Person:John Snodgrass (9)

John Snodgrass was one of the Early Settlers of Augusta County, Virginia

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http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=charlou10&id=I23290&ti=5538

ID: I23290 Name: John Snodgrass Given Name: John Surname: Snodgrass Sex: M Note:

LAND RECORDS

Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Book 9, page 319: John Snodgrass & wife Mary, & other heirs of Henry Holstein, to Richard Summerfield; 218 acres on Craigs Creek, Jul 1807.

Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Book 9, page 362: John Snodgrass to Abraham Niday; 27 acres; $20; on the waters of Stone Run, a Branch of Craig Creek; on line of John Niday; part of a tract of 157 acres of land granted to the sd. Snodgrass bearing date 19 Aug 1804; no witnesses, but acknowledged in court by John Snodgrass; recorded 13 Oct 1807.

Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Book 9, page 362: John Snodgrass to John Niday; 23 acres; $50; Craig's Creek; part of his 157 acre grant dated 1 Aug 1804; recorded 13 Oct 1807.

Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Book 9, page 363: John Snodgrass to Joseph Paxton; 50 acres; part of his 157 acre grant; $30; no witnesses, but acknowledged in court by John Snodgrass; recorded 13 Oct 1807.

BOTETOURT COUNTY, VIRGINIA, COURT CASE

[Charlou Dolan's note: All pre-1812 Botetourt Co., VA, Court records were severely damaged by being stored in cardboard boxes pushed up against the concrete walls in the basement of the courthouse. When this was discovered, they were sent to the Virginia State Archives in Richmond, where they are "closed files," i.e. they are not available for researchers to see without the permission of the Botetourt Co. Court Clerk. A fellow researcher and good friend of mine got the necessary permission and was able to look at the records. Unfortunately, he discovered that their condition is so bad, just lifting one sheet away from the others destroys it. He reported that the only way to save them would be to microfilm them at the same time that they are being separated. The following early court case survived, however, because the case continued for such a long period of time that it was stored with later records. It is now available in the courthouse if you go there in person. When my mother and I were there (about 1987), I borrowed an old typewriter and typed up all the pertinent genealogical information from the file. The papers in the file were far too extensive to allow me to type every word, and the copying charges were too high for me to afford to copy all the pages. Not all the documents are dated, but I have done my best to put them in a reasonably chronologicaly order. One more note of interest: In legal cases such as this, the heirs are listed in birth order (not in the summons, but in the indentures, etc.)]

Botetourt Co., VA Chancery 1, Box 1 of 7, 1812-1830 Folder #5, Henry Holstine Administrators vs. Richard Summerfield's Representatives & Cross-Bill (loose papers):

John Snodgrass went to South Caroline with Stephen Holstine & Henry Holstine Jr. to talk to Wm. Plummer, a potential witness in the case.

13 May 1790 -- Hugh Means signed a deposition about the case.

"This Indenture made in the year of Christ 1807 between Stephen Holstine & Jane his wife Hugh Caldwell & Ruth Caldwell his wife & John Snodgrass & Mary his wife Henry Holstine & Margrate Holstine his wife & Rachel Holstine all & each of Botetourt...also Moses Looney and Sarah Looney his wife & Micajah Adams & Elizabeth Adams his wife & Robert McCorkle & Massey McCorkle his wife of the state of Tennessee all of the one part & Richard Summerfield of the county of Botetourt...of the other part." The McCorkles signed in Roane Co., TN. The Looneys signed in Knox Co., TN. The Adams signed in Sullivan Co., TN.

"To the worshipfull the county court of Botetourt in Chancery sitting. The supplemental bill of Henry Holstein exor. of Henry Holstein decd. shows that in order to comply with the decrees entered in this cause it is necessary that the heirs at law & widow of the said Henry Holstein decd should be parties to this suit he therefore prays that Jane Holstein the wife and John Holstein & Patsey his wife Robert McClanahan & Mary his wife Stephen Holstein and Jane his wife William Bradford & Elizabeth his wife Henry Holstein & Sarah his wife Peter Holstein and Elizabeth his wife Thomas Holstein & Matilda his wife Ramson Hodge & Mersey his wife & David Holstein & Elizabeth his wife the children the said John Mary Stephen Elizabeth Henry Peter Thomas Mercy & David being the children of Stephen Holstein decd who was one of the children of said Henry Holstein decd & Sarah Looney the widow of Moses Looney also a child of the said Henry decd & John Snodgrass the husband of Mary Snodgrass who was also a child of the said Henry decd & Abraham Nidy & Susannah his wife Hugh Means & Sarah his wife Henry Snodgrass & Jane his wife James Davis & Elizabeth his wife the said Susannah Sarah Henry & Elizabeth being the children of the said John & Mary Snodgrass & Hugh Caldwell the husband of Ruth Caldwell decd who was also a child of the said Henry decd & Stephen Caldwell & Elizabeth his wife Elijah Crawford & Mary his wife Henry Caldwell & Mary his wife Thomas Reynolds & Sarah his wife Thomas Drummond & Elizabeth his wife Ephriam Simmons & Ruth his wife Hugh Caldwell & Lucretia his wife James Caldwell & Jane his wife William Carson & Mercy his wife Charles Wright & Unice his wife Abraham Wolf & Margaret his wife the said Stephen Mary Henry Sarah Elizabeth Ruth Hugh James Mercy Unice & Margaret being children of the said Hugh & Ruth & Micajah Adams & Elizabeth his wife the said Elizabeth being a child of the said Henry deced. & Robert McCorkle & Mercey his wife & Rachael Holstein the said Mercy & Rachael being also children of the said Henry decd be made defdts to this bill & compelled on oath to answer the same & that conveyance according to the terms of the decree." The various heirs answer the above complaint, with signatures, including Joseph K. Pitzer, guardian of Henry Holstein & Jacob Holstein, infant children of David Holstein, decd.

