QUERIES
MORELAND-MCDONALD-JOHNSON-GEORGIA
The
Joseph MORELAND family listed in the 1850 census, Murray
County, Georgia (Fall 1990 issue) is the family I am researching. In the 1860 Murray Co. census this family had
broken up. Unmarried daughters and the
younger children are all living with separate families. Joseph MORELAND and his two youngest sons (Marion and
Robert, who were eight and four) were living with the A.A. MCDONALD family.
Our direct line ancestor, John A. MORELAND, age 14, had been placed in the home of John
S. JOHNSON. I
found no mention of Cynthia MORELAND (wife and mother) so I am assuming she died
after 1856 when her youngest child, Robert, was born.
In the 1870
census I have not been able to find a record of this Joseph MORELAND.
I would
like to know when Joseph and Cynthia died and where they are buried. I would also like to know if the families
where the children were placed were related to the MORELANDs.
Contact Rose L. Guthrie, Rt. 2, box 776, Ft.
Gibson, OK 74434.
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* * * *
MORELAND-BOATMAN-JONES-TENNESSEE-INDIANA
I need
information on parents of Elijah MORLAND, born in 1787 in Tennessee; married Mary BOATMAN and went to Putnam County, Indiana in
1852. They had a son William Henry born
in Tennessee in 1811. I also have a
William MORELAND born 12 April 1821; married Louisa Jane JONES in Indiana.
Is he a cousin of William Henry?
Contact Marietta Lord, Promise City, IA 52583
*
* * * *
[Ed. note:
I wrote to Marietta suggesting that her Elijah might be related to the
Morelands of Carter County, Tennessee.
Charles Moreland has been in touch with a researcher who believes that
Thomas MORELAND, son of Wright MORELAND of Goochland County,
Virginia, had a son named William. An
Elijah is named as one of the sons of this William MORELAND. The letter below is her reply to my letter.]
Dear Nona,
Thanks
for your letter, [it] gave me something to check (if I can) on Thomas MORELAND; altho we have no Thomas MORELAND in any of
[the] children.
In Deed Record M, p.
217, Putnam Co., IN (Greencastle, IN):
Ezekiel and Elizabeth
ROBINSON to Henry MORLAN, Putnam Co., 16 Oct. 1846 1 p.
Deed Record Q, p. 415:
Henry MORLAN and Malinda C. MORLAN (wife) to Edwin DAVIS 24 Jan. 1852 2p.
Deed Record Q, p. 614:
Henry MORLAN and Belinda Caroline MORLAN to Hugh THOMPSON 17 Apr. 1852 2p.
In marriages, Putnam
Co., IN, p. 27 William Henry MORELAND married Belinda C. JONES.
And
William MORELAND married Louisa Jane JONES. The
women are sisters, don't know what relation the men are.
I don't
know any other children of Elijah MORELAND, so I'll keep searching. Like your Moreland Muster, continue your good
work.
Sincerely,
Marietta
Lord
Promise
City, IA 52583
William Henry MORLAN b. 1811; d. 22 Nov. 1861; md. 11 Aug. 1836 to
Belinda Carolina JONES; resided Putnam Co., Ind. and Appanoose
Co., IA.
Belinda Carolina JONES b. 28 Oct. 1818 Casey Co.,
KY; d. 7 Feb. 1901 IA.
Children:
Newton J. MORLAN b. 22 May 1837 Putnam Co., IN; came to Iowa
by oxen team; md. Emma BANKS
Mary A. MORELAND b. 30 Sept. 1840 Putnam Co., IN; md. Thomas
OWEN
Louisa Palmyra MORLAN b. 1 Dec. 1843 Putnam Co., IN; d. 28 Mar.
