Person:Alexander Nelson (2)

Alexander Nelson was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 Revolutionary War Pension Information 3 Revolutionary War Pension Declaration 4 Records in Augusta County, VA		Welcome to Old Augusta Early Settlers Beverley Manor Borden's Grant Register Data Maps Places Library History Index
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Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA

Acquisition of Land in Virginia:

• Alexander Nelson purchased an estate called "Poplar Grove" near Staunton, Va., in November, 1785, containing 726 acres. [Source: D.A.R. Magazine, Vol. 51, pg. 236].

Revolutionary War Pension Information

Information from “Virginia/West Virginia Genealogical Data from Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records”, Vol. 4, compiled by Patrick G. Wardell, Lt. Col. U.S. Army Ret. :

Nelson, Alexander - entered service 1780 in Staunton, Virginia in Virginia Regiment; granted Pension age 78 in Augusta County, Virginia, 1825 when Erasmus Stribling clerk of County court; soldier died 9/12/1828. F-S38259, R1806.

Revolutionary War Pension Declaration

Pension Declaration of Alexander Nelson: Virginia, Augusta County, to wit:

On the 23rd day of August 1825 personally appeared in open court being a court of record for the county afores aid in the said State of VA (having its proceedings according to the course of the common law, with a jurdiction unlimited in point of amount, keeping a record of their proceedings and having the power of fine and imprisonment) Alexander Nelson, resident in said county, aged 78 years, who being first duly sworn according to law doth, on his oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the provision made by the Acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820;

That he, the said Alexander Nelson, enlisted for the term of 18 months, in the Fall of the year 1780 (the month & day not recolleted) in the town of Staunton in the Sate of VA in the company commanded by Capt Lapsley in the regiment commanded by Col _____ ___(the Colonel's name not remembered) in the line of the State of VA on Continental establishment: That he was marched to Hlilsboro in NC where he was placed in Capt Wallace's Company, in the regiment commanded by Col Hawes:

He was in the battles of Guilford Courthouse [March 15, 1781], Camden [probably the battle of Hobkirk Hill, April 25, 1781] and Eutaw Springs [September 8, 1781] and at the siege of Ninety Six [May-June 1781]. He afterwards lay sick, for some time, in the hospital at Camden and was consequently marched with his Company (which was commanded by Captain Stribling [perhaps Captain Sigismond Stribling] after the battle of Guilford, where Captain Wallace was killed) to Salisbury in North Carolina, where having served out his full term, he was honorably discharged, which discharge he has accidentally lost; That he hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension except the present – That his name is not on the roll of any state except Virginia and that the following all the reasons for not making earlier application for a pension, – his unwillingness to insist on the charity will become a burthen [burden] to the public, so long as he was able, by any & every exertion to procure a scanty subsistence for himself, but his advanced age and increasing infirmities, have disabled him from the further pursuit of means necessary for support. And in pursuance of the act of the first of May 1820, I do solemnly swear that I was a resident Citizen of the United States on the 18th day of March 1818 and that I have not since that time by gift, sale or in any manner whatever disposed of my property or any part thereof with intent thereby so to diminish it as to bring myself within the provision of an act of Congress entitled “an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the revolutionary war” passed on the 18th day of March 1818, and that I have not nor has any person in trust for me any property, or securities, contracts or debts due to me nor have I any income other than what is contained in the schedule hereto annexed and by me subscribed. That since the 18th of March 1818, the following changes have been made in [my] property – one horse sold to James Buchanan for the Sir I am of $25, for which I hold his note and which is entered in my schedule; the recovery of which is however very doubtful

S/Alexander Nelson, X his mark

Sworn to in declared before the County Court of Augusta on the 23rd day of August 1825.

[Veteran was pensioned at the rate of $8 per month commencing September 10, 1825, for service as a private for 18 months in the Virginia Continental service.]

Records in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley’s Augusta County Records: (likely this Alexander Nelson)

• Vol. 1 - MARCH 22, 1788. - (497) Sampson Mathews, Alexr. St. Clair, Michael Bowyer, Robert Gamble, James P. Cocke, William Bowyer and Alexander Nelson are appointed Commissioners to draw a plan of a new Court House, to be built on the Court House ground, and to fix the place whereon the same shall be set, and advertise the building thereof to be let to the lowest bidder, on such terms and conditions as the Court may direct at April next.

• Vol. 1 - APRIL 16, 1788. - (506) Plan of new Court House returned and same Commissioners as before (except Nelson) ordered to let the building.

