Descendants of JOHN EPPERSON

Table of Contents

• Surname List
• First Generation
• Second Generation
• Third Generation
• Fourth Generation
• Fifth Generation
• Sixth Generation
• Seventh Generation
• Eighth Generation
• Ninth Generation
• Tenth Generation
• Eleventh Generation
• Twelfth Generation
• Thirteenth Generation
• Index

1. John (Epernon)¹ Epperson, son of John (alias Epecon) Epernon and Sara Fondan Remon, was born in Glamorgan, Wales, British Isles about 1659.⁽¹⁾ John died about 1709 in Virginia.⁽²⁾

He married Elisabeth Alexander in the Channel Isle of Jersey, Great Britain, about 1674.⁽³⁾ Elisabeth was born in St. Peters Parish, Jersey, Channel Island, Great Britain 1643.⁽⁴⁾ Elisabeth was the daughter of Philippe Alexander and Elizabeth le Roux Le Febvre. Elisabeth died in Virginia.⁽⁵⁾

The genealogist must be very careful at tracing this branch of our ancestry. In Edna Epperson Brinkman's book, The Story of David Epperson and His Family of Albemarle County, Virginia, page 13, she presents a different relationship for John's family. It does not affect the ultimate ancestry of our family but does add confusion for the descendants of John Epperson (born about 1678) as recorded in Edna's book. John's family as presented by Edna is given below:

John Epperson (Apperson). Born, about 1678. He married (Unknown name). Children:

i. Pall (Paul) Epperson. Baptized, 25 February 1699.

ii. Francis Epperson. Born, 3 December 1706.

iii. Elizabeth Epperson. Baptized, 13 June 1708.

iv. Anne Epperson. Born, 19 March 1710.

v. John Epperson. Born, 4 February 1713.

vi. Mary Epperson. Born, 26 February 1715.

vii. Peter Epperson. Born, 19 August 1718.

Vaughn Elmo Epperson of Salt Lake City, Utah, has offered a different relationship for this family. If we are to accept the lineage as given by Vaughn Epperson, the David Epperson of Albemarle County, Virginia of Edna Epperson Brinkman's book would descend from William Apperson's half-brother, John (born 1659). If we are to accept Edna Epperson Brinkman's account, David Epperson would descend from William Apperson (born 1675).

For this book, I have accepted Vaughn Epperson's account as it is based on research he and his son, David, did in England and France. We must remember that Edna Epperson Brinkman stated in her book that the family relationships she gave were "suggested relationships". So, we must not take Edna's book as gospel as current research has given us a more accurate placing of the children with parents.

With the new family relationship given us by Vaughn Epperson, we have misplaced four children: Anne, John, Mary and Peter. The reason these children can not be part of John's family is because they were born after his death in 1709. However, for continuity these children have been left attached with this family until they can be linked to one of John's brothers: Jean Louis, Charles, William, Francis, Richard or Thomas. We know that Jean Louis and Charles remained in England so the children can not be linked to them. We also know the names of the children of William, Francis and Thomas. Therefore, there is a strong possibility that the misplaced children belong to Richard. In the general scheme of genealogy, it is unimportant which brother fathered these children. Regardless to which brother they belong, the children share common grandparents and their genealogy is uninterrupted.

John (Epernon) Epperson and Elisabeth Alexander had the following children:

2 i. Susanna (Esperon)² Epernon was born in Henrico County, Virginia about 1688.⁽⁶⁾ Susanna died 20 September 1743 in Goochland, Goochland County, Virginia, at 55 years of age.⁽⁷⁾ She married Edward Maxey.⁽⁸⁾

+ 3 ii. John Epperson was born 1694.⁽⁹⁾

4 iii. Pall Apperson was born in Virginia before 25 February 1699.⁽¹⁰⁾ He was baptized in Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia, 25 February 1699.⁽¹¹⁾

5 iv. Francis Apperson was born in Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia 3 December 1706.⁽¹²⁾

6 v. Elizabeth Apperson was born in New Kent County, Virginia before 12 June 1708. She was baptized in New Kent County, Virginia, 12 June 1708.⁽¹³⁾

7 vi. Anne Apperson was born 19 March 1710.⁽¹⁴⁾

+ 8 vii. John Apperson was born 4 February 1712/13.⁽¹⁵⁾

+ 9 viii. Mary Apperson was born 26 February 1714/15.⁽¹⁶⁾

+ 10 ix. Peter Apperson was born 19 August 1718.⁽¹⁷⁾

3. John² Epperson (John (Epernon)¹) was born in New Kent County, Virginia 1694.⁽¹⁸⁾ John died 20 February 1737 in New Kent County, Virginia, at 42 years of age.⁽¹⁹⁾

He married Elizabeth Michaux in New Kent County, Virginia.⁽²⁰⁾ Elizabeth was born in King William, Henrico County, Virginia 1707.⁽²¹⁾ Elizabeth was the daughter of Abraham Michaux and Susannah Rochet.

John and Elizabeth's third child, David, is an important participant in the history of the Epperson family. The book entitled The Story of David Epperson and his Family of Albemarle County, Virginia by Edna Epperson Brinkman was written to chronicle his descendants. Many of David's descendants identified for that family have been repeated in this reference book and expanded and reconfirmed from other sources. Those sources are noted, herein. Only briefs of some of the stories for those descendants have been repeated from Edna Epperson Brinkman's book. However, new stories and descendants have been added. If any reader of this work is interested in more information on the genealogy of this branch of the Epperson family, please contact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Salt Lake City, Utah for a microfilm of Edna Epperson Brinkman's book.

John Epperson and Elizabeth Michaux had the following children:

11 i. William³ Epperson was born in Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia 17 July 1729.⁽²²⁾ William was named for his grandfather. He was baptized 10 August 1729.⁽²³⁾

12 ii. Elizabeth Epperson was born in New Kent County, Virginia about 1731.⁽²⁴⁾

+ 13 iii. David Epperson was born 27 May 1734.⁽²⁵⁾

+ 14 iv. John Apperson was born 13 August 1736.⁽²⁶⁾

8. John² Apperson (John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in Virginia 4 February 1712/13.⁽²⁷⁾ John died after 1759.⁽²⁸⁾

He married Agnes Orchard in Virginia, about 1736.⁽²⁹⁾ Agnes was born in Virginia 1715.⁽³⁰⁾

John Apperson and Agnes Orchard had the following children:

15 i. Peter³ Epperson was born in Virginia 15 September 1737.⁽³¹⁾

16 ii. Susannah Epperson was born in Virginia 2 September 1739.⁽³²⁾

17 iii. Mary Epperson was born in Virginia 20 July 1754.⁽³³⁾

+ 18 iv. John Epperson was born 17 January 1757.⁽³⁴⁾

19 v. Jacob Epperson was born in Virginia 17 September 1759.⁽³⁵⁾ He married Elizabeth R.⁽³⁶⁾

9. Mary² Apperson (John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born 26 February 1714/15.⁽³⁷⁾

Mary Apperson had the following child:

20 i. Daniel³ Apperson was born in New Kent County, Virginia 18 July 1734.⁽³⁸⁾

10. Peter² Apperson (John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in Virginia 19 August 1718.⁽³⁹⁾

He married Frances Poindexter about 1738.⁽⁴⁰⁾ Frances was born 1722.⁽⁴¹⁾ Frances was the daughter of Thomas Poindexter and Sarah Bond de Ville.

