If you missed my post about Nicholas Vaughan’s father William Vaughan, check it out here:
https://asonofvirginia.blog/2023/01/18/william-vaughan-c-1625-c-1694/
Nicholas Vaughan was born in Charles City County, Virginia probably during the early 1670s[1], the youngest of seven sons born to William (c.1625 – c.1694) and his wife Sarah (———-) Vaughan (c.1634 – aft. 1694). His father wrote his will on 24 March 1692/3 (this was the last day of the calendar year back then), leaving Nicholas and his six brothers an equal share of his land, which amounted to 169 aces each. Nicholas also inherited “one bay mare called Fanny with all her increase except the first mare filly she brings which filly I give William the son of my son William without her increase.” He also received “one musket I bought of Henry Chemnis [probably his neighbor Henry Chumings] and after my wife’s death and my own, one Indian boy called Will for fifteen years. If the said Indian boy serves the said term [he is] to be free and that my son Nicholas give the said Indian boy one gun at the expiration of his time and let him have what ground he can lend out of his part of my land.”[2] His father’s will was proven at court on 4 June 1694. On 30 May 1696, Nicholas Overby, Sr. [father of Nicholas Overby, Jr. who witnessed William Vaughan’s 1692 will, was security for William’s widow Sarah Vaughan as executrix and was almost certainly their son-in-law] made his will in Charles City County. It stated, “to my godson Nicholas Vaughan, at the proving of this my will and testament, one short trading gun.”[3]
Prince George County Formed
In 1703, the portion of Charles City County south of the James River became Prince George County and Nicholas Vaughan and his brothers land fell into the new county. All seven brothers were listed on the 1704 quit rent (tax) roll for the new Prince George County:[4]
Jno Vaughan 169 acres
Samll Vaughan 169 acres
Danll Vaughan 169 acres
James Vaughan 169 acres
Richd Vaughan 309 acres*
Wm Vaughan 309 acres*
Nicho Vaughan 169 acres
* Brothers William and Richard Vaughan jointly patented 281 acres lying in Charles City County on the Moncusneck Main Swamp, adjacent Thomas Low and Hatcher’s Run. This area also became part of Prince George County in 1703.This accounts for the difference in acreage held by these brothers as half of 281 is 140.5 plus 169 equals 309 acres.[5]
Prince George County appears on the Library of Virginia’s list of counties that have experienced catastrophic records loss. Most court records were destroyed in 1782 during the Revolutionary War and again in 1864 during the Civil War. Only a few volumes that record deeds, court orders, and wills exist. What follows is what I could find about Nicholas Vaughan.
On 8 November 1715, Nicholas Vaughan served on a Prince George County grand jury. On 14 January 1717, a suit by Randal Platt against Nicholas Vaughan was dismissed for failure to prosecute.[6]
A Move and A Wife Revealed
Two deeds recorded at a 14 July 1719 Prince George County Court session tell us Nicholas Vaughan moved within Prince George County about 1719. First, Nicholas sold the 169 acres he had inherited from his father to Thomas Hardaway [bounded by the Appomattox and William Low’s land]. We also learn he was married as his wife Ann relinquished her dower right. Second, Nicholas Vaughan bought 232 acres from John Banister [bounded by John Bannister’s Lower line on Hatcher’s Run, then up the same to the mouth of Oquitts Branch].[7] The portion of Prince George County containing Hatcher’s Run has been in Dinwiddie County since it was formed 1752. Nicholas Vaughan was one of several Vaughan relations living all around the general area. Today Hatcher’s Run crosses Vaughan Road, which turns into Old Stage Road, which intersects with Old Vaughan Road.
