Blow Citations in Surry County, Virginia

 

So that you may draw your own conclusions, the records themselves are in regular type.  My comments and explanation of the records are in blue italics

 

These records were collected in 1980 as preparation for my book on Bynums.  Since I was concentrating on finding some proof that there was (or wasn’t) a relationship between the two families, I concentrated on records relating to George Blow and his two sons.  Twenty years later, I filled this chronology out with a few court records I had missed, but which were published in Mrs. Haun’s books.  Every record in this chronology was checked in the original, primary source.  I collected very few records after 1700, but those that I have are listed below.

 

Blow Headrights:

 

There are two possible George Blows mentioned as headrights, either of which could be our man.  A Geo Blower was claimed by Nathaniel Hurd in a 12 May 1653 patent for land in Warwick County only about five miles from where we first find our George Blow in 1661 [VPB 3:29].  A Georg Blowe was used by Henry Catelyn for a patent dated 18 February 1638/9 in Upper New Norfolk County [present Norfolk County], about thirty miles from northeast Surry [VPB 1:213].  Whether either of these is our man is impossible to tell (or even if they both refer to the same man).   It seems reasonably likely that one or the other is our George Blow, if only because the geographies fit.  

 

Note on Availability of Records:

 

The records of Surry County begin with its formation in 1652, although some of its early records (particularly wills and inventories) are conspicuously missing for the first two decades.  It may be that some documents continued to be filed in the Jamestown court, less than an hour away on the other side of the James River.  The records of Surry’s predecessor county, James City, are completely missing.  The records of the adjoining counties, Isle of Wight and Prince George, are mixed:  essentially all Prince George records for the 17^th century are lost, while Isle of Wight has preserved some deeds and wills.  For convenience, the Surry books of Deeds, Wills, and miscellaneous documents are referred to as numbered books, though they are not actually titled that way.

 

 

2 May 1661        Asset Pledge:  George Corke [Cooke?], planter to “George Blow of the same county of Surry, planter two cowes aboute the age of fouer years old...”  This is a conditional bill of sale:  George Corke owed a debt to Edward Pittway for which George Blow was his security.  If Corke pays the debt by 20 October, the bill of sale is voided.  Witness: Ed. Bushell, Thos. Culmer.  [Surry County Deed Book 1, p165]

The referenced bond is not in the records, but probably was made not long before this date.  Clearly George Blow is living in Surry County, though he has not yet purchased the land from Andrew Robinson.  Edward Pittway is living in northeastern Surry at this time.

 

11 Oct 1660       Deed:  Siscillea Dunston, Jno. Dunstan, and Pheleg Duston to Andrew Robinson and his wife Ann Robinson, 50a. being a part of a 550a. parcel “on the head of [Lower] Chipoke Creek bounding easterly on the land of Margor (sic) Shepard…”  Acknowleged in court 3 Sept 1661 and “by Andrew Robinson made over in court to George Blow.”  [Surry County Deed Book 1, p170] 

George Blow is acquiring land in the northeastern corner of Surry County, though whether he made the deal earlier is unknown.  Note that he would sell this land only a month later.  This deed is particularly interesting for an indirect reason:  John and Pheleg Dunston were sons of John Dunston, deceased, and his wife Cecilia; Ann Robinson was evidently their sister.  They were selling land in Surry that Dunston had patented back in 1636.  I am fascinated by that fact that, in patenting this land back in 1636, Dunston had used 7 of the 12 headrights that George Blow later used for his 1663 patent.  Perhaps there was some connection between George Blow and the Dunstons. 

 

16 Oct 1661       Deed:  George Blow to Walter Bartley, 1500 lbs tobacco, 50a. “wch. I bought of Andrew Robinson”.  Signed:  George Blow.  Witness: Charles Juthand (?), Edward Petway, John (x) Clay.  (Bartley then assigned this land to John Clay.)  [Surry County Deed Book 1, p184]

This is the earliest record of George Blow’s signature.  Unlike his sons, he could sign his own name.  We can reasonably speculate that he had learned to read and write in England, which might indicate a recent immigration.  This sale is a little curious, since he had apparently only owned the land for a month. 

Note that there is no release of dower from his wife.  That forces us to consider the possibility that he married Margaret after 1661, meaning that she may not be the mother of the children.

 

1 Apr 1663         George Blow witnesses deed from George Foster to John Clemmons for 50a. on the east side of Gray’s Creek bounding on the Reedy Swamp.  [Surry County Deed Book 1, p215]

This land is a good ten miles west of the earlier location of George Blow.

 

3 Aug 1663         Land Patent:  George Blow, 600a in Surry County, for transportation of 12 persons.     “…a marked maple on the southernmost side of the bridge swamp night unto the bridge that leads to Major Robert Sheppards plantation…running over the said bridge swamp…”  This patent is easily plotted and lay on Green Swamp (see below).  [Virginia Patent Book 5, p370]

As noted above, seven of the twelve names claimed as headrights in this patent had been used almost 30 years earlier by John Dunston for two patents in northeastern Surry.

Although George Blow would quickly sell part of this patent, he retained a portion of it on which his sons lived for several years.  From adjoining patents and later deeds, this land was located near the fork where the present-day Green Swamp and Mill Swamp meet, on both sides of Green Swamp.  [Mill Swamp was then called Bridge Swamp.] This was in Lawnes Creek parish, about three miles east of the Isle of Wight county line and about seven miles south of the James River. 

 

5/6 Dec 1663      Deed:  George Blow and wife Margery, of Surry County, to John Bynam, consideration and acreage not noted, all land “on the southwest side of a branch of the Black Water Swamp” being all the land on that side of the branch belonging to Blow, part of a dividend of 600a. …”as expressed in the patten (sic) to the sd. George Blow.”  Signed: George Blow, Margery (x) Blow.  Witness: Richard (x) Smith, Wm. Marriott, Peleg Dunston. [Surry County Deed Book 1, p232]  Acknowledged by the Blows in court 2 March 1663/4.

John Bynum would sell this land five years later to Richard Jordan Jr. and it would end up in the hands of Robert Caufield by 1688.  The acreage is never mentioned in the subsequent deeds, but the land was clearly the portion of the 1663 patent that lay on the southwest side of Green Swamp – roughly about 150 acres.

7 May 1664        Deed:  George Blow and wife Margritt to Rowland Hudson & William Hancock, consideration and acreage not noted, “on the east or southeast side of a branch of the Blackwater swamp beginning right att the joining of Joh. Benoms marked trees & bound southerly or west southerly on the maine swamp where the bridge is belong to Mr. Tho. Warrens carte path & northerdly or northeast on the side of the swamp called the bay tree swamp…”  Signed:  George Blow, Margritt (x) Blow.  Witness: Jane (x) Halle [?] George Carter.  Acknowledged by George and Margritt Blow on 1 November 1664.  [Surry County Deed Book 1, p246]

This parcel is the part of the 1663 patent that lay east of Green Swamp – about 150a. according to later deeds for this land.  After these two deeds, George Blow still owns about half the patent.  The parcel sold to Rowland Hudson and William Hancock appears from subsequent deeds to have been 150 acres.  Hudson bought Hancock’s share, then died and his only child Judah inherited.  Judah and her husband, William Lyles, sold the land to John Smith, who then sold it in 1680 to Thomas Barrow.  When George Blow Jr. married Thomas Barrow’s widow in 1684, he thus regained control over a part of the 1663 patent that had been out of the family for two decades.

Also note that there is a release of dower by Margaret Blow, meaning she was married to George when he received the grant.  The absence of a dower release in the 1661 sale forces us to consider that they were not married in 1661 – which could account for the 10-year gap in the son’s births.  However, the reference of 2 November 1675 implies that Margaret was the mother of Richard Blow.  With two conflicting records, we can’t be certain that Margaret was the mother of both the children.

 

9 Aug 1664         Land Patent:  George Blow, 635a. in Surry County.  [See 4 October 1675 and 29 Apr 1682 entries for references and a description of the land]

George Blow apparently never lived on this land, and his son Richard Blow would sell the entire tract in 1675 after renewing the patent.  This grant was not recorded in the patent books, but is referenced later - Richard Blow’s patent of 4 October 1675 was a renewal of a patent to George Blow of 9 August 1664.  When Robert Caufield renewed it on 29 April 1682 he also gave the same date and the same land description.  From the description, this patent was for land about two miles southwest of the 1663 patent to George Blow, on the southern part of Cypress Swamp just where it intersects the Blackwater.    

