The Carson Family
From
Washington County, Virginia
To Rockcastle County, Kentucky
To Jellico, Tennessee
To Davie, Broward County, Florida
Carson Land
Washington County, Virginia
The land records below show that David Carson (1741 - 1803) arrived in the Washington Co., Virginia area
as early as 1772.
In 1738, two Virginia counties were formed west of the Blue Ridge Mountains: Frederick in the north and Augusta in the south.
However, the Augusta area did not have sufficient population to support a county until 1745. Included in the group appointed magistrates were: John Buchanan, Robert Campbell, and John Brown. Colonel James Patton was the first sheriff of Augusta County and he and his son-in-law John Buchanan (a deputy surveyor) were major landowners (grant of 120,000 acres). Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
In 1748, Dr. Thomas Walker (who in 1752 became a deputy surveyor of Augusta County) led a party (including Colonel James Patton, Colonel John Buchanan, and Major Charles Campbell) that explored southwest Virginia. They surveyed and claimed land under the James Patton grant. (Some of which had been surveyed earlier by John Buchanan.) Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
The Campbell family played a major role in the
development of southwest Virginia and Kentucky. John Campbell moved his family from Ireland to Pennsylvania in 1726. John and three of his sons then moved to the area that is now Augusta County, Virginia:
1. John’s son, Patrick, had son Charles, who had son William. William Campbell was born 1745. He is the Colonel William Campbell of the
Battle of Kings Mountain. Colonel William Campbell’s wife was a sister of Patrick Henry.
2. John’s son Robert
3. John’s son, David, had a son John, born 1741. In 1765, John (born 1741) accompanied Dr Thomas Walker in his exploration. John (born 1741) purchased
a tract of land near the headwaters of the Holston River called “Royal Oak.” John (born 1741) moved there with his brother Arthur and sister Margaret.
(This Arthur is not Colonel Arthur Campbell.) About 1771, David, father of John (born 1741) and rest of family joined them at “Royal Oak.” John (born 1741) is the John Campbell
who was with Col William Christian and Major Evan Shelby
in the October 1776 attack on the Cherokee Over-Hill towns. John (born 1741) was a clerk of the Washington County, Virginia Court. John (born 1741) is father of
Gov David Campbell.
Source: Annals of Augusta County, Virginia, by Jos. A. Waddell, Second Edition, 1902, Chapter 5, page 140 - 150.
Stephen Holston under the “corn rights” provision (entitled to 100 acres for every acre of corn planted) had settled at the headspring of the Middle Fork of the Holston River. Stephen Holston sold these rights to James Davis. In 1748, John Buchanan surveyed the land. (Note: Joseph and Esther Crockett were at the headwaters of the South Fork of the Holston River.) Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
The Virginia Colony wanted to expand its foothold in Augusta County (to counter the influence of the French who controlled the upper Mississippi River area). In 1753, it passed a law saying that any Protestants living in or moving into the county would be exempt from public or parish levies for 15 years. In 1754, Dr. Thomas Walker on behalf of the “Loyal Company” continued to survey and sell land in Augusta County for three pounds per hundred acres. In 1754, Colonel James Patton was also surveying and selling land covered by his land grant. Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
The start of the French-Indian War (1754-1763) stopped the surveying and selling of land in August County and forced many settlers to move out of the area. Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
In 1757, the Indians raided Dickenson Fort in Augusta County. A young Arthur Campbell
(1743 - 1811) was wounded and captured. After
three years, he escaped. In adult life, Col Arthur Campbell was active in military and political
affairs and is known as the "Father of Washington County." In
consideration of his services, the Governor of Virginia granted him 1,000 acres
of land. Source: Page 67, Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
The English and the French signed a peace treaty in 1762. However, the Indians continued to fight in Southwestern Virginia for another year. The small number of settlers (Col. William Preston, James Davis) that remained in the area were confined to their forts. During this period, a number of white hunters visited the area (Elisha Wallen, Scaggs, Daniel Boone, and Nathaniel Gist). Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
