Pastor James "Longman" Skaggs

James "Longman" Skaggs: The Pioneer Baptist Preacher (b. c. 1734 – d. aft. 1793)

James "Longman" Skaggs, a pioneering Baptist preacher and long hunter, embodied the spirit of the American frontier, blending spiritual leadership with the rugged demands of exploration and settlement. Born around 1734 in the Virginia backcountry to Scotch-Irish parents James Skaggs Sr. (d. c.1781) and Rachel (surname unknown), James grew up in the New River Valley, where his family established early settlements amid Native American conflicts and colonial expansion. His life, documented through land deeds, court records, tax lists, tithables, militia rolls, and historical accounts, reveals a man of faith, resilience, and family devotion, who played a key role in the Baptist movement in Kentucky but whose legacy is marked by a scandal that led to his disappearance. James’ story centers on his ministry, frontier settlement, and controversial later years.

Early Life and Frontier Beginnings (Pre-1760s)

James "Longman" Skaggs' early life was shaped by the Appalachian backcountry, where his family migrated as part of the Scotch-Irish wave settling Virginia's frontier. As one of at least 11 children of James Sr. and Rachel, including brothers Henry, Charles, Moses, Richard, Jacob and John, James inherited a legacy of exploration and land acquisition in Augusta County (later Botetourt, Fincastle, and Montgomery Counties). By the 1750s, he married Mary (surname unknown, born ca. 1735), likely around 1750s in the Virginia backcountry, as their eldest son, William, was born in 1757 in Horse Pasture, Halifax County, Virginia, near the North Carolina line.

In the 1760s, James was active in Halifax County, serving on a road crew in 1766 from Mill Creek to Marrowbone Creek (Halifax County Pleas v.5, Part 2, 1764–1767, p. 249). By April 25–26, 1769, he acquired 104 acres on Meadow Creek, a branch of the New River, in Augusta County from his parents, originally patented by James Ratliff in 1753 (Augusta County Deed Books, v. 16, 1769–1770, pp. 48–51). Witnessed by William Preston, Richard Whitt, James Skaggs, John Skaggs, Israel Christian, and William Ingles, this transaction marked his integration into the frontier community and positioned him as "James Skaggs Jr." while his father lived.

Long Hunter Expeditions and Frontier Risks (1770s)

In the 1770s, James joined the "Long Hunters," extended expeditions into Kentucky and Tennessee for pelts, furs, and land scouting, alongside brothers Henry and Charles, often associating with Daniel Boone. Listed as "Long James Skaggs" in Botetourt County tithables (1770–1771) and "James Skeggs, little" (1772, likely a variant of "Jr."), he was involved in a 1770 debt case (Botetourt County Court Order Book 1770–1776, part 1, p. 76).

During Lord Dunmore's War (1774), as "Little James Skeggs," he sighted an Indian near Reed Creek on June 30, prompting evacuation to Bell's Meadows fort, and fought at the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10 as a private in Capt. William Herbert's Company, engaging Shawnee and Mingo warriors (Documentary History of Dunmore's War). In 1773, he received 104 acres on Meadow Creek from Daniel Ratliff (Fincastle County Deed Book 6, p. 100). He surveyed 145 acres on Clinch River in 1775 (Montgomery County Record of Plotts, Book A, p. 204), served on the Fincastle County Committee of Safety (1775/1776), and in Capt. Daniel Trigg's Company (1777). In 1778, he pursued Indians in Montgomery County (per William Skaggs' pension), appraised James Fowler's estate, received 68 acres on Meadow Creek, and sold 100 acres to Albertus Bright. In March 1779, he petitioned for a road from Sinking Spring to Seven Mile Tree (Summers, Annals of Southwest Virginia, pp. 620–621). Listed as "James Skaggs (longman)" in 1777 Montgomery County tithables, his nickname reflected his stature or endurance.

Migration and Settlement in Kentucky (1780s)

By ca. 1780, James led settlers to Kentucky, founding Skaggs Station on Brush Creek in Jefferson County, VA (now KY, later Nelson County, then Green County post-1792). He secured Treasury Warrants No. 4999 (350 acres) and No. 4533 (100 acres) on April 1, 1780 (Virginia Patent Series, Survey 3841), surveyed July 2, 1784, and patented May 8, 1786. As one of Kentucky's first Baptist preachers, he co-founded South Fork Baptist Church ca. 1782 with Benjamin Lynn at Philips' Fort near Hodgenville (then Jefferson/Nelson County, later LaRue County), baptizing seven in Nolin Creek with 13 initial members (Kentucky state highway marker; A History of Kentucky Baptists).

The 1785 Nelson County tithables listed him as "James 'Longman' Skaggs Sr." (9 whites, 4 tithables), with sons William (4 whites, 2 tithables), Henry (4 whites, 1 tithable), James Jr. (3 whites, 1 tithable), and neighbor Meshack Carter (7 whites, 1 tithable) (List of Tithables 1785–1795). Now "Sr." in Kentucky, he transitioned from Virginia's "Jr." designation.

