1. GREGORY1RAWLINGS was born Abt. 1594 in Surry, Hertfordshire, England, and died 1653 in Surry Co., VA. He married JANE.
Notes for GREGORY RAWLINGS:
Granted land in Surry Co., BA 10 Jun 1653.
Supposedly came to VA in 1626, but the records don't seem to exist before 1652.Notes for JANE:
Supposedly Jane Osborne or Jane Lee. If Osborne, father likely John Osborne.
Children of GREGORY RAWLINGS and JANE are:
ii. GREGORY RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1619; d. Bet. 1662 - 1669, Surry Co., VA.
Notes for GREGORY RAWLINGS:
It is said that Gregory died young, but I don't see clear evidence either way. He doesn't show up in any records after his father's death except this one in 1669. It is not clear whether he is alive in 1669 or not.
Francis Maryson, Esq. a patent granted to John Rawlings, son of Gregorye Rawlings, deceased, 26 acres of land on Cippoakes Creek... formerly granted John Osborne by patent 26 Apr 1639. and by John Osbourne, son and heir of John Osbourne, assigned to Gregorye Rawlings, deceased, and now same to John Rawlings being hier to his father's estate this 26 acres for transportation to the colony, sd land granted to Gregory Rawlings brother of sd John Rawlings by patent 6 Feb. 1654, by mistake. Should have been John Rawlings as by his father's Will appears 4 July 1662. This patent assigned by John Rawlings 31 July 1662 to Wm. Dowinge to John Burgess, being called Boyer's Point. 21 Nov 1669. Wit. John Rawlings, Rich. Hide. Sighned John Tatem, Eliza Tatem.
Gregory is not mentioned as deceased, but it seems strange that he didn't have to sign this.
Surry Co Court records 1652-1684. Pg 191. 1 July 1662. Jno. Rawlings, ye sonne of Gregory Rawlings ackowledges to have received full satisfaction of Mr. Wm. Lee of all his rights and title in his father's estate, and acquits Jno. Rawlings of the account. Wit. John Lookes, John Billings.
This is a little strange, "acquits Jno. Rawlings of the account". Also why isn't Gregory mentioned in this? This may be the smoking gun that indicates Gregory died betw 1653 and 1662. I think it is safe to assume Gregory died between 1662 and 1669.
iii. MISS RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1621; m. JOHN OSBORNE.
Generation No. 2
2. JOHN2 RAWLINGS (GREGORY1) was born Abt. 1617, and died April 22, 1674 in Surry Co., VA. He married ELEANOR Abt. 1641.
Notes for JOHN RAWLINGS:
Supposedly came to St Christopher in the Virgin Islands on "The Mathew" in 1635 at age of 18 and then to VA in 1637.
Received Surry Co Land Grant - 1667 330 acres.
There are many records of John in the Surry Co Court Records 1652-1684, too many to list all here.
31 Jun 1667 pg 298 Archives - Surry Co Records 1652-1684. John Rawlings ... has wife and 3 small children.
Francis Maryson, Esq. a patent granted to John Rawlings, son of Gregorye Rawlings, deceased, 26 acres of land on Cippoakes Creek... formerly granted John Osborne by patent 26 Apr 1639. and by John Osbourne, son and heir of John Osbourne, assigned to Gregorye Rawlings, deceased, and now same to John Rawlings being hier to his father's estate this 26 acres for transportation to the colony, sd land granted to Gregory Rawlings brother of sd John Rawlings by patent 6 Feb. 1654, by mistake. Should have been John Rawlings as by his father's Will appears 4 July 1662. This patent assigned by John Rawlings 31 July 1662 to Wm. Dowinge to John Burgess, being called Boyer's Point. 21 Nov 1669. Wit. John Rawlings, Rich. Hide. Sighned John Tatem, Eliza Tatem.
Son Gregory is not mentioned as deceased, but it seems strange that he didn't have to sign this. This is probably the evidence for father Gregory's wife Jane being possibly an Osbourne.
