Early of Ireland, Virginia; Wilkes & Greene Counties

John Early, born 1642 County Donegal, Ireland, died 1694 in Middlesex County, Virginia. He emigrated to York County, Virginia in 1661. He marred on 2 August 1682 in Christ Church, Middlesex County, Virginia, Margaret Loyall (18 August 1664-2 August 1682) Christ Church, Middlesex County, Virginia, the daughter of William Loyall and his wife, Elizabeth. Issue: [1]

Thomas Early was born 1682 in Lancaster County, Virginia, died 1761. He Married October 1704 in Middlesex County, Virginia, Elizabeth Johnson (died 8 Jul 1716 Middlesex County). Issue: Effie Early, died 1756 in Bedford County, Virginia; Judith Early, born 1711 in Middlesex County, Virginia; and Jeremiah Early. (below)

Jeremiah Early was born 9 December 1705 Middlesex County, Virginia, died 19 February 1787 in Orange County, Virginia. He married on 16 October 1728 in Middlesex County, Elizabeth Burford, born 1709 Lancaster County, Virginia, died 1780/1786 Middlex County, Virginia, the daughter of Thomas Buford and his wife, Elizabeth Metstand Lee. He was a patriot during the American Revolution who furnished supplies to the cause. Issue:

1. Sarah Early, born ca 1740 married William Kirtley.
   
   
2. Joseph Early, born 1740 Culpepper County, Virginia, died 20 October 1783 Culpepper County, Virginia. He was a Revolutionary War Soldier, 2d Lieutenant in Capt. Scruggs Company, 5th Troops, 7th Regiment. He lived in Madison County, Virginia. He married Jane Paschell.
   
   
3. Jacob Early, born 1742, Revolutionary War Soldier of Virginia, died in Georgia in 1794. He was Captain, Virginia Line, and Bedford County Troops. In 1783 he came to Wilkes County, Georgia to take up bounty lands given for his services. He married Elizabeth Robertson, March 1767. His LWT in Clarke County, Will Book B. Jacob Early of Wilkes County, dated. 17 January 1793, probated 30 January 1794 in Wilkes County, p. 72 . Wife: unnamed. Daughters: Ann Harris, Sally, Elizabeth, Mary and Ailsey. Executors: Wife, Elizabeth and Buckner Harris. Wits: Peter Terrell, William Terrell. Issue:
   
   
   • Ann (Nancy) Early born 1769 married Buckner Harris, Revolutionary War Soldier, son of Walton Harris and Rebecca Lanier.
   • Mary Early.
   • Elizabeth Early.
   • Ailsey Early.
   • Sally Early.
4. Joel Early was born in Virginia ca 1745, came to Georgia in 1792. He died at his home Earlys Manor in Greene County, formerly Wilkes County in 1807. He served on the Virginia Line as a Lieutenant and was stationed in 1781 at Travis Point; was a delegate to Virginia from Culpepper County. Removed to Georgia in 1791. He married in 1772 Lucy Smith. He received headrights of 1,000 acres on the Oconee River between 1803 and 1806, for his service in the Revolutionary War. His house was the manor house "was the finest house north of Savannah and he lives the style of an English Lord." His LWT gave 1,500 acres whereon Peter Early lives and 1,300 acres whereon Jeremiah Early lives to be used for the benefit of Jeremiah and Peter until they reach 45 years old, then to be sold and divided between them. Son, Eleazor was giving nothing, because of extravagence, and son, Clement, was given nothing because of disobedience. Son, Clement was given the land "whereon Hammatt lives", in trust, until he becomes aged 45 years. He first lived in Wilkes County, later removing to Greene County in 1791. His first land transaction in Greene County (Deed Book F, page 38) - John Bacon of Richmond County to Joel Early of Wilkes County, for 300 pds., 287-1/2 acres of land in Greene County, which was granted 6 July 1784 to said Bacon. Issue:
   