1865
Lucintha Jane MORLAN b. 4 Jan. 1847 Putnam Co., IN
William Elijah
Laffette MORLAN b. 9 Nov. 1849 Putnam Co., IN; md. Eunice
FREEMAN
William MORLAN b. 12 Apr. 1821; d. 3 Mar. 1878 Appanoose
Co., IA; md. 16 Sept. 1841 to Louisa Jane JONES
Children:
Mary Abigail MORLAN b. 6 July 1842; d. 6 Aug. 1880 Appanoose Co.,
IA; md. 30 Sept. 1858 to Allen Ancel ADAMS
Louisa Carolina MORLAN md. Martin BROTHERSON
Lucintha Ann MORLAN md. Newton Jasper JAMES
William Marion MORLAN md. Evaline ALWALT
Belinda Elizabeth MORLAN md. Jefferson CONNER
Jonathan Henry MORLAN b. 25 Jan. 1856; d. 25 Oct. (age 84) South
Gate Calif.; md. 14 Sept. 1880 San Francisco, Calif. to Mattie MALONE
Martha Jane MORLAN md. Jessie CONNER
Robert Lewis MORLAN md. Merinva BLAND
Sarah Matilda MORLAN md. Nathan NEEDHAM
A. Bluford MORLAN b. 20 May 1862; md. 21 Oct. 1891 Monmouth,
OR to Cara CROSS
J.T. MORLAND d. age 5 months, Appanoose Co., IA
1850
Census Putman Co., Indiana
Sex birth place
Page 1077Elijah MORELAND age
50 M farmer Tenn.
Mary
A. " age 36 F Ohio
Sarah
E. BUFFINGTON age
11 F Ind.
Joseph
BUFFINGTON
age 16 M farmer Ind.
Hannah
MORELAND age 5 F Ind.
James
K. " age 4 M Ind.
Page 1105 Henry MORELAND age
39 M farmer Tenn.
Malinda " age
31 F Ky.
Newton
J. " age
13 M Ind.
Mary
A. " age 9 F Ind.
Louisa
T. " age 7 F Ind.
Lucythia
F. " age 4 F Ind.
Wm
Elijah Lafetta MORELAND age 6/12 M
*
* * * *
RESEARCH
NOTES FROM LOUISE PAYNE
3609
W. Potter Drive, Glendale, AZ 85308
[Ed. note:
Caution. These are research notes
and may contain inaccuracies. If you
spot any errors, please let me know and I'll print corrections.]
Jemima MORELAND married William KEELE born 17 January 1771. He was a minister and brother of Thomas KEELE of Tennessee
Page 108, Family 796, Texas, 4 Sept. (?1860,
Hopkins Co.) William MORELAND, 53, KY, Matecia 22 Tenn., John T. 19
Tenn., Micaja 17, Fanny 16, Margaret 14, Jessie 12, Eliza 10, Martha 8, Mary 6,
William 7/12 Texas. All children born in
Tenn. except last one.
William Capers MORELAND born 1818 to 1820 Troop Co., Georgia (son
of William born about 1780, N.C.) married Ann Thornton WILLIS.
William MORELAND (married about 1800) died about 1840 Coffee
County, Tenn.; married Mary KEELE born about 1785 Bedford County, Tenn. She was the daughter of Lydia RICHMOND and Richard S. KEELE. The
KEELEs moved from Tenn. to Bell and Burnett Co., Texas.
There are some MORELANDs found in Arkansas that
are not my line of MORELANDs.
Marion County, Arkansas, 1850, page 654: Elijah MOORELAND 26 Tenn; Nancy 25 Tenn. Age of children show that they moved to
Arkansas in 1836.
Page 623, Alexander MOORELAND, 37, Tenn; Lucinda, 26, Ark. Children show they went to Arkansas before
1833.
Page 671, John MORELAND, 40, Tenn.
Polly Ann, 32, KY.
William MORELAND, 60, Tenn.
Susan 57, NC
William HOGAN, 29, Tenn.
Phillip County, Arkansas [what year?]:
Lorenzo, 36, Ill.
Mary A.
Pulaski Co., Arkansas, page 336:
John W., 35 VA Physician
Sarah
A., 55 Tenn.
Monroe County, [what state?] 1850
Joseph, 40, Tenn., Eliza J. 22 Ill.
James N. MORELAND born 28 Jan. 1788 married 29 Jan. 1818 Ann
BRAMWELL born 29 Oct. 1795. I have their bible also. Don't know parents.
