Hiram Parks

Notes:

See note for Jonah Park and wife Melinda.

Buried:
Knapper Branch

Hiram married Malinda Dillingham Park on 26 Jul 1827 in Estill Co., KY. Malinda (daughter of Solomon Park and Rhoda Dillingham) was born in 1807 in Madison Co., KY; died in Estill Co., KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Marriage Book Estill Co., KY Book A, page 42 Hiram and Melinda Park

1. Rhoda Parks
2. Mariah Parks
3. Susan Parks
4. Mariam Parks
5. Winnie Parks
6. Angeline “Ann” Parks
7. Elizabeth Jane Parks
8. Drusilla Parks
9. Mercy Parks
10. Spicey Parks

Hiram married Julia Ann (Tudor) Brinegar on 9 Dec 1871 in Estill Co., KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Asa became owner of 1000 acres on Station Camp. It was upon this land that oil was early discovered in Estill County. The land was then in possession of one of his descendants. To each of his nine children was given one hundred acres of land. Son Ebenezer received the old home place. Asa, his wife, and one daughter are buried on the old home place on the first 1000 acres of land owned by him.
——————
Doug Park’s research calls our Asa “a noted artist of his time”….BUT see the following:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/133000490/asa-park
PLEASE NOTE: At least one "authoritative" and often-quoted work provides inaccurate biographical information for Asa Park, as well as for several other members of the Park family who were early residents of Kentucky. In each of these cases, information for several men with the same given name was lumped together as if they were one person. Asa Park the artist descends from Richard Park who arrived aboard the 'Defence' in 1635. There were at least two men by the name of Asa Park residing in Kentucky during the same period. 

Died:
(or 25 Apr 1839)

Buried:
Warford Farm

Asa married Susannah Park on 28 Nov 1802 in Madison Co., KY. Susannah (daughter of Allen Park and Elizabeth Giles) was born about 1779 in Rowan Co., NC; died on 12 Jun 1856 in Station Camp Creek, Estill Co., KY; was buried in Wagersville, Estill Co., KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Children were:
Mourning m. Jas Wagers
Hiram m. Malinda Park
Hezehiah m. Mercy Wilson
Mary m. Wm. Hendrix
Elizabeth
Mariam m. Woodson P. Richardson
Rebecca
Ebenezer m. Spicy Gentry
Isham m. Dianah Benton

Buried:
Warford Farm

Other Events and Attributes:

• Education: A man of unusual education for his day.
• Occupation: Tailor, then farmer, Baptist Minister
• Religion: Baptist
• PURC: Abt 1796, Madison Co., KY
• Residence: 1796, Madison Co., KY

Notes:

Ebenezer was a man of unusual education for his day. Born in Virginia, he settled in North Carolina (perhaps as a result of the French and Indian War), where most if not all of his children were born. We don't know exactly when the Park families moved from Hampshire County, WV, to Rowan Co., NC, by way of the Great Wagon Road of Pennsylvania, but the first record of Ebenezer in Rowan Co. is 1772.

"Several Parks lived in what was then called the Bald Mountain District of Rowan County. These were George, Moses, Ebenezer, Allen, Timothy, and Charles. It is not known exactly where in the District George lived, but the others were all in or near what is now Jackson Hill Township, in western Davidson County, on or close to the Yadkin River."

"On August 8, 1778, Ebenezer was listed as one of many throughout Rowan County 'who neglected or refused to appear before the Justice of their respective Districts and take the Oath of Affirmation of Allegiance to the State agreeable to Act of Assembly and who have omitted appearing at Court and rendering Excuse for such Neglect or Refusal.' "

According to Doug Park, Ebenezer lived 24 years along Cabin Creek in the township of Jackson Hill before going to Kentucky. But his brother Noah and wife Anna remained and died on their farm in NC. They are buried on that farm (see note for Noah Park) in a cemetery known as the Park-Bean-Wyatt Cemetery.

