On the 24^th of February 1823, Richard Rowell and Francis Holt bound themselves to the James Pleasants, Governor of Virginia in the amount of $150. This was for a marriage bond that reads in part “whereas a marriage is shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound Richard Rowell and Rebecca Holt, daughter of the above named Francis Holt . . .“^[1]    

A month later, on 23 March 1823, Richard Holt, about 32 and Rebecca Holt, about 21, were married by the Reverend Joseph Bidgood, Deacon of the Methodist Church.^[2]   

The groom, Richard Rowell IV (c.1791-1855) was born in Surry County as the third child of Richard III & Sarah (Gray) Rowell. His siblings included James (c.1786), Mary “Polly” (c.1788), Ann “Nancy” (c.1793) and John D. G. Rowell (c.1795). Their father died in 1796 in his early 30s according to land tax records, which in 1797 first reflected Richard Rowell, Est.^[3] He died without making a will at about 33 years of age leaving Sarah (Gray) Rowell with five young children to provide for and raise. She did so on their 100 acre farm adjacent to Richard Rowell III’s brothers, Samuel, Robert and Thomas Rowell and their families.^[4]  

Neither Richard Rowell IV nor his mother Sarah (Gray) Rowell appear in the 1810 federal census; however, Richard Rowell III’s Estate is listed as paying tax on 100 acres throughout the period.^[5] The family, while not identified in the census record, were evidently still together with eldest son James Rowell (c.1784-1853) listed as head of household. The household included 1 WM 26-44 – James Rowell, 1 WM 16-25 [prob. brother Richard Rowell IV b.c. 1791] and 1 WM 10-15 [prob. brother John D.G. Rowell b.c. 1800], 1 WF 26-44 [prob. mother Sarah (Gray) Rowell] and 3 WF 16-25 [prob. sisters Polly, b.c. 1786 and Nancy [b.c. 1796] and his new bride Betsy (Gray) Rowell whom he married 27 March 1810].^[6]           

A 22 year old Richard Rowell IV served during the War of 1812 in Thomas Shelly’s Company, 71^st Regiment of Virginia Militia, commanded by Col. William Allen, appearing as a private on a muster roll dated 30 June – 10 July, 1813. His uncle Thomas Rowell, also a private, is on the same list.^[7] His brother James Rowell served in Capt. Thomas Cocke’s Co., also of the 71st Regiment and commanded by Col. William Allen on the same dates.^[8] The Surry militiamen were likely mustered in response to the 22 June 1813 Battle of Craney Island and the 25 June 1813 Burning of Hampton.^[9]   

The bride, Rebecca Holt (c. 1803-1847) was born in Surry County, the oldest child of Francis and Elizabeth (Webb) Holt who married on 18 November 1802.^[10] Her parents had both been married before – albeit briefly. Francis Holt (c.1780-c.1833) first married Mary Scammell on 25 June 1799, but she died soon after and they had no children.^[11] Elizabeth Webb (c.1780-c.1840) first married John Mallicote (c.1780-c.1802) on 4 February 1801 and they had a daughter Louisa W. Mallicoat (c.1801).^[12],[13] Francis and Elizabeth (Webb) Holt had three more children including daughter Hannah Holt (c. 1806) and sons John H. Holt (c. 1809-c.1845) and Thomas H. Holt (c. 1818-1862).^[14]

Richard and Rebecca become landowners

On 6 May 1828, Richard Rowell attended a public auction in Surry County where was the high bidder at $95 for a 100 acres belonging to the heirs of William E. Thompson. “Bound by the lands of Burwell Barham, dec’d, Nathaniel B. Rowell^[15] & others.”^[16] Less than five months later on 30 September 1828, Richard and Rebecca (Holt) Rowell sold this tract to Milly Judkins for $200.^[17] On 30 September 1828, Richard Rowell bought 43 acres for $150 from Milly Judkins, Joel Judkins and Polly his wife described as the land on which Jesse Judkins died seized and bounded by the Holly Swamp north by the poll bridge branch and adjoining John Judkins, decd and Edward Hasty.”^[18]     

