The Relationship Between George Pace and Richard Pace

George Pace, Son of Richard Pace, Sr.

On February 28, 1659/60, Richard Pace, Sr., as a single man, sold 300 acres on Powell’s creek to Thomas Madder. On March 13, 1661/2, Richard sold land on Powell’s creek to Richard Taylor. This time, Richard was a married man as he received the consent of his wife, Mary Baker, on the deed of sale. Richard and Mary Pace’s first child was born between December of 1660 and September of 1661. They were married sometime between March 1, 1659/60, and December of 1660. About three years later, Richard was given 140 acres from Richard Baker on the west side of Baker’s plantation.

Mary Pace filed a petition to administer her husband’s estate in February of 1677/8. Her petition was granted by the Charles City County court on February 14th. On April 19, 1679, the court appointed Thomas Douglas and Captain Jordan to appraise Richard Pace, Sr.’s estate on behalf of “the orphan.” Richard was 39 years old at his death. He left eight children, George, Sarah, Richard, Thomas, James, John, Ann and Elizabeth who ranged in age from about 4 years old to 16 years old.

On September 22, 1682, George Peas (Pace), the son of Richard Pace, Sr., and Nicholas Whitmore, stepfather of George Pace, were granted 388 acres of land on the main swamp of the Blackwater River for paying the transportation of eight people into the colony. George would have been twenty-one years old and would have come of age to receive his inheritance. About four and a half years later, on April 20, 1687, George was granted 600 acres of land near the Blackwater River, bounded north on John Williams and south on Robert Lucy for paying the transportation of twelve people into the colony. About three and a half months later, on August 3, 1687, he conveyed the 600 acres to William Wilkins.

In 1683, Daniel Higdon and Roger Reese (4/16/1683 deed) and neighbor, John Williams (11/20/1683 deed), held land south of and adjacent to Richard Pace. This land was not the same land that Richard Baker had given Richard Pace, Sr., as is evident by the Charles City/Prince George County map.

In 1689, George Pace was appointed tobacco inspector for the warehouse at Maycox (Maycock’s). Sometime before 1696, Maycox (Maycock’s) was in the possession of Roger Drayton. Drayton sold it to John Hamlin in 1696 and Hamlin sold it to his brother-in-law, Thomas Ravenscroft, in 1723.

On October 3, 1692, William Wilkins petitioned the Westover parish court to permit him to erect a mill on his land beside a run in Charles City County. John and Sarah Wall owned land on the other side of the run and refused to let Wilkins have an acre. The court ordered Michael Rosser and George Pace to estimate the value of a one acre parcel.

By the time of the 1704 Prince George County Rent Roll, George Pace held 1,000 acres. He was 43 years old.

The records above referring to George Pace are the only records to surface regarding George. He was the first son of Richard Pace, Sr., to be granted land. George Peas (Pace) and Nicholas Whitmore were granted 388 acres in 1682 when George was twenty-one years old. George was the first son mentioned in the records to be employed. He was a tobacco inspector in 1689 for the warehouse at “Maycox.” George was the grandson of George Pace and Sarah Maycock who had owned “Maycox.” George’s father, Richard Pace, Sr., confirmed the sale of 800 or 900 acres of land on February 25, 1658/9, land sold to Thomas Drewes on October 12, 1650, by his father George Pace. The land was near Pierce’s Hundred and Flowerdew Hundred. In 1692, George and Michael Rosser were ordered by the county court to value an acre of land for William Wilkins. At the age of 43, George owned 1,000 acres.

                                                Richard Pace, Nephew of Richard Pace, Jr.

The following deeds refer to land in the middle of the Charles City/Prince George County map. The placement of these tracts of land is an approximation at present.

On April 20, 1682, Major Francis Poythress was granted 750 acres in Charles City County, previously the land of Thomas Morgan, deceased, and found to escheat by a jury on August 3, 1681. This deed was the origin of the land identified in the 1715-1718 deeds regarding Major Poythress’ son, Francis. Francis' land was located adjacent to Richard Pace’s land that abutted Higdon & Reese’s and John Williams’ lands in 1683.

On July 12, 1715, Francis Poythress sold 100 acres to Peter Grammar on the Holly Bushes branch on the line of Richard Pace and Francis Poythress. On November 11, 1718, Francis Poythress sold Richard Pace 400 acres where Richard Pace lived and the plantation where Joseph Carter, Edward Crossland, Thomas Kirkland and Michael Rosser, Sr., lived. This land was bounded by Francis Poythress land according to several lines of marked trees lately made by Francis and Richard. On the same day, Francis Poythress sold Thomas Goodwin, of Surry County, 100 acres of land bounded by the lands of Peter Grammar and the lands lately purchased of Richard Pace by Francis Poythress. And, again on the same day, Richard Pace and Francis Poythress sold Thomas Goodwin 400 acres of land “at the Path on the Old Town, where it crosses the same, leading from Michael Rosser’s plantation to Edward Goodrich’s plantation, and running” ... westwardly as the path leads along Rosser’s cornfield fence to the upper end of the same and then west 19 degrees north along a line of marked trees ... in the head of a bottom and down that bottom by a line of marked trees to the run between Richard Pace’s plantation where he lived and the plantation where John Whitmore lately lived and down that run to the Path at the beginning. “...together with Two hundred acres of land at the head of the said Richard Paces dividend, beginning at his southern corner tree and running east fifty chains to a red oak, thence North one hundred and sixty chains to the line dividing this land from lands which did belong to Mr. Charles Anderson, deceased: thence West fifty chains, thence South one hundred and sixty chains to the beginning.”

On December 8, 1719, Sarah Pace, the wife of Richard Pace, relinquished her dower in the land sold to Thomas Goodwyn. Sarah Woodlief was the great granddaughter of Captain John Woodlief, an Ancient Planter, who was granted 530 acres on the James River in 1620. Her grandfather was John Woodlief, Jr., the father of John, Edward and George Woodlief.