In 1796, he and Tabitha “followed Daniel Boone into KY using the [Boone’s] Wilderness Trail and was considered to be a Pioneer of Madison Co. They traveled on pack horses, with their ten children, and settled near the town of Richmond. Later Ebenezer moved to Station Camp, where he lived for many years. He finally settled on the waters of Drowning Creek in Madison County, where he lived and died. In the marriage bond, signed by John Hawkins, Ebenezer spelled his name "Parke." He would not take the oath of allegiance to the State of North Carolina against the King in 1778.,

Ebenezer bought four hundred acres of land on Station Camp Creek, Madison Co., Kentucky, practically at the mouth of Middle Fork. To his four oldest sons he deeded one hundred acres each. He made a most remarkable division of this land. To Asa he gave the lower tract, to Ebenezer, Jr., the upper tract, and to Jonathan the next lower tract. These three tracts were all locate on the east side of Station Camp Creek. To John he gave the land on the west side of the creek. The four hundred acres were so divided that each son received the same number of acres of low land and each son received the same number of acres of hill land and each had Station Camp Creek water course.
___________
“…surprised to read that Eb, Sr. was a Baptist minister, though I have known for years that his son, Eb, Jr. and also Eb, Jr.'s son, Rev. John Mills Park (1806-1877) were Baptist Ministers. We found this info in court records and family documents at the EKU Library's Archives and Special Collections section.”

————————
“From Hampshire Co., VA(WV) Ebenezer Park settled on Cabin Creek by the Yadkin River in Rowan Co. in the Bald Mtn. District, Capt. Israel Cox'sDistrict along with his brothers, Allen, George, Noah & Moses, and cousins Charles, Nathan & Timothy. In 1779 Ebenezer was a witness to a deed record for Allen Parke, Rowan Co., NC Deed Book 9, page 105, Dec.25, 1779. Allen Park & wife Elizabeth to Phineas Runyon for 200 poundsNC money, 240 acres on Cabin Creek bought from George Smith Jr. of PA,Feb. 21, 1767. Jonathan Davis, Ebenezer Parke, Feb. 1780, 1786, Ebenezer received a state grant of 270 acres on the northwest side of Cabin Creek,202, p. 138, Oct. 25, 1786. State Grant #1208 @50 shillings per 100 acres to Ebenezer Parks/Parker, 270. He remained in NC for about 20 years before departing for Madison Co. KY in 1796.

The 1778 Tax List for Bald Mt. district, in 1778 known as Capt. IsraelCox's District, lists these Park men: Allen, Charles, Ebenezer, George,Moses, Nathan and Timothy. Charles was the son of Nathan Parke. Allen, Ebenezer, George, Moses and possibly Timothy were brothers. However,Timothy had close ties with Nathan and his son, Charles and could have been a son of Joseph Parke of Warren Co., NJ, who was a brother to Nathan Parke. This relationship has not been proven either way. On this Aug.8, 1778 Persons in the district of Capt. Cox among those listed as not having taken the Oath of Allegiance to the State was Ebenezer Park.”

Birth:
(Hampshire)

Buried:
Drowning Creek (Eli Park land)

Ebenezer married Tabitha Mills on 6 Jan 1772 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC. Tabitha (daughter of John (Jonathan?) Mills, Sr. and Rebeckah Harrold (?)) was born on 27 Feb 1752 in Salisbury, Rowan Co., NC; died on 18 Oct 1826 in Estill, Madison Co., KY; was buried in Madison Co., KY. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Since the Mills family was staunchly Quaker for generations, it is likely that Tabitha was “disowned” or otherwise “shunned” for marrying outside the Society of Friends.

Birth:
Birth is recorded at New Garden MM, Guilford County, NC

Buried:
Near Drowning Creek (Eli Park land). Doug Park would find the final resting place of our Ebenezer and Tabitha on land that was once their son, Eli Park's Farm in the woods--underneath fallen yellow pine trees (a result of an ice storm three years prior.

Notes:

Married:
Matt Troy and John Hankins, Bondsmen

Other Events and Attributes:

• MILF: Y
• Occupation: Farmer

Notes:

Went with his father to Hampshire County, Va., about 1748. He secured a 222-acre Fairfax farm near Dillon's Run, which he reassigned to James Smith in 1764. After emigrating from Hampshire County, Allen married Elizabeth Giles. They lived in Rowan County, N.C., where in 1794 he was on the Rowan County Tax List of Capt. Davis of Bald Mountain District: Allen Parke-300A, 1wp. Allen, along with relatives Ebenezer, Timothy, and John Parke, moved to Madison County, Ky., late in his life and died there. They had eight children, all born in Rowan County, N.C. ,

