Davis Stockton (c1685-1761)

The first documented information on Davis Stockton is a Virginia Land Office Patent to Michael Wood (Woods) dated 10 June 1737. "George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Michael Wood one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on the heads of Ivy Creek on other Branches of the North River on the South Side of the North River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at a hiccory on Davis Stockton’s Line . . . crossing a Branch of the North River . . . to Pointers in Davis Stockton's Line . . . the Tenth Day June one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven In the Tenth Year of our Reign. William Gooch”

Michael Woods (Sr.) and Davis Stockton were two of the early settlers in Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia. It is not known when they first arrived in Goochland County, but they were there by 1737. Michael Woods' property on Lickinghole Creek "lay at the mouth of Woods's Gap." This was at the eastern entrance of Woods’ Gap a “gentle defile in the Blue Ridge Mountains”. The property of his son, Michael Woods (Jr.), was at the headwaters of Ivy Creek. This was next to Davis Stockton’s property on Ivy Creek.

It appears that Davis Stockton was probably born about 1685. It has long been thought that Davis Stockton was born in Ireland, although no evidence of the Davis Stockton family has been found there. It is not known where his children were born. In the 1730's the Davis Stockton family settled in the Ivy Creek area of then Goochland County, Virginia. They might have also been on the North and South Forks of Mechum's River in the 1730's, however, they are not found there until 15 March 1741. The North Fork of Mechum's River became known as Stockton Creek, and the South Fork became known as Stockton's Mill Creek.

When Henrico Shire was created in 1634 it included the Ivy Creek and Mechum's River area. The name Henrico Shire was soon changed to Henrico County. In 1728 the Ivy Creek and Mechum's River area became part of Goochland County, and in 1744 it became part of the newly formed Albemarle County. In 1761 Amherst County was formed from the southern part of Albemarle County, and the western part of Louisa County was added as the northernmost part of Albemarle County. The northern area of Albemarle County was now in Fredericksville Parish and the southern area of Albemarle County was in St. Anne's Parish. In 1807 the northern part of Amherst County became Nelson County.

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK 18, 1738-1739, pp. 536-537, 12 March 1739 "George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Davis Stockdon one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides of Ivy Creek a branch of the Rivanna and on the South side of the same and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a white Oak a corner to Capt Charles Hudson . . . Crossing Ivy Creek to a Hiccory . . . the said Davis Stockdon . . . the Twelfth Day of March one thousand seven hundred & thirty nine In the Thirteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

The above property was adjacent to the land that Michael Woods obtained with his 10 June 1737 patent. Davis Stockton sold this 400 acre property to his neighbor Michael Woods (Jr.) on 17 Nov 1741 for 30 pounds. This was the only property that Davis Stockton is thought to have owned on Ivy Creek. Davis Stockton also owned land on the North Fork and the South Fork of Mechums River. The North Fork is known as Stockton Creek and the South Fork is known as Stockton's Mill Creek. See GOOCHLAND COUNTY DEED BOOK 3, 1737-1742, p. 497, 17 Nov 1741.

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 20, 1741-1743, pp. 162-164, 15 March 1741 "George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto William Whitesides One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides the South fork Mechums River . . . said William Whitesides . . . the Fifteenth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

Elizabeth Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton, married William Whiteside or Whitesides. There is a tradition that William Whiteside was born in Ireland, that he met and married Elizabeth Stockton in Ireland, and that three of William and Elizabeth (nee Stockton) Whiteside's children were born in Ireland. It also states that in about 1735 the William and Elizabeth Whiteside family, and the Davis Stockton family, left Ireland and traveled to America together. However, it does not appear that William and Elizabeth Whiteside had any children born by 1735, or even by 1737 when Davis Stockton is known to have been living in Goochland County, Virginia.

William Whiteside was probably living Goochland County before his 15 March 1741 patent. The first children of William and Elizabeth (nee Stockton) Whiteside appear to have been born about 1740 or 1741. It is very possible that William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton did not meet and marry in Ireland, but instead met and married in Goochland County, Virginia.

