Holmes has cornered the nefarious John Pitmane…
Deerskins were found washed up on the bank of tan Tross creek… Watson is deployed as a sniper. Nurse Ratchet is standing by with sedatives.
The scoundrel Pitmane has tried unsuccessfully to cover his tracks… Holmes however, has deduced! his brazen sneakiness, criminal activity and overall rudeness! It is only a matter of time until this miscreant is exposed to the sunshine.
The depths of depravity employed by Pitmane to disguise!! his hideout is devious indeed… but Holmes has smoked him out and he is on the run. Left behind is this confusing deed whereby Pimane refused to even give the boundaries!!! Outrageous!
Keen observers may not be aware that there is another miscreant lurking hereabouts known by the name of “Wolfpit” William Pittman… Extreme caution is suggested before attempting to deal with these rouges.
This is the area of the standoff… binoculars are suggested for reasons of safety and well being. Holmes demands this be left to professionals. Traci the Librarian has been notified and is on standby. The situation is beyond tense…
Note the Francis Drake property… if this is indeed the heretofore unidentified Tantrough Branch (various spellings) then the John Pitman property may be exactly as described, i.e., begin “at the mouth” then go up the creek to the next little creek… etc
What do you think? I have failed to find an original deed for this sale. The “CTC” version is noted in the notes.
Good Gawd Allmighty an UPDATE!
Holmes is off to South Carolina. He rushed in and declared that Benjamin Wall was mixed up with that spiritous likker drinking cadre of Indian Traders from Virginia. What are you talking about?, I asked. Your map! You Fool… Your Map! Holmes is adamant in his quest for Benjamin Wall noted in the Edward Burk patent above… lower right. Holmes is unusual with his deductive reasoning as you might suspect. He has deduced! that Benjamin Wall never lived on this property… Indeed! He went directly to South Carolina in 1749. Someway or another, by hook or by crook… Benjamin Wall transferred the patent to that nightmarish villain John Pitmane. One cannot help but see the relationships of these folks… note in the starter quote to this rant the mention of Drury McLemore.
The Evidence:
(JOSEPH WALL) – Kit# 211387 (AG)
Joseph Wall ????(speculation)
Benjamin Wall b 1708 d1789 Marion, SC (moved to Marion, SC in1749)
(BENJAMIN WALL) – Kit # 280225 (AG)
Joseph Wall ???? (speculation)Edgecombe
Benjamin Wall b 1708 d 1789Queensboro Twsp., Marion SC (moved to Marion, SC in 1749)
Thomas Wall bc 1730
Wright Wall Sr. b 1754 d 1803 Either MS or Beaufort, SC (may also have been b 1730-1735 in Bertie Co.)
The notes above are from the Wall DNA website. Holmes has determined that this may be evidence in support of the speculation surrounding the true and actual history of said Benjamin Wall. Said Wall seems to have just lingered in Edgecombe a bit on his way to Marion, SC. The Marion County area at the time was known for its “Trade” with the Indians. Holmes also highly suspects Benjamin Wall was related to the Brunswick, VA Wall clan.
Watson dropped off the Evidence:
318-(513) Will of Rebecca Wall 3 May 1777 – 28 Jul 1777
Of Meherrin Parish “Weak in Body”
To my son Benjamin – all the land I am possessed of.
To my sons Michael & William – whatever appears to be due me from them on a
settlement.
The remainder of my estate to be sold, excepting my wearing clothes which I give to
my daughter Elizabeth Sims, & that my debts to be paid & the money divided between
my son Benjamin Wall & my daughter Elizabeth Sims.
Ex. William Sims, Michael Wall
Wit. Ben Chapman, Lewis Jackson, John Hunt
Probate indicates that William Sims qualified with John Sims his security.
Forsooth! another UPDATE!
A spy employed by Holmes intercepted a communication from Traci the Librarian and has determined she needs to use more apostrophes! in her compilations… she has determined that gross incompetence by the clerical staff employed by the Keystone Kops at Enfield Courthouse were obviously smoking Tuscarora Tobacco when they recorded Pitmane’s fraudulent deed.
Holmes is Aghast! at the subterfuge! Since he is en route! by horse and carriage to Charleston, SC at the moment in hot pursuit of Benjamin Wall he has allowed that the Librarian from Rocky Mount may deposit her Evidence for General Perusal. This is a rare event as Holmes never leaves clues such as this for mere mortals such as ourselves to even view!
My Gawd! the Times we are Living in! This is Truly Exciting!!!!
Holmes has determined that the “Librarian” uses colors and other shamanistic devises to make associations… Holmes is not easily impressed. He is holding back any criticisms other than the fact that she has not mastered the use of Apostrophes!!! DRAT! her colors did not translate… my apologies...
Description of Francis Drake’s grant:
– Beginning at a gum in William Tant’s line in [Heans?] Branch
– A white oak on the Tan Trough Branch
– A hickory in Henry Jones’ line in said [Tan Trough] Branch
– Thomas Williams’ corner
This mangled abstract is from an equally mangled re-copy in the Halifax deed books. The originals were re-copied at some point in the 1890s and the originals probably destroyed. Because the Halifax deed folks were [insert not very nice things here].