Surry Co Court records 1652-1684. Pg 191. 1 July 1662. Jno. Rawlings, ye sonne of Gregory Rawlings ackowledges to have received full satisfaction of Mr. Wm. Lee of all his rights and title in his father's estate, and acquits Jno. Rawlings of the account. Wit. John Lookes, John Billings.
This is a little strange, "acquits Jno. Rawlings of the account". Also why isn't Gregory mentioned in this? This may be the smoking gun that indicates Gregory died betw 1653 and 1662.
Children of JOHN RAWLINGS and ELEANOR are:
Notes for ELIZABETH RAWLINGS:
Not mentioned in Thom Hix bond in 1674, but is mentioned in the 1673 will of her father. Does that mean she died in 1674? I think not. I think the Hux bond is a bond made when Tho. Hux md widow of John Rawlings agreeing to pass on the inheritence to the two children not of age (Mary and John). Elizabeth was of age so already received her inheritance.
Surry Co Court Records 1652-1684. Page 60 20 Apr 1674. Bond of Tho. Hux to deliver certain personal property to Mary Rawlings, dau. of Jno. Rawlings; dec. when of age or married and to Jno. son of Jno. Rawlings, dec'd, when of age. If Mary die before of age or married her share goes to Jno. If Jon. dies before of age his share returns to Tho. Hux. Wit. Roger Potter, Jno. King.
3. ii. JOHN RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1655, Surry Co., VA; d. Bet. August 05, 1702 - May 25, 1703, Surry Co., VA.
iii. MARY RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1657, Surry Co., VA.
Notes for MARY RAWLINGS:
Not of age on date of father's will in 1674
.
Generation No. 3
3. JOHN3 RAWLINGS (JOHN2, GREGORY1) was born Abt. 1655 in Surry Co., VA, and died Bet. August 05, 1702 - May 25, 1703 in Surry Co., VA. He married MARY SOWERBY 1677 in Surry Co, VA, daughter of THOMAS SOWERBY and ANNLEE?.
Notes for JOHN RAWLINGS:
Mentioned in father's will in 1674 as "not of age".
Received Sury Co VA, Land Grants:
1689 455 acres which he sold 6 Jan 1698.
29 Apr 1692 220 acres which he sold 70 acres of 6 mar 1693.
Children of JOHN RAWLINGS and MARY SOWERBY are:
Notes for JOHN RAWLINGS:
Surry Co Wills, Bk 5 p 147, JORDAN, Anna; Leg. - To John Rawlings, I give a servant boy. To Elizabeth Rawlings clothing. To John Shorsby, Thos. Shorsby and Richard Rose their wives (blot).. to be divided equally. To my son, Edward Evans a bequest. If he die, to my husband Thomas Shorsby's brothers' children. Jeremiah Ellis, Se. (Sr.?), and Robert Corrock to be Exers. 2 Oct., 1697. 22 July, 1697. Wit: Edward Scarbroo, Mary Rawlings. Bk 5, p. 147. [Why are dates backwards? Who is this Mary Rawlings? Must be Mary Collier Rawlings.]
Who the heck is "son Edward Evans"? This would indicate a marriage before her marriage to Thomas Sowersby. Or perhaps Evans is his middle name or he is a "son-in-law".
VIRGINIA 1704 Rent Rolls
Rollings Peter King & Queen County, 1704
Rowling Jno Surry County, 1704
Rohings Wm Surry County, 1704
Rolling George Surry County, 1704
Rollings Peter King & Queen County, 1704
Note there is a grown Wm Rohings in Surry in 1704. I will bet that is Rodger Rawlings' son Wm.
This John is last seen for sure in 1716. I call him John III (witnessing will of Robert Nicholson).
May be the John Rawlings that md Elizabeth Wyche and moved to NH NC and died there in 1747 living near River Jordan.
The "old genealogists" say he moved to Lunenburg Co and died there in 1752. Supposedly had wife Mary (Jones?) and three children Gregory, John, and William. There is a John Rawlings that died in Lunenburg about 1752 and left a son William who was given a guardian (Henry May) in 1754.
Both of these John's are listed in this genealogy, but are not connected to this John since it is not known which one is the correct one.
