| 8. | Dickerson* Wood, Sr was born in 1740 in Stafford Co, Virginia (son of William* Wood, I); died on 23 Jan 1803 in Fauquier Co, Virginia. Other Events and Attributes:
- Will: 23 Jul 1803, Fauquier Co, Virginia
Notes:
Donald A. Clark of Lexington, Kentucky, a genealogist, thinks that William Wood and Elias Wood were among the early arrivals to Fauquier County, Virginia. Clark suspects that William, Elias, Dickerson and James Wood were brothers.
Clark also stated "The first tangible record of Dickerson Wood is on November 1, 1771 when he took a standard lease for 100 acres from Lord Fairfax, the Baron of Cameron in Scotland. It called for Dickerson to build 'or cause to bed and sufficient dwelling house' and plant 150 'good apple trees at fifty feet distance in regular order.' He was to pay 20 shillings sterling rent on Christmas Day of each year. The eldest child, Mary was named as successor to the lease."
Copy of Lease in my Families/Wood folder named Lease(1) Lease (2)
also Lease (3), Lease(4), Lease(5), not transcribed here)
The indenture from Thomas Lord Fairfax to Dickerson Wood is found recorded in Deed Book 5, at page 45, of the records of Fauquier County, Virginia. It reads:
This Indenture made this first day of Nov Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and Between the Right Honourable Thomas Lord Fairfax Baron of Cameron in that part of Great Britain called Scotland of the one part and Dickerson Woody of Fauquier and Colony of Virginia of the other part Witnesseth that the said Thomas Lord Fairfax for and in Consideration of the yearly (illegible) Covenants herein after expressed hath Demised and to farm Let and by these presents doth demise set and to farm Let unto the said Dickerson Wood one messuage tenement and parcel of Land situate lying and being in the said County of Fauquier being part of that tract or parcel of Lands Called and known by the name of the Manor of Leeds Bounded as followeth viz
BEGINNING at the corner of Smootes and Hoppin Lott between a Red Oak white Oak and two Chestnuts thence along the line of the said Smootes Lott (illegible) poles to a white oak and red oak then (illegible) poles to three (illegible) oaks then (illegible) to the said Hoppers Line then along the same (illegible) to the Beginning containing one hundred acres together with all orchards meadows pastures ways woods waters and water courses and all and singular the liberties profits easements and emoluments belonging or in anywise appertaining except as hereafter excepted unto the said Lott to have and to hold the said messuage and one hundred acres of land with all and singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging for and during the natural life of him the said Dickerson Wood and for and during the natural lives of Mary his wife and Mary Wood his daughter and every of them longer living yielding and paying therefore yearly and every year during the said term hereby granted unto the said Thomas Lord Fairfax his certain attorney his heirs executor administrator and assigning the yearly rent or sum of twenty shillings (unintellible) at and upon the nativity of our blessed Lord and Saviour (illegible) the twenty fifth day of December and if it shall happen that the said yearly rent or sum of twenty shillings sterling should be behind and unpaid either in the whole or in part by the space of twenty days next after the said twenty fifth day of December which the same ought to be paid as aforesaid being lawfully demanded and no sufficient distress can or maybe found on the premises or hereby the same may be levied that then and from thence forth it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Thomas Lord Fairfax his certain Attorney his heirs executors administrators and assigns into the before demised premises with the appurtenances or into any part there of in the same of the whole to reenter and the same to have again.
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Lord Fairfax was born in a castle in Scotland in 1693 to wealth and responsibility. As a boy of noble birth he learned fencing, dancing and how to speak French. When Thomas, Sixth Lord of Fairfax, was twenty-two years old, he inheritact of land in Virginia. His property stretched between the Potomac and Rappahanock Rivers. It was over 5,000,000 acres. It was called the Northern Neck.
Lord Fairfax heard the Governor of Virginia was giving land grants to settlers. Lord Fairfax believed the Governor was giving away land that Fairfax thought was his. Lord Fairfax complained to the king. The King of England ordered Lord Fairfax to survey and settle his boundaries. Lord Fairfax returned to Northern Neck. He hired several land surveyors, one of whom was the young George Washington.
Lord Fairfax was important to Virginia history because with his land and support he helped the community grow. He helped bring money and people to the area by allowing them to farm his land successfully. Fairfax developed a lasting loyalty to his land in Virginia. He never returned to Scotland. Fairfax County is named in his honor.
On September 24, 1759, Lord Fairfax rented Fauquier County land to Dickerson Wood. Dickerson would have been 19 years old.
On November 1, 1771 Dickerson leased 100 acres in the Manor of Leeds, Fauquier County, Virginia from Lord Fairfax. The lease called for Dickerson to build "or cause to be built a good and sufficient dwelling house" and plant 150 "good apple trees at fifty feet distance in regular order." Dickerson Wood was to pay 20 shillings sterling on Christmas Day of each year. His eldest child, Mary was named as successor to the lease. The following entry can be found at page 382 of Fauquier Families, 1759-1799.
