John Foster

Biography

http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~hutch/genealogy/DABBS/FosterHaney.htm

John Foster (Brother of George Foster)

John Foster (Robert1) was born circa 1681-1689 in Gloucester County, Virginia and died after 1760. John was born before his parents moved to Essex County. John married Isabella, thought to be a sister or daughter of John Golding of Essex County (not proven). John Golding is thought to be the father of the William Golding who married John’s younger sister, Elizabeth Foster.

John married Isabella before 1721 in Essex County, the year that he and Isabella bought land in Spotsylvania County, where they lived until 1741. They then moved in 1741 to a plantation on Beaverdam and Marsh Runs that John had purchased in western Orange County, Virginia. John was deeded 125 acres of land by his father (James chose the 75 acre plot). However he sold this land to his mother and her second husband, Robert Charleswood, since she was required by the will to turn over the plantation on which she lived to her son, Robert, Jr., heir-at-law of Robert Foster Sr., when she remarried.

John became heir-at-law of the land that had been deeded to his older brother, Robert Foster, Jr., when Robert died and left the land to his wife. John purchased the land and plantation from Ann Lloyd Foster, his sister-in-law, for 25 pounds sterling. John then sold the land and the plantation house to James Ridgeport. On December 2, 1721 he purchased 84 acres of land from Robert King in Spotsylvania County. It appears that John, Isabella and their family moved into the plantation house. By this time John and Isabel were the parents of two, possibly three, children: Sarah, Thomas, and John, Jr.

John Foster seemed to have been quite active in politics, since his name is mentioned a number of times in the activities of Spotsylvania County: witnessing deeds, wills, and serving for several years as deputy sheriff. In 1733 John received a land grant of 599 acres in what is now Culpeper County. John and Isabella probably retained their home in Spotsylvania County. They were still living there in 1735 when he sold to John Rucker the 599 acres of land that he had patented in Culpeper County. At the time of the sale of this land, his wife Isabella was “so sickly and impotent” that she could not travel to the seat of Orange County to waive her dower rights to the land. They had to send three commissioners to her home to interview her and make sure she had agreed to the sale.

By 1735 John and Isabella had two, possibly three, additional children: Philadelphia, Anthony, and possibly Judith. Though John and Isabella were living in Spotsylvania County, they began to purchase land in Orange County. John began to buy land in Orange County as early as 1734 or 1735. In 1734 Thomas, the oldest son of John and Isabella, was apparently not of legal age to own land (21 years), since in that year he and his father co-patented 1,000 acres of land in what is now the eastern portion of Orange County. The land was located between Berry’s Run and Riga Run. William Wolford had originally patented the land, but his patent had lapsed due to his not making sufficient improvements. John Foster may have patented this land for his son Thomas to improve and develop as a plantation. The land, or a portion of it, had been put into cultivation, since John was in Orange County on several occasions witnessing deeds. It is possible that his son, Thomas Foster, was living on the land and attending to it - clearing and cultivation. Thomas had not yet married.

On November 26, 1740 John and Thomas Foster made an application to the Orange County Court for an evaluation of the improvements that had been made on this 1,000 acres of land. Andrew Harrison, Henry, Isabel and George Smith returned a report to the Orange County Court on May 28, 1741, giving a value of 164 pounds 6 shilling 8 pence which included “the cost of 16 journey of 16 miles (from their home in Spotsylvania County) for corn and salt and of 4,000 nails brought from Northumberland County, one dwelling house, one small dwelling, 480 fruit trees, twelve acres of cleared ground, 280 panels of fence with nine logs to each panel.”

In 1739 and 1740 John and Isabella started selling off their holdings in Spotsylvania County in the preparation for a move to Orange County in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. On May 28, 1741 John Foster bought from Joseph Phillips of Orange County a tract of 490 acres of land between March and Beaverdam Run in the Far West end of the present day Orange County, near the boundary of Greene County. Moving with John and Isabella were their son Thomas and his wife, Ann (Thomas had married Ann Garnett in 1741) and their daughter, Philadelphia and her husband, John Snell. In 1740 John Foster witnessed a purchase of land by his son-in-law, John Snell.

In 1745 John and Thomas Foster sold the 1,000 acres of land they patented in 1734 and improved upon in Orange County to James Garnett, brother to Ann Garnett Foster. Actually, they had resold the land, since in 1738 they had sold the land to George Street. The land reverted back to them when Mr. Street was unable to make payment. Since this deed was acknowledged by both of their wives (Isabel Foster and Ann Foster) by their relinquishment of the dower rights to the land, it proves that Thomas Foster was married to Ann Garnett prior to February 1744. Since Thomas’ oldest child, Sarah was born circa 1743 according to her will, it is certain that Thomas Foster was only married once and was not married circa 1743 to an Elizabeth Smith in Middlesex County, as claimed by some Foster researchers. Ann Foster was the only wife of Thomas Foster and the mother of his eleven children.

