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Noah Hampton
Died 1775 in Hampshire County, VA
__________________________________________
Noah Hampton is the same person shown as a son in the 1702 Will of one John Hampton in Freehold, New Jersey. The Will also names Noah's brothers John, David, Jonathan, Andrew, Joseph the youngest as well as sisters Janet, Elizabeth and Lydia. More information about John Hampton can be found at thefollowing site:
http://people.we.mediaone.net/khampton/john_hampton.htm
Martha Brown was the wife of John Hampton. We find the following in Quaker records - 1686/87, 3rd of 1st month, John Hampton of Middleton NJ, md. to Martha Brown, of Shrews. 'at the publicke meeting house of friends,".....Martha was John's 3rd wife and to this union were born Andrew, Jonathan and Noah. Wifeis Unknown,was Katherine Cloudsley,Martha Brown andJane Curtis Ogbourne/Ogborne/Ogborne. Although Noah's parents followed the Quaker religion, it does not appear that Noah or his siblings were Quakers (the exeception being Joseph who was a prominet Quaker in Bucks County, PA).
The exact date and place of Noah's birth is not known (to the best of my knowledge), but his birth date is variously estimated between 1690 and 1695. John Hampton married Martha Brown in 1686 and they had two sons before Noah. Thus the earliest estimated birth date is circa 1690. John Hampton married Jane/Jean Ogbourne in 1696/7, thus Martha was deceased by 1696. In essence, splitting the difference (1690 & 1696) 1692 or 1693 are most often the dates cited. In reality, it could be 1695, we don't know for sure.
Many researchers have noted Noah's place of birth as Monmouth Co, NJ and others as Freehold, NJ. Possibly because of the following property records: ....... John and family moved to Freehold, NJ, about 1695, for he was paying quit rents on Dec. 2, 1695 on 544 acres. 7 Oct 1696 John Hampton of Freehold, NJ, gave deed to Benjamin Borden for "that tract of Burlington Path and that meadow, called South Meadow, purchased of George Keith and all that tract adjoining to ye sd meadow purchased of John Reid '500 ac between Jedidah Allen and Robert Barclay on Manalapan Creek and 60 acres of meadow on Manasquam River."AlsoJohn's Will (Noah's father) was probated in Freehold, NJ.
Shrewsbury, NJ is also a possible location for Noah's birth per the following: 1689 Jan 9 - "9th of 11th month" in margin 10th of 2d mo. 1690 - Robert Ray married Jenett Hamton, both of Shrews at home of John Hamton."Witness, include John Hamton & Martha Hamton, Jacob Lippincott, at the house of John Hamton. Either way, Monmouth County, NJ - appears to be correct for Noah's birthplace.
Sarah Hampton was the wife named on Noah's Freehold, NJ land deeds. I have not seen any documentation as to her family or documentation of her surname. All that we can be certain is that her name was Sarah.
1714, Sept. 14 (filed 9th April, 1716) - The Will of John Bowne of Mattawan, Middletown, Monmouth, NJ - merchant, Bowne's estate includes mortgages, bonds and book debts. Among the book debts listed (which were numerous including Barclay, Borden, Lambert, Combs, Gordon and many others) are debtors Noah Hampton, John Hampton, Thomas Hampton and Mary Hampton. Noah Hampton owes L08-09-07-2 "owing on the books" (signature loan). Also showing as a debtor to the estate were Thomas Shepherd as well as Crine Jansen & John Van Metre L81--16--05--3 (the Van Meter name will again link with the Hamptons in VA circa 1730). It should be noted that there is debate as to whether this is the same John Van Meter that received the Land Grant from Lord Fairfax. Some research makes a good case that it was not.
9 Sept 1715, Noah sold his inherited 100 acres of land in NJ to Thomas Combs. [Noted in Combs research as - 9/5/1720, Vol. F pg. 160 Noah HAMTON to Thomas COMBS - ? kh] The land was inherited from Noah's father John in 1702. Thomas Combs was the husband of Noah's sister Elizabeth Hampton.
Noah also sold another 100 acres in Freehold NJ to John Reid 19 Oct 1717. Source: Research of JW Foster
Noah virtually disappears between 1717 and 1734 when he is found in Virginia. I do not know where he was during that time. In an effort to better understand why and how Noah may have migrated to VA, I will make note of a few pertinent historical and sociological observations.
The Colonial Virginian government had long encouraged the settlement of new people, concentrating on its eastern regions. In 1701 the Virginia Council passed A ct: 1 "...for the better strengthening of the frontier and discovering the approach of an enemy."
The first serious attempt to settle the Valley of Virginia began in 1716; Governor Spotswood led an expedition into VA, with the apparent hope that the publicity would encourage movement west. Little came of it at the time. By 1730, after completing settlement on the upland country east of the Blue Ridge, some were giving serious thought to the area west in the Great Valley. It should also be noted that Spotswood received a rather large land grant in the new territory, which increased considerably in value with colonization.
The work of those days was without bulldozers, chain saws, and other modern equipment. One can, without difficulty, conjure up a picture of the back-breaking toil of clearing the land of trees, burning brush, building the first home, along with such other structural dependencies as seemed necessary, in addition to raising crops for food.
One of the limitations of frontier society was the scarcity of hard money -- cash. Tobacco was for a time used as currency or a medium of exchange. Trade was carried on by barter and the price of tobacco was the standard of valuation for merchandise. The Legislature in imposing taxes, fines and penalties recognized tobacco as legal currency by ordering them to be collected in tobacco.
The first settlers to a "wilderness" area, sometimes marked their property by cutting their initials in trees on the boundary of what they considered to be their land, then they cut circles in the bark of the tree to kill it (girdled the tree). This method of settling was an accepted practice in "wilderness" areas because there was in effect no other method for recording one's ownership. Such a transaction would provide no documentation for one to follow, other than if there were a subsequent transfer (sale) when recording of documents was available. Conceivably, a settler might make a deal with his neighbor to sell land and there would be no recordation at this early date. Everyone in the neighborhood would be aware of the transaction and boundaries involved (sometimes clarified by processioning), but not necessarily a recordation.
What were the motivations for migration? Why were these early settlers constantly pushing the border outward from established settlements into the western wilderness. They were influenced by a variety of factors. One will find that the political environment and economic conditions of the 1700s made it ripe for such a migration. These pioneers wanted freedom to live and worship the way they believed, in some cases religious differences had grown into factional differences (particularity for some of the Quaker families). Land policy was favorable and the government encouraged settlement through the sale of cheap land. An expanding population in the eastern states (and subsequent high cost of land) was also a major factor.
The early methods of farming resulted in an economy and population that depended on acquiring new, fertile land to sustain growth. Without rotation of crops or fertilizers, new land had to be cleared for cultivation because of the rapid exhaustion of tillable land. Faced with less productive agricultural lands and the promise of new land, one can understand why they migrated. Simply stated, the promise that drew many of these early frontier families was one of plentiful, cheap, fertile land.
One must remember that this was primarily an agrarian economy and society at the time. Maintenance of the family always required more land. If the family had 500 acres and 5-10 children, it is easy to see that each child would inherit 50 to 100 acres. It is also easy to see that the next generation (second generation) would inherit only 5 to 20 acres each, thus the family needed more land in order to sustain itself.
Early colonists also heard all manner of tales about the western frontier. They heard these accounts from land speculators who were motivated by the need to encourage settlement into the area and thus profit financially from demand for their lands. They also heard from adventurers and early explorers about fertile land for farming, virgin forests, and animal herds that made hunting easy.
Upon arriving in a new area, Gristmills were among the first order of business for the early settlers and the roads leading to them were among the most important. The only other road of equal importance was the road to the courthouse and town. Usually, these two roads were the first to be improved. The gristmills allowed the settlers to turn their corn into cornmeal or their wheat into flour. The settlers would soon have excess crops to sell in larger markets and needed access to those markets.
The main route of migration from the east began in Philadelphia. It was called "The Great Wagon Road" and began in Philadelphia as the Philadelphia Wagon Road, ran west through the middle of Pennsylvania. From Philadelphia (on today's maps), it crosses Delaware Co., then Chester Co., Lancaster Co., York Co., and exits PA at the southwestern corner of Adams Co. It continues into Washington Co., WV though Berkeley Co., through Frederick Co., Shenandorn Co., Rockingham Co., Stauton Co., Rockbridge Co., Botetourt Co. and then branches at Roanoke Co. on into the Carolinas. There is an excellent map of the trail in Everton's Handybook for Genealogists, 9th edition.
The Great Wagon Road brings visions of large Conestoga Wagons (first built along that road in Conestoga, Pennsylvania) pulled by large teams of oxen or horses. This was not such a road in the early days. It was initially more of a trail circa 1730 according to many reports
The Valley was still Indian country when the first white settlers came. A treaty was still in effect, made in 1722 at Albany, between the chiefs of the Five Nations and the governors of New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia. By this treaty the Iroquois and their allies agreed to stay west of the Blue Ridge with the east side reserved for the whites. So the settlers in the Valley were trespassers in terms of the Albany Treaty. In the 1730s it appears that no particular tribe was based in the northern Valley, but rather it was a hunting ground visited periodically by hunters of several tribes. Nevertheless, the settlers had moved west of the Treaty line.
Robert "King" Carter was Lord Fairfax' land agent in Virginia and he was also the senior member of Governor Gooch's Council. He objected to Gooch's plan to grant away the Valley land claimed by Fairfax,*but the Lords Commissioners in London, fearing the French, pressed Gooch to get on with it. Between 1728 and 1736 the Governor signed Orders in Council, which granted 15 or more huge tracts of Valley land to various applicants.
*King Charles II of England in the middle 1600's had rewarded a prominent Scottish family with a grant of the "Northern Neck" of Virginia. Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax, Baron of Cameron in Scotland (subsequent heir to the grant), arrived at Williamsburg in May 1735 to investigate his inheritance, only to find that the Colonial Government had issued settlement grants on his property to Hite, McKay and others. Fairfax paid two visits to the home of Jost Hite on the Opequon in 1736 and 1737. These produced no favorable results for him, so he settled himself on a 10,000-acre tract about five miles east of Hite, and proceeded to have his land surveyed. George Washington, aged 16, was one of the surveyors and a favorite of Lord Fairfax.
In has been reported that in 1726, Morgan Morgan, founded the first permanent English settlement of record in West Virginia on Mill Creek near the present site of Bunker Hill in Berkeley County. (TK Cartmell disputes this stating that Morgan bought his land from Hite and it was part of the Van Meter Grant). Cecil O'Dell documents Morgan as arriving on the Opequon in 1730.
It has been reported that Adam Miller settled in the Valley as early as 1726 or 1727. Cartmell disputes this also.
Cecil O'Dell estimates Morgan Bryan moving to the Potomac River (east of the Blue Ridge on Milltown Creek) in 1726 or 1727 ...."where he assigned (sold) 1303 acres to John Mills by March 5 1729/30 when Mills has a warrant issued by the Proprietors Office."
Thus it appears, by almost everyone's research, that the first earnest settlement in the area was circa 1730. There may have been a few earlier forays to explore the area, for instance, Issac Vanmeter had been there prior to 1730 to view the lands he applied for in his Grant.
The Van Meters, John and his brother Isaac were Indian Traders who knew the country about the Potomac and the Shenandoah as early as 1728. In 1730 John and Issac Van Meter applied to Lord Fairfax for land grants in VA totaling 40,000 acres upon which to settle their families and friends. "The land applied for on June 17, 1730 ... lying ... the fork of the Sherundo River & the River Opeckon in as many several tracts or dividends as shall be necessary" ......
Before the two years were up in which the Van Meters had to colonize the land granted, they had assigned their Grant to Jost Hite and he in turn brought in Robert McKoy (McKay) as a partner. This transfer by the Van Meters to Hite was on August 5, 1731. Then on Oct. 25, 1731 Hite & McKay received a grant for 100,000 acres on the west side of the Blue Ridge under the same conditions.
When Hite first arrived on what he believed to be his land in VA (circa 1730/31), he found blazed trees, planted monuments and other marks that indicated to him that someone had already been there. He soon found out from immigrants coming in, who had made these marks. The people coming in carried with them deeds from the Van Meters. Hite had known of the Van Meters from New Jersey. Hite quickly realized that problems lay ahead, especially since the Vanmeter grant appeared to predate his grant and thus was senior. It would appear Hite saw a solution to the problem and an opportunity. Hite quickly arranged to buy the Vanmeters Grant (of June 17th, 1730) and it was assigned to Hite in 1731. svp/kh
Hite appears to have sold out in PA and moved to VA circa 1730-31. In1731, Hite first settled in the area of what is now Shepherdstown, West Virginia, naming it New Mechlenburg. The 40,000 acres granted were located in Spotsylvania, VA - soon to be the new County of Orange in VA, which was created from Spotsylvania County in 1734. The trip from Pennsylvania to Virginia in 1731 was slow. It has been reported that a passable road over the rough terrain had to be cleared in places for the wagon train as they went. The Potomac River was crossed a few miles above the mouth of the Shenandoah.
"........And your Orators further show unto your Honours that your Orator Joist Hite having purchased the Interest of the said John and Isaac Vanmeter in the forty thousand acres of Land aforesaid in manner before mentioned and having obtained such Order of Council for one hundred thousand Acres of Land as is before set forth entirely relying on the honour and Justice of the Government of Virginia to render the said Grants valid and Effectual upon the considerations therein mentioned being performed in order the better to perform the said Conditions and to make a Provision for his numerous family was in the said year one thousand seven hundred and thirty one induced to sell a very valuable piece of Land on which he then lived in the County of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania for the sum of six hundred & fifty Pounds altho' the same was of much greater value as lying within fifteen miles of the City of Philadelphia and being long since actually sold for above double that sum and to remove with all his family & Estate into this Colony upon the said Lands in order to settle the same according to the Conditions in the said Order of Council mentioned by which your Orators and several of the families who first removed and settled there were put to such Hardships and difficulties as are scarcely to be conceived being obliged to live in their Waggons till they could build some small Huts to shelter themselves from the Inclemency of the weather and so far distant from any Settlement (but especially from any such as could supply them with any Provisions or Necessaries) that they could scarcely procure anyone thing necessary nearer than from Pensylvania or Fredericksburg"......
"Hite moved into the area which would become Frederick County, Virginia sometime between 21 October 1731 and 28 November 1732 when Robert Brooke completed surveys for George Branson (622 acres) and George Harrison (622 acres). These two surveys lay within the "Limits of an order of Council granted to the Vanmeters."poofcv/19/kh
It appears that Hite brought 16 settlers plus his family with him to VA. Some of the first recordings were reportedly in Spotsylvania from which Orange Co was created in 1734. The first recording in Orange County, for anyone, was on Jan. 20, 1734, anything prior to that would have to be recorded in Spotsylvania. svp/kh
One of the first known grants was 1020 acres to Jost Hite - Aug. 5, 1734. On Oct. 3, 1734 there were 34 other grants made totaling 19,033 acres - including one for 1122 acres to Benjamin Borden, David Griffith and Andrew Hampton. The title to the land from those grants, and subsequent grantees, occasioned many years of contention and litigation between Hite, McKay, Lord Fairfax and many others. Hite and his associates filed suit in 1749, starting litigation, which extended until 1786 and became a classic textbook study in law schools.
In 1734 an order of Council was made declaring that Hite & Co. had complied with the terms of the grant in respect to the first 40,000 acres and directing that the patents be issued accordingly to the respective surveys. The surveys were deposited, but the patents were not issued. Lord Fairfax had entered a caveat against the issuing of these patents. Some researchers have stated that Fairfax refused to grant release because Hite & McKay had unreasonably picked the choicest areas, "conspicuous trespass upon his (Fairfax) proprietary rights" "gerrymandering" their claim into a "shoestring," thus unreasonably enriching themselves and leaving the less desirable land. " ..Lord Fairfax entered a caveat with the Governour and Council of Virginia in 1733 and 1736, objecting to Jost Hite's grants of 40,000 and 100,000 acres of land. Fairfax claimed that he had rights to the land.
The dispute was finally settled by court degree in favor of Hite, et.al., first in 1771, which was appealed by Fairfax. Final resolution appears to have been in 1786 (after the Revolutionary War). I have not found any of the Hamptons (except a Joseph Hampton) in the listing of parties awarded their property rights (subject to appeal) in the 1771 court decision. This would mean they had sold, assigned, disposed of or abandoned their property prior to the court decision.
...........The conveyances referred to show where the families were located, extending from the junction of the North and South branches of the Shenandoah; near the present site of Front Royal, westward towards the Little North Mountain and along the Opecquon towards its mouth near Shepherdstown. This indicates that the twenty families were not settled in close proximity for mutual protection from attacks from Indians, but they were locating in good sections on good lands, and willing to take their chances with the denizens of the forests. It is fair to claim, however, that the first conveyances made by Hite in March, 1736, and recorded in the old Orange court, were made to his colonists, who comprised his twenty families; and for this reason the names of the grantees have been given. We will give the names of the grantees at this point who subsequently received deeds for their tracts, as their surveys had been reported to the Governor and Council; they having made their selections and reported that they "were seated." All of the following deeds were recorded in the Orange Court prior to the holding of the first term of court in Frederick County, and are from Joist Hite:" [since Noah and John Hampton did not receive deeds, they are not reported/recorded as were many others - kh]
"The first deed from Hite was to one of his German friends, Stephen Hansonbella (afterwards written in the Frederick County Records, Hotsinpeller) and four hundred and fifty acres near head of Opecquon Creek, next to Christian Nisswanger, four hundred and thirty five acres to Thomas Wilson for one hundred and sixty-seven acres on Opekon Run to John Van Meter for four hundred and seventy-five acres, being the lowermost part of that tract whereon John Lilburn resided on Operkon Creek, part of the Van Meter Grant; to Thomas Chester one hundred acres on North side of North River; to Louis Stuffey for three hundred and thirty-nine acres on West side of Sherando River near head of Crooked Run to Robt. Desarfe for three hundred acres near place called Long Meadows adjoining Isaac Hite, son of Joist Hite, to Christian Blank, for sixty acres on North side of North branch of Sherando River, "being within the bounds of ten thousand acres granted to John Van Metre on June 6th, 1730, and sold to Hite, Oct., 1734;" from Hite to Hendery Hunt for one hundred and twenty acres on West side of Sherando River "being part of the forty thousand acre grant purchased by Hite from John Van Meter, This brief mention of the conveyances by Hite at that period, is given here for two reasons: it settles one point, that Hite actually purchased the Van Meter grant which ante-dated his and that he also found it necessary to use the same to give title to his fellow colonists. svp/kh
The following is a Grant from Hite to John Vanmeter: "23-24 March 1736 [1737]. Jost Hites of Orange County Gent. and Mary his wife, to John Van Metre of same, farmer. For L5 and bond in amount of L200 to convey 475 acres on Opeckon Creek, part of tract whereon John Lilbour now dwells, which contains in the whole 700 acres. .. for a division between John Van Metre and Jno. Lilbourn.Jost Hite24 March 1736 [1737]. Acknowledged by Just Hite Gent. On motion of Wm. Waller, Gent., admitted to record. 16 Oct. 1737. Commission to Morgan Morgan, Benja. Borden and Wm. Russell Gent. to take the acknowledgement of Mary Hite, Who is so sickly and infirm that she cannot travel to the Court. 12 Jan. 1737 [1738]. Mary Hite relinquished her right of dower at the dwelling house of Just Hite. Morgan-an, Benja. Borden 23 Feb. 1737 [1738]. "
".........part of tract whereon John Lilbour (Lilbourn) now dwells." Is this indicative of how confused the entire situation was during this period? Bond of L200 from Hite to Vanmeter to assure Hite could convey a title? Did Lilbourn already dwell there thinking he had a claim to the land or was he a partner in the tract with Vanmeter? Were Noah Hampton & Lilbourn there before Hites group?Where is Lilbourn from?
