In 1735 the Family of Robert Looney was one of seventy that entered the Quaker Colony of Virginia, with Alexander Ross and Morgan Bryan of the Providence of PA. The colony bought 100,000 acres of land near Winchester, VA. Among the purchasers listed is Robert Looney. He also received a patent dated November 12, 1735 from the Crown, George the Second, for 294 acres on the south bank of the Cohongoronta, upper Potomac river, near the Samuel Owens plantation.

He received a grant of 250 acres on the James River and on “Lunie’s” Mill creek, 400 acres on “Lunie’s” Mill Creek on July 30, 1742. Robert purchased a large tract of land in Botetourt Co. on the upper James River, across the river from Buchanan, VA, a tract well over 1500 acres.

He ran Looney’s ferry and Looney’s Mill in Augusta, VA. “…This site has been known to the archeological world for many years. A letter in the files of the Valentine Museum of Richmond, from Charles L. Wilson, dated July 9, 1903, reports that the finding of burials on a point where Looney’s Creek enters the James River. He reports that many burials werer found and not removed, and that the site yields pottery, axes, etc. The burials were found about 1892 when an ice house was excavated on the site.…the ferry was the well-known Looney’s Ferry. Because of the ideal topography of the site and its proximity to the road and the ferry -site, it is almost inevitable that the site would have been settled at an early date. While the earliest history of the site is unknown, it is certain that on July 30, 1742, Robert Looney patented the site, lived there and probably somewhat later, operated the ferry. Presumably, he also kept a tavern for lodging and feeding the travelers using his ferry and the Carolina Road.”

“[continuted from same article] With the growing threat of Indian attacks in 1754-55, Looney was obliged to fortify his homestead. He probably had enough men (he had five grown sons) at the tavern-ferry to man the fort for routine guard-duty, and he could count on neighbors and travelers to augment this force if an attack came. The fort was already in existence in 1755 and was called Fort Looney. Apparently the fort was never attacked, possibly because it was too strong. In 1758 the fort at Looney’s ferry was renamed Fort Fauquier, in honor of the newly arrived govenor of the Colony. The Subsequent history of the fort is uncertain.”

“[continued from same article] We know that Robert Looney died in 1796, and one son, Abasolom pioneered into Tazewell County. Looney’s house continued to stand, with additions and changes until about 1914, when it was torn down. A lolitary pear tree still stands as an indicator that the site was dormerly a farmstead. In addition, there were people in the neighborhood who can remember the house. The site is now a plowed field, and much debris from the more than 175 years of occupaton still litters the ground. Where the house formerly stood, the soil is filled with bricks and stones from the old foundations. The ferry was abandoned long ago, when the James was bridged at Buehanan, and the erstwhile Carolina Road became farm roads, leading to fields along the river.”654

WILL OF ROBERT LOONEY --- BOTETOURT CO. VIRGINIA

In the name of God, Amen, Sept. the 14, 1769, I, Robert Luney, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, and knowing that all born to die once, I recommend my soul to God, who gave it, and my body to the ground to be
buried in a decent manner, at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but I shall have it again at the Resurrection. As for my worldly estate, that it has pleased God to bless me with, I give and bequeath, in manner and form following; I leave to my beloved wife, Elizabeth Luney, and
my beloved son Joseph Luney, to be my sole executors. Next I leave to my beloved grandson John Luney, one shilling, sterling. Also the remainder of my bodily estate after my funeral charge, and lawful debts are paid, I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife, Elizabeth, to live on, and use as she pleases during her natural life, and then to descend to my beloved son, Joseph, at her death, the rest of my children having already got all that Iallow to them of my estate.

(Robert (R) Luney- his mark)

"At a court held for Bote. Co., VA, the 13 day of Nov. 1770, this writingpurporting to be the Last Will and Testament of Robert Looney, deceased, was presented in Court by Joseph Looney, one of the executors herein named, and proved by the oaths of Thomas Crow, James Crow, and John Smith, and ordered to be recorded, and motion of the said executor who made oath according to
law, certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof, in dueform, whereupon, he, together with Abraham McClelland, and John Looney, his securities, entered into and acknowledged their Bond in Five Hundred pounds, conditioned as the law directed. Teste. John May. C.B.C.655