- Map - The Beckoning Land on the Western Waters - New River and tributaries
- Map - The Mountain Empire - showing present counties and county seats - Augusta, Botetourt, Greenbrier, Montgomery, Fincastle, Washington, Kanawha, Kentucky
- Map - Col. Patton's Survey for 7500 Acres at a Place Called Draper 1747 Patent, 1753 Subdivision for Settlers by William Preston, 1754 - includes: William Taylor, John Taylor, George Taylor, Charles Taylor, John Draper
- Map - The Beginnings of the Radford Neighborhood - includes: John Taylor
- Map - On East Side New River & Little River, New River tributaries
- Map - Early Crossings of New River - includes: Cloyd's Mountain, Tom's Creek
Before the homeseekers of Pennsylvania and Maryland began to expand into the Valley of Virginia in the 1730s, little was known about the region farther to the southwest, including the New River valley. Interest in discoveries had been stimulated by trading merchants of Eastern Virginia, but the planters there had remained very well satisfied with the opportunity for expansion east of the Blue Ridge. It appeared that the governing officials were concerned more with extension of the fur trade than they were in opening the land for prospective homeseekers. However, when the traders began to venture
beyond the Blue Ridge and return with glowing accoutns of newfound lands and westward-flowing rivers, then an interest in the Western Waters was aroused among potential settlers. A new era of western settlement began. . . .
beyond the Blue Ridge and return with glowing accoutns of newfound lands and westward-flowing rivers, then an interest in the Western Waters was aroused among potential settlers. A new era of western settlement began. . . .
The route followed by Batts & Fallam was different from the Trader's Path in that it bore northwest and west through the upper Roanoke region, coming across the Allegheny Dividing Ridge near the later Draper's Meadow settlement. . . .
The region lying south and west of Benjamin Borden's "Great Tract" (located in present Rockbridge County) and contiguous to it was the next territory to be occupied. And while William Beverly and Borden were inducing men to come into their domains, many who had already been there were joining newcomers in pushing farther south to be the first in more attractive locations. Practically all land in the "forks of the James" lay outside of Borden's grant, so this area with the land on the south side of the James and up the stream to its sources, together with the great valley of the Roanoke, formed an inviting field for settlement.
The laws and customs under which new lands were settled had been specified from the time of the first charter of the Virginia Company. Revisions in 1666, 1705, 1713, 1720, 1732, and 1748 an be studied in Hening's Statutes or paraphrases can be found in Kegley's Virginia Frontier, pp. 53-59. here the importation right, the treasury warrant, processioning, the tomahawk right, military grants, and "taking up land" are discussed. In addition, the method of obtaining a survey and patent are fully described.
It was under these laws and regulations that the lands of the Great Valley and Southwest Virginia were taken up. Numerous large grants were made, but only a few of them were followed by actual settlement. Certain steps were necessary in order to secure a title or patent to a tract of vacant land, and unless these necessary steps were taken the claimant would eventually find himself dispossessed of his holdings. The tract had to be selected and intended boundaries marked and some improvement made to show signs of occupation. An entry was then made with the county surveyor who eventually would survey the land and record the survey with a plat, filing a report with the secretary of the colony. Entry and quitrent fees had to be paid by someone, either by the prospective owners or by the settlement promoter. The report needed to lie for two years to see whether a conflicting claim would be filed before the petition for a grant was considered by the governor and council and an order made for the patent to issue. Although the patent was in the name of the King for the certain tract or parcel of land described in the survey written on parchment, it was signed by the then acting governor of the colony.
Some historians maintain that a patent was obtained from the King, and consequently was issued prior to the American Revolution, whereas a grant was obtained from the Virginia government after 1776. However, in court records of Southwest Virginia the two words appear interchangeably with regard to date.
The Wood's River Grant - After the Treaty of Lancaster in 1744 by which the Six Nations of Indians renounced their claim to all lands in Virginia, there was still greater interest in western lands. James Patton turned his attention to the Wood's River grant which was issued in the spring of 1745 to James Patton, Robert Slaughter, John Green, John Tayloe, Jr., John Belfield, William Green, Richard Barnes, James Gordon, James Wood, John Buchanan, George Robinson, James Bowey, Robert Jackson, William Parks, John Preston, Robert Gilchrist, Richard Winslow, John Roberts, John Wetheral, & James Johnston (Augusta County Surveyor's Book I; Council Minutes, April 26, 1745).
The land under this grant was to be located on three branches of the Mississippi River: the Wood's River (New River), the Indian River (Holston), and the Clinch with a total of 100,000 acres. Four years were allowed Patton and his associates to survey and pay rights for tracts which made up the 100,000 acres. However, before the agent & surveyor for this company appeared on the ground to take over the management of its affairs, several groups of individuals had made selections and established homes in anticipation of titles to the land. Some of the people on the Roanoke and James rivers extended their explorations and entries of land across the Dividing Ridge to the valleys of the Western Waters. Some surveys were certainly made while that territory was yet in Orange county, but since only a few patents were issued on such surveys, it appears that there was more prospecting for good land than there was staking definite claims for homesteads. There is no way to tell who was first on the ground. . . .
There were a number of men who were well enough acquainted with the territory to have locations ready to be surveyed at the convenience of the surveyor of Augusta County, or his deputy, James Wood, the former surveyor of Orange and now a member of the company, had six select places .. . . George Robinson, an early adventurer in each of the successive frontier settlements, had six tracts, one of which still bears his name in present Pulaski County . . . and George Draper was the founder of the Draper's Meadow settlement. Thomas, William & John Ingles were camped on a head branch of Roanoke . . .
As to the time at which settlements were made at Draper's Meadow and on the New River, the presumption is that Colonel Patton had selected the Draper tract of 7,500 acres along with others on the Western Waters even before the Wood's River Company was organized. It is further believed that he anticipated a subdivision of this tract and encouraged George Draper and others to settle upon it, promising them titles in due time; that there were a a number of families on the ground - neighbors to John Harrison Jr. on the southeast border of the 7,500 acre tract and Israel Lorton on Tom's Creek on the west border - when the Germans, the Dunkards, and the Harman group established themselves on the river. The Draper's Meadow and New River settlements were contemporary, and the date should be about 1745. . . .
The Greenbrier Company - Two companies of significance - the Greenbrier & the Ohio - received large grants and were actively pursuing development and settlement prior to 1750. The first of these - the Greenbrier Company - consisting of edmund Pendleton, John Robinson, Sr., Thomas Nelson, Jr., John Robinson, Jr., William Beverley, Robert Lewis, Beverley Robinson, Henry Weatherburn, John Lewis, John Craig, William Lewis, Charles Lewis, and John Wilson secured a grant to take up 100,000 acres on the Greenbrier River, then in Virginia, now in the eastern part of West Virginia. The river rises at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains in Pocahontas County and flows southwesterly through present Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe & Summers counties and enters into the New River at Hinton. The grant for the company was secured at the same time as Colonel James Patton received the Wood's River grant in 1745. Because the 100,000 acres allotted to this company were to be located on the waters of the Greenbrier River, the company became known as the Greenbrier Company. However, in the land records, the surveys were made generally under the authority of the Order of Council, allowing John Robinson and others, or John Robinson & Company to take up 100,000 acres of land.
Many of the early surveys on the Greenbrier River were made by Andrew Lewis for Thomas Lewis, Surveyor of Augusta County. The first selections were made between 1750 and 1754 and considerable progress was made in settlement before it was abandoned in 1755 because of Indian attacks. The surveys were recorded int he 1760s, many years after they were completed. They can be found in Augusta Survey Book 2, 1761-1769 and not in Book 1 as might be expected. Most tracts surveyed during this period were for John Robinson and Company, although a few individual's names appear in the records. . . .
Francis Preston was appointed in 1789 and served until 1793,when he was replaced by George Conway Taylor of Orange County. In 1797 William Draper was appointed to act for Taylor under the power of attorney. . . .
Loyal Company Surveys - Thomas Walker, Esq. on behalf of himself and the other members of the Loyal Land Company, presented to the Land Office sometime prior to May 1783, the following list of surveys made for almost 1,000 early adventurers on the Western Waters under the terms of the Loyal Company grant. These records are not individually dated, but from other sources the dates of the survey can usually be obtained. These records were found in the Augusta County Chancery Suit file N.S. 183 (1834), and a similar list was also located in the Loyal Company papers at the Archives, Virginia State Library. The list at the Library is probably more significant because in many instances it shows the name of the person receiving the grant. Some of these were issued as last as 1817. It is apparent that many of those who received the grant for the land, and many others transferred their interest to new settlers who perhaps received the grant many years later.
The following list was carefully prepared from both lists mentioned above, but then as now, some writing was difficult to decipher. When there is any doubt about the name, an alternate spelling is given. In some cases, two spellings were given in the original. The numbers which follow the names indicate the number of acres surveyed. In addition to locations on the New River, many of these surveys were located on various branches of the Holston and Clinch Rivers.
During Dunmore's War in the summer and fall of 1774 the names of additional captains are obtained from the Auditor's Accounts which show the pay each man received for his service. These captains were William Russell, Evan Shelby, William Cocke, James Thompson, Anthony Bledsoe, Daniel Smith, William Campbell, Walter Crockett, Joseph Cloyd, John Floyd, James Robertson, Robert Doak, James Harrod, William Herbert, Hugh Crockett and David Looney. In addition, detachments under lesser officers were paid for duty: Henry Sceggs, sergeant, William Edmundson, lieutenant, Henry Patton, ensign, James Byrn, sergeant, and William Robinson, lieutenant. . . .
