Selected Families and Individuals


Jefferson CARDER [Parents] was born 1827 in Harrison Co., VA. He married Juliana WELCH on 31 May 1855 in Jackson Co., VA.

Trimble Letter of Guerilla list: Jefferson Carder
Wheeling Intelligencer, 12/27/61:
West Virginia Database (Boggs captured):
West Virginia in the Civil War, Ripley Raid:
West Virginia in the Civil War, captured after Ripley Raid:
Camp Chase list of Prisoners, OR, Series II, Vol. 2. Page 263 - 266:

Juliana WELCH married Jefferson CARDER on 31 May 1855 in Jackson Co., VA.


George Washington TANNER Sr. [Parents] was born 1832 in Kanawha Co., VA. He died 1870 in WV. George married Cahterine MCCUNE on 12 Apr 1857 in Calhoun Co., VA.


Wheeling Intelligencer, 12/27/61:
West Virginia Database (Boggs captured):
West Virginia in the Civil War, Ripley Raid: George W. Tanner
West Virginia in the Civil War, captured after Ripley Raid:
Camp Chase list of Prisoners, OR, Series II, Vol. 2. Page 263 - 266:

Cahterine MCCUNE married George Washington TANNER Sr. on 12 Apr 1857 in Calhoun Co., VA.


John L. PARSONS [Parents] was born 1795 in VA. He married Sarah MILLER on 9 Jan 1820 in Mason Co., VA.

Sarah MILLER "Sally" married John L. PARSONS on 9 Jan 1820 in Mason Co., VA.

They had the following children:

  M i Abram PARSONS was born 1831 in VA.

Trimble Letter of Guerilla list:
Wheeling Intelligencer, 12/27/61:
West Virginia Database (Boggs captured):
West Virginia in the Civil War, Ripley Raid:
West Virginia in the Civil War, captured after Ripley Raid:
Camp Chase list of Prisoners, OR, Series II, Vol. 2. Page 263 - 266: Abraham Parsons

Daniel DUSKEY was born 1809 in Allegheny Co., PA.

Trimble Letter of Guerilla list:
Wheeling Intelligencer, 12/27/61:
West Virginia Database (Boggs captured):
West Virginia in the Civil War, Ripley Raid: Daniel Duskey
West Virginia in the Civil War, captured after Ripley Raid: Daniel Duskey
Camp Chase list of Prisoners, OR, Series II, Vol. 2. Page 263 - 266: Daniel Duskey

At nine o'clock that night Captain Duskey and twelve of his men swooped down upon the defenseless town in true guerrilla style, shooting and yelling. Complete capture of the town was effected, however, without bloodshed--no one was killed and there is no report of any one wounded. The party was composed of Captain Duskey, George Duskey, Alex Groff, Marcelles J. Kester, Thomas Goff, Jacob Varner, Ben Wright, Ephraim B. Carter, George W. Tanner, George Gibson, and three others not named. Part of the company was recruited from neighboring Roane County.

Guards were posted and the main body, trained by months of experience, began to loot the town, and this they did efficiently. The guns and military stores in the jail were taken; they robbed J. L. Armstrong's store (asked that the goods taken be charged to the Confederacy), and lifted some personal possessions from citizens. The raiders found the post office locked and Postmaster John H. Wetzel refused to open it. Captain Duskey announced that he had a key that would open any door--bracing himself, he kicked the door down. Everything of value in the post office, even the letter mail awaiting dispatch or delivery, was taken and Postmaster Wetzel was relieved of all his clothing except that which he was wearing. After securing a good, square meal requisitioned from householders, the party retired, carrying their loot with them.

A few weeks later, Duskey and several of his men were surprised and captured by Federal troops which had been sent into Calhoun County to break up the bushwhacker outfits--the Moccasin Rangers in particular. When the prisoners arrived at Wheeling, Duskey and his son, George, and Jacob Varner were separated from the group, they being the only ones captured who were engaged in the Ripley raid.

