Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: User Home Page Book: Four Centuries in the New World: Volume One Part A: The Stevens of Virginia, Kentucky, and Georgia

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Page 9 of 211

Descendants of John Steephens

Generation No. 4

8. EDWARD⁴ STEVENS (EDWARD³, JOHN², JOHN¹ STEEPHENS)⁷⁸ was born 19 July 1687 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA ^79,^80,⁸¹, and died January 1751/52 in probably in Essex Co., VA. He married ELIZABETH⁸². She was born Abt. 1692.

Notes for EDWARD STEVENS:
_____________________________________

A note on the use of DNA for research: I strongly encourage male Stevenses to have their DNA checked and to post it on line, either with their identity shielded, as is offered for the Stevenses, or posted without restriction, as I have done.

Many have joined in this vast work, but it is only a start. I had FTDNA at <http://www.familytreedna.com/> check my Y DNA to determine common male descent and so far have several matches. While the 12 allele check is a way to start, I recommend the 25 allele results for more refined comparisons. Particularly valuable would be more from the male Stevens line in Europe, where additional results can begin to pin down the origin of the Stevens immigrants to the new world.
______________________________________

Pamunkey Neighbors notes that he sold land to James Stevens, left to him by his grandfather John, Essex Co., Deeds 1724-1728.

Children of EDWARD STEVENS and ELIZABETH are:

20.	i.	EDWARD⁵ STEVENS, b. 08 November 1712, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA.
21.	ii.	MARTHA STEVENS, b. 30 March 1715, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA.
	iii.	REBEKAH STEVENS⁸³, b. 10 May 1718, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA; d. her youth.
	iv.	SAMUEL STEVENS⁸³, b. 21 February 1719/20, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA.

Notes for SAMUEL STEVENS:
Moved to Edgecomb Co., NC.

REBECKAH STEVENS⁸⁴, b. 28 October 1722, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA; m. RICHARD BURT, 26 October 1746, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA ⁸⁵; b. 1724^85,⁸⁶; d. 1805.

Notes for REBECKAH STEVENS:
Moved to Edgecomb Co., NC.

22.

vi.

JEREMIAH STEVENS, b. 21 November 1725, Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA; d. Bef. August 1805, Nash Co., NC.

9. JAMES⁴ STEVENS (EDWARD³, JOHN², JOHN¹ STEEPHENS)⁸⁷ was born Abt. 1695 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA, and died 1744 in Caroline Co., VA ⁸⁸. He married ELIZABETH THOMAS^89,⁹⁰ July 1727 in Essex Co., VA ⁹¹, daughter of JOHN THOMAS and KATHERINE HARRISON. She was born 1695 in Essex Co., VA ?^91,⁹², and died Abt. 1744.

Notes for JAMES STEVENS:
_____________________________________

A note on the use of DNA for research: I strongly encourage male Stevenses to have their DNA checked and to post it on line, either with their identity shielded, as is offered for the Stevenses, or posted without restriction, as I have done.

Many have joined in this vast work, but it is only a start. I had FTDNA at <http://www.familytreedna.com/> check my Y DNA to determine common male descent and so far have several matches. While the 12 allele check is a way to start, I recommend the 25 allele results for more refined comparisons. Particularly valuable would be more from the male Stevens line in Europe, where additional results can begin to pin down the origin of the Stevens immigrants to the new world.
______________________________________

From Anne Baker at >anastarr46@gmail.com< who kindly posted this information to my Rootsweb tree, Jan 2011:

Deed dated 6/9/1671 from Old Rappahannock County in an area that in 1692 became a part of Essex County, and in 1727 became Caroline County. St. Mary's Parish in Caroline was the part of Essex that was cut to form Caroline. John Stevens of Gloucester Co bought 600 acres on the south side of the Rappahannock River in St. Mary's Parish on a creek between Snow and Ware Creeks flowing into the river, at the tidewater line of the river. This land had been a part of a large grant, made probably by Gov Sir William Berkeley to one of his favorites, John Prosser.

14 March 1735
James Stevens, overseer of the road from Ware's Creek to Snow Creek, be fined fifteen shillings curt. money for not keeping the said road in repair and that the sheriff of this county receive the same and bring it to next court.

9 May 1735
On the petition of James Stevens, it's ordered John Horn be overseer of the road from Snow Creek to Ware's Creek and that he keep the said road in repair according to law

Orange Co Virginia - Deed Book - pages 361-371
24/25 May 1738. Charles Stevens of St. Mark's Parish, Orange Co., to James Stevens of St. Mary's Parish of Caroline. Lease & Release for �45.8.8 sterling. 400 acres, part of a patent granted Charles Stevens on 28 Sep 1728 . on the side of a hill by a small branch corner to Jno. Lightfoot dec'd. - on a side corner to Richard Woolfolk - corner to Mr. John Stevens - north side of Cook's run and corner to sd Lightfoot.
(signed) Chas. Stevens
Wit: Thos. Chew, John Stevens.
25 May 1738. Acknowledged by Charles Stevens, Elizabeth h/w released her right of dower.
25 May 1738. Bond of Charles Stevens of St. Mark's Parish, Orange Co., to James Stevens of St. Mary's Parish of Caroline. �100 sterling. To keep all covenants in deeds.
(signed) Chas. Stevens
Wit: Thos. Chew, John Stevens.