Deed between John Banister and Nicholas Vaughan who purchased 232 acres on Hatcher’s Run in 1719
Inset of Map of Virginia – Petersburg City, Prince George and Dinwiddie County. Hatcher’s Run to lower left marked with the blue and white pin.[8]
A survey conducted for his neighbor John West on 11 March 1720/1 on the north side of Hatcher’s Run was noted as adjoining Nicholas Vaughan’s land.[9] In 1727 Nicholas Vaughan and his neighbor James Hudson were ordered to “procession from the forest road up Hatcher’s Run to the extent.”[10] Processioning was a periodic reestablishing of property lines conducted by neighbors and these men were on a long list of other neighbors ordered to do the same. Later that year, the record noted that the processioning had not been completed.[11] On 22 June 1722, John West received a grant of 271 acres of “new land” on the North side of hatcher’s Run adjacent Nicholas Vaughan.[12]
On 13 October 1727, John Banister, Gentlemen, of Charles City County received a grant of 1,000 acres of “new lands” in Prince George County on the north side of Hatcher’s Run, between Nicholas Overby, Drury Oliver, Abraham Cocke, John Davis, John West & his own lines; adjacent Nicholas Vaughan’s land; by Oquitts branch 13 October 1727.[13]
Children of Nicholas and Ann (———-) Vaughan
Nicholas and Ann Vaughan lived in Bristol Parish where birth and baptism records began in 1720[14]. Four of Nicholas and Ann’s children are listed:
Luis [Lewis], son of Nico: & Ann Vaughan born 20 February 1719 baptized 7 June 1722
Abra [Abraham], son of ditto born 16 March 1721, baptized 7 June 1722
Eliza, daughter of Nicholas and Ann Vaughan born 18 April 1727
Nicolas, son Nicolas and Ann Vaughan born 20 February 1728
Prior to 1720 before birth records were kept in Bristol Parish, Nicholas and Ann had three other children including:
Robert Vaughan (b.c. 1710 – d.c. 1779)
Isham Vaughan (c. 1712 – aft. 1777)
Thomas Vaughan (c. 1715 – 1751)
Nicholas Vaughan’s widow and children in Amelia County
Nicholas Vaughan was dead by 9 December 1738 when the Amelia County, Virginia Court appointed Richard Hicks/Hix the guardian of Abraham Vaughan “infant son of Nicholas Vaughan.” Infant meant “under age” and, in fact, Abraham was 17 years old at the time. Hicks required bond of £20 indicates Nicholas Vaughan left a small estate.[15]
Ann (———-) Vaughan was remarried by 14 August 1739 when Hicks/Hix, in his capacity Abraham Vaughan’s guardian, filed a petition against Henry Fitz and Ann his wife, administrix of Nicholas Vaughan in Prince George County. The court ordered Henry and Ann Fitz to appear at the next court to answer the petition.[16] At Prince George County Courts held on 14 November 1739[17] and 14 February 1739[18], the petition was continued. No further information was found. Ann Vaughan Fitz, named as administrix means Nicholas Vaughan left no will. Henry Fitz received two land grants in Prince George County. The first was on 9 February 1737 for 400 acres “on the heads of Leadbiters [Ledbetter’s] Run and Butterwood Road.” [19] The second was on 15 December 1749 for 204 acres on both sides of Mawhoponock [Whipponock] Creek.[20] Both of these tracts are in the vicinity of Hatcher’s Run – very near where Nicholas and Ann Vaughan lived.
On 21 June 1740, Isham Vaughan brought a suit against Christopher Robertson [his mother’s security for admin of Nicholas Vaughan’s estate]. Isham Vaughan lost the case and was ordered to pay Robertson’s costs. He also had to reimburse his witnesses for their time. These included William and Elizabeth Mays [Vaughan neighbors on Flatt Creek] for seven days attendance and Richard Hix [his brother Abraham’s guardian] for four days attendance.[21]
In 1741, Henry Fitz filed petitioned the Amelia Count Chancery Court against Christopher Robertson who was one of Ann (———-) Vaughan Fitz’s securities for her “faithful administration” of Nicholas Vaughan’s estate. Fitz stated that Nicholas Vaughan died in 1730 or thereabouts and that he had married his widow. He also stated that Robertson was afraid he [Fitz] would embezzle the estate. Robertson made application to the Prince George Court to have the estate surrendered to the securities or to have Fitz pay them a “counter security” to which Fitz agreed and paid Robertson 7 pounds 15 shillings upon account of the estate to be paid to the orphans [unnamed] of Nicholas Vaughan. Fitz says he has paid off all the beneficiaries and wants his money back from Robertson.
