Descendants of Richard of Halifax

1. Richard, Constable of Halifax, Lester (Leister) (Lister), son of Unknown and Unknown, was born in 1387 in Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, England and died after 1427 in Yorkshire, England.

General Notes: Shibden Hall was built in 1420. The Lister (Leister, Leicester, and [US] Lester) family was well established as tenants, and later as land owners, in Halifax and Hull.

By the time Thomas Leister was born on 15 May 1586. Thomas's grandfather (Samuel Leister, b. 1507 in Yorkshire) was a cloth merchant and tenant at Shibden Hall. Samuel was the great-grandson of Richard, Constable of Halifax)

Thomas Lister, son of Samuel Lister, inherited Shibden. Thomas Lister's brother, James George, was the father of Thomas Leister, who immigrated to the Colony of James City in 1620.

Today the hall reflects this continual development. The Folk Museum that shows how craftsmen worked in the 19th century. Shibden Hall, Lister's Road, Halifax, West Yorkshire HX3 6XG

+ 2 M i. William Lester (Leister) (Lister) was born in 1427 in Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, England and died after 1469 in Yorkshire, England.

Second Generation

+ 3 M i. John Lester (Leister) (Lister) was born in 1469 in Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, England and died after 1507 in Yorkshire, England.

Third Generation

3. John Lester (Leister) (Lister) was born in 1469 in Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, England and died after 1507 in Yorkshire, England.

+ 4 M i. Samuel Lester (Leister) (Lister) was born in 1507 in Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, England and died after 1548 in Yorkshire, England.

Fourth Generation

+ 5 M i. James Lester (Leister) (Lister) was born in 1548 in Yorkshire County, England and died after 1586 in Yorkshire, England.

Fifth Generation

+ 6 M i. Thomas Lester (Leister) (Lister) was born on 15 May 1586 in Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, England and died after 1635 in Virginia.

Sixth Generation

General Notes: A New Arrival
When Thomas Leister arrived aboard the ship "Abigaile" he was about 33 years old. His name at that time was spelled, in separate records "Lister" and "Leister", but due to the Sussex [England] twang, pronounced "Laster." The name "Lester" appears almost at once in records, and the name continued with this Anglicized version.

In the book "This Old Free State, History of Lunenburg County and Southside Virginia" first published in 1927 we find that the name LESTER. "This spelling of the name is a corruption of Lister (Leicester). The original form of the spelling is not found very often in America, and so far as has been discovered, was never used by the family in Lunenburg, nor indeed in Virginia. The name is sometimes spelled Lister or Leister or Lester."

Thomas Leister (Lester) was associated in the Colony of James City with Dr. John Potts. Several records are available. Hotten's Lists show that in February 1623 Thomas Leister, age 33 was a resident of James City, Virginia.

From the William and Mary Quarterly:
...Thomas Leister was the son of James, son of Samuel, son of William, son of Richard of Halifax, Constable of Halifax, 1412 and the largest rent payer to the prior of Lewes in 1439. On 5 Oct 1452 Richard of Halifax surrendered land in Northowram to his son William.

Further information was drawn from an extensive database of individuals (>170,000) known to have been resident in the Wharfedale area of Yorkshire between 1600 and 1850; the majority of the information in turn being drawn directly from Parish Register and other directly transcripted materials.

He is listed on page 80 of the "impressively titled" book
"The Original Lists of Persons of Quality; Emigrants; Religious Exiles; Politacal Rebels; Serving Men Sold for a Term of Years; Apprentices; Children Stolen; Maidens Pressed; And Others Who Went from Great Britain to the American Plantations 1600-1700. With Their Ages, The Localities Where They Formerly Lived In The Mother Country, the Names of The Ships In Which They Embarked and Other Interesting Particulars. From Mss. Preserved in the State Paper Department of Her Majesty's Public Record Office. England."

And this on page 102 of the same long-titled book:

The MUSTER of DOCTOR POTTS' men in the MAINE. James' Citty.

THOMAS LEISTER, aged 33 years.}
ROGER STANLEY, aged 27 " }
THOMAS PRITCHARD, aged 28 " }
HENRY CROCKER, aged 34 " } Came in the ABIGAILE, 1620.
THOMAS CROSSE, aged 22 " }
JOHN TRYE, aged 20 " }
WALTER BEARE, aged 28 " }
RANDALL HOLT, aged 18 years, in the GEORGE, 1620.
The rest of his servants, provisions, amunition, &c., at JAMES' CITTY.

