William Ramey-Elkhorn's First Settler

by Jeanette Elswick

(As taken form the Elkhorn City Enterprise, Thursday, May 11, 1972)

The founder of Elkhorn City, Kentucky, was William Ramey, who at the approximate age of 27, migrated here form Virginia. His Descendants say that he originally came from the area near Dobson and Mr. Airy ( Surry County), North Carolina, form which he moved to Virginia, and eventually Kentucky. William was an engineer by trade. He surveyed may tracts of land through North Carolina and Virginia, one of which still bears his name, "The Ramey Flats", in Dickenson County, Virginia. The 1810 Floyd County census lists two William Rameys, as well as a Jesse Ramey, a Daniel Ramey and a John Ramey. The grantees index of all deeds recorded in Floyd County Kentucky, deed books A and B from 1800 to 1825, affecting land in Pike County and in Letcher County on Elkhorn Creek, show that William Ramey bought 200 acres of land, (Book A, Page 354), located on Russell Fork and Elkhorn Creek, from Robert G. And Susan R. Scott, September 24, 1816, So it was about 1810 when William Ramey settled in this rugged valley of Eastern Kentucky.

The name Ramey is French, originally spelled Remy. The earliest Ramey to settle in America was probably Jacques Remy, born about 1630. He was a Huguenot refugee, who came to America as an indentured servant in 1655. In 1671 he an Mary Miles were married. The christian name of Miles, which was the maiden name of Jacob Ramey's wife , has since been bequeathed to Ramey sons and descendants other than Ramey's for generations. Jacob Ramey died prior to 1721, for his will was probated in Westmoreland County, Virginia, December 5, 1721. This same Jacob Ramey is believed to be related to the William Ramey, who settled in Elkhorn City, Kentucky.

The exact location of William Ramey's first home is unknown, but in his will (probated in 1866) he mentioned that some legal papers were burned up in 1838 or 1858 (date not legible). His home, probably a one room log cabin, located near the mouth of Elkhorn Creek, very likely burned at this time.

Long before William Ramey came here, this section was explored and owned by land speculators. Records in the Pike County Courthouse show that Rev. James C. Madison's 1100 acre survey was made December 20, 1790. This was twenty years before William Ramey's arrival. This Rev. James C. Madison, was a cousin to James A. Madison, fourth President of the United States. G. Tom Hawkins, a descendant of Ramey's told an interesting story about William Ramey's wife. He said she was a sister to President James A Madison. Hawkins also stated he knew the location of her grave on the Elkhorn City Cemetery. It is a fact that the Rev. James C. Madison, first owner of this land was a first cousin to President James A. Madison, but no proof has been found to substantiate the relationship between the Ramey and Madison families.

The 1830 Pike County Census lists a William Ramey and family totaling twelve. (Ramey was spelled Remy in the 1830 census). There is no possible way of knowing if all listed in the 1830 census are William Ramey's children.

1. WILLIAM RAMEY - Born about 1782 - died 1865 or 1866

Married ANNA__________ born about 1784 - died Nov. 18, 1856

William Ramey moved to Kentucky in the early 1800's and lived in the area that is now Elkhorn City. He built a dwelling near the mouth of Elkhorn Creek – this building was the beginning of Elkhorn City. Legend says William had to erect his own Black smith shop to make the nails needed to build the house. It is not known exactly when he moved there, but a deed is recorded in the Floyd County Courthouse, Deed book A, page 354, showing he purchased 200 acres of land from Robert G. and Susan R. Scott, running up and down Russell Fork of Sandy River, and up Elkhorn Creek on September 24, 1816. This deed was delivered and recorded October 1, 1816. This deed was delivered and recorded October 1, 1816 and was endorsed and Certified by Matthew Harvey and Benjamin Carper, Magistrates for the County of Botetourt, Va.

William laid claim to large tracts of land with coal, timber, oil and gas, around Elkhorn City and thereabouts. He acquired thousands of acres of land through Land Surveys that were secured by State Land Grants and by County Court Orders. This did not include the land he bought and traded for with other individuals. It is said he once owned all the land from Milllard, then called the Forks, at the Forks of the Russell and Levisa rivers , to the head-water of Grassey Creek, in Virginia, which included a good part of the Breaks region.

