James Patton (Virginia colonist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Patton
Born	1690 or 1692 (1692) County Donegal, Ireland
Died	30 July 1755(1755-07-30) (aged 62–63) Draper's Meadow, Montgomery County, Colony of Virginia
Cause of death	s
Years active	1740–1755
Known for	Virginia leadership, government and development
Title	Augusta County magistrate, sheriff, Justice of the Peace, collector of duties on furs and skins, escheator, coroner
Spouse(s)	Ally Patton (died 1728) Mary Osborne (died c. 1749)
Parent(s)	Henry Patton and Sarah Lynn Patton
Relatives	Mary (daughter, b. 1730), Margaret (daughter, b. 1731 or 1732), John (son, b. 1734), Elizabeth (sister), John Lewis (uncle)
Military career
Allegiance	Colony of Virginia
Years of service	1742–1755
Rank	Colonel of Militia and Chief Commander of the Augusta County Militia
Unit	Virginia militia, Augusta County militia
Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses from Augusta County
In office 1753–1755
Preceded by	John Madison

James Lynn Patton (born in 1690 or 1692, died July 30, 1755) was an important figure in early Virginia. He was a merchant, a brave explorer, and a soldier who helped settle parts of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. From the time he arrived in Virginia in 1740 until his death in 1755, he played a big role in exploring new lands, creating settlements, leading the government, and commanding the military in the colony.

Patton held many important jobs in Augusta County. He was a Justice of the Peace, a Colonel and Chief Commander of the Augusta County Militia, and the President of the Augusta Court. He also helped with the Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church congregation and served as the county coroner and sheriff. He was even a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, which was like Virginia's early government assembly. James Patton also attended three important meetings with Native American leaders from the Iroquois and Cherokee tribes. Sadly, he was killed by Shawnee warriors in July 1755.

James Patton's Early Life and Background

We don't know much about James Patton's very early years. He was born in Ireland, likely in County Donegal, around 1690 or 1692. Some stories say he spent time in Derry. His parents are often named as Henry Patton and Sarah Lynn, but there aren't many old records to confirm this. Family stories suggest that because he wasn't the oldest son, he didn't inherit much and decided to become a sailor. He may have served in the British Royal Navy and later became a ship captain, bringing goods and people across the Atlantic.

He lived in Kirkcudbright, Scotland, for a few years before moving to Virginia.

A Captain's Life at Sea

James Patton was a merchant ship captain by at least 1723. He sailed ships like the Pearl and the William, carrying goods across the Atlantic Ocean. He often traveled to European ports like Amsterdam and Genoa, and frequently landed at Hobb's Hole in Virginia.

One time, in November 1729, his ship, the William, got stuck near Padstow in Cornwall, England. Local people tried to take things from the ship. Captain Patton, who had firearms, bravely stood up to them and threatened to use his weapons, which made many of them leave. This shows he was a courageous and determined leader. He also brought important things to Virginia, like the famous racehorse Bulle Rock in 1730.

Moving to Virginia in 1740

The first clear records of James Patton in Virginia are letters from William Beverley, a wealthy Virginia politician. Beverley had a large land grant of 118,000 acres, called Beverley Manor, in what is now Augusta County. He needed families to settle this land. In 1737, Beverley asked Patton to help bring settlers from Ireland to Virginia.

In 1738, Patton sailed to Virginia as captain of the ship Walpole. Among his passengers were his sister Elizabeth, her husband John Preston, and their 8-year-old son, William Preston, who was Patton's nephew. Forty-six other settlers also came with them. It's believed Patton's wife and two daughters were also on board.

After arriving near Alexandria, Virginia, Patton and his family traveled overland by pack-horses to a settlement near what is now Staunton, Virginia. They began clearing land and building their home at a place they named Spring Hill.

Building Churches and Community

1886 map of Augusta County showing the location of Patton's Spring Hill homestead and the Tinkling Spring Meeting House, both in the lower right quadrant.

