Margaret Patterson Adams in Augusta Co VA

Margaret Patterson Adams in Augusta Co VA

Bio | Why Not Donnell | 1744 Will | Timeline | Sussex DE | Augusta VA 

By Wes Patterson (Last Revised: 15 August 2018)

Margaret Adams - as she was known the majority of her life - was never named Margaret Donnell. I discuss that on the Bio page, so I won't go into the details here, other than to mention it since she is so widely "known" by that name. Her name was Margaret _____ Patterson Adams, and this page will focus on her time in Sussex Co DE - most of which is derived from recorded events regarding other family members.

The Families of Margaret Patterson Adams

Margaret was first married to William Patterson, by whom she had at least two children, Robert Patterson and Elizabeth Patterson, who married Jeremiah Harrison. In Margaret's 1744 Augusta Co VA will, she named three grand-daughters. One was Mary Patterson, daughter of Robert. Another was Esther Harrison and was known to have been a daughter of Jeremiah Harrison, thus she was a daughter of Elizabeth Patterson Harrison.

After William Patterson died (probably around 1710-1715), she married again, to John Adams. By him she had at least three children, a daughter who married Andrew Donelson, a son named Samuel Adams who married a woman also named Margaret, and lastly another daughter, Jane Adams, who married Daniel Love. The third grand-daughter of Margaret named in her will was Margaret Dollinson, but should have been spelled Donelson. John Adams apparently died sometime in the 1720's.

Migration to Linville Creek region of the Shenandoah Valley

Sometime in the late 1730's there began a great migration by families from Sussex Co DE to the area of what is now Harrisonburg, VA and surrounding communities. This is in the area of Linville Creek, Cooks Creek, and Muddy Creek, as well as Smith's Creek. Margaret Adams obtained a survey for 340 acres near Linville Creek in the area that is now known as Linville, VA just a few miles north of Harrisonburg. See below.
 
Neighbors of Margaret Adams (aka Widow Adams, Mary Adams) were men like John Harrison, Thomas Harrison (namesake of Harrisonburg), Thomas Gregg (Gragg, Grigg, Greeg), Alex Herron, Robert Cravens, Samuel Hull, Samuel Stewart, Joseph Harrison, and Samuel Samples (Semple).

• John Harrison (son of Isaiah)
• Thomas Harrison (son of Isaiah)
• Joseph Harrison (son of Isaiah)
• Alex Herron (son-in-law of Isaiah Harrison)
• Robert Cravens (son-in-law of Isaiah Harrison)
• Samuel Stewart (son-in-law of Isaiah Harrison)
• Margaret Adams' daughter, Elizabeth Patterson, married Jeremiah Harrison (son of Isaiah)
• Samuel Samples married Ann Scott in 1745 in Sussex Co DE and obtained 200 acres on Linville Creek in 1755 joining a small survey of Joseph Harrison (son of Isaiah), Thomas Harrison (where Samuel Hull lived), and another survey of Thomas Harrison, as well as a nearby survey of Samuel Stewart.
• Samuel Hull was one of the witnesses of Margaret Adams' 1744 Will.
• Thomas Gregg / Gragg married Elizabeth Sample, daughter of Samuel Sample
  

