An interesting clue appears in Kegley's history of southwest Virginia , in a section labeled " Early Mill Seats on Roanoke" (pg. 181). Under that heading is listed the Sept 10, 1755 acquisition of 400 acres on a branch of the Roanoke, called the Black Run, by William Terry. It is this same section of land that will figure in court records between 1792 and 1818 as his eight children are identified and sign releases, act as administrator or otherwise identify themselves as part of the eight.
That area is further identified as being on the south side of Roanoke by Nicholas Handford's and on March 30, 1767 it is noted that William Terry's land is near Evan's Mill.
It is possible that William sought land off a water branch to construct his own mill, to float timber to another mill, and engage in a process of settlement where the needed clearing of land utilized the downed timber as a product to be sold and in the act gaining funds or credit to purchase seeds or animals to move forward along a predetermined goal of farming or other field. Most of the initial returns of such effort would be to survive: cut trees to build shelter for animals and people, hunt, trap, fish to add variety to the food eaten, and use excess to trade and barter. As the region opened up, there would be more venues for selling items grown, butchered, crafted, or tanned in the region itself setting up viable trade routes and increasing the general level of life and the community.
In 1783, when the tax list was recorded, local authorities used the standing militia to over see the task and thus in the area overseen by Captain Easom were (Kegley, pg 583) :
- Jasper Terry with 9 horses and 25 cows
- Josiah Terry with 4 horses and 19 cows
- William Terry with 6 horses and 12 cows.
None of the individuals had any slaves recorded or additional "tithables" - indentured or workers.
No comments:
Post a Comment