On 16 November 1742, Christopher Robertson’s filed a response stating that Nicholas Vaughan died in 1730 or thereabouts and that his widow Ann had married Fitz. He stated that he felt in danger as security (financially responsible for Ann’s performance as administrix) and asked the Prince George County court to release him. Robertson asserted that Fitz proposed and that he accepted that Fitz would indemnify him by paying 7 pounds 15 shillings to the estate being the amount of the estate that would still in Fitz’s hands until Nicholas Vaughan’s youngest child [unnamed] reached lawful age to demand his share. He also claimed that Vaughan’s youngest child was not even 15 when Fitz filed his case (1741) and asks that the case be dismissed. No information on the outcome of the case is included in the file.[22] Robertson was correct in that Nicholas and Ann (———-) Vaughan’s youngest child, Nicholas, Jr. was born on 20 February 1728 so in 1741 he would have been about 13 years old. On 25 July 1743, the suit in Chancery styled Henry Fitz, plt. vs. Christopher Robertson, deft. was continued.[23] The ultimate disposition is unknown.
Nicholas Vaughan, b.c. 1670s, Charles City County, Virginia, d.c. 1730, Prince George County, Virginia, m. Ann (———–), issue:
Robert Vaughan (b.c. 1710 – d.c. 1779, Amelia County, Virginia) m. Martha ———-
Isham Vaughan (c. 1712 – aft. 1777, Amelia County, Virginia) m. Temperance ———-
Thomas Vaughan (c. 1715 – 1751, Amelia County, Virginia) m. Elizabeth ———-
Mary Vaughan (d.c. 1717 – prob. d. by 1754, Amelia County, Virginia) m. John Turner
Lewis Vaughan (1719 – by 1779, Amelia County, Virginia) m. Winnifred Mayes
Abraham Vaughan (1722 – 1795, Charlotte County, Virginia) m. (1) Mary ———-; (2) Ann Bouldin
Elizabeth Vaughan (1727 – unknown)
Nicholas Vaughan (1728 – unknown)
Coming Soon: Robert Vaughan I (c. 1710 – c1779) of Amelia County, Virginia
[1] Most researchers put his birthdate at 1685 – likely based on John Pritchett’s statement to that effect in his fantastic publication, Southside Virginia Genealogies. Pritchett did not have access to Nicholas’ father’s will, which was part of a volume returned to Charles City County in 2016. In his will, William Vaughan states “I give and bequeath all my land that I am possessed with to be equally divided amongst my seven sons, William, Richard, John, Samuel, Daniel, James and Nicholas Vaughan each son to have his part next and adjoining to the plantation they are seated on & my said land divided I give to my seven sons and their heirs forever.” There is no language concerning the sons such as “when he comes of age.” If William had minor sons he would have been specific about the bounds of each son’s tract – or at least for minor sons not already living on their own part of the land. William Vaughan’s will is interesting in terms of what it does not say. First, there is no provision for the widow at all. This is unusual – especially if there were minor children. One expects to see provisions that would (1) give the widow control certain real or personal property until minor children came of age and/or (2) spelling out that she was to have use of real and/or personal property for life or remarriage [technically she was entitled to a dower share]. Another common provision would dictate that the youngest son would inherit the “plantation I now live on.” This was practical since the youngest presumably would be at home with his mother the longest and others would have already received their share as each reached adulthood. None of that here. Without William Vaughan’s 1692 will, Pritchett did not know that William Vaughan had four grandchildren – and likely six – whom he named in his will. William also leaves guns to his four youngest sons – noting in two cases that the gun was in their possession and the one they regularly used. Based on William Vaughan’s will, I conclude all of William Vaughan’s children were probably of age in 1692 – that is to say born by 1671 or so.
