Becoming Logan and Gard
Chapter Six: Going to Missouri
1700 – 1842
William Logan Jr; Martha “Patsy” Hudgens and her ancestors:
Daniel Hudgens, Dorthy McNeely, Moses Hudgens (and potential relations)
William, son of William
William Logan (jr.) was born in Logan’s Station (St. Asaph), in Lincoln County, Kentucky, sometime in the 1780s.[i] While Lincoln County was establishing itself as a thriving community, it was also still firmly on the frontier of a growing nation. This westward growth was not into a baren wilderness, but was into existing nations, who wanted to defend their territory.
While we have no specific records of what life was like for young William Logan, we get a sense of the dangers in an article about Francis Dowing who lived in a fort in a Bath County Kentucky, in 1786. Francis and a young man called Yates were 6 to 7 miles away from the fort, searching for a stray horse. Francis heard a noise “like sticks cracking”. When he expressed his concern, Yates called him a coward. It turned out Francis was right to be worried as “within a few minutes an Indian was seen”. He and Yates took off on a run and may have been caught if it was not for the fact that they came upon a mama Bear who was quite annoyed at this intrusion. Fortunately for them, her anger was focused on the attacking Indians allowing them to escape back to the safe confines of the fort.[ii]
In 1805, William Logan Jr. received his share of the probated will. He was left the land, “known by the name of Hicks Cabins”. He also received “one Negro girl named Esther” and 5 pounds.[iii] Seven years later, in 1812 William Logan received permission to marry Patsy Hudgens, daughter of Daniel Hudgens who provided his consent for this wedding (see fig 6).[1][iv] Before we look at their family let’s look at Patsy’s parents.
Daniel Hudgens
Patsy was born in Lincoln County to Daniel Hudgens and Dorothy “Dolly” McNeely.[v] Unfortunately, all we know about Dolly McNeally is that she married Daniel in Lincoln County Kentucky on 10 October 1789.[vi] [2]
Regarding Daniel Hudgens, many have his parents named Moses Hudgens and Kiddyan (last name unknown). Daniel was executor of Moses’s will, so it is possible, but not confirmed.
It is likely that Daniel and Dolly had their first child around 1790.[3] They had at least seven children. Ballard, Susannah, Elizabeth, Sarena, Anna, Robert, and Patsey, who married William Logan.[vii] Sometime between 1811 and 1830, Daniel and Dolly moved to Ray County Missouri and appeared on the 1830 US federal census. In 1836, Daniel died intestate.[viii]
William and Patsy
Let’s briefly return to Lincoln County KY where Willaim and Patsy face the reality of the war of 1812. Once again, the foe is Great Brittian and their Native American Allies. While I cannot say for certain if William participated in the war, there were at least 20 Logan’s who served. Some of the names were William, Benjamin, Hugh, and James Logan. This could mean that four brothers served.[ix]
Starting in 1812, William (jr.) and Martha were also busy building their family. Their first child, Preston Logan was born in 1813, he became a carpenter and lived in Lakeport California.[x] Their son William was born in 1815, moved to Illinois and was a farmer.[xi] Martha Ann Logan was born in 1818; she married Flemming Davis who would be one of two executors to William jr.’s will.[xii] [xiii] Nancy Logan married Prince Hudgens,[4] who was a lawyer and given that his property was valued at 75,000 in 1860 must have done very well.[xiv] Around 1821 my ancestor Daniel H. Logan was born; he will be discussed in chapter 7. Jane Logan was born on an unknown date, and little is known about her.[xv] Finally, there is Joannah Logan who was born in 1827. She married Thomas Parker and later Elizah Impey.[xvi] [xvii]
You may have noticed that there were some clear gaps between the birth of their children. One can speculate that this was because William was a soldier in the war of 1812, taking him away from home for extended periods. It could also be due to infant mortality, which as late as 1900 was 165 out of 1000, or over 16%.[xviii]
Going to Missouri
Sometime after birth of Joannah in 1827[xix] and 1830,[xx] William and Martha moved their family to Missouri. A state that played large on the history of the United States of America.
