In researching my James Charles family for a DAR Supplemental Application, I had to prove that Sarah Halbert, James' wife, was indeed a Halbert. With no marriage record or probate and estate records found, I had to turn to deeds. Luckily for me, hiding in plan sight in the Essex County, VA deed books, was this wonderful document:
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| Essex Co., VA Deed Book 27, p. 106 |
Clearly, it just doesn't get any sweeter than that, right?! But apparently it can! Researching all the deeds for the sale of this land, one deed that followed a deed for the Sarah and James Charles,really caught my eye. The deed was dated 17 Dec 1754, and it was an indenture for a young man named Benjamin Croxton, who was 12 years old. The indenture stated: "This Indenture Witnesseth that Benjamin Croxton son James Croxton late of the County of essex deceased of his own free will and by and with the Consent of John Croxton Sen. his Grand father hath put himself apprentice to Class Castone of the same County Carpenter & wheel wright the Science or trade that he non useth to be taught..."
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| Essex Co., VA Deed Book 27, p. 74 |
THREE GENERATIONS! Who, I ask, wouldn't want to find this for their family? And not only do you have that information, but you have an occupation, a ante date for the death of the father, and a post date for the grandfather! From here, one could then search for probate records for the father and grandfather prior and post 1754.
And to think there are some who feel that you can't find anything in deeds!
How have deeds helped you with your family research? Found anything exciting? Please share.
What wonderful finds, Jill! I am taking the land course next week at SLIG, and have been reading a book about land records this week. The records you might find - as you just proved her - are well worth the time and energy to look into deed books!
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