BETSY SCALF
Daughter of
John Scalf Sr. & Edeah Carlisle
Betsy<John Sr<Lewis

Betsy Scalf, daughter of John Scalf Sr. and Edeah (Edy) Carlisle Scalf, was born about 1816 (Scalf Family History, page 36). The author believes Betsy was probably born in Russell County, Virginia if her family left Floyd County, Kentucky around 1812 and moved to Russell County, Virginia where they were found living in 1820.

However, we have no solid documentation to prove that Betsy's family went directly to Russell County, Virginia when they left Floyd County, Kentucky and they may very well have gone anywhere before their arrival in Russell County.

Betsy has been one of the most elusive members of the John Scalf, Sr. family. Her sister, Nancy who also married a Collins is another elusive family member. Not much has been learned concerning Betsy's life, nor whom she married. The author is of the opinion that Betsy might have used another name on records, which resulted in her being overlooked or confused in research. It is also possible that Betsy died early on in her marriage having few, if any, children surviving.

A number of avenues have been researched concerning Betsy and her husband. The author has corresponded with a number of Collins family researchers in an effort to determine who Betsy's husband might have been. However, as of this date (December 2007) no information has been forthcoming to make this determination. Therefore, the author has decided to present the only avenue of the research that suggests a glimmer of hope that this might be Betsy Scalf Collins. It is our hope that someone, someday, might unearth enough evidence to connect Betsy Scalf to her Collins husband and find her descendents, if any exists.

Betsy was next to the last daughter of John Scalf, Sr. and Edy Carlisle Scalf and third from the last child, if her birth date is near correct in Scalf Family History. Her brother, Robert Scalf, was the last son born to John and Edy Carlisle Scalf. Sister, Cecelia (Cealy/Sela) Scalf Lockhard, was the last daughter and last child born to John and Edy. One might think it would be fairly easy to find Betsy's family due to her being near the last child born; however, neither the author nor prior authors have been able to establish which Collins family Betsy belonged to. 

The task of sorting out the various lines of the Collins family has not been an easy one for Collins researchers, and in turn this causes difficulty in determining where Betsy Scalf might fit in. Many times we thought we had found Betsy's family only to find that who we thought was Betsy Scalf Collins was someone else.

Since John and Edy Scalf were living in Russell County, Virginia by 1820, the author is assuming that Betsy was born there. There has been no information found to confirm the exact location John and Edy traveled to when they left Floyd County, Kentucky around 1812; however, we believe from the available records that their next stop was Russell County, Virginia.

Information concerning the marriage of sons Peter and Robert Scalf reveal that their father (John Scalf, Sr.) had gone to Clay County, Kentucky after living in Russell County, Virginia 1820-1835 and before moving over to Hawkins County, Tennessee where he applied for his military pension around 1838-1839. Although John Scalf, Sr. may have gone back once again to Kentucky 1835-1840, he was found living in Hawkins County, Tennessee in 1840. Betsy Scalf may have married in Kentucky, Virginia, or Tennessee.

If Betsy were born 1816 as Elmer Scalf (Scalf Family History) suggested, she would have been around four years old when John Scalf, Sr. was enumerated on the 1820 census of Russell County, Virginia. Assuming that Betsy might have married around the age of 16-21, she would have married 1832-1837 either in Russell County, Virginia or Clay County, Kentucky. However, some evidence suggests that she likely married around 1840-1845. If this is correct, her parents were living in Hawkins County, Tennessee at that time and she likely married there. The marriage records of Hawkins County, Tennessee do not reveal a marriage for Betsy Scalf.

One branch of the Collins family that the author believes could have been the family of Betsy Scalf Collins is the family of Edward Collins of Russell County, Virginia. Of all the families the author has researched, this family seems more likely to fit the criteria; however, the author has been unable to find a Collins descendent who can help with the family of Edward Collins and therefore, Edward Collins might have been married to someone other than Betsy Scalf. The tax records of Russell County, Virginia hold very little help in determining family members.

One branch of the Collins family was first found living in Russell County, Virginia in 1799. Listed on the tax lists of this year was Meredith Collins. By 1810, a James Collins was living in Russell County and also listed on the tax list. It has been stated that Meredith and James were living in Russell County earlier than this of which the author has no information.