Noah Hampton occupied land and was on Opequon Creek by 1734. "Noah operated a mill in the Opequon Creek area of VA." TK Cartmell makes this statement in his book (Shenendoah Valley Pioneers and Their Descendants), but I have not found any basis or documentation for it. The knowledge of how to build and operate a mill required an apprenticeship. It is not yet known where Noah gained this knowledge, his cousin, Thomas Hampton, did own a mill in NJ.
In December 1734, Robert Brooke surveyed a 100-acre tract of land on both sides of "Opechon" Creek for Noah Hampton. (Tract 47, Map 4) Noah probably lived on this land when he signed the petition to the Orange County Court to suspend an order for a "wagon road or cart road from the forks" of the Shenandoah River over the Blue Ridge Mountains. "By reason of a survey by James Wood in December 1734, Noah Hampton claimed a tract of land containing 100 acres on both sides of Opequon Creek." poofcv/kh
It would appear that the 100 acres Noah settled on along Opequon Creek was disputed by the Rev. Williams and subsequently possed by Williams, ......."Williams laid claim to the same 100 acres which lay within a 751-acre tract that he (Williams) sold to Francis Fowler who in turn sold it to Joseph Beelor. On 6 October 1769, Beelor received a Fairfax grant on this 751 acres." According to the surveyor, John Baylis, the Reverend William Williams was living on this 100-acre tract on 29 March 1752 when the survey was made. By 1752, Noah had long since removed to the South Branch of the Potomac and there is no record of a recording or transfer by Noah, thus it would appear Williams gained possession and Noah never gained title for this 100 acres.
Noah along with the adjoining property of an Andrew Hampton stretched for well over a mile along Opequon Creek. The location of this Hampton land would be on Opequon Creek between Mill Creek and Middle Creek in present-day Berkeley County, WV. It is located near Leetown, WV and Middleway, WV. This land is east of present-day US Highway 11 and north of West Virginia Highway 51 at Inwood, very near "Bunker Hill," literally at the base of Bunker Hill's north side.
An analysis of Noah's other Opequon property's history (600 acre parcel) indicates he must have sold (or otherwise disposed of the property). This property is noted in reference to a Jonas and Jonathan Seamon.
Jonathan Seamon [b.c. 1703] was living on Thomas Anderson's north half of the 542-acre patent land (Tract 144B, Map 4) by December 1737. [Orange County, VA Deed Book 2, pp. 55,56]. Jonathan was deceased by 11 November 1743 when his wife Elizabeth was appointed Administratrix of his estate, leaving two sons as orphans: Jonas and Jonathan, and two daughters: Phebe and Elizabeth. On 6 May 1745, Jonathan (b.1730) purchased the northern half (271 1/2 acres where his father had lived, 8 May 1738) of Thomas Anderson's 1735 patent land containing 542 acres for 20 pounds. His mother, Elizabeth Mitchell, the wife of William Mitchell, released her right of dower as widow of Jonathan Seamon, deceased.
At the request by Jonas Seamon, a warrant was issued by the Clerk of the Proprietors Office on 2 August 1750 for a survey of 205-plus acres "where he lives within a survey made for Noah Hampton (Tract 176, Map 4) (60 acres) [should be 600 acres - kh] and bought of Colbert Anderson" adjacent Peter McCain (formerly William Mitchell's); the survey was completed on 9 April 1754. He received two Fairfax grants out of the "Hampton Survey": one for the above 205 acres on 6 June 1760 (Tract 176A, Map 4), and the other for 389 acres on 9 June 1760. (Tract 176B) Jonah's (Jonas) will, written on 10 February 1780 and proved 21 October 1783, left seven daughters; Corey, Elizabeth, Hannah, Catherine, Phebe, Sarah, Martha, Lydia and six sons; John, Jonathan, Jacomick, Jeremiah, Jonah and Charles. poofcv/kh
The location of this 389 acres and adjoining parcel are found in the following recording: "Jonas Seaman of Frederick Co.389 A.in said Co. between Mill Cr. and Middle Cr. of Opeckon adj. Bartholomew Fryatt, Thomas Anderson dec'd. 9 June 1760." nnvlg/119/VII
Jonah's (Jonas) will, written on 10 February 1780 and proved 21 October 1783, ... Jonas' sons John, Jonathan and Jacomick paid Colbert Anderson (grandson of Thomas, son of Colbert and his wife Ann) 900 pounds on 9 September 1780 for the land their father had bought from Colbert's father and for which he had received Fairfax grants in 1760. [Jonas bought the property, but didn't pay for it until 1780? Did they strike some kind of bargain and await resolution of litigation or make some sort of arrangement? - kh]
Notes for Elizabeth Hampton (sister of Noah). The 1723 NJ will of Thomas COMBS of Freehold, Monmouth Co, NJ does not state that all his children were minors. Instead, son Robert, and probably Rachel, were apparently of age. Moreover, it appears likely that both were born to Thomas by an earlier wife given his use of the term, "my now wife" in re Elizabeth (thought by some to have been a SEAMAN (SEAMON), by others to have possibly been a HAMPTON. 11 Mar 1706 Hempstead, Queens Co, NY Records 2:300. ".... I Thomas COMES of freehold in ye County of monmath and provinc of new Jerrsey for .... fifty pounds in mony and land ... paid by John COMES of Madnans Neck one long island of nassaw .... do ... aquit and discharg the sd John COMES his hairs and assigns all that ... land .... being one madnans neck one nasaw in ye bounds of hemsted in queens County lying one hundred and eighty rod in length by estemation and nintene rod .......In the 1698 Hempstead Census, Elizabeth COMES was head of household, others of whose members included John COMES, believed to have been the above and her son. Her son, Thomas, was missing from the 1698 Hempstead, Queens Co, NY census, and was likely already in Freehold, Monmouth Co, NJ by that time. It has been presumed by most researchers that Richard was deceased by 1698 (rather than out of the county); the above record fully documents his death. ...... 11 May 1706 Hempstead Records 2:347 ".... [Were the Combs/Hamptons/Seamons linked in NJ? - kh]
8 Dec. 1737. Thomas Anderson of Orange County, blacksmith, to Colvert Anderson of same, farmer. Lease and release for 1 year; for 5 shillings. 271 acres, one-half of 542 acres mentioned in patent of 12 Nov. 1735, on the west side of Opeckon Creek and on a branch of the said creek called Mill Creek about three quarters of a mile below opposite to the mouth of a run issuing from a spring on the south side the said Mill Creek called the great spring.... by the south side of Mill Branch ...corner of Jonathan Seaman.... north side of Mill Branch opposite to a steep piny hill.... together with one half of the grist mill ... Tho. AndersonWit: Jonathan Seaman, Jos Mounts, Morgan-an.22 June 1738. Acknowledged by Thomas Anderson
14-15 May 1740. Thomas Anderson of Orange County, blacksmith, to Culbert Anderson of same. Lease and release; for £50 current money. Half of 542 acres mentioned in a patent, 12 Nov. 1735 on the west side of Oppecon Creek and on Mill Creek about three quarters of a mile below, opposite to the mouth of the Great Spring...corner of Jonathan Seaman ...a steep piney hill.Tho. AndersonWit: Jonathan Seaman, Neill Thomson, Morgan - an.
22 May 1740. Proved by Jonathan Seaman, Neill Thomson and Morgan Morgan.
Noah's nephew John Hampton Jr sold an interest in property he had on the Opequon. "7 June 1738, John Smith of Orange County to David Lewis of same. Lease and release for valuable consideration. John Smith and John Hampton Junior of Orange County covenanted to take up and patten a tract from which John Hampton was to have 150 acres of the west end, which was surveyed for and patented in the name of John Smith 21 Aug. 1734, containing 420 acres on Opeckon Creek at Turkey Spring ...for the true conveying the said 150 acres John Smith entered into bond of L50 to John Hampton which bond Hampton assigned unto Simeon Woodrow and William Hiet who bought Hampton's right. Woodrow and Hiet by consent parted the 150 acres, 60 acres to Simeon Woodrow and 90 acres to William Hiet. Woodrow sold his right to David Lewis. 60 acres on the west side of Sherrendo River and on Opeckon Creek at a place called Turkey Spring, part of 420 acres granted John Smith 21 Aug. 1734... on the north side of the entire tract ...crossing Opeckon Creek to a stone near the run, which comes from the said John Smith's mill"...
1736 - Noah Hampton appears on a list of petitioners in Orange County, opposing the routing of a wagon road from the Forks of the Shenandoah River over the "Blue Mountains." "Petition of inhabitants on the west side of Sherendo River. They are given to understand that several persons have obtained or are about to obtain an order for a wagon or cart road from the forks of the saidriver over the Blue Mountains, which they conceive impossible to be made without so much expense and trouble that the advantages thereof will not countervile the same, the said mountains being so irigular steep, hilly and rocky at that place as upon examination thereof will appear. They pray this Court to suspend any such order. Robert Buckles, John Calvert, George Hollingsworth, George Hoge, James Wright, Thomas Willson, Josiah Ballinger, Abraham Wiseman, Thomas Babb, Danl. Frowman, William Hoge, Jost Heit [In German?], Robert Willson, [Alvig Bucher ?], [James?] Parkins, Melisarh Brumbaug (?), Robert Smith, [Wm. Sutzmubeler?], Thomas Stevenson, John Bullak, Noah Hampton, Nathaniel Thoms, Peter Falkner [ .? in German], Abrm. Hollingsworth, Robert North [?], John Smith,[ ?] Stephens, Wm. McMachen, Jacob Nightswinger.
In 1737/8, Orange County Court Records - Noah Hampton was named, along with other settlers, in suits of complaint brought by William Williams.Also sued by Williams were John Hampton,John Lilburn, Neil Thomsan and others. William Williams was among the early arrivals to the Valley and obtained a license to preach in Virginia. He took the oath required of dissenting ministers, before the Orange County Court on 22 September 1737. ...." William Williams....a Presbyterian Minister, took the oaths, subscribed the test, and likewise a declaration of his approval of such of the thirty-nine articles of religion as is required, and certified his intention of holding his meetings at his own plantation and that of Morgan Bryan."The Church used by Rev. Williams was called "Bullskin" and was located near Summit Point VA, it took the name of Hopewell Church.
........at which and at other times he is described as William Williams, Clerk (an old way of saying "cleric"). He is believed to have been an elder in Pencader, near Newark, Delaware, but when and by whom ordained, if at all, is not known. ....... The appearance of Bullskin congregation in the Donegal Presbytery records on April 2, 1740 and often later, makes it clear that Bullskin and Tuscarora are the two preaching places for which the license was requested. The ecclesiastical name of Bullskin was Hopewell. The congregation was called Bullskin because located at the head-spring of Bullskin Run and to distinguish it from a Hopewell congregation in Pennsylvania, and also from the Hopewell Friends meeting nearby. Rightly, it was Hopewell Church in Virginia.
Morgan Bryan immigrated from Ireland and settled in Chester Co, PA. He and Alexander Ross received large land grants and helped settle VA circa 1730. The Bryan family was on the Opequon and Potomac Rivers in VA and in 1748 Morgan Sr removed to NC. Mention is made in "Notable Southern Families," and several family histories of the marriage of Joseph Byran (son of Morgan) to a Hester Hampton circa 1738. Other records show Joseph Jr son of Joseph Senior as marrying a Hester Hampton and secondly an Aylee Linville or Alice Linville. I do not at this time know the relationship, if any, of Hester Hampton to my ancestors. [Hester Hampton, Year 1739 - Prince William Co, Virginia Wills, Part 2, 1734-1920, is the only other reference I have found for a Hester Hampton]
Many researchers have suggested the Rev. Williams did not continue as a minister and that he did not renew his preachers license in subsequent years. I have found a list that is said to be a transcription of a 1753/4 Frederick County Tax List and it shows a Rev. William Williams, 606 pounds of tobacco (taxes paid were in pounds of tobacco). Williams appears to have retained the title and was known as "Reverend" Williams. Also, it would seem as per order to the court, he did not need to renew his license: "Letter. Will. Gooch "at Williamsburg" to the Justices of the Court of Orange County, 29 Aug. 1737 [Lieutenant-Governor William Gooch]. The bearer hereof, Mr. Williams hath applyed to me signigying his intention to set up a Presbiterian Meeting house amongst the inhabitants on Sherrando but as there are divers requisites on his part to be performed to entitle him to that indulgence, I have remitted him to you for that purpose. You will therefore upon his Petition administer to him the several oaths to the Government enjoyn'd by Law, cause him to subscribe the Test and you are also to take care that he subscribe a Declaration of his approbation of the Articles of Religion mentioned in the Act of Parliament of the l3th of Queen Elizabeth, except the 34, 35th, 36th and part of the 20th Article ...You are then to require him to name the place where he intends to keep his meeting house and enter it on record in your Court. After which he is not to be molested in the exercise of his ministry so long as he behaves himself loially to the King and peaceably towards the Government, neither hath he need of any other license."
Although it was perhaps not required, it would appear that the Rev. Williams did take a subsequent ministerial oath .......... he took the oath as William Williams, gentleman and Presbyterian minister, which he again took at Winchester, Virginia in the new county of Frederick on June 6, 1745. September 6, 1745 he was fined four pounds at Winchester for the performance of marriage ceremonies, a prerequisite of the Episcopal clergy, and twenty-six shillings more when he made a violent protestation before the Court. Referred to in order books as William Williams, clerk.
27-28 April 1738. Just Hite of Orange County to William Williams, Cl[er]k, of same. Lease and release for L50 current money.225 acres ...down the Opecken ...part of700 acres granted to Just Hite 3 Oct. 1734.Just Hite. Wit: Z. Lewis, Hen. Willis, James Porteus.28 April 1738. Acknowledged by Just Hite, Gent.
Rev. Williams had already built a house and was living on a 225-acre tract of land purchased from Jost Hite on 27 April 1738 for 50 pounds, part of Hite's 700-acre patent land which was located on the east side of Opequon Creek. This land is located 1.5 miles east of the Martinsburg Airport on Berkeley County Highway 9/17, at the mouth of present-day Shaw/Spa Run. (Tract 19B, Map 2)
On 23 June 1738, Williams petitioned the Orange County Court to view the improvements on this land. He filed an "Action of Trespass" against his neighbors almost at once and the Justices of the Court granted judgment against the defendants Darby McCever, Jonathan Curtis, John Hyatt and Daniel Chancey on 26 October 1738. An Action of Trespass entails property lines which were on land claimed by one party and were either owned by Fairfax grant, Colonial Patent or controlled by marks on trees laying out claimed land. The Judgment of the Justices was reached with only the testimony of the plaintiff Williams as documentation.
The court then ordered "the Defendants to appear at the next Court to answer the said Action." On 27 June 1739, the defendants being sued by Williams for 500 pounds damage each (McCever, Curtis, Hyatt and Chancey) were tried by a jury of 12 men "who after hearing all the Evidences and Arguments of both (sides) went out and in a Short time returning to the Barr brought in their Verdict in these Words. We of the Jury find for the Defendants." The Court then decreed "that the said Plaintiff (Williams) take nothing by his bill and that the Defendants recover of the Plaintiff for his Costs by him about his Defense in this behalf expended."
The remainder of Williams legal actions were in regard to debt from money lent, services performed, land sales, bonds, etc. On 22 September 1737, he filed his first "Action of Debt" against Noah Hampton. They apparently filed "Action of Debt " against each other. By reason of a survey by James Wood in December 1734, Noah Hampton claimed a tract of land containing 100 acres on both sides of Opequon Creek. An Andrew Hampton owned land adjacent and south of this land. (Tract 47, Map 4).
"Williams laid claim to the same 100 acres which lay within a 751-acre tract that he (Williams) sold to Francis Fowler who in turn sold it to Joseph Beelor. On 6 October 1769, Beelor received a Fairfax grant on this 751 acres. According to the surveyor, John Baylis, the Reverend William Williams was living on this 100-acre tract on 29 March 1752 when the survey was made. Noah Hampton was a surveyor and had a mill in this area, consequently, there were several rationales for claimed debt. This suit was in court on the following dates: 27 October 1737, 25 November 1737 and on 24 February 1737/38, it was transferred to Williamsburg, Virginia. The suit was returned to Orange County Court by 23 June 1738 when Williams was awarded nine pounds for "Damages" together with his costs of the suit." Source: Cecil O'Dell [I have not found what basis O'Dell has for saying Noah was a surveyor or operated a mill here. - kh]
23 June 1738 - Jonas Hedges (b. 1716 c.), son of Joseph and Katherine Hedges, in Orange County, Virginia....the Orange Court authorized payment for two days of evidence given in the "Action of Debt" filed by plaintiff Reverend William Williams against Noah Hampton.poofcv/kh/72
Williams filed an "Action of Debt" against John Lilburn and his wife Anne on 24 March 1737/38; the case was agreed upon and dismissed on 27 July 1738 with the Lilburns paying costs. Also on 24 March 1737/38, Williams filed an "Action of Debt" against Neil Thompson with identical results on 27 July 1738.
On the same date (27 July 1738), William Williams filed a "Suit by Complaint" against 54 Defendants for "signing a Scandalous paper reflecting on the Complaintiff" (Williams). The following defendants "humbly acknowledged their Error, begging pardon, were excused paying their Costs": Daniel Chancey, James Brown, Samuel Wilson, Phillip Jobson, William Wilburn, John Woodfin, David Logan, Paul Williams, John Rist, John Hyet, Jeremy Williams, Paul Williams Jr, John Grayham, John Tradan, Rees Smith, Abraham Yeats, Andrew Hampton, Samuel Hews, James Delahay [later on the South Branch], Samuel Britton.