On 26 October 1829, Richard Rowell and Nathaniel Berryman^[19] served as security for John D. Berryman^[20] when he presented his credentials as an ordained minister of the gospel and received a license to “perform the rites of matrimony” for which he committed to do so agreeably to the “forms and customs of the said church according to Law.”^[21]  In the 1830 federal census for Surry County, Richard Rowell is listed as head of a household that included 1 WM 30-39 (Richard Rowell IV, b.c. 1791), a white female aged 20-29 (prob. Rebecca (Holt) Rowell), a white male 10-14 (unknown – too old to be child of Richard IV & Rebecca), white males under 5 (prob. Richard F. Rowell, b. 1826 and unknown) and one enslaved female age 10-23.^[22]   

1830 U.S. Federal Census, Surry County

By 1840, Richard Rowell IV’s household included a white male aged 40-49 (Richard IV), a white female aged 30-39 (prob. Rebecca), a white male aged 15-19 (prob. Richard F. Rowell, b. 1826), a white male 5-9 (prob. Patrick Henry Rowell, b. 1834), and 2 white males under 5 (prob. Thomas J., b.c. 1836, & unknown) and one enslaved female aged 10-23.^[23]

Richard and Rebecca (Holt) Rowell had at least seven sons between 1826 and 1843, of whom five reached adulthood. While two sons names are unknown, the fact that they died is recorded in the diary of the Reverend Robert Wilkins Berryman, a Methodist minister in Surry County, entries covering 1844 to 1890. On 21 June 1847, he made an entry “preached funeral for Mr. Richard Rowell’s wife and son.”^[24] A few months later in October 1847, Richard Rowell appeared in court to qualify as administrator of his wife’s estate with William Holt Berryman as his security.^[25] Just a year later, on 16 October 1848, Rev. Berryman’s diary contains an entry “preached funeral for Mr. Richard Rowell’s son.”^[26]Neither diary entry provides the name of the deceased son, but it does perhaps shed light on the unknown household residents in the 1830 and 1840 census records. I have not been able to find any other record of these two sons of Richard and Rebecca (Holt) Rowell.

Richard Rowell’s politics

Naming sons Patrick Henry Rowell and Thomas Jefferson Rowell during the 1830s suggests Richard Rowell was Democratic Republican. During the 1840s, the two political parties were Democratic Republicans (Democrats) and Whigs. Richard Rowell was appointed to a Democratic Republican Party Committee of Vigilance at a meeting at Surry Court House held on 25 September 1848.^[27]  Vigilance committees were the “get out the vote” effort of the era.              

A widower farmer

The 1850 federal census, the first to include names and ages of all white and free black household members, includes a widowed Richard Rowell (59) with sons Patrick (13), Thomas (11) and Josiah (7). He owned real estate valued at $300 and was a farmer.^[28] The 1850 Agricultural Schedule for Surry County tells us about Richard Rowell’s farming operation. He had 58 acres of improved land and 17 unimproved and the value of the farm was $200 with an additional $15 worth of farm implements and machinery. In terms of livestock, he owned three horses, one milch cow (for milk), four other cattle and 11 swine all valued at $80. Farmers in Surry County were not growing tobacco any longer in 1850, but had turned to corn, oats and potatoes.

