I have been trying to connect my Via line to Amer Via for some time now, but I have come to a dead end. A while back I asked for help from this group, but no one could tell me anything. I have since formed a new theory that may lead to something.
My Great-Great Grandfather’s name was Matthew Via and he married Sarah Carter on 21 Jul 1835, in Amherst County Virginia. According To the 1860 Buckingham Virginia Census, he was born about 1812. I have found two bits of information that have led me to the conclusion that Matthew is his middle name and that’s why I cannot find any information on him before 1835.
Matthew’s Daughter Sarah E. Via: married John Robert Poe on November 22 1860 in Buckingham County Virginia. John Robert Poe (Poore) was killed in the Civil War. On October 2 1863 Sarah E. Poore appeared before a Justice of the Peace in Buckingham County Virginia, for the purpose of obtaining from the government of the Confederate States whatever may have been due the said John R, Poore at the time of his death for payment or other allowances for his services as aforesaid. And she had a witness with her.
And on the same day & year aforesaid also appeared before me a justice of the peace as aforesaid: William M. Via, who is to me well known whom I certify to be a person of veracity & creditability who having been duly sworn says he is well acquainted with Sarah E. Poore the claimant & also well knew for six years John R. Poore the deceased soldier herein mentioned & that the statement made under oath by said Sarah E. Poore the claimant as to her relationship to the said deceased solider is true & correct in every particular to the best of his knowledge therefore & that he the said William M. Via is whereby dispositioned.
Sworn to & subscribed before me. William R. Wright J. P.
William M. Via
State of Virginia
Buckingham County to wit\
I believe that this William M. Via was Sarah’s father Matthew Via. Also Matthew’s Son John J. Via named his son William M. Via, now I have not been able to prove that John J. Via’s son’s Middle name was Matthew, but it is a good possibility. So far none of the William M. Via’s that I have been able to come up with match. There was a William M. Billy Via, who had a wife named Sara E. Ingram, but Matthew’s Sara was a Carter and besides, none of the dates or Children’s names match.
If Matthew’s Via’s first name is in fact William, he was born around 1812 and his wife ‘s name was Sarah (Sally) Carter. And their children’s names were
Lucy .A Via abt 1836
William D. Via abt 1839
Mary F. Via abt 1840
Sarah E. Via abt 1842
Emeline S. Via abt 1844
Martha J. Via abt 1848
John J. Via May 1851
Lewis A. Via abt 1852
Letitia Via abt 1857
Catherine R. abt 1860
Can anyone solve this great Mystery?