The following includes infomation on William SEARS
Submitted by Rick Waggener
Generation No. 1
1. ELIZABETH WAGGENER (HERBERT, JOHN) was born Abt. 1720 in Essex Co., Virginia, and died Abt. 1798. She met MR. SEARS.
Notes for ELIZABETH WAGGENER: ****** From Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. II, King and Queen County:
"p. 352 Bond. 19 July 1749. William Sears of Drisdale parish, King and Queen Co., for L200. to Elizabeth Waggoner of South Franham par. Essex Co. That he will pay L50. by 19 July next year "For the keeping the Child Sarah Waggener one year". Wit: Nathaniel Pendleton, Thos Waggener, Reuben Waggener."
(It is not particularly clear what this bond is about, other than it most certainly seems to be in regard to this Elizabeth Waggener, and is witnessed by her brothers Thomas and Reuben Waggener. It is also witnessed by Nathaniel Pendleton, an apparent neighbor of the Waggeners in Essex County, and mentioned in other records.)
===================================================================================== ****** William Sears mentions Sarah Waggener Sears, daughter of Elizabeth Waggener Junior, in his will dated May 17, 1752 and probated June 16, 1752 (Essex County Will Book #9, page 190). He also mentions his son Albert Sears. In the will, he asks that his estate of "Negroes, Cattle, and hogg be kept together for six years after my decease and what money is raised from it to be apply'd to the keeping maintaining and the Education of my Beloved son Albert Sears and Sarah Wagoner Sears daughter of Eliz'a Wagoner Junior of the same County." He also mentions that after the 6 years, all that is left of his estate is to be divided between his son Albert and Sarah Waggener Sears.
(It is not mentioned what exactly the relationship is between this William Sears and Sarah Waggener. It sounds like she is a daughter of his, by Elizabeth Waggener. Since he is apparently an older man near death, perhaps she is the daughter of an older son of William's. )
===================================================================================== ******There is another, even more perplexing record, from the Essex County Deed Book #29, pages 239-240. It is an indenture made October 5, 1763, between "William Sears of Gloucester on the one part and Elizabeth Waggener Junr. of the County of Essex of the other part." The document mentions that "Where there is a marriage already agreed upon and by Gods Grace Shortly to be had and Solemnized Between the said William Sears and Sarah Waggener Sears the Daughter of the said Elizabeth Waggener Junr." The document says that upon the consummation of this marriage, this Willam is "entitled to possession of Sundry Slaves named Gloucester, Sarah, Davie, Ester, Ange, Pender, Judy, the sole property of the said Sarah Waggener Sears". The agreement is that Sarah "shall have free liberty to dispose of the one half of the said slaves and their increase by her last Will and Testament in writing or otherwise as she pleaseth." It further says that if she and William have no children, then the slaves and their children are to revert to Sarah exclusively.
(It is not mentioned what exactly is the relationship between this William Sears, that Sarah Waggener Sears is to marry; and the other William Sears, her apparent father or grandfather.)
Child of ELIZABETH WAGGENER and MR. SEARS is:
2. i. SARAH WAGGENER SEARS, b. Bef. 1749; d. Abt. 1800.
Generation No. 2
2. SARAH WAGGENER SEARS (ELIZABETH WAGGENER, HERBERT, JOHN) was born Bef. 1749, and died Abt. 1800. She married WILLIAM SEARS Abt. 1763.
Notes for SARAH WAGGENER SEARS: See the notes of Sarah's mother Elizabeth for information on Sarah.
From the International Genealogical Index, Micro fiche #0 1659, Virginia:
Reference is made to John Sears, born 1778 in Pesworth District, Gloucester County, Virginia; and listed as the son of William and Sarah Sears. Also same info, James Sears born 1778, also same, William (Jr.) born 1782, and same info., Ann born 1795.
Children of SARAH SEARS and WILLIAM SEARS are:
i. JOHN SEARS, b. 1778; d. Unknown.
ii. JAMES SEARS, b. 1781; d. Unknown.
iii. WILLIAM SEARS, JR., b. 1782; d. Unknown.
iv. ANN SEARS, b. 1795; d. Unknown.
