Joseph S Dyer

1686 - 1748  (61 years)

• Name	Joseph S Dyer
  Birth	19 Jun 1686	, Rappahannock, Virginia, USA
  Gender	Male
  Death	1 Apr 1748	, Caroline, Virginia, USA
  Person ID	I16540	Master
  Last Modified	11 May 2012

  
  

  Children	+ 1. John S Dyer,   b. 1710, Antrim, Caroline, Virginia, USA d. 17 Mar 1773, , Halifax, Virginia, USA (Age 63 years) + 2. James Dyer,   b. 1712, , Caroline, Virginia, USA d. May 1771, , Halifax, North Carolina, USA (Age 59 years)
  Family ID	F4305	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map

  Birth - 19 Jun 1686 - , Rappahannock, Virginia, USA Death - 1 Apr 1748 - , Caroline, Virginia, USA  = Link to Google Earth

  
  

• Notes

  John Dyer, Brother of Joseph Dyer 1700s , Caroline County, Virginia In 1761 John Dyer (brother of Joseph Dyer), passed away in Caroline County, Virginia. His son James Dyer is named executor of his will. Within a few years, this James Dyer moves his family to Halifax Co, North Carolina, where he dies in 177. n his will, he names his five sons: John Dyer, Joseph Dyer, George Dyer, Joel Dyer, and James Dyer (notice how the Dyers reuse family names). Soon after James Dyer?s will is probated, all his five sons move to join John Dyer?s family in the adjacent county of Halifax, Virginia. In 1779 these five sons as well as the sons of our ancestor John Dyer are enticed by the Governor?s land grants in North Carolina and they all resettle together in Wilkes Co, North Carolina. In 1780 one of these Dyer cousins, James, died. He had been partners in many land deals with his brother, Joel Dyer. After settling up with James? wife, Joel went to Hawkins County, Tennessee and then on to Madison County, Tennessee and then to Dyer County, Tennessee. - which was named for his son Robert Dyer. John Dyer went to Christian County, Kentucky and made his will in 1799. Page 53 of W. B. Dyer?s ?Dyer Family History? Book. See Watson Dyer?s book for more information on this line. Joseph Dyer & John Dyer of Caroline County, Virginia 1700s , Caroline County, Virginia In 1706, Robert Beverly persuaded the English Crown to give him 1,600 acres in the Lower Reedy Church District of King William County. The Crown encouraged a mass settlement of the Reedy Church district by making many land patents each year mostly to small homeowners that attracted a large volume of European settlers, which settled the country very quickly. Our Dyers were among these European settlers attracted to the land patents in the Reedy area. The story of our earliest documented Dyer ancestors in America begins at the turn of the century in the Reedy area of eastern Virginia in what was then King William County, Virginia. Joseph Dyer?s wife, whose name is not documented, gives birth to a son whom they name John Dyer. Little else of our ancestor?s immediate family members can be documented with official records, though lots of guesses and assumptions are made to extend the line ? but caution is urged to check for documentation beyond this point. Joseph Dyer of Caroline County, Virginia Joseph Dyer, was born around 1680. He may have been an immigrant from England, or he may have been born in Virginia ? still undocumented as fact, though theories are floating around. Joseph Dyer lived in King William County, Virginia (St. John?s Parish), which was divided into the new Caroline County, Virginia (St. Margaret?s Parish) where he resided until his death in 1748. His marriage and wife?s name are undocumented. Children of Joseph Dyer: John Dyer, b. abt 1710, King William Co, Virginia (which became Caroline Co.); d. 1774, Halifax Co., Virginia; m. 1. unknown (b. ?; d. 1753 Caroline Co, VA) 2. Dinah Spann, abt 1754, Caroline Co. VA. (b. 1734; d. 1778, Halifax, VA) James Dyer, b. abt 1712, King William County, Virginia; d. ?? , Spotsylvania Co., Virginia; m. Eleanor ___ Notes & Documentation Joseph Dyer passed away in Caroline County, Virginia in 1748, leaving his will to probate in court. His will names John Dyer as the executor of his estate. Joseph Dyer does not mention a wife in his will, which means she probably preceded him in death. No one else was mentioned in the will - likely all other children had already received their inheritance or dowry. Since it was customary at the time for father?s to name their sons as executor of their estate, especially