My 6x great grandparents Hector and Sarah (Holt) Truly’s arrived in Amelia County in 1743.[1] Truly was then – and is now – an unusual surname. The American Dictionary of American Family Names states that the surname is “probably English, perhaps a variant of Truelove.”[2] The given name Hector is also unique in my family tree. It is from the Greek “to have or hold – to restrain,” was an English, French, Scottish and Spanish given name.[3]
Hector Truly’s origins are a mystery, but he is likely connected to the Peter Truly who also appeared in Amelia County on four tithe lists for 1751, 1753, 1755 and 1764.[4] Peter Truly also appears on a 1757[5] muster roll as a private in Captain Robert McKenzie’s Company during the French and Indian War (1754-1763). He is listed as being 29 years old [b.c. 1728], 5’5” tall, having enlisted in Caroline County, Virginia and his country is listed as Ireland.[6]
A FamilySearch page for Hector Truly, which contains no sources, says he was born in Ireland in 1710 and his parents were Edmund Truly and Mary Hillary Morgan.[7] This probably stems from an unsourced claim that “Edmund Truly was married on October 29, 1759, to Mary Hillary Morgan, Amelia Co., VA” that has been floating around for many years. I have found no such marriage record (which would be nearly two decades after Hector and Sarah married). In fact, I have not found a single contemporary record of any kind mentioning an Edmund Truly in Virginia.
Hector and Sarah (Holt) Truly in Amelia County
The Truly’s were initially tenant farmers in Amelia County and also operated a tavern.[8] After having been in the county for five years, they bought 100 acres in the head branches of Great Bent Creek in 1748,[9] which they sold in 1760. On 3 July 1752, apparently planning on leaving Amelia County, Hector Truly received a patent for 204 acres in Lunenburg County, Virginia on the branches of Bluestone Creek and Horsepen Creek.[10] But he sold the tract three years later on 4 March 1755 to William Kay without apparently having left Amelia County.[11] On 25 July 1754, bought 100 acres from George and Margaret Burks in Raleigh Parish on the “lower side of Beaver Pond Branch of Flat Creek.”[12] These tracts were not contiguous, the latter being further south toward Jetersville. They sold this tract in 1758 to Edmond Booker, Jr.[13] On the same day they bought a 172-acre tract from the same Edmund Booker. Jr. described as “adjacent Flat Creek above mouth of Great Tomahawk Creek.”[14] Hector and Sarah bought an adjacent 128-acre tract from Booker on 24 May 1759 described as being on the lower side of Flat Creek and adjacent to “said Truly’s line” and the “corner in the said Booker’s Mill Pond.[15] Booker’s Mill Pond would later become Jeter’s Mill.
See my earlier History of Jeter’s Mill blog post: https://asonofvirginia.blog/2023/11/08/history-of-jeters-mill-amelia-county-virginia/
The Truly’s now owned 300 acres and seemed to be making economic progress. Since arriving in Amelia County some 14 years earlier, Hector and Sarah had seven children including Eleanor (b.c. 1744), Sarah (b.c. 1747), John (b.c. 1749), Judith (b.c. 1751), James (b.c. 1755), Bennett (b.c. 1756) and Martha (b.c. 1757).
An Unexpected Turn of Events
Hector Truly made his will on 11 January 1761 and was dead by 26 February when Sarah appeared at Amelia County Court to prove the will by oath of witnesses, have it recorded and pay her bond to serve as Executrix. By will, Hector gave to Sarah “all my land purchased of Edmund Booker being 300 acres more or less to enable her to pay my debts.” Apparently understanding their finances were precarious, Hector went on to say that should his land not have to be sold to pay his debts, that Sarah would have use of it for her natural life and then it was to be equally divided among his three sons John, James, and Bennett.[16]
After her husband’s death, Sarah (Holt) Truly remained in Amelia County, but in 1763 she was forced to sell their 300 acre farm to pay debts. After losing their land, Sarah (Holt) Truly ran their tavern for a while, but debt problems continued.
Sarah (Holt) Truly then moved them to nearby Brunswick County where debt suits followed her until she abandoned Virginia altogether. In 1773, Sarah (Holt) Truly, six of her seven children, Sarah’s brother Dibdall Holt’s family and others left Virginia for the British colony of West Florida [present day Natchez, Mississippi]. They were Loyalists to English King and thus were opposed to rising American sentiment for separation from England.
The significant majority of records genealogical researchers use are about men. We seldom get to know a female ancestor, but Sarah (Holt) Truly is different. She was in court dozens of times after her husband’s death, records specifically noting that she “cursed,” “scolded” and “slandered.” Hers is a fascinating story. If you’d like to explore that further, here is a link to the first of two parts: https://wordpress.com/post/asonofvirginia.blog/164.
