Some Descendants of Alexander Cantley (1794 – 1884)

Report prepared 15 February 2010 by Debora Kerr.

Some Descendants of Alexander Cantley (1794 – 1884) by Debora Kerr is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at wyklekin.wordpress.com.

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Some Descendants of Alexander Cantley (1794 – 1884)

1. ALEXANDER JAMES CANTLEY, son of Samuel[1] and Rebeka (Clark)[2] Cantley,[3] was born in Greenbrier County,[4] Virginia on 22 February 1794[5] and died in Raleigh County, West Virginia on 2 March 1884.[6] He married (1) in Monroe County, Virginia, 1816, MARY “POLLY” SCOTT,[7] who was born in Monroe County, Virginia about 1797[8] and died in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 20 November 1875,[9] daughter of John Scott.[10] Alexander married (2) in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 24 August 1876, the widow TEMPAY (BALL) HOPKINS, [11] born in Monroe County, Virginia about 1827,[12] died in Lewiston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, 8 December 1903.[13]

Alexander’s childhood years were spent on a homestead on the waters of Indian Creek, a branch of the New River in what is today Monroe County, West Virginia.[14] His siblings included Eleanor, John, Sally, James, Rebecah, Mary and William.[15] When his father Samuel died without leaving a will, his mother Rebeka became an administrator of his estate.[16] The appraisal of Samuel’s estate shows a thriving farm with livestock that included many hogs, cattle, horses, sheep and geese.[17]

Alexander was drafted into military service in Monroe County, Virginia during the War of 1812. Under Lieutenant William McDaniel’s command, he soldiered in the 5th Virginia Militia as a private from 13 September to 9 October 1813. He was then transferred to serve in Captain James R. Nemoe’s company from 10 Oct 1813 to 10 Mar 1814. He was discharged in Norfolk, Virginia on 11 March 1814.[18]

After the war, Alexander married Polly Scott[19] and they lived in Logan County, Virginia.[20] About 1830, Alexander moved his family to new land in the Marsh Fork of Coal River area.[21] He was not alone in a quest for better land, and many other settlers increased the population of southwestern Virginia. This soon led to changes in boundary lines. In 1831, the Cantley property was encompassed by the new county of Fayette.[22] By 1850, the county boundaries had changed again, placing Alexander’s family under the governance of Raleigh County.[23]

When Congress acted to bestow bounty lands to veterans in 1850, Alexander had the opportunity to move out of Virginia. He applied for and received two bounty land warrants for his service. The first was for land in Ionia, Ionia County, Michigan which Cantley signed over to Truman P. Allen in Raleigh County, Virginia on 26 July 1856. The second, for land in Genesee, Genesee County, Michigan, was signed over to Rodney D. Hill on the same day and in the same place.[24] Apparently Alexander was content in his surroundings, even after the outbreak of the Civil War created the new state of West Virginia around him. Beginning in 1851, Alexander appears on the Raleigh County tax rolls throughout his life.[25]

Over the years of their marriage, Alexander and Polly faced more than the usual challenges of parenthood. Their daughter Elizabeth’s blindness and the visual and psychological impairment of their sons John, Jordan and Richard must have placed additional stress on the family.[26] The census records show these unmarried adult children remaining in Alexander’s household for quite some time.[27] The county court system provided some limited relief. Alexander was paid $26.50 from the Overseer of the Poor in 1865, and an allowance of $20 for Richard was made in 1866.[28] Alexander remained active in caring for his family. Upon the death of his daughter Caroline’s husband Steele Massey in 1869, Alexander obtained letters of administration to settle his estate.[29]

After Polly’s death in 1875,[30] Alexander remarried Tempay (Ball) Hopkins, but a few years into their marriage the couple separated. Tempay moved to Lewiston, Kanawha County, West Virginia, while Alexander lived the final years of his life in the Raleigh County home of his youngest daughter Ladocia and her husband James Mandeville Clay.[31] He died on 2 March 1884 aged 90 years 9 days[32] and was buried in the Cantley Cemetery in Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia. His gravestone commemorates his service in the War of 1812.[33]

Children of Alexander Cantley, and his first wife, Mary “Polly” Scott:

i. ELIZA CANTLEY, b., probably in Logan County, Virginia,[34] ca.
1817;[35] d., probably in Raleigh County, West Virginia, ca. 1867.[36]

ii. SAMUEL CANTLEY, b., probably in Logan County, Virginia,[37] ca. 1819;[38] d.,
probably in Raleigh County, West Virginia, bet. 1902 and 1910;[39] m.,
probably in Fayette County, Virginia, ca. 1847,[40] Sarah Richmond.[41]

iii. JOHN CANTLEY, b. in Logan County, Virginia, 22 April 1824;[42] d. in Beckley,
Raleigh County, West Virginia, 31 May 1857.[43]

iv. JAMES A. CANTLEY, b., Logan County Virginia,[44] 1827; [45] d. 1865 from
wounds incurred in the Battle of Cross Keys in Clayville, near Cumberland, Washington County, Maryland;[46] m. in Raleigh County, Virginia, 1 August 1852, REBECCA CLAY.[47]

v. JORDAN CANTLEY, b., probably in Logan County, Virginia, ca. 1828;[48]
d., probably in Raleigh County, West Virginia, bet. 1860 and 1870.[49]

