Samuel Stockton (c1720-1807)

The first documented information on Samuel Stockton's family was a mention of his father, Davis Stockton (1685-1761), on 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”

It is not known when or where Samuel Stockton was born. It appears that he was born about 1720, and maybe in Ireland. It is also not known when or where his father Davis Stockton was born. All dates of birth for Davis Stockton and his children are only approximate. It appears that Davis Stockton and his children might have been born in Ireland, however, no evidence of the Davis Stockton family has been found in there. 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.

From 1634 until 1728 the Ivy Creek and Mechum's River area was part of Henrico Shire. In 1728 it 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 half of Albemarle County was now part of Fredericksville Parish and the southern half of Albemarle County was part of St. Anne's Parish. In 1807 the northern part of Amherst County became Nelson County.

GOOCHLAND COUNTY ROAD ORDERS 1728-1744, by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett, 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." Samuel Stockton is not included in this list, however, his father and two of his brothers are mentioned. Samuel Stockton is not known to have been a land owner in 1741.

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 204 acres that Samuel Stockton sold to William Stockton on 12 March 1760, and the 100 acres that Samuel Stockton and William Stockton sold to Thomas Stockton on 13 June 1764. The 204 acre property appears to have been the mill site. William Stockton sold the 204 acre property to James Garland in 1767.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 26 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."

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"

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 3, p. 17, 12 March 1760/1761 Samuel Stockton to William Stockton, 204 acres. This is the mill site on the South Fork of Mechum's River, also known as Stockton's Mill Creek. William Stockton sold this 204 acre property to James Garland in 1767.

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."

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 36, 1764-1767, p. 756, 5 June 1765 "George the Third . . . in consideration of the sum of Fifteen Shillings of good and lawful money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm unto Samuel Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing one hundred and fifty Acres lying and being in the county of Albemarle on the branches of the South Fork of Mecham's river and bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at Pointers of Davis Stockton and with his line North . . . corner of Samuel Black . . . the fifth day of June one thousand seven hundred and sixty five in the fifth year of our Reign . . . Francis Fauquier"

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131, 1 March 1773 "George the third . . . 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"

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, 8 Nov 1773 Samuel and Prudence Stockton sold 322 acres to R. Dollings on 8 Nov 1773. This was probably part of the 397 acre patent on Virgin Spring Creek originally given to Sarah Stockton. Virgin Spring Creek is now known as Dollings Creek, and is just to the south of Yellow Mountain.

TRYON (later Rutherford) COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 1774 Samuel Stockton bought land on the upper First Broad River in Golden Valley in then Tryon County (later Rutherford County), North Carolina, from Jacob Mooney in 1774.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, 18 Nov 1777 Samuel and Prudence Stockton sold some property to Richard Wood in Albemarle County on 18 Nov 1777.

TRYON (later Rutherford) COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 5 Jan 1779 On 5 Jan 1779 Adam Whiteside sold land on the North Fork of the First Broad River to Samuel Stockton.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 23 Aug 1779 William and Hester Going to Samuel Stockton, land on Wards Creek, witness Thomas and Davis Whiteside.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 25 Oct 1779 On 25 Oct 1779 Samuel and Prudence Stockton sold land on Wards Creek to William Whiteside of Washington County, North Carolina. The area that was Washington County, North Carolina in 1779 is now several counties in Eastern Tennessee.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, 28 Jan 1780 Samuel Stockton of Rutherford County, North Carolina, to Samuel Wood, 28 Jan 1780.

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 1782 TAX LIST Samuel Stockton [Samuel 2 Stockton, son of Davis 1 Stockton] Thomas Stockton [Thomas 3 (Samuel 2, Davis 1) Stockton]

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, DEED BOOK, 11 April 1785 Samuel Stockton sold 112 acres on the south side of the North Fork of the Little Broad River, to Davis Stockton, witness Thomas Stockton.

1790 FEDERAL CENSUS, RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 5th COMPANY, p. 133 Saml Stocton: 2 white males over 16 [Samuel 2 Stockton and unknown male] 1 white male under 16 [unknown male] 2 white females [wife Prudence (nee ____?____ ) Stockton and unknown female]

1800 FEDERAL CENSUS, RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, MORGAN DISTRICT, p. 143 Samuel Stockton: 2 white males 45+ [Samuel 2 Stockton and unknown male] 1 white female 45+ [wife Prudence (nee ____?____ ) Stockton]

RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT OF PLEAS AND QUARTER SESSIONS MINUTES, 1803-1806, 6 Jan 1806 The court ordered that “. . . Prudence Stockton have letters of administration on the estate of Thomas Stockton decd who entered into bond with John Smith and Daniel Lowell securities in the sum of five hundred $ and the amount was duly qualified and make return of the amount of the property that has come to the hands or knowledge her the said administratrix. . .” Thomas 3 (Samuel 2, Davis 1) Stockton and his wife Prudence 3 (nee Goudelock) Stockton are shown on court records, census records and deed records.

