John Edward LINTON (1838-1901)

John Edward Linton (1838-1901)

 (Brief Historical Sketch)

Terry Louis Linton © 2008

Linton Research Fund, Inc., Publication © 2008

  Linton & Bird Chronicles Volume II, Issue 4, winter © 2008-2009 ISSN 1941-3521

Linton & Bird Chronicles Volume IV, Issue 1, Spring 2009, ISSN 1941-3521

John Edward Linton (1838-1901) and Mary H. Smily (1832-1877) &

Sallie Fenmore Stonestreet (1861-1926)

John Edward Linton, born in 1838, near his father's grist mill in Delaware Water Gap, Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania was the oldest son of Doctor Lewis Colbert Linton (1803-1876) and Sarah Kocher (1810-1870). Both of John's parents were members of the Society of Friends. John only lived in Delaware Water Gap for a little over one year, 1838-1839.

The family moved back to his father's grist mill in Newtown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. John lived in Bucks County from 1840 to 1846. The family then moved to Spring Garden, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. John lived there from 1846 to 1847. The family then moved to a farm in Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. John was about 14 years old. John lived there for seven years, 1847 to 1854.

According to the 1850 census, John was born in 1836, in Pennsylvania. The family, in late 1854 or early 1855 moved to Sheridan Point Plantation, in the Mount Vernon District, Fairfax County, Virginia. John lived and farmed here for 16 years with his father, mother, brothers and sisters.

According to the November 12, 1860 census, John is 22 years old and a farmer. He is helping his 56 year old father, Doctor Lewis Colbert. Linton, the head of the household, farm his Piney Grove Plantation. Also helping them farm was William Cook. William was a 23 year old, white male, born in New Jersey. John and his father are listed in the census as being on the South Orange and Alexandria Railway at Fairfax County, Virginia.

John Linton's father owned Stock Bond Number 1, of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. Plus many other ones. No research, at the present time, has reviled that John Linton owned any stock in the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. There is however indentations that John was associated with the South Orange and Alexandria Railroad. An 1856 map drawn by, Quaker, surveyor Warrington Gillingham shows the route of the South Orange and Alexandria railroad line through the Mount Vernon District of Fairfax County, Virginia. Starting in Alexandria, running south between the Potomac River and Point Road (later Sheridan Point Road and then Fort Hunt Road), then turning south west crossing Point Road through the land of John W. Thompson, through the land of Thomas Mason, then crossing Little Hunting Creek between North Branch and Gum Springs, then south through the land of Edward Gibbs, crossing north of George Washington's Mount Vernon Mansion, then to the lines end at Ferry Landing Fishery. The abundance of fish in the Potomac River and the salting of fish for preservation industry was very profitable on the Potomac River from the early 1700's until the beginning of the Civil War.

According to the 1860, Fairfax Society of Friends Monthly Meeting Minutes Records, in Annapolis, Maryland, John Linton was a member of the people known as Quakers. The Quaker Meeting House was located on a track of land donated to the Quaker Meeting by Jacob Troth of "Woodlawn Plantation". It was just down the hill from the Woodlawn Mansion and just up from the Woodlawn Barns. The Woodlawn Quaker Meeting House is still in use today. It is located just off of U.S. Number 1, Jeff Davis Highway, at the Woodlawn Gate to Fort Belvoir. The meeting house is totally enclosed by the fort.

According to Civil War records 1861-1865, can not find any on John Edward Linton.

According to the 1867 Fairfax County Tax Records, John's personal property is listed as being 3 horses, with the vale of $180.00; four cattle, with the value of $100.00; 4 hogs, with the value of $20.00. John pay a total personal tax of $1.50. John was farming his father's 100 acre Park Farm and 100 acre West Farm while living on and helping farm his father's Piney Grove Plantation. Also keeping house was John's mother Sarah and helping farming was John's younger brother, Frank. By this time, 1867, John's older brother, Jerome was living on and farming the adjacent 100 acre Sheridan Point Plantation.

