ACHILLES This is definitely a "work in progress" for I'm waiting on documents before continuing with part two. I want to say a "collective" THANKS to all who sent specific family data and/or information on changing boundary lines, creation of parishes and availability of abstracted and extant records. I can honestly say someone answered each and every question I posed; y'all are wonderful. However three people deserve special credit: Patti Lamb for "going the extra mile" on parish information; Marcia Bignall and "always" Mary Stewart for helping clarify alternative conclusions. (e.g. they kept me from digging myself into a hole I couldn't get out of.) I encourage everyone to write reports on their own lines; in-depth reports on the various Charles Moormans would be especially helpful as we move toward a study of Charles "M" and Elizabeth. They had one son "Charles", but each of their three sons named a son "Charles" whose children in turn named sons "Charles"; add spouses named "Mary" and you see the problem. Achilles MOORMAN and Elizabeth ADAMS part One by Linda Sparks Starr MAR 1997 Although none cite a specific source, several genealogies and the DAR give 26 OCT 1713 as date of birth for Achilles. (Admittedly I have not seen the DAR papers on him.) Proof that his father was Charles "M" MOORMAN is found in the 14 SEP 1772 deed to James Watson[1]; the land boundary was "along a line marked without a survey to Charles Mooreman, dec'd, between his son Charles Moor- man and the above Achelis Mooreman". The DAR's specific date of death (25 MAY 1783) is actually the date he signed his will. A- gain not cited, but more likely for his will was not proven until early DEC 1785, is the specific 26 NOV 1785 given by Tillman.[2] Thus it might prove "safer" for us to write "after 20 NOV 1785", date Achilles and "son" Charles deeded 602 acres to Matthew Allegree.[3] Achilles' marriage to Elizabeth ADAMS is proven by the will of her father, Robert ADAMS, dated 22 FEB 1738 in which he gives "dau Eliza Moorman 400 acres on Mychunk Creek joining Co. line."[4] The year of their marriage is usually given as "c1736", but the closest we can "prove" is before 22 FEB 1738. Genealogies are less sure about her birthyear; they "agree" it falls between 1715 and 1720 based on her marriage. Although someone gives a very specific 27 OCT 1793 date of death for her, I'm personally more comfortable with "after 25 MAY 1783"; she was alive when Achilles signed his will and that's the last official record found on her. The Elusive Brother As you will see, records SUGGEST Achilles and Elizabeth lived in Louisa Co. near other MOORMAN family members; but with the excep- tion of his father's will, Achilles' names does not appear in Louisa County records until 1767. However, father Charles "M" and brothers Thomas and Charles Jr. are found in various records throughout this time period. Why three MOORMANs and not the one? One possibility is Achilles lived in nearby Hanover Co. Except for one small record book, all the relevant court records for Hanover County have been destroyed. Achilles' name is not in this book.[5] Neither is his name found in the vestry books for St. Paul's Parish in Hanover County.[6] Although references to Charles "M" Moorman appear in St. Paul's Parish into 1743, "In 1726... St. Martin's Parish was cut off from St. Paul's, the new parish included all that part of St. Paul's Parish lying in the fork of the Pamunkey (made by the junction of the North Anna and the South Anna rivers) together with all that part of the origi- nal parish lying northwest of Stone Horse Creek, which flows northeast into the South Anna."[7] As I read maps, the area called Green Springs where Achilles is eventually found lay in St. Martin's Parish; therefore, I THINK we can rule out Hanover Co.; besides, his name would eventually appear in St. Paul's Parish vestry book if they were residents of Hanover. Another possibility is they lived in the area of eastern Louisa County which remained in St. Martin's Parish when Fredericksville Parish was created. BUT then we wouldn't have the records on Achilles that we do. No one has seen advertisements for abstracts of St. Martin's Parish vestry books; are the vestry and register books extant? Meanwhile, Fredericksville Parish was created DEC 1742 from St. Martin's at the same time Louisa Co. was created from Hanover.