Isabella Foster died sometime after June 4, 1747, the date that she and her husband John Foster, along with John Haskew and his wife, Rachel, jointly sold to John Coffee of Spotsylvania County a tract of land in Orange County containing 137 acres (100 acres was taken from John Foster’s tract of 337 acres and 37 acres were taken from Haskew’s land). This land was located on Beaverdam Run and was part of the land that John Foster bought from Zachary Taylor in 1740. This was the last appearance of Isabella in the records of Orange County.

In Orange County John Foster continued to be politically active with frequent references in county records witnessing deeds and wills of neighbors, providing security bonds, serving on juries and viewing routes of public roads. The last entry of John Foster in Orange County records was in 1760. No will has been found for John Foster. He either died in 1760, as some have recorded, was infirm shortly after, or moved away from Orange County to live with one of his children until his death.

According to B. G. Foster, these were the children of John and Isabella:

• Sarah Foster was born circa 1714 in Essex County and died circa 1801 in Nelson County, Kentucky. Sarah married Thomas Crutcher, Jr. circa 1733 in Essex County. Thomas Crutcher, Jr. was born circa 1706 in Essex County and died in June 1786 in Caroline County, Virginia. 10 children.
• Thomas Foster was born circa 1715 in Essex County, and died in 1791 in Orange County. He married circa 1741 in Essex County to Ann Garnett, possibly daughter of Salvador and Elizabeth Muscoe Garnett. She was born circa 1720 in Essex County, and died after 1791 in Orange County. 11-12 children. .

