An American Family History

Absalom Fox and Christian Bonham married in Kingwood, Hunterdon County, New Jersey about 1758. Soon after they married they moved to Loudoun County, Virginia.

Their children’s names are listed in Genealogical Miscellany of New Jersey by Kate W. Buchanan. Their children were born in Virginia. Their first four children were born in Loudoun County. Captain Charles Fox was born in 1759. David Fox was born July 7, 1764. Bonham Fox was born in 1761. Mary Fox Frazee was born in 1763. David Fox was born July 7, 1764.

In 1765, Absalom bought 500 acres on the Broad Run of the Potomac in Loudoun County, Virginia for five shillings sterling. The transaction was recorded in the February 8, 1765 Indenture. The Loudoun County Order Book says that on November 13, 1766, Absalom was appointed overseer of the road leading from Broad run to Beaverdam Church.

Colonial Virginia Source Records indicate that on November 9, 1769 the Virginia Gazette reported that Edward Wood, an English servant, ran away from Absolom Fox of Leesburg, Loudoun County.

Anchor Fox Sutton was born on August 24, 1772. Iva Fox Sargeant was born on June 17, 1774.

On November 14, 1774 Absalom bought land in Loudoun County, Virginia from John Berryman.

Jonathan Fox was born in 1777. In 1777 Absalom Fox was a security for the will of J. Skillman in Loudoun County, Virginia. The will was proved February 10, 1777.

On June 15, 1778 an indenture was recorded between the Foxes and Jonas Clapman.

This indenture made 15 day of June 1778 between Absalom Fox and Christian Fox his wife and Jonas Clapham for and in consideration of the sum of 800 pounds current money of Virginia to them in hand paid by said Jonas Clapham before sealing and delivering of these presents ..... hath sold all that tract or parcel of land situate and lying and being on broad run in the County of Loudoun and consisting of 500 acres which Absalom Fox purchased of John Berryman.
Signed Absalom Fox
Christian Fox her mark
In presence of Ambrose Fox, Thomas Prithard, Gabriel Fox William Fox, Benjamin Mason. George Summers Har Lane

In 1778 Absalom and his brother, Gabriel Fox, moved near Romney, Hampshire County, West Virginia. In 1780 Absalom was granted a lease of 276 acres in Hampshire County. It was a tract of land that included Bear Wollow on the Waters of Buffalo Lick Run. He was to pay 1 shilling sterling per 50 acres to be paid on St. Michael's Day.

Rebecca Fox Dearth was born in 1781.

They moved to the Western Pennsylvania wilderness in the early 1780s. They lived on the North Ten Mile Creek near Lone Pine in Washington County. The two youngest, Jonathan and Rebecca, were carried there in hampers on horseback. They were associated with the North Ten Mile Baptist Church organized by the Reverend David Sutton.

In 1781 Absalom was recorded in the tax records of Washington County, Pennsylvania with 95 acres, two horses, seven cattle and no sheep.

In 1782 Absalom and Christian of Washington County, Pennsylvania leased their 276 acres of land in Hampshire County, West Virginia on Branch Mountain to Robert Calvin.

They were granted 423 1/4 acres on January 26, 1785 at Fox Hill on Bushy Run of Ten Mile Creek in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

To Absalom Fox.
Fox Hill, Bushy Run, Ten Mile Creek, Pennsylvania Aaron Vancamp, David Frazie, Ebenezer Hilton, Philip Luallin, Charles Fox, John Rush. 423 1/4 acres. Tract surveyed in pursuance of warrant granted to Absalom Fox, 26 Jan 1785. In witness whereof his Excellency B. Franklin, Esq. hath hereto set his hand,
14 October, 1787
Record of Deeds in Courthouse, Washington, Pennsylvania, Book 327, page 278.

Charles and David married before 1790. Bonham married in 1787. Anchor married in 1788. David and Anchor both married children of Baptist Minister, Reverend Abraham Sutton and Mary Chenowith.

The family appeared in the 1790 census in Washington County. There were four males (two under 16) and four females. Charles and David were listed with their own households. Sampson Sargeant appeared in the 1790 census with a household of four as does David Sutton, Jr.

In 1791 Isaac Leet bought part of the tract called Isaac’s Chain of waters of Ten Mile Creek in Bethlehem Township from Absalom for fifty pounds.

Isaac Leet to Absalom Fox,
March 23, 1791,
fifty pounds for part of tract called Isaac's Chain on waters of Ten Mile Creek in Bethlehem Township, beginning at a corner, a white oak, thence by land of David Sutton. . .
Volume I - 1, page 93

On January 17, 1792, 282 acres and 74 perches of Prospect Hill on Ten Mile Creek were patented. A land patent is evidence of right to a tract of land by the government.

Patent to Absalom Fox, 1792, of tract "Prospect Hill" on Ten Mile Creek. Zeph Beall, Simon Hersh, Henry Shidler. 282 Acres, 74 perches, patented 17 January, 1792.
Volume I m, page 680
Book 325, page 163

Absalom died in about 1797 in Lone Pine. His heirs transferred land to Jonathan, David, and Charles. Charles received the part of land called "Prospect Hill" near David Sutton, David Fox, and Tobias Friend. Jonathan received 98 3/4 acres of land called Fox Hill on Ten Mile Creek, beginning at an elm tree near the properties of David Sutton, Philip Llewellyn (Luallen), and Charles Fox. David Fox received 228 acres and 71 perches on Ten Mile Creek near Philip Friend, James Graham, Henry Shidler, Henry Hask, Tobias Friend and his own land.

Rebecca married in 1799.

Some of the family moved to Warren County, Ohio in the early 1800’s. Jonathan and Charles were to join them later. They came by way of the Ohio River and landed near present day Cincinnati on April 10, 1798 where there was a village of less than thirty homes. They traveled along the Wayne's Mile Long Road to Clear Creek and settled there.

Christian died in 1821 in Warren County, Ohio and was buried with the Dearth family.