The best anyone can tell, Robert Looney was born about 1694 in Ballagilley on the Isle of Man. He came to America from the Isle of Man, Great Britain, with his wife, Elizabeth (Llewellyn) and at least two sons, settling first in Philadelphia, and later in colonial Maryland. Soon after they moved west to the new frontier and settled in Augusta County, Virginia on the James River. There on Looney Creek, Robert and his wife, raised their family and established the first ferry crossing on the James River. They built a grist mill, grew crops and raised livestock. Robert and Elizabeth had 12 children.
In 1754-55 Indian attacks were increasing and eventually developed into what we call the French and Indian War. Robert Looney built a wall around his home, creating Looney's Fort. The fort was at the junction of Looney Creek and the James River. Fort Looney was visited in 1756 by none other than Colonel George Washington.
Robert's sixth son, Absalom, was born about 1729. He is known for discovering a beautiful valley near the Bluestone River while on a hunting trip. It is called Abb's Valley.
Absalom married Margaret Eleanor Moore in about 1750 and they, along with two other families, settled in Abb's Valley. After the Indian attacks began, one of the settlers, Robert Poage, left the valley. Absalom's father, Robert, sent for him and his family and they went to help build the fort. The third family, the Moore's (probably Margaret's relatives) were captured by the Indians and most of them were eventually killed. (For more information on this, you can read a book based on first hand accounts called The Captives of Abb's Valley: A Legend of Frontier Life written by Mary Moore's Son, James.)
Absalom served in the Revolutionary War and his service has been proven by the Daughters of the American Revolution (Ancestor #A071512).
Absalom and his wife had eleven children including my 5th great grandfather, Michael.
Absalom Looney's wife must have died before September 28, 1791 when Absalom Looney of Botetourt County marked his will with an "A", leaving 5 shillings to each of 4 sons and 7 daughters, and all else to his son Benjamin without any mention of his own wife. John Smyth and Stephen Holstine were named executors and he witnesses were Dan'l Givens, John Summerfield, Rich's Summerfield, and Will Givens. Absalom died in 1796.
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Robert's sixth son, Absalom, was born about 1729. He is known for discovering a beautiful valley near the Bluestone River while on a hunting trip. It is called Abb's Valley.
"Abb's Valley. The valley in Tazewell County that has been written of and talked about most is Abb's Valley. . . . [It] received its name from Absalom LOONEY who discovered it while on a hunting and [ginseng]- digging expedition west of New River."From George W. L. Bickley, History of the Settlement and Indian Wars of Tazewell County, Virginia, (Cincinnati: Morgan & County, 1852; Parsons, WV: McClain Printing, 1974), p.514
Absalom married Margaret Eleanor Moore in about 1750 and they, along with two other families, settled in Abb's Valley. After the Indian attacks began, one of the settlers, Robert Poage, left the valley. Absalom's father, Robert, sent for him and his family and they went to help build the fort. The third family, the Moore's (probably Margaret's relatives) were captured by the Indians and most of them were eventually killed. (For more information on this, you can read a book based on first hand accounts called The Captives of Abb's Valley: A Legend of Frontier Life written by Mary Moore's Son, James.)
Absalom served in the Revolutionary War and his service has been proven by the Daughters of the American Revolution (Ancestor #A071512).
Absalom and his wife had eleven children including my 5th great grandfather, Michael.
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| Michael Looney Home. |
In 1783, Absalom Looney went to survey lands in the Cumberland District, "Wilderness", of Tennessee which were to be set aside for soldiers of the Continental Line. The first court in Sullivan County, Tennessee was established in the home of his son, Moses Looney in 1780. Absalom Looney was appointed Justice of the Peace for Hawkins County, Tennessee in 1790.
Absalom Looney's wife must have died before September 28, 1791 when Absalom Looney of Botetourt County marked his will with an "A", leaving 5 shillings to each of 4 sons and 7 daughters, and all else to his son Benjamin without any mention of his own wife. John Smyth and Stephen Holstine were named executors and he witnesses were Dan'l Givens, John Summerfield, Rich's Summerfield, and Will Givens. Absalom died in 1796.
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| Absalom's "A" |
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This is great! Robert Looney was my 7th great grandfather, Absalom my 6th great grandfather.
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