Peter Apperson and Frances Poindexter had the following children:

+ 21 i. George³ Apperson was born 10 March 1739.⁽⁴²⁾

22 ii. Richard Apperson was born 17 February 1755.⁽⁴³⁾ Richard died 1798 at 43 years of age.⁽⁴⁴⁾

Richard was a veteran of the Revolutionary War; however, it is uncertain where he served. ⁽⁴⁵⁾ Three candidate Richard Apperson's/Epperson's served in the Revolutionary War, and it is uncertain which Richard this is. One served as a Midshipman on the ship Gloucester of the Virginia State Navy. One served in the 6th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, retiring as a Major 14 September 1778. One served as a Captain in the Mecklenburg Militia. It is known that Richard served three years.

As a veteran, he applied for Bounty Land due for his military service. However, he died in 1798 before his claim was approved. His son, Samuel A. Apperson, who also died before receiving the land, prosecuted the claim. It was not until 14 October 1850 that the Court of Caroline County, Virginia approved the claim of Richard W. Apperson and Margaret Thompson, the only living heirs of Samuel A. Apperson. The claim was supported by an affidavit by Polly Poindexter that stated she knew that Richard Apperson served in the Revolution because she was his aunt⁽⁴⁶⁾.

+ 23 iii. William Apperson was born 15 March 1757.⁽⁴⁷⁾

+ 24 iv. Peter Apperson was born 29 November 1759.⁽⁴⁸⁾

13. David³ Epperson (John², John (Epernon)¹) was born in Kent County, Virginia 27 May 1734.⁽⁴⁹⁾ David died December 1799 in Albemarle County, Virginia, at 65 years of age.⁽⁵⁰⁾ His body was interred December 1799 in Greenwood, Albemarle County, Virginia.⁽⁵¹⁾

He married Hannah Judith Thompson in Virginia, about 1753.⁽⁵²⁾ Hannah was born in Albemarle County, Virginia 1735.⁽⁵³⁾ Hannah was the daughter of Robert Thompson and Jane ???. Hannah died about 1814 in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky.⁽⁵⁴⁾

David was baptized in Kent County, Virginia, 22 June 1734 and moved to Albemarle County in 1757. ⁽⁵⁵⁾ He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, serving as a private in the 14th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line ⁽⁵⁶⁾. He was also a man of means as his last will and testament designated property and herds to be divided among his children at his death. ⁽⁵⁷⁾ His will also confirms that he could not read or write as his mark was set upon the signature of the writer of his will. At his death, he was a resident of Epperson Mountain in Albemarle County, Virginia. He died ten months after the preparation of his will.

In David's will, he divided his estate among his eleven children after his wife's natural life. David had thirteen children, however, his son David Jr. died at Valley Forge Hospital ⁽⁵⁸⁾ in 1777 at the age of twenty-three; and his son Francis died in 1784 at the age of twenty-eight. ⁽⁵⁹⁾

Four years after her husband's death, Hannah and their youngest son, Charles, moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee.

David is one the more renowned Epperson's in our genealogy. His place in history was secured when Edna Epperson Brinkman wrote a book about his descendants. Her book, The Story of David Epperson and His Family of Albemarle County, Virginia, has been used as one of the reference sources for information found in this book.

David Epperson and Hannah Judith Thompson had the following children:

+ 25 i. Hannah⁴ Epperson.⁽⁶⁰⁾

+ 26 ii. David Epperson, Jr. was born 1754.⁽⁶¹⁾

27 iii. Francis Epperson was born in Virginia about 1756.⁽⁶²⁾ Francis died August 1784 in Virginia, at 28 years of age.⁽⁶³⁾ Francis died from injuries suffered in the Revolutionary War. In his will, he bequeathed all his property to his beloved father.

+ 28 iv. Thompson Epperson was born 1757.⁽⁶⁴⁾

29 v. James Epperson was born in Albemarle County, Virginia 1759.⁽⁶⁵⁾ James died 1782 at 23 years of age.⁽⁶⁶⁾ He married Mary ???.⁽⁶⁷⁾

+ 30 vi. John Epperson was born 1761.⁽⁶⁸⁾

+ 31 vii. William Epperson was born about 1762.⁽⁶⁹⁾

32 viii. Robert Epperson was born in Virginia 1764.⁽⁷⁰⁾ He married Lucy Oberbick in Madison County, Kentucky, 10 March 1805.⁽⁷¹⁾ Robert moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee.

33 ix. Lucy Jane Epperson was born in Virginia 1765.⁽⁷²⁾ She married John Burch, Jr. 17 January 1786.⁽⁷³⁾

+ 34 x. Charles Epperson was born 14 July 1766.⁽⁷⁴⁾

35 xi. Judith Epperson was born in Virginia 1768.⁽⁷⁵⁾ She married James Gardner.⁽⁷⁶⁾

36 xii. Susanna Epperson was born in Virginia 1770.⁽⁷⁷⁾ She married Jonathan Langford.⁽⁷⁸⁾ Jonathan was Susanna's first cousin.

+ 37 xiii. Elizabeth Epperson was born 1776.⁽⁷⁹⁾

14. John³ Apperson (John² Epperson, John (Epernon)¹) was born in Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia 13 August 1736.⁽⁸⁰⁾ John died 11 June 1785 in Berkeley Parish, Spotsylvania County, Virginia, at 48 years of age.⁽⁸¹⁾

He married Margaret ??? about 1755.⁽⁸²⁾ Margaret was born about 1740.

It is not 100% conclusive that this John Apperson is the John Apperson noted as the patriarch in World Family Tree. However, his date of birth and the name of his grandchild offer a strong genealogy link. We know that the John Apperson in World Family Tree #1438 was born before 1840. The John Apperson linked, herein, was born in 1736 in New Kent County, Virginia. This is the only John Apperson in Virginia found that fit this birth slot. Moreover, his grandchild, Nimrod Washington Long, appears to be named for two of John's first cousins, Washington Apperson, born 1771, and Nimrod Apperson, born 1774. These two brothers were the sons of Francis Apperson, John's brother.

