Family #5 – EKA Richard Harrell 1700 – The Harrell Collaborative

Last Updated on 15 Dec 2024

Ancestors, Birth, and Arrival in Augusta Co., VA

The earliest known ancestor (EKA) for Family #5 is Richard Harrell, who is believed to have been born in Virginia around 1700. This Richard Harrell left no Will, and no probate records were found. The maiden name of his spouse, Elizabeth, also remains unknown. There is some uncertainty about the identity of his parents and siblings, but it is generally thought his father is Richard Harrell, Jr. b. abt 1675 Lancaster County, Virginia, d. aft July 18, 1711 in Lancaster County, Virginia. These matters are discussed below.

In 2001, before extensive use of DNA in genealogy, there was a very intensive study of Northern Virginia Harrell/Harrold/etc. families who lived in what is called the Northern Neck. The results of this study, largely the work of Ron Nota, Lee Hearl, and Gail Hafercamp, were posted on Genforum by Nota on January 6, 2001.

This posting was significant because it was the first to highlight an early group of Harrell/Harrold families in this region of Virginia who previously had not been considered separate from a much larger group of early Harrell families who lived in another area of Virginia encompassing Nansemond County, Virginia and its neighbor Bertie County, North Carolina. By not realizing these 2 groups of Harrells were different, exhibited not only by their differing DNA profiles but also living in different parts of Virginia and rarely mixing, many Harrell researchers unknowingly considered them as one, blood-related group. Over many years, this misunderstanding caused a myriad of errors when identifying early Harrell ancestors, many of which exists today on Internet postings. For example, some believed Richard Harrell from the Northern Neck of Virginia was the same Richard Harrell who lived in Nansemond County, Virginia – a mistake easily made because both men were about the same age.

Information in this 2001 Genforum posting involved a large number of sources. During their deliberations, a lack of hard proof supporting many important relationships caused differing interpretations of the data among the contributing authors. What emerged from their collaboration was a consensus that “Richard Harrold of Lancaster County, Virginia in 1668 is the progenitor of the 18th Century Harrolds/Harrels of Lancaster, Northumberland, Stafford, Prince William, Augusta, Frederick and Shenandoah Counties of Virginia.” They also concluded that the progenitor Richard Harrold was born about 1635, probably in England, and died before 1700 in either Lancaster or Northumberland County, Virginia, and that he was the father of 3 sons:

Gilbert Harrold b. abt 1657 probably Lancaster Co, Virginia, d. bef. November 17, 1703 Northumberland County, Virginia;
Walter Harrold b. abt 1660 probably Lancaster County, Virginia, d. bef. February 17, 1702/03 in Northumberland County, Virginia; married Priscilla about 1682;
Richard Harrel, Jr. b. abt 1675 probably Lancaster County, Virginia., d. aft July 18, 1711 probably Lancaster County, Virginia; married abt 1698 Margaret Ball b. abt 1680, daughter of Thomas Ball of Lancaster County, Virginia.

The contributing authors further stated that Richard Harrel, Jr. 1675, had a son (the only child reported) Richard Harrel III, b. abt 1700 in Lancaster County, Virginia, d. bet. 1751-1758 (probably closer to 1758) Augusta County, Virginia, who married “Elizabeth” abt 1720 in Lancaster County, Virginia. This Richard Harrel III, hereafter called Richard Harrell 1700, reportedly had 6 sons. In the 2001 Genforum posting, the birth years and birthplaces of the 6 sons were estimated to be:

William Harrel b. abt 1721 prob. Lancaster County, Virginia;
John Harrel b. abt 1724 prob. Lancaster County, Virginia;
James Harrel b. abt 1727 probably Lancaster County, Virginia;
Moses Harrel b. abt 1730 probably Lancaster County, Virginia;
Richard Harrel, Jr. b. abt 1733 probably Prince William County, Virginia;
Aaron Harrel b. abt 1736 probably Prince William County, Virginia.

These birth year estimates for the 6 sons of Richard Harrell 1700 differ by exactly 3 years suggesting they were quite speculative in 2001. The sources of these birth year estimates were not identified but they represented the best guesses at the time. Current thinking, however, based on all available information to date, requires an update to these estimated birth years which are discussed below in sections pertaining to each son.

This 2001 posting, with its sources and detail, represented the best thinking at this time as to the origin and composition of these Northern Virginia Harrel/Harrell/Harrold families. Subsequent to this posting, however, with considerable DNA evidence, it was found that Gilbert Harrold 1657 was not blood related to Richard Harrold 1675. In addition, there is now suspicion, unfortunately without DNA evidence, that Walter Harrold 1660 is not blood related to either Gilbert 1657 or Richard 1675. The Harrell Collaborative team also feels the father/son relationship between Richard Harrold 1675 and Richard Harrel 1700 is likely but not sufficiently supported by credible evidence. As a result, Richard Harrell 1700 was chosen as the Earliest Known Ancestor (EKA) of Family #5.

It should be noted that even though their DNA profiles match, neither of the EKAs in Family #1 or Family #2 (William Harrell, Sr. and Reuben Harrell, Sr.) descended from Richard Harrell 1700. And it remains to be seen whether it can be shown/proven how EKAs from Family #3 and Family #4 (Hawkins County John Harrell, b. abt 1735; and Jacob Harrell, b. 1761, respectively) descend from Richard Harrell 1700. As discussed in the narratives, there is speculation that the EKAs of Families #6 thru #13 link to descendants of Richard 1700.

This Family #5 narrative will focus on EKA Richard Harrell 1700 and his family, and will not speculate further about his possible father and grandfather. The names of Richard Harrell’s 6 sons have been confirmed from reliable sources but their birth years are based on circumstantial evidence. The circa 1700 birth year of Richard Harrell, along with his Lancaster County, Virginia birthplace, are also lacking proof but will be assumed until additional evidence becomes available.

In addition to this 2001 Genforum posting, other notable documents involving Richard Harrell 1700 include his first purchase of land in Augusta County, Virginia in 1740 from William Russell of Orange County (not William Russell of Stafford County), and a historical discussion about Richard Harrell’s arrival with 4 other families to Augusta County in 1740/41 led by William Russell. These events are briefly discussed below.

In the document Virginia Land Grants 16:417, 419, 421; British Museum, Fairfax Land Suit: 259-261, the Virginia land holdings of William Hurst (along the South Shenandoah River) were discussed together with a brief history of why William Russell brought 5 “families” to the Augusta County portion of Orange County, Virginia. In 1735, the British government awarded William Russell of Orange County a large land grant with Russell receiving 1000 acres for each family he brought to this area (viz., south side of the Shenandoah River in the Augusta region of Orange County) for “settling and strengthening that frontier”. It is not clear exactly when Russell brought these families to this area but records show Richard Harrald b.1700 purchased from William Russell 760 acres in April 1740 and William “Husk” (Hurst) bought from Russell a much larger neighboring piece in July 1741. Richard Harrald’s deed can be found in the Orange County, Virginia Deed Book 4, 1740-1741, and it identifies his spouse as “Elizabeth” and him being from Prince William County, Virginia. Subsequent searches of early Prince William County documents, and those of the surrounding and preceding counties, yielded no additional information about Richard Harrell 1700 or any members of his family.

In this Virginia Land Grant document it was stated that the 5 “families” brought by Russell to this area were identified on a 1747 resurvey map, made necessary to finalize and quantify how much land Russell owned in the area. These “families” were listed as: “H. and J. Cloud, H. Hardin, Richard & J. Harrald, S. Land, and Wm. Husk”. Richard Harrald/Harrell’s deed for his land and William Husk/Hurst’s deed for his land both exist but no deed has been found for any of Russell’s land purchased by “J. Harrald”. Furthermore, J. Harrald’s given name and his “family” relationship to Richard Harrell 1700 is not documented. The 1741 description of William Hurst’s property indicated some of it bordered Richard Harrald’s property but the 1747 resurvey map shows Hurst’s property next to J. Harrell. So it would appear that between 1740 and 1747 Richard Harrell/Harrald sold, leased or gifted that portion of his land bordering William Hurst to J. Harrald/Harrell.

It is noted that this Virginia Land Grant document, apparently not known by the authors of the 2001 Genforum posting, provides the only proof that Richard Harrell 1700 arrived in Augusta County with, and was blood related to, “J. Harrald”. Being of the same “family” means the descendants of J. Harrald and Richard Harrell 1700 would therefore have matching DNA profiles. There is strong speculation that the father of William Sr. (EKA of Family #1) and Reuben Sr. (EKA of Family #2) is “J. Harrald” which is reason why the DNA of their descendants match the DNA of the descendants of Richard Harrell 1700.

In the research performed by Gwen Hurst (dec’d) in 1999 on her Hurst family, she stated: “1747, 10 February – Resurvey map of William Russell’s 1735 land grant by Northern Neck proprietor, Lord Fairfax. Shenandoah River (west), Happy Creek (east), Gowney’s Run [Gooney’s Run] south. House site of J. [Jacob] Harrell shown above house site and cabin of Wm. Husk’s (Frederick County Circuit Court Archives).” This (undocumented) research finding by Gwen Hurst is the only mention that “J. Harrald” is Jacob Harrald. It is believed that “J. Harrald” could not be “John” or “James” Harrald (alternative choices) because no credible record of them living in this timeframe and in this neighborhood has been found. There are, however, numerous references to Jacob Harrell, Richard Harrell and his six sons in early Augusta County road order documents and deed/property transactions (many being found in Lyman Chalkley’s three-volume Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County, 1745-1800 [Rosslyn, Va., 1912-1913; reprint, 1965]).

Many property records pertaining to Richard Harrald/Harrell and Jacob Harrald/Harrell were kept in Augusta County (Augusta County was formed from Orange County in 1738 but until Augusta County became organized, Orange County kept Augusta’s early records). As the region’s population expanded over time, new counties in which these properties existed were created. Richard’s property was first identified as being in the northwestern part of Augusta County, which later became Frederick County. Frederick County records were kept in Augusta County until 1751. In 1772 the southern part of Frederick County became the short-lived county of Dunmore. In 1778 the name of Dunmore County was changed to Shenandoah County. In 1836 Warren County was formed from the northeastern part of Shenandoah County, and the southeastern part of Frederick County.

Six Sons of Richard Harrell 1700

Based on (a) land transactions between Richard Harrell and his son Richard Harrell, Jr.; and (b) an early Augusta County, Virginia road order document involving Richard Harrell’s son William, it is believed that Richard’s sons Richard Jr. and William are the oldest of the 6 sons (these documents/transactions also found in Chalkley’s Chronicles). Specifically, on 18 August 1749 there is an Augusta County deed (DB 2, pg. 271) wherein Richard Harrell gifts without conditions to his son Richard Jr. (planter of Culpeper County, established in 1748 from Orange County) 53 acres on Mouth of Cave Branch joining John Harrald and “to back of Capt. Russell’s”. John Harrald is one of the sons of Richard Harrell 1700. There was also a phrase in this deed “the above mentioned lands forever after my deceased without any manner of condition.” Richard Jr. would later sell this property on Sept 7, 1756 possibly suggesting Richard 1700 might have died on or before that time. Richard Harrell, Jr. had to be at least 21 years old in 1749 so his birth was before 1728. It will be assumed without further evidence that the birth year of Richard Harrell Jr. is speculated to be about 1726.

Richard Harrell’s next act in gifting property to his sons was on the same date, 18 August 1749, when he similarly gifted portions of his land to the other 5 sons but these deeds were clearly conditional (discussed below). Because Richard Harrell, Sr. treated his son Richard Harrell, Jr. differently in regard to the gifting of property without conditions, it supports speculation that Richard Harrell, Jr. is the oldest son.

In the earliest record involving Richard’s son William Harrell, we see him mentioned in a road order document filed 18 March 1746/7, which dealt with construction of a new road from Caleb Jones’ mill. In this document William appeared to be a tithable (at least 16 years old). Therefore, it is assumed without further evidence that William Harrell was born (circa) abt. 1729.

Another Augusta/Frederick County record related to the birth years of Richard’s 6 sons is dated 22 May 1751, Frederick County, where a list of tithables for work on a new road included Jacob Harrell, Richard Harrell, Sr., Richard Harrell, Jr., William Harrell, John Harrell, and Moses Harrell. This document suggests all sons of Richard Harrell, Sr., except Aaron and James (both of whom were not listed – either they were not of tithable age and/or they were not living near the new road) were born on/before 1735.

Perhaps the most frequently cited set of records related to the ages of Richard Harrell’s sons is found in the 1749, 1750 and 1758 Augusta and Frederick County deed books. On 18 August, 1749 (Augusta County Deed Book 2, pg. 272), Richard Harrell, Sr. gifts specific tracts of his land to 5 of his 6 sons (Richard Harrell, Jr. was not mentioned) “upon Condition of their staying with me till their of Age”. In the language on this 18 August 1749 document, Richard Harrell acknowledges each of the 5 sons (but not Richard Jr.) and generally describes the property each son is being gifted without the usual metes/bounds (i.e., without poles and degrees) that would be found in a survey. It is believed, absent contradicting evidence, that the order of mention of his sons in this document follows the order of birth of the 5 sons: William the oldest followed by John, Moses, James, and Aaron. The witnesses were Judith Hurst and Leonard Burton.

Some believe this condition of ownership “till their of Age” meant none of the 5 sons were of age on 18 August 1749 (i.e., all were less than 21 years of age). Others believe this language meant that none of the 5 sons could obtain title to their property unless all were of age. If all 5 were under 21, this would mean they were born after 1728.

The collective information cited above was used to revise (speculate) the order of birth and birth years for Richard Harrell’s 6 sons:

Richard Harrell Jr. born c. (abt.) 1726
William Harrell born c. (abt.) 1729
John Harrell born 1730-1737
James Harrell born c. (abt.) 1732
Moses Harrell born before 1735
Aaron Harrell born c. (abt.) 1735

Compared to the order and birth years of the 6 sons as reported in the 2001 Genforum paper (cited earlier), there are major differences. It is believed this revised information is more accurate and will be used in this Family #5 narrative.

On November 27, 1750 (Augusta County, Deed Book 3), Richard Harrell, Sr. creates and records 5 separate deeds (LEASE/RELEASE), with metes/bounds, for his 5 sons (not including Richard Harrell, Jr.) for the same tracts of land as described in the 18 August 1749 document. Each of the 5 sons would pay 20 pounds for their land (under the RELEASE). It is believed these 5 separate deeds were necessary so that each son could prove ownership of their property if it were to eventually be sold. In these 5 deeds, there were no conditions (i.e., no mention of “their staying with me till their of age”) but it is believed this “till their of age” condition probably did apply as stipulated by the court-filed 18 August 1749 document.

All 5 of these deeds contained identical language relating to a payment of money, called “Quit Rent”, to Thomas Lord Fairfax. This “Fairfax” language indicated Richard Harrell, Sr.’s property was under the control of Lord Fairfax and not governed by the purchase agreement initially made with William Russell in 1740. The amount of land deeded to each of the 5 sons was as follows: John – 131 acres; Aaron – 78 acres; Moses – 144 acres; William – 180 acres; James – 176 acres.

Richard Harrell, Sr. created a separate deed (LEASE/RELEASE) for Richard Harrell, Jr. on 1 Jan 1750 (some 10 months earlier) for 51 acres on the south side of the Shenandoah River (where the other 5 sons would have their properties). The purchase price was, again, 20 pounds (RELEASE) and the same Fairfax language was included. This 51-acre parcel appeared different than the same the 53-acre parcel that Richard Harrell, Sr. gifted to Richard Harrell, Jr. on 18 Aug 1749 – but there is some uncertainty and the two parcels could be one of the same.

In Chalkley’s Chronicle, the abstracted 18 August 1749 document where Richard Harrell, Sr. gifts his 5 sons included a closing sentence: “Delivered to John Harrald, March 1758.” This sentence has caused considerable confusion over the years since Chalkley’s Chronicle was first published because nobody has been able to answer these questions:

Who is John Harrald?
What was being “delivered”?
What does “delivered” mean?
Why delivery on March 1758? and
Who wrote this passage?

When examining the original document, not Chalkley’s abstracted version, it became clear that a person different than who wrote the deed was responsible for writing this note in the left-hand margin of the document. Someone in the Frederick County court system wrote this note on the 18 August 1749 document after some unknown event took place before March 1758, which triggered a request by John Harrald for this document. The event could have been the death of Richard Harrell, Sr., or the coming of age of the last of Richard’s 5 sons, or something created by Lord Fairfax, or something else.

In addition to this margin note written on the 18 August 1749 document, there was a similar note written in the left margin in all 5 deeds of November 27, 1750 (not written in Richard Harrell, Jr.’s earlier deed, however). This note, however, said “delivered to Moses Harrald March 1758″. The handwriting of the note appeared to be the same as with the 18 August 1749 document. This note indicates all 5 deeds were delivered to Moses, son of Richard 1700, at the same time his brother John Harrell received the 18 August 1749 deed. One explanation why these 2 notes were written to sons John and Moses, is their father Richard Harrell, Sr. had probably died on or before March 1758 and the sons were preparing to sell their individual parcels.

This explanation is further supported by the action of all 5 sons who sold their tracts shortly after March 1758. On 3 April 1758 Aaron Harrill sold his tract to John Harrill, Jr. On 20 April 1758 James Harril sold his property to Simon Carson. On 3 July 1758 John Harrold sold his tract to George Hardin. Moses Harrold sold to Simon Carson and William Harrold sold his tract to James Jones on 4 July 1758. Interestingly, Richard Harrell, Jr. sold his 53 acres of gifted property (the deed mentioning his wife “Ann”) to Isaac Wood 2 years earlier, on 7 September 1756. No record of the sale of Richard Harrel Jr.’s 51-acre property could be found suggesting the 53-acre property might have been the same as the 51-acre parcel.

