Spotsylvania County, Virginia was established in 1721 from parts of Essex, King and Queen, and King William counties. In 1734 Orange County was created from part of Spotsylvania.
The first European settlement in Orange County, Virginia was in 1714 and the county was officialy formed in 1734 with no western border. In 1738 the western part became Augusta County.
Robert Dearing was born about 1700.
His wife was named Elizabeth
Elizabeth and Robert's children included:
Robert Dearing,
Mary Dearing (1710, married Ballard)
Elizabeth Dearing (1723, married George Head),
Edward Dearing (1725)
Dorathea Dearing (1727, married Hubbard), and
Ann Dearing (1731, married Richard Harrell, Jr.).
In 1733, he was named in Robert Beverley's will in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. He inherited 200 acres of Octonia Land.
In March, 1736, Robert Dearing and George Head petitioned the Orange County Court and said they were the "proper persons" to survey the land on Blue Run up to Octonia line, then to Beaver Run.
In 1750, constable Robert Dearing, was paid for viewing tobacco fields in Orange County.
On October 18, 1753, Robert Dearing wrote his will in St. George's Parish, Orange County, Virginia.
The 24,000 acre Octonia Grant was recorded in 1722. The land is now in Greene and Orange Counties, Virginia. The original eight grantees failed to meet the settlement requirement and the grant was renewed in 1729 to Robert Beverly. William Stanard inherited a significant portion of the Octonia grant in 1756.
The Octonia Stone (Octoney, Octeny, Octona, and Octuna) marks the end of the western boundary. It is near Stanardsville, Greene County, Virginia. The stone is engraved with a figure 8 with a cross touching the top of the 8.
In the Name of God, Amen
the last Will and Testament of Robert Dearing of Saint Thomas in the county of Orange...
I give to my son Edward Dearing all that part of my tract of land that lies on the West side of the little run to him & his heirs forever and Remainder of my Tract
I give to my son Robert Deering forever and the heirs of his Body lawfully begot
I leave all my personal- Estate to my beloved wife Elizabeth Deering during her life or Widowhood & then to be equally divided between Edward Deering & Robert Dearing & Dorathear Hubbard & Elizabeth Head and Ann Harrell & Mary Ballard & if either of them- should die their part shall return & be equally Divided among the rest and
I Constitue my beloved wife and my son Robert Deering Executors of this my last Will & Testament and all other to be void & of none
as Witness of my hand and seal
this 18th day of October in the year of our Lord God 1753
Robert Deering