From old bible found in Kentucky by Mrs. Barger:
Samuel MORELAND born 1769; died 23 May 1840; married first
28 Dec. 1797 to Elancer SHIELDS; married second 22 June 1815 to Elizabeth
GORRELL
Son James L. MORLAND born 12 Nov. 1798; died 18 April 1823;
married 17 July 1819 Elender BRAMMELL.
She was born 11 June 1798; died 2 Oct. 1882. They are buried in Owen County, KY. (James N., above, is buried in the same cemetery). Their children are given in this bible and
part of their family is given in D.A.R. Kentucky bible records.
Elender's name is also
spelled different. Other surnmames in
the bible are BRIDGES, SHIELDS, JONES, JUDY, BARNETT, BAXTER, HART, ENGLAND, SOONMAN and GRIMSLEY.
Mary E. MORELAND born 10 Nov. 1777; died 30 Nov. 1862, buried
in Union County, S.C. where my people were.
Hillary MONTGOMERY born Camden Dist., S.C., 24 May 1776, died
20 Nov. 1852, Union Co., S.C.
D.A.R. #497380:
William MORELAND born about 1748, Charles County, Maryland;
died 24 April 1830, Dawson Station, Penn. or 24 May 1830, Fayette Co., Penn;
married 17 Jan. 1777, Agnes Nancy HUSTON, born 26 Jan. 1760 Peach Bottom, VA, died 9
May 1826. Eleven children given with
birthdates and spouses. Son, William,
born 5 July 1792.
*
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VIRGINIA
VITAL RECORDS
From
the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography ,
the
William and Mary College Quarterly,
and
Tyler's Quarterly
Ann
MORLAND the Daughter of Thos MORLAND and Mary his wife was born the 11th Day of
August at Two O'Clock in the morning 1722
John
MORELAND the son of Thos and Mary his
wife was born the 20th Sept 1716 at 4 O'Clock in the afternoon.
*
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NOTE
Norine Faria sent a note asking if I've looked at
AGLL film SW16-0064, Moreland and Related Families by Clayton Capers
Moreland. She says it contains lots of
information about early Morelands. I
haven't seen it and because of my hectic schedule, I doubt that I'll be able to
order it and read it in the foreseeable future.
If anyone has any information on this book, please send send copies or
extracts for the newsletter.
My working schedule requires so much of my time,
I don't have any spare time for researching my own families or locating
information to publish in this newsletter.
I've just about exhausted all I had in my files on Moreland
families. Please send queries and any
information you have to share with others.
*
* * * *
RESEARCH
NOTES OF IRENE CARL
Hennings Statutes At Large Vol. 5, 1738-1748
p. 370. A list of tobacco drowned in York
Warehouse, 30 Nov. 1744. Young MORLAND 1 hhds 180 lbs.
p. 209. To
the Militia of Co. of Bedford & Provisions furnished by Sundry inhabitants
of the said Co. Sept. 1758- 32 da.
George II, John MORGIN and Thomas RIGHT.
p. 397.
List of tobacco drowned in Gray's Creek Warehouse 19 Mar. 1743. John MOORING. p. 368,
John MOORING 208, 921, 816, 105, 100.
Vol. I Mar 1623-4.
Commissioner John POUNTIS sent to Eng. Subscript. Sir Francis WYATT, Knt., Gov., D.C. s/Thomas MORLATT & others. Princess Anne Co.
p. 228 John MORTON, for an house lost in Shawnee Expedition, 7
pounds, New Kent Co.
Roll 34,413 York Co., VA Wills, Inventories &
Estates 1783-1811
p. 51.
Account of sales of Estate of John MORELAND in 17 April 1780. Returned into York Co. Court 16 Aug. 1785 and
ordered recorded. Test, R. WALLER
p. 143. Dr
th Estate of Younge MORELAND to Samuel THOMAS, Admin.
1775-cash paid for copy John MORELAND's will.
1778-cash paid Nathaniel MORELAND 3..0..0
8 June 1776-cash received Nathaniel MORELAND..
2..0..6
17 April 1780-cash received of Mary MORELAND Estate 87..0..8
Balance in hand of Admin. 16 July 1787.
p. 189 20 July 1784 proved.
