The Wallen surname is Swedish in origin(Wallén): from vall ‘grassy bank’, ‘pasture’ (see Wall) + the common surname suffix -én, from Latin -enius.
Our line of Wallens came to Plymouth Colony from London, England in July 10, 1623 on the ship “Anne”. The Wallens were Baptist in belief and disagreed with the Puritans on the age at which a child should be baptized. So, they migrated to New Jersey, then Rhode Island, then Pennsylvania, and later Virginia. In historical records, their surname has been mislabeled as “Walling”, “Wallin”, “Walloon”, and “Walden”.
Probably the most famous Wallen was Elisha Wallen II, the Long Hunter. He was a contemporary of Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone and helped pioneer Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and Missouri. At one time, he had claim to the land around the Cumberland Gap, including the present day site of Lincoln Memorial University.
My grandmother, Esta Mae (Wallen) Roberts. She was known for her beauty, her cooking, and her love for God. Many times dad has shared quotes from her, such as “Never pin your faith to any man’s coat tail.”, or “Never go with a girl that you wouldn’t marry.”
My grandmother, Esta (Wallen) Roberts, standing with her father David Wallen, and her sister, Minerva “Min” (Wallen) Fleenor in Kyle’s Ford, Tennessee.
Grandma Esta (Wallen) Roberts, November, 1952, @2 years before her death.
My great aunt, “Min” Minerva (Wallen) Fleenor & grandma, Esta (Wallen) Roberts.
(back, l-r) Fred Wallen, Tom Wallen, (front, l-r) Polly (Hurd) Wallen, Davy Wallen
My great, great grandfather, William “Big Sandy” Wallen. Son of James Carr Wallen, Big Sandy was a blacksmith and farmer by trade and was a local legend known for his enormous strength. He served in Company L, 8th Regiment, Tennessee Calvary (Union) during the War between the States.
My third cousin, Anthony Wallen. He is the son of & Martha Joe (Livesay) Wallen. The 2 children in the picture are Anthony’s and this picture was taken @1987.
My second cousin, Martha Jo (Livesay) Wallen. She is the youngest daughter of Joe and Sophie (Baker) Livesay. Her property is adjacent to the Baker Cemetery and she has assisted in its care and upkeep for years.
My fourth cousin, Jeremy Wallen. He is the son of Paul & Pat Wallen of Fairborn, Ohio. This picture was taken in 2005. If you can’t tell from the picture, Jeremy is about 6′ 7″.
The Wallen log cabin, built in the 1780s by my great, great grandfather, James Carr Wallen. It still stands today in Kyle’s Ford, Tennessee.
Wallen’s Bend, on the Clinch River in Kyle’s Ford, Tennessee. James Carr Wallen settled here on 450 acres given him for his service in the Colonial Army during the American Revolution.
Carolyn Wallin published this book in 1990. It tells a lot of information about the Wallen family in general. You can still find copies at www.amazon.com.
Although we don’t have any actual pictures of Elisha Wallen, Jim Two Crows Wallen is an oral historian who does a good job portraying him. He is located in the Kansas City area. You can find more information about him at www.jimtwocrows.com.
My Great-Great-Great Grandfather was Obiedar Lawson that married Jane England. My Great-Grandfather was whom they called Big George Lawson. My Grandfather was Obie Dar Lawson who married Gladys L. Orr. Pop and Granny Lawson lived in Stone Gap (Blackwater,Vir.) They and other family members moved to S.C. to get rich in the cotton mill in Whitmire, S.C. Along with Rollers, Wallen and Bledsoes, Bolings.
