Robert Duff Green (1695 - bef. 1748)

Born 11 Jun 1695 in Lindsey, Suffolk, England

Descendants

Died before 28 Jul 1748 before age 53 in Orange, Orange County, Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Sjana Lee Bauer [send private message] and Gwendolyn Long [send private message]

Biography

Robert Green was born in England on 1695 Lindsey, Suffolk, England. ^[1] of father William Green^[2] and mother Eleanor Duff .

At that time, Robert's father was serving as a Yeomen (a noble man) in the body guard of King William III, (former Prince of Orange) in 1694. ^[3][2]

Robert himself later became a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses in 1736, and was one of the first vestrymen of St. Mark's Parish.^[2]

He came to the Virginia Colony from Northamptonshire, England abt 1710 with his Uncle William Duff, a Quaker, and settled, at first, upon the James river. He lived for a time in King George county, He soon left his uncle and settled in what is now Brandy Station and Rixeyville in Culpeper Co. at Liberty Hall Plantation ^[2]

He built his home near a large spring on the road leading from Brandy Station to Rixeyville, and took up large tracts of land in what was, in 1712, Essex, in 1721, Spotsylvania, in 1735, Orange, and in 1749, Culpeper.^[4][2]

Robert married Eleanor Dunn from Scotland in 1720 in Orange, Virginia.^[2][5]

They had 11 children in 13 years.

He named seven sons: ^[2]

1. William Green, m Miss Coleman
2. Robert Green, m Patty Ball
3. Duff Green, m 1) Miss Thomas, 2) Miss Willis
4. John Green, (Gen) m Susanna Blackwell
5. Nicholas Green, m Miss Price
6. James Green, m E. Jones
7. Moses Green, m Miss Blackwell (sister of Susanna)

Sons John, Nicholas, and James are listed by the DAR record for Eleanor (with wives Susanna Blackwell, Elizabeth Price, and Elizabeth Jones, respectively):^[6]

The sons were left large tracts of land. (He had received a grant of 120,000 acres.)

Robert Green passed away in 1748 in Orange Co. Virginia, ^[2] writing his will 22 Feb 1748, proved 28 Jul 1748 which means he died between these 2 dates.^[7]

In the name of God. amen. I, Robert Green of St. Mark's Parish, in the County of Orange and Colony of Virginia, being a little indisposed in body but of perfect sound mind and memory, thanks to God for the same; therefore calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and the certainty of death, and lest death should surprise me before I could state my affairs to my satisfaction, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following: Principally and first of all I recommend my soul to God who gave it, hoping that through the merits and sufferings of my blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, to enjoy everlasting felicity, and my body I commit to the earth, therein to be decently interred at the discretion of my executors hereinafter mentioned. And as for such worldly estate with which it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I dispose of in the following manner.

Imprimis.

My will and desire is, that my funeral charges and just debt be first paid and discharged.

Secondly. I give to my beloved wife, Eleanor Green, her due share of all my good, chatties [chattles] and outstanding debts in proportion to the number of my children, and I also leave to my said wife, Eleanor Green, an equal share (in proportion as aforesaid) of the lands which I shall be possessed of at the time of my deceased, during her life.

Thirdly. I give and bequeath to my son, William Green, and his heirs and assigns forever, all the remaining part of a tract of land of which I sold part to Martin Nalle, joining to a tract of land patented in my said son's name, also one tract of land containing four hundred acres lying at the foot of Ragged mountain, for which I swapt with my late uncle, Wm. Duff dec'd. One entry of four or five hundred acres of land joining to the same, a warrant from the proprietor's office for which is now in the possession of Mr. James Genn, surveyor. One lot or half acre of land in the town of Falmouth which I bought of Captain Robert Jones, a deed for which is recorded in King George county records. Half a tract of land in Augusta county containing four hundred acres, a plat of which is returned to the secretary's office in the name of Col. James Wood, my part of the rights and secretary's fee I have paid. And one tract of land on which the mountain church stands, commonly called Tennant's old field including Tennant's old house. I also bequeath to my sd. son William, my silver-hilted small sword.

Fourthly. I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Green and his heirs and assigns forever, all that tract or tracts of land and plantation on which I live, containing by a late survey twelve hundred and odd acres. A survey lately made by Mr. James Genn, containing three hundred acres, joining on the lines of John Roberts and others. As also all my lands which shall be unsold at the time of my decease on Linvels creek in Augusta county; and one-half lot or quarter of an acre of land near the town of Fredericksburg, the other half of the said lot belongs to Captain William Russell, a deed for which to the said Russell and myself, from the honorable John Grymes, Esq., is recorded in the Secretary's office of Virginia (which remain still undivided).

