Today’s guest post was written by Joe Mode.
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Adam Fox (Peter) was born in Pennsylvania on 11 March 1776 and died November 15, 1847 at 71 years of age. His body was interred in Zion Cemetery, Smyth, Virginia (Stone and listing found on Findagrave.com as is wife Barbara Steffey)
He married Barbara/Barbary Steffey in Wythe County, Virginia, October 22, 1795 by Rev. John Stanger in Wythe County, Virginia. Barbara was born in Virginia on 30 September 1775 and died December 15, 1838 at 63 years of age in Marion, Washington County Virginia. Her body was interred in Zion Cemetery, Smyth, Virginia (Found on the internet and credited to A. Thomas at athomas@claynet.com)
Adam Fox and Barbara Steffey had the following children:
Aquilla Fox.
Leah Fox was born October 20, 1796.
Rachel Fox was born about 1798.
Mary (Polly) Fox was born February 28, 1802.
Abraham Fox was born about 1811 married Elizabeth Goodman.
John Fox was born about 1814.
The parents of William Jasper Houston were James R. (middle name may be Rice, as daughter Nancy named a son James Rice Heron) Houston and Martha Ann Buchanan. James R. Houston was born 15 February 1811. Martha Ann Buchanan was born 1 January 1814 (From Houston Family Bible) They were married on 18 October 1832 in Washington County, Virginia.
Nancy Jane Houston Herron, daughter of James R. and Martha Ann Buchanan Houston, was born on 12 March 1834 in or near Smyth County, Virginia and died 16 April 1923 in Spokane, Washington at the age of 85 years. Nancy Jane was 17 when she married Levi Herron on 27 September 1852 in Smyth County, Virginia. Levi was born circa 1830 in Virginia and died circa 1863 in Jerusalem, Virginia from fever. Levi C. Herron served with Co. K, 63rd Virginia (McMahons) and is listed as Levi C. Herring on the company rolls. Nancy filed for a Widows’ Pensions on 19 April 1888 while residing at St. Clair’s Bottom in Smyth County, Virginia. She states that Levi died at “Jerusalem, Virginia in hospital of fever contracted while in service as a soldier in the Confederate States Army.” Nancy Jane Houston Herron was a nurse during the war also.
From Houston family bible in the possession of Linda Cox-Knoxville
Houston Family Bible
Muster Roll-William J. Houston’s death
The parents of James R. Houston appear to be William and Jane Houston of Washington County, Virginia as evinced by the will provision or deed acknowledgment listed below.
The 1850 Washington County, Virginia census, 67th district, page 142B, household #1086 lists Wm. Houston 62, Jas Buchanan 32, Nancy Buchanan 33, Columbus 4, and unreadable Nathan (?) 3. This may be our William Houston as James and Nancy Houston Buchanan are mentioned in latter deeds. William Houston does not appear with James and Nancy Houston Buchanan in 1860 Washington County. An Andrew Patterson, mentioned in the deeds, is living close by in household #1095. I found a death record for a Wm. Houston, farmer, age 66 years, in Washington County, Virginia for 13 September 1856; “Injuried from a machine?” His father is listed as “Houston” and mother as “Martha,” and marital status listed as “UNKNOWN.” Another record lists his father as John Houston. Going by the census age, 62, in 1850, or the age of 66 at the time of death would place William Houston’s year of birth at circa 1788-1790 (Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B86869-5 , System Origin: Virginia-EASY , GS Film number: 34388 , Reference ID: Pg 12 No 16 and Indexing Project (Batch) Number: B06986-4 , System Origin: Virginia-EASY , GS Film number: 2048587 ,Reference ID: e 19) This is just speculation thus far as I have not found a marriage or dates of death for William and Jane Houston.
The Daily Dispatch, September 08, 1856-Richmond Virginia
- 121-123: Know all men by these presents that I, WILLIAM HOUSTON, Washington County Virginia, for natural love & affection I bear towards JAMES R. HOUSTON, my son, & for $1.00 have given & granted to R. HOUSTON my son, a child’s part in my tract of land whereon I now live at time of my death or when I may be done with said land; I except the dower, if any should be, at my death, the land being in Washington County Virginia & joining lands of ANDREW PATTERSON, JAMES KELLY & others this 13 Dec 184(blank) in the year of our Lord. Signed by WILLIAM HOUSTON; JANE (her x mark) HOUSTON.
Washington County Virginia: Deed acknowledgment by appearance of WILLIAM HOUSTON before ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace desired us to certify acknowledgment to clerk of Washington County Virginia court for recording this 13 Dec 1844 in Washington County Virginia: Relinquishment of dower of JANE HOUSTON, wife of WM. HOUSTON before ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace, declared that she had willingly signed, that she wished not to retract it on this the 13th of Dec 1844.
