An American Family History

The Royston Family

Benjamin Royston's was born May, 23 1735 and grew up in Baltimore County, Maryland. His parents were John Royston and Mary Barrett. His mother, Mary, later married Henry Cross.

Benjamin's children included:

Benjamin Royston, Jr.,
Sarah Royston
Susannah Royston
Malinda (Lynda) Royston (1760, married John Miller),
Joshua Royston (1765, married Elizabeth Watson),

Royston/Rystone/Riston, Benjamin & John Cox...400 Ac Holston River 10 Mar
1788

Benjamin died in 1816.

Know All Men by these presents that I Benjamin Royston Senr of Sullivan County and State of Tennessee for and in Consideration of the Natural Love and affection which I have for my children herein after named and for other good causes me thereunto moving I the said Benjamin Royston have granted & made over in gift and by these presents
do grant and make over in gift unto my children the tract of land whereon I now live Situate lying and being on holston River in Sullivan County afforesaid and the under mentioned Negroes in maner following that is

to say to my son Joshua Royston one hundred acres of the said Tract of Land next to adjoining Jacob Boys land and also give unto my son Joshua a negro Boy called Nicholas during the lifetime of the said Nicholas

I give unto my son Benjamin Royston two hundred acres part of the said tract being that part whereon I now resid and to contain the Dwelling house outbuilding orchard & spring and I give unto the said Benjamin a Negro woman caled Jan during the natural life of the said Jan

I give unto my Daughter Sarah Royston fifty acres of land Next adjoining my said son Benjamins part Lower down on the River I

give unto my daughter Susannah Royston fifty acres part of the said tract next adjoining the said Sarahs tract lower down on the River bounded in part by George Little and oposit Shells Mill I also give unto my said Daughter Susannah a certain Negro girl caled Judy to be the property of the said Susannah during the natural Life of the said Judy

all which said peices or parcel of land and the negroes herein before mentioned are to be the property of my said children in maner herein before granted and given from and Immediatly after my death as fully to all intents and purposes as I have heretofore held and Injoyed the same Reserving never the less to myself the power of giving the whole or any part of the said lands and negroes to my said Children or any of at any time during my life time that I may think fit and also Reserving the off laying off the several pieces or parcels of
land herein before mentioned in any maner I please Which Lotts so laid off by marked lines and boundry such lines and boundries shall be finall and Conclusive in Witness
Whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the Seventeenth Day of February one thousand Eight hundred
Signed and Seald Benjamin Royston (seal)
In presents off Sullivan County February Session
1800
the Execution of the within deed is acknowledg in open Court by Benjamin Royston Senior party there to Let the same Be