Moses Skaggs and His Estate

Moses Skaggs: The Frontier Militiaman and Civic Leader (c. 1733–c. 1796)

Moses Skaggs, a steadfast frontier militiaman, road surveyor, and local judge, represented the resilient backbone of early American settlement in Virginia and Kentucky. Born around 1733–1736 in Augusta County, Virginia (later Botetourt and Fincastle Counties) to Scotch-Irish parents James Skaggs Sr. (ca. 1700–bef. 1781) and Rachel (surname unknown), Moses grew up in the New River Valley, where his family pioneered settlements amid Native American conflicts and colonial expansion. His life, documented through tax lists, tithables, militia rolls, court orders, and estate records, reveals a man of duty, economic stability, and community involvement, who contributed to frontier defense and governance but left no direct heirs—consistent with the absence of any personal marriage record in "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786-1965" (FamilySearch database with images)—with his legacy preserved through family networks and a protracted estate dispute. The 1796 Green County, Kentucky Tax Book (pp. 10-11) transition from Moses (July 1795) to "Elisabeth Skaggs" as head with 258 acres confirms his death circa 1796, with her 1799 Green County Tax Book entry (John Chandler's District, 28 May 1799: "Elizabeth Skaggs widow, 1 blacks 16+, 2 total blacks, 1 horse") showing continued widowhood, further reduced livestock and no land listed (possibly rented or transferred), amid kin like Henry, Solomon, Charles, and David Skaggs. The 1799 marriage consent witness "Moses Skaggs" refers to Charles Skaggs' son (b. 1774 per Archibald Thompson Diary), resolving generational naming overlap. Distinct from his brother Henry the Long Hunter and brother James the Baptist preacher, Moses' story emphasizes military service, land accumulation, and civic roles in the transition from Virginia's backcountry to Kentucky's settlements, his cohabitation with Elizabeth (surname unknown) remaining informal and undocumented.

Early Life and Frontier Beginnings (Pre-1770s)

Moses Skaggs' early life unfolded in the volatile Appalachian frontier, as part of the Scotch-Irish migration that fueled Virginia's westward push. As one of at least 10 children of James Sr. and Rachel, including brothers Henry, John, James Jr., Charles, Richard, and Jacob, Moses inherited a tradition of exploration and resilience in Augusta County (later Botetourt and Fincastle Counties). By the 1770s, he was established as an adult in the New River Valley, listed as "Moses Skaggs 1" in the 1772 Botetourt County tithables for New River and Sinking Creek (Botetourt County Lists of Tithables, 1772), indicating a taxable male (over 16 or 21) with one tithe, alongside relatives James (1), Henry (2 incl. negro), Charles (1), Richard (1), and William (1). This positioned him in Botetourt Parish amid active settlement and Native American raids, reflecting his integration into the family’s frontier community before county formations like Fincastle (1772).

Military Service and Frontier Defense (1770s–1780s)

In the 1770s, Moses actively defended the Virginia frontier, serving in key conflicts that shaped the region. During Lord Dunmore's War (1774), Library of Virginia records document "Moses Skeggs - 4 days pay and provisions, paid by John Skeggs" in Henry Skeggs' detachment (Fincastle County, Virginia Records, p. 255), placing him under brother Henry against Shawnee and Mingo incursions. As a Revolutionary War Patriot, he swore allegiance to Virginia on September 13, 1777, in Capt. Daniel Trigg's Montgomery County Militia, renouncing George III in the oath: "We whose names are hereunto subscribed do swear or affirm that we renounce and refuse all allegiance to George third King of Great Britain... and that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Commonwealth of Virginia" (Library of Virginia, Transcribed by Ruby Altizer Roberts). Sworn alongside brothers Charles Skaggs, Henry Skaggs, John Skaggs (Goard Head), kin John Skaggs Junr., Hezekiah Whitt (likely related to sister Susanna's husband Richard Whitt), Archibald Thompson, Jonathan Elswick, Abner Lester, and brother-in-law John Hankins. Fincastle & Montgomery Co. VA Rev. War Records (Transcribed by Combs Researchers Barbara Stacy Mathews & Carole Hammett) list him as a private in Trigg's Militia muster on March 31, 1781, confirming continued service late in the war amid ongoing frontier threats, possibly extending to the 1779 Chickamauga campaign against Cherokee forces.

