I have not personally researched the genealogy of the Kirkland family; the following report has been generated from secondary sources only.  Accordingly, the report should be used as a starting point only, to use in forming genealogical hypotheses. To prove these hypotheses, the reader of this report must provide his/her own supporting rationale obtained from personal family documents such as Bible records and/or memoranda; and from official documents such as wills, deeds, court minutes, etc.  The ancestor numbering system utilized in the report is that recommended by the National Genealogical Society (NGS).

1. RICHARD¹ KIRKLAND died Abt. 1743 in Fairfax County VA. He married MARY _____.

Notes for RICHARD KIRKLAND:

Origin of the Kirkland Surname

The literal meaning of the "Kirkland" surname is "church land." In Scotland, this surname frequently occurs in many counties including Dumfries, Ayr, Lanark and Stirling. The Kirklands are one of the many septs of Clan Maxwell, which also includes the surnames Adair, Blackstock, Dinwiddie, Dinwoodie, Edgar, Herries, Kirk, Latimer, Latimore, Mackittrick, Maxton, Mescall, Monreith, Moss, Nithdale, Paulk, Peacock, Pollock, Pollok, Polk, Sturgeon, and Wardlaw.

Richard Kirkland in the Official Records of Maryland

It seems that a Richard Kirkland was in the colonies and lived in Baltimore County, Maryland by the late 1690's.

1699 - Warrant granted to RICHARD KIRKLAND of Baltimore County for 200 acres. [See Maryland Warrent Book A, page 208.]

1700 - Warrant granted to RICHARD KIRKLAND of Baltimore County for 100 acres of land. [See Maryland Warrent Book A, page 299.]

20 June 1700 - Patent for 100 acres to RICHARD KIRKLAND OF Baltimore County, lying between branches of Petuxon River near CHARLES

CARROLL'S plantation. [See Maryland Patent Book C, page 311.]

December 1694 - RICHARD KIRKLAND is listed with 200 acres in the Quit Rent Rolls for Baltimore County MD. [See Quit Rent Book 15, page 183.]

11 July 1708 - RICHARD KIRKLAND, late of Baltimore County, conveys a 200-acre tract of land in Annarundle County called "Bold Venture" and a 100-acre tract of land in Baltimore County called "Girles Portion" to GEORGE VALENTINE. Richard kirkland signs by making his mark = "RK." Indenture is witnessed by J. LEMAY?, ROBT HALL and MARY (her mark = "M") KIRKLAND. [See Baltimore County MD, Court Records Book P, pages 104-108.]

11 Oct 1708 - " ... Virginia - Know all men by these presents that I RICHARD KIRKLAND late of Baltimore County planter do appoint my friend JOHN JONES of Baltimore County planter my true and lawful attorney to make over the two tracts of land, to GEORGE VALENTINE, called Bold Venture 200 A in Annardl County, the other Girles Portion 100 A in Baltimore County ... and Likewise I MARY KIRKLAND give my right of Dower... by Virture of my being the lawful wife of above said RICHARD ... " [See Baltimore County MD, Court Records Book P, pages 108-109.]

Richard Kirkland in the Official Records of Virginia

24 Sep 1739 - RICHARD KIRKLAND of Truro Parish, Prince William County, planter, conveys to EDWARD KIRKLAND, his son, 100 acres situate in Prince William Co. on the north side of Occaquan River, being part of a 268-acre tract granted to said RICHARD by patent dated 23 Nov 1714. [See Prince William County VA, Deed Book C, page 227.]

23 Jun 1740 -

RICHARD KIRKLAND of Truro Parish, Prince William Co., Planter, give to his son RICHARD SNOWDIN KIRKLAND a tract of 100 Acres in Prince William County on north side of Occaquan R. being part of two patents of land bearing dates of 1712 and 1714. [See Prince William County VA, Deed Book E, pages 53-55.]

19 May 1743 - Will of RICHARD KIRKLAND, dated 17 November 1742, is proved in Fairfax County VA Court. Selected portions of the court record are as follows: " ... to my son RICHARD KIRKLAND a tract of land in Baltimore Co. containing 200 A called BROWN'S FANCY ... my wife MARY the plantation where I now live & all the land belonging thereunto.. after her decease to my son ROBERT KIRKLAND.. my son ROBERT KIRKLAND paying my son JOHN KIRKLAND 10 pounds current money of VA .. my moveable estate to wife during her life, then to be equally divided amongst all my sons and daughters... I appoint my wife MARY & GEORGE CALBERT to be my exors ... MARY KIRKLAND, GEORGE CALBERT, THOMAS SMITH, & RICHARD RICCA ... bound unto WILLIAM FAIRFAX, first Justice for Fairfax Co. ... " [See Fairfax County VA Will Book A-1 Part 1, 1742-1752.]