2. vi. GEORGE WILLIAM CANTLEY, b. in Bee Branch, Raleigh County, Virginia, about 1830; m. DRUCILLA CLAY.

vii. RICHARD CANTLEY, b., probably in Fayette County, Virginia, ca. 1832;[50]
d., in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 17 November 1876.[51]

viii. CAROLINE CATHERINE CANTLEY, b. in Fayette County, Virginia,[52]
February 1835;[53] d. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, ca. 1913;[54] m. (1) in Raleigh County, Virginia, ca. 1856, STEELE MASSEY;[55] m. (2) in Raleigh County, West Virginia, ca. 1870, JAMES F. JONES.[56]

ix. LADOCIA CANTLEY, b., probably in Fayette County, Virginia,[57] 13 Jan 1843; [58] d. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 2 Jan 1891; [59] m. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 19 September 1865, JAMES MANDEVILLE CLAY.[60]

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2. GEORGE WILLIAM CANTLEY, son of Alexander James Cantley and Mary “Polly” Scott, was born about 1830,[61] probably in Logan County, Virginia[62] and died 20 Jan 1898 in Raleigh County, West Virginia.[63] He married DRUCILLA CLAY, 28 Mar 1853 in Raleigh County, Virginia,[64] who was born in March 1831,[65] probably in Logan County, Virginia[66] and died in Raleigh County, West Virginia on 24 Feb 1903,[67] daughter of Charles L. and Aury (Ora) Clay.[68]

George and Drucilla made their home in Raleigh County[69] where they began to raise a family of twelve children.[70] Their close neighbors were also family members, including the household of Aury Clay,[71] Drucilla’s mother. The outbreak of the Civil War prompted George to enlist on the Union side on 8 December 1862. He served alongside his brother James in Company H of the 7th West Virginia Cavalry. Military records describe George as 5′ 10″ tall, fair complexioned, with hazel eyes and dark hair. In service to the Union, George was involved in the battle of Cross Keys and later injured during a skirmish at Cotton Hill, Fayette County, West Virginia where he was thrown from his horse. He was discharged from service on 1 August 1865.[72] At one point during the war, George was captured along with his father-in-law Charles L. Clay and several brothers-in-law by Confederate forces. The men were able to convince the interrogating officer that they were Southern sympathizers and were released.[73]

After the war, George returned to his family and resumed civilian life in the township of Marsh Fork. County records of the 1860s report his community activities, serving on juries[74] and surveying roads.[75] As time passed, the injury he sustained at Cotton Hill became more incapacitating and severely interfered with his work as a farmer. George applied for an Invalid Pension in 1887 which was awarded in 1891.[76] He died at home on 20 January 1898[77] and was buried 22 January 1898 in the Clay Cemetery, Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia.[78]

Drucilla applied for a widow’s pension on 28 February 1898. In a personal affidavit made 20 April 1898 she spoke of her impoverishment and need for the support:

“Personal property, my little household property, consisting of one bed, one sewing machine, one clock a few dishes and cooking vessels all worth about $50.00 One cow worth about $16.00 One little hog worth $1.00 Total $67.00 Since March 3rd 1898 I have had no interest whatever in bonds, stocks or investments and no source of income by the month or year, and that no person is legally bound to support me.”[79]

Drucilla died five years later. She is buried near George in the Clay Cemetery, Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia.[80]

Children of George Cantley and his wife Drucilla Clay:

i. PENINA JANE CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, Virginia, ca. 1855;[81] d. in
Raleigh County, West Virginia, 5 February 1920;[82] m. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 25 Nov 1874, JOHN HENRY RORRER.[83]

ii. CHARLES W. CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, Virginia, 12 September 1855;[84]
d. 9 April 1856.[85]

3 iii. GREEN BALLARD CANTLEY, b. in Marsh Fork, Raleigh County, Virginia,
22 April 1857; m. MARGARET LOUISA ARNOLD.

iv. AMANDA MATILDA CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, Virginia, 23 October
1858;[86] d. in Harper, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 14 March 1928;[87] m. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 2 April 1879, CALVIN HENRY ALIFF.[88]

v. JAMES HENRY CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, Virginia, 24 October
1860;[89] d. in Dry Creek, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 7 February 1944;[90] m. in Dry Creek, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 11 May 1883, MARY FRANCIS ALLEN.[91]

vi. GEORGE WASHINGTON CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 22
October 1864;[92] d. in Sanger, Fayette County, West Virginia, 12 September 1943;[93] m(1) in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 1 April 1884, MARY MASSEY;[94] m(2) in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 29 April 1895, DONA PRICE;[95] m(3) in Fayette County, West Virginia, 29 July 1910, BETTY SMITH.[96]

vii. LUCINDA CAROLINE CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 2 June
1866;[97] d. in Fairdale, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 14 May 1945;[98] m. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 5 October 1883, JOHN FLOYD ALLEN.[99]

viii. REBECCA E. CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 15 September
1867;[100] d. 9 February 1868.[101]

