Isle of Wight County Records – 1700 to 1749

 

See Note on Sources on a separate page for an explanation of the attributions.  Comments are added in blue italics.

 

 

15 Jan 1699/1700  Will of Richard Sharpe:  Legatees - Anne Harris in case she recovers from the present sickness, cousin Richard the son of my cousin Richard Reynolds the full term of my lease from Col. Arthur Smith, Christopher and Sharpe Reynolds the sons of my cousin Richard Reynolds.  Executor: Richard Reynolds.  Recorded 9 April 1700.  [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p422, abstracted by Chapman]  A different record identifies the executor as Richard Reynolds Jr.   [Isle of Wight Administrations and Probates, p81, abstracted by Chapman]

This is Richard Reynolds the younger, son of Christopher Reynolds Jr.  His 1711 will names the same three sons.  We know that he is still married to Elizabeth Williams at this time, his uncle is still married to Joyce (perhaps Staples), and that he and his uncle are the only adult Richard Reynolds in the area.  So the question is how he was related to Richard Sharpe.

Prior to the mid-1700s, “cousin” was used to indicate relationships outside the immediate family circle of parents, siblings, children and in-laws, and was most often used to mean “nephew” or “grandnephew”.  In this case, that is surely the relationship.  Note that in the modern sense of a (first) cousin, Richard Reynolds could only have been a son of Sharpe’s aunt.  There is no evidence that Sharpe had uncles or aunts in Isle of Wight, since the only Sharpe mentioned in the records is Richard himself.   If “cousin” was used in the normal sense of “nephew”, then Richard Reynolds would have been a son of either Sharpe’s sister or perhaps of his wife’s sister. ( The absence of any other Sharpes forces us to consider the possibility  that his “cousin” may have been related to his deceased wife rather than to him.)  Either way, this identifies the wife of Christopher Reynolds Jr. – to a point.  She was either a sister of Richard Sharpe or perhaps a sister of Sharpe’s wife.

 The Ann Harris mentioned in the will is apparently the daughter of Thomas Harris, whose will of 1688 had directed that his daughter Ann  live with “Mrs. Ann Sharpe.” By the time of Richard Sharpe’s will, his wife Ann is apparently deceased.   Clearly, Richard and Ann Sharpe had no children of their own.

I should note the remote possibility that Ann Sharpe was the widow of Christopher Reynolds Jr.  That could certainly account for the use of “cousin” in this will, but it seems unlikely.  A will would typically more clearly identify the relationship if Richard Reynolds Jr. were the son of his wife by a prior marriage.

 

6 Apr 1700            Deed:  George Williams to Richard Reynolds Jr. and Elizabeth his wife, 4000 lbs tobacco, 100 acres in the lower parish (contained in a deed dated 10 April 1671 of Pharaoh Cobb and wife Ann Cobb to George Williams, taylor [tailor], father of the said George Williams.)  Land had descended to William Williams, the elder brother of the first named George Williams, who is dead, and from him descended to the first named George Williams and the land is now in the occupation of Mathew Lowry.  Land adjoins said Pharaoh Cobb and Mr. Arthur Smith.  Witness:  Arthur Smith, Thomas Smith and Mathew Lowry.  Recorded 9 April 1700.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 1, p306 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is Richard Reynolds the younger.  This is the 97 acres he would later renew in one of his two patents of 13 November 1713.  Although that patent was issued after the death of Richard Reynolds the younger, it had been in process for at least six years before his death.  That patent makes it clear that this land was sold to Richard Reynolds the younger.

When William Williams died, his share of his father’s personal estate would have been divided between his sister and brother.  However, his share of the land would have descended solely to his brother George.  This clarifies that George Williams Sr. died possessed of 300 acres.

 

9 Apr 1700            Arthur Smith, Richard Reynolds, John Whetstone, and Charles Piddington witness deed from Phillip Pardoe to Thomas Wood for 50 acres at the head of Lawnes Creek (part of 200 acres granted to Robert Lawrence 20 August 1642).  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 1, p308 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

8 Feb 1700/01       John Luther appoints Mr. Richard Reynolds his attorney.  Witness:  Christopher Reynolds, John (x) Butler.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 1, p323 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is the first record of a new-generation Christopher Reynolds. The appointment was apparently to acknowledge a deed selling 80 acres to Tristram Norsworthy, land given to Mary Luther in the will of Ambrose Bennett.  It seems likely that this is Richard Reynolds Sr. and his eldest son.  

 

12 Dec 1701          Arthur (x) Whitehead, Christopher Reynolds, Richard Reynolds witness deed of William and Ann Fowler to Benjamin Beal.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 1, p357, abstracted by Hopkins]

 

7 Apr 1703            William Copeland, Sarah Jordan, Richard Reynolds, Ambrose Hadley witnesses to will of John Portis, recorded 9 October 1707.  [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p485, abstracted by Chapman]

 

1704                      Isle of Wight County Quit Rent Rolls:
Richard Reynolds, Esq. - 853 acres
Richard Reynolds - 746 acres
Elizabeth Reynolds – 100 acres

The Quite Rent rolls are abstracted in several books, and the abstractors differ on whether Richard Reynolds’ title was “Esq.” or “Senr.”  All patents required the payment of small annual Quit Rents by whoever owned the land at the time.  It is important to know that the only surviving list, in 1704, was a list of those who actually paid.  Those who had failed to pay were not necessarily included on the lists, so the absence of name is not necessarily proof of anything.  We really can’t conclusively reconcile these quit rents to the known Reynolds lands, partly because the lost deeds from 1649 through 1688 may have contained purchases or sales we are unaware of.

We know that Richard Reynolds Sr. (or “Esq.”) owns about 850 acres.  He has his 450-acre patent of 1682 plus the 100 acres bought from his nephew, and evidently still owns the land he inherited from his father, the acreage of which seems to have been 200 acres from a later record.  He also apparently owns 100 acres acquired from Hugh Campbell which his son Christopher sold in 1747.  

Richard Reynolds Jr. (the younger) owns, as far as we know, 846 acres  – his 566-acre patent of 1679 plus the 280 acres he bought from his uncle.  The 100 acres that George Williams sold to him is apparently in the name of his wife Elizabeth Reynolds for quit rent purposes.  The 100 acres he had sold to William Murfrey would conveniently bring the total to 746 acres, but the deed for that land seems to have been land from his wife’s family.  Note the possibility that these 100 acre parcels may well have been the same parcel.

There are no Reynolds listed in Nansemond County, so Richard Reynolds Sr. apparently had disposed of the rest of his patent there.  However, I note that there is also no land in the quit rents that seems to belong to Richard Staples either.  Thus, Nansemond’s landowners may not be complete in the quit rents.

 

9 Aug 1704            Deed:  Richard Reynolds and Christopher Reynolds to Benjamin Beal for 267.5 acres (being part of a patent granted Richard Staples) adjoining Daniel Holloway and the Western Branch, Witnesses: Richard Reynolds, Jr., William Browne and Andrew Woodley.  Recorded same day.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p1 abstracted by Hopkins]

Another deed for which viewing the original would be helpful.  Presumably, these are the same two Reynolds who witnessed the 1701 deed to Benjamin Beal.  They appear to be Richard Sr. and his son Christopher.  The question is how they acquired this land. 

There is no such patent recorded to Richard Staples, but two grants in 1664 reference his land in Nansemond on a northwest branch of the Nansemond River.  I note that in 1689 John Nevill and his wife Elizabeth (thought to be a daughter of Christopher Reynolds II, but who may have been his widow) gifted to the same Benjamin Beal and his wife Martha 100 acres described as part of a 750-acre patent to Richard Staples adjoining 350 acres sold by Staples to William Thompson.  The deed specified that, should the Beals die, the land would revert to “my youngest son Benjamin Nevill”.  [DB 1, p22]  Several years later, the same Benjamin Beal bought 100 acres of a patent of 350 acres “granted to Richard Staples on 12 January 1661” adjacent John Nevill. [DB 4, p93].  The same grantor later sold another 250 acres of a patent to Richard Staples [DB 4, p24]. 

Yet in 1749 [see entry for 10 May 1749] Christopher Reynolds held title to an entire 750 acre patent by Richard Staples of 12 January 1661.  Somehow he acquired the 100 acres owned by Benjamin Beal.  Whether these earlier deeds were actually leases, or whether Christopher reacquired the land, is unclear. The 1749 deed described him as the grandson of Richard Staples.  Since we know from later records that this Christopher Reynolds was the son of Richard Reynolds the elder, that means Joyce Reynolds (or an earlier wife of Richard Reynolds Sr.) must have been the daughter of Richard Staples.

That begs the question of how the land was acquired.  There is no mention of a will or estate in Isle of Wight, which suggests that Richard Staples died in Nansemond.  The implication of the above deed and the one in 1749 is that Staples left the land to his daughter and her son Christopher.  That’s the most plausible explanation for why both father and son would sign the deed.  Each would have had an interest, so the buyer could obtain a clear title only with a deed from both father (as the legal voice of his wife) and son.  This does not appear to be two brothers signing the deed, for there is no evidence that Richard Reynolds Sr. had a son named Richard.

