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James Flanagan, I
d.Jun 1752 Louisa County Virginia
Family tree▼ (edit)
m. Abt 1747
Facts and Events
Research notes by Rebecca Thames-Simmons To date, James Flanagan's first documented records in Virginia are 1743 to 1745. We find him in Francis Jerdone's merchant ledger in the following entries: [No Folio number provided]; description says "Hanover County 1743; Sundries Dr to Balance, being a list of Debts due to the Cargo belonging to Neill Buchanan, Esq. in London, 1st October." There is more information in the original ledger, but the transcriber did not include it. The transcribed entry says, Flanekan, James - By Adam Chisholm" [2] What does this mean? Debits to a Balance, in accounting terms, means someone paid on an account due. So the way to interpret this is that Adam Chisholm paid on James Flanekan's account. So James had purchased goods from Neill Buchanan's shipment (presumably from London to Virginia) sometime before 1 Oct 1743, and his bill was paid by Adam Chisholm. [Folio 75] Hanover County [Folio 99] Hanover County [Folio 144] Hanover County 1745 Contra Oct 1 By Ballance As we can see, James Flanagan and Francis Whittle were acquainted to such a degree that Francis assumed James's balance by August of 1745. James made a purchase on March 22 1743/4 (this is how it is written in the ledger and likely has something to do with the Julian/Gregorian calendar differences). The store that Francis Jerdone kept the ledger for was in Hanover County, VA. It should be remembered that Louisa County was formed from Hanover County in 1742. 25 Mar 1745 - James Flanikin/Flainkin and Fr. Whiteele/Whitell are witnesses to a deed between Francis Smithson and George Gibson (Louisa Co VA Deed Book A p 173-174).[6] 25 Mar 1745 - James Flanikin witnesses a deed between George Gibson and William Dollithan.[7] James received two land grants in 1747, one for 250 acres and another for an adjoining 400 acres. Regarding the 250 acre grant, it was surveyed for James on 21 Nov 1744 [8]. The survey (plat) for the 400 acre tract known to most researchers is not in this book. The eastern border of the 400 acre tract was shared with the western border of land that Francis Whittall acquired from James Stuart sometime between 1735 and 1742. See "Whittle Flanagan's Red Hill - A Study" in the Images tab. To obtain land grants, one did not need influence; one only needed to inhabit and improve the land or pay treasury rights of 5 shillings for every 50 acres (Source: [1]). We don't yet know by what means he came to Virginia. Was he born here? There were Flanagans in Princess Anne County by the late 1600's. Maybe he arrived as an indentured servant? Or was he in fact the James Flanagan who, along with Bridget Flanagan, were "deported" to the Colonies from Ireland in 1743? This last option is highly doubtful, in my opinion; the record comes from Ireland and it does not state where in the American Colonies they were sent. James Flanagan's place of birth is unknown, and the long-standing error that he was born about 1724 has been proven incorrect by Primary Sources which are Original and which are also Direct Evidence (cited in Sources). There has been little need for Secondary Sources or Indirect Evidence, but I have collected all that information as well. I have spent countless hours over the past decade or so researching James who died 1752, his son James W. who died 1838, and James W.'s son John. This research includes physical trips to Richmond (both the Library of Virginia and the Virginia Historical Society), the Virginia Genealogical Society, and I have also extensively researched James (d. 1752)'s other son named James who was born in 1730 and who lived in Bedford and Pittsylvania Counties, VA. Even Dr. Edward Latane Flanagan's (1882-1965) research papers mention the second son named James, but you have to study all his papers, not just the primary summary about him. Dr. Flanagan did not research this second son named James (b. 1730), but I did. If he had, he too would have discovered that James Flanagan (d. 1752) was born much earlier than 1724-ish. I photographed all Dr. Flanagan's pages pertaining to James d. 1752 and James d. 1838 in 2010. Don't get met wrong - Dr. Edward Latane Flanagan is my hero! In his papers, he admits to gaps and inconsistencies and he encourages future researchers to take up the torch and fill in the gaps, and I'm so glad I have done that! Because he had two sons named James, it explains why his 1752 will contains more legacies to "James" than to the other children. It's unfortunate he didn't specify which James he was making the individual legacies to, because it would have cleared up a lot of confusion that's perpetuated for decades. Someone has claimed that James was born in County Roscommon Ireland in 1724 (25?), but if that record is correct (and that source record has not been added here), that James cannot be the same James Flanagan who married Sevena Whittle, because of the son born in 1730, also named James. End of research notes by RTS - updated 2 Aug 2022 Sources ↑ "Source; Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 34 p 189" ↑ Source: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 35 p 326 ↑ Source: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 36 p 100 ↑ Source: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 38 p 53 ↑ Louisa County VA Deed Book A pp 173-174 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-433B-B?i=97&cat=281398 ↑ Louisa County VA Deed Book A pp 173-174 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-433B-B?i=97&cat=281398 ↑ Louisa Surveyors Book 1742-1860, familysearch.org film no. 1993668, DGS 7842568, page 27 Source: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 35 p 326 Source: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 36 p 100 Source: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 38 p 53 Louisa County VA Deed Book O pp 385-386 Louisa County VA Deed Book O pp 367-370 Louisa County VA Deed Book P pp 462-463 Louisa County VA Deed Book Q pp 26-27 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Below is research by my 1/2 2nd cousin once removed, Michael R. Mathews Contact: Michael Mathews Written and compiled by Michael R. Mathews, descendant of David Webster Flanagan · ID: I225 · Name: James FLANAGAN · Sex: M · Birth: JUN 1725 in Louisa Co., Virginia · Death: JUN 1752 in Louisa Co., Virginia · HIST: A merchant's account book Hanover Co. Virginia 1744-1745 · HIST: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy Vol. 36 Num 2 Spring 1998 p.100 · HIST: Flanikan, James..............folio 144................By Francis Whittle -/-/- · HIST: A merchant's account book Hanover Co. Virginia 1743 · HIST: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy Vol. 34 Num 3 Summer 1996 p.187 · HIST: Flanekan, James..............................By Adam Chisholm · HIST: Whittle, Francis · HIST: A merchant's account book Hanover Co. Virginia 1743-4 · HIST: Magazine of Virginia Genealogy Vol. 35 Num 4 Fall 1997 p.326 · HIST: Flanikan, James in Louisa · HIST: March 22 1 pr Bellows, rum, 1 buck horn handle knife, 1 dozen awl blades, 1 ivory comb, sugar; · HIST: 1744 Contra By balance. · Note: In 1747, James received a land grant of 400 acres in Louisa Co., Virginia from King George II. He probably did not live on this track. The property was divided among three sons, Ambrose, Whittle and James, each with 133 1/3 acres. Whittle and his wife, Judith, made their home there and probably built the home called Red Hill. It is a story and a half frame house with a brick basement. It has a gabled roof with three dormer windows, massive free-standing, brick, end chimneys, a small four-columned front portico and six-over-six windows on the first floor. It was passed down through Whittle's daughter Elizabeth, and in1873 to her daughter, Julia. Julia deeded it to her daughter, Ida, in 1911. In 1964, Ida deeded it to two of her children, Ruby and Graham. When I visited in 1986, Ruby and her niece Sarah Amick (Graham’s daughter) and her husband J.R. Amick still lived in the house. · Note: ID: I29231 Reference Number: 29231 Name: James Flanagan 1 Sex: M Change Date: 08 APR 2000 Birth: BEF 1726 1 Death: 01 JUN 1752-20 JUN 1752 in Louisa County, Virginia Note: when his will was first written, then proved 1Marriage 1 Sevena Whittall Married: ABT 1747 1Children1. Ambrose Flanagan b: ABT 1747 in prob. Louisa County, Virginia2. Whittle Flanagan b: 18 NOV 1749 in prob. Louisa County,Virginia3. Mary Flanagan b: ABT 1751 in prob. Louisa County, Virginia4. James Flanagan b: BEF 01 JUN 1752 in prob. Louisa County, Virginia Sources: 1.Title: Edward Latane' Flanagan Papers, 1871-1965, Number: Mss1F6135 Abrev: Flanagan, E. Latane Papers Author: Flanagan, Edward Latane' Note: 1202 sheets organized by surnames Repository: Name: Virginia Historical Society Note: Mon-Sat 10-5 Call Number: Mss1 F6135 a Page: Flanagan Folder · Note: ID: I29227 Reference Number: 29227 Name: James Flanagan 1 2 Name: James Flanagan Junior 1 Name: James Flanagan Senior 1 Sex: M Change Date: 07 May 1999 Birth: BEF 01 JUN 1752 in prob. Louisa County, Virginia 1 Death: 10 APR 1838 in Fluvanna County, Virginia Note: when he was thrown from a horse 1Father: James Flanagan b: BEF 1726 Mother: Sevena Whittall Marriage 1 Phoebe Ann Simpson b: 09 APR 1756 in Albemarle County, Virginia Married: 17 APR 1777 1Children1. Susan Flanagan b: ABT 1780 in Stony Point, Albemarle County,Virginia2. William Flanagan b: 08 JUN 1782 in Stony Point, Albemarle County, Virginia3. James W. Flannagan b: 1783 in Stony Point, Albemarle County,Virginia4. Phoebe Flanagan b: 1789 in prob. Albemarle County, Virginia.. Simpson B. Flannagan b: May 1793 in Stony Point, Albemarle County, Virginia6. Samuel Flannagan b: May 1793 in Stony Point, Albemarle County, Virginia7. John Flanagan b: 1795 in Stony Point, Albemarle County, Virginia Marriage 2 Mary Bowles Married: 15 May 1805 in Amherst County, Virginia Note: though this is the same date as his son's, William's, marriage, in a different county, to his wife's daughter1Sources: 1. Title: Edward Latane' Flanagan Papers, 1871-1965, Number: Mss1F6135 Abrev: Flanagan, E. Latane' Paper's Author: Flanagan, Edward Latane' Note: 1202 sheets organized by surnames Repository: Name: Virginia Historical Society Note: Mon-Sat 