if their wife is not living, John Dyer is reasonably concluded to be the oldest son of Joseph Dyer. Joseph Dyer?s son, John Dyer (our ancestor), remained in Caroline County, Virginia until 1755 when he moved to Halifax County, Virginia, where he died in 1774. Joseph Dyer?s other son, James Dyer, remained in Caroline County until 1750, when he moved his wife, Eleanor, and family to Spotsylvania County, Virginia where they purchased 70 acres of land on May 1, 1750. Source: Spotsylvania County Virginia Deed Book D, pg. 183 ------------------------------------------------------------ Also living in Caroline County, Virginia was Joseph Dyer?s brother, John Dyer (uncle to our ancestor). Brother of Joseph Dyer: John Dyer, b. abt 1685; d. 1761, Caroline County, Va.Children of John Dyer (cousin to our ancestor John Dyer): 1. James Dyer, b. abt. 1710, of Caroline County, Virginia. d. May 1771, Halifax, North Carolina. Chilen of James Dyer (2nd cousins to our ancestor John Dyer?s sons): James Dyer, Jr. b. 1752, Halifax, North Carolina; d. 1784, Wilkes, North Carolina Joel Dyer, b. 1754, Halifax, North Carolina; d. 11 Jun 1825, Madison, Tennesee; m. Sophia Weston. (Son is Robert Henry Dyer for whom Dyer, Tennesee is named.) John Dyer, b. 1756, Halifax, North Carolina; d. 1799, Christian Co, Kentucky; m. Elizabeth George Dyer, b. 1758, Halifax, North Carolina. Joseph Dyer, b. 1760, Halifax, North Carolina __________________________________________ John Dyer of Caroline County, VA & Halifax, VA John Dyer, son of Joseph Dyer, was born around 1710 in King William County, Virginia (St. John Parish); lived in Caroline Co. (St. Margaret?s Parish), and then Halifax Co., Virginia (Antrim Parish) where he died in 1774. He married his first wife (name undocumented) around 1735 and she died around 1753 in Caroline C., Virginia; John Dyer married a second time to Dinah about 1754 in Caroline County, Virginia. Children of John Dyer & first wife: James Dyer, b. abt 1736 in Caroline County, Virginia; d. ?? , Pittsylvania Co, Virginia: m. Winifred Trible abt 1763, Halifax Co, Virginia. Named as executor of father?s will, and was Surety though probate process. John Dyer Jr., b. abt 1738 in Caroline Co., Virginia. m. Elizabeth Martin abt 1760 in Halifax Co. Virginia. Surety through probate process of father?s will. Nancy Dyer, b. abt 1740 in Caroline Co., Virginia; d. ?? m. Byrd Pruitt abt 1756, Halifax, Virginia. Named as daughter of John Dyer on land deed. Joshua Dyer, b. 1742, Caroline Co., Virginia; d. 11 Dec. 1809, Pendleton District, South Carolina; m. Sarah Stephens abt. 1775, Halifax, Virginia. Joshua is the only documented child f James CHICK of Caroline Co., VA, based on a court order dated Mar. 9, CHICK of Halifax Co., VA. Elisha Dyer, b. abt. 1745, Caroline Co., Virginia; d. June 1816, Warren Co. Kentucky; m. Amy Laws abt 1764, Halifax, Virginia (b. d.). Elisha is named as a son on father?s will. Agnes Dyer, b. abt. 1748, Caroline County, Virginia; d. Bef. 1771 when father wrote will that John Chick witnessed. Theory 1: Agnes DYER married James Chick, son of John Chick. Child: William, Agnes, & Amy Chick; Theory 2: Miss Dyer married William Chick and they had daughters Agnes & Amy Chick. Theory 3: Miss Dyer married John Chick, who witnessed John Dyer?s will, and their three children are Agnes, Amy, & William. Children of John Dyer & Dinah: Manoah Dyer, b. 28 Sept 1755, Caroline County, Virginia; d. 1838, Monroe Co., Tennessee. Executor of father?s will ?with his mother? Dinah, and named as a son. Hamon Dyer, b. abt. 1757 in Halifax Co., Virginia; m. Frankie ___ in Halifax Co., Virginia. Named as a son on father?s will. Hezekiah Dyer, b. 1760, Halifax Co., Virginia. m. Ann Kelly 4 June 1782, Wilkes, North Carolina. Named as a son of father?s will. Notes & Documentation John Dyer, a tavern owner, lived in Caroline County, Virginia after it was created from King William County in 1728 where he was born. Even for colonial Virginia, Caroline County was frontier country. Early settlers lived a rugged, severe life. As they cut trees and made the soil ready for planting tobacco, they always had their guns ready ? for the threat of wolves and hostile Indian attacks was very real. Unfortunately, few early county records exist because they burned with the court house during the Civil War. The surviving court order books are a primary source of information about the county's inhabitants. These contain numerous references to John Dyer during the 1730's through 1750's. There are also a couple of references to a William DYER, but his relationship to John Dyer (brother?) is not known as no record indicates such a relationship. 