**3rd-Great paternal Granduncle/aunt of Eula Claudine Reed
Michael Sowder:
Parents: Jacob Sowder & Elizabeth ?
Born: About 1768-1780 (Fredrick County, Maryland)
Died: June 19, 1868 (Montgomery County, Virginia)
Buried: Unknown (unknown)
Elizabeth Beath (first spouse):
Parents: Unknown & Unknown
Born: May 6, 1767 (unknown)
Married: July 2, 1802 (Montgomery County, Virginia)
Died: 1803 (Virginia)
Buried: Salem Church Cemetery (Floyd County, Virginia)
Elizabeth McNeely (second spouse):
Parents: William McNeely & Rebecca Barnett ?
Born: May 6, 1767 (Virginia)
Married: March 6, 1805 (Montgomery County, Virginia)
Died: May 28, 1859 (Montgomery County, Virginia)
Buried: Unknown (unknown)
Children (second spouse):
- Rebecca Sowder (Born: about 1805);
- James Sowder (Born: about 1810);
- Jacob Sowder (Born: 12/15/1812);
- John Sowder (Born: about 1815);
- Elizabeth Sowder (Born: 6/1/1825);
- Adam Sowder (Born: about 1825).
Genealogical Sketch:
About 1768, Michael Sowder was reported to have been born in Fredrick County (Maryland); and his parents were Jacob Sowder and Elizabeth (possibly Elizabeth Story).[1] Michael Sowder’s parents were members of the German-Swiss community of ardent Christians known as “the Brethren” that were often referred to as “Tunkers” or “Dunkers” for their insistence of full subversion under water baptism (aka: Baptist) that had form some of the first Baptist churches in Virginia.
- Note: The age of Michael Sowder reported in 1810-1860 Federal Censuses suggest he was born about 1780.
Cropped from a 1795 map of Maryland, the Little Conawago Creek (highlighted in yellow) is located near Hanover (Pennsylvania) and just north of Fredrick County, Maryland (1796 Vallance Map, Library of Congress).
On July 2, 1802, Michael Sowder and his father (Jacob Sowder) posted the bond as “Michael Sowder hath this day obtained a license for his Marriage to Elizabeth Beath” in Montgomery County, Virginia. Indicating he was literate, Michael Sowder signed the bond and his father Jacob Sowder signed with his mark. In addition, “Jacob Sowder made affirmation that Elisabeth Beath is twenty one years of age.” Indicating he was illiterate, Jacob Sowder signed the consent with his mark (see below).[2]
Copies of original Bond and Consent for the marriage of Michael Sowder and Elizabeth Beath (Montgomery County [Virginia] Marriage Bonds [1796-1803]).
On March 6, 1805, Michael Souder married his second wife Elizabeth McNeeley in Montgomery County, Virginia.[3]
On April 10, 1815, a grant was recorded for Michael Sowder for 50 acres “on both sides of the south fork of Roanoke” in Montgomery County, Virginia. Surveyed on March 30, 1812, the 50 acres was bounded by the land of John Barnett, Robert Elliott and the 320 acres of land of “the widow McNeely“. On May 17, 1817, another grant was recorded for Michael Sowder of 225 acres on both sides of the south fork of Roanoke adjoining land of the land of the “Widow McNeely” and the “Widow Stapleton” in Montgomery County, Virginia.[4]
According to the 1820 Federal Census, the 26-44 year-old Michael Sowder was a farmer living in Blacksburg Township of Montgomery County, Virginia. Michael Sowder was living with his 26-44 year-old wife, his 10-15 year-old son, his 10-15 year-old daughter, his son under the age of ten, and his daughter under the age of ten.
- On December 16, 1826, Michael Sowder’s daughter Rebecca Sowder married Charles Poff in Montgomery County, Virginia.[5] Born on December 16, 1806, Charles Lee Poff was the son of Peter R. Poff (1773-1830) and Elizabeth Pickle (1768-1854). Charles Poff’s brother Henry Poff had married Michael Sowder’s half-sister Sally Sowder on March 28, 1812.[6]
According to the 1830 Federal Census, the 50-59 year-old Michael Sowder was living in Newburn Township of Montgomery County, Virginia. Michael Sowder was living with his 40-49 year-old wife, two 20-29 year-old free white males, a 20-29 year-old free white female, his 15-19 year-old son, his 10-14 year-old daughter, a 5-9 year-old free white female, and his two sons/grandsons under the age of five. Michael Sowder owned a 10-23 year-old female slave and a female slave under the age of ten.
