Franklin Co., VA

History

A few colonists moved into the area before the American Revolutionary War, but most settlement happened afterward, as people moved west seeking new lands. Cultivation of tobacco had exhausted soils in the eastern part of the state. The county was formed in 1785 from parts of Bedford and Henry counties. It was named for Benjamin Franklin. The Piedmont and backcountry areas were largely settled by Scots-Irish, who were the last major immigrant group from the British Isles to enter the colonies before the Revolutionary War. There were also migrants from coastal areas, including free people of color, who moved to the frontier to escape racial strictures associated with the slave society of Virginia.
Source: Wikipedia

Modern Day Adjacent Counties

Bedford County — northeast
Pittsylvania County — southeast
Henry County — south
Patrick County — southwest
Floyd County — west
Roanoke County — northwest

Gleanings From

Table of contents:

• Franklin Co., VA - Deed Records
  • 1786 Deed - Frederick Rives to Burwell Rives
  • 1786 Deed - Frederick Rives to Alexander Rives
  • 1793 Deed - Frederick & Alexander Rives to Reubin Brown
  • 1793 Deed - Frederick Rives to Alexander Rives
  • 1797 Deed - Alexander Rives to Frederick Rives
  • 1800 Deed - Frederick Rives to George Rives
  • 1803 Power of Attorney - Frederick Rives to George Rives
  • 1804 Power of Attorney - George Rives to Burwell Rives
  • 1807 Deed - Frederick & George Rives to William A. Burwell
  • 1810 Deed - Frederick Rives to Joseph Rives
  • 1812 Deed - Frederick Rives to Patsey Lumsden et al
  • 1814 Deed - Frederick Rives to Mary Bottom
  • 1814 Deed - Frederick Rives to Lucy Cowden
  • 1814 Deed - Frederick Rives to Sarah Brown
  • 1814 Deed - Frederick Rives to Elizabeth Quarles
  • 1816 Deed - Heirs of Frederick Rives to John Brown
• Franklin Co., VA - Probate Records
  • 1862 Will - Joseph Rives
• Franklin Co., VA - Tax Lists
• Franklin Co., VA - Reeves Chronology