Pike County census shows William , James and Moses living in the same area of Pike County. James does not appear after the 1830 census–it is not known if he was related to William. Moses died about 1845 as his will is dated March 8, 1845. He names "Friend" William Ramey. The description, Friend, might indicate they were not closely related. Censuses, by page number, indicate William lived n the same vicinity as John Moore, whose boundries by mentions in his will.

Relatives say William actually owned over 40,000 acres of land, but a fire in his home, or the land office, evidently destroyed some of his records and William indicated in his will, his papers were "all burnt up in 1838." at any rate, not knowing, or being able to prove his ownership, other individuals and large Companies took charge of the land and it could not be, or was not recovered.

OLD KENTUCKY LAND GRANDS

TO WILLIAM RAMEY

ACRES BOOK-PAGE DATE COUNTY WATERCOURSE

50 0–414 3-24-1824 Pike Russell Fork

50 S–186 6-15-1825 " ' '

50 S–187 6-15-1825 " Cumberland River

50 X–403 9-11-1830 " Elkhorn Creek

50 Y–263 12-11-1828 " Sandy River

ACRES BOOK-PAGE DATE COUNTY WATERCOURSE

50 Y–267 12-11-1828 Pike Elkhorn Creek

100 L2-223 2-28-1837 " Beaver Creek

50 02-521 1-20-1842 " " "

LAND GRANTS BY COUNTY COURT ORDER

To William Ramey

ACRES BOOK-PAGE DATE COUNTY WATERCOURSE

50 9-342 1-20-1842 Pike Beaver Creek

2260 36-296 12-26-1850 " Elkhorn Creek

50 36-297 4-3- 1851 " None

425 36-298 12-26-1850 " None

50 57-377 1-11-1858 " Russell Fork

PIKE COUNTY–Will Book "B" page 50.

I, WILLIAM RAMEY OF PIKE COUNTY, State of Kentucky, do hereby make my last Will and Testament in manner and form as follows - that is to say,

1^st - I will that all the personable property of my Estate be immediately sold after my decease and that the money arising there- from, all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid, and if the personable part of my property is insufficient for the above purpose then I desire that my Administrator herafter named sell some of my suspel lands that is not divided among my several heirs, enough to satisfy the same.

2ndly- After the payment of my debts and funeral expense, I give to my eldest Daughter Mary Potter a certain tract or parcel of land being in Pike County on Russell Fork of Sandy River, it being a part of a Survey made in the name of the Reverend James Madison of 1100 acres, beginning on a White Oak on the bank of the river, a corner to the said Survey, thence running down the river to a Double Sycamore thence & Crossing the river to the juncton of Elkhorn Creek on a cliff, thence up the _______of the ridge to the top of the ridge and with the top of the ridge or left part thereof, down to the JOHN MOOR branch, then straight to the river, thence up the river crossing the same just above Banling Rock to a Sprucefir and Sweet Sum, a corner of the said Madison Survey, and with the line of the same, 82 poles to the beginning, to have and to hold for her use and benefit her natural lifetime and after her decease to descend to her heirs of her body forever.

3rdly- I give to my son MOSE RAMEY another part of the said land beginning on the west side of the RUSSELL FORK of SANDY RIVER on an Ash and Sweet Gum on the point of a hill, thence South 70 degrees, 57 poles crossing the river to a Sassafrass and mark, thence South 7 degrees, East 66 poles to a Maple and Spruce Pine, West 81- East 25 poles to a Hickory and Sugar Tree, south 62-East 46 poles to a two Beech and South 50- East 108 poles to a Poplar and Beech, East 27 poles to a Beech and Maple, South 62-20 poles to a two Beech-Walnut, South 50_East 62 poles to Two Beechnuts on the bank of the river, South 60-East 64 poles to a Walnut-Hickory on Mary Potter, thence with the same Potter line down the river and crossing the river to the John Moor Branch and with my line down the river to the beginning, to have and to hold the same his lifetime, and after his decease, to descend to his children forever.

4thly - I give unto ANNA BENTLEY another part of said tract or parcel of land beginning on a White Oak, the beginning corner of Mary Potter line and with the same down the river to a double Sycamore, thence crossing the river to a Yellow Pine on the bank of the river, thence through the plantation passing an old Still House, thence across an old meadow to another Yellow Pine, thence straight up the hill to the Madison line, thence with the line of the same and its surveyed colls and distances to the beginning, to have and to hold for her own proper use her natural lifetime, and after her decease to descend to the heirs of her body forever.

