Katherine Schneider's Genealogical Notebook

Application for Membership
to
The National Society
of the
Daughters of the American Revolution
Washington, DC.

State - Kentucky
City - Corbin
Name of chapter - Maj George Gibson
known now as the Light Horse.

Signature of applicant
Minnie Pridemore McKeehan
Corbin, Ky

My ancestors services in assisting in the establishment of American independence during the War of the Revolution were as follows.

"This certifies that in a manuscript volume in the Virginia State Library referred to as "War 4", which contains a list of the names of the soldiers of the Virginia State Line on continental establishment who received certificates for the balance of their full pay in accordance with the act of the General Assembly of Virginia passed at the November 1781 session and on page 40, there appears the name of George Gibson

The entry shows that George Gibson was a Major of Infantry and that on April 16, 1785 there was paid to him a certificate of £69.0.0 - balance due him on account of his services in the Revolutionary War.
Feb 17, 1917

I, Minnie Pridemore McKeehan, being of the age of 18 years and upwards, hereby apply for membership in the Society by right of lineal descent in the following line from Major George Gibson, who was born in Ireland in the year 1732 and died in Lee County, Virginia in the year 1819 and who served in the War of the Revolution.

I was born in the village of Gibson Station, county of Lee, State of Virginia. The daughter of C. B. Pridemore born 1846, died 1911 and his legal and lawful wife Elizabeth Johnson Brown born 1847, died Nov. 6, 1936.

The said Elizabeth Johnson Brown was the daughter of Thomas Jefferson Brown, born 1809, died 1847 and his legal and lawful wife Esther J. Gibson born 1813, died 1889, married 1836.

The said Esther Gibson was the daughter of Zachariah Gibson, born 1782, died 1842 and his legal and lawful wife Ann Johnston born 1792, died ____, married 1808.

The said Zachariah Gibson was the son of George Gibson born 1732, died 1819, and his legal and lawful wife Elizabeth Smith born 1758, died 1826, married 1775.

And he, the said Major George Gibson is the ancestor who assisted in the establishing American Independence, while acting in the capacity of Major of Infantry in the Continental Line.

Page 4

Children of Maj. George Gibson and Elizabeth Smith Gibson.
Isabella Gibson	married	John Campbell
Robert Gibson	"	Ruth Renfro
Zachariah Gibson 1779	"	Ann Johnson
George Gibson	"	Miss Hobbs
James Gibson	"	Miss Lane
William Gibson	"	Miss Johnston
Matthew Moss Gibson	"
John Gibson	"	Miss Hobbs
Elizabeth Gibson	"	Robert Crockett
Margaret Gibson	"	Harold Miller

The applicant says that the said Major George Gibson is the ancestor mentioned in the foregoing application, and that the statements are true to the best of her knowledge and belief.

Signature of Applicant - Minnie Pridemore McKeehan
Subscribed and sworn to before me at Corbin, Ky. this 15th day of September A.D. 1917
My commission expires Jan. 28, 1918

Thomas Jefferson Brown born Feb. 15, 1809, died Aug 31, 1847 was thrown from a horse, dragged and was killed. He was a student of law, medicine & was a musician. (Played violin - Aunt Minnie has his violin - Don't know whether he played anything else or not. Katherine)

Esther Johnson Gibson born Nov. 4, 1813, died July 25, 1889, married Aug. 27, 1836 to Thomas Jefferson Brown.

Their children:
1. William Garvin Brown, born June 24, 1837
2. Sarah Jane Brown, born March 8, 1839
3. Martha Ann Brown, born January 5, 1841
4. Louisa Brown, born November 5, 1843
5. John Crockett Brown, born December 5, 1844
6. Elizabeth Catherine Brown , born Jan. 1, 1847 died Nov. 6, 1936

William Garvin Brown married Mary Percival, Pineville, Ky. 2 children: Thomas J. and Cora
Martha Ann Brown married Charles Couk, Jonesville, Va. ch: Morgan, Ben, Edgar, Lon, Kerry, Will and Cora
Sarah Brown married Andrew Crockett Gibson, Gibson Station, Lee Co. Va. Children: Alice & John
Louisa Brown married William Saul [?Sawl?], Atlanta, Ga. children: Sam, Etta, Emmett, Clifford & Susie
John Crockett Brown marred Elizabeth Johnson children: Lida, Joe, Lillie, Flora, Hill & Etta
Elizabeth Catherine Brown born Jan. 1, 1847, died Nov.6 1936 at Aunt Minnie's (her daughter) in Corbin, Ky., buried in Corbin. She married Joseph Andrew Johnson July 7, 1866
Joseph Andrew Johnson came from around Morristown, Tenn. born ________, died Apr. 6, 1869
children: Rosa O and Florence J.
Rosa O. born Aug. 17, 1867; died July 25, 1890

Florence J. born Apr. 1, 1869, died Sept. 6, 1890
Rosa O. Johnson was buried in Pineville, Ky. cemetery. She married Thomas Shelby Gibson
Florence J. Johnson never married.

