BIRTH: Between 1692 and 1700 based on the fact that he was charged with one Tithe in 1752 in Lunenburg Co., VA. This indicated that he was age 60 yrs. or younger.
BIRTH: Undocumented research has John being born in Pembury/Westerham, Kent, England 27 March 1701, son of James and Sarah Austin. This line goes back John Sr., James, James, James, John, Richard. Although the English part of this line seems well-documented, the link to this John Austin is not shown or documented.
MARRIAGE-CHILDREN: Tithable's of Brunswick Co., VA, Order Book 1, p 345.
OCCUPATION: Constable of Lunenburg Co., VA in 1749 as stated in the book "Sunlight on the Southside", p 187, by L. Bell, a history of Lunenburg Co.
LAND: John Austin owned at least 1000 acres of land in the part of Lunenburg Co., VA, which later became Charlotte, Halifax, and Pittsylvania counties. A land grant to John Austin by King George I I of England for 400 acres of land in Lunenburg Co. is dated 10 Aug 1750.
RESIDENCES: Brunswick Co., VA Order Book 1, p 345. TEXT: "On the motion of John Austin, Jr. , it is ordered that he be added to the list of tithables" dated Thursday September 4, 1740 in the 14th year of King George II reign.". Brunswick Co., VA was formed in 1732 from Prince George Co., VA. The first tithable listing was made in 1740, and it lists both John Austin, Jr., and his brother Richard Austin in Brunswick Co., VA.
They probably had recently moved into the area from elsewhere. One or both of them may be listed on the tithable list of a more easterly county. This analysis is supported by the comment made in the book "Charlotte County VA", by Timothy S. Ailsworth , and published by the Charlotte Co., VA Board of Supervisors, p 50. TEXT: "Other settlers in the Cub Creek area but higher up the creek than the Caldwell Settlement came from lower counties of Virginia. They were English in origin and members of an established Church." Among those settlers named in the book was Richard Austin.
Lunenburg Co., VA was formed from Brunswick Co., VA in 1746 and Charlotte Co., VA was formed from Lunenburg County VA in 1765. The area in which the Austins were residing in Lunenburg Co., became Charlotte Co. in 1765. Thus the Austins could have been listed in Brunswick Co. before 1746 and Lunenburg Co. after 1746 without having changed residences.
LAND: Deed dated 25 Jul 1753, and recorded 5 Mar 1754 in Lunenburg Co. VA Deed Book 3, pp 434 -436. TEXT: "John Austin of Cumberland Parish in Lunenburg Co., VA to Joseph Austin of the same parish and county in trust for use and behoof of Hannah Austin; quit claim given for items noted and anything she may hereafter earn or purchase; Negro woman named Phillis; Negro woman named Janney; Negro girl named Hannah; large bay horse branded with three dots; side saddle; furniture now by her used; feather bed & furniture she bought and now uses; 2 trunks and warming jug pan given her heretofore; case of bottles given her by Mrs. Cocks; a puter (pewter ?) tea pott; 2 iron potts; use and occupation of 10 acres, part of land belonging to said John Austin adjoining the Falling River or Cole's road in the same parish near where the said John Austin now lives; permission to build at her own expense a house to dwell in on said land during her natural life, including a spring." Signed: John Austin. Witnesses: William Holt and Richard Austin.
LAND-MARRIAGE: Deed dated 29 Mar 1754 and recorded 2 Apr 1754 in Lunenburg Co., VA Deed Book 3, pp 451-453. TEXT: "John Austin of Lunenburg Co., VA to John Pleasants of Henrico Co., VA , 250 pounds; 203 acres in Lunenburg Co., VA on the north side of Wards Fork, by patent dated 15 Jun 1744." Signed: John Austin. Witnesses: Robert Pleasants, T. Pleasants Jr., Robert Gordon, Thomas Storts, and William Tosset. NOTE: Hannah, wife of John Austin, relinquished her dower right.
DEATH: Between 29 Sep 1758, the date of his will, and 5 Feb 1760, the date that his will was recorded.
PROBATE-SPOUSE-CHILDREN: Will, dated 29 Sep 1758, recorded 5 Feb 1760 on p 308 of Will Book 1, Lunenburg County, VA. Abstracted as follows: John Austin of the Parish of Cornwall, County of Lunenburg, VA . Wife Hannah Austin, son John Austin, Jr. and Valentine Austin, 400 acres on Leatherwood Creek located in Halifax Co. (now Henry Co.), VA. Son Stephen Austin, 370 acres on Sandy River , located in Halifax Co. (now Pittsylvania Co.), VA. Son Richard Austin, and son Joseph Austin. To wife Hannah during her natural life (the) plantation at head of Sandy River in Halifax Co. VA, and at her death to Richard Austin. To wife Hannah all the rest of my estate, both real and personal, for life then to son Joseph Austin. Whereas, my sons Joseph, Richard and Stephen are not married, if either dies unmarried his part to go (to) the others. Executors : Wife Hannah and son Richard Austin. Signed: John Austin. Witnesses: George Carrington, Isham Talbot, and Thomas Read. Hannah Austin relinquished her right of execution and Richard Austin qualified as executor, with Paul Carrington and Clement Read, Jr., his securities.(end).
OTHER SOURCES: 1) The "Virginia Genealogist," Oct. - Dec. 1961 issue, Vol. 5, No. 4, pp 147-1 54. 3) 1749 Lunenburg Co., VA Order Book 2, p 253. 5) Pittsylvania Co., VA Land Tax Record , VA State Library. 6) Pittsylvania Co., VA Order Book 5, pp 64, 71, 342.