George Birdwell (Burdwell) and wife Mary sold 140 acres in Botetourt Co., Virginia, to the Rev. Edward Crawford and his wife, Jane McDonald Crawford on 2 March 1779 though "some records show 7 April 1779" (Birdwell history by Aggie Birdwell and Jane LeFevre Teel).
Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Bk 2, p 501: record of the above sale dated 9 September 1779.
George Birdwell bought land in Sullivan Co., North Carolina, later Sullivan Co., Tennessee, on February 22, 1780.
FIRST FAMILIES OF TENNESSEE (2000) by the East Tennessee Historical Society, page 87: George Birdwell of Sullivan County, TN.
Also FFT #15933
George and Mary Birdwell and their children moved to Tennessee prior to 1780, when his will in Virginia dated in September 1780 stated he was a resident of Sullivan County, N.C., at the time but presently away from home.
George Birdwell Jr. and nine of his siblings are recorded in the register of Overwharton Parish in Stafford County, Virginia. George Birdwell Sr. owned land in Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, and Bedford County, Virginia, in 1751. On 2 March 1779, he sold his Virginia Homestead.
Eleven months later, on 22 February 1780, he had one hundred acres entered on the Holston River, Sullivan Co. N.C. This land later became Sullivan Co., Tennessee.
Early settlers of the Holston River Valley.
One reference says: "The land office in Nashville, Tennessee, records show that George Birdwell, on the 22 of February 1780, enters one hundred acres of land adjoining Wm. Blythe's line on the north side of the Holston River and Fall Creek.
"Also, grants number 253, 254, and 255, dated March 3, 1780, George Birdwell enters one hundred acres of land on the south side of the Holston River on Kendricks Creek, where the Watauga Road crosses said road. He also enters land on the south side of the Holston River opposite the mouth of Fall Creek."
Another reference says: "When the family moved to the Watauga Valley in what is now Sullivan County in 1780, the area was still wilderness. The only(?) land record which refers to George Birdwell is a land grant to a person named James Blythe, dated October 10, 1783, and which adjoined 'George Burdwell, Samuel Ward, and Brice Russell'."
Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 1, p. 408:
Will of George Birdwell signed 14 September 1781; probate 26 November 1781.
George Birdwell returned to Bedford County, Virginia in 1781 and signed his will on 14 September 1781 stating that he is now of Sullivan Co., North Carolina (present-day Tennessee). He evidently died in Bedford Co before 26 Nov. 1781, when his will was proved and admitted in court.
At the time of his death, George Birdwell may have been visiting their old home in Bedford County, which he had sold in 1779, or his wife's uncle Capt. Joseph Llewellen Looney (1740-1816) who lived in Bedford County at that time, or any number of other relatives.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (DAR)
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (SAR)
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution: George Birdwell, Patriot.
"The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts" shows George Birdwell receiving a voucher from Colonel John Buchanan of Fort Fanquier for beef to feed the Colonel's company in September of 1758. The back of the voucher shows a receipt signed by George Birdwell & dated August 9th 1759.
NSDAR: George Birdwell's service rank: CS (Civil Service).
He served on several juries in Botetourt County, VA. He was ordered by the Court, "to report the nearest and best way from where the court house is to stand to George Skillerns plantation." He also maintained roads.
August 12, 1773: George Birdwell was appointed constable.
COLONIAL DAMES OF THE XVII CENTURY
Descendants of George Birdwell qualify for membership in the Colonial Dames of the VII Century. A couple of ladies in Texas were in the process of induction several years ago (updated status unknown).
"According to The 4th Annual Birdwell Reunion Report, George Birdwell was a Colonial soldier in 1756, apparently in Augusta Co. Va. This is apparently citing a militia list dated Aug. 1756, showing that George Birdwell was in Capt. Matthews' Company of the Augusta Co. militia in that month (Aggie Birdwell, "Birdwell Genealogy" citing Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, p. 323)."