18 October 1743 - Inventory of the personal estate of RICHARD KIRKLAND, deceased, is returned to the court. The Inventory lists numerous items and the following people: MICHAEL RIGHTLY, an orphan aged 19 years 23 July last. ELINOR SHORTON, an indented servant to serve to the 8th .. ber next. ANN FRANCINN, b. 9th ... 1730. JOSHUA FRANCINN, b. 15 Jun 1732. BETTY THORNTON, b. 27 Apr 1740. Debts paid by MARY KIRKLAND, relict of RICHARD KIRKLAND, dec'd to SAMUEL STONE, ROBERT GOGGESS, NIMROD NOT, HUGH MONTGOMERY, WILLIAM BAYLISS, MRS. ELIZABETH GREGG & JOHN BARRY. Debts received by MARY from EDWARD KIRKLAND, JOHN KIRKLAND. [Fairfax County VA. Court Records, Volume 1, page 21.]

Children of RICHARD KIRKLAND and MARY _____ are:

2. i. RICHARD SNODEN² KIRKLAND, d. Bef. March 1772, Camden District SC.

ii. ROBERT KIRKLAND.

iii. EDWARD KIRKLAND, d. 1770.

Notes for EDWARD KIRKLAND:

Edward Kirkland in the Official Records of Virginia

9 June 1746 - JOHN GOEN & MARY his wife of Truro Parish, Fairfax County VA convey to EDWARD KIRKLAND of same for 5 shillings sterling & 1100 lbs. of merchanable tobacco, one half tract of land containing 268 acres in said Parish on north side of Ocaquan below the mouth of the north fork of the said Run of Occaquan, it being a tract of land granted to RICHARD KIRKLAND, deceased and CORNELIUS KEEIF, father of said GOENS wife, on 23 Nov 1714. [Fairfax County VA, Deed Book B, Part 1, pages 32-33.]

9 Oct 1753 - EDWARD KIRKLAND, Planter, of Fairfax County VA conveys to ABSALOM KENT, planter, of same county, 100 acres more or less, in Fairfax County on the north side of Occaquan River, being part of a greater tract of land containing 268 acres granted by the Proprietors of the Northern Neck to RICHARD KIRKLAND, 23 Nov 1723. [Fairfax County VA, Deed Book C, Part 1, pages 649-650.]

Edward Kirkland in the Official Records of South Carolina

04 September 1764 - Precept issued to Edward Kirkland for 150 acres in Granville County. [See SC Plat & Patent Book 8, page 278.]

14 September 1764 - Land Plat made for Edward Kirkland for 150 acres in Granville County on King Branch, water of Savannah River near Matthews Bluff. All sides vacant. King Branch runs along north side of property, ISAAC PERRY is District Surveyor. [See SC Plat & Patent Book 8, page 278.]

25 April 1765 - Land Patent issued to Edward Kirkland for 150 acres in Granville County on King Branch, water of Savannah River near Matthews Bluff. All sides vacant. King Branch runs along north side of property, ISAAC PERRY is District Surveyor. [See SC Plat & Patent Book 12, page 208.]

25 June 1765 - Memorial is filed for the above 150-acre tract; JOSEPH TURNER signs for the memorialist EDWARD KIRKLAND. [See SC Memorial Book 6, page 464.]

3. iv. JOHN KIRKLAND, d. Abt. 1773.

 

2. RICHARD SNODEN² KIRKLAND (RICHARD¹) died Bef. March 1772 in Camden District SC. He married MARY _____.

Notes for RICHARD SNODEN KIRKLAND:

Richard Snoden Kirkland in the Official Records of Virginia

15 Feb. 1746 - RICHARD KIRKLAND & MARY, his wife, of Fairfax County conveys to WILLIAM DAVIS of Prince William County, 290 acres in Fairfax County which was granted to RICHARD on 12 Sept 1730, also a grist mill standing on Poplar Head Run; Deed was recorded on 18 August 1747. [Fairfax County VA Deed Book A, Part 1, pages 245-246.]

Richard Snoden Kirkland in the Official Records of South Carolina

05 May 1752 - The first mention of Richard Kirkland in South Carolina is when he receives a precept (warrent) for 350 acres of land in Craven County. [See SC Precepts & Plats Book 5, page 353.]

27 July 1753 - A survey is made for Richard Kirkland for 350 acres "on the Wateree River, foot of Wateree Creek," by George Hunter, His majesty's surveyor, under a precept dated May 5, 1752. This land is described as being bounded in part by those of Richard Greggrie (Gregory), and Joseph Cates. [See SC Precepts & Plats Book 5, page 353.]

11 May 1754 - RICHARD KIRKLAND receives a royal land patent for the 350 acres of land in Craven County surveyed per the above. [See SC Patent Book 5, page 411.]

May 1754 - Memorial for the above 350-acre tract of land in Craven County SC is filed; JOHN HAMILTON is Deputy Surveyor; Path from the Congarees to Catawba Nation runs thru this property. [See SC Memorial Book 7, page 47.]