• Vol. 2 - JUDGMENTS. - SEPTEMBER, 1790 (H to Z).; Wilson Miles Cary, assignee of Benjamin Forsythe, vs. George Mathews and Alexander Nelson--Appeal from Augusta, 1788.

• Vol. 1 - DECEMBER, 1790. - List of present justices. George Moffett, William Bowyer, Elijah McClenachan, Alexander St. Clair, Alexander Robertson, Thomas Hughart, Joseph Bell, John Tate, David Stephenson, Richard Mathews, Robert Porterfield, John McKemy, dead, James Ramsey, Robert Douthat, James Searight, James Berry, William McPheeters, James Steel (refused to act since he was sheriff), Samuel Vance, in Bath County; John Wilson, in Bath County; Charles Cameron, in Bath County; Robert Gamble, Richmond; Alexander Crawford, Rockbridge County; Alexander Gibson, Alexander Nelson, Joseph Bell, Jr., William Moffett, James Poage, Kentucky.

• Vol. 1 - DECEMBER, 1790. - A list of the names and order of the Justices of the Peace for the County of Augusta, as they stand in the commisison dated, March 24, 1778, viz: Thomas Adams, John Poage, Alexander McClenachan, Alexander Robertson, John Lewis, William McPheeters, Peter Hanger, John Dickinson, George Moffett, William Bowyer, Thomas Hughart, Alexander St. Clair, James Steel, Samuel Vance, John Christian, Sampson Mathews, Michael Bowyer, Elijah McClenachan, John Kinkade, James Tate, John McCreery, James Bell, John Wilson. Additional commission, dated 28th April, 1785: David Stephenson, James Crawford, Jr., Jacob Warrick, Robert Gamble, Robert Porterfield, Richard Mathews, James Davis, James Searight, John McKeemy. Additional commisison, dated 3d November, 1788: Alexander Nelson, James Searight, John White, John Lewis, Robert Douthat, William Moffett, James Berry, Joseph Bell, Jr., James Poage, John Peebles. Additional commission, 13th June, 1786: Zachariah Johnston, James Ramsey, James P. Cocke, James Stephenson, Alexander Gibson, Moses Hinkle.

• Vol. 2 - JUDGMENTS - APRIL, 1791 (I to Z). - James Kenner vs. Alexander Nelson--Covenant. Augusta, 12th March, 1790.

• Vol. 2 - EXECUTIONS. APRIL, 1792 (L to Z). - Alexander Nelson, assignee of Edward Brien, vs. William Brownlee-- Debt. Rockbridge, 9th August, 1797 (two cases).

• Page 18.--26th April, 1792. Alex. Nelson's commission as Coroner; 23d August, 1792, Alex. Nelson's bond as Coroner.

• Page 69.--9th September, 1793. James Crawford's estate appraised by Alex. Nelson, Andrew Anderson, Thomas Patterson, Mathew Kenney, Ro. Kenney.

• Vol. 1 - SEPTEMBER 16, 1794. - (165) Wm. Alexander, Archibald Stuart, Alex. Nelson, Alex. Humphreys, and Robert Douthat are appointed commissioners to report a plan to the next Court for a jail.

• Page 157.--22d January, 1795. William Hamilton's will--To wife, Patience, plantation on Lewis Creek between Alex. Nelson's and James Johnson's; to sons, John and Hugh; wife and all children; to each of daughters; to youngest son, Andrew, home plantation; Charles Baskin to make John Johnson deed to lot in Staunton. Executors, brother John Hamilton and Charles Baskin. Teste: Robert Graham, James Frazer, Mary Baskin. Proved, April Court, 1795, by all witnesses. Executors qualify.

• Vol. 2 - CIRCUIT COURT RECORDS. - SEPTEMBER, 1799 (M to G). - Alexander Nelson vs. Charles and John Hays--Judgment, 1799.

• Vol. 2 - Marriage Bond - 1800--June 18, Joseph Bell, Jr., and Joseph Bell, Sr., and Alex. Nelson, sureties. Joseph Bell, Jr., and Mary Anna Nelson, daughter of above Alex. Nelson.

• Vol. 2 - Margaret Jones, Executrix of Gabriel Jones, vs. Mathews' Heirs--O. S. 170; N. S. 60--Sampson Mathews (now deceased) mortgaged to Gabriel Jones land in Bath County, 2,080 acres, 18th August 1791. It is charged that after the mortgage, Sampson conveyed a part of the land to John Fowler and Samuel Blackburn, and the remainder to Jacob Kenny and Samuel Clark, in trust to pay Sampson's debts. Sampson died testate (will in Augusta) leaving widow, Catherine, daughter, Jane, wife of Saml. Clarke, daughter, Ann, wife of Alexander Nelson, and son, Sampson Mathews. Gabriel Jones died in 1806 testate (will in Rockingham).

