This post goes from Virginia to Kentucky and ranges from 1769 to 1825 and beyond.
Here are the generations lined up like links in a chain, at a glance:
William → JOHN → James → Eliza Ann m. James Thomas Vickers → Hannah Jane m. William Ryland → Floyd (Frank) Ryland (our grandfather)
John Mansfield
He was probably born in Virginia, around 1769-1773, to judge from when he married his wife, Rebecca Simmons, April 14, 1789, in Lincoln County, Kentucky. He died before the 1820 Census was taken, in Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, or before December 5, 1825, when his will was probated there also.
More about him:
John and Rebecca’s daughter Rachel Wright’s 1880 Census (see below) says her parents were born in Virginia. This fits with what we know of John’s ancestry.
Their marriage record is available at ancestry.com. We’re assuming he married between 16 and 20 years old, but he could be older, for all we know. In that case he would have been born in the mid to late 1760s. Also, his name in the marriage record is spelled in two ways, one as John Mansfield, the other as John Manspile. The bride and date are the same. Names vary like that often in the early records.
His wife Rebecca Manksfield appears in the 1820 Census as the head of household. This implies John had died before the census was taken (see below). For sure he died before his will was probated December 5, 1825. Sometimes it took a while to initiate probate.
Spelling variations: Manksfield, Mansfile, Mankspile, and Manspile
For more information about his possible ancestry in Virginia, please click on this link:
The Mansfields of Early Virginia
Rebecca Simmons
She was probably born in Virginia, about 1770-1773, to judge from her marriage date in 1789. The 1820 Census says she was 45+, so she was born in or before 1775.
Spelling variations: Rebeckah, Rebeks (these two spellings are in the same document, John’s will)
More about her:
Virginia, her original state, fits with what we know of her husband John’s ancestry. We’re assuming she married around 16-20, so her birth range is from 1769-1773. She is named in her husband’s will that was drawn up November 12, 1816, and probated on December 5, 1825. She also appears as the head of household in the 1820 Census. It is unknown how long she lived after that.
In the 1820 Census, Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, Rebecca Manksfield is the head of household. She is 45+ (b. in or before 1775); one male is 10-15; one male is 16-25; two females are under 10; and two are 10-15. She lives next to John Allison, her son-in-law. One male in John’s household is 26-44; one female is under 10; one is 10-14; and one is 26-44. Elijah Manksfield is also in the census. He is her brother-in-law.
Since she’s the head of household, this may mean John died before that census was taken.
Their Children
This list comes from Rev. Mansfield’s three letters (1976-1977). He lived in Kentucky and did extensive research into the Mansfields.
- JAMES (1783-1790 to after 1870): He is our direct line, so see his post here:
James Mansfield and Frances (Frankey) Greer
- NANCY (1790s to ?)
- MARY (1798-03 to ?)
- JANE (1803-08 to after 1850)
- RACHEL (1805-10 to after 1880)
- ABIGAIL ( ? )
- ROBERT (1812-15 to after 1850)
- AMBROSE (1815-18 to ?)
The marriage years originally came from Rev. Mansfield’s three letters, and a few of his findings have been confirmed at ancestry.com
- JAMES is our direct line. See his post here:
James Mansfield and Frances (Franky) Greer
- NANCY
Nancy Manksfield married David Simpson, November 15, 1813, in Logan County, Kentucky.
In the 1820 Census, Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, David Simpson appears. He lives next door to David Manksfield, and a few farms away from Elijah Manksfield (his uncle by marriage). In David Simpson’s household, one male is 26-44 (b. 1776-1794); three are under 10. One female is 26-44 (b. 1776-1794); one is 16-25; and one is under 10.
- MARY
Her nickname was Polly. Mary Manksfield married Richard Johnson in September 8, 1823, in Logan County, Kentucky.
More about her:
A certain Mary Manksfield married Jeremiah Woodward, August 24, 1818, Logan County, Kentucky.
There is a Richard Johnson in the 1830 Census, Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky. One male is 60-69 (b. 1761-1770); one female is 40-49 (b. 1781-1790); and one is 30-39 (b. 1791-1800). But we can’t be sure this is the right one, unless she married someone much older. The woman who’s 30-39 may be his daughter from a previous marriage.
