John L Williams

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1880, Callands, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Charles married Ann Elizabeth Hodnett on 3 Dec 1838 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Ann (daughter of James D Hodnett and Mary Ann (Polly) Jones) was born on 31 Mar 1820 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 19 Feb 1896 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1880, Callands, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1820, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1830, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1840, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: 1860, Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Residence: Abt 1862, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Probate: 4 Sep 1862, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

James married Mary Ann (Polly) Jones on 3 May 1819 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of Thomas Brooks Jones, II and Rebecca Edwards) was born on 1 Jan 1802 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; died on 20 Jun 1862 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1850, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA
• Death: 4 Jun 1862, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

John married Lucy Davis on 9 Nov 1792 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. Lucy (daughter of (Rev) William Davis and Susanna Wills) was born in 1772 in , Halifax, Virginia, USA; died on 22 Nov 1848 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Ayres and his family lived in the Buckingham/Cumberland Counties area until 1773 when he moved to Pittsylvania County, where he bought 272 acres of land from William King. This land was on Sandy Creek, near Chatham. Ayres married Mary McGehee in 1760 and they had the following: Ayres Hodnett, Nancy Hodnett, Lucy Hodnett, Daniel Hodnett, James Hodnett, John Hodnett, Sara Hodnett, and Benjamin Hodnett. Ayres died young leaving Mary a young widow with seven children. Even though times were hard after the revolution Mary had land and slaves to work it, so she held the family together and they made it through. In his will (Pittsylvania County Records, Deed Book 5, page 450. Ayers had left the land to his three sons Daniel, James, and John after the death of their mother. Benjamin received one shilling Sterling. His tools were left to the sons and all of the household possessions including the slaves were to be divided between all of the children.

Advertisement that Ayres Hodnett found horse in Buckingham in October 1766 – serves as proof of residency:
Taken up in Buckingham, a small sorrel horse, about 8 or 9 years old, with a star in his forehead, some saddle spots, hanging mane and bob tail, has a middle sized bell, paces slow, and branded on the near buttocks R; posted and appraised to 51 {signed} Ayres Hodnett
The Virginia Gazette, 24 October 1766, Page 4

Pittsylvania County Records Deed Book 3, page 498: This Indenture made this twenty-seventh day of January in the year of our Lord Christ 1774 Between William King of the County of Pittsylvania County and Ayres Hodnett of the County of Buckingham in which King deeds to Ayres Hodnett for and in consideration of 150 pounds current money of Virginia to him in hand paid for all that tract or parcel of land situated, lying and being in the County of Pittsylvania on both sides of Sandy Creek containing 272 Acres, it being the whole and entire Tract of land that the said William King and his father purchased of Joseph Echols.

A book entitled ". First Census of the UnitedStates - - Virginia",. which really is based on tax records, contains the following:
p. 42, Heads of Families, Virginia, 1782, Pittsylvania County: Hodnett, Mary - - 9 whites, 3 blacks
p.99 Heads of Families, Virginia, 1785 Pittsylvania County: Hodnett, Mary - - dwellings - -, 3 other buildings.
p. 101: Heads of Families of Virginia, 1785 Prince Edward County: Hodnett, Ben - - 3 whites one dwelling 4 other buildings.

The will of Ayres Hodnett was proved 21 Sept 1779, Pittsylvania County, VA.
DEATH: Pendergrast, Robert A., JOHN HODNETT OF COLONIAL VA & SOME DESCENDANTS McGeHee Descendants, Vol III gives death of Ayres Hodnett as August or early September 1779 in Chatham, Pittsylvania Co., VA.

Will of Ayres Hodnett, Pittsylvania Co. Records, Deed Book 5, page 450: Will of Ayres Hodnett, Sr. Made Aug 1, 1779, Recorded Sep 21, 1779 In the Name of God Amen, August first one thousand seven hundred seventy nine, I, Ayres Hodnett, of Pittsylvania County being very sick, but of a sound memory, and calling to mind the mortality of the body that it is appointed for all men once to die, and knowing not whence it may please the Almighty God to call me from time into Eternity do constitute and ordain this is my last Will and Testament, and first of all I give my Soul unto the Almighty God that gave it and my Body to the Earth from whence it was, to be buried in a Christian Like Manner at the discretion of my Executers and what Worldly Goods the Almighty has been pleased to bless me with I do distribute in the following manner. Viz., I will that the land which I sold to Jeremiah White I make him a Right to him and his Heirs in this my will if he pay the money according to our Bargain. Second, I will to my son Benjamin Hodnett, one shilling Sterling to him and his Heirs forever. Third, I will that the Balance of my land Equally be divided between my three sons, John, James, and Daniel, and if my wife should conceive and bring forth a son in nine months after my death be shall come in for an equal part with the other sons, and if a daughter to share with my daughters as I shall hereafter in this will, and their Heirs forever. Fourth, I will to my sons all my Shop and Tools to them and these things forever. Fifth, I will the whole of my Estate of Negroes, Stocks of every kind, and all my household furniture to be equally divided between my children after my wife's decease. Item. I will that my Wife should have her life time in the land, which I will to my sons, and after her death to be divided in the above manner. I appoint Clay Tanner and Benjamin Terry Executors, and my wife Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and I do here unto set my hand and seal, the day of year above written. Ayres Hodnett Signed, sealed and Delivered in the presence of Clay C. Tanner, Ben Terry, George Hardey. The above was again presented in Court Jan 19, 1818 to prove heirs of Ayres Hodnett in settling the estate of William McGeehee, brother to Mary McGehee, who was the wife of Ayres Hodnett. Teste - - - Will Tunstall Clk.

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the twenty first day of September 1779 The Within Last Will and Testament of Ayres Hodnett Dec. d was Exhibited into the Court by Benjamin Terry One of the Executors therein Named and Proved by the oaths of two Witnepes thereto and Ordered to be Recorded and on the motion of the said Executor who made Oath according to Law Certificate is Granted him for Obtaining a probate thereof in due form of Law Giving Security . Whereupon he Together with Sylvanus Stokes and Thomas Hardy his Securities entered into Bond Acknowledging the same according to Law.
Teste: Will Tunstall Clk.

At a Court held in Pittsylvania County the 19th day of January 1818 This Last Will and Testament of Ayres Hodnett heretofore proved recorded was again presented in Court and on the motion of AyresHodnett Jr. who made Oath thereto According to Law with Allen G. Tanner and William Fergurson his Securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $2000 conditioned as the ________ directs certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the Estate of said Die - - - unadministers by his Executor in due form.
Exam'd Teste Will Tunstall C.P.C.

October 9th 1822 Received of Mr. Ayres Hodnett administrator of James Hodnett Deceist $14.49 being a balance in full of a part that fell to James Hodnett from Ayres Hodnett Deceit estate her James G. Davis Lucy X Davis mark

May 15th 1802 Received of Ayres Hodnett the Sum of fourteen pounds Two Shillings & Seven pence in full of all Claims against him in the Division of the Estate of John Hodnett. Test James Hodnett

May 18th 1801 Recd of the Legatees of Ayres Hodnett Deceist thirteen pounds three Shilling & 1/4 in part of my Claim from the Estate. Teste Ben Terry T. Robertson 8th May 1830 then Received of Ayres Hodnett Admr. on the estate of James Hodnett Late of Pittsylvania County State of Virginia deceased thirty dollars in part of a distributive shear on the part of Benjamin Hodnett Late of the State of Georgia. Thomas Hodnett Original (year torn off) October 7th Then received of Ayres Hodnett Admr. Of James Hodnett Decd. And Admr. of Ayres Hodnett Decd. payment in full for all my Interest in the two Estates except a Bond I hold against the commipioner appointed to sell the land of James Hodnet Decd. Joseph Woodson Teste Tho. Williams Daniel Terry Rec'd the 22nd Day of October 1818 of Ayres Hodnett Admr. of James Hodnett decd. the sum of Nine dollars and 34 cents in full for 1/5 of 1/8 part of the realle Estate of said Hodnett decd. as settled by Commipioners appointed for that purpose & I do hereby promise and Oblige myself my Heirs &c. to pay a Proportionable part of all debts that may be due from the said decedents Estate. Witnep Jospeh Woodson Joel Willis Recd. Of Ayres Hodnett Admr. of James Hodnett Decd. Forty-six dollars and seventy two cents being the Nett amount due to the Heirs of Benjamin Hodnett Decd from the personal Estate of the said J.Hodnett Decd. which Interest is one seventh part May 19, 1830. Intrest down to the present date twenty three Dollars 28/100 cents in full of said Legacy. Thos. Hodnett Witness 1818 James, John, Asa, Betsey, Philip Hodnett infant children of John Hodnett Decd. Daniel Hodnett, Ayres Hodnett, John Terryand Sally his wife, Joseph Davis and Lucy his wife, and John Davis and Nancy his wife, the Clks of Pitts.

From Family Bible of Ayres Hodnett Sara Hodnett was born the 13th of March 1765 John Hodnett was born the 30 of June 1767 James Hodnett was born 20th of March 1769 Daniel Hodnett was born the 21th of November 1773 Lucy Hodnett was born the 20 of November 1775 Nancy Hodnett was born the 25 of June 1777 Ayres Hodnett was born the 11 of December 1779.

1. Ayres Hodnett married April 9, 1760, Mary McGehee (b. 1737 , dau. of Edward McGehee, son of Thomas, the immigrant). Ayres Hodnett's will recorded September 21, 1779, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. His wife, Mary McGehee Hodnett's will probated January 19, 1818, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Ayres and Mary McGehee Hodnett's children, according to Bible Record were as follows:
1. Benjamin Hodnett, born May 7, 1761.
2. Sara Hodnett, born Mar 13, 1765.
3. John Hodnett, born Jun. 30, 1767.
4. James Hodnett, born Mar 20, 1769.
5. Daniel Hodnett, born Nov. 21, 1773.
6. Lucy Hodnett, born Nov. 20, 1775.
7. Nancy Hodnett, born Jan. 25, 1777.
8. Ayres Hodnett, born Dec. 11, 1779. E3.

2. Mary McGehee, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth De Jarnett McGehee. Married Ayres Hodnett. They had the following children, according to Court Record:
1. Benjamin Hodnett. Married, Jany. 28, 1784, Elizabeth Collier. He died Oct. 11, 1820, in Jasper County, Georgia.
2. Sally Hodnett Married December 3, 1782, John Terry.
3. John Hodnett Married November 9, 1792, Lucy Davis, daughter of William Davis He died 1807.
4. James Hodnett Unmarried ; died 1816. 5. Daniel Hodnett Married March 20. 1805, Elizabeth Bryant. He died 1825.
6. Lucy Hodnett Married March 19, 1793, Joseph Davis.
7. Nancy Hodnett Married ----,--, ----, John Davis.
8. Ayres Hodnett, Jr. Married June 2, 1808, Nancy Dawson Bates. He was born Dec. 11, 1779, after his father's death. Ayres Hodnett, Jr, Aunt Esther Hodnett md. Mch.9, 1792, William Anderson ; had no children, so he heired most of their property.