 

9 Nov 1704           Deed:  John Jordan and wife Jane Jordan to Nicholas Casey, 100 acres (now in the occupation of John Jordan and was a deed made by his grandfather Richard Jordan Sr. to his father John Jordan dated 31 March 1679 and 1 November 1679… which descended to said John Jordan) bounded by Cypress Swamp and Mr. Thomas Pitt deceased.  Witness: Richard Reynolds, William West Jr., Thomas Weston.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p6 abstracted by Hopkins]

Richard Jordan Sr. was the person mentioned in the 1654 will of Christopher Reynolds.  The land was his patent, sold to his son John and now descended to John’s son.  The buyer, Nicholas Casey, was the father of the Richard Casey who married Richard Reynolds Sr.’s daughter Jane (see below).

 

9 Apr 1706            Two Deeds:  Thomas Joyner to James Barnes and Thomas Joyner to William Thomas, part of a patent on Seacock Swamp.  Witness:  Richard Reynolds and Richard Reynolds.  (That is, two people named Richard Reynolds witnessed each deed.)  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p35 abstracted by Hopkins]

It’s not clear if these were two brothers, or a father and son.  We have no evidence that Richard Reynolds Sr. had a son named Richard, so as far as we know there are only three adult Richard Reynolds in the county at this time – Richard Reynolds the elder, his nephew Richard Reynolds the younger, and the latter’s son Richard.

 

9 Sep 1706            Deed of Gift:  Richard Reynolds and wife Joyce Reynolds to his daughter, Jane Casey and her husband Richard Casey, --- acres adjoining Denstram Norsworthy (being part of a tract said Reynolds lives on and Thomas William lives on part of the land).  Signed: Richard Reynolds, Joyce Reynolds.  Witness: Arthur Smith, Richard Reynolds Jr. and Thomas (x) Joyner  Recorded 9 October 1706. [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p46 abstracted by Hopkins]

It is worth noting that the witness was probably his nephew.  There is not a shred of evidence that Richard Reynolds Sr. had a son named Richard.  In fact, there appears to be only one Richard Reynolds in Isle of Wight from 1712 through the 1730s, and that person we can prove to be the son of Richard Reynolds the younger.

 

23 Sep 1706          Richard Reynolds a witness to bond of Dennis O’Brian and Joseph Gladstone, both of Nantiroke in Maryland, to Dr. Edward Loftis of Warwick County in Virginia.  Recorded 9 October 1710.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p163 abstracted by Hopkins]

Dennis O’Brian was a son-in-law of Robert Coleman, so this is likely Richard Reynolds the younger.

 

30 Sep 1706          Richard Reynolds a witness to deed of William Hunter to James Bragg.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p53 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

9 Oct 1706            Deed of Gift:  Richard Reynolds and wife Joyce Reynolds to his daughter Elizabeth Reynolds, for love and affection, --- acres adjoining Widow Harris, William Hawley and Mr. James Tullaugh.  Signed: Richard Reynolds, Joyce (x) Reynolds.   Witnesses: Arthur Smith, Richard (x) Casey and Sarah (x) Williams.  Recorded 11 November 1706.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p52 abstracted by Hopkins]

Given the later deed from Christopher Reynolds to Robert Brock, it appears both the above deeds were for a portion of the 450-acre patent of 1682.  Interesting that Richard Reynolds is living on this land and not on the old Christopher Reynolds plantation.

Note that the remaining land he owned was inherited by his son Christopher Reynolds.  There is no record of his having a second son.  One would think that, if there were another son, he would have made a deed of gift to him at the same time he was gifting the two daughters.

 

21 Oct 1706          Arthur Allen surveyed 200 acres in “Isle of Wight, Blackwater” for Rich’d Reynolds Jr.  [English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records, Louis des Cognets, Jr. (Genealogical Publishing Co., Reprinted 1990), p90]

The patent for which this survey was made was issued seven years later on 13 November 1713 (see below).  We know from the disposition of the patent that this was the son of Richard Reynolds the younger.  This record explains why the 1713 patent was issued in the name of “Richard Reynolds Jr.”  The patent was in progress by 1706 when his father was still alive.

 

16 Mar 1706/7       Will of George Rivers:  Leg - wife Mary and her daughter Mary, daughter Sarah.  Wife extx. Arthur Jones, trustee. Witness:  Arthur Jones, Charles Jordan, Richard Jordan.  Recorded 9 April 1707.  [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p479, abstracted by Chapman]

If this is the same George Rivers named in the will of Christopher Reynolds 53 years earlier, he apparently married a widow named Mary who had a child of her own.  The reference to an apparently unmarried daughter suggests the possibility that this may be a second-generation George Rivers.  On the other hand, there is no record of any earlier death of a George Rivers. 

 

24 Jun 1707           Richard Reynolds appraisal recorded, taken by Giles Driver, Thomas Allen, John Wright, and John Parmento.  [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p494, abstracted by Chapman]

It is clear from numerous other records below that this is Richard Reynolds Sr. son of Christopher Reynolds the immigrant. He obviously died intestate, for no will is recorded.   See entries below.

 

28 Jul 1707            Deed:   Christopher Reynolds to Timothy Tynes, both of the lower parish, 100 acres in the said parish (being land formerly bought by my father, Richard Reynolds, from Richard Reynolds, Jr., on 9 June 1698, and my father lately dyeing descended to me) bounded by Arthur Smith and Giles [Driver].  Signed:  Christopher Reynolds, Joyce (x) Reynolds, Elizabeth (x) Reynolds.  Witness: Arthur Smith, John Fissell, Thomas Sumersoll. Recorded 9 Aug 1707. [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p74 abstracted by Hopkins]

Since Richard Reynolds, the elder, died intestate, the succession law of the time determined that all his land fell to his eldest son, who is evidently Christopher Reynolds.  [In fact, he appears to have been the only son.]  The women who released dower were his mother and wife, both of whom had a dower interest in the land.  The widow retained her dower interest past her husband’s death, and the wife gained a dower interest as soon as Christopher inherited. This clearly identifies which Christopher Reynolds had a wife named Elizabeth – she is later identified more explicitly.

 

16 Aug 1707          Survey by John Allen of 16 acres in Isle of Wight for Richard Reynolds.  [des Cognets, p87]

The patent was issued posthumously six years later on 13 November 1713 (see below).  This is Richard Reynolds the younger, since his uncle is dead by now. 

 

28 Apr 1708          Deed:  Christopher Reynolds, son and heir of Richard Reynolds decd, to Robert Brock, bricklayer and father-in-law of said Christopher, [part of]  450 acres (in an escheat patent dated 20 April 1682.  Said Richard Reynolds did deed part of the tract to Richard Casey and wife Jane Casey being one of his daughters on 9 September 1706 and the other part was deeded to Elizabeth Reynolds another daughter on 9 November 1706.)  Signed: Christopher Reynolds.  Witness: Arthur Smith, Thomas Summerell, Charles Chapman.  Recorded 1708.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p102 abstracted by Hopkins]  

At this point Christopher Reynolds has sold off his share of the 450 acre patent and the 100 acres his father bought from Richard Reynolds the younger.  The original inheritance from the 1654 will of Christopher Reynolds has never been disposed of (that we know of). 

He identifies Robert Brock as his father-in-law, which could mean either his wife’s father or his mother’s new husband.  The former is probably the intended meaning, for Robert Brock’s wife is identified as Susanna in a 1714 deed [DB 2, p295] and Susanna Brock left a will [see entry for 7 Mar 1723/4] naming Elizabeth Reynolds as her daughter.  However, see that entry for a discussion of the question of whether Robert Brock is a “step” father-in-law.

7 Oct 1708            Anne Butler gave power of attorney to Richard Reynolds [to release dower in sale of John Butler to Joseph Chapman].   [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p107 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

9 Feb 1708/9         John (x) Browne, Christopher Reynolds and Thomas Calecott witnesses to deed of Thomas Sawyer to John Frizell, cooper.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p137 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

26 Feb 1710          Richard Reynolds a witness to deed of Bridgeman Joyner Sr. and wife Ann Joyner to Thomas Williams.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p174 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

23 Apr 1711          Deed:  Christopher Reynolds and wife Elizabeth Reynolds, of Newport parish, to John Butler, 200 acres (being formerly the land of Ambrose Bennett who gave it to said (sic) Christopher Reynolds) bounded by Giles Driver, Mr. Coleman, and Jolly.  Signed: Christopher Reynolds.  Witness: Arthur Purcell, Henry Pitt, Henry Lightfoot.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p186 abstracted by Hopkins]

Since his wife is Elizabeth, we know this Christopher Reynolds is the son of Richard Reynolds Sr.  This “gift” of 200 acres is extremely intriguing, and this is another record that should be read in the original.

