Malachi Isley III and wife Mary Loy, Jarrott Wright and wife Lavinia Isley (daughter of Malachi III), and Green Nichols  and wife Elenor "Nellie" Isley (daughter of Malachi III) are the first Isley family members known to have migrated to Arkansas. Malachi Isley III and his family members first began their journeys west to Illinois in 1833-34. The above family members were all enumerated in Horsehead Twp, Johnson County, Arkansas in 1840. Malachi Isley III purchased land in Johnson County, Arkansas on 10 March 1843. Jarrett Wright purchased land in Johnson County on 10 July 1844. None of these families stayed long in Arkansas. Malachi III and two sons and their families were in Texas by 1850; Jarrot Wright and family was back in Illinois by 1850 via Missouri; Green Nichols and family were in Missouri by 1842-43. I am not aware of any other Malachi Isley family members being in Arkansas until circa 1887. Kimsey Boaz Isley and his wife Sarah Elizabeth Isley and family moved from Kansas to Madison County, Arkansas around 1887. Both Kimsey and Sarah were born in North Carolina. Sarah had also previously been married to Elias Isley who was killed in the Civil War. (Kimsey Boaz is the son of Henry Isley and Molly Isley; Henry Isley is of Malachi Isley II and Molly Isley is of Jacob of Philip Isley. Sarah Elizabeth Isley is the daughter of Levi Isley of Martin of Philip Isley.)

Arkansas in 1850

Arkansas today

Arkansas was admitted as the 25th State on 15 June 1836. Arkansas began in 1813 as Arkansas County in the Missouri Territory. In 1819 Arkansas Territory was created from the Missouri Territory and included present day Oklahoma. The final western boundary of Arkansas Territory was not established until 1828. The origin of the name Arkansas is from the Quapow (Sioux) word "acansa" which means "downstream place" or "south wind."

Johnson County was created 16 November 1833 from a portion of Pope County. The county was named in honor of the first Territorial Judge of Arkansas, Benjamin Johnson.

Left:  Johnson County in 1895 Above:  Johnson County townships today (I couldn't find an earlier map of Johnson Cty)

Madison County was created 30 September 1836 from Washington and Carroll Counties. The county was named in honor of President James Madison.

Left:  Madison County in 1895 Above:  Madison County townships today

Isley Land Patents in Arkansas Malachi Isley III, 80 acres, 10 March 1843 Jarrott Isley, 80 acres, 10 July 1843 (Jaret is the name on the actual document) Sarah Isley, 169 acres, 22 May 1895 Calvin Alexander Isley, 160 acres, 28 May 1895 Joseph S. Isley, 44 acres, 19 May 1903

Malachi Isley Family Members in Arkansas: Malachi Isley III - born circa 1793 in North Carolina - and wife Mary "Polly" Loy. Initial migration was to Illinois circa 1833-34. Enumerated in Horsehead Twp, Johnson County, Arkansas Elenor "Nellie" Isley (daughter of Malachi Isley III) - born circa 1813 in North Carolina - and husband Green Nichols[on]. Initial migration was to Illinois circa 1833-34. Enumerated in Horsehead Twp, Johnson County, Arkansas. Lavinia Isley (daughter of Malachi Isley III) - born circa 1816 in North Carolina - and husband Jarrett Wright.  Initial migration was to Illinois circa 1833-34.  Enumerated in Horsehead Twp, Johnson County, Arkansas. Sarah Elizabeth Isley (daughter of Levi Isley of Martin of Philip) - born 21 January 1842 in North Carolina - widow of Kimsey Boaz Isley.  Initial migration was to Kansas circa 1870-1874 (son Joseph was born circa 1874 in Kansas). Moved to Arkansas circa 1887 and husband Kimsey Boaz died 1887-1895. Enumerated as a widow in 1900 in California, Madison County, Arkansas. Enumerated in 1910 and 1920 with her daughter Cora and son-in-law Thomas Haley. Calvin Alexander Isley (son of Sarah Elizabeth Isley, see above, and Elias Isley [son of Joel Alexander Isley of Jacob Isley of Philip and Delia "Dilly" Isley of Christian Isley of Malachi II]) - born circa 1862-1864 - and wife Eliza in North Carolina. Initial migration was to Kansas circa 1870-1874. Enumerated in California, Madison County, Arkansas 1900 through 1930. Joseph S. Isley (son of Sarah Elizabeth Isley, see above, and Kimsey Boaz Isley of Henry Isley of Christian of Malachi II and Molly Isley of Jacob Isley of Philip) - born May 1874 in Kansas - and wife Pearl Leota. Moved with his family circa 1887. Enumerated in 1920 in California, Madison County, Arkansas. Allison Monroe Isley (son of Sarah Elizabeth Isley and Kimsey Boaz Isley, see above for lineage) - born May 1878 in Kansas - and wife Louisa Atkinson. Moved with his family circa 1887. Enumerated in Gravette, Benton County, Arkansas in 1930. I have not been able to locate a 1910 census record. He and his wife were living with his mother in 1900 in California, Madison County, Arkansas. John W. Isley (son of Calvin Alexander Isley, see above for lineage) - born March 1889 in Arkansas - and wife Mary Dora Evans. In 1930, enumerated in California, Madison County, Arkansas. Carl Joseph Isley (son of Calvin Alexander Isley, see above for lineage) - born 16 December 1892 in Arkansas - and wife Pearl E. Nelson. In 1930, enumerated in California, Madison County, Arkansas. Jessee E. Isley (son of Calvin Alexander Isley, see above for lineage) - born 7 October 1894 in Arkansas - and wife Ethel James. In 1930, enumerated in California, Madison County, Arkansas.