Miscellaneous Albemarle County Records
Albemarle Order Book 1744-48, p. 74. 25 September 1745. FRANCIS WRIGHT was in a suit against RICHARD SORRELL, case dismissed.
JOHN SEARLES married 23 March 1750/51 in Albemarle Co. from DIARY OF ROBERT ROSE, BY Ralph E. Fall, McClure Press, 1977 (Bride’s name not given).
Albemarle Co. Va. Will Book 2, p. 9. 16 May 1753. JAMES MAHUNNEY left to MARGARET SORRELL land in Louisa Co. whereon JAMES FRANCIS did live, when she is of age or marries. (Is this the same Margaret as Margaret Gilbert below? Is this the same land?)
Albemarle Deed Bk 4: 344-345. 12 March 1757. RICHARD SORLS & NATHANIEL
GILBERT & MARGARET GILBERT, wife of said NATHANIEL of Albemarle sold
THOMAS WALKER 150acs adjoining MORDECAI HOOD & JOSIAH WOOD, for the
sum of 12 pounds, 10 shillings.
Albemarle Court, March 1757. This indenture acknowledged by RICHARD
SORELS, NATHANIEL GILBERT, and MARGARET , wife of the said GILBERT, she
being privately examined as the law directs and ordered to be recorded.
All signed by marks.
Albemarle Co. Surveys.
Surveyors Book 1, part 2, p.35 (1756-1790)
220 acs on both sides of Tillery’s Creek or branch in Albemarle surveyed
for RICHARD SEARLES, 20 April 1758, adjacent Col. John Chiswell’s line
and John Tillery’s line. Land was transferred to CORNELIUS McGUIRE &
from McQUIRE to SAMUEL WOODS.
FREDERICKSVILLE PARISH VESTRY BOOK, Vol. II 1742-1787, Rosalie Davis.
Pp. 117,118.
25 March 1760
By order of Albemarle Court , we, JOHN HARRIS and THOMAS PAULET, Church
Wardens of Fredericksville Parish, do put PEGGY EVANS, a bastard child,
the daughter of ELIZABETH SIMMONS, now ELIZABETH SORREL, an apprentice
or servant unto JOHN McCULLOCK until age 18 years. Said McCULLOCK doth
agree he will teach or cause to be taught the said EVANS, and provide in
such manner as the law directs and at the expiration of the term give such
reward as the custom of the country. Witness: JOHN MOORE
Albemarle Deed Bk 3: 332-333. 3 &4 April 1763. Transfer of property
from RICHARD SORLE to THOMAS WALKER. This was a deed of Lease and Release
400acs in Albemarle Co. on waters of Great Creek, formerly in Louisa Co.
granted by patent to SURLES 10 August 1759, bounded by Nichalson Oliver,
James Powers. Both deeds refer to the same property. Richard signed by
mark. No witnesses given.
At a court held for Albemarle Co. Va. 7 September 1763, these deeds
of lease and release were acknowledged by RICHARDS SURLS, party thereto
and ordered to be recorded. ELIZABETH , the wife of said RICHARD, personally
appeared in court and being first privately examined as the law directs
voluntarily relinguished her right of dower conveyed by the said indenture.
1769 HOUSE OF BURGESS, Folder 47, Virginia State Library. Dated 23 December
1768.
Realizing that his majesty’s title to the lands situate on the east
side of the River Ohio having been lately recognized by the six nations
of Indians, the petitioners, among them William Carr, Benjamin Lewis, RICHARD
SURLS, Thomas Jefferson, Mordecai Hood, etc., ask for leave to survey 45,000
acres of land, to begin on the lower side of the little Kankawa River at
its confluence with the river Ohio and to run up the said little Kankawa
and down the river Ohio to complete the said quantity in one or more surveys.
Note: no county mentioned, but most of the men named on this were from
Albemarle, including all those named above.
