FATHER

Edward Deering

MOTHER

Ann

WIFE

Agatha Twyman

CHILDREN

1. Susannah Deering b. 1773

2. Simeon B. Deering b.1775

3. Walker Deering b. 1776

4. Mary Deering b. 1780

5. George Twyman Deering b. 1786-1789

6. Nancy Deering b. 1784

7. Elizabeth Deering b. 1788

8. Catherine Deering b. 1797

Robert Deering

by Susan Brooke
Dec 2020

Robert Deering, born about 1753 in Orange County, VA, was one of the later children born to Edward and Ann Deering. He married Agatha Twyman sometime around 1772.  The first record we have of him is in 1777 when he bought land from his brother-in -law, Conyers White in Orange Co VA. (1)  He is recorded again in the tax records of Orange Co VA in 1782 and 1783.  In 1783 he is listed as Robert Dearing Jr. directly under the record for Edward and William Dearing.  Robert had four slaves named: Agg, Mils, Hannah and Jack.  The tax record also lists him with three horses and eight cattle.(2) He was called "Junr." since his father had a brother named Robert Deering who was also in the tax records.
His sister Rosamond and her husband Conyers White are listed in the Albermarle Co. VA tax records for 1782.  And it has been assumed by many authors that Robert Deering also moved to Albemarle County. (3) (4) (5)   However, no record of Robert Deering has been found in Albemarle. And he is not on the tax records of Orange County VA after the 1783 tax was taken. (6)
His father, Edward Deering, of Campbell Co, VA wrote his will on Feb 1, 1790 naming his son Robert with a deduction of fifteen pounds "which he had already advanced to him". No other child seems to have received an advance,  Edward  does not mention where his son Robert was living. (7)

The next time Robert Deering appears in the records is in an 1800 land record for Franklin County, KY.  In this record he is named as Robert Deering of Franklin County but he is selling 165 acres of land back in Orange County, VA for $82.This land is the same land that Robert Deering had purchased for £100 from his brother-in-law, Conyers White, back in 1777.  The description of the land in both records begins, "beginning at 4 walnut trees at the head of a run, west 110 poles to a chestnut  and two hickories on a mountain, etc." (8) The other fascinating part of this transaction is that three years later, in 1803, Robert Deering is selling the same 165 acres to a John Craig, but this time the land is on "Swift Run in Madison County, VA."  (9) Seems that the original buyers were uncertain of their legal claim to the land so they had convinced this John Craig to buy the land from Robert Deering and then sell it to them. In the signing of this deed, John Craig wrote, "they having refused to receive said Deed or any other unless first conveyed by said Deering to me and from me to them."  No deed or tax records for Robert Deering have been found in Madison County, VA from 1783 to 1800.
Robert Deering is recorded on the tax records of Franklin Co, KY beginning in 1801.  His son Simeon Deering is listed right below his name. (10) Robert Deering had five "Blacks" and eleven horses up until 1809.  On Jan 20, 1809 there is a deed from Robert to his son Walker. (11)  In this deed he named his slave Hannah about 35 and her four children, aged 13 years to 6 months. There are no males slaves listed.  By the 1811 tax record he had nine "blacks" and 8 horses. Another slave child had probably been born. (12)
In 1821 Robert Dearing once again left land in trust to his son Walker. His father-in-law George Twyman had died and the slaves of his estate were being distributed.  The slave Hannah had been lent to Agatha during her natural life, and was then being left to Agatha. And Robert, it appears, had become unable to manage his own affairs.  At his advanced age he had become" feebler and debilitated At times somewhat intemperate and subject to intoxication finding himself entirely disqualified and unfit to transact and manage any part of his business either correctly or profitably." (13) At this point there were fourteen slaves in the household. And previously eight others had been distributed, one to each of his eight children. 
Robert Deering was about 69 years old, and as stated, feeble, debilitated and drinking too much.  He fell off his horse and died in February, 1822 (14)

The proof of his parentage comes from the fact that Edward Deering mentioned his son Robert in his will.  Edward and Robert Deering are listed together in the 1783 tax record for Orange County, VA and Robert has a slave named Hannah in that record.  In 1800 Robert Deering of Franklin County, KY sold 165 acres of land back in Orange County, VA that he had purchased of his brother-in-law.   He named his slave Hannah in an 1809 land record.  The land record of 1821 tells us that the slave Hannah had been loaned to him when he married Agatha Twyman.