The Bridwell Family in America (1968; revised edition: Alexandria, La: LA Offset Printers, 1978) by General Erbon W. Wise: Gen. Wise is of the opinion (p.20) that George Birdwell was probably the same George Bridwell ( b. ca. 1730) who is in the records of Stafford Co. Va. The name is spelled both Bridwell and Birdwell in Overwharton Parish records, Stafford County. Page 12: Wise traces the Stafford Co. Bridwell family to brothers Richard (b. ca 1648, VA d. aft 1691, Stafford Co. VA) and Abraham Bridwell (b.ca.1650, VA), presumably sons of the immigrant, Thomas Bridewell, who is mentioned as a headright of William Eyres for 750 acres in Upper Norfolk Co. Va. on an arm of the west branch of the Nansemond River, on 23 May 1642 (p.10, citing Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 129, who is citing VA Patent Bk. 1642, p. 777) Wise assumes that Thomas Bridewell was b. in England, ca. 1620 (p.11).
Descendants of George Birdwell are DNA matches to descendants of Abraham and Richard Bridwell.
All descendants of George Birdwell qualify:
First Families of Tennessee (East Tennessee Historical Society).
Many also qualify for First Families of Alabama (Alabama Genealogical Society), Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Sons of the Republic of Texas.
The maiden name of George Birdwell's second wife, Mary, is unproven. This has been a matter of debate among Birdwell family historians for decades. Most believe she was a Looney. Some others think she may have been the daughter of Thomas Lunday.
Augusta County, Virginia Order Book 3, page 181, dated 28 August 1751: Mary, "Orphan of Thomas Lunday" (or Lundy) was ordered bound out to William Williams who was about to remove to (North?) Carolina.
There is strong circumstantial evidence as well as DNA evidence that she probably was a Looney.
The name of George Birdwell's first wife is unknown.
A descendant recorded seeing an old Birdwell family bible with the name "Mary Riggs" written on one page of it, although it did not identify her as George's wife.
On the first page of another Birdwell family bible published in 1721 two names, "I.George Birdwell" and "Acquilla Lane," are written, without explanation. George's signature appears as "I.George Birdwell" on all other known documents bearing his signature, including his will. Some descendants believe his name was Isaac George Birdwell and his son George Birdwell Jr. is sometimes called George Isaac Birdwell Jr.. Some descendants further speculated his first wife was Acquilla Lane, even though Acquilla was a man's name. She may have been related to the Revolutionary War hero Acquilla Lane (1753-1819) from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, but more likely he was a family friend or associate. The writing on this page of the Bible does appear to be the authentic signatures of George Birdwell and Aquilla Lane. It was not uncommon for close friends and relatives to autograph a Bible in those days.
The first Mrs. Birdwell is thought to have died circa 1753. Her children with George Birdwell:
1. Robert Birdwell 1751 – 1815 DAR A#010380 Rev War
2. Sarah Birdwell 1751 – 1849
3. Ann Birdwell 1753 – 1849
George Birdwell married his second wife Mary probably in Botetourt County, VA., c1757-59 where their first eight children were born, the last three being born in Sullivan Co., TN.
One historian says she was born about 1746 in Washington, Virginia, though most others say Stafford Co., VA.
Madalyn Riley Williams (#47572481) stated: "Mary Birdwell, wife of George Birdwell, Sr. was the daughter of Thomas Looney and his wife Margaret Harmon. Her younger sister was Louisa Looney, wife of James Brigham., my 4th great grandparents. She was born 1742. Orphaned by 1749. She is my 4th great grand aunt."
DNA testing of some descendants of Thomas Looney and Margaret Harmon show mtdna matches to descendants of George and Mary Birdwell, four to five decades after it was first stated by Birdwell researchers that Mary was their daughter.
Furthermore, some other Looney descendants match the YDNA carried by George Birdwell's male descendants. It appears that there may have been several connections between the Birdwells and Looneys.
Book, "Pieces of the Puzzle---The George Birdwell Family History 1721" by Delories A. Birdwell Greene (Tallassee, Florida) at Kingsport, Tenn. Public Library.
Interment unconfirmed. No gravestone found.
Bedford, the first county seat of Bedford County, now lies in Campbell County which was created in 1780 from part of Bedford. The town graveyard of the original county seat would therefore be in Campbell County today.
Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Bk 2, p 501: record of the above sale dated 9 September 1779.