John Truly of Amelia County, Virginia
While six of her seven children went with Sarah (Holt) Truly, her eldest son John Truly (b.c. 1749) remained in Virginia. But his story begins a bit earlier. On 28 July 1768, “of his own free will” John Truly bound himself as an apprentice to John Hatchett of Amelia County “to learn the art & mystery of a Blacksmith.” His term was to be “one year and ten months.”[17] John Hatchett, for his part, was required to provide him “sufficient meat, drink, washing and lodging with all necessary apparel fit for an apprentice.”[18] John Truly’s younger brother James would make a similar choice later in the year. On 4 November 1768, James Truly bound himself an apprentice tailor to William George of Amelia County until he turned 21 years old.[19]
John Truly takes a wife
John Truly’s apprenticeship ended about the end of May in 1770. Whether he married Jane Hatchett – the youngest sister of his master – before or after this is not known, but their first child, a daughter named Sarah Truly – named for her paternal grandmother – was born about 1770.[20] Their son John Truly, Jr. was born in 1771. When his entire family decided to leave Virginia, one wonders why John Truly stayed behind given he inherited no land and little else from his father. Did he not have the Loyalist leanings of mother and siblings? Did his wife not want to leave as her parents were both still alive?
John Truly becomes a landowner
On 5 May 1777, John Truly placed a notice in the 9 May edition of the Virginia Gazette concerning some land he was trying to purchase. The notice reads “Whereas I the subscriber have purchased a certain tract of land from James Wilkinson, in the county of Amelia, and paid him part of the purchase money, I do hereby forewarn all persons from purchasing the same, as I intend to compel the said Wilkinson to comply with his contract, which hitherto he has refused.”[21]
He did manage to acquire the land in question. In a deed dated 24 May 1777, he purchased 200 acres in Raleigh Parish in Amelia County on the north side of Buckskin Creek from James Wilkinson for “350 pounds of good lawful money of Virginia.”[22] On 27 October 1779, John Truly served on a jury for a coroner’s inquisition. “Upon view the body of a negro fellow then and there lying dead.” The men were sworn to determine the manner of death and found the unnamed man hung himself.[23]
John Truly and the Revolutionary War
Given his family’s strong loyalist stance, perhaps he was the Private John Truly that appears on a muster roll of Captain John Rousselet’s Company, Infantry of the British Legion, commanded by Lieut. Colonel Banastre [Bannister] Tarlton from 25 October to 24 December 1780.[24] The Revolutionary War came to the South primarily from 1779-1781. During that time livestock, feed, wagons, and all sorts of things were impressed for use by the American forces. After the war ended people filed “public” claims to seek reimbursement for their property from the American government. While my numerous Amelia and Nottoway ancestors there at the time are well represented, one name that is conspicuously absent is John Truly. Another place I would expect to find him is in county order books, but again he is conspicuously absent after the 1779 coroner’s jury noted above.
He does appear on extant Amelia tithe lists during the period. In 1778, John Truly was taxed on three tithables including himself and an enslaved man and woman named Bob and Patt.[25] A year later, Bob was gone and Tom and Letty joined the enslaved Patt.[26] There is no extant list for 1780, but for 1781, the record states John Truly’s list, meaning he was not living there. Was he away fighting in the British Legion? His brother-in-law Arch Hatchett is there with the enslaved Ralph, Betty, Patt and Lett.[27] Betty was bequeathed to Jane (Hatchett) Truly in her father’s 1784 will described as “my Negro girl Betty and her increase which she has now in [her] possession.”[28] In in 1782 Amelia County personal property tax list includes John Truly with five tithables – himself and the enslaved Ralph, Betty, Let and Patt. He owned three horses and 15 head of cattle.[29]
On 5 April 1781 John Truly & Jane his wife sold land in Brunswick County to Hugh Lambert.[30] On 27 May 1782 the deed was fully proven with additional witness Polly Lambert.[31] The acreage is not provided, and I found no deed where John Truly – or his parents – bought this land. Lambert sold the tract a few months later on 27 September 1781 to Henry Maclin. It was described as being 225 acres “being the same that he bought of John Truly” on the “south side of Little Cedar.”[32] The deed book has a records gap from 23 October 1780 until 28 June 1785. Note that October 1781 was the Surrender at Yorktown and there was military activity in the area prior. In 1782, John Truly appears on a list of heads of families for Amelia County taken by William Cross Craddock. Truly’s household consisted of four whites and nine enslaved people.[33]
The Post Revolutionary War Period
In 1784, John Truly added to his 200 acre farm on the north side of Buckskin Creek. In a deed dated 25 September 1784, he bought a 52 acre tract from John Townes, Jr. for £80. The land was “on a ridge between the waters of Flatt Creek and the waters of Buckskin Creek” bounded by Roger Thompson, George Scott, Peter Berry, Truly’s land, the said John Townes and Shd [Sherwood] Walton.[34] In 1785, he appears on a list if heads of Amelia families with four whites, two dwellings and five other buildings.[35] At Amelia Court on 23 March 1786, the court ordered that the Sheriff pay unto John Truly £11.6.9 for “services done to the prison.” [36] Was he a working blacksmith?