Ayres Jr. married Nancy Dawson Bates 1808 and had: Richard Hodnett 1809, killed by a runaway yoke of oxen. Matthew Hodnett 1811, married Narcissus Sutherlin Mary Bates Hodnett 1813, married Philip Harrington. She d. 1891. John Hodnett 1816 died single. James Hodnett 1818 married Fannie Nowlin Thomas Jones Hodnett 1821, married Mary Frances Bradley Nancy B. Hodnett 1824, married John Fergurson Elizabeth R. Hodnett 1827, married William Gunter Ayres III born 1829 died single. Ayres Jr., after settling his father's estate, seems to have sold the 121 acres of land his father left him and moved to his Birch Creek farm in 1826. Here he gathered around him a considerable estate. Ayres Jr. died at his home in 1857 and was buried there. In 1828 Ayres Jr. was left a legacy of $1791.73 by the death of Philip Hodnett in Buckingham County, Virginia. He was left a farm in Buckingham County by Philip Hodnett. A legacy from the estate of John Hodnett of Buckingham County was due the Hodnetts in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Among Ayres Jrs. papers were found printed on sheep-skin a grant from George III of England of 399 acres of land in Pittsylvania County, Virginia lying on the waters of Sandy and Birch Creeks granted to Mark Shelton for the sum of forty shillings in 1773.

Ayres married Mary DeJarnette McGehee on 9 Apr 1760 in , Cumberland, Virginia, USA. Mary (daughter of Edward McGehee and Elizabeth Katrenia Dejarnette) was born on 10 Nov 1743 in , Cumberland, Virginia, USA; died on 28 Nov 1817 in Chatham, Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA

Notes:

Royal Scots Change Name
Found this information in an online book, and the author traces the family of the MackGeehees back to the DeClare family members, who were "a Surety for the Magna Charta", and on to Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, and to titled MacDonnalds. One of the MacDonnald daughters, Marian, married Patrick MacGregor, "Chieftan of teh Ilk" who led his clansmen under Montrose in 1645 and was outlawed in Scotland and left Scotland to settle in Virginia. Marian and Patrick's son took the name of John Murray and the second son became Thomas MackGehee. Here is the text:

Elizabeth DeJarnette married in 1735, Virginia Edward McGehee, born ca 1702, died January 1771, Cumberland County, VA (Son of Thomas and Ann(Bastrop) McGehee.)

The following is said to be the descent of the McGehee line from the Sureties for the Magna Charta:
1. Richard DeClare, Earl of Hereford a Suret for the Magna Charta, had
2. Richard DeClare, Earl of Herefore, a Surety for the Magna Charta had
3. Isabel DeClare, married Robert De Brus, 5th Earl of Annandale, had
4. Robert DeBrus, Earl of Annandale, and Carrie, who had
5. Robert Bruce, Kind of Scotland, who had
6. Marjory Bruce, married Walter Stewart, Lord High Stewart of Scotland, had
7. Robert II, King of Scotland, who had
8. Marjory Stewart, married Eoin-Mor MacDonald, 7th Lord of the Isles, who had
9. Donald MacDonnell, Lord of Isled, had
10. Alexander Mac Donnell, Lord of the Isles, and Earl of Ross, had
11. Hugh MacDonnell, of the Isles, 2nd son, died 1498, had
12. Donald Galloch McDonnall of the Isles, died 1506, had
13. Donald Grammach MacDonnall, of the Isled, died 1534, had
14. Donald Gorun MacDonnall, heir Titular Lord of the Isles, died 1537, had
15. Donald Gorun MacDonnall, Lord of the Isles and of State, died 1587, had
16. Archibald MacDonnall, Lord of State Manor, Autrin, had
17. Sir Donald MacDonnald, Lord of State, First Baronet, died 1643, had
18. Sir james MacDonnald, of State, Second Baronet, died December 8th, 1678, had
19. Marian MacDonnald, married Patrick MacGregor, Chieftan of the Ilk, who led his clansmen under Montrose in 1645 and was outlawed with his son; his estates were confiscated, and he and his son were commanded to assume other surnames. When John MacGregor, his heir became John Murray , his second son became Thomas MackGehee. It was before 1701 that he and the other outlawed Scotsmen petitioned for land in Virginia. He moved his family, and he was granted land in St. John’s Parish, King William County, Virginia.

20. Thomas MackGehee was born (presumably) about 1645, and died after July 27th, 1724. He married Ann Bastrop, Daughter of Thomas Bastrop, in 1676.

Their children were
1. William MackGehee of New Kent County
2. Anna MackGehee, married William Butler
3. Dianh MackGehee, married J. Lipscomb
4. Mary MackGehee, married William Dickinson
5. Abraham MackGehee, born about 1700
6. Edward MackGehee, born about 1702, married Elizabeth DeJarnatte
7. Samuel MAckGehee , born about 1704
8. Sarah MackGehee, b about 1706, married Thomas Lipscomb
9. Jacob MackGehee, born about 1708, married Eleanor DeJarnette

DeJarnette and Allied Families in America, part 1, : pages 35-36 ff
http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/BookView.aspx?dbid=17730&iid=dvm_GenMono003526-00023-0

Birth: 1737 Cumberland County Virginia, USA
Death: 1817 Pittsylvania County Virginia, USA
Married 04/19/1760 in Cumberland Co., VA to Ayres Brooks Hodnett.

Pittsylvania County Will and Deed Bk. 11, pg.488:
Will of Mary Hodnett
In the Name of God Amen November 28, 1817 I Mary Hodnett being very sick but of sound memory and calling to mind the mortalityof the body that it is appointed for all once to die and knowing not when it may Please the Almighty God to call me unto eternity do Constitute Ordain this my Last & Testament and first of all I give my Soul unto the Almighty God that gave my body to the Earth from whence it came to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executor. And what worldly goods the Almighty has been pleased to bless me with I do distribute in the following manner. Item I give and will to my daughter Lucy Davis, wife of Joseph Davis . her lawful heirs of her body forever all my part that is coming from my son James Hodnett's Estate together with what I had on hand at the time I went to live with the said James Hodnett, my son.Given under my hand the day and the year above written.
Witnep: her
Jr. White Mary X Hodnett
Jepee Woodson mark

At a Court held for Pittsylvania County the 19th day of January 1818 The within Last Will and Testament of Mary Hodnett Dec. d was presented in Court and proved by the Oaths of the two Subscribing Witneses and ordered to be recorded. And at another Court held for said County the18th day of May in the Year aforesaid the Same was again presented in Court and Upon the motion of William Davis who made Oath thereto accordingto the Law and together with Joel Willis and Ayres Hodnett his securities entered into acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $500 conditioned as the Law directs Certificate is granted for obtaining the letters ofadministration and the Estate of Mary Hodnett with her Said Will annexed in due form.
Teste: Will Tunstall C .P.C.

Pittsylvania County Records.
Court Record Book.
Record Book 34, pg. 184:
Dated July 12, 1838

Satisfactory evidence being produced to the Court of Pittsylvania County now sitting it is ordered to be certified that Mary Hodnett, widow of Ayres Hodnett, deceased, late of Pittsylvania Co. State of Virginia, was formerly Mary MeGeehee and sister to the late William McGeehee of Boulden County, State of Georgia; that she departed this life in the year 1817; that Benjamin Hodnett, Sally Terry now the wife of John Terry, Lucy Davis now the wife of Joseph Davis; John Hodnett, Daniel Hodnett,Nancy Davis now the wife of John Davis, James Hodnett, and Ayres Hodnett were the children of the said Mary Hodnett; and only children; that Benjamin Hodnett her son removed to the State of Georgia, that John Hodnett departed this life in the year 1807 and left 5 children, to wit, James, Elizabeth, John, Asa and Philip; that all of them are above the age of twenty-one years; that James Hodnett son of Mary Hodnett departed this life about the year 1816 and left no child or widow; that Daniel Hodnett departed this life in the year 1825 and left 8 children to wit: Letty now the wife of Jeremiah White, Mary, William, James, Jincy now the wife of Morton McHodge, Nancy, Philip and Daniel, and that they are the heirs, and only heirs of the said Mary Hodnett deceased.

(Copy of a letter written by Mrs. George L. Corbin, 3 Oak Lane, Hampton Gardens, and Richmond, Virginia to Mildred Keeling, Keeling, Virginia).1939

"This couple must have spent most of their lives in Halifax but mama and Aunt Mary Sue remember their grandmother telling them of howshe and her mother and brother, went back to see her people in Cumberland. They went back on horseback and only intended staying a short while but Lucy,the daughter, must have had a good time for she spent the better part of a year with her relatives. The McGehees were reputed very wealthy. I think they owned a lot of land and left the biggest part to the sons as was the old English custom. Mama said her grandmother used to talk about having slaves to do everything needed so she did not have to work. Unfortunately the Cumberland Court House records have been burned to we arenot able to secure copies of old wills, etc.there. The McGehees have always been important people in their communities. The family which went to Mississippi were fabulously rich. At the time Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation Edward McGehee of Mississippi, owned a million dollars worth of slaves. He built the fifth railroad in the United States. He also built the first cotton mill in the South and operated it with the labor of his own slaves. He was a friendof Zachary Taylor and was offered a cabinet post by him, but declined it because he had too vast an estate of his own to look after. Through a cousin of Stark Young I have come into possession of papers which prove that the McGregors who called themselves McGehees were descendants of royalty, coming by directline from Robert Bruce of Scotland, and, through him, from Alfred I of England. Oh we have a lot to be proud of!"
Spouse: Ayres Brooks Hodnett (1733 - 1779)*
Children: John McGehee Hodnett (1767 - 1807)*
Burial:Hodnett Cemetery Pittsylvania CountyVirginia, USA

Notes:

WILLIAM DAVIS OF PITTSYLVANIA COUNTY

On 16 Mar 1779 William Davis of Pittsylvania County bought 850 acres of land on both sides of the Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, near Chatham in the middle of Pittsylvania County, from John Booth of Henry County, bordering land owned by Thomas Hardy Sr, George Prosize, Robert Adams, John Short, John Parks, and Robert Wooding, for 1400 pounds. This land included the “William Pigg” mill, which had been built in 1768.

The stone house that William Davis built on this land is still standing but is in bad repair; photos are on the internet.

William Davis appears in the 1779 tithable list in Pittsylvania in a large household including Benj, Garret, and Daniel Davis, and negroes Lemus, Jim, Sue, and Filly. (The tithable lists for 1780 and 1781 have not been indexed, so I haven’t searched them yet. It would be interesting to see if Daniel and Garret Davis appear in these lists. Daniel appears in the 1778 list, apparently the first of the family to locate in Pittsylvania County. At least one of William’s sons named a son Garret, supporting the supposition that Garret was a son of William. Perhaps Garret and Daniel died in the Revolutionary fighting in 1780; many Pittsylvania militiamen took part in the military action in the Carolinas.)

William Davis patented an additional 400 acres on the branches of Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, bordering the land of Thomas Hardy and Finney. A survey for this land was done 24 Apr. 1780, and he received the patent for the land on 1 Sept. 1780.

