James Halley and Elizabeth Simpson Family

James and Elizabeth had 12 children: William, James, Sarah, Francis, Sibyl, Mary Mountjoy, Richard S. and Susannah – twins, stillborn daughter, John and stillborn daughter.

William – 1733 – 1806 – William married Catherine Jefferies at Overwharton Parish, Stafford County, Virginia in 1758. They had one son Henry Simpson Halley who “Went to England to accomplish his education, but was lost in a shipwreck.” William also traveled to Kentucky with his younger brother John “made entries on several tracts of land in 1780, not long after the Kentucky land office opened.” However, he must have returned to Fairfax County, Virginia because he died there. His will was dated January 17, 1798, and presented on April 22, 1806, in Fairfax Co., Va., with Henry Simpson Halley, Capt. William Lane and Michael Rooney as executors, and George Thomas, John Waugh, William Thomas and John Dawson as witnesses. The Will named his brothers Henry Simpson, James, son of James, Wm., brother Richard, sons of Henry Simpson, Henry and James, Sister Tuckery Said, her son Elkanah Said, sister Mary, sister Tibble Peake, brother John, sisters Sarah Haynie, sons Richard and Henry Haynie, sisters Mary Crump, Suckey Said. He devised over 2000 acres of land in Loudoun and Fairfax Co., Va. and Jefferson and Fayette Co., Ky. Catherine Halley died intestate in 1807 also in Fairfax County, Virginia. She named her nephew Lewis Suddith, Betsey Halley, Peggy King and sister Sigh Suddith in her will. Catherine’s maiden name was Jefferies. Her parents were Thomas Jefferies and Silent Bryant. After Thomas Jefferies died Silent married John Simpson who was Elizabeth Simpson’s uncle.

James 1737 – 1827 – James married Frances Hereford probably in Fairfax County, Virginia. They had eight children: James, Jane, John, Margaret, Nancy, George, Henry Hereford, and William. James was active in the Truro Parish and was living in Fairfax County, Virginia in the 1810 census.

Sarah – 4.26.1739 – 11.13.1809 – Sarah first married William Wilkison>Wilkerson in 1754 and they had five boys before he died in 1767. The boys were John, William, James, Moses and Presley. There is no proof there were any daughters from this marriage. There has been much written about Moses Wilkerson being the first Wilkerson of this line to come to this country. The name Moses was a Simpson name. Sarah named her son after her step-brother Moses. After William died she married William Haynie in 1767 and they had nine more children: Henry, Betsy, Richard, Sally, Nancy, Richard, Betsy, Sibel and Anna. There are two Richards because the first Richard died as an infant so they named another son Richard. Sarah’s youngest brother John moved to Kentucky between 1780 and 1787. The five Wilkerson boys also moved to Kentucky during that period. Sarah and William moved to Clark or Madison Counties after 1785. They stayed in Kentucky and she died there in 1809 and William died in 1816. For more about this family go to the Wilkerson family page

Francis – 1741 – 1817 – Married Lydia Calk and had four children that I know of: Francis, Thomas, Elizabeth and Presley Wilkerson Halley. Francis also moved to Madison County, Kentucky where he died.

Sybil – 1743 – 1823 – Sybill married William Harrison Peake in Fairfax County in 1791. He was a Vestryman for Truro Parish and was living there in the 1820 census. They divorced in 1815. She must have moved to Kentucky shortly thereafter because she died in Madison County, Kentucky in 1823. He died in 1816. They had no children.

Mary Mountjoy – 1748 – 7.1.1824 – Mary first married Turner Crump before 1771. She and Turner had eight children: Lucy, Richard, Halley, James, Benedict, Turner, John, and Betsy Ann. I don’t know if she divorced Turner or he died but she married Smith King Dec 9, 1800 in Greenup County, Kentucky. She died June 1, 1824 in Greenup County, Kentucky. Her will is filed in Greenup County, Kentucky.

