The Southern States were settled by three great waves of emigration, -Cavalier, Scotch-Irish and Huguenot. - These types retain their characteristics to this day, perhaps, largely, because groups of relatives, friends or neighbors settled in one section and gave a dominant tinge in creed, and church, and custom. The sons and daughters of these families married, and creed and custom grew stronger from year to year. Thus the Scotch-Irish, a people of Scotch origin, though living in Ireland for many years before the American emigration, settled in certain parts of Virginia, North and South Carolina, and, what is now, East Tennessee, in great numbers and impressed their Presbyterian faith upon their posterity. In the chapters of this book examples will be given of each of these groups-Cavalier, Scotch-Irish and Huguenot.
The early history of these well-known Southern families is here presented, being published, at least in collected form, for the first time. The compiler takes no credit for authorship, as genealogy is not a science of invention. The facts, however, are clearly stated, and in the case of each family each line may be brought down to the present day from the earliest settler in America.
The Colonial, Revolutionary, War of 1812 and War Between the States record of each family is set forth succinctly. No space has been given to tradition, though many traditions in the families mentioned are interesting and doubtless could be followed up and proved. Many histories have been consulted and many family documents studied, only reliable records being used.
Though the chief endeavor of these chapters is to show the Colonial or Revolutionary settler and his posterity, a brief line of his progenitors is given in some cases, as the origin of name and family is always interesting.
Hundreds of histories, court records and family documents have been examined in the preparation of this volume, and the following family authorities have been consulted: Janie Preston Collup French, Robert A. J. Armstrong, Mrs. Martha Turnley Armstrong, Mrs. Penelope J. Allen (who prepared the Deadrick and VanDyke data), Pearson Banning (who prepared the Banning data), Mrs. Virginia E. McNaught (who prepared the Gaines data), Mrs. Louise Sevier Giddings, Mrs. J. F. Alexander, S. G. Heiskell, Calvin M. McClung (who prepared the McGhee data), John A. Kelly, the late Parmenas Taylor Turnley, John Bell Brownlow (who prepared the Brownlow data), the late Oscar K. Lyle, and many others.
This volume, Volume VI, is the genealogy of the Doak Family.