Bishop family legend has it that John Bishop was married to a Ruth Skaggs (Scaggs), who was previously captured by Indians, possibly having 1 or 2 children by the Indian. To my knowledge there isn't any proof of this Indian capture story, however there is evidence that Ruth Scaggs existed, came to the marriage with John Bishop with two children, Rachel Scaggs and Darky Gothrin, and had a child of her own with John Bishop, David Bishop.
We know Ruth Scaggs existed since she was listed as parent of both Rachel Scaggs and Darky Gothrin at their marriages.
Source: Microfilm Reel # 52 - Montgomery County, Virginia – Marriage Bonds 1777-1788
Know all men by these presents that we William Lester and Samuel Saddler are held and firmly bound unto his Excellancy Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia for the time being and his successors in the just and _______ sum of fifty pounds current money to which payment will
and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, Exo (?) dom (?) or assigns to him and his successors forever jointly. Generally and firmly by these presents as witnesses our hand and seals this 22nd day of March 1786.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound William Lester hath this day obtained License for his marriage with Rachael Skaggs Daughter of John Bishop of this County. Now if there should be no just cause to obstruct this marriage then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force power and virtue.
Know all men by these presents that we William Lester and Samuel Saddler are held and firmly bound unto his Excellancy Patrick Henry, Governor of Virginia for the time being and his successors in the just and _______ sum of fifty pounds current money to which payment will
and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, Exo (?) dom (?) or assigns to him and his successors forever jointly. Generally and firmly by these presents as witnesses our hand and seals this 22nd day of March 1786.
The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas the above bound William Lester hath this day obtained License for his marriage with Rachael Skaggs Daughter of John Bishop of this County. Now if there should be no just cause to obstruct this marriage then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force power and virtue.
Signed William (his mark) Lester
Samuel (his mark) Saddler
Signed and Acknowledged - Abraham Trigg
Along with the marriage bond are the following:
"These few lines is given from under our hands to testafy that there is no objection against William Lester and Rachel Scaggs being joined (there are some other words written but they are marked out)
Abner Lester Martha Lester
John bishup Ruth bishup
To Mr. McCorkle
Edmund Whitt Archl. Whitt"
"Sur this is to testesfy home it mey concern that we are satisfyed with the match
Abner Lester
Martha Lester"
Samuel (his mark) Saddler
Signed and Acknowledged - Abraham Trigg
Along with the marriage bond are the following:
"These few lines is given from under our hands to testafy that there is no objection against William Lester and Rachel Scaggs being joined (there are some other words written but they are marked out)
Abner Lester Martha Lester
John bishup Ruth bishup
To Mr. McCorkle
Edmund Whitt Archl. Whitt"
"Sur this is to testesfy home it mey concern that we are satisfyed with the match
Abner Lester
Martha Lester"
William Lester and Samuel Saddler post the bond for his marriage to Rachel Scaggs. Ruth and John Bishop listed as parents of Rachel.
3-26-1786- A344, Rachel Skeggs daughter of Jno.
married Wm. Lester, son of Martha & Abner Lester.
The marriage record shows that Rachel Skeggs was the daughter of John Skaggs and Ruth Bishop. This is a HUGE piece of evidence because it specifically ties Ruth Bishop to a previous husband, John Scaggs, and their daughter Rachel Scaggs.
1796, February 20 – Owen ODonald and Darkey Gothrin, surety Jacob Bishop; consent of parents John and Ruth Bishop; Jacob Bishop made oath that Darky Gothrin, daughter of Ruth Bishop the wife of John Bishop is of full and lawful age.
(source: Early Adventures on the Western Waters, Vol. II, by Kegley.)
(source: Early Adventures on the Western Waters, Vol. II, by Kegley.)
Darkey Gothrin is listed as the “daughter of Ruth Bishop.”
David Bishop, Lawrence County , KY
"United States Census, 1860," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/MZBG-L9V : accessed 11 Jan 2013), David Bishop, , Lawrence, Kentucky; citing p. 87, family ; NARA microfilm publication M653, FHL microfilm 803381.
David Bishop, Lawrence County , KY
"United States Census, 1850," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/M658-F88 : accessed 11 Jan 2013), David Bishop in household of David Bishop, Lawrence county, part of, Lawrence, Kentucky, United States; citing dwelling 863, family 877, NARA microfilm publication M432, roll 209.
Ruth also had a child with John Bishop, David Bishop. Based on the 1850 and 1860 censuses of Lawrence County , KY
Note: Many Bishop researchers list David's birth date as 1772. The census records indicate this is wrong. Perhaps Bishop researchers should go back and take another look?
It is interesting that descendents of Ruth Scaggs Bishop migrated to Note: Many Bishop researchers list David's birth date as 1772. The census records indicate this is wrong. Perhaps Bishop researchers should go back and take another look?
