Rev. Strangeman Hutchins

Rev. Strangeman Hutchins

A Patriot of the American Revolution for Virginia. DAR Ancestor # A061241

Find A Grave Memorial ID # 229067378

In our Genealogy of the HILL-JORDAN-KLAGES FAMILY, the "Hutchins-Hutchens" lines, you will find that we have used the books "Hutchins-Hutchens, Descendants of Strangeman Hutchins," by Rita Hineman Townsend, and we have also quoted a little of the source of her material, HU #6-1759 Augustus "Gussie" L. Crider, the daughter of HU #5-410 John Hutchins and Frances Townsend. (See also, Mrs. Gussie Waymire Crider and Edward C. Crider of Buck Creek, Indiana (now deceased), "Four Generations of the Family of Strangeman Hutchins and his wife Elizabeth Cox, as known January 10, 1935"). This, with Rita's wonderful research and Quaker information, does add much coloring and flavor to Rita Hineman Townsend's books, and the books give us a real feeling for the times and history of our great country. Thank you, Rita, for the long, hard, grueling, wonderful work you have done in giving us this great source of information on the Hutchins family. (CJH-Catherine J. Hill).

"Hutchins-Hutchens, Descendants of Strangeman Hutchins," Vol. 1, pg. 7

"Strangeman Hutchins probably lived in Henrico Co., VA, until his marriage about 1731 to Elizabeth Cox, daughter of Richard and Mary Cox." (The only proof which we have of the father of Strangeman Hutchins being Nicholas Hutchins): Vol. 1, pg. 8:

"1729-11mo-3 Strangeman Hutchins sold & deeded to Learner Bradshaw the land grant made to Nicholas Hutchins; and fortunately, in the deed, Strangeman said that Nicholas was his father. Abbreviated words are written out for the sake of clarity. 'Livery of seizin or setsin' means delivery of possession of lands and tenements of freehold; 'enfeoff' means to transfer land." (continues):

" 'This Indenture made and concluded this third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty nine between Strangman Hutchins of the parish and County of Henrico of the one part Witnesseth that the aforsaid Strangman Hutchins for the valuable consideration of twenty pounds Currant money to him in hand paid by the aforsaid Learner Bradshaw the receipt whereof he the said Strangman Hutchins doth clearly and absolutely Exonerate acquit and discharge him the Said Learner Bradshaw his Heirs (?) from every part and penny thereof hath bargain Sold aliened enfeoffed and confirmed and in and by those presents doth bargain Sell alien enfeof and confirm unto the aforsaid Learner Bradshaw his Heirs and assigns for ever one certain tract or parcell of land lying and being in the aforsaid County and on the North Side of James River and bounded acording to a patent granted to Nicholas Hutchins deceased Late of the aforsaid County who was Father to the above named Strangman Hutchins To Have and To Hold the aforsaid tract or parcell of Land together with all houses out houses gardens hedges detchs and fences with all and Singular the apurtenances and apendanceus thereunto belonging or in any wise apurtaining and he the Said Strangman for himself his Heirs Executors (?) administrators Shall and will for ever warrant and defend the aforsaid Land and premises from any person or persons whatsoever, In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the day and year above writen.

the words twenty and nine Interlind, Signed Sealed and Delivered in before signing.

the presents and Sight of Strangman Hutchins Seal

Stephen Woodson

John Burton

Charles Griffith m Md this third of November 1729 that Livery and Seizin of the within-mentioned Lands and premises was made and given before the ensealing and delivery of these presents by the within named Strangman Hutchins unto the within named Learner Bradshaw.

Witness Stephen Woodson

John Burton

Charles Griffith

At a Court held at Varina for Henrico County the first munday in November 29 Strangman Hutchins adknowledged this Deed with the Livery of Seisen Endorsed from himself to Learner Bradshaw to be his act and Deed and it w thereupon admitted to Record.

(Virginia State Library, Richmond, VA; Henrico County Test. Bowler Cocke (Clerk of the Court)

Deeds & Wills 1725-1737, Reel 7a, p 253)' "

Vol. 1, Addenda, Appendix II., pg. 785: "Deep Creek Cemetery Records":

"Thomas D. Hamm has copied all the legible pre-1850 inscriptions in the Deep Creek Friends Cemetery, Yadkin Co., NC, during the summer of 1978. These are printed in 'The Quaker Yeomen,' Vol. 5, No. 3, Fall, 1978. Only one person named Hutchens is known to have been buried there: Benjamin Hutchens, d 15 Apr 1830 (4-31). He is buried at the edge of the cemetery, very near the highway. There is also a very old stone marked ____ H., d. 18? 1794. Strangeman Hutchins, (2-1) born 1707, died 10 Feb. 1794. It is possible that this is his tombstone."

