Person Sheet
Misc. Notes
According to the 1900 Pittsylvania County, Virginia Census, Tabitha Roark had had 10 children and there were only 6 of them living as of 16 Jun 1900.106
We stopped at a house near where the Roark mill was and asked the people who lived there if they knew where a cemetery might be that had the graves of James Edward Roark and Tabitha Shields. The man remembered seeing a "Roark" cemetery over the hill from where he lived. He took us about where he thought it was and YES it was there! The tombstone read (in part)145
TABITHA SHIELDS
Born Oct. 2, 1836
Died Sept. 25, 1917145
OBITUARY - “Aged Lady Crosses the Great Divide”
Mrs Tabitha, wife of Mr James E Roark, who have lived for forty-six years at their home, one and half miles east of Motley, died on Sunday last at eight a.m. Mrs Roark had been in feeble health for several years, but did not give up until two weeks before her death. On Sunday night, Sept 16th, she was paralyzed, and never spoke or apparently knew anything until her death a week later.
Dr Smith, of Altavista, her children, her aged husband, and neighbors and friends did all that loving hands could do, but death claimed its own.
She was born and reared at Chalk Level, in Pittsylvania county. Before marriage, she was a Miss Shields. She was married sixty years ago last February, having married in 1857. They had six living children, 43 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. The living children are, Messrs John A and J B Roark, of Altavista; Mr Sherman Roark, of Level Run; Mrs Virginia Short, of Hurt; Mrs D A Walker, who lived on an adjoining farm to her father’s, and Mrs Sallie Hurt Adams, of Spencer, NC.
Mrs Roark had been a member of the Methodist Church for 36 years, and had she lived until the third of next month would have been 82 years old. She was devoted in her church and to the cause of Christ.
She was laid to rest in the family burial ground on Monday afternoon, after religious services held in the home by her pastor, Rev W L Mays, assisted by Mr John Allen, a lifelong friend of the family.
The pall bearers were six of her grandsons -- Messrs James Roark, James Adams, Dodson Short, Parker Short, Burt Short, and Thomas [?]. Friends from every direction brought beautiful flowers, one of the most beautiful of which was a wreath presented by the Red Men of Altavista.
We stopped at a house near where the Roark mill was and asked the people who lived there if they knew where a cemetery might be that had the graves of James Edward Roark and Tabitha Shields. The man remembered seeing a "Roark" cemetery over the hill from where he lived. He took us about where he thought it was and YES it was there! The tombstone read (in part)145
TABITHA SHIELDS
Born Oct. 2, 1836
Died Sept. 25, 1917145
OBITUARY - “Aged Lady Crosses the Great Divide”
Mrs Tabitha, wife of Mr James E Roark, who have lived for forty-six years at their home, one and half miles east of Motley, died on Sunday last at eight a.m. Mrs Roark had been in feeble health for several years, but did not give up until two weeks before her death. On Sunday night, Sept 16th, she was paralyzed, and never spoke or apparently knew anything until her death a week later.
Dr Smith, of Altavista, her children, her aged husband, and neighbors and friends did all that loving hands could do, but death claimed its own.
She was born and reared at Chalk Level, in Pittsylvania county. Before marriage, she was a Miss Shields. She was married sixty years ago last February, having married in 1857. They had six living children, 43 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. The living children are, Messrs John A and J B Roark, of Altavista; Mr Sherman Roark, of Level Run; Mrs Virginia Short, of Hurt; Mrs D A Walker, who lived on an adjoining farm to her father’s, and Mrs Sallie Hurt Adams, of Spencer, NC.
Mrs Roark had been a member of the Methodist Church for 36 years, and had she lived until the third of next month would have been 82 years old. She was devoted in her church and to the cause of Christ.
She was laid to rest in the family burial ground on Monday afternoon, after religious services held in the home by her pastor, Rev W L Mays, assisted by Mr John Allen, a lifelong friend of the family.
The pall bearers were six of her grandsons -- Messrs James Roark, James Adams, Dodson Short, Parker Short, Burt Short, and Thomas [?]. Friends from every direction brought beautiful flowers, one of the most beautiful of which was a wreath presented by the Red Men of Altavista.