Before discussion begins on the 6 sons of Richard Harrell 1700, it is worth highlighting an important document that lists a number of early Harrells who were living and/or owned land in a region of southwestern Ohio adjoining what would later become eastern Indiana. The history of this region, which was rapidly expanding due to the influx of pioneers, was documented in the book “Early Ohio Settlers (Purchasers of Land in Southwestern Ohio, 1800 – 1840)”, Compiled by Ellen T. Berry & David A. Berry, Pub. Baltimore, Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1986. In this book, the following list of Harrells were cited as purchasing land in early OH and IN:

Chester Harrel in Aug 1805 was living in Montgomery Co., OH (20 miles NE of Butler Co.) and bought land in OH near today’s IN border (described as Property A);
Stephen Harrel and William Harrel in Jun 1813 were both living in Franklin Co., IN and bought land in present day IN (Property E);
Chester Harrell in Nov 1811 was living in Butler Co., OH and bought land in present day IN (Property B);
Gabriel Harrell in Aug 1816 was living in Franklin Co., IN and bought land in the Gore area of IN (Property B);
Isaac Harrell in Apr 1812 was living in Preble, OH and bought land in OH near today’s IN border (Property A);
James Harrell in Sept 1805 was living in Butler Co., OH and bought land in OH near today’s IN border (Property A);
James Harrell in Dec 1806 was living in KY and bought land in OH near today’s IN border (Property A);
John Harrell in Aug 1805 was living in KY and bought land in OH near today’s IN border (Property A);
Moses Harrell in Mar 1831 was living in Fayette Co., IN (or OH depending on the survey) and bought land in IN (Property E);
Moses Harrell in Jan 1832 lived in Fayette Co., IN (or OH) and bought land in IN (Property E);
Moses Harrell in Jan 1835 lived in Fayette Co., IN (or OH) and bought land in IN (Property E);

All of these Harrels/Harrells, except for Stephen and William (#2 above), are believed to be descendants of Richard Harrell 1700 and are discussed in more detail throughout this narrative. At the outset, it is of interest to point out:

Moses Harrell who purchased lands in the period 1831-1835 (#9, 10, 11 above) is speculated to be Moses Harrell b. 1802, son of Noah Harrell who is a son of Moses Sr. This Moses Harrell 1802, who was sometimes called “little Moses”, eventually ended up living in Huntington Co., IN;
Stephen and William Harrel (#2 above) are believed to be sons of Jeremiah Harrell who came from SC. Jeremiah Harrell is not blood related to the Northern Virginia Harrells (i.e., their DNA profiles are different). Jeremiah and some of his sons, including William, eventually moved to Johnson Co., IN;
Gabriel Harrell (#4 above) is speculated to be a son of James Harrell Jr., son of James Harrell Sr. This Gabriel Harrell has not been designated an EKA and assigned to a Harrell Collaborative Family because there is no Y-DNA donor who has proven direct descendancy from Gabriel. However, it is speculated Gabriel’s Y-DNA profile would likely match the Y-DNA profiles of all 14 Harrell families;

Each of the 6 sons of Richard Harrell 1700 will now be discussed along with pertinent members of their families. When necessary, Harrells who relate to those listed in the above book “Early Ohio Settlers” will be identified.

