Father: Philip Russell, Sr.
Mother: ***** Brewer
Spouse: Rebeckah Russell
m: 30/Mar/1797 - Grayson Co., VA
Child-1: William
2: Samuel
Fleming
3: Anna
4: Tabitha
L.
5: Phillip
C.
6: Phebe
7: John
F.
8: Lewis
9: Alexander
Aaron
10: Elizabeth
(Betsy)
11: James
Basil
12: Sarah
Lee
Biographical Details:
The origins of Philip Russell are not known with any certainty. However, according to a majority of family researchers, his father was an immigrant from England and was also named Philip (hence, the designation "Junior"). Likewise, it is believed that his mother's maiden name was Brewer; but in a strict sense her identity should be regarded as unknown. In addition, some researchers assert his middle name "John"; however, this does not seem to derive from any contemporaneous documentary source and, therfore, should be regarded as doubtful. In any case, Philip Russell, Jr., is also thought by various family researchers to have been born in Virginia, about 1775. Indeed, it has been frequently asserted that he was born in Grayson County, but in 1775 the present territory of Grayson County was included in Fincastle County which no longer exists. As a matter of chronology, Grayson County was not formed until 1792 by the division of Wythe County, which itself had been formed by the partition of Montgomery County in 1790. Accordingly, Montgomery County was one of the three counties (the other two were Washington and Kentucky, later the state) formed by extinction of Fincastle County in 1777. This rather complicated administrative and political history is indicative of the rapid settlement of frontier Virginia in the years immediately following the Revolutionary War. Even so, the present area of Grayson County is situated in some of the highest and most mountainous territory of the state and, thus, was likely settled late in comparison to neighboring counties. In any case, it is a reasonable presumption that Philip Russell, Jr., was born somewhere in either Fincastle or Montgomery County, probably near the boundary between Virginia and North Carolina. Nevertheless, in the population schedule of the 1880 census Philip's oldest son, William, stated that his father had been born in North Carolina. This is, indeed, quite plausible since other sources indicate that Philip Russell, Sr., (perhaps, in association with his brother Samuel) had lived in northwestern North Carolina during the the Revolutionary War.Source Notes and Citations:According to compiled civil records, Philip Russell and Rebeckah Russell were married in Grayson County, Virginia, on March 30, 1797, by the Reverend Elisha Bedwell at the home of William S. Creach. Indeed, a record of this marriage appears in the marriage register of Grayson County; however, no marriage bond has been found. Moreover, the coincidence of surnames is consistent with the presumption that Philip and Rebeckah were relatives, probably first cousins, although this assertion remains to be definitively established. In any case, there is substantial evidence from subsequent civil records, e.g., personal property tax lists, etc., that Philip and Rebeckah Russell remained in Grayson County after their marriage. In particular, in the year 1800, Philip Russell paid tax on one tithable, i.e., a free male over sixteen years of age, and two horses. In 1805, he paid tax on two tithables and two horses. It is not known with whom the second tithable should be identified since Philip and Rebeckah's oldest son, William, would have been only three or four years old in that year (perhaps, he was an unknown sibling or other relative). On April 7, 1810, Philip Russell was, again, assessed tax on one tithable as well as only one horse. Moreover, on at least four occasions between 1807 and 1811 he was paid a bounty for killing one or more wolves by the Grayson County Court, viz., November 24, 1807, two dollars for two young wolves; May 1809, sixteen dollars for four old wolves; May 1810, four dollars for one wolf; and May 1811, four dollars for one old wolf. Subsequently, in the 1813 Personal Property Tax List for Grayson County there is a blotted entry for the surname Russell, but with first name illegible, for tax assessed on one tithable and three horses. It is likely that this entry corresponds to Philip Russell. In 1816 he was assessed a total of one dollar on a tithable, three horses, and sixteen cattle and in 1817 he paid tax on one tithable and four horses.1 It has been stated that Phillip Russell, Jr., was a pioneer freeholder in Grayson County, Virginia, and was granted three hundred acres; however, no record of a single grant of this size has been found and, perhaps, the quoted figure represents his accumulated land holding obtained as a result of several grants and purchases. Indeed, according to the work of Ms. Trula Purkey, on October 1, 1799, Philip Russell purchased one hundred and forty-one acres on Little Fox Creek from John Williams, Jr., and his wife, Sarah, for the sum of three hundred dollars. The associated deed was witnessed by P. Gaines, Jonathan Thomas, John Hash, and James Parks and, subsequently, in 1805 and 1811 it was recorded that Philip paid tax on this one hundred and forty-one acres. Concomitantly, he served as a witness to several deeds executed in Grayson County including those of James Parks in 1799 and Stephen Perkins in 1802. Moreover, on August 1, 1816, Philip Russell received two land grants in Grayson County for a total of one hundred and ten acres on "the waters of Guffey's