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b.
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Note: sus: NC d. Monticello Wayne KY (1, 2, 3) (1) The ancestry and place of origin of Thomas Isbell is unknown. This name first appeared in Wayne County, Kentucky, records, 5 March 1804, when he signed a marriage bond for James Brooks and Nancy Isbell [ who was born in Virginia]. A note was included with the bond states:1) �To Godrey [sic] Isbell- Sir as it is necessary for me to have your permission from under your hand therefore send by William Simpson.� 2)� This may certify you that I have given consent for my daughter Nancy to James by Godfrey Isbell- witnessed by Thomas Isbell and Samuel Forbes.� Thomas relation [if any] to Nancy and Godfrey is not known, but either cousin or brother and son is a strong possibility. However, it is to be noted that none of Thomas� children were given the Christian name of Godfrey. ( June Baldwin Bork, Wayne County, Kentucky Marriages, 1801-1860, 1972. Vol.I, A-J,p. 153) Thomas Isbell was born ca1784 (computed from 1850 and 1860 censuses), birthplace indefinite. When he married, 30 June, 1804, the place of birth was recorded as �Virginia.� In 1850 he was enumerated as age 66, born North Carolina, and in 1860, his tally was age 76, born in South Carolina. In 1790 there were Isbells in both the Carolinas and Virginia, with a Godfrey Isbell listed in District 96, Pendleton County, South Carolina, with three males age 16 and upward, three under age 16, and seven females. Thomas died in Monticello, Wayne County, Kentucky, between28 January1862, the date of a codicil to his will, and 15 May 1862, when it was entered for probate. Thomas Isbell married three times, and the purpose of this compilation is to establish the names of his children and whenever possible, grandchildren, by examination of a number of sources. The compilers would welcome any assistance from others who may have information on this family. Thomas Isbell was first married by Elliott Homes, 30 June 1804, to Leah Francis. Henry Francis, surety. She was born in Monticello, 5 October 1785 and died there before 17 February 1833 ( the date Thomas remarried), daughter of John and Nancy ( Mounts) Francis. ( Ruth Clawson Harris, Ramah Wilson Clawson , and John C. Harris, �Captain Henry Francis of Montgomery County, Virginia, and Some of his Descendants,�DSGR Magazine, Fall 1968, Vol.32, No. 1, p.7) Thomas Isbell married second by Thomas Brooks and consent of Robert and Frances McBeath, 7 February 1833, Sarah �Sally� McBeath, William Simpson, surety. They were divorced in the April 1838 term of court. He married third by J.S. Frisbie, on �Sunday morning�, 9 May 1841, Sarah J. �Sally� Calhoun, George Meece, surety, She was born in Kentucky between 1817 and 1825 (birth year computed from 1850-1880 censuses) and was living in March 1890 when she signed a deed. (Bork, op.cit.,p.153; Note H.) Wills, deeds, lawsuits and census records (1850- 1880) are the major sources fro indentifying possibly twenty children as the �legitimate heirs� of Thomas Isbell. The earlier censuses (1810 through 1840) have been of little use to determine the size of his family. He was not given a head-of household status in 1810 and 1820, but the unusually large number of persons residing with John Francis (Thomas� Father-in-law) in both these years, suggest a multiple family arrangement. Thomas Isbell was enumerated in Wayne County in 1830 and 1840, but the size of his family does not correspond in age and sex with known data. The compilers wish to acknowledge the valuable assistance received from three Isbell descendants: Mr. Jesse Isbell of Monticello, Kentucky, Mrs, Effie Foster of Arlington, Texas, and Mrs. Grace Farmer of Eldon, Missouri, who furnished many birth and death records from family sources, as well as records of descendants in the third and fourth generation. All places are in Wayne County, Kentucky, unless otherwise designated. An interesting sidelight was found in a recent publication (Bork op.cit.,p.176); �The Isbell Cemetery is located across the road from the old Isbell house (supposedly haunted) and on Ray Eller�s farm in Wayne County. The reason for no Isbell stones is, according to tradition, that Thomas Isbell was superstitious about them.� In and unidentified report, this home was described as having been built in the late 1700�s, made of hewn logs with two floors and two huge fireplaces. The kitchen was as large as the main room. There was a front and back porch and was located on what is now Highway 167- the road from Monticello to Cooper in Wayne County. (1)
Note: b. VA or NC (1) or Lincoln or Monticello Wayne KY (2) 1789 (4) 1850 cen
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