The others were sent on to Camp Chase, Ohio, for internment, where, after a short time, some of them took the oath of allegiance, were paroled and returned to their native haunts--only to enlist in cavalry companies then being recruited for Confederate service. Indictments were returned in the United States District Court against the two Duskeys and Varner for the criminal offense of robbing the post office at Ripley.
Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/moc.htm

DUSKEY, 834
Daniel Duskey...51...Allegheny Co., PA...Farmer
Andrew...18...Lewis...Farmer
Nancy...16...Lewis
John...14...Lewis
Mary E...12...Gilmer
William...9...Gilmer
James...5...Gilmer
George...20...Lewis
Source: Calhoun County Census, 1860
Population schedules of the Eighth Census of the United States, 1860, Roll 1340.
Transcribed by Linda Cunningham Fluharty from National Archives Microcopy No. M653. Online at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/60cen.htm

He had the following children:

  M i George DUSKEY was born 1841.

Trimble Letter of Guerilla list:
Wheeling Intelligencer, 12/27/61:
West Virginia Database (Boggs captured):
West Virginia in the Civil War, Ripley Raid: George Duskey
West Virginia in the Civil War, captured after Ripley Raid: George Duskey
Camp Chase list of Prisoners, OR, Series II, Vol. 2. Page 263 - 266:


DUSKEY (DUSKY), George W., Co. A, 3rd Virginia State Line (Moccasin Rangers). Commissioned Captain of Infantry on 18 Sep. 1862. On August's list of Virginia State Line Officers prepared on 27 Jan. 1863. On T. E. Davis' list of Virginia State Line Officers dated 28 Feb. 1863. Private, Co. C, 19th Virginia Cavalry. Born Lewis Co., W.Va. about 1840. Age 20, Calhoun Co. 1860 Census. Captured Wirt Co., W.Va. 15 Dec. 1861. Confined at the Atheneum Prison under heavy guard. Pretended to be ill and was sent to the Sprigg Hill Hospital, Wheeling, W.Va. While there he escaped with a few of his men, including Josiah Parsons, and returned to Calhoun Co., W.Va. and there reorganized the Moccasin Rangers. Enlisted Pocahontas Co., W.Va. 1 Apr. 1863. Absent 31 Dec. 1863 to 31 Aug. 1864. Has one horse; captured Roane Co., W.Va., 20 June 1863. Absent 1 Sep. 1864-31 Oct. 1864, $100 enlistment bounty due. Was reported on 29 Nov. 1864 that Duskey and Lieutenant William A. Gandy were being held in solitary confinement , and to be sent to Ft. Monroe for exchange, 21 Jan. 1865. Reported as being held in the Wheeling City Jail which served as a State prison, 25 Jan. 1865. Duskey being held by civil authorities, under indictment for treason and robbing the mail (Ripley, W.Va. Post Office). Captured 2 Feb. 1865, no place stated. (This is probably their release date from prison and the time that the military took control of them again.) Confined at Baltimore, Md., then sent to Camp Hamilton. Transportation to Ft. Monroe for Duskey and William Gandy ordered 4 Feb. 1865. Confined at Camp Hamilton, Va. military prison awaiting exchange 6 Feb. 1865. Released 11 Feb. 1865. Post war rosters show service in Co. A. Duskey, apparently an officer at some point during the war was not considered as such by the U.S. Son of Daniel Duskey and brother of Andrew Duskey. C.S.A.
source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/soldiers.htm

Captain George Duskey's Company of Rangers was specifically mentioned in the Virginia legislation transferring state troops to Confederate control. Duskey had served as a private in the Moccasin Rangers. He was paid for service in that unit through July 15, 1862. Duskey then sought and received permission to raise a ranger company, which became Company E, 3rd Virginia State Line. On February 28, 1863, this company was stationed near Lewisburg in Greenbrier County, where its last muster roll as a member of Virginia's irregular forces was made.
Captain Daniel Duskey's Company of Rangers was listed by the U.S. War Department. Duskey was captured in 1862 and convicted at Wheeling of robbing the mails. Daniel Duskey was imprisoned at the penitentiary at Albany, New York under a four-year sentence. The Confederate government held hostages for the safe return of Duskey and a Lieutenant Barnes. Duskey apparently was exchanged on February 18, 1864, as Federal reports of that date note, "the notorious guerrilla chief, Dan Dusky" was captured in Webster County.
Additionally, John Anderson, David Barker, Brice Welsh, John Lewis, John Knight, and Washington Smith were reported as authorized to raise ranger companies. The source of that information is Federal records, which may not be entirely accurate.
Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/moc.htm

Wirt County, (W)VA 1860 Federal Census
Dusky George 19 Va 230---16 62
  M ii Andrew DUSKEY.

