[transcriptionist’s note: All comments lying between double asterisks (** **) are the genealogist’s and are typed in red in the original also. Page four also contains comments of the genealogist.] [page one] (1) Russell “Col. James Yancey Saunders, born in Virginia, died in Tennessee. Married Levisa Bowen, daughter of Capt Wiliam Bowen (of Revolutionary fame) and his wife Mary Henly Russell. Married 1777 in Augusta Co. Virginia. Mary Henly Russell was a daughter of General William Russell, and his wife Tibitha Adams. ----- General William Russell married the widow of General William Campbell (Hero of King’s Mountain) in 1783, they moved to “Aspenvale” Washington County, Virginia, 1788, and built the famous Madam Russell,s house. **(I have seen this house, the grave of General Campbell is close by on the hill.)** In 1792 General Russell failed, he started to Williamsburg to the Legislature – of which he was a Member, but died at the residence of his son Robert L. Russell, of Culpepper County, January 14, 1793. ----- General William Campbell. and his wife (the half sister of Patrick Henry, Elizabeth Henry.—Genl. Campbell died in 1781, and is buried at “Aspenvale”, Washington County, Virginia…one mile from Seven-mile-Ford. ----- After the death of Genl. William Campbell, and the marriage of his widow to Genl. Russell, a dispute arose between Arthur Campbell (cousin and brother-in-law of William Campbell) in regard to the guardianship of Sarah B. Campbell (the only living child of General C. and Elizabeth Henry. To reconcile the family disputes the Court appointed, in 1789, Col. Thomas Madison, whose wife Miss Henry, was a sister of Mrs. Genl. Campbell the then Mrs. Russell, as guardian of the child. & & a long story but not to the point. ----- Halifax County, Virginia. From First Survey Book, Page 40. Surveyed for William Russell. 244 acres of land, on the Branches of Difficult Creek. Feby. 27, 1752. Beginning at Wilson Mattox’s corner **(This Wilson Mattox. was a Revolutionary soldier)** This land was ordered by said Russell, to be transferred to Richard Brown and by him transferred to Dan’l Jones, and by him to Reed Lumkin, who took out the works. Aug. 7, 1774” ----- October 9, 1749. Surveyed for William Russell. 120. acres, on south side of Stanton River. ----- Nov. 29. 1750. Surveyed for William Russell. 400 acres on both sides of Great Toby’s Creek. ----- Page 120--- May 7, 1754. Surveyed for John Russell, - inclusively- 1.200 acres of land on a great Branch of Cascade Creek. [page two] (2) Russell Court of Common Pleas. Book. (4) Page 220. 1763. Deed from William Russell. and Ann his wife, to William Seymore. Acknowledged and recorded/ ---1763. Book (4) Page II. William Russell. Plaintiff. 1764. Book (5) Page 366. –1764---65. Deed from Charles Cauthrun, to Obediah Russell,(son and heir of William Russell deceased) Acknowledged by said Charles C. and ordered to be record. ----- Page 400. 1764. George Russell. is appointed Surveyor of the road from Cascade Creek to the old road and it is ordered that he with Isiah Watkins and his male tithables & names them---do forthwith clear and keep said road in repair according to law. ----- Deed Book (5) Page 65. Indenture Dec. 26. 1763 between Bethinia Perkins, of Halifax county in Virginia of one part. and George Russell, of said County and Province of the other part. Bethunia Perkins, for and in consideration of the sum of fifty pounds current money of Virginia, paid to her in hand by the said George Russell. sells to him a parcel of land, lying in Halifax county in the Colony of Virginia, on both sides of Cascade Creek. **(Note that John Russell bought 1.200 acres on Cascade Creek in 1754)** 180. acres Witnesses; Signed Bethunia Perkins. John Perkins. –Even Stokes. John Wimbish. Recorded April. 19. 