I'd like to find out some family information for Nicholas Cresswell, so I can see if my CRESSWELL family connects to his (I think). Velma Graham Finley

I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has a copy of the Fauquier 1776 map by Eugene Scheel. I have called the number on his web site for 2 weeks with no answer. It says limited copies so I want to speak to him about it. What is on the map? Is it available anywhere but from him? Thanks for your help Jim Dempsey

Jean, Essex Co. is along the south side of the Rappahannock River southeast of Fredericksburg and Fluvanna Co. is south of I66 southeast of Charlottesville, both 50 or so miles from Fauquier Co. There are several Clarkson families with roots in VA. If you look at USGenweb for Clarkson you will see a lot of correspondence. I have posted several times and the only response I have gotten is that Henry's lineage is not known. That's why I am looking through the Turners. Henry appeared in the Fauquier tithe list in 1781 and in the minute book in 1784 when he was assigned responsibility for a portion of road west of the village of Hume in the northwest part of the county. He subsequently leased land in the Manor of Leeds and left several tracts to his daughter Martha and to his son William (from whom I am descended). I don't remember Dorothy being mentioned in his will. One of William's daughters, Eliza L. S. married Jaquelin Marshall of whom you write. I believe that Henry may have been in MD. before he married Dorothy. There should be a marriage bond on record there. Do you have a contact to check that? Bill

Barbara, as a member of DAR (but also with recent maternal English heritage), I am interested in Creswell's attitude and behavior in the mid 1770s, as it reflects what an *educated* but ill-mannered Englishman thought of our Rebel (backwoods types) ancestors. Our rebel ancestors had developed an independent spirit early on, hadn't they? When I met my mother's still-living English cousins (much younger than she), I was astounded to learn how much the class system & attitudes permeates England, less so now than it seems to have 20 years ago. Some of this attitude shows in Creswell's journal, does it not? But, let me tell you, bad manners and attitudes still exist around the world, at least in English-speaking countries which I have visited. If I understood more foreign languages, I would no doubt find that true of most human beings. E.W.Wallace of First Germanna colonist descent

Where were Essex County and Fluvanna County located beween 1800 and 1860? Were they near Fauquier County or when were they formed out of Fauquier County? Someone has a genealoy on the Clarkson family into whom four Turners were married. Mrs. Dorcas (Turner) Clarkson was grandmother of Mrs. Eliza Letita Clarkson (Steptoe) Marshall at whose house most of my ancestor William Toliver Turner''s children were born between 1850s and 1860s. The aforementioned Dorcas was a native of Charles Co., Maryland, wherein her ancestor arrived from England in 1660s. Following the death of her first hsuband, Mr. Dyson, Dorcas moved to Fauquier Co. as Mrs. Clarkson. I do not know where Dorcas's marriage to Mr. Clarkson took place, but a genealogist said that the Clarkson family was in both Essex Co. and Fluvanna Co. I think I would be pretty close to locating my William Tolvier Turner's parents if I learned more about Essex / Fluvanna Cos. Also, Bill Stribling has expressed a desire to know more about the Clarkson family. Incidentally, my great-granduncle's middle name was Stribling! JeanBout@Juno.Com ________________________________________________________________ The best thing to hit the internet in years - Juno SpeedBand! Surf the web up to FIVE TIMES FASTER! Only $14.95/ month - visit www.juno.com to sign up today!

Barbara, Please keep it coming! This is truely a blessing which adds so much to our study in every area of our research. It is priceless and I appreciate your taking your time to share it. Please don't stop----------this is history in the raw! Thank You, Chocy

A full transcription of the Journal of Nicholas Cresswell can be viewed at: http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/lhbtn:@field(DOCID+@lit(lhbtn30436)) It is best to cut and paste the above address to your browser to be sure the entire address is included. Pat Duncan p.duncan@worldnet.att.net