[8] We've somewhat pinpointed Achilles' residence (and/or that of Charles "M" Moorman dec'd) from the Louisa County Tithables list (1767) which places them in W. Phillips' district located on the South side of South Anna River.[9] The major problem here is, South Anna River effectively crosses from west to east the en- tire area that was Louisa County in this timeframe. However, the forward to this book is very specific. "The entire parish of Trinity lay in Louisa County. Fredericksville Parish covered about a five mile strip on the Louisa/Albemarle border." Tithable lists for the _area_ which became Trinity Parish in 1761 are completely missing from 1743 to 1766 and not all of the three years we have are completely extant. Another problem is that Trinity Parish never had a vestry book or register.[10] Therefore we don't have processioning lists. Making things even more difficult, the Order and Minutes Books (another helpful source) for Louisa Co. are missing between 1749 and 1764. Some interesting tidbits from the forward to this book: "Each parish guarded the right to it's tithes, for this was the means by which the churches and the parish poor receive their support. Each man was required to pay his levies within his parish in residence...Gentlemen Justices were appointed by the court in April or May to take the lists of tithables...The Justice posted a notice on the church door in the precinct in which they were appointed, stating the place where they would receive the lists. A person turned in his list of tithables to the justice in his precinct who copied them onto a list which he returned to the court usually in August or September with the individual vouchers ...If a man owned land in another county, the acreage and the name of the county was often given; or if the taxpayer resided outside of the county, sometimes his county of residence was given." County boundaries changed almost as often as parish boundaries, but not always at the same time. Goochland County was created from Henrico Co whose records are extant -- and MOORMANs aren't found in indexes to Henrico wills from 1677 to 1781 or deeds 1677-1705 and 1737-1759. (I don't have abstracts for the inter- vening years.) Louisa County was created in 1742 from Hanover County and then Albemarle from parts of Goochland and Louisa in 1744. However, "For some inexplicable reason there are no will or deed books in Albemarle from formation date from Goochland in 1744 to 1748. It may be that Tarlton's Raiders destroyed them, but there is no office (sic) statement to answer the question of their being gone."[11] The land given Achilles and Elizabeth by Robert ADAMS was a tract Robert patented April 1732; it lay on both sides of Mechunk Creek in (then) Goochland County, on the (then) Hanover County line.[12] If I'm reading the Fredericksville Parish map correctly this tract fell into that part of Goochland which became Albe- marle in 1744; based on neighbors in processioning lists, it was near both Fluvanna Co. (created 1777) and the western end of Louisa Co. Nugent "stumbles" on the transcription of "Michunc (or Michum)" (sic)[13] in the next patent for Robert Adams. There's a "Mechum" River west, southwest of Mechunk Creek near Moorman's River in western Albemarle. Achilles Moorman did not patent lands.[14] Therefore he had to live on the tract Robert Adams gave them, for as we shall see, he didn't purchase land in Albemarle Co. either. Personally I'm puzzled by the lack of records for Achilles bet- ween his marriage mid-1730s and his arrival in Bedford / Campbell County area. His name does not appear in abstracts of Goochland County records from 1728 to 1749.