On 10 January 1787, John Truly bought another 187 acres from John Townes, Jr. for £100. The land was described as “the west side branch of Buckskin Creek” and bounded by Cocke’s corner on the aforesaid branch of Buckskin, Walton’s line, Truly’s line, & Scott.[37] John and Jane (Hatchett) Truly now made their home on 439 contiguous acres.
Jane’s mother Margaret (Remy) Hatchett made her will on 13 March 1788 and it was recorded in Nottoway County, Virginia on 7 June 1792. She named daughters Elizabeth Thomson, Mary Marshall, Martha Roberts, Jane Truly, sons John Hatchett, William Hatchett, Archer Hatchett, Abraham Hatchett and grandchildren David, Thomas and Tabitha Neal. She bequeathed “all my wearing apparel” to daughter Jane Truly.[40]
A partnership in a mill
On 13 March 1797, Joshua Atkinson sold Joshua Chaffin, John Truly, Matthew Robertson, 55 acres on both sides of Flatt Creek bounded [in part] by said Atkinson’s land which he bought of William Pride including all the flat land on the said branch to the mill pond . . .includes a mill which land & mill the said Atkinson purchased of Benjamin Ward except about 5 acres which is included by a new line.[41]
John Truly, Sr., Joshua Chaffin and Mathew Robertson formed a partnership in a mill operation including 55 acres of land. The men tenants in common in fee simple in the land and mill meaning that each had a separate interest in the partnership and could individually sell their interest. Mathew Robertson died and in 1798 his heirs (10 children & 2 grandchildren) brought suit to sell his interest to the highest bidder so they could each receive their portion of the estate. Chaffin and Truly did not oppose the sale, which occurred on 20 January 1798. Robertson’s eldest son Nathan Robertson was the high bidder at £310. On the same day, Joshua Chaffin and John Truly bought out Robertson’s interest for £310 pounds using four bonds totaling 11 shares (one to each heir). Each of the shares was worth £28.3.8 for a total of £310 and were payable on 20 January 1799 (12 months credit).[42] In a deed dated 28 June 1798 and recorded 26 July 1798, Nathan Robertson (on behalf of all the heirs) sold Joshua Chaffin and John Truly for £310 pounds current money, their one-third part of a mill and 58 acres on Flat Creek. John Truly, Jr., Dabney Miller and John Chaffin were witnesses.[43]
See my earlier History of Jeter’s Mill blog post: https://asonofvirginia.blog/2023/11/08/history-of-jeters-mill-amelia-county-virginia/
Land transactions reveal a wife’s death
In a deed dated 13 November 1798 and recorded 28 February 1799, John Truly of Amelia County bought 1,142 acres in Amelia County from William Greenhill of Nottoway County for £1,713. Described as being “on Knibs [Nibb’s] Creek and bounded by Cocke’s line on the north side of said creek, crossing said Creek to Towne’s corner, along Jackson’s lines, crossing a branch of West Creek, Peter P. Jones line, crossing two branches of West Creek, Peter Jones Sheriff, Wilkinson’s, Knibs Creek just below the old mill.”[45]
In a deed dated 23 July 1803 and recorded 28 July 1803, John Truly, Sr. sold 288 acres to George Scott for 5 shillings. This was basically a gift, but the deed does not say why it was so inexpensive. The land was described as being bounded by the said John Truly, Neal & Hills.[46] George Scott was a neighbor and this was part of John Truly’s 439 acre tract. His wife Jane (Hatchett) Truly goes unmentioned. If she were alive she would have had to waive her right to a dower share.[47]
John Truly writes his will
John Truly held enslaved people throughout his adult life. Earlier we learned that during the Revolutionary War he held enslaved people named Bob, Patt, Tom, Letty, Ralph and Betty. Very few years post 1782 include the names of the enslaved. These records indicate that from 1783-1794, John Truly held between 12 and 18 enslaved people. From 1795 until his 1804 death, he held between 16-19 enslaved people. From 1797-1804 he also paid tax on a “two chair wheels” [carriage].[48], [49], [50], [51], [52], [53], [54], [55], [56], [57], [58], [59], [60], [61], [62], [63], [64], [65], [66], [67], [68], [69]
It is only when he writes his will that we learn some of the named of the enslaved held at that time. Daughter Sarah (Truly) Craddock Vaughan’s children by Robert Vaughan received six enslaved people named Pate, Will, Squire, Jerry, Tom and Fanny and her future children. Daughter Jenny Truly received enslaved people named “Big Bette and her six children (to wit) Jim, George, Mary, Bob, Hall, Effie also one Negro girl Mariah.” Was “Big Bette” the “Betty” willed to Jane (Hatchett) Truly by her father in 1784?
