8. Isaac Arnold Sr. (1685-1757)

Isaac Sr is the son of Thomas Arnold  and Grace (possibly Doyle). He was born in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia in about 1685 He married Margaret (AKA Mary) Goffe, daughter of Thomas Goffe in 1707. Most of the information found here was from AFAS Volume 7.

(Richmond County Cont’d) Deed Book 4, p 126 28 Feb 1708 Thomas Goffe of the Parish of St. Mary’s Richmond County, Planter to ISAAC ARNOLD of the same parish and county, Planter...in consideration of the marriage already had and solemnized between him the said ISAAC ARNOLD and Margaret, his now wife, daughter of the aforesaid Thomas Goff, and to continue the land in the blood of ISAAC ARNOLD and MARGARET...along the dividing line between John Willis, Jr. and Thomas Goffe...(creation of an entailed estate). 

There is a court record abstract that reads:

18 June 1723
ISAAC ARNOLD, witness.  Margaret Goffe Power of Attorney to William Beverly was proved by the oaths of ISAAC ARNOLD and John Goffe (no mention of relationship between Margaret and ARNOLD)

Volume 7 also describes Isaac as...

ISAAC ARNOLD was born in Old Rappahannock County, Virginia ca 1685, the last child of THOMAS and GRACE ARNOLD. He married in Richmond Co, VA, to MARGARET GOFFE in 1707. ISAAC is found in records indicating he was prominent in many County Councils and was Vestryman of the Hanover Parish Church for many years. He was appointed Church Warden in 1743. He made an effort once or twice to establish his land in his blood line by creating an “entail” on his land but in each case the heirs broke the agreement and sold the land after his death.

Deed Book 7, p 491 24 

Feb 1719, Recorded 6 Apr 1720 

Lease ISAAC ARNOLD of the Parish of Hanover, Richmond County, Planter to JAMES ARNOLD of the same parish, Planter...5 shillings...plantation whereon JAMES ARNOLD now lives and 100 acres to the same belonging lying in St. Mary’s parish, Richmond County...old field dividing this land from that of THOMAS ARNOLD...on Jogiteague. Release of 25 Feb 1719 for 3000 pounds of tobacco. 
(No wife of ISAAC ARNOLD signs, nor is her name given.) 
(Note: King George Deed Book 2, p 463 shows that on 11 Apr 1743, ISAAC ARNOLD Jr. was living on this plantation. AAH)

Isaac's will was written the 15th of September, 1757. He names his children and father in law.... 

Eldest son Isaac "all land whereon I formerly did live" land bounded of Capt. Joseph Murdock and land of Moses Pittman and others "and also given to the said Isaac my said son by Thomae Goff grandfather to the said Isaac Arnold and that the said Isaac Arnold and his heirs hold and enjoy the said land forever. Daughter - Dianah Wharton and Samuel Wharton her now husband (land on which she then lived from Duff’s Ordinary to King George Court House) Son - William; Son - Benjamin; Youngest son - Mark "was 18 years old the 26th day of July last"; Daughters: Sarah Moran; Isabell Rogers; Elizabeth; Mary; Jemima; Susanna, Wife Mary Date proved, probated and recorded -- 4 May 1758 (presented by Mary Arnold)

Mary's will, written March 4, 1775 

Daughter - Elizabeth "a lot of land lying on Maple Branch of adjoining the land of Mr. Francis Conway" Daughter - Jemimah and "her heirs forever a lot of land includig the land where Samuel Wharton now lives after the death of my daughter Dinah Wharton" Rest equally divided between my daughters Elizabeth and Jemimah except Jemimah is to pay Elizabeth 10 £. 1 shilling left to all the rest of the children. Signed by mark. Witnesses: Horatio Dade, Mary Dade, Elizabeth Alexander, Behethland Dade Date proved, probated and recorded - 1775.

Children of Isaac Sr:

1. Isaac Jr.
2. Thomas 1710-1743 m. Mary
3. William 1721-1775 m. Lydia Bell
4. Benjamin m Bathsheba Bell (sister of Lydia)
5. Sarah married a man named Moran
6. Isabelle married a man named Rogers
7. James married a woman named Sarah and moved to Faquier County, Va
8. Dinah m. Samuel Wharton
9. Elizabeth m William Boon
10. Mary 
11. Jemimah m John Clift and then William Arnold
12. Susana m Thomas Goode
13. Mark b. 6 Jul 1739

All information in this area was gained by public trees and AFAS

7. Isaac Arnold Jr (1708-1770)

Isaac Arnold Jr, son of Isaac Arnold Sr. and Margaret Goffe, was born in Richmond County, Va in 1708. Married Sarah Morton in 1730 in what had become King George County, Virginia. After his father passed away in 1757, he sold his land in King George County and bought land in Spotsylvania Co and lived out his life there. He died in 1770.

There are some historical record abstracts available, These are all found in AFAS, volumes noted.

Volume 7

Spots Deeds:Deed Book F, p 228

ISAAC (X) ARNOLD and SARAH his wife, late of King George Co. to WILLIAM ARNOLD of St. Geo. Parish, Spts Co. 100 acres in St. Geo. Parish, Spts Co. 4 July 

1763. (WILLIAM and ISAAC were brothers.)

