Ira is from the generation that makes genealogy interesting.
Substantiating ties to parents is more difficult since the early U.S. Censuses
only have the names of the head of household, followed by the categories of the
ages of persons living in that household. Ira was born in 1831 to John W
Quillin and Rebecca (Lawson) Quillin. I’ve never seen a complete date for his day
of birth. They were residing in Scott County, Virginia, and the 1830 census
would match up to the number of people John would have had in his household
with his mother Peggy (Nation) Quillin and possibly a sister living with them.
In 1850, census takers began to list every member of the
family by name and their age. By that time (by only a year), Ira was married
and out of the household. I feel certain, though, as to Ira’s family ties
because he was included in family history books from that era. He is included
in Quillin family history books, Vineyard Family history books, and Lawson
Family history. Plus, Ira and his new bride are living next door to his parents
in 1850. His story goes as follows:
The State of Virginia indexed all marriages from 1740-1850.
This index was compiled from the information recorded by Jordan R. Dodd in
“Early American Marriages: Virginia to 1850. Jordan Dodd is a valid source, as
he recorded much of the early history from that area. Dodd listed the marriage
date of “Ira Quillin” and “Edna Vineyard” as 18 October 1849 and the marriage
place as Scott, Virginia. I, of course, found the information on Ancestry.com
Operations Inc, 1999.
In 1850, Ira and Edna Quillin lived next door to his
parents, John and Rebecca Quillin. Also, next door and quite close in the
vicinity are: Thomas Quillin (John’s brother, Ira’s uncle) and wife Polly;
Thomas M. Quillin and wife Eleanor (Ira’s brother); Henry S. Quillin and wife
Nancy (Ira’s brother). These families all live on nearly 3,000 acres of land. I
believe this is the land that Ira’s grandfather, Teague 1772, purchased when he
sold his property in NC and moved to VA. Ira and Edna would have had the
support of extended family in the area. Their first child, Hannah Melvina
Quillin, was an infant. They would eventually have 6 children; my
great-grandfather, Beverly Johnson Quillin, was their third child.
When I widen the lens in 1860, I see that Edna and Ira live
near her extended family, as well. Nearby neighbors include many Vineyards and
Harts. Edna’s mother was Hannah Hart. Edna’s father was George Vineyard. But
what was to come soon for Edna and Ira was the Civil War, which would change
life forever, not only for them but for all the brothers and sisters of so many
families. Many times, families found brothers fighting on opposite sides.
Ira died during the Civil War and Edna was left alone with 5
children, possibly 6. I have unsubstantiated information about Ira’s service to
the Confederate army. It is by word of mouth, and I have yet to find the
documentation. Sadly, records were destroyed during this horrendous war between
the states, and I may never know Ira’s complete story, but what I DO know
is what was told to me by the Quillens who stayed in the Gate City area.
That story is as follows: Please see the attachment about
Joel Shelley. These stories were covered in my post on Sept. 15,16,17.