In 1782 Abram Trigg was appointed major in room of Daniel Trigg who was promoted. . . . According to the petition of Abram Trigg, and a similar document from James McCorkle, Daniel Howe, and James Craig, on election day March 19, 1793 Captain William Preston, an officer of the federal army, brought a company of his soldiers to the Courthouse in Christiansburg, and interfered with the election process. Preston was accused of insisting that his soldiers should be polled, and should vote for his brother, Francis Preston. The soldiers caused a great disturbance around the courthouse, and terrorized the voters who were assembled there and were voting in favor of Trigg. One of the soldiers struck and knocked down one of the justices of the court, without any just provocation. The soldiers conducting themselves in an "assuming, turbulent, insolent, and riotous manner, assaulting, insulting and threatening to beat those voters who" . . . favored Trigg. Trigg requested an opportunity to prove the allegations by legal testimony, in order that he could obtain the seat which he considered was lawfully his. Another petition to George Washington requested a trial by a military tribunal for Captain William Preston. It was felt that a civil prosecution would be treated with derision and contempt by Francis Preston (Filson Club, Preston Papers, Joyes collection, copies of legal documents filed with the War Office of the United States). Whether the requested action was carried out is not known, but on March 4, 1797 Abram Trigg was elected to serve in Congress and remained there until March 3, 1809 (Biographical Directory of American Congress, p. 1830). . . .
In July 1810 Abraham Trigg and his wife Susannah sold off two tracts of 100 and 130 acres on Tom's Creek to philip Harless . . . In September 1813 he sold the remaining 1,630 acres included in several surveys to Gordon, Thomas, and David Cloyd. These lands included a one acre mill site on Tom's Creek, and 464 acres granted to Jacob Shull [Shell] adjoining Richard McCoy (Montgomery Deed Book E, p. 392). . . .
The Beginnings of the Radford Neighborhood - map The Creeks on East Side of New River & on Little River, present Montgomery & Floyd Counties . . . The Map shows that Rush Creek, Burk's Fork, Greasy Creek, Pine Creek, Beaver Creek, Camp Creek, Old Field's Creek, Laurel Branch and others are branches of Little River within Floyd County. Among the first landowners were George Miner, John Mills, John Miller, Thomas Ogle, Samuel Arnold, Daniel Brown, Robert Box, as well as John Buchanan and Colonel James Patton. All of these names appear before 1751. . . .
In 1776 Henry Stafford was appointed overseer of the road from the "Seven Mile Tree" to Ingles' Ferry. Alexander Robertson was appointed overseer from the ferry to Sinking Spring . . .
In 1785 Samuel Pepper, Samuel Cecil, Samuel Cloyd, and Robert Currin were asked to view the three roads from the ford of Peak Creek to John Cloyd's old place (probably New Dublin) and make a report. The report noted that the way by David Crouch's was the best, and that the established and the old road by Ingram's was to remain open for the benefit of the neighborhood traveling to Ingram's mill. . . .
New Dublin Community Center - The Church - The name New Dublin first appears in 1769 in connection with the Presbyterian congregation established under the name New Dublin. This church was organized by the Rev. John Craig who visited the community in 1769, as the Minutes of the Hanover Presbytery show. At New Dublin, Craig reported 45 families in the membership who promised the sum of £45 a year for a minister's support. The elders ordained at this time were Joseph Howe, Samuel Colvill, John Taylor, Samuel Cloyd, and James Montgomery.
It seems that the first church was built on a 37-acre tract of land first owned by Peter Shaver, who received the patent for the land in 1753. This land located on Sinking Spring Creek, sometimes called Mill Branch or Dublin Branch was north of the Dunkard Bottom lands on the west side of New River in present Pulaski County. The Ingles' Ferry Road headed southwest to pass through this community before heading northwest towards the area later known as Newbern.
The tradition that the church was built on Joseph Cloyd's land to entice his wife, Mary, to come to the "wilderness" seems not to apply to this first church. The church was in existence at least three years before Joseph & Mary Cloyd came to settle on Back Creek. There is no record that will show that Joseph Cloyd ever owned the land called the New Dublin tract, but it is worthwhile to note that John Cloyd, his cousin, was living on the tract at thte time of the organization of the New Dublin Presbyterian Church (See John Cloyd sketch).
There is no question that, when the church moved to its present location, Joseph Cloyd was the benefactor. In 1793 he chose 49 acres for the use of the New Dublin Congregation (Montgomery County Survey Book F, p. 88).
This church often claims to be the oldest congregation in Southwest Virginia, but the St. Michael's-St. Peter's Lutheran congregation on Tom's and Strouble's Creek appears to be able to claim this title. Of course New Dublin has continually used the same name since its foundation, and is one of the earliest congregations of the Presbyterian faith in Southwest Virginia.
The Stores & Ordinaries - In 1754 John Miller purchased the 37 acres from Peter Shaver and retained the title until October 3, 1769. John Miller at this time was living in Roan County [Rowan?] and when the deed was made it was noted that this 37 acres was the place "whereon John Cloyd now lives" (Botetourt County Deed Book 1, p. 18).
In 1771 John Cloyd & his wife Margaret, sold the place for £60 to David Ross & Stephen Trigg who were noted merchants of Southwest Virginia (Botetourt County Deed Book 1, p. 360). . . .
The map of an 1800 survey for Thomas Cloyd shows the location of the New Dublin tract, it being then surrounded by the lands of Thomas Cloyd. In 1819, Gordon Cloyd obtained the title to the New Dublin tract, "being the old survey sold by David Ross to John Allen and James Reed, estimated to be 35-40 acres." There was no deed made to Allen and Reed and the deed to Cloyd came from Dnaiel Sheffey and his wife, Maria (Montgomery County Deed Book G, p. 211).
It has long been claimed that a certain Irishman named Reed was responsible for naming the tract in the first place. However, Reed does not show up in the neighborhood until many years after the church was mentioned, the ordinaries were in business, and the name well established. If anyone is to be given credit for the name why not John Cloyd who owned the land at the the time the church was established?
The community of stores, ordinaries, and so forth seem to have deteriorated after 1800, although Wood's Map of 1821 shows New Dublin. Oldtimers of the 1930's pointed out a blacksmith shop which appears to have been part of the New Dublin community also. Just when the New Dublin Church moved to the present site is not known, but the survey for the congregation at its present site was made on January 2, 1793.
In 1822 Gordon Cloyd made a deed to Thomas Cloyd for the New Dublin lands, noting that Gordon had purchased the tract of 37 acres and intended it for the benefit of Thomas "provided he chose to accept and the said bargain and advance consideration being $1200 paid to Daniel Sheffey." Thomas Cloyd had agreed to this so the property was released by Gordon (Montgomery County Deed Book H, p. 158).
Augusta County Surveys: Filed in Staunton, VA, Book 1
Two of David Cloyd's children grew to maturity and settled on their father's lands. Lucy married Robert Barton, and Catherine married Haven B. Howe. Another daughter, Mary David, died young (Gray, McGavock Family, pp. 12, 35).
The David Cloyd house was built between 1847 and '49, taking approximately two years to construct. The house was destroyed at the time Claytor Lake was built. The Howe home presently serves as the State Park Administration center at the Lake.
Before moving to New River, Augusta County records show that Samuel and Ninian purchased land together in 1761 from Armstrongs and sold the same tract two years later with their respective wives, Elizabeth and Mary. In 1762 Samuel and Ninian Cloyd were administrators of the estate of James Armstrong deceased. In 1764 John and Ninian Cloyd purchased land together and sold it the following year. In 1766, a record in Augusta County shows that Samuel Cloyd was by occupation a "britches maker," and by 1767 he had removed from Augusta County. It is probably about this time that he and John moved to New River (Chalkley, Chronicles, III, 79, 378, 407, 411, 445).
The Wood's River Grant - After the Treaty of Lancaster in 1744 by which the Six Nations of Indians renounced their claim to all lands in Virginia, there was still greater interest in western lands. James Patton turned his attention to the Wood's River grant which was issued in the spring of 1745 to James Patton, Robert Slaughter, John Green, John Tayloe, Jr., John Belfield, William Green, Richard Barnes, James Gordon, James Wood, John Buchanan, George Robinson, James Bowey, Robert Jackson, William Parks, John Preston, Robert Gilchrist, Richard Winslow, John Roberts, John Wetheral, & James Johnston (Augusta County Surveyor's Book I; Council Minutes, April 26, 1745).
The land under this grant was to be located on three branches of the Mississippi River: the Wood's River (New River), the Indian River (Holston), and the Clinch with a total of 100,000 acres. Four years were allowed Patton and his associates to survey and pay rights for tracts which made up the 100,000 acres. However, before the agent & surveyor for this company appeared on the ground to take over the management of its affairs, several groups of individuals had made selections and established homes in anticipation of titles to the land. Some of the people on the Roanoke and James rivers extended their explorations and entries of land across the Dividing Ridge to the valleys of the Western Waters. Some surveys were certainly made while that territory was yet in Orange county, but since only a few patents were issued on such surveys, it appears that there was more prospecting for good land than there was staking definite claims for homesteads. There is no way to tell who was first on the ground. . . .