Fifthly. I give and bequeath unto my son Duff Green, and his heirs and assigns forever, one tract of land containing by patent four hundred acres, lying in the Little fork of Rappahan'k river joining to the lands of Anthony Scott. Also one tract of land containing one thousand and twenty-six acres of thereabouts, lately surveyed by Mr. James Genn, lying in the sd. Little fork and commonly called the Meringoe tract. But as I have been jointly concerned with Col. James Wood, of Frederick county, in several tracts of land, and probably it may appear by some writing or otherwise (which I am not apprised of) that the said James Wood may have some right to the last mentioned tract of land. It is therefore my desire and I do hereby require and impower my executors to make deed and convey one-half of the sd. tract of land (last mentioned) to the sd. James Wood, on his paying the charges which shall accrue thereon, in case it shall appear, as is before suggested; otherwise it is my desire that my sd. son, Duff, and his heirs and assigns enjoy the same forever as aforesd.

Sixthly. I give and bequeath unto my son, John Green, and his heirs and assigns forever, all my land and plantation on Muddy run, on which my mill doth stand, together with sd. mill, and two tracts of land which I bought of John Latham, dec'd, joining to the sd. mill tract. Also one-half of the land which was lately surveyed for me on Negroe run and Hedgeman's river joining to Mr. Charles Dewitt's land. And one other tract of land containing about seventy or eighty acres on which Thos. Bywaters now liveth, at the mouth of Crooked Run, which I bought of Evan Vaughan.

(the next section is number sixthly also and appears to be a mistake)

Sixthly. I give and bequeath unto my son, Nicholas Green, and his heirs and assigns forever, all that tract of land and plantation wherein Bryan Keegan formerly did live, near to the foot of Red Oak mountain on Cannon's river, containing by patent 300 acres. As also one-half that tract of land containing seventeen hundred acres on the branches of Muddy creek at the foot of North mountain, in Augusta county. And one-half of a tract of land lying in the sd. county of Augusta, containing three hundred and fifty-acres, a plat of which is returned to the secretary's office in the name of Col. James Wood and my part of the rights and secretary's fee I have paid.

Seventhly. I give and bequeath to my sons, James and Moses Green, and their heirs and assigns forever, one tract of land containing by patent four hundred acres, lying between the sd. three hundred acres bequeathed to my son Nicholas, the lands of Col. Thornton and William Covington, which land was patented by --- Monroe and lapsed by me from sd. Monroe, as may appear, etc. As also my part of the lands which are now patented in my name on the South Branch of Potowmack river; reserving to Col. James Wood, of Frederick county, one-half thereof, he paying my executors twenty-five ponds, being part of what he received for lands sold on the sd. South Branch, and I do give and bequeath to the sd. James Wood and his heirs (patented) on the South branch of Potowmack, it being in consideration of his part of all other charges.

Eighthly. I give and bequeath unto my my sons, James and Moses, and their heirs and assigns forever, one-half of a tract of land containing two thousand acres lying in Augusta county, between the river Shanando and the Peaked mountain. And my will is, that the sd. lands bequeathed to my sd. sons, James and Moses Green shall be equally divided between them at the discretion of my executors.

Ninthly. Whereas I have already bequeathed to my son, William Green, my right to one-half a tract of land in Augusta county, containing four hundred acres, and half one other tract containing three hundred and fifty acres, to my son Nicholas Green in the sd. county. The plats for which lands are returned to the secretary's office in the name of Col. James Wood as is before cited: My will is, that the sd. James Wood may when he obtains patents for the said lands make deeds to my sd. sons for moiety thereof as before directed. And my will is and I do hereby require and impower my executors to make deeds and convey to the sd. Col. James Wood (on his conveying to my sd. sons the tracts as aforesd), one half of a tract of land in Augusta county at the foot of North mountain on the branches of Muddy creek, containing by patent seventeen hundred acres. And also one-half of another tract of land in the sd. county of Augusta, between Shennando river and the Peaked mountain, containing by patent two thousand acres.