ix. ARRETTA CANTLEY, b in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 22 May 1869;[102]
d. in Clear Fork, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 1 May 1925;[103] m. in Calcord, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 25 May 1886, WRIGHT DILLON.[104]

x. JOHN WILLIAM CANTLEY, b. in Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia,
8 January 1870;[105] d. in Rock Creek, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 7 February 1960;[106] m. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 29 October 1891, NANCY ELLEN SCARBORO.[107]

xi. AMBROSE EDWARD CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 8 April
1872;[108] d. in Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 18 January 1951;[109] m. in McDowell County, West Virginia, 23 August 1892, ROSELLA SCARBORO.[110]

xii. MARY ELLEN CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia,
8 January 1874;[111] d. possibly in Raleigh County, West Virginia bef. 23 August 1899;[112] m. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 21 October 1891, JACOB FLOYD SCARBORO.[113]

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3. GREEN BALLARD CANTLEY was born in Marsh Fork, Raleigh County, Virginia in 1857[114] and died in Sanger, Fayette County, West Virginia on 28 March 1929.[115] He married in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 19 June 1879, MARGARET LOUISA ARNOLD,[116] born in Raleigh County, Virginia, 22 September 1859,[117] died in Sanger, Fayette County, Virginia, 11 Jul 1928,[118] daughter of John Arnold and Nancy Griffith.[119]

Green Ballard Cantley’s early life was that of many young men born into a farming family, assisting his parents in the day-to-day activities of the homestead.[120] Green had the benefit of at least some schooling during his childhood to break the monotony of farm chores,[121] yet continued in adulthood to make his living as a farmer. After his marriage, Green and his bride Margaret stayed within the family community of Raleigh County, making their home near that of his parents George and Drucilla Cantley, and his grandparents, Charles and Aury Clay.[122]

Sometime between 1880 and 1900, Green moved his family to the Sanger area of Fayette County.[123] He continued a farming lifestyle but made a career change late in life. By 1920, he identifies himself as a merchant with a retail store.[124] Green’s grandson, French James Wykle, Jr., recalls how as young boys he and his cousins would play under the porch of this general store, often finding coins that had fallen through the cracks between the floorboards.[125] Another major change to Green’s situation in this timeframe is the appearance of two additional children in his household: Lucy, age 12, and Richard, age 10. This pair are listed as “adopted” on the 1920 Census,[126] yet are not among the heirs listed in the settlement of his will.[127]

That will, written on 2 March 1929, mentions several parcels of real estate besides the Sanger home place on which he and Margaret lived. That land, along with “the lot near the Thurmond cemetery; the real estate located in Raleigh County and that certain lot known as Lot #9 in Charleston, Kanawha County,” was to be equally divided between his children “J R Cantley, Wayman Cantley, Dora Smith and Wennie Wykle.” Green bequeathed to his daughter Viola Davis yet another piece of property, “Lot #8 in Charleston, Kanawha Co. W.Va.” Green also remembers three particular grandchildren in his will, Nora Biggs, Oley Cantley, and Loatis Cantley, to whom he leaves one dollar each.[128]

Green died on 28 March 1929 and was buried in Sanger on 1 April 1929.[129]

Children of Green Ballard Cantley and Margaret Arnold:

i. NORA FRANCES CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 19 April
1880;[130] d. ca. 1969; [131] m. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 23 April 1896,
SAMUEL W. A. BIGGS [132]

ii. JACOB REED CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 2 November
1881;[133] d. November 1966;[134] m(1) in Fayette County, West Virginia, 3 March 1904, LOTTIE SPROUSE.[135]

iii. OLEY PARIS CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 31 August
1883;[136] d. in Fayette County, West Virginia, 8 March 1928;[137] m(1) in Fayette County, West Virginia, 3 November 1904, LINA LILLY;[138] m(2) in Fayette County, West Virginia, 1 July 1914, FANNIE BENNETT.[139]

iv. DORA CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 15 June 1885;[140] d. in
Oak Hill, Fayette County, West Virginia, 26 October 1968;[141] m. in Fayette County, West Virginia, 4 August 1904, JOSEPH SMITH.[142]

v. L.E. CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 4 September 1888; [143] d.
in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 8 July 1890.[144]

vi. CHARLES WEYMAN CANTLEY, b in Maynor, Raleigh County, West Virginia,
18 April 1890;[145] d. in Oak Hill, Fayette County, West Virginia, 12 March 1969;[146] m(1) in Fayette County, West Virginia, 3 October 1917, ROENA SCARBROUGH;[147] ; m(2), probably in Fayette County, aft. 1930, West Virginia, DELCY TUCKER.[148]

vii. WINONA CANTLEY, b. in Trap Hill, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 29
January 1893;[149] d. in Hill Top, Fayetteville, Fayette County, West Virginia, 5 May 1934;[150]; m. in Fayette County, West Virginia, 14 February 1911, FRENCH JAMES WYKLE.[151]

viii. JOHN LOTIS CANTLEY, b. in Matville, Raleigh County, West Virginia, 25
June 1895;[152] d. in Sanger, Fayette County, West Virginia, 12 November 1925;[153] m. 22 June 1921, PERNIE ETHEL STOVER.[154]

ix. MACY CANTLEY, b. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 18 December
1898;[155] d. in Raleigh County, West Virginia, 20 August 1901. [156]

x. VIOLA CANTLEY, b. ca. 1905 in West Virginia, d. after 1929; m. unk
DAVIS.[157]

Adopted children of Green Ballard Cantley and Margaret Arnold:

1. LUCY, b. ca. 1908.[ 158]

2. RICHARD, b. ca. 1910.[159 ]

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Sources

1. Deed of sale, Monroe County Deed Book H, 1823-1826:156-157, microfilm reel 36, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. In this 1824 deed, Alexander and his wife Polly sell Thomas Scott “one full and undivided eighth part of a tract or parcel of land which Samuel Cantley, the father of the said Alexander Cantley” held at the time of his death.