I agree! You are giving us an insight into the history. Marjorie > -----Original Message----- > From: Chocybrown@aol.com [mailto:Chocybrown@aol.com] > Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2004 9:26 AM > To: VAFAUQUI-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: [VAFAUQUI] The Journel > > > Barbara, > Please keep it coming! This is truely a blessing which > adds so much to > our study in every area of our research. It is priceless and I appreciate > your taking your time to share it. Please don't > stop----------this is history in > the raw! > Thank You, > Chocy > > > > ==== VAFAUQUI Mailing List ==== > Visit the Fauquier County USGenWeb Home Page! > http://www.rootsweb.com/~vafauqui/fqva.htm > Be sure to bookmark it!!! > >

Thanks so much for all the information. Randie

In a message dated 1/9/04 11:15:09 PM Mountain Standard Time, mathewsb01@aol.com writes: > I am not > sure that the majority on the list is interested in this journal. > > Keep sending. Fascinating stuff! I don't know who the first "Mr. Mason" was, but Thompson Mason was probably the brother of the famous George Mason who wrote the VA Bill of Rights--sort of an interesting twist! I don't have a Thornton Mason--you're sure it's not also Thomson (which is how he spelled it) Mason as well? Karen Dale

There are some who are enjoying reading the accounts like myself. Nanjemoy, MD, my direct ancestor, Capt.George Athy, helped settle this area back in the mid 1600's. He recieved land from Thomas Dent, after his indenture. The Athy family lived in the area up till 1773, when they moved to Leesburg, Loudon Co., Va, where my 5th great grandfather, William Athy, enlisted & served in the Capt. Thomas West's 1st Company,10th Va. Regiment (renumbered as 6th Va. Regiment) Continental Line. After the War, he & his family moved to Alleghany Co., MD receiving land for military service. William Athy died 10 Oct. 1818, Alleghany Co., MD. His wife Margaret died in 1827 in Alleghany Co., MD. Thank you Barbara for taking the time so others can read the account. I wonder if Nicholas Cresswell possibly might have met my ancestor George Athy while he was in Nanjemoy, MD. Nanjemoy was not big back then, only a handful of people lived there. Rebecca Bashaw

