Nottoway County, VA, Some Notes from the Remaining Records; Wm. & Mary Qrtly., Vol. 26, No. 1

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Nottoway County, Virginia:  Some Notes from the Remaining Records

   William Clayton Torrence

   William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 26,
No. 1. (Jul., 1917), pp. 41-49.

Page 41.

                       NOTTOWAY COUNTY, VIRGINIA

                  Some Notes from the Remaining Records

   The present county of Nottoway was created by an Act of Assembly,
December 22, 1788 (Hening, Statues at Large . . of Virginia, XII, p.
723), in which it was ordered that after May 1, 1789, "the county of
Amelia shall be divided into two distinct counties, that is to say, all
that part of the said county lying south of a line to begin at a place
called Well's bridge, on Namozene Creek, which divides the said county
from the county of Dinwiddie, thence running through the said county
of Amelia, so as to strike the line of Prince Edward County, five miles
west of a place called Ward's ford, on Appomattox River, shall be one
distinct county, and called and known by the name of Nottoway, and the
residue of the said county shall retain the name of Amelia."  Many
years prior to this date the fertile lands along the upper parts of
Deep Creek and West Creek in Amelia County had attracted the more
industrious and substantial element of "low country" planters who
developed its resources to the fullest extent.  An examination of the
wills and inventories of the people who lived at an early day in this
isolated section show them to have been possessed of extensive means;
their holdings in lands and negroes were large and their homes were not

without comparative comforts.  Wealth, for these people, grew with the
passing of years, and at the time of the creation of Nottoway County
we find within its precincts a markedly large representation of the
wealthier planter class.  The history and tradition of Nottoway are
rich indeed in material for the student of Southern social life.  The
current report that the records of Nottoway County from its beginning
in 1789 to close of the War between the States, 1865, were totally
destroyed is quite accurate; there are "gaps" in the records, it is 
true; whole volumes are missing and in several volumes that remain
signs of ruthless mutilation are evident; but, from some ten or twelve
volumes of will, deed and order books which may be found in the office
of the Clerk of Circuit Court for Nottoway County, at Nottoway Court
House, supplemented by the Personal Property Lists (in the State
Library, Richmond) and the Land Tax Lists (in the Auditor's Office,
Richmond) invaluable historical and genealogical material may be
obtained.
   The following notes from deed books were made with the object of
showing how valuable the local records of deeds are in affording material
for identifying persons who went from Virginia to other States during
the last quarter of the eighteenth and first quarter of the nineteenth
centuries.  The records of Nottoway County are not an exception. --
WILLIAM CLAYTON TORRENCE.

Page 42.

   January 1, 1798, Richard Jones Munford, of Nottoway Co. to Joseph
Wells, of same Co. L290 currency, 191 acres in Nottoway Co. being part
of plantation of Thomas Bolling Munford, decd.
   January 5, 1798, Peter Randolph and Sarah, his wife, to Henry Dennis,
L200 currency, tract of land on Cellar Creek, it being the land re-
covered by said Peter Randolph and Sarah, his wife, of the heirs of
Lettice Bland, deceased.
   June 4, 1798, Henry Williams Lawson, of Sumner Co., Tennessee, to
Richard Bland, Jr., of Nottoway Co., Virginia, L400 currency; 300 acres
on Herricain Creek, Nottoway Co.
   February 21, 1798, Richard Jones, of Nottoway County, to his son
James Jones, 540 acres on both sides Deep Creek in Nottoway Co.
   September 6, 1798, Josiah Draper and Thomas Cox and Mary, his wife,
of Mecklenburg Co., to Peter Jones, of Dinwiddie Co., L70; 50 acres in
Nottoway Co. "that was willed them by James Draper."
   October 9, 1798, John Cocke and Mary Evret [spelled Averet in order
of record], his wife, of Lee Co., to Isham Clay, of Nottoway Co.  L45
currency; 50 acres devised by Samuel Vaughan, decd., of Nottoway Co.,
to his granddaughter Mary Evret Vaughan now the said Mary Evret Cocke.
   June 6, 1799, Peter Randolph, of Nottoway Co., to Wood Jones, Philip
Jones, Henry Batte Jones, sons of Philip Jones, decd., and Unity
Claiborne Archer, who was late Unity Claiborne Jones, daughter of said
Philip Jones, decd., and her husband, William Archer.  The said
Randolph in the lifetime of the said Philip Jones, sold to him 300 acres
on Cellar Creek, Nottoway Co., adjoining lands of Joshua Hawks, of
Mrs. Martha Corran who was late Mrs. Martha Blodgett and formerly Mrs.
Martha Bland, widow and relict of Theodorick Bland, decd., and the lands
of the orphan children of Edward Bland, decd.; and whereas the said
deed was mislaid said Randolph now conveys the land to


