Person Page - 1097

     Rev. Ezra Stonewall Bowman was buried at Monte Vista Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 25 Wades Gap Road, Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,6,5 He was born on September 10, 1900 at Dillon's Mill, Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,6,3,4,5 He married Emily Pauline King, daughter of Joseph Cephus King and Emma Cora Conner, on December 24, 1941.^1,7,2,5 Rev. Ezra Stonewall Bowman died on June 19, 1995 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 94.^2,6,5 He BOWMAN, Ezra Stonewall, Rev., 94, of Rt. 1, Callaway, died Monday, June 19, 1995 in a Roanoke hospital. He was born September 10, 1900 and was an Orchardist and retired Minister of the Church of The Brethren in Franklin County and surrounding Counties. He was preceded in death by his wife, Pauline King Bowman and is survived by one daughter and son-in-law, Shirley B. and Clark Jamison Jr; grandchildren, Jena and Trey Jamison; one brother and sister-in-law, Earnest P. and Grace Holt Bowman; and many nieces and nephews throughout the United States. Interment will follow in Monte Vista Cemetery. on June 20, 1995.²

     Isaac Hall Vest was buried at Samuel L. Vest Cemetery, Vest Tannery Road, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.⁴ He was born on June 13, 1856 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1,5 He married Sarah Elizabeth M. Vest, daughter of Peter Robert Vest and Charlotte Shockey, on December 31, 1876 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2 Isaac Hall Vest died on May 31, 1920 at Little River, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 63.^2,3,5

     Her Social Security Number was 223-62-9238.⁹ Emily Pauline King was buried at Monte Vista Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 25 Wades Gap Road, Callaway, Franklin Co., Virginia.^10,11,1 She was born on January 16, 1913 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^3,9,11,1,2 She married Rev. Ezra Stonewall Bowman on December 24, 1941.^3,10,12,1 As of December 24, 1941,her married name was Bowman. Emily Pauline King died on October 17, 1991 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 78.^9,10,11,1 She Mrs. Pauline King Bowman, age 78, died Thursday, October 17, 1991, in a Roanoke hospital. Surviving are her husband, Ezra S. Bowman; a daughter and son-in-law, Shirley B. and J. Clark Jamison, Jr. of Callaway; two grandchildren, Jena Bowman Jamison, James Clark (Trey) Jamison, III; a brother and sister-in-law, Morgan and Ruby King of Bent Mountain; a sister and brother-in-law, Ercil and Irvin Wickham of Shawsville; two sisters-in-law, Beatrice King of Roanoke; and Eloise King of Copper Hill; also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Interment will follow in the Monte Vista Cemetery. on October 18, 1991.¹⁰

     Mattie Louise King was buried at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 8838 Floyd Hwy N. US Hwy 221, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,10,8,11 Her Social Security Number was 227-62-1223.¹² She was born on January 10, 1915 at Cave Spring, Roanoke Co., Virginia; Her death certificate has a birth date of Jan 14, 1915.^{3,10,4,12,8,2} She married Dalton Fletcher Sink, son of James Monroe Sink and Lydia Margaret Aldridge, on December 29, 1934 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^{3,10,13,4,14,8,1,11} As of December 29, 1934,her married name was Sink.¹ Mattie Louise King died on November 17, 1986 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 71.^3,12,8,11 She Mrs. Louise King Sink, age 71, of Route 1, Bent Mountain, died Monday in a Roanoke Hospital. Mrs. Sink was a member of Mt. Union Church of the Brethren. She is the widow of Dalton F. Sink; and is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Dolores S. and Hugh Simpson; Carolyn S. and Lawrence Poff, all of Bent Mountain; a son and daughter-in-law, D. Ronald and Rebecca H. Sink, Bent Mountain; a brother; Morgan King, Bent Mountain; two sisters, Mrs. Pauline Bowman, Callaway; Mrs. Ercil Wickham, Shawsville; five grandchildren, Julie Sink, Ryan Sink, Kevin Poff, Debra Thrasher and Karen Berglund; a great-granddaughter, Whitney Berglund. Interment in Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery. on November 19, 1986.¹¹

