James Anderson^{[1, 2]}

1740 - 1793  (53 years)

• Name	James Anderson
  	James Anderson married Mary Taylor; children unknown [reported as her 2nd husband after Robert Penn]
  Born	1740	Meckenbury County, Virginia
  Gender	Male
  Died	1793	Chatham, NC
  Person ID	I16331	My Reynolds Line
  Last Modified	26 Jan 2017

  
  

  Father	Thomas Anderson,   b. 1714, Hanover County, Virginia ,   d. 1780, Mecklenbury County, Virginia  (Age 66 years)
  Mother	Sarah Clark,   b. Abt 1720, Hanover Co., Colonial Virgnia ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Married	Children of Thomas Anderson and Sarah Clark Anne Anderson, 1761-Unknown Sarah Anderson, 1745-1779 James Anderson, 1740-1793 Frances Anderson, 1746-1817 Elizabeth Anderson, 1741-1779 Martha Anderson, 1751-Unknown Thomas Anderson, 1753-1793 Mary Anderson, 1742-1814 Susanna Anderson, 1759-1834 Lucy Maria Anderson, 1765-1828 Henrietta Maria Anderson, 1769-1797
  Family ID	F5744	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Mary Taylor,   b. Abt 1750, Mecklenburg Co., Virginia ,   d. Yes, date unknown
  Children	+ 1. Sarah Holcomb Anderson,   b. 11 May 1777,   d. 19 May 1826, Franklin, Williamson Co., Tennessee  (Age 49 years)
  Last Modified	29 Jul 2016
  Family ID	F5749	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S48] Ancestry Link, http://www.ancestry.com/genealogy/records/thomas-anderson_2903374. [S84] Rootsweb, http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~anderson/va/trees/jamest.html. 1. James5 Anderson (Thomas4, Thomas3, Thomas2, Richard1) (Source: (1) James Anderson, 1751 Will of James Anderson, (Will Book 9, Page 772, Surry County, Virginia)., (2) Thomas Anderson, 1711 Will of Thomas Anderson, (1710-1713 Will Book, Page 36, Prince George County, Virginia).) was born Abt. 1689 in "The Cattails", Charles City County, Virginia, and died November 20, 1751 in "Arnols", Surry County, Virginia (Source: Gertrude R. B. Richards, Register of Albemarle Parish, Surry and Sussex Counties, 1739-1778, (The National Society Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia; 1958).). He married (1) Mary Jordan (Source: Robert A. Jordan, Jordan Journal, History of the George and Arthur Jordan Families of Virginia, North Carolina, Indiana from 1634, (Indianapolis, Indiana; 1996).) Abt. 1712 in Surry County, Virginia, daughter of George Jordan and Mary Browne. She was born Abt. 1694 in "Robin Hood Branch", Surry County, Virginia, and died Abt. 1736 in "Arnols", Surry County, Virginia. He married (2) Rebecca Cooke Bef. May 01, 1740 in Surry County, Virginia, daughter of William Cooke and Rebecca Jones. She was born Abt. 1705 in Surry County, Virginia, and died 1770 in Surry County, Virginia (Source: Lyndon H. Hart, III, Surry County, Virginia, Wills, Estate Accounts and Inventories; 1730 - 1800, (Southern Historical Press, Inc., Easley, South Carolina; 1985).). Notes for James Anderson: James Anderson is named in the 1711 will of Thomas Anderson of Prince George County. That the James Anderson of Surry County is the son of Thomas is established by a deed dated 04/14/1719 from James Anderson of Surry County to Cornelius Cargill for 105 acres on Cattail Swamp bounded by a line of Charles Anderson in which his wife Mary Anderson relinquishes her dower by separate affidavit. These are the lands willed by Thomas Anderson. Thus, the father of James Anderson of Surry County is Thomas Anderson of Prince George County. No contemporary birth record is known. A caution, that in Prince George County there also resides at this time the children of James Anderson with sons Matthew,Jr., William,Jr. and James Anderson and daughter Elizabeth Ligon. There is no confirmed relationship although such cannot be dismissed. James Anderson is identified as an executor of his father's will in 1711 and is mentioned in the inheritance lists of his brother and sister in 1712. He co-signs deeds with Mary and Cornelius Cargill of his fathers land in 1712. On that deed his wife Mary approves and shows that James married Mary Jordan before 1712. In 1714 James sells his interest in the plantation that his father resided on and willed to his widow Mary, to Edward Goodrich. In 1715 James's father-in-law George Jordan gave his daughter Mary Anderson, land along the north side of the Blackwater swamp. This was located in Surry County. James was probably absent from the colony at the time of this gift, which would explain why it was drawn in her name allowing her to perfect the title. In 1730 he added 200 acres adjacent to this land by purchase from Henry Thomas and John Avery. This Surry County estate he called "Arnols". Arnols/Arnolds Creek formed the eastern boundary of the estate north of the Blackwater. His father in law referred to this creek as a spring branch in his deed, without using the name Arnols. It would appear from the first use in James' will that he named the creek. The plantation site, however, is at the major crossing point of the Blackwater River east of City Point. It was at this point that the Berkley directed