I don’t remember a time when I was not interested in history. Growing up in Yorktown, Virginia, a part of the Historical Triangle along with Jamestown and Williamsburg, it literally surrounded us. An early colonial Virginia port, Yorktown is principally famous for the October 1781 surrender of Lord Cornwallis to American and French troops that effectively ended the American Revolution. I often rode my bicycle from our house to Surrender field where British Troops laid down their arms. Growing up, we spent our days riding our bikes through Washington’s Spring, sledding down the Great Valley, and flying kites on the battlefields. At Yorktown Elementary School, we had scholastic bookfairs, and I usually chose biographies of the Founding Fathers.

When I was 11 years old in the spring of 1975, I visited my Craig grandparents. During our visit, I had a conversation with my grandmother, Marian Berryman (Rowell) Craig (1914-1979), about an upcoming field trip to Jamestown. My grandmother, whom we called “Memaw,” shared my interest in history and was an avid reader. She showed me something that she thought I might find interesting – a few pages from a yellow legal pad. These pages contained an Edwards family tree, written by her mother and my great-grandmother, Lucie Baxter (Edwards) Rowell who died in 1973. We visited her in Surry County many times. The family tree traced back more than 10 generations to William Edwards (c.1590- c.1622), who died at Jamestown. He and his descendants were officer holders and substantial landholders in Surry, James City and Isle of Wight counties and intermarried with several prominent Virginia families. Seeing those names and dates stirred up a new emotion within me, unlike anything I had experienced before. It felt like the world of history that I loved had suddenly become intertwined with my own personal story. In that instant, a deep-rooted love for genealogy and family history was ignited, destined to last a lifetime.

Luckily, my family was incredibly supportive when I embarked on my new treasure hunt. My paternal grandfather gifted me a 10-generation fan chart, and I was determined to fill in every space. I was fortunate to have all four of my grandparents alive, and they willingly shared their knowledge with me. I became an avid letter writer sending missives to my grandparents’ siblings, cousins, aunts and uncles. I also wrote to my great grandmother and my great grandfather’s brother, both in Louisville, Kentucky. On my maternal grandmother’s side, I was fortunate enough to know several of her siblings who were all incredibly generous and delighted that a young person like me was interested in genealogy. Both of my grandmothers, who have deep roots in Virginia, were particularly enthusiastic in supporting my newfound passion and continued to do so throughout their lives. By the time I reached adulthood, I had constructed a family tree with many lines traced back to Colonial Virginia and Colonial Pennsylvania, as well as more recently arriving ancestors from various regions of Germany and Northern Ireland. 

I also developed a fascination for discovering old photographs of my ancestors. Every time I corresponded with relatives; I inquired about any pictures they might have of our shared ancestors. I always offered to cover the expenses for making copies or having them sent to me. I almost always received a positive response and never received an invoice. Surprisingly, on several occasions, people responded by sending me photos and insisting that I keep them, as no one in their family had any interest in preserving them. Over the years I have managed to acquire photographs of all eight of my great grandparents, 14 out of 16 of my 2x great-grandparents, and five of my 3x great grandparents. You can view them here: https://asonofvirginia.blog/2022/03/08/genealogy-in-photographs/

A Troubling Discovery

In the early 1990s, when I was in my late 20s, I spent a Saturday at one of my favorite places – the Library of Virginia. While there, I came across a book entitled, “William Edwards of Jamestown: A Genealogical History of Descendants of his son William Edwards” by Anthony J. Christensen.[1] Up until then, I hadn’t really focused on my Edwards lineage as I was busy filling in names and dates on my family tree. Excitedly, I flipped through the book, following the line my grandmother had given me on those yellow pages, only to discover that we are not descended from William Edwards of Jamestown! It turns out there were multiple Edwards families in early Surry County, and like many families, their family trees were filled with sons named William and Thomas. It was at that moment I really understood the importance of documentation.  

Richard Edwards (d.c. 1744) of Surry County, Virginia – my 7x great grandfather

As it turns out I am a descendant of Richard Edwards whose origins are unknown. The surname, of early medieval English origin meaning “son of Edward,” was and is a common surname both in England and in Virginia.[2] My Richard Edwards enters the Virginia record on 3 June 1699, when he was included on James Stanton’s list of tithables in the lower part of Southwark Parish.[3]^,[4]

In the following years, Richard Edwards remained in lower Southwark Parish as a tithable of Samuel Judkins, Sr. [also my ancestor] for both 1700 and 1701.[5]^,[6] By 10 June 1702, he was living in his own household and was the only tithable.[7] The next year, he paid tax on three tithables including himself, Thomas Johnson and Elias Fletcher.[8] How or when he arrived in Virginia is unknown, but he is not on the Surry County tithe lists preceding 1699.              

