Validation and Contextualization of Michael Daugherty: Origin, Settlement, and Genealogical Differentiation of the Knapps Creek Pioneer (c. 1770)
I. Executive Summary: Core Findings and Genealogical Thesis
The analysis confirms, with high certainty, the specific historical claims regarding Michael Daugherty, the early pioneer of Knapps Creek. Documentation establishes that this Michael Daugherty was a native of Ireland, specifically hailing from Donegal, and that his arrival and permanent settlement in the Knapps Creek region occurred around 1770. The archival evidence supports the premise that he was an immigrant who arrived in Colonial Virginia, not a settler who took up residence in Donegal during this timeframe.
The figure in question is identified in the Historical Sketches of Pocahontas County as Michael Daugherty, a person of "some prominence in county affairs," who married Margaret McClintic, whose parents resided near Staunton, Virginia. His family life, civic status, and death date—culminating in the probate of his will in Bath County, Virginia, in July 1819 —provide the unassailable documentation necessary to delineate his biography.
The most crucial element of this historical investigation is the analytical separation of this Knapps Creek settler from a distinct contemporary, Ensign Michael Daugherty III. The presence of two identically named men active in frontier Virginia during the 1770s, one residing in the Knapps Creek/Bath region and the other on Reed Creek in Montgomery County , necessitates a rigorous genealogical differentiation. The successful demarcation relies on conflicting spousal identities (Margaret McClintic vs. Sarah Thompson), differing military service, and, definitively, contradictory death dates (1819 vs. 1787). Establishing this distinction provides a stable foundation for the historical narrative of the Knapps Creek line.
II. The Geopolitical and Migration Context of Western Virginia Settlement
The Ulster Diaspora and the Donegal Origin
Michael Daugherty’s historical identity as a "native of Ireland and came from Donegal" places him within the broad currents of the Scotch-Irish (Ulster-Scots) diaspora that profoundly shaped the colonial American frontier. These migrations, which swelled substantially after 1717, involved Presbyterian colonists who had spent generations in Ulster, specifically Northern Ireland. While often referred to simply as "Irish" by English colonists upon their arrival in America, many retained a strong sense of Scottish heritage despite their long residence in Ireland.
The Daugherty surname, or its variant O’Daugherty, has deep roots in the Lifford and Laggan Valley areas of County Donegal. This shared geographic origin links the Knapps Creek settler not only to a specific location but to a large kin-group, many branches of which also immigrated and settled along the extended Virginia frontier, including those found further south in Botetourt and Montgomery counties.
The Appalachian Push: Moving West to the 'Western Waters'
The journey of Michael Daugherty followed the established migration path. Settlers generally entered Virginia by moving southwest down the Great Philadelphia Wagon Road, populating the fertile Shenandoah Valley. By the mid-18th century, as the Shenandoah Valley became increasingly populated, immigrants began crossing the formidable Allegheny Mountain range to settle the land known as the "Western Waters". This term was a critical geographic and legal distinction, referring to streams that flowed westward toward the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico, rather than eastward to the Atlantic. Knapps Creek, being a tributary of the Greenbrier River, fell squarely into this territory.
Daugherty’s settlement around 1770 places him among the vanguard of permanent settlers in the Greenbrier Valley. Initial reconnaissance into this specific region occurred as early as 1749 with figures like Jacob Marlin and Stephen Sewell. However, the period between 1750 and the close of the French and Indian War was characterized by frequent conflict, which delayed widespread permanent settlement. Daugherty’s arrival in 1770 occurred during a brief window of comparative geopolitical calm, after the major hostilities but before the eruption of Lord Dunmore’s War in 1774. This timing was conducive to establishing a stable, permanent homestead, evidenced by his successful tenure.
The Role of Kinship in Frontier Expansion
The successful establishment of a permanent claim on a distant frontier, such as Knapps Creek, was often contingent upon existing kinship networks. Michael Daugherty’s marriage to Margaret McClintic, whose parents lived near Staunton, Virginia , provides a strong indicator of such a facilitating network. The McClintic family was established in Augusta County, the governmental center for the western region.
The presence of the McClintock family in the Greenbrier region is substantiated by the will of William McClintock (Margaret's father), probated in Augusta County in 1785, which bequeathed 400 acres on Cove Creek in Greenbrier County to his daughters. The proximity of Cove Creek to Knapps Creek implies that Michael Daugherty moved into an area where his newly acquired in-laws held land interests or had established connections. This strategic marriage into a family with existing western land claims likely reduced the inherent risk for the immigrant Daugherty, providing access to, or information about, available tracts near an established kin nucleus. This pattern highlights the critical role intermarriage played in solidifying community and accelerating the movement of immigrants onto the most exposed frontiers.
