Slavin name is from the Irish word "Sliabh", and some of their sons assumed the name O'Sliabhan. The next step toward anglicisation of the name was Slieven or Sleven appears in the name of certain mountains in Ireland: Slievenamuck, Slievenance, Slievenaman, and Slievesnaght, the latter meaning "snow mountain". The pioneer ancestor, John, spelled his name Slavin and his children changed the spelling to Slaven. Certain ones of the sons, Isaiah being one of them, added the "s" to make Slavens. The family Bible of John and Elizabeth Stuart Slavin was brought to America by Elizabeth Stuart. It was covered with deer skin killed and tanned on their estate. Bible legend is printed, Edinburg -- Printed by Adrian Watkin, His Majesty's printer -- MDCCXLVI.
Isaiah Slavens was a revolutionary soldier and also a soldier of 1812 War. John Slavin was born in County Tyrone, Province Ulster, Ireland 1723. He was by trade a weaver. With many other Irish and Scotch families, he came to America in 1740 when 17 years of age. John with at least two of his brothers settled near what is Philadelphia, Penn. He moved from there to Augusta County, Va. which is part of this county, Highland Co., Va. Later became Rockingham County, Va. and settled on Cook's Creek near Mt. Clinton, Va. Later he moved to Meadow Dale, Va. He applied for grant patent for this land in 1770 under the rule of George III, King of England. This patent was granted in 1790 under the commonwealth, and signed by Gov. Beverly Randolph. The old house stood just out north from the spring near the mountain. Evidence of the old chimney and rock foundation were still visible in 1921. Several apple trees were standing here too in 1921.
The story was told by Jesse B. Slaven (born 1826) a great grandson of John Slaven, that one of these apple trees was planted by Daniel Slavin (who went to Ohio). He was a son of John Slavin. This apple tree was always known as the "Dan Tree" so Jesse said, and this tree stood until 1956 when the wind blew it down.
John Slavin, born 1723, died 1788, married Elizabeth Stuart, born 1726 in Scotland (who came to America under the Indenture System prior to her marriage) (others say came to Baltimore with members of her family), in 1748 at Staunton, Va. John died in Highland Co. -- or what is now Highland Co., Va.; then Augusta Co., Va.) in 1788 and Elizabeth Stuart Slaven died in 1795. Both are buried in a family burying ground above the Wade Cemetery. The graves are marked.
from an undated typewritten manuscript
originally possessed by Harry Fleisher Slaven or Dr. Charles H. Peterson.
Contributed by Ruth Willson.