May 1754 - RICHARD KIRKLAND makes memorial for 567 acres of land that he purchased from SAMUEL & SUZANNAH BACOT on 27 & 28 Aug. 1753. Land was granted to SAMUEL BACOT on 6 Oct. 1752, lying in Craven Co., bounded NE on Wateree River, part vacant & part on JOHN TOD, JR. on SE. [See SC Memorial Book 7, pages 59-60.]

03 November 1761 - Richard Kirkland receives a precept (warrent) for 150 acres of land in Craven County SC. [See SC Precepts & Plats Book 7, page 252.]

12 March 1762 - A survey is made for Richard Kirkland for 150 acres, it being part in an island in Wateree River, other part on southwest side of said River, bounded on the northwest by Richard Gregory and Vacant land; Catawaba River bordres on one side and the Charlest Town Road run through the property. [See SC Precepts & Plats Book 7, page 252.]

07 May 1762 - RICHARD KIRKLAND receives a royal land patent for the 150 acres of land in Craven County surveyed per the above. [See SC Patent Book 10, page 221.]

04 July 1763 - Memorial for the above 150-acre tract of land in Craven County SC is filed. [See SC Memorial Book 7, page 47.]

Apparently Richard Snoden Kirkland died in about the year 1772 as we have the following record:

28 March 1772 - The Quitrent Tax List for Craven County SC lists Richard Kirkland's Estate of 567 acres; the tax is paid by Moses Kirkland "the heir who has more land himself Who says it is sold - yet to pay."

Children of RICHARD KIRKLAND and MARY _____ are:

4. i. MOSES³ KIRKLAND, b. Abt. 1730, Virginia Colony; d. 1787.

ii. RICHARD KIRKLAND, d. Bef. March 1789, Georgia.

iii. ANN KIRKLAND, m. (1) WILLIAM HARRISON; m. (2) JOHN GRAVES.

 

3. JOHN² KIRKLAND (RICHARD¹) died Abt. 1773. He married JEAN _____.

Notes for JOHN KIRKLAND:

John Kirkland in the Official Records of North Carolina

1753 - John Kirkland and a certain Snoden Kirkland are listed in the Granville County NC tax lists, in Samuel Henderson's District, as follows:

JOHN KIRKLAND - 1 poll

SNODEN KIRKLAND - 2 polls, himself & WM. HOLSTON

Note - Because of the dates of the South Carolina records for Richard Kirkland, the Snowden Kirkland mentioned above does not seem to be the same person as the Richard Snoden Kirkland who removed to South Carolina and was the father of Moses Kirkland.

John Kirkland in the Official Records of South Carolina

John Kirkland apparently removed from Granville County NC to South Carolina; he apparently died there in the 1772-1773 time frame.

10 September 1773 - The will of John Kirkland, dated 02 May 1772, is proved in the Charleston Courts. The will mentions his wife, Jean; and his sons, William and Moses. Executors named are his wife and a certain Francis Kirkland (probably another son). Witnesses to the will are J. Gibson, John Kirkland (another son?) and John Coats. [See Charleston SC Will Book SS, 1771-1774, page 441.]

Children of JOHN KIRKLAND and JEAN _____ are:

i. WILLIAM³ KIRKLAND.

ii. MOSES KIRKLAND.

iii. FRANCIS KIRKLAND.

iv. JOHN KIRKLAND KIRKLAND.

 

4. MOSES³ KIRKLAND (RICHARD SNODEN², RICHARD¹) was born Abt. 1730 in Virginia Colony, and died 1787. He married (1) PATIENCE RAIFORD Abt. 1760, daughter of ISAAC RAIFORD. She was born Abt. 1740, and died 1779. He married (2) CATHERINE BRUCE Abt. 1785 in St George's Parish, Jamaica.

Notes for MOSES KIRKLAND:

Moses Kirkland in the Records of South Carolina

30 November 1764 - Congaree Baptist Church membership list includes the following names: Leah Townsend, Patience Kirkland, Martha Goodwin, John Pearson, Isaac Raiford and William Tucker. It is to be noted that though his wife is listed, Moses Kirkland is not; Isaac Raiford is believed to be Patience Kirkland's father. [See the book entitled "South Carolina Baptists 1670-1805," page 143.]

Notes for PATIENCE RAIFORD:

In about 1749 Moses Kirland is said to have married Patience Raiford and lived west of the Congaree River, in an area then known as the Camden District. In 1785 this area became a part of Richland County; subsequently, this area became part of Calhoun County when it was formed from Richland County in 1908. [ See "A History of Richland County" by Edwin L. Green, vol 1, 1732-1805, published 1974.]

Child of MOSES KIRKLAND and PATIENCE RAIFORD is:

i. MOSES⁴ KIRKLAND, b. Abt. 1763; m. LUCRETIA COTTON.

Child of MOSES KIRKLAND and CATHERINE BRUCE is:

ii. RICHARD BRUCE⁴ KIRKLAND, b. 1786.