After all my New England and New York posts, it is time to visit down South! John Bandy, my husband’s 4X great grandfather, was born c1752, likely in Cumberland County, Virginia, as his father, Richard Bandy, is found in records there during this time period. The name of Richard’s wife and John’s mother, is probably Elizabeth.
Family data for the Bandys is a bit sketchy before the American Revolution. John is placed in the family of Richard Bandy simply because Richard was the only Bandy in Virginia and was of an age to have a children born in the 1750s.
The wife of John Bandy is yet another big question mark. Looking online, and even looking in pre-internet publications, John’s wife is named as Lucy Christian. However, I have never, ever seen any proof for this. His wife most likely was Lucy, as John died between 1810 and 1820. The 1820 census contains no entry for John, but Lucy appears as head of household.
If you are a Bandy or Christian descendant and have any clue where the proof is for Lucy’s maiden name, I would love to hear from you.
Lucy was supposedly from Amherst County, Virginia and born c1762.
These counties don’t border each other, but Richard Bandy moved westward to Bedford and Botetourt Counties, so it is possible that John met Lucy as the family passed through. Their first known child was born c1780, so they married c1778-1779.
Here is the next issue in a house of cards. There are 8 children assigned to John and Lucy Bandy. John’s exact year of death isn’t even certain, just that he likely died early in 1820 and he didn’t leave a will. The Botetourt County tax collector seems to have made his rounds from April until June, based on dates recorded on the tax lists. John Bandy appears on the 1820 tax list. However, Lucy Bandy is the head of household when the census taker visited on 7 August 1820. That time span would seem to indicate that John Bandy died perhaps as early as March 1820, if the taxman had good weather, and no later than 6 August 1820, when the census was taken.
No will or probate has been found for John Bandy. That brings an important question to my mind – how does anyone know for sure who John’s children were?
Here are the alleged children of John and Lucy Bandy, all probably born in Botetourt County, Virginia:
- Jane, born c1780; died after 1850, possibly back in Botetourt County, Virginia; married Hezekiah Brown, 14 May 1807, Botetourt County, Virginia. This family lived in Botetourt County until the 1830 census and apparently moved to Clinton County, Kentucky before 1840. However, land and probate records there have some early losses. It is thought that Hezekiah died there, but Jane returned to Virginia. Jane was head of household in 1850 in Clinton County with Martha J. Brown, born c1827, Virginia, living with her. There is a Jane Brown her age living in Botetourt County in 1860. The 1860 Jane was not there in 1850.
- Martha, born c1781; died after 1830; married William Campbell, 14 May 1806, Botetourt County, Virginia; no further record.
- Thomas, born c1783; married Nancy Peery, 7 April 1806, Botetourt County, Virginia; no further record and this man is a mess in online information.
- Andrew, born c1784; died 1867, Lawrence County, Ohio; married Rebecca Wooldridge, c1815. These are my husband’s ancestors.
- John, born c1790; died after 1870, probably Roanoke County, Virginia; married Barbara Nidey, 10 September 1823, Botetourt County, Virginia.
- Mary, born c1792; married Jonathan James, 23 April 1810, Botetourt County, Virginia. this family lived in Bedford County, Virginia. Jonathan reportedly died between 1840-1850.
- Richard, born c1795; married Elizabeth Henry, 8 December 1816, Botetourt County, Virginia.
- George, born c1796; died April 1880, Gallia County, Ohio; married (1) Celia Sanders, c1825. Whether this couple divorced is unknown. However, Celia, alone, was purchasing property from the Littlejohn family in 1871.
As you can see, there are a lot of holes in this family. If you are a Bandy descendant and can document new information about them, I’d LOVE to hear from you.
Fascinating story – hope you do find some records that will help you with Lucy’s parents and John’s death…
I am a Christian (as in surname) descendent: https://kindredconnection.wordpress.com/2018/02/03/william-christian/.
William’s son, Israel Christian, immigrated to Virginia in 1726. Perhaps she is descended from him (or maybe his uncle Gilbert Christian, who also settled in Virginia)?
Incidentally, I found a reference to John Bandy in the book, Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia: http://wvancestry.com/ReferenceMaterial/Files/Chronicles_of_the_Scotch-Irish_Settlement_in_Virginia_-_Vol._1.pdf
MARCH 19, 1760
(347) John Bandy, servant of Sampson Mathews. William Moffett, orphan of John Mofiett, chose George Moffett his guardian. Peter Hog, get certificate of good character for practicing law.
I hope that helps. Good luck!