This may have been the John Epperson who served in the 14th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line during the Revolutionary War.

John Apperson and Margaret ??? had the following children:

38 i. Peggy⁴ Apperson. She married Peter Stubblefield.⁽⁸³⁾

39 ii. Sally Apperson. She married James Smith.⁽⁸⁴⁾

40 iii. Polly Harrison Apperson. She married Zachariah Lucas.⁽⁸⁵⁾

41 iv. Fanny Apperson.⁽⁸⁶⁾ Fanny died 1825 in Spotsylvania, Spotsylvania County, Virginia.⁽⁸⁷⁾ She married Richard Long.⁽⁸⁸⁾

+ 42 v. Lucy Apperson was born 1759.⁽⁸⁹⁾

18. John³ Epperson (John² Apperson, John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in Virginia 17 January 1757.⁽⁹⁰⁾ John died May 1829 in Shelby County, Kentucky, at 72 years of age.⁽⁹¹⁾

He married Patsy Martha Barnett in Virginia, 1779.⁽⁹²⁾ Patsy was born in Virginia 1757.⁽⁹³⁾ Patsy died in Shelby County, Kentucky.⁽⁹⁴⁾

John Epperson and Patsy Martha Barnett had the following children:

+ 43 i. John⁴ Epperson was born about 1780.⁽⁹⁵⁾

+ 44 ii. Francis Epperson was born about 1785.⁽⁹⁶⁾

45 iii. Agnes Epperson was born in Shelby County, Kentucky 1789.⁽⁹⁷⁾ She married William Bailey 24 March 1807.⁽⁹⁸⁾

46 iv. Elizabeth Betsy Epperson was born in Shelby County, Kentucky 1791.⁽⁹⁹⁾ She married Jesse Ballard 21 November 1809.⁽¹⁰⁰⁾

47 v. Daniel Epperson was born in Shelby County, Kentucky 3 December 1793.⁽¹⁰¹⁾ Daniel died 7 March 1877 at 83 years of age.⁽¹⁰²⁾ He married Mary B. Hawkins 29 November 1825.⁽¹⁰³⁾

48 vi. Patsy Epperson was born in Shelby County, Kentucky 1795.⁽¹⁰⁴⁾ She married George Blades.⁽¹⁰⁵⁾

49 vii. Nancy Epperson was born in Shelby County, Kentucky 1797.⁽¹⁰⁶⁾ She married William Blades.⁽¹⁰⁷⁾

21. George³ Apperson (Peter², John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia 10 March 1739.⁽¹⁰⁸⁾

He married Betty ???.⁽¹⁰⁹⁾

George Apperson and Betty ??? had the following children:

50 i. Frances⁴ Apperson was born in New Kent County, Virginia 5 August 1759.⁽¹¹⁰⁾

51 ii. Peter Apperson was born in New Kent County, Virginia 18 June 1768.⁽¹¹¹⁾ He married an unknown person.⁽¹¹²⁾

23. William³ Apperson (Peter², John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in Virginia 15 March 1757.⁽¹¹³⁾ William died 22 March 1826 in Surry County, North Carolina, at 69 years of age.⁽¹¹⁴⁾

He married Elizabeth Kerr at the residence of Thomas Poindexter in Surry County, North Carolina, 6 June 1781. The ceremony was performed by Col. Martin Armstrong.⁽¹¹⁵⁾ Elizabeth was born in Virginia 23 December 1763.⁽¹¹⁶⁾ Elizabeth was the daughter of John (Jock) Kerr and Elizabeth Henderson. Elizabeth died 28 June 1850 in Surry County, North Carolina, at 86 years of age.⁽¹¹⁷⁾ Elizabeth died at the home of her son-in-law, Thomas Sprinkie, husband of her daughter, Elizabeth.

Her body was interred after 28 June 1850 in East Bend, Surry County, North Carolina on William Apperson's farm.⁽¹¹⁸⁾

The following account of Elizabeth Kerr and the Kerr family is quoted and abridged from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, pages 12-13:

The Kerr family was Scottish. Elizabeth's father, John Kerr, was the son of Alexander Kerr, a son of the Laird of Graden, Teviotdale (near Selkirk), Scotland, near the English border. Alexander was baptized at Selkirk 1 September 1701 and belonged to the Clann Caerr, pronounced as Kerr. The Kerr's were Jacobites, supporters of King James II of Scotland during the uprising of 1715. Alexander did not participate in the uprising but is said to have assisted one who did. As a consequence, he was sent to the American English Colonies on the ship "Elizabeth and Ann" along with some prisoners. Although sent to the Colonies, he was not thought to be a prisoner. Had he been, he could not have promptly opened a jewelry and silversmith shop in Williamsburg, Virginia. Tradition says that he was disciplined as a reminder to choose his friends more carefully. Later, Alexander became a partner with John Randolph and together they opened the Carolinas to settlement. In a book on early Williamsburg, there is a picture of his mansion on the square where he lived with his wife, the Lady Martha Elizabeth Rice.

Alexander married Lady Elizabeth 15 June 1725. It is not certain whether they married in Williamsburg or whether he returned to Scotland to be married. It is known that he and his family made trips back to Scotland; and it may be that their sons, Alexander and John, were born there. These sons were nicknamed Sandy and Jock.

When the American Revolution erupted, Lady Elizabeth was a widow as Alexander had died in 1737. She was a sympathizer of the English Crown and since her husband was dead and her sons sympathized with the Revolution, she returned to England where she remained until her death.

In the margin of Lady Elizabeth's will, in another handwriting, was written "grandsons Alexander Kerr of Orange County, North Carolina and John Kerr of Surry County, North Carolina." At various times, John Kerr lived in Hanover, Goochland and Powhattan Counties, Virginia, where he owned land. It is said that Alexander and John enlisted as soldiers in the Continental Army in Powhattan County and later applied for veteran's pensions in Surry County, North Carolina.

In Powhattan and Goochland Counties, Virginia, the Kerr, Poindexter and Scott families were friends and neighbors and all moved to North Carolina about the year 1772. It is not believed that John and Elizabeth Henderson Kerr remained in Surry County for more than a few years but returned to Goochland County, Virginia. It is thought that he returned to be near Richmond where medical care would be more available since he died about 1778.

We were curious as to why our Elizabeth Kerr married William Apperson at the home of Thomas Poindexter. Now, it is thought that in 1781 she was merely visiting relatives there. She stated in her claim for a widow's pension that her father lived near William's family when he enlisted in 1776.

