AN EARLY VAN BIBBER FAMILY
By Bruce E. Logan Jr. blogan@zoomnet.net
The Van Bibber family that was the first to settle in the New World was the family of Isaacs Jacob Van Bibber who came to Philadelphia in 1687. He came to America to prepare the way for his parents and the rest of the family that would soon follow. The Van Bibbers were residents of Krefeld (now Germany) and had been persecuted in Europe because they were followers of Menno Simons. Other Mennonites from Krefeld had come to Philadelphia in 1684 at the invitation of William Penn including Herman op den Graff, who was the husband of two of the sisters of Isaacs Jacob. Isaacs Jacob Van Bibber moved to Germantown (now a suburb of Philadelphia) and was engaged in commerce.
It was not long before the rest of the family immigrated to Germantown and resided there and in Philadelphia until moving to Cecil County Maryland. While in Germantown the family got involved in a religious dispute and perhaps that is what caused the migration to Maryland.
Below you will find a family group sheet of the first known family of Van Bibbers in America.
Jacob Isaac Van Bibber, b. ca. 1640, d. Sept. 1705, Cecil Co., MD
m. Christina Unknown, b. ca. 1640, d. 4 Sept. 1711, Cecil Co., MD
Jacob Isaac and Christina Van Bibber are buried in the floor of St. Stephen's Church in Earlsville, Maryland.
1. Deborah Van Bibber, b. ca. 1660, d. ???
m. (1) Herman op den Graff
m. (2) Dirk Keyser, aft 1704
2. Henry Van Bibber, b. ??? d. Aft 1729, Cecil Co., MD
m. Catherine Bougard
3. Lisbet Isaacs Van Bibber
m. Herman op den Graff
4. Margaryte Van Bibber
m. J. Bool
5. Matthias Jacobs Van Bibber
m. Hermana Peterson
m. 7 Nov. 1705, Cecil Co., MD
6. Isaac Jacob Van Bibber, b. ca. 1661, d. 1722/23
m. Fronica/Veronica "Frances" Schumacher, daughter of Peter and Sarah Hendricks) Schumacher.
m. 28 May 1690, Maryland
BATTLE OF POINT PLEASANT (George Yoakum was in this battle, though not mentioned here. see generations.)
By Bruce E. Logan Jr. blogan@zoomnet.net
The Battle of Point Pleasant took place in what is now Mason County West Virginia on 10 Oct. 1774. The battle site overlooks the Ohio River. The battle was between the English colonists and the Indians and was part of what is known as Dunmore's War. The main cause of Dunmore's War was basically the incursion of the white man into Indian lands and especially the Ohio Valley.
The Van Bibber family were early settlers in the Greenbrier and were, like most settlers on the frontier, seeking new and better land. Also, like most pioneers, the Van Bibbers were members of the malitia and were willing to fight for possession of this new land.
The battle was a temporary defeat for the white settlers but a great loss for the Van Bibber family who settled on the this primitive frontier.
Isaac Van Bibber (sometimes known as Michael) was one of the victims. There were one-hundred and forty whites killed including the commanding officer, Colonel Charles Lewis, but to the family of Isaac Van Bibber it was a loss that would change their entire world.
Isaac had several young children and his loss would cause the breakup of the family. Isaac's wife remarried and his son Isaac Jr. would live with the famous Daniel Boone. Kanawha Co., VA records indicated that another son, Matthias, was raised by Isaac's brother Peter Van Bibber. Isaac Van Bibber's group sheet is listed below.
Isaac was not the only Van Bibber family member at the Battle of Point Pleasant. Various lists also include Captain John, Peter, and John Jesse Van Bibber as participants in the battle.
Group Sheet by Bruce Logan blogan@zoomnet.net and Steve Smith bgood@centuryinter.net
Isaac Van Bibber, I. b. Abt 1724 - mortally wounded 10 Oct. 1774 at Point Pleasant, VA. (Now Mason County, WV) (The name Michael has never been documented by Steve Smith).
m. Sarah Davis, traditionally from North Carolina. Sarah m. 2nd. William Griffin/Griffey (sp)(Possibly went to Tennessee with children, where William GRIFFEY can be documented with the VAN BEBBER brothers several times.
Children and Spouses
1. Peter Van Bibber, Sr. b. ??? d. 1816-1817 in CLAIBORNE County, Tennessee.
m. Eleanor "Nellie" Van Bibber, dau of Peter VAN BIBBER Jr., and Margery BOUNDS. Nellie went to Mo. after death of Peter and can be found in family of Nathan BOONE and Olive BOONE by 1840.
2. Rebecca Van Bibber (No child named Rebecca can be documented by Steve Smith).
3. James Van Bibber, Sr. b. Abt 1768 - d. ca 1834 in CLAIBORNE County, Tennessee
m. Hannah Hoover in Russell Co., VA. ca 1793.