2. Marriage record of Samuel Cantley and Rebecca Clark, 3 February 1789, Greenbrier County, Virginia Marriage Book 1-A:17, Clerk of the County Commission of Greenbrier County, West Virginia.

3. Deed of sale, Monroe County, Virginia, Deed Book G, 1818 – 1823:327-328, microfilm reel 35, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. In this 1817 deed, Alexander Clark purchases a portion of land owned by “Rebecah Cantly, widow of Samuel Cantly decd, John Wyatt & Eleanor his wife late Eleanor Cantly, Alexander Cantly & Mary his wife, John Cantly, Sally Cantly, James Cantly, Rebecah Cantly, Mary Cantly & William Cantly heirs & representatives of Samuel Cantly Decd.”

4. Larry Shuck, compiler. Greenbrier County Records, Volume 2: Personal property tax lists: 1782/83, 1786/88, 1792, 1796, 1799, 1805, 1815 (Athens, Georgia: New Papyrus Publishing Company, 1989), 87. Alexander’s father Samuel is shown on the personal property tax lists for 1792 and 1796, the years which bracket Alexander’s birth.

5. Certified copy of Alexander Cantley entry on 1884 Register of Deaths, Raleigh County, West Virginia, found in Alexander Cantley’s full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, Copies of Federal Pension or Bounty Land Warrant Applications, photocopied by NARA research staff, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

6. Alexander Cantley, death certificate, Death Record Book 1853 – 1902:35, Raleigh County Commission, Beckley, West Virginia.

7. Alexander Cantley to Polly Scott marriage, 1816, Monroe County, Virginia, General Index to Marriage Records 1799 – , microfilm reel 65, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

8. Alexander Cantley household, 1850 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule, 59th District, page 9, dwelling 260, family 260; National Archives micropublication M432, roll 972.

9. Mary (Scott) Cantley, death certificate, Death Record Book 1853 – 1928:18, Raleigh County. Commission, Beckley, West Virginia.

10. Marriage bond of Alexander Cantley and Polly Scott, 9 April 1816, Monroe County, Virginia Marriage Records, File 2, Jacket 1611, microfilm reel 58, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

11. Minister’s return for marriage of Mr. Alexander Cantley and Mrs. Tempa Hopkins, 24 August 1876, Clerk’s office, Raleigh County Court, Raleigh County, West Virginia, photocopy of return found in Alexander Cantley’s full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, Copies of Federal Pension or Bounty Land Warrant Applications, photocopied by NARA research staff, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C.

12. Marriage license of Mr. Alexander Cantley and Mrs. Tempa Hopkins, 21 August 1876, Clerk’s office, Raleigh County Court, Raleigh County, West Virginia, photocopy of license found in Alexander Cantley’s full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, NARA.

13. Letter from Dr. M.P. Malcolm to the Commissioner of Pensions, found in Alexander Cantley’s full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, NARA.

14. Monroe County, Virginia, Deed Book G, 1818 – 1823:327-328.

15. ibid.

16. Samuel Cantley administration, 17 April 1810, Monroe County, Virginia Fiduciary Records, Case No. 76, File 100, microfilm reel 30, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

17. Samuel Cantley appraisement, 28 May 1810, Will Book 1, 1799 – 1817:178 – 179, Monroe County, VA, microfilm reel 67, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

18. Alexander Cantley full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, NARA.

19. Marriage bond of Alexander Cantley and Polly Scott, 9 April 1816, Monroe County, Virginia Marriage Records, File 2, Jacket 1611, microfilm reel 58, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

20. Alexander Cantley entry, 1830 Logan County Land Tax List, page 23 line 9, microfilm reel 192, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

21. “Judge W. A. Riffe Gives Brief Sketch of First Settlers Here,” Beckley Post-Herald Centennial Edition, Beckley, West Virginia, 26 August 1950, page 12, column 5. Alexander also appears on the Fayette County personal property tax records beginning in 1831.

22. J.T. Peters & H. B. Carden, History of Fayette County (Fayetteville, West Virginia: Jarrett Print Co., 1926), 153.

23. Miller, Jeff. “The Timeline.” History of Beckley and Raleigh County. http://jeff560.tripod.com/ beckley1.html : 2008

24. Alexander Cantley full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, NARA.

25. Alexander Cantley entry, 1851:4, Virginia Personal Property Tax Records, Raleigh County, microfilm reel 715, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

26. 1850 U.S. Census, 59th District, Raleigh Co., VA, page 9, dwelling 260, family 260. John and Jordan are noted as idiotic on this enumeration. The next census of 1860 reports that Elizabeth is blind, while Jordan and Richard are noted as blind and idiotic.

