I am a Jessee family member who has worked on the family genealogy for over 25 years.
Our Chico, California branch of the family is descended from the original John Jesse(e) (1750-1815), and Frances (Frankie) Lea (1752-1836) of Caswell County, North Carolina and Russell County, Virginia, who had 15 children. I believe that all the Jessee cousins with whom I have corresponded are descended from this John Jessee. All of us living at this time who are descendants of this original John Jessee are about fifth or sixth cousins.
This letter represents the second effort to establish a Jessee Family Newsletter, a Jessee family genealogist's mailing list and information exchange.
In the first newsletter, I provided information about my long-time interest and work on the family genealogy. I am volunteering to maintain a central mailing list, and to facilitate the exchange of information between us to the extent my time and means will allow. I'll admit that I intended to have two issues last year, but the year and the response to the first newsletter were sufficiently sobering, that I may be content with only an annual issue.
By George, or perhaps by Edward (see below), I think this newsletter is going to make it.
We have over 40 on the mailing list, and it is beginning to grow more rapidly, although I have yet to break even. Your donations to help me cover costs are still needed. I have more information and news than ever before and several exciting events to share. As we do have several new families on the list, please forgive a bit of repetition.
Will the Real Frankey Lea Please Stand Up?
Our previous newsletter postulated that our Jessee Family's founding grandmother, Frankey Lea, who married John Jessee, was the daughter of John Lea (1735-1803) of Caswell County, NC. Based on this lineage, we can trace our pedigree via her grandmother Anne Herndon, to Edward the III, King of England and the Royal Families of Europe. I had great fun detailing that pedigree in that newsletter, and still hope we can prove it.
Will Some of you Frankey Leas Please Sit Down!
In the last newsletter, I asked, “Will the Real Frankey Lea Please Stand Up?” and requested information, evidence, or other proof regarding several possibilities. Well the resources, bits of information, analysis, interpretations, and opinions have been flowing in. I am quite overwhelmed in several respects by the contribution of new materials, and several scholarly exchanges of information and ideas. I am thrilled by the new information, but up to my gunnels in sorting it all out and coming to conclusions. In fact the new information throws doubts on most of our previous theories.
It is still a young sprout, even if this editor isn't.
Interest in the newsletter has been steadily growing. We have a mailing list of nearly 100, a copy of which you may request as desired. Since several new members have joined, I thought I would repeat an introduction of myself and a restatement of purpose for this newsletter. Please forgive any repetition.
I have visited Russell County three times in 25 years, each time for only one or two days.
This only whetted my appetite for exploring, even living in that beautiful country. My many years of research into the family history of Russell County make me feel at home there. I research my immediate ancestors: the Bickley, Armstrong, Smyth/ Smith, Porter, Duncan, Richman/Richmond, and Barrick families; and other families who have intermarried with the Jessees and come from this area of the country including: the Banner, Browning, Burk(e), Counts, Fuller, Gose, Kiser, Stone, and Vermillion families. I have an abiding interest in Russell County.
Most, but not all, Jessees in America are descended from John Jessee (1750-1815), and Frankey Lea (1752/61-1836)...
...of Cobb's Creek, Caswell County, North Carolina and Carr's Creek (today Mill Creek) in Reed's Valley, Russell County, Virginia. All of us living at this time who are their descendants are about fifth or sixth cousins, or even closer kin. Other Jessee families in America are likely more distant cousins with whom we share common ancestors.
Tom and Shirley Rudder have been this newsletter's most steady researchers and constant contributors of valuable information.
Having the energy of beavers, minds like a good Jessee Trap, and the luxury of retirement, when Tom is not fishing, he and Shirley are constantly digging through the Sutro Library, the federal archives and repository near San Francisco, as well as other family history resources near and far from their home in Carmichael, CA, just outside of Sacramento. They are incisive and exhaustive researchers. With more than a healthy dose of skepticism, Tom must conclusively prove a fact of genealogical information before he will submit it, and he has solved many family mysteries and debunked several family myths.
We are indeed a Family of Man.
I recently made a presentation to the Paradise, CA Genealogical Society, which is a custodian of much Butte County, CA genealogy. I did a "book report" on The Mountain of Names— A History of the Human Family, by Alex Shoumatoff, Simon and Schuster, 1985. Shoumatoff makes the case that we are all no more than 50 generations removed from a common ancestor. Those of English ancestry probably share a common ancestor within 20 generations, since 1492. Since 750 A.D., all people, that is "all mankind," of every race and continent, share one or more common ancestors. We are all cousins.
“The thing that interests me most about family history is the gap between the things we think we know about our families and the realities.”
Tom and Shirley do all their work the old fashioned way, with no computers.
