An American Family History

Joshua Yerkes

Berkeley County, Virginia, which is now Jefferson County, West Virginia
Hamilton County, Ohio

The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia borders Maryland and Virginia. The first European settlers started arriving about 1730.

Yerkes has also been spelled Gerkes, Gerckes, Jerghes, Jerghjes, Jurckes,Yercas, Yercks, Yerkhas, Yerkas, Yerkiss, Yerks, and Yerkus

Berkeley County was created from the northern third of Frederick County, Virginia in 1772. Jefferson County was formed from the county's eastern section. In 1863 Berkeley County became part of the new state of West Virginia.

Joshua Yerkes was born about 1749 in the Manor of Moreland. He was the son of Josiah Yerkes and Mary Walton.

He married Grace Coffing. She was the daughter of Abraham Coffing. The Quaker meeting records on September 19, 1769, note that "Grace Yerkes, late Coffin, is gone out in her marriage and don't incline to make satisfaction,"

They were probably married about 1771. The family may have been Presbyterian since, at least, Peggy, Mary, Rachel and Priscilla were married by Moses Hoge, a Presbyterian minister. They lived in Berkeley County, Virginia which is now Jefferson County, West Virginia.

In 1772 they witnessed Patrick Lockhart's murder.

Joshua Yerkes, Jr. was born on August 11, 1772. Margaret Yerkes Blue (Peggy) was born about 1776. Josiah Yerkes was born about 1777. Mary Yerkes Conklin was born about 1778.

In 1778 Joshua, Sr. leased land from Sarah Hite. Rachel Yerkes Irvin was born about 1779. Priscilla Yerkes Wood was born about 1785. The 1787 tax lists of Berkeley County, Virginia listed Joshua Yerkes.

In 1793 when his father, Josiah died, Joshua inherited 30 shillings. In 1798, Joshua transferred all of his property to Joshua Yerkes, Jr.

In 1810, Joshua, Jr. was living in Jefferson County, Virginia. He was in the 57th Regiment of the Virginia militia during the War of 1812.

In 1820 Priscilla's husband, Thomas Wood and Margaret's husband, Ezekiel Blue were in Lee Township, Jefferson County, Virginia. Josiah was in Butler County, Ohio by 1826. In 1830 there is a Thomas Wood in Morgan Township, Butler County, Ohio and none in Jefferson County, Virginia. Joshua was in Fairfield Township, Butler County. Josiah was in Carroll County, Indiana by 1840.

Children of Josiah Yerkes
and Mary Walton
Joshua Yerkes

Josiah Yerkes

Rebecca Yerkes Wood

Sarah Yerkes Bower

Margery Yerkes Saurman

Mary Yerkes

Byberry is a township in the northeast corner of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. The Walton brothers were early settlers. Moreland Township was just west of Byberry. When Montgomery County broke off in 1784, Moreland was divided into two townships, both called Moreland. In 1917 the Montgomery County Moreland split into Upper Moreland Township and Lower Moreland Township.

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©Roberta Tuller 2026
tuller.roberta@gmail.com
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