9-380 David (x) Wiggins and wife Elizabeth (x) of Hal to John Vincent same 28 Jun 1766, £30, 200a a Granville grant to Thomas [this should be Francis] Drake 3 Jul 1760 [date of Francis Drake’s grant], joining William Tant, Harris [this looks more like “Hanes,” “Hares,” or “Haine” to me] Branch, Tan Tringle [garbled attempt at “Tan Trough”] Branch. wit William Flewellin, Thos Wiggins. recd Oct 1766. http://pamiller.net/genealogy/docs/danieledgehalifnashwilson/index.htm
Backing up in time:
Tristram Drake of Halifax Co. to William Flewellin of Prince George Co. VA 16 March 1763 125 acres which had been patented to Emanuel Rogester 1 Dec 1727 on the south side of Rocky Swamp, joining the south [north?] side of Fishing Creek; 100 acres which was part of a patent to Thomas Williams for 400 acres, 26 July 1743, joining Haynes Branch, Rocky Swamp. [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1758-1771 (South Boston, VA: Bradley, 1989), p. 64, citing deed book 8, p 372.]
Francis Drake of Halifax County to David Wiggins of same. 12 January 1764. 200 acres which had been a Granville grant to said Francis Drake 3 July 1760, joining William Tant, Haynes Branch, Tan Troft Branch. Signed Francis Drake, witnessed by Thos. Wiggins, Isham Rosier, William Wiggins. Registered 17 January 1764 [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1758-1771 (South Boston, VA: Bradley, 1989), p. 65, citing deed book 8, p 378.]
Joseph [Jessee] Lee and Judith his wife of Halifax Co. to John Heath of Bristol Parish, Prince George Co. VA, 17 January 1764. 1209 acres on the south side of Rocky Swamp, joining Winfield Right, Willets Branch, Creek, Pope, Collins, Jack Horse Branch, Edward Collins Jr., Henry Jones, Tantrough Branch, Robt. Hill. 1764 [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1758-1771 (South Boston, VA: Bradley, 1989), p. 73, citing deed book 9, p 46.]
Forward in time:
Philip Vinson & John Vinson of Halifax County to Samuel Pitman of same. 23 November 1785. 150 acres on the north side of Rocky Swamp, joining Tristram Drake, Haynes Branch, Williams; 200 acres which had been a Granville grant to Francis Drake 3 July 1760, joining William Tant, Haynes Branch, Tan Trough Branch. [Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., abstractor, The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1786-1796 (Keysville, VA: Bradley, 1990), p. 3, citing deed book 16, p 55.]
5 Feb 1789 Moses Butt 50a on Rockey Swamp bordering Marshall’s corner on E side of said Swamp, runs across the swamp to Fluwellin’s line, with his line to Tan trough Br, Robert Hill’s line, down the branch to Rockey Swamp & to Drake’s corner. http://pamiller.net/genealogy/docs/danieledgehalifnashwilson/index.htm
And so the sordid plot thickens my friend… and notice that the “Librarian” is starting to breathe that rarified air that is only present when one has acquired the “Bird’s Eye’ view only available through time travel… or in this case … this map {of which you have only slightly seen].
… an Update…
Holmes is enraged. He received the documents sent by “the Librarian”… He says she has been deceived. I tried to explain that any deception was not due to her due diligence but to those horrid civil servants running the Enfield Courthouse. His rage settled down to a mere “slightly miffed”. He mentioned that she was, indeed, one of his better spies. A rare compliment I might add.
Holmes notes that in the Philip Vinson sale to Samuel Pitman that even the Abstractor Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr. may have been seduced by a grand deception… or he may have simply taken a coffee break and lost his concentration. To Wit!!!
Philip Vinson And! Samuel Pitman were in fact, firmly a-ground in Halifax County. The Francis Drake property we are discussing would have to be magically teleported from White Oak Swamp in Edgecombe County to Rocky Swamp in Halifax County. Holmes suggests Dr. Bradley be consulted to explain his egregious error.
Holmes says he is still studying the Robert Armstrong sale to William Pitman in 1764. He notes there are “Peculiarities afoot”. I must confess I have no idea what he is talking about. He says that Armstrong seems to be selling someone else’s property. He notes it clearly states in the document 60 acres “It being taken out of Rite McLemores paten”. Holmes declares that this situation in like an onion that must be peeled in layers. I told him he was starting to sound ridiculous. Then he fell asleep.
Update!
Holmes has been restrained by Nurse Ratchet. He is heavily sedated and removed to his Florida abode to do some much needed fishing. His “illness” seems to have been brought on by the Librarian having contradicted his investigations… such things are not easily dealt with by Holmes.
The Librarian has assumed the role of Chief Investigator… more to follow as the plot unfolds… it seems the investigation of TanTross Branch has been moved to Halifax County.
The good citizens of Edgecombe County are watching these events with nervous anticipation. The Abstractor Stephen Bradley is rumoured to be preparing a defamation lawsuit.