24/25 May 1738 - Charles Stevens of St. Mark's Parish, Orange Co., to John Stevens of St. Mary's Parish of Caroline. Lease & release �30 current money. 598 acres in the fork of permunkey River, part of a patent granted to John Stevens, brother to the said Charles Stevens, granted 28 Sep 1728 - at the mouth of a branch on the south side of the north fork of the North Anna, a corner of the sd Charles Stevens - in a glade against a plantation - plantation being corner to Jno Lightfoot, dec'd - corner to Mr. James Stevens
Wit: Thos. Chew, James Stevens.
25 May 1738. Acknowledged by Charles Stevens, Elizabeth h/w released her right of dower.
25 May 1738. Bond of Charles Stevens of St. Mark's Parish, Orange Co., to John Stevens of St. Mary's Parish of Caroline. �100 current money. To keep all covenants in deeds
(signed) Chas. Stevens
Wit: Thomas Chew, James Porteus.
25 May 1738. Acknowledge by Charles Stevens

Caroline County OB, 12 April 1744, p.268

"The last will and testament of James Stevens, deceased, was presented in court by John Stevens and Owen Thomas, excors therein named, who made oath thereto according to law, and being further proved by the oaths of Robert Dawson and Lawrence Battaile, Gent., two of the witnesses thereto, is committed to record, and on the motion of the said excors, and they performing what is usual in such cases, certificate is granted them for obtaining probate thereof in due form of law, who with John Garrett and Robert Dawson, their securities, acknowledged their bond for the Same. It's ordered Thomas Slaughter, Nicholas Battaile, Catlett Conway and Francis Conway, or any three of them being first sworn before a justice of the peace of this county, do appraise the estate of James Stevens, dec'd in money and return their proceedings to the next court."

Caroline County OB, 21 May 1744, p 280:
"The inventory and appraisement of the estate of James Stevens, dec'd, being this day returned, is ordered to be recorded."

10 May 1751

Dec 11, 1755 The order to divide the estate of James Stevens is continued.

Owen Thomas, whose father Robert had been the guardian of Elizabeth Thomas w/o James Stevens, was the guardian of most of the children of James Stevens.

Notes for ELIZABETH THOMAS:
Her children were selecting guardians in November 1744.

Children of JAMES STEVENS and ELIZABETH THOMAS are:

23.	i.		ANN⁵ STEVENS, b. Abt. 1728, Caroline Co., VA; d. Bef. 01 April 1794, Spotsylvania Co., VA.
	ii.		ELIZABETH STEVENS⁹³, b. Abt. 1730, Caroline Co., VA; d. 1814, Orange Co., VA.

Notes for ELIZABETH STEVENS:
She may have married Thomas Merry, and then later Reuben Daniel of Orange County, Va.

	iii.	MARY STEVENS⁹³, b. Abt. 1732.
24.	iv.	JAMES STEVENS, b. Abt. 1734, St. Mary's Parish, Caroline Co., VA; d. Bef. 22 November 1813, Nelson Co. formed from Amherst Co., VA.
25.	v.	JOHN STEVENS, b. Abt. 1736; d. 1826, Orange Co., VA.

10. JOHN⁴ STEVENS (EDWARD³, JOHN², JOHN¹ STEEPHENS)⁹³ was born 17 October 1703 in Abingdon Parish, Gloucester Co., VA ^94,⁹⁵, and died Bef. 08 March 1753 in Caroline Co., VA ⁹⁶. He married MARY WHITING⁹⁷ 24 February 1725/26 in St. Paul's Parish, Stafford Co., VA. She was born Abt. 1707, and died Bef. 14 November 1771 in Caroline Co., VA ⁹⁸.

Notes for JOHN STEVENS:
_____________________________________

A note on the use of DNA for research: I strongly encourage male Stevenses to have their DNA checked and to post it on line, either with their identity shielded, as is offered for the Stevenses, or posted without restriction, as I have done.

Many have joined in this vast work, but it is only a start. I had FTDNA at <http://www.familytreedna.com/> check my Y DNA to determine common male descent and so far have several matches. While the 12 allele check is a way to start, I recommend the 25 allele results for more refined comparisons. Particularly valuable would be more from the male Stevens line in Europe, where additional results can begin to pin down the origin of the Stevens immigrants to the new world.
______________________________________

John is the son of Edward and Martha Lane Stevens. Here is the Register entry:

3056 - Stevens, John: Son of Stevens, Edward & Martha; Baptized on 1703, 10-17.