For the year ending 1 June 1850, the Rowell farm produced 300 bushels of Indian corn, 100 bushels of oats, 10 bushels of beans, 5 bushels of Irish potatoes and 10 bushels of sweet potatoes. They also produced a ton of hay, 10 pounds of wool and 50 pounds of butter. The value of homemade manufacturers was $45, and the value of animals slaughtered was $46.^[29] Richard’s eldest son, Richard Francis Rowell married Martha D. Smith in 1848 and they were living nearby with their one-year-old son, John R. Rowell, as well as Richard and Rebecca (Holt) Rowell’s youngest son William E. Rowell (7) who was actually nine years old.^[30] Richard Rowell also held one enslaved female aged 22 in 1850.^[31]      

“Preached funeral for Mr. Rowell”

Rev. Berryman’s diary entry for 6 May 1855 states that he “preached funeral for Mr. Richard Rowell.”^[32] He probably died no more than a day or two before. Later that month, son Richard F. Rowell qualified as administrator for the estate of Richard Rowell, deceased with his security, Richard H. Rowell (son of Richard IV’s elder brother James and Betsy (Gray) Rowell. Richard IV and Rebecca (Holt) Rowell were survived by sons Richard Francis Rowell (29), Patrick Henry Rowell (20), Thomas Jefferson Rowell (16), William Edward Rowell (13) and Josiah D. Rowell (11).

On 8 November 1855, an inventory and appraisal was made of Richard Rowell’s chattel or personal estate was filed with the Surry County court. It amounted to $393.33 of which 157.50 was for 52 ½ bushels of corn and more than $100 of livestock. The enslaved woman held in 1850 was not listed. A public sale of the estate was held the same day, which yielded less than the appraised  value at $349.18.^[33]

Richard Rowell’s 1855 estate inventory 

A Chancery Court Suit was filed by the eldest son Richard F. Rowell against his four brothers on 19 July 1855, noted that their father died intestate [no will], that when he died he owned 56 ¼ acres not required for the payment of debts, that he left five children including Richard F., Patrick H., Thomas J., William E. and Josiah D. Rowell, the last four under 21 years of age. He asserted that the land would be unproductive to split five ways so it should be sold. The underage brothers, through their guardian ad litem appointed by the Surry Court, did not object. The court decreed that the land be sold at public auction “on a credit of nine months except so much cash as will pay the expenses of suit and sale.”  The buyer was to provide “five bonds in equal amounts with ample security” with one going to each brother. John W. Edwards was the high bidder at $362, which after paying expenses, netted to $331.16. Each Rowell brother received a bond for $66.23.^[34]

The brothers split up

Patrick Henry Rowell, age 21 [he turned 21 on 3 June 1855] in and Thomas Jefferson Rowell, age 16  went to live with their guardian and 24 year old 1^st Cousin James Gray Rowell (1831-1901), son of their father’s older brother James Rowell (1784-1853). He filed a guardian account for the period 24 June 1856 through 23 June 1857 on which date Patrick acknowledged that he had received his inheritance from his guardian, which amounted to 98.08.^[35] A few years later he filed a guardian account for Thomas Jefferson Rowell for the period 24 June 1856 through 1 January 1859 and on 1 July 1859 Thomas acknowledged receipt of his inheritance amounting to $82.01.^[36]   

Richard Francis Rowell became guardian of younger brother William Edward Rowell, age 13. He filed an account current for the 1 July 1856 through 25 July 1859 acknowledging a “balance due the ward this day” of $89.96. In October 1859, the Surry court ordered Richard F. Rowell to issue a bond in that amount to his brother and ordered interest on the amount accrue until paid.^[37] William was 18 at the time.       

The guardian of Josiah D. Rowell , age 11, was his maternal uncle Thomas H. Holt who filed a guardian account Josiah from March 1856 through 31 December 1856 reporting a $87.92 balance owed. Holt reported that his ward was in bad health and therefore could not be bound out to learn a trade resulting in clothing costs that otherwise would have been paid by his master.^[38] Another guardian account was filed was made for the 1857 year and reported a balance of $69.67 with the expenses mostly for clothes.^[39]  The December 1858 filing had a balance of $48.23, but noted he had begun a trade In November 1858.^[40] By the end of 1859, the balance was down to $34.34 – mostly for clothes.^[41] A final accounting of Josiah’s estate was filed by Rebecca Holt, widow and executrix of Thomas H. Holt, for the Dec 1859 through 1 July 1862 reporting a balance of $26.02.^[42]      

