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The McCutcheon's were Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia
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Overview
Some early Virginia researchers have wondered about the possible relationships between several early McCutcheon (McCutchan, McCutchon are included among various spellings) settlers to Orange and early Augusta County, Virginia. The general consensus among all was that they were related, but exactly how they were related remained a topic that has been debated for years. One early opinion agreed to by some researchers was that the first five early McCutcheon settlers were likely brothers, which became known as the "Five McCutcheon Brothers Theory". Records exist (presented below) that appear to conclusively corroborate that opinion, which are presented below, with the corresponding records and maps to assist other researchers, as follows:
The "Five McCutcheon Brothers Theory" and Accompanying Proof
Records presented below will show that John and Samuel McCutcheon, who lived nearby each other in southern Beverley Manor/North Borden Tract, and James, William and Robert McCutcheon, who appear to have been in Beverley Manor for a short-while and later migrated to the Calfpasture were brothers.
Oren Frederick Morton in his History of Rockbridge County, Virginia, also came to the same conclusion regarding the five McCutcheon brothers that migrated to early Augusta County:
- Five brothers of the name of McCutchen came to this part of Virginia. Robert settled on Little River, Samuel in the Borden grant, and William, James, and John in Beverly Manor. James died in 1759, and his sons, James, John, and Patrick went to Washington county. The descendants of the five pioneers are numerous, widely scattered, and include persons of mark. One of these is Robert Barr McCutchen, a distinguished writer.
James McCutcheon, Possible Father of Five McCutcheon Brothers in Augusta County, Virginia
The first early record of a McCutcheon in early Orange (later Augusta County) was an early survey for a James McCutcheon, as follows:
Early Survey in Augusta County, VA
It is possible the this is the James McCutcheon whose survey is listed in "Hume's Survey Book", listed in Chalkley's:
- (72) ( ) ye 15, 1738, survey for James McCutchan, beginning at Saml. Walker's corner to a White and Red Oak in ye Back Creek in Geo. Hutchison's line.
It is possible that this James McCutcheon may have been the father of the five McCutcheon brothers that all acquired land in Augusta County just a few short years later. James McCutcheon had possibly died shortly after Hume's Survey in 1738 [although a will or estate record has not been located as yet to prove this], and was unable to complete the process of obtaining this land in Augusta County, because there are no further records of this land being patented to him, and was likely acquired by another settler. The land that was surveyed for James McCutcheon is located along the western boundary of Beverley Manor, as shown in the map below. George Hutchinson's survey for this land (that adjoined James McCutcheon's survey) is listed as follows : (Note that this survey is also listed on "Back Creek", which is highlighted in red)
- (19) Survey for George Hutchisone, breadth of ye said Hutchison's land beginning John Brown's line, where it crosses Carthie's Kreek. Robt. Gamble's line. Do Hutchisone beginning at Brown's Cor. on West Side Back Creek.
Map of George Hutchinson's Survey and Patent
As shown in the map above, two of James McCutcheon's likely sons, John and Samuel did receive patents in 1741 and 1742, respectively.
McCutcheon's of Beverley Manor/North Mountain (Borden Tract)
Two of the McCutcheon brothers, John (known as "Pioneer John") and Samuel McCutcheon (sometimes refered to as "Samuel McCutcheon of North Mountain") acquired land nearby each other along the western border of Beverley Manor and the northeast portion of the Borden Tract:
McCutcheon's in Beverley Manor/North Borden Tract:
1. "Pioneer" John McCutcheon, b. abt. 1708, Ireland, d. Aft 18 March 1788, Augusta County. John acquired a patent of 920 acres lf land from William Beverley along the Southwest border of "Beverley Manor" in 1741, just to the east of Samuel McCutcheon, his probable brother (listed below).