>From the Journal of Nicholas Cresswell: Leesburg, Virginia, Wednesday, September 18th, 1776 Left Alexandria in company with Harry McCabe. Dined at the Falls Church. Got to Leesburg in the evening. Found my old friend P. Cavan ill of the fever and ague. Lodged at Captn. Taylor's. Cattail, Loudoun County, Virginia. Thursday, September 19th, 1776. Mr. Kirk insisted on me dining with him. Expected I was goine aboard the Fleet. I am sorry it was not so. Lodged at The Cattail. Friday, Sept. 20th, 1776. Dined at Mr. Kirk's. Very unhappy. Saturday, Sept. 21st, 1776 .At town. Mr. Booker returned this evening. Sunday, Sept. 22nd, 1776. Dined at Mr. Mason's. Monday, Sept 23rd, 1776. Mr. Kirk sent for me this morning to assist him. Mr. Cavan is sick of the fever and ague. Wednesday, Sept. 25th, 1776. At Mr. Kirk's. News that General Howe had got possession of New York. Lodged at the Cattail. Friday, Sept. 28th, 1776. Went to town in the morning. After dinner went to Kite's Island. Spent the evening and slept at Mr. Cartwright's. Sunday, Sept. 30th, 1776. At Cattail, too much time for reflection. I am now disappointed in my favourite plan of getting home and it is reported that the Indians have begun to commit outrages on the back inhabitants, so that my Canada scheme is rendered abortive. I have nothing to trust to but Providence, and I have but little faith in that. However, I am determined to rot in Jail rather than take up arms against my native country. Tuesday, October 1st, 1776. Went with Mr. James Booker to Mr. Matthew Campbell's. Spent the evening there and got most feloniously drunk. This is a bad preface to the new volume of my diary. Drunkeness the first remark. Wednesday, October 2nd, 1776. At home, sick with my last night's debauch. O! Temperance, temperance, thou best of virtures, what pains we take to ruin our constitutions by these nocturnal excesses. Saturday, October 5th, 1776. Employed I can't tell how, a worthless life indeed. Sunday October 6th, 1776. Mr. Booker and I went to the Quaker meeting, but were too late, tho' it would have been equally as well as if we had been sooner, for the spirit did not move any of them to speak. Dined at Mrs. Baker's with a Sleber officer. Got home in the evening. NOTE: Sleber is REBELS spelled backwords. It took me a minute to figure out what he was talking about re SLEBER. Also he speaks of those loyal to the crown as sgnik sdneirf or KINGS FRIENDS. He himself was a "Kings friend" and loathed those who were "rebels" though he had to depend on them for a living while in America. Cattail, Loudoun County, Virginia. Tuesday, November 12rh, 1776. Mr. Henry Peyton was shot through the body attempting to take a deserter from the sleber Army My notes on a few more entries: In the next few entries, Thompson Mason and Thornton Mason mentioned. Peter Carr also mentioned. James Kirk, his greatest benefactor mentioned. William Harthorns. Captn. G. Johnston "a violent sleber". James Nourse could be corruption of James Norris. Very good man. Daughter Kitty Nourse very attractive to James Kirk. They may "amount to something" though Kirk is much older. Would carry letters from Mr. Nourse to friends in England if he could get out of the country. Letters to: Charles Fouace Esq., Admiralty Office, Mr. Huges, Linen Draper, York Street, Covent Garden, and Mrs. Seaman, Honiton, Devon. Mentions Jacob and John Kite. Jacob killed by the Cherokees. John Gibbs is mentioned. Went to Winchester with Kirk and Gibbs, and dined with Colnl. Jacob Alligood "who is a prisoner here" meaning he can't get back to England either. John Reynolds an Irishmen of Winchester, had two daughters the Miss Reynolds visiting Mr. Gibbons. William Neilson , a Sgnik Dneirf. Josiah Moffit tells Nicholas to have his things ready by next Saturday. Mr. Booker (James) is going to live near Williamsburg. He is going to be an Overseer to a Gentleman near Williamsburg. Describes James Booker as a young man and "one of the most curious characters I have ever met with. He is proud and affable, ostentatious and niggardly, a beau and a sloven, by turns". "Whether the Moon has any influence over his passions, or he was born under some capricious Planet, I cannot pretend to determine." My note: Nicholas is so judgemental of everyone, bites all hands that feeds him. If I am sending too much through either list, please advise me. I am not sure that the majority on the list is interested in this journal. Barbara

Hi list, It's me again. Can anyone tell me about the location of Scott Township and what areas it covers and if was predominantly African Americans? Was it mostly farm land or a small town? I am interested in this area because it seems my family may have lived there in the late 1800's and I'd like to some day visit the County Court House. Leona Jackson

Harriet, Maybe this can help in pinpointing the Crawford clan: Winchester, Frederick County, Virginia - Wednesday, April 5th, 1775. After dinner left Winchester and got to Rinker's Tavern 10 miles from Winchester. Captn. Douglas and Mr. Valentine Crawford came here this evening. They are going to Fort Pitt. Land is good from Winchester to this place. Thursday, April 6th, 1775. (We) left Rinkers in company with Captn. Douglas and Mr. Crawford. Breakfasted at the Dry Tavern, a little Dutch house, nothing to drink but Whiskey. Crossed the Cape Capon Creek and north branch of Potowmeck River. Captn. Douglas and Mr. Crawford left us. WE had travelled about 30 miles today over barren hills and bad ways,and we are now going to sellp in the open air, no other covering than the Heavens and our Blankets, and it is very cold and freezes. But we have a good fire. Nicholas was traveling with Mr. Gibbs and George Rice when he met up with Captn. Douglas and Valentine Crawford at Rinkers Tavern. George Rice was the brother-in-law of Zachariah Connell... John Nevelle gave Nicholas letters of introduction for the "neighborhood" of Fort Pitt. Think my typing is getting worse so will continue another time, when I am not so tired. Barbara

