Jeremiah Shrewsbury lived in Virginia in 1755. He married Mary or Polly and their children included Elizabeth, Thomas, Milly, Sally, Polly, John, Rhoda, Phillip and Honor. Alternate spellings of Shrewsbury include Solesberry, Solesbury, Soulsbury and Shrewsby. James Graham lived in Bedford County, Virginia in 1771. He married Sarah Farley. Their children included Jesse, Priscilla, Mary or Molly, Sally, William, Deborah, John, Jonathan, Elizabeth and Robert. John Howerton was born in Montgomery County, Virginia. John married twice, his second wife being Christana Pate. His children included John, Thomas, Obadiah, Nancy, Polly, Sally, William and John. Joseph Floyd McKinney was born around 1770 in Virginia. He married Elizabeth Copley, the daughter of Thomas. Their son was named Joseph. Joseph's second wife was named Ellen Mills. They had ten children.

This history covers the middle New River area from 1654 to 1905 with an emphasis on Mercer County, West Virginia. Mercer County was created in 1837 from Giles and Tazewell counties, Virginia, and was part of Virginia until 1863.