Starting Over with 4th Great Grandfather Thomas McFall

McFall family researchers have been studying Cornelius McFall as a possible father for Great Grandfather Thomas McFall for at least twenty years. I have been among that group for quite some time. While I successfully gathered records for Cornelius, I have struggled to find any documentation linking Cornelius and Thomas.

So, in today’s blog, I’ll tell you what I know about Thomas McFall and hope you can help.

I first learned about him when I employed Mrs. Katherine Bushman, from Augusta County, Virginia to uncover my ancestry in 1991. She quickly traced my Great Grandmother Flora Belle (McFall) Joseph to James Addison McFall to David McFall to 4^th Great Grandfather Thomas McFall.

Thomas was born about 1790 in Virginia and died February 3, 1854 in Augusta County, Virginia where he resided for many years. The Staunton Spectator and General Advertiser printed his death notice March 8, 1854.

DIED.

                              In this county, at his residence, on the 3d of Februa-

                              ry, Mr. THOMAS McFALL, aged about 64 years.  He

                              was formerly of Albemarle, but had been a resident of

                              this county for the last thirty years.

To set the record straight, he had been an Augusta County, Virginia resident for more than thirty years. Records indicated it was forty-two years. I found him in an 1812 Augusta personal property tax list when he was a young man about 21-22 years old.

Thomas had documented connections to Albemarle County, Virginia dating back to August 1814 when he married in that county. A marriage bond dated August 23, 1814 declared his intention to marry 4^th Great Grandmother Nancy Hall, daughter of the deceased James Hall.

By the way, Albemarle is where Cornelius McFall lived as early as the American Revolution casting a research trail that I would follow looking for a 5^th great grandfather.

Let’s get back to Thomas’ early life. As I said, he began appearing in the Augusta personal property tax lists in 1812. The 1815 Augusta County personal property tax list dated March 2 reveal Great Grandfather owned 1 horse, ass, mule, mare, or colt and 1 head of cattle.

The August 7, 1820 federal census enumeration found the Thomas McFall home in Staunton, Augusta, Virginia:

4 Free White Males Under 10: sons, James, John, William, and David

1 Free White Male - 26 thru 44:  Thomas age about 30 years

1 Free White Female - 16 thru 25: wife Nancy (maybe 20-24 years)

1 Person Engaged in Agriculture: Thomas

4 Free White Persons Under 16: 4 McFall sons

Free White Person - Over 25: 1 must be Thomas

Total Free White Persons: 6

Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 6

1820 U S Census; Census Place: Staunton, Augusta, Virginia; Page: 30; NARA Roll: M33_132

 I have not been able to find the McFall’s in the 1830 federal census but know Thomas remained in Augusta County as I found him in the 1830 personal property tax list. During the 1820’s two more children were born—Mary Jane in 1821 and Isaiah 1825.

By January 12, 1832, Great Grandfather was a widower and married Ann Smith in Augusta County.

The 1835 Augusta County, Virginia personal property tax lists included Thomas as well as his eldest son, James McFall. James must have been 16 to 18 years old to be taxed on his own behalf. James and Thomas both were taxed in 1836. In 1837. Thomas’ sons John and David McFall appeared in the county tax lists. Thomas, sons David and William were taxed in 1839.

 Augusta County was still home to the McFall’s per the 1840 federal census:

 Name: Thomas McFall

Home (City, County, State): Augusta, Virginia

1 Free White Male - 50 thru 59: Thomas age about 50 years

1 Free White Female - 15 thru 19: Daughter Mary Jane McFall

1 Free White Female - 40 thru 49: 2^nd wife Ann

1 Person Employed in Agriculture: Thomas

1 Free White Person - Under 20: Mary Jane McFall

1 Free White Person - 20 thru 49: 2^nd wife Ann

3 Total Free White Persons: Thomas, Ann, and Mary Jane

Total All Persons - Free White, Free Colored, Slaves: 3

Year: 1840; Census Place: Augusta, Virginia; Roll: 551; Page: 12; Image: 28; Family History Library Film: 0029684

The older McFall sons no longer lived with their father, but I was surprised to see the youngest boy, Isaiah (about 15 years) was not in Thomas’ home either.