The following account of William Apperson was abridged and rewritten for readability from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, pages 7-12:

According to St. Peter's Parish records, William Apperson was born in New Kent County, Virginia on 15 March 1757. The records stated that he was the seventh son of Peter Apperson and Frances Poindexter. His family Bible showed his birth as 22 March 1757. The latter date is thought to be an error by his pastor, who recorded the data on the family. He died on 22 March 1826.

When very young, William's father died and his mother married again. The stepfather was cruel to the Apperson children. This angered his mother's brother, Thomas Poindexter. When moving to North Carolina, Thomas had a slave kidnap William. He raised William at his home in Danaha, North Carolina, located on the Yadkin River. As schools were few and far away he received little or no education but had a keen mind and native talent that served him well.

William was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, serving four tours of duty. At the age of nineteen on 13 June 1776, he enlisted as a Private in Captain Brown's Company, 1st Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line, North Carolina Troops, under the command of Colonel John Armstrong. His enlistment was as a substitute in the place of William Harrison. In his first tour, he marched northward to join General Washington's Army. Affidavits in his file in the U.S. National Archives in Washington show he was in many battles in 1776 when Washington was being beaten and harassed from New York through New Jersey to Pennsylvania. Among the battles mentioned are "New York City, White Plains, Monmouth, Brandywine and Germantown, near Philadelphia." He was discharged from his first enlistment 16 March 1779 and returned home to Surry County, North Carolina.

In August 1779, he re-enlisted as a Minuteman, substituting for William Head. Under Captain Nathanial Martin, he marched to Salisbury, North Carolina where they joined up with the Continental Army and were marched to South Carolina. This tour of duty lasted three months and is verified by a deposition in William Apperson's file signed by William Head.

William's next tour of service was in 1780. He re-enlisted as a substitute for David Poindexter at Old Surry Court House , serving again as a Minuteman in Captain Joseph Phillip's Company, Colonel William Shepherd's Regiment of Militia. This detachment helped transport lead from Fort Chafsie to the main army at Salisbury. Later, they chased Tories, marching into the mountains; to Wilkes County, North Carolina, to the mulberry fields and to South Carolina. They would be gone as long as a month at time and when at home kept in readiness for duty. In May 1781, William's own draft call came up and he served three months under the same officers. He was a guard at Fort Richmond where he saw the spy, Robert Tate hanged. Colonel Martin Armstrong signed his discharge.

The following account of William Apperson was quoted from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, page 13:

In 1782 following his discharge from the military, William acquired a grant of land located south of the Yadkin River at Bean Shoal Creek. Here he built a large log house and later a separate kitchen, usual barn and outbuildings, as well as cabins for slaves. According to cousin Oscar Poindexter, the house had a large chimney at each end and underneath was a cellar the full length and width of the house for food and other storage. He stated that inside the house there was a balcony all around, reached by stairs, that was used for sleeping. He could remember visiting the Apperson's as a child; was present when the old house was torn down years later and he took one of the logs home with him to keep. The writer visited the site of the old home at which time there was a big hole in the ground that was the cellar. The family cemetery was not far away, located on a knoll. Also there was a very old apple tree, that was almost dead. It is said apple trees have been known to live about a hundred years so it may be that the old tree was planted by Thomas Apperson, or even by Elizabeth Kerr Apperson, who made her home with Thomas, who inherited the home place after William Apperson died in 1826. That part of the plantation is owned today by a Mr. C. F. J. Myers, Route 2, East Bend, North Carolina. In the cemetery, other than William Apperson, whose exact death date was March 22, 1826, there are buried Elizabeth, his wife, who died June 28, 1850; their son, Richard, who died in or about 1838; twins born dead in 1796 and a daughter, Mary Pearson Apperson, thought to have died in the early 1800's, and Thomas Apperson, who died in 1853. Others who have markers there are not thought to have been related but possibly were neighbors or persons who later owned the land. That part of the old plantation owned by Henry Turner Apperson has been in the family from 1782 when the grant was acquired until the present time, April, 1974, or for one hundred and ninety-two years. In 1971 the writer was instrumental in having the government furnish a marker for the grave of our Revolutionary War ancestor, which was placed at the grave by his great grandson, Henry Turner Apperson.

About six months before his death, William Apperson made his will which is recorded in Will Book 3, page 172, Surry County, North Carolina:

In the name of God, Amen: Be it known that I, William Apperson, of the County of Surry, and the state of North Carolina, being in bad health but of sound mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and form as follows:

It is my will that at my death my body be decently interred at the discretion of my Executor, hereinafter mentioned.

As to my estate, it is my will that, after paying my just debts, first, I give and bequeath unto my son, William, the upper tract of my plantation, where he now lives, beginning at Valentine Martin's south corner, running north on this line to the fence, then an off-set to the west, a conditioned line, so as to go square across the field to the mouth of the Muddy Branch, up said Branch to its head; thence north to the northern boundary of said tract, which I gave at the price of $250. The bottom part of my plantation below I give to my son, Thomas, at the price of $400. Conditions: his mother, my beloved wife, is to live in the house and have a sufficient support, together with him from said plantation, and other things I will leave for her support during her natural life, or widowhood. I give to my beloved wife the use of all my Negroes and half of the stock of all kinds, the other half to my son, Thomas, and they to divide the profits during her natural life, or widowhood. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Sprinkle, a certain Negro girl, named Mary, to take her at my wife's death or marriage, to be valued by her, the girl and her increase. In case she should have any increase, she may have them valued, and take them valued, and take them when they are weaned, if she thinks fit, in proportion to the rest of the property. My son, George Apperson, is to live with his mother and be raised as the rest have been. Lastly, the property that is not mentioned in this, my will, is to be divided equally amongst the rest of my children at the marriage or death of my wife, Elizabeth.

I do also appoint my son, Thomas, sole Executor or this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8th day of October, 1825.

It will be noted, however, that the will named only four children when the estate was settled by Thomas Apperson, Executor, in 1851, eight living children received a share. The final settlement was for $2,953.44 from the sale of the slaves.

The following account of Elizabeth Apperson was quoted from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, page 15:

After the death of her husband, William, Elizabeth continued to live in the old homestead in Surry County, North Carolina. In accordance with the wishes expressed in his father's will, Thomas moved his family in with his mother to claim his inheritance and aid and comfort his mother in running that portion of the plantation. Thomas had a large family that must have been company and pleasure for Elizabeth. I think we may assume that she found happiness in visiting in the homes of all the other children living about the countryside and being with her grandchildren in the homes of Elizabeth Sprinkle, William, Jr., and Bennett Apperson. Her son, Richard, died about 1838 and her son, George, who was always sickly, lived with his mother until her death.