The following defendants could not be "found by the Sheriff and the Complaint was dismissed": Peter Hyet, William Homes, William Burley, Thomas Potts, John Stuart, Francis Ross, William Fulton.
Other defendants involved were: John Smith, John Petite, Jonathan Curtis, Cornelius Newkirk, Enock Freeland, Tunis Hood, Jeremiah Poor, James Sargent, William Smith, John Smith Junior, Tunas Newkirk, Henry Newkirk, Zebulon Canterel, Darby McCever, Joseph King, William Saterfield, Joseph Canterel, John Pitts, Andrew Clemons, Samuel Hayward, Thomas McCleduff, George Hyet, Thomas Heart, Henry Robinson, William Rust, Nicholas Knight.
The suit against John Smith was abated on 24 August 1738 by the "Death of John Smith."
On 22 March 1738/39, the Orange Court awarded Williams 10 pounds, 1 shilling and 1 penny, plus his costs, for the "Action of Debt" suit against Darby McCever; McCever was one of the guarantors on a 20-pound Bond to Williams.
In the "Action of Debt" jury trial against Noah Hampton, John Lilburn ("with John Lilburn being dead this suit abated against him"), Neil Thompson and John Hampton, Williams was awarded "300 pounds Sterling to be discharged on payment of 59 pounds 19 shillings and 3 farthings Current money and 847 pounds of Tobacco with interest (5%) thereon from 27 July 1738 until paid together with costs of Suit." The jury trial was held on 8 September 1739 with final agreement concluded 26 September 1740. [Thus it would seem that Noah was still in the Opequon area in 1740, but this is not proven. Why was there a suit against these four individuals? Was Williams alleging an infringement on his 751 acre parcel? Were these four settled before the others (Hite's group) arrived? - kh]
Williams also had an "Action of Debt" filed against Thomas Rutherford and Samuel Walker in which he made claim on a 74-pound Bond signed by Samuel Brittain; the court discharged the claim on 25 March 1743 against Brittain with the payment of 37 pounds and interest from 15 June 1742, plus costs of suit.
Reverend William Williams claimed another tract of 110 acres adjacent south on Opequon Creek that John Strode also claimed. Strode sold the 110 acres (c. 1753) to Benjamin Willingsford/Waringsford and "built a log cabin thereon and being threatened by one Williams sold my right to one William Burns and that soon after the said Williams set fier to the said cabin and burnt it down. (signed) Ben Waringsford."
Williams had moved to Frederick County, Maryland by 23 September 1759, when he wrote his will, referring to himself as "Gentleman" leaving "all his Estate both in America and Europe to the Heirs of Daughters named Ahahamah (Ruhamah) Chapline (b. 1718), Sarah Price and Jane Chambers." He named sons-in-law Joseph Chapline and Benjamin Chambers, and his grandson William Price as the Executors of his will. Joseph Price, Robert Wood and Richard Richardson (a Quaker) proved the will as witnesses in court on 5 October 1759.poofcv/kh/132
One last note about the Reverend Williams, "In a deposition by John Smith (Junior), he stated that he "believes the administrators (of Lilburn's estate) were frightened to the sale of the land by Reverend William Williams, who threatened them with a (law) suit, if they did not sell it." (The threat probably arose from the Action of Debt filed and won by Williams against Noah Hampton, John Lilburn, Neil Thompson and John Hampton). Francis Lilburn (b. 1715 c.) and his mother Ann Lilburn (widow and relict of John Lilburn) sold 70 acres, part of Stephen Hollingsworth's 472-acre patent land, to William McMachen for 10 pounds on 3 September 1745. (Tract 9, Map 4)." [One has to wonder if the Reverend was practicing what he was preaching?]
On 6 March 1744/45, Thomas Anderson sold 600 acres (land surveyed for Noah Hampton) to his son, Colbert, for 12 pounds. (Tract 176, Map 4) The 600-acre transaction was not entered as a deed by the Frederick County, Virginia clerk since he did not have a patent from the Colony or a Fairfax grant. However, he could claim "ownership" by occupying the land and assigning (Fairfax terminology) the money disbursed to another party. Colbert's heirs either eventually became owners, or were paid fairly for the 600 acres of Fairfax grants in other parties' names. poofcv /155/kh [On what basis had Noah claimed this land? - kh]
Noah's 600* acres on the Opequon were never granted, patented, etc., to him. We know that he had a survey completed. Why couldn't or didn't he find a way to get title as so many others did? After his many legal problems with William Williams from 1737 through 1740, perhaps he had enough of Williams and decided to move on to a better place without the presence of the Mr. Williams. [*One recording notes Noah's property as 60 acres and the other for 600 acres - 600 acres appears to be correct. - kh]
Noah moved to present-day Hardy County, West Virginia. He was operating a mill by 13 January 1743/44 when he petitioned the Frederick County, Virginia Court "for a road from his mill into a Road on Great Cape Capon near James Coddy's."
On November 1, 1743 at the first court of Frederick County, reportedly John Hampton, John Smith, Robert Worthington and Morgan Morgan were appointed to appraise the money value of the estate of Jonathan Seamon. Source: JW Foster
By 1743, Andrew Hampton had departed Opequon Creek. Andrew Hampton, "of Brunswick County" deeds 200 acres in Frederick County, Virginia to Benjamin Borden of Frederick.Frederick Co. Va Court Order Book shows Deeds of Lease & Release from Andrew Hampton to Benjamin Borden, formerly proved by oath of George White, and Wm. Fearnley, now further proved by Enoch Anderson & oath of Benj. Borden, Jr. & admitted to records. Source: Kathryn Weiss citing notes of RB Cox. JANUARY 17, 1743: 200 acres to Borden was to be divided from land David Griffith had bought from John Hampton "Juner;" and marked as the division between Andrew Hampton and David Griffith; along Worthington line to Borden line. The possession of 500 acres by Borden is, "by virtue of a bargain to him thereof made by the said Andrew Hampton for one whole year of indenture," quitrents payable to the King.
Sometime before 1743 Noah had removed to the South Branch of the Potomac near Old Fields (which was Frederick County at the time) where we also find members of the Vanmeter family as neighbors. Perhaps the best information about the very earliest settlements in the South Branch Valley comes from Kercheval's "History of the Valley of Virginia" (first published in 1833), which relates details of several events recounted to the author by contemporaries. According to Kercheval, the first settlers in the South Branch Valley were James Coburn, James Rutledge, John Howard, and James Walker, who arrived sometime around 1735. Evidently, two brothers named Isaac and John VanMeter (sons of John VanMeter - although some have expressed the belief that this was Isaac senior, the one that recieved the original VA land grant) had claim to some fertile land along the South Branch (just above "the Trough", near the junction of two Indian trails - the McCullough path and the Seneca trail - at the site of some Indian "Old Fields", where Ft. Pleasant would be erected). When the Vanmeters visited the area in 1740, they found James Coburn had already settled there. VanMeter proceeded to buy out Coburn (reportedly, paying for the improvements that had been made to the property) who headed upriver about 10 miles and established a new home and operated a mill just above the mouth of Looneys (Lunice) Creek, where the town of Petersburg now exists. His was described in 1746 as being "the farthest settlement" (Lewis Journal, p.27). Kercheval further states that by the time Isaac VanMeter moved out to the South Branch for good in 1744, several others were also living in the area, including Abraham Hite, Peter Casey, Pancake, and Forman.
The Van Meters were one of Noah Hampton's nearest neighbors when he first located on the South Branch. A quick look at the Van Meter family is taken from the web site of Scot VanMetre: .....Accounts differ, but tradition has it that the first white person to see the South Branch Valley of the Potomac was John Van Metre, a New York fur trader. Van Metre and a Delaware war party were supposed to have made a trip into the valley around 1725. The Delaware's wished to penetrate into the Catawba country further south. Unfortunately, for their plans, the Catawba met and defeated the Delaware's near Franklin in Pendleton County and the Delaware's were forced to retreat back up the road that followed the South Branch Valley, he must have taken time to appreciate the possibilities the valley offered. He is supposed to have told his two sons, Isaac and John, that "the lands immediately above the Trough were the finest body of land he had ever discovered in all his travels."
.........John Van Metre, the son, settled on his land and Van Metre's have been in the Shenandoah Valley ever since. Isaac, the other brother, traveled into the South Branch Valley to blaze the extent of his claim. In 1736, he marked his claim and went back to New Jersey to arrange to move to South Branch.
......Arrangements must have been cumbersome because it was not until 1740 that Isaac again ventured down into the South Branch Valley. When he got to his claim, he found that a man named Coburn had settled there and made improvements. Improvements were usually defined as fences, barns, cabins, clearing of land and the planting of crops, a not inconsequential effort for that period. It is commendable that Isaac Van Meter bought out Coburn, evidently paying him for this tremendous work he had done. Finally, in 1744, Isaac Van Meter's pack train and wagons lumbered down from New Jersey with his family and he built a fort nearby for protection.
.......In his journal of 1748 Washington described his journey into the South Branch over 40 miles "of the worst road that was ever trod by man or beast." It must have been Isaac that he spoke with "about the intended work of lots." George was then a teenager of 16 years, and he had not gotten things exactly right. He called the owner of the land Henry Vanmetriss. Henry was a young son of Isaac and not the owner. He did give the Van Meter place its proper location at Old Fields at the head of the Trough.
......The cabin and fort must have been too small to hold the surveying party because George Washington complains in his diary that the entire time he was surveying in the South Branch, from March 27 to April 8, he slept once indoors. Isaac may not have been very hospitable either. The purpose of the survey George and his party were running was to determine what people had settled illegally in the lands owned by Lord Fairfax.
..........During his work as a surveyor for Lord Fairfax, George Washington called at Fort Pleasant [the name of VanMetres home place - kh], and records in his journal that he visited with "Mr. Vanmetrise." Contacts between the two were less than happy; Lord Fairfax claimed the Vanmeter tract as a part of his South Branch Manor, included in the original "Northern Neck" grant from Charles II. Van Meter claimed that his lands were not included in the Fairfax grant; rather, that they were granted separately by the Virginia Council in 1730. Resulting litigation from the depute went on for many years, and finally was settled after the Revolutionary War by a court decree upholding the Van Meter heirs in their claim.
.......These surveyors were commissioned to determine who was squatting on his land and how much land they had taken. Meanwhile, Isaac Van Meter was prospering on his lands, secure in the belief that he was owner of the land. But on March 27, 1748, George Washington and Squire Fairfax, (a cousin of Lord Fairfax), arrived to assert their own claims. Isaac Van Meter's "Fort Pleasant" became listed on the Fairfax plat and quitrent rolls as Tract 1 in the South Branch Manor of the Fairfax Grant.
Some of Isaac Van Meter's land passed on to Garrett Van Meter. .......... Garret in turn had a son named Isaac. Isaac was 27 years old when his father died (reportedly Garret died 15 Apr 1788). He had made a successful marriage to Elizabeth Inskeep.
Historically, Frederick County was organized in 1743 from Orange Co. Its existence was actually authorized in 1738, but the population of the area was too sparse to form a government for several years. Today Frederick Co., VA is a small piece of what was then "Old Frederick Co." encompassing Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah and Page counties in Virginia; and Jefferson, Berkeley, Morgan, Hampshire, Mineral, Hardy and Grant counties in West Virginia. In 1754 Hampshire County was formed from Augusta Co. and a western part of Frederick Co. In 1773 Berkeley County was formed from the eastern part of Frederick Co. One hundred and twenty years later, Hampshire and Berkeley would become part of West Virginia while Frederick County remained in Virginia. Early accounts of the family are spread between these three counties in two separate present-day states.
Many researchers and family histories state (or have stated) that Noah lived and had a mill on the Great Cacapon (Great Capon) River. A History of Hardy County, WV, says Noah's 1743 mill (known as the Old Stackhouse Mill, on the Great Capon River) was probably the first in what later became Hardy County. T. K. Cartmell makes several references to Noah's Mill, "A reference to order of the Court found in a previous chapter, shows that Noah Hampton had a mill on Capon, 1744, known as the old Stackhouse mill." I have not found any documentation for this, other than what I believe are misinterpretations of the Court order. One could easily misinterpret the following (which is the court order in question): "FC, 1:15, 13 January 1743 - On the petition of Noah Hampton and others for a road from Noah Hampton's mill into a road on Great Cape Capon [Great Cacapon] near James Coddy's [Caudy's]." Cartmell's work is excellent and generally very accurate, I wish in no way to diminish his work, which I recommend to anyone. I do wish to differ on this one small point and clarify what I feel is a misunderstanding on his part and that of some other researchers. One will see in the following paragraphs that Noah's Mill was definitely on the South Branch and not the Capon.
Before examining Court/Road orders, let's start with other items of research relating to the same area on the "South Branch."
..... "Of significance to the Fort Edwards site is the presence of the first publicly constructed and maintained road into the region west of the Shenandoah Valley. The road was constructed in several stages, the first from Winchester to James Caudy's plantation on the Cacapon River in 1742 and the second stage in 1744 from Caudy's to the South Branch Valley in the vicinity of present Old Fields, Hardy County. Later additions pushed the road westward from Job Pearsall's to Patterson Creek. The road appears in the Fry and Jefferson map of 1755 with Edwards's clearly placed on the road after it crosses the Cacapon River to the west bank. Local tradition holds that the river crossing and road cut through Edwards's land in a westerly course. The Fry and Jefferson map and preliminary research by the author suggests the road crossed the Cacapon on James Caudy's land and proceeded to course northward, cutting through Edwards's land near its western boundary. Edwards's was recognized by both Washington and St. Clair as a good way station when traveling on the road......
The South Branch Road reportedly (per Cecil O'Dell) ran on present-day U.S. Highway 220 and continued south through Moorefield, Hardy County, West Virginia along the South Branch of the Potomac River to Petersburg, Grant County, West Virginia........ This indicates that the road was originally an old Indian road. Moreover, the surveyors Robert Brooke and Peter Jefferson noted on their 1736 Map of Northern Neck that there was an "Indian Warrior Road" (on or near U.S. Highway 220) on the west side of the South Branch of the Potomac at present-day Petersburg .
Court Road Orders
On 24 June 1742, the Orange County Court ordered the subscribers of a petition for a road from Codys/Caudys' place on Cape Caporn/Cacapon (River) to Peter McHughes' place and from there to Coburns Mill on the South Branch of the Potomac River [this doesn't say the South Fork - kh] to clear and build bridges where needed, according to law. The Court appointed James Cobourn to serve as overseer.
(Spelling as reported)
To the Worshipful Court of Orange County 31 Dec. 1742Humble petition of ye Enhabitence of ye South Branch of Poetomack river Humbly Sheweth That whereas your petitioners being put to a great Disconveneance for want of a road from Cos place on ye sd branch called Hayard's Town Down ye sd branch to John Uptons Mill and from thence ye nearest and Best Way to ye North river of Cap Capon and thence ye nearest and Best Way to James Codys ford on Great Cap Capon into ye other road Which Road Will be Great Incoragement for ye Settling the sd Branch and very Conveneant for ye sd Settlers...
And appoyntAndw Clements,Jacob Westfall, Henry Dowland and James Cody to vew and Layoff ye sd Road
Steaven ColwinRobt LowthersJohn BeaversJames Ross Senr
Michel CristJames Ross JunrJohn ffeeuch (?)Nichlis Crist
Abner AndersonJohn RyonTimmothy HoldstidMathias Cukingdol
Samll CarnahanSimon CukingdolJohn ColwinJohn Hornback
Benjm phipsDenis BryonHenry DowlandPeter Cukingdol
John CollensDavid EvanCharles McfetersJohn Cukingdol
Geor: uptonMathias Yelcomtfrederich Isce (?)John Walker
Henry DunehoughMichel HernessJohn WoolfePeter M--ugh
John ScootSenDanilONeilElias ScootJohn Upton
Wm BeattleDanll PrichardsonDaniel CelleyRobert Worthington
Walter McDaneill
It must be noted that the Hampton and Vanmeter names are not subscribed to this original petition for a road to the South Branch Valley. Colvin & Kuykendall are subscribed along with Yoakem, Harness and other names familiar to the South Branch, including Coburn as overseer. One must wonder if this isn't about when the Hamptons and Vanmeters migrated to the South Branch from the Opequon area.
23 March 1743 - Ordered that Andrew Clement, Jacob Vestall, Henry Dowland, and James Cody [Caudy] or any two of them view and lay off a road from a place on the South Branch called Hayward's Towndown the said Branch to Upton's Mill (this is still UptonsMill- kh] and from thence to the nearest and best way to James Codys [Caudy's] ford on the Great Cape Capon [Great Cacapon] into the other road and make return of their proceedings to the next court. [Where was Hayward's Town? - kh]
25 June 1743 - The order for Andrew Clement and others to view the road petitioned for from Hayward's Town to Upton's Mill is continued until the next court to be returned.
This is the last entry for any roads in what would become Hampshire County. Although Frederick and Augusta Counties were formed in 1738, a county government didn't begin to function in either new county until after 1742. The last two orders above, apparently were never carried out, because one of the first orders for a road appearing for the area in the Frederick County Order Books is for a road following the same route, only with different man-made landmarks described and naming Noah Hampton.
Friday the 9th day of December MD, CCXLIII, we find this entry: "On petition of Noah Hampton and others, for a road from Noah Hampton's mill [had previously been Uptons Mill - kh], into a road on the Great Cacapon, near James Coddy's Fort*, ordered that Jonathan Coburn, Isaac Thomas, Peter Kuykendall and James Delheryea [found elsewhere listed as Delahay and also as Delay], or any two of them, mark off the road petitioned for by the said Hampton, . . . and make returns to this court, etc."[As discussed earlier, did John and/or George Upton's petition get assigned or sold to Noah? One will also note that Jonathan Coburn is named instead of James Cobourn, previously named in a court order. kh]
*Caudy's Castle or Caudy's Fort or Castle Rock. A natural rock formation that has a legend of its own. It claimed that a pioneer settler by the name of James Caudy was ambushed by Indians and ran into this rock formation. The rocks are formed such that to get behind them you have to go through this narrow passage which is only large enough for one person to get through at a time. This enabled Caudy to save his life as he was able to kill all the Indians one at a time as they came through the passage. Located 1 1/2 miles south of Rt. 45 near Bloomery overlooking Cacapon River. One will also find a "Castle Run" and "Crooked Run" near the forks of the Capon River, which is the general area. Property recording: James Caudy of Frederick Co. 358 acres in said county. Survey Mr. James Genn. Adjacent Joseph Edwards, Cacaehon Cr., the Wagon Road, Dillons Run. 27 May 1748.
Thus we have Noah, removed from Opequon Creek and on the South Branch by 1743. Was Upton's Mill now Noah's Mill? Noah couldn't have been on the South Branch much before 1740 and possibly later, but definitely no later than 1743 - so why was his mill called the "Old" Stackhouse Mill? My question is, why was it called "Old?"