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK 20, 1741-1743, pp. 194-196, 15 March 1741 "George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . unto Davis Stockton One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides of Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at Richard Stockton's Corner . . . to a small Pine in Richard Stockton's line . . . unto said Davis Stockton . . . the Fifteenth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch." This 400 acre property was on the North Fork of Mechums River, also known as Stockton Creek.

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK 19, 1739-1741, pp. 1006-1007, 6 July 1741 "George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto David Stockdon one Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides the South fork of Mechum's River and Bounded as followith (to wit) Beginning at a red Oak and Hiccory Saplin on the North side of the said South fork . . . unto the said David Stockdon . . . the Sixth Day of July One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . James Blair"

The above 400 acre property on the South Fork of Mechum's River was the site of Davis Stockton's mill. The South Fork is also known as Stockton's Mill Creek. This 400 acre patent seems to be the source of the 100 acres that Samuel Stockton and William Stockton sold to Thomas Stockton on 13 June 1764.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, pp. 480-482, 13 June 1764 "This Indenture maid the thirteen Day of June one thousand and seven Hundred & Sixty four Between Samuel Stockton & William Stockton & their wives each & every of them of the Parish of St. Anns & County of Albemarle yeoman of the other part & Thomas Stockton wheel Wright . . . one hundred pounds current Money of Virginia . . . unto Thomas Stockton . . . one hundred acres lying & being in the County of Albemarle on Both sides the South fork of Mitchams River which said land was Granted to Samuel Stockton & William Stockton by Patent bearing Date the sixt Day of July one thousand Seven hundred & Forty one . . . Samuel Stockton . . . William Stockton . . . Prudence Stockton . . . Jane Stockton . . . Test . . . John Nicholas Clk" It does not appear that there was a patent to Samuel and William Stockton on 6 July 1741, there was however a patent to Davis Stockton on 6 July 1741 for 400 acres "on both sides the South fork of Mechum's River."

GOOCHLAND COUNTY ROAD ORDERS 1728-1744, by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett, June 1975, revised 2004, p. 41 Order Book 5, Goochland County, 15 Sept. 1741 O.S., p. 3 "Road to be Clear'd . . . On the Petition of . . . Davis Stockdon . . . Sam. Arnett [Samuel Arnold], Richard Stockdon, Thomas Stockdon . . . Leave is given to Clear a road from Thomas Morrisons to the D.S. tree in Michael Woods road. And that the Petitioners be exempt from working on any other road."

THE ROUTE OF THE THREE NOTCH'D ROAD: A PRELIMINARY REPORT, by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett and Howard H. Newlon, Jr., Jan 1976, Revised Sept 2003

"The next year, 1741, found the Goochland Court issuing a Road Order for what apparently was to be the final segment of the Three Notch'd Road. This was a road from the Secretary's Ford on the Rivanna River (near the old woolen mill adjacent to I-64 on the east side of Charlottesville) to the D.S. Tree in Michael Wood's road (the road east from Wood's Gap to Ivy). According to Edgar Woods' History of Albemarle County, Virginia the D. S. Tree had, carved on it, the initials of Davis Stockdon, an early patentee of land near the present Ivy . . . it seems clear that this Mountain Road was marked about 1742 or 1743 (O. S.) along its length from Richmond to the Valley with three notches on trees at periodic intervals. It evidently already had mile markers running from west to east since No. 12 was located near the present Shadwell and Nos. 36 and 40 were near Goochland Court House. These mile markers may have later borne the "three notches" also, though it seems doubtful they were anything more than suitably inscribed trees since the "twelve mile tree" is named in one order. These numbers or markers were placed on the Mountain Road some years before it became the Three Notch'd Road, evidence of them first appearing in a Goochland Road Order of 17 May 1737 O.S. appointing Benjamin Wheeler surveyor of "part of the Mountain Road on the North side of James [Rivanna] River beginning at Number Twelve and ending at Number Thirty." Peter Jefferson, a previous surveyor of this road, probably made the measurements and marked or erected these. The fact that only the Mountain Road (later Three Notch'd) had mile markers seems significant of its status as a main east-west and west-east route. It seems likely that these markers were measured from the D.S. Tree near Ivy, which is approximately twelve miles from the present Shadwell."

