Susannah (Wells) Faulkner - Help needed for origins - suggestions welcome

All we know about them is

“William Joseph FAULKNER II married Susanna Wells she must have been born ca. 1747 since she died in 1847 or 1848 at the age of 101. It is thought she was the daughter of John Wells a land surveyor of Patrick and Henry Counties, VA”

How would we verify John Wells was a surveyor? If he was born say 1720, he would have worked in Pittsylvania county, as Patrick & Henry counties were formed from them much later.

Any other suggestions for research?