Patrick H Rowell’s guardian account [he is my 2x great grandfather]

Richard Rowell IV, b.c. 1791, Surry County, Virginia, d. early May 1855, Surry County, Virginia, m. 6 March 1823, Surry County, Virginia, Rebecca Holt, b.c. 1803, d. June 1847, Surry County, Virginia, issue:

Next time: A Call to Arms – the Rowell brothers go to War

---

^[1] “Virginia, Surry County Marriage Records, 1735-1950”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCH7-F9G : Fri Mar 08 19:13:13 UTC 2024), Entry for Richard Rowell and Rebecca Holt, 24 Feb 1823.

^[2]  “Virginia, Surry County Marriage Records, 1735-1950.” Database with images. FamilySearch. http://FamilySearch.org : 18 September 2020. Register of Deeds, Surry.

^[3] Surry County Land Tax Records 1782-1820, Reel 319, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

^[4] All three of these brothers married daughters of Reverend Nathaniel Berryman. 1793 – Samuel Rowell m. Sally Berriman; 1796 – Robert Rowell m. Lucy Berriman; 1809 – Thomas Rowell m. Ann Berriman. This is the known beginning of numerous Rowell and Berriman/Berryman marriages in Surry County.  Both of my paternal grandmother Rowell’s grandmothers were Berrymans.  Her paternal grandmother was Sallie Judkins Berryman (1844-1933) who married Patrick Henry Rowell (1834-1916) and her maternal grandmother was Lucy Rowell Berryman (1853-1931) who married Sidney Baxter Edwards (1850-1920).  Their fathers were brothers William Holt Berryman and Nathaniel Randolph Berryman who were both sons of Joseph Berriman, son of Reverend Nathaniel Berriman.  The spelling seems to have changed naturally over time from Berriman to Berryman.      

^[5]Surry County Land Tax Records 1782-1820, Reel 319, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

^[6] 1810 United States Federal Census, Surry County, Virginia, Ancestry.com

^[7] Virginia Militia in the War of 1812 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company2001), Vol. II, p. 712

^[8] Virginia Militia in the War of 1812 (Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company2001), Vol. II, p. 233

^[9] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Craney_Island

^[10] “Virginia, Surry County Marriage Records, 1735-1950”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCHW-WMC : Sat Mar 09 11:25:13 UTC 2024), Entry for Francis Holt and Elizabeth Mallicote, 18 Nov 1802.

^[11] “Virginia, Surry County Marriage Records, 1735-1950”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCH4-9CC : Fri Mar 08 03:00:10 UTC 2024), Entry for Francis Holt and Mary Scammell, 04 Jul 1799.

^[12] “Virginia, Surry County Marriage Records, 1735-1950”, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KCH7-D83 : Sat Mar 09 12:51:31 UTC 2024), Entry for John Mallicote and Elizabeth Webb, 04 Feb 1801.

^[13] Deed of Release dated 30 July 1817. In part: James Gray of Isle of Wight County have intermarried with Louisa W. Mallicoat, daughter of John Mallicoat, whereas Francis Holt her guardian and I have had a settlement of all accounts. It is further understood that the above named James Gray has received in right of his wife Louisa all property held by the above named Francis Holt and Elizabeth his wife as her right of dower in Jono Mallicoat’s estate. Surry County, Virginia Deed Book No. 5 1815-1818, p. 396; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-D9GR-Z?view=fullText&keywords=Francis%20Holt&groupId=M9J1-MQW

^[14] Surry County, Virginia Will Book No. 7 1834-1840, p. 42; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9PX-F7ZJ?view=fullText&keywords=Francis%20Holt&groupId=M9JB-QTL

