By Jared L. Olar
January 2020
Updated November 2020
1. JOHN PHILLIPS, parentage and ancestry unknown, born probably before 1650 probably in England or possibly in Sittenbourne Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died in 1701 (ether before 7 July 1701 or between 17 July and 3 Dec. 1701) in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. John was a tobacco planter in colonial Virginia's Richmond County, and like all other Virginia tobacco planters at the time, he ran his plantation using the labor of black African slaves. John married circa 1673 in Richmond County, Virginia, to ELIZABETH LLOYD, born probably circa 1654 in England or Virginia, died between 23 Sept. 1690 and 1 May 1695 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, daughter of Lewis Lloyd. John and Elizabeth had three daughters and four sons. After Elizabeth's death, John remarried by 1 May 1695 in Richmond County, Virginia, to MARY FOWLER, born probably before 1650 probably in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, died in 1712 (before 3 Sept. 1712) probably in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. Mary's maiden name and parentage are unknown. She was the widow of David Fowler, by whom she'd had three daughters and two sons.
The North Farnham Parish Register, page 153, records the births of the following children of John and Elizabeth Phillips: Elizabeth, born 3 Dec. 1674; John, born 23 Dec. 1676; Bryant, born 13 Feb. 1678; Mary, born 7 Oct. 1681; Thomas, born 27 Oct. 1684; Tobias, born 12 Jan. 1687; and Anne, born 23 Sept. 1690. Besides those birth records, John Phillips also appears in a number of land sale deeds, legal orders, and wills preserved in the early records of Old Rappahannock County and Richmond County during a period extending from 1674 to 1701. Among those records are the following:
TO ALL XPIAN PEOPLE Know yee that wee JOHN PHILLIPS and ADAM WOFFENDALL both of Parish of Sittenburne in County of Rappa., Planters, for divers good causes by us already received have granted both joyntly and severally unto WM. BROWNE of the sd Parish and County, Carpenter, his heirs & assigns all that certain parcell of wood land ground being in the Parish and County aforesd being part of a certain parcell of land which was surveyed by us sd PHILLIPS & WOFFENDALL the 26th day of May in year 1673, and being part of the land where the said PHILLIPS now liveth and taken up of Mr. KERTON, Trustee of the late Lords of the Neck of land being all that land belonging to sd PHILLIPS and WOFFENDALL adjoining to the Eastermost side of the Maine Branch of CHINGOTEAGUE CREEK and so from thence extending itself down the line of sd WM. BROWNs his marked trees said BROWNE paying yearly such quit rents and services as shall become due And furthermore it is covinanted between all the parties that sd WM. BROWNE his heirs &c. may quietly possess the sd land without any trouble of either of them In Witness whereof sd PHILLIPS and WOFFENDALL have sett our hands and fixed our seales this 12th day of February in year 1674.
JOHN PHILLIPS, ADAM WOFFENDALL
The True intent of this Deed is no otherwise then to warrant the title of the sd land from us and our heris to sd BROWN & his heirs
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of JOHN HEARBERT, ELIAS YATES
Recorded at the Instance of sd WM. BROWNE this 18th of March 1689 [Old Rappahannock Co. VA Deed Book 8 - 1689-1692, pages 113-114]
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BEE IT KNOWN unto all men by these prsents that I JOHN PHILLIPS of the County of Rappah, Planter, doe for my selfe my heires make over all my right of a Devident of land that was taken up by ADAM WOFENDALE & JOHN PHILLIPS being the plantacon that I the said PHILLIPS did live upon for a good & valuable consideration in hand received, to ADAM WOFENDALE his heires or assignes for ever. In Witness whereof I have set my hand & seale this 2 day of January 1678
Signed Sealed & Deliv & in prsence of us JAMES ORCHARD, JOHN PHILLIPS, JOHN PITTMAN
Recognitr in Cur Com Rappak: 7 die January 1678/80
This shall obleidge me JOHN PHILLIPS my heires to be accountable to ADAM WOFENDALE his heires the halfe part of what charge the sd WOFENDALE shall be forc't to be at in the defending our title in a parcell of land that was taken up by the said PHILLIPS and WOFENDALE being 484 acres of land from the claymes of any person whatsoever that shall lay any clyme or right to the said land; As Witness my hand and scale this 2 day of January 1679
Signed sealed & delivered in prsence of us JAMES ORCHARD, JOHN PHILLIPS, JOHN PITTMAN
Recordatr a die Febr; 1679/80
This shall obleidge me JOHN PHILLIPS to pay unto ADAM WOFENDALE Thirteene Shillings As Witness my hand this 2 day of January 1678
Test JAMES ORCHARD, JOHN PHILLIPS
JOHN PITTMAN, Recordatr [Old Rappahannock Co. VA Deed & Will Book 6, Part II - 1679-1682, page 255-256]
