.......................To our forebear Eusebius Stone, Sr. of 18th Century Virginia...............................

.........(Note: His given name was recorded with various spellings in records, as was the case with many early Colonial names in 17th and 18th Century America. This was true for given and surnames, as census takers, clerks of the court, and transcribers would often spell names phonetically. Also, many early Colonists were illiterate, and were unable to spell their name to a census taker or others.
We found the following spellings:
Eusebious, Eusebeous (Henry County, VA, deed books I and II, Henry County, VA Will books I and II), Eeusbus and Eusebus (Henry County, VA Deed Books Vol. V and VI), Eusabus (Henry County, VA Wills Vol. I and II, Eusebus (Henry County, VA Wills Vol. I and II), Eusabius (1798i (Inventory, VA Wills and Adminstrations), Eusebrus (Virginia Taxpayers, Henry County, VA 1782), Eusabus (Bedford County, VA, Deed Book C-3, 1770), Erusbus (Bedford County, Deed Book C-3, 1770).
I have not seen a document actually signed in cursive by "Eusebius" himself. It would be helpful, to see how he actually signed his name.)

(Another note of interest: There are records for another Eusebius Stone in Caroline County, Virginia, believed to be his uncle Captain Eusebius Stone (French and Indian War)
1...... There is a land grant for Eusebius Stone of Caroline County, VA, for 400 acres, 15 Mar 1735/36, (Virginia State Library and Archives). Our Eusebius was about 3 years old at that time. We believe our Eusebius' father was William Stone, and this land grant is for his uncle Captain Eusebius Stone.
2........ There was a land grant for William Waller of Orange County, VA, dated 12 Feb 1742/43, adjoins Mr. Hancock Lee and Eusebius Stone. (Virginia State Library and Archives) Our Eusebius would be about 10 years old, and not a landowner....again this is most likely his uncle Captain Eusebius Stone of Caroline County.
3........In "Virginia Taxpayers 1782-1787" , listed is Stone, Eusibius Poll 2, Slaves 9, County Caroline , Year 1783.......also Stone, Eusebrus, Poll 1, Slaves 8, County Henry, Year 1782. There appear to be two Eusebius Stones in Virginia at this time, one living in Caroline County, one in Henry County. One is our Eusebius Stone, Sr residing in Henry County, and his uncle Captain Eusebius Stone residing in Caroline County..
4........13 Jan.1737/8 (Caroline County, VA) The last will and testament of John Stone was presented in court by Mary Stone executrix and proved by James Pendleton and Elizabeth Pendleton, two witnesses. On motion of the executrix certificate is granted her for obtaining a probate thereof , she giving security, to wit Eusebious Stone and Thomas White. (Not our Eusebius, he was 5 years old in 1737) This is Captain Eusebius Stone, uncle of our Eusebius. (Note: the John Stone referenced here, is our Eusebius, Sr.'s grandfather, and Mary is his grandmother.)
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Eusebius was born circa 1732 in Caroline County, Virgina, then an English Colony. Caroline County is located about upper mid-state,second state in from the Virginia coastline, in present day Virginia. At that time, the Virginia colony encompassed a vast area, incorporating several present day US states. Caroline County was formed in 1728, four years before Eusebius was born. It was formed from Essex, King and Queen Counties and King William, and named for Caroline of Anespach, consort of George II of England. The county stretches from the North Anna River on the southwest to the Rappahannock River on the northeast. Eusebius was born an English subject. Eusebius father was William Stone.....his grandfather was John Stone, Caroline County.

On January 13, 1753, Eusebius, age 21, married Susannah Ballard , also from Caroline County Susannah was the daughter of Quaker parents Richard Ballard and Mary Hubbard. Susannah was reportedly dismissed from the monthly meeting at Quaker Creek following her marriage to Eusebius.

