The Dean Family

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It is through John Dean, my 4th great grandfather that I was accepted into the Daughters of the American Revolution.  John served in the Continental Line of North Carolina, 10th Regiment, Quinn's Company. He enlisted 20 Jul 1778 and served 9 months.  Luckily on my trips back to Kentucky I collected sufficient documentation to prove my lineage.

Richard Dean Sr. and Jr.

We also know from the records of Christ's Hospital that Richard Deane, Sr. must have died before April 1706 when Richard Deane, Jr. was admitted to Christ's Hospital.  We do not know what happened to his Mother, Jane.

According to Peter Coldham's Complete Book of Emigrants, Richard Deane was apprenticed from Christ's Hospital to John Bolling, merchant, in Virginia.

Name                                                                      : Richard Deane

Date "clothed" (i.e. admitted)                                    : April 1706

Parent(s)                                                                  : Richard Deane, Citizen and Weaver, deceased

Date of birth                                                             : 2nd September 1698

Admitted from                                                          : St Giles Cripplegate

Name of presenting governor                                    : Mr Edmund Dummer

Date of discharge                                                     : 2nd January 1713

Discharged by                                                          : John Bolling

Circumstances of discharge

"Richard Deane is this day taken and discharged from the charges of this hospital for ever by John Bolling, merchant, in Virginia with whom he is to serve for 7 years witness his hand hereunto subscribed" (Bolling signs his name).                            

 Christ's Hospital

Christ's Hospital is not a hospital in the traditional sense.  It was really a school.  Children were accepted to the school after being presented by a governor.

Christ's Hospital was established in 1553 for the benefit of orphaned children or those impoverished or orphaned children made homeless. The original Christ's Hospital, also known as the "bluecoat school" because of its distinctive uniform, was founded by Edward VI.  The age of admission of pupils has varied at different dates. It has always admitted both boys and girls.  If they were legitimate children of free men of the City of London, over four years of age and free from obvious infirmity, they were to be educated and prepared either for entrance to a university or apprenticeship to a trade. From the late 17th century, up to 150 children were admitted annually on recommendation of their parishes, and a further ninety or so under the terms of charitable endowments. But as early as 1617 large numbers of these children left England to serve apprenticeships in America. Beginning with those children apprenticed to the Virginia Company in 1617, about 1,000 Christ's Hospital students left England to take up such apprenticeships.

Richard Deane was one of these legitimate children since his father was a citizen.  He left in January of 1713 with John Bolling to serve 7 years with him in Henrico County, Virginia.

Henrico County, Virginia

Henrico County was the scene of the second settlement in the colony of Virginia and was established in 1634 as one of its eight original shires.  Its boundaries incorporated an area from which ten Virginia counties were later formed in whole or in part, as well as the cities of Richmond, Charlottesville, and Colonial Heights. The county was named for Henry, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King James I of England.

This is how the Virginia Counties looked in 1713 when Richard Deane came to America.  As can be seen to the left Henrico County extends all the way to the Blue Ridge Mountains to the west.

Richard must have developed an excellent relationship with Maj. John Bolling because in 1725 he bought 350 acres of land on the South side of the James River very close to some of Maj. John Bolling's land and they appeared as witnesses on several documents together. He started his apprenticeship with John Bolling in 1713 for 7 years or until 1720. Within 5 years he had 35 shillings to buy 350 acres of land. John Bolling had to be a mentor to Richard.

Richard Dean, 350 acs. (N.L.). Henrico Co., on S. side of James River adj. John Stephens & John Sanders line;10 Feb. 1725, p. 339 35 Shill.

I have to laugh  until recently when we found out about Christ's Hospital and Richard's origins, I thought since Richard bought property he could not have been an indentured servant.  I don't think he was an indentured servant in the traditional sense, but he did come over as an indentured person to Major John Bolling. 

The map below is of the James River in yellow.  As you can see it goes through Richmond.  The Deans lived just to the west of Richmond on the boarder of Henrico and Goochland Counties.

John Bolling also owned property on the south side of the James River close to Richard Dean.  In addition they continued to show up as witnesses on legal documents.  Their association continued until Richard's death.