A marriage bond was registered in Pittsylvania County on 16 Nov. 1781 for William’s daughter Sarah to marry Thomas Maide (who later spelled his name Meade); surety for the bond were Thomas Maide and Benjamin Davis (William’s eldest son).

In 1782 the yearly tithable lists were replaced by personal property tax lists. In this year William Davis is shown with two “tithables” (white men over 21, presumably William and son Benjamin), nine slaves, four horses, and 16 cattle.

The 1782 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres, which seems puzzling in light of his purchase of 850 acres (“more or less”) in 1779 and an additional 400 acres in 1780. We know that William Davis gave land to his son-in-law George Myers (part of which was donated to the Upper Bannister Baptist Church), so perhaps this accounts for part of the discrepancy. The 1782 land tax shows George “Miers” with 200 acres. Another possibility is that the total acreage that William bought in 1779 was exaggerated in the deed (indicated by the phrase “more or less”), to match the number of acres that he had just sold in Culpeper County. But this is just speculation; further research should be done in the land records to ascertain just what happened to the two tracts of land that William Davis bought.

William Davis doesn’t appear in the personal property tax records in 1783. Perhaps this was just an omission by the recorder.

In 1784 William Davis appears in the personal property tax list with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), five slaves over 16; four slaves under 16; four horses, and 15 cattle.

On 17 May 1784, William’s son Benjamin entered into a marriage bond with Daniel Bradley, who married William’s daughter Elizabeth.[10]

The 1785 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), six slaves over 16, four slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had one additional slave and two more cows, compared to the previous year.

On 18 Feb. 1786 (recorded on the 20th), William Davis and John Davis of Pittsylvania County sold to Holt Richardson of King William County a Negro man named Ruben. Is this the same William Davis as the miller of Cherrystone Creek? And if so, who was this John Davis? A brother sharing an inheritance? Witnesses to the deed were Samuel Parks and John Bowden, and Samuel Parks would witness an 1786 deed from William Davis to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley (see below), and serve as surety in 1787 for the marriage bond of William Davis’s daughter Susanna.

The 1786 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres, same as in 1782. William Davis was consistently taxed for 700 acres until his death in 1791.[11] The 1786 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21, eight slaves over 16, ten slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had eight more slaves than the previous year. Had he recently come into an inheritance?

On 1 Dec. 1786 William Davis sold 100 acres on the north side of the Bannister River, "being part of the same tract whereon the said William Davis now lives," to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley.[12] Witnesses to the deed were Thomas H. Wooding, Samuel Parks, and William Ming.

On 19 Feb. 1787, Samuel Parks entered into a marriage bond with William Corbin, who married William Davis’s daughter Susanna. Together with the bond was a note by William Davis, witnessed by son Benjamin and by Samuel Parks, giving permission for Susanna to marry.

The 1787 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 18, with zero men over 21 (besides William; the recordkeeping was strange this year), six slaves over 16, eight slaves under 16, three horses, and 15 cattle. William had lost four slaves, a horse, and two cows compared to the previous year. On Apr. 20 William’s son Benjamin paid the tax, showing zero men over 21 (besides Benjamin), 1 slave over 16, 1 slave under 16, and 1 horse. This accounts for the horse and two of the slaves. William’s new son-in-law William Corbin had a slave in 1787, perhaps a wedding gift from William.

The 1788 personal property tax list shows William “Davise” with one white male over 21, four slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and four horses. (Starting this year, the number of cows wasn’t listed.) Benjamin “Davise” paid on the same day, with 1 white male over 21 and one slave over 16. John “Davise” paid on the same day, with one male over 21, one slave over 16, and three horses. I believe that this was the John Davis who bought 200 ares on Green Rock Creek (near William Davis) on 1 July 1788, and NOT William’s son John. This John Davis appears in Pittsylvania County as early as 1782, but didn’t own land until 1788. This John Davis had one slave until 1786, when he suddenly had four slaves and a stud horse (similar to William, who also shows a sudden influx of slaves in 1786.) John Davis had the same number of slaves (and the stud horse) in 1787, but in 1788, the year he bought the land, he was back to one slave (and no stud horse). Once again, it seems reasonable to speculate that this John was a brother of William Davis, and it was these two who sold the slave Ruben to Holt Richardson in 1786 (see above).

The 1789 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 20, with two white males over 21 (presumably William and son John), five slaves over 16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin had paid on March 16 (with one slave and one horse), the same day as John Davis (with one slave and three horses).

On 4 June 1789 John Davis (presumably William’s son who had recently turned 21) entered a bond with William Rickett, who married William Davis’s daughter Nancy.

The 1790 personal property tax list shows that William Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on March 15, with three white males over 21 (presumably William and sons Benjamin and John), six slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin wasn’t on the list this year, so I assume that he was one of the three men listed in William’s household. John Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on the same day as William, with one male over 21, one slave, and two horses.

William Davis, of Pittsylvania Co., Virginia "being far advanced in life," made his will on 4 June 1790,[13] mentioning:
--son John (receives 3 head of cattle)
--son Benjamin (receives William's house and 150-acre plantation)
--son Joseph (also receives 150 acres)
--son Thomas (receives the rest of William's land, except one acre by creek adjoining William's mill)
--daughter Nancy Rickett (receives a slave; will mentions her husband William Rickett)
--daughter Peggy Davis (receives two slaves and a flock of geese)
--son-in-law Thomas Maide (cancels debt owed by Thomas)
--son-in-law William Corbin (receives a slave and a feather bed, in consideration of a debt related to William's brother's will)
--sons Joseph and Thomas (mentioned again, now receive William's mill with one adjoining acre of land)
--remainder of estate to be divided between youngest children Joseph, Thomas, and Lucy.
--son Benjamin instructed to rebuild the mill, keeping possession of the mill and slaves for three years and then distributing them according to the will's provisions
--single daughters to be provided for as long as they remain single
--if either son Joseph or Thomas dies before arriving unmarried at "lawful age," their share of the mill to go to the other brother
--son-in-law George Mires to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession
--son-in-law Daniel Bradley to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession – the land he lives on.
--executors instructed to pay to Daniel Bradley the debt arising from William's executorship of his brother's will
--William's friend John Parks and William's son Benjamin appointed executors
--signed (with mark) June 4, 1790, and proved June 20, 1791
--witnessed by William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr.

The mark on William’s will has been described as“a thick-ish vertical bar (i.e., not just a thin vertical line). Some of the clerks were good about trying to copy marks closely. William’s is pretty distinctive, which usually would indicate he was not one of those who could write in his younger days but had to sign by mark when he got elderly or sick.”[14] (I am inclined to question whether the Pittsylvania County clerk was good about copying marks closely, since the clerk during this time period routinely omitted the names of witnesses to deeds. In addition, the “thick-ish vertical bar” could have been a scratched-out remnant of another mark. The researcher whom I quoted thinks this mark is significant, disproving the possibility that William Davis of Pittsylvania was the same man who sold 850 acres of land in Culpeper County in 1768. I disagree with her assessment, but others may want to draw their own conclusions.)

William's reference to his brother's will correspond to a legal action brought by Daniel Bradley against his father-in-law, which was dismissed in May 1790. The case arose against William as “executor” of the estate of his brother Noire Davis.[15] The name Noire Davis never appears in the land or tax or probate records of Pittsylvania County, so it seems clear that Noire lived elsewhere.

William Davis’s will was probated on 20 June 1791, indicating that he died sometime between March (the previous court session) and June 1791.

Children of William Davis (birth order is educated guesswork):

1. Mary, married George Miers or Myers. It appears that George Myers lived in Culpeper County from 1758 through 1770, according to a researcher who who states that the earliest record found for him in Pittsylvania County was in 1779.

George Miers is listed with 200 acres in the 1782 Pittsylvania land tax. George Miers is listed in the 1782 Virginia census with 9 whites and one black in his household.

George Miers appears in the 1785 Pittsylvania County tax list (on the same page as his father-in-law William Davis and his brother-in-law Thomas Meade) with one adult slave, two horses, and 11 cattle. I didn't find him in 1786 or 1787, but he appears in the 1788 tax list with 2 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. (For this and most later years, the tax list doesn't show the number of cattle.)

In the 1789 tax list George "Myers" now has 4 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. This corresponds to the three witnesses to William Davis's 1790 will being William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr. the three eldest sons of George. I didn't find George in the 1790 or 1791 lists, and I haven't checked later years.

2. Sarah, born about 1753,[19] married Thomas Maid (or Mead[20]), with the marriage bond dated 16 Nov. 1781 at Pittsylvania Co., Va.[21] Benjamin Davis was listed as surety on the marriage bond. If Sarah’s age was correctly stated in her 1843 widow’s pension application, she was close to 30 years old at the time of her marriage.

Thomas Meade was born 1 Apr. 1754 at Frederick County, Virginia. Thomas Maid/Mead enlisted in the Virginia Line from Pittsylvania County in February 1776; he served in Virginia and North Carolina regiments for the next six years, becoming a "forage master" in charge of obtaining supplies for the army. He was in the battles of Briar Creek (1779) and Guilford Courthouse (1781).[22] Thomas appears in the Pittsylvania County personal tax lists (listed as "Made," "Meade," and "Mead") from 1782 through 1786, after which he disappears from Pittsylvania County.

Thomas Mead appears in the Montgomery County personal tax lists from 1787 through 1789. He disappears from Montgomery County starting in 1790 -- the year that Wythe County was formed from Montgomery County. Thomas Mead appears on the first extant Wythe County personal tax list in 1793, and appears every year thereafter (except 1796) through 1814.

In 1816 Thomas Mead was one of the early settlers of Pike County, Indiana, where he was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1818.[23] He died 14 Jan. 1834 and is buried in the Old Town Cemetery in Petersburg, Pike County, Indiana. On 28 Jan. 1834 William "I." [should read "T."] Wright (Thomas's younger half-brother, per William's affidavit supporting Thomas's pension application) was appointed administrator of Thomas's estate.[24]

Sarah (Davis) Mead was still alive in 1844; all of her children in Pike County had predeceased her.[25] It is claimed that she was buried in the same cemetery as her husband, in an unmarked grave.[26]

3. Benjamin, born before 1757, a Revolutionary soldier, [27]married Lydia Meador (presumably a second marriage) 31 Jan. 1800. Lydia's father Joab Meador made his will on 25 Feb. 1815, naming his "friends" Benjamin Davis and Thomas Davis (together with two others) as executors.[28] Benjamin and Lydia had a daughter Nancy who married Samuel Thompson in 1822 in Pittsylvania County[29]; and their daughter Sarah married her first cousin Jamison Corbin.

4. Daniel, perhaps son of William, appears on the 1778 tithable list; living with William Davis in 1779 tithable list.

5. Garret, presumably son of William, living with William Davis in 1779 tax list. William's youngest sons Joseph and Thomas both named sons Garrett, supporting the supposition that Garret was son of William.