Vol. 1, Addenda, Appendix II., pg. 795: "The Daughters of the American Revolution":

"Mrs. Gussie Waymire Crider made application to the National Society of the D.A.R. and proved the service which Strangeman Hutchins performed during the Revolutionary War. With her application to the D.A.R. was filed a photostat copy of the record of service, and also a copy of the will of Strangeman. These are at D.A.R. headquarters in Washington DC. Any member of the family desiring to join this organization could refer to Mrs. Crider's application for proof of service; however, the rules for membership have been tightened in recent years, and only military service may be used now. It is not known whether others could still gain membership through Strangeman's service."

Vol. 1, Addenda, Appendix III., pg. 809-810: TRADITIONS

" 1. Thomas W. Barnett wrote, 'My great-grandfather's name was Strangeman Hutchins. Why that singular name was given him, I know not, unless it was because his parents thought it strange that a man-child should be born unto them, for I believe he was their only son. He was a minister of the Friends Faith. His word was law among his children, and they obeyed him to the letter. His wife, Elizabeth Cox, lived to the advanced age of 103 years, and died in North Carolina.'

" 2. Hezekiah Hutchins of Economy, Indiana, wrote to his son Ira on 18 Mar 1877 that he had lived to see eight living generations, and that he had heard his grandfather, Nicholas Hutchens (son of Strangeman, son of Nicholas) say that his grandfather was a bound boy in England. He ran away and came to Amrica and on his arrival, he was sold for his passage to a Virginia merchant, and having served his time with the merchant, he married the merchant's only daughter and became a partner in the business. They raised a family and had only one son, and his name was Strangeman; and he (Strangeman) married a wife near Richmond, Virginia, and they had four boys, viz: John, Nicholas, Thomas and Benjamin. From these four boys sprang the entire Hutchens family in the United States. (The last sentence, at least, is not true. there were many other Hutchins emigrants. RHT).

" 3. Some branches of the Hutchens family say that the first ancestor to the American soil was John Hutchens who settled near Richmond, Virginia, married Polly Strangeman, an only daughter of a rich merchant, and Polly inherited her father's estate, and they had a son Strangeman Hutchins. At the death of Polly's father that name was not carried on, except through the given name of Strangeman Hutchens; hence the lost surname of Strangeman.

" 4. Another tradition, often heard, is that Nicholas Hutchens came from Wales to Virginia in 1600 (? before Jamestown was settled???) or near that time. He died at the age of 84 years. This Nicholas Hutchens was a young man of superior intelligence and marked personality, having received a liberal education; and he chose teaching as a profession. After the death of Queen Elizabeth, when James was King, oppression of the Colleges and church people became intolerable. Then it was that Nicholas Hutchens sought freedom in religion and education and came to America, settling in Richmond, Virginia. here he became associated with the wealthy colonist ---- Strangeman and in time became the tutor to Miss Polly (Mary) Strangeman, the only daughter of a very wealthy merchant. Through this constant association he could not resist Polly's gracious manner, sterling qualities and womanly character; and he soon found himself pledging his heart and hand, which was accepted by the young girl of tender years. to this union was born one son, Strangeman Hutchens, and his sisters. Polly (Strangeman) Hutchens lived to the age of 103. (Mrs. Crider pointed out in a letter that it seems clear that Polly could not have lived to the age of 103 if her husband Nicholas married second Mary Watkins, who was actually the mother of Strangeman. This tradition seems to have gotten confused with Strangeman's wife Elizabeth, who did live to the age of 103. RHT).

" 5. Another tradition in one branch of the family is that Strangeman Hutchens ran away from his home in England when he was 19 years of age. and came to America with the second Jamestown Colony in 1620. On the voyage he would not disclose his name, and the other pilgrims nicknamed him Strangeman. Soon after coming to Virginia, he sold his time to a Virginia merchant for three years. While working out his time he fell in love with the merchant's daughter. Later, they married, and to the union four children were born, two of whom--sons--married on reaching their majority. One of them settled in Ohio, and the other in North Carolina. (Note that Strangeman, the one who did move to North Carolina, is mixed up here with the immigrant, whatever his name might have been. Strangeman's father was, of course, Nicholas. RHT).

