IRA SCALF
Son of
John Scalf, Sr. & Edeah Carlisle
Ira<John Sr<Lewis Scalf
 

This chapter is dedicated in memory of Nelle Goring Cooke 1924-2005

Writings of Elmer D. Scalf on the family of Ira Scalf can be found in the book, Scalf Family History, beginning on page 129 – 170 for comparison.

Writings of Henry P. Scalf on the family of Ira Scalf can be found in the book, Chronicles of the Scalf Family, Chapter IX, Rev. Ira and Rosannah Gibson Scalf.

Ira Scalf, son of John Scalf Sr. and Edeah (Edy) Carlisle was born 1812 – 1814 in either Floyd County, Kentucky or Russell County, Virginia.  It is unknown for certain in which location his parents were living during the time Ira was born. 

Ira’s father, John Scalf Sr., left Surry County, North Carolina around 1805-1806 and may have traveled through Russell County, Virginia on his way to Floyd County, Kentucky. Ira’s father was living in Floyd County, Kentucky at the enumeration of the 1810 census.  John Scalf Sr. and his family then appear on the 1820 Russell County, Virginia census. 

In August of 1820 Ira was ordered by the court of Russell County, Virginia to be “bound out to learn a trade” but no records have been found to confirm that Ira was actually removed from the home of his father. The court records of Russell County, Virginia do suggest that Ira’s brother William was taken from the home but later returned.  

This bit of information does suggest that the John Scalf Sr. family had been living in Russell County, Virginia for at least several years before 1820. It is unlikely that the family had only been there for a few months when the overseer of the poor determined that the children needed to be removed.

It is the opinion of the author that Russell County, Virginia is where Ira married his first wife Rosanna Gibson sometime around 1831 or 1832 although no marriage record appears to exist.  Rosanna Gibson was probably a member of the Gibson family from the Russell/Scott County area and some records indicate a possible tie to Tyron Gibson (also spelled Tryon in some records and called Tiry by local natives. However, this has not been researched thoroughly at this time. It is also believed that Rosanna was most likely a descendent of the  “Melungeon” Gibson/Gipson families.

The author has been asked the question by various descendents of this line “what is a Melungeon and where did they come from?” Therefore, as much information as possible due to the length of this chapter has been written concerning these folks to aid in the research of descendents of Rosanna Gibson Scalf. The author has also spent a good deal of years compiling information on this subject. Due to the length of this chapter excerpts from some of the writings of Jack H. Goins has been relied on for information concerning the folks described as “Melungeon.”

For more in-depth information on the Gibson Melungeon families the author suggests the book, Melungeons: And Other Pioneer Families by Jack H. Goins, an excellent researcher and friend.

A considerable number of the Gibson/Gipson families were living in the Lee and Scott County, Virginia and Hancock County, Tennessee areas of Blackwater and Newman’s Ridge and were labeled “Melungeon.” According to information gathered during research of these families, the word “Melungeon” did not necessarily depict a specific race of people.

Vardiman (Vardy) Collins, considered to have been the “head Melungeon” of the Collins families in this area stated he was of “Portagee and Indian descent.” Vardy Collins was also known to Joseph Rhea, an early Hawkins County pioneer, as “Navarrh or Navarrah.”

No one truly knows where the word Melungeon originated or exactly why. However, records of nearby Stony Creek Baptist Church, the first church erected in the Fort Blackmore area of Virginia lists the name “Melungins” as early as 1813 on page 37 of the Stony Creek Baptist Church Minutes. Early Gibson families were members of the Stony Creek Baptist Church of Fort Blackmore as early as 1802 and then moved to the Blackwater area in the same year. (Melungeons: And Other Pioneer Families, pg. 69, Jack H. Goins)

It was also stated by one old-timer from the area that they were known in this locale as “Ramps”  (Melungeons: And Other Pioneer Families, pg. 66, Goins)

The old-timer referred to was speaking of an area located between Dungannon and Fort Blackmore, Virginia known as “Ramp Town.”

