Children of Simeon and Keziah Justice

Children of Simeon and Keziah Justice

By Ed Talbott, III

From: Buchanan County Times Past, Issue # 5, Winter 2000, Pages 18-20.

Note: (From Mr. Talbott) For the nine children on Simeon and Keziah, I will use the spelling of Justus as it is about 1860-1870 that this spelling begins to take precedence in the Guesses Fork area).

Note: Permission was given by Ed Talbott, III for this information to be posted in this blog. We appreciate Mr. Talbott sharing this information with the public. A copy of Buchanan County Times Past is at the Buchanan County Public Library in Grundy, VA.

Polly Jane Justus was born about 1808 in Floyd County, Kentucky. She married Samuel M. Smith and they raised eight children in the Hurley area. Samuel owned huge tracts of land on Knox Creek and Lester’s Fork in the early 1800’s. Late in life they moved to Todd County, Minnesota and are buried there.

Saulsbury Justus was born in 1811 in Floyd County, Kentucky. He married Amy “Anna” Sturgill in Kentucky. She was the daughter of John Sturgill, Jr. and Amy Hall. Saul and Anna raised a large family of 11 children on the right hand fork of Guesses Fork. At least two of their sons served for the Confederacy in the Civil War. Saul and Anna are buried at the Old Justus cemetery on a point above the mouth of House Branch on Guesses Fork.

Joab Justus was born about 1812 in Floyd County, Kentucky. He married Mary “Molly” Wolford about 1839 on Knox Creek and they had three children. Molly was the daughter of John Wolford, Sr. and Mary “Polly” Charles. Joab later married Sally Cline and they had five children. The final resting place of Joab is unknown at this time.

Lucinda Justus was born about 1813 in Floyd County, Kentucky. She married William “Billy” Hall and they had a family in the Knox Creek area. I have little information on this Hall family. Lucinda’s daughter, Rachel Hall married Joshua Justus. Joshua served in the Civil War and is buried on a point above the railroad at the mouth of Guesses Fork.

Annia Justus was born about 1816 in Floyd County, KY. She married Edward J. “Ned” Collins on June 26, 1834 in the Pike County, KY. Ned was the son of Meredith Collins (a Revolutionary War veteran) and Margaret Holloway. Annia and Ned raised a large family of nine children on the Tug River. Ned passed away in 1879 at War Eagle in Mingo County, WV. Anna moved back to Guesses Fork for her golden years. She died on October 10, 1891 at the age of 75. She is buried in the Old Justus Cemetery at House Branch on Guesses Fork.

King Hiram Justus was born about 1820 in Floyd County, KY. He married Margaret “Peggy” Jackson in Floyd County, KY. Her parents are unknown at this time. King Hiram served as Captain of the Hurley men who served in Company H, 10^th Kentucky Cavalry, CSA during the Civil War. King Hiram and Peggy raised a family of ten children on the left hand fork of Guesses Fork. King Hiram’s log cabin stood until about 1920 and a picture of it was published in the Virginia Mountaineer. King Hiram Justus is buried in the Justus Cemetery on the left hand fork of Guesses Fork under an unmarked fieldstone. A new military stone will be ordered for this Confederate officer as soon as an approximate death date can be determined.

James Raleigh Justus was born on August 1, 1828 in KY. He married Elizabeth “Betsy” Davis on February 17, 1851 in what is now Buchanan County, VA. James and Betsy raised seven children in the Hurley area. During the Civil War, he served under his brother in Company H, 10^th KY Cavalry, CSA. On August 6, 1863, James was shot and killed in his own yard by Unionist “bushwhackers.” He is buried in the Old Justus Cemetery at House Branch on Guesses Fork.

William Whiley Justus was born May 6, 1830 in Floyd County, KY. His first wife was Margaret “Peggy” Blankenship. They were married on August 16, 1849 in what is now Buchanan County, VA. Peggy must have passed away shortly after their first son was born. William remarried Louisa “Eliza” Blankenship on August 15, 1858 in Buchanan County, VA. Eliza was the daughter of Hezekiah Blankenship and Rachel Sanders. They raised a large family of eleven children on Guesses Fork. William Whiley also served during the Civil War in company H, 10^th KY Cavalry, CSA. Eliza passed away on April 16, 1906 and Whiley on February 9, 1908. They are buried under two homemade markers in a well-cared for cemetery on Lick Branch in the right hand fork of Guesses Fork.

Rhoda Justus was the youngest of the family and she married Muncy Monk Lane. I know very little about this family and would like any additional information that someone would like to send me. If you have any additional information to send or any corrections to make please leave a comment on this blog.