Richard Parsons

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Will: 22 Dec 1783, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Joseph Parsons 1690-1770 and Sarah Woodson's son Richard Parsons born was abt 1713 Henrico, Va married Lydia Biggs 1725-aft 1758 Richard wrote his will on 22 Dec 1783 in Pittsylvania, Va, his wife Lydia was in the will, and recorded on 21 Feb 1785 in Pittsylvania, Va. After Sarah Woodson Parsons died in 1746 Henrico. Joseph Parsons married Suzannah Woody on 7 Feb 1750 in Henrico, Va, and she was mentioned in Joseph's will written 6 Aug 1762 Henrico.

Will of Richard Parsons
Court Orders Book 5, page 139 Pittsylvania County, VA
December 22, 1783

In the Name of God Amen I Richard Parsons of the County of Pittsylvania being old and weak in body but enjoying my usual reason and memory and calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, to wit, First my desire is that my Soul assends and rest with God that gave it and secondly my desire is that my body be decently buried,
Thirdly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff and their heirs forever.
Forthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Agness Madkiff and to her Husband John Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Agness Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff and their hiers forever.
Fifthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son George Parsons one shilling Sterling to him my said Son George Parsons and his heirs for ever,
Sixthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joseph Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son Joseph Parsons and his heirs forever,
Seventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son John Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son John Parsons and his heirs for ever
Eighthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Samuel Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided by a line which my said son Samuel and my son William marked themselves to him my said son Samuel Parsons and his heirs and assignes for ever
Ninethly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided as above mentioned to him my said son William Parsons and his heirs and assignes forever
Tenthly on the land above mentioned is mortgage for which my son Samuel Parsons is liable to pay said mortgage if he does not then my will is that his part of the land that is to say the land whereon he now lives is to be sold by my executors to off said morgage
Eleventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates all my Black Smith tools to her my said daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates to them and their heirs for ever
Twevlthly and lastly as I and my wife is now living with my daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates and they using us with the greatest kindness my will and desire is that they the said Lydia and Stephen Yates to have all the remainder of my estate that is to say my cattle and my black mare and also all my household furniture which is now in their possession but not til after my decease and the decease of my Wife.
Furthermore I revoke all former wills by me made and do confirm this my last will and testament. I do appoint and constitute my loving sons Joseph and William Parsons executors of this my last will and testament Witness my hand and seal.

Richard (his mark) Parsons SS

Test
John Parks, Samuel Parks, Richard Johnson

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County February the 21, 1785 This last Will and Testament of Richard Parsons deceased was presented in Court and proved by the Oathes of two of the witnesses Hands and by the Court ordered to be Recorded

THE HISTORY of PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA
CHAPTER IV A PART OF LUNENBURG COUNTY, 1745-1752

page 53

There were three very early roads which led across Pittsylvania to the west, known as Hickey's Road, the Irish Road, and the Pigg River Road. Hickey's Road led from a point on Staunton River in northern Halifax to the settlement that had been made at the foot of Wart Mountain in western Patrick, a distance of near 120 miles. The Wart Mountain isnow called Bull's Mountain and lies east of the main range of the [p.53] Blue Ridge, as shown on Jefferson's and Fry's map. Mayo River takes its rise near by and for this reason the settlement was called the Mayo settlement.

Hickey's road was authorized at a court held for Lunenburg in June, 1749:

'It is ordered that a road be laid off and cleared the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, and it is ordered that Joseph Mayes and all the male Laboring Tithables convenient to the said road forthwith mark off and lay open the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to Allen's Creek and keep the some in repair according to law. [p.54] 'Richard Parsons is appointed surveyor of that part of the New Road leading from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, to-wit from Allen's Creek to Banister River.

THE HISTORY of PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA
CHAPTER V A PART OF HALIFAX COUNTY, 1752-1767

page 62

'The emigrants usually left Pennsylvania in the early fall, after harvest was over, reaching Virginia or North Carolina before hard winter set in. Almost all were farmers, but were artisans as well, making almost everying they needed. The Germans were industrious and economical;the Scotch-Irish, ambitious, alert and grasping.' These upper inhabitants of Halifax had increased in numbers until now they began to petition for more roads. In March,19 I753, Richard Parsons and William Adkins were ordered to mark a road from the mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road. In July the inhabitants on Pigg River and Snow Creek (Franklin County) petitioned for a road from the uppermost of the inhabitantsto the Snow Creek Road, and Thomas Hall and William Hill were orderedto lay off the road. The following year the same inhabitants begged that the road laid off by Hall and Hill be extended to the top of the Blue Ridge, which was accordingly ordered, with Tully Choice as surveyor. This road led across Franklin County to the mountains.