On September 4, 1705, Richard Edwards became a landowner when he purchased a 150-acre tract of land from Joseph Wall, Sr. and his wife, Susana, for 3000 pounds of tobacco. The land was described as “being part of a tract belonging to Mr. Robert Caufield lying upon the maine Blackwater Swamp” and it was bordered by Cannon Branch, George Benbridge, and Allen Warren. This deed was recorded at the Surry County Court on November 6, 1705.[9]

Robert Caufield received a grant of 2,250 acres on 29 April 1682 “in the lower parish beginning at a marked pine Allen Warren’s westernmost corner tree by the main Blackwater side.”[10] Caufield sold 500 acres of the larger tract to Joseph Wall for 4,400 pounds of tobacco by deed dated 4 July 1682 and recorded 14 October 1682. The tract is described as lying on the main Blackwater Swamp and noting it was the easternmost part of the 2,250-acre tract. The tract Wall bought was bounded on the east by a tract patented by Mr. Thomas Warren, deceased [also my ancestor and father of Allen Warren above], on the south by the Blackwater Swamp, on the west by Deep Branch and on the north by Caufield.[11]           

As Surry County Order Books 1718-1741 are missing, there are only a few records for Richard Edwards until the 1740s. On 20 March 1711, Joseph Wall, Jr. did not appear to prosecute his suit against Richard Edwards, so it was dismissed.[13] Richard Edwards served on juries on 16 May 1711 and 2 June 1712.[14]^,[15]

An Unknown wife and gifting his land to his daughters    

Richard Edwards wrote two deeds of gift to his daughters Elizabeth and Jane on 10 October 1740. Since no wife waived her dower interest for either deed we can assume she was dead. In both cases, Richard Edwards expressed that he was giving the land “in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have for my daughter.” To daughter Jane Edwards, he gifted a tract without specifying the acreage. The land was described as being on the north side of the Main Blackwater Swamp and bounded by Allen Warren, Jr., Edwards Spring Branch as well as the “land whereon I now dwell.” To daughter Elizabeth Edwards he also gifted an unspecified acreage, but the tract was described as being “bounded on the south side by the land I gave my daughter Jane Edwards.” It was also bounded by Charles Kea, a little pocoson, and Allen Warren, Jr. He also left each daughter “one-half or moiety of all my stock, goods, chattles, utensils & implements, household stuff and personal estate.”[16]^,[17]

Daughter Elizabeth Edwards made her will on 18 July 1744 and it was recorded at Surry Court on 19 September 1744. Dying unmarried, she stated in part “I give to my Tender Father the use of my land and plantation for his maintenance during his life and after his decease I give to my brother Thomas Edwards all my right and title to the plantation he now lives on to a line made by my father from Charles Kea’s through a pocoson to Allen Warren’s line.” She also gave her brother Thomas the right to harvest “Syprus Timber” from the rest of her land, which she left to her sister Jane after her father’s death. She also made sister Jane Edwards executor.[18]      

Within a year, daughter Jane Edwards had married John Bradley. On 15 June 1745, John Bradley and Jane his wife, sold to Henry Atkins [Atkinson in some records] for £80, “all that tract or parcel of land which our Father Richard Edwards gave to his two daughters Elizabeth Edwards and Jane Edwards by Deeds of Gift bearing the date” 10 October 1740. It notes the tract was 100 acres and the deed was recorded 19 June 1745.[19] Strangely, Henry Atkinson sold the tract back to Bradley’s for £81 four days later.[20]   

Richard Edwards, b.c. 1680, prob. England, d. aft. 17 November 1747, Surry County, Virginia, m. unknown, d. bef. 10 October 1740, Surry County, Virginia, issue:

Thomas Edwards, b.c. 1715 , d.c. 1762, m. Unknown

Elizabeth Edwards, b.c. 1718, d. 1744, unm

Jane Edwards, b.c. 1721, m.c. 1744, John Bradley

Thomas Edwards (c.1715-c.1762)– my 6x great-grandfather

Richard’s son Thomas Edwards remained in Surry County on the Blackwater Swamp for the rest of his life. In a deed dated 17 November 1747, he purchased 300 acres from Henry Atkinson for £40 described as “in the Deep Branch at Charles Kea’s line,” a corner tree between the said Kea and Richard Edwards”, “along Richard Edwards line to a corner tree between the said Edwards and Allen Warren.” This was adjacent to the land he received from his father, who must have still been alive as the deed refers to him three times and never says “Estate” or “dec’d.” [21]