explorations of Southwest Virginia crossed the Blackwater in the 1650's. At this point the Blackwater River has a gravely bottom which would support fording traffic. In 1718 James having returned from whereever his travels or travails had taken him, identifies himself as James Anderson of Prince George County and sells 104 acres near the Nottoway River which he must have acquired before the surviving 1710 book of Prince George County. He sells it to Joshua Meachum and records it in Surry County indicating that he was relocating from the frontier to the estate given his wife. In 1723 James patented 100 acres of land in Surry County (now Sussex) on the south side of the main Blackwater swamp beginning on the north side of the Pigeon Swamp. This record is found in Patents Book 11, 1735-38, page 289, dated 09/05/1723. This was located only a few miles south of his and his fathers lands and can be found on the 7½ minute Geodetic Survey Map "Disputania South". He sold this land to William Sanders his brother-in-law in 1726. In 1733 James acquires the southwest corner of Whetstone creek and the Little Nottoway River in current Nottoway County by purchase from its original patent holder Robert Mitchell. This deed is filed in Brunswick County. This Robert Mitchell was the brother-in-law of his second wife's sister. He was the son of Henry Mitchell who was a landholder along the Prince George and Surry County border as was James. In 1735 James Anderson patents 150 acres North of the Little Nottoway River in Prince Georges County (now Nottoway). This is filed in patents book 16, page 150 dated 08/18/1735. From the 1736 tax lists of Amelia County it would appear that James was speculating in Amelia County and was developing lands near the junction of Whetstone Creek and the Little Nottoway River just west of current Blackstone, Virginia. In 1743 James Anderson, identified as James Anderson,Sr. of Surry County leases to his sons Thomas and Jordan those lands along Whetstone Creek and to his son James the land just east of them on the North side of the Little Nottoway River. These leases are filed in Amelia deed book 2. James' will consigns these lands to the sons in possession of them. There is a land plat of the original grants of this area prepared for the Amelia County Historical Association and is a must for anyone who wishes to understand the lands of all the Amelia Andersons. He retains title to the head lands along Whetstone Creek until 1750, at which time he deeds this land to his son John. There are five sons and four daughters known to be issue of James Anderson. I am confident that this list is complete. See the book "Genealogy in part, of the Anderson-Owen-Beall families"; By Grant James Anderson; Richmond Virginia; Whitter & Shepperson printers, 1909. According to the family tradition of Grant James Anderson as documented in his book, the family came to South side Virginia about 1733. An unknown father of surname Anderson with his four sons James, Thomas, Jourdan, John and daughter Faith. The mother's maiden name was Jourdan. It is not clear in the text whether their mother came with them. The tradition states that he remarried and sired another son William Anderson and another unnamed daughter who married Mr. Moss. The Christian name of the father is easily established by examination of Amelia County, Virginia deeds and Surry County Wills. He was James Anderson, of Southwark Parish in Surry County, Virginia. My research has shown the immigration story of Grant J. Anderson to be erroneous. We can hypothesize that his story is attributed to the relocation and travel of the five children from Surry County to Amelia County in 1733. I have chosen to assign the daughters of James Anderson to his first wife. This is because the Grant Anderson text states Faith was a daughter of the unknown Jordan. The text further says that another daughter who married a Moss was the daughter of the second wife. However as she is recorded as having a child in 1745 I think it likely she was the daughter of the first wife. It would appear that Mary was the oldest child, from the date of birth of her own children. Records of James Anderson James Anderson to Cornelius Cargill of Surry County 03/07/1712 155 acres Prince George County Book 1710-1713 page 254 recorded 01/13/1713 bounded by land given by the will of Thomas Anderson, dec'd to his son Charles Anderson and the Queen's land; 105 acres was lately surveyed by Capt. Robert Bolling for said Thomas Anderson, and by him given to said James, with 50 acres adjoining Capt. Taylor's cart path. Wit: Francis West, Will'm Sanders, Charles Anderson Livery & seizin witnesses by Roger Rees, Michael Rosser, Richard Whitmore, James Anderson and wife acknowledged the deed. James Anderson to Edward Goodrich of Surry County 01/12/1713/14 100 acres Prince George County Book 1710-1713 page 272 recorded 01/12/1713/14 for 4000 lbs Tob. Land where Cornelius Cargill & wife Mary lately lived (purchased by Thomas Anderson of John Jane, and given to the relict Mary