Richard Skaggs and Morgan's Rifles

Richard Skaggs: The Long Hunter and Morgan's Rifleman (c. 1744–1821)

Richard Skaggs, a daring long hunter and elite rifleman in Daniel Morgan's Provisional Rifle Corps during the Revolutionary War, embodied the rugged individualism of America's frontier expansion, blending marksmanship with perilous settlement and family establishment. Born circa 1744 in Augusta County, Virginia (later Botetourt and Fincastle Counties) to Scotch-Irish parents James Skaggs Sr. (ca. 1700–bef. 1781) and Rachel (surname unknown, possibly Moredock or Thompson), Richard grew up in the New River Valley amid Native American conflicts and colonial land rushes. His life, documented through militia rolls, land grants, tax lists, tithables, court orders, debt suits, and his 1818 will, reveals a trajectory of exploratory hunts, military valor, persistent legal entanglements—including a dramatic 1820 felony indictment—and adaptive migration to Kentucky. Married to Elizabeth (surname unknown; no formal record, suggesting frontier informality), he fathered at least seven children and died testate in Barren County, Kentucky, in 1821. Distinct from brother Henry the famed Long Hunter and brother James "Longman" the Baptist preacher, Richard’s story centers on his service in Morgan's Rifles, pre- and post-war debt cases, and cross-county pioneer resilience amid late-life legal peril.


Early Life and Frontier Beginnings (Pre-1770s)

Richard Skaggs' early life was forged in the Appalachian backcountry, as part of the Scotch-Irish influx into Virginia's frontier. One of at least 12 children of James Sr. and Rachel, including brothers Henry, Charles, Moses, James "Longman," Aaron, and John, Richard inherited a legacy of exploration in Augusta County (later Botetourt and Fincastle). Listed in Botetourt County Lists of Tithables, 1772 (New River and Sinking Creek district: Richard Skaggs 1 tithable), he was active as a young adult amid family debt suits. In 1770, a civil debt case arose (Botetourt County Court Order Book 1770–1776, Part 1, p. 76: Thomas Morris vs. Richard and James Skeggs for 3 pounds sterling plus costs), marking early financial strains typical of frontier settlers.

Military Service and Longhunting (1770s)

In the 1770s, Richard participated in long hunter expeditions into Kentucky and Tennessee for pelts and scouting, associating with kin like Henry. During Lord Dunmore's War (1774), he served in Capt. Joseph Cloyd's Company (Fincastle County Records, Library of Virginia: p. 255, Henry Skeggs detachment, "Richard Skaggs - 4 days pay and provisions"; p. 257, "Richard Skeggs - 20 days pay. Paid by McCorkle"). Enlisting December 28, 1776, in Capt. Joseph Crockett's Company, 7th Virginia Regiment, he detached to Morgan's elite Provisional Rifle Corps, mustering through September 1779 ("United States, Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783," FamilySearch: multiple entries for Richd/Richard Scaggs/Seaggs/Skaggs/Skeggs, including musters May 1777–Sep 1779. His service included the Sullivan Expedition context, showcasing sharpshooting prowess against British and Native forces.

Migration and Settlement in Kentucky (1780s)

By the 1780s, Richard migrated to Kentucky, securing a 1784 Virginia land grant in Jefferson County (600 acres on Middle Fork Brush Creek, surveyed June 17, 1784) and multiple "Kentucky Land Grants" (1782–1924, Books 1–2: pp. 136–137, 160 acres Sections 30–31 T2 R5E; pp. 358–360, 160/87/125 acres Sections 11/26/31/35 T2–3 R5–6E, Little Barren River, present Metcalfe County). Nelson County tithables (1785–1791, by Phillip Phillips) and 1788 Capt. Brown's company Nolin list "Richard Skaggs/Skeggs" (1 tithable, including sons Shadrach and Meshach). In 1789, he was bondsman for son Meshach's marriage to Sarah Gum ("Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786-1965," FamilySearch: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V5ZD-KZF).