Soon after arriving, James Patton and his family, who were Presbyterian, invited a minister to preach in their home. In 1740, a permanent preacher, John Craig, settled in the area. Patton was chosen as one of the leaders of the Tinkling Spring congregation in 1741.

In 1742, Patton helped pay for the construction of the Tinkling Spring Meeting House in Tinkling Springs (now Fishersville). This was one of the first recognized churches in the Shenandoah Valley. The first service was held there in 1745. Patton also donated land for other churches, including Lutheran churches on the Holston River and at Prices Fork.

James Patton's Roles in Law and Government

James Patton held many important legal and government positions. In 1741, he was appointed Justice of the Peace, which meant he helped keep order and resolve disputes in the community. In 1743, he became the "collector of duties" on furs, skins, and horses in Augusta County.

In 1745, Patton was appointed as a magistrate and the first sheriff of Augusta County. As president of the county court from 1746 to 1749, he oversaw many court cases. In 1752, he became the Augusta County Coroner.

One notable case involved a Cherokee leader known as "The Emperor" in 1753. The leader complained about a settler named Samuel Stalnaker, who was a tenant farmer on Patton's land. Patton helped mediate the situation between the Cherokee and the settlers, showing his skill in handling important community issues.

Military Leadership and Frontier Defense

In 1742, James Patton was commissioned as a "Colonel of Augusta County," making him a key military leader.

In December 1742, the Augusta County militia had a conflict with a group of Native American warriors. The militia believed the warriors planned to raid settlements. After a tense chase, a battle occurred, known as the Battle of Galudoghson, where some warriors and militiamen were killed. Patton arrived with reinforcements after the fighting ended and ordered patrols to protect the frontier.

In 1752, Governor Dinwiddie made Patton the Lieutenant of Augusta County and Chief Commander of the Augusta County Militia. He was responsible for defending the county. In 1754, Governor Dinwiddie ordered Patton to send volunteers to join Major George Washington's forces. These men were part of the Battle of Fort Necessity.

In July 1755, Governor Dinwiddie ordered Patton to raise a company of rangers to defend Augusta County's frontier. Patton was actively involved in protecting the settlers during a dangerous time.

Land Development and Settlement

Colonial land grants in Augusta County. James Patton's grant along the Calfpasture River is shown just left of the map's center. Plots belonging to William Preston, John Lewis, and William Beverley are also marked.

In 1745, James Patton received a large land grant of 100,000 acres, known as the Woods River Grant. He promised to bring many families to settle this area. Patton believed that settling this land would create a useful barrier between the French, their Native American allies, and Virginia. He chose land mostly in the New River Valley.

Patton formed his own company, the Wood's River Company (later the New River Company), to help manage and sell land. He worked with groups like German settlers who established a community called Mahanaim. He also collaborated with his uncle, John Lewis, and Dr. Thomas Walker to form the Loyal Land Company of Virginia.

Patton became quite successful by surveying and selling plots of land. Between 1746 and 1754, he sold over 31,000 acres of land, which made him a wealthy man.

Patton's Homes

James Patton's first home was a log cabin built in 1741 at Spring Hill, near present-day Stuarts Draft, Virginia. He later planned to build a stone house and then contracted carpenters to build a new, solid log house for him at Spring Hill in 1754. He also owned a small stone house at Cherry Tree Bottom.

Draper's Meadow Settlement

In 1753, Patton received a patent for a 7,500-acre tract of land called Draper's Meadow, located in what is now Montgomery County, Virginia. This land was surveyed by his nephew, William Preston. Patton then sold smaller parts of this land to settlers, including John Draper and William Ingles, who had already started farming there.

Working with Native American Tribes

James Patton played a role in important treaties with Native American leaders.

Treaty of Lancaster, 1744

Patton was present at the 1744 Treaty of Lancaster. In this treaty, the Six Nations received gold and goods in exchange for giving up their claims to lands in the Colony of Virginia. The treaty also promised a special road for the Iroquois to travel south. This led to the construction of a road connecting western Virginia with Maryland and Pennsylvania, later known as the Valley Pike.