[15] Even more puzzling, his name doesn't appear (based on indexes) in early Louisa County records. In fact the ONLY time it appears in the deed records between 1742 and 1774 is when they sold the land given him and his brother Charles.[16] Could it be he just wasn't asked to witness deeds since he wasn't actively purchasing and selling real estate? Although unproven, the will of Charles "M" SUGGESTS Achilles and Elizabeth were living near, if not in, the Sr. Moorman's residence. Achilles got the "home" plantation, and with it, the unspoken but implied responsibility for his mother's well being as long as she lived. Achilles and Elizabeth living with the Sr. Moormans seems plausi- ble when one considers Charles was "give or take five years" either side of 75 when he wrote his will 9 MAY 1755. They were "elderly" _for that day and time_; thus it's easy to CONJURE a scenario of Achilles and Elizabeth in the background gradually relieving the elder MOORMANs of overseeing farming and household chores. The only problem with this theory is, some of their children found spouses among the neighbors in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle Co., not Trinity Parish, Louisa Co. _before_ Charles "M" wrote his will. Also, IF they were living so closely with Charles "M" and Elizabeth, shouldn't they and their children appear in Camp Creek Quaker records more than once? This may seem a minor point to others, but it has been a major stumbling block as I've struggled with this report. We suddenly go from no records whatever on Achilles, to finding his name in two counties and two parishes at the very same time. Although I no longer speculate on the possibility of "two Achilles", I'm still very much frustrated about where they actually did live "when". I now BELIEVE the actual distance between Achilles' two tracts was about eight miles "as the crow flies". However, actual "on the ground" distance was greater for he had to go around some rolling hills. I think the distance precludes him "commuting" between the two tracts on a daily basis. I SUSPECT they had houses on both tracts which leaves us with the following ques- tions: Did his entire family move back and forth? Did some children (teen-agers) remain with the grandparents or "alone" on the Mechunk Creek tract for long stretches of time? Did Achilles and Elizabeth raise their children in Albemarle, then return to Louisa to help out his aging parents? Known Facts: Louisa County Let's turn now to the "facts" about him in each of the counties. Quaker records show Achilles and his family were received into membership of the Camp Creek Monthly Meeting "1748, 5, 16."[17] Charles "M" and his son Thomas were appointed overseers when this meeting was formed in 1747. The Meeting "covered the area now found in the limits of Louisa, Orange and Albemarle Counties -- perhaps more."[18] Charles "M" and Elizabeth were received into membership the same day which "proves" Achilles and Elizabeth were charter members of this new meeting and lived in roughly the same area as Charles "M" and brother Thomas. On the other hand, we haven't yet checked Orange Co. records. In his will dated 9 MAY 1755, Charles "M" Moorman divided his slaves and land between his three sons: Thomas, Charles and Achilles. Achilles received "the Land and Plantation whereon I now live Containing Four hundred and twenty Acres more or less". The will was probated in Louisa Co. VA 24 MAY 1757.[19] Of fur- ther interest in this study is wife Elizabeth was to have use of slaves "Toby, Jack, Cuffee and Dina" during her widowhood or life after which these negroes and their increase would be divided between the three sons. Negroes "Harry, little Harry, Jenny and Nany" were to be divided equally between the three sons at the time of Charles' death. Achilles next appears in a Louisa Co. record 10 JUN 1767 when he is charged with four tithables in Trinity Parish -- James ROYNOLS (white) and negroes Harry, Cuf and Tom plus 428 acres.