August 26, 2010

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John Ward   - Will probated in Campbell County November 11, 1816

John Ward attended a county court meeting in Halifax county in August of 1759 and was recommended to the governor as a person suitable for the commission of peace. Also in 1759, he attended court when he produced a commission appointing him captain of the county militia and took the usual oaths. These were the years of French and Indian War.  The county militia was called out for active service against the Indians on the war path.

It is a possibility that I found information that John Ward served or provided provisions for the French and Indian War.  In the online archives for the Library of Virginia, John Ward is listed as serving under Capt. William Leftwich during Lord Dunmore’s war in 1774. 

On or about 1760, he and Benjamin Clement were ordered to lay off a road from the mill place of John Ward to the Pocket Ford.  The surveying and building of roads were important to the frontiersman for  outlets to the courts, markets and neighbor’s homes.  This roadway led from John Ward’s mill place near the mouth of Chiles Creek, and followed the meanderings of the stream to the top of the high bluffs of the Roanoke leading by the Chiles settlement on the mouth of Reedy Creek, near the present town of Altavista.  Later he surveyed the road leading to Lynchburg which still bears his name and still remains although with modern improvements.  

Prior to the outbreak of the Revolution on May 23, 1775, Major Ward was chosen as a Committee of Safety Member for the County of Bedford along with Charles Lynch, John Calloway, James Calloway and William Calloway.  John’s daughter Anne was married to John Calloway, Charles Lynch was his neighbor and his wife’s son.

As early as 1769 Major Ward built mills at Sinkler’s Creek and Chiles Creek and raised large yields of hemp on his land.   

Major Ward was active in the development of the county and he owned large acreage in numerous counties.  In his tax list of 1777 for Pittsylvania County, he employed three overseers for his property in that county.  They were Thomas Hardy, Christopher Sutton and Fielding Robertson. 

Major John Ward received his title for Major of the Bedford  County Militia in March 22, 1779.  He resigned his position on September 24, 1781 due to his age.  In September 1832, he was also listed as a citizen that furnished supplies and arms to the Continental Army. In the Virginia Publick Claims Book  For Campbell County I found that John Ward, Gent. for 51 ½ barrels corn, 32 diets for ditto.  In Bedford County, John Ward was the Commissioner of the Provision Law.  In the court of Campbell County, held in September  1783, John Ward Gent.- 57 days pasturage for 40 head pulick beaves for Christopher Irvin Com. Provision Law.  In the Virginia Magazine of History, page 193, John Ward is cited as provided provisions to the Bedford Militia to guard the lead mines.

In the Calendar of Virginia State Papers I found that  a John Ward and Joseph Childreis were put in charge of canoes ordered by the Quarter Master General.   It says the following:  He has sent the canoes already purchased to Westham, in charge of Joseph Childreis and John Ward, who are men that have long run this River & such as I would recommend to you, as Honest & Trusty.

 There is nothing to prove that this is our John Ward, but it is the James River they are discussing and Albemarle County.

In 1778 Major Ward established a ferry across the Staunton having previously kept there a boat free to passengers and in 1810 he obtained permission to erect a toll bridge near his ferry.  The General Assembly ordered a ferry from the land of John Ward, in the county of Bedford over Staunton river to the land of the said Ward on the opposite shore, the price for a man sixpence and for a horse the same.

An Act was passed on November, 1781, for the formation of Campbell County which went into effect on February 7, 1782.  A meeting was held in the house of Micajah Terrell on Thursday, February 7, 1782, appointing the  commission of the peace  to be Samuel Hairston, Richard Stith, Charles Lynch, John Ward, John Calloway, John Fitzpatrick, Francis Thorp, John Ward, John Callaway, John Fitzpatrick, Francis Thorp, John Hunter, Robert Adams Jr., James Callaway, John Talbot, George Stovall, Jr. and William Henderson. John Ward and John Henderson administered the oath of the justice of the peace to Samuel Hairston and then Samuel Hairston administered the oath to all the gentleman above.

Henings Statutues Volume 10 page 447

An act for dividing the county of Bedford

1.       Be it enacted by the General Assembly that from and after the first day of February next the count y of Bedford shall be divided into two district counties, by a line to begin at the mouth of Judy’s Creek on James river, thence to Thompson’s mill on buffalo creek, thence to the mouth of Back creek on Goose creek, thence the same course continued to Staunton river, and that part of the said county lying east of the said line, shall be called and known by the name of Campbell; and all the residue of the said county shall retain the name of Bedford.  That a court for the said county of Campbell shall be held by the justices thereof on the first Thursday in every month after the said division shall take place, in such manner as is proved by law for other counties and shall be by their commissions directed.

2.       And be it further enacted, That the justices to be named in the commission of the peace for the said county of Campbell shall meet at the house of Micajah Terrill.

Private Life

In 1753 John and Jeremiah Ward, of Albemarle, patented 3200 acres of land on the north side of Dan river in Pittsylvania county which was located “in the mountains”.  In 1753, Pittsylvania was not yet formed.  It was Halifax county until 1767.

Major John Ward married Anne Chiles Ward on or about 1744.  I have yet to find proof of this marriage other than the fact of many articles and the children born of the marriage.  In Virginia Marriages by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, she cites John’s marriage to Anne but does not give a date or a place. I found no marriage license and no tombstone record.   Prior to the 1760’s John Ward and his wife made their home close to Anne’s brother Paul Chiles in Halifax County.  Her father Henry Chiles died in Amelia County on or around1746 after which her mother lived with her brother Paul.

Sometime during the year of 1759 he took the oath as vestryman of the Church of England in Antrim Parish located in Halifax County. 

 In the 1760’s he began building his new home, The Mansion, east of the mouth of Otter river near its entrance into the Staunton and only a few miles from where Altavista, Virginia, now stands.  This house was built on land bequeathed to Anne by her father.  Anne’s father’s will was probated in Amelia County, Virginia.  John Ward later bought 400 more acres to add to the “Mansion” estate. He completed this house before 1766.