Richard Harrell, Jr., Son of Richard Harrell 1700
Richard Harrell, Jr., believed to be the oldest of the 6 sons, was born abt. 1726 as stated above. In Richard Harrell, Sr.’s deed to Richard Harrell, Jr. on 18 Aug 1749 (beginning Mouth of Cave Branch) he was identified as a planter from Culpeper County, Virginia. His wife “Ann” is identified in the 7 Sept. 1756 deed wherein Richard Harrell, Jr. and wife “Ann” sell their 53-acre tract (gifted to Richard Jr. by his father on 18 Aug 1749) to Isaac Wood. Ann Harrell is thought to be Ann Dearing/Deering. Robert Dearing’s Will in 1753 identified one of his daughters as “Ann Harrell” and in 1753 Robert Dearing was living in the Saint Thomas parish of Orange County, which later became Culpeper County. It appears, therefore, that Richard Harrell, Jr. and wife Ann lived in Culpeper County probably near Ann’s parents.
From the Revolutionary War Records, Volume 1, Virginia, by Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh, 1936, you can find Richard Harrell and Aaron Harrell who are believed to be brothers and sons of Richard Harrell 1700 (see also 1775 Alphabetical List of John Netherton). No record of Richard Harrell, Jr. has been found following this Revolutionary War listing. His children, if any, are not known, nor are the places where he lived and died following the sale of his 53 acres in 1756. A particular Ancestry.com posting cites Ann Dearing’s death in Spotsylvania Co. in 1823.
James Harrell, Sr., Son of Richard Harrell 1700
Before a discussion of James Harrell Sr. can begin, it is important to highlight the different James Harrells who were living in the same region where James Harrell Sr. lived in Nelson Co., KY.
A Discussion of the Early James Harrells of Kentucky
The differentiation of these James Harrells is admittedly difficult but necessary to properly identify who they are and who they are not; hopefully leading to a clearer description of the family of James Harrell, son of Richard Harrell 1700. It is believed each James Harrell who lived in Nelson Co. and/or its surrounding counties was a descendant of Richard Harrell 1700 through one of his 3 sons: William Harrell b. abt. 1729, Moses Harrell Sr. b. before 1735, or James Harrell Sr. b. abt. 1732. These different James Harrells who lived in the region are:
1. James Harrell b. abt 1772 Virginia who is son of William/Susannah Harrell;
2. James Harrell b. abt 1762 Virginia who is son of Moses Harrell, Sr.;
3. James Harrell b. 1783 Nelson County, Kentucky who is son of Chester Harrell; and
4. James Harrell b. 1803 Washington County, Kentucky who is son of Isaac Harrell 1770, son of William/Susannah Harrell.
All means available are usually needed to differentiate these James Harrells. For example, when a watercourse is identified near the location where a James Harrell lived, it can serve as a clue. Simpsons Creek and Bear Creek are located on/near Nelson Co. property owned by William Harrell 1729; and when a James Harrell owns land on/near this watercourse it is likely this James is a son of William. But, Moses Harrell, Sr. also owned a sizeable portion of land near his brother William and Simpson Creek was close by – therefore Moses’ son James b. 1762 can’t be ignored. There is an 1808 deed wherein James Harrell sells to George Dugan 34 ½ acres on Simpson’s Creek, being part of the land where (James) Harrell lives. In this case it is not certain if James is a son of William or a son of Moses Sr. – but being a son of William is more likely.
Evidence seems to indicate that William Harrell and his son James, and Moses Harrell Sr. and his son James, never owned land south of the Beech Fork in Nelson or Washington counties. It is known that the Treasury Warrant purchased in 1780 for 400 acres by James Harrell, Sr. (son of Richard 1700) was for land on the south side of Beech Fork in what later became Nelson County. A 1792 Nelson County deed shows a James Harrell, spouse Margaret, selling 170 acres on the south side of Beech Fork to Richard Rapier – this property is believed to be part of the 400 acres purchased by James Harrell, Sr. in 1780. No evidence has found thus far indicating James Sr. owned land on the north side of Beech Fork.
In Nelson County, in the 1800 Second Census of Kentucky (July 7, 1800), Chester Herrell, James Herrell, James Herrell, Jr., and John Herrell are listed. Listed in the 1800 KY census on August 30, 1800 are Isaac Harrel, James Harrel, Moses Harrel, Moses Harrel, Jr., and William Harrel. It is believed James Herrell and James Herrell Jr. listed on July 7,1800 are sons of William Harrell and James Harrell Sr., respectively. It is also believed that James Harrel listed with Moses Harrel in August 30, 1800 census is a son of Moses Sr.
In the 1810 Nelson County census, the following Harrells are listed as heads of households: Isaac, Isaac Jr., James, Lewis P., and Margery. It is believed “James” is James Harrell b. 1762, son of Moses Harrell Sr. since (a) James, son of William Harrell, had left Nelson County with his brothers Chester and John and moved to Ohio before 1810 and were the ones listed in the Cincinnati Land Office records 1804-1806 (along with Isaac Harrell who is believed to be the son of Chester); and (b) the James Harrell in this census had eight slaves which suggests his father is probably Moses Harrell Sr. who had many slaves. In contrast, William Harrell and his children have never been known to own slaves.
In the 1820 Nelson Co., KY census we see only Isaac, James and Moses Harrel, with this “James” owning 14 slaves, obviously the same “James” as seen in the 1810 census.
One notable Harrell researcher, Helynn Carrier (dec’d 2004) who descended from Isaac Harrell 1770, collected considerable information about a Revolutionary War soldier James Harrell b. 1747 Virginia, who was thought to have (a) married (Margaret?) Cotton; (b) had one known son Isaac Harrell b. 1770; and (c) lived on 200 acres of Kentucky land given to him for his military service. By virtue of his age and proximity to Nelson County, Kentucky, some thought he could be either the son of William/Susannah Harrell or the son of Richard Harrell 1700.
Helynn collected, cataloged, and distributed her research findings in several ways. Her results, especially her knowledge of James Harrell 1747 and his (assumed) son Isaac Harrell 1770, were frequently cited by living descendants of Isaac 1770 who desired a greater understanding of their ancestors. She apparently gave to those who expressed an interest in her genealogy a summary of her findings under the title “HARRELL FAMILY INFORMATION – A STUDY PAPER”, dated 1998. However, those researching Richard Harrell 1700 and his family, especially his sons William and James Harrell, found it increasingly difficult to confirm some of Helynn Carrier’s claims. Thanks to the Nelson County Genealogical Group in Bardstown, Kentucky, copies of everything in their Helynn Carrier file was copied and sent to the author of this narrative. This file contained numerous loose records and various compilations of her findings, the earliest of which was dated 1985.
In reviewing Helynn Carrier’s material, it was found that a considerable amount of her information pertaining to James Harrell 1747 and his assumed son Isaac Harrell 1770 was obtained from Jack Carmichael who lived in Muncie, Indiana. A conversation with Mr. Carmichael confirmed his close relationship to Ms. Carrier and him giving her information pertaining to James Harrell 1747.
Helynn Carrier descended from James Harrell b. January 8, 1803, Washington County, Kentucky who married Elce/Alsey Harrod in Jackson County, Indiana. This James Harrell was the son of Isaac Harrell 1770, whom Helynn believed was a son of James Harrell b. 1747 Virginia. According to Helynn’s results, James Harrell 1747 was born in Nansemond County, Virginia but lived out his life in Nelson County, Kentucky. Based on her findings, a case could be made that the father of James Harrell 1747 was Richard Harrell, born in Nansemond County, Virginia but living out his life in Northern Virginia with his 6 sons: Richard Jr., William, James, Moses, John, and Aaron. Her papers included considerable information, mostly from other sources, that supported these relationships. Other followers of Helynn Carrier’s papers could see William/Susannah Harrell possibly being the parents of James Harrell 1747. Unknown to Helynn Carrier and her followers, however, was the fact that the Revolutionary War soldier James Harrell 1747 who lived in Nelson County, Kentucky really didn’t exist and Isaac Harrell 1770 was probably the son of William/Susannah Harrell. Helynn created the fictitious James Harrell 1747 from elements of a Nansemond County James Harrell, and elements from a Northern Virginia James Harrell who lived in Nelson County, Kentucky. Furthermore, James Harrell 1747 couldn’t be a son of Richard Harrell 1700 and “be of age” in 1758.
Helynn Carrier concluded that James Harrell 1747 was the father of her Isaac 1770 based upon a very early DAR application filed in 1919 by Myrtle Sanders (DAR #149300). This DAR application was later followed by 3 additional DAR-approved applications using the same information presented in the original application. In her papers, Helynn cited Jack Carmichael as the source of this DAR information, which was confirmed in a telephone conversation with Mr. Carmichael. It is not known if Helynn actually read the early DAR application. For many years, no one seemed to challenge this DAR information or Helynn’s conclusions derived from it. In a private communication with a descendant of the person who submitted DAR application #407661, which used the original 1919 DAR application #149300 as confirmation of her claims, he indicated his relative who submitted DAR application #407661 could find no proof that Isaac Harrell 1770 was the son of James Harrell 1747.
Unfortunately, there were a number of errors and unsupported claims in this 1919 DAR application. One of the more critical errors was claiming James Harrell 1747, who lived in Nelson County, Kentucky after his Revolutionary War service, was born in Nansemond County, Virginia – which could not be the case since all James Harrells living in this part of Kentucky were from Northern Virginia (viz., Augusta and Frederick counties). It was clear from Helynn’s papers and the 1919 DAR application that Harrells from Northern Virginia were (once again) being mistakenly identified as Harrells from Nansemond/Bertie County. As was pointed out earlier in this narrative, prior to 2001 it was commonplace for Harrell researchers to think there was only one group of early Harrells and they lived in Nansemond/Bertie counties with occasional trips to/from the Northern Neck region of Virginia.
Another error in the DAR application was stating the Revolutionary War Soldier James Harrell obtained 200 acres in Kentucky for his service and lived on this land after being discharged. Helynn had solid documentation showing a James Harrell did serve in the War and she did have a valid document purporting that James Harrell was entitled to a 200 acre warrant for his service, and it was dated 16 March 1784. Subsequent research turned up a document, signed by President George Washington, assigning 4 separate military warrants to a Stephens T. Mason in Ohio, one of which is warrant #2766 for 200 acres owned by James Harrell.
This document signed by George Washington proved soldier James Harrell did not live on his 200 acres of military land but assigned his 200 acres directly to Stephens Mason. Helynn was obviously not aware of this military warrant transfer by James Harrell but she stated her information showed a James Harrell living in Nelson County on 200 acres. This statement was ultimately proved to be correct, as a deed was later discovered wherein a James Harrell purchased 200 acres from a Mr. Reid on Simpsons Creek in Nelson County in 1792; this James Harrell, however, was not James Harrell 1747. Helynn Carrier’s theory that it was the Revolutionary War soldier James Harrell 1747 who used his military service warrant to live on 200 acres in Nelson County are incorrect.
There is no doubt Helynn Carrier contributed greatly to her Harrod genealogy and to the family of Isaac Harrell 1770, but she did not prove (a) James Harrell 1747 ever lived in Nelson County, Kentucky; (b) married Margaret Cotton (or any Cotton); or (c) had a son named Isaac Harrell 1770.
Summary
In summary, there is very little known about Richard Harrell’s son James Harrell Sr. He was born Frederick County, Virginia about 1732 (actually, this should be circa 1732 as discussed earlier). There is no marriage record for James Harrell, the surname of his spouse is unknown, no Will or probate records have been found, and there is no formal record of any children.
What is known or generally believed (but not proven) about this James Harrell 1732 includes the following:
1. James’s father Richard 1700 deeded 176 acres of his Frederick County, VA land to him in 1750. James 1732 sold this land in April 20, 1758 to Simon Carson;
2. On March 14, 1780, while still living in Frederick Co., VA, James Harrell 1732 purchases Treasury Warrant No. 3819 for 400 acres of land for 130 pounds money in Jefferson County, VA. This 400 acres was located on the south side of the Beech Fork watercourse, about 2 miles below the mouth of Hardens Creek. This property was located in Nelson Co., KY in 1784;
3. This James 1732 is not the fictitious James Harrell 1747 whom Helynn Carrier created in her Harrell writings (discussed earlier). This James 1732 did not receive 200 acres for his military service under Military Warrant Number 2766 in 1784, as did fictitious James Harrell 1747;
4. This James 1732 is not the James Harrell listed in the 1810 and 1820 Nelson County, KY census records who owned several slaves;
Two additional documents relate to a person thought to be James Harrell 1732. The first is a land sale on July 10, 1792 involving James Harreld Sr. and his wife Margaret, and Richard James Rapier, both parties living in Nelson County, Virginia. In this document, property is sold for 7000 pounds of tobacco and described as 170 acres on the south side of the Beech Fork of the Salt River joining the plantation of Richard Rapier. This property appears to be part of or adjacent to the 400 acres James Harrell 1732 purchased as a Treasury Warrant in 1780. This land sale is the only record of James Harrell’s spouse’s name (viz., Margaret). Being called “James Harrell, Sr.” in this land transaction suggests this landowner is James Harrell 1732. With James Harrell being born 1732, he would have been 60 years old when this land was sold to Richard Rapier in 1792.
The second document mentioning James Harrell is a petition filed on October 24, 1789 that states “petition of inhabitants of Nelson County that they are very inconvenient to an inspection and from the badness of the roads labor under many inconveniences in carrying produce to market.” They wanted an Act to establish a warehouse for inspection on the Beech fork at the mouth of Cartwright’s Creek on the land of Richard Parker. This petition was signed by William Harrald, Moses Harrell and James Harrell and about 150 others. It is known that William Harrald/Harrell and his brother Moses owned land on the north side of the Beech Fork and James Harrell, their brother, owned land on south side of the Beech Fork, all in the neighborhood of the mouth of Cartwright’s Creek. Here again, no proof exists that this James Harrell is James 1732, but it seems logical and is assumed to be so.
On 7 July 1800, the Second Census of Kentucky listed James Harrell and James Harrell, Jr. On 20 August 1800, the Second Census of Kentucky in 1800 listed only James Harrel. It is speculated that James Harrell on 7 July 1800 is James Harrell Sr., and he died before 20 August 1800. If so, this census represented the last known record of James Harrell Sr. 1732 and he died before 20 August 1800. The James Harrell on 20 August 1800 is believed to be James Harrell Jr.
There is another document related to the Revolutionary War experience of a James Harrell. In the period 1776-1779, Shenandoah County, Virginia, William Combs, William Dodson, Thomas Duncan, Thomas Linthicum, Bean Smallwood, and James Harrell all enlisted in Stovers town (now Strasburg, Shenandoah County, Virginia) in the company of Capt. Richard Campell, 8th Virginia Regt. of Col. Muhlenburg and Col. Abram Bowman and possibly under Lt. Matthias Hite. This information was obtained from the following link:
http://www.combs-families.org/combs/records/va/shenandoah/
Further research revealed this soldier James Harrell is a son of Moses Harrell Sr, not James Harrell Sr. 1732.
James Harrell Jr., Son of James Harrell Sr.
James Harrell Jr., assumed son of James Harrell Sr. 1732, probably had siblings since both of his uncles Moses Sr. and William each had several children. Unfortunately, no documents have been found identifying the spouse(s) or children of James Harrell Jr. The spouse of James Harrell Sr. is known as “Margaret” but there are no records identifying their children. Because “Margaret” and “Margery” could be the same person, it is speculated that “Margery” Harrell listed as head of household in the 1810 Nelson Co. census is the spouse (widow) of James Harrell Sr. It is believed James Harrell Jr. is living with her in this household and is listed as being born before 1765. As explained above, it is believed James Harrell Sr. died before 20 August 1800.
There are 2 census records in IN that deserve special notice. The first census record is 1820 Laughery, Dearborn Co., IN where James “Harroe” (or James “Harrol”) is listed as head of household with 11 total inhabitants and no slaves: 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 16-18, 1 male 16-25, 1 male 45 and over (b. bef. 1775), 3 females under 10, 2 females 16-25, 1 female 45 and over. Ancestry mistakenly lists this James Harroe in 1820 as having 9 slaves – inspection of the actual census page proves he had no slaves. Without proof, it is speculated and assumed that this James “Harroe” is James Harrell Jr., son of James Harrell Sr.
The second Indiana census record is 1830 Fayette Co., IN where “James Wannll” is listed with 1 male b. 60-69 years old (b. 1761-1770), 1 female under 5, 3 females 10-14, 2 females 30-39, and no slaves. This James “Wannll” may be James “Harroe” as listed in the 1820 Dearborn Co. census. No other reference to James ‘Harroe’ or ‘Wannll’ was found anywhere following the 1830 Dearborn Co. census. If they are the same person, he died before 1840.
If James Harrell Jr. is living with his mother Margery Harrell in the the 1810 Nelson Co., KY census; and he is head of household in both the 1820 Laughery, Dearborn Co., IN census and the 1830 Fayette Co., IN census, his birth year is before 1765. In this narrative, without additional information, a birth year “before 1765” will be assumed and he will henceforth be identified as James Harrell Jr. 1765.
Possible Children of James Harrell Jr. 1765
In discussing what is known and not known about James Harrell Jr., son of James Harrell Sr., it is important to address his possible (speculative) children.
Records in Butler Co., OH from 1805-1825 show the following cluster of Harrells living there: Philip b. 1787, Jesse b. abt 1780-1790, William b. 1785 VA, and Nancy Ann b. 1796. Gabriel Harrell, who is cited in the “Early Ohio Settlers” book, was not found in the early Butler Co. records but he is believed related to James Harrell Jr. as discussed below. Nancy Ann Harrell 1796 is believed to be the daughter of John Harrell, son of William Harrell, and she is discussed below under William Harrell’s son John Harrell, spouse Abigail Weekly.
Gabriel Harrell was shown living in 1816 in Franklin Co., IN and he is also listed as living in 1820 in Laughery, Dearborn Co., IN with Phillip Harrell and James Harrell Jr., aka James “Harroe”. In 1820, census records show Jesse Harrell was living in Caeser Creek Township, Dearborn Co., IN; Caeser Creek is close to Laughery Township. The relationships between James Harrell Jr., Gabriel Harrell, Phillip Harrell and Jesse Harrell are not documented but circumstantial evidence discussed below supports speculation that James Harrell Jr. could be their father.
It is believed that James Harrell Jr. is the father of Gabriel Harrell since both were identified as living in Laughery Township, Dearborn Co., IN in 1820 and their ages would fit a father/son relationship. Phillip Harrell 1787 was also living in Laughery Township in 1820 supporting speculation, discussed below, that James Harrell Jr. 1765 is Phillip’s father. Jesse Harrell is living in Caesar Creek Township, Dearborn Co., IN, which is located very near Laughery Township, and since Phillip and Jesse Harrell were about the same age and both living in Butler Co., OH before 1820, it is speculated that Phillip and Jesse are brothers and sons of James Harrell Jr. Each of these Harrells is discussed below in greater detail.
Gabriel Harrell of Franklin Co., IN
The first known mention of Gabriel Harrell is found in the “Early Ohio Settlers” book where it states Gabriel Harrell was living in Franklin Co., IN in 1816 (the year Indiana became a state) and purchased land in the Gore Area of Indiana.
Gabriel Harrell is found as head of household in both the 1820 Laughery, Dearborn Co., IN census, and in the 1830 Decatur Co., IN census. He died in Decatur Co. on/before 1839 because his probate records were filed in 1839. From these census records his birth is calculated to be somewhere between 1780 and 1790; without supporting documentation, 1789 will be his assumed birth year.
Records show Gabriel 1789 married Rachel Toombs on 20 May 1825 in Decatur Co., IN. Rachel was the second spouse of Gabriel. Gabriel’s first wife might have been “Sarah” b. abt. 1795 IN, d. bef. 1820, but her name is highly speculative. In the 1820 Dearborn Co., IN census it lists Gabriel with:
1. 3 males under 10 (born 1810-1819);
2. 1 male 26-under 45 years old (b.1775-1794), and
3. 1 female 10-under 16 years old.
In the 1830 Decatur Co., IN census it lists Gabriel with:
1. 2 males 5-under 10 years old (born 1821-1825);
2. 2 males 10-under 15 years old (born 1816-1820);
3. 1 male 40-under 50 years old (born 1781-1790);
4. 1 female 15-under 20, and
5. 1 female 40-under 50 years old (born 1781-1790).
In the 1840 Decatur Co., IN census it shows Rachel “Herrall”, widow of Gabriel, as head of household living with 1 male 15-under 20 years old (born 1821-1825) and 2 males 20-under 30 (born 1810-1820). The census records do not indicate Gabriel owning any slaves.
From Gabriel’s 1839 probate records, there were 3 male Harrells who purchased Gabriel’s appraised assets from his estate: Jacob, John and James. In subsequent probate declarations dealing with the estate’s final distribution, these 3 Harrells were identified as Gabriel’s sons.
Earlier records show Rachel Bridges married Conrad Tomes/Tombs/Toombs (both “natives of Pennsylvania”) about 1811 and they had 2 or 3 children; one was Joseph Tomes who eventually moved to Rush Co., IN, and another child was Sarah or Sally Ann Tombs b. 1812 OH who married Moses Crume in Decatur Co. in 1831. Conrad Toombs died about 1818 in Dearborn, IN. Moses and Sally Ann Tombs Crume had children Joseph H. A. Crume b. 1834 and William A. Crume b. 1835. In the 1850 Lagro, Wabash Co., IN census (after Gabriel had died), it shows head of household Moses A. Crume 42 with spouse Sarah A. Crume 38 and living with them were their children Joseph Crume 17 and William A. Crume 15; also living with them was Rachel Herald 67 who was born PA. Living next door was Jacob Harrell 1818 and his spouse Mary Creamer Harrell. Sarah A. Crume must have died after 1850 as her widowed husband Moses A. Crume married Sarah’s sister Mary Ann (married name Rencker) in 1853. Moses A. Crume married again in 1858, for the third time, to Rachel Taylor in Wabash Co., IN.
Without solid proof it is believed Gabriel’s son Jacob was born 1818 which would fit Gabriel’s children as listed in the 1820 and 1830 census records; and it would fit the 1840 census record with Rachel as head of household living with 3 sons. This Jacob Harrell 1818 is the EKA of Family #10 wherein extensive discussion of Jacob is presented. Jacob 1818 married Mary Ann Creamer in 1842 and moved from Decatur Co. to Lagro, Wabash Co., IN in 1845. Jacob Harrell 1818 is believed to be the son of Gabriel Harrell by virtue of his age, census records, proximity to Gabriel’s widow Rachel Harrell, and Jacob Harrell buying materials from Gabriel’s estate.
The birth dates of Gabriel’s other sons John and James Harrell are speculated to be 1820 and 1811 respectively (matching Gabriel’s census records) and are discussed in Family #12. The name of another of Gabriel’s sons, shown in the 1830 census, is speculated to be Daniel Harrell b. 1825 who is also discussed in Family #12. If Gabriel’s oldest (firstborn) son is James 1811, it would support speculation that Gabriel’s father is James Harrell Jr.
It should be noted there is another person named Gabriel Harrell who lived in Wayne Co., IN – he came to Indiana from the Nansemond, VA/Bertie Co., NC area. He was a Quaker who is referenced in an early Quaker meeting held in NC. The parents of this Gabriel are Thomas Harrell and “Amy”. This Gabriel Harrell living in Wayne Co., IN descends from a different Harrell group with roots in NC who are not blood related to Northern Virginia Harrell families.
William Harrell of Butler Co., OH
William Harrell b. 1785 of Butler Co., OH is the EKA of Family #11 in the Harrell Collaborative, and details of his life are discussed further. A speculative case is made that he is the son of James Harrell Jr.
Phillip Harrell of Butler Co., OH
Phillip Harrell was born 1787 (some believe 1788) in KY and died August 2, 1857 in Decatur Co., IN. He married Catherine Reading/Redding on November 26, 1812 in Butler Co., OH (J. Mills was JP). She was born Nov. 29, 1796 in KY and died October 13, 1855 in Decatur Co., IN.