Indenture with certificates of acknowledgment of WILLIAM HOUSTON & JANE his wife & of privy examination of wife was on this 30 Jan 1845, delivered to clerk of Washington County Virginia to be recorded & admitted to record. Indenture, 13 Dec 1844: JAMES R. HOUSTON & MARTHA HOUSTON, wife, of said JAMES R. HOUSTON to JAMES BUCHANAN of other part for (blank) dollars, sell to JAMES BUCHANAN, all intention & claim in lands at death of WM. HOUSTON, our father, which he is seized & possessed of, or at least one child’s part of lands the aforesaid WM. HOUSTON now owns, being tract where he now lives on joining lands of ANDREW PATTERSON, JAMES KELLY & others said intentions or claim that may be at death of WILLIAM HOUSTON, our father, the said JAMES R. HOUSTON & MARTHA (Ann Buchanan) excepts any dower that may be on said land at said WM. HOUSTONS death. This Indenture signed by JAMES R. HOUSTON and MARTHA (Ann Buchanan) HOUSTON. Washington County Virginia: ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace for Washington County Virginia
- 123: certify deed acknowledgment by appearance of JAMES R. HOUSTON before them desired us to certify acknowledgment to clerk of Washington County Virginia court for recording on this the 13th of December 1844, Washington County Virginia.
Relinquishment of dower of MARTHA HOUSTON, wife of JAMES R. HOUSTON before ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace, declared that she had willingly signed on this the 13th of December 1844. Indenture & certificates of acknowledgment of grantors, JAMES R. HOUSTON & MARTHA, his wife & of privy examination of wife was on 30 Jan 1845, delivered to clerk of Washington County Virginia to be recorded & admitted to record.
Washington County Virginia: Deed acknowledgment by appearance of WILLIAM HOUSTON before ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace desired us to certify acknowledgment to clerk of Washington County Virginia court for recording this 13 Dec 1844 in Washington County Virginia: Relinquishment of dower of JANE HOUSTON, wife of WM. HOUSTON before ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace, declared that she had willingly signed, that she wished not to retract it on this the 13th of Dec 1844.
Indenture with certificates of acknowledgment of WILLIAM HOUSTON & JANE his wife & of privy examination of wife was on this 30 Jan 1845, delivered to clerk of Washington County Virginia to be recorded & admitted to record. Indenture, 13 Dec 1844: JAMES R. HOUSTON & MARTHA HOUSTON, wife, of said JAMES R. HOUSTON to JAMES BUCHANAN of other part for (blank) dollars, sell to JAMES BUCHANAN, all intention & claim in lands at death of WM. HOUSTON, our father, which he is seized & possessed of, or at least one child’s part of lands the aforesaid WM. HOUSTON now owns, being tract where he now lives on joining lands of ANDREW PATTERSON, JAMES KELLY & others said intentions or claim that may be at death of WILLIAM HOUSTON, our father, the said JAMES R. HOUSTON & MARTHA (A. Buchanan-inserted by Joe Mode) excepts any dower that may be on said land at said WM. HOUSTONS death. This Indenture signed by JAMES R. HOUSTON and MARTHA (Ann Buchanan-inserted by Joe Mode) HOUSTON. Washington County Virginia: ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace for Washington County Virginia p. 123: certify deed acknowledgment by appearance of JAMES R. HOUSTON before them desired us to certify acknowledgment to clerk of Washington County Virginia court for recording on this the 13th of December 1844, Washington County Virginia.
Relinquishment of dower of MARTHA HOUSTON, wife of JAMES R. HOUSTON before ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace, declared that she had willingly signed on this the 13th of December 1844. Indenture & certificates of acknowledgment of grantors, JAMES R. HOUSTON & MARTHA, his wife & of privy examination of wife was on 30 Jan 1845, delivered to clerk of Washington County Virginia to be recorded & admitted to record.
