Charles Skaggs the "Long Hunter"

Charles "Long Hunter" Skaggs: The Frontier Explorer (b. c. 1737 – d. 1815) 

Charles "Long Hunter" Skaggs, a renowned frontiersman and explorer, epitomized the adventurous ethos of the 18th-century American backcountry, combining skillful hunting with pioneering settlement amid Native American territories and colonial expansion. Born around 1737 in the western parts of Augusta County, Virginia, to Scotch-Irish parents James Skaggs Sr. (d. c. 1781) and Rachel (surname unknown), Charles grew up in the New River Valley, where his family forged early footholds in the wilderness. His life, chronicled through land deeds, militia rolls, pension applications, family journals, estate records, wills, tithable lists, court orders, appraisals, tax records, contemporary accusations, recognizances, property assignments, and powers of attorney, portrays a resilient family man and long hunter who contributed to the opening of Kentucky but whose story is grounded in practical frontier survival, occasionally shadowed by the lawless edges of frontier life and legal entanglements. Charles' narrative revolves around his expeditions, military duties, family ties, and eventual settlement in Kentucky.

Early Life and Frontier Beginnings (Pre-1760s) 

Charles "Long Hunter" Skaggs' formative years unfolded in the Appalachian frontier, as his family joined the Scotch-Irish migration into Virginia's untamed lands. One of at least 11 children of James Sr. and Rachel—including brothers Henry, James Jr., Moses, Richard, Jacob, and John—Charles inherited a tradition of land claiming and exploration in Augusta County (later Botetourt, Fincastle, and Montgomery Counties). The family's 440-acre tract on the Middle River of the Shenandoah, acquired before 1769, was partially deeded to sons Henry and James Jr. on August 17, 1769, signaling their growing presence in the region. By the mid-1750s, the Skaggs relocated southward, with Charles marrying Lucinda "Lucy" Thompson around this time, likely in Virginia. Their eldest son, Archibald, was born January 3, 1759, in South Carolina, indicating a brief sojourn there before returning to Halifax County, Virginia, and then settling near the Little River by the New River in Botetourt County (later Montgomery). This mobility reflected the era's land quests and evasion of conflicts with Shawnee and Cherokee tribes.

Long Hunter Expeditions and Frontier Risks (1760s–1770s) 

During the 1760s and 1770s, Charles emerged as a prominent Long Hunter, embarking on prolonged expeditions into the Kentucky and Tennessee wildernesses for furs, game, and land reconnaissance, often alongside brothers Henry, Moses, and Richard, and kin like Aaron Skaggs Sr. These ventures, lasting months or years, aligned with contemporaries such as Daniel Boone and Elisha Walden, focusing on areas like the Green River and Cumberland Gap. Charles' skills as a hunter provided economic sustenance through pelts while mapping routes for future settlers. Family lore and historical narratives depict him navigating perilous terrains and encounters with Native groups, contributing to the broader push westward—though the blurred lines between legitimate trade and theft were common in such remote areas.

Early records place Charles in Botetourt County by 1770, appearing on the Lists of Tithables taken by William Ingles as "Charles Skaggs" with 1 tithable (himself) and 1 other taxable item, listed alongside "James Skaggs" (1 tithable), "James Skaggs Senior" (1 tithable, 2 other), "Long James Skaggs" (1 tithable), and "Henry Skaggs" (2 tithables). A separate delinquent tithables list for 1770 notes "Skeggs Chas - 1," indicating possible oversight or delayed reporting amid his frontier activities. That same May Court, Thomas Morris sued Charles Skeggs in Botetourt County Court, with James Skeggs serving as special bail and the case granted imparlance (Botetourt County Court Order Book 1770-1776, part 1, p.70). Shortly after, Jacob Kent also sued Charles Skeggs at the same court, again with James Skeggs as special bail and imparlance granted (Botetourt County Court Order Book 1770-1776, part 1, p.85). These successive legal actions, typical of frontier disputes involving debts, trade goods, or property claims during a period of economic flux and migration, highlight Charles' active engagement in local commerce and the strong familial bonds, as brother James repeatedly provided surety. Subsequent court records show at least one of these suits was dismissed (Botetourt County Order Book 1772-6, p. 89), reflecting the fluid nature of frontier justice where cases often resolved through settlement, abandonment, or lack of evidence. Such court involvements were commonplace for frontiersmen balancing hunting expeditions with community obligations.

