Skaggs, James

Notes for JAMES SKAGGS SR:
Mathias Harman, famous pioneer, scout, hunter and Indian fighter was born, it is said near Strasburg about the year 1732. His father Heinrich Harman who came from Prussia to Pennsylvania and thence to the vicinity of Strasburg while still a young man. Tias or Tice, as he was called , had several brothers and they all became hunters and rangers of the wilderness. They hated Indians and were anxious to exterminate them. Henrich Harman , his brothers Adam and Jacob and their families were among the first settlers at Drapers Meadows in 1748. From this section Matthias Harman and his associates, Michael Stoner, Casper Manserk, HENRY SKAGGS, JAMES SKAGGS, and others operated into Tennessee and Kentucky, especially the later. In 1761, a company of about twenty hunters, chiefly from Virginia came into what is now Hawkins County, Tennessee, and hunted in Carter''s Valley for about 18 months. Their names have not all been preserved; a portion of them however were Wallen, Scaggs, Blevins and Cox. Late in 1762, this party came again and hunted on the Clinch and other rivers as was also the case in 1763 when they penetrated farther into the interior, passed through the Cumberland Gap and hunted the entire season upon the Cumberland River. In 1764, Daniel Boone, now in the employ of Henderson & Co. came again to explore the country. He was accompanied this time by Samuel Callaway. After Boone and Callaway came, HENRY SCAGGINS who extended his tour to the lower Cumberland and fixed his station at Mansker''s Lick, the first exploration west of the Cumberland Mountains by an anglo-American. Records of Botetourt County Court show a Charles Skaggs appearing in court on May 15, 1772. In 1773, James and Charles Skaaggs, Richard Pemberton and John son settled Baptist Valley, five miles from where Jeffersonville now stands. In March of this same year, James Skaggs and Rachel, his wife, sold to John Plickinstavor, 78 acres for 40 pounds on Meadows Creek of New River. On August 13, 1773, Thomas Skaggs appeared on a jury. On October 26, 1773, James Skaggs and Rachel, his wife, sold to Thomas Martin 78 acres for 40 pounds on Meadow Creek of New River. On April 6, 1778, William Preston, as executor of John Buchanan(grantor) conveyed to James Skaggs, 68 acres for 24 pounds on Meadow Creek of New River in Montgomery County, Virginia. On September 13, 1778, James Skaggs sold to Albetus Brite, 100 acres for 128 pounds on the south side of the woods below the mouth of Little River. January 6, 1779, William Buchanan sold to James Skaggs 100 acres for 650 pounds on the Southside Woods of New River below the mouth of Little River. June 1, 1779, James Skaggs sold to Richard Witt, 68 acres for 280 pounds, Meadow Creek Branch of New River (no wife mentioned). August 10, 1782, Albert Brite and Susannah, his wife, sold to James Skaggs, 100 acres for 35 pounds on South Side Woods of New River below mouth of Little River. April 3, 1785, James Skaggs sold to Andrew Cassiday, 30 acres for 30 pounds in Montgomery County, Virginia. April 3, 1785 James Skaggs & Susanna his wife sold to John Ingles, 175 acres for 30 pounds on west of New River. April 3, 1785 James Skaggs & Susannah his wife sold to Hezekiah Whitt , 50 acres for 11 pounds on branch of New River. April 3, 1785 James Skaggs & Susannah, sold to Conrod Wals, 271 acres for 200 pounds on the North side of New River. May 3, 1785, James Skaggs and Susannah his wife sold to James McCo rkle, 120 acres for 330 pounds on both sides of New River. August 22, 1786, James Skaggs sold to Richard Whitt, 100 acres for 100 pounds, old Ferry Place on west side of Kank on a river. In the year of our Lord 1786, and of the commonwealth the Faith Patrick Henry, Esq.,
Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. To all to whom presents shall come greeting know ye that by virtue and i n consideration of par.. of a land office
Treasurer