Early Sightings Page 1

1607

Jamestown is founded by English colonists.

Library of Virginia Web Site

1619

Virginia General Assembly established.

Library of Virginia Web Site

1624

Virginia becomes a Royal British Colony.

Library of Virginia Web Site

1676

Bacon's Rebellion in VA against the Colonial government. Jamestown burned.

Library of Virginia Web Site

Transport of felons to American colonies authorized by British Parliament.

General history notes from Genealogical Assoc. of English-Speaking Researchers in Europe.

The English Parliament prohibited emigration of skilled artisans. Large scale Sots-Irish emigration began.

General history notes from Genealogical Assoc. of English-Speaking Researchers in Europe.

1

Benjamin

Oct 1733

Convicted of taking money from a shop in Middlesex, England

Coldham - English Convicts to America Vol I, p.229

1?

William

Dec 1733

Convicted of an unknown crime in London, England

Coldham - English Convicts to America Vol I, p.229

1

Benjamin

13 Jan 1734

Taken from Newgate Prison, London, England to the ship Caesar

Original Lists of Emigrants in Bondage fr London to the

1?

William

13 Jan 1734

Taken from Newgate Prison, London, England to the ship Caesar

American Colonies, 1719-1744, p. 136

1

Benjamin

Jul 1734

Arrived in VA as involuntary émigré aboard the ship Caesar from England.

Coldham - English Convicts to America Vol I, p.229

1?

William

Jul 1734

Arrived in VA as involuntary émigré aboard the ship Caesar from England.

Coldham - English Convicts to America Vol I, p.229

20 Sep 1734

Creation of Orange County from Spotsylvania, encouraged settlement west of the Shenandoah River by exempting payment of public, county, and parish levies for three years after settlement.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.162-3

15 Dec 1738

Two additional counties formed, Frederick and Augusta from Orange. This area composed the present day Orange, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Madison, and Green Counties. The population of Augusta Co was 19,925.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.163-4

1738

Smallpox epidemic wipes out one half of the Cherokee Nation.

America's First Western Frontier: East TN, p.163

British Parliament passed Naturalization Act conferring British citizenship upon alien immigrants to colonies.

General history notes from Genealogical Assoc. of English-Speaking Researchers in Europe.

16 Oct 1744

Albemarle County formed from Goochland County.

Atlas of Co Boundary Changes in VA 1634-1895 p.22

23 Mar 1748

Culpeper County formed from Orange County.

Genealogial & Historyical Notes on Culpeper Co p.viii

William

24 May 1748

Born in Culpeper Co, VA. Benjamin (Sr)'s 1st son.

His Revolutionary War Pension Declaration, Adair Co, KY, 1 Oct 1832, National Archives.

1748

The Loyal Company was formed with 800,000 acres secured from the English Crown "North of NC line and west of the Allegheny Mts. Inc some TN.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.171

6 Mar 1750

Dr Thomas Walker, Ambrose Powell, and others left Albemarle Co to explore the VA territory west of the New River.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.171-2

1751

1st individual tracts taken up along Cripple Creek by Jas Patton & Jas Wood, but the settlement was abandoned between 1755 & late 1760s or early 1770s.

Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.365

At beginning of the year 2 families resided on Back Creek (James Reed at Dublin, VA…..Reed Ck named for him) & 2 families on Cripple Ck (James Burk in Burk's Garden & Joseph & Esther Crockett at head waters of the S. fork of the Holston River).

History of SW VA 1746-86/Wash. Co 1777-1870, p.54

26 May 1754

George Washington gave the command for his small force of Virginians to fire on French soldiers from Ft Du Quesne. This officially began the French and Indian War and delayed settlement of SW VA.

The Virginia Frontier, 1754-1763, p.56

Spring 1754

A number of families left their settlements in SW VA due to Indian invasion. This process continued throughout the French & Indian War (1754-1763).

History of SW VA 1746-86/Wash. Co 1777-1870, p.53

8 Jun 1755

Party of Shawnese Indians attacked & wiped out a settlement on New River. Col James Patton, Casper Barrier, Mrs George Draper and a child among others were killed. Mrs Wm Inglis and other were captured and taken away

History of SW VA 1746-86/Wash Co 1777-1870, p.56-7

9 Jun 1755

Gen Braddock and a large force nearly destroyed by less than 900 French and Indians near Fr Du Quesne.

The Virginia Frontier, 1754-1763, p.70

Feb 1756

A forces of 760 (including 130 Cherokk & Chickasaw Indians) marched to the banks of the Ohio and Big Sandy River to avenge the massacre on the New River settlement. The force was commanded by Maj Andrew Lewis & included Capt Peter Hogg, Capt Wm Preston, and John Montgomery.

History of SW VA 1746-86/Wash Co 1777-1870, p.56-7

Benjamin (Jr)

29 Jun 1756

Born in Culpeper Co. Benjmin (Sr)'s 2nd son.