Will of Mary Halley Crump King. Name: Mary King My sons: John Crump and Turner Crump To the little dau. of my son, Holly Crump To the four youngest daughters of my son – Sophia, Betsy, & Rebecca My son, Richard Crump To Reed and King To the daughter of my son, Turner – Betsy Crump My brother Williams’ estate My daughter, Lucy Walker My sister’s estate, Sebil Peaks To Robinett Crump, Angelia Crump, Nancy Reed, Polly Reed, Sally Reed, John Reed, and Luan Crump, my grand-children Witnesses: John Young, Betsy Crump, Richard Deering, and John Dearing Probated: 7 June 1824.

Susannah – She was born about 1754 in Fairfax County, Virginia and died about 1830.  she married William Said about 1771 and they had nine children:  Anna, Elkanah, James, Lucy, Lydia, Simpson, Sarah, and Jesse Hawley.  they died in Montgomery County, Kentucky.

Richard Simpson – 1750 – 6.30.1833 – Richard married Lydia Said. Richard went to Kentucky with his brother John and William and made entries on several tracts of land in 1780, not long after the Kentucky land office opened. He and Lydia had ten children: Elizabeth, George, Henry, John Lydia, Polly, Richard S., Sibela, William and James. He died at Winchester in Clark County, Kentucky in 1833.

John – 1756 – 1832.  John Halley was a very interesting man!  He was born in Fairfax County, Virginia and married Susan Ann Hart daughter of Captain Nathaniel Hart.  They were early settlers at Boonesborough with Daniel Boone and Nathaniel Hart from the Transylvania Company.  Their names are on the statue in front of Boonesborough.  I didn’t take a picture of his name because when I was at Ft. Boonesborough it was early in my research and I had no idea the Halley family was related.

“He was one of the earliest pioneers of Kentucky, settling at Boonsboro. He established the first store, planted the first orchard, and was the first man in Kentucky to ship a cargo of tobacco to New Orleans. It was floated in 1783 on flat-boats down the Kentucky, Ohio, and Mississippi rivers to its destination. It is said that he shipped the first tobacco to England from Kentucky, and imported into Kentucky the first goods direct from England and France. He was in France in 1792 during the Revolution. A diary kept by him of his river trip to New Orleans in 1783 is preserved in the family.”

“Other married women of Fort Boonesborough were Mrs. John Halley, Mrs. David Crews, Mrs. William Calk, Mrs. Robert Elkin, Mrs. John Wilkerson, Mrs. Higgason Grubbs, Mrs. David Gass, and Mrs. James McMillian.” Source: by William Chenault As appears in the Courier Journal, August 28, 1898.

“Traveling northward and keeping near the line of the big buffalo trace, they had gone scarcely a mile when from the top of a hill they discovered fifteen or twenty Indians around Mr. Halley’s house trying to effect an entrance, and having failed to batter the doors down…. two other Indians were known to have been killed, and several others seriously wounded. The Indians retreated…..they [the settlers] hastened to return only to find all quiet in the settlement, and the women and children greatly rejoiced at their safe return.” Clark Co. Chronicles (Clark Co. Historical Society) [Excerpts from] Early Settlements in Clark County History A Scrap of Clark County History

Between the mouth of Boone’s Creek and Lower Howard’s Creek, is a small stream now called Jewett’s Creek, but originally known in the early land surveys as Deuet’s Creek, and is said to have been named from an early settler named Henry Deuet, a Frenchman. The largest tributary of the main stream is Combs’ Creek which was named after one of the largest pioneer land owners in that section and empties into the main stream just above the old Stuart and Halley mill-dam south of Kiddville. This stream and one of its branches drains a large portion of the William Rupard place….Source: Clark Co. Chronicles (Clark Co. Historical Society) [Excerpts from] Early Settlements in Clark County History A Scrap of Clark County History

