John Smith's will written Feb 27, 1858. Recorded Jackson Co. Virginia (now West Virginia)
Jackson county will book 2 page 53, Proven June 1858
In the name of God amen I John Smith of the county of Jackson and state of Virginia being of sound mind and disposing memory and being desirous of settling my worldly affairs while I have ability to do so make and publish this my last will and testament.
First-- I direct that after my decease my body be decently buried and that my funeral expenses be paid out of the money now due to me by Jonathan Sellers.
Second-- I give and bequeath to each of my beloved children the following sums viz--- to My daughter Diana wife of Henry Sheppard one dollar to My daughter Harriet wife of Elijah Runnion one dollar to My daughter Susannah wife of Jefferson Louder one dollar to My son James E. Smith one dollar to My son John V. Smith one dollar.
Third-- after the above mentioned sums have been paid both for my funeral expenses and to my children all monies which are due to me from any source what ever and all other property of what ever kind belonging to me I give and bequeath to My beloved daughter in law Maria Smith.
Fourthly I hereby constitue and appoint My beloved friend Samuel Sheppard sole Excutor of this My last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.
In witness where of I here write set my hand and seal the 27 day of February 1858
John Smith (seal)
Signed and seal by the said John Smith as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in our presence of each other and at his request have here to subscribe our names as witnesses.
Witnesses ( Joseph Full Jr
) Robert Fox
( Asolam Full


All of his witnesses lived next door to him or a few homes away. His beloved daughter in law was Maria Sellers-Smith the wife of John's son Jonathan Sheppard Smith. Jonathan is buried in the same cemetery as his father John. Jonathan used the name of Shep or Sheppard Smith.
In 1850 John Smith age 75 lived with Maria Sellers-Smith and her three children Drusilla, Alexander and Eleanor in Jackson Co. Virginia, (now West Virginia). They moved to Illinois in 1865
John Smith was married to Susannah L. Unknown at this time. Susannah age 65 is living with their daughter Harrietta Smith and Elijah Runnion's family in 1850 Sutton, Meigs Co. Ohio. Susannah died January 3, 1858. Harriet and Elijah Runnion moved to Athens Co. Ohio in 1861.
The Athen's Co. History took and published Biographies in the HISTORY OF HOCKING VALLEY, OHIO in 1883. There are three that pretain to Elijah and Harriett's family.
Biograph of "Elijah Runnion, born in Lewis Co. W.V., March 25, 1811, is a son of Samuel and Ann (Batty)Runnion. When eleven years of age his parents moved to Kanawha Co. W.Va. and soon after to Jackson County, where he was reared and educated, remaining there till 1849. In later years he came to Ohio, settling first in Meigs County, and moved to Athens county in 1861, where he still resides. He was married August 29, 1833 to Harriet B. Smith a native of Virginia, and a daughter of John and Susan Smith. They have six children-- Rebecca, Mary, Catherine, James, Milo and Alexander. Mr. Runnion has been a member of the Methodist Church sixty years. Politicially he is a Republican."
Harriett Smith Runnion born 9-20-1813 died 3-21-1900 Athens Co. Elijah died 2-16-1895.
The next Bio was for M.M. Runnion who is Milo. He married Ann Jane Elliott. His Bio can be located next after Elijah.
The third bio is for Mrs. Fanny (Elliot) Cooley wife of Leonard Jewett Cooley. Their daughter Sarah Jane born 4-6-1850 married 2-28-1871 James Runnion and moved to Minnisota for awhile.
Records researched and furnished by Eva Myrick. .