Will of Richard Parsons
Court Orders Book 5, page 139 Pittsylvania County, VA
December 22, 1783

In the Name of God Amen I Richard Parsons of the County of Pittsylvania being old and weak in body but enjoying my usual reason and memory and calling to mind the mortality of man do make and ordain this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, to wit, First my desire is that my Soul assends and rest with God that gave it and secondly my desire is that my body be decently buried Thirdly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughter Hannah Madkiff and her husband Joseph Madkiff and their heirs forever. Forthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Agness Madkiff and to her Husband John Madkiff one shilling Sterling to them my said daughterAgness Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff and their hiers forever.Fifthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son George Parsons oneshilling Sterling to him my said Son George Parsons and his heirs foreverer, Secondly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Joseph Parsons one shilling sterling to him my said son Joseph Parsons and his heirs forever, Seventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son JohnParsons one shilling sterling to him my said son John Parsons and hisheirs for ever Eighthly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Samuel Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided by a line which my said son Samuel and my son William marked themselves to him my said son Samuel Parsons and his heirs and assignes for ever Ninethly I give and bequeath to my well beloved son William Parsons the land whereon he now lives to be divided as above mentioned to him my said son William Parsons and his heirs and assignes forever Tenthly on the land above mentioned is mortgage for which my son Samuel Parsons is liable to pay said mortgage if he does not then my will is that his part of the land that is to say the land whereon he now lives is to be sold by my exxecutors to off said morgage Eleventhly I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates all myBlack Smith tools to her my said daughter Lydia Yates and her husbandStephen Yates to them and their heirs for ever Twevlthly and lastly as I and my wife is now living with my daughter Lydia Yates and her husband Stephen Yates and they using us with the greatest kindness my will and desire is that they the said Lydia and Stephen Yates to have all the r remainder of my estate that is to say my cattle and my black mare and also all my household furniture which is now in their possession but not til after my decease and the decease of my Wife. Furthermore I revoke all former wills by me made and do confirm this my last will and testament. I do appoint and constitute my loving sons Joseph and William Parsons executors of this my last will and testament Witness my hand and seal.

Richard (his mark) Parsons SS

Test
John Parks, Samuel Parks, Richard Johnson

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County February the 21, 1785 This last Will and Testament of Richard Parsons deceased was presented in Court and proved by the Oathes of two of the witnesses Hands and by the Court ordered to be Recorded

Teste Will Turnball (?)

FHC Film #31671
Goochland County Court Orders Books 1,2, & 3
Goochland County Virginia Order Book No. 3 1731-1735

August Court 1732
page 110
Parsons VS Davis
On the complaint of Richard Parsons that William Davis hath beat him it is ordered that a capias do yous against this said Davis in the sum of one hundred pounds sterling for his appearance at the nex t court to answer in the promises
Ordered that Edward Scott to summons a witness
Page 118
To Richard Parsons constabe for inspecting stands (?)
Page 123

October Court 1732
The complaint against William Davis for beating Richard Parsons is dismissed

August Court 1734
On the motion of Lydia Briggs she is permitted to choose Richard Parsons her guardian who accepts the charge. Alliford(?)S. Hughtes and Isaac Hughes offer themselves securities.
The last will and testament of George Briggs deceased is presented in Court by Richard Parsons guardian to Lydia Briggs the excecutrix and the same being proved by his oaths of Robert Carter and Jeremiah Dumas (?) Jun to have been signed by Jeremiah Dumas Jun. with the testators name and by his direction it is admitted to record on the motion of the said Richard Parsons Certificate is granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration with the will ann------- is due form during the minority of the executrix. Alliford Hughes and Isaac Hughes, Securities

LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA, DIGITAL COLLECTION
Parsons, Richard 30 Jany 1741 Goochland County, 80 A on the brances of the North Branch of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek Patents 20, 1741-43, P. 129

GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEEDS, 1741-1745

Deed Book 4 Page 510 February 25, 1744 from Francis Amoss of Goochland and Parish of Southam, to Richard Ligon of same, for 45 lbs, all that tract of land in Goochland on both sides of the upper branc h of Muddy Creek alias Little Muddy Creek, and bounded by Richard Parsons, Major Bowler Cocke, James Terrel, containing 400 acres. Signed Francis Amoss. Wit - John Alexander, Abrm Womack, Abrm Womac k Jr. Recorded March 19, 1744. Judith, the wife of Francis Amoss, relinquished her right of dower to the conveyed lands.