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK 22, 1743-1745, pp. 42-44, 1 March 1743 "George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Samuel Arnold one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing two hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on the Branches of Ivy Creek and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at Captain Hudsons Corner . . . the First Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty three In the Seventeenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

Thomas Stockton, a son of Davis Stockton, married Rachel Allen, a daughter of Samuel and Martha (nee Chapman) Allen. After Samuel Allen died Martha (nee Chapman) Allen married Samuel Arnold. The Samuel Arnold family was probably living next to the Davis Stockton family by 1740. It appears that Thomas Stockton met and married Rachel Allen in Goochland County, and their first children appear to have been born in Goochland County in about 1740.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ORDER BOOK 1, 1744-1748, p. 45, 22 Aug 1745 Mentions Joseph Kinkead, Andrew Wood and a road from Kinkead's house to Davis Stockton's mill. Rev. Edgar Woods wrote that the Stockton family "erected perhaps the first mill in that section of the county." The mill site was later owned by Davis Stockton's sons Samuel and William Stockton. See 12 Mar 1760 deed from Samuel Stockton to William Stockton.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 362-363 "Ivy Creek, March 29, 1747. Whereas it is agreed or proposed that ye Inhabitants of Ivy Creek and ye Mountain Plain Congregation joyn together with ye Congregation of Rockfish, to call and invite ye Reverend Samuel Black . . . to be our Minister and Pastor . . . do promise and oblige ourselves to pay yearly and every year ye several sums annexed to our names, for ye outward support and Incouragement of ye said Mr. Samuel Black . . . according to ye Rules and Practice of our Orthodox Reformed Presbyterian Church." Among those who promised support for Reverend Samuel Black were: Richard Stockton, 12 shillings; Davis Stockton, 1 pound, no shillings; Adam Gaudylock, 10 shillings; William Whiteside, 10 shillings; Thomas Lockhart, 10 shillings; Michael Woods, 1 pound, 10 shillings; and Michael Woods Jr., 10 shillings.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 26 Oct 1748 A survey for Davis Stockton for 312 acres on both sides of the South Fork of Mechum's River. This property was transfered to Francis Whelchel who married Martha Ann Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton. See Francis Whelchel 25 March 1762 land record below.

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK, NO. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 990-991, 25 March 1762 "George the Third . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Thirty five Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm Unto Francis Welchell one Certain Tract or Parcel of land Containing three hundred and twelve Acres Lying and being in the County of Albemarle on both sides of Mitchum River . . . the Twenty fifth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and Sixty two In the Second Year of our Reign . . . Frans. Fauquier." Francis Whelchel sold this 312 acre property to Patrick Davis on 14 April 1763. See 26 Oct 1748 survey of 312 acres for Davis Stockton.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 29 Oct 1748 "This is a plat of 400 Acres of Land in Albemarle County lying on the branches of Metchum River Survd. for Davis Stockton Octobr. 29th 1748 by Thos. Turpin . . . Virgin Spr. Cr."

