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Exhibit Project R & D Ferries and Roads Research Transcribed by Douglas Powell Last Updated December 29, 2004 as transcribed on Page 35 of Burnswich County Road Orders Ordered That a Road be cleared from Cargills Foard upon Staunton River to the convenientest Foard upon the Bannister river & that Robert Humphries be appointed Overseer thereof. (The area that became Halifax County, Virginia, was a part of Brunswick County until Lunenburg County was formed in 1746.) as transcribed on Pages 10 & 11 of Lunenburg County Road Orders Ordered that a Road be laid off and Cleared from William Bean’s on Dan River the best and most Convenient way to Banister [Town] from thence the best and most Convenient way to the North River at Cargill’s Horse Ford, and from thence the best and most Convenient Way to this [Lunenburg] Courthouse And Peter Wilson is appointed Surveyor of that part of the said Road which leads from the said [William] Beans [on the Dan River] to Sandy River and it is Ordered that the said Wilson with all the Male Labouring Tithable Persons Convenient to the said Road do forthwith Clear and keep the same in Repair according to Law. William Hogan is Appointed Surveyor of the Road leading from Sandy River to the Double Creeks And it is Ordered that the said Hogan with all the Male Labouring Tithable Persons Convenient to the said Road forthwith Clear and keep the Same in Repair according to Law. Jeremiah Viditto is Appointed Surveyor of the Road leading from the Double Creeks to Banister [Town] And it is Ordered that the said Viditto with all the Male Labouring Tighable Persons Convenient to the said Road forthwith Clear and keep the same in Repair according to Law. William Wynne is Appointed Surveyor of the Road leading from Banister [Town] to the North River at Cargill’s Horse fford, and it is ordered that the said Wynne with all the Male Labouring Tighable Persons Convenient to the said Road forthwith Clear and keep the same in Repair according to Law. John Cargill is Appointed Surveyor of the Road leading from the North River at Cargill’s Horse fford to this [Lunenburg] Courthouse And it is Ordered that the said John Cargill with all the Male Labouring Tighable Persons Convenient to the said Road forthwith Clear and keep the same in Repair according to Law. (This was an West to East roadBanistertown/Banister Town, located near the Banister River, became present day the Town of Halifax, Virginia. Sandy River is near present day Danville, Virginia.) as transcribed on Pages 15 & 16 of Lunenburg County Road Orders Hugh Moore is appointed Surveyor of the Road leading from the Double Creeks to the Middle fork of Miery Creek, And it is Ordered that all the Male Labouring Tithable Persons Convenient thereto, Assist in Clearing and keeping the same in Repair. Joseph Moore is appointed Surveyor of the Road Leading from the Middle fork of Miery Creek to the Horse Ford on Banister River, And it is Ordered that all the Male Labouring Tithable Persons Convenient thereto, Assist is Clearing and Keeping the same in Repair. as transcribed on Page 24 of Lunenburg County Road Orders On the Motion of John Boyd, License is Granted him to keep a Ferry over Dann River in this County, and the Court do adjudge that he take four Pence Ferriage for a man and four pence for a Horse; and for Wheal Carriages for each wheal, the same as for a Horse. as transcribed on Page 24 of Lunenburg County Road Orders On the Petition of Richard Randolph Licence is granted him to keep a Ferry over Roanoak [Staunton] River at the Mouth of Little Ronoak [Roanoke] River in this [Lunenburg] County, and it is Considered that he take Six pence Feriage for a Man & Six pence for a Horse and for Wheel Carriages According to Law. as transcribed on Page 25 of Lunenburg County Road Orders Odrered that a Bridge be Built over Banister River at the Cow Ford in this [Lunenburg] County, and it is Ordered that Abraham Martin and Cornelius Cargill Gent do let the same to undertakers on such Terms and Conditions and for what Considerations they shall think fit. as transcribed on Page 30 of Lunenburg County Road Orders William Russell is appointed surveyor of that Part of the Road Leading from the Lower falls of Banister River to Fuqua’s Ford [on the Staunton River] & it is Ordered that all the Hands Convenient Thereto do Assist the said William in Clearing and Keeping the same in Repair According to Law. as transcribed on Page 33 of Lunenburg County Road Orders John Cargill is appointed Surveyor of the Road leading from Stanton [Staunton] River to this [Lunenburg] Courthouse, & it is Ordered that he Together with all the hands on Dan River in