then to James] James Anderson to Joshua Meachum of Prince George County of Surry County 07/15/1718 104 acres Surry County Book 1715-1730 page 127 This Indenture made the fifteenth Day of July in the fourth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith & in the year of our Lord God one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighteen Between James Anderson of Prince George County of the one part and Joshua Meachum of Surry County of the other part. Witnesseth that the said James Anderson for the valuable consideration of four pounds current money of Virginia to him the said James Anderson by the said Joshua Meachum according to agreement between them well and truly satisfied and paid whereof and of every part and parcel thereof the said James Anderson doth free, quitt release and discharge him the said Joshua Meachum his heirs executors and administrators and hath for him and his heirs given granted bargained sold aliened assigned en scoffed and confirmed and doth by these presents fully freely and absolutely give grant bargain sell assign over en scoff and confirm to him the said Joshua Meachum his heirs and assigns one parcel of land in the present possession and occupation of him the said James Anderson with all privileges profits and emoluments whatsoever thereunto belonging. The said parcel contains one hundred and four acres of land be it more or less situate lying and being in Surry County near Nottoway River bounded as followeth Viz:. beginning at a small meadow branch thence Southeast & by East one fourth East twelve poles to a black oak, thence South Southeast three quarters East sixty one poles thence along the Line of Daniel Eppes East thirty eight degrees South eighty poles to two hickorys thence Northeast fourty poles to a black oak thence North by East half East fourty poles to a black oak, thence North Eighty poles to three black oaks thence Norwest and by West three quarters West sixty four poles to one oak and two hickorys, thence South West Eighty Eight poles to a pine standing in the said meadow branch thence up the said branch as it trends to the beginning including the said one hundred and four Acres of Land. TO HAVE and TO HOLD the said one hundred and four Acres of Land with all other the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said Joshua Meachum his heirs and assigns forever in as Large and Ample manner to all Intents and purposes as he the said James Anderson or any other might or could enjoy the same and further the said James Anderson doth for himself his heirs Est: & Administrators covenant promise and agree to and with the said the said Joshua Meachum his heirs and assigns that he the said James Anderson is at present rightfully seized of the said Land by an Indeisseizable Title in Law and that the said Land is at present free and clear and is and shall be warranted and maintained free and clear from nay former bargain sale gift grant dower estate title claim or interest made by him the said James Anderson or any other person or persons claiming by or under him or his heirs or by or with their consents or procurement and that the said Joshua Meachum his heirs an assigns shall peaceably and quietly possess & enjoy all the above receited premises without the least hindrance or molestation of him the said James Anderson or his heirs or any other person or persons. IN WITNESS whereof the said James Anderson have hereunto set his hand and seal the Day and Year first above Written. Signed Sealed and Delivered In the presence of James Anderson sealed with John Jane a wafer John Ingles John Ingles Memo: That on the tenth Day of July one Thousand Seven hundred and Eighteen Quiet and peaceable Possession and seizin of the Land within mentioned was delivered by the within named James Anderson unto the within mentioned Joshua Meachum according to the form and effect of the within written Deed in due form of Law. At a Court held at Southwark for the County of Surry July ye 16th 1718 This day appeared in Court the within named James Anderson and did acknowledge the within mentioned contents to be his real Act & Deed as also Delivery and Seizin which is ordered to be recorded and is recorded by James Anderson to Cornelius Cargill of Surry County of Prince George County 04/14/1719 105 acres Prince George County Book 1713-1728 page 292 This Indenture made this Fourteenth Day of April in the year of our Lord Christ One Thousand Seven hundred and Nineteen between James Anderson of the County of Surry of the One part and Cornelius Cargill of the County of Prince George of the other part. Witnesseth that the said James Anderson for divers good causes and considerations him thereunto moving, but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of Four pounds current money to him in hand paid by the said Cornelius Cargill at and before the en sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt whereof the said James Anderson doth hereby acknowledge and thereof doth acquit release and discharge the said Cornelius Cargill his