The Comptons’ Corner

The Compton Family Tree

Compiled by:

Stephen Laurence Compton

Revised March 13, 1999

John Compton I, below, is likely one of three sons of Isselstynes (G -0) Compton [m. Aalthie (Orchie Blue) Blaaw ca. 1720]. John’s father is reportedly Richard (G –1) Compton [m. Prudence Isselstynes, b. Holland]. Richard was born Dec 1673 in NJ. He and Prudence had seven children, and Richard owned property in Hunterdon Co. NJ by 1710 and died about that time. Richard was son (one of ten children) of William (G –2) and Mary Bowne, m. Feb 1665 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, NJ. This William was either in born 1631 in Kent Co., England, d. Sep 21, 1694 in Middlesex NJ, or the New York William cited above. Mary was born 1635, d. 1713. The New Jersey William in turn was son of John (G –3), who was born ca.1605 in Kent Co. England and married Susanna Freeman, b. ca. 1595. William was apparently the eldest being also born in England. There were two other sibs, Samuel and Abagail.

There are also apparent early "clusters" in Alexandria, VA, Pennsylvania (Quakers). A Thomas Compton, b. ca. 1750-60 is mentioned as a Revolutionary war soldier who married a Margaret Greer; issue of the marriage were Cyrus, John Lee, Samuel and Margaret. One may speculate that Thomas appears to be John’s contemporary and perhaps a brother. Max Compton speculates there was a John Compton and two brothers who emigrated to America "at an early date", two going to MD and one to NC. There was another Compton, Henry, a Bishop of London, one of the founders and first Chanslor [sic, likely Chancellor, after the English Chancery courts] of William and Mary College, who may fit into an early equation. I freely admit much of the information in this document is based on hearsay and is subject to additional scrutiny and confirmation. There is conflicting information in this trail and "contra" notes are included at critical junctures. I do not own the truth but only my judgment about the weight of the evidence. It is my expectation to provide free circulation of this document as hypothesis, based upon my best judgment, and whatever confirmation I can develop. Therefore, please feel free to provide additional detail,

questions/issues and corrections as appropriate. By definition, the bias is from the perspective of the writer, but I have tried to provide appropriate emphasis to major branches of the extended tree and include them for the potential help and additional linkages they may provide to others. I mean no harm from my perspective, and apologize in advance for it.

John Compton I: b. ca. 1730 in New Jersey [Contra theory, 1735 in Maryland], d. 1778 in Boutetrout Virginia, struck by a tree while clearing land. [Contra, d. 1822 in Tazewell Co., VA., buried in Bland Co.], m. (1) Lydia Carhart bef. 1754, issue Amy and possibly others; m(2) Margaret Raemer ca. 1763. [Contra, married Rebecca Wallace, but see John III below]. It is reported they had ten children. Blalock and others report that John and Abraham went to Boutetrout VA in 1772. John bought 411 acres of land here on May 5, 1775.

Abraham Compton, see Note supra. Reported to have been in the Continental Army and killed in Revolutionary War.

John Compton II: b. before 1760/5, d. March 1828 in Tazewell Co., VA, m. before 1780 to Eleanor [Elinor] McGuire, d. after Mar 1834.

1. In "Annals of Tazewell Co" -1803, land from John Compton Jr. and Ellenor his wife to Frederik Cook; 1805, John Jr. and Ellenor his wife to Joshua Day. There is a will for John Sr probated in 1828 with wife Eleanor and children Elihu, Joseph, Wm, Hiram, Hickman, Nancy Cartmill, Rebecca Shannon, and Sally. [But not James, try to find text of Will.]

Nancy Compton, b. 1784 in VA, m. Dec 30, 1802 to Thomas Cartmill

Hickman Compton, b. 1785 in VA

James Compton, b. ca. 1786 (see, next generation)

John Compton III, b. 1787 in VA, m. Mar 5, 1807 in Tazewell Co., VA to Rebecca "Polly" Wallace (b. VA)(see, next generation)

William Compton, b. Feb 16, 1790 in VA

Rebecca Compton, b. 1795 in VA, m. Aug 7, 1814 to John Shannon

Hiram Compton, b. 1796 in Russell Co., VA, d. in Lawrence Co.

