married
RICHARD CROUCH 1 born by or before 1709 [2], probably in Hertfordshire, England. Married before 12 Feb 1733 JUDITH SAMPSON, a daughter of Francis and Bridget Sampson of Goochland County. Francis Sampson was apparently the immigrant ancestor of the Goochland County Sampsons. Francis is reported to have been the defendant in a suit in Goochland County related to his having failed to deliver contracted "planks". Some records have referred to Francis as "Gent", suggesting he may have had or claimed some relationship to Royalty.
Richard Crouch emigrated [4] to America in 1726. [1] He was listed as indentured on 13 January 1726 by John Cooke, bound from London to Virginia. The usual period for indenture was four years which he apparently served from 1726 to 1730. In the latter year following his indenture, he purchased 150 acres of land in eastern Goochland County [5] on Tuckahoe Creek. He resided there the remainder of his life. In the Indenture Record, Richard's family name was spelled Crowch, but other records used the conventional way of spelling. Richard died before 21 Jun 1765 in Goochland County, Virginia (date of Inventory of Estate), leaving an estate of 140 pounds.
Their children were:
1. Richard Crouch 2 born 12 Feb 1733 [8]; 1733 in St. James Northam Parish, Goochland, Co. Va.2. Sarah Crouch 2 born Abt 1736 in Goochland County, Virginia and died a short time before a Jul 1818 Cumberland Co., VA per a Chancery case involing an estate settlement. She married Thomas Caldwell born abt. 1719 Henrico County, Va..on 30 Aug 1756 (Douglas Register Page 2 (page 60 of printed book))
3. Martha Crouch 2 born 5 Jul 1738 [8]; 1733 in St. James Northam Parish, Goochland, Co. Va.
4. John Crouch 2 born Abt 1740 in Goochland County, Virginia; died about 1780; married Susannah Ellis before 1764.
5. Stephen Crouch 2 b: Abt 1741 in Goochland County, Virginia; married 1st) Elizabeth Ferrar [7] on 16 May 1762 2nd Margaret Bo Leb (Bowles according to notes by Mrs. L.M. Crouch (deceased) of Harrisonville, Mo.).
6. Judith Crouch 2 born Abt 1742 in Goochland County, Virginia; married John Lewis 27 Aug 1762 Goochland, Co. Va. (Douglas Register Page 6 (page 60 of printed book) )
[1] From Emigrants to America: Indentured Servants Recruited in London 1718-1733 by John Wareing (Baltimore: Gen. Pub. Co., Inc., 1985), found on page 47 the following:
377 Crowch, Richard John Cooke Virginia 13 Jan 1726 18
Translated this means:
No. 377 is merely the list number of emigrants as arranged alphabetically on the register; the name of the emigrant was Richard Crowch; the name of the agent who imported Richard Crouch was John Cooke; the emigrants destimation was Virginia; the date the indenture was registerd was 13 Jan 1726; the name appears on page 18.
The register is preserved in the Records Office of the Corporation of London numbered CLRO 204B entitled:
A register of the names and surnames of those persons who have voluntarily contracted and bound themselves to go beyond the Seas into his Majesties Colonies and Plantations in America and Certified to the Sessions according to Statute in that case made and provided.
According to John Wareing, an Act of Parliament passed in 1717 was made to enable merchants legally to transport indentured servants to America for periods of up to eight years, providing that the servants were taken willingly before the Lord Mayor or some other Justice of the Peace if they were bound in the City of London. The Act provided that where any person of the age of fifteen years or more and under the age of twenty-one, shall be willing to be transported, and to enter into service in any of his Majesties Colonies or plantations in America, it was lawful for any merchant or other to contract with any such service not exceeding the term of eight years.
The system of servitude was a system under which white people, who were unable or unwilling to pay the costs of passage, became bond servants to a colonial master for a period of years, usually via a third party or agent who arranged his passage. The principle of bond service was not new and was well established in England in the form of apprenticeship or hiring of farm servants. The practice was suggested for colonial settlement as early as 1582, was working in Virginia in 1619, and by 1636 was well-enough established for printed forms to be in use. It lasted in Britain until 1785.
Indenture was a method whereby a bound person left for the colonies with an indenture or legal contract. This indenture bound the servant to give, usually, four years service to whichever colonial master bought it from the transporting agent upon the servant's arrival in the colony. In return, the servant received passage, keep, and perhaps a specified reward at the end of the period of service. The second method of taking servants to the colonies provided that the intending migrant would pay part of the passage money to an agent and be given a certain amount of time to find the balance upon arrival.
[2] Those indentured and listed in the above register were between the ages of fifteen and twenty-one and registered in 1726. (1726-15=1711; 1726-21=1705).
Richard Crouch first purchased land in Goochland County, Virginia, 15 Dec 1730. (Purchasing real estate required that he be at least twenty-one years old. (1730-21=1709).
