Notes, Memories & Stories

There were FRANCIS heads of households in Floyd County, Kentucky in 1820 and in Pike County, Kentucky in 1830, and all are believed to have been from the same family. However, William Sr., was the only one who settled permanently in Pike County and remained throughout his lifetime. It appears he was the progenitor of all the FRANCIS, FRANCES, FRANCE and FRENCH heads of households, who were later found in Pike County, records.

William H. and his wife Delia, (sic) both age 85, were last enumerated on the 1880 Federal Census of Pike County. They were living in the Big Creek area and probably died there. Delia was thought to have been born in South Carolina. (Delila).

Some family researchers believe William H. Sr. might have been a son of Thomas Francis, Sr., who was a resident of Washington County Virginia.Known to have been in that area after the REV. WAR.

Thomas Francis was among the list of inhabitants of Clinch River, Moccasin Creek, Powell's Valley and other settlements in Washington, County who signed a petition in December, 1785 requesting. that a new County, RUSSELL be formed from Washington County.

This THOMAS FRANCIS might be the THOMAS FRANCIS, born ca. 1757; died before 06 April 1801, who was a soldier in a Virginia unit during the Revolution and whose wife was Susanna Bottom. Both the names "Thomas" and "Susanna" turned up in later generations of the FRANCIS family lines.

Thomas Francis, Sr. and Thomas Francis, Jr., appeared on the Russell County, Virginia Tax Lists during the 1790's and after 1800. Thomas, Sr., last appeared in 1802. This could have been Thomas Francis, who died in 1801 and his estate had not been settled. A Will listing the children of Thomas Francis might be recorded in Russell County, Virginia but has not been found as yet. It also, might have been recorded in Washington County, Virginia.

No FRANCIS Families were enumerated on the 1810 Federal Census of Floyd County, Kentucky. William Francis, Jr., indicated he was born in Kentucky ca. 1817. William, Sr., was not enumerated in Russell County, Virginia in 1820, nor was he found in Floyd County, Kentucky but he might have been living in the household of one of his children.

People during that period in History had a tendency to be nomadic and drifted around until they found a place, where they wanted to establish a permanent home. Members of the same family, however, usually traveled together. Many could not read, nor write and few records were kept. Therefore, in attempting to construct a Family History, it is necessary to rely on folklore, legend and tradition. Stories can vary after passing down through several generations of descendents.

In the 1830 Federal Census, a William Francis was living in Pike County. In his house hold were: 2 males under 5 (Elijah and James?), 1 male 5-10 (John?), 1 male 10-15 (William, Jr.?), and William 30-40. 1 female 5-10 (Chloe), and 1 female 30-40 (Delila, his wife).

Early Index to Land Deeds--Pike County, Kentucky show that William, (probably Sr.) purchased land from a John Stotts in Big Creek on November 19, 1831, see Book A 1, Page 210.

One story was related by Cecil Francis, great-grandson of Elijah and Charity (Smith) Francis, to his daughter, Rosemary Francis Justice of Pike County. Cecil Francis had been told by his elders that William Sr., moved from the area of Moccasin Creek, Virginia to "Rock house" in Floyd County, Kentucky (later Pike County). There are several place in Pike County known as "Rock house". One is a community located north of Ash camp, Kentucky, which lies on, or near, the Virginia/Ky line. However, based on Census Enumerations and the Land Deeds, it appears more than likely, that William Sr. settled on the "Rock house" branch of Big Creek, located in the north-easternsection of Pike Conty, near the Martin County Line.

Moccasin Creek in Virginia, is a stream, that flows into the North Fork of the Holston River in the Southwestern part of the State. William Sr., is said to have traded 1, 600 acres of land for a "Hound Dog" and more land for a "Milk Cow". The trip to Kentucky, by wagon, took abotu five weeks. He brought with him a Cherokee Indian Woman, or wife, name unknown. In the area, where he settled, he was referred to, as the "Squaw Man".

Little is known of his early life in Pike County, except by Census and the Land Deed Records and it has not been established as fact, how many wives he did have. William and Delila were married in Pike County on 18 April 1829. Both were of legal age.

NOTES: A License issued October 01, 1836 to John D. Mims Clerk for Marrigae of DAVID FRANCES and Juda Gibson, with oral consent of William Gibson, parent of said Juda Gibson. Both signed by David Frances and William Gibson (By marks). David Francis and Juda Gibson married October 04, 1836 by "theophilus" Powell.

William Francis Sr. had an Indian Wife, (Delilah last name was Qillen, or Goodman, may have been the Indian woman that William was Married to) and settled in what is now Pike County, Ky.

William and Delilah Francis, Pike Co, Ky 1850. Wiliam was the father of Andrew, Elizabeth, Elijah and others. Their son Andrew married Elizabeth Hopkins. William H. Francis and his twin brother, Elijah J. Francis were living with their maternal grandparent, Elijah Hopkins in the 1860 Pike Co, Ky census but Andrew and Elizabeth are not. At sometime William H. Francis changed hisname to William H. Rowe.

MAYNARD, Sarah was the daughter of Elijah and Mary Robertson Francis. She was born Dec 22, 1884 and died on May 11, 1947. She was married to Harrison (Sonny) Maynard and they had 10 children; Delmon, Wade, Elza, Arnold, Arson, Claude, Mrs. John Bushnell, Mrs. George Stanley, Mrs. Carl Sparks and Sadie Maynard. Her father, one sister and husband preceded her in death. She leaves her children and one brother, J. M. Francis and seven sisters, Emma Caines, Virgie Caines, Ida Allen, Lizzie Slater, Leota, Vinnie and Daisy. She was a member of the Pilgrim Home Church of Old Regular Baptist.

Andrew FRANCIS married Elizabeth HOPKINS. They had chidren, exact number unknown; Elizabeth left Andrew while he was in the Civil War; some say she went to Garrison, Ky. George Harrison was the oldest child and his siblings were left in his care.

Andrew was one of seven boys fathered by Ludwig von FRANCISCO who migrated from Pennsylvania to Salt Works, Virginia. When Andrew left Virginia for Big Creek in Pike County, Ky he changed his name to FRANCIS. Andrew is buried in the Joe REED Cemetery on Pricy Creek in Magoffin County, Ky.

George Harrison FRANCIS was married three times. He and his first wife (last name was JANTY) had one son before her death. The son's name was Andrew H. FRANCIS; born May 22, 1876; died February 26, 1963; Andrew's wife, Marby, was born December 19, 1883 and died April 7, 1954. andrew and Marby are buried in the FRANCIS Cemetery in Magoffin County, Ky.

His third wife was Mary Ellen HOWARD, (George Harrison was her second husband). She was born March 6, 1862 and died May 15, 1927. George Harrison and Mary Ellen had six children: Marion "Cricket", George "Ollie", Vandaily "Dale", Hattie "Hat", Elizabeth "Doll", and Rebecca "Beck". Mary Ellen's first husband was a ROSE; their children were: Edward and Lula. Edward married William CAINES and after his death lived with her half-sister, Vandaily and her husband Robert CAUDILL in Ashland, Ky until her death. Both Edward and Lula are buried in the Mose HOWARD Cemetery in Magoffin County, Ky.