Eleanor Nellie Compton, b. 1800 in Tazewell Co., VA, d. & buried bef 1828 in Tazewell Co., VA, m. Feb 25, 1819 to Low Brown, Jr (b. 1795 in Tazewell Co., VA, s/o Wm. Addison Brown, d. Oct 22, 1869 in Sinking Creek, Carter Co., KY-buried in Elliot Co., KY). They had five (4) children: Sarah Matilda "Mary" (b. Jan 21, 1821 in Tazewell Co., VA, d. Jun 27, 1881 in Elliot Co., KY and m. James Taber); Elihu Compton Brown (b. Jun 5, 1825 in Tazewell Co., VA, d. Sep 6, 1877 in Carter Co., KY and buried in Pleasant Valley, in Carter Co., KY); and Rebecca "Becky" (b. bef 1828 in Tazewell Co., VA). Low Brown, Jr. m. (2) to Mary Tabor and they had a son John Thomas (b. between 1828-30 in Morgan Co., KY)

Sally Compton, b. 1804 in VA, m. Dec 2, 1821 to William Wilson Compton

Joseph Compton, b. 1807 in VA

Elisha/Elihu Compton, b. 1810 in VA, m. Nov 25, 1830 in VA to Rebecca Shannon

James Compton[???] [reference, supra],b. about 1786 in VA, m. Mary [?], b. about 1794 in VA (her 1st marriage)[There is a James,64, and Mary,56, listed in Pike 1850 census][ there is a James Compton listed in the 1830 Russell Co. Va Census, but age is inconsistent. There is a 70-80 yr WM in the household—John II?].

Sarah Compton, b. abt 1815, Russell Co., VA

Margureitte Ratliff’s research indicates John and Polly had eight children. This is particularly consistent with placing Leander under John’s lineage (instead of James). This is an issue subject to confirmation.

John Allen Compton, b. Jan 29, 1813, d. Aug 10, 1894, m. Sarah T. "Sallie" Johnson (b. Feb 26, 1818, d. Nov 12, 1895). In Pike Co. 1835, back to VA.

Frances "Frankie" Compton, b. 1814, d in NC [?]. 1897 in Pike Co., KY, m. about 1835 [on 1835 Pike tax list w/ Wm Blair] to William Blair (b. ca. 1812 in VA, d. ca. 1869/70) (Frances & Wm. are both on Sookie’s Creek. They had the following children: Jacob F. [per John Blair] (b. June 9, 1835); Isiah (who served in the 39th Kentucky Mounted Infantry during the Civil War); and John Allen.

Nancy Compton, b. 1816 in Pike Co., KY, d. 1929 in Pike Co., KY [Blair says 110 at death]

Leander "Lee" Compton, b. June 18, 1817 in Russell Co., VA or Pike Co., KY, d. 1898 in Pike Co., KY, m. on 22 Oct 1837 in Pike Co., KY to Alsey/Alcie/Alisse/Elcy [Alisa?] Damron (b. Oct 1822 in KY, the illegitimate child of James Damron AND ?) on 22 Oct 1837 in Pike Co., KY. [Contra: Lee could be son of James, supra. [A "Leo" Compton is listed in 1850 Pike Census with wife Alisa, 27. Appears to be Leander.]

Elizabeth "Betsy" Compton, 1820-??, married [???] and had the following children

Melvina, b. 1840, Russell Co., Va

Benjamin Wallace Compton, b. Aug 18, 1821 in Tazewell Co., VA, d. Sep 18, 1893 in Grundy, Buchanon Co. [Buchanan?, Cf. Va. Counties, Buchanan was affected by the various VA county splits], VA, m. Feb 24, 1842 to Margaret A. Cecil (b. July 16, 1822, d. Dec 23, 1893)[The spouses and marriage were posted also by Tammy Steele on Genweb, Benjamin b. 1821 with a brother Allen [John Allen?] and a sister Betsey, all in Va.]. This is where we link with Margureitte Ratliff, her husband being the ggggrandson of Benjamin Wallace Compton.

Children of Benjamin Wallace Compton and Margaret Cecil:

Thomas Drayton, b. 1846, m. Rebecca Yates

Miles Levi, b. 1855, m. Louisa Octavia Jackson; Baptist Preacher

William Fuller (Billy?) Compton, (infra, next generation) [SC: Billy has been attributed also to be the son of James, supra. I have placed him here based upon my judgment of the evidence I have received so far, although I have seen nothing definitive.] William F. Compton married Mary Polly Sword, daughter of John Sword on March 31, 1851. Consent was given by John Sword and bond signed by William F Compton and John May. George Powell married them. [Sandi: Marriage records]

William Fuller Compton, b. 5 Nov 1827, Russell Co., VA [see 1850 Pike Census, a 23 yr old Wm Compton living with Spurlock Damron, supra, per records born in Russell; contra, Farrar says Pike], d. 4 Mar 1904 in Pike Co., KY?], m. 31 Mar 1851 in Pike Co., KY to Mary "Polly" Sword. [Daughter of John Sword]. 1850 Census indicates William was illiterate. Reportedly moved to Minnesota with wife and son William, Jr. Buried in Dassell Cemetery, Meeker Co. MN, Headstone inscriptions: "William F. Compton 5 Nov 1827-4 Mar 1904", "Mary Compton, 8 Nov 1834-2 Apr 1908". Death record reportedly in MN for Mary, but not William F.