The children of Robert and Agatha Deering did well.  Their son Walker Deering invented the "Dearing Plow." (15)

Sources

(1) 27 Sep 1777 Orange County, VA Deed BK 16 pg 483-4 Conyers and Rosamand White of Albemarle County to Robert Deering Jr. of Orange County 165 acres for £100.
During this era his uncle Robert Deering, brother to Edward Deering, was known as Robert Deering or Dearing.  Robert Deering, the son of Edward Deering was recorded as Robert Deering Jr.

(2) Orange County VA Tax Record 1782
     Orange County VA Tax Record 1783

(3) Forks of the Elkhorn Church by Ermina Jett Darnell, 1980    p. 120  

"Robert Deering m. Agatha Twyman, and they came from Albermarle County, Virginia, to Franklin County, Kentucky.  They settled on Benson, but the family went later to Barren.  One Robert Deering was killed by falling from a horse, in 1822."

(4) Wilcoxson & Allied Famiies by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck 1958

(5) Albermarle County in Virginia by Edgar Woods, 1901  pg. 390 

In 1785 again on image 91 there is only a listing for Robert Dearing Sr and Robert Dearing Jr.

In 1787 again the only listing for Dearing is on image 136 for Robert Sr, Robert Jr and Thomas Deerimg

In 1788 there is a listing for a Robert Deering and again another listing for a Robert Deering on image 147

In 1789 again there is a listing on image 185 for two men named Robert Deering.

Robert Deering Sr. is the brother of Edward.  His son Thomas was born about 1760 and his son Robert was born about a year later which is why he was not listed in the tax records in 1782.
The Robert Deering born about 1753, married to Agatha Twyman, is not in the Orange County, VA tax records after 1783.  His father, Edward Deering, also disappeared from the Orange County, VA tax records after 1783.

(7) Campbell County VA Will Book 1, page 184   Will of Edward Deering

In the name of God Amen, this first day of February in the Year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety I Edward Deering, Campbell County, State of Virginia being in perfect mind and memory thanks be to God, therefore Calling to mind this mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men on to dye. Do make this my last Will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, that gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian decent Burial at the discretion of my executors hereafter named nothing Doubting but at the General resurrection. I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and is touching such Worldly Estate where such it hath please God to bless me with in this life I give demise and disposed of the same in the following manner. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rossamond White my Negro Girl named Vilet with her increase to her and her heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my son John Deering the whole amount of my account against him and if upon a Settlement there should by nothing due to me my will and desire is that he should have five pound out of my estate to him and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my Son James Deering, Eldest Daughter Ann the Bed and all furniture which I kept for my own use during my life to her forever and the balance or residue of my Estate my Will and devise is that it should be sold and equally Divided between my sons Anthoney Deering, Robert Deering, James Deering and William except a Deduction of fifteen pound out of my Son Robert part which --- I have already Advanst to him And lastly I constitute and appoint my two sons James Deering and William Deering to by me Executors to this my last Will and Testament, In Witness whereof I have hereinto set my hand and Seal this day and year above written.
Signed and Sealed and ) Edw. Dearing
Delivered in Present )
of us the Subscribed )

Benajmin Haden ?
John Anthony
James Quarles ? 

(8) Franklin County KY Court of Quarter Session Deed BK A pg 163-4 film # 259368 image 94
19 Jul 1800 Robert Deering of Franklin CO to David Laird and Christopher Higer of Rockingham CO, VA for $82.   165 acres of land in Orange CO, VA 

(9) Franklin County KY Deed BK A pg 187 film # 259368 image 107
17 Nov 1803 Robert Deering of Franklin CO to John Craig of Lincoln CO  for £37 23s 6p  165 acres of land on Swift Run in Madison, VA

"I John Craig of Lincoln County do hereby bind myself my Heirs etc. to exonerate the within named Robert Deering his Heirs etc. from a Deed made by him to Christopher Higer and David Laird of Virginia for the within mentioned had of Laird having been conveyed to him at my request and under my purchase from sd Deering and they having refused to receive said Deed or any other unless first conveyed by said Deering to me and from me to them.  Given under my hand & Seal this 17th day of November 1803, John Craig, Seal"

(10) Franklin County, KY Tax record for 1801

(11) 20 Jan 1809 Franklin Co KY Deed BK C 99-101. Robert Dearing leaving holdings to son Walker for $1.00 with provision Walker make distribution of estate when he dies. He names his slaves,  Hannah, about 35 yrs. old, a girl Neaton about 13, a girl Rachel about 10, a girl Dice about 6 and a girl named Fener about 6 months old.  There is another negro woman about 16 and a boy 1 week old.