 

25 Apr 1667       Land Patent:  Nicholas Merewether, 850a. “on the blackwater at Cypress Swamp” for transportation of 17 persons. “… adjoining to land of Anthony Spiltimber…marked oake standing on another small branch dividing this from the land of George Blow…” down a branch dividing the land from George Blow to a marked tree at the mouth of the branch joining the Blackwater swamp…[Virginia Patent Book 6, p47]

We don’t know when this survey was done, thus we can’t say whether or not George Blow was still alive on this date.  This land adjoins the 1664 patent by Blow, not the 1663 patent.

30 Jan 1667/8     Undated Petition:  John Rawlings states his mill [at Sunken Marsh] was destroyed and he spent his small estate to repair it, “expecting according to Geo. Blows ordr. wch. was granted him that the petetnr. should keepe itt till the orpht. came of age.”  Rawlins states that he is has made it a “good & serviceable mill” without any compensation, to his “utter ruine”, and was forced out of the mill [he sold it to William Strong two years earlier].  Rawlings asks the court to relieve him “out of the estate of the orpht.”  He further states that Captain Cockerham, “as overseer of Harris his estate”, is demanding five years rent but Rawlings only owes for four years.  Recorded this date.  [Surry County Deed Book 1, p298]

George Blow may already be dead.  The petition refers to his order ca 1662 but it does not request him to make any payment out of the orphan’s estate, and because Cockerham has apparently succeeded George Blow as the overseer of the orphan’s estate.  To make a long story a little shorter, Robert and Sarah Warren deeded the mill to a widow named Elizabeth Harris in early April 1757 [Ibid., p104].  A month earlier, she had apprenticed out her four year-old son, John Phipps, until he was 21 [p120].   Somehow, the mill ended up in the hands of Thomas Pittman and John Rawlins by 1661. Pittman sold his interest to William Marriott, who then sold it to Rawlins.   George Blow was apparently the guardian of John Phipps at the time Rawlins acquired the mill, when Blow made his demand to keep the mill in repair.  By the time of the petition, George Blow has evidently been replaced by Capt. Cockerham. 

Elizabeth Harris was of Isle of Wight County when she apprenticed her son, but was “now of Surry” when deeded the mill a month later.  She was apparently the widow first of a Phipps and then of a Harris who lived at Sunken Marsh.  In January 1659 William Edwards deposed that Sir William Berkley had ordered and paid  for a pair of cart wheels from “one Harris, a wheelwright dwellinge at Sunken Marsh in Surry County” who died before delivering them.  [Ibid., p136]  Incidentally, Elizabeth Phipps Harris is thought to have been the first Quaker in Surry County.
 

1668-1672          There are no Blows in the tithables for 1668, 1669, or 1670.  The tithables lists for 1671 and 1672 are missing.         Richard Smith has two tithables in 1668 but only one in 1669 and 1670.  

 

                           George Blow is almost certainly dead by June 1688, as he does not appear in the tithables lists for 1668, 1669, 1670, or later.  The available Surry tithables begin this year and are available for the next 36 years, 1668 through 1703 [except for 1671-2 and 1676].  His widow, Margaret Blow, apparently has remarried Richard Smith, although there is no mention of her in the records whatsoever except for the indirect reference on 2 Nov 1675.  Richard Smith is enumerated in the same small precinct as George Blow’s land lay, though he owns no land in his own name – that suggests he was living on the remaining part of Blow’s 1663 patent.

I should mention that there are no wills or related documents filed in the Surry County records for this period – apparently probate-related material was either filed at the James City court or, if filed in Surry, was later lost.  Numerous references to probates are found in the first Surry Book of miscellaneous deed and court records covering the period 1652-1671, but none of the referenced wills exist.

 

18 Oct 1669       Land Patent:  Mrs. Richard Binns, 777a. “… at the easternmost corner tree of George Blowes land thence along his line 116 poles upon a great swamp”  [Virginia Patent Book 6, p281]

 

18 Oct 1669       Land Patent:  Rich. Awborne, 605a. in Lawnes Creek parish of Surry County, for transportation of 12 persons  “…begining at a mrked tree being the corner tree a pine of Blowes & Robt. Laines land…”  thence several courses mentioned, including Mrs. Binns,  and ending “along the said Swamp upon Blowes lines.”[Virginia Patent Book 6, p281]

The land descriptions in patents were copied from the surveys, which in these cases must have been a good five years old.  After plotting these, I see that both patents adjoin the 1663 patent to George Blow, but by 1664 they would have abutted the portions that George Blow had sold.  The survey by Binns adjoined the Hancock-Hudson land and the survey by Awborne adjoined  the John Bynum land.  That is, these surveys appear to have been made in 1663 or 1664, before George Blow sold those parcels.  (As late as 1679, when the Awborne patent was renewed, the exact same description was still being used.)  These patents definitely do not indicate that George Blow was alive in 1669.

 

14 Aug 1672       Land Patent:  Mathias Marriot and Thomas Hart, 338a. in Surry County “… at George Blowes corner tree on the N side of the black water Swamp thence along his lyne” (description follows) [Virginia Patent Book 6, p413]

This patent adjoins the 1664 patent to George Blow on its southeast side.  The survey may be several years old, since George Blow is surely long dead by 1672.

 

June 1673           Surry County tithables, Lawnes Creek parish, list of Lawrence Baker
Rich: Smith – 2  [Probably Richard Blow]

 

June 1674           Surry County tithables, Lawnes Creek parish, list of Charles Barham
Rich: Smith – 2  [Probably Richard Blow]

 

June 1675           Surry County tithables, Lawnes Creek parish, list of Charles Barham
Rich: Smith & Blow – 2  [Probably Richard Blow]

Richard Blow reached 21 in 1675, meaning he became a tithable in either 1670 or 1671 (depending on which side of June 10 he was born on).  The 1671 and 1672 tithables are missing, but in 1673-5 Richard Smith had no sons at all, so the second tithable is probably Richard Blow.

 

4 Oct 1675         Land Patent:  Richard Blow, son and heir to George Blow, 635a. …beginning at a marked cypress on the east side of the main blackwater swamp…” a patent granted to his father 9 August 1664 and due to Richard Blow as heir.   [Virginia Patent Book 6, p563]

Richard Blow is renewing the 1664 patent to George Blow, for land located about two to three miles southwest of the 1663 patent at the intersection of Cypress Swamp and the Blackwater.  The original 1664 patent was apparently available for reference eleven years later, but was never entered into the patent books.  This land was literally on the Indian frontier.  All the area on the opposite bank of the Blackwater and southward was Indian territory in which patents and settlement would be forbidden for another 26 years. 

 

2 Nov 1675        “Rich. Blow sonn of Geo. Blow deced petitioning to have his estate into his possession, & Rich. Smith the sd Blows father in law in whose possession the estate is, in cort being willing to deliver the same, it is therefore ordrd that the sd Smith doe forthwith pay & satisfye unto the sd Blow his pte of his decd fathers estate…”  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p106]

This may give us a reasonably narrow birth estimate for Richard Blow.  This is the first court held since September, thus his first opportunity after 5 October to make this declaration.  The “estate” referred to is the personal property, more than likely mainly consisting of livestock.

This is also the only specific reference that Richard Smith actually married Margaret Blow (as opposed to merely being the guardian of the Blow brothers).  Whether Margaret is still alive is impossible to determine.  Richard Smith would remarry within three years to the widow of John Twyford, by whom he had his sons.  “Father-in-law” was used to mean “stepfather” in those times, and is the only explanation available since Richard Smith had no daughters at this time.

Finally, this is an opportunity to mention that he is the same Richard Smith who deposed in January 1691/2 that he was 60 years old [Deed Book 4, p253].  That would have made him about 43 in late 1675 and in his mid or late 30s when George Blow died.  Note that John Bynum (theorized by some to have married a daughter of George Blow) deposed that he was 70 in 1687 – making him some 15 years older than his mother-in-law’s husband.  Unlikely? You bet.

.

25 Jan 1675/6     Richard Smith posts bond, with securities Lt. Roger Potter and Wm. Foreman, “for Geo. Blow orpht his estate.”  Richard Smith apparently posted an earlier bond, for Anthony Evans’ prior bond for Smith’s administration of the orphan’s estate was voided at the same court. [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p106] 

The law made a distinction between caring for orphans and caring for their estates (“orphan” meaning “fatherless”, not the definition we use today.)  The guardian’s job was to manage the estate of the orphan, pay his bills, and deliver the estate when he was 21.  The bond assured that the orphan was protected against mismanagement.  Who the orphan lived with was another matter entirely.  In this case, it appears that Richard Smith performed both roles.

