Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Barbara Burkett

Female 1796 - 1874  (78 years)


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  • Name Barbara Burkett 
    Born 1796  of, Wilkes (now Ashe), North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 22 Apr 1874  Jefferson Township, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Joseph Graybeal Cemetery, Piney Creek Township, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I3630  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Family David Graybill,   b. 1791, , Wilkes (now Ashe), North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 Apr 1874, Jefferson Township, Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 83 years) 
    Married 1814  , Ashe, North Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1757  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Both Barbara and Mary Burkett, who marry brothers David and Peter Graybill, appear to be sisters and daughters of Christian Burkett and Catherine Perry.

      2. Censuses:
      1800 US: Ashe County, North Carolina. The total population for Ashe County, North Carolina in 1800 was 2785, including slaves. The 1800 Ashe County Census was the first for the northwestern most county in the Tar Heel State. This county was formed in late 1799 and included all of Wilkes County west of the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountain. The 977 square miles that then composed Ashe County has been further divided, first in 1849 to form Watauga County, North Carolina and again 10 years later to form Alleghany County. This record includes families who may have been living in those areas at the time. The original census was in rough alphabetic order, and this does not facilitate the research of particular communities. I include all interrelated families of this time and place to better show relationships. A word of explanation on some of these families:
      A. Mary and Barbara Burkett who married Peter and David Graybeal, had a father named Christian - unsure as to which is correct of the two.
      B. Elizabeth Eller appears to be Elizabeth Dick, the wife of Peter Eller who had just died per his probate of 1799.The one daughter is probably Mary; unsure who the two boys are since there should be three: Jacob, Henry, and George. John Eller would be Elizabeth's eldest son and married to Susannah Kerns.
      C. Henry Graybeal would have recently married Celia Henson and also the eldest son of [John] Peter and Christina [Wampler] Graybill who also appear to be in this same census. Note that Peter evidently had owned slaves at that time - the census does not say how many.
      D. One of the William Hensons could be somehow related to William Henson who marries Nancy Graybill and to Celia Henson who marries Henry Graybeal.
      E. The two Koons are probably brothers and are sons of Devault Koon judging from their ages. This would make them uncles to George Koons who eventually marries Mary Eller.
      F. James Lewis, b. abt. 1790, marries Christena Graybill in 1807 - there may be a connection with these two James Lewis.
      G. William Pennington marries Barbara (or Elizabeth) Eller and may be the younger of the two here listed.
      H. Michael Stucker is a misspelling for Michael and Catherine Eller Stoker with their three oldest children: Polly, David, and Elizabeth.
      Head of Family; Males 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+; Females - 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+:
      Burkett, Christian; 1-2-0-1-0; 1-0-2-0-0
      Burkett, Christian; 4-1-0-1-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Eller, Elizabeth; 1-0-1-0-0; 0-0-1-0-1
      Eller, John; 3-0-0-1-0; 1-0-0-1-0
      Graybeal, Henry; 0-0-1-0-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Graybeal, Peter; 2-1-1-0-1; 3-1-0-0-1
      Henson, William; 0-1-1-0-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Henson, William; 3-0-0-0-1; 1-1-1-0-0
      Koons, George; 0-0-1-0-1; 0-0-0-0-1
      Koons, John; 0-0-1-0-1; 0-1-2-0-1
      Lewis, James; 2-2-1-0-1; 4-1-0-0-1
      Lewis, James, Jr.; 1-0-1-0-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Pennington, William; 0-1-0-1-0; 1-2-1-0-1
      Pennington, William; 0-0-1-0-0; 0-0-1-0-0
      Stucker, Michael; 1-0-0-1-0; 2-0-0-1-0