Deed Book 4 Page 346. December 17, 1743 from Richard Parsons, and Lydia, his wife, of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, to John Alexander of same, for 70 lbs, a certain tract of land of 200 acre s in Goochland on the south side James River on the west side Muddy Cr, being half of 400 acres of land granted to George Briggs by patent dated Jun 20, 1733, which the said George Briggs, by his Gooc hland will, gave to his sister, Lydia Briggs alias Parsons. The tract is bounded by Bowler Cocke, new lines run by Robert Walton on the division of the said 400 acres. Signed Richard Parsons, Lidi a (L her mark) Parsons. Wit - Francis Amoss, Isac Hughes, Abram Womack, Miles Gathwrit, Joell Chandler, Recorded May 15, 1744.

Deed Book 4 Page 325. January 16, 1743 from Robert Yancey of the Parish of St. Martin and County of Louisa, to Francis Amoss of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, for 40 L, a cerain tract of land of about 400 acres on the south side of James River in the Parish of St. James and Goochland, and bounded by Richard Parsons, Major Bowler Cocke, James Terril. Signed - Robert Yancey. Wit - Tarlton Fleming, Charles Fleming, Simon (SW his mark) Ward. Recorded March 20, 1743. Recorded June 19, 1744.

Deed Book 4 Page 201 August 13, 1743 from Richard Parsons, and Lydia, his wife, of Goochland, to Nicholas Davies of Goochland for 20 L, a certain tract of land of 200 acres on Muddy Creek in Goochlan d on the south side of James River, and bounded by [trees]. Signed - Richard Parsons, Lydia (X her mark) Parsons. Wit - William Dillon, William Dillon [sic], John (B his mark) Burk, John ( his mark ) Burnet. Recorded September 20, 1743.

Deed Book 4 Page 203. April 22, 1743 from Richard Parsons of Goochland, to Nicholas Spears of Goochland, for 5 L, a certain tract of land of about 80 acres on Muddy Creek in Goochland on the south si de of James River, and bounded by Major Bowler Cocke, James Terril, Robert Yancy. Signed - Richard Parsons. Wit - Nicholas Davies, Elizabeth Dewes, John (his mark) Creasie. Recorded September 20, 1 743.
At a Court of November 20, 1745, this deed was proved by the oath of William Dillon to be the act and deed of Lydia Parsons, wife of Richard Parsons, and ordered to be recorded.

SUNLIGHT ON THE SOUTHSIDE LISTS OF TITHES LUNENBURG COUNTY VIRGINIA 1748-1783, Compiled by Landon C. Bell, Clearfield Company, Philadelphia, 1931, Library of Congress Catalogue Card Number 74-5468

Tax List for 1749 taken by William Caldwell "from Falling River to Little Ronoke River".
Richard Parsons ....1 (pg 91)
Christopher Parsons.....1 (pg 94)

Tax List for 1750 taken by William Caldwell "from Falling River to Little Ronoke River".
Richard Parsons....1 (pg 126)
Christopher Parsons....1 (pg 128)

LUNENBURG COUNTY, VIRGINIA LAND PATENTS 1746-1916, T.L.C. Genealogy, PO Box 403369, Miami Beach, Fl 33140-1369
Patent 28-487, 180 acres, January 10, 1748, Richard Parsons, both sides Banister E, mouth Rocky Branch
Patent 28-488, 204 acres, January 10, 1748, Richard Parsons, both sides Great Cherrystone Cr.
Patent 31-743, 1148 acres, September 10, 1755, Chirstopher Parsons, left side Cub Creek and both sides Maple Swamp

HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA DEED BOOKS 2,3,4,5,&6, MARIAN DODSON CHIARITO, G929.3755661 C431haLt Denver Public Library, Denver, CO

