Volume XIV, Issue 3 Fall 2001

THE MORELAND MUSTER
Volume XIV, Issue 3 ISSN 0884-3805 Fall 2001
Published by Nona Williams, Email & Website

MORELAND FAMILIES YORK Co., VIRGINIA

Mrs. Hansford sent the following from her files in the hope that the information would be helpful.

York County, Virginia Records 1665-1672, abstracted and compiled by Benjamin B. Weisiger III, 1987: Made from York County, Virginia, Record Book #4 “solid proof of the parentage of William MORELAND”, p. 40 “William MORELAND of Hampton Parish, York County, sold to Robert SHORE of Martins Hundred Parish, James City County 100A in New Kent County, bounded as by Richard SCRUGGS bill of sale to my late deceased father Thomas MORLAND for 400A, 28 January 1663 for a sum in hand 12 March 1665. Witnesses: David CRAFFORD, William WOODLAND, Thomas WARDROBE, John MOOR. Signed William (M) MORLAND, Alice (A) MORLAND, Recorded 21 August 1666. (p. 100 in the original Court book.

Charles Moreland located a copy of the original of this record in LDS film #34397. It was also on LDS Film # 34403 but that copy was very difficult to read and this particular item in Book 4 was one of the worst. Film # 34397 was a copy of the original made by the York County clerk. Charles says that the record does indicate that William was the son of Thomas who patented the 100 acres “upon Capt. WEST’s Creek adjacent to William SAWYER in York County in 1642. Charles noted, “Whether or not the 100 acres sold . . . was the same 100 acres patented is not known – but part of northern York County became New Kent County in 1654, 14 years before the . . . transaction took place. . . . Apparently the document was not presented for recording until 24 August 1666 ‘as her voluntary act’. Does this mean that the wife presented this in court? If so, where is her signature and where is William? Could he have died between March 1665 and August 1666? If so, there is another William in the York [County] records in 1672 according to Mrs. Hansford. This does not tie Thomas and William to our John who married Ann BELL but maybe we are a stop closer.”

More from Mrs. Hansford:
William2 MORELAND disappeared from York County

John2 MORELAND left by his will 100 acres to son John3 MORELAND. There was still 200 additional acres. Who got them? Were they hired or sold?

Thomas1 MORELAND did come to the colony in the Abigail in 1621 and he was then aged 19 years so born 1602. He and Ralph HOOD came as servants and they were assigned to the muster of Robert THRASHER stationed in Elizabeth City (County). Note his provisions: 3 pieces arms, 1 armor, 2 swords, 1 pound powder, 3 pounds lead, 1 house, 1 pallezado, 3 stones. (I presume these “stones” were sheds storing supplies.) Provisions consisted of 9 bbl. Corn, 100 ct. (?) fish. (Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1625 by Hiden and Jester pp. 65-66.)

Elizabeth City bounds Charles Parish, York County so it did not take long to pay off cost of his passage and acquire land for himself.

In York County he was issued a patent for 100 acres on the Charles River (that’s the York River) in Chiskyake (Chiskiack / Kiskiack so called by the Indians – later made Hampton Parish and even later Yorkhampton Parish.) and south side of branch of “Capt. WEST’s Creek” – John HANSFORD’s land was on north side of that same body of water – all now owned by federal government (Naval Weapons Station and “tiny” way up toward Williamsburg is Cheatham Annex where federal government food supplies are kept. The large ships from Norfolk where much of the Atlantic fleet is based come almost daily up York River to these military facilities.)

I consider these 100 acres due him as an “adventurer” or settler in the Virginia colony among the Indians – apparently if he eventually had 400 A he purchased additional land.