———————————————————
Allen received a land grant in 1762, Rowan Co., NC He appears in the 1790 census for Rowan Co., NC Affidavits from the" History of the Park Family" by George W. Park, is in possession of Thomas Baldwin, Jr. Allen had previously lived in Hampshire Co., Va, where he owned land next to his brother John Park/e.
Moses Parke on the Yadkin River between the mouth of Lick and Cabin Creeks. Land originally part of Allen Parke's original Rowan Co. land grant of Feb. 21, 1767 sold to Allen by Charles Smith of Montgomery Twp, Philadelphia Co., PA - 240 acres on Cabin Creek, witnessed by John Davis and Israel Cox. In 1784 part of this land deed to Charles Parke on both sides of Cabin Creek Nov. 4, 1784 adjacent to Phineas Runyan & Allen Park.

Allen first entered land in Rowan Co., NC and paid taxes, 1759-67 and 1778. Other Parkes who paid taxes were: Timothy, in 1773,1778; Ebenezer, 1778; Charles Parke 1778. All men lived next to each other. Allen sold the 240 acres of land he had purchased in 1767 to Phineas Runyon. and purchased another tract of 150 acres on Dry Fork of Lick Creek. In 1794, he recorded yet another 300 acres of land on Cabin Creek, which he sold on September 5, 1797 to Clement Lanier Sr., before he removed to Madison County, Kentucky.

Vol. 6, No. 2 Salisbury District State Docket, Superior Court page 1280 1.5 March 1778 (Jury) - Allin Park listed - he was one of 3 "not summoned".

Allen and his family moved to Madison County, Kentucky when other Parks of the Rowan area made the move. He died in Madison County prior to Dec. 2, 1805,(Letters of Administration).
Date of death has not been confirmed for a typescript version of the Certificate granted Elizabeth and Amos Parks, which is stated to have been dated December 2, 1805, for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of Allen Parks, Deceased )(Allen Park book. p. 14).
Sources: Rowan Co., NC Deeds, Land entries...Salisbury Library, Rowan Co., NC

Marriage records in Madison County. (1785-1851)

The name Park has been spelled without the "e" and sometimes with the "s".

"Allen Park, 1745-1805 of Rowan Co., NC & Madison Co., KY " by Evelyn Potter Park PS565

Descendants of Allen Park are eligible for patriotic societies of the Revolutionary war period for his services during the Revolution as Processor in Rowan Co., North Carolina, as recorded in Court Minutes dated February 6, 1778, provided they have necessary documents of proof of their own lineages. Established in DAR by Margaret Kay Park, #535542 on October 17, 1968.Allen received a land grant in 1762, Rowan Co., NC He appears in the 1790 census for Rowan Co., NC Affidavits from the" History of the Park Family" by George W. Park, is in possession of Thomas Baldwin, Jr. Allen had previously lived in Hampshire Co., Va, where he owned land next to his brother John Park/e.
Moses Parke on the Yadkin River between the mouth of Lick and Cabin Creeks. Land originally part of Allen Parke's original Rowan Co. land grant of Feb. 21, 1767 sold to Allen by Charles Smith of Montgomery Twp, Philadelphia Co., PA - 240 acres on Cabin Creek, witnessed by John Davis and Israel Cox. In 1784 part of this land deed to Charles Parke on both sides of Cabin Creek Nov. 4, 1784 adjacent to Phineas Runyan & Allen Park.

Allen first entered land in Rowan Co., NC and paid taxes, 1759-67 and 1778. Other Parkes who paid taxes were: Timothy, in 1773,1778; Ebenezer, 1778; Charles Parke 1778. All men lived next to each other. Allen sold the 240 acres of land he had purchased in 1767 to Phineas Runyon. and purchased another tract of 150 acres on Dry Fork of Lick Creek. In 1794, he recorded yet another 300 acres of land on Cabin Creek, which he sold on September 5, 1797 to Clement Lanier Sr., before he removed to Madison County, Kentucky.

Vol. 6, No. 2 Salisbury District State Docket, Superior Court page 1280 1.5 March 1778 (Jury) - Allin Park listed - he was one of 3 "not summoned".

