Person:Hugh Brown (11)

Hugh Brown was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

Contents 1 Early Land Acquisition in Augusta County, VA 2 Hugh Brown's Two Marriages 3 Will of Hugh Brown 4 Records of Hugh Brown in Augusta County, VA 5 Information on Hugh Brown		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 from Chalkley's:

• Page 247.--On Middle River where John Brown, deceased, formerly lived, and willed to Hugh Brown by his father, John Brown.

• Page 248.--20th November, 1779. Thomas Brown, son and heir of John Brown, to Hugh Brown.

• Page 185.--16th March, 1784. James Brown, son of John Brown, deceased, to Hugh and John Brown. John died seised of 210 acres in Beverley Manor, and devised same to be sold, corner to graveyard of John Breckinridge, who was murdered by the Indians; corner tract purchased of William Null. Teste: James Curry. (Note: James Brown was Hugh's older brother).

Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:

• Page 92.--30th October, 1784. Hugh Brown and Rebekah and John Brown and Mary to Peter Hanger; corner John Brcckenridge, who was murdered by the Indians.

Hugh Brown's Two Marriages

Records in Augusta County point to two marriages for Hugh Brown. His first marriage, probably just prior to 1780, was to Sarah Feamster, daughter of Thomas Feamster, an early settler on the Cowpasture. This marriage is confirmed in records in Augusta and Bath County in "Feamster vs. Feamster", in 1798 (listed below). Sarah must have died shortly after the birth of their daughter Sarah, about 1780. Hugh's second marriage to "Rebecca" was prior to another record in October 1784, showing Hugh and Rebecca selling land in the record above, and another record on 16 November 1784, acquiring land from Samuel Cartmill, son of John Cartmill, another early Cowpasture settler (this rather lenghtly record is listed below). The parentage of Rebecca, Hugh Brown's second wife is unknown.

Will of Hugh Brown

Dated: July 4, 1789. Page 28

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Hugh Brown of the State of North Carolina and County of Hawkins, farmer, being very weak and frail in body, but blessed be God of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, therefore, I do make, constitute and ordain my last will and Testament. And being thus composed in mind, first and principally, I do give and recommend my soul to God who gave it me, and my body. I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general judgement I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as to such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased the Lord to bless me in this life, I do give, bequeath and dispose of in the following manner. Imprimis. After all my just and lawful debts are paid, I do give and bequeath to my dearly and well beloved wife Rebecca Brown my negro wench named Jean. Item. I do give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Sarah Brown my negro girl named Atne. Item. I do give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Margaret Brown my negro boy named Sam. Item. I do give and bequeath to my two dearly and well beloved sons, John Brown and William Brown all my houses, lands, tenements and whole estate until they come to the age of 21 years or until some one of my daughters should be married and then their part Viz: The girls shall be given them and when my sons come to the age of 21, they shall equally divide the remainder between themselves. And furthermore, I do appoint, constitute and ordain my true and trusty friend, Rob't. Black and my dearly and well beloved wife, Rebecca Brown, to be the whole and sole Executors of this my last will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly break, disannul and make void all and every former will or wills or testaments at any time, or in any way by me made, and I do acknowledge this and none other to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal This fourth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-nine.

Hugh X Brown (seal) (his mark)

Signed, sealed, published and pronounced by the said Hugh Brown as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in the presence of the said Brown and in the presence of each other have hereunto witnessed our names. Jas. Cunningham, Ananisa McCoy James White.

Records of Hugh Brown in Augusta County, VA

From Chalkley's Augusta County Records:

• Vol. 1 - MAY, 1774 (A). - Brown vs. Brown.--Chancery writ dated 1st April, 1771. Robert Brown and Rebecca Brown, late Rebecca Gardner, formerly the wife of Thomas Gardner, deceased, and Francis Gardner, eldest son and heir-at-law of said Thomas Gardner, orators. In 1763, Thomas Gardner and John Brown purchased a tract of land from John Coulter, in Beverly Manor. Deeds were made in September, 1763. Shortly after, Thomas Gardner died intestate, leaving above widow and son and heir. John Brown entered and took possession by survivorship and died, devising the land to his sons John and Hugh, with provision that his son James should make a deed to his brothers. It is charged that John Brown and Thomas Gardner agreed there should be no survivorship. Prayer for division. John, Jr., was younger brother of Hugh Brown. Hugh was infant at his father's death. John was not 15 years old at his father's death.

• Page 418.-(undated, appears to be abt. 1779)-Patent to John Spear 10th September, 1755, on waters of Middle River, bequeathed by John to his children and sold by the trustees of said estate to Hugh Brown 19th May, 1779.