Assorted depositions concerning the land, which was lived on first by Gasper Server, then by John Snodgrass, trying to determine how much rent was owed to Summerfield. Gasper Server lived on the land until 1791. John Snodgrass lived on the land then until 1801. About 1797 John Snodgrass cleared an additional 5 acres.

Deposition of James Davis: "...when he first became acquainted with the land cleared by Summerfield which was occupied by John Snodgrass which was the Spring after the great flood which was about the year 1795 as well as he recollects--the fencing was not very good & was not during his acquaiantance with it." Question by the plaintiff "As you worked the land occupied by John Snodgrass what do you think the rest was worth per acre while it was occupied by Snodgrass" Ansr. "I could not think the old ground on the average worth more than one dollar per acre--the new ground he did not work himself but thinks if a man paid ten shillings per acre for that he would have paid enough--he thinks Snodgrass left the place in the year 1801." Quest-- by M Commissioner "do you know by whose authority Snodgrass took possession of that land" Ans. "I know not of my own knowledge I heard Snodgrass say it was by the authority of old Mr. Holston who is now decd."

Deposition of Nimrod Crawford: "...there is a part of the place he never seen & knows nothing about but he has seen the new field & the field where the old house stood which joined the land formerly Hugh Means's--he considered the field where the old house stood poor land & then when occupied by John Snodgrass worth in rent one dollar per acre & the new field worth in rent ten shillings per acre."

Deposition of Hugh Means: "...do you know by what authority John Snodgrass took posession of the land claimed by Summerfield" Answr: "I do not know of my own knowledge but have understood that Henry Holston Decd put him in possession of that land." Quest. "...Do you know of cordwood being cut on that land & coal burned on it while in possission of John Snodgrass" answr: "I do know of the burning of a coal pit..." "...was the bottom between where John Summerfield lived & the creek cleared by John Snodgrass" ansr. "My father & my self cleared the most of what was clear at that time in that little bottom..."

Deposition of John Snodgrass: question by James Davis on behalf of the Plaintiff "did you not make a great deal of fencing which was taken away by the big flood in the Creek" answer "the side of the upper field next the Creek the fence was taken away I think I made & put two new rails to... rail he thinks there was 7 acres in the field & the fence was made five or six rails high and I think the Creek took about 40 penals of the fence of the lower field at the old house the greater part of this fence in repairing it was new rails"

[The rent was finally agreed upon, but then the parties disagreed as to whether there should be interest paid on the unpaid rent.]

At Botetourt February Court 1828: "The Defendants, Robert McClanahan & Mary his wife, Ramson Hodge & Mary his wife, Sarah Looney, Henry Snodgrass and Jane his wife, Elijah Crawford and Mary his wife, Hugh Caldwell and Lucretia his wife, Micaja Adams and Elizabeth his wife, and Robert McCorkle and Mary his wife, not having entered their appearance... it appearing... that they are not inhabitants of this commonwealth... it is ordered that the said defendants do appear here on the second Monday in June next..."

In Chancery: "The defendants, Thomas Holstine and Matilda his wife, James Davis & Elizabeth his wife, Henry Caldwell and Mercey his wife, Thomas Reynolds and Sarah his wife, Margaret Holstine (widow of Henry Holstine decd) Henry Holstine, Mary Holstine, Mercy Looney, John Greenlee and Ruth his wife, and Absalom Summerfield, not having entered their appearance... not inhabitants of this Commonwealth... ordered... to appear here on the first day of the next April Court..."