Allen and his family moved to Madison County, Kentucky when other Parks of the Rowan area made the move. He died in Madison County prior to Dec. 2, 1805,(Letters of Administration).
Date of death has not been confirmed for a typescript version of the Certificate granted Elizabeth and Amos Parks, which is stated to have been dated December 2, 1805, for obtaining letters of administration on the estate of Allen Parks, Deceased )(Allen Park book. p. 14).
Sources: Rowan Co., NC Deeds, Land entries...Salisbury Library, Rowan Co., NC

Marriage records in Madison County. (1785-1851)

The name Park has been spelled without the "e" and sometimes with the "s".

"Allen Park, 1745-1805 of Rowan Co., NC & Madison Co., KY " by Evelyn Potter Park PS565

Descendants of Allen Park are eligible for patriotic societies of the Revolutionary war period for his services during the Revolution as Processor in Rowan Co., North Carolina, as recorded in Court Minutes dated February 6, 1778, provided they have necessary documents of proof of their own lineages. Established in DAR by Margaret Kay Park, #535542 on October 17, 1968.

Allen married Elizabeth Giles about 1775. Elizabeth (daughter of Richard Giles and Elizabeth Stillwell) was born between 1750-1757. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Horse breeder/trader. Operated a sawmill as well.
• USR1: Died in a military battle at Ft. Duquesne, PA, led by George Washington

Notes:

"John Parks II was born probably in Burlington County, N.J., and was possibly the John Parks who died in 1758 (near Cumberland, Md.), while serving in a unit of the Virginia Militia during the French and Indian War. John II married a woman named Mary, who died circa 1773. Either her maiden name was Davis, or, after John's death, she remarried a man who was surnamed Davis. They received a Fairfax grant in Parks Valley, Hampshire County."
———————————

John’s place of death was found to be Cumberland, MD (reference  Dr. Wilmer Kerns in one of his books on Hampshire Co. VA) and this could indicate that he died at Fort Cumberland at Will's Creek during the French and Indian War while serving in the Virginia Militia, or may indeed have died between Fort Cumberland MD and Fort Duquesne PA, while going to or from a battle, possibly by Indian ambush of the traveling soldiers. Because his death was recorded as "killed near Fort Duquesne, on Sept. 14, 1758, I researched and found that was the date of the Battle of Grant's Hill.  So putting all these things together determined that is how, when and where he died.  Almost all of the 1st Regiment died in that battle.  George Washington wrote about it in his diary which has been published.  A short movie was made about this battle, which I have a copy of, called “When the Forest Ran Red."

 It is more likely from the date of his death that John died in the Battle of Grant's Hill at Fort Duquesne while fighting with the First Virginia  Regiment under Col. George Washington during the French & Indian War.  John III filed a petition as eldest son in 1770 for John Jr.'s land stating he had left no will.  His mother Mary had by then remarried to John Davis. It is about this time, that John Park II and children dropped the "e" and some added an "s".

Source:  Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck,  Genealogical :Publishing Co., IN> p. 235,211,127,45.  Virginia Colonial Militia, 1651-1776 - William Armstrong Crozier
Research done by Mrs. Evelyn Potter Park and Dr. Margaret Park & independently from them, Susan Balde Avery.
———————————————

https://moreexploringoffthebeatenpath.com/2018/09/01/battle-of-grants-hill/#:~:text=The%20Battle%20of%20Grant's%20Hill,have%20been%20fought%20at%20all
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Duquesne

https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt:00agc4777m
————————————————

While still in Hopewell, John Parke Jr. was appointed overseer of the upper road north on the north side of Stony Brook in 1735.

John Jr. also had 250 acres north and west of Capon Bridge by abt. 2miles. John Parke Jr. may have been a chain carrier for GeorgeWashington, surveyor in 1750. The Wagon Rd. went southwest fromWinchester to a ford over the Cacapon on John Parke Sr.'s land to (OldFields) Moorefield, Hardy Co., W. Va. John II had a sawmill on the Cacapon River. He also had stud service for horses, so was a horse breeder/trader.

In George Washington's survey book there is a survey for 135 acres onMill Run, a branch of the Capapon River, granted to John Park Jr. Dec.29, 1750. On March 31, 1751, 30 acres of land was surveyed for Bartholomew Anderson. Bartholomew was the 3rd person, along with Thomas Smith and John Parke Sr. who fled Hopewell after the Coxe incident.