Creek".2 This location probably corresponds to the confluence of Guffey and Fox Creeks, which is located about two miles east and northeast of the villages of Grant and Volney, respectively, and near the Flat Ridge community. In addition, Russell Knob rises to an altitude of 3629 feet above sea level about three and one half miles east of this same location. Although it is not certain that this name derives from Philip Russell or, perhaps, one of his relatives, such an assumption is plausible because prominent landforms were often named for early settlers of a particular locality.3 In addition, these two grants were issued in exchange for a single Land Office Treasury Warrant, No. 16444, issued May 14, 1783. Such warrants were transferable and were commonly received by veterns as a reward for military service in the Revolutionary War. Obviously, Philip Russell, Jr., was too young to have served in the Continental Army. Furthermore, evidence exists to indicate that his father and uncle were Loyalists during the Revolution. Therefore, it is probable that he obtained this warrant either by barter or purchase.4
The household of Philip Russell appeared in the population schedule of the 1820 US Census for Grayson County and consisted of an adult male of at least forty-five years of age, an adult female between twenty-six and forty-five, three male children of not more than ten years of age, two males between ten and sixteen, one male between sixteen and twenty-six, one female between ten and sixteen, and two females between sixteen and twenty-six years of age. This is in close accord with the known family of Philip and Rebeckah Russell. Moreover, in 1824 Philip Russell paid tax on two tithables and six horses in Grayson County. Concomitantly, it is known that Philip and Rebeckah's son, William, with his wife and infant daughter, moved to Whitley County, Kentucky, about 1825. As indicated elsewhere, it is possible that Philip and Rebeckah Russell together with some of their younger children may also have moved to Whitley County with them; however, this has by no means been proven and was evidently temporary in any case. Even so, a power of attorney was granted in Whitley County on September 8, 1824, by William Sceech/Screech to allow sums coming from "Phillip Russel" of Grayson County, Virginia, to be received by Joseph Sceech/Screech. Indeed, it is likely that the transfer of funds was for the purchase of land, perhaps, either for Philip himself or his son, William, or both of them together. Concomitantly, there were also no "Russell" entries in the 1828 Personal Property Tax List for Grayson County, which is at least consistent with the presumption that Philip and Rebeckah Russell might have been living elsewhere. Nevertheless, if Philip and Rebeckah Russell left Grayson County in 1824 or 1825, they must have returned by 1830 since the household of Philip Russell appeared in the population schedule of that year. Moreover, the household contained an adult male between fifty and sixty years of age and an adult female between forty and fifty. Clearly, these individuals correspond to Philip and Rebeckah themselves. In addition, there were eight children in the household, viz., one male between five and ten, one male between ten and fifteen, two males between fifteen and twenty, one male between twenty and thirty, one female less than five, one female between five and ten, and one female between twenty and thirty. It seems plausible that the five boys are to be identified as Philip C., John, Lewis, Alexander Aaron, and James since William and Samuel F. were already married. Likewise, the two young girls can be identified as Sarah and Betsy. Evidently, since Tabitha was married the young woman must have been either Phebe or Anna. Phebe married in early 1830 so it is likely that she was not living at home; however, Anna did not marry until 1837 and, therefore, the young woman can be likely identified as Anna. In 1835, Philip Russell paid tax on one tithable and two horses and on October 30, 1837, two additional grants for land in Grayson County were issued to Philip Russell.5 According to descriptions of each parcel, both were on or near Little Fox Creek, one of one hundred acres and the other of forty acres and adjoining Philip's previous land grants. Philip Russell, Jr., died September 18, 1839, apparently in Grayson County. It is believed that he was buried in the Little Wilson Methodist Church Cemetery near the village of Volney, but there is no existing marker. Subsequently, a Bill of Sale of property of Philip Russell, deceased, was entered in Grayson County Court during the March term of 1840. As with other "mountain people", Philip Russell was probably a subsistence farmer and it is likely that he and his family also "lived off the land", augmenting their livelihood with the bountiful fish and game of AppalachianVirginia and North Carolina. In addition, it seems that he was also a preacher since there are a number of references to him in various historical works that include the title of "Rev.", but no denomination is indicated. (From circumstantial evidence it is likely that he was a Methodist.) Moreover, although Virginia was a slaveholding state there is no evidence that Philip Russell ever owned any slaves. Indeed, tax records indicate that there were relatively few slaves in Grayson County before the Civil War, which is not surprising since the lowland plantation culture did not generally extend into mountainous regions.