Elizabeth Catherine Brown Johnson married the second time March 5, 1871 Chadwell Brittain Pridemore who was born Dec. 26, 1847, died Dec. 26, 1912. He was the son of George W. Pridemore from Virginia. He was a mill wright and established the first flour mill around Gibson Station and that section. His mother was Mary Ball, the daughter of George W. Ball, who claims to be a direct descendant of Mary and George W. Washington.

I. Martha Ann Pridemore born May 5, 1872, died Feb. 4, 1913 in Middlesboro, Ky., married George Van Beber born Dec. 11, 1870, died Dec. 1, 1950, married Sept. 12, 1894. 6 children: Robert, Verde, Pearl, Edgar, Ben and Ann.

Page 23
married Florence Jefferson
1.    William Galvin, b. 24 June 1837, married Mollie Pursifill - no children
2.    Mary Jane Brown, b. 8 Mar. 1839, married Andrew Crockett - 2 children
3.    Martha Anne Brown, b. 5 Jan. 1841, married Charles Franklin Couk
4.    Mary Louisa Brown, b. 5 Mar 1843; married William Saul, lived in Atlanta, Ga. 5 children
5.    John Crockett Brown, b. 5 Dec. 1844; married Elizabeth Johnson of Bean Station, Tenn. 6 children
6.    Elizabeth Catherine Brown, b. 1 Jan. 1847, m.[arried] Joseph Andrew Johnston of Bean Station, Tenn. - 2 children
p;              Rosa O. b. Aug 17, 1867, d. Jul 25, 1890, married Thomas Shelby Gibson - buried in Pineville, Ky.
p;              Florence J. Johnston, b. April 1, 1869, d. Sept. 6, 1890 - never married.

#6 Elizabeth Catherine Brown Johnston married [2nd marriage] Chadwell Brittain Pridemore Mar.5, 1871. He was born Dec. 26, 1847; d. Dec. 26, 1912, and was the son of George W. Pridemore from Va. He was a mill wright & established the first flour mill around Gibson Station & that section. His mother was Mary Ball, the dau. of George W. Ball who claims to be a direct descendant of Mary & Geo. W. Washington
Elizabeth & Chadwell B. Pridemore had 3 children; See pages 5-17 for more on their families.

William Ball (son of Moses, Sr.) born 9-1-1801, d. 3-17-1885, married 1827 Elizabeth Smith Gibson b. 7-29-1811; d. 7-12-1897, dau. of Zachariah and Ann (Johnson) Gibson

See records from the Bible of Mrs. Catherine Walker Bell Crockett, wife of Andrew Crockett, the younger, presented to her upon her marriage Apr. 4, 1818 by her father, Samuel Bell of Davidson Co. Tenn This volume printed by & for Wm. W. Woodward, No.52 - 2nd Corner of Chestnut St. Philadelphia 1813. See page 110 Bible Records & Marriage Bonds by Acklen

Frank Van Beber died Dec. 10, 1903, buried by Aunt Jane Bailey, died Jan. 22, 1911. (She was aunt of George Van Beber and sister to his father Robert.)
    Jake Van Beber died Oct.17, 1911
    Chadwell Brittain Pridemore died Dec. 26, 1911
    Martha Pridemore Van Beber died Feb. 4, 1913
    George Van Beber died Dec. 1, 1950
    Ben Morris Van Beber died Dec. 11, 1957
    Willis Jefferson (Jeff) Holden died Sept. 13, 1960
    Hannah Van Beber died Aug. 24, 1961
    Edgar (Ed) Franklin Van Beber died Feb. 11, 1967
    Gracie M. Van Beber died Feb. 13, 1967, age 74, she was sister to Walter and dau. of Frank & Sallie Van Beber.
    Walter Van Beber died
    Elizabeth Catherine Brown Pridemore died Nov. 6, 1936 !
    Thomas Jefferson Brown died Aug. 31, 1847
    Hannah Van Bebber, sister of Robert Van Beber, Bob's grand father, died Jan. 30, 1925 at Enyart, Mo. - she married Charles Poff.

Robert Vanbever's Will ( son of Isaac and father of George Van Beber - grandfather of Robert Van Beber.