In 1764, in an attempt to make peace with the Indians, the British said that no whites could hunt or settle west of the Alleghenies. This could have voided the land grants of the Loyal Company (Dr Thomas Walker) and the heirs of James Patton, but later the British allowed these claims. Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
In 1765, Fort Edmiston was built in the Liberty Hall neighborhood of Washington County, VA. William Edmiston (Edmondson) received a 1763 land patent from Charles II because he was an officer in the French and Indian war. His neighbors in the Liberty Hall neighborhood were the Buchanans and the Moores. Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
In 1765, John Campbell and his father David Campbell purchased from John Buchanan 740 acres of the land near the headwaters of the Holston River that Buchanan surveyed in 1747. Several years later the Campbells settled at “Royal Oak” near Marion, VA. The first
Campbells to come were the sons John and Arthur and the daughter Margaret. (This
Arthur is not Colonel Arthur Campbell.) In 1769, the father, David, his wife, and the rest of the siblings joined them: James, David, Robert, Patrick, Mary, Martha, Sarah, and Ann. Source:
Page 84, Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
In 1768, under the Treaty of Fort Stanwix, the Six Nations ceded all of the land to King George. This resulted in large numbers of settlers moving into Augusta County in the winter of 1768 and early 1769. Source: Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
Washington County, VA Survey records abstracts Col. Arthur Campbell...treasury Warrant...650 ac...on both sides of the middle fork of Holston River, being the land that he lives on known by the name of Goodwood and including his patent land, being part of the tract of land known by the name of the Royal Oak, containing 490 ac, patent granted to John Buchanan, August 22, 1753, conveyed to John Campbell by deed dated March 2, 1769 and from Campbell conveyed to Arthur Campbell by deeds dated August 15, 1769 the whole being 1140 ac...Beginning corner to David Campbell, Sr...crossing Mill Creek...line between David Campbell & Arthur Campbells.
(The 1140 acre tract was located in what is now Smyth County near or west of
Marion.)
***
The David Carson land is in the area of
Washington County known as Liberty Hall, near Lodi. The Rock Springs Presbyterian Church
is located on the eastern end of the property. From there, the property runs
west along a small stream that flows into the Middle Fork of the Holston River.
Washington County, VA Survey records abstracts David
Carson...400 ac...Commissioners Certificate...on a branch of the Middle Fork of Holstein River and on the south side of said fork...Beginning corner with Collin
Crelly's [Crilley] land...on Thomas Montgomerys line...on Samuel Buchanans patent line...to Robert Buchanans land...March 29, 1783 - David Carson, assignee of John Campbell...400 ac...on a branch of the Middle Fork waters, includes improvements, actual settlement made in 1772...August 24, 1781
VA Land Office Land Grant Book Q:168-169 June 20, 1785; 400 acres on the south side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River; Land Grant issued as a certificate in right of settlement given by the Commissioner for adjusting the titles to unpatented lands in Washington County. (Surveyed: March 29, 1783) Two pounds sterling paid by David Carson to the Treasury of the Commonwealth. Neighboring properties: Collin Crilley, Thomas Montgomery, Samuel Buchanan, and Robert Buchanan.
[Note: Brief of Deeds Washington County Record of Deeds No 1
Page 98, September 11, 1788, Collin Crilley, late of Washington County, for 120 pounds sold to Samuel Lowrey 122 acres on the waters of the Middle Fork Of the Holston River.
Source: "Annals of Southwest Virginia" by Lewis Preston Summers, Page 1283]
VA Land Office Land Grant Book 62:293-295 and Washington County Virginia Survey Book 2:307-308
March 20, 1792 David and Elizabeth Carson deeded 53 acres to William Moore. (East of the current location of the Rock Springs Church.)
Deed Book 1, page 240, Washington County, Virginia, 1792. Indenture dated March 20, 1792 between David Carson and his wife Elizabeth of the one part and William Moore of the other part, both of Washington County, Virginia. Twenty-five pounds. Fifty-three acres on branch of the middle fork of the Holstein River, same granted by patent to David Carson June 20, 1785. Mentions: rock spring, meeting house, grave yard, John Evans land, David Carson land, James Snodgrass line, Robert Buchanan land.
