John Compton (abt. 1735 - abt. 1822)

Born about 1735 in Maryland [uncertain]

Descendants

Died about 1822 at about age 87 in Tazewell County, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Sandi Compton [send private message]

Biography

John Compton was the patriarch of the Compton family of Tazewell County, Virginia. Little to nothing appears to be certain about his birth date or location. The date given above, 1735, is a guess (age 25 at birth of son?). His birth place could be Maryland or Virginia.

As might be expected, there was more than one John Compton in Virginia prior to 1800. They were not all related.

The John Compton of interest here was probably in Augusta County, Virginia by about 1760. He surveyed some land there, in 1762 and in 1773, and received at least one land grant, in Brock's Gap, now in today's Rockingham County. The land was on tributaries of the North Fork of Shenandoah River. However, Compton's grant for 93 acres was not formalized until 1780, by which time he was probably already living in Fincastle County. This is not unusual in that land offices processing such grants were often closed during the Revolutionary War and delays were common.

In 1775, our subject John Compton surveyed 198 acres in then Fincastle County, on the Bluestone River. This same geographical area was the subject of several county boundary changes over the years - Fincastle to Montgomery in 1777, Montgomery to Wythe in 1790, and Wythe to Tazewell in 1800. Compton's land was probably close to East River Mountain near today's Bluefield, VA. It is of some interest that John and William McGuire (father and son, respectively) also settled on Bluestone River around the same time. John Compton's son, John Jr., married Eleanor McGuire, a daughter of this same John McGuire.

In 1784, John Compton surveyed 400 acres on the Clear Fork of Wolf Creek, then in Montgomery Co. The Clear Fork is maybe 3-4 miles south of the Bluestone and Compton's land may have been in what is today's Bland Co., VA. This land apparently became the residence for John Sr., while his son, John, seems to have remained on Bluestone. In 1794, John Sr. sold his Bluestone land to John Jr.

In 1800, John Compton and his wife, Rebeckah, sold some land on Clear Fork of Wolf Creek. This is the only reference to her, by name, located to date. There are hints that she may have been born Rebecca Wallace but no marriage record is known and her maiden name remains unproven. It is equally possible that Rebecca was not John's first wife or mother of his children.

In 1821, Tazewell Co. court and chancery records indicate that John Compton Sr. was no longer capable of managing his own business. Different records describe him as "aged and infirm" or "insane". John had apparently begun disposing of his slaves and livestock in agreements that greatly benefited others outside the family. His son, John Jr. got an injunction to stop the further removal of property but a jury awarded much of the property to others. The important aspect of these cases is that they confirm John Sr. was still alive in 1821. He was also recorded in property tax records through 1822, which is estimated to be his approximate date of death. No will or other probate records have been located as his property was already distributed.

Research Notes

This profile previously indicated that the subject John Compton was a son of James Compton and Eleanor McQuire. Absolutely no evidence was provided for that attribution and they have been removed accordingly.

Sources

• Rockingham County, Virginia Survey Book O-I, p. 17 (FHL Film 8574645, Image 129; 15 April 1762, Surveyed for John Compton 115 acres of land lying on Three Lick Branch in Brock’s Gap above his other land…Note: Same exact survey is also in Augusta Co. Survey Book 2, p. 17 (FHL Film 7837424, Image 158).

• Rockingham County, Virginia Survey Book O-I, p. 212 (FHL Film 8574645, Image 244); 24 February 1773, Surveyed for John Compton 93 acres of land in Augusta Co. on Cove Run in Brick’s Gap...Note: Same exact survey is in Augusta Co. Survey Book 2, p. 212 (FHL Film 7837424, Image 256).

• Montgomery County, Virginia Record of Platts A, p. 215 (FHL Film 7897246, Image 135); 3 April 1775, Surveyed for John Cumpton 198 acres of land in Fincastle County on Bluestone Creek, a branch of New River agreeable to an Order of Counsel of 16 December 1773 and being part of the Loyal Company’s Grant and bounded as follows…

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants D, p. 148: 1 September 1780, Land grant for Conrod Kester, assignee of John Compton, in Rockingham Co. (formerly Augusta) for 115 acres on Three Lick Branch in Brock’s Gap, surveyed 15 April 1762.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Patents No. E, p. 696, 1 September 1780, Land grant for John Compton in Augusta County, 93 acres on Cove Run in Brock’s Gap, surveyed 24 February 1773.