Shepherd “Buck” Gibson (also spelled Gipson) is believed to be one of the first Gibson/Gipson families in the area of Hawkins/Hancock Co. Tennessee. Shepherd was the brother-in-law of Vardiman (Vardy) Collins and these two gentlemen are believed to be the progenitors of the original Melungeon families of these particular areas. The word original meaning, “the first known inhabitants to the Newman Ridge area known as “Melungeon.” Jack Goins often lists them as the “source Melungeons” in his book, which may be a more accurate description than “original.” 

The family of Thomas Gibson of Louisa County, Virginia was in Russell County, Virginia as early as 1802. Rhuebin, Fanny, Henry, Thomas Jr., and Vina Gibson joined the Stony Creek Baptist Church at Fort Blackmore in July of this year. Charles Gibson and wife Mary joined the church just one month prior in June of 1802. (Melungeons: And Other Pioneer Families, pg. 68, Goins)

As Jack Goins stated, these families were living in the Fort Blackmore area as early as 1802. At that time Fort Blackmore was in Russell County, Virginia. Russell County was created in 1786 from Washington County, Virginia. Scott County, Virginia was then created in 1815 from parts of Russell. Fort Blackmore is now located in Scott County. 

Most of these families originally came from the Pamunkey River area to Flat River (Orange County) North Caroline and then to the area of Grayson and Russell Counties in Virginia, having lived also in the Wilkes (now Ashe) County, North Carolina area. The author is of the opinion that Rosanna Gibson’s family descended from these early pioneers; however, further research will be needed to establish the exact link.

According to the research of Jack Goins, a definition for “Melungeon” was not even written until 1890 and these early settlers were certainly living in the above-mentioned areas long before 1890.

Much controversy abounds among researchers and scientist today concerning these people. They were a simple people living remotely from society with different traditions, beliefs, and family traits. The original families now being extinct, their descendents are scattered throughout the country today.  (Melungeons: And Other Pioneer Families)

It has been theorized by various researchers that they were of Negro, White, Indian and Portuguese heritage as well as various other mixtures but there still remains (in 2007) no concrete evidence available that would definitely place these families in any specific ethnic group.

Joseph Rhea, a prominent citizen and early attorney of Hawkins County, Tennessee states that Vardy Collins was “of Portuguese Nationality” Joseph was a friend of the children of Solomon Collins as well as the brother-in-law of Bailey Collins, son of Solomon. Joseph spent a good deal of time with these families. This information was passed on in a letter to Mary Collins, a niece of Joseph Rhea.

See Joseph Rhea’s letter.  http://www.geocities.com/ourmelungeons/Rhea_Letter.html

We can think of no reason that Joseph Rhea would have made these statements other than to inform his niece of her ancestors.  Joseph’s sister Melissa Rhea had married Bailey Collins son of Solomon Collins and knew the families intimately and no doubt recalled the information from what he had been told.

Records reveal that Vardy Collins (brother-in-law of Shepherd Gibson/Gipson) was living in Ashe County, North Carolina at the time of the enumeration of the 1810 census but was living on Newman’s Ridge by 1812 in what was then Hawkins County, Tennessee and later Hancock. This area was and still is to some extent, a very isolated region coursing through the Blackwater (Scott/Lee Co) Virginia area and into Hancock County, Tennessee. 

Many theories abound concerning the people known as “Melungeon” and why they chose Newman’s Ridge as their home. The research of Jack Goins documents their earliest known beginnings on the Pamunky River in Virginia where the Saponi Indians were living. It is a matter of record that many of these families traveled down the New River Valley area of Virginia and North Carolina through Washington and Russell County, Virginia before finally settling on Newman’s Ridge.

Having lived in the East Tennessee area for the majority of my life and having known a number of descendents of these families, it is the opinion of the author that the research of Jack Goins holds more logic than any other read by this author. Jack’s book is highly recommended to anyone interested in the Melungeon heritage. Especially, for research of the Collins, Gibson, Minor, and Goins name, just to mention a few.

Follow this link to some of Jack’s writings.  http://www.geocities.com/ourmelungeons/jack.html

The parents of Rosanna Gibson Scalf have not been determined at this time. However, research is ongoing. It is stated in Scalf Family History, page 129 that Ira married Rosanna in 1832 in either Russell County, Virginia or Hawkins County, Tennessee. The author believes they most likely married in Virginia. The 1833 tax list of Russell County, Virginia suggests that Ira was head of house in 1833, for he was taxed on one white poll, which would have been Ira himself.