Over the next twenty years Richard was a witness for several property transactions including one involving property Thomas Jefferson sold to Robert Early.  Also, he must have had some education because he know how to write his name.

Henrico Co., Va., Record Bk. 1725-37, pp. 303-04.
The court orders of 1723 show that Phillemon Childers' brother Abraham and his Elizabeth sold him land. This must be the land he was to receive from his patents, Abraham as the eldest son and heir making a good title. On 28 April 1731 Phillemon Childers sold to Thomas Bethel, Jr., for 2000 pounds of tobacco 100 acres near Four Mile Creek, a spring of water and the main road, bounded by Phillemon Perkins, which he had acquired from his brother Abraham. Witnesses were Richard Deane, Humphry Smith and Thomas Bethell, Sr. Phillemon signed his name and his wife Elizabeth relinquished her right of dower.

p. 585 3 Aug. 1724 Henry Hatcher to Richard Martin, for 30 pounds, 1 1/4 acres in Henrico Parish on north side of James River, on a branch of Gilleys Creek along with 1/4 part of a grist mill standing on said branch.

Wit: George Cox, Richard Dean

signed: Henry Hatcher

Recorded 8 Aug. 1724
 

Henrico Co., Va., Wills & Deeds 1725-37, pp. 131-32.
Abraham Childers III received 100 acres of land from his grandfather Henry Pew in 1702 and was given any undevised land in Henry Pew's will. This land was on Four Mile Creek and Myery Branch. At March Court 1723 a deed from Abraham Childers, Jr., to Philemon Childers, dated 6 Jan. 1723, was acknowledged and Elizabeth, Abraham's wife relinquished her right of dower.1 On 2 Sept. 1725 Abraham purchased for 1400 pounds of tobacco from his brother John the 100 acres bounded by John Price his cousin and Joseph Atkins his half-brother he received from his grandfather Henry Pew by will. Witnesses were Richard Dean and John Davis.

P. 39 Edward Scott and Ann his wife of Henrico co., for love & affection to our brother Joseph Scott of New Kent Co. 3 negroes: Bobb, Tabb and Dick, given unto said Ann by will of George Cox, late of Henrico Co., dec'd. dated 1 Aug 1726
Wit: J. Thornton, Richard Deane
Signed: Edward Scott, Ann Scott
Recorded Aug. 1726

19 May 1727 p. 114 John Woodson of St. James Parish, Henrico County., for 40 pounds to Thomas Massie. 400 acres in St. James Parish, adjoining an entry of John Thornton. Land is called “Locust Thicket” and was warranted to me by patent. Dated 19 May 1727
Witness: Joseph Mayo, Richard Deane, Thomas Jefferson
Signed: John Woodson Recorded 5 June 1727

5 June 1727 p. 105 Thomas Jefferson to Robert Easly, 100 acres bounded by said Jefferson, William Easly and Fine Creek
Witness: Richard Deane, Charles Griffith
Signed: Thomas Jefferson Recorded 5 June 1727

p. 131 2 Oct. 1727 John Childers to Abraham Childers, for 1400 lbs tobacco, land on north side of James river near Four Mile Creek, 100 acres, bounded by John Price and Joseph Atkins; being land devised to said John Childers by will of Henry Pew, dec'd.

Wit: Richard Deane, John Davis

Signed: John Childers

Recorded 4 Sept 1727

29 May 1728, p. 214, Thomas Farrar of St. James Parish, Henrico County., to William Harlow of St. Pauls Parish, Hanover County., for 20 pounds, 400 acres in St. James Parish, bounded by Chickahominy Swamp.
Witness: Richard Dean, George Farrar, Thos. Osburn, Jr.
Signed: Thomas Farrar Recorded 1st Mon. Oct. 1728

7 Aug. 1728 p. 209, Thomas Wilson of Surry County. and William ? of Henrico County., to Thomas Dance of Surry County., for 5 shillings 100 acres, bounded by Seth Perkinson and Philip Jones.
Witness: Richard Kennon, J. Boiling, Jr., Richard Deane
Signed Thomas Wilson, William Wilson Recorded 1st Mon Sept. 1728

2 Sept 1728, p. 203, Thomas Edwards, Sr. of Henrico County., to his son Thomas Edwards of same for 8 pounds, a tract by name of Newland, 250 acres, formerly purchased of Francis Cater and Philip Turpin dec’d, now in possession of Thomas Edwards, Jr.
Witness: Charles Griffith, Joseph Wood, Richard Deane
Signed Thomas Edwards Recorded 1st Mon. in Sept 1728

p. 209 7 Aug. 1728 Thomas Wilson of Surry co. and William Wilson of Henrico Co., to Thomas Dance of Surry co., for 5 shillings, 400 acres, bounded by Seth Perkinson and Philip Jones.

