John (3) Looney was born ca1757 in Augusta (now Botetourt) County, Virginia. It is here suggested that he may have been the man recommended for promotion to Ensign in the Washington County, Virginia, militia 25 February 1777 (Wash. Min. Book 1, 7); and/or he may have been with his first cousin, Peter (3) (Peter (2)) Looney, and James Cain and John Crow when the three signed the Cumberland Pact on 1 May 1780 at the new settlement, Nashborough on the Cumberland River. (A John Looney, Ensign, is credited with being present at the Battle of King’s Mountain, which was fought on 7 October 1780.) It is assumed that John (3) (John (2)) died before ca 1784 when a younger brother was named John.
Robert (3) Looney was born ca 1760. This could possibly be the Robert Looney who signed a petition in lower Washington County 6 November 1777; and perhaps the Robert Loony, Ensign, under Lieutenant Moses (3) Looney (Robert (2) Jr.) and Captain George Maxwell in the militia of Washington County, Virginia, 20 November 1778. A Robert Looney, Ensign, is listed as present at the Battle of King’s Mountain. Perhaps this Robert (3) died before ca 1787 when another Robert (3) of John (2) was born. (Note: Here there is uncertainty because Robert (3) of David (2) was born ca 1762.)
Peter (3) Looney was born ca 1761, probably the first son born in this family after Peter (2) Looney was killed by Indians in March or April of 1760. Peter (3) may have been one of the men named Peter Looney who, late in 1776, served under John (3) (Robert (2) Jr.) Looney, Bullockmaster, during or just after the Cherokee Expedition. (Ramsey’s Annals of Tenn.; see also Journal of House of Delegates, Va., May 1778, p. 31, 32.) On 15 November 1782 Land Office Treasury Warrant 14839 was issued to Peter Looney according to the “Act of Assembly” of the Legislature of Virginia of May 1779. (See Henning’s Statutes, Vol. 7, app., Vol. 10, p. 35, 40.)
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Under the warrant 120 acres were surveyed to him in Franklin County, Virginia, 28 September 1789, on the south side of Blackwater River on Thomas Robertson’s line. A Certificate of Survey was recorded 30 October 1792 and the grant recorded as of 14 August 1793. (Va. Grant Book 29, 222.)
Peter (3) Looney married, (bond) 10 March 1786, Judith Robinson, daughter of Thomas Robinson. (Franklin Mar. Bonds by Marshall Wingfield 1947, p. 147.) (Thomas Robinson in his will dated 1796, proved 1798, mentions wife Jane Magdalin, sons George and William, daughters Phebe Barton, Sara Staton, Susan Vest, Judith Luney, and Rebecca Stephens. (Franklin Wills 1, 128.)
The 1810 census of Franklin County, Virginia, shows that Peter Luney had a wife of same age group (i.e., b previous to 1765) and 1 girl 10-16 and another 16-26. In 1820 Judith was head of the household with 1 boy and 1 girl, both under 10, and 2 girsl 18-26. No Looneys were found at the 1830 or 1850 census of Franklin County, but in 1840 Judy Luny 40-50 was listed with 1 boy 10-15.
The inventory of the personal estate of Peter (3) Louna, deceased, was appraised 5 December 1812 is of record in Franklin County, Virginia. (Wills 2, 21.)
On 12 April 1847 Jane and Judith Looney sold to Isaac Shoumaker their interest as heirs of Peter Luney, deceased, in 120 acres on Blackwater River. (Franklin Deeds 17, 341.) Perhaps the mother, Judith, had died before the daughters sold their interest in the property, and perhaps their brother had “gone away.” (He had married in 1843, as will appear later.)
Peter Looney and wife Judith had at least the following children:
End page 7 Judith (4) Looney b. say 1793 or earlier; may be the Judy Luny listed in Franklin Co., Va., at the 1850 census with 1 boy 10-15. Jane (4) Looney b. say 1798. Dau. b. say 1801. Elisha (4) Looney b. say 1813. See 4th Gen.
Jane (3) Looney was born about 1763 and married (bond) 1 June 1781 Stephen Holston, son of Henry Holston Sr. (Botetourt Mar. Reg., 16.) Jane received 150 acres on Stone Run of Craig’s Creek from John Looney on 9 June 1807 by deed to “Stephen Holston, son-in-law, and Jane his wife” --part of tract of 250 acres granted to Peter Looney and surveyed, 12 January 1796, to said John Looney by James Lauderdale, attourney-in-fact for Peter Looney. (Botetourt Deeds 9, 307; Surveyor’s Book 3, 407.) (Note that Jane (3) may have had an Aunt Lucy Jane Looney who married Stephen Holston of an older generation.) (D.A.R. Lineage 68, 301.)