Deed of 1845 (Deed Book 17, p256) mentions Martin Houston, and he acknowledged the deed – apparently in Washington County Virginia: Indenture, 22 Aug 1845: JOHN HOUSTON, JAMES HOUSTON & ROBERT HOUSTON with balance of heirs of JOHN HOUSTON deceased, namely as follows, to wit, SAMUEL, SARAH D., MARGARET, MARTIN & LEVINAH JAMES, heirs of JOHN HOUSTON deceased, to ANDREW EDMONDSON, parties of first part for $300, sell to ANDREW EDMONDSON, 3 tracts of land in Washington County Virginia on waters of Laurel Fork, South & West of White Top Mountain., on Beech Mountain and on waters of Roaring Branch, one tract of 189 acres taken out of grant of 400 acres granted to JOHN, JAMES & ROBERT HOUSTON dated 30 Nov 1830; one other tract of 200 acres granted to JAMES & ROBERT HOUSTON 30 Nov 1838, 2 first tracts bounded… cor. of 400 acre survey and with beginning cor. of 200 acre survey and with patent line of same, in a flat, crossing Roaring Br., in a flat, on a ridge, WEAVER’s cor., on a ridge, red oak on side of ridge, then with JAMES BLEVINS line, crossing Roaring Br., in gap of ridge, with line of WM. BYARS 900 acre survey, E side of br., stake on line of 400 acre survey, down JABE’S Branch, on bank, crossing said branch on Roaring Branch, on bank, cor. made for a dividing line of 400 acre survey thence, top of ridge, on patent line… also one other tract of 125 acres granted to WILLIAM, SAMUEL, SARAH & JOHN, JAMES, ROBERT, MARGARET, MARTIN, MATTHEW & PARNELLY HOUSTON (PARNELLY since deceased this life) & LEVINAH JAMES, heirs of JOHN HOUSTON deceased dated on (p. 25) 17 Mar 1832 and (bounded) in the low gap of Beech Mountain a cor. of 400 acre survey thence, near head of branch, on West bank of large branch on North side of Beech Mountain, on small ridge, on West side of Beech Mountain a cor. to 400 acre survey thence with said line. This deed signed by WILLIAM HOUSTON; JOHN HOUSTON; JAMES HOUSTON; ROBERT HOUSTON; MATTHEW HOUSTON; SARAH D. HOUSTON; MARGARET HOUSTON; (3 signature spaces left blank). Washington County Virginia: Deed acknowledgment of WILLIAM, SARAH D., JOHN, JAMES, ROBERT, MARGARET, MARTIN & MATTHEW HOUSTON before SAMUEL MOORE & VALENTINE ROSENBALM, justices of peace, desired us to certify acknowledgment to clerk of Washington County Virginia court for recording on this the 22nd of Aug 1845. Indenture & certificates of acknowledgment of grantors, WILLIAM, JOHN, JAMES, ROBERT, MATTHEW, SARAH D. & MARGARET HOUSTON was delivered to the (p. 258) clerk of Washington County Virginia on 25 Aug 1845 to be recorded & admitted to record.
- 350:Know all men by these presents that I, WILLIAM HOUSTON, Washington County Virginia for natural love & affection which I have towards NANCY M. (Houston) BUCHANAN, wife of JAMES E. BUCHANAN, my daughter, as well as for further consideration of $1.00, have given & granted, give & grant unto said. NANCY M. BUCHANAN, my daughter, a child’s part in my tract of land whereon I now live at time of my death, 43 ¼ acres, in Washington County Virginia and joining lands of ANDREW PATTERSON, JAMES KELLY & others on this the 17th of Oct 1845 in the year of our Lord. Signed by WILLIAM HOUSTON; JANE (her x mark) HOUSTON. Know all men by these presents that I, NANCY BUCHANAN for within deed of gift do bind myself & my heirs & c. to apart maintain or do my proportionable part in maintaining WM. HOUSTON & JANE HOUSTON, being my father & mother, in case of affliction or inability after applying the crop or rent of land if anything more is required to maintain said WILLIAM HOUSTON & JANE HOUSTON on this the 17th of October 1845. This signed by NANCY M. HUSTON (Houston). Washington County Virginia: Deed of gift acknowledgment by appearance of WILLIAM HOUSTON before ANDREW PATTERSON & SAMUEL MOORE, justices of peace, desired us to certify acknowledgment to clerk of Washington County Virginia for recording on this the 22nd of November 1845, Washington County Virginia: Privy examination of JANE HOUSTON, wife of WM. HOUSTON before same (p. 351) declared that she had willingly signed and wished not to retract it on this the 22 of Novembre1845. Indenture with certificates of acknowledgment of grantors WM. HOUSTON & JANE, his wife and privy examination of wife was on 26 Jan 1846, delivered to clerk of Washington County Virginia to be recorded & admitted to record.
Indenture, 22 Aug 1845: JOHN HOUSTON, JAMES HOUSTON & ROBERT HOUSTON to MOSES EDMONDSON, GEORGE EDMONDSON, JAMES EDMONDSON & JOHN EDMONDSON… for $1, HOUSTONS sell to EDMONDSONS, tract of land in Washington County Virginia on waters of Laurel Fork South West of White Top Mountain on Beach Mountain and on waters of Roaring Branch, 211 acres taken out of grant of 400 acres granted to JOHN, JAMES & ROBERT HOUSTON by date 30 Nov 1830 & bounded on the South side of Roaring Branch near mouth of Jabe’s Branch thence, crossing Roaring Branch, near Jabe’s Branch thence up side of branch, on West side of said branch, on South side of Beach Mountain corner to HOUSTONS survey thence with HOUSTON’s line, for dividing line between ANDREW EDMONDSON & MOSES EDMONDSON, GEORGE EDMONDSON, JAMES EDMONDSON & JOHN EDMONDSON thence, on top of ridge, on South side of Roaring Branch thence running up branch.
