Rebecca Smith

married Samuel Duff June 13, 1791

children:

Rees Bowen DUFF b: 2 Aug 1794

Samuel Jr. DUFF b: Abt 1796

They had several children, according to papers filed in Washington Co., Virginia courthouse, she left Samuel "to live in sin with Brittain Smith in 1804. She took 1 female slave, $200 and a grey mare, all of which he sued for their return to him." Her husband took her to court for the return of his property on 24 Mar 1806.

Event: Fact 24 Mar 1806 Samuel Duff Files Petition Seeking Return Of Property Taken By Wife Rebeckah Bowen Duff

Rebecca Bowen, daughter of John and Lilly (McIlhaney)Bowen had Rebecca (Rhys) Bowen as a grandmother on her father's side on her mother's side Jane ( ? )McIlhaney Hunter.

Rebecca (Bowen) Duff, packed up the household goods and left her husband behind. She married Briton/Brittain Smith/Smyth without benefit of a divorce.

Rees Bowen (who was Danial Boon's contemparary) had a daughter by the name of Rebecca (1758-1829) and she was first married to Samuel Duff, then married Brittan Smith related to her mother's side of the family.

Note: according to The Early Settlers of Lee County, Virginia and Adjacent Counties , which has been and excellent source, Samuel Duff married Rebecca Dryden in 1791 and had two children, Samuel Duff Jr. and Rees Bowen Duff. Other sources claimed that Samuel Duff married a Rebecca Bowen the daughter of Rees and Lily McIlhaney Bowen.

The latter made more sense since their child was named Rees Bowen Duff. The problem was that some published Washington County marriage record books also claim that Samuel married Rebecca Dryden. That may have also been the source in error for Early Settlers of Lee County. Also Samuel listed "my good friend Henry Bowen of Tazewell County" as Executor in his will. I assume Henry is Rees Bowen's brother and Rebecca's uncle Henry Bowen.

It took much seaching and with the help of the Washington County, Virginia Historical Society, Mrs. Blackwell of Reliance, WY, a descendant of Rees Bowen, and Mrs. Bonnie Duff Smith of Longview Texas, a descendant of Samuel Duff I have been able to conclude to my own satisfaction that Samuel Duff did indeed marry Rebecca Bowen, not Dryden. The fact that Samuel Duff married Rebecca Bowen is published in the Bowens of Virginia and Tennessee Vol II by Jamie Ault Grady, in Marriages of Washington Co, VA 1781-1853 by D.E. Brown and the Latter Day Saints, Family History Center records

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 5 2021, 7:48:42 UTC