These surveys are from Abstract of Land Grant Surveys 1761-1791, by Peter Cline Kaylor, originally published in 1938, reprint by GPC in 1976, and reprint by Clearfield 1991. The author states that deed records in Rockingham County were partly burned in 1864 and these abstracts may be the only records available of early land records.
The abstracts with respect to Peters family research were originally transmitted to me by John Peters. The Bird family which is included intermarried with the Peters family.
Subsequently, I have been chasing down additional families from the same sources, especially Harrison and Bryan. In addition, I have been re-verifying the Peters data.
Surveys were made by Thomas Lewis for Augusta County and later for Rockingham County, Virginia from 1751 to Feb. 22, 1782. Entries from 1782 to 1791 were made by Alexander Herring, surveyor for Rockingham County. Some of these surveys were for land in what became Hampshire County, and even up to the Cheat River area in West Virginia.
The page number at the beginning of each survey is the page number from the original survey book, not the page number from the Peter Cline Kaylor book.
Book O-1, p.6 - John Wright, 550 acres, both forks of Linvils Creek. Mentioned Abraham Hite, Robert McCoy (McCay), Jost Hite, William Duff, and Robert Green. Adjoining Jeremiah Harrison, Michael Waring. April 22, 1761. Book O-1, p.6 - Jeremiah Harrison, 400 acres, Fork of Linvils Creek. Mentioned Abraham Hite, 1200 acres, Robert McCoy, Jost Hite, William Duff, and Robert Green. Adjoining David Ralston, John Wright. August 22, 1761. |
Jeremiah Harrison was my sixth great grandfather, husband of Catherine Adams and son of Isaiah Harrison Sr. and Abigail Smith. The 400 acres were purchased on 31 Dec 1760 from Jeremiah's uncle John Harrison Jr. The 400 acres were sold on 15 Oct 1765 to John Hinton of Berks County, Pennsylvania. |
Book O-1, p.9 - Jacob Peters 69 acres, South Branch Potomack. Adjoining his own land. March 30, 1761. |
This was surely the same Jacob Peters who owned 60 acres adjacent Dyche (p.18). But I do not know exactly who he was. |
Book O-1, p.17 - Abraham Bird 235 acres Brock's Gap. Adjoining Conrod Lamb. April 14, 1762. |
There were several Abraham Birds in Rockingham County. I'm not sure which one this one was. |
Book O-1, p.18, - Jacob Peters, 60 acres, South Fork Potomack. Adjoining Dyche, May 1, 1762. |
This was surely the same Jacob Peters who owned 69 acres adjacent his own land (p.9). But I do not know exactly who he was. |
Book O-1, p.28 - Solomon Turpine, 192 acres, Dry fork of Smiths Creek. Adjoining Daniel Smith, Jeremiah Harrison. January 31, 1763. |
This Jeremiah Harrison could have been my sixth great grandfather Jeremiah Harrison, or he could have been my Jeremiah's nephew. The younger Jeremiah Harrison was the son of Thomas Harrison. |
Book O-1, p.28 - Andrew Bird, 150 acres, Smith Creek. February 7, 1763. |
The Peters and Bird families lived along Smith Creek in Rockingham County. I do not know how Andrew Bird fits into the family. |
Book O-1, p.33 - William Carleton, 90 acres, Ronoke (sic) River, Branch of Measons Creek. February 15, 1764. William Carleton, 137 acres, Roanoke River Lick Run. Adjoining John Bryan, Samuel Brown, and his own land. February 14, 1764. |
I do not know who this John Bryan this was. He probably was not one of mine. Lick Run, Mason's Creek, and the Roanoke River are all in modern day Roanoke County or the City of Roanoke. Roanoke County was created in 1838 from Botetourt County, and Botetourt County was created in 1769 from Augusta County. It is about 107 miles from Roanoke to the Bryan land in Rockingham County. |
Book O-1, p.34 - James Brian, 480 acres, Waters of the Roanoke River. Adjoining Griffens. February 15, 1764. Book O-1, p.34 - Thomas Tosh, 254 acres, Waters of the Roanoke. Adjoining Maleam Campbel, Uriah Akers, David Bryan. February 17, 1764. |
This James Bryan was probably not one of mine, nor was this David Bryan. There is not enough information in this entry to tie the land specifically to Roanoke County or to the City of Roanoke. But irrespective of exactly where this land was, it had to have been at least 100 miles south of the Bryan land in Rockingham County. But just in case the land was in Roanoke County, we make note of the fact that Roanoke County was created in 1838 from Botetourt County, and Botetourt County was created in 1769 from Augusta County. |