In about 1754/55, Susannah and Eusebius left Caroline County, and moved farther west in the colony of Virginia to Bedford County. Eusebius was about age 23. They migrated with Susannah's father Richard Ballard, Sr., and siblings Richard Ballard, Jr , Micajah Ballard, and Thomas Ballard. Susannah's father Richard Ballard, Sr. purchased land in Bedford on 25 August 1755, and her brother Thomas purchased 340 acres on the same day. Bedford County is about mid way of the present state of Virginia. It was formed from Lunenburg County, Virginia in 1753. Parts of Albemarle County and additiinal sections of Lunenburg County were added later. (See map in photos). During this time, there was great danger living in this frontier county from the Indians...there were raids and kidnappings, and they did not end until the close of the French and Indian War in 1761. The British had built Fort Blackwater, along The Blackwater River for protection for frontier families like Eusebius and Susannah, and her Ballard family. The Great Wagon Road ran through Bedford County, by Fort Blackwater, crossed the Blackwater River, moving down through Henry County. Eusebius later purchased land on the Blackwater. Twenty five years later, when he moved to Henry County, he probably moved his family and household goods over The Great Wagon Road.

On Jan 29, 1760, while living in Bedford County, Eusebius purchased land from his brother-in-law Thomas Ballard and Thomas' wife Usly. This was the land that Thomas purchased 25 August 1755, when the family first arrived in Bedford County from Caroline County. Eusebius paid forty pounds current for 340 acres on both sides of the Wolf Branch, Bedford County. The deed was recorded August 25, 1760. Eusebius was about 28 years old.

Eusebius purchased more land in Bedford County in 1770. The purchase was for 162 acres of land on Blackwater River. The deed was recorded on Aug. 28, 1770. Eusebius was about 38, and now owned 502 acres.

Eusebius appears in the Bedford County records of 1770.....on a bond document, a power of attorney document, and a bill of sale document, with his father-in-law Richard Ballard, brothers-in-law Micajah Ballard, and Thomas Ballard, pertaining to his father-in-laws wishes to provide for his children and heirs.

After living in Bedford County for about twenty five years, Eusebius and Susannah left the county. It is unclear why they chose to leave to their home, where they had reared their eight children.
In 1780, when Eusebius is about age 47/48, we find that he and Susannah have moved farther south in the Virginia colony, to Henry County. Henry County, adjoins neighboring North Carolina to the south. It was named for Patrick Henry (Patrick Henry, the famous Revolutionary War orator, lived in the county for a time, and was a large landowner there, owning about 10,000 acres). Henry County was formed from Pittsylvania County in 1776, and still contained present day Franklin and Patrick Counties at the time.
In 1780, we find Eusebius and Susannah already living on land located on the east fork of Town Creek in Henry County. He purchased the tract of land from William Mullings, who had owned the land since 1 March 1773. Mullings had most likely developed it with a plantation dwelliong, and other improvements, so Eusebius and Susannah could immediately move in. The land deed for Eusebius was recorded 28 December 1780 for a 150 acre tract for a cost of 80 pounds, and states in the deed that Eusebius is already living there, as stated by the seller in the deed. It is unknown exactly when Eusebius first occupied the land on Town Creek, but probably weeks or a few months before the deed was recorded. The plantation home was most likely a log or clapboard structure prevalent in the county. As far as we know, and it no longer exists. It would have been located about 6/7 miles from Henry County's first courthouse, near present day Stanleytown, where Fort Trial was located. Fort Trial was visited by Colonel George Washington about 1755, about 25 years before Eusebius arrived, but the remains of the fort were probably still there, when Eusebius and Susannah lived there. Fort Trial was built to protect early settlers from an Indian attack during the French and Indian War. Later deemed unnecessary, and abandoned by the Virginia's British governor.
We assume that Eusebius sold his 502 acres of land that he owned in Bedford County, before moving to Henry County.
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In 1780, Eusebius is listed in Henry County, Virginia Tithables. (He did not serve in the Rev. War, however his son Richard Stone did.
In 1781, Eusebius' son Stephen Stone, purchased a tract of land adjoining his father's land on the east fork of Town Creek in Henry County.