P.396. This deed signed by JOHN HOUSTON; JAMES HOUSTON; ROBERT HOUSTON of Washington County Virginia: Deed acknowledgment by appearance of JOHN HOUSTON, JAMES HOUSTON & ROBERT HOUSTON before SAMUEL MOORE & VALENTINE ROSENBALM, justices, desired us to certify acknowledgment to clerk of Washington County Virginia court for recording on this the 22nd of Aug 1845. Indenture & certificate of acknowledgment of grantors, JOHN, JAMES & ROBERT HOUSTON was on 23 Mar 1846 delivered to clerk of Washington County Virginia to be recorded & admitted to record.
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I hope you enjoyed this peek into Joe’s family history. I find this sort of stuff fascinating-even when the family has nothing to do with mine.
If you missed Joe’s first post go here: The Susan (Suda) Ellen Walker Grant Heatherly Family Line
Tipper
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I find the old deeds and surveys fascinating. Several years ago someone tried to claim part of Dad’s farm. I traveled to 5 different counties looking at old surveys. You can learn some interesting things looking at old court records. The Johnson’s were the first to own and settle the land and they had at one time put up half the farm for bail money for a nephew accused of a killing I also learned more about my Great Great Grandfather, a Confederate soldier and who his farm was passed down to. I, like many others had squirrel hunted at the graveyard. There are several big scaly bark hickories growing there and at that time I didn’t know who was buried there. His farm was on a high ridge and just down the hill lived an ex-Union soldier. I saw the Union soldiers mustering out papers issued at Louisville KY. I saw the mustering out papers at an Aunt by marriage house. Checking surveys can lead you to some interesting finds and send you on wild goose chases.
I have often wondered how the 2 ex-soldiers got along. KY. was a deeply divided state in the war.
Tipper,
Joe did a thorough job describing all the holdings of the Houston Family in his Genology Report.
Nice job, Joe. …Ken
Genealogy is such a fascinating history of not only our family, but covers so much of our country’s history. I enjoy picking an interesting situation and piecing together the story using so very many available documents. I try to fill in the gaps as much as possible creating a story. One interesting example is my gr grandmother, Mariah, died in the Great Flu Epidemic in 1918 leaving a houseful of children. The children were scattered and with census, death certificates, and old photos I was able to piece together the lives of the children. It is one of my Winter projects, and my extended family enjoys the stories. It is one of those things family members either love or hate.
Especially interesting in this post was the muster roll of W Houston in the Confederate Army. Their stories were real! My 2x gr grandfather joined Confederacy about the same time his brother joined the Union. The war that so divided this nation still lives on in some hearts. In my own state of West Virginia our confederate forefathers were treated very badly on return from the war. Even laws made in the state that they were no longer citizens of the U.S. Not wanting to get political, but our history is our history. I enjoy reading other family histories, and would like to thank Joe Mode for the peek into his researched history.
I find family histories interesting, too. I’d like to know how Nancy Jane Houston Herron found her way to Spokane, Washington.
Hi Cynthia, My name is Mark Houston and I live in Spokane. I can tell you how Nancy made her way out her because I can tell you how so many people from a particular neighborhood in the Love’s Mill area made it out here. In the days of the Homestead Act when neighbors and family found opportunity in the newly settled areas of the West they came in bunches. They supported each other and they usually found a way to “prove up” on the 160 acres they homesteaded. Some of them were able to buy more land and create prosperous wheat farms in this arid land. In my extended family women like Nancy often came when it became clear that a good life could be had here and that more women were needed for the family life that farmers want. It was really all about family: Come and do some needed work for the family, and then create your own family.
Amendment to my reply: Nancy Houston Herron was listed on the 1910 Washington Co. census, living with her son J. Rice Herron. So she wasn’t just another thirty year old widow looking to create a new life. She was at least in her mid-seventies when she came out West, undoubtedly because both of her daughters, Mattie Cole and Nancy Debord, were west of Spokane on wheat farms.
I see a possible conflict of interest here. Valentine Rosenbalm aka Rosenbaum and his brother John were married to the sisters Rachael and Mary Ann “Polly” Fox. I can’t see the relationship between the Fox’s and the Houstons in what is written here but apparently there is. Decisions reached by the honorable Mr. Rosenbaum could be deemed as suspect. For that reason I think he ought to recuse himself.
There is a Houston Valley in Greene County, TN and also in northwestGA.
Wow, that’s quite a peek into family history. I don’t know anywhere near that much about my family. I was never interested in Family history but as I’ve grown older I wonder sometimes about the supposed Cherokee Indian Great Grandfather and the extremely tall children he had. Their height seeming to come from the Grandmother’s side of the family