Biographical Sketch (1972):81 "John Patterson was born in 1748, his marriage taking place 30 September 1770 in Augusta County, name of bride not given in the record. He lived on land inherited from his father on the south side of Middle River. He married twice, his second wife being a widow Susannah Brannon whom he married 2 January 1806. John Patterson was a Patriot in the Revolutionary War, his service recorded in Augusta County Record Book (Claims) 1782-1784.

In 1804, John Patterson and his wife Susannah deeded five acres of land to Adam Patterson, on the south side of Middle River. It appears that Adam was already living on this land and had built a mill, house, and barn. This land appears to have been part of a ten-acre piece used by the brothers Adam and George.

One by one, as they married, the children of John Patterson departed for more productive lands in Tennessee and Ohio. He made his will 23 January 1815, but his death did not take place until early 1823, when it was proved March 24. He left his widow Susannah certain personal property and a life interest in his land and its improvements, his five children to be heirs at her death or remarriage. He bequeathed to his oldest son Adam Patterson, then living in Locking County, Ohio, One Hundred Pounds; to each of his three daughters, Thirty Pounds; and, for some reason not explained, to his son who remained in Virginia $4.00 in 'current money.' A probable explanation of the small last bequest is that in 1811 John and Susannah Patterson had conveyed 139 acres to land on the south side of the Middle River to the younger son George."

Biographical Sketch (1972):81 "John Patterson was a patriot in the Revolutionary War. Certified copy pertaining to his service can be obtained from the Court of Claim Book, Augusta Co., Va. 1782-1784, at the courthouse, Staunton, Virginia. -- From Mrs. William Bushman, genealogist of Augusta County, Va., 18 August 1971."

Name:2593 The bill of appraisement in his 1823 estate papers refers to "the estate of John C. Patterson." This may be helpful to distinguish this John Patterson from others of the same name in subsequent research.

1747 Birth:559, v. 3, p. 12-13 (Augusta County Will Book no. 1, p. 158) John Patterson was identified as "son, John (infant)" in the will of his father John Patterson, which was presented to an Augusta County Court on 9 April 1848. It is assumed, therefore, that John Patterson's birth probably took place during 1747.

1762 Marriage License:731, p. 162. John Patterson issued marriage license 17 February 1862; assume this is another John Patterson, given our subject was approximately 15 years of age in 1862.

1770 Marriage:559, v. 2, p. 277 (Augusta County Marriage Licenses, 1770) John Patterson issued marriage license September 3, 1770.

1772 Legal Matter:559, v. 1, p. 366 (Augusta County Court Judgments, Aug 1772 B) August 1772. Patterson vs. Gamwell.—John Patterson, son of John Patterson, Middle River, 14th June, 1770. [Note: A Robert Gamell listed as testator559, v. 3, p. 12-13 (Augusta County Will Book no. 1, p. 158) for John Patterson's will, 1748.]

1790 Augusta County, Virginia Tax List:2601, District B, p. 14. 14 June 1790, John Patterson, three white male tithables over the age of 16, no slaves, 7 horses. The three tithables are assumed to be John Patterson and sons Adam and George.

1794 Land Grant:1275 On 27 May 1794 John Patterson granted "460 acres on the south side of the Middle River" by Henry Lee, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. This tract, first surveyed 28 March 1792, bordered lands held by Gamble, Young, and Cupp.

1800 Augusta County, Virginia Tax List:2601, District B, p. 23. 2 April 1800, John Patterson (dumb), one white male tithable over the age of 16, no slaves, 4 horses, $48 tax. Tax assessor visited sons Adam and George Patterson and Andrew Silling on the same day, indicating these families lived in very close proximity to one another. Gasper Silling and son Abraham were appriased on 10 April 1800.

1804 Land Border:2617 On 25 April 1804, Andrew Silling was granted 172 acres by John Page, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, on the Middle River, joining the lands of George Crawford, John Gamble and John Patterson, based on a survey done 31 May 1802. << Indicates John Patterson's lands were near those of Andrew Sillin, George Crawford, and John Gamble.

1804 Land Sale:1797 On 29 October 1804, John Patterson sold 5 acres of land on the "south side of the Middle River" to Adam Patterson, the land encompassing "Adam Patterson's mill, dwelling home and barn and also as much of river opposite to said five acres as belongs to said John Patterson."

1806 Marriage:1439, p. 42. 2 January 1806 marriage of John Patterson and Susannah Branen performed by William King. Bushman's2821, p. 13. review of the original record confirms the name was written as "Brannen."

