Person:Thomas Black (15)

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Thomas Black
b.Bef 1718
 
m. Bef 1740
  1. Alexander Black1765 - Bef 1821
  2. James Black
  3. Margaret Black
  4. Agnes Black
m. Bef 1740
Facts and Events
Name Thomas Black
Gender Male
Birth? Bef 1718
Marriage Bef 1740 to Margaret Unknown
Marriage Bef 1740 to Margaret Sawyer

Thomas Black was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

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Sources

Source:Chalkley's Chronicles

Related

Old Augusta Records for Thomas Black

Overview

Our first record for Thomas Black in Augusta County is in 1738 when is identified as a land owner in Beverley Manor.

William Beverley of Essex County, Gent., to Thomas Henderson of Augusta County. Lease and release; for ₤9.15.6 current money. 391 acres, part of Beverley Manner... corner to Jno. Davidsone... on the side of Christie's Creek on the south side thereof... to Thomas Black's line... (signed) W. Beverley. Wit: Robt. Slaughter, John Lewis, G. Home. 22 Feb. 1738 [1739]. Acknowledged by William Beverley, Gent.

While the above record does not describe Blacks property, it is clearly the same parcel that he secures his property from William Beverley the next year.

4-5 June 1739. William Beverley, Gent., of Essex County to Thomas Black of Orange County. Lease and release; for £15.1.5 current money. 569 acres in Beverley Manor on the branches of Shenandore River... corner to John Davison... (signed) W. Beverley. Wit: James Porteus, Thos. Wood, John Latham. 28 June 1739. Proved by James Porteus, Thos Wood and John Latham. [Relinquishment of dower as above, Beverley to McLure].

In 1740 he swears an oath of self importation in Orange County courts, stating that he paid for his own importation and that of 'his wife "Margot, Wm Johnson, Elizabeth Dunning". [1] We do not know from this when he came to America, but can presume it was well before 1738, and that he likely settled initially in Old Chester, PA.

Records for a Thomas Black appear almost continuously in Augusta County Court records through 1774. [2] Some of the early records show him as a member of the militia (1742), constable (1746), serving on a jury (1767), etc. A 176 record identifies a Mary Lawson as a servant of Thomas Black. SInce he apparently paid for the importation of two other servants (in his oath of importation), we can assume that he maintained an ability to support identured servants through out his life in America. Many of these records identify him as a neighboring property owner, identified in land surveys. The last record we have for him is in 1774 when he is identified as a "weaver" in an Augusta County Fee Book entry.

Thomas' importation oath identifies his wife as "Margot", and a subsequent land record identifies her as "Margaret". Presumably "Margot" and "Margret" are the same person. We have no evidence that this couple had any children. None are listed in his oath of importation, where there was probably an advantage to him to be credited with the importation of as many persons as he could justify. We do not have a will or estate record for Thomas, and so have no evidence that the couple had children after they arrived on Beverley Manor. Since he was an adult in 1738, as shown by his ownership of land in Beverley Manor, we assume that he and Margaret were both born before 1717. Since the last record for him suggests he was still active in the community in 1774 (age 57 at the youngest), he was probably not born before 1700. We have no record that indicates his date of death.

Land

Image:BlackThomasBeverleyManor569 acres.JPG

Thomas Black's land (Beverley Manor South Middle, 569 acres, 1739) as shown on the map meticulously drawn by J.R. Hildebrand, cartographer. This map is copyrighted©, used by permission of John Hildebrand, son of J.R. Hildebrand, April, 2009.

Acquisition of Land from Orange County, Virginia Records:

  • Pages 257-61. 4-5 June 1739. William Beverley, Gent., of Essex County to Thomas Black of Orange County. Lease and release; for £15.1.5 current money. 569 acres in Beverley Manor on the branches of Shenandore River... corner to John Davison... (signed) W. Beverley. Wit: James Porteus, Thos. Wood, John Latham. 28 June 1739. Proved by James Porteus, Thos Wood and John Latham. [Relinquishment of dower as above, Beverley to McLure].

Disposition of Land from Chalkley's:

  • Page 706.--21st May, 1750. Thomas Black to Wm. Johnston, 269 acres in Beverley Manor, on Black's Run of Christian's Creek, Wm. Henderson's line, George Rutlidge's line; corner James Armstrong's iron mine, Margaret, wife of Thomas. Teste: Hugh Martin, George Douglass, Robert Conningham. (Note: the William Johnston is no doubt the same person that appeared in Orange County Virginia Court in 1740 with Thomas Black, listed below in "importations").
  • Page 179.--17th August, 1759. Thomas Black and Margaret (Margreat) to Samuel Love, £150, 300 acres on Christian's Creek in Beverley Manor; corner Wm. Johnston.