John Jr. (II) most probably is the John Parke who was enlisted in theVirginia 1st Militia, which was being formed during the Indian uprisings leading up to the French & Indian War. In Sept. 1758 a John Parke is listed on the Muster Roll of Capt. Thomas Speak for the Frederick Co. Virginia Militia. This is most likely a "re-signup" to the VA militia.An earlier record has been found on a John Park enlisting October 1756, Frederick Co, VA (Collection of the Manuscript Div. Library of Congress). This John Park/e served under the First Virginia Regiment under Col.George Washington, and was listed as "killed" near Fort Duquesne, Sept.14, 1758. This would also coincide with the dates of deeds and request byJohn Park III, who filed a petition to recover his father John Park II's land. The Aug. 18, 1762 land purchased in Hampshire Co. VA by John Parks- 250 acres on the waters of Cacapon River must be John Park III who remained in the area after his brothers, mother and a sister left forRowan Co. about 1759. (Book I, p. 159, Also the Fairfax land grand Feb.9, 1770 p. 52.) Land Warrant to John Parke III states that John Parks II being dead, his son, John Parke is proved Heir-at-law. Deed to issue in the name of said John reserving 1/3 to Mary Davis, widow of John Parks.Deed to John Parke from Lord Fairfax in Frederick Co. , dated Nov. 15,1771 for 182 acres originally granted to his father, John Park Jr. in1753. John Park certifies "I am eldest son and heir of a tract of land of my father John Parks, Sr. (actually II), he dying without a Will. Witnesses, Roger Park, brother to John Park II. (his uncle) Affidavit dated 1771, by James Smith before Adam Stephen, Justice of the Peace, stated that he was married to Ann, daughter of John Park, Jr. and that his father-in-law made no Will. Another affidavit with no dates, states: ”Reserve 1/3 to Mary Davis, widow of John Park, Jr." P-86 of the Deedbook - John Parke of Hampshire Co. son and heir at law of John Parke deceased 182 acres on head of Thomas Edward's Mill Branch of Cacapehon in said county reserving unto Mary Davis widow of John Parke deceased 1/2during her lifetime and after her decease the whole to John Parke surveyed Oct. 30, 1753 for John Parke deceased. Signed by John Mauzy and forfeited by advertisement and recorded in Book N 15 NN 1771

His place of death was found to be Cumberland, MD (reference Dr.Wilmer Kerns in one of his books on Hampshire Co. VA) and this could indicate that he died at Fort Cumberland at Will's Creek during theFrench and Indian War while serving in the Virginia Militia, or may indeed have died between Fort Cumberland MD and Fort Duquesne PA, while going to or from a battle, possibly by Indian ambush of the traveling soldiers. Because his death was recorded as "killed near Fort Duquesne, on Sept. 14, 1758, I researched and found that was the date of the Battle of Grant's Hill. So putting all these things together determined that is how, when and where he died. Almost all of the 1st Regiment died in that battle. George Washington wrote about it in his diary which has been published. A short movie was made about this battle, which I have a copy of, called "And the River Ran Red."

It is more likely from the date of his death that John died in the Battle of Grant's Hill at Fort Duquesne while fighting with the First Virginia Regiment under Col. George Washington during the French &Indian War. John III filed a petition as eldest son in 1770 for JohnJr.'s land stating he had left no will. His mother Mary had by then remarried to John Davis. It is about this time, that John Park II and children dropped the "e"and some added an "s".

Research done by Mrs. Evelyn Potter Park and Dr. Margaret Park & independently from them, Susan Balde Avery.
———————————————————————————————
The Virginia Regiment was formed in 1754 by Virginia's Royal GovernorRobert Dinwiddie, as a provincial corps. The regiment served in theFrench and Indian War, with members participating in actions at Jumonville Glen and Fort Necessity in 1754, the Braddock expedition in 1755, and the Forbes expedition in 1758. Small detachments of the regiment were involved in numerous minor actions along Virginia's extensive wilderness frontier.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Duquesne
https://moreexploringoffthebeatenpath.com/2018/09/01/battle-of-grants-hill/#:~:text=The%20Battle%20of%20Grant's%20Hill,have%20been%20fought%20at%20all.
https://documenting.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt:00agc4777m - the book called The Story of Grant's Hill

Frederick County, 2:208, 5 March 1746 (This is probably John Parke -possibly John Jr.)
On the petition of James Coddy, Thomas Smith, John Parks, William Naylor, Josiah Arnold, George Potts, Darby McKeaver, Samuel Farrington, George Hoge, Peter Foster, and Walter D[illegible] for a road from Park's graveyard near Cape Capon water, over Dillon's Run, into the Wagon Road on Joseph Edwards's land, it is ordered that the said road be cleared by the said petitioners and that they work on the same under James Coddy, who is hereby appointed surveyor thereof. And it is further ordered that the said James Coddy cause the said road to be kept in good repair and make bridges thereon where required according to law.

