John P. Daugherty

John P. Daugherty was born around 1800 in County Derry, Ireland, which likely refers to modern-day County Londonderry in Northern Ireland. He was one of at least 10 children born to William Dougherty and his wife Nancy, both natives of Ireland. John’s siblings included Nancy, Catherine (Katy or Katie), Lavina, William Jr., Robert, Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, and Henry.

John is my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather, with their closest shared ancestor being John’s daughter, Nancy, who married Samuel C. Murphy.

When researching this surname, you need to be creative as the name appears in various forms across records, including: Doherty, Doughtry, Dougherty, Doughtery, and Daughtery. There may be others as well.

Researching John’s life enabled me to trace this branch of our family tree back another generation to his father, William Dougherty, and a confirmed connection to Ireland.

Evidence suggests that the family immigrated to the United States before 1808, as John’s brother Robert was born in Pennsylvania that year. It seems they lived in Pennsylvania briefly before settling permanently in Virginia, where they spent the rest of their lives.

On April 17, 1823, John married Catherine Brannon in Wheeling, Ohio County, Virginia, in a ceremony officiated by clergyman Thomas Daken.

Ohio County marriage register

John and Catherine had a large family, with 11 children: Mary, Nancy, William H., Elizabeth, Margaret, John W., Catherine, Rachel A., Robert H., Emmeline, and Laura Ann. Many of their children shared names with John’s siblings. All his children were born in Virginia.

A long-term resident of Ohio County, Virginia John’s consistent presence in Ohio County is well documented through personal property tax records, which span across two decades:

• 1823 and 1825: John paid taxes alongside his father William. Also present was Charles Daughtry, whose link to the family remains unclear.
• 1827 and 1828: John continued to be listed in the county tax rolls with his father and brother William Jr. Census records from this period confirm his residency in Ohio County.
• 1831: Tax records now included John’s father, and brothers Henry, Robert, and William Jr. The name Allen Daughtry also appears in both 1828 and 1831, though his connection to the family has not been determined.
• 1833: John is recorded again, paying taxes alongside William, Henry, and Robert.
• 1835: John’s name appears with William, William Jr., and Robert, maintaining a strong family presence in local records.
• 1838: John and Robert are listed once more, with Allen Daughtry reemerging in the records.

John began acquiring land in Marshall County, Virginia, through a series of land warrant assignments, an early method of claiming unsettled property. His first known purchase came in 1834, when he bought 100 acres on Maggoty Camp Run from Hugh and Mary Gill. Today, this land would most likely be found near the present-day town of Cameron.

In November 1839, John was indebted to Absalom Ridgely for $90.60, payable by April 1, 1841, with interest. To secure the debt, John transferred ownership of his Maggoty Camp Run property, along with various livestock, farming equipment, household goods, and leased land on Middle Wheeling Creek, to Humphrey Boon as trustee. John retained possession of the land unless he failed to pay, in which case Boon would sell the land and assets at public auction, with proceeds covering Ridgely’s debt and remaining funds returned to John. If John paid in full, the deed would be void, and ownership restored. 

In August 1840, John and his wife Catherine sold the 100-acre tract along Maggoty Camp Run back to Hugh Gill for $200. Whether the sale was prompted by financial necessity or part of a broader exchange remains unclear.

At the same time, the 1840 U.S. census records indicate that John’s father, William Dougherty, had moved to Marshall County, Virginia, where he later pursued U.S. citizenship. On September 21, 1840, William appeared in court and formally applied for naturalization. A native of County Derry, Ireland, William presented sworn testimony from Jacob Keller and Benjamin Blodgett, confirming that he had resided in the United States since before June 18, 1812 and had lived there continuously for over five years. In fact, based on the birth of his son Robert in Pennsylvania around 1808, William had clearly been in the U.S. for at least three decades. Keller and Blodgett attested to William’s good moral character and his support for the principles of the U.S. Constitution. In open court, William formally renounced all allegiance to foreign powers, including Queen Victoria of Great Britain and Ireland, and pledged loyalty to the United States. The court accepted his declaration and granted him citizenship.