     Her Social Security Number was 231-62-5089.¹¹ Ercil Lee King was buried at Piedmont Cemetery, Rt. 11 to Shawsville, turn at nursing home, Rt. 637, about 8 miles on the left, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,2,5 She was born on December 11, 1919 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^1,11,10,5 As of October 11, 1940,her married name was Wickham.⁴ She married Irvin Bernard Wickham, son of Christian Oscar Wickham and Mary Alice "Sissie" Poff, on October 11, 1940 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^1,12,2,13,4 Ercil Lee King died on November 4, 1999 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 79.^1,11,2,14,5 She WICKHAM, Ercil King, 80, of Shawsville, passed away Thursday, November 4, 1999, in a Salem Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Irvin B. Wickham. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Irvin Colin and Kim L. Wickham, Philip and Georgette Wickham, all of Shawsville; grandchildren, Philip Wickham, Hong Kong, China, Lisa Wickham, Richmond, Joseph Wickham, Shawsville. Burial to follow in Piedmont Cemetery. on November 6, 1999.²

     Her Social Security Number was 228-86-0893.⁵ Beatrice Lucille Mitchell was buried at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 8838 Floyd Hwy N. US Hwy 221, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,6,7 She was born on August 13, 1909 at Davy, McDowell Co., West Virginia.^6,5,2,4,7 She married Thomas William King, son of Joseph Cephus King and Emma Cora Conner, on September 2, 1933 at Roanoke, Virginia.^1,2,3 As of September 2, 1933,her married name was King.³ Beatrice Lucille Mitchell died on May 11, 2003 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 93.^5,2,8,7 She KING, Beatrice Mitchell, 93, of Roanoke, formerly of Bent Mountain, died Sunday, May 11, 2003 in a Salem hospital. Born August 13, 1909 in Davy, W. Va., she was a 1927 graduate of Jefferson High School and in 1929 graduated from Radford University. She served as an elementary teacher and principal in Roanoke County. Mrs. King was predeceased by her husband, Thomas William King; her parents, Thomas A. and Flora K. Mitchell; her brother, Vernon Mitchell; and grandson, Thomas Michael Pattillo. Surviving are her son, Jerry Thomas King of Roanoke; three daughters, Mary Marchita Priddy and son-in-law, Milton of Virginia Beach, Janice Pattillo and son-in-law, Wayne of Lawrenceville, Ga. and Doris K. Layne of Roanoke; a brother and sister-in-law, Leonard and Wanda Mitchell; and a sister, Mary Bateman, all of Daleville; six grandchildren, Denise P. Kegler of Charlotte, N.C., Sandra Derello of Virginia Beach, Kenneth Priddy of Virginia Beach, Jason Pattillo of Lawrenceville, Ga., Lisa Layne and Crystal Layne, both of Roanoke; nine great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be in Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery. on May 13, 2003.²

     Mabel Wickham was buried at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 8838 Floyd Hwy N. US Hwy 221, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,6,3 She was born on November 6, 1911 at Floyd Co., Virginia; Her death certificate has a birth year of 1912.^1,5,2,6,3 She married Harry Crew King, son of Joseph Cephus King and Emma Cora Conner, on February 18, 1928 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 As of February 18, 1928,her married name was King. Mabel Wickham died on January 8, 1955 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia, at age 43.^1,5,6,3

     Jerry Thomas King was buried at Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Dublin, Pulaski Co., Virginia.^6,10 His Social Security Number was 226-50-6365.¹¹ He was born on March 7, 1939 at Roanoke Co., Virginia.^5,6,11,10 He died on October 2, 2010 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 71.^4,6,11,7,10 He Jerry Thomas King, 71, formerly of Bent Mountain, Va., passed away on Saturday, October 2, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas W. King and Beatrice M. King; brother-in-law, Wayne Pattillo; and nephew, Michael Pattillo. Surviving are his sisters, Mary Marchita (Milton) Priddy, of Virginia Beach, Va., Doris K. Layne, of Roanoke, and Janice Pattillo, of Lawrenceville, Ga; and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to thank the staff at VA Veterans Care Center and Salem VA Medical Center for the excellent care and dedication shown to Jerry while under their care. on October 7, 2010.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 247-01-5048.⁸ Dalton Fletcher Sink was buried at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 8838 Floyd Hwy N. US Hwy 221, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,9,3,4,7 He was born on March 25, 1913 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^{8,9,2,3,5,6,7} He married Mattie Louise King, daughter of Joseph Cephus King and Emma Cora Conner, on December 29, 1934 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia.^{1,9,2,3,4,7,5,10} Dalton Fletcher Sink died on May 13, 1981 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 68.^9,3,4,7 He Dalton Fletcher Sink, age 68, of Bent Mountain, died in a Roanoke hospital, Wednesday morning, May 13, 1981. He was a farmer and a retired contractor. He was a member of Mt. Union Church of the Brethren. He was one of the original founders of the Bent Mountain fire Department and an honorary member. Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Louise King Sink; two daughters, Mrs. Dolores S. Simpson and Mrs. Carolyn S. Poff, both of Bent Mountain; one son, D. Ronald Sink, Bent Mountain; one sister, Mrs. Beulah S. Smith, Copper Hill; two brothers, Milton L. Sink, Vinton, Thomas W. Sink, Vancouver, Washington; five grandchildren. Interment was in Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery. on May 21, 1981.⁴

