Ira ADKINS

Ira married Flora ADKINS. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

YEAR AGE EVENT/LOCATION {Source}
---- --- ----------------------------------------------

MIS: IS HIS FIRST NAME REALLY GOLDSBERRY?
HE'S BURIED IN GOLDSBERRY CEMETERY SO IT MIGHT BE THAT
SOMEWHERE IN HIS FAMILY LINE THERE IS A GOLDSBERRY SURNAME
MAR: MARRIED TWICE
MAR: MARRIED 1ST CYNTHIA LOVEJOY
MAR: MARRIED 2ND MARY SUSAN EGNOR
MIS: GOLDSBERRY ADKINS WAS NEARLY KILLED DURING THE CIVIL WAR WHEN
HE AND BROTHER JOHN ADKINS AND JOHN'S SON ANDREW ADKINS WERE
ATTACHED BY HORSE THIEVES. GOLDSBERRY CARRIED A BULLET IN HIS
NECK FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

Buried:
Goldsberry Cemetery is on Left Fork, Mud River, Sias, Lincoln County, WV, considerably south of Hamlin. If there is or was another Goldsberry/Goldsbury Cemetery close to Hamlin, it is not listed.

Goldsberry married Mary Susan EGNOR on 27 Mar 1862 in Kanawha Co, VA. Mary (daughter of Archibald Egnor and Lahoma Lany Massey) was born on 9 May 1844 in Union, Monroe Co, VA; was christened on 7 Sep 1844 in Union Presbyterian Church, Union, Monroe Co, VA; died on 3 May 1928 in Lincoln Co, WV; was buried in Goldsberry Cemetery, Sias, Lincoln Co, WV. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

YEAR AGE EVENT/LOCATION {Source}
---- --- ----------------------------------------------

1844 BIR: I HAVE MONROE CO,VA J J ADKINS HAS BOONE CO,WVA
1850 6 RES: 10TH DISTRICT, CABELL CO., VA IN CENSUS PAGE 38
1850 6 MIS: NAME MARY G
1862 MAR: IGI 8707802 72
1862 MAR: BOONE CO., VA OR KANAWHA CO., VA
MIS: FROM VIOLET G. NOBLE
4108 E. GRANADA
PHOENIX, AZ 85008
(602) 275-4008


Buried:
Goldsberry Cemetery is on Left Fork, Mud River, Sias, Lincoln County, WV, considerably south of Hamlin. If there is or was another Goldsberry/Goldsbury Cemetery close to Hamlin, it is not listed.

David married Sylvaneous Celia Adkins on 14 May 1807 in Greenbrier Co, VA. Sylvaneous was born about 1788 in Montgomery Co, VA; and died. [Group Sheet]

Archibald married Lahoma Lany Massey on 15 Sep 1832 in Monroe Co, VA. Lahoma (daughter of Jeptha MASSIE, Jr. and Anna MEADOWS) was born on 02 Jun 1811 in Monroe Co, VA; died on 16 Sep 1850 in Griffithville, White Co, VA; was buried in Griffith Cemetery, Griffithsville, Lincoln Co, WV. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Other records show her as Lany Massey. The name as Lahoma Lany Massey is from the Mullins family records.

Buried:
(Griffith Cemetery was in VA until WV became a state.)

Notes:

Note in brief clarification related to the allegation that Jacob Harley was the "Earl of Oxford" by Doug Couch, owner of this website:

This family legend seems to be unfounded. One website (site not recorded) which cited this "title" stated that it was a term of endearment, rather than a bona fide English title. This is a more likely scenario.

The earliest Earls of Oxford (20) all lived too early to have been the father of a Jacob Harley married to Mary Adkins, except perhaps the last, Aubrey de Vere, the 20th Earl of Oxford, rather than the 3rd as often cited as Jacob's father. Records from peerage show both those Earls who succeeded to the position, and those who did not. The Earls of Oxford held the position from 1110-1703.

