Individual Details

Birth

In William Byrd's The Secret Histories section of his book telling of the expedition in 1728 to survey the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina he describes Capt. Robert Hicks as:
"Old Capt. Hix ...who turn'd his Hand to every thing not withstanding his great Age, disdaining to be thought the worse for Threescore & ten.

Miscellaneous

There is good evidence that Robert "The Tailor" Hicks was the father of Capt. Robert Hicks, Sr., although the relationship is not proven.

Robert Hicks, John Hicks, and an older Robert Hicks all lived in Charles City Co., VA and the surrounding area in the mid 1650s to early 1700s.

Marriage

Robert Hicks, Sr. and his wife Winifred received a gift of land from John and Mary Evans, Winifred's parents:
John Evans, Senr. of the county of Charles City and Parish of Bristol of the one part and Robert Hix and Winnifred his wife, son and daughter in law to ye aforesaid John Evans in the county and Parish aforesd. of the other part. . . John Evans Senr. for & in consideration of the love and affection he beareth to his son and daughter in law Robert and Winnifred . . . give to Robert Hicks and Winnifred his wife. . . 560 acres of land in same county,
From Deeds & Wills (1689-1690), page ____, Charles City County, Virginia

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. and his wife Winifred received a gift of land from John and Mary Evans, Winifred's parents:
John Evans, Senr. of the county of Charles City and Parish of Bristol of the one part and Robert Hix and Winnifred his wife, son and daughter in law to ye aforesaid John Evans in the county and Parish aforesd. of the other part. . . John Evans Senr. for & in consideration of the love and affection he beareth to his son and daughter in law Robert and Winnifred . . . give to Robert Hicks and Winnifred his wife. . . 560 acres of land in same county, formerly taken up by the said Evans containing 90 acres Evans old line, Major Genll. Woods land (now belonging to Jones). Signed by John (JE) Evans and witnessed by Hen. Randolph, James Corke. Court for April 2, 1690, Mary wife of John Evans relinquished her right of dower in the said lands conveyed. Witnesses were Wm.Vaughan, Senr., James Adams, and James Corke.
From Deeds & Wills (1689-1690), page ____, Charles City County, Virginia

Miscellaneous

Doralyn Hicks Short included excerpts from the book: Berland, Kevin Joel. The Dividing Line Histories of William Byrd II of Westover. 2013. in her book on the ancestors and descendants of Jonathan Hicks.
These excerpts concerning Robert Hicks, SR. are based on Berland's book:

P 392. "Old Capt. Hix entertained us with one of his Trading Songs, which he quavered out most melodiously and put us all in good humor."

P 454. "Capt Hix. Robert Hix, one of the principle Indian traders
licensed by Spotswood in 1712. In 1709 Hix had patented 1,280 acres on the north side of the Meherrin River and set up a trading post halfway between Fort Henry and the Tuscarora towns and near Meherrin Town. He helped survey the site for the fort and school at
Christanna in 1716, assisted Spotswood in the 1722 treaty with the northern Indians at Albany and negotiated with the Catawba in 1730 and the Saponi in 1733."

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. and some of his sons were Indian traders in the Brunswick/Surry County area of early Virginia. This is one account of Robert and son Daniel's activity:
“In July, 1712, Robert Hix, of Surry, and John Evans, David Crawley, Richard Jones, and Nathaniel Urven, of Prince George county, Va., received a license from Governor Spotswood to trade with the “Western Indians.” They gave a penal bond of three hundred pounds not to trade with the Tuscaroras or any other Indians in league or alliance with them. (Calendar of Virginia State Papers, Vol. I., p. 155.)
In his letter of Jan. 25, 1719-20, to the Governor of New York, Governor Spotswood stated that during the Tuscarora War (1711-1713) two hundredof the New York Indians had set upon and robbed a caravan of Virginia, Indian traders as they were going south, killing one of them and nearly all of their horses. At the Treaty of Albany (1722') the Deputies of the Five Nations admitted that they had robbed “that honest man, Captain Hicks,” and promised to make reparation.
Hicks who at the instance of the Governor of New York were sent to the Cattabaw Indians to demand the liberty of certain Prisoners of the five Nations taken by them.
It appearing to the Board that the Sd Robt & Daniel have diligently p-formed the service req’d of them. It is therefore Ordered that there be p’d to each of them out of his Majesties Revenue of 2 S p hhd the sum of thirteen pounds Currt Money for their Trouble in the Sd Service."

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. was commander of a militia force at Fort Christanna in Surry County, Virginia.
He earned the title Captain from this service.