- Also living in Newburn Township was Michael Sowder’s 40-49 year-old half-brother Anthony Sowder. Anthony Sowder was living with his 30-39 year-old wife, his 10-14 year-old son, his 10-14 year-old daughter, his 5-9 year-old daughter, his son under the age if five, and a 70-79 year-old free white female that may have been his mother Anna Sowder (Michael Sowder’s step mother);
- Also living in Newburn Township was Michael Sowder’s 30-39 year-old half-brother Daniel Sowder. Daniel Sowder was living with his 30-39 year-old wife, his 15-19 year-old son, his 5-9 year-old son, his daughter under the age of five, and his son under the age of five.
- Sometime around 1837, Michael Sowder’s son John Sowder was reported to have married Lucinda A. King in or near Montgomery County, Virginia.
- On October 7, 1839, Michael Sowder’s son Jacob Sowder married Sarah Jane Lee in Montgomery County, Virginia.[7]
According to the 1840 Federal Census, the 60-69 year-old Michael Sowder was a farmer living in Montgomery County, Virginia. Michael Sowder was living with his 50-59 year-old wife, a 15-19 year-old free white female, a 10-14 year-old free white male, and a free white male under the age of five. Michael Sowder owned two 10-23 year-old female slaves, a male slave under the age of ten, and a female slave under the age of ten.
- Also living in Montgomery County was Michael Sowder’s 30-39 year-old son James Sowder. James Sowder was a farmer living with his 202-9 year-old wife, his 10-14 year-old daughter, his two 5-9 year-old daughters, his son under the age of five, and his daughter under the age of five.
- On May 21, 1849, Michael Sowder’s daughter Elizabeth Sowder married Reuben Webster in Montgomery County, Virginia.[8]
- On December 22, 1849, Michael Sowder’s son James Sowder married his second wife Cynthia Lore in Montgomery County, Virginia.[9] Born in 1806, Cynthia Lore (née unknown) was a widow who had been married to John Lore (1812-?) with whom she reportedly had two known children (Eliza Lane Lore [1826-1877] & James H. Lore [1837-1863]).
According to the 1850 Federal Census, the 70 year-old Michael Sowder was a farmer living in household #1048 of District 41 in Montgomery County, Virginia. Born in Maryland, Michael Sowder was living with his 67 year-old wife Elizabeth Sowder, his 31 year-old daughter-in-law Lucinda A. Sowder, his 23 year-old son Adam Sowder, and his 11 year-old grandson Joseph Sowder (all born in Virginia).
- Living in the next household (#1049) was Michael Sowder’s 40 year-old son James Sowder. Born in Virginia, James Sowder was a farmer living with his 44 year-old wife Cynthia Sowder, his 15 year-old daughter Lucinda M. Sowder, his 14 year-old daughter Elizabeth Sowder, his 13 year-old son Michael Sowder, his 13 year-old son James Lore Sowder, his 6 year-old son Radford Sowder, his 11 year-old daughter Ellen Sowder, his 6 year-old son William Sowder, and 24 year-old step-daughter Eliza Lore (all born in Virginia);
- Living close by in household #1046 was Michael Sowder’s 37 year-old son Jacob Sowder. Born in Virginia, Jacob Soder was living with his 31 year-old wife Sarah J. Sowder, his 10 year-old daughter Sarah E. Sowder, his 6 year-old son Tipton Sowder, and his two year-old son Charles E. Sowder (all born in Virginia);
- Living close by in household #1040 was Michael Sowder’s 46 year-old son-in-law Charles Poff. Born in Virginia, Charles Poff was living with his 45 year-old daughter Rebecca Poff (Michael Sowder’s daughter), his 19 year-old daughter Elizabeth J. Poff, his 16 year-old son Jacob H. Poff, his 11 year-old son James Poff, his 8 year-old son Adam Poff, his 4 year-old daughter Rebecca A. Poff, his one year-old son Charles Poff, and 10 year-old Malinda E. Sowder (all born in Virginia).
