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Ancestors of Katelyn Renee Rigsby


      300. Robert Vicars, born November 08, 1747 in London, England; died March 13, 1821 in Russell Co., VA. He was the son of 600. James Vicars. He married 301. Lydia Jackson Abt. 1767 in Botenbount Co., VA.

      301. Lydia Jackson, born Abt. 1752 in Norfolk Co., VA; died Aft. August 23, 1795 in Russell Co., VA. She was the daughter of 602. Jacob Jackson and 603. Lydia Unknown.

Notes for Robert Vicars:
Robert Vicars & Family were residence of Botetourt, Fincastle, Washington, & Russell Counties, but
always lived in the same location.

Robert Vicars Tombstone Located in Old Vicars Cemetery 3 miles east of the Scott County Line in
Russell Co, VA. Located on Virginia State Route 71 on what was Robert's farm near Clinch River.

Served 99 days (full term of the war) in Dunmore's War (Governor of Virginia), the "battle of Point
Pleasant", against Indian raiders in 1774, under Captain William Russell. Auditor's record show Robert
was paid 7 pounds, 8 shillings, & sixpence for his service. The battle of Pt. Pleasant is the only battle
fought during the war, on 10 Oct 1774.

(According to the statements of grandmother of A.M. VICARS), the
Vicarses in the old country (England) were sailors, soldiers, and ship builders.
Robert "ROBIN" VICARS was not a Revolutionary soldier; he said he would not
shoot at a red coat (the British Uniform) because he had worn one
himself, but if a red skin (Indian) needed shooting, he was as good as
ever pulled the trigger. At one time he took two horses loaded with
beaver skins and other fur skins to Abindgon to be carried and hauled
to Norfolk, there to be sold for supplies for the American soldiers.
He sent one horse back home and was gone himself several months. It
was thought he joined the army, but when he came back he said he went
off with a hunting party, but when reminded that hunting was good near
home, and that it was the wrong time of year to hunt, he said he had
joined a party hunting Indians.(2)

One son of ROBIN VICARS, name unknown, went to Tennessee and acquired a
good fortune. He was never married, and in old age freed his slaves
and gave them his property.(2)

JACOB VICARS (File # 64.12) was killed accidentally cutting a tree.
(2)



(1) A genealogy written by Conley Abraham Vicars - copy of his notes
given to Helen Arnett in 1936.
(2) Letter from A.M. Vicars to Conley Abraham Vicars, 1929.

_____________________
From Vicars Family Newsletter: VOL. 1, Number 2 - Winter 1990

THE JOURNEY
London to Copper Creek

Robert Vicars sailed on the ship Justitia from London to Norfolk, VA, in September 1767. He was 19
years old and would turn 20 within two months.
There is no known record of his activities from his departure from the Justitia at Norfolk to his arrival in
the Clinch Valley. The earliest public record of Robert, living on the Clinch, is his name among the
tithables on the Clinch on Oct. 2, 1771. Robert probably left Tidewater Virginia in late summer or fall of
1770, or as late as the summer of 1771. Winter travel was usually an impossibility in Colonial times. Most
immigrants waited til after harvest time, so food would be available for the trip, as well as seed
for spring planting on the new land. There is no evidence that Robert was on the Clinch as early as 1769,
the settlement date of Castle's Woods.
There were few routes from the eastern shore to the western frontier. Robert probably took the same
route as others seeking land, new opportunities, trade with the Indians, and pure adventure on Western
Waters. Robert began the journey to the western frontier by traveling from
Norfolk to Richmond, the easiest part of the trip. The road between these settlements was well traveled
and had been used and improved for several decades.
From Richmond, he turned southwest to Big Lick (Roanoke) on Roanoke River. Continuing southwest,
Robert reached the New River, crossed at Ingles Ferry (Radford), and headed south to Fort Chiswell, just
east of what is now Wytheville. This fort was the intersection of the Great Wagon Road, from
Philadelphia to the Yadkin Valley in North Carolina, ad the Richmond Road, which Robert traveled. From
here, he traveled the same route as the first settlers of Castle's Woods, the first station west of Mosscasin
Gap. This trail continued southwest to Wolf Hills (Abingdon) and down Middle Fork of the Holston River
to Sapling Grove (Bristol). Continuing down the Middle Fork of the Holston River,
Robert arrived at Long Island (Kingsport).
When he left the small fort on Long Island, Robert faced the roughest and most dangerous part of his
journey. From the small fort, Robert traveled along Reedy Creek to the Holston River, and crossed Little
Pine Mountain to Moccasin Gap. He continued up Little Moccasin Creek Valley to a low divide, near
what is now Gate City, then over to Troublesome Creek. Moving almost due west from Troublesome, he
crossed the Clinch River at what became Speer's Ferry. Walking up the west bank of the Clinch, he
arrived at the Ford of Stock Creek (Clinchport). From here, Robert traveled up Big Stock Creek, near the
Natural Tunnel, turned left around what is now Horton's Summit, and on to Little Flat Lick, near what is
now Duffield. Continuing up Stock Creek Valley, he came to the crossroads (paths) of the Moccasin Gap
Path and the Clinch River Path; this intersection was near what is now Rye Cove. The converging paths
led up Powell Valley through Cumberland Gap to Kentucky. Heading up the Clinch River, he moved
across the land that became the Blackmore place (Fort Blackmore) and up to Hunter's Ford (Osborne's
Ford, now Dungannon). He traveled up the southern side of the ridge between Sinking Creek and the
Clinch River by what is now Power's Hill to Castle's Woods. After arriving at this small frontier station,
Robert settled on the head of Lewis Creek, a small branch flowing into the Clinch.
On March 22, 1791, Robert and Lydia Jackson Vicars bought 200 acres on Copper Creek. The Vicars
family moved to the new farm where Robert died on March 13, 1821.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------