Nathaniel MORELAND will - whole estate to wife
during her life, Matthew HUBBARD
Younger-1/2 of land Estate.
Other equally divided between Elizabeth and
Liddia MANEY.
p. 199.
Appraisal of Estate of Nathaniel MORELAND 4 Aug. 1784.
p. 221.
Appraisal of Estate Mary MORELAND dec'd 19 April 1790
21 Sept. 1790 Balance in hands of Admin. 86.07..9
Roll 34,433 Court Orders York Co., VA 1763-1770
p. 13. Young MORELAND sues to collect debt of Samuel ROBERTS. 1765.
p. 430.
Jonathan BECKWITH vs. estate of Joseph MORELAND.
p. 433.
Settlement and division of the estate of Matthew MORELAND was returned and recorded. 20 Jan. 1772.
p. 178.
Young MORELAND sued to collect debt from John CHAPMAN. 19 May
1768., p. 285
21 June 1773 On the motion of John GRAVES security for John MORELAND as guardian of Ann MORELAND, an orphan.
Manard MORELAND having been summoned and not
appearing. It is ordered that...within
10 days give sufficient counter security to indemnify Manard MORELAND. Goomer MANARD...and said MORELAND deliver the estate of
Manard, orphan, to Manard GOOMER who is to account for the profits made to
the court.
Roll 34,434 Judgments & Orders York Co., VA 1774-1778
p. 1. The last will and testament of Young MORLAND dec'd proved by oath of John DAVIS, Francis PETERS, Henry Towit. Ordered recorded on motion of Mary MORLAND the Extrx.
21 Mar. 1774.
p. 59.
Mary MORELAND Extrx of Young MORLAND dec'd pltf. against James HUBBARD.
Debt due by the death of the lender.
19 Sept. 1774.
p. 473. 26
July 1787 A settlement of the estate of
Young MORELAND dec'd was returned and ordered recorded.
p. 343 William WRIGHT to pay Mary WRIGHT 50 pounds of tobacco for days as witness.
p. 476.
Edward WRIGHT costs against Hobsay DOSS.
p. 146.
William WRIGHT appointed Constable in this county. Took the several oaths so directed by law of
assembly and the oath of constable.
p. 317.
Ordered that the Church Warden of this Parish bind out Sarah WRIGHT a orphan.
p. 171.
Ordered that the Church Warden of Breslon Parish bind out John HIX, ____ WRIGHT, and Thomas GIBBS, poor orphans according to law. 19 May 1773.
p. 285
William WRIGHT obtained an attachment against Estab. of
____ MILLER.
p. 370 William WRIGHT petition to collect debt
against Matthew HATTON.
p. 458.
WRIGHT estate inventory (page torn).
p. 526.
Matthew GIBBS to pay William WRIGHT 50 pounds tobacco for 2
days attendance as witness.
Roll 34,434 Judgments and Orders 1774-1778
p. 213. 2
Feb. 1779 The last will and testament of
Edward WRIGHT proved by oath of Margaret STROUD and John MORELAND, witnesses. Edward WRIGHT, Extr.
p. 243. 15
Nov. 1779 Elizabeth WRIGHT late of this county dec'd dying Intestate
possessed of an on which no person will administer, it is ordered that the
sheriff take the said estate into his hands and dispose thereof according to
___ he returning an inventory and an account of the sales of the said estate to
the court.
p. 267. On
complaint of Elizabeth WRIGHT, a poor orphan, against her master Bernard
ELLIOT for mistreatment is ordered by Warden bound
to some other person.
p. 460.
Ordered the church of Yorkhampton Parish bind out Sarah WRIGHT infant orphan of William WRIGHT dec'd
according to law the estate of said orphan being inefficient to maintain her.
p. 515. On
motion of Edward WRIGHT three people appointed to examine his administration of
Edward WRIGHT estate.
Maryland Records Charles
Co. 1768
Leasee Born Date(lease)
Tennant Rent On what lives
MORELAND, Wm 1718 Nov.
