John Bolar (Bollar, Boller and sometimes Boler) married Margaret "Thornton" and had 11 known children.
He is believed to have been born in the Ulster, Northern Ireland. He came thorough Chester Co., PA where he is said to have resided near the Brandwine Manor. Later he settled on the Jackson River "about an eighth of a mile above the point where Mill creek joins the river." His land remained in the family until T.M. Gathright purchased it in about 1930. In the 1970's the T.M. Gathright Dam was built here and the family remains on his property were moved to the Warm Springs Cemetery. Today the Bolar Mountain and Bolar Flat Recreation area are located on the western shores of Lake Moomaw, in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
John Bollar purchased 163 acres in 1767 previously surveyed in 1746. He added another 125, 54, 42 and 21 acres between 1770 and 1772. Later he added another 49 acres in Bath County per Deed Book 7, page 352 on 20 Jun 1787. It was on both sides of the Jackson River below the mouth of Back Creek adjoining his own land.
On 8 Apr 1779, Capt John Bollar was sworn in at Botetourt (section 256). In 1781, he was at the Battle of Reedy Fork, N. C. and in Jan he was ordered into service from Botetourt (section #133). VA Militia in the Revolutionary War by J.T. McAllister, Hot Springs, VA, 1913.
10 May 1791, Justice John Bollar was present at the first Warm Springs court session, held at the home of Margaret Lewis. Bath County was created in Dec 1790. The officers of the Revolutionary War are listed in old registers at the Warm Springs Hotel, including John Bollar's. (A Brief History of Bath County, VA, Jean G. McAllister).
1794, Va Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 issued 29 Nov 1794 was granted by the Commonwealth to John Bollar, Senior a certain tract of land containing 50 acres by survey dated 24 Mar 1813 in Bath Co. on both sides of the Jackson River forming his own and (Wm) McClinticks land. VA Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. It was recorded in Bath Co., p 273-274 ("Microfilm. VA State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; VA State Land Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-." per Lib of VA) and on the right below John Bollar Senr 50 Acres Bath Ex_ says 23rd Jul 1821 Del'd (delivered) to David Hanna. (Hanna may be the next owner.)
It is believed he received land due to his military service but a further search is warranted for it. In May 1790 Woolford Co., KY census, I found a possible family connection with the entry of Richard Boler. I did not find his surname variations listed on the KY Secretary of State Land Office site. OH? He is not of the Rev. War Land Office Military Certificates site at the Library of VA. This site also says only the certificates remain and not the request to survey or the grant. It's possible he sold them so they aren't in his name also I was told.
The original 50 acre deed says it was recorded in Bath Co. Book #64, p 213. (RBS)
Land: John, Bollar, Sr. grantee, dated 25 Oct 1814 in Bath Co., VA, 50 acres on both sides of Jacksons River. joining to his own & (Wm) McClinticks land. Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the VA Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. It's online at the Library of VA, http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/NQ4F3RLAP3PVHF3H9V1DV6TYAJ8IK6F8SXR33HF8A4VPG9A61C-07857?func=find-acc&acc_sequence=004640942. This is the Recorded deed in clerks's handwriting. Replaced copy of it here with the original on right.
Photo of original 5 Oct 1814 Bath Co. grantee deed kindly shared by Roscoe Bolar Stephenson, III to add here. This is the 1794 VA Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 containing 50 acres on both sides of the Jackson River.
In 1798 he purchased 495 acres in Greenbrier, now in Kanawha Co., WV. Using multiple spellings of his surname, he is found in land grants and patents. Also, he is mentioned in many Bath County, VA chancery court cases.
All the Bollar/Bolar family gravestones were moved from the original location on his farm, due to the Gathright Dam construction in the 1970's. Other older sources state the stone said "about 86 years," making him born about 1732.
Many records at the time also spelled his named with 2 "L's" instead. Their Jackson River home was in Botetourt Co., which later became Bath Co.
John was one of Dickenson's Rangers from nearby Augusta Co., VA in the French and Indian War and later a Captain during the Revolutionary War in the Botetourt Co. Militia. He took part in the North Carolina battle at Guilford Courthouse in 1781, where many lives were lost. He was described as a fearless soldier. (John H. Gwathmey's History Register of VA In the Revolution, p 74 and J.T. McAllister's Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War, Bowie: Heritage Books, 1989, p 191.)
He was also a Bath County Court appointed Justice in 1769 to 1777. He was High Sheriff in 1792. He name is found on the committee to build the old Court House. He is on the 1791 to 1801 Bath County Personal Property Tax Lists (Vol.1 by Dennis R. Jones for the Bath Co. Historical Society). He owned up to 20 horses and up to 7 slaves. His surname spelling varies. His 1765 printed bible gives dates for his first 7 children (Nancy to Martha, excludes 4). Bath County has several deeds and court cases.
