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ABRAHAM ABSHIRE OF VIRGINIA
AND
SOME OF HIS INDIANA DESCENDANTS

BY LESTER H. BINNIE 303 RIVER COVE LANE
NORTH MANCHESTER, INDIANA 1982

Author: Lester H. Binnie.
Call Number: GC 929.2 Ab88b

This book contains the history and genealogy of the Abshire family of Virginia.
Bibliographic Information: Binnie, Lester H. Abraham Abshire of Virginia and some of his Indiana Descendants. Privately Published. Indiana. 1982.

BACKGROUND
Peter Ipsher obtained a patent for 200 acres of land from the New Grant, situated on Johns Creek, a Tributary of Craigs Creek, in what was then Augusta County, Virginia, on 29 May 1760.

AUGUSTA COUNTY DEED BOOK 11, p. 326.
In 1769 the Johns Creek area became part of the newly organized Botetourt County, and in 1851 it became a part of present Craig County. According to a recent highway map, Johns Creek enters Craig Creek in the vicinity of Craig Springs about 25 miles northwest ot Roanoke.

It appears that Peter Ipsher died before the patent to his land was issued; as, Augusta Count y court records show that Eve Apinger or Apingher became Administratix of Peter Apinger's estate on 17 February 1760. She signed with an X. The inventory of Peter Abshire's effects was recorded in Augusta County on 18 August 1761. Following the names of the appraisors; Robert Montgomery, Robert Rowland and David Luney the following statement appears: "This inventory or appraisement of the estate of Peter Appinger, deceased, being returned into the court is ordered to be recorded." The inventory lists two horses and five colts, thirteen cattle, farm and household equipment and no slaves.

AUGUSTA COUNTY WILL BOOK 3, pp. 56-57.
The 200 acres of land, described as lying on both sides of Johns Creek, was in the possessio n of Ludwick Ipshire, son of Peter, and was sold by him to Israel Christian for 50 pounds on 8 March 1763.

AUGUSTA COUNTY DEED BOOK 11, p 326.
In April 1764, Col. Andrew Lewis was authorized to employ 450 men for the defense of the Virg inia Frontier. Among this group was a company of Militia under the command of William Christian, son of Israel Christian, This copmany was recruited from those living on the Roanoke and the James Rivers, Craig Creek and Catawaba, Of the 130 men listed in this company, the name of Christ Apshere appears as number 129.

The family names Ipshire, Apinger and Apingher disappear from the records. They are replace d by Abshear, Abshere and Abshire. These are found attached to the names of Ludwick (Luke). Christian and Abraham, all believed to have been sons of Peter Ipsher.

It is believed that Peter Ipsher was killed by the Indians. The most important conflicts duri ng the French and Indian War occurred during the period 1754-1763, and Indian raids were experienced on the west side of the Blue Ridge including Augusta County. The ANNALS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 1726-1871, by James A. Waddell, 1912, refers to these raids and to Dr. Hale's narrative which, it is claimed, may or may not substantiate an Indian raid on the upper James River in about 1761. In the ATLAS OF ELKHART COUNTY, INDIANA, 1874, by Higgins and Beldin, Co., Chicago, p. 30, there appears a statement by Hiram Abshire, grandson of Abraham Abshire. Hiram stated that his "great-grandfather was murdered by the Indians in Virginia."

By 1770 the Johns Creek area had become a part of the newly organized Botetourt County. The L IST OF TAXABLE AND EXEMPTED MEN, BOTETORT COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 1770-1777, does not contain any Abshire names. It is speculated that by that time they had moved south along the colonial Carolina Road, now essentially Federal Highway 220, to that part of Bedford County which became Franklin County in 1785-1786. However, Howard D. Abshire of Boones Mill, Virginia, in material supplied to the a author, indicates that the route followed by the Abshires from the present site of Roanoke was southeast to Buzzards Rock Ford, then south through Windy Gap and via what is now highway 116. Route 116 is now known as the Jubal Anderson Early Highway.

THE BEDFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA, LIST OF TAXABLE PROPERTY AND TITHES FOR 1782 shows the following:

"Abshear, Ludwick, age 21 or over, no slaves, three horses,
nine cattle, one tithe above the age of 16.
Abshear, Abraham, age 21 or over, no slaves, three horses,
five cattle, one tithe over age 16.
Abshear, Christian, age 21 or over, no slaves, three horses,
five cattle, one tithe over age 16."

Since only one tithe was indicated in each case, one might presume that there were no male ch ildren over age 16 in these households. However, of the pages examined by the author only one instance was noted in which more than one tithe was reported in any family! Ludwick, Abraham and Christian Abshire appear in the 1786 TAX LIST FOR 1786, FRANKLIN COUNTY, VIRGINIA. The county was formed from Bedford, Henry and Patrick Counties in 1785-1786. Christian Abshire does not appear in the Franklin County records after that date, and he is said to have removed to Burke County, Nortl Carolina. According to research done by Mrs. W.O. (Ruby) Absher North Wilksboro, N.C., Christian and Jacob Absher were living in the area when Burke County was organized in 1777. Some of her material appeared in the JOURNAL PATRIOT. North Wilksboro, 12 March 1970.

Ludwick and Abraham Abshire continued to live in Franklin County and died there. Their grave s have not been found. There are two old cemeteries; the first about a mile east of Boones Mill, the second about a mile north of the first. These were visited in 1981 by W.C. Jones of Roanoke, Virginia. He reported that there were very few stones having inscriptions and no proof that either Ludwick or Abraham were buried there. The oldest stone found with an inscription shows:

"Giles W.B. Abshire, born 22 Jan. 1826, died 26 June 1911 Delila J. Denton, wife, born 8 Mar . 1835, died 29 Mar. 190 Married 28 Dec. 1850."

Ludwick Abshire, hereafter referred to as Luke, was probably born in 1742 or earlier provide d he was of age when he sold land in Augusta County in 1763. He is said to have married Christina McGrady, probable daughter of Laughlin McGradah who appears in the 1782, Bedford Co. Tax List, above, McGrady is said to have moved to Wilks County, North Carolina.

Luke Abshire died ca. 1822. The inventory of his estate was in court on 15 Jan. 1823, and inc luded 11 slaves as well as othe personal property. The slaves alone were valued at $3.400.

Abraham Abshire died on 28 July 1842 as judged by his pension records. The value of his perso nal property was only $58.50. Abraham named only two of his 15 or 16 children in his will, and for that reason it was necessary to identify the children of Luke in order to aviod confusing them with the children of Abraham. Lukes children have been identified through the use of Franklin County court records including the following: