LEANNA BLAIR BIGGS SEXTON & JERUSHA COLLINS BLAIR BIGGS ROSS

LEANNA BLAIR BIGGS SEXTON & Jerusha Collins  Blair  Biggs Ross

Compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber March 2020

I was first introduced to Leanna Blair, living in Carter County, in the household of Mark (Marcus) Sexton, in 1850 in Carter County. The census shows Leann Blair age seven (7). In April 2019 I blogged that  I have long suspected that Leanna was the daughter of Jerusha Collins Sexton.  Along my many years of researching the family I have met descendants of Leanna and Bartlett Haskell Sexton and they all puzzled over who she might be.  Most showed handwritten notations that she was a Biggs but could not explain why she married as Blair.

Leanna was still in the Marcus Sexton household in 1860 now Boyd County, Kentucky noting that she was “bound.”  Apprentice bonds appear in county court orders.  It was common practice.  Through the years I have read and re-read court orders for Carter, Boyd and Lawrence and have not yet found a legal bond for Leanna.

Leanna Blair married Bartlett H. (Hascue/Haskell) Sexton[i] at the house of Mark Sexton 21 March 1862 now Boyd County.   Mark lived on Garner, now Boyd County at the time of the marriage.  The Sexton family aura surrounds us as we are honored to live and care for a portion of remaining Sexton lands and be the trustees of Klaiber aka Sexton Cemetery on Garner, Boyd County, Kentucky.

Leanna “Anna” died 25 July 1913 in Carter County, Kentucky.  Her death certificate filed as Lee Anna Sexton does not list parents.   Son James Sexton death certificate states his mother is Ann Biggs[ii].  Daughter Hulda Sexton Kitchen death certificate says mother “Ann Biggs.”[iii]   Jesse Sexton marriage to Florence Gullett in Carter County lists his mother as Anna Biggs.[iv]  Descendent Robert Kitchen said while his father did not have much education he had a hand written note by Moses Kitchen which says Haskel Sexton and Ann Biggs Sexton. 

So why did she marry as Blair and go by Blair while being raised by Marcus Sexton? For many years researchers missed the clues.

Researching the Sexton family requires learning geography, keeping an open mind and knowing what a “woods colt” is.  It helps to place family members, understand their isolation and how they may have lived. No compiled genealogy is truly the authors.  It takes a village of researchers and documentation.  I try to carefully cross reference documentation for not only the person I am reviewing but adjoining neighbors which gives me an inner visual about life in the areas I research. 

Leanna’s husband, Bartlett Hascue Sexton was the son of Hulda Sexton who had at least four relationships. Bartlett’s grandparents were James Enoch and Permillia “Milly” Sexton. James Enoch Sexton was brother of Marcus Sexton and grandson of  Revolutionary Soldier Jonathan Sexton.  The Sexton trees intertwine as a tight knit family.  What this means is that DNA has to be carefully analyzed and can accidently lead up the wrong tree branch without a paper trail to substantiate it.  The descendants of Leanna Blair Biggs Sexton and “Has” have multiple lines.

Marcus Sexton, who basically raised Leanna Blair/Biggs, was first buried on Bell’s Trace, Lawrence County where he died 22 October 1877.   He deeded over property, just before he died, to his wife, Catherine Sexton Sexton at the forks of Bells Trace bounding the lines of Absolom Jordan[v] and Reuben Biggs[vi].  Court records pinpointed the property as between Bee-tree and Lost Creek. [vii]  I have walked every inch of the properties on Garner now Boyd County, as well as properties the Sexton’s had on Pigeon Roost and Bee-tree and Lost Fork on the Lawrence/Carter line. 

Marcus/Mark Sexton’s  son Henry Powell Sexton exhumed[viii] his grave on Bells Trace at the death of Catherine,  bringing Mark back to Garner to be buried by Catherine who died in 1893.  Catherine  living on our farm.  The cemetery sits on the hill overlooking the home where Henry Powell lived and built which was referenced in at least one deed as the “mansion house.”  

Marcus Sexton and brother James Enoch Sexton, were sons of Elisha & Tabitha (of Scott County, Virginia) and grandsons of Jonathon Sexton, Revolutionary War Soldier who died 4 September 1835 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. 

To explain the Blair connection we must review Jonathan “John” Sexton who was born 14 May 1758 in Loudoun County then British America, in Virginia borders Maryland.  Jno. Had several relationships.  His eldest son Elisha was born about 1774 in North Carolina.  His military service places him a couple of years later in what is now Fairfield County, South Carolina. 

