Last Updated: July 5, 2025

Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms Family

The Helms family of Floyd Co., VA reportedly derive from brothers Adam of Goblintown Creek in Patrick Co., VA & Thomas Helms of Daniel’s Run in Franklin Co., VA.

 

1. Helms, Madison Smith “Matt”

Parents: Jacob "Col Jacob" & Elizabeth (Smith) Helms.

1818 Birth: abt 1818 Floyd Co., VA.

1840 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, pg181:

…… Helms, Madison S.

……… 1 male 20-29 yo.

……… 1 male 15-19 yo.

i1842 Marriage #1: Madison S. Helms m. Sarah A. Howard 11-17-1842 Floyd Co., VA by Michael Howry. She d/o Major Howard, per bond.

Lived on the Little River 8 mi e of county seat at the Conner Barnard place.

1850 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, H385:

…… Helms, Madison S. 32 yo w/m farmer, b. Floyd, $10,000, HOH.

……… Sarah 26 yo w/f, b. Floyd.

……… Jacob 6 yo w/m, b. Floyd.

……… J. F. 4 yo w/m, b. Floyd.

……… Thadeus 2 yo w/m, b. Floyd.

…… Pugh, Fleming 17 yo w/m laborer, b. Floyd.

…… Helm, Andrew 17 yo w/m laborer, b. Floyd.

1860 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Little River PO, H566:

…… Helms, M. S. 42 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, $6,000/3,790, HOH.

……… Sarah A. 36 yo w/f, b. VA.

……… Jacob T. 16 yo w/m, b. VA.

……… John F. 14 yo w/m, b. VA.

……… Thedeus C. 11 yo w/m, b. VA.

……… Malinda C. 9 yo w/f, b. VA.

……… James W. 7 yo w/m, b. VA.

……… Henry 4 yo w/m, b. VA.

……… male infant 1 yo w/m, b. VA.

1870 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Little River Twp, H59:

…… Helms, Madison S. 52 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, $3,800/100, HOH.

……… Sarah 48 yo w/f, b. VA, keeping house.

……… Henry 13 yo w/m, b. VA, at home.

……… Albert 11 yo w/m, b. VA, at home.

……… Major 5 yo w/m, b. VA, at home.

…… Helms, Jacob T. 26 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, $0/250, married.

……… Melinda 26 yo w/f, b. VA, keeping house.

1880 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Little River District, H429:

…… Helms, Madison S. 62 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, HOH.

……… Sarah A. 56 yo wife, b. VA.

……… Major 15 yo son, b. VA, works on farm.

1902 Death: 4-23-1902 “84 yrs”

1902 Burial: East Hill Cemetery, Montgomery Co., VA.

…+ Helms, Sarah Amanda

Parents: Major & 1st wife Sarah (Shelor) Howard. [Howard_Major_2wives]

1823 Birth: 1823 Floyd Co., VA.

1850, 1860, 1870, 1880 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with husband Madison Smith “Matt” Helms.

1904 Death: 7-24- 1904, “82 yrs”.

1904 Obit: The Roanoke Times Roanoke, Virginia · Saturday, July 23, 1904

1904 Burial: East Hill Cemetery, Montgomery Co., VA.

…2. Helms, Jacob Tazwell

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1844 Birth: 4-3-1844 Floyd Co., VA.

1850, 1860 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

i1868 Marriage #1: Jacob T. Helms m. 1st Linda Cannaday 10-11-1868 at William A. Cannaday's, Floyd Co., VA by Thomas L. Robertson. He 24 yo single trader, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o M. S. & S. Helms. (Madison Smith & Sarah Amanda) She single 23 yo, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o William & S. Cannaday. (William A. & Sarah J.)

1870 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Little River Twp, H59:

…… Helms, Madison S. 52 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, $3,800/100, HOH.

……… Sarah 48 yo w/f, b. VA, keeping house.

……… Henry 13 yo w/m, b. VA, at home.

……… Albert 11 yo w/m, b. VA, at home.

