Davis Stockton

Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) of Albemarle County, Virginia
by Jerry J. Stockton

Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) was one of the very early settlers in what would later become Albemarle County, Virginia. He arrived in what was then Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia, before June of 1737. "Davis Stockton's Line" is mentioned on a Virginia Land Office Patent to Michael Wood (Woods) dated June 10, 1737. "George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Michael Wood one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on the heads of Ivy Creek on other Branches of the North River on the South Side of the North River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at a hiccory on Davis Stockton's Line . . . crossing a Branch of the North River . . . to Pointers in Davis Stockton's Line . . . the Tenth Day June one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven In the Tenth Year of our Reign. William Gooch"

Michael Woods (Sr.) was another very early settler in then Goochland County, Virginia. His property was at the headwaters of Lickinghole Creek and was the eastern entrance of Woods' Gap (now Jarman's Gap) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The property of his son, Michael Woods (Jr.), was at the headwaters of Ivy Creek next to Davis Stockton's property.

Davis Stockton was probably born in England in about 1685. Stockton is an English name and there were a large number of Stockton families living in England in the 1600s. All of Davis Stockton's children have English given names and none have distinctly Irish, Scottish, or Welsh given names. Y-DNA (I-M253, I-L22, STR cluster I1-BBA, I-Y22015, and FT-57000) from descendants of Davis Stockton prove that his early male line ancestors were in Norway or Sweden over 4,000 years ago. It's possible that the Davis Stockton family first settled in England in the Stockton-on-Tees area where many Norse are known to have settled during the Viking Age (793-1066). Stockton-on-Tees is located in North East England on the southern border of County Durham on the River Tees just a few miles inland from the North Sea. Just south of Stockton-on-Tees is the historic county of Yorkshire where a great number of Norse / Vikings settled. The city of York, known as Jorvik during the Viking Age, was the Viking center. Stockton-on-Tees is less than 45 miles north of York, the Viking center of all of England. It is not known where the Davis Stockton family was living just before moving to America.

Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) of Albemarle County, Virginia, and Robert Stockton (c.1680-1748) of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are proven by Y-DNA to be either brothers or cousins. There is only one known interaction between the Virginia Stockton family and the Pennsylvania Stockton family. Two of Robert Stockton's sons, David and Thomas, were involved in a land transaction in Albemarle County, Virginia. It appears that in the late 1750s Robert's son, David Stockton, purchased land that included the Yellow Mountain Branch of Mechum's River and the headwaters of Virgin Spring Creek in Albemarle County, Virginia. David Stockton purchased this property from Davis Stockton's son-in-law Adam Goudelock. This property was adjacent to Davis Stockton's property on Virgin Spring Creek. David Stockton of Pennsylvania died after paying for the property but before the transaction was complete. David's brother, Thomas, then became involved in this property. It does not appear that either David or his brother Thomas ever lived in Albemarle County. This property was sold to Charles Lambert on July 14, 1769.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 2, p. 84, October 31, 1758.
Deed of Sale from Adam Goudilock [sic] to Thomas Stocton [sic] of York County, Pennsylvania.
"This Indenture made the thirty first day of October . . . one Thousand seven hundred & fifty Eight Between Adam Goudilock [sic] of the Parish of St Ann County of Albemarle Colony & Dominion of Virginia of the one Part & Thomas Stocton [sic] of York County in the Province of Pensylvania [sic] of the other Part . . . on the yellow Mountain Branch . . . Paid by the hands of David Stocton [sic] of said Province Decd . . . Received October the 13th 175_ of David Stockton Decd Brother to the within mentioned Thomas Stockton . . . thirty first day of October 1758."

In the 1730s the Davis Stockton family settled in the Ivy Creek area of then Goochland County, Virginia. They might have also been in the Mechum's River area in the 1730s, however, they are not found there until March 15, 1741. What was first known as the North Fork of Mechum's River is now known as Stockton Creek, a branch of Mechum's River. It is shown on some circa 1745 deed records as Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River. What was once known as the South Fork of Mechum's River is now known as Mechum's River. Davis Stockton's mill appears to have been located on Mechum's River just a little downriver from Stockton's Mill Creek, a branch of Mechum's River.

When Henrico Shire was created in 1634 it included the Ivy Creek and Mechum's River area. The name Henrico Shire was soon changed to Henrico County. In 1728 the Ivy Creek and Mechum's River area became part of Goochland County, and in 1744 it became part of the newly formed Albemarle County. From 1728 until 1744 the headwaters of Mechum's River, including Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River and Stockton's Mill Creek, were in St. James Parish, Goochland County, Virginia. After the formation of Albemarle County in 1744 this area was now in St. Anne's Parish, Albemarle County, Virginia. The northern area of Albemarle County was now in Fredericksville Parish and the southern area of Albemarle County was in St. Anne's Parish. In 1761 Amherst County was formed from the southern part of Albemarle County, however, Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River and Stockton's Mill Creek remained in St. Anne's Parish, Albemarle County. In 1807 the northern part of Amherst County became Nelson County.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book, 1738-1739, pp. 536-537, March 12, 1739.
"George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Davis Stockdon one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides of Ivy Creek a branch of the Rivanna and on the South side of the same and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a white Oak a corner to Capt Charles Hudson . . . Crossing Ivy Creek to a Hiccory . . . the said Davis Stockdon . . . the Twelfth Day of March one thousand seven hundred& thirty nine In the Thirteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

The above property was adjacent to the land that Michael Woods obtained with his patent of June 10, 1737. Davis Stockton sold this 400-acre property to his neighbor Michael Woods (Jr.) on November 17, 1741, for 30 pounds. This was the only property that Davis Stockton is thought to have owned on Ivy Creek. Davis Stockton later owned land on Stockton's Creek, Spring Creek, and on Mechum's River.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 20, 1741-1743, pp. 162-164, March 15, 1741.
"George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto William Whitesides One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides the South fork Mechums River . . . said William Whitesides . . . the Fifteenth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

William Whiteside married Elizabeth Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) who is known to have been living in then Goochland County, Virginia, by 1737. The first child of William and Elizabeth (nee Stockton) Whiteside appears to have been Davis Whiteside who was born about 1741. It appears that William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton probably met and married in Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia. The first mention of William Whiteside in Goochland County was his March 15, 1741, patent record, however, he was probably living in Goochland County before that time.

The American Historical Magazine and Tennessee Historical Society Quarterly,
Volume IX. 1904. pp. 69-70.
1. July 7, 1767, William and Elizabeth Whiteside to Adam Dean, three hundred and seventy-three acres or thereabout. Witnessed by William Winston, William Grayson, William Stockton and Maryan Winston.
2. May 11, 1768, William Whiteside, bill of sale of mare, etc., to George Davidson. Witnessed by Michael Woods, Jr., and Samuel Davison.
3. September 19, 1769, William and Elizabeth Whiteside to Adam Dean, one hundred and eight-one acres. Witnesses: Samuel Stockton, John Davis, James Walker and Prudence Stockton.
4. August 6, 1770, writ dispatched from Albemarle to Amherst to examine Elizabeth Whiteside as to whether her consent was freely given to the last mentioned transfer. Commission executed by Timothy Riggs and John Robinson, Esquires, of Amherst, and their return ordered to be recorded by Albemarle Court at the session of March, 1771.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 20, 1741-1743, pp. 194-196, March 15, 1741.
"George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . unto Davis Stockton One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides of Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at Richard Stockton's Corner . . . to a small Pine in Richard Stockton's line . . . unto said Davis Stockton . . . the Fifteenth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch." This 400-acre property was on the North Fork of Mechums River, also known as Stockton Creek.

On April 28, 1741, William Mayo surveyed 400 acres for Richard Stockton on Stockton's Creek branch of Mechum's River. This property was part of Goochland County until September of 1744 when it became part of the newly formed Albemarle County, Virginia. William Mayo was the Goochland County Surveyor. When William Mayo died in 1744, Peter Jefferson, the father of the future president Thomas Jefferson, became the new Goochland County Surveyor.