Economic and Tax Records in Kentucky (1790s–1810s)

Richard's Kentucky phase featured multi-county mobility and litigation, extending into adjacent Hart County (formed 1819) via heirs or estate. The 1819 Hart Tax List ("Richard Skaggs 100 acres Barrens, 35 acres Barrens"; son John; kin Sarah/Matthew/James/Nancy) suggests post-mortem carryover from Barren's 114.5-acre will plantation. Green taxes (1818: "Richd" with 1 black/3 horses; kin Moses/James/Wm). Barren taxes (1799–1816: stabilizing at 114.5 acres/2 horses; Elizabeth separate horse; Henry to 850 acres). Adair taxes minimal. The 27 April 1812 Green Court enlists "Richd Skaggs" for road work. Suits: Barren 1809 (Pelham v. Skaggs); Adair 1812/1816 (abated). Censuses: 1810 Barren ("Richd Scags," https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH2T-3DP); 1820 ("Richard Skaggs," https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHG7-QCH).

Marriage and Children

Richard Skaggs married Elizabeth (surname unknown, born ca. 1750s), likely in a common-law union in the 1770s–early 1780s Virginia backcountry or Kentucky, with no formal record in "Virginia Marriages, 1785–1940" or "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786–1965" (FamilySearch). Evidenced as wife in 1818 will (lifetime plantation use), she managed assets (e.g., 1796 Green "Elisabeth" 258 acres; 1816 Barren "Elizabeth" 1 horse). The couple raised a "large family" (1836 Moses Skaggs depositions), with seven named in will (Barren Will Book, Dec. 10, 1818; probated May 1821): equal shares post-Elizabeth's tenure. Sons William and John posted $200 recognizance bonds for Richard in 1820 felony case.

  • Shadrach Skaggs (born ca. 1770s; tithable 1788 Nelson; 1795/1796 Green): Son, independent.
  • Meshach Skaggs (born ca. 1770s; m. Sarah Gum 1789): Son; deceased ca. 1795; widow Sarah in 1819 Hart.
  • Abednego Skaggs (born ca. 1780s; died after 1821): Son, equal heir.
  • Rhoda Skaggs (m. Phelps; born ca. 1770s–1780s): Daughter, equal share.
  • Sarah Skaggs (m. Clemens; born ca. 1780s): Daughter, equal share; possibly Hart kin link.
  • Henry Skaggs (born ca. 1780s–1790s; died after 1836; 1816 Barren 850 acres): Son, co-executor.
  • John Skaggs (born ca. 1790s; died after 1821; 1810–1816 Barren; 1819 Hart; 1820 bond for father): Son, plantation heir.
  • Elizabeth Skaggs (m. Skelly; born ca. 1780s–1790s): Daughter, equal share.
  • Lydia Skaggs (unmarried 1818; born ca. 1790s–1800s): Daughter, equal heir.
  • William Skaggs (kin/possible son; 1820 felony bond with John): Security for Richard.

Additional possibles: Frederick/Benjamin (1799–1809 Barren); James (1819 Hart). Heirs in 1836 Green Chancery Suit #3871.

Later Years, Death, and Legacy (1810s–1821)

In later years, Richard faced escalating legal woes, including June 1820 Barren County Court felony indictment (Commonwealth v. Richard Skaggs; continued to September term with $200 recognizance bond secured by sons William and John Skaggs—nature unspecified, possibly theft, assault, or frontier dispute amid post-1818 will execution and 1819 Hart listings). Maintained Green ties (1818 taxes); executed will December 10, 1818 (wife Elizabeth, children; executors Henry/Jacob Smith; probated May 1821). Died 1821 Barren County. His legacy endures through military service in Morgan's Rifles, land pioneering (over 1,000 acres), civic contributions like 1812 Green road work, and family networks shaping south-central Kentucky, tempered by lifelong debt and late felony shadow.