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 12 March 1749 Adam Goudelock, 182 acres on a Spring Branch, neighbors Martha Stockton and Sarah Stockton. This was on what was then known as Virgin Spring Creek, but is now known as Dollins Creek. See Adam Gaudilock's 20 Aug 1760 patent for this 182 acre property. It mentions Martha Stockton's line and Sarah Stockton's line. Samuel Stockton became owner of the Sarah Stockton 397 acre patent on 1 March 1773. He sold 322 acres of the 397 acres on Virgin Spring Creek to R. Dollins on 8 Nov 1773. Hannah Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton, appears to have met and married Adam Goudelock in Albemarle County, Virginia. The Adam and Hannah (nee Stockton) Goudelock family moved to Union County, South Carolina.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, p. 363 "Albemarle Company of Militia, lately in actual service for the defence and protection of the frontier against the Indians, September, 1758. Hening's Statutes, VII, 203." Captain James Nevill, Samuel Stockton, William Stockton, Adam Gaudylock, William Whiteside, Henry Brenton and Michael Woods, Jr., were among the 56 names mentioned. Samuel and William Stockton were sons of Davis Stockton. Adam Goudelock and William Whiteside were sons-in-law of Davis Stockton. Adam Goudelock married Hannah Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton. William Whiteside married Elizabeth Stockton, also a daughter of Davis Stockton. Either Henry Brenton or Robert Brenton might have been a son-in-law of Davis Stockton. A 1773 record shows "Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton)." Michael Woods, Jr., was a neighbor of Davis Stockton.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 2, p. 88, 8 Nov 1758 November the 8th day 1758. . . Then received of Mr. Davis Stockton fourty pounds current money of Virginia in full of all Bills Bonds Boock Debts and Accts and in full of all contracts and agreements that ever was between the said Stockton and me. . . Thomas Lankford. . . Test Adam Goudilock. . . Samuel Stockton. . . At a Court held for Albemarle County the eight day of March 1759. . . This Receipt was proved by the oath of Samuel Stockton one of the witnesses thereto and on the motion of Davis Stocton ordered to be recorded.

ABEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 3, p. 17, 12 March 1760/1761 Samuel Stockton to William Stockton, 204 acres on the South Fork of Mechum's River where the mill stands on Stockton's Mill Creek. William Stockton sold this 204 acre property to James Garland in 1767.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 319-320 “Among the earliest settlers in the western part of the county, who came as is said under the leadership of Michael Woods, was a family named Stockton. Though their name has entirely disappeared, they have in a number of ways left their mark behind. They consisted of several branches. They erected perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. The north fork of Mechum's River still bears the name of Stockton's Creek, the south fork in early times was called Stockton's Mill creek, and the first name by which Israel's Gap was known was Stockton's Thoroughfare. The famous abbreviation of D. S. is also ascribed to the head of the family. One story recites that Michael Woods and Davis Stockton landed at Williamsburg, and came to the wilds of Goochland together, that arriving at D. S., they advanced in different directions, Woods continuing straight forward to Woods's Gap, and Stockton bearing to the left along the foot of the mountain towards Batesville, and that as a memorial of the place where they separated, Stockton carved his initials on a tree. . . Woods's home lay at the mouth of Woods's Gap, and the Stocktons were settled along Mecham's River, the south fork as well as the north.”

In his 1901 book Rev. Edgar Woods shows a date of death for Davis Stockton as 1760, however, he does not give a source for the 1760 date. Davis Stockton's exact year of death is not known. The appraisal of "the Estate of Davis Stockton Decd." is dated "January 8th 1762." Albemarle County records have been thoroughly searched and no will for Davis Stockton has been found.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, WILL BOOK 2, p. 114 Stockton Appraisal Pursuant to an Order of the Worshipful Court of Albemarle and in obedience to the sd Order We the Subscribers have appraised the Estate of Davis Stockton Decd. as follows Viz To 9 Hogs ₤2..15.. To 1 Horse ₤3 To 4 Cattle ₤6..5. . .  .   ₤12 _____ To 1 Bed and furniture ₤1..10. To 1 Chest 2/6. . .  .  .  .  .  .   1  12   6     To 1 Riding Coat 20/  To 1 Waist Coat 12/6. . .  .  .  .  .  .  .    1  12   6 To Pewter 10/. To 2 Iron Pots 9/1. To Knives and forks 5/. . .  1   4  __ To a Parcel of Wooden Ware 7/. To 2 Books 5/. . .  .  .  .  .        12 __ To 1 Cow sold ₤2..5.. To 1 Churn 1/3. . .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .      2   6    3 To 1 C. weight of Poark 16/8. 1 Bell 3/6 1 Barrl 2/6. . .  .       1   2    8 To Iron Ware ₤2..0..10  To 1 mare and Colt ₤13..10. . .  .      15  10  10                                                                        Totall. . .   36  00   9 Given under our hands January 8th 1762. William Grayson James Coffey Chas Lambert This appraisment was returned to Albemarle County Court the fourteenth Day of January 1762 and Ordered to be recorded Test John Nicholas Clk

THE STOCKTON FAMILY OF NEW JERSEY AND OTHER STOCKTONS, by Thomas Coates Stockton, M. D., 1911, p. 234 "Davis 1 Stockton is said to have come from the north of Ireland and settled, first, in Lancaster County, Pa., and then in Goochland County (later Albemarle County), Va. He was given a patent for 400 acres of land there, adjoining the land of his son-in-law, Adam Godylouch, March 12, 1739 . . . His wife's name was Sarah.” There is no evidence that Davis Stockton was from the north of Ireland or that he was ever in Pennsylvania.

