Davis Stockton: Difference between revisions

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Stockton was reputed to have first landed in Virginia at Williamsburg. A popular story held that he eventually joined [[Michael Woods Sr.]]'s group of settlers who migrated to what was then [[Goochland County]] in the early 1730's. However, the two men ultimately came to split up, with Woods continuing straight forward to [[Jarmans Gap]] while Stockton veered to the left along the foot of the mountains towards [[Batesville]], carving his initials onto a tree as a memorial of the place where they were separated. This abbreviation of "D.S." would become a famous landmark in later years.
Stockton was reputed to have first landed in Virginia at Williamsburg. A popular story held that he eventually joined [[Michael Woods Sr.]]'s group of settlers who migrated to what was then [[Goochland County]] in the early 1730's. However, the two men ultimately came to split up, with Woods continuing straight forward to [[Jarmans Gap]] while Stockton veered to the left along the foot of the mountains towards [[Batesville]], carving his initials onto a tree as a memorial of the place where they were separated. This abbreviation of "D.S." would become a famous landmark in later years.


Stockton eventually settled along both the north and south forks of [[Mechums River]], constructing perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. In 1739 he made his first entry of four hundred acres on Ivy Creek, and in 1741 he patented eight hundred more on both forks of Mechum's. Altogether, the family obtained grants of around four thousand acres in that section of the county.
Stockton eventually settled along both the north and south forks of [[Mechums River]], constructing perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. In 1739 he made his first entry of 400 acres on Ivy Creek, and in 1741 he patented 800 more on both forks of Mechum's. Altogether, the family obtained grants of around 4,000 acres in that section of the county.


Stockton died in [[1760]].
Stockton died in [[1760]].
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Samuel and William owned a mill (the same that their father had built) on the south fork of Mechum's close to Batesville, which they sold to James Garland in [[1767]]. Sometime prior to [[1780]], Samuel and most likely William as well emigrated to Rutherford County in North Carolina.
Samuel and William owned a mill (the same that their father had built) on the south fork of Mechum's close to Batesville, which they sold to James Garland in [[1767]]. Sometime prior to [[1780]], Samuel and most likely William as well emigrated to Rutherford County in North Carolina.


Richard lived along the fork of Mechum's. In 1751, he and his wife Agnes sold four hundred acres to Reverend Samuel Black, who established his house on the land not far from where Richard's place was located. Richard died in [[1775]]. The name of his son John appeared among the list of subscribers to the Albemarle Declaration of Independence in [[1791]].
Richard lived along the fork of Mechum's. In 1751, he and his wife Agnes sold 400 acres to Reverend Samuel Black, who established his house on the land not far from where Richard's place was located. Richard died in [[1775]]. The name of his son John appeared among the list of subscribers to the Albemarle Declaration of Independence in [[1791]].


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==

Revision as of 13:42, 24 March 2023

1892 U.S. Geological Survey Map showing Davis Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River in Albemarle County. Reproduced from Jerry Stockton.

Davis Stockton (c. 1685 - 1760) was a prominent inhabitant of early Albemarle County. Several geographic features in the region were originally named after him.

Biography

Stockton was born around 1685 in England. Y-DNA and genealogical research indicates that his male line ancestors may have settled near the town of Stockton-on-Tees in County Durham.[1]

Stockton was reputed to have first landed in Virginia at Williamsburg. A popular story held that he eventually joined Michael Woods Sr.'s group of settlers who migrated to what was then Goochland County in the early 1730's. However, the two men ultimately came to split up, with Woods continuing straight forward to Jarmans Gap while Stockton veered to the left along the foot of the mountains towards Batesville, carving his initials onto a tree as a memorial of the place where they were separated. This abbreviation of "D.S." would become a famous landmark in later years.

Stockton eventually settled along both the north and south forks of Mechums River, constructing perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. In 1739 he made his first entry of 400 acres on Ivy Creek, and in 1741 he patented 800 more on both forks of Mechum's. Altogether, the family obtained grants of around 4,000 acres in that section of the county.

Stockton died in 1760.

Family and descendants

Stockton was married to Martha and had four children with her named Richard, Samuel, William, and Thomas. After Stockton's passing, Martha eventually remarried to Samuel Arnold, a resident who lived along Ivy Creek.

Samuel and William owned a mill (the same that their father had built) on the south fork of Mechum's close to Batesville, which they sold to James Garland in 1767. Sometime prior to 1780, Samuel and most likely William as well emigrated to Rutherford County in North Carolina.

Richard lived along the fork of Mechum's. In 1751, he and his wife Agnes sold 400 acres to Reverend Samuel Black, who established his house on the land not far from where Richard's place was located. Richard died in 1775. The name of his son John appeared among the list of subscribers to the Albemarle Declaration of Independence in 1791.

Legacy

The north fork of Mechum's River is today named Stockton's Creek, while the south fork in earlier times was known as Stockton's Mill Creek.

The first name by which Israel's Gap was known was Stockton's Thoroughfare.[2]

References

  1. Web. Davis Stockton (abt. 1685 - 1761), WikiTree
  2. Web. Albemarle County in Virginia, C.J. Carrier Company, 1901