Phillip Harrell 1787 bought property from Daniel Crume in Decatur Co., IN on March 20, 1827. Daniel Crume is a brother of Elizabeth Crume who married James Harrell b. 1762, son of Moses Harrell Sr. Phillip can be found (a) in Dearborn Co., IN in the 1820 Federal census as Philip Harrel (along with Jesse Harrell, Gabriel Harrell, and James Harrell Jr.); (b) in the 1830 Decatur Co., IN census (Phillip Herrel); (c) in the 1840 Clinton and Fugit and Salt Creek, Decatur Co., IN census (P. Herrall); and (d) in the 1850 Clinton, Decatur Co., IN census (Philip Harrell). In the 1840 census, Phillip is living next door to William Herrell, b. 1811-1820, who is assumed to be Phillip’s son. In the 1850 census, Phillip is living next door to John Harrell 28 years old (b. abt 1822 IN) who is head of household living with Elizabeth Harrell 52 yrs old, b. KY. This John Harrell 1822 is speculated to be the son of Gabriel Harrell, as discussed in Family #12.
Phillip Harrell’s Will written in 1857 identifies his children/heirs as: “James, William, Sarah, Hannah, Mary, Catherine, Phillip Marian and heirs of Jesse R.” “Jesse R.” is Jesse Ray Harrell who died about 1855 and is a son of Phillip 1787. Phillip 1787 is buried in the Butcher Cemetery, Decatur Co., IN. It is believed a daughter named “Nancy” died before Phillip 1787 and she is also buried in the Butcher Cemetery.
A descendant of Phillip Harrell 1787 took the Y-DNA test and his Y-DNA profile matches the other 13 Families in the Harrell Collaborative.
The children of Phillip 1787 and Catherine Reading/Redding are:
1. James H. Harrell b. 1814, Butler Co., OH, d. Jan 29, 1863 IN, buried Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis Co., MO. It is believed he married Elizabeth Owens in 1841 in Jefferson Co., IN (Note: another sourced claims James married Sarah Cramer/Creamer but this is believed to be a different James Harrell). Elizabeth Owens was born 1815 in OH and died aft 1880 in IN. Their children were:
  1. Isaac O. Harrell b. 1842 IN;
  2. Nancy C. Harrell b. 1846 IN;
  3. Sarah J. Harrell b. 1848 IN;
  4. John Marshall Harrell b. 1850 Decatur Co., IN;
  5. Mary E. Harrell b. 1852, Decatur Co., IN;
  6. Philip J. Harrell b. 1854 Decatur Co., IN;
  7. Catherine E. Harrell b. 1856 Decatur Co., IN.
  It is believed this James H. Harrell is the head of household in the 1850 and 1860 Decatur Co., IN census records;
2. William M. Harrell b. April 15, 1815 Dearborn Co., IN, d. Jan. 13, 1873 Decatur Co., IN, married Mary “Polly” Ricketts on Dec. 5, 1839 in Decatur Co., IN. She was born Dec. 11, 1816 IN and died Aug. 28, 1903 in Decatur Co., IN. Their children were:
  1. Unknown Harrell;
  2. William J. Harrell b. 1840 Decatur Co., IN, d. 1866 Decatur Co., IN; and
  3. Abram/Abraham C. Harrell b. 1845, Decatur Co., IN (or Richwood, Union Co., OH), d. 1919 Decatur Co., IN; m. Ara J. Lough.
  William Harrell can be found in the following Decatur Co., IN census records: 1840 Clinton and Fugit and Salt Creek Twp. under “Herrell”; 1850 Westport Twp. under “Harrall”; 1860 Sand Creek Twp. under “Herrel”; 1870 Sand Creek Twp. under “Harroll”;
3. Nancy Harrell b. 1819 Dearborn Co, IN, d. May 16, 1857 Decatur Co., IN;
4. Jesse Ray Harrell b. 1822 probably Decatur Co., IN or KY, d. abt 1855 IN, married Mary Ann Ward 1842 in Decatur Co., IN. She was b. 1816 OH and d. May 16, 1902, South Bend, IN. Their children were:
  1. Phillip Edward Harrell b. 1843, Williamstown, Decatur Co., IN, d. 1927 Argos, Marshall Co., IN;
  2. Sarah Catherine Harrell b. 1844 Williamstown, Decatur Co., IN;
  3. Mary Jane Harrell b. 1845 IN, d. aft 1880;
  4. James William Harrell b. 1847 Williamstown, Decatur Co., IN, d. 1910 Decatur Co., IN;
  5. Almira B. “Myra” Harrell b. 1852, Decatur Co., IN, d. aft. 1900; and
  6. Winnie/Minnie Annabell Harrell b. 1855 Williamstown, Decatur Co., IN, d. 1922 Argos, Marshall Co., IN;
5. Sarah A. Harrell b. 1823 IN, married William J. Pope 1847 Decatur Co., IN. Their children were:
  1. Mary C. Pope b. 1848, IN, d. 1932 Jefferson Co., IN; and
  2. Benjamin Franklin Pope b. 1853 IN, d. 1927, Decatur Co., IN;
6. Hannah Harrell b. 1825, probably Decatur Co., IN, married John H. Patton in IN in 1856;
7. Mary Almira Harrell b. 1830 Decatur Co., IN
8. Catherine Harrell b. 1833 Decatur Co., IN, married James W. Patton in IN in 1856;
9. Philip Marion Harrell b. 1836 Decatur Co., IN, d. 1913, Decatur Co., IN. He married Sarah Jane Calvin 1859, b. 1838 IN. Children of this marriage were Millard Harrell b. 1869 Decatur Co., IN, and Calvin B. Harrell b. 1870 Decatur Co., IN, d. 1951 Decatur Co., IN, m. Anna Alice Higgins in 1892 in IN. Philip Marion Harrell can be found with spouse “Sarah”in the following Decatur Co., IN census records: 1870 Clinton Twp; 1900 Clinton Twp; 1910 Fugit Twp.
The father of Elizabeth Crume, spouse of James Harrell 1762 who lived in Nelson Co., KY, is Phillip Daniel Crume b. 1724 who was quite close to the Harrells both in VA and in Nelson Co., KY where he died. Elizabeth had a brother David Crume and another brother Jesse Crume. “Phillip” is an uncommon name in early Harrell families making it difficult to explain where Phillip 1787 got his name. The only plausible explanation is that he was named after Phillip Daniel Crume 1724 because the Crume family was so close to all the Harrells who lived in both Nelson Co., KY and earlier in the Shenandoah area of VA. In addition, many descendants of Phillip Crume 1724 were found living close to Harrells in several Indiana counties.
Because Elizabeth Crume’s father is Phillip Crume 1724, it seems reasonable to assume Phillip Harrell 1787 could be a son of James Harrell 1762 and Elizabeth Crume. But notes from Michael Edgeworth who researched the family of James Harrell 1762 have not thus far indicated Phillip is a son of James Harrell 1762.
Phillip and Gabriel lived close to each other in both Dearborn and Decatur counties in 1820 and 1830, respectively, and, as explained above, Gabriel’s father is speculated to be James Harrell Jr. The first born son of Phillip 1787 was named “James” further supporting speculation that Phillip’s father could be “James Harrell”. Phillip’s son Jesse Ray Harrell could have been named after Jesse Crume, a son of Phillip Crume 1724, or named after Jesse Harrell (see below) who is believed to be a son of James Harrell Jr. At this time the weight of evidence seems balanced between Phillip’s father being James Harrell 1762 or James Harrell Jr – but Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) who researched the family of James Harrell 1762 did not list in his research notes read to date that Phillip was a son of James Harrell 1762. It is noted, however, that Mr. Edgeworth’s papers have not yet been completely analyzed and until they are and contrary evidence is found, it is believed Phillip’s father is James Harrell Jr.
Jesse Harrell of Butler Co., OH
The only information about Jesse Harrell comes from Federal Census records and a marriage document. On October 15, 1812 in Butler Co., OH Jesse Harrell (spelled “Herret”) married Hannah Frakes with J. Mills as the J.P.
Jesse “Harrall” is listed as head of household in the 1820 Caesar Creek, Dearborn Co., IN census with 2 males less than 10 years old, 2 males 26-45 years old, 1 female under 10 and 1 female 16-26. In the 1830 Decatur Co., IN census it shows “Jessee Herrel” with 1 male under 5, 3 males 5-10 years old, 1 male 40-50, 1 female 5-10, 1 female 10-15, and 2 females 15-20. Apparently, Jesse Harrell did not own any slaves. It appears as though Hannah Frakes was not living with Jesse in 1830. Jesse could not be found in census records after 1830 suggesting he died before 1840.
From this census info, Jesse Harrell was born 1780-1790 and lived in the same area in Decatur Co., as did Phillip Harrell and Gabriel Harrell. The known children of Jesse and Hanna Frakes are believed to be: (1) William Harrell b. 1817 Decatur Co., IN, d. 1900 Waverly, Morgan Co., IN; married “Mary”, children: William b. 1843, and Abram C. b. 1845; (2) Elias Harrell b. 1824 Decatur Co., IN, d. 1910 Harrison, Morgan Co., IN; and (3) Lucinda Harrell b. 1830 IN.
The parents and siblings of Jesse Harrell are unproven and there are no clues other than Jesse living close to Phillip and Gabriel Harrell in IN, and being in Butler Co., OH with Phillip and William Harrell. Jesse’s first known child was named “William” and William Harrell 1785 of Butler Co. (later migrating to Paulding Co., OH and EKA of Family #11) named his first child “Jesse” – this might be coincidence or reflect a close relationship.
Because Jesse Harrell named his son “William”, it has been speculated that his father could be William Harrell of Nelson Co. who is discussed below (spouse Susannah Chester). But to date there has been no evidence suggesting William/Susannah Harrell had a son named “Jesse”. Judging from his birth range 1780-1790, Jesse Harrell could be a son of either James Harrell/Eliz Crume or James Harrell Jr., but Jesse Harrell does not appear to have named any of his known children “James”.
As stated previously, there was a very close relationship between the Crume family, headed by Phillip Daniel Crume 1724-1801, and the Harrells who moved from VA to Nelson Co. in the early 1780s. Because they lived so close to each other for so long, it would not be surprising if Jesse Harrell was named after Jesse Crume.
Because Jesse Harrell appears to have had a close relationship with Phillip Harrell and Gabriel Harrell, and lacking additional information, it is speculated that the father of Jesse Harrell is James Harrell Jr.
Summary
It is speculated that James Harrell Jr. is the father of Gabriel Harrell and the father of the Butler Co. Harrells: Phillip, Jesse, and William. Although not previously discussed, it is also speculated and stated in Family #12 that James Harrell Jr. is the father of EKA Moses Harrell, b. 1803 of Wabash Co., IN. It is further speculated and discussed in Family #10 that the father of James M. Harrell, might also be James Harrell Jr.
William Harrell, Son of Richard Harrell 1700
William Harrell is believed to be the second oldest son of Richard Harrell 1700. A best guess of when he was born is about (circa) 1729. No one knows where William was born other than probably somewhere in Virginia’s Northern Neck. Questions still persist about the absence of documents mentioning his spouse after moving to Nelson Co., KY, but the consensus among those who have studied him is that his spouse is Susannah Chester, born about 1725 Virginia, daughter of Thomas Chester of Frederick County, Virginia. One of the pieces of evidence supporting Susannah as spouse of William Harrell 1729 is Thomas Chester’s Will recorded 2 Oct 1754 where he lists his sons David and Thomas and his daughters Elizabeth Smith, Mary McKay and Susanna Harrell. In addition, on 4 July 1758 William Harrold and Susannah Harrold, his wife, sold the 180 acre property gifted to William by his father in 1749 (both William and Susannah signed the LEASE/RELEASE using their “marks”). On 9 Feb 1780 William Harrell and Susannah sold 84 acres on the South Shenandoah River to Alan Wiley; this land formerly purchased by William Harrell in 1777 from Thomas, David, Edward, Martin and Nathan Smith who obtained the land from Thomas Chester’s estate. Another 83-acre parcel was purchased by William in 1776 for 50 pounds and sold by William and Susannah Harrell to Alan Wiley on 9 Feb 1780.
In the 1750 Will of Susannah Chester’s maternal grandmother, she (Susannah) was named Susannah Chester; and in a Will of her uncle that she witnessed in 1749 she signed as Susannah Chester. The Will of Thomas Chester, Susannah’s father, was admitted to record (there was no date written in the Will) on 2 Oct 1754 in which his daughter was identified as “Susanna Harrald”. So without finding a marriage document, it is assumed that William Harrell married Susannah Chester sometime between 1750 and 1754. No record of Susannah Harrell has been found later than the 9 Feb 1780 deed. There is no evidence as to when/where she died, nor is there any evidence that William Harrell married again.
On 14 March 1780, William Harrell purchased 1000 acres for 400 pounds in Jefferson County, Virginia, an area of Virginia that later became Nelson County, Kentucky (Treasury Warrant 3799). At this time, Treasury Warrants were also purchased for land in this part of Kentucky by William’s brothers Moses and James Harrell (discussed later). It is not clear when William Harrell moved but his sale of land on 9 Feb 1780 was probably his last land transaction in Frederick County The amount of property he ultimately owned in and around Nelson County, Kentucky was over 3000 acres and records show he was involved in several land transactions (none of these land transactions mentioned his spouse).
The last record of William Harrell was an indenture in Nelson County, Kentucky on January 31, 1815 between himself and his son Chester for 25 acres on Bear Creek. This document was the last in a series of land sales by William Harrell, apparently selling off all his land in preparation for something unknown. Lacking any information about William Harrell following this 1815 transaction, and without his Will and/or probate records, it is assumed he died intestate after this date. No listing of his children has been found; their names have been deduced from other records. Lacking information to the contrary, it is also assumed that Susannah is the mother of all William’s children. It is believed the children of William and Susannah include Chester (probably named after Susannah Chester Harrell’s father Thomas Chester), Isaac, James, John and Mary. There is considerable uncertainty but some think another son “Moses” may have existed. And there is some fragmented circumstantial evidence suggesting that William could have had a son named “Martin” Harrell who is the EKA of Family #8.
1. Chester Harrell, Son of William/Susannah Harrell
  Two living descendants of Chester Harrell, Lyndon Irwin and Mary Klipple, did considerable research on him and much of the following information about Chester came from their work.
  Chester Harrell is a son of William and Susannah Chester Harrell. He was born 16 August 1756 in Virginia (probably Frederick County). Chester, his siblings, and his father William Harrell are listed in the records of Nelson County, Kentucky and neighboring Washington County (e.g., marriage, census, tax and tithable records). Chester lived on or near his father’s Nelson County land from about 1785 to 1800 (when he was listed in the Kentucky census). Sometime between 1800 and 1805 he and his family, together with brothers James and John, moved from Kentucky to the Montgomery/Preble/Butler County area of Ohio. [Note: There is a deed dated August 29, 1815 between Chester and his wife Elizabeth “of Butler County, OH” and Philip Rizer on Bear Creek in Nelson Co, Kentucky]. The above reference to his move to OH in 1805 is the earliest record of Chester outside of Nelson Co., KY. These 3 brothers (viz., Chester, James, John) plus an Isaac Harrell were listed in Cincinnati Land Office records 1804-1806 (and listed in the “Early Settlers of Ohio” book mentioned above).
  The identity of this Isaac Harrell is open to question because there were several Isaac Harrells living in the Nelson/Washington County, Kentucky area:
  1. an Isaac Harrell b. 1770 son of William/Susannah;
  2. an Isaac Harrell b. 1779 who is son of Moses Sr.;
  3. an Isaac Harrell b. 1781 who is son of Chester Harrell; and
  4. an Isaac Harrell b. 1811 son of Noah who is son of Moses Harrell, Sr.
  The Isaac Harrell listed in these Cincinnati Land Office records could be Isaac 1770 son of William/Susannah (discussed later), or Isaac 1781 son of Chester. It is known that Isaac 1781 was living in Preble County, OH in 1812 and there is no evidence Isaac 1770 lived in OH. Therefore, the Isaac Harrell listed in the Cincinnati Land Office records is believed to be a son of Chester Harrell.
  The surname of Chester’s first wife was Everett (given name speculated to be Elizabeth) and it is believed they had four children: (1) Isaac b. 1781, m. Delilah Doom, both buried in Fayette County, Indiana; (2) James b. abt 1783, Kentucky; (3) Elizabeth “Betsey” b. 1785, m. George Kelley; and (4) Elijah b. abt 1786. Chester’s second wife, following the death of his first, was Betsy Stevens, married 1789 Bardstown, Nelson County, Kentucky. They had 9 children: (1) Editha, m. 1812 James McKinney; (2) Hannah b. abt 1794 Kentucky, m. 1815 John Smiley in Butler County, OH; (3) Steven S. b. abt 1797 Kentucky, m. 1833 Ruth Schooley Hughes in Franklin County, Indiana; (4) Margaret b. abt 1800, m. 1819 Isaac Brown in Franklin County, Indiana; (5) William b. abt 1801, m. 1823 Eliz Miles in Franklin County, Indiana; (6) Susan b. abt 1803, m. 1833 John Turner in Franklin County, Indiana; (7) Elisha b. 1807 Butler County, OH, m. (first) 1830 Abigail Buckley and (second) Margaret Smith; (8) Edmund b. 1809 Franklin County, Indiana, d. 1857 New Boston, Mercer County, Illinois, m. (first) 1831 Rebecca Alyea and (second) Sabra Ann Williams; (9) Jane b. 1811, m. (first) 1829 Anson Buckley and (second) Abraham Miller.
  Records show Chester’s son Isaac “Harol”, b. 1781, and spouse Delilah Doom Harrell lived in Preble County on/before 1812. They were involved in a land transaction in Preble Co., OH in 1817. Note: Another Isaac Harrell b. 1770, son of William and Susannah Harrell, moved from Nelson Co., KY somewhat later than his brothers and ended up living in Jackson Co., IN.
  Chester’s daughter Elizabeth Harrell and spouse George Kelley also lived in Preble Co. around 1812. Son Elijah Harrell also lived in Preble County before 1817. Chester’s daughter Hannah married John S. Smiley in 1815 in Butler Co., OH.
  Sometime before 1820, probably closer to 1815, Chester moved to an area that later became Franklin County, Indiana. Chester died about 1846, at age 90, at the home of his son Elisha in Fayette County, Indiana. The last census record of Chester Harrell is the 1820 Franklin County, Indiana census. In the “Biographical and Genealogical History of Franklin County”, Chester was considered a “pioneer” of Franklin County, Indiana (Franklin County founded in 1811; Indiana gained statehood in 1816). Most of the sons of Chester Harrell lived in Franklin and Fayette counties.
2. James Harrell, Son of William/Susannah Harrell
  The only proof that William Sr. had a son named “James” comes from “Nelson County Tithes 1785-1791″ where it shows James, Isaac and John living with William Harrell in 1790. This same source shows James, Isaac and John living by themselves beginning in 1791. Beginning in 1785, Chester who was born 1756 is shown living by himself, which suggests Chester might be the oldest of William Harrell’s sons. However, also listed in 1785 was a James Harrell living by himself – but it is not known who this James Harrell is.
  Little is known about this James Harrell, son of William and Susannah Chester Harrell, who is believed to have been born in Frederick Co., VA. No record of his birth or death has been found, no probate or marriage records are known, and there is nothing to prove he had children or where he lived after leaving Nelson Co, Kentucky. If the tithable age in 1790 was 16, James would have been born no later than 1774; if the tithable age was 21, James would have been born 1769 or earlier. Without knowing James’ age, James birth is estimated to be between 1769-1774. A birth year of 1772 for James Harrell will be used henceforth.
  From the book “Early Ohio Settlers” (cited above) it shows a James Harrell living in Butler Co., OH in 1805 and purchasing land in OH the same year. The only eligible James Harrell who could have lived in Butler Co. and purchased this OH land in 1805 is James Harrell, son of William Harrell and spouse Susannah Chester Harrell. The other 2 James Harrells known to have lived in Nelson Co., KY around this time could not have lived in Butler Co., OH in 1805 because: (a) James Harrell son of Moses Sr. never left Kentucky, and (b) James Harrell, son of James Sr., is believed to have resided in Nelson Co. up to and including 1810. This James Harrell, son of James Harrell Sr., is believed to be “James Harrell in Dec 1806 was living in KY and bought land in OH near today’s IN border (Property A)” as found in the “Early Ohio Settlers” book.
  Surprisingly, no mention of James Harrell has been found in Butler Co. records in spite of him being cited in the “Early Ohio Settlers” book as living there in 1805.
3. Isaac Harrell, Son of William/Susannah Harrell
  The first question is whether William Harrell and spouse Susannah Chester Harrell had a son named “Isaac”. The answer is similar to the proof offered above that William/Susannah had a son named “James”. The tax records of early Nelson County, Kentucky showed Isaac Harrell living with William Harrell, along with Isaac’s brothers John and James. It is assumed this son Isaac is also the person to whom his father William Harrell sold 200 acres of land in 1807 on Bear Creek in Nelson County, Kentucky (Bear Creek runs through one of William Harrell’s large properties). This same Isaac Harrell sold 8 acres of this land in 1809 to Thomas Botts – “being laid out for said Isaac out of 3500 acre survey of William Harrell”. The only remaining question surrounds the birth year of Isaac, knowing there were other Isaac Harrells in the neighborhood.
  Living in Nelson County and Washington County were Moses Harrell, Sr. and James Harrell, Sr. It is known that Moses Harrell, Sr. had a son Isaac b. 1777 Virginia, m. (1) Nancy Montgomery whose known children all were born in Nelson County up to 1820; and (2) Anna Unknown with no known children. Sometime after 1820 this Isaac Harrell moved to Todd County, Kentucky and died there in 1854. The Isaac Harrell of Todd Co. in the 1830 KY census is also found in the 1840 and 1850 Todd Co. census records. In the 1830 and 1840 census records, it shows this Isaac Harrell owned many slaves as did his father Moses Harrell Sr.
  This link from Ancestry.com gives an excellent description of this Isaac Harrell of Todd Co., KY.
  This webpage states Isaac Harrell was born June 25, 1777, died March 17, 1854 in Todd Co., and was the official Surveyor of Nelson Co. for 21 years.
  As mentioned above, Chester Harrell, son of William/Susannah, had a son named Isaac b. 1781 who married Delilah Doom. Without proof it is believed this Isaac Harrell moved from Nelson sometime after 1800, was listed in the Cincinnati Land Office records 1804-1806, and ended up in Fayette County, Indiana. It is also known that Chester’s son Isaac was in Preble County, OH in 1812 which lends support to the belief that he is the Isaac Harrell who ended up in Fayette County.
  In the 1810 Nelson County, Kentucky census there are listed two Isaac Harrells, both born 1766-1784. One of them had 4 children and 1 slave; the other had 6 children and no slaves. Moses’ son Isaac 1777 was known to have had 3 children before 1811; and the other Isaac Harrell, perhaps being born 1770, was known to have had 5 children before May 1811. This 1810 census matches relatively well with Isaac 1777, son of Moses, being the person with 1 slave, and Isaac 1770 being the other Isaac Harrell.
  In the 1820 Nelson County, Kentucky census there is only one Isaac Harrell, b. 1775-1794, with 4 slaves. Isaac 1770 had moved to Jackson County, Indiana sometime 1811/1812 leaving Isaac 1777 as the only “Isaac” listed in this 1820 Nelson County census. Sometime after 1820, Isaac 1777 moved to Todd County, Kentucky (his last known child born 1820 in Nelson County).
  The properties owned by Moses and William Harrell were located north of Beech Fork, northwest of Bardstown near Botland, and separated by only a few miles. Starting in 1804, records show an Isaac Harrell surveyed properties near/adjacent William Harrell’s property. This Isaac Harrell is a son of Moses Harrell Sr. and held the position of Nelson Co. Surveyor (mentioned above); his last known survey of Harrell property was dated 1822.
  From Helynn Carrier’s research, supported by other descendants of Isaac Harrell 1770, it is known that Isaac Harrell 1770 married (1) Elizabeth Watkins in 1795 in Washington County, Kentucky; and (2) Nancy Shoemaker Alsop in 1831 in Jackson County, Indiana. The known children of Isaac and Elizabeth Watkins are Susannah Chester Harrell, John Harrell, William Harrell, James Harrell, Edmond Harrell, Waller Harrell, Chester Harrell, Joseph W. Harrell, Louisa Harrell, and Sarah Ann Harrell. The known children of Isaac and Nancy Shoemaker Alsop are Isaac Harrell, Josiah Harrell, and Rachel A. Harrell.
  As final proof that Isaac Harrell 1770 is son of William/Susannah Harrell, one only needs to look at the names of Isaac’s children. Isaac’s first child was named Susannah Chester, probably after Isaac’s mother Susannah Chester Harrell. His second and third children were named John and William – John was William’s son and Isaac’s brother, and William is Isaac’s father. The fourth child was named James, another son of William/Susannah. And another son was named Chester, probably named after Isaac’s other brother.
  This Isaac Harrell 1770 left Nelson County, Kentucky with his family in 1811/12 for Jackson County, Indiana and was considered one of their pioneers. He died there on October 17, 1850. Many of the descendants of Isaac 1770 still live in Jackson County.
4. John, Son of William/Susannah Harrell