6. Elizabeth (Bettie), married Daniel Bradley (marriage bond 17 May 1784); her brother Benjamin was surety.[30] It appears that Daniel Bradley was born in Cumberland County, son of Isham Bradley.[31] Daniel Bradley was born about 1757, and moved from Cumberland County to Pittsylvania County in 1783, per his 1832 revolutionary pension application.[32]

"Bradley, Daniel, of Pittsylvania enlisted from Cumberland July 1, 1780 in the First Virginia for eighteen months. He served under Captain White and was enlisted by Ensign Belew. He was in the battles of Guilford Courthouse and Eutah, the siege of Ninety-Six and the capturing of Scotch Lake at the blockhouse in Camden and the forts at Friday's, Thompson's and Augusta. ...Daniel was wounded in one of these engagements and was ever afterwards a cripple."[33]

On 1 Dec. 1786 Daniel Bradley received a gift of 100 acres of land on the north side of the Bannister River by his father-in-law William Davis. Daniel Bradley appears in the 1786 and 1787 Pittsylvania County personal tax lists (on the same page as William Davis), with one horse, two cows, and one slave under 16. In 1788 and 1789 Daniel Bradley appears with two horses and no slaves.

Daniel doesn't appear in the 1790 tax lists; perhaps his absence was related to his lawsuit against his father-in-law and neighbor William Davis. (See above.) The lawsuit was dismissed on 3 May 1790. Daniel Bradley reappears in 1791, listed next to his deceased father-in-law.

Daniel Bradley made his will 20 Aug. 1831 and it was probated 16 Apr. 1838. The will mentioned son Isham and "my daughters." The executors were his sons-in-law Reuben Hall and William Chaney. Witnesses were Thomas Wooding, Thomas Davis, Jr., and Lydia Davis.[34]

7. Nancy, married William Ricketts 4 June 1789. Nancy was his second wife; he had four children by his first wife Barsheba Nelson. William and Nancy Ricketts had children Reuben, Nancy, Nathaniel, and Thomas.[36]

8. John, apparently born around 1768, if he was indeed the extra adult male in William’s household per the 1789 personal property tax list. John was mentioned first in his father's will, receiving three cows and no land.

Some researchers have assumed that John was the same as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett 26 Sep. 1803 in Pittsylvania County. This is false, as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett was clearly identified as “Jr.” – presumably the son of John Davis who lived near William Davis and latter on Pigg River.

9. Susanna, married William Corbin 19 Feb 1787; she was under age at the time of her marriage (her father William gave consent). William Corbin appears in the Pittsylvania County personal tax lists in 1788 and 1789, but I didn't find him in 1790 or 1791. William died before July 1801, when his father Ambrose Corbin was appointed guardian of William's children Jamison, Thompson, and Mary Corbin.[37] Jamison Corbin married his first cousin Sarah Davis, daughter of Benjamin.

Susanna Davis, widow of William Corbin, married (2) William Nelson, whose sister Barsheba was the first wife of William Ricketts, husband of Susanna Davis's sister Nancy.[38]

Ambrose Corbin, son of Rawley Corbin, was born abt. 1723 in Spotsylvania County. He lived in Culpeper County as a child (where his father died in 1773), married Jane Crawford, and died 1807/8 Pittsylvania County, per http://dgmweb.net/FGS/Corb/CorbinAmbrose-JaneCrawford.html
His children included:
--William, b. 1759-64; m. Susanna Davis 19 Feb. 1787 Pittsylvania Co.
--Randolph, b. c. 1770. His Pittsylvania will (1 Sep. 1822) mentions brothers David and Thomas, Thomas's daughter Louisa, nieces Paulina and Sally Myers, and Benjamin Myers' sons Hartwell, William, and Christopher.
--Nancy Ann, b. c. 1773; m. William Myers (son of George Myers and Mary Davis) 14 Apr. 1791 at Pittsylvania County.
--Elizabeth "Betsy," perhaps daughter of a second wife, b. 1786, m. Benjamin Myers (son of George Myers and Mary Davis) 2 Nov. 1808 at Pittsylvania County. Benjamin Myers in Pittsylvania County 1820 (next to George) and 1830; Elizabeth Myers in Pittsylvania County 1840; details at http://dgmweb.net/FGS/M/MyersBenjamin-ElizabethCorbin.html

10. Peggy (Margaret), m. Moses Cheney 15 Aug 1791. "Moses Chaney, the son of Sarah and Jacob Chaney (Chapter I), settled two miles southeast of Laurel Grove, Virginia, on the place now owned by Witcher Slayton. Moses married Margaret Davis, and to this union were born six children. Their names were as follows: William, Singleton, Bird, Moses, Betty and Sallie. Margaret died and after her death Moses married Sallie Polly, a widow, whose name was Haley. To this second union were born two children, Jackson and Eleandor, Moses was a farmer by occupation."[39]

11. Joseph, b. about 1771 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the Pittsylvania personal tax lists in 1793), m. Lucy McGehee Hodnett 19 Mar. 1793 Pittsylvania Co., Va., d. 1 Oct. 1850 at Halifax Co., Va. It appears that several children of Joseph and his brother Thomas moved to Tennessee.[40]

12. Thomas, b. about 1773 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the personal tax lists in 1794), m. (1) Jane Hodnett 13 Jan. 1794 Pittslyvania Co., Va.; m. (2) Sarah Meador 8 July 1797 Pittsylvania Co., Va. Thomas was a prosperous miller and landowner in Pittsylvania County. Children by second wife Sarah Meador: --Garrett B.; m. Anna Thompson 1 Oct. 1822 Pittsylvania Co.
--William, b. 13 Apr. 1800; m. Carmelia Craft 24 Oct. 1824 Pittsylvania Co.
--Mary Taylor, b. 1803, m. Robertson Shelton 3 May 1819 Pittsylvania Co.[41] ---Thomas C., b. 1805, m. Elizabeth Sheppard 22 Nov 1824 Pittsylvania Co.

13. Lucy, married John Hodnett 9 Nov 1792; apparently m. (2) Jessee Woodson 1809.[42]

[1] See http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/Davisgen.html
[2] Culpeper County Minute Book 1763-1764, p. 370, in Ruth and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Culpeper County , Virginia Minute Book 1763-1764 (Antient Press, 1998), p. 65, cited in an e-mail from Joan Horsley, 5 Mar. 2012.
[3] Pittsylvania County Deed Book 5, pp. 145-47.
[4]For photos of the house see http://rdricketts.com/blog/2009/08/06/my-4th-great-grandfathers-rock-house-circa-1779-needs-work/
[5] Pittsylvania County Land Surveys, vol. 1, p. 337; the general shape of the tract is diagrammed on the page.
[6] Copy of the marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, sent to me by Sarah E. Mitchell.
[7] Images of the personal property tax lists are available at the subscription website www.binnsgenealogy.com
[8] See http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/1782LandTaxes.htm
[9] Pittsylvania Deed Book 17, p. 477, 10 Mar. 1812 (recorded 16 Mar. 1812): George Myers to Moses Hutchings and George Giles, all of Pittsylvania County, “whereas William Davis, deceased, did in his livetime give his bond to the members of the Baptist church (known & called by the name of upper Bannister)” for “one and an half acres of land whenever they might call for the same, where the present meeting house now stands, and the right of said land being in George Myers, and he wishing to comply with said bond,” the church appointed Hutchings and Giles trustees to receive the land (paying one dollar), on the waters of the Bannister River, adjoining Leftwich. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark). Witnesses: Will Turnstall, Jesse Leftwich, William Hutchings.
Pittsylvania Deed Book 18, pp. 501-502: 24 Nov. 1813 (recorded 18 July 1814): George Myers and wife Mary to William Turnstall, all of Pittsylvania County, 33 acres on Cherrystone Creek, being part of the tract where Myers now lives, adjoining Turnstall (formerly Hardy), and up the sill house branch to Pigg Road, and then along Pigg Road. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark), Mary Myers. Witnesses: William Walton, John Myers, Benjamin Myers, Isham Myers.
[10] Copy of the marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, sent to me by Sarah E. Mitchell.
[11] Thanks to Joan Horsley for sharing William Davis’s land tax records.
[12] Pittsylvania County Deed Book 7, pp. 719-720.
[13]http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/Davisgen.html, citing Pittsylvania Co. Deed & Will Book 11, p. 216
[14]E-mail from Joan Horsley, 14 Mar. 2012.
[15]Pittsylvania County Court Order Book 3, p. 127. The record clearly shows the unusual name “Noire.”
[16]per http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GERMANNA_COLONIES/1997-07/0867753874 .
[17]per http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/1782LandTaxes.htm
[18] per http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/census.htm
[19]Per her 1843 widow's pension application which gave her age as 90; the following year her age was given as 91.
[20]He appears to have used “Maid” early in life and “Mead(e) later in life. His 1833 pension application pointedly gives both spellingsrepeatedly.
[21]Per copy of marriage license in Thomas and Sarah Mead’s pension file.
[22] Per 1833 pension application; scanned images of the entire file are available at ancestry.com; I personally transcribed the old handwriting. The published version of Thomas's affidavit on pp. 317-18 of the History of Pike and Dubois Counties, Indiana is abridged and badly garbled.
[23] History of Pike and DuBois County, Indiana, p. 251, p. 289; at http://www.archive.org/details/historyofpikedub00good
[24] Pike County, Indiana Will Abstracts 1817-1895, p. 13. A local librarian's visit to the courthouse disclosed the fact that all documents related to Thomas Mead's estate were missing at the time the estate files were microfilmed.
[25] per widow's pension application; the only witness available to support her affidavit was her daughter-in-law Polly.
[26] per Pike County History Bicentennial Year 1776-1976, by Ruth McClellan, p. 163, which misidentifies her as "Lucy."
[27]per http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~vapittsy/Davisgen.html
[28]per Abstracts of Pittsylvania County, Virginia Wills, 1767-1820, p. 214. For Joab Meador's family, see http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=monkeys&id=I14768 and duplicate http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=crystalinda22&id=I121128; see also http://genforum.genealogy.com/meador/messages/495.html with a list of researchers.
[29] per http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/o/n/Anna-Toner/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0031.html
[30] Per http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapittsy/Hodnettgen.html
[31] Per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/gp1272.htm
[32]Pension application of Daniel Bradley, http://revwarapps.org/s6766.pdf
[33] per http://worldconnect.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mebarbour77&id=I04007 , citing page 160 of Virginia Militia in the Revolutionary War by McAllister.
[34] per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/np64.htm, citing Wills of Pittsylvania Co., VA 1820-1845 by Mike K. Williams.
[35] Per http://nelson-dna-project.tripod.com/docs/Decendants_of_Ambrose_Nelson_editted.pdf
[36]Per http://www.geocities.ws/athens/forum/1992/descend.html .
[37] per http://dgmweb.net/FGS/Corb/CorbinAmbrose-JaneCrawford.html Son Jamison married Sarah Davis 8 Oct. 1817 at Pittsylvania County; she was the daughter of Benjamin Davis (see above).
[38] See http://nelson-dna-project.tripod.com/docs/Decendants_of_Ambrose_Nelson_editted.pdf
[39] See http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/c/h/a/Richard-Franklin-Chaney/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0231.html
[40] http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.davis/13865/mb.ashx
[41] Per The Families of James Shelton of McMinn County, Tennessee and His Father Roderick Shelton of Buncombe County, North Carolina and Their Antecedents by Arthur Paul Shelton (August 1987), Chapter 7, online at http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tnmcmin2/SheltonCVIIP298.htm
[42]See this Hodnett page (with various Davis connections), but there seems to be confusion about whether mother or daughter married Jessee Woodson: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=eleanor&id=I07766 and see also (better site?) http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/np64.htm

Disputed Origin and Wife

There are various internet claims that William Davis was either the husband or the son of Elizabeth Shelton. These claims are groundless, without any evidence to support them. Elizabeth Shelton (who definitely married a man named William Davis) may have been the Elizabeth Davis of Culpeper County who was granted letters of administration for the estate of her deceased husband William on 21 July 1763.[1]

It has been claimed that William Davis of Pittsylvania County married Susanna Wills (as his second wife) in 1772 in Halifax County, but that was a different William Davis, and court records in Halifax County show that this other William Davis was the guardian of Susanna’s son by her first husband for several years into the 1780s. Personal property tax records show two very different William Davises living in Halifax County around this time.