1732 - The first court record of John Dyer appears where he serves as a juror. He continues to serve as juror 10 times over the next 15 years until 1747. In 1734 the court records that John Dyer owned three slaves. John Dyer married around 1735, though a record of his wife?s name is not found (but many Dyer researchers have various theories, all unproven). This same year John Dyer went into business by opening a tavern on the south side of Mattapony, at Doguetown (Medford) bridge across Pamukey River, which he would run from 1735-1755 1735 Caroline County, Virginia John Dyer marries. Wife?s name not verifiable. Note: No marriage record is available, but some family historians surmise that John Dyer?s wife?s maiden name might have been Bluford, because the Bluford ne is passed down through some family lines. However, this is pure speculation and, without evidence, should not be used as fact. There are just as many valid reasons to question Bluford as her maiden name. Other theories propose that John Dyer, and his father Joseph Dyer, married women from New England ? or that they themselves are from New England, but given the nature of travel during this time period in early America, what with hostile Indians and only hunting trails rather than wagon roads between Virginia and New England, this myth is busted. ?Genealogy without documentation is Mythology.? Throughout the land and court records of John Dyer, two men continually live close by him and appear on various records: James Dyer and John Dyer (Jr), who are believed to be his sons two oldest sons. Both James and John Dyer, Jr. later became bondsmen for John Dyer?s second wife, Dinah, as she later executed her husband?s will, evidence they were his sons. Evidence of other children born prior to John Dyer?s marriage to Dinah also indicates an earlier first marriage. For ten years, John Dyer?s social and business life center around the Taverns. Planters and tradesmen met there to exchange views, gather news, talk politics and execute business deals. Also gamblers and speculators gathered there to do business. According to the county court records, John Dyer was fined for gambling in Jesse Martin?s tavern at the north end of Gurneys Bridge. John was also fined, along with several other men, five pounds for shooting craps at the tavern. Still, John Dyer was considered an upstanding citizen. He was appointed counselor in the Caroline County Court for a term in 1740. A few years earlier he had paid the passage to America of a man from England named John Whaling, which made Mr. Whaling an indentured servant to John Dyer for a number of years. In 1744 Mr. Whaling sued John Dyer for his freedom. 1746 - Evidence of John Dyer?s affiliation with the Church of England appears when he and some friends petition the court for permission to build a church on the land of Richard George near Reedy Mill. This building became known as Reedy Church. Church entries began in 1741. 1748 - John Dyer?s father, Joseph Dyer, passed away in Caroline County, Virginia, leaving his will to probate. His will names John Dyer as the executor of his estate. Joseph Dyer does not mention a wife in his will, which means she probably preded him in death. No one else was mentioned in the will - likely all other children had already received their inheritance or dowry. Since it was customary at the time for father?s to name their sons as executor of their estate, especially if their wife is not living, Joseph Dyer is reasonably concluded to be the father of John Dyer. With father Joseph Dyer now deceased, the sons were no longer tied to Caroline County, Virginia. Though John Dyer would remain in Caroline County a few more years, his brother James Dyer and wife, Eleanor, and family moved to Spotsylvania County, Virginia where he purchased 70 acres of land. 1753 - Tragedy strikes the Dyer family again, as John Dyer?s wife (Elisha Dyer?s mother) dies. John Dyer remarries in 1754 John Dyer marries Dinah . "Dinah" is listed as John Dyer?s wife on a Caroline County land deed and on his will. (Note: some researchers suggest that Dinah?s maiden name is reasonably concluded to be ?Spann? due to the fact that Mr. Spann names Dinah as his daughter in his will of 1747 - but this is not valid since they did not married until 7 years after the will was written). Soon after their marriage, Dinah is expecting their first child. 