      1810 US: Ashe County, North Carolina; I include several related families in my database for this time and place. Some notes:
      A. One of the two William Penningtons is married to an Eller - I assume it is the one with a younger wife.
      B. One of the two Christian Burketts is probably the parent of Barbara and Mary who married Graybeal brothers.
      C. James Lewis married Christina Graybill.
      D. The older Peter Graybill would be John Peter and Christina Wampler Graybill. The other Peter and Henry would be their sons.
      E. Adam Wilker could be Adam Welker, father of James Welker who later marries Elizabeth Stoker.
      F. Surprisingly there is no Michael Stoker who should be there unless in adjoining county.
      G. One of the two George Koons should be the George Koons of this database.
      H. Not sure why two J. Ellers unless the transcriber inadvertently named the "J." as both Jacob when in fact the older one is John. Peter Eller would be a brother.
      I. The older Peter Graybill would be John Peter Graybill, father of the other two Graybills: Henry and Peter [Jr.].
      Head of Family; Males 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+; Females - 0-9, 10-16, 16-26, 26-45, 45+; Slaves:
      Pennington, W. (William); 1-0-1-0-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Bourket C. (Christian); 2-2-2-0-1; 5-1-1-1-0
      Wilker, A. (Adam); 0-1-2-0-1; 0-1-0-0-1
      Graybill, H. (Henry); 3-0-0-1-0; 2-0-1-0-0
      Lewis, J. (James); 1-0-1-0-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Graybill, P. (Peter); 0-1-0-1-0; 0-1-0-0-1
      Graybeal, P. (Peter); 1-0-1-0-0; 1-0-1-0-0
      Graybill, H.; 2-0-1-0-0; 3-0-0-1-0
      Koons, G. (George); 2-0-0-1-0; 2-0-0-1-0
      Pennington, W. (Wm); 2-0-1-0-0; 2-0-0-0-1
      Eller, P. (Peter); 3-0-0-1-0; 2-0-0-1-0
      Eller, J. (Jacob); 2-3-1-0-0; 2-0-0-1-0
      Burket, C. (Christian); 4-1-0-0-1; 0-1-0-0-1
      Koontz, G. (George); 1-0-0-1-0; 2-0-1-0-1; 3
      Eller, J. (Jacob [John?]); 2-0-0-1-0; 1-0-1-0-0

      1820 US: Ashe County, North Carolina, 19 pages as the follow related families:
      Henry Eller, 1,0,0,1,0,0//2,0,0,1,0,0,1.
      Jacob Eller, 2,1,0,0,1,0//4,1,0,1,0,0,1.
      David Graybeal, 3,0,0,1,0,0//0,0,1,0,0,0,1.
      Henry Graybeal, 3[or 5],1,0,0,1,0//2,2,0,1,0,0,1.
      Peter Graybeal, 3,1,0,0,1,0//2,0,1,0,0,0,0,
      George Koons, 1,1,0,0,1,0//2,2,1,0,1,0,1.
      No Hensons.
      No William Penningtons.
      No Stokers.
      No apparent Shaws - an area with possible Shaws is very light copy and hard to read; the two that could be Shaws [or something else] look like first names Nathan and Gabriel as heads of households.

      1830 US: Ashe County, North Carolina, entire county search for related families found the following:
      Henry Eller, p. 26a, males 0-5:2; 5-10:2; 15-20:1; 40-50:1//females 10-15:2; 30-40:1.
      David Graybeal, p. 26a, males 0-5:2; 5-10:2; 10-15:1; 30-40:1//females 0-5:1; 5-10:1; 30-40:1.
      Henry Graybeal, p. 34a, males 5-10:1; 10-15:1; 15-20:1; 20-30:1; 50-60:1//females 0-5:1; 5-10:1; 20-30:1; 40-50:1.
      Peter Graybeal, p. 39a, males 10-15:2; 20-30:1; 40-50:1//0-5:1; 20-30:1; 40-50:1.
      No William Hensons, Penningtons, Stokers, nor Shaws.

      1850 US: Ashe County, North Carolina, p. 304B, 26 Oct 1850, dwelling 982 (next couple of houses have their children Simeon, John, and Rebecca with their families):
      David Grabeal, 60, farmer, $3,000, NC.
      Barbary, 52, NC.
      Calvin, 21, labour, NC.
      Louisa, 16, NC.

      1860: Jefferson Post Office, Ashe, North Carolina, p. 497b, 11 Jun 1860, dwelling 162 (next door neighbor is their son Eli Graybeal, age 41; also there is a David Burket, age 40, who may be a relative of Barbara Burkett):
      David Graybeal, 66, farmer, $8,500 real estate, $2,958 personal property, NC.
      Barbary, 61, NC.
      Calvin, 30, NC.
      Susanah, 19, VA.
      Joisa, 2, NC.
      Cicero, 1, NC.
      Selack Mitchell, 17, male, NC.

      1870: Jefferson Twp., Ashe, North Carolina, p. 497b, 6 Sep 1870, dwelling 42:
      David Graybeal, 76, farmer, $4,000 real estate, $400 personal property, NC.
      Barbary, 73, keeping house, NC.
      Sarah, 16, domestic servant, NC.