Research
Her Obituary and source 404 have her being born in Pittsylvania Co at Chalk Level, however, there are enough contrary pieces of data to keep listing Halifax Co for now. [[PDA 3-Jan-03]]
Spouses
Burial29 Nov 1921, Pittsylvania Co, VA
RemarksDeath Certificate, Will
FatherLittleberry E ROARK (1798-1845)
MotherLocky BURNETT (1805->1880)
Misc. Notes
The Roarks had ten children. When his first three children were small, James left to fight in the Civil War.23
The land where Roark Mill sat on Sycamore Creek was purchased by Wyatt Walker from James Irby of the prominent Jacobville family. He purchased additional land in the vicinity from David Pigg. Apparently Wyatt was in partnership with his brother Henry at the time, and in 1850 they made application to erect a dam on Sycamore Creek (Deed Book 4, page 452). It appears that they did not build a dam then, but filed another application for the same with the County Court in 1854 (Court Record Book 42, page 295).
A visit to this millsite leads one to believe that all grist mills should have been built in such a place. The gorge on Sycamore Creek is steep and narrow there and the foliage along the bank is rich and varied. The stark imposing old chimneys, that tower above the ruins of the abandoned village of Jacobville, stand like sentinels on the ridge stretching up the right bank.
When the Walkers owned this mill on Sycamore Creek, it was known in county records as a “grist and sawmill”. The next owner made it much more than that. John Motley purchased it on the eve of the Civil War, and like many Southerners, his fortunes did not survive the carnage and Reconstruction. When his bankruptcy administrator sold it to James Roark, the deed read: “...a tract of 80 acres of land lying on Sycamore Creek in Pittsylvania County with a grist mill, a sawmill, a cotton machine and half of a wool carding machine attached to, and situated on, said tract at the price of $2500”. The date was January 11, 1871.
It appears that the mill had an idle period during its final years under Motley. The reason for this supposition is that the laws regulating grist mills specified that in certain cases, a mill out of service for three or more years required a renewal of the permit before resuming operations (Henings Statutes). For whatever reason or necessity, James Roark applied for a permit to operate a mill on Sycamore Creek in 1877 (Court Record Book 53, page 110).
Roark passed away around 1920 and a map of his mill property was upgraded by County Engineer E B Fitzgerald upon the settlement of his estate. The sketch was based on an 1881 survey made for Roark by N Eaton Coleman. The mill went up for auction after his[Roark’s] passing and the purchaser was Dollie Walker for $2050 on April 1, 1924. The title remained in her name until 1932, although she died in 1927. The mill apparently never operated again.159
The old mill at Jacobsville beside Sycamore Creek was built by the Motley's and when they left this section, it was sold to James E Roark. Thus it was known as Motley Mill, Roark's Mill, and also Jacobsville Mill. This was a Roark family operation that included a mill, tavern, general store, blacksmith's shop, still, and post office (built across the road). A supply of liquor from their still kept the inn stocked with spirits and the owner's trips to Lynchburg kept the residents supplied with home remedies, hardware, and household items. There was also an adjacent orchard and tobacco plantation.23
When James build his house, the house which stood on top of the hill at Jacobsville in 1984, he insulated it with sawdust from his mill. It was great protection from rats and kept the house nice and warm. In later years, however, when the dwelling settled, the sawdust began to seep out from between the timbers and became a bit messy.23
Roark Mill was sold to the Rufus Walkers to settle the estate after the death of James Roark. It was last operated in 1922. Rufus, in damming up the creek and repairing the wheel to put it back into operation, met with an unfortunate accident and was killed. The mill was never operated again. It crumbled, under tall timbers across the road from a boarded up shack.23
He ran a saw mill, a grist mill, a store, a bar room. The mail was brougt to his store, the farmers would ride horseback to his store on weekends and pick up their mail.106
Maggie Brown, an old lady run a boarding house in Motley, VA. She said the first time she ever saw him (James Edward Roark) got off a passenger train and stayed at her house. He found out that this farm was for sale and bought it from Levi Angel, that's where he lived until his death.106
The place was called Jacobsville before the mill was built. Then it was called Roark Mill.106
Death Certificate indicates that he was 84 years old, which is not consistent with his birth year (off by one year).94
We stopped at a house near where the Roark mill was and asked the people who lived there if they knew where a cemetery might be that had the graves of James Edward Roark and Tabitha Shields. The man remembered seeing a "Roark" cemetery over the hill from where he lived. He took us about where he thought it was and YES it was there! I can't express in writing how excited Patty and I were when we found it!!!!!! The tombstone read (in part)145
--------------------------------------------
JAMES E. ROARK
Born Sept. 6, 1838
Died Nov. 28, 1921
They were married Feb. 4, 1857
“Thy memory shall ever be
A guiding star to heaven”
-------------------------------------------------145
1870 Census:158
Roark James E. 32 Farmer (Could not read or write)
Tabitha 34 Keeping house (Could not read or write)
Virginia 11
Ella S. 9
Dolly A. 7
Nancy E. 5
John A. 3
1880 VA Census, Pittsylvania Co, Staunton Magisterial District, Enumeration Dist 174, p 44, household 401160
ROARK, James E 42 M
Tabitha 44 F
Virginia F 20 F
Ella /Ellie S 18 F
Dolly A 16 F
Nancy E 13 F
John A 12 M
James B 8 M
Sallie H 4 F
Lockey 75 F (mother)
1900 Census, dwelling 149:160,326
ROARK, James E born Sept 1839 61 Farmer Married 43 yrs
Tabithy born Oct 1837 62 10 children, 6 living
Robert S born Aug 1883 16
Short, Emma B born April 1881 19 (can’t make out relationship)
Pittsylvania County Sawmills in 1880 Inventory.
