Individual Details

John was possibly born Botentourt Co, VA; he died 1861 in Floyd Co KY.

Patrick Co was formed out of Henry Co in 1790.

John is on personal property tax lists, Patrick Co VA, 1796, 1798, 1799, 1802, and lastly, in 1803.

Patrick Co DB 1, p.21
13 Oct 1791 Francis Turner to Richard Pilson, both of Patrick, about 193 acres in Patrick Co bounded by Denny, Lackey, John Huff. Signed: Francis Turner. Recorded 14 Nov 1741.
p.22
13 Oct 1791 John Lackey to Richard Pilson, both of Patrick, 100 acres in Patrick Co on waters of Smiths River, bounded by Huff's old line, Francis Turner, Griffie's line, Thomas Huff's old line. Signed: John Leacky. Wit: Francis Turner, John Breden Sr., John Breden, Jr. Recorded 14 Nov 1741.

The above references land in what was Henry Co. on Smiths River. Deeds in Henry Co describe a dividing line between Mary Huff and Francis Turner. Thomas Huff's boundary, as well as that of John Lackey, is mentioned several times and one of the earliest Henry county deeds indicates Samuel & Thomas Hoff/Huff had adjoining property in Henry Co. This all substantiates the likelihood that Mary was the widow of Samuel and probably parents to John Huff.

In 1793, John Breeden would be surety for John Huff to marry Fanny Thompson.

Patrick Co DB 2, p.84
18 Nov 1801 John Huff of Patrick Co sells to Robert Rowan for 160#'s, land on the Smith River, being land of Richard Pilson and Francis Turner. Wit: R. Scott, Jas. Scott, Jacob Michael
p.108 - Fanny Hoff examined by Frances Turner & John Breden, Justices of the Peace for Patrick Co, and released dower for above sale.

Patrick Co VA deed 6 Feb 1802, John Huff gave his daughters Sally, Polly [who married Joshua G. Mabry], Betsy & Nancy - all underage - household furniture, livestock, etc. These seem to be the traditional gifts that brides took from their homes. James Thompson of Montgomery Co VA was his Trustee. Patrick DB 2, p.10
Note: This is apparently when John and Frances separated. James was the girls' grandfather.
Patrick County, Virginia Deed Record 2 Feb 1802 This Indenture made this sixth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two, witnesseth that I John Huff of the county of Patrick and state of Virginia for and in consideration of the good will and affection that I have for my well beloved daughters that is to say my Daughters Sally and Polly and Betsy and Nancy have given and granted unto them three beds and furniture together with my other household furniture all but the bed blankets one pot and one dutch oven excepted, I also gave unto them one black_______ heifer two years old past last August and one side saddle all to be equally divided in their value among them and their heirs when the youngest of them come of age which Division to be made by my trustee herein mentioned and so appointed and constituted my trusty friend James Thompson of the county of Montgomery and State of Virginia as my only lawful trustee in this indenture and he the said James Thompson doth by here presents, promise and covenant to and with the said John Hoff and his aforesaid Daughters that he hereunto ______ _____ shall and will truly and faithfully execute this trust __ witnesses whereof the said John Hoff and James Thompson has here unto set their hand and seal this 6th day of February above written. Signed Sealed & Delivered in the presents of John Hoff L” S” John Bredin Francis Turner James Thompson L” S” George Corn James Scott
Patrick County Fegruary 9th 1802 This day James Thomson Sen the trustee named in the above indenture called on us to value the property reported in the said indenture and on viewing and consideration whereof we find it in our judgement to be of value to the amount of thirteen pounds certified under hand the ____ above written. Frances Turner L” S” John Breden L” S”

A James Thompson was also on the Patrick Co tax lists, on Sycamore Creek, close to John Huff.

By April of 1804, John Huff had settled in Montgomery Co.

1810 Census. Christiansburg, Montgomery Co, VA
John Huff, age 26-45
Living next door is Elizabeth Pratt, son under 10 [Henry Pratt born 1809], she is 16-26.

John Huff is listed as a member of the Kentucky militia in the War of 1812. He served under Capt. Jonathan Owsley's company as a 1st corporal , 10 Nov 1814 for 6 months, according to information in Pioneer Families of Floyd County, Kentucky.

List of Kentucky Land Warrants includes the following for John "Hoff" in Floyd Co:
50 acres, Book R, p. 6, 14 Jan1822, Floyd Co, on Cany Cr.
50 acres, Book R, p.8, 13 Jan 1822, Floyd Co, Fork, Beaver Cr
50 acres, Book I-2, p. 87, 9 Jun 1831, Floyd Co, Caney Fork
50 acres, Book I-2, p. 88, 11 Jun 1831, Floyd Co., Mill Seat

1820 Census of Floyd Co, KY, p 41
John Hoff family consists of four males under 10 years [Henry Pratt, John, William & Thomas], one male 45 or over [John], one female under ten years [Mary Ann], one female age 10-16 [unknown], and one female 26-45 [Elizabeth]

Floyd Co Message Board on Ancestry, Post dated 6 Feb 2000
Bought 5 acres on Caney Fork of Beaver Creek from Ezekiel Gibson. Deeded 50 acres on Caney Creek, 50 on Beaver Creek in 1822
In 1831 he received grants for 50 acres on Caney Forks and 50 acres at Mill Seat, KY. On 1837 Tax list of Floyd Co.
In 1840 received 50 acres at Caney Fork. (This is a Kentucky Land Grant, surveyed 10 March 1840.)

