[Wells.FTW]

( As compiled by Dave Wells - since November 1983)
*The name Tunis is used to identify our particular Wells family because he was the earliest known ancestor for a long time, and because his name is unique enough to be easily identifiable

RICHARD WELLS (my 5th-great grandfather) settled a plot of 318 acres on the Potomac River in Frederick Co, Virginia. The area, called the "Northern Neck", was granted to Lord Fairfax by King Charles II. Lord Fairfax in turn granted it to his tenants for 10 shillings per 50 acres, plus 2 shillings per hundred acres each year in rent. Richard's land grant was surveyed while he lived on it on 19 Dec, 1751. One of the chain carriers for the survey was a William Wells. The land warrant was never issued to Richard. On August 1, 1769 the Frederick Co. (VA) Court appointed Thomas Applegate to administer Richard's estate, and Tunis Hood, John McLaughlin, James Hawthorn, and Mathew McKay to appraise his property. Subsequently the original deed was issued on 15 June, 1770 to Tunis Wells, his "only Son & Heir at Law". Richard's age, place of birth, wife, and activities prior to settling in Virginia are currently uncertain.

Sources:

LAND-DEATH-SON: Northern Neck Grants & Surveys; 1767-1770; Order Book for Frederick Co, VA; part II, Vol #14, dated 15 June 1770; Virginia State Library, Richmond VA.
LAND: Abstract of Virginia's Northern Neck Warrants & Surveys - Frederick County; 1747 - 1780; Peggy Shomo Joyner (1984); Vol II, page 164 ; Mary Ball Memorial Museum and Library.
LAND: land grant; 1770; Northern Neck Grants; Book "O", pg 289; West Virginia Div of Culture & History, Archives & History Section, Charleston WV; Fairfax grant to Tunis 15 June 1770.
LAND: Don C. Wood, "Lord Fairfax, Honeywood and Maidstone Manor"; 1750-1775; THE BERKELEY JOURNAL, 1977 Special Issue pgs 68, 84-87, 127, 128; entire issue from Don C. Wood, Martinsburg WV; includes copy of original survey and history of the land parcel.
BIOGRAPHY: Carolyn Wells Dauner, WELLS FAMILY SKETCHES, OUR HISTORY IN AMERICA 1682-1992; 1769; pub 1992; pg 265; Jack Dauner, Pinehurst NC; a book I contributed to, and have a copy.
PLACE: Frederick Co, VA became Berkeley Co in 1772. Berkeley Co was one of the counties which formed West Virginia as a Union state during the Civil War in 1863.


PROP: 19 DEC 1751 Surveyed while living on it

1. Tunis WELLS b: BET 1745 AND 1748

1. Title: Wells.FTW
   Repository:
   Media: Other
   Text: Date of Import: Jan 21, 2005
2. Title: wells 2.ged
   Repository:
   Media: Other
   Text: Date of Import: Feb 28, 2005