THOMAS JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FOUNDATION RECORDS (personally researched by Thelma F. Prince in June 1981, and also by a genealogical records researcher) show that a RICHARD SORRELS began to work for THOMAS JEFFERSON 28 August 1769, and he worked more or less continously for him at Monticello until the last reference to him is made on 10 February 1774 when a sale of his estate was held. Therefore he died before this date. Jefferson kept detailed accounts on all his workers, crops planted, etc. In Richard’s account , several references are made to WILLIAM/BILLY SORRELLS. I do not want to give an abstract of these papers since they are copywrited. But they do mention that WILLIAM SORRELS began to work with RICHARD SORRELS, 29 December 1772. On 6 June 1772, "Your boy burning bricks is mentioned." On 27 September 1772, "Credit RICHARD SORRELLS one day’s work of BILLY SORRELLS." On 26 February 1773 "Work of yourself and BILLY from 2 January to this day." They did general work around the gardens, orchards, and did fencing, split rails. Etc. I have been trying to find out in just which published work of Jefferson’s daily accounts that these records are in about Richard Sorrells. No luck so far. These accounts do not show how old this RICHARD was, just that a sale of his estate was held February 1774, and he left a widow referred to as Mrs. Sorrells, to whom Thomas Jefferson gave some money.
Deed Book A, pg. 517-518, Louisa Co. Va.
These records were found also: 24 July 1753. Louisa Co. Va.: JOHN DICKENSON,
planter, to MARGARET SORRILLS, child of aforesaid county, for 20 pounds
current money, 150 acres in Fredericksville Parish, Louisa Co. Va. Between
two ridges of mountains, part of a survey patented by MAJOR JOHN HENRY
of 1,750 acres. Said HENRY transferred the said 150 acres to JOHN DICKENSON
by deed in Hanover court WILLIAM CARR’s corner, etc (description of land,
hard to read). Witnesses: William Coursey, Jr., William Hughes. Signed/
JOHN DICKENSON.
17 September 1777- Vestry held at poor house. To ELIZABETH SORRELS
provided she is a resident of this parish one year, to commence from 1
January 1778. (This is from the Fredericksville Vestry Book, Vol II 1742-1787,
by Rosalie Davis.)
The above records are presented for your study . Anyone with further information or questions on any early Richard Sorrells in Virginia is invited to E-mail me. Princef@monmouth.com This RICHARD has not been identified as the father of anyone with any certainty, and I don't know if he is the same person as the other records in this county on a RICHARD, or if he is the same person as the Richard Sorrells of Augusta County, VA. This paper contains only records researched to date on a RICHARD of Albemarle. No claim of certain identity of any of these mentioned is made by me. Thelma Faye Prince
JOHN SORRELL OF GOOCHLAND-ALBEMARLE-AMHERST COUNTY, VIRGINIA
A JOHN SORRELL was paid 36 Ibs. Tobacco in Prince George County out of the estate of THOMAS JACKSON, 13 Sept. 1714. Don’t know if he is the same as the one discussed below.
JOHN SORRELL married first, MARY ____, who signed many deeds, and who died before 1770. Early in 1770 he married again, MARY COLEMAN ELLIS, a widow who survived him.
No record has been found to give us the age of JOHN, but most probably he was born about 1693, married about 1715 to his first wife, and he died in Amherst Co. Va. In 1783, leaving a will, which will be abstracted last.
Deeds found in Goochland County naming JOHN SORRELL, Book of Wills and Deeds p. 40. 16 Nov. 1728. ROBERT ADAMS to JOHN SORRELL, for 10 lbs, 100 acs., Tuckahoe Creek. Wits: GEO. PAYNE, JOSEPH ASHLIN.
p. 156. 16 Dec. 1729. JOHN SORRELL to SYLVANUS, MARGARET PUMFREE, and SYLVANUS PUMFREE, JR. for 10Ibs, 100 acs. Bounded by Broad Branch of Tuckahoe Creek. Wits: ROBERT ADAMS, JOHN BOWIE.