      3. Per website http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/ashe1815.htm: "Ashe County, North Carolina - 1815 Tax List. Ashe County, North Carolina was formed in 1799 from Wilkes County. From 1799 until 1859, Ashe County included the most of the land now included in Alleghany and Watauga Counties, and part of what is now Avery County, North Carolina. In 1815, Ashe County was bounded by Carter County, Tennessee on the west, Grayson County, Virginia on the north, by Surry and Wilkes Counties on the east and Burke County, North Carolina on the South. This list was abstracted and totals were combined for brevity for individuals with multiple tracts of land. I abstracted this document years ago and omitted portions that I wish I hadn't now. Don't take it as absolutely accurate. Five categories are given: Name, number of acres of land, valuation in dollars, polls, and local situation or name of neighbors. I added the number of tracts of land in the consolidation process." [He did not get the parts of Ashe County that are now part of Alleghany and Watauga Counties. Also no Stokers found.]:
      Henson, Nancy 100, 50, -, Long Branch, 1 [Nancy Mary Graybill?]
      Graybeal, Henry 200, 255, 1, Laurel Fork, 3
      Koons, Gasper 150, 150, 1, Charles Francis, 1
      Koons, George 205, 200, 1, North Fork, 1
      Koons, John 90, 130, 1, North Fork, 1
      Koons, Devault 150, 200, 1, North Fork, 1
      Graybeal, David 350, 212, 1, Old Field Creek, 2
      Eller, Jacob 300, 200, 1, Horse Creek, 2
      Eller, Henry 250, 200, 1, M. Carpenter, 1
      Eller, Peter 215, 320, 1, 1
      Pennington, William 103, 150, 1 1
      Burket, Chris. 1260, 1800, 1, Buffalo [Father of the two Burkett girls who md. Graybills.]
      Judd, John 196, 250, -, Pine Swamp [Father of Margaret Judd?]
      Koonts, Mary 340, 600, 3, S.F. New River [Mary Eller?]
      Koonts, Geo. 250, 150, 1, Pond Mountain