Ambrose Bennett had died thirty years earlier [see entry for 30 Aug 1680] so he could not have given the land to “said” Christopher Reynolds.  It does not appear that Christopher Reynolds is an heir of any of the legatees of Bennett’s will, so the “gift” must have been made during Bennett’s lifetime.  There is nothing in the deeds that addresses this, so the transfer may have taken place sometime in the 1649-1688 period for which the deeds are lost.   

It is possible – actually, quite likely – that this is an abstracting error and that the deed actually says that Ambrose Bennett gave the land to “Christopher Reynolds” not to “said Christopher Reynolds”.  If that is the case, then this probably refers to a gift from Ambrose Bennett to Christopher Reynolds the immigrant.  This would then likely be the home plantation which Christopher Reynolds left to his son Richard in his 1654 will -- and which his grandson Christopher Reynolds would by now have inherited.  This makes sense, because we have no other record of Richard Reynolds or his son ever selling any land that could have been the land Richard Sr. inherited from his father.  Best to check the original of this deed to be certain, though.

If that is the case, then the obvious question is what relationship existed between Ambrose Bennett and Christopher Reynolds that would account for this gift (if it was a gift). 

Another question of interest is where Christopher Reynolds is living.  He has now disposed of his share of his father’s 450-acre patent, the 100 acres his father bought from his nephew, and the old Christopher Reynolds plantation.  The only land left is whatever was inherited from Richard Staples, which is evidently on the other side of the Blackwater, and a mysterious tract of 100 acres his father apparently acquired from Hugh Campbell, which Christopher later sells.   

 

Note:  This deed mentions Newport parish for the first time in this chronology.  The two parishes of Isle of Wight were (roughly) divided by the Pagan River.  The lower parish, which by about this time had come to be called Newport parish, included everything south and east of the Pagan River.  In 1734, the parish lines were redrawn;  the part of Newport parish above the Blackwater continued as Newport parish and the area below the river became Nottoway parish (which had the same boundaries as the area that became Southampton County in 1749).

 

18 Jun 1711           Richard Reynolds Jr. a witness to will of Henry Wiggs. [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p547, abstracted by Chapman]

This is probably the son of Richard Reynolds the younger, for the father is now the eldest of the name.  There is no evidence that there was more than one Richard Reynolds in the county between 1712 and the 1730s. 

 

27 Jul 1711            Will of Richard Reynolds:  Legatees – wife Elizabeth, son Richard, son Sharpe, son Christopher the land on which Richard Jackson lives, land on which Edward Griffith lives, to Richard Jackson, to grandson --- Reynolds, what is due Elizabeth Lewis one of the daughters of Richard Lewis to be paid.  Exs. My wife and sons.  Wit: A. Smith, Giles Driver, Jane Benn.  Recorded 26 May 1712.   [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p536, abstracted by Chapman]

This is obviously Richard Reynolds the younger, husband of Elizabeth Williams.  He was the same person called “cousin” Richard Reynolds Jr. in the earlier will of Richard Sharpe, which named the same three sons.

Richard Jackson was the son of Richard Jackson Sr., who had died in 1703 leaving a widow who was obviously a second wife.   It is possible that his unknown first wife was a daughter of Richard Reynolds, which might explain Richard Jackson’s inclusion as a legatee.  In addition, the will tells us that one of the three sons is himself a parent, the father of ___ Reynolds.  The grandson mentioned is apparently Richard Reynolds, son of Richard, for he is the only grandson old enough to have been born by this time.

 

27 Oct 1712          Christopher Reynolds, John Giles, Richard Giles witness to deed of Elizabeth Thomas to Robert Sanders.  [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p231, abstracted by Hopkins]

This is probably Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds Sr.  The land being sold on Kingsale Swamp is considerably south, on the border of present Southampton and Nansemond counties.

 

13 Nov 1713         Land Patent:  Richard Reynolds Junr of Isle of Wight County, 200 acres on the south side of the Main Blackwater swamp in the sd County… beginning at the mouth of Tarapin Swamp… thence by the run of sd swamp… ash by the edge of the main Blackwater swamp thence up the main swamp… For the transportation of four persons: Henry Butt, Cornelius Dijon, Sarah Chamberlen, Mary Parsons.  [Virginia Patent Book 10, p98]

From later records, this is the son of Richard Reynolds the younger – he and his wife Rebecca will later sell this land, and Rebecca will leave a will naming sons Richard and George, who are named in Sharpe Reynolds’ will as the children of Richard Reynolds.  The reason he is being called “Junior” is because he had initiated the patent in 1706 while his father was still alive (see survey above) and the patent was issued in the same name as he originally used.  This patent is more than 20 miles southwest of the old Reynolds lands, in what would later be Southampton County.  By this time all the land in the older part of the county has long been claimed.  Richard and his wife Rebecca will sell the entire patent within a few years, apparently never having lived on it. 

 

13 Nov 1713         Land Patent:  Mr. Richard Reynolds of Isle of Wight County, “97 acres of high land & 16 acres of marsh adjoining… on the southwest side of one of the main branches of Pagan Creek in the parish of Newport… which said 97 acres of high land is part of a patent for 400 acres granted to Joseph Cobb late of the aforesd county decd the 1 September 1643 and by Pharaoh Cobb son of the sd Joseph sold & conveyed unto George Williams late also of the said county decd the 4 April 1671 & by Geo. Williams son & heir of the aforesd George sold & conveyed unto the aforesd Reynolds the 6 April 1700 & the sd 16 acres being waste marsh land adjoining the whole bounded as followeth…”  (Bounded by “one of the main branches of Pagan Creek”, a pond, “several lines dividing this land from the land of John Joseph Jackman”, and Col. Arthur Smith)  …for the transportation of one person to dwell within this our colony of Virginia: Eliza. Wignall  [Virginia Patent Book 10, p114]

This is a posthumous patent to Richard Reynolds the younger.  The 97 acre parcel was bought by him in 1700 and the 16 acre addition was surveyed for Richard Reynolds the younger in 1707 (see above).  The patent, like the one to his son issued the same day, were in process well before his death the preceding year, and are here signed by the Governor after his death.  The land was inherited by his son Richard Reynolds Jr. and later by his grandson Richard Reynolds.
 

Mar 1715/6            Will of Robert Coleman:  Leg – Eleanor Giles, brother Stephen’s sons, Richard Batten, Benjamin Beale, Elizabeth Murrey, George Martin, John Watts, Christopher Reynolds and his wife Ann.  Exs., Christopher Reynolds and his wife.  Wit: John Butler, Rodger Murrey.  Recording date not noted, but entered into the book among 1716 entries.  [Isle of Wight Will & Deed Book 2, p607, abstracted by Chapman]

This is Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the younger.  (Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the elder, was married to Elizabeth Brock.)  This appears to be the son of the Robert Coleman who died a few years later [see below entry for 9 July 1721].  That would make Christopher Reynolds his brother-in-law.  The will below identifies Ann Reynolds as the daughter of an apparently different Robert Coleman, presumably the father of this one. 

Robert Coleman (apparently this man’s father) had patented 634 acres on 29 September 1667, 300a purchased from Ambrose Bennett and 334a for transportation of seven persons, one of whom was Robert Coleman [VPB 6, p181].  He later acquired several other tracts in the area.

 

25 Jun 1715           Deed: Richard Reynolds Jr., and wife Rebecca Reynolds, to Richard Jackson, 100 acres bounded by Tarrapin Swamp.  Signed: Richard Reynolds. Witnesses: Joseph Chapman and William Ragdale, recorded 27 Jun 1715  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 2, p332 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is a sale of half of his patent dated 13 November 1713. It is not clear why this abstract identifies him as Richard Reynolds “Junior”, unless the abstractor is indicating the name in which the patent was issued.  Note that he did not sign the deed as “Junior”.  He sold the other half of the patent without the “Jr.” (see below)

 

8 Jan 1717/8          Deed:  Richard Reynolds and wife Rebecca Reynolds of Newport parish, to Robert Edwards of the upper parish, 100 acres on the south side of the main Blackwater and bounded by Edward Boykin, and Richard Jackson (being part of a patent granted said Reynolds on 18 November 1713).  Signed: Richard Reynolds, Rebecca Reynolds. Witness:  John Dunkly, George Williamson, Abraham (x) Stephens.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book” p140 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is a sale of the remaining half of his patent dated 13 November 1713.

This is the last appearance of a Richard Reynolds in the records until 1736 – a period just over 18  years – when his son begins to appear.  When he died is uncertain, but it must have been not long after these deeds.  Given the frequency with which members of this family appear as a witness or appraiser, it seems likely that Richard met with some untimely end not long after this date.

