Heirs and Slaves named in 1813 Will of William Yerby - Amanuensis Monday

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch who originated the Amanuensis Monday meme, providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This is another transcription of a document copied last summer at the Library of Virginia - William Yerby's Lancaster County will dated 13 Mar 1813. While spelling and punctuation have been transcribed as accurately as possible, I have added space between the bequests to improve readability.

In the name of God Amen I William Yerby of Lancaster County and State of Virginia, In tolerable Health thanks be to God for the same and am desirous to set my house in order, as it is certain for all men once to die

First, I give my soul go God and my body to the Earth its original in hopes of a future resurection through the merits of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer

Secondly after all my Just debts and funeral expences be first paid It_ my will To dispose of my worldly Goods that God hath blessed me with as followeth,
To wit

Thirdly I give to my son Thomas Yerby the Plantation wherein he now lives and All my Land in Northumberland and Lancaster adjoining to the same Negroes to wit, Elijah, Mary ann her four youngest children Anthony Jesse Spencer Isaac, Hannah and Griffin and their future increase

Fourthly I give to my son Wm T Yerby the plantation whereon he now lives and all my land west of the road that leads from the Catton swamp to the Girls brige swamp, Negroes to wit, Solom___ Nelson, Cate, her four youngest children now in his possession Ephraim, Jane & Harry the plasterrer and their future increase, choice of a Bed and furniture one cow & Calf

Fifthly I give to my son Charles I Yerby my dwelling house and all my Land East of the road that leads from the Cabin swamp to the girls bridge swamp Negroes to wit, Richard Benjamin, Samuel, Lucy & Child, Charity, her three youngest children John and Chloe and their future increase, my still, Casks Barrels Tubs, apple mill his choice of a Horse Saddle and bridle Two choice Cows and Calves, yoke of oxen and all apparatures of the said oxen, choice of Sow and Pigs four choice hogs L___ and the appartures thereto belonging _ile my Gun_ ____ly

Sixthly I leave the [page 142] profits to my daughter margaret Towles Negroes to wit, moses or value sold to Richard Stephens for one hundred pounds. Rose her three youngest children now with her Frederick, Gilbert, nancy, Jason [difficult to read; James?], Jude and her child and her future increase one bed bed and furniture In case my Daughter Towles should have any more child lawfully begotten of her body It is my desire that my Grandson Henry W. Towles shall have one equal portion of all the property that I leave my aforesaid Daughter the income profits of when comes of age or marries with the aforesaid described children, In case my aforesaid daughter die without any such Issue It is then my desire that my Grandson Henry W. Towles to have and enjoy the whole of the property that I lent my Daughter Margaret, forever after her death

Seventhly Its my desire that all my Earthen ware __ink and China may be Equally divided between my Three Children William T Yerby Margaret Towles and Charles I Yerby Stock of Cattle sheep and Hogs

Eighthly [**] Its my ___ that the Hoes axes __ that my above named negroes Laborers with shall go with my children as my negroes them To

Ninthly I give my son Charles I Yerby the remains of my Household Goods & Kitchen Furniture that is not heretofore mentioned or may not hereafter by mentioned

Tenthly Its my desire that the balance of my Estate not heretofore mentioned or has not been bequeathed may be Equally divided between my four children Thomas Yerby William T Yerby Margaret Towles and Charles I Yerby

Eleventh If there is Two hundred Dollars in my house either in cash or bonds after my Just debts be paid I give the same to my Daughter Towles to go a the property named ---

Twelth Its my will and desire if either Thomas Yerby William T Yerby Margaret Towles brings forward any account against my Estate in any case what ever That my Exors hereafter named shall sell so much of the property named in this my will to the said child that my bring forward such a claim, as may be sufficient to discharge the claim

Thirteenth Its my will that all the property that I have heretofore Lent my Son Thomas Yerby Wm T Yerby Margaret Towles, I give it now to them ---

Fourteenth and Lastly I do nominate and ordain my Two beloved sons Thomas Yerby & Wm T Yerby Exors of this my last will and testament revoking all other will or wills heretofore made by me and acknowledging this to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 13^th day of march 1813
Teste
__ Taylor                              William Yerby {Seal}
John Doggett
Wm Stott
Richard Cundiff
And this being done by way of a Codicil and in addition to my will Some years past Charles Ball made me a Deed of trust for three negroes [obscured line] [page 143] to pay for the aforesaid Charles Bell and named as his agent before and since that time I have paid for the aforesaid Charles Bell the full value of the property named in the Deed foresaidmentioned At the aforesaid Charles and his wife Catey's deaths the aforesaid property mentioned in the aforesaid Deed of trust is given to my son William T Yerby since that time the aforesaid Charles Bell thought that I was not as safe for the sums of money I had paid for him as I ought to be and wish to make me a Deed of Gift which was made, of the aforesaid property named in the Deed trust I have willed the aforesaid property to my children in my will In case either of my Children claims any more than I have mentioned in my will to them severally by account or any other way their claim or demand against my Estate or the property named in the Deed of trust from Charles Bell to William Yerby to secure him for money paid or that he might have to pay shall be taken out of the portion given the said Child in my will to them In witness to this my Codicil to my will I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal the 13^th day of march 1813

William Yerby {seal}

Teste
Wm Taylor
John Doggett
Wm Stott
Richd Cundiff
___
At a Court held for Lancaster County on the 20^th day of April 1813
This last will and testament and Codicil of William Yerby gent decd were proven according to law by the oath of John Doggett and Wm Stott two of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Thomas Yerby one of the Exors in the said will named who made oath and together with John Doggett Samuel M. Shearman Joseph Carters Jr and James Towles his Securities entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of twenty Thousand Dollars according to the law & certificate is granted him for obtaining probat thereof in due for and liberty is reserved to the other exor in the said will named to join in the probat thereof if he should think fit

teste

James Towles cl

Notes
** Very difficult to decipher. This item appears to have been squeezed in. Perhaps an error by clerk copying original record. 

