HENRY BALLENGEE

HENRY BALLENGEEThe eldest son of Isaac and Jane Ballengee was born 1778, in Botetourt County, Virginia. He was just about five when his family moved farther back into the wilderness. They struggled to find a safe place to rear the family. Henry grew up in a log cabin and was taught to farm. On November 8th, 1803, he married Rachel Farley. The wedding took place in Monroe County and was performed by the Rev. John Alderson. (1) Henry was twenty-five.Rachel was the widow of Francis Farley who died in 1802. Her maiden name was McMullen. She was the daughter of James McMullen and his second wife, Sarah. Rachel was named in her father's will in 1787. She was born in 1780. (2)When Henry married Rachel, she had four children. He took them into his home and helped rear them. Census records show children in his household born before this couple married. Also, census records later in Missouri show Samuel and Martin Farley and others who may have moved to Missouri with Henry's family. Tradition has a Permelia Farley in this family. She is in the Miller County, MO 1870 Census with the Anderson Jenkin family.The birth dates of Henry's children are not known exactly. Edward was born in 1806, Evi in 1807, Sarah was born in 1810, Jane between 1811-14, James McMullen in 1815. If there were other children born to this union, It is not born out In census records.The first record of a marriage in this family was between Edward Ballengee and Jane Lilly. This took place in Monroe County, West Virginia in Sept of 1825. Edward Ballengee and William Pack posted bond and Samuel Farley was a testator. (3) Samuel Farley was Edward's step-brother and William Pack was the father of Sarah Jane who married Edward's cousin, Lafayette.During June of the next year, Evi Ballengee married Elizabeth Rollyson. She was the daughter of John H. Rollyson.(4) In 1827 Sarah Ballengee married Amiger Lilly. Permission was given by the fathers, William Lilly and Henry Ballengee on the 16th of October. (5)This shows that Henry reared his family there in Monroe County. By the 1830 census, Henry had only his wife and two children living with him in Monroe County, Va. The son would be James McMullen Ballengee and the daughter, Jane, who married in 1832.It is thought by some that Henry served in the War of 1812. However, he did not receive a pension nor was he listed among those granted land for service.Henry owned land situated on the Greenbrier River near the mouth and between property owned by his brother, George, on one side and his brother, Isaac, on the other. This land was left to the brothers by their father, Isaac I. Henry gave quit claim the 16th of September 1835. (6) He sold to John Hinton but did not receive all of the money at that time. At the time of his death, he still expected four or five hundred dollars yet to be paid.None of Henry's children are listed as heads of families in the 1830 census of Monroe or Greenbrier counties. It is likely that these families had already moved on westward. Henry must have moved to Cole County, Missouri about 1836. It is tradition that the move was made by ox train overland.Henry purchased land in Cole County and the purchase was registered at Springfield, Missouri. (See Appendix C) The land became a part of Miller County when that county was formed. The Miller County P1at book shows Henry Ballengee on Sec. 17, Rng 12, Twp. 40 in 1838. Miller County was formed out of Cole County in 1837 so it was probably in the same area where both pieces of property were located. Judith visited this property in 1966 and talked with the current owners of the land. Their home was situated at the foot of a knoll. The farmer's wife showed the remains of an old cabin at the top of the knoll. There was an old family cemetery lying back of where the cabin had been. There were no names on markers. She had heard that the cabin was burned during the Civil War. However, it was not a Ballengee family living in it then.Henry wrote his will in April of 1839. It was the first will recorded in Miller County. (7) Since the will was not recorded until March of 1840, it is assumed that Henry died about that time. (See Appendix C).Rachel lived more than ten years after Henry. She is found living with her son, James M. Ballengee in the 1850 census of Cole County, Missouri. She is probably buried near Hickory Hill, Missouri.Their children were: Edward, Evi, James McMullen and daughters: Sarah and Jane. Their records will follow.Return to Ballengee Trails Index PageReturn to Roots Researchers Index PageReturn to Home PagePage Updated 28 June 2003Updated by Judith A. McClungOur Sponsors

HENRY BALLENGEE

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