• Montgomery County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782 (FHL Film 7856149, Image 13); The lists for 1782 are divided into two sections - one for land and one for personal property. "John Compton" appears on the land tax list with 400 acres. "John Compton Jr." appears on the personal property list with 13 horses and 6 cattle. A Joseph Compton was also recorded. Similar lists for 1783-1786 are lost.

• Montgomery County, Virginia Record of Platts B, p. 85 (FHL Film 7897246, Image 280); 7 January 1783, Surveyed for John Compton 400 acres of land by virtue of an entry on a certificate from the Commissioners for the district of Washington and Montgomery Counties dated the 11th September 1781 lying in Montgomery County on Bluestone Creek, a branch of New River, adjoining Cartmill’s line and Peery’s line…

• Montgomery County, Virginia Record of Platts B, p. 79 (FHL Film 7897246, Image 277); 8 January 1783, Surveyed for James Cartmill 400 acres of land by virtue of an Entry on a Certificate from the Commissioners for the district of Washington and Montgomery Counties dated ye 7th of September 1782 lying in Montgomery on Bluestone Creek, a branch of New River, beginning at two white oaks by some sinkholes and running thence to and along John Compton’s line…Note: Cartmill's son, Thomas, married a daughter of John Compton Jr. Cartmill sold 250 acres of this land to John Compton Jr. in 1806.

• Montgomery County, Virginia Record of Platts D, p. 528 (FHL Film 8190604, Image 300); 29 March 1784, Surveyed for John Cumpton 400 acres of land by virtue of an entry made the 7th day of September 1782 on a Certificate from the Commissioners for the District of Washington and Montgomery Counties for 400 acres dated the 3rd day of September 1782 lying in Montgomery County on the Clear fork of Wolf Creek, a branch of New River, adjoining Jacob Dooley on the north side of the creek, Absolam Stafford.

• Montgomery County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1787-1812 (FHL Film 7856147); Lists for 1787 record two (2) Joseph Compton's and John Compton Sr. Lists for 1788 record John Compton Sr. and John Compton Jr.

• Wythe County, Virginia Survey Book 1, p. 14 (FHL Film 8573909, Image 84); 16 October 1788 (?), Surveyed for John Compton 500 acres by virtue of an entry in the Surveyor’s Office in Montgomery dated 13 May 1782 by David Douglass and assigned to John Compton and reentered in the Surveyor’s Office in Wythe on a Land Office Treasury Warrant No. [illegible] and dated 16 October 1788...Note: Based on the resulting grant, land was on Wolf Creek and belonged to John Sr.

• Montgomery County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1787-1812 (FHL Film 7856147); Lists record one Joseph Compton in 1789 as well as John Compton Sr. and John Compton Jr.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 28, p. 100; 4 January 1793, Land grant for John Compton in Montgomery Co for 140 acres on Clear Fork of Wolf Creek adjoining said Compton and Thomas Wiley. Note: Most likely John Sr.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 27, p. 411; 11 January 1793, Land grant for John Compton in Wythe Co. for 500 acres at the mouth of Clear Fork of Wool’s (sic – Wolf) Creek.

• Library of Virginia, Land Office Grants No. 27, p. 603; 16 March 1793, Land grant for John Cumpton in Montgomery Co. for 400 acres on Clear Fork of Wolf Creek, surveyed 3 March 1784.

• Library of Virginia, Legislative Petitions; Multiple citizen petitions for formation of a new county (Tazewell) from Russell and Wythe Counties included signatures by Compton's. John Sr. signed petitions dated 23 October 1793, 25 November 1795, 21 November 1796, 5 December 1798 and 3 December 1799.

• Wythe County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1793-1801 (FHL Film 7856355); John Compton Sr. appears on these lists for 1794-1796 and 1798-1800. Son, John Jr. is also recorded each year 1794-1800.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 30, p. 518; 16 August 1794, Land grant for Thomas Godfray in Wythe Co. for 87 acres on Clear Fork of Wolk Creek adjoining John Compton.