By 1820, both Meredith and James were gone from Russell County. A Sarah Collins was head of house in Russell County and might have been a widow of one of the previous Collins men or a daughter of Isaac Collins who also appears as head of house in 1820 Russell County along with Sarah.

The Isaac Collins family was found in Russell County on the 1820 and 1830 censuses. Isaac was the oldest head of house in Russell County at this time. Isaac was still living there in 1830 but is missing in 1840.

A Sally Collins appears as head of house in 1830 and appears to be the same person as Sarah from 1820. Sarah appears again in 1840. Martin Collins also appear as head of house in Russell County 1820. Martin was 26-45 in 1820. He was not found in Russell in 1830 and might have been the Martin Collins living in Hawkins County, Tennessee, a relatively short distance from Russell.

The following information concerning the Collins family has been derived from the census records. Although the author has no intention of solving the Collins family genealogy in these writings, census records of Russell County concerning the Collins family members are listed below to show the families living there at the time in question. 

Isaac Collins, whom the author feels might have been part of the Edward Collins family, was first found in Russell County, Virginia in 1820; however, Virgil Scalf assisted the author in trying to track this Isaac backwards to see what area he might have been living in and if he might have been near the Scalf family at some point. Listed below are the results of that search.

We believe that Isaac Collins living in Rutherford County North Caroline in 1790 and 1800 might have been the same Isaac Collins living in Mason County, Kentucky in 1810 and Russell County, Virginia in 1820 and 1830; however, this could be inaccurate. A descendent from this line might have more accurate information on Isaac.

1790 Rutherford Co. NC

Isaac Collins

Males 16 and older including head of house  1
Males under 16     2
Females of all ages   2
Slaves 0

Interestingly, it is noted in the research of Brenda Collins Dillon that an Isaac Collins appeared in Russell County, Virginia on the tax lists of what appears to be 1797, 1798 and possibly 1802 although the author cannot confirm these years due to the format in which it was listed.

The author has not found Isaac on the Russell County tax lists as of this date; however, it does not mean he was not there and might have been overlooked. If this is correct, Isaac Collins of Rutherford County, North Caroline might have been a different Isaac. However, we believe the Isaac in Mason County, Kentucky was the same Isaac Collins in 1820 Russell County, Virginia.

1797 Mar 11 Isaac Colns; Lower District; 1798 Apr 25 Isaac Colns 1003 (Descendents of Meredith Collins, Dillon, 2002)

1800 Rutherford Co. NC

Isaac Collins

Living near Isaac in 1800, was Mary Collins age 45 or older. She was born 1755 or earlier. This may or may not have been Isaac's mother.

In 1800 Lincoln Co. NC, is also an Isaac Collins and living nearby is a Mary Collins who was head of house. There is also a Samuel Collins, and Abraham Collins. Isaac Collins in Lincoln County is listed in the same age range as Isaac in Rutherford County; however, the family members are different, as well as Mary's family.

From the Lincoln County, North Carolina web site:

Lincoln County came into existence in 1779 during the American Revolution. Prior to 1779, Lincoln County was formerly part of Tryon County. Tryon County was formed from Mecklenburg County in 1768 and abolished in 1779 to form Rutherford and Lincoln counties. At its formation and until the border survey of 1772, Tryon County included all or portions of the South Carolina counties of York, Chester, Union, Spartanburg and Cherokee counties.
Tryon County was named for William Tryon, the Royal Governor of the Province. William Tryon was a Major General in command of the American Loyalists. His oppressions of the inhabitants made his name so detestable, the General Assembly in 1779 blotted the name of Tryon from the list of counties and divided the territory into the counties of Lincoln and Rutherford. The eastern portion becoming Lincoln County and the western portion becoming Rutherford County. (Lincoln County, NC website - Internet)

From the above information it is likely that these Collins families were neighbors and probably had close family ties. We then find an Isaac Collins in Mason County, Kentucky.

1810 Mason Co. KY

Isaac Collins

Living in the neighborhood of Isaac Collins in 1810 were Thomas Collins, age 26-45; John Collins, age 26-45; Edward Collins, age 26-45; Acquila Collins, age 16-26; Edmund Collins, age 45 or older, and William Collins, age 45 or older.