1. In addition, Ms. Laura Larkin states that Philip Russell paid taxes in Grayson County in 1796. If this is so, it would be the earliest evidence of the residence of Philip Russell in Grayson County. (However, his name was not on the land tax lists of either 1796 or 1799.) She further states that in 1800 he was assessed tax on himself and two horses in John Fielder's district. This has been confirmed independently. Ms. Larkin also states that in 1815 tax records, Philip Russell was shown as the owner of a farm on Middle Fox Creek, which adjoined the land of Peter Delp. The one hundred and forty-one acre tract contained one cabin, one barn, and was valued at two hundred dollars. This is consistent with earlier tax records from 1805, which also show him as the owner of one hundred and forty-one acres. Moreover, the location on Fox Creek is consistent with four land grants issued to Philip Russell; two in 1816 and two in 1837 for land parcels on Guffey's Creek and Fox Creek. (Laura Larkin, "The Russell Family", www.geocities.com/Heartland/Meadows/8524/russell.html, 2002.)
back to bio.2a. Linah Mims Esqr. Lieutenant Governor of the commonwealth of Virginia: To all to whom these presents shall come Greeting: Know Ye, that in conformity with a survey made the 20th day of May, 1815, by virtue of a Land Office Treasury Warrant No. 16,444, issd the 14th of May, 1783, There is granted by the said Commonwealth unto Philip Russell, A certain Tract or parcel of Land containing seventy five acres situate in the County of Grayson on Guffey's Creek and bounded as followeth To wit: Beginning at a white Oak corner to said Russell's former survey; thence North fifty three degrees West one hundred and thirty six poles crossing a Laurel (Branch?) to a stake in his own field near his Apple Orchard and in plain view of his dwelling house and barn, North thirty two degrees, East forty six poles crossing a Branch to a large White Oak near a Branch; South seventy seven degrees, West thirty eight poles to a Chesnut Tree on the side of a hill; South ten degrees, West thirty poles to a chestnut Oak; South ten degrees, East fifty two poles to a white Oak; South fifty six degrees, West ninety two poles crossing a branch to a poplar by Guffey's Creek; South ten degrees, East seventy two poles crossing said Creek to a pine; South eighty degrees, East thirty poles crossing the Creek to a maple in a Swamp; North twenty degrees, East forty poles crossing a branch to two white oaks in a flat; North ten degrees West forty four poles to a pine in a flat; North forty eight degrees East eighty six poles crossing a branch to a chestnut tree; South eight degrees, East one hundred and four poles to three white Oaks; and thence forty degrees East six poles to the beginning: To have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances to the said Philip Russell, and his heirs forever. In Witness Whereof the said Linah Mims, Esqr Lieut. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond on the first day of August in the Year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, and of the Commonwealth the forty first /s/Linah Mims (Land Office Grants, Bk. 66, pgs. 67-8, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #132).)