   
   • Peter Early was born on 20 June 1773 in Madison County, Virginia. He was a lawyer, congressman, circuit judge and the tenth Governor of Georgia (1813). He married Ann Adams Smith, aged about fourteen years at the time, the only daughter of Francis Smith. Before he was made Governor, he was Judge of the Ocmulgee Circuit. As congressman, he was at the impeachment trial of Justice Samuel Chase, being one of the managers of the prosecuition with Randolph, Rodney, Nicholson, Clark, Campbell and Boyce. He died on 15 August 1817, and was buried on the banks of the Oconee River. Later, his remains were removed to Greensboro Cemetery, to lay beside his brother, Joel Early, Jr. His widow married three years later, Rev. Ariel Sherwood, who was made the guardian of Peter’s children. Issue:

     1. Augustus Early.
     2. Cynthia Early, educated at Madison, Georgia.
     3. Alexander Early, educated at Washington City.
     4. Thomas Early, educated at Washington City.
     5. Frances Early, educated at the New Hope Academy.

   • Eleazer Early married Miss Patterson on 19 October 1803 in Richmond County.
   • Mary (Polly) Early married Major George Watkins on 26 December 1801 in Greene County.
   • Clement Early married Frances Terrell on 8 January 1810 in Greene County.
   • Joel Early, Jr. was born 1793 in Wilkes County, married Sarah Singleton (born 1793), listed on 1830-1850 Greene County Census.
   • Jeremiah Early married (1) Jane Sturgis (2) Ann Billups (on 22 August 1811 Greene County). She married second, John Cunningham.
   • Lucy Early married on 31 January 1807 in Greene County, Colonel Charles Lewis Mathews, youngest son of Governor George Mathews of Georgia.
   • Susy Early.
5. Jeremiah Early, born 1730 in Culpepper County, died 1779 Bedford County, Virginia. He removed to Virginia in 1753. He married (1) 1750 Sarah Anderson (died 1770), and, (2) 1773 Mary Stith. Jeremiah Early was a Revolutionary War Soldier who served as a Lieut. in the Virginia Militia in 1778 and in 1778 was appointed Colonel. His LWT dated 29 July 1719, probated 27 September 1779. It was proven in Court that the Estate of Jeremiah Early, deceased, furnished 1425 pounds of beef to the Continental Troops at New London in 1781. Issue:
   • Jacobus Early, born 1750 in Bedford County, Virginia, died 1875 in Roanoke County (formerly Montgomery County). He married Sarah Wall. During the American Revolution, he was a Captain in the Bedford County Militia; 1782 was a Captain of Campbell County Militia.
   • Judith Early, born 1752 married (1) John Pate (2) Capt. Charles Callaway, Revolutionary War Soldier.
   • Jeremiah Early, born 1765 married Rachel Freeman of Surrey County, North Carolina.
   • Joseph Early, unmarried, died in Henry County, Virginia.
   • John Early, born 1757 married Elizabeth Cheatham. In 1797 he was a Colonel in the 43rd Virginia Militia.
   • Elizabeth Early, born 1759 married (2) in 1777 James Callaway, son of Colonel William and Elizabeth Callaway.
   • Jenny Early, born 1761.
   • Jeffrey Early, born 1762, removed to Georgia.
   • Jubal Early, born 1764 married Mary Cheatham.
   • Sarah Early, born 1766 married William Anderson.
   • Abner Early, born 1768 married Docia Anderson, daughter of Jacob Anderson.
6. John Early, born 1729, died 1774 married Theodocia White.
   
   
7. Joshua Early, born 1738 married in 1763 Mary Leftwich.
   
   
8. Joseph Early, born 1740, died 1783 married Jane Paschall, Revolutionary War Soldier, 2d Lieutenant in Capt. Scruggs Company, 5th Virginia Regt under Colonel Charles Scott, later 1st Lieut., Culpepper County Troops. He lived in Madison County, Virginia.
   
   
9. Ann Early married Joseph Rogers, moved to Kentucky.
   
   
10. Hannah Early married in 1770 John Scott of Culepper County, Virginia (later Madison County, Virginia), Revolutionary War Soldier.