Faithful researcher and newsletter contributor Tom Rudder has been especially productive for this edition, providing much new information and, most importantly, a map plotting the original Jessee family lands in Russell Co. from the recorded descriptions. Tom further scrutinized the Russell Co. census data and has asked even more perplexing questions about the various George L. Jessees found in Russell Co. in the early 1800s. We will take up the George L. Jessee questions in the Winter 1998 edition, as several of our Jessee family researchers have contributed materials on that matter, too.
Irene Jessee Perry along with her sister Janice Jessee Tiller provide information on the Phillip and Gabriel Jessee family…
…who came from Halifax Co. and pioneered in Russell Co. in the 1780/90s. Their kinship with John and Frankey Lea Jessee is unknown. Phillip Jessee always stands out for Russell Co. researchers as he is listed as 108 years old in the 1850 Census and is believed to have lived to be 116. Thus he earned the respectful appellation "Old Phillip" to distinguish him in my records.
I will begin the newsletter with a memorial to Col. Howard Gilmer Jessee…
…and a request to remember Howard with a donation to the Russell Co. Library, Family History Department, to which he generously donated over the years.
The status of research on each of John and Frankey’s fifteen children is reviewed.
Many have made significant contributions extending our knowledge of their descendants. In particular, Janet Lee Lighthill Ridley has contributed over 1000 new descendents of Archer Jessee. The research team of Jack Hockett, Kathryn Burke Greever, and Imogene Burke Verbal may have doubled that number with extensive new information regarding the descendants of the Burke family, who married two children and two grandchildren of John and Frankey Jessee. Correspondence includes many letters correcting errors, providing new information and, of course, new problems and mysteries to solve. One tidbit from Nellie Ruth Rasnake Jessee provides information that my wife Nelda Meline Jessee is not only cousin to any George Lea Jessee descendants, but is a cousin to some descendants of Phillip and Gabriel Jessee, too.
Donald Coleman provides information for descendants of Richard Jesse, b. 1768 in Middlesex Co., VA; Patty Jesse Knutson details the family of Samuel Jesse, Sr., b. abt 1770, Shenandoah Valley; and others offer more on American, French, German, and Hungarian Origins of the Jessee Family.
Bev Jesse and Harry Shuptrine are pleased to announce the publication of their book William Morgan Jesse and His Descendants.
John L. McGhee offers significant information regarding the VA origins of, and Irene Jessee Perry provides documentation for, descendants of Phillip and Rachel Jessee, and their son Gabriel Jessee of Russell Co.
Henry Davis offers vital help to create a Jessee Family Association dedicated to preserving the memory of and the cemetery where John and Frankey Lea Jessee are buried. Hope Davis provides documentation of Henry Jessee’s estate and more.
Many offer new insights and extensions of information for many of John and Frankey’s fifteen children (I-XV), including our first contacts with two descendants of Frances Jessee Stone. Many of our faithful and several new contributors provide corrections, new information and documentation, wonderful photos, and appropriate caution regarding the use of the Internet and this database.
Freida Davis and Michael Jones each provided a complete list of Jesse(e)s found in The Roster of Confederate Soldiers in a special section on Confederate Jessee Records.
Correspondence is rich with news, inquiries, and some sobering comments that give us pause about this computer revolution, use of the Internet, and the ethics of genealogy research.
Among the prominent JESSE families in America are the descendants of John Jesse (1770-1808) and Clia Smith of Cumberland Co., VA.
They have four sons recorded, John P., Thomas Hall, William Morgan and Samuel Jesse. The descendants of their son William Morgan Jesse, are well documented in the book, The Jesses,
The National Jessee Family Reunion is our first story with a special invitation to join us August 5, 2000 at Sugar Hollow Campground in Bristol, VA. Rev. Vernon Cecil Jessee and Joy Malone extend an invitation to one and all.
Jesse(e) Family Origins has several new contributions, including an important new clue as to who may be the first John Jesse to land on this shore in 1706. Several other Jesse(e) families are heard from.
Because the Jessee family of SW VA is so intermarried with other founding SW VA families, I have chosen to include more information on other related families, this time featuring articles about Samuel Porter and William Smith.
Several contributors have sent photographs which I am happy to feature, although the quality of printing is somewhat uneven, depending on how these were transmitted. These photos speak a thousand words and are most welcome additions to the newsletter. Bear with me while I figure out the technicalities or printing JPG files.
Many contributors have provided new information and updates regarding the ancestors and descendants of Philip and Rachel Jessee and each of John and Frankey Lea Jessee’s fifteen children. There are too many to name all here, but you will find many new stories and extensions of our family knowledge.
Correspondence is rich with news, inquiries, and new information, as well as some genealogy humor we hope you will enjoy.
Jessee Resources on the World Wide Web has a few more clues for us computer geeks.