William Davis of Pittsylvania County is sometimes confused with a different William Davis of Lunenburg and Mecklenberg Counties, who married Jane Hopkins and left a will in 1801 -- this is clearly a different family.[2]

"Mr. William Chuck Davis [d. 1962, grandson of William, who was son of Thomas, youngest son of William who died 1791] said three Davis brothers came from Wales. One settled in Lunenburg County, Virginia and two from Mecklenburg, and from them three other brothers came to Pittsylvania County and settled. Two of them were our William, his brother, Noire and Thomas. Chuck believes our William and brothers were children of John Davis of Charlotte Court House."[3]

Chuck Davis was unaware that Noire Davis never lived in Pittsylvania County, but there was a John Davis in Pittsylvania County, living near William, with children intermarrying with the same families as William’s children, who could have been William’s brother. In addition, the claim that William had a brother Thomas leads to the question: Which one? There were two early Thomas Davises in Pittsylvania County: Thomas Davis the miller, revolutionary soldier, tavern-keeper, and resident of Stinking Creek; and Thomas Davis (who died in 1809) identified as “taylor” in the tax records.

It seems likely that William Davis, who first shows up in Pittsylvania County in March 1779 when he bought a mill and 850 acres of land, was the same as the William Davis who with wife Sarah sold 850 acres of land in Culpeper County three months before, in December 1778. Supporting this supposition is the fact that William’s eldest daughter Mary was the husband of George Myers, originally of Culpeper County, who first appears in Pittsylvania County in 1779, together with his neighbor William Davis. The year after William Davis appeared in Pittsylvania County, his son Benjamin joined a militia regiment made up primarily of Culpeper men.

William of Pittsylvania’s daughter Sarah had a son with the unusual given name of Graves. Speculation for further research: Several land records in Spotslyvania and Culpeper Counties show a connection between William Davis of Culpeper and a Graves family, leading to the supposition that William's wife Sarah was a daughter of John Graves, Jr. (died after 1772) of Spotsylvania County. There is one bit of contradictory evidence for this: William of Culpeper is reported to have signed various deeds with a rather common mark -- an "I" with a cross-hatch. However, William Davis of Pittsylvania is reported to have signed his will with a different mark -- a thick vertical bar.

The available evidence indicates that William's eldest daughter Mary married George Myers of Culpeper County around 1766, suggesting a birth year for Mary (and marriage year for William) in the late 1740s. George and Mary Myers' three eldest sons were witnesses to William Davis's will in 1790. George Myers first appears in the Pittsylvania County in 1779[4], the same year as his father-in-law and neighbor William Davis.

William Davis of Culpeper County
It appears that William Davis, who first appears in the Pittsylvania County records with a March 1779 purchase of 850 acres, is the same as the William Davis whose final appearance in Culpeper County was three months earlier, when he SOLD 850 acres in December 1778. This Culpeper County land was bought in 1761 as follows:

"17 August 1761 - DEED: Sarah Minor, widow and relict of John Minor, Gentleman, late of Spotsylvania County, Decd., and John Minor, acting executor of said Minor, Decd., to William Davis, planter, of Spotsylvania County, for £150, 850 acres in Culpeper County on both sides of North Rush River, being land purchased by John Minor, Decd., from Francis and John Strother, and devised by said Minor, Decd., to his son William, who has since died underage and unmarried... /s/ Sarah Minor, John Minor. Wit: John Waller (Clerk), Wm Davenport, Jno Arnold, Thomas Minor, J. Lewis, Thos Minor [sic], Francis Meriwether, James Graves."[5]

However, at least one researcher believes that this William Davis who disappeared from Culpeper County in 1779 is the same as the William Davis who settled in Garrand County, Kentucky before dying in Fayette County, Kentucky.[6] Another researcher suggests that this William Davis (d. 1823) was the son of Benjamin Davis (d. 1763) of King William, Spottsylvania, and Culpeper Counties. According to this theory, the John Davis who settled in Pittsylvania near William Davis (d. 1791) was a son of this Benjamin Davis.[7]

William Davis of Pittsylvania County
William Davis (d. 1791) first appeared in Pittsylvania County in 1779. There were two other William Davises who lived earlier in Pittsylvania County, and there were also two early William Davises in neighboring Halifax County. These various William Davises often get confused with each other.[8]

On 16 Mar. 1779 William Davis of Pittsylvania County bought 850 acres of land on both sides of the Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, near Chatham in the middle of Pittsylvania County, from John Booth of Henry County, bordering land owned by Thomas Hardy, Sr., George Prosize, Robert Adams, John Short, John Parks, and Robert Wooding, for 1400 pounds.[9] This land included the “William Pigg” mill, which had been built in 1768.

The stone house that William Davis built on this land is still standing but is in bad repair; photos are on the internet.[10]

William Davis appears in the 1779 tithable list in Pittsylvania in a large household including Benj, Garret, and Daniel Davis, and negroes Lemus, Jim, Sue, and Filly. (Daniel appears in the 1778 list, apparently the first of the family to locate in Pittsylvania County. At least one of William’s sons named a son Garret, supporting the supposition that Garret was a son of William. Perhaps Garret and Daniel died in the Revolutionary fighting in 1780; many Pittsylvania militiamen took part in the military campaign in the Carolinas.)

William Davis patented an additional 400 acres on the branches of Bannister River and Cherrystone Creek, bordering the land of Thomas Hardy and Finney. A survey for this land was done 24 Apr. 1780[11], and he received the patent for the land on 1 Sept. 1780. (Another William Davis received land elsewhere in Pittslyvania County on the same day; this day appears to have been a busy one for clearing out a backlog of patent grants.)

A marriage bond was registered in Pittsylvania County on 16 Nov. 1781 for William’s daughter Sarah to marry Thomas Maide (who later spelled his name Meade); surety for the bond were Thomas Maide and Benjamin Davis (William’s eldest son).[12]

In 1782 the yearly tithable lists were replaced by personal property tax lists. In this year William Davis is shown with two “tithables” (white men over 21, presumably William and son Benjamin), nine slaves, four horses, and 16 cattle.[13]

The 1782 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres,[14] which seems puzzling in light of his purchase of 850 acres (“more or less”) in 1779 and an additional 400 acres in 1780. William Davis gave land to his son-in-law George Myers (part of which was donated to the Upper Bannister Baptist Church),[15] so presumably this accounts for part of the discrepancy, as the 1782 land tax shows George “Miers” with 200 acres. Another possibility is that the total acreage that William bought in 1779 was exaggerated in the deed (indicated by the phrase “more or less”), to match the number of acres that he had just sold in Culpeper County. But this is just speculation; further research should be done in the land records to ascertain just what happened to the two tracts of land that William Davis bought.

William Davis doesn’t appear in the personal property tax records in 1783. Perhaps this was just an omission by the recorder.

In 1784 William Davis appears in the personal property tax list with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), five slaves over 16; four slaves under 16; four horses, and 15 cattle.

On 17 May 1784, William’s son Benjamin entered into a marriage bond with Daniel Bradley, who married William’s daughter Elizabeth.[16]

The 1785 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21 (William and son Benjamin), six slaves over 16, four slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had one additional slave and two more cows, compared to the previous year.

On 18 Feb. 1786 (recorded on the 20th), William Davis and John Davis of Pittsylvania County sold to Holt Richardson of King William County a Negro man named Ruben. Is this the same William Davis as the miller of Cherrystone Creek? And if so, who was this John Davis? A brother sharing an inheritance? Witnesses to the deed were Samuel Parks and John Bowden, and Samuel Parks would witness an 1786 deed from William Davis to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley (see below), and serve as surety in 1787 for the marriage bond of William Davis’s daughter Susanna.

The 1786 land tax shows William Davis with 700 acres, same as in 1782. William Davis was consistently taxed for 700 acres until his death in 1791.[17] The 1786 personal property tax list shows William Davis with two white men over 21, eight slaves over 16, ten slaves under 16, four horses, and 17 cattle. William had eight more slaves than the previous year. Had he recently come into an inheritance?

On 1 Dec. 1786 William Davis sold 100 acres on the north side of the Bannister River, "being part of the same tract whereon the said William Davis now lives," to his son-in-law Daniel Bradley.[12][18] Witnesses to the deed were Thomas H. Wooding, Samuel Parks, and William Ming.

On 19 Feb. 1787, Samuel Parks entered into a marriage bond with William Corbin, who married William Davis’s daughter Susanna. Together with the bond was a note by William Davis, witnessed by son Benjamin and by Samuel Parks, giving permission for Susanna to marry.

The 1787 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 18, with zero men over 21 (aside from William; the recordkeeping was strange this year), six slaves over 16, eight slaves under 16, three horses, and 15 cattle. William had lost four slaves, a horse, and two cows compared to the previous year. On Apr. 20 William’s son Benjamin paid his tax, showing zero men over 21 (besides Benjamin), 1 slave over 16, 1 slave under 16, and 1 horse. This accounts for the horse and two of the slaves. William’s new son-in-law William Corbin had a slave in 1787, perhaps a wedding gift from William.

The 1788 personal property tax list shows William “Davise” with one white male over 21, four slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and four horses. (Starting this year, the number of cows wasn’t listed.) Benjamin “Davise” paid on the same day, with 1 white male over 21 and one slave over 16. John “Davise” paid on the same day, with one male over 21, one slave over 16, and three horses. This was presumably the John Davis who bought 200 ares on Green Rock Creek (near William Davis) on 1 July 1788, and NOT William’s son John. This John Davis appears in Pittsylvania County as early as 1782, but apparently didn’t own land until 1788. This John Davis had one slave until 1786, when he suddenly had four slaves and a stud horse (similar to William, who also shows a sudden influx of slaves in 1786.) John Davis had the same number of slaves (and the stud horse) in 1787, but in 1788, the year he bought the land, he was back to one slave (and no stud horse). Once again, it seems reasonable to speculate that this John was a brother of William Davis, and that it was these two who sold the slave Ruben to Holt Richardson in 1786 (see above).

The 1789 personal property tax list shows that William Davis paid on April 20, with two white males over 21 (presumably William and middle son John), five slaves over 16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin had paid on March 16 (with one slave and one horse), the same day as John Davis (with one slave and three horses).

