William Scaggs: Pioneer in the New River Valley

William Scaggs (also spelled Skaggs, Scaggs, or Skeggs in period records; born circa 1740s, possibly in Virginia or earlier colonial Maryland; died circa 1774 in the New River Valley, Virginia) was a frontier settler in colonial southwestern Virginia during a period of intense expansion and conflict. Little is known of his early life or parentage, though Y-DNA testing of descendants (haplogroup R-FT105290) places him in the broader Manx/Viking-origin Skaggs lineage, distinct from but closely related to the famous Long Hunter branches (e.g., sons of James Skaggs and Rachel). He likely descended from Scots-Irish or English immigrant stock, drawn to the backcountry for land opportunities amid the Loyal Land Company grants.

By 1772, William had settled on Little River (a tributary of the New River, now associated with Easter Creek in modern Floyd or Carroll Counties, Virginia), in what was then Botetourt County (reorganized as Fincastle in 1772, then Montgomery in 1776). He appears on the 1772 Botetourt County tithables list for New River and Sinking Creek as "William Skaggs 1" (a single tithable white male over 16, with no enslaved persons or additional dependents noted), clustered among other Skaggs men: James (likely Sr., father of Long Hunters), Henry (the prominent Long Hunter), Moses, Charles, and Richard. This proximity suggests William was kin—possibly a nephew, or cousin of James and Rachel—though not named in Long Hunter narratives or Moses' later estate papers. The era was dangerous: Native American raids, disease, and harsh conditions plagued the frontier, especially during Lord Dunmore's War (1774) and pre-Revolutionary tensions.

William married Esther (maiden name unknown; born circa 1740s–1750s; died after 1775, possibly much later in Montgomery County). Her surname remains elusive despite genealogical speculation (no proven ties to Easter, Lester, or other local families, though Easter Creek may honor her). They had at least one documented child: Joseph Scaggs (born circa 1766 in Virginia). Other children are possible but unrecorded, as frontier documents are sparse.

William died between 1772 (when listed alive in tithables) and April 19, 1775, when Esther alone surveyed 40 acres on Little River under Fincastle County authority (recorded in Montgomery County Record of Plots, Book A, p. 192). Had William lived, the survey—part of their settlement claim—would have been in his name. His death left Esther a widow with a young son (Joseph ~8–9 years old), amid ongoing frontier perils; cause unknown but likely raid, illness, or accident. Esther managed the claim, securing it for heirs.

Esther Scaggs (spelled Skeggs in some records) continued as head of household post-1775. In 1782, Montgomery County Order Books (p. 204, cross-referenced pp. 141, 236) certified Joseph Scaggs as "heir at law to Wm Scaggs" for 200 acres on Little River, including Esther's 1775 40-acre survey as the core improvement. She likely oversaw Joseph's upbringing on the land until his majority. No remarriage or further records for Esther survive; she may have died in the 1780s–1790s, but her legacy endures in "Esther's Creek" (noted in Joseph's 1816 survey). As a frontier widow, Esther exemplified resilience in a male-dominated era, handling legal and practical affairs amid post-Revolutionary land reforms.

Joseph Scaggs (~1766–between 1820–1830, Montgomery County, Virginia) inherited the family land, surveying 150 acres in 1783 from the 1782 certificate and adding 110 acres in 1816 (adjacent, on Esther's Creek). He appears in Montgomery County personal property tax lists (e.g., 1792: 1 horse; 1795–1796: 1 horse, white male 21+), censuses (1810 Christiansburg: household of 10; 1820 Blacksburg: head, only Scaggs listed), and as a modest farmer. Joseph married Martha "Patsy" Seagraves (~1774–after 1830; maiden name from bonds/sureties) circa 1795 in Montgomery County. They had several children, including:

  • Riley Scaggs (~1802 Virginia–December 15, 1868 Johnson County, Nebraska; m. Mary Ann Crowley May 13/15, 1836 Dearborn County, Indiana; migrated to Indiana ~1830s, farmer in Dearborn/Ohio Counties 1840–1860 censuses; at least 9 children incl. David ~1838, Martha ~1840, William ~1842, Elizabeth ~1844, Van Crowley ~1846–1864, Susan Olive ~1848–1876, Lida/Lydia ~1852, George ~1855, Margaret Jane ~1857; buried Vesta Cemetery, Nebraska).
  • William Scaggs Jr. (~1799/1800–~1880 Montgomery County).
  • Possible others: Polly (m. Samuel Brammer 1813), Rutha (m. George Cooper 1817), Nancy (m. George Reed Jr. 1821, Joseph as surety), Triphenia (m. Akers).

Joseph died intestate ~1824–1830 (absent 1830 census; Martha heads family, with son William nearby).

Descendants Through Riley Scaggs: Riley migrated westward ~1830s, settling in southeastern Indiana (Dearborn/Ohio Counties) for fertile Ohio River land. He married Mary Ann Crowley (~1812 Virginia–~1865, possibly Whiteside County, Illinois) in 1836, farming modestly (1840 Dearborn Co. census: small household; 1850 Ohio Co.: Riley 46, Mary Ann 38, 6 children; 1860 Union Twp., Ohio Co.: Riley 58, Mary Ann 48, 8 children). They had at least 9 children (4 sons, 5 daughters), with family dispersing post-1860 (e.g., to Illinois, Nebraska). Riley died in Nebraska, buried Vesta Cemetery, exemplifying the family's westward expansion.