1755 brought financial insecurity to John Dyer and his family. The French and Indian War Seven Year?s War had started with England, which resulted in the closure of all the markets of Europe to the sales of tobacco in America. In addition, the worst draught in the early history of the American Colonies seized the land. Virginians exhausted all their tobacco certificates with no prospects of getting more. As tobacco was the money crop of the time, all the landowners struggled to survive. Although John Dyer?s tavern business was managing, he no longer had family ties to Carolina County. The low-priced land ?grants? the Governor of Virginia was offering to those who settled in Lunenburg or Halifax Counties was irresistible to John Dyer. That year, John Dyer let his tavern license elapse. John Almond took over and held the tavern license on the John Dyer stand at Douguetown bridge for a number of years. If John Dyer was to move his family to Halifax County and build them a house before winter set in, time was of the essence. So in October, a few weeks after their first son Manoah Dyer was born, John Dyer moved his family to Antrim Parish, Halifax County, Virginia where he purchased his 400 acres of land for 40 shillings on December 15, 1755. His land was next door to Shadrack Tibble, the grandfather of Manoah Dyer?s future wife Rebecca Tibble; her brother is bondsman for their marriage license 40 years later in Wilkes County, North Carolina. 1755 HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA Robert Dinwiddie, Lieutenant Governor & Commander of Williamsburg, of the colony of Virginia sold to John Dyer of Halifax, Virginia 400 acres of land in Antrim Parish, Halifax county, Virginia for the sum of 40 shillings. Beginning at Shadrack Tibble?s corner pointer, thence on Trible?s line, ...etc. (Source: Halifax County Deed Book. December 15, 1755 (WD pg. 56) For the next few years, John Dyer and his family would meet and interact with those who would become their in-laws now, and even a hundred years from now. The William Laws family is becoming good friends with John Dyer, and at times the Halifx ounty Court orders the two of them to work together on various projects. One of the first projects recorded is in 1757 when William Laws and John Dyer are ordered to appraise the personal estate of a William Dendy, deceased, and to return an inventory of the estate. (Source: Court Orders, Halifax County, Virginia 1755 - 1758, pg. 114) In November of 1757, John Dyer is listed on the court records to clear and repair a road with Peter Trible. John Dyer has no problem keeping busy serving in his new county. 1758 - John Dyer and Dinah Dyer of Halifax county Antrim Parish, of the colony of Virginia made a deed of 108 acres to Nancy, the wife of Byrd Pruitt, ?my daughter for natural love and affection.? This was a portion of the land John Dyer. obtained from Governor Dinwiddie and is evidently Nancy?s dowry. Nancy met Byrd Pruitt soon after moving to Halifax county and married him about 1756. (Source: Halifax County Deed Book One, page 426, March 16, 1758) John Dyer?s Cousins In 1761 John Dyer?s uncle, John Dyer (brother of Joseph Dyer), passed away in Caroline County, Virginia. His son James Dyer is named executor of his will. Within a few years, this James Dyer moves his family to Halifax Co, North Carolina, where he dies in 1771. In his will, he names his five sons: John Dyer, Joseph Dyer, George Dyer, Joel Dyer, and James Dyer (notice how the Dyers reuse family names). Soon after James Dyer?s will is probated, all his five sons move to join John Dyer?s family in the adjacent county of Halifax, Virginia. Evidently, these sons were also enticed by the Governor?s land grants. Eventually, these five sons and the sons of John Dyer will again resettle together in Wilkes Co, North Carolina. Another interesting side note is that also in 1761, the estate of Shadrack