In 1800, Napolean Bonaparte, acquired Louisiana from Spain. In 1802 he attempted to take possession and sent a large army to St. Domingue with plans to send another to New Orleans. President Thomas Jefferson took note and proclaimed: “There is on the globe one single spot, the possessor of which is our natural and habitual enemy. It is New Orleans.”[xxi]
To prevent a war, Jefferson sent James Monroe to France with the goal of purchasing New Orleans and West Florida. In 1803, Napolean surprised Monroe by offering the entire Louisiana territory for $15m. This was a deal he could not refuse, therefore in one stroke United Stated added all the land between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains.[xxii]
In 1812, the Territory of Missouri was established and by 1817 a petition was made to congress requesting for Missouri to become the 23rd state. This created an internal struggle since the US was equally divided between free states and slave states. Given that the legality of slavery was a major debating point, both sides were very concerned about tipping the balance of power. The result was the Missouri Compromise which admitted Maine as a free state, and Missouri as a Slave state.[xxiii]
William and his family first arrived in Ray County Missouri,[xxiv] and by 1840, they were farmers in Johnson County Missouri.[xxv] Patsy must have passed prior to coming to Missouri as she was not listed on the 1830 census.
William’s farm was in Jackson and was managed by 12 slaves. Their names are not known, there were 8 males (two under 10) and 4 females (1 under 10).
William died prior to the 4th of October 1842 when his son Daniel Logan, scame to the clerk of the Johnson County Court and presented the will of William Logan.[xxvi] In his will, William left everything to his children, naming his married children first: Preston Logan, Martha Ann Davis (wife of Flemming Davis), Nancy Hudgens (wife of Prince S Hudgens), and Joanah Parker (wife of Thomas F Parker). He named William Logan, Daniel Logan, and Jane Logan as unmarried. He also took a moment to specifically prevent “Thomas F Parker husband of my daughter Joanah Parker from ever inheriting or in any manner whatever possessing any part or portion of my estate, he having falsely abandoned her.” He asked Prince Hudgens to hold Joanah’s portion. Flemming Davis and Daniel Logan were the executors. I will note that he does not mention any slaves in his will. This raises some unanswered questions.
This ends the story of William Logan (jr.) who grew up in the wilds of Kentucky and brought his family to a new frontier in Missouri. Next, we will examine the life of Daniel Logan and what it was like to live in a state with mixed loyalties during the Civil War.
Open Questions
- What was William’s occupation?
- What was he doing between 1805 and 1812?
- Was William in the army during the war of 1812?
- Do we have the correct Moses Hudgens?
- Who are Prince Hudgen’s parents?
- Are we correct about Ballard Hudgens?
- Did William (jr.) live in Ray County MO?
- Given no mention of slaves in his will do we have the 1840 census correct?
[1] There are other theories regarding who Willaim married but this document and the fact that she was living in Lincoln County KY increases confidence that they were the correct couple.
[2] One unconfirmed possibility is that she was born to James McNeely and Polly Workman. There is not a ton of information here, but some trees show James born in Virginia and there are records of his living in Kentucky in 1789, though in Madison County. These trees go on to show his father to be Robert McNeely and Grandfather to be George McNeely with George having lived in Ulster Ireland. This is very much unconfirmed and therefore could be inaccurate. However, the Ulster connection is interesting.
[3] A possible first child was Katherine “Kitty Anne” who married James Tucker, he was an administrator of Daniel’s estate, later sued by Daniel’s children (except Katherine). However, this is not enough to confirm that she was Daniel’s and Dolly’s daughter.
[4] Prince is often listed as the son of Daniel Hudgens, but evidence for this relationship is lacking.
[i] “1840 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C., (Ancestry Record 8057 #2262340 : Accessed30 Apr 2026), Census for William Logan, free white male 50-59, Place: Jackson, Johnson, Missouri.
[ii] Lewis Collins, “History of Kentucky,” (Covington, Ky: Published by Collins & Co, 1874) Vol. II pg. 48, available online at: https://archive.org/details/collinshistorica02coll/page/n7/mode/2up.
[iii] “Lincoln, Kentucky, United States records,” Database and Image at FamilySearch, (FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9P3V-QNZ : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), pgs. 154-156, images 82, 83, Lincoln. Will Books 1781–1791, 1791–1804, 1804–1806, 5 Mar 1796, proved 19 Jul 1796, William Logan, names children: daughter Margaret Forbis, son Hugh, son James, son William, son Benjamin, daughters, Jean, Nancy, Jerusha, Catherine, Lincoln County Kentucky.
[iv] Marriage document: “Kentucky, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850”, database at Dodd, Jordan, Comp.. Kentucky Marriages to 1850, (Ancestry Record 2089 #141672 : Accessed 1 May 2026), William Logan & Patsy Hudgens, Place: Lincoln, Kentucky, 21 Mar 1812.
[v] “Ray, Missouri, United States records”, database & images, FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893Z-JFPV: 1837. William Tombs vs. James Tucker. William is representing the children and grandchildren of Daniel Hudgens who is listed as deceased “about the middle of August 1836” Ray County Missouri, United States, accessed 18 Jan 2025.