I have reprinted Tom Rudder’s very fine map of the original John Jessee land which helps us locate the cemetery and original home in relation to Jessee’s Mill.
A Jessee Historical Foundation is to be established and you may read all about it and the proposed Historical Marker Project inside.
Jesse(e) Family Origins has several new contributions, including an important new clue as to who may be the first ancestor to land on this shore. Cyndi Valencia proposes that our common Jesse(e) ancestor may be Capt. James Jessey of Nansemond Co., VA, who was here before 1700. More information comes from Virginia Bennett.
Many Historic Southwest Virginia Families are intermarried with the Jesse(e) family. I have chosen to include more information on other related founding families, this time featuring articles about the Bickley, Habern, Hanson, Smyth/Smith, and Helton families.
The Jessee Historical Foundation has been established. Read all about it and see a photo of the board’s first meeting.
Learn more about proposed Historical Marker Project inside. Irene Jessee Perry has donated an oil painting of Jessee’s Mill to be auctioned at the reunion as a fund raiser for the Jessee Historical Foundation.
Jesse(e) Family Origins has several new contributions. Mike Bedford provides information on our possible common English Jesse orgins. See several bits on German Jesse origins, and a new Canadian Jesse family is heard from. More information comes from Virginia Bennett.
Many Historic Southwest Virginia Families are intermarried with the Jesse(e) family. This time we are featuring articles about the Astrop, Browning, Boring, Gibson, Johnson, Epley, Arrington, Owens, Mangum, and Campbell families. Some with important corrections.
Many contributors have provided new information regarding the ancestors and descendants of Philip and Rachel Jessee and each of John and Frankey Lea Jessee’s fifteen children. You will find new stories and extensions of our family genealogy database inside.
The Jessee Historical Foundation is well underway with 215 charter members. Read all about it and see a photo of the board’s first annual meeting. Learn more about the proposed Jessee Historical Marker Project and more inside.
Jesse(e) Family Origins has several new contributions, this time about possible Jesse(e) family French Origins.
Southwest Virginia Families which have intermarried with the Jesse(e) family are featured. This time we are featuring articles about the Fuller, Powers, and Litton families. In other articles there is important information for the McKinney, Bickley, Porter, Counts, Helton, Hanson, Dickenson, Gilmer, Wright, and Smith families.
Many contributors have provided new information regarding the history and genealogy of Philip and Rachel Jessee, their son Gabriel, and each of John and Frankey Lea Jessee’s fifteen children. You will find news, stories and extensions of our family genealogy inside.
“May the roots of your family tree grow deep and strong.”
The historic Andrew Jackson Jessee home, across the road from Jessee’s Mill is for sale.
Read all about it and a proposal to acquire and restore Jessee’s Mill, dam, school, and store as part of a vision for a Mill Creek Historic Park.
Southwest Virginia Families which have intermarried with the Jesse(e) family are featured. This time we are featuring articles about the first settlers of Castles’ Woods, and the Hilton, Stacer, Browning, Fuller and possible Jewish origins of some Melungeon families.
The Jessee Historical Foundation is doing well.
Joy Malone provides a summary of the first year’s activities and achievements. Learn more about the proposed Jessee’s Mill historical designation and the John and Frankey Lea Jessee cemetery protection and more inside.
The historic Andrew Jackson Jessee home, across the road from Jessee’s Mill is still for sale. Read all about it and a dream to acquire and restore Jessee’s Mill, dam, school, and store as part of a vision for a Mill Creek Historic Park.
Other Jesse(e) Families includes new inquiries about Thomas Jessee (b. 1754 in Amelia, Co.) and his father Lazarus Jessee. We still do not know how they may be related.
Featured is the article by Katherine Kerr Kendall on the family of William and Mary Lea of Caswell Co., NC. I believe William and Mary are the parents of our Frankey Lea Jessee.
We have a report and photos of the 4th National Jessee Family Reunion, June 21, 2003, at the Harry L. Coomes Recreation Center, Abingdon, VA. See highlight photos of the 2003 Jessee Family Research Day, Historic Bus Tour and picnic inside.
Efforts to preserve Jessee’s Mill and create an historic park around it have new hope. Sherman Wallace is taking the lead, and working with Kathryn Greever, John Funk, Tom Rudder, and most importantly, Mike Pulice from the VA Dept. of Historical Resources about the proposed Jessee’s Mill historical designation. Read all about it and a dream to acquire and restore Jessee’s Mill, dam, school, store, church, and the Andrew Jackson Jessee and the Miller’s home as part of a vision for a Mill Creek Historic Park.
SW Virginia families includes contributions by Jerry Cline and Gail Garten Gilbert. These historic families have intermarried with the Jessees over 200 years, so we have much in common.