Trible, deceased, is appraised and sold. In this record, Nathaniel Terry is mentioned. Nathaniel is the brother of another ancestor (Joseph Terry) on a different line (Eatherly/Williams) ( Will Book O, 1752-1773, Halifax County, Virginia, Marian Dodson Chiarito, pg. 16) With the 400 acres initially purchased at such a low price as 40 shillings, and as settlers are flowing into the county at a dazzling rate, the availability of the land decreases while causing the resale price of prime land to increase. As a result, the Dyer family and many others are speculating in land sales for profit. At different times, brothers Elisha Dyer, James Dyer, and Manoah Dyer all act as witnesses for John Dyer and Dinah as they buy and sell land in Halifax County In 1762 - John Dyer?s son, James Dyer, is found purchasing 380 acres on Dunaway Creek. on May 1, 1762 (Halifax County Deed Book 3, page 292). However, on 23 October 1762, James Dyer deeds the same land to Peter Bowman and realizes a profit of 1 pound, 10 shillings. Witnesses: Elisha Dyer, John Dyer, Joseph Laws. Note: Peter Bowman will later become Elisha Dyer?s brother-in-law. (Source: Halifax County Virginia, Deed Book 4, page 101) In 1764 - ?John Dyer and Dinah his wife of Antrim Parish of the Colony of Virginia? sells 200 acres for 33 pounds current Virginia money on February 15, 1764. Signed: John Dyer & Dinah Dyer (x). (Halifax County Virginia Deed Book 5, page ) The next year John Dyer purchases another land grant of 400 acres on the branches of Childries Creek. (Entry Record Book, 1737-1770, pg. 285). 1766 - John Dyer purchases a land grant of 400 acres for 40 shillings along the Pitchfork and Buffalo Creek, with a plantation thereon on 22 September 1766. Six months later John Dyer and Dinah his wife of Halifax County deeded to John Dyer, Jr. ( son) of Antrim Parish Colony of Virginia, Halifax county 200 acres of this land on 19 Mar 1767. (Source: Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 6, page 468). That same day, John Dyer is granted another 400 acres, this time near Cherry Tree Fork. (Source: Entry Record Book 1737-1770 - Land entries in counties that became Halifax & Pittsylvania, Pg. 317 and 323) Six months later on 1 Jun 1767, John Dyer deeds the other half of his land along the Pitchfork and Buffalo Creek for double of what he paid for it the year before. (Source: Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 6, page 468) 1767 - With so many new people moving into the area, it?s time to divide the county again. Halifax County, Virginia is divided to create Pittsylvania County, with Peytonsburg the county seat and Camden Parish. Members of the Dyer family find themselves split, with some living within the boundaries of Halifax County and others within the new boundaries of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Elisha Dyer is in Pittsylvania County. Other ancestors in Pittsylvania at this time include: Benjamin Terry, Joseph Terry, William Williams. William Laws remains in Halifax County as does John Dyer. Still trusting in the booming real estate market, John Dyer of Halifax County purchases 50 acres on the south side of Staunton River on Sept. 25, 1767 from John & Ellen Chisolm. Witnesses included James Dyer and Elisha Dyer. (Source: Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 1, page 63). However, when he sells this same land nearly six years later on February 6, 1773 ? shortly before he dies - he realizes little profit. The deed is witnessed by Manoah Dyer and others. This is the last deed found on record of John or Dinah Dyer. (Source: Halifax County, Virginia Deed Book 3, page 175) ------------------------------------------------------------ 1773 PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA John Dyer?s grandson, Caleb Dyer, is born to Elisha and Amy Dyer . 