Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Simon Stacy

Who is Patriot Simon Stacy - 1762-1822?
Submitted by 4th great grandaughter Betty Mackey

William Smith Hudson & Mary Elizabeth Fields - Generation 3
Rachel Smith & Tom Hudson - Generation 4
Isaac & Sithia Stacy Smith - Generation 5
James & Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Whitley Stacy - Generation 6
Simon & Elizabeth Davidson Stacy - Generation 7

SIMON STACY was born 1762, in Mocassin Creek, Virginia. He died Oct 14, 1822 in Perry County, Kentucky, He was married to ELIZABETH DAVIDSON born 1770, daughter of Proven Patriot James Davidson & Margaret Goldman. Simon's roots go back to 1600's England.

Simon's father, also Simon Stacy, died the year he was born leaving his mother Judith Tolson with several children to raise. Judith later remarried. Simon may have been raised as a young child by his brother Benjamin because he always seemed to reside near the relatives of Benjamin and his wife Anne Combs, daughter of Mason Combs and Sarah Ann Nelson. A number of Combs and Stacy children are found on various Virginia tax lists and in 1781 we find that our Simon, along with his brothers John and Benjamin, are serving their county in the Revolutionary War on the Montgomery County, Virginia, Militia Company of Captain Daniel Trigg, side by side with Mason and William Combs, sons of Mason Combs. That's 5 cousins (Stacy & Combs) fighting for our country's independence.

Simon and Elizabeth Davidson had twelve children: George, John, James, Jesse, William, Sarah, Simon, Benjamin, Shadrack, Margaret, Julia and Elizabeth. Records show the family migration into Kentucky. Simon paid poll tax in Russell Co., VA, in 1787. About 1790, he and Elizabeth lived at Moccasin Creek, Va. In June 25, 1794, he was a juror in Russell Co., VA, Court. In 1800, Simon was fined $2.49 for swearing in the courtroom, a large amount of money in those days. At some point he and Elizabeth packed their belongings and travelled 40 difficult miles across the mountains into Kentucky, where several relatives had already moved. Simon paid Floyd County, KY taxes in 1803-1808, therefore his arrival in Kentucky was 1803. On 15 Nov 1817, for $430.00 Simon purchased from John Carnum 50 acres on the North Fork of the Kentucky River. The area was close to what was known as "Carrs Fork" in Perry County. April 9, 1880, Simon purchased an additional 100 acres and on March 17, 1882, he purchased an additional 75 acres.

Research of the William Smith direct link to Simon Stacy was extensive and took two years. Lineage is required thru two direct parental lines (not uncles, cousins, etc) so legal documentation was required linking William Smith, to Parents - (1) Rachel Smith & (2) Tom Hudson. Followed by documentation to prove Rachel to her parents Isaac Smith & Sithia Stacy then Sithia to her parents James Stacy & Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Whitley to James to his parents Simon Stacy & Elizabeth Davidson. Parents to Grands to Great Grands.

First Challenge - Richard Smith & Alicia Combs were original settlers on Troublesome Creek. Isaac Smith was one of their many children. Isaac married Sithia Stacy, daughter of James Stacy & Mary Elizabeth "Polly" Whitley and granddaughter of Proven Patriot Simon Stacy and Elizabeth Davidson. While Simon was a "Proven Patriot" and James Stacy was a "Proven" child of Simon, a direct connection had never been made to Sithia & James. There were no birth records, no death certificates, and because Sithia & Isaac were married in 1843 there were no census record until 1850 - therefore no paperwork to show that Sithia was James' child. After hours, days and weeks of research by lots of people, Internet networking give us the answer. James left livestock in his will to two of his grandchildren from Isaac Smith, never mentioning his daughter Sithia... However, one of the grandchildren had a death certificate that listed his parents as Isaac Smith and Sithia Stacy. A detailed analysis was required to document this "find." Sounds easy but believe me it wasn't.

2nd Challenge. William Smith was the illegitimate child of Rachel Smith & Tom Hudson. William Smith and Mary Elizabeth Fields Smith were listed as Hudsons on the 1900 Federal Census. The Social Security Registration was listed under two names William Smith & William Hudson and a certified copy was supplied. The Death Certificate for William Smith listed his parents as Rachel and Tom Hudson. Three family members of William Smith and Mary Elizabeth Smith Fields verified that they knew Tom Hudson as their grandfather but final ruling was made that documentation did not prove parentage of William Smith but it did prove a link. Further research in the Hudson line would require more proof.

Anyone interest in DAR/SAR proof can contact me at 2bmackey@comcast.net