Other Jesse(e) Families and Jesse(e) Family Origins includes new inquiries and tidbits of information. William Leon Jessee provides use an important new clue.
Under JHF projects, there is an extensive discussion on the matter of preserving John and Frankey Lea Jessee’s cemetery. I hope it will not prove to be too controversial, but helpful.
Efforts to preserve Jessee’s Mill and create an historic park around it continue. Sherman Wallace is taking the lead, but asks for help with funding immediate mill preservation efforts. He is working with Kathryn Greever, John Funk, Tom Rudder, and most importantly, Mike Pulice from the VA Dept. of Historical Resources.
SW Virginia families includes contributions regarding the Charles Bickley and Samuel Gibson families. These historic families have intermarried with the Jessees over 200 years, so we have much in common.
Other Jesse(e) Families and Family Origins includes tidbits of information and photos from Kathy Messer and Tony Fenner for the John and Clia Smith Jesse family.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. Tom Rudder provides a refreshed map of their Russell Co. farm, and a complete summary of land records, too. See new information, read heart-warming stories, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
The 2004 and 5th National Jessee Family Reunion was held Saturday, June 19, 2004 at the Coomes Recreation Center in Abingdon, VA.
I share inside photos and memories of the 2004 National Family Reunion from the Jim and Nelda Jessee perspective, only. I invite others to send along their best photos and memories for me to share in the next newsletter. The picnic may have been down in numbers to two hundred and some, but the food was plentiful and delicious, and the hospitality, entertainment, and fun plentiful. The research day was well attended, and the Welcome Reception was much appreciated by us out-of-town cousins.
Under JHF projects, there is much good news and photos to see. County Road 645 has been renamed Jessee's Mill Road, and the State has approved the placement of a private historic highway marker. Efforts to preserve Jessee’s Mill and create an historic park around it continue.
SW Virginia families includes contributions regarding the Charles Bickley and Pruner, Meade, Alderson, and Gibson families. These historic families have intermarried with the Jessees over 200 years, so we have much in common.
Other Jesse(e) Families and Family Origins includes tidbits of information regarding a German origin Jesse family. We have two significant contributions regarding the Phillip and Rachel Jessee descendants, too.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature. See a five generation photo from Dee Ann Burris and other historic family photos that have been shared.
Joe Jessee provides a JHF annual review with much good news regarding several Jessee Historical Foundation projects.
County Road 645 has been renamed Jessee's Mill Road, the Jessee's Mill private historic highway marker has been established, and efforts to have Jessee's Mill declared an historic State and Federal landmark are coming to be. Efforts to preserve Jessee’s Mill and create an historic park around it continue.
SW Virginia families includes contributions regarding the Kiser, Ramey, Fraley, and Nash families. These historic families have intermarried with the Jessees over 200 years, so we have much in common. Jack Hockett provides a list of valuable genealogy resources for Washington Co., VA.
Other Jesse(e) Families and Family Origins includes a tidbit of information on the earliest Jessee to arrive in America, Thomas Jessee, 1671. We have contributions for the Phillip and Rachel Jessee descendants, too.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature. See photos from Dee Harding and other historic family photos that have been shared.
Joe Jessee provides the terrific news that the US Department of Interior, Park Service, has declared Jessee's Mill in Russell County to be a National Historic Landmark.
This is an historic moment for the Jessee Family, the historic Mill Creek Community, and Russell County. It is a major step in efforts to preserve Jessee’s Mill and the historic community around it for our descendants. Read all about it and follow-up efforts to create a Mill Creek Historic Community Organization to continue the effort.
The official Jessee Historical Foundation Newsletter, and other letters to me from the JHF Board and members have led me to significantly edit this Newsletter and Website. I have created a new column, JHF News and Views, to discuss the issues. I beg your pardon for the editorial comments you will find there.
SW Virginia Families, Other Jesse(e) Families, and Family Origins includes a tidbit of information on one the earliest JESSE families to arrive in America, Richard and Frances Chowning Jesse of Middlesex Co., VA.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature. See photos from Greg Lapore, Crystal Reed, Mitchell Jessie, and Peggy Mclain and other historic family photos that have been shared.
Correspondence and Missing Links is rich this issue, with a photo of the Sons of the Pioneers, one of whom is a Jessee descendant, and a discussion of Virginia State Law regarding historic cemetery protection.
Joe Jessee and Carlyine Ritter provide photos of the 2005 Reunion and Sherry Finco provides a wonderful historical photo of her James and Tabitha Jessee Simerly family.
In the last issue, Joe Jessee provided the terrific news that the US Department of Interior, Park Service, has declared Jessee's Mill in Russell County to be a National Historic Landmark. In one of our photos we misidentified Carl Jessee, the designer of the Jessee's Mill Historic Marker, as Carl Moore. Read all about it and follow-up efforts to create a Mill Creek Historic Community Organization.