There were a number of men who were well enough acquainted with the territory to have locations ready to be surveyed at the convenience of the surveyor of Augusta County, or his deputy, James Wood, the former surveyor of Orange and now a member of the company, had six select places .. . . George Robinson, an early adventurer in each of the successive frontier settlements, had six tracts, one of which still bears his name in present Pulaski County . . . and George Draper was the founder of the Draper's Meadow settlement. Thomas, William & John Ingles were camped on a head branch of Roanoke . . .
As to the time at which settlements were made at Draper's Meadow and on the New River, the presumption is that Colonel Patton had selected the Draper tract of 7,500 acres along with others on the Western Waters even before the Wood's River Company was organized. It is further believed that he anticipated a subdivision of this tract and encouraged George Draper and others to settle upon it, promising them titles in due time; that there were a a number of families on the ground - neighbors to John Harrison Jr. on the southeast border of the 7,500 acre tract and Israel Lorton on Tom's Creek on the west border - when the Germans, the Dunkards, and the Harman group established themselves on the river. The Draper's Meadow and New River settlements were contemporary, and the date should be about 1745. . . .
The Greenbrier Company - Two companies of significance - the Greenbrier & the Ohio - received large grants and were actively pursuing development and settlement prior to 1750. The first of these - the Greenbrier Company - consisting of edmund Pendleton, John Robinson, Sr., Thomas Nelson, Jr., John Robinson, Jr., William Beverley, Robert Lewis, Beverley Robinson, Henry Weatherburn, John Lewis, John Craig, William Lewis, Charles Lewis, and John Wilson secured a grant to take up 100,000 acres on the Greenbrier River, then in Virginia, now in the eastern part of West Virginia. The river rises at the foot of the Allegheny Mountains in Pocahontas County and flows southwesterly through present Pocahontas, Greenbrier, Monroe & Summers counties and enters into the New River at Hinton. The grant for the company was secured at the same time as Colonel James Patton received the Wood's River grant in 1745. Because the 100,000 acres allotted to this company were to be located on the waters of the Greenbrier River, the company became known as the Greenbrier Company. However, in the land records, the surveys were made generally under the authority of the Order of Council, allowing John Robinson and others, or John Robinson & Company to take up 100,000 acres of land.
Many of the early surveys on the Greenbrier River were made by Andrew Lewis for Thomas Lewis, Surveyor of Augusta County. The first selections were made between 1750 and 1754 and considerable progress was made in settlement before it was abandoned in 1755 because of Indian attacks. The surveys were recorded int he 1760s, many years after they were completed. They can be found in Augusta Survey Book 2, 1761-1769 and not in Book 1 as might be expected. Most tracts surveyed during this period were for John Robinson and Company, although a few individual's names appear in the records. . . .
Francis Preston was appointed in 1789 and served until 1793,when he was replaced by George Conway Taylor of Orange County. In 1797 William Draper was appointed to act for Taylor under the power of attorney. . . .
Loyal Company Surveys - Thomas Walker, Esq. on behalf of himself and the other members of the Loyal Land Company, presented to the Land Office sometime prior to May 1783, the following list of surveys made for almost 1,000 early adventurers on the Western Waters under the terms of the Loyal Company grant. These records are not individually dated, but from other sources the dates of the survey can usually be obtained. These records were found in the Augusta County Chancery Suit file N.S. 183 (1834), and a similar list was also located in the Loyal Company papers at the Archives, Virginia State Library. The list at the Library is probably more significant because in many instances it shows the name of the person receiving the grant. Some of these were issued as last as 1817. It is apparent that many of those who received the grant for the land, and many others transferred their interest to new settlers who perhaps received the grant many years later.
The following list was carefully prepared from both lists mentioned above, but then as now, some writing was difficult to decipher. When there is any doubt about the name, an alternate spelling is given. In some cases, two spellings were given in the original. The numbers which follow the names indicate the number of acres surveyed. In addition to locations on the New River, many of these surveys were located on various branches of the Holston and Clinch Rivers.
- William Cocke - 165 acres
- George Clark, grant 1803 to Benjamin Clark - 380 acres
- Samuel Cloyd, grant 1789 to Jonathan Ingram - 90 acres
- William Dove - 230 acres
- The Loyal Company, grant 1800 to Geo. C. Taylor - 170 acres
- The Loyal Company, grant 1800 to Geo. C. Taylor - 395 (375) acres
William Preston Surveys for Loyal Company on New River - In the fall of 1768 and the spring of 1769 William Preston surveyed numerous tracts for settlers on the Western Waters. These were apparently done for the Loyal Land Company as many of them appear in the lists for the company. However, they do not seem to be recorded elsewhere in any official surveyor's record. This list was found in the Preston Family of Virginia Papers at the Library of Congress, noted as Memoranda of Surveys, Item #581.
- William Herbert, 180 acres head of Ingrams Bottom, 11/10/1768
- William Herbert, 55 acres head of branch of Reed Island & 50 acres east side Reed Island, 11/11/1768
- William Herbert, 45 acres east side New River on Poplar Camp branch 11/12/1768
- Samuel Cloyd, 90 acres corner Shores & Dunkard Bottom line, 3/20/1769
- William Dove (or Love?) 230 acres corner Col. Buchanan's Pine Run tract and joining Sayers line, 4/15/1769
The Officers of the County - Constables - Those appointed to hear minor cases in business and conduct were to serve in the bounds of the different companies of militia. . . . For the Roanoke, William Carvin & Simon Akers acted in George Robinson's company, Erwin Patterson near the Great Lick, John Robinson at the Forks of the Roanoke, . . . James Robinson . . . [was] added fro the Roanoke & the Catawba in 1747. For the New River area the first constables were George Draper, Peter Rentfro and James Calhoun. . . .
- John Floyd, assignee of John Draper, officer of Va. Regt., 1,000 acres (warrant to Ensign John Draper, 2,000 acres march 1774)
- Zachary Taylor, heir-at-law of Hancock Taylor, assignee of Alexr. Wagh, assignee of John Waller, 1,000 acres
- James Taylor, heir-at-law of George Taylor deceased, 1,000 acres (warrant states 2,000 acres and says 1,000 not yet surveyed)
- Hancock Taylor, of Orange County, Va. assignee of Alexander Waugh of Orange County, Va., assignee of John Waller, 1,000 acres (warrant for 2,000)
- Mary Fraser, only daughter and heir-at-law of George Fraser deceased, lieutenant in Virginia Regt. under Washington, 2,000 acres, (warrant received by her guardian Michael Robinson)
- Zachary Taylor, 200 acres
- Edmund Taylor, assignee of Andrew Waggoner, heir-at-law of Edmond Waggoner, subaltern in Va. Regt., 1,000 acres; (warrant on March 7, 1774 states Hancock Taylor purchased tract) Edmund Taylor, assignee of Andrew Waggoner, heir-at-law of Thomas Waggoner, captain in Va. Regt. under Col. Washington, 3,000 acres (warrant spells the name Wagener, Waggoner, and Wagner, March 7, 1774) . . .
The Frontier Congregations - As early as 1762 the Hanover Presbytery appointed Rev. John Craig, the stated minister of the Tinkling Spring Congregation in Augusta, to supply one Sabbath at "Roan-Oak" and one at Catawba. In May 1767, Mr. Craig presided at the ordination of Rev. Charles Cummings, who was pastor at the new church known as Bethel until 1772 when he resigned. The following year Cummings was called to the congregation on the Holston. In April 1768, Mr. Craig and Mr. Cummings reported that they had fulfilled their appointments for adjacent congregations, and Mr. Craig was continued as supply for six Sabbaths at Craig's Creek and Reed Creek and places adjacent. The next year on April 3, 1769, Mr. Craig returned an account of his mission that was appointed by last spring's Presbytery. This special mission was ordered to solicit funds for the new college at Princeton.
The congregations visited were named int he report and the amount of money pledged, along with the number of families subscribing and a list of the officials representing the congregation. Those visited were: Sinking Spring on Catawba and James River, 75 families giving £40. Representatives were John Mills, Joseph Cloyd, Edwin Sharp, Benjamin Hawkins, Thomas McFerren, Robert Finley and Andrew Woods.
At Craig's Creek, there were 45 families giving £28. Representatives were Malcolm Allen, John Crawford, James Wilson, James Robinson, & Samuel Lawrence. At Denean there were 70 families giving £40. Representatives were James McEwen, David Cloyd, William Preston, William Fleming, and Robert Breckenridge. . . . At New Derry, 36 families gave £45, and their representatives were Joseph Barnett, Robert Ritchie, David Robinson, Samuel Woods, William Beard, Samuel Crockett, Hugh Crockett, James Robertson & James Montgomery. . . .
At New Dublin, there were 45 families who pledged £45. The representatives were Joseph Howe, Samuel Colvill, John Taylor, Samuel Cloyd and James Montgomery. At the Boiling Spring congregation there were 42 families who gave £26. Their representatives were Robert Montgomery, David Sairs (Sayers), William Sairs (Sayers), Nathaniel Welcher & William Herbert.
Deaths on New River & Its Branches from Augusta County Records - Because Augusta County was such a large county between 1745 and 1770, no attempt has been made to record every will, inventory, or death. However, selected records for the New River settlers are given here. The following are the records of the deaths of the residents and/or landowners on New River for the years 1745-1769.