Update…
There is nothing to the rumour Holmes was last seen being arrested in Florida… that is fake news…
Joseph Wall – From the Wall Family History – Joseph Wall Family of Surry County:
Joseph Wall first appears in Surry County in 1666 when Thomas Pitman made him a deed-of-gift and named him as “son-in-law”:
“Know all men by these pr:sents that I Roger Potter doe for myself my heirs Admrs. & assigns for satisfaction in hand recd. sell allinate & deliver unto Thomas Pitman for ye. use of Joseph Wall his sonne in Law one Black heifer of ye. Age of two yres. & a halfe Marked wth. a Crop in ye. right Eare & a slit in ye. Crop & in ye. Left Eare a halfe Crop wch. heifer I ye. sd. Potter doe warrant hir to be my owne Estate from all p:sons what soe ever & yat. ye sd Joseph Wall shall for ever have her as his owne p:p: goods Estate wth. all her Increase male & female as witness my hand this 4th. Septem. 1666 & to Acknowledge yis. in Surry County
Fig. 1 Surry County, Virginia
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IV – 5
Courte. Signed Roger Potter (R P). Teste. Will Corker, sign Christopher Michell (D). Acknowledged in open Courte by ye. sd. Potter 4th. Septem. 66 & recordd. 17th.
Know all men by these pr:sents that I Thomas Pittman doe for myselfe & Joseph Wall my Sonn in Law sell & deliver unto Rogr. Potter his heirs & assigns for Satisfaction in hand recd. by receipt of a heifer one white Sow & six shoats all Marked wth. a halfe Crop in both Eares wth. warranty agt. all p:sons what soe ever as ye. sd. Potters owne goods forever as Witnes my hand this 4th. Septem. 1666 & Acknowledge itt in Surry County Courte. Thos. Pittman, Test. Wm. Corker, ye. Marke of Christo. Michell (T). Acknowledged in open Court by sd. Pitman 4th. Septem. 66 & recordd 17?th.”16
It should, of course, be noted that Joseph Wall first appears on the scene about the time that Thomas Wall Jr., above, did, and this observation might lead one to think that Joseph Wall and Thomas Wall Jr. were brothers, sons of Thomas Wall, Sr. This possibility can neither be proved nor disproved, but it is worth noting that Joseph Wall did not have a living son named “Thomas” when he wrote his will.
“Son-in-law” in this time period was a term that included any father-son-like relation by marriage – which would include the term as we presently use it, but would also include a step-relationship, i.e., Thomas Pittman was the step-father of Joseph Wall – meaning that Thomas Pittman had recently married a widow Wall. It is the latter interpretation of the term that is now pretty well-accepted by all of Joseph’s descendants.
Joseph Wall’s first purchase of property came only a few years later. This purchase places him on the Blackwater River, where he remained for the remainder of his life:
“To all people to whom this pr:sent deed or writing shall come of bargaine & Sale shall come I Phillip Huniford of black water in ye. Isle of Weight County send greetings in our lord God everlasting Know yee that I ye. sd. Phillap for & in Considr:ation of a certain Competent sume of tobb. to me in hand well & trueley paid before ye. sealing & delivery hereof by Joseph Wall of Blackwater in Surry County Planter ye. receipt whereof & my selfe fully satisfied & paid I doe hereby Acknowledge have granted enfeoffed & confirme unto ye. sd. Joseph Wall his heirs & assigns for ever a certaine peece or p:cell of land Containinge two hundrd. acres scituaeate Lying & being in Surry County on ye. west side of ye. third Swamp of ye. blackwater & is ye. Eastermost p:te of ye. four hundrd. Acres of Land lying in Surry County wch. is granted to mee ye. sd. Phillap by Pattent dated ye. fowerteenth day of may Ano. dom. one thousand six hundrd. Sixty & six as alsoe all & Singular ye. Estate right title intrest use possession reversion p:p:tie clame & demand whatsoever of me ye. sd. Phillap Huniford of in & to ye. sd. land To Have & to hold ye. sd. two hudrd. Acres of Land wth. his due share of all mines & Mineralls therein contained wth. all rights & pr:vilidges of Hunting hawking & fowleing wth. all woods waters & other p:fitts & comodities whatsoever in any wise belonging to ye. sd. Land to him ye. sd. Joseph Wall his heirs & assigns from hence forth for ever & I ye. sd. Phillap Huniford doe hereby for me my execrs. & Admrs. Covent. p:mise & agree wth. ye. sd. Joseph Wall his heirs & assigns that he ye. sd. Joseph Wall his heirs & assigns shall & May undr. ye. rent & Service therefore due to our Soverigne Lord ye. King his heirs & succussors from henceforth forever Lawfully peacably quietly have hold & enjoy ye sd. two hundrd. Acres of land before by these pr:sents bargained & sold wth:oute any Mannor of let suites trouble interuption or Molestation of Me my heirs execrs. Admrs. & assigns or any other p:son or p:sons by any Meanes or p:curemt. free & cleare from all formr. & other guifts grants bargains sailes Leases assignemts. or other incumbrances whatsoever & further that ye. sd. Phillap Hiniford my heirs or assigns shall att any time wth:in five yeares Now Next comeinge att ye. reasonable request Cost & charge of ye. sd. Joseph Wall his heirs or assigns Make such further & other assurance & Conveyance of ye. sd. Land to ye. sd. Joseph Wall & his heirs as by him or them shall be reasonably required in witnes whereof I ye. sd. Phillap Huniford have hereto set my hand & Seale ye. Sixth day of Novembr. in ye. three & twentieth yeare of ye. reigne of our
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IV – 6
Sovreigne Lord King Charles ye Second over England &c. Annoqr. dom. 1671. Phillap Huniford (H), Seale red wax. Sealed & deliverd in pr:sence of Willia. Sherwood, Martin Luther. Acknowledged in Surry County Courte by ye. subscribed Phillap Huniford ye. 7th of 9ber. 1671. record. 2d. decemr. 71”17
Joseph Wall and his relationship to Thomas Pitman is discussed in a two-part article “De-scendants of Thomas Pitman (1614-about 1686) of Surry County, Virginia,” by Forrest King, from which I will provide the following excerpts:
“…On 4 Sep 1666, Thomas Pitman is in court receiving a two-year-old black heifer, a white sow, and six goats from Roger Potter ‘for use by’ his ‘son-in-law’ Joseph Wall. He also acknowledged the debt he has to Roger Potter for the animals in court.18 Roger Potter appears to be a merchant who raises and sell animals.19
“This gift transaction raises the question whether Joseph Wall married a daughter of Thomas Pit-man or whether he is a stepson as the term is applied in the seventeenth century. Since Thomas represents Joseph in receiving this gift and acknowledging the debt in court, the most likely possibility is that Joseph was in fact a stepson too young to accept the animals on his own account, although at least old enough to ‘use’ these animals. However, another possibility is that Joseph Wall is a son-in-law as we use the term today, and his father-in-law Thomas Pitman handled the affair since he made frequent court appearances and was used to handling such matters.