The photo of the old John Bollar log home on the right, was sent to me by cousin Howard Revercomb Hammond in 2000, while researching our common kin for his book, History of The Bol(l)ar Family of Bath County, Virginia, The First Three Generations, Gateway Press, Baltimore, MD, 2000.
The captions under his photo reads: "Walnut Grove," the Bolar-Revercomb homeplace in Bath County, Va. Built by John Bollar, a wealthy and influential planter in the early settlement on the Jackson River, the structure was built in the late 1700's. It became the homeplace to his son, John Bolar, who married Esther Wilson. In 1870 the house passed to Susan Paulina Bolar, their daughter who married William Hughart Revercomb. Here they raised seven children: John William, Margaret Louisa, Ella, George Anderson, Horace Austin, Charles Howard and Ida Mackey. Picture taken about 1900."
The 13 Nov 1860 Staunton Spectator advertises the Commissioners' Sale of Lands, by virtue of a decree of the Circuit Court of Bath county, pronounced at the October term, 1860, in a cause therein pending between Wm H Rivercomb and other, plaintiffs, and Esther Bollar and others, defendants, the undersigned, Commissioners therein named, will proceed on the 11th day of Dec next, at the Warm Springs, in the said county of Bath, to sell.... the following tracts or parcels of land.... belonging to the estate of John Bollar, dec'd to wit: listing about 11 separate tracts in Bath, Highland and Nicholas counties, VA. Wm H Rivercomb and Wm H Terrill, Commissioners. See photo.
The relocated gravestones of his wife Margaret, some children and grandchildren surround his stone.
On the 21 day of Dec 1848, before Alexander H McClintic, Justice of the Peace for Bath County, Major John Bollar (Jr.) personally appeared and swore an oath, that "he is a son of John Bollar dec'd who was a Captain in the Revolution, and is command of a Company at the Battle of Guillford C.H." He heard his father talk of William McClintic, a wounded soldier in his company at the battle of Guilford Court House in NC. Signed by John Bolar (Jr.) This statement was for the pension benefit of McClintic's wife Alice. Wm McClintic and Alice McClintic Cavendish, pension #41819, NARAM804. The National Archives, p 6 & 7 (see 2 photos, one each, on his site and his son's. Further, a page 10 letter states that McClintic volunteered in Feb 1781 as a rifleman under Captain John Bollar.
Jonathan Milkollin of the Continental VA Army, #S16971, Clark Co., OH. He resided in Bottetourt (sic) Co., VA when he entered the service. He states he served for 1 month and 15 days served as a private under Capt. John Bollar in the battalion of Major Rolland. Capt John Bowler, Virginia, Light July. It was signed 27 May 1833. National Archives & Fold3.
Capt. "Ballar's (John Bollar) Company amounting to 33 men returned. Personnel of Botetourt County Companies as Districted. He was included on a list of men registered for recruitment in the Revolutionary War. Dated 31 Aug 1782. Page 127 lists 14 men in Capt. John Ballar's Company to be considered as the 25th District. A Seed-Bed of the Republic by Robert Douthat Stoner, Roanoke, VA, p 122-123, 127.
George Anderson Revercomb "married Susan Pollinia, daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, Virginia, in 1822, died in October, 1901, her father a major in Virginia militia. Her grandfather was Captain JOHN BOLLER, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia, in Bath county." Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, undr duprbidion of Lyon Gardiner tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 985.
He finally got accepted into N.S.D.A.R. through daughter Elizabeth. Yea! Ancestor #: A208285
The Library of VA also has the Bolar Family Papers, 1806-1917, which includes an original bible, 1768-1779. Call #34459
I've listed John as "Bolar" here like his gravestone. Findagrave used to have us list it the way it was on the marker, but I don't believe that's the case anymore. It appears from available records that his son John dropped the 2nd L in their surname. His son possibly had his father's marker made. See gravestone transcription below:
Wm (Hubbard is incorrect) "Revercomb, married Susan Pollinia. daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, VA, in 1822, died in Oct 1901, her father a major in VA militia. Her grandfather was Captain John Boller, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record, dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia in Bath county." Article excerpt on George Anderson Revercomb. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, under supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 1915, 985-986. See mention of her husband, JOHN BOLLER in attached marked photo, on his wife's site (due to space limitations per person).