The references given are for Augusta County Will Books unless otherwise stated. These books are located in the Augusta County Courthouse, Staunton, Virginia . . . In addition, John Buchanan's journal, and William Preston's list of those killed on N. River (meaning New River, not North River as some authorities have claimed) by the Indians in the mid-1750's were also used. The names are spelled as found in the records, and the page number refers to the page where the record begins.
- Draper, Eleanor, killed by Indians at New River on July 30, 1755 (Preston Papers, Draper mss., 1 QQ-83) No will or appraisal.
- Draper, child of John Draper, killed by Indians at new River July 30, 1755 (Preston Papers, Draper mss., 1 QQ-83)
- Draper, George, administration of the estate granted the widow Eleanor Draper during the non-age of John Draper, her son, May 17, 1749 (Order Book 1, 104). Bond with sureties James Davis & Robert Looney, Jr. (Book 1, 127). Appraisal by Richard Hall, William Ingles, and Thomas Ingles, August 4, 1749, recorded May 22, 1750 (Book 1, 247)
Botetourt County Militia - was provided for during the first weeks of the county's existence. In February 1770, William Christian, Gent., produced a commission from his Excellency the Governor appointing him major of the militia. . . .
In May 1770 and 1771 orders were issued by the court to have the tithables listed by the following men for the Western Waters: William Ingles, William Herbert, Walter Crockett, Robert Doak and Anthony Bledsoe. . . .
Fincastle County Militia - There is little mention of the militia in Fincastle County orders of court. However, on May 7, 1774 John Byrd was according to his commission to be Colonel of this County, with William Christian Lieutenant Colonel. Thomas Madison, John Taylor and Joseph Cloyd were appointed captains of companies of militia and Thoams Ingles was appointed lieutenant (Summers, Annals, p. 632.)
During Dunmore's War in the summer and fall of 1774 the names of additional captains are obtained from the Auditor's Accounts which show the pay each man received for his service. These captains were William Russell, Evan Shelby, William Cocke, James Thompson, Anthony Bledsoe, Daniel Smith, William Campbell, Walter Crockett, Joseph Cloyd, John Floyd, James Robertson, Robert Doak, James Harrod, William Herbert, Hugh Crockett and David Looney. In addition, detachments under lesser officers were paid for duty: Henry Sceggs, sergeant, William Edmundson, lieutenant, Henry Patton, ensign, James Byrn, sergeant, and William Robinson, lieutenant. . . .
The minutes of the Committee of Safety show that there were other captains not mentioned elsewhere: . . . John Draper . . . John Dunken . . . (Harwell. The Committees of Safety of Westmoreland & Fincastle).
The men of the militia companies were similar to home guards only being called into action when necessary, and as the accounts of 1774 show, for varying periods of time ranging from two to three days to as many as 267 days. Some of the men who served in the militia companies may have also served in the regular forces, and perhaps with a different rank (Kegley, Soldiers of Fincastle County, 1774.)
It must be remembered also that the militia companies were used for civil as well as military purposes. For example when the lists of tithables (or taxables) were taken, they were usually done within the precincts of certain companies, but the lists so taken are not military service lists, but just tax lists. The men who were available to work on the road in the precincts of the captains were selected from these lists kept by the militia officers.
The Roads of Fincastle County - were surveyed, improved, worked upon, and changed to a great extent during this period. New roads were cut to link mill center with mill center, or neighbor with neighbor. The "highest & best way" was always the main concern, and reports were given often to the court so that the roads could be established. Bridle paths soon became wagon roads, and these led to the Great Road as it proceeded to the West. . . .
Although Fincastle County lasted only a short time, significant events took place during the period 1773-76. New settlers arrived, surveying was resumed, Dunmore's War occurred, the Fincastle Resolutions were written, and Kentucky settlers petitioned for a division of Fincastle County. . . .
The Fincastle County Battalion was under the command of Col. William Christian, with Captains . . . James Harrod of Kentucky, William Russell of Clinch Valley . . . William Herbert of New River among others. . . .
At a court held for Fincastle, Dec. 6, 1774, this list of delinquents was recorded by the court and order to be recorded and a copy of the list given to the succeeding sheriff. Signed W. Ingles.
- Samuel Cloyd
- John Taylor
- John Shepherd
A List of Delinquents Returned by James McGavock for 1773
- Samuel Cloyd
- John Taylor
- William Butler
The Beginnings of Montgomery County - On October 1776, by act of the General Assembly of Virginia the county of Fincastle was abolished and out of its territory three new counties were created: Kentucky, Washington & Montgomery.
The boundaries for the new counties were given as follows:
That from and after the last day of December next ensuing the said county of Fincastle shall be divided into three counties: that is to say: All that part thereof which lies to the south and westward of a line beginning on the Ohio, at the mouth of the Great Sandy Creek, and running up the same and the main or northeasternly branch thereof to the Great Laurel Ridge or Cumberland Mountain, thence southwesterly along the said mountains to the line of North Carolina line, shall be one distinct county called and known by the name of Kentucky; and all that part of the county of Fincastle included in the line beginning at the Cumberland Mountain, where the line of Kentucky County intersects the North Carolina line, thence east along the said Carolina line to the top of Iron Mountain, thence along the same easterly to the source of the South Fork of the Holston River, thence northwardly along the highest part of the high lands, ridges, and mountains that divide the waters of the Tennessee from those of the Great Kanawah to the most easterly source of the Clinch river, thence, westwardly along the top of the mountains that divide the waters of the Clinch river from those of the Great Kanawah and Sandy Creek to the line of Kentucky county, thence along the same to the beginning shall be one other distinct county and called and known by the name of Washington; and all the residue of the County of Fincastle shall be one other distinct county and shall be called and known by the name Montgomery (Hening, Statutes, Vol. 9, pp. 257-261). . . .
The men who served the first year (1777) in the Montgomery County court were as follows: . . . James Robertson. . .
When Montgomery County was organized, William Preston was appointed to serve as the county lieutenant, and William Ingles to serve as colonel with James Robertson, Gent., lieutenant colonel, and Walter Crockett, major. Among the first captain mentions are . . . Joseph Cloyd, John Draper . . . John Taylor . . .
In 1779 . . . Henry Patton was recommended for captain to replace Joseph Cloyd who replaced Walter Crockett who in turn became lieutenant colonel in place of James Robertson, who had resigned. . . .
In 1781 Major Cloyd became lieutenant colonel of the first battalion with Daniel Trigg as major. . . .
In 1782 . . . Colonel William Ingles, because of poor health, resigned his position in the militia and was replaced by Joseph Cloyd. Daniel Trigg became major when Cloyd was promoted . . .
Christian, Israel, will written July 1784, probated November 1784, appraisal by Samuel Cecil, John Wygall, Samuel Cloyd and Robert Currin, Jan. 1785. . . .
Dusky (Duscay), Peter, appraisal by Thomas Gibbs (Gillis?), Samuel Cloyd, Samuel Hickman and Joseph Cloyd, about 1788. H. Dugan appointed administrator, June 3, 1788. . . .
April 2, 1782, "Gideon Moss came into Court & made satisfactory proof that he had a gun taken from him by Colo. Cloyd for the Militia of Montgomery County, on Duty in North Carolina and never returned and that he ought to be paid £4.10 for same and four blankets 7/6" . . .
1793 - Feb. 1, Andrew Breden & Dorothy McNeely, daughter of William McNeely, sur. William McNeely . . .
List of Persons Who Took State Oath Before James McGavock September to December 1777 - John Draper . . .
Stephen Trigg took a list of those who swore allegiance in several companies, including McCorkle's, Cloyd's, Taylor's, Draper's, and Daniel Trigg's. These lists are found on pages 145-148 in the book, Revolutionary War, filed at the Courthouse in Christiansburg.
A list of persons sworn to the State in Capt. McCorkle's Company of Montgomery County by Stephen Trigg, in 1777.
- Alexander Robertson - Sept. 6
- John Denton - Sept. 6
- William Butlor - 9 Sep. 1777
- Capt. Joseph Cloyd - Sept. 12, 1777
- John Cloyd - Sept. 12, 1777
- Ninian Cloyd - Sept. 12, 1777
- Jno. Sheppard - Sept. 12, 1777
In 1782, the Montgomery County residents were taxed on slaves, but only 156 males out of a total 1,399 (11%) owned any. . . . John Draper [owned] 12 . . .
William Herbert in disposing of his slaves, bequeathed 4 to his wife, Sarah, for use on the Poplar Camp plantation, 4 for the use of his eldest son, William, 3 to his eldest daughter, Martha and 3 Negroes to his youngest daughter, Joanna. Herbert's wife was to use the livestock an dthe Negroes to defray the costs of schooling, boarding, and clothing the children until they were of age. The understanding here was probably that the livestock and /or their increase could be sold and that the Negroes could be hired out for wages. Whether this was actually done or not is not clear, especially since there was an additional agreement drawn up following Herbert's death.