During his marriage to Anne Chiles, they had the seven children:

1.        John jr.   John jr. never married   Will was in 1826

2.       William  b. 1745 d. 1808 married Mildred daughter of Robert and Penelope Lynch Adams

3.       Agatha married Colonel John Callaway.  She died on 1812.

4.       Ann married lst Christopher Lynch son of Charles Lynch and Sarah Clark Lynch on October 15, 1765 by consent of her father John Ward.  (Note:  John Ward would marry Christopher’s mother in 1766.)  2^nd she married Benjamin Dillard.

5.       Henry  born April 5, 1751  died April 12, 1823 married Martha Barbour .

6.       Jeremiah Ward  moved to Texas

7.       Thomas Ward married Mildred (Milly), daughter of Richard Walden and moved to Ohio.

After the death of his wife, Anne, John Ward married Sarah Clark Lynch on December 27,1766.  Sarah Lynch was the daughter of Christopher Clark,  a fearless frontiersman.  Obviously, John had come to know Sarah from the relationship that already been established by the marriage of his daughter  Anne to Sarah’s son Christopher in 1765.  In the Bedford County marriage books, Sarah Lynch gave consent for the marriage by herself.  Sarah Lynch was a Quaker and she was disowned from the church for marrying out of the religion.  John Ward was a member of the Church of England. They lived at the “Mansion” until their deaths and there they are buried.  Sarah Ward died January 20, 1792 and John Ward died November, 1816.    Many of the structures still stand at the location of the Mansion, but the Mansion burned down over one hundred years ago and was not rebuilt.

John Ward was a father, plantation owner, patriot  and community leader.  For more information on John Ward see the following dates of this blog.  Also for more information I have included my references. 

I started this blog with John Ward.  I attached an explanation of tithables on March 8; March the 9^th I attached John Ward’s will: March 16, a more detailed description of the Mansion and August 23 more information on Calendar of Virginia State Papers

I have one last reference which I found many months ago and printed out on my computer ; but alas, I didn’t write down or save the website.  It is an excerpt of Samuel Houston’s  journal of the expedition under Colonel McDowell against Cornwallis, the British General in North Carolina.  I begin on Thursday, March 1, 1781

Thursday: March 1^st  - Marched from Lunie’s Creek to a mile beyond Howard’s; total seventeen miles.  Drew liquor in the morning.  I paid fifteen dollars for beer to Mrs. Brackinridge.

Friday,2d.- Marched from near Howard’s past Rag Hall, governed by President Slovenly; three or four of our men got drunk in the evening.  Our march continued fifteen miles; encamped at Little Otter, Bedford.

Saturday, 3d – Marched from Little Otter to within two miles of New London; nineteen miles.

Sabbath, 4^th – Marched two miles beyond New London to Mr. Ward’s; in which march we pressed a hog, which was served without scraping.  On this day I kept guard No 16.  The day’s march was twenty miles.

Monday, 5^th – Marched from Major Ward’s; crossed Staunton  river into Pittsylvania.  I was on the fatigue to drive steers, but happly they had broken out of the pasture.  Our march was eight miles, and encamped.

Tuesday 6^th – Marched from Ward’s about fourteen miles.  We were searched, and Mr. Ward’s goods found with James Berry and John Harris, who were whipped.  The same were condemned to ten lashes for disobeying the officer of the day on Monday.

Wednesday, 7^th – Marched from near Shelton’s to Col. Williams mill, about twelve miles; crossed Bannister, into which James McElroy fell; John Harris deserted, and James Berry was taken and sent to prison.

Thursday, 8^th – March from Col. Williams’ to near three miles from Dan River.  Some of the boys set the woods on fire, which the Major put out.  Our day’s journey nineteen miles.

Friday, 9^th – Marched from beyond Dan to the borders of N. C., six miles; we crossed Dan, where Gilmore’s wagon had nearly sunk by the chain of the flat breaking.  At this river some mean cowards threatened to return.  This morning, Lyle, Hays and Lusk went to Gen. Green and returned.  The same day deserted at Dan, Geo. Culwell.

This is just an excerpt of his journal.  I will try to find it again and hopefully, I will be able to provide the reader with the website.   Of course, you surely noticed that on March 4 Sunday they marched two miles from New London and arrived at Mr. Wards and then marched 20 more miles to Major Wards.  So they stopped at Major Ward’s house “Mansion”, but I wander which Ward was two miles away from New London.   This is something I will probably have to investigate later.  If anyway knows, I would appreciate the information.  I know that John Ward, jr. was situated around Sulphur Springs which is now Gretna, Virginia so it couldn’t be him.  William Ward was in Pittsylvania County in a mansion called Edgehill.   It is probably Henry Ward.  But as I said, this would have to be investigated further.

I have one last mystery that I hope can be solved.  Ann Chiles Ward’s burial place is missing.  I cannot believe that a prominent family member’s wife would not have had an appropriate stone for her burial.

They were living close to her brother and there is references to the Chiles Settlement, Chiles Creek, River View Plantation.  So somewhere out there, is a burial place for Anne Harrelson Chiles, Anne Chiles Ward, Paul Chiles and his wife.  I will keep searching.

References:

Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches by Ruth Hairston Early  pages  6, 525, 526, 527, 528   

Henings Statutes at Large Volume 10 page 447

Henings Statutes at Large Volume 9 page 585

Henings Statutes at large Volume 13 page 151

Calendar of Virginia State Papers  Volume 5 page 1 and page 38

Calendar of Virginia State Papers Volume IV  page 18

Calendar of Virginia Stat Papers Volume I page 451

Frontiers Along the Upper Roanoke River by Maude Carter Clement pages 64 through 72

Halifax Court Minutes Book 2 page 504 (Antrim Parish oath)

Halifax Court Minutes Book 2 page 467

Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution 1775-1783 by John H. Gwathmey  page 805

William and Mary Quarterly Volume VIII series 2  page 119, 120, 122, 123.