Wit: Richard Kennon, J. Bolling, Jr., Richard  Deane

Signed Thomas Wilson, Williamson

Recorded 1st Mon Sept. 1728 Amy, wife of Thomas, relinquished her dower rights.

p. 253 28 Nov 1729 Gilbert Bowman of County & Parish of Henrico, planter, to John Bolling of same, Gent., for 20 pounds, 206 acres on south side of James River, bounded by Swift Creek, on 3rd branch next to said Bowling; and part of a patent of 1146 acres of John  Bolling, Edward Bowman and John Bowman, dated 10 Oct. 1705.

Wit: Ja. Keith, Fran's Epes, Richard Deane

Signed: Gilbert Bowman

Recorded 1st Monday Dec. 1729

The following land record also shows that George Abney lived in Hanover County just to the north of Henrico County.  More importantly bought property in the Henrico County area where the Dean's lived, so they must have known each other.  The association and intermarrying between the Dean's and the Abney's continued for many years in several states.  Rebecca Abney married Edward Dean.  This is important to me because one of my challenges to to prove whether her Father was Nathaniel Abney or George Abney.

p. 206 30 Aug. 1728 Thomas East, Sr. of St. Pauls Parish, Hanover Co., planter, to George Abney of same, for 1900 lbs tobacco, land on north side of James Rives on Gillies Creek, bounded by John Bailey and the creek, 200 acres; part of 400 that East purchased of John Robinson 1 Aug. 1704, the 400 being divided between George Abney and John Lefon.

Wit: Thomas (T) East, Jr., John ( ) Robertson,

Alex'r (+) Robinson

Signed: Thomas (T) East

Recorded 1st Mon. Sept. 1729

p. 318 3 April 1730 Gilbert Gee of Henrico Co., to John Roberts of same for 33 shillings, 100 acres on south side of James River  bounded by the French line, John Wooldridge and Richard Dean; being part of 400 acres granted Gilbert Gee and John Gent by patent 24 March 1725

Wit: Richard Dean, John Wooldridge, Wm Wooldridge

Signed: Gilbert ( ) Gee

recorded 4 Oct 1731

It appears that Richard Dean lived in the greater King Williams Parish for he was seldom mentioned in the records. In 1732 he was on the tithable list of "Richard Dine" with a count of two heads registered under his name as tithables.
 

His property must have also ended up in Goochland County when Goochland County was created from Henrico County in 1728.  Goochland County line is just to the west of Richmond close to Little Tuckahoe Creek and Dover Lake. He may have served on the jury in Goochland County, but since he was close to Richmond and the county seat of Henrico County, he signed on many documents and probably did most of his business in Henrico County.