The 1850 federal census:

District No. 2 and 1/2; Augusta County, Virginia

Page 339a, Line 26, Dwelling 261, Family 267

Thos McFall  age 58  male  Farmer  Value of Real Estate Owned $578  Place of Birth Virginia

Anne McFall  age 59  female  Place of Birth Virginia  Cannot read & write

After Thomas’ death, his widow Anne, initiated a chancery cause to have her dower rights assigned to his estate. The Staunton Spectator published details of the case in their April 25, 1855 issue:

VIRGINIA ;--At Rules held in the Clerk’s

     Office of the Circuit Court for Augusta coun-

ty, March the 31^st, 1855, Ann McFall, Samuel

Good and David W. Riddle,--Plaintiffs,

      AGAINST

James McFall, John McFall, Catharine McFall

and Margaret McFall, Hamilton McFall, James

McFall, Stuart B. McFall and David McFall, in-

fant children of David McFall, dec’d.,--Defen-

dants.

    The object of this suit is to obtain an assign-

ment of dower for the plaintiff Anne McFall, the

widow of Thomas McFall, dec’d., in the real es-

tate, of which said Thomas McFall died seized

and a partition or sale of the residue of said real

estate.

    The Defendants James McFall and John Mc-

Fall not having entered their appearance and giv-

en security, according to the act of Assembly,

and the Rules of this Court, and it appearing by

satisfactory evidence that they are not inhabitants

of this Commonwealth:  It is ordered that the

said Defendants do appear here within one month

after due publication of this notice and answer the

bill of the plaintiff and that a copy of this order

be forthwith inserted in some newspaper printed

in Staunton, for four weeks successively, and

posted at the front door of the Court-house.

             A Copy—Tests,

                                         N. C. KINNEY, Cl’k.

   April 4, 1855—4w.—H. W. Sheffey, P. Q.

Thomas’ daughter, Mary Jane and husband James Dalton had already sold their interest in her father’s estate to Samuel Good prior to the chancery suit. The same was true of William McFall and his wife Susan in October 1854 when they sold their interest to David W. Riddle. Isaiah McFall predeceased his father dying in 1847.

The October 15, 1856 edition of the Staunton Spectator and General Advertisers reports on the pending Commissioner’s sale of Thomas McFall’s land.

COMMISSIONER’S SALE.—By virtue of a

   decree of the Circuit Court of Augusta county,

rendered on the 20^th day of June 1856, in the case of

Ann McFall, &c., vs. Catharine McFall, &c., I shall pro-

ceed, on Tuesday, the 18^th day of November next, to

sell on the premises the TRACT OF LAND of which

Thomas McFall died seized and possessed, lying in Au-

gusta county, near Mt Pisgah Church, and containing

about 33 Acres. The improvements consist of a com-

fortable DWELLING HOUSE and suitable out-build-

ings.

   TERMS OF SALE:--Cash for the expenses of sale and

reasonable costs of suit; the balance in six, twelve and

eighteen months; bonds, with good security, to be ta-

ken for the deferred payments, and the title to be re-

tained until the purchase money is paid.

                                        HUGH W. SHEFFEY, Com’r.

   Oct. 15, 1856.—tds.

William White Died at the Residence of His Father

 William White, a wagon maker from Mt. Sidney, Virginia died a young man leaving a widow and three young children who would become Defendants in Augusta County, Virginia chancery cause 1858-071 Nicholas K. Trout vs. Heirs of William White. You can read about the suit here.

It is odd but William White’s date of death was not included in the court papers. I knew that he had died by October 25,1855 because this is when the chancery cause was initiated.

Recently I located a death notice published in the June 30, 1852 edition of the Staunton Spectator stating William passed June 14, 1852:

                                        RECORD OF DEATHS.

                             DIED, at the residence of his father, in Mt. Sidney,

                          on the 14^th inst., Mr. WILLIAM WHITE, aged 34 years.

I have always suspected his father was Clement White, a wagon maker, living next door to William and his family per the 1850 federal census enumeration.

The 1841 personal property tax lists proved helpful in cementing the father/son relationship. 

Commissioner James Nelson’s List of Taxable Property for the 2^nd District of Augusta Co., VA included William White and Clemens White (at the bottom of page 41). When a commissioner encountered two men in his district with the same name, he usually tried to distinguish the men in some manner. This is why you see “(of C.” after William’s entry. It means Wm. White was a son of Clemens White. 

