On 24 March 1740, for £4 of “good and lawful money” my 6x great grandfather Robert Vaughan I received a grant for 800 acres described as “lying and being in the County of Amelia on the lower side of Flatt Creek.” The bounds are given as “Beginning at his lower corner Poplar on said Creek below the mouth of Frank’s Creek, Thenceforth 15 degrees East 236 poles to a corner pine, thence South 220 poles to a faced corner, Thence West 320 poles crossing Frank’s Creek to a faced corner near a small branch, Thence North 217 poles to a corner in Thomas Winford’s line, Thence East 43 degrees North, 109 poles along Winford’s line to his lower corner, Thence North 35 degrees, West 190 poles along the said Winford’s lower end line to a black walnut tree upon Flatt Creek and thence down the same as it meanders to the Beginning.[1]
Robert Vaughan I was a son of Nicholas and Ann (———-) Vaughan. You can read about Nicholas Vaughan here: https://asonofvirginia.blog/2023/02/06/nicholas-vaughan-my-7x-great-grandfather/
Robert Vaughan was on this land by 1735
From the bounds description “Beginning at his lower corner” it is evident Robert Vaughan was already living on Flat Creek when his grant was issued. Grants were often issued several years after settlement.[2] In fact, Robert Vaughan was on his land by 10 September 1735, when he is mentioned in John Elam’s 294 acre grant on the “lower side of Flatt Creek & on both sides of Tommahawke Branch” and “adjacent Robert Vaughan.”[3] Amelia County was created by statute on 30 September 1734 to be effective 25 March 1735 [1st day if calendar year until 1752]. On 13 January 1736/7, Thomas Winford sold Nicholas Crawley 200 acres on the “lower side of Flatt Creek adjacent Robert Vaughan’s upper line.”[4] On 17 March 1736/7, Thomas Winford received a grant for 200 acres on the lower side of Flatt Creek bounded [in part] as follows: “Beginning at a black walnut on the said Creek above the Turkey Pen above Robert Vaughan’s upper line of his old land.”[5] Robert Vaughan also appears on 1736-1739 Amelia County tithe lists in the area “between Deep and Flatt Creeks” paying tax on himself and an enslaved woman named Patt. In 1739, his brother Lewis Vaughan was also a tithable of Robert Vaughan.[6]
Isham, Thomas and Lewis – Robert’s brothers
Robert’s brothers Isham, Thomas and Lewis Vaughan also settled on Flat Creek. Isham Vaughan’s upper corner is mentioned in a 10 June 1737 grant to Thomas Childrey for 250 acres on the lower side of Flatt Creek and on both sides of Frank’s Creek bounded as followeth [in part] “Isham Vaughan’s upper corner on the upper side of Frank’s Creek, along said Vaughan’s line, Tommahawke, Thomas Hamlin’s line, Branch of Buckskin.”[7] Two months later, on 15 August 1737, Thomas Vaughan received a grant for 400 acres on both side of Frank’s Creek of Flat Creek, beginning at Robert Vaughan’s upper corner, small fork of Wolfpen Branch, crossing Franks Creek to Robert Vaughans line.[8] And while he had been living on Flat Creek since 1739[9] when he was a tithable of Robert Vaughan, it was not until 10 September 1755 that Lewis Vaughan received a grant of 244 acres on the head branches of Tomahawk and Franks Creek adjoining the lines of Robert Vaughan and Isham Vaughan.[10]
Community Affairs
Robert Vaughan served on Amelia County juries for debt suits on 9 July and 20 July 1737. [12],[13] On 9 December 1737, he brought an “action of trespass” against Richard Ward who pleaded “non assumpsit.” A non assumpsit plea means the defendant denied taking on the promise or obligation of which he was accused.[14] This was a breach of contract suit. The jury “having heard the evidence and arguments on both sides” adjourned and then returned and “gave their verdict in these words: We find for the plt ten pounds current money & costs.” Ward was required to pay John Bently and John Burton, witnesses for Robert Vaughan for their attendance.[15]
On 11 March 1736/7 Robert Vaughan was one of several men appointed as a surveyor and tasked with clearing roads. Vaughan was to serve a surveyor of a “road to be cleared from Thomas Bottom’s on West Creek to the Old Ponds of Flatt Creek along or near the Old Ridge Path.”[16]Finally, on 8 December 1738, William Mays was appointed “Surveyor of the High Waies” in place of Robert Vaughan.[17]
A Family Man
Robert Vaughan married Martha ———-[18] by 1731 – as their eldest child, a daughter named Phebe was born 18 May 1732 and was baptized on 1 June 1732.They would go on to have six children. Son Nicholas was born 21 November 1734,[19] followed by sons Robert II (c.1736), James (c.1741) and Willis (c.1753). Finally, they added a daughters, Ann (c. 1755).