Beyond that, there is little reference to Thomas Edwards until he made his will on 11 April 1761, which was recorded on 19 October 1762.[22] A transcription follows:

In the Name of God Amen, I Tho. Edwards of the County of Surry being very sickly and Weak of Body but of Perfect mind & Memory thanks be to the Almighty for the same and for what little it hath Pleased God to Bestow on Me. I Desire, Dispose of in form and manner following. I give and Bequeath to my Son Wm. Two hundred fifty Acres of Land , Beginning at Allen Warren’s Corner Tree & up my Father’s Old Line to a New Line which I made up the said line to Simon Meador branch and down the said Branch to Charles Kea’s Line and Round to the first Station to him and his heirs forever. I give and Bequeath to my Son Benj. Edwards 150 Acres of Land Beginning at my upper Line Tree in the Mill Branch and so along my upper Line To Allen Warren’s Line & along the said Line to my new Line and along the Line to Allen Warren’s Corner Tree and along the Line to the Mill Branch and up said Branch to the first Station to him and his heirs forever. I give and Bequeath to my son Eldred Edwards the Plantation I now live on it being my Estimation, One Hundred Acres to him & his heirs forever. I likewise give my son Etheldred Edwards Ten Acres of Land lying Betwixt my New Line which Divide my Son Wm. Edwards and Benjamin Edwards Land to him and his Heirs forever.

I give and Bequeath to my Etheldred Edwards my Cyder Mill in Consideration that he shall Pay my Son Benj. Edwards Seventeen Pounds or Else I give my said Mill to my Son Benjamin Edwards he to Pay my Son Eldred Edwards Pounds. I Give and Bequeath to my Son Eldred Edwards his Choice to Take first of the Best of my Cattle and my Riding Horse and Five Hoggs and Four Sheep and for him to Take Choice out of my hole Stock to him and his heirs forever. And my will and Desire that my son Eldred Edwards may be in full possession of his Estate when this Proved and to act as if he was Twenty One years of age. My Will and Desire is that if either of my sons should Die without issue that their Estate may be equally Divided that I have given Them Betwixt the other sons.

I do nominate & appoint my sons Wm. & Benj. Hole and Sole Extr’s of this my last Will and Testament without having any Appraisement when this is proved as witness my Hand and Seal this Eleventh Day of April 1761.                                                                                                            Thomas (X) Edwards

Robert Hart, Thos. Hart, Wm. D. Williams                              

At a court held for Surry County the 19th Day of October 1762 The aforesaid written Last Will and Testament of Thomas Edwards Dec’ed was Presented in Court by Wm. Edwards & Benj. Edwards the Extr’s therein Named who made Oath thereof and the same being Proved by the Oaths of the Witnesses. Thereof was Ordered to be Recorded. And on the motion of the said Extr’s Certificate is Granted them for Obtaining a Probate thereof in due form. Test.              Wm. Nelson

At Surry Court on 15 March 1763, an inventory of the Estate of Thomas Edwards, deceased was filed by William Edwards & Benjamin Edwards, Executors:[23] 

Thomas Edwards did not mention his wife in his will so she was dead before he made his will. He willed his three sons land totaling 510 acres, 300 of which he purchased from Henry Atkinson in 1747 leaving 210 acres. His father Richard Edwards bought 150 acres in 1705 from Joseph Wall, Sr., of which he gifted 100 to his daughters. Perhaps Richard Edwards left 50 acres to each of his children including son Thomas. More likely either Richard or Thomas bought another 160 acres, and no deed was recorded. I was unable to find a grant or deed for this.          

Thomas Edwards, b.c. 1715, Surry County, Virginia, d.c. 1762, Surry County, Virginia, m. Unknown, d. bef. 11 April 1761, Surry County, Virginia, issue:

William Edwards, c. 1738, d. by 1787, m. Martha Kea

Benjamin Edwards, c. 1740, d. 1796, m. Mary ———- ( to NC & GA)

Ethelred Edwards, c. 1742, d. 1786, m. Mary Davis

Thoughts on my Edwards Ancestors

While my early Edwards ancestors are not as notable as the William Edwards family, they are happily mine. Richard Edwards is interesting in that he was was living on his own in 1702 within three years of his 1699 arrival in Surry County and a landowner in 1705 just six years after his arrival. While that trajectory to land ownership teases an origin other than his arriving as an indentured servant, statistically he was likely just that. His absence from the 1698 and prior Surry County tithe lists, perhaps explained by his having been in another county indentured to another. Lower Southwark Parish was very near the Isle of Wight County line. He is another brave soul who crossed the Atlantic for something better – likely the chance to own land. His son Thomas Edwards lived his entire life on the Blackwater Swamp and is interesting in two respects. First, he operated a cider mill, which means he probably had an apple orchard. His estate inventory included 30 cider casks. Second, he produced one of my favorite names that appears in my family tree - Ethelred Edwards. Believe it or not, there were actually two men of that name in Surry County at that time seemingly unrelated. But that is a story for another day!  