[vi] “Kentucky, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1802-1850 ”, database at Ancestry.com, Dodd, Jordan, Comp.. Kentucky Marriages to 1850. ; (Ancestry Record 2089 #40235 : Accessed 1 May 2026), 10 Cot 1789, Daniel Hudgens & Dolly Mc Neally, Place: Lincoln, Kentucky.
[vii] “Ray, Missouri, United States records”, database & images, FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893Z-JFPV: 1837. William Tombs vs. James Tucker. William is representing the children and grandchildren of Daniel Hudgens who is listed as deceased “about the middle of August 1836” Ray County Missouri, United States, accessed 18 Jan 2025.
[viii] “Missouri, Ray County, Probate Records, 1821-1915; General Index to Probate Records, 1823- 1922”, database and image at Ancestry.com, . Missouri, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1766-1988, (Ancestry Record 9071 #2744195 : Accessed 1 May 2026), 29 Aug 1836, Danl Hudgins, Place: Ray, Missouri.
[ix] Searchable on Ancestry: Logan – Kentucky Soldiers of the War of 1812 – Ancestry.com
[x] “1870 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.; (Ancestry Record 7163 #645760 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Census for PF Logan, aged 57, 1870, Lakeport, California.
[xi] “1850 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C., (Ancestry Record 8054 #16498458 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Census for William Logan and family, 1850, Perry, Illinois.
[xii] “1860 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d., (Ancestry Record 7667 #39999628 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Census for Flemen & Martha David and family, 1860, Jackson, Missouri.
[xiii] “Will Records, 1840-1916; Author: Missouri. Probate Court (Johnson County)”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Missouri, County, District and Probate Courts. (Ancestry Record 9071 #2647072 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Will of William Logan, naming his children, Johnson, Missouri, 18 Sep 1842.
[xiv] “1860 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, 1860 U.S. census, population schedule. NARA microfilm publication M653, 1,438 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.; (Ancestry Record 7667 #39975545 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Census for PL & Nancy Hudgens and family, 1860, Nodaway, Missouri.
[xv] “Will Records, 1840-1916; Author: Missouri. Probate Court (Johnson County)”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Missouri, County, District and Probate Courts. (Ancestry Record 9071 #2647072 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Will of William Logan, naming his children, Johnson, Missouri, 18 Sep 1842.
[xvi] “Will Records, 1840-1916; Author: Missouri. Probate Court (Johnson County)”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Missouri, County, District and Probate Courts. (Ancestry Record 9071 #2647072 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Will of William Logan, naming his children, Johnson, MIssouri, 18 Sep 1842.
[xvii] “1850 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.; (Ancestry Record 8054 #3616699 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Census for Elijah and Joan Impey, 1850, Savannah, Missouri.
[xviii] PBS.org, “Infant Mortality and Life Expectancy, available online at: The First Measured Century: Timeline: Data – Mortality (pbs.org).
[xix] “1850 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.; (Ancestry Record 8054 #3616699 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Census for Elijah and Joan Impey, 1850, Savannah, Missouri. Joan born in KY.
[xx] “1830 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com,Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C., (Ancestry Record 8058 #2040652 : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), Census for William Logan, free white male 40-49, Place: Ray, Missouri.
[xxi] Department of State, United States of America, Office of the Historian, “Louisiana Purchase, 1803, available online at: Milestones in the History of U.S. Foreign Relations – Office of the Historian
[xxii] IBID
[xxiii] Library of Congress, “Missouri Compromise: Primary Documents in American History, available online at: Introduction – Missouri Compromise: Primary Documents in American History – Research Guides at Library of Congress (loc.gov).
[xxiv] “1830 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com,Fifth Census of the United States, 1830. (NARA microfilm publication M19, 201 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C., (Ancestry Record 8058 #2040652 : Accessed 30 Apr 2026), Census for William Logan, free white male 40-49, Place: Ray, Missouri.
[xxv] “1840 United States Federal Census”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Sixth Census of the United States, 1840. (NARA microfilm publication M704, 580 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C., (Ancestry Record 8057 #2262340 : Accessed30 Apr 2026), Census for William Logan, free white male 50-59, Place: Jackson, Johnson, Missouri.
[xxvi] “Will Records, 1840-1916; Author: Missouri. Probate Court (Johnson County)”, database and image at Ancestry.com, Missouri, County, District and Probate Courts. (Ancestry Record 9071 #2647072 : Accessed 2 May 2026), Will of William Logan, naming his children, Johnson, MIssouri, 18 Sep 1842.