Greensville County
Notes from the records of Greensville County

NOTES FROM THE RECORDS OF GREENSVILLE COUNTY. By Mrs. Dora Hedges Goodwyn. The General Assembly of Virginia passed an Act in October, 1780, for dividing Brunswick County into two distinct counties, to take effect February 1, 1781, the new county to be called Greensville. Below are extracts from the first order book of the newly erected County of Greensville, copied by Mrs. Wm. Waller Robertson, of the Joseph Hedges Chapter, D. A. R., of Emporia, Virginia: At a meeting of the Justices for the County of Greensville at Hicks's Ford on Thursday the twenty second day of February in the Year of our Lord Christ, one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, in the fifth year of the Commonwealth, in pursuance to an Act of Assembly passed at the last session for dividing the County of Brunswick into two distinct Counties. The said Act was produced and read, as also a Commission of the Peace and Oyer and Terminer for the County directed to James Watt, Douglas Wilkins, William Stark, Alexander Watson, James Mann, William Mason, Wm. Batte, John Turner, John Dawson, Thomas Cocke, Simon Turner, William Watson, Philip Person, Edmund Wilkins, Charles Lucas junior, William Stark junior, John Lucas, Richard Peete, Wm. Maclin, and Jordan Richardson, Gentlemen. Whereupon, the said William Stark and James Mann administered the oaths to the Commonwealth, the oath of a Judge at Common Law and Chancery, and of Oyer and Terminer to Douglas Wilkins, gent, according to Law, and the said Douglas Wilkins administered the said oaths to Wm. Stark, James Mason, Wm. Stark junior, John Lucas and Jordan Richardson, gentlemen. Present. The above named Qualified Justices. Daniel Fisher, gent, is appointed by the Court to act as Attorney for the Commonwealth in this County Court, he having taken the oath to this Commonwealth, and of his Office, according to Law. James Wall, gent, produced a Commission appointing him Sheriff of the County, and having taken the oaths of his office according to Law and entered into Bond in the penalty of one hundred thousand pounds with James Mason his security, conditioned as the Law directs, which bond is ordered to be recorded. Robert Mabry and Nathaniel Lucas are admitted and qualified as Deputy Sheriffs of the County according to Law. A Bond from Robert Mabry and Nathaniel Lucas to James Wall was acknowledged by the Obligors and ordered to be recorded. The last Will and Testament of Nathaniel Malone deceased was partly proved by the oath of Thomas Morris—junior, a Witness thereto. Order Book 1, page 1. At a Court held for Greensville County on Thursday the twenty second day of March in the Year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty one, and in the Fifth year of the Commonwealth. Present. Douglas Wilkins, James Mann, William Stark, Wm. Stark junior, John Lucas, gent, Justices. Edmund Wilkins and William Maclin gent, named in the Commission of the Peace for the County took the Oaths to the Commonwealth and of Common Law Chancery and Oyer and Terminer according to Law and then took their seats accordingly. On the motion of Peter Pelham gent he is appointed Clerk of this County Court, he having taken the oaths to the Commonwealth and of his office according to Law. The last Will and Testament of Nathaniel Malone deceased was fully proved by the oath of Robert Powell a Witness thereto and is ordered to be recorded. Order Book No. 1, page 2. William Fanning, Daniel Sills, Timothy Redding and Richard Peete (they having first sworn) are appointed to appraise in current money the estate of Charles Lucas junior dece'd according to Law and return the appraisement thereof to the Court. Wilson Shehorn is appointed Surveyor of the Road in the room of Benjamin Sykes and the hands that belong to the said Road do attend and keep the same in repair according to Law. Order Book No. 1, page 3. At a Court for Greenville County on Thursday the twenty sixth day of April in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty one in the fifth year of the Commonwealth. Present. William Starke, Edmund Wilkins, Wm. Stark junior, John Lucas, Wm. Maclin, gent, Justices. The last Will and Testament of Seymour Powell dece'd was proved according to Law by the Oaths of Daniel Fisher, Thomas Hicks and Henry Bass Witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. And on motion of James Ransome and John Rogers the Executors herein named who made oath thereto according to Law and together with James Mason, Benjamin Hicks. Francis Dancey their Securities entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the Penalty of two hundred thousand pounds, conditioned as the Law directs. Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form. Order Book No. 1, page 4. On the motion of Thomas Lewellen a License is granted him to keep an Ordinary at his house in the County for one year, he having together with Samuel Pine, his Security, entered into and acknowledged their Bond according to Law. At a Court for Greensville County on Thursday the twenty eighth day of June in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty one in the fifth year of the Commonwealth. Present. Douglas Wilkins, James Mann, William Stark, John Lucas, gent, Justices. Thomas Cocke gent, named in the Commission of the Peace, took the oaths to the Commonwealth and of his office according to Law, and took his seat accordingly. Order Book No. 1, page 5.   An Indenture from Thomas Lawrence was acknowledged by the said Thomas and is ordered to be recorded. William Stark, junior, gent, is appointed Commissioner of the specie taxes in the room of David Rosser who hath resigned that Office. At a Court for Greensville County on the twenty third day of August in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty-one in the sixth year of the Commonwealth. Present. James Mason, Jno. Lucas, William Stark, Jr, Jordan Richardson, Gent, Justices. An Indenture from Henry Peebles to Burrell Bass was proved by the Witnesses and is ordered to be recorded. Order Book No. 1, page 6. James Mason, gent, is appointed Commissioner of the Specie tax in the room of William Stark junior gent, who hath resigned with the approbation of the Court. Order Book No. 1, page 7. At a Court held for Greensville County on Thursday the twenty-second day of November in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty one and in the sixth year of the Commonwealth. Present. Douglas Wilkins, John Lucas, William Stark, William Stark junior, gent, Justices. Susannah Denton daughter of Thomas Denton made choice of Matthew Davis for her special Guardian on his giving Bond with John Hamilton his Security in the Clerk's Office in the sum of five hundred pounds specie. Ordered that Francis Dancey be added to the order appointing persons to appraise Jesse Davis's Estate. Ordered that the Church Wardens of Saint Andrew's Parish bind out Andrew Lucas, Phoebe and Sarah Murdock Orphans of John Murdock dece'd according to Law. Order Book No. I, page 8. At a Court for Greensville County on the twenty fourth day of January in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and eighty two in the sixth year of the Commonwealth. Present. Douglas Wilkins, Wm. Stark junior, James Mason, Jordon Richardson, gent, Justices. The last Will and Testament of Aaron Parks dece'd was proved by Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Ordered that Jno. Turner, Jno. Powell, Burwell Bass and John Mackensee or any three of them being first sworn do appraise in current money the estate of Aaron Park's dece'd according to Law and return the said appraisement to the Court. Order Book No. 1, page 9. Benjamin Denton Orphan of John Denton made choice of Lawrence House for his Guardian he having with Matthew Davis his Security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the Penalty of two hundred pounds conditioned as the Law directs. Ordered that John Hamilton, Matthew Davis and Robert Rivers or any two of them do let to the lowest bidder the rebuilding the Bridge at Walker's Mill which when finished is to be received by the letters thereof and remain at the risk of the County. Ordered that Daniel Fisher, William Stark, William Stark junior and John Lucas or any two of them do let to the lowest bidder the rebuilding of the Bridge at the Three Creeks by Col. Fishers, which when finished is to be received by the letters thereof and remain at the risk of the County. Order Book No. I, page 10. Extracts from the first Order Book of Greensville County, copied by Miss Myra Harrison, of the Joseph Hedges Chapter, D. A. R., of Emporia, Va. Thomas Stith, gent, of Brunswick County is recommended to the Gov. in Council as a proper person to execute the Office of Surveyor of this County—no resident hereof having made an application for the said office. 