       

100 Cents Paid Clemmer and Miller Marriage License Bond

 Rockbridge County, Virginia, June 28, 1842

Know all men by these presents, that we William K. Clemer

and Joseph Miller   ---  ----  ---   are held and firmly bound

unto John McGregory Lieutenant & acting Governor of the commonwealth

of Virginia in the sum of one hundred and fifty dollars to

which payment well and truly to be made to the said Governor

and his successors for the use of the commonwealth, we bind

ourselves our heirs executors and administrators jointly and

severally firmly by these presents. Witness our hands and

seals this 28^th day of June 1842

   The condition of the above obligation is such that where

as a marriage is shortly intended to be had and solem-

nized between the above bound William Clemer, and Nancy

Jane Miller, daughter of the above bound Joseph Miller

 

Now if there is no lawful cause to obstruct the said mar-

riage then this obligation to be void otherwise to remain

in full force and virtue.

                                              William K Clemmer  {seal}

 Teste                                    Joseph Miller  {seal}

David Hutcheson D. C.

Bridesmaid is Wedded When her Duties Ended

Middletown Daily Times-Press, Middletown, New York

September 16, 1913 Edition

GOSHEN

BRIDESMAID IS WEDDED

     WHEN HER DUTIES ENDED

   Goshen, Sept. 16—The wedding at the Clark home on Mathew street, Monday afternoon, turned out to be a double one. Besides the marriage of Miss Nettie Clark to F. V. Cook, there occurred also the entirely unexpected uniting of Miss Clara Fitzgerald, of Middletown, to A. Vanderslith, of Paterson.

   The guests had all assembled for the announced wedding, which was to occur at 3 o’clock. Mr. Vanderslith was one of these, while Miss Fitzgerald was to be bridesmaid.

   For some time this couple have been seen in each other’s company, but no serious steps had been taken to prepare their friends for Monday’s happening.

   At about 2 o’clock, Mrs. D. P. Clark, mother of the bride, in a joking way, suggested that this couple be married at the same time. To the delight of all the suggestion was adopted.

   Mr. Vanderslith then made a record dash up-town, procured a license and the ring, and, the four were made two by Rev. J. C. Coddington, of the Methodist Church.

   The Clark-Cook marriage was told about in the Times-Press in yesterday’s issue.

   Mr. Vanderslith is an employe of a large manufacturing concern in Paterson, and was soon to leave on an extended business trip—this probably hastened his decision in favor of immediate marriage.

   The home was beautifully decorated and the marriage—or marriages—took place under a beautiful arbor. After the double ceremony, the entire party adjourned downstairs where a bounteous wedding feast, prepared by Mrs. Clark, was served.

   The two couples then left on their wedding trips, after being wished all the good luck in the world.

   Mr. and Mrs. Cook will go for a short trip through the West, and will reside in Port Jervis. Mr. and Mrs. Vanderslith will spend a short time in Walden and vicinity, after which they will leave on the business trip before mentioned.

Nettie A Clark’s Lawn Party

Orange County Times, published Middletown, New York

August 19, 1902

                    GOSHEN

Happenings at the County Seat—All the

Latest News

             Miss Nettie A. Clark, aged 10 years,

gave a lawn party Thursday afternoon

at the home of her parents, Mr. and

Mrs. David Clark, to forty of her little

friends and companions. The occasion

was a happy one for all present. Re-

freshments were served and in the

evening the whole party was given a

straw ride and attended the band

concert. Among those entertained by

the little hostess were Annie Maguire,

of Brooklyn; Ethel Clark, of Paterson;

Lizzie Stalter, of Warwick; Gertrude

Kane, of Chester; Ethel Keenan and

Nellie Hewitt, of Middletown, and Ella

Wilson, of Hartford, Conn.

The Straw Ride

Winslow Homer

from Harper’s Bazar

September 25, 1869

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 5

I’ll continue the Dunlap discussion with the 1820 federal census enumeration for Archibald and Elizabeth Dunlap’s family:

1820 Federal Census taken August 7,1820:

Waynesboro, Augusta Co., Virginia, Page 19

Head of Household: Archibald Dunlap

2 males under ten years: son William and unknown male

1 male between 16 and 18 years: probably son James

2 males between 16 and 25 years: sons Robert and Archibald Jr.

1 male 45 years and older: Father Archibald Sr.

