The Family Tree Database of Timothy J. Barron

Family Notes

GENEALOGICAL STANDARD OF PROOF APPLIED: The following standard of proof was used in identifying the family of William Holland: The 1854 death record of John Hollon Sr. indicates that he was born in Grayson County, Virginia, in 1777 and that his parents were "William and Rebecca Hollin." During that time frame, only one William Holland (of any spelling variation) is found to be in the Grayson County area in various records dating from 1782-1800. The initial information was found in Clay Hollon's 1958 genealogy book, and has been subsequently supported via additional records and documentation listed below. (Research Source: Timothy J. Barron, updated May 24, 2006)

GENERAL NOTES ON THE FAMILY OF WILLIAM HOLLAND: William's surname is spelled as Holland, Hollen, Holens, and Holloms on various records. William may to have moved circa 1800, just a few miles away from Grayson County, Virginia to the border area of Ashe County, North Carolina, where he is thought to possibly be the "William Holloms" in Ashe County's first census of 1800. His family contained one male and one female, both ages 26-45, two males under ten years, and one female under ten. In 1801, just a year before his father George's death, "William Holloms" was given a state land grant of 100 acres in Helton Creek, Ashe County, North Carolina. Helton Creek is no more than three miles from the North Carolina - Virginia border in the area of the then newly formed Ashe County. The 1802 will of William's father, filed in Grayson County, is the last mention of William Holland anywhere locally. It is believed that William moved to either Kentucky or Tennessee shortly after his father's death. (Research Sources: Sandra Lake Lassen and Timothy J. Barron, updated May 24, 2006)

1782 TAX RECORD FOR WILLIAM HOLLAND: The 1782 Personal Property Tax List for Montgomery County, Virginia lists the following: Name: "William Holens", Tithes: "1", Slaves: "0", Horses: "2", Cattle: "3", Land: (blank). He is listed near George Holland, living in the portion of Montgomery County that later became Grayson County. Also listed on the tax list a Benjamin and Jacob Holland, but it is unknown if they are of any relation to William Holland. (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated May 24, 2006)

1782 REVOLUTIONARY WAR MILITIA RECORD FOR WILLIAM HOLLAND: William's Revolutionary War service is recorded in the book "Virginia Military Records: From the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, the William and Mary College Quarterly, and Tyler's Quarterly", published by Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983. Under the section "Montgomery County's Revolutionary Heritage", page 231, "A List of the Elk Creek District, Montgomery County, Sept. 6, 1782" lists "William Hollan." Under "The List of Elk Creek Dist. Montgomery County" on page 232 lists "William Hollen." The book does not indicate a date on of the second list. His service is also recorded in the book "Militia of Montgomery County, Virginia 1777-1790," compiled by Mary B. Kegley, published by 1975, page 29, where it lists "William Hollen" under "A List of Elk Creek District, Montgomery County". William is also listed on a Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) memorial marker on the grounds of the old 1908 courthouse in Independence, Grayson County, Virginia. The marker says "Additional Revolutionary War Militia and Patriots from the Grayson County Area" and lists "William Hollen." It is possible that William's service ranged from 1777-1790. The Montgomery County Militia was at the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780, under Colonel Campbell. (Research Source: Timothy J. Barron, the information on the court house marker was identified by Sandra Lassen, updated May 24, 2006)

1788 TAX RECORD FOR WILLIAM HOLLAND: The 1788 Tax List for Montgomery County, Virginia, shows William Holland. (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated March 21, 2006)

1789 LAND SURVEY FOR WILLIAM HOLLAND: A land survey was completed for William in Montgomery County, Virginia, for 120 acres in Elk Creek on December 10, 1789. That area is now in Grayson County. (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated May 24, 2006)

1797 MARRIAGE RECORD MENTIONING WILLIAM HOLLAND: A March 30, 1797 marriage record in Grayson County, Virginia, mentions William Holland. Below is a transcription of the record which is listed in "Carroll/Grayson Marriages," by John Perry Alderman, Grayson County, Virginia, 1793-1852, page 5: "Philip Russell and Rebecca Russell, minister's return 1-15: Rev. Elisha Bedwell certifies that he married Phillip Russel and Rebeckah Russell, stepdaughter of William Holland, at the house of William S. Creach, on March 30, 1797. Bond not found; only minister's return." (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated March 21, 2006)

1799 LAND SURVEY FOR WILLIAM HOLLAND: A November 7, 1799 survey of land was completed for William Holland in Grayson County, described as 50 acres on Little Fox Creek near the mouth of Panther Creek. A sketch of this land is shown in the Grayson County Plat Book. (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated March 21, 2006)

1800 TAX RECORD FOR WILLIAM HOLLAND: The 1800 Tax List for Grayson County, Virginia, lists a William Holland with one male over 21, and one horse. (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated March 21, 2006)

1976 BOOK MENTIONING WILLIAM HOLLAND: The book "Grayson County, Virginia: A History in Words and Picture" lists "William Holland" as a "pioneer freeholder prior to 1800". (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated March 21, 2006)

1995 BOOK ARTICLE ABOUT WILLIAM HOLLAND: The following is a transcription of the article "William and Rebecca Holland" written by Sandra Lake Lassen, which appeared in the book "Bicentennial Heritage Grayson County, Virginia," dated 1995, on page 246: "William Holland, my 5th great grandfather, was the son of George and Mary Holland, whose family history also appears in this book. William's date of birth is not known. He first appears in the 1782 Montgomery County tax list in that portion of the county that became Grayson. He was taxed for 2 horses and 3 cattle. He is also on the 1788 Montgomery County tax roll. A land survey was conducted for William on Elk Creek in Grayson County, dated 10 December 1789. On 7 November 1799, another survey of land was completed for him in Grayson County, described as 50 acres on Little Fox Creek near the mouth of Panther Creek. A sketch of this land is shown in the Grayson County Plat Book. William appears to have moved shortly thereafter, just a few miles away from Grayson County to the border area of Ashe County, North Carolina, where he is though to be the 'William Holloms' in Ashe County's first census of 1800. His family contained one male and one female, ages 26-45, two males under ten years, and one female under ten. In 1801, just a year before his father George's death, 'William Holloms' was given a state grant of 100 acres in the Helton Creek area of newly formed Ashe County. His father's 1802 will, filed in Grayson County, is the last mention of William Holland anywhere locally. It is believed that William moved to either Kentucky or Tennessee shortly after his father's death. William's wife Rebecca's maiden name is unknown. He and Rebecca are confirmed as their son John's parents in John's 1854 death record in Wolfe County, KY. Their known children are John, born 24 April 1777, died 25 November 1854, and George, born 1784. Both sons were probably born in Montgomery County, Virginia, and later spelled their names 'Hollon' in Kentucky. William served in the Montgomery County militia, where he appears on the 1777-1790 militia list, Elk Creek District, which became part of Grayson County. His memory lives on in Grayson County, as his name is inscribed on the militia monument on the grounds of the old 1908 Courthouse in Independence. Sources: Montgomery County, Virginia tax and militia lists; Grayson County Deeds, Surveys and Plat Book; 1800 Ashe County, NC Census and Deeds." (Research Source: Sandra Lassen, provided to Timothy J. Barron circa 1998, updated March 24, 2006)