By February 1841, less than a year after the original sale, Hugh Gill and his wife Mary sold 150 acres to John. While it’s uncertain whether this tract was entirely new or included the previously sold acreage, the transaction suggests the return of the original 100 acres, perhaps along with an additional 50 acres, either via subdivision or as part of a larger tract.

Around 1843, John expanded his holdings by acquiring 150 acres along Valley Run, a stream feeding into Fish Creek, through the assignment of Land Office Treasury Warrants. These warrants originated from Alexander Newman and Henry Lockman, and passed through multiple parties before reaching John. This property was likely located near modern-day Moundsville, West Virginia.

In September 1844, a formal survey established the boundaries of the tract, and in 1845, the Commonwealth of Virginia issued a land patent, securing John’s legal ownership. In February 1845, John identified an additional five-acre surplus within the tract—originally part of Henry Lockman’s 1835 grant—which was formally assigned to him through Lockman’s attorney.

Finally, in September 1845, John was officially granted 155 acres in Marshall County, Virginia, through two separate Land Office Treasury Warrants: No. 12908 (issued to Lockman in 1835) and No. 12486 (issued to Newman in 1837). The gradual chain of transactions and careful surveying culminated in John’s acquisition of the entire property.

John's land grant

The survey for the land was originally conducted on September 2, 1844, and was formally surveyed with markers like white oaks, dogwoods, and stone piles.

Land survey for John’s 155 acres

In 1847, the Marshall County List of Taxable Property shows that two males over the age of 16 lived in the household of John. He owned one horse or mule and paid $10 in personal property tax that year.

The corresponding Land Tax records list John as owning:

• 155 acres on Valley Run, valued at $155; he paid $16 in land tax
• 150 acres on Maggoty Camp Run, valued at $150; he paid $15 in land tax

John’s father, William, also appeared on the 1847 land roll, owning 100 acres on Whetzell’s Run.

In 1848, records show John was the only male over age 16 residing in his household. He was again taxed $10 for one horse or mule. Other Daugherty’s listed in the Personal Property Tax record for Marshall County that year included William Sr., William Jr., Henry, and Robert, reflecting the family’s ongoing presence in the region.

By February 1849, John faced mounting financial obligations totaling $139.10, divided into three separate bonds:

• $49.10 dated August 5, 1847
• $31 dated January 30, 1849
• $58 dated February 10, 1849

To secure these debts, John and Catherine entered into a deed of trust, pledging the 155-acre Valley Run parcel granted to him by the Commonwealth in 1845 as collateral. The creditors were Benjamin and Vincent Cockayne, partners in the firm B & V Cockayne. Acting as trustee was Governor M. Price (not a title — Governor was his given name).

Per the agreement, Price held the land in trust with conditions: John could continue to possess the land unless he defaulted. If repayment was not made within six months, Price would be required to publicly auction the property after 30 days’ notice in a local newspaper. Any surplus proceeds would be returned to John, but if he paid off the full debt in time, the deed would be voided and ownership returned. Catharine formally relinquished her dower rights, indicating her full consent to the transaction.

Land tax records for 1849 show that John continued to own both parcels:

• 150 acres on Maggoty Camp Run, valued at $150; tax paid: $15
• 155 acres on Valley Run, valued at $155; tax paid: $16

Marshall County land tax (1849)

In November 1849, Absalom Ridgely Sr. filed a legal action against John in Marshall County to recover an outstanding debt. According to court records, Ridgely appeared with legal counsel, while John—though formally summoned—did not attend the hearing. The court ruled in Ridgely’s favor, awarding him $76.85, plus interest dating back to January 30, 1848, along with reimbursement for court costs.

That same month, John purchased 20 bushels of corn for $11.25 from the estate of Andrew Jenny, a transaction noted in Marshall County records.

In 1850, John continued to pay personal property tax in Marshall County, specifically in the Fishing Creek District. As in previous years, he was listed as the only male over age 16 in his household and taxed $10 for owning one horse or mule.