    An undivided 1/7 interest in following described lands, lying in Bell Co. on the waters of Clear Fork of Yellow Creek.
    1st part being a part of a 100 acre survey made in the name of Andrew Baker & part of a 1000 acre survey made in the name of James Barnett & and bounded as follows:
    2nd Tract - also a 25 acre tract conveyed to Robert Van Bevers by John Hurst and wife by deed dated Feb 10th, 1866, & of record in the office of the clerk of the Harlan Co. Court in deed book F at page 67, & which is bounded as follows:
    3rd tract - also a 10 acre boundary granted by the Commonwealth of Ky to Robert Van Bever by patent # 30266, recorded in Book 54, page 322 at Frankfort, Ky. & more particularly described and bounded as follows:
    Also an undivided 1/7 interest in all other lands owned by Robert Vanbever ( the father of Jacob Vanbever dec'd ) at the time of his death, for a more particular description of which reference is hereby made to all deeds, grants, bonds & all other instruments of writing evidencing title to real estate of the said Robert Vanbever deceased.

The 10 acres of land to Robert Vanbever Mar. 30, 1858 by the Gov. C. S. Morehead, Governor of Kentucky.

Robert Van Beber b 1829, d. Oct. 9, 1878, married Jan. 20, 1858 Claiborne Co. Tenn. Margaret Jane Susong b.________ d. May 1884, dau. of Jake Susong - marriage record Vol. 3, 1850 - 1868 )

George Van Beber & Martha Pridemore, both from Middlesboro, Ky. or near, were married by Squire Brooks, Cumberland Gap, Tenn [b. Dec. 11, 1870 George]

Squire Brooks also married John Herd and Verde Van Beber Mar. 30, 1918 and Edgar Franklin Van Beber & Ruby Eunice Runyan double wedding at Cumberland Gap, Tenn. in Squire Brooks' house.

Copy of a letter from Mrs. E. L. Milner, 703 E. Osage Ave., McAlester, Okla. 74501

After reading your letter of yesterday & information of the family of Isaac Van Bebber, I feel sure we are related. I took the liberty of addressing you as Cousin Katherine

I am glad to give you the information of what I know of the family of Isaac Van Bebber of Tazewell, Tenn. who was my great grand father. Great grand father owned the salt mines at or near about Tazewell, Tenn - was a sportsman, owned plenty of horses and fox hounds - very particular about his dress - was friend of Andrew Jackson, made a trip to Nashville for some State or social affair.

Great grand father Isaac Van Bebber married Hannah Long (I do not know the date) the daughter of Henry and Hannah Long of Buncombe Co. North Carolina; Asheville is the county seat.

My grand mother used the Van Bebber family names in her family. She had 11 children, seven sons and four daughters. Sons were: George who died in infancy, William, James, John, Robert, Henry who was my father and Milford - all lived to have grand children - daughters were Edna, Letitia, Martha. Matilda & Mary died in infancy.

grand father - he was the son of George Poff & Peggy Wilson Poff. Charles Poff was born at Cumberland Gap, Va. Feb. 5, 1822, died Aug. 25, 1894 at Enyart, Mo. George Poff and a brother came from Germany to America, date not known. George married Peggy Wilson, daughter of Captain Billy & Christine Wilson of Virginia. Grand father and grand mother Poff moved to Somerset, Ky. where all their children were born except the 2 youngest girls; they were born in Missouri. In 1961, my sister Mabel & I made a trip thru Tennessee, Virginia and Ky. If we had known about all this family relation, it might of been arranged that we could have met. I called a Bates Poff, Diamond Road, Corbin, Ky.- his name was listed in telephone directory. I thought he could be from the brothers of George Poff, who came from Germany.

I notice that you have dropped one of the B's in your name. The Karl Van Bibber changed the 1st E to I in name, thought it looked better.

I'm doing fine for a great grand mother. I have two sons, Wayne & Paul Milner, 3 grand daughters, Mary Lynn Milner Smith, she has1 son, my great grand son David William Smith - baby's father is a dentist at Bartlesville, Okla. Susie and Jeannie Milner both in college.

I live alone, drive my car, go & come as I choose, have good neighbors all about. I also have 2 sisters living here and a niece and family.

Names of the children of Isaac and Hannah Long Van Bebber of Tazewell, Tenn. in Claiborne Co.as my grand mother Hannah Van Bebber Poff told me and my sister Ola.

