The first instance I can find of Israel Hughes is that I believe he signed the charter founding Bath County Virginia. The second is a land grant to James Swann dated 26 August 1795.

“24.000 acres on the waters of Jacksons River on the west side thereof adjoining the lands of Samuel Johnston, Israel Hughes and others.” Source: Land Office Grants No. 33, 1795-1796, p. 106 (Reel 99).

“440 acres on both sides of the Lick Run a branch of Jacksons River including the Big Lick on the west side of Jacksons River adjoining the land of Israel Hughes.” Source: Land Office Grants No. 41, 1798-1799, p. 246 (Reel 107).

I am currently trying to find the Bath County Virginia charter again to get the list of names for it to find Israel Hughes again.

I have often wondered about the connection between Israel Hughes and Hudson Hughes of Bath County Virginia. They both resided there in 1810 and records can be found of them in Mason Co., (West) Virginia as well.

1810 Bath Co., Virginia Census

Israel Hughes had 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 16-25 and 1 male 45 and over.
2 females 16-25 and 1 female 45 and over.

Hudson Hughes had 3 males under 10, 1 male 10-15 and 1 male 26-44
1 female under 10, 1 female 10-15 and one female 26-44

This looks like it indicates that Hudson is young than Israel.

The drawing accompanying this sketch of the life of Jesse Hughes is from an old photograph of Jesse’s home on Hacker’s Creek, near the mouth of Jesse’s Run, and about a mile from West’s Fort in what is now Lewis County, West Virginia. It was used as a illustration simply because it is the only available picture connected in any way with the famous Indian fighter.

Jesse was born about 1750 but the exact place of his birth is not known. He came to Hacker’s Creek around 1769 from the South Branch Valley with a group of home seekers led by Samuel Pringle.

In 1771 he married Grace Tanner, the daughter of one of the first settlers, and built his home on the ready cleared land of a former Indian village. (more…)