James Stevens Sr.
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James Stevens Sr. (abt. 1735 - bef. 1813)

James Stevens Sr.
Born about in St Marys Parish, Caroline County, Virginiamap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married about 1758 in Caroline Co, VAmap
Descendants descendants
Died before before about age 78 in Nelson, Virginia, United Statesmap
Profile last modified | Created 28 May 2011
This page has been accessed 1,925 times.

Contents

Biography

Name

James /Stevens/

Birth

ABT 1735 St Marys Parish, Caroline County

Death

BEF 22 NOV 1813 Nelson Co, VA

Census

Date 1810 Place Nelson Co, VA

DAR Ancestor A108886

Furnished money and supplies to troops

Date 1777

Amherst County, VA

Event

Deed Date 1769 Place Nelson County

Relocated Date ABT 1769 Place Nelson County

Deed Date 07 AUG 1769 Place purchased 216 acres on Ruckers Run

Deed Date 27 AUG 1770 Place Amherst Co, VA

Deed Date 1774 Place sold 216 acres on Ruckers Run to William Loving

Deed Date 07 DEC 1774 Place Amherst Co, VA

Deed Date 1769 Place Bought 1,735 acres on Lomax Creek from Lomax

Marriage

Husband James Stevens Wife Behetheland Taliaferro Marriage Date 1758, Caroline Co, VA

Will and Codicils

Date 14 OCT 1796, Nelson County

Codicil, 1810

Codicil, 1813

Probate

James Stevens, Sr., 1813 Nelson Co., VA, Will Book A, Pg 294 ff. Date 22 NOV 1813 Contributor Mary E. Stewart <mstewart485@gmail.com>


In the name of God Amen, I James Stevens of Amherst County, being in a weak and low state of health, but of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following. That is to say, first, I give, devise and bequeath unto my son James Stevens and his heirs, all that tract of land that was surveyed for him, whereon he now lives, containing two hundred and seventy acres; also all that tract, called and known by the name of the mill tract adjoining the land belonging to the estate of William Loving Deceased, the land which I have surveyed for and herein after devised to George Loving and Samuel Spencer, and the aforesaid Tract which I have already given to my son James.

Item I give and bequeath to my said son James Stevens one Negro Boy named Charles, one feather bed and furniture, and one Bay horse, all of which are now in my said son James’s possession, and also one young Negro woman named Jude;

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my son John Griffin Stevens, and his heirs, all the upper part of my Tract of land whereon I now live, except such part thereof as I herein after devise to my three daughters Molly Jopling, Behetheland Penn and Elizabeth Thompson saving and reserving to my beloved wife Behetheland Stevens, for and during her natural life or widowhood, three hundred acres thereof, to be laid off adjoining my son James’s land and up Ruckers Run, so as to include the Dwelling house whereon I now live.

Item I give and bequeath to my said son John Griffin one Negro Boy named Joe, and one Negro Girl named June and also one feather bed and furniture.

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Anne Spencer and her heirs the tract of land I had surveyed for her containing two hundred acres, adjoining the lands of Hezekiah Hargrove my son James and that which I herein after devise to my Daughter Mildred Loving.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Anne Spencer one Negro Boy named Jerry, one feather bed and furniture and one Bay mare which are now in the possession of my said Daughter Anne Spencer; and also one Negro Girl named Sarah.

Item I give desire and bequeath unto my daughter Mildred Loving and her heirs that tract of land which I had surveyed for her containing two hundred acres, adjoining the lands of Hezekiah Hartgrove, William Loving, Robert Harrison, the Estate of William Furbush dec’d and the mill tract of land herein before devised to my son James.

Item I give and bequeath to my said Daughter Mildred Loving one Negro woman named Sylvia and her children, one feather bed and furniture and one cow and calf, which are now in the possession of my said daughter Mildred; and also one Negro boy named Charles.

Item I give desire and bequeath unto my Daughter Molly Jopling and her heirs, a certain parcel of land, containing one hundred and fifty acres more or less, being that part of my upper tract of land before mentioned and whereon she now lives, to be laid off, as I shall hereafter direct.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Molly Jopling one Negro Girl named Rachel and one feather bed and furniture, which are now in her possession; and also one Negro man Cesar.

Item I give desire and bequeath unto my daughter Behetheland Penn and her heirs a certain parcel of land containing one hundred and fifty acres more or less, being also a part of my upper tract of land before mentioned, to be laid off as I shall hereafter direct.