The last two heads of house (Edmund and William) appear to have possibly been brothers and/or parent(s) of the remaining heads of house; however, this is only speculation due to their ages. Both men could have easily been closer to 45 years old and brothers to the other men. Acqiula was definitely the youngest head of house in this year and may or may not have been a brother. He could have been a son of any one of the men. 

The author can only speculate that this is the same Isaac Collins in Russell County, Virginia in 1820. The age span for both Isaac and children are close enough to match Isaac Collins of 1790-1800 North Carolina and 1810 Mason County, Kentucky.

In 1810, Mason County, Kentucky, Isaac Collins had four females in the home ranging in ages of 10 or less with estimated births 1800-1810. He had one male also 10 or less and one male 10-16 estimating a birth date of 1794-1804. The older female (assumed to be his wife) was 26-45 and born 1765-1784.

In 1820 Russell County, Virginia, Isaac Collins was listed as 45 or older estimating a birth date of 1775 or earlier. The oldest female in the home in 1820 was 16-26 years old and born 1784-1804 suggesting that Isaac's wife had died 1810-1820. There were four other females in the home ranging in ages of 10 or less and born 1810-1820; one male age 10 or less was born 1810-1820.

Comparisons of the two census records suggest that more children were born 1810-1820 and some were missing in 1820 that were listed in 1810, which the author assumes had married or possibly died.

1820 Russell Co. VA

Isaac Collins

Also living in Russell County in 1820 was Martin Collins, age 26-45, (b. 1775-1794) with a female born in the same time frame. No other persons were in the home. 

Sarah Collins was the only other head of house in 1820 Russell County, Virginia.

1820 Russell Co. VA

Sarah Collins

By 1830, the Russell County, Virginia census shows that Isaac Collins was 60-70 and born 1760-1770. In the home was one male 5-10 years old and born 1820-1830; one female <5, born 1825-1830; one female 5-10, born 1820-1830; two females 10-15, born 1815-1820; one female, age 15-20, born 1810-1815 and one female 30-40, born 1790-1800.

1830 Russell Co. VA

Isaac Collins

This census suggests that either Isaac had remarried or an older daughter from the 1820 census was in the home and possibly with children. Isaac's wife in 1810 Mason County, Kentucky was born during the same time as Isaac; however, by 1820 Russell County, Virginia, she is missing from the home. The male from the 1820 census born 1810-1820 is missing from the home in 1830.

Martin Collins was not listed in 1830. However, a Sally Collins and John Collins both appear as head of house in 1830.

In the home of Sally (Sarah?) in 1830 were two males ages, 10-15 and born 1815-1820; one male 15-20 and born 1810-1815; one female 5 or less and born 1825-1830; one female 10-15, born 1815-1820 and Sarah age 30-40, born 1790-1800.

In 1830, a John and Burgess Collins were found as head of house in Russell County.

1830 Russell Co. VA

Sally Collins

1830 Russell Co. VA

John Collins

1830 Russell Co. VA

Burgess Collins

By 1840, Isaac is missing from the Russell County census records and was not found elsewhere. A Sarah Collins and Amy or Anny Collins appears in 1840 as head of house in Russell County. Both were born 1790-1800. They appear to be widows of two Collins' men; however, they might also have been unmarried daughters.

In 1840, Sarah Collins has one male 10-15, born 1825-1830; one female 20-30, born 1810-1815 and Sarah, age 40-50, born 1790-1800. Note that she had two males born 1815-1820 on the 1830 census that are now missing.

1840 Russell County, Virginia

Sarah Collins

 
Amy (Anny?) Collins is living next door to Sarah. Both were born in the same time frame.

Burgess and Edward Collins appear in Russell County 1840.

1840 Russell Co. VA

Collins, Edward

1840 Russell Co. VA

Burgess Collins

Amy (Anny) Collins does not appear as head of house until 1840 in Russell County. It is reported that Amy (Anny?) was a daughter of Meredith Collins. She was likely living somewhere else before 1840.

1840 Russell Co. Virginia

Amy (Anny?) Collins

In the home of Edward Collins in 1840 is a male of the same age, or near the same age, as Edward. This may have been a brother of Edward or a brother of his wife. The family of Edward Collins was followed on census records and listed below.

