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The Callaway Family.pdf by Mrs. A.E. Hart. This document is from microfilm in LDS library of research done about 1925. In this excerpt of this work, is information on Colyer family in Virginia. Here is an updated version of the Same work by Mrs. A.E. Hart concerning the Colyer family that was done in 1934 and much more information. In particular more references and information on William Colyar of Washington County Tennessee. This work claims that William Colyar took the oath of allegiance with his brothers John, Thomas and Charles in Henry County VA in 1777. You can see the Virginia Historic Journal listing of Henry County VA Oaths of Allegiance August 30, 1777 where the Collier men sign oath here is pdf format and here in djvu format(smaller). It looks as if several researchers draw on the Calloway document and here (in pdf format) (in djvu smaller format) is researchers papers found in Basset Virginia historical library speaking of Collier’s of Henry County VA which also show William going to TN and a brother to John Colyer who married Grizzilda Taylor. A John Collier deed in Henry County VA thought to be either brother to or Father of William Colyar is here in pdf and here in djvu.
The connection as the Callaway Family work makes of William Colyar of Washington County Tn to father John Collier of 1707 has not been supported by proof by me. I have various raw research on Collier in Virginia and list most recent work here. Sorting out all the Colyar, Colyer and Colliers (really same fold many times as names spelled both ways on same documents at times) in Washington County and the John Colyers in particular is difficult. Here is research on John Colyers referred to Callaway Family work and also possible related Colyers in Carter and Unicoi Counties TN that both once were Washington County Tn.
Nolichucky River in Washington county Tennessee where Bumpass Creek empties into the river. It is at this site that William Colyar settled and owned a lead mine. He owned 550 acres here spanning both sides of the river.
History of Washington County, TN--this is an excerpt from a book put together by the Johnson City, TN historical society. It was edited by two women, one of which was Ms. Dessie Simmons. The other I am sorry I cannot remember. It is the most thorough treatment of history of this region I have found. Outstanding! On the last page of this extract, it tells of William Colyar and his lead mine where bullets used in battle of King's Mountain. Here is another write up on the lead mines and history from the Washington County Historical Assoc. by John Nash
Here is copy of deed where John Sevier, Jr. in 1800 purchases 3100 acres that includes the land originally granted to William Colyar. Within this deed, it says that the transfer includes the lead mines, known as Colyar Mines that was on the property. It spells out several tracts of land on north and south of Nolichucky River formerly owned by William Colyar.
This is copied pages from book found in Tn State archives library in 1990's that is on Tennesseans prior to 1800. Several references are made to William Colyar and his son who was a justice of the peace in Washington County. It has typewritten extract of settlement of William Colyar estate. Also my handwritten notes of other references in this book I did not copy.
Miscellaneous papers received from another Colyer (Janis Ragar) who in 1998 lived in Missouri and descended from Dorcas Colyar, daughter of William Colyar.
Deed copied from courthouse in Jonesboro TN, of Dorcas Colyar Calvert transferring property she inherited from her father William Colyar on the Nolichucky River. She transfers 63 acres being one fifth of the property owned by William Colyar at his death per this deed. The deed is dated in 1820.
