AMELIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA AND OTHER NEARBY COUNTIES

VARIOUS NICHOLAS VAUGHAN

Warning! The early records of Virginia have no fewer than eight Nicholas Vaughan living in close proximity to each other! The conclusions made herein are a result of very thorough multi jurisdictional research coupled with a best fit where solid and clear cut sources do not exist.

The eldest is the senior Nicholas who is not discussed in detail here. There are four more junior Nicholas who are discussed in some detail. There are yet three more junior Nicholas who are not discussed herein. The senior Nicholas Vaughan (1675-1730) had sons Isham, Robert and Thomas. Each of the three sons named a son Nicholas. Figuring out which Nicholas is which is quite daunting, as they quite literally lived on top of each other. Fortunately, Nicholas, the son of Isham is easy to identify. Nicholas, son of Robert and Nicholas, son of Thomas are not so readily identifiable. All three lived near the intersection of Amelia, Prince Edward and Nottoway Counties. Based upon deed records from the three counties, it appears that the records of Nicholas, son of Thomas and Nicholas, son of Robert are partially mixed.

Nicholas, son of Isham. First, let’s review the names of the wives of the various Nicholas Vaughan. This part is easy. Nicholas, son of Isham m. Ann. Nicholas appears in land deeds of Amelia Co. from 1768-1773. By 1782 he was in Halifax Co.

Nicholas, son of Thomas. Nicholas, son of Thomas m. Joanna (Borum?). Nicholas appears in land deeds of Amelia Co. from 1768-1773.

Nicholas, son of Robert. Nicholas, son of Robert m. Elizabeth, appears in Amelia Co. Tithables (tax) list 1763-1768, 1770. He later lived in Prince Edward Co., paying Personal Taxes 1782-1786; and Land Taxes 1782-1793. While residents of Prince Edward Co., Nicholas and Elizabeth sold land in Amelia Co. 1771-1777 and 1780-1786. He relocated to Amelia Co. right before Nottoway Co. was formed. He appears in Nottoway Co. personal taxes 1789-1814; land taxes 1789-1811; and deed records 1789-1811. He deeded his land to sons Richard, John and Thomas. His Will was dated 28 May 1811 and probated 4 Apr 1816, His wife was not named in his will and is presumed deceased. He named sons Richard Vaughan, John Vaughan and Thomas Vaughan; and daughters Elizabeth Hudson and Judith Vaughan. Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 03.323.

Nicholas, b. 1753 to 1768, likely son of Thomas Vaughan (1742-1834), who was the son of Thomas Vaughan (1717-1751). Yet a fourth Nicholas Vaughan appears in the records. Nicholas, is found in Amelia Co. Personal Taxes 1789-1803 (It is critical to note that this is after Nottoway Co. was formed.); and Amelia land taxes paying taxes on 50 acres 1795-1803. He appears in deed records 1800-1806; and deeded his land to his son Willis Vaughan in 1800. Based solely upon the land taxes, he would have been born before 1768. However, his know son Willis started paying taxes in 1794, hence he would have been born before 1773. Obviously, Nicholas Vaughan was older. A search of surrounding counties has not found Nicholas prior to 1789. He likely was in the family of his father Thomas. There is no will or other estate record for him in Amelia County, Virginia. Hence he must have left the county. His last year in Amelia County, Virginia, matches nicely with his first year in Caswell County, North Carolina.

Amelia Co. Tithables:

Nicholas, Son of Thomas, is not expressly found. Based on deed records 1768-1773, he should be there. Likewise, Nicholas, son of Isham, son of Thomas, is not expressly found. Based on deed records 1768-1773, he should be there. One of them is there, paying taxes 1764-1768, but it is impossible to determine which one it is.

Conclusion as to Nicholas, son of Thomas and Nicholas, son of Robert. Nicholas, son of Thomas, appeared in very few deeds and other records. Whereas, Nicholas, son of Robert, appeared in quite a few records which spilled over into Nottoway Co. Therefore, Nicholas, son of Robert is most likely the Nicholas that died in 1816 in Nottoway Co. He was m. to Elizabeth (unknown, perhaps Williams). The children some previously attributed to Nicholas and Joanna belong to Nicholas and Elizabeth; and vice versa.

Many more details are found in: https://www.genealogyfacts.org/Surname/Vaughan_Surname.htm.

Compiled By: David H. Robertson, 159 Hickory St., Roswell, GA 30075 davidhr@hushmail.com; and

Chuck Vaughan, hobby1964pw@yahoo.com