Robert Vaughan sells some land and gifts some to his sons
On 6 July 1747, Robert Vaughan leased 100 acres to John and Mary Turner for life. The rent was “two quarts of rum yearly on or before the 25th day of December, if demanded.” The portion leased was described as “a parcel of land lying on Vaughan’s Creek” and “including the old plantation of the said Robert Vaughan to be laid off in a square of equal sides the center whereof to be the uppermost corner of the old field adjoining the said creek at a marked walnut tree together with sufficient timber and other trees, buildings, fences and waters thereon being standing and growing.”[20] Given the generous lease terms, Mary Turner was probably a relative of Robert Vaughan. This land would be sold on 26 September 1754, when Robert Vaughan I sold 100 acres to Edmund Booker for £40 described as “on the lower side of Flat Creek and on a branch of the said creek known by the name of Vaughan’s Creek and is all that part of a tract of land whereon the said Robert Vaughan now lives on the south side of the road that leads from Henry Farley’s Ordinary to Mayes Bridge on Flat Creek and joining the land of George Smith, James Mitchell, Thomas Vaughan, William Bauldwin and the land that formerly belonged to Thomas Easley and is the same land whereon John Turner now liveth [this was the land that Robert leased earlier to the Turners].”[21] On 14 December 1754 John Turner sold to Edmund Booker, Jr. for £11.5.0 his interest in the 100 acres of “land that the said Turner holds by a lease from Robert Vaughan.”[22]This suggests the aforesaid Mary Turner had died. On 16 November 1750, Robert Vaughan sold 100 acres to Gardiner Mayes[23] for £20, described as “being part of the same tract that the said Robert liveth on beginning at the mouth of the Mirey Branch on the east side of Vaughan’s Creek thence up the said branch and main drain therof to the said Robert’s line thence southerly along his lines to Vaughan’s Creek thence down Vaughan’s Creek as it meanders to the beginning.”[24]
On 22 April 1756, Robert & Martha Vaughan gave their son Robert Vaughan II for the “natural love and affection they bear unto thee the said son” 200 acres of their land described as being “on the lower side of Flat Creek” bounded by “beginning at William Booker’s corner on Flat Creek thence along the said Booker’s line a southerly course then a westward course along a line of new marked trees crossing Vaughan’s Creek into the mouth of the first branch that makes out of the same below the said Robert Vaughan’s plantation whereon he now lives, William Thornton Smith’s line thence along said line to Flat Creek then down said creek to the beginning.”[25]
On 12 May 1760 Robert Vaughan I sold 1 acres of land for 5 shillings to “the Presbyterian congregation for their use for a place to fix a house on for the Worship of God” and described as “lying on the lower side of Flat Creek it being part of a tract or parcel of land granted to the said Vaughan by patent bearing the date the 24th of March 1740 bounded as followeth: beginning at a black Jack corned on his upper line thence East to a corner white oak thence North to a corner Red oak thence west to the said upper line thence along his line to the beginning.”[26]
In 1767, Robert Vaughan sold 200 acres to Thomas Friend of Chesterfield County for £165 described as being on “Vaughan’s Creek” and “being the plantation Where Robert Vaughan’s Son James Vaughan Now Lives, Adjacent Gardner Mays, Nathaniel Friend and said Thomas Friend.”[27] Finally, on 25 April 1771, Robert gifted his son Nicholas Vaughan “For natural love and affection,” 153 acres being “part of the tract the said Robert Vaughan now lives and bounded by the lands of James Vaughan, Gardner Mayes, Lewis Vaughan, Jesse Lunsford, and some land lately purchased by the said Nicholas and Bartholomew Vaughan.”[28]