Book O-1, p.35 - Michael Rader, assignee of Andrew Hudlow, 84 acres. Adjoining Lewis Circle, Andrew Bird. May 15, 1783. |
The Peters and Bird families lived along Smith Creek in Rockingham County. I do not know how Andrew Bird fits into the family. |
Book O-1, p.54 - Andrew Lewis, 625 acres, Roanoke River. Mentioned Bane. Adjoining James Neely, and John Bryan. Oct. 27, 1765. |
This John Bryan was probably not one of mine. The Roanoke River is in modern day Roanoke County or the City of Roanoke. Roanoke County was created in 1838 from Botetourt County, and Botetourt County was created in 1769 from Augusta County. It is about 107 miles from Roanoke to the Bryan land in Rockingham County. |
Book O-1, p.56 - Thomas Nelson, George Wilson, John Madison, Seronima Ramley, Abraham Smith, John Smera, John Paoge, Adam Weese, James Huston, Jacob Weese, Sampson Mathews, Michael Thom, Daniel Smith, Anthony Cooper, Alexander McClanahan, Tobias Thom, David Scot, Henry Shepler, Robert Lowthee, John Bryan, George Bush, and Hermen Shoe, 1080 acres, South Fork Potomack River, November 15, 1765. |
This John Bryan was probably not one of mine. "South Fork Potomac River" is really not very much to go on as far as identifying the location of this particular piece of property. It appears likely that the property was in what is now West Virginia. |
Book O-1, p.56 - Andrew Bird, John Phillips, John Poage, John McAnelly, Thomas George, John Phillips Jr., James Daubin, 1500 acres. South River, both sides of the Rockfish Gap Road. March 26, 1766. |
Rockfish Gap is in modern day Nelson County, Virginia. I-64 appears to follow the route of the old Rockfish Gap Road and I-64 crosses the South River in Augusta County, just over the Nelson County line. The property was about 25 or 30 miles south of where the Peters and Birds lived in Rockingham County. I do not know who Andrew Bird was, nor if he was related to the Birds who married into the Peters family in Rockingham County. |
Book O-1, p.96 - James Bryans, 190 acres, Roanoke. Adjoining William Bryan. December 7, 1767. |
James and William Bryan were probably not any of mine. "Roanoke" is really not very much to go on as far as identifying the location of this particular piece of property. It appears likely that the property was 30 or 40 miles south of the Bryan land in Rockingham County. |
Book O-1, p.140, William Bryans, Jr., James Bryans, William Cowin and David Gass, 36 acres, Roanoke River. August 1, 1769. |
William Bryan Jr. and James Bryan were probably not any of mine. There is not enough information in this entry to tie the land specifically to Roanoke County or to the City of Roanoke. But irrespective of exactly where this land was, it had to have been at least 100 miles south of the Bryan land in Rockingham County. But just in case the land was in Roanoke County, we make note of the fact that Roanoke County was created in 1838 from Botetourt County, and Botetourt County was created in 1769 from Augusta County. |
Book O-1, p.154 - Andrew Byrd, 270 acres, Between Matthew Harrisons & Millsaps lines. June 5, 1769. |
The Peters and Bird families lived along Smith Creek in Rockingham County. I do not know how Andrew Bird fits into the family. Also, the text of this survey does not mention Smith Creek explicitly, so I'm only guessing that this land was on Smith Creek. This Benjamin Harrison was probably one of mine, but at the present time I do not know who he was. |
Book O-1, p.154 - Joseph Reice, 42 acres on west side of Smith Creek. Adjoining Andrew Byrd, Rambo. June 6, 6, 1769. |
The Peters and Bird families lived along Smith Creek in Rockingham County. I do not know how Andrew Bird fits into the family. |
Book O-1, p.154 - Cornelius Riddle, 347 acres, east side of Linvils Creek June, 7, 1769. |
Cornelius Riddle/Ruddle shows up in Bryan family research, and the Bryans lived along Linville Creek. |
Book O-1, p.165 - Jacob Peters 50 acres, on Peters Spring Branch, a branch of Elk Run. March 13, 1770. |
I don't know exactly who this Jacob Peters was. I cannot find Peters Spring Branch. Elk Run flows into the South Branch of the Shenandoah River at Elkton in Rockingham County. Elkton is east of Massanutten Mountain, and therefore is not very close to Smith Creek. |
Book O-1, p.186 - Thomas Bryant, 54 acres, Linvils Creek. Adjoining Jawl
Gum, Cornelius Bryant. September 19.1771.
