Marilyn B. Headley, Immigrants From Ireland
There are a variety of surname spellings in the old documents, with LECKY believed to be the original.From Family Name History,courtesy of James A. Lackey, Sr. of Kent, Washington: "When found in England the surname Leckey or Lecky, Leckie and Leakey is ultimately of Scottish origin. The name is of local origin, that is, it belongs in the category of surnames derived from the place where the initial bearer once lived or held land. In this instance, the name indicates 'one who came from Leckey,' The name of a baronry in the parish of Gargunnock in Sterlingshire. In Scotland this name is especially found in the shires of Dumbarton and Stirling. . . . Refractory stones called “lecks,” useful in forging iron or steel, are found in Sterlingshire. Workmen in that land of lecks came to be called Leckies. They might have forged weapons for William Wallace but they had no clan tartan; they were artisans or tradesmen, not land owners. . . . and the Leckies of Antrim and Carlow in Ireland are of Scottish descent, having been brought here during the Plantation period of the seventeenth century." King James I had forced many Scottish tradesmen or artisans to leave their homes in Scotland and relocate to Ireland in the period around 1620. King James wanted the Protestant Scots to displace the Catholic Irish in the Ulster region, but the means of production were still controlled by the Anglicans of England, thus the Ulster Plantation."  

George W. Diehl,  The Brick Church On Timber Ridge:     “Among the passengers on board an emigrant ship sailing from Londonderry, Ireland, 1n 1748, was a Leech Family of seven and young twenty-year-old Thomas Lackey. Five of the Leeches died and were buried at sea, leaving only eighteen-year old-Agnes and her nine-year old brother John. Landing at a Delaware port, most of the immigrants made their way to the frontier and settled in Lancaster County, Pa. Here six years later, in 1754, Thomas Lackey and Agnes Leech were married and then, with her brother John and his bride, the former Martha McComb, they moved across the Potomac River and made their way up the Shenandoah Valley, finally settling a few miles west of the Natural Bridge in Augusta County, now Rockbridge.... He was a master craftsman in wood-working, a cabinet maker and wheelright. Being well educated, he acted as the scribe for the community. In the American Revolution, he served as a scout."

Clementine Raily:  House of Ochiltree:   (A repeat of much of Rev. Diehl’s words about Thomas and Agnes and she adds the following:)   "Thomas and Agnes (Leech) Lackey came from Pennsylvania to Rockbridge County, Virginia in 1768. Their home was about two miles west of the Natural Bridge. The large outside chimney of the old house still stands. (1916) Thomas Lackey was a wheelwright by trade; and he made the large and small spinning wheels in use in those days. They are said by a descendant, who remembers having seen some made by him, to have been fine specimens of workmanship, having his initials carved in the wood.. . . Thomas Lackey is said to have been a fine looking man, of fine physique, six feet tall, and to have resembled George Washington. He possessed ability as a scribe, and had the confidence of his fellow citizens, who came to him to get writing done, in matters which required ability and judgment.

2. Thomas2 Lackey II (Thomas1) was born 1755 in Lancaster CO. PA, and died 1827 in Timber Ridge, Rockbridge Co.. He married (1) Martha Anderson ca. 1773. She was born ca. 1756, and died 1796. He married (2) Jemima Taylor 19 September 1801 in Rockbridge Co. (Source: :Rockbridge County Marriage Bonds, Date of marriage bond.). She was born ca. 1770

3. Nathan Lackey (Thomas1), born 1757 in Lancaster CO. PA; died 1839 in Clark Co. KY. He married “Mary” (?). Researchers report Nathan and Mary had a total of nine children, which include Thomas, John, Rachel, Polly and Nancy Willson, whom he mentions in a letter (below), all appear to have used the Leckey/Lecky spelling’

In a letter dated "Aprile 20th 1814" from  Nathan in  his home in Clark County Kentucky, to his father Thomas in Rockbridge County,  Nathan writes of his joy at learning his father was:

" ...still among the living"  and his mother "stout as befits a woman of that age.”

Nathan writes of “the old compleant in my Leg", and  "our son John's return from a Tower (tour?) to Canady . . . ."  and hopes he and his parents ". . .  in a Christian maner (accept) the Troubles and Infirmieties of old age (and) bare them with Fortitude and patience. . . "  The letter is signed,  "Thy affectionate son Nathan & Mary".

