George Wesley Armstrong

1877 - 1960  (83 years)

• Name	George Wesley Armstrong
  Born	14 Feb 1877	Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA
  Gender	Male
  Died	18 Jun 1960	Hoadly, Prince William, Virginia, United States
  Buried	Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States
  Person ID	I1690	My Family Tree | Armstrong-Bird
  Last Modified	28 Sep 2015

  
  

  Father	Eli Armstrong,   b. 18 May 1835, Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia, United States ,   d. 8 Mar 1883, St. Paul Cemetery, Pendleton County, West Virginia, USA  (Age 47 years)
  Mother	Elizabeth Ann "Bettie" Bodkin,   b. 1 Jul 1840, Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA ,   d. 19 Dec 1909, Mount Solon, Augusta, Virginia, USA  (Age 69 years)
  Married	7 Jun 1860	Highland, Highland, Virginia, United States
  Family ID	F508	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 1	Gertrude Belle Propst,   b. 24 May 1881, Pendleton, West Virginia, United States ,   d. 13 Jul 1987, Staunton, Augusta, Virginia, USA  (Age 106 years)
  Married	1 Apr 1900	near Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia   [1, 2]
  Last Modified	18 Jul 2015
  Family ID	F532	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family 2	Maude Ann Simmons,   b. 1 Dec 1897, Moyers, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA ,   d. 10 Jul 1982, Woodbridge, Prince William, Virginia, United States  (Age 84 years)
  Married	Abt 1912	Pendleton, West Virginia, United States
  	Type: Common Law
  Last Modified	18 Jul 2015
  Family ID	F608	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Born - 14 Feb 1877 - Sugar Grove, Pendleton, West Virginia, USA Married - 1 Apr 1900 - near Doe Hill, Highland, Virginia Married - Type: Common Law - Abt 1912 - Pendleton, West Virginia, United States Died - 18 Jun 1960 - Hoadly, Prince William, Virginia, United States Buried - - Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill, Virginia, United States  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Documents		Birth Record of Pendleton, West Virginia Record for the birth of male child born alive but given no name before birth recorded. This child was born to G.W. Armstrong and Gertie B Armstrong the 25th Nov. 1907.
  		Registration of Marriage April 1, 1900 G.W. Armstrong and Gertrude Propst were married. His age was 24 and She was 19 years old. Both were single and living in Pendleton, West Virginia. The marriage took place in Pendleton.

  
  

  Headstones

  Headstone of George Wesley and Gertrude Armstrong Find A Grave Memorial# 95619988 Find A Grave Memorial# 95620244

  
  