      4. The book "The Brethren in the New Nation, A Source Book on the Development of the Church of the Brethren, 1785-1865," compiled by Roger E. Sappington and printed by the Brethren Press, Elgin, IL, FHL 973 Kzch gives background on the Dunker or the Brethren religious movement and some family ancestors as follows:
      Pp. 10-11: "The Brethren, frequently known as the Dunkers (from the German, tunken, to dip) from their pattern of baptizing adult believers by three separate complete immersions forward. They are distinctly different from other groups which use the term Brethren, including the Moravians, the Plymouth Brethren, the United Brethren, and the Brethren in Christ or River Brethren. In 1836 they became known officially as the Fraternity of German Baptists, which was changed in 1871 to German Baptist Brethren and in 1908 to the Church of the Brethren ... these Brethren had been organized in Germany in 1708 under the leadership of Alexander Mack, a young German miller. They were influenced by the Pietistic movement of the late 17th and early 18th centuries and by the earlier Anabaptist movement, which was currently represented in Germany by the group known as Mennonites. Beginning in 1719 and for about the next fifteen years almost all of the Brethren emigrated to America, landing in William Penn's city of Philadelphia. From that port they moved west and south, primarily into the mountain valleys of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and the Carolinas, all of which had settlements of Brethren before 1785. They shared the German fame for agricultural skill, generally settling on limestone soil and building large bank barns to take care of their livestock. The Germans developed the Conestoga (from a stream in Pennsylvania) workhorse and the Conestoga wagon (the famed covered wagon of the American frontier)... [Information on the Brethren from] 1785 to 1865 is very limited, which was evidently the way the Brethren intended it to be... at present, a fixed principle with them, to make no communication; and that they feel hurt when interrogated respecting their society. Indeed, they have always been shy of the English, and suspicious of encroachment and exposure... [It has been observed that they] altogether neglect any records of their proceedings, and are opposed even to publishing their numbers, lest it should seem to savor of pride..."
      P. 15: "During the years from 1785 to 1865 ... [the] Brethren were engaged [in emigrating] from their homes in the Atlantic seaboard states to the new territory of the U.S. that was being opened to settlement on the west side of the Appalachian Mountains... [due to] the dissatisfaction with one's status in the present location and the call to move to new areas because 'the grass might be greener...'
      P. 17, 26-29: "North Carolina. Although there were Brethren living in in North Carolina at least as early as the 1740's and 1750's ... none of these settlements became the basis of a permanent Brethren congregation. They usually came to an end as the result of the loss of leadership, either by death or by emigration. By the end of the 18th century, however, Brethren had established settlements in two areas which would survive across the years and become permanent congregations. The older of these settlements probably began in the 1770's in an area south of the present-day city of Winston-Salem. The Moravians had purchased a large piece of property on which they established several different communities, including Salem... In addition to the Brethren settlement known as the Fraternity congregation which developed on the south side of the Moravian territory, the Brethren also put down permanent roots before 1800 in the mountainous northwestern corner of North Carolina in Ashe County. When the first Brethren arrived in this area is not known, but certainly they were there by the 1780's, for numerous Brethren names were reported in this area in the census of 1790. The number of brethren in the settlement increased during the 1790's, and in 1801 many of them placed their names on a petition to the government of North Carolina dealing with land problems. [The petition is as follows:] 'To the Honourable House of the General Assembly. The distressed Situation in which your humble petitioners by the late Act of Assembly for the Year 1801 in the Second Section, in respect to the Land Law's is reduced: it is impossible without flowing Tears the Grievances thereof to prescribe! it is evident, that the County of Wilkes before its division, that part of it, which is called now the County of Ashe, being first inhabited with Hunters, made their living by Hunting game. Ulrick Kessler, a Dunkard Preacher coming from the North, was the first inhabitance of the Germans who bought his land for 300 £, and paid for it, and by his persuasion, drawing his congregation hither, till this Wild Country became inhabited with industrious farmers, Purchasing their land, and give their Money, Horses, Waggons and nearly all their living for their Possessions. Then this part of the Country being Granted by the Legislature unto a party of Speculators, who by their granted Authority, oppressed this people very much, to make themselves rich of their Labour. The first Settlers and Hunters could not endure to live amongst Labouring and industrious farmers, Sold their rights, moving to the West Country's, Cumberland, Kentucky, etc. The Germans who had bought their Possessions, labouring with industry, clearing Land, building Houses, Barns, planting Orchards, made Meadows, raising Stock, building Gear Mills, Saw Mills, fulling mills; that this Wild Country became fertile Utility, by the blessing of the Supreme being, who made all things; paying their taxes annually, and living peaceably and quietly in their Possessions, under the Protection of the legislature of the State; till this present juncture of the above mentioned late Act, when the Speculators Grants and Rights was broke, and the Land Office for to make Entry's upon Land was estblish'd. Some of them made Entry's upon Vacant Treasury, getting their Grants; improved it by their families, without hearing of any other Claim of any other person of persons, of their possessions till now. at the time when Wilkes County was divided, and this Country became the Name the County of Ashe, the Commissioners faithfully Purchasing Fifty Acres of Land, laying it out in Lot's, Sold them, and Builded a Court House, made a Contract for to Build the Prison, out of the Surplus of that Money, which gave the date to Conceive and bring forth a New-Birth of the infernal part of Self Interested party Speculators. Robert NaIl, Surveyor who. had undoubtedly a View of this Speculation; for the former Benefit, made him Sure of the New, that by his influence, to the Committee of this County, under a Cloak that it was beneficial for the poor inhabitance, to petition for that Law; no Sooner that Law came in existence; than he had a Store of Old Warrants, which was bought for a trifle, having the Books of Fletcher, forming a Body of party Speculators, claiming the Town Land and all the plantations within Six Miles round, near the Court House, Surveyes the Land and especially where a German lives without distinction. For this Speculators Say, they had the Oldest Warrant, it was their Right and Title, and in any Court of justice and Equity they could keep it, for the Word: previous of that date give it to them by the Said Act. and not in one clause of Said Act is left a iota of reserve, for the defence of a Labouring industrious Citizen; it is impossible that your humble petitioners can believe, that the Legislature could be so Tyrannical to pass Such Act and Law, with an intent; that Honest Citizen should be cheated and defrauded out of their property and Possessions for the Cause of a few Speculating individuals. Therefore your Humble petitioners beg the Honourable House of Assembly to take the Grievances of the foregoing Circumstances into Consideration; and Consider at first That the Established Land paid into the Treasury, and that the Grants for said Land is Lawfull and Ought to be protected. Secondly That the Warrants, with which the Speculators will Cheat and Defraud, to drive honest Citizens out of their Possessions; if they had not be revived by the late Act, being all Dead and out of date, and then to make a Conclusion for a remedy of redress. Thirdly That an Additional Act, that it the meaning of the Legislature not is, that honest Citizen should be cheated, defrauded and deprived out of their Possessions by the said Act, and that the Older Grant should be protected in any Court of justice and equity for ever in which hopes your humble petitioners is in duty bound, and will for ever pray.'
      [Signed {Kerry's note: the ones with asterisks are in this database and related to me}:] Michajah Pennington, Wm hubbart, Peter Hart, Jos Rowland, James Mulkey Capt, David Connelson, John Johnson, John Byrket, Andrew Fouts, Jacob May, Christian Byrket *, Wm May, George Grubb, William Migapha, Moses Toliver, George Eberly, Allen Noulin, William Pennington *, G Koons *, John Phillips, Henry Miller, George Miller, Henry Dulheur, John Kessler, David Engrum, Lewis Bonner, Andrew Sheets, Peter Dick *, John Dick jr *, Conrad Grubb, Luke White, John Koons *, Daniel Miller, Leonard Baumgarner, Michael Stocker *, Jacob Fouts, Wm Shepperd, Emmanuel Croster, Henry Michel, Andrew Rowland, Jonathan Miller, Wilm Henson Junr *, Jacob Grimes, benja manhubbire, Woller Weaver, Jacob Reese, John Ford, John Norris, Gilbirt Norris, Barnet Owen, Henry Graybeal *, John Whit, Jacob Eller *, Peter Eller *, John Maxwell, Zacariah Harwood, James rowrick, Jacob Pfau, Samuel Wilcocken, John Sturgin, Charles Williams, John Miller, Jas Bunyard, Samuel Taylor, Isaac Weaver, Id manhubbire, Landrine Eggers, John Ress, Henry agrer, Wm Morris, Ephrim Norris, Wm Owen."

