The greatest mountain man you've never heard of - Finding Moses Stepp

A true mountain man - Finding Moses Stepp -
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/ @thehillbillyfiles

[@judyritchie6786]

Grandpa Moses was my 6th great grandfather from my dad's side. My family is from Oppy ky. My grandmother's name was Helen stepp and her dad was Herbert stepp. I love that you took the time to do a video about my family. I'm so proud. My dad said when he was growing up that he was always told that he lived to be 115 to 120 years old. In my family , every now and then , we will have a boy born with a nick in his ear always prominent on one side. My son has one and both of my grandbabies has it , both boys. Anyway thanks again for taking the time to tell about this great hero in ky history.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Very cool, thanks 🙏

[@warjunkie8242]

That's extremely interesting

[@robertbenninger841]

Was he of German decent that you know of, because the name surely sounds German to me.

[@foxtrot1724]

No, Great Britain ​@@robertbenninger841

[@brodyjo5563]

Moses was my 5th great grandfather it's nice to meet you

[@LINDA-oi4mt]

Your title made me think about my daddy. He was in The Tricounty News for shoveling, by hand, the most coal than any other man in a pay period in the entire region. Many years later a man who had worked beside him said it was a record that no one wanted to break.

[@Kamina1703]

I can respect that.

[@frankcrowe2006]

My grandpa died of black lung in blue diamond coal co. At Perry co. And Breathitt county. Line

[@LINDA-oi4mt]

@@frankcrowe2006 My dad died from black lung which made my children lose both of their grandfathers to coal mining: The other was died a horrific death when slate fell on his head. He had told his foreman it was a weak spot but to no avail. Left my mother in law a young widow with 4 kids from 11 - 3. Several members of my family lost limbs in mines with no compensation. Their work ethic legacy is part of our DNA. 🕊🌹

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

This made my heart hurt ♥

[@LINDA-oi4mt]

@@whatyoumakeofit6635 🌹

[@MelissaBowen-ef7ll]

This is amazing. Moses Stepp is my 5th great-grandfather. My grandmother is Irene Stepp. We all grew up in Stepptown WV. She is a direct descendant of Moses through is son, Thomas Barnabus Stepp. I grew up hearing of Moses, but this is fascinating. I’ve been by his gravesite many times, but it’s been years ago. Thanks so much for sharing this information, so interesting!!

[@michaelward9254]

Hi fam

[@foxtrot1724]

Are you related to any of the Stepp’s in Irvine Ky?

[@brodyjo5563]

Hes also my 5th great grandfather my grand pa is johnny stepp hes buried on newsome ridge

[@user-dz1hm6pl3w]

He is my 5th great grandfather! You were literally standing by a road I went down 100s of times as a child and lives right by. We need to connect. I love this stuff!!!

[@prissypants2336]

So was he married? Children?

[@brodyjo5563]

As well it's nice to meet you

[@ryanfl9130]

I found a grave in the middle of businesses where I live. In a patch of trees I noticed the black iron gates. There is a lady in there her head stones reads born 1804 and died 1943. I been trying to do some research on her now. The grave yard is a old slave cemetery and a few WW1 soldiers and a man died at 33 in the civil war in the 86th colored troops. His whole family is out there as well. A lot of unmarked and rocks for headstones. I have a small lawn care service and me and my guys are gonna go clean it up this spring and try and make it look better. Roughly 10 graves are covered by over growth.in the middle of the city but completely forgotten for the most part.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Very cool! Sounds like our kinda thing

[@mike6963170]

there is a movement to restore Black cemeteries, google for your area, may have funds etc

[@WillBlindYouWithLight]

I just want to say thank you, so very much. I don't get to visit my family very often, but they're always taken care of. But here where I don't have roots, I like to research and learn too. And whoever has been taking care I mean..."taking care of" the beaver cemetery. Never in my life. Have I seen such a disgrace. Ya know? Why not just leave and let folks move in that are willing to take really good care of it? But. Thank you very much. It is important and not many people these days care, let alone aren't lazy.