Joseph (3) Looney was born 4 January 1783, and died in 1867 at he age of 84. He married 5 Jun 1806 (bond 13 May, Botetourt Mar. Reg. 157) Nancy, born 20 August 1785, daughter of Zachariah Hendrickson. (See House of Looney by Coyd A. Looney.)
On 9 June 1807 John (2) Looney deeded to his son Joseph 82 acres of land. (Botetourt Deeds 9, 310.) At the 1810 census, Botetourt County, Joseph is listed with wife, and with 2 children under 10 years (i.e., Moses b. 1807 and Henry b. 1809).
Bounty-land papers (3767-80-50 Botetourt Co.; 22821-80-55 Craig Co.) show that Joseph volunteered 12 July 1813 and served as 1st Corporal in Captain Joseph Hannah’s Company of the 121st Regiment of Virginia Militia under Colonel James McDowell in the War of 1812, and was discharged 10 January 1814 at Norfolk.
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At the 1820 census Joseph and wife had 5 children; and at the 1830 census they had 6 males and 3 females in their household. Joseph Davidson sued Joseph Looney for debt on 5 April 1826. (Botetourt Cir. Ct. Minutes 2.) On 30 January 1836, for $500, Joseph and Nancy Looney sold to daughter Elizabeth Looney, all of Botetourt County, 114 acres on John’s Creek of James River, part of land conveyed by Andrew Taylor to Joseph Looney. (Botetourt Deeds 21, 427.) At the 1840 census they were still in Botetourt County, with 3 males and 1 female, but in 1850 they were there alone, aged 68 and 66.
On 8 November 1850 in Botetourt County, aged 67, and again on 23 April 1855 in Craig County, aged 71, Joseph (3) signed papers applying for bounty land for his military services. (Since Craig Co. was formed in 1851 from part of Botetourt Co., etc., there is no necissary implication that any actual change of residence had taken place.) In 1860 they are listed as living alone in Craig County, aged 78 and 70, and Joseph’s occupation is listed as carpenter.
The following concerning the children of Joseph (3) and Nancy Looney, all born in Botetourt County, depends largely on Coyd A. Looney’s family records, the Botetourt County Marriage Register, and Federal Census Records.
Moses (4) Looney b. 1807. See 4th Gen. Henry (4) Looney b. 5 Feb. 1809. See 4th Gen. Elizabeth (4) Looney b. 20 Sept. 1811; m. 19 May 1836 by L. L. Reynolds to Joseph Patton (bond 2 or 19 May 1836). Elizabeth bought 114 acres from parents for $500 30 Jan. 1836. (Deeds 21, 427.) John (4) Looney b. 14 Jan. 1814. See 4th Gen. Mary (4) Looney b. 6 June 1877; m. (Botetourt bond) 6 Jan. 1835 John F. Wood (or Woods). End page 9 David (4) Looney b. 26 Oct. 1819. See 4th Gen. Joseph (4) B. Looney b. 9 March 1822. See 4th Gen. Aaron (4) Looney b. 12 July 1824; no further information. Nancy (4) Looney b. 25 Oct. 1826; d. 3 March 1919 aged 91; m. (bond) 9 Feb. 1847 Looney Caldwell b. ca 1825. At the 1850 census he had Frances M. b. 1848 and George H. b. 1850. However, his wife is listed as Mary b. ca 1828.
John (3) Looney Jr. was born ca 1784, presumably after the death of an older brother John, and married 29 March 1804 Elizabeth daughter of George Walker Sr. in Botetourt County, Virginia. (Botetourt Mar. Reg. 540; John Helms, minister.) On 9 June 1807 John (3) Looney received from his father John (2) Looney Senior, for love and affection and $5, 200 acres in valley of Sinking Creek, mention being made of a corner of the grant to Peter Looney on Stone Run of Craig’s Creek. (For plots see Surveyor’s Book 3, 408, 447, 460; Botetourt Deeds 9, 309.) At the 1810 census of Botetourt County John Looney Jr., aged 26-45, with female 16-26, had 3 males and 1 female all under 10 years.
It is not unlikely that John (3) Looney served in the War of 1812 with his brothers Robert and Joseph. The Pay Rolls of Milita in the Virginia Archives for the 121st Regement, Botetourt County, commanded by Colonel James McDowell show that John Walker, Ensign, John Looney, Corp. and “Robert Looney Corp. (or Joseph)” were on the payroll during 11 July to 28 September 1813. (Query: Was John (3) killed in service?)
An appraisement and inventory of John’s estate was reported at May Court, 1814. (Botetourt Wills B, 422.) The widow Elizabeth Looney was married to William E. Reynolds (bond 26 June 1817. Botetourt Mar. Reg. 246.) In December 1825 John Looney’s land was divided, naming the heirs.
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