Was John Phelps d 1747, Goochland the father of John Phelps d 1772 Bedford?

The following may help to document the status of the answer as of 12/2007

Compiled by Doug Phelps from emails of Mary Galgan and JC Rogers 

An email written to suggest a father and son relationship, by Chuck Prine:

As I reread some of the material on your website [the Phelps dna project & Southern Phelps Families site], I come up with a question.  It appears that you (the Phelps project admin] believe that Capt. John Phelps who died 25 Feb 1772 in Bedford County is from a different line than John Phelps who died in Goochland  16 Feb 1747. Why don't you think they were father and son? They both were involved with the Babers. The families were neighbors both in Goochland and in Bedford in locations I guess were more than 75 miles apart - a good distance in those days which makes it unlikely that it was just a coincidence.
 

 

A response by long-time researcher of this line, Mary Galgan:

Before I go any further, please allow me to clear up some of your misunderstandings, about the three different PHELPS lines, from your email [above]   

 
We have yet to "prove" IF Capt. John PHELPS, d:1772 (whom I call, John of Bedford) was, or was not, the son of John PHELPS, who died in Goochland Co., VA in 1747 (John of Goochland).  Many folks have listed him as such, but none have provided any proof.  I can't identify his son John, Jr.   J.C. [Rogers] and I both have tried for years to find the proof to connect John of Bedford to either John of Goochland or Thomas of Albemarle.  But, so far to no avail, except for the land transactions mentioned in Goochland Co. and in Brunswick Co., VA.  (See below for those transactions)   DNA test results may finally help us where documents, that we've found, have not.
 
Robert BABER, Jr.'s land transactions [as mentioned by Chuch in his email] were with John of Bedford, not John of Goochland.   John of Bedford also had land transactions with William PHELPS, from the Thomas PHELPS of Albemarle, line, not the John of Goochland line.
 
I'd LOVE to connect John of Bedford to "my line" as John of Goochland's oldest son, John. 

Some facts we know are:

    1 - In John Sr.'s Will in 1747[Goochland], he gives "To son, John Phelps, use of my land I purchased of Jas. WOODSON, where he (John) lives, next to John WOODSON and John PLEASANTS, and at his death to his son, John Phelps". 

    2 - He also gives property to his three grandchildren, John, Mary & Sarah.  To his grandson, John (the 3rd), he gives 50 acres of land on Horsepen Branch.  And to his granddaughters, Mary & Sarah, he gives one Negro to each granddaughter. 
    3 - .......John of Bedford had a son named, John, and daughters named, Mary & Sarah. 

From JC Rogers (VA), a long-time researcher of the Thomas Phelps d 1751 Albemarle line

Ditto what Mary said.
I have always held that the Baber family is tied in more than just being neighbors and tied to my William Phelps (d.1749 Albemarle). It seems there is always more than one family tie in on these Virginia families from that period.  I also believe there is a family connection into the Callaway/Calloway family as well as the Toney family
William Phelps(d.1749 Albemarle) was either married to a William Baber's sister or a William Baber was married to William Phelps' sister. The 1749 will and a land transaction proves that.
 
Very possible that John of Bedford is son of John of Goochland. Possible that the 1725 patent by John Phelps that was sold to Thomas was possibly patented by John of Goochland and then changed hands to John his son (of Bedford?)and wife Mary. 
I have attached some chronological land transfers I worked up for those that dont have them.[See below]
 
This is an abstract of a William Baber's will of the late 18th century Buckingham Co. http://www.baberfamilytree.org/Doc/WillofWm.htm
Notice the name Josiah (also in the Thomas Phelps line), Lucy, and Diana (there was a Diana Phelps b.c. 1735 who married Alexander Smith and a bible record shows her to be born at Phelps' falls.) She was most likely a daughter of William (d. 1749 Albemarle)

 

Chronological land transfers

 

1725 March 4

John Phelps - patent

Henrico Co. VA (present Buckingham)

100a mouth of Bear Garden (Phelps) Creek, south side of James River

 

1733, August 7

John Phelps - patent

Goochland Co. VA (present Buckingham)

400a Adj. his former patent on south side of Rivanna (should be Fluvanna)

 

1735, March 15

John Phelps - patent

Goochland Co. VA (present Buckingham)

300a both sides of Wolf Pit Branch

 

1736, March 15

John Phelps of Goochland and wife Mary – sold

Goochland Co. VA (present Buckingham)

250a on Rockie Branch to Thomas Phelps for 20pounds adj. a line formerly called Skelton’s, recorded 5/17/1737 with witnesses Arthur Hopkins, David Duncan, Wentworth (X) Webb

 

1741, November 2

John Phelps of Goochland and wife Mary – sold

Goochland co. VA  (present Buckingham)

300a in St. James Parish on Wolfit Branch to Robert Baber Jr. of Caroline Co., Mary Phelps made her mark “C”, witnesses Isaac Bates, Wm Cockerham, Robert Baber Jr, recorded 3/15/1742