Robert possibly was sent to America from England in "Bondage",( source:Coldman, Peter Wilson,
"Bonded Passengers to America 1655-1775", Vol 2, New Orleans: Polyanthos, 1976, p 153)
The Robert Vicars on this passenger list is the only Robert Vicars to enter the country via passengers list
during the same time the Robert Vicars shows up on official record for Virginia.

The book - "Bonded Passengers to America" by Peter Wilson Coldham, Vol.
3, pg. 153, lists:

"Vickars, Robert 5 June T Sept 1767, Justicia".
In the book - S was "Sentenced to transportation at Sessions of Goal
Delivery on or immediately before the date shown. T was transported,
follwed by date of embarcation and ships name. The destination will
usually be found by reference to the appendix.

Ship's name: Justitia Captain: Colin Somervell
Sailing date: Sept. 1767 T 53 Reference: 50/93
T1 Reference: 456


Could be Robert was banished via the ship, Justitia. Vicars Family Association lore says, the Vicars'
family were ship builders, and fled (or bannished) to the new world after letting a ship get away and
angering the King of England.

Vicars Early Immigrants:

NAME: Robert Vickars, age: n.a.; place of arrival: America; year of
arrival: 1767; ref: 1223, pg. 153

NAME: William Vickers, age: n.a.; place of arrival: America; year of
arrival: 1768; ref. 1223, pg. 153

NAME: John Vickers, age: n.a.; place of arrival: America; year of
arrival: 1773; ref: 1222, pg. 273

Above REF:
1222-1223:
COLDHAM: English Convicts in Colonial America, Vol. 1, 2, New
Orleans: Polyanthos 1974,1976
Vol.1: Middlesex 1617-1775 (1974)
Vol.2: London 1656-1775 (1976)


From Patricia Vicars Russell:" Letter to Joan, received 2/28/87, from Janie L. Vicars, wife of Sidney
Vicars, P. O. Box 218, St. Paul, VA 24283"

. . . In Roanoke Island, N.C. they have a plaque with
the names of the people who came over with Sir Walter Raleigh.
There was a Vicars man, woman and boy. Robert Vicars was the first
Vicars in this area. He first settled in Elk Garden which is near
Lebanon, VA, in Russell Co. Then he relocated in the Grassy Creek
section of Russell Co. which is near the Scott Co. line. There is a
Vicars family cemetary on Grassy Creek. Robert is buried there. . . .




"Vicars Ancestory in Southwest Virginia, Direct Lineage from Robert
Vicars to James M. Vicars":

Robert Vicars (1747-1821)
occupation: farmer
born in England on 8 Nov. 1747
prob. came to Norfolk, VA, from England in Sept. 1767; ship, Justitia
appearance on the Clinch:
Robert was listed as a tithable when the first head count was taken
on the Clinch, 2 Oct. 1771. (this list of tithables is located in
the Clerk's office of Botetourt Co., Fincastle, VA.
He prob. arrived on the Clinch in the last half of 1770 or first
half of 1771.

Militia Service:
Robert served in the forts on the lower Clinch River under William
Russell.
According to the Auditor's Accounts for Dunmore's War at the VA
State Library in Richmond for Botetourt, Augusta and Fincastle
Cos., Robert's service was as follows:
Robert Vicars, 99 days; total paid: 7 L.; 8 S.; 6 d.