Record in Orange County, Virginia:
- 27-28 May 1741. William Beverley of Essex County, Gent. to John McCutchin of Orange County. Lease and release [consideration blank] 920 acres in that part of Orange County called Augusta... corner to Patrick Cook... on a stony ridge... John Buchanan's line... Wit: Robt. McClenachan, William Skillirn, Robt. Davies. 28 May 1741. Acknowledged by Wm. Beverley, Gent. [Deed Book 4; Pages 444-447]
Some sources indicate that early tax records show John living on his land as early as 1737. Other sources incorrectly claimed that this was the John McCutcheon that was killed by a falling tree in 1757, but based upon a review of records in Augusta County, that appears to have been this John McCutcheon's son, John (sometimes referred to as "Tree John") McCutcheon, Jr..
The following publication indicates that when "Pioneer" John McCutcheon was patented the 920-acre tract in Beverley Manor that he was named guardian of his brothers William, Robert and Samuel (it would appear that James McCutcheon, another probable brother had reached adulthood by 1738 or so):
- Publication: A New McCutchen Paradigm, 2000. (1) John(2) aka. "Pioneer John" b ca 1708 (named after his grandfather?); eldest son (of James?) and under law of primogeniture would have inherited any estate upon his death; purchased 920-acre tract in Beverly Manor ca 1738 and guardian (by then) of brothers (minors) William, Robert, and Samuel; assumed to have had daughters also; died after 18 March 1788.
2. Samuel McCutcheon "of North Mountain", b. Est. abt. 1715, Scotland or Ireland, d. aft. 26 June 1797, Augusta County, married Frances (some say Noble, a possible sister of John Noble (not daughter as some claim)). Samuel acquired a patent of 600 acres of land from Benjamin Borden in the north end of the Borden Tract in 1742, just across the border between it and Beverley Manor, from John McCutcheon, his probable brother.
Record in Orange County, Virginia:
- 3-4 Aug. 1742. Benjamin Borden of Orange County to Samll. McCutchan of same. Lease and release; for £18 current money, 600 acres, part of 92,100 acres of pattin land 6 Nov. 1739... near a branch of Sharrando (Shenandoah)... a line of Borden's tract be allso a line of Beverley Manor... Benjamin Borden. Wit: John Shields, Jorg [Gorg] (W) Deves, Nathan Loosk. 26 Aug. 1742. Acknowledged by Benjamin Borden, Gent. [Deed Book 8, Pages 101-104]
The following William McCutcheon also acquired land in 1753, adjoining John McCutcheon's tract:
3. William McCutcheon, birthdate estimated as "Abt. 1730", is thought to be a son of "Pioneer" John McCutcheon, listed above. He is apparently the same William McCutcheon that acquired 100 acres of land adjoining "Pioneer" John McCutcheon's tract in Beverley Manor in 1753 (which would indicate a birthdate of "bef. 1733". Records show that this William McCutcheon also acquired an adjoining 200 acres of his father's tract in 1762. Additional information is needed on is necessary on his family.
McCutcheon's of the Calfpasture
James, Robert and William McCutcheon, brothers of John and Samuel, listed above, all acquired land near each other in the Calfpasture area of Augusta County:
McCutcheon's of the Calfpasture:
1. James McCutcheon, b. Est. abt. 1712, prob. Ireland, d. Bet. 01 Feb - 16 May 1759, Augusta County, VA, married Griselda Campbell, daughter of Patrick Campbell and Elizabeth Taylor abt. 1738. in Augusta (then Orange) County, Virginia.
James McCutcheon acquired land in the Calfpasture in 1747:
- Deed: (William) Beverley to James McCutcheon tract on Calfpasture, 26 Nov 1747, Augusta Co., Virginia.
2. Robert McCutcheon, b. Est. 1722, prob. Ireland, d. Bef. 26 Jun 1801, Rockbridge County, Virginia, married Margaret Callison, bef. 1748, probably in Augusta County, Margaret was a sister of James Callison.
