John Holloway of Essex and Caroline Cos. VA

John Holloway was born about 1674, probably in (Old) Rappahannock County, Virginia, formed into Essex County in 1692. He was the son of James Holloway Sr. and Judith MNU of Essex County. John seems to have been an adult when his father James Sr. made his will. He was not referred to in period documents as John Sr., but his son John was, and then his grandson was named in period documents as John Jr. The John of present concern was thus the father of John Sr. and grandfather of John Jr.

John Holloway (born about 1674) surveyed 250 acres in Essex County sometime between 1710 and 1720. His property adjoined William Holloway and Elias Downs, whose properties were on Massaponax Swamp. The area was formed into Spotsylvania County in 1721, located today in the unincorporated community of Leavells, about 5 miles southwest of Fredericksburg. William Holloway patented the former property of John Holloway in 1726, suggesting John had left the area by then, presumably having moved just south to Caroline County. Based on paper evidence, it seems that John and William Holloway were likely to have been related, but preliminary Y-DNA evidence suggest they were not. Perhaps they settled as next-door neighbors to each other simply because they liked the sound of each other’s name.

John Holloway died in Caroline County before 8 Oct. 1742. His widow was Rachel.