Dr. John Pott, with Elizabeth his wife settled at James City or Jamestown. Dr. Potts was physician to the Colony, and he served as a Member of Council and was Governor of the Colony for some time.

Thomas Leister is in the muster rolls for the Colony in 1624.

Massacre, Epidemics, and Poisoned Beer
In the Massacre of 1622 Indians in tribal confederation attacked all English settlements in attempt to drive English away.

"The Pamunkeys were the most powerful tribe over whom Powhatan ruled . When Powhatan died in 1618 his half brother Opechancanough, who was already chief of the Pamunkeys, became grand sachem of the whole realm. Powhatan had tried appeasement with the English but Opechancanough had different ideas ... in 1622 [he] led his braves in the bloodiest uprising in the history of the colony.

His followers sacked James Town and to get rid of the savages the [Colonial Government] signed an agreement that no white man was to settle on the north side of the Pamunkey River. To put this agreement into effect the House of Burgesses passed an act which imposed the death penalty on any white man who [settled there] ..." (T. E. Campbell, Op. Cit., 8)

Three hundred and forty-seven English people were killed then. A list made the following February showed 1,277 people left alive in the colony.

On 20 Dec 1622 the Abigail arrived, not only bringing no food to replenish the losses from the massacre, but infecting the colony with a shipload of diseased survivors poisoned by one Jeffrey Dupper's contaminated, "stinking beere." The resulting plague and starvation reduce the colony to 500, as survivors desperately await the Abigail's companion-ship, Seaflower. It never arrived.

In May 1623 Captain Willam Tucker concludes peace negotiations with a Powhatan village by proposing a toast. The drink was laced with poison by Dr. John Potts. About 200 Powhatans die instantly. Fifty more were slaughtered.

On 18 April 1644 Powhatan's reputed half-brother, Opechancanough, orders a second Massacre throughout Virginia/Maryland region. Over 500 English killed. In October 1644 the captive Opechancanough is shot in the back by a resident in Jamestown.

In 1651 the first Indian Reservation created near Richmond, VA for the remnants of Pocahontas' people.

The Rise of Virginia
In June of 1606, King James I granted a charter to a group of London entrepreneurs, the Virginia Company, to establish a satellite English settlement in the Chesapeake region of North America. By December, 108 settlers sailed from London instructed to settle Virginia, find gold and a water route to the Orient.

On May 14, 1607, the Virginia Company explorers landed on Jamestown Island, to establish the Virginia English colony on the banks of the James River 60 miles from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

In 1619 the first General Assembly consisted of representatives from separate boroughs within the four corporations (Charles City, Elizabeth City, Henrico, and James City). On 30 July 1619 the first representative legislative assembly is held.

The General Assembly met in the choir of the Jamestown church from July 30-August 4 of 1619. The first law enacted stated that “…tobacco shall not be sold for under 3 shillings per pound.”

By 1619 Jamestown had exported 10 tons of tobacco to Europe and was a boomtown. The export business was going so well the colonists were able to afford two imports, which would greatly contribute to their productivity and quality of life: 20 Blacks from Africa and 90 women from England. The Africans were paid for in food; each woman cost 120 pounds of tobacco.

The Virginia Company lost its charter in May 1624, and Virginia became a royal province. A listing was made for the muster of men, and Thomas Leister was listed among the residents.
Virginia People, 1623/4
Settlers living at "James Cittye" in Virginia, February 16, 1623/4
…Leister, Thomas…
(Source: University of Virginia, “The Colony of James Cittye.”)

On 11 JAN 1639 King Charles I granted colonists the right to call their own General Assembly. Charles' ruling sets precedent of semi-self-rule for all British colonies.

The English concept of "city" with a bishop was outdated in Virginia by 1634, when the first counties were established. Three of the first eight Virginia counties had the term included in their name. This is especially confusing now. Virginia is unique in the United States in treating "cities" as independent political organizations, completely separate from counties.

In addition to being one of the first counties, Virginia's first two capitals - Jamestown and Williamsburg - were located in James City County. It's fair to say that James City County is the site of the oldest continuous government in English North America.