If Noah built it, it shouldn't have been old for several years. Could Noah have taken over Uptons Mill? Upton is mentioned in the original road petition and court order, but thereafter apparently disappears from the face of the earth??? and in 1743 the court order says the road will go to Hamptons Mill. In 1742, the court order that was tabled until the next court session, said the road would go to Uptons Mill? What happened between 1742 and 1743 to change the destination of the road from Uptons to Hamptons Mill?
It wasn't a corruption of the word Hampton, because a John & George Upton each signed the original 1742 petition. My speculation (and that is all it is) is that Noah bought Uptons Mill. The Uptons were on no subsequent records for the area. We must also remember that Isaac Van Meter and his sons negoiated (compensated in some way) James Coburn off their land at Old Fields. Coburn had squatted there and made improvements, much to Van Meter's surprise when he arrived circa 1740+. Coburn relocated a few miles down the River and it seemed to be a peaceful settlement by all accounts. Could something similar have happened with Noah & Upton?
If Noah did build the Mill, using Cecil O'Dells' analysis of Morgan Bryan provides possible insight into Noah's migration. ...."Morgan probably was living on his 1,250-acre patent land on the Opequon Creek by or before 1730, based on the fact that he had a mill in operation in 1734. Since a mill would require a millwright to build the facility, grinding stones, gears, a dam across the stream and mill races with labor-intensive manual labor, it is a safe assumption that Morgan would have started construction on the mill at least two years before and after he was settled in with house and crops. Moreover, there had to be many other farmers in the area by that time in order to make the venture a good investment before he even started construction, since establishing a mill required a sizable monetary investment and many customers within a short radius".....
We know that Noah was involved in a lawsuit with William Williams circa 1738-40 over on Opequon Creek in VA and we know that Noah had a mill on the South Branch in 1743. Thus it would seem that he either moved circa 1740/41 to the South Branch and built a mill or bought someone's mill and moved circa 1742/43.
14 July 1744 - Jonathan Cobourn and Peter Kuykendall having made their return of an order of this court for viewing, marking, and laying off a road from Noah Hampton's mill into the road on Great Cape Capon near James Cody's. In these words pursuant to the within order [illegible] have viewed, marked, and layed off the road from James Coddy's to Hampton Mill and thereupon it is ordered that the said road be from henceforth established a public road, and Matthias Yoakam and John Colvin are hereby appointed overseers of the same and it is further ordered that they cause the said road to be cleared, and when cleared, to keep the same in repair according to law and that the tithables on the South Branch and Patterson's Creek work on the said road.
11 September 1744 - Henry Vanmetre is hereby appointed overseer of the road from Noah Hampton's mill to the road on Great Cape Capon near James Cody's in the room of Matthias Yoakham and it is ordered that he causes the same to be cleared, and when cleared, that he keep the same in good repair according to law. [Henry was the son of Isacc Van Meter - kh]
Research conclusively locates many of these individuals, (including Noah) and their respective properties on the South Branch - Kuykendalls, Couburn, Van Meter, etc. ....both Cassey and Vanmeter lived at Old Fields, West Virginia.On the 6th, 7th and 8th of April 1748, George Washington accompanied by a Fairfax survey crew stayed at Peter Cassey's house and visited at Henry Vanmeter's house. poofcv/kh
Noah Hampton's mill, the starting point of a road authorized by the Frederick County Court, was located either on Turnmill Run about three miles north of Old Fields on U.S. Highway 220 where he had 312 acres surveyed on 2 December 1750 or just west of Old Fields where a branch of Anderson Run was called Hampton's Mill Run in 1747 and later on several Fairfax surveys. In this compiler's opinion, it was probably on Hamptons Mill Run circa 1743/44. poofcv/kh
As mentioned elsewhere, the closest neighbor at Hamptons Mill Run would appear to be the Van Meters (Isaac and family), Isaac was almost precisely where Old Fields is on current maps and Noah was just west of that.
Adjacent landowners to Noah Hampton on Turnmill Run [312 acres surveyed 1750] were Solomon Hedges (who assigned his tract to George Strickler - 10 Aug. 1764 and Abraham Hite (son of Jost Hite) who owned 360 acres at Reynolds Gap on U.S. Highway 220 on (Henry) Vanmeter's Run (Mudlick). Research of Cecil O'Dell shows that Abraham Hite started acquiring property on the South Branch in 1751 with the first Grant being Sept. 20, 1751. Others have shown Hite earlier on the South Branch, but this is the first recorded evidence.
According to research done by Col. RB Cox, ........"in 1744, Noah Hampton is sworn as a constable in the precinct of Solomon Hedges.
Noah Hampton was presented to the court for taking more toll from his customers than the law allowed. Frederick County Court, May Term (11 or II) 1744. It appears Noah was charged by one of his customers with taking more toll in grain for grinding the grain, than the one-sixth allowed by law.
In 1746, Fairfax moved to have his territory laid off (surveyed). In 1719, a Royal Grant was inherited by Thomas, Lord Fairfax.With that inheritance, he became the owner of the largest grant of land in the history of the United States -- 5,282,000 acres.
Men and Manors In the South Branch Valley - Submitted by Sarah Stevens Patton
Between 1745 and 1797, the South Branch Valley lay within the boundaries of the Fairfax "Northern Neck" land grant, bordered on the north by the Potomac River and in the south by the Hardy-Rockingham county border, extended through Cabins, WV to the headwaters of the northern branch of the Potomac. Within this South Branch portion of his proprietary lands, Lord Fairfax created at least four separate tracts or manors including the South Branch Manor, the South Fork, the Wappacomo or Great South Branch of the Potowmack, and the Peterson Creek Manor. Each was subdivided into lots of a few hundred acres, most to be leased out for the term of 21 years (the life of the tenant) or more, at an annual fee of 25 shillings per hundred acres.
(1) The Wappacomo or Great South Branch of the Potowmack (sic), lay on both sides of the South Branch River from its mouth on the Potomac to the southern end of the Trough near Old Fields.
(2) The "South Branch Manor" extended from the southern tip of the Trough along the river south and west to the Petersburg area to the Royal Glen Gorge and included the lower portions of Mill Creek and Lunice Creek.
(3) The third tract, The South Fork,lay on the South Fork from its mouth near Moorefield [not to be conufsed with South Branch], south to Brake. This tract included only 18 lots.
(4) Patterson Creek Manor. Another 10,000 acres situated along Patterson Creek was divided into 31 lots, extending from Headsville to just southwest of Russeldale on today's maps. ....."Wild Meadow Run was Hampton's Run; Mill Creek was Ed. Corns Run; Staggs Run was Parkers Mill Run." [Does this mean Patterson Creek Manor is located where Hamptons Mill Run was or was there a second Hamptons Run? It could also be an error on the part of the author?]
[No disrespect to anyone intended, but lot numbers need to be read and interpreted very carefully. The lots along the South Fork River were numbered 1 through 20, with lot no. 1 at the Fairfax lineand lot number 20 at Moorefield, but remember South Fork River . Many researcher's records and reports of early lot owners do/did not distinguish on which branch of the river the lots were, nor in many cases which MANOR they were in, thus it is very easy to place your ancestors in an entirely incorrect location of VA. If you can find an adjoining deed that has an identifiable landmark (such as a mountain or stream), you have a much more reliable reference point. I'd welcome discussion from anybody who has additional information about the lot numbering systems. - kh]
The best description of the South Branch Valley Manor Lands, their somewhat complicated history, geography, tenure agreements, and the names of the earliest settlers associated with these manors (ca. late 1740s-1750s) appears in two excellent articles by Charles Morrison entitled "Early Fairfax Land Grants and Leases Along the South Branch of the Potomac," in West Virginia History, V37 (Oct 1976), pp. 1-22 and "Early Land Grants and Settlers Along Patterson Creek," in West Virginia History, V40 (Winter 1979), pp. 164-199. Morrison indicates that the rental lists for the South Branch Manor found in the Library of the WV Dept of Archives and History are incomplete, not completely accurate, and undated (though internal evidence shows them to be prior to 1763). But they do include many names of the lessees or those associated with him, perhaps as witness or bondsman.
The Patterson Creek, South Fork and Wappacomo manors have been mapped by lot number. Armed with a list of names of the lessees or deed holders, one could actually "find" the location of the deed on a plat of these three manors. Unfortunately, there seems to be no plat or reconstructed map for the South Branch Manor. Various maps and research notes regarding these manor lands, primarily the works of Charles Morrison and Galtjo Geertsema, can be found in the Hardy County Public Library.
It is important to remember that other families and individuals may have been living in the greater South Branch Valley on non-manor lands. Many had claimed the land prior to the Fairfax survey. To add to the confusion, parts of the Fairfax grant in this area lay in Frederick County (north of the Trough) and those south lay in Augusta County. Since leases for this land was considered a private transaction with Lord Fairfax, they were not generally recorded in the county deed books, though references can be found in Hampshire, Hardy, Frederick and Augusta County records. [It would appear that this may well have been the case with Noah Hampton - kh]
Many of the Northern Neck land records are available at the Virginia State Library and the Library of the West Virginia Department of Archives and History. A few published abstracts of Northern Neck warrants, surveys and grants are also available, specifically in works by Peggy Shomo Joyner and Gertrude E. Grey.
It appears that the South Branch Manor lot numbers began at the south end of the Trough () near Old Fields, south to Moorefield (s), southwest to Petersburg (<s) and west to the "Manor Line."E and W refer to East or West. Two or more names may appear on one lot if it was subdivided.[Many lots were subsequently subdivided as it appears was Noah's - kh]
March 31, 1747James Genn, surveyed South Branch Manor. Lord Fairfax had his lands surveyed, yet his plan was not to sell, but rent on a very liberal basis, thus assuring himself of a definite income. [Some have reported that Lord Fairfax gave ninety-nine year leases and some report that the lease rate was 25 shillings per hundred acres for a 21-year lease or life of the tenant lease. Noah could have had a lease of Fairfax land, as has been noted elsewhere, these leases where not recorded.
It must be remembered that Noah's father John was an "overseer" for the Proprietors in NJ. It has also been reported that his aunt Margaret (wife of Andrew Hampton the Immigrant from Scottland) was reportedly of royal lineage from England via Scottland. Noah may well have gone with leases from Fairfax (which would put him at odds with Hite and others) since there would be contervailing cliams. Those who chose this route were labeled "at law with Fairfax," on some occasions (they did eventually loose when Fairfax lost in court). This could also have been the case with Noah's brother John Sr & John Jr on the Opequon. The lack of recordation, etc. for the several proven land holdings of Noah certainly make it appear that he had Fairfax Leases. This point is further strengthened by the fact that Noah openly and notoriously occupied prime location lands. Fairfax had surveys all around him and Noah's propertyis often noted, i.e., adjacent Hampton Mill Run, adjacent Noah Hampton, etc.
During the Revolutionary War, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted laws against estates entail, which abolished the system of perpetual rents; and at the close of the Revolution, all the Fairfax lands were confiscated by Virginia. When Virginia took over the lands, any settler who did not have a title bond, or other evidence of ownership, was reportedly regarded as a squatter, and his claim for land was not recognized.
April 8, 1747Genn then surveyed Patterson Creek Manor about 12 miles north of South Branch Manor.He found many pioneers already occupying land.Fairfax wanted his new tracts settled as fast as possible, but rental arrangements had to be made.Some settlers moved to less desirable tracts, obtaining clear title rather than pay rent.At a later time, 1762, Fairfax authorized another survey to be taken by Joseph Neville.Discrepancies between Genn's and Neville's surveys were resolved resulting in a definition of 31 lots in Patterson Creek Manor. Was Noah Hampton on of these renters?
There does not appear to be a "Land Grant" recorded to James Coburn or Noah Hampton.
1748 -More surveying was done by Genn and this time he was accompanied by another surveyor, 16-year-old George Washington, a friend of the Fairfax family, who wrote: "March 26, 1748.Travelled up ye Creek to Solomon Hedges one of his Majesty's Justices for ye County of Frederick where we camped when we came to supper there was neither a cloth on ye table nor a knife to eat with, but as good luck would have it we had knives of (our) own."... "Sunday 27thTravll'd over y. South Branch attended with y. Esqr to Henry Vanmetriss [Van Metre or Meter] in order to go about Intended Work of Lots." [Van Meter & Hite & Hedges lived very near Noah Hampton at the time, literally his adjacent neighbors - kh]
"Sunday 10th -We took our farewell of ye. Branch and travell'd over Hills and Mountains to Coddys on Great Cacapehon about 40 Miles." [Noah's Mill was 40-50 from Caudy's Place on the Capacon or Capon River - kh]
The Writings of George Washington, "Henry Van Meter is on ye branch of "ye trough,' Old Fields. Ye trough is a couple of ledges of mountains, impassable running side by side together for eight miles and ye river down between them, ye must ride around ye back of ye mountain for to get below them," April 1747/48. Hampton Mill Run would be in the immediate area of Vanmeter's land mentioned. The Trough ends at about Old Field and extends north 7 or 8 miles toward Romney.
The North Fork of the South Branch follows State Route 28/Highland Trace 55 and empties into the South Branch of the Potomac west of Petersburg, county seat of Grant. The South Branch continues into Hardy County, passing through the historic county seat of Moorefield, before disappearing into the impenetrable "Trough" . . . a unique geological area. It then makes it way into Hampshire Country and to the great Potomac.
"Monday 11thWe Travell'd from Coddys down to Frederick Town [Winchester - kh]where we Reached about 12 oClockwe dined in Townand went to Capt. Hites and Lodged."
1748 - Andrew Hampton and the members of the Kuykendall family by names of Peter, James, Abraham and John show up as members of the Cobrin Company, North Carolina Militia of Captain Samuel Corbin (Cobourn), [The Fall issue of Johnson's NC Genealogy Magazine for 1967]. An article was submitted by the late Dr. Robert W. Ramsey dealing with the Cobrin [Cobourn?] Company. Dr. Ramsey listed 56 members of Captain Cobrin's Militia that are known to have settled in present-day Lincoln and Gaston Counties, of North Carolina. On the following page, by a map of the area, Ramsey locates the 56 members. Hampton and the Kuykendalls are shown on the branches of Dutchman's Creek, above the Tuckasege Ford of the Catawba River.
The above topic is more fully dealt with in the family file on Andrew Hampton of Anson Co, NC, but a note here is required, since some have speculated that Colonel Andrew Hampton is the son of Noah Hampton. It must be noted that there is debate about the Corbin Company; .I think it is pretty evident that date of 1748 is incorrect and I think that Betty will support me in this. The document was surely misfiled and was actually a document of about 1754. The following is taken from a book I have written on the Kuykendall family: "In NC Colonial Records Vol. XXII, p. 820, for 1748, is a list of the Militia Company of Captain Samuel Cobrin during the Spanish Alarm which included Ensign John Kuykendall, Corporal Abraham Kuykendall, James Kuykendall and Peter Kuykendall, the latter two being listed in the married enlisted men section. However many of the men in that list were not in the area until 1753 and I and others believe that list was more likely made about 1754 or later and had been filed in the wrong year and was not related to the Spanish Alarm. For instance William Ratchford who was on that list was on the 1750 and 1751 pastor support list of the Rev. Adam Boyd, Pastor of the Forks of the Brandywine Presbyterian Church in Chester Co. Pa. and is listed as married without land on the 1753 tax list of Chester Co., Pa. but later that year is listed as gone to the Carolinas on the support list of the Rev. Adam Boyd." Source: email,From: Hbrackinjr To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2001 1:26 PM Subject: Re: The earlier mentioned Hamptons.
Henry Brackin's question (or assertion), seems to be validated to some degree; April 19, 1749 - An inventory and appraisment of the estate of James Coburn (deceased) was made, recorded at an Augusta County court on August 22, 1749. .......The appraisal of James Coburn's estate: .. The estate of James Coburn, recently deceased, was being appraised on April 19, 1749 in Augusta County by Abraham Vanderpole, James Simpson, and Michael Thorn (Augusta County Will Book, Vol. 1, p. 165-169). Among his assets were several accounts for small amounts of money, including one from John "Warvell" for 3 shillings, 9 pence. There is no indication of what these accounts were for, though James was known to have operated some kind of mill and the inventory of his estate indicated that he had more livestock than would be required to support a single family. [Col. R, B, Cox indicates his research shows James Coburn as an "Indian Trader," ] Accounts owed to James Coburn at his death:
Jonathan CoburnChristian EwighJoel HornbackJacob CoburnWilliam (?)eanoJames KuykendaleIsaac CoburnAbraham VanderpooleJohn Kuykendale
Samuel CoburnHenry (?)insterJohn RyanAaron Pruo(?)John CollinsRichard Hiold(?)Henry CardwrightGarrett DeckerDaniel Richardson
There is also a road order in VA that would seem to be some of the individuals noted as being part of Cobourn's Company: 8 August 1749 - - On the petition of Solomon Hedges, Abraham Richardson, Benjamin Parker, George Parker, Jr., John Radden, John Reon, Abraham Johnson, Theodore Davis, Isaac Johnson, Adam Warner, Robert Lowder, Vincent Williams, James Patton, George Corn, John Dowthen [Douthitt?], Abraham Fegurden, Adam Stomp [Stump], John Adam Long, Christana Long, Gilles Sullivan, John Cockendal, Benjamin Cockendal, Nathaniel Cockendal, Abraham Cockendal, Abraham Cockendal Jr., John Cockendal [Jr.?], Peter Cockendal, David Thomson, Frank Thomson, Matthias Froman, James Cockendal, John Decker, Luke Deker, William Earles, James Hannen, Henry Vanmetre, Andrew Nowland, James Williams, Benjamin Borman Jr., Richard H[?]land, John Colvin, Joseph Campbell, John Cinacome, Job Pearsall, William Buffington, David Oneal, and Garret Decker for a road from the mouth of Patterson's Creek to Job Pearsall's. It is ordered that Nicholas Raisner and George Parker view, mark, and lay off the same, and when laid off, that the petitioners clear and work on the same under the said Raisner and George Parker, who are hereby appointed overseers thereof. And it is further ordered that the said Nicholas Raisner and George Parker cause the said road to be kept in good repair according to law.
"The North Carolina Militia Company of Captain Samuel Corbrin is mentioned in the "State Records of NC", Volume XXII, page 281, as having been active September 4, 1748" This, at the moment, would seem to be an unresolved question. Brackin's point appears to be well taken and worthy of further research. The 1748 date attributed to Cobourn's Unit, obviously conflicts with other documented events and locations for the individuals involved.
James Kuykendall m. ca 1745 to Sarah Coburn. Source: email, 5/22/2001 - Henry Brackin & Betty Kuykendall Price. [Thus it would seem that the Hamptons, Cobourns and Kuykendalls knew each other well.]