Columbus (Colbert?) Compton, b 1851, m. Mary Jane "Polly" Alley, Floyd Co. KY

John Allen Compton, b. 1853, m. Mary Brewer

Thomas Jefferson Compton, b. 1854, m.(1) Mary Alice McCown, m.(2) Elmira Osborn

James Buchanan Compton [Buck?], next generation infra, b. Jan 31, 1857-d. Dec 1924 in Pike Co, m. Malinda [Linda] Dye March 11,1880, in Pike Co. KY. [d/o Lilburn Dye and Elizabeth Sword]

Beuford [Bluford?] Compton, b. 1859, m. Mary Smith

Sarah Jane Compton, b. 1861, m. William. M. "Bud" Dye

William Fuller Compton, Jr., b. 1863, m.(1) Mary Blair, m.(2) Martha Keathley [grave in Dassell Cemetery, Meeker Co. MN. "William Compton 1863-1945"]

Mary Frances Compton, b. 1865 (contra, 1871-1899), m.(1) Wm. A. Huffman, m.(2) George Akers

Thomas Lee Compton ["Lee" in Janene’s Family Register], b. ca. 1867, m. Nancy J. Yates

Benjamin Franklin[C.?] Compton, m. Nannie Powers, Pike Co.

Pauline (Perlina?) Compton, b. ca. 1869, m. Andrew Jackson (A.J., Andy) Ray

Andrew Jackson Compton, b. 1871, m. Mary F. Hall

Rebecca Compton, b. 1873, m. William Sweeney

Octavia:, [Genweb inquires about an Octavia, m. Arch Egnor, daughter Maggie m. Hubbard R. May, s/o James and Lucy Jane Hager May, Lincoln Co. WV. [??]

MARTHA COMPTON, b. November 17, 1894, Island Creek, Pike Co, KY; m. LAWRENCE PHILLIPS, 1916, Pike Co, KY.

Branch of VIRGINIA¹⁰ COMPTON (JAMES BUCHANAN⁹, WILLIAM FULLER⁸, JOHN⁷, JOHN⁶, JOHN⁵, ISSELSTYNES⁴, RICHARD³, WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born April 28, 1906 in Island Creek, Pike Co, KY. She married WILLIE HAYES HELVEY 1923 in Pike Co, KY.

Child of VIRGINIA COMPTON and WILLIE HELVEY:

RUTH MAY¹ HELVEY.

Child of RUTH HELVEY and EVERETTE FARRAR is:

JIM G.¹² FARRAR, a fellow researcher.

Branch of SIDNEY COMPTON, [supra] (JAMES BUCHANAN⁹, WILLIAM FULLER⁸, JOHN⁷, JOHN⁶, JOHN⁵, ISSELSTYNES⁴, RICHARD³, WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born February 28, 1880 in Hands Creek, Pike Co, KY, and died July 17, 1940 in Island Creek, Pike Co, KY. He married BESSIE LEVERETA MARRS October 13, 1903 in Pike Co, KY, daughter of JOHN MARRS and MANDY RUNYON.

EVERETT¹¹ COMPTON, SIDNEY¹⁰, JAMES BUCHANAN⁹, WILLIAM FULLER⁸, JOHN⁷, JOHN⁶, JOHN⁵, ISSELSTYNES⁴, RICHARD³, WILLIAM², JOHN¹) was born August 31, 1904 in Harold, Floyd Co, KY, and died October 03, 1961 in Soap Lake, Grant Co WN. He married VIVIAN JESSIE GARRISON December 16, 1933 in Tacoma, Pierce Co, WN.

Children of EVERETT COMPTON and VIVIAN GARRISON are:

Children of RICHARD COMPTON and JUDITH CORRELL are:

Child of RICHARD BARGER and ANNIE FISCHENICH is:

Children of BEVERLY BARGER and JAMES KIRK are:

Children of DEBRA BARGER and SEAN BALLARD are:

Children of SANDRA BARGER and MICHAEL LIAKOS are:

Branch of Grover Cleveland Compton and Bessie Wyatt Compton

NOTES: Grover was retired from the railroad. Bessie had a brother Luther ("Hot Shot") Wyatt who lived with Grover and Bessie on Peach Orchard in Pikeville KY for many years. He drove a truck for a living. She also had a sister, Sally. Bessie was the daughter of Butler Wyatt and Cindy Meade Wyatt. Butler’s father was Thomas J. Wyatt. Cindy’s parents were William F. Meade, b. Mar 20, 1855- d. Jan 12, 1936, and Rachel H. Meade, b. Jan 1, 1855-d. Feb 4, 1936. Cindy’s sibs were Sherman Meade and Turner Meade.