Thomas married Unknown about 1606 in Yorkshire County, England. Unknown was born before 1580 in York County, England.

Thomas next married Anne LEWES, daughter of John LEWES and Unknown, about 1630 in Colony Of James City, Virginia. Anne was born before 1613 and died after 1635 in Virginia.

Seventh Generation

+ 8 M i. Richard Lester was born in 1658 in Northampton County, VA and died Mar 1693 Colony of James City in Princess Ann County, VA at age 35.

Eighth Generation

8. Richard Lester was born in 1658 in Northampton County, VA and died Mar 1693 Colony of James City in Princess Ann County, VA at age 35.

Richard married Isabel Pettyjohn, daughter of James Pettyjohn and Isabel Unknown, on 11 Dec 1678 in Northampton County, VA. Isabel was born on 16 May 1660 in Hungar's Parish, VA.

+ 9 M i. Richard Lester was born in 1682 in Northampton County, VA and died about 1767 in Lunenburg Co. VA about age 85.

Ninth Generation

9. Richard Lester was born in 1682 in Northampton County, VA and died about 1767 in Lunenburg Co. VA about age 85.

Richard married Hannah Unknown. Hannah was born about 1700 and died after 1729 in Virginia.

+ 10 M i. William Bryant Lester was born in 1729 in Montgomery County, VA and died in 1796 in Lurenburg Co. VA at age 67.

Tenth Generation

10. William Bryant Lester was born in 1729 in Montgomery County, VA and died in 1796 in Lurenburg Co. VA at age 67.

General Notes: Bryant Lester (b. circa 1730-1735), appears in the records of Lunenburg County, about the time of the French and Indian Wars, and he rendered service during the conflict. In 1787 he was elected vestryman of Cumberland Parish.

He married about 1750 to Sarah Winbush. His will is dated May 25, 1795 and was probated June 9, 1796 in Lunenburg County, Va. From it the place of his residence appears to have been on Juniper Creek, where he owned a mill and a saw scaffold. Bryant Lester and his wife are buried there, about four miles from Lunenburg Court House.

It can be presumed that Thomas Leister [Lester] was Bryant's father because the time of Thomas' marriage fits the time line for the birth of Bryant, and other Lester lines do not fit the timeline. Also, William's brother Andrew's name was in keeping with the tradition of naming the second son after a grandsire (Richard Andrew Lester).

Another account of the Lester family reads:

"The Lester family has been in Virginia since the early years of the Colony. The first record of the name is found in a census taken February, 1623, to ascertain the losses by the Indian massacre of 1622, in which reference was made to Thomas Lester, thirty two years of age and a resident of James City." This was Thomas Leister (Lester), late of Shibden Hall, Yorkshire, England.

In 1637 James Lester came over and settled in York County. He was followed in 1643 by Ralph Lester, who settled in York County.

By the time of the Revolution the descendents of these Lesters in Virginia numbered fully twenty families, besides some who had gone into the Carolinas. In the revolution the Virginia Lesters were represented by half a dozen soldiers, viz., Alexander, Benjamin, Jeremiah, John, William, and Abner (a direct descendant of Thomas Leister).

In 1782 William Lester with a wife and one child was in Pittsylvania County, Virginia."

From "FTM Descendants of William Lester" by Dwaine S. Goodwin : "Early Adventures on the Western Waters" by Kegley "This Old Free State, History of Lunenburg Co. & Southside Va."

"...Bryant Lester was a soldier of the French and Indian Wars¹ or at least furnished supplies to the forces engaged in those wars. He was a vestryman of Cumberland Parish from 1786 to 1789 and died in Lunenburg County in 1796."

Bryant rendered service during the French & Indian Wars. In 1787 he was elected vestryman of Cumberland Parish. His residence was on Juniper Creek in Lunenburg Co. Va. He owned a Mill & saw scaffold. He and Sarah are buried about 4 miles from Lunenburg Court House. Info: "FTM Descendants of William Lester" by Dwaine S. Goodwin : "Early Adventures on the Western Waters" by Kegley "This Old Free State, History of Lunenburg Co. & Southside Va."