BIO researched and written by LSP
He is believed to have been born in the Ulster, Northern Ireland. He came thorough Chester Co., PA where he is said to have resided near the Brandwine Manor. Later he settled on the Jackson River "about an eighth of a mile above the point where Mill creek joins the river." His land remained in the family until T.M. Gathright purchased it in about 1930. In the 1970's the T.M. Gathright Dam was built here and the family remains on his property were moved to the Warm Springs Cemetery. Today the Bolar Mountain and Bolar Flat Recreation area are located on the western shores of Lake Moomaw, in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
John Bollar purchased 163 acres in 1767 previously surveyed in 1746. He added another 125, 54, 42 and 21 acres between 1770 and 1772. Later he added another 49 acres in Bath County per Deed Book 7, page 352 on 20 Jun 1787. It was on both sides of the Jackson River below the mouth of Back Creek adjoining his own land.
On 8 Apr 1779, Capt John Bollar was sworn in at Botetourt (section 256). In 1781, he was at the Battle of Reedy Fork, N. C. and in Jan he was ordered into service from Botetourt (section #133). VA Militia in the Revolutionary War by J.T. McAllister, Hot Springs, VA, 1913.
10 May 1791, Justice John Bollar was present at the first Warm Springs court session, held at the home of Margaret Lewis. Bath County was created in Dec 1790. The officers of the Revolutionary War are listed in old registers at the Warm Springs Hotel, including John Bollar's. (A Brief History of Bath County, VA, Jean G. McAllister).
1794, Va Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 issued 29 Nov 1794 was granted by the Commonwealth to John Bollar, Senior a certain tract of land containing 50 acres by survey dated 24 Mar 1813 in Bath Co. on both sides of the Jackson River forming his own and (Wm) McClinticks land. VA Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. It was recorded in Bath Co., p 273-274 ("Microfilm. VA State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; VA State Land Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-." per Lib of VA) and on the right below John Bollar Senr 50 Acres Bath Ex_ says 23rd Jul 1821 Del'd (delivered) to David Hanna. (Hanna may be the next owner.)
It is believed he received land due to his military service but a further search is warranted for it. In May 1790 Woolford Co., KY census, I found a possible family connection with the entry of Richard Boler. I did not find his surname variations listed on the KY Secretary of State Land Office site. OH? He is not of the Rev. War Land Office Military Certificates site at the Library of VA. This site also says only the certificates remain and not the request to survey or the grant. It's possible he sold them so they aren't in his name also I was told.
The original 50 acre deed says it was recorded in Bath Co. Book #64, p 213. (RBS)
Land: John, Bollar, Sr. grantee, dated 25 Oct 1814 in Bath Co., VA, 50 acres on both sides of Jacksons River. joining to his own & (Wm) McClinticks land. Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the VA Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. It's online at the Library of VA, http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/NQ4F3RLAP3PVHF3H9V1DV6TYAJ8IK6F8SXR33HF8A4VPG9A61C-07857?func=find-acc&acc_sequence=004640942. This is the Recorded deed in clerks's handwriting. Replaced copy of it here with the original on right.
Photo of original 5 Oct 1814 Bath Co. grantee deed kindly shared by Roscoe Bolar Stephenson, III to add here. This is the 1794 VA Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 containing 50 acres on both sides of the Jackson River.
In 1798 he purchased 495 acres in Greenbrier, now in Kanawha Co., WV. Using multiple spellings of his surname, he is found in land grants and patents. Also, he is mentioned in many Bath County, VA chancery court cases.
All the Bollar/Bolar family gravestones were moved from the original location on his farm, due to the Gathright Dam construction in the 1970's. Other older sources state the stone said "about 86 years," making him born about 1732.
Many records at the time also spelled his named with 2 "L's" instead. Their Jackson River home was in Botetourt Co., which later became Bath Co.
John was one of Dickenson's Rangers from nearby Augusta Co., VA in the French and Indian War and later a Captain during the Revolutionary War in the Botetourt Co. Militia. He took part in the North Carolina battle at Guilford Courthouse in 1781, where many lives were lost. He was described as a fearless soldier. (John H. Gwathmey's History Register of VA In the Revolution, p 74 and J.T. McAllister's Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War, Bowie: Heritage Books, 1989, p 191.)
He was also a Bath County Court appointed Justice in 1769 to 1777. He was High Sheriff in 1792. He name is found on the committee to build the old Court House. He is on the 1791 to 1801 Bath County Personal Property Tax Lists (Vol.1 by Dennis R. Jones for the Bath Co. Historical Society). He owned up to 20 horses and up to 7 slaves. His surname spelling varies. His 1765 printed bible gives dates for his first 7 children (Nancy to Martha, excludes 4). Bath County has several deeds and court cases.