His will:

“I, Isaac Arnold of Berkeley Parish, Spotsylvania County, Virginia give daughter Sarah Steward 150 acres on north side of main road where son-in- law John Stewart lives in Spotsylvania County and one negro named York, together with all stock of every kind and what cash I now have in the house (better than 7 lbs.) The stock, household furniture and land I give to her and her heirs of her body lawfully begot and after death of said Sarah and my son-in-law John Steward, I give and bequeath to my grandson John Stewart his heirs forever. Item - To my son George remaining part of land south of main road 250 acres whereon I now live in Spotsylvania County, 2 negroes Charles and Toby with estate of every kind in King George County, and care of mother Sarah, to have sufficient maintenance from estate.” 

George Arnold, John Stewart II and Henry Pendleton were bonded for 1000 pounds to make inventory of Isaac Arnold’s estate on October 18, 1770. It was after Isaac II’s death that the entail placed on the King George County land in the name of James Arnold was broken through consent of James Arnold, his mother, Sarah, and his brother, George Arnold.

This information is available by searching the index on the Library of Virginia's Catalogs.

Known Children of Isaac (Jr) and Sarah::

1. James Sr. married and moved to Spotsylvania County, Va. then  Monongalia County
2. William married Ann moved to Spotsylavnia County, Va.
3. George married Sarah White and moved to Spotsylvania County Va.
4. Sarah married John Stewart 
5. Isaac III married Mary Porter

6. Obadiah Davisson (1720-before 1800)

Obadiah (Obediah) Davisson Sr. was born about 1720 in Wading River, Suffolk, New York to Josiah Davisson and Mary Skelton. Married a woman named Elizabeth in New Jersey where all his children were born. He migrated to Virginia with his wife and children, along with some of his brothers and their families in what is believed to be the late 1760's. At this time, information I have come by is from a collection of private trees, message board posts and historical books. Not much is to be known of Obadiah's daughters. I will continue my research; but at this time, I would share what I know. I will add more as I find it. Special attention must be paid, because Obadiah had a son named Obadiah Jr. And with records it can be easy to switch information or confuse one with the other.

This book on the History of Harrison County makes quite a few mentions of Obadiah. On page 22, it talks of the pioneers and where they settled. Daniel Davisson is Obadiah's brother, and the first to settle in Harrison County.

"...John Nutter located on the West Fork river near Clarksburg and Obadiah Davisson above him, near where the salt works was afterwards located, and Daniel Davisson where Clarksburg now stands.

These are the principal settlements made in Harrison County prior to  the year 1774."

Here is a 1787 land record for Harrison County (formerly Monongalia) for 380 acres in Obadiah Sr's name.

The Harrison County Genealogical Society has more information on Obadiah and his family. He is found on his father's page, as the author is a descendant of one of Obadiah's siblings. Here is what it says..

"...Most of the following was extracted or paraphrased from Russell Davisson’s book. Obediah [son of Josiah and Mary Skelton Davisson] settled on the West Fork River near the old Saltworks and eventually owned 3,054 acres on Davisson Run. His son, Nathaniel, was killed by Indians September 8, 1778, near the William’s farm at the mouth of Indian Run on Tenmile Creek, about a mile above Marshville. His body wasn’t found until six months later. He had been shot and scalped. 

PROPRIETOR OF CLARKSBURG

Another of Obediah’s son’s, Daniel, owned four hundred acres of land between Elk creek and the West Fork river where most of Clarksburg is now situated. His cabin was allegedly located on Chestnut Street between Pike and Main streets. This Daniel Davisson is known as the `proprietor’ of Clarksburg having donated land in Clarksburg for the original courthouse. He later built a large stone building on the northwest corner of Second and Main streets where he lived for many years. For a long time he kept an ordinary, a tavern or eating house serving food and drink. It was authorized by the county court held 18 Sep 1787. Russell Davisson’s grandfather told him that next to Daniel Davisson’s ordinary was a large livery where he also provided stalls, hay and oats for the horses of his customers. Much of his business was from those visiting the courthouse so he was quite the entrepreneur.

Major Davisson was one of the leading men of the county being at various times on a commission to locate a road, a surveyor of roads, a trustee for Randolph Academy and a delegate to the House of Burgesses in 1802-1803. He brought ‘civilization’ to Clarksburg by being awarded a contract for the erection of stocks, a whipping post and pillory at the court held on March 18, 1785. He was commander of Nutter’s Fort during the Revolutionary War. Daniel also donated the land for the old Hopewell Baptist Church and he and his wife, Prudence Izard Davisson, are buried in that burying ground, now the Daniel Davisson DAR Cemetery. This is located at the corner of Main and Chestnut Streets in Clarksburg. It is the earliest known record of the building of a church in the county."

Other mentions of Daniel can be found in the book of Harrison County's history, as can the story of Nathaniel.

I have seen his death recorded as 1786 and after 1806. But, as I have shown, he was alive in 1787 and here is the 1789 Tax List, that shows Obadiah in Harrison County. I haven't found a tax record for him in 1800, so I am inclined to believe he passed away sometime between 1790-1800. It has been close to impossible to find an online version of the Harrison County Will Book. So I can not be sure when he passed away.

Known children of Obediah Sr and Elizabeth:

1. Isaac (b. about 1746 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey and died 1847)
2. Daniel (b. about 1748 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey and died 1819)
3. Hezekiah (b about 1750 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1797)
4. Nathaniel (b about 1753 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1778)
5. Josiah (b about 1758 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1838)
6. Elizabeth (b 1760 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d 1795) 
7. Obadiah Jr. (b 1762 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey)
8. Mary (b 1765 in Millstone River, Princeton, New Jersey d before 1840 in Harrison County, Va)