William and Mary Quarterly Volume XVI page 285-286

The Compendium of American Genealogy Volume VII 1942 page 54

John Ward Will Campbell County Will Book 3 page 462

Marriage Bonds of Bedford County, Virginia 1755-1800  Compiled by Erle S. Dennis

Virginia Publick Claims Book  page  116, 175, 182

Virginia Magazine of History and Biography The Virginia Historical Society  Volume XV page 193

Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Volume XXIII page 378

Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy page 230 and page 1010

History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia by Maude Carter Clements page 108

Marriage of Virginia Residents  1607-1800 Dorothy Ford Wulfeck page 168

Adams Biographical Genealogies by Thomas Tunstall Adams page 32

Our Quaker Friends of Ye Olden time James Pinkney Pleasant Bell page 47

Virginia Militia in the Revolution  Joseph Thompson McAllister   page 189

John Ward August 23, 2010

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I began this blog with John Ward on March 8, 2010.  On March 8, I listed tithables that I had found for John Ward. On March 9, I attached the will for John Ward which was recorded in Campbell County in Will Book 3 page 462.  In the will, he bequeaths property to sons, John, William and Henry, daughters Anne and Agatha.
Bequeaths property to William's children (Robert, John and Milly) Anne Dillard's children (Lynch, Lucinda and John) and Agatha Calloway's children (David, Henry and Margaret).  In later stories, I found that there were two more sons Jeremiah and Thomas.  During the colonial era children were named after family members.  So as you can see, John after the father, Henry after the Anne Chiles' father, Jeremiah for John's brother, Anne for Anne.  As for Agatha and Thomas, I don't know.  Also, Thomas and Jeremiah were not mentioned in the will.  I do not know if they had died or they were the oldest and had moved on.  If you remember John Ward lived to a very old age and very likely could have outlived some of his children.  Also on March 22, we noted that he was a member of the Church of England and was appointed a major in the militia.
In the Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy  William Wade Hinshaw Author and Publisher Volume VI
page 330 South River marriage bonds of Bedford County, Virginia John Ward, widower, m Sarah Lynch, widow, December 27, 1766.  Isham Talbot, surety. Consent of Sarah herself.
Other Documents Found
Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts
January 1, 1785 to July 2, 1789
Volume IV page 18
Col. John Calloway to Major John Ward
March 22, 1785 Meadow Hill
Enclosing his recommendation as sheriff by the Co. Court of Campbell; and adding, "Mr. Steptoe tells me that Temperate living is by no means best for you at this time, but that to make pretty free with the best of liquors will certainly be an advantage." He wants to borrow "20 dollars or less."
Calendar of Virginia State Papers  Volume 5
page 1 and 38
July 2, 1789
Col. Wm. Henderson encloses to the Governor his recommendation as Sheriff, by the Court of Campbell County and requests that his commission may be sent to him.  Accompanying this communication is a protest from Charles Lynch and John Ward, and a note from Richard Stith on the subject of Col. Henderson's Commission.
October 15, 1789
Wm Henderson to Gov. Beverly Randolph
Sir.
Upon reflecton since I saw you of what was represented to the Executive by James Adams &c., in order to justify Mr. Richard Stith's claim to the Sheriffalty of this County, contrary to the Recommendations of the Court of Campbell, I think it reflects upon my Character, and in order to justify myself I shall take it as a singular instance of your kindness, if you will furnish Col John Trigg, who will deliver this to you, a copy of Charles Lynch and John Ward's letter, also any other papers or proof made use of by the said Adams, as Maj. Ward informs me he never signed any such letter.  I am sir, respectfully, your Mo. Obt.

Anne Chiles August 19, 2010

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Anne Chiles Ward  Sometimes known as Anna

Daughter of Henry Chiles from Amelia County.  Sister to John, Henry, Paul, Elizabeth and Susanne Chiles.

The following is documented evidence:

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Volume XX  and Genealogies of Virginia Families Volume I page 740.

Page 106/740

a.       Henry Chiles of Bedford County Will recorded November 27, 1758.  Devisee was his sister Ann Ward and one of the executors was John Ward. 

b.      Paul Chiles Will recorded in Halifax County in 1761, Executors, his brother-in-law John Ward.

Genealogies of Virginia Families, Volume 1   Some notes regarding the Chiles Family

Page 741

a.       Ann Chiles, sister of Henry, John and Paul Chiles, married Major John Ward, of the “The Mansion,” Campbell County, Va. 

Page 743

b.      Henry Chiles of Amelia County Will recorded in 1746 devised to his daughter Anna 250 acres north side of Staunton river

History of Pittsylvania County Virginia,  by Maud Carter Clement  Publisher J. P. Bell Co. 1929 Lynchburg , Va. USA.

Page 139

a.       William Ward was the son of Major John Ward and his wife Anne Chiles Ward, whose home, “The Mansion,” lay across Staunton River in Campbell County.

The Compendium of American Genealogy  The Standard Genealogical Encyclopedia of the First Families of America  Volume VII  1942 Baltimore Genealogical Publishing Company 1968

Page 54   John Ward Beretta genealogy

a.       #6 Maj. John (d.1808) with his bro., Jeremiah resided in Albemarle Col, as early as 1753, built “Ward Mansion” Campbell Co. and Ward’s Road, running south from Lynchburg: m lst, ca. 1744, Anne Chiles.

Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches by Ruth Hairston Early  J.P. Bell Company, Lynchburg, Virginia

Page 525

a.       John Ward married the beautiful Anne, daughter of Henry and Anne Harrelson-Chiles of Pittsylvania, Virginia

Marriages of Some Virginia Residents  1607-1800 by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck

Page 168

a.       John Ward m (1) Anne Chiles Daughter of Henry Chiles (2) Sarah Clark Lynch on December 17, 1766.

Frontiers Along the Upper Roanoke River  Chapter VII by Maud Carter ClementFrontiers along the upper Roanoke River, 1740-1776 : a story of first settlement  1964 J.P. Bell Company.

Page 64

a.       John Ward, who had married Anne, the daughter of Colonel Henry Chiles of King William County.