Also called Earl of Oxford, were the Earls of Oxford and Mortimer. The time period for these Earls is more compatible with the Jacob legend, holding the position from 1661-1853. Of these, the 3rd Earl, Edward, had three sons, Edward (4th Earl), John (father of Edward the 5th Earl), and Thomas (Mayor of London). None of these more contemporary Earls' cited descendants were named Jacob. This does not prove there was no Jacob son; however, it "may" indicate that such a son was illegitimate and not in line for the Earldom.

There were also the Earls of Oxford and Asquith from 1852 to the present day. These Earls were all born too late to have a son named Jacob married to Mary.

If Jacob was known to be a descendant or other relative of an Earl of Oxford, and thus lovingly called an Earl by his family, no connection has been shown. One or two authors of genealogy works have cited him as such, but unless someone produces the basis of such a citation, it has no value.

If there had been a Jacob, Earl of Oxford, or a Jacob in line to become Earl of Oxford, it is unlikely he would run off to North America and abandon such a vast wealth, and there are protocols and expectations involved. It is also unlikely that such a man would have a son, Jacob (Jr.), who would inherit all this wealth and then ignore it in favor of a trip across the Allegheny's, as is sometimes also part of the family legend. Whether a term of endearment or simply a wild family tale, there is little reason to accept it as a fact. If Jacob returned to England, where is the record of such a voyage, as there surely would be one?

Name:
(Stober, Stauber, Stauffer — The red border around Jacob's surname indicates this is updated information somewhat resolving previously posted ambiguous information.)

Jacob married Mary Adkins. Mary (daughter of William V. Adkins, Sr. and Elizabeth Parker) was born on 12 Sep 1735 in Goochland Co, VA; died about 1820 in Bowen's Creek, Beech Fork, Cabell Co, VA; was buried in Bowen's Creek, Beech Fork, Cabell Co, VA . [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Birth:
alt birth as 5 Sep 1735 Jamestown Colony, Goochland Co, VA
alt birth as 12 Oct 1735 Richland, Goochland Co, VA


Died:
unmarked grave at mouth of Bowen's Creek (is right at the county line between Cabell County and Wayne County)

Notes:

Married:
• Per researcher, Ralph Adkins, Jacob Stover & Mary Adkins were both in Snow Creek District of Lunenberg Co, VA in 1754; which is also the birth year for Mary's oldest child, David Adkins.

• DNA evidence suggests that Jacob Stover, Jr. was the father of Mary's children (him being at least the most likely candidate).
• If that is true however, it is unclear why Mary's children bore the Adkins name.



Regarding suppositions of a common law marriage between Mary Adkins and either Jacob Harley or Jacob Oxford: Common Law Marriage has never been recognized in Virginia or West Virginia. Only in certain documented out of state common law marriages does West Virginia recognize certain rights along with certain previous out of state domicile and other requirements. (per some legal opinions given online)

• DNA results suggest that the father of Mary Adkins' son, Jacob, was an Oxford.
• If that is true however, it is unclear why Mary's children bore the Adkins name.

---

• Earl of Oxford Story - Analysis by Doug Couch

Note in brief clarification related to the allegation that Jacob Harley was the "Earl of Oxford" by Doug Couch, owner of this website:

This family legend seems to be unfounded. One website (site not recorded) which cited this "title" stated that it was a term of endearment, rather than a bona fide English title. This is a more likely scenario.

The earliest Earls of Oxford (20) all lived too early to have been the father of a Jacob Harley married to Mary Adkins, except perhaps the last, Aubrey de Vere, the 20th Earl of Oxford, rather than the 3rd as often cited as Jacob's father. Records from peerage show both those Earls who succeeded to the position, and those who did not. The Earls of Oxford held the position from 1110-1703.