“There is also a question of which Thomas Pitman, Sr. or Jr., had Joseph Wall as a son-in-law or stepson. If Joseph Wall was under 10 years old when he received this gift, he could just as well be the stepson of Thomas2 Pitman. It is not likely, given the date of Thomas2 Pitman’s estimated birth in 1636, but it is possible. Joseph Wall did live over 60 years after he received this gift, a long time in that day and age. The court record detailing the gift does not provide any other significant clues.
“What is known about Joseph Wall? His first appearance on his own in the Surry County records was on 6 Nov 1671 when he purchased 200 acres from Phillip Hunniford.20 By 1676, he had married Susan or Susannah,21 probably the sister of James Kilpatrick, Jr.
“On 2 Nov 1697, Joseph Wall and wife Susannah sold 70 acres to Roger Williams. This land came into the possession of Susannah Wall because of her relationship to a James Kilpatrick, Jr. When James Kilpatrick, Jr., died by 4 July 1693,22 the land descended to Sarah Kilpatrick, his only daughter. Sarah Kilpatrick died in her minority and the land passed to her aunt Susannah Wall, the wife of Joseph Wall.23 There is no known usage of the term ‘aunt’ that is any different from today’s usage.24
“James Kilpatrick, Jr., was the son of James Kilpatrick, Sr., who was dead by 1 May 1677.25 James Kilpatrick, Jr., was still in his minority but was old enough to come into court and choose Joseph Wall as a guardian on 1 May 1677.26 The administration of the estate of James Kilpatrick, Sr., provides the following information: ‘Administration is granted Mr. Robt Caufield on ye. Estate of James Kilpatrick decd. (the sd. Killpatricks sonn and daughters Husband haveing in Cort renounced it) the sd. Mr. Caufield, giveing caution according to law.’27 James Kilpatrick, Jr., married Lydia (___).28
“Susannah, wife of Joseph Wall easily fits the description of James Kilpatrick’s married sister and therefore could be the aunt of Sarah Kilpatrick because she was married by 1 May 1677. She may be James’ only known living relative other than his wife Lydia. Lydia (___), wife of James Kilpatrick, Jr., was not his heir but the mother of the unnamed heir.29
“However, Lydia (___) also has to be examined to make sure that she is not a Pitman as well and having an older sister named Susannah which would make Joseph Wall a son-in-law in today’s terms. James Kilpatrick, Jr., continued in his minority status for several years after the death of his father. He
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IV – 7
lived with Joseph Wall until 168230 and with Robert Caufield, the administrator of his father’s estate, in 1683 and 1684.31 It is therefore probable that he did not marry Lydia or anyone else until 1685, 19 years after Joseph Wall was called a son-in-law of Thomas Pitman. Lydia (___) would have been too young to be a daughter of Thomas1 Pitman.
“If Joseph Wall is a stepson, that means that Thomas Pitman married secondly in Surry County by 1666 an unknown person who was the relict of ___ Wall. In support of this conclusion is the fact that a Thomas Wall died in Surry County in Feb 1663/432 and widows tended to marry quickly after the death of their husbands in colonial times.
“However, there are problems with this unknown spouse being the wife of Thomas Wall. Thomas Wall had one known son named Thomas Wall, Jr. He is an apprentice to Ralph Creed.33 When Thomas Wall, Jr., dies, his entire estate goes to Francis Hogwood who is heir to the estate and no mention is made of a mother or brother.34 …”
Joseph Wall’s name appears in many, many Surry County records, only a sampling of which will be provided herein:
“5 March 1671[/2] and recorded the 8th. Phillip Hunniford of Isle of Wight Co., Va., cooper, for love and affection to Lovinge Neece Charles Williams son to my well beloved brother, Rice Williams, dec’d., gives 100 acres of land at the Blackwater extending from N. side of land Joseph Wall lately purchased of me & part of my patt., dated 14 May 1666.