 

June 1676           Tithables are missing for 1676.

 

June 1677           Surry County tithables:
Rich: Smith – 1   [Southwarke parish. Nicholas Merewether’s list]
Rich: Blow – 1  [Lawnes Creek parish, Samuel Swann’s list]

Note that Richard Blow is apparently living on his father’s land, while Richard Smith has moved a few miles west into Southwarke parish.  Richard Smith has likely been living on the Blow patent since marrying the widow.  Now that Richard Blow has reached majority and claimed the land, Richard Smith has apparently moved into the area of Pigeon Creek where he will later be granted land.

 

4 Sep 1677         “Ordered that Nich. Sessums have his bond in.  Rich. Blow appearing in cort of lawful age, and discharging the cort from his estate.”  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p157]

”Having his bond in” was the terminology for voiding a bond.  Sessums must have been security for Richard Blow’s orphan’s estate, though there is no bond mentioned in the prior court records.  Note that Sessums was apparently the security for Smith’s management of Richard Blow’s estate, and Anthony Evans was apparently the security for his management of George Blow Jr.’s estate.

There are some miscellaneous orphan’s accounts, some dating from 1672 in a separate Surry book, which I have not read. It is possible that these missing bonds may be mentioned there.

 

7 May 1678        Deed:  Richard Blow to Robert Caufield, 5,000 lbs tobacco, the entire 635a. tract patented by George Blow on 9 August1664.  [Surry County Deed Book 2, p203*]

See also 29 April 1682 below, wherein Robert Caufield renews the Blow patent.

 

June 1678           Surry County tithables:
Rich: Smith – 1   [Southwarke parish, list of William Browne]
Rich: Blow – 1  [Lawnes Creek parish, list of John Goring]

 

6 Nov 1678        Rich. Blow on a list of those to be paid by the county out of the 1678 tithables:  200 lbs of tobacco for a wolf’s head.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p231]

The county paid a bounty to those who killed wolves.  The proof was the head. The attempted cultivation of sheep was responsible for institution of this bounty.

 

6 Nov 1678        Court orders Richard Smith and Mary his wife to present an inventory of the estate of John Twyford deceased, to the appraisers.   William Edwards appointed administrator of the estate.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p228-9]  On 4 March 1678/9, Richard Smith and Mary his wife present the inventory of John Twyford, deceased. This mentions a baby, John Twyford.  [Ibid., p241]

Margaret Blow is dead and Richard Smith has remarried the widow of John Twyford, a near neighbor.  The proof that this is the same Richard Smith is quite strong.  John Twyford was not in the June 1678 tithables, so the above record could be several months after his death.  Note that relationship with the Blow children continues.  Richard Blow will be listed with Richard Smith in the tithables for 1680, 1681, and 1683.  George Blow will hereafter be listed separately, but Smith evidently continues in his role as George’s guardian.

 

30 May 1679      Land Patent:  Nicholas Sessums, 550a. in the lower parish [Lawnes Creek] of Surry on the bridge swamp… beginning between Richard Blow & Mr. William Edwards… [Virginia Patent Book 6, p688]

This adjoins the 1663 patent to George Blow.  Sessums would later renew the patent describing it identically. Interestingly enough, it also adjoins the later patent by Richard Blow over a mile away.

 

June 1679           Surry County tithables:
 Rich: Blow – 1  [Lawnes Creek parish, list of Arthur Allen]

 

2 Mar 1679/80    Deed:  Richard Blow to Nicholas Sessums, 100a. on Green Swamp and the Bridge Swamp…part of patent to George Blow…  Witness: Ni. Smith, Sion Hill.  [Surry County Deed Book 2, p250]  Same date: Rich. Blow acknowledges sale of land to Ni. Sessums.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p293]

Richard Blow is selling part or all of the land remaining from the 1663 patent.  He will no longer appear in Lawnes Creek parish, so it seems likely that he is now selling everything that remained of the original patent to his father.

 

May 1680           Surry County tithables:
Rich: Smith & Rich: Blow – 2  [Southwarke parish, list of William Browne]

Richard Blow is now in Southwarke parish.  He is evidently temporarily without land.

 

17 May 1680      Deed:  John Smith and wife Mary Smith of Lawnes Creek Parish to Thomas Barrow, 150a on Green Swamp, formerly belonging to William & Judah Lyles.. bordering land of Francis Mason and land of John Bynam.  Witness: Nich. Smith, Wm. Seward [Surry County Deed Book 2, p259]

This land, as mentioned above, was the same parcel that George Blow Sr. had sold in 1664 to Rowland Hudson and William Hancock.  On 27 April 1667 Hancock sold his share to Hudson.  On 27 Feb 1679/80 William Lyle and his wife Judah (the only heir of Rowland Hudson) sold this land to John Smith, describing it as the land Hancock & Hudson had bought from George and Margaret Blow.  Now three months later, John Smith is selling the land to the future wife of George Blow Jr.  When Thomas Barrow dies in 1684 and George Blow Jr. gains control of this land, it will be back in the family after a twenty-year interval.  This is Thomas Barrow’s first appearance in Surry, and he will appear on the tithables for 1680-1684.

 

1 Mar 1680/1      Roger Williams acknowledges sale of land to Rich. Blow.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p332]

I didn’t see this deed in the deed book because it’s not in the deed index.  From later records – see his 1684 patent-  it must have been 100a. on Pigeon Swamp adjacent to Richard Smith and to the land Richard Blow patented in 1684.

 

June 1681           Surry County tithables: 
Rich: Smith & Rich: Blow – 2  [Southwarke parish, list of William Browne]
Geo: Blow – 1 [Lawnes Creek parish, list of Robert Ruffin]

This is the first appearance of George Blow in the tithables, suggesting that he turned 16 sometime between June 1664 and June 1665.  However, the March 1685 record that he was of age suggests that he should have appeared in the 1680 tithables.  Either way, it is curious that he is listed in Lawnes Creek parish. There are only 29 households in this precinct – including Thomas Barrow, John Bynum Sr. and Jr., and Anthony Evans.

 

29 Apr 1682       Land patent:  Robert Caufield, 2,250a. in the lower parish [Lawnes Creek] of Surry County for transportation of 26 people… 635a. thereof being granted to George Blow 9 August 1664 and renewed and confirmed to Richard Blow son and heir to sd George by patent 4 October 1675 and by said Richard sold and conveyed to sd Caufield 7 May 1678; and 338a. part of the residue being granted to Matthis Marriott [Mathias Marriott] and Thomas Hart by patent 14 August 1672 and by them deserted and by order of the Genll Court 26 Aprill 1682 granted to sd Cawfield; the remaining 1,277a being wast land joyning to the former.. a marked pine Allen Warrens westernmost corner tree by the maine black water side… [Virginia Patent Book 7, p159]

 

June 1682           Surry County tithables, Southwarke parish:
Rich: Smith – 1  [List of William Browne]
Geo: Blow – 1  [List of William Browne]
Wm: Edwards, Tho: Edwards, Richard Blow, Joane and Bety negroes – 6  [List fo Francis Mason]

 

June 1683           Surry County tithables:
Mr. Mathew Swann & Geo Blow – 2   [Lawnes Creek, Lower Chipoakes precinct]
Rich: Smith, Rich: Blow – 2  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]

George Blow is now back in Lawnes Creek.

 

20 Apr 1684       Land Patent:  Richard Blow, 210a on southeast side of Pigeon Swamp in Surry County for transportation of 5 persons “…on Pigeon Swamp about halfe a mile above Mr. Merriwethers land… gum in a branch that divides sd Blowes land from Richard Smith… branch dividing Blow from Richard Smith… a corner tree twixt sd Blow and Nicholas Sissums… down Pidgeon Swamp.”  [Virginia Patent Book 7, p372]

This is in Southwarke parish, a couple miles northwest of the 1663 patent.  Note that it adjoins land already owned by Richard Blow, presumably that which he bought of Roger Williams..