Chapter IX of Chronicles of the Scalf Family, by Henry P. Scalf states that Rosanna was an inmate of an orphanage in South Carolina.  The following is an excerpt from that chapter.

“He married Rosanna Gibson who had been an inmate of a South Carolina Methodist Church orphanage. Date of the marriage was about 1833 or 1834. Rosanna and her brother David, their parents' names unknown, were not living in the orphanage at the time of the marriage, died sometime around 1852 in Claiborne County, Tennessee along with her last child, Pacify, etc…” (Chronicles of the Scalf Family, Chapter IX)

The following is an excerpt from Chronicles of the Scalf Family:

“Tradition is consistent that Rosanna Gibson Scalf was of dark complexion, this physical trait descending to her children and grandchildren. Her life was marked with hardship and high courage in rearing her family. She was born in Virginia in 1814 and was about 20 years of age at the time of her marriage, two years younger than her husband. The mother of Rosanna was also of dark skin and hair and said to be clairvoyant by her family and neighbors, She predicted her own death. Within three years, scratched the date on the bottom of a pewter place and showed it to her daughter Rose.

Nothing is preserved by tradition relative to Rosanna's father so we assume that at the time of the prediction of her mother's death was made, he was already deceased. Naturally, the children, facing the impact of their mother's prediction, talked to the neighbors. The old witch-hunt psychosis was still lingering and the aroused neighbors charged Mrs. Gibson with being a witch. Under the threat of a trial or ill treatment from the neighbors, the mother gathered her children and what possessions she could carry and fled. There is evidence, deduced from tradition that the family was living in either Virginia or North Carolina at the time.

Fleeing south with her children, Mrs. Gibson finally domiciled in South Carolina. There, true to her prediction, it is said, she died, followed by two other children, leaving Rosanna and David. The latter two were placed in a Methodist Church orphanage. It is only a folk tradition but may have a background of truth. Like many folk stories it conflicts with the record. Rosanna Gibson, according to census records, was born in Virginia.”  http://www.scalf-family.org/HPScalf/Chapter%209.htm

The statements above by Henry P. Scalf were made from legend passed down in the Ira Scalf family. We have been unable to confirm that Rosanna or David were in South Carolina although we also cannot deny it. As stated by Henry, we believe there is a remnant of truth in the legend; however, no supporting evidence has been found as of this date.

Recall the above information by Jack Goins. “The family of Thomas Gibson of Louisa County, Virginia was in Russell County, Virginia as early as 1802. Rhuebin, Fanny, Henry, Thomas Jr., and Vina Gibson joined the Stony Creek Baptist Church at Fort Blackmore in July of this year. Charles Gibson and wife Mary joined the church just one month prior in June of 1802. (Melungeons: And Other Pioneer Families, pg. 68, Goins)

Considering that the above Gibson/Gipson families were in Russell County in 1802, we believe that Rosanna’s father could have been a son or grandson of any of the above families. However, this is only speculation and further research is needed to determine the line of Rosanna Gibson Scalf. 

Some stories state that Rosanna and her last child, Pacify, died of measles and some state they died of cholera or typhoid, which was rampant in that area during the 1850’s.  This disease wiped out complete families in the Russell County area and other areas as well.

By 1840 we find the Ira Scalf family living in Hawkins County, Tennessee. Ira and Rosanna had four sons at the enumeration of this census. The two oldest sons were born 1830 – 1835, which suggest that Ira and Rosanna were married around 1832 or early 1833.

We know from the property records of Claiborne County, Tennessee that Ira was living in Hancock County, Tennessee by1849.  Hancock was created from Hawkins in 1844 and made official around 1846 or 1847.  Ira was living in the area of Hawkins County that became Hancock County and from records appears to have lived there since 1839.