• Notes

  It is ironic to me that Wesley and Gertie share a common gravestone in the Doe Hill Cemetery after all those years of devotion by his common-law-wife, Maude. My understanding is that Gertie would not grant Wesley a divorce, even though she was the apparent perpertrator in the break-up.JHA6/2003. From the files of Janice L. (Armstrong) Nicholas 1-12-3-9 GEORGE WESLEY ARMSTRONG 11239 GEORGE WESLEY ARMSTRONG b. 5/29/1879 Pendleton County, WV d. 6/18/1960 Bur: Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill, VA m. 4/1/1900 Gertrude Belle Propst b. 5/24/1881 - Pendleton Co., WV d. 7/13/1987 - Staunton, VA Bur: Doe Hill Cemetery, Doe Hill VA Parents: James & Martha (Kiser) Propst George Wesley Armstrong was the ninth child of Eli and Elizabeth Ann (Bodkin) Armstrong. He was born May 29, 1879. He married Gertrude Belle Propst on April 1, 1900. They had one child, Mary Mae. Wesley and Gertrude separated but as fas I have learned they never divorced. Wesley died June 18, 1960 and is buried at the Doe Hill Cemetery, Highland County, Virginia. Gertrude Belle lived to the age of 106. She died on July 7, 1987, and is buried at Doe Hill, Va. I met Aunt Gerty at her 100th birthday party. She had lived in a Virginia Nursing Home for many years but was still very active. For many yearhe rode in the Staunton, Virginia, July 4th Parade. Wesley lived with Maude Ann Simmons in a common law marriage and they had 10 children, all who go by the name Simmons. "The Simmons Descendants of Pendleton Co.", by Walter Eye, says Maude was born December 1, 1897 and died May 102. She was the daughter of Wm. Edward and Christie Louise (Puffenbarger) Simmons. She is buried at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Sangerville, VA. I remember Uncle Wes visiting Uncle Dick and Aunt Ruby in Randolph County. He liked to get together with the gang of fox and bear hunters, and I can still see him, in my minds eye, taking long walks around the hill at Aunt Ruby's. He worat and walked with a cane. My Dad told me that in the late 1920's, Uncle Wes was indicted on felony charges and served time in the Moundsville, West Virginia State Penitentiary. He was sentenced to four years for "moonshining" which was excessive for the crid his brothers, Jacob Riley and John Labon, worked very hard and got the sentence reduced. Tradition says, his still was never found and was hidden in the mountains close to a main road. NOTE: While searching in Pendleton County Court House, I found records pertaining to this indictment and trial. Ièy2 CONC èy2 CONC tion. COURT RECORDS FOUND AT FRANKLIN, PENDLETON CO. COURT HOUSE This day Olie Smith, Sheriff of Pendletion County returned his writ of Venire Facias for 16 Grand Jurors duly executed on all the Grand Jurors named therein. All the Grand Jurors were in attendance, to-wit: Wilbur Buffs, Baxter Hedrick, Olin Hammer, V.L. Mullenax, W.S. Lough, B.Frank Shreve, C.W. Leach, Riley Armstrong, Jacob Hoover, G.H. Blizzard, Harmon Sponaugle, B.C. Warner, Henry Bennett. J. Smith, Lee Davis and Phil Turbo, constituting a legal grand jury of 16; whereupon said Grand Jury appeared and was duly sworn with Riley Armstrong as Foreman, and after having received their charge from the Judge, returned to their room to consider of the matters given them in charge and after some time returned into court, having agreed upon the following indictments, to-wit: This was followed by a list of 11 indictment, 4 for misdemeanors and 7 for felonies, one being the State of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong - Indictment for a Felony, A True Bill, JR.. Armstrong, Foreman. NOTE: I find it very odd that Uncle Wesleyèy2 CONC and Jury that brought the indictment. ********** LAW ORDERS-- PENDLETON CIRCUIT COURT W.VA. State of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong This day came the attorney for the State and the defendant in person and by counsel, and the indictment being read to him, and for his plea he said he is not guilty, in manner and form as is in said indictment alleged and of this he put hf upon the country and the State does likewise and issue is joined. Whereupon a panel of 20 jurors were sworn and examined by the court and found free from all exceptions and qualified to serve in this case. Whereupon the attorney of the state struck off two and the attorney for the defendant struck off 6 leaving the following twelve persons to-wit: Scott Ritchie, Elmer C. Hedrick, Marvin Moyers, Pet Warner, Charles Nelson, Harry Judy, Dewitt Black, John J. Mallow, C.F. Burgoyne, Kennie Simmons, Harness Wimer and Ray Mitchell, who were sworn to well and truly try and true deliverance make between the State of West Virginia, Plaintiff, and Wesley Armstrong, defendant, the prisoner at the bar whom they have in charge and a true verdict render according to the evidence, and the evidence being concluded and argument of counsel, the jury retired to their room to consider of their verdict and after sometime returned into court with the following verdict, to-wit: "We, the jury find the defendant, Wesley Armstrong guilty as charged in the indictment. But recommend the mercy of the court. C.F. Burgoyne, Foreman" Thereupon the court proceeds to pass sentence upon said defendant, and it being demanded of him if he had anything to say, why sentence should not be passed upon him, and he having nothing to say, it is therefore considered by the court the said Wesley Armstrong be confined in the Penitentiary of this State for a term of four years, and that as soon as convenient and possible, the said Wesley Armstrong be removed and safely conveyed from the jail of this county, to the said penitentiary, therein to be confined and imprisoned and treated in manner prescribed by low, for the said term 4 years. Thereupon the defandent