Wit: Christo. Holiman, Antho. Evans, Wm. Sherwood.”35
“2 Sep 1671. On back of a sale made to Joseph Wall by Phillip Huniford for 200 acres, recorded 2 September 1671, was written in effect this: that Joseph and Susan Wall of Surry sold Richard Jordan, Jr., in Surry, land on Blackwater, 1676.
Wit.: Chris. Holleman, Thomas Pittman, Jr.”36
“6 7ber 1682. Robert Caufield, and Eliza, his wife, for 4400 lbs of tobacco sell to Joseph Wall a tract of land on the Main Blackwater Swamp, 2250 acres, granted by patent to Caufield … to land granted to Thos. Warren, south by Blackwater, went by Deep Branch, 500 acres more or less.
Ro. Caufield, Eliza. Caufield.
Philip Shelley, Edward Pamoast?”37
“6 March 1682[/3]. Estate of Geo. Proctor, by Jno. Moring, a list of debts due the estate of Mr. George Proctor, out of date.
[long list, includes…]
Jos. Wall…”38
“Richard Smith, 230 acs., Surry Co., on SE side of Pidgeon Sw., 20 Apr 1684. Adj. Mr. Merriwether & Joseph Wall. Trans. of 5 pers: Robt. Fent, Fran. Downes, Danll. Arrye, Sarah Keeling (or Reeling), Jon. Dale.”39
“Joseph Wall, 900 acs., Surry Co. on NE side of Cypress Sw., adj. Mr. Wm. Thompson; 20 Apr 1684. Trans. of 18 pers.*”40
“An involved deed of Phillip Hunniford to Joseph Wall dated 6 Dec 1671. Joseph Wall and wife Susan Wall conveyed the land to Col. Richard Jordan, Jr. on 18 Dec 1676 and it was recorded in May 1677. Richard Jordan Jr. and wife, Elizabeth Jordan made a deed for 200 acres to Robert Littleboy on 4 Nov 1684.
Wit: John Waller and Anthony (X) Evens Richard Jordan, Jr.”41
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IV – 8
“John Williams & John Browne, 1200 acs., amongst diverse black water brs., in Low. Par. of Surry Co., 20 Apr 1685. Adj. Nicholas Sessums, Robert Savage, Charles Savage, Richard Lane, Mr. Casfeild, Joseph Wall, Richard Smith, & Richard Blow, &c. Trans. of 24 pers.*”42
“8 May 1686 … Anthony Evans is to pay Elizabeth Voss and Margaret Mason, orphans of Elizabeth Morgan, decd., their parts of their mother’s estate when they shall be of legal age.
Wit: Joseph (X) Wall and John (X) Rodwell Anthony (X) Evans
William Edwards”43
“20 Sep 1686 … Robert Ruffin states that Joseph Wall told him that George Holly is in debt to him and is out of the county. Robert Ruffin”44
“Jordan, Richard. Est. – 3 May 1687. July 5th, Richard Jordan appeared in Court and made oath to the Inventory of Richard Jordan. Anthony Evans, Henry Norton, Nicholas Sessoms, Joseph Wall.”45
“21 May 1687 … Elizabeth Hunniford is administratrix of the estate of Philip Hunniford, decd.
Wit: Anthony (X) Evans and John Edwards Elizabeth (X) Hunniford
Rec: 24 Jun 1687 Joseph (X) Wall
Hugh (X) Hunniford”46
“6 Sep 1687 … Joseph Wall of Lawnes Creek Parish to Thomas Cockerham of the same for 2000 pounds tobacco … 200 acres on main Blackwater Swamp being a greater part of the land ‘I bought from Mr. Robert Caufield on 4 Jul 1682’ and is bounded by Deep Branch. (____, wife of Joseph Wall, relinquished her Right of Dower.)
Wit: Thomas (X) Warr and William Edwards Joseph (X) Wall.”47
“7 Nov 1687 … Joseph Wall of Lawnes Creek Parish to William Hooker for 2000 pounds tobacco … 200 acres in Southwarke Parish at Blackwater being part of a dividend of land taken up by Joseph Wall some three years since. Land adjoins Mr. Nicholas Meriwether.
Wit: John Edwards and Thomas (X) Davis Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 8 Nov 1687”48
“____ … Joseph Walle and wife, Susana Wall, to James Voice (Boyce) of Southwarke Parish for 8000 pounds of tobacco … 700 acres in Southwarke Parish on the Blackwater (land is part of a patent of said Wall dated 20 Apr 1684).
Wit: Robert Randall and George Brame Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 3 Mar 1690[/1] Susana (X) Wall”49
“____ … James Voice (Boyce) and wife, Elizabeth Voice, to Christopher Bly for 3600 pounds tobacco … 300 acres in Southwarke Parish on Cypress Swamp (part of this land was granted to Joseph Wall) adjoining Thompson and Parson Thompson Branch.
Wit: John Coker and Francis Clements Jacob (James) (X) Voice
Rec: 3 Mar 1690[/1] Elizabeth (X) Voice”50
“___ 1690 … James Voice (Boyce) and wife, Elizabeth Voice, to John Higgs for 1000 pounds tobacco … 50 acres on Cypress Swamp (land was granted to Joseph Wall) adjoining James Voice and William Hooker.