On February 9, 1721, Margaret Goodrich, the widow of Edward Goodrich, and daughter of Joshua Wynne, sold 100 acres, as per her husband’s wishes in his last will and testament, to Abraham Odium. The land was described as “bounded Westerly on the old Town Run, Northerly on the Lands of Phillip Jane and Easterly on the Lands of Edward Hill deceased. and Southerly on the main woods and the Lands of Richard Pace...” The “tract and parcel of Land was formerly purchased of and conveyed by John Jane to Thomas Anderson ... and by the said Anderson in his Last Will and Testament given and devised to Mary his relict during her natural life, and thereafter to come and descend to his eldest son James Anderson and his heirs forever as by the said Will ... and by Cornelius Cargill and Mary his wife the aforesaid relict of the said Thomas Anderson, and also by the said James Anderson sold and conveyed to the aforesaid Edward Goodrich, as by Deeds for the same acknowledged and recorded in the records of the said County Court of Prince George the Fourth Day of January 1720 given to and vested in the aforesaid Margaret his Executrix to be sold for payment of his debts as by the said Will...”

The above records refer to business transactions, a “joint land and farming venture” between Francis Poythress, the son of Major Francis Poythress, and Richard Pace, the nephew of Richard Pace, Jr., and grandson of Richard Pace, Sr. Richard’s wife, Sarah Pace, was the daughter of Edward Woodlief. Sarah’s husband, Richard Pace, was a landowner and as such was empaneled on a jury at Merchant’s Hope court in March of 1717.

Richard Pace’s and Sarah Woodlief’s known children were: Richard, Francis and John Pace.

                                 Richard Pace, Jr., and James Pace, Sons of Richard Pace, Sr.

The first record located for Richard Pace, Jr., was November 15, 1695, wherein he received a bounty of 200 pounds of tobacco for killing a wolf in Charles City County. He was approximately 32 years old at the time. There are many other records for Richard, both in Virginia and North Carolina.

Richard Pace, Sr.’s children were: George, Sarah, Richard, Thomas, James, John, Ann and Elizabeth Pace.

In October of 1712, James Pace was listed among others that the estate of Colonel John Hardyman, a wealthy planter and tobacco factor, owed money. This was the first record located for James Pace. He was approximately 46 years old.

On November 7, 1715, William Epes and Sarah, his wife, sold to James Pace 100 acres, the moiety of a tract of land formerly belonging to Caesar Walpool (Walpole) and by his will given to his son and daughter Richard and Sarah Walpool (Walpole) to be equally divided, containing 201 acres by which devise it became vested in William and Sarah Epes. James Pace’s property was bounded by Richard Walpool (Walpole), Richard Bird, Dodd’s, Arthur Biggins, Edward Goodrich and John Hardyman. James lived within a short distance of his mother and the old homestead. On August 13, 1717, Arthur Biggins sold Thomas Weiks 50 acres of land next to James Pace, Richard Byrd and John Hatch.

The only other record for James Pace was in St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick County, and was for the period from October 6, 1732, until October 11, 1735. The vestry book for St. Andrews Parish recorded that James Pace was a sexton for the parish and was paid in pounds of tobacco. James Pace was approximately 69 years old in 1735.

James Pace’s known children appear to have been: George, James and Solomon Pace.

                          Who Was the father of Richard Pace, the Husband of Sarah Woodlief?

Richard Pace was born about 1690. He was an adult by 1711. By 1717, he had appeared as a jurist in the Merchant’s Hope court. In November of 1718, Richard was 28 years old when he was involved in the business ventures with Francis Poythress. 

In June of 1718, Richard’s grandmother, Mary Pace, relinquished her right to administer the estate of her husband, Nicholas Whitmore. Richard Whitmore was granted administration in her stead. When Richard Pace, Sr., died, Mary Pace had administered his estate. By 1718, it was probable that Mary was unable to take the measures required for administration and had excused herself. She was approximately 78 years old at the time. No other record has been located for her after this entry.

The land mentioned in some of the November, 1718, deeds appear to be lands of Richard Pace, Sr., that were located adjacent to Major Francis Poythress’ 750 acres of land. Richard Pace’s land was mentioned in the 1683 deeds of Higdon & Reese and John Williams. George Pace, as the eldest son, would have inherited the land of his father, less the dower land provided for his mother. George appears to have died by 1710 and his heir would have been his son Richard. This would be the reason why grandson, Richard Pace, would have been involved in his grandfather’s land.

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Richard Pace and Francis Poythress, November 11, 1718

The following refers to a second tract of land in Richard Pace's name. This land was about a mile south and west of Richard Pace, Sr.'s homestead. It was bounded on its southern line by Charles Higdon, Roger Reese and John Williams in the year 1683. Richard Pace, Sr., died before February 14, 1677/8. The deeds for 1715 to 1718 were made between Richard Pace, Sr.'s grandson, Richard Pace, and Major Francis Poythress' son, Francis Poythress.

Richard Pace, Sr's grandson, Richard, has been claimed to be the son of George Pace and the son of James Pace. More about this later.

On the Charles City County, Virginia, map, this land is shown as an approximation. On April 20, 1682, Major Francis Poythress was granted 750 acres in Charles City County, previously the land of Thomas Morgan, deceased, and found to escheat by a jury on August 3, 1681. This land was probably the land adjacent to Richard Pace in the 1718 deeds and subsequently became the land of his son, Francis Poythress.

To all &c whereas &c now know ye that I the said Nicholas Spencer Esq. President &c do with the advice and consent of the Councill of State accordingly give and grant unto Mr. John Williams a tract of land containing eight hundred forty two acres two rods and twenty five poles of land, lying & being in the County of Charles Citty, & in the parish of Westopher on ye south side of James River, & on ye north side of ye Blackwater maine swamp, viz: beginning att a corner pine belonging to ye land of Mr. Daniell Higdon, & runneth thence along ye said Higdons land west one hundred twenty two poles, to ye line of Wm. Edmunds, thence along ye said Edmunds line, south southeast sixty four poles, & south ninety eight poles to Wm. Edmunds corner, being a black oake, standing on a Branch that goes up to ye land of the old Town, thence south southeast, forty six poles to a small oake, thence southeast one hundred sixty four poles to a corner pine, thence east two hundred twenty two poles, to a corner spanish oake, thence south two hundred & sixty poles to a corner pine, thence east one hundred fifty two poles, crossing the head of Tanners Branch to a small black oake saplin standing in ye line of Coll. Edward Hill, thence along ye said Hills line, north two degrees westerly two hundred & fifty poles crossing Tanners Branch to a corner pine, thence northwest one hundred thirty three poles, crossing Scotch Branch to a corner pochickory, thence north and by west crossing ye Blackwater path twenty nine poles to a corner black oake, thence northwest and by north three hundred poles to ye line of Richard Paces corner, thence along Pace’s line west ninety three poles to Richard Pace’s corner, thence south southwest nine degrees westerly thirty poles to ye place we began including ye aforesaid eight hundred forty two acres two rods & twenty five poles of land, ye said land being due unto him ye said Mr. John Williams by & for ye transportation of seventeen persons into this Colony, whose names are in ye records mentioned under this Pattent to have & to hold &c to be held &c yielding & paying &c provided &c dated this twentieth day of November one thousand six hundred eighty three. Richard Haner, Geo. Adams, Sarah Kidmore, Tho. Pettison, Antho: Bon, Jona: Elizer, Bartho: Swinboar--, --ter Atkins, Roger --ffet, James Rowland, Ann Tucker, Geo: Archer, Hugh James, Jeff Newel, Susan Mills, Jane Mills, Jane Long. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents 7, p. 334.]