Importation

Early Settlers, who transported themselves to the colonies, over the age of 16, were given "headrights" (grants of 50 acres of land per "head"), if they appeared in the Court of Common Pleas in the county in which the land was granted. The following persons appeared in Orange County, Virginia court on in July 1740:

  • Thomas Black, Margrot his wife, Wm Johnson, Elizabeth Dunning (from Ireland)

Processioning

"Processioning" was the process or periodically reviewing and agreeing upon property lines between settlers. Processioning Lists can be useful in determining the area of a settler and the neighboring settlers at a specific time period:
  • Page 19.--Robert Christian and James Caldwell report, viz: 1747-8, 24th February, processioned for Arthur Hamilton; processioned for James Moody, present Robert Wilson; processioned for James Wilson; 26th February, processioned for Andrew Cowan, present Robert Wilson; processioned for James Caldwell, present John and William Caldwell; 27th February, processioned for James Armstrong, present John and William Caldwell; 28th February, processioned for James Armstrong, present Wm. Armstrong and John Davison; 1st March, processioned for Isaac McCully; processioned for Wm. Long, present John Long; 2d March, processioned for James Bell, present Gabriel Alexander; 3d March, processioned for James Alexander; processioned for Thomas Black, present Wm. Johnson; 4th March, processioned for Robert Cunningham; processioned for Wm. Henderson, present, Thomas Black; processioned for Geo. Rutlidge, present Wm. Henderson; 6th March, processioned for Geo. Caldwell, present Wm. Caldwell and Wm. Henderson; processioned for John, Robert, William Christian; 10th March, processioned for Thos. Stewart, present James and John Black. 8th March, 1747-8, Edward Hall's land not processioned, there being a dispute between the said Hall and Col. Patton, not at home.
  • Page 139.--By order of Vestry, dated 27th November, 1755, subscribers have processioned all the patroned land within bounds of Cap. Wm. Christian's Company, by Wm. Henderson, Thomas Stuart, viz: For William Scott, present Robert Cunningham, Waltee Davis; for Walter Davis, present Wm. Scott, Robert Cunningham; for Rob. Cunningham; for Thos. Black, present Thos. Rutlidge, Jas. Armstrong; for Wm. Henderson, present Ro. Cunningham, Geo. Caldwell; for Geo. Rutlidge; for John McNutt, present Wm. Marshall; for Wm. Marshall, present Saml. Caldwell; for James Caldwell; for John Coalter; for Wm. Ledgerwood; for Andrew Cowan, present Wm. Carry; for Wm. Carry; for James Moody; for James Wilson; for Robert Wilson; for John Shields; for Thos. Brown; for Rob. Wilson; for Andrew Alexander; for Samuel Blackwood, present Thos. Blackwood; for Thos. Blackwood; for Wm. Karr; for Robert Christian, present; for John Christian; for Wm. Christian; for Jas. Armstrong; for Wm. Armstrong; for James Frame; for Thomas Shields; for Jacob Van Lear; for James Bell; for Gabriel Alexander; for John Black; for Anthony Black; for Wm. Wright; for Jos. Tees (deceased), no one to show lines; for Wm. Long, present Alex. and John Long; for Wm. Long; for John Glass (deceased), no one to show lines; for Samuel Lusk, has no deed; for Samuel McCoule, has no deed; for John Hunter, has no deed; for James Patton (deceased), no one to show lines; for Thomas Stuart; for Edward Hall; for Alex. Thomson.

Records

From Orange County, Virginia Records:

  • Pages 112-14. 20-21 Feb. 1738 [1739]. William Beverley of Essex County, Gent., to Thomas Henderson of Augusta County. Lease and release; for ₤9.15.6 current money. 391 acres, part of Beverley Manner... corner to Jno. Davidsone... on the side of Christie's Creek on the south side thereof... to Thomas Black's line... (signed) W. Beverley. Wit: Robt. Slaughter, John Lewis, G. Home. 22 Feb. 1738 [1739]. Acknowledged by William Beverley, Gent. [Orange County Virginia Deed Book 3, Dorman, pg. 8].
  • Pages 140-43. 24-25 Feb. 1742 [1743]. William Beverley of Essex County, Esq., to Robt. Cunningham of Augusta County, cordwainer. Lease and release; for ₤14.10. - current money. 482 acres on the head of Blake's (s/b Black's) Creek in Beverley Mannor... corner of the lands of John Darwin and Thomas Black... (signed) W. Beverley. Wit: James Patton, Moses Thompson, Wm. (W) Nutt. 25 Feb. 1742. [1743]. Acknowledged by William Beverley, Esq. [Orange County Virginia Deed Book 7, Dorman, pg. 47].

