Nicholas Robertson Jr. (abt. 1776 - bef. 1848)

Born about 1776 in Chesterfield County, Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 6 Dec 1848 before about age 72 in Bedford County, Virginia, USA

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Biography

Nicholas Robertson was born about 1776 in Chesterfield County, Virginia, the son of Nicholas Robertson and Mary Woolridge. There are reports that Nicholas' birth date was 12 April 1776, but no sources have been located to verify that date.

Nicholas Robertson Sr. moved his family to Buckingham County around 1787 and lived along Willis River in the southeast corner of Buckingham Co. Nicholas (Jr.) was recorded in Buckingham Co. personal property lists from 1797-1806. Assuming Nicholas turned 21 shortly before the 1797 tax record, his birth was c1776.

Around 1807, Nicholas Robertson (Jr.) moved to Bedford County, Virginia. His first appearance in tax records was in 1809. He bought 565 acres on Richardson's Mill Creek. After Nicholas died, his heirs sold a total of 579.25 acres, all along Richardson's Mill Creek. Part was sold to Nicholas' son, Nicholas W. Robertson, and part was sold to Nicholas' son-in-law, William W. Reese. Richardson's Mill Creek has not been located on current maps but is probably the "Mill Creek" located between Moneta and Stone Mountain, a tributary of Goose Creek.

Nicholas and Sarah had at least 12 children. All but Sarah L. Robertson (died young c1815) are recorded as legatees in land records from 1850:

1. Archer Walthall Robertson, 1800-1889, d. Stokes Co., NC, m. Frances H. Gilliam
2. Elizabeth W. Robertson, 1802-1895, d. Bedford Co., m. James Burroughs
3. Martha Robertson, 1804-1895, d. Franklin Co., m. John Hatcher
4. Mary Robertson, 1807-1870, d. Bedford Co., m. William W. Reese
5. Francis Walthall Robertson, 1809-1888, d. Bedford Co., m (1) Nancy A. Turner, m (2) Emily F. Litchford Gibbs and m (3) Lucy Ann Chewning
6. William Hill Robertson, 1811-1901, d. Missouri, m (1) Louisa Ann MNU, m (2) Louisa Frances Graham, m (3) unknown, m (4) unknown.
7. Sarah L. Robertson, 1814-1815, d. Bedford Co.
8. Lucinda Robertson, d. Bedford Co., m. William Johnson
9. Sallie Ann Robertson, d. Bedford Co., m. Joseph Parker
10. America Robertson, d. Franklin Co., m. Thomas S. Holland Jr.
11. Nicholas W. Robertson, 1824-1870, d. Bedford Co., m. Sarah Elizabeth Law
12. Amanda A. Robertson, 1828-1855, d. Pittsylvania Co., m. William Cook

Nicholas' daughter, Elizabeth, married James Burroughs. Burroughs acquired some land from his brother, located in Franklin Co. along US Route 122. Today, that land is recognized as the birthplace of Booker T. Washington and known as the Booker T. Washington National Monument. James Burroughs was the owner of record when Booker T. Washington lived there.

Nicholas apparently died intestate some time before 6 December 1848, when his inventory was returned to court. However, the last tax record for him was in 1846.

References

• Buckingham County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1810, FHL Film 7862490; Nicholas Robertson was recorded annually from 1797-1806, as was his father, Nicholas.

• Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 12, p. 409; 10 December 1808, Samuel Ayres and Betty, his wife, to Nicholas Robertson of Buckingham Co., 565 acres on waters of Richardson’s Mill Creek adjoining Capt. James Ayre. Wit: Jeffrey Robertson, John Cundiff, James Ayres. Betty relinquished dower.

• Bedford County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1806-1816 (FHL Film 7846309) and 1817-1824 (FHL Film 7842572); Nicholas Robertson first appears in tax records in 1809 and he was recorded annually through 1818 (records after 1818 not checked). All of these records indicate he was living in the southern district of the county.

• Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 15, p. 267; 18 April 1817, Nicholas Robertson, Lewis Wingfield, William Leftwich and John Headen, Commissioners for the estate of Joseph Wilson, decd, to William Bates, land on north side of Blackwater Road adjoining Griffin Robyns and David Courson.

• Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 15, p. 545; 6 February 1819, Nicholas Robertson, John Claytor, James Ayers and John Headen, Commissioners appointed to divide the estate of Ward Hatcher among legatees and William Kasey, 100 acres on waters of Cradick’s Creek, part of land of Richard Hatcher, decd.

• Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 15, p. 607; 28 June 1819, Nicholas Robertson, Lewis Wingfield and John Headen, Commissioners for the estate of Peter Burgendine decd to Mary Burgendine, 174 acres on waters of Difficult Creek adjoining Burson, Preston and Robertson.

• Bedford County, Virginia Marriage Index, 1754-1870, FHL Film 7725159, AND Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, Volume VI; 27 July 1818, Elizabeth W. Robinson and James Burrous; N. Robertson, Surety; 28 January 1833, Lucinda Robertson and William Johnson, dau. Nicholas; N. Robertson, Surety; 5 October 1847; Amanda A. Robertson and William H. Cook, dt Nicholas; N. W. Robertson, Surety; Married by Jacob D. Mitchell, Oct. 6, 1847.

• 1820 Federal Census, Bedford County, Virginia; Nicholas Robertson, age 26-44 with female 26-44, 16 slaves

• 1830 Federal Census, Bedford County, Virginia; Nicholas Robertson; 1 male 5-9, 2 males 15-19, 1 male 50-59, 1 female <5, 2 females 10-14, 1 female 40-49, 19 slaves.

• 1840 Federal Census, Bedford County, Virginia; Nicholas Robertson; 1 male 15-19, 1 male 60-69, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 50-59, 23 slaves.

• Bedford County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1845-1851, FHL Film 8249427; Nicholas Robertson was recorded with 19 slaves in 1845 and with 15 slaves in 1846, his last appearance in tax records. His sons, Francis W. Robertson and Nicholas W.Robertson were also recorded on the same lists.

• Bedford County, Virginia Will Book 13, p. 137; 6 December 1848, Inventory of Nicholas Robertson; included 18 named slaves, livestock, farm and household items. Performed by James A. Wingfield, James P. Hensley, Stephen P. Smith, E. C. Cundiff

• Bedford County, Virginia Will Book 13, p. 141; 6 December 1848, Estate sale for Nicholas Robertson. Note: Robertson buyers included: N. W. Robertson, Thomas W. Robertson, Archy W. Robertson, Francis W. Robertson.

• Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 35, p. 378; 6 November 1850, Archer W. Robertson and Frances his wife, James Burroughs and Elizabeth his wife, John Hatcher and Martha his wife, William W. Reese and Mary his wife, Francis W. Robertson and Nancy his wife, William H. Robertson and Mary his wife, William Johnson and Lucinda his wife, Joseph Parker and Sally his wife, Thomas Holland and America his wife, and William H. Cook and Amanda his wife to Nicholas W. Robertson; 2 tracts of land on waters of Richardson’s Mill Creek, one of 130 ½ acres and the other of 302 ¼ acres; both adjoining Henry Saunders and William W. Reese. No wit. All wives relinquished dower.

• Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 35, p. 381; 6 November 1850, Archer W. Robertson and Frances his wife, James Burroughs and Elizabeth his wife, John Hatcher and Martha his wife, Francis W. Robertson and Nancy his wife, William H. Robertson and Mary his wife, William Johnson and Lucinda his wife, Joseph Parker and Sally his wife, Thomas Holland and America his wife, Nicholas W. Robertson and Sallie his wife and William H. Cook and Amanda his wife to William W. Reese; 146 ½ acres on Richardson’s Mill Creek adjoining Nicholas W. Robertson. No wit. All wives relinquished dower. Calls given.

• Bedford County, Virginia Will Book 14, p. 73; 24 March 1851, Estate settlement for Nicholas Robertson by William W. Reese and Nicholas W. Robertson, Administrators, includes a list of advancements made by Nicholas in his lifetime to his children: Archer W. Robertson, Martha Hatcher, Mary Reese, Lucinda Robertson, Francis W. Robertson, William H. Robertson, Sally A. Parker, America Holland, Nicholas W. Robertson, Elizabeth Burroughs, Amanda C. Cook. Note: All received $900-1000 each.

• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/151035578/nicholas-robertson