To all &c Whereas &c Now Know ye that I the said Thomas Lord Culpepper &c do with the consent of the Council of State accordingly give and grant unto Mr. Danniell Higdon and Mr. Roger Reese an irregular tract of land containing two hundred sixty five acres one rod & thirteene poles of land lying and being in the County of Charles City, and in the Parish of Westover, and on the south side of James River, (vizt) beginning att a corner dogwood bush standing on the lower Kings field Branch, & runneth thence west along the line of Richard Pace, crossing the upper Kings field Branch, and the long poynt Branch three hundred thirty seven poles, to the line of John Williamsons to a corner black oake, thence southeast and by south three hundred poles, crossing the upper Kings field Branch along the said Williamsons Creek to a corner black oake, thence south and by east crossing the Blackwater path, twenty nine poles to John Williamsons corner being a pock hickory, thence still along the said Williamsons line southeast one hundred thirty three chaines (should be poles) crossing Scotch Branch to a corner pine standing on the line of Coll. Edward Hill, thence along the said Hills line north two degrees westerly three hundred and sixty poles to Coll. Hills corner being a corner black oake, thence still along the said Hills line east five degrees northerly eighty eight poles to a small corner pock hickory standing on the lower Kings field Branch, thence down the branch north northeast fourteen poles to the place we began including the aforesaid two hundred sixty five acres one rod thirteene poles of land, the said land being due by and for the transportation of six persons into this Colony whose names are mentioned in the records under this Pattent. To have and to hold &c To be held &c yielding & paying &c provided &c Dated the sixteenth day of April one thousand six hundred eighty and three. Robert Hix, Phillip Rose, Robt. Slye, Mary Cooper, Ann Lawes, Ren. Crickett. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents 7, 274-275.]

July 12, 1715. Francis Poythress of the Parish of Westopher, County of Prince George, to Peter Grammar of same parish and county, for £10, 100 acres in same parish and county, on Holly Bushes Branch on the line of Richard Pace, and said Poythress...Wit: E. Goodrich, Wm Hamelin. Francis Poythress. [Pr. Geo. Co., Wills and Deeds, P. G. B. 1715-1728, p. 63.]

November 11, 1718. In case of Richard Pace vs Michael Rosser, Jr., deft. pleads nil debit and case referred for trial. (Case was continued until summer of 1719 when it came to trial. Rosser was required to pay Richard Pace 415 lbs. tobacco for a debt, possibly on rents on the Rosser Plantation now owned by Richard). [Pr. Geo. Co., Court Orders & Returns of Executions, 1714-1720, p. 260, Merchants Hope.]

November 11, 1718. Frances Poythress, the Elder, of Westover Parish, Prince George County, to Richard Pace of the same, “for divers good causes and considerations him there unto wavering but more especially for and in consideration of the value of One hundred pounds Sterling to him in hand paid by the said Richard Pace” for the land “Whereon the said Richard Pace now liveth, the plantation whereon Joseph Carter, Edward Crossland, Thomas Kirkland, & Michael Rosser Senr. Liveth...being about four hundred acres bounded on the lands of the said Francis Poythress according to several Lines of Marked Trees lately made between the said Francis and the said Richard.” ff. Poythress. Wit: Peter Wynne, John (B) Bonner, Thomas Poythress. Recorded December 9, 1718. [Pr. Geo. Co., Wills and Deeds, p. 269.]

November 11, 1718. Frances Poythress of Westover Parish, Prince George County, to Thomas Goodwyn of Surry County, “Witnesseth that the said Fra. Poythress for full and satisfactory consideration to him in hand paid by the said Thomas Goodwynn” (not mentioning any amount of money) for One hundred acres in the P’sh of Westover & County of Prince George bounded by lands of Peter Grammar and the Lands lately purchased of Richard Pace by the said Francis Poythress.” Ff. Poythress. Wit: Peter Wynne, John (B) Bonner, Thomas Poythress. Recorded December 9, 1718. “On the back of the above Deed was an Endorsement in the Following -----. Viz: That Livery and Seisin of the Land and Premises within mentioned was by the therein named ffran. Poythress Delivered in due form of Law unto the therein named Thomas Goodwynne with Quiet and peaceable possession and Seisure of the same on the Day and year within mentioned.” ff. Poythress. [p. 269-270.]