2 females under 10 years: unknown females

3 females between 10 and 15 years: daughters Elizabeth, Martha and 1 unknown

1 female between 16 and 25 years: daughter Margaret

1 female between 26 and 44 years: daughter Nancy

1 female 45 years and older: Mother Betsey

3 persons engaged in agriculture: Archibald Sr., perhaps sons Robert and Arch Jr.

7 persons under 16 years

3 persons over 25 years: parents Archibald Sr. and Betsey, daughter Nancy

13 total free white persons

Surprisingly I couldn’t find Archibald in the 1830 federal census. I read the complete Augusta County census on Ancestry.com and Familysearch.org. The page numbers were consecutive, so I don’t believe there are any missing pages. The enumeration included the Northern District, Southern District and Staunton. The sole problem I noted was the Staunton census didn’t include any surnames beginning with the letter “A.”

I’ll try substituting for the 1830 census with details I know about family members. Archibald and Betsey’s home probably included the youngest child, William and the unmarried children—Nancy, Robert, James and Martha. Daughter Margaret had already married Jacob Spitler in 1824 while Elizabeth wed Phillip O. Palmer March 1827. Archibald Jr. married Margaret Minnick in August of 1830. I’m still missing some unknown household members from the 1820 census who could be with the Dunlap’s.

The 1810 and 1820 federal census enumerations were arranged by surnames (all D surnames recorded on same page) making it impossible to identify who Archibald’s neighbors were. However, the 1840 census was recorded as taken by the census enumerator.

1840 Federal Census

Augusta County, Virginia, Page 48, 3^rd Line

Head of Household: Archibald Dunlap

1 male between 60 and 70 years: Father Archibald Sr.

1 female between 40 and 49 years: daughter Nancy

1 female between 60 and 70 years: Mother Betsey

3 total white persons

  

 1840 Federal Census

Augusta County, Virginia, Page 48

The younger Archibald Dunlap appears on the 12^th line.

Although I don’t know if he fits into Archibald’s family, there’s a John Dunlap three names below Archibald Jr. (on the 15^th line).

No probate papers or land deeds were recorded in Augusta County, Virginia for Archibald.

Post 5 is the last in my series. I initiated the “Archibald Dunlap Research Log’ series to find and document 4^th Great Grandfather’s parents and children and I achieved that goal. Scotland’s People website led me to Archibald’s parents and siblings. Before I began working on the family, I had known some of Archibald and Betsey’s children. I’m glad to report I discovered two more children to add to the Dunlap history.

Earlier posts:

Archibald Dunlap Research Log

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 2

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 3

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 4

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 4

Archibald Dunlap from Augusta County, Virginia was born May 12, 1771, in Campbeltown, Scotland. He arrived in the American Colonies as a child about 1775 with his family. I’ve written three earlier blog posts and will leave links at the end.

Since writing my first Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post, I proved Archibald Jr. is a son of Archibald Sr. and Betsy Dunlap. Letters exchanged between Dunlap cousins in the 1860’s solidify the connection between Archibald Jr.’s children and children of the documented Dunlap’s. Thank you Jerry L. and Wanda Bostic Dunlap for sharing and publishing the Dunlap Family Letters on their excellent website Dunlap Family Tree.

While reading a typewritten transcript of Augusta County, Virginia Marriages compiled by Annie Walker Burns, I spotted a marriage bond for Wm. Buchman and Martha Dunlap dated March 3,1835. Burns recorded Martha as the daughter of Archibald Dunlap. Archibald Dunlap served as a bondsman but I’m uncertain whether its Archibald Sr. or Archibald Jr. Census records later identified ‘Wm. Buchman’ as William Buchanan.

  

 Excerpt from

Virginia Genealogies and County Records

Volume VIII (Eight)

Compiled by Annie Walker Burns

Box 6183, Washington, D. C.

Page 68

Early personal property tax lists place 4^th Great Grandfather in Augusta County, Virginia as early as 1791.

An 1800 personal property tax list revealed Archibald Dunlap owed the tax assessor 60 cents for a tithe and 5 horses.

The next time I discovered him in an official record was the 1810 census:

1810 Federal Census Enumeration

Augusta County, Virginia, Page 12/334

Head of Household: Arch’d Dunlap

2 males under 10 years: sons James and Archibald Jr.

1 male between 10 and 16 years: son Robert

1 male between 16 and 26 years: unknown

1 male between 16 and 45 years: Archibald Sr.

