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Sarah Jane Skeen

NOTES: Called "Redbird" by Ben, because of her hair and small size, Sarah weighed less than 100 pounds. She waited tables at the Versailles inn run by her Aunt Elizabeth and Uncle George W. Johnson during the Civil War, and was serving when Morgan's Raiders dined there, 12 July 1863, during one of their lighning raids through Southern Indiana. Sarah was never very strong physically, Her death certificate reads "tuberculosis of the lungs."

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Jonathan Skeen

1. David William Skeen

2. Amanda Melvina Skeen

3. John Henry Smith Skeen

4. Sarah Jane Skeen

5. Newton Porter 'Bud' Skeen

6. Elizabeth Ann Skeen

7. Tilford Dickerson Skeen

8. M. Eleanor Skeen

9. Jeremiah Lee Skeen

10. Mary Caroline 'Kitty' Skeen

NOTES: Jonathan, known to his children and grandchildren as Pappy, was a farmer, stock buyer and veterinarian. He was a big, strong man, a champion wrestler and al-around sport, known to have gotten into some rough fights. Still, he was well informed and widely read, especially in view of his limited education. His large, young family prevented him from going off to fight in the Civil War, but he was a staunch Union supporter, leading the fight against any Copperhead sentiment in the county. He was among the men who tried to stop General Morgan and his men, at Versailles, with their squirrel rifles. The result was that the men had their rifles taken away and broken around the trees on the courthouse lawn. Few shots were actually fired, but I remember being shown during my teen years holes in the courthouse attributed to the encounter.

Financially insecure, Jonathan and Ann broke up their home after the youngest child was raised, and went to Illinois, where they lived with sons. After Ann's death, 1893, Jonathan went to live with the youngest son, Jeremiah, in Benton County, Indiana.

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William Skeen

1. Mary Ann Skeen

2. Jonathan Skeen

3. Tilford M. Skeen

4. Caroline P. Skeen

5. Jeremiah D. Skeen

6. Eleanor Skeen

7. Elizabeth Skeen

8. Sarah L. Skeen

9. Martha Jane Skeen

NOTES: William served in the War of 1812 from 15 August 1812 to 5 March 1813, James C. Price Company, Lewis Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry, as a private of the ranks. William and David Dickerson were also in this company, known as the Jessamine County Blues for the light blue of their unifors. Prior to their march north, they were addressed by Henry Clay.

The march was difficult, through forests and swamps to the Maumee River. Supplies and communications were sporadic, and winter found them with insufficient warm clothing and food. General Winchester, who had fought in the Revolution, was in charge of the expedition.

Arriving at the area where Monroe, Michigan, now stands, General Winchester let his troops camp in the bitter cold while he himself found shelter in a house about a half mile away. Just before sunrise, 22 January 1813, General Proctor attacked, with 500 British and 600 Indian troops. Captain Price was killed and scalped. General Winchester was captured while still warm in his comfortable bed. The Americans lost 397 killed, 27 wounded, 33 escaped, and over 500 prisoners. Feeding and guarding prisoners was a burden, so a quick exchange for the captives was arranged. Prisoners thus released were honor-bound not to take up arms against the British enemy again.

William acquired a sword at some time during this period. It has passed through the family to William's son Jonathan, thence to his favorite grandson, Merritt Stevens, then to Hercanus Stevens, to Herc's daughter Maxine Muir, and from her to my brother, who has it at this time.

William and Cynthia went to Ripley County after they married, along with other Dickerson and Skeens. They built a home in Versailles, on Main Cross Street, and opposite the southwest corner of the courthous square, opened a grocery and tavern. He was one of the county's earliest sheriffs, and served one or two terms in the state legislature.

When he contracted the penumonia which proved fatal, he refused to drink the whiskey the doctor tried to administer as a stimulatn. Having been a heavy drinker in his younger days, he had overcome the habit and determined never to drink again.

DAR records give William's birth as 6 April 1794. His grave, however, reads 6 September 1795. Cynthia is buried with her second husband, Conrad Overturf, in the Cliff Hill Cemetery, Versailles, Ripley County, Indiana. Her will names several children and two grandchildren.

Richard Carl Stevens, "Skeen-Shook Genealogy," January 1954. Indiana Election Returns 1816-1851; Indiana State Library R929.3772 R449i, pp 206, 213.

