Planting New Roots - Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Planting New Roots

Great opportunities beckoned, and “leaving Caroline County in the 1790’s, James and Agnes and several of their sons and families moved to Kentucky.” (Ref. 877) Indeed, after the hostilities of the Revolution had subsided, records show that “James II, his wife, and several sons and daughters came to Kentucky too. They settled in what was then Fayette County.” (Ref.874) Oldest son, John, decided to stay in Virginia and it must have been hard on James and Agnes to leave those grandchildren behind. Yet, when we see how many children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were to become ‘Kentuckians’, it is easier to see why they would want to move with them.

Their son Nicholas had already moved to South Carolina and had died by this time. We don’t know about Richard or Clary, but James, William, and Edmund, along with their many children, joined together with a large number of the Webb family members to make this great migration. The Webbs and Wares had been close to each other for years and several Webb relatives married Ware relatives. James II was in his early fifties, William was in his early forties, and Edmund Ware was in his late 30’s when they moved. James and Agnes, however, were both 77 years old. It must have been a great undertaking for them.

Dr. James Ware, their son, had sent his two oldest sons to prepare the way for this large move of the family. In addition to Thompson and James III, he also “sent out some Negroes and an overseer to make a settlement and clear some ground” (Ref. 2) In 1791, the entire family (with the exception of James III, who returned to Virginia) relocated to Kentucky. They arrived “on June 16, 1791.” (Ref. 35G) They all came to Fayette County, but Dr. Ware and his family settled in what became Versailles. It was a county carved out of Fayette in 1792. It was originally known to the early pioneers as “Falling Spring” because of the large stream of water that gushed from a cavern which lies beneath much of the downtown section.” (Ref. 972)

DuckersMap2.jpg (170961 bytes)

WareRoadMap.jpg (104647 bytes)

As noted previously, although James and Agnes settled in what was then Fayette County, established in 1780; it became a part of Woodford when that county was established in 1788. (Ref.845) Later, in 1795, there was further division when Franklin county was formed. (Ref.845) “When they surveyed the line that separated the county of Franklin from Woodford the line passed directly through the farm of James Ware and within a short distance of his log residence. It separated his farm into two almost equal parts, one in Franklin and the other in Woodford, but the residence went into Franklin County.” (Ref. 874) Just as with Franklin and Woodford, the counties would change rapidly over the next few years and often a family would start living in one county, raise their children in another county, and die in yet another county, without ever having moved from their original residence.

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Woodford County Courthouse

WoodfordCountyCourthouse.jpg (27773 bytes)
Photo courtesy of James & Judy Ware 2009

Later documents mention William Ware inheriting the “estate” of his father after James’ death, so it is safe to assume that James must have eventually had quite a large home. As it was once described,

“his residence, which in recent years has been modernized and enlarged, sets back in an avenue some distance from (but in full view of) the Frankfort and Versailles road at the intersection of the Duckers Station Pike. It is five and ½ miles from Frankfort and the farm originally extended to Duckers Station, and included a part of the farm that was afterwards owned by Capt. Elijah Fogg, husband of Ann Read Ware who was the great granddaughter of James and Agnes Ware; her grandfather being William Ware & her father being Samuel Ware, and all of the farm that was later owned by Robert Scott and now owned by the Mason heirs.” (Ref. 874)

DuckersRoad.jpg (54365 bytes)
Photos courtesy of James & Judy Ware 2009

DuckersRoadSign.jpg (23294 bytes) DuckersStationRoadSign.jpg (19964 bytes)
Photos courtesy of James & Judy Ware 2009

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James named his vast estate “Wareland” which probably came from the basic “Ware’s Land.” The map below, kindly shared by Wendell Ware and Teta Eubank Wagner, shows the exact location of the home. In the Samuel Family Story, written by Muriel Hoffman in 1971, she states that “Sarah married William Ware and they lived at Wareland.” (Ref. 906) We know that William took charge of the old home and died there.” (Ref. #379)

Location of Wareland – home of James Ware WarelandMap3.jpg (144089 bytes)

JettKentuckyMap.jpg (61270 bytes)
Map provided courtesy of David Nance and the Forks of Elkhorn Baptist Church records.

It would seem that James was an active member in the Forks of Elkhorn church too. His will, probated on April 19, 1796, was witnessed by William Hickman, the founder and first pastor of the church which was begun in June 1788. Rev. Hickman was a Virginian who had first visited Kentucky in 1776 and was the minister of Forks of Elkhorn Church for almost 40 years.

Since church records, as well as other documents, mention both James and Agnes, it would seem Agnes made the move to Kentucky with her family. I t appears, however, she never got to share her new home with James for very long. After approximately 56 years of marriage, Agnes passed away. Coincidently, her death date is the same as that recorded for her son Richard. As of this time, no details are known of how either one of them died. It’s always possible their deaths could have occurred at the same time or it may be simply improper documentation. Whatever the case, it must have been devastating to James to lose his life partner.

James Ware died at his home in Kentucky in 1796. (Ref. 963) He was almost 82 years old at the time. Curiously, his will was dated September 25, 1790; the same date that is given for the death of his wife Agnes and also their son Richard. (Ref 871) It wasn’t probated, however, until April 19, 1796, after his passing. Although both James I and his son, James II, were born in Virginia, they lived their final days and were buried in Kentucky. It was up to oldest son, John and the grandson of James and Agnes, James Ware III, to continue the family line in Virginia.

James had no idea at the time of his death how much his legacy would live on. Each generation from 1714 to the present, 2009, would see a male child carrying his name. The country that he and his sons fought so hard to secure would be split apart in the time of his great grandchildren, only to be healed again even stronger. Although his generation helped birth a new nation, his heirs lived to see that nation become a world power. For his descendants now, however, it all comes down to one main idea. Our “personal” Ware American history started with one man carving out a new home in a new nation.

Judith C. Ware
December 2009

CHILDREN OF JAMES WARE I AND AGNES TODD WARE

(1) Capt. John B. Ware B. Dec. 12, 1736 D. June 17, 1816

Married Ann Harrison

(2) Nicholas Ware B. Aug. 12, 1739 D. Mar. 26, 1787

Married Martha Peggie Hodges

(3) Dr. James L. Ware II B. Mar. 13, 1741 D. Feb. 1819

Married Virginia Catherine Todd

(4) Richard Ware B. May 18, 1745 D. Sept. 25, 1790

(5) Clara Ware B. Dec. 11, 1747

Married Mr. Sale

(6) William Ware B. Mar. 29, 1750 D. 1829

Married Sarah Samuel

(7) Edmund Ware B. Apr. 25, 1753 D. 1814

Married Susannah Brasfield

(Ref 871)

Disclaimer: We discover, when working with genealogy, that it is a “living thing” – often fickle and subject to change. I have endeavored, to the best of my ability, to insure my facts are correct and supported by credible sources. There is always room for error, however, along with the possibility of wonderful new information surfacing from documents not available at this time. JCW

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This site maintained by John Reagan and last updated February 03, 2010