Tenthly. I give and bequeath to the sd. Col. James Wood, his heirs and assigns forever (on his paying one-half of the charges accruing thereon), one-half of a tract of land lately surveyed for me by Mr. James Genn, on Negroe run and Hedgeman's river, joining to Charles Dewitt's land in the little forks of Rappahannock river, being in pursuance of an agreement made with sd. James Wood.

Eleventhly. I give and bequeath unto Mr. John Blair, Junior., of Williamsburg, two hundred acres of land lying on the branches of Black Water run at the Red Oak mountain in Orange county, being in consideration of his bearing part of the expenses in taking up a large tract joining to the same, which tract was lapsed from Dan'l Brown.

Twelfthly. My will and desire is, that all the negroes, cattle, horses, household goods and outstanding debts (except the new goods in the store) which I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease, shall be equally divided between my wife and children aforesaid., except my son, Duff Green, who is sufficiently provided with such necessaries by the will of my deceased uncle, Wm. Duff; and it is my desire, that those who divide my sd. personal estate may have regard to proportion, the age of the negroes to the age of my children to whom they are allotted, and not to be shared according to their present value, but according to their number. And my death in that such of my sd. estate an shall be allotted for my sons John, Nicholas, James and Moses Green (except the negroes) may be sold in such manner as my executors think most advantageous, and the money arising therefrom, as also their negroes and the profits of them to remain in the hands of my executors until the sd. John, Nicholas, James and Moses, have arrived at the age of twenty-one years, during which time they are to remain under my sd. wife's tuition and to be schooled at her discretion during her widowhood; and if she marries then my desire is, that my sd. sons shall be under the tuition and care of my executors hereafter mentioned. And my desire is that my three oldest sons, William, Robert and Duff Green, may posses their estates and be at liberty so soon as they shall arrive at twenty years of age.

Thirteenthly. Whereas by the will of my deceased uncle, William Duff, he among other things left unto his wife, Elizabeth, during her life all his lands, plantations, negroes, etc., in King George and Westmoreland Counties, and after her decease h lent the sd. negroes, etc., to William Duff of Virginia and John Duff of the Kingdom of Ireland and to the Friends of the Monthly meeting at west river in Maryland in trust, and mentions certain uses and charges to be defrayed thereby; and the profits thereof more than will defray the sd. charges to be equally divided between the sd. John and William Duff, and the male heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, and for want of such heirs, then he lends the sd. estate to me during my life and after my decease to my son William Green and his male heirs, etc. Now the sd. William Duff being dead without male issue, and the sd. John Duff having as yet not claimed the sd. estate, the same still remains in my possession and after my decease will descend to my sd. son, Wm. Green. It is therefore my desire, that if the sd. John Duff should not claim the sd. estate within three years after my decease, that my sd. son William Green shall refund to my sd. wife, Eleanor, and my other sons, to be equally divided between them (except my son Duff as before) all his part of my personal estate which he shall receive at my decease; but if it should so happen that the sd. John Duff or his heirs or any other person within the time aforesaid, should recover the said estate from my said son, that then he may have and enjoy his equal share of my sd. personal estate, as if the said Wm. Duff's estate had never been in his possession. And whereas I am concerned in sundry tracts of land and orders of council for land (for which there are no patents as yet), it is my desire that all such lands should be sold at the descretion of my executors, so as to be most advantageous to my heirs, and that the money arising by such sales shall be appropriated to discharge all such debts (if any) as shall be due from me at the time of my decease to any person and particularly on account of the estate of the above named Wm. Duff dec'd. and to the sd. John Duff in case he should recover the above mentioned estate, and what will arise by the sd. sales more than will discharge the debts aforesaid. shall be equally divided between my wife and sons aforesaid. (except my son Duff as before) and it is my desire that all such new goods as shall be in my store at my decease shall be sold and the produce thereof to be equally divided as is last mentioned. And further my desire is, that if any of my aforesaid sons should die before arriving at age to posses their estates, that then his or their estate or estates be equally divided between the survivors.

Fourteenthly. Whereas I am posset of one hundred acres of land in Prince William County which descends to me as heir at law of the above named Wm. Duff, dec'd. the same being unbequeathed by the said Wm. Duff to any person, and I am also heir in reversion to the remainder of a tract of land containing five hundred and odd acres joining to the sd. hundred acres, two hundred acres part of the sd. five hundred the sd. Wm. Duff bequeathed to Anne Shotwell and her heirs, and the remainder of the sd. tract to Anne Duff now wife of Tully Choice, I do therefore desire that the sd. lands may be sold by my executors, and the money arising therefrom to be equally divided between my sons Wm. Green and Robert Green.