16 November 1749 - Jonathan Cobourn and William Miller having returned, that they had laid out the road petitioned for by Henry Vanmetre from Hampton's down the South Branch according to an order of the court, and beginning below where the said road Vanmetre did leave from thence to where he now lives, and so down by his mill from thence straight to Hampton's mill. Leave therefore is granted to the said Vanmetre to clear the same at his own expense according to the said return.
Jonathan Cobourn owned 150 acres on the northwest side of Timber Ridge on the drains of Anderson Run west of Old Fields. This would make him a close neighbor to Noah as Hamptons Mill Run was also on Andersons Run. On Feb 15, 1752 he had 150 acres on the NW side of Timber Ridge (adjacent to William Zeen/Zane) surveyed. The Warrant refers to him as "Capt. Jonathan Coburn." By 1758 he is known to have had property "two miles above the trough" on the South Branch of the Potomac (adjacent to a John McCullough) since his property is listed as being adjacent to a tract of land sold to a John King on 2-15-1758 by Solomon Hedges. It appears that he sold this property ("250 acres on the Wappacomo" - the Indian name for the South Branch of the Potomac), Lot , for 60 pounds on 3-11-1760 to John Kuykendall (Hampshire County Deed Book No. 1, p. 20-21). On 2-4-1763, Johnathan Cobourn and his wife Catherine sold their land on Timber Ridge (the same 150 acres) to Abraham Hite for 8 pounds.
The first mention I have found for the Coburns is in the year 1721, which has James Coburn as a taxable person in West-Nottingham Township in the western part of Chester County, Pennsylvania. He is next on the tax records of Conestoga County Pennsylvania in 1725. Later, in 1735, James Coburn and his son Jonathan were granted land licenses along the Conogocheque River in what is now Franklin County, Pennsylvania. The Coburn's did not stay long along the Conogocheque River, but are next found in Virginia. The Exact date that Coburn settled in the South Branch Valley is not certain, but has been placed as between 1734 and 1740 (many researchers ahve stated circa 1735). James Coburn is reported as one of the earliest settlers in this area of the South Branch.
James Coburn was living near the present town of Petersburg when George Washington and his associates came to the South Branch Valley to do some surveying. "It was on March 21, 1746 when they reached the South Branch near Colonel Cresap's home and soon crossed Peterson's Creek to Abraham Johnson's place, then traveled to Solomon Hedge's home and later reached the home of Henry Van Meter. They next went up the South Branch through Frosty Hollow and over Scott's Ridge to Looney's (Lunice) Creek and the present town of Petersburg, ....continued up the North Fork to Meadows and the home of James Rutledge; and then to the James Coburn place near Petersburg; and then continued their journey...... and to Great Cacapon and Winchester." The Fairfax Line - Thomas Lewis' Journal. Children of James and Mrs. (Coburn) are Mary, Sarah, Samuel, John, Judith, Jacob, Isacc, Jonathan b. Bet. 1720 - 1725.
James Coburn was literally the last settlement in the area in 1746, as noted in Lewis' Journal on a return trip to verify bearings and lines: "Thursday 9th - Continued cloud and likely to rain. Moved with the bagage up to the line where we encamped opposite to Coburns. Went to see Coburn who with his wife and miller, a bucksom lass, repayed the visite in the evening we spent very meriley."
"Friday 10th - This being the farthest settlement we were obliged to lie by in order to be supplied with a fresh cargo of provision, that the Farrer might have time to fasten our horses' shoes and the men have time to wash their shirts and c."
In 1751-53 a Frederick County Court Order shows Noah Hampton was granted a judgment against Robert Lowther for a debt.Source: Ancestors of Vance Peterson
6 March 1753 - John Kuykendall is appointed overseer of the road from the North River near Thomas Parker's to Peter Tostees Plantation and it is ordered that all tithables on the South Branch below the Trough and all the tithables from Frees Mill to the North Branch [of Potomac] work on the same under him as overseer and that he clear and keep it in repair according to law.
Henry Vanmeter is appointed overseer of the road from Peter Tostees Plantation to Hampton's Mill and it is ordered that all the tithables on Patterson's Creek above Frees Mill and all the above the Trough to the county line on the Branch [South Branch] work on the same under him as their overseer and that he clear and keep it in repair according to law.
Thomas Neale of Hampshire Co.312 A.in said Co.Surv'd2 Dec 1750 by David Vance for Noah Hampton who sold to John McCullough who gave bond to John Hayton & William Carlyle to make them a title. John Hayton by his last Will ordered same to be sold. William Carlyle agreed to sale. Joseph Watson acting as Executor of said John Hayton, sold to Thomas Neale who forfeited by advertisement and recorded in Book N.Deed to Thomas Neale. Adj. Abraham Hite, the Manor Line. [Recording date in 1774]
Jan 16, 1775 - George Stickler of Fred. Co. to Garrett Van Meter 195 acres for 60 Lb. on Twin Mill Run [Turnmill?] adj. to Noah Hampton. Lease and release.
Isaac Van Meter, will dated 15 Feb 1754, shown as resident of South Branch of the Potowmack (Potomac) River, in Frederick Co., Va. Will proved 14 Dec. 1757 in Hampshire Co., VA, mentions land purchased of Michael Hyder in Hampshire County [Michael is the father of Katrina Hyder that married Col. Andrew Hampton] ; also land bought of James Cebrun (Coburn) mentioned as located by Abraham Hite & Jonathan Heath [the land mentioned would be the above 195 acres sold by Heath to Stikler who in turn subsequently sold to Vanmeters - kh].[Old Noah Hampton's 1775 will executor is Jonathan Heath, whose wife Rachel as speculated by some, "may be a Hampton" Source: Kathryn Weiss citing notes of RB Cox, Cox61]
July 30, 1755......... we find this real estate transaction July 30:"Bill of Sale:Wm Tucker of Hampshire (Adj. a survey of Noah Hampton) sold to Robert Higginas.Witnesses:Moses Hampton and Edward Purcell..."In a listing just above this Bill of Sale is another transaction involving Robert Higginas and having a witness by the name of Adam Hampton. (Adam was possibly the same as the Adam Hampton found later in NC, brother of Col. Andrew Hampton. Was Moses Hampton a relative of Noah? Could he be a son later deceased? Could this have been Mosses Hutton, a neighbor whose name when written looks very similar to Moses Hampton? Source: Purcell Family, I have not verified this - kh.
From: [email protected] (William L. Hampton) Sender: [email protected] - I have been researching my Hampton family roots and have traced them back to a man named Moses Smith Hampton.He is found in the personal property tax rolls of Brunswick County, VA in the years 1783 to 1786.He is a witness on a will in 1759 and a deed in 1765, both in Brunswick County. Other Hampton names on these documents are: William Hampton and Demender Hampton his wife, Henry Hampton and Kissia Hampton.He is believed to be the father of: John, Edward, Smith, Sarah Willis, wife of Wilson Willis and possibly other children. [Note re: Moses & Henry, neither are known to be a relative, but names do appear in the area at the time - kh] Moses Hampton appears next in the census of 1790 in Chatham County, NC where he purchased land in 1791 and 1793.
In 1756,"Hampshire county reported 558 tithables.In determining population at that time, the number of tithables was ordinarily multiplied by four.On the basis of this formula, Hampshire would have had about 2,200 people."
The Valley was devastated during1756. The defeat of Braddock's at the hands of the French and their Indian allies at the Forks-of-the-Ohio in 1755 had left the Virginia frontier at the mercy of marauding bands of hostile Indians. "The plantation of Paterson's Creek is entirely ruined, the smoke of the ruined houses is so great as to hide the adjacent mountains, and obscure the day." The Gentlemen's Magazine, London, January 1756.
By March of 1756, the colony had completed two forts on Patterson Creek and reorganized its military forces. George Washington was commissioned colonel of the Virginia Regiment. The first round of Indian attacks 1756 showed the colony how unprepared it was to meet the challenges of war.This was the beginning of a series of raids that Hampshire County would endure until the end of this war.
In early 1757, Fort Ashby was abandoned by the Virginia Regiment. The absence of inhabitants to protect together with a reduction in size of the Virginia Regiment and the loss of several hundred settlers from the frontiers ... contributed to the decision to abandon the fort........Conditions were so bad during this period "there is blank space in the court records of Hampshire County from June 11, 1755 till 1757 - nobody was left in the county to hold court.""Deeds recorded the first eight years of Hampshire's existence, including sales, leases, mortgages, etc., are tabulated as:1754 - 21756 - 01758 - 21760 - 11755 - 31757 - 11759 - 11761 - 36"
Some researchers cite Noah Hampton and others as being in the area west of Winchester in Frederick County circa 1755-58 during the Indian conflict. It appears he may have been there in 1758 when he cast a ballot for George Washington for the House of Burgesses (many other "Hardy County neighbors of Noah also voted in the Frederick County Polls that election year, but I have not yet found any evidence that Noah lived or owned property in Frederick County, although they certainly all owned property in Hampshire County). Noah Hampton was a qualified Elector in Frederick County, he voted for George Washington, a candidate for the Virginia House of Burgesses and his second ballot was for Colonel Martin - according to VA records. Each elector had two votes and of the 300 electors qualified in the county, the names of Thomas and George Hampton [sons of Noah's brother John Sr.] were included. The qualification of a voter was that he should be a freeholder of one hundred acres of unimproved land, or twenty-five acres with a building thereon at least twelve feet square, or of a lot in a city or town with a similarly pretentious building thereon." The election for the House of Burgesses, took place on the 24th day of July, 1758. This would indicate that Noah owned property of some sort in Frederick County in 1758 or special provision for voting was made for those dislocated because of the Indian troubles in Hardy County.
Kercheval recounts several incidents of massacres and battles that occurred around the South Branch area, including massacres at Looney's Creek and at the Trough (an area of the South Branch just below Old Fields). These accounts provide another invaluable source of information about the early settlements.
"The Old County Court from 1757 for about eight years, was continually called upon for assistance to protect outlying settlements. The Indians in every foray approached nearer the county seat (Winchester), and the exposed places were calling for aid to build crude forts and stockades. The Governor and his military aids responded; and as will appear elsewhere, protection was given, but massacres continued to occur. The reader can well imagine from the character of the brief minutes already given, that the Court was much disturbed for its own safety. We must remember too, that the old Justices were thinking of their homes in the various sections. They were well apprised of the frequent battles along the Great Capon and South Branch, and what had occurred in the settlement North of Woodstock; but when the roving bands appeared on Hogue Creek and on Cedar Creek, and carried away not only many scalps, but many prisoners, we can well see why they were anxious to seek Fort Loudoun for safety to the old records, also their friends and families in peril. Some of these settlers had been in this struggle for more than twenty years; and often whole families were swept away by the torch and tomahawk without a moment's warning" .. SVP/kh/72
Perhaps the following is illustrative on the circumstances at the time: Indian Raids In Colonial Hampshire County: by Terry Gruber. This is the beginning of a series of postings concerning Indian raids in colonial Hampshire County.
Newsworthy activities always found there way into the newspapers of the day, in spite of the fact that there were no reporters. Indian raids occurring in Virginia were frequently reported in the Pennsylvania Gazette. It is from this paper, that the following reports are gleaned. The report is from the October 16, 1763 edition. WILLIAMSBURGH, September 16. An express arrived in town yesterday, with letters to his Honour the Governor from Col. Stephen, by which we have the following advices, viz. That a Party of Indians attacked 6 men in Weltonmeadow, on Loonycreek, the 20th of August, about XI at night; when they killed Michael Harness and Jonathan Welton, wounded Joab Welton, and took one Delea Prisoner. [Delea was signor on Noah's road petition as Deleyera and the Welton family was party to the appraisement of Noah's Estate in 1775, both were distant neighbors of Noah Hampton as was the Harness family - kh]. The Indian that wounded Joab Welton was upon the point of repeating the stroke with the tomahawk, and killing him, when the savage was shot by one Delea, brother to the prisoner of that name; on his discharging his piece, he was attacked by several Indians at once; the first that made up to him he knocked down with his gun, but the savages wresting it out of his hand, he knocked down another with a tomahawk, which he carried under his belt. By this time the Indians had jostled him to the place where his brother lay tied; upon seeing him taken prisoner, he immediately dropt all thoughts of further resistance, and gave himself up, expecting likewise to be taken prisoner; but they hurried him away to the Indian that was shot, tomahawked him, scalped him, and wounded him with a knife, leaving him for dead, but the poor man crawled to some hay, and covered himself up, where he was found next morning perfectly in his senses, told the whole affair circumstantially, and lived two days afterwards. On receiving this intelligence, Col. Stephen ordered Major Wilson and Captain Collins of the Hampshire militia to raise two companies of voluntiers, and pursue the enemy, as soon as they could possibly provide themselves with Provisions. Major Wilson took the rout of Loonycreek; and Capt. Collins being ordered to reconnoiter the head branches of Pattersoncreek, he fell in with the Majorparty at the foot of the Allegheny mountains. After communicating intelligence, they thought it advisable to pursue the Indians over the mountains; accordingly, on the 30th of August, after a pursuit of 120 miles, over as rugged mountains as can be found, they came up with them on a branch of the Monongahela. Being on fresh tracks in the evening, Major Wilson was certain that their encampment was at no great distance; he therefore detached parties different ways in the night, to listen for horse bells, or see if they could discover fire: the noise of the bells directed them to the encampment, and before day they had crept within 30 paces of the enemy, and surrounded them. The orders were not to fire until it was light enough to see all the births where the Indians lay; but a big fellow rising to make up the fire, one of the party fired at him a little too soon, which brought on the engagement. This is to be attributed to the young maneagerness to revenge the death of his father, who had been killed and scalped by the savages. Major Wilson, however, routed the party, took 3 Indian scalps, wounded many more, and took 11 rifles and 2 smooth barrel guns from them, with all their war equipage, and retook a number of horses. They likewise released Delea the prisoner, and got back the three scalps taken in Weltonmeadow.
Indian Raids In Colonial Hampshire County: Pontiac's War No2, by Terry Gruber
There were hundreds of Virginia frontier settlers stolen from their homes during the tumultuous years of 1754-64. Most were carried away to their captors' villages in Ohio, often never to be heard from again by their families. Some, like the lucky individual in the above story, were released when their fellow settlers caught up to and annihilated the raiding party, while others, using guile, were able to escape on their own. This latter group faced the most arduous challenge to their physical and mental strength as they instinctively groped their way back to family and friends. Of all captivity tales during this period, there are few that describe the lonely, desperate journey through trackless wilderness. For the few that desperation dictated such a journey, it was often death that awaited them at journey's end.
December 8, 1763 - The Pennsylvania Gazette
Extract of a Letter from Colonel Adam Stephen, dated Winchester, October 18, 1763.
"One Eleanor Ryan, taken prisoner by the Indians the 23d of August last, near Stony Creekand who has made her Escape, gives the following Account, viz. That she was carried to Cape Cape [Cacapon River], where a scouting Party, by talking, discovered themselves to the Indians, three of whom advanced to the road with cocked firelocks, to fire on the party, whilst two stood by her and her brother, with their tomhawks ready to dispatch them, if they made any noise; but the Indians observing the party to be too strong for them, let them pass, and proceeded through the woods to the South Branch, passing the forts in the night. Towards the Allegheny mountains, they killed several horses for their bells; and coming on the tracts of some of our scouting parties, they were much afraid, and turned off through the most rugged mountains they could find, to prevent being tracked, first tomhawking all the horses they had taken. After travelling twelve days, they had got on one of the south branches of the Monongahela, and expecting to be tomhawked next day, as she was quite exhausted, and unable to march further, she took a resolution, with her brother, to attempt an escape that night; and accordingly being sent for firewood, as usual, they carried in several turns to camp, and, under pretence of bringing more, they went into a laurel thicket [what we know as rhododendron], and hid themselves, until the Indians had given over pursuit of them, and then steered towards the sun rising. After wandering in the mountains for 15 days, her brother perished by hunger; and in 5 days afterwards she got into Harnesfort [Harness's Fort, between present Moorefield and Petersburg], on the South Branch, almost starved to death."
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The author grants permission to individuals to copy or reprint this article for personal use only. Address requests for permission for mass distribution or publication to the author.
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While the French and Indian War continued beyond this date, it appears that some degree of order had returned circa 1760. There are many reports of Indian attacks until the mid 1760s, so we may assume that those who remained on their property either had stockades built or other means of protection.
Noah had relatives, the families of John, Thomas and George Hampton on Opequon Creek, VA. He possibly could have taken refuge there, but there were attacks in that area also (not as frequent and not as ferocious). He possibly also had the benefit of living next door to Fort Pleasant. Noah Hamptons Mill run was Anderson Run (or a branch thereof as the case may be) near Old fields, VA as shown in the following map at the end of this compilation.
Fort Pleasant: Soldiers and Civilians in the South Branch Valley, 1756-1762
by Terry Gruber
.....In October, during a brief respite, two forts were raised on Patterson Creek to accommodate the new ranger companies camping in the area. By the end of 1755, the regiment had increased their numbers by several hundred and began to temporarily station militia from the counties east of the Blue Ridge at settler forts. Shortly after the new year of 1756, the new commander of the reorganized Virginia Regiment, Colonel George Washington, ordered Captain Thomas Waggener to leave Fort Cumberland with his company and proceed to the South Branch of the Potomac. His orders instructed him to construct two forts in the area above The Trough after consulting the local leaders on the best places to erect them. After completing the forts, Waggener was ordered to station detachments in the most advantageous locations to protect the settlers on the upper South Branch.
At the time the forts were built, neither the local inhabitants or the soldiers could imagine the impact of the lower fort on the region. Called Fort Pleasant shortly after its completion, within a couple of years it became the military headquarters for the South Branch Valley, the seat of the county court and its vital records, and a significant location involved in the transformation of the economy from a local to a regional focus. Examining the history of this fort will give specific information about colonial frontier fort construction and, perhaps more importantly, illustrate the value a fort sometimes had within its neighborhood beyond mere defensive considerations.
Arriving on the South Branch, Waggener met with the local leaders and, based on their advice, began work on two forts, one located on Henry Van Meter's grant in present Old Fields, Hardy County and the other further upstream on Lunice Creek in Petersburg, Grant County. During the first years after construction, the forts were known as Waggener's Lower and Upper Forts, respectively. The Lower Fort acquired the name Fort Pleasant during 1757.
Washington's instruction to Waggener for erecting the forts ordered him to "... build the Fort[s] as large as those on Patterson's Creek, and the same model ...". He expected Waggener to have the willing assistance of the local inhabitants in supplying labor and tools. Though there are no surviving letters announcing the completion of the forts, it is apparent that by May Fort Pleasant was completed and occupied.
