DRAKE: Of Big Sandy, Geary District.
The first were three and maybe four brothers. Drakes, descendants of a Colonial family of the James or Roanoke River in Virginia, members of which moved westward, stopping for a generation or two in Russell County, and from there to this Big Sandy in the decade, 1830.
These first were Isaac, Sutton, Admiral and Charles.
Letters of inquiry addressed by the author of this, to two leading descendants of these Drakes, now prominent in Geary District, remain unanswered. We therefore write in part from hear-say, in part from our own family traditions as helped by conveyance and marriage records, and confine all comments to the family of Isaac and Charles Drake.
Charles Drake, born in Pike County, Kentucky, January 29, 1826, was a son of Charles Drake, born in Giles County, Virginia, Feb. 2, 1780,and Clarissa (Jeans) Drake, born in North Carolina, March 28, 1788.
Charles Drake, II, came to Big Sandy country, 1846 or 7, and here on 11th day of May, 1847, united in marriage with Sarah Ann Bishop, born in Pike County, Kentucky, June 9, 1828, daughter of John Bishop, sr., and wife Margaret Bishop, who was born in Russell County, Virginia, 1810, being, it is observed, a sister of John Bishop, II, pioneer of Pocatalico.
Charles and Sarah Ann, his wife, made their home on Big Sandy of Elk, and there brought up children whose names and births are as follows:
William Parrot, Sept. 16, 1850; Marshall G., Oct. 20, 1852; Mahala R., May 11, 1855; Hulda C., Oct. 31, 1858; James Russell, Oct. 16, 1860; America V., Feb. 16, 1863; Newton J., Nov. 24, 1865; and Mary D. M., June 20, 1868. Marriages of this family:
William Parrot to Amanda Patton, Dec. 28, 1871; Marshall G., to Elizabeth McQuain, Nov. 19, 1874; Mahala R., to Thomas McQuain, March 21, 1878; America V. to William F. Wilson, April 13, 1881; Hulda to Jacob Cook, 26, Jan. 3, 1884; Newton J. to Cynthia Kiser, Nev. 20, 1888; Newton J. at 25, to Wonder Hall, May 10, 1891; James Russell, 23, to Sarah E. Meadows, 24, April 12, 1884.
It is observed in the roster of enlistments of volunteers from Roane in Chapter I, of this book, that Isaac, Sutton and Charles Drake joined and served in the Union army of the Civil War.
In his biography in Hardestys History, Rev. Davidson Ross says he married Nancy Drake, daughter of Isaac and Peggy Bishop Drake.
George C. Drake, son of Russ Drake, married Miss Clara H. Spencer, daughter of George Spencer, of Henrys Fork, Smithfield District, on March 19, 1908. His age 22, her age 20. They made their home on main Big Sandy. He has been a popular teacher in the public schools of Geary District from when a mere boy.
Other marriages of Drakes we give from Roane County records as follows: Michael Drake to Lucy Justice, March, 1861. M. G. Drake, to E. McQuain, November, 1874. Isaac Drake to Mary King, August 9, 1875. Almeda Drake to John S. Parker, January 27, 1876. Elizabeth May Drake to John W. Hensley, January 25, 1857. Julia Drake to John King, January 9, 1857. Telitha Drake to James White, 1857. Mary L. Drake to John C. Harold, March 31, 1882. Lydia J. Drake 19 years old, to Camden Iedsome, 22, March 19, 1890. J. W. Drake to Ellen Naylor, April 21, 1877. Ameantha Drake, 17, to James B. Wright, 29, April 1, 1886. Lecta Drake to C. B. Shamblin, January 15, 1888. Priscilla Ann Drake married Christopher P. Tawney. See family name Tawney.
Source: History of Roane County, West Virginia, 1774-1927 William H. Bishop, Esq. p 509-510
Submitter: Sandy Spradling, November 28, 1999
