Blankenships in Giles Co, VA

I haven't done as much research on the Blankenships as I have on my Jones side, which ties in with the Blankenships, but thought I'd post some general information and what I can remember right now. There is a sign in front of the Mercer Co WV Court House that speaks of Richard Blankenship being an octogenarian and his service during the Revolutionary War.

Richard Blankenship married Rebecca French and they lived on East River Mountain in Giles Co, VA. They had several children, one being Leantha Blankenship. Her daughter, Martha Malinda, married my 2nd gr-grandfather, James Hiley Jones on 24 Nov 1867 in Mercer Co, WV where they had one daughter before moving to Gallia Co, OH, where they had 3 children ~ then to Jackson Co, WV, where they had 2 sons and then to Putnam Co, WV, where they had 4 more children.

Martha's brother Gaston, and I believe two of her sisters, moved to Jackson Co, WV where they brought up their families and her siblings are buried in that area. One sister, Clarissa, married a Barnett and is buried in the Barnett Cem in Jackson Co, WV. Another sister married Jesse Thomas, both from Mercer Co, WV, and they settled in Jackson Co and she was a midwife ~ can't remember her name off hand. I have included 2 pictures of Martha, one from 1899 (also in group picture) and one a short time before she passed away 28 Nov 1920 in Putnam Co, WV. She and James Hiley are buried in Martin Cemetery on 18 Mile Creek in Putnam Co, WV.