" 6. This tradition, much repeated, has already been disproved on p 1 in this book (Vol. 1): it concerns one Isaac Hutchens who came to America in 1623, m Sisely Sherman, had a son Robert, b about 1656. The story goes that Robert married Polly Strangeman and had a son Nicholas Hutchens, who was the father of the patriarch Strangeman Hutchens. (Court records indicate, however, that Robert Hutchens died without issue.)

" 7. Another legend goes thus: One John Hutchens came to America from England; married a Betsy Streangeman, then Jenny Brazuell; had 20 or 21 children, including Strangeman Hutchens. (this seems to be a garbled version of the record of John (3-3), son of Strangeman, who married Alice Stanley and married second Jane (Jenny) Braswell, and who had 16 children who reached adulthood (perhaps another who died early).]

" 8. And finally, the strangest legend of all: 'A Polly married a Hutchins, and she was with child. They were missionaries. (?) The Indians killed her husband, and Polly died when she gave birth to her child. The Indians took her child (named Polly) to raise, and called her Polly Strangeman, as Strangeman meant "White Person". They had come from England about 1585 (? no settlement until 1607!) and were members of the Church of England.'

"Certainly Strangeman's name was unusual, and it is not surprising that it has given rise to many tales. It is probable that in the beginning, in England, it meant just what it suggests: 'the strange man'. It is a name almost never found as a surname (at least, spelled in any way that sounds like 'Strangeman'. The names Strangman and Strongman occur, and even Strang, and Strange. Bardsley's 'English and Welsh Surnames' shows the name John Strangeman, listed in the Poll Tax Roll, Yorkshire, England, 1379. (Published by the Yorkshire Archaeological and topographical Association, 1881.)....."

"Tradition, unless supported by facts, is not acceptable when proving one's descent. It is pleasant to read; and there may be a thread of some truth found in any of these traditions. But it is best to avoid considering any of these traditions as fact."

"The Story of Jacob Hutchins of Athol, Massachusetts," Revolutionary Soldier, (and Accounts of other Hutchins Who Served in the Revolutionary War), "The Hutchins Families of Colonial America...."

No page #; cut off at bottom of page. "The large Strangeman Hutchins family originated in Virginia and then moved to Surry County, N.C. Strangeman's father was Nicholas Hutchins of the James River."

pg. 169, "In Ohio, however, I've met a whole new group of Hutchins. They are often Quakers and come from Virginia or North Carolina. Their family can be traced back to Nicholas Hutchins who lived in Virginia and to his son, Strangeman Hutchins, who was born there in 1707. These Hutchins moved from Virginia into Surry County, North Carolina and later into other southern states as well as Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. There were many other Hutchins in the south who have not been identified with this family but whose origin is not documented. I've never heard of any relationship between these southern Hutchins and our New England clan. However, as I have become acquainted with these other families it appears we were probably all related in England."

SOURCES: "Hutchins-Hutchens, Descendants of Strangeman Hutchins", "Born 1707, of the James River in Virginia and Surry (Yadkin) County, North Carolina"; 3 Vols; Compiled, edited, and indexed by Rita Hineman Townsend, 1606 N. 3rd St., Garden City, Kansas, 67846; Vol. I, © 1979 Gateway Press, Inc., Baltimore; Vol. II; © 1992 Privately Published by Rita Hineman Townsend; Vol. 1, pgs. 6, 7-14; Vol. I, Pg. 8: "1729-1mo-3 Strangeman Hutchins sold & deeded to Learner Bradshaw the land grant made to Nicholas Hutchins; and fortunately, in the deed, Strangeman said that Nicholas was his father. Abbreviated words are written out for the sake of clarity. 'Livery of seizin or seisin' means delivery of possession of lands and tenements of freehold; 'enfeoff' means to transfer land.; Vol. 2, pgs. 5, & 6: Strangeman Hutchins, born 1707, son of Nicholas Hutchins, of the James River, and Mary Watkins.; Addenda, Appendix II., pg. 785, Appendix III., 809-810. Edited by Mrs. Gussie Waymire Crider and Edward C. Crider of Buck Creek, Indiana (now deceased), "Four Generations of the Family of Strangeman Hutchins and his wife Elizabeth Cox, as known January 10, 1935", (An old Virginia Family along the James River, by Marriage joined to other Immigrant Families of the Colony). "Family Tree Maker, CD192, Genealogical Records: The Encyclopedia of Quaker Genealogy, 1750-1930, Volumes I, V, and VI; © 1998 Genealogy.com" "Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy" by William Wade Hinshaw is the source of the material on the above CD. (CJH). Jack Randolph Hutchins of Orange, Ohio, 1834, Published by the Author, "The Story of Jacob Hutchins of Athol, Massachusetts," Revolutionary Soldier, (and Accounts of other Hutchins Who Served in the Revolutionary War), Page # at bottom of page is cut off. "The Hutchins Families of Colonial America...." "The large Strangeman Hutchins family originated in Virginia and then moved to Surry County, N.C. Strangeman's father was Nicholas Hutchins of the James River. Another early Virginia Hutchins family was Frances Hutchins who went to Virginia with Richard Preston and in 1651 moved to Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Frances later settled in Calvert County, Maryland. Other Hutchins were in St. Mary's County and at Our Lady's Manor the Lord Baltimore estates. No relationship is known between these different Hutchins families." (St. Mary's, Maryland "Hutchins" are possibllity related to Nicholas, and son, Strangeman Hutchens; see excerpts from "Elmore Hutchins of My Lady's Manor, Maryland").