     James Monroe Sink was buried at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 8838 Floyd Hwy N. US Hwy 221, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,3 He was born on May 8, 1880 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2,3,4 He married Lydia Margaret Aldridge, daughter of James Peter "Pete" Aldridge and Mary Elizabeth Aldridge, on July 20, 1902 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^2,3,6 James Monroe Sink died on April 15, 1939 at age 58.^1,2,3

     Hannah Frances Vest For several years, they lived near her brother, John. Their log house is still standing, as of 1982, and until recently, was owned by a nephew, Bud Vest.⁵ She was buried at Head of the River Cemetery (also known as Salem Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery), Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^4,3 She was born on April 20, 1858 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,3 She married Silas William Hall, son of Henry W. Hall and Rhoda Adline Stewart, on September 13, 1877 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4,2,3 As of September 13, 1877,her married name was Hall. Hannah Frances Vest died on June 11, 1932 at Montgomery Co., Virginia, at age 74.⁴ She Hannah Vest Hall, wife of Silas Hall died at her home near Ironto Sat. June 11, 1932. She was the daughter of Samuel and Sallie Vest. She was about 70 years old and leaves her husband and 3 sons namely, Will, Lee and Robert. Her daughter Mrs. Roy Stuart preceded her several years ago. Two Sisters Mrs. Abbie Furrow and Mrs. Ann Conner both of Copper Hill survive. The remains were brought to Salem Church Monday. The funeral was preached by Elder H. Cole, of the Primitive Baptist Church. The Following hymns were sung, "The Day is Past and Gone" and "Rock of Ages" Quite a large crowd attended the funeral and burial. The floral offering was immense and beautiful. on June 23, 1932.⁴

     Lydia Margaret Aldridge was buried at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 8838 Floyd Hwy N. US Hwy 221, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,2 She was born on October 21, 1883 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^3,2 She married James Monroe Sink, son of James Harvey Sink and Martha Ann Williams, on July 20, 1902 at Franklin Co., Virginia.^1,2,4 As of July 20, 1902,her married name was Sink. Lydia Margaret Aldridge died on December 31, 1969 at age 86.^3,1,2

     Eleanor Delores Sink Dolores Sink Simpson, Aug 10, 1938 - May 12, 2026. Dolores Sink Simpson passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026. Dolores was the oldest daughter of Dalton and Louise Sink. She is survived by her devoted, kind, and caring husband, Hugh; beloved brother Ron Sink; and beloved sister Carolyn Poff. She leaves behind many special nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She was the loving mother to Debbie (Joe) Thrasher and Karen (Scott) Berglund. She was the most caring and thoughtful grandmother (NanNan) to Whitney (Jason) Horn and Kara (Tim) Spooner. And the lights of her life were her great-grandchildren: Crosby and Bauer Horn, and Tobin and Sawyer Spooner. She loved them all beyond measure. Dolores was an active member of Mount Union Church of the Brethren for over 60 years. She leaves behind many dear church friends she enjoyed being with for many years. Dolores was most happy enjoying the beauty of nature, tending to her flower garden, vacationing with her family, and attending years of her granddaughters’ sporting events, horse shows, swim meets, and dance recitals. The family extends special thanks to Dr. Kimberly Aderhold and her staff at Blue Ridge Cancer Care. We are also thankful and grateful for the kind and superb care Dolores received at the hospice house of Good Samaritan Hospice in Roanoke.⁷ Her married name was Simpson.³ She married Hugh Winston Simpson, son of Charles Henry Simpson and Cora Alice DeWeese.^3,7 Eleanor Delores Sink was born on August 10, 1938 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,4,7 She died on May 12, 2026 at Virginia at age 87.⁷

