Nottoway County, VA, Some Notes from the Remaining Records; Wm. & Mary Qrtly., Vol. 26, No. 1 Transcribed by Kathy Merrill for the USGenWeb Archives Special Collections Project ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** 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.