“When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us.” ~ Alexander Graham Bell
In 2015 I did one post a month from March until September and then six during Family History Month in October. I could have spread them over several months but I was so excited to have found the records. I didn’t want to have their descendants wait either!
Not all of these were for my own ancestors. I’m having difficulty finding ancestors who owned slaves so to get back to a monthly RELEASING post I searched through the “West Virginia Will Books 1756-1971” for Nicholas County, where my 5th grand-father James Sims lived, to find some of his contemporaries who might have also had slaves in their possession.
Slave Name Roll Project: RELEASING Charlotte and Jim
Hedgman Triplett (d. ca. 1828) was the son of Col. Francis Triplett who owned Muskingum Island, a long narrow bar island on the Ohio River in Wood County, West Virginia, between the towns of Moore Junction, Ohio, and Boaz, West Virginia. Hedgman and his siblings are mentioned in the 1803 Chancery Records Case in Augusta County, Virginia concerning island owned by the Colonel. I skimmed through the 26 images and found no mention of slaves due, clearly due to the fact that this case was about the land.
Hedgman and his brother Robert Triplett were living in New Point, Wood County, (West) Virginia in 1810 when the census was enumerated. Neither of them have a number listed in the column for slaves. Soon after the census Hedgman moved to Nicholas County in the area which would later become Braxton County as we see in this statement:
In his household in 1820 in Nicholas County was a male slave under the age of 14 and a female slave age between 26 and 44 years.
Hedgman Triplett died before 31 January 1829. No will was found. His wife Mary Triplett née McClanahan was administratix and his son-in-law/nephew by marriage William S. McClanahan was administrator of his estate. On 31 January 1829 an inventory of the estate was made. It included two slaves, one negro man namedJames (sic, later seen as Jim) valued at $300 and one negro woman namedSharlote (sic, later seen as Charlotte) valued at $160.
“West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18231-21358-58?cc=1909099 : accessed 22 January 2016), Nicholas > Will book, v. 001 1820-1899 > image 38 of 158; county courthouses, West Virginia (bottom of page 48 of the register)“West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18231-21358-58?cc=1909099 : accessed 22 January 2016), Nicholas > Will book, v. 001 1820-1899 > image 38 of 158; county courthouses, West Virginia (top of page 49 of the register)
A memorandum of property sold by the administrator and administratix of the estate was was added on 25 March 1830. Hedgman’s widow Mary bought one negro woman aged about forty-four years named Charlotte for $100. The memorandum is helpful as it includes Charlotte‘s age.
“West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18231-21644-61?cc=1909099 : accessed 22 January 2016), Nicholas > Will book, v. 001 1820-1899 > image 44 of 158; county courthouses, West Virginia. Top of page 61 of the register.
On 28 April 1831 the accounts and vouchers for the estate were presented to the court. During the March 1833 term of court the settlement was presented to court and ordered to be file. It was recorded during the August 1833 term of court.
“West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18231-21648-65?cc=1909099 : accessed 22 January 2016), Nicholas > Will book, v. 001 1820-1899 > image 51 of 158; county courthouses, West Virginia. Bottom of page 74 of the register.“West Virginia Will Books, 1756-1971,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-18231-21648-65?cc=1909099 : accessed 22 January 2016), Nicholas > Will book, v. 001 1820-1899 > image 51 of 158; county courthouses, West Virginia. Top of page 75 of the register.
The settlement shows one negro man named Jim was sold for $100 as well as one negro woman named Charlotte for $100. The name of the person to whom Jim was sold was not found in these records, however, I believe Mary Triplett may have bought him.
In 1830 when the census was enumerated in Nicholas County Mary Triplett was the head of a household which included a male slave age 24 thru 35 and a female slave age 36 thru 54. Charlotte who was 44 in 1830 per the memorandum to the bill of sale fits in the age group seen for the female slave. The male slave may have been around 24 years of age as the male seen in the household in 1820 was under 14. Could this be Jim? Was he the son of Charlotte?
In 1836 Braxton County was founded from parts of Kanawha, Lewis, and Nicholas counties. This is where, in 1840, Mary and her son Nathaniel appear as M. and N.H., the heads of one household, with one female slave age 36 thru 54. Charlotte was 54 and a match for this person. No male slave was in this household or the household of Mary’s son Sinnett Triplett who lived next door. If Jim was still living, was he sold or loaned out?
Charlotte‘s last known owner, Mary Triplett, died between 1840-1850 and her son Sinnett had his two unmarried brothers, Marshall and Nathaniel, in his household in 1850.
No slave owner by the name of Triplett was on the 1850 or 1860 Slave Schedule for Braxton. Clay County was formed in 1858 from Nicholas and Braxton. Mary’s son Marshall was living in Clay County in 1860 and had what looks like a family of 5 slaves living in one slave house: a male age 38, female age 30, and 3 females age 9, 6, and 1.
Week 50 (December 10-16) – Naughty. We all have an ancestor who probably received coal in their stocking.
I’ve made a list, checked it twice, and found who’s been naughty and nice.
If you’ve been following along these past two years you’ll know who’s locked the door to my most frustrating brick wall. Mr. and Mrs. DEMPSEY, my 3rd great-grandparents!