1810 U.S. Census:1646
Augusta County, Virginia
Head of Family •• John Patterson
Males over 45 •• 1 << John Patterson, age 62
Females under 10 •• << Susannah's daughter by previous marriage?
Females 26-45 •• << Susannah

1815 Will:2593 Written 23 January 1815, "John Patterson of the County of Augusta and Commonwealth of Virginia" bequeathed to his "beloved wife Susana the whole of my plantations whereon I now live with the appurtenances during her natural life." After her marriage or death, "I will that the whole of my property both real and personal except the bequeath to my wife be exposed to public sale, also twenty five or thirty acres which I will and bequeath to my grandson John Patterson, son of my son George Patterson, to him, his heirs or assigns forever to begin at a corner of my son George Patterson on a line of Marques Cupp and to run a straight line with George Patterson's line through and until it strikes the Middle River, . . . to my son Adam I will and bequeath one hundred pounds current money to him, his heirs & to my daughter Jane Patterson I will and bequeath thirty pounds current money to her, her heirs, & to my daughter Sara Sillings I bequeath thirty pounds to her, her heirs & to my daughter Polly Moore I bequeath thirty pounds current money to her, her heirs, & to my son George Patterson I will and bequeath ten dollars current money." John Patterson's will was signed with his mark and was witnessed by Alex. Robertson, Jno. Gamble, and Polly Gamble. John Patterson's will also makes mention of a daughter of his wife Susannah, which presumably refers to a daughter from a previous marriage. This step-daughter is not mentioned by name in the will.

1822 Death:2593 A statement found in the records settling John Patterson's estate indicates his death date: "An appraisement bill of the estate of John C. Patterson, Dec'd., Aug. 31st day 1822."

1823 Estate Settlement:2593 On 24 March 1823 the will of John Patterson, deceased, was presented at the Augusta County Court, with John Gamble testifying as to the validity of the will. George Patterson was appointed executor, together with John Poage, Mathew Blair, Abraham Sillen, and Jacob Welch as securities. The estate papers include an "appraisement bill of the estate of John C. Patterson, dec., August 31st day 1822." Included in the estate were 13 milk cows at $12 per head, total value $156; 62 head of young hogs at $2 apiece, total value $124; rye at .50¢ per bushel, 32 bushels, total value $56.50; 1 feather bedstead and clothing, $40; 2 umbrellas, .25¢; 1 three corner cupboard, $1.25; kitchen furniture, iron & cast metal, $14; and many other items.

1823 Estate Sale:2594 On 1 April 1823, the property of the estate of John Patterson, deceased, was sold by George Patterson, executor. Among the purchasers were George Patterson, the widow Susanah Patterson, Abraham Sillen, John Patterson, and Enos Jones. The sale raised a total of $125.22.

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Complete text of 1815 will: In the name of God, Amen, I John Patterson of the County of Augusta and Commonwealth of Virginia, being of sound mind and disposing memory do hereby make my last will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say 1st - I desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my personal property. 2nd - I leave to my beloved wife Susana the whole of my plantation whereon I now live with the appurtenances during her natural life with two horse creatures, also two cows, with one plough & harrow, also five hogs, with all my poultry, and one bed and furniture & one ??? and tacklings, also one large kettle and two pots with their hooks, two chests and one cubbard, also two wheels and check scale, with all my wooden vessels with my ??? mill cutting knife, pitch forks, scythe, cradle, & shovel plough, hoes & collars, But if in case my wife should marry then I allow my Executors to pay my wife twenty pounds current money with her choice of one of my horse creatures, two cows, and bed and furniture, which is all that I desire to give her in case she should marry again. It is also my will and desire that my wife shall keep the property I have bequeathed to her for her comfortable support whilst she remaining a widow, but in case she should make away with the property un????? to her daughter & son-in-law or to any other person or persons it is my will & desire that my Executors claim said property and that they expose the same to public sale and the money arising from such sale or said property be equally divided among all my children hereafter to be named, but twenty pounds, horse creature, saddle & bridle, bed & furniture I will and bequeath to my wife at her marriage or death to her, her heirs, & forever. And after my wife's marriage or death I will that the whole of my property both real and personal except the bequeath to my wife be exposed to sale. Also twenty five or thirty acres which I will and bequeath to my grandson John Patterson, son of my son George Patterson to him, his heirs, or assigns forever to begin at a corner of my son George Patterson on a line of Marqus Cupp and to move on a straight line with George Patterson's line through my land until it strikes the Middle River. To my son Adam I will and bequeath one hundred pounds current money to him his heirs, & to my daughter Jane Patterson I will & bequeath thirty pounds current money to her, her heirs, & to my daughter Sara Sillings I bequeath thirty pounds to her, her heirs, & to my daughter Polly Moore I bequeath thirty pounds current money to her, her heirs, & to my son George Patterson I will and bequeath forty dollars current money to him, his heirs, & at my wife's marriage or death, it is my will that the whole of my estate both real and personal be exposed to public sale except such bequests as above mentioned and the money arising from such sale, it is my will that the same money be equally divided amongst my five children, Viz. Jane, Adam, Sarah, George, & Polly to them, their heirs, and assigns, and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son George Patterson & Joseph Bell, Jun. Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other or former wills or testaments by me here to fore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 23rd day of January 1815. Signed, sealed, published, & declared as & for the last will and testament of the above named John Patterson in the presence of: Alex. Robertson, Jno. Gamble, Polly Gamble. John (his mark) Patterson