John Truly, Sr. made his will in 1803 [the month and day are blank], which was proven in Amelia County court on 27 September 1804.[70] He made bequests to each of his four children:
To daughter Sarah Vaughan
I give unto my daughter Sarah Vaughan in addition to what I gave her in her first husband’s life the following property (viz) one hundred ten and a half acres of land whereon she now lives which land I purchase of Daniel Mayes Estate.[71] I also give my daughter Sarah Vaughan three hundred acres of land part of the tract I bought of Joshua Atkinson[72] & to her heirs forever. I also give unto my daughter Sarah Vaughan’s children which she has and may have by her present husband Robert Vaughan to be allotted to them as they come of lawful age six Negro slaves (viz) Pate, Will, Squire, Jerry, Tom and Fanny to them and their heirs forever.
To son John Truly, Jr.
I give and bequeath unto my son John Truly sixteen acres of land the remaining part of the tract of land I purchased of Joshua Atkinson which is to be laid off as following beginning at Atkinson’s Spring thence to a corner of gardain [sic] on the east side of the road being from Atkinson’s bridge to the main road thence along the said road until a parallel line with Chaffin and Truly line to unto John Gills line will make the quantity. I also give unto my son John Truly my interest in the land and mill building which I hold in partnership with Joshua Chaffin it is also to be remembered that the said Chaffin and myself began to build a new mill for the purpose of manufacturing wheat &c. and to repair the present dam half of which expense must be raised out of my Est. (as I am obligated to pay the same) to him and his heirs forever.
Son Grief Truly
I give and bequeath unto my son Grief Truly the tract of land I purchase of Wm. Greenhill containing eleven hundred and 42 acres be the same more or less also one half of my slaves not otherwise disposed of agreeable to valuation to him and his heirs forever.
Daughter Jane “Jenny” Truly
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jenny Truly the tract of land I now live on containing four hundred and fifty two acres be the same more or less. I also give unto my said daughter my clock and the other half of my slaves according to valuation not otherwise disposed of amongst which she is to have the following (viz) Big Bette and her six children (to wit) Jim, George, Mary, Bob, Hall, Effie also one Negro girl Mariah to her and her heirs forever, it is also to be remembered that the addition I am now adding to my dwelling house to be finished at the expense of my Est. as also the garden.
John Truly, Sr. directed the residue to be equally divided between his four children and appointed sons John & Grief Truly, son-in-law Robert Vaughan and friends Joshua Chaffin and George Scott as his executors.
A truly unique family
John Truly, Sr. headed what would become the only Truly family in Virginia as the next generation would – as we researchers say – “die out and daughter out.” Neither of his sons married or had children and both of his daughters married brothers Robert Vaughan III and Asa Vaughan. While they lived in Amelia County during the period, neither John Truly, Jr. nor Grief Truly appear in the 1810, 1820 or 1830 censuses. While Grief Truly appears regularly on the Amelia County personal property tax rolls, John Truly, Jr. never does – not once. Apparently, he did not hold any enslaved people. John Truly Jr. was in a shipping business with locations in both Petersburg and Richmond. In fact, from 1836-1837, his estate recovered more than $1,000 from the U.S. Government for “property destroyed by the French Government.”[73]
John Truly, Jr. was also a partner in at least two partnerships. One with John Chaffin, John Truly, Jr. and Jarratt Rison of Jamestown and John Chaffin, Jarratt Rison, Benjamin Wright and Sawyer Wright of Farmville dissolved their partnership in 1800.[74] In 1805, the Petersburg firm of Dunlops & Truly with partners John Dunlop, James Dunlop and John Truly, Jr. was dissolved “by mutual consent” with the Dunlops continuing the business on their own.[75] In 1936, as part of a Virginia Historical Inventory Project, a medicine cabinet used by John Truly, Jr. is listed. The informant, a Mrs. Harding of Crewe, Virginia, indicated he was “a Frenchman, who owned three sailing vessels, and this cabinet he took with him on his trips.” The person taking notes indicated that Mrs. Harding said that “This John Truly was a bachelor, his sister Jane Hatchett Truly[76] married Wm. Craddock, who was great-grandfather to Mrs. Harding. Her grandparents were Claiborne Craddock and Sallie Ellington.”[77] The cabinet was “mahogany, trimmed with brass. 9 ½ “ x 11” x 9” and “Filled with cut-glass bottles, a meter and silver shoe buckles and three sets of silver pants buckles.”[78]
Grief Truly, while he initially held enslaved people inherited from his father in 1804, from 1811 until his death he held no enslaved people despite owning 1,142 acres of land. When the brothers died – both in 1836 – so ended the Truly surname in Virginia. The Truly name did live on as a given name within the Vaughan family. Robert III & Sarah (Truly) Craddock Vaughan named a son Robert Truly Vaughan [he was called Truly] and Robert III & Sarah’s son Baskerville Vaughan (1803-1854) named a son Albert Truly Vaughan (1846-1908). The Truly name also lived on in the families of the enslaved of the Vaughan brothers that went to Lawrence County, Alabama. The 1870 U.S. Census for Lawrence County lists Truly Vaughan, age 11, born in Alabama, Sidney Vaughan 10, and Bettie Vaughan 15, were living with the family of Henry Simms.[79] Their father was Armistead Vaughan who was born about 1831 in Virginia.[80],[81] An enslaved woman named Elsa and her child Armistead were listed in the 1833 will of James Vaughan (brother of Robert III) who married Jane Hatchett Craddock (daughter of Sarah (Truly) Craddock Vaughan).[82] This Truly Vaughan, b.c. 1859, Lawrence County, Alabama, died 20 October 1920 in Memphis, Tennessee.[83]
The estimated birth years of John Truly, Sr.’s children result in a significant age gap between Sarah c. 1770 and John, Jr. c. 1771 and then Grief c. 1784 and Jane c. 1787. Either John Truly had two wives, each producing two children or Jane (Hatchett) Truly lost an unknown number of children in the 13 years between the births of her second and third known children. The latter scenario seems more likely as there simply is no indication John Truly married twice. Also, I do not see a second wife naming her daughter after a first wife. Perhaps naming the third surviving child Grief was symbolic as well.
