Wes Patterson
All Rights Reserved
The information contained herein was extracted and compiled by Wes Patterson and Harald Reksten. It was posted on this web page by Wes Patterson, September 29, 2003. All rights reserved.
Robert Patterson was born circa 1711, and was the
son of William and Margaret Patterson. Robert
died in 1775 in York Co SC. The following dates are
documentable dates from various court records in counties
such as Sussex Co DE, Augusta Co VA, Mecklenburg
Co NC, Tryon Co NC, York Co SC.
At this time (September 2003), three locations at which
Robert Patterson lived are known. Those locations are
in modern day Sussex Co DE (Pemberton’s Branch),
Rockingham Co VA (Linville Creek), and York Co
SC (Clark’s Fork of Bullocks Creek). Just
remember that when searching the public documents for
those locations in the 1700’s, those locations
were, in some cases, in parent counties, such as Orange
and Augusta counties in VA, and for York Co SC, records
must be consulted in old Craven Co SC (no longer exists),
Anson Co NC, Mecklenburg Co NC, Tryon Co NC (no longer
exists), as well as York Co SC.
The following list of dates and brief descriptions are in chronological order, and will link to the applicable detailed description of the event further down in the document. The detailed descriptions are categorized by county, and chronologically within the county.
There are many more references to a Robert Patterson in the old Augusta Co VA records. Be aware of the fact that there were at least four Robert Pattersons there during the 1740’s – 1770’s, during which time only one of those four Roberts was the one we are focusing on. The key to telling them apart are the references to “Linville Creek”, and also knowing where the associated individuals lived, such as William Wright and Thomas Linville, for instance. They both lived near Linville Creek. All references to Robert Patterson listed below are confirmed to be the Robert of Linville Creek, and all other references to Robert Pattersons from Augusta Co records are excluded from this timeline, either because it was not Robert of Linville Creek, or not enough evidence is available to determine if it was him.
7 November 1732 Matthew Ozbon Jr. of Sussex County, Delaware to Robert Patterson yeoman, of same for 50 pounds, 106 acres on the South side of Pemberton’s Branch, one of the branches that runs into the Broadkill Creek below the county road. Tract was taken up and surveyed for Matthew Ozbon by commissioners warrant granted to Robert Lodge, carpenter of Sussex by proprietors in Philadelphia on 8 December 1718. Robert Lodge sold to Matthew Ozbon dated 2nd day 10th month of 1719. Land was surveyed by Matthew Ozbon and found to contain 212 acres of which half is sold to Robert Patterson. Bounded by Pemberton’s Branch, by a small branch below the county road. Witnesses: Phil. Russel, Robt. Shankland. Acknowledged: 7 February 1733 (32?).2 [Note by Wes Patterson. A man named Thomas Black bought the other 106 acres from Matthew Osborn Jr the same day. Was Thomas Black any relation to Sarah, the future wife of Robert Patterson?] [Timeline List]
7 March 1738 Robert Patterson, yeoman of Sussex County and his wife, Sarah, spinster to John Isaac and Jonah Dunton (Denton), late of Summerset County, now of Sussex for 40 pounds, 106 acres on the South side of Pembertons Branch below the County Road and was taken up and surveyed for Matthew Ozburn Jr. by commissioners warrant granted to Robert Lodge, carpenter of Sussex by proprietors in Philadelphia on 8 December 1718. Robert Lodge sold to Matthew Ozburn dated 2nd day 10th month of 1719. Land was surveyed by Matthew Ozburn and found to contain 212 acres of which half is sold to Robert Patterson. Signed: Robart Patterson (his mark “R”), Sarah Patterson (her mark “S”). Witnesses: Jeremiah Claypoole, James Smith. Acknowledged: 6 March 1738.3 [Note by Wes Patterson. This deed shows that Robert and Sarah were married no later than 1738, which is an important discovery.] [Timeline List]
3 November 1740, Robert Patterson, a child baptized named Abigail, near Halfway House. [Timeline List]
3 March 1744, Margaret Adams’ Will.4
3d September, 1744.
Margaret Adams' Will, of Orange CountyIn the name of God Amen
The last will and testament of Margaret Addams of ye Colony of Virginia & in the County of Orange being very sick & weak of body but in perfect mind & memory Do first of all Bequeath my soul to almighty God & give it & my body to ye Earth from wence it came to be buried in such Decent manner ass my Executors shall think proper and ass for my worldly goods I bequeath in ye following manner
Item I bequeath my great mair called long legs to my Son Robert Patterson but her increase to his children to be Equally devided among them.