From the Diarn of John Halley – Bound for New Orleans. “John Halley (c1746-1838) was the son of James Halley of Fairfax County, Virginia, whose will named six sons and four daughters. John served as a private in Capt. Nathaniel Hart’s militia company that was ordered to build a fort at the Falls of the Ohio in 1782. According to John Halley’s sworn statement, “[I] first came to Kentucky on 21st March 1780. I landed at the Falls from thence I came to Boonesborough and stayed but a short time before I returned to the land office. Became acquainted with the names of upper and lower Howard’s creeks, two mile creek and Otter creek in the spring of 1780.”1

Halley was an energetic entrepreneur on the frontier. In 1787 he and partner John Wilkerson and others drove a herd of cattle to market in Virginia. In 1788 the county of Madison granted Halley “a License to retail all kind of goods wares and merchandise in the Town of Boonsborough.” He was appointed one of the county commissioners and was called upon to “undertake the building of the public Wearhouse at Boonsborough” for the inspection of tobacco and flour. John Halley took a fleet of flatboats to New Orleans the next year, 1789, and again in 1791, keeping a journal on both trips.2

In addition to farming and mercantile interests, Halley was heavily involved in the land business. John and his brothers William and Richard made entries on several tracts of land in 1780, not long after the Kentucky land office opened. That year Lincoln was set off as a county, and John was appointed one of the deputy surveyors. He acquired a number of lots in Boonesborough and nearly 4,000 acres on nearby Otter Creek, where he developed additional business interests. In 1795 he petitioned the county court for permission to build a water gristmill on Otter Creek. Halley received permission to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in 1818 and had the tavern for at least three years. In 1824, he petitioned the court for additional mills, one described as “a water Griss and Saw Mill on otter Creek” and the other “a water Griss Mill near the mouth of the East fork of Otter Creek.” 3

John Halley and his wife Susan Ann had no children. In 1821, the aging couple made an arrangement with John’s nephew, Samuel Halley, who had recently come out from Fairfax County. Samuel was to receive one half of his uncle’s estate in return for paying $1,000 towards his debts and agreeing to manage all his business and legal affairs (Halley was involved in numerous lawsuits). Samuel was to take possession of John’s land “on the left hand side of the road leading from Richmond down otter creek by Lindseys to Stevens ferry.” He may not have given Samuel enough authority over his affairs, since in a second agreement signed in 1829, John stated that he had suffered “great embarisment and from age and infirmity incable of managing his concerns.” This time Samuel was given an irrevocable power of attorney that allowed him to sell any of John’s assets except “the land and houses on the east side of the road leading to Stevens ferry” and “such servants [slaves] as may be necessary for their comfort.” In 1829, John Halley still listed his address as the “Town of Boonesborough.”4

Family tradition credits Halley with a number of unique accomplishments, such as planting the first orchard in Kentucky, building the first stone house at Boonesborough, the first store at Boonesborough, building the first tobacco barn, and shipping the first tobacco to England. Tobacco has been grown on John Halley’s bottomland near the river from the 1780s to the present. His stone house stood on the west side of KY 388, nearly opposite the Boonesborough State Park entrance. A frame house, built by his nephew Samuel, stood next to it (burned sometime between 1968 and 1972). The tobacco warehouse was just south of the Halley home.

John Halley died in 1838 and was buried in the family cemetery near his home site. His gravestone presently stands by the park fence on the right side of the main entrance. The home and warehouse sites lie under the overflow parking lot on the west side of KY 388.5

18 December 1787, page 486. On the motion of James Halley, Ordered that John Wren, James Deneale, George Winn, & William Deneale, or any three of them View the line between James Hally & John Halley, and report to the next Court whether they think it will be a convenient way to remove the road. Location: Madison County (Kentucky.). Description: 295 acres adjoining Luttrels settlement, Jesse Hodges, and a line run for the Town Claim of Boonsborough. Source: Land Office Grants No. 21, 1789-1790, p. 68 (Reel 87). Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the Virginia Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia.