This William Yerby is not my husband's direct ancestor William Yerby whose will was proven in Lancaster County [VA] 20 April 1786. Nor is he that William's son who died in Mississippi. He is assumed to be one of the two William Yerbys appearing in Lancaster County in the 1810 US Federal Census.

The son whose name was transcribed as Charles I Yerby could easily have been Charles J Yerby.

The swamps named in the will are new to me. I was not able to locate references to them in an admittedly cursory internet search.

Finally, I've grown somewhat inured to the descriptions of human slaves as property while transcribing the documents I copied from the Library of Virginia last summer. But the eighth bequest, including the tools used by the slaves in their labors, just as the oxen's yoke and horse's bridle were included, was jarring. Never has it been clearer what being legal property meant.

Source

     Lancaster, Virginia, Will Books, 28: 141, William Yerby, dated 13 Mar 1813; Library of Virginia, LVA Lancaster County Roll 21.  

Will of Nicholas Currell (1801 Virginia) - A Friend of Friends Friday

My husband's 5th great-grandfather Nicholas Currell of Lancaster County, Virginia died in the spring of 1801 leaving a large estate. His will named most of the slaves he bequeathed to his children and grandchildren. Those men and women who already working at his son-in-law Thomas Lee's plantation were not named.

In the name of God amen. I Nicholas Currell of Lancaster county being sick and weak of body, but praise god of sound sense and memory and knowing the uncertainty of this life, and divine appointment for us mortals to die, do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament: first I give my soul to almighty god who gave it me, hoping through the merits of christ our saviour to find eternal rest with god, my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter named, and as for what wordly goods it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and advise as follows viz:


I give and devise to my son James Currell my Kentuckey land to him and heirs forever also the following negroes, Patty and all her children, Kendall, Spencer Hanna, Rachael, Richard and Lettice and their increase forever.


I give and bequeath to my son in law Thomas Lee all the negroes that he has in his possession that formerly belonged to me, forever


I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Ball the following negroes viz Oliver, Sarah Lavinia, Susanna, Eliza, Patty, Hiram, Ailce, Henry, Mariner, Spencer and Samuel, Henry, Daniel, Fielding, David and Agatha and their increase forever
also 1 of the best feather bed, and furniture 1 pied cow and calf 1 yoke of steers my gray horse, five silver table spoons & 1 case with bottles and 1 silver headed cane, forever,


I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Margaret Steptoe Lawson the following negroes viz: Robin Solomon and Sarah, 1 of the best beds and furniture 1 mare the second choice of a yoke of steers forever


I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Ann Currell Lee, the following negroes viz. William, Thomas and Henry, and 1 horse colt to her heirs forever


I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Margaret Steptoe Ball one negroe girl named Mary and her increase forever


It is my desire that my three old negroes named Hannar, James and Esther be free, and in case they should not be able to maintain themselves they shall be maintained out of my estate


I give and bequeath to Jane White Ford 1 heifer


All the rest of my estate not before given in three parts, one to my son one to my daughter and the other to my two grand daughters, Margaret Steptoe Lawson, and Ann Currell Lee after my Just debts are paid


And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my two sons in law Joseph Ball and Thomas Lee and Capt. Henry C. Lawson my executors of this my last will and testament. I hereby revoke all my former wills.


In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this sixth day of May and of our lord one thousand eight hundred and one
Signed sealed and acknowledged                  his
in presence of Geo. Ford        Nicholas {X} Currell [seal]
                         Henry Lawson                       mark
                         Lawson Hathaway


At a court held for the county of Lancaster on the 15th day of June 1801, This last will and testament of Nicholas Currell deceased was proved by the oath of George Ford, Henry Lawson and Lawson Hathaway the witnessses thereto and ordered to be recorded --


                                                            Teste
                                                                       James Towles cler


Notes: Currell's will has been abstracted and those abstracts appear in on-line family trees and message boards. The abstracts suggest that Jane White Ford was a granddaughter and that Henry Lawson was a son-in-law. Henry Lawson was, in fact, married to Currell's granddaughter Margaret Steptoe (Lee) Lawson. I am unsure who Jane White Ford was (I suspect a goddaughter), but since the other granddaughters were clearly indicated, and her inheritance was so much smaller than the others, I believe she was not Currell's granddaughter. 


The will makes clear that Currell's wife, Margaret Steptoe Lawson Currell and daughter, Elizabeth Currell Lee had already died. 


Source: Lancaster, Virginia, Will Books, 28: 49-50, Nicholas Currell; Library of Virginia, Lancaster Reel 21. 

Lancaster County Landmarks - Mappy Monday

This map, hand drawn by Louise Palmer Strong, was enclosed in a letter to my husband's grandfather (and her first cousin) dated 24 Feb 1956. The map shows the location of Clifton, the Palmer home, in relation to other historic landmarks in the area. At the time photographers from National Geographic had just finished photographing the home for the April 1956 issue featuring several Virginia colonial homes.