• Wythe County, Virginia Survey Book 1, p. 156 (FHL Film 8573909, Image 156); 8 November 1794, Survey for Richard C. Pollard for 75,000 acres on waters of East River, Bluestone River, Clinch River and Wolf Creek, adjoining John Davidson, James Shannon, John Compton Senr. (on Wolf Creek) and others. Survey acknowledges it includes prior claims, including 100 acres part of John Compton Jr.’s land on Bluestone.

• Wythe County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 222 (FHL Film 7898803, Image 124); 13 October 1794, John Cumton Senr. to John Cumton Junr., for £100, 254 acres on waters of “blew stone” adjoining his old survey on the south side. Wit: Garnet Smith, Daniel Grayham, Jesse Evans.

• Wythe County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 222 (FHL Film 7898803, Image 124); 13 October 1794, John Cumpton Senr. to John Cumpton Junr., for £400, 400 acres in Wythe Co. on Blue Stone Creek, a branch of New River adjoining Cartmall’s line, Peery’s line. Wit: Jesse Evans, Garnet Smith, Daniel Grayham.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 40, p. 621; 1 November 1798, Land grant for David Lusk, 100 acres in Wythe Co. on waters of Clear Fork of Wolf Creek between land of John Compton Sr. and William Kidd.

• Wythe County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1796-1799, p. 380 (FHL Film 7896889, Image 332); 14 May 1799, Ordered that John Cumpton Sr., Daniel Waggoner, Thomas Val (?) and John Justice or any three of them being first sworn do view the way proposed by John Peery for an alteration of the Clear Fork road and return the same to Court.

• Wythe County, Virginia Court Order Book, 1799-1801, p. 72 (FHL Film 7896889, Image 380); 8 October 1799, Ordered that John Cumpton Sr. be appointed Surveyor of the road in the room of James Rice & with the usual hands keep the same in repair.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 17 (FHL Film 7898807, Image 229); 3 August 1800, John Compton and Rebekah, his wife, of Tazewell Co., to John Powers, 140 acres on Clear Fork of Wolf Creek adjoining land of John Compton and Thomas Wiley.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 47, p. 147; 2 September 1800, Land grant for John Compton Sr. in Wythe Co. for 290 acres on Clear Fork of Wolf Creek.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Will Book 1, p. 7 (Ancestry); 7 October 1801 (written), 15 October 1801 (proved); Will of Samuel Compton of Tazewell Co. gives all goods and chattels “to my father” and names “my father” as Executor. Father’s name is not mentioned. Wit: John Power, Daniel Waggoner. Note: Father was most likely John Compton Sr.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1801- 1830 (FHL Film 7833942); John Compton Sr. appears on these lists for 1801-1802, 1803-1807 and 1809-1822. John Compton Jr. is also regularly present as was his son, John (III), beginning in 1809. Other sons of John Jr. also appear as they came of age. Lists for 1802 are missing "C" surnames. No tax was collected in 1808.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 52, p. 447; 12 October 1804, Land grant for Stephen Woods and Isaac Adkins in Tazewell Co. for 150 acres on Clear Fork adjoining John Cumpton.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 54, p. 190; 24 August 1805, Land grant for David Peery and Samuel Muncey in Tazewell Co. for 200 acres on Clear Fork of Wolf Creek adjoining Jacob Howgar and John Compton.

• 1810 Census for Tazewell County is lost.

• 1820 Federal Census, Tazewell County, Virginia; Three John Compton's are recorded, all apparently married. Two of the John's were over 45 years old, probably John Sr. and John Jr. The third John was likely John Jr., son of John Jr.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Deed Book 3, p. 125 (FHL Film 8153309, Image 80); 9 March 1820, John Compton Senr. to Hickman Compton, 200 acres on Clear Fork, being the lower part of400 acres patented by John Compton 16 March 1793. Wit: Hez. Harman, Isaac Adkins, Kiah Harman. Note: Hickman was John's grandson.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Deed Book 3, p. 163 (FHL Film 8153309, Image 99); 7 February 1821, John Compton Sr. to Isaac Adkins, 115 acres under Clear Fork Mountain, part of 290 acres patented by John Compton 2 September 1800 called the Bell survey. Wit: Hez. Harman, Jacob Hager, Alem Hager.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Deed Book 3, p. 163 (FHL Film 8153309, Image 99); 7 February 1821, John Compton Senr. to Hickman Powers, 151 acres on Clear Fork where said Compton now lives, being the west end of his 2 tracts; one being 56 acres part of 400 acres dated 16 March 1793 and the second being 85 acres part of 290 acres dated 2 September 1800, adjoining Hickman Compton, Bell survey and Adkins. Wit: Hez. Harman, Jacob Hager, Alem Hager.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Grants No. 70, p. 319; 22 August 1821, Land grant for Peter Dills in Tazewell Co. for 75 acres on Clear Fork of Wolf Creek adjoining John Compton’s old corner.