See "Annals of Southwest Virginia" by Lewis Preston Summers, Page 1293
Agreement between David Carson and
David Craig, dated September 30, 1802, and recorded in
Washington County, Virginia Deed Book 3, page 643.
Apparently, David Carson offered a tract of land and in return David Craig offered a tract of land plus $200. However, David Craig would not have to pay the $200 until 80 acres of the Carson land had its title cleared.
Carson land bounded by: Thomas Montgomery, Richard Montgomery, John Dennison (?), William Moore, and David Craig.
Craig land: known as Kerr's [Kirk's] Place, adjoining James Thompson, Meeks, and Hustons [Hutton]. Witnesses: Samuel Meek and William Carson
(Note: The Craig land was acquired by David Craig's brother Robert on October 9, 1787 [Washington County Deed Book 1:60] and willed to David in 1794 when Robert died. This tract was located on both sides of Bakers Creek - now Hutton Creek - which is a creek on the north side of the Middle Fork of the Holston River, not too far from the Washington/Smyth County line. This agreement may not have been implemented, or David Craig may have
inherited the land following the death of David Carson in 1803, since David Craig and Margaret his wife sold that 300 acre tract to Joseph Meek Jr. on March 18, 1806 [Washington County Deed Book 3:461]. )
Settlement between David Craig and other heirs of
David Carson
Dated June 19, 1809 in Lincoln County, Kentucky
Dated July 3, 1809 in Knox County, Kentucky,
Dated August 16, 1809 in Washington County, Virginia
Recorded in Washington County, Virginia Deed Book 4, page 201.
Participants:
David Craig of Washington Co, Virginia
and
William Craig and wife Mary of Knox County, Kentucky
William Carson and wife Eleanor of Lincoln County, Kentucky
Joseph Carson and wife Mary of Lincoln County, Kentucky
David Carson and wife Cynthia of Lincoln County, Kentucky
Samuel Carson of Lincoln County, Kentucky
Charles C Carson of Lincoln County, Kentucky
Consideration:
From David Craig, $1500
From other heirs, interest in land in Washington County, Virginia on a branch of
the Middle Fork of the Holstein River. Same land as was granted to David Carson,
deceased, by patent dated June 20, 1785. Bounded by: Collin Creely’s land,
Thomas Montgomery’s line, Samuel Buchanan’s patent line, Robert Buchanan’s
land, except for the 53 acres sold by David Carson to William Moore on March 20,
1792. (Richard Montgomery later acquired Collin Crilley's land.)
May 27, 1822--Between John Montgomery and
Elizabeth his wife and Robert Craig and Sally his wife of the County of
Rockcastle in the State of Kentucky of the one part and Andrew Russell of the
County of Washington in the State of Virginia of the other part Witnesseth that
the said John Montgomery and Elizabeth his wife and Robert Craig and Sally his
wife for and in consideration of the sum of One Thousand Two hundred dollars
current money they do bargain and sell unto the said Andrew Russell and his
heirs all the right which the said John Montgomery and Elizabeth his wife and
Robert Craig and Sally his wife have in the tract of land lying in the forks of
Holston River estimated to contain according to the original Survey made in the
name of David Carson decd three hundred and forty seven acres as conveyed to the
said David Craig decd the ancestor of the said Elizabeth wife of the said John
and the said Robert Craig. They also bargain and sell unto the said Russell all
their interest in the adjoining Entries. One estimated to contain forty four
acres (bordered David Carson's land on the north) and the other five made and surveyed in the name of the said David Craig
decd- the right of the said Elizabeth wife of the said John and the said Robert
being one undivided fourth part thereof of which decended (sic) to them from the
said David Craig their father. The said John Montgomery and Elizabeth do also
for the consideration aforesaid bargain and sell unto the said Andrew Russell
and his heirs all the right which they have in and to a tract of eight hundred
and sixty acres of land adjoining Robert Houston's lands and others granted to
the said Russell by patent bearing date the 10th day of October 1799 who admits
that the four surviving heirs of the said David Craig decd have an equitable
interest in one undivided moiety thereof with all their appurtenances. (The 860 acre tract started east of Alvarado and extended in a northeasterly direction.)