I note that Ms. Irene Carl suggested that Thomas MORELAND and Miss Elizabeth BAILY might have married. Nugent’s Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1623-1666 in Cavaliers and Pioneers does not support such suggestion. On page 180, I read “the said land being granted to Elizabeth BAYLY in her right and her husband’s as 2 of the first adventurers to seat upon the Charles River and by the said BAYLY assigned to Ellis BROWN and by said BROWN assigned unto William REYNOLDS and by REYNOLDS to Robert CAGER and by said CAGER to said MORELAND.”

MORELAND purchased it 5 March 1648 from CAGER.

I have never seen anything about a John H. MORELAND or John Holt MORELAND. I do know that HOLT was / is a very familiar name:

John BAYLY on 24 August 1618 brought over five servants in the William and Thomas and by 16 February 1623 he was listed among the dead. His daughter Mary BAYLY survived him, heired 710 acres and she married Randall HOLT. Their son Randall HOLT Jr. married Elizabeth HANSFORD, daughter of John and Elizabeth HANSFORD who lived in York County about midway between Yorktown and Williamsburg. The HOLTs made their home in Surry County, across the James River. (Hiden and Jester pp. 208-209). Among their children John3 HOLT and for the next four generations there was a John HOLT, over in Surry County, and there was another HOLT – HANSFORD intermarriage.

Continuing about the York County land that Thomas MORELAND had, Nugent also shows this: p. 132 Thomas MOORELAND 100 acres Yorke County, August 10, 1642 (page 803 of Patent Book) upon Capt. WEST’s Creek adjacent William SAWYER. Due for adventure of himself and Christopher BROWNE to Chiskeacke the first year.” Surely this is the same tract mentioned earlier.

MORELAND OF YORK COUNTY VIRGINIA 1642 – 1976
Thelma Hansford Collection of York County, Virginia
FHL Film #1,718,879
Continued from previous issue

A. Mary 5 MORELAND was the daughter of Young MORELAND by his first wife. She was of age in 1774 so she was born before 1753. She was named executrix of her father’s will however, record shows that Samuel THOMAS assisted with this settlement. Among the bills paid by Mary was the cost of getting a copy of John MORELAND’s will in January 1775.[1] This will is indicative of the lengthy controversy about the one hundred acre tract that was first granted to Thomas MORELAND in 1642.

B. Elizabeth 5 MORELAND, daughter of Young MORELAND by his second wife, married Samuel THOMAS. It might have been Samuel THOMAS since he helped with the settlement of her father’s estate. He was mentioned in her mother’s will too: these two persons were left legacies:
(A) George Samuel6 THOMAS Jr.
(B) John6 THOMAS
C. (daughter) 5 MORELAND, child of Young MORELAND and his second wife, married Thomas SKINNER, but she died before 1774. Both of her parents left legacies to her children:
(A) Elizabeth6 (Betty) SKINNER
(B) Nancy6 SKINNER married Matthew MOODY before December 1774
(C) Sally6 SKINNER

(A) Elizabeth6 (Betty) SKINNER married Robert (Robey) COKE of Williamsburg and they sold a 35 acre tract which “descended to Betty who was a granddaughter of Young MORELAND, deceased” April 6, 1780. This was bounded by Matthew MOODY, Nathaniel MORELAND, Elizabeth FULLER, and James THOMAS and was located in York-Hampton Parish.[2] Robey COKE and Betty his wife and Matthew MOODY Junior and Nancy his wife, plantf. Vs. Samuel THOMAS, Executor of Mary MORELAND, deceased – who was executrix of Young MORELAND, deceased and Samuel THOMAS Jr. and John THOMAS, Infant children of said Samuel and Sally SKINNER infant defendant. Samuel THOMAS is appointed guardian to his children Samuel and John and Thomas SKINNER is appointed guardian of his daughter Sally to defend them in this suit – division be made of the plantation in this county containing 250 acres. One moiety be allotted unto the pltts. and the defendant Sally SKINNER that is to say to the pltff Robey COKE and Betty his wife one third part of the moiety, to the plntff Matthew MOODY and Nancy his wife another third part, and to the defendant Sally SKINNER the other third part thereof to hold to them and their heirs and assigns of said Betty, Nancy and Sally forever. That the other moiety be divided into two equal parts and one part thereof be allotted to the defendant Samuel THOMAS Junior and the other to the defendant John THOMAS to hold to them and their heirs and a commission is awarded to be directed to Charles HANSFORD, James DAVIS, Whitehead LESTER, and Edward BAPTIST or any three of them to make the said partition and division who are also to be divided the plntff and the three infant defendants the slaves and personal estate devised by the testator Young MORELAND, deceased to his daughter Mary MORELAND now also deceased -- according to the will. December 19, 1774.[3]