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TO ALL CHRISTIAN PEOPLE to whom these prsents shall come, Know yee that I JOHN WILLIAMS of ye County of Rappae:, Taylor, doe by these prsents for valuable consideracions to me paid have sole unto JOHN PHILLIPS of ye County aforesaid, Planter, a certaine parcell of land included in a Pattent of a Devident of land granted unto & procured by JOHN NEWMAN & WM. FITZHERBERT lying & being in ye County aforesaid & upon ye Northwest side of MORATICO CREEK, ye said Parcell of land being pte. of ye aforesaid Devident & is bounded as followeth, beginning at ye mouth of a Creek runing out of MORATICO CREEK commonly known by ye name of ye OLD MANS CREEK & from thence along ye said MORATICO CREEK to ye extent of ye bounds of that line exprest in ye aforesaid Pattent & is bounded by ye land wch was THOMAS STEVENS & from thence up into ye Woods bounding upon ye said line of THOMAS STEVENS untill it meet wth ye branch of ye said OLD MANS CREEK & from thence as ye said Creeke runs into ye first Station To have & to hold ye said land wth all ye priviledges belonging unto him ye said JOHN PHILLIPS his heires or assignes forever, wth all ye priviledges belonging. In Witness whereof I have sett to my hand & Seale ye Sixth day of Aprill 1678
Signed Sealed & Delivd. in prsence of us WM. MEASURE, JOHN WILLIAMS, WM. FITZHERBERT
Recognitr in Cur Com Rappae: 3 die Julii 1678
KNOW ALL MEN by these prsents that I EVE WILLIAMS, Wife of JOHN WILLIAMS, do constitute my loveing Friend, JOHN INGOE, to acknowledge my right of a Deed of land to JOHN PHILLIPS as Witness my hand & Seale this 29th day of April 1678
Signed Sealed & Delivd in prsence of us JOHN ALLEN, EVE WILLIAMS, WM: OKEES
Recordatr xx2 die Julii 1678 [Old Rappahannock Co. VA Deed & Will Book 6, Part I - 1677-1678, pages 182-183]
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THIS INDENTURE made the Third day of March One thousand Six hundred Eighty and nine and in the second yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigns Lord and Lady William and Mary &c. Between NATHANIEL CALE of Parish of Farnham & County of Rappa in Virginia of one part and JOHN PHILLIPS of Parish and County aforesd, on the other pt., Witnesseth that sd NATHANLL. CALE for divers goods and chattels (to the value of Five thousand five hundred pounds of tobb: and cask) to him in hand well and truly paid have sold unto sd JOHN PHILLIPS this heirs One hundred acres of land being in Parish and County aforesd and being part of a Patent for Six hundred acres and taking in a part of the Plantacon whereon sd PHILLIPS now lives Beginning at a Stake in a Marsh and runing along the line that parts the sd CALEs land and the sd PHILLIPS his land, South West to MORATTICO CREEKE then up the North side of said Creek., its severl courses in a strait line to a white Oake and red Oake corner trees, then North West to a red Oake and chesnut corner tree standing in the foot of a branch of a little Creek that parts the plantation of sd PHILLLIPS and WM, SMITH, then down the Run of the sd Branch until! it meets with the sd Little Creeke and then down the sd little Creeke to the aforesd Stake where it first began & also all profitts and appertinances appertayning To have and to hold unto JOHN PHILLIPS his heirs subject nevertheless the quit rents from henceforth shall grow due In Witness whereof the sd parties have sett their hands and seales
Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of EDWIN CONWAY, NATHANIEL CALE, THOMAS BRYANT
Recognitr in Cur Comt Rappa 7 die Maii 1690 [Old Rappahannock Co. VA Deed Book 8 - 1689-1692, page 142-143]
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Richmond County Court 4th of October 1693
Whereas the Court held for this County in October now last past, it was ordered that ADAM WOFFENDALL, at the proper cost & charges of JOHN PITMAN, should survey & lay out three hundred acres of land formerly belonging to JOHN PHILLIPS, and sold by the said ADAM unto the said JOHN PITMAN by Deed under his hand & seale bearing date the 4th day of Janry: 1678 according to the bounds of the said Land; And for as much as the said Order was not then complyed with and the said JOHN PITMAN is since deced, upon the humble Petition of REBECCA, Executrx. of the said JOHN PITMAN, the Court have ordered that the said ADAM WOFFENDALL at the proper cost & charges of the said REBECCA, by Capt. WM. MOSELEY, Survayor, some time between this & Janry: Court now next following do lay out ye said Land as by he above recited Order and do make report thereof unto the said Janry: Court
