Individual Details
Thomas Rowland
(Abt, 1744 - 1814)
In 1775 in Botetourt County, Virginia, Thomas Rowland was a witness to a land conveyance: George Rowland to Robert Burdwell, 244 acres on the James River. This was land purchassed from Robert Rowland in 1763 (1755 patent). On 16 January 1777 was named in his father, Robert Rowland's will: sons George, Thomas, James, and William, deceased. Information from DAR records on Thomas and James Rowland's children.
Was this Thomas Rowland the surety at the marriage of Elizabeth Rowland and Isham Burk Jan. 6, 1781, Botetourt County, Virginia?
"Thomas Rowland's will probated August 1814. It names wife, Mary, and children, Jesse, Silas, Joel, George (land in Jessimine County. Kentucky), Milly Gilmore, William, and David (also land in Kentucky). [note: does not mention a son, Robert]." (OVER THE MOUNTAIN MEN by Worrell, page 49.)
"Thomas Rowland, 270 acres, Spreading Spring Draft, Branch of the James River. February 26, 1768." (ABSTRACTS OF LAND GRANT SURVEYS by Kaylor, page 36. Survey Book l, page 99.)
"My wife Pat and I made a trip to the East Coast (Virginia Beach, Virginia and Groton, Connecticut in March and April 1992 to visit with our children. While returning to Arkansas from Connecticut we came through the western part of Virginia. We were aware that the Rowland's spent several years in Botetourt County in 1700 and 1800 and that Robert (my 5th great grandfather) had extensive land holdings in this area. According to his will upon his death in 1777 his estate was divided equally between his sons James, George (our George that died in Guilford County, North Carolina in 1792) and Thomas and one forth of his estate going to the children of deceased son William.
"Upon Thomas' death in 1813/1814 his land holdings in Botetort County, Virginia went to his sons Jesse, Silas and Joel. A tract of this land somewhere between Buchanan and Fincastle went to Silas and Joel. Joel died ca 1840 and that portion containing the "Mansion House" went to Silas. Silas died shortly thereafter and the house then went to his sister Mildred (Rowland) Gilmore. Rufus Pitzer obtained the house from the heirs of Mildred (Rowland) Gilmore in 1850. It is unknown if the "Mansion House" was built by Robert or his son, Thomas.
"We were reasonably sure the house was still standing so we decided to see if we could find it. We were able to locate the house which is 4 miles south on highway 11 and 3 miles west on highway 639 (Wheatland Road) of Buchanan. The house sits on the right side of highway 639 and is now vacant but is in the process of being restored. It is a two-story 8 room house with large rooms and high ceilings. The walls, including the interior walls, are made of brick, which was probably made on the property, and are 18 inches thick. Each room has a fireplace, the floors and stairways were made from wide (10 or 12 inch wide) lumber, part of the interior walls were covered with wallpaper. There is a porch completely across the front of the house. THe veranda also has 6 columns, which are the same size as and are in line with the ones on the porch, that extend to the roof to support it.
"We met and talked to Mr. Hammond whose father obtained the property in 1944. Mr. Hammond later obtained the property from his father and occupied the house until 1990 at which time he sold it to the man who is in the process of restoring it. He was aware that the Rowland's were previous owners of the house and property and said that as far as he knew we were the first Rowlands to visit there since his father obtained it. Mr. Hmmond and his wife and their son and his wife were married in the small three sided room (sewing/sun room) on the east side of the house. Mr. Hmmond still had access to the interior and took us in so we could see the inside. There are two large and one smaller glass chandeliers hanging in the house which are probably the original fixtures. There was a Box Stile Piano (manufacture of this style was discontinued prior to 1820) in the house. It has four large carved legs and has intricate carving completely around the case. It is believed the piano was previously owned by the Rowlands. Mr. Hammond still owned the piano and we were able to purchase it from him. Our daughter and son-in-law picked up the piano and took it to their home in Virginia Beach where it remained until we moved to our home in Virginia." (Harold Rowland, 19 June 1993.)
Was this Thomas Rowland the surety at the marriage of Elizabeth Rowland and Isham Burk Jan. 6, 1781, Botetourt County, Virginia?
