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Montgomery County, Virginia, Land Grant

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2023-046

Scope and Content

The Montgomery County, Virginia, Land Grant from 1798 describes a piece of land on the New River granted to James Copley by Virginia's 11th governor, James Wood. The size of the tract is not given, but boundary markers are identified by trees and the land of neighbors. The grant was executed in November 21, 1798.

Dates

  • 1798

Language of Materials

The material in this collection is in English.

Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction.

Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Biographical Note

There are at least two James Copleys (or Copleas) living in southwest Virginia in the late 1700s and early 1800s. It is unclear which, if either, is the person of this document.

James Copley or Coplea was born in Virginia in the late 1700s. On March 18, 1792, one James Copley married Etey Hearson in Wythe County, and on March 18, 1800, one James Copley married Celey Hearon, also in Wythe County. In 1798, the Copley of this collection was granted a large stretch of land near the New River in Montgomery County. On the 1810 census, a James Copley lived in Giles County, with 5 members of his household, and in 1820, both James Copleas lived in Pearisburg in Giles County, one with 9 members of his household and the other with 10 members. In 1830, a James Copley lived in Cabell County, with 12 members of his household. Both Copleys are listed on the 1840 census in Cabell County, one with 12 household members and one with 4.

In the 1850 census, a James Coplea born in Virginia around 1785 was living with relatives and working as a farmer in Wayne, Illinois. It is unclear if he is one of the two from southwest Virginia listed above.

External sources:

U.S. Federal Censuses, 1810-1850

"James Copley" in the Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/4742996:60214, accessed Dec. 14, 2023.

"James Copley" in the Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940, Ancestry.com, https://www.ancestrylibrary.com/discoveryui-content/view/5394981:60214, accessed Dec. 14, 2023.

Extent

0.1 Cubic Feet (1 oversize folder)

Abstract

The Montgomery County, Virginia, Land Grant from November 21, 1798, describes a piece of land on the New River granted to James Copley by Virginia's 11th governor, James Wood.

Source of Acquisition

The Montgomery County, Virginia, Land Grant was donated to Special Collections and University Archives in March 2012.

Rights Statement for Archival Description

The guide to the Montgomery County, Virginia, Land Grant by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).

Processing Information

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Montgomery County, Virginia, Land Grant was completed in June 2023.

Title
Montgomery County, Virginia, Land Grant, 1798
Status
Completed
Author
Sterling Bryant, Student Assistant
Date
2023 (CC0 1.0)
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository

Contact:
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308