When I published the1983 book, I intended to offer a companion volume containing a chronological list of Bynum citations. This is the segment of that chronology covering the period through 1750. The great majority of these records were taken from the microfilmed original records, but several are from secondary sources.
Records relating to the Blow, Mizell, and other families have been mostly omitted from this Appendix, because I have separately published them elsewhere.
14 Aug 1653 Deed:
Major Robt. Shepard to Henry Medhouse [sic], no consideration noted, “a certain
necke of land where hee now lives containing about 100 acres, extending
northerlye from his now plantation.” Signed: Ro. Shepard. Recorded 7 March
1654/5 by Mr. Tho. Warringe “whoe married relict sd. Shepard.” [Surry County
Deeds & Wills 1, p57.]
This is the land Meadow’s widow sold to John
Baynham nearly ten years later. Though the description is wanting, several
patents to Shepard, Meddows, and others place the land nearly on the Isle of Wight county line, within a mile or two of George Blow’s patent below.
20 Jan 1662/3 Deed:
Dorothy Meddow, the widow of Henry Meddow, to John Bineham, 100 acres
in Surry County, part of a dividend of land “lately in the possession of Major
Robert Sheppard & by him given to Henery Meddow decd my late husband.” Consideration
not given, nor is the land described. Signed: Dorothy (her mark) Meddow.
Witness: Miles Chase, Thomas Hartt, Jno. Edwards. [Surry County Deeds &
Wills 1, p204-5.]
This name appears to be “Bineham” in one place and “Binegham”
in another. It’s not clear if this is our John Bynum or not, but there are two
factors that suggest it may have been: First, there are no references to
anyone named “Bingham” in earlier or later records; Second, this land was
quite close to the land John Bynum purchased later that year (see two entries
immediately below). On the other hand, there seems to be no subsequent deed selling
this land. This deed may have been a confirmation of an unrecorded agreement
while Henry Meddows was still alive, for a widow did not own her husband’s land
and couldn’t sell it. (Unless he had left a will specifically transferring
title to her.) Unfortunately there is no record of Meddow’s death.
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.” [The metes and bounds are sufficient to plot the
parcel] [Virginia Patent Book 5, p370]
George Blow would sell part of this patent a few
months later to John Bynum, then sell another part to Hudson and Hancock. Note
that the reference to Major Sheppard implies that this land may be close to the
parcel John Bynum had bought from Meddows. The detailed description of this
patent, and others adjoining it, places its location quite close to the Isle of Wight County line on the Mill branch of Green Swamp.
5 Dec 1663 Deed:
George Blow and wife Margery, of the upper [Southwarke] parish, to John
Bynam, consideration not noted, all land “on the southwest side of a branch
of the Black Water Swamp the sd. peece containinge all the land that is on that
side of the fore sd swamp belonging to the sd Blow” and being part of a patent
of 600a. “as expressed in the patten to the sd. George Blow.” Signed: George
Blow, Margary (x) Blow. Witness: Richard (x) Smith, Wm. Marriott, Peleg
Dunston. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 1, p232] Acknowledged by the
Blows in court 2 March 1663/4.
In the deed, the date is not clear: either “1653”
or “1663”, but it must be the latter, since the patent to Blow was not issued
until 3 August 1663 and this deed not recorded until 1664. George Blow’s
patent spanned what is now called Mill Creek, in the area where Mill Creek and
Green Creek meet. Bynum’s land is the part of Blow’s patent that is south of
the creek. None of the subsequent resale deeds for this tract give its acreage,
but it appears to be roughly 200 acres from a plot of the patent.
7 May 1664 Deed:
George Blow and wife Margritt to Rowland Hudson & William Hancock,
unspecified acreage “on the east or southeast side of Black water 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 Deeds & Wills Book 1, p246]
George Blow is selling another part of the 600a.
patent. Later resale deeds identify the acreage of this piece as 150a.
June 1668 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek parish
John Bineham – 1
This is the first surviving tithables list for
Surry. There are only 218 tithables in the entire county, a third of them in
Lawnes Creek parish. At this time, a tithable was any white male aged 16 or
more, white male servants under 16 who had been imported into the colony, black
males over 16 who had been imported, black or Indian females above 16, and
white female servants over 16 who were employed as field workers.
Lawnes Creek was a very small parish, encompassing a sliver of eastern Surry
and a sliver of western Isle of Wight. But it was the most densely populated
part of Surry at this time. The other parish in Surry, Southwarke Parish, was many
times bigger but had only twice the population of Lawnes Creek.
June 1669 Surry
tithables, Lawnes Creek parish
John Binam - 1
June 1670 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek parish
John Bineham - 1
23 Mar 1671/2 Wm. Townsend appoints friend Wm. Seward his attorney to sue John Benham [?]. Witness: John White, Mathew[?] Maynes. [Surry Deeds & Wills Book 1, p103.]
June 1673 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek parish, list of Lawrence Baker
Jno. Binham - 1
June 1674 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek parish, list of Charles Barham (only 26 households)
Mr. Jno. Binam – 2
The second tithable is a mystery. Perhaps John
Johnson, who was apparently a tithable of John Bynum the following year.
In all of these tithables lists 1668-74, John Bynum is consecutive with Richard
Smith. Persons provided their own names to the list-maker, so this implies
that Bynum and Smith were visiting the list maker on the same day. Richard
Smith had married the widow of George Blow and, if he was living on Blow’s
land, was a neighbor. But perhaps there was some other relationship between
the two men. We do know that Smith later married the widow of John Twyford
(see below) about 1678.
June 1675 Surry
tithables, Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Charles Barham (25 households)
Jno. Bynam & Johnson – 2
This clearly reads “Johnson”, not “John, son”.
This person was evidently John Johnson, who appears by himself in later
tithables for this precinct.
June 1677 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Samuel Swann
Jno. Bynham – 1
June 1678 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of John Goring
Jno. Binnom – 1
June 1679 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Arthur Allen
Jno. Bynham – 1
7 Nov 1678 Jno. Byneham one of several residents presented for not going to church as the law required, and not appearing at the last court to answer, appears at this court and “making it appeare he did frequently goe to Church before his sickness and that at the last Cort he was desperately sick, he is therefore discharges [sic] the presentments.” [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p232]
4 Mar 1678/9 Inventory
of John Twyford’s estate mentions “a small neck of land” leased to John
Byneham for which rent was owed to the estate. [Surry County Deeds &
Wills Book 2, p199]
This is an interesting connection. Richard Smith
Sr., who had earlier married the widow of George Blow, had by now married yet
again to the widow of John Twyford. The inventory of Twyford’s estate in which
this lease is mentioned was presented to the court by “Rich. Smith and Mary his
wife”. Twyford’s land either adjoined Bynum’s and Blow’s or nearly so.
29 Sep 1679 Deed:
John Bynam to Richard Jordan Sr., 4000lb tobacco, land on the southwest
side of a branch of the Blackwater Swamp… which Jno. Bynam formerly bought of
George Blow. Signed Jno (x) Bynam, Rosamond (x) Bynam. [Surry
County Deeds & Wills Book 2, p297.] Witness: Richard Jordan Jr., Richard Lane, Richard (x) Blow. Both John Bynum and “Rose his wife” acknowledged in court
on 6 January 1679/80. [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p232]
John and Rosamond Bynam both signed with
distinctive marks. John’s mark is similar to a sideways Latinate “J” . Rosamond
Bynum signs with a Latin “RP” (that is, the “B” appears as a “P”). The only
other occurrence of her mark, two years later in 1681, is just the reverse –
she signed as “PR”.
Richard Jordan Jr. would inherit this land and in 1688 would sell it to Robert
Caufield. Not a single one of these deeds gives the acreage, from which we can
tentatively conclude that no survey was ever made.
May 1680 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Arthur Allen
Jno. Binham – 1
6 Jul 1680 Deed:
John Smith and wife Mary Smith of Lawnes Creek Parish to Thomas Barrow, 150 acres
on Green Swamp, formerly belonging to William & Judah Lyles… borders land of Francis Mason and land of John Bynam. Witness: Nich. Smith, Wm. Seward [Surry
County Deeds & Wills Book 2, p259]
Thomas Barrow died in late 1683 or early 1684 and
his widow married George Blow Jr. The land being sold is the parcel George
Blow had sold to Rowland Hudson and William Hancock. Hancock sold his interest
to Hudson. When Hudson died, his only child, Judah, and her husband William
Lyle sold the land to John Smith.
23 Apr 1681 Land
Patent: John Byneham of Surry County, 215 acres in the lower [Lawnes
Creek] parish of Surrey County for transportation of five persons… beginning at
corner tree of Richard Jordan Jr. thence along his line… a gum in the Mill
branch, thence down the same… an ash near Mr. Warren’s line thence along
Warren’s line… [Virginia Patent Book 7, p68]
This is on an unnamed creek just south of the land
bought from George Blow in 1663, which John Bynum had just sold. On a modern
map, it is just below the present-day village of Runnymede.