See JHF News and Views for the obituary of Laura Thomas Jessee, and a further discussion of some issues that continue to nag.
SW Virginia Families includes a book review of Melungeons— The Last Lost Tribe in America by Elizabeth Caldwell Hirschman. It asserts that many historic SW VA families are of Melungeon Origin, perhaps even our Frankey Lea and John Counts. I highlight two families that have intermarried with the Jessees or their descendants over 250 years, the Yates and Skeen families. This book and its assertions are controversial but a wonderful read for SW VA historians and genealogists. It should stimulate more research.
Other Jesse/ee/ie/ey Families, and Family Origins includes a tidbit of information on one the earliest JESSEE families to arrive in Kentucky, the Thomas and Lazarus Jessee family of Adair Co., KY.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
Vernon Salyers updates us on the activities at the 2006 JHF Reunion and the dedication of a Revolutionary War stone for John Jessee, Sr. in the Andrew Jackson Jessee Cemetery behind the Mill Creek Church.
The Jessee Family Photo Album includes descendants of Phillip, but not Gabriel Jessee, which is explained further.
JHF News & Views and the original John Jessee Cemetery and Mill Projects have some new information, and commentary, but little progress.
SW Virginia Families, Other Jesse/ee/ie/ey Families, and SW VA Family Origins include a tidbit of information on Henry Nathaniel Meade, German Gesse/Jesse origins and surmise by John Funk that we may need to look to German or Dutch origins for the name, too.
We provide new Lea information and speculation by Jim Jessee and Tom Rudder regarding the origins of our own Frankey Lea Jessee, with much help form Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde, a Lea Family descendant and researcher.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
Letters sent to Carlyine Ritter from Vivian Bales are featured under Mary Polly Jessee Kiser, and the obituaries for both Elsie Salyer Jessee (wife of Rev. Cecil) and Robert Wayne “Bob” Jessee (former JHF Board member) are shared under George Lea Jessee columns.
Vernon Salyers updates us on the activities at the 2006 JHF Reunion and the dedication of a Revolutionary War Stone for John Jessee.
The Jessee Family Photo Album includes more descendants of Old Phillip Jessee, and much more under Phillip & Gabriel Jessee.
JHF News & Views and the John Jessee Cemetery and Mill Projects have some new information and commentary, but no progress.
SW Virginia Families, Other Jesse/ee/ie/ey Families, and SW VA Family Origins include a tidbit of information on the Alexander and McReynolds families, and more descendants for the John and Clia Smith Jesse family.
Tom Rudder asks controversial questions about our founding father, John Jessee: was he the same person as John Jesse or John Jessey, the Revolutionary Patriot? See his notes and research in "Will the real John Jessee please stand up?"
We provide some new Lea information regarding the origins of our own Frankey Lea Jessee, with much help form Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde, a Lea Family descendant and researcher.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
Letters sent to Carlyine Ritter from Vivian Bales are featured under Mary Polly Jessee Kiser.
Missing Links and Correspondence have items of interest and requests for help. We are still seeking a Clarence Jessee.
Jack Hockett, who is one of our SW Virginia research treasurers, has had much of his work published. See the extensive list of volumes available. These are essential to SW VA genealogists and invaluable. Thank you, Jack.
“Why waste your money looking up your family tree? Just go into politics and your opponents will do it for you. ”
Mary Akers provides photos of the JHF 2007 Jessee Family Reunion, and indicates it was a good time for all.
Vernon & Pauline Salyers provide information about this year’s JHF project, the first volume of Jessee Stories & Remembrances that is available for purchase.
JHF News & Views and the John Jessee Cemetery and Mill Projects have a summary of information and commentary, but no progress to report.
SW Virginia Families, Other Jesse/ee/ie/ey Families, and SW VA Family Origins include several tidbits of information on the Browning and Fuller families, and news from other “Jesse” family descendants of John Jesse and Clia Smith, and Richard Jesse and Frances Chowning. There is an exciting article on Genetealogy, genetic genealogy and DNA testing, with a request to participate.
Find news on John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
I have shared a eulogy which I did for my Aunt Mary Jessee, another remarkable woman who illustrates the strength and character of those brave enough to marry a Jessee man.
Thomas Phillips wrote to share information regarding the Lea Jessee descendants of William Nelson Gray and family, and shared wonderful photos.
