There are a couple of Roberts (what a surprise, eh?)
Mike Taylor seems to think that one Robert was one of the set of brothers from Ireland/Britain, who came over in the late 1730s-early 1740s.
Mike first found him in 1747 in the list of baptisms by John Craig (available various places, including ancestry.com)
I first found him in Chalkley in 1748, when he was listed as a constable..
He didn’t get a land patent until 1756. The land he did get was in the vicinity of the Old Stone Meeting House (David, William, Thomas Stevenson were nearby)
Robert is mentioned (in Chalkley) in connection with William and with his own son Thomas.
He has land near William’s on Walker’s Run - which is possibly different from Walker’s Creek, which is in Borden’s Grant. Robert seems to be closer to the Stone Meeting House, which is NOT in Beverly or Borden, but just NW of them. The executor of his will is James Poage - and a certain Thomas Stevenson (Robert’s brother?) had a son-in-law and grandson named George Poage. The Poages got land from Borden in 1742, but the Poages on the map are in Beverly Manor, the north western part.
He possibly was married when he came into Virginia; he is probably the Robert who married (again?) in 1768. His wife was probably Martha, widow of George Rankin, who had a daughter named Mary Rankin. (Martha’s maiden name was possibly Crawford, according to Jim Veregge, who is project originator at the Early Settlers of Augusta County site.) He had trouble with runaway servants. He died in 1772. In his will, he mentions his son Thomas, his wife Martha and her daughter Mary Rankin, and “his living daughters.” So it is possible he may have been the father of our Susannah Stevenson.
I have an ancestor, Elizabeth Stephenson, born about 1752 in Augusta, Virginia who is also a daughter of Robert Stephenson. I indicate he was born about 1726 and lived in Augusta, Virginia, but I am not sure that he was born there or anything else about him. Do you have any details that may help? Elizabeth married James Dobbins, who was born in Ireland. She died about October, 1838 in Anderson County, South Carolina.
Stephenson Genforum Message 1350 - William L Barber - Dec 24, 1999
James DOBBINS, b.c. 1740 in IRL, d. December 24, 1817 in Pendleton Dist, SC. He married Elizabeth STEVENSON, b.c. 1758 in Augusta Cy, VA, m.c. 1772 in Shenandoah, VA, d.c. October 1838 in Pendleton Dist, SC. Her father was Robert STEVENSON, (no dates) and her mother was Elizabeth KIRKPATRICK. I would be interested to see James' will.
Dobbins Genforum Message 168 - 23 March 1999 - Roger Hillhouse
~1710 - born
17xx - to Virginia
17xx - son Thomas born
1734 - Orange Co formed from Spotsylvania Co
1738 - Augusta Co (formed from Orange Co)
1747 - first mention in Augusta County - in the Baptisms by John Craig
August 1747 - 27
Robert Stephenson stood sponsor for a child named Lititia Tillary born of Katherine Queen, a common strumpet, and sworn by her to John Tillary a single person and by him bound to Robert Stephenson.
1748
DELINQUENTS
Rob't Stevenson, Constable; Ro. Stephenson, not found; Silas Stephenson, no effects Wm. Stephenson, twice charged This looks like two Roberts, yes? But one alreadly left the county???
1756 April 29
Robert Stevenson, claim for a bell impressed; Saml. Norwood, claim for ranging; Wm. Baskins, claim for ranging; Jeremiah Sealey, claim for ranging and provisions; George Robinson, claim for ranging; James See, claim for ranging; Henry Reaburn, claim for ranging; John Moore, claim for ranging. (CO Book 5 - 109)
1756 Aug 16
Patent to Robert Stevenson, 16th August, 1756, and by him devised to his son Thomas Stevenson, and by Thomas to Thomas Dixon. (Deed Book 22 - 295)
Land Records: Title Stevenson, Robert. Publication 16 August 1756.
Location: Augusta County.
Description: 330 acres on the head of some branches of the Middle River of Shanando.
Source: Land Office Patents No. 33, 1756-1761 (v.1, 2, 3 & 4 p.1-1095), p. 214 (Reel 31-32). (Other source Virginia State Land Office. Patents 1-42, reels 1-41.)
Robert Stephenson 220 a Augusta head of some brs of the middle Riv of Shanando - 16 Aug 1756 p 214 35 sh (Mag of VA Genealogy v 32#1)
1761 Sept 10
John Bellfaught's estate sold at vendue--To Catrina Faught; to Henry Lynor; to Andrew Faught; to Peter Funk; to Caspar Faught; to Henry Colar; to Elizabeth Bruester; to James Waite; to Alex. Kile; to Geo. Trout; to Robt. Reyburn; to Jno. Hines, Geo. Martin, Peter Miller. Robt. Stevens, Edward Rutledge, James Cover, David Menerley. Cash paid Christian Clements for 1 year's board of the widow. Balance due the legatees to be equally divided between Andrew Faught, Casper Faught. and the wife.--Christian Clements. Recorded, 21st May, 1766. (Will Book 3 - 448)
1763 Nov 12
Hugh Donaghey and Elisabeth ( ) to Alexander Blair, £63, 144 acres on south side Middle River Shanando, crossing the Bald Hill. Teste: John Blear, Robert Stevenson, John Anderson. Delivered: Alex. Blair, Jr., January, 1766.