……… Major 5 yo w/m, b. VA, at home.

…… Helms, Jacob T. 26 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, $0/250, married.

……… Melinda 26 yo w/f, b. VA, keeping house.

1880 Residence: Montgomery Co., VA, Alleghany District, H78:

…… Helms, Jacob T. 35 yo w/m Groc Dealer, b. VA, HOH.

……… Malinda 34 yo wife, b. VA, keeping house.

……… Frank 5 son, b. VA.

…… Duncan, James 23 yo single w/m boarder, b. VA, parents b. VA, retail grocer.

1900 Marriage #2: He m. 2nd Etta Poole 1-10-1900 Hillsville, Carroll Co., VA, d/o John Haywood & Elizabeth M. (Robertson) Poole.

1900 Residence: Montgomery Co., VA, Alleghany District, H29:

…… Helms, Jacob T. 55 yo w/m merchant, b. Apr 1845 VA, m. 5/12, HOH.

……… Etta 24 yo wife, b. Apr 1876 VA, m. 5/12 0 children with 0 living.

1910 Residence: Main Street, Abington, Washington Co., VA, H10:

…… Helms, Jacob 65 yo w/m general lines merchant, b. VA, parents b. VA, M2 10y, owns home, HOH.

……… Etta 33 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA, M1 10y, 0 children with 0 living.

1920 Residence: Main Street, Abington, Washington Co., VA, H10:

…… Helms, Jacob T. 75 yo w/m general retail merchant, b. VA, parents b. VA, owns, HOH.

……… Etta 43 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA.

1930 Residence: East Main Street, Abington, Washington Co., VA, H170:

…… Helms, Jacob T. 85 yo w/m without occ, b. VA, parents, b. VA 27 yo when 1st married, owns, vet: yes CW, HOH.

……… Etta A. 54 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA, 23 yo when 1st married.

1930 Death: 10-30-1930 Abington, Washington Co., VA.

1930 Burial: Sinking Spring Cemetery, Abington, Washington Co., VA.

1934 CW Pension Application: Etta Helms, 58 yo b. Grayson Co., VA. Currently living in Apbington, Washington Co., VA but has lived in VA all her life. Married to Jacob Tazwell Helms, 1-10-1900 Hillsville VA by _. D. Strader. He d. 10-12-1930 in Abington, VA of Hart (sic) trouble. He was in the 24th VA Infantry, Co. H. under Capt John W. Hayden. He lost right arm at Drewier’s Bluff May 16, 1964 (1864). He was receiving a pension applied for March 29, 1920..

……+ Helms, Malinda Thomas

Parents: William A. & Sarah Jane (Shelor) Cannaday. [Cannaday_WilliamA_SarahJ]

1843 Birth: abt 1843 Floyd Co., VA.

1870 Residence: Floyd Co., VA married but his parents HOH.

1880 Residence: Montgomery Co., VA with husband Jacob Tazwell Helms.

1898 Death: 8-6-1898 Montgomery Co., VA.

1898 Burial: East Hill Cemetery, Montgomery Co., VA.

……3. Helms, George Franklin

Parents: Jacob Tazwell & Malinda Thomas (Cannaday) Helms.

1875 Birth: 10-25-1874 VA.

1880 Residence: Montgomery Co., VA with parents.

i1898 Marriage #1: George Franklin Helms m. Corinne Pendleton Dobyns 06-22-1898 at Floyd Court House, Floyd Co., VA by John K. Harris. He 23 yo single w/m merchant, b. Floyd Co., VA & living in Pulaski Co., VA, s/o J.T. & Malinda Helms. She 22 yo single w/f, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o Zack & Loula Dobyns.

1900 Residence: 373 8th Ave SW, Roanoke City, Ward 1, District 91, H272:

272/312:

…… Payne Ellen 68 yo widowed w/f, b. Jan 1832 VA, parents b. VA, 8 children with 7 living, owns home, HOH.

……… Horace B. 44 yo single son, b. Apr 1856 VA, parents b. VA, grocery store clerk.