Died:
Or, Cumberland Co., MD (Fort Cumberland/Hampshire Co. VA) As participant the day of Washington’s Battle of Grant’s Hill.

John married Mary Unknown in 1730 in Hopewell Twp., Hunterdon Co., NJ. Mary was born between 1705-1710 in Hopewell, Burlington Co., NJ; died between 1771-1779 in Rowan Co., NC. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Reference to her being Swedish??? - Kenneth Wayne Parks PS#776

Reference to her being Mary Mislogle ? on ancestry.com - obviously confusing her with John Park IV's wife Mary Millschlagel.

She came south with her sons to Rowan Co. and either met and married John Davis there or possibly while in Hampshire Co. WV after John Parke's death. There is no indication that John Davis was ever in Hampshire Co.,WV, that I've found however. She was already married to him by the time of the court case about the distribution of John Parke's estate inHampshire Co. in 1762. It was not necessary for her to be in HampshireCo. WV for the court case just as it wasn't necessary for George to there when his land was sold. I believe they were both already in Rowan Co. NC long before that - probably shortly after John Parke's death in 1758.

Birth:
or Essex England

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: In 1734 John described himself as a farmer from Prince George Co., MD
• Religion: Quaker
• Residence: 1718-1726, Prince George Co., MD

Notes:

Information about John Mills, Sr., as published on his memorial on Find-A-Grave website:

John MILLS Sr. was probably born in England. He came as a young man to Philadelphia where he engaged in the lumber business with Richard Harrold before settling in Maryland. John Mills Sr. is also identified by many Mills' family history accounts as the first Mills Emigrant to America of his line. The most notable manuscript was written by Jeremiah Mills, born 1784, son of Amos Mills, born 1752, grandson of Hur Mills born 1714.

In 1730 he was described as John Mills of "Manoquisy near ye River Potomac" on the marriage certificate of his son Thomas Mills who married Elizabeth Harrold, a daughter of Richard Harrold. In 1731 he witnessed a marriage at the home of Josiah Ballinger at "Monoguisie Province of Maryland."

He received a land grant/patent of 1315 acres, 12 Nov 1735, located in Virginia. Today this land is located between Inwood and Gerrardstown, Berkeley Co., WV. This land was described as being "on a branch of Opeckon, near but not adjoining the Lewis DeMoss land." In 1743 he deeded land to sons Thomas Mills, Hur Mills, Henry Mills and John Mills Jr. recorded in Frederick Co., VA.

On 1752, 6, 1. Hopewell granted John Mills a certificate to remove to Cane Creek Monthly Meeting in Orange Co., NC. (we do not if it was Sr. or Jr.) John Mills Sr's Daughter Mary Mills Beeson and her husband William Beesonarrived at Cane Creek first, 1752, 3, 7. John Mills?. was followed on 1753, 5, 7. by Thomas Mills, John Mills?, Hur Mills and Henry Mills; to Cane Creek, they were received on 1753, 9, 1. The land the Mills families settled on was in Orange County, which became Rowan Co. in 1753 and then became Guilford Co. in 1770.

In 1757, John Mills Sr. was visited by William Reckitt during the French and Indian War. John Mills Sr. was then living within two or three miles of a place where not many weeks before Indians, had killed and taken away people. He made his last will and testament 28 Sep 1759 which was probated Jul 1761 Rowan Co., NC. The will left one shilling bequests to each of his five oldest children by his 1st wife Rebecca Mills: Thomas Mills, John Mills Jr., Hur Mills, Henry Mills and Mary Mills Beeson. The rest of his estate was left to his 2nd and current wife Rebekah Mills (spelled as in the will) for the support of her children who were not specifically named. John Mills Sr. died 24 11th month 1760 and his death is noted in the records of New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford Co., NC.