Goochland County, Virginia, Wills and Deeds 1728-1736 abstracted and compiled by Benjamin B. Weisiger III.
p. 231. Deed 15 Dec 1730. James Holman of St. James Parish, Goochland Co., to Richard Crouch of same for L 14/5, 150 acres on north side of James River on branches of Tuckahoe Creek, bounded by William Womack, with all houses, etc.
Wit: William Benson, Abraham Venable
Signed: James Holman
Recorded 15 Dec. 1730
It is thought that Richard Crouch was indentured between 1826-1830 for the following reasons. The period of indenture as specified by John Wareing was usually four years. Richard Crouch was not found in records searched for Goochland and Herico County (parent county of Goochland) during this time. If he was born in 1709, he would have been 21 in 1730 the time of his land purchase. Until age 21 he would have required a guardian or master.
[3] With the exception of one Crouch marriage in Goochland County, Virginia in 1726, no contemporary Crouch's were living near Richard Crouch. The Douglas Register lists Mary Crouch's marriage to John McBride on 26 Sep. 1726. Note: This Mary Crouch McBride has not been researched.
[4] The possibility that Richard Crouch was indeed the immigrant appears strong based on the above. Additional proof may be found in the unindexed county court minutes of Henrico and Goochland County between 1726-1730 where records of indenture may be listed. If found, this would show to whom Richard Crouch was indentured and if he was indentured to one of his neighbors would be the necessary proof for positive identification.
It would appear that if this is the Goochland County Richard Crouch that he arranged for his indentureship for other than economic reasons. Purchasing 150 acres of land immediately upon release from indentureship would indicate he had other money than could be derived from his indenture.
Further identification of this Richard Crouch may be found in London records.
LEGAL DOCUMENTS:
Goochland County, Virginia Court Orders 1731-1735 - Book 3; Book 173 by Ann K. BlomquistSeptember 1731 - Crouch vs Cholmley - In the Action of Trespass between Richard Crouch Plt. and William Cholmley Defent. on the Defts. motion a Special imparlance is granted him.November Court 1731 - Crouch vs Cholmley. In the action of Trespass between Richard Crouch Plt. and William Cholmley Deft. the Deft. appears but failing to plead on the Plts. motion jud[g]ment by nihil dicit is granted him against the Deft. for what damages shall be recovered in this suit to be discharged nevertheless if the Deft. shall plead at the next court.
May Court 1732 - The action of Trespass between Richard Crouch Plt. and William Cholmely Deft. is dismist the Plt. not prosecuting the same.
September Court 1735 - Ward vs. Bingley - In the action of Trespass between Richard Ward Plt. and Joseph Bingley, Peter Lookado & John Edmonds Defts. for fifteen pounds damages by means of the Defts. having killed a horse belonging to the Plt. the following jury are sworn William Allen, Thomas Ballew, Joseph Farrar, John Harris, Henry Chiles, Richard Crouch, on the examiniation of the witnesses it appears that Joseph Bingley one of the Defts. is not guilty nothing being proved against him whereupon he is admitted an evidence in this suit the jury after some time being in their verdict which on the Defts. motion is admitted to record & is as followeth "Wee find for the Defts. Wm. Allen foreman, whereupon it is considered by the Court that the Plt. take nothing by his writ aforesaid that the Defts. go hence without day & that they recover against the Plt. their costs by them in this behalf expended & a lawyers fee."
Goochland County, Virginia Court Orders 1735-1737
Ordered that Richard Crouch be summoned to appear at the next Court to answer the petition of William Loughman, and that Patrick Hoy and Margaret Jones be summoned to appear as witnesses.On the petition of William Loughman against Richard Crouch, his master, the parties being heard and the witnesses examined, the Court rules that said Loughman is free from his said master, who is hereby ordered to pay him his freedom dues with costs.
On the motion of Joseph Dabbs, it is ordered that Richard Crouch be summoned to appear at next Court to show cause why he failed to attend as witness for the said Joseph against Tabitha Evans.
In the action of trespass between David Walker, plaintiff, and John Woodson, defendant, the following jury is sworn; Robert Hughes, John Laine, John McBrid, Charles Lynch, Thomas Walker, John Prior, Peter Davis, Richard Crouch, Joseph Dabbs, Wm. Harris, Wm Arrington, John Spears, who return with their verdict. When the plantiff is called, he answers to his name, upon which the defendant moves his appearance may be recorded, on which motion the divided. John Fleming, Daniel Stoner, and Thomas Dickins are of the opinion his answering is an appearance, and William Mayo, Isham Randolph, and Thomas Turpin that it is not. The suit is continued for another Justice to give his opinion.
Richard Crouch now appears to show cause why he failed to attend as a witness for Joseph Dabbs against Tabitha Evans, and not making any excuse, it is ruled that said Joseph do recover against him 350 pounds of tobacco + costs.
In the action of trespass between David Walker, plantiff, and John Woodson, defendant, the plantiff being called, appears by his attorney, which is ordered. The suit is continued for the appearance of Richard Crouch, one of the jury.
