John Spurlock Jr. (1753 - 1816)

Born 1753 in Montgomery County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Frances (Turman) Spurlock — married 1782 in Prestonsburg, Floyd, Kentucky

Descendants

Died 25 Aug 1816 at about age 63 in Harlen, Floyd County, Kentucky, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Thomas Mclehaney [send private message] and Mia Langen [send private message]

Biography

John Spurlock Jr. performed Patriotic Service in Virginia in the American Revolution.

There are wildly different dates for John Spurlock, Jr.
The DAR has his birth in 1750.
1753 is one date accepted by some.
One birthdate for him is Feb 12, 1760; died Dec 2, 1816.
Another source has him born Feb. 17, 1760 and died Aug 15, 1816. Since his will was signed Aug. 25, 1816, I think the Dec. death date is correct.

It is fairly certain that he was born in Montgomery County, Va., 1753-60, and was the son of John Spurlock, Sr. and Mary ?. (Some say her name was Harbour, but so far, nothing has been found to substantiate this. The Harbours were closely connected to the Spurlocks though, so it's possible. Mary & John had 2 children who married Harbours."

He is listed on the DAR Patriot Index as:
"Spurlock, John Jr., b ca 1750 VA; d a 12- -1816 KY, m Frances Turman, PS (patriotic service) VA"

He took the Oath of Allegiance to the American cause in 1778 in Henrico Co, Va.

He married about 1780 to Frances "Fanny" Turman (daug of Benjamin Turman and Frances Haygood), unsure where.
Her father had lived in Lunenburg County, VA, but his will was listed in Botetourt County in 1784. Botetourt (established 1769) was just on the NE side of Montgomery County. John and Fanny's first child was born Nov 4, 1780, so they likely were married early in the year in 1780.
(John's brother David Spurlock married Hannah Flower in Botetourt County in 1786)^[1]
(Fanny's brother Charles Turman married Lucy Hilton in Botetourt Co in 1786)
Another source says John & Fanny were married in Bedford County. It is just to the east of Botetourt Co. Didn't see that on Bedford Co, Marriages^[2]. No Spurlocks or Turmans in Bedford Co, Marriages, but there were some Thurmans.

1789 - on the tax list of Montgomery Co, Va.

1792 Montgomery Co, VA Tax Rolls, May 30^[3] John Spurlock - Whites over 21 - 1 Blacks over 16 - 0 Blacks 12-16 - 0 Horses - 7

He settled first in present Mason Co, Va before moving to Ky. where he built his home “in the path of Shawnee warriors,” as one history says.

from the book Kentucky Kinfolk (1974 by CE Shepherd): “Col. John Preston of Virginia procured a grant of 100,000 acres from the State of Virginia in 1787 and sent John Graham, deputy surveyor of Mason County, Kentucky, to lay out the town under the direction of Major Andrew Hood, Solomon Stratton, and Matthias Harmon. They were known as the Adventurers on Sandy. The town was called Preston’s Station. John Spurlock, Montgomery County, Virginia, pioneer settler had preceded the Adventurers and built the first house in 1791.”

In 1791, 3 years before Gen. Anthony Wayne defeated the Indians at the Battle of Fallen Timbers, John moved to Kentucky where he built the first cabin on present East Court St. on the John Preston million-acre grant within the present town site of Prestonburg, Floyd County, Ky. (which at that time was a part of Mason County). He was the first white settler there. The land was not surveyed until 1797 when the town of Preston's Station was founded on the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River. It was renamed Prestonburg in 1799 when it was made the seat of newly-formed Floyd county.

