CHAPTER ONE
JOHN STRONG OF VIRGINIA
The descendants of Joseph "Josiah" Strong can trace their ancestry back to John Strong of
Virginia, if the publications of Mr. James R. Rolff, "Strong Family of Virginia and other
Southern States " and The Strong Family Association of America, Inc., "Strong Family Histories
Vol. V ", are correct in their research. However, as the reader progresses in the following
chapters, I feel they will agree with the lineage of John Strong of Virginia. Some researchers
believe that John Strong (a) immigrated to the British Colony of Virginia between 1672 and
1682.1 While others believe John was possibly the grandson of William Strong (Straunge) who
came to Virginia in 1619.2 Both of these theories were discussed in the introduction.
Several records of John Strong (a) exist from the Register of St. Peter's Parish. Saint Peter's
Parish of the Church of England was located outside the City of Richmond in New Kent
County, Virginia. These records indicate the Baptism Records of John Strong's sons.3 These
records show;
"John son of John Strong bapt the 13 Nov 1698"
"William son of John Strong baptiz the 5 Jan 1700/01"
"George son of Jno baptiz 23 May 1703"
JOHN STRONG (a) was born before 1667 in England or possibly in New Kent County,
Virginia. John possibly married a Sherwood around 1697 and they both died after 1703 in New
Kent County, Virginia.
Known Children of JOHN STRONG (a):4
JOHN STRONG, JR. (a1)
WILLIAM STRONG (a2)
GEORGE STRONG (a3)
NOTE: Chapter One is based on the Research of James Rolff and his publication of "The Strong
Family of Virginia and Other Southern States", Rolff, (1982). His permission was most
graciously granted to reproduce his material to further the study of the history of the Strong
Family.
Known Children of JOHN STRONG (a):
JOHN STRONG, JR. (a1) probable son of John Strong (a) was born in 1698 in New Kent
County, Virginia. John was christened on November 13, 1698 in St. Peter's Parish in New
Kent County. John married Mary_______ who was from Hanover and Goochland Counties,
Virginia. John Strong, Jr. died around 1751 in Hanover County, Virginia in St. Martin's Parish.
Mary Strong died around 1787 possibly in Goochland County, Virginia.
Children of JOHN STRONG, JR. (a1):
MARTIN STRONG (a1a) son of John Strong (a1), born 1730 in Hanover County,
Virginia. He possibly married an Ann Stanley around 1753-1754. He died around 1780
possibly in Hanover County, Virginia.
SHERWOOD STRONG (a1b) son of John Strong (a1), born 1733 in Hanover County,
Virginia. During the French and Indian War Sherwood was a private in the 2nd Virginia
Regiment. Sherwood is believed to have died before 1779.
JOHN STRONG III (a1c) son of John Strong (a1), born 1736 in Hanover County,
Virginia. During the French and Indian War John Strong was a private in the 2nd
Virginia Regiment. John married Elizabeth _______________. He died around 1815 possibly
in Clark County, Georgia.
WILLIAM STRONG (a1d) son of John Strong (a1), born in 1738 in Hanover
County, Virginia. Around 1759 William possible married Francis Johnson in Hanover
County, Virginia and later resided in Goochland County, Virginia.
NATHANIEL STRONG (a1e) son of John Strong (a1), born in 1744 in Hanover County, Virginia.
Nathaniel is believed to have married Catherine Callahan in Virginia.
Nathaniel died in 1823 in Madison County, Alabama.
MARTHA STRONG (a1f) dau. of John Strong (a1), born in 1750 in Hanover County,
Virginia.
ELIZABETH STRONG (a1g) dau. of John Strong (a1), born in 1751 in Hanover
County, Virginia.
MATT STRONG (a1h) son of John Strong (a1), born in 1751 in Hanover County, Virginia.
SARAH STRONG (a1i) son of John Strong (a1), born in 1752 in Hanover County, Virginia.
WILLIAM STRONG (a2) son of John Strong (a), born about 1700 in New Kent County,
Virginia. William was Christened on November 13, 1701 in St. Peter's Parish in New Kent
County, Virginia. His wife is unknown but was possibly a "Cape". They lived in Pittsylvania
County, Virginia. Several records of William Strong (a2) can be found in St. Paul's Parish of
Hanover County, Virginia. James R. Rolff lists these in great detail in his book. These records
show that William Strong (a2) was still living in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1770 and
possibly died after July 25, 1770 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
A prayer book was found that belonged to William Strong (a2) and was printed in the
Alabama Genealogical Register in the December of 1966 Issue.5 The Prayer Book was printed
in 1728 by the Church of England. This prayer book was given to Mary Strong-Colley after
William Strong's death. Written inside the cover of the book was:
"William Strong his book bought O- in the year of our Lord and Savior 1744.