June 1681 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Robert Ruffin “within the precincts of
Lower Chipoakes & ye Blackwater…precinct”
Jno. Byneham Senr. & Junr. – 1
John Bynum Jr. must have reached the age of 16
between June 1680 and June 1681, thus born 1664/5. (Men were tithable if they
had reached 16 by June 9th of the tithable year.)
1 Oct 1681 Deed:
John Byneham and wife Rosamond Byneham to William Webb of Isle of Wight County, 100 acres on the west side of the branch sd. Byneham now lives on,
part of his patent of 23 April 1681. Signed Jno: (x) Byneham, Rosamond
(x) Byneham. Witness: Robert Ruffin, Samuel Thompson. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 2, p?] Acknowledged in court on 1 November 1681 by Jno.
Byneham and his wife Rosemond Byneham.
John Bynum used the same mark as in the 1679 sale,
but Rosamond this time used a Latin “RB” as her mark, the “R” written as a
Latin “P”.
The abstracted version of this deed says it is for 205 acres, but it actually reads
as 100 acres out of a patent for 205a. William Webb would retain this land and
will it to his son Richard Webb who would sell it many decades later.
20 Apr 1682 Land
Patent: Thomas Waller, 420 acres on the Blackwater branches in the lower
[Lawnes Creek] parish… Allen Warren’s corner tree… Robert Caufield’s lines… John
Binham’s corner and lines. (Plotted, this adjoins John Bynum’s 1681
patent to the west.) [Virginia Patent Book 7, p133]
Waller would sell this patent to Robert Lane a few months later.
20 Apr 1682 Land
Patent: John Mcloode, 270a. on the west side of the third branch of the
Blackwater… corner tree of John Binham and Richard Jordan Junr… on Binham’s
line… (Plotted, this adjoins John Bynum’s patent to the northwest.)
[Virginia Patent Book 7, p133]
Mcloode [or McCloud] would sell this patent to William
Cockerham.
June 1682 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Robert Ruffin “within the precincts of
Lower Chipoakes & Blkwater”
Jno. Byneham Senr. & Junr. – 2
Merko Machina & Ja: Bineham – 2
John Bynum Jr. had reached the age of 16 sometime
in the latter part of 1680 or the early part of 1681, and thus was born in 1664
or 1665. His brother James Bynum must have been a year younger, not reaching
16 until late 1681 or early 1682. The tithables a few years later bear this
out. Both are heads of household for the first time in 1688.
”Merco Machina” appears in nearly all the tithables lists, with the name
spelled in an truly imaginative variety of ways. Best guess is that he was “Marco
McKinnie”. He appears to be the father of Barnaby McKinnie, who figures in the
chronologies of several other families on this website. James Bynum may have
been apprenticed to him.
6 Mar 1682 List of debts due the estate of George Proctor: John Bayneham. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 3, p326]
3 Oct 1682 Deed: Thomas Waller to Richard Lane, the patent dated earlier in 1682, adjoining John Bynum on the east side of Waller’s patent.
June 1683 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Robert Ruffin for “Blackwater
precinct”
John Byneham Senr. & Junr. – 2
Merco Mackina & Ja. Byneham – 2
June 1684 Surry
tithables: Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Arthur Allen
Rich. Jordan Junr., Jno. Binham Junr. – 2
Geo. Morrell, Jas. Binham – 2
Jno. Binham – 1
George Morrell was a Quaker according to the 1687
militia list, the first evidence that some of the Bynums may have had some
association with Quakers. The appearance of both Bynum brothers on the same
militia list indicates that they were not themselves Quakers.
2 Oct 1684 Deed:
John Byneham and wife Rosamond Byneham to William Webb of Isle of Wight County, acreage not clear, part of his patent of 23 April 1681. Signed Jno:
(x) Byneham, Rosamond (x) Byneham. Witness: Thomas Taber,
Silvestera? Hill. Acknowledged in court on 4 November 1684 by Jno. Byneham and
his wife Rosamond Byneham. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 3, p9]
This is apparently a sale of the second half of the
1681 patent, since part of it has already been sold to William Webb three years
earlier. However, it is possible that this is a delayed release, meaning that the
sale is actually the same land as in the 1681 deed. John Bynum Sr. does appear
to still be living on or near this land several years later.
June 1685 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish, list of Samuel Swann
Rich: Blow, Jno. Binham - 2
Geo: Blow, Ja: Bineham - 2
Lawnes Creek Parish, list of Robert Caufield
Jno. Bynham – 1
The two sons, now in their late teens, have
apparently moved northwest just over the parish boundary. They are apparently
living on Richard Blow’s patent on Pigeon Creek. As noted elsewhere, it is
possible that Richard Blow has married their sister.
June 1686 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish, list of Samuel Swann
Rich: Blow, Jno. Byneham - 2
Lawnes Creek parish, list of Robert Ruffin:
Cha: Savadge, Ja: Bynum - 2
Jno. Bynom Senr. – 1
James Bynum is now back in Lawnes Creek parish for
this one year, after which he returns to Southwarke.
6 Sep 1686 John (x) Binham Jr. witness to deed between Ralph Hill and John Skelton [See 1 March 1686/7 entry]
18 Jan 1686/7 Deed:
George Blow and wife Elizabeth Blow, of Southwarke parish, to Jno: Byneham Junr.,
consideration not given, 100 acres in the parish aforesaid “which my brother
Richard Blow died seized of 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 Deeds
& Wills Book 3, p80] The court record states that George Blow and wife
Elizabeth Blow acknowledge deed to Jno. Bynem Junr. on 1 March 1686/7.
[Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p557]
This land is on Pigeon Swamp[now called Pigeonroost Swamp], about five miles northwest of John Bynum Sr.’s land. A year later,
on 3 March 1687/8, George Blow “the only brother and heir of Richard Blow
deceased” sold an additional 120 acres of this same tract to William Newsome [Ibid.,
p32]. He described it as the land his brother Richard Blow owned at his death
except for the parcel he had already sold to “John Bynham Junr.” The land was
the patent to Richard Blow of 20 April 1684 for 210a on the southeast side of
Pigeon Swamp, The patent described the entire parcel as lying “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] William Newsum sold his piece in 1690 to William Goodman
[Book 4, p193] but I did not track it further.
George Blow’s wife Elizabeth is the former widow of Thomas Barrow.
1 Mar 1686/7 Hannah,
wife of Ralph Hill, appoints Geo. Blow her attorney to acknowledge sale of land
to John Skelton. Witness: Jno (x) Binham, Eliz. (x) Blow. [Surry County
Deeds & Wills Book 3, p81] The deed she was acknowledging is dated 6 July
1686, and was also witnessed by the same John Binham. [Surry County Deeds
& Wills Book 3, p63]
This is John Bynum Junior witnessing both the deed
and the power of attorney. He used a different mark than his father, a Latin
“JB”. This makes sense, for the Hills were neighbors on Pigeon Creek, several
miles away from John Bynum Sr. Elizabeth Blow is apparently George Blow’s
wife, using a strange mark. Since John Bynum the father and son lived in
different parishes, they are not always distinguished as “Senior” and “Junior”.
1 Mar 1686/7 Debts
due the estate of Thomas Jordan deceased, presented by Wm. Browne and Jas.
Jordan, administrators: list of over 200 debtors including: Jno. Binam [32
lbs tobacco], Geo. Blow, Rich. Blow, Luke Mizell, Rich. Lane, Law. Mizell, Thos Lane, Rich. Lane, Rich. Jordan Jr., Jno Sugars…[Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 3,
p89 and Surry Orders 1671-1691, p576.]
Thomas Jordan operated a tavern near the
courthouse. Most of these debts are probably tabs run up at the tavern. John
Binam is probably John Sr. 32 pounds of tobacco represents a few drinks or a
meal.
3 May 1687 Jno:
Bynom by his petition setting forth that he is seaventy yrs of age and
thereby soe disabled that he is hardly able to keepe himself from being a
parish charge and therefore humbly prayed that he might be exempted from paying
levies, beareing of armes, and cleareing of high waies, and it appearing that
he is very aged & poore, he is exempted for the future… [Surry Orders
1671-1691, p564]
After this, John Bynum Sr. is exempted from the
county tithe. Being “a parish charge” refers to the parish’s role of supporting
the poor and disabled. I don’t know how much stock to put in the precise age –
he may have overstated or approximated it. Note that if we believe this age,
he was nearing 50 when his sons were born. That suggests that we leave open
the possibility that he married a widow.
3 May 1687 Same
court: The nuncupative [oral] will of Alice Jordan proved by the oaths of Rose
Bynom and William Barton. Charles Savage granted administration. [Surry
Orders 1671-1691, p565]
Alice Jordan was the widow of Richard Jordan Sr.,
whose son Richard Jordan Jr. was granted administration of his father’s estate
on the same court date. Alice Jordan was a second wife and evidently died had
separated from her husband.