His continued presence is evidenced in the 1771 Lists of Tithables taken by Benjamin Estill, listing "Chas Scaggs - 1," and the 1772 Lists of Tithables on New River and Sinking Creek, where "Charles Skaggs 1" appears alongside brothers "Henry Skaggs and negro 2," "Moses Skaggs 1," "Richard Skaggs 1," "James Skaggs 1," and "William Skaggs 1," among neighbors like William Ingles, Richard Whitt, and the Elkins and Lorton families. By September 9, 1773, in the newly formed Fincastle County (carved from Botetourt), Charles Skeggs, sworn alongside Samuel Newell, was appointed to appraise the estate of Peter Allen, deceased, with instructions to report to the next court (Fincastle County Court Order Books v.1, p. 123). This civic role demonstrates his growing stature and trust within the frontier community, as estate appraisers were typically respected locals with knowledge of property values, livestock, and goods—skills honed by Charles through his hunting and trading activities. These consistent tithable entries and public service from 1770–1773 affirm his independent household establishment in the New River settlements, distinct from his father and other brothers, as he built economic foundations amid preparations for western ventures and family growth.

Military Service (1770s–1780s) 

Charles' frontier expertise extended to military roles during turbulent times. In Lord Dunmore's War (1774) against the Shawnee, he served as a sergeant commanding his own detachment for 94 days (pay 56/4) and as a private for 6 days in Capt. James Robertson's Company (pay 3/6), conducting patrols that fortified the borders but did not involve the Battle of Point Pleasant. He appeared "fit" for duty on Montgomery County, Virginia, militia musters from September 9–October 6, 1777, and March 31, 1781, alongside relatives. During the Revolutionary War, Charles provided patriotic service, including as a private under Capt. Daniel Trigg (also cited as Trabue in some records), taking the Oath of Allegiance, and furnishing supplies, qualifying him as a DAR Patriot (Ancestor #A104570). His son Archibald's 1832 pension application (S31367) corroborates family involvement in 1779–1780 campaigns, such as guarding Culberson's Bottom Fort and actions against Tories.

Migration and Settlement in Kentucky (1780s–1800s) 

By 1782, amid the post-Revolutionary push westward, Charles appeared in Washington County, Virginia's Personal Property Tax List for Maj. Mastin's Precinct as "Charles Skeggs & son Archibald, 2 tithables, 16 horses, 15 cattle," alongside relatives like "Henry Skeggs," "Aaron Skeggs," "Zachariah Skeggs," and in-laws "William Meredith" and "John Hankins." This substantial livestock—far exceeding neighbors—signals prosperity from hunting and trade. However, a March 12, 1782, deposition in "Bentley's account of Diver's robberies" accuses Charles Scaggs of Montgomery County of stealing a roan colt, claiming it as a stray, and swapping it (with his grey mare) for a stolen horse at John Lispain's (likely "Dispain," a 1772 tithable neighbor), described as a receiver of stolen horses who sheltered thief Buckholder (The Southside Virginian, Vol. 5, July 1987, No. 3, p. 137). Legal entanglements persisted; at the January 1785 Montgomery County Court, William Cotter sued Charles Skaggs et al. for debt, with the case continued for the defendants (Montgomery County Court Order Book v.1, p.155). 