Item I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Behetheland Penn one Negro Girl named Sarah, and one feather bed and furniture, which are now in her possession, and also one Negro Boy named Frank.

Item I give desire and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Thompson and her heirs, a certain parcel of land containing one hundred and fifty Acres, more or less being the remaining part of my upper Tract of land before mentioned and reserved to my three last mentioned Daughters to be laid off as I shall hereafter direct.

Item I give and bequeath to my said daughter Elizabeth Thompson one Negro Girl named Lizzy and one feather bed and furniture, which are now in her possession, and also one Negro man named Tom.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Jopling one Negro woman named Cate and her children, one feather Bed and furniture and four head of cattle, which are now in her possession, and also one Negro Boy named Matt.

Item I give and bequeath unto my Grandson James Stevens Jopling forty pounds in specie to be raised out of my Estate; I give and bequeath to my Grandson James Stevens the son of my son James, One Negro Boy named Will.

Item I give and devise to my beloved wife Behetheland Stevens during her natural life or widowhood, three hundred acres of land, herein before reserved to her out of my son John Griffin Stevens’s proportion.

Item I give and bequeath to my said beloved wife Behetheland Stevens during her natural life or widowhood, the following slaves, to wit, Will, Robin, Ralph, Fortimore, Winney, Jamey boy Will and Moses, and also all the rest and residue of my personal estate, not herein before disposed of, and immediately after the decease, or intermarriage of my said wife my will and desire is, that the said several Slaves, and their increase, together with the rest and residue of my personal Estate bequeathed to my beloved wife above named, shall be equally divided among my children before mentioned.

Farther my will and desire is, in case my son John Griffin Stevens shall die without leaving any issue lawfully begotten, at his decease, that then the tract of land and Slaves herein before given and devised to him, shall go and belong to my son James Stevens and his heirs. And also it is my will and desire that in case my daughter Molly Jopling shall die without leaving any issue at her decease that then the Tract of land and slaves herein before given and devised to her, shall be disposed of as follows, that is to say, the said Tract of land shall go and belong to my son James Stevens and his heirs, and the said Slaves and their increase to be equally divided among my surviving children.

And lastly my will and desire is that my estate not given and put into the actual possession of the before mentioned legatees and devisees before my decease, shall be kept together and be under the management of my Executor hereinafter named until all my Just debts and the pecuniary legacy before mentioned shall be discharged, and my express wish and desire is that my executor shall allow my said wife out of the proceeds and profits of the estate hereby directed to be kept together a decent subsistence, until the said debt and legacy shall be discharged. I do hereby constitute and appoint my son James Stevens sole executor of this my last will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety six.

Witnesses Will Cabell Junr Landon Cabell James Murphy James Stevens, Seal Hezekiah Hargrove John Thompson Junr John Staples

I, James Stevens do make the following Codicil to my will which is to all intents and purposes to be received and taken as part thereof, Viz., It is my will and desire that in addition to the property left my beloved wife Behetheland Stevens, she shall have one hundred acres more of the tract of land devised to my son John G. Stevens to adjoin the land left my said wife by my will, also the following Negro Slaves, to wit, little Jude, Sue, Davy and Jim, also all my stock of every kind and household and kitchen furniture which said land and other property her with the property devised to her by my will, I wish my said wife to hold and enjoy for and during her natural life.

After the death of my said wife Behetheland Stevens I give and bequeath the said Negro Sue to my Grandson James Stevens son of John G. Stevens and the said Negro Davy to my Grandson Samuel Stevens son of James Stevens Junr and the said Negroes little Jude and Jim to my Grand daughters Sally and Behetheland Penn children of my Daughter Behetheland Penn Dec’d to them and their respective heirs forever; The Negro Tom devised to my daughter Elizabeth Thompson, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife during her natural life and after her death to be disposed of as the other property left my said wife.

I give and bequeath to my friend Spotswood Garland my Negro Woman Sarah which I had devised to my Daughter Anne Spencer and my Negro Boy Simon, together with such property as would have fallen to my Daughter Elizabeth Thompson by my will after the death of my wife, to be holden by him and his heirs forever upon Trust. However and for the special purpose herein after mentioned, Viz., that the said Spotswood Garland and his heirs shall allow my said daughter Elizabeth Thompson and her children to have the use and benefit of said property during the lifetime of my said Daughter Elizabeth and after her death it is my desire that the said property with its increase shall be held and enjoyed by the children of my said daughter Elizabeth in equal proportions to them and their heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my Daughter Anne Spencer in lieu of the Negro woman Sarah formerly devised to her my Negro woman Hannah, to her and her heirs forever.