..........After a disastrous month of April in 1756, the House of Burgesses authorized the construction of a series of forts to be developed in the frontier counties. In a Council of War held in July 1756, Washington and his captains incorporated Fort Pleasant into the recently authorized "chain of forts". In response to Washington's query concerning inclusion of Waggener's forts into the chain, his captains replied: The Forts built by Captain Waggener have had the desired effect --- The inhabitants of that fertile district, keep possession of their Farms, and seem resolved to pursue their Business under cover of them. They are therefore to be looked upon in the chain intended by the Assembly. [My review of Noah's location would indicate he would have been one of the closest neighbors to Fort Pleasant- kh]
For the people of the South Branch, the presence of soldiers at Fort Pleasant was a blessing. Besides believing that they were safer, the inhabitants were guarded by the soldiers during the spring planting and the fall harvest. The troops often supplied labor as well in these agrarian activities. This arrangement was mutually beneficial. With slavery barely introduced into the area, other forms of extra labor were needed to harvest a greater quantity. The soldiers supplied the needed labor which resulted in a surplus that, in turn, was used by the military. Additionally, the farmers acquired cash that could be used to improve their standard of living, purchase seed, or hire labor to grow more for the army for the next season.
.......Beside a military function, Fort Pleasant also served a civil function. At least by 1759, the fort served as the seat of the County Court until the court was moved in December 1761 to Pearsall's Level (present Romney). During the trying years of Indian raids, the safest place to conduct county business and keep the records of the proceedings was in a fort. Transacted from here were orders for new roads, grand jury indictments, indenture agreements, tithables compiled, levies taken, wolf bounties paid, and numerous other activities that directly effected the lives of Hampshire Countians. Fort Pleasant was probably chosen because it was the main fort in the part of the county that held the majority of the population.
From the time the fort was completed, the post served as refuge on numerous occasions to the local settlers. Most of the military activities involved a detachment of the garrison setting out in pursuit of small raiding parties.......
One chase, involving Hampshire County militia from nearby Fort Hopewell, began with one of the worst defeats in the area. The Fort Pleasant garrison heard musket fire across the river coming from the direction of Fort Hopewell, but because of high water, they were unable to offer assistance. The next day, the Fort Pleasant inmates were able to ford the river and assist the militia in a pursuit of the raiders, but too much time had elapsed for the search to be successful. This incident occurred a few days before 24 April 1756 and is probably the same event described by Kercheval in which dozens of men lost their lives as they were trapped between Indians and the rain-swollen South Branch in a narrow defile called The Trough.
........Beginning within a month after the capture of Fort Duquesne, enterprising Hampshire Countians, from the area above The Trough, began to take advantage of a new market for food created by the presence of several thousand soldiers stationed at forts on the western Pennsylvania frontier. John McCullough [who later bought Noah Hampton's 900 acres - kh], a trader from the South Branch, was the first to bring provisions for sale to the English line of forts in Pennsylvania. In January 1759, the local people engaged themselves in constructing a road from Fort Pleasant to Patterson Creek, so that the supplies could be brought to Fort Pitt more easily and directly. By the harvest of 1759, many Hampshire Countians took advantage of the new market opportunity as growers, transporters, or sub-contractors.
Fort Pleasant was used as the collection point for agricultural products of the upper South Branch Valley. From 11-13 September 1759, Lt. Col. George Mercer [who later bought the land adjacent Noah Hamptons Mill Run - kh] of the Virginia Regiment (also serving as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General for Maryland and Virginia for the British forces) was at Fort Pleasant to procure provisions for the Crown forts in Pennsylvania. In a letter to his superior, Col. Henry Bouquet of the Royal American Regiment, he outlined his plans to collect provisions to be transported to Fort Pitt.
...[ I ] do not know that I ever was more perplexed, the People have been so hard to please. I have been to every little Fort, and Plantation for 10 or 15 Miles round. The Inhabitants have at last consented to exert Themselves ... I was obliged in Order to effect this to give a Price for it delivered here [Fort Pleasant], as I found by riding about that many had perhaps 6 or 8 Bushels only, which it was not worth their while to carry all the Way to Fort Cumberland. I have contracted with Persons to carry any Quantity, up to Redstone [ a storehouse south of Pittsburgh on the Monongehela River ], under 4000 Bushels, that may be delivered here; so that this Scheme will both forward the Service and oblige everyone who has even 2 Bushels of Forage to sell. Until its abandonment, Fort Pleasant appears to have continued its use as the point of aggregation and transshipment of the agricultural products of the South Branch Valley.
The fort was probably abandoned in February 1762. It was at that time the Virginia Legislature, weary of the expense of war, disbanded the Virginia Regiment. According to letters to the Board of Trade from Lt. Gov. Francis Fauquier of January 1763 and December 1765, the colony maintained no garrisons or forts on its frontiers ......... the fort built by Capt. Thomas Waggener was gone by 1765.
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During its useful lifetime, the fort benefited its neighborhood beyond simply providing a safe haven for neighborhood inhabitants in times of crises. Although it accomplished its purpose by encouraging the settlers in its neighborhood to stay on their homesteads, it unexpectedly became integrated into the lives of its neighbors in ways that were unimagined by the governor, legislature, and the military authorities when they created the fort. In a function that was, perhaps, more important than any other, the fort hosted the county court and its vital records. In a county that was just organized as hostilities broke out, the fort was a natural, centrally located site that provided the stability needed to organize and maintain an infant local government. Finally, when stability was restored to the area after 1758, it served as the focal point in an emergent market-oriented economy and post-war boom in land speculation and settlement in the county.
ENDNOTES
......(12) In a 23 February 1756 list of tithables sent to the Lords of Trade by Lt. Gov. Dinwiddie, Hampshire county had 558 white and 12 black tithables. According to Dinwiddie's note of explanation, to get a good estimate of the total population, he suggested doubling the number of blacks and quadrupling the number of whites. This would make a total of 24 blacks, assumed here to be slaves and approximately 2200 whites. White tithables were all males over the age of seventeen, black tithables were all blacks, male and female, over the age of fifteen. The tithable information is in R.A. Brock, ed. Official Records of Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant-Governor of the Colony of Virginia, 1751-1758, (1884; reprint, New York: AMS Press, 1971), 352.
.......(14) For the fort serving as the headquarters of the County Court see Donald H. Kent, et al. The Papers of Henry Bouquet, vols. 3 and 4, (Harrisburg: Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, 1976 and 1978), BP is used hereafter. From two letters, the first Lt. Col. George Mercer to Bouquet, Winchester, Va., 28 Aug 1759 concerning the South Branch (3:630) in which Mercer stated that "...I shall be there at their County Court...", and the second written 16 days later Mercer to Bouquet, Fort Pleasant, 13 Sept 1759 (4:91-93), it can be deduced that the County Court was held at Fort Pleasant by 1759. An entry in Benjamin J. Hillman, ed., Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, vol. 6, (Richmond:Virginia State Library, 1966), dated 9 Dec 1761 established the County Court at "Pearsall's Level"......
.....(15) GW Papers 3:46 and Samuel Kercheval. A History of the Valley of Virginia. (1833; reprint, Woodstock, Va.: W. N. Grabill, 1902), 75.
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Copyright 1998 held by Terry Gruber, Rock Oak Historical Services. The author grants permission to individuals to copy or reprint this article for personal use only. Address requests for permission for mass distribution or publication to the author.
Isaac Van Meter (South Branch Resident and owner of the land where Fort Pleasant was erected) was killed by Indians while he was working in his fields in 1757.
We find a John Hampton, Charles Colson and John Colston along with Henry Vanmeter, Joseph Vanmeter, Remberance Williams, Josiah Combs and many others, were paid for Military service [Militia]. Source: Virginia Colonial Records 1600-1700, Virginia Colonial Soldiers, Militia Miscellany - Hennings page 211.A 1758 Roster of Frederick County VA Colonial Militia Soldiers lists the above same names, including John Hampton. Source: Virginia Colonial Militia, 1651-1776, Militia Rosters in Henings Statutes at Large, Page 73. Hening Vol 7
1758 - A Story of Two Tennessee Families, Edwards - Hyder, Ernestine Ratcliffe Edwards - In the Ross B. Johnson book of West Virginia Estate Settlements we find: p. 31 Inventory and appraisement for Michael Hider, Date of Probate 14 February, 1758. Witnesses: Henry Van Meter, Jonathan Corbin, Peter Casey
Bill of Sale for Michael Hider, Witnesses: Henry Van Mether (Meter), Jonathan Heath. This dated document is the last official record we have concerning Hans Michael Hider. [Colonel Andrew Hampton married the daughter of Hans Michael Hyder Sr., Katrina (Katherine / Catherine). p. 34
On February 1, 1759, Noah Hampton, Rawley Wood and John Andrews witnessed the will of Joseph Matthews, of Albemarle County, Virginia.
January 17, 1761 - Reportedly, Frederick Co. records show a clerk fee of 30 pounds of tobacco due by Noah Hampton to the County Clerk James Wood. Wood presented the fees due the clerk to the Sheriff John Hardin for collection as was the custom. In Virginia at the time the typical fee for recording a document at the Clerk's Office was 10 pounds of tobacco per sheet recorded, thus Noah Hampton could have recorded three sheets of a deed, will or other such document.Source: Ancestors of Vance Peterson [I have not verified this- kh]
1762 - Benjamin Kuykendall of Hampshire Co. 400 A. adj. John Kuykendall on Mill Cr. of S. Br. of Potomac R. in said Co. Surv. Mr. David Vance.10, Sept. 1762.
Also a 1770 survey for John Henry - 77 A. on break neck run of S. Br. of Potomac .. adj. John Kuykendall.
(A) 1762 - Col. George Mercer of Frederick Co. 100 A. in Black Walnut Bottom adj. John Ryan, Noah Hamptons Run in Hampshire Co. Surv. David Vance. 1 Jan. 1762 nnlg/p128/K-342:See van meter re: ryan's
(B) Col. George Mercer of Frederick Co. 363 A. on Timber Ridge at place called Murphys on S. Br. of Potomack R. in Hampshire Co. Surv. David Vance. 2 Jan. 1762 - K-343:/p128/nnlgsee murphys in road order 1742
(C) Col. George Mercer of Frederick Co. 342 A. adj. the Manor line on N. Fork of Noah Hamtons Mill Run in Hampshire Co. Surv. David Vance. 4 Jan. 1762 - K-344:nnlg/p128 [see van meter - buys mercers? North fork of Noah Hamptons Mill run?
Could one or two of the parcels above have been part of the three documents Noah filed/recorded in 1761? Were they part of the 900 acres disposed ofby Noah and referenced in Haytons Will?
Col. Mercer bought most of the land north & west of Hampton's Mill Run. Hamptons Mill Run is the Middle Branch of Anderson Run as per maps of the area circa 1747 and the above recordings for Mercer. This would be directly east of Old Fields, WV. The location of Hamptons Mill Run is elevated, the ground below gradually raises along Hamptons run in altitude.
It is noted that a Martha Williams sold what would appear to be land on the Manor Line of the South Branch Manor (lot , 68 Acres, to Issac Van Meter circa 1800 according to a map and information I have received. Lot 4 West would appear to be the same location as Hampton's Mill Run & Anderson's Run. Andersons Run proceeds east - west through lots 3 West and 2 West of the South Branch Manor and just below "Old Fields." The east - west border between lotand lotis located at "Old Fields." Hampton Mill Run is located at the fork of Anderson Run and Hamton Run (branches off to left from Anderson Run), just west of Old Fields)
As has been mentioned, Virginia's Orange county consisted of all the territory west of the Blue Ridge. In1738, this area was divided into the two counties of Augusta and Frederick with Frederick encompassing the area later to become the eastern panhandle of West Virginia. In 1753 Frederick became Hampshire County and 32 years later, Hampshire was divided into two counties with the southernmost half becoming Hardy County. Finally, in 1866, the western half of Hardy County become Grant County and the western half of Hampshire County became Mineral County.
Sometime prior to December 1762 Lord Fairfax apparently sent surveyors into Hampshire County to lay out a town. On Nomember 12, 1762 a petition for a town of fifty acres laid off by Lord Fairfax at Pearsall's Level was introduced in the General Assembly of Virginia. After three readings of the bill it was signed by Governor Francis Fauquier December 23, 1762 and Romney was established. According to the article incorporating Romney the town was laid out in 100 lots of one half acre each. The article also makes it clear that a court house had already been built.
Apparently no separate town government was had by the new town until December 4, 1789 when the General Assembly of Virginia passed an act providing for a board of trustees made up of: Isaac Parsons, Isaac Millar, Andrew Woodrow, Stephen Colven, Jonathan Purcell, [Noah Hampton's grandson, son of Ann - kh] Nicholas Casey, William McGuire, Purez Drew, and James Murphy. .....
Both of Noah's locations near Moorefield and Old Fields are noted as "adjacent to the Manor Line." One should also note that Washington surveyed all around Noah (including Solomon Hedges' land & Van Meter's land - Noah's neighbors) for Lord Fairfax, but did he survey Noah's Land? It would appear that the Van Meters, Abraham Hite and Solomon Hedges were Noah's closest neighbors in the Old Fields location. Was Noah's Land outside of the South Branch Manor? Did Noah have one of those unrecorded leases with Fairfax? He was certainly openly and notoriously livng in the area for many years.
1763-68 Records of Mecklenburg County, North Carolina show Andrew Hampton of Dutchman's Creek as Administrator of the John Wilson estate; a name shown earlier in Hampshire County with land adjacent to Phipps land.
1764 - George Stickler of Town of Lancaster in Pennsylvania 195 A. in Hampshire Co.Surv. Mr. David VanceAdj. Noah Hampton.10 Aug. 1764nnvg/p158/M-289 This 195 acres is adjacent to Noah's 312 acre parcel. [This land, bought by Strickler, formerly belonged to Solomon Hedges]
1765 - Col. Abraham Hite of Hampshire Co.360 A. adj. the Manor Line on Van Meters Run at Mudd Lick in said countySurv. Mr. David VanceAdj. Hites Corner, Noah Hampton. 1 Apr. 1765nnlg/p160/M-334. A 1747 map shows Noah's property with the southwest corner on Mudlick Run and Turnmill Run running through the middle of the property. The location is basically about 1-2 miles north and west of where Moorefield, WV is located. [This would be the same 312 acres described below. I do not know at this time what the title problems were.]
1766 Stalnaker, Jacob - Hampshire Co. VA - Thomas Wharton & Joseph Wharton of Philadelphia for whom surveyed, assignees of Joseph Watson assignee of Mr. Samuel Dew, warrantee 22 Jan 1763 - 12 Mar 1766;82 1/2 a. on Kuykendall Saw Mill Run of South Branch, Trough Hill Mt [possibly Sawmill Run which rises in present Hardy co. and runs into the South Branch about 10 miles south of Romney]; adj their own (formerly Dew's) CC William Gibson & Jacob Stalnaker Surv John Moffett [east side of the Potomac? - kh]
Northern Neck Warrants
August 8, 1771, Noah Hampton's land in Hampshire County is mentioned in the will of John Hayton.Hayton in his will gives land to John Haton of Cumberland, England, "son of my Uncle Thomas." The land is identified as 900 acres in four tracts in Hampshire County, purchased from John McCullogh, who in turn had purchased from Noah Hampton. [As mentioned earlier the Will of Hayton was witnessed by Jonathan Seamon - kh]
Thomas Neale of Hampshire Co. 312 A. in said Co. Surv'd 2 Dec. 1750 by David Vance for Noah Hampton who sold to John McCulloch who gave Bond to John Hayton & William Carlyle to make them a Title. John Hayton by his last Will ordered same to be sold. William Carlyle agreed to sale. Joseph Watson acting Executor of said John Hayton sold to Thomas Neale who forfeited by advertisement and recorded in Book N. Deed to Thomas Neale. Adj. Abraham Hite, the Manor Line. 14 Oct. 1774.nnlg/p227/P-299
Beginning within a month after the capture of Fort Duquesne, enterprising Hampshire Countians, from the area above The Trough, began to take advantage of a new market for food created by the presence of several thousand soldiers stationed at forts on the western Pennsylvania frontier. John McCullough, a trader from the South Branch, was the first to bring provisions for sale to the English line of forts in Pennsylvania. In January 1759, the local people engaged themselves in constructing a road from Fort Pleasant to Patterson Creek, so that the supplies could be brought to Fort Pitt more easily and directly.
By the harvest of 1759, many Hampshire Countians took advantage of the new market opportunity as growers, transporters, or sub-contractors. Fort Pleasant was used as the collection point for agricultural products of the upper South Branch Valley. From 11-13 September 1759, Lt. Col. George Mercer of the Virginia Regiment (also serving as Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General for Maryland and Virginia for the British forces) was at Fort Pleasant to procure provisions for the Crown forts in Pennsylvania. In a letter to his superior, Col. Henry Bouquet of the Royal American Regiment, he outlined his plans to collect provisions to be transported to Fort Pitt.
William Andrew Zane and his sons Jonathan and Ebenezer lived on the South Branch of the Potomac very near where Noah Hamptons Mill Run is believed to have been located. Jonathan and Ebenezer each named a son Noah. Col Ebenezer Zane was born October 07, 1747 in Moorefield, Virginia, and died November 19, 1812 in Wheeling, VA. He married Elizabeth McCullolloch 1767 in Virginia, daughter of John McColloch and Sarah Innskeep. Ebenezer is reported to have been one of the founders of Wheeling, WV. "In 1770 other families emigrated from the South Branch to the Wheeling Settlement..... Prominent among them were Col. David Shepherd, father of Moses Shepherd, John Wetzel, the father of Lewis Wetzel and the McCollochs (four brothers Abraham, George, Samuel & John, and several sisters, one of whom Elizabeth was, the wife of Col. Ebenezer Zane" [The Zane family reportedly came from the Newton, Glocester, NJ area - kh]
William Andrew Zane, circa 1744: "Their father was possessed of a bold and daring spirit of adventure, which was displayed on many occasions in the early part of his life. Having rendered himself obnoxious to the Society of Friends (of which he was a member), by marrying without that society, he moved to Virginia and settled on the South Branch, where the town of Moorefield has been since erected."
In the southeastern part of Delaware Township, Camden Co., N. J., and about one mile west from Marlton, Burlington county, is situated the original homestead of John Inskeep, the pioneer of the Inskeep Family in America. James Inskeep, b. in Staffordshire England, circa 1703, d. Hardy Co.,Va., m. 10,22,1725 at First Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia PA, Mary Miller. Their issue-
Mary Inskeep, b. 10-7-1726, d. m. (L. 6-15) 1747, Jonathan Wright.
Sarah Inskeep, b. 9-14-1728, d. m. (L 5-24) 1749 John McCullock son of Samuel McCulloch.
Catherine Inskeep, b. 11-29-1730, d. 1751 or 5.