 

June 1684           Surry County tithables:
Mathew Swan, Geo. Blow – 2  [Lawnes Creek parish, list of Arthur Allen]
Rich: Blow – 1  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]
Richard Smith – 1  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]

 

3 Mar 1684/5      Geo. Blow granted administration on the estate of Tho. Barrow decd, with Wm. Newsum and Samll. Thompson his securities.  Appraisers of the estate appointed by the court.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p476]  Eliz. wife to Geo. Blow appeareing in cort & making oath to the inventory of the estate of Tho. Barrow, it is admitted to record. [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p477]

This is quick work on George’s part.  Thomas Barrow was still alive only four months earlier, on 4 November 1684, when he and Elizabeth both acknowledged a sale of land in court [Ibid., p462]  The next record for him is the one above, by which time George Blow has already married the widow.  She must have been older than George Blow if she had a ten year old son.

The land that Thomas Barrow had owned was part of George Blow Sr.’s 1663 patent.  George Blow Sr. had sold part of it to Rowland Hudson and William Hancock.  Hancock sold out to Hudson, and Hudson’s only child Judah married William Lyle.  William and Judah Lyle sold the land to John Smith, who then sold it to Thomas Barrow in 1680.

The earliest reference in Surry to anyone named Barrow is that land purchase of 150a. by Thomas Barrow on 17 May 1680 from John and Mary Smith [see above].  Thomas Barrow then appears as a single tithable in Lawnes Creek parish for 1680, 1681, 1682, 1683, and 1684.  At the time of his death he had two young sons, Edward (born c1675) and Thomas Jr. (born c1679) who later appear in the tithables lists.

 

3 Mar 1684/5      “Geo. Blow being of full age appearinge in cort and acknowledgeing that he hath reced of Rich. Smith the full of what is due to him of his fathers estate the said Smith is therefore discharged thereof & his bond for the paymt of the same is made void.”  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p477]

As noted above, if he was 21 by March 1685 he should have appeared in the 1680 tithables.  One or the other record is in error.  Perhaps, with his mother and father both long dead, George himself wasn’t certain of his own age.

__ ___ 1685       George Blow records his mark for cattle and hogs.  [Surry County Deed Book 3, p38]

 

June 1685           Surry County tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]
Geo. Blow, Jas: Bineham – 2 
Rich: Blow, Jno: Bineham – 2 
Rich: Smith – 1

George is now in Southwarke parish, perhaps living on his brother’s land.

 

26 Oct 1685       Deed of Gift:  George Blow to my “loving sister Elizabeth Smith”, one black heyfer.  Signed: Geo. (x) Blow.  Witness: Cha. Agarde(?), Law. Fleming.  [Surry County Deed Book 3, p42]   This is recorded in the court records as a deed of gift from George Blow to “Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Richard Smith” on 24 November.   [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p493]

The identity of this Elizabeth Smith is intriguing.  If we take these records at face value, the only possible conclusion is that Elizabeth was the daughter of Margaret Blow and Richard Smith.  And there is a plausible scenario that might explain this gift.  Richard Smith has had the use of George Blow’s estate for many years.  It was only a few months earlier that he had to give up the livestock in that estate to George Blow Jr.  When George Blow Jr. gifts a cow to his half-sister, he is effectively giving back to Richard Smith the use of the cow until the daughter marries; and simultaneously giving his sister a dowry.  The only problem with this conclusion is that we know that Richard Smith’s daughter Elizabeth married Thomas Sessums sometime in the late 1690s - their son was mentioned in both the will of Richard Smith and in a deed of his brother Nicholas Smith. But Thomas Sessums was not born until about 1677.  Since any child of Margaret Blow had to have been considerably older, we have to accept that Sessums’ wife was older than he was.  On balance though, I think we are forced to conclude that Elizabeth Smith is George Blow’s half-sister. 

There are two other possibilities, neither of which is remotely as plausible.  (1) Could this Elizabeth Smith be a married daughter of George and Margaret Blow?  The court record calling her the daughter of Richard Blow argues against it.  In addition, there is no evidence at all that any Smith was married to this Elizabeth.  There are five Smiths in the 1685-6 tithables, and the only one with a wife named Elizabeth is Nicholas Smith, whose wife was Elizabeth Flood.  (2) Could she have been a daughter of Richard Smith and Mary Twyford? That would fit better with the later marriage to Thomas Sessums, because a daughter of Mary Twyford could be no older than 7 or 8 in late 1685.  However, there’s no plausible reason why George Blow would call her a “sister” or why he would make her a gift in the first place.     

 

2 Nov 1685        Deed of Gift:  Richard Blow to brother George Blow, for love and affection, 100a. adjoining said Blow and Pidgeon Swamp.  Signed:  Richard (x) Blow.  Witness:  Geo. Williams, Robt. (x) Littleboy.  Elizabeth Blow, wife of Richard Blow, gives power of attorney to Richard Smith to release her dower in sale of land by Richard Blow to George Blow.  Witness:  Geo. Williams, Robt (x) Littleboy.  [Surry County Deed Book 3, p41]   

There is a reasonably good argument that Richard Blow’s wife was Elizabeth Bynum, a daughter of John Bynum and sister to John Bynum II and James Bynum.  Her second husband, by whom she had several children, gave land in his will to “couzen” John Bynum (meaning John Bynum III, son of John II).  If “couzen” meant “nephew”, it is much more likely that Elizabeth Blow was ne Bynum than that John Bynum II had married a sister of Robert Grice.

 

24 Nov 1685      Richard Blow acknowledges a “deede of guift of a pcell of land to his brother Geo. Blow.” Richard Smith makes oath to Elizabeth Blow’s release of dower by her power of attorney.   [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p493]

George Blow will sell this land a little over a year later to John Bynum Jr.

 

June 1686           Surry County tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]
Geo: Blow – 1 
Rich: Blow, Jno: Byneham – 2 
Rich: Smith - 1

 

6 Jul 1686           Two Suits Dismissed:  Hen. Norton vs. Geo. Blow, and Geo Blow vs. Hen. Norton.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p524]

Henry Norton was the person to whom Thomas Barrow had sold his land just prior to his death.  George Blow is suing as the administrator of Thomas Barrow [see later record].  He will assign his case to William Edwards, who will eventually obtain a judgment against Henry Norton.

 

6 Sep 1686         Richard (x) Blow a witness to deed from Ralph and Hannah Hill to John Skelton.  [Surry County Deed Book 3, p63]

This is the last record of Richard Blow being alive.

 

4 Jan 1686/7       Wm. Pittman confesses judgment to Samuel Thompson, assignee of George Blow, for 350 lbs tobacco.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p553]

 

18 Jan 1686/7     Deed:  George Blow and wife Elizabeth Blow, of Southwarke parish, to Jno: Byneham, consideration not given, 100a. in the parish aforesaid part of a parcel “which my brother Richard Blow ____  seized and lyeth on the out ___ of the land whereon I now live”  Signed George (x) Blow.  Witness: Geo. Williams, Jno. (x) Clarke.  Relinquishment of dower by Elizabeth Blow, wife of George Blow.  [Surry County Deed Book 3, p80]   George Blow and wife Elizabeth Blow acknowledge deed to Jno. Bynem Jr. on 1 March 1686/7.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p557]

This is apparently the 100a. he was given by his brother Richard.  However, the imprecise language and descriptions of later deeds leave open the possibility that this is a sale of his brother’s own land – meaning that his brother is already dead by now.  Although the deed doesn’t specifically mention it, this is John Bynum Jr. buying the land.

 

1 Mar 1686/7      Hannah Hill, wife of Ralph Hill, power of attorney to George Blow proved by the oaths of John Bynum Jr. and Elizabeth Blow.  George Blow, attorney of Hannah Hill, acknowledges her relinquishment of dower in a sale of land by Ralph and Hannah Hill to John Skelton.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p557]  Witnesses to the power of attorney were Jno: (x) Binham and Eliz. (x) Blow   Witnesses to the deed itself were Rich: (x) Blow,  Jno: (x) Bynum and Saml. Thompson.  The deed is dated 6 Sep 1686. [Surry County Deed Book 3, p81]

The deed was dated 6 July 1686 and Ralph Hill acknowledged it in court that same day.  The release of dower by Hannah Hill is nine months later.   Richard Blow witnessed the deed in September 1686 but died before these later records.

 

1 Mar 1686/7      List of debts due the estate of Thomas Jordan decd:  George Blow… Rich: Blow  [Surry County Deed Book 3, p89]

Thomas Jordan ran a tavern near the courthouse.  This list of debts is probably mainly from this source, as it includes well over 200 names.