After service John Sexton married Rebecca McDannald[ix] 23 August 1790 Botetourt County, Virginia.  This compiler has been able to account for four of their issues: Joseph, John, William and Elizabeth, that migrated to Meigs and Vinton County, Ohio.  There are two female’s  between 1810 and 1820 that I have not identified, yet.  By 1817 there appears to be trouble in paradise. Rebecca is living in Bath County, Virginia and when her sister Elizabeth Sitlington dies stipulates that Rebecca is to receive funds but John Sexton is to receive NO money.[x]  As late as February 1837 “the Sexton place” is mentioned in Bath County, Virginia.  The property was in Cow Pasture.[xi]

On 26 May 1822 John/Jonathon Sexton married in Pike County, Kentucky Susan “Susy” Collins.  He is now 64 years old.  Mariman (Merryman) McGee[xii]stood in Bond for the marriage.  On 13 March 1828 Jerushia Collins marries Joseph Blair in Pike County, Kentucky. Publications simply give the date usually the bond date of 12 March 1828..  A research day trip with a Sexton Cousin led us to a box of loose papers in the clerk’s office where we looked at the original bond. 

“Know all men that…we Joseph Blair and John Sexton…firmly bond…12 March 1828…obligation…whereas…a marriage…between Joseph Blair and Rushia Sexton Collins ….Joseph Blair by mark. John Sexton by mark. Att Jas. Honaker”

Joseph Blair and Jerushia Collins married the following day 13 March 1828.

By utilizing census, an estimated birth for Susan Collins Sexton is circa 1781, making it more than likely she has other relationships prior to marriage to John Sexton.  But it appears that John Sexton is probably the step-father and Jerusha “Rushia”  is the daughter of Susan Collins.  The couple appear to be living with John and Susan Sexton in Pike County, Kentucky in 1830.    John appears on tax lists through 1830 in Pike County.  Joseph Blair does not pay tax in Pike County, Kentucky.  John Sexton  and Susy physically move to Lawrence County between 1830 and 1831.  How can I make that statement?  Lawrence County was formed in 1822 while the Sexton’s are active in Pike until 1831. 

John Sexton’s Revolutionary Pension was filed in Lawrence County, Kentucky. He died 4 September 1835.  Carter County is formed with a portion from Lawrence County in 1838.  I cannot locate the household of Susy, now widowed during 1840 nor do I find Joseph Blair in Pike or Lawrence County, Kentucky in 1840.  Susy received a fund for maintenance in 1848[xiii]  She appears to be living as late as September 1854 in Carter County when she received the last pension payment. I still have not located Susy Sexton as a widow in 1850. 

This researcher was spinning my wheels.  I had looked at many records even crossing the river into Lawrence County, Ohio but without making connections.  Then the pandemic sent us all into lock down.  Our lifeline to the outside world is now a computer.  Billie Jo Kelley Shackleford, a teacher and researcher, emailed me stating she thought there was a connection between “our” Rushia and hers. 

I don’t think I had posted the Biggs connections I had.  I working this line from Virginia to Kentucky and Ohio.   She has been working from Wood County, West Virginia to Greenup County, Kentucky and across the river in Washington County, Ohio and beyond. 

She has reviewed the complete Civil War packet of Lindsey Blair aka Sexton.  Besides citing himself as a Sexton, born 16 September 1837 in Greenup County, Kentucky, died 6 October 1930 in Harrison County, West Virginia. The pension gives information on his mother Jerushia Biggs Ross.  The packet states Rushia had several relationships.  This places Lindsey as a contemporary of Leanna Blair Biggs Sexton.

Jerusha was just across the river in Lawrence County, Ohio in 1850.  But because I did not have the other clues I did not find it.  In 1850 she is going by Ross in the house hold of Gray Ross.  There are five children in the household.  Jerushia and the Ross family are in Pleasants County (WV), Virginia in 1860 and 23 April 1862 they finally marry in Washington County, Ohio.  Gray Ross died 21 August 1867 in Washington County, Ohio.

Jerusha Collins Sexton Ross then marries Jeremiah Biggs 22 January 1872 in Washington County, Ohio. Jeremiah Biggs born 2 October 1801 Russell County, Virginia served in the military 1814 . His first wife Louisa  Barrett Biggs died 9 April 1870. He had married 1 August 1822 Louisa Barrett in Greenup County, Kentucky.  He was bankrupt in 1842[xiv] in Carter County, Kentucky. He has no values in 1846 on the Carter tax lists. His pension cites his 2^nd marriage to Jerushia in Washington County, Ohio.  Jerusha Biggs death is cited in Jeremiah Biggs pension as 11 February 1887.

With direct family members citing Leanna as a Biggs, it still leaves a lot of questions.  Lindsey Blair is born September 1837 goes by Sexton and Blair.  Leanna born 1842 goes by Blair and Biggs and marries a Sexton.  Susan Ross Cutshaw was born 25 November 1846, in Kentucky and documents state her mother is Rushia Ross.