Pg. 169, "In Ohio, however, I've met a whole new group of Hutchins. They are often Quakers and come from Virginia or North Carolina. Their family can be traced back to Nicholas Hutchins who lived in Virginia and to his son, Strangeman Hutchins, who was born there in 1707. These Hutchins moved from Virginia into Surry County, North Carolina and later into other southern states as well as Tennessee, Kentucky, and Ohio. There were many other Hutchins in the south who have not been identified with this family but whose origin is not documented. I've never heard of any relationship between these southern Hutchins and our New England clan. However, as I have become acquainted with these other families it appears we were probably all related in England."

From the net: EDITED VERSION...STILL UNABLE TO UPLOAD ALL OF THE PHOTOS. This newsletter will explore some of the relatives of Jane Hutchins of Henrico County, Virginia. Other names directly related to Jane include Cox, Trent, Sherman, Elam, Watkins, Crispe and Alexander. Jane Hutchins, daughter of Strangeman and Elizabeth Cox Hutchins was born in Henrico County June 10, 1748. Jane married Athanacius Barnett in Hanover County, Virginia on December 12, 1767. She and her husband were both Quakers and had migrated first to Ohio and then to West Newton, Marion County, Indiana. Jane died in the West Newton area on November 30, 1833 and is buried in Easton Cemetery, West Newton, Indiana. Jane is one of my 4th great grandmothers on the Mendenhall side of the family. Again, I will tell you that the names of counties in Virginia changed during this period.

Some relatives of Jane’s father, Strangeman, insist that his name is pronounced Strong-mun. After reading some about the man, I prefer Strangeman. Strangeman was the son of Nicholas and Mary Watkins Hutchins and was born about 1707 near the James River in Henrico County, Virginia. The following biographies from: http://home.earthlink.net/~glendaalex/strange.htm Strangeman Hutchins and Slavery Strangeman (pronounced Strong-mun) Hutchins was born in 1707 in Henrico County, Virginia. He married Elizabeth Cox in 1731 in Hanover County, Virginia. After their marriage, he and Elizabeth moved to Goochland County. However, Strangeman's name appears frequently in the records of the Cedar Creek Monthly Meeting of Friends in Hanover County, where he was an elder, from 1741-1786. Strangeman Hutchins was prosperous. He was a planter who owned about 750 acres of land. Early Quakers, like people of other religions, often bought slaves to work their land and raise cash crops like cotton and tobacco. When slavery became a subject of debate in the Friends' meeting houses, Quakers began to free their slaves, with opposition from the states. Both Virginia and North Carolina passed laws against manumission. Strangeman -1- freed twelve slaves in Virginia, in 1782, when the law there was changed. This was accomplished by a deed of manumission, a legal document by which the state allowed a slave-owner to set someone free. Strangeman is listed on several DAR site as a patriot. -2- When Strangeman and his wife were in their seventies, they sold their land in Virginia and moved to Forbush Creek in Surry County, (now in Yadkin County) North Carolina about 1786. There, he joined the Deep Creek Friends Meeting.

Dying Words

Strangeman died February 10, 1792, in Surry County, North Carolina, at the age of eighty-five. His friend Sylvanus Hadley recorded his dying words, stating that Strangeman was taken ill about mid-October 1791 and suffered a good bit during the next few months. The evening before his death, Sylvanus wrote down his prayers for forgiveness and mercy and his expressions of faith, reporting that "He was heard to say that he had been afraid that he had displeased his Creator, that was the cause He continued him here so long in affliction." Strangeman said, "Oh that we might all be prepared so that when we come to lie upon a dying bed and a rolling pillow, we may have nothing to do but die."