Young4 MORELAND had no sons to carry on the MORELAND name through his line.

4. Edward3 MORELAND son of John2 and Ann MORELAND was born before 1698 for he was named guardian for a younger brother, Matthew MORELAND in 1719.[4] He probably married Jane FULLER, daughter of Edward FULLER whose will was written February 25, 1708/9 and was probated September 24, 1709. FULLER left to his daughter Jane MORELAND a cow calf. Witnesses to the will were Robert PETERS, Thomas FAIRCLOTH, and Edward MORELAND.[5] An Edward MORELAND left a will in Surry County in 1713.

5. Matthew3 MORELAND, son of John and Ann MORELAND, was born between 1699 and 1705. At the session of York County Court held February 15, 1719 two items of business were attended to:
On the petition of Matthew MORELAND praying that Edward MORELAND may be appointed his guardian, he therefore, Edward, having together with Philip DEDMAN and Joseph MOUNTFORT his security – acknowledged – bond – ordered that he take care of said Matthew and his estate.[6]

------ condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden Edward MORELAND shall --- cause to be paid unto Matthew MORELAND, orphan of John MORELAND, deceased, all such estate or estates belonging to said orphan.[7]

Matthew3 MORELAND married Ann WRIGHT, daughter of John J. WRIGHT and they had issue:
(1) Ann4 MORELAND
(2) John4 MORELAND
(3) Matthew4 MORELAND
(4) Edward4 MORELAND
(5) Wright4 MORELAND

Ann WRIGHT MORELAND died before her husband; she was not mentioned in his will. When her father, John J. WRIGHT, wrote his in 1751 he left a legacy to the heirs of “my daughter, Ann MORELAND.”[8]

When John2 MORELAND died (1706) he willed to his son Matthew a Negro girl named Kate; when Matthew3 MORELAND wrote his will (1734) he gave to his daughter Ann MORELAND “my Negro woman named Kate.” Excerpts from his will continues:

---- give to son John MORELAND a Negro boy ---- Jamey
-----give to son Matthew MORELAND a Negro girl – Mary
-----give to son Edward MORELAND a Negro girl --- Jenny
-----give to son Wright MORELAND a Negro girl --- America
rest of estate be sold – debts paid --- equally divided among my children;
Young MORELAND ---- sole executor ----

This was written February 8, 1734 and proved February 21, 1736. Richard BELLAME and Sophia CLARK were witnesses.[9]

Concerning his activities, the records show that Ann WILLIAMS “made choice of Matthew MORELAND to be her guardian” July 16, 1733; in November 1733 he gave security to act in this capacity.[10]

Matthew MORELAND died in 1735.

The Court on July 21, 1735 instructed the church wardens of Yorkhampton Parish to bind out Matthew MORELAND, son of Matthew MORELAND, deceased to John CORE (?).[11] This gave the youth an opportunity to learn a trade.

The Court told the sheriff on December 15, 1735 to take into custody the Negroes belonging to “the estate of Matthew MORELAND which are now in possession of John WRIGHT and bind them out to the best advantage.”[12]

(It has already been noted that John WRIGHT was the father-in-law of Matthew MORELAND.)