Clifton was originally part of King Carter's land and probably served as a hunting lodge. His descendants sold the house and farm to James Armistead Palmer in 1843. Palmer died shortly after, but his daughter Maria Lee Palmer and son John Armistead Palmer grew up at Clifton. Louise Strong was John Palmer's daughter.

Source

Louise Palmer Strong (Clifton; Kilmarnock, VA) to William Meredith Smith, letter, 24 Feb 1956; digital image, privately held by Smith descendant, [STREET ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], Frederick, MD.  

Will of John Meredith, 1830 - Friend of Friends Friday

This is the part of a series of transcriptions and abstracts of records involving slaves that I copied at the Library of Virginia during my summer research marathon. My husband's 3rd great-grandfather John Meredith wrote a his last will in 1830, before the birth of his last child, William Vincent Meredith. He named his wife, one adult and two minor children, his brother and two young slaves, Henry and Maria.

From Lancaster County (VA) Will Book 28, pages 327-328 (LVA Film #21)

     In the Name of God Amen I John Meredith of the County of Lancaster and State of Virginia being at this time in tolerable health and of Sound mind and knowing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death do make and ____ this instrument my last will and testament revoking all others that I have heretofore made -
1st. It is my will and desire that my loving wife Ann Steptoe Meredith have and enjoy the use of all my estate both real and personal during her Single life for the purpose of Supporting maintaining and educating my younger children Margaret Maria and Thomas Wm. Meredith and Such other child or children as it may please God to bless me with by her Should however my relations think it best on Consulting with my said loving wife to Send them out to School or otherwise to take care of them, then and in that case instead of her having the use of my whole estate, She Shall have the use of one third of the Same during her natural life for it is my desire not to leave her worse off than I found her but rather better, She has been and continues to be, a most affectionate wife, as as well as mother to my children --.
2nd. I give and bequeath to my Son Thomas Jas. Meredith the plantation on which I live my negro boy Henry and my negro Girl Maria to him and his heirs forever any thing in the first item as above to the contrary notwithstanding, but he is not to have the possession of the said plantation till the Single life of my Said loving wife should terminate or the changes take place as above mentioned, he is however to take possession of above named Negroes as Soon after my decease as may be --.
3rd. The balance of my estate (in all cases my Just debts first to be paid of every description) I desire may be equally divided between my two younger children the Said Margaret Maria Meredith and Thomas Wm. Meredith and Such other child or children as I may have by my said loving wife --.
Lastly I hereby appoint my said loving wife Ann S. Meredith my brother Joseph Meredith of Totuskey Bridge and my Son Thos Jas: Meredith of the Same place my Sole Exors. To this my last will & testament. In Testimony whereof I have hereto Set my hand & affixed my Seal (the whole being written by my Self) this 9th day of July in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred and thirty --.

Jno. Meredith {S.S.}

At a Court held for the County of Lancaster on the 16th day of June 1834. This last will and testament of John Meredith decd was this day produced in open court, and being proven to be wholly in the proper hand writing of the Said decd by the oaths of Addison Hall & Ralph Edmonds two respectable witnesses was ordered to be recorded.

Teste,  Benjamin M. Walker cl.

Notes: I have not transcribed the estate records of John Meredith yet. There were other slaves named in later records. I have not researched Meredith's son Thomas James Meredith's estate which would have been recorded in Baltimore, Maryland. It is not clear whether the slaves Henry and Maria remained in Lancaster County (probably being rented to local land owners), moved to Totuskey Bridge (Richmond County, VA) where Thomas James Meredith was living, or were sold. I did not find record of such a sale in Lancaster County records. 

This is the first will I have transcribed where provisions were made for removing the children from the widow's care. In this case the children named were not her natural children, but the children of Meredith's previous wife, Ann Currell Lee Towles Meredith. Meredith had been married a year and a half when he wrote this will. The children did, in fact, remain in her care until her death in 1835. 

Lancaster County, VA 1833 - Amanuensis Monday

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch who originated the Amanuensis Monday meme, providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

During my research at the Library of Virginia last month I was able to copy more than one hundred pages of wills, deeds, marriage records, even voting lists. This page, from Lancaster County (VA) Deed Book 34, p. 159, may be my favorite. Other pages have more information but here, in separate entries, two of my husband's 3rd great-grandfathers are named.

Lancaster County to wit --
                  We John Meredith and James Harding Justices of the peace in the County aforesaid in the State of Virginia do hereby certify that Elizabeth Vowell, the wife of Valentine H. Vowell parties to a certain deed bearing date the 8th day of March 1833 and hereto annexed, personally appeared before us in our County aforesaid and being examined by us privily and apart from her husband and having the deed aforesaid fully explained, She the said Elizabeth Vowell  acknowledged the Same to be her act and deed and declared that She has willingly, Signed SEaled and delivered the Same, and that she wishes not to retract it--   Given under our hands and seals this 15th day of March 1833.

Jno: Meredith

James Harding

At a Court held for the County of Lancaster on the 15th day of April 1833
The deed from Valentine H. Vowell and Elizabeth his wife to William Gresham was proved in open court by the oaths Ezekiel G. Shearman and Robert H. Tapscott two of the witnesses thereto --
and at a Court held for the County of Lancaster on the 20th day of May following the said deed was further and fully proved by the oath of William Boyd the other witness thereto - and together with the Justices certificate of the privy examination of the Said Elizabeth was ordered to be recorded --

Teste;

Benjamin M. Walker, c.  c.              