John Montgomery
Eliza C. Montgomery
Robert Craig
Sarah her X mark Craig
State of Kentucky, Rockcastle County May County Court 1822 This day John
Montgomery and Elizabeth his wife and Robert Craig and Sally his wife came into
Court and produced a deed from them to Andrew Russell of the State of Virginia
bearing date the 27th day of May 1822 which they acknowledged to be their act
and deed for the purposes therein mentioned and the said Elizabeth and Sally
being examined in open Court separate and apart from their husbands freely and
voluntarily relinquished their right to Dower in the land conveyed by said deed.
It is therefore ordered that this order and acknowledgement be copied on the
back of said deed and certified; agreeable to the requitions of the act of
Congress.
Kentucky Rockcastle County. (Washington County Deed Book 8, pages 54-56)
September 1, 1825 Washington County, Virginia Deed Book 8, pages 542 and 543.
Indenture between Robert Preston, Sr. of Washington County on one part and on the other part David Carson, Samuel Carson, Mary Craig (and her husband William Craig) who were sons and daughter of late Mary Carson and heirs of David Carson,
decd. Filed by Benjamin Estill, their attorney in fact, because these Carson heirs were residents of Rockcastle County and Clay County Kentucky. (Letters of Attorney dated October 2, 1822 and March 31, 1825.)
David Carson, the elder, in his lifetime executed a bond to Robert Preston for conveyance of two tracts of land. (Preston filed suit against the seven Carson heirs in Superior Court of Chancery in Wythe Courthouse.) These three Carson heirs sold to Preston their three-sevenths interest in two tracts of land for $220:
*Five hundred acre tract of land in Washington County Virginia on the waters of the middle fork of the Holstein River granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to David Carson the elder, now
decd, adjoining the lands of: James Anderson; land formerly owned by William Kennedy,
decd, now owned by Jonathan Smith.
*Four and one-half acre tract of land purchased by David Carson the elder, adjoining the above tract.
Mentions that the other four-sevenths was sold by the other Carson heirs to Robert Preston, Sr through another attorney, Robert E Cumming.
April 28, 1828, Washington County, Virginia Book 9 B, pages 615 - 617
Indenture between on one part Samuel Preston of Washington County, Virginia and on the other part Samuel M Dysart and his wife Margaret of Rockcastle County, Kentucky. [Samuel Meek Dysart was married to Margaret Ann Craig, the daughter of David Craig and Margaret Ann Carson, the daughter of David Carson and Elizabeth Dysart.] Margaret (Craig) Dysart was one of the four living heirs of David Craig.
For three hundred dollars Samuel and Margaret Dysart sold their one-fourth interest to Samuel Preston in land lying in the folks of the Holston River in Washington County, Virginia:
*Three hundred and forty-seven acres "according to the original survey made in the name of David Carson, decd" which was "conveyed to David Craig the ancestor of the said Margaret wife of the said Dysart."
*Forty-four acres and five acres, adjoining the above tract, "made surveyed and granted in the name of said David Craig."
On November 7, 1827, Thomas McCullach, in the presence of Wm Dunn, following the directions of "said Russell" divided the property. Because "said Russell" determined the dividing line, Dysart, or whomever he sold his interest to, could pick which half he wanted. Dysart, on behalf of Preston, chose the half north of the dividing line.
September 19, 1832 Washington County, Virginia Deed Book 11, pages 143 - 145.
Indenture between on one part Andrew Russell and his wife Nancy and on the other part Samuel Preston.
For four hundred dollars, Andrew and Nancy Russell sold to Samuel Preston 196 acres in Washington County. The description mentions:
*"the tract of land on which David Craig lived at the time of his death above the head of the Rock Spring"
*"the Rock spring meeting house"
*"the head of the spring"
*"an original corner in David Carson's survey from whom said David Craig purchased"
*"line of Samuel Moore's land"
*"the same 196 acres having on a division of the lands of the said David Craig who died intestate descended to his children and heirs, to wit, Elizabeth, Robert, William, and Margaret R Dysart"
*Elizabeth, Robert, and William sold their shares to Andrew Russell
June 1, 1838 Washington County, Virginia Deed Book 13, pages 281 and 282
Indenture between on one part William Craig and Polly his wife of Rockcastle County, Kentucky and Samuel M Dysart and Margaret his wife of Rockcastle County, Kentucky and on the other part Andrew Russell of Washington County, Virginia.