William Apperson and Elizabeth Kerr had the following children:

+ 52 i. John (Jack)⁴ Apperson was born 8 March 1783.⁽¹¹⁹⁾

+ 53 ii. Peter Apperson was born 23 March 1784.⁽¹²⁰⁾

+ 54 iii. Francis Apperson was born 02 May 1785.⁽¹²¹⁾

55 iv. Richard Apperson was born in East Bend, Surry County, North Carolina 6 September 1786.⁽¹²²⁾ Richard died 1834 at 47 years of age.⁽¹²³⁾

In the cemetery on the old Apperson plantation near East Bend, North Carolina is a grave thought to be Richard's. It is marked by a rough concrete stone which is roughly inscribed "Richard-1834." From his mother's pension affidavit in 1738, we know that Richard was then deceased. It appears that he never married.⁽¹²⁴⁾

+ 56 v. William Apperson, Jr. was born 25 August 1788.⁽¹²⁵⁾

+ 57 vi. Thomas Apperson was born 25 May 1790.⁽¹²⁶⁾

+ 58 vii. Doctor Alexander Apperson was born 28 March 1792.⁽¹²⁷⁾

59 viii. Mary Pearson Apperson was born in East Bend, Surry County, North Carolina 26 November 1794.⁽¹²⁸⁾ Mary died before 1838.⁽¹²⁹⁾

The following account of Mary Pearson Apperson was quoted from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, page 216:

Mary Pearson Apperson, born in Surry County, North Carolina on 26 November 1794, was the eight child of William and Elizabeth Kerr Apperson. She died prior to the year 1838 according to the affidavit by her Mother for a Revolutionary War pension based on the service of William Apperson.

No present day descendant of William and Elizabeth Kerr Apperson was able to give any definite information about Mary Pearson. It appears Mary Pearson was a beloved name of the Kerr family. Elizabeth Kerr Apperson's brother, John Kerr, said that he loved his Mother but that he loved Mary Pearson above all other women. No record was found connecting the Kerr and Pearson families although there was a Pearson family in Rowan County, North Carolina with a daughter named Mary.

It is unknown from the meager information in the affidavit referred to above whether Mary Pearson Apperson died young. No marriage record for her was found, but many marriage records were missing in Surry and Stokes Counties, North Carolina for other members of the family.

It will be noted that several of Mary Pearson Apperson's brothers and her sister, Elizabeth, named children for her and the first Mary Pearson whom they apparently knew and loved. The boys usually were named Pearson, and the name was used in various branches of the Apperson family for several generations.

60 ix. ??? (twin) Apperson was born 24 November 1796.⁽¹³⁰⁾ ??? died 24 November 1796 at less than one year of age.⁽¹³¹⁾

61 x. ??? (twin) Apperson was born 24 November 1796.⁽¹³²⁾ ??? died 24 November 1796 at less than one year of age.⁽¹³³⁾

+ 62 xi. Bennett Apperson was born 5 February 1798.⁽¹³⁴⁾

+ 63 xii. Elizabeth Apperson was born 30 June 1799.⁽¹³⁵⁾

64 xiii. George Apperson was born in East Bend, Surry County, North Carolina 16 June 1801.⁽¹³⁶⁾ George died about 1853.⁽¹³⁷⁾ His body was interred about 1853 in (near) East Bend, Surry County, North Carolina, Pleasant Hill Cemetery.⁽¹³⁸⁾

The following account of George Apperson was quoted from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, page 239:

George never married. Turner Apperson of East Bent, North Carolina stated that he could remember Uncle George well, stating he was slightly retarded but fully capable of making a hand in the fields. After money he inherited from his parents was spent, no guardian was necessary for him.

24. Peter³ Apperson (Peter², John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born 29 November 1759.⁽¹³⁹⁾

He married Frances Lobb.⁽¹⁴⁰⁾

Peter was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. He served in the 1st Virginia State Regiment. ⁽¹⁴¹⁾

There is a discrepancy regarding Peter's wife. Edna Epperson Brinkman in her book, The Story of David Epperson and His Family of Albemarle County, Virginia, named Peter's wife as Sarah (Unknown maiden name). According to Edna, they had a daughter named Sarah, born 1770. Edna did not give a year of birth for Peter. Vera Apperson English in her book, The Apperson Family in America, records Peter's wife as Frances Lobb. Moreover, Sarah was not listed as a child of Peter and Frances. This is because Peter was only eleven years old when Sarah was born. It is unknown where Sarah fits into our family genealogy.

Peter Apperson and Frances Lobb had the following children:

65 i. Thomas⁴ Apperson.⁽¹⁴²⁾

66 ii. Joseph Apperson.⁽¹⁴³⁾

67 iii. Benjamin Apperson.⁽¹⁴⁴⁾ Benjamin died. Benjamin died young.

68 iv. Littleton Apperson.⁽¹⁴⁵⁾ Littleton died. Littleton died young.

69 v. Mary Apperson.⁽¹⁴⁶⁾

70 vi. Elizabeth Apperson.⁽¹⁴⁷⁾

71 vii. Frances Apperson.⁽¹⁴⁸⁾

+ 72 viii. Alfred Apperson was born 28 January 1806.⁽¹⁴⁹⁾

25. Hannah⁴ Epperson (David³, John², John (Epernon)¹) birth date unknown.⁽¹⁵⁰⁾ Hannah died 1764 in Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania.⁽¹⁵¹⁾

She married John Freeman in Chester, Chester County, Pennsylvania, 30 October 1734.⁽¹⁵²⁾ John was born in England 1700.⁽¹⁵³⁾

We have a serious problem in placing Hannah in the genealogy tree at this time in history. Most references place her birth as about 1772. However, genealogy work by a descendant places her in the previous generation. This is a tremendous confusion factor as we know from her father's will that Hannah was a daughter of David Epperson.

World Family Tree, Volume 2, Pre-1600 to Present, Tree # 5378 records the descendants of Hannah and her husband, John Freeman. ⁽¹⁵⁴⁾ Edna Epperson Brinkman in her book on the story of David Epperson's family also identified Hannah's husband as John Freeman. The problem is that John was born in England in 1700 and married Hannah in October 1734. This is thirty-eight years before her presumed birth.

It is possible that this Hannah Epperson, David's daughter, is not the Hannah who married John Freeman. Edna Epperson Brinkman may have been in error in recording this marriage in her book. In her recording of David Epperson's family, she did not give a date for Hannah's birth or marriage to John Freeman. ⁽¹⁵⁵⁾

Although there is an obvious problem with the listing of Hannah and John's descendants in this book, it is nevertheless included in the hopes that future genealogy work will solve this mystery.