Between the time of his death and the probation of his will in 1776, a period of approximately three months, Sarah Herbert, his widow, had married Francis Day. She requested that her dower be allotted according to the terms of an agreement which was drawn up September 2, 1777. By this agreement with the administrators of the estate, Francis Day was to have possession of the Poplar Camp plantation till the next December and the use of all the Negroes to tend the crops growing at the time. Francis Day was to own the crops, but to give up the Negroes on December 25. They were to be divided, Sarah and Francis having use of their share only until the time of Sarah's death, at which time they were to return to the other heirs. The agreement regarding the use of the slaves to tend the crops was in compliance with Virginia law at the time.
William Herbert owned two silver tankards, silver teaspoons, one pair of tea tongs, two silver salts, a teapot, a large delft bowl, a white stone pitcher, seven china cups and saucers, three teacups, a saucer, three Queen's china coffee cups, a delft tea canister, a Queen's china dish, six plates, a "christal" cruet, a pewter half gallon, a horn punch spoon, a stone "jugg," seven pewter dishes, eight pewter plates, a gallon "bason," two water pans, a pewter "bason," and three pint tin cups. It is evident that Crockett and Herbert were more affluent than their neighbors, and their life styles appear comparable to residents of Eastern Virginia. Certainly they helped to prove that china, delftware, and silver were not unknown on the frontier. . . .
William Herbert, also an unusual gentleman, owned velvet breeches, cloth coats and jackets, and a "huzare" (hussar) great coat, probably worn during his service as captain of the local militia. He also owned a clothes brush. . . .
William Herbert's estate, which is one of a kind in this study, owned several very unusual items, found nowhere else. His appraisal mentions a sun dial, a violin, a canoe, a needle case and pencil, a framed slate, and a small microscope with a dozen views. . . .
William Herbert purchased a rifle from Richard Stanton in 1770 and his appraisal mentions a smooth bore gun (brass mounted), a pair of pocket pistols with steel mounting (one broken at the breech), and one other gun. He also owned two iron gun bores, and two old gun locks. . . .
William Herbert's appraisers in 1776 were more specific, and lited the books by title. These included a dictionary, an eight-volume set of Hume's history, political books, such as Acts of Virginia Assembly and Politicks, as well as Cocker's Arithmetic, "Geography Rectifyd" and Salmon's Geography, in addition to Russell's 7 Sermons, and others related to these topics. There was also a parcel of magazines, and a book on midwifery. . . .
Augusta County Grants - 1761, Richard Doggett of Bedford County, from John Draper & Elizabeth, his wife, 315 acres on Tom's Creek, and 220 acres part of 440 acres deeded to Draper & Engles [Ingles], to be laid off next to whereon John formerly lived, and whereon William Ingles lived, corner to Casper Barrier [Barger]
Fincastle County Surveys - Surveys filed in Plat Book A, well indexed, located at Christiansburg, Date refers to the date the survey was completed - 1776. John Shepherd, 30 acres Lick Run, branch of Tom's Creek . . .
John Black (1755-1849) appeared first in the Tom's Creek area about 1781, the year he was appointed to serve as an overseer of the road as marked out by the court from "glade to foot of Sinking Creek Mountain" (Summers, Annals, p. 749). John Black married first Jane Alexander (1756-1804), daughter of Andrew & Katherine Stuart Thompson Alexander, and second Mary Breeden (1756-1826), daughter of John Breeden (deceased) in 1807 (Ellen McDonald Family records; VPI Archives; Montgomery County marriages). . . .
Christiansburg - Although Montgomery County was formed in 1776, and its first court met on January 8, 1777, the county seat at that time was at Fort Chiswell in present Wythe County. When new boundaries were formed, and Wythe County became established from the western part of Montgomery County, a new county seat for both counties had to be selected. The first court session of Montgomery County was held at the home of James Craig on May 1, 1790 at which time the court made plans to erect the public buildings on the land of James Craig, Esq. at the Mile Branch, although the lands of Samuel Kirby and Christina Crewey were considered as alternatives. In fact, the petition filed in the House of Delegates on October 15, 1792 suggests that the Christenah Walters (also known as Crewey) as well as James Craig gave the lands for the public buildings and the town. The name of the town was left blank in the petition. . . .
The town was established on property where the courthouse and other public buildings were erected, and where lots and streets were already laid off. The Trustees of the town of Christiansburg named in the act establishing the town were Byrd Smith, James Barnett, hugh Crockett, Samuel Eason, Joseph Cloyd, John Preston, Christian Snidow, James Charlton, and James Craig, Gentlemen. . . .
George Draper resided at Draper's Meadows as early as August 1746 when his name appears as a worker on the road from Adam Harman's over the river (Chalkley Chronicles, I, 23). In 1747 he was appointed constable on the New River (Chalkley, Chronicles, I, 28) and in October of the same year the large survey of 7,500 acres was taken up by Colonel James Patton and designated as a place called Draper. A part of this tract of land on which George Draper lived and about which the settlement grew up became known as Draper's Meadows .
On March 19, 1747 the Wood's River Entry Book noted that Draper had selected 500 acres on Tom's Creek above Lortons "no price set then nor at any time" and he was to make his own bargain with Colonel James Patton. This entry was taken by Adam Harman but because of the early death of Draper, no action was taken on the entry (Wood's River Entry Book, Preston-Davie Collection Filson Club).
George Draper died, or was killed, in this region about 1748 or '49, and his wife Eleanor Draper was appointed administratrix of the estate on May 17, 1749 during the non-age of her son, John Draper (Chalkley, Chronicles, I, 38; III). Her bondsmen were James Davis and Robert Looney, Jr. In August George Draper's appraisement was done by Richard Hall, William Ingles and Thomas Ingles. The value of the appraised estate was £63.12.3. The items included were: a sorrel stallion, 1 bay mare and colt, 1 black two year old stallion, 1 bay mare and colt, 1 bay horse, 1 roan horse and bay yearling, 1 two year old black mare, 2 cows and calves, 1 steer, 6 yearling calves, 4 two year old calves, 1 cow and calf, 2 cows and calves, 1 cow and a bull, 1 cow and calf, 1 cow and calf, two old guns, carpenter's tools, 1 brand iron, 2 pair plow chains, 2 bells and collars, 3 old bridles, 1 saddle, box, iron, shot pouch "and other things," 1 pair "stillyards," pot hooks, frying pan, crosscut saw, 3 old weeding hoes, 3 more old hoes, 3 old axes, maul ring, wedges and irons, iron and steel, 2 small looking glasses, 3 old sickles, books valued at 5 shillings, 3 "caggs," 2 stone bottles, glass bottles, iron skillet, candlestick, flax wheel, nails, old wool cards, 2 iron pots, 2 pair pot hooks, 1 cedar churn, pails, other wooden ware, washing tub, pewter and earthen ware, bed and bedding, 3 old "baggs," a little old "cagg," old saddle and bridle, an old hat and a leather coat (Augusta County Will Book 1, p. 248).
It would appear fromt he records that the Widow Draper and her son, John and her daughter, Mary, returned to the North Fork of Roanoke to live after the death of George Draper. When Mary and William Ingles married in 1750 they were not residents of New River, but of North Fork of Roanoke where they remained until sometime prior to February 1754, at which date they were located in Draper's Meadows.
John Draper, Mary's brother, and his wife Elizabeth Robinson Draper, obtained lands in Draper's Meadows adjoining William Ingles, and Eleanor Draper also resided there. The deeds to the land came in February 1754, and it appeared they intended to establish their frontier homes at this location. However, in July 1755 the Shawnee Indians burned their homes, and killed Mrs. Eleanor Draper, and a child of John Draper's, wounded John's wife and took Mary Ingles and her sons as well as John's wife prisoners. When these women returned to the New River from captivity they did not return to Draper's Meadows; for Mary Ingles eventually settled at Ingles' Ferry and John Draper and his wife established their home in the western end of present Pulaski County in the area which took his name - Draper's Valley.
The Draper and Ingles' lands taken up in the Draper 7,500 acres became the William Preston Smithfield plantation. For more details see William Ingles and William Preston sketches. . . .
Colonel Joseph Cloyd about 1780 noted in a letter to William Preston (Preston Papers, Draper Mss., 5 QQ 115) that he had sent orders to three captains including Lorton to raise thirty men because of the defenseless situation of the people on Clinch and Bluestone. . . .
The State of a Company of Montgomery County Militia April 1781 - [under Captain Daniel Trigg included] Samuel Cloyd . . . Those over fifty were Abram Dillow, Samuel Cloyd, james Walker, and Gideon Moss. [born before 1731].
William Herbert in disposing of his slaves, bequeathed 4 to his wife, Sarah, for use on the Poplar Camp plantation, 4 for the use of his eldest son, William, 3 to his eldest daughter, Martha and 3 Negroes to his youngest daughter, Joanna. Herbert's wife was to use the livestock an dthe Negroes to defray the costs of schooling, boarding, and clothing the children until they were of age. The understanding here was probably that the livestock and /or their increase could be sold and that the Negroes could be hired out for wages. Whether this was actually done or not is not clear, especially since there was an additional agreement drawn up following Herbert's death.
Between the time of his death and the probation of his will in 1776, a period of approximately three months, Sarah Herbert, his widow, had married Francis Day. She requested that her dower be allotted according to the terms of an agreement which was drawn up September 2, 1777. By this agreement with the administrators of the estate, Francis Day was to have possession of the Poplar Camp plantation till the next December and the use of all the Negroes to tend the crops growing at the time. Francis Day was to own the crops, but to give up the Negroes on December 25. They were to be divided, Sarah and Francis having use of their share only until the time of Sarah's death, at which time they were to return to the other heirs. The agreement regarding the use of the slaves to tend the crops was in compliance with Virginia law at the time.