Court meeting January 17, 1736 called for the witnesses to the last will and testament of Matthew MORELAND to be summoned to the next court to prove the same. February 21, 1736 this will was finally probated although he had died several months prior.[13]

(1) Ann4 MORELAND no information about her
(2) John4 MORELAND – After his father’s death in 1735, the Court bound him out to Benjamin MOSS – “that he learn the said orphan to read and write and it further ordered that the Negro boy belonging to the said orphan be delivered to the said Benjamin MOSS.”[14] (What became of him? Does Robert MORELAND link to him?)
(3) Matthew4 MORELAND --- Following his father’s death in 1735, he too, was bound out to learn a trade. He married Ruth ___ and at the time of his death they lived in Charles Parish, York County. According to his will his children were:

A. Elizabeth5 MORELAND
B. John5 MORELAND
C. Mary5 MORELAND
D. Anne5 MORELAND

Parts of his will are given:

------ wife Ruth sell my Negro man to enable her to pay the debts
------ give her all my estate movable during her widowhood --- if she marry --- my estate be laid in three parts --- one I lend to her during her natural life --- my four children, Elizabeth, John, Mary, and the one my wife is now with ---.
Edward WRIGHT executor with wife Ruth. January 17, 1755; February 17, 1755.[15]

The inventory was returned March 17, 1755.[16] It was made by William POWELL, Edward WRIGHT and John TENHAM. The final settlement came before the Court (probably following Ruth MORELAND’s death) November 18, 1771. The Commissioners returned a report of the division of property in this manner:

Six slaves namely: Sarah, Agnes, Frank, James, Amey and Bob, each given a value. Division of slaves to John MORELAND, his share 90-13-8
Division of slaves to Mary MORELAND, her share 90-13-8
Division of slaves to Anne MORELAND, her share 90-13-8
Moll an old woman of little value was undivided and the parties agreed to share any profits that might come from her labor.[17]

In charge of this division were Edmund CURTIS, John CHISMAN, William MOSS Jr., and John TOOMER and this transmission was completed January 20, 1772.

A. Elizabeth5 MORELAND, daughter of Matthew and Ruth MORELAND, did not heir a portion of the slave property of her father, so may be assumed dead by 1771.
B. John5 MORELAND, son of Matthew and Ruth MORELAND, was born around 1750. He married Frances (Fanny) STROUD December 8, 1772.[18] This couple had three sons:

(A) Matthew6 MORELAND
(B) Richard6 MORELAND
(C) William6 MORELAND

An order dated April 17, 1780 was issued in York Court for the appraisal of the estate of John MORELAND. On June 19, 1780 a report placing a value of 4293 pounds, five shillings on the estate was returned. Among his possessions were carpenter tools and three very valuable Negro slaves: Sarah worth 2500 pounds, Lucy worth 1000 pounds; Molly worth 500 pounds. (Note evidence of inflation here, a thing which often occurs during wars.) William A. ROGERS, Allen CHAPMAN, and John BURCHER were the appraisers.[19]

The sheriff received instructions May 17, 1784 “to take in to his hands and sell according to law the estate of John MORELAND deceased and return an account of the sales to the Court. Thomas SMITH, William Aduston ROGERS, John MOSS, and William MOSS or any three of these were appointed to examine and settle Joseph STROUD’s administration of the estate of John MORELAND, deceased and make a report to the Court.[20]

Evidently Joseph STROUD died before he accomplished this because business relative to the STROUD estate and the MORELAND estate are involved in the same report to the Court. In fact, a balance due the STROUD estate of 395 pounds eleven shillings and a penny was deducted from the MORELAND estate. Thomas SMITH, William A. ROGERS, and William MOSS (named before) attended to this.[21]

The inventory, completed August 16, 1784, showed that a sale of John MORELAND’s property had been held. Frances MORELAND bought in these items:

A lot of pewter
A pine table
Bedstead
Spinning wheel Fire tongs
Large tub Hoe
Frying pan
Meat tub
Tub and pail
Narrow ax

Other people made purchases.[22]

John5 MORELAND was evidently a carpenter by trade; no land was involved in the settlement. He died early in 1780.