The John Truly, Sr. Family (all roads lead to the Vaughans)
John Truly, Sr., b.c. 1749, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1804, Amelia County, Virginia, m. abt. 1770, Amelia County, Jane Hatchett, b.c. 1750, Amelia County, Virginia, d. bef. 23 July 1803, Amelia County, Virginia, issue:
Sarah Truly (c.1770[84]-1839) m. (1) m.b. 15 December 1791[85], Amelia County, Virginia, William Cross Craddock (c.1770-c.1796), m. (2) m.b. 20 January 1799[86], Amelia County, Virginia, Robert Vaughan III (c.1770-c.1820)**
Jane Hatchett Craddock, b.c. 1792, Amelia County, Virginia, m. 22 March 1810[87], Amelia County, Virginia, James Vaughan (d. 1833)**
James Armistead Vaughan, b.c. 1800, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1874, Amelia County, Virginia, m. b. 11 March 1825[88], Amelia County, Virginia, (1) Mary Ann Vaughan (1st cousin), m. (2) Fannie Bass
Robert Truly Vaughan, b.c. 1802, Amelia County, Virginia, betw. 1870-80, Amelia County, Virginia unmarried
Baskerville Vaughan, b. 1 November 1803, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 8 February 1854, Lawence County, Alabama, m.b. 8 May 1830[89], Amelia County, Virginia, Catherine Greenhill Williams, m. 10 May 1840, (2) Melinda Campbell
Albert Gallatin Vaughan, b. 1806, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1849, Amelia County, Virginia, m. 18 May 1833[90], Martha Elizabeth Vaughan (1st cousin)
Augustus Vaughan, b.c. 1811, Amelia County, Virginia, d.c. 1851, Amelia County, Virginia, m. 4 January 1843[91], Mary Spencer Farmer
Asa Vaughan, b. 1812, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1855, Lawrence County, Alabama, m. 21 February 1841[92], Amelia County, Virginia, Julia Ann Walthall
Benjamin Rush Vaughan, b.c. 1815, Amelia County, Virginia, d.c. 1826, Amelia County, Virginia
John Truly, Jr. b.c. 1771[93], w.d. 9 April 1836, proven 23 June 1836; unmarried. In 1804, he inherited 16 acres of land and his father’s half interest in the Chaffin & Truly mill operation. The following year he sold 15 acres and a house on the south side of Flat Creek to Joshua Chaffin who was already living there. He also sold Chaffin the 15 adjoining acres willed by his father.” [94] The same day he sold Thomas Perkinson his half interest in the mill & the land on the north side of Flat creek.[95] Perkinson sold his interest to Chaffin in 1806.[96] In 1809, Chaffin sold the whole thing back to John Truly, Jr. who held it for less than a year before selling it to Asa Vaughan, his brother-in-law. Vaughan held it three years before selling it to Tilmon E. Jeter. John Truly, Jr. left his estate to his nephew Henderson F. Vaughan, son of Asa and Jane (Truly) Vaughan, in his will dated 29 April 1836 and recorded 23 June 1836. He appointed nephews James A. Vaughan [son of Robert and Sarah (Truly) Craddock Vaughan] and James P. Vaughan [son of Asa & Jane (Truly) Vaughan] executors.[97]
Grief Truly b.c. 1784[98], d.c. 1836, unmarried. He inherited the 1,142 acres his father bought from William Greenhill in 1798 and about seven enslaved people. In 1805, he paid tax on himself, seven enslaved people and seven horses.[99] The following two years he held 10 enslaved people and nine horses[100] and eight enslaved people and seven horses.[101] The 1808 list is missing, but in 1809, Grief Truly held two enslaved people and three horses.[102] In 1810, he held one enslaved person and one horse.[103] Beginning in 1811-1835 he died he held no enslaved people and generally was taxed on himself and one horse. In his will dated 17 March 1834 and recorded 25 February 1836, Grief Truly directed that William Foster be paid $500 and the balance of his estate to be equally divided between “my brother John Truly and my sister Mrs. Jane Vaughan.”[104] His brother died a few months later, his inheritance from Grief Truly presumably going to Henderson F. Vaughan, while their mother’s portion went to all of Asa & Jane (Truly) Vaughan’s children.