 

1741, November 2

John Phelps of Goochland and wife Mary – sold

Goochland co. VA (present Buckingham)

250a in St. James Parish at the mouth of Bear Garden (Phelps) Creek adj. Thomas Phelps and John Phelps. to Robert Baber Jr. of Caroline Co., Mary Phelps made her mark “C”, witnesses Isaac Bates, Wm Cockerham, Robert Baber Jr, recorded 3/15/1742

 

1742, May 20

Thomas Phelps - patent

Brunswick, Co. VA (present Campbell-Bedford line area)

384a on the ridge between the branches of Buffaloe and Elk Creeks

 

1744/45, March 4

John Phelps and wife Mary of St. Andrew’s Parish   - sold

Brunswick Co. VA DB 2 page 537 (present Campbell/Bedford line area)

140a to Robert Baber of Brunswick, south side of Otter River, recorded 3/7/1744

Mary Phelps made her mark “C”  

 

1745, March 20

William Phelps – patent

Goochland Co. VA (present Buckingham)

400a east branch of Bear Garden (Phelps) Creek, adj. John Southern

 

1746, August 28

Thomas Phelps, Jr. - patent

Goochland Co. VA (present Appomattox)

280a both sides of Bridle (Bent) Creek

 

1746, August 28

Thomas Phelps – patent

Goochland Co. VA (present Appomattox

300a both sides of Bridle (Bent) Creek

 

1747, November

William Phelps – sold

Albemarle Co. VA (present Buckingham?)

Parcel to Edmond Toney (page 313)

 

1748

Thomas Phelps

Lunenburg Co. VA  (present Campbell/Bedford line area)

Appears listed on the Lunenburg Tithe list indented under John Phelps, Robert Baber listed as well on his own.

 

1748, August 20

Thomas Phelps - patent

Albemarle, Co. VA (present Fluvanna Co.)

9a Island on Fluvanna River, near the north channel opposite said Phelps’ plantation

 

1749, April 1

William Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Albemarle)

400a on a branch of Totier Creek adj. Mr. Stith, Doctor Nicholas, John Lewis, William Harris, and Hugh Rice Morris

 

1749, April 1

William Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Albemarle)

350a adj. His own lines, Doctor Nicholas and Hugh Rice Morris

 

1750, November 3

Thomas Phelps – patent

Goochland Co. VA (present Buckingham)

300a on both sides of Hunt’s Creek of Slate River adj. Nicholas

 
1753, January 12

Thomas Phelps, Jr. – patent

Brunswick Co. VA (present Campbell/Bedford line area)

332a on south side of Otter River

 

1754-1758

William Phelps

Bedford Order Book Index

Pg 187 Appointed surveyor of a road

Pg. 198 William Phelps vs. William Harris dismissed

1754-1761 order book

Pg72 Appointed overseer

1761-62

Pg 62 William Phelps vs. Board

1763-71

Phelps vs. Oglesby (many pages)

Phelps vs. Payne (many pages)

 

1754, April 2

Thomas Phelps of Albemarle Co. - sold

Lunenburg Co. VA, p 465-466 (present Campbell/Bedford line area)

342a on south side of Otter River to John Anthony, Gent., of Lunenburg

Granted to Phelps 1/12/1753

 

1756, August 16

Thomas Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Appomattox)

300a on branches of David’s and Bent (Bridle) Creeks adj. William Megginson and Thomas Turpin

 

1756, August 16

William Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Buckingham)

200a on the great creek of Slate River adj. John Sharp

 

1756, August 16

William Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Appomattox)

275a on branches of Elk (North) Creek adj. David Patterson and Phelps’ old line

 

1756, August 16

James Phelps AND William Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Appomattox)

400a on the western fork of Wreck Island Creek adj. William Still

 

 1756, August 16

James Phelps AND William Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Appomattox)

400a on branches of Wreck Island Creek on Coleman’s Road and Stoval’s Road

 

1757, March 29

William Phelps

Bedford Co. Order Book 1 , pg 16

William present at  County Court along with Matthew Talbot, William Callaway, Zachariah Isbell, Gentlemen, Robert Ewing and William Mead, Justices and Samuel Hairston 

 

1757, May 23

William Phelps – Title Bond

Bedford Co. VA page 119(present Campbell/Bedford line area)

William Harris and wife Ann bound to William Phelps for 500 pounds for a tract of land surveyed and patented for Mark Hays containing 520a (?)

 

1757, November 29

William Harris, wife Ann and William Phelps

Bedford Co. VA (present Campbell/Bedford line area)

(Library of VA, Call Number 39174, manuscript collections, 2pages) 

Parcel of land in Bedford Co.  to John Payne of Goochland Co.