Page 65

b.      John and Ann Ward made their home south of the Roanoke River in Halifax County, near the mouth of Otter River, on land adjoining a brother, Paul Chiles, and their mother, Mrs. Anne Harrelson Chiles

Page 66

c.       Mrs. Anne Chiles Ward was reared in eastern Virginia, where life was more gracious than on the frontier, and where the stores of the tobacco merchants were easily accessible, carrying  newest

London goods and fashions.  She was a woman of great beauty, which is a cherished tradition among her descendants today.  Her family of five sons and twin daughters, Anne and Agatha, was complete before she came into the Roanoke Valley, her youngest son, Henry, being a small child at the time. But like other members of her family, Anne’s life was tragically short, and she did not live to enjoy the handsome home which her husband built for her with so much care and thought.  She was buried in the garden graveyard at River View, the home plantation of her brother Paul Chiles, who had died in 1761 and where her mother was also laid to rest.

At this time, this is all the information I can find on Anne Chiles Ward.  If I find more information, I will keep adding.  Also, if anyone knows where the home River View stood or where Anne and her mother Anne Harrelson Chiles is buried, please send me a message.

August 18, 2010

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We will be leaving Amelia County soon.  We have traveled with the Chiles family from Jamestown  to Amelia County.

We began in 1636 with Walter Chiles (1) who owned the Kemp House in Jamestown and his son Walter (2) who was also a resident of  Kemp House, Jamestown.   We then traveled with Henry Chiles(1) the son of Walter(2)  to New Kent,Virginia where he was an active member of that society.  Lastly we have moved to Amelia County with Henry(2) the son of Henry(1).  Please note the following county formations:

Amelia County named for Princess Amelia Sophia of Great Britain daughter of King George II.  This county was established in 1735 and the land was taken from Prince George County and Brunswick County.

Brunswick County  formed in 1720 was taken from Prince George County.

Prince George County formed in 1702 was taken from Charles City County which was one of the eight original shires.

New Kent County where Henry(1) resided was formed in 1654 from York and James City County two of the original eight shires.  York was named Charles River County in 1643.

Henry’s (2) daughter Anne is our last remaining Chiles Heir.

Anne had five siblings: John, Henry, Paul, Elizabeth and Susanna.

This information taken from The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Volume XX page 106

Henry (3) lived in Bedford County, Virginia.  His will dated October 9, 1757 and recorded in the Bedford County Clerk’s Office on November 27, 1758.  He died without issue, mentioning as devisees his “well beloved mother, Ann Chiles, of the County of Halifax; well beloved brother, John Chiles, of Prince Edward Co. Planter and his sister Ann Ward.  Executors:  John Chiles, John Ward and Ann Chile.

Paul  lived in Halifax and Albemarle counties.  Owned acreage in Amelia and Albemarle counties which were given to him by his father. Patented land in Lunenburg County, Albemarle county and Bedford County.  His will recorded in Halifax County in 1761 names as his executors his wife, Ann Chiles, his brother John Chiles and his brother-in-law, John Ward. Will provided for sons Henry, Paul and Rowland; daughters, Elizabeth and Frances.

John Chiles lived in Pittsylvanaia county where he died in 1778. Inherited 678 acres in Albemarle County from his father.  His wife’s name was Elizabeth.  John’s son by the same name emigrated to Kentucky in 1784.

Undocumented Informaton

Susanna Chiles.  I have found no documented information.  Many of the genealogist say she married Valentine Allen.  They may have moved to South Carolina.

Elizabeth Chiles.  I have found no documented information. As before I found some information that she was married to a Robert Jennings.

Tomorrow I will begin with Ann which will tie me back to John Ward.

August 17, 2010

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Today I researched several members of the Chiles family in the Nashville Archives.  Below I have attached the documentation I found there on Henry Chiles II

Virginia Magazine of History and Biography  Volume XIV  Page 227   To Henry Childs Two thousand Acres in Amelia County about two miles above the Mountains(footnote probably boundaries were at Campbell County)
To Michael Holland, Henry Chiles, Alex'r Tynson, James Walker and Joseph Walker ten thousand acres in Brunswick and Amelia Counties on the head of falling River to begin at the said Tynsons Camp.
To Henry Childs eighteen hundred Acres lying on Appamattock River in Goochland County about two miles above the Mountains already laid off in several surveys and to have an inclusive patent for the whole. Footnote: At this time Goochland also included counties of Fluvanna, Albemarle, Amherst, Campbell, Nelson, Buckingham, Powhatan and Cumberland.  The mountains referred to were probably the South West Mountain   in Albemarle.

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Volume XIX  page 437.
He lived in King William County and later Amelia County.
He married Anne, daughter of Paul Harrelson of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent county.
His will was recorded in Amelia County. Will dated June 27, 1746 recorded March 20, 1746(sic)  To his wife, Ann, he gave 739 acres for life (the homestead); to son, Paul, 400 acres in Albemarle on which Paul was living and 300 acres in Amelia-- over against where he now dwells.  To son, Henry, 340 acres in Appomattox county, called "Hoopers" and 448 acres in Amelia called "Island".  To son, John, 309 acres in Albemarle, on Appomattox River, over against my dwelling," and 369 acres of my homestead.  To daughter, Ann, 250 acres north side of Staunton River; daughter Elizabeth, 104 acres in Lunenburg county, south side of Staunton River; daughter, Susanna, 204 acres in Lunenberg county, south side of Staunton River.  (This can also be found in the William and Mary Quarterly XVI 287-288)

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Volume XXII  page 95
Early Settlers in Prince Edward Co. Va.
Henry Chiles  Date of Purchase  August 20, 1741     1,476 acres on the Appomattox River

 and page 315

Deed October 31, 1732, from Henry Chiles and Anne, his wife, of Hanover, to William Mills conveying 300 acres in Goochland County on Lickinghole Creek.