                                                                                                    

Named in the letter are Nathan’s wife, Mary, son Thomas and other children, including Poly, Rachel, John, Nancy Willson (and her four children).  Copy of original on file, courtesy of Mary K. Wright. Original in Logan mss. Manuscripts Dpt., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN.

4. James2 Lackey/Lecky (Thomas1 Lackey) was born 1759 in Lancaster Co. PN, and died ca. 1829 in Rockbridge Co. VA. He married Isabella Gilmore, daughter of James Gilmore and Martha Dennison on 27 August 1782 in Rockbridge Co. VA. (Source: Rockbridge County Marriages, Bond made by Jas Lecky and James Dryden. James Gilmore gave consent for his under-age daughter. Test: Thomas Lecky and Joseph McAlister.) Isabella was born ca. 1762 in Augusta Co. VA. James served under his father-in-law, James Gilmore in the Battle of Cowpens. Isabella died 1794 in Rockbridge Co. leaving James a widower with seven young children, the oldest less than 13 years old. After Isabella's death, James married Mary Montgomery 27 August 1796 in Rockbridge Co. VA, daughter of James Montgomery and Mary Montgomery. They had no children (unverified).

                            Botetourt County, State of Virginia 28th Day of October 1822

In the name of God Amen. The twenty eight day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty two I James Lackey of Botetourt County & State of Virginia being in soundnefs of mind and disposing memory thanks be to God and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament and as building such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to blefs me with in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form In premis it is my will and I do order that in the first place all my past debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.Item I do love and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Lackey the one third of all the residue of my whole estate real and personal of which I am any ways pofsefsed at the time of my decease during her natural life. Item I do love and bequeath unto my two beloved sons Thomas and Nathan Lackey the tract of land whereon I now live containing 400 acres by survey the line between said Thomas and Nathan Lackey is to begin a a large red oak on the bank of the river near the head of a small fall in the said river and to run due north untill it --- with the back line of said survey and said Thomas Lackey is to have the lower end of said survey whereon he now lives and also I do bequeath unto said Thomas Lackey a small entry of 23 acres joining the lower end of said survey and said Nathan Lackey is to have the upper end of said survey and also I do bequeath unto said Nathan Lackey a small survey of 44 acres known by Ripleys Survey. I do also request that all the furniture that is in my house at the time of my decease do remain unsold during my wife Mary Lackey's life and at the time of her decese all the property belonging to my estate is at her decese to be sold and equally divided among the legato Eliz my eldest daughter Martha McKnight Agnefs McKnight Mary Lackey , my daughters Thomas Lackey and Nathan Lackey all the negroes which I given to each of my children are to remain as there own property and not to come back into the estate Viz to Martha McKnight I gave two negroes Alexander and Betty To Agnefs McKnight two negroes Elijah and Lola to Mary Lackey my daughter two negroes Rachel and Matthias To Thomas Lackey one negroe John to Nathan Lackey one negroe Joseph and there is eight negroes in my own pofefsion which I do allow my wife Mary Lackey to have the one third of them and the other two thirds to be sold and equally divided between each of them Viz Martha McKnight, Agnefs McKnight Mary Lackey my daughters Thomas Lackey and Nathan Lackey my sons and at my wifes Mary Lackeys decese the negroes that comes to her share is to be sold and equally divided between the aforesaid legatees and I bequeath unto my beloved son Samuel Lackey one hundred dollars Virginia --- to be paid in two years after my decese and Thomas Lackey is to pay fifty of the above mentioned hundred dollars and Nathan Lackey is to pay the other fifty dollars which will make the hundred dollars that I allow him to get and I also give said Samuel Lackey two negroes which I do allow him to keep and not to return into the estate and the negroes names Sery__ and Nanney said Samuel Lackey is to recieve the afore said sum of one hundred dollares and no more out of my estate and I do allow all my stock of horses cattle hogs and sheep and farming utencils after my wife Mary Lackey her third out of them to be sold and the money equally divided between Martha McKnight and Agnefs McKnight and Mary Lackey My daughter Thomas Lackey and Nathan Lackey and I do make and ordain Thomas and Nathan Lackey my two sons whole executors of this my will in hand for the intent and purpose in this my will contained declaring and confirming thus as my last will and testament and all former wills and bequests to be void and of none effect In --- whereof I the said James Lackey have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this day and year written above. Signed Sealed Published Pronounced and declared by the said James Lackey as his last will and Testament in the presence of us James Lackey SEAL Madison Gilmore Andrew C. Houston Aurthor C Burks At Botetourt October Court 1823.