Economic and Tax Records in Virginia (1780s)

Post-Revolution, Moses built economic stability through livestock and slaveholding in southwestern Virginia's evolving counties. Washington County Personal Property Tax Lists reflect his growing prosperity: 1783 (Maj. Thomas Mastin's Return) "Moses Skaggs, 1 tithe, 7 horses, 7 cattle," near kin Zach Skaggs, John Skaggs, Aaron Skaggs, Henry Skaggs, brother-in-law John Hankins; 1784 (Henry Smith's Return) "Moses Skeggs, 1 tithe, 7 horses, 8 cattle," with Aaron Scaggs, Jacob Scaggs, Zach Skeggs, John Hankins; 1785 (Henry Smith's Return) "Moses Skeggs, 1 tithe, 7 horses, 10 cattle," alongside Elkins neighbors and brother Henry (1 tithe, 4 slaves 16+, 15 horses, 19 cattle). Russell County lists (formed 1786 from Washington) continue: 1786 "Moses Skeggs, 1 white tithable, 1 slave <16, 8 horses, 9 cattle," with brothers Charles (2 slaves 16+), Jacob; 1787 "Moses Scaggs, 1 white male 21+, 1 black 16+, 9 horses, 10 cattle," near Zachariah Scaggs & Jerey, Jacob, Henry Jr., Henry Sr. (5 blacks <16), Charles, John, Frederick, Solomon; 1788 "Scaggs Moses, 1 white tithable, 7 horses," with Zachariah and Jerry, Jacob, Solomon, Henry Sr. (3 blacks), Charles; 1789 "Scaggs, Moses, 1 white male, 7 horses," alongside Zachariah, Solomon, Henry Senr. (3 blacks), Charles (8 horses), John (0 white male, 5 horses). These records evidence consistent horse ownership (peaking at 9), slaveholding from 1786 (young slave maturing by 1787), and family proximity amid county realignments toward Tazewell.

Migration and Civic Roles in Kentucky (1790s)

Circa 1790–1791, Moses migrated from Russell County, VA (now Tazewell area), to Kentucky, following family paths amid Virginia land exhaustion (deposition: Peter Despain "came with him [c1790]"). By October 1792, Nelson County, Kentucky Tax Book (pp. 5-6) records "Moses Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 1 white male 16-20, 3 total blacks, 2 blacks <16, 5 horses, 12 cattle, 400 acres," showing land acquisition, expanded slave family, reduced horses (travel impact), and a young white male (possibly nephew or laborer), near brother Henry (200 acres) and kin David, Solomon, Wm, Sarah, James, Jno, Henry Jr., Thos, Archibald. The 1795 Green County, Kentucky Tax Book (pp. 8-10, dated 16 July 1795) lists "Moses Skaggs, 1 white male 21+, 2 total blacks, 1 black under 16, 3 horses, 13 cattle," reflecting continued residence. By 1796 Green County Tax Book (pp. 10-11), "Elisabeth Skaggs" appears as head with 258 acres, confirming death and widow assumption of property. Her 1799 entry (1 black 16+, 2 total blacks, 1 horse) shows estate contraction. Russell County, Virginia Law Order Book 2 (1792–1799), March Court 1794, orders Abednego White as road surveyor "in the room of Moses Scaggs," confirming relocation. Green County Order Books, November 15, 1794, document Moses serving as one of three judges, with Frederick Skaggs appointed constable—highlighting swift civic leadership.

Personal Life and Death

Moses cohabited with Elizabeth (surname unknown; no formal marriage record in "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786-1965," FamilySearch database with images, or Virginia equivalents, suggesting common-law union typical of frontier life), but they had no children, as confirmed in multiple 1836 estate depositions (e.g., William Ratliff: "He never had any children that I know of"; Frances Samples: "No, he never had any that I ever knew"; Peter Despain: "He never had any children"). He died intestate circa 1796 at his home in Green County, Kentucky (depositions: Ratliff "about forty years" from 1836 ≈1796; tax shift Moses 1795 to Elisabeth 1796/1799 as "widow"), contradicting a conflicting 1850 letter claiming death by Indians near Grayson Springs.

Estate and Heirs

Estate Details: Included a land tract (rented post-death, worth ~$100–130/year per depositions), slave Rachel and offspring (Lydia, Matilda, Gabriel, Ann, Marion, Mary, Lewis, Frank, Henry; appraised 1830s: Rachel $300, Lydia $600, etc.), livestock, farming utensils, household furniture (total ~$800). Widow Elizabeth retained possession until her death shortly before 1836, selling her interest to Charles Blevins.