On 4 June 1789 John Davis (presumably William’s son who had recently turned 21) entered a marriage bond with William Rickett, who married William Davis’s daughter Nancy.

The 1790 personal property tax list shows that William Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on March 15, with three white males over 21 (presumably William and sons Benjamin and John), six slaves over 16, 1 slave 12-16, and three horses. William’s son Benjamin wasn’t on the list this year, so I assume that he was one of the three men listed in William’s household. John Davis (“Cherrystone”) paid on the same day as William, with one male over 21, one slave, and two horses.

William Davis, of Pittsylvania Co., Virginia "being far advanced in life," made his will on 4 June 1790,[19] mentioning:
--son John (receives 3 head of cattle)
--son Benjamin (receives William's house and 150-acre plantation)
--son Joseph (also receives 150 acres)
--son Thomas (receives the rest of William's land, except one acre by the creek adjoining William's mill)
--daughter Nancy Rickett (receives a slave; the will mentions her husband William Rickett)
--daughter Peggy Davis (receives two slaves and a flock of geese)
--son-in-law Thomas Maide (the will cancels a debt owed by Thomas)
--son-in-law William Corbin (receives a slave and a feather bed, in consideration of a debt related to William's brother's will)
--sons Joseph and Thomas (mentioned again, now they receive William's mill with one adjoining acre of land)
--remainder of estate to be divided between youngest children Joseph, Thomas, and Lucy.
--son Benjamin instructed to rebuild the mill, keeping possession of the mill and slaves for three years and then distributing them according to the will's provisions
--single daughters to be provided for as long as they remain single
--if either son Joseph or Thomas dies before arriving unmarried at "lawful age," their share of the mill to go to the other brother
--son-in-law George Mires to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession.
--son-in-law Daniel Bradley to receive nothing more than what he now has in his possession – the land he lives on.
--executors instructed to pay to Daniel Bradley the debt arising from William's executorship of his brother's will.
--William's friend John Parks and William's son Benjamin appointed executors.
--signed (with mark) June 4, 1790, and proved June 20, 1791.
--witnessed by William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr.

William's reference to his brother's will correspond to a legal action brought by Daniel Bradley against his father-in-law, which was dismissed in May 1790. The case arose against William as “executor” of the estate of his brother Noire Davis.[20] The name Noire Davis never appears in the land or tax or probate records of Pittsylvania County, so it seems clear that Noire lived elsewhere.

William Davis’s will was probated on 20 June 1791, indicating that he died sometime between March (the previous court session) and June 1791.

Children of William Davis (birth order is educated guesswork):

1. Mary, married George Miers or Myers. It appears that George Myers lived in Culpeper County from 1758 through 1770, according to a researcher who who states that the earliest record found for him in Pittsylvania County was in 1779.[21]

George Miers is listed with 200 acres in the 1782 Pittsylvania land tax.[22] George Miers is listed in the 1782 Virginia census with 9 whites and one black in his household.[23]

George Miers appears in the 1785 Pittsylvania County tax list (on the same page as his father-in-law William Davis and his brother-in-law Thomas Meade) with one adult slave, two horses, and 11 cattle. He appears in the 1788 tax list with 2 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. (For this and most later years, the tax list doesn't show the number of cattle.)

In the 1789 tax list George "Myers" now has 4 white males over 16, 1 adult slave, and two horses. This corresponds to the three witnesses to William Davis's 1790 will being William Miers, Jacob Miers, George Miers, Jr. the three eldest sons of George. (The tax records for later years for George haven't been checked.)

2. Sarah, born about 1753,[24] married Thomas Maid (or Mead[25]), with the marriage bond dated 16 Nov. 1781 at Pittsylvania Co., Va.[26] Benjamin Davis was listed as surety on the marriage bond. If Sarah’s age was correctly stated in her 1843 widow’s pension application, she was close to 30 years old at the time of her marriage.

In 1816 Thomas Mead was one of the early settlers of Pike County, Indiana, where he was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1818.[27] Thomas Mead died in 1835 and left a will, which is now missing.[28] Sarah (Davis) Mead was still alive in 1844; all of her children in Pike County had predeceased her.[29] It is claimed that she was buried in the same cemetery as her husband, in an unmarked grave.[30]

3. Benjamin, born before 1757, a Revolutionary soldier,[31] married Lydia Meador (presumably a second marriage) 31 Jan. 1800. Lydia's father Joab Meador made his will on 25 Feb. 1815, naming his "friends" Benjamin Davis and Thomas Davis (together with two others) as executors.[32] Benjamin and Lydia had a daughter Nancy who married Samuel Thompson in 1822 in Pittsylvania County[33]; and Benjamin and Lydia's daughter Sarah married her first cousin Jamison Corbin.

4. Daniel, perhaps son of William, appears on the 1778 Pittsylvania tithable list; living with William Davis in 1779 tithable list.

5. Garret, presumably son of William, living with William Davis in 1779 tithable list. William's youngest sons Joseph and Thomas both named sons Garrett, supporting the supposition that Garret was son of William.

6. Elizabeth (Bettie), married Daniel Bradley -- marriage bond 17 May 1784; her brother Benjamin was surety.[34] It appears that Daniel Bradley was born in Cumberland County, son of Isham Bradley.[35] Daniel Bradley was born about 1757, and moved from Cumberland County to Pittsylvania County in 1783, per his 1832 revolutionary pension application.[36]

On 1 Dec. 1786 Daniel Bradley received a gift of 100 acres of land on the north side of the Bannister River by his father-in-law William Davis.[37] Daniel Bradley appears in the 1786 and 1787 Pittsylvania County personal tax lists (on the same page as William Davis), with one horse, two cows, and one slave under 16. In 1788 and 1789 Daniel Bradley appears with two horses and no slaves.

Daniel Bradley made his will 20 Aug. 1831 and it was probated 16 Apr. 1838. The will mentioned son Isham and "my daughters." The executors were his sons-in-law Reuben Hall and William Chaney. Witnesses were Thomas Wooding, Thomas Davis, Jr., and Lydia Davis.[38]

7. Nancy, married William Ricketts 4 June 1789. Nancy was his second wife; he had four children by his first wife Barsheba Nelson.[39] William and Nancy Ricketts had children Reuben, Nancy, Nathaniel, and Thomas.[40]

8. John, apparently born around 1768, if he was indeed the extra adult male in William’s household per the 1789 personal property tax list. John was mentioned first in his father's will, receiving three cows and no land. Some researchers have assumed that John was the same as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett 26 Sep. 1803 in Pittsylvania County. This is false, as the John Davis who married Nancy Hodnett was clearly identified as “Jr.” – apparently the son of William's presumed brother John Davis who lived near William and later moved to Pigg River.

9. Susanna, married William Corbin 19 Feb 1787; she was under age at the time of her marriage (her father William gave consent). William Corbin appears in the Pittsylvania County personal tax lists in 1788 and 1789, but I didn't find him in 1790 or 1791. William died before July 1801, when his father Ambrose Corbin was appointed guardian of William's children Jamison, Thompson, and Mary Corbin.[41] Jamison Corbin married his first cousin Sarah Davis, daughter of Benjamin.

Susanna Davis, widow of William Corbin, married (2) William Nelson, whose sister Barsheba was the first wife of William Ricketts, husband of Susanna Davis's sister Nancy.[42]

10. Peggy (Margaret), m. Moses Cheney 15 Aug 1791. "Moses Chaney, the son of Sarah and Jacob Chaney (Chapter I), settled two miles southeast of Laurel Grove, Virginia, on the place now owned by Witcher Slayton. Moses married Margaret Davis, and to this union were born six children. Their names were as follows: William, Singleton, Bird, Moses, Betty and Sallie. Margaret died and after her death Moses married Sallie Polly, a widow, whose name was Haley. To this second union were born two children, Jackson and Eleandor, Moses was a farmer by occupation."[43] Moses Chaney's sister Elizabeth married Jonathan Davis, from a different Davis family in Pittsylvania County.

11. Joseph, b. about 1771 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the Pittsylvania personal tax lists in 1793), m. Lucy McGehee Hodnett 19 Mar. 1793 Pittsylvania Co., Va., d. 1 Oct. 1850 at Halifax Co., Va. It appears that several children of Joseph moved to Madison County, Tennessee.[44]

12. Thomas, b. about 1773 (underage in 1790 per father’s will, he first appears in the personal tax lists in 1794), m. (1) Jane Hodnett 13 Jan. 1794 Pittslyvania Co., Va.; m. (2) Sarah Meador 8 July 1797 Pittsylvania Co., Va. Thomas was a prosperous miller and landowner in Pittsylvania County. Children by second wife Sarah Meador: --Garrett B.; m. Anna Thompson 1 Oct. 1822 Pittsylvania Co. --William, b. 13 Apr. 1800; m. Carmelia Craft 24 Oct. 1824 Pittsylvania Co. --Mary Taylor, b. 1803, m. Robertson Shelton 3 May 1819 Pittsylvania Co.[45] --Thomas C., b. 1805, m. Elizabeth Sheppard 22 Nov 1824 Pittsylvania Co.