Botetourt County, VA Will Book C, p. 400; Transcribed by Marilyn B Headley          Note: "Mary" is Mary Montgomery Lackey, James' 2nd wife, whom he married in 1796.

Sources:
1.Will of James Lackey 1822.
2.Lackey Family Bible (1807), owned by Joseph H Knick, Martinez Georgia.
3.Will of James Gilmore 22 June 1781-Isabella is named in her father's will.
4.Vogt & Kethley, Jr. Botetourt County Marriages 1770-1853, Vol I

5. Martha Lackey (Thomas1) was born 1761 in Lancaster Co. PA, and died 15 February 1843 in Fairhaven, Preble Co. OH. She married William Gilmore 12 June 1783 in Rockbridge Co. VA son of James Gilmore and Martha Dennison. He was born 1760 in Augusta/Rockbridge Co. VA and died 08 September 1836 in Putnam Co. Indiana.

7. Elizabeth Lackey (Thomas1) was born 1765 in Lancaster CO. ON, and died 06 August 1834 in Rockbridge Co. VA. She married William Miller 24 June 1785 in Rockbridge Co. VA, son of Henry Miller and Rebecca Boggs. He was born 01 March 1757 in Lancaster Co. PA.

William was a frequent Militia draftee and volunteer. In October 1780, he marched with John Gilmore, James Lackey, Lt. John Carruthers in Cpt James Gilmore's Riflemen from Rockbridge Co. He served until the company was discharged in February 1781. At one time, after becoming ill following 4 weeks of winter picket-duty at Garrison's Ferry, he and several others were too ill to march when the Virginians were ordered forward, and Cpt Gilmore assigned him the duty of going with William Gilmore (described as a close relative of the Captain) to the hospital, while the rest of the company took part in the battle at Cowpens. He later was a member of Cpt William Pazton's militia along with friends and neighbors from the James River area. His unit, a swift moving group of rangers who harassed the British, took part in the Battle of Green Springs and the siege of Yorktown.

After the war was over, he married Elizabeth Lackey and they made their home on a tract of land he had bought on Broad Creek. Because of his sense of land values, he became the possessor of an extensive acreage, and the Deed book of the county records several real estate transactions. In October 1795, he paid " James Gilmore of Kentucky (James Jr.) and his brother Joseph of Rockbridge Co.163pnds, 6sh,8p for 300 acres of land..."William applied for a war pension in 1832, which was attested by John Gilmore. The amount issued to him was $58.33.&

9. Thomas Lackey III (Thomas2, Thomas1)was born 30 August 1778, died 1837. In 1800. He married his 1st cousin once removed, Martha Leech, youngest daughter of John & Martha (McComb) Leech, b. 1780. Thomas was 6’ 8” tall and weighed over 300 pounds, a remarkable man in physical strength, requiring a special casket. He was an Elder in the Associated Reformed Church of Kerr’s Creek.

"An admirable Christian character:" George Diehl.
 “An estimable Christian man.” Clementine Railey.

10. Nathan Lackey (Thomas2, Thomas1) was born 1790, and died 1859. He married (1)Elizabeth Miller. He married (2) his cousin Mary Jane Lackey (See # 20.) 01 April 1813 in Botetourt Co. VA 2 Jan 1813 date of bond. Consent of James Lackey, bride's father, dated 1 Jan 1813. Witness: Thomas Lackey, John McKnight, William Wilson. Minister Samuel Mitchell, Methodist. 14 Jan 1813.), daughter of James Lackey/Lecky and Isabella Gilmore. She was born 28 September 1792, and died 27 November 1834.

Sources:
Rockbridge County Marriage Bonds (compiled),
Headley, Marilyn, Email July 2000, re Thomas T. Lackey.

11. William Lackey, Maj. (Thomas2, Thomas1) was born ca. 1804 in Timber Ridge, Rockbridge Co., and died 1859. He married Phebe Hamilton 1830. She was born 1807, and died 1867.

            Source: Rockbridge Co. Marriage Records 1851-1883

17. Thomas James Lackey (James2 Lackey/Lecky, Thomas1 Lackey) was born 29 August 1788 in Rockbridge Co. VA. and died 06 April 1856 in Rockbridge Co. VA. He married his cousin, Jane Gilmore 13 February 1813 in Rockbridge Co. Minister, George A Baxter, Presbyterian.