November 11, 1718. This Indenture made this eleventh Day of November in the year of our Lord God One thousand seven hundred and eighteen between Richard Pace and Francis Poythress of the County of Prince George of the one part and Thomas Goodwynne of the County of Surry of the other part, Witnesseth that the said Richard Pace and Francis Poythress for divers good causes and considerations then thereunto moving, but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred pounds Sterl: to them in hand paid by the said Thomas Goodwynne at and before the ensealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof the said Richard Pace and Francis Poythress doth hereby acknowledge they themselves to be therewith fully satisfied contented and paid and thereof doth acquire release and discharge the said Thomas Goodwynne his executors hath given granted bargained sold remised, released, and for ever quitted claim, and by these presents the said Richard Pace and Francis Poythress doth for themselves their heirs executors and administrators forever give grant bargain sell remise release and for ever quit claim unto the said Thomas Goodwynne and to his heirs forever to all that seat tract parcell or dividend of land situate lying and being in the Parish of Westopher in the County of Prince George contain by estimation four hundred acres of land, be it more or less and bounded Viz: beginning at the Path on the Old Town run, where it crosses the same, leading from Old Michael Rossers plantation to Edward Goodriches plantation, and running thence Westwardly as the path leads along the said Rossers corn field fence to the upper end of the same and from thence west nineteen degrees north along a line of marked trees to a corner oak in the head of a bottom thence down that bottom by a line of marked trees to the run between Richard Paces plantation where he now lives, and the plantation whereon John Whitmore more lately lived, and so down that run to the Path at the beginning, together with Two hundred acres of land at the head of the said Richard Paces dividend, beginning at his southern corner tree and running east fifty chaines to a red oake, thence North one hundred and sixty chains to the line dividing this land from lands which did belong to Mr. Cha. Anderson Decsd: thence West fifty chains, thence South one hundred and sixty chains to the beginning. To have and to hold the said lands and premises hereby granted unto the said Thomas Goodwynne and to his heirs forever, together with all houses orchards, gardens, woods, underwoods, ways, Pastures etc. and all other the appurtenances thereon or thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining, so that neither the said Richard Pace nor Francis Poythress nor their heirs nor any other person or persons whatever claiming or to claim by from or under them or either of them shall not at any time hereafter have any right title interest claims or demand of in or too the sd. Lands and premises, but that the same with every part and parcell thereof shall be and forever hereafter enure to the only sole proper use of and behoof of him the said Thomas Goodwynne and to his heirs forever. In Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals the day and year first above written. Peter Wynne, John (B) Bonner, Thomas Poythress. Richd: Pace (sealed with red wax), Ff. Poythress (sealed with red wax). Recorded Dec. 9, 1718. [Westopher Parish, Pr. Geo. Co., Book 1713-1728, p. 271-272.]

December 8, 1719. Sarah Pace, wife of Richard Pace, relinquished her dower in land sold to Thomas Goodwyn. [Pr. Geo. Co., Merchants Hope, p. 302.]

This Indenture made the Ninth Day of February in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand Seven hundred twenty one, Between Margaret Goodrich Executrix of the Last Will and Testament of Edward Goodrich late of Prince George County Dcscd: of the one part, and Abraham Odium of the County aforesaid of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Margaret Goodrich for divers good causes and considerations her thereunto moving and for the rents and covenants hereafter mentioned, hath let lease and to Term let, and by these presents doth let lease and to Term Let, unto the said Abraham Odium his Executors and Administrators, one certain Tract or parcel of Land Lying and Being in the Parish of Martin Brandon and County of Prince George, bounded Westerly on the old Town Run, Northerly on the Lands of Phillip Jane and Easterly on the Lands of Edward Hill dcsd. and Southerly on the main woods and the Lands of Richard Pace, containing by Estimation One hundred acres, be the same more or less, which tract and parcel of Land was formerly purchased of and conveyed by John Jane to Thomas Anderson as by a Deed for the same acknowledged and recorded in the records of Charles City County Court will appear, and by the said Anderson in his Last Will and Testament given and devised to Mary his relict during her natural life, and thereafter to come and descend to his eldest son James Anderson and his heirs forever as by the said Will proved and recorded in the records of the County Court of Prince George will appear, and by Cornelius Cargill and Mary his wife the aforesaid relict of the said Thomas Anderson, and also by the said James Anderson sold and conveyed to the aforesaid Edward Goodrich, as by Deeds for the same acknowledged and recorded in the records of the said County Court of Prince George the Fourth Day of January 1720 given to and vested in the aforesaid Margaret his Executrix to be sold for payment of his debts as by the said Will it more plainly appears. To have, use, occupy, and enjoy the said tract and parcel of Land, with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appertaining unto the said Abraham Odium and his Executors Vz: for & during the Term of one whole year to commence from the day of the date hereof, and fully to be completed and ended, yielding and paying for the same at the expiration of the Term aforesaid the Fee Rent of One Shilling Current money if the same shall be lawfully demanded unto the said Margaret Goodrich her Executors Viz: to the Intent and purpose that by Virtue of these presents and of the Statute made in the Seven and Twentyeth year of the Reign of King Henry the Eight for Transferring of uses unto possession the said Abraham Odium may be in actual and peaceable possession of the said Land and Premisses and thereby the better enabled to take and [-----] of a grant or conveyance of the Reversion and Inheritance thereof to him and by his heirs, to the Use of him his heirs and assigns for ever In Witness whereof the said Margaret Goodrich hath hereunto set her hand and seal the day and year first above written. Margaret Goodrich, sealed with a wafer. Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of: Richard Cureton, John Chues, Charles Ryall. At a Court held at Merchants Hope for Prince George County on the second Tuesday in February being the thirteenth day of the said month Anno Dom: 1721.The above written Deed of Lease of Land (Indented and Sealed) was in Open Court acknowledged by Margaret Goodrich the subscriber thereto to be her act and Deed to Abraham Odium named therein on whose motion the same by order of the Court is truly recorded. [Pr. Geo. Co., Book, 1713-1728, p. 516, 9 Feb 1721.]

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Neighbors of Richard Pace, Sr.

The following are records for tracts of land near Richard Pace Sr.’s homestead, 140 acres given to him by Richard Baker:

Cheney Boyce patented 1550 acs., 100 acs. due as an Ancient Planter, 1450 acs. for trans 29 pers. [Nugent, “Cavaliers & Pioneers of Virginia,” Patent Book 1, p. 40, Part 1, p. 352, May 31, 1631.]

Aug. 24, 1637. Cheney Boyes, 1550 acs. Chas. City Co., p. 468. N upon lime hill Sw., W upon Merchants Hope Cr., E into the woods & S up towards the head of sd. Cr. 100 acs. due for his per. adv. as being an Ancient planter before the time of Sir Thomas Dale his Govmt, according to a charter of orders from the Late Treasurer & C. dated 18 Nov. 1618 & 1450 acs. for trans. of 29 pers. named. [Nugent, “Cavaliers & Pioneers of VA.,” p. 68; Book 1, Part 1, p. 468.]

