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VACHEL DILLINGHAM, (William2, Robert1), b. Maryland, ca 1736; d. Christian Co., Ky., between 9 Dec. 1802 and Feb. 1803; m. lst Ann (---) m. 2nd Hester Rentfro dau. of James and Esther (Van Bibber) Rentfro.
Vachel Dillingham was probably the oldest son of William Dillingham of Maryland and Virginia, and was born in Maryland about 1736.
The first record of Vachel Dillingham was found in the Annapolis, Maryland, Hall of Records in, "Anne Arundel County Judgment, 1702-1793." In November 1754, Vachel Dillingham was accused of assault. The case of Vachel Dillingham vs Owen Forest was continued in March 1755, and in June of that year, Vachel won his case.
The Dillingham family appears to have moved from Maryland to Virginia shortly after Vachel's case was settled. His father was listed among those who furnished supplies to Lunenburg County, Virginia, troops in 1755. In September 1758, Vachel Dillingham was a private in the Bedford County, Virginia, Militia, Captain John Cargill's Company. (Bedford was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753., and the Dillinghams must have lived near the county line).
On 20 May 1762. Vachel Dillingham received a grant of six hundred acres of land from the Commonwealth of Virginia in the county of Halifax.
Vachel Dillingham was probably married by that time. His first wife was named Ann, but her surname is unknown. He had at least one child, a daughter, Patience, born about 1760, by his first wife, and possibly two of his sons, but Ann was deceased prior to 1765 when Vachel married Hester Rentfro, daughter of James and Esther (Van Bibber) Rentfro. In July 1765, James Rentfro conveyed one hundred acres in Halifax County, Virginia, to Vachel Dillingham, and it is assumed that this was Hester's dower.
In 1766 the county of Pittsylvania was formed from Halifax, and although they did not move, the Dillinghams were then residents of the new county. From the Vestry Book of Camden Parish, Pittsylvania County, it was learned that in 1766, Vachel Dillingham was one of those appointed, "...to Procession all the Parish lands from South of Simmons Creek up Blackwater (River) to the head thereof."
The name of Vachel Dillingham was in the first list of Tithables of Pittsylvania County in 1767, with two tithes and 100 acres. He owned one house slave at that time. He was on the county tax list again in 1769. There is no record of the six hundred acre grant of land in Halifax County to be found today, and since he was listed with only one hundred acres in 1767, he must have sold it before that time.
In January 1770, Vachel Dillingham received a grant of eight hundred acres of land in Pittsylvania County from the Commonwealth of Virginia. He was again appointed Processioneur in 1771 and 1772, for lands on Sycamore Creek, Camden Parish, Pittsylvania County.
On 14 September 1773, Vachel Dillingham conveyed one hundred acres of land in Pittsylvania County to James Calloway. This may be an indication that Vachel moved about that time. He was a resident of Montgomery County, Virginia, by the time of the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, and he took the "Oath of Allegiance" In that county. He served as a private early In the war ?1 and Is a recognized "Patriot Soldier of the Revolution, In records of the National Society of the Daughters of the American-Revolution.
The fledgling United States Government often could not pay the soldiers in money, but used land grants in the newly opened up western districts - frontier lands - as payment for military service. One of these tracts, Washington County, North Carolina, was laid off by the legislature of North Carolina in November 1777, and it was to this new district that Vachel Dillingham moved from Virginia. He was appointed Constable for his district at the first court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Washington County, 23 February 1778. He was a juryman, 22 November 1779. Among other Virginians who were early settlers of the new region, which later became Tennessee, were a number of Rentfros, relatives of Vachel's wife.
Vachel Dillingham entered two tracts of land, in 1778, and in 1779. He received the grants of these lands in 1782 for one hundred and forty-nine acres in Washington County, on a branch of Horse Creek, including the Turnip Patch improvement, and in 1783, nine hundred and forty acres on Horse Creek, the south side of Holston River. This large tract fell in the newly-created county of Sullivan, taken from Washington County.
By 1785, Vachel and his family had moved on to another area. On 18 June 1785, Vachel Dillingham received a grant of six hundred and forty acres in South Carolina. His brother, John Dillingham and several other Virginia families, also removed to South Carolina about the same time, between 1732 and 1785.
Court records of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, contain the name of Vachel Dillingham as a juror in 1785.
The first Federal Census of the United States was enumerated In 1790, and Vachel Dillingham was listed in 96 District, Greenville County, South Carolina. His household consisted of two males under sixteen years of age, two males over sixteen, one female, and five slaves. His sons, James and Jesse Michael, were also heads of households in the same district.