Robert McCutcheon had land surveyed on the Calfpasture by William Beverley in 1746, as listed in the record below:
- Page 244.--14th June, 1784. Robert McCutchan and Margaret to their son, William McCutchan. Delivered to John McCutchan, 20th July, 1787, tract surveyed by Beverley 11th November, 1746, to Robert; side of the Black Oak Hill.
Robert McCutcheon had land adjoining his brother William on the Calfpasture and had built a Mill prior to 1749, as listed in the record below:
- ORIGINAL PETITIONS AND PAPERS FILED IN THE COUNTY COURT. - 1749. - Petition of inhabitants of Little River, in Calfpasture, for road from William Gay's to Robert McCutchen's Mill, from thence to Robert Campbell's. Ask only a bridle road to travel with loads on horseback and oblige themselves to cut it and keep in repair. William Elliott, Thomas Fulton, John Meek, John Gay, William Gay, Thomas Meek, James Gay, John Fulton, James Stenson.
3. William McCutcheon, b. Est. Abt. 1724, prob. Ireland, d. bef. 7 July 1789 in Rockbridge County, Virginia. This appears to be the William McCutcheon that married Janet, the widow of Andrew Duncan in 1763, as he named his wife "Janet" in his will of 1789.
William McCutcheon was granted 585 acres by William Beverley "on Smith's Creek, a branch of little Calfpasture" on 10 Nov. 1746, as listed in the record below:
- Page 235.--18th February, 1761. William McCutcheon (Cutchin) to Joans Henderson, £80, 314 acres, part of 585 acres conveyed to William by Beverley, 10th November, MDCCLXVI (1746 ?) recorded in the Secretary's office, on Smith's Creek, a branch of little Calfpasture; cor. Francis Fulton; cor. John Johnston. Delivered: John King, August, 1764.
Key Evidence Linking McCutcheon's of the Calfpasture and Beverley Manor
The Muster List of 1742
In Chalkley's Augusta County Records, there appears the following "Muster List" of 1742, which is a listing of those able-bodied men serving in the early militia of Augusta County. Included in Capt. John Wilson's list are the names of William McCutcheon, James McCutcheon, Robert McCutcheon and John McCutcheon. Most of the names on this list are of settlers that lived in the southwestern portion of Beverley Manor (see map below), and the inclusion of Robert McCutcheon and James McCutcheon, who later were clearly living in the Calfpasture area of Augusta County, indicates that they were all living in the same vicinity and in this case related. Since William McCutcheon was listed on this list (only men of age to serve in a militia were listed), then it appears that this is probably the William McCutcheon who later shows up in the Calfpasture with Robert and James McCutcheon, and not William McCutcheon, the son of "Pioneer" John McCutcheon who acquired land adjoing John in 1753.
- Capt. John Willson's Lists: John Wilson, Captain; Sam Calehison, Nathan Lusk, John Shields, John Greer, John Patterson, George Davison. John Hunter, Wm. Hunter, James Hunter, John Rusk, James Clark, Wm. Vance, Rob Croket, John Trumble, Wm. King, Sa. Walace, John Spear, Thomas Peery, Alex. McConnel, Rob. Young, James Young, Jacob Lockard, Patt. Cook, James Lockard, William McCutcheon, James McCutcheon, Rob. McCutcheon, Alex. Crocket, Wm. Camble, Nathl. Davis, James Philip, John Barclay, James Lusk, James Trumble, Benj. Walker, Wm. Leadgerwood, Morris Offral, Rob Davies, John Brown, Wm. McClantok, Wm. Johnson, John Young, Hugh Young, Thos. Kirkpatrick, David Camble, John McCutcheon.
- (Note: missing from this list is Samuel McCutcheon, who had acquired land just to the west of John McCutcheon just over the border of the Borden Tract, who may have missed being included on the 1742 Muster List either because he was just reaching adulthood, or more probably the list only included those in Beverley Manor).
This Muster List of 1742 shows that (before their migration to the Calfpasture) that Robert, James and William McCutcheon were together with John McCutcheon in "Beverley Manor" before their migration to the Calfpasture, which agrees with the records showing that "Pioneer" John McCutcheon was guardian of his younger brothers a few years before they acquired land of their own in the Calfpasture.