1702 AN EARLY REFERENCE TO HIS JOHN III AGE 22
(OR MORE LIKELY IT IS THE LAST REF TO HIS FATHER JOHN II WHO DIED IN 1702)
Virginia's Colonial Soldiers By Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck Copyright 1988 Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.ISBN 0-8063-1219-X Page 222
Dragoons taken out of Capt. Brown's Company, Dec. 1702:
John RAWLINGS, Jr.
1706 JOHN III SELLS HIS INHERITED LAND IN TWO PIECES (ONE TO HIS BROTHER IN LAW (I THINK) CHARLES PARTIN) John is now abt 26.
1716 JOHN III AND "MARY" WITNESS WILL IN SURRY CO (is Mary a wife or his mother?]
Surry Co WB p244. Will of Robert Nicholson dated 29 Sept 1716 - proved 17 Feb. 1719 names gr. Dau. Hannah; son Joshua; son John; son Robert; dau. Joyce; dau. Ann; dau. Elizabeth; Wife Joannah Joyce. Overseers: Mr. Nicholas Cocke and Sampson Lanier. Wits: Geo. Rawlings, JOHN RAWLINS, MARY RAWLINGS. (Note both Robert Nicholson and Sampson Lanier were witnesses to JOHN RAWLINGS II'2 will in 1702.)[Is Mary the mother of John (I thought she died abt 1710) or a wife of John? John is now about 36]
1727 CHARLES PARTIN SELLS THAT LAND WHICH HE DESCRIBES AS "LATE IN THE TENURE OF JOHN RAWLINGS". THIS IS THE LAST VERIFIED SOURCE MENTIONING JOHN III (HE REPORTEDLY MARRIES MARY JONES AND HAS JOHN IV, WILLIAM, AND GREGORY IN THE 1730-40'S.)
Perhaps John III had been overseeing the land for Charles Partin from 1706-1727 and then decided to leave Surry Co. John is now 47.
1739 PERHAPS AN INDICATION HE IS STILL IN SURRY CO (John would be 59-60)
Surry Co Deeds, Wills, Etc. #9 1738-1754 pg 119. 17 Mar 1739. Edward Ellis of southwarke Parish to Marmaduke Chatham of same. 170 acres (being a patent granted to John Rawlings on 20 Oct 1689) bounded by the said Chatham, Thomas Allstin's late Joshua Nicolson and the said JOHN RAWLINGS). Signed Edward Ellis and Jaen (X) Ellis. Wit: Joshua Nicolson and Charles Lucas. Rec: 19 Mar 1739.
(This could be (1) a boundry ref only to John II or (2) saying John III now owns this land or (3) John b c1719, the son of Gregory and Hannah, now owns the land.)
1745 PERHAPS LAND PATENTS TO JOHN III OR TO JOHN SON OF GREGORY
John Rawlings, Isle of Wight Co, 10 July 1745, 170a. In the Counties of Surry and Isle of Wight. On the north side of the three creeks. Beg.g &c by the side of the great swamp adjoining the land of Michael Upchurch. Patents 22, p. 312. (THIS MAY BE IN BRUNSWICK CO - MADE FROM ISLE OF WIGHT - CHECK IT OUT.) John would now be about 65.
1748 DOUBTFUL BUT COULD BE REF THAT JOHN IS STILL IN SURRY CO
Surry Co Deeds, Wills, Etc. #9 1738-1754 pg 298. 31 Aug 1748. Peter Martin of Surry Co to Thomas Eldridge of Prince George County for 35 pounds current money . 300 acres (being part in Surry County and part in Isle of Wight county) on which he now lives. Signed Peter (X) Martin. Wit William Clack, Thomas Pate, William (X) Morgan and JOHN RAWLINGS. Rec: 18 Oct 1748. (I suspect this John is Gregory's son John now about 29. He is tight with a John Morgan in the 1760's)
Gap (1727-1754)
See either John died 1747 in Northampton Co NC or John died 1752 in Lunenburg. John either died at 67 or 72.