2 females under 10 years: daughters Elizabeth and Martha

2 females between 10 and 16 years: daughters Nancy and Margaret

1 female between 16 and 26 years: unknown

1 female between 26 and 45 years: wife Elizabeth

A young man and woman lived in the Dunlap household, but their relationship to the family is unknown.

4^th Great Grandfather Archibald enlisted in the United States Army Dec. 2, 1813, for a five-year stint. His company commander was Lt. Koontz, and he served in the Artillery. The Register of Enlistments describe Grandfather as 5’6½” tall, blue eyes, brown hair, dark complexion and 45 years of age.

I was delighted to find a physical description of Great Grandfather but was surprised he enlisted in the army at the age of 45. His enlistment occurred during the War of 1812 against the British.

The Army Enlistment Register stated he was a farmer born in Edinburgh, Scotland. My earlier research place Archibald Dunlop’s birth in Campbeltown, Scotland—not Edinburgh. Google mapped a five-hour car drive between Campbeltown and Edinburgh. This is a new development. I must remind myself Grandfather was a small child when he left Scotland perhaps making his early recollections fuzzy. His enlistment age (45 years) calculates to a 1768 birth—not matching Scotland’s People (1771).  See Archibald Dunlap Research Post 3.

I can think of several scenarios to explain the situation so I’m not ready to disregard my earlier research. However, I would very much like finding another birth source.

The Remarks in the Enlistment Records tell Archibald’s military history. Five months after enlisting, he was confined for desertion at Fort Washington, Maryland May 31, 1814. I think Grandfather took on more than he could handle physically and was too old for army life.

Transcription:

D. R. [Descriptive Rolls] Det. Arty Ft. Washington, Md., May 31/14, In for desertion – Capt. Jas Reed’s Co. Book US Arty 1812/15, Present Aug 20 & Dec 1814 – D. R. [Descriptive Rolls] Feby 16, M. R. [Muster Rolls] Feby 18, & M. R. Feby 28/15, Present. Mo

Ret [Returned] May 31, M. R. & I. R. [Muster Roll & Inspection Return] July 31/15, Discharged, April 30/15, old age & Rheumatism – The remark “In 20^th Infy.” appears opp. his name.

 

Printed in the Republican Constellation, Wincester, Virginia

Feb. 5, 1814

As you can see from the above advertisement, Lt. Jacob Kountz offered $10.00 for Grandfather Arch’s capture. It’s curious his age was said to be 42 years contradicting the enlistment register age 45.

His name appeared in muster rolls in August and December of 1814 as well as February 1815. Archibald Dunlap was discharged early April 30, 1815 owing to rheumatism and old age at Fort Washington.

Earlier Posts:

Archibald Dunlap Research Log

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 2

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 3

  

Register of Enlistments in the U.S. Army, 1798-1914; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M233, 81 rolls); Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1780’s-1917, Record Group 94; National Archives, Washington, D.C.

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 3

Recently I blogged about “The Kerr and Dunlap Families” published in Jed Hotchkiss and Joseph A. Waddell’s Historical Atlas of Augusta County, Virginia. The author didn’t indicate how he obtained the information leaving me to wonder about its accuracy. Documenting the article became my next research job.

I’ve limited myself to the Dunlap family and refer you to blog post “Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 2” for a partial transcription of the sketch.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

John Dunlap and his wife Nancy whose maiden name was Colvin, resided in Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Scotland. They were the parents of five sons and two daughters, . . . Two of the sons settled in Tennessee and Kentucky. Three of them, John, Archibald and Robert settled on the head waters of Middle River, in Riverheads township, Augusta County, Virginia.

My Findings:

There was an Archibald, Robert and John born to John Dunlap and Isabel Colvin in Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Scotland. The government web site Scotlands People provided documentation for eight Dunlop children.