Jane “Jenny” Truly (1787[105]-1854) m. November 1803[106], Amelia County, Virginia, Asa Vaughan (1761-1820)**, issue:
James Parham Vaughan, b.c. 1805, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1856, unmarried
John Robert Vaughan c.1807, Amelia County, Virginia
Sarah Paige Vaughan, b.c. 1804, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1875, Tallapoosa Co., Alabama, m. James “Martin” Vaughan (apparently unrelated)
Mary Ann Vaughan, b.c. 1810, Amelia County, Virginia, d.c. 1840, Amelia County, Virginia m. b. 11 March 1825[107], James Armistead Vaughan (1st cousin)
Algernon Sidney Vaughan, b. 1813, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1861, Marengo County, Alabama, m. abt. 1835, Lucy Ann Jones
Martha Elizabeth Vaughan, b.c. 1816, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1855, Amelia County, Virginia, m. 18 May 1833[108], Albert Gallatin Vaughan (1st cousin)
Henderson Fitzgerald “Henry” Vaughan, b.c. 1818, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1848, Amelia County, Virginia, m.b. 26 January 1846[109], Marianna Walthall
Judith Frances Vaughan (twin), b.1820, Amelia County, Virginia, d.c. 1829, Amelia County, Virginia
Elsie Amanda Vaughan (twin) b.1820, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 1852, Chesterfield County, Virginia, m. 1840, Benjamin Boisseau, Jr.
** Robert Vaughan III (c.1770-c.1820), James Vaughan (c. 1772-1833) and Asa Vaughan (1761-1820) were all sons of Robert II and Elsie (Motley) Vaughan
[1] 1743 Amelia County, Virginia tithe list; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-17CN?i=107&cat=670006
[2] Dictionary of American Family Names 2nd edition, 2022; Ancestry.com
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hector_(given_name)
[4] Amelia County, Virginia Tax Lists 1736-1764: An Every Name Index, T.L.C Genealogy (Miami Beach, FL: 1993), p. 164
[5] Robert McKenzie’s company: (1) necessary roll, undated (docketed 6 Aug. 1757), 87 men, signed by Robert McKenzie; (2) size roll, undated (August–October 1757), 89 men, unsigned; National Archives, Founders Online; https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-04-02-0223
[6] Virginia Troops in French and Indian Wars (Continued). (1894). The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 1(4), 378–390, p. 379; http://www.jstor.org/stable/4241775
[7] Hector Truly. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/L2NT-2MM/hector-truly-1710-1761
[8] Amelia County, Virginia Order Book 2 1746-1751, p. 117; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9ZB-1?i=633&cat=275453
[9] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 3 1747-1750, p. 177; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-MSPG-D?i=93&cat=282005
[10] Virginia Land Office Patents No. 31, 1751-1756 (v.1 & 2 p.1-751), p. 110 (Reel 29).
[11] Lunenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 7 1761-1762 [not an error], p. 368; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4L-8S9Y?i=194&cat=372284
[12] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 3 1747-1750, p. 177; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKW-MSPG-D?i=93&cat=282005
[13] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 6 1757-1759, p. 244; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9NJ-M?i=424&cat=282005
[14] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 6 1757-1759, p. 226; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9NL-T?i=415&cat=282005
[15] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 7 1759-1762, p. 27; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9NS-S?i=30&cat=282005
[16] Amelia County, Virginia Will Book I, p. 191.
[17] Being bound to a master to learn a trade was typically something that happened to a boy when he was between 10-14 years old and lasted until the person was 21 years old. In John’s case I suspect he was 19 and the one year and 10 month term was to coincide with his reaching 21 [b.c. 1749].