13. Lucy, married John Hodnett 9 Nov 1792; apparently m. (2) Jessee Woodson 1809.[46]

Footnotes
↑ Culpeper County Minute Book 1763-1764, p. 370, in Ruth and Sam Sparacio, Virginia County Court Records, Culpeper County , Virginia Minute Book 1763-1764 (Antient Press, 1998), p. 65, cited in an e-mail from Joan Horsley, 5 Mar. 2012.
↑ Will of William Davis of Lunenburg County, Virginia.
↑ See Davis Family History: a poorly-organized collection of notes on the Davis family in Pittsylvania County].
↑ e-mail from Joan Horsley, dated 15 Apr. 2012, reading as follows: "I corresponded back in 2006 and 2007 with several long-time Moyers/Myers researchers. Their information says that George Moyers (that became Myers in Pittsy), son of George Moyers and Sarah Delph, was born in Orange/Culpeper before 1741, since George and his widowed mother in Culpeper sold part of his deceased father's Culpeper land in 1762-3, thus was at least 21 by then. (George Moyers' family was part of the Germanna community in the part of Orange that became Culpeper.) George is not recorded in Pittsylvania until 1779."
↑ Culpeper County Deeds, C:605, quoted at "The Baker Family of Virginia", with the following supplementary explanation: "Based on the witnesses, this Culpeper deed was obviously made in Spotsylvania County. William Davis was the son of John Davis of King William County, who appears to have been John, son of William Davis, whose plantation was on the opposite of Major John Waller’s 1696 from the Davis Davenport Plantation. [There was a John Davis of King William County, son of William, who deeded land in 1702 per Harris's Old New Kent County, p. 102.] William Davenport was the son of Martin, Sr., and was neighbor to the principals and witnesses of this deed. The two Thomas Minors were father and son. Thomas, Sr., was son of John Minor, Decd., and died before the Revolution. Thomas, Jr., had an active role in Davenport affairs from the mid-1770s on, and was one of the executors of William Davenport’s will in 1798. John Arnold was a brother-in-law to William Davenport, and lived on Davenport land."
↑ See 2010 post at rootsweb archive. More information on the family of this William Davis of Kentucky is available at this genforum post and this rootsweb family tree.
↑ Joan Horsley, "The Jarrell Family of Early Virginia" (2012), pp. 4-5.
↑ John Schmeeckle's research has uncovered no less than ten separate Davis families in Pittsylvania County before 1800. Some of these families are doubtless related to each other. John has a master list (microsoft word document) of early Davis records in Pittsylvania County, sorted by family, which is available to anyone who is interested.
↑ Pittsylvania County Deed Book 5, pp. 145-47.
↑ For photos of the house see Danny Rickett's blog
↑ Pittsylvania County Land Surveys, vol. 1, p. 337; the general shape of the tract is diagrammed on the page.
↑ Marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, photocopy sent to John Schmeeckle by Sarah E. Mitchell.
↑ Images of the personal property tax lists are available at the subscription website [www.binnsgenealogy.com www.binnsgenealogy.com]
↑ See 1782 Land Taxes Pittsylvania County, Virginia
↑ Pittsylvania Deed Book 17, p. 477, 10 Mar. 1812 (recorded 16 Mar. 1812): George Myers to Moses Hutchings and George Giles, all of Pittsylvania County, “whereas William Davis, deceased, did in his livetime give his bond to the members of the Baptist church (known & called by the name of upper Bannister)” for “one and an half acres of land whenever they might call for the same, where the present meeting house now stands, and the right of said land being in George Myers, and he wishing to comply with said bond,” the church appointed Hutchings and Giles trustees to receive the land (paying one dollar), on the waters of the Bannister River, adjoining Leftwich. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark). Witnesses: Will Turnstall, Jesse Leftwich, William Hutchings. Pittsylvania Deed Book 18, pp. 501-502: 24 Nov. 1813 (recorded 18 July 1814): George Myers and wife Mary to William Turnstall, all of Pittsylvania County, 33 acres on Cherrystone Creek, being part of the tract where Myers now lives, adjoining Turnstall (formerly Hardy), and up the sill house branch to Pigg Road, and then along Pigg Road. Signed: George (x) Myers (his mark), Mary Myers. Witnesses: William Walton, John Myers, Benjamin Myers, Isham Myers.
↑ Copy of the marriage bond, from the Pittsylvania Courthouse, sent to John Schmeeckle by Sarah E. Mitchell.
↑ Thanks to Joan Horsley for sharing William Davis’s land tax records.
↑ Pittsylvania County Deed Book 7, pp. 719-720.
↑ Davis Family History, citing Pittsylvania Co. Deed & Will Book 11, p. 216.
↑ Pittsylvania County Court Order Book 3, p. 127. The record clearly shows the unusual name “Noire.”
↑ Per the Germanna Colonies forum archive.
↑ Per 1782 Land Taxes Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
↑ Per the 1782 Pittsylvania County census
↑ Per her 1843 widow's pension application (in the same file as her husband's earlier pension application -- images available at ancestry.com) which gave her age as 90; the following year her age was given as 91.
↑ He used “Maid” early in life and “Mead(e)" later in life. His 1833 pension application pointedly gives both spellings repeatedly.
↑ Per copy of marriage bond in Thomas and Sarah Mead’s pension file, corresponding to the marriage bond on file at the Pittsylvania County courthouse.
↑ History of Pike and DuBois County, Indiana, p. 251, p. 289.
↑ Pike County, Indiana Will Abstracts 1817-1895, p. 13. A local librarian's visit to the courthouse disclosed the fact that all documents related to Thomas Mead's estate were missing at the time the estate files were microfilmed.
↑ Per her widow's pension application; the only witness available to support her affidavit was her daughter-in-law Polly.
↑ Per Pike County History Bicentennial Year 1776-1976, by Ruth McClellan, p. 163, which misidentifies her as "Lucy."
↑ Per Davis Family History.
↑ Abstracts of Pittsylvania County, Virginia Wills, 1767-1820, p. 214. For Joab Meador's family, see http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=monkeys&id=I14768 and duplicate http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=crystalinda22&id=I121128; see also http://genforum.genealogy.com/meador/messages/495.html with a list of researchers.
↑ per http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/t/o/n/Anna-Toner/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0031.html
↑ Per Hodnett Family History.
↑ Per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/gp1272.htm
↑ Pension application of Daniel Bradley
↑ Pittsylvania County Deed Book 7, pp. 719-720.
↑ Per http://www.hallgenealogy.com/ghtout/np64.htm, citing Wills of Pittsylvania Co., VA 1820-1845 by Mike K. Williams.
↑ Per Descendants of Ambrose Nelson.
↑ Per Descendants of William Ricketts
↑ Per Corbin family website.
↑ See Descendants of Ambrose Nelson.
↑ See Chaney family history.
↑ Per a forum post by James Davis. For Lucy Hodnett's ancestry, see this McGeehee tree.
↑ Per The Families of James Shelton of McMinn County, Tennessee and His Father Roderick Shelton of Buncombe County, North Carolina and Their Antecedents, by Arthur Paul Shelton (August 1987), Chapter 7.
↑ See this Hodnett page (with various Davis connections), but there seems to be confusion about whether mother or daughter married Jessee Woodson: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=AHN&db=eleanor&id=I07766
Acknowledgments
Thank you to John Schmeeckle for creating WikiTree profile Davis-19677 through the import of mother_s mother.ged on Dec 3, 2013.

(Rev) married Susanna Wills on 5 May 1772 in , Halifax, Virginia, USA. Susanna (daughter of Filmer Wills and Ann Harwood) was born in 1725 in , Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died on 4 Jun 1790 in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA; was buried in , Pittsylvania, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Royal descent of the MackGehees from the time of the Magna Carta on through Robert Bruce to Patrick McGregor and how the name changed.

Royal Scots Change Name
Posted 26 Feb 2023 by John Moore
I found this information in an online book, and the author traces the family of the MackGeehees back to the DeClare family members, who were "a Surety for the Magna Charta", and on to Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, and to titled MacDonnalds. One of the MacDonnald daughters, Marian, married Patrick MacGregor, "Chieftan of teh Ilk" who led his clansmen under Montrose in 1645 and was outlawed in Scotland and left Scotland to settle in Virginia. Marian and Patrick's son took the name of John Murray and the second son became Thomas MackGehee. Here is the text:



Elizabeth DeJarnette married in 1735, Virginia Edward McGehee, born ca 1702, died January 1771, Cumberland County, VA (Son of Thomas and Ann(Bastrop) McGehee.)



The following is said to be the descent of the McGehee line from the Sureties for the Magna Charta:



1. Richard DeClare, Earl of Hereford a Suret for the Magna Charta, had

2. Richard DeClare, Earl of Herefore, a Surety for the Magna Charta had

3. Isabel DeClare, married Robert De Brus, 5th Earl of Annandale, had

4. Robert DeBrus, Earl of Annandale, and Carrie, who had

5. Robert Bruce, Kind of Scotland, who had

6. Marjory Bruce, married Walter Stewart,

Lord High Stewart of Scotland, had

7. Robert II, King of Scotland, who had

8. Marjory Stewart, married Eoin-Mor MacDonald, 7th Lord of the Isles, who had

9. Donald MacDonnell, Lord of Isled, had

10. Alexander Mac Donnell, Lord of the Isles, and Earl of Ross, had

11. Hugh MacDonnell, of the Isles, 2nd son, died 1498, had

12. Donald Galloch McDonnall of the Isles, died 1506, had

13. Donald Grammach MacDonnall, of the Isled, died 1534, had

14. Donald Gorun MacDonnall, heir Titular Lord of the Isles, died 1537, had

15. Donald Gorun MacDonnall, Lord of the Isles and of State, died 1587, had

16. Archibald MacDonnall, Lord of State Manor, Autrin, had

17. Sir Donald MacDonnald, Lord of State, First Baronet, died 1643, had

18. Sir james MacDonnald, of State, Second Baronet, died December 8th, 1678, had

19. Marian MacDonnald, married Patrick MacGregor, Chieftan of the Ilk, who led his clansmen under Montrose in 1645 and was outlawed with his son; his estates were confiscated, and he and his son were commanded to assume other surnames. When John MacGregor, his heir became John Murray , his second son became Thomas MackGehee. It was before 1701 that he and the other outlawed Scotsmen petitioned for land in Virginia. He moved his family, and he was granted land in St. John’s Parish, King William County, Virginia.

20. Thomas MackGehee was born (presumably) about 1645, and died after July 27th, 1724. He married Ann Bastrop, Daughter of Thomas Bastrop, in 1676.

Their children were

1. William MackGehee of New Kent County

2. Anna MackGehee, married William Butler

3. Dianh MackGehee, married J. Lipscomb

4. Mary MackGehee, married William Dickinson

5. Abraham MackGehee, born about 1700

6. Edward MackGehee, born about 1702, married Elizabeth DeJarnatte

7. Samuel MAckGehee , born about 1704

8. Sarah MackGehee, b about 1706, married Thomas Lipscomb

9. Jacob MackGehee, born about 1708, married Eleanor DeJarnette



DeJarnette and Allied Families in America, part 1, : pages 35-36 ff

http://search.ancestry.com/Browse/BookView.aspx?dbid=17730&iid=dvm_GenMono003526-00023-0



Edward MackGehee McGehee will
Posted 26 Feb 2023 by John Moore
Descendants of McGehee, McGeehee and Patrick McGregorFourth Generation
12. Edward McGehee (Thomas McGehee , James , Patrick ) was born about 1701 in New Kent, Va. He died before 28 Jan 1771 in Cumberland, Va.