|
Thomas Bryan Sr. was my sixth great grandfather. There is a deed where he purchased 300 acres on Linville Creek and another deed where he and his son Peter Bryan sold 150 of the 300 acres, representing the eastern half of the property. At the present time, I do not know how this survey for 54 acres relates to the deed for 300 acres. The Cornelius Bryan whose property was adjoined by Thomas's was Thomas's brother. They were both sons of Cornelius O'Bryan. One other possibility is that the Thomas Bryan who owned the 54 acres was Thomas Bryan Jr. rather than Thomas Bryan Sr. |
Book O-1, p.192 - Henry Bopart, 52 acres, South Branch Potomac River. Adjoining Jacob Peters. December 20, 1771. |
I don't know exactly who this Jacob Peters was. |
Book O-1, p.201 - Thomas Bryant, 350 acres, Head Branch of Long Meadow,
a branch of the North Fork of Shenandoah. Adjoining
Mathias Leacher. July 17, 1772.
|
I believe this was my sixth great grandfather Thomas Bryan Sr. However, the Head Branch of Long Meadow was about five miles northeast of the land I have identified from deeds as belonging to Thomas. So this survey will require some additional research. |
Book O-1, p.207 - Christopher Wagoner,400 acres, Head Branches of Long
Meadows, a branch of the North Branch of Shenandoah.
Adjoining Thomas Bryant, Reuben Harrison. July 14, 1772.
|
I believe this was my sixth great grandfather Thomas Bryan Sr. However, the Head Branch of Long Meadow was about five miles northeast of the land I have identified from deeds as belonging to Thomas. So this survey will require some additional research. Capt. Reuben Harrison was my fifth great grandfather, husband of Lydia Donnell Harrison and son of John Harrison Sr. and Phebe. |
Book O-1, p.213 - Jacob Peters, 255 acres, on Branch of Shenandoah. Adjoining John Fudtche. March 19, 1773. |
I don't know exactly who this Jacob Peters was. |
Book O-1, p.227 - Nehemiah and Josiah Harrison, 636 acres, Head Draft of Cooks Creek, including two tracts ye one containing 370 acres granted to Jeremiah Harrison by patent the 10th of February, 1748, the other tract contains 135 acres granted to said Harrison by patent the 20th of September, 1768. Adjoining Henry Wein, Alexander Miller. July 7, 1773. Book O-1, p.227 - John Herdman, 119 acres, West Fork of Cooks Creek. Adjoining his own land, Henry Ewin, Harrison, Alexendar Miller. July 7, 1773. Book O-1, p.227 - Henry Ewin, 128 acres, Head Draft of the West Fork of Cooks Creek. Adjoining his own land, Harrison, John Herdman, William Ewin. July 7, 1773. |
Jeremiah Harrison was my sixth great grandfather. Nehemiah and Josiah were brothers, sons of Jeremiah. |
Book O-1, p.240 - Henry Miller and Mark Byrd, 1150 acres, Mossey Creek. Adjoining Francis Erwin, Robert Curry, Abel Griffeth. Mentioned Ketrick. September 20, 1774. |
I do not know how Mark Bird fits into the Bird family. A Mark Bird born in 1772, son of Abraham Bird, was too young to have purchased land in 1774. Mossy Creek is at they southern end of Rockingham County and the northern end of Augusta County where the counties adjoin. The property was about 15 or 20 miles south of where the Peters and Birds lived in Rockingham County. |
Book O-1, p.B244 - Josiah Davison, 35 acres, Linvile Creek. Adjoining Thomas
Bryant, Laiers, Josiah Boon. June 8, 1774.
|
There were two page 244's. This was the second of the two. Thomas Bryan Sr. was my sixth great grandfather. |
Book O-1, p.269 - Andrew Lair, 135 acres, Long Meadow. Adjoining Thomas
Bryant, Benson. May 6, 1774.