George Birdwell bought land in Sullivan Co., North Carolina, later Sullivan Co., Tennessee, on February 22, 1780.
FIRST FAMILIES OF TENNESSEE (2000) by the East Tennessee Historical Society, page 87: George Birdwell of Sullivan County, TN.
Also FFT #15933
George and Mary Birdwell and their children moved to Tennessee prior to 1780, when his will in Virginia dated in September 1780 stated he was a resident of Sullivan County, N.C., at the time but presently away from home.
George Birdwell Jr. and nine of his siblings are recorded in the register of Overwharton Parish in Stafford County, Virginia. George Birdwell Sr. owned land in Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, and Bedford County, Virginia, in 1751. On 2 March 1779, he sold his Virginia Homestead.
Eleven months later, on 22 February 1780, he had one hundred acres entered on the Holston River, Sullivan Co. N.C. This land later became Sullivan Co., Tennessee.
Early settlers of the Holston River Valley.
One reference says: "The land office in Nashville, Tennessee, records show that George Birdwell, on the 22 of February 1780, enters one hundred acres of land adjoining Wm. Blythe's line on the north side of the Holston River and Fall Creek.
"Also, grants number 253, 254, and 255, dated March 3, 1780, George Birdwell enters one hundred acres of land on the south side of the Holston River on Kendricks Creek, where the Watauga Road crosses said road. He also enters land on the south side of the Holston River opposite the mouth of Fall Creek."
Another reference says: "When the family moved to the Watauga Valley in what is now Sullivan County in 1780, the area was still wilderness. The only(?) land record which refers to George Birdwell is a land grant to a person named James Blythe, dated October 10, 1783, and which adjoined 'George Burdwell, Samuel Ward, and Brice Russell'."
Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 1, p. 408:
Will of George Birdwell signed 14 September 1781; probate 26 November 1781.
George Birdwell returned to Bedford County, Virginia in 1781 and signed his will on 14 September 1781 stating that he is now of Sullivan Co., North Carolina (present-day Tennessee). He evidently died in Bedford Co before 26 Nov. 1781, when his will was proved and admitted in court.
At the time of his death, George Birdwell may have been visiting their old home in Bedford County, which he had sold in 1779, or his wife's uncle Capt. Joseph Llewellen Looney (1740-1816) who lived in Bedford County at that time, or any number of other relatives.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (DAR)
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (SAR)
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution: George Birdwell, Patriot.
"The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts" shows George Birdwell receiving a voucher from Colonel John Buchanan of Fort Fanquier for beef to feed the Colonel's company in September of 1758. The back of the voucher shows a receipt signed by George Birdwell & dated August 9th 1759.
NSDAR: George Birdwell's service rank: CS (Civil Service).
He served on several juries in Botetourt County, VA. He was ordered by the Court, "to report the nearest and best way from where the court house is to stand to George Skillerns plantation." He also maintained roads.
August 12, 1773: George Birdwell was appointed constable.
COLONIAL DAMES OF THE XVII CENTURY
Descendants of George Birdwell qualify for membership in the Colonial Dames of the VII Century. A couple of ladies in Texas were in the process of induction several years ago (updated status unknown).
"According to The 4th Annual Birdwell Reunion Report, George Birdwell was a Colonial soldier in 1756, apparently in Augusta Co. Va. This is apparently citing a militia list dated Aug. 1756, showing that George Birdwell was in Capt. Matthews' Company of the Augusta Co. militia in that month (Aggie Birdwell, "Birdwell Genealogy" citing Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, p. 323)."
The Bridwell Family in America (1968; revised edition: Alexandria, La: LA Offset Printers, 1978) by General Erbon W. Wise: Gen. Wise is of the opinion (p.20) that George Birdwell was probably the same George Bridwell ( b. ca. 1730) who is in the records of Stafford Co. Va. The name is spelled both Bridwell and Birdwell in Overwharton Parish records, Stafford County. Page 12: Wise traces the Stafford Co. Bridwell family to brothers Richard (b. ca 1648, VA d. aft 1691, Stafford Co. VA) and Abraham Bridwell (b.ca.1650, VA), presumably sons of the immigrant, Thomas Bridewell, who is mentioned as a headright of William Eyres for 750 acres in Upper Norfolk Co. Va. on an arm of the west branch of the Nansemond River, on 23 May 1642 (p.10, citing Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 129, who is citing VA Patent Bk. 1642, p. 777) Wise assumes that Thomas Bridewell was b. in England, ca. 1620 (p.11).