272/313:

…… Helms, George F. 26 yo w/m wholesale grocery clerk, b. Oct 1873 VA, parents b. VA, m. 2y, rents, HOH.

……… Corrie C. 24 yo wife, b. Nov 1875 VA, parents b. VA, m. 2y, 1 child with 1 living.

……… Louse 1 yo daughter, b. Apr 1899 VA, parents b. VA.

272/314:

…… Dobbins, Lulu P. 43 yo widowed w/f, b. Aug 1856 VA, parents b. VA, 4 children with 4 living.

……… Bertha 12 yo daughter, b. Jan 1888 VA, parents b. VA, school.

……… Ethel E. 9 yo daughter, b. Jan 1891 VA, parents b. VA.

………+ Helms, Corinne Pendleton ”Corrie”

Parents: Zachariah T. & Louise “Lulu” (Pendleton) Dobyns. [Dobyns_fcva]

1876 Birth: 2-27-1876 Floyd Co., VA.

1900 Residence: Roanoke City, VA with husband George Franklin Helms.

………4. Helms, Louise

Parents: George Franklin & Corinne Pendleton ”Corrie” (Dobyns) Helms.

1899 Birth: Apr 1899 VA.

1900 Residence: Roanoke City, VA with parents.

…2. Helms, John F.

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1846 Birth: abt 1846 Floyd Co., VA.

1850, 1860 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

Name

John F Helms

Enlistment Date

18 Mar 1864

Enlistment Place

Hanover Junction, Virginia

Enlistment Rank

Private

Muster Date

18 Mar 1864

Muster Place

Virginia

Muster Company

A

Muster Regiment

24th Infantry

Muster Regiment Type

Infantry

Muster Information

Enlisted

Imprisonment Date

31 Mar 1865

Imprisonment Place

Dinwiddie Court House, Virginia

Side of War

Confederacy

Survived War?

Yes

Residence Place

Floyd County, Virginia

Notes

1865-06-13 Oath Allegiance, (Point Lookout, MD), Released

Title

The Virginia Regimental Histories Series

Deceased before mother in 1904?

…2. Helms, Thaddeus Contantine

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1849 Birth: 5-1-1849 Floyd Co., VA.

1850, 1860 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

1870 Residence: Little Rock, Arkansas; US Garrison:

...... Helms, Thaddeus 21 yo w/m, b. VA, US Army.

Possibly 1880 Saloonkeeper in Weston, Collin Co., TX with brother Albert.

1883 Marriage #1: Thaddeus m. Nickie Boon 10-30-1883 Franklin Co., VA.

Nickie Boon, b. 1864 Franklin Co., VA, d/o John & Susan C. (Shaver) Boon.

1900 Residence: Bells, Grayson Co., TX

...... Helms, Thadd 49 yo w/m ocupation blank, b. May 1851 VA, parents b. VA, m. 18y, rents house, HOH.

............ Nickie 35 yo wife, b. VA, Aug 1864 VA, parents b. VA, m. 18y, 6 children with 5 living.

............ John 14 yo son, b. May 1886 VA, parents b. VA, farm laborer.

............ Susie 12 yo daughter, b. May 1888 VA, parents b. VA, at school.

............ Sadie 8 yo daughter, b. Feb 1892 TX, parents b. VA, at school.

............ Paul 4 yo son, b. Nov 1895 TX, parents b. VA.

............ Truett 11/12 son, b. Jun 1899 TX, parents b. VA.

1906 Death: 9-6-1906.

1906 Burial: Oakland Cemetery, Dallas Co., TX.

src: FAG; photo added by Annette Shaw Apr 2011

…2. Helms, Malinda Caroline

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1850 Birth: 10-13-1850 Floyd Co., VA.

1860 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

i1869 Marriage #1: Malinda C. Helms m. Thomas B. Cannaday 09-02-1869 at M.S. Helms', Floyd Co., VA by Thomas L. Robertson. He 24 yo single merchant, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, s/o William A. & Sarah Cannaday. She single 19 yo, b. & living in Floyd Co., VA, d/o M. S. & Sarah Helms.

