Davis Stockton (1685-1761)

From Familypedia

The first documented information on Davis Stockton is a Virginia Land Office Patent to Michael Wood (Woods) dated 10 June 1737. "in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . do Give Grant and Confirm unto Michael Wood one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on the heads of Ivy Creek on other Branches of the North River on the South Side of the North River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at a hiccory on Davis Stockton’s Line . . . crossing a Branch of the North River . . . to Pointers in Davis Stockton's Line . . . the Tenth Day June one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven In the Tenth Year of our Reign. William Gooch” 

Michael Woods (Sr.) and Davis Stockton were two of the early settlers in Goochland (now Albemarle) County, Virginia. It is not known when they first arrived in Goochland County, but they were there by 1737. Michael Woods' property on Lickinghole Creek "lay at the mouth of Woods's Gap." This was at the eastern entrance of Woods’ Gap a “gentle defile in the Blue Ridge Mountains”. The property of his son, Michael Woods (Jr.), was at the headwaters of Ivy Creek. This was next to Davis Stockton’s property on Ivy Creek.  

On 12 March 1739, Davis Stockton was granted 400 acres “on both sides of Ivy Creek a branch of the Rivanna.” This patent was for land in Goochland County, Virginia. This area of Goochland County became Albemarle County in 1744. 

A 1741 patent "in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and Lawful Money . . . unto Davis Stockton One Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Four hundred Acres lying and being in the County of Goochland on both sides of Stockton's Branch of Mechum's River and bounded as followeth (to wit) Beginning at Richard Stockton's Corner . . . to a small Pine in Richard Stockton's line . . . unto said Davis Stockton . . . the Fifteenth Day of March One thousand seven hundred and forty one In the Fifteenth Year of our Reign . . . William Gooch."  

ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 319-320.
“Among the earliest settlers in the western part of the county, who came as is said under the leadership of Michael Woods, was a family named Stockton. Though their name has entirely disappeared, they have in a number of ways left their mark behind. They consisted of several branches. They erected perhaps the first mill in that section of the county. The north fork of Mechum's River still bears the name of Stockton's Creek, the south fork in early times was called Stockton's Mill creek, and the first name by which Israel's Gap was known was Stockton's Thoroughfare . . . Woods's home lay at the mouth of Woods's Gap, and the Stocktons were settled along Mecham's River, the south fork as well as the north.”

ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 362-363.
"Ivy Creek, March 29, 1747.
Whereas it is agreed or proposed that ye Inhabitants of Ivy Creek and ye Mountain Plain Congregation joyn together with ye Congregation of Rockfish, to call and invite ye Reverend Samuel Black . . . to be our Minister and Pastor . . . do promise and oblige ourselves to pay yearly and every year ye several sums annexed to our names, for ye outward support and Incouragement of ye said Mr. Samuel Black . . . according to ye Rules and Practice of our Orthodox Reformed Presbyterian Church." Among those who promised support for Reverend Samuel Black were: Richard Stockton, 12 shillings; Davis Stockton, 1 pound, no shillings; Adam Gaudylock, 10 shillings; William Whiteside, 10 shillings; Michael Woods, 1 pound, 10 shillings; and Michael Woods Jr., 10 shillings.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, p. 363.
"Albemarle Company of Milita, lately in actual service for the defence and protection of the frontier against the Indians, September, 1758. Hening's Statutes, VII, 203." Samuel Stockton, William Stockton, Adam Gaudylock, William Whiteside and Michael Woods, Jr., were among the 56 names mentioned. Samuel and William Stockton were sons of Davis Stockton. Adam Goudelock and William Whiteside were sons-in-law of Davis Stockton. Adam Goudelock married Hannah Stockton, a daughter of Davis Stockton. William Whiteside marred Elizabeth Stockton, also a daughter of Davis Stockton. Michael Woods, Jr., was a neighbor of Davis Stockton.

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ORDER BOOK 1, 1744-1748, p. 45, 22 Aug 1745
Mentions a road to Davis Stockton's Mill.

Rev. Edgar Woods shows a date of death of 1760 for Davis Stockton. It appears that Davis Stockton did not leave a will. The inventory of “the Estate of Davis Stockton Decd.” was dated "January 8th 1762." 

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, WILL BOOK 2, p. 114.
“Pursuant to an order of the Worshipful Court of Albemarle and in obedience to the sd order We the Subscribers have appraised the Estate of Davis Stockton Decd. as follows Viz” 9 hogs, 1 horses, 4 cattle, 1 bed and furniture, 1 chest, 1 riding coat, 1 waistcoat, pewter, 2 iron pots, knives and forks, parcel of wooden ware, 2 books, 1 cow, 1 churn, weight of pork, 1 bell, 1 barrel, iron ware, 1 mare and colt; total of 36 pounds, 9 pence. “Given under our hands January 8th 1762”   William Grayson, James Coffey, Chas Lambert.

THE STOCKTON FAMILY OF NEW JERSEY AND OTHER STOCKTONS, by Thomas Coates Stockton, M. D., 1911, p. 234.
"Davis 1 Stockton is said to have come from the north of Ireland and settled, first, in Lancaster County, Pa., and then in Goochland County (later Albemarle County), Va. He was given a patent for 400 acres of land there, adjoining the land of his son-in-law, Adam Godylouch, March 12, 1739 . . . His wife's name was Sarah.” There is no evidence that Davis Stockton was from the north of Ireland or that he was ever in Pennsylvania. 