3 May 1687 Same
court: The will of Richard Lane proved by Timothy Walker and Charles Savadge,
and “ther being no executor named in the said will a commission of
administration is granted Eliz. the relict of the said decd. and Jno. Bynom
Senr. entering himself security for the said Elizabeth’s due performance
thereof he is accepted and ordered that bond be given accordingly.” [Surry
Orders 1671-1691, p570]
Richard Lane’s will left his estate to his wife
during her widowhood then, at her remarriage, to two unnamed sons. This is
the same Richard Lane who witnessed the Bynum-Jordan deed in 1679. The widow may
be the same Eliza Lane fined in 1690 for having two mulatto bastard children.
June 1687 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish, list of Samuel Swann (consecutive)
Richd. Smith, James Bynham – 2
Geo. Blow, Jno. Bynham – 2
Lawnes Creek parish, list of Robert Ruffin
Jno. Bynham Senr. p[er] Tho: Watson – 1 [name added “per Thomas
Watson”]
19 Dec 1687 A
list of militia presented to the court contains: Ja : Byneham, Jno:
Byneham [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 both Bynums remained on
the list [Ibid., p621] This
militia list is repeated in Virginia Colonial Militia, 1651-1776.
3 Jan 1687/8 “Joseph Wall being returned arrested to this court at the suit of Jno. Byneham & being called to come for the & answere the same but makeing noe appeareance” judgment granted to John Bynum for 400 lbs tobacco. [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p612] Two days later, the sheriff was ordered to attach Wall’s estate. The matter reached a trial two months later [see below].
3 Mar 1687/8 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
50 acres. Signed: George (x) Blow, Elizabeth (x) Blow. Elizabeth (x) Blow,
relict of Richard Blow deceased releases her dower interest in the land.
[Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 4, p32-3] Acknowledged on 6 Mar 1687/8.
[Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p626]
George Blow has inherited the land of his brother
Richard Blow, meaning that Richard Blow died without children to inherit. [A
wife could not inherit land, only a lifetime interest in it.] After Robert
Grice married Elizabeth, the widow of Richard Blow, he would sue George Blow
over his wife’s dower right in Richard Blow’s land. Notice that he now
describes the part sold to John Bynum Jr. as only 50a.
6 Mar 1687/8 Jno.
Byneham Senr. vs. Joseph Wall goes to a jury. He accused Joseph Wall of
killing a yearling or young beast of his, to the damage of 400 lbs tobacco.
Wall plead not guilty, A jury found in favor of Byneham and awarded him 300
lbs tobacco in compensation . [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p633]
Joseph Wall had bought land in 1671 from Phillip Hunnsford
[Hainsford] who had a patent adjoining the John Bynum Sr. patent of 1681. John
Bynum Sr. has either not sold his entire patent to William Webb (see above) or
he is renting land nearby.
June 1688 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish, list of Robert Randall
Jno. Bineham Junr. – 1
Blackwater precinct of Lawnes Creek parish, list of Henry Tooker
James Bynham – 1
Jno. Bynham Senr. only p’ish, Tho: Watson, Jno. Johnson – 3
4 May 1689 Grand
Jury includes Jno. Byneham. [Surry County Orders 1671-1691, p748]
This was for Southwarke parish, so it is probably
John Bynum Jr.
June 1689 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish, list of Samuel Swann
John Bynham & Rob Grice – 2
James Byneham – 1
Note that Robert Grice either has already, or will
shortly, marry the widow of Richard Blow, making him perhaps John Bynum’s
brother-in-law. John Bynum Sr. isn’t listed this year, probably because the
list-taker failed to list him as a parish tithe only.
This is the first appearance of Robert Grice in the Surry records. He probably
married the widow of Richard Blow sometime in late 1688 or early 1689.
6 Nov 1688 Deed: Richard Jordan [Jr.] and Elizabeth his wife, of the upper [Southwarke] parish, to Robert Caufield, 4300 lbs tobacco, part of 600a formerly granted to George Blow deceased, who sold it to John Bynham, who in turn sold it to my father Richard Jordan on 8 November 1679, being all the land held on said branch. Witness: William Pittman, Thomas Waller, James Killpatrick. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 4, p107]
June 1690 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish, list of Samuel Swann
Jno. Bynam Junr. – 1
Ja: Bynam – 1
Jno. Bynam – 1 [Included among four names at end of list, all “to the
p’ish”]
John Bynum Sr. has apparently moved to Southwarke and
is likely living with one of his sons (or perhaps a son-in-law). His tithable
is added “to the parish” at the end of Samuel Swann’s list.
5 Jan 1690/1 Deed:
Luke Meazell and Eliza his wife of Southwarke parish, cooper, to James
Bynham, planter, 1100 lbs tobacco, 150 acres on the main Blackwater Swamp
up Wm. Rogers spring branch... to Jno. Watkins corner tree in the branch...
along Mr. Warren’s line to the Great Branch between ye sd. land and Lawrence
Meazell’s land... being part of the land patented by Mr. Warren and sold to
the sd Luke Mizell. Signed: Luke Meazle, Eliza (x) Meazle. Witness: Tho:
Warren, Rob: Warren. Acknowledged by Luke and Eliza Mizell on 6 January
1690/1. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 4, p173.]
On this same date, Luke Mizell Jr. traded his own
patent of 1690 to Robert Warren for a 350 acre patent by Thomas Warren. He
then immediately sold parts of it to James Bynum and Lawrence Mizell. The land
is a patent of 1 November 1669 to Thomas Warren. Luke Mizell retained the
northernmost 100 acres, sold the southernmost 100 acres to his brother Lawrence Mizell, and sold the 150 acres in between to James Bynum. James Bynum would later
buy the 100 acres of Lawrence Mizell’s from his heir, Luke Mizell III..
Twenty years later, Robert Grice would buy land adjoining this parcel, a 20
April 1684 patent to William Brown and William Foreman.
June 1691 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish, Gray’s Creeke precinct by Thomas Swann
James Bynham – 1
John Bynham – 1
John Bynum Sr. is not added to the parish tithables
this year. He was likely already dead.
7 July 1691 At
a court held for Southwarke parish, “commission of administration granted unto Jno.
Byneham on the estate of Jno Byneham deced, giving security
according to law.” [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p2.] Security by John Thompson [Ibid.,
p4]. Thomas Warren, George Williams, and Thomas Waller, or any two of them, ordered
to appraise the estate of Jno Byneham deced, and Jno Byneham is
ordered to produce the inventory at the next court. [Ibid., p4]
Since John Bynum Sr. apparently died intestate, his
land would have passed directly to John Bynum Jr. outside this probate process.
However, it doesn’t appear that he owned any land at his death.
1 Sept 1691 Jno.
Byneham, administrator of Jno. Byneham deceased “came into cort [at
Southwarke] and declared that the appraysement of the said deceds estate was
burnt the last night in his house which by some accident with all that he had
in it was burnt.” The court ordered that he obtain a replacement appraisal
from the appraisers and produce it at the next court. [Surry Orders 1691-1713,
p10.]
7 Nov 1691 Jno: Byneham was ordered to present “the inventory of his deced father’s estate to the next court… the same not yet being perfect.” [Ibid., p16]
17 May 1692 Jno:
Byneham presented the inventory of Jno: Byneham, deceased. [Surry
Orders 1691-1713, p38; Inventory at Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 4, p268-9.]
|
One cow & calfe |
450 |
|
One barron cow |
400 |
|
One yearling heifer |
100 |
|
One old feather bed with a canvas ticking & ragged blkt |
500 |
|
Two old Gunns |
300 |
|
One iron pott & pott hooks |
090 |
|
One brass mortar & pestle & brass ladle, one brass spoone some old bowles & trays |
100 |
|
One grubbing hoe & old bags, 1 dresst [ewe?] skinn |
070 |
|
A pcell of old lumber |
120 |
|
fifteene pound & a halfe of powder |
140 |
|
One smoothing iron& old hides |
070 |
|
One old coate an old wast --?-- one hankerchiff |
100 |
|
One pr of old shooes & old stockings |
020 |
|
|
2460 |
|
Robt. Hawthorn of Charles Citty County is Dr. two bushels & a halfe of corne |
|
This estate was quite small. It’s not clear who Robert
Hawthorn was.
June 1692 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish:
James Byneham – 1
John Byneham – 1
June 1693 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish, by Francis Clements:
Ja: Byneham – 1
Jno: Byneham – 1
14 Jul 1693 The
nuncupative [oral] will of Luke Meazle proved in court by the oaths of Thomas
Smith, John Greene, and Elizabeth Binum. “I give unto my daughter Eliza
my land after the decease of my wife and one red pied heifer. I give unto my
daughter Sarah one red cow and one black heifer with a star in her forehead.
If either of these dye without issue [then] her estate return to the other.
And all the rest of my estate I leave to my wife when my debts are satisfied.”
Proved by oaths of the witnesses: Thomas Smith, John Green, Eliza Binam.
Administration granted to the widow Elizabeth Meazle. [Surry Orders 1691-1713,
p76; Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 4, p308.]