Thomas Banks Cannaday, b. 9-22-1844 Floyd Co., VA, d. 8-12-1925 at his home in Salem, Roanoke Co., VA, s/o William A. & Sarah Jane (Shelor) Cannaday. [Cannaday_WilliamA_SarahJ]

1902 Death: 1-21-1902 Roanoke Co., VA.

1902 Burial: Fair View Cemetery, Roanoke City, VA. (with Thomas)

…2. Helms, James K.

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1855 Birth: 3-5-1855 VA.

1860 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

1887 Marriage #1: James Helms m. Lillie Burch 3-20-1887 Collin Co., TX.

1900 Residence: Denton Co., TX, H88:

...... Helms, James K. 45 yo w/m saloon keeper, b. Mch 1855 VA, parents b. VA, m. 13y, rents house, HOH.

............ Lillie 33 yo wife, b. SC, parents b. SC, parents b. SC, m. 13y, 3 children with 1 living. (Rebecca Lillie Burch, 1865-1935, d/o James Clother & Celia Rebecca (Johnson) Burch.)

............ James 9 yo son, b. Nov 1841 Indian Territory, father b. VA, mother b. SC.

1910 Residence: Dallas, Dallas Co., TX, 120 Pennsylvania Ave, H79:

...... Helms, J.K. 53 yo w/m city policeman, b. VA, parents b. VA, M1 23y, owns home, HOH.

............ Rebecca 44 yo wife, b. SC, parents b. SC, M1 23y, 3 children with 1 living.

............ J. B. 18 yo son, b. OK, father b. VA, mother b. SC, printing office printer. {James Burch Helms, 1891-1962, never married)

1917 Death: 6-19-1917 Dallas, Dallas Co., TX. [Texas Death Cert]

1917 Obit:

src: FAG; photo added by MN Feb 2012

1917 Burial: Oakland Cemetery, Dallas Co., TX.

src: FAG; photo added by Annette Shaw Apr 2011

…2. Helms, Thomas

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1856 Birth: Oct 1856 Floyd Co., VA (from birth rec. but may be same person as Henry)

…2. Helms, Henry Mosely

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1856 Birth: abt 1856 VA.

1860, 1870 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

1880 Residence: Floyd Co., VA, Little River District, H306:

…… Cannaday, Thos B. 35 yo w/m farmer, b. VA, parents b. VA, HOH.

……… Melinda C. 29 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA. (nee Helms)

……… F. Minnie 9 yo daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

……… Sallie A. J. 7 yo daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

……… Henry M. 4 yo son, b. VA, parents b. VA.

……… India M. 1 yo daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA.

…… Helms, Henry 23 yo brother-in-law, b. VA, parents b. VA, works on farm.

1883 Marriage #1: Henry M. Helm m. Maggie L. Beller 3-19-1883 Giles Co., VA. He 26 yo single w/m stove making, b. Floyd, residence Hinton, WVA, s/o Madison & Sarah Helm. She 23 yo single w/f, b. Giles, d/o Peter & Margaret Beller.

1900 Residence: Radford City, VA, Clemmons, H444:

...... Helms, Henry M. 42 yo w/m merchant, b. Sep 1857 VA, parents b. VA, m. 15y, owns home, HOH.

............ Maggie 41 yo wife, b. Jan 1859 VA, parents b. VA, m. 15y, 2 children with 2 living.

............ Willie A. 17 yo daughter, b. Dec 1883 VA, parents b. VA, school.

............ Mammie 13 yo daughter, b. Jul 1886 VA, parents b. VA, school.

1910 Residence: Roanoke City, 914 Second Ave, H43:

...... Helms, Henry M. 50 yo w/m sewing machine agent, b VA, parents b. VA, M1 28y, owns home with mortgage, HOH.

............ Maggie L. 48 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA, M1 28y, 2 children with 1 living.

...... Wilson, Mamie 23 yo married daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, M1 1y, 0 children.