Page 43.

siad Joneses and Archer.  The deed is signed by Peter Randolph, Wood
Jones, Pleasant Roberts guardian for Philip and Henry Batte Jones,
and by William Archer.
   December 14, 1798, a dedimus to justices of the court of Mason Co.,
Kentucky, to examine Lucy, wife of Charles Anderson, for her acknowledg-
ment to a conveyance of land in Nottoway Co., Virginia, by said Charles
Anderson to Richard Broaddus.
   March 6, 1800, Thomas Munford to Tyree G. Bacon; L286; currency;
191 acres in Nottoway Co. devised said Thomas Munford by Thomas Bolling
Munford, decd.
   February 19, 1800, Leweling Jones and Prudence, his wife, of
Lunenburg Co., to Tyree Glenn Bacon, of Nottoway Co., L376 specie;
188 acres in Nottoway Co. assinged said Prudence Jones, before her
marriage Prudence Ward, orphan of Rowland Ward, Jr., decd., in a suit
determined in Nottoway Court between Rowland Ward, the younger, orphan
of Rowland Ward, Jr., decd., and the said Prudence Ward and Henry
Ward, orphans of said Rowland Ward, Jr., decd., for a division of their
father's land.
   May 4, 1800, Drury Jones and Mary, his wife, of Dinwiddie Co., to
Charles Wilson, of Nottoway Co., L433: 17s, 6d, conveying tract known
as Butterwood Spring, Nottoway Co., containing 183 acres adjoining lands
of Road Peter Jones, Sterling Lewis, land formerly held by Sweathouse
Peter Jones, and including all the lands formerly possessed by Charles
S. Bailey and George McFarlane.
   October 4, 1800, an agreement: Edward Haskins, Creed Haskins, John
T. Ligon and Jane, his wife, Martha Haskins and Benjamin Haskins Price,
only child and heir of Ann Price, decd.  The said Edward, Creed, Jane
(Ligon) and Martha Haskins, children of Benjamin Haskins who died
intestate June 9, 1798, and said Benjamin Haskins Price is a grandson
of said Benjamin Hanskins, decd.  All of the parties named have attained
the age of 21 years.  Edward Haskins to have lands in Prince Edward
Co. (conveyed to him by his said father as by deed recorded in Prince
Edward); Creed Haskins to have land whereon the intestate dies in

Brunswick Co.; John T. Ligon and Jane, his wife,

Page 44.

to have land in Prince Edward Co.; Martha Haskins to have land in 
Nottoway Co.; Benjamin Haskins Price to have land in Brunswick Co. which
was devised to the aforenamed intestate by his deceased father Christopher
Haskins.
   June 17, 1800, Abraham Foster, and Annas, his wife, of Prince Edward
Co., George Foster and Elizabeth, his wife, of Prince Edward Co., John
Foster and Lucy, his wife, of Nottoway Co., Shadrach Holt and Iadah, his
wife, of Nottoway Co., James Fowlkes and Sally, his wife, of Pittsylvania
Co., and James Foster, of Daverson [Davidson] Co., Tennessee, to Noton
Dickerson, of Nottoway Co.  L300; 226 acres in Nottoway Co.
   September 3, 1801, Chamberlain Jones, administrator of William Jones,
decd., on his own account, and as guardian (for this purpose especially
assigned by Nottoway Court) of Polly Branch Jones, Sarah Jones, Benjamin
B. Jones, minors of the aforesaid William Jones, decd., and Edward Ward,
and Anne, his wife, formerly Anne Jones; to Daniel Jones, of Nottoway Co.
L351:15s; 234 1/2 acres in Nottoway Co.
   December 8, 1799, George Snellings, of Elbert co., Georgia, power of
attorney to James Hayes, of Amelia Co., Virginia.