SKETCHES OF VIRGINIA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, by Rev. William Henry Foote, D. D., 1850, pp. 101-102 "Michael Woods, from Ireland came in the year 1734 and settled at Henderson's quarter near Wood's Gap in Albemarle. Three sons and three sons in law came with him and settled near. One of the sons in law, William Wallace, took his residence on Mechums river, in Albemarle . . . These were the founders of Mountain Plain Congregation."

It appears that Davis Stockton might have married about 1710. If he married at age 25, he would have been born about 1685. There is no hard evidence as to when or where Davis Stockton was born, or when or where he married. There is also no hard evidence if Sarah was his only wife, or his first wife or his second wife.

DNA proves that Davis and Robert Stockton are descended from the same male Stockton ancestor. It could be they had the same father, or the same grandfather, or an earlier male Stockton ancestor. Davis and Robert Stockton do not share a Stockton ancestor with the Richard Stockton family of New Jersey. Davis Stockton has not been found in any Pennsylvania records, and Davis Stockton has not been found in New York or New Jersey records. It appears that the first record for Davis Stockton is the 10 June 1737 Goochland County, Virginia, land patent.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 26 Oct 1748 and 29 Oct 1748 "This is a Plat of 397 Acres of Land in Albemarle County lying on the branches of Metchum River Survd. for Sarah Stockton Octobr. 26 1748 . . . by Thos. Turpin, Asst. Sur." Sarah Stockton's survey of 397 acres is on the same page of the surveyor's book as Davis Stockton's survey for 312 acres. They are both dated "Octobr. 26 1748." On 29 Oct 1748 a survey of 400 acres for Davis Stockton on Branches of Mechams River.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY WILLS & DEEDS BOOK NO. 1, 1748-1752, 14 August 1751 This indenture made this March the Second day in the twenty third year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the second & c. Anno Dom 1750 Between Paul Abney of County of Albemarle, Planter, of one part & John Graves of said County, Planter, of other part. . . a certain parcel of land being in County of Albemarle containing One hundred acres. . . unto John Graves his heirs & assigns forever In Witness whereof Paul Abney to these present hath set his hand & seal in presence of us Davis Stockton, Adam Goudylock, Robert Brenton, Wm. Whiteside. . . Paul Abney. . . At a Court held for Albemarle County the 14th day of August 1751.

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, p. 19, 10 March 1756 "George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant & Confirm unto Sarah Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Three hundred and ninety seven Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle both Sides the Virgin - Spring - Branch of Mechum River and bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at a Pine in Davis Stockton's Line . . . the tenth day of March one thousand seven hundred and fifty six In the twenty ninth Year of our Reign . . . Robt. Dinwiddie"

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 144-145, 16 Aug 1756 "George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm unto Adam Gaudilock one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four Hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle on the branches of the South fork of Meecham's River and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a Pointer in Henry Tyrells Line . . . to Pointers in Martha Stockton's line . . . to Pointers in Davis Stockton's line . . . the sixteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred fifty six In the Thirtieth Year of our Reign . . . Robt. Dinwiddie"

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 687-688, 20 August 1760 "George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm unto Adam Gaudilock One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land Containing One hundred and Eighty two Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle on the Virgin Spring Branch and Bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at pointers in Martha Stockton's line and running thence . . . to pointers in Sarah Stockton's line . . . to pointers in Thomas Shields's line . . . the twentieth Day of August one thousand seven hundred and Sixty In the thirty fourth Year of our Reign . . . Fran: Fauquier."