      5. FHL Book 929.273EL54h "George Michael Eller and Descendants of His in America," compiled by James W. Hook, 1957, also on FHL film 896571, item 2, pp. 17-31, clarifies early North Carolina counties and land grant practices:
      "Land grants in North Carolina originated with an entry application which was filed in the county where the land was situated and if not lost are now on file there. This was followed, sometimes soon and sometimes years later by an order from the land office for the tract to be surveyed. Sometimes soon and sometimes years later the survey was made and a surveyor's plat filed with the Secretary of State in Raleigh. Then came the grant which may have been issued reasonably near the date of the survey or sometimes several years later. These grants, orders to survey and the survey itself are on file now in the Secretary of State's office at Raleigh ...
      Many counties were formed from what originally was Rowan County, namely Surry and Guilford in 1770, Burke and Wilkes in 1777, Randolph in 1779, Iridell in 1788, Stokes in 1789, Buncomb in 1791, Ashe in1799, Davidson in 1822, Yancey in 1833, Davie in 1836 and Yadkin in 1850. Some of these counties were grandchildren of Rowan County; for instance Wilkes was taken partly from Burke and partly from Surry, Randolph from Guilford, Buncomb and Yancy form Burke, Ashe from Wilkes and Stokes and Yadkin from Surry. These facts must be kept in mind when tracing early Rowan County families."

