Richard Stockton

Richard Stockton, Sr., (c.1710-1775) of Albemarle County, Virginia
by Jerry J. Stockton

Richard Stockton, Sr., a son of Davis Stockton, is first mentioned on March 15, 1741, in Goochland County, Virginia. "George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm 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."

By June of 1737, Richard Stockton's father, Davis Stockton (c.1685-1761), had settled in Goochland County, Virginia. "Davis Stockton's Line" is mentioned in a Virginia Land Office Patent to Michael Wood (Woods) dated June 10, 1737, "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"

It is not known exactly when or where Richard Stockton was born, although it appears that he was probably born about 1710 in England. Richard Stockton's father, 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. It also appears that his children were probably born in England as they all have English given names and none have distinctly Irish, Scottish, or Welch 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.

In the 1730s, the Davis Stockton family settled in the Ivy Creek area of then Goochland County, Virginia. They might have also been on Mechum's River and its forks in the 1730s, however, they are not found there until March 15, 1741. The North Fork of Mechum's River is known as Stockton's Creek. To the south and a little up Mechum's River is Stockton's Mill Creek.

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.

On April 28, 1741, William Mayo surveyed 400 acres for Richard Stockton on Stockton's Creek, a 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 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.

[The symbol for degrees has been replaced with the word degrees in the above transcription.]

Goochland County Road Orders 1728-1744,
by Nathaniel Mason Pawlett, 1975, revised 2004, p. 41.
Order Book 5, Goochland County, 15 Sept. 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."

Tinkling Spring, Headwater of Freedom: A Study of the Church and Her People, 1732-1952,
by Howard Wilson, 1954.
Baptisms by Rev. John Craig, 1740-1749
At Joseph Kinked's [Kincaid's], east of Jarman's [Woods'] Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains, June 21, 1743:
Baptized John and Thomas, sons of Agness Stocdon [sic].

The Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church is located on the west side of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the Shenandoah Valley, Augusta County, Virginia. The Davis Stockton family lived on the east side of the Blue Ridge Mountains and east of Woods' Gap. Rev. John Craig of the Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church is known to have made at least three trips to the Ivy Creek area of Goochland (now Albemarle) County to perform baptisms. John and Thomas Stockton, sons of Agnes and Richard Stockton, Sr., were baptized "at Joseph Kinked's." Joseph Kincaid was a neighbor of Richard and Davis Stockton on Stockton's Creek. In 1747 Joseph Kincaid is shown as a member of the Ivy Creek and Mountain Plain congregation of the Orthodox Reformed Presbyterian Church along with Davis Stockton and Richard Stockton.

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 21, 1742-1743, pp. 503-505, August 30, 1743.
"George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Richard Stockton . . . four hundred Acres . . . Stockton's Creek and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at a Stooping Chesnut Oak & a Hiccory Sapling . . . the Thirtieth Day of August One thousand seven hundred and forty three In the Seventeenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch"

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 22, 1743-1745, pp. 292-293, July 23, 1745.
"George the Second . . . in Consideration of the sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Richard Stockton . . . Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both Sides Stocktons Branch of Mechums River and bounded as followeth to wit, Beginning at Davis Stocktons corner . . . the Twenty third Day of July One thousand seven hundred and forty five In the Nineteenth Year of our Reign William Gooch"

Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Volume 27, pp. 25, 26.
Albemarle County Court Orders, p. 80
"At a Court held for Albemarle County November 28, 1745 . . . In Eject. of Richard Stockton agst Timothy Thrustout, deft. by atty. Wm Battersby produced Writ of Certiorari commanding the Court Justices to send & certify the proceedings in this suit to Justices of the General Court first day of next Court."

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, Deed Book 1, 1748-1752, pp. 341-343, June 26, 1751.
"This indenture made the twenty sixth day of June One thousand seven hundred & Fifty one Between Richard Stockton & Agness his Wife of Parish of St. Anns & County of Albemarle, Weaver, of one part & the Revd. Samuel Black of the Parish & County aforesaid . . . have sold unto Samuel Black . . . Four hundred acres being in County of Albemarle on both sides of Stocktons Creek . . . In Witness whereof Richd. Stockton & Agness his Wife have set their hands & seals . . . Agness, the Wife of said Richard, personally appeared in Court & being first privily examined relinquished her right of Dower to the Estate conveied . . "

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 60-61, March 10, 1756.
"George the Second . . . in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant and Confirm unto Richard Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Two hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle on the Branches of the North Fork of Meecham's River and bounded as followeth, to wit, Beginning at a Chesnut Oak of Thomas Lockharts . . . the tenth day of March One thousand seven hundred and fifty six In the twenty ninth Year of our Reign . . . Robt. Dinwiddie" The "North Fork of Meecham's River" is now known as Stockton's Creek, a branch of Mechum's River. The Thomas Lockhart who is mentioned in this patent record married Elizabeth Stockton, a daughter of Richard and Agnes Stockton. This 200-acre property was surveyed for Thomas Stockton on Dececember 9, 1749, but granted to Richard Stockton on March 10, 1756.