Land Grants:
1781, Augs. 24, Grantee Robert Vicars, 250 acres, New Garden
1783, Oct. 11, Grantee Robert Vickers, 110 acres, Lewis Creek
1783, Mar. 22, Grantee Robert Vickars, 192 acres, Small Branch,
Clinch
1781, Aug. 24, Grantee Robert Vickars, 300 acres, New Garden;
Virginia Actual Settlement: 1776


Taxes:
Washington co., VA, 1782; tax payer: Robert Vickers, 1 poll
Russell Co., VA State Archives, Richmond:
1787, Robert Vickars, personal & property taxes
1794, Robert Vickers, land tax - 200 acres
1796, Robert Vickars, personal & property taxes
1797 " " " " "
1799 " Vickers " " "
1800 " Vickars " " "
1802 " Vickers " " "
1810 " Vickars " " "


Land Transactions:
22 Mar. 1791, Robert Vickars purchased 200 acres of land from
Samuel and Hannah Vanhook. The land was on copper Creek in the Grassy
Creek section of Russell Co., VA. He paid one 131 pounds for this
property.
27 March 1791, Robert & Lidia, his wife, sold 96 acres of land
lying on the head of a small branch which flows into the Clinch River.
(this is prob. half (192 acres) of the parcel of land Robert
received by patent on 22 March 1783.
4 Jan. 1814, Robert Vicars & Milley Vicars, his wife, sold a parcel
of land to Joseph G. Barker (for $12; for 12 acres on Molls Creek).
Robert bought this tract from Samuel Evans, attorney for Francis
Preston.



Marriages:
Lidia (circa 1752- )
Lidia & Robert were probably married circa 1768-1769. Marriage
date is unknown. The 12 children named in Robert's will are
probably Lidia's. Jacob, the youngest, was born 8 Apr. 1795. There is a land transaction date
23 Aug 1795 that list both Robert & wife Lidia (Russell Co Deed BK 1 pg 163)

Milly
Robert married Milly before 1814, prob. in Russell Co., VA.
Several of Robert's descendants named their girls, Milly.
She prob. reared the younger children of Robert & Lidia.
Milly survived Robert.





1820 census, Russell CO, VA Roll-141 pg 25

Head of Males aged
Household Over 45 Slaves

Vicars, Robert 1 0

Females aged
Over 45

2 0

Occupation = Agriculture



Will of Robert VICARS, Russell CO, VA Will Book 3 p355 ("?" = unreadable in document)

"In the name of God Amen, I Robert Vicars of the County of Russell and State of Virginia being sick and
weak in body, but of sound mind and disposing memory for which I thank God and calling to mind the
uncertainty of human life and being desireous to dispose of all such in my estate as it hath pleased God to
bless me with. I give and bequeath the same in manner following that "?" to say I desire that all the
perishable part of my estate be immediately sold after my disease. Such as follows I give and bequith to
my beloved wife Milly Vicars all my stock of horses hogs sheep and cattle. Also the plantation with all the
crops "?" in the ground. Or outhouse and household and kitchen furniture and plantation utentials of all
this things mention I give and bequith to my beloved wife Milly Vicars, desiring her natural life or
widowhood. In property I give and bequith unto Joseph Vicars five dollars after the death of my wife
Milly. I give and bequith unto my son William Vicars ten dollars i property after the death of my wife
Milly. I give and bequith unto mydaughter Nancy Burton ten dollars in property after the death of my
wife Milly Vicars like manner I I give and bequith unto my son James Vicars the land that he "?" proper
that we bought between us in "boath ferways" immediately after my disease. I give and bequith unto my
son Jacob Vicars a pease of land being joining end Dorton's land running down the main road to the fork
of said road and corning and running witht he constitional line to him and his heirs forever for he paid me
one hundred dolars in money and the right to be in immediate after his disease. I give and bequith unto
my sons Thomas Vicars John Vicars and Paul Vicars Joel Vicars likewise my daughter Lidda Brickey
Molly Gilbert, Martha Culbertson and Ellender Barker after the death of my wife Milly all my estate real
and personal to be equally divided between the above names riten. I do herby comstitute and appoint my
friend John Dorton executor of this my last Will and testament hereby revoking all other former wills or
testaments by me heretofore made. In "?" whereof I have here cent set my hands and affixed my seal this
14th day of February in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and twenty one.
Robert Vicars (seal)
Signed and seal published and delivered as and for the Last Will and Testatment of the above named
Robert Vicars in presents of us:
Robert Fugate
William Dorton
Stephen "x" Hieghs (his mark)Per DAR Membership Application of Virginia F. Stewart:

