Individual Details

3 Feb 1785
Benjamin Rust, son of Samuel and Hannah Rust was married before 3 Feb 1785 to Lettice, when he sold two tracts of land to John Critcher, bounded by Whitehead Coleman of Essex County, subject to dower of his mother Hannah Corrie.
Westmoreland County, Virginia: Marriage References and Family Relationships, 1653-1800 by F. Edward Wright, Colonial Roots; Millsboro, DE; 2014, p.192; From Westmoreland Chancery Causes, 1791.

This deed is in the Chancery Cases, Library of Virginia website. Critcher vs. Coleman, Bill of Injunction filed Nov 1790. Dissolved by consent of the Parties, May Court 1791.
Deed states the tracts were sold by Benjmain Rust and wife Lettice to John Critcher for 800#'s. The tracts were adjoining, one known by the name of the Rye Patch, the other by Balls on Sandy Point together containing 203 acres, and in the Parish of Cople, Yocamoco Neck. Signed by Benjamin Rust and Lettice Lee Rust. Wit: Vincent Garner, Presley Self, James Courtney, George Brinnon. Receipt from John Critcher noted. Lettice could not conveniently travel - Williamson Ball and Robt Tomlin were commissioners that went to the home of Benjamin Rust, examined and took her dower release on the same day, 3 Feb 1785. The deed itself does not mention anything about the dower of Hannah Corrie, the father of Benjamin Rust, nor does it state any neighbors. On 29 Mar 1785, the deed was presented in Court by John Critcher and proved by oath of Vincent Garner. On 30 Aug 1785, the deed was fully proved but no name is stated.

18 July 1785 John Critcher of Westmoreland bound unto Benjamin Rust of Richmond County in the sum of 220 pounds in specie dollars and six shillings. If Critchers truly pays the sum of 110 #'s with interest from this day, the obligation to be void. Signed: John Critcher. Witness: John Rust.
I will accept Benjamin Rust assignement of this bond. Signed: John Critcher. 18 Jul 1785
I hereby assign the within Bond to Capt Whitehead Coleman. 22 July 1785: Signed: Benjamin Rust.
11 Mar 1785. Rec'd 2056 #'s tobacco of Mr. Critcher, £18.10.

15 Dec 1787 A tract called Balls in the possession of John Critcher which he purchased from Benjamin Rust being in Yocamoco Neck, Cople Parish, was surveyed. Contained a bit over 107 acres. Mentions boundaries: corner of Mr. William Tebb's land, the Rye Patch tract of the Balls tract, marsh near the mouth of Sandy Point ponds which empties into the Potomack River, adjoining lands of Dr. George Steptoe, dec'd and John Critcher's home tract, meanders of said ponds. Ransdell Peirce, surveyor.
Agreement of Jeremiah G. Bailey, John Ballantine & George Garner, Gent. appointed by the court to give Mrs. Currie her third of the land sold by Benjamin Rust dec'd to John Critcher called Balls tract and by mutual consent of Mr. Critcher & Mrs. Hannah Currie, the division line was not run because Critcher had rented the one third. Signed: Ransdell Pierce
Pursuant to Order of the Westmoreland Court 30 Oct 1787.
Allotment of Dower of Hannah Currie in the Balls Tract and the Rye Patch in possession of John Critcher, purchased of Benjamin Rust, decd. On 15 Dec 1787, we entered on the tract, the parties being present and proceeded to lay off the Dower, but Hannah Currie agreed to rent her said part to John Critcher at the rate of Seven #'s per acre, the tract called the Rye Patch, John Critcher objecting to dividing that tract. Signed: John Ballantine, Jereh. G. Bailey, George Garner.
Presented in Court 24 Jun 1788.