- On February 3, 1851, Michael Sowder’s youngest son Adam Sowder married Liona Harless (bondsman was Michael Poff) in Surry County, North Carolina.[10] Born on March 1, 1831, Leona Harless was reportedly the daughter of Isreal Harless (1802-?) and Mary Boce (1797-?).
On May 28, 1859, Michael Sowder’s second wife Elizabeth Sowder was reported to have died in Montgomery County, Virginia (need citation).
According to the 1860 Federal Census, the 80 year-old Michael Sowder was a farmer living in household #218 in Montgomery County, Virginia. Born in Maryland, Michael Sowder was living with his 41 year-old daughter-in-law Lucinda A. Sowder, his 20 year-old grandson Joseph Sowder, his 40 year-old son-in-law Rueben Webster, his 10 year-old granddaughter Malissa F. Webster, his 8 year-old granddaughter Mary J. Webster, his 5 year-old grandson Michael F. Webster, and his 3 year-old grandson Charle D. Webster (all born in Virginia).
- Living close by in household #216 was Michael Sowder’s 54 year-old daughter Rebecca Poff. Born in Virginia, Rebecca Poff was living with her 56 year-old husband Charles Poff (farmer), her 17 year-old son Adam Poff, her 14 year-old daughter Rebecca A. Poff, her 11 year-old son Charles Poff, and her 7 year-old daughter Hannah Poff (all born in Virginia);
- Living nearby in household #253 was Michael Sowder’s 47 year-old son Jacob Sowder. Born in Virginia, Jacob Sowder was a farmer living with his 41 year-old wife Sarah J. Sowder, his 15 year-old son James T. Sowder, his 12 year-old son Charla E. Sowder, his 8 year-old son Elda Lee Sowder, his 5 year-0old daughter Nancy V. Sowder, his 3 year-old daughter Mary Sowder, his one year-old daughter Louisa Sowder, and his 18 year-old daughter Rebecca F. Sowder (all born in Virginia).
On June 19, 1868, Michael Sowder was reported to have died at Elliot’s Creek in Montgomery County (Virginia) when he died at the age of 100 years-old. On Michael Sowder’s death certificate filed in the court house in Christianburg (Virginia), his grandson Joseph Sowder and his wife Elizabeth reported that Michael Sowder was born in Fredrick County (Maryland) and named “his parents as Jacob & Elizabeth Sowder“.[11] Interestingly, the land on which Michael Sowder was living at the time of his death (see his will) was located on the opposite side of the South Fork Roanoke River and just north of where Elliot’s Creek flows into the river. As his home was near Elliot’s Creek, this notation on his death certificate may refer to this general area or Michael Sowder may have been visiting friends or family that lived nearby on Elliot’s Creek.
Copy of the transcription of the will of Michael Sowder recorded in Montgomery County (Virginia) Will Book 10 (1864-1874), Page 309.
During the August Court in 1868, the last will (dated August 18, 1865) and testament of “Michael Sowder of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia” was proven in Montgomery County, Virginia (see above).[12] Below is a transcription of Michael Sowder’s will provided by his 3rd great-grandson Jim Sowder. Although Michael Sowder referred to her as his daughter, Lucinda Ann Sowder was in fact his widowed daughter-in-law as her husband John Sowder (Michael Sowder’s son) had died sometime prior to 1850.
“In the name of God Amen. I Michael Sowder of the County of Montgomery and State of Virginia being of sound and disposing mind and body do make this my last will and testament as follows.
First – I desire that my personal property of whatever description be sold as soon after my decease as possible or convenient, and out of the proceeds of which, I wish all my just debts paid, and the remainder to be equally divided between my son Jacob Sowder, my daughter Rebecca Poff, and my grand children, Melissa Frances Webster, Mary Jane Ann Webster, Michael Fletcher Webster, and Charles Daniel Webster, infant children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth Webster (that is to say) one third to my son Jacob Sowder, one third to my daughter Rebecca Poff, and one third to my grand children – Melissa Frances, Mary Jane Ann, Michael Fletcher, and Charles Daniel infant children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth Webster.
Second – I will and bequeath unto my son Adam Sowder his bond payable to me and bearing date the second day of May Eighteen hundred and sixty for eighty dollars with the interest thereon accruing.
Third – I have given to my deceased son James Sowder during his life the proceeds of the sale of the tract of land upon which he resided previous to his removal from the state of Virginia the same sold to Rev Chevalier; I consider the same his full portion of my estate and will and bequeath the same to his heirs.