Hannah Epperson and John Freeman had the following child:

+ 73 i. Sarah⁵ Freeman was born 16 January 1750/51.⁽¹⁵⁶⁾

26. David⁴ Epperson, Jr. (David³, John², John (Epernon)¹) was born in Virginia 1754.⁽¹⁵⁷⁾ David died October 1777 at Valley Forge Military Hospital in Valley Forge, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, at 23 years of age.⁽¹⁵⁸⁾

He married Judith Maupin in Albemarle County, Virginia, 1775.⁽¹⁵⁹⁾ Judith was born in Albemarle County, Virginia.⁽¹⁶⁰⁾ Judith was the daughter of Gabriel Maupin and Ann Ballard. Judith died 1816 in Albemarle County, Virginia.⁽¹⁶¹⁾

The following account of David Jr. was condensed from the book entitled The Story of David Epperson and His Family of Albemarle County, Virginia, by Edna Epperson Brinkman, published 1933, pages 17-18:

David was the oldest son of David Epperson and Hannah Thompson. At the approximate age of twenty-two, he enlisted for three years in the 10th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line and marched away with his Regiment on 13 February 1777. His father, David, left the same day with the 14th Virginia Regiment. When he entered the war, David sold his home of one hundred acres of land near his father's property. Sadly, David never survived the war. After a lingering illness, he died in Valley Forge Hospital in October of the same year.

David Epperson, Jr. and Judith Maupin had the following child:

74 i. Hannah⁵ Epperson was born in Albemarle County, Virginia 1776.⁽¹⁶²⁾ Hannah died after 1860 in Albemarle County, Virginia.⁽¹⁶³⁾ She married Dillard Sandidge in Albemarle County, Virginia, 14 October 1797.⁽¹⁶⁴⁾ Dillard was born in Albemarle County, Virginia 1774. Dillard was the son of Stephen Sandidge and Sarah Henderson. Dillard died after 1850 in Albemarle County, Virginia.

28. Thompson⁴ Epperson (David³, John², John (Epernon)¹) was born in Albemarle County, Virginia 1757.⁽¹⁶⁵⁾ Thompson died 9 June 1836 at 78 years of age.⁽¹⁶⁶⁾

He married Mary Isreal in Amherst, Amherst County, Virginia, 22 September 1782.⁽¹⁶⁷⁾ Mary died 6 November 1843.⁽¹⁶⁸⁾

The following account of Thompson and Mary was condensed from the book entitled Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, Volume I: A-E, by Virgil D. White, Library of Congress Number 90-063006, page 1124:

Thompson was a veteran of the Revolutionary War, serving in both the Virginia and North Carolina Lines. At his enlistment in 1777, he lived in Albemarle County, Virginia. He served as a Private under Captain Harris for one month. In 1780 he served as a Private under Captain Suep for six months. In 1781 he served as a Private under Captain Marks for two months. He fought in the engagements of Lafayette and King's Mountain. At the end of his enlistment, he had obtained the rank of Captain.

On 22 September 1782, Thompson and his fiancée, Mary, drove from Albemarle County, Virginia to Amherst County and were married at the parson's house. They returned home for two weeks and then moved to Wilkes City, North Carolina. They remained there until 1790 and then moved to Captain Mangrum's district in Franklin City, Georgia.

In 1835 Thompson's mind failed him, and his son John and his wife Tabitha made a pension application in his behalf on 3 September 1832. At the time he was still living in Franklin City, Georgia. On 5 November 1835, Captain John Stonecypher made affidavit to Thompson's destitute condition.

Seven years after Thompson's death, Mary applied for a pension as a widow of a Revolutionary War veteran , 27 September 1843, in Franklin City, Georgia. She was eighty-eight years old.

Thompson Epperson and Mary Isreal had the following children:

75 i. Peter⁵ Epperson was born 1783.⁽¹⁶⁹⁾

76 ii. Hannah Epperson was born 1787.⁽¹⁷⁰⁾ She married ??? Watkins.⁽¹⁷¹⁾

77 iii. George W. Epperson was born 1790.⁽¹⁷²⁾

George was a veteran of the War of 1812. He enlisted in Franklin County, Georgia and served as a Private in Garret L. Sandridge's Company of Georgia Militia from 26 August 1813 to 4 March 1814. As a veteran, he applied for Bounty Land and was granted eighty acres in 1850 (warrant number 8-819) and another eighty acres in 1855 (warrant number 10-367). When he applied for Bounty Land in 1850, his residence was Talladega County, Alabama. In 1855 he was living in Tallapoosa County, Alabama. ⁽¹⁷³⁾

78 iv. John Epperson was born 1793.⁽¹⁷⁴⁾ He married Tabitha ???.⁽¹⁷⁵⁾

79 v. Catherine Epperson was born 1795.⁽¹⁷⁶⁾ She married ??? Griffin.⁽¹⁷⁷⁾

80 vi. Thompson Epperson was born 1797.⁽¹⁷⁸⁾

81 vii. Charles Epperson was born 1803.⁽¹⁷⁹⁾

30. John⁴ Epperson (David³, John², John (Epernon)¹) was born in Virginia 1761.⁽¹⁸⁰⁾ John died 1817 in Lincoln County, Kentucky, at 56 years of age.⁽¹⁸¹⁾

He married Elizabeth Bowen in Albemarle County, Virginia, 22 December 1788.⁽¹⁸²⁾

The following account of John and his wife, Elizabeth, was condensed from the book entitled The Story of David Epperson and His Family of Albemarle County, Virginia, by Edna Epperson Brinkman, published 1933, pages 26-27:

John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, serving in the 14th Virginia Regiment with his father, David. After the War, John and his wife, Elizabeth, were known to be living on Epperson Mountain in Albemarle County, Virginia in 1799. Their home was a plantation of four hundred acres with two houses and several small outer buildings. John and Elizabeth sold their home 28 November 1799. This was about the time of the death of his father.

In his father's will, John was bequeathed one-half his father's property. He sold this share of his inherited property to his brother, Charles, on 17 April 1800. He then moved his family to Lincoln County, Kentucky.

John Epperson and Elizabeth Bowen had the following child:

+ 82 i. Joshua⁵ Epperson was born 1790.⁽¹⁸³⁾

31. William⁴ Epperson (David³, John², John (Epernon)¹) was born in Virginia about 1762.⁽¹⁸⁴⁾ William died 10 December 1823 at 61 years of age.⁽¹⁸⁵⁾

He married Nancy Hicks in Virginia, 21 June 1788.⁽¹⁸⁶⁾ Nancy was born 1766.

