Stone Families of Virginia

The following article, from the Virginia Historical Magazine, amply illustrates the difficulties of tracing one's colonial ancestors. It is particularly pertinent as it addresses the Stone families of Virginia which are quite often confused with one another. Many online sources show a connection between later generations of the Rappahannock Stone family (third paragraph), the subject of this line, as descendants of Governor William Stone of Maryland, which is incorrect. One veteran Stone researcher and descendant of William Stone of Rappahannock, believes that these two William Stones may ultimately be related, but farther back in time, in England. Her documentation includes papers signed by William Stone of Rappahannock, with co-signers John Stone and Francis Stone (paragraphs three through five below) who were most certainly related, probably brothers.

Origin of the Stone Families of Virginia
By E. A. Stone, D. D.

Among the early settlers of Virginia there were several of the name of Stone. The majority of those who came during the first one hundred and fifty years is given here, with some others. In point of time and prominence, there was first (1) Captain William Stone, who settled in Accomacke Co., in 1629 or earlier. He brought with him four brothers, Andrew, John, Matthew and Richard. None of these left any children. Later, about 1648, William Stone moved to Maryland and was appointed Governor. Two of the sons of William Stone, viz. Thomas Stone and John Stone left children. The descendants of these are traced through Charles Co., Maryland. Another (2) William Stone immigrated to Va. in 1662-3, and received from Sir Wm. Berkeley a grant of 750 acres in New Kent Co. for transporting 15 persons into the colony. His wife was Mary; their descendants are quite numerous.

There was a (3) James Stone, merchant of London, who with others, received 8000 acres in Charles City county, granted by Sir John Harvey, and another grant from Sir Wm. Berkeley of 564 acres in York county. The first grant was made in 1636, and the second in 1647. That he removed to Virginia is uncertain. In York Co. there is on record a will of another (4) William Stone, dated Nov. 25, 1729, and probated the following February. His wife's name was Sarah. He names four children, and from the records it appears they, in part at least, moved into Lunenburgh Co. Their descendants are quite numerous. There was a (5) Theophilus Stone also in York Co. in 1646, but there is very little known of his history later.

In "old" Rappahannock another group of Stones are found. Oct. 20, 1672, (6) William Stone bought of Giles Cale 200 acres of land. This is the earliest record of him in this country. Later he purchased various other tracts of land, until he owned over one thousand acres. His will is dated 1704. He left a wife Sarah and five living children; one daughter had died earlier. He died about 1710-11 as appears from the court records. The widow lived about twenty years after William Stone's death.

There was living in the same county (7) Col. John Stone, who was prominent in its affairs from 1672 until about 1691-2. He married Sarah Walker, widow of John Walker, and when he died left only one child, a daughter.

The records show that there was living in the same county a (8) Francis Stone, wife Elizabeth, who also were prominent from 1685 onward. Francis Stone received a grant of land in 1711 from Lady Fairfax, in Stafford County. Other grants were made later by the same to Francis Stone. There is one mention made of (9) David Stone associated with Francis Stone in 1685, but no other record has so far been found of him. It would seem that these four Stones, William, John, Francis and David were possibly related, most probably brothers. There were grants of land as late as 1727, and again in 1739 made to Francis Stone, one in Stafford Co., the other in Prince William Co. It is possible that this later Francis Stone was a son of Francis Stone who received the grants made earlier.

There was a (10) Humphrey Stone who received in New Norfolk Co. a grant of 200 acres from Sir John Harvey in 1637; there is little else known of him.

There was to a (11) John Stone a grant of land made in Henrico Co. in 1718 and another in King and Queen Co. in 1725.

(12) Thomas Stone, of Brunswick Co., "imported himself in the year 1740". He was prominent in the affairs and a vestry man in St. Andrews Parish. His will is dated April 16, 1795, and proven ten days later. His son (13) Richard Stone received in 1746 a grant of 400 acres from William Gooch.

There is a record of the marriage of (14) John Stone and Nancy O'Bissell dated Nov. 10, 1687, in Middlesex Parish.

(15) Eusebius Stone, of Caroline County, received from William Gooch, 400 acres in Orange County in 1735.

(16) Jeremiah Stone was transported into James City county Aug. 11, 1637.