Edward was a large land owner and planter. He had 2,830 acres of land in Amelia County, Virginia in 1746 and 5,788 additional in 1748. In the Amelia books his name is spelled "MackGehee". He served in the French and Indian War. He enlisted in Frederick County, Virginia.**************DEEDS:From William and Mary Quarterly. This info and thelast post on various McGehees came from Series 1 Vol25 Book April 1917 Vol.XXVI No.4 pages 275-289The books to which references are made following eachabstract of a patent are in the office of the Registerof the Land Office, Richmond, Virginia [Submitted to McGehee mailing list by Ann Hinton]1736, September 8, Edward MACGEHEE, 400 acres inGoochland County on south branch of Great GuineaCreek, adjoining James Allen, Jacob Mackgehee ( BookNo.17 p.159)1740, March 24, Edward MACKGEHEE 1,200 acres inGoochland County on branches of Great Guinea Creek ofAppomattox River, adjoining James Allen; 400 acrespart thereof granted said Mackgehee by patent 8Sept.1736; 400 acres part thereof granted james terryby patent 10 June 1737, and residue never beforegranted ( Book No.19 p 922)1746, January 12, Edward MACKGEHEE, 1830 acres inAmelia County between Bush and Bryer Rivers, adjoiningMorton's Creek; 400 acres part therof formerly grantedWilliam brown,15 October,1741, the right and titlesince become vested in said Mackgehee, and the residuenever before granted( Book No.24,p.594)1748, July 20, Edward MACKGEHEE, 5798 acres, AmeliaCounty between Bush and Briery Rivers, of which 2,830acres part thereof was granted said Mackgehee bypatent October 15,1741 and residue never beforegranted. (Book 26,p 464)1735,July 5, Edward MACK GEHEE of King William Countyconveyed to Samuel MACKGEE, 400 acres on Great RockyCreek in Hanover County. (Abstract of Hanover Records1743-35, given in William and Mary Quarterly,XXI,p.60)1768, September 19, Edward X MCGEHEE, of CumberlandCounty to Daniel McGehee, of same, for 50 poundscurrency, conveys 700 acres in prince Edward County,part of a patent to said Edward McGehee October15,1748 ( Prince Edward County, Deed Book 3,p 252)WILL OF EDWARD MCGEHEE, Cumberland County, VA, Will Book 1, 1749-1792, page 23:Dated 4 April 1770, Pr 28 Jan 1771In the name of God, Amen. I, Edward McGehee of Cumberland County being in my perfect sences and memory do make this my last will and testament as followeth.Item I give to my son John McGehee and his heirs the following slaves Doll Sol Darkus Ben Lucy Minor and Judy together with their increase which slaves he now has in his possession. I likewise give to my son John and his heirs forever seven hundred acres of land lying in Prince Edward county joyning the land of Jacob McGehee, Sim Cock Cannon and George Walton.Item I give to my daughter, Mary Hodnett, five shillings current money.Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth Wright one negro wench named Hannah and her child Moses together with her increase to her and her heirs forever. I likewise give to my daughter Elizabeth Wright four hundred acres land being part of the tract whereon I now live and joining the land of Thomas Wright, Charles Lee, and Frances Apperson to her and her heirs forever.I give to my son-in-law, Thomas Wright, one half of my water grist mill. I likewise give to my said son-in-law, Thomas Wright, one half of the land that I purchased joyning the mill to him and his heirs forever.Item I give to my son, Micajah McGehee, one negro man named Bob to him and his heirs forever. I likewise give to my son, Micajah, seven hundred acres land in Prince Edward county being the land he now lives joining the land of John Martin to him and his heirs forever.Item I give to my son, Mumford McGehee, one negro boy named Peter to him and his heirs. I likewise give to my son, Mumford, seven hundred acres of land in Prince Edward county being laid off in a lot as will appear by plot number one being the land whereon he now lives to him and his heirs forever.Item I give to my son, Daniel McGehee, one negro boy named Ned to him and his heirs. I likewise give to my son Daniel seven hundred acres of land in Prince Edward county being laid off in a lot as will appear by a plot number two to him and his heirs forever.Item I give to my son, Willliam McGehee, one negro boy named George to him and his heirs. I likewise give to my son William seven hundred acres of land in Prince Edward county being laid off in a lot as will appear by a plot number three to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son William two cows and calves and one feather bed and furniture.Item I give to my son, Jacob McGehee, one negro boy named Tom to him and his heirs forever. I likewise give to my siad son Jacob seven hundred acres of land in Prince Edward county being laid off in a lot as will appear by a plot number six to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son Jacob two cows and calves and one feather bed and furniture.Iem I give to my son, Samuel McGehee, one negro boy named Pompy to him and his heirs forever. I give to my said son Samuel and his heirs forever seven hundred acres of land in Prince Edward county being laid off in a lot as will appear by a plot number four. I give to my son Samuel two cows and calves and one feather bed and furniture.I give to my daughter, Anna McGehee, one negro girl daned Rachel with her incrase to her and her heirs forever. I likewise give to my daughter Anna four hundred acres of land being part of the tract whereon I now live joyning my mill to her and her heirs forever, but in case my wife should want any timber on the said four hundred acres land or to tend any part thereof during her live my desire is that she may not be prevented.Item I lend to my beloved wife, Elizabeth McGehee, the land and plantation whereon I now live with four hundred acres likewise the following slaves Seasor London Sampson Bristol Jean Lucy Henry Dick Agg Jessee and the only half of the profits of my grist mill with the reaminder of my stock and household goods working tools & c. that's on my plantation during her natural life and my desire is after my wife's decease that the land whereon I now live may be equally divided between my two daughters Elizabeth Wright & my daughter Anna to them and their heirs forever. And further my desire is that after the death of my wife Elizabeth that one half of the mill and the remainder of my household goods & stock with the above slaves lent may be sold by my executors to the highest bidders and seventy five pounds sixteen shillings and eight pence to be paid to my son Jacob McGehee, and th___ pounds sixteen shillings & eight pence to be paid to my son Daniel McGehee also nine pounds three shillings & four pence to be paid to my son William McGehee. And my desire is that after the above cash is paid to my three sons that the balance may be equally divided between my daughter Elizabeth Wright and my six sons Micajah Mumford Daniel William Jacob and Samuel and my daughter Anna. And my desire is that there be no appraisement of my estate nor security given and further my will and desire is that in case either of my six sons or my daughter Anna should dye before they arive to the age of twenty one years or marry's that their part be equally divided among the remainder of the last mentioned children and lstly I do appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth McGehee, son Mumford, my son-in-law Thomas Wright and Henry Macon executors of this my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th Apr 1770.Edward McGehee {seal}Sign'd seal'd & acknowledg'din the presence of andinterlin'd before sealed - Nathan GlennJames GlennNehemiah GlennAt a court held for Cumberland county 28th January 1771This last will and testament of Edward McGehee deceased was proved by Nathan Glenn and Nehemiah two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the motion of Elizabeth McGehee executrix Mumford McGehee and Thomas Wright two of the executors therein named who made oath according to law certificate is granted them for obtaining probat thereof in due form and liberty is reserved to the other executor to join in probat.Test Thompson Swann ClkSOURCE: "Our McGehees"

Edward married Elizabeth DeJarnette daughter of Jean DeJarnette and Mary Mumford about 1735. Elizabeth was born about 1709 in Abingdon, Gloucester, Va. She died about 1783 in Prince Edward, Va.

They had the following children:

16MiJohn McGehee was born about 1735 in Prince Edward, Va. 17FiiElizabeth McGehee was born about 1739 in Prince Edward, Va. 18FiiiMary McGehee was born about 1742 in Prince Edward, Va. 19MivMumford McGehee was born about 1744 in Prince Edward, Va.+20MvMicajah McGehee 21MviDaniel McGehee was born about 1747 in Prince Edward, Va. 22MviiWilliam McGehee was born about 1749 in Prince Edward, Va.+23MviiiJacob McGehee 24FixAnna McGehee was born on 23 Jul 1755 in Prince Edward, Va. 25MxSamuel McGehee was born on 23 Jul 1759 in Prince Edward, Va.

Last Will & Testament of Thomas McGehee
Text: Published in McGehee Descendants* Volume I, Page 31
THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF THOMAS MACK GEHEE
In the name of God Amen. I, Thomas Mack Gehee, of St. John's Parish, King William county, being sick and weak, but of perfect mind and memory, do call to mind the uncertainty of this life and here make my last will and testament. First, I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my merciful Redeemer, hoping through his mercy to obtain an everlasting crown of glory, my body to be decently buried, and all my just and principal debts to be paid.I bequeath as here followeth: Item 1st. I give and bequeath to my son, William Mack Gehee, ten shillings to buy him a mourning ring, being in full of his portion. Item 2nd. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Anna Butler, ten shillings to buy her a mourning ring, being in full of her portion. Item 3rd. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law, John Lipscomb, and my daughter Dinah, his wife, twenty shillings to buy them mourning rings, being in full of their portion. Item 4th. I give and bequeath to my son, Abraham Mack Gehee, ninety-six acres of land, being in part of the dividend of land I now live on, with the houses, orchards and appurtenances belonging thereunto, to him and his heirs forever. Item 5th. I give and bequeath to my son Abraham Mack Gehee, one negro man named Bristol, to him and his heirs forever; also one feather bed and furniture, and one large chest. And it is my further will and testament that when my two sons, Jacob and Samuel, and my daughter, Sarah, come of age, that my said son, Abraham, do pay them five pounds each.
7.Title: Kevin McGehee
Text: Will continued:
Item 6th. I give and bequeath to my son, Edward Mack Gehee, fifty acres of land, of the same dividend of land I now live on, belonging to my said plantation, also one negro man named Peter, to him and his heirs forever, on his paying to my sons, Samuel and Jacob, and my daughter, Sarah, when they arrive at the age of twenty one years, five pounds each. I also give and bequeath to my son, Edward Mack Gehee, one feather bed and furniture and the chest which was his mother's.
Item 7th. I give and bequeath to my son, Samuel Mack Gehee, fifty acres of land, being part of the same dividend of land I now live on, also one feather bed and furniture, and one large chest, to him and his heirs forever. I likewise give and bequeath to my son, Samuel, my riding mare, saddle and bridle. Item 8th. I give and bequeath to my son, Jacob Mack Gehee, fifty acres of land, one large chest, to him and his heirs forever. My further will and desire is that my son, Jacob, shall live with my son, Abraham Mack Gehee, and when he arrives at the age of eighteen to have a share in the crop with him in case my said son, Jacob, works with him. My further will and desire is that my said land, so given, to be divided among my children, to be laid out crosswise, beginning at Neckatewanna bridge up the head line to the corner, and down the back line until it includes Abraham's portion of ninety-six acres, and so the list of my sons' parts to be laid out in this course until they each have their complement.
8.Title: Kevin McGehee
Text: Will continued:
Item 9th. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah, one feather bed and furniture, one chest of drawers, and one sealskin trunk. And it is my further will and desire that after my decease my said daughter, Sarah, be paid by my executors five pounds in current money or goods from a store, that is to say, the first year after my decease, fifty shillings, and the following fifty shillings more. And I give and bequeath unto my said daughter, Sarah, her mother's horse, saddle and bridle. Item 10th. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Dickson, one bed filled with feathers, a pair of blankets, my desk and all that is in the desk. My further will and desire is that my draught mare and hogs be and remain on the plantation for the support and maintenance of my children. My cattle and sheep and hogs I desire to be equally divided among my five youngest children. Also, the last of my personal estate, likewise by lots, be equally divided among the same. I do constitute my loving sons, Abraham, Edward and Samuel Mack Gehee, my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament, revoking and making void and disannulling all wills by me before made.
In witness whereof I have set my hand and affixed my seal this twenty seventh day of July, in the year of our Lord, seventeen hundred and twenty four.
Thomas Mack Gehee
Signed and sealed in the
presence of us:
Robert Bainbridge
W. Craddock
J. Buckley

Last Will & Testament of Thomas McGehee

Edward married Elizabeth Katrenia Dejarnette on 4 Apr 1734 in , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth was born on 5 Feb 1709 in Abingdon, Gloucester, Virginia, USA; died in 1783 in , Prince Edward, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Elizabeth Shelton on 9 Oct 1728 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Ralph Shelton, Sr and Mary Jane Crispen) was born on 25 May 1711 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, USA; died in 1749 in , Hanover, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Filmer married Ann Harwood. Ann was born in 1715 in , Warwick, Virginia, USA; died in 1752 in , , Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]