Charles Skaggs: Elk River Intruder

Charles Skaggs (c. 1730s–c. 1811) was a Revolutionary-era frontier planter and pioneer whose post-war migrations from South Carolina to eastern Tennessee and finally the Elk River frontier positioned his descendants as key figures in the "Safeway Skaggs" lineage.


Born in the 1730s in Maryland to Charles Skaggs (1709–1749) and Elizabeth, Charles grew up during the family's early Maryland frontier phase. By the Revolutionary period he resided in Laurens/Spartanburg District, South Carolina, where his son James C. Skaggs served as a militia lieutenant. The 1790 federal census lists Charles (as "Charles Sages") in Spartanburg alongside kin.

Around 1792–1793, Charles migrated with his family to eastern Tennessee. In January 1793 he purchased 640 acres on Bull Run Creek in Knox County from Joseph Beaird, establishing a substantial farm in the Beaver Ridge/Bull Run area. He and his wife Mary joined the Mouth of Richland Baptist Church by 1790–1795. Over the next decade Charles subdivided holdings, deeding portions to adult sons (e.g., 160 acres to Charles Jr. in 1807).

Seeking new opportunities, Charles led sons to Sims' Settlement on the Elk River (Mississippi Territory, now Limestone County, Alabama) c. 1807–1810. He signed the September 1810 intruders' petition as Charles Skaggs Sen. alongside sons Charles Jur., Thomas, and John. Federal eviction followed in 1810–1811; Charles likely died around this time (c. 1811), as he disappears from subsequent records.

Multiple descendants of Charles have Y-DNA tested as R-FT12801, indicating Charles was likely the source of that Y-DNA haplogroup.

R-FT12801 Charles Skaggs highlighted in orange

Spouse

  • Mary (surname unknown; c. 1750–after 1800), mother of his children; appeared with him in church and census records.

Known Children

  • Charles Skaggs Jr (c. 1770s–after 1810); married Martha "Patsey" Brashiers (1797, Knox County); received 160 acres from father in 1807; signed 1810 petition as Charles Jur.
  • Thomas Skaggs (c. 1770s–after 1840); migrated to Sims', post-eviction purchased BLM lands in Alabama/Mississippi.
  • John Skaggs (c. 1780s–after 1812); signed 1810 petition; in Giles County TN 1812 tax list with brothers.
  • Wiley/Willie Skaggs (c. 1790s–c. 1820s); War of 1812 service (Mississippi Territory Militia); 1820 Limestone AL census; married Rhoda (widow in 1830/1840).
  • Possibly others (daughters or younger sons not fully documented).

Charles Skaggs' bold migrations—from South Carolina to Tennessee to the Elk River—embodied the pioneering mobility that defined his branch. His descendants persisted in eastern Tennessee for generations before westward trails led to Rev. Samuel M. Skaggs (b. 1861 Tennessee) and his son Marion Barton Skaggs (1888–1976), who expanded the Skaggs cash-store model and merged it with Safeway in 1926.


References

  • Frederick County, Maryland Will Book A1 (1749): Named as son of Charles Skaggs (1709–1749).
  • 1790 U.S. Census, Spartanburg County, South Carolina ("Charles Sages").
  • James C. Skaggs Revolutionary War Pension File R.9628 (family residence timeline in SC/TN).
  • Knox County, Tennessee Deed Records: 1793 Beaird purchase (640 acres Bull Run Creek); 1805–1808 sales; 1807 deed to Charles III (160 acres Sugar Camp Survey).
  • Mouth of Richland Baptist Church minutes, 1790–1795 (East Tennessee Roots transcripts).
  • 1806 Knox County Tax List (Charles Sr. and Jr.).
  • 1810 Sims' Settlement Petition, Mississippi Territory ("Charles Skaggs Sen." and "Charles Skaggs Jur.").
  • 1812 Giles County, Tennessee Tax Enumeration (Charles, Thomas, John).
  • Y-DNA evidence: R-FT12801 subgroup linking descendants to this line (distinct from Longhunter branches).
Location: Knox County, TN, USA

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