27. Alexander Cantley household, 1860 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule, Coal River Marshes, page 1002, dwelling 337, family 308; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1373.

28. Alexander Cantley entry, 20 December 1865, and Richard Cantley entry, 21 June 1866, Raleigh County Minute Book 1850 – 1871, Raleigh County Court, Beckley, West Virginia, microfilm no. 598,403, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

29. Alexander Cantley entry, Recorder’s Court Records Vol. 1, 1869:34, Raleigh County Court, Beckley, West Virginia, microfilm no. 598,403, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

30. Raleigh County Death Register 1875:18, line 50, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

31. Alexander Cantley full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, NARA. Affidavits filed by Tempay Cantley in this file indicate that she had no children with Alexander.

32. Raleigh County West Virginia Register of Deaths 1884:35, line 14, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. Alexander’s cause of death was old age.

33. Alexander Cantley tombstone, Alexander Cantley Cemetery, Rock Creek, Raleigh County, West Virginia (Latitude: 37.51.274N – Longitude: 081.27.205W); surveyed by by Claude England, Linda Gunnoe, Tina Rorrer Taylor and Ed Elam, 21 July 2002. (http://www.wvgenweb.org/raleigh/alex/
index.htm: accessed 28 April 2008).

34. Alexander Cantley, 1830 U.S. Census, Logan County, Virginia, p. 273, line 9, National Archives microfilm publication M19, reel 191. The enumeration of children indicates three boys under 5 years of age (likely John, James and Jordan), one boy aged 5 to 10 (likely Samuel), and one girl aged 10 to 15 (likely Eliza).

35. Alexander Cantley household, 1860 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule, Coal River Marshes, page 1002, dwelling 337, family 308; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1373.

36. Alexander Cantley entry, Raleigh County, West Virginia Land Tax Book 1850 – 1871, 1867:18, microfilm reel 337, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. In 1867, this land previously listed in the tax books under Eliza’s name (ibid., 1851:2 and other years) begins to be recorded under Alexander’s, and no other properties are shown to be under her ownership. Eliza appears in Alexander’s household on the 1860 U.S. Census, but no record of her can be found on the 1870 census, another indication that her death occurred sometime in the latter years of the 1860s.

37. Alexander Cantley, 1830 U.S. Census, Logan County, Virginia, p. 273, line 9, National Archives microfilm publication M19, reel 191. See footnote 34.

38. Samuel Cantley household, 1850 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule, 59th District, page 21, dwelling 288, family 288; National Archives micropublication M432, roll 972.

39. Alexander Cantley full pension file, S.O. 28,206, S.C. 20,616, W.O. 45,442, W.C. 35,512, NARA. A deposition by Jacob Webb dated 17 November 1902 states that Samuel Cantley is the oldest child of Alexander Cantley still living, and is a resident of Dry Creek in Raleigh County. Samuel does not appear on the 1910 U.S. Census, suggesting his death during the intervening years.

40. 1850 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule, 59th District, page 21, dwelling 288, family 288. Samuel and Sarah’s oldest daughter Rebecca is 3 years old in 1850.

41. Samuel E. Cantley, death certificate no. 4145 (1949), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Public Health, Charleston. This death certificate for Samuel and Sarah’s son Samuel E. lists Richmond as Sarah’s maiden name.

42. Haga, Pauline, comp. Raleigh County, West Virginia Early Deaths, 1853 – 1875 (Signal Mountain: Mountain Press, 1989) page 9.

43. John Cantley entry, West Virginia Vital Statistics – Raleigh County, Deaths of 1857, line 8, microfilm reel 8, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

44. Alexander Cantley entry, 1827 Logan County Land Tax List, page 5, transcription made by Vicie Fowler, (http://www.wvgenweb.org/logan/1827taxl.htm: accessed April 28, 2008). James’s father appears on the Logan County tax list this year which corresponds to the birth year suggested by James’s age on the 1850 U.S. Census (see footnote 44).

45. 1850 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule, 59th District, page 9, dwelling 260, family 260.

46. Ronald R. Turner, 7th West Virginia Cavalry (Manassas, Virginia: The PrintHouse Express, 1989), 26.

47. Marriage register of James Cantley and Rebecca Jane Clay, Marriage and Court Records Vol. 1, 1850 to 1871, p. 5, Raleigh County Court, Beckley, West Virginia microfilm no. 598,403, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

48. Alexander Cantley household, 1850 U.S. Census, Raleigh County,Virginia, population schedule, 59th District, Raleigh Co., VA, page 9, dwelling 260, family 260; National Archives micropublication M432, roll 972.

49. Jordan appears in Alexander’s household on the 1860 U.S. Census, but no record of him can be found on the 1870 census, an indication that his death occurred sometime in this decade.

50. Alexander Cantley household, 1860 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule, Coal River Marshes, page 1002, dwelling 337, family 308; National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1373.