Jane was the daughter of John Gilmore and Magdalene Shepherd. She was born 22 June 1792, and died 06 June 1819 in Rockbridge Co. VA Jane's father, John Gilmore, had been captured by Indians during the 2nd massacre at Kerr's Creek in 1763. His mother and sisters were also captured, and his father, Thomas Gilmore, was killed. John's grandparents, John and Agness Gilmore--the great-grandparents of both Thomas Lackey and Jane Gilmore-- had been killed in 1756 during the first massacre at Kerr's Creek.

 Census 1850 Botetourt County, VA Western District No. 8 34 634 634 
 Lackey John G. 35 M Tanner 4,300 Virginia (place of birth)
 Lackey Mary I. 25 Virginia
 Lackey John T. 6 M Virginia
 Miller Isaac A. 23 M Tanner Virginia

Notes for Thomas James Lackey:
If the Rockbridge Co. VA census of 1850 is correct, Thomas was born in  1783. According to the date on his tombstone, however, he was born in 1788.  Looks like an error in transcribing the census, as the dob of 1788 seems to "fit" the known dates of his siblings.

Rockbridge Co. Census: Enumeration date September 11, 1850 53 District, Page 403, Dwelling 350 Family #374
Lackey, Thomas...head of household; age 67; occupation farmer; born in VA
              Mary (T?)... female; age 28; born in VA
              Thomas P. ...male;   age 25; occupation farmer; born in VA
              Rebecca F. .female; age 22; born in VA
              William A. ... male;  age 20? occupation farmer; born in VA.

Thomas and both of his wives are buried in the High Bridge Cemetery near Natural Bridge.
Age 26 Leckey, Jane June 6, 1819
Age 48 y., 4m., 25 d. Leckey, Sarah April 9, 1845
Age 68 years Leckey, Thomas, April 6, 1856.

There are many Leckey/Lackey relations in grave sites nearby, including most of his children.

Sources Morton, Oren F, History of Rockbridge County, pg 49 Lackey Family Bible Rockbridge Co. Marriage Records 1851-1883 High Bridge Cemetery Records, Rockbridge Co. Virginia Historical Inventory, LVA Gardebled, Mike: Tombstone photographs and notes. Dodd, Jordan; Early American Marriages, VA to 1850 Rockbridge County Marriage Bonds 1778-1850, compiled by Dorrthie and Edwin Kirkpatrick, Iberian Publ Co. Athens GA,

Special thanks to R. Doug Lackey for his patience &
assistance in helping me identify members of this family.

18. Nathan3 Lackey (James2 Lackey/Lecky, Thomas1 Lackey) was born 18 November 1791, and died 01 December 1846 in Botetourt Co. VA. He married Jane Anderson 22 January 1819 in Rockbridge Co. She was born 24 March 1797 in Timber Ridge, VA and died 04 April 1854

Sources Lackey Family Bible High Bridge Cemetery Records, Rockbridge Co. VA, Virginia Historical Inventory, LVA Gardebled, Mike: Tombstone photographs and notes Dodd, Jordan; Early American Marriages, VA to 1850 Rockbridge County Marriage Bonds 1778-1850, compiled by Dorrthie and EdwinKirkpatrick, Iberian Publ Co. Athens GA.

19. Mary Jane Lackey (James2 Lackey/Lecky, Thomas1 Lackey) was born 28 September 1792, and died 27 November 1834. She married Nathan Lackey 01 April 1813 in Botetourt Co. VA 2 Jan 1813 date of bond. Consent of James Lackey, bride's father, dated 1 Jan 1813. Witness: Thomas Lackey, John McKnight, William Wilson. Minister Samuel Mitchell, Methodist. 14 Jan 1813.), son of Thomas Lackey and Martha Anderson. He was born 13 April 1791, and died 07 September 1859.

Children are listed above under (#11) Nathan Lackey.

