Bagby.org

My Grandfather Terry's name was Stephen. He was born in Louisa County, Virginia, about the year of 1758, and enlisted as a soldier in the Revolution when about seventeen years old. Was shot through the body at the battle of Brandywine, August 11th, 1777, when about eighteen years old. He lived however until he was about sixty years old. He died August 1820. I can just remember seeing him. He acquired considerable property, and was considered a well-to-do farmer. He was a very fine looking old gentleman. He moved from Virginia to Kentucky in 1809, or 10, and settled in Todd County, about three miles northwest from Nashville. Here he lived until his death.

He married a lady by the name of MILDRED BAGBY, about the year of 1781 or 82.

Of her family I know but little, only that she told me that all of her brothers but one were in the Revolutionary War. Her youngest brother, JOHN BAGBY moved to Barren County, Kentucky. I was at his house at various times during the years 1836 and 37, first in 1831. He was a fine looking old man. Had a large farm and a good many slaves. The family were originally from England, and settled in the colony of Virginia, but at what period I do not know.

Newspaper Article:
Source: Glasgow, Kentucky, Daily Times, Author: Sandi Gorin, South Central, Kentucky Historical and Genealogical Society - Thursday, December 14, 1995: excerpts from an article submitted by Elaine Porter Bagby, August, 1999, to Sherri Schäefer Bagby.

 

There were two Bagby families who came here early - John A. and Sylvanus who married here to Frances Courts, daughter of John Courts. It appears that they were brothers John was the son of John A. Bagby, Sr. and Theodosia whose name we cannot find. John A. Bagby, Jr. was born May 25, 1761 in Virginia, and while residing in Amherst County married one Matilda Davis. From the deed books, it appears that John and Matilda came here to Barren County about 1812, leaving some of the family behind. John died here in Barren County November 17, 1834; Matilda, who had been born in Virginia, November 19, 1772, died here February 12, 1865.

According to John Jr.'s and various family records, it appears that they had nine children: (1) Elvira Bagby, b. Nov. 3, 1793, married Joseph Paxton in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on Sept. 12, 1815. They came to Barren County at a later date; most likely Elvira had received a letter from her father telling her how wonderful Barren County was and she was able to convince Joseph and other Paxtons to make the trek to Kentucky. (2) Landon Bagby, born December 30, 1795 in Virginia, married Nancy Fields in Barren County on December 21, 1818. (3) Roderick Bagby, born August 10, 1798, died September 11, 1852, married here on October 30, 1823 to Virginia Wood, born October 27, 1805; died April 30, 1892. (4) Walter Bagby born April 3, 1802 married Eliza J. McClure in Barren County on January 2, 1831. (5) Richard Bagby born December 23, 180?, married Sarah Fields (daughter of Sarah) in Barren County on July 5, 1825. (6) William Bagby, born June 5, 1808, died 1828. (7) Charles Davis Bagby, born November 18, 1813 - no information. (8) Nancy C. Bagby, born June 3, 1805, married William Byrd Rogers on January 30, 1834 in Barren County, died August 6, 1839. (9) Theodosia M. Bagby born September 1810, died single August 28, 1824. Of this family, Elvira Paxton Bagby, John Bagby, Matilda Davis Bagby, Roderick, Theodosia, William, Nancy and William Byrd Rogers are buried at the Rogers Cemetery.

Franklin Gorin in "Times of Long Ago" spoke several times of the Bagby family. He mentioned that William Byrd Rogers (who married Nancy C. Bagby) was the son of Byrd Rogers and gave a warm write-up on his family as well as the Bagby family. He stated that "Captain John Bagby, of Revolutionary fame, raised a large and highly respectable family..." John Bagby had served in the Revolutionary War and was discharged the rank of Sergeant, but he was always spoken of as Captain. Son Walter Bagby was noted as being an early merchant in Glasgow and several of the Bagby family here were well noted for their fine carpentry work.

