William Todd Livingston Information
| The following information has been supplied by Bob Martin - Beckley, West Virginia |
Bob Martin is a descendent of: Bob lives in Beckley, West Virginia, about two hours from Mendota, Virginia, the place on the North Fork of the Holston River William Todd Livingston came to in about 1770. His father grew up less than two miles up the river from this place of settlement and Bob partly grew up about 25 miles from there. According to information Bob found in records in the Washington County Courthouse in Abindon, Virginia, and the Scott County Courthouse in Gate City, Virginia, and family records - William Todd Livingston I was the father of Peter Livingston who was born June 15, 1755, and died February 2, 1815. He married in 1781 Elizabeth Head, who was born in 1761 and died on April 23, 1839. They had 11 children. One of these children was Mary "Polly" Livingston who was born May 14, 1786. She married about 1809 James Jett, born December 1, 1784. Polly died February 25, 1848 and James died June 4, 1841. They are both buried in the Jett Cemetery near Mendota, along with several others. Peter and Elizabeth sold James Jett, their son-in-law, 190 acres (part of a patent to Peter in 1802) for $500.00 in 1811. Photo of the home (made about 1927). This house is believed to have been built very shortly after the Indians murdered Sarah Ware Livingston and burned the home of Peter Livingston I (or somewhere near 1800). Peter died in 1815 and it seems the Jetts gained control of the "Livingston Place" during the nineteen years of legal fighting among family members after his death. This house is part of what has been known by locals as "The Jett Farm" since well before the Civil War as best we know. James and Polly Jett had seven children. One of these was John Jett, born October 30, 1810, and died February 20, 1876. He married on October 27, 1839, Irene Wolfe, who was born October 24, 1820, and died January 14, 1893. John and Irene are also buried in the Jett Cemetery.
John and Irene Jett had six children. The oldest of these was Mary Elizabeth who was born December 10, 1841, and died on July 19, 1898. She married on November 21, 1855, Amos Miller Fleenor who was born October 4, 1834, and died March 29, 1909. They are also buried in the Jett Cemetery.
Another of the children was Peter Livingston Jett who was born July 27, 1849, and died Janaury 30, 1919. He married about 1870 Cornelia Frances Oyler who was born in 1852 and died in 1934. Peter and Cornelia are also buried in the Jett Cemetery.
Peter Livingston Jett and his family lived in the Livingston-Jett house during his married life and could well have been born there. The probabilities are very high that James and Polly were the first of the Jetts to occupy the house after Peter Livingston died in 1815, since Peter's wife, Elizabeth, spent her last years living with their daughter, Catherine Livingston, who married Wood Osborne. Peter Jett's heirs lived in the house until about 25 years ago with Jim Jett, Peter's grandson, believed to be the last.
Livingston-Jett house today - The house that was built on the spot of the Indian raid and burning of the Livingston home in 1794 is still standing. It is occupied by a nice young couple who have spent a small fortune restoring it.
Interior of the Livingston-Jett Home - The front door today and parts of the stairs were in the original house. The wood is black walnut and white oak - simply beautiful to say the least.
Livingston-Jett house today - The Livingston Cemetary, or what is left of it, can be seen at the lower left side of the picture. This is where William Todd Livingston, Sarah Ware Livingston, Peter Livingston I, Elizabeth Head Livingston and others are supposed to be buried. The farmer who owns the adjoining property has the access effectively blocked and has livestock feeders on the site.
Livingston Cemetary - Bob Martin took this photo with a telescopic lens from the back of the house and you can see the livestock feeders.
Livingston descendents and researchers:
There should be enough of the William Todd Livingston researchers alive today to join forces and get these sacred grounds properly protected. Please let us know if you would be interested in helping with this project. |