51. Raleigh County West Virginia Register of Deaths 1876:19, line 9, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. Richard Cantley’s cause of death was epilepsy, and an entry in the Raleigh County Order Book B [1859 – 1878:459, Raleigh County Court, Beckley, West Virginia, microfilm no. 598,403, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah] noted that he was allowed $20 as partial relief for blindness from the Commissioner of the Poor in July 1876.

52. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section M, [Caroline Massey]; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 10 March 2008).

53. James Jones household, 1900 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Marsh Fork, page 207, dwelling 118, family 118; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 1771.

54. James Jones household, 1920 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Marsh Fork, ED 171, SD 5, sheet 8A, dwelling 355, family 366; National Archives micropublication T625, roll 1970. While Caroline appears on the 1910 Raleigh County census with James (Marsh Fork, ED 171, SD 5, sheet 8A, dwelling 139, family 139), by 1920 James is remarried to a young bride, implying Caroline’s death sometime between 1910 and 1920. The 7 March 1913 edition of the Raleigh Herald (Beckley, West Virginia, page 4, column 5) reports “Mrs. James Jones is on the sick list.”

55. Laidley, W.S. History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia (Chicago: Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., 1911), p. 446.

56. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section M, [Caroline Massey].

57. Alexander Cantley entry, 1843:5, Virginia Personal Property Tax Records, Fayette County, microfilm reel 116, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

58. “Ladosca”, wife of Jas. M. Clay tombstone, Kemper Clay Cemetery, Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia (Latitude: 37.835547, Longitude: -81.387234 ); photographed by Ed Elam, 30 May 2006.

59. ibid.

60. Register of Marriages 1850 – 1895, p. 9, #4, County Clerk’s Office, Raleigh County, West Virginia, microfilm no. 598,428, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

61. George Cantley file, no. SO 632,287, SC 672,706, Surgeon’s Certificate, 3 June 1891, Records of the Veterans Administration, Record Group 15, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

62. Alexander Cantley household, 1830 U.S. Census, Logan County, Virginia, page 273, line 9; National Archives micropublication M19, roll 191.

63. Drucilla Cantley file, no. WO 672,034, WC 495,408, Application For Accrued Pension (Widows), 14 February 1898, Records of the Veterans Administration, Record Group 15, National Archives, Washington, D.C.

64. Drucilla Cantley, widow’s pension file, no. WO 672,034, WC 495,408. The clerk of the Raleigh County Court attests that it appears from the records that a marriage license was issued to George Cantley and Drucilla Clay on 28 March 1853, but that the original license cannot be found in the files of his office.

65. Drucilla Cantley household, 1900 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Marsh Fork District, sheet 2, ED 116, SD 3, dwelling 24, family 24; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 1771.

66. Charles Clay household, 1840 U.S. Census, Logan County, Virginia, page 1, line 29, National Archives micropublication M704, roll 566. Drucilla’s father Charles also appears on the Logan County personal property tax lists in 1827, 1833, 1835, 1837 and 1843.

67. Drucilla Cantley, widow’s pension file, no. WO 672,034, WC 495,408.

68. ibid.

69. George Cantley household, 1860 U.S. Census, population schedule, Virginia, Raleigh Co., The Neighborhood of Sand Lick and Marsh Fork, Coal River Marshes, dwelling 295, family 271, National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1373.

70. 1900 U.S. Census, Raleigh Co., WV, sheet 2, ED 116, SD 3, dwelling 24, family 24.

71. Aury Clay household, 1860 U.S. Census, population schedule, Virginia, Raleigh Co., The Neighborhood of Sand Lick and Marsh Fork, Coal River Marshes, dwelling 294, family 270, National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1373.

72. George Cantley file, no. SO 632,287, SC 672,706.

73. U.S. Congress, compiler. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Memoranda of Various Political Arrests-From Reports of Confederate Commissioners. Series 2, Volume 2, Serial 115 (Washington, D.C: War Records Office, 1897), 1439.

74. Juror lists, 5 November 1867 and 21 December 1868, Raleigh County Minute Book, 1850 – 1871, Raleigh County Court, Raleigh County, West Virginia, microfilm no. 598403, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

75. Court payments, 6 November 1868, Raleigh County Minute Book, 1850 – 1871, Raleigh County Court, Raleigh County, West Virginia, microfilm no. 598403, Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

76. George Cantley file, no. SO 632,287, SC 672,706.

77. ibid.

78. Geo. W. Cantley tombstone, Clay Cemetery, Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia (Latitude: 37.835547, Longitude: -81.387234 ): photographed by Ed Elam, 21 July 2002.

79. Drucilla Cantley, widow’s pension file, no. WO 672,034, WC 495,408.

80. Drucilla Cantley tombstone, Clay Cemetery, Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia (Latitude: 37.835547, Longitude: -81.387234 ): photographed by Ed Elam, 21 July 2002.

81. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section C, p. 27 [Benina Jane Cantley]; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008).

82. Penina Jane Rorrer tombstone, John Henry Rorrer, Jr. Cemetery, Dameron, Raleigh County, West Virginia: photographed by Shauna Harper, 7 June 2007.

