Mothershead Family Ties
Pierce
Mothershead Family Ties
Traces
of MOTTERSHED/MOTHERSHEADs in Virginia
1675 - 1730
Please note: In the information below, I've listed in chronological order records pertaining to any MOTTERSHED/MOTHERSHEAD and other spellings, and some allied families, that I could find. More records will be added here as they are found.
At least two John/Jonathan MOTTERSHED's are being referenced in the same time frame, and quite possibly three. I've underlined Stafford County in the records below because it is my opinion that the Jonathan living in Stafford County is a different man from the one found in most of the Westmoreland County documents. I do think the Jonathan who was living in Stafford County, and was apparently born circa 1640 (see Deposition below), is the same one who witnessed a receipt for Samuel MOTTERSHED in 1658 in Westmoreland County; after 1658, though, I think Jonathan moves to Stafford County, and that further records of John/Jonathan MOTTERSHED in Westmoreland County are actually his cousins or other family relations.
1675 - Jonathan BROOKES is a juror in coroner's inquest, coroner is Jonathan LORD, Westmoreland County, VA; Jno. WILLIS deeds 100 acres [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds, Patents, Etc. 1665-1677 Part Three, by John Frederick Dorman, Washington D.C.; 1974]1678 - Gyles VANDECASTEELL and John TILLETT received 25 acres in Gloster County, Kingstone Parish, VA for the transportation of Hum. GWYNN. [source: "Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, Volume II : 1666-1695" by Nell Marion Nugent]
1678 - 500 acres is given to Archabell BROMLEY, part of those acres have this description: "350 acres between Winter Harbour and Horne Harbour and the maine (sic) bay; beginning at George PEED's land; to John TILLIT and Gyles VANDECASTEELL". (I've included this as it gives a hint of the location of Gyles VANDECASTEELL's land, and since Gyles's daughter Sarah was Jon. MOTTERSHED's granddaughter, I thought it relevant. The TILLIT's were also cousins to VANDECASTEEL)
1686 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED witnesses receipts for transfers of land for William GREENE; Stafford County, VA [
1688 - John MOTTERSHED and John BROOKES "confessed judgment" for 840 pounds of tobacco for goods bought at the outcry for Patrick MISKILL's estate (Patrick MUCKLEROY, exor); John MOTTERSHED vs. Pat MUCKLEROY, exor of Patrick MISKILL estate; Plaintiff demanding 4500 nayles (sic); the Court ordered the nails delivered to MOTTERSHED; John MOTTERSHED ordered to pay 450 pounds of tobacco to Richard BRAY, Westmoreland County, VA [source for all three items: Westmoreland County, Virginia Court Order Book 1675-1689, Part 4-6, by John Frederick Dorman]
1688/89 - Jonathan MOTTERSHOD sues John DRAPER for killing his hogs; Giles VANDECASTAILL gave a deposition in the suit and is quoted as referring to Jonathan MOTTERSHED as his "father-in-law"; Jonathan MOTTERSHED makes deposition for William PEARCE/PIERCE Stafford County, VA [source: Deed and Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia 1686 - 1693 Virginia County Court Records by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
1688/89 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED paid for a "wolves head" (killing a wolf) [source]*new 1689/90 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED states he has served as Constable for Stafford County for one year and asks the Court to relieve him of this duty and replace him with Giles VANDECASTAIL (sic) [source: Virginia County Court Records Stafford County, Virginia Order Book Abstracts 1664-1668, 1689-1690 by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
1690 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED signs petition, along with Giles VANDECASTAILL and John TILLETT for protection by Militia against the Indians, Stafford County, VA [source: Deed and Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia 1686 - 1693 Virginia County Court Records by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]*new 1690/91 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED states he has served as Constable for Stafford County for one year and asks the Court to relieve him of this duty and replace him with John WEST [source: Virginia County Court Records Stafford County, Virginia Order Book Abstracts 1691-1692, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
*new 1691/92 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED states he has served as Constable for the upper part of the upper parish of Stafford County for one year and asks the Court to relieve him of this duty and replace him with John PEAKE [source: Virginia County Court Records Stafford County, Virginia Order Book Abstracts 1691-1692, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