P. 131 20 June 1764 Christopher Gorman of Halifax Co. to John Gorman of same, for L10, 100 acres on the brances of Mill Cr., being the upper part of the land sd Gorman lives on... All houses, building ...
Signed: Christopher (X) Gorman
Wit: Shadrack Turner, Richard Parsons, Thomas Townsend
Recorded 21 June 1764

P. 214 18 December 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate, his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to John Adams of Halifax Co., for L30, 616 ac., part of a tract of 1,616 ac. granted to sd Hatcher 6 June 1765; on th e north sode of Banister Ri., beg. on sd river thence west... All appurtenances...
Signed Jeremiah Hatcher
Wit: Philemon Payne, John Pigg, Benja. Hatcher Recorded 18 December 1766

P. 217 18 Decmber 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to Richard Parsons of Halifax Co., for L70, 400 ac. beg. at a white oak th. north... All tress, woods, underwoods...
Singed: Jeremiah Hatcher
Wit: Philimon Payne, John Pigg, Benja. Hatcher Recorded 18 December 1766

P. 219 18 December 1766 Jeremiah Hatcher & Margate, his wife, of Mecklenburg Co. to Richard Parsons of Halifax Co., for L30, 600 ac., part of a tract of 1, 616 ac. granted sd Hatcher by patent 5 Jun e 1765 on Little Cherry Stone Cr., on the north side of Banister Ri., eg. on the south side of sd creek thence south.. All appurtenances..
Signed: Jeremiah Hatcher

THE HISTORY OF PTTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA by Maud Carter Clement, pages 53-54
"Hickey's road was authorized at a court held for Lunenburg in June, 1749: It is ordered that a road be laid off and cleared the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlemen t at the Wart Mountain, and it is ordered that Joseph Mayes and all the male Laboring Tithables convenient to the said road forthwith mark off and lay open the best and most convenient way from Staunton River to Allen's Creek and keep the same in repair according to law."
"Richard Parsons is appointed surveyor of that part of the New Road leading from Staunton River to the Mayo Settlement at the Wart Mountain, to-wit from Allen's Creek to Banister River."
"This road led from a point on Staunton River in Northern Halifax, by Mount Airy, Chalk Level and Chatham, crossing Banister River near the Poor Farm, and turning west led across Henry and Patrick counties. The eastern part of this road continues a well known highway today. It took its name from John Hickey, who had made a settlement and opened a store near its western limits."

Page 62
"These upper inhabitants of Halifax had increased in numbers until now thay began to petition for more roads. In March, 1753, Richard Parsons and William Adkins were ordered to mark a road from the m outh of Snow Creek to Hickey's Road. In July the inhabitants on Pigg River and Snow Creek (Franklin County) petitioned for a road from the uppermost of the inhabitants to the Snow Creek Road, and Th omas Hall and William Hill were ordered to lay off the road. The following year the same inhabitants begged that the road laid off by Hall and Hill be extended to the top of the Blue Ridge, which wa s accordingly ordered, with Tully Choice as surveyor. This road led across Franklin County to the mountains."

From the PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY VIRGINIA ABSTRACTS OF WILLS 1768-1800 the will of Richard Parsons (not dated) from the Deed and Will Book 11, p 159 lists daughter Hannah Madkiff (Midkiff) and her husband , Joseph Madkiff, daughter Agnes Madkiff and her husband John Madkiff, sons George, Joseph, John, Samuel, William and daughter Lyda (Lydia) and her husband Stephen Yates. Richard's wife's name is not given but the will states that he and his wife are living with Lyda and her husband Stephen. Executors were sons, Joseph and William, witnesses were, John Parks, Samuel Parks and Richard Johnson.

