Wednesday, July 14, 2010




Left: Land office at Greenway Court.
Right: Greenway Court, Virginia home of lord Fairfax.
Since I have made some effort at telling the tale of the Gabbert (Lockhart) family in the Frederick County area, I thought it only fair to cover some of the Mendenhall side of the family in Frederick County as well.
I have stated this before but you are probably a relative of mine…..SO, I will go through it again. Frederick County was formed from part of Orange County in 1738 and the administration started in 1743; Berkeley County was formed from part of Frederick County in 1772; 1863 Berkeley County became part of West Virginia.
And now, before I start with the family, a little history….well, very little. This area was subject to Indian raids during the 1750’s and 60’s. Basically the entire county was claimed by lord Fairfax who had a royal patent. Today we would consider the county’s most famous resident during this time period to have been George Washington.
Those entries that credit Hopewell Friends History:
Hopewell Friends history, 1734-1934, Frederick County, Virginia; records of Hopewell Monthly Meetings and meetings reporting to Hopewell; two hundred years of history and genealogy, John Walter Wayland; Joint Committee of Hopewell Friends; Hopewell Monthly Meeting (Society of Friends).
It appears that the first of this side of the family to arrive in what was then Orange County (later Frederick County), Virginia Colony were my 7th great grandparents Richard and Charity Grubb Beeson.*
A Richard Beeson was in Orange County (later Frederick County) when he attended a marriage ceremony at Hopewell on December 11, 1735.
1736, 2 mo. 24 Richard Beeson, wife, and family at New Garden ( Pennsylvania) (Certificate to Hopewell, then Orange County.).
Hopewell Friends History. ^
"One of the large, land-owning Quaker families to come into the present Berkeley County was Richard Beeson, born in 1684, who had married Charity Grubb in 1706. George Robinson and John Poteate had received a king’s patent from the Lt. Gov. Gooch for 1,650 acres of land laying on both sides of the Tuscarora Creek on Nov. 12, 1737 (1735). They sold this tract of land to Beeson for 70 pounds on Sept. 28, 1737. This tract of land was of excellent quality and ran on both sides of the present Tuscarora Creek from Martinsburg to just west of Nollville."
On Beeson property a "……meeting house called "Providence" was established by 1738. There were 249 acres there that were sold by Richard Beeson and his wife, Charity, to Richard Beeson Jr. on December 1745, when the meeting house and cemetery had been established. This early cemetery, one of the oldest known in the state, now belongs to the Berkeley County Historic Landmarks Commission."
http://journal-news.net ^
In the above quoted article I have corrected the patent date to match the copy of said patent in the Library of Virginia. I have a copy of the above land grant and it is made out to George Robinson only. If you use Google Maps to search for Nollville, West Virginia and use the zoom-in, you can find the location of Providence Quaker Cemetery; the Beeson property was north of the cemetery, stretched out along the Tuscarora (the blue line north of the area).
It is believed that the first meetings of Providence Meeting were held in the home of Richard Beeson.
Hopewell MM issued a certificate to Richard Beeson and wife on 1754, 9, 2 and they were received at New Garden MM, North Carolina on 1754, 11, 30.
Hopewell Friends History ^
1736, 9 mo. 27, Mordica Mendenhall and wife, at New Garden.( Pennsylvania) (Certificate to Hopewell, then Orange County.).
Hopewell Friends History. ^
Mordecai and Charity Beeson Mendenhall, my 6th great grandparents, migrated to what was to become Frederick County with Charity’s parents and settled on 200 acres of land purchased from the Beesons for 20 pounds on October 28, 1743. The property seems to have been on both sides of Tuscarora Creek adjoining Charity‘s brothers and parents.
Frederick County Deed Book 1, page 20. ^
Richard Mendenhall, son of Charity and Mordecai, my 5th great grandfather was born in what was to become Frederick County on November 1, 1737.
Mordecai Mendenhall, wife and children were received on certificate at Cane Creek MM, North Carolina on 1752, 3, 7. The certificate was issued by Hopewell MM on 1751, 3, 6.