From Pioneer Kentucky (by Willard Rouse Jillson): "Spurlock's Station was built by John Spurlock in the bog bottoms opposite the mouth of Middle Creek of the Levisa Fork of Big Sandy in 1791. A settlement gradually formed here and soon became known as Preston's Station, later Prestonburg (in 1797). In 1799 it was made, by legislative action, the county seat of Floyd County, which then comprised all of far eastern Kentucky."
John built a cabin on what is now East Court Street, Prestonburg, Ky. First Courthouse built in 1799; burned in 1808. John was one of the first judges. In 1803 the town consisted of John Spurlock's cabin, Solomon DeRossette's fur-trading post, and several other dwellings. The first post office opened in 1816.
In 1796 John bought (or sold?) land in Montgomery Co, Va. (Between 1792-97, John, William, David and Jesse Spurlock all bought land in Montgomery Co, Va. These were probably brothers of John.)
In 1803 the town of Prestonburg consisted of John Spurlock's cabin, Solomon DeRossette's fur-trading post, and several other dwellings.

Between 1800 and 1815 DeRossette sent furs to France where they were made into hats for Napoleon's Grenadier Guards. When Napoleon was defeated at Waterloo and that revenue ceased DeRossette gave up his French citizenship and became an American.

John may have owned land in Lee County, Va. or in neighboring Knox County, Ky. in 1804. In 1809 John sold "one half acre on the river side of Main Street in Prestonsburg below the Public Square no. 2" to his brother-in-law John Turman.
He was on the Floyd County, Ky. census in 1810 along with David & Matthew, and resided there from 1791 until his death in 1816. In 1812 John was the first jailer in Floyd Co.
There are numerous accounts of him in the Floyd County court records. Mathew Spurlock (brother of John) and John & Rachel Turman (brother of Fanny) may have moved to Floyd County, Ky. with John & Fanny Spurlock, or soon afterwards. All their names were frequently mentioned in the town/county records.
In 1806 John and Mathew Spurlock both received a town lot in Prestonburg from the city trustees (Feb. & May respectively). It seems that the courthouse burned and all the records were lost, so the town trustees set the deeds of ownership straight and gave out new deeds to several people. Mathew received a deed for a 1/2 acre lot. John received 20 lots amounting to about 50 acres. Then Mathew gave John a 1/2 acre town lot (perhaps his only one).

1810 Floyd Co, Ky census, p 112:
John Spurlock - 10101-11001, which means:
Spurlock, John - 50
. . . . . Frances - 50
. . . . . Hiram - 25
. . . . . Anne - 12
. . . . . Robert - 10
. . . . . Artemiss - 2
Married children: Sarah, David, Susannah (died 1806), Matthew, Rhoda.
The only ones of these married children located on the 1810 census were David and Matthew.
Couldn’t find Sarah and her husband Nicholas Darter, Susannah’s husband William Morgan, or Rhoda and her husband Adam Gearhart.

Floyd County court records that mention the Spurlock family:
Feb 18, 1806 - City trustees convey a town lot in Prestonsburg to John Spurlock.
June 1806: John sold town lots to Mathew for $200.
Feb. 1809: John Thurman (sic) sold a lot in Prestonsburg (sic) to John Spurlock for $100. "One half acre on the riverside of main Street in Prestonsburg below the Public Square no . 2."
1810 Tax List - Spurlocks: David, John, Matthew
1812 - John was the first jailer in Floyd Co, Ky.
March 1813: John Spurlock sold 475 acres on Beaver Creek for $400.
July 1813: "Bill of sale by Mathew Spurlock to John Spurlock for 2 feather beds and furniture; two cows and yearlings, 33 head of hogs, and the rent due this year for his field from Wm. Frasure."
Nov. 1813: John bought lots in Prestonsburg for $1500.
March 1815: John bought 160 acres "in and about the town of Prestonsburg" for $1000.
Court Record, 1815: "At a meeting of the March Term of the Floyd County Court, John Graham was directed to appear and show why he conveyed lots in Prestonburg to John Spurlock after he had conveyed same to the Floyd County Court." (Book II, p. 82) "At a meeting of the May Term of the Floyd County Court, John Graham appeared and explained the Spurlock sale as an overlap of lots and streets due to the lack at the time of a definite survey of the boundaries. Graham then proposed to convey to the county, certain lots in Prestonburg." (Book II)
May 1816: John bought 60 acres on Sandy River for $50.
June 24, 1816: "John Havens & John Spurlock granted permission to keep a tavern at their respective houses in Prestonburg."
July 1816: John sold a lot in Prestonsburg for $100.
Oct. 16, 1918: John bought a lot in Prestonburg for $100.

