James Fulton (b. 1690, d. 1753) and his wife, Sarah, both were born in Northern Ireland and originally settled in the nothern colonies in the early 1730's, possibly Paxton Township, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. James Fulton mentions New England twice in his will which was filed in Augusta County, Virginia.
The map of Beverly Manor shows James Fulton's land was three miles south of Greenville, Virginia which is south of Staunton and located on U.S. 11. It is above Samuel Steele's land (Steele's Tavern arera) and not far from Rockbridge County line. The baptismal records of Reverned John Craig show that he had a daughter, Eleanor, baptized 10 December 1740, at Patrick Hays, in the South Mountain settlement. This baptismal record would show that he was there at least two years before the actual deed.
James Fulton settled in Augusta County, Virginia on a 637 1/2 acre farm in Beverly Manor and received title to that land on 25 March 1742 after paying nineteen pounds to Beverly. He was a member of the South Mountain Presbyterian Congregation and in 1742 was a member of Captain John Christian's Militia Company.
In James Fulton's will written 18 July 1752 and proved 15 August 1753, he clearly states his occupation as farmer. He first mentions his sons black pacing mare and his riding horse. It is evident in the division of the rest of his horses among his children, that the older horses were given to the older children and the young mares or colts were left to the younger children still living at home. Hugh was to recieve two of these horses, one breed in New England and one breed in Augusta County. The other four mares and the unbroken mares and colts were divided aong the children with provisions that the young mares first colts be given to the younger daughters. The eldest daughter, Elizabeth, recieved her pacing mare in the will.
James Fulton's Will
In the Name Of God Amen, I, James Fulton of the County of Augusta in the Colony of Virginia, Farmer, being sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory. Thanks be given to Almighty God and calling to mind the Mortality of my Body knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make this my Last Will in manner and form following: That is to Say principally I recommend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it & my Body I commit to the dirt to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discresion of my Executors; And touching on Such worldly Estates wherewithal it hath pleased God to bless me and I give & bequeath as follows: Imprimis I give & bequeath to my son, Hugh, two hundred and fifty aceres of Land I now live on to be taken off the upper part of my place joining Samuel Steele's line & I give & bequeath to my son, James, the Remainder of my land with its Improvements, and I order a good convenient place to be purchased for my Son William, out of the whole Stock. Item I order my Son James to maintain & take care of my well beloved wife During her life. I also order him to take care of the two young boys david & Thomas & my three daughters Elizabeth, Eleanor, and Jane while they live together. I order of most of my movables to be divided amongst my children at the discretion of my Executors according to the necessity of my children. Item I give & bequeath to my Son John his riding horse and chestnut colored pacing mare with a swip & an unbroken dark coloured colt four years old. Item I give & bequeath to my Son Hugh a roant mare breed in New England & another Dark Coloured Mare breed here. Item I give & bequeath to my Son William a bay mare & also a sorrel mare. Item I give & bequeath to my Son David a young black mare about three or four years old & I allow him to give my Daughter Eleanor the mare's first colt. Item I give & bequeath to my Son Thomas a young Bay Mare two years old & I order him to give my daughter Jane her first colt.
Lastly i constitute & appoint my Wife Sarah Exectrix & my Son Hugh my Executor of this my Last Will & I do Authorize them to dispose & make Sales of any of the rest of my Goods & Chattles not here mentioned at their discretion from time to time as need Shall require & also to distribution of the rest of my Effects not here bequeathed among the Children as they Shall think fit & I do hereby revoke & disannul all other former Legacies, Wills, & Executors by me in any wise formerly made or done ratifying. Appoiting, Confirming & allowing this & none other to be my last Will & Testament in Wittness whereof I have here unto Set my hand & Seal this Eighteenth Day of July 1752.
Sealed & Published &
his
Declared in the Presence of James (James) Fulton
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His
Tho. (T B) Beard
Mark
Robt. Alexander
To fulfill the terms of the will, two tracts of land was transferred to John around the time of his father's death. One of these tracts was later transferred to William shortly before his marriage to Margaret Lusk (1759) according to the dictates of their father's will, presumably paid for from the sale of his father's stock.