The photo of the old John Bollar log home on the right, was sent to me by cousin Howard Revercomb Hammond in 2000, while researching our common kin for his book, History of The Bol(l)ar Family of Bath County, Virginia, The First Three Generations, Gateway Press, Baltimore, MD, 2000.
The captions under his photo reads: "Walnut Grove," the Bolar-Revercomb homeplace in Bath County, Va. Built by John Bollar, a wealthy and influential planter in the early settlement on the Jackson River, the structure was built in the late 1700's. It became the homeplace to his son, John Bolar, who married Esther Wilson. In 1870 the house passed to Susan Paulina Bolar, their daughter who married William Hughart Revercomb. Here they raised seven children: John William, Margaret Louisa, Ella, George Anderson, Horace Austin, Charles Howard and Ida Mackey. Picture taken about 1900."
The 13 Nov 1860 Staunton Spectator advertises the Commissioners' Sale of Lands, by virtue of a decree of the Circuit Court of Bath county, pronounced at the October term, 1860, in a cause therein pending between Wm H Rivercomb and other, plaintiffs, and Esther Bollar and others, defendants, the undersigned, Commissioners therein named, will proceed on the 11th day of Dec next, at the Warm Springs, in the said county of Bath, to sell.... the following tracts or parcels of land.... belonging to the estate of John Bollar, dec'd to wit: listing about 11 separate tracts in Bath, Highland and Nicholas counties, VA. Wm H Rivercomb and Wm H Terrill, Commissioners. See photo.
The relocated gravestones of his wife Margaret, some children and grandchildren surround his stone.
On the 21 day of Dec 1848, before Alexander H McClintic, Justice of the Peace for Bath County, Major John Bollar (Jr.) personally appeared and swore an oath, that "he is a son of John Bollar dec'd who was a Captain in the Revolution, and is command of a Company at the Battle of Guillford C.H." He heard his father talk of William McClintic, a wounded soldier in his company at the battle of Guilford Court House in NC. Signed by John Bolar (Jr.) This statement was for the pension benefit of McClintic's wife Alice. Wm McClintic and Alice McClintic Cavendish, pension #41819, NARAM804. The National Archives, p 6 & 7 (see 2 photos, one each, on his site and his son's. Further, a page 10 letter states that McClintic volunteered in Feb 1781 as a rifleman under Captain John Bollar.
Jonathan Milkollin of the Continental VA Army, #S16971, Clark Co., OH. He resided in Bottetourt (sic) Co., VA when he entered the service. He states he served for 1 month and 15 days served as a private under Capt. John Bollar in the battalion of Major Rolland. Capt John Bowler, Virginia, Light July. It was signed 27 May 1833. National Archives & Fold3.
Capt. "Ballar's (John Bollar) Company amounting to 33 men returned. Personnel of Botetourt County Companies as Districted. He was included on a list of men registered for recruitment in the Revolutionary War. Dated 31 Aug 1782. Page 127 lists 14 men in Capt. John Ballar's Company to be considered as the 25th District. A Seed-Bed of the Republic by Robert Douthat Stoner, Roanoke, VA, p 122-123, 127.
George Anderson Revercomb "married Susan Pollinia, daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, Virginia, in 1822, died in October, 1901, her father a major in Virginia militia. Her grandfather was Captain JOHN BOLLER, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia, in Bath county." Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, undr duprbidion of Lyon Gardiner tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 985.
He finally got accepted into N.S.D.A.R. through daughter Elizabeth. Yea! Ancestor #: A208285
The Library of VA also has the Bolar Family Papers, 1806-1917, which includes an original bible, 1768-1779. Call #34459
I've listed John as "Bolar" here like his gravestone. Findagrave used to have us list it the way it was on the marker, but I don't believe that's the case anymore. It appears from available records that his son John dropped the 2nd L in their surname. His son possibly had his father's marker made. See gravestone transcription below:
Wm (Hubbard is incorrect) "Revercomb, married Susan Pollinia. daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, VA, in 1822, died in Oct 1901, her father a major in VA militia. Her grandfather was Captain John Boller, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record, dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia in Bath county." Article excerpt on George Anderson Revercomb. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, under supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 1915, 985-986. See mention of her husband, JOHN BOLLER in attached marked photo, on his wife's site (due to space limitations per person).
BIO researched and written by LSP
John Bolar (Bollar, Boller and sometimes Boler) married Margaret "Thornton" and had 11 known children.