Descendants Through William Scaggs Jr.: William Jr. married Miriam Reed (born ~1802/1804 Virginia; died after 1880) on February 4, 1825, in Montgomery County. They farmed in Auburn/Christiansburg districts (censuses 1830–1880 show modest holdings, no slaves). They had at least 10 children (7 sons, 3 daughters):

  • Sarah Scaggs (~1828–1876; m. Aaron Altizer May 24, 1847 Montgomery Co.—father Wm. Scaggs listed; migrated to Logan Co., WV; 12 children, descendants in WV).
  • Artemus/Artemesia Scaggs (~1829; m. Mary Jane Reed 1855 Floyd Co.).
  • Parthena/Parthenia Scaggs (~1830).
  • Rachel Scaggs (~1833; m. John Queass 1854 Montgomery Co.).
  • George Riley Scaggs (~1837).
  • Andrew "Andy" Scaggs (~1838/1839–~1905 Montgomery Co.; m. Peradine/Prudence Akers August 7, 1862 Montgomery Co.—parents Wm. & Miram Scaggs listed; 12 children incl. Wilbert Lencon Scaggs ~1875; descendants test R-FT105290).
  • William R. Scaggs (~1841; m. Mary Alley, then Geneva Carroll 1907; farmer Auburn District).
  • Humphrey M. Scaggs (January 1, 1844–July 23, 1924 Botetourt Co., VA; m. Delila/Delilah Akers May 11, 1865 Montgomery Co.—parents Wm. & Miriam listed; descendants test R-FT105290).
  • Lewis C. Scaggs (~1847).

The family persisted in southwestern Virginia (Montgomery/Floyd Counties), with some branches migrating to West Virginia. Y-DNA (R-FT105290, mutation likely mid-1700s) confirms direct paternal descent from William Sr., distinguishing this line from related Skaggs branches.

Overall, William and Esther's story reflects the perils and perseverance of 18th-century frontier life: brief settlement, early loss, and multigenerational continuity on hard-won land. Descendants evolved from pioneers to 19th-century farmers, with branches spreading westward to Indiana, Nebraska, and West Virginia, embodying Appalachian and Midwestern resilience.

  • Botetourt County, Virginia, Lists of Tithables, 1770-1789 (1772: New River and Sinking Creek; William Skaggs 1, clustered with Long Hunters).
  • Montgomery County, Virginia, Record of Plots, Book A, p. 192 (April 19, 1775: 40 acres surveyed for Esther Scaggs).
  • Montgomery County, Virginia, Order Books (1782, p. 204: Joseph Scaggs heir to Wm. Scaggs, 200 acres incl. Esther's survey; cross-refs pp. 141, 236).
  • Montgomery County, Virginia, Personal Property Tax Lists, 1787-1812 (1792: Joseph Scaggs 1 horse; 1795–1796: Joseph with 1 horse, nearby Scaggs kin).
  • U.S. Census, 1810 (Christiansburg, Montgomery Co., VA: Joseph Scaggs household of 10).
  • U.S. Census, 1820 (Blacksburg, Montgomery Co., VA: Joseph Scaggs household).
  • Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 (February 4, 1825: William Scaggs m. Miriam Reed, Montgomery Co.).
  • U.S. Census, 1830 (Fayette, Montgomery Co., VA: William Scaggs household).
  • U.S. Census, 1840 (Montgomery Co., VA: William Scaggs household).
  • Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 (May 24, 1847: Sarah Scaggs m. Aaron Altizer, father Wm. Scaggs).
  • U.S. Census, 1850 (Montgomery Co., VA: William Scaggs 50, Miriam 46, 8 children incl. Andrew 12, Humphrey 7).
  • Virginia Vital Records, 1853-1934 (August 7, 1862: And. Scaggs m. Peradine Akers, parents Wm. & Miram Scaggs).
  • Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940 (May 11, 1865: Humphrey Scaggs m. Delila Akers, parents Wm. & Miriam Scaggs).
  • Indiana Marriages, 1811-2019 (May 13, 1836: Riley Scaggs m. Mary Ann Crowly, Dearborn Co., IN).
  • U.S. Census, 1840 (Dearborn Co., IN: Riley Skaggs household).
  • U.S. Census, 1850 (Ohio Co., IN: Riley Skaggs 46, Mary Ann 38, 6 children).
  • U.S. Census, 1860 (Union Twp., Ohio Co., IN: Riley Scaggs 58, Mary 48, 8 children).
  • Find a Grave Index (Riley Scaggs b. 1802 d. Dec 15, 1868 buried Vesta Cemetery, Johnson Co., NE; Memorial ID 22303436).
  • FamilyTreeDNA Skaggs Project and manxfamilyhistory.com (R-FT105290 haplogroup for Andrew/Humphrey descendants; estimated mutation mid-1700s).
Location: Montgomery County, VA, USA

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