For and in Consideration of the Sum of one Hundred and fifty Dols: to me in hand paid, I have this day bargained and sold unto Cols: Armstead J. Palmer all my right, title claim interest and demand that I now have or hereafter expect to have in the personal Estate of Joseph Carter Jr: decd the right to Said property I warrant and defend unto Said Palmer free from the claims of all and every person or person whatever -- as witness my hand and Seal this 15th day of Feby: 1833.
Teste,
Robert C Clarke                              Jno: Lunsford {seal}

At a court held for the County of Lancaster on the 20th day of May 1833
This Instrument of writing from John Lunsford to Armstead J. Palmer was acknowledged in open Court by the Said Lunsford and Ordered to be recorded --.
Teste, Benjamin M Walker c c

Notes: There is an Ancestry.com marriage record for Jno Jr. Lunsford to Lettice L. Carter on 17 Nov. 1817 in Lancaster County. One online tree names her as a daughter of a Joseph Carter who died in 1815, but Joseph Lyon Miller's The Descendents of Capt. Thomas Carter of Barford, Lancaster County, Virginia...  names different children (p. 357). I am curious what if any relationship existed between Palmer and the Carter family since Palmer's son purchased a large tract of land from the family in 1843.

This is the first reference I have for John Meredith serving as a Justice of the Peace.

Source: Lancaster, VA, Deeds, Deed Book 34:159; Library of Virginia, Reel 12.

At Road's End, Catholics in the Northern Neck

Palmer Hall today.

Catholics living in remote parts of the United States in the early decades of the 19th century often went to great lengths to practice their faith. For my husband's Meredith and Palmer ancestors living in Lancaster and Northumberland Counties, maintaining their Catholic faith involved traveling to Maryland by steamer or arranging for a priest to come to them, as Thomas Meredith did in 1830. 

I am anxious to go to Baltimore this spring to make my Easter but if I go when Brother Thomas goes I shall not be able to stay so long and must give up the pleasure of his company and protection. Please be so kind as to tell me when would be the best time for me to come and make my Easter. (M. M. Palmer at Clifton to Thomas Meredith, Baltimore, 9 March 1949.)

Since it was far easier to travel by water to Baltimore or Norfolk than by road to Richmond they journeyed to Baltimore to celebrate religious holidays, marriages and christenings when they could. But from at least 1830 the family celebrated Mass at home whenever a priest was able to visit.

The Confession chair at Clifton

After the Civil War John A. Palmer took over the family home at Clifton and raised a large family. According to his family, priests would come from Baltimore or Fredericksburg and celebrate Mass in one of the large parlors. Confession would be heard with the priest sitting in one of the wing chairs. Though there were only a few Catholic families in the area, Palmer began lobbying for a church to be built in Kilmarnock. On August 1, 1885 Palmer and his wife deeded land near the town to Bishop Keane of Richmond for five dollars (Lancaster County (VA) Deed Book 45:473). A small frame church was built and the mission parish of Saint Francis de Sales was opened. Priests continued to travel by steamer, staying at Clifton, but celebrating Mass in the new church. No resident priest lived there until after 1915.

Copy of 1885 Deed

In 1956 a new church was constructed next door and the first building became a parish hall. Palmer Hall, as it is known today, was restored several years ago. St. Francis de Sales remains a small parish in numbers, but covering much of the land of the Northern Neck. It has established its own mission church, St. Pauls Catholic Church 35 miles away in Hague, VA.

My husband's family is enormously proud of their efforts to maintain and promote their faith at Clifton since 1840 despite the distances involved. His great-grandmother, John Palmer's sister, kept her copy of the deed with her most treasured family papers.


View Catholic Churchs c. 1840 in a larger map


Written for the 109th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy.


For further information see
St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church
The Catholic Church in Virginia (New River Notes)
The Museum of Virginia Catholic History and Diocesan Archives

Selling the Meredith Land - Amanuensis Monday

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch who originated the Amanuensis Monday meme, providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

I am beginning to process the documents copied at the Library of Virginia during my recent travels. This deed documents the 1838 sale of the land my husband's 3rd great-grandfather, John Meredith, willed to his eldest son, Thomas James Meredith in 1834.