REBECCA PITMAN, Relict of JOHN PITMAN, late of this County deced, showing to this Court sitting in Chancery, that her deced Husband in his last Sickness & but a very short time before his death made his last Will & Testamt. in writing dated the 28th day of April 1693, wch: said Will was in her Custody but by some fraudulent & unjust act the same Will was privately taken out of her Custody, But that by good fortune one JOSEPH HEMINGS, who writs the said Will and was a Witness to the same and had it some time in his Custody took a copie thereof, And therefore prays the same may be admitted to proofe to the end she may take the benefitt of the said Will and be released from the aforesd, unjust designes against her; Whereupon this Court have granted Probate upon the Copie of the Will of JOHN PITMAN deced here in Court exhibited unto REBECCA, his Relict & Executrx., in the sd Will named; HENRY ARKHILL & JOSEPH HEMINGS making Oath that they were Witnesses unto a Will in writing of JOHN PITMAN late of this County deced. the said Will being made about three days before his death and the sd JOSEPH HEMINGS further declaring that the Copie herein Court exhibited is a true Copie of the said Will taken by him from the Originall
Reff: granted between WM. BROWNE Plt. & JOHN PHILLIPS & ADAM WOFFENDALL Defts., till next Court, the Plt. being sick [1692-1694 Richmond Co. VA Orders, page 99]
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Richmond County Court 2nd day of June 1697
WILLIAM BROWN of the County of Richmond, Son and heir of WILLIAM BROWN late of RAPPAHANNOCK County deced., complains agt. ADAM WOFFENDALL and JOHN PHILLIPS of the aforesd, County of Richmond, Planter, for that, that is to say, the said Defts. by a certain Deed Poll or Instrument in Writing under the hands and seals of the said WOFFENDALL and PHILLIPS bearing date the 12th day of February 1674, for a valuable consideration by them received of the Plts. Father. did bargaine grant alien sell and enfeoff unto him the said WILLIAM BROWN SENR. a certain parcel or Quantity of Woodland ground situate lying and being in the Parish of SITITNBURN and County of RAPPAHANNOCK aforesaid, now called Richmond, & abutting & abounding as is in the said Deed is set forth and expressed, & as in and by the same and here in Court ready to be produced cloth and may more fully and at large appear, And that EVAN MORGAN deced, the Plts. Father in Law, in his life time did commence suit for and on the behalf of the Orphans of the said WILLIAM BROWN deced., for the peaceable and quiett possession of the aforesaid premisses: But Judgment thereon was suspended by the said Court til they should arrive to full age as by the Order of Court bearing date the 8th of January 1684 ready to be produced may appear: Wherefore your Petitioner hath brought his suit as heir at Law aforesd. being at full age & prays Judgment for the said Land &c. And the said ADAM WOFFENDALL in proper person comes into Court and pleads that PHILLIPS have never received any consideration or satisfaction for the said Land either from the said WILLIAM BROWN, the Father, in his life time or from the said WILLIAM BROWN, the Son, and therefore they, the Defts., had not acknowledged the said Deed of Land, but the said Plea being overruled, the Court are of Judgment that the said Deed is good and valid and that the said WILLIAM BROWN as Heir at Law, path good right and title unto the said Land by virtue of the Deed aforesaid and do order that the said Deed be entered of Record [1697-1699 Richmond Co. VA Orders, page 232]
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THIS INDENTURE made the 10th: day of March Ano: Dom: 1697/8 and in the Ninth yeare of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord King William by the grace of God &c. between JOHN PHILLIPS of the County of Richmond in Virginia of the one part and GEO: PHILLIPS of the County of Richmond of the other part. Witnesseth that the said JOHN PHILLIPS for One hundred acres of Land to him already made over by the said GEORGE PHILLIPS, the receipt whereof & himselfe to be therewith satisfyed & fully paid, the said JOHN PHILLIPS do hereby acknowledge & therefrom do clearly & absolutely acquitt & discharge the said GEORGE PHILLIPS his heires have granted unto the said GEORGE PHILLIPS his heires Three hundred acres of Land lying & being in the County abovesd. in the Freshes of Rappahannock, it being part of a Devident of Land taken up by JOHN SIMPSON deced of the County of LANCASTER and given unto the said JOHN PHILLIPS by the said JOHN SIMPSON as appeares by a Deed of Guift bearing date Septembr: the 4th: 1678 and bounded as followeth; Beginning at a red Oaks corner tree next adjacent to WILLIAM LIPPETTs plantacon, thence running North Northwest one Mile & to the Breadth of Three hundred acres and also the profitts & hereditaints. & appurtenances belonging & also the right & interest to the same, To have and to hold the said Three hundred acres of land & all & singular the pr:misses with every of their rights unto the said GEORGE PHILLIPS his heires & assignes from henceforth & forever subject never the less unto the Quitrents wch: from henceforth shall grow due to be paid unto their Majties. their heires & Successors and the said JOHN PHILLIPS for the consideracon aforesaid for himselfe & his heires the said hereby granted Three hundred acres of land unto the said GEORGE PHILLIPS his heires & assignee shall & will forever warrant & defend, And the said JOHN PHILLIPS for himself do agree with the said GEORGE PHILLIPS in manner as followeth (vizt.) that he the said JOHN PHILLIPS at the time of the delivery hereof hath full right to grant the said land and that the said GEORGE PHILLIPS may peacefully possess & enioy the same without trouble of the said JOHN PHILLIPS his heires, And further the said JOHN PHILLIPS shall not only in due forme of Law & within the time hereby limited acknowledge this pr:sent Deed before their Majties. Justices of the peace at the Court to be held for the County abovesaid, but also he & his heires at the request cost & charges of said GEORGE PHILLIPS shall within the space of five yeares any further or other Deed for the more sure setling the said land granted unto the said GEORGE PHILLIPS forever. In Witness whereof the parties have put their hands & seales