I am backtracking to the beginning of Nicholas' trip down the OHIO. Stafford County, Virginia - Wednesday, February 1st, 1775. Left Nanjemoy in company with Captn. Alexander Knox. Lodged at Mr. Richard Fouxe's. Thursday, February 2, 1775. Travelled over some hilly broken bad land about 14 miles. Lodged at Pilchard's Ordinary. Friday, February 3rd, 1775. Got breakfast at a Plantation of Captn. Knox's in Acquire County. In the evening got to another Plantation of his in Stafford County. Saturday, February 4th, 1775. Dined at Captn. Innis's, and spehnt the afternoon in company with two agreeable ladies. Sunday, February 5th, 1775. Dined at Bailey Washington's. Monday, February 6th, 1775. Drank coffee at Captn. Innis's. The land in this neighbourhood is sandy and poor. Obliged to dung their Tobacco grounds. Sells at 35 s, Currency per acre. Tuesday February 7th 1775. Dined at Mr. John Raules's, an Englishman. Wednesday, February 8th, 1775. Left Buloe. Crossed the Rappahannock River. Lodged at Fredricksburg. Fredericksburg, Viriginia - Thursday, February 9th, 1775. THis is a pretty large town, situated at the falls of the River on the West back. The River is navigable for vessels of considerable burden kup to the town. Great quantities of Tobacco is shipped from this place. Saw; the Independent Companies exercise. The make a poor appearance. Dined with Mr. William Horner. AFter dinner crossed the River and went to Mr. John Tollever's. Friday, February 10th, 1775.. The land is pretty good in this neighbourhood and produces a great deal of Wheat. Saw a machine for threshing wheat with horses. AFter dinner went to Mr. Horation Dave's in Stafford County. Saturday, February 11th, 1775. Got to Mr. John Alexander's. Sunday Februray 12th 1775. At Mr. Alexander's, the wind is too fresh. Can't cross the River. This is a most abominable cold house and bad fires. Finally crossing the River, Nicholas went to Captn. Alexander Knox in Nanjemoy in MD. He then went back to Richard Fouxe's where the two Fouxe daughters played the Spinet for Nicholas. Then to Port Tobacco, to see the Doctor Brown. Left Doctor Brown and went to visit with Frank Marsdon and his wife. Mrs. Marsdon had a son John Brooks who was on the boat with Nicholas on his trip to Barbadoes and back. John did finally die. Jonn Brooks loaned Nicholas a horse and his "Boy" to go to Alexandria to stay with Thomas Kirk. He stayed a few days, and then left for Loudon County. Wednesday, March 22, 1775.This day a certain Richard Taylor from Tideswell came to town with a quantity of Rum. Spent the evening at Mr. Kirk's. Sensible, industrious man. Thursday, March 23rd, 1775. Bought me a gun, powder, and lead. Friday, March 24th, 1775. Mr. Henly, Mr. Caul, and Mr. Richard Harrison spent the evening at Mr. Kirk's. a dispute arose (about politics) between Mr. Kirk and Mr. Buddecombe, they differed in sentiments and abused each other most unmercifully. It is most absurd for infividuals to quarrel about state affairs. Both of them remain obstinate. Saturday, March 25th, 1775. Wrote to my father. Intend to set out for Mr. Gibbs tomorrow. Mr. Kirk and Captain Buddecombe refuse to be reconciled. (Mem. Never to enter into political disputes with Mr. Kirk. He has rebellious principles.) Leesburg, Loudoun County, VA. Sunday, March 26th, 1775. Left Alexandria in company with Captn. Buddecombe. Dined at Moss's Ordinary. Got to Leesburg in the evening. Monday, March 27th 1775. Went with Captn. Buddecombe to Mr. Canby, who informs me Mr. Edward Snickers is thelikeliest person to get me a guide. Gave me a letter of Introduction to Mr. Snickers. Friday, March 31, 1775. AT Leesburg waiting for my gun and goods coming from Alexandria. The Peach Orchards are in full blossom and make a beautiful appearance. Next, he travels to Winchester, Frederick Co., VA....... Barbara Mathews