is remanded to jail, and it is further considered by the court the State of West Virginia do recover of and from the said Wesley Armstrong, a fine of Five Hundred Dollars her costs in this case expended including an attorney fee of $30.00. Ordered that L.J. Foreman be allowed $40.00 payable out of the county treasury for services as Special Counsel for the State, at this term of the court. Ordered that the following allowances be made payable out of the State Treasury to jurors for their services in the case of the State of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong upon an indictment for a felony: Scott Ritchie one day $3.50 Elmer C. Hedr8ci one day 3.50 Marvin Moyers one day 3.50 Pet Warner one day 3.50 Charles Nelson one day 3.50 Henry Judy one day 3.50 Dewitt Black one day 3.50 John A. Mallow one day 3.50 C.F. Burgoyne one day 3.50 Kennie Simmons one day 3.50 Harness Wimer one day 3.50 Ray Mitchell one day 3.50 Ordered that the following State Witnesses for their services at this term of the Court in the case of the Sate of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong, upon an indictment for a felony: E.E. Rexrode Two days and forty miles $4.00. Hook Two days and 280 miles 16.00 Clinton Armstrong Two days and 440 miles 23.00 Mrs. Clinton Armstrong Two days and 440 miles 23.00 Sam McQuain Two days and 36 miles 3.80 John McQuain Two days and 36 miles 3.80 ************* State of West Virginia vs Wesley Armstrong This day came the State by her Attorney and the defendant in his own proper person in the discharge of his recognizance and by counsel and on the motion of the State this case is continued and the defendant is admitted to bail. Whereupon safendant together with Floyd Moyers acknowledged themselves to owe and be indebted unto the State of West Virginia in the penal sum of $1000, to be levied of their respective goods and chattels, lands and tenements, and unto the state render, yet upon the condition that if the said defendant do and shall make Court on the second day of the next regular term thereof, to answer the indictment of which he stands charged and perform all orders of the court in relation thereto, and not depart thence without leave of the Court, then this recognizance to be void other wise of force. ************* State of West Virginia vs. Wesley Armstrong This day came again the defendant in his own proper Armstrong, together with H.A. Hoover and Maude Simmons as his surety, jointly and severally, acknowledged themselves to owe and be indebted unto the State of West Virginia, in the penalf One Thousand Dollars, to be levied of their respective goods and chattels, lands and tenements, and unto the state render, yet upon the condition that the said Wesley Armstrong shall be and make his personal appearance before the Judge of our circuit Court on the 1st day of the next regular term thereof, to answer the charge of which he stands indicted, and perform all orders of the court in relation thereto, and not depart thence without leave of the court, then this recognizance to be void, otherwise of force. *********** CHILD OF GEORGE WESLEY AND GERTRUDE (PROPST) ARMSTRONG 1-12-3-9-1 MARY MAY ARMSTRONG -- 1907 MARY MAY ARMSTRONG 1-12-3-91 MARY MAY ARMSTRONG b. 11/25/1907 d. m. Woodrow Botkin 1-12-3-911 Genevieve Armstrong b. 771925 m. #1 John Fede #2 Robert Abalon #3 Roland Fennel 1-12-3-9111 Laura Jean Armstrong 1-12-3-9-1-2 Juanita Armstrong m. #1 Leo McQuain d. 7/6/1957 Steamshovel accident. #2 9/17/1954 Roy Taylor Dunlap CHILD BY #2 ROY T. DUNLAP 1-12-3-9-1-2-1 Bobby Lee Dunlap m. Lisa Kiser 1-12-3-91211 Wesley Ryan Dunlap b. 9/23/1983 1-12-3-913 Melvin H. Armstrong (Bobby) b. 11/11/1926 d. 12/25/1949 Car Accident Bur: Doe Hill, Highland Co., Va. 1-12-3-914 Avanella Botkin m. Wilber Ray McDorman 1-12-3-9141 Daniel Ray McDorman 1-12-3-9142 Stephen McDorman d. 1973 13 years old 1-12-3-9143 Darla McDorman d. 1968 3 1/2 years old 1-12-3-915 Clarence Leon Botkin d. Martha Miller 1-12-3-9151 Pam Botkin 1-12-3-9152 Ricky Botkin 1-12-3-9153 Joey Botkin ********** DESCENDANTS OF GEORGE WESLEY ARMSTRONG AND MAUDE ANN SIMMONS NOTE: I have been told all these children turned out well and have been a credit to their heritage. 1-12-3-92 Van Simmons 1-12-3-93 Woodrow Simmons m. Elisa Stone 1-12-3-94 Arlie Simmons b. 8/3/1919 d. 1/1/2000 m. McConaugh 1-12-3-95 Elmer H. Simmons d. 7/3/1962 Car accident m. Helen Marlene Jackson d. 7/4/1962 Car accident 1-12-3-951 Martha Ann Simmons b. 1954 d. 1998 m. --?-- Corbin 1-12-3-952 Helen Marie Simmons b. 1958 1-12-3-96 Charles C. Simmons "Sonny" b. 1940? d. 4/17/1994 m. Judith A. Woods 1-12-3-9-6-1 Dale Simmons 1-12-3-9-6-2 Wesley Simmons 1-12-3-97 Mildred L. Simmons m. Doyle F. Rigney 1-12-3-9-7-1 Roger Lee Rigney d. 1/4/1998 1-12-3-98 Nora Lee Simmons (Listed as "Dora" in Simmons Book) b. 9/24/1914 d. 9/11/1999 m. Robert Gum 1-12-3-99 Roy Simmons 1-12-3-910 Maggie Simmons m. Will Crummett 1-12-3-911 Herbert Simmons ***********

  
  

• Sources

  [S3] Directory of Scottish Settlers in North America, 1625-1825, Dobson, David, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co.) (Reliability: 0). Great-uncle Wes and Gertie separated (never divorced to my knowledge). She took up with neighbor (Ed Simmons) and he lived common-law for the rest of their lives with Maude Simmons (Ed's daughter) and raised a large and wonderful family!! [S7] The sailing of the Ship "Submission" in the year 1682, with a true copy of the vessel's log, L. Taylor Dickson, (In Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania) (Reliability: 0). Great-uncle Wes and Gertie separated (never divorced to my knowledge). She took up with neighbor (Ed Simmons) and he lived common-law for the rest of their lives with Maude Simmons (Ed's daughter) and raised a large and wonderful family!!