4. Isaac Van Bibber, II., b. 20 Oct. 1771, Greenbrier Co., VA, d. 30 Sept.1840, Montgomery Co., MO.
m. Elizabeth Hays, b. 12 June 1776, Ft. Boonesborough, KY, d. 3 Aug, 1828, Montgomery Co., MO, daughter of William Hays and Susannah Boone and granddaughter of Daniel Boone and Rebecca Bryan.
5. Margaret Van Bibber (no daughter named Margaret can be documented by Steve Smith.)
m. George Yokcome I
6. John Van Bibber, Sr., b. ca 1765 - d. 1818 in Claiborne County, TN.
m. Margaret CHRISMAN ca 1787 in Russell County, VA. Margaret was daughter of Isaac CHRISMAN, I., and Jean/Jenny SCOTT.
7. Nancy Van Bibber b. d.
m. Robert Howard b. d. Powell Valley, Claiborne County, TN.
8. Martha (Patty/Patsy) VAN BIBBER b. d. in Salisbury Township, Sangamon Co., Illinois
m. George YOAKUM, I., ca 1776 in Greenbrier Co., VA.
George YOAKUM b. ca. 1755 in VA. d. Oct 28, 1800 in Grainger Co., (now Claiborne Co., TN.) in bear hunt. George was son of Valentine "Felty" YOAKUM.
(Isaac and Sarah were parents of seven children: Nancy, Peter, Martha, John, James, and Isaac, Jr. or II. I cannot document the name of seventh child. Would love to know. I suspect the name Matthias, but if so I don't know what happened to him after the death of his father. Steve Smith.) (See query below. BEL)
(Rebecca and Margaret are mentioned in the research paper of Josephine Nell Letts and the DAR papers of Mrs. Mabel Holliday Moody.BEL).
THE WANDERINGS OF ISAAC VAN BIBBER'S FAMILY
By Steve Smith <begood@centuryinter.net>
I think the VAN BEBBER e-mail club would be a good idea and a good way to gather new information and find new unexplored branches of the family. I would support this with giving you information on the family. Most of the research I have (about 50 3" binders) is based on descendants of Isaac VAN BIBBER, I., of Point Pleasant battle (Oct 10, 1774). He and wife, Sarah DAVIS, had seven children. I can document the name of six of those children. Five of the six children I document went to CLAIBORNE County, Tennessee by 1796, and helped to establish Fort YOAKUM with brother-in-law, George YOAKUM, I., and remained in this area. John VAN BEBBER, Sr., one of the children of Isaac and Sarah, purchased 3250 acres in the newly established HENDERSON Grant of Powell Valley. He immediately began colonizing this land by selling farms to family and friends. This was still in Indian disputed territory at this time and was not recognized by U.S. Government until two years later.
John married Margaret CHRISMAN, oldest daughter of Isaac CHRISMAN, I., and Jean/Jenny SCOTT of Southwest Virginia. Isaac CHRISMAN was killed in Washington County Virginia by hostile Indians in 1776. Jean remarried to Nathaniel HIX. The VAN BEBBER's moved to the area around late 1785 or early 1786. With the party were: George YOAKUM, I., and bride, Martha (Patty/Patsy) VAN BIBBER; Peter VAN BEBBER, Sr., and new bride, Eleanor/Ellen/Nelly VAN BIBBER (first cousin, and daughter of Peter VAN BIBBER, II., and Margery BOUNDS); Robert HOWARD and wife, Nancy VAN BEBBER; John VAN BEBBER, and James VAN BEBBER. Younger brother, Isaac VAN BIBBER, II., stayed behind with mother, Sarah DAVIS/VAN BEBBER and her new husband, William GRIFFEY. He later was informally adopted (meaning he stayed in the family of) Col. Daniel BOONE. He migrated west into Kentucky with BOONE and later to Missouri where he became wealthy owning and operating a health spa with hotels and cabins. He married the grand daughter of BOONE, Elizabeth HAYS, the daughter of William HAYS and Susannah BOONE.
The area of the VAN BEBBER settlement was Washington County, Virginia when they moved there. They established Fort YOAKUM on the Powell River at present day Dryden, Wise County, Virginia. In early 1786 the area of far southwest Virginia was surveyed to become RUSSELL County, Virginia. The county seat was established in Lebanon, VA. John VAN BEBBER was appointed Lieutenant of the county Militia on the first court held for the county in May, 1786. While here in this area he married Margaret CHRISMAN and younger brother, James VAN BEBBER married Hannah HOOVER.
