John Hines (1713-1772)

John was born in Southampton County, Virginia. He was the first of eleven children of William (1690) and Elizabeth Hines. John and his wife Elizabeth (born 1730) were the parents of at least nine children. Peter was born in 1748. He married Elizabeth Boyd November 9, 1786. Joshua (1750-1779) their second child, of whom more below (he is a direct descendant of the family line researched here). David (1752-1789). Steven in 1754. Mary in 1756. Richard (1758-1789). John Jr. (1760-1807) - Will is found in Southampton County. This may be the same John Hines in Deed Book 15 on page 441 in Goochland County, Virginia. It is mentioned here only for some historic interest respecting the value of precious metals at that time. The deed was for fifty acres of land at a price of 100 pounds, payable in gold at a rate of five pounds per ounce. William in 1762. Thomas (1764-1774)

They owned land along the Nottoway River. One transaction occurred on December 1, 1748, where John Hines purchased 151 acres on the south side Journagan's Bridge Run, Source: Land Office Patents No. 27, page 79. Another transaction occurred on November 11, 1754, John and his wife Elizabeth purchased 100 acres on the west side of the Assamoosock Swamp, the border between Sussex and Southampton, and Meadow Branch (part of 385 acres which Richard Hines purchased of the Nottoway Indians, Southampton County Deeds Volume 2, pages 84-85). The location of portions of John Hines land was pinpointed in November 2007. John Hines (1713) Will dated October 15, 1771 indicates that one son named Richard was to receive 100 acres of land lying between Richard Parker's land and William Hines' land. Earlier in this narrative it was explained that Indian Reservation Circle Tract was sold in 1735. Martha Wren Briggs and April Cary Pittman, wrote an article titled "The Metes and Bounds in a Circle and Square" pictured above. In this article there is a map of the Circle Tract that in the left hand top corner refers to Richard Hines land situated between Richard Parker's and William Hines. The time frame of ownership for these parcels is undated. It appears that this Richard Hines parcel is the same one referred to in his will. We also have some current maps that clearly identify where the Circle tract was located.

Southampton County was originally part of "Warrasquoyocke" one of the eight shires making up the Colony of Virginia. In 1749 the portion of land west of the Blackwater River became Southampton County. The first courthouse was built in 1752 on the east bank of the Nottoway River where the present courthouse now stands. The village of Jerusalem grew up around the courthouse, becoming a town in 1791. Jerusalem was re-incorporated as the Town of Courtland in the late 1800's.

A day in the Life of John Hines

What was life like back in the Parish of Nottoway, County of Southampton in the late 18th Century? John Hines' Will indicates that John owned several houses and a great deal of land near the Nottoway River.

He left his wife Elizabeth the use of the plantation for the remainder of her life. At this point in time we do not know much about Elizabeth except her birth date. The next in line in the Hines ancestry was Joshua Hines who was born in 1750 and died at the age of 29 in 1779. He outlasted his dad, John, by only 7 years. Did Elizabeth outlast Joshua? Did Joshua's son Benjamin(1776-1829) who was only 3 years old at the time of Joshua's death) inherit Joshua's portion of the large estate left by John and William Hines? As we continue on answers to these questions might occur.

Map of Nottoway Parish - John's will references Nottoway Parish for the location of his plantation.