His father, William Sr., along with brothers William Jr., Henry, and Robert, were all recorded on the same Marshall County Personal Property Tax list that year, reinforcing the family’s continued presence in the area. Notably, Charles Daugherty appeared once again in proximity to several family members, though his relationship to the household remains uncertain.

On June 12, 1850, Laura, the youngest child of John and Catherine, was born in Wheeling, adding another member to an already sizeable household.

By July 1850, John had defaulted on the 1849 deed of trust, triggering the sale of his 155-acre Valley Run property. The land—including the formal patent and full ownership rights—was sold to Isaac Hoge for $260. Upon finalizing the sale:

• $155 was paid to Benjamin and Vincent Cockayne, settling John’s outstanding debt.
• $100 was paid directly to John.
• $5 was paid to Governor M. Price, who had acted as trustee in the transaction.

By October 25, 1850, the Daugherty family was recorded in the census for District 33, Marshall County, Virginia. Their home housed 11 individuals, including six adults. John worked as a farmer, with his son William contributing to farm labor. Both Catherine and daughter Mary were marked as unable to read. Living just four households away was the John Piles family, whose daughter, Amanda Piles (then age 12), would later become John and Catherine’s daughter-in-law.

In 1851, John continued to be listed on the Marshall County property tax rolls, reflecting his ownership of two substantial landholdings:

• 150 acres at Maggoty Camp Run, with buildings valued at $300; taxed at $36
• 155 acres at Valley Run, with buildings valued at $310; taxed at $37

On July 9, 1851, John and Catharine, along with other involved parties, finalized the deed transfer of the 155-acre Valley Run parcel to Isaac Hoy, formalizing the transaction that had been initiated earlier following John’s financial difficulties. The deed was:

• Acknowledged before the Clerk of the Court by Benjamin and Vincent Cockayne, the original creditors
• Certified by two Justices of the Peace
• Officially admitted to record, sealing the transfer of ownership to Hoy

In the fall of 1851, John, along with James Maloney, was formally charged with felonious riot—a serious offense involving violent public disorder by a group, elevated to felony status due to its severity. On October 6, John appeared in Marshall County court having previously posted recognizance—a legal pledge to return for trial. He was arraigned, entered a plea of not guilty, and waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He was then remanded to jail to await trial.

The court ordered the sheriff to summon 24 eligible male freeholders—male citizens who owned land—to appear the next morning to form a jury. On October 7, the jury found both men not guilty on the first count, but guilty on the second. John was fined $50, and James $35; both were returned to jail.

On October 13, John was brought back to court for final judgment. When asked if he had anything to say before sentencing, he offered no defense or delay. Though originally charged with felonious riot, John was ultimately convicted of a misdemeanor—a lesser offense. The court confirmed the $50 fine and added $5 in court costs.

John was to be imprisoned without bail until noon on November 10, and after that, held until the fine and costs were paid or he was otherwise released. However, this imprisonment could not exceed six months from November 10.

In addition, John was required to post a recognizance bond—a legal promise to maintain good behavior—for $50, with one or more sureties backing the bond. The bond ensured John would keep the peace and be of good behavior for 12 months.

In the image below, you see John recorded in the General Index to Law and Chancery Records in Marshall County for this case. 

Although the case closed in 1851, related expenses—like juror fees—were processed months later. On May 13, 1852, the sheriff submitted a claim of $24 to the state auditor to cover jury payments, a routine procedure funded by the Commonwealth, not by John.

In the fall of 1853, Absalom Ridgely, acting as an executor, filed a debt claim against John for $115, plus interest starting from April 1, 1853, and legal costs. Since John failed to appear in court, the judge ruled by default in favor of Ridgely, allowing the debt to be levied on John’s estate assets. A partial payment of $20 was recorded on March 27, 1857, but John remained responsible for the balance.

In April 1856, when John’s father signed his Last Will and Testament, item number five specified a bequest of $10 to ‘his son’ John.

On December 22, 1858, John’s son, John W., married Amanda M. Piles, daughter of John and Hannah Piles, in Marshall County.