[@allday9643]

I'll never know you but that is a very kind thing of you to do...That's called respect!

[@whatyoumakeofit6635]

Sounds pretty interesting. What town is that ?

[@barbaraclements5183]

Decedent on my mother's side. Information you have is pretty accurate. Thank you.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

You're very welcome

[@kellyfostercash8026]

Contact me I am related also

[@DreamaBeswick61]

Moses was born in Orange County, VA. A decedent of mine. Moses is the first person listed in the book "The Stepp/ Stapp Families Of America " by Henry P. Scalf.

[@kellyfostercash8026]

He is a cousin of mine also

[@jaywatts333]

@@coolmoodee my cuz's are 6'5'' + does that mean their related to me ?

[@judyritchie6786]

My 6th great grandpa on my Nanny stepps side.

[@brodyjo5563]

5th great grandpa

[@wiseguysoutdoors2954]

I'd love to see you do a story about my 4th great uncle Col Richard " Shawtunte" Sparks. He married the daughter of the infamous John Sevier, first Gov of Tennessee and one of the leaders of the over mountain Boys at the Battles of Kings Mt and the Cowpens. Richard had been taken from the area of his parents cabin near present day Pittsburgh, PA and raised by his Shawnee captor, who was the father of Tecumseh, from age 3 to 21. He later scouted on the frontier against the Delaware, Shawnee and Iroquois during the revolution on thru the 1790's. He also led the Freeman Custiss Expedition, which was the Southern equivalent of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. He died as the commandant of Ft Stoddart AL, now that site is located in Mississippi.

[@joellenbroetzmann9053]

What a fascinating story. I'm thinking of the lot of crazy men who seem to think they can rule the entire world these days. I know Moses would have driven them all away from his sight! We are still here because of brave folks like this!

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

Great story. Certainly one that deserved to be told. I can be an introvert but on my worst day I don't play in his ballpark hell I don't even play in the parking lot of his ballpark. Can you imagine being old & living so deep in the woods especially back then when life was much harder than today. Maybe that's why he lived so long. No one to infect him with diseases that killed other people. An excellent story.

[@enriquemireles8947]

Thank you for this story. I do believe Moses did find the right place to lay. When I think of my ancestors of those eras , I figure they look at how soft we are compared to their world.

[@kellyfostercash8026]

Love the way you are memorializing Moses Stapp/Stepp

[@edwardstroko4665]

120 years is totally possible! My great grandfather died in 2004 and he was 102. I’ve looked up the worlds oldest living people and Guinness world records show a list of people!!! It’s very interesting!!!!

[@2gpowell]

Interesting story thanks for sharing. I wanted to share a bit with you guys.. Many of my great grand dads fought in the rev. war. Settled in east/ southeast KY. Mostly Pike County. Belcher KY. was settled one of them George Belcher. My grandmother was a Belcher from Shelby Gap. In Pike County/ Pikeville there is a tablet with Moses stepps name. along with 2 of my great grand-fathers Abriam Potter and Pleasant Childress.

[@2gpowell]

By the way, You guys do a wonderful job putting these lost stories together thanks for what you do!👍

[@bettyhawkins1142]

Moses Stepp is my 4th great-grandfather’s brother. I have some of this info on Moses but I did learn from this video.😮 My 3rd Great-Grandfather is Jesse Stepp of Black Mountain N.C. Nephew of Moses. I hope their are more on Moses to come from this channel. Thanks for the video!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

I believe a few Moses descendants commented if you scroll through =)

[@timlackey5996]

That man was absolutely the real deal that's for sure.

[@sherrilee230]

The places and things he could teach us my lord

[@traciwalls7099]

We have a legend of a man who lived to be 128 years old in Pennsylvania. John Hill was born in 1704 and died in 1832. His story is similar to Moses Stepp, they can't 100% verify his age, but they're both legendary in their own right for living that long.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

I may have to look into john hill

[@laurabrooks7655]

His surname was corrupted from Stapp to Stepp, probably when he lived in NC before going to KY. He owned a lot of land in what is now Martin County. My great grandma, Mary Jane Stepp Maynard, inherited some of the land he used to own on Camp Branch in Inez, KY. My father was born there.