Location: Fayette County (Kentucky.). Description: 500 acres on the waters of Stoners Fork. Source: Land Office Grants No. 16, 1787-1788, p. 811 (Reel 82). Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the Virginia Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia.

Location: Lincoln County. Description: 400 acres on Otter Creek and Kentucky River. Source: Land Office Grants W, 1786, p. 285 (Reel 63). Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the Virginia Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia.

The name was pronounced like holly and as a consequence was often spelled Holley.? There was another John Halley in Kentucky in early times. John Halley (c1726?1802) of Bedford County, Virginia was at Braddocks Defeat and later came to Boonesborough. In 1778 while out with Daniel Boone salt makers at the Lower Blue Licks, he was one of the men kidnapped by the Shawnee and taken to Ohio. He was rescued in 1782 and returned to Bedford County. He claimed 400 acres of Kentucky land on a settlement certificate. His tract on Glenn Creek in Woodford County was surveyed in 1791 and patented in 1795. John Halley Jr., who settled and died in Montgomery County, sold the tract for his father. Lyman C. Draper MSS 12CC200; Ann H. Mack, ?Hawley/Halley in Seventeenth Century Virginia,? Virginia Genealogist (1985) 29(1):21.

In his interview with Rev. John D. Shane (1840s), William Clinkenbeard mentioned the mills and recalled that Halley owned with John Wilkerson: ?Wilkerson & John Holley had a mill on Otter Creek, just the other side of Boonesborough.? Lyman C. Draper MSS 11CC65.

Photographs of John Halleys stone house and Samuel Halleys frame house may be seen in the Halley family papers, 1740-1865,? Special Collections, M. I. King Library, University of Kentucky, Lexington.

The business life of Winchester seemed in 1814 to be well on an equality with the other conditions. There were ten mercantile establishments advertising regularly and apparently carrying a full line of goods. The most important of these judging from their ads were Cast and Halley, Clark and Pelham, Browning & Co., Coons and Crosthwait and Edward McGuire. These all brought their goods from Philadelphia going to that city every autumn to lay in their stock. These goods were brought overland from Philadelphia, then down the Ohio to Limestone and thence on wagons to Winchester. A slight advance of 200 per cent over the Philadelphia price was the result of this means of transportation. The merchants had two prices–a cash and credit–the latter being the higher. Cash, however, was scarce and produce was taken by the merchants. Tobacco certificates played a great part in the trading system. Under the head of merchandise the merchants advertised Bibles, playing cards, brass kettles, patent medicines and may other things. Winchester in 1812-14 Pam Brinegar September 1999 Source: The Winchester Democrat, Clark County, Kentucky, 26 February 1915.

Richard Simpson was born in 1758 in Fairfax County, Virginia.  He died on June 30 1833 in Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky.  He married Lydia Dinwiddle before 1784. He and Lydia had ten children:  James, John, Henry H., George, Richard S., Sibela, William, Elizabeth, Lydia, and Polly.

Fairfax County Deed Book R 1788-1789. P. 23 – pp. 91-93. This Indenture made this Eighteenth day of April in year One thousand seven hundred and Eighty eight Between James Halley of County of Fairfax and Commonwealth of Virginia of one part and Richard Halley of County and Commonweslth aforesaid of other part. Witnesseth that James Halley in consideration of the natural love and regard which he hath for his Son, the Richard Halley, and for the sum of five Shillings current money by said Richard Halley to said James Halley in hand paid doth bargain and sell all that tract of land lying in County aforesaid and on the Waters of Accotinck being part of a Tract of land containing Three hundred and four acres granted unto Samuel Stone by deed from the Proprietors Office dated 14th day of November 1740 which said land now conveyed or intended to be conveyed within the following bounds Beginning at a large Poplar marked G. M. corner to Colo. George Masons land and beginning of said Samuel Stone’s land running from thence down the main fork of Accotinck So. 25 d. Et. 26 poles to the mouth of another branch called Moores Fork, thence up the said Moores Fork with the meanders thereof as also with the lines of John Halleys land..above the fork of the Old Courthouse Road…standing in the line of Colo. George Masons land…Together will all commodities advantates & appurtenances whatsoever belonging To have and to hold the tract of land unto said Richard Halley his heirs and James Halley for himselfe and his heirs will warrant and for ever defend from the claim of any persons whatsoever. In Witness whereof James Halley hath hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal the day and date first written. Signed sealed & acknowledged in the prsence of Baldn. Dade, James Jenkins Jur., Rd. Ratcliffe. /s/James Halley. At a Court held for County of Fairfax 16th June 1788. This Deed of Gift was proved by the Oath of Richard Ratcliff, James Jenkins and Baldwin Dade to be the act and deed of James Halley and ordered to be recorded.