III. The Knapps Creek Settlement and Local Prominence (c. 1770)
Locational Specificity and Initial Tenure
Michael Daugherty settled on Knapps Creek, which flows into the Greenbrier River in the area of present-day Pocahontas County, West Virginia. The historical record notes that Daugherty settled "here," referring to Knapps Creek, around 1770. He was an early, permanent settler alongside figures such as Moses Moore, who acquired his tract on Knapps Creek from a Mr. Ewing in exchange for "two steel-traps and two pounds of English sterling". The land Daugherty owned became well-known, with subsequent sections passing to Peter L. Cleek, William L. Harper, and the Ruckman sisters, Margaret and Nancy.
Evidence of Stability and Status
The historical sketches explicitly label Michael Daugherty as "a person of some prominence in county affairs". This description suggests that, shortly after his arrival, he achieved a level of civic recognition that transcended mere subsistence farming. On the frontier, such prominence usually translated into appointments as a constable, road overseer, or junior militia officer. These roles were instrumental in maintaining order and infrastructure in the vast, newly formed counties. His ability to establish enduring property and secure recognition reinforces the notion that he was a highly successful pioneer who navigated the dangers and uncertainties of the 1770s frontier effectively.
The persistence of his property within the family lineage further attests to his success. The Ruckman sisters mentioned as later possessors of his land are directly traceable to his family line; Margaret Ruckman was named as a daughter in Michael Daugherty’s 1818 will.
The Established Family Unit
Michael Daugherty and Margaret McClintic were the parents of seven children: four daughters and three sons. Their children married into other local founding families, further weaving the Daugherty interests into the fabric of the Greenbrier region. Daughter Martha Daugherty married John Frame and settled in Nicholas County. Isabella Daugherty married William Nicholas, residing on Douthards Creek (a branch of Knapps Creek), whose son, Thomas Nicholas, later settled on the Indian Draft. Elizabeth Daugherty married Adam Sharatt and located on the Greenbrier River, where he established a mill three miles above Marlinton.
These intermarriages ensured that the Daugherty family influence spanned the immediate geographical area and extended to neighboring counties, thereby increasing the collective safety and economic viability of the entire kinship group. The list of children and their spouses, later confirmed in his will , provides irrefutable genealogical links that confirm the identity of the Knapps Creek settler.
The following table summarizes the confirmed details of the subject of this report: Michael Daugherty of Knapps Creek.
Table 1: Confirmation of Michael Daugherty (Knapps Creek) Settlement Details
| Attribute | Detail | Approximate Date | Supporting Source Citation |
| Origin | Native of Ireland, came from Donegal | Pre-1770 | |
| Settlement Location | Knapps Creek (Pocahontas County, WV) | c. 1770 | |
| Spouse | Margaret McClintic/McClintock | c. 1760-1775 | |
| Civic Status | Person of some prominence in county affairs | Post-1770 | |
| Death Location/Record | Will probated Bath County, Virginia | July 1819 |
IV. Navigating the Archival Maze: Jurisdictional Evolution of the Frontier
The process of tracing Michael Daugherty’s permanent land tenure and civic activities requires a careful understanding of the rapid county divisions in colonial western Virginia. The vast territory west of the Alleghenies was constantly being parceled into smaller administrative units, often meaning a settler lived out his life under the jurisdiction of three or four different county seats, forcing researchers to track records across multiple courthouses.
Jurisdictional Timeline for Knapps Creek
When Daugherty arrived around 1770, the Knapps Creek region had recently transitioned out of the massive Augusta County (1745–), which was the original mother county for the Virginia frontier. Margaret McClintic’s family records are confirmed to be rooted in Augusta County.
In 1770, the year of Daugherty’s arrival, Knapps Creek became part of the newly formed Botetourt County (1770–1778). Botetourt County records would contain the earliest official documentation of Daugherty’s presence, likely in the form of road orders (mandating local labor to maintain access routes) or initial land entries, as the county government attempted to bring order to the new territory.
As the population expanded and the Revolution began, Greenbrier County (1778–1791) was established. Knapps Creek fell under Greenbrier’s jurisdiction, which is geographically consistent with William McClintock’s 1785 will mentioning land in Greenbrier County. For this turbulent period, surviving records often consist of tax lists, early surveys (which could take years to finalize), and bounty certificates.
In 1791, the final jurisdictional change during Michael Daugherty's lifetime occurred with the formation of Bath County (1791–1821). The confirmation that Michael Daugherty's will was probated in Bath County in July 1819 provides the definitive legal locale for his final years and estate settlement.