There was a (17) John Stone (who) came to Virginia as early as 1621 and of George Sandys 100 acres in Archers Hope.

There was a (18) Thomas Stone in Westmoreland Co., Va., made a will in 1718, in which he annuls all previous wills. This will was probated in a short time. In it no mention or reference to a wife or children, no heirs designated.

There was however another (19) Thomas Stone whose wife was Jemima Sturman, whose name appears in records from and after 1724. This Thomas Stone separated from his wife, and their son (20) Joseph Stone was given to the guardianship of his uncle William Sturman. The probability is that this second Thomas Stone was the son of the Thomas whose will was made in 1718, and a comparison of the records makes it probable that he came to America in 1676, with his brother William, who settled in St. Mary's Co., Md., while Thomas came over to Westmoreland Co., Va. Everything in the records show that the two family lines were related. There were, about 1740 to 1750, several of Gov. William Stone's descendants who left Charles Co., Md., and emigrated to Stafford Co., Va.; most of them settling in that portion of the county which later became Prince William Co. They were (21) Barton Stone, (22) Samuel Stone, Thomas Stone, (24) William Stone, and (25) Benjamin Stone, all related closely and all descendants of the Provincial Governor. Some of the descendants still live in that region.

Other Stone families found their origin in the counties farther north, some of them, if not all, being of German descent, whose names were Anglicized after coming to America. There are probably others, but this list shows the complications which necessarily arise in tracing out the various families and their descendants.



Joshua Stone, and the Search for Wilmoth Bryan's Ancestry
Joshua Stone was a Captain in the Southern Continental Army (1780), Justice of the Peace for Pittsylvania County, VA in 1783, as well as Sheriff for the same county in 1796.

Many genealogies show his wife's surname as Bryant, yet the only two records found by this author show the surname as Bryan. Her ancestry remains a mystery, although the following record strongly indicates a probable connection with Fauntleroy Bryan, mentioned alongside Joshua Stone, below. The author has so far been unable to find any further information about this individual, but there are other earlier Bryan families in this same area, so further research will be necessary. Another possible clue may be found from the fact that Fauntleroy Moore is shown in Cavaliers and Pioneers with a land grant in Farnham Parish, Richmond County, for transporting, among others, one Henry Bryan.


From Virginia County Court Records, Account Book Abstracts of Richmond County, Virginia, 1724-1752
Account Book No. 1, Part 1, edited and published by Ruth and Sam Sparacio, McLean, VA
Richmond SS Inquisition for our Lord the King Taken at WILLIAM LYELLs in the Parish of Farnham & County aforesd The tenth day of March 1749 Before THOMAS BARBER Gt one of his Majesties Justices of the peace of said County and by the Oaths of JOHN GLASCOCK; JAMES FORRESTER; JOHN HAMMON; FAUNTLEROY BRYAN; JOSHUA STONE; PETER GOAD; CHARLES HINDS; WILLIAM BAKER; JAMES HINDS; RICHD TAYLOR JESPER; SAMFORD JONES & THOMAS TOONE, good and lawfull men of the same Parish and County who being charged & sworn upon their oaths do say, that JAMES McINDREE of the Parish & County aforesd was Lawfully and Peaceably seized in his Demesne as of fee of and in one Messuage with the appurtenances in the Parish &County aforsd and so being thereof peaceably possessed on the 4th day of January 1749 last past WILLIAM LYELL of the Parish & County aforesd. and other malefactors to the Jurors aforesaid unknown with force & arms, towit, Clubs, swords and Pistols into the Messuage and appurtenances aforesaid Enterd and him the sd McIndree with force Disseised & thence expell'd & such disseisin &Expulsion of the said Lyell from the said fourth day of January untill the day of Taking this Inquistion with force held and as yet holds to the great Disturbance of the Things of peace and Contrary to the form of the Statute in that case made & provided In Witness whereof the said Jurors to this Inquisition have Severally put their hands & seales the day year & place first above mentioned. JOHN GLASCOCK, JAMES IESIER, JOHN HAMMOND, FAUNTLEROY BRYAN, JOSHUA STONE, PETER GOAD, WILLIAM BAKER, JAMES HINDS, SAMFORD JONES, RICHD. TAYLOR JESPER, THOMAS TOONE, CHARLES HINDS
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