This is evidently the wife of James Bynum, the first
time she is mentioned. James Bynum was now living next door to Luke Mizell on
the land he bought in 1691, which accounts for Elizabeth Bynum witnessing the
will. Note that a witness to a will could not have any interest in the estate,
thus Elizabeth Bynum is a different person than the much younger Elizabeth
Mizell mentioned in the will. Many early resrchers did not realize that Luke
Mizell was no older than 33 at his death, and that the two daughters mentioned
were small children.
5 Sep 1693 Mr.
James Byneham sworn to grand jury for the ensuing year. [Surry Orders
1691-1713, p84]
Normally, appointment to a grand jury was a sign of
favored status on the part of the justices. Any freeholder could serve on a
petit jury (a case jury) but the grand jury, which served for a year and had
prosecutorial responsibilities, was usually limited to those freeholders who
enjoyed the favor of the justices.
2 Jan 1693/4 Sheriff
ordered to summon Robt. Hill and Eliza his wife to produce an inventory of Luke
Mezle decd at the next court. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p96.]
Elizabeth Mizell was ordered in September to
produce an inventory at the November court. She failed to do so and was
summoned to produce it in January. She evidently married Robert Hill in
November or December and, having again failed to produce the inventory, was
issued a summons.
1 May 1694 James
Byneham, Thomas Smith, Edward Newby and James Rogers, or any three of them,
ordered to appraise the estate of Luke Mizle deceased. Robt. Hill and
Elizabeth his wife, she the administratrix, ordered to produce same at the next
court. [Surry County Orders 1691-1713, p101]
Robert and Elizabeth Hill had presented the
inventory this date, but did not actually give oaths until several months
later. Hill finally acknowledged the inventory on 4 September. His wife
Elizabeth appeared in court to make her oath on 6 September.
All four appraisers were adjoining landowners, the usual criterion for choosing
appraisers. The appraisers of an estate were (at least in theory) not supposed
to be relatives, so this is a strong indication that James Bynum was not related
to Luke Mizell or to his wife. All this record really tells us is that James
Bynum was a close neighbor – which we already knew.
June 1694 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish, by Francis Clements:
James Byneham – 1
Jno: Byneham – 1
June 1695 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish by Wm. Browne Jr.:
John Binam – 1
James Binam – 1
16 Oct 1695 John
(x) Bineham witness to will of Eliza. Simmons. [Surry County Deed Book 5,
p119] He and Mac: Mansell prove it in court on 2 March 1696/7, when his name
is recorded as John Bynham. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p179]
This is an example of two different clerks entering
the same name with different spellings. The will was written by one person,
the court record by another.
June 1696 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish by Wm. Browne Jr.:
James Bynham – 1
Robt. Grice – 1
Southwarke Parish by Jno. Thompson:
Jno. Bynham, Edward Barrow – 1 [Name not clear, but Barrow in other
years]
Robt. Grice – 1
Robert Grice was listed in Southwarke parish from
1689 (his first appearance) until 1703 (the last surviving list). Up to now,
James and John Bynum have appeared in the same precinct, as had Robert Grice.
This year, and in several subsequent years, when the precincts are separated
enough that James and John Bynum are in different districts, Robert Grice
appears in the same district as James Bynum. Could he already be living on
William Browne’s land (see 1704 below)?
Edward Barrow is the eldest son of Thomas Barrow,
whose widowed mother married George Blow Jr. back in 1685. Edward Barrow is
turning 21 this year.
3 Mar 1696/7 James
(x) Bynham a witness to deed from John Ward and his wife Ellenor to Thomas
Ward for 100 acres in Southwarke parish. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book
5, p217.]
Hopkin’s published deed abstracts give the name as
“Jane” but the deed itself clearly reads “James”. An example of why abstracts
cannot be completely relied upon.
June 1697 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish by Wm. Browne Jr.:
James Bynham – 1
Robt. Grice – 1
lower precinct of Southwarke Parish by James Mason:
Jno. Bynham
29 Apr 1698 Deed: Edward Newby and wife Jane Newby to James Bineham,
consideration not noted, 7 acres, part of 450a. that Edward Newby bought of
Joshua Proctor… between [Johnchecohunk] swamp and the main Blackwater swamp. Witness:
Tho: Smith, Henry (x) Bayly. Proved 5 July 1698. [Surry County Deeds &
Wills Book 5, p156]
The abstracted deed records by Hopkins record the
name as “Bircher (Birchen?)” but the deed seems to read “Bineham”. The latter
is correct, for James Bynum later sold this land.
This Proctor patent adjoined the 350a. bought by Luke Mizell in 1691, part of
which is now owned by James Bynum. The land of Newby apparently adjoins the
150a. James Bynum already owns. Newby sold another piece of this tract to
William Wray a few months later, with James Bynum a witness.
June 1698 Surry
tithables: Southwarke Parish by Jno. Thompson (apparently two precincts)
Jno. Bineham, Edward Barrow – 2
James Bineham – 1
29 Dec 1698 James (x) Bineham a witness to deed by Edward Newby and Jane his wife to William Wray for 40 acres on Johnsahakon [Johnchecohunk] Swamp. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, p194]
7 Mar 1698/9 John Bineham, Thomas Warren, and George Williams, or any two of them, ordered to appraise the estate of Robert Howes [House], deceased. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p194]
7 Mar 1698/9 Ordered that James Byneham and nine others be summoned to serve on the grand jury for the ensuing year. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p195]
11 Mar 1698/9 Appraisal of Robert Howes [House] recorded by administratrix Margaret Howes, signed by John (x) Bineham and George Williams. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, p173.]
June 1699 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish:
James Bineham – 1
lower precinct of Southwarke Parish:
John Byneham – 1
Robt. Grice – 1
1699 James
Bynum claimed 250a. south of the Blackwater, and in 1702 had it surveyed by
Robert Bolling. [English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records, Louis des
Cognets Jr., (Genealogical Publishing Col, 1981), p64.]
The area south of the Blackwater (present Sussex and Southampton counties) was not opened for patents until 1701, being Indian land prior to
that date. By 1700 essentially all the land north of the Blackwater had been
settled and pressure was intense to permit white settlement to the south. This
coincided with the introduction of fee-simple patents. If there was a
resulting patent to James Bynum, it is not entered into the Virginia patent
books. The land he had bought from Luke Bynum in 1691 was on the north bank of
the Blackwater, so this claim may have been near the land he already owned.
4 Jul 1699 James
Bineham sworn to grand jury for the ensuing year. [Surry Orders 1691-1713,
p225]
Mrs. Haun’s transcript reads this as “Beneham”. I
read it as “Bineham”. We differ in this regard on several similar entries in
the 1699-1700 court records.
7 Nov 1699 On
a list of debits (payments) by the County for 1698 (sic)… James Bineham
one wolves head taken in a pitt: 300 lbs tobacco. [Surry Orders 1691-1713,
p237]
The county paid a bounty for wolves. The proof was
the head, from which a county official would remove the ears as a sort of
receipt. Apparently wolves taken in a pit were worth more than wolves killed
in other ways. This same list shows payments of only 200 lbs for wolves that
were shot, and 100 lbs for wolves “bought of Indians.”
2 Jan 1699/00 James Byneham proves power of attorney by Jane Newby, wife of Edward Newby, given to William Gray Jr. to acknowledge her release of dower in a deed by her husband. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p206]
June 1700 Surry
tithables: middle precinct of Southwarke Parish, by Nathaniel Harrison:
James Bineham – 1
lower precinct of Southwarke Parish, by James Mason:
Jno. Byneham, Andrew Smith – 2
Robert Grice
Andrew Smith is unknown, as he doesn’t appear in
any other Surry records. He may have been a servant or an apprentice.
5 Nov 1700 John
Bineham serves on two case (petit) juries. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p212]
11 Jan 1700/1 On
a list of county debits for 1699: “John Bineham, 4 daies and nights 400
lbs tobacco.” [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p215]
It’s not clear what this was for. The per diem rate
was four times that of the other names on this list, so it must have been for
something that paid more.
June 1701 Surry
tithables: middle and lower precincts of Southwarke Parish
John Bineham, Stephen Vaughan – 2
James Bineham – 1
Stephen Vaughn was the son of Elinor Nicholson,
formerly Elinor Vaughn the widow of Walter Vaughn. Robert Evans’ will of 1679
gave his whole estate to Elinor Vaughn and her child. By 1681 she was Elinor
Nicholson and deeded her minor son Stephen Vaughn his share of the estate.
June 1702 Surry
tithables: middle and lower precincts of Southwarke Parish
John Binham – 1
Jas. Bineham – 1
This is the last surviving tithables list for Surry County. Note that neither John Bynum II nor his brother James yet have any sons who
have reached the age of 16. Thus the third generation of Bynum men were all
born after mid-1786.