Descendants of George Birdwell are DNA matches to descendants of Abraham and Richard Bridwell.
All descendants of George Birdwell qualify:
First Families of Tennessee (East Tennessee Historical Society).
Many also qualify for First Families of Alabama (Alabama Genealogical Society), Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Sons of the Republic of Texas.
The maiden name of George Birdwell's second wife, Mary, is unproven. This has been a matter of debate among Birdwell family historians for decades. Most believe she was a Looney. Some others think she may have been the daughter of Thomas Lunday.
Augusta County, Virginia Order Book 3, page 181, dated 28 August 1751: Mary, "Orphan of Thomas Lunday" (or Lundy) was ordered bound out to William Williams who was about to remove to (North?) Carolina.
There is strong circumstantial evidence as well as DNA evidence that she probably was a Looney.
The name of George Birdwell's first wife is unknown.
A descendant recorded seeing an old Birdwell family bible with the name "Mary Riggs" written on one page of it, although it did not identify her as George's wife.
On the first page of another Birdwell family bible published in 1721 two names, "I.George Birdwell" and "Acquilla Lane," are written, without explanation. George's signature appears as "I.George Birdwell" on all other known documents bearing his signature, including his will. Some descendants believe his name was Isaac George Birdwell and his son George Birdwell Jr. is sometimes called George Isaac Birdwell Jr.. Some descendants further speculated his first wife was Acquilla Lane, even though Acquilla was a man's name. She may have been related to the Revolutionary War hero Acquilla Lane (1753-1819) from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, but more likely he was a family friend or associate. The writing on this page of the Bible does appear to be the authentic signatures of George Birdwell and Aquilla Lane. It was not uncommon for close friends and relatives to autograph a Bible in those days.
The first Mrs. Birdwell is thought to have died circa 1753. Her children with George Birdwell:
1. Robert Birdwell 1751 – 1815 DAR A#010380 Rev War
2. Sarah Birdwell 1751 – 1849
3. Ann Birdwell 1753 – 1849
George Birdwell married his second wife Mary probably in Botetourt County, VA., c1757-59 where their first eight children were born, the last three being born in Sullivan Co., TN.
One historian says she was born about 1746 in Washington, Virginia, though most others say Stafford Co., VA.
Madalyn Riley Williams (#47572481) stated: "Mary Birdwell, wife of George Birdwell, Sr. was the daughter of Thomas Looney and his wife Margaret Harmon. Her younger sister was Louisa Looney, wife of James Brigham., my 4th great grandparents. She was born 1742. Orphaned by 1749. She is my 4th great grand aunt."
DNA testing of some descendants of Thomas Looney and Margaret Harmon show mtdna matches to descendants of George and Mary Birdwell, four to five decades after it was first stated by Birdwell researchers that Mary was their daughter.
Furthermore, some other Looney descendants match the YDNA carried by George Birdwell's male descendants. It appears that there may have been several connections between the Birdwells and Looneys.
Book, "Pieces of the Puzzle---The George Birdwell Family History 1721" by Delories A. Birdwell Greene (Tallassee, Florida) at Kingsport, Tenn. Public Library.
Interment unconfirmed. No gravestone found.
Bedford, the first county seat of Bedford County, now lies in Campbell County which was created in 1780 from part of Bedford. The town graveyard of the original county seat would therefore be in Campbell County today.
George Birdwell (Burdwell) and wife Mary sold 140 acres in Botetourt Co., Virginia, to the Rev. Edward Crawford and his wife, Jane McDonald Crawford on 2 March 1779 though "some records show 7 April 1779" (Birdwell history by Aggie Birdwell and Jane LeFevre Teel).
Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Bk 2, p 501: record of the above sale dated 9 September 1779.