In 1782, "Eusebrus" Stone is listed in "Virginia Taxpayers 1782-1787" as follows:
Poll 1, Slave 8, County Henry


In 1787, Eusebius purchased 100 acres of land on the east side of Smith River. This tract of land is probably not far from the land that he purchased on Town Creek in 1780, as Town Creek flows into the Smith River.
"Extract from a deed executed by Alex. Hunter to Eusebius Stone bearing date 2d of February 1787"
One hundred acres, known as Tates Place on Smiths River. Beginning at the upper end of such place on a corner Walnut Saplin on Smiths River , thence of East to a corner Chestnut Tree on the old back line, Thence along the old line, South to a corner Line joining Nunns land, thence Sou West along Nunns line to the River, to a corner Sycamore tree on the River bank , thence up the river as it meanders to the beginning.
.....................................................Teste
.......................................................................Anthony M. Dupuy ck. Henry
This land charged to Stephen Stone on Comm books since 1811
(Note: Stephen Stone was Eusebius Sr.'s son. Stephen purchased this land at auction, when his father died in 1798)
Eusebius may have sold his land on Town Creek at this time. He and Susannah appear to have made a new home on the Smith River, as it is listed in the Auction Advertisement for November 8, 1798, by Susannah Ballard Stone, after Eusebius' death, with no mention of the Town Creek property.

In 1795, fifteen years after his land purchase in 1780 on Town Creek in Henry County, and eight years after his 1787 land purchase on Smiths River, Eusebius, Senr., age about 63, purchased an additional 190 acres on the waters of Smith River, adjoining his existing tract.He purchased it from Thomas Nunn (Henry County Deed Book, Vol V and VI pp. 159-160.)
"Extract from a deed executed by Thomas Nunn to Eusebius Stone, Sen. on the 27 April 1795 of record in Henry County Court Clerks Office"
................. A certain tract, piece or parcel of land situate lying and being in the County of Henry on the waters of Smiths River containing one hundred and ninety acres , and bounded as follows to wit: Beginning at pointers in Randolph's order line, on the laid River, thence up the same as it meanders to John Pelfreys Corner Spanish Oak, thence new lined East one hundred and twenty poles to a chesnut oak , South thirteen degrees East two hundred poles a black Gum on little rock Creek, thence down the same to Newsom Paces Corner pine, thence down Paces line to Pointed? in said order line, thence with that line North thirty degrees East two hundred and sixty five poles to the first Station.
...................................................................Teste
................................................................................Anthony M. Dupuy ck.
Still charged to Eusebius Stone on Comm books

His acreage on Smith River totaled 290 acres, and along with his Town Creek acreage of 190, he owned a total of 480 acres in Henry County. It is believed that the land on Town Creek was sold before Eusebius death in 1798, as it was not included in the auction of his estate in 1798, held by his widow Susannah Ballard Stone.

It is unknown why Eusebius and Susannah decided to leave their home of 25 years in Bedford County, and move to Henry County during the Revolutionary War. Their new home on Town Creek was located in the northwestern part of Henry County. Town Creek is a large stream that merges into the larger Smith River. It is about 2 to 3 miles from the present town of Bassett, present day Philpott Lake and Dam, and not far from the community of Henry in present day Franklin County. Perhaps, land on Town Creek was more fertile, than his land in Bedford, we don't know. The Great Wagon Road of Colonial America, and the most traveled in all of America, ran from Pennsylvania, down through the Valley of Virginia, through Bedford County, through present day Roanoke, and down through Henry County, moving by the village of Henry in Franklin County, then passed by Town Creek, crossed the Smith River,, then continued south in the county, until it crossed the North Carolina border and moved into the Yadkin Valley. Eusebius and Susannah would have seen settlers traveling south, seeking new homes and cheaper land. The road may have snaked by, or was on their property along Town Creek. As the Revolutionary War closed down, the primitive inn stops along The Great Wagon Road became towns.
Eusebius was most likely a farmer along Town Creek, and may have grown tobacco, as that became the cash crop of the county. In 1782, he owned 8 slaves, and most likely used them to farm his land on Town Creek, and later on the land he purchased on Smith River. This was during the Revolutionary War period, but Eusebius did not serve as he was about age 50.....however, his son Richard Stone did. There was no active fighting in the county during the war, but the county made great contributions to the war effort with soldiers and supplies. Eusebius lived a few miles from the hospital set up at the county courthouse at Stanleytown, which was also a stop for captured British prisoners on their way
north to Bedford County, or Winchester.

Eusebius died prior to June 22, 1798, the exact date is not recorded, however, it may have been early June, as inventories were usually conducted shortly after a death.

