A biography of John C Ward is as follows: John C. Ward Sr John C. Ward, Sr born in England, possibly Liverpool, circa 1790-1800, his parents being unknown. His father and possibly other members of the family had a skirting business between Liverpool and various ports.
He, together with one or more brothers, set sail in a home-made vessel for
America. Before reaching their destination their boat was demolished by the
large waves and wind near an island. Here they remained for several months
before being picked up by a seagoing ship which took them back to England.
Determined to come to America, John and one of his brothers embarked on a
ship circa 1824 headed for Virginia.
The ship did not reach its destination and supposedly sank off the Virginia
coast. The two brothers were then taken to New York where they ultimately
separated and never heard from each other again.
John C. Ward eventually settled along the James River near Surry County,
Virginia, and raised cotton. This venture did not prove profitable so he
moved on to Greenbrier County, Virginia, and thence on to Nicholas County,
Virginia, both counties now being in West Virginia.
Somewhere along the way John C. Ward met and married Mary Elizabeth Peatt,
who was born in Virginia, circa 1807.
On October 5, 1840 John C. Ward, Sr. bought a tract of land at Craigsville,
Nicholas County containing 148 acres upon which he built a two-story frame
house. It was here that he lived and reared his eleven children to
adulthood. By occupation he was a farmer. He died circa 1865. -- Eileen M.
Nelson.
Notes of Eula Conley:
- No record of John Ward owning property in Greenbrier County, W.Va. or
filing declaration of intention to become a naturalized citizen.
- Marriages: Wm Peatt married Mary Smith Nov. 17, 1814 in Augusta
County, Va. They were married by Rev. Wm. King. This was taken from,
page 4, in a book on Augusta County Marriages 1813 - 1850 at a
Genealogical Forum Meeting at Public Library 3 - 27 - 73. Published by
Col. Thos. Hughart DAR, Augusta County, Va. McClure Press, Verona, Va.
- Page 29 of above book. Isabell Peatt married John McWilliams Aug.
3,1826 by Rev. John Hendrern. Wm Peatt & Isaball Peatt could have been
brother and sister. Wm. Peatt a had son named Marshall who died in 1912 at
age 93. He was a doctor.
- It is my belief that Wm. Peatt was a brother to Mary Elizabeth (Eliza)
Peyatt.
John and Mary Ward appeared on the 1860 census of Nicholas County, VA, he age 60 and she age 54.
Children of John and Eliza are:
Sources:
