James Bird

This James Bird may have been a brother of Samuel Bird instead of a son. Locations indicate that James Bird *May* have married a Vardeman. Connections are assumed, because of the name, "Vardeman Bird". Locations indicate that James Bird's children were marrying people living near Rocky Creek.

Prior to 1740, Thomas Callaway's land in Orange Co., VA, 1,000 ac, was bordered Col. Geo. Braxton, BROOK, Francis Williams, Honorias Powell, and William BELL's lines, "on the branches of James River, a branch of the James River called Swift Run." Calloway portioned out and sold the land to James Stodgill, Daniel Stodgill, and John COOK on July 2, 1740. (see Orange Co. Deed Bk 6, pp. 31-40). Witnesses to all transactions were Richard Winslow, Alexander Waugh, Zachary Taylor. In 1744, Daniel Stodgill sold his share to Wm. RIDDLE.

Road Locations: The source for the following abstract came from the "Albemarle County Roads" by Nathanial Mason Pawlett, and the Virginia Highway and Transportation Research Counsil:

The rivers capable of providing obstacles to early travelers were the Rivanna and its tributaries, the Moorman and Mechum Rivers. The Rockfish River and to a lesser degree, the Hardware River up to its fork at Carter's Bridge. Mechunk Creek being the only sizeable river between the Rivanna River and Lickinghole Creek near the Goochland Courthouse. Even these are fordable at numerous places when not in flood. In Sept of 1736, Michael Woods was issued an order to build a road from Blue Ridge down to Ivy Creek. This road ran from Wood's Gap down along crossing Mechum's River, running from west to east. By 1740, Michael Woods road was open from the Blue Ridge to Secretary's ford. The petitioners only needed to connect it to the 3 Notch'd Road, through the "Thoroughfare" (Vardeman's). On Sept 20 1743, David Lewis was appointed surveyor of the road from "the D.S. Tree down to Moor's Creek and into the Secretary's Road". From the D.S. Tree to Mechums River was only a distance of 5 miles.

In 1745, on the East Side of the Rivanna River a road was ordered opened from the from the "end of a road which is cleared" to John Keys mill. Indications are this road was a connection to the 3 Notch'd Road which terminated at Secretary's Ford. This road probably followed the line of present Route 20, to the George Rogers Clark Birthplace. Rockfish Gap at Mechem's River connected to the Rockfish Road, which ran through Taylor's Gap (Ivy Creek Pass).

In 1746, Martin King's Road running eastward, from Secretary's Mill to cross the Rivanna River, received a new feeder opened by James Taylor. This may have been a route from the Hardware River (James Taylor Ford) through the Mount Pleasant Plantation. In Dec. 1747, an order was issued for a road "from Stephen Heards to the late Secretary's Road near John Burns Plantation". A John Heard appears in the names of the petitioners for the road along the western side of the Ragged Mountains and it would appear that this family was located on the lower end of this road in the Rockfish Valley or near the present village of Heards. This new road from Heard's to the Secretary's Road was a more direct route east through the mountains to the county seat. The lower Secretary's Road runs along the ridge toward the Rockfish River. ___________________________________ Orange Co. roads were built, connecting Braxton's Quarter to the Louisa Co. Line. Braxton's Quarter near the Albemarle Co. line was connected by road to Petty's Creek to Blue Run. A road from Jacksons Mill to Stanards Quarter over the Blue Ridge at Swift Run was built.

This road from the Albemarle Co. line connected above John Ogg's and went up to Swift Run. John Ogg's went to Simand's Ford through Ephraim Simand's plantation. A road from the foot of Powell's Mountain to the top of the Blue Ridge at Swift Run Gap was built. From Boxing Camp to the Foot of Powell's Mountain to Page's. The road from Swift Run connected to Joseph Phillip's road. A road was built to Swift Run at the Augusta Co. line.

The Road from Camp Run (James River Mountains) went to Braxton's Quarter, to Jos. PHILLIPS. to the Red Oak Level. The Road at Red Oak Level went to Stanards Upper Quarter across the south branch of the Rapidan to the Road above the Wolf Trap.