On September 6, 1860, John, Catherine, and their children Rachel, Robert, Laura, and Catherine lived in Marshall County. John now worked as a Turner, someone who worked with a lathe, shaping wood, metal, or bone into objects like furniture, tools, or decorative items. It was a skilled trade. He had real estate valued at $100 and a personal estate worth $50. His son John lived next door, along with his wife Amanda (Piles), and one month old son Harry. His daughter, Nancy, her husband Samuel Murphy, and children Mary, Martin, and Margaret lived five houses away. 

On September 30, 1861, John, having declared his loyalty to the United States, enlisted as a private in Company H of the 11th Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, commanded by Colonel C. Rathbone. His enlistment marked his commitment to the Union cause during the turbulent years of the Civil War. Fighting alongside him was his son, John (W.), who served in the same company.

In late summer of 1862, while John was still in active service, his father William passed away in Marshall County. His will was proven and recorded in county court on August 8, 1862. Interestingly, neither John nor his brothers were named as executors—likely because they were serving in the military or otherwise unavailable. Instead, John Winters was appointed executor, with Albert Davis and James Campbell serving as sureties under a $2,000 bond to ensure the proper administration of the estate.

William bequeathed his entire estate to his wife Nancy, stipulating that upon her death, both real and personal property would be equally divided among their three daughters: Nancy, Katy, and Lavina. He directed that each of his other children—John, William, Robert, Elizabeth, Mary, and Margaret—receive $10, while Henry was to receive $40, a slightly larger sum that may hint at special circumstances or needs.

John had enlisted for a term of three years, but tragically, his service lasted just one. He remained in good health throughout his time in uniform until August 31, 1862, when he received what would be his final payment from Major Cowen.

Just one month later, on September 30, 1862, while serving as company cook, John was suddenly stricken with what was described at the time as “brain fever.” No military surgeon was present with the detachment, so John—speechless and gravely ill—was transported to a hospital in Parkersburg, Wood County, Virginia. At age 45, he died shortly after arrival. Physicians later diagnosed the cause of death as meningitis.

Captain George W. Parriott of Company H spoke of John as a man of temperate and steady habits, both in civilian life and during his military service, underscoring the character he carried to the very end.

John’s remains were brought home and laid to rest at Greenfield Ridge Cemetery in Marshall County, where his family and community could honor his sacrifice.

Photo by Evelyn (Murphy) Bailey

Military headstone application

Visit John’s Find a Grave memorial to see a photo of his military grave marker.

At the time of John’s death, his daughter Laura, then about 12 years old, was the only child under age 16 still living at home. This detail suggests that her sister Emmeline, who would have been approximately 14, may have predeceased John. 

In May 1863, Catherine, then 58 years old and residing near Belton in Marshall County, formally filed for a Civil War widow’s pension. Her application was approved at a rate of $8 per month, retroactive to September 30, 1862, the date of John’s death. Notably, the pension index contains an error, mistakenly listing Catherine as John’s mother rather than his wife.

Just over two months after his father’s passing, John (W.) was discharged from military service at Parkersburg in December 1862. The discharge was due to a disability resulting from an accidental pistol wound to his left hand, sustained during service.

Despite this injury, John’s commitment to the Union cause remained unwavering. On August 30, 1864, he reenlisted with Company A of the 17th Regiment, West Virginia Infantry in Wheeling, and officially mustered in on September 2.

Military records describe John (W.) as having blue eyes, dark hair and complexion, and standing 5 feet, 10¾ inches tall—a personal detail that offers a glimpse into his appearance, and hints at the physical traits of his father, John (P.).

In connection with Catherine’s widow’s pension application, on July 24, 1866, Ephraim Banning and David C. Pyles appeared before a Justice of the Peace to testify regarding their personal acquaintance with her husband, John. Both men attested to knowing John well, describing him as a man of sober and industrious habits. They also stated they were present at the hospital at the time of John’s passing, affirming firsthand knowledge of both the date and location of his death.