For eighty dollars William Craig and Samuel Dysart sold one-half interest in fifty acres in Washington County to Andrew Russell. [When David Craig died he had five children, but later the youngest daughter Polly Craig died without issue. So, William Craig and his sister Margaret (Craig) Dysart each had a one-fourth interest.] The description of the land mentions:
*south side of the Middle fork of the Holston river
*James Hand land
*Evans land
*up the meanders of the river
*same tract of land that was patented to David Craig on September 27, 1800
***
In 1784, the Rock Spring Church was organized. In 1820, Robert Edmondson and Matthew Brown deeded the land that the church is now on.
Source: Page 610 Summers “History of Southwest Virginia”
***
Robert and Donna Jean Ford, using their computer survey program (Deed Plotter+), prepared plots of some of the David Carson land:
400 acre tract
53 acres sold to William Moore
Overview of Carson-Moore Land
***
Washington Co VA
Judgment Book abstracted by Shelby Ireson Edwards
Page 33 August Court 1784 Returnable to Next Court
“Interest from 1 Aug. 1776
Judgment of attachment David Carson, Garnishee. Executed and Settled. James
Doran, DS”
***
Washington County, VA Survey records abstracts 1781-1797 Submitted to the USGenWeb archives and copyrighted by Rhonda Robertson
Page 298 David Carson, assignee of Robert Preston - 62 ac - treasury warrant - on the north side of the south fork of Holstein River and adjoining Alex McNutt's settlement - beginning in John McCutcheons line - November 19, 1785
***
Washington County, VA Survey records abstracts 1781-1797 Submitted to the USGenWeb archives and copyrighted by Rhonda Robertson
Page 458 Francis Kincannon, assignee of David Carson, assignee of Robert Preston - 49 ac - treasury warrant #1927 dated December 12, 1781 - on the south side of the south fork of Holstein River - near Moses Buchanans meadow - corner said Kincannons land - on Rozinbum's line - March 8, 1796
***
Washington County,
VA Survey records abstracts 1781-1797 Submitted to the USGenWeb archives and
copyrighted by Rhonda Robertson
Page 384 John Larimer - 20 ac - assignee of David Carson - treasury warrant
#15027 - on a branch of the south fork of Holstein - corner to Mathew Buchanan's
land - corner to Moses Buchanan - June 5, 1789
***
Washington County, VA Survey records abstracts 1781-1797 Submitted to the USGenWeb archives and copyrighted by Rhonda Robertson
Page 343 David Carson - 365 ac - treasury warrant #8423 - in the Poor Valley on the waters of Cane Creek and Trading Creek, branches of Powells' River - beginning on the north side of the Poor Valley Knobs - corner to John Barr - at the foot of the Stone Mountain - January 5, 1786
Virginia State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; Virginia State Land Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-. Land Office Grants No. 28, 1792-1793, p. 404 (Reel 94).
Carson, David, grantee
13 June 1793.
365 acres in the Poor Valley on the waters of Cane Creek and Trading Creek branches of Powells River. Washington County
***
Brief of Deeds Washington County Record of Deeds No 1
Page 76, September 6, 1794, Alexander Montgomery, late sheriff of the County of Washington, to David Carson, for $11.00, 182 acres on Spring Creek.
Source: "Annals of Southwest Virginia" by Lewis Preston Summers, Page 1326
***
The Washington County, Virginia Personal Property and Land Book for both 1798 and 1800 show that David Carson, Sr had 430 acres.
***
Carson, David. grantee
29 September 1800.
500 acres on a branch of the middle fork, and on the north side of the fork
adjoining Hamerley, Kennady &c. Washington County
Virginia State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; Virginia State Land
Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-. Land Office Grants No. 47, 1800-1801, p. 262
(Reel 113).
Question: Is this the David Carson who died 1803 or the David Carson, born 1774 (son of Samuel Carson)?
***
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