Early land grants in Henrico (now Chesterfield) County, Virginia, showing William Baugh and John Baugh (in circle at left of map)
Many of the Baugh families in the USA trace their ancestry to colonial Virginia. This web site is intended to be a compendium of the research done on William Baugh, who is said to have immigrated to Virginia in the 1630s, and his descendants. Much has been published on this family in various Virginia historical books and family histories, some of it accurate, some not so accurate. As is often the case with family histories, once something is in print, it often is considered to be "gospel". It is my hope that this web site will facilitate a critical examination and discussion of the facts, legends, and myths surrounding this Baugh family and to allow us Baugh researchers and descendants to learn more about our origins and our relatives' contributions to early America. The best way to separate fact from fiction and to resolve conflicting information is to go back to the primary sources (see Documenting Your Genealogy Research - Guide to Citing Sources). These include records of marriages, births, deaths, and burials, census listings, Bible records, tax lists, probate and land records, etc. The information in the descendant listings on this web site will include documentation of the primary sources as much as possible, and transcriptions of many of those sources will be presented in links below. This is a working document and not necessarily definitive, since much of it is based upon information found on the Internet or in published secondary sources. It will be modified and (hopefully) improved as more researchers provide input and, most importantly, evidence.
I am a 6th-great-grandson of William Baugh's great-grandson Abraham Baugh (#633 in my Baugh database), who married Judith Coleman and died near Powhatan County, Virginia around 1797. Much of my research, thus far, has focused on their descendants. In 2007, inspired by other Baugh researchers, I decided to expand my research to try to tie together the other Baughs living in that part of Virginia, starting with the ones (William and John) who settled near Bermuda Hundred in the early-to-mid-1600s. A perusal of the information on the Internet (see Discussion Groups) shows a lot of confusion over the multitude of Williams, Johns, Jameses, Thomases, etc., and where they fit within the family. Fortunately, many researchers have begun the task of transcribing and abstracting the various records. I feel strongly that we need to do a more systematic and complete job of transcribing (not just abstracting) the records relating to these Baughs and collecting them in a central repository that will be easily available and will grow as more records are transcribed. I am hoping that this web site will help contribute to that effort. Along with that, I have attempted to provide a listing of descendants of William Baugh, which is work in progress and will be modified and improved as more becomes known about these relationships. Some of these relationships are very tentative (speculative) and will likely change. For a number of branches, the evidence is lacking and no strong consensus exists as to where (or if) they fit in William Baugh's tree. I have categorized these as "Unknown Baughs". Y-chromosome DNA analysis (see below) can establish with strong probability if they are indeed connected by close blood relationship to William Baugh. This will complement the research into documentary historical records. I have tried to record all Baughs found in the US census records from 1790 to 1850 in Virginia and states with strong migratory ties to Virginia (e.g., Kentucky, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Georgia). Many of these will be descendants of our William Baugh, as well as another Baugh family of German origin (not related to William Baugh) who settled in and near Wythe County in southwestern Virginia in the 1700s. (They are the "German Baughs". Again, DNA analysis will help settle questions of where the various Baugh branches belong.) I live about three hours south of Richmond, Virginia, where an excellent state archive exists at the Library of Virginia. In between my busy work and family schedule, I occasionally am able to make the trip to Richmond to transcribe the primary source records there. If anyone else has access to primary source records relating to these Baugh families (of Henrico and surrounding counties), please send your transcriptions my way and I will post them here with acknowledgments to your efforts. Let's continue to actively participate in the discussion groups. And those of you direct Baugh male descendants with the Baugh surname, please consider participating in the Baugh DNA Project.
William Baugh is believed to have emigrated from England in the 1630s and settled in Bristol Parish, Henrico County, Virginia in the vicinity of the Bermuda Hundred settlement (now in Chesterfield County southeast of present-day Richmond, between the James River and Appomattox River). William was a Justice in Henrico County in the 1650s, as well as a tailor, merchant, and tobacco farmer. He died in 1687, probably in Henrico County (now Chesterfield County).