b. Linah Mims Esqr. Lieutenant Governor of the commonwealth of Virginia: To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Know Ye, That in conformity with a survey made the 20th day of May, 1815, by virtue of a Land Office Treasury Warrant No. 16,444, issd the 14th of May, 1783, there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto Philip Russell, A certain Tract or parcel of Land containing Thirty five acres situate in the County of Grayson, on the waters of Guffey's Creek and bounded as followeth, to wit: Beginning at a white oak and chestnut tree on a ridge; North eighty degrees, West thirty eight poles to a chestnut tree and gum; South seventy degrees West fifty six poles to a white oak on a ridge by a path; South ten degrees East one hundred poles to a pine on the side of a hill near a rock; and thence North thirty four degrees, East one hundred and thirty six poles to the beginning: To have and to hold the said Tract or parcel of Land with its appurtenances, to the said Philip Russell, and his heirs forever. In Witness Whereof, the said Linah Mims, Esqr Lieut. Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his hand and caused the lesser seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed at Richmond, on the first day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, and of the Commonwealth the forty first /s/Linah Mims (Land Office Grants, Bk. 66, pg. 70, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #132).)
back to bio.3. "Flatridge was so named for its location: a flat area located within a ridge. The area was settled by pioneers named Anderson, Russell, Parks, Hash, Perkins, and Jenkins, most of whom have descendants still living in the area.
Flatridge Community
Flatridge is a mountaintop community extending along a basically, 'flat' section of land surrounded by a ridge, with elevations at 3000 plus feet. Early settlers to this area were: Revolutionary Soldier, Jacob Anderson, John Anderson, James (Canute) Cornett, James Parks (1795), and William Cornett. Arriving in the 1800's were the Perkins, Jenkins, Hash, Parks, Ross, Long, Russell, Brewer, Cole, and Haga Families.
In the early 1900's there were two stores, the J. W. Perkins, and the Hirman Jenkins, a cannery, the Joe Ross Grist Mill, and several churches, Chapel Hill Methodist and Union Baptist being two of them. Numerous schools have also been located here. There was a post office here as early as 1870. The center of the community is Rts. 601 (Flat Ridge Road) and 675 (Honey Grove Church Road) intersection." (Rodney Johnson, "History of Flatridge Va", www.ls.net/~rjohnson/flatridg/frhistry.htm, 1998.)
back to bio.4. Ms. Linda Cuff-Cornett indicates that Philip Russell was granted three hundred acres in Grayson County. According to records archived in the Library of Virginia Philip Russell received two grants in 1816 for a total of one hundred and ten acres and in 1837 he received two more grants for a total of one hundred and forty acres. Together, these four grants amount to two hundred and fifty acres. However, in the survey description of one of the 1837 grants, another fifty acre parcel seems to be mentioned, although no record of a grant has yet been found. Obviously, another fifty acres would bring the total up to the stated three hundred. These issues are further complicated because it seems clear that Philip Russell owned one hundred and forty-one acres prior to the grants of 1816. Presumably, he purchased these parcels rather than receiving grants. In any case, Philip Russell may have owned more than four hundred acres when he died in 1839. (Linda Cuff-Cornett; database - :1016706; worldconnect.genealogy.rootsweb.com, 2002.)
back to bio.5a. DAVID CAMPBELL, ESQUIRE, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia: TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come, GREETING: KNOW YE, That in conformity with a Survey, made on the 24th day of July 1833 by virtue of Land Office issued Treasury warrant No. 2626 there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto Philip Russell A certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing one hundred acres, situate in Grayson County, on waters of little Fox Creek, bounded as follows: Beginning at a pine & maple near a branch corner to his 75 acre survey N 70 W 38 poles to a Spanish ... & gum by a branch N 30 W 36 poles to a chestnut tree on the East side of a hill N 5º E 44 poles to a chestnut & white oak, near the foot of a hill N 55º E 42 poles to a white oak in a brushy flat S 35º E 24 poles to two white ... in a flat N 57º E 72 poles to a Spanish oak N 15º W 100 poles to a chestnut & maple near his field N 77º E 100 poles to a red oak on the side of a hill N 80 W 66 poles to a (Cinnibar?) on the side of a hill N 35º E 28 poles to a white oak S 65º E 54 poles to a white oak by a path corner to his 35 acre survey & with a line thereof S 10º E 100 ploes to a pine on the side of a hill S 25º E 20 poles to a white oak on the side of a hill S 30 W 78 poles to a white oak the beginning corner of his 75 acre survey & with the lines thereof S 77 W 38 poles to a chestnut on the side of a hill S 10 W 30 poles to a chestnut oak S 10º E 52 poles to the beginning, with its appurtenances TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcel of Land, with its appurtenances to the said Philip Russell and his heirs forever.