John Arnold (abt. 1697 - bef. 1780)

Born about 1697 in Richmond County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 22 May 1780 before about age 83 in Fauquier County, Virginia, United States

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Biography

John Arnold was a Virginia colonist.

No date is known for John's birth, but it is estimated that he was born around 1697. He was the youngest son of Thomas and Grace Arnold.

His wife was named Margaret. She may have been a Duff. ^[1] They had five children, John, Moses, Benjamin, Verlinda and Margaret.

He inherited 50 acres in King George County from his father^{[2] [3]}that was adjacent to where his mother continued to make her home. He lived here initially, but in 1731 he rented it to another family. ^[4] He moved on to Prince William County ^[5]which would eventually become Fauquier County in 1759. The King George parcel was sold (for second time) in 1745.^[6]

His Will was written 7 Sep 1771 and the estate was settled 22 MAY 1780 in Fauquier County, Virginia.^[7]

Research Notes

Since we don't have a good guess on his birth date, what the location was called at the time isn't certain either. His parents' initial land deeds were in Old Rappahannock, Colony of Virginia, but as the colony grew, the county boundaries were frequently changing. Old Rappahannock had ceased to exist by 1692 leaving Essex and Richmond Counties in its place. In 1720, King George County formed out of Richmond. This meant the place names on the documents changed frequently, even as the family was continuing their lives on Gingoteaque Creek.

The Will

In the name of God, Amen. I John Arnold of Fauquier County this 7th day of September 1771, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is __ ___ first of all I commend my Soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it me. Secondly it is my desire that all my just debts should be paid and as for my worldly Estate I give as followeth viz. Item I give and bequeath to my Son Benjamin Arnold one hundred acres of land whereon I now live and after my wifes death all the stock and household furniture that is there and no more of my Estate. Item I give to my wife all my stock and household furniture during her natural life. Item it is my desire that if my son Benjamin Arnold should chance to die without heirs lawfully begotten that then my two Daughters Verlinda Arnold and Margaret Arnold should have the said land and stock and household furniture before mentioned. Item I give to my Daughter Verlinda Arnold fifty acres of land as she lives on now and at her disposal Witness whereof I have hereunto set my had and seal this 7th day of September on thousand seven hundred and seventy one

John Arnold SS

Signed, sealed, delivered
in the presence of us
Wm. Settle
John Edwards
Edward Settle

At court held for Fauquier County the 22nd day of May 1780 This Will was proved by the oaths of John Edwards and Edward Settle witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Benjamin Arnold who made oath and unsealed and executed and acknowledged bond as the law directs Certificate is granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration on the said Estate with the Will annexed.

Sources

1. ↑ 10 Apr 1732, Deed Book 1A, 224, King George County, Virginia. Margaret Arnold, Power of Atty., to Isaac Arnold. They sell their 50 acres to William Duff. John's wife, Margaret, gave Isaac Arnold power of attorney to sign the release of dower. In this document she called William Duff “my Loving friend and Brother.” It is not clear if he was her brother as we would use the term today, or if he might have been a brother-in-law.
2. ↑ 27 Dec 1725/6 Will of Thomas Arnold, King George Co., Will Book A1, 39
3. ↑ 5 Jul 1726 Inv. and Appr. of Thomas Arnold estate King Geo. Inv1 77
4. ↑ 3 Dec 1731 John Arnold rental to Isaac Johnson King Geo. DB1A 182-83
5. ↑ 10 Apr 1732 John Arnold to Wm. Duff, King Geo. DB1A 222-24; 10 Apr 1732 John Arnold bond (deed to Wm. Duff) King Geo. DB1A 224; 4 May 1732 William Duff to John Arnold Pr. Wm. Liber A 341-4 4 wit. Isaac Arnold; 1 Sep 1732 John Arnold ack. Release Deed and King Geo. OB 613 bond to Duff; 20 Jun 1734 Duff’s Bond to John Arnold Pr. Wm. Liber A 346
6. ↑ 1 Oct 1744 William Duff to John Arnold King Geo. DB3 20-21; 1 Aug 1745 John Arnold to Harry Turner King Geo. DB3 62-65
7. ↑ Fauquier County, Virginia Wills. Will Book p. 391. Will was written 7 Sep 1771, Will of John Arnold (probated 22 May 1780) https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/51230438?cid=mem_copy

• Arnold Family Association of the South Wrap up summary on finding on Thomas and Grace Arnold line including mention of documents found for John Arnold . Vol.XII, December 1981, beginning p. 41.
• 1770 Fauquier Co. Rent Roll, 150 acres
• Abstracts of Fauquier County Virginia, Wills, Inventories and Accounts 1759-1800. pp. 105-106. John Arnold Will. https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/13727516?cid=mem_copy, https://www.familysearch.org/memories/memory/13727547?cid=mem_copy