ISAAC EDWARD COLLINS

1840 Russell Co. VA

Collins, Edward

In 1850 Russell County, Virginia, Edward's wife is listed as Elisabeth Collins. Elisabeth was born 1816, as was Betsy Scalf. There were six children in the home on this census. This conflicts with the statement of Betsy's sister-in-law in 1845. Patsy Counts Scalf, wife of John Scalf, Jr., stated in her deposition for her father-in-law's pension in 1845, that Betsy had one child. However, Patsy also said it had been some time since she had seen the families.

If the family of Edward Collins followed naming patterns, one might conclude that Edward was the son of a George Collins. However, the author did not find a George Collins in Russell County, Virginia. The oldest male found in Russell County was Isaac Collins from the 1820 and 1830 census. It is possible that Sarah Collins listed on the 1820 and 1840 census of Russell County was the widow of a Collins (possibly George?) and the mother of Edward Collins although it certainly cannot be ruled out that Isaac Collins was his father. Sally Collins who appears in 1830 is most likely Sarah from 1820 and 1840.

1850 Russell Co. VA

The Edward Collins family was then found in Wise County, Virginia in 1860.

1860 Wise Co. VA  7 June 1860    

By 1870, the Edward Collins family had moved to the area of Boyd County, Kentucky, and was living on North White's Creek, which also appears to be located in Wayne Co. West Virginia. This census record states Boyd County, Kentucky but Wayne County, West Virginia is also listed on this record. The area of Wise County, Virginia is located near the Kentucky/Virginia line and this could have been possible at that time.

Elizabeth appears to have the initial S for her middle name and the author speculates that this might have been for Susanna. Edward and Elizabeth named a daughter Susanna.

Note on the 1870 census it appears that the enumerator listed John on the same line as Mary J. Collins. Mary was listed as 'assistant housekeeper' The author is of the opinion that he meant to write John on this line and after listing his name then listed Mary J. beside it.

Mary appears to be the same person on the 1860 census above according to her estimated birth date. John should have been 27 years old in 1870 and Mary should have been 23. We believe the dates are close enough for this to be John and Mary, children of Edward and Elizabeth.

1870 Boyd Co. KY  13 & 19 August 1870 - No. White's Creek - Wayne Co. WV

It appears that Elizabeth Collins died 1870-1880 and Edward remarried to Susan (maiden name unknown).

Edward and Susan were found living in Boyd County, Kentucky in 1880.

1880 Boyd Co. KY  11 & 12 June 1880    Precinct 3 Cannonburg

Edward was not found after the 1880 census of Boyd County, Kentucky. The information concerning Edward and Elizabeth is sparse; however, due to age, location, etc., they could have been the family of Betsy Scalf Collins. This does not, however, confirm that this was Betsy Scalf Collins.

Isaac Edward Collins and his son, who was also named Edward Collins, served in Company 'C' 39^th Kentucky Infantry during the Civil War. Edward Collins, the father, died February 28, 1894 in Greenup County, Kentucky. After his death, Susan Collins, the second wife of Edward Collins, applied for a Civil War widow's pension. We are indebted to Garry Felty, a descendent of Isaac Edward Collins, for transcribing several depositions that support the Civil War application of Susan Collins.

DEPOSITION OF SUSAN COLLINS:

Deposition: Susan Collins

In Case of: Edward Collins

No: 601,741

Date: 27 April, 1894

Location: Catlettsburg, Boyd Co., Kentucky

Special Examiner: J. A. Salmon

Regarding:  Civil War Pension Application (widow).

I am 70 years of age. Occupation: working on a farm P.O. Address is at Catlettsburg, Boyd Co., Kentucky.

I am the widow of Edward Collins who served in the 39^th Regt. Ky. Inf. My first acquaintance with Edward Collins began in the year 1879. I only knew him two days before we were married and know nothing of any circumstances in his life before our marriage which took place in April 11, 1879.

He told me however that he had been married before but that his first wife had dyed about five years before he married me. I never heard that he had been married more than once before he married me.

I was married first in 1844 to Alexander Varney and lived with him until after the War when he died but I do not know the exact date. However, I believe that it was immediately after the War closed as near as I can remember but Asa Varney, living on Chadwick's Creek, KY. near Catlettsburg, KY. can tell you when he died.

