Ralph Wanless was born 28 March 1756 in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England and died 26 July 1842 in VA.
The trade of smithy and ironworker was hereditary in the Wanless family, and they were renowned for their skill in this department. Several of Margaret's children had already been apprenticed in the trade by the time the family left Newcastle. Ralph the son, born 28 March 1756, was a blacksmith and farmer. He is listed in the military rolls for Augusta County, VA between 1780 and 1783. During the Revolutionary War, he was drafted from his home on the Calfpasture. He served under Captain McCoy and was discharged at Richmond. He was at Norfolk for 9 months under an unknown captain. He also served under Captain Buchanan, and under George Poage as an "indian spy" at Clover Lick in Bath County. He appears in the personal property tax listings for Bath County, VA (now Pocohontas County, WV) beginning in 1794, and was apprently a resident of the Knapp's Creek area near Huntersville until his death on 26 July 1842.
Excerpted from Chalkley's Chronicles:
1788 Oct: Inherited piece of land, presumably near Deerfield or near Knapps Ck, when Thomas Adams died & left "the land and plantation on which he [Ralph] lives" to him in his will. No land records have been found for this piece yet, although Ralph appears to live in the Knapps Ck area by 1794 without any record of him purchasing land before then.
1797: Bath Co personal property tax lists - June 10, 1797 - Ralph Wanless, 1 titheable, 5 horses. Neighbors enumerated on same day (everybody has dates this year): Josiah Brown, Joseph Brown, Joseph Carpenter (Const.), Joseph Day, Christian Dilly, Arthur Graham, Felix Graham [these 2 may be Grimes later], Wm. McCollom, Daniel McCollom, Thomas Oliver, Reubin & Wm Powel, Joel Rucker, John Sharp, William Sharp Jr, Samuel Waugh.
1799: Witnessed a deed from Aaron Moore to John Moore, inherited from Moses Moore, Sr., for land on the Greenbrier R. on Knapps Creek.
1801 April 14: Bath Co personal property tax lists: Ralph Wandless, 1 titheable, 7 horses. Neighbors enumerated on same day: John Boothe, Abraham Duffield, David From [Frame], Robert Layne, Alce [Alice] McClintick, Robert Moore, Aron Moore, Levi Moore Jr, Wm. McClintic, Daniel McCollum, Jesse Rose, John Simwalt, Andrew & Wm Warwick.
1807 13 Oct: Ralph Wandless of Bath Co. bought from William & Isabella Nichols 200 acres in Bath Co. between Browns Creek, Knapps Creek, and Browns Mtn, for 180 lbs. [Bath Co. Deed Bk. 3, p. 246]
--this land was patented by William Nichols in 1806.
1827 12 Apr: Leaven Nichols of Kanawha Co. sold to Lucretia Wandless wife of Ralph Wandless of Pocahontas Co. 1/6 of a parcel of land in Bath Co. on Muddy Run for $200. It is part of a tract of 245 acres that Leaven Nichols Senr. died possessed of. Recorded 8 July 1828. Bath Co. Deed Bk 7, p.270
--This tract was patented by Leven Sr in 1793; see his entry. 1/6 would be about 40 acres.
1831 4 Jul: Ralph Wanless, Sr. of Pocahontas bought from William Nichols & Isabelle his wife of the same co. 1/6 of a 248 acre parcel on the Mud Run for $1.00. [Bath Deed Bk.7, p.542]
--this parcel was patented by Levin Nichols Sr in 1793 and the original patent says "248 acres in Bath Co on the east side of Jacksons River on the Mud Run on a branch of Wards Draft". So 1/6 would be about 41 acres. Wonder if the fact that William Nichols owned 1/6 and Leaven Jr. owned 1/6 means that their father Levan Sr. left his land to 6 heirs? Maybe Crissy already has 1/6 through inheritance.
He married Lucretia "Chrissy" Nichols 30 September 1788 in Augusta Co, VA. She was the daughter of Levan Nichols (known variously as Nichols/Nicholas/McNichol).