Grover and Bessie Compton

Leonard J. Compton: infra, m. ??, lived in Las Vegas and Los Angeles area for many years, d. ca. 1997. Children, Arthur Compton, Westminster CA; Betty Compton Sponder m. Frank Sponder.

Roy Edgar Compton: b. Dec 31, 1924, d. Dec 8, 1982 in Pascagoula MS, of hepatic necrosis. Lived from 1959 until ca. 1969 in the Florida Panhandle. Buried at the VA Cemetery at Biloxi. Served in WWII in the US Army Ground Forces (236^th AAA) Jul 15, 1941 until June 17, 1945. He was promoted to Tech4 April 1, 1944. Among others, he was stationed at Port Moresby, Dobuducah, Buna, Fenchhanen, Arawe NB and NG [all sic, NG no doubt New Guinea]. After his kids were grown, Roy went around the world again, to Barhain, Brazil, Singapore and other Far Eastern venues exploring for oil. [I have a number of Roy’s journals from his last real adventure around the world working for Western Geophysical.] m.(1) Ellena Turner Compton, b. Nov 29,1920 in Haysi Va., d. 12:15 a.m. April 10, 1957, at age 36 of coronary thrombosis—on June 21, 1946, at the home of Elizabeth Rose [Muz] Turner, Ellena’s mother. [There was a prominent contemporaneous obituary, text following thanks to Betty Hamilton, in the Pike County News for Ellena, who was one of the early career women, working at the Post Office. She was an avid reader (there are several 1943 checks to the Literary Guild in her bank statements) and an admirer of Dorothy Parker.] She and Roy went to New York in the late 40’s/early 50’s and stayed at the Waldorf Astoria. Roy was a salesman for Electrolux and a finance company manager during this time.] Roy and Ellena had two children, Stephen Laurence Compton, b. Nov 14, 1947, residing in Memphis Tennessee, and Janene Compton Whitley, b. Jan 28, 1952, residing in Holt, Florida. [Underlined Names, see next generation]. Roy m.(2) Margaret Yant Robinette Compton in 1959, and the couple had one child, Wyatt Lee Compton (b. 1959). Roy may also have had an illegitimate daughter ["Sunny"] by Sybil Robinette. Margaret ("Mickie") had three children from a previous marriage (James "Jimmy" Robinette, John "Johnny" Robinette, and Joel Robinette) Roy and Mickie were divorced in Okaloosa Co. Fla. In Sept 1965. The Robinette family lived in the Pike County vicinity. Roy m.(3) Clara ???, divorced 1972 (?), m,(4) Tham Yoke Lin (Tina) Sep 1, 1973, in Singapore, during his sojurn with Western Geophysical. Tina came with him to America and was with him in Pascagoula when he died.

earlier.

Mrs. Compton, wife of Roy Compton, had made her home in Pikeville for 20 years. She was the daughter

Ellena’s father was Charles [Charley] Turner [d. Jan 1, 1930, of a gunshot wound?] of Haysi Va., m. Elizabeth Rose (Muz) Turner (b. June 20, 1899, d. May 1985) June 8, 1917 in Clintwood VA, by Emeroy [sic] B. Chase, witnessed by William and Grace Turner. [SC: I have a number of notes, recording fee receipts, and two 1918 deeds with respect to two parcels of property in [Dickenson County VA] purchased from J. B. Singleton. There is also a quitclaim deed from A.J. and Martha Robinson signed 5/21/1921, witnessed by Chester D. Hall and W.D. Hall in Gallia Co., Ohio notarized by William D. Hall, recorded by W.E. Rasnick, clerk, also relating to Dickensen County property (the connection is unclear). The recording fee invoice was addressed to Mr. Charley Turner Jr. [sic], are two 1919 Dickensen County personal property tax receipts signed by J.C. Sutherland. Charles’ sibs were brothers Basil, Wilson, Canora, and sisters Vadna, Samantha and Mahala (see infra). Charles’ father was John B. Turner [per the Compton/Bevins family Bibles, [Caution: ee the Charley "Jr." citations supra]. The Elizabeth Turner Ferrell Family Bible indicates John was s/o James R. and Mary Jane Turner. Mary was d/o Ambrose Hay and Phoebe Counts Hay] and his mother was Rachael Hay Turner. The descendants of Phoebe Counts Hay [Rachel’s Mother] and John B. and Rachael Hay Turner still have an interest in Dickensen real property through intestate succession, in Stephen L.’s and Janene’s case from Ellena’s estate. [Other property owners cited in the area include Kellis Barton, Lazarus Branch, C.A. Wiss, Johnnie and Gay Hall, Pridemore Viers, Wayne Lowe, Carlos Gartin, Cecil Barton, Ronny Turner, Stella Robinson, Mahala [Turner] Yates (this was conveyed by John and Rachael Turner), Dale and Martha Lowe, and W.F. and Nervie Barton.] Ellena’s mother, Elizabeth Rose Turner, had brothers Cecil Rose, Elbert, Worlie, Lonza, Charlie, and sisters Grace, Bertha (4/25/03-10/29/32), Rachel and Hester. Elizabeth’s father was Wilson Rose (s/o Sam Rose and Elizabeth Rose) and her mother was Alpha Courtney. Alpha was the issue of David Courtney and Elizabeth Huff. [SC: We have copies of photographs of Alpha]. Muz was baptized in the Old Regular Baptist Church in 1941.