Sawmill Owner and Location - James Roark, Sycamore Creek
Capital Investment - 400
Dollar Value of Logs (Raw Material) sawed annually - 1,200
Value of Finished Product (Lumber) Sold Annually - 2,000
Board Feet of Lumber Sawed Annually in 1000s - 200
Average number of employees - 8
Average employee pay - $.75/day
Number of saws in operation - 1
Power source - Water
DEED, Pittsylvania County, Deed Book 106, p 558 (10-Sep-1896)
Made the 8 day of September 1893 between Jas E Roark and Tabitha E Roark his wife, and Daniel Martin, Sr and Daniel Martin, Jr.
For $175, approximately 17 and half acres of land, described as follows:
“Commencing on the north bank of Sycamore Creek at a new corner on J D Greens line, thence running north with Greens line to a corner pine in J L Hurt’s line thence running with J L Hurts line to a corner to be designated by a surveyor so as to run from said Hurts line equi distant to Sycamore Creek from Greens & Hurts line on the east so as to give to said Martins seventeen acres and one half acres, thence running up said Creek as it meanders to the beginning, it being apart of the land formerly owned by Mrs Luck (deceased)”
Certified by D R Snow, Justice of the County
(Snow makes a point to describe that he met individually with both Jas E Roark and Tabitha and made sure that Tabitha understood what she was doing)
Recorded in the County Court, Pittsylvania County, on 10-Sep-1896 at 6:15pm, by W B Shepherd, Clerk
[copy of the full deed in possession of Doug Arbuckle]
LAND TRANSACTIONS LISTED IN PITTSYLVANIA RECORDS (in addition to above)
22-Nov-1901, James E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to John A Roark, gift, Pittsylvania Deed Book 114, p162
6-Feb-1902, Jas E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Emily Martin et al, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 114, p 391
25?-Jan-1904, J E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 118, p 89
6-Aug-1906, “By Comr” et al, James E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Edward A Nangle, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 123, p 280
27-Apr-1911, James E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Daniel Martin, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 135, p 146
21-Aug-1911, James E Roark and Tabitha to James B Roark, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 136, p 38
15-Jul-1912, James E Roark to James L Tredway (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 138, p 516
23-Aug-1912, J E Roark to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 139, p 170
25-May-1913, J E Roark to James L Tredway (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 141, p 327
14-Mar-1916, J E Roark to Margie Martin, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 149, p 340
24-Jun-1916, James E Roark to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 150, p 161
4-Jul-1916, James E Roark to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 150, p 190
2-Dec-1921, J E (Estate) by J A (Admr), List of Heirs, Pittsylvania Deed Book 170, p 452
WILL OF J E ROARK (Pittsylvania Co Will Book 6, 1921-7)
this is my will J E Roark
I hereby appoint my son J A Roark as administrator of my Estate both personal and Real and I furthermore authorize and empower him or his agents to setel all just claims that may appear against me and to collect all debts tat are due me. I first direct him to sell my stock of horses, cow and hogs with the exception of the choice colt for my son R S Roark, then 2 choice horses for my wife Tabbitha Roark 2 cows 4 hogs for my wife. I hereby leave all my household and kitchen furniture to my wife Tabbitha Roark her Life with the privilige of dividing it among our children at her death as she sees fit. I then direct J A Roark to sell first the three tract of land bught by me of Dr Walter Naugh (Vaugh?) and J W Molley either in part or as a whole to satisfy Debt due W J Overbey (Ovesbey?) and Deates due John A Roark for money Lent me and Deats he paide off and hold my Bonds aginst me J E Roark. I want him to have all of hisou dets that I ow him if the 3 tract of Land dont pay the Deates to sell the Sally Farmer Place and if that dont bringe enuf then sell part of the Angel Place or enuf to pay the dets and to hold the mill for the support of my wife Tabbitha Roark her Life at her Death the Mill to bee sold and divided equally among my children and my olde-grand child to have 1/2 half ashare withe the children when devided up the Place Bought of J L Hurt is John A Roark if he pay hurt for it I never pay room on it and he is to have it when paide for and the wright is to bee made to him. I have now claim in it if any of the children want to sell thare share in the mill while my wife is Living they can sell to one another but but not to hav but sides tis is my will and Last Resquest.