83. Turner, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911, section C, p. 27 [Benina Jane Cantley].

84. — Cantley [no first name given], child of George and Drucilla Cantley, 12 September 1855, Raleigh County Birth Register 1855:7, line 7, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. See footnote 85.

85. Charles W. Cantley entry, Raleigh County Deaths 1852 – 1872, p. 12, County Court, Beckley, Raleigh County, West Virginia [FHL film 464980]. Child’s age at time of death in April 1856 is given as six months. The timeframe provides indirect evidence that the birth reported in footnote 84 is likely that of this child.

86. Raleigh County Register of Births 1858:15, line 24. WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

87. Amanda Aliff, death certificate no. 4070 (1928), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Health, Charleston.

88. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section C, p. 27; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008).

89. Raleigh County Register of Births 1860:29, line 27, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

90. James Henry Cantley, death certificate no. 14055 (1944), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Public Health.

91. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section C, p. 27; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008).

92. Geo. W Cantley household, 1900 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Marsh Fork District, sheet 10A, ED 116, SD 2, dwelling 141, family 141; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 1771.

93. George Washington Cantley, death certificate no. 15036 (1943), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Public Health, Charleston.

94. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section C, p. 27; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008).

95. Raleigh County Marriage License Book 1895:36, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

96. Fayette County Marriage Register Book 1910:24, line 19, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. George had recently been divorced from his second wife, Madona Price. (“Notice to take Depositions,” Raleigh Herald, Beckley, West Virginia, 27 January 1910, page 3, column 6.)

97. Raleigh County Register of Births 1866:23, line 15, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

98. Lucinda Caroline Cantley, death certificate no. 7228 (1945), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Health, Charleston.

99. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section C, p. 28; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008).

100. Raleigh County Register of Births 1867:28, line 137, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

101. Haga, Pauline, comp. Raleigh County, West Virginia Early Deaths, 1853 – 1875 (Signal Mountain: Mountain Press, 1989) 1868 section, unpaged.

102. Raleigh County Register of Births 1869:34, line 75, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. Her first name in this record appears as “Owney.”

103. Arlecsia [Arretta] Dillon, death certificate no. 6651 (1925), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Health.

104. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section C, p. 27 [Avera Electia Cantley]; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008).

105. Raleigh County Register of Births 1870:35, line 20, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

106. John W. Cantley obituary, Beckley Post-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia, 9 February 1960, page 12, column 2.

107. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section C; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008).

108. Ambrose E. Cantley household, 1900 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Town, sheet 1A, ED 120, SD 3, dwelling 14, family 16; National Archives micropublication T623, roll 1771.

109. Ambrose Edward Cantley, death certificate no. 877 (1951), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Health, Charleston.

110. McDowell County Register of Marriages 1892:126, line 50, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

111. Raleigh County Register of Births, 1874:49, line 27, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

112. Ronald R. Turner, compiler, Raleigh County, West Virginia Marriages 1850 – 1911 (Manassas: Printhouse Express, 1984), section S, p. 28 [Jacob Floyd Scarborough]; digital images, Raleigh County West Virginia Biographies, (http://www.rootsweb.com/~wvrcbiog/RaleighCountyMarriagePage.htm : accessed 3 March 2008). Jacob took Sarah Minta Kincaid as his second wife on 23 August 1899. It is possible that Mary Ellen died prior to this date.

113. Raleigh County Marriage License Book 1891:187, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

114. 1860 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule The Neighborhood of Sand Lick and Marsh Fork, Coal River Marshes, dwelling 295, family 271, National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1373.

115. Greene Ballard Cantley, death certificate no. 4225 (1929), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Public Health, Charleston.

116. Raleigh County Marriage Book 1871: 1889, Raleigh County Commission, Beckley, West Virginia.

117. Margaret Arnold Cantley, death certificate no. 9886 (1928), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Public Health, Charleston.

118. ibid.

119. ibid.

120. 1860 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, Virginia, population schedule The Neighborhood of Sand Lick and Marsh Fork, Coal River Marshes, dwelling 295, family 271, National Archives micropublication M653, roll 1373.

121. George Cantley household, 1870 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Marsh Fork, page 363, dwelling 176, family 75; National Archives micropublication roll M593, roll 1698.

122. Greene B. Cantley household, 1880 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Marsh Fork, ED 127, SD 2, sheet 143, dwelling 129, family 132; National Archives micropublication T9, roll 1412.

123. Ballard Cantley household, 1900 U.S. Census, Fayette County, West Virginia, population schedule, Fayetteville District, sheet 21, ED 12, SD 3, dwelling 350, family 354; National Archives micropublication T624, roll 1679.

124. Green B. Cantley household, 1920 U.S. Census, Fayette County West Virginia, population schedule, Fayetteville, ED 14, SD 6, sheet 6A, dwelling 120, family 120; National Archives micropublication T625 roll 1947.

125. Interview with French James Wykle, Jr. by Debora Wykle Kerr, 23 August 1997, transcript held in 2008 by Kerr (13125 Lady Ashley Rd., Midlothian, VA 23114).

126. Green B. Cantley household, 1920 U.S. Census, Fayette County West Virginia, population schedule, Fayetteville, ED 14, SD 6, sheet 6B, dwelling 120, family 120; National Archives micropublication T625 roll 1947.