ENTRY RECORD BOOK 1737-1770 (LAND ENTRIES IN THE PRESENT VIRGINIA COUNTIES OF HALIFAX, PITTSYLVANIA, HENRY, FRANKLIN, AND PATRICK) TRANSCRIBED BY MARLAN DODSON CHIARITO US/CAN 975.56R2c v.1
Joseph parsons 400 acx. Land on Little Cherrystone Cr. Adj.g the Lines of Richd. Parsons, Jos. Hixs and Richd. Southerlon's runing up
Trans.d to Saml. Parsons 17 Sapr.1779) Also 400 on the Sth. of the Mill Cr. and Callaways Cabbin Running on Kennons Line and both sides of the new Waggon road for Complement.
Thos. Dillard Jrnr. 400 Ac begin: on the upper Line of Richard Parsons's Land on Cherrystone Creek thence off and up both sides.
(Surv.d W.S.) At a Council June 14, 1749 Richard Parsons had leave to take up 2000 Acres of Land including the Place he lives on and one other Survey on Mill Creek. Mem.d see if neither of these tra cts have not had the fees due for them return'd insolv.t.
Richard Parsons 400 on the S. Side Mill Creek Begin: at Hugh Henry's Cornr. Maple thence up the Br. and Parallel with Parsons's old line.
(Void) Richard Parsons 400 on both sides Sycamore Creek Begin: at a Beach on the Nth. Side the sd Creek mark't I E thence up and down.
(Surv.d S.W.) Henry Pruett 400 on both sides the South Fork of Great Cherrystone Creek Begin: at Richard Parsons's upper line thence up both sides.
(Surv.d J.T.) Elisha Walling 400 Acrs on both sides Br Cherry Stone Cr. begin: just below the Fork thence up including the Fork. for Richard Parsons
Joseph Parsons 400 Acs. Land on Little Cherrystone Cr. Adj.g the Lines of Richd. Parsons, Jos. Hixs and Richd. Southerlon's and runing up.
In Plea Book 1 of Halifax County Virginia, 1752-1755: " The petition of Richard Parsons to build a water grist mill is granted, he being proprietor of land on both sides Little Cherry Stone Creek, a djacent to his dwelling house
Richard sold land, 100 acres each, to Joseph and George for 10 pounds in 1764. These were recorded in deed books of Halifax County.
In Plea Book 1 of Halifax County Virginia, 1752-1755: " The petition of Richard Parsons to build a water grist mill is granted, he being proprietor of land on both sides Little Cherry Stone Creek, a djacent to his dwelling house."
1749 - Richard Parsons, surveyor, (Lunenburg Co)
1765 - George Parsons, Richard Parsons (Halifax Voters List)
1767 - Richard Parsons, to mark road from mouth of Snow Creek to Hickey's
Road (Snow Creek later in Franklin Co)
1767 - John Parsons, Richard Parsons, George Parsons, Joseph Parsons (Camden
Parish Tithes List)
1768 - George Parsons (Antrim Parish, Halifax Co)
1771 - Richard Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1782 - Joseph Parsons, Pitts Co (written complaint)
1786 - George Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1787 - William Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1788 - Samuel Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
1796 - William Parsons, Pitts Co Ct Order Records
Virginia Census of 1782
Pittsylvania County
George Parsons 0 3 0 0 0 S1782
John Parsons 0 5 0 0 S1782
Joseph Parsons 0 8 0 0 S1782
Richard Parsons 0500
Samuel Parsons 0 3 0 0 S1782
William Parsons 0 3 0 0 S1782

Richard married Lydia Briggs in 1743 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. Lydia (daughter of Ralph Briggs and Mary Elizabeth Wright) was born in 1720 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA; died in 1787 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Mary Agnes Parsons was born in 1744 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 5 Mar 1844 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA.
2. Hannah Parsons was born in 1746 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; and died.
3. Joseph Parsons, Sr was born in 1747 in Danville, Independent Cities, Virginia, USA; died on 13 Aug 1833 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA.
4. George Parsons was born in 1750 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 16 Jun 1846 in , Ashe, North Carolina, USA.
5. John Parsons was born in 1755 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 6 Jan 1856 in , Lee, Virginia, USA.
6. Samuel Parsons was born in 1756 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in 1816 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA.
7. Lydia Parsons was born in 1757 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 4 Oct 1805 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA.
8. Richard Parsons was born in 1758 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died in Dec 1783 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA.
9. William Parsons was born in 1758 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 16 Mar 1818 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA.
10. James Parsons was born in 1760 in , Surry, North Carolina, USA; died in 1833 in , Wilkes, North Carolina, USA.

Notes:

Joseph Parsons 1690-1770 and Sarah Woodson's son Richard Parsons born was abt 1713 Henrico, Va married Lydia Biggs 1725-aft 1758 Richard wrote his will on 22 Dec 1783 in Pittsylvania, Va, his wife Lydia was in the will, and recorded on 21 Feb 1785 in Pittsylvania, Va. After Sarah Woodson Parsons died in 1746 Henrico. Joseph Parsons married Suzannah Woody on 7 Feb 1750 in Henrico, Va, and she was mentioned in Joseph's will written 6 Aug 1762 Henrico.