the Fork as High as Andrew Wades and on Stanton [Staunton] River in the fork as High as Tandy Walkers & all the Hands on the Lower side of the River Convenient do forthwith Clear & Keep the same in Repair According to Law. as transcribed on Page 34 of Lunenburg County Road Orders On the Petition of Thomas Brandon & others Ordered that a Road be laid open & Cleared the Best & Most Convenient way from fishing Creek [Country Line Creek] to John Boyd’s Ferry & James Irvine is appointed Surveyor thereof, & it is Ordered that he Together with all the Hands Convenient do forthwith Clear & Keep the same in Repair according to Law. (“fishing Creek” was identified as Country Line Creek in Halifax Court records in 1752. Country Line Creek flows north from North Carolina into the Dan River near Milton.) as transcribed on Pages 40 & 41 of Lunenburg County Road Orders William Lawson is ordered (together with the following Assistance Convenient thereto) do lay open & Clear a Road the Best and Convenient way from Lawsons Mill to Boyds Ferry and that he keep the same in Repair According to Law. Robert Wynn is ordered (together with the following Assistance Convenient thereto) do lay open & Clear a Road the Best and Convenient way from Banister Bridge to Wades Ferry and that he keep the same in Repair According to Law. as transcribed on Page 42 of Lunenburg County Road Orders On the Motion of James Stewart Licence is granted him to keep a ferry on Stanton [Staunton] River at his own Landing he is giving Security where upon he together with [blank in book] his Securities Entered into & acknowledged their Bonds According to Law for that Purpose. And the Court do adjudge that he take Three pence Three farthings for a Man & Seven pence half penny for man & horse and woman. (The New Style Calendar began on January 1, 1752) as transcribed on Page 43 of Lunenburg County Road Orders William Carby is appointed Survey[or] of the Road leading from Banister Bridge to Wades Ferry and it is ordered that he together with the Male Labouring Tithable Person Convenient thereto do forth with Clear & keep the same in Repair according to Law. as transcribed on Page 46 of Lunenburg County Road Orders Edward Powel is appointed Surveyor of the Road leading from Banister Bridge to Wades Ferry and it is Ordered that he Together with the Male Labouring Tithable Person Convenient thereto forthwith Clear & keep the same in Repair according to Law. as transcribed on Page 47 of Lunenburg County Road Orders Ordered that a Road be laid off and Cleared the best and Most Convenient Way from Stewards Ferry on Stanton [Staunton] River to the Mossing ford on Little Ronoke [Roanoke] River, And William Redman is Appointed Surveyor thereof, And it is ordered that he together with all the Male Labouring tithable Person Convenient thereto forthwith Clear & keep the same in Repair according to Law. as transcribed on Page 49 of Lunenburg County Road Orders On the Petition of William Fuquay, License is Granted him to keep a Ferry on Stanton [Staunton] River from his Land to the Land of Mr. William Cole, Provided he enter Bond with Sufficient Security in the Clerk office some time between this and the Next Court. And the Court do adjudge that he shall take four Pence Ferriage for a Man & Six Pence for a Man & Horse, and no more. The area that became Halifax County, Virginia, was a part of Lunenburg County until Halifax County was formed in 1752. Halifax County included the area west until Pittsylvania County was formed on 1 June 1767. Mossing ford is in present day Charlotte County.) “At a court held for Lunenburg County the 3 day of April 1751. On the petition of Thomas Brandon and others it is ordered that a road be laid off and cleared from the mouth of the Country Line Creek to John Boyd’s Ferry and Thomas Brandon is appointed overseer from the beginning of the said road ______ and James __ Torain is appointed overseer from there to the ferry. (Country Line Creek flows north from North Carolina into the Dan River near Milton.) “On hearing the petition of John Stewart offering forth that there is a great necessity for a road from James Stewart’s Ferry to Banister Bridge by reason of the _____ the _______ inhabitants labour under being obliged to ___ out __ days through the woods for the passage of their wagons and other carriages and praying that some persons may be appointed to ___ and lay off the most convenient way from the said ferry to the bridge aforesaid….” (Stewart’s Ferry was on the Staunton River) “John Boyd produced an order of the County of Lunenburg in the words and figures following to wit. ‘At a court held for Lunenburg County the 4th day of July 1749. On the petition of John Boyd leave is granted him to keep a ferry at his house over Dan River and that he be allowed four pence for a man and four pence for a horse and for wheel carriages four pence for each wheel.’ A copy ____________ (Tho. Nash DC ?), which being read and heard the Court are of opinion that the same is reasonable and thereupon it is ordered to be recorded.” “On the motion of Andrew Wade Gent. License is granted him to keep Ferry at his House over Dann River, and he is allowed for a Man and Horse Seven pence half penny, for a Hogshead of Tobacco One shilling and three pence and for Wheel Carriages Three pence three farthlings of each wheel. Ordered that the next Court for this [Halifax] County be held at Punch Spring where the Courthouse is to be built and Established. (The courthouse location became known as Peytonsburg and is located very near the present day Halifax – Pittsylvania County line.) On the Motion of Abel Lee leave is given him to keep Ferry at his landing on Dan River Provided he give bond and Security according to Law and he is allowed the same Rates as John Fuqua is allowed. Abel Lee with Hugh Moore Gent. his Security Pursant to a former order of the Court entered into Bond and acknowledged the same for his Ferry over Dan River. (Deed from Patrick Boyd to George Boyd. Patrick had a son, George, and a nephew, George, son of John.) On the motion of Sherwood Walton leave is given him to keep Ferry from his landing on Dan River on this [north] side to the opposite Landing on the other [south] side and from side to side he giving bond as the law directs. Sherwood Walton Gent came into Court and with Nicholas Perkins his security entered into and acknowledged Bond for a Ferry over Dann River. On hearing the Petition of sundry inhabitants of this [Halifax] County for a road from Waltons Ferry on Dan River to Banister Bridge. Ordered that Joshep Moore Alexander Moore and William Echols being first sworn before a magistrate of this county as the law directs to view the nearest best and most convenient way for a road according to the _____ [Prayes, signers ?] of the said petion and make report thereof to the next court. & Halifax County Will Book 0, Page 34, 19 May 1757 The will of John Boyd, written on 2 July 1748, was exhibited in court on 19 May 1757 and names his wife, Margaret [Lawson] Boyd; his son, John Boyd [, Jr.]; and his sons, James, George, and William [Irby] Boyd. (John had drowned in Lawson Creek in early 1757 at the age of 40. He was married to the former Margaret Lawson, daughter of Captain Francis Lawson, who died prior to 11 July 1755. Margaret Lawson Boyd next married John Armstrong on 1 January 1759 and they had no children. John Armstrong’s will was dated 20 May 1779.) On the motion of Patrick Boyd license is granted him to keep Ferry from his landing on Dan River on the North side thereof to his own landing on the South side he giving bond & security next court if he is allowed for man & horse Three pence three farthings for wheel carriage three pence for each wheel. (also David Wall granted license for a ferry on the Banister River.) ????? Margaret Lawson Boyd, widow of John Boyd, married John Armstrong, 1 January 1759. On the petition of Nicholas Perkins Gent license is granted him to keep a Ferry over Dan River at his house, he having with Theopohilus Lacy his security entered into _____ Bond for that purpose and acknowledged the same, and he is allowed for a man and horse six pence and for wheel carriages three pence for each wheel. On the petition of Nathaniel Terry Gent license is granted him to keep a Ferry over Dan River he having with Clement Read Jr. and Paul Carrington Gent his securities entered into bond for that purpose and acknowledged the same, The nuncupative will of Patrick Boyd, made on his death bed on 26 January 1762, was probated in court. It names his [2nd] wife, Ann; and her sons, Richard and Henry Boyd. Among those who heard Patrick Boyd’s desires before he died was George Boyd the younger. (Patrick had a son, George, who was one of eight children by his first wife, Rachel Grissom. Patrick’s father was named George and his brother, John Boyd, also had a son named George.) On the motion of George Boyd jun license is granted him to keep a ferry on Dan River opposite to Armstrong’s Ferry he giving bond as the law directs in the Clerks Office, and it is ordered that he keep a sufficient Boat and two hands to attend the same. (John Boyd had a son, George Boyd, born in 1739, who had inherited John’s plantation when he came of age after John’s death in 1757. Therefore, in 1764 George would have been about 25 years old when he applied for a license to operate the ferry. This George had a cousin, George