was the mother of Laura Bowles, previously mentioned as Luther Lunsford cousin.]
   
   The Elkins Family Tree is well-documented and goes back almost to the Jamestown Settlement. Elkins Family researchers have described Ralph Elkins as a “favorite” of Chief Powhatan. LouVina Elkins was born about 1834 in Estill or Clark County KY. Her parents were Zachariah Thomas Elkin and Anna Stokley. Zachariah Elkin was the son of James Elkin and Martha Jackson. Family historians state that Martha Jackson was a cousin of President Andrew Jackson. Anna’s parents were Jacob Stokley and Anne Lacey. The Lacey sisters were said to be full-blood Cherokee. LouVina Elkins is a descendant of Pocahontas. -- by Karen Mitchell