I'm so glad you replied so I can correct this common error. "Pioneer" James Ward was born in Fincastle Va. in 1758 - died 1848 in Martin Co. He married Elizabeth Williamson (born 1794) in 1810 and lived at Eden (now Inez) in Martin Co. Ky. This James Ward's birth, marriage, children and death are well established by records and his Rev. War pension app. This James Ward had many land patents on Rockcastle Creek in Martin Co. He has a Ky historical marker on the lawn in front of Martin Co. Court House in Inez. The marker refers to him as "Pioneer" James ward. As far as I can find, we DO NOT KNOW who his parents were.

There was another James Ward in the Big Sandy area at the sames time. He was married to Sarah Osborne and came from Va. to Offutt, Ky around 1803 with married son Solomon B. 1775 (m. Susan Oney), and other children: Abby, Shadrack, Polly (m. Alden Williamson Jr. bro of Elizabeth), Sarah (Chapman) and William. There is NO evidence of a son James b. in 1758. It would have been very difficult for "Pioneer" James Ward to have been a son in this family since James and Sarah were probably born about 1755 (based on the fact that Solomon was born in 1775) and "Pioneer" is documented to have been b. 1758. I guess he may have been related some way - maybe a cousin?

I think someone was trying to fit "Pioneer" James Ward into this family so they changed his birth from 1758 to 1785 throwing the Ward researchers off the correct path.

One thing that can be firmly established is "Pioneer" James Ward's age. We have his own statement in his pension app and the fact that he participated in the Battle of Blue Licks in 1782. His name is on a monument at Blue Licks State Park and he tells about the battle in his own words in the Pension app. Also, his name is on the Rev. War vet rolls as a member of the Virginia Line.

I hope everyone removes the phantom James Ward B. 1785. But, if you decide to leave him in your tree at least indicate that he was NOT the Martin Co. James Ward married to Elizabeth Williamson.