[@susanrausch]

They did have a lot of children in those days, No TV Radio Computer Nada!!! My mother was a Smith and was the youngest of 17 children. Born in 1925 died 1990! miss her lots

[@arkansasboy45]

I love hearing the old history, the old stories. Thanks for doing all of the research.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Glad you like them!

[@walterperry4565]

Love our history

[@bethgiesey9405]

I can't imagine running into that man! Wow, 16 children that's somerhing. Thanks Leo & Heather

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Our pleasure!

[@slowtwist]

Thanks for the video. My ancestors would have known this man. My 4x great grandfather Thomas Poteet along with his brothers and cousins were captains in the militia. First cousin Issak Crabtree was with James Boone when he was killed. James Crabtree and Jacob were at Kings Mountain. Uncle James Billingsley was hung in his front yard by the Tories because his sons were captains with Nathanel Greene. William Crabtree was a famous Longhunter and scout for the Patriots and was with the first hunting party in the Powell Valley. Thomas's daughter Olivia married Thomas Blakemore of Ft. Blakemore family.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Interesting thanks

[@macklowe195]

Moses Stepp was my 5th Great Grandfather and I live pretty close to Pigeon Roost. Thanks for the video really enjoyed it.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@CARL557511]

16 children, wow didn't watch much TV back then. I'm kidding! But truly another American Hero!!! Thanks for sharing!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

You bet!

[@laurabrooks7655]

Moses Stepp was one of my ancestors, my 4th great grandfather. I've been to his gravesite. Most sources say he was born in 1762-63. His father, James Stapp, Sr., supposedly supported the British, and Moses was tossed out of the house for backing the Revolutionaries. James was born around 1732-33. He owned a plantation in Orange Co., VA.

[@jamesault7832]

What a life this Moses must have seen. He was 41 at the end of the Revolutionary war and died 10 years before the Civil War ended.

[@kellyfostercash8026]

I've been working on my family history and just came across the Stapp family documents

[@mistyrain643]

This is my 5× great grampaw. Humbled and honored.

[@jamielieberg7053]

The great video he was a great frontier man he was around when At 2:15 a.m. on December 16, 1811, residents of the frontier town of New Madrid, in what is now Missouri, were jolted from their beds by a violent earthquake. The ground heaved and pitched, hurling furniture, snapping trees, and destroying barns and homesteads. The shaking rang church bells in Charleston, South Carolina, and toppled chimneys as far as Cincinnati, Ohio. “The screams of the affrighted inhabitants running to and fro, not knowing where to go, or what to do-the cries of the fowls and beasts of every species-the cracking of trees falling...formed a scene truly horrible,” wrote one resident.

[@carminesilverado]

Mose Steep is my family he served in the Revolutionary War with my Great Great Great Grandfather James Maynard and James 3 brothers most likely under the command of Col. Cleveland it is likely all of them were at the Battle of Kings Mountain SC which was the turning point in the war , at one time Martin County was a part of Pike County they broke off in 1870 , on the old Pike County Courthouse there was a historical marker at the entrance that had 12 names of Revolutionary war Soldiers on it that were buried in Pike county James Maynard and Mose Stepp are on that marker

[@thehillbillyfiles]

nice info thank you

[@danarenee3341]

I am a Stepp...reading through thew comments and above I see the name Herbert, my father had a great uncle H whose name was Herbert and now James Maynard...I have an uncle Maynard too, My grandfather was named Malta and he Lived and passed in Advance, MO. any information on my family would be awesome

[@carminesilverado]

@@danarenee3341 I am is several History of Appalachia social groups and several Ancestor groups it takes much time to chase down but well worth it , most people connected to the area , if their family's go back in the hills for hundreds of years as mine do are found to be related somehow someway ' without knowing you directly but because you are Stepp I say Good to meet you Cousin

[@laurabrooks7655]

My ancestor, Christopher Columbus Maynard, was the brother of James Maynard.