Jim and Nelda’s Trip to Israel is shared with a selection of photos. I write a bit about my Mother’s family, most of whom perished in the Holocaust. Three survivors made it to Israel from European DP camps in 1948, and helped build that country. I was reunited with their Sabra children, my second cousins , and met their children and grandchildren while there in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
Joseph Harold “Doodle” Jessee is featured in a Lebanon News article on the service of Doodle and his four brothers, Robert Trigg, Ralph Stanford, James Pyle, and Lawrence Carroll Jessee. Nelda and I are lucky to have enjoyed their most gracious hospitality at their home on several occassions.
Gigi Robinson shares her research paper, titled Genealogy—The Trip of a Lifetime, prepared for an English class at the University she is attending in Muncie, Indiana, and much more about her life.
Mary Akers shares her Mitochondrial DNA results with the family. and there are more articles on Genetic Genealogy and DNA testing, with a request to participate.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse/ee/ie/ey Families include several tidbits of information and news from descendants of John Jesse and Clia Smith, and Richard Jesse and Frances Chowning.
Terry Bickley of Eugene, Oregon shared a wonderful photo of the James Monroe and Evaline Bartee Bickley family of Bickley’s Mill near Castlewood. We ask for help identifying the 13 children.
Find news on Jessee Family Origins and John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature. Among our most helpful contributors you will find materials from Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde, Debra Rookard, Jo Dee Jessie Biddle, Lorraine Gilmer, Sue Wilkerson, Merri Vinton Thelma Jones, Kerry Galcik, Don Salyer, Charlie Jessee, Vernon Salyerss, Tom Rudder, Dale McGill.
Several letters and inquiries regard health issues in the family that may have genetic components. Two of our family discuss their Multiple Sclerosis and ask if there are more family examples.
The passing of James Charlie “JC” Jessee, one of the founders of the JHF is sadly featured, along with the passing of several other family members we are sad to lose.
Terry Bickley of Eugene, Oregon shared a wonderful photo of the James Monroe and Evaline Bartee Bickley family of Bickley’s Mill near Castlewood, which I shared in the last edition, but the adventure continues, with the discovery of their Family Bible in Chico, CA.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse/ee/ie/ey Families include several tidbits of information and news from descendants of other Jesse, Jessee, and several prominent SW VA families.
Find news on Jessee Family Origins and John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
I feature the results of my own DNA study, and share the male Jessee line Y Chromosome DNA results...
All direct line Jessee males should share this same Y Chromosome inheritance which traces our father’s father’s line back to Adam via a long sojourn in Europe and, most likely, the British Isles.
The Jessee Family Reunion has been rescheduled for every two years beginning in 2010. See JHF News
John Darst provided photos and asks for our help in identifying the Jessees included. There are additional dialogues throughout the Newsletter with William Foster, Michael Dye,Vinson Holbrook, Janeen Puckett, Betty Jo Grizzle Gribble, Carol (Jessee) Allred, Carol Roman, Beth Onan Hugenot, and Kent Pusser, that greatly illuminate our efforts, and show what a small world it can be.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse(e) Families include information and news from descendants of other Jesse(e) families, and other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history.
Find news on Jessee Family Origins and John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
The Jessee Family Reunion has been rescheduled for every two years beginning in 2010. See also JHF News and Views. I review the terrific JHF book, Jessee Stories and Remembrances, and recommend its purchase.
I support the JHF and offer to help the effort to publish a Jessee Genealogy Book(s), and comment on this hopeful project.
Joseph Harold “Doodle” Jessee’s obituary and two photos are shared.
I share a summary of our male Jessee Y Chromosome DNA results. All direct line Jessee males should share this same Y Chromosome inheritance which traces our father’s father’s line back to Adam.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse(e) Families include information and news from descendants of other Jesse(e) families, and other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history.
News articles regarding other interrelated SW VA families include articles on the Counts, Ward, Steele, Ramsey, Ramey, Nash, Fuller, Gilbert, Kilgore, Porter, Stallard, Alexander, Brawley, and Bickley families.
There is a new discussion of the possible origin of our Jesse/Jesse surname, with Jessup strongly suggested as the root. We have good deal of news for several other Jesse families, including descendants of John and Clia Smith Jesse.
Find news on Jessee Family Origins and John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. Several have sent articles and photographs which I am happy to feature.
JHF News & Views provide the new JHF Calendar for
MISSING LINKS and CORRESPONDENCE has items of interest and requests for help, and JESSEE RESOURCES ON THE WEB has a few more Web sites for us geeks. CAROL FRALEY LAFERTY provided a wonderful essay Tracing My Jessee Family Connections.
The Jessee Family Reunion has been rescheduled for every two years beginning August 2010. See also JHF News and Views. I may be there...
I offer to help the JHF publish a Jessee Genealogy Book, and comment on this hopeful project.