Wit: John Coker and Francis Clements Jacob (X) Voice
Rec: 3 Mar 1690[/1] Elizabeth (X) Voice”51
“3 Mar 1690[/1] … On the backside of a Deed of Sale made by Joseph Wall to William Hooker for 200 acres of land dated 9 Sep 1687 is written … I Susannah [Wall], wife of Joseph Wall, relinquish my Right of Dower.
Wit: William Edwards and John (X) Gray, Jr. Susanna (X) Wall
Rec: 3 Mar 1690[/1]”52
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IV – 9
“____ … James Boyce, taylor, and wife, Elizabeth Boyce, to Francis Regan … 350 acres on the Parsons Branch adjoining John Higgs, William Hooker, John Williams and Christopher Bly. Land is part of a patent granted Joseph Wall and by him sold to the said James Boyce.
Wit: Nathaniel Smith and George Foster James (X) Boyce
Rec: 19 Jan 1691[/2] Elizabeth (X) Boyce”53
“6 Sep 1692 … John Higgs of Southwarke Parish to Francis Regan of the same … 50 acres in this parish on the east side of Cypress Swamp (being part of a tract granted to Joseph Wall). Land adjoins Mr. William Thompson, James Voice (Boyce) and William Hooker. (Ellinor Higgs, wife of John Higgs, relinquished her Right of Dower.)
Wit: John Edwards and Samuel (X) Alsobrooke John (X) Higgs
Rec: 6 Sep 1692 Ellinor (X) Higgs”54
“____ … William Hooker of Southwarke Parish to William Phillips of Surry County for 6000 pounds tobacco … 200 acres in Southwarke Parish near Cypress Swamp at Blackwater (being the land he bought from Joseph Wall on 7 Nov 1687). (Ann Hooker wife of William Hooker, relinquished her Right of Dower.) William (X) Hooker
Rec: 6 Nov 1694 Ann (X) Hooker”55
“5 May 1696 … Christopher Bly of Southwarke Parish to Phillip Burrough of the same … 300(?) acres in Southwarke Parish on the east side of Cypress Swamp (part of the land granted Joseph Wall and sold by him to said Bly in March 1690) and bounded…”56
“2 Nov 1697 … Joseph Wall and wife, Susannah Wall, of Surry County to Roger Williams of Southwarke Parish in Surry County … 70 acres of land in Southwarke Parish on south side of Cypress Swamp. Land is part of a patent for 1850 acres granted to Capt. William Corker, decd., on 6 Aug 1671 which 70 acres was sold to James Kilpatrick on __ Jul 1690 by Mr. George Branch and wife, Susanna Branch who was one of the daughters of Capt. William Corker, decd. When James Kilpatrick died, the land descended to his only daughter, Sarah Kilpatrick, who died in her minority and the land then descended to her aunt, Susanna Wall the wife of Joseph Wall.
Wit: Dionisius Wright, Joseph Coren and William Foreman Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 2 Nov 1697 Susannah (X) Wall”57
“Allen, James. Leg. – To Brother, Arthur Allen, 1400 acres of land granted to me by Pattent 25 Apr 1701 situate on South Side main Blackwater Swamp part in Surry and part in Isle of Wight, except 700 acres of land which I have sold to Thos. Pitman and Samuell Lancaster and 300 acres which I have sold to Joseph Wall, all of which said three parcels of land on part are part of above patent, and I give then to my loving brother John Allen, and his heirs, etc. and he confirm the three pieces of land to said parties as soon as possible after my decease. Bequeaths negro slaves to loving mother, Katherine Allen, for her life, at her death to brother, Joseph. To Margaret Coker, wife of John Coker, 1000 lbs. tobo. To couzen, Arthur Bridger, when he is 21 to be paid by Exers. and small silver Tankard val. four pounds. Rest of Estate to be divided between all my brothers and sisters viz: Elizabeth Bridger, wife of Wm. Bridger, John Allen, Arthur..”58
“Holleman, William. Est. – by Marie Holliman. 2 Jan 1704. Signed: Joseph Lane, Robert Hill, Joseph Wall.”59
“4 Sep 1705 … Joseph Wall, Sr. and wife, Susana Wall, to Richard Edwards for 3000 pounds tobacco … 150 acres (part of a tract formerly belonging to Mr. Robert Caufield) on Blackwater Swamp and bounded by the Cannon Branch, George Benbridge and Allen Warren.
Wit: James Stanton and Nicholas Maget Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 6 Nov 1705 Susana (X) Wall”60
“6 Sep 1708 … Joseph Wall, Sr. of the lower parish to Benjamin Chapman of the same for 2000 pounds tobacco … 150 acres on Canoe Branch (adjoining the land sold to Thomas Cockerham) and bounded by Robert Caufield, George Benbridge and Richard Edward. (Susannah Wall, wife of Joseph Wall, relinquished her Right of Dower.)
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Wit: John Bell and Margaret (X) Bacer (Baker?) Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 4 Jul 1710”61
It is about this time that some of the sons of Joseph and Susannah Wall begin to appear in the Surry County records, living in the same location as their father, and dealing with many of the same people:
“16 Mar 1713[/4] … Joseph Wall Jr. to Richard Wall for 500 pounds tobacco … 100 acres on south side of main Blackwater Swamp and bounded by Seacock Swamp. Land is part of a patent for 200 acres granted Joseph Wall Jr. on 28 Apr 1711.