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Jonathan Skeen

1. David Skeen

2. Martha Skeen

3. Sally Skeen

4. Nancy Skeen

5. Ellen Skeen

6. Mary 'Polly' Skeen

7. William Skeen

8. Ann Skeen

NOTES: Jonathan appears in various Kentucky records, finding and returning stray horses. Supposed to have had military service, although nothing shows up from National Archives. Possibly in Virginia State Library, and supposed to be in DAR records. M. S. Cleaton reports than he appears on a Colonial Soldier Journal of Convention, May 1776; Revolutionary War, 1777; and for scout duty, 1778. Baptised 19 June 1755, St. James Episcopalian Church, Huntington, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania ("Early Church Records of Lancaster County," Vol. 3, page 13). Rockbridge County Marriage Bonds, on line actual images.

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Robert Skeen

1. Henry Skeen

2. Martha Skeen

3. Joseph Skeen

4. Jonathan Skeen

5. Robert Skeen

6. William Skeen

7. Mary Skeen

NOTES: Will, Rockbridge County, Virginia; written 23 December 1785 (possiby 1794 - illegible), proved 7 January 1795. Grantee of 148 acres of land on Buffalo Creek, the forks of the James River, in Botetourt County (later Rockbridge), Virginia, 7 August 1773. Children were probably born in Pennsylvania, although only proof in regard to Jonathan has been found. Virginia Militia, Captain Samuel Wallace's company. List of tithables, July 1779: Robert Skeen, 3; Jonathan Skeen, 1; Henry Skeen, 1; Joseph Skeen, 1. List of tithables from the North side of Buffalo Creek to the county line and from mountain to mountain, 1791, Botetourt County, Virginia: Scalps: Robert Skeen, 1; Joseph Skeen, 1.

Mary's last name is given as Robinson by some researchers, with no evidence. It has also been stated, without evidence, that Robert and Mary were both born in Scotland and married there. It has been pointed out that if they were natives of Scotland, it is highly unlikely they would have settled in Lancaster County for any period of time, as the lands of Eastern Pennsylvania were already fairly well settled and becoming expensive by the middle of the 18th century. It was more customary for immigrants through Philadelphia to immediately head south to the more open and much cheaper lands of Western Virginia. There was a John Skene family in Eastern Pennsylvania, 1678, and it is possible Robert is a grandson or great-grandson of this man.

Children:

Henry, will written 11 March 1810, Rockbridge County, Virginia. Recorded 2 April 1810, mentioning Henry as deceased. Proved 30 April 1810. Mentions children and grandchildren.

Martha surnamed Milican in Robert's will. Robert Miliken witnessed Robert's will, and probably Martha's husband.

Robert, Jr., had provision made for him in Robert's will for care during his life, indicating a physical or mental incapacity (called "afflicted"). Some say he married Rebecca (_____), and died in Missouri, 1833.

William: marriage bond dated 6 September 1790 (Rockbridge County, Virginia, Marriage Bonds). On 4 April 1809, William Priestly, Jr., wife Sarah, and son William, all of Rockbridge County, sold to William Skeens of Rockbridge County their interest in the Plantation inherited from William Presly Sr. On 17 May 1810, Samueal Presley of Kanawha County, Virginia, sold his interest in the Plantation of William Presely Sr to William Skeens.

Mary: marriage bond supplied by Charles Kirkpatrick, witnessed by John Kirkpatrick. Bride's parent named as Robert Skeen, indicating she may have been a minor at the time of the contract.

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Eleanor Priestley

NOTES: Tax roll, 1800, Jessamine County, Kentucky. Appears on a marriage warrant for her daughter there.

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William Priestley

1. Eleanor Priestley

2. James Priestley

3. Agnes 'Nancy' Priestley

4. William Priestley

5. Elizabeth 'Betsy' Priestley

Mary Presley

NOTES: 12 April 1779, William purchased 115 acres of land at Todd's Spring, on Buffalo Creek, Rockbridge County (then Botetourt), Virginia, from the estate of William Hall (Deed Book A, pages 137-138), and lot # 2 in Lexington. 1787 tax list charged with self, 4 horses, Mares, Colts & Mules, 17 Cattle. Will written 6 February 1793, proved 1 April 1800, Rockbridge County. Names wife Mary, sons William and James, daughters Eleanor, Nancy, Betsey, and grandsons William and Samuel. Some have called his wife Mary Esther, and claimed both were born in Scotland, but with no evidence. Elizabeth Priestley is also given a birth in Aberdeen, Scotland, by Cleaton and Spry, but with no evidence. James became a noted educator. Appears to have been riased by the minister, Reverend Graham. It has been said that he was raised by Graham because he showed such intellectual promise, and his family was so poor. The tax lists make it evident that his family was in no worse shape than average, especially if they were able to purchase not only a famr, but a town lot. James did possess an unusually fine intellect, and Reverend Graham was probably the most capable of any of the neighbors to nurture such a mind.

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