SKETCHES OF VIRGINIA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, by Rev. William Henry Foote, D. D., 1850, pp. 101-102.
"Michael Woods, from Ireland came in the year 1734 and settled at Henderson's quarter near Wood's Gap in Albemarle [County]. Three sons and three sons-in-law came with him and settled near. One of the sons in law, William Wallace, took his residence on Mechuns river, in Albemarle [County] . . . These were the founders of Mountain Plain Congregation."

It appears that Davis Stockton might have married about 1710. If he married at age 25, he would have been born about 1685. There is no hard evidence as to when or where Davis Stockton was born, or when or where he married. There is also no hard evidence if Sarah was his only wife, or his first wife or his second wife.

Some researchers show that William Whitesides was born in Ireland, that he married Elizabeth, a daughter of Davis Stockton, in Ireland, and that three of their children were born in Ireland. William Whiteside is thought to have come to America in about 1735. This is also about the same time Davis Stockton is first found in Virginia. Davis Stockton and his son-in-law William Whiteside might have gone to Virginia directly from Ireland. There is no proof that this is correct.  

DNA proves that Davis and Robert Stockton are descended from the same male Stockton ancestor. It could be they had the same father, or the same grandfather, or an earlier male Stockton ancestor. Davis and Robert Stockton do not share a Stockton ancestor with the Richard Stockton family of New Jersey. Davis Stockton has not been found in any Pennsylvania records, and Davis Stockton has not been found in New York or New Jersey records. It appears that the first record for Davis Stockton is the 10 June 1737 Goochland County, Virginia, land patent. 

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK 1, PART 1, p. 77
"This is a Plat of 397 Acres of Land in Albemarle County lying on the branches of Metchum River Survd. for Sarah Stockton Octobr. 26 1748 . . . by Thos. Turpin, Asst. Sur."
Sarah Stockton's survey of 397 acres is on the same page of the surveyor's book as Davis Stockton's survey for 312 acres. They are both dated Octobr. 26 1748.  

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, p. 19, 10 March 1756
"in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Shillings of good and lawful Money . . . Do Give Grant & Confirm unto Sarah Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Three hundred and ninety seven Acres lying and being in the County of Albemarle both Sides the Virgin - Spring - Branch of Mechum River and bounded as followeth to wit Beginning at a Pine in Davis Stockton's Line . . . the tenth day of March one thousand seven hundred and fifty six In the twenty ninth Year of our Reign . . . Robt. Dinwiddie"

VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131, 1 March 1773
"Whereas by one Patent under the Seal of this our Colony & Dominion of Virginia bearing date the tenth Day of March one thousand seven hundred & fifty six there was granted unto Sarah Stockton one certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing three hundred & ninety seven Acres in the County of Albemarle on both sides the Virgin Spring Branch of Mechum River . . . Whereas Sarah Branton (late Sarah Stockton) hath failed to pay such Quitrents, & Samuel Stockton hath made humble Suit to our, late Lieutenant & Governor General of our said Colony & Dominion & hath obtained a Grant for the same . . . Do Give Grant & Confirm unto the said Samuel Stockton the said Tract . . . Begining at a Pine in Davis Stocktons Line . . . the first day of March one thousand and seven hundred & seventy three, in the thirteenth Year of our Reign . . . Dunmore"

SPOUSE:
Davis Stockton was married to Sarah. Although her maiden name is commonly shown as Goudelock, there is no evidence that maiden name is correct. Several other maiden names have been put forward, all without any evidence that they are correct.

CHILDREN:
Richard Stockton (1710-1775)
Martha Ann Stockton, born about 1712, maybe in Ireland
Thomas Stockton Sr., born about 1714, maybe in Ireland
Elizabeth Stockton, born about 1715, maybe in Ireland
Hannah Stockton, born about 1716, maybe in Ireland
William Stockton, born about 1718, maybe in Ireland
Samuel Stockton, born about 1720, maybe in Ireland

SOURCES:
VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 17, 1735-1738, pp. 350-351, 10 June 1737
VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 18, 1738-1739, p. 536
VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 19, 1739-1741, pp. 1006-1007
VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 20, 1741-1743, pp. 194-196, 15 March 1741 
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, ORDER BOOK 1, 1744-1748, p. 45, 22 Aug 1745
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, SURVEYOR'S PLAT BOOK 1, PART 1, p. 77, 26 Oct 1748
VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 34, 1756-1765, p. 19, 10 March 1756 
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, VIRGINIA, WILL BOOK 2, p. 114, 8 Jan 1762
VIRGINIA LAND OFFICE PATENT BOOK NO. 41, 1772-1773, pp. 130-131
STATUTES AT LARGE, Volume VII, 1820, by William Waller Hening, p. 203
SKETCHES OF VIRGINIA, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL, by Rev. William Henry Foote, D. D.,1850, pp. 101-102
ALBEMARLE COUNTY IN VIRGINIA, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901, pp. 319-320, 362-363 
THE STOCKTON FAMILY OF NEW JERSEY AND OTHER STOCKTONS, by Thomas Coates Stockton, M. D., 1911
CHRONICLES OF THE SCOTCH-IRISH SETTLEMENT IN VIRGINIA, by Lyman Chalkley, 1912
DAVIS STOCKTON OF VIRGINIA, by Leona Irene Smith Johnson and Winfred Broadus Smith, First Edition 1972, Second Edition 1975