[18] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 10 1768-1769, p. 11; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q96D-Z?i=220&cat=282005; accessed 30 April 2023
[19] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 10 1768-1769, p. 124; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9D5-C?i=277&cat=282005; accessed 30 April 2023
[20] When she married in 1791 her father did not have to give permission for her to marry, which he would have had to do were she under 21. Research Note Number 26: Early Virginia Marriage Records; https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/Research_Note_26.pdf
[21] The Virginia Gazette, 9 May 1777, Issue 199, p. 3; https://www.genealogybank.com
[22] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 14, 1776-1778, p. 117; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSYD-LS9D-L?i=400&cat=282005 ; accessed 1 May 2023
[23] Fellow: Coroner’s Inquisition. N.p., 1779. Print; Library of Virginia; https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01LVA_INST/altrmk/alma9917848132005756
[24] Clark, Murtie June. Loyalists in the Southern Campaign of the Revolutionary War, Vol. II, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc. 1981), p. 231
[25] 1778 Amelia County, Virginia tithe list; Tithables (box 4) 1778-1782, Image 37 of 60; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-1SJ4-1?i=36&cat=670006
[26] 1779 Amelia County, Virginia tithe list; Tithables (box 4) 1778-1782, Image 87 of 460; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-1SJM-T?i=86&cat=670006
[27] 1781 Amelia County, Virginia tithe list, Tithables (box 4) 1778-1782, Image 134 of 460; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-1SNR-Z?i=133&cat=670006
[28] Amelia County, Virginia Will Book No. 3 1780-1786, p. 309; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9P4-X3PD?i=354&cat=275408 ; accessed 2 May 2023
[29] 1782 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax list; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BGQ?i=32&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[30] Brunswick County, Virginia Order Book 13 (1774-1782), p. 389; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9PH-37L3?i=536&cat=274982; accessed 30 April 2023
[31] Brunswick County, Virginia Order Book 13 (1774-1782), p. 462; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9PH-37LC?i=573&cat=274982; accessed 30 April 2023
[32] Brunswick County, Virginia Deed Book No. 14 1780-1790, p. 373; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-47VZ-Z?i=217&cat=281505
[33] Heads of Families at the first census of the United States: Records of the state enumerations 1782-1785, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1986), p. 11
[34] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 17 1784-1786, p. 75; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSYD-2953-H?i=267&cat=282005; accessed 1 May 2023
[35] Heads of Families at the first census of the United States: Records of the state enumerations 1782-1785, (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, Inc., 1986), p. 82
[36] Amelia County, Virginia Order Book No. 17 1785-1786, p. 103; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q99V-X?i=135&cat=275453
[37] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 18 1786-1789, p. 56; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-SC3W?i=37&cat=282005; accessed 1 May 2023
[38] Virginia Land Office Patents No. 17, 1735-1738, p. 272 (Reel 15), Library of Virgini, Richmond, Virginia
[39] Henderson, D. E., Gilmer, J. F., Minis, L. P., Confederate States Of America. Army. Department Of Northern Virginia & Virginia Historical Society. (1860) Amelia County. [Virginia: Chief engineer’s Office D.N.V., 186-?] [Map] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/2012591106/.
[40] Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 1 1789-1802, p. 64; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-643D?i=49&cat=379144; accessed 2 May 2023
[41] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 20 1794-1799, p. 288; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-SCKF?i=538&cat=282005
[42] Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Suit 1798-024, images 1-12; https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=007-1798-024 ; accessed 1 May 2023
[43] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 20, 1794-1799, p. 441; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-SCNX?i=615&cat=282005; accessed 1 May 2023
[44] Chaffin, Joshua. Joshua Chaffin Ledgers, 1792-1818. N.p., 1792. Print, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[45] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 20, 1794-1799, p. 480; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSL6-SCQR?i=635&cat=282005 ; accessed 1 May 2023
[46] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 21, 1799-1804, p. 362; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLD-1SDV-S?i=194&cat=282005; accessed 28 April 2023
[47] There are some researchers that suggest Jane (Hatchett) Truly died in 1825 in Charlotte County, Virginia. I have not seen any evidence to suggest that. Her brother John Hatchett did live in Charlotte County. In 1820 he headed a household of 1 WM 45+; 1 WF 16-25, 1 WM 16-25; 2 WM under 10; and 20 enslaved men, women and children. Jane Hatchett would have been about 65-70 years old so she was not living with him.
[48] 1783 Amelia County, Virginia personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B2Y?i=87&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[49] 1784 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BKQ?i=101&cat=775675 ; accessed 2 May 2023
[50] 1785 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BNH?i=120&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[51] 1786 Amelia County, Virginia personal Property tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BXC?i=137&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[52] 1787 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B62?i=159&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[53] 1788 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BZY?i=181&cat=775675 ; accessed 2 May 2023
[54] 1789 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B8N?i=210&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[55] 1790 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BH7?i=222&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[56] 1791 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B49?i=235&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[57] 1792 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BSP?i=253&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[58] 1792 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B7R?i=269&cat=775675 ; accessed 2 May 2023
[59] 1794 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B3F?i=287&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[60] 1795 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B96?i=302&cat=775675
[61] 1796 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property tax list; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2B9T?i=319&cat=775675
[62] 1797 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2BM4?i=335&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[63] 1798 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2YYR?i=352&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[64] 1799 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2YPV?i=370&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[65] 1800 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2YRJ?i=388&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[66] 1801 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2YG7?i=409&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[67] 1802 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2YLV?i=428&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[68] 1803 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2YJZ?i=450&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[69] 1804 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-2YVW?i=468&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[70] Amelia County, Virginia Will Book No. 7 (1803-1811), p. 118; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P4-XFFS?i=257&cat=275408; accessed 1 May 2023
[71] I did not find a deed recorded for this purchase from Daniel Mayes estate.