And from the same source. p. 54 – pp 237-239. October 21 1788. …fork of the Old Courthouse Road, thence leaving the Road and running with said Stones line…containing One hundred fifty four acres & a haf acre of land Together wil all houses gardens and estate right and demand of said Richard Halley and Lydia his Wife in and to the same. To have and to hald said premises with all appurtenances thereunto belonging unto said Richard Ratliff his heirs and will Richard Halley and his heirs will warrant and for ever defend by these presents. In Witness whereof said Richard Halley and Lydia his Wife have hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals the day and year in and to this Indenture first written. Signed sealed & acknowledged in the presence of Wm. Herbert, Geo: Summers, Charles Little /s/ Richard Halley, Lydia her mark — Halley

At a Court contd. & held for the County of Fairfax 21st October 1788. This Deed was proved by the Oath of William Herbert, Charles Little and George Summers to be the act and deed of Richard Halley which together with a Commission and return of the privy examination of Lydia Halley, Wife of the said Richard, are ordered to be recorded.

Fairfax Sct. The Commonwealth of virginia to Charles Little & William Herbert Gentlemen Greetings. (The Commission for the privy Examination of Lydia, the Wife of Richard Halley). Given under our hands and seals this 9th day of October 1788

Fairfax County Road Orders 1749 – 1800. p. 124 – 18 December 1787, page 486. Simpson Halley is appointed Surveyor of the road from difficult to Songsters. And on P. 134 – 22 September 1789, page 28. The road from Difficult bridge where the Ox road crosses to Tho. Sangster’s – the tithables which now are &c. or James Halley, Thomas Simpson Shoemaker, Edward Taylor, John Dawson, Chs. Beach, Wm. Harrison, Simpson Halley, Francis Taylor, Edward Taylor Junr., Wm. Lewis’s quarter, John Mansell, Hopkins Rice, Thomas Pollard, James Deneale, James Deneale Jr., Wm. Deneale, as last Simpson Hally O.

Fairfax County Deed Book R 1788 – 1789. P. 90 – p. 396. Know all men by these presents that I Richard Halley of County of Fairfax and State of Virginia for sum of seventy pounds current money of Virginia to me in hand paid by William Halley of the County and State aforesaid by these presents do bargain and sell unto William Halley to his heirs a certain Negro woman slave named Rachel together with the future increase (or all the Children that is born of her from the date of this Bill of Sale till the day of her death shall be the property of said William Halley his heirs) which slave I do warrant and defend free from the claim challenge or demand of me or my heirs In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & eight nine 1789. Signed and sealed & delivered in the presence of Michael Rooney, James Wren Juner, James Halley, Henry Simpson Halley, George Halley. /s/ Richard Halley.