On January 22, 1870, at age 29, John Edward Linton married 38 year old Mary Ann H. Smiley. They were married in Tennellytown, Washington, District of Columbia. Mary H. Smiley was 9 years older then John and was born in 1832. Mary Ann H. Smiley was born in England. Mary's father, James Smiley was born in 1808 in Scotland and her mother, Mary Smiley, was born in 1808, in England. James and Mary and their three children Mary Ann H., Lydia and Thomas emigrated to America from England to New Jersey. According to the 1850 census, the Smiley family had settled in Greenwich Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. According to the 1860 census the Smiley family had re-located to the Tennellytown section of Washington, District of Columbia.

According to the August 1870 census, John Linton's personal estate is valued at $3,000. John was still farming his father's "West Farm" and "Park Farm" while living and farm Piney Grove Plantation. John's mother and wife, Mary are listed as keeping house. Living at the plantation was John's younger brother, Frank Linton and 18 year old Carline Smith, John's nice. Also Robert Linton, John's uncle.

On October 31, 1870, John's father wrote his first Last Will and Testament. Lewis wrote that he was to give his son, John, money which was to be delivered to him in person previous to his death.

By April 1871, John had received this sum of money from his father and he and Mary Ann had already moved to Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey. John became involved with his wife's Smiley family water grist mill in Mullica Hill.

On April 20, 1871, according to the Fairfax County Court Land Records, Colonel, John Young deeded a tract of land with an General Warranty for one dollar to Jerome Linton, of Fairfax County, representing John Linton of Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey. This 356 acre tract of land is known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation. This was the same track of land known as part of George Washington's River Farm Plantation conveyed to John Young, from Maryland, by James Guy, September 19, 1839, with the exception of the land conveyed to Adain Young, September 4, 1866. Colonel, John Young owes John Linton a note of $700, with interest.

On November 10, 1871, according to the Fairfax County Court Land Records, Colonel, John Young died late in 1871 still owing John Linton a note of $700, with interest. The estate of John Young pay John Linton $70 interest on this mortgage on the track of land known as Little Hunting Creek Plantation.

On April 17, 1872, according to the Fairfax County Land Records, Adam Martian deeded a tract of land with a General Warranty, to Jerome Linton, of Fairfax County, Virginia, representing John Linton of Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey. This tract 125 acres water grist mill lot, was known as Summervale near Clouds Mill on Cameron Run. Adam Martian owes John Linton a note of $700.

On July 13, 1872, according to the Chancery case between Lewis Young and John C. Young, in the Fairfax County Court Records we find the following. "This case came on this day to be heard by consent on the bill exhibit filed and the answers of John C. Young, William H. Young a minor over fourteen years of age and of James M. Love the assigned Guardian and Ad-lean of said William H. Young and argument of Counsel being heard Ap-on consideration. Where Of and it appears to the satisfaction of this Court, that there is due to John C. Young hair of John Young, dec., the sum $513.66 with interest There On from this date. Also due to John Linton the sum of $700 with interest There On at the rate of 10 percent from the 15th day of April, 1872 until paid. "The case document also go on to state "With these said sums charged on this real-estate in said bill and proceeding mentioned, this court doth Order and Decree that William Hunter, J. O. Kirly, E. C. Gibbs and Charles Ballinger any three of who may except, Do Go Ap-on the said tract of land of John Young, dec., and make into five parts, having regard to quality and quality of each part. They are authorized to deploy a complete survey and assign to John C. Young, Lewis Young, Sarah A. Young, Margaret A. Clair the wife of David S. Clair and William H. Young each one part or one fifth of the estate tract."