On the attachment obtained by Charles Turnbull against the estate of Benoni Alsup, the plantiff proving his account, judgement is for the plantiff against defendant for 57 shillings 1 penny + costs + a lawyer's fee. The attachment is returned as follows: April 5, 1737, executed in the hands of James Barret and Richard Crouch. Signed- Thomas (T his mark) Wadlow. It is ordered that they be summoned to appear at next Court, to declare what property of said Alsup they have.
Goochland County Road Order June 1743
In the motion of Ralph Graves it is ordered that William Sampson and Richard Crouch do Assist in Clearing the road of which he is Surveyor.Goochland County Deeds
[5] Page 231 Deed 15 December 1730 - James Holman of St. James Parish, Goochland County, to Richard Crouch of same, for £14/5, 150 acres on north side of James River on branches of Tuckahoe Creek, bounded by William Womack, with all houses, etc.. Witness: William Benson, Abraham Venable Signed James Holman Recorded 15 December 1730.Page 317 Deed 24 24 January 1731 William Womack to James Holman, for same quantity of land granted him, lying elsewhere as per William Kent's deed to him, grants Holman, land in St. James Parish, bounded by Richard Crouch, Martin's line, Dr. Woodson, the ferry road and Bear Branch. Witness: Wm. Kent, William Womack, Jr., John ( )Pritchett Signed:: Wm. Womack Recorded 21 March 1731.
VPB 16 Page 286 Richard Crouch 400a Goochland County. This entry was found on 'Direct Line Software's web site in their 'Deed Data Pool' in the text file entitled 'fluvanna.txt' and based upon three other deeds with the reference VPB 16 which had dates with them Richard Crouch purchased said 400 acres in September 1735.
Page 14 February 1736, William Kent of St. James Parish, Goochland County, to Richard Crouch of same, for £30, land on north side of James River on branches of Tuckahoe Creek, bounded by Stephen Samson, John Williams, William Wamack, being where said William Kent now lives, being part of 270 acres granted to Kent 28 September 1730, 100 acres. Witness: Stephen Samson, George Johnson, J. Williams. Signed: William Kent 15 November 1737.
Pg. 50 page 352 Deed 3 July 1740 Robert Barber of Goochland County, to James Holman of same, for L20, 55 acres on north side of James River, bounded by John Marin, Joseph Pleasant, William Wamack, Richard Crouch. It is the place called “The Brew House”, which James Holman on the 15th this Instant did convey to said Robert Barber. Wit: William Womack, Daniel Branch, John Williams, Mary Williams - Signed: Robert Barber - Recorded 19 August 1740
Pg. 75 page 550 Deed 4 June 1742 James Holman of St. James Parish, Goochland County, to Charles Turnbull and Richard Hill, for L 30, land on north side of James River, bounded by William Womack, Ralph Graves, Richard Crouch, Peter Martin and Joseph Pleasants; being part of tract of 900 acres granted to William Womack and purchased by said Holman and called “Brewhouse”, 54 acres. -Wit: J. Williams, Stephen Samson, Ralph Graves - Signed: James Holman - Recorded 15 June 1742
Pg. 54 Deed book 4 page 414 - August 20, 1744 from Charles Trumbull and Richard Hill of the Parish of St. James and Goochland, merchants, to Andrew Buchanan, Archibald Buchanan, Andrew Cockran, William Crawford, Robert Buchanan, Alexander Sterling, John Wilson, and Robert Wilson, in Company, merchants in Glasgow, for 30 L, a certain tract of land in Goochland on the north side of James River, and bounded by William Womack, Ralph Graves, Richard Crouch, Peter Martin, and Joseph Pleasant…. Recorded September 18, 1744
[6] Goochland County was formed in 1727 from the western portion of Henrico County. When Goochland was created it's lands included all or part of the present counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Albemarle, Bedford, Buckingham, Campbell, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Nelson, and Powhatan. In 1744 the western portion of Goochland was taken to form Albemarle County, and in 1749 Cumberland County was created out of Goochland's lands south of the James River. With the formation of Fluvanna in 1785, Goochland boundaries were finalized.
[7] The Douglas Register page 6."Crouch, Stephen, & Elizabeth Ferrar, both of this parish 1762, May 16."
[8] "The Douglas Register"
[9] Louisa County, VA. - Relationship Records as recorded by Janice L. Abercrombie on Louisa County GenWeb website.
Name Date Reference Relation Related To Samson, Francis
1738 G DB 4 p. 499
father of Crouch, Judith
Samson, Francis
1738 G DB 4 p. 499
father of Samson, Stephen
Samson, Francis
1738 G DB 4 p. 499
father of New, Priscilla
Samson, Francis
1738 G DB 4 p. 499
father of Fuquay, Anna
Samson, Francis
1738 G DB 4 p. 499
father of Maxey, Sarah
These Louisa County, VA records need further research.
If you are a descendant of the Goochland County, Virginia Crouch's, have information different, or in addition to what's shown above (birth information, baptistry info, marriage bonds/certificates, wills, obituaries, deeds, court records, etc..) please feel free to forward to or contact Joe Crouch who maintains this site.