Bedford County VA Genealogy – Access Genealogy

Biography of Colonel Edward J. Steptoe

The available records of the Steptoe family go back to the year 1697, when Anthony and John Steptoe, brothers, located in Lancaster County, Virginia. From one of these was descended Colonel James Steptoe of “Hominy Hall,” on the Lower Potomac. Colonel James Steptoe arose in military rank from the militia of his colony, and his career in the profession of arms began with his appointment as captain of “a company of horse” in 1734, from which position he was promoted to the office of colonel. He was twice married, and there were born to him six children. One of his … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Daniel Pegram

The parents of Daniel Pegram were Scotch. Daniel was born in Petersburg, Va., but settled and lived in Bedford County, where he raised ten children, six sons and four daughters, each of whom was more than six feet in height. Thomas, a son of Daniel Pegram, married Nancy Hopkins, whose mother’s maiden name was Clark, and who had a brother, Chester Clark,, who drew $100,000 in a lottery. Thomas had but three children James L., Edward T., and William. The latter died in Virginia in his 19th year. James L. married Julia R. Oley, of Virginia, and settled in St. … Read more

Biography of Price Hopkins

The parents of Price, William, John and Patsey Hopkins, were natives of Queen Anne County, Va., but settled and lived in Bedford County. Their children married and lived near the old home place, in the same County. Price was married twice; first to a daughter of Rev; James Price, a pioneer preacher of Virginia, and second to a Miss Slater. By his first wife he had William M., John, Ann, and Sally; we have no record of the names of his children by his second wife. William M. was born July 14, 1802, and was married to Nancy Hudnall, of … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Joseph Poindexter

Joseph Poindexter, of Bedford County, Virginia, was a Captain in the revolutionary war. He married Elizabeth Kenerly, and they had a son, Richard, who married a Miss Ford, of Virginia, and settled in Montgomery County in 1837. They had Elizabeth A., Parthena S., Caroline K., Hezekiah F., Eliza, Edward L., Joseph C., James W., John D., and Mary L., most of whom settled in Montgomery County.

Life and travels of Colonel James Smith – Indian Captivities

James Smith, pioneer, was born in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in 1737. When he was eighteen years of age he was captured by the Indians, was adopted into one of their tribes, and lived with them as one of themselves until his escape in 1759. He became a lieutenant under General Bouquet during the expedition against the Ohio Indians in 1764, and was captain of a company of rangers in Lord Dunmore’s War. In 1775 he was promoted to major of militia. He served in the Pennsylvania convention in 1776, and in the assembly in 1776-77. In the latter year he was commissioned colonel in command on the frontiers, and performed distinguished services. Smith moved to Kentucky in 1788. He was a member of the Danville convention, and represented Bourbon county for many years in the legislature. He died in Washington county, Kentucky, in 1812. The following narrative of his experience as member of an Indian tribe is from his own book entitled “Remarkable Adventures in the Life and Travels of Colonel James Smith,” printed at Lexington, Kentucky, in 1799. It affords a striking contrast to the terrible experiences of the other captives whose stories are republished in this book; for he was well treated, and stayed so long with his red captors that he acquired expert knowledge of their arts and customs, and deep insight into their character.

Virginia Wills Before 1799

A complete abstract register of all names mentioned in over six hundred recorded wills, arranged alphabetically from Adams to Wright. Copied from the Court House Records of Amherst, Bedford, Campbell, Loudoun, Prince William and Rockbridge Counties of Virginia.

Biography of Edmond Pearcy

Edmond Pearcy, whose history is one of close connection with the pioneer development of the state as well as its latter-day progress and prosperity was born in Bedford County, Virginia, on the 22d of March 1832, and is of Scotch and Dutch descent. His ancestors were early settlers of Virginia, and for many years the families were represented in Bedford County. His father, Nicholas Pearcy, was born there, and having arrived at years of maturity he married Rebecca Hardy, a native of Maryland. They became the parents of twelve children, eleven sons and one daughter, and of the number but … Read more