Item I bequeath my Cotton Gound Quilted petty Coat with one apron and one handkerchief to Mary Patterson Daughter of my Son Robert Patterson.
Item I bequeath to my Daughter Jane Love my bed I now ly on with the bolster & one pair of sheets.
Item I bequeath to my Grand Daughter Margaret Dollinson my Side Saddle and fan.
Item I bequeath to my Grand Daughter Esther Harrisson one Cow & Calf.
Item I bequeath all ye Remaining part of my wearing apparel to be Equally Devided between My Daughter Elizabeth & my Daughter Jane.
Item I bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth my box Iron & heaters with one puter Dish & one young horse.
Item I bequeath one young heifer to my Son in Law Daniel Love.
Item I bequeath my Riding mair a young horse & one Cow & Calf with my now Dwelling plantation with all ye tracts of Land thereto belonging with all my household goods Except the perticulers before bequeathed to my Son Samuel Addams to him & his heirs for Ever.
Item I bequeath all my Debts Due to me to be Equally Devided between my Son Robert Patterson & my Son Samuel Addams.
Appointing my Son Robert Patterson & my Son Samuel Addams my Whole & Sole Executors and Administrators Utter Revoking and Disannulling all other wills formerly by me made Acknowledging this to be my last will and testament unto which I have Sett my hand this third Day of September & In ye year of Our Lord God 1744.
Margaret (her mark “X”) Addams
In the presence of
Sam’l Hull
Jacob Gum
Thomas (his mark “T”) Lunday
[Timeline List]
11
March 1745, William Wright vs. Thomas Linville.--Writ
11th March, 1745. Thomas Linville told Robert Patterson
that he had paid to William Wright a certain sum of
money which was due to said Wright's father. Order by
William Wright's, 10th December, 1744, to Robert
Patterson to collect the account.5
[Timeline List]
18 May 1748, Buyers at the sale of the estate of Joseph Harrison 1748 Jeremiah Harrison sold the goods in the home of Lydia and Samuel Stewart. Isaiah Harrison Jr, surety: Isaiah Harrison, Samuel Harrison, Jeremiah Harrison, Daniel Harrison, Thomas Harrison, Joseph Harrison (so there were two Josephs), Robert Patterson, Solomon Turpin, Timothy Convey, Peter Dyer, Samuel Morrisey, Cornelius Bryant, Arthur Johnson, William Williams, Abraham Smith, Henry Smith, Tunis Wood (I'll bet that was Tunis Hood, but Woods were there too), Samuel Hull, Edward McGuines, Archibald Buchanan, Joseph Bryan, Aaron Oliver, John O'Neal, Ephraim Love and Samuel Wilkey.6 [Note by Wes Patterson. Joseph Bryan was married to Alice Linville, most likely the sister of Wm and Thomas Linville. Their dau Rebecca Bryan m. Daniel Boone; their dau. Martha m. Edward Boone; Joseph's bro. Wm Bryan m. Mary Boone, sister of Daniel; Joseph's sister Elinor m. William Linville (above), who also was the original owner of Tanglewood Park in Clemmons, NC, and for whom Linville Gorge was named near Morganton, NC. So, Joseph Bryan was the brother-in-law of Wm Linville, two ways.. through his wife and through his own sister who married Wm Linville. And, Joseph Bryan was also the father-in-law of Daniel Boone. Samuel Hull signed the will of Margaret Addams, who was the mother of Robert Patterson. Ephraim Love was the father of Daniel Love, the latter being a brother-in-law of Robert Patterson. Jeremiah Harrison married Elizabeth Patterson, sister of Robert Patterson.] [Timeline List]
26 July 1748, Charles Driver 400 acrees between Daniel Harrison’s mill and Ro. Patterson.7, 8, 9 [Timeline List]
5 September 1749 Samuel Stewart, 180 acres in Augusta County on middle Branch of Linwells Creek adjacent Robert Patterson.10 [Note by Wes Patterson. This same Samuel and Lydia Stewart lived near Robert Patterson in Sussex Co DE in the 1730’s.] [Timeline List]