Barbara, I am enjoying reading your entries...and I will add that your correction was probably not too necessary. I am a fanatic about spelling, but dont always proofread what I type. My husband is NOT a speller, and says if we know what it means, who cares if it is spelled correctly? I have just learned how long it takes to index a book. "500 Brickwall Solutions to Genealogy Problems" from the Publishers of Family Chronicle Magazine, Moorshead Magazines Ltd, 2003. ISBN 0-9731303-1-8 and CS16.F53 are the library code numbers. After 4 months of sporadic reading and typing, I have almost 3000 names and am now ready to proofread them. Ugh! The publisher sent me one copy of a list of contributors, alphabetized by their first names, for an order of 9 books. The index in the book has country names, and places to look, but fails to include any surnames. It really has some good first hand accounts of how people have conquered their brickwalls and is a pretty good read, but one would have to read the entire book to see if one's family is mentioned in it. Thank you posting these entries. It is always interesting to read first hand accounts of history, even though they are opinionated. ----- Original Message ----- From: <mathewsb01@aol.com> To: <VAFAUQUI-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2004 8:17 PM Subject: [VAFAUQUI] Correction > gifes me bad accounts of the Boston affair. Informs me Lord Sunsmore had > > Better watch my typing, getting sloppy. > > This should be Gives me bad accounts of the Boston affair. Informs me Lord > DUNSMORE had etc. > > > ==== VAFAUQUI Mailing List ==== > List problems? First, read the Welcome Message that you received > when you subscribed to this list. Feel free to contact > Jim Burgess,list administrator mailto:jim@promobiz.biz > with questions concerning this list! >

gifes me bad accounts of the Boston affair. Informs me Lord Sunsmore had Better watch my typing, getting sloppy. This should be Gives me bad accounts of the Boston affair. Informs me Lord DUNSMORE had etc.

Saturday, July 15, 1775. (Still in West Augusta County). Left Redstone Fort and after losing myself several times, got to Captn. Thos. Gist's. Very kindly treated by Miss Nancy Gist, an agreeable young Woman who informs me that there has been two very severe engagements at Boston and great numbers killed on both sides. Forgot the part of an Elephant tusk at the Fort. Sunday, July 16th, 1775. Went to Major Crawford's, delivered some letters I had for him, gifes me bad accounts of the Boston affair. Informs me Lord Sunsmore had abdicated the Government of Virginia and gone on board a Man of War. Monday, July 17th, 1775. Left Major Crawford's. Crossed the Yaughhagany River and went to MR. V. Crawford's. In the evening went to Captn. Stephenson's to what they call a Reaping Frolic, usually make a feast when they get done reapings, very merry. Tuesday, July 18th, 1775. At Mr. V. Crawford's, Jacob Creek. These rascals have wore out all the clothes I left here, so that I am now reduced to three ragged shirts, two pair linen breeches in the same condition, a hunting shirt and jacket, with one pair of stockings. [Note by BFM: Nicholas had left his clothing there, knowing he was going to try to get to Illinois territory despite warnings of Indian massacres being carried on. He was gone for several weeks, until his guides refused to go any further due to the killings. He returned, and found his clothes worn. Well, the family probably thought he was dead! And wearing his clothes didn't stop him from using the V. Crawford home as a base, with FREE board and room!] Wednesday, July 17th, 1775. Rode to Captn. Gist's, returned in the evening. Intend to stay here a week or two to recover myself. My late fatigues have reduced me exceedingly. The next few entries are about being ill of the gravel, and his pain. Speaks of Mr. Crawfords housekeeper taking care of him. Also Miss Grimes came to see him, and cried "most abundantly" to see him in so much pain, but Nicholas said she had "too much of the Irish in her" Also, Captn. Prior Theobald came to see him and invited him to stay at his home, but Nicholas declined. Barbara

