While combing through the Frederick County, VA deed transactions I came across two sets of documents regarding land sold to Joseph Lupton. Joseph, is the person who ended up with Thomas Babb’s (1-2) Homestead in Winchester, VA. The home took a number of turns of ownership over the years.
It would have first been built circa 1735, though it may not have looked as it does today at the time. Here is a brief rundown of how possession changed hands over the years:
1735 – Land Grant received by Thomas (1-2).
1751 – Death of Thomas (1-2). Homestead Passes to sons Thomas (1-2-2) and Philip (1-2-3) and was divided between the sons and Thomas (1-2-2) kept the Homestead.
1760 – Death of Thomas (1-2-2). Homestead passes to youngest son Sampson (1-2-2-7). In quick succession son Stephen (1-2-2-5 also died. Their brother Thomas (1-2-2-6) died sometime after 1764, but the exact date is unknown.
1773 – First sale of Land including Orchards are sold to Joseph Lupton. The homestead does not appear to be part of this transaction.
by 1784 – Death of Sampson (1-2-2-7). Sampson dies intestate and ownership passes to brothers Philip (1-2-2-1) & Joseph (1-2-2-3).
09 Jul 1784 – Philip (1-2-2-1) & Joseph (1-2-2-3) sell the “Plantation” to Joseph Lupton. The Lupton family maintained ownership for more than 100 years.
By the following year Philip (1-2-2-1) received a land patent in Greene Co, TN (Jun 1785) and Joseph (1-2-2-3) died in Oct 1785 in Laurens Co, GA at the age of 45. Philip lives to the ripe old age of 81.
The only living brother not mentioned in these records is Peter Babb (1-2-2-2). Why he is omitted is unknown. A single daughter Diana (1-2-2-8) married Moses Misener, and they moved to Greene Co, TN with Philip (1-2-2-1). Are you confused yet?
Two sets of Deeds
First Set:
The deed of sale by Philip (1-2-2-1) occurs on 26 Nov 1773 to Joseph Lupton. As with other transactions, they come in pairs.
The first transaction is for 5 shillings that was to cover 140 acres of land. This is a bargain to say the least! 5 shillings was about 2 days wages for a skilled tradesman. That’s a bargain that anyone would be happy with!
However, the sweetheart deal ends there. The following indenture for the same parcel of land equates a one-year loan to Joseph for the sum of £280 English Pounds. This transaction is just 2.5 years prior to the colony declaring its independence and the nation used English currency as its national standard.
Second Set:
The final transaction to Joseph Lupton happens upon the death of Sampson (1-2-2-7) on 09 Jul 1784. Sampson died intestate and without issue (aka children). So, his land passed to brothers Philip (1-2-2-1) and Joseph (1-2-2-3).
This set of documents is worth a good read. It’s relatively easy to make out most of the handwriting and it covers much of the transitions discussed above.
The Orchards
Of note in the documents is the mention of Orchards that were on the premises. Those would be apple orchards as it is the local crop of the area. There were 3 varieties of that period that he would have cultivated:
Newton Pippin
Roxbury Russet
Esopus Spitzenburg
While the original orchards are long gone, you can plant one of these heirloom varieties and every summer bite into your history!