There is a Joseph Blair in Greenup County, Kentucky with a Nancy (Gibson)  1850.  Their children’s birth dates overlap the birth of the Blair/Biggs/Ross children.  When Three of those children die they list Joseph Blair as father but mother unknown.  By no means should researchers assume this is the same Joseph without doing further research.

As researcher’s, we will continue to work on this.  I asked Billie Jo if I could blog, citing her information, because I know many of those even on my facebook wall are related to Leanna and wanted to get this information out.  We share in genealogy.  That is how we work together.  In the mean time I owe Billie Jo a huge thank you.

I ask all my readers to follow all the rules so that when this pandemic 2020 is over we are safe.  God Bless each and every one of my readers.   Tk

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[i] Grandnephew of Marcus Sexton thru Elisha and Tabitha Sexton

[ii] KY Death Cert. Carter County. 5406. 1943.

[iii] KY Death Floyd County. 07088. March 1950. Hulda Kitchen

[iv] KY, Carter M. 1915 page 313.

[v] Absolom Jordan m. 1 Julia Coburn, 2 Nancy Damron. 1855 ct case places him on Lost Fork, Carter Co., KY

[vi] Reuben Biggs m 2 x. Cathereine Grubb; Sarah Jane Pennington. Names 1839 one Son Jeremiah H. Biggs 1839-1879.  This Jeremiah died 2 months after his uncle Jeremiah Biggs 1801-1879.

[vii] Commissioners Sale Big Sandy News 6 Dec 1888

[viii] Big Sandy News, 10 Nov. 1893

[ix] McDannald NOT McDonald

[x] Jean R. Bruns Abstracts of Will and and Inventories of Bath County, VA p. 84/85

[xi] Ibid p. 181

[xii] Merriman Magee said to have son born in NC. Was in Patrick then moved to Scott County, VA prior to migration to Pike Co., KY

[xiii] KY, Carter, Order bkk 2 page 129

[xiv] US District Court, Bankruptcy Case Files, microfilm series RG21

Tracking Jonathan / John Sexton 1758 - 1835

 compiled by Teresa Martin Klaiber 4/2019

Sexton researchers abound. Many including my children’s family, have a least two different Sexton/Saxton lines.  For years there has been much speculation and assumptions about various Sexton families.  DNA is now helping sort through the confusion but a clean paper trail is also needed in any proper research – without assumption.  We still have lots more work to do. And, yes, there are still assumptions to overcome.

I am posting this chronology, & a bit long-winded explanation, as an aid as we continue following the path in the cow pasture.

Our own research story begins on the property where I am sitting and writing.  We live on property which has been handed down in our Sexton family for generations in Boyd County, Kentucky (a spit from the Carter/Lawrence line).  High on the hill is Klaiber Cemetery, aka Sexton Cemetery, aka Hood Cemetery.  Among those is Mark/Marcus Sexton and Catherine, others including Gallion and field stones. 

Forty-eight years ago, at the birth of my first child, I made my first genealogical research error.  Most researchers start with census, as did I.

The1850 census for Carter County/later Boyd, KY shows Mark 37 born Virginia, Catherine 41 born Virginia, Henry P. 14 born Virginia, Leann Blair 7 born Kentucky, Bartlett Sexton 75, Catherine 71 both born Virginia.  I immediately assumed Bartlett was the father of Mark/Marcus Sexton.  What the 1850 census does not do, is give relationships of household members.   Others made and are still making that assumption which is an error.

Standing in the records room in Louisa, Lawrence County, Kentucky I later found the death record of Mark 22 October 1877 that clearly showed him as the son of Elisha and Tabitha Sexton.  So maybe (another assumption) Bartlett was an uncle? No.

Mark was buried in Klaiber Cemetery.  But not reburied there until November 1893 after Catherine died. Prior to that he was buried at Bell’s Trace in Lawrence County.  The Big Sandy News tells of Powell (HP) Sexton of Garner (where we live) passing thru Bolts Fork (Lawrence County) with the remains of his father who died “sixteen years ago) exhumed and to be buried in the family graveyard beside his wife. 

Research shows Catherine living on Twin Branch in Lawrence County in 1880. Many years of continued research places John Sexton with Revolutionary Pension in that same neighborhood. We have now made several road trips around and thru Bolts Fork and it would be no easy task with a wagon to bring a body back across the ridge to our place.  Folks in that neighborhood say there is an old fieldstone cemetery which is haunted at the end of the lane on Twin Fork. 

Fast forward thru years of document research.

