Notes for: Oliver MEDARIS

Oliver Medaris was born about 1759 in Middlesex County, Virginia in the area known as Dragon Swamp. He married Wilmuth Redd / Redmond about 1782 most likely in Chatham County, North Carolina. The Redd family was an important pioneer family in that area, and there is a John Redd Boulevard just across the state line in Martinsville, VA. Oliver lived in Chatham County, North Carolina in 1782 and witnessed a deed there on 04 Nov. This deed was between John Gregory (father of Elizabeth Gregory, wife of Charles 5) and Gideon Goodwin. (Deed Bk. B, pg. 421) When the First Census was taken in 1790, Oliver and Wilmuth lived in Guilford County, North Carolina. Oliver owned some 300 acres in North Carolina along Troublesome Creek, next to his brother Charles (5).

Oliver later sold this land and moved to Clermont County, Ohio in 1804. They participated in a large movement of about 50 families to Ohio. It is said that the women went by way of "Flatboats" because of the Indian danger and the men went by wagon train. Oliver obtained land in "Union Township" where he and his family lived for 25 years. The land in Ohio was being granted for service in the Revolutionary War. There is no record of Oliver fighting in the revolution but records are very incomplete. It is possible the land awarded in Ohio was given to Oliver by his brother Brvt Maj. John Medearis who recieved large area's of land in North Carolina and Tennessee as well.