- JANE
Jane Mansfield married John Allison October 13, 1818, Logan County, Kentucky. He may have been much older than she, per the 1830 Census.
In the 1820 Census, Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, John Allison appears. One male is 26-44; one female is under 10; one is 10-14; and one is 26-44. They live next door to Rebecca Manksfield. She is 45+; one male is 10-15; one male is 16-25; two females are under 10; and two are 10-15.
In the 1830 Census, Russellville, Logan County, Kentucky, John Allison is the head of household. One male is 60-69 (sic); one male is under 5; two are 5-9; one is 10-14. One female is 30-39; one is under 5; one is 5-9. On the same page is Elijah Mansfield, John’s uncle (by marriage).
In the 1840 Census, Township not stated, Logan County, Jane Allison can be found. Women only live in the household. One is 30-39, and two are 40-49. One is employed in agriculture. Elijah Mansfield is their neighbor. He’s 60-69. One male in his household is 10-14. One female is 50-59; and one is 15-20. Granville Mansfield lives next door to him. One male is 30-39; one is 10-14; one female is under 5; two are 5-9; and one is 30-39. Jesse Mansfield lives next to them. One male is under 5; one is 10-14; one is 30-39; one female is 10-14; and one is 30-39.
In the 1850 Census, District 1, Logan County, Kentucky, Janes (sic) Allison is found. She’s 43 (sic), and Malinda Allison is 20. Both are from Kentucky. In the same neighborhood Elijah Mansfield appears (her uncle). He’s 76 and from in Virginia. Next door is the large family of Granville, 44, and Burnedly, 41, Mansfield. The large family of Jesse Mansfield, 43, and Mahala, 30, lives two doors away from the Allisons.
- RACHEL
She married William Wright in 1824. So far the marriage record has not been located.
The next censuses probably belong to these Wrights because the 1880 Census says her parents come from Virginia. Her father John certainly does. Also, a quick search of the censuses for a William and Rachel Wright at the right age doesn’t turn up anything in Kentucky at this time. There are other Rachel Wrights, but none are married to a William.
In the 1850 Census, Division 1, Wayne County, Kentucky, William M. Wright is the head of household. He’s 43, a farmer, and from Kentucky. Rachel is 41 and also from Kentucky. Their real estate is valued at $150.00. Allen P is 19; Clifton is 17; Mary J. is 16; Washington is 15; Shelton is 12; Amanda is 10; William is 8; Westley is 7; Salley A. is 4; and Louisa is 3.
In the 1860 Census, Township not stated, Wayne County, Kentucky, William Wright is 50, a shoemaker, and from Kentucky. Rachel is 49; Wesley is 16, a farm laborer, and attended school within the year. Sarah Ann is 13 and attended school within the year. Louisa F. Wright is 12 and attended school within the year. Milton is 6 and has not yet attended school.
In the 1870 Census, District 1, Wayne County, Kentucky, William Wright is 63 and a farmer from Kentucky. Rachel is 58 and keeping house. Their real property is valued at $300.00. Sally A. is 22 and at home. Milton is 16 and a farm laborer. He attended school in the past year. Josephine is 3. All the kids are from Kentucky. This household lives next to the Ellis (38) and Emily (34) household.
In the 1880 Census, Monticello, District 106, Wayne County, Wm M. Wright is 70, a shoemaker, and from Kentucky. His father’s from Virginia, and his mother’s from Ireland. Rachel is 68, keeping house, and from Kentucky. Her parents are from Virginia. Celia Mills is 65, and her occupation is “in family.” She’s a widow, and she and her parents come from Kentucky. Two Wright families live close by, both of whom are young enough to be their kids.
- ABIGAIL
She was unmarried, so says Rev. Mansfield.
A search of the censuses yields nothing.
- ROBERT
He was born about 1814, in Logan County, Kentucky. He married Mary Stone in 1826, but the specific date has not been located. She was born in 1815, presumably in Logan County, too, but her family could have immigrated there.
In the 1840 Census, Township not stated, Logan County, a Robert Mansfield appears. He’s in the 20-29 age range (b. 1811-1820). One female is under 5; and one is 30-39 (b. 1801-1820). But we can’t be sure this is the right family, because her birth years don’t fit the 1850 Census, next.