On March 22, 1772 Dickerson, along with Samuel Harris and Henry Jones, was appointed to conduct an inventory of the estate of John Nicols. They appraised the estate as being worth L115.6.6. The inventory was returned to the court on April 27, 1772. ("Abstracts of Fauquier County, Virginia--Wills, Inventories and Accounts--1759-1800" by John Gott, page 46, (1972).)
Dickerson seems to have lived almost exactly where Crest Hill, Virginia is today. He was probably a little southeast of where a little church and graveyard are today. This location is approximately 2 miles West of where Pipers Church and the mill were once located. This is near present day Orlean and Flint Hill, the area where the Notley Maddox family lived.
One of the neighbors of Dickerson was Richard Corley (father of Acquilla Corley) who was drawn to the Manor of Leeds apparently by the same inducement. Corley lived one and one-half miles above Dickerson at the junction of the Hedgeman River and Buck Run Creek.
May 5, 1772 Deed Book 5, page 45, Fauquier County, Virginia has the following entry:
"...1 Nov. 17__ Btwn Lord Fairfax, one part, and DICKERSON WOOD, County of Fauquier, other part. Land in Fauquier Co. lying in Manor of Leeds...beginning at corner of Smoot's and Hoppins...during natural life of Dickerson Wood, Mary, his wife, and Mary Wood, daughter, and every of them living longest...yearly rent 20 sh: sterling. Wit: John Chilron, (Chilton?), John Pepper, Thomas Keith. Recorded: 5th May 1772." (Source: Wood-Woods Exchange, January 1958, Vol. 8.)
Notice the similarity between the recorded rental agreements of 1759 and 1772. Both refer to land located in Manor of Leeds. Each of the rental agreements-- one in 1759 and two in 1771-- were with Lord Fairfax. The rental agreements of 1759 and November 1, 17__ were for a life estate. The rental agreement of November 1, 1771 states no definitive term. The rent, however, decreased from 40 shillings sterling per year in 1759 to 20 shillings sterling in 1771. Also, the rental agreement that was recorded on May 5, 1772 was almost certainly executed on November 1, 1771, the same day as the agreement of November 1, 1771 recorded in Deed Book 3, pages 41-45.) What familial connection, if any, exists between Elias Wood and Dickerson Wood? (Source: Wood-Woods Exchange, January 1958, Vol. 8.)
Dickerson and Mary apparently lived where present day Crest Hill, Virginia is located on state highway route 647. They were probably a little southeast of where a little church and graveyard are today, according to Donald Clark. The location is approximately two miles west of where Piper's Church and a mill were once located. This is near present day Orlean. State Route 647 goes across the Rappahannock River to Flint Hill and the area where the Notley Maddox family lived.
A William Wood was on the King George County, Virginia 1773 rent roll. (Dickerson's father or some other William Wood?)
Dickerson Wood was taxed from 1777, 1778, 1781, 1782, 1783, 1784, 1785, 1786, 1787, 1789, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794, 1795, 1796, 1797, 1798, and 1799. The 77M indicates the commissioner for year 1777 was either Thomas Marshall or John Moffet. The 78Tr indicates the commissioner for 1778 was Francis Triplett. The 81HC-99B indicates that from 1781 through1798 the commissioners were Edward Humston and Henry, Clarkson. 99B means that in 1799 the commissioner was Thornton Buckner. Sr means Senior. D 5-45-1771 means the lease is in Deed Book 5, page 45 and was written in 1771. M 8-343, 1787 refers to either Minute Book or Order Book 8, page 343, originally written in 1787. D 14-351, 1799 Deed Book 14, page 351, originally written in 1799. (Source: "Fauquier Families 1759-1799" by John P. Alcock, Iberian Publishing Company, Athens, Georgia, pages vii-xii, 382).
1777: Dickerson Wood I was listed on the rent roll as a Tenant of the Manor of Leeds in Fauquier County, Virginia. A James Wood was listed on the Fauquier County, Virginia rent roll in 1777.
1778
It is possible that Dickerson Wood I was part of the Colonial Militia and in some way contributed to American Independence. But no known records support this possibility. In 1778 Dickerson appeared on Triplett's tithable list with a slave named Luck. His neighbors were Joseph Smith, John Smoot, William and John Day. The Crims (Crimm?) were also neighbors and later showed up in Henry/Carroll County, Kentucky with the Smoots.
1782 witnessed the will of John Maddox (Culpeper County, Virginia in 1782)
A 1786 Court Minute Book shows Dickerson Wood (whether I or II is not indicated) was granted a civil judgment against Elizabeth Snelling (widow of Benjamin Snelling who died 1774). It was possibly a default judgment. At the same time Dickerson was appointed surveyor of a road in place of Joseph Barbee was listed separately.
1787
The 1787 tax list of Edward Humston shows Dickerson Wood I with 2 blacks, 6 horses and 7 cattle. Dickerson II was listed separately.
1787 witnessed the will of Mary Maddox in 1787.
1792
On June 25, 1792 Dickerson approved the probate estate inventory of James Withers, father of Hannah Withers. James Withers had earlier witnessed the will of John Maddox (Culpeper County, Virginia in 1782) and Mary Maddox in 1787. John Maddox and Mary Maddox were the parents of Notley Maddox, grandfather of Nancy Corley, the daughter-in-law of Dickerson Wood in 1805.