1830 Census. Floyd Co KY, p. 88
John Hoff: 1m 5-10 [Thomas], 1m 10-15 [William], 1m 15-20 [John Jr], 1m age 50-60 [John]
2f 5-10 [Caroline and ???], 1f 15-20 [Mary Ann]
Elizabeth said to have died when John Jr was about age 16.

Kentucky Land Grants (County Court Orders)
Book 8, p. 351. Surveyed 10 March 1840. 50 acres, Floyd County, on Caney Fork

1840 Census. Floyd Co KY
John Huff, age 60-70, a female age 15-20 [Caroline]

1850 Census. Floyd Co KY, Hh 303
John Hoff, age 74, living alone, b. VA
There is a William Huff, Hh 301, age 32, b. KY with his wife Nancy & family

1860 Census. Floyd Co KY, Prestonsburg P.O., Hh 399
Wm Huff, age 42, Farmer. Nancy 39, Seamstress.
James A. 17. Mary 15. Jno W. 12. Henry P. 10. Polly A. 9. Elizabeth 6. Polly Hicks, age 29
John Huff, age 91 [born in VA - the others all born in KY]

John and Frances separated - probably about 1802 when he left personal property in the hands of her father for the benefit of his four daughters by Frances. John is said to have gone before 1820 to Floyd Co KY where he had a second family by Elizabeth Pratt - he seems to be there by 1812. He died in Floyd Co, Kentucky between 1860-70.

Children of John and Elizabeth listed in Blue Ridge Heritage, p. 225 - this is an incorrect list and does not match census information: John, Jeremiah W., William, Thomas W., Margaret, Mary Ann, and Matilda.
Note: no Jeremiah is known, or Matilda, from other records..

Frances Huff died in Carroll Co VA bet 1850-60. In the 1850 census with Sarah Mabry, either a daughter of Samuel & Tabitha Mabry, or the eldest daughter of Mathew B. Huff. Frances' age given as 81, born Virginia. [This would give her a birth year of 1769.]


There is a Y-DNA study for the Hough/Huff/Hoff families. A number of males, including descendants of John by his second wife, match Y-DNA that goes back to Derrick Paulsen Hoff, an early settler in New Jersey, from Holland. They have the Q Haplogroup - most prevalent among American Indian populations but also represented in Europe primarily by some of the Jewish groups - Ashkenazi, Sephardic, etc. The Hoff descendants left New Jersey, reappearing a generation or two later along with the general drift of the population to the south and west. Unfortunately most of the families have missing generations in the attempt to connect them to Derrick Paulson Hoff - but a few have been able to do so. A descendant of John's son William has been tested and matches those who have proved their lineage back to the immigrant. The Samuel Hoff, believed to be John's father cannot yet be linked to any earlier family.

The following was posted in an Ancestry family tree:
The following notes were taken from the court records of a lawsuit over the estate of John Huff of Floyd County, Kentucky. Would appreciate scanned images of the court case, if anyone living in Floyd County could make copies. Thanks.
Floyd County, Kentucky Court Record, Aug 1865
In August 1865 case Titled: Caroline & Hugh Darby, et al vs Wm Huff, et al.
Plaintiffs: Hugh Darby & Caroline Darby,(his wife), late Caroline Huff
John Huff, Jr Thomas Huff Jonathan Rogers & Mary Ann Rogers (his wife), late Mary Ann Huff;
Isaac Isaacs & Susannah Isaacs (his wife), late Susannah Huff
heirs at law of John Huff Sr deceased.
Against: William C Huff James Adison Huff
John Huff Henry Hoff
Plaintiffs are suing defendants alleging that defendants had taken all of property of John Huff, deceased, and denied plaintiffs their share of the inheritance. From the written contents of this case: The defendants, James A., John and Henry Huff are grandsons of John Huff Sr., deceased. This is dated Aug 1865.

Dated AUG 25, 1865---Same plaintiffs and defendants. Floyd Co. KY
The defendants Wm. Huff, John Hoff & Henry Hoff state that the plaintiffs (they are listed as Caroline Darby, John Huff Jr., Thomas Huff, Mary Ann Rodgers, and Susannah Isaacs) “are the Sons & Daughters of one Elizabeth Pratt who was never married to the said John Huff, deceased, or anyone else…”

Birth	1770	Virginia
Marriage	14 Jan 1793	Patrick County, Virginia - FRANCES "Fanny" Thompson
Marriage	Jul 1832	Floyd County, Kentucky - Diadna A. Justice
Death	1861	Floyd County, Kentucky

Spouse	FRANCES "Fanny" Thompson (1769 - 1860)
Child	Sarah Huff (1794 - )
Child	MARY "Polly" Huff (1795 - 1886)
Child	Elizabeth Huff (1797 - )
Child	Nancy Huff (1801 - 1896)

Spouse	Elizabeth Pratt (1790 - 1827)
Child	John Huff Jr (1811 - 1895)
Child	Mary Ann Huff (1816 - 1860)
Child	William Huff (1818 - 1865)
Child	Thomas Huff (1819 - 1903)
Child	Susannah Huff (1819 - 1880)
Child	Caroline Huff (1824 - )

Spouse

Diadna A. Justice ( - 1860)

Father	Samuel Huff ( - 1782)
Mother	Mary [Huff] ( - )