SAMUEL FERGUSON
Picture below is the Historical Marker for Samuel Ferguson.
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Samuel
Ferguson was born March 3, 1744 an died February 12, 1825 in Cabell
County, WV. (That part which is now Wayne County). He married Mary Jameson , who
according to bible records, was born March 21, 1746 and died September 21, 1827.
(The monument reads 3/27/1746-9/27/1827.)
It is believed that Samuel came to the colonies with a cousin, Patrick
Ferguson, in 1765. Both were British soldiers, but Samuel sympathized with the
colonies. Major Patrick Ferguson, of the British Army, was killed at the Battle
of King’s Mountain. It is known that Samuel also fought there for the colonies.
Samuel is first recorded in Augusta County, Virginia, where he bought land
on August 21, 1765. (Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlements in Virginia -
Chalkey). Samuel, along with Capt. Moore & Peerys, was at the battle of Alamance
May 16, 1771. (New River Settlements - David E. Johnson). Samuel settled on
Bluestone Creek, Tazewell County, VA. in 1772. (Annals of Southwest Virginia
1769-1800 - Lewis Preston Summers). He remained there until he moved to present
Wayne County, WV about 1804.
Samuel appears in the Auditor’s Accounts for Dunmore’s War, as having
furnished one hog. He swore allegiance to the United States on September 30,
1777 from Montgomery County, VA. (Revolutionary War Book, Montgomery County CH).
Samuel was at the Battle of King’s Mountain, South Carolina with Thomas Peery,
William Peery and John Peery on October 7, 1780. (History of The Middle New
River Settlements - David E. Johnston). He was appointed Ensign in Capt. James
Moore’s Company of Montgomery County, Virginia Militia on April 3, 1781. (Annals
of Southwest Virginia - Summers).
Samuel appears on the Montgomery County, VA tax lists of both 1782 and 1789.
In 1793 he is listed on the tax list of Wythe County. He is recorded as having
purchased land there in 1796. In 1802 he is recorded in a land purchase in
Tazewell County. Sometime in 1804 Samuel brought his family to Kanawha County,
Virginia (now Wayne County, WV) where he was among the first settlers in what is
now Union District of WC. At his death, Samuel’s home was on the land where his
monument now stands.
I believe that most of the places of abode for Samuel, listed above in
Virginia, were basically in the same area, only changing when new counties were
formed.
The History of the Samuel Ferguson family is further documented in a book
entitled “Ferguson Family Genealogical History of Wayne County, West Virginia”
by Evelyn Massie, a local author. Library of Congress Catalog Card Number:
85-61178
Samuel & Mary’s monument is in very good condition and easily readable. Ift
is located on his old farm on Craig Road, just outside the Town of Wayne. Go
down Craig road until you come to the first railroad crossing. There is a little
dirt road which turns left off from Craig Road just before it crosses the
railroad tracks. That is an old timber haul road, accessible by 4 wheel drive.
One would travel less than 100 yards up this road and turn sharply down the
point. The gravesite is some 100 feet below the haul road. The area is generally
clear, often grown up with weeds but no heavy brush. The property is now owned
by Ivolese Frazier, who is a direct descendant of Samuel & Mary.
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