Baptist Ministry in Kentucky and Controversy (1780s–1793)


As a Separate Baptist arriving ca. 1780 with Benjamin Lynn, James' zealous preaching emphasized repentance and faith between Salt River and Green River (A History of Kentucky Baptists). However, ca. 1787, he eloped with Leah Carter, wife of neighbor Meshack Carter, to Russell County, VA, facing cohabitation and adultery charges ("James Skeggs," Russell County Law Order Book, v. 1, p. 103, 1787–1788; p. 164, 1789, oath of Joseph Fugate). Absent from Nelson County tithables (1787–1791), with Mary as head (1787: 0 tithables; 1788: 1 with Jeremiah; 1791: 1 with Jeremiah), he returned in 1793. The Kentucky Gazette (October 5, 1793) noted Leah's elopement ca. 1787 and return; he facilitated her divorce (November 23–December 10, Nelson County Deed Book #4, pp. 882–883) and deeded 450 acres (Skaggs Station) to sons Henry, Stephen, and James Jr. for 100 pounds (November 15, Green County Deed Book #1, pp. 5–6).

Marriage and Children

James "Longman" Skaggs married Mary (surname unknown, born ca. 1735), likely in the early 1750s in the Virginia backcountry, as evidenced by the birth of their eldest son, William Skaggs, in 1757 in Horse Pasture, Halifax County, Virginia. Mary's role as head of household in Nelson County tithables and tax lists from 1787–1796 (e.g., 1787: 0 tithables; 1792: 200 acres, 5 horses, 12 cattle; 1796: 200 acres on Rolling Fork) underscores her management during James' absences, particularly the 1787–1793 scandal. The couple raised sons documented through tithables, deeds, and tax records.

  • William Skaggs (born 1757, Horse Pasture, Halifax County, VA – died ca. 1845): Eldest son, 1785 Nelson tithables (4 whites, 2 tithables); militia captain; remained in Kentucky.
  • Henry Skaggs (born ca. 1760 – died 1830s): 1785 tithables (4 whites, 1 tithable); 1793 deed recipient; Green County tax records.
  • Jeremiah Skaggs (born ca. 1760s – died ca. 1800s): With Mary in 1787–1788, 1791 tithables; 1795 Green County tax book.
  • James Skaggs Jr. (born ca. 1765 – died ca. 1814): 1785 tithables (3 whites, 1 tithable); 1793 deed recipient; Green County (1797), Hardin census (1810), War of 1812 (Capt. Thomas Moss' company).
  • Stephen Skaggs (born ca. 1760s – died after 1793): 1793 deed recipient; tied to family lands.

The 1785 tithables (9 whites) suggest possible additional children, but records focus on sons. No daughters named explicitly; 1836 Moses Skaggs Estate Papers likely involved descendants.

Later Years, Death, and Legacy (Post-1793)

Post-1793, James disappeared west, per Spencer's note of "immoral conduct" and church expulsion, with no further records of his presence. Absent from 1795 Green County tax book and 1796 Nelson tax book, he was deceased by 1836 Moses Skaggs Estate Papers, with heirs involved. The 1797 Montgomery County, VA chancery suit against "James 'Longman' Scaggs, Jr." (Index 1797-018, p. 2 of 7) targeted him but failed due to his absence.

James "Longman" Skaggs’ legacy as Kentucky's early Baptist preacher endures through South Fork, Pottengers Creek, and Level Woods churches, foundational to Nolynn Association. His hunting, militia service, and Skaggs Station opened the frontier, despite the scandal. Descendants shaped Kentucky and Missouri Baptist history.

References

  • Augusta County Deed Books, v. 16, 1769–1770, pp. 48–51 (1769).
  • Botetourt County Court Order Book 1770–1776, part 1, p. 76 (1770).
  • Botetourt County Tithables (1771–1772).
  • Fincastle County Deed Book 6, p. 100 (1773).
  • Documentary History of Dunmore's War, 1774.
  • Montgomery County Record of Plotts, Book A, p. 204 (1775).
  • Montgomery County Tithables (1777).
  • Montgomery County Records (1778).
  • Summers, Annals of Southwest Virginia, pp. 620–621 (1779).
  • Virginia Patent Series, Survey 3841 (1780–1786).
  • Kentucky state highway marker, South Fork Baptist Church (ca. 1782).
  • Spencer, J. H. A History of Kentucky Baptists (1885).
  • List of Tithables 1785–1795, Nelson County (1785–1791).
  • Green County Deed Book #1, pp. 5–6 (1793).
  • Nelson County Deed Book #4, pp. 882–883 (1793).
  • Kentucky Gazette, October 5, 1793.
  • Schroeder Tax Lists, Nelson County (1792–1794).
  • Green County Tax Book (1795).
  • Nelson County Tax Book (1796).
  • Montgomery County Chancery Suit, Index 1797-018 (1797).
  • Russell County Law Order Book, v. 1, pp. 103, 164 (1787–1789).
  • Hardin County Census (1810).
  • Kentucky War of 1812 Records (1812–1814).
  • Moses Skaggs Estate Papers, Green County (1836).
  • Halifax County Pleas v.5, p. 249 (1766).
  • Kegley, F. B. Militia of Montgomery County, Virginia, 1777-1790 (1975).
  • WikiTree, Ancestry, Geni (unconfirmed dates).

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