Also called Earl of Oxford, were the Earls of Oxford and Earl Mortimer. The time period for these Earls is more compatible with the Jacob legend, holding the position from 1661-1853. Of these,
   • the 1st Earl was Robert Harley (1661-1724) who had two sons: Edward & Robert (who died in infancy);
   • the 2nd Earl, Edward Harley (1689-1741) son of Robert (1st Earl) who had only one son, Henry (who died in infancy). Edward failing providing a male heir, was succeeded by his first cousin, Edward Harley (3rd Earl);
   • the 3rd Earl, Edward Harley (1699-1755) cousin of Edward 2nd Earl, had three sons:
      • Edward Harley 4th Earl, (1726-1790) who died without issue and failing providing a male heir was succeeded by his nephew Edward Harley 5th Earl and son of John Harley,
      • John (father of Edward the 5th Earl), and
      • Thomas (Mayor of London).
   • the 5th Earl Edward Harley (1773-1848).

None of these more contemporary Earls' nor any of their sons were named Jacob. This does not prove there was no Jacob son; however, it "may" indicate that if such a son existed, he was illegitimate and not in line for the Earldom and yet could have had substantial wealth.

There were also the Earls of Oxford and Asquith from 1852 to the present day. These Earls were all born too late to have a son named Jacob married to Mary.

If Jacob was known to be a descendant or other relative of an Earl of Oxford, and thus lovingly called an Earl by his family, no connection has been shown. One or two authors of genealogy works have cited him as such, but unless someone produces the basis of such a citation, it has no value.

If there had been a Jacob, Earl of Oxford, or a Jacob in line to become Earl of Oxford, it is unlikely he would run off to North America and abandon such a vast wealth, and there are protocols and expectations involved. It is also unlikely that such a man would have a son, Jacob (Jr.), who would inherit all this wealth and then ignore it in favor of a trip across the Allegheny's, as is sometimes also part of the family legend. Whether a term of endearment or simply a wild family tale, there is little reason to accept it as a fact. If Jacob returned to England, where is the record of such a voyage, as there surely would be one?

• View Previously posted stories information

It is not proven what the last name of Jacob was; some say it was Harley, others called him Jacob Oxford, but that was not his name.

From Family notes of Virginia Pierce, 290 Gardenia Dr. N, Salem, OR 97303, is listed:
"Mary Adkins is the mother of Jacob Adkins, who married Phoebe Bradshaw. There are several stories about the marriage of Mary Adkins and Jacob __________. We are not sure what his last name is. Some say it is Harley. However, it seems to be a fact that he was sent to America as a tax collector for the crown. They had seven children. Mary's brothers did not like him and fought with him. He was supposed to be the son of an English Earl - the Earl of Oxford. Some people called him Jacob Oxford, but that was not his name. When the Revolutionary War arose, he was called back to England and he did not take Mary and their children wit h him. He never returned to America. When he died he left some money for Mary and the children, but they would have had to go to England and present their claim for it, so they never received anything. Mary raised her family alone and they all turned out to be good people. The children all took their mother's name ADKINS."

children
David
Mark
John
Christina
Jacob Oxford
Sherrod
Nancy

REFN: 1136
From Adkins Family History:
"Mary death is calculated between 1814-20 in Cabell Co. She is buried in an unmarked grave on Beech Fork at the mouth of Bowen's Creek. She settled in land that was granted to her oldest son David for his service in the Revolutionary war. David himself settled in what is today Lawrence Co. Kentucky on land that he also had been granted for Revolutionary service. On Ancestor Chart of Virginia Pierce, it lists Mary Adkins as born 5 Sep 1735 in Cabell Co., Virginia" [huffmanjr.ged]

_P_CCINFO1-65642
[1247726.ftw]
"Mary Adkins is the mother of almost all Adkins descendants of Southwestern West Virginia. With most family researchers her descendants make up the so-called "Royal Line". This Royal Line theory comes from the family oral tradition that Mary lived common law with a descendant of the Earl of Oxford. According to the tradition, he deserted Mary and her children during the Revolutionary War and returned to England. Because the family name of the person that held the title 'Earl of Oxford' during the mid 1700s was Harley it was assumed by almost all researchers that this man's name was Jacob Harley. Mary Adkins is buried in an unmarked grave on Beech Fork at the mouth of Bowen's Creek."

