 Hans Jacob Richter, son of Christopher Richter and Anna Catharina Becker.Born Oct 10, 1674 at Trupbach,Nassau-Siegen,Germany, died Aug 7, 1729 at Germantown,Fauquier County,Virginia, 54 years Hans was christened on the nineteenth Sunday after Trinity, 1674. His godfather was Hans Jacob Zimmerman. Hans Jacob was admitted to the Guild of Steelsmiths and Toolmakers of the Freundenberg District as a toolmaker on January 7, 1712. "Hans Jacob Fischback" sold his house at Trupback in 1713 to his brother, Johannes Richter of Weidenau. During the governorship of Alexander Spotswood from 1710 to 1722 iron ore deposits were discovered in what is now Northeast Orange County, Virginia. Prior to this time there had been no iron ore mining and production of iron products in the Colonies. All much needed items made of this metal were imported from England at great expense. The Governor fully realized that if this newly found and valuable resource could be mined and processed into farm implements, tools, household items, guns, etc. It would be of great benefit to the Colony. Swiss promoter/developer Baron Von Graffenreid was engaged by Governor Spotswood to recruit immigrants fro the old Principality of Nassau-Siegen area, now a part of Westphalia, Germany to mine and process this newly found iron ore. This area of Germany, about forty-five miles East of Bonn, was selected because iron ore had been mined, processed and iron products manufactured ther for centuries. Twelve families, consisting of forty-two individuals, with a knowledge of iron ore mining, processing and iron products manufacturing from the Nassau-Siegen area were persuaded to immigrate to the New World. Subject John Jacob Rector, his wife Elizabeth Fischback and their son John were one of these families. In the Summer of 1713 the twelve families departed their German homeland for the New World. Their first stop was Maidstone, England. On arrival they found their promoter was without money or provisions for the voyage to America. During the Winter of 1713/1714 they worked to pay their own way and April 1714 landed not far from Williamsburg, Virginia; and then seat of government. The settlers named their new home "Gemanna" in rememberance of their homeland and to honor Queen Anna of England. They cleared the forest and built their homes and a church. And for the first time in the New World they engaged in iron ore mining and processing and productino of iron products. The Government cut a road thru the forest into the area, built a fort and furnished two cannon and ammunition for protection against the Indians. About 1720 the twelve Germanna families moved northward about nineteen miles into what is now Fauquier County, Virginia and settled on a tract of 1805 acres. The exact location is on Licking Run between Warrenton and Midland. Each family was granted 150 acres. They named their new community "Germantown." John Jacob Rector, three of his four children and some of his grandchildren spent the remainder of their lives at, or near, Germantown. Since schooling was compulsory in Germany at the time of his birth there, it is assumed John Jacob Rector was an educated person. John Jacob Rector was an elder in the German Reformed Church, the great German branch of the Presbyterian family of churches. Married Jan 17, 1710/1711 at Trupbach,Nassau-Siegen,Germany (approximately 19 years married) to:  Anna Els FischbackBorn Apr 15, 1685 at Trupbach,Nassau-Siegen,Germany, died 1761 at Germantown,Fauquier County,Virginia, 75 or 76 years Anna was christened on Palm Sunday, 1685. Her godmother was Anna, the daughter of Johannes Heimbach. Children: 1. John RectorBorn Dec 1, 1711 at Trupbach,Nassau-Siegen,Germany, died Mar 11, 1773 at Rectortown,Fauquier County,Virginia, 61 years Johannes was born in Trupbach, Nassau-Siegen, Germany. His godfather was Johannes Fischbach, the mother's brother. He was brought to Virginia with his parents in April, 1714. Fauquier County records show John was active in acquiring large tracts of land, settling them into communities and then selling them to others. He sold his old land near Germantown before moving to the Northern part of the county. John is shown in the following records from Prince William County, Virginia: Will Book, "C", Pages 23 - 24. John Fishback's will, dated March 11, 1733 and probated March 19, 1734, among other bequests leaves to his daughter, Cattren Rector, 50 acres where Henry Haeger lives, adjoining John Hoffman. Will Book, "C", Pages 117 - 118. May 23, 1737, John "Rightor" presented the inventory and appraisement of Henri Haeger (his wife's grandfather). Deed Book, "I", July 28, 1746. John Rictor and Elizabeth Marr, widow, to John Wright and Joseph Blackwell land on the East side fo Licking Run