Signed sealed & delivered in presence of BRYAN STOTT, JOHN PHILLIPS, JAMES COLLEN
Recognitr: in Cur: Com: Richmond Id die Junii Ano: Dom: 1698 et record 29th die
Test WM, COLSTON, Cl Cur [1695-1701 Richmond Co. VA Deed Book 3, page 27]
In addition to the above deeds, orders, and indentures, John Phillips also one of the three witnesses to the signing of William Smyth's will, which Smyth made on 9 Feb. 1699 in Richmond County, Virginia, and which was proved 2 Oct. 1700 [Richmond County, VA, Wills]. A further reference to John Phillips indicates that he and his step-son John Fowler had a falling-out over how John Phillips was managing the former property of John Fowler's father David that had come under John Phillip's oversight when he married David's widow Mary. Thus, on page 47 of 1694-1697 Richmond Co. VA Orders, we find, "Richmond County Court 1st of May 1695: Upon the Complaint of JOHN FOWLER, Son of DAVID FOWLER deceased, that JOHN PHILLIPS who Inter Marryed with the relict of the said DAVID FOWLER, doth committ wastes upon his land &c., the Court have ordered that the Sheriff of this County or his Deputy do cause the said JOHN PHILLIPS to make his appearance at the next Court held for this County to answer the said Complaint." It is uncertain what was the outcome of John Fowler's complaint.
John is said to have made his will on 17 July 1701 in Richmond County, Virginia, appointing his sons John Jr. and Bryan as his executors, and died later in 1701 -- however, the date of his will is in question, because the deed of bond of John's daughter and administratrix Anne is dated 7 July 1701, and that deed naturally refers to John as "deceased." That would mean John died before 7 July 1701. In any case, after his death, John's will was proved 3 Dec. 1701. An inventory of John's estate was completed and recorded on 1 April 1702, as shown on page 157 of 1702-1704 Richmond Co. VA Orders -- "Richmond County Court 1st of April 1702: This day the Inventory and appraisement of ye Estate of JOHN PHILLIPS, late of this County deced, being sent to this Court by JOHN PHILLIPS, one of the Exrs. of the said deced, the same is ordered to be recorded." The will of John Phillips is recorded in Richmond County, Virginia, Wills and Inventories (1699-1709), page 33, and the following abstract of his will is provided in Almon Edward Daniels' A Workbook on the Dale Families of Virginia (1958):
17 July 1701 – 3 Dec. 1701 – Will of John Phillips.
-- son John Phillips – “this Plantation whereon I live”; two best suits.
-- son Bryan Phillips – “the plantation that I have in Lancaster County”; riding horse called Dick.
-- son Thomas Phillips – “free Liberty to live upon wch plantation he will to make Cropps on so Long as he keeps himself single and no longer.”
-- son Tobias Phillips – “the same free Liberty as aforesd to Thomas Phillips.” “Shall have one yeares schooling more . . .”
-- daus. Mary Phillips and Anne Phillips – “free Liberty to Live upon Either of my Plantations so Long as they keep themselves single and no Longer.” Ten shillings apiece to buy each of them a ring.
-- “And in Case my foure sons do all dy without Such Lawfull Male Issue as before Expressed then I Give my plantation that is in the County of Lancaster to the Use of White Chappell parish for a
Glebe for ever and Committ it to ye Care of the Vestry of ye sd Parish to keep it in Repair.”
-- dau. Elizabeth Collins – “ten shillings to by her a ring.”
-- wife Mary Phillips – in case my wife will renounce her interest in my real and personal estate, she shall have my negro during her life. If not, the negro is to be valued in the estate and “my
wife to have only a Childs part.” To care for my Daughter Anne Phillips until she comes of age.
-- My Children’s stock to “remain upon my plantation until they come of age Except my Daughter Mary and shee may take her Stock off if she please.”
-- son Thomas Phillips – “when he doth come of age . . ."
-- son Tobias Phillips – “shall keepe upon this Plantation until he Comes of age and to make Corne and Tobb’o for the Maintenance of himselfe and stock.”
-- “My will is that if my wife doth Come to poverty that my Exrs do allow her an honest Maintenance so Long as she doeth Remaine Mary Phillips.”
Ex.: sons John Phillips and Bryan Phillips.
