American History
The Skidmore family of Braxton County, WVA
contributed by Lu Hickey

ANDREW SKIDMORE PIONEER

Andrew Skidmore was born November 8, 1750 in Pendelton County WV and died November 15, 1827 in Sutton. Andrew married Margaret Johnson in 1783.

He served as a private in the Virginia Militia and participated in the Battle of Point Pleasant
October 1774 under the command of his brother, Captain John Skidmore. Taking refuge in a hollow log with his nephew, Andrew Friend, the log become very crowded. Andrew pointed out another log nearby and in doing so, an Indian shot off his right fore finger, his brother John was wounded in the hip in the same battle. It is reported that Andrew participated in several savage incidents with the Indians.

Margaret Johnson Skidmore died in 1808 and is buried in the Odd Fellows Cemetery in Elkins. Margaret was the aunt of President Andrew Johnson.
Andrew Skidmore moved with part of his children to Sutton in 1812. His cabin stood on the south side of the Elk River at the mouth of Skidmore Run. Andrew Skidmore is buried in the Benjamin Skidmore Cemetery at Sutton. His known children.: James Skidmore born 1784, married Sarah Little.

Andrew born 1786, married Margaret Hudkins. Nancy born 1787, married 1, Basil Hudkins, 2, Thomas Scott. Mary born 1789, married John Chenoweth,. Sarah born 1792, married Martin Coberly. Joseph born 1794, never married. Jesse born 1796, married Elizabeth Coger. Eleanor born 1798, married Joseph Chenowith, John born 1800, never married. Benjamin born 1802, married John Crites..Rebecca born 1808, married Jesse Jackson.

Andrew Skidmore, JR, was born March 20 1786 and died April 24, 1870. His parents were Andrew Skidmore and Margaret Johnson. His paternal grandparents were Joseph Skidmore and Agnes Ann Caldwell. His maternal grandparents were Arthur Johnson and Margaret Phares.

Andrew Jr. enlisted for six months service in the Sixth Regiment, Virginia Militia. He settled on a tract of land three miles below Suttonville, (which according to John Sutton), he paid for by splitting and building a rail fence around the bottom that is now the town of Sutton. It is said Andrew Jr. was a man of extraordinary strength and endurance and weighed 180 lbs. The tale is told of how he killed a yearling bear on Wolf Creek and carried it seven miles home on his shoulders, along with his gun and knapsack, pausing only twice to rest.

In his daily journal, the Rev. R.L.Woodyard on February 12, 1854 made an entry..."This morning, I did not feel well as usual. I preached in the morning and in the afternoon in town to a good congregation.
That night I spent with Andy Skidmore. The family is very kind but neither the Ol Gentleman nor James are religious."" I draw from this, the Skidmore family were God fearing and kind but maybe not participants in church services.

Andrew Jr. and Margaret are buried in the Beall's Mill Cemetery along with several of their descendants.

Children: Naomi born 1809, married Levi Rogers. Susan born 1811, married Felix Sutton. Mary born 1813, married James Sutton. Nellie born 1815, married Elijah Rogers. Eliza born and died 1819. Sally born 1817, married Levi Prince. Allen born 1821, married 1, Sara Shaver and 2, Malinda Lyons. Felix was born 1823 and married Cynthia Frame. David born and died 1826. James married Caroline Duffield.

Catherine Skidmore was born 1766, parents were Joseph Skidmore and Elizabeth Phares. Paternal grandparents were Joseph Skidmore and Agnes Ann Caldwell.

Catherine married Jacob Fisher, a soldier of the American Revolution. They settled at Marpleton (Holly) Braxton County West Virginia.

Reverend John skidmore was born 1767 in Pendleton County and was one of the sons of Capt. John Skidmore and Mary Magdalena Hinkle. His paternal grandparents were Joseph Skidmore and Agnes Ann Caldwell. His maternal grandparents were John Justice Hinkle and Magdalena Eschmann. Rev. John Skidmore married Nancy Tingler and settled at Holly in 1827.

It is said he dressed peculiar in long stockings, knee pants and a frock coat long after they went out of style. Records show he was a commissioner, a justice of the court and licensed to solemnize marriages.

Known children: Mary was born 1789, married George Bickle. Elizabeth was born 1791, married Benjamin Taylor, Sarah was born 1796, married Rev. Jacob Cozard. Edith was born 1798, married Moses Canfield. Magdalena was born 1802, married James Brown. Phebe was born 1804 and married Henry Canfield..

Captain Samuel Skidmore (1792_1876) was the son of James Skidmore and Rachel Morral. His paternal Grandparents were Capt. John Skidmore and Mary Magdalena Hinkle. Samuel married Elizabeth Parsons daughter of Samuel A Parsons. Capt. Samuel joined the 6th Regiment of the Virginia Militia, September 13, 1813. The company marched to Norfolk, Samuel was on picket duty the night his brother John, a soldier of the same company died. Capt. Samuel settled on Holly near his uncles. Her served on the first grand jury after the county was formed. Served as a Justice of the court, worked as a Land Surveyor and was named Captain of the Militia of Nicholas County in 1835.

Capt. Samuel's children were: Thomas born 1820. James born 1822. John born 1824. Isaac born 1827. Jesse born 1830. Mary born 1834 and Rachel born 1836.

Bailey Lloyd Skidmore and Alice Irene Fulks. Bailey was born March 18, 1900 the son of Lucy Evelyn Liggett and John Wesley Skidmore who lived in the Flatwood Community.

Bailey Lloyd is the third of four children born to John and Lucy Skidmore. Lillian Ursal (1893-1990),
Evelyn Blyss, 1896, Georgia Ellen, 1909.

Lucy Liggett born 1866 in Upshur County died 1955, was the daughter of Ellen Cummings and Nathan Liggett. Paternal grandfather, John Wesley Skidmore born 1860 died 1953, was the son of Emsey Hosey and James Skidmore. James was the great-great grandson of Capt. Skidmore, commander of a company of Augusta militiamen who served with distinction at the Battle of Point Pleasant.

Alice Irene Fulks born February 27, 1910, died May 12, 1994 was the daughter of Ruhama Rollyson and Okey Norman Fulks who lived near Servia in Braxton county. Alice was the seventh of eight children born to Okey and Ruhama Fulks: Russell, Glen, James Romie, Roscoe, Casto, Clayton and Eunice.

Ruhama Rollyson was the daughter of Susanne Carr and Will Rollyson. Will was the son of Jim who along with his brothers, were Union soldiers in the Civil War.

Okey Fulks died 1933, was the son of Elizabeth Hamrick and John Fulks. John Fulks was the son of Sara Sando who was of Dutch descent... Alice Irene Fulks and Bailey Lloyd Skidmore were married August 30, 1930.

This is but a small portion of the Patriot and Founder family of Skidmore. As is written for posterity, they are a branch-family of Thomas Scudamore of Cloucestershire. The Skidmores are a good and plentiful family with many, many family lines of today. The history of Braxton and Pendleton Counties reflect the ancestors are scattered broadly and have served their God and Country with pride and integrity...