Agnes was only 14 years old on 07 February 1798 when she married Jonathan Paxton, age 21, the son of Samuel Paxton, Jr and his 2nd wife, Rachel. Rev. Wm Baldridge officiated at the wedding. Jonathan Paxton was born 28 December 1777 in Adams Co. (RD Thomas shows his place of birth as Cumberland Twsp, York Co. PA.), and died 05 January 1852 in Preble Co. Ohio. According to Dr. George W Diehl, Jonathan’s father, Samuel, had 22 children. When he died in Feb 1793, Jonathan was only 16. He claimed his small portion of any estate and drifted off to the Valley of Virginia to make his own way in the world. He found his uncle Thomas Paxton, and later came to the Gilmore plantation of Sidney Vale and was employed there. He married William Gilmore's daughter Agnes in 1784 when she was only 14 yrs. old, and after the Gilmore brothers Joseph and William divided the property in 1816, Jonathan moved his family first to Franklin Co. Ohio, and then to Preble Co. where they settled on 640 acres. Jonathan died at the age of 76 in Jan 5,1852 during a typhoid fever epidemic that took the lives of 6 Paxton family members. Agnes died less than a month later on Feb 2 aged 68.

Children of Agnes Gilmore and Jonathan Paxton are:
75 i. Robert4 Paxton, b.1799 in Rockbridge Co. VA; d.30 January 1872 in Ohio.
76 ii. William G Paxton, b. 1800 in Rockbridge Co. VA; d.1873 in Mercer Co. IL.
77 iii. Martha "Patsy" Paxton, b.1802 in Rockbridge Co. VA; d. 03 February 1852 in Ohio.
78 iv. Samuel Paxton, b. 27 Aug. 1804 in Rockbridge Co. VA; d.02 Oct. 1834, Indiana(?).
79 v. Rachel Paxton, b. 29 Sept. 1805 in Rockbridge Co. VA; d. 18 Feb.1852 in Preble Co.
80 vi. James S Paxton, born 15 June 1807 in Rockbridge Co. VA; died 1898 in OH .
         Censured & suspended by Hopewell Church for "...his sins of Slander, Lying & profane
          swearing and contumacy" after spreading tales of his sexual conquests with young Gilmore
          cousins. James later married and became involved in politics.
81 vii. Thomas L Paxton, born 13 March 1809 in VA; died 1864.
82 viii. Eli Paxton, born 02 April 1811 in VA; died 19 December 1857 in Ohio.
83 ix.   J Madison Paxton, born 28 May 1813 in Rockbridge Co.VA.
84 x.   Sarah W Paxton, born 04 November 1814 in Rockbridge Co. VA; died ca. 1843 in Ohio.
85 xi.   Sabina Gilmore Paxton, born 28 April 1817 in Ohio(?).
86 xii.  Jonathan Paxton, Jr, born 28 March 1819 in Ohio; died Aug. 1901 in College Corner, OH. 87 xiii. Lena Irwin Paxton, born 28 October 1820 in OH.
88 xiv. Mary J. Paxton, born 28 May 1823 in Preble Co.OH; died 29 June 1895 in OH.
89 xv.  Eliza Paxton, born 1825.
90 xvi. Alexander P Paxton, born 1826.
91 xvii.Agnes L Paxton, born 1827.

Sources:
 Lackey Family Bible; House of Ochiltree;  Paxtons-We Are One

Sources : American Civil War Soldiers, "Electronic," dob in military records Rockbridge Co. Marriage Records 1851-1883 News Gazette (Lexington) 4 Apr 2002: Two Lackey Brothers (Wm and James)

Children are listed above under (# 34) Isabella Gilmore Miller.

Sources:
Rockbridge County VA Cemeteries; rootsweb.com
New Monmouth Presb. Church Cemetery Records.

Sources: Collierstown Cemetery Records Lackey Family Bible Freda Strampe

1880 US Census Rockbridge Co, VA, Natural Bridge District, Sheet 22 Martha Lackey: head of household - widow Age 45; 8 children listed in household.

See more about Jonathan's family at his g+granddaughter's webpage:http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/w/i/l/Phoebe-L-Willis

Sources: Dodd, Jordan; Early American Marriages, VA to 1850 Willis, Phoebe L. Rockbridge Co. Marriage Records 1880 US Census Rockbridge Co, VA, Natural Bridge District, Sheet 22

Sources: Lackey-Rowland Family BIble Point Lookout Prison Records Gardebled, Mike; Photos of tombstones and report LVA, Virginia Historical Inventory

Census 1850 Virginia Botetourt Western District No. 8 3 637 637
Thompson John          35 M Farmer Virginia
Thompson Isabella G. 22 F Virginia
Thompson William N.   3 M Virginia
Thompson Charles F.   1 M Virginia
Lackey Mary I.          15 F Virginia
Lackey Nathan A.      13 M Virginia
Lackey Thomas G.       9 M

Last edited on   February 1, 2005