1774 (Source: Halifax County, Virginia Wills ? Copy of Will; WD pg. 59)HALIFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA March Court 1774I, John Dyer of Halifax County and Antrim Parish in the Colony of Virginia being at this time imperfect sense and memory?first of all commit my body unto the Earth whence it came and then my soul to Almighty God who gave it to me, and then ?as for the entry of land I gave my son Elisha, at this time William Lansdown holds, therefore I shall not think fit to give him anything more for his making so bad and out with that. (names land to be sold by executors) And as to the rest of my land as I therefore hold, my desire is that it may be equally divided between Manoah and Hamon, Manoah to have first choice?.my desire is that my part of land in partnership with Branham may be equally divided between Agnes, Amy and William Chick. The next thing my will is that my son Hezekiah shall have Two Hundred acres of land I now live on, to him and his hirs forever. Then my desire is if either of this present wife?s children should decease without issue lawfully begotten be divided equally among the rest of the brothers and sisters?I make an ordain my wife as whole and sole Executrix and my son Manoah Executor with his mother of this my last will and testament. I also give to my son Menoah my Gold Ring in pledge of love. Written 9 April 1771. Executed and recorded in March Court 1774.Witnesses: Susannah Gunnison; Benjamin Branham; John Chick. ------------------------------------------------------------ 1771 - John Dyer made his will and then died in Halifax County, Virginia. The will was probated in March court of 1774, which named his wife, Dinah, as Executrix, his son, Manoah, as executor ?with his mother? (indicating Manoah is Dinah?s first-born son), and James Dyer as executor (indicating John?s first born son). He also names Manoah, Hamon, and Hezkiah Dyer as his sons of ?my present wife.? James and John Dyer Jr. were Surety for Dinah during the probate of the will, indicating they were also sons of John Dyer. The will also gives a hint there may be more daughters. Most confusing for Dyer researchers is that John Dyer in his will leaves land to be equally divided between Agnes, Anes (Amy or Ann) and William Chick, but no relationship is stated. One theory is: given that John Dyer does not mention any of his other grandchildren in his will, these may be his motherless grandchildren (mom died) for whom he wishes to provide land to be equally divided among themselves. John Chick witnessed John Dyer?s will, so perhaps he is the father of these children. There are other theories as well, but the theories are just speculation since there is no supporting documentation. There is one son we know of who is not named anywhere within the will or the probate record: Joshua Dyer. Researchers discovered Joshua?s existence while researching Elisha Dyer. In December 1809, Elisha Dyer writes a letter to the court of South Carolina (Pendleton District) when his brother, Joshua, died without a will. In the letter, Elisha states ?I am his only brother that is in these parts? and then he recommends an administrator for Joshua?s estate. Not long after John Dyer?s death, Dinah either remained or passed away as there is no more record of her. During the Revolutionary War, North Carolina enticed settlers to her lands by offering land grants ? land that had once belonged to the now-exiled Tory, the Earl of Granville. (See ?History of Wilkes County, North Carolina? pg. 4). John Dyer?s sons Elisha, Manoah, Hezekiah, and Hamon are all found acquiring these land grants in Wilkes County, North Carolina starting in 1779. Dyer Cousins - Sons of Joseph Dyer's brother Apparently the Dyer brothers and cousins (sons and grandsons of John Dyer who is brother of Joseph Dyer) all moved together to the new land, finding strength in numbers among family. There were other Dyers living in North Carolina between 1767 and 1771 according to the North Carolina Taxpayers List of 1701-1786, including John Dyer?s cousins James & Joel Dyer (sons of Joseph Dyer?s brother, John Dyer) and their children. Not long afterwards, one of these Dyer cousins, James, died in 1780. He had been partners in many land deals with his brother, Joel Dyer. After settling up with James? wife, Joel went to Hawkins County, Tennessee and then on to Madison County, Tennessee and then to Dyer County, Tennessee. - which was supposedly named for his son Robert Dyer. John Dyer went to Christian County, Kentucky and made his will in 1799. Page 53 of W. B. Dyer?s ?Dyer Family History? Book. See Watson Dyer?s book for more information on this line. Sources: Watson B. Dyer, Dyer Family History , self published. (WD). History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, by Maud Carter Clement.