By the time the 1850 federal census of Barren County was taken, the John A. Bagby families had grown. Roderick Bagby was shown with his wife Virginia and had daughter Ann M., 18; Elvira l., 15; and son Charles, age 7. Matilda Bagby, wife of John A. Jr., a widow, is residing with William Byrd and Nancy Bagby at age 75. Son Landon is not shown; Walter and Eliza McClure Bagby are not shown; Richard and Sarah Fields Bagby are not listed and Joseph and Elvira Bagby Paxton have seemingly already moved out of Barren County.

On the 1860 census we find that Virginia Bagby (wife of Roderick) is residing with William Wood Sr., and wife Nancy and is 54 years old. Next door to them is John H. Bagby (son of Roderick and Virginia) who is 32; wife Sophia (Smith) and their children: William S., 3; Alice, 2: Lewis E., 1 month old and Elvira, age 25 (unconfirmed as to who she is). There are sundry younger-generation Bagby's who could have been descendants of either John A. Jr. or Sylvanus Bagby. William Byrd and Nancy Bagby Rogers are shown with son John B., 26; William L., 22; Charles P., 20; George W., 17; Margaret A., 15; and Henry T., 12. This is as far that space permits us to trace the line.

 

NOTE: If any researcher has further information pertaining to the identity of Theodosia, wife of John Bagby, Sr., or any information on the early Paxton family (there were several female Paxton marriages, no male - Joseph and Samuel were the only male Paxtons holding land in Barren), I would appreciate hearing from you. Maybe we can help their descendants, Nicki Elms and her husband of Fresno, California. Oral history in their family is that they were descended on two different Davis lines, one at least being from the Jefferson Davis line.

Of course I have Theodosia in these reports as Theodosia Morris. I also recognize many of the descendants. My records indicate that John R. Bagby, Jr. was an uncle to Sylvanus Morris [Rev] Bagby, and that Sylvanus was the son of Richard Bagby and Sarah Kimbough. Where I had blanks in my database I have added information from this article.
-Sherri Schäefer Bagby

NOTE: The Rogers Cemetery was formerly the Bagby Cemetery until the property changed hands through marriage. Source: Elaine Porter Bagby.

More About JOHN ARTHUR BAGBY, JR.: Burial: Rogers Cemetery, Barren County, Kentucky.
Note 1: Went to Barren County, Kentucky about 1812.
Note 2: According to Emma Mcpheron, of Burlington, Kentucky, Matilda's children are listed as being cousins to Jefferson Davis.
Military service: Captain.

More About MATILDA DAVIS:
Burial: Rogers Cemetery, Barren County, Kentucky.
Note 1: Second Source: Revolutionary War Widow's Pension application - September 4, 1839.

Birthdates of children taken from family Bible.


Children of JOHN BAGBY and MATILDA DAVIS are:

1. ELVIRA BAGBY, b. November 04, 1793; d. June 29, 1844.
2. LANDON BAGBY, b. December 30, 1795, Virginia; d. September 03, 1874, Buchanan County, Missouri.
3. RODERICK BAGBY, b. August 10, 1798; d. July 11, 1852.
4. WALTER BAGBY, b. April 03, 1802; d. about 1851.
5. RICHARD BAGBY, b. December 23, 1802; d. July 09, 1852.
6. NANCY ELIZABETH BAGBY, b. June 20, 1806; d. August 06, 1889.
7. WILLIAM BAGBY, b. June 05, 1808; d. about 1828.
More About WILLIAM BAGBY: Burial: Rogers Cemetery, Barren County, Kentucky.
8. THEODOSIA MORRIS BAGBY, b. July 09, 18101; d. August 28, 18241.
More About THEODOSIA MORRIS BAGBY: Burial: Rogers Cemetery, Barren County, Kentucky.
9. CHARLES DAVIS BAGBY, b. November 18, 1813; d. November 1856.