William Epperson and Nancy Hicks had the following children:

83 i. Hudley⁵ Epperson was born 1790.⁽¹⁸⁷⁾ Hudley died after 1844.⁽¹⁸⁸⁾ It is believed that Hudley died in Missouri. Records were found there of a William Boyd divorcing a Hulda Epperson. She married William Boyd.⁽¹⁸⁹⁾

William was born about 1790.⁽¹⁹⁰⁾ William died after 1844.⁽¹⁹¹⁾

84 ii. Phamey Epperson was born 1792.⁽¹⁹²⁾ She married ??? Beard.

+ 85 iii. Hopson Epperson was born 1794.⁽¹⁹³⁾

86 iv. Sina Epperson was born 1796. She married ??? Bradshaw.⁽¹⁹⁴⁾

87 v. Kassia Epperson was born 1798.⁽¹⁹⁵⁾ She married ??? McClean.⁽¹⁹⁶⁾

+ 88 vi. Harrison T. Epperson was born 16 December 1798.⁽¹⁹⁷⁾

+ 89 vii. Stephen F. Epperson was born 1802.⁽¹⁹⁸⁾

90 viii. Susannah Epperson was born 1806.⁽¹⁹⁹⁾ She married ??? Dickard.⁽²⁰⁰⁾

91 ix. Nancy Epperson was born 1808.⁽²⁰¹⁾

34. Charles⁴ Epperson (David³, John², John (Epernon)¹) was born in Albemarle County, Virginia 14 July 1766.⁽²⁰²⁾ Charles died 15 December 1852 in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, at 86 years of age.⁽²⁰³⁾

He married Sarah Love Lamb in (near) Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia, 16 December 1791.⁽²⁰⁴⁾ Sarah was born 10 March 1772.⁽²⁰⁵⁾ Sarah was the daughter of Richard Lamb and Mary Pettis. Sarah died 13 April 1853 in Oxford, Mercer County, Illinois, at 81 years of age.⁽²⁰⁶⁾

The following account of Charles and his wife Sarah was condensed from the book entitled The Story of David Epperson and His Family of Albemarle County, Virginia, by Edna Epperson Brinkman, published 1933, pages 29-30:

Before Charles was nine years old, the first battle of the Revolutionary War had been fought. Two years later, his oldest brother David, a soldier, died in Valley Forge Hospital. When Charles was sixteen, he was also called into the Continental Army. Fortunately, he saw no action as Cornwallis surrendered before he arrived at the front. When he was eighteen, his brother, Francis, died of wounds received in the Revolutionary War

Charles was living on Epperson Mountain in Albemarle County, Virginia with his wife and four children when his father, David, died. His father left all his property to his wife, Hannah, during her lifetime and thereafter one-half to Charles and one-half to his brother, John. At his father's death, Charles moved into the family house with his mother. His sons Pedro and Charles were born here.

Hannah, Charles mother, only kept the house for three years after her husband's death. Charles purchased his brother John's share of the property. Then Charles and his mother sold the plantation on Epperson Mountain and about 1803 moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee.

Charles Epperson and Sarah Love Lamb had the following children:

+ 92 i. John H.⁵ Epperson was born 16 January 1793.⁽²⁰⁷⁾

93 ii. Elizabeth Epperson was born 31 January 1795.⁽²⁰⁸⁾ Elizabeth died 1812 in Dowlington Creek, Kentucky, at 17 years of age.⁽²⁰⁹⁾

+ 94 iii. Isaiah R. (Asa) Epperson was born 03 February 1797.⁽²¹⁰⁾

+ 95 iv. Elias Epperson was born 21 November 1798.⁽²¹¹⁾

+ 96 v. Pedro Willis Epperson was born 13 April 1800.⁽²¹²⁾

+ 97 vi. Charles Epperson, Jr. was born 14 August 1802.⁽²¹³⁾

+ 98 vii. Permelia Epperson was born 29 November 1804.⁽²¹⁴⁾

+ 99 viii. Edley Thomas Epperson was born 24 May 1807.⁽²¹⁵⁾

+ 100 ix. Sarah Lamb Epperson was born 4 December 1809.⁽²¹⁶⁾

+ 101 x. Susannah Epperson was born 8 June 1811.⁽²¹⁷⁾

102 xi. Hiram Epperson was born in Richmond, Madison County, Kentucky 3 November 1814.⁽²¹⁸⁾ Hiram died 3 November 1834 in Montgomery County, Indiana, at 20 years of age.⁽²¹⁹⁾

37. Elizabeth⁴ Epperson (David³, John², John (Epernon)¹) was born in Virginia 1776.⁽²²⁰⁾

She married William Beauchamp Proctor.⁽²²¹⁾ Elizabeth moved to Hawkins County, Tennessee in 1757.

Elizabeth Epperson and William Beauchamp Proctor had the following children:

103 i. Joseph B.⁵ Proctor. He married Hannah ???.⁽²²²⁾

104 ii. Jane Proctor.⁽²²³⁾

105 iii. Elizabeth Proctor.⁽²²⁴⁾

106 iv. Susannah Proctor.⁽²²⁵⁾

42. Lucy⁴ Apperson (John³, John² Epperson, John (Epernon)¹) was born 1759.⁽²²⁶⁾ Lucy died 1812 at 53 years of age.⁽²²⁷⁾

She married Evans Long 1782.⁽²²⁸⁾

Lucy Apperson and Evans Long had the following child:

+ 107 i. Nimrod Washington⁵ Long was born 17 February 1800.⁽²²⁹⁾

43. John⁴ Epperson (John³, John² Apperson, John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in Virginia about 1780.⁽²³⁰⁾ John died 1823 in Franklin County, Kentucky, at 43 years of age.⁽²³¹⁾

He married Phoebe Muir 16 January 1804.⁽²³²⁾ Phoebe was the daughter of George Muir and Martha (Mary) Langley.

John Epperson and Phoebe Muir had the following children:

+ 108 i. John Barnett⁵ Epperson.⁽²³³⁾

+ 109 ii. Squire Boone Epperson.⁽²³⁴⁾

+ 110 iii. James Harvey Epperson.⁽²³⁵⁾

+ 111 iv. Permelia Langley Epperson.

112 v. Sarah Ann Epperson. She married Squire House.⁽²³⁶⁾

113 vi. Marcy Epperson. She married Milton Boone.⁽²³⁷⁾ Milton was the son of Thomas Boone and Sally Muir.

+ 114 vii. Emily Epperson.

115 viii. George Muir Epperson⁽²³⁸⁾ was born in Kentucky about 1800.⁽²³⁹⁾ George moved to Ohio.