1702 On
a list of land entries on the south side of the Blackwater River: James Byneham, no acreage given. [English Duplicates of Lost Virginia
Records, Louis des Cognets, Jr. (Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprinted
1990), p73]
June 1703 Surry
tithables: lower precinct of Southwarke Parish
John Bineham, John Case – 2
James Bineham – 1
ca July 1703 Account Current of the estate of George Williams, deceased, by administrators Nathaniel Harrison and Samuel Thompson… credits include Jno: Bineham 397 lbs tobacco. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, p330]
21 Sep 1703 James
(x) Binum witnesses a deed in Southwarke parish from Richard and Elizabeth
Washington to John Steward. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, p294]
As usual, he signs with a stylized Latin JB.
2 Oct 1703 Deed:
Luke Mezell of North Carolina to James Byneham of Surry County, 1000 lbs tobacco, 100 acres in Southwarke parish… (description follows, which matches
the land sold to Lawrence Mizell in 1691)… being part of a tract of land sold
by Robert Warren to Luke Mesell. Signed Luke Measell. Witness: James Minge
Jr., Fra: Clements. Proved by a power of attorney from Luke Mizell to Francis
Clements on 2 November 1703. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, p293]
This is Luke Mizell III, the son of Lawrence Mizell, selling the land bought by Lawrence from Luke Mizell II in 1691. This
adjoins the 157 acres James Bynum already owned.
1704 Quite
Rent roll, Surry County:
Jno. Bineham 100 acres
James
Bineham 157 acres
This does not appear to be accurate. I would note
that the 1704 quite rents (the only ones that survive) are not complete – the
total acreage for Surry County overall is far less that the acreage actually
owned. The list is apparently for the quite rents that were paid, not those that
were owed. John Bynum’s 100 acres is the land he had bought from George Blow
II in 1687. James Bynum’s 157 acres is the land he had bought from Luke Mizell
II in 1691 and from Edward Newby in 1698. The 100 acres John Bynum bought from
Luke Mizell III is not listed on the quit rents under either name.
4 Dec 1704 Will
of William Browne Sr., proved 3 July 1705: “whereas I have made an agreement
with Robt. Grice for a plantation where he now lives containing about 270 acres
for which plantation I am to have 8,000 pounds tobo. and Robt. Grice to have
eight years to pay and hereafter named exer. to make acknowledgement of it to
said Robt. Grice...” [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, pp305]
From the 1710 deed below, Robert Grice has moved
onto land that adjoins James Bynum.
7 Mar 1705/6 Arthur Allen surveyed 330 acres south of the Blackwater for James Binam. [des Cognets, p80 and repeated on p83 and p86]
10 Mar 1705/6 Arthur Allen surveyed 140 acres south of the Blackwater for James Binam [des Cognets, p90]
2 Jul 1706 Deed:
James Bineham of Southwarke parish, and Eliza Bineham his wife,
to Thomas Jarrell of Lawnes Creek parish, consideration not noted, 157 acres on
the north side of main Blackwater Swamp… formerly held by Robert Warren and
sold to Luke Meazell… 150a. sold to sd Bineham… and 7a. bought of Edward
Newby… Signed James (x) Bineham. Witness: James Stanson?, Nicho:
Smith. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, p356] James Bineham
and Elizabeth his wife acknowledged the sale to Thomas Jarrell (Farrell?) six
months later on 7 January 1706/7. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p289.]
This is the 150a. bought from Luke Mizell II in
1691. James Bynum evidently still owns the adjoining 100a. purchased from Luke
Mizell III in 1703. He evidently moved onto the 470 acres he surveyed in March
1706, which was issued as a patent some eight years later. Note that he signs
with the same stylized JB mark.
The grantor was misread by an early Bynum researcher as “John” Bynum, leading
to the erroneous assumption that John Bynum was married to an Elizabeth before
his marriage to Ann.
8 Nov 1706 On a list of debits for the county for 1706: “To John Bineham p: mending courthouse…120(lbs tobacco)” [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p286]
6 May 1707 Ordered
that the Sheriff summon John Bineham to appear at the next court to give
evidence against Wm. Johnson Sr. and Mary the wife of John Battle upon the
presentment of the grand jury for common fame. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p297]
”Common fame” was a term used at the time to mean
gossip approaching slander. Whether John Bynum gave evidence or not is
unknown The charge was dropped at the next court.
4 Nov 1707 On
a list of debits for the county for 1707: “To John Bineham … 40(lbs
tobacco)” [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p304]
Probably another repair job on a public building.
5 Sep 1710 Deed:
William Browne to Robert Grice, 10,000 pds tobacco, 550 acres being the land
Robert Grice lives on called Fair Ford, a patent to William Browne [his father]
and William Foreman of 20 April 1684. [Surry County Wills & Deeds Book 6,
p36]
This evidently includes the land mentioned in the
1704 will of William Browne. This patent adjoins the 1684 patent to Thomas
Warren on its south side – that is, it adjoins the land owned by James Bynum.
21 Feb 1710/1 John Bineham and James Nicholson securities for Patrick Magarett’s (sic) administration of the estate of John Smith, deceased. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p355] See also 18 June 1712 below.
21 Nov 1711 Petition:
James Binam and Thomas Bentley were securities for an orphan’s estate in
the hands of James Turner, “who hath lately privately departed this county.”
They are in danger of paying the orphan’s estate, and request that the estate
of James Turner located within the county be seized. So ordered. [Surry
Orders 1691-1713, p381.] An inventory and appraisal of James Turner’s estate remaining
in Surry County was presented at the following court on 9 December 1711.
The orphan was apparently Philip Bailey, who had
chosen James Turner as his guardian in1708.
16 Jan 1711/2 Ann Evans, widow, deed of gift to my children… sons William, Benjamin, John, and Anthony… daughters Mary, Martha, and Elizabeth. Signed: Ann (x) Evans. Witness: John (x) Evans, Allen Warren Jr. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 5, p93.]
18 Jun 1712 James Nicholson & John Binam not appearing to prosecute their suit against Patrick Margarett, suit dismissed. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p398]
19 Nov 1712 John Bynham a witness for the plaintiff in the suit of William Goodman vs. William Deloach over the shooting of a horse. He gives oath to two days attendance, to be paid by Goodman. James Bynam was a member of the jury. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p406] 29 January 1712/3 Goodman ordered to pay John Bynam as witness.
17 Dec 1712 On a list of debits to the county for 1711: “To John Binam for mending ye prison… 150(lbs tobacco)” [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p411]
12 Feb
1712/13 Will of George Nicholson, proved nearly four years later on 21 Nov
1716. Bequeaths a brown heifer with a star in the forehead to daughter Agnes
Farmer and its first calf to grandson Isaac Farmer… Also mentions daughter
Jane, “three sons Robert, George and Parks Nicholson, wife Mary. Heirs to
confirm a sale of land to James Binham between the Nottoway and Meherrin
rivers taken up with John Battwell... [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7,
p35]
“Between the Nottoway and Meherrin Rivers” could
either be in modern Sussex County (then Surry) or in modern Hertford County,
North Carolina (then part of Albemarle County). Since there’s no deed in Surry County for the land, it was probably in the part of Albemarle which became Bertie Precinct, North Carolina in 1722. Since George Nicholson lived nearly four years
after making the will, it would seem that he would have consummated the sale
himself. I note the possibility that this was the 450 acres which John Bynum
sold in 1725 (see below).
Agnes Farmer was the wife of Thomas Farmer and apparently the future wife of
James Bynum Jr.
18 Feb 1712/3 John
Binam is granted a license to keep an ordinary at Wareneck. [Surry Orders
1691-1713, p416]
Wareneck (or Ware Neck) was in the general vicinity
of the land on Pigeon Creek that John Bynum has been living on all this time.
Whether he was operating the tavern out of his own house or renting from
someone else is not known.
The Surry County courthouse was built at Ware Neck about 1710, so the tavern
was evidently intended to serve those attending court.
Same date: James Binam vs. Edward Long, debt suit for 600 lbs tobacco due by bill dated 17 Dec 1711/2. Defendant confessed and ordered to pay Binam 600 lbs tobacco with costs. [Surry Orders 1691-1713, p417.]
20 Apr 1713 William
Bynum, Thomas Collier Jr. witnesses to deed from Robert and Ann Webb to
Gregory Rawlings. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 6, p148]
This and the reference below to the resale of this
land are apparently to William Bynum, son of James Bynum. The land being sold may
have included part of the original 1681 patent to John Bynum Sr., inherited by
Robert Webb from his father.
21 Apr 1713 Lease:
Thomas Farmer and wife Agniss Farmer, of Southwark Parish, to Clement Lanier,
1s annually for three years, 50 acres adjoining William Short. [Surry County Deeds
& Wills Book 5, p143]
This seems to be in the Upper Chippokes region of
Surry, suggesting that the Farmers may have been living in Prince George County.