• Vol. 2 - Nelson vs. Clarke--O. S. 278; N. S. 98--On 14th November, 1775, Alexander Nelson agreed to exchange a tract on Dunlap Creek with Sampson Mathews for 5,000 acres in Kentucky. The title to the land in Kentucky has failed and Alexr. claims lien on land on Dunlap's Creek. Sampson is dead, leaving Catherine Mathews, Sampson Mathews, Jane, wife of Samuel C. Clarke, and Jacob Kinney, his representatives. Deed, 30th September, 1797, by Sampson Mathews of Bath County to Alexr. Nelson of Augusta. Sampson has heretofore granted to Alexr. a tract on Dunlap's Creek in Botetourt in consideration of his marriage with his daughter and has exchanged with Alexr. 5,000 acres in Kentucky for the Dunlap's Creek land. Conveys 2,000 acres, part of the 5,000 acres in Shelby County, Ky., on Clear Creek, corner Elizabeth Murray. Recorded Shelby County Quarter Sessions, 1798, February. Letters by John Allen of Kentucky to Alex. Nelson. Letter by Sampson Mathews to Col. James Knox, at present in Staunton, dated Staunton, 30th August, 1783. Letter by James Knox of same date. Letter by Abraham Hite, heir to John Hite, to Col. Sampson Mathews, dated Beargrass, 27th November, 1796, mentions lands located by Abraham's deceased brother. Letter by Col. Saml. McDowell to Col. Sampson Mathews, dated Fayette County, Ky., 22d July, 1795.

• Vol. 2 - Heron's administrator vs. Alexr. Nelson--O. S. 21--N. S. 7--Bill filed 10th November, 1802, Rockingham. William Heron, alias Herring, late of Rockingham, was a school teacher and taught the two children of Alexander Nelson; also taught John Goodwin (paid for by Nelson). Mrs. Polly Bell deposes. Daughter of Alexander Nelson.

• Vol. 2 - Kayser vs. Mathews--O. S. 307; N. S. 109--Bill, 28th March, 1811, by Joseph Kayser and Letitia, his wife, who was widow of Archer Mathews who died 13th August, 1786. Archer owned lot No. 5 in Staunton which he conveyed to Sampson and George Mathews, but she has never released dower. Sampson Mathews is dead, leaving children, viz: Sampson; Nancy, wife of Alexr. Nelson; Jane, wife of Samuel Clarke. Hugh Donaghe, left children, John, James, William W., Sarah. Jacob Peck deposes, 1821, he came to Staunton in 1771, August. On that part of lot 5 now occupied by Dr. Waddell, there were no improvements in 1771. The stables that lately stood thereon were built in fall of 1772. The rental after 1786 was about $5 per annum. In 1773-4 Thomas Smith offered to sell the lot on which Mr. Wayt's stone house and the adjoining white house now stands for £10 and could not get it. He afterwards made a present of it to a young lady. Jacob Swoope deposes, he came to Staunton in 1790. Letitia Keyser died before 16th March, 1815.

• Vol. 2 - REVOLUTIONARY DECLARATIONS--AUGUSTA COUNTY, VA.; Alexander Nelson's Declaration: Mentions Capt. Lapsley, Capt. Wallace, Col. Haws, Capt. Stribling.

1. ↑ Waddell, Joseph A. (Joseph Addison). Annals of Augusta County, Virginia: with reminiscences illustrative of the vicissitudes of its pioneer settlers biographical sketches of citizens locally prominent, and of those who have founded families in the southern and western states : a diary of the war, 1861-'5, and a chapter on reconstruction by Joseph Addison Waddell. (Staunton, Virginia: C.R. Caldwell, 1902)
   pg. 225.

   Alexander Nelson was born in Ireland, January 14, 1749. He came to America when a boy of probably ten years of age, and lived first in Philadelphia, where he was patronized by the celebrated Robert Morris, the financier of the Revolution. From Philadelphia he came to Richmond, and there engaged extensively in merchandising. It is not known at what date he came to Augusta. Here his business was that of a farmer, owning and living on a large plantation on Lewis's creek, six miles from Staunton. From the frequent mention of him in the county archives, it is evident that he was a prominent and influential citizen. He died January 2, 1834. His wife was a daughter of Sampson Mathews, of Staunton. Their children were: Dr. Thomas Nelson, of Richmond ; John M. Nelson, of Ohio; James Nelson, long one of the commissioners of the revenue for the county; Alexander Franklin Nelson, a highly respectable farmer; Lockhart Nelson, who died in Paris while a medical student there; Mrs. Mary Ann Bell, wife of Joseph Bell; and Mrs. Elizabeth Montgomery, wife of John Montgomery.