Here is a book concerning the travails facing the pioneers of what was to become east Tennessee and the other regions. In particular, there are interesting sections on the Wautuga area and John Sevier that makes an interesting read. It is The Conquest of the Old Southwest: The Romantic Story of the Early Pioneers into Virginia, The Carolinas, Tennessee, and Kentucky 1740-1790, by Archibald Henderson
Arthur St. Claire Colyar--this includes the front page article in the Nashville Tennessean the day A.S. Colyar died. Here are some obits from various east Tennessee newspapers on AS Colyar from the John Fain Anderson collection from the archives of Appalachia East TN State Univ giving details of William Colyar (his father) home place on Nolichucky River. In addition, there is an article in the proceeding of the Tennessee Bar Association detailing the life of A.S. Colyar. The Tennessean article give hint of William Colyar being in the battle of King's Mountain during the Revolutionary War. There is note attached to the article at the point of reference that once double clicked in the Acrobat Reader will open up. As possible evidence of William Colyar being a soldier in the Revolutionary War, see the write up of his grandson, John Wesley Colyer of Pulaski County Ky, in the 1987 edition of "Confederate Military History". John Wesley Colyer was the son of John Colyer born 1781 who was son of William Colyar. The Confederate Military History says that John Colyer born 1781 and was of Revolutionary ancestry. John Colyer born 1781’s mother was Angus Nancy St. Claire, daughter of Charles St. Claire. Since Charles St. Claire died in 1768, it was not him that had Revolutionary War connection. So it could be John’s father, William Colyar born 1754, died 1819. However, John Wesley Colyer’s mother was Lydia Purvis, and her father is a documented revolutionary war soldier. Also, in 2006 I discovered that Arthur St. Clair Colyar applied and became a member of the Sons of The American Revolution (SAR) in 1900 at age 82. The application was based on his grandfather on his mother’s side----George Sherrell. Here is a copy of the application in pdf format obtained from the Sons of American Revolution. If Arthur St. Clair Colyar could have proved his grandfather William Colyar having served in the Revolution, it sure seems he would have applied based on his Colyar name rather than his mother’s family name. Perhaps he knew of family tradition of William Colyar having served in the battle of King’s Mountain like his grandfather Sherrell, but could not prove it via pension records since William Colyar died (in 1819) as did perhaps his wife Nancy Ann, prior to the granting of pensions for this service so it was never documented. Beginning in 1818 federal pensions were granted for service only, and soldiers who served in the militia were eligible beginning in 1832. Papers relating to pension applications prior to 1818 were destroyed but many exist for later years. It should also be noted that A.S. Colyar applied to the at an old age of 82 and the application apparently was approved quickly as approval and application date is notated as May 17, 1900. If this was a rush approval, it may be that he was using the most expedient easily documentable method available.
Here are couple of letters to Robert E. Lee concerning A.S. Colyar. Here is a letter from southern historical collection Library at University North Carolina at Chapel Hill written to Mr. A.S. Colyar in 1905 recounting things in his life they would like him to speak about at press club dinner honoring him Here are several newspaper accounts in Nashville TN 12/7/1907, the day A.S. Colyar died. Here is extract of account of A.S Colyer as member of confederate congress on Robert E. Lee’s giving up hope of winning war. Here is an article written on the history and wonderful nature of the Nashville as part of new south by A. S. Colyar. Here is the complete book written by A.S. Colyar on the Life and Times of Andrew Jackson Volume I and Volume II. You must download and install the special Deju browser plug in from here to read this book. I have found one reference on page 27 wherein A. S. Colyer refers to his family connections referring to Bonnie Kate Sherrill, wife of John Sevier.
Charles Granade Colyer Cabin 1, pic 2 --this is a recent photo of all that is left of the civil war era cabin built by Charles Granade Colyer and in which he raised his family. It is here that he returned from Nashville after the civil war. This is actually believed to be the remnants of the kitchen that was built a few feet away from the house. The house is no longer standing. This overlooked pittman creek outside Somerset Ky. There was a spring in a cave nearby ( see write up under Charles Granada Colyer discussing an interview with his sister Ellen about the homeplace on Pittman creek and the spring across the road) Here is a picture of the cave in May 2004. It is located on Strawberry lane of off Clay Hill Road. The house was standing in about 1967 which I saw and walked through with Edith Colyer Curtis. It has been gone now for some years in 2004. The Cabin pictured above in about 1999 has now been taken down and reconstructed with the original timbers by the current owner in 2004. Here is picture of home place and reconstructed cabin in 2004. There is a barn/shed that stood at back of property behind house and here is picture of it in 2004. Here is picture of Clay Hill baptist church and cemetery where Charles Granade Colyer is buried as well as picture of Charles grave and that of his wife Louisa Jane Meece Colyer. Here apparent deeds where the home place of Charles Grenade and Louisa Jane Colyer is purchased in a deed from a Richardson and a deed from Cyrenius W Colyer to Louisa Jane Meece Colyer.