heirs, executors, Etc. Hath given, granted, bargained sold, remised, released, and for ever quitted claim, and by these presents the said James Anderson doth for him self his heirs Excrs Etc.: give, grant, bargain, sell, remise, release, and for ever quit claim unto the said Cornelius Cargill and to his heirs for ever to all that seat, tract or parcel of Land situate Lying and being on the Cattail Swamp in the County of Prince George containing One hundred and five acres of land and bounded Viz: Westwardly on the Land of Charles Anderson, Easterly Northerly, and Southerly upon unpatented Lands. To have and to hold the said Lands and premises with all the appertenances thereunto belonging unto the said Cornelius Cargill and to his heirs forever, together with all houses orchards, gardens, meadows, pastures, fencings, woods, underwoods, ways, waters, and watercourses thereon or thereunto belonging, so that neither the said James Anderson or his heirs nor any other person or persons whatever claiming or to claim by from or under him or them shall not at any time hereafter have any right title interest claim or demand of or to the said lands and premises but that the same with every part & parcel; [? ] of shall be and forever hereafter [? ] to the only sole proper use & [?] of him the said Cornelius Cargill and to his heirs for ever more and lastly the said James Anderson doth hereby further covenant and agree to with him the said Cornelius Cargill to defend and warrant the sayl of these presents by a general warranty against all and all manner of persons whatever unto the said Cornelius Cargill and to his heirs for ever. In Witness whereof the said James Anderson hath hereunto set his hand and seal the Day and year first above written Signed sealed and Delivered in sight and presence of James Anderson sealed with red wax On the back of the above deed was a endorsement in the following words. Viz: Memorandum That Livery and Seizin of the Lands and premises within mentioned was by the within named James Anderson made and executed in due form of Law unto the within named Cornelius Cargill in sight of James Anderson At a Court held at Merchant's Hope for the County of Prince George on the second Tuesday in April being the fourteenth Day of the said month Anno Domini, 1719 The above written deed for land (indented and sealed) was in open Court acknowledged (with the above endorsement of Livery of Seizin theron) by James Anderson the subscriber thereunto, to be his act and deed to Cornelius Cargill named therein, on whole motion the same by Order of the Court is truly recorded. And there also appeared in Court Mary the wife of the said James Anderson and being first privately examined freely & voluntarily relinquished to the said Cornelius Cargill her right of dower in and to the lands in the said deed mentioned which by Order of the Court is likewise recorded teste Wm Hamlin Cl Cur Anderson, James 09/05/1723 100 acres Surry County Patents Book 11, 1735-38, page 289 GEORGE [insert] TO ALL[i] KNOW YE that for diverse good causes and considerations but more especially for and in consideration of the sum of TEN SHILLINGS of good and lawful money for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Treasury in this our Colony and Dominion of Virginia. WE HAVE given granted and confirmed and by these presents for Us our [?] Do give grant and confirm unto James Anderson of Surry County one certain tract or parcel of Land containing one hundred acres lying and being on the South side of the Main Blackwater Swamp in the County aforesaid and bounded as followeth, to wit. BEGINNING at a pine on the North side of the Pigeon Swamp thence Northeast one hundred and thirty nine poles to a red oak then North by East seventy four poles to a pine thence West Northwest forty one poles to a pine then South fifty five degrees West Sixty poles to a pine by the side of a small Branch then down the various courses of the run of the said Branch to the Pigeon Swamp aforesaid and down the various courses of the run of the said swamp to the beginning WITH ALL[i] To have hold or to be held [i] yielding and paying [i] provided [i] In witness [i] witness our Trusty and Well beloved Hugh Drysdale Esqr. Lieut Govr. [i] at Williamsburg under the Seal of our said Colony the Fifth Day of September One Thousand Seven hundred and Twenty Three in the Fourth year of our Reign Hugh Drysdale James Anderson to William Sanders / /1726 100 acres Surry County Book 1715-1730 Part 2 page 671-673 Land north of the Pigeon Swamp beginning at the mouth of a branch. James Anderson from Robert Mitchell 05/15/1733 800 acres Brunswick County Brunswick County Deed Book 1 page 36-36 Beginning at Samuel Jordans upper corner on the River thence along Jordans line fore hundred sixty poles to his corner red oak thence along his line two hundred seventy two poles to a small red oak thence west fore hundred sixty five p.s to small red oak thence north two hundred fifty p.s at a hickory thence east to a creek and down the sd creek to the