William Herbert owned two silver tankards, silver teaspoons, one pair of tea tongs, two silver salts, a teapot, a large delft bowl, a white stone pitcher, seven china cups and saucers, three teacups, a saucer, three Queen's china coffee cups, a delft tea canister, a Queen's china dish, six plates, a "christal" cruet, a pewter half gallon, a horn punch spoon, a stone "jugg," seven pewter dishes, eight pewter plates, a gallon "bason," two water pans, a pewter "bason," and three pint tin cups. It is evident that Crockett and Herbert were more affluent than their neighbors, and their life styles appear comparable to residents of Eastern Virginia. Certainly they helped to prove that china, delftware, and silver were not unknown on the frontier. . . .
William Herbert, also an unusual gentleman, owned velvet breeches, cloth coats and jackets, and a "huzare" (hussar) great coat, probably worn during his service as captain of the local militia. He also owned a clothes brush. . . .
William Herbert's estate, which is one of a kind in this study, owned several very unusual items, found nowhere else. His appraisal mentions a sun dial, a violin, a canoe, a needle case and pencil, a framed slate, and a small microscope with a dozen views. . . .
William Herbert purchased a rifle from Richard Stanton in 1770 and his appraisal mentions a smooth bore gun (brass mounted), a pair of pocket pistols with steel mounting (one broken at the breech), and one other gun. He also owned two iron gun bores, and two old gun locks. . . .
William Herbert's appraisers in 1776 were more specific, and lited the books by title. These included a dictionary, an eight-volume set of Hume's history, political books, such as Acts of Virginia Assembly and Politicks, as well as Cocker's Arithmetic, "Geography Rectifyd" and Salmon's Geography, in addition to Russell's 7 Sermons, and others related to these topics. There was also a parcel of magazines, and a book on midwifery. . . .
Augusta County Grants - 1761, Richard Doggett of Bedford County, from John Draper & Elizabeth, his wife, 315 acres on Tom's Creek, and 220 acres part of 440 acres deeded to Draper & Engles [Ingles], to be laid off next to whereon John formerly lived, and whereon William Ingles lived, corner to Casper Barrier [Barger]
Fincastle County Surveys - Surveys filed in Plat Book A, well indexed, located at Christiansburg, Date refers to the date the survey was completed - 1776. John Shepherd, 30 acres Lick Run, branch of Tom's Creek . . .
John Black (1755-1849) appeared first in the Tom's Creek area about 1781, the year he was appointed to serve as an overseer of the road as marked out by the court from "glade to foot of Sinking Creek Mountain" (Summers, Annals, p. 749). John Black married first Jane Alexander (1756-1804), daughter of Andrew & Katherine Stuart Thompson Alexander, and second Mary Breeden (1756-1826), daughter of John Breeden (deceased) in 1807 (Ellen McDonald Family records; VPI Archives; Montgomery County marriages). . . .
Christiansburg - Although Montgomery County was formed in 1776, and its first court met on January 8, 1777, the county seat at that time was at Fort Chiswell in present Wythe County. When new boundaries were formed, and Wythe County became established from the western part of Montgomery County, a new county seat for both counties had to be selected. The first court session of Montgomery County was held at the home of James Craig on May 1, 1790 at which time the court made plans to erect the public buildings on the land of James Craig, Esq. at the Mile Branch, although the lands of Samuel Kirby and Christina Crewey were considered as alternatives. In fact, the petition filed in the House of Delegates on October 15, 1792 suggests that the Christenah Walters (also known as Crewey) as well as James Craig gave the lands for the public buildings and the town. The name of the town was left blank in the petition. . . .
The town was established on property where the courthouse and other public buildings were erected, and where lots and streets were already laid off. The Trustees of the town of Christiansburg named in the act establishing the town were Byrd Smith, James Barnett, hugh Crockett, Samuel Eason, Joseph Cloyd, John Preston, Christian Snidow, James Charlton, and James Craig, Gentlemen. . . .
George Draper resided at Draper's Meadows as early as August 1746 when his name appears as a worker on the road from Adam Harman's over the river (Chalkley Chronicles, I, 23). In 1747 he was appointed constable on the New River (Chalkley, Chronicles, I, 28) and in October of the same year the large survey of 7,500 acres was taken up by Colonel James Patton and designated as a place called Draper. A part of this tract of land on which George Draper lived and about which the settlement grew up became known as Draper's Meadows .
On March 19, 1747 the Wood's River Entry Book noted that Draper had selected 500 acres on Tom's Creek above Lortons "no price set then nor at any time" and he was to make his own bargain with Colonel James Patton. This entry was taken by Adam Harman but because of the early death of Draper, no action was taken on the entry (Wood's River Entry Book, Preston-Davie Collection Filson Club).
George Draper died, or was killed, in this region about 1748 or '49, and his wife Eleanor Draper was appointed administratrix of the estate on May 17, 1749 during the non-age of her son, John Draper (Chalkley, Chronicles, I, 38; III). Her bondsmen were James Davis and Robert Looney, Jr. In August George Draper's appraisement was done by Richard Hall, William Ingles and Thomas Ingles. The value of the appraised estate was £63.12.3. The items included were: a sorrel stallion, 1 bay mare and colt, 1 black two year old stallion, 1 bay mare and colt, 1 bay horse, 1 roan horse and bay yearling, 1 two year old black mare, 2 cows and calves, 1 steer, 6 yearling calves, 4 two year old calves, 1 cow and calf, 2 cows and calves, 1 cow and a bull, 1 cow and calf, 1 cow and calf, two old guns, carpenter's tools, 1 brand iron, 2 pair plow chains, 2 bells and collars, 3 old bridles, 1 saddle, box, iron, shot pouch "and other things," 1 pair "stillyards," pot hooks, frying pan, crosscut saw, 3 old weeding hoes, 3 more old hoes, 3 old axes, maul ring, wedges and irons, iron and steel, 2 small looking glasses, 3 old sickles, books valued at 5 shillings, 3 "caggs," 2 stone bottles, glass bottles, iron skillet, candlestick, flax wheel, nails, old wool cards, 2 iron pots, 2 pair pot hooks, 1 cedar churn, pails, other wooden ware, washing tub, pewter and earthen ware, bed and bedding, 3 old "baggs," a little old "cagg," old saddle and bridle, an old hat and a leather coat (Augusta County Will Book 1, p. 248).
It would appear fromt he records that the Widow Draper and her son, John and her daughter, Mary, returned to the North Fork of Roanoke to live after the death of George Draper. When Mary and William Ingles married in 1750 they were not residents of New River, but of North Fork of Roanoke where they remained until sometime prior to February 1754, at which date they were located in Draper's Meadows.
John Draper, Mary's brother, and his wife Elizabeth Robinson Draper, obtained lands in Draper's Meadows adjoining William Ingles, and Eleanor Draper also resided there. The deeds to the land came in February 1754, and it appeared they intended to establish their frontier homes at this location. However, in July 1755 the Shawnee Indians burned their homes, and killed Mrs. Eleanor Draper, and a child of John Draper's, wounded John's wife and took Mary Ingles and her sons as well as John's wife prisoners. When these women returned to the New River from captivity they did not return to Draper's Meadows; for Mary Ingles eventually settled at Ingles' Ferry and John Draper and his wife established their home in the western end of present Pulaski County in the area which took his name - Draper's Valley.
The Draper and Ingles' lands taken up in the Draper 7,500 acres became the William Preston Smithfield plantation. For more details see William Ingles and William Preston sketches. . . .
Colonel Joseph Cloyd about 1780 noted in a letter to William Preston (Preston Papers, Draper Mss., 5 QQ 115) that he had sent orders to three captains including Lorton to raise thirty men because of the defenseless situation of the people on Clinch and Bluestone. . . .
The State of a Company of Montgomery County Militia April 1781 - [under Captain Daniel Trigg included] Samuel Cloyd . . . Those over fifty were Abram Dillow, Samuel Cloyd, james Walker, and Gideon Moss. [born before 1731].
In 1782 Abram Trigg was appointed major in room of Daniel Trigg who was promoted. . . . According to the petition of Abram Trigg, and a similar document from James McCorkle, Daniel Howe, and James Craig, on election day March 19, 1793 Captain William Preston, an officer of the federal army, brought a company of his soldiers to the Courthouse in Christiansburg, and interfered with the election process. Preston was accused of insisting that his soldiers should be polled, and should vote for his brother, Francis Preston. The soldiers caused a great disturbance around the courthouse, and terrorized the voters who were assembled there and were voting in favor of Trigg. One of the soldiers struck and knocked down one of the justices of the court, without any just provocation. The soldiers conducting themselves in an "assuming, turbulent, insolent, and riotous manner, assaulting, insulting and threatening to beat those voters who" . . . favored Trigg. Trigg requested an opportunity to prove the allegations by legal testimony, in order that he could obtain the seat which he considered was lawfully his. Another petition to George Washington requested a trial by a military tribunal for Captain William Preston. It was felt that a civil prosecution would be treated with derision and contempt by Francis Preston (Filson Club, Preston Papers, Joyes collection, copies of legal documents filed with the War Office of the United States). Whether the requested action was carried out is not known, but on March 4, 1797 Abram Trigg was elected to serve in Congress and remained there until March 3, 1809 (Biographical Directory of American Congress, p. 1830). . . .