John's Will, August 25, 1816^[4]

Prestonburg Court record, Dec. 23, 1816: "The last will and testament of John Spurlock was proved in open court and by oath of James Young and Stephen Hamilton. Francis (sic) Spurlock, widow of the deceased, and Hiram Spurlock are appointed administrators."
Jan. 27, 1817: "Ordered that John Spurlock, son of Mathew Spurlock, aged about 15 years (born about 1802), be bound out to Daniel May, house carpender (sic) and joiner."

Frances Spurlock and her family on the 1820 census: 0000100-01010
Translated to mean:
1 man, age 16-26 [Robert, age 20]
1 girl, age 10-16 [Arty?, about 22?]
1 woman, age 26-45 [Fanny, about 60]

Spurlocks in 1820 Floyd Co, Ky:
Hiram Spurlock 000010-30100
David Spurlock 220010-02110
Francis Spurlock 000100-01010
Josiah Spurlock 000210-32010
Matthew Spurlock 200010-01010

Will Settlement:^[5]

It appears to have taken several years to settle John Spurlock estate as indicated by this court record, March 27, 1826: "On the motion of Hiram Spurlock, Robert Spurlock and John H. Haywood, heirs of John Spurlock, deceased, ordered that commissioners be appointed to allot unto said Spurlocks and Haywood their proportional parts of the estate of John Spurlock, deceased."

The Spurlocks lived on present-day Spurlock Fork of Middle Creek near Prestonburg., Ky. [There is a source that says he died at Bar Creek in Floyd Co, Ky, but haven’t been able to find that. Perhaps it as called Bar Creek at the time.] He is probably buried near Spurlock Fork on their land.
Two of his sons lived south of Prestonburg near Printer, Ky on the Left Fork of Beaver Creek and Spurlock Creek which joins Left Fork near Printer.

He died Dec 2, 1816 in Floyd County, KY
Findagrave^[6]

Children of John Spurlock Jr & Frances Turman:
1. Sarah "Sally", b 1780, m Nicholas Tarter Jr 1798; d 1858^[7] Rogersville,TN
2. David (Drury?), b 1783 VA; m Susannah Hancock 1804; d 1846^[8] Sharp Co, Ark
3. Susannah, b abt 1784; m William Morgan abt 1802; d abt 1806 (age 22), Floyd Co, Ky
4. Mathew, b abt 1785; m 4 times; d abt 1856^[9], Jefferson Co, Iowa
5. Hiram, b abt 1788; m Martha Osborne 1816, Ky; d 1835^[10] Floyd Co, Ky
6. Rhoda, b 1790; m Adam Gearheart Sr 1808 Ky; d aft 1827 prob Floyd Co, Ky
7. Anne, b abt 1796, Ky; m David K Harris Sr
8. Robert, b abt 1800, Ky
9. Artemiss "Arty", b abt 1808; m John Haywood 1824 Ky.