Was he later married to Susannah? His will mentions wife, Susannah and daughter, Judith. (SV-1025)
1729 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Will of Robert Woodson, Sr.:
To son, Stephen, the land that came in my possession by marriage, with his mother, also 50 ac. that belonged to John Lewis.
To son, Joseph: a parcel in Goochland Co. on west side of Jennytoe Creek, up Rockey branch and next to Joseph Parsons’ line.
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Stephen Woodson sold to Joseph Parsons 232 ac. for 40 pounds. (SV-1024)
1736 He is mentioned in Vestry book of Henrico parish, VA. (SV-1026)
1745 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Joseph Parsons of Prince George Co., VA sold to John Royster of Henrico Co., VA 125 ac. for 60 pounds. (SV-1024)
1747 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Joseph Parsons was an appraiser for an estate sale. (SV-1025)
1749 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Joseph Parsons, the elder, of Henrico, to my son, Joseph Parsons; 464 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp. (SV-1024)
1762 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Stephen Woodson, orphan of Stephen Woodson, chooses Joseph Parsons as his guardian. (SV-1025)
1769 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Will of Joseph Parsons (6 Aug. 1762; no probate date given)
To daughter Agnes Woodson, 2 shillings
To daughter Elizabeth Anderson, 2 shillings
To son Joseph Parsons, 2 shillings
To son Samuel Parsons, all my land, 250 ac., on south side of Turners Run in Henrico, purchased of Martha Hobson and Stephen Pankey, and bounded by John Owen, Thomas Owen, and Martha Hobson, also 230 acres on west side of Beachen Run in Henrico, purchased of John Lane, and bounded by John Owen, John Orange, and John Watkins. If he dies without heirs, then to the next male child of my wife Susannah. If she has none, then to my daughter Judith Parsons. Note: To me (D. Attride) this wording implies that Susannah was his 2nd wife. (SV-1025)
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Stephen Woodson of Goochland Co. sold to Joseph Parsons of same, 232 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp for 40 pounds. (SV-1024 & SV-1180)
1730 Henrico Co., VA Deed: Josiah Woodson of Goochland Co. sold to Joseph Parsons of same, for 40 pounds for 232 ac. on south side of Chickahominy Swamp at a place called Half Sink next to land that said Parsons bought from Stephen Woodson. (SV-1180)
1762 Henrico Co., VA Wills: (SV-1025) Will of Joseph Parsons, Sr.
to dau. Agnes Woodson, 2 shillings
to dau. Elizabeth Anderson, 2 shillings
to son, Joseph Parsons, 2 shillings
to son, Samuel Parsons, all my land, 250 acres on south side of Turners Run in Henrico, purchased of Martha Hobson and Stephen Pankey, ... and if he died without heirs then to the next male child of my wife Susannah. If she has none, then to my daughter Judith Parsons; and if she die, then to next female child my wife has. If all my children by my wife Susannah die without issue, then lands to my son Joseph Parsons.
1769 Henrico Co., VA Wills: Inventory of Joseph Parsons. Value is 423/19/3 1/2 by Thomas Owen. Recorded 3 Dec. 1770. (SV-1025.5)

Joseph married Sarah Woodson in 1712 in St Johns Church, Henrico, Virginia, USA. Sarah (daughter of Robert Woodson and Sarah Virginia Lewis) was born in 1692 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA; died on 7 May 1750 in , Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 16 Jan 1702, , Charles City, Virginia, USA

Joseph married Agnes Woodson. Agnes (daughter of Col Robert "Potato Hole" Woodson and Elizabeth Ferris) was born in 1656 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA; died on 1 Feb 1766 in , Goochland, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Agnes Woodson Parsons

Joseph married Jane Aldredge in 1655 in , Charles City, Virginia, USA. Jane was born in 1630 in Surrey, England; died in 1694 in , Charles City, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1656, , , Virginia, USA