River and down the sd River to the beginning. Brunswick County had been formed in 1720, however, due to the lack of population, record keeping had not begun until 1732. The boundary between Prince George County and Brunswick had been set by the legislature as the Nottoway river, while the southern border was the boundary with North Carolina and was not surveyed until 1728. In the year 1732, the boundary between Prince George and Brunswick was delineated as the "Little Nottoway" and later changed to the "Nottoway River". The above lands were located in the fork between these branches of the Nottoway, in the southwest corner of the current Little Nottoway river and Whetstone Creek, and would later fall into Amelia County in 1736. In 1735 James added a patent across the Little Nottoway River from these lands as follows: Anderson, James 08/18/1735 150 acres Amelia County Virginia Patents Book 11, 1735-38 page ? North side of the Little Nottoway River. James Anderson from Henry Thomas 14 Jun 1736 200 acres Surry County on Blackwater Swamp James Anderson from James Anderson and Rebecca 12/20/1743 150 acres Amelia County Book 2 page 17 (old number) Lands on the North [east] side of the Little Nottoway River beginning at the river east 180 poles south 160 poles west 180 poles and then up river to the start. [East bank of the Little Nottoway north of where Jordan's road crosses] Thomas Anderson from James Anderson Rebecca 12/20/1743 300 acres Amelia County Amelia County Deed Book 2 page 39 (20 old number) Lands on South [west] side of Little Nottoway river beginning at Jordans corner on the river west then south along Jordans line then up Jordan's Little Run to a line of trees and then northwest to a spring branch down the branch to Whetstone Creek and down the Creek to the Little Nottoway river and then down to river to the start. Jordan Anderson from James Anderson and Rebecca 12/20/1743 300 acres Amelia County Book 2 page 19 (old number) Lands on South [west] side of Little Nottoway river beginning at a spring branch on Whetstone Creek, up the branch to then south along Thomas Anderson's line to a line of trees northwest to the head line and then north and then east to Whetstone Creek and down the creek to the beginning. John Anderson from James Anderson and Rebecca 03/19/1750/1 200 acres Amelia County Amelia County Deed Book 4 Page 39 This Indenture made the Nineteenth day of March in the Year of our Lord One thousand sevenhundred and fortynine & fifty between James Anderson Senior of Surry County of the one part and John Anderson of Amelia County of the other part Witnesseth that the said James Anderson for an [sic] in consideration of the sum of One Shilling Currt. money of of [sic] Virginia to him in hand paid by the said John Anderson the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge he the said James Anderson hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said John Anderson his heirs and assigns One Tract or Parcel of Land containing by estimation Two hundred Acres be the same more or less lying and being in the County of Amelia on the Southside of Little Nottoway River and bounded as follows (to wit) Beginning on Jordans Little Run on Samuel Jordans Line thence along his Line South twelve Degrees West to a corner red oak thence West fifteen Degrees North fore hundred and forty five poles to a small red oak thence North along the head kine to a large Srub white oak blas'd three ways thence a Direct cors [sic] to a large Srub white oak blas'd four ways at the head of Jordans Little Run thence down the said run as it meanders to the beginnign and the reversion remainder and remainders thereof and all the Wright title interest claim and demand whatsoever of him the said James Anderson of in or to the premisses or any part thereof to have and to hold the said tract or parcel of land with the appurtenances thereunto belonging to the said John Anderson his heirs and assigns forever and the said James Anderson from him heirs the said land and premises with the appurtenances of the said land unto the said John Anderson his heirs and assigns will warrant and forever defend by these presents In witness whereof the said James Anderson with Rebeckah his wife hath hereunto set there [sic] hands and sfixed there seals the day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and Delivered James Anderson {seal} her In presents of ........... Rebeckah Anderson {seal} mark Exd. James Anderson,Junr: Edward Eppes: Daniel Eppes. S.C. At a Court held for Amelia County the 16th day of November 1750 this deed from James Anderson Senr. to John Anderson was proved by the oaths of James Anderson, and Daniel Eppes. And at one other court held for the said County the 19th day of April 1751 the same was also proved by the Oath of Edward Eppes the other witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. /s/ Samuel Cobbs Clk The 11/20/1751 date of James Anderson death is known from the entry in the Albemarle Parish Register, reported by Thomas Bedingfield. There is some conflict