To all to whom these presents shall come I Sir John Harvey Knight Governor &c sends &c whereas &c now know yee that I the said Sir John Harvey Knight do with the consent of the Councill of State accordingly give and grant unto Richard Milton four hundred acres of land situate lying and being in the County of Charles Citty bounded west and by south into the woods east and by north upon the Creeke north and by west upon Sergeant Richard Tisdell and south and by east upon greate Weynoake Towne the said four hundred acres of land being due unto him the said Richard Milton by and for the transportation of eight persons into this Colony whose names are in the records mentioned under this Pattent to have and to hold &c dated the third day of October 1638. Ut in alys. Andrew Parker, Christopher Stanton, Henry Palmer, William Deakes, Henry ffoster, John Hammond, Eede Davis, Hanna M-----. This pattent renewed the 23rd of August 1643 by Sir William Berkeley and a pattent of 200 acres more of Richard Tisdell of the 10th of February 1635 added unto same. 400 acres more added unto both these pattents all which are in the name of Thomas Wheeler. Test S. Abbot. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents No. 1, p. 602.]

To all to whom these presents shall come I Sir John Harvey Knight Governor &c send greeting &c whereas &c now know yee that I the said Sir John Harvey Knight do with the consent of the Councill of State accordingly give and grant unto Thomas Wheeler two hundred acres of land situate lying and being in the County of Charles Citty at the head of a Creeke called Merchants Hope Creeke bounded west and by south into the woods east and by north upon the said Creeke north and by west upon the land of Edward (Spars) (nor)th and by east by the head of the said Creeke the said two hundred acres of land being due unto him the said Thomas Wheeler by assignment from Sergeant Richard Tisdell (----) due unto him the said Richard Tisdell by and for the transportation of four persons under this pattent to have and to hold &c dated the 10th of November 1638. Ut in alys. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents No. 1, p. 621.]

To all to whom these presents shall come I Capt John West Esq. Governor et send et whereas by letters bearing date the two and twentieth day of July one thousand six hundred thirty four from the Right Honorable the Lords of his Majesties most Honorable Privie Councill their Lordships did authorize the Governor and Councill of Virginia to dispose of such portion of lands to all planters being freemen as they had power to do before the year one thousand six hundred twenty and five when according to diverse orders and constitutions inserted in a Charter from the late Treasurer and Company bearing date the eighteenth day of November one thousand six hundred and eighteen all dividents of land any ways due or belonging to any Adventurers or planters of what condition soever were to be laid out and assigned unto them according to the several conditions in the same mentioned. Now know yee that I the said Capt. John West Esq. do with the consent and of the Councill of State accordingly give and grant unto Richard Tisdall two hundred acres of land situate lying and being at the head of Merchants Hope Creeke and so running south and north along by the Creeke side and west into the woods beginning to measure two miles and a half from the dwelling house of Rice Hoe the said two hundred acres of land being due unto him the said Richard Tisdall by conveyance from Peter Hall of Blunt point which said two hundred acres of land were due unto him the said Peter Hall by and for the transportation of his own person costs and charges of four persons into this Colony whose names are in the records mentioned under this pattent to have and to hold the said two hundred acres of land with his due share of all mines and minerals all therein contained et to be held of ye said sovereign Lord the King his heirs and successors as of his Manor of East Greenwich &c yielding and paying unto ye said sovereign Lord the King his heirs and successors forever or to his or their rent gatherers &c provided a ------ that if the said Richard Tisdall his heirs and assigns shall not plant or seat or cease to be planted on the said two hundred acres of land within the term or terms of three years now next ensuing &c given at James Citty under my hand and sealed with the seal of the Colony the tenth day of ffebruary one thousand six hundred thirty five and in the xi year of the reign of ye sovereign Lord Charles now King of England. John Mowser, James Lowdon, Christopher Medralfe, Maximus Ruther. This pattent is renewed by Sir William Berkeley the xxiii of August 1643 in the name of Thomas Wheeler being purchased by him and a pattent of 400 acres purchased of Richard Milton and 400 acres added to these. Test. Samuel Abbott. [James Cty., Patents 1, p. 702.]

To all to whom these presents shall come &c whereas &c now know yee that I the said Sir William Berkeley Knight do with the advice and consent of the Councill of State accordingly give and grant unto Thomas Wheeler nyne hundred and nynety acres of land in Charles Cittie County at the head of Powells Creeke extending in breadth on the said Creeke four hundred and fifty poles due south towards the old towne north on the land of Merchants Hope west into the woods a full mile and east on the upper pte of Cheney Boyes his land over the said Creeke with marked trees on every station the said nyne hundred and ninety acres of land being due unto him the said Thomas Wheeler by and for the transportation of eight persons in this Colony whose names are in the records mentioned under this pattent and by assignment of two pattents from Richard Milton and Richard Tisdale the one of two hundred acres bearing date the tenth of ffebruary one thousand six hundred thirty five and the other of four hundred acres bearing date the third of October one thousand & six hundred thirty eight term acres remaining due to the said Thomas Wheeler upon the last person mentioned in the certificate for eight persons to have and to hold &c to be held &c yielding and paying &c which payment is to be made viz: for two hundred acres seven years after the date of the tenth of ffebruary one thousand & six hundred thirty five and four hundred acres more seven years after the date of the third of October one thousand six hundred thirty eight and for the remainder being three hundred and nynety & seven years after the date of these presents and not before &c dated the xxiii of August 1643. Thomas Smith, Jane Wright, John Markes, Peter Markes, John Hooper, Richard Hooper, Jr., Ann Colchester, Margarett Cane. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents 1, p. 893.]

To all et whereas et now know yee that I the said Sir William Berkeley do et give and grant unto Mr. Richard Tye fourteen hundred & fifty acres of land known by the name of the Old Towne above Merchants Hope lying in the woods, beginning at a place called the great Market so extending in breadth seven hundred perches at the head of Samuel Walkers land due south into the woods making a long square west towards the head of Jordaynes and Baleys Creeke east towards Wards Creeke and north on ye said Walkers, and Richard Cravens lands the height thereof into the maine woods is a mile all reduced into horizontal measure, the said land being due unto the said Richard Tye by virtue of the rights of a patent of land granted unto Chene Boys dated ye 23rd of August 1637 for fifteen hundred acres & surrendered upp into the office by the said Richard Tye who married the relict of the said Chene Boys to have and to hold et which payments to be made seven years after the date hereof or of the first grant or seating thereof et dated the 26th of October 1649. [Patents 2, p. 233-234.]