[2] Will of William Vaughan. Charles City County Record Book 1692-1700, p. 204-05; Library of Virginia; http://digitool1.lva.lib.va.us:8881/R/U3K9G743NA13FJVL38VR5X3Q1TU8FJ15V21EFAYG4K1QQ62UCJ-02365?func=results-jump-full&set_entry=000031&set_number=827342&base=GEN01-LVA01; accessed 5 February 2023
[3] Will of Nicholas Overby, Sr. Charles City County Order Book, 1694-1700, p. 286; Library of Virginia; http://digitool1.lva.lib.va.us:8881/R/U3K9G743NA13FJVL38VR5X3Q1TU8FJ15V21EFAYG4K1QQ62UCJ-02365?func=results-jump-full&set_entry=000031&set_number=827342&base=GEN01-LVA01; accessed 5 February 2023
[4] The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 28, No. 4 (Oct., 1920), pp. 328-339 (12 pages); https://www.jstor.org/stable/4243786?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents; accessed 17 January 2023
[5] Land Office Patents No. 9, 1697-1706 (v.1 & 2 p.1-742), p. 156 (Reel 9).
[6] Prince George County, Virginia Orders 1714-1720, p. 270; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4X-W1XZ?i=82&cat=395852; accessed 18 January 2023
[7] Prince George County, Virginia Deeds, Etc. 1713 – 1728, Part 2, p. 333-336 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9PX-X39Z?i=7&cat=362985 ; accessed 9 January 2023
[8] Inset of Virginia Map; https://virginia.hometownlocator.com/maps/feature-map,ftc,1,fid,1467823,n,hatcher%20run.cfm; accessed 20 January 2023
[9] Prince George County, Virginia Deeds, Etc. 1713 – 1728, Part 3, p. 758; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-X47D?i=41&cat=362985; accessed 9 January 2023
[10] Chamberlayne, Churchill Gibson. The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia 1720-1789, published privately 1898; p. 35; The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia, 1720-1789 – Google Books; accessed 17 January 2023
[11] Chamberlayne, Churchill Gibson. The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia 1720-1789, published privately 1898; p. 43; The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia, 1720-1789 – Google Books; accessed 17 January 2023
[12] Nugent, Nell Marion. Cavaliers & Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents & Grants, Volume III (1695-1732), p. 233
[13] Nugent, Nell Marion. Cavaliers & Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents & Grants, Volume III (1695-1732), p. 341
[14] Chamberlayne, Churchill Gibson. The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia 1720-1789, published privately 1898; pp. 379-380; The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia, 1720-1789 – Google Books; accessed 17 January 2023
[15] McConnaughey, Gibson Jefferson. Deed Book I, Amelia County Deeds 1735-1743, Bonds 1735-1741, p. 96
[16] Prince George County, Virginia Minute Book 1737-1740, p. 312; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4X-W1F1?i=326&cat=395852; accessed 17 January 2023
[17] Prince George County, Virginia Minute Book 1737-1740, p. 363; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4X-W12B?i=340&cat=395852; accessed 9 January 2023
[18] Prince George County, Virginia Minute Book 1737-1740, p. 392; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4X-W1NJ?i=353&cat=395852; accessed 9 January 2023
[19] Land Office Patents No. 17, 1735-1738, p. 512 (Reel 15); Library of Virginia; http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/drawer?retrieve_image=LONN&dir=/LONN/LO-1/015/015&image_number=0535&offset=%2B23&name=Patents+No.17+1735-1738&dbl_pgs=no&round= ; accessed 1 February 2023
[20] Land Office Patents No. 27, 1748-1749, p. 508 (Reel 25); library of Virginia; http://image.lva.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/drawer?retrieve_image=LONN&dir=/LONN/LO-1/025/025&image_number=0520&offset=%2B12&name=Patents+No.27+1748-1749&dbl_pgs=no&round=; accessed 5 February 2023
[21] Amelia County, Virginia Order Book I, p. 112-113; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9ZX-J?i=90&cat=275453; accessed 29 January 2023
[22] Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, 1743-001; Virginia Memory, Library of Virginia; https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=007-1743-001#img; accessed 20 January 2023
[23] Amelia County, Virginia Order Book I 1735-1743, p. 238; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9Z9-H?i=168&cat=275453; accessed 29 January 2023
A Son of Virginia 