*new 1692 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED and Giles VANDACASTAIL receive payment of 440 pounds of tobacco each from John COTTEN for their attendance at Court in a suit depending between COTTEN and John WEST. [source: Virginia County Court Records Stafford County, Virginia Order Book Abstracts 1692 -1693, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
*new 1692 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED is awarded 50 pounds of tobacco in payment from Edward TURNER. Turner had taken MOTTERSHED to Court, but did not prosecute or follow through in any way on his action so Turner was fined the 50 pounds of tobacco. [source: Virginia County Court Records Stafford County, Virginia Order Book Abstracts 1692-1693, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
1692 - Deposition by Jonathan MOTTERSHED in a suit over a hog killing states he is about 50 years of age; Jonathan MOTTERSHED's "plantation" on Little Hunting Creek is mentioned in Stafford CountyVA records as part of a land transfer between George BRENT and William BOWRNE (sic); Jo. MOTTERSHED and Wallter (sic) GRIFFIN inventory and appraise the estate of John PEAKE Sr., Stafford County VA [source for all items: Deed and Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia 1686 - 1693 Virginia County Court Records by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
1692/3 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED is granted his "freedome corn" against Thomas POPE, his "late master", Westmoreland County VA. Captain Lawrence WASHINGTON served as attorney for POPE's estate; Jonathan MOTTERSHED serves on Grand Jury with John QUISENBURY, Jr., Tyrrell KNIGHT, Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Court Order Book Part 1, 1690/1-1692, by John Frederick Dorman; Washington D.C. 1962]
[note: The Jonathan in the item above being granted the "freedome corn" is not the same Jonathan who receives pattent for 301 acres of land in the item below. Each man at different times gives depositions in Court, and they are about twenty years apart in age. Feel free to email if any questions! -jm] 1694 - Jonathan MOTTERSHEAD is granted 301 acres on Little Hunting Creek in Stafford Co VA, land bordering Giles Vandegasteel's property.[source: Virginia County Court Records Deed and Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia 1699-1709; by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
1695 - Jonathan MOTHASED (sic) and Humphrey QUISENBERRY witness land transfer, Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No. 2, 1691-1699,Abstracted and Compiled from the 1801 Transcript of the Original Volume Which is no Longer Extant, by John Frederick Dorman; Washington D.C. 1965]
1700 - Giles Vandegasteel/Vandecastiall, ensign, is the "ranger at head of the river" [source: "Virginia's Colonial Soldiers" by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.; 1988]
1700/1701 - Will of Giles Vandegasteel, Stafford County VA; names wife Martha "and her child or children by me begotten"; names daughter Sarah (not yet 14), daughter Priscilla; cousins Sarah, John and Bonony TILLETT. Will witnessed by: Mary THOMPSON, Mary DAVIS, John DAVIS, Martha WEST, Richard EVANS and Jno. EDWARDS. Codocile: Cousin Bonony TILLETT to be left to the discretion of wife and Excrs. till the age of 18; witnessed by Ann MASTERSEDD, Mary DAVIS. Will proved 12 Mar 1700/01 [source:Virginia County Court Records Deed and Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia 1699-1709; by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
1700 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED serves on a jury with Thomas BROOKS to settle a land dispute; Stafford County VA [1701/2 - Jonathan MOTTERSHED serves in the Company of Dragoons in Stafford Co VA; in the same company is Giles TILLET (named as a cousin to Giles VANDEGASTEEL in VANDEGASTEEL's Will of 1700) and George MASON [source: "Virginia's Colonial Soldiers" by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.; 1988]
1703 - John MOTTERSHEAD wins a suit against Robert THORNTON, judgment against Thornton was for three hundred pounds of tobacco which was ordered to be paid along with the costs of the suit, Richmond County VA [source: Virginia County Court Records Order Book Abstracts of Richmond County, Virginia 1702-1704 Being the Orders of Richmond County Court from 1 April 1702 - 5 October 1704, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press; 1991]
1703 - Inventory of Estate of Jonathan MOTTERSHEAD, Stafford County VA; Inventory made by Ann MOTTERSHEAD; Ordered Recorded 24 Sep 1703; Jurat curam me. G. Mason. [source below]
1706 - G. Mason petitions the Court of Stafford County VA to be his security for the admon (sic) of Jonan. MOTTERSHEAD Estate. (same estate listed in item above) The Court denied the request. [source given below]
1706 - Sarah Vandegasteel, granddaughter (Sarah is designated as granddaughter in the court record) of Jonathan MOTTERSHEAD, has the Estate inventoried again. Accepted by the Court and George Mason, Administrator of the said estate (same estate listed in previous two items). Recorded 12 Mar 1706 [source given below]