The contemporary geographical reference for the settlement, Pocahontas County, was not established until 1821, two years after Michael Daugherty's death.
Table 2: The Evolving Jurisdictional History of Knapps Creek
Archival Reliance on Non-Deed Records
The complexity of these county formations and the inherent delays in formal land documentation on the frontier necessitate reliance on administrative and peripheral records, often superseding perfected land deeds. Given Daugherty’s 1770 settlement date and the fact that most formal land surveys were disrupted by conflicts in the 1770s, it is probable that his original claim was based on a "settlement right" or a treasury warrant, which often took years—or even decades—to be fully surveyed and patented.
Researchers often find that early frontiersmen, such as those listed for bounty certificates or militia duty, left few explicit deeds compared to the settled regions. Therefore, non-deed records such as personal property tax lists (established in 1782) , early survey records , and the explicit details provided in the 1819 will and inventory become critical instruments for establishing continuous residency and property ownership. The successful tenure of the Knapps Creek property, which remained within the family network long after his death , is affirmed through these later records, compensating for the likely sparsity of his initial 1770s land patent records.
V. Genealogical Resolution: Differentiating the Michael Daughertys of Virginia
A detailed analysis of the available records reveals the existence of at least two contemporary men named Michael Daugherty operating in western Virginia during the period from 1770 to 1785. The analytical requirement is to demonstrate conclusively that the Knapps Creek settler is distinct from his namesake.
Case Study A: Michael Daugherty of Knapps Creek (The Subject)
This individual, the focus of the historical sketch, is defined by his location, spouse, and longevity:
Origin and Lineage: Born around 1740 or 1741 in County Donegal, Ireland. He was a direct immigrant who arrived approximately in 1770.
Case Study B: Ensign Michael Daugherty III of Reed Creek (The Counterpoint)
This individual is documented extensively in the records of Southwest Virginia, particularly related to the Montgomery County Militia:
Origin and Lineage: Born circa 1747, he was the son of Michael Daugherty II (Oge) and Mary Clark. He was part of an established Virginian family, many of whom were instrumental in the settlement of Kentucky.
The following table synthesizes the conflicts in identity and chronology that allow for the clear resolution of this common genealogical problem.
Table 3: Differentiation of Michael Daughertys Active in Western Virginia (c. 1770s)
| Attribute | Michael Daugherty of Knapps Creek (The Subject) | Ensign Michael Daugherty III of Reed Creek (The Counterpoint) | Source Citation Contrast |
| Origin/Generation | Direct Immigrant from Donegal (b. c. 1740) | Second/Third generation Virginian (b. c. 1747) | vs |
| Primary Residence | Knapps Creek (Pocahontas/Bath County region) | Reed Creek (Montgomery County, VA) | vs |
| Spousal Identity | Margaret McClintic/McClintock | Sarah Ann Thompson | vs |
| Military Role | Cited as prominent settler (civic role) | Ensign, major service in Lord Dunmore's War and Revolutionary War (wounded 1782) | vs |
| Final Documentation | Will probated in Bath County (1819) | Deeds recorded in Montgomery County (1777-1782); Tax Rolls (1782) | vs |
| Death Date | 1819 | 1787 | vs |
While the two figures are distinct, the fact that both lines trace back to the greater O’Daugherty/Dougherty clan and the Donegal region is significant. This illustrates how related groups of settlers, participating in the same macro-migration (the Ulster diaspora), chose different geographic vectors for their frontier expansion—one remaining anchored in the high mountain valleys (Knapps Creek) and the other pressing further southwest, ultimately contributing to the settlement of Kentucky.
VI. Land Tenure, Family Ties, and Final Legacy
The Strength of the Knapps Creek Tenure
Michael Daugherty’s residency, spanning nearly five decades from 1770 to 1819, represents a remarkable instance of successful, long-term tenure in a region that was historically volatile and exposed to danger. He and his family survived the major conflicts of the era, including the heightened Indian threats leading to Lord Dunmore's War and the strains of the Revolutionary War. His success is further reflected in his enduring property claims.
The economic stability of the Daugherty household is confirmed through the 1819 inventory submitted to the Bath County Court. The estate listed significant livestock—26 cattle, 18 sheep, 17 pigs, and 1 horse—and a variety of domestic and professional tools, including a clock, a loom, a spinning wheel, and shoemaker’s tools. The presence of a loom and shoemaker’s tools signifies a household that achieved high self-sufficiency, producing cloth and leather goods, a necessity that points to economic stability beyond simple subsistence.
The Will of Michael Dougherty (1818/1819)
The final legal document defining Michael Daugherty’s legacy is his will, dated October 5, 1818, and probated in July 1819 in Bath County.