+ 116 ix. Ambrose Bowen Epperson was born 19 January 1818.⁽²⁴⁰⁾

44. Francis⁴ Epperson (John³, John² Apperson, John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in Virginia about 1785.⁽²⁴¹⁾ Francis died 1871 in Putnam County, Indiana, at 86 years of age.⁽²⁴²⁾

He married Tabitha Redding 18 July 1814.⁽²⁴³⁾ Tabitha was the daughter of Reuben Redding and Elizabeth Roberts. Tabitha died 1868 in Putnam County, Indiana.⁽²⁴⁴⁾ Francis and Tabitha moved to Putnam County, Indiana about 1825/27.

Francis Epperson and Tabitha Redding had the following children:

+ 117 i. Francis⁵ Epperson.

+ 118 ii. John H. Epperson.

+ 119 iii. Martha A. Epperson.

+ 120 iv. Miltila Epperson.

+ 121 v. Mary E. Epperson.

+ 122 vi. Polly Jane Epperson.

+ 123 vii. Daniel Epperson was born 28 October 1816.⁽²⁴⁵⁾

52. John (Jack)⁴ Apperson (William³, Peter², John (Epernon)¹ Epperson) was born in East Bend, Surry County, North Carolina 8 March 1783.⁽²⁴⁶⁾ John died about 1835 in Missouri.⁽²⁴⁷⁾

He married Celia (Cely) Mitchell.⁽²⁴⁸⁾ Celia was born in South Carolina about 1790.⁽²⁴⁹⁾ Celia was the daughter of Elijah (or Elisha) Mitchell. Cely moved to Barton County, Missouri in 1842. It is believed that at that time she was living in that part of Jasper County that later became part of Barton County. The 1850 U. S. Census for Jasper County showed Cely living with her sons John and Charles.⁽²⁵⁰⁾

The following account of Jack and Celia Apperson was abridged and rewritten from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, page 25:

John left North Carolina about 1807 with his brothers, Peter, Francis and Doctor Alexander. They traveled through Overton County, Tennessee to deliver a runaway boy, Obediah Ray, whom they found along the way. A book on Sam Houston of Texas said that Sam was a playmate of Obediah Ray when a lad in Tennessee.

Eli Mitchell, Celia's father, settled in Overton County on Kettle Creek but later moved to Kentucky where John, Francis and Peter settled. Doctor Alexander lived with his brother, John, who on 19 September 1807 was granted a patent on fifty acres of land on the north fork of McFarland Creek in Cumberland County, Kentucky. The 1810 Census showed the families of John and Francis living there.

In 1914 a descendant named Lilburn B. Apperson of California, Missouri provided information on John and Celia's family. He wrote that John and Celia had three sons and eight daughters. Tradition in Lilburn's branch of the family states that when the Apperson sons left North Carolina, they promised their mother, Elizabeth Kerr Apperson, they would name their first daughter after her. Keeping that promise, John named his oldest daughter Elizabeth. Francis named his oldest daughter Mary Elizabeth. Peter named his first daughter Elizabeth; unfortunately, she died in infancy. Doctor Alexander had only one daughter, and he named her Elizabeth. All the Elizabeth cousins except Peter's daughter lived to have families.

About 1812, John and Francis Apperson, whose wives were daughters of Eli Mitchell, moved their families to Overton County, Tennessee, settling near their father-in-law. John and Celia's son Peter was born here as was Francis' daughters, Mary Elizabeth and Polly. They later returned to Monroe County, Kentucky for a short period, and in 1819 both families moved to Cooper County, Missouri. They settled near Pisgah where John and Cely were charter members of Pisgah Baptist Church which was organized in August 1819.

Cely's date of death is unknown. She last appeared in the 1860 Census for Mineral Township, Missouri. At the Census she would have been about seventy years old. After her husband, John, died about 1835, she lived in Cole, Miller, Jasper and Barton Counties, Missouri. According to information supplied Andy Apperson to the "Liberal, Missouri News" for an article on pioneer settlers, Cely moved to Barton County in 1842.

Cely's grandson, John, Jr., participated in the California gold rush. After his return from the gold fields, he deeded Cely a farm in 1861 for the sum of $1. On 13 May 1869, John, Jr., probably as Executor of her estate, divided the land between himself, his brother Charles and his sister, Martha Martin. The land was taken for unpaid taxes during the Civil War. It is speculated that John, Jr., Charles and Martha paid these taxes to retrieve the land and the reason John's other child, Minerva, was not an heir to the land. John, Jr. is said to have been one of the wealthiest men in Barton County at this time.

John (Jack) Apperson and Celia (Cely) Mitchell had the following children:

124 i. ???⁵ Apperson was born about 1810.⁽²⁵¹⁾

+ 125 ii. Elizabeth (twin) Apperson was born 12 November 1812.⁽²⁵²⁾

+ 126 iii. Peter (twin) Apperson was born 12 November 1812.⁽²⁵³⁾

127 iv. Luanna Apperson was born in Tennessee about 1815.⁽²⁵⁴⁾ Luanna died about 1848 in Bates County, Missouri.⁽²⁵⁵⁾ She married William Bass in Cole County, Missouri, 28 December 1836.⁽²⁵⁶⁾

The following account of Luanna Apperson was quoted from the book entitled The Apperson Family in America, by Vera Apperson English, published 1975, page 36-37:

In 1830 Cely Apperson, Luanna's mother, was shown by the U. S. Census in Cole County and living nearby were Luanna and William Bass and two children. Luanna probably died about 1848 following the birth of their daughter Mary. The U. S. 1850 Census of Bates, County, Missouri showed William Bass, age 38; Martha, age 22, not shown as a wife; John, age 15; Henry, age 14; Elizabeth, age 9; Nancy, age 7; James, age 3; and Mary, age 2. The 1860 U. S. Census showed Nancy Bass, age 16, in the home of her aunt, Minerva Conner. In 1880 Henry Bass was shown living with his aunt, Martha Martin.

My grandfather said that in 1849 several left for California's gold fields and were never heard from again. They may have died trying to cross the desert where many lost their way and died from thirst and lack of food. Grandpa's story is corroborated by a letter received by the writer in 1952 from Mrs. Minnie Jones Wells of Tyler, Texas, a great-granddaughter of Francis Apperson, brother of John. In writing of Francis' daughter, Mary, Mrs. Wells wrote, "and Mary, Aunt Polly we called her, married a Jones. Soon afterwards he left for California during the gold rush, soon after marrying, and died on the way and they buried him at that place where he died. So many went and never came back. I have heard my grandmother tell so many wild stories about Indians, or starving to death, or some kind of disease; so many died on that journey and no drinking water in that desert country at that time." Mrs. Wells' grandmother was Nancy Melcina Apperson Jones, a granddaughter of Francis Apperson. As we were unable to locate some of John and Cely's daughters and their families after the 1850 U. S. Census we th