William Baugh was apparently preceded in Bermuda Hundred by a John Baugh, who may have been his brother. John Baugh is mentioned in Henrico County records as early as 1637,
when he assigned "rights and title" to land in Varina (just across the James River to the north of Bermuda Hundred) patented to him in 1636 to William Cooke and Richard
Carpenter. They subsequently sold this land to planters John Davis and Robert Craddock.
"Memord: That I John Baugh of Varina, planter, hath assigned unto William Cooke & Richard Carpenter all my rights and title that I have unto the land taken up by mee in this pattent being the 13th of June 1636. [Signed:] John Baugh [Witness:] Benj. Carrill
Memord: The wee William Cooke & Richard Carpenter, planters, doth assigne & sell unto John Davis & Robert Craddock of Harihatoxs, planters, all the right and title that wee the above named hath according unto this pattent. In witness thereof wee have sett our hands the 9th July 1637. [Signed:] William Cooke, Richard Carpenter [Witness:] John Baugh"
VA, Land Patent Book 1, Part 1, p. 452
John Baugh, in 1638, received a headright grant of 250 acres of land along the Appomattox River in Bermuda Hundred for transporting five persons into the colony at his expense. At the time, this was in Henrico County, but the part south of the James River became Chesterfield County in 1749.
Date of patent: 11 May 1638
Patentee: John Baugh (Gent.)
Area: 250 acres
Description: Henrico Co., "Appamatturk river . . . Cutting North Eastward by East Upon the land lately belonging to Abraham Piercey . . . for the transportation of five persons into this Colony . . . Gov. Channon [?] Tho. Butter Ann Hooots [?] Kirk Plant [??] William Roberson [?]"
VA, Land Patent Book 1, Part 1, p. 559
John Baugh added 200 more acres to his Bermuda Hundred holdings through additional headright grants in 1645 and 1650.
Date of patent: 24 Jul 1645
Patentee(s): John Baugh (Gent.)
Area: 100 acres
Description: Henrico Co., "Bermuda Hundred . . . eighty acres . . . East North East upon the Land formerly belonging to John Arundell - South East upon the Bay of Appomatock west South west upon Powell Creek and North West Upon Connococke path four Acres bounded viz. North North East Upon James River East South East Upon the Land of James Usher [?] South South west Upon the Land of Michaell Maghort [??] and west North west Upon the Land of William Sharp, the other Sixteen Acres lying in Bermuda hundred Neck, bounded South Upon the Land of Joseph Royall North East Upon the Swamp and North west Upon the Land of Michaell Magfors [??], the Said one hundred Acres of Land being due unto him the Said John Baugh, by and for the Transportation at his own proper Cost and Charge of two persons into this Colony whose Names are in the records mentioned under this Patent . . . George Woolfe Elizabeth Cowells"
VA, Land Patent Book 2, p. 27
Date of patent: 6 Aug 1650
Patentee(s): John Baugh
Area: 100 acres
Description: Henrico Co., "bounding East North East upon the Land of George Browning South East Upon the Bay of Appamattock . . . South Swest Upon the Land of John Baugh and North west into the woods of the Said Land being . . . unto ye Said John Baugh by and for the Transportation of two persons into the Colony"
VA, Land Patent Book 2, p. 219
In 1668, William Baugh (our immigrant ancestor) received a headright grant of 577 acres alongside John Baugh's grants for the transportation of 12 persons, including his son William Baugh, Jr. (Where was William Baugh living prior to 1668 and when did he enter the colony? Does he appear on any records prior to 1668?)