Samuel William GREATHOUSE [Parents] was born 1812 in Kanawha Co., VA. He died 1900 in Roane Co., WV. Samuel married Sudna Grace Sidney TANNER on 1840 in Jackson Co., VA.

GREATHOUSE, Samuel William, Co. A, 3rd Virginia State Line (Moccasin Rangers). Enlisted on 15 July 1861 in Calhoun Co., Va. Present on 28 Feb. 1863. Private, Co. A, 19th Virginia Cavalry. Born Kanawha County, Va. (W.Va.) about 1816 (1814). Age 44, farmer, Calhoun Co. 1860 Census. Enlisted Williamsburg, Greenbrier County, Va. (W.Va.) 1 Mar. 1863. Not stated if present or absent on muster-in-roll dated March 1863. Deserted. Captured Webster Co., W.Va. 10 Feb. 1864. Confined at the Atheneum Prison, 21 Feb. 1864. Description, age 50, 5' 9", fair complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. Occupation farmer, residing in Calhoun County, W.Va. Transferred to Camp Chase 4 Mar. 1864. Confined at Camp Chase 5 Mar. 1864. Desired to take oath of allegiance 10 June 1864. Gave statement at Camp Chase 25 Jan. 1865, listed as age 52, a resident of Calhoun County, W.Va. Shown as a member of Company A, Swann's Infantry Battalion. Says he enlisted 28 Feb. 1863 in Swann's Battalion under threats of violence. Described as "deplorably ignorant and easily misled." Took the oath of allegiance and released by order of the Secretary of War 17 Feb. 1865. Father of Jesse Greathouse. Age 66, work hand Reedy District, Roane County, W.Va. in 1880 Census. C.S.A.
Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/soldiers.htm

GREATHOUSE, 839
Samuel Greathouse...44...Kanawha...Farmer
Sudner...31...Kanawha
Sarah J...19...Jackson
Judith...17...Jackson
Mahala....12...Jackson
William...10...Jackson
Joseph...8...Jackson
Nancy J...5...Roane
Salina...4...Roane
Mary E...Roane
Eliza A...1/12...Calhoun
Source: Calhoun County Census, 1860
Population schedules of the Eighth Census of the United States, 1860, Roll 1340.
Transcribed by Linda Cunningham Fluharty from National Archives Microcopy No. M653. Online at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/60cen.htm

Sudna Grace Sidney TANNER [Parents] was born 1810. She died 1892 in Roane Co., WV. Sudna married Samuel William GREATHOUSE on 1840 in Jackson Co., VA.

Served in CSA & listed w 19th VA Cavalry from Calhoun Co
Source: Renick

They had the following children:

  M i Jesse GREATHOUSE was born 1840 in VA.

GREATHOUSE, Jesse, 3rd Virginia State Line. Not on muster rolls. Private, Co. A, 19th Virginia Cavalry. Born Jackson Co., W.Va. about 1840. Age 20, farmer, Calhoun Co., W.Va. in 1860 Census. Clothing issued 2 Feb. 1864 and 19 Feb. 1864. Captured Roane Co., W.Va., 23 Apr. 1864. Confined at the Atheneum Prison, 2 May 1846. Description, age 23, 6', fresh complexion, light hair and blue eyes. Occupation farmer, residing in Roane Co., W.Va. Transferred to Camp Chase 10 May 1864. Confined at Camp Chase 11 May 1864. Admitted to Chase U.S.A. General Hospital, Camp Chase, 9 Sep. 1864, variolla. Returned to duty 5 Oct. 1864, age 23, not vaccinated. Gave statement at Camp Chase, 25 Jan. 1865, listed as age 23, a resident of Calhoun Co., W.Va. Was arrested in Roane Co., W.Va. by the home guards, states that he enlisted in Webster Co., W.Va. February 1862 for 12 months. Took the oath of allegiance and was released by order of the Secretary of War, 17 Feb. 1865. Son of Samuel Greathouse. Age 40, farmer, Smithfield District, Roane Co., W.Va. 1880 Census. C.S.A.
Source: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/soldiers.htm

GREATHOUSE, 838
Jesse Greathouse...20...Jackson...Farmer (Agt. for S. Greathouse)
Elizabeth...20...Jackson
John...5/12...Calhoun
Source: Calhoun County Census, 1860
Population schedules of the Eighth Census of the United States, 1860, Roll 1340.
Transcribed by Linda Cunningham Fluharty from National Archives Microcopy No. M653. Online at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvcalhou/60cen.htm

Samuel TANNER was born 1759 in Augusta Co., VA. He died 1850 in Roane Co., VA. Samuel married Sudna Elizabeth CARPENTER on 5 Dec 1791 in Harrison Co., VA.