There is a genealogy of the descendants of Bryant Lester in The Old Free State, based largely on an account in Volume I of Southern Historical Association. Some of of those listed include Dr. Thomas McAdory Owen, of Alabama, who married Marie Susan Bankhead, a daughter of United States Senator John Hollis Bankhead, Speaker of the House. John Hollis Bankhead was a descendant of William Bryant Lester. Tullah Bankhead, the actress, is another daughter of the Senator.

William married Sarah Winbush about 1750 in Lurenburg County, VA. Sarah was born about 1731 and died after 1750 in Virginia.

+ 11 M i. Abner Lester was born on 8 Aug 1754 in Montgomery County, VA and died in Jul 1833 in Williamson County, TN at age 78.

Eleventh Generation

11. Abner Lester was born on 8 Aug 1754 in Montgomery County, VA and died in Jul 1833 in Williamson County, TN at age 78.

General Notes: Abner was one of the early pioneers of Fincastle Co. Va. He obtained 326
acres of land by grant in Montgomery Co. Va. on Meadow Creek, a branch of
Little River of the New River.

He lived there for several years. He moved to Russell Co. Va. prior to 1801. There on Aug. 24, 1801 he purchased 370 acres of land on the North Fork of Indian Creek.
On Aug. 17, 1804 he sold [some of] his land in Montgomery Co. to Henry Rupe for 200 Pounds. About 1809 he moved to Ky. On Oct 3, 1809 he sold his land in Russell Co. to Reddin Addison.

In 1832 Abner applied for a Revolutionary War Pension
Info: "Montgomery List of war Records Sworn of Captain Daniel Trigg Sept
9, 1777" : "Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol 1" by Kegley

Abner married Martha Arthur about 1767 in Montgomery County, VA. Martha was born about 1750 in Montgomery County, VA and died after 1770 in Virginia.

+ 12 M i. William C "Guilford" Lester was born on 3 Oct 1771 in Montgomery County, VA and died about 1843 in Tazewell County, VA about age 72.

13 M ii. James Lester was born in 1767 in Montgomery County, VA and died before Nov 1843 in Tazewell County, VA.

James married Mary ELSWICK, daughter of John ELSWICK and Milly Susan UNKNOWN, on 5 Jun 1792 in Botetourt Co., VA. Mary was born on 1 Oct 1769 in Virginia and died after 1780.

14 F iii. Hannah Lester was born on 1 Nov 1772 in Montgomery County, VA and died on 23 Aug 1856 in Carter County, KY at age 83.

Hannah married Edmund WHITT, son of Richard P. WHITT and Susannah SKAGGS, in 1802 in Tazewell County, VA. Edmund was born on 23 Mar 1767 in Montgomery County, VA and died in 1845 in Carter County, KY at age 78.

Hannah next married Jeremiah SKAGGS on 1 Nov 1788 in Montgomery County, VA. Jeremiah was born on 25 Oct 1766 in Montgomery County, VA and died in 1797 in Russell County, VA at age 31.

15 F iv. Martha Lester was born in 1773 in Montgomery County, VA and died on 3 Nov 1859 in Probate, Tazewell County, VA at age 86.

Martha married John DRAKE on 12 Feb 1793 in Montgomery County, VA. John was born in 1775 in Montgomery County, VA and died on 23 May 1820 in Laurel Creek, Tazewell County, VA at age 45.

+ 16 F v. Rebecca Arthur Lester was born on 9 Feb 1780 in Montgomery County, VA and died on 28 Jun 1854 in Sandy Valley, Carter County, KY at age 74.

Twelfth Generation

12. William C "Guilford" Lester was born on 3 Oct 1771 in Montgomery County, VA and died about 1843 in Tazewell County, VA about age 72.

General Notes: William owned land on the Big Sandy River in Logan and Tazewell Counties, Virginia.
He also owned land near what is now Mohawk, WV.

Index to the War of 1812 Pay Rolls & Muster Rolls: CATALOG CARD
Lester, Wm., Muster Rolls, p.149

Part of index to: Pay Rolls of Militia Entitled to Land Bounty Under the Act of Congress of Sept. 28, 1850 (Richmond, 1851) and: Muster Rolls of the Virginia Militia in the War of 1812 (Richmond, 1852) which supplements Pay Rolls. This collection is also available on microfilm. (United States -- History -- War of 1812 -- Registers. War of 1812 pay rolls and muster rolls.)

