Cross, Levi

    The Reverend Levi Cross, son of Barton Howerton Cross and Deborah Ann Moore, was born on August 13th, 1836 in Belington, Barbour County, Virginia (now West Virginia).  On Aril 10th, 1856, Levi married Miss Lucy Angeline Price from nearby hunters Fork.  There were at least eight children from this union (Octavia, John Franklin, James Martin, Arthur Otterbein, William George Washington, Nancy Jean, Cordelia, and Ella).  

    My Grandfather, Owen Truman Wyatt, discovered in the course of his research that Levi was a Methodist Episcopal Minister for 47 years.  He studied for the ministry at home and achieved the highest score ever on the examination at that time.  Although he was a minister, Levi's occupation is listed a farmer in successive censuses.  Barbour county tax records from 1884 show Levi's assets.

    While searching through old records stored in the Barbour County court house in September, 1999, I came across numerous marriage licenses which listed Levi as the minister performing the ceremony.  Levi also performed the ceremony in which his daughter Octavia (my Great Grandmother) wed Asa Harmon Wyatt (my Great Grandfather).  

    Levi Cross passed away on December 12th, 1915 and was buried on a beautiful hill at Stringtown Cemetery just east of Belington, West Virginia. 

Levi's signature