Deed Book 2 Amelia County Virginia  Deeds 1742-1747
Abstracted and compiled by Gibson Jefferson McConnaughey
page 20

Deed.  Henry Chiles to James Walker.  D. Nov. 16, 1744. Conideration: 5 shillings. Wit: John Ellis, Richard Winn and Charles Wetherford. 289 acres on Appomattox River, being part of a great tract pat. to Henry Chiles (no date given) and bounded in part by the river and said Henry Chiles land.

Amelia County, Virginia Tax Lists  1736-1764 by T.L. C. Genealogy
Henry Chiles:
Tax Year 1741  John Burton's list above Flat Creek between Appomattox River and Flat Creek
Tax Year 1744  Geo. Walker's list upper part of county (from Namoxine to Cellar Creek
Tax Year:   1745,1746,1748 Land in John Nash's List in the upper part of the county above Saylors Creek


So far we know that Henry was a large landowner.  His wife was Anne Harrelson of New Kent County.  They had 6 children.  Their names were Paul, Henry, John, Ann, Elizabeth and Susanna. He died on or about the year 1746,

The Tobacco Kingdom; Plantation, market, and factory in Virginia and North Carolina, 1800-1860

August 16, 2010

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I have been searching other sites for further information.  Genealogy.com has a forum for the chiles family which may be helpful or not.  There are so many different conversations about different members of the family that it takes a while to sift through the information.  I just found a site called alabamapioneers.com which I haven't had a chance to read yet.  I also signed up on Cyndi's list.  Just last week I finished a book called, "Murder In Virginia" by Suzanne Lebsock.  The book tells the story of the murder of a farmer's wife by persons unknown in Lunenberg County, Virginia in 1895.   It's more than a murder story because it describes rural life, politics and race relations during that period.  It is definitely worth the read.  I am currently reading "Martha Washington" by Patricia Brady.  Martha Washington was born in New Kent County on June 1, 1731.  Her book describes the life of a planter during this time which is informative for the serious genealogist that wants to know more than a date and place of birth and death.  And since our Henry Chiles is known to have lived in the area makes this book very interesting.
As in many books I have read, the author always mentions the Virginians love of dance and music.  I can tell you that this has not changed.  They still love dancing.  I grew up in a family that loved to go dancing and I learned the Virginia Reel many years ago.

We cannot go back in time except through our imagination.  With help from books, manuscripts, letters and records from local sources, for a just a moment we can be in the upstairs ballroom dancing the Virginia Reel.

August 12, 2010

Virginia Memory: English and Powhatan Indian Treaty

August 12, 2010

I know that I promised more information on the chiles family, but I am stopping for a little bit to provide you the reader with a bit of information to help your search in Virginia.

First you must look at the Library of Virginia website. It is a wealth of information and I was lucky enough to find today a copy of the Indian treaty of 1646. You will find the link above. So I have actually found some information on the Chiles family for you because Walter Chiles signed the Treaty. Good stuff.

http://www.lva.virginia.gov/

This is an incredible resource and a joy to read. You will find such links as the Virginia Memory Room, newspapers, informative blog sites. A civil war buff will love this site. I will be researching the Virginia Library collection in the future. It took me only a few minutes to find the above treaty. There is no telling what else is waiting in the sites for me to find.

http://www.virginiamemory.com/reading_room/this_day_in_virginia_history

http://vahistorical.wordpress.com/

If you have a family member that may have been a slave in the Tennessee area, you may want to research the below site. The website is in progress. They are listing runaway slave notices in newspapers.

http://www.spiny.com/runaway/

Henry Chiles Sr. August 11, 2010

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Henry Chiles Sr. continued

The Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish 1706-1786

Page 2  1704

Captain Henry Chiles a church warden along with Maj. Nich. Meriwether at the lower church of St. Paul’s Parish.

Between pages 2 and 91, Henry Chiles is instrumental in the building of roads,  maintenance of the church, processioning of lands, overseer for processioning of lands, deciding parish business, justice of the peace, church warden, church vestryman,

On Page 75 and 80, he signs documents as one of her majesties Justices of the Peace.

On Page 77, April 23, 1717 he is elected church warden along with Maj. Nich. Meriwether and maintains that position until 1719.  Before that he was a vestryman from 1704 until 1717. 

Page 22 January 1, 1708 vestry meeting held at Henry Chiles’ House.  Attending were Maj. Nich Meriwether, Mr. Rob Jennings, Cap Rob. Anderson, Mr. Edward Garland, Mr. John Mask, Mr. Rob Jennings and Mr. Rowland Horsley. 

I do not know if his house has survived the passing of time.  It would be interesting to find out what kind of home he had and where it stood.  The house had to be of some size because he had quite a few children.  While reading the vestry book, I have found that quite a few meetings were held on January 1.  I wander if they had a party to celebrate the New Year. 

On page 84, March 30, 1719, Henry Chiles is still a Church Warden, but Edward Garland is named as a new church warden to serve with Maj. Nich. Meriwether and by October 10, 1719, he is not listed as present at the vestry meeting (page 85)

On page 91, 29^th, 8b, 1720, at vestry held at lower church Mr. David Meriwether was admitted as a vestryman for this parish in the room of Mr. Henry Chiles, lately deceased and took the usual oaths.

This gives us a timeline between March 30, 1719 and 1720, of Henry Chiles death.

The St. Paul’s Vestry Book is worth the time to read and review.  It not only tells us about  the community and if your relative was instrumental in parish business.  With processioning reports a researcher can also discover who were our  ancestor’s neighbors.

For instance on page 209, we discover that the lands of Daniel Parke, Esq. Henry Bourn, Paul Harrold, Richard Anderson and Richard Corley  and Henry Chiles are adjacent to one another and that Henry Chiles and Richard Anderson were appointed overseers for the processioning.