127. G.B. Cantley, List of Heirs, Fayette County Fiduciary Book D4, page 78, Fayette County Commission, Fayetteville, West Virginia.

128. G.B. Cantley will (1929), Fayette County Will Book 1916 – 1930, V. 6: 533-534, Fayette County Commission, Fayetteville, West Virginia.

129. Greene Ballard Cantley, West Virginia state death certificate 4225.

130. Raleigh County Register of Births 1880:86, line 45, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. In the 1880 Census, her name was reported as “Rosabelle.” [Greene B. Cantley household, 1880 U.S. Census, Raleigh County, West Virginia, population schedule, Marsh Fork, ED 127, SD 2, sheet 143, dwelling 129, family 132.]

131. Hugh E. Voress, The Cantley Family of Virginia and West Virginia and Points West, (Charleston, West Virginia: Privately Printed, 2005), 52.

132. Raleigh County Marriage Licenses 1896:151, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

133. Raleigh County Register of Births 1881:93, line 57, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. A different birth date of 16 October 1881 was reported by Jacob Reed Cantley on his WWI draft registration card [no. 4451, 12 September 1918, Fayette County, West Virginia. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 (database on-line). Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.]

134. Jacob Cantley, no. 233-16-8203, Social Security Death Index, FamilySearch (Salt Lake City: Family History Library, 1994).

135. Raleigh County Register of Marriages 1904:23, line 3, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

136. Raleigh County Register of Births 1883:108, line 54, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

137. Oley Cantley tombstone, Hurt/Cantley Cemetery, Sanger Road, Fayette County, West Virginia; last visited by author in 1997.

138. Shuck, Fayette County West Virginia Marriages for 1903 through 1931, 31.

139. Raleigh County Marriage Register 1914:27, line 37, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

140. Dora J. Cantley entry, Raleigh County birth record book 1885 – 1889: 2, County Clerk’s Office, Raleigh County Court, Beckley, West Virginia.

141. Dora Jane Smith, certification of death, County Clerk’s Office, Fayette County Commission, Fayetteville, West Virginia.

142. Joseph W. Smith and Dora J. Cantley, certificate of marriage, County Clerk’s Office, Fayette County Court, Fayetteville, West Virginia.

143. Raleigh County Register of Births 1888:27, line 47, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

144. Raleigh County Register of Deaths 1890:50, line 23, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project. This little girl died at age 1 year, 9months, 7 days, cause of death “accident.” She is buried in the Maynor Cemetery in Sand Lick, Raleigh County.

145. Raleigh County Register of Births 1890:36, no. 464, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

146. Charles Wayman Cantley obituary, Raleigh Register, Beckley, West Virginia, 13 March 1969, page 2, column 2.

147. Raleigh County Register of Marriages 1917:26, line 33, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

148. Mrs. Delcy Tucker Cantley, obituary, Beckley Post Herald, Beckley, West Virginia, 3 October 1972, page 6, column 1. The obituary lists Delcy’s step-children from Charles Wayman’s first marriage. The youngest of these, Romanza, was born 11 Sep 1930 (Birth and Death Records 1866 – 1968, Death Records, Birth Records 1921 – 1932, Fayette County, West Virginia, [FHL Film 584756], Salt Lake City, Utah), placing Delcy’s marriage to Charles Wayman after that date.

149. Raleigh County Register of Births 1893:84, no. 1073, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

150. Winona Wykle, death certificate no. 6037 (1934), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Public Health, Charleston.

151. French Wykle and Winnie Cantley, certificate of marriage, County Clerk’s Office, Fayette County Court, Fayetteville, West Virginia.

152. Raleigh County Register of Births 1895:135, no. 1716, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

153. John Lotis Cantley, death certificate no. 14300 (1925), West Virginia Vital Registration, Division of Public Health, Charleston.

154. Raleigh County Marriage License Book 1922:406, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

155. Raleigh County Register of Births 1898:103, no. 44, WV Division of Culture and History, Vital Records Project.

156. Macy P. Cantley tombstone, Maynor Cemetery, Sand Lick, Raleigh County, West Virginia; photographed by Shauna Harper 11 June 2007 (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 9 June 2008).

157. Viola is known only from a mention of her in Green Ballard Cantley’s 1929 will wherein he leaves her a parcel of real estate. This gift suggests that Viola is at least 21 years old at the time of the testament. Her year of birth can only be postulated. No birth record for either a Viola Cantley, or a Viola Davis (as her surname is given in the will), connected with Green Ballard Cantley has been found in the Raleigh or Fayette County records. Strangely, no daughter named Viola appears in any of this family’s census enumerations, nor is there evidence that this woman is actually one of the known daughters under a variant name. A survey of Davis families in the 1920s and 1930s in central/southern West Virginia counties reveals no matching person. Likewise, a marriage record for this woman to a Davis man is elusive, as are matching death records. Viola is included in this report in the interest of completeness and as a flag for future research.

158. Green B. Cantley household, 1920 U.S. Census, Fayette County West Virginia, Fayetteville, ED 14, SD 6, sheet 6B, dwelling 120, family 120.

159. ibid.