Fifteenthly. Whereas, I am posset of two hundred acres of land, patented in my name, which by an agreement verbally with John Newport, dec'd. I was to make over and convey to the sd. Newport: But as I was surety for the sd. Newport, dec'd. in his lifetime for his faithful performance of the office of deputy-sheriff in the county of Orange, and now suit is brought against me for his default in the said office. If, therefore the heirs of the sd. Newport, dec'd., shall indemnify my heirs from anything that may accrue from any default in his said office; I do require and Impower my executors to convey the said two hundred acres of land to the heirs of the sd. Newport.

And lastly. I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my beloved wife Eleanor executrix, my two sons, William and Robert Green and my good friend Francis Slaughter, gen't., executors of this my last will and testament: Hereby revoking all other wills by me formerly made.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal, this twenty-second day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty- eight

ROBERT GREEN (seal)

Sign'd, seal'd, publish'd and declared by the above Robert Green to be his last will and testament, and that the same was contain'd on these three sheets of paper. In the presence of us. Three words interlined in the eighth line, the word (in) scratched out in the twenty-eighth line, the words (or his heirs) in ninety-seventh line, interlined before the assignment.

John Thompson, Richard Young, James Gibbs, John Roberts.

At a court held for Orange county on Thursday, the 28th of July, 1748.

This last will and testament of Robert Green, dec'd. was presented into court by the executors therein named proved by the oaths of John Thompson, Richard Young and John Roberts, witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. William Green, heir at law to the said Robert appearing in court declared that he had nothing to offer in opposition thereto, and on the motion of Eleanor Green, widow of the said William Green, and Robert Green, executors therein named, who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.

Test, JOHN NICOLAS, C.C. Court

A Copy, P.H. FRY, Clerk,

Orange County Court,

Research Notes

Robert was born in 1698. He passed away in 1748. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ Mackenzie, George Norbury. Colonial Families of the United States of America (Grafton Press, New York, Boston, 1907) Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 61175 #13872 : accessed 3 November 2022), Name Robert Green, Birth Date 1695; citing Page number 122.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7} Green, Raleigh Travers, Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, Virginia. History of St. Mark's Parish, Culpeper County, Virginia. [from old catalog] (Culpeper Va., 1900.) Page 61-69 The Green Family
3. ↑ Hennel, Sir Reginald “Roll of the Officers of the Yeomen of his Majesty’s Guard in 1964” on wayback machine in The History of the King's Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard. page 259; Angliæ Notitia of the Present State of England 1694 page 250
4. ↑ Kinard, June. comp. Early Immigrants to Virginia from the 1500s and 1600s database on-line. Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2000. Original data: Published by The Researchers, PO box 39063, Indianapolis IN. 46239-0063.
5. ↑ Marriage: "U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900"
   Source number: 331.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: BB1
   Ancestry Record 7836 #491744 (accessed 3 November 2022)
   Robert Duff Green marriage to Eleaner Dunn in 1720 in VA.
6. ↑ Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed Nov. 15, 2016), "Record of GREEN, ELEANOR DUNN", Ancestor # A201062.
7. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/115249576/robert-duff-green: accessed 03 November 2022), memorial page for Robert Duff Green (1695–1748), Find A Grave: Memorial #115249576, citing Liberty Hall Plantation, Brandy Station, Culpeper County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Lisa Oakley (contributor 49280171).
8. ↑ Probate: "Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900"
   Index to Wills, 1734-1947 ; Will Books, 1735-1906; Author: Virginia. Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery (Orange County)
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62347 #2476317 (accessed 3 November 2022)
   Duff Green probate.
9. ↑ Source will be added by Gwendolyn Long by 13 Nov 2022.

• "Kentucky Explorer" Volume 32, Number 10, April 2018, page 66 "Colonial Families of the Southern States of America" by Stella Pickett Hardey.