He is believed to have been born in the Ulster, Northern Ireland. He came thorough Chester Co., PA where he is said to have resided near the Brandwine Manor. Later he settled on the Jackson River "about an eighth of a mile above the point where Mill creek joins the river." His land remained in the family until T.M. Gathright purchased it in about 1930. In the 1970's the T.M. Gathright Dam was built here and the family remains on his property were moved to the Warm Springs Cemetery. Today the Bolar Mountain and Bolar Flat Recreation area are located on the western shores of Lake Moomaw, in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
John Bollar purchased 163 acres in 1767 previously surveyed in 1746. He added another 125, 54, 42 and 21 acres between 1770 and 1772. Later he added another 49 acres in Bath County per Deed Book 7, page 352 on 20 Jun 1787. It was on both sides of the Jackson River below the mouth of Back Creek adjoining his own land.
On 8 Apr 1779, Capt John Bollar was sworn in at Botetourt (section 256). In 1781, he was at the Battle of Reedy Fork, N. C. and in Jan he was ordered into service from Botetourt (section #133). VA Militia in the Revolutionary War by J.T. McAllister, Hot Springs, VA, 1913.
10 May 1791, Justice John Bollar was present at the first Warm Springs court session, held at the home of Margaret Lewis. Bath County was created in Dec 1790. The officers of the Revolutionary War are listed in old registers at the Warm Springs Hotel, including John Bollar's. (A Brief History of Bath County, VA, Jean G. McAllister).
1794, Va Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 issued 29 Nov 1794 was granted by the Commonwealth to John Bollar, Senior a certain tract of land containing 50 acres by survey dated 24 Mar 1813 in Bath Co. on both sides of the Jackson River forming his own and (Wm) McClinticks land. VA Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. It was recorded in Bath Co., p 273-274 ("Microfilm. VA State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; VA State Land Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-." per Lib of VA) and on the right below John Bollar Senr 50 Acres Bath Ex_ says 23rd Jul 1821 Del'd (delivered) to David Hanna. (Hanna may be the next owner.)
It is believed he received land due to his military service but a further search is warranted for it. In May 1790 Woolford Co., KY census, I found a possible family connection with the entry of Richard Boler. I did not find his surname variations listed on the KY Secretary of State Land Office site. OH? He is not of the Rev. War Land Office Military Certificates site at the Library of VA. This site also says only the certificates remain and not the request to survey or the grant. It's possible he sold them so they aren't in his name also I was told.
The original 50 acre deed says it was recorded in Bath Co. Book #64, p 213. (RBS)
Land: John, Bollar, Sr. grantee, dated 25 Oct 1814 in Bath Co., VA, 50 acres on both sides of Jacksons River. joining to his own & (Wm) McClinticks land. Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the VA Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. It's online at the Library of VA, http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/NQ4F3RLAP3PVHF3H9V1DV6TYAJ8IK6F8SXR33HF8A4VPG9A61C-07857?func=find-acc&acc_sequence=004640942. This is the Recorded deed in clerks's handwriting. Replaced copy of it here with the original on right.
Photo of original 5 Oct 1814 Bath Co. grantee deed kindly shared by Roscoe Bolar Stephenson, III to add here. This is the 1794 VA Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 containing 50 acres on both sides of the Jackson River.
In 1798 he purchased 495 acres in Greenbrier, now in Kanawha Co., WV. Using multiple spellings of his surname, he is found in land grants and patents. Also, he is mentioned in many Bath County, VA chancery court cases.
All the Bollar/Bolar family gravestones were moved from the original location on his farm, due to the Gathright Dam construction in the 1970's. Other older sources state the stone said "about 86 years," making him born about 1732.
Many records at the time also spelled his named with 2 "L's" instead. Their Jackson River home was in Botetourt Co., which later became Bath Co.
John was one of Dickenson's Rangers from nearby Augusta Co., VA in the French and Indian War and later a Captain during the Revolutionary War in the Botetourt Co. Militia. He took part in the North Carolina battle at Guilford Courthouse in 1781, where many lives were lost. He was described as a fearless soldier. (John H. Gwathmey's History Register of VA In the Revolution, p 74 and J.T. McAllister's Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War, Bowie: Heritage Books, 1989, p 191.)
He was also a Bath County Court appointed Justice in 1769 to 1777. He was High Sheriff in 1792. He name is found on the committee to build the old Court House. He is on the 1791 to 1801 Bath County Personal Property Tax Lists (Vol.1 by Dennis R. Jones for the Bath Co. Historical Society). He owned up to 20 horses and up to 7 slaves. His surname spelling varies. His 1765 printed bible gives dates for his first 7 children (Nancy to Martha, excludes 4). Bath County has several deeds and court cases.