Hopewell Friends History ^
Mordecai’s parents, John (Jr.) and Susanna Pierson Mendenhall, my 7th great grand parents, also moved to the area in about 1747.
John Mendenhall (Mendinghall) is on the list of voters December 11, 1755. He voted for the winning candidate, Mr. Hugh West. Poll taken in Frederick County, Jul 24, 1758, which elected two members to the House of Burgesses from Frederick County, again voted for West and Captain Thomas Swearington, both appear to have lost.
http://haygenealogy.com/hay/frederickvavoting.html
Susanna Pierson Mendenhall died in Frederick County April 30, 1765. John died in Berkeley County, Virginia in 1773. If you read the formation of counties above, you will see that Berkeley County was formed in 1772 so both John and Susanna probably died at the same place. It is possible that both John and Susanna Mendenhall are buried in the "old" Providence Meeting Cemetery.
William and Mary Reese (Rees) Dillon my 6th great grandparents were in what was to
become Frederick County by November 9, 1739 when William purchased 219 acres from John Littler for 7 pounds.
Frederick County Deed Book 7, page 65. ^
I could not find a record of the marriage of William and Mary. Some genealogy sites say they were married prior to their arrival in Frederick County, others say they were married in Frederick County, but none cite any records.
"10 February 1743/44 O. S., FOB 1, pp. 29-30
John Littler & William Dillon having made their return on the Order for Viewing & laying of the Road from John ffrosts Mill to the main Road between John Littlers & John Milbourns plantation in these Words, We have laid off the Road from Capt ffrost’s Mill thence to Buffler lick thence to the Backside John Bossers field, thence to David Springers thence to the Usual ford thence on the East Side Wm. ffrosts plantation thence along a good Ridge by a Course of Marked Trees to Mathias Elmores thence along the said Elmors Creek to the head, the best Convenientest Way that can be had by Widow Dillons thence by the said Marked Trees to the main Road Leading to Rappahannock between John Littlers & John Milbourns which includes the whole, Its Ordered that the said Road be cleared by the Petrs. and Joseph Burkham & Wm. ffrost are hereby Appointed Overseers of the said Road & its further Ordered that they clear the same According to Law --"
Frederick County, Virginia Road Orders ^
No, I don’t know any thing about the "Widow Dillons" .
Charity Dillon, my 5th great grandmother and daughter of the above, was born in Frederick County on October 14, 1743.
3 June 1746 O. S., FOB 2, p. 102
William Dillon is hereby Appointed Overseer of the Road from Captn Frosts Mill to the Main Road between John Littler & John Milburns in the Room of William Frost & it is Ordered that the Tithables living within Two Miles on Each Side the said Road work on the same And it is further Ordered that the said Wm Dillon cause the said road to be kept in good repair According to Law -
Frederick County, Virginia Road Orders ^
November 15, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 400 acres on both sides of Back Creek.
November 16, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 398 acres on both sides of the dividing ridge of Opeckon and Back Creeks. (See sale below on April 2, 1762.)
November 16, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 384 acres on the drains of the Opeckon. Total 1182 acres.
Land Grants, Library of Virginia.^
It seems that William sold most of these properties within a few years after he purchased them.
William Dillon is on the list of voters December 11, 1755. He voted for the winning candidate, Mr. Hugh West. On a poll taken at the Election of Burgesses, Frederick County, May 18, 1761 he voted for the two winners, Colonel George Washington and Colonel George Mercer. (Yes, that George Washington.)
http://haygenealogy.com/hay/frederickvavoting.html
"At a Court martial Held for Frederick County on Fryday the 9th Day of October 1761..."
"William Dillon (of Capt Lewis Moores Company on the Motion of said Captain) be discharged of further duty at Muster"
Frederick County, Virginia Militia Records, 1755-1761, Little.
On April 2, 1762, William Dillon and Mary his wife sold 398 acres to Joseph Thompson for 500 pounds.