Elizabeth Rose Turner married a second time to Hannibal Hamilton (Ham) Ferrell August 21, 1954, and stayed married until Ham’s death in 1969. Elizabeth owned a home on Peach Orchard, and Roy and Ellena built a house also on the same property. Both houses are now gone. Elizabeth and Ham resided for much of the time in Stone, KY, where they are both buried.

Elizabeth Turner (Muz) Ferrell

Milton C. Compton: b. 4/7/1921 m. 6/30/46 Florence Billiter (b.8/27/1921), still resides on Harold’s Branch near Pikeville. Lived for many years in Destin, Fla. Milton and Florence had three sons: Edward Arnold Compton, Larry Michael Compton, and Gregory Allen Compton. [See, next generation]

Pluma Compton, m. to _______Cerderia, children Manuel (b. ca. 1943?), Deanna (b. ca. 1944?) and Gary (b. ca. 1947) married to Carl Coleman, children Cheryl (b. ca. 1949) and Karen (b. ca. 1951). Carl Coleman is Betty Hamilton’s Uncle. Manuel was married and had two children Jamie(d) and ??(s?).

Norma Jean Compton: b. ca. 1932-33, d. April 12, 1960

NOTE: April 14, 1960, Pike County News contains the following obituary for "Miss Norma Jean Compton, 27, Pikeville, died at 8 am Tuesday at her home [Grover and Bessie’s] after a long illness. Born at Pikeville, she was the daughter of Grover C. Compton and Bessie (Wyatt) Compton. She is survived by her parents; three brothers, Leonard Compton, Las Vegas, Nevada; Milton Compton, Pikeville, and Roy Compton, Destin, Fla., and a sister, Mrs. Pluma Coleman, Pikeville . . .burial was to be in the Coleman Cemetery on Harold’s Branch ..."

Stephen Laurence Compton (ROY EDGAR¹¹, GROVER¹⁰, JAMES BUCHANAN⁹, WILLIAM FULLER⁸, JOHN⁷, JOHN⁶, JOHN⁵, ISSELSTYNES⁴, RICHARD³, WILLIAM², JOHN¹ ): b. Nov 14 1947 Pikeville KY. Resided Florida panhandle from 1959 until 1973. US Army 1970-71, Vietnam. Memphis, TN area since 1973. Career civil servant in data processing with IRS. BA degree MPA degree Univ of Memphis 1978, Juris Doctor Univ of Memphis may 1988, admitted to Tennessee Bar Nov 1988. M.(1) Linda Carol Flores, 1969-1980, one daughter Ellena Carole Compton Smith, b. Sep 26, 1969. M.(2) Nancy Dickson Compton, b. July 9, 1951. Career employee with Federal Express. Daughter of Lewis H. Dickson, Jr. and Sara Waller Dickson.

Janene Compton: b. Jan 28, 1952, Pikeville KY. After Ellena Turner’s death, she lived for a while in KY with Elizabeth Rose Ferrell and her second husband Hannibal Hamilton (Ham) Ferrell, then joined Roy and Steve in Florida. She married Loney Whitley (b. 1948?) in 1968 at age 16, and they are still married. They have two sons Shawn Whitley (b. 1969) and John Whitley (b. 19??).

Edward Arnold Compton, b. July 6, 1947, m. Apr 1, 1969 Linda Basquez (b. 7/18/1947).

THE FIRST RULE OF HOLES: If in one, stop digging.