     His Social Security Number was 231-05-7328.¹² Irvin Bernard Wickham was buried at Piedmont Cemetery, Rt. 11 to Shawsville, turn at nursing home, Rt. 637, about 8 miles on the left, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^13,1,2 He was born on February 13, 1916 at Alleghany, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^12,14,2,3,9 He married Ercil Lee King, daughter of Joseph Cephus King and Emma Cora Conner, on October 11, 1940 at Shawsville, Montgomery Co., Virginia.^{13,1,15,16,14} Irvin Bernard Wickham died on July 23, 1996 at Salem, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 80.^12,1,2,4 He WICKHAM, Irvin Bernard, 80, of Shawsville, died Tuesday, July 23, 1996, in Lewis-Gale Hospital. Surviving are his wife, Ercell K. Wickham; sons and daughters-in-law, Phillip and Georgette Wickham, Colin and Frances Wickham, all of Shawsville; grandchildren, Philip K. Wickham, Hong Kong, Lisa Wickham, Richmond, Joseph Wickham, Shawsville; one sister, Ruby Sisson, Shawsville; one brother, Benny Wickham, Shawsville. Burial in Piedmont Cemetery. on July 25, 1996.¹

     Philip King Wickham Philip King Wickham, Jul 12, 1941 - Dec 23, 2024. Philip King Wickham, 83 of Shawsville, passed on December 23, 2024. Philip grew up in Shawsville, attended Shawsville High School and went on to the University of South Carolina to obtain his Bachelors Degree in banking and finance. After college he served with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in the Vietnam War and then went into commercial banking overseas with Chase Manhattan Bank. Philip spent 25 years living and working in the middle east and southeast Asia. He later retired from banking and moved back home to Shawsville in 1991 where he enjoyed farming, fishing, family, and friends. He was born on July 12, 1941, to the late Irvin Bernard Wickham and Ercell Lee King Wickham. Philip is survived by his wife, Georgette Kim Wickham; son, Philip Wickham, II, wife, Sandy, and their daughter, Cara; daughter, Lisa Wickham Arnold, husband, David, and their children, James, Caroline, and Ellie; son, Joe Wickham; and brother, Colin Wickham and his wife, France. Interment will follow in Piedmont Cemetery.⁴ He was buried at Piedmont Cemetery, Rt. 11 to Shawsville, turn at nursing home, Rt. 637, about 8 miles on the left, Montgomery Co., Virginia.⁴ He married Georgette Kim Unknown.⁴ Philip King Wickham was born on July 12, 1941 at Montgomery Co., Virginia.^2,4 He married Kim Ngan Thi Luong on December 10, 1970 at Fairfax Co., Virginia.³ Philip King Wickham died on December 23, 2024 at Virginia at age 83.⁴

     His Social Security Number was 223-30-7935.⁴ Charles Lindbergh Waldron was buried at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren Cemetery, 8838 Floyd Hwy N. US Hwy 221, Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^5,2 He was born on January 10, 1928.^1,5,4 He married Lois Eva King, daughter of Harry Crew King and Mabel Wickham, on April 12, 1954.^1,5,3,2 Charles Lindbergh Waldron died on January 31, 1990 at Bent Mountain, Roanoke Co., Virginia, at age 62.^1,5,4,2 He Charles Lindbergh Waldron, age 62, of 10808 Bottom Creek Road, Bent Mountain, died Wednesday at his home. He was a member, assistant Sunday School teacher and Deacon at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren. Mr. Waldron was a former member of Bent Mountain Fire Department, Rescue Squad, and for over 20 accident free years served as a school bus driver for Roanoke County Schools. Surviving are his wife, Lois King Waldron; sons and daughters-in-law, Harry L. and Carole R. Waldron, Bent Mountain; Orien B. (Ben) and Debbie J. Waldron, Norfolk; daughter, Lois Mabel "Inky" Waldron, Bent Mountain; grandchildren, Kevin M. Waldron, Amber T. Waldron, Autumn R. Waldron, Ashley L. Waldron; brothers, Wilson I. Waldron, Roanoke; Dewey J. Waldron, Salem; Goode S. Waldron, Pembroke; sister, Oakley W. Wimmer, Salem. Services will be at Copper Hill Church of the Brethren. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. on February 2, 1990.⁶