Goochland County _
Surveyed the 28th day of April 1741 For Richard Stockton of
the Said County Four hundred acres of Kings Land on the branches
of Mechums River in the aforesaid County. Bounded as Followeth -
(to witt) Begining at his own corner two pines and a white Oak Sapling
between two rocks runing thence on new lines S:68 degrees: E:30 poles to pointers
one pole from Ambrose Joshua Smiths corner white Oak thence on his line
S_ 35 poles crossing Stocktons branch of Mechums River to a pine, S:18 degrees
E:65 poles to pointers and S:49 degrees E:160 poles to his corner Small pine
thence on new lines S: 65 degrees: E:180 poles crossing a branch to pointers, S:3 degrees
W: 120 poles to pointers, N:75 degrees: W:200 poles to pointers and N: 41 degrees : W:380
poles to pointers in the Said Stocktons line, thence on the Same N:56: E:
138 poles to the first Station 1/3 Plantable 2/3 Barren
Wm. Mayo, Surv.

[I replaced the symbol for degrees with the word degrees in the above transcription, JJS.]

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 19, 1739-1741, pp. 1006-1007, July 6, 1741.
"George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto David Stockdon one Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides the South fork of Mechum's River and Bounded as followith (to wit) Beginning at a red Oak and Hiccory Saplin on the North side of the said South fork . . . unto the said David Stockdon . . . the Sixth Day of July One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . James Blair"

The above 400-acre property on the "South fork" of Mechum's River was the site of Davis Stockton's mill. What was known as the "South Fork" of Mechum's River is now known as "Mechum's River." This 400-acre patent seems to be the source of the 100 acres that Samuel Stockton and his brother William Stockton sold to their Thomas Stockton on June 13, 1764.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book, pp. 480-482, June 13, 1764.
"This Indenture maid the thirteen Day of June one thousand and seven Hundred & Sixty four Between Samuel Stockton & William Stockton & their wives each & every of them of the Parish of St. Anns & County of Albemarle yeoman of the other part & Thomas Stockton wheel Wright . . . one hundred pounds current Money of Virginia . . . unto Thomas Stockton . . . one hundred acres lying & being in the County of Albemarle on Both sides the South fork of Mitchams River which said land was Granted to Samuel Stockton & William Stockton by Patent bearing Date the sixt Day of July one thousand Seven hundred & Forty one . . . Samuel Stockton . . . William Stockton . . . Prudence Stockton . . . Jane Stockton . . . Test . . . John Nicholas Clk" It does not appear that there was a patent to Samuel and William Stockton on July 6, 1741, there was however a patent to Davis Stockton on July 6, 1741, for 400 acres "on both sides the South fork of Mechum's River."

Goochland County Road Orders 1728-1744,
by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett, June 1975, revised 2004, p. 41.
Order Book 5, Goochland County, September 15, 1741, O.S., p. 3.
"Road to be Clear'd . . . On the Petition of . . . Davis Stockdon . . . Sam. Arnett [Samuel Arnold], Richard Stockdon, Thomas Stockdon . . . Leave is given to Clear a road from Thomas Morrisons to the D.S. tree in Michael Woods road. And that the Petitioners be exempt from working on any other road."

The Route of the Three Notch'd Road: A Preliminary Report
by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett and Howard H. Newlon, Jr., January 1976, Revised September 2003.
"The next year, 1741, found the Goochland Court issuing a Road Order for what apparently was to be the final segment of the Three Notch'd Road. This was a road from the Secretary's Ford on the Rivanna River (near the old woolen mill adjacent to I-64 on the east side of Charlottesville) to the D.S. Tree in Michael Wood's road (the road east from Wood's Gap to Ivy). According to Edgar Woods' History of Albemarle County, Virginia the D. S. Tree had, carved on it, the initials of Davis Stockdon, an early patentee of land near the present Ivy . . . it seems clear that this Mountain Road was marked about 1742 or 1743 (O. S.) along its length from Richmond to the Valley with three notches on trees at periodic intervals. It evidently already had mile markers running from west to east since No. 12 was located near the present Shadwell and Nos. 36 and 40 were near Goochland Court House. These mile markers may have later borne the "three notches" also, though it seems doubtful they were anything more than suitably inscribed trees since the "twelve mile tree" is named in one order. These numbers or markers were placed on the Mountain Road some years before it became the Three Notch'd Road, evidence of them first appearing in a Goochland Road Order of 17 May 1737 O.S. appointing Benjamin Wheeler surveyor of "part of the Mountain Road on the North side of James [Rivanna] River beginning at Number Twelve and ending at Number Thirty." Peter Jefferson, a previous surveyor of this road, probably made the measurements and marked or erected these. The fact that only the Mountain Road (later Three Notch'd) had mile markers seems significant of its status as a main east-west and west-east route. It seems likely that these markers were measured from the D.S. Tree near Ivy, which is approximately twelve miles from the present Shadwell."

The Virginia Landmarks Register, edited by Calder Loth, 1999, p. 11.
"D. S. TAVERN, Ivy vicinity, D. S. Tavern is one of Albemarle County's few remaining early ordinaries and the only one in the region to preserve its original bar cage. Tradition holds that the tavern marks the site of the D. S. Tree and the zero milepost of the Three-Notched Road, a principal artery from Richmond to the Shenandoah Valley in the 18th and 19th centuries. "D. S." is said to stand for David [sic] Stockton, who blazed the trail from Williamsburg and carved his initials on the tree. It could also stand for D. S. (Dissenters) Presbyterian Church, which stood in this area. The log section may have been constructed as a claims house. This one-room structure evolved with additions into an ordinary, functioning as such from the late 18th century until 1850. Chief Justice John Marshall held title to the property from 1810 to 1813."

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 22, 1743-1745, pp. 42-44, March 1, 1743.
"George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Samuel Arnold one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing two hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on the Branches of Ivy Creek and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at Captain Hudsons Corner . . . the First Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty three In the Seventeenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

Thomas Stockton, a son of Davis Stockton, married Rachel Allen, a daughter of Martha (nee Chapman) and Samuel Allen. After Samuel Allen died Martha (nee Chapman) Allen married Samuel Arnold. The Samuel Arnold family was probably living next to the Davis Stockton family by 1740. It appears that Thomas Stockton met and married Rachel Allen in Goochland County, and their first children appear to have been born in Goochland County in about 1740.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Order Book 1, 1744-1748, p. 45, August 22, 1745.
Mentions Joseph Kinkead, Andrew Wood and a road from Kinkead's house to Davis Stockton's mill. Rev. Edgar Woods wrote that the Stockton family "erected perhaps the first mill in that section of the county." The mill site was later owned by Davis Stockton's sons Samuel and William Stockton. See March 12, 1760, deed from Samuel Stockton to William Stockton.

Albemarle County in Virginia, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 362-363.
"Ivy Creek, March 29, 1747. Whereas it is agreed or proposed that ye Inhabitants of Ivy Creek and ye Mountain Plain Congregation joyn together with ye Congregation of Rockfish, to call and invite ye Reverend Samuel Black . . . to be our Minister and Pastor . . . do promise and oblige ourselves to pay yearly and every year ye several sums annexed to our names, for ye outward support and Incouragement of ye said Mr. Samuel Black . . . according to ye Rules and Practice of our Orthodox Reformed Presbyterian Church." Among those who promised support for Reverend Samuel Black were: Richard Stockton, 12 shillings; Davis Stockton, 1 pound, no shillings; Adam Gaudylock, 10 shillings; William Whiteside, 10 shillings; Thomas Lockhart, 10 shillings; Michael Woods, 1 pound, 10 shillings; and Michael Woods Jr., 10 shillings.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, October 26, 1748.
A survey for Davis Stockton for 312 acres on both sides of the South Fork of Mechum's River. This property was transferred to Francis Whelchel who married Martha Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton. See Francis Whelchel March 25, 1762, land record below.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 990-991, March 25, 1762.
"George the Third . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Thirty five Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm Unto Francis Welchell one Certain Tract or Parcel of land Containing three hundred and twelve Acres Lying and being in the County of Albemarle on both sides of Mitchum River . . . the Twenty fifth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and Sixty two In the Second Year of our Reign . . . Frans. Fauquier." Francis Whelchel sold this 312-acre property to Patrick Davis on April 14, 1763. See October 26, 1748, survey of 312 acres for Davis Stockton.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, October 29, 1748.
"This is a plat of 400 Acres of Land in Albemarle County lying on the branches of Metchum River Survd. for Davis Stockton Octobr. 29th 1748 by Thos. Turpin . . . Virgin Spr. Cr."