"Thomas Rowland's will probated August 1814. It names wife, Mary, and children, Jesse, Silas, Joel, George (land in Jessimine County. Kentucky), Milly Gilmore, William, and David (also land in Kentucky). [note: does not mention a son, Robert]." (OVER THE MOUNTAIN MEN by Worrell, page 49.)
"Thomas Rowland, 270 acres, Spreading Spring Draft, Branch of the James River. February 26, 1768." (ABSTRACTS OF LAND GRANT SURVEYS by Kaylor, page 36. Survey Book l, page 99.)
"My wife Pat and I made a trip to the East Coast (Virginia Beach, Virginia and Groton, Connecticut in March and April 1992 to visit with our children. While returning to Arkansas from Connecticut we came through the western part of Virginia. We were aware that the Rowland's spent several years in Botetourt County in 1700 and 1800 and that Robert (my 5th great grandfather) had extensive land holdings in this area. According to his will upon his death in 1777 his estate was divided equally between his sons James, George (our George that died in Guilford County, North Carolina in 1792) and Thomas and one forth of his estate going to the children of deceased son William.
"Upon Thomas' death in 1813/1814 his land holdings in Botetort County, Virginia went to his sons Jesse, Silas and Joel. A tract of this land somewhere between Buchanan and Fincastle went to Silas and Joel. Joel died ca 1840 and that portion containing the "Mansion House" went to Silas. Silas died shortly thereafter and the house then went to his sister Mildred (Rowland) Gilmore. Rufus Pitzer obtained the house from the heirs of Mildred (Rowland) Gilmore in 1850. It is unknown if the "Mansion House" was built by Robert or his son, Thomas.
"We were reasonably sure the house was still standing so we decided to see if we could find it. We were able to locate the house which is 4 miles south on highway 11 and 3 miles west on highway 639 (Wheatland Road) of Buchanan. The house sits on the right side of highway 639 and is now vacant but is in the process of being restored. It is a two-story 8 room house with large rooms and high ceilings. The walls, including the interior walls, are made of brick, which was probably made on the property, and are 18 inches thick. Each room has a fireplace, the floors and stairways were made from wide (10 or 12 inch wide) lumber, part of the interior walls were covered with wallpaper. There is a porch completely across the front of the house. THe veranda also has 6 columns, which are the same size as and are in line with the ones on the porch, that extend to the roof to support it.
"We met and talked to Mr. Hammond whose father obtained the property in 1944. Mr. Hammond later obtained the property from his father and occupied the house until 1990 at which time he sold it to the man who is in the process of restoring it. He was aware that the Rowland's were previous owners of the house and property and said that as far as he knew we were the first Rowlands to visit there since his father obtained it. Mr. Hmmond and his wife and their son and his wife were married in the small three sided room (sewing/sun room) on the east side of the house. Mr. Hmmond still had access to the interior and took us in so we could see the inside. There are two large and one smaller glass chandeliers hanging in the house which are probably the original fixtures. There was a Box Stile Piano (manufacture of this style was discontinued prior to 1820) in the house. It has four large carved legs and has intricate carving completely around the case. It is believed the piano was previously owned by the Rowlands. Mr. Hammond still owned the piano and we were able to purchase it from him. Our daughter and son-in-law picked up the piano and took it to their home in Virginia Beach where it remained until we moved to our home in Virginia." (Harold Rowland, 19 June 1993.)
Events
| Birth | Abt, 1744 | Augusta County, Virginia | |||
| Marriage | 1769 | Botetourt County, Virginia - Mary Russell | |||
| Death | 1814 | Botetourt County, Virginia |
Families
| Spouse | Mary Russell (1744 - 1814) |
| Child | Robert Rowland (1770 - 1814) |
| Child | George Rowland (1772 - ) |
| Child | Milly Rowland (1774 - 1805) |
| Child | William Rowland (1776 - ) |
| Child | David Rowland (1778 - ) |
| Child | Jesse Rowland (1780 - ) |
| Child | Silas Rowland (1785 - ) |
| Child | Joel Rowland (1790 - ) |
| Father | Robert Rowland (1715 - 1782) |
| Mother | Martha ( - 1764) |
| Sibling | George Rowland (1740 - 1792) |
| Sibling | William Rowland (1742 - 1777) |
| Sibling | James Rowland ( - 1805) |