Whereas my son James Stevens Junr hath purchased the land which were devised in my will to my daughter Behetheland Penn and hath paid for the same, I do therefore give and bequeath the said land containing one hundred and fifty acres to my said son James Stevens Jr and to his heirs forever.

In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this twenty fourth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten.

Witness James Stevens, Seal S. Garland Wm. Vaughan John Brooks

1/9/1813 James Stevens, Snr deeded 600 acres including a mill to Samuel Stevens for 3 paid to Murphy Brown @@ Co

This Indenture made this ninth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirteen between James Stevens Snr of the County of Nelson of the one part and Samuel Stevens son of James Stevens Jr and grandson to the said James Stevens Snr of the said county of the other part, Witnessed that the said James Stevens Snr for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which he hath and beareth to his said grandson Samuel Stevens and for the further consideration of the sum of three hundred and sixty three pounds, or thereabouts, to be paid by the said Samuel Stevens to Murphy Brown & Co, it being the amount of a Bond given by James Stevens Jr with the said James Stevens Snr his security to the said Murphy Brown & Co, hath given, granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain and sell unto the said Samuel Stevens and to his heirs, and assigns one certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County aforesaid on the waters of Ruckers Run and supposed to contain six hundred acres be the same more or less and bounded by the lands of Spotswood Garland, Charles Purvis, Samuel Loving, James Stevens Jnr, the lands given by the said James Stevens Snr to George Loving and the lands given by him to Samuel Spencer, it being the land intended to be left by the said James Stevens Snr to his son James Stevens Jnr as aforesaid in the will of the said James Stevens Snr deducting therefrom the lands sold by the said James Stevens Snr to Spotswood Garland and John Brooks. To have and to hold the said described tract or parcel of land, with its appurtenances including the mill and its appurtenances to him the said Samuel Stevens and to his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Samuel Stevens and to his heirs and assigns forever. And the said James Stevens Snr for himself and his heirs, doth covenant, promise, grant and agree to and with the said Samuel Stevens and his heirs that the said James Stevens Snr and his heirs will forever warrant and defend a good and sufficient right and title in fee simple to the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances together with the will aforesaid, to him the said Samuel Stevens and his heirs forever free from the claim and demand of him the said James Stevens Snr and his heirs and from the claim and demand of all and every other person and persons whatsoever. In Testimony whereof the said James Stevens Snr hath hereunto set his hand and seal this day and date first above written, acknowledged and delivered in the presence of S. Garland, John Stevens, John Henderson, John Carter James Stevens, Sr. Dated January 9, 1813 and recorded January 25, 1813.

I James Stevens do make this further codicil to my will which is to be taken as part thereof Viz.

The land devised to my son John G. Stevens I wish to be held and enjoyed by him and his wife during their lifetime and after their death my will and desire is that the lands so devised to him shall descent to his children lawfully begotten in equal proportions to them and their respective heirs forever.

It is my will and desire that the land bequeathed to my Daughter Molly Jopling (should she die before her husband Thomas Jopling) should be held and enjoyed by him during his life.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mildred Loving my Negro Hannah’s Child Pender born since I made the other Codicil to my will, in lieu of the Negro Charles I left her in my will (who has since died) to her and her heirs forever.

My will and desire is that the Negro woman Jude left to my son James Stevens Jnr and the two children she now has Elvira and Henry shall be held by my said son James during his life and after his death, they and their increase to be equally divided between his two daughters Mildred and Elizabeth to be held by them and their heirs forever.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my name and affixed my seal this 7th day of November 1813.

Witness James Stevens, Seal Benjamin Bradshaw James S. Penn S. Garland

At a Court held for Nelson County the 22nd day of Novr 1813 This Instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of James Stevens Sen- Deceased was produced into Court and proved by the oaths of Landon Cabell and James Murphy, and the first Codicil thereto annexed was proved by the oaths of Spotswood Garland and John Brooks and the second Codicil thereto annexed was proved by the oaths of Benjamin Bradshaw and Spotswood Garland Witnesses thereto, all of which are ordered to be Recorded. Teste Spotswood Garland Clk

James Stephens 27 Aug 1770 Amherst County 76 acres. On the head of the south branches of Ruckers Run. Patents No. 39, 1770-71, p. 210

James Stephens 7 Dec 1774 Amherst County 53 acres. On the branches of Ruckers Run. Patents No. 42, 1773-74, p. 799

Chose Thomas Merry to be his guardian in 1751. Caroline Co OB, 14 Jan 1751 p243

Orphan account filed 1753 Caroline Co, VA

Although his father died in 1744, his father's estate was not settled until 1751 and was still in process in 1755. (Sparacio 1985, p 58 p 68)

Moved with his wife and friend John Loving from Caroline Co. to Amherst (later Nelson) Co, Va.