Administration: William Jones appointed administrator post-Elizabeth's death (bond with James T. Carter, John Meirs, Charles Blevins as sureties; inventory filed). After Jones' death (1834), Charles Blevins and William Cavin (bond with William Coakley, James Mears, Robert Scott) took over, selling slave Rachel (~$200–700) and renting land/slaves.

1836 Chancery Suit (Case #3871): Filed by Jeremiah and Aaron Lewis (purchasers of heirs' interests for $10–20 each via 1835 deeds from Tazewell Co., VA heirs) against administrators and heirs, alleging mismanagement (e.g., uncollected $1000 debts, slave hire worth $300/year, land rent $100–130/year). Depositions from Green Co., KY (William Ratliff, Frances Samples, John Spratt, Peter Despain) and Tazewell Co., VA (Moses Hankins, Mathias Harman, Joseph Hankins, Bird Lockhart, etc.) detailed family ties, confirmed no children, and listed heirs: brother John's daughters (Susannah m. William Quary, others m. Thomas York, Laban Ellis, Rebecca unmarried); sister Susanna Whitt's children (Susannah Criswell, Edmond Whitt); sister Lydia Harman's children (Adam, Henry, Mathias Harman; daughters m. Robert Beavers, Moses Beavers, Thomas Christian); sister Elizabeth Hankins' children (Rachel m. Archibald Maloney, Sarah m. John Mitchell, Rebecca m. John Howell, others: Prathena, Lucy, Lydia, Joseph, Moses Hankins, Mary m. Joseph White); sister Nancy Meredith's sons (James, John, Daniel, Mathias, William). Brothers Henry, Richard, Charles, Jacob died intestate without issue (except Jacob's son William). Suit sought settlement; defendants (Blevins, Cavin) denied claims, citing time lapse and widow support.

Legacy

Moses Skaggs' legacy as a frontier defender and community pillar endures through his military contributions to Virginia's independence, civic roles in road maintenance and judicial service, and economic foundation for family settlement in Kentucky. Without direct descendants or formal marriage documentation, his estate fueled a landmark 1836 suit that preserved genealogical records for Skaggs, Whitt, Harman, Hankins, and Meredith lines, clarifying generational distinctions amid naming overlaps. Family branches migrated to Tennessee and Missouri, carrying forward the Long Hunters' spirit. A 1850 letter's Indian attack claim remains unsubstantiated against court evidence and tax records indicating home death circa 1796.

References

• Botetourt County Lists of Tithables, 1772 (New River and Sinking Creek).
• Fincastle County, Virginia Records, p. 255 (Library of Virginia, Lord Dunmore's War, 1774).
• Library of Virginia, Transcribed by Ruby Altizer Roberts (Montgomery County Militia Oath, September 13, 1777).
• Fincastle & Montgomery Co. VA Rev. War Records, Transcribed by Combs Researchers Barbara Stacy Mathews & Carole Hammett (Muster March 31, 1781).
• Washington County Personal Property Tax Lists: Maj. Thomas Mastin's Return (1783); Henry Smith's Return (1784, 1785).
• Russell County Personal Property Tax Lists (1786–1789).
• Nelson County, Kentucky Tax Book, pp. 5-6 (October 1792).
• Green County, Kentucky Tax Book, pp. 8-10 (1795); pp. 10-11 (1796); John Chandler's District (1799, Elizabeth Skaggs widow).
• Russell County, Virginia Law Order Book 2, 1792–1799 (March Court 1794).
• Green County, Kentucky Order Books (November 15, 1794).
• "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786-1965," database with images, FamilySearch (Elizabeth Jarvis consent, March 1, 1799, witnessed by Henry & Moses Skaggs—likely nephew; no record for subject Moses Skaggs).
• Green County Circuit Court Chancery Suit #3871 (1836), including depositions (William Ratliff, Frances Samples, John Spratt, Peter Despain, Moses Hankins, Mathias Harman, etc.) and deeds (1835 Tazewell Co., VA).
• Archibald Thompson Diary (William B. Harlan Memorial Library, Tompkinsville, KY; copy held in Monroe County, KY).
• Summers, Annals of Southwest Virginia (contextual frontier history).
• Kegley, F. B. Militia of Montgomery County, Virginia, 1777-1790 (1975).
• WikiTree, Ancestry, Geni (unconfirmed dates; cross-referenced with primary sources).