From the original shire of Charles City:
Prince George 1702
Brunswick (fr. Prince George) in 1720 but gov't. not started until 1732
Lunenburg (fr. Brunswick) in 1746
Halifax (fr. Lunenburg) in 1752
Pittsylvania (fr. Halifax) in 1766
Charles Sledge married another daughter or Robert Clark (Mary Clark). They had one son John Sledge and he had sons Charles, Daniel, Amos, and John as shown in his will of 27 Dec 1749 (Surry Co) witnessed by Hugh Ivey and Thomas Ivey.
Also Samuel Clark (son of Robert Clark) sold to John Peebles 200a between Robert Clark, Charles Sledge, Henry Wyche and Col. Wm Randolf. Witns: John Mason, Thomas Edmunds and Robert Carlilie (Jr).
This seems to say that there was a connection between Rawlings, Ivey, Mason that needs to be understood in terms of the 1763 death in Surry or Sussex of a John Rawlings that lists Ivey and Mason.
ii. ELIZABETH RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1680, Surry Co., VA; m. PARTIN, Bef. August 1702.
Notes for ELIZABETH RAWLINGS:
Surry Co Wills, Bk 5 p 147, JORDAN, Anna; Leg. - To John Rawlings, I give a servant boy. To Elizabeth Rawlings clothing. To John Shorsby, Thos. Shorsby and Richard Rose their wives (blot).. to be divided equally. To my son, Edward Evans a bequest. If he die, to my husband Thomas Shorsby's brothers' children. Jeremiah Ellis, Se. (Sr.?), and Robert Corrock to be Exers. 2 Oct., 1697. 22 July, 1697. Wit: Edward Scarbroo, Mary Rawlings. Bk 5, p. 147. [Why are dates backwards?
When this will is made, John Rawlings II is about 42 and his son John Rawlings III is about 18. Elizabeth would likely be John III's sister Elizabeth, age ~17. I assume this is a bequest from Anna to her grandchildren. Why no mention of their brother Gregory who would be about 12? Who is Mary Rawlings? I assume it is Mary Sowerby Collier Rawlings, Anna's daughter.
Could husband be "Pullen"?
APR pg 171. Elisabeth d. of Richard Rawlings and w. Mary; b. Nov 3, 1766; c. Feb 22, 1767; godpts. Benja Phipps, Elisa Pullen, Mildred Barker.
Wonder if Elisa Pullen might be a daughter of this Elizabeth.
Notes for PARTIN:
May be Robert Partin who bought John's land in 1706. RFHA Dec 1990 p. 14.
1706 JOHN III SELLS HIS INHERITED LAND IN TWO PIECES (ONE TO HIS BROTHER IN LAW (I THINK) ROBERT PARTIN)
Surry Co Deeds No 5 (1694-1709) p. 348. John Rawlings of Southwark Parish, Surry, to Robert Partin of same - 200 acres north side of Blackwater Swamp, beign land taken up by my father Johnathan Rawlings by patent 29 Apr 1692. Rec. 7 May 1706.
1727 CHARLES PARTIN SELLS THAT LAND WHICH HE DESCRIBES AS "LATE IN THE TENURE OF JOHN RAWLINGS". THIS IS THE LAST VERIFIED SOURCE MENTIONING JOHN III (HE REPORTEDLY MARRIES MARY JONES AND HAS JOHN IV, WILLIAM, AND GREGORY IN THE 1730-40'S.)
Perhaps John III had been overseeing the land for Robert or Charles Partin from 1706-1727 and then decided to leave Surry Co.
WILL OF JOHN II
RAWLINGS, John: Leg.- To son Jno. Rawlings all my Land at Blackwater in fee simple, and appurtenances thereto belonging, cattle, horses, hogs, a sword and musket etc. To son, Gregory Rawlings, the house and land where I now live, 126 acres of land, and appurtenances belonging, also coopers tools etc. and books. Son, Gregory to be of age on Christmas day before he is 18 year old, and have ye Plantation. Daughter, Eliza. Partin to have cattle, hogs, etc. together with other things in her possession. All the rest of estate to wife, after debts are paid. Wife, May [Mary], Exerx. Made: __Aug., 1702. Prob.: 25 May 1703. Wit: Robert Nicholson, Hannah Nicholson, Sampson Lainer. Book 5, p. 279.