In October 1881, likely during a filing or renewal of a pension application by John (W.), military officials raised a question regarding the identities of ‘John P.’ and ‘John W.’ Daugherty, both listed as having served in Company H of the 11th Regiment. The records were carefully reviewed and ultimately confirmed that they were two distinct individuals who had served in the same unit.

Catherine’s widow’s pension, awarded following her husband’s death, continued for several years until her final payment of $12 on December 4, 1889, the date corresponding with her passing.

On May 17, 1920, Mrs. Laura Bogard, daughter of John and Catherine, sent a letter from her home in Moundsville, West Virginia, inquiring about any unpaid pension benefits that might still be owed from her father’s Civil War service. In her correspondence, she also requested official confirmation as to whether her mother, Catherine, had received the full amount due to her as a widow.

After review, it was confirmed that Catherine had received all pension payments to which she was entitled under her husband’s service record. No outstanding balance remained.

References

• Catharine Brannon Dougherty, U.S., Civil War Widows’ Pensions, 1861–1910, Fold3.
• Ephraim Banning and David C. Pyles, U.S., Civil War Service Records (CMSR) - Union - West Virginia, 1861–1865, Fold3.
• John P. Dougherty, U.S., Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861–1934.
• John P. Dougherty, U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861–1865.
• John P. Dougherty, Virginia, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1740–1850.
• John P. Doughtery, Compiled Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of West Virginia.
• John P. Doughtery, Headstones Provided for Deceased Union Civil War Veterans, 1879–1903.
• John W. Dougherty, U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865.
• Land Office Grants Book 97, 1845–1846, State of Virginia: Virginia. Land Grants 1845–1846, image 110, FamilySearch. 
• Land Office Surveys Upon Which Grants Issued Book Z, 1844–1846, State of Virginia: Virginia. Land Grants 1844–1846, Surveyor’s Books 1844–1846, image 121, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Appraisal Records 1835–1845, 1851–1859, 1858–1865, image 155, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Coroner Records 1901–1926, Homestead Records 1879–1939, Land Grants 1836–1865, Sale Records 1910–1915, Surveyor's Books 1836–1878, images 55, 57, 61, 65, 66, and 136, FamilySearch. 
• Marshall County, Virginia, Court Records 1835–1843, images 410–411 and 438, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Court Records 1835–1862, 1924–1926, images 560–562, 565–566, 577, and 611, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Court Records 1835–1936, image 168, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Court Records 1843–1853, images 391 and 501, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Deed Books 1837–1843, images 129–130 and 217–218, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Deed Books 1843–1847, images 640–641, FamilySearch. 
• Marshall County, Virginia, Deed Books 1849–1853, images 242 and 256, FamilySearch. 
• Marshall County, Virginia, Deeds 1833–1835, image 127, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Land Records 1836–1852, images 307, 375, and 437, FamilySearch. 
• Marshall County, Virginia, Personal Property Tax Records 1836–1850, images 395, 454, and 566, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Vital Records 1853–1860, image 69, FamilySearch.
• Marshall County, Virginia, Will Indexes 1835–1971, Will Books 1835–1871, 1837–1878, image 354, FamilySearch.
• Ohio County, Virginia, Deed Books 1838–1841, images 280–281, FamilySearch.
• Ohio County, Virginia, Personal Property Tax Records 1832, 1833, 1834, 1835, 1836, 1837, 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843, 1844, 1845, 1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, images 82–83, 240–241, and 329, FamilySearch.
• Ohio County, Virginia, Personal Property Tax Records, 1815, 1816, 1817, 1818, 1819, 1820, 1821, 1822, 1823, 1824, 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1831, images 321, 401–402, 481, 523, and 675, FamilySearch.
• Ohio County, West Virginia, Vital Records 1790–1899, image 128, FamilySearch.
• U.S. Federal Census, District 33, Marshall County, Virginia, 1850.
• U.S. Federal Census, Marshall County, Virginia, 1840, 1860.
• U.S. Federal Census, Ohio County, Virginia, 1830.
• William Dougherty, West Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1724–1985.