Wit. John Stott, James Harley, James Hill
John's widow Mary survived him by 11 years. She made her own will in Richmond County, Virginia, on 21 Oct. 1702, but the will was not probated until 3 Sept. 1712, indicating that Mary had died at some point in 1712 prior to the date her will was proved. The following abstract of Mary's will was published in Richmond County, Virginia, Wills and Inventories (1709-1717), page 106, and provided in Almon Edward Daniels' A Workbook on the Dale Families of Virginia (1958):
21 Oct. 1702 – 3 Sept. 1712 – Will of Mary Phillips, widow.
-- son Richard Fowler – 231-acre tract; three cows, one heifer, etc.
-- dau. Frances Renolds – during her life time, to live in house where she dwelleth and to use such land as she or hers have occasion for.
-- son-in-law Nicholas George – his oldest son to receive the 231-acre tract if son Richard has no issue.
Ex.: son Richard Fowler.
Wit.: Jno Harper, Robt. Renolds, Wm. Downeman.
The children of John and Elizabeth Phillips were:
-- ELIZABETH PHILLIPS, born 3 Dec. 1674 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, married (NN) Collins.
-- JOHN PHILLIPS, born 23 Dec. 1676 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died 1714 (before 7 July 1714) in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, married Anne Lanthrop.
-- BRYAN PHILLIPS (or "Bryant"), born 13 Feb. 1678 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- MARY PHILLIPS, born 7 Oct. 1681 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- THOMAS PHILLIPS, born 27 Oct. 1684 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
2. TOBIAS PHILLIPS, born 12 Jan. 1687 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- ANNE PHILLIPS, born 23 Sept. 1690 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
2. TOBIAS PHILLIPS, son of John and Elizabeth Phillips, born 12 Jan. 1687 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died in early Spring 1740 (before 7 April 1740) in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. Like his father, Tobias owned and operated a tobacco plantation in colonial Virginia's Richmond County. Tobias Phillips was one of the three witnesses of the 16 April 1716 will of Dominick Bennihan of Richmond County. It was probably circa 1714 if not earlier, and probably in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, that Tobias married HANNAH GOAD, born Nov. 1695 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died after 6 Aug. 1753 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, daughter of Abraham and Catharine Goad. Tobias and Hannah had four daughters and two sons. After Tobias' death, his widow Hannah remarried circa 1741 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, to WILLIAM DODSON, born 1684-1685 in North Farnham Parish, Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, died in 1754 (before 6 Aug 1753) in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, son of Charles and Anne Dodson.
The North Farnham Parish Register, page 155, shows that Tobias and Hannah Phillips had the following children: Elizabeth, born 18 Nov. 1715; Frances, born 10 March 1718; Jane, born 21 June 1720; and Richard, born 20 Jan. 1722. Besides those four children, the will of Tobias Phillips reveals that Tobias and Hannah also had a daughter named Hannah and a son named George.
Tobias made his will on 19 Sept. 1739, and his will was proved on 7 April 1740, showing that he had died probably in the early Spring of 1740, prior to 7 April. Almon Edward Daniels' A Workbook on the Dale Families of Virginia (1958) provides the following abstract of Tobias' will:
19 Sept. 1739 – 7 April 1740 – Will of Tobias Phillips of Richmond County.
-- son George Phillips – negro boatswain and use of negro wench Fortimore until she shall be delivered of three children:
- her first born to my dau. Elizabeth,
- her second born to William Dale, ye Younger,
- her third born to my dau. Hannah,
the wench then to be the property of my son George.
-- wife Hannah – use of my servants Jos. Pecton and Thos. Lawrence during her widowhood and afterward to my son George.
-- dau. Frances Dale – one cow.
-- residue of estate to be divided among wife, son George, and my two daughters Elizabeth and Hannah.
-- son George – to pay Thomas Lawrence 500 lbs. of tobacco for his freedom dues.
-- care of son George’s estate and his tuition shall be to my executors during my wife’s widowhood and, after her marriage, to William Glascock.
Ex.: wife and William Glascock.
Wit.: Godfrey Willcocks, William Forrester, and Mary Howard.
The fact that Tobias does not mention his son Richard in his will indicates that Richard probably died young, or at any rate had died prior to 19 Sept. 1739. Tobias also bequeathed two of his Negro slaves to his son George, and even went so far as to dispose as mere property the prospective children of his Negro wench Fortimore -- children who had not yet been conceived let alone born. Tobias also had two indentured servants, Joseph Pecton and Thomas Lawrence, who was himself an illegitimate son of another indentured servant of Tobias Phillips named MARGARET LAWRENCE ("Peggy"), born 12 July 1712 in England, baptised 23 July 1712 at St. Andrew's, Holborn, London, England, died circa 1739 in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia, daughter of John and Margaret Lawrence. According to a later tradition current among the descendants of Thomas Lawrence, Margaret Lawrence secretly became the concubine of the plantation owner to whom she was an indentured servant. DNA tests of the Y Chromosomes of the male descendants of Tobias Phillips and Thomas Lawrence have confirmed the truth of that tradition: Tobias Phillips was in fact the father of both Thomas and his older brother John Lawrence. The Wikitree biographies of Margaret Lawrence and her son Thomas Lawrence include the following information about their lives:
She was indicted on a felony charge of thievery on 9 July 1729 at age 17. She was tried and convicted in the Hall of Justice of Old Bailey, located in the suburbs of London, on 25 Feb. 1730. She was given His Majesty's royal mercy on condition of transportation to some part of America for a servitude of 14 years. Her transportation bond was issued on 9 March 1730. She became one of the 109 prisoners whom Jonathan Forward contracted to transport aboard the Patapscoe Merchant, Darby Lux, Commander, from the Newgate Prison, City of London, to Annapolis, Maryland, arriving in Sept. 1730.