There are several branches of Christians early in Virginia, who may or may not be related. It’s a big puzzle. Thanks for the info on John Bandy. My husband’s John is the only one I know of in that time period, but his father was still living and I haven’t ever heard that he was indentured. He would have only been 7 or 8 years old in 1760. Something to check into.
Hello – I live in Indiana. I’m a descendant of John A. Bandy as well (through George Bandy line). An interesting coincidence I find this page because yesterday I embarked on a 12 hours, 450 trip through southern Ohio to find all the headstones and gravesites of those Bandys in our direct line. (I found 5 generations) George Bandy is supposedly buried in a small plot in Walnut County Ohio, I found the cemetery yesterday, literally in the middle of nowhere and practically in someone’s back yard. (Called Clark cemetery, given most of the burials there were of the Clark family) Most headstones are worn away and not lisible, I could not identify George Bandy’s actual resting place. I am surprised to read that George and Cecilia were divorced…this is new to me and something of a shock. Find-a-grave has both George and Cecilia buried together. I am currently wanting to find out more about John Arlen Bandy’s role during the American Revolution. I found something stating he served in “Captain Neeley’s Company”…..but find no information beyond that.
Hi Yann. First, I don’t believe there is any John Arlen Bandy, only John Bandy, son of Richard. I have no idea where Arlen comes from, but I have never found a record with a middle name for John. The F-A-G memorial has no documentation for that name. Also, there are no headstones for George and Celia. She outlived him by quite a few years. I’ve amended the divorced statement. I don’t know if they divorced or separated since George was gone by 1880. However, in 1871, Celia alone, purchase property from the Littlejohn family, leading me to believe she was living on her own. I am currently working on more updated Bandy information.
The “Mary” Bandy you have identified who married my 4x Great Grandfather Jonathan James (1785-1843) of Bedford County, Virginia on April 23, 1810, is identified as “Polly” Bandy in the marriage bond executed between Jonathan James and Polly’s brother Andrew James. Keep in mind, April 23, 1810 was a Monday, so the marriage likely took place shortly after that. My 4x Great Grandmother Polly (nee “Bandy”) James died in 1849 in Bedford County, Virginia. Shortly after her death, her three eldest sons, including my 3x Great Grandfather Joel L. James (1811-1875) departed Bedford County by covered wagon and migrated west. Joel and the youngest of the three John ended up in Fannin County, Texas prior to the Civil War, while the 2nd, George Washington James ended up in Missouri. Their sons all fought against one another during the war.
Polly/Polley is a nickname for Mary.
I am a descendant of George Bandy and Celia Saunders. I have a bit of information on the children of John and Lucy.
Richard Bandy
Death record death date of 18 Apr 1862 age 81 2 months (born Feb 1781), parents are John and Lucy Bandy, wife is Margaret.
Marriage bond to Elizabeth Henry (daughter of William Henry) has Richard’s signature. 18 Dec 1816, Botetourt Co., VA.
Marriage Bond in Index, married Peggy (Margaret) Wright on 13 Jan 1823 in Franklin Co., VA.
Andrew Bandy
No marriage bond was found for Andrew and Rebecca. He is stated to be a brother to Patsy Bandy, daughter of John on her marriage Bond.
Martha “Patsy” Bandy
Marriage Register 14 May 1806, Botetourt Co, VA. She is above age 21 and her father is listed as John Bandy.
Jane Bandy
Marriage Bond to Hezekiah Brown. Janes is stated as daughter of John Bandy. John Bandy gives Hezekiah Brown permission to marry his daughter. Witnessed by Richard Bandy. 14 May 1807, Botrtourt Co., VA.
Polly Bandy
Marriage Bond to Jonathan James. 12 Apr 1810, Botetourt Co., VA. States that she is the daughter of John Bandy. Andrew Bandy signs that Polly Bandy is his sister and above the age of 21.
John Bandy
Marriage Bond 8 Sep 1823, Botetourt Co., VA. to Barbara Niday.
Parents, John and Lucy make an agreement with sons, John and George. John to receive 150 acres and Geroge to receive 50 acres on condition they maintain John and Lucy for the remainder of their lives. Witnesses were Hezekiah Brown and Andrew Bandy. 16 Feb 1816, Botetourt Co., VA.
George Bandy
No marriage Bond was found, however, there was a post In the Fincastle Mirror (newspaper) 6 Aug 1824. On Tuesday 3 Aug 1824, Rev. Enoch Sullivan married Mr. George Bandy to Miss Celia Sands, all of this county.