Land Records in Augusta Co VA for Margaret Adams

• 13 November 1740, Orange Co VA Survey, Mary Adams 340 acres
• 8 January 1752, Thomas Greeg, 100 acres joining No. Side of Adams Land joining Alex. Heron & Robt. Cravens land one Right.
• 10 September 1755, Thomas Harrison, 150 acres in Augusta County on a sinking Spring Branch of Linwells Creek adjacent Mary Adams [her line]; 15 Shillings.
• 12 May 1759, Mary Adams, 340 acres in Augusta County on a Branch of Linwells Creek; £1 15 Shillings. Regranted to Michael Bower and John Madison Junr. in PB 40-710 dated 20 June 1772.
• 31 January 1761, John Harrison, 294 acres between branches of Smiths and Linvels Creeks and between Jno. Wright and Widow Adams Lands.
• 5 February 1764, Thomas Gregg, 300 acres on the So. Side Leonard Herron land joining Adams land & Thos. Harrison Cotton Patch.
• 16 February 1764, Thomas Greeg, 140 acres on a Dry Branch of Linvels Creek between Samples and Harrisons land joining Samples, corner to Herron, near Adams line, Adams corner, Harrisons line, Harrisons corner. Augusta Co VA Survey Book 2, p. 37.
• 19 November 1764, Thomas Harrison and Sarah his Wife of Augusta to John Harrison of same for [blank], 150 acres on a Sinking Spring Branch of Linvells Creek; corner Mary Adams. Signed: Thomas Harrison, Sarah Harrison. Witnesses: None. Acknowledged: 22 November 1764 by Thomas Harrison and Sarah his Wife she being first privately examined.
• 4-303. 1 February 1770, Augusta Co VA Will, Robert Patterson’s Disclaimer of rights to his mother’s Linville Creek VA property.
  ~ These are to certify to all persons whom it may concern that I, Robert Patterson of North Carolina, Tryon County, son of William Patterson deceased, do disclaim any right or title that is or may be alledged belonging to me of a certain tract of land lying and being in Agusta County upon a small branch on the south side of Linwells Creek which said land was taken up by Margaret Adams, the widow of John Adams deceased.
  ~ Robert “R” Patterson. 1st February, 1770.
  ~ Teste: Francis Adams, J. P., North Carolina, Tryon County.
  ~ This is to Certify that the within subscribed Francis Adams hath been Legally Qualified According to Law to act as Majistrate within our said County.  Signed: Ezekiel Polk, CF
• 15 May 1770, At a Court held for Augusta County May the 15th 1770 The Last Will and Testament of Margaret Adams decd was proved by the oaths of Samuel Hull and Jacob Gum two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be Recorded and on the motions of Samuel Adams who made oath according to law certified is granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration with the will annexed he having with Security entered into and Acknowledged their hand according to law.
• 15 May 1770, Know all men by these presents that we Samuel Adams and Joseph Dictum and John Madison Junr. Are held and firmly bound unto James Lockhart, John Bowyer, John Christian and George Moffett, Justices in the Commission of the Peace for Augusta County for and in behalf of the Justices of this County in the sum of one hundred pounds to be paid to the Justices and their … which payment … Thirty to be made we bind ourselves there and unto … Executors and Administrators jointly and morally firmly by these Presents … with our hand dated this 15th day of May 1770.  The Condition of this Obligation is such that of the above bound Samuel Adams Administrator with the will of Margaret Adams decd do make or Cause to be made true and perfect Inventory of all … the goods chattels and … Signed: Samuel Adams, Joseph Dictum, John Madison Junr.
• 15 May 1770, Samuel Adams of North Carolina to Joseph Dictum, power of attorney to convey 340 acres on Branches of Linvells Creek devised by Margaret Adams and from him descended to Samuel as eldest son and heir, having been patented in the name of Mary Adams.  Signed: Samuel Adams.  Acknowledged: 15 May 1770 by Samuel Adams.  [Note by Chalkley Title yet to be made to Samuel].
• 3 August 1771, John Harrison, 294 acres in Augusta County between the branches of Smith’s and Linvells Creek betwixt John Wrights and the widow Adams’ land on a ridge; £1 10 Shillings.
• 20 June 1772, Michael Bower and John Madison Jr, 340 acres in Augusta County on a branch of Linwells Creek. Whereas by patent 12 May 1759 Granted unto Mary Adams [34-248] And whereas Samuel Adams in whom the Right of the said land is since become vested hath failed to pay such Quitrent and John Madison Jr. hath made humble suit and obtained a Grant for the same part whereof he hath assigned unto Michael Bower; £1 15 Shillings.
• 1 March 1773, Thomas Gragg, 140 acres in Augusta County on a dry branch of Linwels Creek between Samples and Hersons [sic] lands on a Limestone Hill adjacent said Heron and Harrison near Adams line; 15 Shillings.
• 26 April 1773, Thomas Gragg and Elizabeth his Wife of Augusta to George Davis of same for £22, 140 acres on Dry Branch of Linvels Creek Between Samples and Herrons land adjacent Herrons Line, corner Herrons, Adams line, Adams Corner, Harrisons Line, Harrisons Corner., granted to said Thomas Gragg by Patent 1 March 1763. Signed: Thomas Gragg (mark), Elizabeth Gragg (mark).  Witnesses: Joseph Smith, John Warren, Thomas Harrison (T), Henry Ewin.  Acknowledged or Proved 17 August 1773

For more information about the outcomes of the land holdings for Margaret Adams and her heirs, see her pages regarding the 1744 Will and the Timeline.

Wes Patterson