Land records of Claiborne County, Tennessee reveal that Ira bought 12 acres from Phillip Keck on December 5, 1849.  The deed states that Ira Scalf was of Hancock County, Tennessee at this time and Phillip Keck was of Claiborne County.  Ira paid $50.00 for this land and the land was part of a 100-acre tract conveyed by Evans and Casey to Phillip Keck earlier.  The description of this land reads as follows:

“Beginning on a locust and Said Kecks line thence S 20 E 90 poles to a Stake, thence Eastwardly to a Stake a conditional line made between said Hopers thence with said line to a poplar thence to the Beginning.”  Phillip Keck signed by mark (X).  The witnesses were Elijah Goin and William Scalf.  (Link to deed - Page 1 & Page 2)

This would not have been Ira’s brother who was known to Scalf descendents as William #2, if the statement made by Patsy Counts Scalf in Hawkins County in 1845 is correct. Patsy stated that William #2 had died by 1845.  Ira purchased the land in 1849 but the deed was not registered until 27 May 1856 at 5 o’clock p.m.  This alone would rule out this William being Ira’s brother. The William who signed this deed died 1852-1854 and his widow Talitha Scalf remarried by 1854 to Cornelius (Neil) Trent. 

Land deed records of Claiborne County, Tennessee also show that Ira bought property from John Keck in Claiborne County.  The date was January 6, 1850 in the amount of $16.45.  This land was located on the south side of the Powell River, containing 50 acres more or less.  This was mountain land for the most part and was probably much poorer land than the 12 acres Ira had bought from Phillip Keck considering the price Ira paid for this land. The description of this land is as follows:

“Beginning on a Locus thence with a conditional line made between John Hopper and Thomas Hopper to Hezekiah Hoppers corner on the grant line from thence with the top meanderings of the top of the Apalachee Ridge to a post Oak corner made by William P. Yadon and John Keck thence with a conditional line made by the said William P. Yadon and John Keck, to a Sugar tree in the hollow below the Ivy Spring thence on a conditional line to a Stake on Harmon Hoppers line from thence to the Beginning.” (Claiborne County Deed Book)  (Link to deed - Page 1 & Page 2)

The witnesses to this deed were Levi Goins, L. L. Harrell and V. Meyers.  This deed was not recorded until 23 May 1856.  John Keck acknowledged the deed on October 29, 1855. 

Rosanna was still living when Ira bought the land in Claiborne County in 1849 and 1850.  However, she had died at the time Ira registered the deed in May of 1856. This land appears to have been located near or in Tazewell, Tennessee. From the information listed above, it appears that Ira and Rosanna had moved from Sneedville (Hancock Co) Tennessee to Tazewell (Claiborne Co) Tennessee. Claiborne County had been formed much earlier than Hancock so this was a definite move and not a boundary change.

Considering the fact that Ira sold both parcels of land in Claiborne County around 1856, along with the fact that no other deeds were found of Ira purchasing more land, suggests that Ira and his second wife, Nancy Killion McVey, could have moved over to Clay County, Kentucky around 1856. 

Ira had purchased the land before Rosanna died but did not register the deed until after his marriage to Nancy.  Since the deeds were not registered until 1856, it is believed that Ira sold the property at this time. However, the author had no luck in finding a deed of sale for the property. Ira and Nancy probably lived there until this time then moved over to Clay County, Kentucky where Ira’s son, Miles, married his second wife in 1857.

It is believed that Ira, along with his father John Sr., had left Russell County, Virginia and made a trip to Kentucky where Ira’s son, David Crockett Scalf was born. This was sometime between December of 1834 and July of 1835. The last record found of John Scalf Sr. in Russell County, Virginia was dated December 1834 and the last record found of Ira in Russell County, Virginia was July of 1835.

On the 1850 census of Claiborne County, Tennessee Ira and Rosanna stated that Miles J. Scalf was 16 years old. This estimates Miles birth date to around 1834. Ira might have gone to Kentucky during this time and Miles was born there. However, Ira was back in Russell County, Virginia by 1835 and David C. Scalf is listed as the next son born in 1835 in Virginia. However, David consistently stated he was born in Kentucky.

1830 Russell CO VA

The Russell County, Virginia tax lists of 1833 – 1850 contributed by Sharon Carter, confirms that Ira Scalf was living in Russell County 1833 and 1835. He disappears from the tax list in 1834 and was not found listed after 1835.

Considering this information it is possible that Ira’s son Miles could have been born in 1834 in Kentucky and David C. born 1836 in Kentucky. It appears that the Scalf family was moving back and forth between Virginia and Kentucky during this time. The following tax list reveals the location of Ira’s family.