  Like his brothers Chester, James, and Isaac, John Harrell is a proven son of William/Susannah Harrell based on the Nelson County, Kentucky Tithe List 1785 to 1790 where John Harrell is listed together with his father William. Fortunately, there were no other John Harrells living in Nelson County at this time. John Harrell was listed in the Nelson County tax record of 1792 as having 1 white male over 21 years of age, which would put his birth year as before 1771. John Harrell was also listed as the only “John” in the “Second Census” of Kentucky 1800 and there were no John Harrells listed in the Nelson County 1810 and 1820 census records. From this tax list and the census information, it would appear that John, son of William, left Nelson County between 1800 and 1810 which would match the 1804-1806 Cincinnati Land Office records showing Chester, James, John and Isaac owning land in OH before 1810 (Chester and James are believed to be brothers of John, with Isaac being son of Chester – as discussed previously).
  The “Early Ohio Settlers” book cited above states there was a John Harrell who lived in KY in 1805 who also purchased land in the same area of OH as purchased by James Harrell and Chester Harrell in 1805 – this John Harrell is believed to be a brother of James, Isaac and Chester as listed in the 1790 Nelson County, KY Tax List and a son of William and Susannah Chester Harrell.
  In 1795 there is a record of John Herrel owning 253 acres on Mill Creek, an area very near William Harrell’s property. There is a Nelson County deed on 9 August 1797 (DB 5, pg. 330) where John Harrell buys 43 ½ acres on Mill Creek from his father William for 10 pounds money, followed by another Nelson County deed on 9 August 1797 with his spouse Abigail (DB 5, pg 331) where it is believed John sells this same tract on Mill Creek to John Bodine for 20 pounds.
  John Harrell, son of William, married Abigail Weekly with a marriage bond submitted May 26, 1792. Abigail was a stepdaughter of Joseph Settle; Surety was William Harrell.
  John Harrell is believed to be identified in the 1804-1806 Cincinnati Land Office records along with his brothers Chester and James, and Chester’s son Isaac Harrell. They all owned land in Ohio and in what later became Indiana.
  After these records were filed in the Cincinnati Land Office, there were 2 additional deeds filed in 1815 and 1816 in Franklin County, Indiana Territory, between John Harrald and his wife Abigail Harrald selling land to John Fred and Phillip Mason, respectively. John and Abigail apparently moved to Fayette County, Indiana as shown in a Shelby County land document where “John Harrell of Fayette County” purchased 40 acres in Shelby County on May 12, 1835.
  John Harrell died in Shelby County, Indiana and probate began August 24, 1837; Abigail Harrell was the Administrator. The probate lasted until September 1846 because a final payment ($40.07) from the estate was required and Abigail the Administrator, after repeated summons, was not responsive. This payment, which ended the probate, was finally made by James E. Harrell. Much of this info came from Olive Lee who did considerable research on this John Harrell family.
  It is believed that John and Abigail Harrell are listed under (a) John Herrold in Delaware New Purchase, Indiana in the 1820 census; and (b) John Herrald in the Johnson County, Indiana 1830 census. In these census records, the adult male and female matches the assumed birth years of John Harrell (c. 1772) and spouse Abigail (abt 1775). Delaware NP was a very large unorganized area created in 1820 adjacent to Franklin and Fayette counties; and Shelby County was created from Delaware NP in 1822. This 1820 census shows 5 sons and 3 daughters in this household but a known daughter Susannah, idiotic, b. abt 1800 is not listed. The 1830 census shows 4 sons and 4 daughters, including Susannah.
  The 1840 (Noble Township) and 1850 (Addison Township) Shelby County, Indiana census records list Abigail Harrell as head of household. The 1840 record shows 2 males in the 15-19 age range, 1 male in the 30 – 39 range, 1 female in the 40-49 range, and 1 female in the 60-69 range, with a total of 3 being “idiotic or insane” and in private charge (“private charge” is assumed to mean the “idiotic” individuals are living in the home). In this 1840 census, Isaac (idiotic) would be one of the 2 males in the 15-19-age range and Susannah (idiotic) would be the 1 female in the 40-49 range. Olive Harrell Lee descended from James E. Harrell and she believed James E. Harrel was probably the other male in the 15-19-age range.
  The 1850 census shows Abigail Herell 75 years, born Virginia; Susannah, 50 years, born Kentucky – idiotic; and Isaac, 29 years, born Indiana – idiotic. Three homes away is James E. Harrel, 26 years, born Indiana; Ede, 25 years, born Indiana; Nancy A., 5 years, born Indiana; James H., 3 years, born Indiana; and John, 1 year, born Indiana.
  As mentioned previously, Olive Harrell Lee descends from James Ellison Harrell through his son James H. Harrell. Olive believed for a long time that James E. was a son of John/Abigail Harrell. James E. “Harrel” was shown living a few houses away from Abigail in the 1850 Shelby County census with spouse “Ede”. James E. was born 1823 in Bartholomew County, Indiana (formed from Delaware NP in 1821 and next to Shelby County) according to his son’s death certificate; this is consistent with his listing in the 1840 Shelby County census with John/Abigail. James E. Harrell married Eady McCarty 1845.
  Olive Lee obtained a DNA sample from her Harrell relative and it didn’t match any Harrell in the Harrell DNA databank. After puzzling over this DNA mismatch, Olive Lee concluded that James E. Harrell, and probably his brother Isaac (idiotic) are both illegitimate sons of Susannah Harrell (idiotic), daughter of John/Abigail. In the 1840 Shelby County census, the household of Abigail Harrell shows 3 who are “insane or idiotic”; there is also an unknown male 30-39 who could be Susannah’s “husband”. The age difference between Susannah (b. abt 1800) and James E. (b. 1823) would also support a mother-son relationship.
  Another fact supporting James E. Harrell being a relative of John/Abigail, is documentation showing he ended up making the final settlement of John’s estate in 1746, even though Abigail was technically the Administrator but not able to function as such. In 1847, one year after the estate settlement, James Ellison Harrell sells the Shelby County property owned by John/Abigail Harrell to Henry DeBaun. There is no record of James E. Harrell buying this land from John Harrell so it appears to be an inheritance of some form.
  A Family Group Sheet was found inside the Harrell file within the Huntington, Indiana library that listed the family of John and Abigail Harrell – the author of this Sheet is unknown. This Sheet identified the children as James, Isaac, Susanna b. c. 1800, and Moses b. Nov 16, 1802, with question marks alongside the names of James and Isaac. A different Family Group Sheet was found inside this Harrell file with info on Moses 1802, showing his place of residence in Huntington County, Indiana and death in 1890. The age of Moses 1802 would fit the male 30-39 in the 1840 Shelby County, Indiana census. In addition, another person who studied this John Harrell family, Esther Koebel-Harrell, noted in a letter dated January 20, 1984 that “I believe that John & Abigail Weekly Harrell were the parents of Moses for these reasons…”. Unfortunately, her reasons did not prove Moses was a son. In addition, Moses 1802 who died in Huntington County, Indiana could not be a son of John/Abigail Harrell because it is known that this Moses 1802 is a proven son of Noah Harrell, who in turn is son of Moses Harrell, Sr. who in turn is son of Richard Harrell 1700 (Moses 1802 is discussed below under the subsection Noah, Son of Moses Sr.).
  However, there is another Moses Harrell b. 1803, who lived in the same Indiana neighborhoods as Moses 1802 (viz., Fayette, Franklin, Wabash), but, unlike Moses 1802, Moses 1803 died in Wabash County, Indiana, not Huntington County, Indiana. This Moses 1803 is the EKA of Family #12 and married Frances Scott, the sister of Rebecca Scott who is spouse of Moses 1802. Nobody has documented a credible link between Moses 1803 and Moses 1802 but the narrative for Family #12 speculates on such a relationship.
  Moses 1803 was married in Fayette County, Indiana in 1823 and had children Jesse D. b. 1826, Phillip M. 1829, Tabitha 1831, Amaziah E. 1833, Delila 1835, Charlotte 1840, Rebecca 1842, and Anna 1844. Most of these given names are not in the mainstream of Harrell families, which deepens the mystery of how Moses 1803 links with other families. It is possible Moses 1803 could have been a son of John/Abigail but nothing credible has been found to support this speculation.
  As mentioned above, Abigail Weekly Harrell is listed in the 1840 and 1850 Shelby County, Indiana census but her whereabouts after 1850 are not documented. This Abigail Harrell in the 1860 Wabash County census is about the same age and is a widow, as is Abigail Weekly Harrell. This census also shows Abigail living 2 homes away from the household of John Scott, 44, and his family of 8 children. The spouse of John Scott is Abigail Harrell Scott – yes, another Abigail Harrell – whose possible parents and siblings are discussed below. Also living in Liberty Township in Wabash County, Indiana in 1860 is head of household William Nick, born about 1830 Virginia with spouse Abigail Harrell Nick – yes, yet another Abigail Harrell. This Abigail Harrell Nick (or Knick) is a daughter of Moses Harrell 1802 who lived in Wabash County for a while before moving to Huntington County, Indiana where he died.
  Abigail Harrell, Daughter of John Harrell and Abigail Weekly
  John and Abigail Harrell in the 1820 Delaware New Purchase, Indiana census had a daughter born 1810 – 1820, and in the 1830 Johnson County, Indiana census had a daughter born 1811 – 1815. Based on this census info and the naming of her children, it is speculated that Abigail Harrell Scott is a daughter of John and Abigail Weekly Harrell. Abigail Harrell Scott was born 1812 OH, d. 1908 in Adair Co., MO, buried in Wabash Co., IN, and married John S. Scott in 1833 in Fayette Co., IN (see https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/35918333). It is believed she was named after her mother Abigail Weekly Harrell.
  James Harrell, Son of John Harrell and Abigail Weekly
  In addition to Abigail Harrell Scott being a daughter of John and Abigail Harrell, there also is speculation that James Harrell b. 1815 in OH or IN, d. aft. 1870 in Wabash Co., IN, m. Margaret Stafford in Franklin Co., IN is also a son. This speculation is based on the following:
  1. James 1815 lived in Addison Township, Shelby Co., IN with his family in 1850. John and Abigail Harrell bought 40 acres in Shelby Co., IN in 1835. The 1840 Shelby Co., census shows Abigail, widow, living in Addison Twp;
  2. The 1850 Shelby Co. census shows James and Margaret with these children (in order of birth): John 12, Elizabeth 10, Abigail 8, Gideon 3, James M. (new born). Margaret’s father is Gideon Stafford, her mother is Elizabeth Granville. James’ first born son John is named after John Harrell, father of James 1815, and the second born child Elizabeth is named after Elizabeth Granville. The third born child is named Abigail after her grandmother Abigail Weekly Harrell, the fourth child born is Gideon who is named after Margaret’s father;
  3. Abigail Weekly Harrell was listed in the 1860 Wabash Co., IN census living 2 homes away from John Scott and his spouse Abigail Harrell Scott (speculated daughter of John/Abigail Weekly). In 1860 James 1815 and spouse Margaret were still living in Shelby Co., IN but moved to Wabash Co. sometime before 1870;
  4. James Harrell 1815 can be found in the 1820 (“Herrold”, Flat Rock, Delaware, IN) census and in the 1830 (“Herrald”, Blue River, Johnson Co., IN) census record living with his father John Harrell who is head of household.
  Nancy Ann and Aaron Harrell, Children of John and Abigail Weekly Harrell
  It is speculated that 2 other children of John Harrell and Abigail Weekly are Nancy Ann Harrell and Aaron Harrell. Nancy (Ann) “Herral”/Harrell married James Irwin “Junr” (d. 1860 IN) in Butler Co., OH on May 22, 1815, Matthew Huston Esq. was the JP. From census records she was born KY in 1796. Her spouse James Irwin was (probably) head of household in (a) the 1820 Liberty, Butler Co., census; (b) the 1830 Milford, Butler Co, OH census; and (c) the 1840 Orange, Fayette Co., IN census. James Irwin with spouse Nancy moved to IN before 1840.
  James Irwin Jr. is believed to have resided in Butler Co. for several years before his marriage in 1815 to Nancy Harrell. Nancy Harrell Irwin and James Irwin had 12 children: they are: George Irwin b. abt. 1816, John Erwin b. Jan 1816, Alexander Erwin b. 1819, Mary Ann Erwin b. Nov 1820, Julia Ann Erwin b. 1827, Rebecca Erwin b. c. 1832, Moses “Moze” Erwin b. 1834, William Erwin b. 1834, Abigail Erwin b. c. 1835, Robert Erwin b. 1836, Andrew Jackson Erwin b. 1838, and Ann R. Erwin b. 1840.
  Nancy Irwin 54, b. KY, appeared as spouse in the 1850 Laurel, Franklin Co., IN census in the household headed by James Irwin Jr. 61, b. Ireland, together with children William Irwin 16 OH, Robert Irwin 14 OH, Andrew Irwin 12 OH, Ann Irwin 10 IN, and Abram Thompson 7. In the 1860 Laurel, Franklin Co., IN census she is head of household and listed as Nancy Irving 64 KY along with Andrew J. Irving 22 OH , Ann R. Irving 20 IN and Aaron Herrold 61 IN (Aaron is believed to be a brother of Nancy, discussed later). Also in Laurel, Franklin Co., IN in 1860 is widow Delila “Haurold”/Harrell living in the Alexander Behel household with daughter Elizabeth Behel. Delila is the spouse of Isaac Harrell, son of Chester Harrell who is a brother of John Harrell (spouse Abigail Weekly).
  Nancy Ann Irwin left a Will in Franklin Co., IN on December 19, 1868 wherein she left everything in her estate to her son Andrew Jackson Irwin. Her estate was probated May 4, 1874 so her death was between December 1868 and May 1874.
  A considerable source of info about Nancy Harrell 1796 can be found here.
  The lack of information about the parents and siblings of Nancy Ann Harrell 1796 makes it difficult to speculate who her parents might be. Being married in Butler Co. in 1815 suggests her parents might have lived there for a period of time before 1815. Her age qualifies her to be a possible daughter of (a) James Harrell Jr. b. 1765 who is believed to be a son of James Harrell Sr. 1735; or (b) James Harrell 1772, or John Harrell 1768, or (c) Chester Harrell 1756, all 3 of whom are sons of William/Susannah Chester Harrell. But Chester’s daughter Hannah was also born 1796 and was married November 1816 in Hamilton, Butler Co., OH. Hannah’s birth and marriage plus the fact that none of Nancy’s 12 children were named “Chester” makes it doubtful that Chester is Nancy’s father.
  If Nancy Ann Harrell 1796 was the daughter of James Harrell Jr., she would have been listed in the Nelson Co., KY census of 1810 along with her father who is speculated to be living with his mother Margaret Harrell, head of household. But in this 1810 census, the closest female in age to Nancy was born 1794 which is not a good match. Also, none of Nancy’s 7 sons were named “James”.
  It’s possible the father of Nancy Harrell is James Harrell 1772, brother of Chester and John Harrell. This James Harrell is believed to have purchased property in OH sometime before Nancy’s marriage in 1815 – this property described in the book “Early Ohio Settlers” as being anywhere in the OH counties of Hamilton, Butler, Shelby, Warren, Montgomery, Miami, Preble, and Logan. But, again, Nancy had no son named “James” which weakens the argument that James Harrell 1772 is Nancy’s father.
  It is likely the parents of Nancy 1796 are John Harrell (son of William and Susannah Chester Harrell) and spouse Abigail Weekly Harrell. She would not have been listed in the 1820 census (Delaware New Purchase) with her father John Harrell because she married in 1815. It is believed her father John Harrell was living in KY in 1805 and purchased land in the same OH region as did James Harrell in 1805. It is believed that Nancy’s first son was named “George” after her husband’s brother George Irwin. Her second son was named “John” probably reflecting Nancy’s father John Harrell (spouse Abigail Weekly). Her 5th son William could have been named after John’s father William Harrell, spouse Susannah. Her first daughter “Mary” could have been named after her father’s sister Mary Harrell. Nancy’s 4th daughter “Abigail” could have been named after Nancy’s mother Abigail Weekly.
  It is speculated that Aaron Harrell is also a son of John/Abigail Harrell, brother to Nancy Ann Harrell 1796. Aaron can be found in the 1820 (Delaware New Purchase) and 1830 (Johnson Co.) Indiana census records with his parents John and Abigail Weekly Harrell. Aaron is also believed to be the 3rd idiotic person in the 1840 Shelby Co. census listed as 30 and under 40 (b. 1800-1810) who could not read/write; he was living with his mother Abigail Harrell. Aaron Herrell is listed as “idiot” in the 1850 Posey, Franklin Co., IN census, age 54, b. IN, living with a family headed by Wells Stephens 51 b. NC. At age 54, Aaron would have been born about 1796. Additional information about Aaron comes from the 1860 Laurel, Franklin Co., IN census where Nancy Ann (Harrell) Irwin is listed as “Nancy Irving”, head of household, living with two of her children Andrew J. Irving and Ann R. Irving along with Aaron Herrold, 61 years old, b. IN. In this 1860 census (a) Aaron was not listed with a “condition” (idiotic, etc.); (b) both he and Nancy could not read/write, and (c) his calculated birth year is approximately 1799. The range of Aaron’s birth years calculated from the 1820, 1830, 1840, 1850 and 1860 census records is 1796 to 1800.
  The relationship between Wells Stephens and Aaron “Herrell” in the 1850 Posey, Franklin Co. census is not known. Laurel is the township where Nancy and her husband James Irwin lived in 1850 and Laurel is adjacent to the township of Posey. Perhaps Nancy and Wells Stephens lived as neighbors and were good friends. In 1850, Nancy and her husband were caring for several children and it’s possible they could not have been able to care for Aaron and their close friend Wells Stephens provided a place for Aaron to live.
5. Mary, Daughter of William/Susannah Harrell
  Mary Harrell, daughter of William/Susannah Harrell, was born 1766 Virginia and lived with her father William in Nelson County, Kentucky until marriage. She married Henry Smith Cotton on 18 June 1787 (bond date) in Nelson County, Kentucky and had 7 children: Elizabeth b. 1789, m. John Crume; Mary “Polly” b. 1793, m. Mountjoy King; Margaret b. abt 1795, m. John R. Kelly; Jemima L. b. 1797, m. Henry Cotton Jr.; Sarah “Sally” b. 1800, m. Squire Crume; William W. b. 1801, m. Nancy Irwin; and John b. 1807, m. Juliett Tong.
  Henry Cotton, b. 1763 Virginia, lived near William Harrell in Nelson County and he died March 1831 in Nelson County. A record shows Henry Cotton purchasing 433 acres on Mill Creek from William Harrell in 1807, for a grand total of $1. His spouse Mary Harrell Cotton was 84 years old in the 1850 Nelson County census where she is shown living in the Beam family with her granddaughter Mary Ann Beam. Mary Ann Beam, daughter of Sarah “Sally” Cotton and Squire Crume, married (1) William H. Summers in 1841; and (2) Daniel Weller Beam in 1848. Mary Harrell Cotton died at age 90 in 1856 in Nelson County, Kentucky. Note: Most of this information provided by Lucy B. Geoghegan of Bardstown, Kentucky.
Aaron Harrell, Son of Richard Harrell 1700
The amount of information about Aaron Harrell is very sparse. Here is what has been documented:
1. Aaron’s father Richard deeded him 78 acres of his land on November 27, 1750. As was the case with his other brothers who sold their lands in 1758, Aaron Harrell sold his tract to John Harrill, Jr. on 3 April 1758. This John Harrill, Jr. is not believed to be one of Richard’s 6 sons, but it is unproven;
2. “Revolutionary War Records”, Vol. 1, Virginia, pg. 600 by Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh 1967 lists in 1775 Richard Harrell, 1 white male 16 years & up and 1 white female; and next to him is listed Aron Harrell with 1 white male over 16, 3 white males under 16, and 1 white woman. Both Richard and Aaron were considered living in Dunmore County, Virginia in 1775 (1775 Tax List of Dunmore County by John Netherton). It is likely Richard and Aron Harrell are sons of Richard Harrell 1700;
3. Revolutionary War records reveal a pension statement by William Graham where it was stated: “He removed to Caswell County North Carolina at which place in the month of March 1781 he was drafted for a three months tour against the British under Captain Aaron Harrell and Colonel William Watkins Regiment of Militia Rendezvoused at Salisbury marched to Savannah River where they Joined General Greene – we lay there till our time was out which was in June and was there Honorably discharged his discharge was signed by the said Captain Harrell which discharge is lost he served at this time three months.”;
4. An additional Revolutionary War record presented here, identifies a Capt. Aaron Harrell as serving in the Caswell County Regiment of Militia.
There is no marriage information, no information about his spouse, no Will or probate records, and no information about any children except for the Revolutionary War record in (b) above. Aaron Harrell remains a mystery.
John Harrell, Son of Richard Harrell 1700
All that is known about John Harrell is the 1750 Frederick County, Virginia deed for 131 acres of his father’s property and the subsequent sale in 1758 of these 131 acres to George Hardin (discussed above under Richard Harrell 1700). In this 1758 deed, the last known record of him, John Harrell used his mark when signing the deed meaning he could not write. His birth is estimated between 1730 and 1737. No records of his marriage, children, birth/death, and military service have been found. If he moved from Frederick County after 1758, his whereabouts are unrecorded. There were, however, other John Harrells living in the neighborhood at the same time, which has fueled speculation as to whether this John Harrell, son of Richard 1700, could be one of them. The others who are of approximately the same age and who lived in the neighborhood are (1) John Harrell who lived on Happy Creek (near Front Royal); and (2) John Harrell who migrated to Hawkins County, Tennessee (EKA of Family #3) where he died.
It is believed John Harrell son of Richard 1700 is not Happy Creek John Harrell because records show Happy Creek John could write his name whereas son John Harrell could not. Also, there exists records showing Happy Creek John calling himself “John Harrell Junior” whereas son John Harrell has never been referred to as “Junior”.
Hawkins County John Harrell could not write his name and from early census information it is believed he left Frederick County, VA along with William Harrell, Sr. (EKA Family #1) and Reuben Harrell, Sr. (EKA Family #2) in the early 1780s. It is known that Hawkins County John bought land in North Carolina in 1788 (this land later became part of Tennessee) on which he died in approximately 1822. At the time of his death in Hawkins Co., TN in 1822, he left a Will which identified his children. Their names are: Polly, Sarah, Tish, Betsy, Winney, Lidy, Matilda (who died before 1822), Enock, and John. His grandsons (from daughter Matilda) were named Frank and Samuel. The Will also indicated Hawkins Co. John Harrell owned slaves. It should be noted that names of the sons/grandsons of Hawkins County John Harrell do not include the sons of Richard Harrell 1700 (except for “John”).
The name “Enoch” can be found in Family #2, EKA Reuben Harrell, suggesting Hawkins Co. John could have descended from the parents of Reuben and his brother William Harrell (Family #1). Without more information, the parents and siblings of Hawkins County John Harrell remain unknown.
There are 3 Revolutionary War records involving a John Harrell that might relate to John Harrell son of Richard Harrell 1700. The first is from “Virginia State Library, Archives Division, Military and Land Warrant Records” where John Harrold serves 3 years as sergeant in Virginia Continental Line, 8th Virginia Regiment from Botetourt County, Virginia. He was discharged June 1777 near Valley Forge, then served a second time for 18 months in the 8th Virginia Regiment and was discharged near Salisbury, NC Feb 1782. In 1819 he lived in Wilkes County, NC and in 1828 was still there when he received bounty land warrant #6718 for 200 acres.
The second Revolutionary War record was from “National Archives Military Records” showing John Harrold of the 8th Virginia Regiment enlisting for 3 years on 1 March 1777 in the 12th Virginia Regiment. He deserted from Valley Forge about 15 Feb 1778, but rejoined on 10 May 1778. He again deserted 7 July 1778, rejoining the regiment 27 Apr 1779 after it had merged with the 4th and 8th Regiments and was re-designated the 8th Virginia Regiment. He was “in hospital” in Dec 1779, then paid for his service in Mar 1780 when detached from the 2nd Virginia Brigade.
The third record is from “Virginia State Library, Archives Division, Register of Description of Noncommissioned Officers and Privates Enrolled at Albemarle Courthouse” showing John Harrell, age 20, born in Frederick, Virginia, 5 feet 10 inches tall, brown hair, grey eyes, fair complexion, occupation planter, residing in Montgomery County, Virginia, engaged as a substitute from Montgomery County, 23 Dec 1781 for 18 months.