William married Rachel Skaggs Bishop, daughter of John Bishop and Ruth UNKNOWN, on 26 Mar 1786 in Montgomery County, VA. Rachel was born in 1768 and died in Montgomery County, VA.

Ruth married John JONES on 21 Dec 1806 in Tazewell County, VA. John was born in 1787 in Virginia.

Ruth next married Presley BLANKENSHIP on 4 Oct 1838 in Tazewell County, VA. Presley was born in 1800 in Virginia.

18 M ii. Banner "Friday" Lester was born in 1792 in Russell County, VA and died after 1873 in McDowell County, WV.

Banner married Rebecca WHITT, daughter of Abuja WHITT and Elizabeth Rebecca ELSWICK, in 1810 in Wyoming Co., WV. Rebecca was born in 1795 in Russell County, VA and died in 1844 in Tazewell County, VA at age 49.

Thomas next married Margaret Peggy DRAKE, daughter of John DRAKE and Martha LESTER. Margaret was born in 1806 in Virginia.

Dorcas married Zachariah BLANKENSHIP on 28 Aug 1824 in Floyd County, KY. Zachariah was born in 1780 in Virginia.

Hannah married Charles STATEN on 25 Feb 1808 in Floyd County, KY. Charles was born in 1789 in Kentucky.

25 M ix. James Lester was born in 1802 in Giles County, VA and died in Indiana.

James married Sidney PAYNE on 28 Aug 1824 in Pike Co, KY. Sidney was born in 1802 in Pike Co, KY.

+ 26 M x. John Vance Lester was born in 1809 in Tazewell County, VA and died in 1863 in Buchanan County, VA at age 54.

16. Rebecca Arthur Lester was born on 9 Feb 1780 in Montgomery County, VA and died on 28 Jun 1854 in Sandy Valley, Carter County, KY at age 74.

Rebecca married Travis HORTON on 4 Oct 1805 in Russell County, VA. Travis was born on 3 May 1779 in Stafford County, VA and died on 13 Aug 1848 in Sandy Valley, Carter County, KY at age 69.

31 M v. Rees HORTON was born on 18 Nov 1813 and died in 1871 in Carter County, KY at age 58.

Thirteenth Generation

26. John Vance Lester was born in 1809 in Tazewell County, VA and died in 1863 in Buchanan County, VA at age 54.

General Notes: John Vance Lester divorced Ruth Yates 24 Apr 1850 in Tazewell County, VA. He married Rachel Stiltner on 22 Oct 1850.

The Census of 1850 for Tazewell County, Virginia lists John V. Lester 40, Rachel 35, Polly 17, Elisha 13, Cynthia 10, Rebecca 11, Jacob 4, and Conly 2. (Polly/Mary m. DeWitt Clinton Blankenship). John Vance Lester's first wife, Ruth Yates, deserted him and at least one small child. During the years before his divorce, he and Rachel Stiltner co-habitated and he sired several children. Thus, the family legend that Elisha Lester was a bastard. Technically, he was born "out of lawful wedlock." but the fact that his parents married soon after John V. Lester's divorce, changed his birthright.

From the records of the Court of Tazewell County, Virginia:

To the Honorable Benjamin Estill, Judge of the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the County of Tazewell

The Bill of John V. Lester respectfully represents that in the year --- he intermarried with one Ruth Yates and lived with her for some years in the usual state of domestic happiness. Being very poor and destitute they were compelled to undergo many privations, but your orator at all times treated his wife kindly and affectionately and she needed nothing which it was in his power to procure Unfortunately however she became attached to one Robert Shortridge and finally she quitted her home, abandoned her husband, and deserted her infant children as they were of very tender years and the youngest only 15 or 18 months old.

The said Ruth has ever since continued to cohabit with the said Shortridge, by whom she has several children, and now lives with him in a state of open adultery, Your orator has recently been told that a law exists authorizing the Circuit Courts to grant divorces to relief under this law, your orator conceives that he is. He therefore prays that the said Ruth Lester be made defendant to this Bill, be made defendant to this Bill, that a decree be entered divorcing your orator from the bonds of matrimony, and that such proceedings be had as may most effectually dissolve all connection between your orator and a woman who has been the love of his life and is now a disgrace to her species (strike out) sex. May it please your honor to award and give this writ of special divorcement. (Signature not readable)

Mrs. Ruth Lester is hereby notified that on the 8th day of April 1850 at the house of Elijah Vance on the Louisa Fork of Sandy I shall take depositions of Jacob Stilton and others to be read as evidence in a suit now pending in the Circuit Superior Court of Law & Chancery for the county of Tazewell. Whereas the said John V. Lester is complainant & Rutha Lester is deft.

