The Skaggs-Files

James married Margaret Matthews 12 Sep 1807 in Cumberland Co, KY. James & Margaret were only 16 at the time of their marriage by John Mulkey. They would have required consent which could have told us more about this couple, but unfortunately the Court House with all the records burnt down in 1933. We will probably never know why or how they met. It is suggested that James was visiting his Uncle Marshall DeSpain who was in area about this time.

James D. Spain Jr. was over 16 but under 21 in the Green County 1808 & 1811 tax records. The last known record of James in Green Co, KY was the 1815 tax list. He is not in the 1816 to 1819 tax lists and it is speculated they were in Cumberland (Monroe) Co, KY as he is on the 1820 Monroe Co, KY tax list and the 1820 Monroe County census. As there is no further records of James in either Green or Monroe Counties, it is reasonable to assume he went with the Matthews, DeSpains, Daniels and Lewises, etc. in 1821 to AL. They apparently chose to located in Lauderdale Co, AL near Margaret's brother, Joseph, and James' Uncles, Marshall & Solomon. By 1828 they were living near Solomon and Nancy Despain in Shelby Co, TN and moved to Crittendedn Co, AR by early 1831.

[NOTE: There is an unknown James DSpain in the 1820 Green County tax list and census record. These are very odd entries. James appear "out of nowhere" and he is taxed on 200 acres of ground and 10 slaves. The land has never been found in the deed books. In a few months when the census is taken he has no slaves listed while Hiram Despain who is listed next to him has 8 slaves without any land. This James never appears again in the tax lists or census records. This mystery is unresolved for the next generations of researchers to attend to.]

James D. Spain was in Shelby Co, TN by 1828 as indicated by the non payment of his taxes according to the Sheriff. This is from Whitaker's notes who thought this was James Harris DeSpain.

As James was dead by 23 Feb 1836, James' children were listed in the Circuit Case #3977. His children and wife were found in Crittenden Co, AR in the 1840 census. It is now known that James Jr. was in Crittenden Co, AR by 1831.

1820 Census: Monroe Co, KY page 211: 30001-2001 [Information from the Matthews Family Genealogy seems to prove that this was the correct James (De) Spain in 1820]
1820 Census: Green Co, KY page 77 : 210012-001 [James appears to be counted twice.]
1830 Census: Shelby Co, TN page 11 - 0011111-01101 [Ancestry IImage 19] - J. D. Spain This would appear to be James Jr. as his son, Samuel, married Celia Despain the daughter of Solomon Despain in Crittenden Co, AR about 1832.

1820 Monroe Co, KY Tax Records - Jas D. Spain, no land, 1 white male over 21, tax $0.50 Note: James was not in any subsequent Monroe County tax lists. Oliver Matthews, Margaret's nephew, also was only in the 1820 census and tax list. It is now known that Oliver died in late 1820 or early 1821.

In the 1820 Monroe Co, KY census James had 5 children. As there are only 4 living in 1837, it is assumed that one had died. It is conjectured that James Jr. moved from Green County to Cumberland County (future Monroe) about 1816 and lived near his in-laws, the Matthews. The family moved with to Lauderdale Co, AL about 1821. After Marshall Despain's death the family migrated to McNairy Co, TN with the other Despains and Matthews. About 1827/28 he moved with his Uncle, Solomon Despain, to Shelby Co, TN were they were found in the 1830 census.

Crittenden Co, AR Deed Book A page 258 - James D. Spain was a testor to the gift of land by Peter Fletcher to Catherine Allen on 27 Aug 1831. This confirms that James moved his family to Crittenden County and was still alive on 27 Aug 1831. He was able to read and write. As he was not involved in the court presentation in Dec 1831 or as a testor to other gifts by Peter Fletcher to Catherine Allen in Sep 1831 it is speculated he died that fall.

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Sources:

1. Title: Monroe Co, KY Census Records
Author: U. S. Census Bureau
2. Title: John B. Despain's Journal
Author: John B. Despain
Note:
Written in the 1830 & 40
3. Title: Shelby Co, TN Census Records
Author: U. S. Census Bureau
4. Title: Crittenden Co, AR Land Records
Author: Crittenden County Clerk
5. Title: Green Co, KY Circuit Court Case #3977
Author: William DeSpain et al vs. L. DeSpain
6. Title: W. W. Whitaker's Notes
Author: W. W. Whitaker
7. Title: Cumberland Co, KY Marriage Records
Author: Cumberland County Clerk