• Some Prominent Virginia Families. v1-4, Pecquet du Bellet, Louise, database on-line Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. j.P. Bell, 1907. Lynchburg VA.,1907, v2, p238

• U.S. and Canada. Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s. Filby, P. William, ed., Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2006. Source Bibliography: VIRKUS, FREDERICK A., ed., Immigrant Ancestors: A List of 2,500 Immigrants to America before 1750. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1964. 75p. Repr. 1986, p34

• "Descendants of Robert Green and Allied Families in the State of Virginia," Holdridge, Ozro Collins, The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography", v8, n1, Jul.1900 (Virginia Historical Society). pp77-80

• "Alabama, U.S., Surname Files Expanded, 1702–1981"
  Alabama Department of Archives and History; Montgomery, AL; Alabama Surname Files; Box or Film Number: M84.0447
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61266 #130686 (accessed 3 November 2022)
  Name: Robert Green; Gender: Male; Birth Date: 1695; Spouse: Eleanor Green.

• "Early Immigrants to Virginia from the 1500s and 1600s"
  Published by The Researchers, PO box 39063, Indianapolis IN. 46239-0063
  Ancestry Record 5090 #53 (accessed 3 November 2022)
  Name: James Gordon [Robert Green]; Birth Date: 1714; Death Date: 1768; Arrival Place: Virginia, USA; General Text: Gordon, James, (1714-1768) Came from Ireland with brother John to Merry Pt. Lancaster Co. before 1738. Married Mary, daughter of Col. Nathaniel Morrison. Green, Capt. Robert, (1695-1748) Came from Northamptonshire, England with his uncle Sir William Duff. Finally settled in Culpeper Co. Burgess, Capt. Orange Co, Militia, Vestryman St. Mark’s parish. Married Eleanor Dunn. Gordon.

• "Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, Virginia"
  Raleigh Travers Green. Genealogical and Historical Notes on Culpeper County, Virginia. Embracing a Revised and Enlarged Edition of Dr. Philip Slaughter's History of St. Mark's Parish. Culpeper, VA, USA: Regional Publishing Company, 1900
  Ancestry Record 6129 #100 (accessed 3 November 2022)
  Name: Robert Green; Comments: The Rev. Mr. Thompson having represented to the vestry that the glebeland of this parish is insufficient to furnish timber, fire-wood and fences, the vestry do order that a petition be presented to the General Assembly for an act enabling the vestry to sell the glebe and purchase another in lieu thereof. Mr. Thompson having asked for leave to build a gallery in Lower Church for the use of his family, the vestry consent, provided the lower part of the gallery be above the windows and not inconvenient to any part of the church, except the back pew, in which the stairs are to be carried up. John Green and Robert Green are appointed churchwardens.

• Military: "U.S., Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783"
  Ancestry Record 4282 #159369 (accessed 3 November 2022)
  Name: Robert Green; Military Place: Virginia, USA; State or Army Served: Continental Troops; Rank: Corporal.

• Family History or Pedigree: "U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970"
  Volume: 201
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2204 #486515 (accessed 3 November 2022)
  Name: Robert Green; Birth Date: 1695; Birth Place: England; Death Date: 1748; Death Place: Culpeper, Virginia; SAR Membership: 40067; Role: Ancestor; Application Date: 25 Jun 1924; Spouse: Eleanor Dunn; Children: John Green.

• Family History or Pedigree: "U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970"
  Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970. Louisville, Kentucky: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Microfilm, 508 rolls
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2204 #825046 (accessed 3 November 2022)
  Name: Robert Green; Birth Date: 1695; Birth Place: England; Death Date: 1748; Death Place: Culpeper, Virginia; SAR Membership: 79363; Role: Ancestor; Application Date: 29 Mar 1955; Spouse: Eleanor Dunn; Children: John Green.

• Family History or Pedigree: "U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970"
  Volume: 305
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2204 #1256326 (accessed 3 November 2022)
  Name: Robert Green [Dunn] [Green (correct!)]; Birth Date: 1695; SAR Membership: 60877; Role: Ancestor; Father: William Green; Mother: Eleanor Duff; Spouse: Eleanor Dunn; Children: Robert Green.

See also:

• A Milam Family History Milam, William, M.D.

• The William Rush Family of Westmoreland County, VA , includes a section on William Duff and Robert Green (accessed 23 Feb. 2020).

• Collections of the Virginia Historical Society (children listed p185)

• A National Register of the Society, Sons of the American Revolution, Volume 1 p 732

• Collections of the Virginia Historical Society (children listed p185)

• Green Family research by Judy Parsons Smith Vol 6

• GenForum post, Green

• Gen Forum Post 2, Green

Acknowledgements

• Susanna Thornton Green--will transcription
• Sjana Lee Dreyer, Sunday, July 20, 2014