2.   Daughters of the American Revolution. Daughters of the American Revolution magazine. (Washington, District of Columbia: National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, 1892-2001)
   Vol. 51, pg. 236.

   5150. Mathews, Sampson (2). Revolutionary Records of Colonel Sampson Mathews, son of Captain John and Ann Archer Mathews, who settled near Lexington, Va., in 1742. Colonel Mathews was a member of Committee of Safety, appointed by the Counties of Augusta, Buckingham, Amherst and Albemarle, Va. The Commissioners convened at the house of James Woods in Amherst County, September 8, 1775. See page 245, Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Va. Page 34, Historical Papers Washington & Lee University, Address Colonel B. Christian. He was a member of the first Patriotic Convention which met in Staunton, Augusta County, Va., February 22, 1775, to elect delegates to the first Colony Convention to convene at Richmond, Va., March 20, 1775. See page 235, Waddell's Annals of Augusta County, Va. He was a member of the first Court held in Augusta County, Va., under the authority of the Commonwealth of Virginia, called to convene at Staunton, Va., July 16, 1776. See page 242, Waddell's Annals. November 19, 1776, Sampson Mathews was commissioned a Justice of Court of Augusta County, Va. (see page 128, Order Book No. 16, Augusta County Court Records). Also served as Justice in 1777, see page 206, Order Book No. 16 as above. Was recommended and qualified as Lieutenant Colonel of the County of Augusta, May 19, 1778. See pages 264 and 287, Order Book No. 16, Augusta County Court Records, also page 197, Chalkley's Abstracts from Records of Augusta County, Va., vol. 1, and served until 1783 when he removed to Richmond, Va., where he practiced law for some time. While in Richmond his daughter Ann met and married Alexander Nelson, a young merchant and importer of Richmond, January 29, 1784. Alexander Nelson purchased an estate called "Poplar Grove" near Staunton, Va., in November, 1785, containing 726 acres, and lived there the remainder of his life. His daughter, Elizabeth Nelson, was born at "Poplar Grove," September 1, 1796, and married John Montgomery, Jr., of Deerfield, Augusta County, Va., November 11, 1813. After their marriage they lived on a plantation owned by John Montgomery near Goshen, Rockbridge County, Va., until his death, August 6, 1829. He was buried in a private cemetery owned by his brother-in-law, Joseph Bell, at Goshen, Va., and a marble stone in good state of preservation marks his grave at the present time (1914). After the death of her husband, Elizabeth Nelson Montgomery removed with her children to her father's home, "Poplar Grove," Augusta County, Va., and there spent the rest of her life, dying January 9, 1853, and was buried in the old cemetery adjoining Augusta Presbyterian Church, a few miles from "Poplar Grove" beside the graves of her father, mother and brother, all their graves being marked by stones in good state of preservation at this date (1914). The wills of Colonel Sampson Mathews, Alexander Nelson and Elizabeth Nelson (my grandmother) are on record, all mentioning the names of their children. Will of Colonel Sampson Mathews is recorded in Will Book 10, page 121, at Staunton, Augusta County, Va., and was probated March 24, 1807. The will of Alexander Nelson is recorded in Will Book No. 19, page 339, at Staunton, Augusta County, Va., and was probated January Term, 1834. The will of Elizabeth Nelson Montgomery is on record at Staunton, Augusta County, Va., dated January 8, 1853. The records of the Montgomery family may be found on page 103 of "The Houston Family," by Rev. S. R. Houston, D.D., published in 1882, and in "The History of the Montgomerys and Their Descendants," page 322, by D B. Montgomery, published at Owensville, Ind., in 1903. Any of the above mentioned books can be found in the Congressional Library at Washington, D. C, or any of the Public Libraries in the larger cities. Colonel Sampson Mathews soon returned to Augusta County from Richmond, Va., and settled on his estate called "The Wilderness," formerly owned by General Blackburn, in the western part of the county, and when Bath County was formed in 1791, he living in that part of Augusta County which was cut off into Bath County, was appointed one of the first justices of the County and elected the first High Sheriff of Bath County, Va. Colonel Sampson Mathews married September, 1759, first Mary Lockhart, who died 1781, daughter of Captain James Lockhart, a man very prominent in the Colonial affairs of Augusta County, Va. Their children were John W. Mathews, Sampson Mathews, Jr., Ann Mathews (who married Alexander Nelson of "Poplar Grove") and Jane Mathews, who married Samuel Clarke of Staunton, Va.