HI found your page while researching Elisha Wallen the Long Hunter he was my
GGGG Grandfather! Very intersting history–I found this story about the Clinch River–Another interpretation of the long hunt was found in ‘LIFE AS IT IS’
~~~~A man by the name of Wallen was in a company of about 18 men from Virginia and explored Carter’s Valley; went through ‘Moccasin Gap’ and established a camp on Wallen’s Creek. they named Powell’s Mountain, Powell’s Valley and Powell’s River. In crossing the Clinch River, (then not named), an Irishman fell off the raft and being unable to swim, bawled to his comrades CLINCH ME! CLINCH ME! which the company did and so named the river. The group named Newman’s Ridge, Skagg’s Ridge, traveled through the Cumberland Gap “and called the mountain Cumberland, he (Wallen) having come from the county of Cumberland (Cumberland Parrish) in Virginia.” The group continued on to Laurel Mountain, but turned back after meeting Indians.
I, too, am a descendent of Elisha Wallin. I am related to the GA and MO Wallins.
I left a message at ‘Pictures of the Burkes. I should have put it here. Looking for something like this site for Willis ,Wilson and Lawson families of Blackwater ,VA.,SC.and TN. I have been speaking with a Wesley G.(Guy) Wallen. His mother was my dad’s aunt. Just began searching families. We are down to 2 siblings left out of 15 of my dad’s. Would love to hear any stories anyone has.
Thanks,Debbie
I am looking for Joseph Wallin’s Mill Creek. I am a descendant of John Rice and Benjamin Green who lived there in the 1790′s. They were neighbors of Micajah Bunch. Was it Mill Creek now found on the south side of the Clinch River opposite Joseph Wallin’s land at Kyles Ford?
I am a descendent of Elisha Wallen. His son, Nelson and wife Caroline Westover, are my gg grandparents. My mother is Anna Sutterfield Keathley. Anyone else out there from this line?
Dan, we have had previous contact but it has been so long I don’t recall our subject for discussion. I am a descendant of Micajah Bunch and am wondering if you ever got the answer to your question listed on this site (“My Longhunters”)? -I would love to know exactly the land on which Micajah lived so I could sometime visit it. A few years ago I traveled once to Kyles Ford but at the time I had no idea where to search.
Would love to hear from you and about your latest research.
Brenda Jody
i am a proud desendant of elisha wallen ,golden hawk sizemore, i have alot of info
my name is Jerry Lynn walling. I am also a descendant of Elisha wallingand I have a lot of information also. text me and we make an exchange information’ my email is Jerrylynnwalling@yahoo.com
I too descend from elisha Wallen and Golden Hawk Sizemore
I have 40 pages of stories of my family tree dating back 2 1623 when we arrive here on the ship Queen Anneand I would like to share some information with you and get any information you may have that can enlighten me as to my family history
my name is Jerry Lynn walling. I have a documented family tree consisting of 44 pages of stories dating back to 1623 when we first settled in Plymouth Colony. I have many stories one is a story of Sam Houston presenting a gun to Col.Jesse Walling. stories of Elisha walling exploring in Tennessee becoming known as one of the original long hunters in the state of Tennessee.If you have any information I like to exchange my information with you
I think you should write a book. I would buy it. My name is Luwayina Lawson and as far as i can find, Nancy Walling, daughter of James Carr Wallen, married Thomas Lawson b.1792 was my ggg grandparents. I have been trying to buy the book The Longhunters, but can’t find it so far. I was wondering if you had any info on Nancy and Thomas sr. or their children or when Nancy and THomas died? THis is my brick wall. I have all of Nancy’s family, except the book, but don’t have anything about her personally. Would you be interested in selling me a copy of your history for my personal reading? I can understand if you wouldn’t, i wouldn’t. James Carr Walling was my 4th g grandfather. Hope to hear from you
P.S. i have a brother named Jerry Lynn Lawson…lol
Troy,
I had a cousin named Troy who lived on Big Sycamore in Claiborne County Tennessee. Are you related to him?
I see your picture of what you names Big Sandy Wallen. He was my Grandpa Wallens father. My grandpa was William Jasper Wallen, Floyd County Kentucky born in Wise County Va. I am looking for documented facts of the Wallens ?
I’m working on Walling/Wallen/Wallen in the American Revolution and have about 34 men! Contact me at richwalling@hotmail.com for more info. In ten short years, we’ll celebrate 400 years of our family being in America!