Person:Reuben Karnes (1)

Information on Reuben Karnes

Bedford County Marriage bonds has: Oct. 12, 1808; Reubin Kerns & Polly B owles; John Boyle, Surety.

F. Landis Weaver writes:

Reuben Karnes was born about 1784 in Bedford County, Virginia. His age w as under 21 in 1804, and over 25 in 1810 in 1804. He died in Jun 1835 i n Bedford County, Virginia. (Will Book 9, page 50). He was probably bur ied in NW Bedford County, Virginia.

He was mentioned as being under-aged in his father's will of Nov 1803, a nd was shown as over the age of 25 on the 1810 Census. He apparently li ved all of his life in Bedford County, Virginia. Reuben bought 103 acre s of land, joining the northern corner of his father's old 165-acre tra ct, on 13 Feb 1817 (Book 5, page 145). He apparently mortgaged it to Sa lly Boyle, and bought it back on 4 Nov 1823 (Book 18, page 160). Then h e sold it for one dollar to James Welch (a cousin by marriage) on 24 Oc t 1828 (Book 21, page 197). It's difficult to figure out the legal arra ngements that Reuben made regarding his land, but it is believed that h e continued to live there, or very nearby.

Reuben married Polly Boyle (daughter of John) on 12 Oct 1808. Consents w ere not required, which indicates that he was over the age of 21, and s he was over the age of 18. Reuben & Polly had 4 daughters: Adeline Mine rva Welch, Rebecca T. Vasser, Permelia Frances Vasser, and Harriet Jane K arnes (married surnames shown). Reuben & Polly's family appeared in Bed ford County on the 1810-30 Census. Due to the varying ages of their dau ghters, only 3 were shown on any one Census record.

Reuben died in Bedford County in June 1835. His will (Book 9, page 50) n amed his daughters. Polly died in Bedford County in March 1864. All of t heir children are believed to have remained in Bedford County, Virginia .