1769 was a Big Year for Property Transfers

There were two important "Long Hunter" Skaggs land transfers in Augusta County, Virginia in 1769, the first involving James Scaggs Sr and wife Rachel to James Scaggs Jr.  The second was from James Sr and Rachel to Henry Scaggs.  I used Grok to analyze the deeds and incorporate the relevant Skaggs information from them into what was gathered from the Moses Skaggs Estate papers and the Archibald Thompson Diary.


Alignment of the 1769 Deeds with Skaggs Family Relationships

The 1769 deeds from James Skaggs Sr. and Rachel Skaggs to their sons Henry Skaggs and James Skaggs Jr. (both dated August 17, 1769, and recorded in May 1770 in Augusta County, Virginia) align well with the Skaggs family relationships documented in the Archibald Thompson Journal (transcribed by Sandra K. Gorin, 2020) and the Moses Skaggs estate papers (Green County, Kentucky, equity case #3871, filed around 1836). These sources collectively portray a cohesive frontier family network originating in Virginia, with migrations to Kentucky, intermarriages with the Thompson family, and inheritance patterns among siblings. Below, I break down the alignment by key relationships, supported by evidence from each source.

Parents: James Skaggs Sr. and Rachel Skaggs

  • Deeds: James Sr. and Rachel are the grantors, explicitly identifying Henry as their "son" in his deed (and implying the same for James Jr. through familial context and parallel structure). The deeds divide a larger Shenandoah River tract (originally acquired by James Sr. around 1751–1753 from Francis Rieley or Samuel Ratcliff) into 200-acre portions for each son, with nominal consideration (five shillings) and a one-year reservation of use—typical for parental gifts to adult children.
  • Archibald Thompson Journal: While the journal does not name James Sr. or Rachel directly, it references the Skaggs family's Virginia-Kentucky ties through Archibald Thompson's sister, Lucinda (or Lucy) Thompson, who married Charles Skaggs (a "Long Hunter"). The journal's birth registers for Charles and Lucy Skaggs' children (e.g., Archibald Skaggs b. 1759, Moses Skaggs b. 1774) and Henry and Mary Skaggs' children (e.g., John Thompson Skaggs b. 1760) suggest a shared parental generation. Archibald Thompson's move to Henry Skaggs' plantation in February 1778 implies close kinship, likely through Mary's possible identity as a Thompson sister (inferred from naming conventions like "John Thompson Skaggs").
  • Moses Skaggs Estate Papers: The papers confirm James Sr. and Rachel as Moses' parents, noting they "died many years before Moses" (Moses died ca. 1796–1805 in Green County, KY, intestate and childless). Depositions (e.g., from Frances Samples in 1836) list Moses' siblings, aligning with the deeds' grantees as brothers. The estate suit divided Moses' Kentucky lands among heirs of these siblings, reflecting the same family structure as the Virginia land divisions in the deeds.
  • Alignment: Strong. The deeds show James Sr. and Rachel actively distributing assets to sons in 1769, consistent with the estate's depiction of them as the patriarchal figures predeceasing their children, and the journal's implied extended family network.

Son/Brother: Henry Skaggs

  • Deeds: Henry is explicitly called the "son" of James Sr. and Rachel in his deed, receiving 200 acres. Witnesses include family members like John Skaggs (likely a brother or relative) and locals (e.g., William Buchanan).
  • Archibald Thompson Journal: Henry is prominently featured, married to Mary (likely Mary Thompson, Archibald's sister, based on common belief and naming evidence). Their children are listed (e.g., John Thompson Skaggs b. 1760, Lucy b. 1762, Solomon b. 1766, David b. 1767, Silvanus b. 1769, Mary b. 1771). Archibald farmed on Henry's plantation (1778–1781) and noted a stag belonging to "Mr Hennery Skaggs on Pitman Creek," indicating Henry's landownership and migration to Kentucky—mirroring the deeds' Virginia origins.
  • Moses Skaggs Estate Papers: Henry is named as one of Moses' five brothers (alongside James, Charles, Richard, and Jacob/John). His heirs (children and grandchildren) claimed shares in the estate, with depositions confirming sibling ties. Henry is described as a "Long Hunter" who migrated to Green County, KY, consistent with his post-deed life.
  • Alignment: Excellent. The deeds establish Henry as a son receiving inheritance, the journal details his marriage (potentially to a Thompson) and family, and the estate confirms him as Moses' brother, tying into the broader "Long Hunter" narrative.