 

13 Nov 1717         Deed:  Roger Tarlton and wife Margaret Tarlton to Henry Reynolds, weaver, all of the lower parish, 100 acres being on the south side of the main Blackwater and bounded by Black Creek, Franks Branch, and the Mire Branch (being part of a tract of land bought from Capt. Barnaby Mackinnie who patented it on 23 December 1714).  Witness:  William Wilkinson, Christopher Reynolds, William Godwin.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p121 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is the first appearance of a Henry Reynolds in nearly 40 years.   Could he be the son Henry mentioned in the 1679 will of Henry Reynolds?  The land is several miles south of the Blackwater in present Southampton County, in the general area of Round Hill Swamp.  See below entry and also the later reference to a sale of this same patent.

 

8 Jan 1717/8          Deed of Gift:  Roger Tarlton to son Thomas Tarlton, 200 acres adjoining above land of Henry Runnels…  Witness:  William Wilkinson, Christopher Reynolds, Henry (x) Runnolds (sic).  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p129 abstracted by Hopkins]

Christopher Reynolds witnessed both deeds.  Is he connected to Henry Reynolds, or is this just a coincidence?  It seems significant that all the Reynolds men could sign their own names, but this Henry Reynolds could not.  That argues that he was unrelated and that this is simply coincidence.  Too bad the court records are missing.

This Henry Reynolds first appears in 1716, as administrator of Robert Worrell.  He himself died 12 years later leaving a will naming several children.  [See 11 February 1725/6]

This also appears to firmly establish that Christopher Reynolds (the son of Richard Reynolds Sr.) has moved into what is now Southampton County.  Note his appearance in numerous subsequent records in this area.

 

20 Sep 1718          Deed:  John Gardner [signed as “Jr.”] of Chowan Precinct, North Carolina to James Pernell (Parnell?) of the lower parish, 100 acres in the lower parish (being land on which Richard Beal lately lived) and bounded by Walter Waters, Christopher Reynolds, and Blackwater Road.  Witness: Jacob Darden, Joseph Chapman.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p389, abstracted by Hopkins]

This is also in present Southampton County.  Unless he is renting land, Christopher Reynolds must be living on the land inherited from Richard Staples.

 

22 Aug 1719          Christopher Reynolds, Joseph Godwin, Thomas Williams witness to deed of John and Stephen Williams to Richard Williams… a patent to William Williams of 28 October 1702.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p275, abstracted by Hopkins]

This land is also west of the Blackwater in present Southampton County.

 

24 Aug 1719          Christopher Reynolds a witness to will of Mary Driver, widow.  Recorded 24 April 1721.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p79, abstracted by Chapman]

 

20 Mar 1720/1       Deed:  Barnaby Mackinnie and wife Mary to Robert Tyler, 100 acres (being part of a patent for 645 acres granted said McKinnie on 16 Dec 1714 and bounded by Cypress Swamp, Martin Dawson, and William Bonner.  Witness: William Bridger and Christopher Reynolds.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p405 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is not the same Cypress Swamp.  The patent to Mackinnie was for land on a different Cypress Swamp that lies 25 miles southwest of the other one, in the lower part of present-day Southampton County.  Again, this Christopher Reynolds has obviously moved considerably southwest of the rest of the family.

 

9 Jul 1721              Will of Robert Coleman of Bath County in “Nuse”, North Carolina:  to wife Mary Coleman, life interest in entire estate, then as follows.  To son-in-law Christifer Runnills [Christopher Reynolds] negro man Frank on condition that he give my grandson David Dupuise a 6 year old negro when said David is 21 years old;  to wife’s son Dennis Odien, land called Hikkery Neck during his life and then to my grandson David Dupuies;  to daughter Elizabeth Isler a cow and calf;  to granddaughter Mary Isler  4 cows and calves; to daughter Mary White a cow and calf;  to grandson David Dupuise all my lands.  Executors: wife Mary Coleman, son in law Christifer Runnills.  Witnesses: Richard Casey, John (x) Butler, Peter Green. Attested [proved] in Isle of Wight County, Virginia before William Bridger [the I of W clerk] 25 Sep 1721 and filed in Bath County 29 March 1722.  [Bath County, North Carolina Will Book 4, p106 abstracted in Early Records of North Carolina, Stephen A. Bradley, Vol. 4, p20]

This would appear to be the father of the Robert Coleman of the earlier will.  There is no record of this will in Isle of Wight, but it was obviously proved there.  The Isle of Wight clerk did not enter it into the books, apparently because it was to be filed in North Carolina six months later.  Robert Coleman had been on the 1719 tax list for what eventually became Craven County, thus explaining the reference to the Neuse River.  From the witnesses names, the will was written in Isle of Wight.  The widow may have recorded the will in her new home in Bath (Craven) County in order to perform the executrix duties in a local court.  We know that Christopher Reynolds did not move to North Carolina, and with no will recorded in Isle of Wight, he apparently deferred the executorship to Mary Coleman. 

Note that Richard Casey witnessed this entry.  He was presumably the same Richard Casey who married Jane Reynolds, daughter of Richard and Joyce Reynolds.

 

26 Feb 1721/2       Deed:  William West and wife Martha to Daniel Herring, all of the lower parish, 130 acres adjoining Maj. Bridger, Peter Blake and Anthony Herring (being part of a patent for 2050 acres granted William Oldiss and Robert Ruffin on 21 Sep 1674).  Witness: John Johnston, Thomas Summerell and Christopher Reynolds.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p463 abstracted by Hopkins]

23 Sep 1723          Christopher Reynolds, Thomas Pinner, and Benjamin Beale appraisers of estate of Thomas Price (recording date).  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p137, abstracted by Chapman]

 

4 Jan 1723/4          Processioners returns:  Property lines between Henry Rennolds and Mary Lewis processioned. [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p7]

From the list of properties processioned, this district was in the general area of Round Hill Swamp.  The land is apparently that which Henry Reynolds had bought in 1717.  Among the other nearby properties processioned were those belonging to Thomas Tarlton and John Bowin. (Processioning was a vestry function, done every four years as a means of minimizing disputes over property lines.)

 

7 Mar 1723/4         Will of Susannah Brock:  Legacies – daughter Elizabeth Reynolds, grandson John Reynolds, son Thomas Calcote.  Executor: son Thomas Calcote.  Witness: Arthur Smith Jr.  Recorded 27 March 1727.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p22, abstracted by Chapman]

From the earlier records, this Elizabeth Reynolds had to have been the wife of Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the elder.  There is no record of the death of Robert Brock, but he must be dead because only a widow (not a married woman) could make a will.  The bequest to son Thomas Calcote is confusing.  Does she mean that he is a son-in-law or did she have a son by an earlier marriage? The answer appears to be the latter, for ten years later Thomas Calcote’s wife Ann  is identified as the daughter of John Bromfield. [DB 4, p397].  That raises the question of whether Christopher Reynolds’ wife Elizabeth is a Brock or a Calcote.  However, note the deed above in which Christopher Reynolds calls Robert Brock his father-in-law.

 

25 May 1724         Deed: Edward Driver to John Butler, 100 acres in Newport Parish (being part of a 200 acre patent to Giles Driver of 12 March 1657) bounded by Cypress Mill, Christopher Reynolds [“Rounald”] and said John Butler.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p651, abstracted by Hopkins]

In 1717, Giles and Sarah Driver (son of Giles Driver decd) had sold Edward Driver this land containing “a water grist mill” known as Driver’s mill.  This Christopher Reynolds is the son of Richard Reynolds the younger, living in the area of the old Reynolds lands.

 

1724                      Rev. Thos. Baylie, minister of Newport Parish [the lower parish] from 1719-1725, made a report to his bishop of the status of his parish.  He noted that in Newport parish there were four small schools, whose masters were “Mr. Hurst, Mr. Irons, Mr. Gills and Mr. Reynolds.” [William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 6, p77 and summarized again in Vol.7, p210]

“Mr. Reynolds” was likely Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the elder.  I note that in 1691 Hugh Campbell “for the support of persons to impart religious instruction to the people living near North River in Norfolk county, Black Water in Isle of Wight, and Saumertown in Nansemond county, and to teach school”  gave 200 acres of land in each of the said places. [Lower Norfolk County Antiquary, by Edward W. James. Vol. I., p. 66.]  Although this covers only one of the four Newport parish schools, the one on the Blackwater may have been the school operated by “Mr. Reynolds.”   

Note the later record indicating that Hugh Campbell willed 100 acres on the Blackwater to Richard Reynolds sometime shortly after 1700.  Several decades later Christopher Reynolds leased that 100 acres, describing it as bounded by “the schoolhouse” [see 4 Oct 1738].  The land bordered the Blackwater, so it seems that Christopher Reynolds was nearer to it than any other Reynolds in 1724.  If he were the schoolmaster, this may also explain why Christopher Reynolds sold of all of his father’s other lands a decade earlier.

If he were the schoolmaster, he must have abandoned that particular post several years later when he moved much further south.

                                   

9 Jan 1724/5          Will of Giles Driver:  …Robert Richards, John Lawrence, Christopher Reynolds Jr., Giles Driver, Thomas Driver or any three of them to divide my estate.   [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p199, abstracted by Chapman]

It’s not clear which Christopher Reynolds this was.  Note that apparently the same person appraised the estate of Edward Brown a few months later but was not identified then as a “Jr.”