^[15] Nathaniel Berryman Rowell (b.c. 1805) is a son of Samuel Rowell [son of Richard II and Sarah (Warren) Rowell and Sally Berryman [daughter of Rev. Nathaniel and Berryman and his unknown wife]    

^[16] Surry County, Virginia Deed Book 8, 1826-1830, p. 294; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-XSTV-7?view=fullText&keywords=Richard%20Rowell&groupId=M9JB-T8R

^[17] Surry County, Virginia Deed Book 8, 1826-1830, p. 355; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-XSKN-T?view=fullText&keywords=Richard%20Rowell&groupId=M9JB-T8R  

^[18] Surry County, Virginia Deed Book 8, 1826-1830, p. 368; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-XSGL-M?view=fullText&keywords=Richard%20Rowell&groupId=M9JB-T8R

^[19] Nathaniel Berryman Jr. [1778-1841]- son of the Methodist Rev. Nathaniel Berryman, Sr.

^[20] John D. Berryman is a son of Nathaniel Berryman, Jr. [1778-1841]    

^[21] Surry County, Virginia Deed Book 8, 1826-1830, p. 550; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C3QP-XS2P-F?view=fullText&keywords=Richard%20Rowell&groupId=M9JB-T8R

^[22] Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010; Year: 1830; Census Place: Surry, Virginia; Series: M19; Roll: 201; Page: 184; Family History Library Film: 0029680

^[23] 1840 United States Federal Census, Surry County, Virginia, Ancestry.com 

^[24] Berryman, Robert Wilkins. Records of Marriages and Funerals from Diary of Reverend Robert Wilkins Berryman, Surry County, 1844-1890. N.p., 1845. Print., p. 1, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

^[25] Surry Co. Order Book (1843-52) p. 272

^[26] Berryman, Robert Wilkins. Records of Marriages and Funerals from Diary of Reverend Robert Wilkins Berryman, Surry County, 1844-1890. N.p., 1845. Print., p. 4, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

^[27] The Richmond Enquirer, Friday, October 13, 1848, Richmond, Virginia, Vol: 45, p. 3

^[28] Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009; Year: 1850; Census Place: Southwark Parish, Surry, Virginia; Roll: 978; Page: 78A

^[29] Ancestry.com. U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010; Census Year: 1850; Census Place: Southwark, Surry, Virginia; Archive Collection Number: T1132; Roll: 3; Page: 505; Line: 1; Schedule Type: Agriculture.

^[30] Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009; Year: 1850; Census Place: Southwark Parish, Surry, Virginia; Roll: 978; Page: 81B

^[31] Ancestry.com. 1850 U.S. Federal Census – Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004; The National Archive in Washington DC; Washington, DC; NARA Microform Publication: M432; Title: Seventh Census Of The United States, 1850; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29

^[32] Berryman, Robert Wilkins. Records of Marriages and Funerals from Diary of Reverend Robert Wilkins Berryman, Surry County, 1844-1890. N.p., 1845. Print., p. 21, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

[33] Surry County, Virginia Will Book No. 10 1852-1863, p. 239-43; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V92S-Q?view=fullText&keywords=Richard%20Rowell&groupId=M9JB-QJW

^[34] Surry County, Virginia Chancery Suit 1856-002, Images 1-10, Richard F. Rowell v. Patrick H. Rowell, ETAL

^[35] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 351; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9J1-B?i=186&cat=366398

^[36] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 516;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9J1-L?i=271&cat=366398

^[37] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 425;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9V4-T?i=223&cat=366398  

^[38] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 425^;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9VM-7?i=175&cat=366398

^[39] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 357; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9VC-R?i=189&cat=366398

^[40] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 357; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9JB-6?i=204&cat=366398

^[41] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 357; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9V7-1?i=225&cat=366398

^[42] Surry County Virginia Guardians (or fiduciary) accounts, no. [4?], 1847-1865, p. 357; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-V9JY-5?i=277&cat=366398

• Surry County Connections