• *Road from Crawford's Ford on the Rapidan into the road by Robert Sanford's (road leaving the road at May Burton Jr.'s field, crossing Great Run and running on the line between Burton and JAMESON, Thence into the church path by Robert Pearson's, Jacob Eheart's, and Mordecai Bruces and into the church road a quarter mile below the church thence into the road by Robert Sanford's.
  • Road from John Rogers on Goosepond Mountain into the main road at Mr. PAGE's old plantation in Swift Run Gap. Road from the foot of Powell's hill up to the first crossing of Swift Run above John PAGE's thence up to the county line.

In 1738, On the petitions of John LEWIS and others Inhabitants of Beverley Mannour Its ordered that Robert POGE George Hutchingson and David Davis or any two of them mark and lay off a road from John Tremble.s or thereabouts by or nigh George Robinsons to the topp of the blue ridge & make return of their proceedings to ye next Court.

In 1734, William Verdeman bought a 200 acre tract adj. to the south side of the River Rivanna near the mountains adjoining Charles LEWIS. Goochland Co. VA Deed Book 2, p. 125 Aug 16, 1735, William Vardeman of St. James Parish to Charles COX, sum of 5 shillings, 200 acres.

In 1737, Tarlton Fleming and Charles Lewis Gent. agreed with workmen to build a Bridge over the Bird Creek.  In 1739, Joseph Pace ordered to be the surveyor of the road from the Bridge on the Bird Creek to the Crooked falls on the Rivanna, with tithables including Chars. Lewis's at his mill Quarter. ______________________

Louisa Co. VA Deed Book A, p. 406-7, 25 Nov 1749. Richard Hammack to John Hammack, 20 pounds, 100 ac, part of a tract of 400 acres on both sides of Road Bird Branch...sd. Hammack's and Majr. Thomas Carr's corner. Wit: Benj. Henslee, John (X) Maccalley, Richard (R) Sarcey

Louisa Co. VA Deed Book A, p. 435, Oct, 1750. (Joseph Martin's Improvements) 800 ac on branches of Rocky Creek and Piney Run. Wit: Andrew Raye, William Ketton (Keaton?), Christopher Harris.

Louisa Co. VA Deed Book B, p. 10-11 20 July 1754. Joseph Martin to George Martin his son, 130 acres on n. side of Pritty's Creek, mouth of Tollers, to Ambrose Joshua Smith's line, part of 626 ac by deed to sd. Joseph Martin from Thomas Carr. Wit: John Dickenson, Mordecai Hord.

Louisa Co. VA Deed Book B, p. 269-70 26 June 1758. Joseph Martin of Fredericksville Par. to Thomas Burrus, 40 pounds, 350 ac on n. side of the Little Mountains, John Hammack's line, Graves line, Brockman's line. Wit: Geo. Martin, John Hammack, David Watts. Note: Louisa Co. VA Deed Book A, p. 493-04. Nov. 1751. Philip Aylette and Elizabeth his wife of King William Co. to John Brockman of Orange Co. Lease and release 45 lbs. 199 ac on s.s. of the s. fork of the North Anna, part of a larger pattent granted sd. Aylett...Capt. Carr's corner...Philip Buckner and Wm. Aylett's Orphan's corner. Wit: Wm. Cooke, David (X) Cave, Samuel (B) Brockman.

Louisa Co. VA Deed Book B, p. 334-5, 28 Aug. 1759. Thomas Burrus to James Watson 52 lbs, 8 shillings, 350 ac on n. side of Little Mountains in Par. afsd...John Hammack's line, Graves line, Brockman's line.

Orange Co. VA Road Orders 25 October 1764 Page 230 (O.C.M.B. 1, Page 41) On the Motion of Thomas Walker &c to have a road from John Hendersons foard to which place is a road allready laid of in the county of Louisa it is Ordered That Thomas Graves Junr. Samuel Brockman Junr. John Stevens, & Thos. Burris Or any three of them being first Sworn do Veiw the most conveinent way from the sd. Foard to the Road that leads down by Daniels Ordinary and that they make Report to the court of the conveinence & Inconveinences attending the Same .