Joseph Inskeep, b. 5-10-1733, d. m. (L. 10-5) 1756 Hannah McCulloch, d. of Samuel McCulloch.
It has been reported that Joseph married in New Jersey in 1756 and his wife was Hannah McColloch or McCullough. John McCollough, Hannah's brother, married Sarah, the sister of Joseph and Abraham Inskeep and he, in 1758, owned land above the Trough which is the extreme lower end of the valley (Hamp. Co. Deeds Bk. 1). It is not known if this could have or is Noah's 312 acres adjacent Abraham Hite.
JOHN PEARSALL, heir of Job Pearsall for whom survd, escheated from Joseph Hamlin; 10 Sept. 1769-17 Nov. 1769; this being part of a larger tract (Lot 11) granted Joseph Hamlin for 289 a. by this office 7 June 1749. Hamlin died intestate without known heirs (see following affidavits.). 230 a. on Pattersons Crk; adj. Christ (Lott 10), Parker (Lott 12), Bagley (part of Lott 11 Bagley bought of Joseph Hamlin), Beaver (Lott 9) house drawn of 230 a. tract. CC-Garrett Reasoner & Jacob Criss. Present - Henry Bagley & Power Hazell. Surv. Moffett.
The following notes are from numerous 1769 affidavits in a dispute after Hamlin's death. John Parker sd Hamlin solicited Edwrd Pursell [Noah's son in law or grandson] to come live with him but Purslee inclined to go to Carolina. Thos (X) Queen sd Hamlin told him Job Persall would get his land if he outlived him. Henry Cyger declared the same. Job Pearsall had his improvements on Hamlin's place apprd by Robert Bell (?), John Carpenter & Michael Diebolt (GS) - at L80. Usley Crist, wife of John Crist, sd Hamlin told her that whosoever lived on his plantation & maintained him would have it. Elizabeth Seaver sd Hamlin told her his land should be divided equally between two orphans, a boy of Ann Pursell [Noah's daughter] alies hampton named Jonathan [Noah's grandson] & the other a girl belonging to Elizabeth Begley alias Brannon alias Persall named Bathia Brannon. John Ramsey sd he asked Hamlin if he had no children to leave his land & Hamlin said he had but they ware so far off that Before they came to prove themselves Hairs ye costs & trouble would overgo ye profit. It had been Pearsall's home in sickness & health for a long time & Hamlin was determined to make old Mr. Pearsall his hair & that sum time before he had determined to give it to Bagley's Wifes daughter & Edward Purcells Son, but now Pearsall should have it.
Additional affidavits were taken from Noah Hampton, Nicholas Seaver, Zadok Wright, Nicohlas Crist, Mrs. Alexander Gibney & Martha Wilson. 15 May 1770 - Summons to Ann Purcell on behalf of son Jonathan, a minor, & Henry Begley to shew cause why Deed should not issue to John Pearsall, devisee of Job Pearsall, decd.
Will of Job Pearsall (copy) 20 May 1770, proved 14 Aug. 1770. Land to my son John after my wife's decease. Son John to pay L20 to each of my daughters Margaret & Eleanor when 21 or Day of Marriage, the land given John of much greater value than what I had to give any of my other children. Execs John Pearsall & Samuel Dew (?). Proved by oaths of Joseph Branton & John Carpenter (?).
Lewis Green, aged 35, swore he was working for Job Pearsall on Joseph Hamlin's planation on 1 Jan. 1768 & Hamlin sd he would leave land to Pearsall after his death. Thomas McGuire and Nathaniel Ware, aged 43, gave their affidavits. N.d. - His Lordship is of opinion Ann Purcell has no right to the land & Henry Bagley has left the colony. Deed to issue to John Pearsall. (Note: All question marks are in transcript.) "Abstracts of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys Hampshire, Berkeley, Loudoun, Fairfax, King George, Westmoreland, Richmond, Northumberland & Lancaster Counties 1697-1784, Vol. IV," Compiled by Peggy Shomo Joyner, Portsmouth, Va., 1995, pages 52-52. *See note later in this file regard Job Pearsal and Pearsal's Fort.
Pearsall's on the South Branch."Job Pearsall was an early settler on the South Branch River. Exactly when he came is not certain, but it seems that he leased lotof the South Branch Manor from Samuel Earl. His name appears on the Fry and Jefferson Map of 1751 located on the east bank of the river astride the road from Winchester. It was a very strategic place since it lay by the river on the road to the South Branch and Patterson's Creek Manors and also on an old Indian trail. Col. Washington first refers to the fort at this site in October, 1755. In his Council of War on July 10, 1756, Col. Washington stresses that, "it will be found necessary to maintain a Block-house at Pearsalls, to secure that difficult pass, and keep the communications open."
Pearsall's fort was used as a supply base for the other forts of the South Branch and for supplies to go to Virginia troops at Ft. Cumberland. In a letter to Commissary Walker dated Jan. 10, 1756, Col. Washington notes that "There are three thousand weight of Pork laid in at Job Pearsalls " Besides guarding supplies, troops at this fort were used to protect the neighborhood as well as to escort messengers and convoys. Both Virginia Regiment and Militia troops were stationed at Pearsall's at various times, and friendly Indians were in attendance on numerous occassions.
No clear record exists stating the exact facilities at Pearsall's. The fort seems finally to have been out of use by the winter of 1764. Today the exact location of the site is unknown, although it is somewhere west of the present town of Romney, West Virginia. Was Noah's lotin the "South Branch Manor?"Was that his means of protection and safety during the difficult years of the French and Indian War?"
........Washington's last visit to Fort Pearsall was June 30, 1758. At this time he was on his way to join General Forbes for the expedition against Fort Duquesne starting from Raystown, now Bedford, Pennsylvania. The French and Indian War ended a few months after Forbes captured the fort, bringing a close to the most active period of Fort Pearsall's history.
Job appears to have sold off his holdings in the Romney area on Nov. 10, 1766, when he sold 323 acres on the South Branch to Luke Collins of Hampshire County. Job then appears to have moved to nearby Patterson's Creek, or at least he acquired control of some land there. After Job's death, the ownership of the land on Patterson's Creek was disputed because Job had never actually bought it but was given it by a man named Joseph Hamlin. Eventually, Job's son John was awarded the land. [*JOHN PEARSALL, heir of Job Pearsall. This would be the same dispute that Noah Hampton testifies about (1769) in regard to his daughter Ann and grandson Jonathan. - kh]
The above puts Noah's daughter (Ann) in the Paterson Creek area circa the 1760's. Sara Patton in her "South Branch - Men and Manors," makes this statement: "Wild Meadow Run was Hampton's Run; Mill Creek was Ed. Corns Run; Staggs Run was Parkers Mill Run." Does this mean Noah had property and/or resided in the Patterson Creek area also? It is well documented that many of his early South Branch neighbors acquired land in the area circa 1750-1770.
The Purcell family is reported as having lived in Patterson Creek Manor on Pursley Run. The family name is also listed as Pursley in Noah's Will. One will find the name listed both ways in early records and neither the Purcell family nor my research has indicated the exact time and/or reason for the spelling change, if there was one. After 1787, it has been Purcell for this branch of the family.
Jonathan Seamon on August 8, 1771 witnesses the will of John Hayton (Haton).Hayton in his will gives land to John Haton of Cumberland, England, "son of my Uncle Thomas." The land is identified as 900 acres in four tracts in Hampshire County, purchased from John McCullogh, who in turn had purchased from Noah Hampton.
The 1772 will of Noah Hampton was found by a researcher named George Purcell in 1997.It was found at the West Virginia University under the Early Records of Hampshire Co., VA now WV.The will mentions wife Alse, indicating a second wife. In addition to the wife the will mentions a son Andrew, oldest daughter Mathy, and a daughter Ann, whose Purcell sons lived on Noah's property until moving West [about 1797]. Transcription of the Noah Hampton's Will (written 3 Jun 1772; probated 9 Jul 1775) in Hampshire Co., VA (now WV). Source: Letter from researcher, Col. Robert B. Cox, June 1997 to Carla M. Macartney.
IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN, I Noah Hampton of Hampshire County and Colony of Virginia being weak in Body but of Sound Memory (blessed be God) on the 3 Day of June and in the year of our Lord God one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy two Make and Publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner following (That is to say First I give to my son Andrew Hamton My Bible also I give and bequeath to my oldest daughter Mathy five shillings also I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann one Iron Pot Also I give to my Dear and Lovin Wife Alse Hamton My Feather Bed and FurnitureAlso I give unto My Wife Her Choice of one of my horses and a cow and calf and saddle and bridelAlso I give to my Wife Alse during her widowhood the use of my Plantation Whereon I Now Livith and all my household Furniture Stock of Horses Cattel Sheep and hogs with all my Plants and Utensils with the remainder of my Estate to have and to hold Whilst her name is Alse Hamton and after her Decease the same to be sold with my Plants and the money arising by the same to be put on interest to be equally divided between Edward Pursley and William Pursley Sons of my daughter Ann and I make ___ _____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ for the Intents of Purposes in this my Will contained and I make my Loving Friend Jonathan Heath overseer of this my will to take one and see the same performed according to my true intent and meaning and for his Pains I give him the ____ percent.In witness whereof I the said Noah Hamton have to this my last Will and Testament set my Hand and Seal the Day and year above written.
(signed) Noah Hampton
Signed Sealed and Delivered and for his last will and Testament in the Presents of us who were Present at the sealing and signing thereof: Jonathan Heath, William Darlon (Darling), Sofia Darling, William Ron (Kon)
Note: New Jersey, 1699-1700 Feb. 24- John Hutchinson to Andrew Heath, both of Hopewell, Burlington Co., yeoman, for 400 acres in said township, between Tho: Kizle on Delaware R., John Brierley and grantor. njcd/kfh/ 676 [This Andrew Heath most probably knew John Hampton and Andrew Hampton the immigrants, all lived in the same general area of NJ. - kh]
5/9/1775 Noah Hampton posted a Bond. Witnesses were Jonathan Heath and John Pownell. I do not know what was the purpose of the bond. The records that contained the Bond Noah posted and his estate Inventoryand Appraisement are not available. The record that I found notating these records was done by the W.P.A. (an extract) in the 1930's and subsequently "was not in the courthouse in 1960 when the records were microfilmed." Therefore, I have been unable to get a copy of the Bond or Appraisement. Any help in this regard would be most appreciated. Noah's estate Appraisement is recorded as being completed on 4/14/1778, witnesses were David Wilton, Joesph Welton and Moses Welton. [Did Noah dispose of land in 1775, was that the reason for the bond? If not, what purpose would he need a bond? Could it have been for one of his grandson's marriage?
Will probated 9 Jul 1775 in Hampshire Co., VA (now WV).
1776 - HAMPTON NOAH S BR Manor County VA Rent Role VA - Noah died in 1775, so we assume this is just a bookkeeping entry of money due.
Colonial America, 1607-1789 VA Census Index
Williams, MarthaVA S BR MANOR1776RENT ROLL
Hampton, MansahVA S BR MANOR1776RENT ROLL[Who is this? kh]
Hampton, NoahVA S BR MANOR1776RENT ROLL
"South Branch Manor Lands - Men and Manors"
Lot
17 Hampton Manor96a (this is presumed to be Noah Hampton)
17 John Renick 122a (also owned lot )
19 Jonathon Heath 105a (friend & executor of Noah's Will - 1775)
33Edward Williams & Issac Hornback 235a each
58 Adam Hyder 104a
It has been reported that in the colonial eastern mountain dialect, "Alse" is Elsie and "Mathy" is Martha.
7-31-1779 - Martha Williams to Garret Vanmeter. Bill of Sale. Place on which she lived, for L500 pounds, one bushel salt, two bushels corn, one and one-half bushels wheat: rec. 8-10-1779. Wit: Jacob Vanmeter, Noah Williams.
Engineering for Corridor H (supplied by George M. Williams) indicates lotof the South Branch Manor is owned by Martha Williams and "to Isacc Vanmeter". I can not find anything from a Martha Williams to an Isaac Vanmeter (in the property records up to 1800), Martha Williams LotSouth Branch Manor. The only record I have found so far is the sale from Martha Williams to Garret VanMeter in 1779, referenced above. Did Garret transfer this to son Isaac, thus the explanation of why it is in Isacc's name? Also, Garret had a son named Isaac. Isaac was 27 years old when his father died (reportedly Garret died 15 Apr 1788), which probably means that Isacc inherited it, could this be why there isn't a deed from a Martha Williams to an Isaac Vanmeter and the Highway Investigation notes the property as Martha Williams to Isacc Vanmeter instead of Garret? - kh]
Considerable research and several different sources indicate that Lotof the South Branch Manor is preciously where Noah Hamptons Mill Run is believed to have been located. As is noted, a NOAH Williams is a witness to the deed. So it would appear this Martha Williams had a son (or other relative name Noah). If her son or other relative, would it not seem that he might have been named after grandfather Noah Hampton?Noah's Mill location is referenced also in this recording: 1762 - Col. George Mercer of Frederick Co. 100 A. in Black Walnut Bottom adj. John Ryan, Noah Hamptons Run in Hampshire Co. Surv. David Vance. 1 Jan. 1762 nnlg/128/K-342:
I have thus far not found a recorded transfer by Noah Hampton of this property (Hamptons Mill Run) to anyone, yet a Martha Williams appears the owner of it, prior to the Vanmeters acquiring it?
Noah possibly could have conveyed the property in his 3 documents recorded in 1761. Noah possibly conveyed property in 1775 just before he died because he posted a bond. Noah also has been reported to have given grandson Jonathan Purcell a lot on the South Branch, I have not yet found a record of that.
George Purcell, descendant of Noah Hampton through daughter Ann and discoverer of Noah Hampton's Will, states in a letter to Hampton researcher RB Cox, "I believe Mathy (Martha) married a Williams." It has been reported that in the eastern colonial mountain dialect, "Mathy" is Martha. In Noah's 1775 Will, he names daughter, "Mathy," but no last name is given. Noah leaves his then home place to wife his Alse (no other records yet found for Alse.)
....Peter Casey, Jr. conveyed to Jonathan Purcell 400 acres on Patterson Creek that was originally granted to Vincent Williams, my ancestor Sept 26 1781. This was owned by Vincent Williams prior to 1756 and I do not know its exact location but Vincent is not listed as one of the Patterson Creek lot owners. Source: Wednesday, May 02, 2001 11:19 AM - George M. Williams.
Vinson Williams of Frederick Co. 400 A. in said Co. near Potomack R. Surv. Mr. David Vance. 1 May 1754 -kh]
1782 - "Edward Purcell and his brother William inherited their grandfather Noah Hampton's 95 acres, part of Lot 17, Fairfax Patterson Creek Manor. The 1782 census of Hampshire Co shows them together. Jonathan earlier was given a choice tract on South Branch of Potomac. He appears to be living at immigrant Edward's place on Pursley Run." Source: Purcell Family History, reportedly from a letter from George Purcell (descendant) living in Van Nuys, CA. Reportedly the Hamptons lived on Hampton Run (now Wild Meadow Run - Lot 17 - Patterson Creek Manor) and the Purcells lived on Purselly Run. Source: Purcell Family Web Site [My research seems to indicate that it was lot17 of the South Branch Manor - kh] Reportedly, Wild Meadow Run was Hampton's Run; Mill Creek was Ed. Corns Run; Staggs Run was Parkers Mill Run. Source: Purcell Family Web Site
Some researchers feel that the Andrew mentioned in the Will of Noah was Col. Andrew Hampton and others feel that it was not. Some believe that it was another Andrew that moved to Indiana circa 1797. Needless to say, we are trying to find Indiana Andrew Hampton - leads and/or information, are most welcome. Noah's daughter Ann, had 3 boys (Purcell) all of whom moved to Indiana around Knox, Sullivan and Greene Counties. Indeed there are numerous records for the Purcells in the Vincennes area of Indiana, but only an 1807 reference to this Indiana Andrew Hampton.
Several adult Andrews Hampton are known to have been alive in 1772 when Noah named his son Andrew in his will. Granville Andrew Hampton (if still alive) was in GA. One Andrew Hampton would appear to be the son of John Hampton Jr. and is mentioned in John's 1751 Will. The other was Col. Andrew who was living in NC. As mentioned earlier, another Andrew Hampton appears in Indiana on an 1807 census along with a second Andrew Hampton and Jonathan Hampton, but we do not yet know who this Andrew was or where he was circa 1772-75. There is ample record of brothers Purcell (Noah's grandchildren) in 1800-1810 Indiana. If Andrew had moved there with them, wouldn't he have left records also. How could this Andrew, a son of Noah, leave virtually no record for 60 or 70 years and then show up in Indiana? Where was he before 1807?
...............When I first came on the list there was a question involving Indiana Hamptons. I have in my possession the first CENSUS of KNOX CO., Indiana. In it there are two Andrew Hamptons and a Jonathan Hampton. It has been suggested that this family of Hamptons might be old Noah's son and grandchildren. The reason for this is that Noah's grandsons sold out in Hampshire Co., (THE PURCELLS) in 1797 and moved to Indiana. Just a thought.Source: Roberta Rose. [Roberta provided me copies of these documents.]
This Indiana Andrew, Jonathan and 2nd Andrew literally disappear from that area thereafter (Knox Co). One of my ancestors, Andrew Hampton and his brother Jonathan (sons of Jonathan) are both unaccounted for from 1800 until 1812. Could they have been in Indiana in 1807? Why is there no record for this Andrew, purported son of Noah, other than this one 1807 census? There is also another Andrew Hampton in the early 1800's in Indiana that is the son of Jacob Hampton and the grandson of Andrew Hampton (NJ d. 1738, a tailor, that married Margaret Cumming). There is also an Andrew and a Jonathan Hampton in Wayne Co, IN circa 1820-30. All of these Hamptons appear to have migrated from the New Jersey, PA and NY areas. Further research is needed in regard to the Indiana Hamptons and their origins.
Considerations and evaluation of Granville Andrew Hampton as Noah's son. Noah was almost too young (born circa 1692/93) to have fathered Andrew Hampton of Granville (b. 1710-1713) and the name Noah is not perpetuated in that line to the same degree it is in Col. Anrew's line. This Andrew is estimated to have been born 1710-1713. Noah was born circa 1692-93, thus he would have been 18 to 20 years old if the father of this Andrew circa 1711-13. Noah was reportedly married by 1714 (as evidenced by a wife Sarah signing his NJ deed selling100 acres), so we can not conclusively rule out this possibility. (1) Granville Andrew Hampton is found owning land (200 acres) next to Noah on Opequon Creek circa 1735. (2) This Andrew and Noah both departed the Opqequon Creek area circa 1743.