While I don't care one iota for Nicholas Creswell, I am certainly happy for the Journal he left for posterity. He loves to booze, and is critical of anyone who doesn't do his bidding. He lives off others while in America and criticizes them at the same time. He is very critical of those who wish to be independent of Britain. Saturday, July 8th, 1775. This morning one Captn. David McClure came here on his way to Wheeling. He behaves civilly and offers me a place in his canoe to Wheeling. Mr. Tilling and Boassiers intend to go by land to Redstone. Tilling has always treated me with the greatest of kindness. This poor man was once a Lieutenant in the train of Artillery, but broke at New York for lancing a Colonel. He has taken up a good tract of land on the Kentucky. O'Brien and I went with Captn. McClure. One of his company shot 2 does. Plenty of meat and a little bread. Got to Captn. Rogers's plantation. Sunday, July 9th, 1775. Passed Grave Creek and Juniata Creek. Got to Fort Fincastle in the evening. No soldiers here but about 8 men from the neighbourhood, all drunk and our company soon got in the same condition. A man had got Whiskey to sell. Captn. Cresop's people joined them and in a short time a general engagement begun. I got up into the loft and went to sleep. Monday, July 10th, 1775. Waiting for Captn. McClure, who is going within a little way of Mr. Sheppard's with a horse and will carry my baggage. Disagreeable company, fighting and quarrelling. Fort Fincastle -- Tuesday, July 11th, 1775. Waiting for Captn. McClure. Bought a belt of Wampum from him. Disagreeable situation. Wednesday, July 12th, 1775. Left the Fort and got to Mr. David Shepperd's. Saw an Alum mine near to Mr. Shepperd's, with a mine of good Coal and a Limstone rock. Hired a Horse from one of the neighbours to go to V. Crawford's. (NOTE: Valentine Crawford). West Augusta County, Friday July 14th 1775. Left Catfish Camp, travelled over a great deal of fine land but very thinly inhabited. Crossed the Moningahaly River at Redstone Fort where I lodged with one Thos. Brownb. Listing the bestriflemen that can be got to go to Boston under Captn. Cressop for the humane purpose of killing the English Officers. Confusion to the Scoundrels. Here is a number of them here and I believe suspect me being a spy, they ask me so many impertinent questions. Very much fatigued this day. More coming.... Barbara

I have an old diary, "The Journal of Nicholas Creswell" which was written during 1774 to 1777 when Nicholas went back to England during the REV WAR. He was hard pressed to get back to England during this time period, and nearly didn't succeed but for a few people in America. In the journal are some names of note, mostly people of Alexandria, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, and some in West Augusta, Fort Pitt, and others living in the back country, and also mentioned are some famous people. Valentiine Crawford, and Capt Crawford become friends with Nicholas. What I found fascinating is that when they all went to the pub, and there were many that they visited, Nicholas gave a list of those in his group, showing friendships among the people we only have very little information for. Nicholas' family were from the parish of Edale, a parish in the Peak of Derbyshire, which was formerly part of the Forest of High Peak, Derbyshire, one of the largest forests in England. This is where the Kirk family also came from. The Town blacksmith was the father of the Kirk's that were in Alexandria, and Leesburg, etc. When Cresswell Came to America in 1774, James and Thomas Kirk (mainly Thomas Kirk a storekeeper) befriended Nicholas and helped him during his time in America, mainly due to the family connection in old England. When Nicholas sailed from Liverpool in 1774, on board with him were some Englanders who had came home from America to England for a visit, but had plantations in Virginia. Captain Alexander Knox was one of the people. He also had a brother Robert Knox who remained at his plantation in Nanjemoy, MD while Alexander went to old England. Alexander Knox had two plantations in VA. Robert Knox and his partner Mr. Bayley were store keepers in Nanjemoy.Mr. Wallace was clerk for Knox and Bayley. There must have been a third Knox brother, for Nicholas mentions that Alexander Knox went to "Bulo in Virginia to see his brother." Nicholas dined and spent the afternoon at Colonel Harrison's (in Nanjemoy) on 30th May 1774. He was disturbed because all was talked of was the Blockade of Boston Harbor. Col. Harrison is described as "a very intelligent man and seems to take a pleasure in communicating the customs and manners of his countrymen." At any rate, this is a sampling of what Is in the journal. The very first few days of Nicholas' arrival in America. He was awaiting passage to Alexandria. There are 285 pages in the Journal, and it is NOT indexed, which I am thinking I will do myself.