Robert Rowland of Augusta County

Not the same as Robert Rowland of Surry County

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DAR# A134253

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In all of our early family records, Robert's father is identified as William Rowland of Scotland. A few researchers now report Robert's origins are in England and/or Wales, which seems likely, as a study of surname distribution reveals that in the years prior to 1900, the surname Rowland was very common in England and Wales; present, but not common in Scotland; and extremely rare in Ireland. The Rowlands most likely were among the group of English and Scotsmen who were "planted" in the Ulster Plantation in England's attempt to rid Ireland of Irish people. One well known and highly respected Rowland researcher, Mary Rowland, makes a scholarly case for Robert being the son of George Rowland of Chester County, Pennsylvania, son of a John Rowland who arrived in America in August of 1682 on the ship Welcome. Among the other passengers were a Thomas Rowland and Priscilla Shepherd Rowland. All three of these Rowlands are listed among Pennsylvania land purchasers soon after they arrived. Mary found the Rowlands in the plat of Manor Steyning (New Garden Township), one of William Penn's townships in Chester County, PA, and tracked their possible migration with other "Scotch-Irish" to Virginia. As time allows, Mary's research will be included in our Rowland Archives.

Robert Rowland of Augusta County and Robert Rowland of Surry County are often mistakenly identified. They were close in age, their children born about the same time, and they chose similar names for their children. The Rowlands who settled in the Valley of Virginia were part of the large migration from Pennsylvania. In spite of some researchers' claims, there is no evidence of Robert and Martha Rowland of Augusta/Botetourt County or any of their four sons ever being residents of Surry County prior to coming to Augusta.

FACT: DNA test results prove that the Rowlands of Surry County are not related to those of Augusta/ Botetourt County. For more information, http://www.familytreedna.com/public/rowland/ and click on Y- Results.

FACT: Robert and MARTHA Rowland of Augusta County did NOT have a son named Augustine. Robert and MARY Rowland of Surry County DID.

FACT: Lt. Col. Thomas Rowland, son of Robert and Martha Rowland and husband of Mary Russell of Bedford County, was born in Augusta County. He did not precede his family there. He was born 15 December, 1741 and the following year, his father Robert is recorded as a member of the Augusta County Militia under George Robinson.

Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~qvarizona/rowland...

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ROBERT ROWLAND was born ca. 1716 in Britain or PA unverified, and died 19 Jan 1782 in Botetourt Co. VA. He married Martha (?) Looney Bet. 1735 - 1739, who according to unproven tradition, was the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Looney. Martha was born ca. 1718, probably in Ireland (?), and died between 1763-1769 in Augusta Co. VA. Martha's name is almost always written with this (?) following her surname, but to the best of my knowledge, the identity of her parents has not been verified.. It is known that the Rowlands had close ties to the Looney family and were neighbors in Virginia. Martha is not mentioned in her husband's will.

The exact year Robert and Martha arrived in Virginia is unknown. According to family bible records, their youngest son was born in December of 1741 in Augusta County, and the earliest known mention of Robert in the area as a member of the Augusta County Militia in 1742 under George Robinson. Many of the other men named in this militia are also in the early records of Lancaster and Chester Counties in Pennsylvania in the early 1700's.

Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~qvarizona/rowland...

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All four sons of Robert and Martha are named in Robert's will. They are:

1. James Rowland
2. George Rowland
3. William Rowland
4. Thomas Rowland

Source: http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/l/a/Millie-A-Clarke-/W...

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GEDCOM Note

FamilySearch: Family Tree Robert Rowland Birth  1710 • Surry, Virginia, United States Death  19 January 1782 • Fincastle, Botetourt, Virginia, United States Parents  Ann Ellis • Anne • Christopher Rowland • Elizabeth Proctor • Martha Looney • William Rowland III • William Rowland IV Spouse  Margaret Hargrave • Mary Hodge Hargrave • Mrs. Mary Rowland Children  Augustine Rowland Sr • George Rowland • George Washington Rowland Sr • James Rowland • Jessie Rowland • Thomas Rowland • William Rowland

Lead confidence: 5 https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/LTBX-7FJ

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• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Feb 5 2021, 8:46:31 UTC