To all et whereas et now know yee that I the said Sir William Berkeley by et give and grant unto David Peoples eight hundred thirty three acres of land being up Powells Creeke at the head thereof in ye county of Charles City bounded viz: west upon Birchin Swamp south and west upon the land of Mr. Richard Tye south and east upon the woods north east upon the land of James Ward and north upon the Reedy Swamp the said land being due unto the said David Peebles by and for the transportation of seventeen persons into the Colony et to have and to hold et to be held et yielding et which payment is to be made seven years after the date hereof et dated ye 5th of August 1650. David Peebles, Tho: Liddle, Marg. Koth, William Smith, Tho: Milner, Antho: Wright, Marg. Chambers, Jane Heydon, Marg. D-------, Barbara Koth, Thomas Biggs, Mary Bayon, Aileo Berry, Wm. Peirce, Hugh Roger, Tho: Rayner, Jane Thompson. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents 2, p. 297.]

To all et whereas et now know yee that I the said Sir William Berkeley et give and grant unto Richard Tye and Charles Sparrowe two thousand five hundred acres of land situate lying and being in Charles City lying near the head of Powells Creeke adjoining to the land called Weynoake old Town beginning at certain trees called the great Market and running south along the said Tyes old divident one hundred and sixty chains thence along the said divident west one hundred twenty five chains thence south three hundred and twenty chains thence east one hundred chains thence north one hundred and sixty chains thence east two hundred twenty five chains thence north three hundred and twenty chains thence west along the land of Thomas Wheeler two hundred chains to the place where it began the said land being due unto the said Richard Tye and Charles Sparrow by and for the transportation of fifty persons into the Colony et to have and to hold et to be held et which payment is to be made seven years after the first grant thereof et dated the 12th of August 1650. Jane Peirce, Sara Cuddens, Edm: Pickory, Hen: Thurlby, Jas. Duparet, Tho: Hill, Tho: Cooke, Hen: Cruthon, ffra: Hawkwood, Wm. Symonds, Robt. Scott, Bridgett Spheere, Alex. Cager, Wm. Smith, Geo. Duglass, Tho. Duglass, Jane Duglass, Michael Huey, Eliz. Hutchinson, John Wright, Walter Sheild, Wm. Longland, Samuel Aude, Tho: Pritchett, Richard Young, Tho: Chappell, Walter Piggatt, John Marshall, Pel. Gathard, Wm. Moyle, Tho: Taylor, Wm. Kirby, John Hardway, Geo. Knighton, Richard Cooke, Robert West, John Joyce, Jane Goulding, Kath. Cooke, John Davis, Baptiscoe Corbone, Wm. Tucker, Phillip Coltrey, John Gapper, John Grand, Adie Corby, John Sexton, John Turner, John Blackard, Henry Turner. [Chas. Cty. Co., August 12, 1650, Patents 2, p. 248.]

To all et whereas et now know yee that I the said Sir William Berkeley et give and grant unto Richard Jones Clerk nine hundred and fifty acres of land, lying two miles or thereabouts from the River on the back of Merchants Hope in the County of Charles City bounded north on the said Merchants Land, west upon the land of Richard Craven south upon the ould Towne being the land of Mr. Richard Tye and east upon the land of Mr. Thomas Wheeler, the said land being due unto him the said Jones by and for the transportation of nineteen persons into the Colony et to have and to hold et to be held et which payment is to be made seven yeares after the first or sealing thereof et dated ye 30th of August 1650. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents No. 2, p. 263.]

To all et whereas et now know yee that I the said Sir William Berkeley et give and grant unto James Ward one hundred and fifty acres of land being up Powells Creeke upon a swamp issuing thereout called the Reedy Swamp being in the County of Charles City bounded viz: south and west upon the land of Mr. David Peebles east upon the woods and north upon the Reedy Swamp the said land being due unto the said James Ward by and for the transportation of three persons into the Colony et to have and to hold et which payment is to be made seven years after the first grant or seating thereof and not before et dated ye 7th June 1651, Ann Ward, James Wallis, John Cheetwood. [Chas. Cty. Co., June 7, 1651, Patents 2, p. 349.]

To all &c whereas &c now know yee that I the said Richard Bennett Esq. &c do give and grant unto Richard Jones Clerk fifteen hundred acres of land in the County of Charles Citty bounding viz: nine hundred and fifty acres part thereof being two miles or thereabouts from the River on the back of Merchants Hope north on the said Merchants land west upon the land of Richard Craven south upon the Old Towne being the land of Mr. Richard Tye land east upon the land of Thomas Wheeler and five hundred and fifty acres the residue east upon the upper ponds adjoining to his former Pattent south upon Cravens land north upon the Merchants land and southwest into the maine woods whereof the breadth of two hundred and fifty acres extendeth a mile from the ponds west and at ye breadth of three hundred acres southwest into the woods and the said land being due unto the said Richard Jones as followeth viz: nine hundred and fifty acres part thereof by a former Pattent dated the 30th of August 1650 and five hundred and fifty acres the residue by another Pattent dated the first of March 1651 repatents being had to an order of a Quarter Court for the renewing the said five hundred and fifty acres bearing date with these presents to have and to hold &c dated the 12th of March 1655. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents No. 3, p. 377.]

Charles Sparrow deeds to Elisabeth Tye the eldest dau. of Richd Tye 1,000 acs. of joint patent of 2500 acs. In case of decease of sd. Eliz. during her minority land to decend to survivors or survivor of the orphans of Capt. Richd Tye. [Fleet, Beverly Virginia Colonial Abstracts Chas. Ct. Volume 1, 1658-61, p. 55, C-11, p. 259, July 7, 1659.]

Whereas I Charles Sparrow and Capt. Richard Tye late deceased form’ly tooke up by a Joint pattent 2500 acres of land scituate and being at the old Towne neere mercht hope whereof I acknowledge the sd. Capt. Tye pro’v’d rights for 1,000 acres of the sd. land. Recorded 8th September 1659. [p. 203.]

October 10, 1659, in Charles City County, John Cogan of Merchant’s Hope, in Charles City County, surgeon, sold Anthony Wyatt, of Chaplins’ Choice, in the same County, Gentleman, for bond of £240 Sterling, dated September 1, 1659, “the plantation whereon he now dwells, 5 negro servants, crops, etc.” The witnesses were Howell Pryce and Robert Wynne. 