Frederick County, Virginia Deed Book 7, page 65.
William Dillon died between October 13, 1762 when he made his will and November 3, 1762 when his will was proved in Frederick County Court.
Frederick County Will Book 3, page 96. ^
Mary, wife of William, had remarried to Joseph Bridges before May 1, 1764 when Joseph and Mary Bridges, widow of William Dillon, sold 200 acres (appears to have been part of William Dillon’s estate).
Frederick County Deed Book 9, page 195. ^
Mary Bridges (Dillon) was disowned by Hopewell 2, 7, 1764, married contrary to discipline.
Hopewell Friends History ^
Joseph and Mary Reese Dillon Bridges had one son, Dillon Bridges born December 5, 1764. Some time around 1800 after the death of Joseph, Mary is said to have taken her feather bed and rode horse back to Kentucky to live with Dillon Bridges and his family. Now then, this last bit could be a family tale or a more scholarly, technical term for this would be whoooo haaaaa.
"November 7th 1767, FOB 14 Part 1, p. 185
Mercer Babb is Appointed overseer of the Road from Joseph Bridges Mill to William Dillons Plantation Ordered that the usael Tithables work thereon under him"
Frederick County Road Orders ^
I included the above to show how Joseph Bridges may have met our Mary Reese Dillon…By hot footing it down the road?

James Haworth, my 5th great grandfather, seems to have migrated to Augusta County, Virginia in 1739.
"1739, 5 mo(nth), 2 (day) James Haworth requests certificate to Opeckon Monthly Meeting, whither he intends to remove."
"1739, 6 mo(nth), 6 (day) Report concerning James Haworth favorable, and he was granted certificate."
Buckingham MM Records, Pennsylvania.^
Okay, WAKE UP! This next bit is complicated and you may need to read it several times. I have been reading it for about a month and think that I finally understand. It appears that James and his brothers John, Stephanus and Absalom joined their uncle Robert Scarborough near a settlement of Friends on Smith Creek when they moved to Virginia in 1739. Uncle Robert’s property was located on Smith Creek about a mile from the Meeting (Smith Creek) and about five miles southwest of present day New Market, Virginia. New Market is located in present day Shenandoah County and the Scarborough property is in present day Rockingham County. This area was first part of Orange County, then Augusta then Shenandoah and then Rockingham was formed from the northern part of the remains of Augusta County. I have taken some time with this because most family sites (and the Haworth Association) claim that James settled in Frederick County on Apple Pie Ridge when he first moved to Virginia. He did not.
We know that the Haworth brothers were in this area in 1742 because they appear on a military roster of Captain Peter Scholl (and for the quick witted, it does not appear that he is related to the Lockhart Scholls) for Augusta County. Peter Scholl was also a resident on Smith Creek.
"Heare followeth a list of all the Muster (?) of Augusta County under their respective officers and Captains: ……..
Capt. Peter Shoull's List: Peter Shoull, Captain; And. Burd, Lieutenant; Math. Skeens, Ensign; Abram Harden, John Hill, Johnath Burley, John Harison, Georg. Clemens, Wm. Halimes, Zebulun Harrison, Jno. Davis, Jno. Taylor, Joseph Burley, William White, Isaac Lotos, Wm. Sherral, Valante Severe, John Cumberland, Jacob Jacobs, Thos. Moor, (Stephanes Haveworth, Jas. Haveworth), John Beeson, Steph. Howard, Absolom Howard, Joseph Howard, John Benson, Benj. Hames (Haines), John Harrison, Thos. Lowker, Griffiths Thomas, John White, Adam Sherral, Rob. Caldwal, John Miller, Will Brizes (Briges), Wm. Carrel, John Hodg, (Absolom Haveworth, John Haveworth.)"
Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement of Virginia, Vol. 2, pages 508-509.^ This list seems to have been copied from, "The Preston Papers, Copies of Musters of Augusta County, 1742."
My mark, Haworth brothers ( ).