The VAN BEBBER's remained here until 1796, when they moved further down Powell Valley to HAWKINS County, later GRAINGER County (June 1796) and finally CLAIBORNE County (1801). John VAN BEBBER was Justice of the Peace for the new organized county of GRAINGER. He was appointed to Captain of a company in Powell Valley in the State Militia by Governor John Sevier. He rode horse back about 50 miles to court meetings in Rutledge, Tennessee (the county seat.) He was instrumental in helping to organize CLAIBORNE County in 1801 and was appointed by Governor Archibald ROANE to be Justice of the Peace in the County at the organization of the county and sworn in at the first court. He held this position until 1815, when son John, Jr. was killed in War of 1812. He died in late 1818. Older brother died in late 1816 or early 1817. James VAN BEBBER died ca 1834. George YOAKUM died in 1800 in bear hunt. Widow Martha VAN BIBBER/YOAKUM remained at the Station until 1810 when she and several of the children moved to Illinois, eventually settling just Northwest of Springfield, where she died at Salisbury Township. She was mother to at least 12 children. John was father of at least 11 children.
Descendants of these families may be found in many states.
ISAAC VAN BIBBER II
By Steve Smith (bgood@centuryinter.net)
Concerning Isaac VAN BIBBER, II: Here is my best guess with the information available:
Isaac was only a couple of years old when his father was killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant; Oct 10, 1774. After this he continued to live with his mother and family. He was the youngest of seven children born of Isaac VAN BIBBER, I, and Sarah DAVIS. Sarah soon remarried to William GRIFFEY/GRIFFITH. The younger children may have been helped out by their Uncle James DAVIS as far as monetary needs, schooling, and religion. Some of the older children were about old enough by this time to be somewhat self-supportive. I believe it was Uncle James DAVIS who may have sent my gggg grandfather to school, as he was an educated man and spent his entire adult life in public service jobs. In 1786 Peter VAN BEBBER, whom I believe was the oldest male sibling, went into court and declared himself the guardian of his younger brothers and sisters: Nancy, John, James, Matthew, and Isaac.
By this time older sister, Martha, had already married to George YOAKUM, I.
Almost immediately after Peter declared himself guardian he removed to lower Southwest Virginia to about the present day Dryden and with him George YOAKUM, I. Peter had recently wed his first cousin Eleanor VAN BIBBER and George and Patty (Martha) had been wed long enough by this time to have about five or six children. Peter brought along with him his younger siblings except Isaac and perhaps Matthew. It is not known at present what happened to Matthew. I believe Isaac stayed with his mother and step father.
In 1796 the YOAKUM and VAN BEBBER families moved further down the Powell Valley where they lived to the lower part of Powell Valley that fell in the new state of Tennessee when it was formed in June 1796. At this time it is very apparent that upon establishing themselves upon their new farms that Sarah DAVIS/VAN BIBBER/GRIFFEY and her husband, William, joined the family.
They had been living in the GREENBRIER County area of Virginia. Young Isaac
had been well attached to the BOONE family by this time and had worked some at the BOONE trading post. I believe it was at this parting of time or maybe some time earlier that young Isaac decided not to go to Tennessee with the rest of the family but to stay with Daniel BOONE's family. This is the best I have been able to construct with the available data, but I don't believe he was extremely young when he went to live with the BOONE family.
Their history is full of very interesting accounts of adventure, strife, hardship, and victory.
Bob DerryBerry:
Now let me back up a bit to some VAN BEBBER information. It is well documented by this researcher that Isaac VAN BIBBER, I., the son of Peter VAN BIBBER, I., and Ann _____, was mortally wounded in the Battle of Point Pleasant on Oct 10, 1774 at Point Pleasant, Virginia (now MASON County, WV). His widow, Sarah DAVIS/VAN BEBBER, stated in GREENBRIER County Court that she was the widow of Isaac and that she had seven children. In a letter written by Isaac VAN BIBBER, III., the son of Isaac VAN BIBBER, II., and grandson of Isaac VAN BIBBER, I., we can identify six of these children: Nancy, Patty, and Peter, the oldest children; and John, James, and Isaac; being the youngest children. These names all have been well documented by this researcer. In fact, of the six listed here, all lived together throughout most of their lives except young Isaac, II., who went to Missouri with members of the BOONE family. Isaac VAN BIBBER, III., further goes on to state in his letter that one of these daughters married a man by the surname of HOWARD and that he died in Powell Valley. Later deduction has proven this daughter to be Nancy and her husband by process of elimination most definitely has to be Robert HOWARD. This letter written by Isaac VAN BIBBER, III., to Lyman DRAPER and found in the DRAPER MSS clearly shows six of the seven children of Isaac and Sarah. Who was the seventh child?