To all &c Whereas &c Now Know ye that I the said Sir William Berkeley Knight Governor &c give and grant unto Patrick Jackson and Richard Baker fifteen hundred acres of land lying and being in Charles City County nine hundred and fifty acres part thereof lying two miles or thereabouts from the river on the back side of Merchants Hope bounded north on the said Merchants land west on the land of Richard Craven south upon the old towne being the land of Mr. Richard Tye and east upon Mr. Thomas Wheeler and five hundred and fifty acres the residue bounded east upon the upper ponds adjoining to his former Patent south upon Craven’s land & north upon the Merchants land and southwest into the main woods whereof the breadth of two hundred and fifty acres extends there a mile from the ponds westward and at the breadth of three hundred acres southwest into the woods That said land being formerly granted unto Richard Jones by patent. Dated the twelfth of March one thousand six hundred and fifty five and by him sold unto Patrick Jackson and Richard Baker. To have and to hold &c to be held &c yielding and paying &c provided &c Dated the eighteenth of March one thousand six hundred and sixty two. [Chas. Cty. Co. Patents 5, p. 83-84.]

A Court at Westover 3 October 1665. Deed, dated 17 Nov. 1662. Thomas Crooke sells to William Tomlinson a parcel of land...(acreage not shown).... being upon the Southside of the great swampe butting Northeast upon James Wallices and South at the head of Richard Bakers and Southwest upon the side ffor a valuable consideration in hand received. Wit: Richard Taylor, Richard Pace, Thomas x Tomlinson. Thomas Crooke. Recognit Feb. 3, 1662/3. [p. 592.]

At a Court at Westover. James Wallace “w’th the consent of my wife Joane” sells to Caesar Walpole, acreage not stated, “that parcell of Land lying and being upon the branches of Powells Creeke upon the Burchin Swamp and the great Swamp and bounding upon Capt. Tye and Richard Baker at the head and upon parte of a hundred acres of Land w’ch belongs to Morgan Jones at the head of the sd. land, and at the lower end upon the hundred acres of land w’ch Mr. Banister gave to Richard Taylor next the mill called by the name of Chegoe Neck, and bounding upon a path wch form’ly run from James Wards to Bonny Coard at the head of the piney levell by the mill, the aforesd. parcell of land belonging to a divident of land of Thomas Wheeler dec’d husband to the aforesd. Joane Wallice, and in consideracon of full satisfaccon in hand rec’d I the aforesd. Wallice and Joane my wife do bind ourselves,” etc. James Wallace, Joane (M) Wallice. Wit: Rich. Taylor, Will Peebells, Richard Pace. Recognit etc. June 3, 1664. Recorded June 10, 1664. [Chas. Cty. Co. Abstract, Deed, p. 476, 19 May 1664.]

A Court held att Westov’r 4 Febr 1664/5, deed of partition dated 21 Jany 1664/5. Richard Baker and Patrick Jackson divide land patented jointly...The division line from the line of Craven against the plantacon of Mr. Cogan by Wm Harris wch line is to runn East till it mette w’th the swamp and then to include the sd swamp and run till it come to the brig going ov’r the sd swamp and runn to the howse of the sd Baker, wch line tis to be for ev’r the division w’thout any let (trespass) or hinderance trouble or molestacon...Jackson to have the land to the north of line and runn and Baker to the south...Rich’d (x) Baker, Patrick Jackson. Wit: Caesar Walpole, Richard Pace. Recorded 7 Febr 1664/5. Interlined-Acknowledged and consented to by Ann Baker, Widd., Aprill 3, 1665. [p. 533.]

To all & Whereas & Know ye that I the said Sir William Berkeley Knight Governor & give and grant unto Robert Abernathe one hundred Acres of Land in the County of Charles City and on the South Side of the James River, and on the head of the poplar run where it boundeth on the Land of James Wallis, South on the Land of Thomas Duglas, and the Quarter Land and West into the Woods and South Southwest on the head with marked trees. The said Land being part of a patent that was greater & Dividend granted to Patrick Jackson and Richard Barker and by the said Jackson out of his part sold unto the said Abernathe. To have and To hold & To be held & yielding and Paying & Provided & dated the Seventh of March one thousand six hundred and sixty five. [VA Land Office Patents No. 5, p. 567.]

Deed dated 26 June 1665. Patrick Jackson planter of Merchants Hope sells to Wm Hunt wheelewright of Buckland, Charles City County, 450 acres in Merchants Hope...adjacent land late of Richd Baker dec’d according to a late bounding survey made by Maj’r Willm Harris, the west part on the land of Mr. Jno. Cogan lately purchased of Tho Boyce, and part on the land late of Mr. James Warrandine, and Northerly part upon 200 acres now in the tenure of James Wallace and 100 acres lately purchased of the sd Jackson by Tho: Douglas and part on the land of the Merchants Hope, which land is the remainder of a dividend of 1500 acres jointly purchased by the sd Richd Baker (now dec’d) and the sd. Jackson of Mr. Richd Jones minister. Delivery by turf and twig 22 Aug. 1665. Patrik Jackson. Wit: Thomas Douglas, John (x) Rosser, Robert Simons, Howell Pryse Clk. Recognit etc 15 Sept. 1665.

A Court at Westover 3 October 1665. p. 592. Abstract. Order that Wm. Bird agent for the proprietors of Merchants Hope sign and deliver a lease to Mr. John Cogan for certain land according to a lease formerly granted to Mr. Cheney Boyce dec’d. for the same land. [Charles City County Court Orders, 1664-1696.]

To all &c now know ye that I the said Sir William Berkeley Knight Governor &c give and grant unto John Cogan six hundred and fifty acres of land lying and being in the County of Charles City and on the south side of James River beginning at a marked tree on the north of the ponds as per agreement of the said Coggan and Patrick Jackson and boundeth west over the poplar branch by the side of Jones’s level one hundred and thirty six chains and south one hundred and ninety two chains for its breadth and east one hundred and thirty six chains thence north to the place where it began. The said land being formerly granted by patent unto Mr. Richard Craven deceased and by lenial descent from him to his grand child Emelia now the wife of Thomas Boyce who with the said wife’s consent transfered the same to the said Coggan and his heirs. To have and to hold &c to be held &c yielding and paying &c provided &c provided &c dated the twelfth of October one thousand six hundred and sixty five. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents No. 5, p. 511.]