I give unto the said ANN BENTLEY another tract or parcel of land entered and Surveyed and patented in my own name, adjoining the Madison Survey, beginning at a large Spruce Pine on the bank of the river, a corner of the Madison Survey, then with the Madison line 112 poles to a Hickory and Poplar at the corner of the said Madison survey, then with the colls of said Patent to the beginning, containing 57 acres to the said Anna Bentley her natural lifetime, and after her decease to descent to the heirs of her body forever.

5thly - I give unto REBECCA BENTLEY another part of the Madison Survey beginning on a large Sycamore, a corner of Mary Potter and Anna Bentley line, then with Mary Potter line to the junction of ELKHORN CREEK, thence with the manders of said creek, up the creek to my

to my upper Mill Dam to a small stream, thence up the stream, to a chestnut- Oak & poplar, a corner of the said Madison Survey, thence with Mary Potter line back to Anna Bentley line and along the same to the beginning, to have the proper use and benefit her natural lifetime, and after her decease to descend to the heirs of her body forever.

6thly - I give unto WILLIAM RAMEY, my Son, another tract or parcel of land, a part of the Madison Survey, beginning at the mouth of Elkhorn Creek and Mary Potter line, thence with the line of said Mary Potter up the _______ of the ridge to the top, thence with the top of the bluff of the ridge to where the main ridge joins the bluff, thence up the ridge where the Madison line crosses the ridge, thence with the Madison line to a White Oak on the _____,thence with the Madison line 280 poles to a poplar on the corner of the same, thence 30 poles to a Beech on the bank of the creek, thence with a line of the same up the creek to the mouth of the big branch where it empties into the low grounds at the Pond, thence with the Pond branch, up the branch to the Madison line and with the Madison line back to a Chestnut Oak and Poplar to the Rebecca Bentley line and with the Rebecca Bentley line to the beginning, to have and to hold the same for his own proper use and benefit his lifetime, and after his decease to descend to his legal heirs forever.

7thly - I give unto DANIEL RAMEY, my Son, another part or parcel of land, a portion of the said Madison Survey, beginning on the Pond branch and Madison where it crosses said branch on William Ramey line and with the said line to a poplar in a hollar and with the same line to a Spruce Pine and Mahogany and with said line to a large Poplar on the foot of a hill, thence crossing the creek to a White Oak and Pine then with the Madison line down the creek to the beginning - to have and to hold his natural lifetime and after his decease to descend to his legal heirs forever.

I will to DANIEL RAMEY, my son another tract or parcel of land containing 50 acres adjoining the Madison Survey, entered and surveyed and patented in my own name, known by the name of limestone branch to the said Daniel Ramey his natural lifetime and after his decease to descend to his legal heirs forever. Having another 425 acres of land adjoining the above Madison Survey, beginning at a Cedar standing on a point by a ledge of rocks opposite a corner of the Madison Survey, thence S–27, N –28 Poles to a Oak and Hickory Poplar near lines of the Madison Survey – then running with the Colls thereof S–45, W –250 poles to a poplar and chestnut oak on a hillside, thence up Elkhorn Creek S –26, W–362 poles to a double Poplar in a hollow, thence leaving the Colls of said Survey and running down the Mountain N–58, E -580 poles to a stake near a Spruce Pine, bland branch, thence down Russell for N - 45, W –186 poles to the beginning.

8thly- One portion of the above tract or parcel of land I will unto ANNA BENTLEY beginning where Anna Bentley and Rebecca Bentley line joins the Madison Survey, hence S-15, E---- straight across the Survey to the back line and all the East end of the above Survey, I give to Anna Bentley her natural lifetime and after her decease to descend unto heirs of her body forever. And the other portion of the above tract or parcel of land, I give to Rebecca Bentley beginning where Anna Bentley line joins the Madison Survey and with the Madison Line to a Chestnut Oak and Poplar on a hillside, another corner of the said survey thence S- 15, E----straight across the survey Bentley line to have and to hold her natural lifetime and after her decease to descend to the heirs of her body forever.

9thly – Another portion of the above tract of land, I will unto my Som WILLIAM RAMEY beginning on a Poplar and Chestnut Oak, a corner of the said Madison Survey, where Rebecca Bentley line joins the same, thence with the Madison to where the said line crossed the Pond Branch, thence S–15, E— to the back line to William Ramey his lifetime and after his decease to descend unto his legal heirs forever.