1 Mar 1833 -- Summons: "Margaret Summerfield, Elijah Summerfield, Samuel Summerfield, Charles Wright & Unice his wife, Elizabeth Summerfield, John Summerfield, Joseph Carper, Benjamin Carper, Jane Holstein (widow of Stephen Holstine decd) William Bradford & Elizabeth his wife, John Snodgrass, Abram Niday & Susannah his wife, Hugh Means and Sarah his wife, Hugh Caldwell, Thomas Drummond & Elizabeth his wife, James Caldwell & Jane his wife, Stephen Holstine & Elizabeth his wife, Sarah Caldwell, Ann Holstine, & Rachel Holstine... to answer a bill in chancery...against them et al by Francis T. Anderson adtor. [= administrator] of Henry Holstine decd..."

1 Mar 1833 -- Summons: to the sheriff of Giles Co.: "...summon Benjamin Summerfield, Sarah Summerfield, Stephen Holstine and Jane his wife & Hugh Holstine and Sarah his wife... to appear before the justices of our County Court of Botetourt..."

29 May 1834 -- Summons: to the sheriff of Kanawha Co.: "...summon Jane Holstine widow of Stephen Holstine decd John Holstine & Patsy his wife Henry Holstine and Sarah his wife Peter Holstine & Elizabeth his wife David Holstine and Elizabeth his wife Henry Snodgrass and Jane his wife...to appear before the Justices of our county court of Botetourt Co..."

30 May 1834 -- Summons: to the sheriff of Botetourt Co.: "...John Doss & Margaret his wife formerly Margaret Summerfield ___ Francisco & Elizabeth his wife formerly Elizh. Summerfield Wm Bradford & Elizth his wife Stephen Holstine Sarah Summerfield & Samuel Summerfield & Sarah Reynolds, Jane Holstine wife of Stephen Holstine..."

Jul 1834 -- Receipt from Francis T. Anderson, admr. of Henry Holstein decd to the sheriff of Kanawha county "for serving subpoena in chancery from Botetourt county court; on Jane, John, Patsy, Henry, Sarah, Peter, Elizabeth, David & Elizabeth Holstein, & Henry & Jane Snodgrass..."

10 Sep 1834 -- Summons: to the sheriff of Monroe Co.: "...summon Philip Summerfield, Robert Wilson & Jane his wife George Holstine & Delilah his wife..."

10 Sep 1834 -- Summons: to the sheriff of Giles Co.: "...summon Benjm. Summerfield, Elijah Summerfield, Benjan. Simmons & Sarah his wife Benjn. Summerfield adtor of James Summerfield decd. Hugh Holstine & Sarah his wife & Momas ? J. Holstine Infant children of James Summerfield..."

10 Sep 1834 -- Summons: to the sheriff of Alleghany Co.: "...summon Ephraim Simmons and Ruth his wife Wilson Carsan and Mary his wife Abraham Wolf & wife..."

Dec 1834 -- in Giles Co., VA: Answer of Hugh Holstine and Sarah his wife, grandchildren of the first Henry Holstine decd -- "they have never claimed the title to the land, and are ready to give over any such claim provided the 50 pounds sterling are paid."

Answer of Thomas J. Holstine, grandson of Henry Holstine "...no knowledge of case..."

Feb 1835 -- Final decree: List of heirs of Henry Holstine: "Ephraim Simmons & Ruth his wife; Abraham Wolf & Margaret his wife, William Carson & Miles? Carson infant son of William & Mary Carson said William Carson guardian thereto; Hugh Holstine & Sarah his wife; Stephen Caldwell... absent defendents... Sarah Looney, Micajah Adams & Elizabeth his wife, Robert McCorkle & Mary his wife, Robert McClanahan & Mary his wife, Thomas Holstine & Matilda his wife, Randsom Hodge & Mary his wife, Margaret Holstine, Henry Holstine, John Greenlee & Ruth his wife, Mercy Looney, James Davis & Elizabeth his wife, Elijah Crawford & Elizabeth his wife, Henry Caldwell & Mary his wife, Thomas Reynolds..." List of heirs of Richard Summerfield, decd: "William Summerfield, Sarah Summerfield, Robert Wilson & Jean his wife, ___ Francisco & Elizabeth his wife, John Doss & Margaret his wife, Philip Summerfield, Joseph Carper, and Benjamin Carper..." [Charlou's note: I believe some of the heirs were dropped from the suit because of their failure to show up at the hearings.]

Birth: in probably, Virginia Father: William Snodgrass Mother: Isabelle McClanahan b: 15 MAY 1723

Marriage 1 Mary Holstein or Holstine Married: Children

Sarah Snodgrass b: ABT 1779 in Catawba, South Carolina

Henry Snodgrass b: ABT 1781 in Virginia

Susannah Snodgrass b: in probably, Botetourt Co., Virginia

Elizabeth Snodgrass b: in probably, Botetourt Co., Virginia

1. ↑ ^1.0 1.1 Ancestry.com. Public Member Trees: (Note: not considered a reliable primary source).

   http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/6609074/person/6007319501
   Note: obvious errors with two listed children.