There are some bound copies of portions of Abingdon Registers in the Gloucester Clerk's Office. I understand that the book published by Robert W. Robins contains two or three sources of portions of these registers. Robins's book includes many Stevens entries. (Mr L. Roane Hunt of Gloucester County to Marsha Liston, January 2007)

_______________________________________

Joyce Stevens Turel kindly sent his will in January 2007 from the source below noted:

From Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol 38, Issue 4, pp 295-6

"At a court held on 8 March 1753, the last will and testament of John Stevens was presented in court by Mary Stevens, the executrix, and proved by William Allcock, George Tod and Daniel DuVal, witnesses. Frans. Thornton, Nicho. Battaile, Daniel DuVal and Benja.. DuVal were ordered to appraise the estate. No will books for the period survive. A copy of the will was found in the Orange County loose papers and is transcribed below. The land in Orange County John left to his sons Edward and John was probably the eight hundred acres he patented in 1728. The land was located on the North Fork of the North Anna River just above the mouth of Beaver Dam Creek. At the time he patented the land, John was living in King William County. He may well have been living in that portion of King William which was included in the new county of Caroline in 1728. If so, he would have been living in the western section of Caroline County."

THE WILL OF JOHN STEVENS:

In the Name of God Amen I John Stevens of the Parish of St. Mary & County of Caroline being very Sick and weak in body but in perfect Sense of my mind do make my will in Manner and following in the first place I give my Soul to the almighty God that gave it me & my body to the Earth to be decently interred at the Direction of my Exors hereafter named Item I give my Son Jos Stevens my Land in Caroline County being the Plantation whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever Item I give to my Sons Edwd and John my Land in Orange County to be Equally divided between them & their heirs forever Item its my will that my Son Joseph as Soon as he arrives to the age of twenty one years by paid the Sum of twenty pounds Currency by my Son James & fifteen pounds Cur by my Son Edward & fifteen pounds Curr Money by my Son John which Said Sums to be laid out in land for the pleasure[?] of the Said Joseph & his Heirs forever Item it is my will that all my Estate of Negroes Mulattos & moveables to me now belonging be after my decease appraised & the amount thereof after the payment of my Just & Lawful debts to be equally divided betwixt my beloved wife Mary & all my Children and that each of them be paid their respective parts as they Shall Severally arive at Lawfull age & if either of my Children Shall die without issue or before they are of age it is my wish that their estates be Equally divided betwixt the Surviving brothers & Sisters Item it is my wish that my wife Mary Stevens Make Sale of any part of my Estate at any time She Shall think fit to discharge the above Legacies & I hereby appoint my wife Mary Stevens & my Son James Stevens to be Ext of this my Last will & hereby revoking all wills by me formerly made Signed with my hand Jany 15th 1753 & my Seal affixed.

John Stevens (Seal)

Wm Allock
Geo Tod
Danl Duval

It would appear that James was the eldest based on his being executor. I shall show him that way. (2008)

Notes for MARY WHITING:
See Catherine Whiting in these notes married a Washington.

Children of JOHN STEVENS and MARY WHITING are:

JAMES⁵ STEVENS⁹⁹, b. Abt. 1728 ¹⁰⁰.

Notes for JAMES STEVENS:
Could this be the James who signed the marriage bond for Joseph and Jenny Martin Stevens in March 1784, Fluvanna Co., Va? If so he could be my 4th greatgrandfather.... the father of Joseph Stevens born 1758.

ii.

EDWARD STEVENS¹⁰¹, b. Abt. 1730.

Notes for EDWARD STEVENS:
Note that this Edward is not the Edward who became a general later in life. Marsha Bradshaw, <MListon@eDiscoveryPros.com>, January 2007, has found and shared court documents which prove that Edward had only one sister and no brothers. He had no children, either, and left everything to his sister's children. See notes under that Edward, and below.

Marsha Liston Bradshaw writes

"I have evidence taken directly from court case, Edmondson vs McNeal 1821, filed in Fredericksburg and I quote:

'Also your Complainants further show that the father & mother of the said Genl Edward Stevens departed this life in the life time of the said testator that they had but two children towit, the said testator & said Patty Edmondson his sister, the children of whereas before mentioned are the heirs at law of the said testator ascending to the laws of Virginia...'

"Other than bequeaths to his wife during her lifetime, his widowed daughter in law, George Pollard (the son of a friend), the Masonic Lodge, the Episcopal Church and the Presbyterian Church, all the rest of his whole estate both real and personal went to his sister�s 9 children or their heirs." Thanks, Marsha for this information.

For General Edward Stevens in these notes, I have retained him but unhooked him from these parents. Now where should we place him?

	iii.		JOHN STEVENS¹⁰¹, b. Abt. 1732 ¹⁰².
	iv.		MARY STEVENS¹⁰³, b. Abt. 1734 ¹⁰⁴; d. 18 January 1749/50, the home of Edward Ralls ¹⁰⁵.
	v.		JOSEPH STEVENS¹⁰⁶, b. Abt. 1736 ¹⁰⁷.
	vi.		MARTHA STEVENS¹⁰⁸, b. Abt. 1738 ¹⁰⁹; m. WILLIAM EDMONDSON¹¹⁰; b. Abt. 1730.

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