Joseph Lloyd's letter to his nephew, James McCracken Lloyd

This letter was written in response to an inquiry from Joseph Lloyd's nephew, James McCracken Lloyd. It is the basis for what is known regarding Joseph S. Lloyd's family and history. It was documented in Oliver weaver's book on the Lloyd family.

Mount Washington Octb 14th 1838. Bullitt County Kentucky

Dear Jammy,
Agreably to your request, I proceed to give you some items of the Lloyd family; excluding prefatory remarks, I shall enter upon the subject; and give you the best account I can.

My Father John Lloyd was born in the City of London in the year 1704 Old Christmas day, his father was from Wales hence the reason of using the double L in spelling our names, my father had two other brothers, Joseph and Philip, one a Watch and Clock maker, the other a Printer, my father I believe was the youngest, and was bound to a Boot and Shoemaker, before his term expired he married without his masters consent: this by the laws of England disqualifies a man from being a master workman, and thro' life he can only be a Journeyman, he returned home one evening from his work, and found his Wife and one child they had, both dead, this was a distressing circumstance and occasioned him to turn his thoughts toward America; he accordingly executed his plan, and landed at Baltimore in 1726. He continued in a single state until 1742 when he married Prudence Emrey, seven children were the fruits of this marriage viz Thomas (your father) born October 2nd 1744. John born February 27th 1747. Alcey born January 29th 1749. James born September 14th 1752, in this year and in this month, the stile was altered and time put 11 days back, hence Old Christmas so call'd from the 5th of January was put back to 25th December. Lydia born April 25th 1755. George Emrey born February 4th 1758. Joseph born December 16th 1761. Thomas (your father) married in his nineteenth year Patience McCracken. Of her family I know but little; Wm Norris her half brother, you know as well as I. He moved to your state of Ohio in 1813 or 14. Your brothers were as follows Stephen born Dec. 24th 1764 married a Sally Pinkstaff; three children. I remember Winny Catherine and James, there might be more, which I know not of, he died and his widow married a certain James Smallwood, here my knowledge of this branch ends. William married a Nancy Tioman and had William, Lucinda, Thomas, Mahlon & Matilda. Thomas lives in Louisville, of the rest I know nothing. Wms wife Nancy died & he married a Mrs Blake, has several children by her and is living in the state of Ohio. In regard to your older brothers and Sisters you know as much or more than I do, I pass them by.

You uncle John married a Sally Stuard and moved to Georgia, he died in 1785. His children were John, William, Charles, Benjamin, Moses, Elijah, Joseph, James and Miriam. Miriam married John Orear & mov'd to Tennessee, of the others I have no certain account. James married Mary Stuard, sister to Sally, in 1791 they had several children viz Lydia, Rachel, Sally, Frances, George, John and Thomas; my knowledge of his family ends here. Alcey was married to John Williams, their children were James, Susanna, Elizabeth, George, Thomas, Lydia, Isaac. Susanna lives in Holston Virginia has several children I can't recollect all their names, George I think lives in Illinois, Thomas far west in Missouri.

George Emrey married in Fauquier County, Va. Nancy Brown, their children were George Emrey, he married Ruth Duncan, and had several children and moved about 150 miles west of Detroit. Fanny married a Henry Plaster, lives in Loudoun, Va. Has 4 or 5 children, Joseph Alvan lives near Zanesville, Ohio has two children. Gilian married to Dan ((1)) Shank lives in Licking County, Ohio. William and your Uncle George E. Lloyd lives with them.

In speaking of myself, I may name that I married Fanny Brown, sister to my brother George's Wife, so you may see my second and third Brothers married Sisters, and the fourth and fifth also, I hope I have 4 children yet living viz Nancy married to Wesley Harris, lives in Louisville, her children are Elizabeth, William Thomas, Marshall, Julian and John Wesley. Patsy married to Thos Jefferson Saunders has 3 children Joseph Franklin, George Washington, and Martha. Alcey married to Milton W. Parrish has one Daughter Lydia and John has been twice married, no children as yet born to him.

I have now given you a very short and imperfect account indeed of the matters you wish'd information of. Excuse bad writing & any inaccuracies you may discover. And now my dear nephew I bid you an affectionate farewell.

May happiness here and hereafter be your lot.

Joseph Lloyd