Frederick County, Virginia

Founding 

I thought it would be interesting to know about the town where John Lloyd lived most of his adult life.  Turns out, it is a very important area during the Revolutionary War!  As John was a Reader later on in his life, he was probably considered a prominent person in the community and ... who knows, he may have known some of the founding fathers or at least heard them speak to the town.

 

By 1738 these settlements became known as Frederick Town. The county of Frederick was carved out of Orange County. The first government was created, consisting of a County Court as well as the Anglican Frederick Parish (for purposes of tax collection). Colonel James Wood, an immigrant from Winchester, England, was the first court clerk. He laid out 26 half-acre (2,000 m²) lots around 1741, and constructed his own residence, Glen Burnie. Finally, the County Court held its first session in 11 November 1743, where James Wood served until 1760. Lord Fairfax, understanding that possession is 9/10ths of the law, built a home here (in present-day Clarke County) in 1748.

By 1750 the Virginia House of Burgesses granted the fourth city charter in Virginia to Winchester; as Frederick Town was re-named after Colonel Wood's birthplace in England. In 1754, Abraham Hollingsworth built the local residence called Abram's Delight, which served as the first local Quaker meeting house. George Washington spent a good portion of his young life in Winchester helping survey the Fairfax land grant for Thomas Fairfax, Sixth Lord Fairfax, as well as performing surveying work for Colonel Wood. In 1758 Colonel Wood added 158 lots to the west side of town; Thomas Fairfax contributed 173 more lots to the south and east.

French and Indian War

Colonel George Washington

General Edward Braddock's expeditionary march to Fort Duquesne crossed through this area in 1755 on the way to Fort Cumberland. Knowing the area well from work as a surveyor, George Washington accompanied General Braddock as his aide-de-camp. Resident Daniel Morgan joined Braddock's Army as a wagoner on its march to Pennsylvania .

In 1756, on land granted by James Wood, Colonel George Washington designed and began constructing Fort Loudoun, which ultimately covered 0.955 acres (3,860 m²) in present-day downtown Winchester on North Loudoun Street. Fort Loudoun was occupied and manned with guns until the start of the American Revolutionary War. During this era, a jail was also built in Winchester. It occasionally held Quakers from many parts of Virginia who protested the French and Indian War and refused to pay taxes to the Anglican parish. While their cousins in Pennsylvania dominated politics there, Virginia was an Anglican colony and did not tolerate pacifism well. The strong Quaker tradition of pacifism against strong Virginia support for both this war and the next, led to long-term stifling of the Quaker population. Winchester became more of a gateway to Quaker settlements further west; by the mid-1800s, the Quaker population was a small minority here.

During the war in 1758, at the age of 26, Colonel George Washington was elected to represent Frederick County to the House of Burgesses. Daniel Morgan later served as a ranger protecting the borderlands of Virginia against Indian raids, returning to Winchester in 1759. Following the war, from 1763 to 1774 Daniel Morgan served in Captain Ashby's company and defended Virginia against Pontiac's Rebellion and Shawnee Indians in the Ohio valley (that part now in West Virginia).

Revolutionary War

Colonel Daniel Morgan

During the Revolutionary War, the Virginia House of Burgesses chose local resident and French and Indian War veteran Daniel Morgan to raise a company of militia to support General George Washington's efforts during the Siege of Boston. He led the 96 men of "Morgan's Sharpshooters" from Winchester on 14 July 1775, and marched to Boston in 21 days. Morgan, Wood, and others also performed various duties in holding captured prisoners of war, particularly Hessian soldiers.

Hessian soldiers were known to walk to the high ridge north and west of town, where they could purchase and eat apple pies made by the Quakers. The ridge became affectionately known as Apple Pie Ridge. The Ridge Road built before 1751 leading north from town was renamed Apple Pie Ridge Road. The local farmers found booming business in feeding the Virginia Militia and fledgling volunteer American army.

Following the war, the town's first newspapers, The Gazette and The Centinel were established. Daniel Morgan continued his public service, being elected to one term in the U.S. House of Representatives (1797-1799).