It has been suggested that the first 2 records relate to the same person, but there is conflicting information that suggests otherwise. If Sgt. John served three years and was discharged in 1777 near Valley Forge, he would have joined in 1774. If the same person, from the second record, enlisted again in 1777 and discharged in 1782, it means this one person served over 7 years (1774 – 1782) and only received 200 acres of bounty land for his service. This seems an unreasonable reward for this length of service, in spite of the desertions. Perhaps it is more reasonable to consider these 3 records dealt with 3 different individuals: Sgt. John, Deserting John, and Young John. The John Harrell who received 200 acres (presumably in NC) is probably Young John who enlisted for 18 months as a substitute. It is not unreasonable to speculate that these 3 John Harrell individuals might be related, although no supporting evidence is available. John Harrell, son of Richard 1700, could be Sgt. John or Deserting John but not Young John, as he would have been over 90 years old in 1828 when receiving 200 acres.
There is one more military service record that may relate to John Harrell, son of Richard 1700. Source: Kegley’s Virginia Frontier: “The Beginning of the Southwest, the Roanoke of Colonial Days, 1740-1783″, by Frederick B. Kegley, p. 452. Here it is stated that a John Harrold of the Shenandoah area served in Capt. Joseph Pryor’s Company of men during the French and Indian War (1754-1760). He was listed as having one horse and four cattle.
Even though the possibility of military service exists for John Harrell, son of Richard Harrell 1700, nothing solid has been found to support it.
Moses Harrell Sr., Son of Richard Harrell 1700
There is more known about Moses Harrell Sr. than any other son of Richard Harrell 1700. His birth year is not known but it is believed he was born before 1735; for this narrative his birth is assumed to be abt.1735. His father in Augusta County, Virginia deeded him 144 acres on the south side of the (South) Shenandoah River in 1750 and Moses sold this land July 3rd and 4th, 1758 (Lease & Release) to Simon Carson for 20 pounds money (the same amount Moses paid his father for this parcel). After sale of his property in 1758, the next record we have for Moses is his listing in the 1775 Dunmore County, Virginia census.
Following this Dunmore County census, Moses purchased 1000 acres in Jefferson County, Virginia under Treasury Warrant #3793 on March 14, 1780; purchase price was 400 pounds money. Moses Harrell moved to Jefferson County, Virginia shortly after his 1000 acre purchase in 1780. Nelson County was formed from Jefferson County in 1784. Moses’ property description read “…on the north side of the Beech fork, and about three or four miles above the mouth of Cartright Creek adjoining corner to John Gillison”. The Nelson County, KY property owned by his brother William Harrell was located nearby; it’s possible their properties could have adjoined each other at specific locations.
Moses Harrell Sr. 1735 is listed together with some of his sons (and slaves) in Nelson County tax rolls beginning in 1785 and extending through 1791 (records missing in 1789). His final census listing was the “Second Census” of Kentucky, 1800.
Moses Harrell wrote his Will on November 18, 1802 and it was recorded September 12, 1803. In his Will, Moses made no mention of his spouse and divided his estate equally among his children listed as: James Harrell, Moses Harrell (Jr.), Noah Harrell, Richard Harrell, Isaac Harrell, Lettuce Parker, Winey Regans, Abigail Duncan and Elizabeth Ferry. His sons James and Moses (Jr.) were named as Executors.
Some have reported that Moses Sr. married twice: (1) Elizabeth Guffy/Griffy/Giffy; (2) Nancy Graham, but no documents have been found to support these marriages. Both of these alleged marriages will be discussed below.
In the book “Ferry Forebears” by Walker D. Ferry (Moses’ daughter Elizabeth married James Ferry Sr.), it is reported that Moses’ plantation was located on Campground Road, about one quarter mile from current Highway 55 in Nelson County, Kentucky. A cemetery is located on the nearby Charles Calvert farm and it is believed Moses Sr. and Moses Jr. are buried there, but no markers were found. Tim Ballard of Bardstown, Kentucky (Charles Calvert was his distant cousin) researched local library and court records for information about Harrells who lived in the region and reported the following people buried in this cemetery:
1. Moses Harrell d. 15 April 1851, age 71;
2. James Harrell, 6 Nov 1820 to October 1824;
3. Margaret Harrell, 6 Sept 1833 to 12 Sept 1833;
4. Mary M. Harrell, daughter of M and N Harrell, 10 Jan 1830 to 12 Feb 1833;
5. Stanley L. Harrell, 25 Aug 1818 to 25 Jan 1833.
Tim Ballard commented that he believes 1833 was when one of the periodic cholera epidemics hit Nelson County. It is noted that the cemetery record for Moses Harrell who d. 15 April 1851, age 71 is probably the Moses Harrell who married Nancy Graham, the son of James Harrell/Elizabeth Crume and grandson of Moses Harrell, Sr. “Kentucky Death Records, 1852-1953″ show this Moses Harrell was born 1784 and died April 5, 1854 – age 70. It is not known which set of records is more accurate: the cemetery record or the Kentucky death record, but both have about the same age at death.
One of the challenges in describing the family of Moses Harrell Sr. is properly identifying his different sons and grandsons who are also named “Moses” Harrell. There is (1) Moses Sr. born bef. 1735 in Virginia (perhaps Prince William County), died before September 1803 in Nelson County, Kentucky, married Unknown; (2) Moses Jr. (son of Moses Sr.) born abt 1770 Augusta/Frederick County, Virginia, died 1803 Nelson County, Kentucky, married Nancy Ann Lewis; (3) Moses (son of James Harrell who is son of Moses Sr.) born 1784 Nelson County, Kentucky, married Nancy Graham; and (4) Moses (son of Noah who is son of Moses Sr.) born 1802 Nelson County, Kentucky, died 1890 Wayne, Huntington County, Indiana, married Rebecca Scott.
In addition, there is a Moses Harrell born 1803 who died in Wabash County, Indiana. This Moses Harrell 1803 who died in Wabash County married the sister of the spouse of Moses 1802, and lived near Moses Harrell 1802 in Fayette County, Franklin County, and Wabash County, Indiana before Moses Harrell 1802 moved to Huntington County, Indiana. This Moses 1803 is the EKA of Family #12 and his father is speculated to be James Harrell Jr., son of James Harrell Sr.
The primary source of confusion over the alleged marriage of a Moses Harrell to Elizabeth Griffy, Guffy, Giffy stems from a bizarre situation in which Moses Harrell, Jr. was supposed to marry Elizabeth Griffy but instead married Nancy Ann Lewis. On July 9, 1790, the stepfather of Elizabeth Griffy gave permission for her to marry Moses Harrell, Jr. in a document stating “It is my request that you should let Moses Harrell and Elizabeth Griffy have a license of marriage as she is my stepdaughter – to Mr. Grayson Clark of Nelson County – signed Frances Simarly”. On July 12, 1790 Moses Jr. and James W. Collum secured a marriage bond for 50 pounds current money for Moses Jr. to marry Elizabeth Griffy. The same day, July 12, 1790, an authorization was issued by Micheal Campel “To any licensed Minister” to marry “Moses Harrell and Ann Luess” – thus proving Moses Harrell, Jr. actually married Ann Luess, otherwise known as Nancy Ann Lewis. The reason why Moses Jr. did not marry Elizabeth Griffy is not known (discussion below on Moses Jr. suggests a reason) but subsequent court documents dated August 10, 1790 show a Grand Jury judgement against Moses Jr. for presenting a “false warrant unto Mr. Chambers to marry him the said Moses to Ann Lues”. Elizabeth Griffy and Frances Simarly filed suit against Moses Jr. and on June 20, 1794 the Commonwealth of Virginia commanded the Sheriff of Nelson County to collect from the estate of Moses Jr. “enough goods and chattles…to satisfy and pay the within mentioned sum of five hundred pounds and costs and that it be forthcoming and liable for payment thereof”.
Moses Harrell, Sr.’s sons – James, Noah, Richard, Moses Jr., and Isaac – all died in Kentucky. None of them moved out of the state, but their children did and their whereabouts and families play an important part in finding links to the other 13 families in the Harrell Collaborative, all of which have matching DNA profiles.
The discussion that follows examines the children and some of grandsons of Moses Sr.
1. Moses Jr., Son of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Moses Jr. was born about 1770 in either Augusta or Frederick County, Virginia (the boundary between these two counties changed over time – this area became Dunmore County in 1772 and Shenandoah County in 1778). His father Moses Sr. moved the family in the early 1780s from Frederick/Augusta County to what later became Nelson County, Kentucky.
  Moses Jr. died in Nelson County sometime in 1803 (estate inventory made November 23, 1803), about the same time as the death of his father Moses Sr. (Moses Sr. Will recorded September 12, 1803). The wife of Moses Harrell Jr. was Nancy Ann Lewis who was known by “Nancy” and by “Ann” in land transactions with Moses Jr. The speculation that Moses Sr. married Nancy Graham was probably fueled in part by estate settlements of Moses Jr. and Moses Sr. conducted about the same time – with “Nancy Harrell” being the administrator of Moses Jr.’s estate. More discussion follows about Moses Jr. and how Nancy Graham fits within Moses Sr.’s family.
  Moses Jr. is listed along with his siblings in the 1785-1791 Nelson County tax records and he is found in Nelson County in the 1800 “Second Census” of Kentucky. A Green County, KY court record in July 1797 identifies Moses Harrel of Nelson County and spouse Nancy Harrell purchasing 666 2/3 acres from Thomas Stapp of Green County for $1000. On November 16, 1801 Moses Jr. and wife Ann of Nelson County purchase 1000 acres of land in Green County from George Marks of Nelson County on the waters of Greasy Creek formerly called Wolf Creek, a branch of Cumberland River. The next day on 17 November 1801, Moses Jr. and wife Ann lease 450 acres of this Greasy Creek land for 12 years to Joseph Hott who plans on building a “marchaint” Mill on the waterway. That is the last record of Moses Jr. before his death sometime before November 23, 1803 (date of estate inventory).
  Moses Jr. died in his early 30s. The only documents found that identified his children were court records showing (1) In 1817 Thomas Lewis is declared the guardian of Ann Harrell, Polly Harrell, and Eliza Harrell, infant heirs of Moses Harrell; and (2) An 1815 suit by Thomas Harrell (also known as Thomas L. Harrell), “son of Moses Harrell, Jr.”, against “heirs of Moses Harrell, Jr.” who were listed as Lewis Harrel, Ann Harrel, Polly Harrel, and Eliza Harrel.
  Thomas Lewis is the father of Nancy Ann Lewis and he was born January 9, 1742, died August 4, 1822, married 1764 in Fairfax County, Virginia to Judith Ferguson. Thomas Lewis was wealthy and owned many slaves – his Will identified six children to whom his estate was to be divided equally: John Lewis, Sarah Weller, Elizabeth Tonge, Catharine Sprotsman, Juilet Ramey and Fanny Jones. His Will contained this statement: “To the children of Moses Harrold dec’d by my daughter Ann I give and bequeath one Eighth part of my personal estate and the Same proportion of my negroes not heretofore disposed of, and at the decease of my wife the same proportion of the negroes and effects she may leave.”
  Moses Jr. left an estate that included several slaves. Administrators of his estate (Nelson County Deed Book 7, May 9, 1803) were identified as Nancy Harrell and William McArchron. The estate inventory began in November 1803 but was not finally settled until 1822. William McArchron was the only administrator identified in most all of the settlement records suggesting Nancy Harrell had either died shortly after 1803 or was somehow removed from her administrator duties.
  Before the final 1822 settlement of Moses’ estate, Thomas L. Harrel filed suit against his siblings in 1815, resulting in a January 1816 sale of 185 acres of land and 10 slaves – for a total of almost $5000. In this 1815 suit, William McArchron acted as guardian of Thomas L. Harrel. These properties, including the slaves, were part of the estate of Moses Jr. and it appears that son Thomas L. Harrell filed suit to obtain what he thought was his rightful share. In the final settlement of Moses Jr.’s estate in 1822, daughters Elizabeth, Anna and Mary (who were married by this time) each received about $1300 but no such record of inheritance was recorded for sons Lewis and Thomas L. Harrell. It is unclear what Lewis Harrell received from Moses Jr.’s estate.
  The size of his estate suggests the desire of Moses Jr. to marry Elizabeth Griffy was perhaps overcome by a stronger desire to increase his wealth by marrying Nancy Ann Lewis. It is believed Nancy Ann Lewis died in 1804, possibly from her last childbirth. No record of her death has been found, however
  The known children of Moses Jr. and Nancy Ann Lewis Harrell are:
  1. Thomas L. Harrell b. abt 1791 Nelson County, Kentucky, married Agnes McCreery in Ohio County, Kentucky 1815. Lived in Gallatin County, Illinois in 1820. Oral history said Thomas died in Southern Illinois near “West End”. He had 6 known children: Lucilla Lucretia, Lewis, Narcissa, Artemissia, Eleanor Mellisa, and Vibella;
  2. Lewis Harrell, b. 1795 Nelson County, Kentucky, d. abt 1858, married (1) Lydia Linebaugh in Nelson County, Kentucky 1815; (2) Nancy Unknown in probably Franklin County, Indiana abt 1839; (3) Elizabeth Gwaltney in Franklin County, Illinois 1848. Three children with Nancy (Susan, Mary, Lampsel) and 1 child with Elizabeth (Elizabeth);
  3. Ann Harrell, b. March 17, 1798, Nelson County, Kentucky, d. Sept 4, 1888 Franklin County, Illinois, married Alexander McCreery in Ohio County, Kentucky 1817. They had 10 children: Ashby, Julia Emily, John Warren, William Lewis, George L., Cyrus, Sydney Ann, Mary Matilda, Harriet, Hardin;
  4. Mary Polly Harrell, b. abt 1801 Nelson County, Kentucky, d. bef 1840 probably Illinois, married George Prince Bowyer 1820 in Franklin County, Illinois. Children Susan, Horace Louis, Nancy;
  5. Elizabeth Harrell, b. March 9, 1804 Nelson County, Kentucky (born after father died), d. Sept. 27, 1877 Illinois, married George McCreery 1823 in Franklin County, Illinois. Six children: Caroline, Mary Jane, Loretta, Anna, Charles, Margaret.
2. James, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.
  James Harrell, son of Moses Harrell Sr., was born 1762 in Virginia. He married Elizabeth Crume, daughter of Philip Daniel Crume (Sr.) who formerly lived in VA near the families of both Richard Harrell 1700 and his brother Jacob Harrell. James Harrell and Elizabeth Crume married on 25 March 1783 (“A History of Shenandoah County Virginia”, page 744). Phillip Crume Sr. moved from the Shenandoah area of Virginia to Nelson Co., KY in about 1794/5. The 1810 and 1820 Nelson Co. census records were among the (few) documents listing some of the children of James Harrell/Elizabeth Crume. It is known that Elizabeth Crume died before 1810 in Nelson Co. and it was thought for many years that her husband James Harrell 1762 died there as well – but recent information from the research papers of Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) indicates James Harrell died in 1836 in Daviess Co., KY. The date when James Harrell 1762 moved from Nelson Co. to Daviess Co. is not known but there is a document wherein he verified in 1833 (speculated to have made this verification in Nelson Co.) that William Dodson served in the Rev. War. At the time of his death in 1836, it is known that 2 of James’ daughters (Barbara and Margaret) and 1 son (William) were living in Daviess Co., KY.
  Unfortunately, a complete listing of the children of James Harrell 1762 has not been found. The 1810 Nelson Co., KY census record shows James Harrell 1762 as head of household with 2 males 10-15 yrs old (b. 1795-1800), 3 males 16-25 (b. 1785-1794), 1 male 45 and older (b. bef 1765), 2 females 10-15, 8 slaves. The 1820 Nelson census lists James Harrell 1762 as head of household with 1 male 26 and under 45; 1 male 45 and older; 1 female under 10; 2 females 16 and under 26; and at least 12 slaves. There is no Kentucky census beyond 1820 that has James Harrell 1762 listed as head of household. Except for the information provided by Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) on James’ death in 1836 in Daviess Co., KY there is no documentation of where James Harrell 1762 lived outside of Nelson Co., KY.
  Phillip Harrell b. 1787, possible son of James Harrell 1762?
  Phillip Harrell was born 1787 (some believe 1788) in KY and died August 2, 1857 in Decatur Co., IN. He married Catherine Reading/Redding on November 26, 1812 in Butler Co., OH (J. Mills was JP). She was born November 29, 1796 in KY and died October 13, 1855 in Decatur Co., IN. Phillip married in Butler Co., OH in 1812 and may not have been in Nelson Co. when the 1810 Nelson Co. census was taken.
  It was thought for some time, based on circumstantial evidence, Phillip Harrell 1787 was the son of James Harrell 1762 – but recent information found in the research notes of Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) indicates the children of James Harrell 1762 did not include a son Phillip Harrell. It is now speculated that Phillip Harrell 1787 is a son of James Harrell Jr who is listed as head of household in the 1820 Dearborn Co., IN census (“James Harroe”).
  Isaac Harrell b. 1781-1790, possible son of James Harrell 1762?
  The 1830 KY census lists 2 heads of households named Isaac Harrel: (1) Isaac Harrell b. 1771-1780 living in Todd Co., KY; and (2) Isaac Harrel b. 1781-1790 living in Nelson Co., KY with 3 males under 5; 1 male 5 – under 10; 1 male 30 – under 40; 1 male 40 – under 50 (assumed to be Isaac); 1 male 60 – under 70; 1 female under 5; 1 female 5 – under 10; 1 female 10 – under 15; 1 female 20 – under 30; and 19 slaves. The adult female 20 – under 30 may or may not be the spouse of Isaac.
  The oldest male living in this 1830 Nelson Co. census with Isaac Harrel b. 1781-1790 matches the age of James Harrell 1762. The large number of slaves which James Harrell 1762 owned in 1820 could be the same slaves shown with Isaac Harrel in this 1830 census – thus supporting speculation that James Harrell 1762 could have lived with this Isaac Harrell/Harrel in 1830 in Nelson Co.
  In the households headed by James Harrell 1762 in the 1810 and 1820 Nelson Co. census records (a) Isaac Harrell 1781-1790 could be one of the 3 males 16-25 as listed in the 1810 census; (b) the same Isaac Harrell could be the 1 male 26 and under 45 listed in the 1820 census; and (c) if married, Isaac’s spouse could be 1 of the 2 females listed 16 – under 26 in the 1820 census which matches the adult female 20-under 30 in the 1830 census. Based on the information from the 1810, 1820 and 1830 census records, it is speculated this Isaac Harrell 1781-1790 could be a son of James Harrell 1762. Unfortunately, the research notes of Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) do not indicate James Harrell 1762 had a son named Isaac Harrell. Therefore, without additional supporting information, this Isaac Harrell b. 1781-1790 is not considered a son of James Harrell 1762 and his identity remains unknown.
  The Isaac Harrell b. 1771-1780 of Todd Co. in the 1830 KY census is also found in the 1840 and 1850 Todd Co. census records. His father is Moses Harrell Sr. In the 1830 and 1840 census records, it shows this Isaac Harrell owning many slaves as did his father Moses Harrell Sr.
  This link from Ancestry.com gives an excellent description of this Isaac Harrell of Todd Co., KY.
  This Ancestry website states Isaac Harrell was born June 25, 1777, died March 17, 1854 in Todd Co., and was the official Surveyor of Nelson Co. for 21 years. He first married Nancy Montgomery with whom all his children were born; after she died in 1848, he married “Anna” whose surname is unknown.
  Moses Harrell b. abt. 1785, son of James Harrell 1762
  It is believed that in the Nelson Co. 1810 census with James Harrell 1762 as head of household, one of the 2 males b. 1785-1794 is Moses Harrell. In the 1820 Nelson Co. census it shows Moses Harrel as head of household with 2 males under 10; 1 male 16 and under 26; 1 male 26 and under 45 (b. 1776-1794); 1 female 16 and under 26; 1 female 26 and under 45; 1 female 45 or older; and 2 slaves. In the 1830 Nelson Co. census it lists Moses Harrel as head of household living close to Isaac Harrel 1781-1790; this Moses Harrell/Harrel was born 1781-1790 which fits the 1810 and 1820 census records, and he owned several slaves in 1830. The research notes of Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) listed Moses Harrell as a son of James Harrell 1762 and Elizabeth Crume. This Moses Harrell can also be found in the 1840 and 1850 Nelson Co. census records; living in 1850 with spouse Nancy Graham whom he married in Nelson Co. in 1816. The 1850 census is used to estimate Moses’ birth year as approximately 1785.
  John Harrell b. 1785, son of James Harrell 1762
  Another son of James Harrell 1762 and Elizabeth Crume is believed to be John Harrell b. 1785 who married Sarah Batman in Nelson Co. in 1810. John Harrell lived in Knox Co., IN in 1820, and lived in Greene Co., IN in 1830. This John Harrell is the EKA for Family #13 where he is discussed in more detail. The research notes of Michael Edgeworth listed John Harrell as a son of James Harrell 1762.
  James D. Harrell b. abt 1784, son of James Harrell 1762
  In the Nelson Co. 1810 census, 1 of the 3 males b. 1785-1794 is James D. Harrell b. 1785+. Written documents in 1831 show slaves being gifted by James Harrell 1762 to (1) Margaret and Nancy identified as heirs of James D. Harrell (dec’d in 1831); and (2) Leah (married name was Gibbs) who was identified as a daughter of James Harrell 1762. The research notes of Michael Edgeworth listed “James Harrell Jr., d. by 1831” as a son of James Harrell 1762.
  William H. Harrell b.1793, son of James Harrell 1762
  The 1820 Federal Census of Knox Co., IN showed a cluster of 3 individuals listed with the surname “Herrel”: John Herrel, William Herrel, and Isaac Herrel. They all lived in the township of Palmyra and all of them were about the same age suggesting they could be closely related, possibly brothers. The following info was listed in this 1820 census record:
  - John Herrel, 5 males under 10, 1 male 26-44 (born 1776-1794), 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44, no slaves;
  - William Herrel, 1 male under 10, 1 male 26-44, 2 females under 10, 1 female 16-25, no slaves;
  - Isaac Herrel, 2 males under 10, 1 male 26-44, 2 females under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44, no slaves.
  In the 1830 Federal Census of Knox Co., IN (no township) there was listed:
  - William Herrel, 2 males under 5, 1 male 5-9, 1 male 30-39 (born 1791-1800), 1 female under 5, 1 female 5-9, 2 females 10-14, 1 female 30-39, no slaves;
  - Ephraim Herrel, 2 males under 5, 2 males 5-9, 1 male 30-39, 1 female 30-39, no slaves.
  This William Herrel was not found in subsequent IN census records (either in Knox Co., IN or in surrounding counties). These 1820 and 1830 census records involve the same individual and can be used to estimate the birth year of both William Harrell (b. 1791-1794) and his spouse (1795-1800). The assumed birth year of William Herrel is approximately 1793.
  The reference document “Kentucky Marriages 1802-1850” lists the marriage of William Harrell and Elizabeth Ruble on November 9, 1813 in Shelby Co., KY with bondsman John Parker. From the approx. birth year range of Elizabeth Ruble estimated above (viz., 1795-1800), it is unlikely she married at age 13 so it will be assumed her birth year is closer to 1795-1797. John Parker married Lettice Harrell, daughter of Moses Harrell Sr., in Shelby Co., KY which is next to Nelson Co. where John Harrell married Sarah Batman, where Moses Harrell Sr. lived, and where Moses Sr.’s son James Harrell 1762 lived with his spouse Elizabeth Crume. This information, plus other evidence, forms a base of circumstantial evidence supporting speculation that this William Harrell who married Elizabeth Ruble, is the same person as William Herrel 1793 who lived in Knox Co. in 1820 and 1830. This circumstantial evidence includes the following:
  1. All children of William Herrel in the 1820 census were born in the range 1810-1820 which matches the marriage of William Herrell and Elizabeth Ruble in 1813;
  2. Heads of households in the 1820 Palmyra, Knox Co. census included Hannah Ruble, John Parker and Bazel Parker. It is believed that Hannah Ruble is a sister of Elizabeth Ruble. John Parker was bondsman in the 1813 marriage of William Herrel and Elizabeth Ruble, and John Parker married Lettice Harrell, daughter of Moses Harrell Sr., in Shelby Co., KY which is next to Nelson Co. Also living in this 1820 Knox Co. census township of Palmyra was Isaac Herrel and John Herrel;
  3. From Helynn Carrier’s (dec’d) research: “William Harrell…appointed Guardian to Hannah Ruble in Knox Co., IN, Bk A, p. 135, date June term 1823”. If born about 1793, this William Harrell would have been about 20/21 years old which would qualify him to be a Guardian. Helynn immediately followed this citation with the following statement: “Same Court, book C, page 297 due to William Harrell, in right of his wife, Nancy — $25 as heir of Abraham Case, dec’d”. It is believed this reference to “wife, Nancy” does not relate to William Harrell 1793 but pertains to William L. Harrell, born 1812, the son of John Harrell and Sarah Batman, who married Nancy Case in 1834 in Greene Co., IN.