Samuel Tanner was born on 15 May 1759 in Augusta Co, VA. (24) He died in 1850 in Roane Co , WV. (24) Rev War pension claim # R10389

"Pioneers in Roane County, WV by John A. House
Samuel Tanner was the first settler at Spencer, and the first in Roane County, barring a little cluster of cabins built near Osborne's Mills on Big Sandy, about 1810. Tanner is usually credited as coming from Randolph County. I think it is pretty well established fact that he sojourned for a time on Mill Creek or at Warth's Bottom, and if Jesse Carpenter was a brother to his wife, he may have spent from one to several years in Meigs County, Ohio, before coming to try his fortune in the wilderness of what was then Wood County.

Tanner had been living under the 'rock' at what is now Spencer, over a month before war had been declared against Great Britain, the War of 1812.

On the 14th day of May, 1812, Samuel Tanner, Sudner Carpenter Tanner, his wife, Jonathan Wolfe from Hacker's Creek settlement, and a boy named Tate, came to the site of Spencer and camped under the rocks at the end of the point near the residence of Harry C. Woodyard.

This 'cave' - so called - had long been used by both white men and Indians as a camping spot. Logs were cut and split into puncheons and stood up along the edge of the overhanging rocks, for an outside wall. The rocks overhead served for a roof and the floor was of stone. A rude fireplace was constructed at one end and the smoke was allowed to go up through a crevice of the rocks or out into the room, as might happen. Another portion was into a stable. Leaves were piled into the back corners of the living room, a puncheon table and a few stools were added and they were ready for housekeeping.

They lived under this rock until the next spring. A field was cleared on the table land between the 'house' and where the Ravenswood Pike now is. This was planted in late corn and the little family prospered. Most of their sustenance being provided from the surrounding forests.

It was while living under this rock that their eldest daughter, Elizabeth Tanner, is supposed to have been born, and it is said that she was the first white child born in Roane County.

Jonathan Wolfe later married Bridget Runyan, and lived on Spring Creek. The boy, Tate, is lost sight of altogether. Next spring the Tanners erected a cabin across Tanner's Run and nearly on the site of what was long known as 'the old Fisher House', an old frame building unpainted and weather beaten, which was still standing in 1872. This building was then the first house in town, and was used as a court house when the county was organized in 1856.

The log cabin which was built by Tanner stood until about 1855. In this cabin on May 9, 1813, Tanner's son, Elijah, was born. Some claims are that Elijah was the first white child born in Spencer District.

There was a trail up Spring Creek which led to the Kanawha Salt Works above Charleston. Another trail, from Weston and Hacker's Creek settlements, passed through Gilmer County to the Ohio River settlements and crossed the Kanawha River trail at what was long known as Bowman's Corner, now occupied by the Trader's Trust Company Bank. This point was not far from the Tanner cabin, and from this fact the place was long known as Tanner's Crossroads. Later it became Cassville, and then, perhaps about 1850, Rolls Butcher, having sold his store at Reedyville with the announced purpose of going to the gold fields of California, but instead having gone into business at Cassville, the place was ironically referred to as 'Californy' or 'New Californy', a name later adopted 'officially' and continued as California until the village was made the county seat of the new 'County of Roane', when it was named Spencer, this being the first name of Judge Roane, for whom the county was named and who was then in service on the Judicial Circuit.

Samuel Tanner, said Susy Miller, was buried on the hill above town in what is known as the Bartlett Extension, and his bones, she said, were unearthed while grading for a street back of the Clay Smith house. Samuel Tanner married a Carpenter, a sister of Joe Carpenter, and an aunt (Susan DeHart has crossed out 'an aunt') of Amos Carpenter. Of their children, I have heard names but not much further account of them: Elizabeth; Elijah; William; Jesse; and James. Parents: Edward TANNER and Rachel ?.
He was married to Sudna Elizabeth Carpenter on 5 Dec 1791 in Harrison Co, WVa.(1151) (74)(231) Harrison Co Marriages:
Samuel Tanner & Sudney Carpenter, 12/5/1791