Franklin County Deed Book C. 99-101 Nov 1810 Robert Deering is selling property for one dollar to his son, Walker Deering, in return for Walker taking care of him and with the condition that if Robert dies, the property goes to Robert's heirs.

Robert selling land to son Walker for one dollar

Names heirs: "Susanna Payne wife of Wafer Payne, Simeon Dearing, Polly Younger wife of John Younger, the said Walker Dearing, Nancy Eaton wife of George Eaton, Twyman Dearing, Betsy Dearing & Catherine Dearing."

(12) Franklin County, KY Tax record for 1811 

(13) 9 Jul 1821 Franklin Co KY Deed BK I pg. 295-302
"Robert Deering is now far advanced in age Has become feebler and debilitated At times somewhat intemperate and subject to intoxication finding himself entirely disqualified and unfit to transact and manage any part of his business either correctly or profitably. And wishing to ease disengage and free himself from management of his business wholly and entirely he has resolved to make over and convey the whole of estate as well that part which he holds and owns in his own right as that which he holds occupies and enjoys in right of his wife the said Agatha under her said father's last will and Testament for life real personal and mixed in trust to his said Son Walker Deering."

Slaves listed are Peter (another of George Walker's slaves that had been lent to Agatha), Hannah, Neaton, Rachel, Dice, Lucy, Ben, Preston, Mary, Martha, Eliza, Patsey, Charles and Margaret.

July 9, 1821 Franklin County, KY Deed Book pg 295-302. Robert Deering transfers to Walker Deering the property which Agatha Twyman Deering received from her father, George Twyman.  The conditions are 1.) if Robert died before Agatha, she gets the property back. 2.) If Agatha died first, Walker has to take care of Robert.  3.) After both Agatha and Robert die, the entire property is split among Robert and Agatha's eight children.		Page 1	Franklin County Deed BK I 295-302 Whereas George Twyman late of Albemarle County and State of Virginia deceased the father in law of Robert Dearing of the County Franklin and State of Kentucky did in his life time loan to his daughter Agatha Deering the wife of the said Robert Deering at different periods of time two negro girls namely Hannah and Lucy who with their increase from and after the times of said loans made as aforesaid were by the terms conditions of the said loan to be and remained at all times subject to be retaken and possessed and to the control and at the disposal of the said George Twyman by gift loan or devise at his pleasure the said two negro girls with their increase now being in number about twenty one or two not exactly recollected.	Page 2	Page 3
Page 4	Page 5	Page 6		Page 7	Page 8

(14) Lexington KY Reporter as recorded in Kentucky Obituaries as recorded by Glenn Clift
"Robert Dearing, of Franklin county. Died by a fall from his horse, in Februrary, 1822. R 3/4." 

(15) From Wilcoxson and Allied Familes by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, 1958 pg 379 "Mrs. Thos. Mellon Galey, Owensboro, Ky., on 7 February, 1944, wrote the following as a postscript to Mrs. Eugenia L. Ray of Georgia: 'I have a gr-gr-grandfather, George Twyman III, who married Mary Walker.  They had a daughter, Agatha who married Robert Dearing.  Agatha Dearing was born 20 Jan., 1755 and died before 1843, when her father's estate was settled.  Her children were: Susan., m ____Payne. She was a widow in 1843; Simeon lived in Clay Co., Mo., in 1843; Polly m. John Younger, lived in Shelby Co., KY in 1843; Walker lived in Woodford Co., Ky., in 1843, then moved to Louisville, KY., and was the inventor of the Dearing plow; George Twyman Dearing, called Twyman, lived in Glasgow, Ky., in 1843 m. Milly Crenshaw; Elizabeth m. ______Caplinger and was a widow living in Louisville, Ky., in 1843."

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