Also on page 253, we find that the name of Paul Harrold is now Paul Harroldson .  Henry Chiles land along with Paul Harroldson, John Giles, Jn Ray, Hen:  Born John Snead, John Killcrease, Richard Anderson, Richard Corley, Henry Snead and Thomas Tinsley lands be made into one precinct with Mr. Henry Chiles and Paul Harroldson being overseers. The Processioning was completed except the back line of Henry Chiles, which is thought to go through John Tyler’s Plantation and a piece of a side line joining on Colonel Bird, which is not readily known.  January 3, 1715.   If you are researching Walter Chiles’ son John, you will know that they have strong ties to the Tyler family.

Also during my research, I found the following publication:

English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records compiled by Louis Des Cognets, Jr. 

Page 16:  July 8, 1702  Henry Chiles one of the Justices

Page 26:  1714   Henry Chiles  one of the Justices of Peace

Page 157:  Quit Rent Roll of King William County 1704    Henry Chiles  700 acres

Page 164:  Quit Rent Roll of New Kent County  1704  Henry Chiles  700 acres

I also found the information  of page 157 and 164 in the publication of The Quit Rents of Virginia 1704 compiled by Annie Laurie Wright Smith.

Tomorrow I will conclude Henry Chiles, Sr. and begin with Henry Chiles, Jr.  His wife’s name was Anne and her last name was Harrelson (Harroldson).

Hanover County was formed from New Kent County St. Paul's Parish on November 26, 1720.

August 11, 2010 Henry Chiles continued

Image by crazysanman.history via Flickr

Henry Chiles Sr. Continued

Henry Chiles  Son of Walter.  Lived in St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent County, Virginia 1699. 

Baptism records of Walter and James , Children of Henry Chiles, Gent., (1699-1706)

St. Peter’s Parish Records – He was elected vestryman and in the records he is called Capt. Chiles.

An old deed, found by the writer for Virginia Historical Magazine, in the Clerk’s Office of King William County, transfers from Richard Littlepage, Gent., and Frances, his wife, November 2, 1702, 400 acres in King William, formerly King and Queen, on the north side of Pamunkey River, to Henry Chiles, Gent of St. Peter’s Parish, New Kent.

He was justice in New Kent in 1714

He married Margarett (Littlepage?)  Issue:  Margaret, Henry, James, Walter, Hezekiah, Richard, Daniel and Valentine.  (Order Book: “An Account of Ye Governor’s Dues,” and St. Peter’s Parish Reg.)

The above information I found in Virginia Magazine of History and Biography Volume XIX  Page 214.

I looked up St Peter’s Parish Vestry Book and Register  1684-1786 and found the following information:

Page 19  Processioning of each man’s land ordered February 28, 1689. Vestry held at St. Peter’s Parish Church on May 4, 1689 to begin processioning.

Page 22   Henry Chiles name was mentioned as owner of land.   

Processioning was ordered because there were so many people with disputes about land boundaries so all the counties were ordered to appoint men to go out and search the boundaries for everyone’s property.

Page 92  October 27, 1703  Mr. Henry Chiles Vestryman

Page 93 To Mr Henry Chiles Account 25CC3 ½   0028 ½

Page 94 To Mr. Henry Chiles Account  185CC  25  0210

Page 96/97  Maj. Nicholas Merriweather and Mr. Henry Chiles be supervisors of the Chapell upon Mechumps Creek and that the collector make noe payment of any tobacco levyed to them.

Henry Chiles  Vestryman   March 27, 1704

Henry Chiles Vestryman  April 3, 1704

Motion to Build Another Church because it was too far away for some parish members to attend.

Page 105 Henry Chiles appointed with others to be in a trust for the building of St. Pauls and adjust accounts.

Page 107 Henry Chiles and others to settle accounts for St. Pauls and St. Peters

November 1, 1704.

Page 345  Walter son of Henry Chiles baptized January 5, 169

Page 345  James son of Henry Chiles baptized ____

Page 344 Henry son of Henry Childs baptized November 13, 169___

So from these two publications I have found the following:

Henry Chiles was married to Margaret Littlepage. There sofar is some doubt as to her last name, but Richard Littlepage and his wife Frances were conveying land to Henry Chiles.  Also Henry and Richard served together as vestrymen at St. Peters.   He had a close association with Richard Littlepage and Nicholas Merriwether.  They both served with him as vestrymen which brought them together so they would have some form of bondship as friends or acquaintances.

During the 1690s he had three children Walter, James and Henry. 

He owned land in New Kent County, St. Peter’s Parish and he was very active in the church.

Tomorrow I will be exploring the vestry book of St. Paul's Parish where Henry Chiles was active until he died.

Henry Chiles Sr. August 9, 2010

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Henry Chiles Sr.

Born to Walter and Susanna Chiles on or around the year 1661.

His father buys Henry and his brother John  over a thousand acres  in Westmoreland County, Virginia on or about April 4, 1671. 

Henry’s father  Walter dies sometime on or about 1671 leaving his mother Susanna a widow.  In all probability they are living at Kemp House in Jamestown which was purchased by Susanna’s father-in-law and inherited by her husband.

Sometime in 1672 the Reverend James Wadding arrived in Jamestown and was the minister at Jamestown Parish.  During my search, I found that a James Wadding received a M.A. from Oxford on December 20, 1670. 

In the book Tidewater Virginia Families by Virginia Lee Hutcheson Davis page 218, Susanna and James Wadding are married between August 7, 1672 and November 1673.  During this time, Henry Chiles was probably just a very young teenager so he would still be living with his mother and would have benefited from being educated by the Reverend Wadding.

Reverend Wadding then takes the position as minister at Petsworth Parish in Gloucester where I believe that probably Susanna and Henry moved also.  So now Henry is living in Petsworth Parish in Gloucester during  Bacon's Rebellion.

Excerpt from book Cradle of the Republic:

Now James Wadding was a loyalist and when Bacon visited Gloucester in 1676, Mr. Wadding refused to swear an oath of loyalty to Bacon and encouraged others to refuse.  Thereupon , Bacon “committed him to the Gard, telling of him that it was his place to preach in the church, not in the camp.  In the first, he might say what he pleased, but in the last, he (Wadding) was to say no more than what should please him (Bacon): unless he could fight to better purpose than he could preach.”  Not long after this, Bacon was taken very sick, and Wadding was the minister who attended him in his last illness at Major Pate’s house on Poropotank Creek in Gloucester County

The Cradle of the Republic   page 142/143 by Tyler.

