Ruth P. Wells ¹

  Research Notes:

From http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=23654674 :

dau of Charles Wells and Elizabeth Prather. Ruth was one of the 12 children of Elizabeth, and of the 22 children of Charles. m: Abraham S. Brickhead Oct 23, 1814, Tyler Co VA.
Twelve known children, all born in Tyler Co VA BRICKHEAD: -Henry P. C. -Charles W. -John J. abt 1817- -Elizabeth Prather 1818- m: John Wells Neff 1840 -Abraham S. Jr. -Rebecca Marie m: Clark Wells Prather -William J. abt 1823 -James M. abt 1824 -Prather 1827- -John Quincy Adams 1830- -Delilah S. abt 1830 m: John McKay Jr. From the Will of Ruth's father, Charles Wells, dated Dec 13 1814: "Item 8. To my daughter Ruth Birckhead I give and bequeath One Thousand Acres of Land on Sugartree Creek, a branch of Middle Island Creek, adjoining land of Benjamin Lawrence, Richard Owings and others, beginning at a Sugar Tree in the forks of said Creek; and Two Hundred Dollars to be paid by my Executor hereafter to be named; to be h6rs and her heirs or assigns forever." From the Will of Ruth's mother, Elizabeth Prather Wells, probated Spring of 1845: "6th. I will and bequeath unto my daughter Ruth Birckhead, wife of Abraham Birckhead the sum of Five Hundred Dollars in addition to what she has already received. I desire that my executors do not pay said legacy to my said daughter Ruth for at least five years after my decease unless she should become a widow before. ... 11th. It is my will and desire that all my houses and lots in the Town of Sistersville in said county of Tyler be by my executors hereinafter named sold as soon as convenient after my decease for the best price that that can be had for the same and after payment of the above legacies I devise and bequest the residue of property to my above named four daughters to be equally devided between them, share and share alike. 12th. It is my will and I hereby bequeath to my said four daughters all my household and kitchen furniture, bedding and wearing apparel, plate and all other articles of personal property to be equally divided between them, said division to be made by themselves and in case they can not agree upon said division then it is my desire that Charles P. Wells one of my executors hereafter named divide the same."

--note, the four daughters referenced were Sarah, Delilah, Ruth and Elizabeth "Betsey". It is a puzzle why Ruth is buried at Ashley, Pike MO., and not in Wells Cemetery, Tylor WV with her husband, parents, some children and several siblings. sources include census and cemetery records, FAG memorials and RootsWeb orldConnect Project; Gault and Collaterals, where copies of the Wills of Charles and Elizabeth Wells are posted.
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Note from the present researcher: At least one other member of a Wells family, Temperance Wells Neff, is also buried in Old Ashley Cemetery. 19 jan 2010

Ruth married Abraham S. Birckhead on 23 Oct 1814 in Tyler Co., (West) Virginia, United States. (Abraham S. Birckhead was born on 28 Mar 1778 in Maryland, United States, died on 19 Apr 1846 in Tyler Co., (West) Virginia, United States and was buried in Wells Cemetery, Sistersville, Tyler, (West) Virginia, United States.)