(There is a deed to land in the Jugornot area of Pulaski County concerning Bluford Colyer—son of John Colyer---that references a Cyrenius Wait as a man that apparently helped Bluford Colyer concerning Bluford’s land seized by the court. The Wait-Bluford Colyer deed references land near Beaver Creek. From looking at ancient map of 1834 (djvu format) , it appears that current day Buck Creek use to called Beaver Creek. Renaming it to Buck Creek appears to have possibly cleared confusion resulting from many nearby creeks emptying into Cumberland River being designated at Beaver Creek as can be seen from the 1834 map referenced above. This indicates that the John Colyer family while living in the Jugornot area of Pulaski County had family friend named Cyrenius Wait that may be reason a child named after him.) Bluford and Rebecca Colyer mortgage to Cyrenius Wait 1853. Rebecca Colyer, wife of Bluford, gets land via courthouse auction of her husband Bluford (he got from father John Colyer on Cumberland River) seized and sold in 1858 as a result of judgement against husband Bluford in 1853. Deed of 1856 Bluford and Rebecca Colyer to John S. Edwards of land on Buck Creek. Here Rebecca Colyer in 1899 land to son Buford Kirtley Colyer land his homeplace built on near Haynes Spring on Buck Creek. Rebecca Colyer (Wife of Bluford) deed to Jugornot School.
The original John Colyer farm was located at what is currently highway 192 at Pittman creek. Here is picture of land that was the original farm. Here is picture of house standing where original homestead of John Colyer stood according to Elaine Avera. Here is an ancient photograph that is believed to be the same house as it existed when the John Colyer family lived there. The photo was found in the home of Ray Colyer , Frankfort KY in 2005. You will note that it is an ancient photo (mid to late 1800’s) that had an artist’s enhancements such as charcoal touch ups and colorization applied. I traced the deed of the property in the photo back at the Pulaski County courthouse to this deed (djvu format) (here is deed in slower pdf format) wherein it proves that the photographed property is in fact the home place of John Colyer Sr. John Colyer bought the majority if not all the property from a Langdon family by deed in 1842. In addition John bought land on Buck Creek from his father-in-law William Purvis in July of 1851 one month before he died. John Colyer sold about 200 acres on the Cumberland River (thought to be near Buck Creek ) that had been patented to him 1809-1831 to his son Bluford Colyer. 1810 Pulaski County Census shows John Colyer and son Buford (was name properly Bluford or Buford ?)
A map discovered in 2006 of Kentucky in 1839 (djvu format see references on this site to download viewer) shows Buck Creek area at Cumberland River to contain iron works. This it interesting since that land was thought to be originally acquired by original grant to John Colyer in 1809. John, whose father William Colyar (who later evidently came to live near his son John Colyer in this area of Pulaski County Ky called Jugornot ) had owned Lead mines in Bumpass Cove on the Nolichucky River in East TN, which later became iron mines. It shows that perhaps the know how of mining and land suitable for it had been learned by John from his father William while being reared in East TN. It is known that when Kentucky was opened for settlement that land grants were made in Ky if an Iron Works were established. The land owned by John Colyer on the Curmberland River also had coal mines as shown in the1834 map referenced above.
Here is a letter from Dr. Welby A. Colyer (djvu format) believed to be dated sometime prior to about 1960 wherein he states the family descendants of his Grandfather John Colyer (1781).
1790 Tax Lists of Washington county TN showing William Colyar
Alexander Colyar handwritten will from Jonesboro TN courthouse
Article from Franklin County Library on Arthur St. Claire Colyar
Estate settlement of John Colyer of Somerset Kentucky ( son of William Colyar of Washington County TN)
Article on Martha Colyar Roseboro (sister to Arthur St. Claire Colyar) who lived in Winchester Tennessee. Daughter Viola Roseboro discussed who was an author.
Family page from Samuel Colyer's Bible ( Sam son of Charles Grenade Colyer, who was son of John Colyer, who was son of William Colyar of Washington County TN)
Obituary for Sam Colyer in Somerset newspaper 1972.
Photo of Sam Colyer and some family about 1937. This is left to right Leon (Sam’s wife) Ray, Sam and Edith Colyer.
Sam Colyer’s diary 1945-1949 transcript. I suppose this is the web-blog Sam never dreamed of.