Trial at the Old Bailey Results in the 1st of our Lloyd Ancestors Coming to America

John Lloyd was accused of theft and tried at the Old Bailey, the Central Criminal Court, shown in the picture above. At the time of his trial, defendants were not allowed representation. They were able to represent themselves, but they had to build their case while in prison awaiting trial. Until the actual trial, they were unaware of the specific evidence that would be presented against them, they had to respond spontaneously to what the witnesses said. This was thought to be the best way to get the truth from them, not surprisingly, many innocent people were found guilty. The following is trial summary for John's case:

TRIAL SUMMARYCrime(s): 
theft : simple grand larceny
Punishment Type: transportation
(Punishment details may be provided at the end of the trial.)
Verdict: Part Guilty: theft under 1s
Other trials on 22 Feb 1727
Defendant's Home: St. Botolph's Aldgate

John Lloyd, of the Parish of St. Botolph's Aldgate, was indicted for stealing a Gold Ring, value 9 Shillings with several Shoemakers Tools, as Knives, Pinchers, Awls, & C. the 6th of Feb. last, the Goods and Property of Samuel Peters.


The Prosecutor depos'd. That the Prisoner had lodged at his House, and upon making Enquiry for the Loss of his Things, he heard the Prisoner was stopt with the Ring, which he pretended he found in the Entry, but it not being believ'd that he could find the working Tools too, (which was taken on him) the Jury found him guilty to the value of 10 d.


The Trials being over, the Court proceeded to give Judgment as follows:


Transportation

Information provided by Old Bailey Online

Joseph Lloyd's letter to his nephew, James McCracken Lloyd

This letter was written in response to an inquiry from Joseph Lloyd's nephew, James McCracken Lloyd. It is the basis for what is known regarding Joseph S. Lloyd's family and history. It was documented in Oliver weaver's book on the Lloyd family.

Mount Washington Octb 14th 1838. Bullitt County Kentucky

Dear Jammy,
Agreably to your request, I proceed to give you some items of the Lloyd family; excluding prefatory remarks, I shall enter upon the subject; and give you the best account I can.

My Father John Lloyd was born in the City of London in the year 1704 Old Christmas day, his father was from Wales hence the reason of using the double L in spelling our names, my father had two other brothers, Joseph and Philip, one a Watch and Clock maker, the other a Printer, my father I believe was the youngest, and was bound to a Boot and Shoemaker, before his term expired he married without his masters consent: this by the laws of England disqualifies a man from being a master workman, and thro' life he can only be a Journeyman, he returned home one evening from his work, and found his Wife and one child they had, both dead, this was a distressing circumstance and occasioned him to turn his thoughts toward America; he accordingly executed his plan, and landed at Baltimore in 1726. He continued in a single state until 1742 when he married Prudence Emrey, seven children were the fruits of this marriage viz Thomas (your father) born October 2nd 1744. John born February 27th 1747. Alcey born January 29th 1749. James born September 14th 1752, in this year and in this month, the stile was altered and time put 11 days back, hence Old Christmas so call'd from the 5th of January was put back to 25th December. Lydia born April 25th 1755. George Emrey born February 4th 1758. Joseph born December 16th 1761. Thomas (your father) married in his nineteenth year Patience McCracken. Of her family I know but little; Wm Norris her half brother, you know as well as I. He moved to your state of Ohio in 1813 or 14. Your brothers were as follows Stephen born Dec. 24th 1764 married a Sally Pinkstaff; three children. I remember Winny Catherine and James, there might be more, which I know not of, he died and his widow married a certain James Smallwood, here my knowledge of this branch ends. William married a Nancy Tioman and had William, Lucinda, Thomas, Mahlon & Matilda. Thomas lives in Louisville, of the rest I know nothing. Wms wife Nancy died & he married a Mrs Blake, has several children by her and is living in the state of Ohio. In regard to your older brothers and Sisters you know as much or more than I do, I pass them by.

You uncle John married a Sally Stuard and moved to Georgia, he died in 1785. His children were John, William, Charles, Benjamin, Moses, Elijah, Joseph, James and Miriam. Miriam married John Orear & mov'd to Tennessee, of the others I have no certain account. James married Mary Stuard, sister to Sally, in 1791 they had several children viz Lydia, Rachel, Sally, Frances, George, John and Thomas; my knowledge of his family ends here. Alcey was married to John Williams, their children were James, Susanna, Elizabeth, George, Thomas, Lydia, Isaac. Susanna lives in Holston Virginia has several children I can't recollect all their names, George I think lives in Illinois, Thomas far west in Missouri.