p. 248. 18 May 1731. CHARLES JOHNSON, St. James Parish, Goochland Co., to JOHN SORRELL, same, for 5500 Ibs tobacco, 150 acs, on North side of James River. Wit: ROBT. PAYNE, JAMES BARRET, BENJ. WOODSON. Signed CHARLES (X) JOHNSON. ELIZABETH, wife of JOHNSON, relinquished her dower right.
p. 337. 13 Dec. 1731. SYVANUS PUMPHRY of Goochland to JOHN SORRELL, SAME, 100 acs adjoining WADLOE and COLLINS, on Broad branch Tuckahoe Creek, adjoining land purchased by PUMPHRY of said SORRELL. Wits: GEORGE PAYNE, MATTHEW COLLINS, ROBT. PAYNE.
GEORGE ALVES brought suit against JOHN SORRELL, Dec. 18, 1728, Goochland.
ROBERT and GEORGE PAYNE, JR. to JOHN SORRRELL, July 1732.
In August 1732, a suit against JOHN SORRELL was brought by THOMAS WADLOE. JOHN SORRELL brought suit against WILLIAM MOSELY. WILLIAM MAYO brought suit against JOHN SORRELL, January 1733 (Order book 3,, p. 89, 106, 222, Goochland).
Goochland Co. Deed Book #2, 1734-1736 p. 12. 17 September 1734. JOHN SORRELL, Goochland, to THOMAS OWEN, Henrico Co. for 100 bushels wheat, 150 acs land on north side James River, bounded by Broad Branch. Wits: J. WILLIAMS, THOS. ANDERSON, THOS ALLEN. MARY, wife of JOHN, relinguished her dower right.
JOHN SORRELL patented 100 acs land on the branches of Tuckahoe Creek beginning at his own land on WEBBER’S line, east to CHARLES JOHNSON’S, north to ADAM’S line. 6 April 1734/ (Book 15, p. 199, Land Grants.)
JOHN SORRELL sold to CHARLES JOHNSON for 10lbs, 100 acs on Tuckahoe Creek, land granted SORRELL on WEBBER’S line, to ADAM’S line. 14 July 1735. ( Deed Book #2, p.135.)
21 January 1741. WILLIAM PERRY sold 220 acs of land to JOHN SORRELL in St. James Parish, southside of the Rivanna River, adj. CHARLES LEWIS. Wits: PRISCILLA DAWSON, MARTIN DAWSON. (Deed Book #4, Goochland)
28 March 1745. Order Bk. B, p. 9. JOHN SORRELL, ROBERT ADAMS, CHARLES BOND, MARTIN DAWSON were appointed appraisers of the estate of CHARLES BLANE, deceased.
27 Sept 1745. Order Bk 1745-48, p.75. JOHN SORRELL in a suit against THOMAS FITZPATRICK, administrator of CHARLES BLANY, for 25 shillings, which he is to recover and 94 and ½ lbs tobacco for his cost.
12 November 1747. Order Bk 1745-48, p.314. JOHN SORRELL was ordered surveyor of the Three Notched Road from No. 12, in the room of JAMES DEFER.
12 May 1748. Order Bk 1745-48, p. 360. ALEXANDER PATTEN was appointed Constable in the room of JOHN SORRELL.
23 Oct. 1749. Deed Bk 1, p. 139. THOMAS MERIWETHER of Hanover to JOHN SORREL for 40lbs, 200 acs both sides Mychunk or Beaverdam fork adj. BENJ. WHEELER. Patented to THOS. MERIWETHER 10 June 1740. Wits: THOMAS WALKER, JNO. LEWIS, WM. HILL.
13 February 1750. Deed Bk 1, p.277. JNO. SORRELL to BENJ. SNEED for 5lbs, 200acs Beaver Dam, fork of Machunk Creek, formerly that of THOS MERIWETHER. Wits: JNO. MORRIS, JAS. DEFOOR, WM. McGHEE, ROBT. HARDWICK.