Sources

1. ↑ Botetourt Marriages - http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/botetourt/vitals/marriages/mar1770grooms.txt
2. ↑ Bedford Co, Va marriages - http://www.vagenweb.org/bedford/bedf-m_s.htm
3. ↑ VA Tax List 1792
4. ↑ John's Will: Aug 25, 1816
   I John Spurlock of Floyd Co Ky being of sound mind though weak in body...do make...this my last will . . . . I will my soul to God who gave it. Item 1st To my beloved wife Frances one negro woman named Jean and her 2 children named Frank and Jackson, also one negro woman named Betsey and her child Phebe.
   Item 2nd To my beloved daughter Sarah Tarter one negro boy named Charles which I have heretofore put into her possession by deed of gift which I intend as part of her estate.
   Item 3rd To my beloved son David Spurlock all that tract of land he now lives on bounded as the deed of gift will show which I have heretofore made and intend as part of his estate.
   Item 4th To my beloved son Hiram Spurlock all that tract of land he now lives on bounded as the deed of gift will show which deed has panalty of $500 and consideration, but said sum never has been paid nor no part thereof, which I intend as a part of his estate.
   Item 5 To my beloved daughter Rhoda two negros, that is one boy named Hampton and girl named Polly as the present part of her estate.
   Item 6th to my deceased daughter Susannah's heirs, David Morgan, Polly Morgan and Ann Morgan, one negro man named Will, which I have given heretofore with other property, as I intend for estate and no more.
   Item 7th to my beloved son Matthew Spurlock's heirs by his second wife Juda the tract of land that Juda lives on now, for said tract to remain in possession of Juda until her child James Harvey is of age, then said land to be equally divided between her 4 oldest children which I allot for the whole of their estate and no more.
   Item 8th to my beloved daughter Ann Harris late Ann Spurlock two negro girls one named Nancy and one Patsy which I have heretofore made a deed of gift as recorded in Clerk's office and intend as part of her estate.
   Item 9th to my beloved daughter Artemiss two negro girls named Silva and Caty which I have heretofore made a deed of gift.
   Item 10th to my beloved wife further all lands, lots and tenements that is attached in the town of Prestonburg or adjoining, together with all stock, household furniture, farming utensils including the blacksmith tools, etc. observing that my beloved son Robert Spurlock is to have at the decease of my wife Fanny a portion out of the land and lots, which shall be equal in value to Hiram and David's part of said estate.
   Item 11th I do further will that my beloved wife to receive and pay off all just debts out of any property which is named to her in this will. I do further appoint my beloved wife Fanny and son Hiram as my lawful executors to amply receive this my last will and testament.
   25 Aug 1816
   Signed John Spurlock
   in the presence of John Turman, Stephen Hamilton, Joseph Davis, James Young
   Floyd Co Court, Dec Term 1816 proved in open court and ordered to be recorded.
5. ↑ Part of Will Settlement court records - Aug. 1, 1821:
   "Indenture from Fanny Spurlock to the legal heirs of John Spurlock, deceased, in consideration of the sum of $1.00 sells to the said heirs title to four negros (sic) willed to me by my husband John Spurlock, deceased, until my death, to-wit: Betsy, Phoebe, Frank and Jackson."
   March 1, 1823: "Know all men by these presents, that I, Frances Spurlock, of the County of Floyd and State of Kentucky, hath this day given and sold for the sum of $1.00 to me in hand paid and for the natural love and affection I have for my daughter, Arty Spurlock, the following:
   One black horse and one sorrel mare, 12 head of cattle, two feather beds and furniture, 17 head of sheep, 14 head of hogs and 34 head of geese, with the balance of my household and kitchen furniture, except one bed and bedding which I reserve for myself. All of the above I do sell and convey to the said Arty Spurlock and her heirs. (Signed with an X)
   Mar. 1, 1823: Deed of Gift from Francis Spurlock to her children Sarah Tarter, of Virginia, late Sara Spurlock, Rody Gearheart, late Rody Spurlock, David Spurlock, Hiram Spurlock, Ann Harris, late Ann Spurlock, Robert Spurlock and Arty Spurlock for all the property she now owns."
6. ↑ FAG - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/173697816/john-spurlock
7. ↑ Sally's FAG - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57485266
8. ↑ David Sr's FAG - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133898172
9. ↑ Mathew's FAG - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98351566
10. ↑ Hiram's FAG - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179528747

• Familysearch - https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LCF9-6X1
• https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=full&p_id=A107883

Acknowledgements

• Spurlock-409 was created by Thomas Mclehaney through the import of McLehaney 2014-06-27.ged on Jun 27, 2014.