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 Stockton and William Stockton were brothers of Richard Stockton. Adam Goudelock (shown as Gaudylock) and William Whiteside were two of Richard Stockton's brothers-in-law. Adam Goudelock was married to Hannah Stockton, and William Whiteside was married to Elizabeth Stockton. Either Henry or Robert Brenton might have been a son-in-law of Davis Stockton. A 1773 record shows "Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton)." Michael Woods, Jr., was a neighbor of Davis Stockton.

Augusta County, Virginia Court Records, p. 133, November 20, 1761.
On November 20, 1761, in Augusta County, Virginia, John McMahan Sr. and Richard Stockton Sr. supplied bail for Robert McMahan Sr. Robert was the father of John McMahan Sr. Richard Stockton's daughter Deborah married John McMahan Sr. It has long been thought that in 1784 Deborah (nee Stockton) McMahan, by that time the widow of John McMahan, moved with Robert and Nancy (nee Stockton) Shields to what is now Sevier County, Tennessee. Augusta County court records, tax records, and marriage records prove that widow Deborah (nee Stockton) McMahan did not move to Sevier County, Tennessee, however, the Revolutionary War Pension Application of John McMahan Jr. shows that he did move from Augusta County, Virginia, to Sevier County, Tennessee. Deborah and Nancy's brother, Thomas Stockton, Sr., was already living in what is now Sevier County, Tennessee, by 1783. Thomas Stockton, Sr., lived on the north side of the French Broad River, while Nancy and Robert Shields located on the south side of the river.

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

Albemarle County, Virginia Deed Abstracts, 1761-1764,
by Ruth and Sam Sparacio, 1988, p. 113.
Albemarle County Deed Book 3, pp. 458-461.
This indenture made the Eleventh/Twelth day of May in the year one thousand seven hundred & sixty four Between Richard Stockton & Agness his Wife of Albemarle Colony of Virga. of one part & David Kinkead of County & Colony afforesaid Witnesseth that Richard Stockton & Agness his Wife for sum of Five shillings (in the Lease) Fifty seven pounds (in the Release) current money of Virginia have sold David Kinkead one certain parcel of land containing four hundred acres lying in County of Albemarle on both sides of Stocktons Branch of Mechams River & Bounded Beginning at David Stocktons corner two pine saplins & running thence on new lines North & West to Charles Lynches corner white oak thence on his lines North & West to a red oak Bush thence on new lines West to Lynches Corner stake thence on his line West to pointers thence on new lines South to two red oak bushes between pointers last four hundred & sixty four poles to Davis Stocktons white oak thence on a line North one hundred & four poles to the first station.

Richard - R - Stockton

Presence Thomas Kinkead, Matthew Kinkead, John Kinkead
At a Court held for Albemarle County the xivth day of June MDCCLXIV

Note: Although this transcription by Ruth and Sam Sparacio appears to show Richard Stockton's name as Richard "R" Stockton, it appears that the "R" is actually Richard Stockton's mark and not a middle initial.

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 . . Richard [Stockton] 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."

Ancestry of Samuel Stockton White,
by William Francis Cregar, 1888, p. 115.
"Richard Stockton of the Parish of St. Anne’s, Albemarle County, Virginia, obtained a grant of 400 acres in the County of Goochland in 1745, and subsequently other grants in Albemarle County, where he died in 1775, his will being proved in October of that year."

The Stockton Family of New Jersey and Other Stocktons,
by Thomas Coates Stockton, M. D., 1911, p. 236.
Richard Stockton "obtained a grant of 400 acres of land in Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia, 23 July 1745, and subsequently of other tracts in the same county. He made his will 21 July 1775, and it was proved in Oct. of the same year; showing that he died between the 2 dates."

Albemarle County, Virginia, Will Book 2, p. 324.
Stocktons Will
In the Name of god Amen I Richard Stockton of Albemarle County
and parish of St Annes, being Sick of Body but of Sound and
Perfect memory, do Constitute this to be my Last will and
- - - - - - - - appoint it to be my last will and Testament
That is to Say I bequeath my Soul to the Lord that gave it me
Trusting in his mercies that he will Reseive it again and as
for my worldly Goods, I bequeath as in former manner following
Unto my Son Thomas Stockton five Shillings Sterling unto
my Son John Stockton five Shillings Sterling unto my Son
Robert Stockton five Shillings Sterling, unto my Son David
Stockton five Shillings Sterling, and unto Every one of my
Daughters five Shillings Sterling apiece. I Bequeath unto
my Son Richard Stockton, my Land & the negroe Simon after
his mothers Death, and all the Rest of my Goods after my
Just Debts is paid, I bequeath unto my well beloved wife
and that it be at her disposing after my Death, I appoint
Alexander Black, and Hugh Alexander and John Dollings to
be my Executors, July 21st 1775

..........mark..........
Richard R Stockton ( Ls.)
...........his...........