Their children were:1
William Wanless (born 21 August 1789 in Bath Co, VA; died 26 July 1865 in Pocahontas Co, WV); married Nancy Wilson 18 April 1811 in Bath Co, VA.
View photos of William and Nancy Wilson Wanless here.
Their children were:2,3
Elizabeth Wanless (born 24 October 1812 in Bath Co, VA; died 18 April 1907 in Pocahontas Co, WV); married Chesley K. Moore 2 December 1852 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
Martha "Patsy" Wanless (born 15 February 1815 in Bath Co, VA; died 16 February 1883 in Appanoose Co, IA); married Henry Nottingham 8 November 1832 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
Andrew Wanless (born 4 June 1816 in Bath Co, VA; died 18 October 1896 in Pocahontas Co, WV); married Margaret Potts 4 June 1840 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
Matilda Wanless (born 22 January 1818 in Bath Co, VA; died 4 January 1844 in Pocahontas Co, VA); married William Cassell 12 March 1839 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
Nelson Wanless (born 3 May 1819 in Bath Co, VA; died 24 April 1864 of a fever while serving in the Civil War)
Ralph Wanless (born 9 September 1822 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 6 November 1832 in Pocahontas Co, VA)
Rachel Wanless (born 24 April 1824 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died after 1870 in WV); married John W. Logan 4 June 1843 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
Jane Wanless (born 15 January 1826 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died after 1880 in WV); married David McLaughlin 25 December 1845 in Pocahontas Co, WV.
Allen Wanless (born 28 March 1828 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 18 December 1843 in Pocahontas Co, VA)
Mary Wanless (born 2 February 1830 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 14 January 1844 in Pocahontas Co, VA)
Nancy Ann Wanless (born 2 January 1832 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 25 November 1916 in Yakima, WA); married Peyton Nicholas 5 December 1849 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
Melinda Wanless (born 26 October 1833 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died December 1850 in Pocahontas Co, VA of drowning in Leatherbark Creek, WV)
Margaret Wanless (born 23 December 1836 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 6 February 1844 in Pocahontas Co, VA)
James W. Wanless (born 17 September 1838 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 20 January 1916 in Pocahontas Co, WV)
Margaret Wanless (born 1789 in Bath Co, VA; died 1854 in Pocahontas Co, VA); married James Sharp 21 January 1808 in Bath Co, VA.
Their children were:4
Eliza Jane Sharp (born about 1805 in VA); married Nicholas Swadley 10 April 1837 in Pocahontas Co, VA
William Sharp (born about 1808 in VA)
Andrew Sharp (born 1812 on Thorny Creek, Bath Co, VA); married Ann Sharp 5 February 1842 in Pocahontas Co, VA
Robert Sharp (born about 1817 in Bath Co, VA); married Nancy Kelley 26 June 1837 in Pocahontas Co, VA
James Sharp (born about 1820 in Bath Co, VA; died 24 January 1905 in Burr Oak, Winneshiek, IA); married Rachel Moore 24 February 1842 in Pocahontas Co, VA
Nancy Ann Sharp (born about 1820 in VA); married James Moore 3 February 1842 in Pocahontas Co, VA
Lindsay Sharp (born about 1825 in Pocahontas Co, VA); married Barbara Ann Friel
Lydia Wanless (born about 1794 in Bath Co, VA); married John Vick 22 June 1810 in Bath Co, VA
Elizabeth Wanless (born 1797 in Bath Co, VA; died 1831 in Jackson Co, OH); married Thomas Hatten 10 February 1813 in Bath Co, VA
Their children were:5
Stephen M. Hatten (born 1828 in Bath Co, VA; died 30 December 1876 in Burr Oak, Winneshiek, IA); married Susannah Crist Moore 28 July 1865
Ralph Wanless (born 18 March 1799 in Bath Co, VA)
Polly Wanless (born 1800 in Bath Co, VA; died before 1842); married Samuel Moore 16 January 1817 in Bath Co, VA; married 2nd Alexander Campbell 7 September 1825 in Pocahontas Co, VA
Their children were:6
Azariah Perkins Campbell (born 3 August 1828 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 17 September 1855 in Highland Co, VA of diptheria)
Laura Hamilton Campbell (born 18 April 1829 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died October 1847)
Milton Campbell (born 6 September 1831 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 1862)
Reverend James Wanless (born 28 March 1801 in Bath Co, VA; died about 1880 in Pocahontas Co, WV); married Elizabeth Sharp 8 February 1826 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
He and his wife raised the children of his brother Stephen after Stephen was killed in a blacksmithing accident.