So it must have been exciting times at that household for a young teenager growing up. 

The Reverend Wadding was the second preacher for Ware Parish and he is buried out side of the east wall of the present Ware Church.  He was only the preacher there for a few years.  Afterwards, I believe that he may have had the position of Clerk of the Parish of Ware and County of Gloucester.  I found a deed in the book Gloucester Records from Other Virginia Counties page 125 that has him as the Clerk for Ware Parish and Gloucester County.  How long he was at that position, I do not know. 

Henry Chiles has grown up in turbulent times.  His father passes away at a young age, his mother remarried and her husband stands up to Bacon during the rebellion.   At this time, I can find out no more information on the Reverend Wadding and his wife Susanna.  If I find other documentation later on, I will add to my discoveries in this blog.

August 5, 2010 Walter Chiles, jr.

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Walter Chiles jr.     Possible birth date 1630  Bristol, England

Son of Walter Chiles of Kemp House, Jamestown, Virginia.  He came to Virginia with his father, Walter and his mother, Eliza (Elizabeth) (possible Maury or Sanders) and his brother William.  As yet, no one has discovered the name of the ship.  There is no information on what happened to his brother William.  There is a possibility that he died.  The infant mortality rate and the adult mortality rate was extremely high in Jamestown.  It was said that between 1607 and 1625 just ten years before their arrival that 6 out of every seven residents died.    

He could have returned to England.  He would not have returned alone because he was still a young boy at the time.  There is no mention of the date of his mother’s death.  Maybe she returned to England with him.  That could explain the fact that Walter Sr. had no more children.  This is speculation, if anyone has more information, please write.

Like his father, he served in the House of Burgesses in the 1658, 59,60 and 63 sessions.  (Hening Book 1  Page 258-322) and In 1660-61, he was appointed with Sir William Berkley and others, to act during the recess of the Assembly.  (Hening Book II, 211)

Walter, Jr. was a Warden in the Jamestown Parish.  (Meade’s Old Churches, The Cradle of the Republic page 142 , Lyon Gardiner Tyler)

In some genealogies I have found that Walter Chiles, Jr. served as a Justice in 1664 in James City County, but I have not found the documented reference for this as of yet.

Walter Chiles married Mary Page daughter of Colonel John Page, the Councillor and by her had one son, John and and a daughter, Elizabeth.

Mary Page died and he married again.  His second wife was Susanna and by her he had one son, Henry.

There place of residence was probably Kemp House.  I attached a copy of the deed and plat in my August 3, 2010 blog.

However, Walter, Jr. was also a speculator in land.  He owned 70 acres on what is called Black Poynt.  There is a study on the internet, “A Study of the Africans and African Americans of Jamestown Island and at Green Spring 1619-1803” by Martha W. McCartney, which gives a detailed plat of Jamestown Island showing town lots and surrounding areas.  Their plat shows Black Point and Walter Chiles as owning the same.

Ambler MSS (notated #24)  From the manuscript division of the Library of Congress Washington DC  contains a deed  dated November 20, 1673, from James Wadding of parish and county of James Citty Shire and Susanna his wife, late the wife and executrix of Walter Chiles of James City aforesaid gentlemen deceased to John Page of the parish of Browton and the County of York Merchant conveying the Kemp house and land.  This deed gives source of title:  Richard Kemp Esq, Sr Francis Wyatt Knt, Sir William Berkeley, Walter Chiles, the father.  This deed also gives date of death of Walter Chiles, Sr, as being on or about 1653.  And the date of Walter Chiles, jr’s will of November 15, 1671 naming Susanna Chiles as his sole executrix.

John Page was the father of Walter Chiles, jr’s first wife and probably was the guardian for John and Elizabeth.    He later sold the property to William Sherwood.

Bacon’s Rebellion was only three years after this deed.  During the rebellion most of James Towne was burned including Kemp House.  Unfortunately a great many records were burned during the rebellion.

If you will note that Walter Chiles, Jr. did not serve on the House of Burgesses until 1658.  I found the following documentation in the Virginia Genealogist Volume 43, Number 1   January-March, 1999.

Some Records of Walter Chiles, Virginia Merchant,  In The Netherlands by Henry B. Hoff, C.G. F.A.S.G. Boston Massachusetts.

Many problems concerning the careers of Walter Chiles I and his son Walter Chiles II have puzzled researchers.  The most recent studies carried out by Virginia Lee Hutchinson Davis were published in her Tidewater Virginia Families:  A Social History (Urbanna, Va. 1989:  Baltimore, Md. 1990) pp 249-63, and amplified and corrected in her Tidewater Virginia Families Generations Beyond (Baltimore, 1998), pp. 51-62.

Four previously unknown records preserved in the Notarial Archives of the Gemeente Archief Amsterdam (Amsterdam Municipal Archives) provide additional information about the mercantile activities of Walter Chiles.  Since Walter Chiles died in 1653,  the first record may possibly relate to him, but the others clearly concern the son.

25 Aug. 1651, Contract of freighters Ariaen Pouwelsz of Rotterdam and Wouter Selis of Virginia with skipper Jan Pietersz of Rotterdam.  Ship de Faam, about 60 last, four pieces.  Route: from Amsterdam to “the English Virginies and the quarters around it,” take in cargo, back to Amsterdam, unload cargo in 10 to 14 days.  Freight costs:500 guilders for every month that the ship is sailing for the freighters to Virginia, 6 months minimum.  The skipper will travel on the ship his salary will be paid by the freighters.  Signed “Wouter Chiles”  (Gemeente Archief Amsterdam, Nortalial Archives, 1535, page 87;this and the following abstracts are courtesy of Dr. Jaap Jacobs of Leiden).

