The Poage family

 

Origins and Ancestry

• Scotch-Irish Ancestry: The Poages are of pure Scotch-Irish ancestry. Their line of descent can be traced back to two brothers, Robert and John Poage, who "proved their importation at their own charges" at Orange Courthouse in 1740.
• Settlement in Virginia: Robert Poage settled between Staunton and Fort Defiance in the Valley of Virginia around 1740, and was among the first to occupy that area. His wife was Elizabeth Preston, whose family settled near Waynesboro around the same time.

Generational Lineage and Notable Members

• Robert Poage, Sr.:
  • His will was dated October 20, 1773, and proved in court March 6, 1774.
  • His executors were William Lycwis and his son, John.
  • He had sons John, Thomas, Robert, George, and William, and daughters Martha Woods and.
• John Poage:
  • Son of Robert Poage, Sr..
  • Qualified as assistant to Thomas Lewis, surveyor of Augusta County, May 20, 1760.
  • Vestryman of Augusta Parish in 1763.
  • Became high sheriff on March 17, 1778, and county surveyor the next day.
  • His will, dated February 16, 1789, was proved in court April 22, 1789. He mentions his wife Mary and children Robert, George, James, John, Thomas, Elizabeth and Ann.
  • His children included:
    • Robert Poage, who qualified as assistant county surveyor, June 16, 1778.
    • James Poage, who married his cousin Mary Woods and moved to Kentucky.
    • John Poage, who succeeded his father as county surveyor and died in 1827.
    • Thomas Poage, who died in 1793.
    • Elizabeth Poage, who married the Rev. Dr. Moses Hoge.
• Thomas Poage:
  • Son of Robert Poage, Sr..
  • He inherited and lived on his father's homestead.
  • His wife was Polly McClanahan.
  • His will, proved January 24, 1803, mentions his children: Elijah, Robert, John, William, Elizabeth, Ann, Polly, and Agnes.
• His children included:
  • Elijah Poage, who married Nancy Grattan and went to Kentucky.
  • Robert Poage, who married Martha Crawford and went to Kentucky.
  • John Poage, who married Mrs. Rachel Crawford and lived in Rockbridge.
  • William Poage, who was Major Poage and lived on the ancestral farm.
  • Ann Poage, who married Major Archibald Woods.
  • Elizabeth Poage, and Agnes Poage, who died unmarried.
• William Poage (son of John):
  • Married Margaret Davies and settled in the Little Levels around 1782.
  • He lived at the place where Charles W. Beard later resided.
  • His wife died in 1843 at 98 years old.
  • Their children were William, George Washington, Moses Hoge, Samuel Davies, and Elizabeth.
• William Poage, Jr. (son of William):
  • Married the widow Nancy Gatewood, daughter of Major Jacob Warwick.
  • Lived at Marlin's Bottom.
  • His daughter Rachel married Josiah Beard.
• Colonel William Woods Poage (son of Major William):
  • Married Julia Callison and settled on the homestead, and later moved to Poages Lane.
  • His sons John Robert and Quincy W. Poage lived on the homestead near Clover Lick. They married sisters, daughters of Jacob Sharp.
• Moses Hoge Poage (son of William):
  • Married Martha McDannald and settled on the place later held by Alvin Clark.
  • Emigrated to Missouri late in life.
  • His children were William, Franklin, Cyrus, Davis, Elizabeth, and Mary.
• George Washington Poage (son of William):
  • Married Miss Rankin and settled on the place later occupied by Preston Clark.
  • Children from his first marriage were William, Rankin, James R., Ann Wanless, and Elizabeth Burner.
  • His second wife was Elizabeth Beard.
  • Children from his second marriage were George Washington Poage, Jr., Samuel Davies Poage, John B. Poage, and Elizabeth Poage.
  • He went to Missouri later in life.
• Samuel Davies Poage (son of William):
  • Married Rebecca Arbuckle and lived at the old homestead.
  • He was educated for the Presbyterian ministry but declined to exercise its duties due to a sense of unworthiness.

Geographic Locations and Community Involvement

• Augusta County: The Poages were among the first settlers in Augusta County, and the family held many prominent positions, like surveyor and sheriff.
• Pocahontas County: A branch of the family settled in Pocahontas County in the Little Levels. William Poage, Sr. was a Presbyterian ruling elder, and virtually the founder of the Oak Grove Church. The Poage family is well-known in Pocahontas County.
• Greenbrier County: Some members of the Poage family lived in Greenbrier County.
• Missouri: Many members of the Poage family moved to Missouri, especially in Davies County.

Marriages and Connections

• The Poages married into many other prominent families, including the Callisons, Beards, Warwicks, and Woods.
• The daughters of John Robert and Quincy W. Poage married into the Sharp family.
• Hester Kee married William Poage, and her second marriage was with Henry Poage.
• Anna Poage, daughter of G.W. Poage married Ralph Wanless.
• George P. Moore married first Lizzie Poage.

Additional Notes

• There was a William Poage who was with Daniel Boone and his family at Boonesborough. He died after a battle with Native Americans.
• The Poage family is noted for their strong religious beliefs, with many members being active in the Presbyterian Church.
• Some Poages are noted for their service to the community as lawyers, ministers, and editors.
• The family is remembered for their contributions to the social and economic history of the region.

This information is drawn directly from the provided sources, and should provide you with a comprehensive overview of the Poage family's history and significance.