4. iii. GREGORY RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1685; d. November 11, 1755, Sussex Co, VA.
Generation No. 4
4. GREGORY4 RAWLINGS (JOHN3, JOHN2, GREGORY1) was born Abt. 1685, and died November 11, 1755 in Sussex Co, VA. He married HANNAH KNOTT Abt. 1705 in Surry Co, VA, daughter of WILLIAM KNOTT.
Notes for GREGORY RAWLINGS:
From "First Families of Brunswick Co., VA 1700-1735" by Orgain. See RFHA Dec 1990, p. 6. Submission form J. R. Orgain, Jr., Rd. 652, Alberta, VA 23821.
March 24, 1725, Gregory Rawlings by land grant obtained in what was Brunswick Co., VA, 250 acres in Surry County, which became Sussex Co later, on the South side of the Nottoway River. Brunswick Co. was authorized by the General Assembly of VA to be created in 1720.
In "Second Families of Brunswick Co., VA 1736" by Orgain
Concerning land grants and patents: To Gregory Rawlings of Surry Co, 192 acres, Brunswick Co., south side of Rose's Creek March 17, 1736.
This may be the land that Wm Rawlings of Brunswick Co lived on. At least it is close to the area.
Children of GREGORY RAWLINGS and HANNAH KNOTT are:
ii. MARY RAWLINGS, b. Bet. 1709 - 1716, Surry Co, VA; m. HENRY MANNERY.
Notes for MARY RAWLINGS:
Gertrude R. B. Richards, Register of Albemarle Parish Surry and Sussex Counties 1739-1778, (The National Society Colonial Dames of America in kVirginia), pg 58, Priscilla d. of Henry Mannery and w. Mary; b. Oct 3; c. Dec 17, 1752; godpts.
Notes for HENRY MANNERY:
Name of Unknow son b Aug 15, 1741 ended in an "n". Perhaps name was John.
iii. JOHN RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1717, Surry Co, VA; d. Bet. September 25, 1777 - October 08, 1778, Southampton Co, VA1; m. MARY HUBBARD, Abt. 1737.
Notes for JOHN RAWLINGS:
I am guessing that John jr and Gregory were children of this John and Mary. Gregory is a child of some John and Mary from APR and John Sr was the administrator of John Jr's Will in 1764 (Sussex Co).
Inv of Estate of John Rawlings: Sussex Co Wills pg 24/(pg6), pg24/(pg6 original), Inventory of Estate of John Rawlings, Jr., dec'd for John Rawlings, administrator, by Joseph Tharp, Major Tiller and Arthur Bass.
1746: APR pg 93. Elizabeth d. of James Bass and w. Eliza; b. Oct 30, 1745; c. June 1, 1746; godpts. John Rollins, Mary Barlow, Rebecca Barlow.
1758: Wills Southampton Co 1749-1800. Pg 240: Spence, Wm of Nottoway Parish. Leg. dau. Mary to John Spence; Lucy Powell and John McLemore. Mary Bass to live on my plantation her lifetime. Exr., Simon Turner, Sr. D. Jan 12, 1758 R. Feb. 9 1758. Wit: JOHN RAWLINGS, James Bass, Middy Bass.
1778: Wills Southampton Co 1749-1800. WB III pg 233. RAWLINGS, John. Of St. Luke Parish. Leg.-dau Betty Sammons; son Isaac; dau Mary Adams; wife Mary Rawlings. Exs., son Isaac and son-in-law Thomas Adams. D. Sep 17, 1777. R. Oct 8, 1778. Wit. Richard Mason, George Bell, Henry Ivy.
1778: Wills Southampton Co 1749-1800. WB IV pg 65. RAWLINGS, John. Estate appraised by Abraham Mitchell, Thomas Lawrence and Henry Cobb. D. Apr 24, 1784. R. July 8, 1784.
Cavaliers and Pioneers: Surry Co or Is. of Wight Patent Book 22. JOHN RAWLINGS, 170 acs Surry and Is. of Wight Counties on the N side of the three Creeks, on the S side of the Great SW., adj Michael Upchurch, Christopher Golikeley & John Golikeley; 10 Jul 1745, p 312. 1 pound. (I'm not sure which John this is.)