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the said DAVID CAMPBELL, ESQUIRE, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the Lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed, at Richmond, on the 30th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty 7 and of the Commonwealth the 62d /s/ David Campbell (Land Office Grants, Bk. 87, pg. 280, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #153).)b. DAVID CAMPBELL, ESQUIRE, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia: TO ALL TO WHOM these Presents shall come, GREETING: KNOW YE, That in conformity with a Survey, made on the 24th day of July 1833 by virtue of Land Office issued Treasury warrant No. 2626 there is granted by the said Commonwealth, unto Philip Russell A certain Tract or Parcel of Land, containing forty acres, situate in Grayson County, on waters of little Fox Creek, bounded as follows: Beginning at a white oak, red oak, & chestnut oak by a path the beginning corner of his 50 acre survey S 50º E 48 poles running with John Park's line to a white oak by a branch, & aside the branch binding thereon N 30 W 44 poles to a white oak by said branch, corner to Isaiah Delph's land & running with Delph's line West 68 poles to a white & Spanish oak on a ridge N 52 W 20 poles to a maple, N 80 W 62 poles to a dogwood sapling by a path thence leaving Delph's line S 25 W 28 poles to a white oak in a flat hollow, S 45º E 36 poles to a chestnut & two chestnut oaks & Spanish oak sapling N 20º E 34 poles with a line of said Russell's 50 acre survey to a chestnut tree S 74º E 62 poles to a large chestnut on the side of a hill S 30º E 22 ... to a chestnut oak, red oak, & white oak, S 32º E 60 poles to the beginning, with its appurtenances TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Tract or Parcel of Land, with its appurtenances to the said Philip Russell and his heirs forever.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the said DAVID CAMPBELL, ESQUIRE, Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, hath hereunto set his Hand, and caused the Lesser Seal of the said Commonwealth to be affixed, at Richmond, on the 30th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty 7 and of the Commonwealth the 62d /s/ David Campbell (Land Office Grants, Bk. 87, pg. 281, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Office Grants and Patents #153).)
back to bio.
Additional Citations:
6. 1820 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 50, (microfilm roll - M33_131; img. 63).7. 1830 US Census Population Schedule for Grayson County, Virginia, National Archives, Washington DC: pg. 274, (microfilm roll - M19_190; img. 551).
8. Register of Marriages, Grayson Co., Independence, VA: Bk. 1, pg. 16, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #18). ("Grayson County Marriages 1793-1836", Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
9. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1800, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
10. Grayson County Land Tax List of 1805, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Land Tax Records #122). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
11. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1805, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
12. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1810, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
13. Court Orders, Grayson Co., Independence, VA: Bk., 1811-1819, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #13). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
14. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1813, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
15. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1817, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
16. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1824, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #139). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
17. Grayson County Personal Property Tax List of 1835, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - Personal Property Tax Records #140). (Jeffrey Weaver (tr), New River Notes, www.newrivernotes.com/index.htm, 2015.)
18. Wills, Grayson Co., Independence, VA: Bk. 2, 1839-1849, pg. unk., Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA, (microfilm: roll - City and County Records #9).
19. Deeds, Whitley Co., Williamsburg, KY: Bk. 1, pg. 88.
20. John Perry Alderman, Carroll/Grayson County Marriages, Alderman Books, P.O. B. 1255, Hillsville, VA, 24343, 1987: pg. 5.
21. Shirley Campbell Ramos and Patricia Campbell Kratz, Descendants of Phillip and Rebecca Russell, Gregath Publishing Company, P. O. B. 505, Wyandotte, OK, 74370, 1997: pgs. 6-7.
22. Trula Fay Parks Purkey, Genealogy of William Bonham, Pioneer Settler of Grayson County, Virginia, 731 Rockbridge Rd., Trout Dale, VA, 1984: pgs. 64-6.
23. Henry Hardy Catron, The Kettenring Family in America, 1619 N. 19th St., Springfield, IL, 1956. (Reprinted by Unigraphic, Inc., Evansville, IN)