Boyd, son of Patrick Boyd. This George’s grandfather was also named George Boyd.) On the petition so sundary inhabitants on the South side of Dan River and for reasons appearing to the Court, Walter Coles and Thomas Yuille Gentlemen war appointed to agree with George Boyd Ferrykeeper for the transportation of the said inhabitants across the said River when attending General Musters & Courts. To which order, as to the said inhabitants attending Courts, Nathaniel Terry Gent, dissented. (Justices were George Boyd, Thomas Yuille, Radford Maxey, and James Turner, Jun.) James Irvin comes into Court and with George Boyd, Gentleman, his security and entered into acknowledged bond with condition according to law for the said James keeping a Ferry over Dann River lately established by act of Assembley; and it is ordered that the said James attend constantly with two hands. The will of James Irvine, written on 17 December 1773 was presented to the court. It named Jannat Irvine, his wife and his children as follows: John Irvine, son, who inherited 100 ac. where James lived, James Irvine, son, Samuel Irvine, son, William Irvine, son, Alexander Irvine, son, Mary Irvine, daughter, Margaret Irvine, daughter, Jane Irvine, daughter, and Isabell Irvine, daughter. Named as executors were David Lawson, Joseph Jonston, John Shaw, and William Kimsey. The will of David Lawson, written on 16 February 1775 was presented to the court. It named Frances Lawson, his wife and his children as follows: Anna Lawson, daughter, William Lawson, son, David Lawson, son, Aaron Lawson, son, James Lawson, son, Eliho Lawson, ??? and Elizabeth Lawson, daughter. Names as executors were his wife, Frances Lawson, John Lawson, and John Armstrong. John Boyd came into court and with Andrew W. Cool his security entered into and acknowledged bond with condition according to law, for the said John’s keeping a Ferry over Dan River, established by Acts of Assembly, and it is ordered that the said John attend constantly with two hands. The will of John Armstrong, written on 7 January 1779, was presented to the court. John Boyd with John Irvin his security came into Court and entered into and acknowledged bond according to law for him the said Boyd keeping a ferry over Dan River in this county which is established by Act of Assembly. And it is ordered that the said John Boyd do attend the same constantly with two hands. John Irvin with John Boyd his security came into Court and entered into and acknowledged bond according to law for him the said Boyd keeping a ferry over Dan River in this county which is established by Act of Assembly. And it is ordered that the said John Irvin do attend the same constantly with two hands. George Boyd with Isaac Coles Gent his security came into Court and entered into an acknowledge bond according to law for him the said George keeping a Ferry over Dan River in the county which is established by Act of Assembly and it is ordered that the said George do constantly attend the same with two hands. (Will of George Boyd, Jr., exhibited.) George Boyd, Jr. was the son of John The executor of the estate of John Armstrong sold to George Boyd “one certain tract or parcel of land and premises situate, lying and being in the aforesaid County of Halifax on the south side of Dan River known by the name of Boyd’s Ferry.” (Wilmoth Boyd was named the executor of the estate of George Boyd, Jr.) The will of George Boyd, Jr., was exhibited in court and names his wife, Wilmuth; a daughter, Sarah Hopson, a son, Walter Boyd; a son, Joshua Boyd; a son, Irby Boyd; a son, George Boyd; a son, Edward Boyd; a son, Harrison Boyd; and a daughter Tabitha Boyd. (George named administer of estate of Patrick Boyd.) The will of William Boyd, son of Patrick Boyd was exhibited in court and names his wife, Mary; a daughter, Frances Boyd, a son; Lemerel Boyd; a son, William Boyd; a son, Patrick Boyd; a son, Aaron Boyd; a daughter, Nancy Boyd; a son, Lawson Boyd; and a son, David Boyd. (William was a nephew of the John Boyd who started Boyds’ Ferry, Patrick Boyd was John’s brother.) The will of John Boyd was exhibited in court and names his brother, David Boyd; his brother, William Boyd; and his nephew and William Boyd’s son, William Boyd. Ordered that ______ (Dowson ?) Clark Thomas Easley and Samuel Williams or any two of them be appointed commissioners for the purpose of contracting with John Irvine, Paul Carrington James Chappell and James Boyd owners of ferries across Dan River for services performed and to be performed the present year on ferrying persons across Dan River coming and returning to musters and elections. and report to the Court. |
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