In 1791 Vachel sold his lands in Sullivan County, Tennessee, formerly North Carolina, and in 1791, 1793, and 1795, sold off his property on North Saluda River, Greenville County, South Carolina, making ready to move again.
Vachel Dillingham next appeared in the Tax Lists of Christian County, Kentucky, from 1797 through 1802. He had a survey made of two hundred acres of land on Little River, Christian County, 5 December 1798. Vachel was listed in the second Census of Kentucky - made up from Tax Lists - in Christian County, 22 August 1800. His sons, James, Jesse Michael, and Vachel, Jr. were also in the Christian County 1800 lists.
On 14 April 1800, Vachel Dillingham bought a negro girl, "Nantz" at public auction in Christian County. He bought a negro boy named Harvey, about five years old, for $150.00 on 28 January 1801, and sold the same boy in July of that year. He was witness to the sale of several negroes by his daughter, Stacy Babcock, 27 July 1802.
The following is the Will of Vachel Dillingham, Senior dated 9 December 1802, Christian County, Kentucky, and recorded in Book "A", pages 11, 12, and 13.
"In the name of God, Amen.
I Vachel Dillingham, Senr. of the State of Kentucky & Christian County, Being much afflicted of body, and reduced to a low State of Health but of sound mind and memory, Knowing it was Once appointed for all men to Die, I do make this my last Will and Testament. First I Recommend my Soul to God who gave it to me and my body to the Earth to be Buryed in a Christian like manner.
Secondly I give and bequeath to my dear and well beloved Wife Hester Dillingham three Negroes Known by the name of Amey, Squire & Puck during her Widowhood & after to be Equally divided between my Sons Wm. Dillingham and Joshua Dillingham and also all my Horses Cattle and hogs for the use of the Family. Also my household and Kitchen Furniture And working tools. And it is my wish and Desire, that my land, where I now live Should be sold and out of the Purchase Money, I want one Negro Girl or boy bought for my youngest
Daughter Stacy (Babcock) Between six and twelve years old, to her and her heirs forever and not to be sold at all., Also I give and bequeath to my Sons James, Michael, Vachel, William and Joshua a Bond on John Wood for two Negroes and fifty pounds Virginia Currency. And Whoever undertakes to Collect it must be allowed out of the bond for their Trouble. Also I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Hester Dillingham, William & Joshua Dillingham my land on Tradewater and to be divided at their Mother's death equally between them. Also I give and bequeath to my Eldest Daughter, Patience One cow and Calf. And after all my Just debts is paid, if anything not recollected to be applied, to the use of the family. I hereby appoint my wife Hester Dillingham, James Dillingham and Michael Dillingham My hold & Sole Executors of this and do hereby Disannull all former Wills and Instruments of this nature. In Witness whereof I have herewith set my own name & fix my seal.
This 9th day December 1802 in the presence of us Isaac Hargis
Wm Cozart his Vachel Dillingham Sr.
William W (mark) Huustman Seal
Christian County Court
Feby Term 1803 The Within Will was produced In Court Sworn to by three subscribing Witnesses thereto and Ordered to be Recorded.
Teste
John Clark
Thus the date of Vachel Dillingham's death may be fixed at between 9 December 1802 and February 1803.
Children of Vachel Dillingham according to his Will:
i. James Dillingham, b. prob. Va., ca 1758; d. Caldwell Co., Ky., prob. ca 18304. m. before 1790, Hannah Young.
ii. Patience Dillingham, b. Va., ca 1760; m. Va., Benjamin Clark. Lived Kentucky.
iii. Michael, also known as Jesse Michael Dillingham, b. Va., ca 1762-1764'; d. aged 87, Muhlenburg Co., Ky.; m. by 1790, prob., S.C., Demaris Earle, b. 11 Jan. 1771.
iv. Vachel Dillingham, Jr., over 16 In 1790; d. Christian Co., Ky., Will dated 7 May 1803, Probated 30 June 1803; m. Christian Co., Ky., 26 Feb. 1799, Mary "Polly" Smith.
v. Stacy Dillingham, m. Abijah Babcock. Lived in Ky. She is also said to have married first a Mr. Morsel.
vi William Dillingham, under 16 in 1790; d. Williamson Co. Ill., 1863; m. Caldwell Co. Ky. 3 Oct. 1809, Mourning Smith. Lived Ky.
vii. Joshua Dillingham. under 16 in 1790; ; m. Caldwell Co., Ky., 23 Sept. 1809, Mary "Ritty" Smith. He is believed to have migrated to Davidson Co., Tenn.
"Dillinghams of Big Ivy Buncombe County., N.C. and Related Families.," Margaret Wallis Haile, 1979, Part I, pages ll., 123 133 14.
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Abt 1736 - Bef 1803 (~ 67 years)
Children