1755
Wm. MORELAND 9..0..0 Patrick b. 1705
" Jacob 1750
" John 6
Jul. 1739
Paul HOWELL 5..0..0
Patrick b. 1705
" Wm. 1758 Wm. MORELAND 4..0..0 John, Jr. b. 1707
Wm. b. 1708
" John 25
Jul. 1746
John " 7..7..0 Walter b. 1738
"
Phillip 8 Nov. 1739 Phillip 0..4..4 Jacob
b. 1740
0..10.0 John b.
1707
Talbott Mill Census 1776, p. 227 - Maryland Records
MORELAND, Francis - 1 m (bet. 16-50)
2
f under 16
10
blacks
13
total
Phillip b. 1675
John ca.
1685
John, Jr.
1705
Patrick
1705
John
1707
William
1708
William
1718
Walter
1738
Jacob
1740
Roll 31,675
Goochland Co., VA
p. 29 June
1771. On motion of Wright MOURLAND that a witness for Exolheath PATH vs. James OVERSTREET, it is ordered that the said Extr. pay
him for 12 days attendance, 300 lbs. tobo.
Roll 31,677
Bk. #16
p. 149.
Wright MORELAND against Joseph BAKER. 1
July 1786. This case abates by reason of
the Sheriff returning the defendant.
p. 252-323.
MORELAND to ... ordered that the Sheriff of this county do summon Wright
MORELAND, David ELLIS, Joseph TARROR severally to appear here at the Mpl Court to
show cause if any they can why they did not attend here today as Grand Jury Men
they being legally summoned and called at the Door of the Courthouse of the
said County. 16 Mary. 1786.
Roll 31,674
p. 498.
Nov. 1771. On the motion of
Wright MOURLAND, a witness for Thomas EAST vs. William BRITT it is ordered that the said Thomas pay him for
3 days attendance 75 lbs. tobacco.
Roll 31,673
p. 607.
Mar. 1756. At the motion of Anne WRIGHT a witness for Thomas MURRAY vs Anne Mourning COLEMAN Jr. is ordered that the said Thomas pay her
for 8 days attendance 200 lbs. tobacco.
Marriages of Goochland County, Virginia 1733-1815 by K.B. Williams:
Baltimore, Genealogical Pub. Co., Inc. 1979
p. 39.16 June
1787. Meshach HICKS and Elizabeth MORELAND.
Surety. Wright MORELAND.
Deed Bk. 15, p. 14.
p. 64.22 Oct.
1790. Charles MORELAND - Susanna HANCOCK, dau. of Major HANCOCK.
Surety. Joel RYAN.
Married 23 Oct. 1790. Deed Bk.
15, p. 452.
p. 64.30 Sept.
1790. Thomas MORELAND - Sarah THOMAS, dau. of James THOMAS.
Surety. Archibald PLEASANTS.
Wit. Major HANCOCK.
Married 20 Oct. 1790. Deed Bk.
15, p. 452. Goochland Co. Marriage
Register. p. 43.
p. 64.29 Apr.
1797. Thomas MORELAND - Elizabeth PAGE, 21 years of age, daughter of Mary PAGE and sister of James PAGE who is surety.
Married 29 Apr. 1797 by Rev. Lewis CHAUDOIN. p.
63.
p. 64.4 July
1782. Wright MORELAND - Sarah HANCOCK.
Married by Reuben FORD.
Goochland Co. Ministers' Returns. p. 392.
[Ed. note:
Reuben FORD performed the wedding ceremony for Wright MORELAND and Sarah
HANCOCK. Wright's son, William MORELAND and wife Sarah, were listed as administrators
for the estate of Peter FORD, 20 July 1784, Burke Co., NC. This suggests that William's wife was Sarah
FORD, rather than Sarah SIMPSON as stated in some undocumented compilations. Recently charts have been circulating showing
William's wife as Sarah SIMPSON. It is
important to note that her surname has not been proved, but is more likely to
be FORD than SIMPSON.]