where John Rictor lives adjoining Jacob Holtzclaw and the land that Harman Fishback sold to Wright and Blackwell for the Hamilton Parish Glebe; test, Jacob Spilman, Joseph Thurman. Deed Book, "M", October 23, 1749. John Rictor of Hamilton Parish to Jacob Richtor of same 98 acres, part of a tract John purchased of Thomas Chattin. Deed Book, "M", October 23, 1749. John Rictor to Henry Rictor 100 acres, part of the land John bought of Thomas Chattin. John Rector was active in obtaining large tracts of land and settling them into communities. In 1766 and 1767 he was deeded fairly large tracts of land on Goose Creek in northern Fauquier County, by Burgess Smith of Lancaster County, and in 1768 several thousand acres in the same neighborhood by Burgess Ball. He sold this land quiet rapidly, and the towns of Maidstone (now called Rectortown) and of Salem (now called Marshalls) were founded on this land. The following deeds from Fauquier County show how John Rector acquired this new land, sold it to various persons, and sold out his old land near Germantown, moving to the northern part of the coutny: Deed Book 2, Page 596. September 26, 1766, Bergess Smith of Lancaster County and Alice his wife to John Rector of Fauquier County 234 acres. Deed Book 3, Page 9. March 13, 1767, Bergess Smith of Lancaster County and Alice his wife to John Rector of Fauquier County 200 acres. Deed Book 3, Page 18. June 4, 1767, Bergess Smith of Lancaster County and Alice his wife to John Rector of Fauquier County 198 acres. Deed Book 3, Page 36. October 8, 1767, Bergess Smith of Lancaster County and Alice his wife to John Rector of Fauquier County 168 acres. Deed Book 4, Page 147. December 7, 1770, Burgess Ball and Mary his wife to John Rector 4874 acres. Deed Book 2, Page 658. June 22, 1767, John Rector and Catharine his wife to Hugh Morrison 115 acres, part of a parcel of land taken up June 15, in Hamilton Parish; test, Henry Rector et al. Deed Book 3, Page 333. October 24, 1768, John Rector and Catherine his wife to Joseph Robinson 45 acres in Hamilton Parish, part of a tract taken up June 15, 1731. Deed Book 4, Page 277. September 23, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to John Kincheloe of Leeds Parish 157 acres near Burgess Smith and Burgess Ball, part of land deeded Rector by Ball September 5, 1770. Deed Book 4, Page 280. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Henry Rector, Jr. 157 acres, part of land deeded Rector by Ball. Deed Book 4, Page 282. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Charles Rector 157 acres of land deeded Rector by Ball. Deed Book 4, Page 285. October 28, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to George Glascock 257 acres of land deeded Rector by Ball. Deed Book 4, Page 288. October 28, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Richard McPherson 150 acres of land deeded Rector by Ball. Deed Book 4, Page 290. October 28, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to John Squires 187 acres of land deeded Rector by Ball. Deed Book 4, Page 292. 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to William Murray 157 acres of land deeded Rector by Ball. Deed Book 4, Page 294. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Isaac Cundiff 157 acres of land deeded Rector by Ball adjoining Jacob Rector. Deed Book 4, Page 296. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Hezekiah Glascock 170 acres of land deeded Rector by Ball. Deed Book 4, Page 299. October 28, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to James Murray 318 acres. Deed Book 4, Page 301. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to John Rector, Jr. 157 acres. Deed Book 4, Page 304. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Jacob Rector 157 acres. Deed Book 4, Page 306. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Henry Rector, Sr. 150 acres. Deed Book 4, Page 367. October, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Thomas Glascock 431 acres. Deed Book 5, Page 183. July 19, 1772, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to James Stewart, Jr. of Fairfax County 874 acres bought of Burgess Ball of Lancaster County in 1770. Deed Book 5, Page 202. July 23, 1772, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to John Harmans 151 acres on Goose Creek, part of the Ball tract. Deed Book 5, Page 245. May 30, 1772, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Isaac Nichols 325 acres on Goose Creek, part of the Ball tract. Deed Book 5, Page 291. March 1, 1773, John Rector to Joseph Neal during natural life of himself, Anne Neal his wife and thomas Neal his son 108 acres on Goose Creek. Deed Book 5, Page 293. March 9, 1773, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Robert Donaldson 138 