Slave Narrative of Marshall Mack

Person Interviewed: Marshall Mack Date of Birth: September 10, 1854 Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Age: 83 I was born September 10, 1854. I am the second child of five. My mother was named Sylveston Mack and my father Booker Huddleston. I do not remember my mother’s master, ‘came he died before I was born. My Mistress was named Mancy Mack. She was the mother of six children, four boys and two girls. Three of dem boys went to the war and one packed and went off sons what and nobody beard from him doing of the whole war. But soon … Read more

Biographical Sketch of William R. Cox

William R. Cox, farmer; P. O. Hutton; was born in Bedford Co., Virginia, Feb. 25, 1832; when he was 16 years of age, his parents, Joel and Margaret Cox, moved to Ross Co., Ohio, living there eight years; they came to Coles Co. in 1856, and, three years afterward moved to Independence, Warren Co., where they died, his mother in 1874, and his father in March, 1876. While living in Ohio, Mr. Cox married Miss Hannah C. Thompson, April 28, 1853; she was a daughter of Nathan Thompson, who was a native of Virginia, and moved to Ross Co., Ohio, … Read more

Biography of Thomas Jefferson Barker

Thomas Jefferson Barker. The history of Kansas is a generalization of the histories of thousands of individuals whose character and activities made the state what it is. Hardly one of those individuals came into closer touch with the adventures and exciting realities of pioneer times than the late Thomas Jefferson Barker, who was a pioneer of old Wyandotte and for many years one of the leading business men of Kansas City, Kansas. Mr. Barker died at his home in Kansas City, Kansas, August 4, 1913, and was then nearly eighty-five years of age. He was born in Bedford County, Virginia, … Read more

Biography of Mark A. Leftwich

One of the well known newspaper men of the state is Mark A. Leftwich, proprietor of the Coweta Times-Star. He was born in Bedford county, Virginia, in May, 1852, a son of Thomas and Maria (Warwick) Leftwich, natives of Virginia. The father was an extensive planter and he served as Major in the Confederate army for three years. He was discharged at the termination of that time, because of poor health and he then went to Missouri, locating in Carrollton, Carroll county, where he became a dentist. He practiced there, enjoying substantial success, until his death, at the age of … Read more

Virginia African American Cemeteries – Black Cemeteries

Cemeteries provide us with a unique link to our past. The following list shows Virginia African American cemeteries which primarily contain people of color. You should also check Access Genealogy Cemeteries for additional listings. Accomack County Virginia African American Cemeteries Christ Union Baptist Cemetery Odd Fellows Cemetery Albemarle County Virginia African American Cemeteries Hosted at Carter G. Woodson Institute Blenheim Cemetery Doyle’s River Plantation Hearns Curry Cemetery Hugh Carr Cemetery Maruy Family Cemetery Maple Wood Cemetery Oakwood Cemetery Rose Hill Cemetery Daughters of Zion Cemetery African American Cemeteries in Albemarle & Amherst Counties Virginia contains thousands of family burial grounds and … Read more

Biography of John B. Goode

The readjustment of the national affairs after the civil war led to conditions under which the people of the north and the people of the south began to mingle, and became acquainted and ratified the feeling of mutual admiration which their prowess during the four years’ struggle had compelled for foemen who wore the gray and foemen who wore the blue. Men of the north took part in the southern business and politics; men of the south began to have a hand in the national and local affairs at the north. A paternal sentiment has resulted which has buried old … Read more

Captain Thomas Bedford’s Company Of Bedford County Rifle Company

A List Of Captain Thomas Bedford’s Company Of Bedford County Rifle Company Of Volunteers. Officers Thomas Buford Captain (Died of wounds the night after the battle) Thomas Dooley Lieutenant Jonathan Cundiffi Ensign Nicholas Mead Sergeant William Kenedy Sergeant John Fields Sergeant Thomas Fliping Sergeant Privates Abraham Sharp Thomas Hall Absalom McClanahan William Hamrick William Bryant Nathaniel Cooper William McColister John Cook James Scarbara Mr. Waugh John McClanahan John McGlahlen James McBride Jonn Campbell John Carter William Campbell Adam Lynn Robert Boyd Thomas Stephens Thomas Hamrick William Kerr Gerrott Kelley James Ard William Deal John Bezel John Welch William Overstreet Robert … Read more