I recommend our cousin N. Brent Kennedy’s book, The Melungeons, and share DNA studies that are relevant to SW VA genealogy, including my male Jessee Y Chromosome DNA results which traces our father’s father’s line via John Jessee the first, the British Isles, Cro-Magnon Man, Central Asia, back to Adam in Africa. No, we are NOT Neanderthals as some of our in-laws have suggested.
I would like to help Robert Keith find his Jessee roots. See his photo, letter and appeal inside.
I share the news of the passing of Patricia Plaat, wife of Hans John Plaat. Patricia was an Archer Jessee descendant.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse(e) Families include information and news from descendants of other Jesse(e) families, and other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history.
I highlight the wonderful photos from Peggy Gillespie for the Phillip and Gabriel Jessee family.
Find news on Jessee Family Origins and John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside.
Jim Bray is the hero of this newsletter. He is a wonderful example of that distant cousin whose random acts of genealogical kindness help us all so much. Jim’s contributions are all over the newsletter as he responded to many old questions and concerns, made vital corrections, and provided much new information for several branches of our family.
There is good news to report regarding Jessee’s Mill. I am pleased to share the correspondence of John “Mark” Carter, a historical mill restoration craftsman, who has offered Sherman Wallace help with Jessee’s Mill. Sherman has been working on the mill and welcomes this assistance.
I write about OUR TRIP TO SALT LAKE CITY, where we had the pleasure of doing research at the LDS Family History Center, reuniting with a dear friend, Bob Standing, and meeting our cousin Dean Jessee.
SW VIRGINIA FAMILIES and OTHER JESSE(E) FAMILIES include information and news from descendants of other Jesse(e) families, and other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history.
JESSEE FAMILY ORIGINS and JOHN AND FRANKEY LEA JESSEE and their fifteen children always have contributions of internet. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. We have lots for the Archer Jessee family, but still very scant on other branches.
JIM BRAY is the hero again of this newsletter. He is a wonderful example of that distant cousin whose random acts of genealogical kindness help us all so much. Jim’s contributions are all over the newsletter as he responded to many old questions and concerns, made vital corrections, and provided much new information for several branches of our family.
JACK HOCKETT is another hero for our family, even though he is not directly related. He continuously contributes information and documentation for the Jessee family database as he prepares genealogical resource books, and other sources for SW VA genealogists. Find his contributions in several places.
JESSEE’S MILL has little good news to report. I share the correspondence of John “Mark” Carter, a historical mill restoration craftsman, who has offered Sherman Wallace help with Jessee’s Mill, but who has fallen on hard times himself.
MISSING LINKS and CORRESPONDENCE has items of interest and requests for help, and JESSEE RESOURCES has a few more Web sites for us geeks, and always the immeasurable contributions of Michael Dye to SW VA genealogists, too.
THE JESSEE FAMILY REUNION was held August 14, 2010 and the next one is planned for August 4, 2012. See photos of the Reunion and JHF NEWS AND VIEWS.
I am sorry to report the passing of IRENE JESSEE PERRY, one of the founders of the JHF and a major contributor to its success. We have lost more of our family treasures, whose obituaries appear inside.
JACK HOCKETT is genealogy hero for our family, even though he is not directly related. He continuously contributes information and documentation for the Jessee family database as he prepares genealogical resource books, and other sources for SW VA genealogists. He has been providing me scanned images of a variety of documents relative to our family, including the Confederate records of many of our Civil War veterans. Find his contributions in several places.
SW VIRGINIA FAMILIES and OTHER JESSE(E) FAMILIES include information and news from descendants of other Jesse(e) families, and other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history.
JESSEE FAMILY ORIGINS and JOHN AND FRANKEY LEA JESSEE and their fifteen children always have contributions of interest. See new information and photos, read heart-warming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. We have lots for the Archer Jessee family, but scant on other branches, so your contributions are more than welcome.
We offer a bit more to the discussion on John Jessee’s Revolutionary War service, with a plea from Barbara Hall to not upset this apple cart, and a response from Tom Rudder.
JESSEE’S MILL has little good news to report, but Jack Hockett wrote an excellent description for us, and Larry C. Bailey adds more color to the story.
I share correspondence with Larry C. Bailey and Joseph Puckett, the new Russell County Supervisor regarding Jessee’s Mill and the Cemetery, asking for his help. The Puckett and Jessee families are intermarried over many generations. Larry shared information regarding this relationship, too.
MISSING LINKS and CORRESPONDENCE has items of interest and requests for help, and JESSEE RESOURCES has a few more Web sites for us geeks, and always the immeasurable contributions of Jack Hockett and Michael Dye to SW VA genealogists, too.
Robbin Andrews, provided us a set of photos of the family of Dovie Lee (Jessee) Henslee and her parents Beverly Floyd and Martha Moore Jessee, and more information under John Jessee, Jr.