[72] I did not find a deed recorded for this purchase from Joshua Atkinson.
[73] Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Suit 1868-013; Virginia Memory, Library of Virginia Digital Collections, Richmond, Virginia
[74] The Virginia Argus, 29 January 1802, Richmond, VA, Vol: IX, Issue: 79, Page: 3; Genealogybnak.com
[75] Petersburg Intelligencer, 5 Feb 1805, Petersburg, VA, Issue: 1578, Page: 1; Genealogybank.com
[76] It was actually her sister Sarah Truly that married (1) William Craddock and (2) Robert Vaughan
[77] Rorer, H. E., and Harding. Antiques in Home of Mrs. Harding : Survey Report, 1936 Aug. 24. N.p., 1936. Print.; https://lva.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/01LVA_INST/altrmk/alma990006800620205756
[78] Rorer, H. E., and Harding. Antiques in Home of Mrs. Harding : Survey Report, 1936 Aug. 24. N.p., 1936, Library of Virginia; https://image.lva.virginia.gov/VHI/html/20/0014.html
[79] 1870 United States Federal Census, Census Place: Hillsboro, Lawrence, Alabama; Roll: M593_22; Page: 22A, Ancestry.com
[80] 1880 U.S. Census, Census Place: Courtland, Lawrence, Alabama; Roll: 18; Page: 285B; Enumeration District: 162, Ancestry.com
[81] 1900 United States Federal Census, Census Place: Beat 3, De Soto, Mississippi; Page: 14; Enumeration District: 0027; FHL microfilm: 1240807, Ancestry.com
[82] Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book No. 6 1827-1834, p. 409; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-XQLV?i=460&cat=379144
[83] Tennessee, U.S., Death Records, 1908-1965, Tennessee State Library and Archives; Nashville, Tennessee; Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1958; Roll Number: 120, Ancestry.com
[84] 15 December 1791 marriage bond – Sarah Truly, dau. of John Truly to marry William Craddock [she is of age as her father does not have to give consent]
[85] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[86] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[87] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[88] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[89] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[90] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[91] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[92] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[93] In 1792 John Truly, Sr. pays tax on 2 white males 21+. Other than his brother-in-law Arch Hatcher who was listed with him from 1788-1790, John, Sr. only paid tax on himself and enslaved people from 1782. Arch Hatcher was listed on his own from 1791 so the second person [unnamed] is likely John Truly, Jr. (b.c. 1771)
[94] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 22 1804-1808, p. 144; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLD-1S81-7?i=367&cat=282005 ; accessed 28 April 2023
[95] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 22 1804-1808, p. 145; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLD-1S81-7?i=367&cat=282005 ; accessed 28 April 2023
[96] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 22 1804-1808, p. 176; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSLD-1S8Z-T?i=383&cat=282005; accessed 28 April 2023
[97] Amelia County, Virginia Will Book 13, p. 336; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99P4-F6VJ?i=454&cat=275408; accessed 28 April 2023
[98] A 24 March 1809 Amelia County Chancery suit brought by Joshua Chaffin against Miles Webster mentioned that Chaffin briefly served as Grief Truly’s guardian “after the said Truly’s land and slaves were assigned the said Truly being yet a few months under age.” Chaffin hired an overseer named Miles Webster to reside at Grief Truly’s plantation about November and that Truly arrived at full age about the month of March following; however the year is not provided. John Truly’s will was proven 27 September 1804. No subsequent I&A filed. Chaffin said he served as Grief Truly’s guardian “after the land and slaves were assigned.” The land had to be surveyed to be divided between son John and daughter Jenny and the enslaved would have been inventoried and appraised to be fully divided. That would have taken some time to complete – say 6 months from September 1804 [when John Truly’s Sr.’s will was recorded] to March 1805. If fall 1804 is when Chaffin began serving as guardian, then Grief Truly would have turned 21 in March 1805 indicating a birth in March 1784. Source: Amelia County Chancery Suit 1811-052, Virginia Memory, Library of Virginia Digital Collections
[99] 1805 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-21W6?i=508&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[100] 1806 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-21WJ?i=526&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[101] 1807 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-214H?i=546&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[102] 1809 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-21MW?i=564&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[103] 1810 Amelia County, Virginia Personal Property Tax List; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQF-21CY?i=581&cat=775675; accessed 2 May 2023
[104] Amelia County, Virginia Will Book 13, p. 319; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99P4-F6KN?i=446&cat=275408; accessed 28 April 2023
[105] Jane Vaughan is 63 (c.1787) in the 1850 U.S Census; Amelia County, Virginia; Ancestry.com.
[106] Amelia County, Virginia, Compiled Marriages, 1740-1850; Ancestry.com
[107] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[108] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
[109] Amelia County, Virginia, Index-Transcript of Marriage Bonds, 1735-1854 Unpaged, Reel 54,Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
A Son of Virginia 