      6. Website http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/ashe/deeds/deedsabs.txt accessed 14 Dec 2008:
      "Ashe County, NC - Deeds - Abstracts of selected deeds." This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kyle R. Graybeal krgrebiel@verizon.net, 37 Spring Lake Drive, Stafford, VA 22554. Revised 9 October 2001. This file contains abstracts of selected deeds from Ashe County, North Carolina Land records, mostly involving Graybeal family members. The information contained herein does not constitute the sum total of deeds in the Ashe County records involving Graybeal individuals. There are a few incomplete fields in some records especially in acreage, land description & witness names. This means that I have not copied them, not that the information is missing from the court records. The file now includes more deeds and has been corrected for errors dealing with land grants appearing in the original file. In the original file, the entry date and the date the deed was signed were reversed. This new file corrects that problem.
      Information sorted in date order, which is yyyy-mm-dd. Grantee & Grantor names are [last], [first]. Witness names are [first], [last]. NFNR = North Fork of New River. Mn and Vn means Deed Books M new and V new respectively. Information in [ ] inserted by me and correct to the best of my knowledge. Information in () added for clarification. Price paid, proven date, and registered date not included to save space. I have this information on most deeds in case it is desired. Some compass directions are indicated by N, S, etc., rather spelled out. Deeds for state grants did not require have witnesses' signatures. The indication that a particular person signed with an "x" is not consistent from record to record in this transcription. {Kerry's note: I have refined the list so as to cut it off after whom I think may be the first generation after John Peter Graybill and Christina Wampler; see that more complete list with John Peter Graybill - this partial list are for those only including the name of Burkett}:
      Graybell, Peter To: Pouts, Peter 33 a.; Signed: 1800-11-10; South side of Beaver Creek/Groves Corner & line; Book: A, 278; Witness: Anarun Pouts, Wm. McNies, David (x) Burket.
      Burket, Daniel To: Graybeal, Peter 200a.; Signed: 1823-11-26; On the Waters of Beaver Ck, waters of NFNR. Book: E, 345; Witness: Thomas Calloway, H. W. Britt.
      State (NC) To: P. Graybeal & C. Burkett 100a., Grant: 1275, Ent: 1825-02-08; Signed:1827-01-04; Buffalo Creek in Lenoir's Line. Book: C, 90.
      Griffeth, David To: Graybeal, Peter 246 a.; Signed: 1828-11-22; 1st tract 96a Buffalo Ck/agreed crnr A. May, D. Burkett/2nd trct 50a/100; Book: E, 482; Witness: John Hamilton, Peter Earnest.
      Burkett, C. (x) To: Graybeal, David 366 a.; Signed: 1850-10-22; Book: P, 372.
      Graybeal, Mary heirs To: Goss, William 40 a.; Signed: 1875-06-01; Waters of Little Buffalow Creek/Daniel Burkett corner; Book: Z, 019.

      7. Per website http://www.ls.net/~newriver/nc/asheslv.htm, which is a decade by decade census derived tabulation of slave holders in Ashe County from 1800 to 1860 and after a full PAF database for all individuals associated with Wilkes/Ashe county, no slave owners were found for families with the surnames Pennington, Henson, Hodson, Koons, Stoker, White, McDaniels, Kerns, Judd, nor Shaw. Slaveholders that were found:
      Burkett, Christian (father of Burkett daughters who married Graybeals): 1850 -6; 1860 - yes.
      Eller, Jacob: 1830 - 1
      Graybeal, David: 1860 - 3
      Graybeal, John: 1860 - 5 [Note this John Graybeal is too young to be a brother to David or Peter.]
      Graybeal, Peter: 1800 - yes; 1830 - 2

      8. FHL book 929.273 P684pn: "Graybill/Stoker/Eller/Smith/Koons/Pitt Connections," by Norman E. 'Gene' Pitt, 1996, pp. 72-75, book has extensive downline of this family: "David Graybill/Graybeal, b. 1794, Jefferson, Wilkes Co. (now Ashe Co.), NC or possibly in Rural Retreat, VA; d. 19 Apr 1874, Ashe Co., NC; md. 1814, Ashe Co., NC to Barbara Burkett. Some of their children evidently changed the spelling of their name to Graybeal. Their children were Eli Daniel, Joseph, Daniel, Rebecca, Simeon, John, Calvin, Catherin 'Katy' and Louisa Joicy." Looking at some of the descendants, it appears several were in the Confederancy during the Civil War.

      9. Burketts, Graybeals, and Ellers mentioned in the book "History of Western North Carolina," by John Preston Arthur, 1914, chapter 8: "Some Early Settlers of Ashe. These noble, self-sacrificing men and women of the early times endangered their lives and braved many hardships in the wild Indian country to open the way to happy homes, schools, churches and the blessings of our present civilization. Some of these were Henry Poe, Martin Gambill, Thomas Sutherland, Timothy Perkins, Captain John Cox, Henry Hardin, Canada Richardson, James Douglas, Daniel Dickson and Elijah Galloway. Besides these were many others whose names awaken much unwritten history: Miller, Blevins, Ham, Reeves, Woodin, Barr, Baker, Eller, Goodman, Ray, Burkett, Graybeal, Houck, Kilby, Ashley, Jones, Gentry, Smith, Plummer, Lewis, Sutherland, McMillan, Colvard, Barker, Senter, Maxwell, Calhoun, Sapp, Thomas, Worth, Oliver and others."
      Also the following quote is found; note that they were from Germany and may only have sailed from Holland - they were not Dutch: "The Graybeals. They are said to be of Dutch ancestry, are generally thrifty and successful folk, and own much real estate and live stock. They are honest, frugal and among the best citizens of Ashe."