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, March 12, 1749.
Adam Goudelock, 182 acres on a Spring Branch, neighbors Martha Stockton and Sarah Stockton. This was on what was then known as Virgin Spring Creek or Virgin Spring Branch of Mechum's River, but is now known as Dollins Creek. See Adam Gaudilock's August 20, 1760, patent for this 182-acre property. It mentions Martha Stockton's line and Sarah Stockton's line. Samuel Stockton became owner of the Sarah Stockton 397-acre patent on March 1, 1773. He sold 322 acres of the 397 acres on Virgin Spring Creek to R. Dollins on November 8, 1773. Hannah Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton, appears to have met and married Adam Goudelock in Goochland / Albemarle County, Virginia. The Adam and Hannah (nee Stockton) Goudelock family moved to Union County, South Carolina.

Albemarle County in Virginia, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, p. 363.
"Albemarle Company of Militia, lately in actual service for the defence and protection of the frontier against the Indians, September, 1758. Hening's Statutes, VII, 203." Captain James Nevill, Samuel Stockton, William Stockton, Adam Gaudylock, William Whiteside, Henry Brenton and Michael Woods, Jr., were among the 56 men mentioned as members of the Albemarle Company of Militia in William Waller Hening's 1820 book. Samuel and William Stockton were sons of Davis Stockton. Adam Goudelock and William Whiteside were sons-in-law of Davis Stockton. Adam Goudelock married Hannah Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton. William Whiteside married Elizabeth Stockton, also a daughter of Davis Stockton. A 1773 record shows "Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton)." It appears that Sarah Stockton married either Henry or Robert Brenton. Michael Woods, Jr., was a neighbor of Davis Stockton.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 2, p. 88, November 8, 1758.
November the 8th day 1758 . . . Then received of Mr. Davis Stockton fourty pounds current money of Virginia in full of all Bills Bonds Boock Debts and Accts and in full of all contracts and agreements that ever was between the said Stockton and me . . . Thomas Lankford . . . Test Adam Goudilock . . . Samuel Stockton . . . At a Court held for Albemarle County the eight day of March 1759 . . . This Receipt was proved by the oath of Samuel Stockton one of the witnesses thereto and on the motion of Davis Stocton ordered to be recorded.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 3, p. 17, March 12, 1760/1761.
Samuel Stockton to William Stockton, 204 acres where the mill stands. William Stockton sold this 204-acre property to James Garland in 1767.

Albemarle County in Virginia, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 319-320.
"Among the earliest settlers in the western part of the county, who came as is said under the leadership of Michael Woods, was a family named Stockton. Though their name has entirely disappeared, they have in a number of ways left their mark behind. They consisted of several branches. They erected perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. The north fork of Mechum's River still bears the name of Stockton's Creek, the south fork in early times was called Stockton's Mill creek, and the first name by which Israel's Gap was known was Stockton's Thoroughfare. The famous abbreviation of D. S. is also ascribed to the head of the family. One story recites that Michael Woods and Davis Stockton landed at Williamsburg, and came to the wilds of Goochland together, that arriving at D. S., they advanced in different directions, Woods continuing straight forward to Woods's Gap, and Stockton bearing to the left along the foot of the mountain towards Batesville, and that as a memorial of the place where they separated, Stockton carved his initials on a tree . . . Woods's home lay at the mouth of Woods's Gap, and the Stocktons were settled along Mecham's River, the south fork as well as the north."

In his 1901 book Rev. Edgar Woods shows a date of death for Davis Stockton as 1760, however, he does not give a source for the 1760 date. Davis Stockton's exact date of death is not known. The appraisal of "the Estate of Davis Stockton Decd." is dated "January 8th 1762" so it appears that Davis Stockton died in 1761. Albemarle County records have been thoroughly searched and no will for Davis Stockton has been found.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Will Book 2, p. 114.
Stockton Appraisal
Pursuant to an Order of the Worshipful Court of Albemarle and
in obedience to the sd Order We the Subscribers have appraised
the Estate of Davis Stockton Decd. as follows Viz
To 9 Hogs £2..15.. To 1 Horse £3 To 4 Cattle £6..5 . . . . . . . . . £12 ..............
To 1 Bed and furniture £1..10. To 1 Chest 2/6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ... 12 .... 6
To 1 Riding Coat 20/ To 1 Waist Coat 12/6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 ... 12 .... 6
To Pewter 10/. To 2 Iron Pots 9/1. To Knives and forks 5/ . . . . . . 1 .... 4 ......
To a Parcel of Wooden Ware 7/. To 2 Books 5/ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 ......
To 1 Cow sold £2..5.. To 1 Churn 1/3 .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 .... 6 .... 3
To 1 C. weight of Poark 16/8. 1 Bell 3/6 1 Barrl 2/6 . . . . . . . . . . . 1 .... 2 .... 8
To Iron Ware £2..0..10 To 1 mare and Colt £13..10. .. . . . . . . . . 15 .. 10 .. 10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. Totall . . . 36 ... 00 .... 9
Given under our hands January 8th 1762.
William Grayson
James Coffey
Chas Lambert

This appraisment was returned to Albemarle County Court the
fourteenth Day of January 1762 and Ordered to be recorded
Test
John Nicholas Clk

David Lewis Jr. of Virginia and Carolina, by Chester R. Johnson, 1995.
Albemarle County, Virginia, Court Records, 23 July 1762
David Lewis of St. Anns Parish, Albemarle Co., appointed Alexander Baine of Henrico Co., his attorney to recover from several persons the sums of money or tobacco listed by their names which are now due and owed to him. In Albemarle County, Virginia, about 125 men including:
- Samuel Arnall, 11 pounds, 15 shillings, 10 pence, 3 farthings
- Francis Whelchel, 3 pounds, 10 shillings, 6 pence
- Wm. & Saml. Stockton, 9 pounds, 2 shillings, 10 pence
- Thos. Stockton, 1 pound, 4 shillings, 10 pence
- Richd. Stockton, 10 shillings
- Adam Goudelock, 1 pound, 4 shillings, 6 pence, 3 farthings
Recorded in court, 13 Aug 1762
David Lewis Junr. seal

The Stockton Family of New Jersey and Other Stocktons,
by Thomas Coates Stockton, M. D., 1911, p. 234.
"Davis 1 Stockton is said to have come from the north of Ireland and settled, first, in Lancaster County, Pa., and then in Goochland County (later Albemarle County), Va. He was given a patent for 400 acres of land there, adjoining the land of his son-in-law, Adam Godylouch, March 12, 1739 . . . His wife's name was Sarah."

The focus of Dr. Stockton's book and research was the Stockton family of New Jersey. The Davis Stockton family was part of the "Other Stocktons". There is absolutely no evidence that Davis Stockton was from the north of Ireland or that he was ever in Pennsylvania. The only evidence that his wife's name was Sarah is that he had a daughter named Sarah, however, he also had daughters Hannah, Martha, and Elizabeth.

Sketches of Virginia, Historical and Biographical,
by Rev. William Henry Foote, D. D., 1850, pp. 101-102.
"Michael Woods, from Ireland came in the year 1734 and settled at Henderson's quarter near Wood's Gap in Albemarle. Three sons and three sons in law came with him and settled near. One of the sons in law, William Wallace, took his residence on Mechums river, in Albemarle . . . These were the founders of Mountain Plain Congregation."