George Birdwell bought land in Sullivan Co., North Carolina, later Sullivan Co., Tennessee, on February 22, 1780.
FIRST FAMILIES OF TENNESSEE (2000) by the East Tennessee Historical Society, page 87: George Birdwell of Sullivan County, TN.
Also FFT #15933
George and Mary Birdwell and their children moved to Tennessee prior to 1780, when his will in Virginia dated in September 1780 stated he was a resident of Sullivan County, N.C., at the time but presently away from home.
George Birdwell Jr. and nine of his siblings are recorded in the register of Overwharton Parish in Stafford County, Virginia. George Birdwell Sr. owned land in Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, and Bedford County, Virginia, in 1751. On 2 March 1779, he sold his Virginia Homestead.
Eleven months later, on 22 February 1780, he had one hundred acres entered on the Holston River, Sullivan Co. N.C. This land later became Sullivan Co., Tennessee.
Early settlers of the Holston River Valley.
One reference says: "The land office in Nashville, Tennessee, records show that George Birdwell, on the 22 of February 1780, enters one hundred acres of land adjoining Wm. Blythe's line on the north side of the Holston River and Fall Creek.
"Also, grants number 253, 254, and 255, dated March 3, 1780, George Birdwell enters one hundred acres of land on the south side of the Holston River on Kendricks Creek, where the Watauga Road crosses said road. He also enters land on the south side of the Holston River opposite the mouth of Fall Creek."
Another reference says: "When the family moved to the Watauga Valley in what is now Sullivan County in 1780, the area was still wilderness. The only(?) land record which refers to George Birdwell is a land grant to a person named James Blythe, dated October 10, 1783, and which adjoined 'George Burdwell, Samuel Ward, and Brice Russell'."
Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 1, p. 408:
Will of George Birdwell signed 14 September 1781; probate 26 November 1781.
George Birdwell returned to Bedford County, Virginia in 1781 and signed his will on 14 September 1781 stating that he is now of Sullivan Co., North Carolina (present-day Tennessee). He evidently died in Bedford Co before 26 Nov. 1781, when his will was proved and admitted in court.
At the time of his death, George Birdwell may have been visiting their old home in Bedford County, which he had sold in 1779, or his wife's uncle Capt. Joseph Llewellen Looney (1740-1816) who lived in Bedford County at that time, or any number of other relatives.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (DAR)
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (SAR)
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution: George Birdwell, Patriot.
"The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts" shows George Birdwell receiving a voucher from Colonel John Buchanan of Fort Fanquier for beef to feed the Colonel's company in September of 1758. The back of the voucher shows a receipt signed by George Birdwell & dated August 9th 1759.
NSDAR: George Birdwell's service rank: CS (Civil Service).
He served on several juries in Botetourt County, VA. He was ordered by the Court, "to report the nearest and best way from where the court house is to stand to George Skillerns plantation." He also maintained roads.
August 12, 1773: George Birdwell was appointed constable.
COLONIAL DAMES OF THE XVII CENTURY
Descendants of George Birdwell qualify for membership in the Colonial Dames of the VII Century. A couple of ladies in Texas were in the process of induction several years ago (updated status unknown).
"According to The 4th Annual Birdwell Reunion Report, George Birdwell was a Colonial soldier in 1756, apparently in Augusta Co. Va. This is apparently citing a militia list dated Aug. 1756, showing that George Birdwell was in Capt. Matthews' Company of the Augusta Co. militia in that month (Aggie Birdwell, "Birdwell Genealogy" citing Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, p. 323)."
The Bridwell Family in America (1968; revised edition: Alexandria, La: LA Offset Printers, 1978) by General Erbon W. Wise: Gen. Wise is of the opinion (p.20) that George Birdwell was probably the same George Bridwell ( b. ca. 1730) who is in the records of Stafford Co. Va. The name is spelled both Bridwell and Birdwell in Overwharton Parish records, Stafford County. Page 12: Wise traces the Stafford Co. Bridwell family to brothers Richard (b. ca 1648, VA d. aft 1691, Stafford Co. VA) and Abraham Bridwell (b.ca.1650, VA), presumably sons of the immigrant, Thomas Bridewell, who is mentioned as a headright of William Eyres for 750 acres in Upper Norfolk Co. Va. on an arm of the west branch of the Nansemond River, on 23 May 1642 (p.10, citing Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 129, who is citing VA Patent Bk. 1642, p. 777) Wise assumes that Thomas Bridewell was b. in England, ca. 1620 (p.11).