     Iris Rowena Conner was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^7,8 She was born on June 10, 1914 at Copper Hill, Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,5,8 She married Emeritte Edward Jacob Conner, son of George William Henry Conner and Sarah Eliza King, on June 8, 1935 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^1,6,2 Iris Rowena Conner died on March 9, 1968 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 53.^6,7,2,5,8

     Mary James "Molly" Gowen was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, 701 West 10th Street, Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., Virginia.⁶ She was born on March 17, 1859 at Amherst Co., Virginia.³ As of May 10, 1876,her married name was Stephens.² She married Harry Millhouse Stephens on May 10, 1876 at Amherst Co., Virginia.^1,2,3 Mary James "Molly" Gowen died on March 29, 1936 at Buena Vista, Rockbridge Co., Virginia, at age 77.³ She Funeral services for Mrs. Mollie J. Stephens, widow of Harry M. Stephens, we held from the Baptist Church, Buena Vista, Monday afternoon, conducted by the pastor the Rev. W. B. Denson, assisted by the Rev. P. A. Anthony of Roanoke, with burial in Green Hill Cemetery. She was a native of Amherst County. Mrs Stephens is survived by six children: Miss Clyde Stephens, Buena Vista; Mrs. J. R. Jenkins, Springwood; Herbert S. Stephens, Pittsburgh; J. M. Stephens, Roanoke; J. O. and Leslie Stephens, Lynchburg; and one great-grandchild. on April 1, 1936.⁷