Notes for MARY HUBBARD:
Perhaps a sister of Mathew Hubbard.
iv. GREGORY RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1720, Surry Co, VA; d. January 03, 1769, Sussex Co, VA2,3; m. SARAH HOLT4, Abt. 1745.
Notes for GREGORY RAWLINGS:
Southampton Co Will Bk II. Pg 12. NEWSUM, Priscilla. Acc. Estate, Benj Lewis and GREGORY RAWLINGS Adms. Examined by Miles Cary, Henry Taylor and Benj. Simmons. R. Jan. 13, 1763.
pg 212. FOSTER, Newit. Leg. - wife Anthany; dau Dolly. Exs., wife Anthany and Moses Foster. D. Mar 19, 1767. R. July 9, 1767. Wit. GREGORY RAWLINGS (abstracted as George), John Harper, Tabitha Newsom.
pg 319. JELKS, William of St. Luke Parish. Leg.- wife Anne; son Lemuel; son Wm, dau Mary; dau Tabby; dau Betty Jelks. Exs., wife Anne and son Lemuel Jelks. D. Oct. 9, 1766. R. Apr 12, 1770. Wit. GREGORY RAWLINGS, River Barker.
Cavaliers and Pioneers. Surry Co Patent Book No 25 pg 422. GREGORY RAWLINGS, JR, 195 acs. Surry Co. on the S side of Nottoway Riv. and on both sides of the Hornet Sw.; adj Thomas Newsum, & his father Gregory Ralings; 12 Jan 1746/47
Same. pg 410. THOMAS NEWSUM, 154 acs. Surry Co. on the S side of Nottoway lRiv., near the edge of the Low Grounds of Spring Sw.; adj. his own Line, John Battle & Gregory Rawlins; 12 Jan 1746/47.
v. RICHARD RAWLINGS5, b. Abt. 1723, Surry Co, VA; d. 1795, Sussex Co, VA; m. MARY HOLT6, Abt. 1747, Surry Co, VA.
Notes for MARY HOLT:
Mary is not mentioned in Thomas Holt's Southampton Co Will in 1786 so I assume she died before that. Also a dau Nancy who was not yet 18 is mentioned specifically so I added that dau. The earliest Nancy could have born in 1770 and in 1775 Mary was 45 so likely Nancy was born in that period - best guess 1772. This limits Mary's death date to between 1770 (earliest that she could have had Nancy) and 1786 (year of will). Perhaps she died in childbirth with Nancy. Mary had 9 daughters: Ann (39), Lucy (38), Lydia (32), Malley (29), Patty (26), Fanny (24), Elizabeth (20), and Rebecca (17), and Nancy (~14). Also her sister Sarah Land (widow of Gregory Rawlings) had three Rawlings daughters: Suky (30), Rebecca (24) and Nancy (21).
In addition to the underage grand dau mentioned in the will specifically as "Polly's dau Nancy", one bequest is made to "granddaughters Rebecca and Ann" and one to "granddaugter Nancy Rawlings". Clearly the last one is Sarah's Nancy (21). That leaves us to explain "Rebecca and Ann". I surmise that he is leaving things to all his living, unmarried grand daughters and that Rebecca and Ann belonged to Mary.
vi. ELIZABETH RAWLINGS, b. Abt. 1726; m. PHILLIPS.
Endnotes
1. Southampton Co Wills, WB III p233.
2. Sussex Co Wills.
3. Gertrude R. B. Richards, Register of Albemarle Parish Surry and Sussex Counties 1739-1778, 320.
4. Southampton Co Wills, WB IV Pg 253, Holt, Thomas. Leg. sons:Charles, Thomas; dau Amy Martin; Sarah Land; granddaus Rebecca and Ann Rawlings; granddau Nancy Rawlings; to Polly Rawling's Dau Nancy Rawlings at eighteen; granddau Mason Kirby Holt; son.
5. Southampton Co Wills, WB IV pg 23.
6. Southampton Co Wills, WB IV pg 253.