A little more than a year after my first husband Varney died I married a John White in Logan Co., W. VA at Elk Creek. I do not know the name of the P.O. I lived with him about two years. A preacher named Compton Brewster married us but I left White after two years of marriage and came to Wayne Co., W. VA

About a year and a half after I left my second husband I married my late husband Edward Collins. I had heard the fall before our marriage that John White, my second husband, was dead. Leander Curry, Henry Varney wrote to me and told me that he was dead. I think he died at Stuart White's on Pigeon Creek, Logan Co., W. VA. I believe the P.O. was named Birch. I believe Asa Varney also knows of his death and also Bill Curry, Mont Curry and George Curry all living on Pigeon Creek, Logan Co., W. VA. Most of the people in that neighborhood can tell you about it.

I had no children by any of my husbands. My husband Edward Collins had eleven children by his first wife, some are living and some are dead. All of those living were over 16 at the date of my husband's death which took place on February 28, 1894.

He died near John Dingus' place about 1/2 of a mile this side of Danleyton, Greenup Co., Kentucky. He complained of his breast hinge hurting him and a terrible cough and it was this cough that killed him. James Johnson, Millard Collins and Hiram Owney near Danleyton, KY were present at his death. I have not remarried since he died.

He had a son named Edward Collins living in Missouri but I do not know what place. My husband's whole name was Isaac Edward Collins. I have never seen the Edward Collins living in Missouri.

My marriage is recorded at the court house in Wayne Co., W. VA. And you can easily get a copy of the certificate. My husband was buried near Danleyton, KY. where he died.

Signed Susan Collins with her X mark.

Attested to by:       Edward Clevenger

             Wm. P. Taylor

Countersigned by:    J. A. Salmon 'Special Examiner' 27 April, 1894

(Courtesy of Garry Felty)

DEPOSITION OF EDWARD CLEVENGER:

Deposition regarding the case of Edward Collins #607,741
 

On this 27^th day of April, 1894 at Cattlettsbgurg County of Boyd, in the State of Kentucky
 

Special examiner: J. A. Salmon
 

Deposition of: Edward Clevenger
 

Occupation: Farmer
 

Post Office: Cattlettsburg
 

Residence: Laurel Creek about seven miles from Cattlettsburg
 

I have known Edward Collins since 1871. He then moved to a farm adjoining my father's on Laurel Creek and he was then living with his first wife. They moved into the neighborhood in the month of March (1871) and his wife died the next March or in 1872.  I was not present when she died but I attended the funeral and have seen her grave. I remember also the time of his marriage to his last wife Susan who is now his widow. I didn't see them married but remember when he brought her home and they lived there as man and wife for about 15 years until he moved to Greenup County since which time I never saw him. About seven years elapsed between the death of his first wife and his remarriage. I know these facts from personal Knowledge having been a near neighbor of Edward Collins for 23 years and being intimately acquainted with him during that time. I am correctly recorded. I have no interest in this claim. Edward Clevenger

(Courtesy of Garry Felty)

DEPOSITION OF WILLIAM P. TAYLOR:

Deposition regarding the case of Edward Collins # 607,741

On this 27^th day of April, 1894 at Cattlettsburg, Boyd County, Kentucky.

Special examiner: J. A. Salmon

Deposition of: William P. Taylor

Occupation: Farmer

Age: 53

Post Office: Cattlettsburg

Residence: same

I have known Edward Collins (the claimant) ever since the war. I served as orderly Sergeant in Company 'C' 39^th Kentucky Infantry and Edward Collins (the claimant) served in the same Company and Regiment. I never knew him before his enlistment. As Orderly Sergeant of the Company I Kept the rolls and I distinctly remember that there were two men by the name of Edward Collins in the Company. A father and son. The present claimant is Edward Collins the father as I have seen him since he applied for pension and testified for him and recognized him as the Edward Collins who served in Company 'C' 39^th Kentucky Infantry. In calling the roll of the Company I remember that I always distinguished between the father and son by calling 'Edward Collins' and 'Ben (?) Collins' the latter being the name by which the son was generally known. The father and son were enlisted, as I remember, about the same time and were discharged together. In personal appearance and description, the father I think was the taller of the two and was dark complexioned. His height was as near as I can remember was about 5' 10" or 11" while the son was shorter. The son was light complexioned. The son's age I judge to have been between 18 and 20 years while the father was a man between 40 and 50 years of age.