       This Indenture made the 17th July 1838 between Thomas J. Meredith of the County of Richmond of the one part and George W. Flowers of the county of Lancaster of the other part each of the state of Virginia: witnesseth that the said Thomas J. Meredith for and in consideration of the sum of Three thousand five hundred dollars to him by the said George W. Flowers agreed to be paid hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain sell and convey unto the said George W. Flowers his heirs and assigns a certain tract or parcel of Land containing one hundred and seventy four acres or the same more or less lying and being in the County of Lancaster and on Dymers Creek and being the same tract of Land devised by the last will and testament of John Meredith decd: to the said Thomas James Meredith --
   To have and to hold the said tract or parcel of Land with the appurtenances thereto belonging from and after the first day of January next To him the said George W. Flowers his heirs and assigns forever: and the said Thomas James Meredith for himself and his heirs exors & admons doth hereby convenant and agree to and with the said George W. Flowers his heirs and assigns that he said Thomas J. Meredith and his heirs the said tract or parcel of land with its appurtenances unto the said George W. Flowers his heirs and assigns against him the said Thomas J. Meredith and his heirs and against all persons whomsoever shall and & will by these presents forever warrant and defend. In witness whereof the said Thomas J. Meredith hath hereto set his hand & affixed his seal the day and year above written --
signed sealed and delivered }           Thomas J. Meredith {Seal}
in presence of                     }
Ro: T. Dunaway
B. M. Walker
James E. Waddey
          The grave yard  on the premises hereby conveyed is excepted & reserved to the said Thomas J Meredith his heirs and assigns forever say one fourth of an acre.
witness                                              Geo: W. Flowers
Ro: T. Dunaway
          At a Court held for the County of Lancaster on the 16th day of September 1839. This deed from Thomas J. Meredith to George W. Flowers was proved by the oaths of Ro: T. Dunaway, Benjamin M. Walker & James E. Waddey witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded.
                                                           Teste,
                                                                  Benjamin M. Walker cl

Notes ~ This deed narrows the locations possible for John Meredith's land, land he had inherited from his father, William Meredith. His home was referred to as Plum Hill in an obituary appearing in a Richmond newspaper. No such name exists in the area today, but Place-names of the Northern Neck of Virginia by Mary Ruth Miller (Richmond, VA: Virginia State Library 1983) mentions Plum Tree Swamp as a marsh, located in Northumberland or Lancaster Counties in the vicinity of Fleets Bay. The deed's mention of Dymers Creek supports a Fleets Bay location. Dymer Creek is located in Lancaster County and separates Fleets Bay Neck and Poplar Neck before it empties into the Bay. 

The mention of a graveyard intrigues me. My assumption is that William and Caty Yerby Meredith (John's parents), John, at least one of his three wives, and other Meredith siblings were buried there. I've found no other mention of a Meredith graveyard before this. The map above does indicate two cemeteries that are not visible on Google Earth. 

Sources
     Lancaster, VA, Deed Book 39:78, Thomas J. Meredith to George W. Flowers, 17 Jul 1838. Library of Virginia Film #13. Digital image. 
     Map from the Virginia Department of Health's Shoreline Sanitary Survey for Indian, Dymer and Tabbs Creek, dated 11 June 2011. (http://www.vdh.state.va.us/EnvironmentalHealth/shellfish/shoreline/survey016.pdf. Accessed 31 Jul 2011.)

Slave Division of Thad. Pullen's Estate - A Friend of Friend Friday

This is the part of a series of transcriptions and abstracts of records involving slaves that I copied at the Library of Virginia during my summer research marathon. Eleven slaves were named in the Division of Slaves for the estate of Thaddeus Pullen, who died about 1809 in Lancaster County, Virginia. I abstracted the slave and heir information from the microfilm copy.

From Lancaster County Estate Book 27, p. 339 (LVA Reel #47)

Slave Division of Thadeus Pullen's Estate. 17 February 1817.

To Frances George, late widow of Thad. Pullen
     Bob $400
     Alice $330
     Jerry $130
     Molly $80
             $ 940

To Westley Kirk, by right of his wife who was Elizabeth Pullen, Lot 4
     John at $400
To Enoch George, guardian of Jonathan Pullen, Lot 2
     Charles $230
     Tom $230
To William George, guardian of William Pullen, Lot 3
     Hannah $330
To William George, guardian of Catherine Pullen, Lot 5
     Sarah $330
To William George, guardian of Addaline Pullen, Lot 1
     Jesse $280
To William George, guardian of Nancy B. Pullen, Lot 6
     Ann $330

Submitted by Sp. George, Wm T. Yerby, Danl P Mitchell and recorded at Lancaster Court 19 Jan 1818.

Pullen's widow, Frances George, was the sister of my husband's 3rd great-grandfather, John Meredith. At this time I know very little about the Pullen heirs and where they remained. Addaline did die shortly after this settlement. Jesse likely ended up belonging to another of the heirs. William Pullen remained in Lancaster County until the Civil War. I have not researched him further than that. 

Abstract thoughts

I've relied for many years on published abstracts of wills, marriages and deeds in my research. I don't live anywhere near the places I've needed to research and it's only in the last few years that original documents have become more available online. As I worked through the thousands of names in the family trees I inherited, validating the information and adding rudimentary sources, the abstracts were heaven sent.

I'm now in Virginia - ground zero for much of my family and my husband's. I'm visiting houses, cousins, graveyards and my personal Mecca, the Library of Virginia. Four days there doesn't seem nearly enough time, but I shall make the most of it. 

Saturday I plowed through Lancaster and Northumberland records, looking for the wills I've been citing, looking for estate settlements, inventories, other deeds and indentures. And I found them. Dozens and dozens of them. I haven't dared count how many pages I'm going to copy to my flash drive on Monday.  

And I saw what I'd known in the abstract - the names that are missing from those lovely, easy abstracts. There are dozens and dozens of them, as well. Names like Sam, 42 year old male. Annie, 16 year old female. Stepto, 27 year old male. (These aren't specific people - just examples.) I looked away several times. I was more exhausted than I've been the entire trip. I can't possible copy them all. But I will copy everyone of "ours" that I can get to. And over the next months I will transcribe every name and publish them all. 

In the meantime, if you're seeking enslaved ancestors from the Northern Neck and believe they might have been owned by the following families please contact me after August 1st. I'll be glad to send you copies of anything I've found. 

