I ordered a copy of the entire deed from Campbell County, VA for John Pryor’s land purchase in 1788. I received an INDENTURE, a legal court recording of the transaction (there’s a good description of indentures on Wikipedia.org).
It states that John Pryor was “of Campbell County” which seems to say that he was already a resident of Campbell County at the time of this transaction. John Kitchen, the man who sold him the land was from Henry County, VA. I went to the good old Virginia county formation maps on Rootsweb and clicked around until I found that Campbell was from from Bedford County in 1781 (yes, there was a John Pryer in Bedford County who witnessed a will in 1779–that’s the county with records of Harris Pryor).
The transcription is as follows… Don’t worry that this is all there is… more tomorrow.
to deed
Pryor
__ __ __
THIS INDENTURE made this 25th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight. Between John Kitchen of Henery (sic) County of the one part and John Pryer of Campbell County of the other part witnesseth that he the said Kitchen for and in consideration of the sum of seventy five pounds current money of Virginia to him in hand paid the rect of which I do hereby acknowledge hath given granted, bargained and sold and by these presents doth give, grant, bargain, sell, al—n?, release, demise, convey, and confirm unto the said John Pryer his heirs and successors forever one certain parcel of Land containing one hundred and thirty five acres lying in the County of Campbell on the West Branches of Stonewall Creek and bounded as followeth to witt beginning at Stoval’s corner pine south twelve degrees west seventy six poles to a double pine south twenty four degrees west sixty eight poles to Kitchen’s corner poplar on Catteal* Branch thence along his line north sixty degrees west one hundred and twelve poles to his corner pointers thence off north forty degrees west twenty seven poles to pointers on Wm Brides line thence along h is line North thirty degrees east fifty one pols to his corner pine thence off north forty degrees east eighty poles to his corner pine thence off north forty degrees east eighty poles to S(several?) white oak north seventy one degrees east one hundred and four poles to pointers on Stoval’s line thence along this line south eighteen degrees west seventy six poles to the first station to have and to hold the said land and premises with the appertainances appertaining thereunto clear of all encumbering to him the said John Pryer his Heirs and successors for ever and he the said John Kitchen for his part his Heirs executors, Administrators, and Assigns shall and will forever warrant and defend the aforesaid Bargained and sold land and premises with it appertanences to the said John Pryer his Heirs and successors in witness where of the said Kitchen hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and date above written. John Kitchen (seal)Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us — Thomas Dunn, William Page, William Bernett, Henry Truman, William Chenalt, Charles Rork. Memorandum. On the 25th day of November one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight possession of the within land and premises was given to John Pryer by John Kitchen according to law.John Kitchen In the presence of Thomas Dunn, William Page, Charles Rork, William Burnett, Henry Truman, William Chenalt. Received of John Pryer the within mentioned consideration money rece’d per me this 25th Nov. 1788.
John Kitchen
Tes. Thomas Dunn, William Page, William Burnett, Henry Truman, William Chenalt, Charles Rork.At a Court held for Campbell County, April 2d 1789– This indenture together with the memorandum of livery of succession and recipt thereon were proved by the oaths of Thomas Dunn, William Page, and William Chenalt witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded.Test. R. Alexander, CCC*Cat Tail Branch of Stonewall Creek