George no information (I found he m. 1844 Mary Tinsley .(K)
Robert no information
Henry no information
Nicholas - lived somewhere in Mo., she talked of him a lot.
James or Jim lived at Amity, Mo. - he married a woman named Betty - don't know who she was before marrying Uncle Jim.
They had a son named Burl Van Bebber. I have been in their home several times when I was a young girl, and Burl visited in my father's home several times and in my grand mother's home, too.

You gave a sister or daughter named Elizabeth - grand mother always spoke of her at [sic] Betsy. She married Albert Snuffer - they lived some where in south Mo.

We, after moving to Okla., my father's family, we met and made friends with the family of Dan Hogan of Cushion, Okla.

Dan Hogan, when a young man lived neighbors to the Albert Snuffers in South Mo. grew up with the Snuffer boys. My father often spoke of his cousins, the Snuffer boys. If they ever visited in my grand mother's home, it was when father was a young boy.

Polly - my grand mother spoke of her, too, but was always of something when they were young girls at or in their father's home.

Martha - I can't recall anything about her. I don't know where Mr. Karl Van Bibber got the name Jane to add to Martha - "News to me". I have a copy of all the letters I wrote him.

Hannah - my lovely, loveable grand mother, who married Charles Poff Mar.1,1848 at Tazewell, Tenn. She was born June 26, 1827, died Jan 30, 1925 at Enyart, Mo., buried in a county cemetry - Jennings Cemetry.

I feel positive that your husband, Robert's grand father was my great grand mother's brother. If so, Robert & I, Joelta Poff Milner are 3rd cousins.

P.S. I never heard of Hoover Ike or River Ike. It seems to me, if I remember right, grand mother said her father's name was James Isaac Van Bebber

Remember, all this information is what my grand mother told me. I could not prove it - not any papers to show.

Some more information of Isaac Van Bebber - Van Beber - buried in Colmar, Ky. Dry Branch Cemetry.

The list of his children was given me by Aunt Hannah - Bob's aunt - sister of George Van Beber

1. Robert Van Beber married Margaret Jane Susong Jan. 19, 1858, Claiborne Co. Tenn., Vol 3, 1850-1858.
2. George married in 1844 to Mary Tinsley and lived in Colmar, Bell Co. Ky. (I found his marriage record in Barbourville Court house. It is in a loose note book in the rack of a desk - married Dec. 10, 1844 by Wm. Evans. Wilkerson Campbell, Admn.

Their children were, John, George, Robert, Jim, America named Mary Elizabeth.
3. Henry never married lived in Colmar, went to California.

Peter & Isaac Van Bibber of Holland came to America and settled in Botetourt Co. Va. previous to the revolution. Peter married Marguary Bounds & they had Peter Jr., Jesse, Jacob, James, Joseph, Mathias, Nancy, Sophronia, Ellen & Olive. James married Jane Irvine & settled in St. Charles Co. in 1803. He was coroner at the time William Hayes was killed by his son-in-law, James Davis. In 1817 he removed to Calloway Co.& settled on the Auxvasse. His children were Joseph, Irvine, Frances, Lucinda, Melissa, Daniel & Minerva.
    Joseph was a surveyor and made the government surveys in range eight, west of the 5th principal meridian.
    Olive Van Bibber married Nathan Boone.
    Isaac Van Bibber, brother of Peter, was captain of a company in the battle of Point Pleasant in 1774 & was killed there. He left a widow & 4 children: John, Peter, Isaac & Rebecca. John & Peter married & settled in Powell's Valley, East Tenn. Isaac was born in Greenbriar Co. Va. Oct. 20, 1771 & was only 2 1/2 years old when his father was killed. He was adopted by Colonel Daniel Boone, & at the age of 13 years, acted as a scout against

the Indians in Virginia. In 1800 he came to Missouri with Nathan Boone and settled first in Darst's Bottom. During the Indian War, he was Major of the militia under Col. Daniel M. Boone. He was married in 1797 to Susan Hays. In 1851 he settled at Loutre Lick, now in Montgomery County. The place was first settled by Thomas Massey[?] in 1813. The land was a Spanish grant of 460 acres, made to Nathan Boone, who sold it to Van Bibber. The latter built several cabins where he settled & afterwards erected a large frame house, which he used as a hotel, & made a great deal of money. His children were: Matilda, Marelia [?], Susan, Elvira, Frances, Errelta [?], Pantha [?], Isaac Jr., Ewing & Alonza. Major Van Bibber died in 1836, his wife having died sometime before.