It appears that Davis Stockton might have married about 1710. If he married at age 25, he would have been born about 1685. There is no hard evidence as to when or where Davis Stockton was born, or when or where he married.

DNA proves that Davis and Robert Stockton are descended from the same male Stockton ancestor. It could be they had the same father, or the same grandfather, or an earlier male Stockton ancestor. Davis and Robert Stockton do not share a Stockton ancestor with the Richard Stockton family of New Jersey. Davis Stockton has not been found in any Pennsylvania records, and Davis Stockton has not been found in New York or New Jersey records. It appears that the first record for Davis Stockton is the June 10, 1737, Goochland County, Virginia, land patent.

Albemarle County in Virginia, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901.
Among the earliest settlers in the western part of the county, who came as is said under the leadership of Michael Woods, was a family named Stockton. Though their name has entirely disappeared, they have in a number of ways left their mark behind. They consisted of several branches. They erected perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. The north fork of Mechum's River still bears the name of Stockton's Creek, the south fork in early times was called Stockton's Mill Creek, and the first name by which Israel's Gap was known was Stockton's Thoroughfare. The famous abbreviation of D. S. is also ascribed to the head of the family. One story recites that Michael Woods and Davis Stockton landed at Williamsburg, and came to the wilds of Goochland together, that arriving at D. S., they advanced in different directions, Woods continuing straight forward to Woods's Gap, and Stockton bearing to the left along the foot of the mountain towards Batesville, and that as a memorial of the place where they separated, Stockton carved his initials on a tree. While their landing on the eastern shores of Virginia is contrary to all the best established traditions, there may be truth in the rest of the narration. Both were patentees of land, and they may have gone from the foot of the Ridge to Williamsburg on business; on their return, the separation would naturally have taken place at the point mentioned, as Woods's home lay at the mouth of Woods's Gap, and the Stocktons were settled along Mechum's River, the south fork as well as the north.

As already intimated, the head of the family was Davis Stockton. His first entry of four hundred acres on Ivy Creek was made in 1739, and in 1741 he patented eight hundred more on both forks of Mechum's. Altogether the family connection obtained grants of nearly four thousand acres in that section. Davis died in 1760. His widow Martha seems afterwards to have been married to Samuel Arnold, who lived on Ivy Creek. Davis's children were Richard, Samuel, William and Thomas. Samuel and William had a mill on the south fork of Mechum's, not far from Batesville, the same no doubt their father built, which in 1767 they sold to James Garland. Prior to 1780 Samuel emigrated to Rutherford County, North Carolina, and was probably accompanied by William. Richard lived in the fork of Mechum's, near the old Black place; in fact, that place was a part of his land, he and his wife Agnes having sold four hundred acres to Rev. Samuel Black in 1751. He died in 1775, leaving five sons, Richard, Thomas, John, Robert and Davis. The name of John appears among the subscribers to the Albemarle Declaration of Independence, made in 1779. Previous to 1791 Richard and Robert removed to Henry County. Richard became Clerk of the Strawberry Baptist Association, and Robert entered the Baptist ministry, and subsequently went to Kentucky, where he died about 1837. Thomas, probably the son of Davis, died in 1783. He and his wife Rachel had had six sons and two daughters, some of whom were still in the county as late as 1805.

In later years John N. C. Stockton came to the county from Pennsylvania. He was a proprietor of the Stage lines running in Virginia, and made Charlottesville his headquarters. He became a large landholder in the neighborhood. In 1830 he purchased from Andrew Leitch the old Stage lot on the corner of Market and Seventh Streets, in 1832 Carrsbrook from Alexander Garrett, as executor of Dabney Minor, and in 1835 Retreat from Jonathan B. Carr. He was also the owner of Camp Holly, on the Barboursville Road. He married Emily Bernard, a niece of William D. Fitch. In 1837 he came to an untimely end, by drowning in Mobile Bay. William P. Farish became the administrator of his estate, and ultimately one of his successors in the ownership of the Stage lines. William Stockton, brother of John N. C., married Sarah, daughter of Gideon Strange and Mildred Magruder, and emigrated to Florida.

[Note: Rev. Edgar Woods is incorrect about Davis Stockton's widow being married to Samuel Arnold after the death of Davis Stockton. This is probably from Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold's affidavit in 1765 that stated "my Trusty and Loving Son Thomas Stockton." Thomas Stockton married Rachel Allen, a daughter of Martha (nee Chapman) and her first husband, Samuel Allen. After the death of Samuel Allen, the Widow Martha Allen married Samuel Arnold. Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold was referring to her son-in-law, Thomas Stockton. This note was added by Jerry J. Stockton.]

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, October 26, 1748, and October 29, 1748.
"This is a Plat of 397 Acres of Land in Albemarle County lying on the branches of Metchum River Survd. for Sarah Stockton Octobr. 26 1748 . . . by Thos. Turpin, Asst. Sur." Sarah Stockton's survey of 397 acres is on the same page of the surveyor's book as Davis Stockton's survey for 312 acres. They are both dated "Octobr. 26 1748." On October 29, 1748, a survey of 400 acres for Davis Stockton on Branches of Mechams River.

Albemarle County Wills & Deeds Book 1, 1748-1752, pp. 348-350, August 14, 1751.
This indenture made this March the Second day in the twenty third year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the second & c. Anno Dom 1750 Between Paul Abney of County of Albemarle, Planter, of one part & John Graves of said County, Planter, of other part . . . a certain parcel of land being in County of Albemarle containing One hundred acres . . . unto John Graves his heirs & assigns forever In Witness whereof Paul Abney to these present hath set his hand & seal in presence of us Davis Stockton, Adam Goudylock, Robert Brenton, Wm. Whiteside . . . Paul Abney . . . At a Court held for Albemarle County the 14th day of August 1751.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, p. 19, March 10, 1756.
"George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant & Confirm unto Sarah Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Three hundred and ninety seven Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle both Sides the Virgin - Spring - Branch of Mechum River and bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at a Pine in Davis Stockton's Line . . . the tenth day of March one thousand seven hundred and fifty six In the twenty ninth Year of our Reign . . . Robt. Dinwiddie"

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 144-145, August 16, 1756.
"George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm unto Adam Gaudilock one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four Hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle on the branches of the South fork of Meecham's River and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a Pointer in Henry Tyrells Line . . . to Pointers in Martha Stockton's line . . . to Pointers in Davis Stockton's line . . . the sixteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred fifty six In the Thirtieth Year of our Reign . . . Robt. Dinwiddie"

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 687-688, August 20, 1760.
"George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm unto Adam Gaudilock One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land Containing One hundred and Eighty two Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle on the Virgin Spring Branch and Bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at pointers in Martha Stockton's line and running thence . . . to pointers in Sarah Stockton's line . . . to pointers in Thomas Shields's line . . . the twentieth Day of August one thousand seven hundred and Sixty In the thirty fourth Year of our Reign . . . Fran: Fauquier."

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131, March 1, 1773.
"Whereas by one Patent under the Seal of this our Colony & Dominion of Virginia bearing date the tenth Day of March one thousand seven hundred & fifty six there was granted unto Sarah Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing three hundred & ninety seven Acres in the County of Albemarle on both sides the Virgin Spring Branch of Mechum River . . . Whereas Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton) hath failed to pay such Quitrents, & Samuel Stockton hath made humble Suit to our, late Lieutenant & Governor General of our said Colony & Dominion & hath obtained a Grant for the same . . . Do Give Grant & Confirm unto the said Samuel Stockton the said Tract . . . Begining at a Pine in Davis Stocktons Line . . . the first day of March one thousand and seven hundred & seventy three, in the thirteenth Year of our Reign . . . Dunmore"

Encarta World English Dictionary, 1999.
Feme sole " . . . in law, a single woman, including women not married, widows, divorcees, and married women living independently and separately from their husbands." Feme sole is sometimes shown with the French spelling of femme seule. It appears that in the 1700s a male needed to be 21 to buy property, however, a female could buy property at age 18 if she was a feme sole. In the 1700s a woman had to be a feme sole to buy property in her own name, and it is rare to find a married feme sole.