Fourth – I will and bequeath unto my daughter Lucinda Ann Sowder all my land embracing four tracts or parcels of land containing two hundred and seventy one acres be the same more or less being and lying in the County of Montgomery Va (the same upon which I now reside) free from all encombrance for her own absolute use and benefit to have and to hold in her own right and at her disposal forever.
Fifth – I do hereby nominate and appoint Charles A Calhoun to be my Executor of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby revoke and make void all other will or wills by me heretofore made at any time and I do hereby declare these presents to be and contain my last will and testament. In witness thereof, the said Testator Michael Sowder have to this my last will and testament sit my hand and affixed my seal this Eighteenth day of August in the year One Thousand Eight hundred and Sixty five.” Signed Michael Sowder; as witnessed by William M Callaham and Thos M Barnett.
Gravestones:
Michael Sowder’s first wife Elizabeth Sowder was buried in the Salem Church Cemetery (aka: Head of River Cemetery) which was next to the Salem Head of the River Primitive Baptist Church that had been established in 1784 about 3 miles south of present-day Copper Hill in Floyd County, Virginia. A transcription made in 1922 under the direction of William M. Weddle (Principal of Check High School) recorded that “Elizabeth” had died in 1803 with the encryption “wife of Michael Sowder” (her last named & year she was born were no longer legible). It is not known where Michael Sowder or his second wife Elizabeth Sowder are buried.
[1] The Descendants of Christian Sr. & Polly Souders of Washington County, Indiana by Jim R. Souder, Page 4.
“The fact that Jacob (Sowder) resided in Fredrick County (Maryland) was established by his son Michael Sowder’s death certificate, which is filed in Montgomery County Courthouse at Christianburg, Virginia. According to the death certificate, Michael Sowder died on Elliott’s Creek on the 19 June 1868 at the age of one hundred years. Place of birth is given as Fredrick County, Maryland, and the name of his parents as Jacob & Elizabeth Sowder. The informants were Michael’s grandson, Joseph Sowder, and his wife Elizabeth.“
[2] Montgomery County (Virginia) Original Marriage Bonds (1796-1803) Bond (image 794 of 968); Montgomery County (Virginia) Original Marriage Bonds (1796-1803) Consent (image 795 of 968); Montgomery County (Virginia) Register of Marriages (1777-1853), Page 94.
[3] Virginia Compiled Marriages (1740-1850); Virginia Select Marriages (1785-1940).
[4] Virginia Land Grant for Michael Sowder dated April 10, 1815, Pages 31-32 (Reel 131); Virginia Land Grant for Michael Sowder dated May 10, 1817, Pages 321-322 (Reel 132).
[5] Virginia Compiled Marriages (1740-1850); Virginia Select Marriages (1785-1940).
[6] Virginia Compiled Marriages (1740-1850); Virginia Select Marriages (1785-1940).
[7] Virginia Compiled Marriages (1740-1850); Virginia Select Marriages (1785-1940).
[8] Virginia Compiled Marriages (1740-1850); Virginia Select Marriages (1785-1940).
[9] Virginia Compiled Marriages (1740-1850); Virginia Select Marriages (1785-1940).
[10] Surry County (North Carolina) Marriage Bonds (1784-1868), Page 217.
[11] The Descendants of Christian Sr. & Polly Souders of Washington County, Indiana by Jim R. Souder, Page 4.
“The fact that Jacob (Sowder) resided in Fredrick County (Maryland) was established by his son Michael Sowder’s death certificate, which is filed in Montgomery County Courthouse at Christianburg, Virginia. According to the death certificate, Michael Sowder died on Elliott’s Creek on the 19 June 1868 at the age of one hundred years. Place of birth is given as Fredrick County, Maryland, and the name of his parents as Jacob & Elizabeth Sowder. The informants were Michael’s grandson, Joseph Sowder, and his wife Elizabeth.“
[12] Montgomery County (Virginia) Will Book 10 (1864-1874), Page 309.
Wilson Family Tree Album Blog 
If anyone can share a scanned copy of the 1868 death certificate for Michael Sowder; or access to the archives records for Montgomery County (Virginia) to retrieve a copy of this record to share with this blog; it would be greatly appreciated. God Bless!
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