James married Sarah Wood at the Smith Creek Meeting in Augusta County November 3, 1743. (There are no records from this Meeting still in existence. James was married to Sarah Wood but the exact date can not be proven.)
My 4th great grandfather, James Haworth, son of James and Sarah, was born January 2, 1752. Since James and Sarah did not purchase property on Back Creek in Frederick County until November, I assume James (the son) was born while the parents were living on Smith Creek.
Absalom (James’ brother) Haworth’s will was probated June 2, 1752 naming James as one of the executors.
James Hayworth, November 17, 1752 purchased (rented) from lord Fairfax 227 acres on both sides of the Great Spring Branch of Back Creek and under North Mountain. (Frederick County, several miles north of Smith Creek)
Land Grant, Library of Virginia. ^ Land surveyed on April 26, 1751.
James and Sarah sold this property to Thomas Doster for sixty pounds on August 4, 1755.
Frederick County Deed Book 4, page 53.^
James and Sarah then settled in Back Creek Valley, where James Haworth bought land (183 acres) from Isaac Thomas in 1755. The farm was located near the fork of Isaac's Creek and Back Creek about two miles below Gainesboro.
"Settlement and Some First Families of Back Creek Valley" ^
James Haworth (the father) died October 10, 1757.
The area in which the Haworths lived was known as Apple Pie Ridge and was located about 5 miles north of Winchester. "This was the area that suffered from Indian
depredations in 1756/57; although no Friends were killed, many lost their livestock, including "Sarah Haworth widow" who received 3 of the 35 pounds sent for relief by the Philadelphia QM" (Hopewell Friends History).
Sarah (Wood) Haworth, disowned, widow of James. 24 (day), 12 (month), 1759.
Hopewell MM Records, Book 1.^
Sarah Wood Haworth married 2nd Peter Ruble, 1759. I did not find a record of this marriage but it is stated on the Haworth Family Association web site and in the following document.
A copy of the account of the estate of James Hayworth was filed in Frederick County court on November 4, 1767 naming Peter Ruble and his wife Sarah (Wood Haworth Ruble) as administrators of the estate. The first item listed: "1759 To the Funeral Charges - - - 4-10-0" or 4 pounds, 10 shillings. The oddest item (in my mind) "To cash paid Thomas Dostor for clearing the land out of the Propriators (Proprietor’s) Office - - - 13-1-4" or 13 pounds, 1 shilling, 4 pence." Here, I am assuming, they do not mean with a shovel and broom.
http://www.haworthassociation.org/Family-Notes/Will_Perry/page_60_insert.htm ^
Sarah (Wood Haworth) Ruble issued a certificate from Hopewell to Bush River (South Carolina) 1, 2, 1768 with children Jemima, James, George and Elizabeth.
Hopewell Friends History, ^
I did not find any information about Sarah’s membership being reinstated but since she was issued a certificate from Hopewell, obviously she was.
Thomas and Margaret Bowen Rees, my 6th great grandparents, appear to have settled in Frederick County in 1743 when on January 30th they purchased 224 acres from Thomas Littler for 22 pounds, 11 shillings.
Frederick County Patent Book 1, page 31 ^
A man believed to have been his father in law, Henry Bowen, purchased an adjoining 224 acre property from John Littler on January 25, 1743 for 45 pounds.
Frederick County Patent Book 1, page 34. ^
If the above Henry Bowen was in fact Margaret Bowen’s father, Henry Bowen and his wife Jane (Joan) Carter are my 7th great grandparents. Death dates for this couple range from before 1755 to the late 1750’s in Frederick County.
William Rees married Charity Dillon on August 1, 1763 in Frederick County, they are my 5th great grandparents. William was the son of Thomas and Margaret Bowen Rees and Charity was the daughter of William and Mary Reese Dillon. William Rees and Mary Reese Dillon were probably related as distant cousins but this has not been proven.
Mary Rees, daughter of William and Charity Dillon Rees, my 4th great grandmother was born in Frederick County April 12, 1767.