 

23 Nov 1725         Christopher Reynolds, John Butler, and William Noyall appraisal of estate of Edward Brown.  “Appraised at the house of Gyles Driver.” Apparently the recording date.  [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p176, abstracted by Chapman]

This appears to be the elder Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the elder.  See record below.

 

27 Dec 1725          Undated Deed recorded:  Christopher Reynolds and wife Elizabeth Reynolds of the lower parish to Joshua Whitney of the same, 150 acres in the lower parish (whereon Giles Driver now lives and being land formerly belonging to Elizabeth Reynolds)  Signed: Christopher Reynolds, Elizabeth (x) Reynolds.  Witness: John (x) Whitfield, Mary (x) Whitfield.  Undated, but from later records this was written sometime in 1725. [Isle of Wight “Great Book”, p728, abstracted by Hopkins]

This land was apparently the land left by the will of her mother to Elizabeth and her son John Reynolds.  Note that their son John Reynolds confirms this deed several years later upon reaching majority.  This may have been the same land which Christopher Reynolds had earlier sold to his father-in-law Robert Brock.  Giles Driver was evidently leasing the land, for the later deed in which Joshua Whitney’s heirs sell the land refers to a prior lease to Giles Driver.

 

11 Feb 1725/6       Will of Henry Runels [Reynolds], proved 28 April 1729.  Legatees - wife Elizabeth, son John, daughters Patience, Darkes [Dorcas] Bowin (wife of John Bowin), Elizabeth Johnson, and son-in-law John Weaid[Wade?].  Executor, John Bowin.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p155, abstracted by Chapman]  Appraisal of estate of Henry Runnells recorded 23 June 1729 by Jodges Council, Epenetus Griffin and Joseph Bracher [Bradshaw?].  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p166, abstracted by Chapman]

See the first mention of Henry Reynolds, weaver, in 1717 above.  Note the prior and later coincidence of records of this family with Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the elder.  His son John Reynolds in not mentioned in any records.

 

28 Feb 1726          Will of James Jolleffe [Jolley] of the lower parish:  Leg – wife Mary, son John, daughter-in-law Elizabeth land which adjoins John Butler and Christopher Reynolds, son James. Wife extx.  Recorded 26 November 1726.  Witness:  John Roberts, Christopher Reynolds, John Smelly.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p51, abstracted by Chapman]

John Butler had just bought land from Edward Driver adjoining Christopher Reynolds and the Cypress Mill [Great Book, p651]

 

3 Dec 1727            Oliver Woodward, Christopher Reynolds, John Gurley witnesses to will of John Gent.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p68, abstracted by Chapman]

 

26 Feb 1727/8       Estate of John Butler appraised by Timothy Tynes, Arthur Benn, Christopher Reynolds.  Signed Ann Butler.  Ordered February 1727/8.  Recorded 1 January 1728/9.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p141, abstracted by Chapman]

 

26 Feb 1727/8       Estate of Michael Fulgham appraised by William Noyall, John Wright, Christopher Reynolds.  Ordered 26 February 1727/8, recorded 28 August 1732.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p315, abstracted by Chapman]

 

27 May 1728         Margaret Jordan estate appraised by Charles Reynolds, Joseph Wright, Robert Driver.  Signed John Jordan.  Ordered 27 May 1728, recorded 26 August 1728.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p115, abstracted by Chapman]

It seems likely that this is an abstracting error and this was actually Christopher Reynolds, who lived near all the persons mentioned.  Either the abstractor or the clerk may have been misled by an abbreviation like “Chr.”

 

26 Aug 1728          John Long estate appraised by William Noyall, John Wright, Christopher Reynolds.  Ordered 26 August 1728, recorded 23 September 1728.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p125, abstracted by Chapman]

 

25 Nov 1728         Estate of Ann Riggan appraised by Robert Richards, Joshua Whitney, Christopher Reynolds.  Signed William Noyall.  (This is the recording date.)  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p134, abstracted by Chapman]

 

31 Dec 1729          John Dunkley, Abigail Waynfield, William Reynolds witnesses to will of Mary Lucus.  Recorded 27 May 1734.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 4, p3, abstracted by Chapman]

Mary Lucas and John Dunkley were living southwest of the Blackwater, on adjoining land, so this is probably a son of the Christopher Reynolds who is living in that area.  John Dunkley was examiner of estate of Christopher Reynolds in 1741.  This is the only mention of a William Reynolds in Isle of Wight records, suggesting that this might be a clerical or abstracting error.

 

23 Mar 1729/30     Estate of James Jolley [Jolleffe] appraised by William Noyall, Robert Driver, Christopher Reynolds, William West.  (This is recording date.)  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p197, abstracted by Chapman]

 

1 Sep 1730            Deed:  John Bowen to James Haisty, 116 acres on the south side of the main Blackwater Swamp (being a patent granted on 5 Sep 1720).  Witness:  Thomas Brewer, Christopher Reynolds, Thomas Morse.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 4, p38 abstracted by Hopkins]

Note that Bowen is the son-in-law of Henry Reynolds.

 

22 Mar 1730/1       Deed:  Hardy Council, Gent. to Richard Wooten and wife, Lucy Wooten, and their son William Wooten as consideration of a law suit over trespass (Lucy Wooten is a sister of Hardy Council), 500 acres on Beaver Dam Swamp. Witness: Barnaby  Kearney, Christopher Reynolds, John Pitt.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 4, p98 abstracted by Hopkins]

Two more indications, from the locations of these deeds, that this Christopher Reynolds is living south of the Blackwater.

 

24 May 1731         Account of estate of Epaphroditus Williams examined by John Chapman, Christopher Reynolds, William Noyall.  This is recording date.)  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p270, abstracted by Chapman]

 

                              Note on Appraisals:  Estate appraisals and accountings can be very valuable.  The court was directed to assign appraisers who were close neighbors and who had no personal interest in the estate.  So these records can help to eliminate possible associations – an appraiser would not have been the husband of a legatee, for example.  More importantly, they can identify fairly precisely where people were living.  In regard to identifying where people lived, these records are much more reliable than witnesses to deeds and wills, who may merely have been at the courthouse the same day the document was written and who were not necessarily near neighbors.

In the case of the last several appraisals above, we can identify (by deed and patent records) that some of these people were living in the vicinity of Cypress Swamp in the north-central part of the county, and others in the vicinity of the Blackwater and southward.  Therefore, it appears that one of the Christopher Reynolds is living in the vicinity of the old Reynolds lands and the other is living south of the Blackwater.

 

25 Aug 1731          Land Patent:  Christopher Reynolds, 15s, 105 acres in the upper parish of Nansemond County, on the north side of the Nottoway River “…beginning at a holley on the river side… a corner tree of William Fowler’s patent thence due south 98 poles bounding upon the said patent… to Nottoway River thence down the said River and bounding thereon to the first station”  [Virginia Patent Book 14, p297]

This was fairly close to the mouth of the Nottoway River, where it runs into the Blackwater at the Virginia-North Carolina state line.  The patent is in Nansemond County, which at this time included only the last 3-4 miles of the Nottoway.  When Southampton County was formed from southern Isle of Wight in 1749, this corner of Nansemond County was cut off and added into Southampton.  This is roughly 30 miles southwest of the Cypress Swamp area.

This patent to Christopher Reynolds is mentioned in three later abutting patents.  One in 1739 to Thomas Edwards, another in 1749 to Daniel Batten, and the third in 1759 to Richard Williams [see later].

 

17 Sep 1731          Land Patent:  Thomas Woodley, Richard Williams, Christopher Reynolds, and Francis Woodley of Isle of Wight County, 30s,  272 acres “in the uper (sic) parish of Nansemond County and in the fork of the Nottoway & Blackwater Rivers and bounded as followeth…beginning at a hickory on the north side of Nottoway River thence down the said River the several courses thereof and bounding thereon to the mouth thereof, thence up the Blackwater River the several courses thereof and bounding thereon to a white oak standing on the south side thereof thence bounding upon a patent granted Andrew Woodley and Thomas Woodley 15 poles to the first station [Virginia Patent Book 14, p351-2]

This is the easiest patent to locate I’ve ever seen.  There is a very short boundary with the Andrew Woodley patent of 15 poles  – the Blackwater bends back toward the Nottoway about a mile northwest of the fork, so that the two rivers  are less than 250 feet apart.  (15 poles is 247.5 feet.) This is a very easy patent to spot on any decent topographical map.  The North Carolina state line is the east and south border of this patent.  The Nottoway and Blackwater run together here, forming the Chowan River.  (Today, this is the dividing line between Hertford and Gates Counties; at that time it was all Chowan County.)  The land is today all marshland, and probably was back then, for all the surrounding land had been claimed nearly 20 years earlier.  One wonders what they intended to do with this parcel.

Like the other patent of 25 August, this was in Nansemond County at the time, but was in the corner of Nansemond that was later added to Southampton County.