GOOCHLAND COUNTY ORDER BOOKS (GCOB).
GCOB 1: 107 May Court 1728. In the Action of case between Thomas Nolun, Pltf. and William Wotars, Deft. The following Jury are sworn: Richard Dean. Wiliam Lansdon, John W. Brid?, Jook? Chandler, Alfeford? (Alfred) Hughes, Jon Webb, Richard Oglesby, John Paitis?, Jacob Michaux, Howell Burton, Samuel Allin, John Lewis who after deliberation find and return with their verdict to be awarded and is as follows: The Deft. by ___? ___? that the Deft. was to fulfill his duties without any consideration. We find by the ___? ___? that the Deft. had a job of work to do in Hanover and that he told him so. If the law be for the Pltf. then we find for the Pltf. seven? shillings and six pounds current money the wife of the Deft. for the arguing of which verdict is offered.
and
GCOB 2: 2 March Court 1730. Action of Debt between John Quin, Pltf. and Agnes Nolun, Administrator of the Goods, Chattels, Rights, and credits? of Thomas Nolun, deceased, Deft. for eighty eight pounds current money do bond the following jury are sworn: Richard Dean, Thomas Edjwas? (Edwin),? Thomas Turpin, Anthony Hoggat, Nicholas Cox, Stephen Woodson, Joseph Watkin, George Southerland, John Williams, Joseph Binals,? James Nevils,? Thomas Edwards who after deliberation? their verdict which at the Pltfs. motion is ordered to be recorded and is at the followeth: “We find for the Plaintiff several? Fourteen shillings and one penny half penny current money in force from this 19th day of September 1729.” Richard Dean ____? whereupon it is reordered by the court that Pltf. do ___? again the Deft. The sum pg seventeen pounds fou_? (four) shillings and a half penny current money interest? therein after at a rate of six per cent per anum from this nineteenth day of September 1729 by the jurors aforesaid in their said verdict ___? and all the costs of this suit of the Goods, and Chattels which were of the aforesaid Thomas Nolun’s at his death in the hands of the said Agnes to be administered if so ___? in her hands thereto and if not so ___? thou the case of the aforesaid of the proper Goods, and Chattels of the aforesaid Agnes to be levied.


Jacob Michaux, 150 acs. (N.L) Goochland Co., s. side of James Riv., on Mahook Cr. adj. Major Bolling, Richard Dean, Bartholomew Cox, land Quin sold to Noland; 28 Sept 1732, p. 468. 15 shill.

Deed Book 2, p43 16 SEP 1734 John Woodson to Robert ADAMS for œ10 250 acres on branches of Tuckahoe and Dover Mill Creek next to 200 acres sold to Thomas Wadlow and 96 acres on both sides Mill Creek being east of land bought by ADAMS of John Woodson dec'd. wit: Arthur Hopkins, Richard Deane.

Deed 10 June 1735 Nicholas Cox of St. James Parish, Goochland Co., to William Spears of same, for love and goodwill 400 acres on south side of James River, bounded by William Mayo, Stephen Hughes, Maple Swamp.
Wit: Richard Deane, Jacob Moseby, Alex'r Farg, Sr.
Signed: Nicholas (N) Cox

June 1736 Stephen Cox's judgmt vs. Rd Dean
Judgmt 624 lb tobo
Fees 99 85
Total 709
Nevils paid it all to me except 20 lb Tobo
I paid it to Cox.
Source: Genealogical Records: Virginia Colonial Records, 1600 - 1700'
Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Volume III, Henrico County 0 Southside, 1736, page 405

Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia 1737-1781, May Court 1741

Will of Daniel fore presented by Mary Fore, executor; proved by Morris Roberts and Stap Roberts, witnesses.  Francis Flournoy, Richard Dean, John Perce, and James Harris to appraise.

Will of Pierre Martin
Will of Peter Marton of Goochland Co. "sick & weak"
To son Anthony, 1 negro Will and negro girl Jenny, plantation where I live, plus items
To son John, plantation my father John Martin left me by will adjoining the plantation of William Randolph at Tuckahoe.
Also 1 negro Betty, 1 negro Matt, livestock and items.
To son Peter, 200 acres joining his uncle Daniel Pero's plantation, 2 negroes Kate & Hannah, also L 60, also livestock and items.
My wife's mother to take one of my children to bring up and have one of the rooms in the new house for life and to be supported out my estate for life. If my wife remarries then her mother toe enjoy my house, solely, for life.
To my three sons, my part of my father John Martin's personal estate after my mother's death.
To my wife, 3 negroes Peter, Daniel and Dick for life, and she to be executrix
Dated 6 March 1742
Wit: Richard Deane, Daniel (P) Pero, John Ford

Colonial Wills of Henrico County, Virginia 1737-1781, June Court 1744

p. 261 Will of Edward Bryers, dec'd, presented by Sarah Bryers, the exec. and proved by Elizabeth Morison and John Morical witnesses.  John Fore, Jacob Trabue, Samuel Jordan, and Richard Dean to appraise.