Certificate from Hopewell to New Garden, North Carolina 6, 4, 1772, Wm, Rees, wife, & children.
Hopewell Friends History ^
Thomas and Ruth Large Brown, my 6th great grandparents, moved to Frederick County in 1741.
1741, 1 mo. 2, Thomas Brown requests certificates for himself, wife, and children except his eldest daughter, to the monthly meeting at Hopewell in Orange Co., Va. In order to remove there.
1741, 2 mo. 6, a favorable report on Thomas Brown.
1741, 3 mo. 4, certificate for Thomas Brown to Hopewell.
Buckingham MM Records, Pennsylvania.^
I include the following because in concerns two direct relatives. Thomas Brown’s property was on both sides of Middle Creek. I know that the first order does not specify the road but the second one does.
1 April 1746 O. S., Fob 2, p. 72
Thomas Brown & Mordecai Mendenhall are hereby Appointed Overseer of the Road in the Room of Patrick Gillaspy & John Bails & its Ordered that they cause the said Road to be kept in Good Repair According to Law --
3 March 1746 O. S., FOB 2, p. 204
John Mills is hereby Appointed Overseer of the Road from Middle Creek to Mill Creek in the Room of Thomas Brown & its Ordered that the said John Mills cause the said Road to be kept in good repair According to Law --
Frederick County, Virginia Road Orders ^
Historic Thomas Brown house near Inwood, West Virginia.
http://www.wvculture.org/shpo/nr/pdf/berkeley/86000202.pdf
Thomas died between December 30, 1749 when he signed his will and May 8, 1750 when the will was probated.
Although Thomas Brown (Sr.) had purchased his property in 1741, lord Fairfax now claimed all of the land in Frederick County. So after Thomas (Sr.) died, on November 18, 1752, sons Thomas (Jr.), Joseph and Samuel bought a land grant from Fairfax for "1056 acres on Middle Creek whereon they live".
Library of Virginia ^.
In the following year, most of the property was sold and only Joseph remained in Frederick County.
Certificate for "Ruth Brown & son Samuel 1753 8 6" from Hopewell to Cane Creek, North Carolina "received 1753 11 4."
Hopewell Friends History ^
Joseph Brown, son of Thomas and Ruth Large Brown, my 5th great grandfather owned and lived in his parents house until the 1760‘s. He sold the home property, 428 acres and the house, to Thomas Ellis on September 12, 1766. Joseph lived in Rowan County, North Carolina at the time of the sale.
Frederick County, Virginia Deed Book 11, page 219 ^
I did not find a certificate of removal for Joseph however he married Ann Jones Morgan, widow of Henry Morgan, at Cane Creek MM, North Carolina on October 27, 1763.
John and Sarah Bowater Beals, my 6th great grandparents, MAY HAVE BEEN in the far northeast part of Frederick County for a short time and members of Fairfax MM. It appears that John died there in 1745/46. After John’s death, Sarah married Alexander Underwood on February 16, 1748 and removed to Pennsylvania on April 25, 1748.
* A possible exception to this statement is the Wood family. Sarah Wood is listed as being born in Frederick County in 1720. The problem with this is that there was no Frederick County in 1720, the area was Spotsylvania County and then Orange County after 1734. And while several sites list her parents, there is no proof who her parents were.

4 comments:

  1. It is absolutely amazing to me the amount of information you uncover and manage to understand!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am amazed too at all the information you have found. Do you use the internet mostly or do you send away for these various records? Obviously your family has well documented themselves. Very interesting reading and it's not even my family! Carry on!

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  3. I do a lot on the net to find clues as to where to look. Some of the records are on line, some I send for.
    It also helps that I have so many Quakers in my line.

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  4. My husbands a Wright. His 9th great-grandfather was George Haworth, 8th great-grandfather was James Haworth and 7th great-grandmother was Sarah Haworth who married James Wright. It was informative reading your findings on this family line.

    ReplyDelete