The photo of the old John Bollar log home on the right, was sent to me by cousin Howard Revercomb Hammond in 2000, while researching our common kin for his book, History of The Bol(l)ar Family of Bath County, Virginia, The First Three Generations, Gateway Press, Baltimore, MD, 2000.
The captions under his photo reads: "Walnut Grove," the Bolar-Revercomb homeplace in Bath County, Va. Built by John Bollar, a wealthy and influential planter in the early settlement on the Jackson River, the structure was built in the late 1700's. It became the homeplace to his son, John Bolar, who married Esther Wilson. In 1870 the house passed to Susan Paulina Bolar, their daughter who married William Hughart Revercomb. Here they raised seven children: John William, Margaret Louisa, Ella, George Anderson, Horace Austin, Charles Howard and Ida Mackey. Picture taken about 1900."
The 13 Nov 1860 Staunton Spectator advertises the Commissioners' Sale of Lands, by virtue of a decree of the Circuit Court of Bath county, pronounced at the October term, 1860, in a cause therein pending between Wm H Rivercomb and other, plaintiffs, and Esther Bollar and others, defendants, the undersigned, Commissioners therein named, will proceed on the 11th day of Dec next, at the Warm Springs, in the said county of Bath, to sell.... the following tracts or parcels of land.... belonging to the estate of John Bollar, dec'd to wit: listing about 11 separate tracts in Bath, Highland and Nicholas counties, VA. Wm H Rivercomb and Wm H Terrill, Commissioners. See photo.
The relocated gravestones of his wife Margaret, some children and grandchildren surround his stone.
On the 21 day of Dec 1848, before Alexander H McClintic, Justice of the Peace for Bath County, Major John Bollar (Jr.) personally appeared and swore an oath, that "he is a son of John Bollar dec'd who was a Captain in the Revolution, and is command of a Company at the Battle of Guillford C.H." He heard his father talk of William McClintic, a wounded soldier in his company at the battle of Guilford Court House in NC. Signed by John Bolar (Jr.) This statement was for the pension benefit of McClintic's wife Alice. Wm McClintic and Alice McClintic Cavendish, pension #41819, NARAM804. The National Archives, p 6 & 7 (see 2 photos, one each, on his site and his son's. Further, a page 10 letter states that McClintic volunteered in Feb 1781 as a rifleman under Captain John Bollar.
Jonathan Milkollin of the Continental VA Army, #S16971, Clark Co., OH. He resided in Bottetourt (sic) Co., VA when he entered the service. He states he served for 1 month and 15 days served as a private under Capt. John Bollar in the battalion of Major Rolland. Capt John Bowler, Virginia, Light July. It was signed 27 May 1833. National Archives & Fold3.
Capt. "Ballar's (John Bollar) Company amounting to 33 men returned. Personnel of Botetourt County Companies as Districted. He was included on a list of men registered for recruitment in the Revolutionary War. Dated 31 Aug 1782. Page 127 lists 14 men in Capt. John Ballar's Company to be considered as the 25th District. A Seed-Bed of the Republic by Robert Douthat Stoner, Roanoke, VA, p 122-123, 127.
George Anderson Revercomb "married Susan Pollinia, daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, Virginia, in 1822, died in October, 1901, her father a major in Virginia militia. Her grandfather was Captain JOHN BOLLER, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia, in Bath county." Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, undr duprbidion of Lyon Gardiner tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 985.
He finally got accepted into N.S.D.A.R. through daughter Elizabeth. Yea! Ancestor #: A208285
The Library of VA also has the Bolar Family Papers, 1806-1917, which includes an original bible, 1768-1779. Call #34459
I've listed John as "Bolar" here like his gravestone. Findagrave used to have us list it the way it was on the marker, but I don't believe that's the case anymore. It appears from available records that his son John dropped the 2nd L in their surname. His son possibly had his father's marker made. See gravestone transcription below:
Wm (Hubbard is incorrect) "Revercomb, married Susan Pollinia. daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, VA, in 1822, died in Oct 1901, her father a major in VA militia. Her grandfather was Captain John Boller, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record, dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia in Bath county." Article excerpt on George Anderson Revercomb. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, under supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 1915, 985-986. See mention of her husband, JOHN BOLLER in attached marked photo, on his wife's site (due to space limitations per person).