References

  • Botetourt County Court Order Book 1770–1776, Part 1, p. 76 (1770 debt suit).
  • Botetourt County Lists of Tithables, 1772 (Richard Skaggs 1).
  • Fincastle County Records, Library of Virginia (1774 Dunmore's War, pp. 255, 257).
  • "United States, Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783", FamilySearch (1776–1779 entries; ARKs e.g., QL6Y-XKFS).
  • Virginia Land Grants (Jefferson Co., 1784: 600 acres).
  • "Kentucky Land Grants" (1782–1924), Books 1–2 (multiple Little Barren parcels).
  • List of Tithables, 1785–1795, Nelson County (1788: Richard 1, sons).
  • Nelson County Tax/Land Records (1785–1791 tithables).
  • "Kentucky, County Marriages, 1786-1965", FamilySearch (1789 Meshach m. Sarah Gum).
  • Green County Tax Records, 1795–1823 (1818: Richd/kin).
  • Hart County Tax List, 1819 (Richard 135 acres; John; Sarah et al.).
  • Green County Court Orders (27 Apr 1812: road, Richd Skaggs).
  • Barren County Tax Records, 1799–1816 (Richard 114.5 acres; Elizabeth; Henry/John).
  • Barren County Court Orders, June 1820 (Commonwealth v. Richard Skaggs felony indictment; bond with Wm/John Skaggs).
  • Adair County Court Orders, 1810–1817 (1812/1816 suits abated).
  • Barren County Court Records, 1799–1813 (1809 Pelham v. Skaggs).
  • "United States Census, 1810", FamilySearch.
  • "United States Census, 1820", FamilySearch.
  • Barren County Will Book (1818 will, 1821 probate).
  • Green County Circuit Court Chancery Suit #3871 (1836 depositions).
  • "Virginia Marriages, 1785–1940" (FamilySearch; no record).
  • Kegley, F. B. Militia and Long Hunters (context).
  • Summers, Annals of Southwest Virginia (regional).
  • WikiTree, Ancestry (cross-referenced).
Location: Barren County, KY, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Comments are moderated at whim.

Popular posts from this blog

Henry Skaggs: Multiple Men Wrapped into One Legend

Image
Henry Skaggs "the Long Hunter" appears to be all over the place in history.  He's hunting with Daniel Boone , rescuing Jenny Wiley from the Indians and chasing the murderous Harpe brothers across Kentucky.   Below the fold are three distinct biographies for the contemporaneous Henry Skaggs figures, based on all the records, family traditions, and distinctions we've analyzed with the help of many Skaggs researchers and the AI engine Grok to keep things straight.
Read more

Henry Skaggs "Long Hunter"

Image
Henry Skaggs: The Long Hunter (b. aft. 1730 – d. 1810) Henry Skaggs , a quintessential figure of the American frontier, embodied the spirit of the " Long Hunters"—adventurers who ventured deep into the uncharted wilderness of Kentucky and Tennessee for months at a time, hunting game, mapping terrain, and paving the way for colonial settlement. Born after 1730, likely in the Carolinas or Virginia to Scotch-Irish parents James Skaggs Sr. and Rachel, Henry grew up in the New River Valley , where his family established a 440-acre tract on the Middle River in Augusta County, Virginia . His life, spanning the mid-18th to early 19th century, is illuminated through primary sources such as land deeds, court records, tax lists, militia rolls, marriage records, and estate documents, revealing a man of resilience, land acumen, and family devotion amid the perils of the frontier. Distinct from "Hunting" Henry Skaggs (son of Aaron Sr.), this Henry’s legacy centers on his Long ...
Read more

John Skaggs and the Battle of King's Mountain

Image
John "Gourdhead" Skaggs: The King's Mountain Veteran (b. c. 1757 d. c. 1809) John "Gourdhead" Skaggs, a steadfast frontiersman and Revolutionary War veteran, embodied the rugged endurance of Virginia's southwestern frontier, blending militia service, land acquisition, and family leadership amid the perils of Indian warfare and colonial expansion. Born in the mid-18th century in the backcountry of Augusta County, Virginia , to parents James and Rachel Skaggs, John matured in the New River and Clinch River valleys, where his family established early settlements. His life, documented through tithable lists, militia payrolls, oaths of allegiance, pension records, land grants, court orders, marriage bonds, chancery suits, and census enumerations, reveals a resilient soldier and patriarch who survived a crippling wound at King's Mountain, secured a lifelong pension, and migrated to Kentucky in later life. John's narrative centers on his military valor, ...
Read more