      10. Children from Rootsweb.com Worldconnect 17 Feb 2004 database ":480580" of Donna Shell :
      Eli Daniel Graybeal b: 18 Jul 1818 in Ashe Co, NC
      Joseph Graybeal b: 26 Oct 1819 in Ashe Co, NC
      Daniel Graybeal b: 26 Oct 1819 in Ashe Co, NC
      Rebecca Graybeal b: 1821 in Ashe Co, NC
      Simeon Graybeal b: 1822 in Ashe Co., NC
      John Thomas Graybeal b: 9 Apr 1826 in Ashe Co, NC
      Calvin Graybeal b: 14 Mar 1829 in Ashe Co, NC
      Catherine Graybeal b: 1830 in Ashe Co, NC
      Louisa Joicy Graybeal b: 1834 in Ashe Co, NC

      11. The two Burkett women who married Graybeals, Mary and Barbara, are noted in their father's (Christian Burket) will as found on the website http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/ashe/wills/burket01.txt accessed 20 Dec 2008:
      "Transcribed by Kyle R. Graybeal krgrebiel@verizon.net from a photocopy of the document on file in Will Book A, page 79 at the Ashe County Court House, Jefferson, North Carolina.
      I have made every attempt to preserve the original spellings and have inserted a following words which were difficult to decipher and [-?-] for words which were undeciperable. In the 5th paragraph, I have inserted commas between the names of his children for clarity as the court house copy does not contain them. The word "[and]" was also inserted by me:
      'Christian Burket's Will and Codicil
      In the name of God Amen. I Christian Burket of the State of North Carolina County of Ashe being in perfect mind & memory thanks be given unto God. Calling unto mind the mortality of my body & Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hand of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General resurection [sic] I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as touching such worldly estate as wherewith it has pleased God to blefs [sic] me in this life I give devise & dispose of the same in the following manner & form
      First. I have chosen my son Jonas Burket and my son in law [sic] David Graybeal my Executors, my slaves shall be left to their choice (only Cherry shall be set free at my death & her bed & clothing to go with her) who they or belong to being valued by three men chosen by the Executors & if to the heirs they take them at their valuation, as part of their legacy,
      I give and bequeathed to my daughter Susannah Tredaway's heirs and her, her life time the tract of land whereon they now live lying & being in the state of Indiana Monroe County one quarter section valued to Six hundred dollars.
      I give & bequeath to my Grandson Christian Burket son of Christian Burket deceased a tract of land in Ashe County N.C. on Clay bank [sic] Creek containing Two hundred & one acres valued to three hundred & fifty dollars the title made to him when of age by the executors
      I give & bequeath unto all my children to wit John Burket, Mary Graybeal, Jehu Burket, Elizabeth May, Christian Burket, David [and] Barbra Graybeal, Catherine May, Susannah Tredaway, Salome Shown, Jonas Burket, Ann Goodman, Rachel Lawrence, Jacob Burket for each and every one to have an equal share of my estate after allowing all gifts debts dues or demands deducted from their equal shares.
      I request that all my goods & chattels lands & testaments to be sold to the highest bider [sic] twelve months credit and I do hereby disallow revoke disannul all and every other former Testaments wills legacies, bequeaths & executors by me in any ways before named willed & bequeathed satisfying & confirming this & no other to be my last will & Testament In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 23rd day of September in the year of our Lord 1844.
      his Christian X Burket mark"

      BIRTH:
      1. Year per tombstone inscription.