Descendants of George Birdwell are DNA matches to descendants of Abraham and Richard Bridwell.
All descendants of George Birdwell qualify:
First Families of Tennessee (East Tennessee Historical Society).
Many also qualify for First Families of Alabama (Alabama Genealogical Society), Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Sons of the Republic of Texas.
The maiden name of George Birdwell's second wife, Mary, is unproven. This has been a matter of debate among Birdwell family historians for decades. Most believe she was a Looney. Some others think she may have been the daughter of Thomas Lunday.
Augusta County, Virginia Order Book 3, page 181, dated 28 August 1751: Mary, "Orphan of Thomas Lunday" (or Lundy) was ordered bound out to William Williams who was about to remove to (North?) Carolina.
There is strong circumstantial evidence as well as DNA evidence that she probably was a Looney.
The name of George Birdwell's first wife is unknown.
A descendant recorded seeing an old Birdwell family bible with the name "Mary Riggs" written on one page of it, although it did not identify her as George's wife.
On the first page of another Birdwell family bible published in 1721 two names, "I.George Birdwell" and "Acquilla Lane," are written, without explanation. George's signature appears as "I.George Birdwell" on all other known documents bearing his signature, including his will. Some descendants believe his name was Isaac George Birdwell and his son George Birdwell Jr. is sometimes called George Isaac Birdwell Jr.. Some descendants further speculated his first wife was Acquilla Lane, even though Acquilla was a man's name. She may have been related to the Revolutionary War hero Acquilla Lane (1753-1819) from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, but more likely he was a family friend or associate. The writing on this page of the Bible does appear to be the authentic signatures of George Birdwell and Aquilla Lane. It was not uncommon for close friends and relatives to autograph a Bible in those days.
The first Mrs. Birdwell is thought to have died circa 1753. Her children with George Birdwell:
1. Robert Birdwell 1751 – 1815 DAR A#010380 Rev War
2. Sarah Birdwell 1751 – 1849
3. Ann Birdwell 1753 – 1849
George Birdwell married his second wife Mary probably in Botetourt County, VA., c1757-59 where their first eight children were born, the last three being born in Sullivan Co., TN.
One historian says she was born about 1746 in Washington, Virginia, though most others say Stafford Co., VA.
Madalyn Riley Williams (#47572481) stated: "Mary Birdwell, wife of George Birdwell, Sr. was the daughter of Thomas Looney and his wife Margaret Harmon. Her younger sister was Louisa Looney, wife of James Brigham., my 4th great grandparents. She was born 1742. Orphaned by 1749. She is my 4th great grand aunt."
DNA testing of some descendants of Thomas Looney and Margaret Harmon show mtdna matches to descendants of George and Mary Birdwell, four to five decades after it was first stated by Birdwell researchers that Mary was their daughter.
Furthermore, some other Looney descendants match the YDNA carried by George Birdwell's male descendants. It appears that there may have been several connections between the Birdwells and Looneys.
Book, "Pieces of the Puzzle---The George Birdwell Family History 1721" by Delories A. Birdwell Greene (Tallassee, Florida) at Kingsport, Tenn. Public Library.
Interment unconfirmed. No gravestone found.
Bedford, the first county seat of Bedford County, now lies in Campbell County which was created in 1780 from part of Bedford. The town graveyard of the original county seat would therefore be in Campbell County today.
Botetourt Co., Virginia, Deed Bk 2, p 501: record of the above sale dated 9 September 1779.
George Birdwell bought land in Sullivan Co., North Carolina, later Sullivan Co., Tennessee, on February 22, 1780.
FIRST FAMILIES OF TENNESSEE (2000) by the East Tennessee Historical Society, page 87: George Birdwell of Sullivan County, TN.