The Sarah Stockton mentioned the 1748, 1756, 1760 and 1773 records was not the wife of Davis Stockton, she was an unmarried daughter of Davis Stockton. As an unmarried female she could own land in her own name at age 18, while it was extremely rare for a married woman to own land in her own name. This is also what appears to be the case with Martha Stockton who married Francis Whelchel. Martha Stockton and Sarah Stockton are mentioned on a March 12, 1749, survey for Adam Goudelock. On August 14, 1751, Davis Stockton, Adam Goudylock, William Whiteside and Robert Brenton were witnesses to a deed. March 1, 1773, patent "Whereas Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton) hath failed to pay such Quitrents." It could be that Davis Stockton helped his daughters purchase land next to his property.

Spouse:
The maiden name of Davis Stockton's wife is not known. It is shown by some researchers as Goudelock, however, there is absolutely no evidence that name is correct. Several other possible maiden names have also been put forward including Anthony, Arnold, Morgan, Whiteside, Woods and Wooten, all without any evidence that they are correct.

The given name of Davis Stockton's wife is also not known. Many researchers show Davis Stockton's wife as Sarah, but that name is presented without evidence. The Sarah Stockton shown in property records was a daughter of Davis Stockton, not the wife of Davis Stockton. Other researchers show the wife of Davis Stockton as Martha, but that name appears to come from a mistake by Rev. Edgar Woods in his 1901 book. Rev. Woods thought that Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold was the widow of Davis Stockton, she was not, she was the widow of Samuel Allen and the widow of Samuel Arnold.

Rev. Edgar Woods wrote "Davis died in 1760. His widow Martha seems afterwards to have been married to Samuel Arnold, who lived on Ivy Creek." Rev. Woods was not correct about Davis Stockton's widow being married to Samuel Arnold after the death of Davis Stockton. Rev. Woods probably read Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold's affidavit of 1765 that included "my Trusty and Loving Son Thomas Stockton." Thomas Stockton married Rachel Allen, a daughter of Martha (nee Chapman) and her first husband, Samuel Allen. After the death of Samuel Allen, the Widow Martha Allen married Samuel Arnold. Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold was referring to her son-in-law, Thomas Stockton.

Children:
Richard Stockton, Sr., born about 1710
Thomas Stockton, Sr., born about 1714
Samuel Stockton, born about 1720
Elizabeth Stockton, born about 1720-1725
William Stockton, born about 1715-1730
Martha Stockton, born about 1720-1730
Sarah Stockton, born about 1720-1730
and Hannah Stockton, born about 1725-1730

It appears that Davis Stockton and his children were all born in England.

SOURCES:

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 17, 1735-1738, pp. 350-351, June 10, 1737.
(Michael Woods, 400 acres, Ivy Creek)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 18, 1738-1739, pp. 536-537, March 12, 1739.
(Davis Stockton, 400 acres, Ivy Creek)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 19, 1739-1741, pp. 1006-1007, July 6, 1741.
(Davis Stockton, 400 acres, South Fork Mechum's River)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 20, 1741-1743, pp. 162-164, March 15, 1741.
(William Whitesides, 400 acres, South Fork Mechum's River)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 20, 1741-1743, pp. 194-196, March 15, 1741.
(Davis Stockton, 400 acres, Stocktons Branch Mechum's River)

Goochland County, Virginia, William Mayo, Surveyor, April 28, 1741.
(Richard Stockton, survey of 400 acres, "branches of Mechums River")

Goochland County, Virginia, September 15, 1741.
("Road to be Clear'd . . . Davis Stockdon . . . Richard Stockdon, Thomas Stockdon)

Goochland County, Virginia, Deed Book 3, 1737-1742, November 17, 1741.
(Davis Stockton to Michael Woods, 400 acres, Ivy Creek)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 22, 1743-1745, pp. 42-44, March 1, 1743.
(Samuel Arnold, 200 acres, Ivy Creek)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Order Book 1, 1744-1748, p. 45, August 22, 1745.
("Kinkead's house to Davis Stockton's mill")

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, October 26, 1748.
(Davis Stockton, 312 acres, later transferred to Francis Whelchel)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, October 26, 1748.
(Sarah Stockton, 397 acres, branch of Mechum's River)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, October 29, 1748.
(Davis Stockton, 400 acres, Virgin Spring Creek)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, March 12, 1749.
(Adam Goudelock, 182 acres, Virgin Spring Branch)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book, May 19, 1749.
(Adam Goudelock, 400 acres)

Albemarle County Wills & Deeds Book 1, 1748-1752, pp. 348-350, August 14, 1751.
(Witness, Davis Stockton, Adam Goudylock, Robert Brenton, Wm. Whiteside)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 32, 1752-1756, p. 55, April 4, 1753.
(William Whiteside, 300 acres on both sides Stocktons Fork of Mechum's River)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, p. 19, March 10, 1756.
(Sarah Stockton, 397 acres, Virgin Spring Creek)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 144-145, August 16, 1756.
(Adam Gaudilock, 400 acres, Martha Stockton's line, Sarah Stockton's line)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 2, p. 84, October 31, 1758.
(Deed of Sale from Adam Goudelock to Thomas Stocton [sic] of York County, Pennsylvania, recorded April 3, 1759.)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 2, p. 88, November 8, 1758.
(Davis Stockton and Thomas Lankford, 40 pounds current money)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 3, p. 17, March 12, 1760.
(Samuel Stockton to William Stockton, 204 acres, Stockton's Mill)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 687-688, August 20, 1760.
(Adam Gaudilock, 182 acres, Martha and Sarah Stockton, Virgin Spring Branch)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Will Book 2, p. 114, January 8, 1762.
(Appraisal of Davis Stockton's estate)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 990-991, March 25, 1762.
(312-acre patent to Francis Whelchel)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 4, p. 291, April 14, 1763.
(Francis Whelchel to Patrick Davis, 312 acres)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book, pp. 480-482, June 13, 1764.
(Samuel Stockton, William Stockton and their wives to Thomas Stockton, 100 acres)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 37, 1767-1768, p. 272, July 20, 1768.
(William Whitesides, 181 acres on both sides of Stockdons Mill Creek)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131, March 1, 1773.
(Sarah Stockton's 397 acres to Samuel Stockton)

FAMILYPEDIA:
Davis Stockton (1685-1761)
--- Richard Stockton Sr. (1710-1775)
--- Thomas Stockton Sr. (1714-1783)
--- --- Jesse Stockton (1755-1834), son of Thomas Stockton, Sr.
--- Samuel Stockton (1720-1807)

FIND A GRAVE:
Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) married unknown ____?____
--- Richard Stockton (c.1710-1775) married Agnes ____?____
--- Thomas Stockton (c.1712-1783) married Rachel Allen
--- Samuel Stockton (c.1720-1807) married Prudence ____?____
--- William Stockton (c.1722-____ ) married Jane ____?____
--- Hannah Stockton (c.1725-____ ) married Adam Goudelock
--- Elizabeth Stockton (c.1725-1791) married William Whiteside
--- Martha Stockton (c.1730-1816) married Francis Whelchel, both have lots of incorrect information
--- Sarah Stockton (c.1728-____ ) married Robert Branton or Brenton