15 Jul 1713 Suit: Jno. Binam vs. Hopkin Howell and Elizabeth his wife, administrators of the estate of Thomas Hart, deceased, for 350 lbs tobacco. Defendants did not appear, and Binam was granted an attachment against the estate. [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p11] The Court awarded John Binam the judgment for 350 lbs tobacco on 13 November [Ibid., p17]
10 Apr 1714 William Bynum, Nicholas Magett, and Thomas Cocke witnesses to deed from Gregory Rawlins and wife Hannah to Charles Hamlin. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 6, p195-6]
19 May 1714 John Binam granted license to keep an ordinary at Ware Neck for one year. Thomas Warren and Nicholas Smith securities for his performance. [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p28]
16 Jun 1714 Land
Patent: James Binam of Surry County, 140 acres on south side of main
Blackwater Swamp in Surry County… along a branch of Coppahunk Sw….along Cattail
branch…mouth of Coppahunk Swamp…along his old lines. [Virginia Patent Book 10,
p150]
This is apparently the 140 acres surveyed in 1706.
A delay between survey and patent of several years was not particularly
unusual.
16 Jun 1714 Land
Patent: James Binam of Surry County, 10s plus importation of 5 persons,
330 acres on the south side of main Blackwater Swamp in Surry County… beginning
at the mouth of the Cattail branch… along Cattail branch… down a branch to its
mouth at the main swampside… up the main swamp to the mouth of the Woolf-Pitt
branch then up the sd branch… along his old lines. [Virginia Patent Book 10,
p155]
These two parcels adjoin north and south. This one
being the 330 acres surveyed in 1706. The references to “his old lines” are to
the common border of the two parcels, confirming that they were the two parcels
surveyed for him eight years earlier. It is not completely clear where these
parcels are located, but they are obviously just south of the Blackwater in
present eastern Sussex County.
This patent actually appears on “a list of patents signed October 1706” in des
Cognets [p83 and p86], which lists the survey for 330 acres on 7 March 1705/6.
14 Jul 1714 John Bynum, Thomas Harris, William Thomas Jr. witnesses to deed from Nicholas and Ann Salsbury of Prince George County to Daniel Crawly of Surry. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 6, p200]
8 Oct 1714 William Binum, Nicholas Magett witnesses to deed from Allen Warren to Allen Warren “the younger”. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 6, p216]
20 Jul 1715 “Ann
Binum relict of John Binum deced came into court & made oath
that the sd Jno. Binum departed this life without making any will so far as she
knows or believes and on her motion…” is granted administration of the estate.
William Phillips and James Nickolls her securities. William Foster, Robert
Warren, Zachariah Madderah, and Allen Warren appointed to take inventory of the
estate. [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p61]
Same court: Suit dismissed, Benjamin Chapman vs. Ann Binum,
administratrix of the estate of John Binum, neither party appearing.
John Bynum’s widow Ann remarried to Robert Warren –
one of the appraisers and a neighbor - within the year. Robert Warren was about
the same age as John Bynum - apparently born about 1666/7, as he acknowledged receipt
of his share of the estate of his father Thomas Warren on 31 March 1688. Robert
Warren had apparently been married to a daughter of John Clements, whose will
mentioned Jane Warren, the daughter of Robert Warren, as a legatee.
21 Dec 1715 Ann
Binum, admx. of the goods and chattels of John Binum deced, presents
the inventory and appraisal. [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p63]
The ownership of an intestate’s land was never in
doubt, passing automatically via the line of succession. The administrix dealt
only with the personal property of the deceased, and the “estate” refers only
to the personal property. The land passed to the eldest son, with the widow
retaining a lifetime right to one-third of its earnings. The personal property
was divided among the widow and children.
21 Dec 1715 Same
court: Suit continued, Samuel Thompson vs. Ann Binam, administrix of John
Binum, for 4,925 lbs of tobacco due by account. Suit continued, Benjamin
Chapman vs. Ann Binum, administratrix of John Binum, for
£5:14s:9p due by account. [Ibid., p64] Nathaniel Harrison vs. Ann Binam,
administrix of John Binum, dismissed neither party appearing. [Ibid.,
p65]
These debts were substantial, and would eventually deplete
the estate to next to nothing. What they were for is a mystery. He had not
purchased land in decades.
22 Dec 1715 On
a list of debits to the county: “To Ann Bynum for 8 dayes dyeting a
negro… 40 (lbs tobacco)” [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p67]
This is apparently an expense associated with the
ordinary. Read “feeding” for “dyeting”.
21 Mar 1715/6 Suits of Benjamin Chapman and Samuel Thompson: [Ann Binum had not appeared on 15 February] Suits continued on motions of Ann Binum, to permit her to mount a defence. [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p77 also see p71]
18 Apr 1716 Suit of Benjamin Chapman vs. Ann Binum, administratrix of John Binum, for £5:14s:9p due by account dated 1714: Judgment for plaintiff in the amount of £5:14s:11p, including costs. Samuel Thompson’s suit continued to next court. [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p81]
16 May 1716 Samuel Thompson vs. Ann Binam, administrix of John Binum, for 4,925 lbs of tobacco due by account: Judgment for the plaintiff for £17:7s:3½p “it being what is remaining due on the balance of the acct. currt. of the sd deceds estate, and also for £7:5s:2½p when the assets shall come to her hands.” [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p83]
28 Jan 1716/7 Supplemental
inventory of John Binum decd by Robert Warren: “A parcel of hoggs
belonging to the estate of John Binam decd valued to 0:12:0 by us.” [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p*] Presented to the court on 20 February by Robert
Warren [Surry Orders 1713-1718, p107]
Ann Bynum has remarried to Robert Warren sometime
between May 1716 and January 1717. Robert Warren was the brother of the Alice
Warren who had married Mathias Marriot. He had apparently married a daughter
of John Clements, for his daughter Jane Warren was a legatee of Clements’ 1704
will.
20 Mar 1716/7 Debts owed by the estate of John Smith, decd: John Bynom… [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p32]
18 Dec 1717 William
Bynum on a jury at a court held for Southwarke parish. [Surry Orders
1713-1718, p153]
This is probably William, son of John Bynum. Only
a freeholder (a landowner) could serve on juries. This William Bynum has
apparently inherited his father’s land. His first cousin does not yet own
land.
This is the last Bynum entry in this Order Book. The Order Books for the period August 1718 through November 1741 are lost. The Deed Books do exist for the period after 1718.
5 Apr 1719 William
Bynum, Zackarias Madderra, and John Deberry witness a deed from Samuel and
Mary Thompson to James Nichols. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p176]
This is probably William Bynum son of John Bynum,
judging from the location of the land. The land is on Gray’s Creek near the
church and courthouse, a 1689 patent to Samuel Thompson, and close to the land
John Bynum Jr. had owned at his death.
20 May 1719 An undated accounting of estate of John Bynum deceased recorded by Robert and Ann Warren. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p187]
|
Debits: |
|
Credits: |
|
|
To funeral charges |
3:10:2 |
By Appraisement |
38:0:11½ |
|
Paid Mr. Benjn: Chapman |
5:9:11 |
By Hopkin Howell |
1:9:2 |
|
Paid Mr. Samuel Thompson |
20:8:2 |
By a parcel of hoggs appraised since |
1:2:0 |
|
Paid three aprraisers aft the 1st appraisement |
0:9:0 |
|
41:2:1½ |
|
To my ___ & corn for a parcel of hogs got up to be appd |
0:10:0 |
|
|
|
To 1388 tobo pd this acct etc. |
10:8:6 |
|
|
|
To Ball due |
0:6:11 |
|
|
|
|
41:2:5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paid Mr. Secretary |
40 |
|
|
|
To 4 appraisers |
120 |
|
|
|
To sheriff for summoning |
40 |
|
|
|
To Benjamin Ferebe |
584 |
|
|
|
To Mr. William Edwards |
199 |
|
|
|
To Levys & clerks fees |
403 |
|
|
|
|
1388 |
|
|
[The debits column is 3 cents short, adding to
41:2:8 – I may have misread a number.] It’s interesting to see that tobacco
was worth a bit under 2¢ per pound. The debt to Samuel Thompson was not fully
paid, but Ann Bynum obviously did make a second payment on the debt.
11 Jul 1719 Land
Patent: James Binam of Surry County, 100a. in Isle of Wight County on the
north side of Flat Swamp… hickory by the sd swamp side just above the mouth of
a small branch…. to a maple by the Flat Swamp… down the Flat Swamp [Virginia
Patent Book 10, p424]
This patent is for land considerably south of
present-day Surry. It is only about 5 miles north of the North Carolina
border, in present Southampton County, a considerable distance south of his
earlier land. William Bynum would sell this land in 1724.
19 Dec 1720 Will
of Robert Grice, proved on 15 Feb 1720/1: Devises land to sons Francis and
John, and makes bequests to daughters Ann and Farthery (no surnames), and granddaughter
Mary Horn. Devises “unto my well beloved couzen John Bynum a piece of land
belonging down at the burcheon island bridge beginning at the old path at a head
of a branch that comes down to the road and so down the said branch into the
Great Branch, and so on... up the [Blackwater] Swamp…” Witnesses: Harmon (x) Horn,
William Bynum, John Bynum. Proved by the oaths of William Bynum,
John Bynum, and Harmon Horn on 15 February 1720/1. [Surry Deeds & Wills
Book 7, p307]
Recall that Robert Grice had married Elizabeth, the
widow of Richard Blow, in 1689. It is likely that all the children named in
this will were hers. Since John Bynum II was dead when this will was written,
the John Bynum mentioned was either the son of John Bynum II or of James Bynum.