29 June 1790. Petition presented by John Critcher described the sale of the land from Benjamin Rust and reiterates that the land was to be free of all encumbrances. He states further that Benjamin Rust requested the assignment of a bond by Whitehead Coleman of Essex Co for partial payment - said bond was assigned 22 July 1785 and granted as part of the consideration money. On 30 Oct 1787 the Court ordered dower lands of Hannah Currie in the Balls tract. Critcher supposed she had no right to dower in the Rye Patch. She has filed suit. Critcher feels ill used by Rust, now dec'd. The petition is convoluted and difficult to understand, but I believe Coleman has refused to pay Critcher the bond owed to Benjamin Rust and Critcher feels he does not owe the original purchase price. Note: The copy of the Court order is included in Chancery File and states clearly that Hannah Corrie is to be laid off her dower in the tracts of Lands called Balls and the Rye Patch.
Answer of Whitehead Coleman. Every allegation by Critcher was untrue. He may have heard of land sold by Rust to Critcher but was not involved in any way. He never heard of any terms of the sale. He had sold lots in the town of Tappan to Rust and took his bond as part of the purchase money. He believes Critcher to be stalling payment.
12 July 1790. Bond by John Critcher and James Rust to Whitehead Coleman for the amount of 300#'s. John Critcher has obtained an injunction to stay a certain execution against Whitehead Coleman. If Critcher pays all judgments and costs the bond will be void. Signed: John Critcher, James Rust.

The final outcome of the case is not stated in the file but apparently the parties reached agreement by May of 1791.

Another Chancery Court Case was John Critcher vs. the Assignee of Keziah Robinson
23 Oct 1798. Petition of John Critcher. (Two copies are in the file.) He had executed his bond as security for Wm Batten to one James Robinson in the sum of £80 (amount partially obscured and may be incorrect) for the purchase of a schooner. The said Robinson departed this life and administration granted his father James Robinson who instituted a suit and obtained judgment against Batten & Critcher and was levied upon the said Batten which property remains unsold for want of a purchaser. Said Robinson, administrator also died before final proceedings in this matter, leaving his family in some embarrassment. Batten negotiated with the widow - he was willing to lease the land for six years for the debt, but she refused unless he agreed to seven years. Your orator was uneasy about the outcome and Batten and himself signed a bond to pay 1000#'s of tobacco at the end of the six years. No one ever qualified as administrator for the estate of the younger Robinson to whom the bond was given. He has been advised to pay off the bond as the elder Robinson left a widow and five children, two of whom were minors, and there might be continued harrassment. He wants to be freed from all future demands. The widow, Kesiah Robinson, has assigned the bond to a certain Catesby Jones who institued suit. Signed before George Garner.
Answer of Catesby Jones denied the allegations.
25 Feb 1799. Injunction Bond of John Critcher with John Smith as security. To Catesby Jones for sum of 2276#'s tobacco. 26 Nov 1779 Bond to Jones for 1138 #'s tobacco, judgment & costs. Signed John Critcher & John Smith.
No outcome is noted and a note in the file states continuance of the case in Feb, 1804. In May of 1805, the case was dismissed at Plaintiff's costs.


Will signed 17 Nov 1806, Westmoreland Co, VA.
In the name of God Amen. I John Critcher of the County of Westmoreland being weak of body but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make this my last Will and testament as follows (viz)
Imprimis: I give my son John the land whereon I now live and all the lands belonging to me by purchase or otherwise, also one half of the slaves belonging to me excluding those that are not already given by deed of gift, to him and his Sister Susanna, recorded in Westmoreland County which deeds of Gift I now confirm and acknowledge, also I give to my son John one book case, on gun, and a looking glass
Item: I give to my Daughter Susanna the other half of the slaves and the other personal property to be equally divided between her brother John and herself.
Lastly. I do hereby constituee and appoint my friends George Garner, Thomas Stowers and Stephen Bailey executors of this my last Will and testament. Signed: John Critcher
Signd & acknowledged to be
the last Will and testament of John
Critcher before us. Thos. Settle
Wm Beale - Wm Kindrick - David Wardrobe
At a Court held for Westmoreland Co, 24 Sep 1806
The aforegoing last will and testament of John Critcher dec'd was this day fully proved according to law and Ordered to be recorded whereupon Geo. Garner and Stephen Bailey two of the exors therein named qualified as adminrs on the Estate of the said John Critcher, whereupon Certificate is granted them for obtaining letters of admin in due form. Test: Joseph Fox CWC
Westmoreland Deeds & Wills, Vol. 21, 1804-1813, p.283-284

Birth	4 Oct 1755	Westmoreland County Virginia
Marriage	22 Jun 1792	Westmoreland County Virginia - Lettice Garner
Death	Abt Nov 1806

Spouse	Lettice Garner (1765 - )
Child	Susannah Critcher (1797 - 1882)
Child	John Critcher (1799 - 1854)

Father	John Critcher (1716 - 1768)
Mother	Susanna Garner ( - )
Sibling	Thomas Critcher ( - )
Sibling	Joseph Critcher ( - )
Sibling	Susannah Critcher ( - )