     John Vest It is believed that John Vest born about 1750, and came from Campbell Co., Virginia, to Franklin Co. in 1795. He was a carpenter and served in the Revolutionary War. Transcription of Pension Papers of John Vest: File S 15692 from National Archives Military Records 1993. Transcribed verbatim June 1993 by Sandra Lake Lassen (Note: John Vest was awarded $20 per month pension as of 25 Feb 1833 in Russel Parish, Bedford Co., Virginia, his place of residence.) On this 25th day of February 1833 personally appeared in open Court before Lodewich McDavid, George Steptoe, William Leftwich, Jr. and William Perry, Gentlemen Justices, the Court of Bedford County said sitting: the same being a Court of Record. John Vest, a resident of the Parish of Russel in the County aforesaid and State aforesaid aged eighty-two years who being first duly sworn on his oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7th 1832. That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers and served as herein stated. His register which he has seen and recollects but which is now mislaid states that he was born in the County of Powhatan in the State of Virginia in the year 1750. In the ninth year of his age, his father moved with him into the County of Brockingham in said State where he lived about eleven years. From thence he moved into the County now called Campbell then a part of the County of Bedford in said state where he resided till he became of age and lived then through the whole of the Revolutionary War. In 1789 he became a citizen of Bedford County or that part of it which now retains that name and has ever since and does now reside there by his calculations he is now about eighty-two years, six months and seven days. The first call of Militia from the said County of Campbell then a part of Bedford as aforesaid was to a tour of duty to the lead mines in Virginia to protect and guard the works from the Tories, Indians and a number of Negroes that were taken in attempting to escape to Governor Dunmore from their masters who after they were taken were sent to the lead mines and employed in digging ore to make lead to carry on the war, but who had to be closely watched either the Tories, Indians or Negroes set fire to the furnace house and burnt four rafters in the roof before the fire could be extinguished but with great difficulty the deponent and others saved the house and utensils. The same night a ferry boat and a large canoe which was used in bringing the ore from the other side was lost from the lading set adrift and was no more found. In this tour of duty he enlisted as a volunteer and thinks it was on the first day of August 1774, but if he is mistaken as to the date of the year he is quite certain it was the same year that the battle was fought at the falls of the Ohio against the Indians. He served in the company commanded by Captain William Leftwich and Lieutenant Johnathan Richardson from the said County of Bedford now Campbell. From the rendezvous they marched through the county now called Franklin to the county in which the lead mines are situated then called Fincastle, now Wythe. In their march through the mountains they were divided and a part sent to the salt peter works and he was one of these he is at a loss to tell how long they remained at the salt peter works but thinks it was about a month. From thence they were called to the lead mines under the circumstances above stated where they served the balance of the tour. He ever did and now believes they served three months fully and not less that that period and he is an old man and erelong will stand before the judge of the quick and dead to answer for the deeds done in the body and therefore cannot swear to -------(not readable) to gain a day if he were to lose a month they were regularly relieved to another ---(not readable) --- of men on returning home he remembers to have met Capt. Thomas Bedford and his company from Bedford there on his way out to the falls of Ohio against the Indians and that they lay at the Big Lick in the now County of Botetourt on the same night. This was in the month of October or November the same month in which he was discharged and returned home. The second time he was called to go into service he was discharged as were the rest of the company also with marching from the place of rendezvous where they had met with all things proposed to march and were told that they had or would have credit for a full tour of duty of three months, he supposes as if they had actually served it and and such was the common understanding in those days. This call was to go to the eastern shores of Virginia. He remembers that Williston Talbot the forage master bought a load of flour for the use of the army and the whole was condemned on his hands by Colonel Jeremiah Early and Capt. John Clayton. It seems the enemy had left the place and the company after being from home three days at the rendezvous as aforesaid were discharged. He was occasionally called out against the Tories in the neighborhood and remembers being on tour of five days in hunting then at one time three days and another in guarding them and three days in waiting the call of Gen. Green. He then, again in the year 1778 judging from all the circumstances he can recollect while Patrick Henry was Governor of Virginia in the latter part of the year but the month or day he cannot tell, he marched from Campbell County, then Bedford as aforesaid under the command of Capt. John Talbot, Lieutenant Thomas Holmes who was afterwards killed in the battle of Guilford and Ensign Arthur Moseley. The Company met at Hunters Tavern passed Charlotte Cumberland. The said Talbot was at that time a member of the Legislature and went after his company was discharged from the army into the house of Burgesses which was then sitting at Williamsburg. In this tour of duty he entered the service as a volunteer and marched under the aforesaid officers first to Williamsburg in Virginia, crossing James River at Richmond and Manchester passed through Henrico, New Kent, Hanover and remained at Williamsburg about six weeks as well as he can now remember. Col. Mason then had the command of the Regiment to which he was attached. From Williamsburg he was marched to York Town where his company was attached to the Regiment under the command of Col. Lightfoot as well as he can remember at this distant day. He is unable to say how long he remained here but is satisfied it was until he was regularly discharged and feels assured that the tour was one of not less than three months duration. He remembers that some of the men were tried at Williamsburg while he was there for burning and otherwise injuring the inclosure around park of Governor Henry. In this tour he was at York Town when the British vessels came in sight within the capes and commanded the American Row Gallies from about 9 o'clock in the morning till near one hour by sun in the evening. It was said one of the enemies vessels was very much damaged. The land troops were drawn up in a line of the shore in view of the enemy with as much display as possible having the Colores unfurled , drums beating, etc. when after having anchored there for several days the enemy disappeared without endeavoring to effect a landing. There was no doubt at the time that they would have landed but for the troops stationed at the place. For this tour of duty he received a written discharge but has lost or mislaid it and in fact he never expected after receiving it to want it again. He thinks the discharge was obtained by his father for him from Capt.Talbot some time after he returned from the Legislature of which he was a member as aforesaid. He recollects it was said that the discharge would have been obtained at the expiration of the service but for the hurry of the Captain to take his seat in the Legislature. In about a year after the expurgation of this tour he was preparing to march again upon another to York Town, had all things ready for actual service, his knapsack, etc. and had left home in the said County of Campbell, then Bedford, as a militia man regularly drafted when at the rendezvous of the militia at the head of (ma.....lies) creek he got into conversation with Col. James Calloway, the commandant of the regiment and was told by him that if he would go and catch one William Carver, a deserter from Col. Washington's core of horse and withal a noted Tory he would receive a discharge from the whole time for which he had been drafted. Col. Washington had sent officers to Prince Edward Courthouse in Virginia authorized to advertise in the public Gazettes the names of all deserters from his core and that if they would come and deliver themselves up they should be pardoned for the offense of desertion, which most if not all accepted but this celebrated Carver. This deponent understanding the proposition of the Colonel thus made to him, he accepted it and did so with the assurance that if he caught Carver, delivered him to the officers at Prince Edward Courthouse as aforesaid obtained a receipt for him and got Capitan Heaths discharge who was Caption of this deponents company, he would be released from the full tour. He accepted the proposition at the time the more readily as he was in such a situation with his family that he could not readily leave home. Accordingly he went in pursuit of the said Carver as he had been requested and was fortunate enough to apprehend him, then in pursuance of the instructions received delivered him to the proper officers in Prince Edward County forty miles (he thinks) from where he apprehended him, obtained a receipt for him and then afterward a discharge for the full time from Captain Heath, which he has also lost. On his return homeward he met the company of Captain Heath on their way down at Cub Creek in the County of Charlotte. This was toward the fall of the year, he thinks, or in the first part of fall, as best he remembers that the surrender of Cornwallis took place soon after this and he should have been there also had he not been discharged in the manner aforesaid. He has no documentary evidence by which to prove his services but he refers to the affidavits of John Hunter of County of Campbell and John Turner of the County of Bedford to prove his services to the lead mines and the tour to Williamsburg, York Town, etc. under Captain Talbot each of three months duration. He has no testimony by which to prove his other services and there is no one living to whom he can have access to prove the same. He perhaps could do it if he was not too old and infirm to ride so far as he must necessarily to ascertain the facts. He has been made to procure the certificate of a clergyman as the other individual as required by the act of congress simply because there is no one living in the neighborhood that can testify to such a belief ---this deponent having moved to Bedford in that part of it in which he now lives subsequent to any of his services as aforesaid renders it difficult to refer to any individual particularly as to the General belief in the neighborhood. The distance is about 30 miles. He makes the following answers to the interrogatories propounded by the war department: To the first interrogator, see body declaration for all answers. To the second - same To the third - same To the fourth - same To the fifth - the names of many of the officers am familiar with but few if any of the regular officers were ever with me that I now remember. To the sixth- I did receive discharge for my service in each case I believe and I think they were given by my Captain except when we were all discharged in a body and then I did not ...they are now lost. To the seventh - See the body of the declaration for an answer the whole of his actual services will amount to not less than six months and eleven days and if he is paid for the other tours when he was discharged as stated he would be entitled to pay for not less that 12 months. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is never on the pension roll of the agency of any State - sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid in open Court. John Vest We William S. Goffin and Joseph Wilson residing in the County of Bedford hereby certify that we are well acquainted with John. USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. He was born circa 1749 at Powhatan or Campbell Co., Virginia. He married Agnes Davidson in 1770 at Campbell Co., Virginia. John Vest died circa 1834 at Barton's Spur, Franklin Co., Virginia.