RUSSELL CO. VIRGINIA TAX LISTS

1833B

May 7 - Scalf, Ira - 1 white male over 16

1835A

April 20 - Scalf, Ira - 1 white male over 16; 1 horse

In July of 1835 the sheriff of Russell County, Virginia confiscated property belonging to Ira Scalf, which was thought to belong to John Scalf, Sr; however, it was proven that the property belonged to Ira and Ira was compensated. This was the last record found of Ira Scalf in Russell County, Virginia.

David C. Scalf was the last child born to Ira and Rosanna in Virginia in 1835 according to the information Ira and Rosanna gave on the 1850 census and Wesley was the first child born in Tennessee around 1837. 

The 1836 tax list of Clay County, Kentucky reveals that Ira was living on Otter Creek in Clay County in this year. Ira’s son, David C. Scalf always stated he was born in Kentucky. His birth record states he was born 1838 in Kentucky but Ira was not found in Kentucky in 1838 although he might have still been living there.

Ira did not appear on the tax lists there in 1837 or 1838. Ira was not found in Russell County, Virginia or in Kentucky during the years of 1837 and 1838. Interestingly, his brother Jesse and father, John Scalf, Sr. were living on Otter Creek in 1836 and listed on the same tax list. We believe this to be John Scalf Sr. and not John Jr. because the tax lists of Russell County, Virginia show John Scalf Jr. still in Russell County. We do not believe John Jr. left Russell County until his move to Hawkins County. The 1836 tax list of Clay County also suggests that Ira was renting the property on Otter Creek for it was entered in the name of J. Jackson.

The school population census of 1839 in Hawkins County, Tennessee reveals that Ira was living there by 1839.

Recall in the pension file of John Scalf Sr., it was stated that John Sr. spent several years in Kentucky between the time he left Russell County, Virginia (1834-1835) and his move to Hawkins County, Tennessee (1838-1839). 

(Kentucky tax lists courtesy of Virgil Scalf from the Kentucky Archives)

1836 Clay Co. KY                        Ira Scalf

Ira was picked up again beginning in 1839 in Hawkins County, Tennessee.

The School Population Census, known as the “Squires Ledger” from Hawkins County, Tennessee finds Ira in Hawkins County in1839 where he has one child of school age.  No Scalf was listed on the school census in 1840.

The household census records reveal that Ira was still living in Hawkins County in 1840.

 Hawkins County School Population Census

 1839

Ira Scalf      1

Miles would have been five years old in 1839 if he were born in 1834 as the 1850 census states. He would have been one year younger than school age at this time considering his age on the census.

 
1840 Hawkins CO TN

Ira is again found in 1841 on the school census and followed through 1847 with the exception of the year 1843 when Ira is either missing from the list or the list for that year was missing.

1841

Ira Scalf    2

By 1841, Miles and David were both in school. Using the school census as a guide, we could conclude that Miles and David were born 1833 and 1835. The age for children to begin school at this time was 6 years old.  Ira was again missing in 1843 but this could be due to the fact the list was very difficult to read. Ira might have been listed this year as well but Sharon was unable to read the name.

1842

Ira Scalf   2

1843

Ira missing

1844

Ira Scalf 3

Ira now has three children in school. This would be Miles, David and Wesley. If the ages were correct on the 1850 census, Miles would be 10, David, 9 and Wesley 7 at this time.

1845

Ira Scalf 4

Ira now has four children in school. Green B. was born in 1839 and was now 6 years old.

1846

Iry Scalf 4

Ira still has four children in school but Chary has now reached school age as she was born in 1840 according to the 1850 census but might have been born 1841 since Ira has four children in school instead of five.

Hancock County

1847

Iry Scalf 3

In 1847, Ira only has three children in school. This suggests that a child either dropped out of school or had died and possibly more than one since Ira should have had at least six children of school age in 1847. Miles and David had probably dropped out of school to help on the farm as was common at this time. This leaves a total of four children of school age. We believe the three oldest children were not in school at this time.  

No Scalf’s were listed on the school census after 1847 in Hancock or Hawkins County.