John Davis
Francis Davis
Lucy Davis

At Albemarle October Court 1775
This will was presented to Court, and proved by
the Oath of John Davis & Francis Davis two
witnesses thereto & Ordered to be Recorded.
Test John Nicholas Clrk

SPOUSE:
Richard Stockton, Sr., married Agnes. Her maiden name is not known, but without any evidence is shown by some researchers as Anthony. It is not known exactly when or where Agnes and Richard Stockton married. It appears that they married about 1737. Some researchers show Agnes Stockton as Agnes A. Stockton. It appears however, that her mark on deeds was the letter "A" making her name appear to be Agnes A. Stockton. Richard Stockton's name is shown by some researchers as Richard R. Stockton, but again, it appears that his mark was the letter "R" in the deed book making his name appear to be Richard R. Stockton.

There is very little information as to when the children of Agnes and Richard Stockton were born. Richard is shown in Goochland County land records in March of 1741, and his father Davis Stockton is shown in Goochland County land records in June of 1737. Both Davis and Richard Stockton might have been in Goochland County several years before that. Most, if not all, of Agnes and Richard Stockton's children were probably born in what is now Albemarle County, Virginia. Richard Stockton is known to have been in what is now Albemarle County, Virginia, by March of 1741. Two of Agnes and Richard Stockton's children, John and Thomas, were baptized in Goochland County in June of 1743.

CHILDREN:
Thomas Stockton, Sr.
Nancy (nee Stockton) Shields
John Stockton
Rev. Robert Stockton, Sr.
Richard Stockton, Jr.
David Stockton
Deborah (nee Stockton) McMahan
Elizabeth (nee Stockton) Lockhart
Mourning (nee Stockton) Wilkey
Margaret (nee Stockton) Pulliam
Winneford (nee Stockton) Randalls
Sarah (nee Stockton) Ross
Jemima (nee Stockton) Sharp

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

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 20, 1741-1742, pp. 194-196, March 15, 1741.
("Richard Stockton's line")

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

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 21, 1742-1743, pp. 503-505, August 30, 1743.
(Richard Stockton, 400 acres)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 22, 1743-1745, pp. 292-293, July 23, 1745.
(Richard Stockton, 400 acres)

Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Volume 27, pp. 25, 26.
(Richard Stockton vs. Timothy Thrustout, November 28, 1745)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed Book 1, pp. 341-343, June 26, 1751.
(Richard Stockton to Rev. Samuel Black)

Virginia Land Office Patent Book 34, 1756-1765, pp. 60-61, March 10, 1756.
(Richard Stockton, 200 acres)

Augusta County, Virginia, Court Records, p. 133, November 20, 1761.
(Richard Stockton supplied bail for Robert McMahan)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Deed, May 11 or 12, 1764.
(Agnes and Richard Stockton to David Kinkhead)

Albemarle County, Virginia, Will Book 2, p. 324, October 1775.
(Richard Stockton's July 21, 1775, will)

BIBLIOGRAPHY:
[Hening's] Statutes at Large, Volume VII, 1820. William Waller Hening. 1820.
Sketches of Virginia, Historical and Biographical. Rev. William Henry Foote, D. D. 1850.
Ancestry of Samuel Stockton White. William Francis Cregar. 1888.
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.
Tinkling Spring, Headwater of Freedom: A Study of the Church and Her People, H. Wilson. 1954.
Texas Stripes, Some Stockton Genealogy. Volume 8, Number 2, June 1968. W. Broadus Smith. 1968.
Davis Stockton of Virginia. Leona Irene Smith Johnson and Winfred Broadus Smith. 1972 and 1975.
Albemarle County, Virginia Deed Abstracts, 1761-1764. Ruth and Sam Sparacio. 1988.
David Lewis Jr. of Virginia and Carolina. Chester R. Johnson. 1995.
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. Pawlett and Newlon, Jr. 2003.
Goochland County Road Orders 1728-1744. Nathaniel Mason Pawlett. June 1975, revised 2004.
Davis Stockton of Albemarle County, Virginia. Jerry J. Stockton. 2023.

DOCUMENTS:

• 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
• Davis Stockton's Children and Grandchildren Chart

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