Col married Elizabeth Ferris on 21 Oct 1656 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard Ferris (Ferrar Fariss) and Sarah Hambleton (Ferris Ferrar)) was born on 8 May 1634 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA; died in 1689 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Arrival: 1619, , , Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1624, Fleur de Hundred, Prince George, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Dr. John Woodson was born in 1586 in Devonshire, England. He matriculated at St. John's College in Oxford on March 1, 1604. He lived in Dorsetshire until 1619, when he and his wife Sarah decided to join an expedition to the new colony of Jamestown. On January 29th, 1619, the ship George sailed from England and landed the following April at Jamestown, Virginia. The ship carried Sir George Yeardley and a company of his men to the Virginia colony, where Sir George had been appointed the new governor. Among the passengers on the George was Dr. John Woodson, attached to Sir George's company as surgeon. His wife Sarah accompanied him, and was one of only a handful of women to voyage to the colony before 1620. At the time of their arrival the Jamestown colony was just over a dozen years old and numbered no more than 600 residents. Drought, disease, starvation, and war with the local tribe of Powhatan Indians meant that only about half the colonists who arrived between 1607 and 1624 survived.

Dr. John Woodson settled on Governor Yeardley's plantation, known as Flowerdew Hundred, which was about 15 miles up the James river from Jamestown. Dr. Woodson lived in a small, fortified compound on the plantation with about 10 other families. Dr. Woodson and his wife arrived at the start of the second major wave of colonists to Jamestown. Between 1619 and 1622, the number of colonists grew to about 1000. This tide of newcomers upset Chief Opechancanough of the Powhatan Confederacy of Indian tribes, who saw the influx as proof that the English planned to expand in to Powhatan lands.

The Massacre of 1622
On March 22, 1622 Chief Opechancanough launched a series of coordinated attacks on all the English plantations and towns developing around Jamestown. Powhatan Confederacy braves entered each settlement with trade goods, looking as if they wished to barter. When the colonists approached them, the braves grabbed any weapons or tools that were at hand and attacked the unprepared colonists. 347 people were killed, a quarter of the colony's total population. Only the most fortified positions survived. The fortifications at Flowerdew Hundred held and the Woodson family survived the attack.

The settlement at Flowerdew Hundred plantation was one of the few that was allowed to remain outside the walls of Jamestown after the 1622 attack. The next ten years involved attacks of retribution by the colonists. The time passed relatively peacefully for the Woodsons. Two sons were born to them, John in 1632 and Robert in 1634. In 1634 the colonists built a palisade defense wall across a six-mile wide strip of land between the James River and York River estuaries. This structure may have lulled the colonists in to a false sense of security. The Powhatan tribes were in no state to attack, having been nearly wiped out by English reprisal attacks. Emboldened, the colonists started building plantations outside the palisade around 1640. Chief Opechancanough was once again outraged by the English encroachment on his lands.

The Indian Massacre of 1644
An account of the Woodson family's ordeal during this attack was handed down through the Woodson family and first printed by a Woodson family genealogist in the early 19th century. On the morning of April 18, 1644, Thomas Ligon, a soldier in the Governor's employ, stopped by the Woodson's house seeking Dr. Woodson's services. Sarah Woodson informed him that her husband was out on his rounds through the nearby plantations, and Ligon elected to wait for the doctor to return. When Ligon saw the Indians approaching, he raised an alarm and told Sarah to hide inside with her two sons. Ligon grabbed his eight-foot muzzle-loaded rifle, and bracing his gun in the fork of a tree, fired on the approaching Indians. Meanwhile, Sarah gathered her boys together and desperately searched for a place to hide her 10 and 12 year old sons. She spied the root cellar where the family kept potatoes during the winter. She put Robert in the pit and covered it. Then she upturned a washtub and had John hide beneath it. With the boys hidden, she grabbed her husband's rifle and proceeded to load and fire upon the Indians from the window of the cabin. Before she could get off a second shot, the Indians had made their way around the back of the cabin and out of her sight. Then she heard sounds on the side of the cabin and on the roof. The Indians climbed atop the cabin and two of them attempted to come down the chimney. The fire had gone out, but she still had a pot of hot water sitting in the hearth. Thinking quickly, she upended the pot in to the fireplace just as the first Indian descended in to view, scalding his face. His companion then climbed out over his wounded fellow and came towards her. Sarah grabbed an iron roasting spit hanging next to the hearth and swung it at her attacker, knocking him senseless. Sarah grabbed her children from their hiding places and fled the house. She ran towards Ligon, who was still firing upon the Indians, who were now in retreat. Ligon struck another Indian as they fled. In total, he and Sarah killed seven of their attackers. As she watched the Indians flee back in to the woods, Sarah noticed a familiar horse wandering riderless through the field from which the Indians had attacked. It was her husband's horse. Running to it, she found her husband lying beside the road to their house, an arrow in his chest. He had evidently returned just as the Indians attacked, and having forgot his musket at home, was defenseless against them.