BIO researched and written by LSP
He is believed to have been born in the Ulster, Northern Ireland. He came thorough Chester Co., PA where he is said to have resided near the Brandwine Manor. Later he settled on the Jackson River "about an eighth of a mile above the point where Mill creek joins the river." His land remained in the family until T.M. Gathright purchased it in about 1930. In the 1970's the T.M. Gathright Dam was built here and the family remains on his property were moved to the Warm Springs Cemetery. Today the Bolar Mountain and Bolar Flat Recreation area are located on the western shores of Lake Moomaw, in George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
John Bollar purchased 163 acres in 1767 previously surveyed in 1746. He added another 125, 54, 42 and 21 acres between 1770 and 1772. Later he added another 49 acres in Bath County per Deed Book 7, page 352 on 20 Jun 1787. It was on both sides of the Jackson River below the mouth of Back Creek adjoining his own land.
On 8 Apr 1779, Capt John Bollar was sworn in at Botetourt (section 256). In 1781, he was at the Battle of Reedy Fork, N. C. and in Jan he was ordered into service from Botetourt (section #133). VA Militia in the Revolutionary War by J.T. McAllister, Hot Springs, VA, 1913.
10 May 1791, Justice John Bollar was present at the first Warm Springs court session, held at the home of Margaret Lewis. Bath County was created in Dec 1790. The officers of the Revolutionary War are listed in old registers at the Warm Springs Hotel, including John Bollar's. (A Brief History of Bath County, VA, Jean G. McAllister).
1794, Va Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 issued 29 Nov 1794 was granted by the Commonwealth to John Bollar, Senior a certain tract of land containing 50 acres by survey dated 24 Mar 1813 in Bath Co. on both sides of the Jackson River forming his own and (Wm) McClinticks land. VA Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. It was recorded in Bath Co., p 273-274 ("Microfilm. VA State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; VA State Land Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-." per Lib of VA) and on the right below John Bollar Senr 50 Acres Bath Ex_ says 23rd Jul 1821 Del'd (delivered) to David Hanna. (Hanna may be the next owner.)
It is believed he received land due to his military service but a further search is warranted for it. In May 1790 Woolford Co., KY census, I found a possible family connection with the entry of Richard Boler. I did not find his surname variations listed on the KY Secretary of State Land Office site. OH? He is not of the Rev. War Land Office Military Certificates site at the Library of VA. This site also says only the certificates remain and not the request to survey or the grant. It's possible he sold them so they aren't in his name also I was told.
The original 50 acre deed says it was recorded in Bath Co. Book #64, p 213. (RBS)
Land: John, Bollar, Sr. grantee, dated 25 Oct 1814 in Bath Co., VA, 50 acres on both sides of Jacksons River. joining to his own & (Wm) McClinticks land. Land Office Grants No. 64, 1813-1815, p. 273. Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the VA Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia. It's online at the Library of VA, http://lva1.hosted.exlibrisgroup.com/F/NQ4F3RLAP3PVHF3H9V1DV6TYAJ8IK6F8SXR33HF8A4VPG9A61C-07857?func=find-acc&acc_sequence=004640942. This is the Recorded deed in clerks's handwriting. Replaced copy of it here with the original on right.
Photo of original 5 Oct 1814 Bath Co. grantee deed kindly shared by Roscoe Bolar Stephenson, III to add here. This is the 1794 VA Land Office Treasury Warrant #892 containing 50 acres on both sides of the Jackson River.
In 1798 he purchased 495 acres in Greenbrier, now in Kanawha Co., WV. Using multiple spellings of his surname, he is found in land grants and patents. Also, he is mentioned in many Bath County, VA chancery court cases.
All the Bollar/Bolar family gravestones were moved from the original location on his farm, due to the Gathright Dam construction in the 1970's. Other older sources state the stone said "about 86 years," making him born about 1732.
Many records at the time also spelled his named with 2 "L's" instead. Their Jackson River home was in Botetourt Co., which later became Bath Co.
John was one of Dickenson's Rangers from nearby Augusta Co., VA in the French and Indian War and later a Captain during the Revolutionary War in the Botetourt Co. Militia. He took part in the North Carolina battle at Guilford Courthouse in 1781, where many lives were lost. He was described as a fearless soldier. (John H. Gwathmey's History Register of VA In the Revolution, p 74 and J.T. McAllister's Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War, Bowie: Heritage Books, 1989, p 191.)
He was also a Bath County Court appointed Justice in 1769 to 1777. He was High Sheriff in 1792. He name is found on the committee to build the old Court House. He is on the 1791 to 1801 Bath County Personal Property Tax Lists (Vol.1 by Dennis R. Jones for the Bath Co. Historical Society). He owned up to 20 horses and up to 7 slaves. His surname spelling varies. His 1765 printed bible gives dates for his first 7 children (Nancy to Martha, excludes 4). Bath County has several deeds and court cases.