My line from Richard Edwards

Richard Edwards (c.1685-aft. 1747) m. unknown

Thomas Edwards (c. 1715-c.1762) m. unknown

Ethelred Edwards (c. 1742-c.1784) m. Mary Davis  

Thomas D. Edwards (c. 1775-c1812) m. 1796, Charlotte Long

Thomas Nicholas Edwards (1801-1854) m. 1835, Elizabeth Ann Crocker

Sidney Baxter Edwards (1850-1920) m. 1880, Lucy Rowell Berryman

Lucie Baxter Edwards (1891-1973) m. 1911, William Richard Rowell

Marian Berryman Rowell (1914-1979) m. Paul Newton Craig

Paul Franklin Craig (1941-        ) m. 1961, Rebecca Suzanne Eisenbeis

Paul Steven Craig (1964 –        ) m. 1990, Brenda Kay Gran      

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[1] William Edwards of Jamestown : a genealogical history of the descendants of his son William Edwards;  https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/119544-william-edwards-of-jamestown-a-genealogical-history-of-the-descendants-of-his-son-william-edwards

[2] Edwards surname origin. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edwards_(surname)

[3] Surry County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 5, Pt. 1, 1694-1709, p. 193; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V39L-1?i=208&cat=366316

[4] Some researchers have claimed that Richard Edwards was arrived in 1699 at the age of 14 citing Peter Wilson Coldham’s, The Complete Book of Immigrants 1661-1699, p. 718. This cannot be my Richard Edwards because that record is dated 9 November 1699. Not only is that five months after my Richard Edwards appears in the Surry County record, Coldham record is from Denbighshire, England and Coldham writes “[to serve in Virginia?].”             

[5] Surry County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 5, Pt. 1, 1694-1709, p. 210; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V39G-1?i=225&cat=366316

[6] Surry County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 5, Pt. 1, 1694-1709, p. 233; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V39G-7?i=254&cat=366316   

[7] Surry County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 5, Pt. 1, 1694-1709, p. 257;

[8] Surry County, Virginia, Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 5, Pt. 1, 1694-1709, p. 289; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V392-K?i=310&cat=366316

[9] Surry County, Virginia Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 5, Part 2, 1694-1709, p. 338: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V39V-F?i=357&cat=366316

[10] Land Office Patents No. 7, 1679-1689 (v.1 & 2 p.1-719), p. 159 (Reel 7), Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[11] Surry County, Virginia Deeds, Wills, Etc., No. 2 1671-1682, p. 319; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-KCVM?i=589&cat=366316

[12] Browne, C. (1700) A new map of Virginia, Maryland, and the improved parts of Pennsylvania & New Jersey. [London?: Christopher Browne?] [Map] Retrieved from the Library of Congress,https://www.loc.gov/item/2004633785/.

[13] Surry County, Virginia Orders 1691-1713, p. 359; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-JQDB-W?i=272&cat=374004

[14] Surry County, Virginia Orders 1691-1713, p. 364; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-JQD6-S?i=274&cat=374004

[15] Surry County, Virginia Deeds, Wills, Etc. No. 6 1709-1715, p. 105; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V396-D?i=535&cat=366316

[16] Surry County, Virginia Deeds. Wills, Etc. No. 9, 1738-1754 , p. 222; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-K9X1?i=148&cat=366316

[17] Surry County, Virginia Deeds. Wills, Etc. No. 9, 1738-1754 , p. 224; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-K9Z2?i=149&cat=366316

[18] Surry County, Virginia Deeds. Wills, Etc. No. 9, 1738-1754 , p. 478; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-K99M?i=283&cat=366316

[19] Surry County, Virginia Deed Book No. 4 1741-1746, p. 307; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-D5GV?i=181&cat=401177

[20] Surry County, Virginia Deed Book No. 4 1741-1746, p. 308; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-D5GF?i=182&cat=401177

[21] Surry County, Virginia Deed Book No. 5 1746-1749, p. 173;  

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKK-DRSL?i=392&cat=401177

[22] Surry County, Virginia Will Book 10, p. 304; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-KSVP?i=170&cat=366316

[23] Surry County, Virginia Wills, Etc. No. 10 1754-1768, p. 314; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-KS63?i=175&cat=366316

• Surry County Connections