Thomas Stockton died 1723 in Clerkenwell, London, England

Sources

• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 17, 1735-1738, pp. 350-351. June 10, 1737.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 18, 1738-1739, pp. 536-537. March 12, 1739.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 19, 1739-1741, pp. 1006-1007. July 6, 1741.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 20, 1741-1743, pp. 162-164. March 15, 1741.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 20, 1741-1743, pp. 194-196. March 15, 1741.
• Goochland County Road Order Book 5. September 15, 1741.
• Goochland County, Virginia, Deed Book 3, 1737-1742. November 17, 1741.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 22, 1743-1745, pp. 42-44. March 1, 1743.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Order Book 1, 1744-1748, p. 45. August 22, 1745.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book. October 26, 1748.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book. October 26, 1748.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book. October 29, 1748.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book. March 12, 1749.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Surveyor's Plat Book. May 19, 1749.
• Albemarle County Wills & Deeds Book No. 1, 1748-1752. August 14, 1751.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 32, 1752-1756, p. 55. April 4, 1753.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 34, 1756-1765, p. 19. March 10, 1756.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 144-145. August 16, 1756.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 2, p. 84. October 31, 1758.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 2, p. 88. November 8, 1758.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 3, p. 17. March 12, 1760.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 687-688. August 20, 1760.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Will Book 2, p. 114. January 8, 1762.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 34, 1756-1765, pp. 990-991. March 25, 1762.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 4, p. 291. April 14, 1763.
• Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book, pp. 480-482. June 13, 1764.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 37, 1767-1768, p. 272. July 20, 1768.
• Virginia Land Office Patent Book No. 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131. March 1, 1773.
• The Virginia Gazette. No. 48. December 29, 1775.
• [Hening's] Statutes at Large, Volume VII. William Waller Hening. 1820.
• Sketches of Virginia, Historical and Biographical. Rev. William Henry Foote, D. D. 1850.
• U.S. Geological Survey Topographic Map of Albemarle County, Virginia. 1892.
• Albemarle County in Virginia. Rev. Edgar Woods. 1901.
• The American Historical Magazine and Tennessee Historical Society Quarterly, Volume IX. 1904.
• The Stockton Family of New Jersey and Other Stocktons. Thomas Coates Stockton, M. D. 1911.
• Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia. Lyman Chalkley. 1912.
• Texas Stripes, Some Stockton Genealogy. W. Broadus Smith. 1968.
• Davis Stockton of Virginia. Leona Irene Smith Johnson and Winfred Broadus Smith. 1972 & 1975.
• Virginia County Court Records, Albemarle County, Virginia. Ruth and Sam Sparacio. 1997.
• The Virginia Landmarks Register. edited by Calder Loth. 1999.
• The Route of the Three Notch'd Road: A Preliminary Report. Nathaniel Pawlett, 1976 & 2003.
• Goochland County Road Orders 1728-1744. Nathaniel Mason Pawlett. 1975, revised 2004.
• David Lewis Jr. of Virginia and Carolina. Chester R. Johnson. 1995.
• Davis Stockton of Albemarle County, Virginia. Jerry J. Stockton. 2022.

DOCUMENTS:

• Davis Stockton's Children and Grandchildren Chart
• Michael Wood - 400 acres - Ivy Creek - "Davis Stockton's Line" - 10 June 1737 - p. 350
• Michael Wood - 400 acres - Ivy Creek - "Davis Stockton's Line" - 10 June 1737 - p. 351
• Davis Stockton - 400 acres - Ivy Creek - 12 March 1739 - p. 536
• Davis Stockton - 400 acres - Ivy Creek - 12 March 1739 - p. 537
• Davis Stockton - 400 acres - Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River - 15 March 1741 - p. 194
• Davis Stockton - 400 acres - Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River - 15 March 1741 - p. 195
• Davis Stockton - 400 acres - Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River - 15 March 1741 - p. 196
• Richard Stockton - 400 acres - "branches of Mechums River" - 28 April 1741
• Davis Stockton - 400 acres - South Fork of Mechum's River - 6 July 1741 - p. 1006
• Davis Stockton - 400 acres - South Fork of Mechum's River - 6 July 1741 - p. 1007
• Davis Stockton survey - 312 acres - 26 Oct 1748
• Davis Stockton survey - 400 acres - 29 Oct 1748
• Appraisal of Davis Stockton's estate - 1762
• Albemarle County, Virginia, 1891 map

- - -

Thomas Stockton of Clerkenwell, London, County of Middlesex, England

On August 15, 1723, Thomas Stockton was buried at Old St James Church, an Anglican Church in Clerkenwell, London, England. This Thomas Stockton, who died in 1723, appears to be the same as the Thomas Stockton who married Sara (nee Davis) on August 7, 1664, at St Dunstan and All Saints Church, an Anglican Church in Stepney, London, England. It is less than 3 miles east from the St James Church in Clerkenwell. Thomas and Sara appear to be the parents of Thomas Stockton who was christened at the Old St James Church in Clerkenwell on August 15, 1686, and buried there 5 days later on August 20, 1686.

The wife of Thomas Stockton is shown on church records as Sara and Sarah. The Old St James Church stood from 1540 to 1788 when it was replaced by the New St James Church. The 1723 burial record for Thomas shows Turnmill Street. This street is a little less than 1/4 of a mile in length and lies just south of St James Church.

The Thomas Stockton, who married Sara Davis in 1664, would have been born about 1640. If this Thomas Stockton, who died in 1723, is the Thomas Stockton who was born about 1640, and married Sara Davis in 1664, then he would have lived until about the age of 80. Although it was uncommon to live to 80 in the 1700s in London, about 1% of the population did reach the age of 80, so not impossible.

Please see Thomas Stockton, son of Elizabeth (nee Meares) and Roger Stockton of Wapping Wall, shipwright, christened January 19, 1639, age 11 days, at St Dunstan and All Saints Church, Stepney, Middlesex, England. Roger Stockton married Elizabeth Meares at Stepney on July 29, 1633. This is the same church where Thomas Stockton married Sara Davis in 1664.

St Dunstan Church of Stepney, London, County of Middlesex, England
Parish Registers - Marriages 1568 to 1609.
Marriages at Stepnie 1664:

August 7, "Thomas Stockton of waping Wall shipwright & Sara Davis ibid M". The M is for Maid or Maiden, not a spinster or a widow. A shipwright is a carpenter who builds ships.

Wapping Wall is a street on the northern bank of the River Thames in the town of Wapping in the parish of Stepney in the city of London. It is less than 1 mile southeast of the Tower of London on River Thames and less than 3 miles southeast of St James Church and Churchyard in Clerkenwell.

In the 1700s, London was one of the largest cities in the world and several different Stockton families lived there. Richard "The Emigrant" Stockton (c.1735-1707) had an Uncle Thomas Stockton who was a doctor in London in about 1660.

It appears, without proof, that the Thomas Stockton who died in 1723 was the Thomas Stockton who married Sara (nee Davis), and that they were the parents of Thomas Stockton, who was christened on August 15, 1686, at the Old St James Church in Clerkenwell.

---

Thomas Stockton, a son of Elizabeth (nee Meares) and Roger Stockton of Wapping Wall, shipwright, was christened on January 19, 1639, at the age of 11 days, at St Dunstan and All Saints Church of Stepney, London, County Middlesex, England. Please see Roger Stockton [Jr.] born 1637, died 1638.

Thomas Stockton (born about 1640), of Wapping Wall, shipwright married Sara Davis at St Dunstan and All Saints Church of Stepney, London, County Middlesex, England, on August 7, 1664.

Thomas Stockton, shown as a son of Sara and Thomas Stockton, was christened at St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on August 15, 1686.

Thomas Stockton, who appears to be the above Thomas who is shown on church records as a son of Sara (nee Davis) and Thomas Stockton, was christened on August 15, 1686, was buried 5 days later on August 20, 1686. His burial record shows: "Thomas Son of Thomas Stockdon buried . . . Turnmil street".

"Elizabeth Stockton Daughter of Thomas and Sarah Stockton Baptized" at St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on December 18, 1687.*

Elizabeth Stockton, shown as a daughter of Thomas Stockton, was buried at St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on February 7, 1687.* December 18 to February 7 is 51 days.

Gerrard Stockton, "Gerrard Son of Thomas Stockton and Sarah his wife" was Baptized at St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on February 7, 1690. He was buried there 3 days later on February 10, 1690.

Francis Stockton, shown as a son of Thomas Stockton, was as buried at St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on May 6, 1690.