After his death, there was an inventory estimate in Will Book I, p. 290, dated June 22, 1798 ,
It lists: Negros (five named), horses, cattle, furn., tools
(Note: See copy of the the inventory of Eusebius Stone, Sr. at left in the photos. It is an inventory of the Personal Property of the estate of Eusebius Stone, deceased, as ordered by the court (Henry). Conducted and valued June 22, 1798, by John Redd, Joseph Anthony and Henry Clarke. Total value 549 pounds 1 shilling.)

..........About four months after Eusebius' death, his wife Susannah Ballard Stone posted an Avertisement, dated October 5, 1798, advertising the sale of his estate at auction on November 8, 1798. Including: land, 290 acres on Smith River, the plantation dwelling, additional out buildings, a parcell of Virginia born slaves, orchards, horses, pigs, sheep, furniture, etc. As Eusebius had died intestate, Susannah was appointed Administrator of his estate. As his widow, her dower share was one third, and the children share two thirds.
Eusebius and Susannah's son Stephen Turner Stone purchased the estate at auction for 400 pounds. He had to adhere to the terms of the sale, giving bond, and paying required interest.

On 29 August 1810, there was a account returned by his wife, Susannah, Adminstrator, listing payments made by the estate of Eusebius to six individuals (all 6 names listed), and payments received from twenty one individuals (all names listed).

Controversy developed over the dispensation of the estate, and twenty years after Eusebius, Sr.'s death in 1798, and the sale of his estate the same year , two of the grandchildren Thomas and John Stone, son of William Stone who died in 1795, filed a Bill of Complaint in Chancery Court in Henry County against their grandmother Susannah Ballard Stone (Administrator), and their uncles. Their complaint was that they had not received any part of their grandfather's estate, and because their father William Stone predeceased their grandfather Eusebius, they were excluded from inheriting their father's part of the estate. Their grandmother Susannah was about 83 years old at the time.
More controversy....in 1837, thirty nine years after Eusebius died, there was another Chancery Case in Henry County, still pertaining to the dispensation of his estate, with new family members with complaints. Susannah, and most of her children were dead....so later generations were the players.

Eusebius was most likely buried on his home plantation on the Smith River in Henry County. Probably marked by a fieldstone....his grave now lost to time, erosion, plowed over by subsequent farming, or land development.

CHILDREN of Eusebius and Susannah Ballard Stone:

1...Richard Stone (b. circa 1753, Caroline County, Virginia?). He married Martha Key
....about 1780. He died in Patrick Co., Va. in 1825.

2...Eusebious Stone, Jr. (b. circa 1755, Bedford County, Virginia?). He married
....Theodosia "Dosha" Nunn (b. 1774) about 1790. He died in
....Patrick Co., Va. Oct. 13, 1841.

3...William Stone (b. circa 1757, Bedford County, Virginia) married Elizabeth "Betsy"
....Nunn on Sept. 14, 1793 in Henry Co., Va.

4...Stephen Stone (b. circa 1759, Bedford County, Virginia). He married Bathsheba
....Hurt in 1781 in Henry County, Va. His will was
....probated March 26, 1831 in Henry Co., Va.

5...John Stone (b. circa 1760, born Bedford County, Virginia). He married Mary Philpott
....in 1792 in Henry Co., Va.

6...Micajah Stone (b. circa 1761, Bedford County, Virginia). He married Martha
....Cesterton in 1793 in Henry Co., Va.

7...Mary Millicent "Milly" Stone Franklin (1764-1841) Born Bedford County, Virginia
....She married Lewis Franklin March 21, 1787 in Henry
....County, Virginia

8...Jeremiah Stone (b. circa 1768 , Bedford County, Virginia). He married Mary
...."Polly" Baker in 1796.

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.............................1790 CENSUS...................
.........................HENRY COUNTY, VIRGINIA............
.......................(PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX).............

Recorded May 29, 1790

Under "S".....
.....OWNERS NAME
.....Line 2

Eusibious Stone:

Category: Free whites over 16......1
Blacks over 16.....................0
Blacks over 12, under 16...........0
Horses.............................3

(This was probably Eusebius' son, Eusebius, Jr.)

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Written by: Rebecca Prillaman , 5th great granddaughter (by his son Stephen Stone) grew up about 7 miles from Eusebius' home.