In 1730 John Mills Sr. witnessed the marriage of his eldest son Thomas Mills, followed by the signature of a Rebecca Mills who was most likely his first wife and the mother of Thomas Mills. There were five children from his first marriage, born between 1709 and 1724. There were seven children from his second marriage to a woman also named Rebecca Mills that are recorded in the minutes of New Garden MM, NC. These children were born between 1742 and 1757. It would appear that John Mills' first wife died after 1730 and he remarried circa 1740 to the second Rebecca Mills. The second marriage no doubt occurred while John Mills Sr. and his children were members of Hopewell MM, VA. Unfortunately, the early records of this monthly meeting burned so there is no record of this marriage. The surnames of both wives remain unknown.

"When mistakes are published, they are impossible to correct"

Please note: contrary to some published references, there is no documented evidence to support that our John was the son of a John Mills who died 1704/5 at Philadelphia MM. Further, his mother was not Sarah Harrold and he was never married to a Rachel Bates!

Recommended WEB site for ==John Mills Sr.

Questions/Suggestions? - Email Me 

Contributing Research providers;
Cheska Wheatley descendant of Thomas and Elizabeth Harrold MILLS 
Gwen Boyer Bjorkman descendant of Thomas and Elizabeth Harrold MILLS
Diana Whittenburg descendant of John Jr. and Sarah Beals MILLS
David Mills descendant of John Jr. and Sarah Beals MILLS
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From Hopewell Friends History 1734-1934. Pub 1936. Mills. Page 12. In the state land office at Richmond VA are to be found recorded in book 16 the patents issued to settlers who came to the Shenandoah Valley under the authority of the orders in Council made to Alexander Ross and Morgan Bryan. All bear the date of November 12, 1735 and recite that the grantee is one of the seventy families brought in by them and excepting location and acreage are alike in wording and conditions., and are signed by William Gooch, Lt. Governor of the Colony at that time.

John Mills, Sr no 35 1315 acres of land in Berkeley Co WV. The land is on Mill Creek between Inwood and Gerradstown with highway 51 along the North part and highway 24 running through the land. This information is from the book Pioneers of old Frederick County, Virginia by Cecil O'Dell.
————

“Probably came to America about 1708 with Richard Harrold and worked in Philadelphia in the construction business for several years before moving to Maryland.

“In 1730 he was described as John Mills of “Manoquisy near ye River Potomack” on son Thomas Mills’ marriage certificate recorded at New Garden Monthly Meeting, PA.

“In 1731 John, along with Thomas and Reuben Mills witnessed a marriage at Monoguisie, Province of Maryland, recorded at Nottingham MM, PA.

“John owned 1315 acres, in what is now Berkeley Co., WV; described in the patent as being “On a Branch of Opeckon, near but not adjoining Lewis MeMoss’ land.” In 1743 John Mills made several deeds recorded in Frederick Co., VA conveying portions of this tract to each of his sons, Thomas, Henry, Hurr and John Jr. In each deed he is described as “John Mills, Sr., of Prince George Co., MD, farmer.” His sons are all of Frederick County. No wife joined John Mills Sr. in these deeds.

“John was visited by Friend William Reckitt in 1757 during the French and Indian War. “The Indians had killed and taken away people within two or three miles of this place not many weeks before; but the Lord preserved US in our journey.”

“John’s will was made 28 Sept 1759, probated July 1761 in Rowan Co., NC. None of the children by his second marriage were named. “

Hopewell Meeting House...
“was the first Quaker meeting established in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. It was originally known as Opeckan and was set off from the Concord Quarterly Meeting of Pennsylvania in 1734. The actual date of first settlement is thought to be around 1730. The meeting house is located about six miles north of Winchester, Frederick Co., Virginia.

“A land grant of 100,000 acres was purchased on the Opeckan River. Many of the earliest settlers moved into the area from the Valley of the Monocacy in Maryland.”

http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mygermanfamilies/MillsJohnRebecca.html
John Mills was received at Cane Creek Monthly Meeting in North Carolina on 8/1/1752 on a certificate from Hopewell Monthly Meeting, Opeckan, Virginia dated 6/1/1752. Cane Creek Meeting at that time embraced a large area but John probably settled in Rowan County as he was a charter member of New Garden Monthly Meeting, Rowan County, when it was established in 1754. Sons Thomas, John, Hur & Henry followed on 9/1/1753 by certificate from Hopewell dated 5/7/1753.