Date of patent: 16 Apr 1668
Patentee(s): Wm. Baugh
Area: 577 acres
Description: Henrico Co., "on the north side of Appamattock River bounded as followeth . . . beginning at a white Oak standing in a meadow nigh Wm. Jeffrey his house [survey line nxw; 353 poles from a meddow nigh William Jeffry his house, into the woods [NxW] 353 poles; to - Point B) a white Oake marked four wayes wth a great Bush at the bottom line Northwest 62 Poles; - Point C) a small white Oak WSWW 96 Poles; line wsw.25w; 96 poles - Point D) NNW"W 120 Poles; line nnw.5w; 120 poles - Point E) line ExN; 100 Poles; - Point F) agreat white Oake line Southheast 600 Poles; - Point G) a small white Oake marked four wayes line SxE; 119 Poles; - Point H) the river in Perryes Stile feild line SWxW; 30 Poles; along the river from Perryes Stile feild - Point I) the Creeke mouth then up the Creek survey line Northwest 120 Poles; up the Creeke - Point J) line WxN; 32 Poles; [or 132p?] - Point K) line SWxW; 56 Poles; due by & for the transp. of 12 pr.sons &c end] . . . for the transportation of 12 persons . . . Wm. Baugh Junr, Wm. Lewis . . ." VA, Land Patent Book 6, p. 5
The shape and position of his land grant relative to other original grants is shown by the following map. The "creeke" referred to in the survey appears to be present-day Ashton Creek, which empties into the Appomattox River at Port Walthall. William Baugh's grant is just to the east of the confluence of this creek with the river.
Early land grants in Henrico (now Chesterfield) County, Virginia, showing William Baugh and John Baugh (in circle at left of map)
A survey for a patent dated 1665 (three years prior to William Baugh's land grant) shows that he resided on this land prior to 1668, near a "remarkable great stone". (Note the reference to "Proctors Creek". Is this the same as "Ashton Creek"?)
TYPE: Patent - mos XWARD Date: 20 Oct 1665 ref [Patent Book 5:590] to Christopher Branch Ref: 1380 acres Henrico/'Kingsland' & Proctors Creek (William Baugh loc 16971 -8582 F127 L0 P255 - Point A) Marked tree 9&3/4 cha abv a remarkable great stone lying abv William Baughs house line WxS; 320 poles - Point B) _____ line SxE; 590 poles - Point C) Marked tree on Proctors Creek HYD on Run survey line ; along Run & Creekwith meanders - Point D) River HYD line NxW; 600 poles up river BRG & POLES from Sta. 3 have been arbitrarily assigned Shift: sta 1 of BRNCH665.INT to sta 22 of RWARD665.INT - Quality of survey: Well located.
Where is this stone? Does it still exist? An interesting geographic feature that looks like it could be a "remarkable great stone" appears on a Civil War era map of the area:
Is this the location of the "great stone" (indicated by the circle)? See the same feature on a present-day Google Earth map, just to the west of what appear to be baseball diamonds. This is located next to Point of Rocks Park. (Can someone in the area do a ground inspection of this feature to see if it is indeed "remarkable"? I drove by there one evening in November 2007 to take a look for myself, but it was too dark to tell. Next time I am near Richmond I will try to visit there in the daytime.)
Location of William Baugh property along the Appomattox River in present-day Chesterfield County, Virginia
William Baugh's son William, Jr. is believed to have been born in England by William Baugh, Sr.'s first wife, name unknown. Nothing is known of her. Shortly after William Baugh's arrival in the Virginia colony (ca. 1638)?, he married recently-widowed Elizabeth Packer (or Parker). She was a patentee of headright land due to her through her late husbands Sgt. William Sharpe and Thomas Packer.
Date of patent: 17 Aug 1637
Patentee: Elizabeth Packer (widow)
Area: 950 acres
Description: in Henrico Co., bounded east upon 4 Mile Creek, west upon land of Seth Ward, south upon the river, north into the woods; due in right of her late husband Sgt. William Sharpe & Thomas Packer, who at their own costs & charges transported 19 persons: Rich. Vase, John Thomas, Lewis Jones, Leonard Houghton, William Cooke, Peter Hudsey, Edward Jones, Jon. Ward, William Wooley, 2 Negro servants (to Sgt. William Sharpe), Thomas Blancks, Jacob Dewitt, John Haman, Andrew Pratt, Christ. Stevenson, Christ. Beare, Jon. Shaddock, Francis Stone, servants (to Tho. Packer) [Note: Henrico Co. Index to Patents carried this name as Parker, not Packer]
VA, Land Patent Book 1, Part 1, p. 454
Later Henrico County deeds show that William's wife Elizabeth bought John Baugh's land (when? before or after her marriage to William?). She and William are believed to have had three children: daughter Mary and sons John and Thomas. Elizabeth died and her will (apparently since lost) was recorded in Henrico County in 1650. William married a third time (wife's name not known) and had two more children: daughter Katherine and son James.