|
I believe this was my sixth great grandfather Thomas Bryan Sr. However, the Head Branch of Long Meadow was about five miles northeast of the land I have identified from deeds as belonging to Thomas. So this survey will require some additional research. |
Book OII, p.2 - John Peters, 360 acres, Wolf Run, Adjoining Jacob Peters. April 20, 1780. |
I do not know if this John and Jacob Peters might have been a part of the Peters I'm researching or not. The Peters I'm researching lived along Smith Creek, which is west of Massanutten Mountain. Wolf Run is east of Massanutten Mountain. |
Book OII, p.6 - Michael Waring, (Warren) 120 acres, Long Meadows Drafts. Adjoining Bryants. April 14, 1780. |
I believe this was my sixth great grandfather Thomas Bryan Sr. and probably his brother John Bryan. However, the Head Branch of Long Meadow was about five miles northeast of the land I have identified from deeds as belonging to Thomas. So this survey will require some additional research. |
Book OII, p.9 - Benjamin Kinly, 208 acres, on Antonies spring a branch of Linvills Creek adjoining, Townsend Matthews, Ewins, Mill place. March 23, 1780. |
I'm not aware of any direct connection between this survey and any of my families. The entry is interesting because of the reference to Linville Creek. |
Book OII, p.19 - John Kring, 400 acres, East side of Linvils Creek on the West side of Millers round Hill. Adjoining Jacob Lincoln, Belsheer. Surveyed in consequence of an entry for 400 acres made by Abraham Lincoln April 25, 1771, and assigned to said Kring. Surveyed January 3, 1782. |
My interest in this survey is that it helps to identify the location of Millers Round Hill (see survey for Joseph Lair below on p.20). Although not adjacent to my sixth grandfather Thomas Bryan Sr., John Kring's property clearly was very close to Thomas Bryan Sr. |
Book OII, p.20 - Joseph Lair, 66 acres, Millers Round Hill. Adjoining John
Reeves, Thomas Briant. January 3, 1782.
|
Thomas Bryan Sr. was my sixth great grandfather. I'm not 100% sure where Millers Round Hill is, but there is survey for John Kring, east side of Linville Creek, west side of Miller's Round Hill, adjoining Jacob Lincoln (see p.19 above). That's enough information to show that the Thomas Briant mentioned in this survey was my Thomas Bryan Sr. Joseph Lair's daughter Persis married Benjamin Bryan, grandson of Thomas Bryan Sr. |
Book OII, p.38 - Henry Armentrout, assignee of Conyers White, 312 acres, on the South Mountain. Adjoining Peters Oct. 31, 1783. |
I do not know who this Peters was. |
Book OII, p.52 - Henry Selzer, 125 acres. Adjoining Ekerly, White, Polser, Harrison, Andrew Bird, McDowel, Sehorn. April 25, 1785. Book OII, p.52 - Joseph Rombo (sic, really Rambo), 94 acres. Adjoining Andrew Bird, Harrison, Lewis Circle, and Michael Raiders. June 15, 1785. |
The Harrison was probably one of mine, but I don't know who he was. The Peters and Bird families lived along Smith Creek in Rockingham County. I do not know how Andrew Bird fits into the family. |
Book OII, p.53 - John Ruddell 33 acres, North Branch of the Shenandoah River near Brocks Gap. Adjoining John Gratton. April 22, 1785. |
John Riddle/Ruddle shows up in Bryan family research, and the Bryans lived along Linville Creek. A John Ruddell married Deborah Bryan, daughter of my sixth great grandfather Thomas Bryan Sr. I do not know if this is the same John Ruddell or not. |
Book OII, p.64 - Conrod Smith, 10 acres, within one mile of the Big Spring of Smiths Creek. Adjoining Reuben Harrison and his own land. April 23, 1786. |
Capt. Reuben Harrison was my fifth great grandfather, husband of Lydia Donnell Harrison and son of John Harrison Sr. and Phebe. |
Book OII, p.64 - Conrod Smith, 156 acres, Long Meadows, Adjoining Reuben Harrison, Thomas Briant, and his own land. April 17, 1786. |
I believe this was my sixth great grandfather Thomas Bryan Sr. However, the Head Branch of Long Meadow was about five miles northeast of the land I have identified from deeds as belonging to Thomas. So this survey will require some additional research. Capt. Reuben Harrison was my fifth great grandfather, husband of Lydia Donnell Harrison and son of John Harrison Sr. and Phebe. |
Book OII, p.69 - Abraham Bird, 89 acres, between Smiths Creek and Massanutten Mountain. April 12, 1787. |
There were several Abraham Birds in Rockingham County. I'm not sure which one this one was. |
Book OII, p.72 - Lewis Circle, 30 acres, Smiths Creek. Adjoining Abraham Bird, Phillip Comer. April 11, 1787. |
There were several Abraham Birds in Rockingham County. I'm not sure which one this one was. |
This page last edited on 24 Mar 2016.