Slave Owners naming Slaves in 18th & 19th c. Northern Neck Records

Corbin

Currell

Gibson

Lawson

Lee

McTyre

Meredith

Palmer

Yerby

These other families may also have left records naming slaves, but I have not seen them so far. I will, however, be copying records so may have information on them later.

Conway (Northern Virginia)

Dobyns (Northern Virginia)

Doggett (Northern Virginia)

Holt (Amelia and Campbell Counties)

James (Wythe and Smyth Counties)

Mason (Campbell County)

Porter (Fauquier County)

Turner (Northern Virginia)

Williams (Wythe, Grayson, Smyth Counties)

Swapping tales

Like many families we assembled a scrapbook for my grandparents Bob and Iva Williams Sawyer's 50th wedding anniversary celebration in 1975. I have posted some photographs and a newspaper clipping from the scrapbook recently and will be posting more.

Bob and Iva Williams Sawyer

Most of the letters and notes included in the book are full of the warm memories, love and congratulations due a couple celebrating such a milestone. But my grandfather's niece by marriage, Connie Haun, included a couple of the stories that we knew so well and always associated with a Sawyer gathering.

The Sawyers and my grandfather, in particular, were a garrulous bunch given to to laughter, teasing and many, many stories. He loved to tell tales on himself, and provided ample fodder over the years for those tales. Those small, silly stories are as much a part of my grandfather as any other trait. They don't come through in the pictures or the dates and facts in my database.

Here are Connie's stories.

One night, years ago, Bob had retired a little early probably due to overexertion and Iva went to bed at her usual time; after a few hours had elapsed, Iva thought she heard Bob talking in his sleep so she punched him and said, "Bob, Bob you are talking in your sleep - just saying everything. He responded with a grunting "no, no" and slept on! Minutes later Iva retorted: "yes, Bob, you are too."

"Whats my name?" she inquired emphatically.

"Mud," replied Bob and turned over!

It's true! To be read on Sept. 27, 1975 by family!!

Years ago, Bob and Bill Carver drove over to Cincinnati to attend a ball game.

The next week when the "gang" got together to swap tales, Blair Reams inquired about the trip with the following question before the whole group.

"Bill did you have a good time on your recent trip?"

Bill Carver replied, 

",Yes, I got to say un-huh," when we got back to Bean Station."

Note:  Bob and Iva's 50th wedding anniversary was 1 October 1975 but the family celebrated on Saturday night, 27 September 1975.

They voted. Did you?

One of my favorite source documents is a copy of an election poll for the House of Burgesses held at the Lancaster County (VA) Court House on July 18, 1758. Included in the list of voters for the winning candidates (William Ball & Charles Carter) are many ancestors and relations. A generation later their children fought for independence. 

On August 7, 1826 my husband's 4th great-grandfather William A. Clark(e), who emigrated to the United States shortly after its independence, voted at the court house in Springfield, Illinois. 

My great great-grandfather Archibald Sawyer(s) was a registered voter in Jefferson County, Tennessee on July 19, 1865. He had moved his family further into the mountains to try and escape the violence of the Civil War. It is not clear that he actually voted. 

But this morning I did.  

Amanuensis Monday: Day Nursery Opens

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch for providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This is an excerpt from the "Connie's Corner - Odds and Ends", Morristown (TN) Gazette and Mail, April 4, 1946.  The column was written by Connie Haun, who was married to my first cousin, once removed.

Coming in like a breath of sunshine on Thursday were Betty Jo Bales and her three guests from Mary Baldwin, who were down to spend a grand week-end at Chucky Bend. They had reached Morristown on that early morning train that comes in from the east with the break of dawn, but to look at them you would never have known that any in the foursome had ever lost a wink of sleep.

__________

Mrs. L. W. Vandergriff is filling a much-needed want in Morristown by the opening of a day nursery where busy or working mothers may find a safe place to leave their children while they carry on necessary duties. Mrs. Vandergriff has actual experience in this work, since she was with a big nursery in Chicago, while her husband was in college there. She has fitted rooms in her new home on West Main street where the children may be happy and carefree as they play or occupy themselves in useful and interesting games. In this time of limited household help, such a nursery will prove a boon to busy mothers.

Amanuensis Monday: Birthday Dance

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch for providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This is another news clipping found in the papers of Iva Williams Sawyer (1900-1993).  The clipping is undated, but since Janis Sawyer was born 23 Dec. 1930, it would have appeared in late 1942 or early 1943 in a Morristown, TN newspaper.

BIRTHDAY DANCE
            ______

Miss Janis Sawyer entertained with a dance Wednesday evening from eight, until eleven, at the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Sawyer on East First North Street. Twenty young guests enjoyed the affair, which marked the twelfth birthday of Miss Sawyer.

The home was beautifully decorated in keeping with the Yuletide season. Dancing and contests, in which Betty Lee Taylor, Betty Waldren, Graham Vance and Hugh Nistrom were presented with prizes, provided the evening's entertainment.

During the evening, Mrs. Sawyer, assisted by Miss Joan Sawyer, served a delicious dessert course, consisting of punch, ice cream and cookies.

