|
|
James Falls, Sr., of Botetourt County, VA
Facts and Events
Advisory
Note: the family of James Falls, Sr. of Botetourt County, Virginia has been inaccurately described in "Botetourt County Virginia Heritage" by S. Grose, with several very obvious factual date errors, and those errors have been duplicated on several Ancestry and internet genealogies. It is highly suggested that primary records be consulted to determine the correct makeup of the family of James Falls, Sr. Some of those primary records which refute "Botetourt County Virginia Heritage" have been included on these pages. Additional research is likely needed.
References
- Grose, S. Botetourt County Virginia Heritage
pg. 117-118.
- CAUTION: this article has several very obvious factual date errors, confusing James Falls and his son James, but has been included to show other researchers the article in question that has likely caused some researchers to mis-construct this family.
JAMES FALLS
James Falls was born in Scotland in abt. 1765 . The last name was originally McFalls which was eventually shortened to Falls. His father was John Falls, also of Scotland. James Falls first settled in Pennsylvania and later moved to Virginia after the American Revolution and the threat of Indian attacks were over.
In Virginia he settled in Botetourt County where he purchased land (Deed Book 11, Page 83) and married Eleanor, she was born abt. 1769 in Virginia, in 1790.
James Falls is listed as voting at the Court House in Fincastle, Virginia in the election held for the General Assembly (qualified voters, i.e. male property owners), in 1792. James Falls died abt. 1814 , that being the year the inventory was made and probated in the Botetourt Court. The will of James Falls is in Will Book E, Page 196 and the inventory of his possessions is in Will Book C, Page 56, settlements are found in Will Book C, Pages 433-434.
The children of James Falls and Eleanor, his wife, are all born in Botetourt County: 1. John Falls, b. 1779; 2. Peter Falls, b. 1785; 3. Elizabeth Falls, b. 1793; 4. Cassandra Falls, b. 1802; 5. Polly Falls, b. 1804; 6. Rachel Falls, b. 1806 ; 7. Joseph Falls, b. 1808; 8. Benjamin Falls, b. 1810.
Peter Falls, the second son, ends up owning the majority of the property that once belonged to his father, James Falls. This land lies between the Looney Mill Creek and Back Creek. The original Falls home still stands on Back Creek today. Most of this property is what became the village of Lithia. When Peter Falls dies in 1849, his property is divided among his children, which is recorded in Deed Book 42, Pages 514-518.
The Falls family attended the Mill Creek Baptist Church until 1849 when they asked to be released to form a church at Pleasant Hill on Back Creek which later will be named Lithia Baptist Church.
[Additional information on Peter Falls children is contained in this record]
- Obviously the birth dates of James and his wife and marriage date listed are problematic with the birthdates listed of their children. The James Falls that died in 1814 in Botetourt County appears to be the SON of this James Falls according to several Ancestry Trees and other sources. Also, daughter Rachel Falls was born several years prior to the date indicated in this publication.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).
- United States. 1810 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M252).
Name: James Falls
Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Botetourt, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 5
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 2 [b. 1765 or before]
Free White Persons - Females - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44: 1 [b. 1766-1784]
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over: 1 [b. 1765 or before]
Number of Household Members Under 16: 4
Number of Household Members Over 25: 4
Number of Household Members: 14
- United States. 1820 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M33).
Name: James Falls
Home in 1820 (City, County, State): Botetourt, Virginia
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over: 3 [b. 1775 or before]
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over: 2 [b. 1775 or before]
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture: 2
Free White Persons - Under 16: 1
Free White Persons - Over 25: 5
Total Free White Persons: 8
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 8
- United States. 1830 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication M19).
Name: James Falls Senior
Home in 1830 (City, County, State): Botetourt, Virginia
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 70 thru 79: 1 [b. 1751-1760]
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 70 thru 79: 1 [b. bet. 1751-1760]
Free White Persons - Under 20: 2
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 3
Total Free White Persons: 7
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 7
|
|