[@carminesilverado]

@@laurabrooks7655 I wonder if you had ever heard of him referred to as the name "One Eyed Cit [Kit} also I have read that he lived to the age of 112 and died in S Indiana - by the way Hello Cousin

[@catherineharrington2830]

My grandfather on my mothers side was Anthony Stepp who is a direct descendant of Moses. They say he had red hair!

[@Houndini]

Amazing true story. Poor guy my guess had what today is called PTSD. A WW-2 ex-pow I did know was like that. Well I know 2 of them sadly has passed 1 pow in Japan & other in Germany both you had to really watch yourself around them but you nice to them you had a great friend for life.

[@michaelward9254]

Moses Stepp was my great Grandfather. Love the vid.

[@cherylverhelst8245]

Great story Leo and Heather. As the years went by he probably forgot what year he was born, birthdays weren’t important to him I’m sure. What a true American he was. I love hearing these stories and your very good at telling them Leo. Thank you!

[@terriniemeier6578]

Not those sweet friendly peaceful Indians. Patriot is a blood line, John Cantrell to Moses. The Patriots of America live today.

[@Momvon1]

Leo when you said Pigeon Roost I almost had a heart attack lol. Momma and daddy are from Barboursville Ky, pigeon Roost hollar Some of my family's headstones go back to Spanish American war. They're down in Thomas Walker area.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Very cool!

[@lindakiggins7255]

I grew up in Barboursville up on Bimble. I lived in Artemus as an adult. I later moved to Alaska. I have family buried in small cemetery's in Knox County and Pineville. Many headstones are just rocks with names and dates chiseled on them. They go back over 100 years.

[@wileyquarterhorses]

I'm so happy to have found your channel recently! Truly appreciate what you cover and share!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you so much!

[@trineperstuen7011]

How fantastic would it be with a photo of that man❤❤❤loved this story.thank you guys.

[@fastsetinthewest]

The road crew finding the grave stone while building a road was published in "The Paducah Sun-Democrat" on the day it was found March 14, 1940. Eaglegards...

[@deborahdauray8933]

Moses Stepp my children's Lineage I worked for A.T. Massey in the 1970s such magnificent history.

[@deniseburgett8185]

Moses Stepp is my grandfather x6 on my grandads side and 7 on my grandmother's. My grandad is a Burgett and he married a Stepp. My grandads mother was also a Stepp. Thank you for this documentary since it's a great addition to my genealogy research!

[@randomvintagefilm273]

Thank you for bringing us these stories. My ancestors are from a small town called Winchester, KY 1799.

[@robertmiller5586]

I was privileged to know a Robert Stepp . Robert was original from West Virginia and worked as an electrical in the Coal mines but eventually moved to Colorado and worked at The Gates. Rubber Co as an electrician where i met him . Robert is gone now , it would be interested to know if he was related to Moses Stepp. Bob Miller , Denver ,Colorado.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Good chance I'd say

[@mercedithcompala8148]

This is a great story and such a amazing man..thank you for sharing this Leo.

[@billsmith5166]

If he was a teenager during the Revolutionary War he would have been born around 1760 or thereabouts. I think you have to remember that there's a good chance that with his upbringing he may actually not have known what numbers meant. If his size was as big as seven feet and 330 pounds he wouldn't likely have lived more than 40 or 50 years so he was probably more in the range of 6'2 to 6' 5 which would have been really tall back in those days.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

It's all speculation, legend tinged with truth.

[@jenniferisbell9629]

Thank y’all so much for sharing this historic story.

[@PG-nf6gl]

My Great Great Great Great Grandpa. Moses, his son Thomas, his son John, his son Marion, his son Ireland, his daughter my Mother, then her daughter me. Left the names absent of those still living for privacy. I would guess my Mother is one of his closest living relatives, if not his closest living relative, as his Great Great Great Granddaughter.