William Baugh (of Bristol Parish, Henrico County) left a will (dated and proved in April 1687). I still need to find this will and make a copy and verbatim transcription. Here is an abstract (thanks to Janet Hunter): Only three of his six children are mentioned in the will. Nothing is said about his third wife, so she probably predeceased him.
Will of William Baugh of Bristol Parish (abstract)
To son-in-law John Howlett for use of his 3 children, various livestock and household items; To son John Baugh, items; To grandson John Baugh, 1 cow calf; To Katherine Jones, 1 young sow; Executor: Loving son James Baugh
Dated 1 April 1687; Proved at April Court 1687
Witnesses: Thomas Lockett, Peter Ashbrook
VA, Henrico Co., Will Book ?, p. 427
p. 434: James Baugh confirmed as executor of William Baugh 20 April 1687.
A large number of Baughs are found in records of the county of Henrico and those adjacent counties south of the Appomattox River to the North Carolina border. Many are believed to be descendants of the English immigrant William Baugh (and perhaps his possible brother John Baugh, of whom little more is known). Much more work needs to be done transcribing and analyzing the 17th- and 18th-century records of these counties (and hopefully some family Bibles and gravestones) in order to determine the relationships of the southern Virginia Baughs with certainty. DNA analysis (see below) will play a role, as well.
Here are listings (portions of which are tentative) of descendants of William Baugh (the English immigrant) (through eight generations).
[Note: To view the Adobe Acrobat files, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader software. This can be downloaded free from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. You can download the files to your disk to view them, or use your web browser with the appropriate plug-ins.]
Index of Names
Explanation of Format of Descendant Listings
Children of William Baugh
Descendants of William Baugh (#1) & ----- ----- & Jane [Branch]
Descendants of John Baugh (#3) & Margaret -----
Children of James Baugh (#6) & Elizabeth Ashbrook
Descendants of James Baugh (#61) & Elizabeth Moore
Descendants of Peter Baugh (#62) & Elizabeth Walthall
Descendants of Thomas Baugh (#63) & Mary Farley & Sarah Ashbrook
Descendants of William Baugh (#64) & Mary Ferguson
There are a number of other Bradshaw family groups who have not yet been placed in this Bradshaw family. Each distinct group will be identified on this web site with a unique Family Number, which is prefixed to their Descendant ID. For example, William Baugh (born 1803-1805 in Virginia), first married 27 December 1827 in Chesterfield County, Virginia to Sarah W. Cheatham (and then remarried between 1850 and 1860, probably in Fayette County, Tennessee, to Martha A. -----). He has been confirmed by y-chromosome DNA analysis of a direct male descendant to be very closely related to (probably a descendant of) the subject of this web site, William Baugh. Exactly where he fits within the descendants of the immigrant William Baugh is not yet known. He and his descendants will be shown under Family Number "2" and their Descendant IDs will be prefixed by "2-". His grandson Luther William Baugh (first child of his seventh child) will carry the ID "2-71". Family groups with Family Numbers from "1" to "9" will be those who have been confirmed by y-chromosome DNA analysis to belong to the base Baugh family (descendants or close relatives of the immigrant William Baugh.) As more primary documentary sources are discovered, I may move them into the base family. Family numbers from "10" to "99" will indicate Baugh family groups who first appear in Virginia or the surrounding area, but where no conclusions have yet been reached linking them to the base family. Groups with family numbers of "100" and higher have been confirmed by DNA and/or documentary evidence to not be related (genealogically) to the base family. For example, the descendants of Bartholomeus "Bartle" Bach and his wife Margretha Ebert of Eggenstein, Baden, Germany changed their surname to Baugh and settled in southwestern Virginia and then Kentucky. They appear under Family Number "500". My research will focus on the base family group and those confirmed by DNA to be closely related to this family.