Jim Florence provides terrific new information and insight into the Herndon, Lea, Waller, and Jessee family roots in Caswell Co., NC, and our possible relationship to Alex Haley and his Roots family.
Larry Bailey is again a major contributor with two seminal items for the Jessee family, the testimony of Joseph C. Ashby about the 29th VA Infantry surrender at Appomattox with several Jessee boys, and the Deeds transferring the estate of John Jessee, listing all his 15 children and their spouses.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse(e) Families include information and news from descendants of other Jesse(e) families, and other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history.
Jessee Family Origins and John and Frankey Lea Jessee and their fifteen children always have contributions of interest. See new information and photos, read heartwarming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. We offer a bit more to the discussion on John Jessee’s Revolutionary War service, with new research information from Tom Rudder.
We have news for the John Jr., Archer, and David Jessee, Frances Stone and Boedicia Gose descendants. Archer Jessee features correspondence with Richard Detweiler, the son of Zella Jessee Detweiler, my first genealogy benefactor at age 15.
Michael Robinson and Deborah Hughes provided major materials for the William Jessee family with a different Jessee view of the Civil War.
I am pleased to feature a heartwarming article on a James Jessee descendant, Kerry Galcik. There is scant new material on other branches, so your contributions are more than welcome.
The Jessee Historical Foundation has no news to share and Jessee’s Mill has little good news to report, but Jack Hockett wrote an excellent description for us.
Missing Links and Correspondence has items of interest and requests for help, and Jessee Resources has a few more Web sites for us geeks, and always the immeasurable contributions of Jack Hockett and Michael Dye to SW VA genealogists, too.
The Jessee Historical Foundation has lost one of it founders and a stalwart Russell Co. citizen, Vernon Lee Salyers. Find his obituary inside.
Larry Jessee of El Paso, Texas, shares his wonderful Jessee pedigree and incredible athletic story. He makes us proud.
Bob Whittaker shares much information on his ancestor, Mark R. Whitaker, and a wonderful map of his Whitaker and Smyth family roots in the Castlewood and Bickley Mills area of Virginia.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse(e) Families include information and news from descendants of other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history. Additional Smyth/Smith family information is shared, as well as for Bickley and Branson families.
We feature the latest summary on the Lea families of Caswell County, NC, from whence our Frankey Lea comes, by Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde-Beatty.
Gary Klinedinst responds to our search for Frankey Lea’s Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) by providing it, and wonderful information and commentary on whether she was Indian, Melungeon, or European? Gary shares the remarkable Russell County pedigree of his mother, Alta Mae Kiser, who has Kiser, Long, Dotson, Bush, Sutherland, Fuller, Childress, Thompson, and Jessee roots. Her Jessee root is all maternal.
Jesse(e) Family Origins, Other Jesse(e) Families and John and Frankey Lea Jessee Research have special contributions of interest. See new information and photos of the descendants of their fifteen children. Read heartwarming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. We have news for the John Jr. (especially Stanford Lea Jessee), Archer, David, Frances Stone, James, George, and Martin Jessee descendants.
Missing Links and Correspondence has items of interest and requests for help, and Jessee Resources has a few more Web sites for us geeks, and always the immeasurable contributions of Jack Hockett and Michael Dye to SW VA genealogists, too.
In Dear Cousin, I share a recent photo of my family and why I am discontinuing the printed Jessee Family Newsletter.
SW Virginia Families and Other Jesse(e) Families include information and news from descendants of other prominent SW VA families with whom we share roots and history. Ruth Osborne Price helps us differentiate the Smith and Smyth family origins in Russell County. There are three new contributions by descendants of John and Clia (Smith) Jesse.
Gary Klinedinst, responds to our search for Frankey Lea’s Mitochondrial DNA (MtDNA) by providing it, and wonderful information and commentary on was she Indian, Melungeon, or European? Gary shares the remarkable Russell County pedigree of his mother, Alta Mae Kiser, who has Kiser, Long, Dotson, Bush, Sutherland, Fuller, Childress, Thompson, and Jessee roots. Her Jessee root is all maternal. I share my autosomal DNA results with surprise findings on our common ethnic origins.
Jesse(e) Family Origins, Other Jesse(e) Families and John and Frankey Lea Jessee Research have special contributions of interest. Jim Bray is again our research hero providing several corrections and additions to the database. See new information and photos of the descendants of their fifteen children. Read heartwarming stories, letters, and meet new cousins inside. We have news for the John Jr. (especially Stanford Lea Jessee), Archer, William, Lea, James, and Martin Jessee descendants.
Missing Links and Correspondence has items of interest and requests for help, and Jessee Resources has a few more Web sites for us geeks, and always the immeasurable contributions of Jack Hockett and Michael Dye to SW VA genealogists, too.