Sine Sept 26-1899 James E Roark
Witnesses W D Saunders
W H Short
Virginia: In the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court for the County of Pittsylvania, at the Courthouse thereof on Friday the 2nd day of December 1921.
The last will and testament of James E Roark late of the County of Pittsylvania deceased, was this day proved by the oath of W H Short one of the subscribing witnesses thereto that said will was signed and acknowledged by the Testator in the presence of himself and W D Saunders the other subscribing witness thereto present at the same time, that they the said witnesses subscribed the said will in the presence of the Testator and of each other, and therefore it is ordered that the said will be recorded as the true last will and testament of the said James E Roark deceased. And on motion of J A Roark the only Executor named in said will who made oath as the law directs, and with the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland by W M Tredway, Jr, its agent and Attorney in fact as his security, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of One thousand dollars with conditioned according to law, certificate is granted the said J A Roark for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.
Teste: S S Hurt, Clerk
(photocopy of this Will in possession of Doug Arbuckle [Roark file])
The land where Roark Mill sat on Sycamore Creek was purchased by Wyatt Walker from James Irby of the prominent Jacobville family. He purchased additional land in the vicinity from David Pigg. Apparently Wyatt was in partnership with his brother Henry at the time, and in 1850 they made application to erect a dam on Sycamore Creek (Deed Book 4, page 452). It appears that they did not build a dam then, but filed another application for the same with the County Court in 1854 (Court Record Book 42, page 295).
A visit to this millsite leads one to believe that all grist mills should have been built in such a place. The gorge on Sycamore Creek is steep and narrow there and the foliage along the bank is rich and varied. The stark imposing old chimneys, that tower above the ruins of the abandoned village of Jacobville, stand like sentinels on the ridge stretching up the right bank.
When the Walkers owned this mill on Sycamore Creek, it was known in county records as a “grist and sawmill”. The next owner made it much more than that. John Motley purchased it on the eve of the Civil War, and like many Southerners, his fortunes did not survive the carnage and Reconstruction. When his bankruptcy administrator sold it to James Roark, the deed read: “...a tract of 80 acres of land lying on Sycamore Creek in Pittsylvania County with a grist mill, a sawmill, a cotton machine and half of a wool carding machine attached to, and situated on, said tract at the price of $2500”. The date was January 11, 1871.
It appears that the mill had an idle period during its final years under Motley. The reason for this supposition is that the laws regulating grist mills specified that in certain cases, a mill out of service for three or more years required a renewal of the permit before resuming operations (Henings Statutes). For whatever reason or necessity, James Roark applied for a permit to operate a mill on Sycamore Creek in 1877 (Court Record Book 53, page 110).