  No document has been found proving Elizabeth Ruble Harrell was living in IN following the 1830 Knox Co., IN census. She was not found anywhere in 1840 census records but in 1850, in the Clinton Twp., Decatur Co., IN census, we find “Elizabeth Harrell” 52 years old, born KY, living with John Harrell 28 years old (born abt. 1822 IN) and his spouse “Sarah” 31 years old and their children Eliza F. Harrell 6 and Almira T. Harrell 1 years old. This census info indicates this Elizabeth Harrell was born abt. 1798 which is in the range estimated for Elizabeth Ruble Harrell (estimated from the 1820 and 1830 Knox Co. census records and her marriage date). Living next to this John Harrell 1822 in the 1850 census was Phillip Harrell 62 years old (born 1787/88 ), born KY, his spouse Catharine and children Nancy 31, Hannah 25, Mary A. 20, Catharine 17, and Philip 14. This Phillip Harrell 1787 is part of the Butler Co., OH cluster of Harrells (viz., Phillip, William, Nancy Jane, Jesse) and speculated to be son of James Harrell Jr.
  It was initially thought this “Elizabeth Harrell” listed in the Clinton Twp. 1850 census could be Elizabeth Ruble Harrell, and John Harrell 1822 could be her son. Further research, however, revealed that John Harrell 1822 is probably one of Gabriel Harrell’s 2 sons born 1821-1825 and “Elizabeth Harrell” is probably not his mother. The relationship between “Elizabeth Harrell” and John Harrell 1822 cannot be proven but it has been speculated in the narrative of Family #12 that Elizabeth could possibly be a daughter of James Harrell Jr. There is no evidence supporting this relationship, however, but it is strongly believed that this “Elizabeth Harrell” is not Elizabeth Ruble Harrell.
  There is considerable evidence that James Harrell 1762, son of Moses Harrell Sr., had a son named “William”. One question was whether James’ son William was the William Herrel 1793 of Knox Co., IN who married Elizabeth Ruble. From the 1810 Nelson Co. census, knowing that Elizabeth Crume married James Harrell in 1783 and children would soon follow, it seems reasonable to assume their male children reaching about 17 or 18 years old or older would likely have moved away to seek work and possibly marry. If this were to happen, children born around 1793 or before would not be listed in the 1810 Nelson Co. census. Therefore, children not counted in the 1810 Nelson Co. census with James Harrell 1762 (head of household) could include William Herrel 1793.
  One person known to have studied the family of James Harrell 1762 and subsequently posted his results on Ancestry.com, concluded without proof that “William H. Harrel”, born 1793 KY (probably Nelson Co.), was one of the sons of James Harrell 1762. According to this person (a) William H. Harrell lived in Nelson Co. until he joined the military and served August 15, 1812 to March 6, 1813 in the War of 1812 (from pension files); (b) first married Nancy A. Blackburn (b. 1805, d. 1852) about 1816; (c) lived in Daviess Co., KY in 1854; (d) married for the second time to “Meranda Nunn” (Miranda) in 1854 (marriage license is documented); and (e) died in Daviess Co., KY in 1862. It should be noted that if Nancy A. Blackburn was born 1805 as this person posted on Ancestry, she would have been married at about age 11 which is not credible.
  This person’s Ancestry posting about “William H. Harrel” appears to have been copied by others and posted on several Ancestry family tree websites. In these postings, the children of William H. Harrell and Nancy Blackburn were identified as (1) Hannah b. abt 1817 Daviess Co., KY; (2) John Milton Harrell b. 1822 Henry Co., KY, d. 1902; (3) Jonathan Harrell b. 1823 Daviess Co., KY, d. 1952 (“1952” is not a typo); (4) James Riley Harrell b. 1823 Shelby Co., KY, d. 1902; (5) Lydia Harrell b. 1827 Daviess Co., KY; (6) Martin Harrell b. 1832 Daviess Co., KY, d. 1914; (7) Mary Ann Harrell b. 1838 Daviess Co., KY, d. 1866. In these postings, there were no children born to William’s second spouse Miranda Nunn Harrell and there was no mention that William H. Harrell lived in or near Knox Co., IN.
  After considerable research, this William H. Harrell is believed to be the “William Harrel” listed in the 1850 Daviess Co., KY census living with spouse Nancy A. Harrel and children Martin Harrel 18, Mary A. Harrel 12, Martha A. Griffin 13, and Anderson Griffin 12.
  This William H. Harrell is also believed to be the “William Harrell” listed in the 1860 Daviess Co., KY census living with spouse Miranda Harrell 46, Kate Nunn 15, Mans Crabtree 23, and Pelina A. Crabtree 2. Kate Nunn is the daughter of Miranda Nunn Harrell from a previous marriage who married James Harrell, son of William H. Harrell.
  An important document identifying relatives of William H. Harrell is his estate settlement in 1864 in Daviess Co., KY. In this document, the following property was distributed to his heirs as follows: 50 acres of property and a male slave child to Hannah Humphrey; 50 acres and a female slave child to Jonathan Harrell; 50 acres and a woman slave to Mary Ann Patrick; 60 acres and a boy slave to James Harrell; 60 acres and a woman slave to “James Baird and Sarah Baird of Lydia Beard”; and a female slave to Marinda Harrell.
  This William H. Harrell is also believed to be the “William Harold” listed in the 1840 Daviess Co., KY census living with 1 male and 1 female under 5, 1 male 5 thru 9, 2 males and 1 female 10 thru 14, 1 male 30 thru 39, 1 male 40 thru 49 and 6 slaves. Since there was no adult female listed in this household it is assumed that William Harold had no spouse at the time the 1840 census was taken (enumeration date of this census could not be found).
  Information gathered from the 1850 and 1860 Daviess Co., KY census records, plus info from William Harrell’s 1864 estate settlement, were used to speculate on the identity of the children living with William Harold in 1840: Martin Harrell b. 1831-1835, Mary Ann Harrell b. 1836-1840, and Lydia Harrell b. 1826-1830. Others living in this 1840 Daviess Co., KY household with William Harold, who are identified, included the 2 male children b.1826-1830. These 2 unidentified male children are also listed in the 1830 Palmyra, Knox Co., IN census for William Herrel/Elizabeth Ruble along with James Harrell b. 1821-1825, Lydia Harrell b. 1826 – 1830, and what is believed to be Elizabeth B. Harrell b. 1821-1825 (discussed below). In the 1820 Palmyra, Knox Co., IN census, Jonathan Harrell b. 1811-1820 and Hannah b. 1810-1820 can also be found.
  There is information from 2 sources that relate to William H. Harrell: (1) Helynn Carrier (dec’d) copied a page titled “Kentucky Cemetery Records, Vol I, by Kentucky Society DAR, page 141, Harrell Family Graveyard on Vincent Ebelhar farm in Grayson Co., KY”; and (2) Carol Arrington obtained information from the research notes of Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) involving burials in the same Harrell Graveyard. Helynn Carrier’s page of info is as follows:
  - William H. Harrell, b. Nov 4, 1793, d. Apr 23, 1862;
  - Elizabeth Harrell, b. 1796, d. 1853;
  - Elizabeth B. Harrell, b. 1822, d. 1839;
  - Nancy Harrell, b. 1805;
  - Robert M. Baird, 1851-1853.
  Carol Arrington confirmed Helynn Carrier’s info above but added more details:
  - William H. Harrell, b. Nov 4, 1793, d. Apr 23, 1862;
  - Elizabeth, b. Mar 15, 1796, d. Apr 21, 1853;
  - Elizabeth B. Harrell, b. Jan 8, 1822, d. July 23, 1839;
  - Nancy B., b. 1805, d. Apr 21, 1853;
  - Robert M. Baird, b. 1851, d. 1853;
  - Mrs. Mary Patrick, wife Robert, b. Jan 31, 1839, d. Jul 25 1868.
  It is believed Elizabeth Harrell 1796 was the first wife of William H. Harrell (viz., Elizabeth Ruble). Her death date Apr 21, 1853 appears incorrect because this was the same year William’s second wife Nancy Rose died (discussed later). Nancy Harrell b. 1805 is Nancy Rose, William’s second wife. Mary Patrick is a daughter of William and Nancy Rose Harrell. The source of both Helynn Carrier’s and Carol Arrington’s info is Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) who did extensive research into Daviess Co., KY families, including the Harrells who were buried in the HARRELL Graveyard/Cemetery, which has since been bulldozed.
  Carol Arrington’s listing of “Nancy B.” in the Harrell cemetery, as reported by Michael Edgeworth (dec’d), is disturbing because there is no record of Nancy Rose Harrell being referred to as “Nancy B.” It’s possible the cemetery records actually showed “Nancy R.” and Michael Edgeworth mistook “R” for a “B” but this can’t be confirmed because the cemetery has been destroyed. All of Michael’s research papers, which reside in the McLean County History Museum & Regional Family Research Center in Daviess Co., KY, have not been read so this mystery remains.
  From the graveyard info, Elizabeth B. Harrell b. 1822 is thought to be a daughter of William H. Harrell and Elizabeth Ruble. “Nancy Harrell” (from Helynn’s info) and “Nancy B.” (from Carol Arrington) are both believed to be Nancy Rose, the second wife of William H. Harrell.
  Other important pieces of info supporting the assumption that William Herrel, who lived in Knox Co., IN in 1820 with his wife Elizabeth Ruble, is the same person as William Harold/Harrell of Daviess Co., KY who lived with his second and third wives Nancy Rose and Miranda Nunn respectively are as follows:
  1. An Indiana marriage document showing William Herald married Nancy Rose in Knox Co., IN on 7 Sept 1840. It is speculated this marriage took place after the 1840 Daviess Co., KY census enumeration date which showed William Harold was not married at the time;
  2. An 1826, Palmyra, Knox Co., IN probate document for Martin Rose showing his daughter being Nancy Rose. Martin Rose was living in the same Knox County township as William Herrel;
  3. A Kentucky death record stating “Nancy Harrell” died in Daviess Co., KY on 21 Apr 1853 at age 44, birth abt 1809, birth location Bullitt Co., KY, father “Martin Rose”. This is proof that Martin Rose’s daughter Nancy Rose was married to a “Harrell” in Daviess Co., KY in 1853, and that “Harrell” is probably William Harrell (aka William Herrel, William Harold, William H. Harrell);
  4. It was mentioned above that the particular Ancestry.com posting for Jonathan Harrell 1823-1952, son of William H. Harrell and Nancy Blackburn, showed Jonathan’s age at death to be 129 years, which is obviously wrong. This Ancestry posting had no references or info confirming that William H. Harrell married Nancy Blackburn. Further research revealed an 1854 Grayson Co., KY marriage of “William H. Harrell” b. 1816 Breckenridge, KY, d. 1894 Grayson Co., KY to Nancy Blackburn White b. 1830 Grayson Co., KY, d. 1921 Grayson Co., KY. The known children of this marriage included Jonathan Harrell b. 1862 Grayson Co., KY, d. 1952 Grayson Co., KY. None of the known children of this 1854 Grayson Co., KY marriage matched the children of William H. Harrell and Nancy Blackburn as posted on Ancestry. The father of this William H. Harrell 1816 is Richard Harrell 1768 who is a son of Moses Harrell Sr. So it would appear that the Ancestry posting of William H. Harrell 1793-1862 with spouse Nancy Blackburn represents a mixture of different people, not a specific family. This William H. Harrell 1793 did not marry Nancy Blackburn and the names of the children in the Ancestry posting do not match.
  In Daviess Co., KY Order Book D, 1837-1846, page 24, Aug 1837, William Harrell is identified as the administrator of James Harrell’s estate (James Harrell b. 1762 died 1836 Daviess Co., KY). This Order Book document indicates William Harrell was in Daviess Co., KY in 1837. In Michael Edgeworth’s research papers, he identified one of the sons of James Harrell 1762 as “Wm. Harrell” so it seems clear that William H. Harrell 1793 is a son of James Harrell 1762.
  Daughters of James Harrell 1762
  In the Nelson Co. 1810 census with head of household James Harrell 1762, the 2 females listed 10 thru 15 are Margaret and Leah, known daughters of James Harrell 1762. Barbara, another known daughter, is not listed in the 1810 Nelson Co. census because she had married and did not live with her father.
  The 1820 Nelson Co. census shows James Harrell 1762 with 2 females 16-25; one is known daughter Leah Harrell. The other known daughter Margaret Harrell has already married and was not living with her father. The second female in this census is unknown. The research notes of Michael Edgeworth (dec’d) listed these daughters of James Harrell 1762: “Barbara, md. Thos Shadwick”, and “Lear, md. Wm. Gibbs”. The absence of known daughter Margaret in examining what is known so far from limited reading of Michael’s research notes indicates either Michael Edgeworth did not know the names of all the children of James Harrell 1762, or more information is still to be found in his research notes that could reveal other sons/daughters of James Harrell 1762 and Elizabeth Crume.
3. Winifred, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Winifred (Winney) Harrell was born abt 1765 in either Augusta or Frederick County, Virginia. Her death date or location is not known. She married Charles Reagan, Jr. on May 14, 1783 in Shenandoah County, Virginia and they had one daughter, Phebe Reagan b. 1785 Shenandoah County, Virginia. No further information about Winifred Harrell is known other than the death of Charles Reagan, Jr. on November 13, 1843 was in Dade County, Missouri.
4. Noah, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Considerable information is known about Noah Harrell as a result of two Harrell researchers: Gorden McKinley Harrell (born 1896, dec’d), and Walter D. Ferry, author of “Ferry Forebears”. Gorden McKinley Harrell, a descendant of Noah Harrell, wrote a history of his Harrell family starting from the very early Harrells of Colonial Virginia and Kentucky. A number of Harrell researchers have used Gordon M. Harrell’s information when reporting on the family of Richard Harrell 1700. Whereas his information about Richard Harrell’s family (sons, grandsons, etc.) is generally useful, Gordon Harrell did not understand the difference between the Harrells of Nansemond County, Virginia and the Harrells of Northern Virginia. He mixed together these Harrells, as did many Harrell researchers in the early days before 2001 (discussed at the beginning of this narrative), and portions of his reporting on Richard Harrell’s ancestors is incorrect.
  Walter D. Ferry, who lived in Grayson County, Kentucky most of his life, is related to James Ferry who was born about 1773, died before 1850 in Grayson County, Kentucky, and who married Elizabeth Harrell, daughter of Moses Harrell Sr. His book “Ferry History” includes information about certain children of Moses Harrell Sr. Unfortunately, it has been found that some information from Gordon McKinley Harrell does not agree with that of Walter Ferry. In this narrative, information from both sources is used and relevant differences between the two sources are highlighted when appropriate.
  Noah Harrell (Harrel) was born July 12, 1766 in Augusta or Frederick County, Virginia. His father moved the family to what later became Nelson County, Kentucky in the early 1780s and Noah is listed in the 1787 Nelson County tax list. Noah Harrell married Elizabeth Blue (born 1778, died 1846) in 1795 in Nelson County, Kentucky. Following his father’s death in 1803, Noah and his wife moved to Hardin County, Kentucky in 1804 or 1805 and lived on Short Creek that flowed through an area called “The Sinks”. Noah purchased several hundred acres of land in this area which later became Grayson County in 1810. The 1810 Grayson County tax list showed Noah owning 3 parcels totaling 1200 acres. This land was later known as the Michael Harrel farm and later owned by George W. and William Sherman Harrel, sons of Michael and Elizabeth Covert Harrel. Michael Harrell was a son of Noah Harrell and Elizabeth Blue.
  Noah Harrell died Sept. 4, 1850 in Short Creek, Grayson County, Kentucky and was living with his daughter Ruth Deweese who had married Edward Deweese. Noah and his wife Elizabeth Blue Harrell are buried in the Harrell Cemetery located in Short Creek, Grayson County, Kentucky. Noah’s sister Elizabeth Harrel Ferry is also buried there. It is reported that Noah Harrell was an opponent of slavery which differentiated him from all but one of his other brothers.
  The known children of Noah Harrell and Elizabeth Blue Harrell are as follows:
  1. Ruth Elizabeth Harrell, b. 1796 Nelson County, Kentucky, d. 1875 Grayson County, Kentucky, married Edward Deweese in 1813;
  2. Mary Harrell, b. 1798 Nelson County, Kentucky, d. 1867 Marshall Co., IA, married William Miller in 1818 Grayson Co., KY;
  3. Uriah B. Harrell, b. 1800 Nelson County, Kentucky, d.1880 Pleasant Grove, Des Moines County, IA, married Phebe Deweese;
  4. Moses Harrell, b. 1802 Nelson County, Kentucky, d. 1890 Wayne, Huntington County, IN, married Rebecca Scott. He was called “Little Moses” by some of his descendants. In Gorden McKinley Harrell’s family history, he incorrectly reported “tradition is he (Moses 1802) moved to Missouri or Arkansas and later to Texas”;
  5. Noah Harrell Jr., b. 1805 probably Ohio County, Kentucky, d. 1879 Ohio County, Kentucky, married Agnes C. Craig abt. 1829 Grayson County, Kentucky;
  6. Blue Harrell, b. 1807 Ohio County, Kentucky, d. 1889 Grayson County, Kentucky, married Mary “Polly” McDaniel about 1850 Grayson County, Kentucky;
  7. William Harrell, b. 1809 Ohio County, Kentucky, d. 1889, married Nancy Benoni;
  8. Isaac Harrell, b. 1811 Grayson County, Kentucky, may have died young;
  9. James Harrell, b. 1813 Grayson County, Kentucky, d. 1894 Wilbarger County, Texas, married Mary Miller 1840 Macon County, IL;
  10. Blackford Harrell, b. 1815 Grayson County, Kentucky, d. 1869 Grayson County, Kentucky, married Amelia Ann Shaw 1838 Grainger County, Tennessee;
  11. John Harrell, b. 1818 Grayson County, Kentucky, d. Grayson County, Kentucky, perhaps died young;
  12. Michael Harrell, b. 1821 Grayson County, d. 1886 Short Creek, Grayson County, Kentucky, married Elizabeth Wright Covert 1846 Grayson County, Kentucky.
  It is documented in a Nelson County court record that Noah Harrell, son of Moses Sr., had an illegitimate son born to Susannah Curtsinger on April 13, 1794, about 20 months before Noah’s marriage to Elizabeth Blue. There was no name given to this child in the court record and his whereabouts are unknown. Based only on birth date, living in Nelson County, Kentucky at the same time, and similarity in some of their children’s names, this illegitimate child of Noah Harrell could be EKA Ephraim Harrell of Family #6.
  It should be noted that Noah Harrell never left Kentucky, but some of his sons did: (a) Uriah Harrell lived in Iowa; (b) Moses Harrell 1802 is known to have lived in Franklin County, Fayette County, Wabash County, and died in Huntington County – all counties in Indiana; and (c) James Harrell is known to have lived in Macon County, IL and Wilbarger County, Texas.
5. Richard, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Richard Harrell was born 1768 in either Augusta or Frederick County, Virginia. In writing about Richard Harrell 1768, Gordon McKinley Harrell and Walter Ferry differed about certain aspects of Richard’s life. According to Gordon McKinley Harrell (a) Richard Harrell married Winnifred Compton about 1790; (b) he appeared in records for that county in 1807 and 1823; and (c) he died in Breckenridge County in 1825 or 1826. Walter Ferry reports (a) Richard Harrell married Winnifred Compton July 25, 1800 in Ohio County, Kentucky; (b) On July 16, 1816 the Commonwealth of Kentucky declared Richard Harrell to be “a person of unsound mind” and appointed Noah Harrell and Isaac Green to care for Richard and to manage his estate; (c) On October 24, 1817 the court ordered Noah to account for matters related to the estate of the said lunatic Richard Harrell; and (d) Richard did not live long in this condition because his youngest son, William H. Harrell, told his children that his father died in 1818 in Breckenridge County, Kentucky when he (William) was two years old. From the degree of detail and his sources, this narrative has chosen the version offered by Walter Ferry to be more reliable.
  Winnifred Compton Harrell was born 1785 and died after 1855. After their marriage in 1800 in Ohio County, Kentucky, they moved to Breckinridge County and acquired a large tract of land on Rough Creek near the Grayson County Line. Richard and Winnifred Harrell had 8 children:
  1. Moses Harrell, b. 1801 Breckenridge County, Kentucky, d. 1852 Breckenridge County, Kentucky, married (1) Jane Nelson in 1826; and (2) Sarah “Sally” Dunn abt 1840 Breckenridge County, Kentucky. Moses and Jane Nelson had 4 daughters all born Breckenridge County, Kentucky. Moses and Sarah Dunn had 3 daughters and 1 son William Vincent Dunn Harrell b. 1845 Breckenridge County, Kentucky, d. 1926 Jefferson County, Kentucky;
  2. James Harrell, b. abt 1803 and nothing else is known about him;
  3. Alfred Harrell, b. 1807 Grayson County or Breckenridge County, Kentucky, d. 1897 Grayson County, Kentucky, married Mary Moore;
  4. Daniel Harrell, b. 1808 Breckenridge County, Kentucky, d. 1894 Grayson County, Kentucky, married Margaret Davis abt 1834. They had 6 daughters and 2 sons: William F. S. Harrell b. 1840 Grayson County, Kentucky and d. 1870 Grayson County, Kentucky; and Thomas Jefferson Harrell b. 1841 Grayson County, Kentucky and d. 1924 Grayson County, Kentucky;
  5. Mary “Polly” Harrell, b. abt 1809, married Ellis Tolbert Kimble;
  6. Augustine Compton “Gus” Harrell, b. abt 1815, d. abt 1850 Grayson County, Kentucky;
  7. William H. Harrell, b. 1816 Breckenridge County, Kentucky, d. 1894 Grayson County, Kentucky, married Nancy Blackburn White in 1854;
  8. Ann Harrell, b. aft 1816 Breckenridge County, Kentucky, d. 1870 Grayson County, Kentucky, married Spencer Craig in 1840.
6. Lettice “Letty”, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Lettice Harrell was born 1771 in either Augusta or Frederick County, Virginia. She married John A. Parker Sr. in 1792 Nelson County, Kentucky and together they had 5 children: 3 sons and 2 daughters, all born Nelson County, Kentucky (last known child born 1810). John Parker died in Knox County, Indiana in 1844 and Lettice Parker Harrell died before 1840, perhaps 1835, in probably Knox County, Indiana. Sometime after 1810, John Parker and family moved to Knox County, Indiana. As discussed above, there were 3 other Harrell families who moved to Knox Co., IN about this time: William Harrell and John Harrell (Family #5), believed to be sons of James Harrell 1762; and Isaac Harrell whose identity is unknown. Ephraim Harrell (Family #6) also moved to Knox Harrell about this time and his parents could be either James Harrell Jr. (son of James Harrell Sr.) or James Harrell 1762 (son of Moses Harrell Sr). Harrell families often traveled together or moved to locations where their relatives lived, so it is possible that some of Lettice Harrell’s relatives lived in Knox County, Indiana at the same time – it is also possible that John Parker moved there to be with his Parker relatives.
7. Elizabeth, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Elizabeth Harrell was born about 1774 in either Dunmore or Augusta County, Virginia. She died 1859 in Short Creek, Grayson County, Kentucky. She married in Nelson Co., KY on March 18, 1793 to James Ferry, born 1765 Virginia, died 1839 in Grayson County, Kentucky. They had 7 children: 4 sons (Moses, Benjamin, James, John) and 3 daughters (Elizabeth, Mary, Letita).
8. Abigail, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Abigail Harrell was born 1776 in either Dunmore or Augusta County, Virginia, and died 1819 in Daviess County, Kentucky. She married Benjamin Duncan 1791 in Nelson County, Kentucky on January 31, 1791. Benjamin Duncan was born about 1767 Virginia and died 1824 Daviess County, Kentucky. He married (2) Nancy Graham in 1820 in Daviess County, Kentucky. Abigail and Benjamin Duncan had 5 children (3 sons and 2 daughters) with the first born before 1800 and the last born 1813, all assumed being born in Kentucky. The first 2 children (Warren and John R. Duncan) died at an unknown location whereas all subsequent children died Daviess County, Kentucky. There is no evidence any members of this family left Kentucky.
9. Isaac, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.
  Isaac Harrell, the youngest child of Moses Harrell, Sr., was born 1777 in either Dunmore or Augusta County, Virginia and his father moved the family to what later became Nelson County, Kentucky in the early 1780s. Isaac 1777 lived for some time in Washington County (Washington County, Kentucky was formed from Nelson County in 1792), not far from his father’s plantation. In the 1820 Nelson County, Kentucky census there is only one Isaac Harrell, b. 1775-1794, with 10 slaves; he is the son of Moses Harrell Sr. Sometime after 1820, Isaac 1777 moved to Todd County, Kentucky.; he was cited in the 1830 KY census as living in Todd Co., KY.
  Isaac 1777 married (1) Nancy Montgomery in 1806 in Washington County, Kentucky; and (2) Anna Unknown in about 1849 in Todd County, Kentucky. Nancy Montgomery who died 1848 in Todd County was the mother to all of Isaac’s 9 children, 5 sons and 4 daughters, all of whom were born in Nelson/Washington County. The first 4 children (Alfred, John, Sophrona, William) died in Missouri; the route they took to Missouri is unknown. The remaining 5 children all died in Kentucky except for George who became a lawyer in Clarkeville, Tennessee and died in the Civil War at the Battle of Cedar Ridge in Virginia.
  This link from Ancestry.com gives an excellent description of this Isaac Harrell of Todd Co., KY.
  From this website it states he was born June 25, 1777, died March 17, 1854 in Todd Co., KY. The website further states “He achieved both prosperity and respect. He was a school teacher in his early years, then became a civil engineer and land surveyor. Later, Isaac studied law and was admitted to the bar. He became an expert authority on the real estate law. He was the official Surveyor of Nelson County for twenty-one years”.