At a Court held for County of Fairfax on Monday the 15th of June 1789 This Bill of Sale was proved by the Oath of Michael Rooney & James Halley to be the act & deed of Richard Halley and ordered to be recorded. And same source – p. 91 – p. 397. Know all men by these presents that I William Halley for sum of seventy pounds current money of Virginia to me in hand paid by Richard Halley of the County and State aforesaid by these presents do bargain and sell unto Richard Halley to his heirs a certain Negro woman slave named Milley together with the future increase of said slave Milley which slavenow by me sold I do warrant free from the claim challenge or demand of me or my heirs In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & eight nine 1789. Signed and sealed & delivered in the presence of Michael Rooney, James Wren Juner, James Halley, Henry Simpson Halley, George Halley. /s/ Willaim Halley

At a Court held for County of Fairfax on Monday the 15th of June 1789 This Bill of Sale was proved by the Oath of Michael Rooney & James Halley to be the act & deed of William Halley and ordered to be recorded.

According to the Original Journal of John Halley, of His Trips to New Orleans, Performed in the Years 1789 & 1791. Transcribed and annotated by Harry G. Enoch Richard Halley must have moved to Boonesborough between 1778 and 1780. “John and his brothers William and Richard made entries on several tracts of land in 1780, not long after the Kentucky land office opened.”

Richard Halley was also a Revolutionary Soldier who was buried on his farm. Richard HALLEY. Cemetery: Farm. Location: Clark Co KY 56. Reference: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots, Vol.2, p. Serial: 11999; Volume: 8.

Fayette County Records. Page 10 – p. 44. July 11, 1803. Will of George Winn of Fayette County….To son-in-law John Hendley 200 acres lying between Samuel Clay and Richard Halley….

Clark Co Genweb James Halley was born in 1784 at the home place of his father, Richard Halley, a Revolutionary soldier from Virginia, who has a five-hundred acre patent about two and a half miles north of Winchester, between the Anderson and Sphar tracts and fronting on the Old Hood’s road, between Paris and Mt. Sterling pikes.

Henry Simpson was the youngest of James and Elizabeth Simpson Hawley’s children.  He was born May 18, 1762 and died November 28, 1738 and lived in Fairfax County his entire life.  He married Elizabeth Hampton June 8, 1786 also in Fairfax County, Virginia.  They also had ten children: John Hampton, Henry Simpson Jr., Mary Mountjoy, James Madison, Catherine Templeman, Francis, Samuel, Elizabeth, Thomas Jefferson, and Margaret Pierce.

“Henry Simpson Halley was a well-to-do farmer, his plantation being known as “Pleasant Green.” He was a neighbor of General Washington, served as a volunteer under him at the age of seventeen, and was with him at the Surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown. Like all of his family, he died suddenly, being well and strong and cheerful until a very short time before his death.” Source Colonial Families, Volume II

On May 19, 1851 James M. Halley, aged 58 years and a resident of Fairfax County, Virginia, son, and executor of the estate of his father, Henry S. Halley, applied for the pension that might have been due on account of the services of his said father in the Revolutionary War and alleged that the said Henry S. Halley enlisted in 1780, served in Captain Charles Little’s Company under Major Dennis Ramsay in the Virginia troops, principally in the neighborhood of Williamsburg and Richmond and was frequently engaged with the enemy at the latter place. The claim was not allowed as he failed to furnish proof of six months service as was required by the pension laws. Henry served in the Revolutionary War. His pension application was not accepted on 19 May, 1851, #4493. The application named Henry S., Catherine T. Payne, Fanny D. Bell, Margaret R. Elkin and James M. as the ‘children and only surviving children’ Of Henry Simpson.” source: Ann Mack Reserach, 5th Gen., pg. FX-29

18 July 1791, page 247. The persons appointed to lay off the several publick roads in the parish of Truro in this County into Districts, and to allott the hands to work on the said roads, returned their report, Whereupon It is ordered that the male labouring Tithables, belonging to, residing with or that hereafter may reside on the plantations, of the persons following Vizt. James Gill, Jos: Wood Merryman Harrower, James Gilpin, Thomazin Ellzey, Doctr. David Stuart, Marmaduke Beckwith, Newman Beckwith, Thos. Pollard, Will. Turner, Vincent Turner, John Barnes, Barnaby Woolbright, Jno. F. Buckley, William Buckley, John Gibson’s quarter, Philip Pritchart, Js. Deneale Jr. quarter, James Deneale, Chs. Reed, Thomas Winsor Junr. Richard Ratcliff, James Halley, Henry S. Halley, Jno. Wren, Benja. Talbott, George Summers, Jonathan Jackson, Jno. Jackson, Jno. Mansfield, Thos. Simpson (Shoemaker) Tho. Mackey – do work on and keep, in repair the road from the County line on the Turnpike road, leadg. to Alexandria & to the ox road.