(Deed Book 11 - 432)
1767 March __
John ( ) Davis and Judey ( ) to Samuel McKee, £45, 230 acres on Walker's Run, a branch of Middle River, between William and Robert Stevenson's lands. (Deed Book 13 - 206)
1767 Aug 19
Hugh Allen appointed surveyor of highway from James Given's Mill, by his house, to Stone Meeting House, and the following to work the road: Saml. Hinds, Robt. Stevenson, Wm. Kerr, John Stewart, John Campbell, James Allen, John Anderson, Hugh Allen, William McClure, James Allen, Saml. Bell, Andrew Lockhart, John Burnside, Saml. McKee, James Searight, Thos. Storey. (CO Book 9 - 220)
1768 April 29
Marriage Licenses in Augusta 1768--April 29, Robert Stevenson
1768 May 24
John Caton, runaway servant of Rob. Stevenson. (CO Book 12 - 314)
1769 June 20
James Lynch, runaway servant of Rob. Stephenson: Wm. Wooldridge, runaway servant of Michael Coulter; Joseph Webb, runaway servant of Joseph Moore (CO Book 13 - 203)
1770 March 18
Thomas Dixon and Elizabeth ( ) to John Lowry 330 acres patented to Robert Stevenson 16th August, 1766 and by his will devised to son Thomas Stevenson
(Deed Book 21 - 440)
Patent to Robert Stevenson, 16th August, 1756, and by him devised to his son Thomas Stevenson, and by Thomas to Thomas Dixon. (Deed Book 22 - 295)
Patent to Robert Stevenson, deceased, 16th August, 1756. (Deed Book 23 - 260)
1770 Nov 21
Alexander Robertson's appraisement (by John McMahon, Robt. Stevenson, James Allen, Arthur Conoley). (Will Book 4 - 357)
1772 Aug 12
Robert Stephenson's will--To wife, Martha; to son, Thomas, all lands; to each of living daughters, $1; to "my Mary Rankin, my daughter-in-law"; to grandchildren and Mary Rankin. Executors, John Polock and James Allen, Jr. Teste: James Anderson, Joseph (his mark) Reaburn, James Allen, Sr. Proved, 18th August, 1772. James Poage ("executor therein named") and James Allen qualify with Jno. Anderson, James Allen.
(Will Book 4 - 528)
Mike had a complete version of his will:
In the Name of God Amen, This 12th Day of Augt 1772 I Robert Stephenson of the County of Augusta and Colony of Virginia being Weak of [body] but of perfect mind and Memory, considerating the Mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament
And first of all I recommend my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God, and my Body I recommend to the Earth, to be Buried in a Decent like and Christian manner at the discretion of [my] Executor herein after named, and I order as it is my Will and desire that all my Legal Debts and D[eath] Charges may be paid by my Executor as soon as the situation of my affairs will admit
Imprimis, I give and Bequeath unto my Dearly Beloved Wife Martha Stephenson, one Third of my Real Estate of Lands either in Quality or Quantity During her Widowhood, together with [a] Bay Mare and Side Saddle and any three Cows she may please to Chusse out of my Cattle and the Pewter and Bedding which she Brought me, and one Third of my present Crop, and al[so] Winter provisions to be bought this year, and my great Bible
Item, I give Bequeath and Devise unto my Beloved Son Thomas Stephenson, all my Real [ ] of Lands except as reserved above to him his Heirs and assigns forever, together with my S[addle] and Worm, and Suit of Black Clothes
Item I give and Bequeath unto Each of my living Daughters One Dollar
[It]em I give and Bequeath unto Mary Rankin my Daughter in Law my Black Colt
And the Residue or Remainder of my Estate if any be, I Desire that it be Equally Divid[ed] amongst all my grand-Children, and Mary Rankin
I Likewise nominate Constitute and appoint John Poloch Esq and James Allen Ju[nr]
to be my whole and Sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and also ratify and Confirm this and no other to be my Last Will, dissanulling manner of Wills or Executors made my me any time heretofore
Given under my hand & Seal his [Sig]ned Sealed published and pronounced Robert R. Stephenson
by the said Robt Stephenson as his mark
Last will & Testament in presence of us
James Anderson
Joseph (his J mark) Reaburn
[Ja]s (his mark) Allen Senr
Robt Stephensons Last Testamt At a Court held for Augusta County August the 18th 1772
The last Will and Test of Robt Stephenson Decd was proved by the oaths of the Wits thereto & Ord to be Recorded and on the motion of John Poage and James Allen the Executors therein named who made oath According to law thereto as Granted them for Obtaining A Probat there of in due form they haveing with SecYs entered into and ack´d this their Bond According to Law.
1773 Nov 16
Thomas Stevenson and Elizabeth to Thomas Dixon, 330 acres patented to Robert Stevenson, 16th August, 1756, and devised to his son Thomas. Teste: Thomas Stevenson. (Deed Book 21 - 30)
1774 Aug 16
Robert Stephenson's estate settled Paid Thomas Stephens, Sr., Anderson Scoot.