24 October 1765, Page 352 (O.C.M.B. 1, Page 83) On the Motion of Geo. Bruce and Others to have a Road to go nearer the Blue Ridge and as high as Thomas Burrus.s it is Ordered that Wm. Bell, John Goodall, William Riddle and William Cox or any Three of Them being first Sworn as the Law directs do Veiw the said Way and make report to the next court of the Conveinences & Inconveinences Attending the Same .

Orange Co. VA Road Orders 28 February 1750 O.S., Page 288 On the Petition of William Cook setting forth That the Road Runs thro. his Plantation & that he could Turn it outside of his plantation a Leveler way & very little Further which several of his Neighbours allowed might be done Therefore it is Ordered that he have leave to Turn the said Road as petitioned for he clearing the New part & puting the same in good repair . Orange Co. VA Road Orders 22 November 1759, Page 505 Upon the Petition of Thomas Burrus for leave to turn one of the roads that goes thro.. his land, to go upon the line Ordered that Malachi Childs, John Stevens, Roger Bell & William Cook or any three of them being first Sworn as the Law directs do Veiw the Way the said Road is intended to be turned & make report to the Court of the Conveniences & inconveniences attending the Same .

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Is the following Bird related or the same?

EDGECOMB CO, NC (created 1741, previously Bertie County) Spear, Speir, Speer and Friends By George Spear Published by G. Spear, 2001 Original from the University of Wisconsin - Madison Digitized Jan 8, 2008 265 pages p. 6 May 22, 1734. John Speirs and wife Mary Spears of Goochland sell to James Roberts of St. Peters Parish of New Kent 400 ac on south side of James River ...branch of....adj. Warren Easley, George Stoval. Witnessed by J________? p. 7 Feb 18, 1739. John Speir of Edgecombe Co. to James Bird 100 ac on Short Swamp. By patent to John Speir dated Feb 17 1737. Wit: Robert Hilliard, Thomas Dowles, Samuel Wiggins, John Wynns. p. 8 1742 Edgecombe Co., NC. James Speirs receives land grant on south side of Smith's Creek. Halifax County, NC. Dec. 4 1742. William Speir of Edgecomb and wife Dorothy Speir sell to James Bird 200 ac on north side of Fishing Creek adj. Elias Hodge and where the sd. Speir now lives and part of land grant to John Speir in 1737. Wit: Elias Hodge

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ORANGE COUNTY, VA Orange Co. VA Order Book 7, p. 310. April 26, 1765 The attachment of Lenox and Scott and Co. against William Jackson. Charles Taylor, a garneshee, declared he had in his hands 2.0.7 ½. James BIRD, another garneshee, and continued for him to declare at next court and continued. (This means James Bird owed William Jackson)

Note: In 1762, William Jackson patented 200 ac on Saddle Back Mountain, adjoining Henry Shorter. Saddle Back Mountain is within the present Greene County, VA. ________________________

In 1725, Thomas Frankling patented 200 ac on the s. s. of Swift Creek, adjoining the land of William Jackson. In 1725, Ralph Jackson patented 275 ac on the west side of Swift Creek, beg. at Majr. Peterfield's standing at the mouth of the Western branch of Licken Hole Creek. In 1731, he patented another 340 ac on the n. side of Swift Creek, adj. the land of Henry his own, Henry Walthall, Francis Maybury. In 1726, Field Jefferson patented 897 ac on the s. s. of Swift Creek adj. Capt. Thomas Jefferson on the south side of the west branch. In 1730, Henry Walthall patented 400 ac on the s. s. of Swift Creek, adj. Capt. Thomas Jefferson.

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Orange Co. VA Order Book 7, p. 311. April 26, 1765 Richard Johnson agst. John Boswell & James Suggett. In case. Jury to wit: Rice Curtis, Samuel Estis, John Gribsby, Rush Hudson, William Haley, Henry Wood, James Collins, Charles Taylor, James BIRD, William Tomlinson, Edward Cason, William Ham

Orange Co. VA Order Book 7, p. 316. May 24, 1765 Richard Lamb agst. Samuel Estes. In Delinue. Jury called, to wit: Rice Curtis, John Grigsby, Rush Hudson, William Haley, Henry Wood, James Collins, James BIRD, William Tomlinson, Edward Cason, William Ham, Benjamin Cave and William Pitcher. Court finds for defendant.