In the records of GREENBRIER County for the County Court held in March 1786, we find where Peter VAN BEBBER is appointed guardian to Matthew, John, Nancy, James, and Isaac VAN BEBBER. This researcher is of strong opinion that the above lists concerns Peter VAN BEBBER, the son of Isaac VAN BEBBER and Sarah DAVIS; and that he was the older brother of the other listed children shown. Patty VAN BEBBER is not shown on the list. We will show later that she is not on the list because in 1786 she was already married and probably was not a minor at this date. Now, was Matthew VAN BEBBER the seventh child of Isaac and Sarah? This document seems to be strong enough evidence to suggest it to this researcher. What happened to Matthew VAN BEBBER later? Only further research will show the answer to this, maybe?
The above guardianship seems to be in preparation for the move of these children to WASHINGTON County, Virginia. RUSSELL County was formed in 1786 and the first court held in May, 1786. On the second day of the first court held, John VAN BEBBER was made Lieutenant of the County Militia of RUSSELL County. This means they must have left GREENBRIER County for WASHINGTON County between March and May of 1786. They settled on the Powell River in Powell Valley near present day DRYDEN. Records suggest that both the YOAKUM family and the VAN BEBBER family held land there; yet only deeds of the sales of the YOAKUM land can be found today.
The Powell River begins its journey in WISE County, near the town of Norton and has cut its way through the Big Stone Gap and then entering the Powell Valley here winds its way slowly through LEE County toward the state of Tennessee. Entering Tennessee it is separated from the main floor of Powell Valley by the dividing ridge as it flows through CLAIBORNE and CAMPBELL County and merges with the Clinch River near Norris, Tennessee. Yoakum Station Voting district in LEE County pays tribute to the fort that was built there in the 1780's by George YOAKUM and the VAN BEBBER brothers.
Marriage records of the Reverend John ALDERSON show that Peter VAN BEBBER (called Peter VAN BEBBER, Sr.), the son of Isaac VAN BIBBER, I., and Sarah DAVIS, married his first cousin, Eleanor VAN BIBBER, the daughter of Peter VAN BIBBER, II., and Margery BOUNDS. Peter VAN BIBBER, II., was a younger brother of Isaac VAN BIBBER, I., both being children of Peter VAN BIBBER, I., and his wife, Ann.
Of the seven children that we have named; viz: Peter, Patty, Nancy, Matthew, John, James, and Isaac; it can be documented that at least five of them came to Powell Valley in 1786. It is not known if Isaac and Matthew came or stayed behind with their mother, Sarah, who had remarried at this time to a man by the name of William GRIFFEY. Court records of CLAIBORNE County suggest that at a later date William GRIFFEY also came to CLAIBORNE County. Of these seven children, it appears that two were married in 1786 at the time of their move; viz: Peter md. Eleanor VAN BIBBER, and Martha or Patty md. George YOAKUM, I.
After John VAN BEBBER is found in Court records of RUSSELL County in May 1786, the families of VAN BEBBER, YOAKUM, and HOWARD can be found continously after that date in the County of RUSSELL until LEE County was formed. These families are found on the petiton to form LEE County. Their reason given for forming LEE, among other reasons, was its distance to the RUSSELL County Courthouse. They can be found on various records in RUSSELL and LEE County until 1796. Therefore; there presence of being in LEE County did not mean that they had moved, but rather that a new County had been formed and they fell into the borders of that new county of LEE. Tradition states that YOAKUM Station was a site of Court meetings in the early formation period of LEE County.
Exactly what year did these families move from LEE County, Virginia to the state of Tennessee? It seems obvious from the records of LEE County that they did not build the YOAKUM Station fort in Tennessee in 1790. According to tax records of RUSSELL and LEE County, Virginia, the VAN BEBBER's, YOAKUM's, and HOWARD's paid taxes in Virginia until 1796. John VAN BEBBER did not pay taxes there that year. Could he have moved to Tennessee that year? The records needed to show this may have been destroyed in HAWKINS County, TN, during the Civil War period.
At any rate, we know that they were here in Powell Valley, CLAIBORNE County, TN by statehood as it seems apparent with the records we have in GRAINGER County, Tennessee, which was formed with statehood. Tennessee became the 16'th state on June 1, 1796 and GRAINGER County held its first court on June 13, 1796. At the second Court session held, on September 12, 1796, the GRAINGER County Court ordered a review of a road to be built from HOLSTON River to YOKHAM's Station in Powell Valley. The HOLSTON River cuts thru the HOLSTON Valley and runs close by Rutledge, where the county seat of GRAINGER is located. George YOAKUM and John VAN BEBBER were later appointed members of the committee to review this road survey and report back to the court. From this date and until their deaths, these two men may be documented as citizens of Powell Valley in that part that later became Speedwell, CLAIBORNE County, TN.
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