In Samuel 2 Stockton's will he mentions son Davis 3 Stockton, who married Elizabeth Whiteside, daughter Ann or Anne Stockton, who married Daniel Lattimore, and then Samuel 2 mentions two grandsons, Samuel and Thomas Jefferson Stockton. Samuel 2 Stockton then divides part of his estate into thirds, with 1/3 to Davis, 1/3 to Anne, and 1/3 to grandsons Samuel 4 and Thomas Jefferson 4 Stockton. These two grandsons are the children of Thomas 3 Stockton who married his cousin Prudence 3 Goudelock. Thomas 3 (Samuel 2, Davis 1) Stockton died in 1805 and so he was not included in Samuel 2 Stockton's 1807 will. Samuel 4 (Thomas 3, Samuel 2, Davis 1) Stockton and Thomas Jefferson 4 (Thomas 3, Samuel 2, Davis 1) Stockton received their fathers share of Samuel 2 Stockton's estate. It appears that Samuel 2 Stockton had three children, and they each received 1/3 of part of Samuel's estate.

Samuel 2 Stockton divided part of his estate into thirds so that he could give one third to each of his 3 children. It does not appear that Samuel left 1/3 to his son Davis, and then left 1/3 to two of Davis' sons. Davis 3 (Samuel 2, Davis 1) Stockton had a son Lewis who was born about 1794. If Samuel 2 Stockton was leaving property to Davis 3 Stockton's sons, Lewis 4 Stockton should have also been included.

Will of Samuel Stockton Rutherford County, North Carolina Will Book B, pp. 211-212

211 In the name of God Amen. I Samuel Stockton of the County of Rutherford & State of North Carolina Being now Old & infirm but of perfect mind & memory thanks be given unto God Calling to mind the mortality of my Body & knowing that it is appointed for all men to die Do make & ordain this my last will & testament That is to say principally & first I give & recomend my soul into the hand of almighty God that gave it & my Body I recommend to the Earth to be Buried in a decent Christian burial at the descretion of my Executors Hoping at the Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God & as touching such worldy Estate where with it hath pleasd God to bless me in this life. I Give Devise & Dispose of the same in the following manner & form First I give & bequeath to my Beloved Wife Prudence Stockton the Plantation on which I now live & two Cows & Calves & all my household furniture, by her peacibly & quietly to be Possessed & enjoyed during her natural life To Davis Stockton my eldist Son I give & bequeath all my Lands & tenaments at the death of his Mother by him to be Enjoyed quietly & peacibly To my Only Daughter Ann Lattimore I give & bequeath twenty Dollars which must be made by the Sale of my moveable property, & the balance of the Moneys arising from the Sale of all the moveable property wherewith I am possessed to be Divided as follows Viz One third to my son Davis Stockton & One third to my Daughter Ann Lattimoore & the other third to be Equally divided between my two

212 Continued Grand Sons Samuel Stockton & Thomas Jefferson Sockton & likewise the moveable Property which I have given & bequeathed to my Bleoved Wife Prudence Stockton during her natural life to be at her death sold & the moneys thence arising to be Divided betwen said Davis Stockton, Ann Lattimore, Saml. Stockton and Thomas Jefferson Stockton, in the same manner as the balance of the moneys above mentiond I likewise constitute make and ordain my Trusty Friends Davis Sockton, Danl. Lattimore & my beloved wife Prudence Stockton, Executors to this my last will & I do hereby utterly Disallow Revoke & Disanull all & every other former Testaments, Wills, Legacies, Bequests & Executors by me in any wise before made willed & Bequeathed Rattifying & Confirming this & no other to be my last will & Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Twentyhth day of September In the Year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & Seven

Samuel Stockton (seal)

Signed Sealed published pronounced & declard by Said Samuel Stockton as his last will & Testament I his presence & in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed oun ames [our names] S A Ross ( Jurat. James Whitesides Anna Stockton