8 May 1750. Deed Bk 1, p. 188. WM HARRIS to STEPHEN ROE for 5 lbs, 100 acs Beaver Dam adj. grantor’s new line, side of mountain, THOS. SORREL. {This is only time THOS. SORREL is found. Who was he?}
20 Dec. 1750. Deed Bk 1, p. 279. JNO. SORRELL to JNO. HENDERSON for 33lbs, 90 acs Southside North Rivanna adj. PERRY Creek. Wit: BENJ. SNEAD, JNO. MORRIS, WM. McGHEE, ROBT. HARDWICK.
20 Jan. 1755. Deed Bk. 7, p. 536. JOHN SORRELL, 260 acs on the S. branch of Rivanna River, part of a grant , to WILLIAM PERRY. The wife of JOHN SORRELL relinquished her dower rights. Signed: JOHN SORRELL. Wits: JOHN HENDERSON, JOHN DAWSON.
8 July 1762. Deed Bk 3:197. JNO HENDERSON, to son JNO. JR. for 125 lbs., 490 acs 200 of it pat. To HENRY RUNALLS 11 April 1732; N side Rivanna and bought from Runnalls, 90 acs S side Rivanna and bought from JOHN SORRELL and joins where JNO. HENDERSON lives. 200 acs pat. To ARTHUR HOPKINS, 20 April 1732, on Lewis Creek near Red Bank falls- has manor where I live. Wits: GUY SMITH, CHRISTOPHER CLARK, JNO. COLEMAN.
AMHERST COUNTY, VIRGINIA
7 March 1763. Deed Bk A:96. HENRY ROBERTS, Amherst Co. to BENJAMIN
MOOR, Amherst Co. for 50 lbs for 384 acs. This land used to belong to MORRICE
ROBERTS, deceased. Lines: JOHN LYON, JOHN SORREL, JOHN CRAWFORD,
7 May 1764(?) Deed Bk A:200. BENJ. MOORE, Amherst, to JOHN DAWSON,
Amherst, 20 lbs for 100 acs, Fork of Cove and Hickory Creek of Rockfish.
Lines: JOHN LYON, JOHN SORRELL, JOHN CRAWFORD.
Amherst Co surveys: 14 April 1767, JNO. SORREL, 95 acs.
Amherst Deed Bk C:146. 3 November 1770. Marriage contract between JOHN SORRELS, Amherst Co. to MARY COLEMAN ELLIS. Wits: CALEB COLEMAN, JNO. DAWSON, SAML. GAY. (Data on Mary may be found in Nelson Co. Va. Will Bk A:153, 242. She outlived her husband, I believe until abt 1810.)
Amherst Deed Bk D:373. 1 October 1776. NATHAN CRAWFORD of Amherst Co. to BENJ. MOOR, of Amherst Co., 200 acs in Rich Cove and both sides of Cove Creek. Lines: BENJ. MOOR, TERISHA TURNER, JNO. DAWSON, JNO. SORRELS. Orig. delivered 27 July 1804 to J. MOORE.
JOHN SORRELLS on Amherst Co. tax list 1782. 495 acs land paid tax on. The estate paid the taxes the following year on 2 whites and 26 blacks.
Amherst Deed Book H:343. 18 Dec. 1797. JNO. S. DAWSON and wife, JANE, to JNO. DAWSON for 80 lbs N side Hicory, part of tract left to JNO. S. by will of JNO. SORRELL, deceased, Amherst Co. Lines: ZACH ROBERTS, grantor, on a ridge near Rock spring, JNO. DAWSON. Wit: MARTIN DAWSON, JNO. LYON, JNO. BAILEY, JR.
Amherst Co. Deed Book H:345. 18 Jan. 1798. JNO. DAWSON and wife, SALLY, to JNO. S. DAWSON (orig. delivered as above) for 40 lbs, 40 acs Cove Creek. Bought by JNO. Of BENJ. MOORE, deceased. Lines: JNO, and JNO. S. DAWSON, Spring Branch of JNO. SORRELL’s widow. Wit: MARTIN DAWSON, JNO. LYON, JNO. BAILEY, JR.
The above records were abstracted by Thelma Faye Prince