• Vol. 1 - FEBRUARY 18, 1780. - (185) Called Court on Francis Hughes, for larceny--Sent to Richmond for trial. Witnesses: Hugh Brown, and Rebecca, his wife.

• Vol. 2 - FEE BOOKS OF AUGUSTA COURT - 1784, page 134, Hugh Brown, Pastures.

• Page 368.-- (undated, prob. bet. 16 Aug. 1784 and 12 Oct. 1784) Thomas Hughart and James Hughart and Margaret to Nathan Crawford, tract patented to James Hughart, Sr., 10th April, 1751, and devised to Thomas and James, his youngest son; corner John Cartmill. Teste: Andrew Sitlington, John Dean, Hugh Brown.

• Deed Book 24, Page 414 - 16th November 1784 - This Indenture made the Sixteenth Day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four. Between Hugh Brown and Rebeka his wife of the County of Augusta and Commonwealth of Virginia of the one part and Samuel Cartmil (only one 'L") of the same Wintnessth that the said Hugh Brown and Rebecca wife for and in consideration of the sum of Ten Pounds Current money of the State of Virginia to them in hand paid by the said Samuel Cartmil the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained sold aliened and confirmed & by these present doth grant bargain sell alien and confirm unto the said Samuel Cartmil & to his heirs and assigns forever one certain tract or parcel of land containing three hundred and six acres of land more or less lying and being in the County of Augusta on the Middle River being the land granted to John Spear deceased bearing date the Tenth Day of September in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty five and bequeathed by him to his Children as may appear by his last will & testament as recorded in Augusta County and was sold by the trustees of said Estate to Hugh Brown when he attained a deed for bearing date the nineteenth Day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine release being had to the records it will more fully and largely appear and is more particularly described and bounded as followeth. Viz: at two white oak saplins written party six poles of two white oaks the Beginning corner of the tract as parts surveyed and with S Line North thirty degrees West forty poles to a white oak & North Sixty Degrees West Sixty four poles to a white oak corner to James Philip's land and with his line north forty degrees East ninety two poles to two white oaks & Hickory Saplins corner to said Philip's on the South Side of the River then North twenty three degrees East one hundred & six poles crossing the river to a white oak thence North Eighty five degrees East one hundred and seventy six poles to a Good black oak. Joining joining (written twice) the division line thence South six degrees West one hundred and ninety eight poles crossing the river to two black oak saplins and Launte saplin and south forty eight degrees West forty poles to a white oak and Hickory thence South four degrees East forty one poles to a black oak and Hickory saplins and south forty seven West to Eight Poles crossing the Great Road to a white oak and two Hickories and thence North Seventy eight degrees West seventy nine Poles to two hiccories near the Beginning and thence North seventy eight degrees West twelve poles to the Beginning together with the water, water courses, profits, commodities, heredetaments and appurtenances to the same belonging or in anywise appurtaining also the rivers on and remainders and reversions remainder & remainders??ents houses and profits of the same also all the estate rights title, Interest claim and deman whatsoever of the said Hugh Brown & Rebecca his wife for themselves their heirs & assigns of them Moiety of the said tract of land of m and to land with the appurtenances unto the said Samuel Cartmil his heirs and assigns forever to the sale use and behalf of him the said Samuel Cartmil and his heirs and the said Hugh Brown and Rebecca his wife for themselves their heirs and assigns all then Moiety of the the said tracts of land aforesaid to the said Samuel Cartmil his heirs and assigns forever against the said Hugh Brown & Rebecca his wife or any other person or persons whatsoever shall and will forever warrant & defend by these present in witness whereof the land Hugh Brown and Rebecca his wife hath here unto set their hands and Seal the day & year first above written. Sealed and delivered In the presence of:

Hugh Brown

Rebecca Brown (X) her mark

At a court held for Augusta County November 16th, 1784. This Indenture of Bargain and Sale for Land him Hugh Brown and Rebecca his wife.

(The being first privately Examined) To Samuel Cartmil was acknowledged & ordered to be recorded. Teste. (Note: this record is an important record that shows that Hugh Brown, living on the Cowpasture and acquired Cartmill's land is the same Hugh Browh that married Rebecca and left several records in Augusta County).

• Page 171.-‘’(undated, appears to be abt. 1785)’’-Tract on Cowpasture now in possession of Hugh Brown, land formerly John Cartmills.