10-5Call Number: Mss1 F6135 a Page: Flanagan Folder 2.Title: Edward Latane' Flanagan Papers, 1871-1965, Number: Mss1F6135 Abrev: Flanagan, E. Latane' Papers Author: Flanagan, Edward Latane' Note: 1202 sheets organized by surnames Repository: Name: Virginia Historical Society Note: Mon-Sat 10-5Call Number: Mss1 F6135 Page: Payne Folder · Change Date: 16 SEP 2001 Marriage 1 Sevena WHITTLE b: ABT 1725 ·Married: 1747 in Louisa Co, Virginia Children 1. Whittle FLANAGAN b: 18 NOV 1749 in Louisa Co, Virginia 2. James FLANAGAN 3. Ambrose FLANAGAN b: ABT 1747 in Louisa Co., Virginia 4. Mary FLANAGAN b: ABT 1751 in Louisa Co., Virginia From the papers of Edward Latane Flanagan, M.D., compiled in 1962. on file at the Virginia Historical Society, Richmond VA The first record of James Flanagan of Louisa County, Virginia, is found in the Fredericksville Parish Vestry, Book, 29 July 1747, and states, “That Samuel Dalton and James Flanagan do procession the lands from Nick Meriwether’s (I’ am not sure that name is right) line (?) Mountain and this county line to Cuffy’s (?) Creek.” (a) In the next month, August 20, he obtained two tracts of land in Louisa County from Lieut. Governor Gooch, issued at Williamsburg, one containing 400 acres “on both sides of north fork of Hudson’s Creek for forty shillings of good and lawful money”, and a second tract of 250 acres for “twenty shillings of good and lawful money beginning at the said Flanagan’s corner pine in Sylvanus Morris’ line …. crossing three branches of Bunche’s Creek …. and white oak “saplins” in said Flanagan’s line ….”. (b) These two tracts of land constituted the total land holdings in James Flanagan’s estate.(c) It is supposedItalic text that James Flanagan came from Ireland to America as a child with his parents. If this is true, no record has been found by this writer to establish such a tradition. The surname indicates Irish origin, but unfortunately the parentage and identity of James Flanagan before 1747 has not been made available, and therefore no positive statements of his heritage can be given. “At a Vestry held for Fredericksville Parish ye 5th day of June 1749, Ordered that James Flanakin be appointed Sexton of the Middle Church in the room of Wilmoth Davis, and that his wages commence the 20th of May last”, (a) and “At a Vestry held for Fredericksville Parish ye 25 October 1749, To James Flanakin for officiating as Sexton of the Middle Church till the 20th of May next, 500 pounds of Tobacco.” (a) There were similar entries on 28 Novbr 1750; 27 Novbr 1751; 29 Novbr 1752, and then on 10th day Decbr 1753, “To Edward Lane as Sexton of Middle Church, 500 lbs. Tobacco.”(a). James Flanagan died June 1752.(c) Due to the variations in the spelling of the name Flanagan in the records of Louisa, Albemarle and Fluvanna Counties, it is easy to assume that the above entries concerning James Flanakin could readily be James Flanagan. No other name like this has been found in the records of Louisa County to contradict such a conclusion. While there is speculation about the birthplace of James Flanagan, our earliest Virginia ancestor, there are some facts about him that can be established. It is clear from his will that he lived in Fredericksville Parish, Louisa County, and he married Sevena ? and had four children, three boys and one girl. The names of the boys were Ambrose, Whittle and James, and the name of the girl was Mary, who was probably named for her aunt Whittall (Whittle).(c, d) It seems logical to conclude from the will of Francis Whittall, 1st February 1750(d) that he was the grandfather of James Flanagan’s children as he mention ns “land to be equally divided between James Flanagan’s two sons Ambrose and Whitall.” (It is very probable that James, the brother of Ambrose and Whittle, was not then born.) If that be so, then the wife of James Flanagan was the daughter of Frances Whittall (Whittle.) It is not known to the writer where James and Sevena Whittall (Whittle) were married. His children were young when he died and he probably established his residence in Louisa County in 1747 when he purchased the two tracts of probably land mentioned above if he had not already so before. Louisa County was formed from Hanover County in 1742, and if James Flanagan was living in the latter county at that time, no record has been disclosed to establish that fact. Since his children were so young when he died, it is concluded he was not a man of advanced age. Tradition says that his widow married a man by the name of Lane who was not very kind to the Flanagan children. The place of his burial (supposedly in Louisa County) is not identified. His will is dated 1st of June 1752, and probated in Louisa County Court, 20 June 1752,(c) and an inventory of his personal estate is recorded in the Clerk’s Office of Louisa County, 24 July 1753.(e) References: a.Louisa County, Fredericksville Parish Vestry Book, 1742-1787. b.Patents No. 28, 1746-1749, pp. 127. 150, Louisa Co., State Library c.Louisa Co., WB No. 1, p. 25 d.Louisa Co., WB No. 1, p. 24 e.Louisa Co., Inventory Book, 1743-1790, p. 27 August 1964 Edward Latane Flanagan References
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