The will names his wife, Margaret, as the lifetime beneficiary of the real estate, with the property then passing entirely to their son, Samuel Daugherty, who also served as the executor. This action secured the family’s economic future by concentrating the primary asset in the hands of the succeeding generation established on the property.
A unique provision in the will addressed his son William, stating that if William "comes back and lives on my land," he would receive 100 acres or $50. This conditional bequest provides a poignant archival snapshot of the demographic reality of the frontier. It suggests that William had migrated, perhaps westward to Kentucky or Ohio, but had not yet successfully established himself, prompting his father to leave a provision for his return.
His daughters were remembered with specific cash bequests (often $1 or small sums, common practice when dowries were paid upon marriage). The will names them explicitly: Martha (Frame), Isabella Nicholas, Elizabeth Sharret, and Margaret Ruckman. Furthermore, his daughter Elizabeth was granted the use of her "medows and house as long as she stands in need of it," suggesting a degree of care for an adult child requiring continuous family support. These records are definitive proof of the family structure cited in the historical sketches and confirm the lasting local prominence of the Daugherty network.
VII. Archival Conclusions and Recommendations for Further Research
The historical evidence provides robust confirmation of the user's premise regarding the identity and settlement of Michael Daugherty of Knapps Creek. He was an immigrant, a native of Donegal, Ireland, who settled permanently on Knapps Creek in Western Virginia circa 1770, distinct from other contemporary settlers bearing the same name. His long tenure, documented by local historical sketches, family connections, and the 1819 Bath County will, stands as a testament to the success of the Scotch-Irish settlement strategies in the remote valleys of the Alleghenies.
Definitive Conclusions
Origin Confirmed: Michael Daugherty (c. 1740–1819) was born in County Donegal, Ireland, placing him within the Scotch-Irish migration wave of the 18th century. He was not a settler in Donegal during the period of discussion.
Recommendations for Deeper Archival Pursuit
To further detail Michael Daugherty’s status as a "person of some prominence in county affairs" , future archival research should focus on the administrative records of the short-lived Botetourt and early Greenbrier jurisdictions:
Botetourt County Records (1770–1778): A systematic search for Michael Daugherty’s name in the Botetourt County Road Orders is necessary. Appointments as a road overseer or commissioner would explain his early prominence and confirm his residency immediately upon the county’s formation in 1770.
Spousal Identity: Married Margaret McClintic/McClintock, whose father, William McClintock, mentioned "Margaret Dogherty" in his 1785 Augusta County will. The marriage likely occurred earlier, around 1760-1775.
Geography: Resided continuously on Knapps Creek in the Greenbrier/Bath County region.
Death and Legacy: He died in 1819 at approximately age 79. His will, dated October 5, 1818, was probated in Bath County in July 1819, establishing his final residence and distributing his real estate to his widow Margaret and their son Samuel, ensuring the property remained in the family.
Spousal Identity: Married Sarah Ann Thompson, likely around 1760 or 1775.
Geography and Military Service: Resided on Reed Creek in Montgomery County, geographically distant from Knapps Creek. He held the rank of Ensign and was highly active in frontier defense, including service during Lord Dunmore's War (1774), attempting to raise a company from Captain Walter Crockett's militia. He later served in the Montgomery County Militia and was wounded at the Battle of Whitsell’s Mills in March 1782. His military and civic presence is confirmed by documented land conveyances along Reed Creek in Montgomery County dated 1777 and 1782.
The Definitive Distinction: Ensign Michael Daugherty III is documented as having died in 1787 at his Reed Creek farm. This death date predates the 1819 death of the Knapps Creek pioneer by 32 years, providing irrefutable proof of their separate identities.
Settlement Verified: He settled permanently on Knapps Creek, Pocahontas County (then Botetourt/Greenbrier/Bath County), around 1770.
Identity Secured: The Knapps Creek settler is irrevocably distinguished from Ensign Michael Daugherty III of Montgomery County by marriage (Margaret McClintic vs. Sarah Thompson) and death date (1819 vs. 1787), establishing the continuity of the Knapps Creek line through his 1819 Bath County probate records.
Greenbrier County Records (1778–1791): Intensive examination of early Greenbrier County Survey Records and Warrant Books is recommended to locate the exact survey plat and boundary description for Daugherty’s Knapps Creek tract. Finding this documentation would solidify the precise legal establishment of his land claim.
Comparative Land Analysis: A side-by-side reconstruction of the land interests of Michael Daugherty and his father-in-law, William McClintock (especially the 400 acres on Cove Creek in Greenbrier County) , would provide crucial context regarding how these families utilized interlocking kinship and land grants to successfully establish and maintain tenure in the rugged, distant "Western Waters."
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