96. Capt. Josiah or Joseph Elam
Soldier in Revolutionary War; served under Gen. Anthony Wayne and made a campaign up through Ohio. After the war he followed a commmon migration line to Kentucky. He located near Lexington in the same neighborhood as the Clay family from his neighborhood in Virginia. In 1803 he moved to Xenia, Ohio (Clay County) where he originally had 640 acres. He was one of the first settlers of Green County.
-------------------------REVOLUTIONARY WAR RECORDS Of VIRGINIA
2666 2/3
(12) LIST OF SOLDIERS (VIRGINIANS), WHO WERE REPORTED TO THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, AS NOT HAVING CLAIMED THEIR WARRANTS.
(18) LIST OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS OF THE VIRGINIA LINE ON
CONTINENTAL ESTABLISHMENT, WHOSE NAMES APPEAR ON THE ARMY REGISTER AND WHO HAVE
NOT RECEIVED BOUNTY LAND, RICHMOND, 1835.
No. Names Rank Line Acres When Issued
page 236Elam, Josiah, Soldier, Inf.
The RICHMOND ENQUIRER (newspaper) published the following on Tuesday, 7 November 1843 (p. 3, col. 6):
"Died, at his residence, in the county of Chesterfield, on
Thursday, the 29th of September, in the 45th year of his age, RICHARD ELAM, Esq., leaving a wife, six children, and a large circle of devoted friends to bemoan their irreparable loss. The deceased was confined to his sick bed for several weeks before his death, under the most excruciating pain and suffering, and was never heard to murmur or complain. Oh, that every unconverted person could have been present in his last moments to have witnessed how a Christian can die! Although he had as many ties to bind him to earth as man could have, he prayed fervently to his Maker to take him to himself, being well assured he would be forever happy. The deceased had been a member of the Baptist Church for many years before his death, and was not merely a member, but he lived the life of a Christian, and died the death of the same. To know Richard Elam was to know one among the best men that ever lived."On 24 October 1843, the RICHMOND ENQUIRER published this notice:
"At a Court held for Chesterfield county, the 9th day of
October, A. D., 1843, the following preamble and resolutions
were adopted:
Whereas, it has been made known to the Court, that Richard Elam, Esq., for many years a Commissioner of the Revenue for this county, and, also, a Commissioner in Chancery of this Court, has lately departed this life; Therefore, be it
Resolved, that we have heard with unfeigned sorrow of the death of our friend and fellow-citizen. Resolved, That, in his death, the state and this Court have lost an able and faithful officer -- the community a valued citizen -- and the people a true friend. Resolved, That we sincerely condole with the family of the deceased in their great loss, and beg leave with them to drop a tear to the memory of his departed worth.
Resolved, That, in token of our respect for the deceased, the Court, and the officers thereof, will wear the usual badge of mourning for thirty days. Resolved, That a copy of the above resolutions be transmitted to the family of the deceased, and publication thereof be made in the Enquirer, a newspaper printed in the city of Richmond. Ordered, That the above be entered on the Records of this Court, and that the Court do now adjourn.
A Copy--Teste, L. W. Carter, D. C."
The RICHMOND ENQUIRER published this article on 21 March 1845:
"DIED. Died, in Chesterfield county, on the 15th of
February, JAMES ELAM, aged 56 years. The name of the deceased is familiar to those acquainted with the county of Chesterfield. He had represented that county several years in the General Assembly, and had long been a conspicuous and influential citizen. But to his familiar friends only, and especially to those who were intimate with him, and in his household for the last few years of his life, did the beauty of his character appear in its brightest colors. In the Autumn of 1841, he professed conversion, under circumstances peculiarly striking, and which made an impression, long to be remembered, in his neighborhood. He soon after became a member of the Baptist Church, and the influence he had before exerted in temporal concerns, was now directed to noble ends; but, alas! his race of usefulness in this new sphere, though attended, it is hoped, with blessed effects, was short. The sincerity of his profession was soon put to the most infallible test; shortly he became the
subject of consumption, of which he lingered, with occasional
fluctuations, for about two years; yet, during this time, with
the certain prospect of approaching death before him, insomuch that for some months before his dissolution, he rarely spoke of what was to be done the next day without adding, "If I live till then" -- He repined not, but submitted with resignation to the will of Providence, and met death as became a Christian.-- Indeed, it seemed, that no one could enter his sick room without feeling that 'the chamber where the good man meets his fate is privileged beyond the common walks of life.' But he is departed; the bright eye is quenched in death, and the benevolent smile has vanished -- and long will they be missed from his accustomed sphere; yet, he has left us a useful lesson, and not to be forgotten; for, he has show us 'how a Christian can die.'To his bereaved widow and numerous friends, it should be
the greatest of consolations, that death came to him not
unexpected, and found him not unprepared."
Served in the Revolution DAR Patriot Index
117. Godfree (or Godfrey) Elam
Revolutionary War veteran.
Morgan County death records say he was 86 years old and a widower at time of death. Died of consumption.