1782. Order Book No. 1, page 11. James Wall (present Sheriff) James Mason and William Stark gent, are recommended to the Governor in Council as proper persons to execute the office of Sheriff this present year, 17S2 Order Book No. 1, page 12. 1782. James Robinson as a Captain, Peter Wyche Lieutenant, Dan'l Cato 2nd Lieut, and Braxton Robinson as Ensign are recommended to the Governor in Council as proper persons to command a Company of Militia in this County. Order Book No. 1, page 24. At a Court held for Greensville County on Thursday the twenty fifth day of July one thousand seven hundred and eighty two. In the seventh year of the Commonwealth, 1, Nathaniel Lucas and Robert Mabry are appointed Collectors of the specie paper, they having entered into Bond and Security according to Law, which is ordered to be recorded. 2, James Wall having entered into and acknowledged his bond with Security for the Collection of the County Levies the same is ordered to be recorded. William Vaughan is appointed an Inspector of Flour in this County on his qualifying at the said office according to Law. Thomas Cocke a Captain in the Militia of this County took the Oaths of his Office according to Law. Benjamin Williams, Joel Smith and Samuel Davies were severally qualified as Constables of this County according to Law. Order Book No. 1, page 34. 1782. James Robinson, Captain, Daniel Cato second lieut, and Braxton Robinson Ensign in the Militia of this County qualified to their respective Commissions according to Law. Order Book No. I, page 35. At a court held for Greensville County Thursday the twenty second day of August one thousand seven hundred and eighty two, in the seventh year of the Commonwealth. Ordered that the Church Wardens of Meherrin and Saint Andrew's Parish appoint proper persons to procession the Lands in this County according to Law. Douglas Wilkins Colonel, Turner Bynum, Henry Cook and William Mason Captains, Peter Pelham, Lawrence House, John Pritchett Lieutenants, and Andrew Jeter and Burwell Grigg Ensigns in the Militia of this County severally qualified to their respective Commissions according to Law. Order Book No. 1, page 36. Daniel Fisher is appointed Treasurer of this County on his entering into Bond and Security in the Clerks Office in the penalty of £1000 Conditioned for the faithful performance of the said office. 0rder Book No I, page 37 Thomas Hicks took the Oath of this Commonwealth and of a Deputy Sheriff of this County according to Law. John Lucas and Robert Mabry Lieutenants in the Militia of this County took the Oaths of their office according to Law. John Robinson is recommended to the Governor in Council as a proper person to execute the office of a First Lieutenant in the Militia of this County according to Law. Order Book No. 1, page 40. William Stark and William Stark junior are appointed to take the number of Souls in the Meherrin Parish in this County according to Law. William Maclin, William Watson and Jordan Richardson are appointed to take the number of Souls in Saint Andrew's Parish in this County according to Law. Batt Peterson, Thomas Person, John Pritchett and Francis Dancey are recommended to the Governor in Council as proper persons to the Commission of the Peace for this County according to Law. Nathaniel Mason is appointed Surveyor of the road from Hicksford to Stewart's Shop and it is ordered that he keep the same in good repair according to Law. John Pritchett is appointed a Surveyor of the Road from the Church to John Dawson's and it is ordered that the hands of Burrell Bass, Clifton Harrison, Henry Clark, John Hargrove and James Harris be added to work on the said Road and that the said Pritchett keep the same in good repair according to Law. Ordered that the Sheriff pay unto William Mason and John Lucas each the sum of fifteen pounds fifteen shillings for twenty one days service as Commissioners of the Land Tax according to Law. Ordered that the Sheriff pay William Maclin and Jordan Richardson fifteen shillings each for valuing Commissioners Lands according to Law. Order Book No. 1, page 41. At a Court held for Greensville County on Thursday the twenty sixth day of September one thousand seven hundred and eighty two in the seventh year of the Commonwealth. John Robinson a Lieutenant in the Militia of this County took the Oath of his Office according to Law. Source:  William And Mary Historical Magazine; Volume 12; Page 31; Editor: LYON G. TYLER, M. A., LL. D.; Publ. 1914; Transcribed by Andrea Stawski Pack.