Joseph Champness Austin (abt. 1727 - bef. 1811)

Born about 1727 in Lunenburg County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Wealthey Terry (Pruit) Austin — married 26 Nov 1777 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia Colony

Descendants

Died before 20 May 1811 before about age 84 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, USA

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Disputed Origins

The following inaccurate and undocumented information is repeated endlessly on the Internet: INDIAN ANCESTRY:" John, Jr identified himself as a Saponi at a court hearing in Surry County. Valentine was also identified as an Indian at a court hearing in Surry County. Later, it was discovered the Richard (son) and Joseph were identified by the state of Virginia as Melungeons (Not of pure European blood). Since four of the five known children have been identified as "mixed blood" it is felt that there was only one mother for all the known children." Charles Edwin Austin”

The "John Auston" who was a Saponi Indian was a member of a peace delegation travelling from Pennsylvania in 1755. He and the other members of the delegation requested permission from the court in Rowan County, North Carolina, to pass over the colony on their way to the Catawba Nation.

The word "melungeon" did not come into use until the 19th century.

Joseph Austin, Wm. and John Astin all appear on the first list of tithables in Pittsylvania County, VA, 1767, listed as white.^[1] Richard and John Austin are listed as white on the 1749 list of tithables in Lunenburg, p. 307 ^[2]

Biography

BIRTH: In a deed dated 25 Jul 1753 and recorded 5 Mar 1754 in Lunenburg Co., VA Deed Book 3 , pp 434-436, John Austin, Sr., deeded 10 acres of land in Lunenburg Co., VA to Joseph Austin in trust for Hannah Austin. Joseph had to have been at least 21 years old on that date.

BIRTH-MARRIAGES-DEATH: In an article appearing in "Austins of America," Dr. Michael Austin, Editor, August 1982 edition, p 37, entitled "Pruit Alias Austin," Janet Austin Curtis states : "Joseph Austin was probably born circa 1730-35 in what is now Pittsylvania County, Virginia , and died circa 1810 in that same county. He married first circa 1760 perhaps a Terry, this surmise is based on the fact that he named a son Champness. She apparently died right after the birth of son David in 1775-76. Joseph married second on 26 Nov 1777 in Pittsylvania County to Welthy Prewett, Wm. Goggin was surety. Janet Austin Curtis offers no documentation for these facts.

MARRIAGE: "Virginia Quarterly", p 375. Pittsylvania Co., VA, Marriage Register # 1, p 2, (Joseph Austin to Wealthy Prewitt, November 26, 1777).

CENSUS: 1790 US Census for Pittsylvania Co., VA: 12 in family; 1 dwell.; 1 other bldg. 1820 U S Census for Pittsylvania Co., VA, p 72, lists only Wealthy Austin.

CHILDREN: In an article appearing in "Austins of America," Dr. Michael Austin, Editor, August 1982 edition, p 37, entitled "Pruit Alias Austin," Janet Austin Curtis attempts to straighten out Joseph's children. Based on their birth dates, Janet lists 5 children by Joseph's first wife: John, William, Champness, Stephen, and David - all born between 1760 and 1776. Her basis for this is the statement by son John's Rev. War pension application wherein he states that he was the eldest of five brothers and makes no mention of any sisters. She lists as possible children of Joseph's second wife Wealthy 3 children: Lucy, Mary and Patsy. Finally, Janet lists two other children: Archibald Pruit and Frances "Fanny" Pruit as children brought to Joseph's second marriage by Welthy, fathered by someone. Janet admits that all of her attempts to discover the father's identity ended in failure, and so she comes to the conclusion that Joseph was the father, implying that Joseph was fathering children by two women at the same time. (This conclusion has been rejected by Liz Austin Carlin, AFAOA genealogist for purposes of this database).

CHILDREN: To establish his children's names, and whether they were residing out of state, a hearing was held at the Pittsylvania Co.,VA Court during the June 1813 Session resulting in the following Court Order as recorded in Order Book 16, p 37: "William Hankins, Jun. and Mary his wife - Plaintiffs, against Wealthy Austin, widow of Joseph Austin and his Administrators . In Chancery, John Austin, William Austin, Archibald Austin, Champness Austin, Stephen Austin, David Austin, Fanny Covington, Lucy Kendrick and Thomas Kendrick her husband, Betsy Sandlin/Saudlin/Laudlin? and James Sandlin/Saudlin/Laudlin? her husband, and Patsy Jones (Johns?), wife of Abraham Jones (Johns?), and Abraham her husband - Defendants. John Austin, Archibald Austin, David Austin, Lucy Kendrick and Thomas Kendrick not having entered their appearances and given security according to the act of assembly, and the rules of this court and it appearing to the satisfaction of the court that they are not inhabitants of this state on motion of the plaintiffs by their counsel it is ordered that last mentioned defendants do appear here at September Court next and answer the bill of the plaintiff - that a copy of this order be forthwith inserted in one of the newspapers published in the town of Lynchburg (VA) for eight weeks successively and posted at the front door of the Court House of this county on court day." NOTE: All of the children listed above agree with Janet Austin Curtis' list except for Betsy .

MILITARY: "The Old Free State, A History of Lunenburg County and Southside Virginia," Vol. 1 , p 195. NOTE: Listed among the colonial soldiers of Lunenburg Co.,VA in the French and Indian War including Rangers were John Austin and Joseph Austin. The Joseph Austin listed above only aided the colonial military establishment by furnishing supplies, wagons, etc.

MILITARY: Joseph Austin is also credited in the DAR Patriot Index with public service in the Revolutionary War.

INDENTURE: Power of Attorney granted to Joseph Austin by John Austin, Sr. (his brother?), recorded 25 Mar 1772 in Pittsylvania Co., VA Court Records.

DEATH: His widow was granted Letters of Administration on his estate as recorded 20 May 1811 , Pittsylvania Co., VA, Order Book 14, p 534.

Joseph was born between 1727 and1735. He passed away in 1810.

Sources

1. ↑ Section: First List of Tithables of Pittsylvania County, Year 1767,
2. ↑ Section: Lunenburg County Tithable List Taken by William Caldwell in 1749, p. 275 both are from: Virginia Tax Records from the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, The William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD. 1983. Digitized at Ancestry.com

• Austin Families Association of America regarding Thomas Austin of New Kent County, Virginia https://www.afaoa.org/cpage.php?pt=7

• Joseph Austin Virginia marriages