Alice Stockton, shown as a daughter of Sarah and Thomas Stockton, was Baptized at St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on August 7, 1692.

Eliz Stockton, shown as a daughter of Thomas Stockton was buried at St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on September 26, 1693.

Thomas Stockton was buried at Old St James Church in Clerkenwell, London, England, on August 15, 1723.

Note: In the "Old Style" Julian Calendar the new year started on March 25th. This was changed in 1752 with the Gregorian Calendar. So, December 18, 1687, came before February 7, 1687.

DOCUMENTS;

• St Dunstan's, Stephney, County Middlesex, England, Marriages: August 7, 1664, Thomas Stockton of Waping wall shipright & Sara Davis, M.
• St James Church, Clerkenwell, London, England, August 15, 1686, Thomas Son of Thomas and Sara Stockton Baptized
• St James Church, Clerkenwell, London, England, August 20, 1686, Thomas Son of Thomas Stockdon buryed . . . Turnmill street
• England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988, Burials at Saint James Church, Clerkenwell, "Burialls in Ye Year 1723, August 15, Thomas Stockton, Turnmill Street, O.G."

---

Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) of Albemarle County, Virginia, appears to have been born in England. He died in Albemarle County, Virginia, leaving a large family and has thousands of descendants. The given name of Davis is very uncommon, and it has long been thought that it might have been his mother's maiden name or another ancestor's maiden name. It appears possible, but without proof, that Sara (nee Davis) and Thomas Stockton, who married in 1664, are the parents of Davis Stockton who was born c.1685.

Davis Stockton is reported to have built the first mill in what would later become Albemarle County, Virginia. Roger Stockton and his son Thomas Stockton were shipwrights, carpenters who built ships. This would be a good skill to have if you would want to build a mill.

SOURCES:

England, Middlesex Parish Registers, 1539-1988
Burials at St James Church Clerkenwell, London, England

The Marriage Registers of St. Dunstan's, Stepney, in the County of Middlesex.
Edited by Thomas Colyer-Fergusson.
Vol. II., 1640-1696.
Canterbury: Cross & Jackman, Printers. 1899

St Dunstan Church of Stepney, London, County of Middlesex, England
Parish Registers - Marriages 1568 to 1609.

Thomas Stockton, christened April 27, 1673, at St Sepulchre Newgate, London, England, son of Sara and Thomas Stockton.

Find a Grave bio for Thomas Stockton of Clerkenwell, London, by Jerry J. Stockton

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ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901

Among the earliest settlers in the western part of the county, who came as is said under the leadership of Michael Woods, was a family named Stockton. Though their name has entirely disappeared, they have in a number of ways left their mark behind. They consisted of several branches. They erected perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. The north fork of Mechum's River still bears the name of Stockton's Creek, the south fork in early times was called Stockton's Mill Creek, and the first name by which Israel's Gap was known was Stockton's Thoroughfare. The famous abbreviation of D. S. is also ascribed to the head of the family. One story recites that Michael Woods and Davis Stockton landed at Williamsburg, and came to the wilds of Goochland together, that arriving at D. S., they advanced in different directions, Woods continuing straight forward to Woods's Gap, and Stockton bearing to the left along the foot of the mountain towards Batesville, and that as a memorial of the place where they separated, Stockton carved his initials on a tree. While their landing on the eastern shores of Virginia is contrary to all the best established traditions, there may be truth in the rest of the narration. Both were patentees of land, and they may have gone from the foot of the Ridge to Williamsburg on business; on their return, the separation would naturally have taken place at the point mentioned, as Woods's home lay at the mouth of Woods's Gap, and the Stocktons were settled along Mechum's River, the south fork as well as the north.

As already intimated, the head of the family was Davis Stockton. His first entry of four hundred acres on Ivy Creek was made in 1739, and in 1741 he patented eight hundred more on both forks of Mechum's. Altogether the family connection obtained grants of nearly four thousand acres in that section. Davis died in 1760. His widow Martha seems afterwards to have been married to Samuel Arnold, who lived on Ivy Creek. Davis's children were Richard, Samuel, William and Thomas. Samuel and William had a mill on the south fork of Mechum's, not far from Batesville, the same no doubt their father built, which in 1767 they sold to James Garland. Prior to 1780 Samuel emigrated to Rutherford County, North Carolina, and was probably accompanied by William. Richard lived in the fork of Mechum's, near the old Black place; in fact, that place was a part of his land, he and his wife Agnes having sold four hundred acres to Rev. Samuel Black in 1751. He died in 1775, leaving five sons, Richard, Thomas, John, Robert and Davis. The name of John appears among the subscribers to the Albemarle Declaration of Independence, made in 1779. Previous to 1791 Richard and Robert removed to Henry County. Richard became Clerk of the Strawberry Baptist Association, and Robert entered the Baptist ministry, and subsequently went to Kentucky, where he died about 1837. Thomas, probably the son of Davis, died in 1783. He and his wife Rachel had had six sons and two daughters, some of whom were still in the county as late as 1805.

In later years John N. C. Stockton came to the county from Pennsylvania. He was a proprietor of the Stage lines running in Virginia, and made Charlottesville his headquarters. He became a large landholder in the neighborhood. In 1830 he purchased from Andrew Leitch the old Stage lot on the corner of Market and Seventh Streets, in 1832 Carrsbrook from Alexander Garrett, as executor of Dabney Minor, and in 1835 Retreat from Jonathan B. Carr. He was also the owner of Camp Holly, on the Barboursville Road. He married Emily Bernard, a niece of William D. Fitch. In 1837 he came to an untimely end, by drowning in Mobile Bay. William P. Farish became the administrator of his estate, and ultimately one of his successors in the ownership of the Stage lines. William Stockton, brother of John N. C., married Sarah, daughter of Gideon Strange and Mildred Magruder, and emigrated to Florida.

[Note: Rev. Edgar Woods is incorrect about Davis Stockton's widow being married to Samuel Arnold after the death of Davis Stockton. This is probably from Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold's affidavit in 1765 that stated "my Trusty and Loving Son Thomas Stockton." Thomas Stockton had married Rachel Allen, a daughter of Martha (nee Chapman) and her first husband, Samuel Allen. After the death of Samuel Allen, the Widow Martha Allen married Samuel Arnold. Martha (nee Chapman) Arnold was referring to her son-in-law, Thomas Stockton. This note was added by Jerry J. Stockton.]

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Important points to consider before editing this profile:

• He was not the son of Richard Stockton and Susanna (Witham) Robinson, who were married 8 November 1691 at Chesterfield Meeting House, Burlington County, New Jersey. It is unlikely he could have been born after 1691, and genetic testing on his descendants has revealed that they are not related to the New Jersey Stocktons. For the DNA study that proves Davis Stockton of Albemarle County, Virginia, and Richard Stockton of New Jersey are not related, please go to The Stockton DNA Project, click on enter, and then click on "dna results" on the left side of the page.
• There is no evidence as to the first name or maiden name of Davis Stockton's wife. Until such time as hard evidence is found, no assumptions should be made. (Many folks have come up with Sarah Sarah Martha Gudylouch as his wife; however, no one has any documented proof as of this time.)
• The claim that Davis Stockton was born at "Dunshauglin Castle, Meath, Leinster, Northern Ireland" is not supported by any documentation. Although one person claims to have had a document that showed that information, he now reports that document has been lost. There is absolutely no documentation whatsoever that Davis Stockton was born at Dunshauglin Castle, County Meath. Please note that County Meath is in Leinster Province, Ireland. Neither County Meath nor Leinster Province are part of Northern Ireland.

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Davis Stockton

• BIRTH - 1685 - England
• DEATH - 1761 (aged 75–76) - Albemarle County, Virginia, USA
• BURIAL - Stockton Family Cemetery, Albemarle County, Virginia, USA
• MEMORIAL ID = 40805060 · View Source

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/40805060/davis-stockton

Y-DNA proves that Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) of Albemarle County, Virginia, was NOT a descendant of Richard "The Emigrant" Stockton of New York and later New Jersey.