1705 - Ann Mackeldebragh, by consent of her husband William, signs over her right of dower in her former husband's, Jonathan MOTTERSHEAD (his estate named in previous three items), patent of 301 acres in Stafford County VA. [source for this and the other immediate three items above: Virginia County Court Records Deed and Will Abstracts of Stafford County, Virginia 1699-1709, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]
1707 - John MOTTERSHED serves on jury in a case of alleged trespass and assault; one of the attorneys for the defendant is Nathaniel POPE, Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book 1705-1721, Part 2-3 1607-1711, by John Frederick Dorman; Falmouth, Virginia]
1708 - John MOTHERSHEAD is one of several who give depositions in a suit to settle land boundary claims, Westmoreland County VA (note: the information given in the deposition seems to indicate this John MOTHERSHEAD is the same one received his "freedome corn" from Thomas POPE in 1692, and is obviously not the same Jonathan Mottershead who owned land on Little Hunting Creek) [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds, Patents, Etc. 1665 - 1677 Part Four,To which is appended Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No. 4 1707 - 1709; by John Frederick Dorman; Washington D.C., 1975]
1713 - John MOTTERSHEAD, Wm. QUISSENBURY, William WILLIS, Brookes ABBINGTON, Garrard NEELE are jurors seated investigating a drowning death; the inquest is run by Joseph BAYLY; Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No.5 1712 - 1716, by John Frederick Dorman; Washington D.C.; 1989]1713 - The Grand Jury for Westmoreland County for November 1713, included: Nicholas MINOR, Thomas BATCHELLOR, Humphrey POPE, James BOURN, Thomas MEWES and William BAYLY [Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book 1705-1721, Part 5 1713-1715, by John Frederick Dorman; 1989]
1714 - It was commanded John Sturman, Gent., Sheriff, that he should attach Wm: MORTON and Thomas BATCHELLOR to answer Nicholas MINOR of a plea of trespass to his damage 50 pounds sterling. The Sheriff returned cepi corpus. For that the defendants failed to appeare and noe baile being returned, conditional order is granted against the Sheriff for the damage. An attachment is granted him against the defendants' estates. [Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book 1705-1721, Part 5 1713-1715, by John Frederick Dorman; 1989]
1715 - John MINOR acknowledged deeds of lease and release of lands and a bond for performance of covenants by him past to John CHAMP. Thomas BATCHELLOR by vertue of a power from Sarah, wife of John MINOR, relinquished her right of dowe rand thirds in the land. [Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book 1705-1721, Part 5 1713-1715, by John Frederick Dorman; 1989]
1716 - John MOTTERSHEAD, deed for 60 acres from Gerrat Oneale and Jane his wife; witness Thomas Claytor; Westmoreland County VA (Washington Parish); John MOTTERSHED received deed of land "with livery" from Garratt Oneale and his wife, Jane, who relinquished her right of dower; Westmoreland County VA (Washington Parish) [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No.5 1712 - 1716, by John Frederick Dorman; Washington D.C.; 1989]
1717 - John MOTTERSHEAD and Humphrey Quissenbury ordered to appraise the estate of Henry Williams, Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No.6 1716 - 1720, by John Frederick Dorman; Washington D.C.; 1989]
1717 - Will of John QUISSENBURY presented by Ann QUISSENBURY(widow); John MOTTERSHEAD and Humphrey POPE are two of the men ordered to appraise the estate,Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book 1705 - 1721 Part Seven 1717-1718; compiled by John Frederick Dorman]
1718 - Mary MOTTERSHEAD, widow of Brookes MOTTERSHEAD, swears that Brookes died intestate. She is named administrator; Garrat ONEAL signed as security. Humphrey QUISSENBURY, William QUISSENBURY, Humphrey POPE to appraise the estate, Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No.7 1717 - 1718, by John Frederick Dorman]
1718 - Will of Thomas CLAYTOR presented by his widow, Katherine, and Thomas, both his executors. Proved by Alvin MOTTERSHEAD and Christopher MOTTERSHEAD, witnesses. Humphrey QUISSENBURY, William QUISSENBURY, Alvin MOTTERSHEAD ordered to appraise the estate, Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Wills No.6 1716 - 1720, by John Frederick Dorman; Washington D.C.; 1989]
1720 - John MOTTERSHEAD witnesses Will of James Hewgate; Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Will Abstracts 1723-1723, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press; 1994]1725 - First mention we've found so far of Alvin MOTHERSEAD (sic). A lease and release for 112 acres of land in Sittenburne Parish, Richmond County VA from Thomas SIMS and his wife, Rebecca, to Alvin MOTHERSEAD for the price of 6000 pounds of tobacco.