 

3 May 1687        George Blow on a jury.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p562]

I include this only to make the point that jury service was a privilege reserved for freeholders – those men who owned at lest 50a. of land.  Subsequent jury appearances by Blow are omitted as having no genealogical value.

 

3 May 1687        Elizabeth Blow granted administration on the estate of “her deced husband Rich. Blow.”  Her securities are George Blow and George Branch.  George Williamson, Samuel Thompson, and Thomas Warren ordered to appraise the estate.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p565-6]  Letter of Administration filed in Deed Book 4, p23.  The bond is witnessed by Samuel Thompson and Wm. Edwards.  [Surry County Deed Book 3, p92]

The last indication that Richard Blow was alive is his appearance in the tithables in June 1686 and his witness of the Hill deed a month later.  This record is ten months later.  It is possible that his wife waited a period of time to apply for administration.  

 

June 1687           Surry County tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]
Richd. Smith, James Bynham – 2 
Geo: Blow, Jno: Bynham – 2 

 

5 Jul 1687           Elizabeth Blow pleaded that the “badness of the weather” had prevented her from presenting the inventory of Richard Blow decd. At the same court, a suit by William Edwards against Elizabeth Blow was continued.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p572]

There is no record that Elizabeth ever presented an inventory at a later court.

 

6 Sep 1687         Judgment granted William Edwards against Elizabeth Blow, administrix of the estate of Richard Blow decd in the amount of 1,737 lbs tobacco.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p577]

 

19 Dec 1687       List of militia for Southwarke parish of Surry County:  Geo: Blow  (listed as a foot soldier)  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p598]

This list was revised a few weeks later at the instruction of the Governor to include only freeholders and housekeepers, and to remove those who were merely freemen not maintaining a separate household. This reduced the list of militia from 314 to 200, but George Blow remained on the list as a freeholder (an owner of 50 acres or more). [Ibid., p621]

 

3 Jan 1687/8       Judgment for William Edwards, assignee of George Blow, administrator of the estate of Thomas Barrow decd., against Henry Norton for 888 lbs tobacco. Henry Norton called by the Sheriff but failed to appear, and judgment granted to Edwards.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, pp609-611]  At the following court, the amount was reduced to 848 lbs on Norton’s plea. [Ibid., p631]

 

3 Mar 1687/8      Deed:  George Blow of Southwarke parish, only brother and heir of Richard Blow deceased late of the parish aforesaid, together with Elizabeth my wife, to William. Newsom of Lawnes Creek parish, for 1,000 lbs of tobacco, 120a. on Pidgeon Swamp adjoining the land given to George Blow by Richard Blow, being “that tract or dividend of land of which my sd deced brother Richd: Blow died seized of except one parcel thereof by me already …demised to John Bynham Junr. conteyning by compilation 50a.”  Signed:  George (x) Blow, Elizabeth (x) Blow.  [Surry County Deed Book 4, p32-3]   Acknowledged on 6 Mar 1687/8. [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p626]  When this was later sold by Newsom, his deed noted that Elizabeth Blow relict of the Richard Blow had relinquished her dower interest in the land (see below). 

Richard Blow died without children, so George Blow inherited the land as next in the line of succession.  This appears to be roughly half of Richard Blow’s patent. The language doesn’t make it clear whether the land sold to Bynum was part of the inherited land or part of the gifted land.

 

June 1688           Surry County tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Robert Randall]
Richard Smith – 1 
Geo: Blow  – 1 

 

6 Nov 1688        Deed:  Richard Jordan and wife Elizabeth Jordan of the upper [Southewarke] parish to Robert Caufield, 4300 lbs tobacco, a tract of land on the southeast side of the Blackwater in the lower [Lawnes Creek] parish being part of 600a formerly granted to George Blow decd who sold it to John Bynham who sold it to my father Richard Jordan on 8 Nov 1679, being all of the land held on the sd branch… [Surry County Deed Book 4, p107]

 

June 1689           Surry County tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]
Richard Smith – 1 
Geo: Blow  – 1
John Byneham & Rob: Grice - 2

 

2 Jul 1689           “Robert Grice as marrying Eliza.  Blow, admx of Richard Blow deced brought an action to this court agst Geo. Blow & set forth that there was due unto him in right of his wife Eliza. (she being the relict of the said deced) on full third part of all the lands & appurtenances thereto belonging, the aforesaid deced dyed possessed of…he had often demanded the same of the sd Geo. Blow, brother and heire to the said deced, he utterly refused to let him have any part thereof, to his damage at least 2,000 lbs of tobacco…therefore prayed that the said lands &c. might be divided & he in right of his aforesaid wife possessed of her part thereof according to law, and that the said Blow might be ordered to pay him the aforesaid 2,000 lbs of tobacco…”  George Blow appeared but could not show a reason why Grice should not receive his wife’s share of the estate.  The court ordered that Samuel Thompson, Thomas Warren, George Williams, and Nicholas Sessums (or any three of them) “forthwith divide the houses and lands belonging to the said Richard Blow deced into three equal parts, and that the said Grice in right of his wife be possessed of one third part thereof and that the said Geo. Blow pay costs.”  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p710]

This is an important record, as it confirms that Richard Blow had no children.  Under the law at the time, if there were no children, the siblings of the deceased would inherit – and the suit confirms the earlier deed record that George Blow was indeed the heir of his brother’s estate.  However, common law held that the widow was entitled to a one-third interest in the real property for her lifetime.  [She ddidn’t “own’ it in that she could not sell it or devise it in a will.  But she was entitled to a share of the income from the land, and therefore had a dower interest if it were sold during her lifetime.]  In Virginia, a widow at this time had lost her right to any interest in the personal property of a deceased husband.

This is only the second record of Robert Grice in Surry County.  He first appeared in Surry County in the June 1689 tithables in John Bynum Jr.’s household.  Thereafter he appears as a single tithable through 1703, when the available tithables end.  There are no records of his wife’s name, so it is unknown if Elizabeth lived to bear him children.  His 1720 will names two daughters, Ann and Fartherly, two sons, Francis and John, and “couzen John Bynum” (referring to the son of John Bynum Jr.).  If “couzen” was meant to mean “nephew” then the most likely explanation is that the wife of Richard Blow was a daughter of John Bynum I. (See BYNUM chronology for a more detailed explanation.)

The son Francis Grice patented land in Lisle of Wight in 1725 and sold it as a resident of NC in 1730 – he left a will in 1750 in Johnston County. The son John sold his land in 1725 as a resident of North Carolina as well.

 

7 Jan 1689/90     “Geo. Blow being returned non est inventus at the suit of Joseph Rogers & being called to come forth & answere the same, made noe appearance, an attachment is therefore granted the said Rogers against the estate of the said Geo. Blow for 240 lbs of good fatt well dressed porke & two bushels & a halfe of good sound shelled Indyan corne…”  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p733]

”Non est inventus” means the Sheriff could not find him.  The term was typically used to refer to situations where a person was thought to be at court but couldn’t be found outside the courtroom when the case was called from the docket.

 

June 1690           Surry County tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Samuel Swann]
Rich: Smith – 1
Robt: Gryce - 1
Geo: Blow, Geo: Sims  – 2 

 

1 Jul 1690           Petition:  Samuel Thompson and William Newsom, securities for George Blow’s administration of the estate of Thomas Barrow, deceased,  petition the court to void their bond because they fear Blow’s non-performance will make them liable for charges.  They testify that George Blow has “neglected to ___ render[?] acct of the sd estate or otherwise to discharge them although they had often times requested him soe to doe.”  The court ordered George Blow to produce an accounting of the estate.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p757]  The matter was continued at the next court on 2 September [Ibid., p763] and George Blow finally produced an accounting on 4 November 1690 [Ibid., p773].

There is no record that George Blow ever paid out the estate to either of the two Barrow sons.

 

1 Jul 1690           Same Court, Petition:  George Blow petitions the court “that there never yet hath been any roade cleared from his & severall others of his neighbours plantations either to the church, the court house, or mill.”  The court orders Richard Smith, surveyor of the highways in that [Southwarke] precinct, to “take care to see that all the ways be well kept in good & sufficient repairs.”  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p578]

 

20 Dec 1690       Deed:  George Blow of Southwarke Parish to William Goodman of Lawnes Creek parish,  2700 lbs tobacco, 100a in Southwarke Parish, part of a tract belonging to my brother, Richard Blow, and given by him to me… adj. Richard Blow and Pidgeon Swamp.  Witness: William (x)  Newsum, John Collins   [Surry County Deed Book 4 p191]
 

20 Dec 1690       Deed:  William Newsum and wife Ann Newsum to William Goodman, both of Lawnes Creek Parish, 3300 lbs tobacco, 120a. in Southwarke parish on Pidgeon Swamp adjoing the land above… bought by William Newsum 3 Mar 1687/88 after the death of Richard Blow. Witness: George (x) Blow, John Collins  [Surry County Deed Book 4, p193]

These two deeds appears to be the sale of Richard Blow’s 1684 patent, now entirely in the hands of William Goodman.