10thly—Another portion of said tract or parcel of land, I Will unto DANIEL RAMEY beginning at the Pond branch where William Ramey line crosses the same and with the line-----to the back line and all Southwest end o the said survey, to Daniel Ramey his natural life time and after his decease to descend to his heirs forever. Another tract or parcel of land, I will unto DANIEL RAMEY, lying on Russell Fork of Sandy River opposite the mouth of GRASSY CREEK in Pike County. I will unto the said Daniel Ramey his natural lifetime and after his decease to descend unto his legal heirs forever.

11thly–Having another tract of land containing 2260 acres, laying and being in Pike County, boundry as follows- ---The beginning at three Pines and Chestnut Oak standing onthe top of the point below ROCK POND branch and the right hand side of ELKHORN CREEK NEARLY OPPOSITE Daniel Ramey, corner tree of Madison Survey, thence running down said Pond and Elkhorn in with the Colls of the said Madison Survey, N–12 E-262 poles to a Beech on the bank of said creek, N–41, E–30 poles to a Sugar tree near the bank of the creek, N–28, E–280 poles to a White Oak near the mouth of said creek, thence down said Russell Fork N–63, W–170 poles to a Water Oak nearly opposite a branch, N - 24, W-300 poles to a stake S–55, W–474 poles (8)

1. WILLIAM RAMEY — Book B Page 50

to a stake, S-10, W-449 poles to stake, thence S- 71, E-417 poles to the beginning. The above tract or parcel of land I divide between those of my sons, to wit- DANIEL RAMEY and MOSES RAMEY and WILLIAM RAMEY and part of said tract of land I give unto DANIEL RAMEY beginning on the Madison line at or near the mouth of the Big Branch on ELKHORN CREEK, running up the same West course to the top of the dividing ridge between said branch and said creek to the head of where the dividing ridge between the KETTLE CAMP branch and the JOHN MOOR branch and with said dividing ridge on the highest point thereof to the back line, to have and to hold for his use and benefit his lifetime and after his decease to descend to his legal heirs forever.

12thly– Another part of the above tract of land I give unto WILLIAM RAMEY beginning on the top of the ridge at the head of the Big branch where Daniel Ramey line strikes the top of the ridge between the KETTLE CAMP branch and the JOHN MOOR branch and with the top of the ridge between the Big Branch and the JOHN MOOR branch to where the Madison line crosses said ridge and with the Madison Line and Daniel Ramey line to the beginning for his natural lifetime and after his decease to descend to his heirs forever.

13thly - - Another part of the above tract of land, I give unto MOSES RAMEY, beginning on the top of the ridge on the Madison line running up the ____ to the top of the ridge and with the top of said ridge to the back line and with the said line to the Daniel Ramey line, and

where the said line to William Ramey and with the said line to the beginning, to have and to hold for his proper use his lifetime and after his decease to descend to his heirs forever.

15thly - -Having another tract of land adjoining the Madison Survey on BEAVER CREEK beginning on two White oaks running up the river crossing Beaver Creek to a White Oak, crossing a ridge to a Sweet Gum and Spruce Pine and with the said Madison line back to the beginning, the number of acres I know not, for in 1838 papers all got burnt up. I give the above tract of land to MOSES RAMEY for his proper use and benefit his natural lifetime and after his decease to descend to his legal heirs forever.

Having another tract of land containing 3620 acres, beginning on two Chestnut Oaks, thence on the top of the dividing ridge between LITTLE GRASSEY and MIDDLE BRANCH, thence running with the Colls to a ridge on Potters survey, S–43, E –92 poles to a White Oak, S- 86, E –34 poles to a Beech and bunch of Dogwoods on the banks of said Little Grassey, thence running down the same S–32, E–148 poles to a Beech and small Dogwood on the bank of said Grassey Creek, thence N–85, E–46 poles to two Maples and Beech S–31, E –84 poles to a small Dogwood and bunch of Baywood and Spruce Pines on an _____ point between and near the forks of the Little Grassey and Main Grassey on the line bewteen the State of Kentucky and Birginia, thence running up Main Grassey with the State line N–45, E –1140 poles crossing Middle Fork of Main Grassey to a poplar and Spruce Pine on the bank of said fork just below Oak House lick. Thence the same course 188 poles to two black Locus, Hickory, black oak on the top of the dividing ridge and gap between said Grassey and main head of Card, thence S–76, W–30 1734 poles to a stake thence S–50, E–636 poles to the beginning line.