• Page 368.-‘’(undated, appears to be abt. 1784)’’-Thomas Hughart and James Hughart and Margaret to Nathan Crawford, tract patented to James Hughart, Sr., 10th April, 1751, and devised to Thomas and James, his youngest son; corner John Cartmill. Teste: Andrew Sitlington, John Dean, Hugh Brown.

• Vol. 1 - AUGUST, 1785 (D). - Hugh Brown and Rebecca, his wife, vs. Berry Priddie.--Writ, 23d June, 1785.

• Vol. 1 - MAY 21, 1791. - (464) Rebecca Gardner, relict and administratrix of Thomas Gardner, Francis and Samuel Gardner, orphans of said Thomas, versus John Brown, Rebecca Brown, widow of Hugh Brown, deceased, Sally and Margaret Brown, orphans of Hugh Brown. Sally and Margaret are infants.

• Vol. 1 - MARCH, 1794. - Rebecca Gardner, widow of Thomas Gardner, Francis Gardner and Samuel Gardner, orphans of said Thomas Gardner, vs. John Brown, Rebecca Brown, widow of Hugh Brown, deceased, Sally Brown and Margaret Brown, infants and orphans of Hugh Brown.--Chancery. Spa. 23d March, 1791. Rebecca Gardner (widow) had married Robert Brown by 1792, September (January) 27. David Trimble deposes that he was in Staunton when Rebecca Gardner, now plaintiff, was on her way to Pennsylvania; and Maj. John Brown, deceased, father to defendant, was present when said John Brown, deceased, told her (Rebecca). Taken September 27, 1792. Did Maj. John Brown and Thomas Coalter own "Coalter's Place" together? Deposition of William Brown taken in Greenbrier 20th December, 1793. Rebecca Gardner fled to Buchanan's Fort for protection from Indians. Thomas Gardner was killed by the Indians. Bill says Thomas Gardner and John Brown in 176_ became joint purchasers of Coalter's Place. Thomas died the spring following the purchase, leaving widow Rebecca and sons, Francis and Samuel. Eight or ten years afterwards, John Brown died leaving four sons, Thomas, James, Hugh and John, and one daughter, ____. Hugh is dead. leaving Rebecca Brown, widow, and two daughters, Sally and Margaret. Rebecca Brown, defendant, is not an inhabitant 20th August, 1791, Patrick Buchanan and David Trimble are about to remove from the State, 18th September, 1792.

• Vol. 2 - Feemster vs. Feemster--O. S. 64; N. S. 22--From Bath. Bill filed 8th May, 1798, by John and William Feemster against Elizabeth Feemster, relict of Thomas Feemster, deceased; John McCreery and Martha, his wife; Robert Sitlington and Mary, his wife; Adam Bratton and Elizabeth; Rachel Carlisle, alias Feemster, Susannah Feemster; Sarah Brown, daughter of Sarah Feemster, who married Hugh Brown, deceased; which Martha, Mary, Elizabeth, Rachel and Susanna are daughters and heirs of Thomas. Orators are also sons. Thomas made a will, but it was lost.

Information on Hugh Brown

1784

Augusta County Deed Book 24, p.414, 16 Nov 1784 Samuel Cartmill - - Samuel Cartmill bought 306 acres on Middle River for 10 Pounds from Hugh Brown. Originally granted in 1775 (s/b 1755) to John Spear, deceased. Hugh Brown lived in the Cowpasture River area and bought the land at an estate sale in 1779. The Middle River circles the city of Staunton, VA to the north, flowing from west to east, eventually emptying into the Shenandoah River. Per Library of Virginia Land Grant Index, John Spear received two patents for land in Augusta County on the Middle River: 10 Mar 1755, 380 acres on the Middle River and 10 Sep 1755, 400 acres upon the Middle River. Hugh Brown also sold in 1785 what had been John Cartmill I's property. John Cartmill I died in 1773 and Hugh Brown probably bought John's property at auction.

1785

"Chalkley's Chronicles" V.3, p. ? John Cartmill - - Hugh Brown, sold a tract of land on Cow Pasture that was formerly John Cartmill's. John Cartmill I died in 1773. This refers to land that was apparently in possession of Hugh Brown. There were not enough witnesses for John's will when he died in 1773 and the will was never fully proved. Hugh Brown appears to be a land speculator and probably bought the estate at auction after John's death. In 1784, Samuel Cartmill bought a different property from Hugh Brown that he (Hugh Brown) had acquired at another estate sale. A look at the actual words of the deed might show how Hugh Brown obtained John Cartmill's land.

Source: "Cartmill Genealogy" website: http://www.cartmill-genealogy.com/john.html