 

1758

William Phelps

Bedford Co. VA (present Campbell/Bedford line area)

William appears on a list of soldiers who served in the French and Indian War. Other names mentioned that tie to immediate area of present Appomattox are George Abet, Thomas Daws, Richard Burks, Jr, William Burks, James Patterson, Richard Taylor, William Bumpass, David Rosser

 

1758

William Phelps - sold

Bedford Deeds

220a, 120a on east side of Flat Creek and 100a adj. same

 

1759, October 18

Thomas Phelps – sold

Albemarle Co. VA DB2 p 246-247 (present Appoamttox)

75a  near the head on both sides of Brydle (Bent) Creek to Thomas Turpin in consideration of 200a of land, ad. Thomas Phelps, witnesses, David Patteson, Charles Pattison, Thomas “T” Snelson, Richard “R” Cheatwood, recorded 5/8/1760   

 

 

 

1762, March 25

Thomas Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Appomattox)

400a on branches of Wreck Island and Bridle (Bent) Creeks adj. James and William Phelps

 

1768, September 20

Thomas Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Appomattox)

200a on south branches of Bridle (Bent) Creek adj. John Patterson and Alexander Hunter

 

1771, March 16

William Phelps – patent

Albemarle Co. VA (present Appomattox VA)

180a on both sides of a branch of Elk (North) Creek of the Fluvanna adj. his own lines, crossing Baird’s or Calloway’s Road

 

1772, April 16

James Phelps and wife Elizabeth of Bedford Co.  – sold

Albemarle Co. VA DB6, pg 17-19 (present Appomattox)

750a in two tracts of 400 and 350 to Robert Carter Nicholas, both tracts were granted by patents bearing date of 4/1/1749 in the name of William Phelps, father of the said James. Witnesses, Tho. Loman, John Nicholas, Hardin Perkins, John Hammonds, note of annexation to Buckingham from Bedford

 

1782, May 2

James Phelps and wife Elizabeth

Campbell Co. VA DB 1, P 22-23 (present Appomattox)

180a granted to William Phelps by patent bearing date 3/16/1772 to James Ratliff. James Ratliff living there, adj. John Pleasants, dec’d, John bolling, dec’d, Matthew Petycrew.

 

1784, June 15

James Phelps – sold

Campbell Co. VA DB 1, p. 263-264 (present Appomattox)

100a more or less on the upper West fork of Wreck Island Creek, to John Hunter, adj. George Stovall, patent line mentioned, dividing line mentioned, witnesses, Charles Hall, Thos. Carson, Robert Hunter 

 

1788, January 7

William Phelps – patent

Buckingham Co. VA (present Appomattox) 

120a on south branches of Bent Creek surveyed 2/5/1794 adj. Clark, his own lines and

Wm. Diuguid, dec’d

 

 

 

1788, January 7

William Phelps – patent

Buckingham Co. VA (present Appomattox) 

92a on the west side of David’s Creek surveyed 2/22/1764 adj. Thomas Thornhill and Francis Wagstaff

 

1794, May 26

William Phelps – patent

Buckingham Co. VA (present Appomattox) 

380a near Bent Creek surveyed 5/26/1791 adj. self, William Thornhill, Peggy Long, Freeland’s old line, George Diuguid,

 

1796, November 2

Robert Phelps, assignee of Charles Patteson – patent

Buckingham Co. VA (present Appomattox)

298a on David’s Creek and on both sides of  Phelps’ Branch surveyed 5/7/1794 adj. William Phelps, crossing Court House Road, John Pankey – formerly Wagstaff’s,  Edward Patteson, crossing Church Road, George Diuguid – formerly Clarks

 

1797, September 9

James Phelps and wife Elizabeth – sold

Campbell Co. VA (present Appomattox)

178a on both sides of Wrack Island Creek to Isaac Crews, adj. John Hunter, Shearer, the patent line is mentioned

 

1800, March 12

James and Elizabeth Phelps (of Elbert Co. GA)  – sold to William Bradley

Campbell Co. VA DB 5 p 94-95(present Appomattox)

100a on Wreck Island Creek adj. Isaac Crews, George Dreous, Edward Dickey, Alexander Davidson, formerly possessed by James Shearer, dec’d, at present possessed by Alexander Caldwell

 

 

John Phelps d:1771 (Bedford Co.) wife Mary

816 acres - May 30, 1742 - land in Brunswick Co., between the branches of Buffalo and Elk creeks.

140 acres - July 30, 1742 - land in Brunswick Co., on south side of Otter River

226 acres - July 30, 1742 - Land in Brunswick ? Co., on north side of Otter River.

444 acres - July 27., 1745 -land in Lunenburg Co., (formed from Brunswick) on south side of Little Otter River

350 acres - Jan 10, 1748 - land in Lunenburg Co., on the Otter River. (note: 226 acres of this was granted to him in 1742)

325 acres - January 10, 1748 - land in Lunenburg Co., on south branches of Little Otter River, joining his own land.