On April 14, 1873, according to the Fairfax County Land Records, Stacy H and Sallie Snowden of Collingwood are indebted John Linton for the sum of $700.00 with eight percent interest. On this date Stacy H. and Sallie Snowden of Fairfax County, Virginia, deed with a General Warranty to Jerome Linton representing John Linton of Gloucester County, New Jersey, a 190 tract of land for this debt. The tract was described as "all of a parcel of land bordered on the north by the land of Sandy Alexander, the estate of Theron Thompson and Chas Ballinger. Bordered on west by the land of the J. Moore estate. Bordered on the south by the land of William Hunter, John and Lewis Young. Bordered on the east by Sheridan Point Road, containing 190 acres of land." This deed was sent by the Fairfax County Court Clerk to John Linton on May 21, 1873 to Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey.

By the end of 1873, John Linton held in trust the deed to 671 acres of land in Fairfax County, Virginia. John did not pay any land tax for the year of 1873 according to the Fairfax County Commissioner of Revenue.

On April 12, 1876, according to the Fairfax County Court Land Records, John and Josephine Young are indebted to John Linton of Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey, for the sum of $1,300, to be paid in full in two years. A deed of trust with a full warranty was made on this date between John & Josephine Young and Jerome Linton, representing John Linton of Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey. John & Josephine Young grant to John Linton a track of land "Beginning at a stake in the west line of Lewis C. Linton's West Farm, running west along Hunter's line to a ditch bank, then to a stone in the south line of William Hunter's line , then south along Sarah Young's line , then east to Lewis Linton's line to the beginning, containing 48 acres.

On April 18, 1876, according to the Fairfax County Court Land Records, John C. Young, Lewis Young, William H. Young, Sarah Young and Margaret Clair, the wife of David Clair on this date paid in full a deed of trust to John Linton. The deed of trust was dated April 12, 1871, by Colonel John Young, to his track of land known as "Little Hunting Creek Plantation" containing 356 acres. Jerome Linton representing John Linton released the trust of $700 to the Young's.

On July 21, 1876, John's father Doctor, Lewis Colbert Linton died at his Piney Grove Plantation. John was still living at Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey when his father died.

Some time In 1877, John first wife, Mary Ann H. Smiley, age 45 died in Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey. John and Mary Ann had no known children.

On February 16, 1878, according to the Fairfax County Court Land Records, John C. & Josephine Young and Lewis Young are indebted to John Linton the sum of $3,170. They grant to John a Full General Warranty to the track of land containing 48 acres, adjacent to John's father's West Farm.

Also, on this date February 16, 1878, according to the Fairfax County Court Land Records, William H. & Emma J. Young and Lewis Young are indebted to John Linton the sum of $2,420. The Young's deeded with a Full General Warranty to a ten acre wood lot, known as Young's Wood Lot, to John Linton. The track was descried as Beginning at a oak tree at the corner of Stacy H. Snowden's line running south to a stake at the corner of William Hunter's Wood Lot, to a stake in Snowden's line.

On April 12, 1878, according to the Fairfax County Court Land Records, William H. & Emma J. Young sold to John Linton for the sum of $60, a track of land containing three acres. The Young's deeded the three acre wood lot with a Full General Warranty to John. The tract was described as Beginning at a stake in the north line of William Hunter's Wood Lot running to the corner of Sandy Alexander's Wood Lot, then east to Sheridan's Point Road, then along said road to the corner of William Hunter's line, containing 3 acres of land. Also containing the right-of-way of 20 feet width to Alexandria Thompson's land.

On December 13, 1878, according to Fairfax County Court Land Records, Adam Martin paid in full his note of $700, with 7% interest to John Linton. Jerome Linton representing John Linton returned the deed of trust to the water grist mill lot track of 125 acres land known as Summervale near Clouds Mill on Cameron Run.

On October 13, 1878 Adam Martin paid in full his note of $700 with seven percent interest to John Linton, and a deed of trust was returned by John and Jerome to Adam for his Summervale track of land.

The Fairfax County land tax for 1879 shows John Linton paid taxes on 48 acres received from the Young at $25.00 per acre, total value $1,200. John Linton paid $6 in land taxes. In school taxes he paid $1.20, $1.20 and 84 cents. $2.00 was paid in County tax.