 

21 Mar 1732/3       Deed:  John Reynolds to Joshua Whitney, -- acres (being land Christopher Reynolds, father of John Reynolds, and his wife Elizabeth Reynolds, deeded to said John Reynolds (sic) in 1725.)  Signed:  John Reynolds.  Witness:  John Wright, Moses Green, Henry Lightfoot.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 4, p228, abstracted by Hopkins]

This is surely an abstracting error.  The 1725 deed was to Joshua Whitney, not to John Reynolds [see entry for 27 Dec 1725] and when Whitney’s heirs later sold the land it was described it as having been bought from both Christopher and John Reynolds [Deed Book 7, p309].  It appears that the will of Susanna Brock left the land to her daughter Elizabeth Reynolds with reversion to her son John Reynolds.  Although Christopher and Elizabeth Reynolds sold the land to Joshua Whitney in 1725, their son’s deed would have been required when he turned 21 to perfect Whitney’s title.  This is a reasonably good indication that the son John Reynolds had recently turned 21 by this date.

27 Mar 1733          Estate of Christopher Reynolds appraised by Hugh Giles, Richard Williams, Joseph Wright.   Ordered 27 March 1733, recorded 22 October 1733.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p372, abstracted by Chapman]

This is the son of Richard Reynolds the younger and the husband of Ann Coleman, dying at a fairly young age.  He left several minor children and a widow named Ann.  [see 22 Feb 1741/2]

Two of the appraisers, Hugh Giles and Joseph Wright, appraised several estates in the Cypress Creek area before and after this date, thus were clearly residing in the area of the old Reynolds land.  (Note that both of them, plus Richard Reynolds, were appraisers of Richard Wilkinson above.)  There were at least two Richard Williams, and it’s not clear which one this is.  This seems pretty clear evidence that this Christopher Reynolds was the one in Cypress Creek, and not the one living several miles to the south.

 

6 Nov 1733           Estate of Samuel Special appraised by Timothy Tynes, Sharp Reynolds.  Ordered 6 November 1733, recorded 28 January 1733/4.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 3, p388, abstracted by Chapman]

This is the first appearance of Sharpe Reynolds in the records, and this record indicates he was at least 21.

 

19 Jan 1733/4        Will of Ralph Frizzell:  Leg – wife Mary, daughter Ann Holyday, daughter Mary Reynolds, son Ralph, six children now with me, viz. James, John, Joshua, Elizabeth, Lucy and Sarah.  Exs, wife and son James Frizell.  Wit:  Joseph Wiles [Wills?], Joseph Weston. Recorded 27 May 1734.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 4, p6, abstracted by Chapman]

It’s not clear who this Mary Reynolds was, but we can infer from the fact that most of the children were still living at home that she was a relatively young woman.  Her husband could have any of several Reynolds men.  We know that Christopher Reynolds had a wife named Mary [probably Mary Lightfoot] by 1748, but he was not old enough to be married by this date.  Another candidate is John Reynolds, son of the elder Christopher and grandson of Richard Reynolds the elder.  We know he was of age by this date, but we have no record in Isle of Wight naming his wife.  The same applies to Richard Reynolds, grandson of Richard Reynolds the younger.  A third possibility is Sharpe Reynolds.  No Mary Reynolds is mentioned in any other record.

 

22 Mar 1735/6       A number of processioner returns entered this date in the Newport parish vestry book mention Reynolds:

[Property line processioned]…Between James Parnale and the said Reynolds (sic),   Between John Gardner and said Reynolds and John Powel and said Reynolds…between Robert Dresser and Ann Reynolds…  [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p75]

The “said Reynolds” is not identified, but may be Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Sr., for the surrounding landowners all had purchased parts of the mysterious Richard Staples patent.  Ann Reynolds is the widow of his cousin, also named Christopher Reynolds.  This precinct was processioned by Robert Driver and John Jordan.  Note that two years later, there were no Reynolds lands processioned in this precinct.

…Between Thomas Calect [Calcote] and Sharp Reynolds…between George Wigge and Sharp Reynolds present Thomas Caleat and William Wiggs, Thomas Pierce and Sharp Reynolds, Col. Arthur Smith and Richard Reynolds.  Between William Wigg and Thomas Smith present Col. Arthur Smith and Richard Reynolds… Between Sharp Reynolds and Timothy Tyne…  Between Col. Arthur Smith and Sharp Reynolds..  Signed:  Richard Tyne, Richard Reynolds.  [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p77]

Note that this is the first appearance of a Richard Reynolds in Isle of Wight records since 8 January 1718 – a period of 18 years.  The Richard Reynolds referred to here is clearly the son of Richard and grandson of Richard the younger.

 

4 Oct 1738            Deed:  Christopher Reynolds and his son, John Reynolds, of Isle of Wight County, to William Noyall of the same place, £15:10s, a 20 year lease for one certain plantation or tract of land, containing about 100 acres in the Lower Parish of Isle of Wight, being the land where said Noyall now lives bounded by the Creek side, Carsey’s [Casey’s?] line, the old field side, said Noyall’s cart path, the main road, the schoolhouse, James Tullaugh, Permento, Whitney. Signed by Christopher Reynolds, John Reynolds and William Noyall.  Witnesses: Mathew Sellers, Robert Sanders, Edward Driver and John Westwray, recorded 28 May 1739  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 5, p331, abstracted by Hopkins]

Note there is no dower release.  It is not clear why the son John Reynolds participated in this deed, but it indicates that both father and son held title. Twenty years later [see 3 Aug 1758] Christopher Reynolds would sell this land, describing it as part of a patent to Jeremiah Ruter (which was near Cypress Swamp).  The land may be part of the land his wife inherited from her mother.  If so, this suggests his wife is now dead.  He is evidently renting the land because he is living further south.

 

2 Nov 1739           Sharp Reynolds and Capt. Timothy Tynes appointed processioners for their district.  [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p87]

 

                              Lines processioned between Thomas Pierce and Richard Reynolds, between Col. Arthur Smith and Richard Reynolds, … between Col. Arthur Smith and Sharp Reynolds.  All in the district of Sharp Reynolds and Timothy Tynes. [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p93-5]

22 Sep 1739          Patent to Thomas Edwards for 84 acres in Nansemond County, west of the Blackwater and north of the Nottoway:  “…a red oak a line tree of Christopher Reynolds…  thence bounding on William Fowler’s line and Christopher Reynold’s line… to a hickory Reynold’s corner… thence bounding on the said Reynolds…” [Virginia Patent Book 18, pp453-4]

This bounds the 1731 patent to Christopher Reynolds, not far from the North Carolina border.

 

7 Apr 1741            Sequence of deed book entries regarding distribution of the estate of Richard Reynolds:  Richard Reynolds, Christopher Reynolds, George Reynolds, and Tabitha Reynolds each separately acknowledged receipt of their portions of the estate of their father Richard Reynolds, received from their mother Rebecca Reynolds.  Each document was signed by the individual, and witnessed by the other three children.  All four acknowledgments were recorded fourteen years later on 6 March 1755, after the death of their mother. [Isle of Wight Deed Book 9, pp326-7 abstracted by Hopkins]

All four children had to have been 21 by this date, for they each acknowledged receipt of their father’s personal estate to which they were entitled upon reaching majority.  (Had any of them been under 21, their guardian would have to have done so.)  Note that all four documents were recorded on the same day that Rebecca Reynolds’ will was proved.  All four children apparently waited until their mother was dead to record these acknowledgements.

Note that the land owned by Richard Reynolds would have passed directly to his eldest son, outside the probate process.

 

13 Apr 1741          George Reynolds, John Applewhaite, Lemuel Godwin witnesses to will of Richard Wilkinson, recorded 27 September 1742.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 4, p418, abstracted by Chapman]

The will names Rachel Norsworthy as a daughter, and mentions Thomas Parker as her former husband. She may have been the same Rachel Norsworthy, wife of Joseph Norsworthy, whose daughter Elizabeth married George Reynolds. (It’s uncertain because both George Norsworthy and Joseph Norsworthy had wives named Rachel, and this will doesn’t identify which she was.)

 

22 Feb 1741/2       Accounting of estate of Christopher Reynolds, which was divided between the widow and orphans.  Examined by Hardy Council, Thomas Gale, John Dunkley.  This date is the recording date.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 4, p396, abstracted by Chapman]

It would be most helpful to see the original record in the hope if identifying the children.  And to learn whether Chapman’s use of the word “divided” means “distributed”.  By elimination, this is the same Christopher Reynolds who died in 1732/3, though his estate is just now being distributed.  His estate (meaning the personal property) would have been held in trust by the administrator until the children reached majority.  The reason for this accounting, nine years later, is that periodic accountings were required by both the court and the guardians of the children to assure that the children’s personal property was being properly managed.  It is possible that at least one of them is now 21,though the eldest son’s guardian files an accounting nineteen months later.  His  widow is still a widow, but apparently later remarried to a Hunt, for an Ann Hunt later released dower in sales of the inherited land by both Christopher and Robert Reynolds.