acres, part of the Ball tract. Deed Book 5, Page 295. March 9, 1773, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to John Hendren 168 acres of the Ball tract adjoining Jacob Rector. Deed Book 5, Page 297. March 9, 1773, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to William Murray 159 acres. Deed Book 5, Page 299. March 9, 1773, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Thomas Priest, Jr. 187 acres. Deed Book 5, Page 302. March 9, 1773, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to John Glascock 139 acres. Deed Book 5, Page 307. October 1, 1771, John Rector and Catherine his wife of Leeds Parish to Jacob Rector 100 acres. Deed Book 5, Page 362. February 27, 1773, John Rector to John Clark lease to John Clark, his wife Ann and his son Daniel, during their natural lives, 161 acres on Goose Creek; test, Henry Rector, Frederick Rector, Benjamin Robinson. The will of John Rector was dated July 15, 1772 and probated March 22, 1773. It leaves his wife the plantation "I live on," 300 acres during her life then to son Henry; to son Henry 224 acres plus the 300 acres after wife's death; son Daniel a bequest but no land; son Charles 201 acres called the Race Ground Lott; son Jacob negroes, etc.; son Benjamin the plantation on which he lives, 106 acres; son Frederick a bequest but no land; grandson, John Rector 100 acres on which he lives on Licking Run; after wife's death the property to be divided into eight equal parts and divided among sons John, Daniel, Jacob, Charles, Benjamin and Frederick, and "the children of my daughter Catherine deceased" and "the children of my daughter Elizabeth not living"; wife and son Henry executors; test Henry, Rector, Jacob Faubion, John Adams. Fauquier County Minute Book, 1773 - 80, shows several suits in 1773 and 1774 by Catherine Rector and Henry Rector, executors of John Rector, decd. The inventory and appraisement was not handed in until the November, County, 1774. 2. Henry RectorBorn ± 1715 at Germanna,Fauquier County,Virginia, died Jun 24, 1799 at Fauquier County,Virginia, approximately 84 years Henry lived near Rectortown, Virginia. The land records of Prince William and Fauquier Counties, Virginia contain many entries pertaining to subject Henry Rector. The will of Henry Rector (Will Book 3, Page 182) dated January 8, 1799 and probated June 24, 1799 leaves to his wife his 150 acres of land and all he possesses; after her death, the son Elijah is to have 35 pounds legacy, and the daughter Caty 12 pounds legacy, which if she dies is to go to her daughter Polly; the remainder of the estate to be divided among all my children; also a legacy of land, under certain conditions to the decd. son Spencer's children: Edward, John, Henry, Mary Ann, and Pency Rector. 3. Harman RectorBorn ± 1718 at Germanna,Frauquier County,Virginia, died 1789 at Fauquier County,Virginia, approximately 71 years The will of Harmon Rector (Fauquier County Will Book 2, Page 147) is on file in Fauquier County and dated September 23, 1782 and probated September 28, 1789. It names only Harmon, Junior but does mention "my children" and "my three sons." It reads in part" "I give to my son Harmon Rector one hundred acres of land more or less lying in the German Town joining Agnes Utterbachs land. I likewise give and bequeath to my son Harmon Rector one negro named Peter." The executors were John Martin and Tillman Weaver, his sons-in-laws. Prince William and Fauquier Counties, Virginia court records are the source of much of this information on Harmon Rector and his family. 4. Jacob RectorBorn ± 1723 at Germanna,Fauquier County,Virginia, died Jul 31, 1810 at Grayson County,Virginia, approximately 87 years Jacob lived in Fauquier County, Virginia. The following records show some of Jacob movements: In 1787 Jacob sold a slave to Nathaniel Moss and moved to Rowan County, North Carolina. In 1794 Jacob moved to Grayson County, Virginia on Meadow Creek. 1796 Jacob obtained a grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia for 140 acres of land on Meadow Creek, this they deeded to Bennett on October 22, 1798 for 20 pounds current money of Virginia, but Jacob and Mary remained on here for the rest of their lives. Deed recorded March 4, 1807. James Rector to William Bartley 260 acres of land on Meadow Creekfor $200.00. Deed dated April 12, 1807. William Bartley to Bennett Rector 60 acres of land on Meadow Creek for $100.00. This is part of the land deeded to William by James Rector on March 4, 1807. Deed dated January 15, 1815. Bennett and Sally Rector of Washington County to Rndolph Collins 130 acres of land on Meadow Creek. Deed dated November 1820, Jesse and Margaret Rector to James Kyle 150 acres of land on Beaver Creek and Little River for $250.00. | |||