 

3 Mar 1690/1      George Blow acknowledges a lease to Wm. Goodman.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p792]

This is probably a clerk’s error.  It was clearly a sale, not a lease.      

 

2 Jun 1691          Suit Dismissed:  George Blow suit against Capt. Robert Randall for slander.  “…in his petition setting forth that he was damnified at least 20,000 lbs of tobacco… by the sd Randalls falsely and maliciously publishing and declaring severall times but more particularly in Aprill last at the house of Rich. Smith in this county that he was a rogue & that he had killed a steere of his & he would prove it.”  Randall appeared to defend himself, and the court orders a jury trial.  The suit is dismissed and Blow is ordered to pay costs.  [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p812]

Edward Barrow, minor orphan of Thomas Barrow, had been living with Robert Randall for at least several months by this time. [Ibid., p801]   At the same court, Edward Barrow petitioned the court to continue to live with Randall.  The court ordered  an indenture for Edward Barrow to serve Robert Randall “til he comes of age”.  [Ibid., 809]

 

June 1691           Surry tithables: [Southwarke parish, list of Thomas Swann]
Rich: Smith – 1
Geo: Blow, Geo: Sims  – 2
Capt. Robert Randall, Ed: Barrow, John, Will, Mingoe, Bess – 6
Robt. Grice  (added per order of the court) 

Edward Barrow, George Blow’s stepson, is now 16.

 

1 Sep 1691         George Blow confesses judgment to Col. William Browne for 778 lbs tobacco due by two bills dated 10 August last.  Appraisal of George Blow’s estate [his personal property] ordered by the court.  The appraisers report “corn in the field and tobacco at the house…400, a table and forme…30, to 1 __ tobo: at Robt. Grice….300, goods in the house…25, a meal barrel…30, a cow & calfe…400.  Totaling 1,235 lbs tobacco in value.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p10]

One wonders why anyone is still lending him money. 

 

7 Sep 1691         George Blow being returned non est inventus at the suit of Joseph Rogers was called to come forth and answere the same but made noe appearance, an attachment is therefore granted agst the estate of the said Blow for 535 lbs tobacco, 200 lbs of fatt well dest pork, & one bushel & a halfe of good Indian corne & costs returnable to the next court for judgment.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p15]

George Blow seems to be in fairly severe financial difficulty.  His estate is quite a small one, and these two debts together exceed its value.  He apparently did not pay Joseph Rogers, for he was sued again in 1695.

 

June 1692           Surry tithables: [Southwarke parish, list of middle precinct by Fra: Clements]
Geo: Blow – 1
Richard Smith - 1
Capt. Robt: Randall, Edward Barrow, John, Will, Mingo, Bess negroes – 6
Robert Grice – 1

George Blow was counted a second time on the list of Samuel Swann.

 

June 1693           Surry tithables: [Southwarke parish, list of middle precinct by Fra: Clements]
Geo: Blow, Robert Hill, Jno: Johnson – 3
Richard Smith - 1
Fra: Regan, Edwd. Barrow – 2
Robert Grice - 1

June 1694           Surry tithables: [Southwarke parish, list of middle precinct by Fra: Clements]
Geo: Blow, Edwd: Barrow – 2
Richard Smith, Jno: Twyford – 2  [Ri: Smith to the parish only]
Robt: Grice – 1

The young son of John Twyford has reached 16.  None of Richard Smith’s sons are yet 16.

30 Jun 1694        A list of debts remaining to the estate of Thomas Jordan deceased:  Rich: Blow … 18 lbs tobacco.

 

1 May 1694        George Blow indicted by a grand jury for “making trash tobacco and packing it for saile”.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p103]  After a continuance, a trial was held on 4 September 1694; George Blow plead not guilty but the jury convicted him. [Ibid., p109]  The penalty is not noted in the records.

”Trash tobacco” was a term for tobacco that included low-quality or pulverized leaves, stalks, non-tobacco material, even sweepings from the floors of the drying houses.  This was a serious problem for a colony attempting to stabilize dropping prices by regulating quality.  There had long been laws imposing very severe penalties on people who attempted to pass off trash as the real thing. [At one time the penalty for a mere five pounds of ground tobacco found in a hogshead was 5,000 pounds of tobacco.]  Some planters, like George Blow, attempted to wring every penny out of their crops.
 

1 Jan 1694/5       Two Debt Suits:  Charles Goodrich, assignee of Edward Chilton, versus George Blow:  Nonsuited twice for plaintiff’s failure to appear [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p122, 125]    Henry Tooker, assignee of Henry Baker, versus George Blow:  Nonsuited for plaintiff’s failure to appear, then on 5 March the court granted judgment to Tooker  for 518 lbs of tobacco due by bill. [Ibid., p122, 124]

 

5 Mar 1694/5      Debt Suit:  George Blow confesses judgment to Joseph Rogers for 654 lbs tobacco.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p126]

These are relatively large amounts.  George Blow’s annual production was surely no more than about 1500 pounds of tobacco, so it was able to pay off these debts it must have been from other sources of income.

 

June 1695           Surry tithables: [list of Wm: Browne Jr. for middle precinct of Southwarke parish]
Geo: Blow, Tho: Barrow – 2
Richd Smith to ye parish - 1
Robt: Grice – 1

List of Fra: Mason for Southwarke parish:
Mr. John Thompson, Ed: Barro, 2 others, 2 negroes – 6

Lawnes Creek parish:
Jno: Tooke, Jno: Twyford - 2

 

10 Sep 1695       Debt Suit:  William Foreman, assignee of Capt. Robert Randall, versus George Blow.  George Blow failed to appear, so judgment granted to Foreman for 650 lbs tobacco.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p140]

 

3 Mar 1695/6      Debt Suit:  Capt. Thomas Swann versus George Blow.  George Blow did not appear.  Court orders attachment of his estate for 200 lbs of pork and 200 lbs of tobacco.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p153]

 

2 Mar 1696/7      Suit:  Edwrd Amry having caused George Blow to be arrested to this court, and not appearing to prosecute, the suit is dismissed.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p175]

The financial difficulties that have been plaguing George Blow for several years now are becoming serious.  In the space of two years, his creditors have called for the payment of several substantial debts  and attached his property.  It seems unlikely that he could have paid these debts even given more time.  Court orders for attachments of his property suggest that there was no other prospect of payment.  These probably reduced his estate to little or nothing.

Note that his land and house were safe from creditors.  Unless he mortgaged his land, only his “estate" [his personal property] could be seized by creditors.

 

June 1696           Surry tithables: [list of Wm: Browne Jr. for middle precinct of Southwarke parish]
Geo: Blow, Tho: Barrow – 2
Richd Smith to ye pish - 1
Robt: Grice – 1

List of Jno: Thompson for Southwarke parish:
Jno: Binham, Edwd: Barrow – 2

Lawnes Creek parish:
Jno: Tooke & Jno: Twyford - 2

June 1697           Surry tithables: [list of Wm: Browne Jr. for middle precinct of Southwarke parish]
Geo: Blow – 1
Tho: Davis, Ja: Davis, Edwd: Barrow, Mingoe a negro - 4
Richd Smith on list of four to the parish only
Robt: Grice – 1

Lawnes Creek parish:
John Tooke & Jno: Twiford – 2
Nichol. Sessums, Tho: Barrow, and Tom a negro - 3

June 1698           Surry tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Jno: Thompson]
Geo: Blow & Stephen Vaughan – 2
Robert Grice - 1
Jno: Bineham & Edward Barrow – 1
Richard Smith to y pish -1 & Richard Smith Junr. - 1

Lawnes Creek parish, list of Will: Newsum:
Nicholas Sessums, Francis Gregory, Tho: Barrow, and John a negro - 4

June 1699           Surry tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of J. Edwards for middle precinct]
Geo: Blow – 1
Robert Grice - 1
 
List of J. Edwards for lower precinct of Southwarke parish:
Richard Smith to the parish - 1
Richard Smith Jr. - 1

Lawnes Creek parish, list of James Mason:
Mrs. Mary Seward, Edward Barrow, 3 negroes - 4
Nich: Sessums, Tho: Barrow, Francis Gregory, and Tom a negro – 4

 

7 Apr 1700         Deed of Gift:  George Blow to son Richard Blow, “one heifer with calfe.”  [Surry County Deed Book 5, p202]  Acknowledged in court on 7 May 1700 [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p210]     

One can’t help but conclude that George was attempting to move this asset out of the reach of his creditors.  Note that Richard Blow is not yet 16.