Tazewell County to Wit: On this day Jacob Stilton made oath before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, that on the 29th day of March 1850 to Ruth Lester given under my hand this 20 day of March 1850. (Signature not readable)

Tazewell County to Wit: On this day Jacob Stilton made oath before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, that on the 29th day of March 1850 he delivered a copy of the above notice to Ruth Lester given under my hand this 20 day of March 1850. (Signature not readable)

Depositions taken at the house of Elijah Vance on the Louisa fork of Sandy on the 8th day of April 1850 to be read as evidence on behalf of John V. Lester in a suit now pending in the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the County of Tazewell wherein the said John V. Lester is complaint and Rutha is deft.

RICHARD YATES a witness of lawful age being duly sworn deposith & saith; "In the fall of 1834 John V. Lester & Rutha his wife separated. Rutha then went to Dismal to Robert Shortridge & deposnent believes that she stayed on Dismal with Shortridge until the Spring of 1836 & left this county saying they were going to the state of Indiana & in the Spring of 1837 returned to this county before Rutha & Shortridge left for Indiana or after they returned, I was requested by Lester, the husband of Rutha to say to her that if she would leave Shortridge and come back to him he would still be with her & treat her as well as he, Lester was able, which he did, she replied by saying she would not live with him on Knox where Lester then lived or anywhere else, she has been living in this neighborhood ever since she returned from Indiana, but Shortridge & her had some difficulty sometime during the Spring or Summer after their return & Shortridge left this county & returned during the next --- and they, Shortridge & Rutha have been from that time until the present, living in the same house upon this River & in this county, has had several children but deposnant does not know how many, & deposnant believes that Father and Mother both live in the same house, deposnant also believes that Lester was willing & desirous to live with her". Richard Yates signed with a Mark.

Rebecca Deal (note.. Rebecca Deal is probably the half sister of John V. Lester) another witness of lawful age duly sworn deponeth and saith that she has been frequently about the house of Robert Shortridge who has two houses standing hear each other, has seen Rutha Lester and Shortridge some times in one house and some time in the other and frequently in each house together, has caught some four or five children for Rutha Lester the youngest one the fourth day of May last and heard Rutha say that Shortridge was their father and further knows nothing. Rebecca Deal signed with a Mark.

Richard Deal (probably a son of Rebecca & Willoughby Deal), another witness of lawful age being duly sworn deponenth and saith that before John V. Lester and his wife parted, deponent happened at the house where Lester lived. Lester was from home, Robert Shortridge was also there, Short and Lester's wife Rutha went to bed together lay there all night and deponent seen them both get up from the same bed in the morning and furthermore this deponent knows nothing. Richard Deal signed with a Mark.

John Yates, another witness of lawful age being duly sworn deponeth and saith that both Lester and wife was in fault. Lester did not provide for his family a comfortable support, deponent frequently advised with both parties but got no satisfaction from either, also believes that Rutha Lester has had two children within the last five years and further this deponent knows nothing. John Yates signed with a Mark.

Tazewell County to wit: I Elijah Vance. a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing depositions were duly taken sworn to, and subscribed before me at the time and place mentioned in the caption given under my hand this 8th day of April 1850 (Signature not readable)

The Census of 1860 for McDowell County, Virginia (later West Virginia) lists John V. Lester 51, Elisha 22, Cynthia 20, Rebecca 15, Jacob 13, Conly 11, Joseph 7, and Charles 5.

John married Rachel Stiltner on 22 Oct 1850 in Tazewell County, VA. Rachel was born in 1814 in Tazewell County, VA and died after 1837 in Virginia.

+ 34 M i. Elisha Lester was born on 26 Nov 1837 in Tazewell County, VA and died on 7 Oct 1914 in Buchanan County, VA at age 76.

37 M iv. Jacob Lester was born in 1847 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 13 Apr 1891 in Buchanan County, VA at age 44.