George Emrey married in Fauquier County, Va. Nancy Brown, their children were George Emrey, he married Ruth Duncan, and had several children and moved about 150 miles west of Detroit. Fanny married a Henry Plaster, lives in Loudoun, Va. Has 4 or 5 children, Joseph Alvan lives near Zanesville, Ohio has two children. Gilian married to Dan ((1)) Shank lives in Licking County, Ohio. William and your Uncle George E. Lloyd lives with them.

In speaking of myself, I may name that I married Fanny Brown, sister to my brother George's Wife, so you may see my second and third Brothers married Sisters, and the fourth and fifth also, I hope I have 4 children yet living viz Nancy married to Wesley Harris, lives in Louisville, her children are Elizabeth, William Thomas, Marshall, Julian and John Wesley. Patsy married to Thos Jefferson Saunders has 3 children Joseph Franklin, George Washington, and Martha. Alcey married to Milton W. Parrish has one Daughter Lydia and John has been twice married, no children as yet born to him.

I have now given you a very short and imperfect account indeed of the matters you wish'd information of. Excuse bad writing & any inaccuracies you may discover. And now my dear nephew I bid you an affectionate farewell.

May happiness here and hereafter be your lot.

Joseph Lloyd

John Lloyd, First American Lloyd Ancestor

John Lloyd is one of the farthest-back researched ancestor I have found. He was born on January 5th, 1704 in London, England to parents unknown. January 5th was Christmas Day in that time. He was apprenticed to a boot and shoemaker at the age of 14, in 1718 in London. He married at 20 years of age in 1724, to an unknown woman and was then demoted to being a journeyman - it was against the law to promote to master craftsman if you marry without your master's permission.  He and his wife had a child and both died suddenly.

John came to the USA on March 10th, 1726, through the port of Baltimore, Maryland on the “Rappahanock”, Charles Whale, Captain, as an indentured servant, serving a 14 year indenture, for stealing from Samuel Peters. I do not know much about John at all until he completes his sentence and marries Prudence Emrey in Orange County, Virginia in 1742. Other than her name, nothing else is known of Prudence. Her last name is actually somewhat of a guess, another version is Embry. He is shown in the 1750 Frederick County, VA census.  On the basis of family tradition, the family origionally came from the Cardiff, Glomorganshier, Wales.  John's father was from Wales, therefore the name has the double 'Ll' spelling.  

His first son, Thomas was born on October 2nd, 1744 near Winchester, Virginia. Other children followed: John b. February 27th, 1747; daughter, Alcey b. January 29th, 1749; James b. September 14, 1752; Lydia b. April 24th, 1755; George b. February 4th, 1758; and Joseph b. in 1761.

Thomas Lloyd was part of the Militia Unit of Frederick Co, Virginia from 1176 – 1780. He died December 1, 1805. His wife was Patience McCracken.

John Lloyd, Jr. married Sarah (Sally) Steward in approximately 1768. He died approximately 1785 in Green Co., Virginia. The only other child I have information on is George Lloyd, who lived in Frederick Co., Virginia throughout his life.

John and Prudence and family moved to the Shenandoah Valley around 1750 or earlier. On September 2, 1755, John was fined for missing a general muster in Captain William Cocks unit in Frederick County, Virginia. John was appointed Reader at McKay’s chapel on November 13th, 1767. In 1768, John’s salary was set at $6.00, and Edmund Taylor was appointed assignee of John Lloyd at McKay’s Chapel in 1769. Later in 1772, John was exempt from payment of Parish levies. In 1783, John Loyde was on the Tax List in Essex Co, Virginia.

So, this is the early American beginings of our Lloyd story. How can we learn more? Where do we go from here?

For immigration records, William Filby’s Passenger and Immigration Lists Index and New World Immigrants: A Consolidation of Ship Passenger Lists and Associated Data from Periodical Literature are sources I have on my list of places to check out.
For the census, counties kept records pre-Revolutionary War times, such as tax lists, church rolls, and court records. Land and marriage records from the counties would also be a great resource.