[20] Two of those three slaves were distributed in will of Charles "M" and the acreage agrees with the will. Thus, this PROVES this Achilles IS the son of Charles "M", (especially since Achilles didn't name a son for himself as far as we know.) A James Roynols is shown as "overseer" in the 1770 tithable list presented by George Thomson. Was he an overseer for Achilles in 1767? Achilles was not charged for himself on this list SUGGESTING he lived in another parish. However, this discrepancy can be a simple re-copying error. Also living in Phillips' district on the south side of South Anna River were Charles Moorman Sr. with negroes Jack, Allin, Dian, and Rachel (Dina appears in will of Charles "M") plus 379 acres and Charles Moorman Jr. with negro Lucy (no land). Charles Sr. is Achilles' brother; but, there are three possibilities for Charles Jr.: son of Achilles d.1785, Charles Sr. d.1788, or Tho- mas and Rachel (Clark). The only "other" known Achilles was son of Thomas Moorman and Rachel (Clark) who lived elsewhere, thus limiting the above possibilities by one each. The location of this tract is somewhat pinpointed in a 1744 Fredericksville Parish processioning list on which Forrester Green and Charles ("M") Moreman were ordered to procession from "Hudson and Morris upper line between Goochland line, the River and Foster Creek."[21] According to the maps published in Davis's Louisa books, Foster's Creek empties into the South Anna River. Therefore, I THINK this was near the tract given bro- thers Achilles and Charles Sr. by will of Charles "M". The John PULLIAM Sr. and Jr., who witnessed the deed when Achilles sold his half of the tract, are also found in the same tax districts as is Forrester Green. [Just in: The tract Achilles sold to James Watson is (now) "Situated off Route 640 on the waters of Hudson's Creek and the South Anna River.[**] Part, if not all, of 640 was the "Mountain Road" built by Capt. Christopher Clark.] On the 1768 tax list "Archlus" MOORMAN is charged for three tithables: himself, Richard Hodges (white) and negro named Harry.[22] This SUGGESTS Achilles was residing in Louisa Co., but Cuf and Tom are elsewhere. Charles Sr. is charged for himself and slaves Jack, Allin, Dian and Rachel plus 379 acres; Charles Jr. again only for himself and Lucy. This was Thomas JOHNSON's district in 1769 [23] He didn't record slave names, only the number of tithables which included "owners", white males and all slaves over 16. Achilles is listed with five tithables; Charles Jr. now has four; and Charles Sr. still has five tithables and 379 acres. Other neighbors of interest include James WATSON Sr. and Jr., Francis CLARK and his sons, Thomas PAULETTE, John DIGGE, John VENABLE, David TERRELL and John HAILEY. In 1770 neighbors still include various CLARKs, Thomas PAULETTE, John DIGGE Sr. and now Jr., and Jno VENABLE. Brother Charles still has 5 tithables and his 379 acres and Charles Jr. his 4 tithables and apparently still no land. Achilles MOORMAN is conspicuously absent although he didn't sell his Louisa County tract until 1772. Known Facts: Albemarle County Achilles is found more often in Albemarle records, but only be- cause he appears in the Fredericksville Parish processioning lists. That they owned two different tracts is evident by water courses: one is on the South Anna and the other Rivanna or Me- chunk Creek. We also know they inherited tracts in each of their father's wills. Adding to our confusion is Achilles probably lived in Fredericksville Parish, then Trinity Parish, and then Fredericksville Parish again. Perhaps this quote will help others too: "Fredericksville Parish at first occupied Louisa County, but when in 1761 the western portion of Louisa was annexed to Albemarle, the parish was divided by the county lines, the part remaining in Louisa receiving the name of Trinity."[24] Not stated is that a five mile strip along the western border within Louisa Co. remained in Fredericksville Parish. The first time we find Achilles in Fredericksville Parish is 24 OCT 1759. The vestry assigned he and Charles Lewis Jr. to pro- cession "all the lands from the lower end of the Parish Line twixt the Rivana River and the Old Parish line up the Road from Hendersons Ford and so on to the Old Parish line."