By 1786, the Washington County Personal Property Tax List records "Charles Skeggs, 1 white tithable, 2 slaves 16+, 5 horses, 6 cattle," indicating reduced livestock but now ownership of two taxable adult enslaved persons, alongside son "Archibald Skeggs" (independent, 1 tithable, 4 horses, 7 cattle), son "Frederick Skeggs" (1 tithable, 4 horses, 6 cattle), brother "Moses Skeggs" (1 tithable, 1 slave <16, 8 horses, 9 cattle), and kin like "Jacob Skeggs," "Zachariah Skeggs," "John Skeggs," and Elkins/Meredith/Hankins families. That same year, in newly formed Russell County (from Washington), Charles Scaggs acknowledged a £100 recognizance bond to the Commonwealth, alongside Robert Maysey, conditioned on their personal appearance at the October General Court in Richmond to testify against Jonathan Cogley Ireland on felony charges, without departing without leave (Law Order Book 1, 1786-1791, Russell County Court Records). On May 30, 1787, Shadrack White assigned to Charles Scaggs a 290-acre tract on Maiden Spring Fork of the Clinch River, originally patented by White on June 24, 1785 (Russell County Deed Book v.1, pp. 11-12), evidencing Charles' active land acquisition in the Clinch River valley amid his tax-assessed prosperity that year ("Charles Scaggs, 1 white male 21+, 1 black 16+, 9 horses, 6 cattle" on June 12, Russell County Personal Property Tax List pp. 18-19), alongside the extended Skaggs clan including brother "Henry Scaggs Sr" (5 blacks <16, 8 horses, 13 cattle) and others. The 1788 Russell County tax records list "Scaggs Charles, 1 white tithable, 1 black, 5 horses" (April 8 entry), showing further reduction in horses but retention of one taxable enslaved person, amid relatives like "Henry Sr" (1 white tithable, 3 blacks, 8 horses) and "Moses," "Jacob," "Solomon," and "Zachariah and Jerry." In 1789, the list notes "Scaggs, Charles, 1 white male, 8 horses," with no enslaved taxable, indicating a rebound in horse holdings but possible sale or aging out of the previously taxed enslaved person, continuing his pattern amid the Skaggs network including "Henry Senr." (1 white male, 3 blacks, 6 horses), "Moses" (1 white male, 7 horses), "Solomon," "Zachariah," and "John" (0 white male, 5 horses). 

Lured by bounty lands, Charles and family migrated to Kentucky by 1795, as evidenced in the Green County Tax Book (pp. 8-10) listing "Charles Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 1 white male 16-20, 6 horses, 30 cattle" (June 11 entry)—likely son Thomas (b. 1769)—with no enslaved taxed, signaling substantial wealth in livestock upon settlement along Pitman Creek in the newly formed county (1792). The list clusters Skaggs kin including son "Archibald" (1 white male 21+, 3 horses, 16 cattle), son "Frederick" (1 white male 21+, 5 horses, 9 cattle), son "Thomas" (1 white male 21+, 2 horses, 18 cattle), son "Moses" (1 white male 21+, 2 total blacks/1 under 16, 3 horses, 13 cattle), possible daughter "Sarah" (3 horses, 20 cattle), and extended family like brothers "Henry" variants and nephews "Solomon," "John," etc. By 1796, the Green County Tax Book (pp. 10-11) records "Charles Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 5 horses, 30 cattle" (August 7 entry), maintaining his large cattle herd without the additional tithable or enslaved, alongside sons "Arch" (7 horses, 17 cattle), "Thos" (4 horses, 10 cattle), "Moses" (1 horse, 4 cattle), and kin like "Sarah" (5 horses, 13 cattle), "Solomon" (73 acres), and others, reflecting consolidated settlement and prosperity. By 1799, in James Allen's District (pp. 10-11), "Charl. Skaggs" is listed with 1 white male 21+, 1 white male 16-20, 2 blacks 16+, 3 total blacks, 6 horses (April 25 entry), indicating renewed ownership of taxable enslaved persons (possibly acquired post-1796) and a young male tithable (perhaps a grandson or later son), alongside son "Archibald" (200 acres, 1 white male 21+, 1 total black, 8 horses), son "Thomas" (100 acres, 1 white male 21+, 1 black 16+, 7 horses), and kin like "William" and "Henry." In 1800, the Green County Tax Book (James Allen's District, pp. 8-9) lists "Charles Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 2 blacks 16+, 3 total blacks, 5 horses" (June 21 entry), consistent with prior enslaved holdings but reduced horses and no additional tithable noted, alongside son "Archibald" (200 acres, 1 white male 21+, 1 total black, 7 horses), son "Thomas" (100 acres, 1 white male 21+, 1 total black, 7 horses), son "Moses" (184 acres, 1 white male 21+, 4 horses), and "Henry." 