Also....I believe the 1840 Lawrence Co. Kentucky reveals that David Bishop was living next door to Old Peter and Peter Jr....Same mother (Ruth Skaggs Bishop). Makes since living next to each other. Do we have an accurate account of names of David Bishop's children ?
ReplyDeleteQ: Do we have an accurate account of names of David Bishop's children ?
DeleteA: I checked familysearch.org and found the following children for David Bishop: John, Larkin, Rebecca, Catherine, Ruth, George, David, Mary Jane, Joseph, Henry, Thomas, Polly, Gatha, Talitha
Do we have any direct DNA evidence that connects David Bishop & mother (Ruth Bishop) children's bloodline to Peter Skaggs & mother (Ruth Skaggs)children's bloodline ? If not, I have a good friend whose 3rd great-grandmother was Talitha (Delitha) Bishop Griffith. (1837-1925)
ReplyDeleteI have two descendants of Old Peter Skaggs who match with each other and a single descendant of Rachel Skaggs/William Lester, daughter of Ruth Skaggs Bishop.
DeleteI also have two descendants of Old Peter who match with another descendant of Rachel Skaggs/William Lester on a completely different chromosome. However, I don't have any DNA testing results from any David Bishop descendants. Perhaps your friend could take an autosomal DNA test from either 23andMe, Ancestry or Family Tree DNA when it goes on sale? Test results from those companies can be posted on GEDmatch and compared to others.
Ok, so...I just found out (on paper)that my friend who now lives out of state is also connected to Old Peter/Martha (4th Ggrandparents)through their eldest son Lewis and daughter Nancy who married Samuel Sparks. Would the DNA test results be skewed trying to connect back to Ruth Skaggs/Bishop since both Peter Skaggs and David Bishop are my friend's 4Ggrandfathers ?
ReplyDeleteIf he can triangulate with two other documented descendants of Ruth on the same DNA segment then all three can say they have about a 90% chance of sharing Ruth Skaggs Bishop DNA at that segment. The best place to do the triangulation is GEDmatch since they have DNA results uploaded from all major testing companies.
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ReplyDeleteDoes the analysis of my friends DNA matter/change concerning connecting to Ruth Skaggs Bishop, if my friend is a female ? Also, I think I am confused. Do the above mentioned DNA tests that match descendants of Old Peter to descendants of Rachel Skaggs/Lester prove that Ruth Skaggs Bishop is Old Peter's mother ?
ReplyDeleteYou may want to read this post about DNA testing:
Deletehttp://oldpeterskaggs.blogspot.ca/2015/05/dna-testing-what-is-it-and-where-can-i.html
The DNA tests mentioned were #3, autosomal tests, so anyone can take them. They won't prove that Ruth Skaggs Bishop was Old Peter's mother. What they might show in your friend's case is that a proven descendant of Old Peter and David Bishop has the same common ancestor as a proven descendant of Henry Skaggs the Longhunter, for example. Then we can try to find how Old Peter and Henry the Longhunter were related.
Thanks for DNA clarification reminders. Can be confusing at times. I have taken an AncestryDNA test (Christmas Gift), however based upon your post of 2015, doesn't sound as though it will reveal much. Especially if I cannot load data onto GEDmatch. Moving forward with DNA test with my friend and myself we should purchase the 23andMe or Family Tree DNA. Correct ?
ReplyDeleteI think GEDmatch takes Ancestry data these days so your test should be good. I think any of the three big companies will work on Gedmatch so wait for a sale and get the best deal.
DeleteHI COUSINS, THIS IS A SMALL WORLD,MY MOTHER WAS BORN MURRAY MAE HOPKINS, SHE CHANGED HER NAME TO MYRTLE IN 1979, SHE HAS A SISTER NAME ALICE GRACIE ALTIZER, THEIR MOM IS IDA MAE HORN AND IDA MAE HORN PARENTS IS ELISHA V HORN AND ROSALIA C KEEN AND ELISHA V HORN PARENTS IS HENRY HORN JR AND PRICEY JANE LESTER , PRIVEY JANE LESTER PARENTS IS JOHN V LESTER AND RUTH S YATES , JOHN V LESTER PARENTS IS WILLIAM CALVIN LESTER AND RACHEL REBECCA, DO YOU THINK TAT DNA SHOWS ANYONE THAT IS NIKITIE ANCESTORS? THANK YOU
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting your line. Have you taken a DNA test? Since you are a descendant of Rachel Skaggs and William Lester you might match at least one of the Old Peter Skaggs descendants who post here.
DeleteA small, but important correction. The marriage record for Rachel Skaggs to William Lester cites her parents as John Bishop and Ruth Bishop. There is no mention of a John Skaggs there, or in any other connection to Rachel Skaggs. John Bishop was actually her stepfather, but people seldom noted such distinctions on marriage bonds.
ReplyDelete