• Library of Virginia Chancery Case #1830-001, Tazewell County, Virginia, Isaac Brown vs Hickman Powers; Beginning 9 September 1821, ending January 1830, Case involved Isaac Brown and Kezekiah Harman, Committee of John Compton Senr. appointed because John Compton “was insane and not capable of managing his own business”. Hickman Powers had apparently made a trade with Compton for a large estate, valued at $3000 for land and negroes which was without any consideration. Powers had already removed some of the property and on 25 September 1821 an injunction was issued against Powers to prevent further removal of property. Records include a list of property taken by the Sheriff and delivered to Hezekiah Harman. A bond issued 25 September 1821 between Brown, Harman and John Compton Jr. with Hickman Powers to prevent further removal.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Court Order Book 3, p. 82 (FHL Film 8191611, Image 374); 25 September 1821, Hezekiah Harman and Isaac Brown are by the Court appointed a Committee to take charge of the Estate of John Cumpton Sen. of this County, who is stated to the Court to be aged and infirm and not capable of transacting his own business, and thereupon the said Hezekiah Harman and Isaac Brown together with John Cumpton Jr. their security entered into and acknowledged their bond in the sum of $6000 conditioned as the law directs.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Court Order Book 3, p. 87 (FHL Film 8191611, Image 376); 25 September 1821, Hezekiah Harman and Isaac Brown, Plaintiffs against Hickman Powers, Defendant; In Chancery; On the motion of the Plaintiffs by their Counsel it is ordered adjudged and decreed that the Defendant or Attorney be enjoined and restrained from removing, secreting embezzling or in any way or manner whatsoever the property or any part thereof belonging to the Estate of John Cumpton Senr. for whom the Plaintiffs were appointed a Committee on this day and it is further ordered that the Sheriff of this County do forthwith go with necessary and proper assistants and distrain all the goods and Chattels that may be found and which of right ought to belong to the said John Cumpton Senr. and put the Plaintiffs in possession of the same until the further order or decree of this Court, the Plaintiffs having together with John Cumpton Jr. entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $400 conditioned as the law directs, Commonwealth writ of Spa. Awarded &c.

• Tazewell County, Virginia Court Order Book 3, p. 104 (FHL Film 8191611, Image 385); 30 November 1821, Hickman Powers, Plaintiff vs John Cumpton Jr., Defendant; In Detinue; This day came again the parties by their attornies and the Jury appeared in Court according to their adjournment of yesterday and having heard the Evidence retired from the bar and returned the following Verdict, We the Jury do find that the Defendant doth detain of the property of the Plaintiff the following slaves in the Declaration mentioned, to wit, Kate of the value of $300, Nan of the value of $500, Seal of the value of $400, Rose of the value of $350 and Don at the value of $200, we also find that the Plaintiff hath sustained Damage by the detention of said slaves to the amount of $100. Therefore it is considered by the Court that the Plaintiff recover against the Defendant the said Negro slaves, to wit, Kate, Nan, Seal, Rose and Don and the price aforesaid if they may be had, but if not then the price aforesaid of them together with his Damages aforesaid in form aforesaid assessed and his Costs by him in this suit expended and the said Defendant in mercy &c. On the trial of this cause the Defendant tendered three Bills of Exceptions to the opinion of the Court which were severally signed and sealed by the Court and ordered to be made a part of the record. Note: Detinue is a legal claim to recover wrongfully detained goods or possessions.