In July 1810 Abraham Trigg and his wife Susannah sold off two tracts of 100 and 130 acres on Tom's Creek to philip Harless . . . In September 1813 he sold the remaining 1,630 acres included in several surveys to Gordon, Thomas, and David Cloyd. These lands included a one acre mill site on Tom's Creek, and 464 acres granted to Jacob Shull [Shell] adjoining Richard McCoy (Montgomery Deed Book E, p. 392). . . .
The Beginnings of the Radford Neighborhood - map The Creeks on East Side of New River & on Little River, present Montgomery & Floyd Counties . . . The Map shows that Rush Creek, Burk's Fork, Greasy Creek, Pine Creek, Beaver Creek, Camp Creek, Old Field's Creek, Laurel Branch and others are branches of Little River within Floyd County. Among the first landowners were George Miner, John Mills, John Miller, Thomas Ogle, Samuel Arnold, Daniel Brown, Robert Box, as well as John Buchanan and Colonel James Patton. All of these names appear before 1751. . . .
In 1776 Henry Stafford was appointed overseer of the road from the "Seven Mile Tree" to Ingles' Ferry. Alexander Robertson was appointed overseer from the ferry to Sinking Spring . . .
In 1785 Samuel Pepper, Samuel Cecil, Samuel Cloyd, and Robert Currin were asked to view the three roads from the ford of Peak Creek to John Cloyd's old place (probably New Dublin) and make a report. The report noted that the way by David Crouch's was the best, and that the established and the old road by Ingram's was to remain open for the benefit of the neighborhood traveling to Ingram's mill. . . .
New Dublin Community Center - The Church - The name New Dublin first appears in 1769 in connection with the Presbyterian congregation established under the name New Dublin. This church was organized by the Rev. John Craig who visited the community in 1769, as the Minutes of the Hanover Presbytery show. At New Dublin, Craig reported 45 families in the membership who promised the sum of £45 a year for a minister's support. The elders ordained at this time were Joseph Howe, Samuel Colvill, John Taylor, Samuel Cloyd, and James Montgomery.
It seems that the first church was built on a 37-acre tract of land first owned by Peter Shaver, who received the patent for the land in 1753. This land located on Sinking Spring Creek, sometimes called Mill Branch or Dublin Branch was north of the Dunkard Bottom lands on the west side of New River in present Pulaski County. The Ingles' Ferry Road headed southwest to pass through this community before heading northwest towards the area later known as Newbern.
The tradition that the church was built on Joseph Cloyd's land to entice his wife, Mary, to come to the "wilderness" seems not to apply to this first church. The church was in existence at least three years before Joseph & Mary Cloyd came to settle on Back Creek. There is no record that will show that Joseph Cloyd ever owned the land called the New Dublin tract, but it is worthwhile to note that John Cloyd, his cousin, was living on the tract at thte time of the organization of the New Dublin Presbyterian Church (See John Cloyd sketch).
There is no question that, when the church moved to its present location, Joseph Cloyd was the benefactor. In 1793 he chose 49 acres for the use of the New Dublin Congregation (Montgomery County Survey Book F, p. 88).
This church often claims to be the oldest congregation in Southwest Virginia, but the St. Michael's-St. Peter's Lutheran congregation on Tom's and Strouble's Creek appears to be able to claim this title. Of course New Dublin has continually used the same name since its foundation, and is one of the earliest congregations of the Presbyterian faith in Southwest Virginia.
The Stores & Ordinaries - In 1754 John Miller purchased the 37 acres from Peter Shaver and retained the title until October 3, 1769. John Miller at this time was living in Roan County [Rowan?] and when the deed was made it was noted that this 37 acres was the place "whereon John Cloyd now lives" (Botetourt County Deed Book 1, p. 18).
In 1771 John Cloyd & his wife Margaret, sold the place for £60 to David Ross & Stephen Trigg who were noted merchants of Southwest Virginia (Botetourt County Deed Book 1, p. 360). . . .
The map of an 1800 survey for Thomas Cloyd shows the location of the New Dublin tract, it being then surrounded by the lands of Thomas Cloyd. In 1819, Gordon Cloyd obtained the title to the New Dublin tract, "being the old survey sold by David Ross to John Allen and James Reed, estimated to be 35-40 acres." There was no deed made to Allen and Reed and the deed to Cloyd came from Dnaiel Sheffey and his wife, Maria (Montgomery County Deed Book G, p. 211).
It has long been claimed that a certain Irishman named Reed was responsible for naming the tract in the first place. However, Reed does not show up in the neighborhood until many years after the church was mentioned, the ordinaries were in business, and the name well established. If anyone is to be given credit for the name why not John Cloyd who owned the land at the the time the church was established?
The community of stores, ordinaries, and so forth seem to have deteriorated after 1800, although Wood's Map of 1821 shows New Dublin. Oldtimers of the 1930's pointed out a blacksmith shop which appears to have been part of the New Dublin community also. Just when the New Dublin Church moved to the present site is not known, but the survey for the congregation at its present site was made on January 2, 1793.
In 1822 Gordon Cloyd made a deed to Thomas Cloyd for the New Dublin lands, noting that Gordon had purchased the tract of 37 acres and intended it for the benefit of Thomas "provided he chose to accept and the said bargain and advance consideration being $1200 paid to Daniel Sheffey." Thomas Cloyd had agreed to this so the property was released by Gordon (Montgomery County Deed Book H, p. 158).
Augusta County Surveys: Filed in Staunton, VA, Book 1
- 1747/48 John Draper, tract #1 of James Patton & Co., 275 acres known as Hazel Draft on New River, patent 1752.
- 1748 George Robinson, 220 acres on Plum Creek
- 1750 Thomas Ogle 67 acres Burk's Run on south side Little River, patent 1753
Surveys from William Preston's Book - Preston Family Papers, Library of Congress, File No. 581, probably for the Loyal Company, Compare with lists of surveys for the Local [Loyal?] Company.
- March 20, 1769 Samuel Cloyd 90 acres corner to Shores & Dunkard Bottom
Augusta County Patents - 1753 William Ogles, 67 acres on Little River
Botetourt County Deeds - from Courthouse at Fincastle & as printed in Summers, Annals of Southwest Virginia
- 1769 John Cloyd from John Miller & his wife Mary, of Roan Co., NC, 37 acres on southwest side of New River at the head of Mill Creek formerly patent to Peter Shaffer [Shaver], 1753, whereon John Cloyd now lives
- 1771 David Ross & Stephen Trigg from John Cloyd and his wife, Margaret, 37 acres on southwest side New River, head of Mill Creek.
- 1783 John Dunken, 185 acres Laurel Creek, branch of Little River on a Commissioners certificate.
- 1789 James Robertson from John Poage & wife Mary, 180 acres meadow Creek . . .
In 1764 Colonel Andrew Lewis was authorized to raise a large company for the protection of the frontier. These troops, with Captain William Christian in command, served in expeditions on both the James & New Rivers. The accompanying list shows the members of the company (Kegley, Virginia Frontier, p. 289).
- William Christian, Capt.
- William Bredin . . .
In January 1785 James McCorkle became administrator of the estate & the property was appraised by Samuel Cecil, John Wygall, Samuel Cloyd and Robert Currin with a total appraised value of £440.0.0 (Montgomery Will Book B, p. 66). . . .
Thomas Cloyd, son of Col. Joseph Cloyd of Back Creek, was born in 1774, and married in 1809 to Mary McGavock, the daughter of Hugh & Nancy Kent McGavock of Wythe County. They settled on large tracts of land north of Claytor Lake in present Pulaski County. Thomas took up his first lands in 1800 in a large survey of 2,000 acres located on the north side of the New River and on both sides of the Great Road, just north of the original Dunkard Bottom lands (Gray, The McGavock Family, pp. 4, 12; Montgomery County Survey Book E, p. 431).
These lands almost completely surrounded the old community center known as New Dublin . . . Cloyd added this to his estate in 1822. In the meantime he acquired 1,490 acres from the heirs of James McCorkle, these tracts being part of the original Mahanaim (Dunkard Bottom) tract, and land taken up by William Christian. The deed for these lands was made jointly to Thomas, David and Gordon Cloyd in 1806 and 1808 (Montgomery County Deed Book D, pp. 359, 539; G, p. 211). The title was transferred in 1822 to Thomas (Montgomery County Deed Book H, p. 158).
The heirs of Daniel Trigg deceased sold their interest in the lands adjoining Cloyds between 1820 and 1833, thus giving Thomas Cloyd a vast expanse of lands from the River to near the present town of Dublin, being almost 5,000 acres (Montgomery County Deed Book G, pp. 466, 577, 631; H, pp. 21, 23, 32, 33, 137, 349; K pp. 269, 455, 479, 620, 621; L pp. 8, 123, 171).
In addition to the home place Thomas took up lands on the south side of the River opposite Dunkard Bottom and on the west side of the River including a tract called Egypt (Montgomery County Deed Book F, p. 177). He also held interest in tracts of land in Mercer County, now West Virginia, with his brother David. He and David also inherited 3,000 acres from their father, Joseph Cloyd, a large tract located on Falling Spring, a branch of New River, not far from the headwaters of Neck Creek in Pulaski County. After selling a small part of this tract, and after a division was made Thomas was entitled to 1,496 acres (Pulaski Deed Book 1, p. 165, 1852; Pulaski Deed Book 1, p. 402 states 1,477 acres).
