John Sawyer Price (bef. 1740 - abt. 1781)

Born before 1740 in Virginia [uncertain]

Died about 1781 after about age 41 in Virginia, USA [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Jim Williams [send private message]

Biography

John Sawyer Price ... Many trees contain misinformation for birth, marriage, death and family members. Evidence for the person, subject of this profile, has not been found.

The reference, http://genealogy.kathihill.com/Person/family_group/366241 attached to Unity Claiborne contains misinformation. This profile links Unity as a supposed spouse John Sawyer Price. John Sawyer Price is then linked to parents John Price and Ann Younger. Research for Unity Claiborne shows no connection to any John Price. The wife of John Price, son of John Price and Ann Younger, was Anna DeJarnette. https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/Cumberland County

John Sawyer Price ↓ → Born: 11 Mar 1740 in Richmond, Wise, Va Died: 22 Aug 1781 in , Cumberland, Va Parents: | John Price ↓ → | | Ann Younger ↓ →

THE INFORMATION IN THE PREVIOUS PARAGRAPH IS NOT ACCURATE. John Sawyer Price is NOT John Price son of John Price and Ann Younger who was the John Price, no middle name, born 11 March 1740 in Middlesex, Virginia. ^[1]

The misinformation can be tracked to descendants who are not aware there were several John Price men in colonial Virginia. Errors have been found in family trees of Anger Price, Reuben Price, Richard Price, Daniel Price, Francis Price and others. Unfortunately, descendants tend to believe that it was their John Price who was born 11 March 1740. There was only one John Price born on that date and his information is clearly found in Deed and Chancery records of Cumberland County. The correct John Price is found in a Cumberland County Indenture dated 11 November 1820 in which he is listed as "John L. Price" and shown to be living in 1820.^[2]

Additional information for the correct son of John Price and Ann Younger found on this profile. ^[3]

YDNA for a direct male descendant of John Price, born 21 May 1759, grandson of John Price and Ann Younger, is in haplogroup R-M269 Test kit 30827 ^[4]

Research Notes

The name John Sawyer Price has gone viral in online family trees of colonial Virginia. Unfortunately, I have found no original record for a John Price with the middle name of SAWYER before the Revolutionary War.

Several men named John Price were residents in colonial Virginia about the same time. It is highly unlikely they were all named John Sawyer Price. I do not believe any had that name.

Some claim John Sawyer Price to be the John Price born 29 March 1719 in Middlesex, Virginia or his son John born in 1740. A careful examination of the birth records of Christ Church and Will of John Price 1719-1772 in Essex County Virginia tells a different story than stated above. His wife was Ann Younger. Children named in the Will were daughter Catherine Boulware and Susannah. Sons were William who died without issue, Thomas, Richard and John. Court records of Cumberland County Virginia provide additional information. Please see wikitree for John Price 1719-about 1772. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Price-1242

Others claim John Sawyer Price to be the John Price who resided in Halifax County. His will may be found in Halifax Will Book O page 323. His wife was named Sarah but no maiden name has been proven. I have found her called Sarah Brown, Sarah Brookes, Sarah Wilkinson or Sarah Harrelson. I have also found her confused with Sarah, maiden name unknown, Price who died in Shenandoah County about 1817. This John Price was the father of several children who also have been confused with others of the same name. If anyone has an original source for this, please share. Please see wikitree for John Price deceased after making his will 28 July 1771 and John Price 29 March1719-1778 who may be the same man. Note: Birth of 29 March 1719 belongs to the John Price born in Middlesex County not this person. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Price-17747 and https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Price-9244

A third John Price who has been called John Sawyer Price is the husband of Mary Randolph whom some call Sarah Randolph. Once again no records show a middle name of Sawyer. Four children have been identified with original sources. However, many families have connected misleading information. The documented children are Jane Price Barett, Elizabeth Price Dabney and Thomas Randolph Price. The fourth is John Price whose identification needs further research. Be wary of created findagrave entry naming ten children without source data. Sibling information and death for this person may be questionable. Again, original documents are welcome. Please see wikitree for some documentation. John Price abt. 1714-abt. 1779. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Price-766

My ancestor John Price Sr. of Shenandoah County is also referred to as John Sawyer Price. Not one original document contains the name John Sawyer Price. His birth of before 1728 is based on a Library of VA Northern Neck of Virginia Warrant and Survey dated 1749. At that time he would have been at least 21 years of age. It is possible that John was born earlier as his third child, Thomas Price, declares his birth as 22 April 1750 in his Revolutionary War Pension Application indicating the first and second sons were born about 1746 and 1748. His profile with several sources may be found at familysearch.org profile ID K6HR-MWJ and wikitree. John Price bef. 1728-bef. 1784. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Price-11136

The last John Price is the one I believe responsible for the name John Sawyer Price and this profile. The profile likely resulted from a grandson named John Sawyer Price born in 1799. The name appears to have carried forward and therefore seemed reasonable to be the name of the progenitor. However, no evidence matches the information given. In some family trees, there are children named who are in reality cousins. The information on ancestry.com is "Born in Christ Church, Middletown, VA on 6 April 1740 to John (V) Price (Younger) and Ann YOUNGER. JOHN SAWYER Price married Lucy "Lucie" Claiborne and had 10 children. He passed away on 22 Aug 1781 in Cumberland, Virginia, United States." Birth, marriage, death and family information all can be proven false. Any original source to confirm the existance of this individual would be greatly appreciated.

It is my hope that all serious family history researchers will carefully evaluate the original records, dates and family members contained therein. This will hopefully reduce confusion and misinformation for all present and future descendants.

Sources

1. ↑ https://archive.org/details/parishregisterof00chri/page/150/mode/2up
2. ↑ Familysearch.org digital record 8190042 image 77, Cumberland County Virginia Deed Book 16 page 135
3. ↑ https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Price-19307
4. ↑ https://www.familytreedna.com/groups/pricesurnamedna/dna-results