Roll 24, 614, Court Records, Carter County, TN
p. 38. 2nd Mon. Feb. 1804 Ordered that ... William MORELAND ... be
juror to May Session 1804.
p. 58, 28 Apr. 1804 William and Charles MOORLAND appointed to work on road.
p. 60. 2nd
Mon. Aug. 1804. Ordered by the court
that William MOORLAND ... be on a jury to view and lay off a road from John
ASHERS up Dry Run by John BAKERS so as to meet a road opened by order of the
court of Ashe County in N.C. on the top of the Stone Mountain at Bakers Gap and
report to next court.
p. 194. 15
Sept. 1804. Charles MOORLAND witness 2
days in court.
14 May 1805 Ordered by the court that Joseph TOMPKINS, J. HAMPTON and C. BAILEY be Inspectors of the ensuing Election for
the Eastern end of Carter Co., at the house of William MORELAND on the 1st Thursday and succeeding day of
August next.
p. 212 William MORELAND and Charles MORELAND to do road work. 22 April 1805
p. 303.
May Session 1806 William MORELAND
ordered to be Juror.
Roll 593,026.
Bk. I. (A) 1802 Carter County, TN, Sinking Creek Baptist
Church. List of subscriptions found on
last page: Nancy MORELAND
June 1797 - 15 Nov. 1800. Record
Bk II (B). Nancy MORELAND 0..10..0.
Carter Co., Record of Wills &
Inventories 1794 - 1847
William MARLIN, Bill of Sale, 17 Nov. 1798 Bill of sale for Negro girl named Sarah about 5 years, daughter of Fillis to John MARLIN. s/
Zach T. MARLIN and William MARLIN, Sr.
Recorded 18 May 1799. State of
Tennessee, Washington Dist., March 1799.
Proved by William MARLIN, Jr.
Rest. James ACKER, C.S.
*
* * * *
MOSES
MORELAND OF GREENE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
State of Penn. Greene County
on
the tenth day of September, A.D. 18?2 Personally appeared in open Court being a
court of Record proceeding according to the course of the Common Law &
Keeping a record of the Proceedings.
Moses MORELAND of Whitley Township Greene County aged
about seventy four years of age who first being duly affirmed according to the
law doth say his solemn affirmation make the following declaration in order to
obtain the benefits of the provision made by the act of Congrefs ___ the 7th of
June A.D. 1832. That he enlisted in the
army of the US in the year 1777 in March as applicant thinks, to ___ in the
County of Lancaster at a public house, sign of the hat, he was enlisted by
Lieutenant MARSHALL, Captain CHRISTY, Ensign LOW or LOWS, the time of his enlistment was for three years
- ____, marched to a place called Lowe Brooke the state of New jersey - where
he joined the regiment, being the 3d Penna Regiment then
commanded by Col. WOOD but who was soon after succeeded by CRAIG, and after by Col. EDWARDS.
Applicant was marched to different places in which he cannot recollect,
the first skirmash he was in at a place called the short hills, where the
american forces had to retreat, in the direction of Low Brooke. The next engagement applicant was in was the
battle of Brandywine, aplicant was then next at the Battle of Germantown,
aplicants company was on the left two of our company were killed & two
wounded by the enemy's Picket Guard, applicant was also in the battle of
Monmouth immediately after the Battle monmouth applicant became unfit for duty
and went to the Hospital at, _____town and with a number of others were
quartered or put in the Barn of one KINLEYs a short distance from town applicant remained
unwell for some time and did not join the army until it lay at the white plains
from thence we marched in the direction of Penna after applicants
time expired he returned to Lancaster County and again Entered the service
during the war, went to Lancaster and joined the Army under Major HAMILTON applicant thinks his Captains name was PATTERSON we then marched to a place called ____
_____ where deponet ____ ______ _____ ____ _____ ___ from thence we went to
Phia. from thence to the head of Elk at a place called Christian Bridge from
thence to Little fork. The Army then
marched towards virginia and applicant was in the battle of York town at the Taking
of CORNWALLIS. after
the taking of CORNWALLIS we marched under Gen'l WAYNE to join Gen'l ____ in the Carolinas, we lay
near Charlestown, S.C. when the News of peace arrived at which there was great
rejoicing firing of Cannon &c. we
then returned to Phila. where applicant recd a Discharge at the Phia
Barrack the paymasters name was ____ or _____ affirmant did not preserve his
discharge but ________ to have been lost as he has frequently removed from
place to place. He hereby relinquishes
every claim whatsoever to a pension or an annuity except the present and he
declares that his name is not on the Pension Roll of any anyway of any State
Except that he receives a pension of forty dollars per year from the state of
Penna
Sworn and subscribed this his
day & year afsd Moses X
MORELAND
Wm
T. HAYS mark
And the said Court do hereby declare their
opinion that this above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served
as he states.