Cherokee Conference, 1751

In 1751, Cherokee chief Attakullakulla and other Cherokees met with Patton to improve trade with Virginia. Patton took the Cherokee delegation to Williamsburg to meet with the acting governor. After weeks of talks, a trade agreement was reached, and Patton escorted the Cherokees back home.

Logstown Treaty Conference, 1752

In 1752, the British held a council at Logstown with representatives from the Six Nations, Lenape, and Shawnee tribes. James Patton was one of the representatives for the Colony of Virginia. The goal was to confirm and clarify agreements made in the 1744 Treaty of Lancaster. William Preston, Patton's nephew, accompanied him as his personal secretary.

Building Roads in the Shenandoah Valley

In 1745, James Patton and his future son-in-law John Buchanan began surveying for a road through the Shenandoah Valley. This road would connect Winchester to Staunton and further south to Roanoke and Blacksburg. It was sometimes called the "Indian Road" because parts of it followed old Native American paths. It later became part of the "Great Wagon Road" that stretched from Knoxville, Tennessee to Philadelphia. Patton supervised work crews in building roads and bridges throughout the Shenandoah Valley from 1747 to 1754. Parts of his original road are now modern highways like U.S. Route 11 in Virginia.

Serving in the House of Burgesses

In 1753, James Patton was chosen to represent Augusta County in the Virginia House of Burgesses. This was an important government role, similar to being a representative in a state assembly today. He served from 1754 until his death in 1755.

Family Life

Monument to immigrants at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church, showing James Patton's name at the bottom left.

James Patton's first wife, Ally, passed away in June 1728. His second wife was Mary Osborne, who passed away around 1749. He had two daughters: Mary, who married William Thompson, and Margaret, who married John Buchanan.

Since he did not have any sons who lived to adulthood, Patton took a special interest in his nephew, William Preston. Patton needed someone he could trust to survey his many land holdings. So, he arranged for William to learn surveying from his cousin, Thomas Lewis. In 1752, William Preston became a deputy surveyor and later surveyed many tracts of land for Patton.

Death at Draper's Meadow, 1755

Tinkling Spring monument, bottom, naming his wife Mary Osborne, and indicating that Patton is buried at Draper's Meadow.

After a major British military defeat in July 1755, Native American warriors began raiding British settlements. James Patton knew that Draper's Meadow, a settlement on the New River, was in danger. He brought gunpowder from Williamsburg to help defend the area. On July 29, he arrived with his nephew William Preston and some militia.

On July 30, 1755, Shawnee warriors attacked the settlement in what became known as the Draper's Meadow Massacre. James Patton was at the home of William Ingles, writing letters. When the attack began, he bravely defended himself. Sadly, he was killed during the raid.

News of Patton's death was reported in the Virginia Gazette on August 8, 1755. It mentioned that he was killed by a party of Indians while bringing ammunition to the frontier. It was impossible to move his body to Tinkling Spring, so he was buried near where he died at Draper's Meadow. His grave was covered with loose stones. The exact location of his grave and others killed in the massacre is unknown today, but it is believed to be near the Duck Pond on the campus of Virginia Tech.

Remembering James Patton

Memorial plaque to Colonel James Patton and pioneers killed at Draper's Meadow Massacre.

The town of Pattonsburg was named after James Patton in the 1800s. It later became part of Buchanan, Virginia, which was named after his son-in-law, John Buchanan.

James Patton's nephew, William Preston, named his own son James Patton Preston in honor of his uncle. This James Patton Preston later became the Governor of Virginia from 1816 to 1819.

In 1938, a memorial plaque was placed at Smithfield Plantation, near the site of the Draper's Meadow Massacre in Blacksburg. It honors Colonel James Patton and the other pioneers who lost their lives in the massacre.

See also

• Draper's Meadow Massacre
• William Preston (Virginia soldier)
• William Beverley
• John Buchanan (Virginia colonist)
• John Lewis (Virginia colonist)