Not so Wordless Wednesday: Mystery Women of Greene County

Last month Elizabeth posted a fantastic photograph from her grandmother's album, Parasol Girls at Little Bytes of Life. I was smitten with it and have gone back to look at it several times. She mentioned that it might have been taken in Greene County, TN. I have my own stash of mystery women from my aunt Selma's photo albums - taken in and around Greene County at the same time she thought her photo might have been taken.

I am not saying any of these women were Elizabeth's Parasol Girls, but I do see a resemblance. Their summer frocks were prettier than these (especially that striped jacket!), and the parasol far more evocative than the wall, but that's not the point. Actually, there is no point. Not having enough mysteries in my research I'm manufacturing more...

Still, take a look at this woman. Picture her with glasses, leaning against a ladder, under a parasol. Then give me virtual slap upside the head and tell me to get back to work. (But you see it, don't you?)

Photographs:  Unknown. Digital Images. From photo albums of Selma Sawyer, Greene County, TN. Privately held by Nolichucky Roots [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], 1997.

Divining faiths

Families have different defining characteristics. You'd best be a baseball fan in our household - we love baseball. We're dog people, not cat people. We travel, as far and as frequently as humanly possible. We don't agree on politics - at all.

Over the years I've traced all kinds of traits back through our families - some good, some not. But one theme has been remarkably constant - strong religious faith and participation. Families have clearly defined church memberships that extend for generations.

It's been a challenge, however, decoding the religious backgrounds of my Northern Neck in-laws. The "recent" members of the Palmer & Meredith clan were born in the 1840s, educated at Catholic boarding schools and devout Roman Catholics.  But I've searched in vain for evidence that their ancestors were Catholic. I learned that there were no Catholic churches in the Northern Neck until long after the Civil War. Colonial Virginia banned Catholic priests, forcing the few Catholic families in Virginia to worship privately in their homes, leaving no public record of their faith. A marriage bond recorded in Colonial Virginia is evidence of a Protestant marriage ceremony. Finding records frustrated me with this crowd - not my normal response. There are, however, plenty of missing marriage records.

Thomas Meredith, a wealthy 19th century Baltimore merchant, was Catholic. He educated many of his nephews and nieces at Catholic schools, but the evidence is clear they were not baptized Catholics as children. Letters refer to two nephews deciding not to become Catholic. Niece Margaret Meredith was baptized at school in 1840, when she was about 18 years old. Nephew William V. Meredith is referred to as a convert in a newspaper article celebrating his 25th anniversary as a priest.  One of Meredith's maternal uncles, William Yerby, was married in a Catholic church in Baltimore. There's no indication the Merediths before Thomas were Catholic.  Indeed, his presumptive ancestor, John Meredith, tried to wrest control of an estate from Edwin Conway in 1654 by alleging he was a Papist. The only hint of evidence that any earlier Palmers were Catholic is the Maryland marriage of one of James Palmer's aunts to a Brent, a family that had Catholic branches. John Meredith's third wife was a Brent, but they were married in Lancaster County by a Protestant minister.

Too many shards of information and no clear answers! Seeing things graphically often helps me, so I made a descendancy chart tracing known Catholics, known Protestants, and the unknowns.

The chart reinforces the central role Thomas Meredith played in their lives - and in my research. I know about those family members he corresponded with. Those he didn't are still ciphers. John Meredith's children were particularly close to him after being orphaned in 1835. He played a lesser role with other nieces and nephews.

I noticed that proven Catholics left the Northern Neck and lived in places with Catholic institutions - where they left records. Only John A. Palmer remained in Virginia. Thomas & his sister-in-law Margaret Piet Meredith lived in Baltimore. His Yerby uncle lived in Baltimore before moving to Mississippi. Maria Lee Palmer and her mother settled in Frederick, MD.  Nephew William V. Meredith moved to Maryland and became a Redemptorist priest in 1853. Presumed grandniece Caroline Meredith seems to have become a Sister of Charity after living in a Baltimore Catholic orphanage following her parents' deaths.

I don't believe I'm going to get a definitive thumbs up or down on this group. My hunch is that at least the Yerbys had ties to Catholicism and when economic opportunities took men to cities with Catholic institutions and populations they married into Catholic families. Thomas Meredith seems to have been a deciding factor in the faiths of his brother John's orphans.

There is still much more research I can do. I am hoping to take some time next spring and visit archives in Baltimore, Richmond and Lancaster County.  Some of the family connections are far from proven, but I'm hopeful that church archives may help.

Source: Image from Wikimedia commons.

Wordless Wednesday: First Wheels, Greene County, Tennessee

Girl in Buggy, Greene County, Tennessee

This photo is from a photo album belonging to Selma Sawyer that was stored in a chest in her home near Warrensburg, TN until 1997.  Most of the photos in the album seem to date from the same time frame.  Some have been dated c. 1918.

Girl in Buggy, Photograph, date unknown. Digital Image.  Privately held by Nolichucky Roots [ADDRESS FOR PRIVATE USE], 1997.

Amanuensis Monday: Morristown TN Social News, 1946, Part 3

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch for providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This is the final part of a transcription of selections from the “Society News and Personal Notes” column from the Morristown (TN) Gazette and Mail, Friday, May 24, 1946, page 3.  I have not transcribed the Daily Calendar, announcements of Evangelistic Services, Community Club meeting, Singing Convention meeting, the schedule for commencement at Morristown College and an announcement of Summer School that were listed in the column. 