pg. 509 Old Isaac Van Bibber of Montgomery Co. believed in the transmigration of souls. He advocated the doctrine that there was a complete revolution of nature avery 6000 years, & at the end of each of these periods everything would return exactly where it had been 6000 years before. He kept a hotel at Louter Lick and took great delight in explaining his belief to his guests. A party of Kentuckians stopped with him one night, & after supper, while they were seated around the roaring log fire, he broached the subject of his religious faith. They listened attentively and seemed interested, & after they had retired to bed,

he told his wife that he believed he had converted those men. He felt so good over his fancied conquest that he lay awake nearly all night thinking about it. Next morning, when the men were ready to start, one of the men said to Mr. Van Bebber; "We were very much impressed with your argument last night, & believing there may be some truth in your doctrine, being short of cash just now, we have decided to wait until we come around again at the end of 6000 years to settle our bills." The old major saw the point at once and was considerably nonplused as to how he would get over it without losing the value of their night's lodging or exhibiting a practical unbelief in his own doctrine. But a happy thought struck him. "No," said he, "you are the same d____d rascals who were here 6000 years ago & went away without paying your bills, & now you have to pay before you leave." They laughed, paid their bills & took their departure, but the old Major was never again heard to brag about his converting powers.

Isaac Van Bebber, Jr., a son of the Major, once wrote a business letter to a commission merchant in New Orleans, which created a national sensation. It was published first in the New Orleans Picayune, copied from that into the New York Tribune & then took the rounds of the press. We have obtained a copy of the letter, which is given below. The Picayune published it under the following introduction.

A business letter: The following is a verbatim copy of a business letter, lately

received by a commission house of this city. It was in reply to a letter from the firm announcing the non reception of letter said to contain a draft from California to New Orleans. The writer gives a very interesting account of the trouble he underwent about the time his letter should have been deposited, whereby he was made to forget what he did with it. We think he made out a pretty good case of a confused mind.

two suns, John & Gronnel, one 15 yrs old & the other 18 yrs old, all attacking mi nefue in the most furious & friteful manner. The old man Ashcrof striking Samuel C. with the spike end of a big hickory stick, whi I heard him brag thah his father nocked Jim Sullivans brains out in an affray in the expedition against the mormons, in an affray that took place or that arose after the defeat of the Mormans. Elihue Ashcrof payed $10 for the stick at his fathers sale 12 months before the affray with mi nefue, Samuel C. Van Bibber took place, which the sayed Ashcrof wanted to regain the renoun of his ded father by nocking out Samuel C. mi nefue's brains with the same stick. In the fury Samuel C. mi nefue renched the stick out of Ashcrofs hands & turned the spike end which he punched Ashcroft twice in the belly just above the nable & he fell on the floor upon which his boys became intimidated and exclaimed, O dady is dead, where upon Samuel C mi nefue being as much alarmed as the Ashcroft boys, cort a horse & came after me ful tilt, & over took me just as I was going into Johnstown to male the aforesaid leter & made his statement which throwed me into a confusion, I being a non resident of the place, & never having had anything to do with the fury between Samuel C mi nefue & old Ascroft. Old Major Cummins advised Samuel C to take them with a peace warrant, which

Samuel C dun & Ashcrof was 3 dais getting a counsellor to trie the case, which lasted 8 dais, during which time I never thought about what took me to Johnstown & all the time at mi house & his physicien saving he, Ashcrof would dy to nite.

I miself pleaded mi nefue Samuel C's case before 3 squires, ho after 8 dais deliberation pronounced it a case of man slarter in the 5 th degree, which was Samuel C to pay $20 & and leve the county, which he dun. All the time old Ashcrofs 2 nd wife & sun & a fue of his knaighbors attending him, he ex pressed a wish to get well & a great determination of revenge. When on the 10 day I became afraid that the prairs of his 2 nd wife & knaighbors & which I miself hartily concurred in would not be assured which was, mite God increase his paine & lay it close to his sinful hart that his moments might be fue. I made them haul him home, where he lingeried until the first of March, when the gratification of his 2 nd wife & to his naighbors & I miself also, we buryed him.

I have written mi bruther Eweing A. Van Bibber of California, making a statement of the matter to him & I must now wate the results of mi mismanagement. As I may be mistaken as to the house I rote to in New Orleans, as I only had his leter to refur to, which only said I send you a draf on New Orleans. You must excuse the length of mi unimportant & almost unconsiderate

Samuel C. Van Bibber, the nefue who gave the old gentleman such a turn, joined the confederate army during the late war & was captured & taken to Fort Delaware, where he died of measles soon after.

Van Bibber went on an expedition to the Rocky Mountains in the employ of the government, previous to his removal to California & upon his return to Montgomery County, he raised a company to go back with him. The following is a copy of one of his speeches, delivered at Loutre Lick, to an audience of attentive listeners, from among whom he was seeking volunteers.