1728 - William LORD leases 496 acres to Daniel McCARTY; the land description references "...near old John MOTHERSHEADs..." in Westmoreland County VA [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Will Abstracts 1726-1729, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press; 1995]
1729 - Christopher MOTTHERSHEAD received deed to 150 acres from William LORD (son and sole heir of John LORD, deceased) in Westmoreland County VA, deed description references "...Popes Creek..." and "...the line between the said LORD and Jno. MOTTERSHEAD, sr., No. Westerly...", witnessed by Nathaniel MOTTHERSAID (sic); William LORD deeds land in Westmoreland County VA to Daniel McCARTY; the land description references "...land now in the possession of John MOTHERSHEAD...", "...Popes Creek..." and "...called MOTHERSHEADs Spring Swamp...", witnesses include Nathaniel MOTTHERSAID. [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds and Will Abstracts 1729-1732, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press; 1995]
1730 - Will of John MOTHERSHEAD, Westmoreland CountyVA; wife Elizabeth; sons: Nathaniel, George, Christopher and John; daughters Elizabeth QUISENBERRY, Anne CLAYTOR; sons Olvin (sic) and George; grandson Brooks (assumed: son of Brooks MOTTERSHED who died Intestate 1718; also "Olvin" is almost certainly "Alvin") [source: Virginia County Court Records Deed and Will Abstracts of Westmoreland County, Virginia 1729-1732, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press; 1995]
Mottershed Traces up to 1652
MottershedTraces
1652-1675Mothershead Traces
1675-1730Mothershead Traces
1730-1799
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[Transcription of Deposition given by Jonathan MOTTERSHED - proves his approximate age. The spelling and the lack of punctuation is copied as it appeared]
p. 246 The Deposition of Mr Jonathan MOTTERSHED aged about fifty yeares or thereabouts Sworne and examined saith that beinge in Mr Matthew THOMPSONs house sometime in February last past did hear Mr Matthew Thompson aske Edward KENNINGTON who it was that killed the hogge ye said Edward KENNINGTON said it was John HARPER that killed them and farther saith not -- Jonathan MOTTERSHED
Sworne this 29th day of March 1692, Recorded the 10th day of May 1692
[back]
[Abstraction of Land Warrant given to Jonathan MOTTERSHED in Stafford County, VA]
Margaret Lady Culpepper Thomas Lord Fairfax and Katherine his wife and Alexander Culpepper esqr. Proprietors of Northern Neck of Virga To all to whom these presents shall come and Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Whereas Jonathan MOTTERSHEAD hath repaired to the office by our agents and Hath there suggested that there is a certain parcel of land or dividend of land situate in the freshies of Potomack between the forks of little hunting creek in county Stafford belonging to us not yet granted to any person and thereupon paid the composition for 301 acres by means whereof he obtained a warrant directed to one of our Surveyors to survey and give bounds to the same in order to obtain this present grant which warrant being duly returned together with Platt and bounds thereof to our said office Know ye therefore that we for and in consideration of the composition paid by Jonathan MOTTERSHEAD for our use at the obtaining of the aforesaid warrant do hereby grant to him the said Jonathan MOTTERSHEAD all that parcel of land being upon Little Hunting Creek in county Stafford afsd bounded ...beginning at a Hickory being the upper corner tree of Giles VANDEGASTEELs land on the south branch and running thence cross a small fork to the main South branch at a small hickory N=10 W=43 poles thence up the south branch according to the meanders thereof N=19d1/4 E=172 poles to a red oak in sight of Edward KENNINGTONs thence out into the woods E=32 S=118 poles then E=50d S=160 poles to a white oak by a branch of the north run thence S=27d W=178 po: to a white oak in Giles VANDEGASTEELs line thence along VANDEGASTEELs line N=24d W=92 to a white oak corner tree of VANDEGASTEELs thence W=13 1/4 N=140 poles to the beginning containing and being now laid out for 301 acres.... 5th October 1694
Wm. FITZHUGH, Geo. BRENT[back]
[Transcription of Deposition given by John MOTHERSHEAD - proves his approximate age. The spelling and the lack of punctuation is copied as it appeared]
pages 71-72: 31 January 1707/1708 Deposition of John MOTHERSHEAD, aged about 46 or thereabouts , that about 21 years agone, being newly free and understanding that Mr Wm HORTON was ordered to survey a patent of land belonging to Mr. VAULX, he went with the surveyor in company with Capt. John LORD, and antient Gentleman and a justice then of this county, with other people, nigh the road that leads from a plantation called VAULX quarter towards Nominy, between the said plantation and Edward WASHINGTON's run. John LORD gave a relation that when John LORD was a young man coming from Nominy with Mr. BROADHURST, at that place heard a noise in the woods and being on foot was afraid supposing it to be Indians, but heard a chopping and soon after come up a survey and people surveighing land. LORD did ask who they were surveying for. They said Mr VAULX in York. LORD showed Mr. HORTON the place where the survey come. HORTON sett his compass and run reverse or back to try to find the place of the old mark trees and had not run above fifty yards before he went close or brushed by a former marked tree which your deponent saw and soon after following his course came to another marked tree which was supposed by the company to be the old line belonging to Mr VAULX land next to Patomac (sic), which course brought the surveyors to the main run of Rappahk. Creek nigh Edward WASHINGTON's. He after heard John LORD relate the same story and add that he would have taken up Sergeant Timberneck? but was afraid of Mr. VAULX patent.
John MOTHERSHEAD (J M)
Taken by Lewis MARKHAM, Caleb BUTLER, Andrew MUNROE[back]