Robert Vicars Services: private, VA; 1) Dunsmore's War, 1774, in VA troops as a private with Capt.
William Russell; 2) Robert received pay of 7 L. 8 s, 6 d., for 99 days of service; Robert was with VA
Militia in 1782, Fincastle, Botetourt Co., VA, assigned to 27th District of Captain Baird's Company.
References for Military Record:
VA State Library Microfilm Dept., Reel # 78 (positive) 66 feet, Misc. Reel - Target
Records (Soldiers and Public Records of services in Dunmore's War - from Augusta, Bedford, Culpaper
and Fincastle Counties.
Page 231: Military Pay Roll of Capt. William Russell, Fincastle, 1774


Notes for LYDIA JACKSON:
Death Date estimated on Court property records:
Russell County, VA, Deed Book 1, page 163:

This Indenture made the twenty second day of March one thousand seven
hundred ninety-one, Between Robert Vickers of Russell county and State
of Virginia and Lidia his wife, of the one part and Samuel Ewing of the
said county of the other part, Witnesseth that the said Robert Vickers
for and in consideration of the sum of Pounds current money
to him in hand paid the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge,
have granted, bargained and sold unto the said Samuel Ewing and his
heirs, one certain tract or parcel of land in the said county of
Russell lying on the head of a Small Branch the waters of Clinch River
containing ninety six acres and granted to the said Robert Vickers by
patent from the Commonwealth bearing date the twentieth day of March
one thousand seven hundred and eighty five (20 Mar. 1785) and bounded
as follows to wit: Beginning at a Beach and two dogwoods on the north
side of a Ridge corner of John Jacksons land and with a line thereof
north sixty degrees west one hundred & five poles to a dogwood, white
walnut and double Cittron saplings on a bushy hill and . . . . said
land north forty five degrees, East to a large poplar field
south fourteen degrees, east ninety two poles is a stake, in the gap of
a Ridge thence along the said patent . . . the Beginning mentioned in
this deed
Belonging to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with
the appurtenances to the said Samuel Ewing and his heirs forever, and
the said Robert Vickers from himself and his heirs doth covenant with
the said Samuel Ewing his heirs that he the said Robert Vickers and
his heirs the said tract of land with its appurtenances the said
Samuel Ewing & his heirs against all persons whatsoever will forever
warrant and defend. In witness whereof the said Robert Vickers and
Lidia his wife, have hereunto subscribed their names and affixed their
seals the day and year first above written.
/s Robert Vickers seal
****>>> Lidia Vickers seal ***********

At a court held for Russell county the 23rd day of August 1795

This Indenture of bargain and sale between Robert Vickers and Lidia his
wife of the one part and Samuel Ewing of the other was acknowledged in
Court by the said Robert Vickers and Lidia his wife being privily
examined as the Law directs and thereupon was ordered to be seconded.
Test. Henry Dickenson



More About Robert Vicars:
AKA (Facts Page): "Robin"
     
Children of Robert Vicars and Lydia Jackson are:
  i.   Joseph Vicars, born Abt. 1774 in Fincastle Co., VA; died April 05, 1841 in Warren Co., TN.
  ii.   William Vicars, born Abt. 1775 in Fincastle Co., VA; died 1827 in Warren Co., TN.
  iii.   Nancy Vicars, born Abt. 1777 in Russell Co., VA; died Aft. 1840 in prob. TN.
  iv.   Thomas Vicars, born June 22, 1779 in Washington Co., VA; died March 17, 1861 in Riceville, McMinn Co., TN.
  v.   John Vicars, born Abt. 1782 in Russell Co., VA; died Abt. 1829 in Scott Co., VA.
  vi.   Lidda Vicars, born Abt. 1785 in Washington Co., VA; died Aft. 1860 in prob. Mercer Co., KY.
  More About Lidda Vicars:
AKA (Facts Page): "Lydia"

  vii.   Mary Vicars, born Abt. 1787 in Russell Co., VA; died Abt. 1830 in prob. Russell Co., VA.
  More About Mary Vicars:
AKA (Facts Page): "Molly"

  viii.   Paul Vicars, born January 1787 in Russell Co., VA; died August 28, 1855 in Russell Co., VA.
  150 ix.   James Vicars, born 1788 in Russell Co., VA; died December 11, 1855 in Russell Co., VA; married Nancy Richardson Wood March 31, 1814 in Norfolk Co., VA.
  x.   Martha Vicars, born January 02, 1790 in Russell Co., VA; died July 01, 1844 in Scott Co., VA.
  More About Martha Vicars:
AKA (Facts Page): "Mattie"

  xi.   Ellender Vicars, born Abt. 1793 in Russell Co., VA; died Bef. 1850 in prob. Washington Co., VA.
  xii.   Jacob Vicars, born April 08, 1795 in Russell Co., VA; died July 11, 1829 in Russell Co., VA.


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