The death of Robert Vaughan I
Robert Vaughan made his will on 10 August 1777, which was proven on 23 September 1779.[29] A transcription follows:
In the Name of God Amen. I Robert Vaughan of Amelia being in a low lingering state of health but of sound disposing mind in memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life I do make constitute and appoint this to be my last will and testament humbly giving my soul to almighty god that gave it me, & my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named and as for such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and bequeath in manner and form following (Viz):
First, I give and bequeath to my daughter Pheby Mays one Negro Wench named Jean, and her increase to her & her heirs & assigns forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Johnson one Negro wench named Biddy, one bed & furniture & two cows to her and her heirs & assigns forever – the bed and furniture being in her possession. Item. I give and bequeath to my son Willis Vaughan my Negro wench Moll and her child named Beck , a bed and furniture, my colt & philly to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Item. I lend to my beloved wife Martha Vaughan the land and Plantation whereon I now live, a Negro wench named Dinah, my mair named Poll, my stock of cattle, sheep and hogs & all the remaining part of my household furniture and all of my plantation utensils during her natural life and at her decease I give the same to my aforesaid son Willis Vaughan to him, his heirs & assigns forever.
I desire there may be no appraisal of my estate. I give and bequeath to my son James Vaughan all that part of my Land west of the meeting house path that leads from Flat Creek to the Old road to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Lastly, I do constitute and appoint my son Willis Vaughan Executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all wills by me heretofore made as witness my hand & seal this 10th day of August 1777.
Acknowledged in presence of Robt [his mark] Vaughan
Edmd Booker
Wm Mays [his mark]
On 22 September 1779, Willis Vaughan and his wife Edith sold this 200 acre tract he inherited to John Jones for £3000. Land described as on upper side of Vaughan’s Creek being same land whereon Willis and Martha Vaughan [Robert I’s widow] now live. Adj. lines of James Vaughan [Robert I’s son], estate of Thomas Friend, decd [bought land from Robert Vaughan I], Pheby Mayes [Robert I’s daughter] and Martha Robertson.[30]
Robert Vaughan I, b.c. 1710, Prince George County, Virginia, d.c. 1779, Amelia County, Virginia, m. abt. 1731, Martha ———-[31] by 1731, prob. Prince George County, issue:
Pheobe Vaughan (1732-1795) m. William Mayes
Nicholas Vaughan (1734 – ) m. Elizabeth Williams
Robert Vaughan II (c.1736-1805) m. Elsie Motley
James Vaughan (c.1741) m. (1) Ann Hill, (2) Lucy Jeter, (3) unknown, (4) Mary Jackson
Willis Vaughan (c.1753) m. Elizabeth Gunn
Ann Vaughan (c. 1755) m. Isham Johnson
My Line from Robert Vaughan I:
Robert Vaughan I (c. 1710-c.1779) m. Martha ————
Robert Vaughan II (c.1736-1805) m. Elsie Motley
Robert Vaughan III (c.1770-c.1819) m. Sarah Truly
Augustus Vaughan (c.1811-c.1851) m. Mary Spencer Farmer
Ann Octavia Vaughan (1844-1942) m. John Augustus Rives Morris
John Stewart Morris (1868-1958) m. Annie May Blanton
Rebecca Blanton Morris (1913-1994) m. James Irvin Eisenbeis
Rebecca Suzanne Eisenbeis (1943-2009) m. Paul Franklin Craig
Paul Steven Craig (1964 – ) m. Brenda Kay Gran
[1] Vaughan, Robert. (1740). Land grant 24 March 1740; Land Office Patents No. 19, 1739-1741, p. 933 (Reel 17); Library of Virginia
[2] Library of Virginia; Headrights (VA-NOTES); https://www.lva.virginia.gov/public/guides/va4_headrights.htm.