(1753 or 1754) – “Among the settlers in the region to the west of present Harrisonburg at this time, were the following … who as ‘Inhabitants of North Mountain, at head of Muddy Creek,’ in 1753 or 1754, petitioned for a road from Ephraim Love’s to the road from ‘South Branch to Swift Run Gap’; viz. Ephraim Love, John Hardman, Jeremiah Harrison, Aaron Oliver, Thomas Campbell, Robert Pattison, John Slaven, Patrick Black, Robert Rollston, John Negarry, Thomas Shanklin, John Taler, Daniel Harrison, John Foolston, Jesse Harrison, and Patrick Cain.”11 [Note by Wes Patterson. Ephraim Love was the father of Daniel Love, of which the latter married Jane Addams, the half-sister of Robert Patterson. Jeremiah Harrison in the above list was Patterson’s brother-in-law, by virtue of Harrison’s marriage to Elizabeth Patterson. Who was Patrick Black?] [Timeline List]
8 November 1754, Robert Patterson was caught up with others in the petition against John O’Neal during the entire year of 1754, culminating on November 8th with the following petition:
King vs. O'Neal.--Petition as follows: "To the Worshipful Court of Augusta County. The petition of sundry inhabitants of this County by this North Mountain, in Captain Harrison's and Captain Love's Companies, humbly sheweth:
That your petitioners are daily troubled by John O'Neal, a person of evil fame, who, being ill natured, evil, designing, citigious, wicked man, he often takes occasion to come to the houses of some of your petitioners and then designedly raises and foments disputes with them in which he makes use of the most opprobrious and abuseful words he can invent, and as he is bound to the peace, dares any one to strike him, therefore, should any of us strike or beat him we know not what might be the consequences as we are unacquainted with the law and his usual manner threatens to shoot us if he sees any of us out of our own plantations, that he will do us all the damage he can by killing our horses, cattle, &c., and when reproved of his misbehavior he tells us that if he does any action, be it ever so bad, that he will be cleared by this Court for two pieces of eight. His behavior is such that your petitioners are afraid to leave their families to go about their lawful affairs, not knowing but he may fulfill his threats before our return by killing our wives or children, burning our houses, or doing some other irreparable damage, and, as doubtless your Worships is well acquainted with the behavior of this malicious man, we hope you will take our case into consideration and fall upon some method to hinder him from being guilty of such outrages and irregularities for the future. That we, being subjects to his Majesty and the laws of the Dominion, may be no longer abused by such a person in the above manner, and your petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
-- Daniel Harrison, James Magill, Daniel Smith, John McGarry, Robert Harrison, Gawin Black, John Lonkill, Patrick Cain, Aaron Oliver, (erased), Robert Gray, Henry Smith, Benjamin Kinley, John Smith, John McClewer, Gabriel Pickens, John Hinton and Robert Patterson.
Scire facias on recognizance, November 8th, 1754. Patrick Cain and Robert Patterson denied signatures. Gawin Black says he has nothing to say vs. John O'Neal, but was over-persuaded by some of the petitioners. O'Neal found guilty.12 [Note by Wes Patterson. Gawin Black later moved to York Co SC near Robert Patterson.] [Timeline List]
[Augusta Co Va Will Book 2] Page 84.--19th March, 1755. Daniel Love's bond as guardian (chosen) to Margaret Donelson, orphan of Andrew Donelson, with sureties Ephraim Love, David Ralstone.
Page 85.--19th March, 1755. Daniel Love's bond as administrator of James Hamilton.
Page 86.--15th March, 1755. Benjamin Copeland's additional appraisement, by Robert Patterson (mark "R"), Joseph Bryan, John Brown (mark "J");
Daniel Henderson's note; John Macau's note; Gabriel Pickin's note; John Shaw's note (run away); James Gamble's note; Alex. Craig's note; Repentance Townsend's note; Henry Cryswell's note; Joseph Write's bonds.
Benjamin Copeland's Estate Appraisement - Part 1 | Part 2 (Pg 87)
Page 87.--19th March, 1755. Ann Ralstone's accounts as administratrix of Benj. Copeland--Paid Susan Shannon, Jacob Gum. John McDonnel for one testament; paid John Davis for molasis; paid Mr. Hall for schooling the children; paid Thomas Underwood, Hugh Douglass.