On May 15, 1807, Green County land records document a power of attorney from Charles and Henry Skaggs to convey the locator's portion of three tracts in Floyd County, KY—originally granted to John Preston in 1787—to John Grayham, highlighting ongoing involvement in western land speculations tied to early Long Hunter claims and bounties, with brother Henry as co-participant in disposing of these remote holdings amid their Green County establishment. The Archibald Thompson Journal notes family ties, with Thompson on Henry Skaggs' plantation 1778–1781 and staying with nephew Solomon Skaggs November 13, 1796–March 27, 1797. Brother Moses' intestate death pre-1836 led to Green County suit (Case #3871), confirming heirs.

Marriage and Children 

Charles "Long Hunter" Skaggs married Lucinda "Lucy" Thompson before 1759, likely in Virginia or during a brief sojourn in South Carolina, as their children were meticulously recorded in the Archibald Thompson Journal (a key family chronicle spanning the 1750s–1790s), which links the Skaggs and Thompson families through shared migrations, travels, and kinships—Lucy's possible sister Mary married Charles' brother Henry, reinforcing these alliances. Lucy steadfastly managed the household during Charles' extended hunting absences and legal entanglements, earning a life estate in his 1815 will that included one-third of his lands, the dwelling house, and several enslaved individuals (Sue, Dick, Rachel, Easter, Lucy, Flora). The couple's children, born amid relentless frontier moves and hardships, are detailed as follows, with births preserved in the journal and corroborated by 1795/1796/1799/1800 Green County taxes:

• Archibald Skaggs (b. January 3, 1759, SC – d. aft. 1832): Eldest son and Revolutionary War veteran; pension application S31367 (filed September 7, 1832, Adair County, KY), detailing service in 1779–1780 campaigns including guarding Culberson's Bottom Fort; taxed jointly with father in 1782 Washington County and independently in 1786/1795/1796/1799/1800 Green County (1800: 200 acres, 1 white male 21+, 1 total black, 7 horses); inherited enslaved Susanna from father's will.
• Rachel Skaggs (b. August 31, 1761): Married a Bolin; inherited enslaved John and Sina.
• Nancy Skaggs (b. April 22, 1763 – d. bef. 1815): Her grandchildren Polly, Jenny, and William each inherited $30 under Charles' will.
• Frederick Skaggs (b. December 11, 1764 – d. bef. 1815): Appears independently in 1786/1787 tax lists and 1795 Green County (1 white male 21+, 5 horses, 9 cattle); heirs received $1 in will; served as co-executor.
• Mary "Polly" Skaggs (b. September 16, 1767): Married a Thompson; inherited enslaved Celer.
• Thomas Skaggs (b. December 16, 1769): Likely the additional white male 16-20 taxed with father in 1795 Green County; inherited 200 acres on Pitman Creek and enslaved Jacob; co-executor of will; independent 1795/1796/1799/1800 entries (1800: 100 acres, 1 white male 21+, 1 total black, 7 horses).
• Sarah Skaggs (b. December 27, 1771): Married a Davis; inherited $1; possible match to 1795/1796 "Sarah Skaggs" (1795: 3 horses, 20 cattle; 1796: 5 horses, 13 cattle).
• Moses Skaggs (b. January 27, 1774): Inherited enslaved Bob; 1795 Green County (1 white male 21+, 2 total blacks/1 under 16, 3 horses, 13 cattle); 1796 (1 horse, 4 cattle); 1800 (184 acres, 1 white male 21+, 4 horses).