Roark passed away around 1920 and a map of his mill property was upgraded by County Engineer E B Fitzgerald upon the settlement of his estate. The sketch was based on an 1881 survey made for Roark by N Eaton Coleman. The mill went up for auction after his[Roark’s] passing and the purchaser was Dollie Walker for $2050 on April 1, 1924. The title remained in her name until 1932, although she died in 1927. The mill apparently never operated again.159
The old mill at Jacobsville beside Sycamore Creek was built by the Motley's and when they left this section, it was sold to James E Roark. Thus it was known as Motley Mill, Roark's Mill, and also Jacobsville Mill. This was a Roark family operation that included a mill, tavern, general store, blacksmith's shop, still, and post office (built across the road). A supply of liquor from their still kept the inn stocked with spirits and the owner's trips to Lynchburg kept the residents supplied with home remedies, hardware, and household items. There was also an adjacent orchard and tobacco plantation.23
When James build his house, the house which stood on top of the hill at Jacobsville in 1984, he insulated it with sawdust from his mill. It was great protection from rats and kept the house nice and warm. In later years, however, when the dwelling settled, the sawdust began to seep out from between the timbers and became a bit messy.23
Roark Mill was sold to the Rufus Walkers to settle the estate after the death of James Roark. It was last operated in 1922. Rufus, in damming up the creek and repairing the wheel to put it back into operation, met with an unfortunate accident and was killed. The mill was never operated again. It crumbled, under tall timbers across the road from a boarded up shack.23
He ran a saw mill, a grist mill, a store, a bar room. The mail was brougt to his store, the farmers would ride horseback to his store on weekends and pick up their mail.106
Maggie Brown, an old lady run a boarding house in Motley, VA. She said the first time she ever saw him (James Edward Roark) got off a passenger train and stayed at her house. He found out that this farm was for sale and bought it from Levi Angel, that's where he lived until his death.106
The place was called Jacobsville before the mill was built. Then it was called Roark Mill.106
Death Certificate indicates that he was 84 years old, which is not consistent with his birth year (off by one year).94
We stopped at a house near where the Roark mill was and asked the people who lived there if they knew where a cemetery might be that had the graves of James Edward Roark and Tabitha Shields. The man remembered seeing a "Roark" cemetery over the hill from where he lived. He took us about where he thought it was and YES it was there! I can't express in writing how excited Patty and I were when we found it!!!!!! The tombstone read (in part)145
--------------------------------------------
JAMES E. ROARK
Born Sept. 6, 1838
Died Nov. 28, 1921
They were married Feb. 4, 1857
“Thy memory shall ever be
A guiding star to heaven”
-------------------------------------------------145
1870 Census:158
Roark James E. 32 Farmer (Could not read or write)
Tabitha 34 Keeping house (Could not read or write)
Virginia 11
Ella S. 9
Dolly A. 7
Nancy E. 5
John A. 3
1880 VA Census, Pittsylvania Co, Staunton Magisterial District, Enumeration Dist 174, p 44, household 401160
ROARK, James E 42 M
Tabitha 44 F
Virginia F 20 F
Ella /Ellie S 18 F
Dolly A 16 F
Nancy E 13 F
John A 12 M
James B 8 M
Sallie H 4 F
Lockey 75 F (mother)
1900 Census, dwelling 149:160,326
ROARK, James E born Sept 1839 61 Farmer Married 43 yrs
Tabithy born Oct 1837 62 10 children, 6 living
Robert S born Aug 1883 16
Short, Emma B born April 1881 19 (can’t make out relationship)
Pittsylvania County Sawmills in 1880 Inventory.
Sawmill Owner and Location - James Roark, Sycamore Creek
Capital Investment - 400
Dollar Value of Logs (Raw Material) sawed annually - 1,200
Value of Finished Product (Lumber) Sold Annually - 2,000
Board Feet of Lumber Sawed Annually in 1000s - 200
Average number of employees - 8
Average employee pay - $.75/day
Number of saws in operation - 1
Power source - Water
DEED, Pittsylvania County, Deed Book 106, p 558 (10-Sep-1896)
Made the 8 day of September 1893 between Jas E Roark and Tabitha E Roark his wife, and Daniel Martin, Sr and Daniel Martin, Jr.