To Arthur Trader, Robert Patterson, Robert M'Geary, Mathew Black, Jonas Friend, Nathaniel Harrison, etc... seven shillings each... [Timeline List]
11 November 1758, Robert Patterson was one of the creditors in the settlement of Benj. Copeland's estate:15
Page 287.--17th November, 1758. Benj. Copland's estate settlement, by Ann Ralston (late Anne Copland). 19th March, 1755, former account. John Shaw's note (he ran away). Paid Thos. Pointer for one-half year schooling of Jacob and Mary Copland £1. Credits since 23d September, 1757--To Hannah Copland, Sarah Copland, Anne Ralston, David Ralston, Samuel Semple, Thomas Gregg, Samuel Hull, Robert Patterson, Edward McGeery, David Berry, Daniel Henderson, Peter Trader. [Timeline List]
7 July 1763, Thomas Gordon, 180 acres in Augusta County on the head of Linwells Mill Creek adjacent his Patent land and Robert Pattison.16 [Timeline List]
27 June 1764, Robert Patterson, 265 acres in Augusta County on one of the head branches of Linvel’s Creek adjacent the land said Patterson now lives on, near Hills line.17 [Timeline List]
11 August 1766, Sale of Samuel Stewart’s Linville Creek land, adjacent “Patterson”:18, 19
This indenture made the 11 Day of August in the year of our Lord 1766 between SAMUEL STEWART of the Province of NORTH CAROLINA yeoman of the County of ROWAN of the one part and JACOB COPLIN of the County of Augusta and colony of Virginia of the other part witnesseth that the said SAMUEL STEWART for in consideration of the sum of 5 shillings current money of Virginia to him in hand paid by the said JACOB COPLIN at or before the sealing and delivery of these present the receipt whereof hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained and sold unto the said JACOB COPLIN and to his heirs forever a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Augusta on the south forks of Linnville Creek containing 143 acres granted to said Stuart by patent bearing the date 5 Sept. 1749 bounded as follows:
Beginning at a white oak and a red oak on the east side of the branch and runneth thence north 80 degrees and west 19 poles to Ralson’s line and with the same 48 degrees west 136 poles to his corner and thence with his line North 3 degrees West 111 poles to a white oak thence north 80 west 53 poles to a white oak and thence south 10 degrees west 68 poles to a white oak in Patterson’s line and with the same south 19 East 119 poles to a white oak corner to said Patterson’s and south 80 west and 99 poles to a white oak and thence north 24 degrees East 180 poles to the beginning. And all house buildings orchards waterways, water courses, profits commodities hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the said premises hereby granted or any part thereof belonging or any wise appertaining and the revision and revisions remainder and remainors rent of issue and profits thereof to have and to hold the said and all and singular other the premises hereby granted with all the appurtenances unto the said JACOB COPLIN his executors, administrators, and assigns from the day before the date thereof forever and during the full term and time of whole one year from thence next ----- to be complete and end yielding and paying therefor the rent of one pepper corn on said day next if the same shall be lawfully demanded to the intent and purpose that by virtue of these present or of the statue for transferring use unto possession of the said JACOB COPLIN may be in actual possession of the premises and he hereby enabled to accept and take grant and lease of the reversion and inhabitance thereof to him and his heirs in witness thereof the said Samuel Stewart hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year aforesaid above written and seal and deliver in presence of
William Cravens
Samuel Stewart
Lydia Stewart
Robert Black
Maggie M. Black[Note by Wes Patterson. William Cravens most likely lived next to Robert Patterson in SC (when it was Mecklenburg Co NC) during the approximate years of 1764-1773, on his brother Robert Cravens’ land. Robert Cravens’ wife was Esther Harrison Cravens, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Patterson Harrison. Robert Black was the son of Mathew and Mary Black, and brother to Gawin and Joseph Black. His wife was Majey (Madge/Maggie) Cravens Black, sister of William and Robert Cravens. Robert and Majey Black lived next to Robert Patterson in SC also, beginning about 1766-1767. Jacob Copeland (Coplin) was the son of Benjamin Copeland, whose estate was appraised by Robert Patterson in 1755. A short time thereafter, Benj. Copeland's widow, Ann Copeland, married David Ralstone on 19 March 1755. Notice that Sam'l Stewart's land also bordered one of the Ralstones. Presumeably, Robert Patterson did not sign this document since he was already in SC/NC at the time.] [Timeline List]
3
August 1771 Thomas Gordon, 345 acres
in Augusta County on the head of Linvel’s Creek
adjacent Robert Pattison. 165 acres part granted
unto Jacob Gum 16 August 1756 (See Book 33, p.
142); 180 acres the residue granted unto the said Thomas
Gordon 7 July 1763 (See Book 35, p. 214).20
[Note by Wes Patterson. Jacob Gum was a testator
on the 1744 will of Margaret Addams, who was
the mother of Robert Patterson.] [Timeline
List]
22
March 1766, PATTERSON, ROBERT - File
#821(1542); Gr. #21; Bk. 17, p. 380(18, 347).21
Plat: 22 Mar 1766, Surveyed for Robert Patterson,
200 A on Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek adj. Robert
Blacks… Wm Sims, Surv.