Later records suggest the latter. ”Couzen” could have meant virtually any
relationship that wasn’t first-degree. It most often meant “nephew. That is, either
one of the Bynum brothers was married to Robert Grice’s sister, or Robert Grice
was married to a Bynum sister. Since there are no Grices at all in Surry prior
to 1689, and only Robert Grice after that, it would more likely be the latter –
which means that Elizabeth, the wife of Richard Blow and later of Robert Grice,
was a daughter of John Bynum I. (If the relationship was nephew.)
The John Bynum named in the will is perhaps the son of James Bynum, who lived
just east of the bridge. The land devised to the two sons and to John Bynum appears
to be the land Grice purchased from William Browne in 1710 [DB 6, p36],
described then as the land Grice lived on. This was adjacent to the land James
Bynum bought in 1703 from Luke Bynum III. The son John Grice (as “son of
Robert Grice… formerly of Surry County”) was in North Carolina in 1726 when he
sold his 250a. part of this land to Francis Sharp. The son Francis Grice sold
his 100a. share of this land to William Cripps in 1723, who later sold to Sharp
as well. It appears that John Bynum was given approximately 150a of the parcel.
In 1734, John Bynum then sold this 150a. plus the 100a. that James Bynum had
bought of Luke Mizell III in 1703.
The witnesses to the will could not legally have been legatees (else their
residual interests in the will were invalidated). In this case, it is possible
that the witness was the same John Bynum since he had no interest in the
estate beyond the specific devise. It’s not completely clear which William
Bynum witnessed the will, but it appears that William of John was living closer
to Grice than was William of James..
16 Jul 1722 Deed:
Lawrence Smith and wife Jean to William Bynum, all of Surry, £13 plus
___ nails, 60 acres on the north side of Snake branch at the mouth and at the
south side of Seacock swamp… up the branch. .. along a line of marked trees to
a pine a corner tree at the head of a small branch and so down the branch by a
line of marked trees in the said Seacock swamp… Witness: William Gray Jr.,
George Briggs. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p409]
This is William Bynum son of John Bynum.
This land is near the border of what was later
Southampton and Sussex Counties. This also adjoins the land William Bynum later
patented in 1727 adjacent to Richard Blow. It was part of a 139a. patent
originally issued to Richard Ham.
16 Jan 1722 Accounting of Robert Grice recorded by Francis Grice executor. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p434]
29 Sep 1722 William Bynum and Harmon Horn witnesses to the will of Thomas Smith Sr.. proved 20 February 1722/3. [Surry County Wills & Deeds Book 7, p441.]
3 Jan 1722/3 Deed [Lease and Release]: Francis Riggan & wife Jane to Lawrence Smith, 85 acres on the north side of Maharin River in Isle of Wight… a patent to Riggan of 23 March 1713. Witness: Wm Ham, William Bynum. [Isle of Wight Great Book 1714-1726, Vol. 2, Part 2, p533 and p535]
16 Sep 1723 Deed: William Bynam and wife Mary Bynam of the upper parish of Isle of Wight, to Edward Grantham of Lawnes Creek Parish in Surry County, £20 current money, part of a 460 acre parcel in Surry County… beginning at the main Blackwater swamp mouth at a branch called the puccason branch and so along a line of marked trees… to the cattail branch… to the main run of the Coppahunk and along the run… (description matches the two patents to James Bynum in 1714.) Signed: William Bynam, Mary (x) Bynam. Witness: Wm. Bolden, William Andrews, John (x) Phillips. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p477]
16 Sep 1723 Deed: William Bynam and wife Mary Bynam of the upper parish of Isle of Wight, to Robert Proctor of Lawnes Creek Parish in Surry County, £20 current money, part of a 460 acre parcel in Surry County… (the other part of the parcel above.) Signed: William Bynam, Mary (x) Bynam. Witness: Wm. Bolden, William Andrews, John (x) Phillips. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p477]
This is William Bynum, son of James Bynum, selling
the two adjoining patents to James Bynum in 1714. [The deeds are not
completely clear, but he may be selling each patent separately, while
describing them as a larger contiguous parcel.] This is the first indication
that James Bynum is dead. He either died intestate and William inherited the
land as the eldest son, or there is a missing will by James Bynum. William
Bynum’s wife is Mary Fort (see below). John Phillips, one of the witnesses,
married Mary Fort’s sister. William Bynum may be living on the 100a patented
by James Bynum in 1719.
2 Nov 1723 Inventory
and appraisal of Thomas Farmer decd by Agnes Farmer, administratrix, recorded
on 18 Dec 1723. “In obedience the order of the court bearing the date 21
August 1723…” appraised by Samuel Maget, Joel (x) Barker, John Andrews to a
total of £44:3:7. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p496]
Thomas Farmer apparently died in mid-1723 if his
inventory was ordered in August. The last record of him alive (that I found)
was his ordinary license in 1721. He is thought to have been the same Thomas
Farmer baptized in York County, in Charles Parish, in 1681. He must have
married Agnes Nicholson in the early 1700s.
3 Apr 1724 Will
of Thomas Hunt of Lawnes Creek parish: plantation to his unnamed wife, and at
her death to granddaughter Mary Horn, 5 shillings each to sons Thomas, John,
and daughter Elizabeth. Witnesses: Smauel Magget, Mary (x) Bynum, James
(x) Bynum. Proved 21 December 1726 on the oaths of Samuel Maggett and
James Binum. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p671]
Hopkins’
abstracts give the name as “Byrum” but the will seems to read “Bynum”.
21 Apr 1724 Deed
[Lease and Release]: William Binam of the precink of Bartye in the
province of North Carilinah to Joseph Franko of Isle of Wight County, £16, 100a.
on Flat Swamp being granted by patent to James Binam deceased bearing date
11 April 1719… Signed: William (x) Binam. Witness: Francis Cox,
William (x) Pope, John (x) Pope. William “Bynham” acknowledged in court on 25
May. [Isle of Wight Great Book 1714-1726, Vol. 2, Part 2, p655 and p656]
Another, more definite, statement that James Bynum
is dead. Whatever records there may have been of his death were lost with the
missing court records of Surry County. This is also our first record that
William Bynum (son of James Bynum) is now in North Carolina, although he will buy
land there in August of this year.
20 May 1724 Appraisal of estate of Elias Fort, returned by the administratrix Elizabeth Fort and recorded. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p535]
3 Aug 1724 William Bynum a witness to two deeds by Arthur Smith and wife Elizabeth to Richard Killingsworth and William Killingsworth for land on the south side of the Morratuck [Roanoke] River in Bertie Precinct, North Carolina. [Bertie Precinct Deed Book A, p317 and p328, from Colonial Bertie County, N. C.: Deed Books A-H 1720-1757, Mary Best Bell]
4 Aug 1724 Deed:
Arthur Davis and wife Elizabeth to William Bynum, £10, 200 acres on
Morrattack [Roanoke] River. Witness: John B____, ____llingsworth, William
Killingsworth. [Bertie Deed Book A, p354, abstracted in Bell p15.]
William of James is now in North Carolina to stay.
Note the possibility that one of the witnesses ws John Bynum.
10 Jul 1725 Supplemental
inventory of Elias Fort Junr., decd, returned by Elizabeth Bynum,
administratrix. Two “spade” mares, one breeding mare, and a colt valued at
£7:0:0. Appraised by William Rose, John Sowerby, and Nicholas Proctor. [Surry
County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p593]
Clearly, Elizabeth Fort had married William Bynum,
son of John Bynum II, sometime between May 1724 and July 1725. Elias Fort Jr.
and his wife were likely quite young when he died and had only one child, John
Fort. Elizabeth was the daughter of John Sugars according to his will in Isle
of Wight County, which calls her Elizabeth Bynum (see below). Her son John Fort
made a deed of gift of eleven slaves to his mother Elizabeth Bynum in 1761.
William Bynum apparently died intestate, but luckily for us, Elizabeth outlived
him and left a will in Southampton County dated 1771 which named their living
children as William, Benjamin, Michael, Celia Bryant, and Abigail Williamson.
One other child, Drury, had predeceased his mother.
21 Oct 1725 William
Bynum a witness to the will of John Fort, proved 10 Mar 1725/6. Among the
legatees were son Elias Fort (a cow) and son-in-law and daughter John and
Hannah Phillips (a cow). John Phillips was made guardian of sons Richard and
Thomas Fort. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p632.]
It isn't clear which of the two William Bynums this was
1 Feb 1725/6 Land
Patent: William Binnum, 595 acres on the south side of the Morattock
River and Cypress Swamp in Bertie Precinct [North Carolina Land Patents
1663-1729, Margaret M. Hofmann, #2382]
This is William, son of James Bynum. He has already
bought land here in 1724. Nearly all subsequent references in Virginia are to his first cousin William Bynum, son of John Bynum. This grant will later be
sold in 1765 by his son William Bynum Jr.