Copy of page from family Bible dated 1764
His Revolutionary War Pension Declaration, 11 Dec 1832.

John

1 Jun 1757

Born (Culpeper Co, VA ?). Benjamin (Sr)'s 3rd son.

More Speedwell Families by Joy E. Davis, p.243.

Fort Chiswell constructed as a protection against the Cherokee Indians. The fort was named after Col John Chiswell who owned the lead mine in what is now Wythe Co, VA

The Virginia Frontier, 1754-1763, p.114

2

Joseph

ca 1758

Born (Culpeper Co, VA ?). Benjamin (Sr)'s 4th son.

?

James

2 Jul 1760

born in Culpeper Co, VA. Could have been Benjamin (Sr)'s 5th son.

His Revolutionary War Pension Declaration, Campbell Co,TN, 11 Dec 1832, National Archives.

31 Oct 1760

Col Chiswell had a survey made for 1,000 acres of land located on both sides of the New River at present Austinville.

The Lead Mines of New River by Mary B. Kegely

2

Reuben

ca 1761

born (Culpeper Co, VA?) Benjamin (Sr)'s 6th son.

Marion County, Tennessee 1830 Census, p.276.

Work began in the Lead Mines near Fort Chiswell.

The Lead Mines of New River by Mary B. Kegely

7 May 1761

General uprising of the frontier Indians from Michigan to VA and the Carolinas known as Pontiac's War.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.200

?

Benjamin

23 Jul 1763

George Goggens vs. Benjamin Rogers, dismissed agreed

Culpeper Co Court Minute Book, 1763-1764 by A. M. Pritchard, VA c. 1930. pg. 396.

7 Oct 1763

The King of England issued proclamation prohibiting all persons from settling west of the Alleghenies (including all land west of New River).

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.225
The Wataugans, p.35

1763

Population of Colonial America was over 2 million occupying a narrow strip along the Atlantic seaboard. Interests were beginning to turn westward.

America's First Western Frontier: East TN, p.47

?

__Rogers

Received land granted by the King of England for service in the French and Indian War 1758-63.

Annals of SW VA, p.1415

Col Chiswell traveled to England to find experienced miners. He hired Wm. Herbert to serve as superintendent of the mines. The miners were known as the Welsh miners.

The Lead Mines of New River by Mary B. Kegely

2

David

ca 1763

born. Benjamin (Sr)'s 7th son.

2

Jeremiah

ca 1765

born. Benjamin (Sr)'s 8th son.

TN Roll of Rev War Pensioners from the Sec of War & his Revolutionary War Pension Application.

Col Chiswell & another partner in the Lead Mines died and due to the large amount owed to the VA Treasury, the mines were taken over by the colony.

The Lead Mines of New River by Mary B. Kegely

1768

Regulator movement 1765-71 was a revolt by NC frontiersmen against excessive taxation & corruption by government officials appointed by the "Crown".

The Wataugans, p.4
The Overmountain Men, p.20

1768

Regulators resorted to breaking up courts and freeing friends from jail. Many headed for the Holston River and the Watauga Valley to find land.

The Wataugans, p.9

1768

As many as 5,000 families had moved across the Proclamation Line into Indian land and were unprotected.

America's First Western Frontier: East TN, p.67

1768

William Bean staked his claim & built a cabin on Boon's Ck, in what is now Washington County, Tennessee. He was 1st settler in the Watauga Valley. The following year he brought his family. His son Russell was the 1st white born in TN.

Tennessee Soldiers in the American Revolution, p.5
The Wataugans, p.12
America's First Western Frontier: East TN, p.71

28 Nov 1769

Botetourt Co established by VA House of Burgesses by dividing Augusta Co. The area lying s. & w. of the North River became Botetourt Co and inc. all of SW VA.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.255
Montgomery Co, VA, The First Hundred Years, p.157

1769

Cherokees suffer defeat by Chickasaws; nearly 1/2 of the warriors were killed.

America's First Western Frontier: East TN, p.165

1

Benjamin

ca. 1769

Moves his family to the Cripple Creek area in what later became Wythe Co, VA

Rev War Pension Application of William Rogers b. 1748

22 Oct 1770

Treaty with the Cherokees negotiated by Col Andrew Lewis, Dr. Thomas Walker, John Stuart Lochaber, SC negated 1763 proclamation. This moved the Proclamation Line 70 miles W. from Ft Chiswell to near the Long Island. Those settling there thought they were legally settling on lands part of VA.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.227-8
America's First Western Frontier: East TN, p.71

Capt William Russell moved from Culpeper Co to Clinch River. His father by the same name came to VA in 1710 as a young lawyer from England, was High Sheriff of Orange Co, and Lt Col of militia. The son was a company cdr during Dunmore's War and a brevet brigadier general in the Rev.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.237 and Chronicles of Border Warfare, p.66

16 May 1771

Battle of Alamance (NC) pited 2,000 "Regulators" against a smaller army of NC. The Regulators were defeated, 6 were hanged, and others taken prisoner. For pardon, 6,000 Regulators disarmed themselves & many moved west.

