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Family Genealogy - Lavinder Family Genealogy
A Brief History
My step-daughters descend from the Lavinder family of Franklin County, Virginia, in the vicinity of Rocky Mount, the county seat. The earliest known American ancestor is John Lavinder, a colonial Virginia plantation owner from Franklin County, who purportedly immigrated with his brother Thomas (and maybe another brother Robert) from England sometime in the late 1700's. Thomas settled in Roanoke County, Virginia. Their names have not been found on any ship passenger manifests to know exactly when they immigrated. They first appear in legal records (deeds and marriage certificates) dating from the 1790's. People with ancestors with the surname "Lavinder", and perhaps some with the surname "Lavender" with origins in southwestern Virginia are most likely descended from John and his wife Mary Depity, or from his brother Thomas.
The Lavinder family is of French origin the name originally being de la Vinder. They were Huguenots and escaped from France on account of persecution. The Lavinders, of Virginia, are descended from two brothers, Richard and William, who came to Virginia after the close of the Revolutionary War.
John Lavinder settled in Franklin County, and owned a large plantation and numerous slaves. He married Mary Deppity and their children were: Thornton, William, James, Joseph, Chilton, John, Mary, Frances, Nancy, Emily, and Jesse.
John spent much time uplifting the community and was noted extensively for his kindness to his slaves. He built a chapel for them and often preached to them. After the Gospel was spoken, each slave enjoyed the never-failing Sunday morning "dram of good ole brandy served by Marse John's own hands."
Sources:
Hill, Judith Parks America. A history of Henry County, Virginia : with biographical sketches of its most prominent citizens and genealogical histories of half a hundred of its oldest families unknown: unknown, 1925, 359 pgs. pgs. 212-216
Pedigo, Virginia G.; History of Patrick and Henry Counties, Virginia Roanoke, Va.: Stone Printing and Manufacturing Co., 1933, 430 pgs. pg 183-184.
Tazewell Chilton Lavinder was born 8 Jan 1837 in Franklin County, Virginia. He was the son of John Lavinder Jr and Mary Dunn. In the 1850 census, John and his wife, Martha Parcell were living with his parents.