1 Jul 1745 - William Trent of Henrico County sells to Stephen Watkins of Goochland County, for 41 pounds, 218 acres on West side of Trabues branch, joining main branch of Tomahawk creek; being part of 400 acres granted to Francis Flournoy 9Jul 1724 and deeded by him to said Trent. Witnesses: Richard Dean, Jeremiah Hatcher, Charles Ballow; signed: William (X) Trent, Ursilla (X) Trent.

Recorded 1st Monday July 1745, Ursilla, wife of William, relinquished her dower right. {Henrico County, Virginia, Wills & Deeds 1744-1748, page 42}
 

Richard Deane was also appointed the Clerk of St. John's Parish in 1745.  When he died three years later in March 1748 it was Ordered That the Church Wardens take the necessary method to recover 6,706 pounds Tob’o, Levied in 1746 for the use of the Parish, w’ch was collected by Richard Deane, and not Accounted for. What happened?  From all accounts he seemed to be a very honest person.
Source Vestry Book of St. John’s Church, Henrico County. Virginia p. 84
 

Do. Parish Cr. For the year 1745
Ordered that Richard Deane is appointed Clerk of the Vestry.
Source Vestry Book of St. John’s Church, Henrico County. Virginia p.75
Henrico Parish for the year 1745

To the Rev. Mr. William Stith, Minis’r, Sallery and Cafk 16,640 Nett Tobacco
To Mark Clark, Reador 1,789
To John Eals, Reador 1,789
To William Street, Reador 1,789
To Richard Deane, Clerk of the Vestry 450
Source Vestry Book of St. John’s Church, Henrico Co. Virginia p. 74

John Wooldridge Date: 1 Oct 1747 ref [Patent Book 26:116-1] to 8) John Wooldridge, 35s, 314 acres contract 35s Ref: 314 acres Henrico/North side of Falling Creek of South side of James Riv (John Tillot ?Tullit Henrico/North side of Falling Creek of South side of James Riv (John Tillot ?Tullit. 0. John Tillots Corner Spanish oak on North side of Falling Creek HYD line N11W; 38 poles on said Wooldridges old line - Point B) 1. Black oak line N3E; 96 poles - Point C) 2. White oak line N63W; 208 poles - Point D) 3. Black oak dividing John Roberts Richard Dean &said Wooldridge line N57E; 134 poles on Deans line N57? 1??p - Point E) 4. White oak cornered on the line of the French Parish line S78E; 490 poles on said line - Point F) 5. Tillots ?Tullits Corner White oak on the French Road line Southwest 70 poles - Point G) 6. White oak line Northwest 100 poles - Point H) 7. Shrub oak line W; 60 poles - Point I) 8. Ash line Southwest 210 poles - Point J) 9. White oak line S64W; 30 poles - Point K) 10. Red oak line S60W; 36 poles to beginning.

We know that Richard Dean died between October 1, 1747 and  January 19, 1748 when the Vestry moved that "Solomon Carey be appointed Clerk of the Vestry in the room of Richard Deane, deceased, and that John Bryant be appointed a clerk in the room of John Eales, who is become incapable of executing his office. His salary to commence from the first day of June last.
/s/ Richard Randolph
/s/ John Coles.
Source Vestry Book of St. John’s Church, Henrico County. Virginia p.80

His will was presented to the court of Henrico Co., VA in July 1748 by Sarah Dean, having had Richard Dean's property appraised at 37 pounds, 5 shillings, 11 pence by Isaac Sharp, Henry Sharp, and John Redford, Jr. Source: Matthew Dean

His patent for French land was awarded posthumously in December 1748, about a year after his death. He renewed 224 acres within the lower part of the first 5,000 acres in what is now Chesterfield County.  Dean had a patent 23 years earlier in the present county of Powhatan. It was located on the James River a short distance downriver from Rock Castle which is on the north side of the river; Dean, of course, was on the south side of the river. This land was too far from King William Parish for him to have been considered in the parish records which explains the scarcity of his name in Manakintowne. Some people who were not in the parish were included in the records, but they did live in the immediate area. Richard Dean's Powhatan patent was approximately ten miles from the eastern boundary of the French territory.