WILLIAM H. SEARS at the age of 2 years old, moved to Warren County, KY with his father, John Sears and his mother, Matilda Mary Hobson. When about 16 years of age, they moved to Missouri and settled in the MT. Airy area of present Randolph County, then known as "Boone's Lick Country." He was first married to Sarah Alice (Sally) Kerby. William was married 3 times and had a total of 19 children ?, all living to maturity except for 3 of them. Nine children were still living in the 1870's. He became a Baptist Preacher about 1830 and officiated at the 1st wedding in Macon County, Missouri in 1837. He and "Elder" James RATLIFF worked together in organizing the early Baptist Churches of Randolph and Macon Counties. William and his 2nd wife, Jane McDavitt were present on the 2nd Sunday in July 1836 to help organize "Little Zion" Church in Macon County.,Missouri. The last Minister was Floyd GROSS of Greentop, MO. (He was a descendant of Hardy Sears' lineage)
William H. Sears was first married to Sarah Alice (Sally) Kerby on April 13, 1823. They had 2 daughters, Alvira and Lucinda Sears.
William H. Sears then married Jane McDavitt who was born June 20, 1809 probably in Woodford Co, KY. She died Feb 18, 1847 in Macon Co, MO. and is most likely buried in Old Chariton Cemetery.
William H. Sears and Jane McDavitt had the following children:
Elizabeth "Eliza"
Frances M.
Basil McDavitt
Sarah I.
Mildred
Mary (Polly)
Martha Ellen
Roland B.
Hardy M.
John T.
Baby
William H. Sears last married on September 16, 1847(7 months after the death of Jane McDavitt-2nd wife)to Drucilla RATLIFF FAULKNER-widow of John FAULKNER and the daughter of "Elder" William RATLIFF, Baptist Minister (Primitive), whose brother was "Elder" James RATLIFF.
Drucilla born April 5, 1821 in Warren CO., KY and died Nov. 10, 1898 at the home of her son, James Ivison Sears, and she is buried in LaPlata Cemetery-LaPlata, MO.
William H. Sears and Drucilla had the following children:
William Henry
James Ivison
Idress Armanda
Beatrice
Alfred M.
Emma Florence
About 1792,William and Johnathon Sears, brothers left Virginia and obtained land grants in Logan County, Kentucky.They were living at the spot where the Great Revival took place in June, 1800. At the Red River and Gasper River settlements that year, camp meeting revivals were founded. These revivals were a new religious experience, not found any place else in the world. It was a unique american event. Soon this religious fever spread from Logan County across these United States. This early experience probably accounts for the revival Preachers in the family.
William Sears--born between 1740 and 1750 in Virginia; married in Va.; wife born between 1750 and 1760; he died in Logan Co. Kentucky 1831. Estate settlement-order book 9,page 52. Came to Logan County about 1792. Ky. Land Grant to William Sears, 200 acres, Book 2, p-153, 8-24-1796, Dry Fork Whipporwill River; 10 or more children.
1. John Sears--b. 1778;d. ca. 1860;m.Elizabeth Coffman,8 or more ch.; lived and died in Logan Co. Farmer.
2. James Sears b. 1780;m. by 1800; 8 or more ch.; not in Logan co. after 1810 census.
3. William Sears, Jr.--b.7 Jan. 1782,Va.;d. 28 May 1852, Todd Co. Ky.; buried in a cemetery on George Tucker Farm near Cedar Grove Baptist Church, Will Book G,p.468;m.-8Aug 1804 to Susan Houx;lO ch.
4. Anne Sears--b.ca.1783;d.ca.1838,Henry Co., Tenn. Then her family moved to Carroll Co. Ark. ;m.13 June 1801, Logan Co. to Jonathan Dunlap; 12 ch.
5. David Sears--b.ca.1785;d. Nov. 1840, Logan Co. Ky.,Will Book H, p.67; m. 8 Dec 1809 to Catherine Coffman, 12 ch.
6. Margaret Sears--b.ca.1787;d. Aug.1850,Henry.Co. Tenn; m.25 Mar 1808,Logan Co, Ky. to Moses Dunlap; 9 ch.
7. Abraham Sears b. ca. 1791 ;m.27 July 1852 Todd Co. Ky. to Dorothia Simons; 8 or more ch.; 1838 moved to Polk Co. Missouri.