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131, 1 March 1773 "Whereas by one Patent under the Seal of this our Colony & Dominion of Virginia bearing date the tenth Day of March one thousand seven hundred & fifty six there was granted unto Sarah Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing three hundred & ninety seven Acres in the County of Albemarle on both sides the Virgin Spring Branch of Mechum River . . . Whereas Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton) hath failed to pay such Quitrents, & Samuel Stockton hath made humble Suit to our, late Lieutenant & Governor General of our said Colony & Dominion & hath obtained a Grant for the same . . . Do Give Grant & Confirm unto the said Samuel Stockton the said Tract . . . Begining at a Pine in Davis Stocktons Line . . . the first day of March one thousand and seven hundred & seventy three, in the thirteenth Year of our Reign . . . Dunmore"

ENCARTA WORLD ENGLISH DICTIONARY, 1999 "feme sole . . . in law, a single woman, including women not married, widows, divorcees, and married women living independently and separately from their husbands." Feme sole is sometimes shown with the French spelling of femme seule. It appears the in the 1700's a male needed to be 21 to buy property, however, a female could buy property at age 18 if she was a feme sole, that is, an unmarried woman. A woman had to be a feme sole to buy property in her own name, and it is rare to find a married woman who was a feme sole.

Although it is not impossible, it appears unlikely that the Sarah mentioned the the 1748, 1756, 1760 and 1773 records is the wife of Davis Stockton. The Sarah mentioned in the land records might have been either a widow of an unknown Davis Stockton son, or more likely an unmarried daughter of Davis Stockton. As an unmarried female it appears she could by land in her own name at age 18. This is also what appears to be the case with Martha Ann Stockton who married Francis Whelchel. Martha Stockton and Sarah Stockton are mentioned on a 12 March 1749 survey for Adam Goudelock. On 14 August 1751 Davis Stockton, Adam Goudylock, William Whiteside and a Robert Brenton were witnesses to a deed. 1 March 1773 patent "Whereas Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton) hath failed to pay such Quitrents." It could be that Davis Stockton helped his daughters purchase land next to his property. There is no proof as to whether the Sarah Stockton mentioned in the land records was Davis Stockton's wife, daughter, widowed daughter-in-law or some other relationship.

SPOUSE: Davis Stockton's wife is thought to have been Sarah, however, there is no proof that is correct. Although Sarah's maiden name is commonly shown as Goudelock, several other possible maiden names have also been put forward. The other possible maiden names include Anthony, Morgan, Whiteside, Woods and Wooten, all without any evidence that they are correct. Davis Stockton's wife is sometimes shown as Sarah Anthony Goudelock. That is just a combination of two of her possible maiden names.

Rev. Edgar Woods wrote "Davis died in 1760. His widow Martha seems afterwards to have been married to Samuel Arnold, who lived on Ivy Creek." Rev. Woods was not correct about Davis Stockton's widow being married to Samuel Arnold after the death of Davis Stockton. Rev. Woods probably read Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold's affidavit of 1765 that included "my Trusty and Loving Son Thomas Stockton." Thomas Stockton had married Rachel Allen, a daughter of Martha (nee Chapman) and her first husband, Samuel Allen. After the death of Samuel Allen, the Widow Martha Allen married Samuel Arnold. Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold was referring to her son-in-law, Thomas Stockton.

CHILDREN: Richard Stockton (1710-1775), maybe in Ireland Thomas Stockton, Sr. (1714-1783), maybe in Ireland Elizabeth (nee Stockton) Whiteside, born about 1715-1725, maybe in Ireland Samuel Stockton (1720-1807), maybe in Ireland William Stockton, born about 1715-1730, maybe in Ireland Hannah (nee Stockton) Goudelock, born about 1720-1730, maybe in Ireland Martha Ann (nee Stockton) Whelchel, born about 1720-1730, maybe in Ireland and possibly Sarah Stockton, born about 1720-1730