Dr. John Woodson was one of 500 colonists who died that fateful day in 1644. Although the number was even greater than that killed in the 1622 attack, it represented less than 10% of the colony's population in 1644. Nevertheless, the retribution by the colonists was severe. A counterattack on all the nearby Powhatan-allied tribes nearly wiped them out. In 1646 Chief Opechancanough was captured and brought to Jamestown. He was nearly 100 years old at the time. While being held at the stockade awaiting trial, he was killed by one of his guards in revenge for a family member killed in the 1644 attack. After the death of their leader, the Powhatan Confederacy fell apart, and the individual tribes were either confined to reservations or left the area.

Sarah Woodson remarried twice and outlived all her husbands. She died in 1660. Her sons both married and had large families. Their descendants passed on the story of Sarah saving her sons from the Indian massacre, and referred to themselves as being either "potato hole" or "washtub" Woodsons. The Woodson musket was also passed down from generation to generation, until in 1925 it was donated to the Virginia Historical Society, where it is on display in Richmond.

Dr. Woodson and Sarah were also one of the first recorded slaveholders in Colonial America. In 1619 a Dutch privateer ship called The White Lion, and an English privateer called the Treasurer, captured a Portuguese slave ship São João Bautista in the Caribbean. The privateers took the slaves aboard their ships and set sail for Jamestown to sell them to the colonists. The ships arrived at Point Comfort, on the James River, late in August 1619, with "20 and odd" Africans aboard the White Lion and at least a few more aboard the Treasurer. Dr. Woodson bought some of these Africans. In 1623 a census of the colony listed 23 Africans, six of whom appear in Dr. Woodson's household. Notably, Dr. Woodson's six African servants are the most of any colonist, and one of only two households that did not give names for their African servants on the 1623 census. The fact that all the other Africans listed in the census were named could be interpreted as them having been indentured at the time of the census, while Dr. Woodson's servants were slaves. This is similar to how slaves were counted but not named on future census. If so, then the record of Dr. Woodson's servants on this census could be considered the first recorded mention of African slaves in Colonial America.

It should be noted that in the early stages of Colonial America, Africans, though imported against their will, were not necessarily considered slaves as we understand it today. Instead, they were considered indentured servants, similar to poorer English who agreed to work off their passage to the colonies under the headright system. Several Africans were able to gain their freedom and become planters with headright contracts of their own. Anthony Johnson was one such man, transported prior to 1622. By 1651 he was a free man with 250 acres and five indentured servants of his own. But Anthony Johnson is the exception. By 1650 there was already some distinction made between indentured servants based on race. The records of the early colony in Virginia show a number of African indentured servants having "life terms" of servitude, while their white counterparts only served a limited seven-year term. This was the first step towards the racial, hereditary institution of slavery in America.

It is not clear what happened to Dr. Woodson's servants. There is no further record of them in his household (it is possible they were killed in the Indian attack of 1644). When Sarah died in 1660, her will did not mention any servants. Around 1670 the first laws defining slaves were enacted in the colony. When their son John Jr. wrote his will in 1699, he bequeathed several slaves to his children. The idea that one man could be another man's property was fully accepted by 1700 in Colonial Virginia.

Selected sources:
"Virginia's First Africans" from the Encyclopedia Virginia.
Archaeological Excavation of Flowerdew Hundred, by University of Virginia
J.C. Schreiber, "The Woodson Family"
Paul E. Pennebaker, "Dr. John Woodson"

Dr married Sarah Isabelle Winston. Sarah was born in 1600 in , Devonshire, England; died on 17 Jan 1660 in Fleur de Hundred, Prince George, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Sarah Hambleton (Ferris Ferrar) in 1637 in Jamestown, James City, Virginia, USA. Sarah was born in 1616 in , James City, Virginia, USA; died on 5 Feb 1690 in Curles Plantation, Henrico, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]