      MARRIAGE:
      1. Website http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/ashe/misc/grybel04.txt accessed 20 Dec 2009: "Letter, John Graybeal to Dona Graybeal."
      Letter from John Graybeal of Shell Creek, Tennessee to his grand-daughter Dona Graybeal of Fig, North Carolina. This letter was found among the papers and Letters of Dona Graybeal and her son W. Thomas Graybal, of Emory, Virginia. Dona Graybeal was married to my great-uncle Winfield A. Graybeal, a Methodist Minister.
      John Graybeal, son of Andrew Graybeal, and grandson of Henry Graybeal of Ashe County, North Carolina, wrote the letter to his granddaughter Dona Graybeal, daughter of William Asbury Graybeal and Rebecca Graybeal. Both sides of Dona's family trace back to Henry Graybeal.
      Notes: The original letter was written in pencil on tablet paper with no punctuation and paragraph breaks. Paragraph breaks have been inserted where it seemed logical to do so for clarity. Periods have also been added at the end of sentences. Spelling remains as it was interpreted except where indicated by [ ]. References to "Winny" are to Winfield A. Graybeal Dona's husband and son of David Melvin Graybeal and Mary Anne Jones.
      Transcribed by Kyle R. Graybeal kgraybeal@erols.com:
      "Shell Creek Ten Jan 26 1915
      Dona we recv'd your letter was real glad to hear from you all. was glad you was having a good time & Doing some good in the caus of Religion there. Dont seam to be But little good Doing here. We have had some offel Bad weather this winter. the weather was the worst before Christmas i Ever saw. i think we got a litter from pa a few days ago Said Conly & wife had gone to New Mexico Lum has moved in bout 8 miles of us. i Recon Griggs preached a fine Sermon Sunday at Shell Creek We are having a fine day today 26 of Jan
      Well you asked me about the Graybeals. My father always told me they came from Penn to NC. My grandfather settled rite on the lands Elihu & your grandpa graybial lived. My granfathers name was Henry. Winnys grate granfathers name was David. he settled probably on the lands that Winnys granfather & Calvin graybeal lived on Hoss creek. the old man Petter settled near Jefferson, they Both maried Birkets
      My granmother graybeal was a Henson. ther was one them old graybeals Name was John he never was married. he fell Dead at a wood pile cuting wood. Ther was one Mike he went West long time ago they never could her from him after them Days. So that was all of the old graybeals. they was real Duch.
      My father always told me he couldent understand a word they would say when they talked in ther language though they could talk English all rite. i remember seeing all of them they wer Dunkards them days
      My grandfather was a Methodist Ex[h]orter a grate scriptonian i remember seeing my grandfather & old man Dav & Peter. My grandmother Died after i was a bot grown her name was Celia
      Well Dona i dont guess you can read this letter if you can you can almost Beat me so we hope you are all well and enjoying life. give Winny my Best respects and wishes and trust he may Do much good.
      Your grandma has had a Bad cold all this winter and holds rite on so we would glad to here from you all often. We remain your grandparents
      John Graybeal write soon"

      2. FHL book 975.5763 H2h "Annals of Tazewell County, Virginia, from 1800 to 1922," by John Newton Harman, Sr., Member Virginia Historical Society (Richmond, 1922[updated 1975]), pp. 428-31, "Graybeal-Greear Families"; this article provides the descendancy of the two brothers Peter and David Graybill:
      "The Graybeal family is of Dutch descent. The first history we have of them gives them located in Bottetourt County, Virginia. Two brothers, Peter and David, married sisters by the name of Burkett. They all talked and read in their native tongue, and spelled the name "Graybill".
      One of these brothers immigrated to Ash County, N. C., late in the 17th century, and located near Jefferson in Ash County. At this time they changed their name to spell "Graybeal," instead of "Graybill" hence the difference in the way the name is now being spelled..."

      DEATH:
      1. See burial citation below.

      BURIAL:
      1. Per website <http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nc/ashe/cemeteries/grybel03.txt>: "Joseph Graybeal Cemetery: copied and transcribed by Kyle R. Graybeal . Location: Piney Creek Township, north of Lansing, NC. The cemetery is located on the right side of NC route 194 going north, about 1.1 miles north of the stoplight at the intersection in Lansing, on a hill about 300 feet up from the road. There is a primitive road that leads up from the main road to a barn just a few feet above the roadway. The cemetery is not currently visible from the road, except possibly in winter, due to heavy growth. It is about one eighth of a mile or less north of several new brick houses on the right side of 194. There is a mobile home which is set back off the road and just at the foot of the hill and to the right below where the cemetery is located. Most burials are descendants of the following couple. Their tombstones:
      Graybeal, David 1791 - 19 Apr 1874 [s/o Peter Graybeal & Christina Wampler]
      Graybeal, Barbary 1796 - 22 Apr 1874 [d/o Christian Burkett & Catherine Perry]