The 1850 tax list of Claiborne County, Tennessee reveals that Ira was taxed there in this year. As can be seen, Ira was taxed in the 11^th district in 1850 but the enumeration of the 1850 census shows that he was living in the 10^th district by October of 1850.

Ira had bought 12 acres of land in Claiborne County in 1849 from Phillip Keck. The deed stated that Ira was of Hancock County in 1849. He was most likely there in 1848 as well. Claiborne County was created long before Hancock so we know this was not a boundary change but was certainly a move for the Ira Scalf family. It is interesting that the tax list states 13 acres but the land Ira bought from Phillip Keck was only 12 acres.

John Scalf Jr. and William Scalf were taxed in Claiborne County in 1850 and only John Jr. was taxed in 1851. John Jr. also owned 50 acres of land but William was taxed only on himself and did not own property at this time.
 

1850 Claiborne Co.

Dist. 11

1850 Claiborne CO TN             16 October 1850            Subdivision #7 – District #10  

The 1871 tax list reveals that Miles and Lucy had 5 children between the ages of 6 and 20; however, only four have been found on the census records. It is not possible that Lucretia Qualls was living with the family in 1871 for she was not born until 1875 so this was likely a child of Miles and Lucy.

This child would have been born in or before 1871 and died before 1880. Elmer Scalf states that another child was born to Miles and Lucy in 1883. This child was named Bertha. (Scalf Family History, pg. 133)

If Bertha was born 1883, then Miles and Lucy probably had a total of six children with four living and two deceased.

However, Elmer then states on page 134 that Bertha was born 1883 and married J. W. McVey1899 in Knox County, Kentucky. The marriage record of Bertha Scalf and J. W. McVey confirms this statement. (Marriage Record – BK T, pg. 170 Knox County Marriages - Courtesy of Virgil Scalf) (Link to Marriage Record)

J. W. McVey married as his second wife, Elizabeth Scalf, daughter of Richard Scalf and Phoebe Smith. (1910 census) Richard Scalf was the brother of Bertha Scalf.

The last time we find Miles and Lucy on the census records was 1900 in Knox County, Kentucky. It appears that both Miles and Lucy died between 1900 and 1912. We do know from the marriage record of his son Richard to Susie Hooker that they were both deceased by 1912.

From the 1880 and 1900 census records, we determine that Lucy’s full name was “Lucretia.”  Lucy was used as a short name for Lucretia.

1880 Knox CO KY           18 & 19 June 1880              District #3

1900 Knox CO KY           9 June  1900            Girdler Precinct

It is assumed that Miles and Lucy had died by 1910 or possibly Miles died and Lucy remarried.

NANCY JANE SCALF
Daughter of
Miles Scalf and Lucretia Jackson
Nancy<Miles<Ira<John, Sr.<Lewis Scalf

Nancy J. Scalf, daughter of Miles Scalf and Lucretia Jackson, was born July 1858 and died from tuberculosis on March 1, 1914.  Based on the number of children born and the number of children remaining at home, an older child has moved away from home by the time the 1900 census was taken.  (Link to death certificate)

1900 Knox CO KY                        2 June 1900                Corbin

1910 Knox CO KY                        16 April 1910                   Grays

ROSANNAH “ROSIE” SCALF
Daughter of
Miles J Scalf & Lucy Jackson
 Rosannah<Miles<Ira<John Sr<Lewis Scalf  
 

Rosanna (Rosie) Scalf, daughter of Miles and Lucy was born about 1860 in Kentucky. Rosa was probably named for her grandmother, Rosanna Gibson Scalf. 

Rosa married Henry Gray and this couple probably married around 1875-1880 according to the birth of their first child. What is known of Rosa and her family was taken from the Scalf Family History and the compiled census records of Knox County, Kentucky compiled by Virgil Scalf.

No further information is available at this time.

1880 Knox CO KY                        11 June 1880                   Flat Lick

1900 Knox CO KY            16 June 1900            District #2 – Precinct #5

1910 Knox CO KY        25 April 1910     Stinking Creek - Road Fork  

1920 Knox CO KY            16 January 1920            Precinct #8 – Road Fork

 
1930 Knox CO KY                        11 April 1930                   District 3