   April 16, 1802.  John Bagley, of Nottoway Co. being about to leave the
State of Virginia and wishing to appoint attorneys in my absence for the
transaction of businss; power of attorney to Nathan Fowlkes, of Nottoway
Co. and Larkin Anderson, of Prince Edward Co.
   January 25, 1802.  Samuel Sneed and Jane, his wife, and Mary Jeter, of
Granville Co. North Carolina to Rachel Dudley, of Nottoway Co. being part
of the land on which William Dudley, decd., lived (the house tract) and 
is part of tract which descended to said Samuel Sneed and Jane, his wife,
and Mary Jeter, and Elizbeth Lee, wife of Andrew Lee, by the death of the
aforesaid William Dudley, according to act of Virginia Assembly directing
the course of descents.
   February 16, 1802.  George Harper and Martha, his wife, of the state
of Georgia, to Kennon Harper, of Nottoway Co., L173:5s; 82 1/2 acres in
Nottoway Co.

Page 45.

   April 7, 1803.  Peter Jones, shf [sheriff] and Elizabeth, his wife, of
Amelia Co. to Peter Jones (their son) of same Co. 150 acres on Little
Nottoway River, Nottoway Co.
   December 5, 1801.  Stephen Sneed, attorney in fact for Samuel Sneed,
and Robert Jeter attorney in factofor Mary Jeter of Granville Co. and
Andrew Lea, of Caswell Co., North Carolina to Gabriel Fowlkes, of Nottoway
Co., Virginia, L111:1s. currency; land in Nottoway Co.

                    FROM DEED BOOK NO. 4 (1809-1816)

   January 1, 1810.  Peter Robinson, executor of Benjamin Jones, who was
executor of William Walker.  The said Walker by his will dated July 7,
1788 and recorded in Brunswick Co. directed that certain negros should be
emancipated, and after his death the said negros wre hired out as directed
by said will by the said Benjamin Jones during his life and since his
death by the said Peter Robinson until the expiration of the year 1809.
Two suites pending in Richmond Chancery District Court one:  Wingo, Peggy,
&c., pltffs. vs. Peter Robinson, as surviving executor of Benjamin Jones,
who was executor as aforesaid, and James Trotter, exector of John Paup
and Sarah Paup, defdts; and the other suit: Frank Pellham and others, 
pltffs vs. Peter Robinson, Executor, as aforesaid, deft.  In accordance
with decree the said Robinson hereby emancipates said negros.
   July 29, 1805.  William Yates (agent and attorney in fact for Colonel
Peter Randolph, Senior, of the State of Georgia) to Peter Randolph, Jr.,
of Nottoway Co. Virginia.  For 26 shillings per acre conveys 100 acres
in Nottoway Co being a part, or in fact the reside of land called Crutes
belonging to Colonel Randolph (after deducting the parcels belonging to
the same body and sold by said Yates, as agent aforesaid to Dabney Morris,
William Irby (M), Griffin Lampkin and to Mary and John Scales as by deeds
executed to said parties may apear).
   October 2, 1810 William Jones, of Nottoway Co. to James Vaughan, of
same.  L3583 currency; 1148 acres in Nottoway Co. adjoining Francis
Dyson, corner to West Creek and Namozeen Road.

Page 46.

   January 2, 1811, Littleberry H. Jones, and Elizabeth, his wife, of
Botetourt Co. Virginia, to George Jones, of Nottoway Co. $40; land in
Nottoway Co. on West Creek at its confluence with said George Jones' 
Spring branch, through the yard in which said George Jones hath lately
made bricks to Barebone Creek; head of the branch nearest said George
Jones' dwelling house.  The same being a part of land now held by
Catherine Fitzgerald, lately Catherine Jones, as her dower in the lands
of her late husband Daniel Jones.
   November 3, 1810.  Thomas W. Bacon and Elizabeth, his wife, of 
Oglethorpe Co. Georgia (the said Bacon being now in Virginia) to Obadiah
Nunally, of Nottoway Co. $200; 92 acres in Nottoway Co.  64 3/4 acres
absolutely without limitation and 27 1/3 a. are in remainder which will