Tobias Phillips, a second-generation tobacco planter from Rappahannock, Virginia learned of the ship arriving and traveled 100 miles to meet Capt. Lux and inspect the 94 surviving prisoners. Tobias purchased Margaret's bond which entitled him to 14 years of service, and brought her back to his plantation in Virginia. . . .
When Margaret died in 1740, Thomas was therefore required to serve out her sentence and became a servant to Tobias at age 7. He served Tobias until Tobias' death when he served Tobias' widow, and after her death he served their son George Phillips who was his half-brother. George did free him eventually.
The children of Tobias by his wife and his concubine were:
-- ELIZABETH PHILLIPS, born 18 Nov. 1715 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- FRANCES PHILLIPS, born 10 March 1718 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died between 10 May and 28 July 1777 in Bedford County, Virginia, married William Dale.
-- JANE PHILLIPS, born 21 June 1720 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- RICHARD PHILLIPS, born 20 Jan. 1722 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died sine prole before 19 Sept. 1739 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
3. HANNAH PHILLIPS, born circa 1724 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- GEORGE PHILLIPS, born circa 1726 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died after 1761 in Virginia, married twice.
-- JOHN LAWRENCE, born circa 1731 in Rappahannock County, Virginia, died 1797 in Wilkes County, North Carolina.
-- THOMAS LAWRENCE, born 1733 in Rappahannock County, Virginia, died after 10 March 1797 in Traphill, Wilkes, North Carolina, married Lucy Womack.
3. HANNAH PHILLIPS, daughter of Tobias and Hannah Phillips, born circa 1724 in Richmond County, Virginia, died after 16 June 1801 in Woodford County, Kentucky. In 1745 in Richmond County, Virginia, Hannah married REUBEN DALE JR., son of Abraham and Winnefred Dale, born 21 Sept. 1720 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died probably late in 1767 (before 6 Jan. 1768) in Richmond County, Virginia. Hannah's sister Frances was the wife of Reuben's brother William. Hannah and Reuben had six sons and two daughters. The following overview of Reuben Dale and his family is presented at the website of a Dale genealogist named Joseph A. Payne called Descendants of Nicholas Dale -- Payne's account is correct in its essentials, but has an erroneous estimate for the birth of Hannah's and Reuben's eldest son:
Reuben 5 DALE, (Abraham 4 DALE, Reuben 3, Thomas 2 DELLAWARE, Nicholas 1 DALE) was born Sept. 21, 1720, and in 1745 in Richmond Co., Va., married Hannah PHILLIPS, daughter of Tobias PHILLIPS and Hannah GOAD, who was born about 1724 in Richmond Co., Va. Reuben died in Jan. 1768 in Richmond, Va. Hannah died after 1800 in Ky.
Children:
+ John 6 DALE b.c. 1740 d.c. 1787
+ George DALE b.c. 1749 d.c. 1830
+ Isaac M. DALE b. June 17, 1751 d. July 1820
+ Abraham Newton DALE b. July 30, 1753 d. Nov. 1831
+ William DALE b. Nov. 29, 1757 d. June 7, 1822
+ Robert DALE b. March 14, 1760
+ Betty DALE b. June 15, 1764
+ Judith DALE b.c. 1767 d.a. 1810
The genealogical account of our Dale family that is found in Nicholas Dale to Elzadia Florence Dale offers the following information on Reuben and Hannah Dale and their family:
Reuben Dale, the son of Abraham Dale, was born September 21, 1721 (sic - 1720) in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia and died, intestate, on January 6, 1768 in the same location. In 1745 he married Hannah Phillips, the daughter of Tobias and Hannah Goad Phillips. They had five children which have been recorded in the North Farnham Parish Register of Births and probably three which were not reported (*). These include: John,* George,* Isaac, Abraham, William, Robert, Betty, and probably Judy (Juda)*. George, Isaac, Abraham, William, and Robert all moved to Woodford County, Kentucky as did their mother, Hannah Phillips Dale. William Dale, brother of Reuben Dale, married Frances Phillips, sister of Hannah Phillips. On December 10, 1790 William Dale purchased thirty-six acres of land from David Egbert on Griers Creek. Griers Creek, Tanners Creek, and Clear Creek are all in the same general area just west of Lexington, Kentucky. On May 8, 1741 Reuben Dale sold sixty acres of land in the Parish of North Farnham, Co. of Richmond to George Glascock of the same Parish and County. This land was granted unto John Simmons by Hon. Robert Carter, Esq. and the said Simmons gave the said land unto Abraham and Reuben Dale his son being heir to his father did bargain and sell and this land was sold by Reuben Dale shortly after the death of his father, Abraham Dale. On June 10, 1752 Reuben and Hannah Phillips Dale of Richmond County, Virginia sold land in Lancaster County, Virginia to David Galloway.