The photo of the old John Bollar log home on the right, was sent to me by cousin Howard Revercomb Hammond in 2000, while researching our common kin for his book, History of The Bol(l)ar Family of Bath County, Virginia, The First Three Generations, Gateway Press, Baltimore, MD, 2000.
The captions under his photo reads: "Walnut Grove," the Bolar-Revercomb homeplace in Bath County, Va. Built by John Bollar, a wealthy and influential planter in the early settlement on the Jackson River, the structure was built in the late 1700's. It became the homeplace to his son, John Bolar, who married Esther Wilson. In 1870 the house passed to Susan Paulina Bolar, their daughter who married William Hughart Revercomb. Here they raised seven children: John William, Margaret Louisa, Ella, George Anderson, Horace Austin, Charles Howard and Ida Mackey. Picture taken about 1900."
The 13 Nov 1860 Staunton Spectator advertises the Commissioners' Sale of Lands, by virtue of a decree of the Circuit Court of Bath county, pronounced at the October term, 1860, in a cause therein pending between Wm H Rivercomb and other, plaintiffs, and Esther Bollar and others, defendants, the undersigned, Commissioners therein named, will proceed on the 11th day of Dec next, at the Warm Springs, in the said county of Bath, to sell.... the following tracts or parcels of land.... belonging to the estate of John Bollar, dec'd to wit: listing about 11 separate tracts in Bath, Highland and Nicholas counties, VA. Wm H Rivercomb and Wm H Terrill, Commissioners. See photo.
The relocated gravestones of his wife Margaret, some children and grandchildren surround his stone.
On the 21 day of Dec 1848, before Alexander H McClintic, Justice of the Peace for Bath County, Major John Bollar (Jr.) personally appeared and swore an oath, that "he is a son of John Bollar dec'd who was a Captain in the Revolution, and is command of a Company at the Battle of Guillford C.H." He heard his father talk of William McClintic, a wounded soldier in his company at the battle of Guilford Court House in NC. Signed by John Bolar (Jr.) This statement was for the pension benefit of McClintic's wife Alice. Wm McClintic and Alice McClintic Cavendish, pension #41819, NARAM804. The National Archives, p 6 & 7 (see 2 photos, one each, on his site and his son's. Further, a page 10 letter states that McClintic volunteered in Feb 1781 as a rifleman under Captain John Bollar.
Jonathan Milkollin of the Continental VA Army, #S16971, Clark Co., OH. He resided in Bottetourt (sic) Co., VA when he entered the service. He states he served for 1 month and 15 days served as a private under Capt. John Bollar in the battalion of Major Rolland. Capt John Bowler, Virginia, Light July. It was signed 27 May 1833. National Archives & Fold3.
Capt. "Ballar's (John Bollar) Company amounting to 33 men returned. Personnel of Botetourt County Companies as Districted. He was included on a list of men registered for recruitment in the Revolutionary War. Dated 31 Aug 1782. Page 127 lists 14 men in Capt. John Ballar's Company to be considered as the 25th District. A Seed-Bed of the Republic by Robert Douthat Stoner, Roanoke, VA, p 122-123, 127.
George Anderson Revercomb "married Susan Pollinia, daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, Virginia, in 1822, died in October, 1901, her father a major in Virginia militia. Her grandfather was Captain JOHN BOLLER, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia, in Bath county." Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, undr duprbidion of Lyon Gardiner tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 985.
He finally got accepted into N.S.D.A.R. through daughter Elizabeth. Yea! Ancestor #: A208285
The Library of VA also has the Bolar Family Papers, 1806-1917, which includes an original bible, 1768-1779. Call #34459
I've listed John as "Bolar" here like his gravestone. Findagrave used to have us list it the way it was on the marker, but I don't believe that's the case anymore. It appears from available records that his son John dropped the 2nd L in their surname. His son possibly had his father's marker made. See gravestone transcription below:
Wm (Hubbard is incorrect) "Revercomb, married Susan Pollinia. daughter of Major John and Esther (Wilson) Boller, born in Bath county, VA, in 1822, died in Oct 1901, her father a major in VA militia. Her grandfather was Captain John Boller, who was sworn into the Continental service on April 8, 1779, in command of Botetourt county troops, and there is also a record, dated 1792, of the commission of John Boller as colonel of militia in Bath county." Article excerpt on George Anderson Revercomb. Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography, under supervision of Lyon Gardiner Tyler, LL. D., Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, MD, Vol 5, 1915, 985-986. See mention of her husband, JOHN BOLLER in attached marked photo, on his wife's site (due to space limitations per person).
BIO researched and written by LSP
Inscription
JOHN BOLAR Sr.
Died
April 3, 1818
aged about 8_ yrs. (maybe a 5 or 6)