between different abstracts of the register and I have not had the opportunity to examine the original. The will of James Anderson appears in Surry County, Virginia, Will Book 9, page 772. The inventory of his estate is filed 02/18/1752 and an account by his "exctriss" Rebecca Anderson is filed on 07/22/1752. In the name of God amen January 9th, 1750/1 I James Anderson of the Parish of Southwark and the County of Surry being well in body and mind for which I praise almighty God and do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that I give it and my body to the Earth to be decently buried at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned and as touching such Worldly Estate as it has pleased Almighty God to bless me with in this life I give and devise of the same as followeth viz. Item I give and Devise to my Son Thomas Anderson all my Estate that he hath now in his Possession one book called human prudence one other book called the whole Duty of man and five pounds current money of Virginia. Item I give to my Son James Anderson all my Estate he hath now in his possession and also five pounds current money of Virginia and after the Decease or Marriage of my Wife Rebecca one Negro man called Peter and my large Bible to him and to his heirs for ever. Item I give to my Son Jordan Anderson all my Estate he hath now in his possession also five pounds current Money of Virginia, one Book called the fountain of Life, and after the Death or Marriage of my Wife Rebecca one negro man named Robin to him and his heirs for ever. Item I give to my Son John Anderson and to his heirs forever One certain parcel or tract of Land lying and being in the County of Amelia joining to Thomas and Jordan Andersons Land it being the remainder of a tract of Land given to the said Thomas and Jordan Anderson containing by Estimation Two hundred Acres more or less as also fifteen pounds current money in the lieu of a Tract of Land the I formerly designed to give to him joining to my Land I now live on and also five pounds current money more, and after the death of my Wife Rebecca or Marriage One negro Boy named Aaron. Item I give all my wearing Apparel to be equally divided between my Sons namely Thomas James and Jordan and John Anderson. Item I give my Daughter Mary Eps all the Estate she hath now of mine in her Possession and five pounds current money of Virginia. Item I give to my Daughter Lyddey Averiss Five pounds current Money of Virginia and all of the Estate she hath now of mine in her Possession. Item I give to my Daughter Priscilla five pounds current money of Virginia and all the Estate she hath now of mine in her Possession Item I give to my Daughter Faith five pounds current money and all the Estate she hath now of mine in her possession. Item I give and Devise to my Son William all my Land in Surry County to him and his heirs for ever as also one Snuff Box, one Pockett Book, One Gun, called mine, and after the Death of my Wife Rebecca one negro women named Kate and her increase one negro boy named Ned, one Still and also my Desk. Item I give to my wife Rebecca and my Son William all my Estate that I have not Disposed of to be equally divided between them and it is further my Will and Desire that if my Son William Anderson should die before heirs of age or married that all the Estates as given to him may be equally divided between all my children then living. Item I give to my Wife the use of the following negro's During her life Viz: Cate and Ned, as also Still, Gun, and Desk I also give my Wife Rebecca the use of the following negro's during her life or widowhood Viz, Peter, Robin and Aaron. As I have given my Wife the use of all my negro's and the plantation I live on during her life or widowhood it is my further my [sic] will and desire that if she should Marry that then she should have nothing to do with that tract of Land known by the name of Arnols. And lastly do appoint Rebecca my Wife whole and sole Executor of this my last will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of January 1750/1 Jas: Anderson L.. S.. Signed Sealed published He. in presence of Lemuel Cocke his John Bishop mark his John Ray mark No site for the burial is known. It is likely to be on the site of the Arnols plantation north of the Blackwater Swamp near the common boundary of Prince George, Surry and Sussex Counties. The other possibility the Southwark Parish Church cemetery is now a closed forest track but no sign of surviving burials was noted on a visit to the site in 2002. More About James Anderson: Will Date: January 09, 1750/51, Surry County, Virginia Will Filed: January 21, 1751/52, Will Book 9, Page 772 Will Probate: January 21, 1751/52, Surry County, Virginia Notes for Mary Jordan: Mary Jordan was the daughter of George Jordan and Mary Brown. The will of George Jordan is filed in Surry County Will Book 7 page 145, dated May 18, 1718 and probated August 20, 1718. He mentions his wife Mary and daughter Mary Anderson and legated to her a "large" bible. This Bible is later