The Wataugans, p.10

1

Benjamin

1771

Listed as a tithable on New River in William Herbert's Company.

Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340

2

John

1771

Listed as a tithable on New River in Herbert's Company. He "took up" 200 acres on Mine Mill Creek adjoining the upper side of James Brawley. This tract was later assigned to John Brawley who received the grant in 1782

Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340

2

William

1771

Listed as a tithable on New River in Herbert's Company. He owned 200 acres on Mine Mill Creek which he sold to Joseph Jackson in 1815.

Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340

2

James

1771

Listed as a tithable on New River in Herbert's Company. He owned land at the head of Cripple Creek, but assigned it to James Scott in 1782.

Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.339

James Robertson settles on the Watauga. This settlement became the nucleus of what became the Watauga Assoc, then the Washington Dist, Robertson left his home in NC in the throes of the Regulators movement.

Overmountain Men, p. 26
America's First Western Frontier: East TN, p.71

2

Benjamin (Jr)

1772

Listed as a tithable by John Montgomery.

Early Adventures on the Western Waters Vol III, p.340

?

James

Sink Hole Creek, 400 acres, actual settlement.

Annals of SW VA, Washington Co, p.1242

8 Apr 1772

Fincastle Co was formed by splitting Botetourt Co. New County Seat was at the Lead Mines in what is now Austinville, Wythe Co.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.256-7

Early 1772

Donelson survey found that Watauga was 50 miles west & 30 miles south of existing Indian treaty lines. Wataugan advised they were illegal squatters on  Indian land & their presence was obnoxious to the king & displeasing to the Indians.

The Wataugans, p.10-12
The King's Mountain Men, p.6

May 1772

The Wagaugans were too far south to be in VA and too far west to be part of NC. They leased their land from the Cherokees & formed their own government. Their Articles of Association were intended to help govern themselves. No movement was made toward independence from NC or the crown.

The Wataugans, p.16

1 Dec 1772

The following appointed as Justices for the 1st Fincastle Co Court: Wm Campbell, Wm Christian, Stephan Trigg, Walter Crockett, Anthony Bledsoe, Arthur Campbell, Benjamin Estill, Wm Inglis, John Montgomery, Robert Doak, James McGavock, James Thompson, Wm Russell, Samuel Crocket, Alexander McKee.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.257

5 Jan 1773

1st Fincastle Co Court held at Lead Mines (near current Wytheville).

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.257

John

Washington Co at Clay Lick, 400 acres, actual settlement.

Annals of SW VA, Washington Co, p.1243

William

Washington Co at Clay Lick, 400 acres, actual settlement.

Annals of SW VA, Washington Co, p.1243

10 Oct 1773

11 persons murdered by Indians in Fincastle Co including Daniel Boone's son, James and Henry Russell, son of Capt William Russell. This actually occurred in Powell Valley. Note that William Rogers was in Russell's Co below.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.260 & 268 & Chronicles of Border Warefare, p.144-5

Benjamin

3 Mar 1774

Appointed Constable on Cripple Creek.

Annals of SW VA, Fincastle Co, p.602

?

James

13 Aug 1774

List of men in Capt Daniel Smith's Co At the Glade Hollow Fort.

Annals of SW VA, p.1424

?

James

26 Aug 1774

List of men in Capt Daniel Smith's Co At Minden (Maiden) Spring Station Ft.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.286

10 Oct 1774

Battle of Point Pleasant against Chief Cornstalk and Logan. Ensuring peace brought an end to Dunmore's War and opened KY for settlement.

History of Tazewell Co and SW VA, p.328

Dunmore's War:

Benjamin (Sr)
(50 + years old)

Capt. Walter Crockett's Company. Fincastle Co DW p.254

Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.vii

Benjamin (Jr)
(19 years old) *

Capt. William Herbert's Company. Fncastle Co DW p.266

Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.xiv

?

James

Capt. Daniel Smith's Company (See below). Fincastle Co DW p.266

Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.xxix

John
(17 years old) *

Capt. William Herbert's Company. Fincastle Co DW p.266

Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.xiv

William
(26 years old)

Capt. William Russell' Company (See 1770). Fincastle Co DW p.231

Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.xxvi

?

John

Capt. William Campbell's Company. Fincastle Co DW p.250

Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.vii

?

John

Capt. William Campbell's Company. Fincastle Co DW p.252

Dunmore's War Card Index at Library of VA, indx p.v11

?

David

Rodabach's Battle of Point Pleasant

?

William

Rodabach's Battle of Point Pleasant