History

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William Redden Sr. and Fanny Kaylor's migration in Virginia. The formation of various counties, and changes in the county lines which occurred before West Virginia was formed. Areas of family history that are being researched.

The above map shows the Virginia County boundaries as they appeared in 1810 when William and Fanny arrived in the area that is now West Virginia

The History of Shady Springs District

In 1810 William Redden Sr. and Fanny Kaylor, according to family history, came across the mountain to what is now Raleigh County, West Virginia and bought a farm on the flat plateau on top of New River Mountain, between Mill Creek and Glade Creek. AT that time the county they settled in was Giles County, Virginia

West Virginia became a State in 1863.

However, Raleigh County was formed in 1850 from Fayette Co., Virginia.

The Redden family was in the area forty years earlier according to family history.

They lived in several different counties as the result of new counties being formed.

County history becomes important when trying to locate documents pertaining to family history. _____________

Fayette County was formed in 1831 from parts of Kanawha, Greenbrier and Logan Counties.

Giles County was formed in 1806 from Montgomery, Monroe, Tazewell, Craig, Mercer, and Wythe.

Because of changes in county lines, following the Redden and Kaylor arrival in the area in 1810, records pertaining to family births, marriages, deaths and land titles ect. may be found in various county seats, depending upon which was the governing county at the time.

The previously stated family history tells us that William was born in England about 1772 and Fanny in Holland about 1773. This same record has been found among several different lines descending from William Redden Sr. We now know that this information is not accurate.

The 1850 Raleigh County census lists William Redden Sr. as age 61, and his birthplace as Virginia. It lists Fanny Kaylor Redden as age 58, and her birthplace also as Virginia. If this is true, then William was born in 1789 and Fanny in 1792.

Mary Redden Worley, the granddaughter of William Redden Sr. and daughter of William Redden Jr. records the following statement in a document dated March 29, 1939, "The Reddens came from Kentucky to this country." The country referred to here is the area now known as Raleigh County, WV.

William Redden Sr., has been referred to in various family records as: William Redden Sr., John William Redden, and William C. Redden. All listed as having the same children and spouse.

It was believed that William Redden Sr.. was born at Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia. Research has going forth in an attempt to locate William Sr. and Fanny in Augusta County, Virginia records. No Records have been found relating to the Redden family in Augusta County Virginia.

Attempts to locate a connection between the Virginia / West Virginia and Redden families of Kentucky is being investigated, as the result of the above previously stated statement made by Mary Redden Worley, that "The Reddens came from Kentucky to this country." The country referred to Raleigh County, WV.

In the same document Mary Redden Worley states that John Redden Sr. is the son of William Redden Seniors sister.

The following was found on LDS Family History Library microfiche #'s 6103994 & 6103995 "Early deaths of Raleigh County."

John Redden Sr. died Sept. 13, 1885, of old age at 87 years. Born in the state of Kentucky, son of Sarah Redden. Death reported by son J.H.Redden.

This means John Redden Sr. was born in 1798 nine years after William Redden Sr. who was born in 1789, according to the 1850 Raleigh County Census.

For more information on this research see: 2003 Newsletter Start reading where you see the paragraph in the same color as this text.

NEW TRACING RALEIGH COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA, FIRST FAMILIES

NEW TRACING RALEIGH COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA,
FIRST FAMILIES