DNA reveals that Catherine wife of Mark Sexton is also maiden Sexton.   My family has two Sexton lines.  Catherine to Bartlett’s DNA suggests her line is through Charles as many suspected for years.  Sorting DNA with two lines is no easy matter.  But DNA tells us that my family has NO Native American blood thru Bartlett’s line.  We have truly enjoyed reading the many theories on wives with Indian heritage. 

DNA for Mark, thru father Elisha, show him as a grandson to John/Jonathan who died in Lawrence County in that Twin Branch area in 1838.    Thus begins unraveling the assumptions of Jno. As being on the Grayson, Russell and Patrick County tax lists at various times.  That is not John of Revolutionary status who died in Lawrence County, Kentucky.

It does explain the small notation found in the James Taylor Adams Collection at Wylie Library, Clinch Valley College stating “On my mothers side it goes back to ….Joseph Sexton, Johnithan (as sp), Elisha…signed by James Madison-Emory”

Chronology of John/Jno. Sexton

1758 14 May John states he was born in LOUDOUN County, Virginia (Pension)

1774 abt Elisha states he is born in NORTH Carolina

1779 Oct 4 resident of Fairfield County SOUTH Carolina – note that       Fairfield was not formed until 1798 from Camden district and he is a resident of Winnsboro.

1790 23 August marries Rebecca MCDANNALD Botetourt County, Virginia and William Sexton is surety.  A William Sexton marries Mary Ewing the same year in Botetourt.

1793 Tax list BATH County, Virginia along with William Sexton

1795 abt John Saxton born in VA dies in Meigs County, OH ASSUMED either in Bath or Greenbrier DNA shows he is s/o John/Jno.

1797 4 Mar William Sexton who died in Vinton Co. OH 1881 called “old Bill” born in Greenbrier DNA indicates s/o Jno.

1798 abt Elizabeth SAXTON born Greenbrier dies in Vinton Co., OH 1886. 

1799 to 1805 appears Greenbrier Tax along with Wm. Sexton/Saxton (Assumed William who goes to Cabell County and married into JORDAN family).  PP tax puts John on Cow Pasture.

1814 moved to Floyd County, KY (Pension information)

1817 Aug 15 Bath Co. VA Will of Elizabeth Sitlington sister of Rebecca McDannald Sexton “to sister Rebecca w/o John Sexton 333.33 in 3 installments, but no money is to go to John sexton or anyone representing him …not wanting any part thereof to be applied to his use.”

1820 Floyd County Census

1822 May 26 John Sexton m. to Susy Collins Merriman McGee bond.

1823-1827 Pike County Tax list

1828 Mar 12 Jerusha Collins marries Joseph BLAIR John Sexton “father” Collins struck out and Sexton written in.

1830 Pike Co Census – with ages of those in household that appear to be Joseph and Jerusha BLAIR

1831 Lawrence County, KY tax list

1834 4 April Pensioned Lawrence County, KY one of wit Archibald Rice which also lives in Twin Branch area.

1835 4 Sep DEATH

NOTES

DNA suggests Isaiah 1813 is a son of Jonathan. 

The 1820 Census of  Floyd County shows 1 male over 45 (John), 1 male 10-16, 2 males 0-10 (Isaiah and Joseph), a female 26 -45 and 2 females 1-10.  Ages indicate this researcher has not identified all in this grouping.

DNA suggests Jonathan could be a brother to Timothy Sexton who married Esther Sisel.  He was in Camden District South, Caroline as early as 1782.  He also appears in Russell County, Virginia for a short time. He died in Morgan County, TN in 1832.

Rebecca McDannald Sexton is mentioned again in the estate of Elizabeth Stitlington as late as 1830. In 1837 the will of Ellender McDanald references 180 acres adjoining the Sexton Place.  This suggests continued court record research in Bath and probably Greenbrier counties.

William Sexton of Bath County gave Power of Attorney to Robert 

McCutcheon to convey 6 acres on Cow Pasture adjoining Robert Sitlington to Thomas Kinkead 12 Oct 1797.

Susy Collins Sexton was still living in 1854 when she received a last pension payment.  To date she has not been located by this researcher either in Carter or Lawrence County, KY.  But in 1848 the Carter County court gave her funds for maintenance. 

Let’s use assumption one more time and go back to that 1850 census in Carter County later Boyd County, KY.  In 1850 she would have been about 70 years of age.  What happened to Joseph and Jerusha Blair?  This researcher cannot locate them in the 1850 either.  Did Joseph and Jerusha have a child Leann that appears in the 1850 census with Mark and Catherine Sexton Sexton?  If so another double lines because Leanna Blair married 21 March 1862 Bartlett Hascue Sexton daughter of Hulda going back the Bartlett Sexton line.

Please feel free to email me at Deliverancefarm@gmail.com