Genealogical write up of Dean Hunter who did much research into this Colyer line. I obtained this write up concerning Charles Granade Colyer (which gives obit. of his father John Colyer) from copy in the Pulaski County Historical society in basement of Pulaski County library on Main Street Somerset Ky.
Obituary for Charles Granade Colyer April 15, 1910 in Republican Somerset Ky newspaper. This is entire newspaper to show context and obituary is on page 2. You can use the magnification tool in your adobe acrobat pdf viewer to enlarge it to readable form, or alternatively, here is an enlarged JPG format of just the Obit.
Obituary of Charles Granade Colyer April 15, 1910 appearing in the Democratic Somerset Ky newspaper. Again, this is full newspaper that day. The obituary is on page 1. Again, you can use the magnification tool in your pdf reader to enlarge, or alternatively here is enlarged JPG format of just obit.
1860-1862 diary, personal ledger and school teacher student roll / ledger of Charles Granade Colyer. You must download and install the special Deju browser plug in from here to read this . Here is one of two Photographs I have located of Charles Granade Colyer and his wife Louisa Meece Colyer.
1907 Letter from W M Meece, brother of Louisa Jane Meece Colyer (wife of Charles Granade Colyer) to Granade and Louisa Colyer. You must download and install the special Deju browser plug in from here to read this
Civil War prisoner of war record of Charles Granade Colyer.
Only candid photo I have found of Leone Colyer, Sam Colyer's wife. June Avera who was Leone's grandchild identified photo which she believes was taken at family Lewis home in Greenwood, Ky. abt. 1930 maybe. Here is only photo I have of William Thomas Lewis, Leon’s father. Here is picture of Mary Ballou Lewis, wife of William, mother of Leon Lewis Colyer. She was know to smoke a clay pipe.
Photo of Soule's Chapel Church new homestead of John Colyer and his son Charles Granade Colyer. This is where family may have gone to church and where John Colyer, son of William Colyar and father of Charles Granade Colyer, is buried. See historic write up about Soule’s chapel under John Colyer. It is reported by June Avera that Charles Grenade Colyer was initially buried there, but after a dispute with Louisa Jane, his wife and the church, she reportedly had him exhumed and moved to the Clay Hill Baptist Church cemetery, where his grave is today. However, from reading the obituary of Charles Grenade Colyer in the Somerset Republican newspaper referenced above, this story must be erroneous since the paper says he was originally buried in Clay Hill Cemetery.
Photo of gravestone of John Colyer in Soule's Chapel cemetery. (updated photo in 2004) Thes stone very difficult to read in 2004 says this the best I can make it out "
In Memory of John Colyer Was born in Virginia in Year of Our Lord 1781 Was married in 1818 _____ Moved Pulaski County KY in the year of our Lord 1808. __ was a member of ____ ____ ___ years Died August _, 1851
Note that it says that John Colyer was born in Virginia. So it appears that William Colyar of Washington County TN migrated to banks of Nolichucky after 1781 but before 1790 for that is when he shows up there in Washington county TN on tax lists in 1790. Alternatively, William and his wife Agnes Nancy Ann Sinclair could have gone back to her parent’s home in Sinclair Bottom Virginia for birth of John. Tennessee was new settlement at the time. See last page of write up on Grenade Colyer from files of Dean Hunter that has copy of info on Virginia history references to Colyers. It shows a William Collier who was said to be a trapper and hunter. Also, note that the obituary of Charles Granade Colyer below, says that John Colyer was first married to a miss Sinclair rather than a Martha Minus. This is interesting given the Sinclair connection from John's father. It may however be erroneous based upon research done by descendant of Martha Minus and John Colyer......Mr. John Parsons of Tullahoma TN. Perhaps the writer of the obituary had confused Mr. John Colyer's mother maiden name with that of his first wife, as other earlier sources also state that John Colyer’s first wife was a lady named Minus---see letter from Dr. Welby Colyer above that gives Minus as the first wife name.
History of early Tennessee and Washington county summary.