elapse at death of Keziah Womack.
   Januar 8, 1811, Peter R. Bland, and Susan, his wife, to Thomas Dyson.
20,325 weight of tobacco; 203 1/4 acres known as Hall's old Field where
the said Blands now dwell, on Deep Creek in Nottoway Co.
   May 2, 1811.  Peter Bland and Martha Wallace, his wife, to John Bland;
L1800; 700 acres in Nottoway Co., purchased by said Bland of John A.
Robertson.
   December 13, 1810.  Wiley Jones, of Nottoway Co. to Branch Osborne, of
same.  The said Wiley Jones, formerly guardian to said Branch Osborne,
and is indebted to said Osborne for considerable sum and is desirous of
discharging same, as well as for $200 paid by said Osborne, said Jones
conveys to said Osborne four negros; and said Osborne agrees that he will
settle said negroes to and on his sister Jane T. Jones and her children.
   September 2, 1811, Sarah Randolfph, Sr., wife to Colonel Peter
Randolph, Sr., and Peter Randolph, Jr., and Sarah Randolph, Jr., wife to
said Peter Randolph, Jr., all of Nottoway Co. to Francis Fitzgerald, Sr.,
of same.  L750; 75 acres in Nottoway Co on Little Nottoway River and
Lazaretta Creek, together with a water grist mill.

Page 47.

   August 5, 1811.  Peter Bland and Martha W., his wife, of Nottoway Co.,
to Richard Dennis, Sr., of same, L500; 200 acres adjoining the lands of
the estate of Richard Bland, decd., John Parham and David Sturdivant, 
Peter Robinson and Leath's Creek, or mill pond of said Robinson, said
land conveyed by said Dennis to said Peter Bland by deed in the year
1801; also another tract containing 107 1/4 acres.
   February 6, 1812.  Peter R. Bland and Susan, his wife, to Thomas
Dickerson.  L1150 currency.  640 acres in Nottoway Co.
   November 19, 1811.  Susanna Liggon and John Ligon, of Wake Co., North
Carolina to William Robertson, of Nottoway Co., Virginia.  $1100; 
124 1/2 acres in Nottoway Co. in which said Susanna Liggon has a life
estate, or 1/3 part thereof.
   December 1, 1804.  Stith Parham and Elizabeth, his wife, of Hancock
Co., Georgia, to Abraham Buford of Nottoway Co., Virginia.  L345

currency; conveying 1/5 part of a certain tract of land on Nottoway River,
Nottoway Co., containing in the whole 1370 acres, being tract whereof
Benjamin Ingram, brother of said Elizabeth Parham died possessed, and
dying intestate and without issue, and leaving at his death the said
Elizabeth as one of his sisters and co-heirs.
   March 24, 1812.  Articles of agreement between Mary Oliver, of 
Nottoway Co., William Flournoy, and Nancy, his wife, of Chesterfield
Co., Langley B. Jennings, of Nottoway Co., David G. Talbot, and Martha,
his wife, of Campbell Co., James Camp, and Sally, his wife, of Sparten-
burg District, South Carolina, John Hall and Elizabeth, his wife, of 
Union District, South Carolina, Jane Jennings, of Nottoway Co., and
Robert Billups, and Lucy Armon, his wife, of Halifax Co.  The agreement
is to submit to arbitration certain points in dispute amongst themselves,
who are heirs of Joseph Jennings, Senior, decd., and Anna Jennings,
decd.
   Nov. 21, 1812.  Stephen Beasley, of Nottoway Co. to his son Daniel
J. Beasley, of same; "plantation I purchased of Peter Beasley, containing
301 acres, also the tract of land my father gave me which he purchased
of Pleasant Roberts containing 100 a.  Also tract I purchased of Lewis
Leath containinig 225 acres, being


Page 48.

