To all interested Yancey researchers:

Relationship between John & Mary (Layton) Yancey of Culpeper
and
John & Susannah Coleman Yancey of Sullivan Co., TN/Todd Co., KY

Various published genealogical reports of the Yancey family record one John Yancey of Culpeper Co., VA , born about 1734, being the son of Lewis Davis & Winifred Yancey - some reports (erroneously?) record his birth date as early as 1724. Records have it that his wife was one Mary Layton, daughter of Jacob Layton - being married about 1753. Sources are somewhat inconsistent as to their children. But Court records prove that they had at least two sons: William Layton & Ludwell Yancey. John Yancey, grew up, married and lived in Culpeper County until about 1772 when he is to have moved to Augusta County. But even Augusta County records concerning him are sparse and very little is known about him between 1777 in Augusta County to 1799 when he deeded his land in Culpeper to his sons William Layton & Ludwell. The fate of this John Yancey has always been rather a mystery. No known will has ever been found. He seems to have been a man of means - and one would expect to find deed, court & probate records for this John Yancey during the latter portion of his life. Why few, if any records exist between 1777 and 1799 and then after - in reference to his dealings and final death - is a mystery.

Various researchers have also - recorded a son of John & Mary Layton Yancey - being John Yancey Jr (some times recorded as John Charles Yancey) - some record his wife as a Miss Savage others record her as Susannah Coleman - daughter of Robert Coleman of Culpeper. Although extant records concerning this John Yancey (Jr?) are quite plentiful - proof documenting the relationship of this John Yancey to John & Mary Layton Yancey of Culpeper has always been lacking and different researchers have come to very different opinions - and there seems to be alot of inconsistent and contradictory information. This John Yancey - and his wife Susannah are recorded as early as 1767 in Culpeper. It has been pointed out that all Yanceys from Culpeper County seem to descend from Lewis Davis Yancey - and many have assumed this John (who married Susannah) was a son of John & Mary Layton Yancey - but based on the fact that John & Susannah appeared to have been married and owned land about 1767 - this John was probably born at least before 1746 - thus one would expect his father to have been born at least by 1726 - too early, it would seem, to have been the son of John & Mary Layton Yancey. Looking at all the known facts - It would seem quite unlikely that the John Yancey who married Susannah Coleman - could have been a son of John & Mary Layton Yancey. It is also very interesting that around 1779 - when we "lose sight" of John & Mary Layton Yancey - that this John Yancey appears in Washington County, Virginia as owner of "Yanceys Tavern" and soon thereafter across the border in Sullivan County where he ran a tavern by the same name. Records are quite plentiful for this John Yancey from about 1780 to about 1806. Other Yanceys which have been documented as having a close relationship (father-child?) to this John Yancey include:

1) Ambrose Yancey (The Rev. War Soldier),

2) Nancy Yancey who married William Miller and is buried in Garrard Co., KY

3) a Robert Yancey of Sullivan & Grainger Co., TN.

4) An Elizabeth Yancey who married a William Anderson of Tennessee

5) an un-named Yancey woman who many think married a Mr. (William?) Criswell and had children with "Yancey" names.

6) Possibly one Mildred Ellender Yancey who is to have been the sister of the Elizabeth Yancey who married William Anderson. Mildred married one 1st) William Crawford and 2nd) William Browning and had various children.

Records seem to indicate that this may be the same John Yancey who died in Todd County Kentucky in 1820 - mentioning a son Gabriel (and Gabriel's daughters - Maria Louisa & Mary Layton Yancey) in his will.

After a full analysis, one would tend to believe that in all probability the two John Yanceys mentioned above 1- John Yancey who married Mary Layton and 2) John Yancey who married Susannah Coleman - were very possibly one and the same person. It would seem very probable that Mary Layton died young (about 1762?) and that John remarried Susannah Coleman. - But if this is so, why did the 2nd John Yancey only mention one son (Gabriel) in his will of 1820 in Todd Co., KY ?? Maybe because he had already provided for the rest of his children through deeds and gifts.

Two other possible children of this John Yancey - include a Miss Yancey who is said to be the first wife of one Cadwallader Slaughter of Culpeper and also a Frances Yancey who married Augustine Cowne and later moved to Kentucky (like Ludwell did). Another Yancey - Mary Elizabeth Yancey - who married Jonas Menefee is often recorded as a daughter of John & Mary Layton - but a 1927 DAR application of a descendant of Jonas Menefee record her as a daughter of Philemon Yancey Jr. - and NOT John Yancey. (The Menefees were connected to Philemon Yancey through other connections also). One Frances Yancey who married John Etherington is also often recorded as a daughter of John & Mary Layton Yancey - but circumstantial evidence would seem to indicate she was a descendant of Philemon Yancey (John Yancey Sr's brother).

By any means I think Yancey researchers should seriously consider this theory as to the two John's being one. I must confess, however, that although I have pretty much had all of this information for quite some time - it was not until a Mr. David Palik of California presented these facts and ideas to me in an orderly organized way - that I realized that most of the conflicting and contradictory evidence that people have been trying to make sense of for years - really does seem to fall in place in a logical manner with this hypothesis - I must state, however, that further research is much needed - but I believe the theory set forth by Mr. Palik - and here described by me - is probably the most plausible. I would recommend that any of you who are interested - please pursue this and do your own analysis.

You may wish to contact Mr. David Palik at:
360 Arbor Ct
Benicia Ca 94510-2112
palik360@peoplepc.com

(He has been researching for some time the Criswell line - a Miss Yancey (possible daughter of John) is to have married a John Criswell.

- Family Chart - showing the possible relationship of those involved