Ananias Waitman Edgell

Ananias Waitman Edgell

b. October 7, 1853 Clay, Ritchie County, Virginia

d. April 15, 1902 Roane County, Virginia

Ananias was the second son of John Edgell and Susannah Morris Edgell. Little is known about his childhood. Ananias became a doctor and married Flora O. Adams (b. August 5, 1860, Dodderidge, Virginia).

Ananias and Flora

There are two notable characters in the Bible names Ananias. Acts 5 tells of Ananias and his wife Sapphira. They sell a plot of land took the money to Peter the Apostle. Peter says to Ananias, "How is it that Satan has so filled your hear that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you have received for the land." Peter says a few more words and then Ananias falls down and dies. The Peter confronts Sapphira with the same outcome: she falls down dead. This is not the kind of name legacy that one would want for their childre. However, the second Ananias in the Bible is a little more inspiring and may have had an influence on Ananias' choice of career. This second Ananias appears in Acts 9. He was a desciple at Damascus and was told by Jesus to travel to a street called Straight to the house of Judas and inquire for one called Saul of Tarsus. The outcome was that Ananias cured Saul's blindness and baptized him.

Ananias and Flora lived in Looneyville, Roane County, West Virginia where all their children were born. The attached Index and register of Births shows that they had several children and some died after birth.

Ora K born 1880

Cyrus Yale born 1882

Grover born 1884

Kenna T. born 1886

Emma Mae born 1891 Married a Mr. Jordan

W.E. born 1892

Erran D. born 1893

Alma Gae born 1896 Married E.F. Townsend

Waitman born 1902

Flora was pregnant with Waitman when Ananias died in April 1902. Flora was 42 years old.

The Edgell line I belong to stems from Cyrus Yale Edgell.

Property of Ananias and Flora

In the deed records of Roane County, West Virginia, we find that Ananias purchased several tracts of land. On November 10, 1888 the Edgells purchased a tract of 100 acres of land on the Poca river for seven hundred and fifty dollars. The description reads:

"beginning at a double Lynn corner, thence S,7 W 120 poles to pointers, thence 163 W 128 poles to Dogwood pointers thence 17 E 128 poles to staked pointers, thence to place of beginning contastring."

On June 24, 1920 Flora and her sons/daughters sold the land to W.E. Ellison for $5,606.92. Notable in the deed transfer is the sentence:

"But the said parties of the first part reserve and except unto themselves their heirs and assigns the oil and gas within and underlying said described tract of parcel or real estate, together with the right and privilege to lease said oil and gas for the purposes of exploration for and gas, with the usual and convenient surface rights and privileges for said purposes."

We know more about Ananias from his death. The probate court appointed two appraisers to judge the value of Ananius' personal property.

A partial list of the Appraisement of AW's property:

1 White 2 yr old steer $20

3 White faced half herfords $66

8 2 yr old heifers $168

8 Yearlings $100

1 3 year old hereford bull $35

1 Cow $17.50

1 Deering mowing machine $30

1 Deering hay rake $15

1 Two horse buggy $15

1 Road wagon $12

1 Buggy with pole $10

2 sets of double harnesses $13.10

1 Man's saddle $1.00

1 Queen safe $4.00

1 Oil tank $2.50

1 Tobacco knife $0.50

3 Small scoops $0.50

1 Corn planter $0.40

2 Paper holders $1.00

1 Yellow mare $40

1 White horse $30

1 Bay mare $35

and notes of account about $850

The assessment took place on July 16, 1902

After Ananias' death in 1902, Flora married Phillip Ellis on August 20, 1909. She was 49 years old and Phillip was 58 Years old.

At some point, Flora moved to Akron, Ohio. We know that Cyrus lived in Akron and Forest Edgell was born there.

Back row: Wayne Edgell, Uncle Wayne Edgell (brother to Cyrus Yale), Dorothy Edgell, Victor Edgell, Forest Edgell, Beryl Edgell

Front Row: Wayne/Dorothy's baby held by Glyde Edgell, Grandma Flora Adams Edgell, Cyrus Yale Edgell, Sylvia Jane Edgell and Aunt Mary Edgell

Flora died in Akron, Ohio on March 25, 1949. She was 89 years old.

Return to Home Page