[3] John Elam land grant. Land Office Patents No. 16, 1735, p. 273 (Reel 14), Library of Virginia
[4] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 1 1734-1743, p. 58; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-8Q6P-7?i=46&cat=282005; accessed 23 January 2023
[5] Thomas Winford land grant. Land Office Patents No. 17, 1735-1738, p. 256 (Reel 15); Library of Virginia
[6] Amelia County, Virginia Tithables (boxes 1-3), 1736-1771; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-17K3?mode=g&cat=670006
[7] Thomas Childrey land grant. Land Office Patents No. 17, 1735-1738, p. 321 (Reel 15); Library of Virginia
[8] Thomas Vaughan land grant. Land Office Patents No. 17, 1735-1738, p. 390 (Reel 15); Library of Virginia
[9] Amelia County, Virginia 1739 tithe list; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-17DH?i=62&cat=670006
[10] Land Office Patents No. 31, 1751-1756 (v.1 & 2 p.1-751), p. 671 (Reel 29); Library of Virginia
[11] Fry, J., Jefferson, P. & Jefferys, T. (1755) A map of the most inhabited part of Virginia containing the whole province of Maryland: with part of Pensilvania, New Jersey and North Carolina. [London, Thos. Jefferys] [Map] Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/74693089/.
[12] Amelia County Order Book 1 1735-1746, p. 28; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9ZX-5?i=33&cat=275453
[13] Amelia County Order Book 1 1735-1746, p. 72; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9Z2-X?i=54&cat=275453
[14] https://definitions.uslegal.com/n/non-assumpsit/
[15] Amelia County, Virginia Order Book 1 1735-1746, p. 39-40; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9ZF-Q?i=38&cat=275453 ; accessed 29 January 2023
[16] Amelia County Order Book 1 1735-1746, p. 21; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9ZX-M?i=28&cat=275453; accessed 29 January 2023
[17] Amelia County Order Book 1 1735-1746, p. 58; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4H-C9Z8-3?i=47&cat=275453
[18] Some researchers say her name was Martha Chappell daughter of Robert Chappell. I have not found any evidence supporting this.
[19] Chamberlayne, C. G. (Churchill Gibson). Births 1720-1792 from the Bristol Parish Register of Henrico, Prince George and Dinwiddie, (Mountain View, CA: John B. Boddie, publisher), p. 380, 381; https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/118117/?offset=#page=107&viewer=picture&o=info&n=0&q
[20] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 3 1747-1750, p. 207; Deed books, 1734-1869; general indexes to deeds, 1734-1974 (familysearch.org); accessed 11 November 2022
[21] Amelia County Deed Book 5 1749-1757, p. 194; Deed books, 1734-1869; general indexes to deeds, 1734-1974 (familysearch.org) ; accessed 11 November 2022
[22] Amelia County Deed Book 5 1749-1754, p. 336; Deed books, 1734-1869; general indexes to deeds, 1734-1974 (familysearch.org) ; accessed 11 November 2022
[23] Garner Mayes son and Robert Vaughan I’s daughter Phoebe were married in 1760
[24] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 3 1747-1750, p. 519; Deed books, 1734-1869; general indexes to deeds, 1734-1974 (familysearch.org); accessed 11 November 2022
[25] Amelia County Deed Book 5 1749-1754, p. 435; Deed books, 1734-1869; general indexes to deeds, 1734-1974 (familysearch.org); accessed 11 November 2022
[26] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 7 1759-1762; Deed books, 1734-1869; general indexes to deeds, 1734-1974 (familysearch.org) ; accessed 1 November 2022
[27] Amelia County Deed Book No. 9 1765-1768, p. 213; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q96R-C?i=114&cat=282005
[28] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book 11 1769-1772, p. 255; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q981-T?i=482&cat=282005
[29] Amelia County, Virginia Will Book No. 2 1771-1780, p. 341; https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007643926?i=177&cat=275408
[30] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 15 1778-1790, p. 190; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSYD-LS97-4?i=648&cat=282005
[31] Some researchers say her name was Martha Chappell daughter of Robert Chappell. I have never found any evidence supporting this.
A Son of Virginia 