Ann Wanless (born 1803 in Bath Co, VA; died 18 December 1887 in Eagle District, Harrison Co, WV); married Reuben Matheny about 1828 in Pocahontas Co, VA
Their children were:7
Demy Catherine Matheny (born 1828 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died in Upshur Co, WV); married James C. McCloud 20 April 1847 in Pocahontas Co, VA; married 2nd J.S. Nichols 9 May 1875 in Upshur Co, WV
John Wesley Matheny (born about 1831 in Pocahontas Co, VA); married Margaret Jane Gum 28 June 1853 in Pocahontas Co, VA
J. Michael Matheny (born about 1833 in Pocahontas Co, VA); married Kesiah Gum 10 April 1855 in Highland Co, VA
Stephen Matheny (born about 1836 in Pocahontas Co, VA); married Sarah ? about 1859
Stephen Wanless (born 24 March 1805 in Bath Co, VA; died May 1838 in Pocahontas Co, WV while shoeing a horse); married Harriet Kinkead 5 February 1827; married 2nd Mary Paulina Sharp 24 June 1830 in Pocahontas Co, VA
Children with Mary Paulina Sharp were:8
James Hank Wanless (born 30 April 1834 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 1 June 1909 in Portland, OR); married Mary Ellen Townsend 18 March 1858 in Winneshiek, IA
John F. Wanless (born May 1836 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died after 1909); married Mary Hogsett 24 February 1881 in Pocahontas Co, WV
William S. Wanless (born about 1837 in Pocahontas Co, VA)
John Wanless (born 17 May 1807 in Bath Co, VA; died 1884 in Lewis Co, WV); married Elizabeth M. Bridger 3 July 1828 in Pocahontas Co, VA; married 2nd Elizabeth Smith 1879 in Lewis Co, WV
Children with Elizabeth M. Bridger were:9
Davis Wanless (born 1836 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died about 1900 in Weston, Upshur Co, WV); married Rozhanna Cutright 1 August 1861 in Upshur Co, VA
Hanson Wanless (born 1837 in Pocahontas Co, VA)
Brison H. Wanless (born 8 January 1840 on Thorny Creek, Pocahontas Co, VA; died 9 November 1863); married Sarah Ann Phillips 5 May 1860 in Pocahontas Co, VA
Florida Wanless (born 5 January 1842 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 22 April 1860 in Upshur Co, VA)
Sarah Jane Wanless (born 1845 in Pocahontas Co, VA); married James Clark Swentzel 1865 in Lewis Co, WV
Thomas Wanless (born 19 March 1810 in Bath Co, VA; died 5 October 1887 in Salem, Marion Co, OR); married Julian Butcher 12 August 1830 in Pocahontas Co, VA.
Their children were:10
Lovenia Payne Wanless (born 9 September 1831 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 25 February 1914 in Blackwell, OK); married Chandler Wheeler Dawley 19 May 1860 in IA.
Louisa B. Wanless (born 22 May 1832 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 14 November 1905 in Salem, Marion Co, OR); married Morgan A. Rider 28 December 1854 in McHenry Co, IL.
John Henning Wanless (born 27 November 1834 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 1910 in Filmore Co, MN); married Laura Susan Sharp 3 July 1871 in Winneshiek, IA.
Mary D. Wanless (born 23 April 1836 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 21 April 1906 in Salem, Marion Co, OR); married Elezer L. Collins 18 July 1858 in Winneshiek, IA.
Stephen Wilson Wanless (born 24 June 1838 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 27 October 1926 in McMinnville, OR); married Frances Elizabeth "Fanny" Duffield 7 January 1863 in Winneshiek, IA.