[@danarenee3341]

do you have any family in Missouri?

[@michealmoats3589]

My dad my grandfather and my great-grandfather all from elkins wv. Im 67 my grandfather worked in the coal mines when he was 12 and had the lungs to prove it. We had many great vacations in wv. Really enjoy your channel freind.

[@edwardstroko4665]

This reminds me of Hundred West Virginia. It’s closer to the Pa line but it’s named after a guy who was 109 when he passed. They called him ‘ol hundred because of his age and he was in the same war. If u guys can, do a story on him. I forget his real name but there is a sign hanging up like this one. I took a pic of it. I’ll try to find it and send it to u!!

[@rhondaking6433]

Love you Leo and Heather .. I also love hills & hollers!!! Yeehaw, .let's GO! I can 'bear' it.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Yes!!

[@terriniemeier6578]

I'll look into my family history, yes they went to Kentucky too

[@vanessafaske3451]

Thank you for sharing. Your story can't be found in books. Love watching you.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

You are so welcome!

[@DeviousKnitter70]

Wow! He was a force to be reckond with! You are a real good story teller!! Enjoyed this!!

[@brendacollins3681]

Great story and what a great since of humor

[@edwardkellogg1284]

This is the second video I've watched from your channel. I did subscribe. I do enjoy listening to the history of the south. Moses seemed to be a great man of his time.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Awesome, thank you!

[@ericrichardson8600]

I love how the orator laughs after an amazing statement about the man. "the man was a bad dude..thats a bad dude right there...Heh he he ha ha!"

[@jimksa67]

Quite a piece of early American History. Cant blame the guy for trying to stay remote and near peaceful nature. My settler ancestors were attacked by Indians in his days, troublesome times on all fronts. Different hazards now..

[@dontaylor3039]

Ty for your videos I have family that lives in eastern KY.i am a direct descendant from the Hatfield's in the feud.my great great grandpa was the constable Floyd hatfield.he was devil anses cousin

[@robinfreyburger3097]

Not so strange about the birthday. My grandmother never knew her true birthday, all records gone when the county courthouse burned down. Love Leo, great video.

[@patriciadavis646]

He sounded like he had Irish descendant in him with his description you gave. Viking

[@brodyjo5563]

Moses is my 5th great grandpa i have family records tracing back to 1610 all the way to me being born in 1993 my grandfather johnny stepp is buried on newsome ridge which was my mothers mothers family which also has a pretty cool legacy

[@billrothrock6477]

Another great weekend with the hillbilly files! Thank you.

[@BryceEScott-yd4wu]

Awesome I love learning about him.

[@greg7129]

His birth date is more than likely wrong. Back then records of that sort were not kept like they are now. Possibly his mother wrote it down but things like that were not important. People were born at home, a completely different time. Thanks for the video, very interesting

[@robertbates6057]

Birth / Death dates were often recorded in family Bibles.

[@kilroyjones7786]

Wonderful. I love the mountains.

[@codystinehelfer803]

My great great grandma was ethel stepp, mosses step would be her great great grandpa, i also have hitchkok and chapman family from the area. There is a book called memories which is about my great great grandma Ethel Stepp and her life in nagutuck from late 1800s to 1967. He would be my great(x6) grandpa. His grandson James's big foot Stepp was the first judge in inez and his great grandson James Maddison Stepp Md (my great great great grandpa) was the first judge over martin county, he built a home in nagutuck and was the only Dr for miles. His father James river jim Stepp's wife Elizabeth once shot a bear that was pawing under the door, she took the leather strap from the shutters and hooked it to a poker and looped it around his paw so he couldnt move then ran out another door and shot it with a shotgun they lived in a hollow called gun rack early 1800s

[@joyrider8882]

My uncles name was Eli Stepp, a big man that worked on the railroad, an would not work on Friday the 13, broke his lag on that day once. Might have been related.