Old Parish Records Births, Campbeltown:

1756    

John Dunlop & Isobell Colvin had a Ch. bapt. Margaret January 25^th

1758

John Dunlop & Isobell Colvin had a Ch. bapt. John June 25^th

1760

John Dunlop and Isobell Colvill had a son born 18^th and baptized 20^th Aug^t named James

1762

John Dunlop and Isobel Colvin had Daughter born 17 Dec Baptised 18 name Jenat

1765

John Dunlop & Isabel Colvin had a son born the 3^rd & baptised the 7^th of March called Robert

1767

John Dunlop and Isobell Colvill had Daughter born ye 6^th & bapt ye 8^th Feb^ry named Elizabeth

1769

John Dunlop & Isobel Colvin had a daughter born the 13^th & baptised the 14^th March called Agnes

1771

John Dunlop and Isobell Colvill had a son born 12^th and baptized 16^th May named Archibald

I noted two minor discrepancies from the published article. According to the National Records of Scotland, four sons and four daughters were born in Scotland. The number of children and sons and daughters is different and a question about Great Grandmother’s given name--Nancy or Isabell. Augusta County’s Atlas wasn’t published until 1885 many years after the actual events. It’s easy to understand how memories of events fade.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

John lived with Robert, and died unmarried, aged eighty.

My Findings:

This could be true. John Dunlap’s last will and testament written April 1835 bequeathed his real and personal estate to his brother Robert’s son, William Dunlap. This included a plantation located between his brother’s and Mathew Willson’s lands. It’s difficult to say John lived in his brother’s home but at least nearby. James Trimble, John Kerr and Samuel Kerr served as subscribing witnesses. In June 1839, James Trimble and John Kerr presented the will to the Augusta County Court to be recorded in the County books.

Excerpt from

John Dunlap’s Will

Augusta Co., VA Will Book 22, page 386

Using Scotland’s People’s baptism date 1758 and an approximate death date of 1839 in Augusta County, John Dunlap was about 81 years old when he died. Not exactly as written in the history but close enough.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

. . . Robert Dunlap, who was born 1765 in Campbeltown, Argyleshire, Scotland

My Findings:

Robert’s birth and baptism in March 1765 confirmed as stated above.

From The Kerr and Dunlap Families:

The children of Robert and Margaret were: Elizabeth who married Levi L. Stevenson, of Staunton, Virginia; Isabella, who married Robert Sterrett, of Rockbridge County, Virginia; John, who married Isabella North, of Staunton, Virginia and Isabella Blain, of eastern Virginia; he removed to Atchison County, Missouri; Nancy, who married James A. G. Youell, of Rockbridge County, Virginia; Bailey, born in 1800, who married Sallie Baylor, daughter of George Baylor; settled at Mount Pleasant, near Spring Hill, on Middle river, on a farm once owned by Moffatt; Jane, married David Kerr, of Summerdean, Virginia, grandson of Robert and Elizabeth Kerr; Robert died at the age of twenty-three, unmarried; Madison married Martha McKee, of Rockbridge County, and settled on Kerr’s creek in said county; William, the youngest, married Mary J. Crawford, daughter of Robert Crawford; his second wife was Mrs. Amanda Blair, daughter of Dr. John McChensney.

My Findings:

The Kerr and Dunlap Families sketch reveals an amazingly thorough list of Robert and Margaret Kerr’s children. Robert Dunlap’s probate proceedings beginning April 1847 verify most of his children named above.

Conclusion:

Although I haven’t been able to prove every statement, investigating “The Kerr and Dunlap Families” was beneficial helping to build a backdrop of the extended family. Next time I’ll focus on my ancestor Archibald Dunlap.

Archibald Dunlap Research Log Post 2

Last week I documented six children born to Archibald and Elizabeth Dunlap in Augusta County, Virginia. I closed my blog post wondering if Archibald and Elizabeth married in the early 1790’s. This is an estimate on my part, and base it on the birth of their oldest child about 1795.

Personal property tax lists place Dunlap’s in Augusta County in 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, and 1794. Regrettably I don’t have access to later personal property tax lists.

           June 18, 1790 Personal Property Tax List B

             Joseph Dunlap     1 white tithe   3 horses

April 4, 1791 Personal Property Tax List A

             Robert Dunlap      1 white tithe   1 horse

April 6, 1791 Personal Property Tax List A

            John Dunlap          1 white tithe   4 horses

          April 7, 1791 Personal Property Tax List A

            Archibald Dunlap   1 white tithe    0 horse

          June 3, 1791 Personal Property Tax List B

            Joseph Dunlap      1 white tithe  3 horses     

May 14, 1792 Personal Property Tax List A

             Robert Dunlap      1 white tithe    1 horse

June 4, 1792 Personal Property Tax List A

             Robert Dunlap      1 white tithe   1 horse

             John Dunlap         1 white tithe  4 horses

             Archibald Dunlap  1 white tithe  0 horse

  