As shown below, just a few years later in 1748, William, Robert and James McCutcheon had moved the the "Calfpasture" in Augusta County, a few miles north of Beverley Manor.
Processioning List of 1755: (Note: all listed were settlers on the Calfpasture)
- Page 27.--James Carlyle and Wm. McCutcheon make return, viz: Processioned for Wm. McCutcheon, present James Waughub; processioned for Robert McCutcheon; processioned for James McCutcheon; processioned for Robert Bratton, present John Stevenson; processioned for Wm. Ellett, present Samuel Gay; processioned for James Gay, present John Carlyle; processioned for Thomas Smith, present Wm. Smith.
The Will of John McCutcheon
The final piece of evidence linking the five McCutcheon brothers of Augusta County is the will of William McCutcheon, one of the brothers that migrated to the Calfpasture with his brothers Robert and James. In his will, presented below located in Rockbridge County records, he clearly names his other four brothers John, Samuel, Robert and James (William McCutcheon apparently died without issue):
From Rockbridge County, Virginia Records:
- In the name of God amen, I William McCutchan of the County of Rockbridge and State of Virginia freeholder being old and weak of body but of sound mind and perfect memory thanks to God therefore knowing my mortality that it is apointed for all men once to die and after that the judgement Imprimatur I recommend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian manner at the discration of my executors and as touching what worldly estate it hath pleased God to indow me with in this life I bequeth and dispoas of in the folowing manner, Viz:
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- 1st I leave and bequeth to my well beloved wife Janet the plantation on which I now live and all my hous furniture and planishing and one half of my stock during her life
- 2nd the other half of my stock to be sold and the money arising therefrom shall be divided ~ually to my three brothers and their sons Viz: James, Robert, and Samuel McCutchan
- 3 the said plantation and planishing after her deces shall be sold and the price thereof shall be eaquly divided to the familys as aforesaid to James, Robert, and Samuel and sons
- 4th my plantation on Pine Run I order to be sold and the money arising therefrom shall be divided as foloeth the one half to be equaly divided to Jameses son William and Roberts son William and the other half to Samuels son William
- 5th I leave and bequeth to my brother John all my wearing aperral- and do hereby renounce, revoack, and disanul all other wills legacies or bequests by mee at aney time heretofore by me maid or done and I do confirm this and no other to be my last will and testament in testamone whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal and I do hereby constitute an ordain John McCutchan Roberts son and John McCutchen Samuels son to be executors of this my last will and testament.
- Witness my hand and seal this 18th day of march 1788.
- William McCutchen
- Teste: Samuel McCutchan John McCutchin, Capt William McCutchan
- At a court held for Rockbridge County July 7dt-1789 the within writing purporting the last will and testament of William McCutchen dec' d was presented in court by John McCutchen & John McCutchen executors therein named. Samuel McCutchen & William McCutchen legatees in & witnesses to the said will also appeared in court and relinquished their said legacies whereon they were admitted by their oaths to prove the same and it was ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of said executors who made oath according to law Certificate is granted them for obtaining probate thereof in due form they having together with Andrew Moore and Job Fletcher their securities entrusted into and acknowledged bond in the sum of L2000 Conditional according to law.
- Teste: Adam Freeman
History of Rockbridge County
Oren F. Morton, the renowned author of many published works of Shenandoah Valley, Virginia counties, also concurs that the five early McCutchen's were siblings, as follows, from his History of Rockbridge County:
- Five brothers of the name of McCutchen came to this part of Virginia. Robert settled on Little River, Samuel in the Borden grant, and William, James, and John in Beverly Manor. James died in 1759, and his sons, James, John, and Patrick went to Washington county. The descendants of the five pioneers are numerous, widely scattered, and include persons of mark. One of these is Robert Barr McCutchen, a distinguished writer.
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