[@dontaylor3039]

My great great great grandpa was in the revolutionary war his name was Joseph Hatfield

[@jessamyers8761]

That's amazing

[@jakerbennett9909]

Very Cool 🤘🏻

[@frankmarullo228]

I wish you tube had something like a tv. Guide channel so we all could find channels that we like ! PS.. Glad I found your channel THANK YOU FRANK FROM MONTANA.....

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Welcome aboard! and Montana is a bucket list place for us!

[@beverlydixon5921]

West Virgina is a beautiful State with a ri h history...

[@cemeteryvisits]

Great story 👍👍 was he really that old when he passed? I mean it’s possible, one can’t rule out the possibility. Lol liked how they voted back then wagons full of moonshine? Yeah honestly that really how I wanna vote… all liquored up to the gills 😂😂 then if you vote wrong it would give you a excuse 👍🤣🤣 Thanks 👍 interesting story 👍👍

[@thehillbillyfiles]

thanks for watching!

[@michaelbedinger4121]

Pigeon Roost? Colorful name. Thank you Leo, for telling a great story. This man was definitely, the real deal! He makes Rambo look like an amateur. I wonder if, besides the Indians and Tories, he fought against British regular troops. One question, if I may? When that road crew found his original headstone 🪦, was it in its present location, or was his grave later moved? Thank you again, Leo and Heather, for a great video. You two have a great day tomorrow yourselves.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

I believe it was found where it is Michael, thanks and have a great day =)

[@michaelbedinger4121]

@The Hillbilly Files - Legends and Locations You are very much welcome, thank you very much for getting back to me. Take care.

[@andreas489]

that's near my family's stomping grounds😍I'm going to check it out my next trip down home.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Awesome 😎

[@ididmyface]

My 4th great grandfather ❤

[@steveball1339]

Enjoying your video is a great way to end my day . Thank you for your hard work. It's a beautiful thing when you love what you do for living. You all are amazing!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

You are so kind

[@bradlane3662]

They ain't making a living at it with 8000 subscribers. Not yet anyway. But I'm enjoying it too.

[@steveball1339]

@@bradlane3662 Correct Sir, I did not say it completely, I was also referring to the trail guide job they enjoy, Heather arranges details and Leo leads up the mountain on an amazing adventure. Wishing you a great week Brad. Thank you

[@bradlane3662]

@@steveball1339 You too, my friend.🙏

[@CreepyDeepyHistory]

Hello from Wyoming county WV 🎉

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Hello there!

[@deboraadkins-smith2092]

Awesome story TY!

[@drtom5936]

Great story Leo.

[@Crystalblue58]

Love the video.

[@kellyfostercash8026]

1763 is the year that my documents have on them and he was born in Virginia Orange County

[@jerryhoschouer5131]

What an awesome story and life . Great vid and journey to learn from here. Thank you both for sharing your channel with us.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@deerslayer9point]

My husband grew up there.

[@MuskratOutdoors]

Very Neat!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks!

[@darlenejohnson8864]

Enjoyed the video. Love hearing unique stories. Good day and God bless you as you journey.

[@SteveBall1]

Good video Leo

[@pamelaattrux336]

Thanks for doing this kind of stuff

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks for watching

[@kellyfostercash8026]

Thanks!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you!!

[@Skunkape74]

Good stuff Leo...Thanks for sharing!!!!!

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@giggles8458]

Thank you for the tour.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Any time!

[@BloodEagle1583]

A great video.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you!

[@ronjon125]

Very nice video.

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thank you very much!

[@ruththompson9369]

I live in Cattletsburg Kentucky the history here blow my mind away plz do some on us..

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Oh I plan too, you have some cool things there Ive been looking at =)

[@jq5609]

You sure live in a beautiful part of the world. Great car. What a man Moses was 😉

[@thehillbillyfiles]

Thanks 👍 appreciate it

[@janwarriner6554]

We appreciate y’all too.

[@samuelschick8813]

Pigeonroost, Ky just down the road from my kin folk in Somerset.