8. Madeline Sears--b.ca. 1793;d.1870 Dade Co, Missouri; m.9 Apr 1912, in Logan Co. Ky. to Henry Acock; moved to Polk Co. Missouri in 1838; 7 or more ch.
9. Harmon Sears--b.ca. 1795; a bachelor; he was s soldier in the War of 1812; He was killed July 4, 1815, in a park in St. Louis Missouri, where he was loading a cannon for the celebration of the July 4th holiday.
10. Charity Sears--b. ca. 1798; d. ca. 1842:m. June 1820 to William Simons ;lived Logan Co.; 6 or more children.
II Generation
David Sears--b. 1785, in Virginia--d. Nov. 1840, Logan County Ky; m.8 Dec 1809 to Catherine Coleman (dau. of Adam and Magdeline Coffman; she was born 1792 in Va., and died Sept 1873 in Logan Co. Ky. All their married life they farmed by the Clarksville P. Road near Russellville, Kentucky; 12 children.
1. William Sears--b.l8lO:.d.ca.l865;m.l835 to Matilda Favors; later lived Hopkins Co. Ky. and Dade Co. Missouri;9 ch. son William F. lived Hominy, OK; son Capt Henry T. lived Bartlesville, Okla.
2. Adam Sears--b.ca.l812;m. Susannah;7 or more ch. by 1840 they were living in Crawford Co. Illinois, deed Book 3,p.149 he deeded all his Logan Co. land to brother George.
3. Bartley Harrison Sears--b. 1815);d.ca. 1868 married 20 Dec 1833 in Logan Co. to Malinda Broaddus (dau. of William Broaddus of Todd Co.) 9 ch. that later settled in Chautauqua Co. Kansas.
4. Andrew J. Sears--b. l816;d. 1891; m.I.Mary Wimpey in 1835,9 ch.; m. II.Almira Needham,l861,1 ch. lived his life on farm in Logan Co., but his sons migrated to Ill. and later to Western Kansas.
5. Emeline Sears--b.l819;m.l840 to Milton M. May; Lived Logan Co;8 ch.
6. George A. Sears--b.ca.1820 m. Isabella Bennett;lived Logan Co;2 ch.
7. Julia Ann Sears--b. ca.1823 d.ca. 1866; m. 1852 to Asa Wilgus; lived Logan Co. 1 ch.
8. Leonard Sears--b.ca.l824;,m. l840 to cousin Margaret Driskell; 5 ch.; lived Todd Co. Ky. d. 1809
9. James Sears--b. l827d.1866.married 1859 to Martha Simons 4 ch. m. II. 1866 to Amanda Tatum Adams, 3 ch. m. III. 1877 to Jemima Rutherord Sears; farmed Logan Co.
l0. Francis Sears--b.ca.1830;m.1857 to George Wilgus(son of Asa of no. 7) ;2 ch. ;lived Logan co. 11. Washington Sears--b.1834; m.1856 Mary E. Wallace; 2 ch.;lived Logan Co.
12. Jacob E. Sears--b. 1836; m.1865 to Melvina Bledsoe; 3 ch. lived Logan Co.
III Generation
Bartley Harrison Sears b. 1815 in Logan Co, Ky. d. around 1868, maybe in Newton Co. Missouri; m. Malinda A. Broaddus on Dec. 20, 1833. About 1812 he sold his property in Logan Co. Ky. and moved near other relatives in Todd County Ky. In 1856,, he disposed of his Kentucky property and moved the long trek into Kansas(about this same time his brother, William Sears, settled in Dade Co. Missouri, and other Broaddus cousins settled in Randolph Co, Missouri.) All of the other sisters and brothers remained in Kentucky.
"History of Kansas" by Andreas, p. 1118, under the History of Crawford County, lists our Sears Family, "in 1856 Mr. Sears made the first permanent settlement in Baker Township, building a log house near the Mission Crossing on Cow Creek." At this time that area of land belonged to the Cherokee Nation of Indians. At a nearby Indian settlement lived the Castoe family. Rev. John George Castoe and his wife Jestine, who were both Cherokee Indians. Three of the Sears children married three of the Castoe children.