John Mills and son John, Jr., are called "Fathers of the Colony" by Hinshaw in writing of Hopewell Monthly Meeting in Virginia. Unfortunately the early Hopewell records have been lost and we only know of the Mills family move to North Carolina from the minutes of the receiving meeting. Fortunately, as was often the case, children were recorded at New Garden Monthly Meeting even though born in Virginia and it is here that we learn that Rebeckah was second wife of John and find birth dates for the second set of children. It is also born out by John's will, abstracted below.

Abstract of John Mills Sr’s WillRowan County (A:122) John (X) Mills. Sept. 28, 1759. prb. July 1761. Wife Rebecah. 4 sons are each to have 1 shilling and what they have already received. Sons of a former wife, they are: Thomas, John, Hur, Henry. Dau., Mary Beeson, by former wife. Exr: wife, Rebeckah. Wit: William Buis, William Baldwin, John Baker.

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In 2011 we learned that the Quaker Mills site online on geocities was no longer available but a source online of archives in Ancestry.com found the following pertinent information. It had been posted in 2001 by Cheska Wheatley who has since passed away. We will post a limited amount of this information here.

Cheska Wheatley mentions that the Quaker John Mills family is not her line but she helped a friend with research who was descended from this line so had quite a bit of information on them.

She gives information from son Thomas Mills' marriage certificate recorded at New Garden Monthly Meeting, Pa. In the right hand column customarily reserved for parents and close family members is a signature of John Mills followed by that of Rebecca Mills who is held to be his first wife. John Mills is described in 1730 as living on "Manoquisy near ye River Potomack."

The New Garden Monthly Meeting records, Guilford Co., NC contain the birth records of John's children by a woman named Rebecca who is clearly identified as his second wife. Their first child was born in 1742 some twelve years after John's eldest son by his first wife was married.

In 1742 and 1743 John Mills of Prince George, Md made several deeds of land to his sons Thomas, Henry, Hur and John J. who were then residents of Opeckan, Frederick Co, Va and no doubt members of Hopewell MM, Va. The records no doubt contain information on the death of the first wife and marriage to the second wife but the records are unavailable due to destruction in a fire.

Between 1752 and 1753 John Sr. and his four sons transferred their memberships from Hopewell Monthly Meeting, Va to Cane Creek Monthly Meeting, NC according to the men's minutes of that meeting. In 1754 New Garden MM, NC was set off from Cane Creek MM and the four Mills brothers are recorded as original members of that meeting.

In 1759, John made his will which made bequests of 1 shilling each to his children Thomas, Henry, Hur, John and Mary "by my former wife." The rest of his estate was left to his wife Rebeckah and her children who were unnamed in the will. John died in 1760 and this will was probated 1761 in Rowan Co.l, NC that year.

Nothing is known about the widow Rebeccah other than one written account in 1840 which states she went to Montgomery Co, NC. Her oldest son William was disowned by New Garden MM, NC in 1763 for attending his sister Rebecca's marriage to a non-Quaker. There is no mention of the remaining children in the Quaker records.

Died:
New Garden Friends Meeting
http://drwilliams.org/iDoc/index.htm?url=http://drwilliams.org/iDoc/Web-201.htm

Buried:
New Garden Friends Cemetery

John married Rebeckah Harrold (?) in 1740 in Hopewell, Frederick Co., VA. Rebeckah was born before 1721 in Hopewell, Frederick Co., VA; died on 24 Jan 1761 in NC. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

John Mills Sr. and his Second wife, Rebecca MILLS were probably married about 1740, based solely on the birth of the their first son William MILLS. 
These births were probably recorded in Hopewell Monthly Meeting, Frederick Co., VA and after 1752 in Deep River MM NC. Their children were William Mills, Rebecca Mills, Benjamin Mills, George Mills, Alias Mills (dt.) ,Tabitha Mills, and Jonathan Mills. Unfortunately, these children have never been located after there departure from the Friends Church in NC.

Notes:

Married:
Probably Hopewell MM

Richard + Elizabeth Stillwell. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]