A Twist of Tobacco

IT'S HERE A Family is like a twist of tobacco, layered, folded and twisted until each leaf becomes inseparble. Every individual carries within them a bit of family members who have gone before.  Scoundrel and Scallywags! Saints and Sinners! Discover who was real and who was fictional in the A Twist of Tobacco Trilogy. Explore the history and heritage of six American Colonial families. Tennessee to Texas contains 300 images and encompasses more than 350 years. Genealogy research and family stories for the Ownby, Cheek, Winstead, Blankenship, Taylor, Penn and Canaday families. Available at Fountain SpringPublishing   Amazon    

Born to Edmond Taylor and Sarah Booking in 1732 in New Kent County , Virginia , James married Elenor Smith in 1737.   He and Eleanor had 8 children including David Taylor who married Nancy Penn (daughter of Phillip Penn and Martha Crutcher) in 1800.  James' family tree included, President James Madison and President Zachary Taylor. James died in 1805 and his will was probated in 1807: Patrick Co., VA-Jan Court 1807:  In name of God, Amen, I James Taylor of Patrick Co and State of Virginia being weak in body yet in my pergfect sences do make Ordain Consititute and appoint this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following to with, I Will my soul to God who gave it trusting through the meritorious mediation of Jesus Christ for the pardon of my sins and salvation of the same and my body to the ground from whence it was taken to be decently buried after and according to the direction of my executors herin after mentioned, fully depending for the ...

Phillip Penn was born in 1739 to George Penn and Anne Fleming.  His grandparents were John Penn and Lucy Granville.  Phillip was a first cousin to John Penn (Signer of the Declaration of Independence. ) Phillip married married Martha Crutcher in 1762 in Caroline Co. Virginia.  He served in the Amherst Co. Virginia Militia under Captain William Tucker. They had 11 children including Nancy Penn who married David Taylor. In 1990 his will was found in a Clerk's Office in box of unrecorded & loose papers; Bassett Patrick Co. VA Library; Probate: Will dated 29 Nov 1802 proved July 1806; copy from Bassett Library. The Will of Philip Penn says: First my desire and wish is that all my just debts should be paid. Secondly I bequeath and give to my Sons George, Wilson , & Gabriel, each one Schilling, also to my Daughters Fanny Flulcher, Lucy Hanna, Milly Ross, Scintha Sneed, & Nancy Taylor (wife of David Taylor) , each one Schilling, Third...

Many of the signers of the Declaration of Independence have been victims of neglect and distortion, their contributions either ignored or buried under the garble of political bias. Such has been the case of John Penn, a nephew of Edmund Pendleton, under whose tutelage he became one of those men who risked hanging to sign his name to a document which became the future hope of a nation and democracy. The success of such men has crept into the shadow of time but their courage and personal sacrifices remain an eternal beacon of hope for mankind everywhere. For many people the name John Penn falls on deaf ears. They don’t know who he was or what he accomplished. Some even confuse him with another John Penn, the grandson of William Penn, the founder of Pennsylvania. Lest people lose sight of North Carolina’s John Penn, it is necessary to keep in mind several of his accomplishments: (1) He served in the Continental Congress for six years (2) He signed the Declaration of Indepen...