4 June 1726 James
(x) Bynam witness to deed from Edward Grantham & wife Catherine to
Joshua Proctor for 230a in Lawnes Creek Parish on the north side of Coppohonk Swamp at the mouth of School House Branch… [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book
7, p728]
This is apparently a part of the James Bynum (Sr.)
patents of 1719, which William Bynum had sold to Grantham.
21 Dec 1726 Will Recorded: Will of Thomas Hunt of Lawnes Creek parish proved by the oaths of Samuel Maggett and James Binum. The will is dated 3 April 1724 and witnessed by Samuel Maggett, James (x) Bynum, and Mary (x) Bynn. The will mentions sons Thomas and John, and daughter Elizabeth. It gives the plantation to an unnamed wife and at her death to granddaughter Mary Horn, with reversion to granddaughter Mary Hunt if Mary Horn should die without heirs. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p691]
27 Sep 1727 Will
Probated: John Sugars, dated 1 December 1726. Legatees were wife Elizabeth
[executrix], daughters Elizabeth Bynum, Abigail Jones [wife of Edward
Jones], Priscilla; grandson Sugars Jones. Witness: Francis Arrington, George
Bruton, Mary Walker [Isle of Wight County Will Book 3, p45]
Elizabeth Bynum is the wife of William Bynum, son
of John Bynum. She had married Elias Fort III sometime around 1720-22. She
was the administrator of Elias Fort in 1724 but had married William Bynum by
July 1725 (see above). William Bynum will die in Southampton County (formed from Isle of Wight) in 1762. His widow Elizabeth will leave a will dated 1771
naming their children as William, Benjamin, Michael, Celia (Bryant), and
Abigail (Whitehead) Williamson. A son named Drury Bynum predeceased her. An
apparent daughter was Ann, who bore a bastard child by Cordall Norfleet who was
named as a grandchild in that will.
John Sugars had first married Elizabeth Clay, but had married again to
Elizabeth, widow of John Drew, by late 1704. John Drew left orphans, but none
are named in this will of their stepfather.
13 Oct 1727 Land
Patent: William Binum of Surry County, 220a. on south side of the main
Blackwater Swamp in Surry County… beginning at a white oak on the northwest
side of Snake Branch, a corner tree 'twixt Richard Blow and Lawrence Smith
thence by Smiths lines… a pine by the side of Snake Branch and down sd branch
to Richard Blow… [Virginia Patent Book 13, p254]
This is William Bynum, son of John Bynum. This
adjoins the land he purchased in 1722, and is in the northeastern part of
modern Sussex County.
18 Oct 1727 Inventory and appraisal of John Evans, decd, by Mary Evans executrix. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p758]
8 Nov 1727 Will
of Thomas Horton witnessed by John (x) Phillips, James (x) Binum, Agness
(x) Bynum. Proved 21 August 1728. [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p839]
James Bynum had probably been married to Agnes
Farmer for a few years by this time. When her husband died in 1723 she was
left with several small children and, I presume, would have been motivated to
remarry as soon as possible. The absence of deed records for James Bynum in Surry County may be explainable if he was living on Thomas Farmer’s land.
Note that John Phillips was presumably the one who married Hannah Fort.
15 Nov 1727 Grand
Jury Indictment: Mary Owen for having a bastard child living at Agnis Farmers…
Agnis Farmer for having [harboring?] a bastard child… [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p?]
It’s not completely clear whether this is the Agnes
Farmer who signed as Agnes Bynum just a week earlier, or another person
entirely. Probably the former, but this forces us to consider the possibility
of two Agnes Farmers – a mother and daughter. The mother was married to Thomas
Farmer by 1713 when she released dower in a deed (if not a decade earlier) and
is apparently the mother of several children born in the 1705-15 period. On
the other hand, James and Agnes were not married in the Anglican church and
therefore the marriage was not recognized by the court. The later records
certainly suggest that James Bynum married the widow, but we can’t be
absolutely certain. Given his naming a son “Nicholson”, it seems very
probable.
14 Feb 1727/8 Deed:
William Bynam to Richard Killingsworth, £10, 300 acres on south side Morattock River. Witness: William Simms, William Killingsworth, John Sutton. [Bertie
Precinct Deed Book B, p344, abstracted in Bell, p47.]
Same date: William Binum, Richard Killingsworth, John Sutton witness
deed from William Killingsworth to William Simms. [Bertie Precinct Deed Book
B, p351, abstracted in Bell, p48.]
14 Aug 1728 Deed:
Richard Blow and wife Elizabeth Blow to John Mangum, 100a. north side the main Blackwater Swamp and south side of Pidgin 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 [Surry County Deeds &
Wills Book 7, p862]
This (together with the1730 deed below) seems to
clearly prove that William Bynum was the eldest son of John Bynum II. Richard
Blow (son of George Blow Jr.) is selling the land that was patented by Richard
Blow (brother of George Blow Jr.) and then inherited by George Blow Jr. when
Richard Blow died without heirs. John Bynum II had bought the adjoining 100
acres forty years earlier from George Blow Jr. The reference to the land of William Bynum means that he inherited the old land of John Bynum II. The survey from
which the land description is taken obviously postdates the death of John Bynum
II.
20 Nov 1728 Grand
Jury Presentment: James Binum and Agnes Farmer for evil cohabitation
together… [Surry County Deeds & Wills Book 7, page number unreadable]
Since they are earlier represented as a married
couple, this certainly means that James and Agnes had not been married in the
Anglican Church. There is reason to believe that Agnes Nicholson Farmer was a
Quaker, since one of her sons was later a prominent Quaker in North Carolina. The
Farmers were more than likely part of the relatively large Quaker contingent of
Surry County. There was a regular Quaker meeting in Surry County, but its records do not survive before 1752. The court records are filled with
references to Quakers, but there are no other specific references to Bynums as
Quakers. Either James Bynum joined the sect in order to marry Alice or she was married as a Quaker outside the faith (which would have caused her
dismissal from the local Meeting).
17 Mar 1728/9 Deed:
William Bynum & Mary Evans to John Smith, 184a. on the south side of
Seacock swamp… 79 acres being. part of a patent to Richard Ham dated 25 April
1701 beginning at the mouth of Davis’s branch on Seacock swamp… bounded by Davis
branch and Seacock swamp. The other 105 acres being part of a patent to William
Bynum dated 13 October 1727… beginning at a pine tree standing in the line
that divides the said land from the aforesaid Bynum’s land….along a line of
marked trees dividing the two parcels… along the aforesaid John Smith’s line… Signed:
Wm. Bynam, Mary (x) Evans. Witness: William Edwards, Samuel Taylor. [Surry County
Deeds & Wills Book 7, p918]
William Bynum signed his name. Mary Evans used a
“W” mark - or perhaps an upside-down “M”. The will of John Evans (proved in
July 1727 had directed his wife, as executor, to sell his land and divide the
proceeds between herself and his three children. As a curiosity, I note that the
Mary Evans who filed the inventory of John Evans (see 18 Oct 1727) used a
sideways “E” mark for her signature. The marks are similar but the clerk
entered them quite differently – whether they are the same person or two
different ones is hard to say with certainty.
This appears to be two deeds combined into one, perhaps for the convenience of
the buyer. No relationship between the sellers is obvious here. Richard Ham
had patented a total of 139a. and William Bynum had purchased 60a. of this
patent in 1722. John Evans had purchased the remaining 79 acres in 1726 [Deed
Book 7, p666]. This deed conveys the western part of Bynum’s patent and the
remaining 79 acres of Ham’s patent which Mary Evans now owns.
24 Mar 1728/9 Final
Accounting of the estate of Thomas Farmer by James Bynum and Agnes
Bynum. Dated this date but recorded 18 June 1729. Accounting includes £1
paid to Wm. Bynum, 0:5:0 to James Bynum, and the remainder of
£58:12s:1p divided into five equal parts and paid to the heirs: Isaac Farmer,
James Farmer, William Farmer, Thomas Farmer, and Elizabeth Porter. [Surry
County Deeds & Wills Book 7, p955]
This would seem to clarify that Agnes Bynum was the
widow, rather than the daughter, of Thomas Farmer. It’s not clear why the
small payments were made to William and James Bynum.
Isaac Farmer, who was named in his grandfather’s will, was apparently the
eldest son. I could find no records suggesting that any of the Farmer children
were born much before 1710 or so. All four Farmer sons, and Elizabeth Porter’s
husband Nicholas Porter, apparently accompanied James Bynum to Edgecombe County.
18 May 1730 William
Bynum and wife Elizabeth Bynum of Lawnes Creek Parish to Robert
Thorp… 100 acres more or less...Goodman’s branch... to Pigeon Swamp. [Surry
County Deeds & Wills Book 8, p16] ???????
This deed is next to unreadable, but it is clearly the
sale of the 100 acres. that John Bynum II had purchased from Richard Blow over
forty years earlier. This seems to confirm that William Bynum was the eldest
son of John Bynum Jr.
Since William Bynum had earlier bought and sold land south of the Blackwater,
it’s