   *

Philadelphia was the second daughter of John and Isabel Foster. She was born circa 1722 in Essex County and died after 1786 in Scott County, Kentucky. Her marriage to John Snell was circa 1739 in Orange County, on the plantation of her parents. John’s birth date is estimated at circa 1714. He was born in King and Queen County, Virginia and died on June 5, 1785 in Orange County. John and Philadelphia made their home in Orange County not far from her parents. It was there that she became the mother of eight children. After the death of her husband on June 5, 1786 she went to live with some of her children in Scott County, Kentucky. Their children, all born in Orange County were:
o
John Foster Snell was born circa 1740 and died circa 1827 in Orange County. He married Nancy Elizabeth Wyatt.
o
Phiolemen Snell was born circa 1743 and died circa 1797 in Albermarle County. He married Susanna Spicer.
o
Robert Snell was born circa 1746 and died in 1827.
o
Easthem (Esom) Snell was born circa 1747. He married Susanna.
o
Martha Snell was born in 1752. She married William Collins on September 16, 1776 in Orange County. William Collins was born circa 1749 in Virginia.
o
Philadelphia Snell was born circa 1755. She married Mr. Phillips in Orange County.
o
Catherine Snell was born circa 1758. She married Haskew Foster on August 1, 1794 in Orange County. Haskew was the son of John Foster and Averilla Haskew. He was born circa 1746 in Orange County.
o
Sarah Garnett Snell was born circa 1759. She married William Taylor.
*
Anthony Foster was the youngest son of John and Isabel Foster. He was born circa 1727 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. He died on April 5, 1805 in Cross Anchor, Union County, South Carolina. He first married in the early 1750s in Orange County, Virginia to a Miss Tinsley (possibly Sarah) who is believed to be the daughter of Isaac and Margaret Tucker Tinsley. This is supported by family tradition, that one of Anthony’s oldest sons was named Fielding Tinsley, and that Margaret Tucker’s mother was Elizabeth Fielding. Anthony’s first wife was born circa 1730 and died 1762 in Virginia. Anthony then married Sarah Golding before 1766, his first cousin, the daughter of William and Elizabeth Foster Golding (Anthony’s Aunt and Uncle). She was born circa 1740 in Orange County and died on June 30, 1812 at Cross Anchor, Union County.
Anthony began his married life in Orange County (constituted in 1734 from Spotsylvania County), where his first several children were born. Except from the years between 1765 until 1779, they lived in Orange County in the area near the current borders of Albermarle, Greene, and Madison Counties. Anthony had evidently inherited land there previously owned by his father, John Foster. The land was in the vicinity of Beaverdam, near John Haskew and William Lucas. Also living in the vicinity was Spencer Bobo. Anthony went on a bond for Spencer Bobo when he was sued by James Duncanson. Spencer Bobo’s wife, Judith, was the likely youngest child of John and Isabel Foster.
In 1765 Anthony and his family moved to land in Orange County (now Greene county) in the Blue Ridge Mountains where he and his brother-in-law, Isaac Tinsley, Jr. jointly bought from Francis Dirkley’s family in May. In 1766 Anthony and his family returned to the land that he had inherited from his father. On June 3, 1766, Henry Foster, of Albermarle County, Virginia, the eldest son and heir of Anthony Foster, brother to John Foster, Jr., sold to his uncle a tract 210 acres in Orange County, Virginia bordering the land of Anthony Foster and John Haskew. This deed was witnessed by John Foster (Henry’s younger brother) and Spencer Bobo and his wife Judith.
By 1779 Anthony and his family moved to Culpeper (now Madison) County to the area of Elk Run, a tributary of the Rapidan River, where he bought 162 acres of land from James Eastman and his wife, Sarah, on June 19, 1780. Earlier, on September 23, 1779, Anthony Foster and his wife, Sarah “of Culpeper County” sold to John Marshfield of Albermarle county, a 170 acre tract in Orange County on Beaverdam, which was “formerly the property of Anthony Foster’s father and now occupied by Bartlett Bennett.”
By 1785 Anthony and his family moved back to Orange (now Greene) County, where he was found on the tax list in the Fredericksville Parish area, where his late brother, John Foster’s grandchildren, were living. Anthony Foster was taxed for himself, sixteen slaves, seven horses or mules, and nine head of cattle. Joel Foster, the son of Anthony Foster and his first wife, was enumerated just after his father on the 1787 Albermarle County, Virginia tax list. This was just before Joel’s leaving Virginia for Newberry District, South Carolina where he is found on the 1790 Federal Census.
On October 16, 1787, Anthony Foster “of Albermarle County” bought from Lewis Garr and his wife, Catherine, of Orange County a 200 acre tract of land in Orange County (now Green). Anthony and Sarah, now “of Rockingham County”, were living just across the Blue Ridge Mountains in 1792. This sale disposed of their remaining land in Virginia. Anthony and Sarah and their children sold most of their belongings, loaded up their wagons and started for the long trek to South Carolina. Anthony appeared on the Spartanburg District records beginning in 1793, arriving sometime between 1792 and 1793. Anthony was over sixty years of age, an advanced age for such a long trip to start a new life. His older children were grown and his younger children were still in their teens. He may have made the move to give his children a better opportunity. Land was cheap and plentiful in South Carolina. Maybe he wanted his children to have a new beginning where the soil was fertile and there was plenty for patenting. He probably corresponded with his son, Joel, and several cousins who were now living in South Carolina. Joel, the eldest of the surviving sons of Anthony Foster by his first wife, (possibly Isaac Tinsley’s sister) preceded his father to South Carolina by a few years, having located in Newberry District prior to the 1790 census. Joel lived by his deceased mother’s relative on Little River. Joel later moved to the Cross Keys area of Union County, South Carolina near his younger half-brothers after his father’s death. Anthony Foster’s first cousin, Thomas Meador Foster, had lived in South Carolina for years, making surveys of land patent and sales. His uncle, Thomas Foster, died there. For whatever reason, Anthony Foster and his entire family made the long trip, across North Carolina and into South Carolina. They settled in Spartanburg District.