Son/Brother: James Skaggs Jr.

  • Deeds: James Jr. is the grantee in his parallel deed, implied as the son through context (e.g., "James Scaggs Junr" and familial transfer). Witnesses overlap with Henry's deed (e.g., John Skaggs, William Buchanan), emphasizing family involvement.
  • Archibald Thompson Journal: James Jr. is not directly named, but the journal's Skaggs references (e.g., through Charles and Henry's branches) fit the extended family. The lack of direct mention aligns with James Jr.'s separate migration path to Kentucky, but the interconnected Thompson-Skaggs ties (via Lucinda and possibly Mary) support the relationship.
  • Moses Skaggs Estate Papers: James Jr. is explicitly listed as one of Moses' brothers. His heirs pursued estate shares, with records noting his death and descendants. Like Henry, he is part of the sibling group from James Sr. and Rachel.
  • Alignment: Solid. The deeds position James Jr. as a direct heir, paralleling Henry's treatment, while the estate papers confirm his sibling status to Moses, and the journal's family registers indirectly support the network.

Brother: Charles Skaggs

  • Deeds: Not directly involved, but witnesses like John Skaggs suggest broader family participation.
  • Archibald Thompson Journal: Charles is central, married to Lucinda (Lucy) Thompson (Archibald's sister). Their children's births are registered (e.g., Archibald b. 1759, Rachel b. 1761, Nancy b. 1763, Frederick b. 1764, Mary b. 1767, Thomas b. 1769, Sarah b. 1771, Moses b. 1774). Charles is called a "Long Hunter," aligning with family lore.
  • Moses Skaggs Estate Papers: Charles is named as a brother of Moses, with heirs claiming through him. His marriage to Lucinda ties the Thompsons into the estate disputes.
  • Alignment: Supports the deeds' family structure, as Charles shares parents James Sr. and Rachel with Henry and James Jr.

Brother: Moses Skaggs

  • Deeds: Not mentioned, as he did not receive land in these transfers (possibly already settled or excluded).
  • Archibald Thompson Journal: A different Moses (son of Charles and Lucy, b. 1774) is listed, but the estate Moses is the uncle/brother generation.
  • Moses Skaggs Estate Papers: Central figure; died intestate without children or surviving spouse. Siblings (including Henry, James Jr., Charles) and their heirs are plaintiffs/defendants, confirming the deeds' parental and fraternal links.
  • Alignment: The deeds' 1769 timing precedes Moses' Kentucky settlement, but the estate's sibling list directly matches the deeds' grantees as brothers, with James Sr. and Rachel as parents.

Other Siblings and Overall Family Dynamics

  • Deeds: Focus on Henry and James Jr., but witnesses (e.g., John Skaggs) hint at additional brothers.
  • Archibald Thompson Journal: Emphasizes Thompson-Skaggs intermarriages (Lucinda to Charles, possibly Mary to Henry), with travels (e.g., to Solomon Skaggs' house in 1797) showing extended ties.
  • Moses Skaggs Estate Papers: Lists full siblings: Brothers (Henry, James, Charles, Richard, Jacob/John); Sisters (Susanah m. Whitt, Lydia m. Harman, Elizabeth m. Hankins, Nancy m. Meredith). No children for Moses; parents James Sr. and Rachel predeceased him.
  • Alignment: Consistent. The deeds illustrate early asset division among sons, the journal adds genealogical depth via births and migrations, and the estate papers formalize the sibling hierarchy for inheritance— all rooted in James Sr. and Rachel's family.

In summary, the deeds align seamlessly, depicting James Sr. and Rachel as parents dividing Virginia land among sons like Henry and James Jr., who are confirmed as brothers to Moses and Charles in the estate papers, with the journal providing complementary Thompson interlinks and family registers. No contradictions exist; the sources reinforce a unified Skaggs lineage.

Location: Montgomery County, VA, USA

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