To be continued

LOUISA MATILDA MORELAND

Louisa Matilda MORELAND was born Oct. 27, 1820 in Georgia. On Feb.18, 1844, she married John M. CARAWAY, who was probably living in Randolph Co., Georgia at the time. She and John M. had four children: Louisa Matilda, b. 1845, dy., Mary Jane, b. Aug. 18, 1848, probably in or near Campbellton in Jackson Co. Florida; Samuel James, b. Oct. 29, 1850, probably Henry Co. Alabama; and Henry Haywood, b. Nov. 24, 1853, probably Jackson Co., Florida.

Sometime after their move to Campbellton, Louisa M. and John M. took in to their home Martha MORELAND b. 1842, Rebecca MORELAND, b. 1844, and Mary MORELAND, b.1846, the orphans of Samuel MORELAND. Samuel MORELAND had come to Florida at least by 1837 where he served in Capt. Daniel’s Company of Florida militia during May and June 1837 in the Florida Indian War. Samuel married Eliza SMITH in Jackson County in 1839. They had the three children named above and she died in Jackson County in March 1846. Samuel remarried to Ann unknown, and then he died in Jackson County, around 1849. Based on the dates of the above incidents a reasonable estimate of Samuel’s birth would be around 1818 or before.

Soon after the War for Southern Independence began, John M. joined the 6th Florida Infantry, went off to war, and ultimately lost his life in the conflict. After the war was over Louisa M. moved her family to Barbour County, Alabama, and settled near the home of Henry Haywood MORELAND, who was born in Georgia December 18, 1825.

Considering the ages of Louisa Mitilda, Samuel, and Henry Haywood MORELAND; that Louisa Matilda named one of her children after each one of them; and the fact that the CARAWAYs moved near to these two MORELAND families, I believe the three were brothers and sister. In considering the MORELAND males who were in Georgia by the time Samuel would have been born, a few stand out as the possible father of these three individuals. One is Robert MORELAND, Jr. who was in Putnam County by 1820 and in Harris County in 1830 and nowhere to be found after then. His census records indicate that the three could have been his children. He also had 3 girls other than Louisa, if indeed she was his child. This may be a clue or it may not be; but Samuel James CARAWAY named one of his sons Robert Moreland CARAWAY. One of the males considered and rejected as the father was Colson MORELAND. His children that fit the ages of the above three have been identified so as to eliminate him from further consideration.

I would welcome any information that would support or refute this theory, or any comments anyone wished to make. Contact me at: Jack F. Caraway, 3813 Llyde Lane, Montgomery, AL, 36106, or by e-mail carawayonllyde@mindspring.com

Endnotes:
[1] York Wills and Inventories No. 23, p. 143
[2] York Deed Book 6, 1777-1791, p. 104
[3] York County, Virginia Orders No. 4
[4] York Orders and Wills No. 15, 1716-1720, p. 548
[5] York Deeds, Orders, and Wills No. 13 1706-1710, p. 255
[6] York Wills and Orders No. 15, p. 544
[7] Ibid. p. 548
[8] York Wills and Inventories 1746-1759, p. 273
[9] York Wills and Inventories 1732-1740, p. 175
[10] York Records No. 18, 1732-1740, pp. 62 & 74
[11] Ibid. p. 212
[12] Ibid. p. 244
[13] Ibid. pp. 336 and 348
[14] York Records No. 18, p. 409
[15] York Wills and Inventories 1746-1759, p. 344
[16] Ibid. p. 345
[17] York Wills and Inventories No. 22, 1771-1783, p. 54
[18] York Marriage Bond
[19] York Wills and Inventories No. 22, 1771-1783, p. 492
[20] York Orders No. 4, 1774-1784, pp. 514-515
[21] York Wills and Inventories No. 23, p. 53
[22] Ibid. p. 52