38 M v. Conley Lester was born on 8 Oct 1848 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 13 Oct 1931 in Wyoming Co., WV at age 83.

Conley married Rebecca VIARS. Rebecca was born on 4 May 1840 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 12 Nov 1918 in Wyoming Co., WV at age 78.

John next married Ruth Yates on 25 Aug 1830 in Tazewell County, VA. The marriage ended in Divorce on 24 Apr 1850.

Fourteenth Generation

34. Elisha Lester was born on 26 Nov 1837 in Tazewell County, VA and died on 7 Oct 1914 in Buchanan County, VA at age 76.

General Notes: Marriage 1 Mary\Polly Stacy
Married: ABT 1861
Children
Pricey Jane Lester b: 28 Sep 1869 in , Buchanan, VA
Mary E Lester b: 27 Jan 1872 in , Buchanan, VA
Jackson "Jack" Lester b: 7 Nov 1875 in , Buchanan, VA

Marriage 2 Louisa BLANKENSHIP b: 1842 in ,Buchanan Co.,Va
Married: 24 DEC 1880 in ,McDowell Co.,West Va

Note:
Elisha's marriage record to Louise Blankenship, gives his parents as John and RACHEL, and Louise's parents as Isham and Martha (Whitt) Blankenship.

His marriage record to Margaret Auvil gives his father was John V. Lester, the mother is not mentioned. Elisha and Louise were divorced 8 Oct 1884 in McDowell, WA.

Marriage 3 Margarett AUVIL b: 1862 in ,Washington Co.,Va
Married: 17 OCT 1884 in ,McDowell Co.,West Va

Marriage 4 Judy Mullins
Children
Bud Lester

Elisha married Polly STACY in 1861 in Buchanan County, VA. Polly was born about 1840 in Virginia and died after 1875 in Virginia.

+ 41 M i. Jackson Lester was born on 7 Nov 1875 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 25 Mar 1943 in Harman, VA at age 67.

43 F iii. Mary E. Lester was born on 27 Jan 1872 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 1 Jul 1945 at age 73.

Mary married James H. HORN on 22 Aug 1887 in McDowell County, WV. James was born in 1864 in Buchanan County, VA.

44 M iv. William Lester was born on 30 Sep 1877 and died on 18 Dec 1960 at age 83.

William married Louisa MATNEY, daughter of David MATNEY and Vicey, on 22 May 1896 in Buchanan County, VA. Louisa was born on 15 Jun 1878 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 11 Oct 1957 at age 79.

45 F v. Nancy Lester was born on 7 Mar 1871 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 5 Jul 1930 in McDowell County, WV at age 59.

Nancy married James MUNCY on 26 Jan 1887 in McDowell County, WV. James was born in 1864 in Buchanan County, VA.

46 F vi. Rachel Lester was born on 9 Nov 1861 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 9 Feb 1914 at age 52.

47 F vii. Lucinda Lester was born on 16 Sep 1865 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 12 Mar 1925 in Buchanan County, VA at age 59.

48 M viii. John V. Lester was born in 1867 in Buchanan County, VA and died after 1880.

Elisha next married Louisa Blankenship on 24 Dec 1880 in McDowell County, WV. The marriage ended in Divorce on 8 Oct 1884. Louisa was born in 1842 in Buchanan County, VA.

Elisha next married Margarett AUVIL on 17 Oct 1884 in McDowell County, WV. Margarett was born in 1862 in Washington County, VA.

Fifteenth Generation

41. Jackson Lester was born on 7 Nov 1875 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 25 Mar 1943 in Harman, VA at age 67.

Jackson married Nancy Margaret Horn, daughter of Henry Horn, Jr. and Millie Louise CHURCH, in 1895 in Buchanan County, VA. Nancy was born in Jan 1878 in Buchanan County, VA and died in Feb 1918 in Bradshaw, WV at age 40.

+ 50 M i. Arthur Fleming Lester was born on 17 Mar 1909 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 11 Aug 1984 in Grundy, VA at age 75.

+ 51 M ii. Henry LESTER was born in Mar 1897 in Buchanan County, VA and died in 1979 in Abingdon, VA at age 82.