According to "The Stevens Family of Nelson County", by Blanche Stevens Hamner "Some time before the Revolution the King of England granted to James Stevens and John Loving a large tract of land in what was then Amherst County--now Nelson, which was formed by taking parts of Amherst and Albemarle. The story, which has been handed down in the family, goes that when the two friends reached a high point of land 'they viewed the landscape o'er and agreed that one would take as far as he could see on the right side of the road, and the other the left. Whether strictly correct or not, it is a fact that most of the Stevens lands lie to the west of the old stage coach road. The Lovings settled on their side and the name of Lovingston was given to the county seat. Naturally the two families intermarried."

Other sources say in 1769 the Nassau Tract was deeded to the two men.

Caroline County records page 3 "1769, for 400 pounds Lunsford Lomax, Jr. of Caroline sells to James Stevens 1,735 acres in Amherst County on Lomax Creek it being a branch of Ruckers Run , . . ."

James Stevens bought 216 acres on Ruckers Run for 25 pounds sterling from Lunsford Lomax, Jr. of Caroline County (extract from the Caroline County records quoted in the Va. Magazine of History and Biography, page 319, Vol XX)

Court Case June/July 1771 Henry Ralls against Mary Stevens, On Petition for his freedom. On the petition of Henry Ralls for freedom, ordered that Mary Stevens be summoned to next court to answer the same and that he be at liberty to get his witnesses and appear at next court.

July 11, 1771, Caroline Co This petition came on the depositions of James Stevens, Merriah Mullin, the testimony of John Mullin being of same purport with said Merriah, and the Registers of Wills, and Hampton, brother of the petitioner, and all born to Beck, a mulatto (the mother of the petitioner) during her time of servitude, whjo was obliged to serve to the age of thirty-one years by indenture in the service of John Stevens, from whom the present defendant, as wife and executrix of her said husband, claims the said petitioner as a mulatto servant. The court on hearing the same are of the opinion the petitioner is entitled to his freedom, having served to the age of thirty one years, from which opinion the said defendant, also Edward Stevens, her son, who from his mother and made himself a defendant to this petition and prayed leave to appeal, which was granted them, giving bond and security by next court after the execution of the said bond, the said petitioner is to return to his master, Edward Stevens, service.

The deposition of James Stevens deposeth and saith that he believes the mulatto, Harry, who belongs to Mrs. Mary Stevens, was born a short time before or after his father's death, who he believes died in 1744 for the following reasons, he remembers Battaille (Lawrence Battaile who died in 1750 and left two wills) deceased, was at his father's house writing his will when he lay on his death bed, and his will is dated March 18, 1744, from which I suppose Harry was twenty six years old sometime near and about last March. Given under my hand this 5th day of January 1771. James Stevens (seal) Sworn at the request of James Stevens before me, Zachariah Taliaferro.

The deposition of Meriah Mullin, aged fifty seven, deposeth and saith that sometime in the spring of the year thirty-nine, the Granny that attended the delivery of women in the neighbourhood came to my house. i asked her where she came from. She answered she came from Mr. John Stevens, that she had delivered Beck of a son, that it was the writest child she had ever saw to have so dark a mother, and that she was sure it was a white man's child.

Notes

Note From Pat M. Stevens

JAMES STEVENS was born Abt. 1734 in St. Mary's Parish, Caroline Co., VA, and died Bef. 22 November 1813 in Nelson Co.

He married BEHETHELAND TALIAFERRO 1758 in Caroline Co., VA, daughter of RICHARD TALIAFERRO and ROSE BERRYMAN. She was born 20 August 1738, and died 04 April 1828 in Nelson Co.


"The Lovingston area was settled by Huguenots after they were forced from France in 1685 by the Edict of Nantes. Lovingston became the county seat shortly after Nelson County was formed between 1807-1808 from Amherst County. The courthouse was built about this same time (1807-1809) on land donated by James Loving. Hence the name of the village. The Loving family is closely associated with both the Seay and Fortune families.