Based primarily on Noah's will and the fact that Colonel Andrew Hampton was apparently in the VA area near Noah, before moving south to NC, many have noted and referenced "Old Noah" Hampton as the father of Col. Andrew Hampton. Others have speculated that Col. Andrew was the son of Andrew Hampton (d. 1725, in Cecil Co, MD) and wife Susannah (Unknown). The speculation being that Col. Andrew spent time after his father's death with uncle Jonathan (his surrogate father, hence the naming of Andrew's first son Jonathan) and when uncle Jonathan died in 1744/45 he removed to the vicinity of Noah in VA and thence to NC. It should be noted that Ann Hampton (daughter of Noah) named her first son Jonathan also and she was married to Edward Purcell (his father's name was _________ ).
Colonel Andrew Hampton of Anson (born about 1725, died in Rutherford Co., North Carolina in 1805) could be the right age for Noah's son. Whatever the relationship may have been between Noah Hampton and Col. Andrew Hampton, the name NOAH was perpetuated for many generations in the line of Col. Andrew Hampton.
Arguments supporting Col Andrew as Noah's son: (1) Col Andrew Hampton married Katrina Hyder/Hider, daughter of Hans Micael Hider that migrated to The South Branch area of Hampshire Co, VA circa 1740. (2) Col Andrew is found in 1748 in NC with members of the Kuykendall family by names of Peter, James, Abraham and John shown as members of the Cobrin Company, North Carolina Militia of Captain Samuel Corbin. The Kuykendals and Corbin (Coburn) are all from the South Branch area of Hampshire Co. VA (3) Many descendants of the South Branch families migrated to NC circa 1745-55 and are associated with Col. Andrew in NC (4) The name Noah is perpetuated in Col. Andrew's family (5) Col. Andrew named a daughter Alse, the name of Noah's second wife. (6) Noah names a son "Andrew" in his 1772 Will.
The arguments against Col. Andrew being the son of Noah: (1) Eldest son was named Jonathan (2) Eldest daughter was named Susannah - wife of Andrew deceased 1725 in MD was named Susannah (3) Letter from descendant George Purcell stating, "Andrew probably moved to Indiana with Jonathan." (5) No proof, other than circumstantial.
There are also those that belive that Col. Andrew was born in England, citing some DAR record or a book written over a 100 years ago that had no reliable documentation. There are also those that claim he is from Isle of Wright,I have found "no documentation" for that claim.
I am not sure, at this point, if we can say with an acceptable degree of certainty, whom is Col. Andrew Hampton's father. The two best candidates are certainly Noah and brother Andrew, sons of John Hampton (NJ) the immigrant from Scotland. In my opinion, at the moment, the evidence favors Noah, but I would definitely stipulate that it is not conclusive and certainly open to debate.
Was Mary, wife of Peter Kuykendall the daughter of Noah Hampton? Family tradition on both sides says that she was, but nothing has been conclusively proven. A more detailed evaluation is included in Mary Hampton's family file (daughter of Noah). One will note that a daughter Mary was not named in Noah's Will. Why not, was she deceased by 1772 (She was apparently deceased circa 1766-68) and therefore left out of Noahs Will? That begs the question, "Wouldn't her heirs have been left a token or something?" I have seen many Wills from this time frame - some included the children of a deceased daughter, some didn't.
In summary, it would seem a strong likely hood that she may have been Noah's daughter. It would also seem a strong likely hood that she came from the South Branch of the Potomac where the Hamptons and Kuykendalls lived circa 1740-1750. I have placed her as Noah's daughter in my family file for the moment, but it should be noted that this has not been proven to a high degree of probability as yet. She could very easily be the daughter of Andrew (deceased in Maryland in 1725) and wife Susannah.
It has been speculated that Andrew, Mary and Adam were the children of Noah's brother Andrew that died in 1725 Cecil Co, Maryland. It is also speculated that these orphaned children were then raised by uncle Noah Hampton.
There is also the unanswered question of, "What happened to Noah's daughter, Mathy?" Purcell's suggestion that she married a "Williams" is the only clue I have found so far and the records found to indicate some possibility for this theory. It would seem possible that the Martha Williams with Noah Williams as witness in the property transfer may be the missing daughter of Noah. A Noah Williams is later found in PA and noted in some military records. Any information on Martha or Noah is most welcome. More research is definitely need and this is only in the realm of possibility at this point.
There was at least one other documented Martha Williams in Hampshire County. A Martha Williams is mentioned as childof John Higgins Sr. in his 1-9-1806 Will. There is also a Martha Williams listed as the wife of John Williams in his Dec.1830 Will. This could very well be the daughter of Higgins, but is most likely not Noah's daughter as she would have been almost 100 years old. I have also found a Martha Williams, wife of Paul Williams owning land on Opequon Creek very near Noah and Andrew Hampton circa 1738, although I do not know much else about his family yet.
Letter from George Purcell (found Noah's will) to Col. Robert B. Cox (noted Hampton researcher), provided by Roberta Rose:
October 1, 1996
Col. Robert B. Cox
Address deleted
Dear Colonel:
Here is Noah Hampton's Will (Exh A). I interpret date Noah wrote his Will as "3 Day of June 1772". The numeral "3" is squeezed in and the letter "D" has a flourish.
Noah names wife Alse, children Andrew. Mathy {Martha) and Ann. Not named is Mary who wed Peter Kuykendall, a member of the first Frederick Co Court and the original lessee of Lot 1. Fairfax's South Branch Manor. Herbert F. Smith. a Kuykendall family historian who died last December, cites as proof that Peter and Mary were grandparents of Noah Hampton Kuykendall {Exh B). Peter andMary did considerable business with your Col. Andrew Hampton. I believe Martha wed a Williams but have not found proof.
Andrew probably moved to now southern Indiana with a large Jonathan Purcell organized party, April, 1797 {Exh C).
Ann wed my ancestor Irish immigrant Edward Purcell, 1731-c 178O, in c1753, just before Hampshire was carved from Old Frederick. According to a George Washington "size" Roll, 5' 6" Edward had a "Redd" complexion .
Edward and Ann had three sons: Jonathan, 1754-1813; Edward, 1759-1851, and William, 1761-1842. I surmise Jonathan was not named in Noah's Will because early on Noah gave Jonathan choice 45-acre Lot 37W, Fairfax's South Branch Manor, in now Hardy Co.
Believe Noah removed from the Capon-Bloomery districts c1752-53 to 201-acre Lot 17 of Fairfax's Patterson Creek Manor in the southeast corner of now Mineral Co, W VA. Noah held 96 acres on Hampton Run and Jonathan Heath, early Hampshire Co Sheriff, held 105 acres {Exh D).
The first Census of Hampshire Co, 1782. enumerated north to south, shows Edward and William living on Lot 17, Joseph Hanks living on Mike's Run and Jonathan and family on Pursley (Purcell) Run (Exh E). Census taker Vincent Williams was not related to Martha Williams.
Sincerely, George Purcell
"I surmise Jonathan was not named in Noah's Will because early on Noah gave Jonathan choice 45-acre Lot 37W, Fairfax's South Branch Manor, in now Hardy Co."[This lot, 37W, shows as 45a and owner as Wm Ashby in "Men and Manors in the South Branch Valley" - kh]
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I offer special acknowledgement and appreciation to Roberta Rose and James W. Foster - for their research, assistance and significant contributions. Both have done significant research into this family and have very graciously assisted me. They have contributed greatly to my understanding of this branch of the Hampton family. Much of what is found in this file is by virtue of their assistance. I acknowledge the significant contributions made by others, but take full responsibility for any conclusions in this compilation in order not to attribute incorrectly to any one else.
LOCATION
Noah's Mill Run is Anderson Run shown at the left top corner of this map. Old Fields, Hardy County, WV today, at the time (circa 1744) it was Virginia.
Noah's Mill Location is located approximately where the word RUN is between Walnut Bottom and Anderson. A rectangle drawn around the word RUN in that location is the 68 acre parcel owned by Martha Williams on Corridor H Highway Historical Maps.
MISCELLANY
George Yokum Interview. On the state road to Prestonsburg, 3 1/2 miles from Jeffersonville. Methodist, Born, Dec 3, 1763. http://www.swcp.com/~dhickman/articles/yokum.html (From the Draper Papers, Circa 1843)
.....My grandfather, Matthias Yocum, Michael Harness, and George Stump, were the first three men that ever brought wagons down to the South Branch. They came by way of Winchester; then up Big-Capon.; Lost River; and to the mountain. Crossing over the mountain, they came to the south fork of the South Branch. Grandfather Yocum settled about a half a mile from the mouth of (the) South Fork.
......Captain Charles Lynch , (three brothers came from Ireland) had a fort 1/2 mile from the fork, or where Moorefield now is. We spent one summer there. They had a powerful Battle in what was called the Trough of the South-Branch. From where the upper part of the South Branch ran into the mountain, to where it came again into fertile land, was six or seven miles. The mouth of this Trough (on the upper side,) was just opposite to Colonel Vanmetre's fort; where one Waggoner commanded at this time.
.....George and Leonard Reid, brothers, were killed and Dick Burns, Captain Parsons, and John Harness (son of old M.H.) were wounded. Waggoner afterwards sent for some of the men to come to the fort, when he got them there he had them whipped for calling him a coward.
Captain Job Welton and one or two Delays were killed on Looney's Creek, 10 or 15 miles from Moorefield. Four of them, who had gone out to put up hay, staid all night in the meadows, sleeping in the hay. Just before day they were fallen on and killed by about fourteen Indians.
A representative "Fairfax" Lease is as follows: Deed from FairfaxName XXXXXXXXX Deed 1755 The Right Honorable Thomas Lord Fairfax Baron of Cameron in the part of Great Britain called Scotland Proprietor of the Northern Neck of Virginia to all to whom this present writing shall come sends greeting; Know Ye that for good Causes for and in consideration of the Composition to me paid and for the annual Rent hereafter reserved I have given granted and confirmed and by these presents for me my Heirs and Assigns do give grant and confirm unto XXXXXXXX of Frederick County a certain Tract of waste and ungranted Land in the said county on the XXX River of XXXXX and bounded as by a Survey thereof made by Mr. George Washington as followeth; .....Then it goes on to talk about the rent: Assigns therefore yielding & paying to me, my Heirs or Assigns or to my certain Attorney or Attornies, Agent or Agents Yearly and every Year on the Feast Day of St Michael the Archangel The Fee Rent of one Shilling Sterling Money for every fifty acres of land .....
On 1 May 1734, Thomas Johnston/Johnson had a 289-acre tract surveyed and received a patent from the Colony for it on 3 October 1734. (Tract 27, Map 6) Thomas' will, proved in Cecil County, Maryland on 6 October 1739, left this land to his sons Daniel and William Johnston. Daniel sold a 149-acre section to Thomas Hampton on 10 October 1751. (Tract 27A) Daniel was in Frederick County, Virginia by 27 April 1761 when he sold another 149-acre part of the patent land to Stephen Johnston. These deeds were witnessed by Thomas Colson, George Hampton, Joseph Hampton and John Gordon.
Pg341 poofcv
Henry Hampton (son-in-law of Peter Wolf) was deceased by 7 October 1794 when his will (dated 6 September 1794) was proved in Frederick County Court. He bequeathed his personal estate to Sarah Phillips, 20 shillings to Sarah Clarke and money to William Beadles Sr. He listed his son James Hampton and James' son Henry Hampton.
Pg 340 poofcv
Peter Wolf was deceased by 5 October 1779 when his will (dated 28 April 1 1779) was proved in Frederick County Court. He bequeathed his land holdings to: grandson John Wolf [noted on south branch 1742 petitionkh], son of his deceased son John; daughter Sarah, wife of Henry Redman; Anne, wife of Henry Hampton; Rebecah, wife of John Nichols and step-daughter Betsey Cornwell, daughter of his deceased wife ("when Betsey comes of age"). He willed money to his grandson James Hampton, son of his daughter Anne. Peter appointed William Beadles, Peter Rout and Humphrey Grubbs to serve as executors. His grandson John Wolf and his wife Elizabeth sold his inherited share of the 600 acres on 6 June 1780. Peter's daughter Sarah and her husband Henry Redman sold her inherited 180 acres on 18 July 1780. His daughter Rebecah and her husband John Nichols sold her inherited 50 acres "where they have lived for many years" on 8 June 1785. Charles Mynn Thurston bought all three of these tracts.
Note: A Peter Wolfe was reportedly an associate of Hite and had come into the valley in 1733 from New Jersey.
poofcv/kh/Pg 219 Huckle Guilder was appointed constable on May 25, 1738, replacing Peter Woolf. He was replaced by James McKee on 27 June 1739 by the Orange County Court.
In 1744 Joseph Hampton and two sons came from the eastern shore of Maryland and located on Buck Marsh, near Berryville and dwelt the greater part of the year in a hollow tree. Finally, enclosing a piece of land, they made a crop preparatory to the removal of their families. Source: Book, "Southwest Virginia and Shenandoah Valley." It should be noted that a Joseph Hampton is shown as receiving a Grant of "430 acres, surveyed 1735, survey- Fairfax & Jost Hite Land Surveys, Shenandoah River, 1734-35, Frederick Co., VA. At this time I do not know anything about either Joseph Hampton or of any relationship to Noah Hampton or my Hampton family. It is interesting that Joseph of 1744 is from the Eastern Shore of Maryland from whence Noah and his brothers also came.
21 May 1752 (H-179:) Thomas Bryan Martin nephew of Thomas Lord Fairfax of Frederick Co. 8840 A. in Frederick Co. Surv. Mr. John Baylis. On Opoeckon adj. his plantation. He purchased 188 A. of John Nations. Desired inclusive Deed. Adj. Peter Wolf, Mess'rs Carter, opposite Wolfs new settlement, land of Burden, near Hampton's Plantation now Major Samuel Earle's, where Edward Corder lived, William Ramey, Thomas Thornton, Jost Hite, Shannondoah R., Robert Hapenny, Robert McKay's 828 acre tract, a part of Hite's grant, Chappel Road, Brandson's (Branson) Old Mill, James Kemp, Wright's Run. The 8840 A. tract to be called Manor of Greenway Court. 21 May 1752. [Was the Hampton's Plantation referred to above, Henry Hampton, reportedly son in law of Peter Wolfe?]
On 5 April 1751, Bartholomew Anderson received a Fairfax grant for 1,204 acres which included land within the 450-acre survey land. .....On 13 November 1772, daughter Rachel and her husband Joseph Hampton sold her inherited 86 acres to Jasper Ball of Loudoun County, Virginia for 140 pounds. Son Cornelius and his wife Ann sold his 95-acre inherited land to Jacob Sowers on 5 September 1773 for 125 pounds. On 2 November 1773, son Joseph and wife Hannah sold 29 acres of his inherited land to Jasper Ball for 34 pounds.
1754 - VA, Frederick County: Henry Hampton, Joseph Roberts, Edward Tyler, Dennis Bond, James Henry, Thomas Howell, Benjamin Kelley and James Walsh as Quakers held by the local authorities in Winchester in jail for over one year around 1754. "Source: Kathryn Weiss citing notes of RB Cox
27 May 1724 Monmouth Co, NJ. Liber A., [p.] 298. Will of Thomas COMBS, of ffreehold, Carpenter, dated Oct. 12, 1723. Proved by dep. of John CAMBELL and John FENTON, two of ye evidences, who were present when the other evidence signed; before Michael KEARNY, Surrogate, ffreehold, Mon. Co., May 27, 1724. Oath of Executors, Elizabeth COMBS and Jonathan HAMPTON; before Michl KEARNY, Surrogate, ffreehold, May 27, 1724. (Extracted by Combs Researcher Debi Kendrick from "Unrecorded Wills and Inventories Monmouth County New Jersey," Family Treemaker re-print, p. 117)
Transcription 3:
12 Oct 1723 - 27 May 1725. Will of Thomas COMBS, carpenter, of Freehold, NJ; named his wife Elizabeth; children: Robert, Rachel, Thomas, Joseph, Jonathan, John and Elizabeth, all minors [sic]; disposed of real and personal property; executors: said wife and Jonathan HAMPTON, of Freehold, cordwainer; witnessed by George WALKER, John FENTON and John CAMPBELL. (GDAC, 1925. Ref: NJ Wills, 1:103)
Conflicts:
(1) Son, Joseph is omitted from first transcription; and (2) son, Robert is not included as one of the sons who is required to pay Elizabeth in the second transcription. (3) The third transcription states that all children were minors, which is not borne out by the first two records. It appears that son Robert, and probably Rachel, were apparently of age. Moreover, it appears likely that both were born to Thomas by an earlier wife (or wives) given his use of the term, "my now wife" in re Elizabeth (thought by some to have been a SEAMAN (SEAMON), by others to have possibly been a HAMPTON. The second transcription appears to be more accurate as it implies that Robert was of age (born pre-1703) or close to, whereas Thomas, Joseph, Jonathan and John clearly were not, and moreover, are apparently listed in age order.
Notes:
Although Thomas was married to an Elizabeth by 1714 (Monmouth Records), it is not known if she was the same Elizabeth as at the time of his death. One undocumented source lists her as nee SEAMON, but Thomas appears to have been married more than once given his use of the phrase "my now wife" in his will. Two Elizabeths? Or a first wife who d pre-1714? Were eldest son, Robert, and daughter, Rachel, by an earlier wife? Was Rachel single or married to a Combs? (If the latter, which?)
On 5 April 1751, Bartholomew Anderson received a Fairfax grant for 1,204 acres which included land within the 450-acre survey land. He also received another Fairfax grant for 216 acres located about one mile southwest of the 1,204-acre grant on 2 April 1751. He was deceased by 7 August 1754 when his will (written 11 May 1754) was proved in Frederick County Court, appointing his wife Pheby, Isaac Larew and Daniel Johnston as executors. Anderson left land to sons Joseph, Cornelius, Abraham and John and also to daughters Ann Johnson, Rachael Anderson, Hannah Anderson ( to divide the land between Joseph and Ann) and Catherine Anderson (the land where Thomas Davis lived to be divided between her and her four youngest boys). His son Abraham sold his inherited 89 acres to Edmond Taylor on 1 August 1770 for 50 pounds. On 21 October 1771, son John sold his inherited land to Edward Snickers for 150 pounds. On 11 February 1754, John received a Fairfax grant for 192 acres adjacent southeast of Isaac Foster's grant land. Daughter Catherine and her husband (Joseph Chapman) sold her inherited 216-acre Fairfax grant land to David Castleman on 6 April 1772 for 216 pounds. Pg 222 poofcv
On 13 November 1772, daughter Rachel and her husband Joseph Hampton sold her inherited 86 acres to Jasper Ball of Loudoun County, Virginia for 140 pounds. Son Cornelius and his wife Ann sold his 95-acre inherited land to Jacob Sowers on 5 September 1773 for 125 pounds. On 2 November 1773, son Joseph and wife Hannah sold 29 acres of his inherited land to Jasper Ball for 34 pounds.
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