References:
Historical Notes:
(1) Nearly all the VANCE families in Logan County, West Virginia are
descendants of Elder Abner Vance. Much has been written and said about this
exciting ancestor. We know that he married Susannah Howard probably in Russell
County, Virginia. In the 1850 Logan County Census, Susannah is listed as being
83, therefore, she was born about 1767 in Virginia. For what will become
obvious, Abner does not appear in the Census Records. Tradition from residents
and county history of Logan County indicate that Abner was a Revolutionary War
Veteran from North Carolina, an Indian Spy, and a Baptist minister.From Susannah's birth year of 1767, we can calculate that Abner was born
about 1760 In 1776 he would have been a young man of about 15 years of age.
Therefore, it is possible that he was a young man during the Revolutionary War.Abner Vance settled in what is now Russell County, Virginia betwen 1780
and 1799, where we find a deed dated October 1799 where Abner and Susannah sold
45 acres on the Clinch River to David Black. In 1799 Abner Vance was appointed
to be a surveyor from the Clinch River to Samuel Robinson's land. In 1804
he had a land transaction with Benjamin Williamson. (Book 3, Page 326, and
Book 3 Page 355). In 1811 he again was appointed to survey the road from the
Sandy River to Garden Road.Residents in Logan County tell the story of how Abner spent many years
travelling the country side spreading the Baptist Faith. Travelers were likely
to find him sitting by a fire or in a cave preparing sermons for future
presentation. He loved to write and sing the early mountains ballads and
hymns.Time has lost the exact date of the tragic occurance which I beleive to be
between 1812 and 1815. The story has been told time and time again through the
years. A daughter whose name is believed to be Elizabeth fell under the
influence of a man named Lewis Horton. The story goes that Lewis talked Betsy
into going away with him. Abner supposedly tried to talk his teenage daughter
out of making the trip to Baltimore with Lewis, but to no avail.Betsy and Lewis were gone for what turned out to be several months with no
word being sent to the worried parents. Finally after about four months Lewis
Horton rode back to Abner Vance's front yard and left Betsy off, while saying:
"I have used her long enough, you can have her back!" With Lewis Horton still
laughing at Abner the old man stepped back into the house and pulled down his
trusty flintlock from over the front door. Abner then shot Lewis Horton from
his horse as Lewis was crossing the Clinch River. Lewis died a few hours
later.Abner Vance then crossed the mountains and journeyed down the Little Sandy
River into Kentucky. Abner was later convinced to return to Russell County, to
stand trial.The trial was held first in Russell County, where on the 16th of Ocotber
1817 he was charged with murder. The trial ended with a hung jury, and the
trial was moved to Washington County, Virginia, where a jury quickly convicted
him and he was sentenced to hang.At least one more trial was given with the same verdict, Guilty! While in
jail awaiting his execution, Abner Vance wrote the famous "Death Ballad of
Elder Abner Vance." Abner sung the song standing on the scaffold minutes
before he was hung. It was stated that he received a pardon from the Governor
of Virginia, however it was received after the hanging.Another story is told of a man who rode up to the home of a family in
Logan County and asked to spend the night. The lady of the home was a grand
daughter of Abner Vance. The lady asked what the man wanted, and he stated
that he would like to spend the night. "What is your name?" she asked. My
name is Horton! he replied. Her response was: "God bless you, my name is Vance
she said, and you can ride on."After the hanging Susannah and her family moved to Cabell County,
Virginia, that part of which was to become Logan County.THE DEATH BALLAD OF ELDER ABNER VANCE
Green grows the woods where Sandy flows,
There is peace along its rills;
In the valley the black bear lies secure,
The red buck roams the hills.But Vance no more shall Sandy behold,
Nor drink its crystal wave,
The partial Judge pronounced his doom,
To the hunter, a felons grave.The Judge called me an incarnate friend,
For Elliots life I saved,
I could not agree to Elliots guilt,
Humanity belongs to the brave.The mercy that I to others have shown,
Has never been shown to me.
Humanity, I say, belongs to the brave,
And I hope it belongs to me.Twas by advice of McFarland,
Judge Johnson did me call:
I was taken from my native home,
And placed in yon stone wall.My persecutors have gained their quest.
Their promise to make good:
They often swore they is never rest,
Till they won my own lifes blood.Daniel Horton, Bob, and Bill.
A lie against me swore;
In order to take my life away,
That I should be no more.But they and I together must meet,
Where all things are made known.
And if I have shed the innocent blood,
I hope there is mercy shown.Bright shines the sun on Clinches hills,
And soft the west wind blows;
The valleys are covered all over with bloom,
Perfumed by the fragrant rose.But Vance no more shall Sandy behold;
Nor smell its sweet perfume;
This day his eyes will close in death,
His body go down to the tomb.Farewell my friends, my children dear;
To you I bid farewell,
The love I have for your precious souls,
No mortal tongue can tell.Farewell to you my loving wife,
To you I bid adieu;
And if I reach fair Cannans shore,
I will wait and watch for you.