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. (Capt.) lived on the Virginia frontier near Fort Christanna.
In his journey in 1716 to Fort Christanna, situated on the Meherrin River, in what is now Brunswick county, Governor Alexander Spotswood stopped on his way at "Hicks'Ford," where Capt. Robert Hicks resided on the extreme frontier of the settlements. The place was afterwards included in Brunswick, and is now situated in Greenville county, which was cut from Brunswick in 1748.

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. received land in the Fort Christanna area:
"Patent to Robert Hix dated 31 Oct 1716 for 1070 acres new and Surry County, on north side of Maherrin River near Arthur Kavenaugh’s house, for 3 Lbs, 15 shillings and importation of 7 persons, Saml Bushel, Edward Evans, John Engles, Jno Verrell, John Bunch, David Crawley and Robert Hix."
From Virginia Patent Book 10, page 307.

Note: The Robert Hix imported to occupy this land was probably his son Robert.

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. gave land to his son George Hicks:
"Indenture between Robert Hix and George Hix, for natural Love and Affection unto my son, George Hix, 500 acres on North side of Maherrin River in Southwark Parish, and being a part of a 2,000 acre tract granted to the said Robert Hix, by Letters of Patent dated August 10,1720, and adjoining the lands of Robert Hicks, Daniel Hicks and James Wyches."
Presented in Court on March 17, 1730, from Deeds, etc. Book 1730-1738, page 84, Surry County, Virginia

Note: Adjoining land holders Robert and Daniel Hicks are probably also sons of Robert Hicks, Sr.

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. and second wife Frances sold land in Surry Co., VA:
In March, 1726 Robert Hix of Lawns Creek Parrish of the County of Surry, sold to John Fitzgerald of Bristol Parish, County of Prince George, 1,120 acres on South side of Appomattox River in Bristol Parish.
Robert Hix and Frances Hix, his wife, appeared and relinquished
her right of dower.
From 1713-1728, page 968, Prince George County, Virginia.

Miscellaneous

William Byrd wrote several histories of his 1728 surveying expedition to determine the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina. The more formal edition contains mainly non-personal information about the actual expedition. The Secret Histories was the version intended for his fiends and contains personal stories about the men who accompanied him.

The formal edition only mentions that Robert Hix [son of Robert Hicks, Sr.] was one of the assistants on the expedition and it also mentions the home of George Hix [son of Robert Hicks, Sr.]

The following excerpts relate some of Robert Hicks, Sr.'s activities when he joined the expedition for a short time:

"...Just after Sunset Capt. Hix & Capt. Drury Stith arriv'd & made us the complement to attend us as far as Roanoke."

"I sent several of the Men out a Hunting & they broughtus 4 Wild Turkeys. Old Capt. Hix kill'd 2 of them, who turn'd his Hand to every thing not withstanding his great Age, disdaining to be thought the worse for Threescore & ten. Beauty never appear'd better in Old Age, with a Ruddy complexion, & Hair as white as Snow."

"Our Chaplain [Peter Fontaine] had leave to go home with Robert Hix, who lived no more than 6 Miles from this place to christen his Child & the Old Captain went along with them."
Note: This is Robert Hicks,Jr. and his father Robert Hicks, Sr. known as Capt. Robert Hicks.

"we sat out upon their Track at 10, & found the Ground rising & falling all the way between the 2 Fords of the River. The first of these we past at first setting out. But Robin Hix & the Indian undertook to go round the Bent of the River, without crossing it all. This they perform'd,making the Distance no more than 12 Miles. About a Mile from our Camp, they met with a Creek whose Banks were fortify'd with high Cliffs, which gain'd it the Name of Cliff Creek. Near 3 Miles beyond that they forded over another Creek, on whose margin grew plenty of Canes. And this was call'd Hixe's Creek from the Name of the Discoverer. Between these 2 Creeks lies a Levil of exceeding good Land, full of large Trees, and a black Mold.
Note: This is the area where Robert Hicks, Sr. and his family lived.
Robin Hix is Robert Hicks, Jr.

"This day I discharg'd Robin Hix, Tho' Wilson, and Charles
Kimball, allowing them 2 Days to reach their Homes."

"We got to Geo. Hixes before 4 a Clock, and both he and his lively little Wife receiv'd us courteously. His House Stands on an Emminence, from whence is a good Prospect. Every thing lookt clean and wholesome, which made us resolve to quit the Tent, and betake ourselves to the House.
All the Grandees of the Sapponi Nation waited here to see us, and our Fellow-Traveller Bearskin was amongst the gravest of them. Four Ladys of Quality graced their visit, who were less besmear'd with Grease and Dirt, than any Copper-colour'd Beauty's I had ever seen. The Men too had an air of decency very uncommon and what was a greater curiosity, Most of the Company came on Horseback. The Men rode more awkwardly than Sailors, and the Women who sat astride, were so basfull they wou'd not mount their Ponys til they were quite out of Sight.
Christanna Fort where these Indians live, lies 3 Miles from George Hixes Plantation. He has considerable dealings with them, and supplys them too plentifully with Rum, which kills more of them than the Northern Indians do, and causes much disorder amongst them."
Note: Robert Hicks, Sr. and his family lived near Fort Christanna while he was the commander there. George Hix is his son.