Reuben Dale's birth on 21 Sept. 1720 is recorded in the North Farnham Parish Register, page 96. The births of his children Isaac, Abraham, William, Robert, and Betty also are entered in the same parish register on pages 200-202. As mentioned above, Reuben and Hannah also had children named John, George, and Judith (Juda) whose births were not recorded in the North Farnham Parish Register, though they must have been born in that parish. George's place in this family is supported by the family Bible of Reuben's son Abraham Dale, who recorded the birth of his brother George's eldest son on the reverse side of the title page of his Bible.
The abovementioned land purchases that Reuben and his wife Hannah made are compiled in Almon Edward Daniels' A Workbook on the Dale Families of Virginia (1958). For example, Daniels shows the following deed, abstracted from Richmond County Deed Book 9, page 689:
May 28, 1741, in the reign of George II -- Reuben Dale of the Parish of North Farnham in the county of Richmond, in consideration of 25 pounds lawful money, 60 acres of land sold to George Glascock of that which was granted unto John Simmons by the Hon. Robert Carter, Esq., and the (sic) John Simmons gave unto Abraham Dale and Reuben Dale, his son. Wit: Jeremiah Grecham, James Horgan. Signed: Reuben Dale
Curiously, Daniels later included this transcription of the same deed, but dated it to 8 May 1741 rather than 28 May 1741, and appended a bracketed note on Reuben Dale:
May 8, 1741 -- Reubin Dale of Parish of North Farnham, Co. of Richmond, deed to George Glascock of Co. and Parish aforesd. B. and S. 60 acres lying and being in parish and Co. aforesd. which was granted unto John Simmons by Hon. Robert Carter Esq. and the sd. Simmons gave the sd. land unto Abraham Dale and Reubin Dale his son being heir to his father do hereby B. and S., etc. Wit: Jeremiah Greenham, James Hogan. [Note: Reuben Dale, son of Abraham, sold his land soon after the death of his father. He was nearly 21.]
The abovementioned 1752 land sale to David Galloway is recorded in Richmond County Deed Book 15, page 151: "June 10, 1752 -- Reuben Dale and wife, Hannah Dale, of Richmond Co. to David Galloway of Northumberland Co., land and property in Lancaster Co."
Reuben died intestate in 1767 -- probably late in that year, since the inventory of his estate was taken in Richmond County, Virginia, on 6 Jan. 1768. (See Robert Kirk Headley's Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800, page 18) After Reuben's death, Hannah and some of her sons appear in several land deeds in Richmond County, Virginia, up to and including 1786. The most significant of these deeds involve Hannah's uncle Peter Goad, who was younger brother of Hannah's mother. For example, Richmond County Deed Book 13, page 377, shows the following 1772 deed of Peter Goad to his nephew John Dale (eldest son of Reuben and Hannah Dale) that was sigened by (among others) Hannah and her son Isaac Dale:
Feb. 19, 1772 – Between Peter Goad, carpenter and cooper and John Dale, carpenter – both parties of Parish of North Farnham, Richmond Co. Witnesseth: Peter Goad, in consideration of John Dale having engaged with the said Peter Goad to discharge, free and release him, the said Peter, from a judgment of Richmond Co. Court obtained against him by Nicholas Flood for 30 lbs. of lawful money of Virginia, and also from all interest, costs and charges of said judgment, which Peter became liable to as being security for Elizabeth Palmer’s just administration of the estate of her deceased husband, John Palmer, as recourse being had to the records of Richmond Co. may fully appear. Also, further sum of 6 lbs. paid by John Dale; also for the good will, affection which said Peter Goad beareth to John Dale, his kinsman, for divers and other good causes, consideration to him thereunto, all that tract or parcel of land the said Peter Goad purchased from Ann Goad, the daughter and heir of William Goad, and which she inherited as only child of her father, William Goad, by a device in last will of William Smith bearing date Feb. 9, 1699, by virtue of a writ issued out of the Secretary’s office and an inquisition pursuant thereto indented and only taken in North Farnham Parish on Apr. 7, 1748 before Wm. Broken . . . said Ann Goad enabled to sell and dispose of same land . . . likewise all the lands of said Peter Goad of which Peter is in possession by virtue of recd. from Nicholas Flood, containing 100 acres.