Excerpted from "A Stevens Family of Nelson County, VA" by Dorothy B. Giles "James Stevens, his wife Behethland Taliaferro, and their friends the Lovings, were established citizens in Caroline County. In 1762, before the Revolution, the King of England granted to James Stevens and John Loving a large tract of land in what was then Amherst County, now Nelson... "The story, which has been handed down in the family, goes that when the two friends reached a high point of land they viewed the landscape and agreed that one would take the land as far as he could see on the right side of the road, and the other the left. Most of the Stevens lands lie to the west of the old stage coach road. The Lovings settled on their side and the name Lovingston was given to the county seat."

His will is in the Nelson Co., Va. Will Book A, p. 294 ff...

Chose Thomas Merry to be his guardian in 1751. Caroline Co OB, 14 Jan 1751 p243

Orphan account filed 1753 Caroline Co, VA

Although his father died in 1744, his father's estate was not settled until 1751 and was still in process in 1755. (Sparacio 1985, p 58 p 68)

Moved with his wife and friend John Loving from Caroline Co. to Amherst (later Nelson) Co, Va.

According to "The Stevens Family of Nelson County", by Blanche Stevens Hamner

"Sometime before the Revolution the King of England granted to James Stevens and John Loving a large tract of land in what was then Amherst County--now Nelson, which was formed by taking parts of Amherst and Albemarle. The story, which has been handed down in the family, goes that when the two friends reached a high point of land 'they viewed the landscape o'er and agreed that one would take as far as he could see on the right side of the road, and the other the left. Whether strictly correct or not, it is a fact that most of the Stevens lands lie to the west of the old stage coach road. The Lovings settled on their side and the name of Lovingston was given to the county seat. Naturally the two families intermarried."

Other sources say in 1769 the Nassau Tract was deeded to the two men.

Caroline County records page 3 "1769, for 400 pounds Lunsford Lomax, Jr. of Caroline sells to James Stevens 1,735 acres in Amherst County on Lomax Creek it being a branch of Ruckers Run , . . ."

James Stevens bought 216 acres on Ruckers Run for 25 pounds sterling from Lunsford Lomax, Jr. of Caroline County (extract from the Caroline County records quoted in the Va. Magazine of History and Biography, page 319, Vol XX)

Court Case June/July 1771 Henry Ralls against Mary Stevens, On Petition for his freedom.

June 14, 1771, Caroline Co

On the petition of Henry Ralls for freedom, ordered that Mary Stevens be summoned to next court to answer the same and that he be at liberty to get his witnesses and appear at next court.

July 11, 1771, Caroline Co

This petition came on the depositions of James Stevens, Merriah Mullin, the testimony of John Mullin being of same purport with said Merriah, and the Registers of Wills, and Hampton, brother of the petitioner, and all born to Beck, a mulatto (the mother of the petitioner) during her time of servitude, whjo was obliged to serve to the age of thirty-one years by indenture in the service of John Stevens, from whom the present defendant, as wife and executrix of her said husband, claims the said petitioner as a mulatto servant. The court on hearing the same are of the opinion the petitioner is entitled to his freedom, having served to the age of thirty one years, from which opinion the said defendant, also Edward Stevens, her son, who from his mother and made himself a defendant to this petition and prayed leave to appeal, which was granted them, giving bond and security by next court after the esecution of the said bond, the said petitioner is to return to his master, Edward Stevens, service.

The deposition of James Stevens deposeth and saith that he believes the mulatto, Harry, who belongs to Mrs. Mary Stevens, was born a short time before or after his father's death, who he believes died in 1744 for the following reasons, he remembers Battaille (Lawrence Battaile who died in 1750 and left two wills) deceased, was at his father's house writing his will when he lay on his death bed, and his will is dated March 18, 1744, from which I suppose Harry was twenty six years old sometime near and about last March. Given under my hand this 5th day of January 1771. James Stevens (seal) Sworn at the request of James Stevens before me, Zachariah Taliaferro.

The deposition of Meriah Mullin, aged fifty seven, deposeth and saith that sometime in the spring of the year thirty-nine, the Granny that attended the delivery of women in the neighbourhood came to my house. i asked her where she came from. She answered she came from Mr. John Stevens, that she had delivered Beck of a son, that it was the writest child she had ever saw to have so dark a mother, and that she was sure it was a white man's child. Some time after that, being with child, I was desirous of drinking some Cyder, and being told by my husband, John Mullin, that they were beating Cyder at Mr. Stevens', I went to get some, and then saaw Beck with this man Harry, which was then a small child, and that I very well remember him to be the same, and I further say that my son, John Mullin, was born the 21st of September 1739, and that Harry, above mentioned, was born some time the spring before, and further this deponent saith not. Taken before me on June 22nd, 1771. Anthony Thornton

Will a negro boy belonging to John Stevens, deceased, born the 20th July 1740, John Thomas, keeper of the Public Register, Saint Thomas Parish, Orange.