The Fairfax County land Tax 1879, also shows, John Linton paid on ten acres received from the from Young, at $25.00 an acre, total value $250.00, John paid $1.25. John paid in school tax on this track 25 cents, 25 cents, and 18 cents and 72 cents in County tax.

On the 3 acre track from Young, at $25.00 per acre, total value of 75 cents, John paid 38 cents in land tax, in school tax 8 cents, 8 cents and 6 cents. He paid 13 cents in County tax.

By June 28, 1880 John Linton had built a house on his 48-acre track of land. The value of John's three tracks was now $2,000 and the value of his new house was $505.00 with a total value of $2,500.

John's first wife, Mary Ann Smiley, age 45 died in 1877, in Mullica Hill, Gloucester County, New Jersey. John and Mary Ann had no known children The June 1880 Fairfax County, Virginia, Census shows John Edward Linton was the head of family number 373 in house number 351. He was a widowed, 40 year old farmer with 38-year-old black farm laborer, James Hunt. He and his parents were born in Virginia. James 24-year-old wife was keeping house for them. She and her parents were born in Maryland. James and Sarah had two sons, 7-year-old George, 4-year-old William and one-year-old daughter Clarana, all born in Virginia.

Also according to the 1880 Censes, living next to John Linton were Lewis, 34-years-old, and Georgana Young in house number 352, Benjamin, 29-years-old and Mary Hunter with Margerta and Ruth in house 350. Thirty year old Charles and 29-year-old Emma Clear lived in house 349 with 7-year-old William, 5-year-old Mary Emma and 3-year-old Charles.

On September 3, 1881, John Linton's sister, Harriet King, formerly Fuller, who was now married to John King brought suit in Fairfax County court to sell the West Farm of the late Dr. Lewis Linton at public sell, as set down in his will. In the suit, Emma and John Smith, Ellen and Charles Steward, widow Deborah Fowler, and Frank C. Linton were all out of state residents. In October,1881, D. P. Smith of Fairfax County, and Jerome Linton out of state, the executors were summoned to court. The November court confirmed that Harriet King gives up her ¼ interest in the West Farm for the sum of $300 paid by John Linton to her. All the others in suit agree not to sell the land at this time and all agree to John Linton's interest of ½ of the track of land known as the West Farm. The West Farm is now known as Potomac Valley Subdivision located next to Fort Hunt.

The land tax by 1881 had dropped to $20 an acre; the estate of Lewis paid $10 for the West Farm valued at $2,000. Also, $6 was paid in school tax and $4 in County tax. John's 61 acres at $20.00 per acre was valued at 1,220. The house was now valued at 1,000. John paid $6.10 in land tax, $3.66 in school tax, and $2.44 in County tax.

For the next three years the taxes for John's and the West Farm land does not change. Listed next to John's name in the tax records for 1884 is Robert E. Lee with his Ravenworth Farm containing 1,646.30 acres.

In the 1895, Fairfax County Tax Records, the West Farm stayed the same but John's 61acer Farm went up to $25.00 per acre again, with a value of $1,525. This house was still valued at $1,00. John paid $4.58 in land tax, $4.59 in school tax and $3.81 County tax. The same was paid in 1886 but in 1887 the West Farm was dropped to $16.00 per acre with a value of $1,600 and $4. paid.

According to their Marriage License, On January 17, 1889, widower, John Edward Linton, born in 1841, age 48, a Farmer, born in Pennsylvania whose parents were Lewis Colbert and Sarah Linton, were married by K. O'Kane, in Alexandria, Virginia, to Sallie F. Stonestreet, who was born in Maryland, May 2, 1862. Her father was Edward Stonestreet and her mother was unknown according to the marriage license. The license was recorded January 17, 1889 in the Fairfax County Court House records.

On December 11, 1890 Charles Edward Linton was born to John and Sallie Linton.

On March 7, 1891 John Linton paid in full the three notes he owed to his sister, Harriet King for a total of $300for her interest in the West Farm. )

Tin 1891 John's 61 acres farm was valued at $25.00 per acre and his house was valued at $800, for a total of $1,525. The West Farm was $16.00 per acre with no house; valued at $1,600.