[25] I believe this Achilles on the Rivanna River is processioning the tract given them by Robert Adams. I have two maps published in Davis' books, both showing parishes within Louisa County circa 1762, but with differing details of certain areas. "Henderson's Ford" is not shown in either; the one published in Fredericksville Parish books show the Rivanna River was the southern border in only one area; I SUSPECT this area became the northern tip of Fluvanna County where Albemarle, Louisa and Fluvanna boundary lines form an almost perfect 90 degree angle. Neighbors Giles and Matthew Allegree lived on the Fluvanna side after its creation in 1777; neighbors Micajah Clark Sr. and Jr. on the Albemarle side. Achilles' name[26] continues to appear in Fredericksville Parish "now and then" through 1771. In 1767 (same year as he appears on the Trinity Parish Tithable rolls) "Achillus" and Matthew ALLEGRO (sic) were appointed to procession "all the land from the Old County line to the three Notched Road and between the Louisa Line and the Road leading under the little Mountains."[27] Micajah CLARK Jr. lived nearby for he was asked to procession "between the Old Coty. line the north River the top of the Mountains and the Road leading to Henderson's Ford."[28] The Three Notched Road is "roughly" now Route 250. It was later the dividing line between Fredericksville and St. Anne's Parish from "the present limits of the county near Boyd's Tavern and running to Woods' Gap."[29] Rev. Woods also clues us in that the Little Mountains in these processioning lists were also known as Southwest and locally "Peter's, Carter's, Lively's, Sugar Loaf and/or Monti- cello" Mountains.[30] Processioning lines and neighbors changed as land was divided when sold to new settlers moving into the region. In 1771 Matthew ALLEGREE, Charles Lewis and others were asked to procession "the lands from the Three Notched road to the river & down to the line of St. Anne's parish under the little Mountains."[31] Achilles' name is found among the names which include Micajah CLARK Sr. and Jr., who were told to procession "all the lands from the north line of Micajah Clark to the Three notch Road & from the Top of the little Mountain to Louisa line."[32] One and the Same? Achilles and Elizabeth were "of Albemarle County" in 1772 when they sold the land in Louisa County given him by his father. Specifically they sold 458 acres to James Watson for L313 "on both sides South Fork of Pamunkey River...Hudson's Creek on John Bunches line...Pulliam's line...along line marked without survey by Charles Mooreman dec'd between his son Charles Mooreman and above Achelis Moorman...to Hudson's Creek and down Creek to David Bunch.[33] I believe this is the link between the Achilles of Trinity Parish and Achilles of Albemarle County. But we aren't "home free" yet. Even though he is on record as being a resident of Albemarle County as early as 1759, his name does not appear as a purchaser or seller of land in Albemarle Co. from the creation of the county through 1776.[34] He did witness a deed, though: 5 AUG 1765 sale of slaves from Benjamin Wheeler of St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle, to friend Manus Burger of Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle, Blacksmith ... wit: Benjamin SNEED, Benjamin Burger, Achillis MOREMAN.[35] Benjamin Wheeler patented lands adjacent Robert Adams (this is son of Robert Sr. and Mourning, thus brother-in-law of both Micajah Clark and Achilles Moorman) and Micajah Clark (Sr.) -- all on Mechunk Creek. [Achilles part 2 will attempt to link Achilles of Mechunck Creek, Albemarle Co. to the Achilles d. 1785 Campbell Co. This is made easier by Achilles who names "Mary Alligree" in his will. Any information on this Achilles in Bedford Co. (other than VA Pub- lick Claims which I have) will be appreciated. Also, more data on his other children, especially daughters, is most welcome.] -------------------------------- 1. page 505-507 Louisa Co. VA Deed Book D 1/2, per page 149, _Louisa Co. VA Deed Books C, C 1/2, D and D 1/2: 1759-1774_, by Rosalie E. Davis, Manchester MO, 1977. 