Hampton, a negro boy belonging to John and Mary Stevens, born January 20th, 1746. Ambrose Jeter, keeper of the Public Register, Saint Mary's Parish, Caroline.

Sept 12, 1771, Caroline Co

Henry Ralls against Mary Stevens. On the motion of the defendant by Oliver Towles, Gent, and his attorney, a rehearing is awarded him and to be tried next court.

Nov 14, 1771, Caroline Co

On the motion of Edward Stevens, who took the oath prescribed by law, a certificate for obtaining letters of administration of the estate of Mary Stevens, deceased, is granted him, bond acknowledged, and ordered to be recorded.

Ordered that . . . or any three of them being first sworn, do appraise the estate of Mary Stevens and return their inventory to this court.

Henry Rallins Edward Stevens. On Petition for Freedom. The petitioner by his attorney prayed that but one witness should be admitted to court at once and that the sheriff should wait on the other witnesses during the examination, but was overruled by the court, and on hearing the testimony offered on both sides, it is the opinion of the court that the petitioner is entitled to freedom, do therefore order that he be released from the services of the defendant, and that he recover his costs in this behalf expended.

Amherst Co, Book C. page 193, year 1774, James Stevens and Behethland his wife, all of Amherst, sell to William Loving for 55 pounds and 8 pence, land on North branch of Ruckers Run, 216 acres, near the courthouse road bordering said Loving's land, purchased of Lunsford Lomas, Jr. 1769 by Stevens. Witness George Wortham, Thomas Griffin, Ben Taliaferro

According to his will dated 10/14/1796, he owned aver 1400 acres.

Witnesses on deed to Loving were George Wortham Thomas Griffin Ben Taliaferro

History of Amherst County

The Monacans, Siouan Native Americans, were the first humans to populate the area. With the establishment of the Virginia Colony in 1607 English emigrants arrived in North America. By the late 1600's English explorers and traders traveled up the James River to this area. Early settlements formed between 1710 and 1720. By 1730 the pace had quickened and many new families were moving into the land currently known as Amherst County.

In 1761 Amherst County was formed from the southern half of Albemarle County. The original county seat had been in Cabelsville, now Colleen in what would later become Nelson County. The county was named for Sir Jeffrey Amherst who commanded the British forces which successfully secured Canada from the French. In 1806 the county assumed its present proportions when Nelson County was formed from its northern half. When Nelson County was formed the county seat was moved to the village of Five Oaks, later renamed Amherst. The present county courthouse was built in 1870 and has served the county ever since. In the early days the major crop raised in Amherst County was tobacco with apple orchards becoming popular in the late 19th century. Timber, mining and milling were also important industries. The introduction of the railroad in the late 19th century greatly influenced the county's growth. Today Amherst County is still mostly rural but major industry also thrives in the county. The county contains many good examples of 18th, 19th and early 20th century rural and small town architecture. The downtown area of Amherst is a classic example of early 20th century commercial architecture.

James was born about 1735. He passed away in 1835.

Sources


  • Godfrey Memorial Library. American Genealogical-Biographical Index. Middletown, CT, USA
  • Amherst County Will Book
  • Ancestry, Inc; Virginia Select Marriages, 1785-1840, Amherst County Land Office Patents 342, Pg. 799-800, Reel 41;




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Comments: 5

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Stevens-18783 and Stevens-1214 appear to represent the same person because: Duplicates
posted by Mary Elizabeth Stewart
Why did the King of England grant a large tract of land to James Stevens Jr.?"

Ref: "Some time before the Revolution the King of England granted to James Stevens and John Loving a large tract of land in what was then Amherst County--now Nelson . . ."

posted by Richard (Jordan) J
edited by Richard (Jordan) J
The quote is in error. Lunsford Lomax paid for the land patent and subsequently sold parts of it to James Stevens and William Loving. The language referring to the King of England is boiler plate. See the introduction to Cavaliers and Pioneers Vol VII for illustrations of the forms used.
posted by Mary Elizabeth Stewart
James Stevens, Sr. did not have a middle name. He died before 22 Nov 1813 when his will was probated in Nelson County, Virginia
posted on Stevens-18783 (merged) by Mary Elizabeth Stewart
Thank you for your note. How do you know he did not have middle name?
posted on Stevens-18783 (merged) by Deborah Thompson

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