To all &c whereas &c now know ye that I the said Sir William Berkeley Knight Governor &c give and grant unto Morgan Jones one hundred acres of land in the County of Charles City and on the south side of James River bounding viz: south along the line of Thomas Crooke three hundred and twenty poles east fifty poles north three hundred twenty poles crossing the Great swamp at the mouth of the Cross swamp west to Crooks line fifty poles being a part of a dividend formerly granted unto Richard Baker and Patrick Jackson. To have and to hold &c to be held &c yielding and paying &c &c provided &c dated the thirteenth of October one thousand six hundred and sixty five. [Chas. Cty. Co., Patents No. 5, p. 511-512.]

John Cogan, Octr. 13, 1665. 100 acres on the south side of James river adjoining the land of Thomas Cooke thence & crossing the great swamp at the mouth of the Cross swamp. [Chas. Cty. Co., Deeds, p. 511.]

012023

Charles City County, later Prince George County, Virginia

No in-depth maps exist for 17th century Charles City County/Prince George County, Virginia, covering the area running east and west between Bailey's creek and Powell's creek and north and south between the James River and the Blackwater River and swamp. This map was created from scratch from the extant records of the area. There is only a fraction of the original deeds in existence and those are supplemented by abstracts and any other record that could be located.

From the records, tracts of land were plotted with the original dimensions while noting "anchor points" and neighboring tracts. Where no dimensions were located, estimations and approximations were utilized. Surveyors in Virginia during the 1600s utilized poles (16 1/2 feet), two-pole chains (33 feet) and chains (66 feet) vice feet and inches. They also used the 32 point compass for direction. 

In order to create the map, the measurements from the deeds were converted to feet and 32 point compass directions into regular degrees. Once this was completed, the dimensions of the properties were plotted on graph paper. In this case, the scale for the graph was placed at 2 1/4 inches per mile. Despite close adherence to the dimensions, some accuracy is lost as some dimensions were less than 200 feet and some dimensions were 2 miles in length.

Once the properties were plotted on graph paper, the whole graph was transferred onto a transparency. At the same time, a topographical map was enlarged to a scale of 2 1/4 inches per mile. Once the transparency was placed onto the topographical map, the property descriptions were used to "anchor the map." A Delorme Virginia Atlas & Gazetteer Topographical map, 4th edition, 2000, was used for this purpose.

Original anchor points included placing Robert Abernathy's 100 acres over Merchant's Hope church and cemetery and along Merchant's Hope road. The top part of the transparency was placed over Captain John Woodlief's 530 acres on James River. Robert Lucy's 1,000 acre Saw Tree plantation was bordered on its west side by the Blackwater swamp. Thomas Bailey's 100 acres and Captain Francis Poythress' 750 acres were bordered on their west side by Bailey's creek. Thomas Wheeler's 990 acres was bordered by Powell's creek and the Charles Sparrow and Richard Tye tract of 2,500 acres was crossed by Powell's creek and Birchen's swamp.

Once the above anchor points were in place, other features mentioned in the deeds were located. The Jackson/Baker tract of 1,500 acres mentioned, in the deed, that there was a "great swamp" and a "cross swamp" on the tract. These features were identified and marked on the map where Richard Baker's and Richard Pace, Sr.'s properties were located in 1664/5. Poplar branch was mentioned in a deed regarding James Wallace's 200 acres and Richard Craven's 650 acre tract. Poplar branch was identified and marked on the map. Poplar branch was a branch of Wall's run. Burleigh Plantation was identified in records as located on the old Sparrow and Tye tract, on the east side of Old Town road and north of Pole Run road. This was identified and marked on the map. Easterly Run, presently called Manchester Run, was located and marked. Its north to south leg ran parallel to Major Poythress' 1,250 acres of land that he was granted in 1683. 

There are several other anchor points on the map. Dry Bottom run is presently crossed by Route 655. The old deeds of Major Francis Poythress, James Munford, Anthony Wyatt and Thomas Cureton mentioned this topographical feature. Deep Bottom run is presently traversed by Ruffin road. Deep Bottom was mentioned in the old deeds of John Woodlief, Anthony Wyatt, John Poythress, Francis Poythress and Thomas Poythress. By the beginning of the 18th century, others on or around Deep Bottom included the Young, Winningham, Stainback, Patterson, Evans and Lovesay families.

This map provides an introduction to the people and tracts of land for old Charles City County and Prince George County, Virginia. It can be a starting point for anyone doing research on individuals and their properties during the 1600s. Hopefully, others will be able to add to or refine the map.

The area between Bailey's creek and Jordan's Point is highlighted with broken lines as exact measurements have not been located for the early tracts of land. The plots of land in the center of the map are approximations as well. Francis Poythress and Richard Pace were involved in several deeds in 1718 involving land in this area of which there are few records. The locations for Grammer (1715), Goodwin (1718), Richard Pace (1718) and Whitmore are approximations. However, the deeds of Williams (1683) and Higdon & Reese (1683) note that their northern boundaries abutted Richard Pace's line. This land is not the original homestead of Richard Pace, Sr. Richard Pace, Sr.'s land was located on the 1,500 acre tract of Patrick Jackson and Richard Baker near the great swamp and cross swamp.

How should this map be used? If a researcher knows that a particular person or family lived in this area of Virginia in the 17th or 18th century or has an idea where the property was located, it is possible to narrow the focus and utilize the location of tracts or topographical features and neighboring properties to not only discern the particular person's lands but to also discover the neighbors. Research requires detective-like skills. Clues come in all shapes and forms. Neighbors married neighbors. Neighbors were often family members and close friends. Neighbors were witnesses to deeds and wills and were also called upon to value estates and attend estate sales. 

It is impossible to build a year-by-year map or even a map by decade during this period of Virginia history as so many records have been lost to war, fire or inadequate safekeeping. As a result, it requires thinking outside of the box to glean the requisite information that a researcher desires.

Hopefully, this simple map will create some new ideas and thoughts and give insight on where things were located in this area of Virginia in the 1600s.

011823-083023