The 1895 taxes on the West Farm went up to $18.00 per acre, with a value of $1,800 and $5.40 paid. John's value on his house went down to $793. in 1895. By 1899 John's taxes were $30.00 per acre and the house was valued at $800.00, the West Farm was the same.

The 1900 Fairfax County, Virginia, Census shows John Edward Linton was born in August 1838; He is 61-years-old; been married 12 years; father, mother and himself were born in Pennsylvania; His occupation is a farmer; months not employed was zero; He can read, write and understand stated English; He is a free owner of land and this land is used as a farm; The number of the farm is 21; house number 56; and family number 56.

John's wife, Sallie, is listed as Sarah Linton, wife, born May 1862; 38-years-old; married 12 years, has two children, one living. On their marriage license she was born in Maryland but the census said both her and her parents were born in Virginia. Sallie can read, write and understand stated English. Living with them was Charles Edward their 9-year-old son who was attending school for the last seven years. Also living on farm number 21 was two other families, the Diver's and Harper's, both renting John's land. The Diver's were using it as a farm and Joseph Harper as a home.

Hinsong Diver was a black male; born May 1864; 36-years-old; married seven years; father, mother and himself born in Maryland. Occupation is farmer, months not employed is zero. He cannot read or write. He can understand English. His wife was Rebecca W. Diver, was born September, 1863; She is 37-years-old; has been married seven years; has eight children; eight living; father, mother and herself born in Maryland. She cannot read or write, but understands English. Their children were, Lessie, born September, 1878 in Maryland; Ougene, son, born November, 1881 in Maryland. Maggie, born in December, 1883 in Maryland. Josephine born June, 1894 in Maryland. Son, Elic was born June, 1895 in Maryland; Violet was born August, 1896 in Maryland. Albert was born May 1898 in Virginia. The Divers moved from Maryland to John's farm in late 1896.

According John's Death Certified, John died on December 13, 1901 John Edward Linton died at the age of 60 years; occupation, farmer, birth place Pennsylvania; place of death, Fairfax; buried Union Cemetery; burial December 16^th 1901, undertaker, B Wheaty & Son, Alexandria, Virginia.

On May 19th 1903 this itemized description was recorded from Riverside Park, Fairfax County of the personal stock and farming utensils of the late John Linton, deceased.

One Large Bay Mare, 9 years-old, $40.00; One Chestnut Brown Mare, 6 years-old, $50.00; One Chestnut Brown Colt, 3 years-old, $50.00; One Milk Cow, $20.00; One Milk Cow, $23.00; One Milk Cow, $10.00; One Milk Cow, $14.00; One Bull, $10.00; One two-horse wagion, $12.00; One two-horse Wagon, $10.00; One Hay Rake, $ 8.00; One Mowing Machine, $20.00; Two Farm Carts, $12.00; One two-horse drawn behind Plow; $ 8.00; One one-horse drawn Plow, $ 1.50; One two-horse C Harrow, $2.00, Two Shovel Plows, $2.00; One Horse Harrow, $0.50; One Sulky Road Cart, $5.00; Harnesses and other small farm tools, $5.00; Total = $311.00

Signed by Sallie F. Linton and Witnessed By Douglass Start, Commemorator.

John Edward Linton died on December 13, 1901, in his Linton family farm house, in Riverside Park, Mount Vernon District, Fairfax County, Virginia. John was buried on December 16, 1901, in a new section of Union Cemetery section of Washington Street United Methodist Church Alexandria, Virginia. John was burred by undertaker, B. Whedtupge, Gent., of Alexandria, Virginia.

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Below Photo taken in 1891: Fifty year old John Edward Linton, on January 7, 1889, married twenty-seven year old Sallie Fenmore Stonestreet of Allens Freshs, Charles Co., Maryland. They meet at the Charles County Fair. They were married by  K. O'Kane, in Alexandria, Virginia. Charles Edward Linton was born on December 1, 1890.