MR. AND MRS. MAURICE ROBERTSON ENTERTAIN

     Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Robertson of the Springvale road entertained with a birthday dinner on Sunday honoring their little son Billy, Mrs. T. E. Robertson, and Robereson (sic) Mathes.  Covers were laid for the hosts, honorees, T. E. Robertson, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Carson of Talbott, Mr. and Mrs. Hearl Robertson, Mrs. Ellis Goan and son Walter Johnson, Wayyne (sic) Johnson and Frank Robertson of Weatherford, Tex.  During the afternoon, many family photographs were taken.  Hearl Robertson, one of the guests has just received his discharge from the service.

Amanuensis Monday: Morristown TN Social News, 1946, Part 2

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch for providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This is part two (of three) of a transcription of selections from the “Society News and Personal Notes” column from the Morristown (TN) Gazette and Mail, Friday, May 24, 1946, page 3.  I have not transcribed the Daily Calendar, announcements of Evangelistic Services, Community Club meeting, Singing Convention meeting, the schedule for commencement at Morristown College and an announcement of Summer School that were listed in the column. 

HINORED (sic) BY CLASS AND FACULTY

-----

Miss Mary Hickey, who will retire this year after serving for many years as teacher of the first grade in Rose School, was honored with a beautifully planned luncheon, on Thursday at one o’clock given by the staff of Rose at Mrs. Hayter’s, West Main.

The table was centered with a low arrangement of bright spring flowers and a delicious turkey menu was served to the honoree and the following teachers:  Misses Katty Gray, Edith Reese, Margaret Woods, Gladys Templin, Mary Nance, Reine Hale, Mesdames Lois Bales and Willie Kate Riggs.

On Wednesday afternoon, the mothers and pupils of he first grade at Rose tendered a picnic honoring Miss Hickey at the home of Mrs. Wilbur Noe in Lyn-Mar Hill.  Little Donna Noe is a member of this class.  The beautiful home and lawn provided an ideal setting for the congenial group.  Before adjournment, Miss Hickey was presented with a lovely gift as a tribute from her devoted pupils.

Amanuensis Monday: Morristown TN Social News, 1946, Part 1

Thanks to John at Transylvanian Dutch for providing a framework (and nudge) for transcribing family records, news clippings and other treasures.

This is part one (of three) of a transcription of selections from the “Society News and Personal Notes” column from the Morristown (TN) Gazette and Mail, Friday, May 24, 1946, page 3.  I have not transcribed announcements of the Daily Calendar, Evangelistic Services, Community Club meeting, Singing Convention meeting, the schedule for commencement at Morristown College and an announcement of Summer School that were listed in the column. 

– Society News and Person Notes –

Telephone 173

Note: News items for this column  should be telephoned in by 9:30 a. m. to insure publication same day.  All communications mailed in should be addressed “Social Editor,” Gazette and Mail, and signed.

----------

     Sgt. L. E. Bacon received his discharge at Fort Bragg, N. C., recently, after twenty-five and a half months’ service with the U. S. Army Signal Corps.

     Mrs. Jack White of Whitesburg was a visitor in Morristown yesterday.

     Miss Stella Smith was the guest of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bless Smith of White Pine, Wednesday.

     Mrs. James Bunch has received word that her husband, Sgt. James T. Bunch, Jr., has arrived in the states after spending seventeen months in India.  Mrs. Bunch and little daughter, Brenda Sue have resided with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Rich, during the absence of Sgt. Bunch.

     Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Marsh of Marshall, N. C., were visitors in this city Wednesday.

     Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cooper, Mrs. Kyle Everhart and daughters Betty Jean and Margaret Ann of Mohawk were visitors in Morristown Thursday.

     Mrs. and Mrs. Keith Burgner and Miss Helen Anderson returned Wednesday evening from Newark, Ohio were they were delightfully entertained for the past week as the guests of Dr. and Mrs. W. H. Bennett, formerly of Morristown.

     Mrs. Roy Range of Detroit, Mich., formerly of this city, is the guest of friends and relatives in Morristown.

     Friends of Guy Garrett will be interested to learn that he is much improved following an illness of several weeks.

     Misses Hermina Dickerson and Jennie Lea Helton will attend the graduation exercises at Sullins College in Bristol this week.  While there they will be the guest of Miss Jane Fagg who is a member of the graduating class.

     Lt. and Mrs. W. H. Garrett and little daughter, Tina of Albupuerque (sic), N. M., remain the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Garrett.

     Mrs. R. W. Johnson and son,

     Mrs. C. C. Cross, Mrs. L. W.

     Mrs. Robert Doggett and daughter, Jane of Nashville will arrive Sunday by motor to spend several days with her mother, Mrs. B. C. Weesner, before leaving for Lynchburg where they will be joined by Miss Roberta Doggett, student at Ranlolph-Macon (sic).  The three will continue to Washington City, touring the valley of Virginia en route.

     Mr. and Mrs. Everett Bowers and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Lovegrove enjoyed a delightful outing in the Smoky Mountain park near Gatlinburg on Sunday.

     Johnny were visitors in Knoxville yesterday.

     Nabers and Miss Mayme Williams composed a motor party to Greeneville and Tusculum yesterday.

-----------

Note:  The final two entries appear to be continuations of previous entries that were cut off.  

Wordless Wednesday: Thomas Lee Land Division

Survey of Thomas Lee Land Division,  Lancaster County, Virginia  1834

From the Library of Virginia.  Digital image is available at http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=103-1834-003#img