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr, of Surry Co., VA, received land in Brunswick Co., VA:
580 ac on north side of Roanoak River
From Virginia Land Patents Book 14-1728-1732, p. 80

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. patented additional land in Surry Co., VA:
Patent to Robert Hix,Gent., dated September 28, 1730, for 2610 acres, old and new land, Surry County; on North side of Maherin River; adjoining Henry Wyche; on the Myery Branch, at mouth of the Meadow Run; William Lucas; Capt. Thomas Goodwin; land formerly Major Charles Goodrich, dec'd; on Reeves' Swamp; near Arthur Kavanaugh's house. 1070 acres part granted said Hix, October 31, 1716; & 140 acres granted him, July 9, 1724, for 7 Lbs. money.
From Virginia Patent Book 14, page 124-125.

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. operated a ferry in what was then Brunswick Co., VA:
February 1735 O. S.,Page 119- Upon the Petition of Robert Hicks leave is granted him to keep a ferry over Maherrin River at the place Called Hikss Ford and it is ordered that the following rates be allowed Vizt: for Every Hogshead Tobacco & Cart one Shilling & three pence, for a Man & Horse four pence and for a Man only four pence.
From Brunswick County Road Orders, 1732-1746, by Nathaniel Mason, Pawlett Faculty Research Historian Virginia Transportation Research Council (A Cooperative Organization sponsored jointly by the VDOT & UVA) , Charlottesville, Virginia.
http://www.virginiadot.org/vtrc/main/online_reports/pdf/89-r1.pdf)

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. and his second wife Frances gave land to their daughter Tabitha Jacobs:
Indenture made the 1st day of April, 1735, between Robert Hicks of Brunswick County on the one part and Thomas Jacobs and Tabetha Jacobs, his wife, daughter to the said Robert Hicks of the other part, for 10 pounds, conveying one certain tract or pearsall (sic) of land containing one hundred acres lying in Brunswick County on the North side of Meherin River, to Thomas Jacobs and Tabetha Jacobs, his wife, for and during their natural life and after or their decease unto Thomas Jacobs and John Jacobs, sons to the said Thomas Jacobs and Tabetha, his wife.
Signed by Robert Hicks and Frances Hicks. Witnessed by John Irby and Jane Roberts. Presented to Court on the 3rd day of April, 1735. From Deeds and Wills Book 1, page 167, Brunswick County,Virginia

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. patented land in Surry Co., VA:
650 ac North side Meherrin River, and on South side Three Creeks, beginning and extending on east side Reeve’s swamp on south side of the Three Creeks. Dated 02 Jan 1737.
From Virginia Patent Book 17-1735-1738, p. 452-453.