     His Social Security Number was 229-24-5180.¹² Emeritte Edward Jacob Conner was buried at Restvale Cemetery, 7529 Rt. 221, Check, Floyd Co., Virginia.^13,3,8,14 He Emeritte Edward Conner, age 64, of 2407 Colonial Ave., S. W., died Sunday, May 14, 1978. He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Arjetta Dooley Conner; one son, James W. (Buck) Conner, Roanoke; one daughter; Mrs. Gladys Conner King, Bent Mountain; two brothers. Frank D. Conner, Floyd; Marshall A. Conner, Bent Mountain; two stepdaughters, Miss Sandra D. Dooley. Roanoke; Mrs. Aretta M. Clark, Ypsilanti, Mich; one stepson, Gary W. Dooley, Shaw Air Force Base. S. C; four grandchildren; three step-grandchildren. Interment was in Restvale Cemetery, Floyd.³ He was born on July 25, 1913 at Locust Grove, Floyd Co., Virginia.^{13,12,2,15,8,4,10,5,14} He married Iris Rowena Conner, daughter of Aaron Conner and Ora Odell Perdue, on June 8, 1935 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^2,1,15 Emeritte Edward Jacob Conner married Arjetta Annie Burnette on July 17, 1970 at Floyd Co., Virginia.^3,4 Emeritte Edward Jacob Conner died on May 14, 1978 at Roanoke, Virginia, at age 64.^13,3,15,8,14