1764. Clerk. & Test. Robert Munford. ----- Will Book (9) Page 158. “In the name of God. && I George Russell, of the County of Halifax. “Lend to my beloved wife Margaret Russell. my land and plantation on which I now live, commonly called my Tobet Creek Tract, I also lend her one third part of all negroes, cattle, sheep, kitchen, household, and farm tools, tools and utensils (also “one horse beast, and one cow and calf) I also lend to my beloved wife for the support and raising of my children, the use of a parcel of land- taken off from a tract of land called my Double Creek tract and joining my Tobet Creek Tract of land beginning at John Patterson’s corner—With the other two thirds of my negroes and also other two thirds of household, kitchen, and farm tools and utensils also one horse beat, yoke of oxen, one cart, three milch cows and calves, with all my stock of hogs && during her widowhood until my [page three] (3) Will of George Russell. continued. youngest child comes of age. “I give to my son Thornton Russell –when he comes of age && “I give to my four daughters, Polly Russell, Judy Russell, Nancy Russell, & Lucy Russell. Dated Sept. 18, 1808. Probated Augt. 24, 1812. Securities John Patterson. Pleasant Farmer. Joseph Kirby. Inventory showed a very fair estate for that time. ----- Survey Book. page 36. March 12. 1752. **(year the county was organized)** One hundred and forty three acres (143 for John Bean on the Branches of Cane Creek. **(There is some thing in the History about William Russell and also about William Bean who went to Tennessee, and whose wife was captured by the Indians but recovered &&)** ----- Dunmore’s War. Page 6. Foot Note. General William Russell was born in Culpepper Co., Virginia, about 1748, his father being High-Sheriff of the region. By 1770 he had removed to Clinch River where he had soon became one of the Western leaders being Justice of Fincastle County upon its organization in 1772. After the Point Pleasant campaign in which he commanded a company he took a leading part in the Revolutionary movement signing the Fincastle Resolution of 1775, being chosen Delegate to the Virginia Assembly in 1776. At the outbreak of the war he was chosen Colonel of Colonial troops serving efficiently during the entire period, taking part in the capture of Stony Point and being part of the army surrendered at Charleston. After effecting an exchange he was in the army until 1783, retiring Brig. General by Brevet. In the same year he married the widow of Genl. William Campbell (sister,**-Half sister ¾**) of Patrick Henry, and removed to Saltville, where he developed the works. **(until the change of guardianship was made)** Madam Russell’s house stood here until recently. General Russell died in 1794. His son of the same name became a prominent Kentucky pioneer and General in the War of 1812-15,” Editor ----- **You see he had this son William R. Jr. and a son Robert where he died, why do you not try for a list of his children in the records of Augusta county? I have not thoroughly searched these records for George Russell but the one I sent you made his Will here and his wife is named, and it does not accord with what you sent. In the Virginia Roster of Revolutionary soldiers there are many Russells but only one George Russell.** [page four] 4 Russell. I cant see any connection between the Russells I am sending you and your George born somewhere in Virginia, and died in Grainger Co Tenn. in 1798. Were there no deeds in Grainger County that mentioned where he went from by sales of land or references? I will go thoroughly through these books and a good many others if you think it encouraging enough, and send what I can find. The Beans and a good many others from this county went to Tennessee and Kentucky over the old Boone trail and the “Road to the Wilderness”. My history, (which it seems will never appear) mentions many families but I am afraid it has nothing satisfactory of the Russells to you. It is a will that proves George’s father, that you want – and to eliminate this George altogether because he died here and left his will here. I will try to pick up all I can for you and I am sorry this will not I fear be of any help. We are having most remarkable weather, storms cyclone and such terrible rains so diasterous to life and property. With the kindest wishes I am yours to command, while I am able to get around at all. Truly & Cordially. [signed] Mrs. Wirtz? Carrington [handwritten in pencil] Turned over my ink & played the mischief generally South Boston June 10th, 1924 ================================================== Transcription copyright © RoaneTNHistory.org 2005. All rights reserved. Archivist: Transcription and scan by G. Anne Sloan