*
* * * *
HEADRIGHTS
The
term headrights in connection with a patent for land has been the subject to no
little misunderstanding. Elucidation is
therefore in order.
For the
purpose of stimulating immigration and the settlement of the Colony the London
Company ordained that any person who paid his own way to Virginia should be
assigned 50 acres of land "for his owne personal adventure," and if
he transported "at his owne cost" one or more persons he should, for
each person whose passage he paid, be awarded fifty acres of land. There is, for instance, the case of Sir
Thomas LUNSFORD, Knight and Baronett, who on October 24, 1650
was granted 3,423 acres for the transportation of sixty-five persons inlcuding
himself, members of his family, friends, and servants, many of whom were
doubtless indentured, or bound for period of service.
Among
the headrights are found persons of all social classes, nobility and gentry,
yeomanry, indentured servants (some of good family and connection in England),
and negroes. Among the headrights of
Bertram HOBERT, October 10, 1642, appears the name of John
TREDESCANT, the younger, one of the first to advertise
the great natural richness of America and to bring back to the mother country
concrete evidence of the beauty and wealth of flora in the new lands beyond the
sea. And again, in February 6, 1654,
TREDESCANT was a headright of William LEA, who by paying the naturalist's passage, was
entitled to 50 acres of land in Virginia.
It is
not to be assumed that the claim for land in consequence of a person
transported was made immediateley after the arrival of the
"Headright" in the Colony.
There is, for instance, record of a patentee awarded land for
transportation of three wives, who, it is safe to conclude, were
successive. The headrights may have
arrived in the Colony long before the patentee had entered claim for land
thereby due. Nor is it to be assumed
that the headright is necessarily an immigrant.
Even men of prominence in the Colony, through a voyage or repeated
voyages to England and return, appear as "headrights" of friends and
relatives who acquitted the cost of the passage in order to obtain the
consequent land.
In the
photographic reproduction of a patent, January 6, 1639 / 1640, of Capt.
Nicholas MARTIAN (MARTIAU, the French Walloon, who is the earliest
American ancestor of George WASHINGTON, appear among the fourteen persons
transported at his own cost and charges Capt. MARTIAN himself, his wife, a son
and a daughter. On the other hand in a
patent of Councilor George REED (READE) of November 2, 1658 the headrights include
Capt. MARTIAU (MARTIN) his wife, and his daughter Elizabeth, whom Col.
READE married.
Sea
captains were especially active in the acquisition of land through the
transportation of settlers, and they not infrequently acted conjointly with
London merchants. An instance in point
is the case of William BARKER, who, in association with Richard QUINEY, citizen and grocer of London (brother of
SHAKESPEARE's son-in-law, Thomas QUINCEY) and John SADLER (brother-in-law of John HARVARD, founder of Harvard College), patented
great tracts at Brandon and at Merchant's Hope, held by them and their heirs
for nearly a century.
Before
obtaining land for the transportation of "headrights" the claimant
was required to present a receipt in proof that the passage money was duly
paid. But despite all precautions fraud
and deception were by no means uncomman.
As a
safeguard, particularly in the case of those persons who went at their own
cost, the London Company, on November 18, 1623, came to the following
resolution "Touching the registering of Passengers names that goe to
Virginia in Private shipps"
"Secondly
when a reviewe shalbe made in Virginia howe all men are possessed of their
lands which willbe most necessarie to be donn in regard of the great Disorder
and Lycentiousness which men there use in takinge out land and not due to them
it wilbe a matter of great trouble to all private Planters that come not in
Companies Shipps to prove that they came over at their owne charges, and except
they do, that it wilbe verie dangerous and unsafe to the Companie to make
confirmacion of landes to them wch perhapps others have better right unto"
Taken
from "Cavaliers and Pioneers"
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