Richard Dean TYPE: Patent Date: 1 Dec 1748 ref [Patent Book 27:58-1] to 66) Richard Dean, 25s, 224 acres contract 25s Ref: 224 acres Henrico/(Furkrun John Roberts & Wooldridge Henrico/(Furkrun John Roberts & Wooldridge. 0. Furkruns Corner gum & red oak line SWxS; 332 poles on his lines.  Corner pine line W40N; 64 poles. John Roberts Corner gum line S3W; 156 poles on his line. Wooldridges Corner red oak line N57E; 134 poles on his line, - Point E) 4. Wooldridges Corner White oak line N3E; 2 poles - Point F) 5. Martins Corner pine line N40.5E; on his lines - Point G) 6. Corner White oak line N51E; 42 poles. Corner Pine line NExN; 261 poles;  Corner hiccory on Martins line N50W; 87 poles to beginning.

Sarah Dean died three years later in 1751.  Her estate was appraised 24 November 1751.  John Redfore, Thomas Jordan and Alexander Long. John Redford, Jr. presented this appraisement in court which was duly recorded in June 1752.

Children of Richard and Sarah Dean

Richard and his wife Sarah had at least seven children:  Elizabeth, Edward, Charles, John, William, Thomas, and Daniel. There is no son named Richard (he could have died), and none of his sons named a son Richard which is very unusual in the naming patterns of Colonial America.

When Richard died in 1748 his children along with the Abney and Echols families had already started moving to Halifax County, Virginia which is just south and slightly west of Henrico County on the North Carolina boarder.  We don't know why they started to move there in the early 1740's . Was it more land or better land?  It was typical with most families where the older son's inherited the farm and the younger sons moved on. However, here, Edward the oldest son also moved to Halifax County to the south and west of Halifax County.  We don't know who inherited Richard and Sarah's property in Henrico/Goochland County.

Elizabeth

It is not known what happened to Elizabeth or who she married.  She may have stayed in Henrico County. 

Edward

Richard's oldest son Edward was born about 1718 and married Rebecca Abney about 1754 (see more details on the next page). We know from Edward's will that he and Rebecca had at least seven sons:  John (abt. 21), Edward (14) , Joshua (11), Charles (7), Julius (6), William(3), and an unborn child when Edward died in 1761. It is not known if they had daughters.  None were listed in Edward's will.

Charles M. born abt. 1722 married Ursula Marchbanks about 1752. [Note:  I have been blessed to have Linda Eddy a Charles M. Dean descendant contact me with wonderful information about this line.]  After Charles died in Rockingham County, North Carolina in 1798 Ursula and some of their children moved to Spartanburg County, South Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Information about Charles' land transactions is found at Charles M. Dean Documents.  Ursula's maiden name was Marchbanks.  Her Mother was Anne Echols who married George Marchbanks.  Anne was Elizabeth Eleanor Echols' sister and aunt to Keziah Dean who married Edward's oldest son John Dean my 5th great grandfather.  The Deans, Echols, and Abneys all lived together and intermarried for many years. Many of the Deans, Abneys and Echols also moved to the Edgefield County, South Carolina area.

I think John may have been born about 1755 and moved to Halifax County, Virginia with his brothers.  This gets confusing because Edward Dean also has a son John who also shows up in Halifax County land records.  I believe this John is too old to be Edward's son. This John seemed to have trouble paying his bills and he died in 1765. John's legal and land records can be seen here.

Until recently I didn't have any information about William  born about 1727.  I have connected with two William Dean descendants:  Vallie Terrell and Matthew Dean.  Hopefully they will help me fill in the blanks.  I know that William married Elizabeth Unknown and that he must have joined the Dean-Abney-Echols contingency that moved to South Carolina because his son William was born in Edgefield, South Carolina in 1789.  I have no land records for him in Halifax County, Virginia.

We know that Thomas had lived in Halifax County but was gone by July 1761 when he was sued by Thomas Burnley and the sheriff reported he was gone.  I have no idea where he went. 

July Court 1761

Page 296

William McDaniel, assignee of Daniel Hogan, who was assignee of Zechariah Burnley, Plt, vs Thomas Dean, Deft.  The Sheriff having returned sd Deft no inhabitant, this suit abates.

Halifax County Plea Book 1761

Daniel (1730 - ?) Daniel was a substantial landowner in Halifax County. I have some of his legal and land records.  There were too many for me to copy and transcribe.  I don't know who Daniel married or when he died.

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