 

June 1700           Surry tithables: [Southwarke parish, list of Nathaniel Harrison for middle precinct] Geo: Blow & Richd: Smith – 2  [Smith counted twice?]
Richard Smith, Richd: Smith Junr. & Tho: Smith – 3 
Robert Grice - 1
 
Lawnes Creek parish:
Edward Barrow, Tho: Barrow - 2

June 1701           Surry tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Wm. Cocke for the upper precincts]
Geo: Blow – 1 

List of for the middle and lower precincts by Wm. Browne:
Robt: Grice - 1
Richard Smith Senr. to the parish - 1 
To Mr. Alexr. Walker, Thomas Gordon, Thomas Johnson, Thomas Moy, Richard Smith Jr. - 4
 
Lawnes Creek parish:
Edward Barrow  - 1
Widow Savage, p Tho: Barrow - 1

3 Mar 1701/2      Deed:  Thomas Blunt to George Blow, 60a. on the south side of Seacock Swamp.  [Surry County Deed Book 5, p239]  Acknowledged same day in court.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p221]

George Blow is apparently moving south of the Blackwater.  Blunt had a patent of 510 acres which he sold part of on this same day to George Blow and Howell Edmunds.

 

3 Mar 1701/2      Deed:  William Edwards to William Williams. 200a. off Green Swamp bordering Richard Blow and Robert Lane.  [Surry County Deed Book 5, p236]

This land description is using a very old survey.  The name is mis-transcribed as “Robert” in Hopkins’ abstract.

 

11 May 1702      Suit Dismissed:  George Blow vs. Richard Halliman, Blow not appearing.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p224]

 

June 1702           Surry tithables: [Single list for Southwarke parish]
Geo: Blow – 1
Robt: Grice – 1
Tho: Barrow – 1
To Richd: Smith, Tho: Smith – 1
Richd. Smith to ye pish - 1

Lawnes Creek parish:
Edward Barrow & Wm. Warre - 2

28 Oct 1702       Land Patent:  George Blow, 65a. on south side of the main Blackwater on a swamp commonly known by the name of Seacock… [Virginia Patent Book 9, p497]

The area south of the Blackwater had just been opened for white settlement,  The first patents were issued in 1701.  George Blow had already bought 60a. in this area from Thomas Blunt.

 

June 1703           Surry tithables:  [Southwarke parish, list of Wm. Browne for “the middle county”]
Geo: Blow – 1
Robt: Grice – 1

List of Samuel Thompson for the lower precinct of Southwarke parish:
pish only Richd: Smith Senr., Tho: Smith, Nich: Smith sons to the sd Smith – 3
Richd: Smith Junr. - 1

Lawnes Creek parish:
Edward Barrow – 1
Tho: Barrow - 1

This is the last surviving tithables list for Surry County.

7 Sep 1703         Deed:  George Blow  to Samuel Cornell and John Tooke, 65a. now in tenure of Richard Smith Jr. adjoining Richard Washington… the patent to Blow of 1702. [Surry County Deed Book 5, p292]   On the same day:  George Blow proves his deed of a parcel of land to Saml. Cornell and John Tooke.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p246]

 

2 May 1704        George Blow on jury.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p255] 

 

3 Jul 1705           Attachment Granted:  James Nicholls vs. George Blow, attachment granted against George Blow’s estate of “one cow and calfe”.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p269]

 

6 Nov 1705        George Blow, Charles Savage, and Richard Halliman ordered to appraise the estate of John Steward deceased.  The following March, George Blow and the same other two men are appointed to appraise the estate of Richard Redehoe deceased.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p271, p276]

 

7 Jan 1706/7       John Steward, the son of John Steward deceased, chooses George Blow as his guardian.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p288]

4 Nov 1707        John Lane, who married Margaret the widow and executrix of John Steward, is ordered to deliver to George Blow, guardian of John Steward, the said John’s part of his father’s estate.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p303] 

4 Nov 1707        Richard Blow ordered paid for two days attendance as a witness for Benjamin Chapman.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p303]

Richard Blow was probably not 16 by June 1703 – he never appeared in the tithables through 1703.   So he is likely about 20 at this time.  A witness did not have to be 21.  Children as young as 14 were perfectly acceptable to the courts, so we can’t conclude much about his age from this record.

 

1 Mar 1708/9      Richard Halleman appointed overseer of the highways on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp and “ordered to make a good and sufficient bridge over the Seacock by George Blow’s plantation & to clear a road from thence  to the main Swamp and through it  at  the going over near Joseph Walls.”  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p320]

 

1 Nov 1709        Among the debits to the county for 1709:  Richard Blow for 3 wolves’ heads… 900 lbs tobacco.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p334]

 

4 Apr 1710         Suit Dismissed:  William Wager vs. George Blow, plaintiff not appearing.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p340]

 

7 Nov 1710        Richard Blow on a jury, the first of several.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p352]

He is definitely 21 by this date.

 

18 Apr 1711       Suit dismissed:  Richard Blow vs. David Rice, the plaintiff not appearing.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p364] 

 

19 Dec 1711       Debt Judgment:  Samuel Thompson vs. George Blow, Blow not appearing.  Attachment granted to Thompson against the estate of George Blow for 25,000 lbs tobacco and 4,300 lbs of pork.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p384]

This is far beyond George Blow’s ability to pay.  If he was not already bankrupted by debts, this surely did the trick.

 

20 Feb 1711/2    Special Bail:  In the suit of Richard Rogers vs. Daniel MackDaniel, the plaintiff demanded special bail whereupon Richard Blow became the defendant’s bail, and judgment granted plaintiff for 50 shillings.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p389]

”Special bail” was a relatively uncommon occurrence.  It meant that, if the defendant failed to pay, the special bail would pay on his behalf – or, in the extreme case, would serve his time in debtor’s prison.  Richard Blow’s relationship with Daniel McDaniel must have been a reasonably close one to undertake this action. 

 

20 Mar 1711/2    Suits dismissed:  Benjamin Chapman vs. George Blow,  William Benson vs. George Blow, Richard Blow vs. Mary Ann Baker, the plaintiffs in each case not appearing.  [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p360]

 

24 Feb 1712/3    Will of Richard Smith (Sr.), proved three months later on 20 May 1713.  Whole estate to wife Mary Smith.  Leaves a cow to Elizabeth Boun [Boone] and to Richard Sessums [son of Elizabeth Boone]; plantation I now live on to son Richard Smith, at my wife’s death; land where Thomas Smith now lives to sons Thomas and Nicholas Smith.  Wife Mary named executrix.  Witness:  Will: Davidson, Robert Booth.  [Surry County Deed Book 6, p144]

Elizabeth Smith, the daughter, was in North Carolina by this time.  She had first married around 1695-6 to Thomas Sessums, by whom she had the son Richard Sessums, and who died in Chowan Precinct, NC by April 1711.  She then married James Boone.  Whether she was his daughter by Margaret Blow or by Mary Twyford is undeterminable, though probably the latter.  From their first appearance as tithables, the three sons are apparently his children by Mary, the widow of John Twyford:   Richard (1681/2), Thomas (1683/4), and Nicholas (1686/7).

 

18 Feb 1712/3    Richard Blow appointed overseer of the highways from the bridge over the Seacock Swamp near George Blow’s to the extent of this county over the Lightwood Swamp.  Action dismissed:  George Blow vs. Richard Bennitt.   [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p414]

 

25 Apr 1713       Deed:  John Steward to Richard Blow of Lawnes Creek parish, ___ acres now in the tenure of sd Richard Blow… land given to me by my father John Steward in his will…  on the south side of Seacock Swamp.  [Surry Deed Book 6, p174]

 

20 May 1713      George Blow on jury.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p3]

 

21 Oct 1713       George Blow accuses Joseph Wall Jr. of trespass.  Blow testified that Wall did “entice, convey & carry away a servt boy named William Steward” belonging to Blow, damaging him £20 current money.  After several delays, a jury rejected Blow’s claim in May 1714.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, pp15, 19, 24, 29]

 

13 Nov 1713      Land patent: Richard Blow of Surry County, 100a on the south side of the Blackwater on the northeast side of Tarrararah (sic) Swamp, in Isle of Wight County. [Virginia Patent Book 10, p101] 

This is barely over the county line.