Wit: Nicholas Maget and John Tyus Joseph (X) Wall Jr.
Rec: 19 May 1714”62
“18 May 1714 … Joseph Wall Jr. to John Fort for 6000 pounds tobacco … 100 acres on south side of main Blackwater Swamp (land is part of 200 acres granted said Wall on 28 Apr 1711). (Mary Wall, wife of Joseph Wall, relinquished her Right of Dower.)
Wit: Howell Edmunds and Nicholas Maget Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 19 May 1714”63
“20 Jul 1714 … Thomas Waller of Lawnes Creek Parish to Joseph Wall of the same for 5 shillings … 200 acres on south side of main Blackwater Swamp (part of a patent for 340 acres granted said Thomas Waller on 13 Nov 1713 with 140 acres of it being conveyed to Robert Crafford).
Wit: John Allen and Robert Ruffin
Rec: 21 Jul 1714”64
“8 Sep 1714 … Joseph Wall Jr. and wife, Mary Wall, to William Bailey for __ shillings … 100 acres in Isle of Wight County and bounded by the new Nottoway Path and the Nottoway Indians line. Land is part of 217 acres taken up by the said Joseph Wall on 28 Apr 1711. (Mary Wall, wife of Joseph Wall, relinquished her Right of Dower.)
Wit: Nicholas Smith and William Edmunds Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 18 May 1715 Mary (X) Wall”65
“14 Sep 1715 … James Stanton and wife, Elizabeth Stanton, to Samuel Thompson, Gent., for 5 shillings … 320 acres on south side of main Blackwater Swamp (part of a patent for 700 acres granted said Stanton on 13 Nov 1713) and bounded by the Deep Branch, John Wall, John Higgs and Bridges line.
Wit: James Stanton, Jr., Mary Stanton and James Stanton
Ester (X) Williams Elizabeth (X) Stanton
Rec: 21 Mar 1715”66
“18 Jun 1716 … James Stanton and wife, Elizabeth Stanton, to Samuel Tower for 4000 pounds tobacco … 200 acres bound by the south side of Blackwater Swamp near the Nottoway Indian Town, Proctors Branch, Joseph Wall, Jr. and Briges line.
Wit: James Stanton, Jr. and Mary Stanton James Stanton
Rec: 15 Aug 1716 Elizabeth (X) Stanton”67
“19 Nov 1716 … John Baker to William Davidson for 3000 pounds tobacco … 100 acres whereon John Baker now liveth (patented 16 Jun 1714) on the south side of Blackwater Swamp bounded by Joseph Wall Jr.
Wit: Nicholas Maget and Charles Saivdge John (X) Baker
Rec: 21 Nov 1716”68
The last record, above, that names Susannah (Kilpatrick) Wall was dated 1708. Sometime between that date and 1718 Susannah had died and Joseph Wall had married secondly Alice (___) as shown in the following record:
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“14 Jul 1718 … Joseph Wall and wife, Alice Wall, to James Wall for 5 shillings, 100 acres on south side of main Blackwater Swamp and bounded by Indian Field Branch and Thomas Waller.
Wit: Nicholas Maget and William Rose, Jr. Joseph (X) Wall
Rec: 16 Jul 1718”69
“16 Jul 1718 … Joseph Wall and wife, Alice Wall, to John Ford for 5 shillings, 200 acres (a patent granted to Joseph Wall) on south side of main Blackwater Swamp and both sides of Wildcat Branch.
Rec: 16 Jul 1718 Joseph (X) Wall”70
“16 Jun 1719 … Joseph Wall, Jr. and wife, Mary Wall, of Lawnes Creek Parish to George Long of the same for 10,000 pounds tobacco … 117 acres on west side of the Great Branch (near the Nottoway Indians’ Land) part in Isle of Wight County and part in Surry County (land is part of 217 acres granted the said Joseph Wall on 28 Apr 171_ with the other 100 acres having been sold to William Bailey).
Wit: William Gray, Jr. and William Ruffin Joseph (X) Wall, Jr.
Rec: ____ Mary (X) Wall”71
“16 Jul 1722 … William Thompson of Surry County to Walter Bailey of Isle of Wight County … 320 acres on south side of the main Blackwater Swamp (part of a patent for 700 acres granted James Stanton on 13 Nov 1713) and bounded by Blyes Branch, Samuel Briggs, the Indian Path to the New Town, the Deep Branch, Joseph Wall, Procters Branch and John Higgs. (Martha Thompson, wife of William Thompson, relinquished her Right of Dower.)
Wit: John Warren and William Mosley William Thompson
Rec: 18 Jul 1722 Martha Thompson”72
“23 Nov 1723 … Richard Webb of the upper parish of Isle of Wight County to William Little of the lower parish of Surry County for 3000 pounds tobacco … 107 acres (part of a tract his father, William Webb, bought from John Bynam and given to him by the will of his father) on the north side of Mire Branch. (Mary Webb, wife of Richard Webb, relinquished her Right of Dower.)
Wit: Benjamin Chapman, Thomas Williams and Richard Webb
James (X) Wall Mary (X) Webb
Rec: 20 Nov 1723”73
“15 Jan 1723[/4] … Richard Wall and wife, Lucy Wall, to Charles Briggs … 100 acres on south side of the main Blackwater Swamp and bounded by Seacock Swamp (being part of a patent for 200 acres granted to Joseph Wall, Jr. on 28 Apr 1711).