These births highlight the family's growth despite perils, with descendants proliferating across Kentucky and contributing to regional settlement.

Later Years, Death, and Legacy (Post-1800) 

Charles focused on his Green County estate. Will (February 9, 1815; probated January 22, 1816) gave Lucy life estate in lands, dwelling, enslaved (Sue, Dick, Rachel, Easter, Lucy, Flora); specific bequests to children/heirs. Executors: Thomas, Frederick. Died September 2, 1815 (~78); buried Henry Skaggs Cemetery, near Hiseville, Barren Co. Noted deceased in 1836 Moses estate papers. Legacy: Long Hunter role in Kentucky settlement, military service, family network—tempered by frontier-era legal accusations.

References

• Augusta County Deed Books, v. 16, 1769–1770.
• Botetourt County Lists of Tithables, 1770 (Ingles; delinquent "Skeggs Chas - 1").
• Botetourt Lists of Tithables, 1770-1789 (1771 Estill "Chas Scaggs - 1"; 1772 New River "Charles Skaggs 1").
• Botetourt Court Order Book 1770-1776, pt. 1, pp.70, 85 (1770 suits).
• Botetourt Order Book 1772-6, p.89 (dismissed).
• Fincastle Court Order Books v.1, p.123 (1773 appraisal).
• Washington Co. Personal Property Tax, 1782, Maj. Mastin's Precinct.
• Washington County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List, 1786 ("Charles Skeggs, 1 white tithable, 2 slaves 16+, 5 horses, 6 cattle").
• Russell County, Virginia Deed Book v.1, pp. 11-12 (May 30, 1787: Shadrack White assignment of 290 acres to Charles Scaggs).
• Russell County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List, 1787, pp. 18-19 ("Charles Scaggs, 1 white male 21+, 1 black 16+, 9 horses, 6 cattle").
• Personal Property Tax Lists, 1787-1819, Russell County, Virginia (1788: "Scaggs Charles, 1 white tithable, 1 black, 5 horses"; 1789: "Scaggs, Charles, 1 white male, 8 horses").
• Green County, Kentucky Tax Book, 1795, pp. 8-10 ("Charles Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 1 white male 16-20, 6 horses, 30 cattle").
• Green County, Kentucky Tax Book, 1796, pp. 10-11 ("Charles Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 5 horses, 30 cattle").
• Green County, Kentucky Tax Book, 1799, James Allen's District, pp. 10-11 ("Charl. Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 1 white male 16-20, 2 blacks 16+, 3 total blacks, 6 horses").
• Green County, Kentucky Tax Book, 1800, James Allen's District, pp. 8-9 ("Charles Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 2 blacks 16+, 3 total blacks, 5 horses").
• Green County, KY Land Records 1802–1814 (May 15, 1807: Power of attorney, Charles and Henry Skaggs to convey locator's portion of three Floyd County tracts granted to John Preston 1787, to John Grayham).
• Law Order Book 1, 1786-1791, Russell County, Virginia (1786 recognizance bond for testimony against Jonathan Cogley Ireland).
• The Southside Virginian, Vol. 5, July 1987, No. 3, p.137 (1782 accusation).
• Montgomery County Court Order Book v.1, p.155 (January 1785: William Cotter v. Charles Skaggs et al., continued).
• Archibald Thompson Journal (births, marriages, travels 1750s–1790s).
• Montgomery Militia Rolls (1777, 1781).
• Lord Dunmore's War Payrolls (1774).
• Archibald Pension S31367 (1832).
• Charles Will, Green Co. Will Book 1, pp.137–139 (1815).
• Moses Estate, Green Co. Case #3871 (1836).
• DAR #A104570.
• Kegley, Militia of Montgomery Co. (1975).