 

8 Jan 1713/4       John Steward proves his deed for land to Richard Blow.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p21]

 

17 Mar 1713/4    Debt Judgment:  John Giles vs. George Blow, judgment against defendant and his security, Richard Blow, for 200 lbs of good dressed pork.  The debt was for a bill dated 24 September 1711.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, pp25, 30]

 

19 May 1714      Debt   Samuel Thompson vs. George Blow, neither party appeared. This suit was regularly continued until George Blow’s death.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, pp30, 38, 105]

 

16 Feb 1714/5    Richard Blow the defendant in two debt cases and one unspecified action.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p51-2]

 

18 May 1715      Debt Suit:  William Bridges vs. Richard Blow for 664 lbs tobacco due by bill dated 26 May 1714  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p58]

 

21 Dec 1715       Debt Suit:  Benjamin Chapman vs. George Blow, neither party appeared.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p65]

 

15 Feb 1715/6    Debt Suit:  Robert Inman vs. Richard Blow, continued.  On 21 March, the defendant failed to appear and the court awarded a judgment of 400 lbs of pork.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p74, 78, 81]

 

23 Mar 1715/6    Land Patent:  Richard Blow of Surry County, 110a. in Isle of Wight County on the south side of the Nottoway River, south side of Toquothunta Swamp.  [Virginia Patent Book 10, p258]

This is south of the Nottoway and over the Surry-Isle of Wight (later the Sussex-Southampton) line.  Richard Blow Jr. would later acquire an adjoining parcel.

 

18 Sep 1717       “Benjamin Chapman, greatest creditor to George Blow decd came into court and made oath that the said George Blow departed this life without making any will as far as he knows or believes… “  Administration of the estate is granted Benjamin Chapman.  John Fort, Charles Savage, William Davidson and Lawrence Smith appointed to appraise the estate of George Blow decd.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p125]  The inventory and appraisal presented by Chapman on 18 February 1717/8 [Ibid., p132].

24 Jan 1717/8     George Blow’s inventory and appraisal recorded.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p97]  Did not copy this.

There is no further mention of the estate.  George Blow was obviously bankrupt, although the land he still owned was protected from his creditors and fell to Richard Blow, apparently his only child.

 

With the death of George Blow Jr., the last of the second generation, this chronology ceases.  A few pertinent references are included below for the next generation.

 

18 Jul 1718         Robt. Atkins appointed overseer of the highways from Richard Blow’s through the main Blackwater Swamp by Joseph Wall’s.  [Surry County Orders 1713-1718, p148]

This is the last entry in the Order Book.  The Order Books for the period August 1718 through November 1741 are lost.  The Deed  and Will Books do exist for the period after 1718, but were not checked.

 

15 Jan 1719        Richard Blow a witness to deed from William Jones to William Parrum.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p227]

 

17 Oct 1721       Deed:  John Stuard of North Carolina, to Richard Blow of Surry, 80a. on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp… “beginning on the mouth of a small branch called hog pen neck branch… south side of Seacock Swamp”  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p376]

 

18 Feb 1723/4    Deed: Richard Blow and wife Elizabeth Blow to Roger Williams, 125a. on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp… adjoining Benjamin Foreman, Richard Blow, Thomas Smith and John Richardson.   Signed Richard Blow, Elizabeth (x) Blow.  [Surry County Deed Book 7, p510]

 

9 Jul 1724           Land Patent:  Richard Blow of Surry County, 300a. in Surry County on the south side of the main Blackwater, south side of Seacock Swamp, adjoining Blow’s other land.  [Virginia Patent Book 12, p90]

 

5 Nov 1724        Land Patent:  Richard Blow of Surry County, 500a. in Surry County on the southeast side of the Myery branch of the Lightwood Swamp.  [Virginia Patent Book 12, p115]

 

14 Aug 1728       Deed:  Richard Blow and wife Elizabeth Blow to John Mangum, 100a. on the north side the main Blackwater Swamp and south side of Pidgions (sic) Swamp… “beginning at the head of a bottom in Goodmans Old Field… along a line of marked trees till itt joyns to John Williames line thence along Williames line till it joyns to William Bynums so along Bynums line to the said Pidgions Swamp thence down the said swamp…” Signed:    Richard Blow, Eliza (x) Blow.  Witness:  Saml. Taylor, Delony [?]

 

28 Sep 1730       Land Patent:  Richard Blow of Surry County, 160a. in Isle of Wight County on the south side of the Nottoway River, corner to his other land.  [Virginia Patent Book 13, p516]

This adjoins the patent to Richard Blow of 1716. This pretty clearly says he lived in this area – in present Southampton County near Dick’s branch.

 

6 Jan 1734/5       Deed:  William Barrow of Isle of Wight to Richard Blow of Surry County, 100a.  south side of Blackwater on Snake branch.  Witness: Samuel Blow, William Andrews, John Phillips. [Surry County Deed Book 8, p491]

This is the first mention of Samuel Blow.  He will witness a deed on 6 August later in 1735 for land sold by the Nottoway Indians.

 

10 Aug 1735       Deed: to Samuel Blow of Surry County, 340a part of the Nottoway Indian circular tract… [Isle of Wight Deed Book 4. p456-458]

 

19 Sep 1739       Richard Blow mentioned as a churchwarden of Albemarle Parish [Surry County Deed Book 9, p88].  Again on 19 September 1739 [Ibid, p128. 129].  Again on 10 Feb 1743/4 [Surry County Deeds 1742-47, p193].  Again on 9 October 1745 [Ibid., p373]

Albemarle Parish had been formed in 1738 to serve the population south of the Blackwater.  When Sussex County was formed in1754 from southern Surry,  all of Albemarle Parish would be within Sussex County.  There are several BLOW mentions in the Parish Register for Albemarle.

 

15 Oct 1740       Capt. Richard Blow mentioned among the buyers at estate sale of John Owen.  [Surry County Deed Book 9, p219]

This is probably the father rather than the son.

 

30 Mar 1743       Land Patent:   Henry Blow, 390a in Surry County… beginning at a pine on the east side of the Myery branch a corner of Richard Blows land, thence by Blow's line… [Virginia Patent Book 20, p501-502]

 

17 Aug 1743       Richard Blow Jr. a witness to deed by John Thomas of Isle of Wight to Samuel Thompson of Surry County.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p150]

 

19 Jan 1744/5     Deed:  William Gray to Michael Blow, both of Surry, 150a. on Seacock Swamp, land whereon John Bynum lately lived.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p46]

25 Sep 1746       Land Patent:  Richard Blow Junr., 290 acres in Isle of Wight on the south side of the Nottoway River… beginning at a gum by the side of Dicks branch… stake in the line of the sd Blow's land, thence by the sd Blows old lines… [Virginia Patent Book 24, p516-518]

The “old lines” refers to the 1716 patent to Richard Blow Sr.

 

12 Jan 1747/8     Land Patent:  Richard Blow of Surry County, 475a. in Surry County on the south side of Seacock Swamp adjoining his own land.  [Virginia Patent Book 24, p258]

Richard Blow’s sons Henry, Michael, and Richard Blow Jr. would all patent land at about this time adjoining one or another of Richard Blow’s parcels.

 

12 Jan 1747/8     Land Patent:  William Howell…  corners both John Blow and Henry Blow. [Virginia Patent Book 28, p355-356]

 

21 May 1746      Henry Blow a witness to two deeds from Henry Jarrad to James Chappell Jr.  [Surry County Deed Book 10, p448 and p450]

 

3 Sep 1761         Will of Richard Blow, proved 18 Feb 1762:  Mentions son Richard Blow, deceased, and his son Richard; sons Michael, Henry, Samuel, John, and Nicholas;  daughters Jane Exum (wife of Benjamin Exum), Rebecca Maget, ___ Thomas (apparently Mary, wife of Henry Thomas), ____ (apparently Elizabeth, wife of Micajah Edwards), and Ann Blount.  [Sussex County Will Book A, p231]