Nancy Linton was the daughter of Captain John Hancock Linton and Ann Nancy Mason.  She was born in Loudoun County, Virginia about 1778, the fifth of 10 children.  Nancy’s siblings were Elizabeth Rebecca, Moses, Catherine, Benjamin Franklin, Susan, William, Lewis, Martha and John Hancock Linton.  Even though most were married and had families of their own, they all moved with their father to Washington County, Kentucky, in 1818.

Nancy married Edward Barber Edwards, the son of Jonathan Edwards and Sarah Barber.  Of their 8 children, all but the youngest were born in Virginia – Susan Clark, John L., Catherine Kitural, Jonathan Joseph, Benjamin M., Mary Jane, Martha L. and Sarah Barber Edwards.  Edward died six years after their arrival in Kentucky in 1824.  Nancy lived another 37 years!  She died in 1861 at the approximate age of 83.  This picture was taken a year or so before she died – just before some of her grandchildren moved to Cape Girardeau County, Missouri.  Unfortunately this picture has a large crack over her face.  But it is still a beautiful photograph in many ways.  Her dress is lovely, a shimmery material.  Notice the small Bible or prayer book in her hands – and her beautiful hands themselves!  Long, graceful fingers!

Nancy’s face and neck give a hint of her age, but supposedly she was a force to be reckoned with.  On the trip through the Cumberland Gap on the trip to Kentucky, a wildcat spooked the horse she was riding.  She was thrown and in the fall broke her leg.  The slaves fashioned a litter and she was carried the rest of the way to Kentucky.  Her leg was not properly set for the bone to heal and she never walked again.  But her children and slaves feared her more than anyone else!  She ruled from her chair!  Nancy Linton Edwards is from the hardy stock of a pioneering family – it took more than a little fall from a horse to get her down!