Signed: Peter Goad
Signed in presence of Hannah Dale, Isaac Dale, Thomas Nugent, Elizabeth Hanks
A few years later, on 10 Nov. 1780, Peter Goad deeded his plantation to his niece Hannah Dale (Reuben's widow) with the stipulation that Peter would continue to live on the estate and Hannah would care for him for the rest of his life. This transaction is recorded in Richmond County Deed Book 15, page 28: "Sale of land, Peter Goad to Hannah Dale – 81 acres of land and agreement to take care of Peter Goad during his natural life. Land situated in Parish of North Farnham. Signed: Peter Goad, Hannah Dale. Signed and delivered in presence of Dominick Bennehan, John Toon, George Dale, Richard Mitchell" The deed was enacted 5 Jan. 1781, as recorded on the same page of Deed Book 15 (Hannah's son George was one of the witnesses):
Jan. 5, 1781 – On within date, quiet and peaceable possession was made and given by the within Peter Goad to the within named Hannah Dale, by the delivery of the latch of the door of the Chief Mansion House on the within mentioned land. At a court held in Richmond Co. in presence of Dominick Bennehan, John Toon, George Dale, and Richard Mitchell.
This living arrangement involving Peter Goad and his niece Hannah Dale continued until 1786, when Hannah and her sons sold their plantations in Virginia and moved to Kentucky. Hannah's departure made it necessary for her to provide for some alternate means of providing for her uncle Peter. Thus, in Richmond County Deed Book 15, page 246, we find the following land sale deed involving Hannah Dale and Oliver Stott:
Sept. 10, 1786 – Sale of land, Hannah Dale to Oliver Stott. 81 acres in North Farnham. Agreement of sale passes on responsibility of maintenance and support of Peter Goad. Signed: Hannah Dale, Oliver Stott. In presence of Thaddeus Williams, James Howard, LeRoy Howard, Geo. Glascock Jr.
As said above, Reuben's widow Hannah accompanied her sons circa 1786 when they migrated from Virginia to Woodford County, Kentucky. Hannah also appears in a few Woodford County, Kentucky, deeds and documents. Her date of death is unknown, but she must have died after 16 June 1801, when she acknowledged and recorded a bill of sale whereby she transferred ownership of two of her Negro slaves to her son Abraham Dale and three other of her Negro slaves to William Tillory. The text of that bill of sale, recorded in Woodford County Deed Book C, page 468, reads as follows:
Know all men by these presents that I Hannah Dale of the County of Woodford and State of Kentucky for a Noble consideration to me in hand paid at and before the insealing and delivering of these presents have bargained sold granted and delivered to Abraham Dale of this County One Negro woman slave named Milley and her girl Child named Nancy, and also to William Tillory of the same County One Negro Woman slave named Sarah, a Blind Negro Boy slave named Cyrus, and one girl Child the daughter of Sarah named Hannah, and that I do by these presents hereby relinquish all my right title and Interest to Abraham Dale and William Tillory them and their heirs forever, to the aforesaid Negro slaves and their Increase against the Challenge Claim or property of me or my heirs or any other person claiming by or under me - in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 5th day of January, 1801.
her
Hannah X Dale
mark
Signed and sealed in presents of -- The wards slaves Milly -- Martin Utterback -- titling were Spencer Gill in hand Thomas Hicks paid before signed --
Woodford County Court, June 16 1801. This bill of sale was acknowledged by the said Hannah Dale before me in my office to be her act and deed and ordered to be recorded. Lester G. Brooke, C.C.
The children of Hannah and Reuben Dale were:
-- JOHN DALE, born circa 1747 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died circa 1787 in Northumberland County, Virginia, married Lucy (Tillery?).
-- GEORGE DALE, born circa 1749 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- ISAAC DALE, born 17 June 1751 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died July 1820 in Barren County Kentucky, married three times.
-- ABRAHAM DALE, born 30 July 1753 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died Nov. 1831 in Woodford County, Kentucky, married Mary Weakley.
-- WILLIAM DALE, born 29 Nov. 1757 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died 7 June 1822 in Woodford County, Kentucky, married Elizabeth Booth.
-- ROBERT DALE, born 14 March 1760 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died 3 April 1833 in Boone County, Missouri, married twice.
-- BETTY DALE, born 15 June 1764 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia.
-- JUDITH DALE ("Judy," "Juda"), born circa 1765 in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia, died after 1830 in Barren County, Kentucky, married Amos Aaron Harbour.
Phillips Genealogy Resources:
A Workbook on the Dale Families of Virginia, with Particular Reference to the Branch which moved from the Northern Neck of Virginia to Woodford County, Kentucky (1958), by Almon Edward Daniels. Nicholas Dale to Elzadia Florence Dale, a detailed and informative account of the Dales of North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia. Descendants of Nicholas Dale, summary of Dale lineage. Descendants of Nicholas Dale, a more detailed summary of Dale lineage. Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties, with family and ancestry of Tobias Phillips (1687-1740). Ancestry of Hannah Phillips Dale