A formal listing of all known descendants of EKA Richard Harrell 1700 is provided through the first 3 generations (Richard’s children and grandchildren).

Ancestors, Birth, and Arrival in Augusta Co., VA

Six Sons of Richard Harrell 1700

Richard Harrell, Jr., Son of Richard Harrell 1700

James Harrell, Sr., Son of Richard Harrell 1700

A Discussion of the Early James Harrells of Kentucky

Summary

James Harrell Jr., Son of James Harrell Sr.

Possible Children of James Harrell Jr. 1765

Gabriel Harrell of Franklin Co., IN

William Harrell of Butler Co., OH

Phillip Harrell of Butler Co., OH

Jesse Harrell of Butler Co., OH

Summary

William Harrell, Son of Richard Harrell 1700

Chester Harrell, Son of William/Susannah Harrell

James Harrell, Son of William/Susannah Harrell

Isaac Harrell, Son of William/Susannah Harrell

John, Son of William/Susannah Harrell

Abigail Harrell, Daughter of John Harrell and Abigail Weekly

James Harrell, Son of John Harrell and Abigail Weekly

Nancy Ann and Aaron Harrell, Children of John and Abigail Weekly Harrell

Mary, Daughter of William/Susannah Harrell

Aaron Harrell, Son of Richard Harrell 1700

John Harrell, Son of Richard Harrell 1700

Moses Harrell Sr., Son of Richard Harrell 1700

Moses Jr., Son of Moses Harrell Sr.

James, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.

Phillip Harrell b. 1787, possible son of James Harrell 1762?

Isaac Harrell b. 1781-1790, possible son of James Harrell 1762?

Moses Harrell b. abt. 1785, son of James Harrell 1762

John Harrell b. 1785, son of James Harrell 1762

James D. Harrell b. abt 1784, son of James Harrell 1762

William H. Harrell b.1793, son of James Harrell 1762

Daughters of James Harrell 1762

Winifred, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.

Noah, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.

Richard, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.

Lettice “Letty”, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.

Elizabeth, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.

Abigail, Daughter of Moses Harrell Sr.

Isaac, Son of Moses Harrell Sr.