 

22 Mar 1741/2       Estate of Samuel Goodwin [Godwin] appraised by John Applewhaite, Richard Reynolds, Joseph Wright.  Signed  by Jacob Dickinson.  Ordered 22 March 1741/2, recorded 24 May 1742.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 4, p403, abstracted by Chapman]

 

25 Oct 1742          Estate of Richard Wilkinson appraised by Hugh Giles, Joseph Wright, Joseph Weston, Richard Reynolds.  Signed by Anthony Holladay. (Recording date.)  [Isle of Wight Will Book 4, p435, abstracted by Chapman]

The only adult Richard Reynolds that we know who was alive in 1742 was the son of the Richard Reynolds who died at least a year earlier.  Since that son had a son of his own named in his mother’s will three years later, he is certainly the person referred to in these two estate appraisal records. 

 

26 Sep 1743          Accounting of estate of Christopher Reynolds, orphan of Christopher Reynolds, by Sharpes (sic) Reynolds as guardian.  [Isle of Wight Guardian Accounts 1740-1767, p8 abstracted by Hopkins]

He is the minor son of the Christopher Reynolds who died in 1733, with his uncle serving as his guardian.  I should note that children seldom actually lived with their guardians, particularly if their mother was alive.  The job of the guardian was to manage their inherited estates,  pay their bills, and represent them in court until they reached majority.  The accounting is evidently for his share of the property dispersed 19 months earlier.  

 

21 Nov 1743         William Wiggs and Sharp Reynolds named processioners for their district.  [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p105, p113]

Added John Reynolds…[line processioned between] Richard Casey and John Reynolds.  In district of John Smelley and Thomas Wills. [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p109]

From the location of the district, this must have been the son of Christopher Reynolds and grandson of Richard Reynolds the elder.  The land is probably processioned in his name because his father (in right of his mother) would have had only a lifetime interest as long as the son was alive.  The father is not yet deceased.

 

4 May 1745           Will of Rebecca Reynolds:  Leg –  daughter Tabitha, son Richard, son George, son Christopher; grandson Richard, the son of Richard Reynolds.  Exs, son Richard and daughter Tabitha Reynolds.  Dated 4 May 1745, recorded 6 March 1755.  Wit:  Robert Tynes, Peter Green, Ann Green.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 6, p156, abstracted by Chapman]  Appraisal by Bartholomew Lightfoot, William McConnell, Robert Tynes (undated). [Isle of Wight Will Book 6, p164, abstracted by Chapman]

This is the widow of Richard Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the younger.  Note that the will of Sharpe Reynolds named Richard and George as sons of  Richard Reynolds, presumably his brother.  Though not absolutely conclusive, that would appear to identify Rebecca Reynolds as the widow of Richard Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds the younger.

 

24 Jun 1745           Deed:  Gilstrap Williams of Nansemond to Robert Carr of Isle of Wight, 150 acres on the north side of the main Blackwater Swamp (being part of a patent for 1311 acres granted Hugh Campbell on 21 Apr 1695…) adjoining Burns [Bunn?], Baker, Harris, Reynolds, and Campbell.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 7, p141 abstracted by Hopkins]

See other mentions of Hugh Campbell’s patent regarding Richard Reynolds the elder on 12 Jun 1746, 8 Jan 1747 and 1757.

 

25 Nov 1745         Estate of Joseph Wright appraised by Joseph Weston, Joseph Norsworthy, Richard Reynolds.  Signed, Martha Wright.  Ordered 25 November 1745, recorded 12 June 1746.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p24, abstracted by Chapman]

 

8 Mar 1745/6         Will of Richard Casey:  Leg – wife Jane, daughter Ann, daughter Sarah, daughter Patience, daughter Martha, son Richard, grandson John S. Wills, daughter Ann Applewhaite, friend John Wills, daughter Martha Wills, daughter Sarah Smelley.  Ex, friend John Wills.  Dated 8 March 1745/6, recorded 9 June 1748.  Wit: Bartholomew Lightfoot, William Wills. [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p112, abstracted by Chapman]

This is the Richard Casey who was married to Jane Reynolds by 1706.  She was the daughter of  Richard Reynolds the elder and granddaughter of Christopher Reynolds the immigrant. Notice that this will adds to the relationships we see in later records involving the people named in this will. 

 

18 Mar 1745/6       Deed:  John Johnson Jr. and wife Susanna of Nottoway parish to John Bowin, 50 acres on the north side of Black Creek (being part of a tract bought from Roger Tarlton by Henry Reynolds.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 7, p317 abstracted by Hopkins]

John Johnson Jr. is evidently the son of Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of Henry Reynolds. He is selling half the tract to John Bowin, son-in-law of Henry Reynolds.

 

8 May 1746           Deed:  Humphrey Cutchin and wife Ann of Nansemond to John Marshall Jr. of Newport parish in Isle of Wight, 150 acres in the lower parish (being part of a patent formerly granted to Humphrey Marshall on 5 Apr 1667) adjoining the western branch of the Nansemond River, Christopher Reynolds, Beaver Dam Swamp and said Marshall.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 7, p320 abstracted by Hopkins]

The inclusion of “said Marshall”, the 1667 patentee, suggests the survey’s description of surrounding landowners is an old one.  So it’s uncertain which Christopher Reynolds this is.  [For a similar example, see the deed immediately below.]

 

12 Jun 1746           Deed: Robert Campbell of Nansemond County to James Baker, Gentleman, of Isle of Wight County, 419 acres on the east side of Blackwater Swamp (being part of patent granted Hugh Campbell on 21 Apr 1695 who willed the 411 acres to John Campbell, decd, father of the said Robert Campbell by will in Nansemond County).  The land was surveyed by John Milner, Gent., Surveyor of Nansemond County. Land adjoins Richard Reynolds, Owin Burns and the Blackwater River. Recorded 12 Jun 1746.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 7, p324 abstracted by Hopkins]

The survey used in this deed was a very old one.  Owen Burns had died in 1705 and Richard Reynolds in 1707.  By the time of this sale, the adjoining land was owned by his son Christopher Reynolds, who sold it in 1758.  See other mentions of Hugh Campbell’s patent regarding Richard Reynolds 24 Jun 1745, 8 Jan 1747 and 1757. 

 

9 Oct 1746            Christopher Reynolds a member of a jury ruling on a petition by James Tooke Scott for 1 acre on Ashen Swamp to build a water mill.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 7, p430 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

1747                      Christopher Reynolds identified as the husband of Elizabeth Saunders, sister of John Saunders.  [Isle of Wight Order Book 1746-52, p29, abstracted by Chapman]

 

30 Sep 1747          William Rand and Christopher Reynolds named processioners for their district, replacing William Wiggs and Sharpe Reynolds.  [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p127]

 

8 Jan 1747/8          Deed:  Christopher Reynolds of Nottoway Parish to Robert Carr of the same place, 100 acres on the north side of the main Blackwater Swamp (being part of a patent for 1311 acres granted to Hugh Campbell on 21 April 1695 and was willed in Nansemond County by Hugh Campbell, decd., to Richard Reynolds) adjoining Robert Carr’s other land bought from Gilstrap Williams and land of William Fowler.  Signed: Christopher Reynolds. Witness: Arthur Smith, Daniel (x) Doyle, Thomas (x) Bradshaw, Joseph (x) Bradshaw.  Recorded 14 Jan 1747/8.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 8, p52 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is pretty clearly the son of Richard Reynolds the elder, still alive in 1748.  Nottoway Parish at this time was synonymous with Southampton County, so this is the Christopher Reynolds who is probably living in or near the fork of the Blackwater and Nottoway Rivers. 

This patent to Hugh Campbell was on Currawaugh Swamp and Blackwater Swamp a good 10-15 miles south of the original Reynolds settlement on Cypress Creek.  [VPB 8:415] From deed records of other parts of this patent, we can determine that Campbell’s will (now lost) in Nansemond County left the bulk of this patent in several separate pieces to half a dozen people, one of whom was Richard Reynolds the elder.  The patent was located east of the Nottoway, probably in the vicinity of Christopher Reynolds’ other land in that general area.   Hugh Campbell was still alive in 1704, when the quit rents show him with 800 acres in Princess Anne County.  So he must have died after 1704 but before Richard Reynolds himself died in 1707.   
 

10 Mar 1747/8       Estate of Christopher Butler appraised by James Godwin, John Smelley, Christopher Reynolds.  Signed John Butler.  Ordered 10 March 1747/8, recorded 14 April 1748.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p100, abstracted by Chapman]

Same date:  Estate of Robert Richards appraised by Richard Reynolds, Joseph Norsworthy, John Scammell.  Signed, Mary Richards.  Ordered 10 March 1747/8, recorded 12 May 1748.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p107, abstracted by Chapman]

 

1748                      Processioners returns:  Richard Reynolds and Joseph Norsworthy for one district, William Rand and Christopher Reynolds for another district.  [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p131]

Line between William Godwin and Christopher Reynolds processioned (in district of William Eley and Will Whittley).  [Newport Parish Vestry Book, p133]

 

13 Apr 1749          Catherine Saunders, orphan of John, chose Christopher Reynolds as her guardian.  John Saunders, her former guardian, contested her choice.  [“Isle of Wight Orphans and Other Children”, Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 25, No. 2, p52, from Order Book 1746-1752, p162]   The dispute must not have been settled, for on 11 June, she chose someone else as her guardian. [Ibid.]