Sarah Wanless (born 27 December 1840 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died before 1850)
Gilmore Wanless (born 13 March 1841 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 15 April 1935 in Salem, Marion Co, OR)
Isabella Wanless (born 19 March 1842 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 17 January 1926 in Portland, OR); married Michael Bottler
Brown Wanless (born 6 August 1843 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 3 November 1917 in Portland, OR); married Harriet Judd 8 December 1874 in Ridgeway, IA.
Laura Ann Wanless (born 6 September 1845 in IL; died 28 August 1923 in Drain, Douglas Co, OR); married Edward Snell 1 April 1865 in Winneshiek, IA.
Buena Vista Wanless (born 6 October 1847 in IL; died 23 March 1925 in Clackamas Co, OR); married Albert Leroy Snell 26 March 1872 in Cresco, Howard Co, IA.
Frank A. Wanless (born 12 July 1849 in IL; died about 1862 in Bluffton, Winneshiek, IA of rattlesnake bite)
Alfred Henry Wanless (born 13 March 1852 in Woodstock, McHenry Co, IL; died 30 September 1936 in Seattle, King Co, WA); married Julia Ellen McCabe 24 December 1890 in Benton, Choteau Co, MT.
George Wanless (born 6 June 1853 in IL)
Charles Wanless (born 23 August 1856 in Council Bluffs, Pottawattamie Co, IL; died 15 November 1939 in Amity, OR); married Mary Thurber 1888 in Amity, OR
Leven Wanless (born 21 March 1813 in Bath Co, VA; died 28 September 1901 in Cresco, Howard Co, IA); married Nancy Dilley 11 February 1836 in Pocahontas Co, VA
View a photo of Nancy Dilley Wanless here.
View a photo of the children of Leven and Nancy Dilley Wanless here.
Their children were:11
Eldridge Wanless (born 19 July 1837 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 17 May 1916 in Drain, Douglas Co, OR)
Margaret Salina Wanless (born 26 April 1839 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 11 January 1840 in Pocahontas Co, VA)
Francis Asbury Wanless (born 19 June 1841 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 10 January 1928 in Salem, Marion Co, OR); married Harriet A. Swartz 17 July 1867 in Salem, Marion Co, OR
Alonzo Byron Wanless (born 13 February 1844 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 14 January 1920); married Gertrude Shoecraft 7 March 1876 in KS
Perry Allison Wanless (born 29 August 1846 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 12 November 1925 in Cresco, Howard Co, IA); married Cynthia Marie Ryan 4 July 1876 in IA
Albion Emile Wanless (born 13 October 1848 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 27 January 1931 in Vancouver, Clark Co, WA); married Ladorah Jane Punteney 6 February 1873 in Eldorah, Hardin Co, IA
Darinda Laquincy Wanless (born 2 June 1851 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 3 July 1913 in Outlook, Saskatchewan, Canada); married Robert Holt 27 December 1871 in Winneshiek, IA
Elizabeth Jane Wanless (born 15 June 1852 in Pocahontas Co, VA; died 9 December 1910 in Portland, OR of breast cancer); married Eugene Damon 13 June 1877 in Cresco, Howard Co, IA
Oliver Gustavus Wanless (born 13 October 1855 on Thorny Creek, Pocahontas Co, VA; died 26 June 1948 in Minneapolis, MN); married Ora Galloway 2 November 1882 in IA
1Pasquin GedCom compiled by Lisa Pasquinelli (http://www.my-ged.com/pasquin/)
2William T. Price, Historical Sketches of Pocahontas Co, WV, originally published 1901, Marlinton, WV by Price Brothers Publishers; reprinted 1963 by McClain Printing, Parsons, WV. pp 455-459.
3Pasquin GedCom compiled by Lisa Pasquinelli (http://www.my-ged.com/pasquin/)
4Ibid.
5Ibid.
6Ibid.
7Ibid.
8Ibid.
9Ibid.
10Ibid.
11Ibid.
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