in all 625 acres in Nottoway Co. adjoining lands I now live on;" also
17 negros.
   January 5, 1813 Stephen Beasley, of Nottoway Co to his son Peter J.
Beasley, of Brunswick Co., "my Deep Creek plantation purchased of
Thomas Jones and Daniel Beasley containing 807 acres;" and 16 negroes.
   March 27, 1813.  Robert B. Gibson, of Georgia, county of Wills
[Wilkes?], power of attorney to Amey Ann B. Gibson, of Nottoway Co.,
Virginia, to settle accounts and to sell whole of my real estate and

personal estate; mentions Greenleville {Green Level?} plantation in
Cumberland Co. and estates in the counties of Cumberland, Prince Edward
and Nottoway.
   August 1, 1812.  Peter Bland, of Nottoway Co. to his daughter Judith,
wife of Francis Nash, 347 acres in Nottoway Co. and 6 negros.
   July 1, 1813. John Jones and Nancy, his wife, of Nottoway Co. to their
son Wood Jones, of same; 86 1/4 acres in Nottoway Co.
   June 10, 1813.  Henry D. Smith and Parmelia, his wife, of Mason Co.,
Kentucky to Isaac Oliver, of Nottoway Co.  L190 currency; half, or one
moiety, of land in Nottoway Co. on both sides of the road leading from
Rowlands Church to Smith's Meeting House, being 1/2 of tract that 
Richard Smith, the Elder, died possessed of.
   September 10, 1813.  Royall W. Eastis, and Dicey, his wife, of
Kentucky, to Judith Fowlkes, of Nottoway Co., Virginia; L92; 92 acres in
Nottoway Co.
   October 6, 1813.  Stephen Beasley, and Rebecca, his wife, of Nottoway
Co. to their son, Daniel Beasley of same Co., 500 acres in Nottoway Co.,
whereon said Stephen Beasley, now resides and 8 negros.
   August 22, 1815.  Stephen Beasley, of Nottoway Co. to his son, Peter
J. Beasley, of Brunswick Co., 9 negros, "after the death of my wife
Rebecca Beasley."
   May 1, 1816.  Richard Jones, Senior, of Nottoway Co. to his son,
Richard Jones, Junior, of same; 50 acres in Nottoway Co. being part of
tract whereon Richard Jones, Senior, now resides.

Page 49.


   August 27, 1816.  Polly Roberts, of Rockingham Co., North Carolina, to
Thomas Wells, of Nottoway Co., Virginia.  $400; interest said Polly
Roberts may have, by virture of the will of Chastain Roberts, decd., in
and to a tract of land in Nottoway Co., Virginia, whereon Nottoway Court
House stands, and is same which Pleasant Roberts, decd., purchased of
Peter Randolph, and which Thomas Wells purchased of some of the heirs
of the said Pleasant Roberts, decd., purchased of Peter Randolph, and
which Thomas Wells purchased of some of the heirs of the said Pleasants
Roberts so far as their rights extended, containing 100 acres.  The 
right and title hereby conveyed is that part of said property which
Chastain Roberts, decd., was entitled to by a deed of record in Nottoway
Co., from Samuel Hardesty and Martha Ann  Hill, his wife, called in the
will of said Pleasants Roberts, decd., "Dolly," which said Martha Ann 
Hill was called "Dolly" at the time the will of said Pleasant Roberts
bears date.
   [1816?].  John Grooms and Jane Grooms (late Jane Thompson) of the
township of Springfield, Hamilton Co., Ohio, power of attorney to 
Francis Fiktzgerald, St., and Francis Fitzgerald, Jr., of Nottoway Co.,
Virginia, to receive of the executors or administrators of Madkiff
[Medcalce, Metcalfe?] Thompson, deceased late of Nottoway Co., the legacy
that may be left to the said Jane Grooms by her father the said Madkiff
Thompson, decd., &c., &c., and to pay the sums to Edward Robertson, of
Mason Co., Kentucky, or his order.
   June 2, 1812.  Reps Jones and Pascal Jones, and Lucretia, his wife,
of Nottoway Co., to Benjamin Jones, of Brunswick Co. L71 currency; 71
acres in Nottoway Co. beginning at Stephen Jones' Bridge on Nottoway

River.
   June 2, 1812.  Stephen Jones of Brunswick Co., purchased of William
Harper and wife, by Benjamin Harper, their attorney, and of Sterling
Tucker and wife, land in Nottoway Co. as by deeds of record there; and 
by his will said Stephen Jones devised said tract, containing 869 acres,
to be equally divided between said Reps Jones and Pascal Jones, and in 
order to make a peacable division it is agreed by said Reps and Pascal
that they will sell to Benjamin Jones 71 acres out of said land and 
divide the balance; division made.