The beginning of my family history journey started with this. The Migration of The Heavin Familes. – written by my Great-Grandmother Elizabeth Matthews Gillespie. I had received a copy of what Elizabeth wrote from my cousin Debbie along with some other information that she kept about her family and it sparked a big interest for me to learn more. Turns out that I inherited my love of genealogy from her!

My Great-Grandma Gillespie was the daughter of Walter Scott Matthews, his father was James Matthews, and James’s Mother was Naomi “Amy” Heavins. This is where the Heavin story ends on my family tree, but in this story starts in Ireland.

James Matthews (My 3rd Great-Grandfather) Family Tree to his 2nd great-grandparents John and Sarah Heavin 

The Heavin Family originated in Scotland as part of the Scottish clan of MacBeth, however they were deported in Ireland in the latter part of the 16th century. During the reign of King James I, a large number of Scottish families were deported over religious and political differences.

John Heavin was born about 1700 in Ireland to Brice and Maria Heavin. He married Sarah McCormack and immigrated  England and then to America around 1720. Records show he was living in Kent County, Maryland in 1734.

John and Sarah’s son Howard was born in 1734 and married Ruth Hall in 1758.  They moved to Virginia and had 7 children, Elizabeth, Mary, John (my 5th great-grandfather), Richard, Sarah, Nancy and Howard. All the children lived to adulthood and stayed in Va. They were people who owned considerable amounts of land and were distinctly well-to-do.

John Heavin, married married Mary “Polly” Pepper in 1785. Within two years of his marriage, his father, Howard died.

John Heavin was most recognized for building and establishing “Lovely Mount Tavern” on Wilderness Road, Radford, Virginia in 1796. The Tavern served as an Inn for travelers. Eventually, a blacksmith, saloon, and other businesses as well as homes were established around the tavern creating what is now Radford, Va. The tavern sat on 737 acres which was known as “Lovely Mount” which John owned.

Lovely Mount is about nine miles from Christinasburg, Va. It was said to be beautiful and mountainous district. The Tavern had door latches designed by John Heavin- the hinges extended almost across the doors, and there was a 3rd floor reached by a winding staircase.

Historical marker for Lovely Mount Tavern. Radford, Va.

John and Mary had 5 children, Nancy, Howard, Sarah, Naomi (my 4th great-grandmother) and Ruth. John and Mary lived and raised their children in Lovely Mount. Their daughter Naomi married Anderson Byars Matthews, and 8 of their 11 children were born there.

Around 1825 there were stories of a new state “Indiana”.  John and Anderson were influenced by reports of cheap fertile land so they decided to leave Lovely Mount- John sold the property in 1827 to William Baskerville and the family left for Indiana. They made their way in covered wagons and by horse back. The road was 509 miles and barely a trail, it required more than a month to travel the distance, but they finally settled in Mill Creek Township, Putnam County, Indiana. They built a brick house and lived out their days.

The children of Anderson Matthews and Naomi Heavin (Grandchildren of John and Mary) Jane, Martha, Ruth, Naomi, James (my 3rd great grandfather) and a photo of Sallie. 

My 3rd Great-Grandfather, James Matthews before his death in 1915.

Generations of the Matthews and Heavin families stayed in Putnam County, and Indiana is still where we call HOME.