Wit: William Rose, Jr., James Spitill and John Foster Richard (X) Wall
Rec: 19 Feb 1723[/4] Lucy (X) Wall”74
“4 Feb 1723[/4] … John Allen, Gent., to John Wall … 200 acres on south side of main Blackwater Swamp (part of 1400 acres granted to James Allen, decd., on 25 Apr 1701 and by him willed to the said John Allen).
Rec: 19 Feb 1723 John Allen”75
“10 Mar 1723[/4] … John Ford, Jr. (Foorte?) and wife, Mary Forte, of Albemarle County to John Smith of Surry County … 100 acres on south side of main Blackwater Swamp and bounded by Seacock Swamp (being part of a patent granted Joseph Wall, Jr.)
Wit: Mo (Martin?) Johnson and Alexander Chisnall John Ford
Rec: 18 Mar 1723”76
Joseph Wall died prior to 19 April 1727 in Surry County as the abstracted version of his will, below, shows:
“Wall, Joseph. Leg. – To son, James Wall, 100 acres bought of Thos. Miller … to the land of James Wall. To son, John Wall, Bible, Sarment Book, tools, etc. To daughter, Elizabeth, one chest, etc. To son, Joseph Wall, 5 shillings. To son, Richard Wall, 5 shillings. Rest of estate to my wife, and son, Robert Wall, after
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my funeral expenses are paid. Makes son, John Wall, Exer. Prob: 19 April 1727. Wit: Robert Lancaster, Thomas Pittman.”77
The second part of the two-part article quoted above provides a handy summary of the last part of Joseph Wall’s life, and his children:
“Joseph1 Wall (stepchild of Thomas1 Pitman, born about 649 and died in Surry County aftera 19 April 1727.78 He married (1) Susannah Kilpatrick, daughter of James Kilpatrick of Surry County by 1676 and (2) Alice (___) in Surry County by 14 July 1718.79 Susannah died in Surry County after 6 Sep 170880 and Alice died after Joseph Wall. Alice was probably previously married but her first husband’s name is not known.
“Joseph Wall was discussed previously in connection with his being called the son-in-law of Thomas Pitman. Joseph Wall bought and sold several tracts of land during his lifetime.81 He was frequently found on jury duty82 and occasionally in a lawsuit.83 He lived to be over 75 years old, which is a very long life for someone in the 1700s. He madeb his will on 19 April 1727.84
Children of Joseph Wall by his wife Susannah Kilpatrick were:
1. Joseph Wall, b. in Surry County in 1680, m. Mary (___) in Surry County, and d. probably in Edgecombe Co., N.C., after 16 Feb 1741.
2. Richard Wall, b. in Surry County in 1684, m. Lucy (___) in Surry County and d. in Northampton Co., N.C. after 29 Feb 1752.
3. Jeremiah Wall, b. in Surry County in 1687 from the Surry County tax records85 and d. probably before reaching adulthood as he is found only once in Surry County tax records.
4. James Wall (probably), b. in Surry County about 1689, m. [Unknown] in Surry County, and d. in Surry County after 23 Nov 1723. He is not mentioned in his father’s will but does buy land from him.
5. John Wall, b. in Surry County about 1690, m. Mary (___) in Surry County, and d. in Surry County after 6 Aug 1763.
6. Elizabeth Wall, b. in Surry County on an unknown date and d. probably in Surry County after 19 April 1727. She is mentioned only in her father’s will and there is no indication of whom she married.
7. Robert Wall, b. in Surry County on an unknown date and d. probably in Surry County after 19 April 1727. He is mentioned only in his father’s will.”86
Our own John Wall (d. 1665) had a son named Joseph and this has caused a good deal of confusion, because a number of people have claimed that Joseph Wall of Surry County was the son of John Wall of Charles City County. As will be shown later, the son of John Wall (d. 1665) died in 1693, in Charles City County, long before the above Joseph Wall died.
The above, “other” Joseph Wall family lived in the southern part of Surry County on the Blackwater River, and some records suggest that they might have lived in that part that became Sussex County in 1754. The land records indicate that they were something of “home-bodies,” never straying very far from where Joseph Wall first purchased land in 1671. He did have a son named John, but John appears to have remained close to the family’s home-place for the remainder
a If the will was probated 19 April 1727, then Joseph Wall died before that date.
b See previous comment. This is the date that the will was probated.
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of his life. And apparently he had a son named James (the name “James” was also used in our family line), and nothing is known of his fate. Two of the older sons apparently moved to North Carolina after their father’s death.
As nearly as I can determine from the land descriptions in the above records the Joseph Wall family lived about 20 miles south of where our own John Wall family was seated through 1717. And the Joseph Wall family was only about 20 miles northeast of where our Col. John Wall moved in the early 1700s.
Cathy D. Cessna RDH MPA CFRE ACFRE
December 16, 2024 at 12:08 pm
I seem to have sobered up considerably since I wrote that Post … Do either of us have a point? Have we come closer to figuring out who THIS particular John Pitman is?
Smiling…as usual
Here is a bit of background to possibly understand my frame of mind while composing this Post… I think… or I might just be lying.
anderson1951
December 16, 2024 at 1:06 pm