Signed Wm. Strong".
"Mary Strong was born the 10th day of December 1732"
"John Strong was born the 2nd day of November 1734"
"William Strong was born the 10th day of March 1736"
"Thomas Strong was born the 16th day of December 1739"
"Sary Strong was born the 24th day of July 1742"
"Elizabeth Strong was born the 21st day of July 1744"
"James Strong was born the 7th day of March 1746"
"John Cape was born the 25th day of 1726"
"Edward Colley and Mary Strong were married 8th October 1751"
Children of WILLIAM STRONG (a2):
MARY STRONG (a2a) dau. of William Strong (a2), born December 10, 1732 in Hanover County,
Virginia. Mary married Edward Colley Jr. on October 8,1751 in Hanover County, Virginia.
Mary died on April 28, 1798.
JOHN STRONG (a2b) son of William Strong (a2), born November 2, 1734 in Hanover
County, Virginia. John married Sarah Sneed the daughter of Samuel and Ruth Dudley Sneed.
Around 1767, John Strong was living in Pittsylvania Co., VA near the Sandy River. In the
1767 Tax List of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, John Strong is listed with Thomas Strong (a2d),
James Strong (a2g) as well as Joseph Martin. Joseph Martin appears to have been living with or
employed by John Strong. Joseph Martin later became a soldier in the American Revolution and
the City of Martinsville, Henry County, Virginia was named in his honor. John and his brothers,
Thomas Strong (a2d) and James Strong (a2g) along with his brother-in-laws, Benjamin
Crowley and Samuel Crowley were believed to all have been "Long Hunters" prior to the
American Revolution.6
John Strong, Thomas Strong, James Strong and others moved to North Carolina around
1777 just after the outbreak of the American Revolution. Jim Rolff speculated that this move
was made for several reasons. One being that the Strong and Crowley families had already paid
a high demand that was asked of the Colonial Virginians during the Revolution. This was not
only from the British Crown but from the Colonists. John's brother-in-law, Samuel Crowley,
had already paid with his life as well as John's brother, Thomas Strong (a2d), who is believed to
have also died in the Revolution. These deaths alone may have contributed to the decision to
move to North Carolina. North Carolina was not as enthusiastic about the war as was Virginia.
John Strong (a2b) was part of the American Revolt against Britain. It appears that John
Strong (a2b) was paid for his service in the Revolution by Colonial Vouchers #2710, #5735,
and #6525. He is also listed in Volume 2 of "Early Families of the North Carolina Counties of
Rockingham and Stokes with Revolutionary Service". Several descendants of John Strong
(a2b) have used the above information to gain membership to "The Daughters of the American
Revolution". John Strong's home was near Leaksville, and he was a close friend and neighbor of
Alexander Martin. Alexander Martin was the first Governor of North Carolina. More on John
Strong (a2b) can be found in Chapter 2 on Thomas Strong (a2d).
Children of JOHN STRONG (a2b):
WILLIAM STRONG (a2c) the son of William Strong (a2), born March 10, 1736 in Hanover
County, Virginia. William had no known children.
THOMAS STRONG (a2d) the son of William
Strong (a2), born December 16,1739, according to William Strong's Prayer Book, possibly in Hanover County, Virginia.
Thomas Strong lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia in 1767 with his brothers, John Strong (a2b) and James Strong
(a2g). Thomas and his brothers were believed to have been "Long Hunters" prior to the
American Revolution. Thomas is believed to have moved with the other Strong families to
Rockingham County, North Carolina just before his death. It is believed that Thomas died
during the American Revolution around between 1776-1779. Information about Thomas Strong (a2d)
and his descendants can be located in Chapter Two.
Probable children of THOMAS STRONG (a2d):
WILLIAM STRONG (a2d1)son of Thomas Strong (a2d), born about 1768 in either
Virginia or North Carolina.
JAMES STRONG (a2d2) son of Thomas Strong (a2d), born about 1770 in Virginia or
North Carolina.