          April 28, 1792 Personal Property Tax List B

             Joseph Dunlap     1 white tithe    2 horses

March 16, 1793 Personal Property Tax List A

             Robert Dunlap      1 white tithe  2 horses

             John Dunlap         1 white tithe  4 horses

             Archibald Dunlap  1 white tithe   0 horse

          May 17, 1793 Personal Property Tax List A

             Robert Dunlap      1 white tithe   1 horse

          April 3, 1793 Personal Property Tax List B

             Joseph Dunlap     1 white tithe   5 horses

             Archibald Dunlap  1 white tithe   1 horse

I didn’t anticipate two Archibald Dunlap’s residing in the county. Hopefully, I’ll be able to distinguish one from the other.  

May 21, 1794 Personal Property Tax List A

             Jno Rob’t & Archibald Dunlap    3 white tithes   7 horses

             Robert Dunlap       1 white tithe  4 horses

What significance can I attach to John, Robert and Archibald Dunlap when I found the three listed together in the same entry on the May 1794 tax list? No doubt there's a relationship. Could they be brothers, father and sons, uncle and nephews, or cousins?

          March 26, 1794 Personal Property Tax List B

             Joseph Dunlap     1 white tithe    3 horses

          April 30, 1794 Personal Property Tax List B

             James Dunlap      1 white tithe    0 horse

After I found John, Robert and Archibald Dunlap on the May personal property tax lists, I recalled another instance when I saw the three connected. The 1885 ‘Historical Atlas of Augusta County, Virginia’ included a biographical section containing an article titled “The Kerr and Dunlap Families” on page 45. Three Kerr brothers arrived in America in 1763. One of the brothers, Robert, first resided in Pennsylvania before settling in Augusta County, Virginia. Robert Kerr’s daughter, Margaret, married Robert Dunlap in 1792. The biographer tells of John Dunlap’s three sons, John, Archibald and Robert of Augusta County, Virginia.  

I transcribed the section pertaining to the Dunlap family:

           “John Dunlap and his wife Nancy whose maiden

 name was Colvin, resided in Campbeltown, Ar-

 gyleshire, Scotland. They were the parents of

 five sons and two daughters, with all of whom

 they emigrated in the year 1775 to America, and

 settled in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Two of

 the sons settled in Tennessee and Kentucky.

 Three of them, John, Archibald and Robert settled

 on the head waters of Middle river, in Riverheads

 township, Augusta County, Virginia. John lived

 with Robert, and died unmarried, aged eighty.

 Robert married Margaret Kerr, who resided in

 same neighborhood at Summerdean. The children

 of Robert and Margaret were: Elizabeth,

 who married Levi L. Stevenson, of Staunton, Vir-

 ginia; Isabella, who married Robert Sterrett, of

 Rockbridge County, Virginia; John, who married

 Isabella North, of Staunton, Virginia and Isabella

 Blain, of eastern Virginia; he removed to Atchi-

 son County, Missouri; Nancy, who married James

A.    G. Youell, of Rockbridge County, Virginia;

Bailey, born in 1800, who married Sallie Baylor,

daughter of George Baylor; settled at Mount

Pleasant, near Spring Hill, on Middle river, on a

farm once owned by Moffat; Jane, married David

Kerr, of Summerdean, Virginia, grandson of

Robert and Elizabeth Kerr; Robert died at the

age of twenty-three, unmarried; Madison married

Martha McKee, of Rockbridge County, and settled

on Kerr’s creek in said county; William, the

youngest, married Mary J. Crawford, daughter of

Robert Crawford; his second wife was Mrs.

Amanda Blair, daughter of Dr. John McChesney.

William resides at the homestead of his father,

Robert Dunlap, who was born 1765 in Campbel-

town, Argyleshire, Scotland.”

The article provided a much-needed boost to my research. Joseph A. Waddell, who authored the article, was a lawyer, politician, newspaperman and author. I suspect a family member provided the information published in the atlas. I’ll see if I can document Mr. Waddell’s writings.

Historical Atlas of Augusta County, Virginia

Maps from Original Surveys,

By Jed. Hotchkiss, Top. Eng.

Its Annals,

By Joseph A. Waddell

Physiography

By Jed. Hotchkiss, C. & M. E.

1885