John (Harpin Creek) Turley

Thomas Greene was orphaned at about 10 years old when his father, Jarvis Green, died in the Revolutionary War. He was raised by Thomas Turley. Though his name had been inadvertently written as Thomas Grene Turley, the error was corrected leaving the license to read ‘Thomas Green’.

Not the same as John (Smith Creek) Turley, Sr.

Biography

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Turley-470

John Turley was born circa 1750 in or around Pittsylvania County, VA and died in Pittsylvania County, VA circa 1813.

Cautionary Note: this John Turley should NOT be confused with John Turley of Smith Creek, Kanawha County, VA (WV), who live to the age 0f 100 and who died after 1850. For years, various internet family trees have confused these two men. It is believed that they both married a woman named Martha (sometimes Patsy or Martha Patsy), although there is confusion as to which Martha is which.

”Personal note: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Fogelman-27 Since 1999, when the internet of things began to explode genealogically speaking, various family members have strived to make sense of John, John, John, John Jacob, and Margaret, Patsy, Patsey, Margaret Patsey, Molly, and Margaret Molly Patsey Turley. It's not been easy. Sadly, many family trees were copied and pasted as if they were truth, all or most without sources, and few with any kind of logic or real curiosity at work. …

Marriage

John is believed to have married a Martha "Patsy" or Martha "Molly", or Molly last name unknown circa 1765 / 1775. It is possible, but not proven, that her last name was Fogelman, although this may be the surname of Martha Turley of Smith Creek, Kanawha. Much work remains.

Death

WILL OF JOHN TURLEY(Of Harpen Creek) Note Harpen Creek is not a town but an actual creek which flows through Pittsylvania County, Virginia. The location of John Turley's home along the creek is unknown.

Pittsylvania County D & W Book 9 page 3832-383 November 22, 1813 pr December 21, 1813

[Edited for clarity.]

John Turley, farmer, being sick and weak but of perfect mind and memory [leaves] to my daughter Janey Russell a bed and sheets. To my daughter Nancy Barber, pewter dishes. To my son James Turley my black walnut cupboard. To my daughter Patsy Turley, my pine chest. To my son Rier Turley [Read as Zachariah] my stock of hogs, sheep, two cows, one mare, walnut table, one bed and corn crop, potters wheel, pots. To Molley Standeford the bed she lay upon while in my service and my cotton cards. Appoint worthy friend Pleasant Pharis executor.

Signed John X Turley

Wit: George Rorer, Thomas (his X mark) Wright, Joseph Taylor,

George Dasht and Thomas Wright security for executor."[1]

A power of attorney was given 16 October 1815 to Pleasent Pharis by the heirs:

"Know all men by these presents that we: Patsey Turley, Nancy Barber, John Turley, Zachariah Turley, Jane Russel, and James Turley have made Pleasent Pharis, Executor of John Turley Sr., deceased, our true and lawful attorney.... to sell tract of land whereon the said John Turley, Senior died, which is mortgaged to John Smith.. and from the net proceeds such sale to pay and satisfy the said Smith...and the surplus to distribute amongest the undersigned Legetees.

Signed: John Turley Senior

Patsey X Turley, Nancy X Barber, Zachariah Turley,James X Turley, Jane X Russell.

Witnesses: Thomas Thompson, William Atkins, Thomas Wright, Robert Childress, Mary Childress, Daniel Ruffin.

Note Why does the document above state "Signed John Turley Senior" if he died in 1813? The simple answer would be that John Turley Jr. took the title of Sr. after his father's passing, but this is not confirmed.

On 2 November 1815 in Kanawha County Jane Russell came before me, Daniel Ruffner, Senr. Justice of the Peace for the County above named and acknowledged the above named to be her act and deed...."

Zachariah & Peggy (Childress) Turley had at least 7 children (2 sons and 5 daughters in the census). Peggy died sometime before Zach remarried in Kanawha Co., (W) VA, in 1828, to MARTHA (HANNA) DUNLAP, widow of John Dunlap.

Research Notes

Pittsylvania County was formed in 1767 from Halifax County