JOHN STRONG (a2d3) son of Thomas Strong (a2d), born before 1772 in Virginia or
North Carolina.
THOMAS STRONG, JR. (a2d4) son of Thomas Strong (a2d), born in 1774 in
Rockingham, North Carolina.
SAMUEL STRONG (a2d5)
son of Thomas Strong (a2d), born in 1776 in Virginia or North Carolina. Information on Samuel Strong and
his descendants will make up Chapter 3.
SARAH STRONG (a2e) dau. of William Strong (a2), born July 24, 1742 in Hanover County,
Virginia. Sarah married Benjamin Crowley. Benjamin was born around 1742 in Halifax County,
Virginia and is believed to have been the son of Jeffrey Crowley. Benjamin and his brother,
Samuel Crowley who married Elizabeth Strong (a2f), were
"Long Hunters" as were Thomas Strong (a2d), John Strong (a2b) and James Strong (a2g).7 He
served in the French and Indian War. Around 1784 Sarah and Benjamin moved to Oglethorpe
County, Georgia. More on Benjamin Crowley can be found in Chapter Two on Thomas Strong
(a2d).
Children of
SARAH STRONG (a2e)
ELIZABETH STRONG (a2f) dau. of William Strong (a2), born July 21, 1744
possibly in Virginia. Elizabeth married Samuel Crowley. Samuel Crowley was the
brother of Benjamin Crowley, who married Sarah Strong (a2e). Samuel Crowley was
born around 1742 and is believed to have been the son of Jeffrey Crowley. According
to Jack Grantham, Samuel Crowley was a "Long Hunter" as was his brother, Benjamin
Crowley, and his brother-in-laws, John Strong (a2b), Thomas Strong (a2d) and James
Strong (a2g)8. Samuel Crowley was an American Revolutionary War hero who was
killed on October 10, 1774. Samuel was killed at the Battle of Point Pleasant in what is
commonly referred to as "Dunmore's War" and is now considered one of the first battles
of the American Revolution. Samuel is believed to have been the first man to be killed
in the American Revolution and a monument was erected in honor of him and the
other men who died at the Battle of Point Pleasant on the corner of the Ohio River and
Great Kanawha in present day West Virginia. Elizabeth Strong-Crowley was given her husbands pension to help support their
children when Virginia was declared a State.
JAMES STRONG (a2g) son of William Strong (a2), born March 7, 1746 in Hanover
County, Virginia. Around 1770 James married Mary __________ possibly in Pittsylvania
County, Virginia. James and Mary lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia and then in Rockingham
County, North Carolina. According to Jack Grantham James Strong (a2g) and his brothers,
John Strong (a2b) and Thomas Strong (a2d), were "Long Hunters" with Samuel and Benjamin
Crowley. See Thomas Strong and the role of the
LONG HUNTERS. James
Strong died before his estate was settled in March of 1805 in Rockingham County, North
Carolina.
GEORGE STRONG (a3) the son of John Strong (a), born in 1703 in New Kent County,
Virginia. He was Christened on May 23, 1703 in St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County,
Virginia. No other records of George Strong (a3) have been found. Records for a "George
Straughan" are found in Hanover and York Counties of Virginia in the early 1700's. However
"George Straughan" was probably not a Strong.
Probable Child of
GEORGE STRONG (a3):
JOHN STRONG (a3a) possible son of George Strong (a3), born before 1736 in
Hanover County, Virginia. His wife is unknown and he is believed to have died about
1782. According to the Strong Family Association's publication of "Strong Family
Histories Vol. V ", John Strong had 13 children shown below. However, they do
state that another researcher lists the following children as those of Martin Strong and
Anne Stanley.
A more detailed account of the descendants on any of the above mentioned Strong's can be
found in James Rolff's book or other books about John Strong. It was not my intention to
rewrite James Rolff's book or any other published material in Chapter One. I merely wanted to
give the descendants of Joseph Strong a chance to see how Joseph Strong fit into the families of
these other publications. I strongly recommend that anyone interested in our Strong family read
the books listed below.
" Strong Family of Virginia and other Southern States ", written and published by
James R. Rolff (1982).
" Strong Family Histories Vol. V " by The Strong Family Association of America.,
published by the Edwards Brothers, Inc. Ann Arbor, MI. (1996).
REFERENCES and FOOTNOTES
"Chapter Two"
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