For $175, approximately 17 and half acres of land, described as follows:
“Commencing on the north bank of Sycamore Creek at a new corner on J D Greens line, thence running north with Greens line to a corner pine in J L Hurt’s line thence running with J L Hurts line to a corner to be designated by a surveyor so as to run from said Hurts line equi distant to Sycamore Creek from Greens & Hurts line on the east so as to give to said Martins seventeen acres and one half acres, thence running up said Creek as it meanders to the beginning, it being apart of the land formerly owned by Mrs Luck (deceased)”
Certified by D R Snow, Justice of the County
(Snow makes a point to describe that he met individually with both Jas E Roark and Tabitha and made sure that Tabitha understood what she was doing)
Recorded in the County Court, Pittsylvania County, on 10-Sep-1896 at 6:15pm, by W B Shepherd, Clerk
[copy of the full deed in possession of Doug Arbuckle]
LAND TRANSACTIONS LISTED IN PITTSYLVANIA RECORDS (in addition to above)
22-Nov-1901, James E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to John A Roark, gift, Pittsylvania Deed Book 114, p162
6-Feb-1902, Jas E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Emily Martin et al, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 114, p 391
25?-Jan-1904, J E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 118, p 89
6-Aug-1906, “By Comr” et al, James E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Edward A Nangle, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 123, p 280
27-Apr-1911, James E Roark and Tabitha (wf) to Daniel Martin, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 135, p 146
21-Aug-1911, James E Roark and Tabitha to James B Roark, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 136, p 38
15-Jul-1912, James E Roark to James L Tredway (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 138, p 516
23-Aug-1912, J E Roark to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 139, p 170
25-May-1913, J E Roark to James L Tredway (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 141, p 327
14-Mar-1916, J E Roark to Margie Martin, sold, Pittsylvania Deed Book 149, p 340
24-Jun-1916, James E Roark to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 150, p 161
4-Jul-1916, James E Roark to Joseph Whitehead (Trustee), Trust, Pittsylvania Deed Book 150, p 190
2-Dec-1921, J E (Estate) by J A (Admr), List of Heirs, Pittsylvania Deed Book 170, p 452
WILL OF J E ROARK (Pittsylvania Co Will Book 6, 1921-7)
this is my will J E Roark
I hereby appoint my son J A Roark as administrator of my Estate both personal and Real and I furthermore authorize and empower him or his agents to setel all just claims that may appear against me and to collect all debts tat are due me. I first direct him to sell my stock of horses, cow and hogs with the exception of the choice colt for my son R S Roark, then 2 choice horses for my wife Tabbitha Roark 2 cows 4 hogs for my wife. I hereby leave all my household and kitchen furniture to my wife Tabbitha Roark her Life with the privilige of dividing it among our children at her death as she sees fit. I then direct J A Roark to sell first the three tract of land bught by me of Dr Walter Naugh (Vaugh?) and J W Molley either in part or as a whole to satisfy Debt due W J Overbey (Ovesbey?) and Deates due John A Roark for money Lent me and Deats he paide off and hold my Bonds aginst me J E Roark. I want him to have all of hisou dets that I ow him if the 3 tract of Land dont pay the Deates to sell the Sally Farmer Place and if that dont bringe enuf then sell part of the Angel Place or enuf to pay the dets and to hold the mill for the support of my wife Tabbitha Roark her Life at her Death the Mill to bee sold and divided equally among my children and my olde-grand child to have 1/2 half ashare withe the children when devided up the Place Bought of J L Hurt is John A Roark if he pay hurt for it I never pay room on it and he is to have it when paide for and the wright is to bee made to him. I have now claim in it if any of the children want to sell thare share in the mill while my wife is Living they can sell to one another but but not to hav but sides tis is my will and Last Resquest.
Sine Sept 26-1899 James E Roark
Witnesses W D Saunders
W H Short
Virginia: In the Clerk’s Office of the Circuit Court for the County of Pittsylvania, at the Courthouse thereof on Friday the 2nd day of December 1921.
The last will and testament of James E Roark late of the County of Pittsylvania deceased, was this day proved by the oath of W H Short one of the subscribing witnesses thereto that said will was signed and acknowledged by the Testator in the presence of himself and W D Saunders the other subscribing witness thereto present at the same time, that they the said witnesses subscribed the said will in the presence of the Testator and of each other, and therefore it is ordered that the said will be recorded as the true last will and testament of the said James E Roark deceased. And on motion of J A Roark the only Executor named in said will who made oath as the law directs, and with the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland by W M Tredway, Jr, its agent and Attorney in fact as his security, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of One thousand dollars with conditioned according to law, certificate is granted the said J A Roark for obtaining a probate of the said will in due form.
Teste: S S Hurt, Clerk
(photocopy of this Will in possession of Doug Arbuckle [Roark file])
Marriage3 Feb 1858, Pittsylvania Co, VA199
Marr Memoalt date: 4-Feb-1857
Misc. Notes
The IGI (International Genealogical Index, see www.familysearch.org) lists the marriage date as 1-Feb-1858, but at this time I think it is incorrect. [[PDA 20-May-2000]]
Source 404 has marriage as 4-Feb-1857.
Source 404 has marriage as 4-Feb-1857.
ChildrenVirginia Fitzroy “Jenny” (1858-1937)
Ella Susan (1860-1899)
Dollie Ann (1863-1931)
Nancy Elizabeth (1866-<1900)
John Anderson (1868-1951)
James Braxton (1872-1962)
William (Died before age 25) (1874-<1900)
Sallie Hurt (1875-1937)
Lottie D (Died before age 25) (>1880-<1900)
Robert Sherman (1883-1961)