Also FFT #15933
George and Mary Birdwell and their children moved to Tennessee prior to 1780, when his will in Virginia dated in September 1780 stated he was a resident of Sullivan County, N.C., at the time but presently away from home.
George Birdwell Jr. and nine of his siblings are recorded in the register of Overwharton Parish in Stafford County, Virginia. George Birdwell Sr. owned land in Fincastle, Botetourt County, Virginia, and Bedford County, Virginia, in 1751. On 2 March 1779, he sold his Virginia Homestead.
Eleven months later, on 22 February 1780, he had one hundred acres entered on the Holston River, Sullivan Co. N.C. This land later became Sullivan Co., Tennessee.
Early settlers of the Holston River Valley.
One reference says: "The land office in Nashville, Tennessee, records show that George Birdwell, on the 22 of February 1780, enters one hundred acres of land adjoining Wm. Blythe's line on the north side of the Holston River and Fall Creek.
"Also, grants number 253, 254, and 255, dated March 3, 1780, George Birdwell enters one hundred acres of land on the south side of the Holston River on Kendricks Creek, where the Watauga Road crosses said road. He also enters land on the south side of the Holston River opposite the mouth of Fall Creek."
Another reference says: "When the family moved to the Watauga Valley in what is now Sullivan County in 1780, the area was still wilderness. The only(?) land record which refers to George Birdwell is a land grant to a person named James Blythe, dated October 10, 1783, and which adjoined 'George Burdwell, Samuel Ward, and Brice Russell'."
Bedford County, Virginia, Will Book 1, p. 408:
Will of George Birdwell signed 14 September 1781; probate 26 November 1781.
George Birdwell returned to Bedford County, Virginia in 1781 and signed his will on 14 September 1781 stating that he is now of Sullivan Co., North Carolina (present-day Tennessee). He evidently died in Bedford Co before 26 Nov. 1781, when his will was proved and admitted in court.
At the time of his death, George Birdwell may have been visiting their old home in Bedford County, which he had sold in 1779, or his wife's uncle Capt. Joseph Llewellen Looney (1740-1816) who lived in Bedford County at that time, or any number of other relatives.
DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (DAR)
SONS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (SAR)
National Society Daughters of the American Revolution: George Birdwell, Patriot.
"The Preston and Virginia papers of the Draper Collection of Manuscripts" shows George Birdwell receiving a voucher from Colonel John Buchanan of Fort Fanquier for beef to feed the Colonel's company in September of 1758. The back of the voucher shows a receipt signed by George Birdwell & dated August 9th 1759.
NSDAR: George Birdwell's service rank: CS (Civil Service).
He served on several juries in Botetourt County, VA. He was ordered by the Court, "to report the nearest and best way from where the court house is to stand to George Skillerns plantation." He also maintained roads.
August 12, 1773: George Birdwell was appointed constable.
COLONIAL DAMES OF THE XVII CENTURY
Descendants of George Birdwell qualify for membership in the Colonial Dames of the VII Century. A couple of ladies in Texas were in the process of induction several years ago (updated status unknown).
"According to The 4th Annual Birdwell Reunion Report, George Birdwell was a Colonial soldier in 1756, apparently in Augusta Co. Va. This is apparently citing a militia list dated Aug. 1756, showing that George Birdwell was in Capt. Matthews' Company of the Augusta Co. militia in that month (Aggie Birdwell, "Birdwell Genealogy" citing Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, p. 323)."
The Bridwell Family in America (1968; revised edition: Alexandria, La: LA Offset Printers, 1978) by General Erbon W. Wise: Gen. Wise is of the opinion (p.20) that George Birdwell was probably the same George Bridwell ( b. ca. 1730) who is in the records of Stafford Co. Va. The name is spelled both Bridwell and Birdwell in Overwharton Parish records, Stafford County. Page 12: Wise traces the Stafford Co. Bridwell family to brothers Richard (b. ca 1648, VA d. aft 1691, Stafford Co. VA) and Abraham Bridwell (b.ca.1650, VA), presumably sons of the immigrant, Thomas Bridewell, who is mentioned as a headright of William Eyres for 750 acres in Upper Norfolk Co. Va. on an arm of the west branch of the Nansemond River, on 23 May 1642 (p.10, citing Nell Marion Nugent, Cavaliers and Pioneers, p. 129, who is citing VA Patent Bk. 1642, p. 777) Wise assumes that Thomas Bridewell was b. in England, ca. 1620 (p.11).