In the 1850 Census, District 1, Logan County, Kentucky, Robert Mansfield is 36 and a farmer from Kentucky. Mary is 35, and her occupation is unstated. Sarah E. is 12. Jno W. is 8 and marked as “insane.”
- AMBROSE
He was born in the mid 1810s. He married Hannah Newcomb in 1832. The specific date has not been located. With a rare name like Ambrose, one would think we could find him in the censuses, but so far a search comes up empty.
John Mansfield’s Records
They are found in Lincoln County and Logan County, Kentucky. Logan was formed out of Lincoln in 1792, so John and Rebecca probably did not have to move, for the county grew under their feet.
Marriage in Lincoln County
April 14, 1789
Bond of John Mansfield to marry Rebecca Simmons with John Benedict as surety, April 14, 1789.
Source: Lincoln County Kentucky Records, vol. 1, page 24, compiled by Michael L. Cook and Bettie Cummings Cook, Cook Publications.
Ancestry.com. Kentucky pioneer and court records [database on-line]. Provo, UT: The Generations Network, Inc., 2004. Original data: McAdams, Harry Kennett. Kentucky pioneer and court records: abstracts of early wills, deeds, and marriages from court houses and records of old Bibles, churches, grave yards, and cemeteries. Lexington, Ky.: Mrs. H.K. McAdams, 1929.
Lincoln County Tax List
June 1, 1789. John Mansfield
May 13, 1790. John Manspile
June 20, 1791. John Manspile
September 12, 1792. John Mansfile
August 5, 1793. John Mankspile
May 12, 1794. John Mansfield
April 9, 1795. John Manspile
Source: Early Kentucky Householders (1787-1811), p. 114, compiled by James F. Sutherland, Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1986. No tax amount is abstracted in this resource – at least from what I can find without an abbreviation key.
Marriage Surety in Lincoln County
February 17, 1790
Lincoln County. Bond of John Allen to marry Eleanor Lynch with John Mansfield as surety. Consent by Rachel Summers in writing, January 10, 1790.
Logan County Tax List
- John Mansfield has no land, there is one male over 21, and 1 horse and 3 cattle.
- John Mansfield has 100 acres on Gasper River, 1 white male over 21, two horses.
Source: Logan County Tax List: 1792-1797
April 13, 1804
Logan County Appraiser
John Manksfield and Elijah Manksfield (two brothers) are appraisers of John Green’s estate.
Source: Abstracts of Wills and Settlements, Logan County: 1795-1838, Logan County Genealogical Society.
Mortgage
December 30, 1805
Logan County
John Manksfield mortgages land and property to Charles Anderson, 150 acres and 2 horses with blazes on their faces, 1 bay horse with a blaze on his face, seven cattle / cows, and household furniture with bed and bedding, &c., &c., for $400.00, until John Manksfield can pay it. Signed with John’s mark.
Source: Logan County Deed Abstracts: 1792-1813, Deed Books vols. A1, A, B, C, abstracted by Joyce Martin Murray.
John Mansfield’s Will
November 12, 1816
The will was drawn up November 12, 1816 and probated December 5, 1825, in Logan County. Elijah Manksfield, named as John’s brother, is the executor (November 12, 1816).
To wife Rebeckah (also spelled Rebeks in the Will), his wife, all of the estate (two tracts of about 100 acres, or one is 100 acres and the other is much smaller – illegibly written). And at her death estate to be sold at auction and divided among unnamed children. (It’s a pity he didn’t name them.)
Significantly, on November 7, 1825, Elijah Mansfield (not Manksfield) requests to be released from appointment as executor. The clerk in the same passage writes John Manksfield and then Elijah Mansfield, on the same day (November 7, 1825).
This will is not transcribed because parts of it are difficult to read, except, fortunately, all the names and signatures done by the clerks. As to the spelling variations, Manksfield and Mansfield are in the same document, done by two clerks’ hands. In one passage the two names are just a few lines apart, on November 7, 1825.
Source: Abstracts of Wills and Settlements, Logan County: 1795-1838, Logan County Genealogical Society (and our own copy).
Related:
The Mansfields of Early Virginia
Live as Free People 