In the fall of 1860, a tragic event occurred. By this time many white families were scattered over this area, and the Cherokees, thought it a good time to get some ore money out of the government of the USA. They issued a demand to the US government to pay the Cherokee Nation for this area in Kansas that had been settled by several White Men. But President Buchanon found the US Treasury almost empty and decided to vacate the lands of the white settlers.
"In the fall, two companies of soldiers arrived at the south line of the neutral lands and proceeding northward, drove the settlers before them: burning their stacks of hay and grain, their cabins and fences. By the time the disposed people arrived at the creek of Drywood, near the North line of neutral lands, they constituted a cavalcade of several hundred persons, men, women, and children with their flocks and herds and all their belongings that they were able to carry. Here a halt was called because winter was approaching. These settlers were promised their land back after the Civil War under the Homestead Acts, but that never materialized.
The Bartley Sears family settled down between Fulton and Mapleton in Bourbon County Kansas, and all the Sears sons and sons-in-laws- enlisted in the Civil War on the sloe or the North. They naturally had a dislike for the Union soldiers.
George Sears, George Gastoe and Robert Castoe served under Capt. John George Castoe in the Co.C 6th Regiment of the Kansas Cavalry. Zacharia served in Co. G 14th Reg. of Ks. Cavalry. Pvt. Zacharia, while guarding a supply train to Fort Scott, was given permission to go home to visit his parents. Before he was able to rejoin his Company, he was captured. At the time the Civil War ended, Zachariah was a Prisoner of' War at Fort Gibson, 0kla.
Again Catastrophe struck the Sears family. after the Battle of Mine Creek in 1864, the retreating armies passed through the area of the Sears farm. These freezing Rebel Soldiers ravaged the countryside. They took all of the chickens, cattle, produce food, clothing, and even the blankets off the beds.
All of the daughters and grandchildren lived with Bartley until the end of the Civil war. This made a quite large household. By 1870, Bartley had died and the family had moved to Newton Co, Missouri.
In 1871, all the Sears children and their families moved to an area near Chautauqua, Kansas where many descendants are still found today. Young John Mathew Sears was raised in the household of his older brother, George David. George David later sold his farm and moved into Chautauqua where he operated a General Store and he was also a preacher of the Gospel.
Zacharia later left his farm and moved into Elgin, where he operated a freight line between Elgin and Pawhuska. Most of the other family members were farmers. The members of this family belonged to the Baptist Church. There were 9 ch.
1. George David Sears--(1837-1905)m. Mary Luiza Castoe, 9 ch.; buried Oak Grove; a preacher and storekeeper.
2. Fannie C. Sears--b. 1839
3. Sarah Jane Sears--(1842-1888) ;m.I.George William Castoe 9. ch.: m. II.Kay Malone lived Chautauqua Co. Ks.
4. Elizabeth A. Sears--b.1844;d.1893,Mercedes Calif. Charles Thompson, 9 ch. in Chautauqua Co. marriage. II.Mr. Burnett 2 ch. 5. Zacnariah Tailey Sears--b.12 Sept 1846,Todd Co,Ky; d.25 July 1925 Pawhuska,Okla; m.l Aug 1875 in Elgin Ks. to Nancy Ann Swinney (dau. of Delaney and Elizabeth Webb Swinney)buried Oak Grove, Elgin, Ks. a farmer and freight hauler.
6. Luticia (Tish) Sears--(1849-1931) m.1. Robert Castoe 6 ch.; m. II. I.S.Saunders, 3 ch.; m. III. Mr. Stoneman.
7. William T. Sears--(1852- )Elvira. 13 ch.
8. Eliza Ann Sears--(b.1854-d.ca.1930);m. 1. Robert N. Harlow; m.II. Mr. King
9. John l.[Matthew Sears--(1857-1911) m.1878 to Sarah Annette Farley buried Oak Grove Cemetery a farmer; 7 children.
Compiled April, 1984
Key
b= born
d=died
m=married
m.I =1st spouse m.II=2nd spouse