William Colyar of Washington County TN estate settlement. I had searched for gravesite of William Colyar and his wife, Nancy Ann in east Tennessee. It is reported that he died in 1819. However, a power of attorney made by Alexander Colyar of Winchester TN (Father of Arthur St. Claire Colyer) appointing his son, George Thompson Colyer, as power of attorney recorded in Pulaski County Ky, (here in faster loading djvu format) shows that William and his wife Nancy lived in Pulaski County KY at the time of their death The power of attorney in 1839 (year of Nancy Agnes Ann’s death) was to collect Alexander’s share of estate. Since only son I know of in Pulaski County Ky is John Colyer, I suppose that William and Nancy, must have moved to live with John Colyer of Pulaski County Ky so John could care for them in their elder years. This is supported by the 1830 U.S. Census that shows a female age 60-70 years old living with John. John’s mother Agnes Nancy Ann St. Clair Colyar would have been 70 years old in 1830. His father, William, died in 1819 but his mother did not die until 1839. The elderly lady living in the household would not be John mother-in-law, Mrs. Purvis, as both of John’s parents-in-law were living at the time with Old Mr. Purvis not dying until 1840 or so and Old Mrs. Purvis not until 1852. This indicates that perhaps John Colyer was the closest son capable of financially being able to care for his parents in later years. The power of attorney indicates that both William and Nancy Colyar died in Pulaski County KY. My guess is that they may be buried in some of the unmarked graves in the Jugornot region of Pulaski County as this is where John Colyer had property at Buck Creek on the Cumberland River before moving to the Pittman Creek property in Ruth Kentucky area in 1842. A topographic map (djvu format) shows the Jugornot region with possible grave sites of the Old Colyars. No marked graves of William or Agnes Nancy Ann have been located. Several of the cemeteries in the region have many graves marked with just rocks, markings long illegible, or none at all.
In this deed, John Colyer of Pulaski County KY, transfers land he inherited from his father William Colyar of Washington Co. TN back to his two brothers, William Jr, and Alexander who stayed in TN
Handwritten settlement of William Colyar Estate of Washington County TN (born abt. 1754) from Jonesboro TN courthouse
Various deeds of William Colyar of Washington County TN provided by the most helpful Mrs. Dessie Simmons of Johnson City TN
Extract of book of North Carolina Land Grants in TN that lists grants to William Collier as early as 1783 and provides possible hints at connection to Mr. Gann who is said to have married a daughter of William Collier of 1724.
Thanks to Mrs. Alice Gala of Louisville Kentucky for forwarding this copy of a transfer deed of land Agnus Sinclair and William Colyar (husband) whereby they sell land in Sinclair bottoms Virginia Nancy Ann Agnus Colyar inherited from her father Charles Sinclair. Deed shows name as "Sinclair" although other spelling found of her name was St. Claire as evidenced by their son and grandson named Arthur St. Claire Colyar.
Information from book "History of Southwest Virginia, 1746-1786, Washington County, 1777-1870" by Lewis Preston Summers (Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1966): talking about Charles Sinclair, the father of Agnus Nancy Ann St. Clair Colyar who was married to William Colyar. Note reference to the Col. Christian campaign in this document and also the Scottish Virginia settlements document below mentioning a William Collier. Charles St. Clair (Sinclair) reportedly was part of a major exploration of the Mississippi along with a man named Johan Peter Saling---a neighbor. These men were gone on a three year trip starting in about 1742, captured by the French near New Orleans. Mr. Dan Kegley, editor of the Wythe County News in Virginia has put together research on the expedition and it makes very interesting read.
Extract of book by Lyman Chalkley on Scottish settlements of Virginia mentioning a William Collier who was a hunter and trapper. Mentions the Col. Christian campaign against Cherokee Indians.
Writing by Martha Colyar (sister to Arthur St. Claire Colyar) found in the online library of Cornell University. This about time of reconstruction after Civil War in Mont Eagle TN
Article on sad state of Lynchings in South from New York 1892 mentions Arthur St. Claire Colyar
Genealogy report prepared by Mr. Dean Hunter on related Richardson Family
Genealogy report prepared Mr. Dean Hunter on related Meece family
Genealogy report prepared from this site on Colyer family
