Re: Kirk/Staley Grayson Co, VA 1797

Some added information:

       “The Wythe County Entry book 1, p. 76 June 12, 1792, published in Vol. 3 of Early Adventurers..... page 86, shows that Peter Powers, assignee of James Newell, assignee of John Preston, assignee of John Smyth, devisee of Samuel black, deceased, had 100 acres on Elk Creek adjoining Henry Kirk and Thomas Comer, on the head of Terky (Turkey) Fork near Dry Branch Gap in Iron Mountain.

Grayson County microfilm
reel # 53 "Unrecorded Loose Deeds 1797-1932"

"This indenture made the 29th day of December in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred one between Samuel Kirk of the county of Russell of the one part and PeterPowers of Grayson county of the other part... Elk Creek"

Peter Powers b apx 1765 and Elizabeth Unknown sold the Elk Creek acreage to Pink Hudson in 1803 and moved to Russell VA.

Valentine Powers 1772/5, younger brother to Peter Powersm. Elizabeth Staley 1799 (Grayson County, VA Marriage Records) d/o Jacob Staley .Valentine was on the 1810 census of Wythe county with Michael Powers and moved to Montgomery County, TN by 1820.Some Staley’s went with them because some of their children married Staley’s.

Note:Elizabeth Staley’s brother Frederick Staley married Mary MarthaKirk, d/o Samuel Kirkneighbor of Peter Powers in Grayson VA.They also moved to Montgomery, TN in 1811.Frederick Staley died in New Orleans in the War of 1812 in 1813 leaving Mary Kirk Staley a widow.A paternity suit was brought by Mary KirkStaley against Valentine Powers in 1816 with Valentine paying $500.00 for the support of the unnamed child.Mary Kirk Staley had two children born after the death of Frederick Staley.Mary Ann Staley b 1816 in Montgomery TN and Samuel Martin Staley b 1823. Thus Mary Ann Staley is the daughter of Valentine Powers.The Staley Family of Frederick Staley can be found in the White Cty, IL 1850 Census Records with Mary Martha Kirk dying in 1845 in White Cty, IL..

I have always wondered if Peter Powers' wife Elizabeth might be a Kirk since he left his family on Cripple Creek in Wythe when he married in 1792 and then seemed to follow the Kirks to Russell VA. His first wife Elizabeth died between 1820 and 1827 when Peter married for a 2nd time, Elizabeth Hull/Hall, in Washington VA.

If you are missing a possible Elizabeth Kirk of this generation, please let me know.

I am also interested in the descendants of Mary Martha Kirk Staley, especially Valentine's daughter, Mary Ann Staley.

Thank you

Janet Powers Maune