This is presumably the Christopher Reynolds who had married Elizabeth Saunders, sister of John Saunders.  Catherine Saunders was apparently their sister.

 

10 May 1749         Deed:  Christopher Reynolds to John Chesnutt, Jr., 400 acres of 750 acres in Newport Parish (being land granted Richard Staples on 12 Jan 1661...the remaining 350 acres being vested with the said Christopher Reynolds, grandson of the said Richard Staples).  Signed: Christopher Reynolds.  Witness: Godfrey Powell, Benjamin (x) Parnall and John Hole [Hale?]. Recorded 11 May 1749.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 8, p242 abstracted by Hopkins]

There is no patent recorded to Richard Staples for this date, in fact no patents at all issued to Richard Staples (that I can find), beyond a mention of his 150-acre patent in Archer’s Hope in 1625.  Nor is there a patent issued to anyone else on that date.

This deed identifies Christopher Reynolds, the son of Richard Reynolds the elder, as a grandson of Richard Staples, meaning that his father Richard Reynolds must have been married to  a daughter of Richard Staples.  Whether that daughter was Joyce Reynolds or not is unproven.  The first record of Joyce Reynolds is in 1693, but Christopher Reynolds was born at least 15 years earlier.  We have no way of knowing whether Joyce was his mother or whether there was an earlier wife.

Note also that this is the last certain record of this Christopher Reynolds, who just two years earlier was identified as living in Nottoway Parish in what is now Southampton County.  Nansemond records are mostly lost, and he does not appear in Southampton’s records.

It is possible that the Reynolds who show up a few years later in Johnston County, North Carolina are his sons, but based on later records some of them seem to have been his cousin’s children.  The deed books of Johnston County are lost, but the grantor-grantee index books survive.  They show deed to and from Christopher, William, Richard, and Robert Reynolds recorded beginning in the April 1757 – April 1758 period.  Christopher and Robert, at least, seem to be relatives of this man but not him or his children.  William Reynolds, married to a widow named Joyce Sullivan, was from Brunswick County, Virginia and apparently unrelated.

 

20 May 1749         Patent to Daniel Batten for 53 acres in Nansemond County:  beginning at “a red oak a line tree of Christopher Reynolds land and a corner tree of Thomas Edward’s line.”  [Virginia Patent Book 27, pp187-8]

This abuts the 1731 patent to Christopher Reynolds, in the southwestern corner of Nansemond, which was later added into Southampton County.

 

1749                      Southampton County formed from the southern portion of Isle of Wight.  The small corner of Nansemond County where the fork of the Nottoway and Blackwater is located (and where one of the Christopher Reynolds owned land) was added into Southampton, but the precise date is unknown.  It may have been added after this date.  Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Sr., is in either Southampton or Nansemond, depending on when that boundary line changed. [Virginia Counties: Those Resulting from Virginia Legislation, Morgan Poitiaux Robinson (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1992)]

 

3 Aug 1749            Estate of Hugh Giles Sr. appraised by Richard Reynolds, Joseph Norsworthy, Lemuel Godwin.  Signed Mary Pedin.  Ordered 3 August 1749, recorded 7 December 1749.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p218, abstracted by Chapman]

 

6 Sep 1749            Deed of Gift:  Jacob Darden and wife Elizabeth to his brother Charles Darden, ½ of two patents granted Jacob Darden the Elder… estimated to be 237 acres… which came to Samuel Darden from his father Jacob Darden Sr. who conveyed it to his brother Joseph Darden Jr. of North Carolina by Michael Reynolds and wife Alice Reynolds.  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 8, p268 abstracted by Hopkins]

The abstract is confusing, as it is not clear when or where these Reynolds were involved.  Who they are is unknown. However, it could be that Michael Reynolds is a son of Christopher and grandson of Richard Reynolds the elder.  The land in question was not far from the North Carolina border, and the Dardens had lived south of the Blackwater for several decades by this time.  By proximity, it would seem that Michael Reynolds was possibly related to the Christopher Reynolds living in that area.

 

5 Oct 1749            Estate of William Wainwright appraised by Richard Reynolds, Thomas Wills, Joseph Norsworthy.  Signed, Elizabeth Wainwright.  Ordered 5 October 1749, recorded 5 July 1750.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p252, abstracted by Chapman]

 

7 Dec 1749            Accounting of estate of Ralph Gibbs examined by Hugh Giles and Richard Reynolds.  (Recording date.)  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p217, abstracted by Chapman]

Same date:  Accounting of estate of Robert Driver examined by Richard Reynolds and Richard Jordan.  (Recording date.)  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p221, abstracted by Chapman]

 

29 Jan 1749/50      Deed:  Christopher Reynolds and his wife, Elizabeth Reynolds, of Newport Parish, to Robert Tynes of the same place, 25 acres on the old road to Broadwater adjoining Arthur Applewhaite and said Tynes.  Signed: Christopher Reynolds, Elizabeth (x) Reynolds.  Recorded 29 Feb 1749  [Isle Of Wight Deed Book 8, p292 abstracted by Hopkins]

 

1 Feb 1749/50       Deed: Christopher Reynolds, son of Christopher Reynolds late of Isle of Wight, and wife, Mary Reynolds, to [Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds] ...? acres in Newport Parish late in the tenure of George Whitley adjoining Capt. Arthur Smith and Robert Tynes.  Signed:  Christopher Reynolds, Mary Reynolds.  Witness: Bartholomew Lightfoot, James Garner and John Smelly. [Isle of Wight Deed Book 8, p359 abstracted by Hopkins]

The grantee is not given in this abstract, but the deed at 15 May 1773 clarifies that the grantor was Christopher Reynolds, son of Christopher Reynolds and Ann Coleman, and the grantee was his first cousin Christopher Reynolds, son of Richard Reynolds III. (The fact that the grantee and grantor had the same name probably confused the abstractor.)  The acreage in that later record is given as 130 acres.
 

6 Feb 1749/50       Deed of Gift:  Christopher Reynolds to Robert Reynolds…  200 acres adjoining Robert Driver and Capt. James Turner (being the land that Robert Reynolds now lives on).   Signed:  Christopher Reynolds.  Witness: John Smelly, Thomas Norsworth (sic), and Benjamin Brock. [Isle of Wight Deed Book 8, p361 abstracted by Hopkins]

This is Christopher Reynolds, son of Christopher and Ann, gifting part of his inherited land to his brother.  The deed at 7 June 1754 confirms that the grantee was his brother.

 

7 Jun 1750             Estate of Charles Chapman appraised by Richard Reynolds, John Godwin, Jonathan Godwin.  Signed, Joseph Chapman.  Recording date.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p247, abstracted by Chapman]

Same date: Estate of John Jolly appraised by John Smelly, Thomas Norsworthy, Christopher Reynolds.  Signed, Ann Jolly.  Ordered 7 June 1750, recorded 6 September 1750.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p262, abstracted by Chapman]

 

5 Jul 1750              Estate of Jacob Darden appraised by John Baldwin, Christopher Reynolds, John Butler.  Signed, Elizabeth Darden.  Ordered 5 July 1750, recorded 6 September 1750.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p264, abstracted by Chapman]

Same date:  Estate of John Chesnutt appraised by Christopher Reynolds, John Powell, Bartholomew Lightfoot.  Signed, Martha Chesnutt.  Ordered 5 July 1750, recorded 6 September 1790.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p268, abstracted by Chapman]

The other persons are apparently living in southeastern Southampton County, so this Christopher Reynolds may be the son of Richard Sr., who must be quite aged by now.  This person may have been his son, though there is no clear record of his having a son of this name..

 

23 Aug 1750          Richard Reynolds, John Godwin, Wilkinson Parker witnesses to will of Sarah Goodwin [Godwin], recorded 1 November 1750.  [Isle of Wight Will Book 5, p279, abstracted by Chapman]

 

16 Dec 1750          Robert Reynolds, Bartholomew Lightfoot, Edward (x) Chesnutt, Benjamin Brock, and James Garner witnesses to deed of John Chesnutt to Thomas Pledger for 150 acres (100 acres in Newport Parish being part of a patent granted to Richard Staples on 12 January 1661 and 20 acres adjoining Christopher Wade…. the 100 acres sold by Levi Buskin to John Chesnutt on 19 February 1730).  [Isle of Wight Deed Book 8, p363 abstracted by Hopkins]

Both the Richard Reynolds and Robert Reynolds above appear to have been living in the northern part of the county.