James Dyer Justice (1778-1857) |
| Relationship to the Speculation Lands: |
| James Dyer Justice was appointed Southern Commissioner of the Speculation Land Company in 1818. |
| Biography: |
| James was the youngest son of Thomas (1740-1803) and Mary Dyer Justice. Thomas and Mary moved to the Mill Springs area of Rutherford County from Monticello, Virginia by way of Anson County, North Carolina, following the Revolutionary War. Thomas and his eldest son, also named Thomas, acquired large tracts of land, at least 600 acres, through purchasing and as compensation for participation in the Revolutionary War. Family legend has James accompanying his father on a trip to Augusta, the farthest port inland on the Savannah River. Thomas presumably became ill and died on the return trip and only James returned. James, as opposed to the eldest son Thomas, took over his father's business which included the lands. James was a farmer, businessman, and surveyor. James was also credited with the layout of Hendersonville. He married Anthorite Thomas in 1806 and had 14 children through this and another marriage. Anthorite Thomas was the daughter of John Thomas, who owned as much of 1500 in the county of Henderson, much of it in and around Hendersonville. Anthorite inherited this land. |
| Bibliography: |
| Henderson County Genealogical & Historical Society, Hendersonville, North
Carolina. Dr. George Jones and Virginia Thompson, President.
Patton, Sadie Smathers. The Story of Henderson County. (Asheville, North Carolina: The Miller Printing Company) 1947. |