Edward Collins the father, while we were stationed at Louisa, Ky. As near as I can remember, while out on a scout was taken prisoner by the enemy and was gone about three months. I have his name on the rolls as having been captured by the enemy. When he returned to the Company, he said that he had been taken to Libby Prison at Richmond, Virginia and confined there. He also said that while in prison, on one of the upper floors, a shot was fired from below and the bullet came through the floor and tool his little toe off. I do not remember which foot. I saw his foot immediately after his return to the Company and saw that the little toe was missing and it looked like a recent injury.

I feel sure that his toe was not injured before he was taken prisoner for I believe I should have known it and I believe his story at the time as did the rest of the Company. And if he had had the toe injured before he was captured some of the men would probably have known it and his story would not have been believed. I never heard of the son, Edward Collins, being captured or imprisoned. When I saw the claimant's injured  foot first after his return to the Company it appeared swollen to some extent but seemed to be healing and after it had healed it never appeared to prevent him from doing his duty  although he still complained of it. I have seen the claimant continuously since the war on an average of once a month probably, except during one year when I was in the West. I have never seen Edward Collins, the son, since the war but heard from him about three years ago and his P.O address was then in Hickory County, Missouri. I do not remember the name of the town.

During the entire period, The names of Edward Collins, father and Edward Collins, son were on the rolls of Company 'C' 39^th Ky. Infantry and their names were regularly called.

Affidavant read and reply to office letter.

I have heard you read my affidavit and it is correct. In my letter I mentioned an injury caused by a horse falling on Edward Collins and I mean the son in this case for the son suffered from this accident and not the father. I made affidavits in the claims of the father and of the son and forgot to distinguish between them in my letter to the bureau.

I have only known Susan Collins, the widow, since her marriage to the claimant. I was not present at the funeral of Edward Collins but knew of his death. I believe that the statement in my affidavit that the wound was in the left foot to be correct. I am correctly recorded. I have no interest in the claim.

William P. Taylor

(Courtesy of Garry Felty)

Backing up to the 1840 census of Russell County, Virginia (listed above), Edward and his wife were listed in Russell County in 1840 with one child, which appears to be George from the 1850 census. In July of 1845, Patsy Counts Scalf stated that Betsy Collins had one child. However, Patsy also stated that it had been some time since she had seen the families of John Scalf Sr. It appears that Edward and Elizabeth had at least three children by 1845 if ages were stated correctly on the census records.

The author believes that Betsy Scalf most likely did not marry until 1835-1840 and possibly in 1840. If Patsy thought that Betsy only had one child by 1845, it is not likely she married much earlier than 1840. The author also feels that Patsy Counts Scalf might have been inaccurate in her account of the number of the grandchildren of John Scalf Sr. at the time of her deposition in 1845, due to her not having seen the families in some time. Several other discrepancies have been found concerning Patsy's statements although we believe her statements were as accurate as she knew at the time they were made. However inaccurate they might have been, they have been considerably helpful in our research.

Edward was not found as head of house in 1830 Russell County and would not have been since he would have only been 14 years old in 1830 if he were born 1816 as census records suggest. It is unknown to the author at this time who Edward's parents might have been.

Meredith Collins had a son named Edward; however, this Edward is reported to have been born about 1803, so we can probably rule out Meredith's son as this Edward Collins in Russell County, Virginia.

The following family also appears on the 1850 census of Russell County, Virginia. It should be noted that a Betsy Collins is living in the home of Griffin Collins and born around 1817 in North Carolina. This could also have been Betsy Scalf Collins. However, unless Betsy's father (John Scalf, Sr.) returned to North Carolina 1810-1820, this would be questionable for he was found in Russell County, Virginia in 1820.

1850 Russell Co. VA

It is unknown at this time who Edward Collins married; however, it is very possible that Betsy Scalf was Elizabeth (Betsy Scalf) Collins, wife of Edward. This is just one avenue of research into the family of Betsy Scalf Collins. Unfortunately, the author cannot offer more information concerning Betsy Scalf Collins at this time and as always research continues.

End of Betsy Scalf Collins

CREDITS:

Virgil Scalf - Census Records
Brenda Collins Dillon - Research of Meredith Collins online
Garry Felty - Research of Edward Collins
County History and Formation - Lincoln County, NC website
Margaret Fleenor - Compiler - Author

Copyright (C) 2011 by Margaret Fleenor, All Rights Reserved.