Miscellaneous

The last will and testament of Robert Hicks, Sr.:
In the name of God Amen I Robert Hicks, Gentleman of the County of Brunswick in the Colony and dominion of Virginia, Knowing the uncertainty of human life and being now in perfect health and sound and disposing mind and memory do judge this the most proper time to make my Last Will and Testament for the disposing of what Lands Slaves Goods and Chattels I at the present time am owner of which I do in manner and form as followeth.
Imprimis I acknowledge the Divine Favor and Mercy of God in so safely conducting and preserving me through all the Dangers to which human Life is exposed to this present time hoping the same Divine Grace may enable me to act to the end of my Life as becomes a follower of our Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ by whose advocacy & mediation with the Father I hope to to be admitted to eternal salvation.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Hicks all my land at the Indian Fort below where I know live joining Captain Nathaniel Edwards his lower line and Batts his line containing 650 acres to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Frances Hicks four slaves name Kate, Martha Alias Hatt, Will and Popper. I also give to my said wife the Bed and Furniture which I now lie in with my will and Six sheep the best that she can choose out of the Flock and 4 cows and calves and also my largest iron Pott.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son James Hicks after the decease of my wife the plantation whereon I now live being whatever remains of my patent for 2610 acres after the several tracts hereafter given and taken out of the said patent to him & his heirs forever. I also give unto my said son James one mulatto boy named Peter being now in the possession of the said James Hicks.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law Richard Ransom 150 acres of land lying in the fork of Reeves his swamp being the plantation whereon John Hicks lived unto him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath unto my grandson Benjamin Hicks 150 acres of land lying in the fork of Reeves his swamp above the land I have given to Richard Ransom to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son George Hicks a certain parcel of land joining to what he has already beginning at the mouth of his pasture branch and running from thence to the persimmon trees that grow by my haystack to him and his heirs forever.
tem I give unto my son James Hicks my large oval table.
Item I give unto my daughter Frances Ransom two slaves, Jo and Cesar.
Item I give unto my daughter Martha Bedingfield a negro girl named Hannah.
Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Hicks two slaves, Will & Amy.
Item I give unto my daughter Rachel Hicks two slaves, Dick & Judy. Item I give unto my son Charles Hicks my negro Peter and a bed and furniture and that chest which he now hath.
Item I give unto my daughter Elizabeth one bed and furniture.
Item I give unto my daughter Rachael one bed and furniture.
tem I give and bequeath unto my grandson John Bedingfield all my part of the mill on Genito's creek to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give & bequeath unto my beloved wife Frances Hicks all the remainder of my estate horses cattle sheep hogs and household stuff to be entirely at her own disposal.
Item I give unto my two daughters Mary & Tabitha to each a common Bible.
Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my beloved wife Frances Hicks full and sole Executrix of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking annulling and making void all former and other wills and testaments whatsoever.
in Witness Whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 6th day of March Anno Christ1738/39.
Signed by Robert Hicks.
Signed and sealed and acknowledged as the Last Will and Testament of Robert Hicks in the presence of Anne Poythress, Charles Ross, and John Chapman.
At a court held for Brunswick Co. the 7th day of February, 1739. This will was presented in court by Frances Hicks the Executrix therein named who made oath thereto according to law and the same being proved by the oaths of Ann Poythress, Charles Ross, and John Chapman it is admitted to record.
From Brunswick County, Virginia Will Book 2, Page 3.

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr. and his second wife Frances had the following children:
Charles, James, George, Martha (married Beddingfield), Frances ( married Richard Ransone, of Gloucester county), Elizabeth, Rachel, (married Davis), Mary, Tabitha, and John.

Miscellaneous

Text from 1997 Virginia Dept. of Historical Resources Marker UM 49 in Emporia, VA:

"Robert Hicks was born about 1658. By the 1690s he lived at Fort Henry near Petersburg and led traders to the Indians on the southern frontier. About 1709 he moved here to the future site of Hicksford (present-day Emporia) and became captain of the Surry County Rangers, a frontier militia unit. He commanded Fort Christanna from about 1714 to 1718. In 1722 he helped Virginia Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood conclude a peace treaty with the Iroquois in Albany, New York. He briefly joined William Byrd II and his crew surveying the Virginia-North Carolina boundary line in 1728. Hicks died nearby before 7 Feb. 1739/40."

Miscellaneous

Robert Hicks, Sr., known as Capt. Robert Hicks, generated some legends in his time. Here are two that are interesting.

One of the many legends that surround Captain Robert tells of his
relocation from Charles City County near Petersburg-Hopewell Virginia to the farthest outback on the Meherrin River near the North Carolina line.
According to the legend he got caught up in a round of hard drinking with his friends the Bollings. One night he became so intoxicated he lost consciousness. When he came to himself, he discovered his long braided hair had been cut off short, an act implying great disrespect.
Angered and deeply humiliated, he left town and followed the Indian trail southward through the wilderness toward Carolina. He journeyed forty miles, far beyond the outermost white settlements, until he came to the Meherrin River deep in the southern forest. Here he set down his stakes. He won the confidence of the Meherrin Indians who were numerous and had many settlements in the area.
There was an Indian fort not far from the river crossing where he stopped. The Indians gave him a plot of ground on the river bank on which to build; they helped him cut down the huge trees and erect his double log cabin.
In reality, he was arrested in 1693 for drunkenness and spent a few humiliating hours in the stockade.

He bought and sold thousands of acres of land during his lifetime and there is also a legend to help explain his extensive land holdings:
One day the Chief of the Meherrins saw Hicks wearing a fine silk hat with a plume and said to him, "Last night I had a dream." "And what did you dream?" asked Hicks. "I dreamed you gave me your hat," said the chieftain.
Robert, knowing the Indians placed great significance on their dreams and expected them to come true, and also remembering that it was their custom when receiving a gift to return one of equal or even greater value, seized the opportunity to improve his position among them. Taking the hat from his head, he graciously presented it to the chieftain who received it with apparent delight. A few weeks later Robert Hicks came upon the chief again and said, "I had a dream last night." "And what did you dream" asked the Indian. "I dreamed you gave me all the land for twenty miles along the river," Hicks replied quickly.
The chieftain hesitated for a moment, then solemnly said, “The land is yours, White Man, but go and dream no more!"