John Howerton, Sr.

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JOHN HOWERTON was born about 1750 in Essex County to Thomas Howerton and Gryssilah (_______). He moved with his father to Henrico, Chesterfield and Prince Edward Counties, Virginia. He married around 1870 and settled in Montgomery County, Virginia until his death between 1830 and 1840. His property was on Little River about ten miles south of Christianburg, Virginia.

John's name appears as a witness to many legal document; on the tax list for Montgomery County; land deeds as both buyer and seller; as overseer of the highway.

Apparently, John had a fighting nature. In 1810 John Howerton, Sr., was fined $13.33 plus $.40 cost for assaulting and beating Thomas Dobbins (Superior Court Execution Book 1, Criminal file 93, Civil Order Book, Montgomery County, Virginia).

The same record showed that in 1810 Henly Chapman made an affidavit before the grand jury that John Howerton, Sr., and Obediah Howerton assaulted Thomas Dobbins. In May 1810 they served a summons on John and a copy was left for Obediah. Obediah did not appear at trial but he did pay his fine of $13.33 plus $.40 cost. Obediah and John also paid a joint fine of $9.37. John, Jr., was fined $5.00 for assault on William Dobbins and paid his fine on 4 January 1811.

The Superior Court Execution Book recorded in 1815 that William S. Ronald, Saddler, testified before the grand jury that on 4 April 1815, John Howerton, Yeoman, did break the peace by voluntarily fighting with David Iddings.

In 1827 Tobias Philips brought charges against Thomas and Juliet Howerton for stealing a quantity of flax worth $3.00. He stated that Thomas, laborer, and Juliet, spinster, with their surety, John Howerton bind themselves to the governor and that they will appear at the trial. Sally Howerton was called as a witness. They quashed the charges. Apparently, this John was not a peaceful man.