2. page 310, Some Families of Revolutionary War Patriots from VA, MD, PA, SC and KY_, by Willa Mac (Duncan) Coulter, Gateway Press: 1993. She cites Mr. Evarts English of Hardinsburg, KY who cites "The Genealogical History of the Moorman Family", compiled by Mr. Stephen F. Tillman of Chevy Chase, MD. 3. page 119, Deed Book 2, as found in _Campbell Co. VA Deeds 1784-1790_, by T.L.C. Genealogy, FL:1991. 4. Goochland Co. VA Will Book 3, page 305; also page 202, _James Clark, Mansfield, Christopher Clark and Allied Lines_, by Virginia McNaught c1935 as transcribed by Juliet Fauntleroy. 5. _Hanover Co. VA Court Records 1733-1735: Deeds, Wills and Inventories_, abstracted by Rosalie Edith Davis, MO:1979. 6. Vestry Book of St. Paul's Parish Hanover Co, VA 1706-1786, by C. G. Chamberlayne, VA St Lib, reprint ed 1989. 7. Ibid, page 596-7; he referenced Hening IV, p 180. 8. Preface to _Louisa Co. VA Deed Books A and B 1742-1759_, by Rosalie Edith Davis, Bellevue, WA 1976. 9. _Louisa Co. VA Tithables and Census 1743-1785_, by Rosalie Edith Davis, Heritage Trails, Manchester, MO:1981. 10. _History of Louisa County, VA_ by Malcolm Harris; _Old Churches, Ministers and Families of VA_, 2 vols, by Bishop William Meade, Lippincott Philadelphia:1891; reprint Gen. Pub. Co:Baltimore 11. page 1, _The Deeds of Amherst Co. VA 1761-1807 and Albemarle Co. VA 1748-1763_, by Rev. Bailey Fulton Davis, So.Hist.Pr. SC: 1979. 12. page 413, _Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of VA Land Patents and Grants_, vol. III by Nell Marion Nugent, VA State Lib, 2nd printing 1986. Patent Book 14, page 396. 13. Ibid, page 414. 14. First three volumes _Cavaliers and Pioneers_ by Nell Marion Nugent, VA State Lib; vols 4 and 5 edited by Dennis R. Hudgins, VA Gen. Soc; VA Library on-line Land Patent Card Index. 15. _Goochland Co. VA Wills and Deeds 1728-1736_, by Benjamin B. Weisiger III, reprint 1990; _Goochland Co. VA Wills and Deeds 1736-1742_, by Weisiger, Richmond, reprint 1991; _Goochland Co. VA Deeds 1741-1745_, by T.L.C. Genealogy, FL 1990; _Goochland Co VA Wills 1742-1749,_ by Weisiger, 1984, reprint Iberian Pr:GA 1995; _Goochland Co. VA Tithe Lists 1735-1749_ by A. Jean Lurvey, Springfield, MO 1985. 16. Davis _Deed Books A, B, C, C 1/2, D and D 1/2__; _Abstracts of Louisa Co. Will Books 1743-1801_ by Nancy Chappelear and Kate Binford Hatch, DC:1964. 17. _Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy_, vol. VI by William Wade Hinshaw, page 286. 18. page 283, Ibid. 19. Louisa Co. Will Book I, page 15. 20. This record is found in Louisa Co. Order Book 1766-1772, page 38 per Davis _...Tithables..._, page 10. 21. page 10, _Fredericksville Parish Vestry Book: 1742-1787_, vol. 1, by Rosalie Edith Davis, Manchester MO:1978. (p. 6) vestry book. 22. page 17 Davis _Tithables_, Louisa Co. Order Book 1766-1772 p. 188. 23. page 22 Ibid; Order Book 1766-1772, page 313. 24. page 126, _Albemarle County in Virginia_, by Rev. Edgar Woods, 1901. reprint Clearfield Pub Co: Baltimore, 1990. 25. page 66, Davis _Parish_ (page 60 of the vestry book). 26. page 30, Rosalie Edith Davis _Fredericksville Parish Vestry Book: Indentures and Processioning Returns 1742-1787_, vol. 2 Manchester, MO:1981_ (page 96 vestry book) 27. page 84, Davis vol. 1 _Parish_ (p79) vestry book 28. Ibid. 29. page 124, Rev. Woods. 30. page 19, Ibid. 31. page 100, Davis vol. 1, _Parish_; (page 97) vestry book 32. Ibid. 33. p. 149 Davis, _Deed Book...D 1/2_ p. 505-7. 34. _Albemarle Co. VA Deed Abstracts_, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio, "The Antient Press, McLean VA 1988-1992. 35. Sparacio, page 48-49 Deed Book 5. ** _Old Home Places of Louisa County_, by Claudia Anderson Chisolm and Ellen Gray Lillie, Louisa Co. Historical Society, Louisa, VA. 9