Anthony survived this resettlement for ten years. He died on April 5, probably near eighty years of age. Sarah died seven years later on June 30, 1812. Both are buried in marked graves, along side of their good friend Spencer Bobo, near their home in Cross Anchor, South Carolina
The Will of Anthony Foster:
I, Anthony Foster of Spartanburg District, South Carolina do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following (towit). I give to my beloved wife, Sarah Foster, the home and plantation where I now live, four of my negros such as she may make choice of, all of my household furniture and all of my plantation tools all of the above I give to my wife as long as she continues to be my widow and no longer whenever she marries or dies. I give the said plantation and house to my son Archilles Foster. All the balance of my real estate I request that my executors may sell at twelve months credit and the money arising from said sale be equally divided among my following children: Fielding Foster, Anthony Foster, William Foster, John Foster, Franklin Foster, and Mary Tinsley. I also bequest that my executors sell the balance of my personal estate at twelve months credit and after paying my just debts out of the money raised from the sell the remainder to be equally divided into eight equal parts two of which I give equally two of which I give to my son, Archilles the remain six parts of I give equally to my six following children, Felding, Anthony, William, John, Franklin and Mary - or whenever my wife marries or dies that part of my personal estate give to her request my executive to dispose of the other part of my personal estate - but in the case that any of my children should die without leaving a lawful heir, their part of my estate to be taken and disposed of in the same manner that I have disposed of my personal estate. I appoint Thomas Todd, Archilles Foster (my son) and the Reverend Spencer Bobo my Executors. In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty six day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and four. (Signed) Anthony Foster
The children of Anthony Foster and (Sarah?) Tinsley Foster, all born in Orange County, were:
o
Archilles Foster was born circa 1751 and died in 1775 in Bunker Hill, Suffolk County, Virginia.
o
Joel Foster was born before 1760 and died before 1820 in Neshoba County, Mississippi. He married a Cinah Casey. She was born circa 1750 and died circa 1835.
o
Fielding Foster was born circa 1762 and died after 1840 in Fulton County, Virginia. He married Nancy. [Note: there were nine years between Archilles and Joel.]
It is thought by some that Joel and Achilles were killed while serving their country during the Revolutionary War - Achilles at Bunker Hill, Massachusetts and Joel at Brandywine, Delaware. There is some documentation that the Joel killed in the war was not the son of Anthony. There were two Joel Fosters born in Orange and Albemarle Counties in Virginia approximately the same year. One the son of John Foster Jr., and the other the son of Anthony. If the Joel Foster enumerated in the Federal census of 1790 in Newberry District, South Carolina, was the son of Anthony Foster, he was the father of eleven children and moved to Mississippi in the early 1830’s.
The children of Anthony and Sarah Golding Foster:
o
Anthony Foster was born circa 1766 in Orange County and died on June 16, 1842 in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He married Elizabeth Bobo on June 16, 1796 in Spartanburg County. Elizabeth Bobo was the daughter of Sampson and Sarah Mary Simpson Bobo. She was born on February 4, 1899 in Spartanburg County and died on April 10, 1846 in Spartanburg.
o
William Foster was born circa 1767 in Orange County and died after 1820 in Spartanburg County. He married a Judith circa 1794 in Orange County. Judith was born circa 1775 and died circa 1815 in Spartanburg County.
o
John Foster was born circa 1771 in Orange County and died circa 1832 in Smith County, Tennessee. He married Sinah Lach in 1807 in Asheville, Buncombe County, South Carolina. Sinah was born circa 1787 in Virginia and died circa 1881 in Smithville, DeKalb County, Tennessee.
o
James Franklin Foster was born circa 1775 in Orange County and died circa 1845 in Funton or Wilson Counties, Tennessee. He married Nancy who was born circa 1789.
o
Mary Foster was born circa 1777 in Orange County and died in 1821 Spartanburg County. She married Golding Tinsley, son of Isaac Tinsley and Elizabeth Golding. He was born circa 1765 in Culpeper County, Virginia and died on May 8, 1851 in Spartanburg County.
o
Archillis K. Foster was born circa 1780 in Rockingham County, Virginia and died circa 1845 in Cass County, Georgia. He married Jane Blackstock circa 1811 in Spartanburg County. Jane was the daughter of William and Mary Bobo Blackstock. She was born on June 11, 1794 in South Carolina and died after 1870 in Fayette County, Alabama.
*
Judith Foster is thought to be the youngest child identified for John and Isabel Foster. She is a possible child based on weak evidence. Spencer Bobo was living near Anthony Foster in Orange County, Virginia. Anthony Foster was on the bond for Spencer when he was sued by James Duncanson. Anthony Foster bought land in Orange County and the deed was witnessed by Anthony Foster and his wife Judith. When Anthony Foster and his family moved to South Carolina, Spencer and Judith Bobo also moved near then.
Judith Foster was born circa 1731 in Spotsylvania County and died after 1830 in South Carolina. She married Francis Spencer Bobo, Jr., son of Francis Spencer Bobo, Sr. and Jane Wofford. He was born in 1731in Culpeper County, Virginia and died on October 20, 1817 in Laurens County, South Carolina. The children of Judith Foster and Rev. Spencer Bobo were:
o
Spencer Bobo, Jr. was born circa 1756, probably in Albermarle County, Virginia and died between 1824 and 1830 in Gwinnett County, Georgia. He married Nancy Berry. She was born circa 1770 and died after 1830.
o
Absalom Bobo was born on March 13, 1765 in Albermarle County and died on December 1, 1846 in Spartanburg County. He married (1) Ann Muscoe on August 1, 1790. She died 1799 - 1802. He then married circa 1803 Mary “Polly” Bobo. She was born on November 25, 1773 and died on March 10, 1857 in South Carolina.
o
Tillman Bobo was born on March 13, 1766 in Virginia and died on February 23, 1844 in Spartanburg County. He married Beulah Yarbrough before 1802. She was born in February 1781 in Spartanburg and died on November 10, 1840 in Cross Keys, Union County.
o
Judith Bobo was born circa 1771 in Orange County. She married William Golding Foster. He was born circa 1769 in Orange County.
o
Levingston Bobo died in October 1827 and married Elizabeth.
Taken from: [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~hutch/DABBS/FosterHaney.htm]