52 F iii. Sylvania Lester was born in Feb 1899 in Buchanan County, VA and died in Feb 1899 in Buchanan County, VA.

53 M iv. James Lester was born in 1900 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 18 Dec 1960 at age 60.

James married Mary MULLINS. Mary was born on 7 Feb 1903 and died on 2 Jun 1973 at age 70.

54 F v. Martha J. Lester was born in 1896 in Buchanan County, VA and died in 1896 in Buchanan County, VA.

Laura married Curtis ROWE. Curtis was born on 31 Aug 1927 and died on 28 Dec 1954 at age 27.

56 M vii. Tivis George Lester was born on 30 Jul 1902 in Buchanan County, VA and died in Feb 1981 at age 78.

Linnie married Lee BAKER. Lee was born in 1898 in McDowell County, WV and died after 1970 in McDowell County, WV.

58 M ix. Charles Wallace Lester was born in 1907 in Buchanan County, VA and died in 1918 in Buchanan County, VA at age 11.

+ 60 M xi. John Lester was born on 15 Mar 1913 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 31 Dec 1975 in Buchanan County, VA at age 62.

+ 61 M xii. Benjamin Newton Lester was born on 15 Dec 1914 and died on 13 Aug 1968 at age 53.

62 M xiii. Ellis Lester Lester was born on 12 Jan 1917 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 17 Jan 1990 at age 73.

Sixteenth Generation

50. Arthur Fleming Lester was born on 17 Mar 1909 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 11 Aug 1984 in Grundy, VA at age 75.

General Notes: Arthur Fleming Lester was employed by the H. E. Harman Mining Company at Harman, Virginia, and cut the first drift mouth at Mine #1 in early 1934. He retired from Harman Mining Company in the mid-1960s.

Arthur married America Corinne Mounts, daughter of Hibbard Mounts and Lydia ALLEN, on 8 Sep 1938 in Paw Paw, KY. America was born on 15 Oct 1917 in Majestic, KY and died on 9 Sep 1988 in Harman, VA at age 70.

65 F ii. Betty Lois Lester was born in 1936 in (stillborn) Grundy, VA and died in 1936 in Grundy, VA.

51. Henry LESTER was born in Mar 1897 in Buchanan County, VA and died in 1979 in Abingdon, VA at age 82.

Henry married Loma CRIGGER about 1918 in Buchanan County, VA. Loma was born about 1900 in McDowell County, WV and died in 1974 in Buchanan County, VA about age 74.

71 F i. Nancy Carol VANCE was born on 22 Mar 1940 and died on 29 Aug 1941 at age 1.

60. John Lester was born on 15 Mar 1913 in Buchanan County, VA and died on 31 Dec 1975 in Buchanan County, VA at age 62.

Seventeenth Generation

Paul married Rosa Belle Knipp, daughter of John Chester Knipp and Gladys Susan Tussey, on 19 Sep 1970 in Harman, VA. Rosa was born on 11 Mar 1951 in Sophia, KY.

Paul next married Judith Carol Myers on 19 Aug 1967 in Harman, VA. Judith was born on 6 Jul 1947 in Spokane, WA.

Paul next married Rosa Belle Knipp, daughter of John Chester Knipp and Gladys Susan Tussey, on 19 Sep 1970 in Harman, VA. Rosa was born on 11 Mar 1951 in Sophia, KY.

Arthur married Elaine COUTURIER about 1967. Elaine was born on 17 Jan 1940 in Chattelaualt, France.

Kay married James Melvin BROWN about 1967 in Clintwood, VA. James was born in 1947 in Keen Mountain, VA.

Eighteenth Generation

Lydia married Gregory Alan Holsapple, son of Gene Holsapple and Dorothy Shifflett, in May 1996 in Charlottesville, VA. Gregory was born in Albemarle County, VA.

96 M ii. Gregory Adam Holsapple was born on 10 Mar 2001 in Charlottesville, VA.

Paul married Tonia Lynn Johnson, daughter of William Anderson "Andy" Johnson and Patty PUGH, on 13 Jul 1996 in Afton, VA. Tonia was born on 14 May 1978 in Richmond, VA.

97 M i. Thomas Richard Lester was born on 15 Jan 1996 in Charlottesville, VA.

99 F iii. Jessica Lynn Martin Lester was born on 3 Nov 1993 in Charlottesville, VA.

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