Notes:

These entries were automated: (gleaned from LDS file per Aegender records)
Line in Record @I075@ (RIN 75) from GEDCOM file not recognized:
ALIA John /Agner/
Line in Record @I075@ (RIN 75) from GEDCOM file not recognized:
RESI
Line in Record @I075@ (RIN 75) from GEDCOM file not recognized:
CENS
Line in Record @I075@ (RIN 75) from GEDCOM file not recognized:
CENS
=================
Their Aegender notes: Aug 1999

Circumstantial evidence points to John Agner, Jr. and his wife Barbara being the parents of our Archibald Egnor!

Original findings concerning John Jr. are being re-examined. We now believe that the Johns in Rockbridge were confused and that John Jr. did go to Monroe County about 1823. Based on this and other circumstantial evidence, we are assuming that John Jr. is the father of Archibald and Elizabeth Egnor.

==========
Doug Couch notes 2008: Also given as "? Egnor" in One Family Tree family records. Gould family records show father of Archibald as Egnor with wife Mary. Apparently, there are serious errors with this lineage. Where shown as John Agner, wife Barbara, daughter Mary is born when he is 11, and dies when he is 98, an unlikely but not impossible relationship. The above comment from the Aegender family records-notes, about the "Johns in Rockbridge" being confused, is unclear. To keep children groups, and people given as spouses organized, Barbara is shown with her children, and Mary (Polly?) is shown with hers. The claim that John Agner (Jr.) and Barbara are the parents of Archibald does not agree with the family linkage given in the same database where the comment was entered. Therefore, it is here "assumed" that there were two spouses, and that Mary and/or Polly is the mother of Archibald...until better documentation can be found.

Birth:
also given in Mullins family records as b.1773...a less likely date

Died:
death place from Mullins family records

John married Barbara. Barbara was born in 1770 in MD; died in 1821 in VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Died:
death also given as abt/bef 1830

Notes:

Doug Couch 2008 note: Ancestors and any collateral lines beyond Jeptha Massie 1779-1853 are from online family data of Paul E. McFerrin:
http://home.att.net/~paulmcferrin/geneology/fam00590.html

Neither a Lahoma nor Lany are listed as children of Jeptha Massie and Anna Meadows in the McFerrin data. Thus the McFerrin data is unclear whether correctly connected to Lany.

Ancestors given by McFerrin data:

1-Jeptha 1779
2-Jeptha Massie 1750 VA - 1855
2-Mary Sowards b.VA
3-John Massey 1720 MD - 1781 MD
3-Sarah Strong
4-James (Massey)
4-Rachel Jayne
5-Nicholas Massey, Jr. abt 1662 - 1724
5-Mary? abt 1666 - abt 1725
6-Nicholas Massey abt 1630 - abt 1693, md. MD
6-Anne b.MD

This general lineage is reiterated in the billmassey data at
http://mysite.verizon.net/vze7wwc2/index.html

Extremely lengthy researched lineage of the Massey family (not currently connected to this line) is found at:
http://masseyfamgenealogy.tripod.com/a1.htm#g1
This line goes back to the 10th century.

Died:
McFerrin data lists death 1853 in Lawrence Co, OH.

Jeptha married Anna MEADOWS on 21 Feb 1806 in Monroe Co, VA. Anna was born in 1788 in VA; died in 1860 in VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Doug notes 2008:

Anna Meadows given in Mullins records as born 27 Feb 1806, unlikely spouse relationship and impossible son relationship. 1850 census shows Jeptha Massie, wife Anna and son William, with Anna's estimated birth year as 1788, a much more likely date, used here.

Anna's children are given differntly in different records. Thomas, Lahoma/Lany, William, and Jeptha are common to the various records (except one doesn't show Lahoma/Lany). Her other children's birth years, extend her child-bearing years beyond what one would expect, and children cited as by Jeptha Jr's second wife overlap those years. They are included here for reference, but many may not be her children. Similarly, other records looked at do not list a second wife. For my ancestors, I will make an effort to obtain documentation of their relationships.

Died:
McFerrin data lists death place as Lawrence Co, OH.

Notes:

Married:
This date is for the Marriage Bond, presumably before the marriage, but could have been on that date as well.