...... 4 boarders & 1 servant.

1920 Residence: Roanoke City, 1508 Orange Ave, H72:

...... Helms, Henry 60 yo w/m railroad watchman, b. VA, parents b. VA, owns home with mortgage, HOH.

............ Maggie 64 yo wife, b. VA, parents b. VA.

...... Wilson, Mamie 32 yo married daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, clerk.

............ Wilis 5 yo grandson, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

1930 Residence: Roanoke City, 305 Virginia Ave, H34:

...... Helm, Henry M. 73 yo widowed w/m without occupation, b. VA, parents b. VA, owns home, HOH.

...... Wilson, Mamie H. 43 yo divorced daughter, b. VA, parents b. VA, insurance deputy agent.

............ Willis 15 yo grandson, b. VA, parents b. VA, school.

1932 Marriage #2: Henry Mosely Helms m. Marcela Frances “Fannie” Wilkerson nee Bates 1-20-1932 Roanoke City, VA. He 74 yo widowed retired w/m, b. Floyd, s/o Madison Helms & Sarah Howard. She 74 yo widowed w/f, b. Bedford, d/o Samuel Bates & Violet Stevens.

Marcela Frances “Fannie” Bates, 1959-1936, d/o  Samuel Price & Violet (Stevens) Bates. [Death Cert] She is buried in Central Cemetery, Radford City, VA.

1938 Death: 10-13-1938 Roanoke City, VA. [can’t find]

Obit: can’t find

1938 Burial: Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke City, VA.

…...+ Helms, Maggie L.

Parents: Peter & Margaret Lucy (Lucas) Beller.

1859 Birth: 1-7-1859 Giles Co., VA.

1900 Residence: Radford City, VA with husband Henry Mosely Helms.

1930 Death: 3-11-1930 at her home 305 VA Ave, VA Heights, Roanoke City, VA. [Death Cert]

The World-News Roanoke, Virginia · Tuesday, March 11, 1930

1930 Burial: Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke City, VA.

…...3. Helms, Willie A.

Parents: Henry Mosely & 1st wife Maggie L. (Beller) Helms.

1883 Birth: Dec 1883 VA.

1900 Residence: Radford City, VA with parents.

1902 Death:  8-20-1902.

1902 Burial: Central Cemetery, Radford, VA.

…...3. Helms, Mamie Sarah

Parents: Henry Mosely & 1st wife Maggie L. (Beller) Helms.

1886 Birth: Jul 1886 Giles.

1900 Residence: Radford City, VA with parents.

1908 Marriage #1: Mamie S. Helms m. Randolph C. Wilson 11-18-1908 Roanoke City, VA. He 23 yo single w/m railroad clerk, b. Salem, VA, s/o S. A. & V. C. Wilson. She 21 yo single w/f, b. Giles, VA, d/o H. M. & Maggie Helms.

1 son, Willis Randolph Wilson, 1912-1980.

1966 Death: 4-14-1966 Roanoke City, VA.

1966 Burial: Evergreen Burial Park, Roanoke City, VA.

…2. Helms, Albert Wells

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1859 Birth: Apr 1859 Floyd Co., VA.

1860, 1870 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

below is only a possibilty of his location

1880 Saloonkeeper in Weston, Collin Co., TX

Oct 1892 laborer in Lundy, CA, 5’ 8”, dk complexion green eyes & brown hair. Born Virginia.

1914 Fresno, CA City Directory.

The Fresno Bee Sun, Mar 16, 1952 · Page 44

..2. Helms, Major Howard

Parents: Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms.

1864 Birth: Oct 12, 1864 Floyd Co., VA.

1870, 1880 Residence: Floyd Co., VA with parents.

Never married per death cert

1945 Death: 4-26-1945 Staunton, Western State Hospital, Augusta Co., VA. [Death Cert]

1945 Burial:

Researchers of this family:

Elisa Plauche'

elisa8094@aol.com

End Madison Smith “Matt” & Sarah Amanda (Howard) Helms family.