Index of Names
Explanation of Format of Descendant Listings
1790
1800
1810
1820
1830
1840
1850
1860
1870
1880
1900
1910
1920
1930
1940
Alabama
Alaska
Arkansas
California
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Missouri
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Carolina
Tennessee
Texas
Virginia
Chesterfield Co., Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Miscellaneous
World War 1 Draft Registrations
World War 2 Draft Registrations
GenForum - Baugh
RootsWeb - Baugh
Other researchers of the Baugh surname have contributed significantly to my understanding of the Baugh family and I would like to acknowledge their contributions.
This includes those who have posted transcriptions of primary records to the Internet and have shared their family research through correspondence and published works and
web sites:
Baugh Branches (by Ivan Baugh)
Bach-Baugh Families of Pulaski Co., Kentucky (German) (by Frank Deis)
"Baugh DNA Project (y-Results Table)"
"Baugh DNA Project (Patriarchs Table)"
A new tool in genealogical research is the use of genetic markers in DNA to establish family relationships. See Genetics, DNA and Health History. The y-chromosome is passed down from father to son to grandson to great-grandson, etc. along the male line (as are surnames in many modern western societies). Occasionally, due to random mutations, one or more of the genetic markers may change in an individual and be passed down to his son that way (similar to a surname changing from Baugh to Bough). Standard tests are available (based on a cheek swab) to identify 12, 37, 67, or 111 markers on the y-chromosome. (The more the markers, the more precise the identification; I strongly suggest 37 or more markers, in order to be useful for genealogical purposes.) All direct male descendants of William Baugh would have very similar, if not identical, results. Someone with a surname of Baugh (or some variation), whether or not they had done in-depth genealogical research, could compare their results to known William Baugh direct male descendants to see if they were likely to be a close relative of William Baugh.
To be considered a close relative (or descendant) of William Baugh, a project participant would need to belong to the same haplogroup (test positive for the same terminal Single Nucleotide Polymorphism, or SNP) and have a very similar haplotype (defined by Short Tandem Repeats, or STRs). As shown in the y-Results Table (above), direct male descendants of the immigrant William Baugh of Virginia (cluster highlighted in light blue) belong to the haplogroup designation (ISOGG 2015) of R1b1a2a1a2c, defined by the SNP R-L21. Baugh males with roots in England testing positive for this SNP whose haplotype differs from the William Baugh haplotype on less than 10% of the markers tested (e.g., a match of 34/37, 61/67, or 100/111 or higher) have a strong possibility of being genealogically related in historical timeframes to William Baugh's family. Alex Haley, author of the book Roots, is a direct male descendant of this family, through a white overseer on a southern plantation in the early 1800s: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/4885075/DNA-proves-author-Alex-Haley-had-Scottish-roots.html By comparison, the Baughs in Virginia and Kentucky descended from Bartholomeus Bach (of Germany) (cluster highlighted in bright yellow) belong to haplogroup G2a (defined by the SNP G-P15), proving that they are an entirely different family.
Any male Baugh in America living today (with that surname) can easily determine if he belongs to one of these families (or not) by ordering a y-chromosome DNA test from Family Tree DNA as a part of the Baugh DNA project.
If you find this information useful and would like to contribute a small (or bigger) amount to help fund this research, please consider selecting one of the options below. This helps me pay for subscriptions to web sites (e.g., Ancestry.com), reference materials (maps, books), supplies (paper, ink, binders, folders), time, and travel.
If you would like to comment on any information contained within, or wish to correspond with me about this family, please send me an e-mail message at: contact@arslanmb.org. Additions and corrections are greatly appreciated. I am especially interested in receiving information obtained from primary sources (census listings, Bibles, cemeteries, vital records, probate and land records, etc.) and photographs and digital images relating to this branch of the Baugh family so that I can incorporate them into this page. Also, I would like to provide links to other pages on the Internet that deal with Baugh genealogy.
Mark B. Arslan