His will was proved in Surry County Court in July of that year. In his will he names his wife, Elizabeth Hutchens, son Benjamin Hutchens, daughter Mary Brooks and her husband Samuel Robert Brooks, from whom she is apparently separated, his granddaughter Elizabeth Stanley, who is the daughter of Mary Brooks, daughter Edieth Stanley, grandson John Hutchens Stanley, sons and daughters John, Nicholis, Thomas and Benjamin Hutchens, Obedience Harding and Jean Barnett. He also names John Stanley, who is apparently the husband of Edieth.

Witnesses include Jonathan Johnson and John Johnson. John Johnson is the husband of Strangeman's daughter, Lydia. John and Lydia's son Jonathan was about 20 years old at his grandfather's death.

Will

Last Will and Testament of Strangeman Hutchins

Surry County, North Carolina, Will book three, page 5.

I, Strangeman Hutchins, of Surry County, and State of North Carolina, being desirous to settle my outward estate while in my sound senses and memory, and to prevent disputes after my death, do make this my last will and testament in the manner following;

First, I give to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Hutchins, all my personal estate, not here after given to any of my children or grandchildren, hereafter named, to dispose of as she may think proper, amongst my children and grandchildren.

Secondly, It is my will and desire, that John Standly shall have the tract of land he now lives on, containing seventy-five acres, being in the county above said, for his own property, provided he pay me or my executor the sum of twenty-five pounds Virginia money, by or before the twenty-fifth day of December, Anno Domino 1702, agreeable to a verbal contract made between him, the said John Standly and myself.If the money is not paid by that time, then it is my desire that my son, Benjamin Hutchins, shall have the seventy-five acres of land by settling and paying some demands that are against me in Virginia, and paying the balance of the above mentioned sum of twenty five pounds Virginia money to his mother.

Thirdly, I lend to my daughter, Mary Brooks, a tract of land containing fifty five acres, lying in Goochland County in Virginia, it being the land whereon my said daughter, Mary, now lives, during her natural life, provided she lives separate and apart from her husband, Samuel Robert Brooks. It is not my intent the said Brooks should live on my land, or have any part of my estate whatever, and after the death of my said daughter, Mary, then I give the said fifty five acres of land to my granddaughter, Elizabeth Stanley, daughter of my said daughter, Mary Brooks, to her and her heirs forever.

Fourthly, I lend to my daughter, Edith Standly, one feather bed, which she now has in her possession, during her natural life and then I give the said bed to my grandson, John Hutchins Stanley.

Fifthly, It is my will and desire that whatever I have already given to my sons and daughters hereafter named, the same shall remain in their possession forever: (to wit) John, Nicholas, Thomas and Benjamin Hutchins, Mary Brooks, Edith Stanley,Obedience Harding, and Jane Bamett.

And last, I appoint my son, Benjamin Hutchins, executor to this, my last will and testament, revoking all wills heretofore made by me. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ye 23rd day of ye 11th month, 1791.

Signed, sealed, published and declared to be the last will and testament of Strangeman Hutchins, in the presence of Jonas Reynolds, Jonathan Johnson, John Johnson.
Strangeman Hutchins (his mark)[10][11]

Name: Rev. Strangeman Hutchens
Birth Date: 1707
Birth Place: Virginia
Death Date: 10 Feb 1792
Death Place: Surry County, North Carolina
SAR Membership: 77560
Role: Ancestor
Application Date: 8 Feb 1954
Father: Nicholas Hutchens
Spouse: Elizabeth Cox
Children: Benjamin Hutchins

U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970

Name: Strangeman Hutchins
Gender: Male
Residence Place: Surry County, North Carolina
Will Date: 23 Nov 1791
Probate Date: 1792
Probate Place: Surry County, North Carolina, USA
Inferred Death Year: 1792
Inferred Death Place: North Carolina, USA
Item Description: Original Wills, Brown, John - Moreland, Joseph
Others Listed Relationship
Strangeman Hutchins
Elizabeth Hutchens Wife
Mary Brooks Daughter
Edieth Stanley Daughter
John Hutchens Grandson
Thomas Hutchens Son
Benjamin Hutchens Son
Nicholis Hutchens Son
Jean Barnett Daughter
Obedience Harding Daughter
Table of Contents 3 images
Cover Page 1
Will Papers 2
Cover Page 3

North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998

References

• Hutchins-Hutchens, Descendants of Strangeman Hutchins. Compiled, edited and indexed by Rita Hineman Townsend Gateway Press, Inc. Baltimore 1979 PDF

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• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Sep 9 2021, 9:46:35 UTC