5 Aug 1654, Poulou Carter, burgher of Nieuw Casteel [New Castle?], former skipper of the ship Anna van Nieuw Casteel has sold to Walter Chiels, merchant living in the Virginias, his ship, lying in Amsterdam.  It is usual here to have two sureties as bail.  How-ever, as he is a stranger here he will give Walter Chiels an act of surety at the first opportunity.  James Tellor will be surety (Gemeente Archief Amsterdam, Notarial Archives 1577, p. 172).

6 Aug 1654.  Walter Chiels, living in the Virginias, now in Amsterdam, gives Ariaen Poulussen in Rotterdam proxy to collect several debts for him here and elsewhere (Gemeente Archief Amsterdam. Notarial Archives 1577. P. 173).

4 Sept. 1654 Walter Chile, going to New Netherland, gives proxy to Joris Lievens of Haemstede, merchant in Amsterdam, to look after his affairs here (Gemeente Archief Amstrerdam, Notarial Archives, 1894, pp. 143-44).

This proves that Walter Chiles traveled to Amsterdam to conduct his merchantile and shipping business.  And all the while this was turburlent times for the colonies and England.  King Charles I was executed in 1649 and Oliver Cromwell ruled as Lord Protectorate from 1653 until 1648.  The lst Anglo Dutch War had just ended on April 22, 1654.

So we have Walter Chiles, Jr. (1630 to 1671) Merchant, Burgess and Landowner in James City, Virginia.

Married twice:  First to Mary Page daughter of John Page.

Children:  John and Elizabeth

Second:  Susanna  (cannot verify last name)

Children:  Henry

My next blog will continue with the generations of Henry. 

August 4, 2010 Walter Chiles 1649-1653

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Walter Chiles, Merchant, Ship Owner, Adventurer, Planter in the New World

1648 – 1653

·         William and Mary Quarterly   Volume X  page 25

Walter Chiles October 29, 1649 - 813 acres on the Southo’y side of Appomattox River. 

·         The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography

Volume VIII page 107       September 29, 1651

Council held at James Cittie names Walter Chiles as a Lt. Colonel

·         Sevier Family History  by Cora Bales Sevier and Nancy S. Madden

·         William and Mary Quarterly  Series One Volume 1 page 75

Walter Chiles was the owner of a ship called, the “Fame of Virginia”

The Fame of Virginia was returning from Rotterdam in 1652, whence she had sailed from Virginia on Jan. 24, 1651. Upon reaching Chesapeake Bay, she put into port in Accomack County, after being there a short time, the ship sailed for James City, but was pursued and captured by Capt. Robert Henfield, who held a commission from the Protectors of the Liberties of England, Cromwell’s government.  Three hours after which in Hungar’s Roads, Eastern Shore, the ship name “Hopeful Adventure” under Captain Richard Husbands came up and made seizure, under the pretext that Chiles had no license from Parliament and was bound with cargo for Brazil.

Chiles immediately applied to the Northamption authorities for assistance, maintaining that the seizure was “contrarie to ye peace of this country and also cont’y to ye aggreem’t made by ye Com’rs that were appointed by ye Keepers of Ye Libertyes of England and ye damage of ye two thousand pounds sterling,” according to Northumberland records.  The ship was order released, but Capt. Richard Husbands sailed away with the vessel “to ye great indignation of ye commissioners thereof."

·         Henings Statutes at Large Volume 1  Grand Assembly July the 5, 1653  page 377

Governor Richard Bennett’s letter to the House of Burgesses  advising them to choose another Speaker because of Walter Chiles involvement in the Fame of Virginia/Leopoldus matter.

·         Henings Statutes at Large Volume 1  Grand Assembly July the 5, 1653  page 378

The Burgesses sent a letter back to the governor requesting that Lev’tt Coll. Edward Major, Levtt Coll. Geo Fletcher, Mr. William Hockaday and Mr. William Whitby meet with the Governor to request them the reasons why the Governor and his council cannot join with the Burgesses about the election of Walter Chiles for Speaker of the Assembly.

Walter Chiles resigns and the House accepts his resignation so that he can attend his personal affairs.

·         Henings Statutes at Large Volume 1  Grand Assembly July the 5, 1653  page 379

The names of the Burgesses for the severall Plantations.  Names- Left. Coll. Chiles as a Burgess for James Cittie.

·         Henings Statutes at Large Volume 1  Grand Assembly July the 5, 1653  page 382/383

Sale of the Ship Leopoldus to Walter Chiles for 400 pounds sterling

·         Henings Statutes at Large Volume 1  Grand Assembly July the 5, 1653  page 377

House of Burgess appropriation of proceeds of the sale of the forfeited ship Leopoldus.

·         The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography  Volume III  page 310/311/312

Summary

Leopoldus .  The Leopoldus was a Dutch ship engaged in the traffic between Virginia and Holland.  The ship was seized in 1653 and adjudged “forfeit and according confiscated according to the act of Parliament for increase of Navigation.”   During this time England and Holland were at war and the Leopoldus was probably seized because  she did not have a special license to trade between Holland and Virginia.

According to testimony by Richard Sternell and Robert Wooddy,  on or about  June 6, 1653. The Leopoldus was lying at anchor in Elizabeth River.  He did see Mr. Gunnell and Mr. Reade Masters of London Shipps, their ships were lying at anchor in James River at Newport News.  These two masters came on board the Leopoldus with five men.  They demanded to know where the ship was from and the reply was Dunkurke.  The two masters then demanded to see the ships Commission and they told them that their Captain and capsmen had carried them with them to the Governor.  They had Leff’t Coll’ Cornelius Loyd assist them in taking the ship as a prize. 

Ambler MSS  From the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 

Deed dated November 20, 1673, Deed from James Wadding and Susanna, his wife, (formerly Susanna Chiles, the wife of the late Walter Chiles, jr. to John Page conveying land and Kemp House.  In the body of the deed the following is stated that “In or about the year of our Lord, one thousand six hundred fifty and three, the said Walter Chiles, the father dyed.

This is just a summary of the documents.  Please see referenced documents for more information.

The above photograph is the Appomattox River.