In 1834 Samuel Cecil and his wife Mary, sold 443 acres of land (which was part of the two tracts granted the first Samuel Cecil) to Thomas Cloyd (Montgomery County Deed Book L, p. 260). This tract of land on Neck Creek adjoined Guthries and Andersons and Joseph Cloyd's 3,000 acres. Thomas added 14 acres and 36 acres adjoining and two other tracts totaling 262 acres which came from Peter Bish and George Gordon, Thomas Cloyd's Neck Creek lands then totaled 2,232 acres including the "Cecil plantation, the Morgan place, the Bish place, and the place occupied by Thomas Bratton on Pepper's Ferry Road" (Montgomery CountyDeed Book K, p. 627; Pulaski Deed Book 1, p. 402). In 1844 these lands were given to Gordon Kent "for love and affection to my son-in-law and for $1." These tracts are also mentioned in Thomas Cloyd's will written some time before the deed was made. At this time the acreage was designated as 2,251 acres (Pulaski County Will Book 1, p. 179).
Gordon Kent married first Margaret Cloyd, daughter of David Cloyd, but she died in 1833. He married second Lucinda Cloyd, the daughter of Thomas, but she died also. His third wife was Jane L. McKee. Gordon Kent was the son of Colonel Joseph Kent of Wythe County. By his first marriage he had one son David C. Kent, and by his third marriage he had a son Joseph G. Kent.
Sometime following the death of his wife, Lucinda, Gordon Kent sold the lands on Neck Creek to David Cloyd, brother of Thomas, and his first father-in-law, and moved to Wythe County to take up residence at Kenton. When David Cloyd wrote his will he left these same lands on Neck Creek to his son-in-law, David McGavock, who was already in possession of the land at the time the will was written in 1848 (Pulaski County Will Book 1, p. 158).
It is generally accepted that it was David McGavock who had the large brick house built on the tract, and that it was he who named it Spring Dale. The builder-architect was said to have been John Swope. The log house, later weather-boarded and now deteriorating in view of the brick house, was the Cecil log home. The Cecils owned the property for more than 50 years, and lived on it continuously until 1834. Some historians have claimed the house was built and lived in by Jacob Harman, but this seems most unlikely in view of the fact Harman died in 1756, and a house of this size and scope would hardly have been in evidence at that early date. It is true however, that Jacob Harman did receive a patent for 160 acres on the head of Neck Creek, but 130 acres of this was sold in 1784 to the Cecils, by the heirs of Jacob Harman. It is highly unlikely and there are no records to show, that anyone lived on the land in question between Harman's death and the arrival of the Cecils. Jacob Harman lived on the Horsehoe until his death (See Harman sketch). The David McGavock brick house remained in the hands of the family until 1919. It still stands on a hill overlooking the log home of the Cecils.
Thomas & Nancy Cloyd had only four children, Thomas who died at age 2, Lucinda who died at age 25, Nancy who died at age 5, and David (1824-1863) who took over the home place at Dunkard Bottom. He also inherited the lands in Mercer County and the lands on the south side of the New River.
Thomas Cloyd wrote his will January 30, 1842 and he died in July 1849. The will was recorded in October (Pulaski County Will Book 1, p. 179). A full description of his land holdings is given in the will, the total acreage amounting to more than 11,000 acres. Son David also inherited 36 Negroes including children; horses, stock, and sheep. Son-in-law, Gordon C. Kent, in addition to the Spring Dale lands, inherited stock and cattle (between 35 and 40 head), and some hogs, as well as seventeen Negroes. Son David & Gordon Kent, were to act as executors.
Thomas Cloyd was described as having a "vigorous mind," and was a person "fond of reading and highly esteemed for his many virtues." His wife was one of the best of women and all loved "Aunt Polly" as she was called.
Two of David Cloyd's children grew to maturity and settled on their father's lands. Lucy married Robert Barton, and Catherine married Haven B. Howe. Another daughter, Mary David, died young (Gray, McGavock Family, pp. 12, 35).
The David Cloyd house was built between 1847 and '49, taking approximately two years to construct. The house was destroyed at the time Claytor Lake was built. The Howe home presently serves as the State Park Administration center at the Lake.
Joseph Cloyd, father of Thomas and grandfather of David, and David Cloyd, brother of Thomas, resided on Back Creek and the sketches of their lives will appear in Volume II of this work to be published at a later time.
Samuel, John & Ninian Cloyd - The first Cloyds to move to the New River settlement were Samuel and John, both said to be the sons of John Cloyd an immigrant to Augusta County about 1758, who was probably a brother to David Cloyd of the same place (Cloyd, Genealogy p. 99). Samuel & John were later joined by their cousin, Joseph and their brother, Ninian Cloyd. The land records indicate they were all located on the west side of the New River in what is now Pulaski County.
Before moving to New River, Augusta County records show that Samuel and Ninian purchased land together in 1761 from Armstrongs and sold the same tract two years later with their respective wives, Elizabeth and Mary. In 1762 Samuel and Ninian Cloyd were administrators of the estate of James Armstrong deceased. In 1764 John and Ninian Cloyd purchased land together and sold it the following year. In 1766, a record in Augusta County shows that Samuel Cloyd was by occupation a "britches maker," and by 1767 he had removed from Augusta County. It is probably about this time that he and John moved to New River (Chalkley, Chronicles, III, 79, 378, 407, 411, 445).
Samuel first appears in the records of New River when he attended James Cartie's sale in 1768. The following year John Cloyd appears, purchasing the 37 acre tract from John Miller, the land known as New Dublin. Samuel Cloyd had a survey for 90 acres made on March 20, 1769 by William Preston for the Loyal Land Company. The tract adjoined Shores and Dunkard Bottom. The grant issued to Jonathan Ingram (Preston Family Papers, Library of Congress, #581; Loyal Company records, Virginia State Library). In 1771, John and his wife, Margaret, sold the New Dublin tract, and probably about this time moved to a tract on Back Creek in present Pulaski County (Chalkley, Chronicles, III, 106; Botetourt County Deed Book 1, pp. 18, 360; Summers, Annals, p. 545).
The tithable lists for New River show that Samuel and John were present in 1770, and John was designated as a "smith," probably intended for blacksmith. In 1773 Joseph Cloyd appeared for the first time in the tax records of New River (Thwaites & Kellogg, Dunmore's War, pp. 63, 64). Because Ninian did not appear in the 1773 tax list and does appear in 1774 records, he probably came to the New River sometime during that year. In 1781 John, Samuel and Ninian appear in some of the militia companies of the area. All appear on the tax list of 1782 (Kegley, Tax List of Montgomery County, 1782; Kegley, Militia).
Although they had been in the community for a number of years, their lands were not surveyed until 1782. John obtained a 55 acre tract on Back Creek adjoining Ninian Cloyd who owned 370 acres. Samuel's survey contained 345 acres on the west side of the New River (Montgomery County Survey Book A, pp. 258, 272; B, p. 116). Samuel also owned a tract of 90 acres at Dunkard Bottom, as previously mentioned.
Ninian and his wife, Mary Kincaid, had five children: James, nancy, Thomas, John & Sarah. Ninian and his family moved to Madison County, Kentucky and later to Cumberland County, Kentucky where he died. He probably left Back Creek prior to 1790. He sold his land in 1788 to Henry Patton and Jean Lockhart, administrators of Adam Waggoner, reserving 20 acres for the use of (--?--) Cornute at the mouth of Peak Creek (Montgomery County records at an early date and probably moved west (Cloyd, Genealogy, p. 100).
John Cloyd and his wife, Margaret Scott, sold their lands to George Wysor in 1787 and probably moved about 1789 to Wilson County, Tennessee, then part of North Carolina. They are buried on a Williamson farm there. This couple had seven children: Elizabeth, Mary, Margaret, Ezekiel, Joseph, John and David (Montgomery County Deed Book A, p. 536; Cloyd, Genealogy, p. 101-102).
Of John's children, Elizabeth (born 1760) md. Henry Thompson, son of William of Back Creek. They sold their lands to Gordon Cloyd in 1798 and moved to Tennessee. Margaret (born 1766), married at age 15 to John Williamson age 17, son of Michael Williamson who had been an early settler on Back Creek. Ezekiel Cloyd (born 1768) became a minister and married Rebecca Williamson, a sister of , John. The marriage bond was dated September 17, 1785 with Henry Thompson as surety. Ezekiel Cloyd and John Williamson and their families moved to Wilson County, Tennessee, where many of their descendants were still living into the twentieth century. Mary, daughter of John & Margaret Cloyd, married Alexander Moore, Joseph died single, John married but wife's name is unknown, and Rev. David Cloyd married in 1777 to Sarah Marshall (Summers, Annals, p. 936; Cloyd, Genealogy, pp. 101, 102; Montgomery County marriages; Montgomery County Deed B, p. 162).
It is interesting to note that John Cloyd was living on the land designated as New Dublin at the time of the organization of the New Dublin Presbyterian Congregation, and that Samuel Cloyd was one of the representatives mentioned by Rev. John Craig in his listing of the churches who made contributions to the Hanover Presbytery in 1769.
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