Harrison Co Tax list
Samuel Tanner 1794, 1796

Mason Co tax list
Samuel Tanner 1805-06-07-09-10-11-12

1810 Census, Mason County, Virginia (West Virginia)
Tanner, Samuel 373 1810
3 males under 10 (Jesse, James, Tate?)
1 male 16-25 (William)
1 male 26-45 (Samuel)
2 females under 10 (Mary, ?)
2 females 10-16 (? ?)
1 female 16-25 (Jean?)
1 female 26-45 (Sidney)
no slaves

1820 Wood Co index, pg 194, along with James and Jesse. Wm is in Mason Co

1840 JC
1m 0-5
1m 5-10
1m 70-80
1f 5-10
1f 70-80

1850 JC # 126-130
Tanner Samuel 96 M Farmer Va
Tanner Sudner 85 F Va
Tanner James 17 M Va
Tanner Semantha 24 F Va
Tanner Saml 18 M Farmer Va
Tanner Nancy 1 F Va
Farr Geo W 21 M Farmer Va
Fore or Farr
~~
land grant
#31 Samuel Tanner....Mar. 14, 1825
Kanawha Co. 380 acres On Spring Creek, a branch of Little Kenawha.
Grants 73, pg. 535
~~~
"Jackson County in the Wars"
Revolutionary Soldiers
Samuel Tanner. born in Augusta (now Rockingham) county, VA, May 15, 1759. Moved to Greenbrier, then to Monongalia, and spent his last years in Jackson (now Roane) county at present Spencer, then known as Tanner's Crossroads, for Jacob Tanner. Elijah Runnion and Jesse Carpenter testified for him in connection with his pension application, but it was rejected. Enlisted in the Rockbridge County Militia, April 1777. . .

Bishop's 'History of Roane county' - page 318
Children were: William Tanner, Jesse "Buffalo" Tanner, James Tanner , John Tanner, Elizabeth Tanner, Mary Polly Tanner, Samuel Tanner, Joseph Tanner, Elijah Tanner, Sudna Tanner, Samantha Tanner, Sarah Tanner.

Sudna Elizabeth CARPENTER married Samuel TANNER on 5 Dec 1791 in Harrison Co., VA.

They had the following children:

  F i Sudna Grace Sidney TANNER was born 1810 and died 1892.

Robert LOWTHER was born 24 Mar 1795. He died 22 Apr 1856. Robert married Mary.

LOWTHER FAMILY
Robert Lowther, probably connected with Col. William Lowther, came from Harrison County to Ripley about 1831.
He was one of the first members of the Ripley bar, and for several years, postmaster of the place.
He was born March 24th, 1795, and died April 22nd, 1856.
His wife, Mary Lowther, was three years his senior, and died five years earlier, or in 1851. They both sleep in the old cemetery at Ripley.
By them lies a son, E. D. (Dunck) Lowther, born in 1830, died in 1897. Over his grave waves a faded American flag, showing that in "the times that tried men's souls", his rang true. Honor to all the graves, the flag waves over, be they never so lowly and peace to the ashes that sleep beneath.
Andrew Lowther was another son.
Mary Lowther, a daughter, died in Baltimore.
Major Henry Harpold's wife was also a daughter, and the last of the family to cross the bar was Mrs. Minerva Smith, widow of the late Judge Joe Smith. She died a few years ago.
Robert Lowther, as surveyor, first laid off the town of Ripley, in 1832, and for a quarter of a century, he was a distinguished and progressive citizen.
The Court House Square was given by Jacob Starcher, who laid out the town.
Source: House

Mary married Robert LOWTHER.

They had the following children:

  M i E. D. LOWTHER "Dunck".
  M ii Andrew LOWTHER.
  F iii Mary LOWTHER.
  F iv Mrs. LOWTHER.
  F v Minerva LOWTHER.

Major Henry HARPOLD married Mrs. LOWTHER.

Mrs. LOWTHER [Parents] married Major Henry HARPOLD.


Judge Joseph SMITH "Joe" married Minerva LOWTHER.

Minerva LOWTHER [Parents] married Judge Joseph SMITH.


William LOGAN married Mary MCFARLAND on 3 Nov 1870 in Jackson Co., WV.

Mary MCFARLAND [Parents] was born 1848 in Ritchie Co., VA. She married William LOGAN on 3 Nov 1870 in Jackson Co., WV.

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