13 23 14 10 14-14 11 15 11 12 11 28 - 15 8-9 08 11 23 16 19 29 12-14-14-16 Davis Stockton of Albemarle County, Virginia.
14 22 16 10 14-14 11 13 12 12 11 29 - 17 9-9 11 11 23 16 22 33 12-13-13-14 Richard "The Emigrant" Stockton, NY and NJ.

FamilyTreeDNA:
A "genetic distance" of 6 or more on a 37-marker test = "Not Related".
The "genetic distance" on 37-mark tests between Davis Stockton and Richard Stockton of New Jersey is about 34.

Davis Stockton is NOT a descendant of the New York / New Jersey Stockton family.

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Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) of Albemarle County, Virginia, by Jerry J. Stockton
Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) was one of the very early settlers in what would later become Albemarle County, Virginia. He arrived in what was then Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia, before June of 1737. "Davis Stockton's Line" is mentioned on a Virginia Land Office Patent to Michael Wood (Woods) dated June 10, 1737. "George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Michael Wood one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on the heads of Ivy Creek on other Branches of the North River on the South Side of the North River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at a hiccory on Davis Stockton's Line . . . crossing a Branch of the North River . . . to Pointers in Davis Stockton's Line . . . the Tenth Day June one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven In the Tenth Year of our Reign. William Gooch"

Michael Woods (Sr.) was another very early settler in then Goochland County, Virginia. His property was at the headwaters of Lickinghole Creek and was the eastern entrance of Woods' Gap (now Jarman's Gap) in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The property of his son, Michael Woods (Jr.), was at the headwaters of Ivy Creek next to Davis Stockton's property.

Davis Stockton was probably born in England in about 1685. Stockton is an English name and there were a large number of Stockton families living in England in the 1600s. All of Davis Stockton's children have English given names and none have distinctly Irish, Scottish, or Welsh given names. Y-DNA (I-M253, I-L22, STR cluster I1-BBA, and I-Y22015) from descendants of Davis Stockton prove that his early male line ancestors were in Norway or Sweden over 4,000 years ago. It's possible that the Davis Stockton family was from the Stockton-on-Tees area where many Norse are known to have settled during the Viking Age (793-1066). Stockton-on-Tees is located in North East England on the southern border of County Durham on the River Tees just a few miles inland from the North Sea. Just south of Stockton-on-Tees is the historic county of Yorkshire where a great number of Norse / Vikings settled. The city of York, known as Jorvik during the Viking Age, was the Viking center. Stockton-on-Tees is less than 45 miles north of York, the Viking center of all of England.

Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) of Albemarle County, Virginia, and Robert Stockton (c.1680-1748) of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, are proven by Y-DNA to be either brothers or cousins. There is only one known interaction between the Virginia Stockton family and the Pennsylvania Stockton family. Two of Robert Stockton's sons, David and Thomas, were involved in a land transaction in Albemarle County, Virginia. It appears that in the late 1750s Robert's son, David Stockton, purchased land that included the Yellow Mountain Branch of Mechum's River and the headwaters of Virgin Spring Creek in Albemarle County, Virginia. David Stockton purchased this property from Davis Stockton's son-in-law Adam Goudelock. This property was adjacent to Davis Stockton's property on Virgin Spring Creek. David Stockton of Pennsylvania died after paying for the property but before the transaction was complete. David's brother, Thomas, then became involved in this property. It does not appear that either David or his brother Thomas ever lived in Albemarle County. This property was sold to Charles Lambert on July 14, 1769.

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 2, p. 84, October 31, 1758.
"Deed of Sale from Adam Goudilock [sic] to Thomas Stocton [sic] of York County, Pennsylvania.
This Indenture made the thirty first day of October . . . one Thousand seven hundred & fifty Eight Between Adam Goudilock [sic] of the Parish of St Ann County of Albemarle Colony & Dominion of Virginia of the one Part & Thomas Stocton [sic] of York County in the Province of Pensylvania [sic] of the other Part . . . on the yellow Mountain Branch . . . Paid by the hands of David Stocton [sic] of said Province Decd . . . Received October the 13th 175_ of David Stockton Decd Brother to the within mentioned Thomas Stockton . . . thirty first day of October 1758."

In the 1730s the Davis Stockton family settled in the Ivy Creek area of then Goochland County, Virginia. They might have also been in the Mechum's River area in the 1730s, however, they are not found there until March 15, 1741. What was first known as the North Fork of Mechum's River is now known as Stockton Creek, a branch of Mechum's River. It is shown on some circa 1745 deed records as Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River. What was once known as the South Fork of Mechum's River is now known as Mechum's River. Davis Stockton's mill appears to have been located on Mechum's River just a little downriver from Stockton's Mill Creek, a branch of Mechum's River.

When Henrico Shire was created in 1634 it included the Ivy Creek and Mechum's River area. The name Henrico Shire was soon changed to Henrico County. In 1728 the Ivy Creek and Mechum's River area became part of Goochland County, and in 1744 it became part of the newly formed Albemarle County. From 1728 until 1744 the headwaters of Mechum's River, including Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River and Stockton's Mill Creek, were in St. James Parish, Goochland County, Virginia. After the formation of Albemarle County in 1744 this area was now in St. Anne's Parish, Albemarle County, Virginia. The northern area of Albemarle County was now in Fredericksville Parish and the southern area of Albemarle County was in St. Anne's Parish. In 1761 Amherst County was formed from the southern part of Albemarle County, however, Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River and Stockton's Mill Creek remained in St. Anne's Parish, Albemarle County. In 1807 the northern part of Amherst County became Nelson County.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book, 1738-1739, pp. 536-537, March 12, 1739.
"George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Davis Stockdon one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides of Ivy Creek a branch of the Rivanna and on the South side of the same and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a white Oak a corner to Capt Charles Hudson . . . Crossing Ivy Creek to a Hiccory . . . the said Davis Stockdon . . . the Twelfth Day of March one thousand seven hundred& thirty nine In the Thirteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

The above property was adjacent to the land that Michael Woods obtained with his patent of June 10, 1737. Davis Stockton sold this 400-acre property to his neighbor Michael Woods (Jr.) on November 17, 1741, for 30 pounds. This was the only property that Davis Stockton is thought to have owned on Ivy Creek. Davis Stockton later owned land on Stockton's Creek, Spring Creek, and on Mechum's River.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 20, 1741-1743, pp. 162-164, March 15, 1741.
"George the second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto William Whitesides One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides the South fork Mechums River . . . said William Whitesides . . . the Fifteenth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

William Whiteside married Elizabeth Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761) who is known to have been living in then Goochland County, Virginia, by 1737. The first child of William and Elizabeth (nee Stockton) Whiteside appears to have been Davis Whiteside who was born about 1741. It appears that William Whiteside and Elizabeth Stockton probably met and married in Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia. The first mention of William Whiteside in Goochland County was his March 15, 1741, patent record, however, he was probably living in Goochland County before that time.

The American Historical Magazine and Tennessee Historical Society Quarterly, Volume IX, 1904, pp. 69-70.
1. July 7, 1767, William and Elizabeth Whiteside to Adam Dean, three hundred and seventy-three acres or thereabout. Witnessed by William Winston, William Grayson, William Stockton and Maryan Winston.
2. May 11, 1768, William Whiteside, bill of sale of mare, etc., to George Davidson. Witnessed by Michael Woods, Jr., and Samuel Davison.
3. September 19, 1769, William and Elizabeth Whiteside to Adam Dean, one hundred and eight-one acres. Witnesses: Samuel Stockton, John Davis, James Walker and Prudence Stockton.
4. August 6, 1770, writ dispatched from Albemarle to Amherst to examine Elizabeth Whiteside as to whether her consent was freely given to the last mentioned transfer. Commission executed by Timothy Riggs and John Robinson, Esquires, of Amherst, and their return ordered to be recorded by Albemarle Court at the session of March, 1771.

Bio by Jerry J. Stockton