John Wesley "Holly Creek John" Mullins, Jr.

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Mullins-1495

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64659784

http://vagenweb.org/lee/HSpubl59.htm

Holly Creek John Mullins of Dickenson Co., VA

John Mullins, Jr. was the son of “Revolutionary” John Mullins. Holly Creek John's mother's name is unproven with some descendants claiming Jennie Bailey while others claim Mollie Brandon. The Dickenson County descendants generally claim Jennie Bailey as “Holly Creek” John’s mother.

"Holly Creek" John was born about 1785 in Yancy County, North Carolina, and died September 19, 1859 in present day Clintwood, Dickenson County Virginia. According to granddaughter Nancy Mullins, John died in the field while he was setting up tops. He married OLLIE COX (b. ? d. 22 Jan 1876) about 1809 in Yancy County, North Carolina, a daughter of DAVID COX. Later in life John, was known as "Holly Creek John" in recognition of his being the first permanent settler on Holly Creek now known as Clintwood in Dickenson County, Virginia.

In 1810, John and Ollie were living on the north side of the Toe River in what was then Burke County, North Carolina. In 1819, they sold 200 acres that Ollie had inherited to James Bailey. Between 1820 and 1830, John traveled extensively in East Kentucky, East Tennessee, and Southwest Virginia on hunting expeditions. During these years, he visited his brother, James "Dr. Jim" Mullins who was living in Southwest Virginia. While there, John laid claim to a parcel of land in the western section of Russell County (now Dickenson County), Virginia.

In the spring of 1829, John Mullins along with his daughter, Mary, and sons, David and Solomon, traveled to Holly Creek where they found a deserted cabin and began clearing land for gardens. Family tradition says John returned to North Carolina for the rest of the family leaving Mary and the boys alone in the cabin. While their father was gone, the boys went to visit family in Kentucky leaving Mary, then age 14 or 15 alone. The area was wild at this time, and tradition says bears, wolves, and painters (panthers or wildcats) roamed around the cabin at night. Family tradition further states that a big harricane (hurricane) or snow storm (according to some) came up and prevented JohnÂ’s return for a prolonged period of time ranging from 2 weeks to several months. For this reason, Mary is honored as the first Pioneer Lady of Dickenson County. John eventually brought Ollie and all of their children except Kizzie (who had married Lewis Cook and remained in North Carolina) to Holly Creek.

According to granddaughter Nancy Mullins, “the Mullins was mixed with the Indians. I have heard it said that Grandpa John was about one-fourth Indian.” John and his brothers, Solomon and Dr. Jim, had a reputation for making counterfeit money. This claim of Indian ancestry (which has not been verified), reputation for metalworking, migration from North Carolina to Southwest Virginia, and swarthy appearance have led many to conclude that John and his descendants were of Melungeon heritage.

Late in his life, Revolutionary John Mullins joined his son's household on Holly Creek and is buried in Dickenson County.