Mathew Black, Robert Cravins, CB
Iss. 22 Apr 1767 [Timeline
List]
17
January 1767, CRAVANS, ROBERT - File
#2251; Gr. #438; Bk. 23, p. 163.22
Plat: Jan. 17, 1767, Surveyed for Robert Cravens,
150 A on Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek…
adj. Robert Patterson line… Zach Bullock,
Sur.
James Petterson, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767 [Timeline
List]
4
February 1767, SCOTT, JAMES - File #2005;
Gr. #430; Bk. 23, p. 35.23
Plat: Feb 4, 1767, Surveyed for James Scott, 200 A on
both sides a branch of Bullocks Creek, southward
of Robert Pettersons… Wm Sims, Surv.
Robt Black, Joseph Black, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767 [Timeline
List]
[Note by Wes Patterson. The first two grants show that Robert Black and Robert Cravens were adjacent to Robert Patterson. The latter grant shows that James Scott lived fairly close to Patterson, on the south side.]
1 February 1770, Robert Patterson’s Disclaimer of rights to his mother’s Linville Creek VA property.24
These are to certify to all persons whom it may concern that I, Robert Patterson of North Carolina, Tryon County, son of William Patterson deceased, do disclaim any right or title that is or may be alledged belonging to me of a certain tract of land lying and being in Agusta County upon a small branch on the south side of Linwells Creek which said land was taken up by Margaret Adams, the widow of John Adams deceased.
Robert “R” Patterson. 1st February, 1770.
Teste: Francis Adams, J. P., North Carolina, Tryon County.
23
February 1774, Robert and Esther
Harrison Cravens’ sale of land adjacent to
Robert Patterson.25
Robert Cravens of Augusta County, Virginia to James Patterson of Tryon County, North Carolina for 90 pounds Virginia currency, 150 acres in Tryon County on both sides of Clarks Fork of Bullocks Creek, adjacent to Robert Patterson.
Signed: Robert Cravens and wife Esther Cravens
Witnesses: Robert Patterson, James Dictum, John Quin.
Proved: 4 June 1774 by Robert Patterson
Recorded: 15 March 1785[Note by Wes Patterson. James Patterson is as yet unidentified. He was not named on Robert Patterson’s will, so we don’t know for sure who he was, but it is very possible that he was another son of Robert and Sarah. This deed proves that the Robert Cravens of Clarks Fork was indeed the same Robert and Esther Harrison Cravens of Augusta Co VA. Esther was Robert Patterson’s niece, as she was named in her grandmother’s will in 1744. The Dictums and Quins were relatives of Robert Patterson via his sister Jane Addams, who married Daniel Love. The Loves two daughters, Ann and Rachel married into the Dictum and Quin families.] [Timeline List]
21 July 1775, The Will of Robert “R” Patterson.26 The following transcription of Robert Patterson’s Will is courtesy of Harald Reksten, who provided expert analysis of the original will at the SC Archives in July 2002:27
In the name of God Amen the Twenty First day of July 1775 I Robert Patterson of Craven County farmer being very sick and weake in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be unto God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do maeke and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say Principally and first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shal receive the same again by the mighty power of God: and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form
And first of all I constituet make and ordain my beloved wife Sarah and my beloved sons Robert and Peter to be my whole and sole Executors of this my last Will and testament all and singular my lands messuages and tenements whith all household goods dets and moveable affects by them to be executed according to law and for them said Executors to take care and see that all and every one of my beloved family shall have there full share as I shall appoint
Imprimise I give and bequeath to Sarah my dearly beloved wife her full thirds of all my moveable affects and the homestead place till my son William comes of age and half afterwards while she lives and her hors and saddle.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas fifty pounds lawfull mony of South Carolina to be leveed out of my estate and all my cloathes except my fir hat and one gray three year old mare and colt to his son John.
I likewise give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah one cow and calf, and what is between Joseph and me.
I likewise give unto my son William the homestead place after his mother's decease all only from where the line crosses the road that goes to Peter's old place and straight & cors to the old saw pit below the muddy branch and straight on to the outside line and from that said line down to Peter.
I likewise give and bequeath unto my sons Peter and Robert each of them an equal part of my land and clams in the province of Virginia.
I likewis give and bequeath unto my children all and every one of them is now single with my daughter's Elisebeth and Lydia each of them an equal part of the remainder of my movable affects by all and every one of them freely to be possesed and enjoyed: and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other formal testaments wills legacies and bequeaths and Executors by me in any wise before named willed and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written
Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Robert Patterson as his last will and testament
in the presence of us the Subscribers
Nathaniel Harrison, James DickieRobrt (his mark “R”) Patterson