Descendants of George Birdwell are DNA matches to descendants of Abraham and Richard Bridwell.
All descendants of George Birdwell qualify:
First Families of Tennessee (East Tennessee Historical Society).
Many also qualify for First Families of Alabama (Alabama Genealogical Society), Daughters of the Republic of Texas, and Sons of the Republic of Texas.
The maiden name of George Birdwell's second wife, Mary, is unproven. This has been a matter of debate among Birdwell family historians for decades. Most believe she was a Looney. Some others think she may have been the daughter of Thomas Lunday.
Augusta County, Virginia Order Book 3, page 181, dated 28 August 1751: Mary, "Orphan of Thomas Lunday" (or Lundy) was ordered bound out to William Williams who was about to remove to (North?) Carolina.
There is strong circumstantial evidence as well as DNA evidence that she probably was a Looney.
The name of George Birdwell's first wife is unknown.
A descendant recorded seeing an old Birdwell family bible with the name "Mary Riggs" written on one page of it, although it did not identify her as George's wife.
On the first page of another Birdwell family bible published in 1721 two names, "I.George Birdwell" and "Acquilla Lane," are written, without explanation. George's signature appears as "I.George Birdwell" on all other known documents bearing his signature, including his will. Some descendants believe his name was Isaac George Birdwell and his son George Birdwell Jr. is sometimes called George Isaac Birdwell Jr.. Some descendants further speculated his first wife was Acquilla Lane, even though Acquilla was a man's name. She may have been related to the Revolutionary War hero Acquilla Lane (1753-1819) from Pittsylvania County, Virginia, but more likely he was a family friend or associate. The writing on this page of the Bible does appear to be the authentic signatures of George Birdwell and Aquilla Lane. It was not uncommon for close friends and relatives to autograph a Bible in those days.
The first Mrs. Birdwell is thought to have died circa 1753. Her children with George Birdwell:
1. Robert Birdwell 1751 – 1815 DAR A#010380 Rev War
2. Sarah Birdwell 1751 – 1849
3. Ann Birdwell 1753 – 1849
George Birdwell married his second wife Mary probably in Botetourt County, VA., c1757-59 where their first eight children were born, the last three being born in Sullivan Co., TN.
One historian says she was born about 1746 in Washington, Virginia, though most others say Stafford Co., VA.
Madalyn Riley Williams (#47572481) stated: "Mary Birdwell, wife of George Birdwell, Sr. was the daughter of Thomas Looney and his wife Margaret Harmon. Her younger sister was Louisa Looney, wife of James Brigham., my 4th great grandparents. She was born 1742. Orphaned by 1749. She is my 4th great grand aunt."
DNA testing of some descendants of Thomas Looney and Margaret Harmon show mtdna matches to descendants of George and Mary Birdwell, four to five decades after it was first stated by Birdwell researchers that Mary was their daughter.
Furthermore, some other Looney descendants match the YDNA carried by George Birdwell's male descendants. It appears that there may have been several connections between the Birdwells and Looneys.
Book, "Pieces of the Puzzle---The George Birdwell Family History 1721" by Delories A. Birdwell Greene (Tallassee, Florida) at Kingsport, Tenn. Public Library.
Interment unconfirmed. No gravestone found.
Bedford, the first county seat of Bedford County, now lies in Campbell County which was created in 1780 from part of Bedford. The town graveyard of the original county seat would therefore be in Campbell County today.
Family Members
Children
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Robert Birdwell
1745–1815
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George Isaac Birdwell
1760–1816
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Elizabeth Birdwell Ford
1764–1843
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Benjamin Birdwell
1765–1840
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Joseph Birdwell
1767–1801
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Moses Birdwell
1769–1848
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John Birdwell
1770–1854
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William Birdwell
1772 – unknown
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James B. Birdwell
1775–1850
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Joshua J Birdwell
1777–1839
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Jane Birdwell Charles
1781–1863
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