THE NORTH CAROLINA SPECTATOR AND WESTERN ADVERTIZER, Rutherfordtown, 18 June 1831 "Died in this county, on Robertson's Creek, on the 25th ult., Mr. Davis Stockton, aged about 87 years. Mr. Stockton was born and arrived to manhood in Amherst County, Virginia, where he came to this country, and was among the first settlers of Whitesides Settlement about the commencement of the Revolution, in which he took an active part, as a soldied, in the defence of his country. His courage and zeal in those days that tried the souls of men could not be exceeded by any. As a noble patriot, his memory will ever be dear to those who shared his acquaintance. His funeral service will be preached by the Rev. Alfred Webb at the dwelling of Mr. Samuel Biggerstaff, on Robertson's Creek on the 4 of July next, the anniversary of that grand epoch of our independence for which he fought and suffered." This Davis Stockton was a son of Samuel and Prudence Stockton, and a grandson of Davis Stockton of Albemarle County, Virginia.

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.”

SPOUSE: Samuel Stockton was married to Prudence, however, her maiden name is not known. Although her maiden name is commonly shown as Torbet, that was a mistake by Dr. Thomas Coates Stockton in his 1911 book. Prudence is shown on several deeds, including a 13 June 1764 deed from Samuel and Prudence Stockton, and William and Jane Stockton, to Thomas Stockton, a wheelwright, for 100 acres on both sides of Mechum's River.

CHILDREN: Davis Stockton Thomas Stockton Ann or Anna (nee Stockton) Lattimore

SOURCES: VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 17, 1735-1738, pp. 350-351, 10 June 1737 (Michael Woods, 400 acres) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 18, 1738-1739, pp. 536-537 12 March 1739 (Davis Stockton, 400 acres) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 19, 1739-1741, pp. 1006-1007, 6 July 1741 (Davis Stockton, 400 acres) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 20, 1741-1743, pp. 194-196, 15 March 1741 (Davis Stockton, 400 acres, "Richard Stockton's line") ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK, 26 Oct 1748 (Sarah Stockton, 397 acres) ALBEMARLE COUNTY WILLS & DEEDS BOOK NO. 1, 1748-1752, 14 August 1751 (Witness Davis Stockton, Wm. Whiteside and Robert Brenton) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, p. 19, 10 March 1756 (Sarah Stockton, 397 acres) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, 12 March 1760 (Samuel Stockton to William Stockton, 204 acres) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, pp. 480-482, 13 June 1764 (SamuelStockton, William Stockton and their wives to Thomas Stockton, 100 acres) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 36, 1764-1767, p. 756, 5 June 1765 (Samuel Stockton, 150 acres) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK 5, pp. 28, 94, 8 Nov 1768 (Samuel Stockton to Thomas Stockton, 50 acres) VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131, 1 Mar 1773 (Sarah Stockton's (Branton's) 397 acres to Samuel Stockton) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, 8 Nov 1773 (Samuel and Prudence Stockton to R. Dollings, 322 acres) TRYON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 1774 (Jacob Mooney to Samuel Stockton, land on the First Broad River) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, 18 Nov 1777 (Samuel and Prudence Stockton to Richard Wood, land in Albemarle County) TRYON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 5 Jan 1779 (Adam Whiteside to Samuel Stockton, North Fork of the First Broad River) RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 23 Aug 1779 (William and Hester Going to Samuel Stockton, land on Wards Creek) RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 25 Oct 1779 (Samuel and Prudence Stockton to William Whiteside) ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, DEED BOOK, 28 Jan 1780 (Samuel Stockton of Rutherford County, North Carolina) RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 11 April 1785 (112 acres on the south side of the North Fork of Little Broad River) 1790 CENSUS RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 5th COMPANY, p. 133 (Saml Stocton) 1800 CENSUS RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, MORGAN DISTRICT, p. 143 (Samuel Stockton) RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT OF PLEAS AND QUARTER SESSIONS MINUTES, 1803-1806, 6 Jan 1806 RUTHERFORD COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA WILL BOOK B, pp. 211-212 (Samuel Stockton's 20 Sep 1807 will) [HENING'S] STATUTES AT LARGE, Volume VII, 1820, by William Waller Hening, p. 203 THE NORTH CAROLINA SPECTOR AND WESTERN ADVERTIZER, Rutherfordtown, 18 June 1831 (Davis Stockton, son of Samuel and Prudence Stockton) 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