On September 5, 1796 Dickerson and his son, William, witnessed the Will of John Smoot in Fauquier County, Virginia. As we will see the favor was returned when Leonard and Enoch Smoot witness Dickerson's Will in 1803.
June 25, 1798 an inventory of the L83.19.6 estate of John Smoot was returned to the court by Matthew Neal, Dickerson Wood and William Wood. ("Abstracts of Fauquier County, Virginia--Wills, Inventories and Accounts--1759-1800" by John Gott, page 284, (1972).)
Will undated, proved 25 Jul 1803 by Leonard Smoot, Lewis Jones, and Enoch Smoot.
Wife: mentioned but not named.
"fore" sons - Dickerson (oldest), William, Elizah, and James Wood. "All my children, both sons and daughters."
Wit: Leonard Smoot, Lewis Jones
Recorded "On motion of Mary Wood, Book 1, p 441.
Securities): William Grimsley, John Edwards & William Wood
Estate of Dickerson Wood appraisd by John Gaunt, Francis Payne and William Grimsley.
Amt. L649: 19: 0, returned 26th Sept 1803 (p 461)
Leonard Smoot, one of the witnesses to the Will of Dickerson Wood, was the father of Polly Smoot. Polly married Dickerson Wood's son, James.
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The elder Dickerson Wood's will was dated January 23, 1803, about six months before he died. Notice that Dickerson had five negro slaves. Also, he names his wife, Mary, and sons; Dickerson, William, Elijah and James. He then provides that upon the death of his wife, Mary, all his lands should be equally divided among all his children, both sons and daughters. Curiously he names no daughter in the will. Notice also that the will is witnessed by Leonard and Enoch Smoot. The Smoot name crops up again later. The will is typed as written below: (Source: Certified copy from the Circuit Court Clerk, Will Book #2, page 441, Fauquier County, Virginia).
Dickerson died January 23, 1803 in Fauquier County, Virginia. His will was dated January 23, 1803. (Apparently it was a deathbed will. Source: Certified copy from the Circuit Court Clerk, Will Book #3, page 441, Fauquier County, Virginia). Here is a copy of Dickerson's handwritten will obtained from the Court Clerk of Fauquier County, Virginia. Just below the handwritten will is the same will typed by Dennis M. Smoot.
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WILL (copy of handwritten will in "Families/Wood" folder "Dickerson Wood's Will")
In the name of God. Amen. I Dickerson Wood of Fauquier County and desires this to be my last will and testament.
First. I give and bequeath to Mary, my dearly beloved wife all and everything I possess during her life excepting one Negroe girl by the name of Poll and she to go to my oldest son Dickerson Wood, and he is to pay the annual rent for the lone yuse of said gairl and allso there is fore negro boys by the name of Jarry, Pomfry, Peter and Jeffery, is to be equally divided with my fore sons Dickerson Wood, William Wood, Elijah Wood, and James Wood as singlar from the rest of my other property and if one or all of these negro boys should die to be made good of my other property and at the death of Mary my wife all my lands movely estate to be equily divided amng all my children both sons and daughters. /s/Dickerson Wood L. S.
Witnesses present:
Leonard Smoot (ma?head)
Lewis Jones
Enoch T. Smoot
January 23, 1803
1803 July 25: The Fauquier County, Virginia Court admitted the Will of Dickerson Wood I [1740-1803] to probate and granted his widow, Mary Wood, Letters of Administration to administer the Will.
The Court record stated:
"This Will was proved by the oaths of Leonard Smoot, Lewis Jones and Enoch T. Smoot.
Leonard Smoot, one of the witnesses to the Will, was the father of Mary Browning "Polly" Smoot. "Polly" married Dickerson's son, James.
The estate of Dickerson was appraised by John Gaunt, Francis Payne and William Grimsley in the amount of L649: 19: 0 (apparently they used monetary amounts in pounds and pence). The appraisal was returned to the court on the 26th of September 1803. (Will Book 3)
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A William Wood and Elias Wood were early arrivals to Fauquier County, VA. They were possibly brothers. One view holds that Dickerson Wood was a brother to William and Elias Wood and that all three are the sons of William Wood of Stafford County, Virginia as was a James Wood. The fact that Dickerson Wood's Will identified his sons William, Elijah and James suggests a connection of Dickerson Wood to William Wood and Elijah Wood of Stafford County, Virginia. Also, a 1774 Fauquier Deed transaction refers to land in "Br?? Run" (probably referring to "Buck Run Creek") together with references to "Dickerson Pretentions."
Dickerson Wood may be connected to Edward Dickenson, Sr., a planter of Falmouth, St. George Parish, Spotsylvania County, Virginia. There was a William Wood and Elijah Wood of Stafford County (known in 1776 as Prince William County), Virginia who could have married into the Dickenson family-line and be the father of Dickerson Wood (which has sometimes been spelled as Dickinson) Wood.
Dickerson* married Mary* (..) Wood about 1760 in Fauquier Co, Virginia. Mary* was born about 1745; died after 1815 in Fauquier Co, Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]
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1831 - 1892 (61 years)