From Chalkley's Augusta County Records:

  • Vol. 2 - LIST OF MUSTERS, 1742: Capt. John Christian's List: John Christian, Captain; William Christian, Lieutenant; Fran Betty, Ensign; Jhn. Holms, Josep Read, Finley McClewr, George Camble, George Caldwell, Wm. Caldwell, Alex. Thompson, Jas. Caldwell, Isaac McCulough, Jas. Armstrong, Wm. Armstrong, Thos. Henderson, Wm. Henderson, Rob Conigham, Wm. Conigham, Thos. Black, Wm. Johnston, Joh Davison, And. Cowin, Jas. Moody, Jas. Willson, Niol. Leeper, Jno. Turk, Wm. Adams, David Mitchel, Rob. Ramsey, George Breakinsed, John Mitchel, Jas. Fulton, John Fulton, John Brownlee, Chas. Camble, Jas. Camble, Will Camble, Jno. Buchanan, Nathan McClewer, Jas. Robinson, Antho Black, Will Long, Thos. Bell, Jas. Bell, Jno. Black, Wm. Robinson, Thos. Shields, And. McCord, Thos. Beans, Arth. Hamilton, And. Scott, John Maxwell, Pat. Barney, Alex. Brackinsedg, Rob. Brackinsedg, James Brackinsedg, _____ McCoulough, Jas. Miler, Rob. McClenachan, Jno. Doacke, Sam Doacke, Patt Hayes, And. Boyd, Jas. Black, Alex. Fordice, David Steel, Moses Thompson, John Thompson, And. Russell, Rand McDonel, Hug Martine, Joh Robinson, Jas. Beans, Rob. Alexander, Ths. Lewis.
  • Vol. 1 - FEBRUARY 19, 1745/6. - (19) Claim Thos. Black et als--patrolling.
  • Vol. 1 - MAY 12, 1746. - (43) Thomas Black --appd. Constable. Cap. Christian's Co.
  • Vol. 1 - JUNE 18, 1746. - (48) James Hogshead, Thomas Black, William Wright, William Guy, Robert Gwin, Charles Hays, George Anderson, Adam Miller, James Robinson, Thomas McCulloch, appd. Constables last Court qualified.
  • Vol. 1 - MAY 21, 1747. - (198) Saml. Delap appd. Constable, vice Nath. McClure; John Spear, Constable, vice Jno. Trimble; James Galespy, Constable, vice Wm. Wright; Ro. Ramsey, Constable, vice Thos Black; Alexr. McCroskie, Constable, vice Charles Hays; John Erwin, Constable, vice James Hogshead; James Hogart and Wallace Ashton, Constables, vice James Maies; Thos. Cohoon and David Miller, Constables, on Roan Oke; Archd. Hamilton and David Stevenson, Constables, vice Danl. Deniston; James Slone, Constable, vice James Hony; Geo. Draper, Peter Rentfro and James Cohoon, Constables, vice Humb. Lyon; John Ramsey, Constable, vice Wm. Guy; James Beard and John Maggot, Constables, vice Adam Miller; Andrew Scot, Constable, vice John Ramsey; John Campbell, Constable, vice Ro. Givin; John Leath, Constable, vice Elisha Job; Valentine Sevear, Constable, vice Wm. Carroll; John States, Constable, vice James Robinson; Ro. Montgomerie and John McClintin, Constables, vice Wm. Scot.
  • Page 311.--13th August, 1747. Wm. Beverley to Wm. Henderson, £72.9.0 current money Virginia; 1,415 acres in Beverley Manor on a branch of Black's Creek; corner to Robt. Cunningham; corner to George Caldwell's land; corner to Wm. Thompson's land; on Christian's Creek; George Rutlidge's line; Thomas Black's land. Teste: James Crawford, John Linn John Mitchell. Proved by all, 19th August, 1747.
  • Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 29,1749. - (288) Thomas Black added to tithables.
  • Page 823.--31st March, 1750. Thomas Henderson, planter, of Albemarle, to Wm. Beverley, 391 acres, in Beverley Manor; corner Jno. Davison, Christie's Creek, Thos. Black's line. Teste: Richard Pringle, Jno. Rutlidge.
  • Page 826.--3d April, 1750. Wm. Beverley to George Rutledge, planter, 440 acres in Beverley Manor: corner James Armstrong, Christie's Creek; corner Thos. Black and Wm. Henderson. Teste As above.
  • Vol. 2 - LAND ENTRY BOOK NO. 1 - 1750-51, February 28th--John Black's land, vid. William Long. Thomas Black, vid. Rob. McClenachan. (Note: possible relationship with John Black?)