Orange Co. VA Order Book 7, p. 445, April, 1767 Bird, Samuel agst. Arris COX. Upon an attachment obtained by James (crossed out) Samuel Bird against the estate of Arris Cox.

Albemarle Co. VA Deed Book 5, p. 416, Feb 9, 1774 Henry Harris of Parish of Fredericksville in Co. of Albemarle, planter, to James Byrd of same, planter, 50 pounds, 100 ac tract on the N. side of Mourmans River being the land where the said Henry Harris now livith, bounded, on the N. side of the river, thence across the river to John McCullough's line, Thomas Craig's line. (Signed) Henry Harris, Anne Harris Wit: Robert Davis, Thos. Burrus, William Martin, John Ogg

Albemarle Co. VA Deed Book 7, 1776-1782. p. 158. Feb 6, 1778 James Bird and Elizabeth his wife of the County of Orange to Robert McCullock of the Parish of Fredericksville and County of Albemarle, for the sum of 40 pounds, tract lying and being in the Parish of Fredericksville and County of Albemarle and on the North Side of Mooreman's River, being part of the tract whereon John and Robert McCullock now live, bounded as followeth to wit: beginning at a Dogwood Saplin by a branch running thence 75 degrees W 75 poles to a white oak on the North side of the river thence across the river to John McCullock's line, the said land bounded by the lands of John McCullock, Nathan Woods and Thomas Craig, containing 100 acres. (Signed) James < (his mark) Bird, Elizabeth Bird. At Albemarle Co. March Court 1778, this indenture was acknowledged by James Bird, party thereto and ordered to be recorded, Elizabeth his wife personally appeared, voluntarially relinquished her right of dower in the lands conveyed by the said indenture. Teste: John Nicholas

Note: Fredericksville Parish was established in 1742 and covered part of Louisa County from 1742 to 1757. From 1757 to 1845 it covered part of Albemarle and Louisa counties.

Albemarle County in Virginia: Giving Some Account of what it was by Nature, of what it was Made by Man, and of Some of the Men who Made it By Edgar Woods Published by C. J. Carrier Co., 1901 Original from the University of Virginia A declaration of Independance, signed by citizens of Albemarle, April 21, 1779. Wm. Rannald Ab. Gollan Wm. Cleaveland James Bird William Ballard Thomas Jameson Geo. Mann

NOTE: John Bird Senr., Abner Bird, Bartlet Bird signed dissenters petition of Albemarle, Amherst and Buckingham Co in 1776. Samuel BYRD signed allegience petition in Henry Co. VA in 1777.

Albemarle Co. VA Deed Book 7, p. 258. May 23, 1778 Robert Nelson of the County of York to JOHN CLARK of the County of Albemarle, for 1,000 pounds, a tract on both sides Machunk Creek containing by estimate 2,076 1/2 acres, beg. at a pine near the dividing line that formerly divided the counties of Hanover and Goochland and running thence North. Anthony Pales, formerly Daniel Dengins Spring Branch above said Markurst Creek. Which said tract of 1980 acres was by patent bearing date June 20, 1733 granted to Thomas Dansie the father and was purchased by James Powers of Thomas Dansie the son, recorded by the County of Louisa, corner of said James Powers land. Wit: Edward Moore, James X BIRD, Augustine Smith, TUCKER WOODSON JR.

The death date of James Bird is estimated, as no record of him is found after this date.

Note about the above deed: John Clark married Mary Moore Feb 27, 1767. Mary Moore Clark and Elizabeth Moore Woodson (Tucker's wife) were sisters, daus of John Moore. Their brother was Edward Moore, who married Mildred Lewis. Tucker Woodson Jr. was b. abt. 1744.

"From "The Woodsons and Their Connections" Tucker Woodson Jr., born about 1744 in Goochland, located in Albemarle county, married Elizabeth Moore and died in 1779. His will is dated March 16, 1779 and was proved in Albemarle court, May, 1779.

Note: There are no Bird/Byrds in the 1783 Culpeper Co. PP Tax Lists.* Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Nov 30 2016, 1:41:28 UTC