Illuminations, Epiphanies, & Reflections

Family Trees                                

The Parsons James Parsons, 1772-1859 James Parsons was born at the Parson's Cheat River homestead near present day Parsons in 1772, the fourth son of Thomas (3) Parsons and his wife, Mary Ann Rennick.  Family records make a special point of noting that James "received a practical education from private schools."  This is interesting, because no private academy was established in Hampshire County until 1814, and there is no record of any Tucker County academy before the Civil War.  This suggests, then, that James was either sent away to school--which is unlikely as the family history specifically states he "grew to manhood" at his father's homestead, received private tutoring, and/or attended one of the "Old Field Schools," which were commonly found in communities throughout Virginia.  These old log schools received their name from the fact that frequently they were established on an abandoned field within walking distance of most students.  Teachers for these schools were often paid by one or more prosperous landowners in the community, perhaps by Thomas (3), and classes were generally made available to all children without any additional charge.  In 1800, James, his wife Nancy Rust, and their two children, William and Elizabeth, left the Cheat River homestead and established a plantation on new lands acquired by Thomas (3), a four day journey southwest of Moorefield through the mountains via Greenland Gap.  It is unclear how many slaves accompanied James, however the family history notes that "the negro woman who saw 'Simms' shot by the Indians was purchased by him and spent all her life on the plantation.  She was the mother of fifteen children." In addition to managing a prosperous plantation, James was also an astute investor.  He was able to well provide for all of his eleven children, ensuring each was provided with a home and property of their own.  His eldest daughter, Elizabeth Parsons married into another well-established family, the Hanks, in 1826. To Thomas (3) Parsons       To Elizabeth Parsons Hank