  • Page 127.--21st October, 1754. Robert Mean's will - To John McClung. Money in hands of Edward Thomson and Thomas Thomson. To the said Thomas McClung, the note of James Nilly, which is in hands of Thos. Black; wife a keeping, to said John. Teste: James Gay, Jenot Warrick. Proved, 21st November, 1755, by the witnesses; administration granted Thomas Thompson, nephew and heir-at-law of Robert Means, who qualified with sureties Hugh Hicklin and George Wilson.
  • Page 324.--10th April, 1756. Samuel Black, farmer, and Maxwell McCormick, late of Augusta County. Maxwell, in consideration of his being freed from the service as soldier in the Virginia Regiment by the exchange of Thos. Lane, an indented servant of said Samuel Black, binds himself to Black for five years as labourer. Teste: Thos. ( ) Black.
  • Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER, 1758 (A). - Finley vs. Black.--Same as above against Thomas Black for yearly sum of 20 shillings for 14 years. (Note: this was in reference to a preceding record "Finley vs. Christian" regarding raising money for Rev. John Craig's yearly salary).
  • Page 101.--21st March, 1759. William Henderson and Susanna ( ) to James Henderson, £15, 430 acres, part of 1,415 acres whereon said William now lives, on a branch of Christian's Creek; line of Thos. Black; corner said Black and Robt. Cunningham; George Caldwell's line. Teste: James Mitchell, James Hutchinson. Delivered: James Henderson, November, 1768.
  • Page 104.--21st March, 1759. Wm. Henderson and Susanna ( ) to Jno. Henderson, £20, 200 acres, part of 1,415 as above; Thos. Rutledge's crossing Black's Branch. Teste: James Mitchell. Delivered: Jno. Henderson, March, 1760.
  • Page 331.--17th April, 1761. Robert Cunningham (Coningham) to Walter Davies, £__, 5 sh., in Beverley Manor, on Cedar Spring Run; cor. Thomas Black and Tames Armstrong. 160 acres. Teste: John Cuningham, William Scot, John Davies. Delivered: W. Davis. 9th April, 1796.
  • Page 611.--12th May, 1764. John Davis and Jane to Joshua and Mirian Cloyd, £30, 269 acres in Beverley Manor; corner Thomas Black's land, William Henderson's line, George Rutledge's line; corner James Armstrong's line, oaks at an iron mine.
  • Page 4.--22d May, 1765. Samuel Love and Dorcas to Joseph Love. £10, 44 acres on Black's Run of Christian's Creek, part of 300 acres conveyed by Thos. Black to Samuel, in Beverley Manor; corner James Henderson; corner Joseph's other land. Teste: John Dailey. Wm. Teas, George Francisco.
  • Vol. 2 - FEE BOOKS OF AUGUSTA COURT 1767 - page 21, Thomas Black, Weaver. (?)
  • Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER 21, 1767. - (372) Jurors: Thos. Levasey, James Hill, John Francisco, John Clark, John Caldwell, Robt. Christian, Wm. Black, John Long, Robt. Clark, Alexr. Long, Thos. Black, Jonathan Douglas.
  • Vol. 2 - FEE BOOKS OF AUGUSTA COURT 1768 - page 107, Thomas Black, weaver.
  • Vol. 1 - MAY 23, 1768. - (253) Mary Lawson, a servant of Thomas Black, was imported in the ship Harriot, Captain Thomas Herdman, and arrived 15 Sept., 1766. Her indenture was lost when Sampson and George Mathews's store was broken open September, 1767.
  • Vol. 1 - NOVEMBER, 1770 (A). - Thomas Stewart vs. Thomas Black.--Petition on account dated 1766.
  • Vol. 2 - FEE BOOKS OF AUGUSTA COURT 1774- Page 13, Thomas Black, weaver
References
  1. Johnson and Dunning appear to be servants, rather than family members.
  2. Most, if not all of these records seem to relate to Thomas (15). If records for a different Thomas Black are included, it is not obvious.