(Will Book 5 - 262)
17xx - (Deed Book 23 - First deed recorded, 18th May, 1779; last deed recorded, 19th August, 1783.)
Patent to Robert Stevenson, deceased, 16th August, 1756. (Deed Book 23 - 260)
1784
Robert Stevenson's estate settlement. (Will Book 6 - 415) This might be a different Robert???
I think maybe all the above mentions in Chalkley refer to the same Robert.
Robert II. There is a later Robert who acts as surety for a marriage in 1794 and MIGHT be the son of Rev. James Stevenson sr, with brothers Andrew, Carter L, Lewis, Nancy, Edmund and James Stevenson and sister Sarah Woodville. Robert and James MIGHT be the ones who appear in Tazewell County in the early 1800s.
1794 June 11
Marriage licenses in Augusta
William Breeze and Robert Stevenson, surety. William Breeze and Sarah Brand, daughter of James Brand. Affidavit that Sarah is 21
1819
Stribling vs. Ross--O. S. 220; N. S. 78--Bill, 1819. In 1809 Edmund Penn of Amherst made deed recorded in General Court. Question is whether a deed can be recorded in General Court that is not acknowledged before the General Court.
Ded 22d April, 1809, by Edmund Penn and Jane, his wife, of Spottsylvania County to John Crump of same county, and James Ross, mortgage, 200 acres in Amherst called Glebe tract and 391 acres in Spottsylvania County called Hopewell, formerly belonging to Rev. James Stevenson, Sr. Acknowledged in Superior Court for Spottsylvania, 22d May, 1809, and ordered to be certified to General Court and recorded in General Court, 10th June, 1809. Deed 9th August, 1809, by Edmund Penn of Spottsylvania to Thomas H. Drew and John Fox of Richmond, mortgage, 900 acres in Amherst. Recorded in General Court, 13th November, 1809. Decree in Fredericksburg Chancery Court, 28th January, 1813, in cause, Ross vs. John Woodville and Andrew Stevenson, trustees of James Stevenson, Sr. Garrit Minor, administrator, c. t. a. of said James; John Woodville and Sarah; Andrew, Robert, Carter L., Lewis, Nancy, Edmund and James Stevenson, heirs of said James, deceased.
Archives of the Pioneers of Tazewell . . .
Note: I was not looking for the Stevensons when I had the actual book in my hands. I photocopied many pages, and on some of them there are mentions of Stevensons as well as Lusks - which accounts for the spotty nature of the documentation.
Will Book 1
3 June 1815
(97) Robert Stephenson (will) shown to us by James Stephenson admin.
Appraisment 54.50
Robert StevensAnd there is a Robert Stevens, whose will was proved in 1794. His wife was Agness (Nancy?); children John, James, Isabellla, Robert, Stephen, Mary, Nancy and William (the last three infants). 1780 Feb 13
Christian Clemons' (signed in German) will--To wife, Catharine; to son, John, home plantation; to eldest son, Gasper, plantation joining David McNeelly; to my in law, George Trout and his wife, 5 shillings; to Henry Lyner and his wife; to Philip Berger and his wife; to daughter, Catharine, and her son, David Trout; to daughter, Elizabeth. Executors, wife and son-in-law, Henry Lyner. Teste: John Davidson, Robert Stephen, Jno. Surfas. 15th March, 1783, Kathorine refuses to qualify. Teste: Robert Stephen, Jacob (mark) Barrier. Proved, 18th March, 1783, by Robert Stephens and John Surfas. Henry Lyner
qualifies. (Will Book 6 - 275)
1781
Tithables, 1781; Alexander Robertson's List:
Ro. Stephen and son James
1785
Insolvents and Delinquents, 1785; A. Mustoe's List:
Robert Stephen, removed
1794 May 17
Robert Stephen's will--To son, John; son, James; daughter, Isabella; son, Robert; daughter, Mary (infant); daughter, Nancy (infant); Stephen; to son, William (infant); to wife, Agness, Youngest children are William, Mary, and Nancy. Executors, James Crawford, Robert Craig. Teste: James Patterson, George Craig, John Clemons. Proved, October Court, 1794, by George Craig, John Clemans. Robert Craig qualified. (Will Book 8 - 126)
1794 Dec 2
Robert Stephen's estate appraised by Geo. Craig, James and Wm. Patterson--Account vs. his son James Stephen; Geo. Craig, son to the Rev. John Craig, by assumpsit. (Will Book 8 - 132)
1795 June 5
Christian Hincey, widower, and Geo. Craig, surety. Christian Hincey, widower, and Nancy Stephen, widow of Robert Stephen. (V. 2 - marriages)
1799
Marshall vs. Hunter--O. S. 43; N. S. 15--Bill filed 22d June, 1799.Fairfax had set aside 800 acres for himself which he contemplated giving to a certain _____ Beal (?), but Beal removed out of Berkeley Frederick . . . Robert Stephen deposes that after 1768 he was a rent collector for Fairfax.
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Page last updated 16 Feb 2011
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