After the arrival of European settlers in the area, the original patent for lands includingwhat would become Fairfax Villa Park was issued to Walter Griffin, Jr., and Benjamin Griffin in 1719 according to the Northern Neck Land Grant. The Griffins built one of the earliest roads in Fairfax County, which became known as “Griffin’s Rolling Road”, whichis now called Braddock Road (Smith – “Centreville, Virginia: Its History andArchitecture). In April of 1810, Henry S. Halley obtained 100 acres including what became the park, calling it Pleasant Green Farm (Fairfax County Deed Book # L2). Since the soils, slopes, and geology of the park would not have suited farming, the landwas likely used for timber or grazing. Newman Burke purchased the property fromHalley in 1845 (Fairfax County Deed Book #Q3). The Burke Family Cemetery islocated along Byrd Lane in the Fairfax Villa Community just to the east of the park

This is an article written by Henry S. Halley Jr. about his parents.  “My father Henry S. Halley and my mother Elizabeth Hampton were born in the same year 1762, and were married, I think, in about 1786, each in the 25th year. The said Henry S. Halley was a Baptist, baptized by the Rev. — but my mother made no profession after the death of my Grandparents, but Grandmother Hampton, the others died before I could recollect.

My Grand Mammy Hampton was a Pierce form Westmoreland County – my Mother had four brothers, Joseph, John, William and Samuel, one sister Mary, who married John King, all raised families in Fairfax Co. They moved to Kentucky, except John and Wm. Hampton, who died in Fairfax and left some heirs. The Halley family, at least James H. Halley, my Grandfather’s children, nearly all lived to be old. Grandfather died in his 85th year, and my Grandmother before he did – and William, his son, died 85 yrs. old, and Uncle John Halley nearly 100, and Uncle James nearly as old, and Uncle Richard quite old, and nearly all my Father’s sisters died very old. My Father died in his 76th year in 1837, and my mother died in 1824, 62 years old. My Father enjoyed good health and died very sudden, was quite fleshy; he ate a hearty dinner as usual and walked out to a shop where a servant was at work, about 60 yards from the house, and after standing awhile observed to the servant that he felt a little chilly. The servant then walked to the house with him, and supported him with his arms, as he appeared to need assistance. As they went on he said “O, My Blessed Jesus”, was the last words he said – when he got to the house, he laid down, sent for a doctor, but he died quite easy – breathed a few times and that Righteous Soul prepared by grace divine, was called home, to the place of rest that God had prepared for him in Heaven. He there rests from his sorrows and his works do follow him.

My mother was a delicate woman and only lived four days after she was taken sick – both are now, not doubt, praising God in Heaven together – how happily they lived together here – mutual happiness – a bright example, they set for their children, loving and kind always.

My father Henry S. Halley, and my mother Elizabeth Hampton had ten children given them by God to train them for Heaven, and if ever any two discharged their duty, that God required of them, to train up their children for Heaven, they have – All love – and they manifested it daily, for never were there two more affectionate parents born. Their light shone at home and abroad, kind to all, no partiality, all equal alike dear to them. I don’t recollect of my Father ever failing to read God’s work and sing and pray to God most fervently, night and day, and nothing should prevent him. He was sweet to praise God and to pray for his little children and wife, and for the conversion of sinners everywhere. He delighted in serving God more than any one I ever knew, and it was heavenly food to the soul.” Source: An old Halley history written by Henry Simpson Halley, Jr. on 7 September 1860