SOURCES: VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 17, 1735-1738, pp. 350-351, 10 June 1737 (Michael Woods, 400 acres, Ivy Creek) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 18, 1738-1739, pp. 536-537, 12 March 1739 (Davis Stockton, 400 acres, Ivy Creek) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 19, 1739-1741, pp. 1006-1007, 6 July 1741 (Davis Stockton, 400 acres, South Fork Mechum's River) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 20, 1741-1743, pp. 162-164, 15 March 1741 (William Whitesides, 400 acres, South Fork Mechum's River) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 20, 1741-1743, pp. 194-196, 15 March 1741 (Davis Stockton, 400 acres, Stocktons Branch Mechum's River) GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA, 15 Sep 1741 ("Road to be Clear'd . . . Davis Stockdon . . . Richard Stockdon, Thomas Stockdon) GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 3, 1737-1742, 17 Nov 1741,  (Davis Stockton to Michael Woods, 400 acres, Ivy Creek) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 22, 1743-1745, pp. 42-44, 1 March 1743  (Samuel Arnold, 200 acres, Ivy Creek) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ORDER BOOK 1, 1744-1748, p. 45, 22 Aug 1745  ("Kinkead's house to Davis Stockton's mill") ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 26 Oct 1748  (Davis Stockton, 312 acres, later transfered to Francis Whelchel) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 26 Oct 1748  (Sarah Stockton, 397 acres, branch of Mechum's River) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 29 Oct 1748  (Davis Stockton, 400 acres, Virgin Spring Creek) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 12 March 1749  (Adam Goudelock, 182 acres, Virgin Spring Branch) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 19 May 1749 (Adam Goudelock, 400 acres) ALBEMARLE COUNTY WILLS & DEEDS BOOK NO. 1, 1748-1752, 14 August 1751 (Witness, Davis Stockton, Wm. Whiteside, Robert Brenton) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 32, 1752-1756, p. 55, 4 April 1753 (William Whiteside, 300 acres on both sides Stocktons Fork of Mechums River) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, p. 19, 10 March 1756 (Sarah Stockton, 397 acres, Virgin Spring Creek) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 144-145, 16 Aug 1756 (Adam Gaudilock, 400 acres, Martha Stockton's line, Sarah Stockton's line) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 2, p. 88, 8 Nov 1758 (Davis Stockton and Thomas Lankford, 40 pounds current money) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 3, p. 17, 12 March 1760 (Samuel Stockton to William Stockton, 204 acres, Stockton's Mill Creek) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 687-688, 20 Aug 1760 (Adam Gaudilock, 182 acres, Martha and Sarah Stockton, Virgin Spring Branch) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, WILL BOOK 2, p. 114, 8 Jan 1762 (Appraisal of Davis Stockton's estate) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK, NO. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 990-991, 25 March 1762 (312 acre patent to Francis Whelchel) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 4, p. 291, 14 Apr 1763 (Francis Whelchel to Patrick Davis, 312 acres) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, pp. 480-482, 13 June 1764 (Samuel Stockton, William Stockton and their wives to Thomas Stockton, 100 acres) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 37, 1767-1768, p. 272, 20 July 1768 (William Whitesides, 181 acres on both sides of Stockdons Mill Creek) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131, 1 March 1773 (Sarah Stockton's 397 acres to Samuel Stockton) [HENING'S] STATUTES AT LARGE, Volume VII, 1820, by William Waller Hening, p. 203 SKETCHES OF VIRGINIA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, by Rev. William Henry Foote, D. D.,1850, pp. 101-102 ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 319-320, 362-363 THE STOCKTON FAMILY OF NEW JERSEY AND OTHER STOCKTONS, by Thomas Coates Stockton, M. D., 1911 CHRONICLES OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH SETTLEMENT IN VIRGINIA, by Lyman Chalkley, 1912 DAVIS STOCKTON OF VIRGINIA, by Leona Irene Smith Johnson and Winfred Broadus Smith, First Edition 1972, Second Edition 1975

THE ROUTE OF THE THREE NOTCH'D ROAD: A PRELIMINARY REPORT, by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett and Howard H. Newlon, Jr., Jan 1976, Revised Sept 2003 GOOCHLAND COUNTY ROAD ORDERS 1728-1744, by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett, June 1975, revised 2004, p. 41