mentioned in James Anderson's will, and apparently goes to Georgia with Mary's son James Anderson, Jr. Mary acquiesed in the sale of James Anderson lands from his father in 1712 indicating that they married before that date. There are no known marriage records for this period. This sale was likely done because James' stepmother Mary was still young and of child bearing age and the estate was unlikely to revert to James Anderson any time soon. George Jordan names his daughter Mary Anderson, wife of James Anderson in a 1715 deed to her. The deed covered lands that had been in the Jordan family since the 1650's, had passed out of the family temporarily and then had been re-acquired in 1688 by River Jordan and Priscilla Brown. Mary's father George bought 300 acres of it from his brother River in 1689 and probably move to and lived on this land. In 1701 with the death of his brother River he gained another 200a of this parcel. River's widow Priscilla lived on the remainder. George held the 300 acres of land from 1689 to 1715 and it is very likely that he began construction of the home on it. It is interesting and extremely unusual that the 1715 deed was made directly to Mary Anderson in name, even though under law at the time it became her husbands to use. Perhaps there is a story there untold, possibly even a prenuptual agreement between James and her. Most likely though the explanation lies in what was going on in Virginia in 1715. Two items are of interest. First, on the North Carolina and Virginia border, the Tuscarora Indians were holding the Lt. Governor of North Carolina hostage and the Governor of North Carolina asked the Governor of Virginia to send a militia expedition against the Indians from the north. Second, the British fleet was at anchor in the James River, recruiting militia men to go on an expedition against Newfoundland to wrest it from the French. These demands on the militia undoubtedly drew James Anderson into service in one of these efforts as he was of the appropriate age and social status. My guess is that he took his new toys, the sword and gun given him in Thomas Andersons's 1711 will and shipped out for Newfoundland. James' neighbor and possible uncle, the Rev. Charles Anderson, is recorded in William Byrd's diary as having reported to him the arrival of the fleet in the James River. Mary, living along the Nottoway River adjacent the Indians, likely discovering herself pregnant with her first child Mary, probably packed her horse and rode east to daddy's new estate. There she groused at him about being left to suffer her fate at the hands of the Indians. He, put up with it for a while, and then just to get her out of his hair, gave her the old lands north of the Blackwater River and away from the Indians. Since she was the daughter of a Jordan and a Brown it seems appropriate that she should receive it and the gift probably created good will in both families except amongst her brothers, who might have anticipated receiving the land themselves. By giving the deed to her directly, it allowed her to perfect the title in the absence of James and retain the title regardless of what became of James Anderson. It is this peculiarity of the arrangement that leads me to believe James was out of the colony, could not be communicated with, and with the possibility that he might not return. The land is in the western most corner of current Surry County and had a path running through it first noted in Virginia records as the point along the Blackwater River at which exploration parties crossed the river on the gravely bottom in the 1650's. Again in 1688 the land description includes mention of the path that crosses the Blackwater. There is now a state highway (route 606) and concrete bridge that cross at this point. It should be noted that the southern edge of this property is truly a black water swamp and that any home must have been located in the northern regions. Since her sons are later noted as carpenters, there is some likelihood that they were involved in building the home and first bridge at this location whereon they may have performed their apprenticeships. Examination of Surry County Court orders might find mention of any bridge building activity. The archeological records of old homes in Surry County include a description of a home razed at the end of the last century that was located at the junction of the road that crosses the Blackwater and the road that goes northwestward to the plantation of James's father Thomas Anderson in Prince George County. This home was in the northern portion of the estate. This old home had collapsed before it was examined, but sufficent remains existed that it could be described as a two story colonial home dating from before the revolution. As the property was not sold from the Anderson family until 1773, and the subsequent owner went into receivership; it is likely this was the home of the Anderson/Jordan family. How old it was is not determined and it possibly dates back to the time of River Jordan and Priscilla Brown.