Turner Settlers of Harlan County, Kentucky
| Hello and welcome to my home page. I am researching the TURNER family that was one of the original settlers of Harlan County. My Grandparents are, James "Loyd" Turner, b.1866 and Louisa Napier, b.1870.They farmed, owned a store, and had the first powered grist mill on Abners Branch.They raised twelve children, Harvey "Sam", John, Israel "Byrd", Dona Ellen, Dora Bell, Creed, Laura, Nancy Margaret, Betty Jane, Cora, Alice, and Bennie, (my Dad). My Great Grandparents are, John Loyd Turner, b.1833, and Louise Hensley b.1836.They raised five children, John, Wilson "Wilse", Matilda "Tilda", James "Loyd", and Andrew "Babe".John's second marriage to Polly Sargent produced five more children, James K. "Polk", Sarah, Cora, Martha, and Paralea. My Great Great Grandparents are, David Turner, b. abt.1800 and Tabitha Lewis, b. abt.1804.They raised thirteen children, James "Jim", Abner, Elander, Mary, John "Loyd", David, Elizabeth, Nancy, William, Tabitha "Juda", John "Ransom", Amanda, and Delia. David's brother William was the first of this line to settle the laurels of Kentucky along Greasy Creek.Shortly there-after David and his sister Mary, (who was older than her brothers,) and was married to Israel Miniard, joined William and settled along Greasy Creek near Big Laurel before Harlan County was formed.Some of their descendants still live in the area. Before settling in Kentucky, they lived, for a short period of time, near the Cumberland Gap, in Claiborne County, Tennessee.Some of their siblings and descendants stayed in the Cumberland Gap area and others moved into Kentucky and parts unknown. In the 1780's, two of the first settlers into this valley were John Turner and Thomas Marsee, both Methodist preachers. In that day in time they were known as Circuit Riders.The standard issue for the riders was a Bible, song book, and a hand gun. Thomas Marsee's wife was Nancy Turner, related to John, but the relationship is unknown.They along with other travelers built the first permanent block house along Yellow Creek. John Turner was credited with naming this new settlement, Yellow Creek, later the name was changed to Middlesboro, Kentucky. Before taking up residence in the Yellow Creek Valley they helped John's brother-in-law, Capt. David Chadwell, build a permanent block house in the Powell Valley of Virginia.This settlement house was named the Chadwell Station. Many famous people in the history of Kentucky traveled, camped, and visited this area but the Turners, Marsees, Rains and others settled this valley.Thus, becoming the original settlers of Middlesboro, KY. I've researched the records in Tazewell, Claiborne County, and found that most of the early records were missing and destroyed by a fire at the courthouse in 1838.Very few records survived that disaster.Now most of their records begin in 1838. The year, 1838 is about 40-50 years after the time frame of my interest.I finally hit my brickwall on the paper trail.I found a few Turners in the surviving deed books and tax records.However, I can not connect them without the proper documentation. Prior to settling in Tennessee these families migrated from both Virginia and North Carolina; information handed down through the family. My questions are: Who were William, David, and Mary's parents and siblings? Where in Virginia and North Carolina did they migrate from? With the help of family members, I have found most of the descendants to date.Now, I'm looking for our ancestors.I would appreciate any information.If I can help you with information, just ask. Other related settlers of Southeastern Kentucky, LEWIS, NAPIER, HENSLEY, MINIARD, and NOLAN.In Claiborne County, Tennessee, MARSEE and RAINS. | Turner Settlers of Harlan County, Kentucky Updated January 22, 2007 |
| HarveyTurner 5109 Birch Road Fayetteville,North Carolina 28304-1903 United States [email protected] | |
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