Pictures of Wallens
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.
by Jeff Roberts with 28 comments.
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 am the GGGG grand daughter of James Carr Wallem, who was Elisha Wallen’s brother. On my father’s father’s side. and my father’s mother was Grace Sizemore. There Is no doubt in my mind that we have to be related. My GGGG grand father was also known as BIG Sandy.
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
James Carr Wallen was also my 4th g grand father. He was the father of William Wallen. William Wallen was the father of Icy (Wallen) Gilliam. Icy was my grand father’s mother. Who’s name was William Gilliam. He is the father of Albert Ray Gilliam. Who is my father. I am Carolyn (Gilliam) Crowder and my daughter is Danielle (Shook) Jones, who is the mother of Eli and Lainey Jones. And Eli is short for Elisha Jones. In which James and Millicent(Jones) Wallen are James Carr and Elisha Wallen’s parents. Weird how life goes back around some how. HUH?
Do you have any of these stories written on any websites?
I would love to read them.
Jerry Lynn walling: Do you have any of these stories written on any websites? I would love to read them.
I am a descendant of Elisha Walling and would love to get more information. I live in East Texas and there is a museum here with the oldest log cabin in Texas Built by TJ Walling. I find it very interesting that there is a cabin in Tennessee built by a Walling as well. Anyway please respond. Sherrypie345@gmail.com
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 ?
O.M.G. I must hear from you. William Wallen and Jane Banks Wallen was Icy Wallen Gilliam’s parents. Icy was my great, great grand mother. Who had a son name John Davis Gilliam. So If I have it right. One of your parents is Icy’s brother. My face book page is under Carolyn Crowder. I have a picture of Icy on there. Darn, Now I’m all confused.
Please write me back. at carolcrowder@yahoo.com
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!
hi my name is Kathleen wallen and I am of wallen ancestry I’m interested to know about your specific ancestry
I’m related to the Wallens, Blevins, BUNCHES, Bollings, Bakers, Sisemores, and Ashers. I’m interested in all their genealogy. I would like to know if you have a website that you have these Wallen stories on too. I’ld love to read them I have been researching them for 20 yrs. SANDRA (ASHER) TILLER
I am also a descendant of Elisha Walling, 12th generation, my father was Odis Walling born in Antlers Oklahoma. I would love to have more information on this family, it is so interesting to read. Thank you for compiling this, a lot of time and effort is appreciated. I live in Willows California. My name is Rebecca Lynn Reed Walling.
I am free later too the wallen family from Chicago
I am also a descendant of Elisha Wallen. I have visited the Wallen cemetery in Washington County Missouri where Elisha and Mary Hughes Wallen are buried. My ggrandmother was Alice Wallen Sago.