Genealogy Sketch
Name: Mr. DEMPSEY Parents: Unknown Spouse: Mrs. DEMPSEY Children:Willliam A. W. DEMPSEY (1820-1867) Whereabouts: Unknown (some say outer space) Relationship to Cathy Meder-Dempsey: 3rd great-grandparents
What do I know about Mr. and Mrs. DEMPSEY? They were the parents of my great-great-grandfather William A. W. DEMPSEY born about 1820 in Virginia per the Fayette County, (West) Virginia census. He was seen as 28 years old in 1850 and 40 years old in 1860. He was also on the 1841 tax list of Rockbridge County which means he had to have been at least 21 yrs old at the time.
The door in this brick all is firmly shut and no one left the key under the mat!
The most likely documents in which I might find the names of the parents of William A. W. DEMPSEY would be his birth, marriage and/or death record.
Death Record
Unfortunately, no death record has been found. This means no death record with names of parents or any kind of information to corroborate the family tradition of William’s dying in a logging accident in the late 1860s. This would have been after October 1866 when he was listed as having an account due, owing Joel B. Wills $8.50. By 1870 his children and wife were living (farmed out) in several different households.
Marriage Record
To date, no marriage record has been found for William A. W. DEMPSEY and Sarah Ann WOOD. Their first known child was born about 1846 placing their marriage in the early to mid-1840s. Sarah was from Fayette County and most of her siblings married in Fayette, one in Greenbrier and one in Kanawha.
Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940 at FamilySearch was consulted and the WVCulture.org site has been checked repeatedly as they continue to add records.
I put a query to the Fayette County West Virginia Genealogy group on Facebook requesting information on the likelihood of loose marriage papers being in the West Virginia State Archives and/or at the county level.
I also asked the group about the possibility of there being a marriage ledger for Hopewell Baptist Church. This church being a likely place for the couple to marry as Sarah’s great-grandfather Baily WOOD was a founding member. The church burned down in the 1960s and all records in the church were destroyed. There were some records kept at members’ homes and several people offered to ask around.
I’m sure my father’s first cousin Geraldine Dempsey Workman (1931-2007) searched high and low in the 1970s and 1980s for more information on William’s parents and possible siblings. In 1995 she wrote “We still do not know his parents or family members” in a short summary of her research.
Birth Record
For the time period William was born, ca. 1820-1822 there were no birth records as we know today. A Bible would be a likely alternative but none is known to exist. It is very unlikely one survived, if there was any, as the family did not live together after his death.
Keeping with the Naughty theme, could it be Mrs. DEMPSEY was not a Missus? Should I be looking for a woman with the surname/maiden name DEMPSEY who had a son out of wedlock? This possibility has not been taken into consideration.
Pre-1850 Census Analysis
The lack of birth, marriage and death records with the names of his parents means I need to use a different tactic to find the parents. Regrettably William A. W. DEMPSEY was born and spent his childhood during the pre-1850 census era and cannot be found in a census which included the names of all household members.
I’ve followed the golden rule of genealogy and worked backward from myself to my great-great-grandfather. I’ve also traced his descendants forward to living relatives who may have the key I need to open the door in his brick wall.
After doing traditional and reverse genealogy I analyzed the pre-1850 Virginia census of DEMPSEY families in which William A. W. DEMPSEY may have been born.
1840 Census
There were no DEMPSEYs in Rockbridge in 1840. These are the DEMPSEY households found in what was then Virginia and includes counties which later became part of West Virginia:
John DEMPSEY in Fayette
Daniel DEMPSEY and sons Thomas, Lewis, and James in Orange
Daniel DEMPSEY in Spotsylvania County (son of Daniel of Orange)
Seaton and Wilson DEMPSEY in Amherst
Absalom DEMPSEY in Botetourt
William, John, Joseph, James, and Andrew DEMPSEY in Logan (sons of John Sr.)
Willis of DEMPSEY in Nansemond (free colored person)
Polley DEMCEY or DEMGEY of King William (free colored person)
1830 Census
Tandy DEMPSEY of Logan (father of John of Fayette)
Daniel DEMPSEY of Orange
Martha DEMPSEY of Amherst (mother of Seaton and Wilson)
Absalom DEMPSEY of Botetourt
Hugh DEMPSEY of Montgomery
John DEMPSEY Sr. and sons William, Thomas (dec’d, his widow Dicy), John Jr., and Joseph in Logan (formed from Cabell, Giles, and Kanawha in 1824)
1820 Census
Tandy DEMPSEY in Rockbridge
Daniel DEMPSEY in Orange
Will DEMPSEY in Amherst (husband of Martha)
John DEMPSEY and sons William, Thomas, and Joseph in Cabell
Absalom and Hugh DEMPSEY in Botetourt
James DEMPSEY in Caroline
1810 Census
Although 1810 is too early for William A. W. DEMPSEY it is interesting to see if the individuals found in 1820 were also in the same area in 1810. The 1810 census was lost for Orange County and tax lists have been used to reconstruct it.
Tandy DEMPSEY in Rockbridge
William DEMPSEY in Amherst
Mildred DEMPSEY in Botetourt (sister-in-law of John of Giles)
John DEMPSEY in Giles
James DEMPSEY in Caroline
1810 Census reconstructed from tax lists
Daniel DEMPSEY in Orange
Lewis DEMPSEY in Orange (son of Daniel)
1800 Census reconstructed from tax lists
1800 James DEMPSEY in Orange
1799 James DEMPSEY in Caroline
1799 Nathan DEMPSEY in Franklin
1790 Census reconstructed from tax lists
1791 James DEMPSEY in Greenbrier
1789 William DEMPSEY in Botetourt
1789 Michael DEMPSEY in Shenandoah
Location of misc. DEMPSEY individuals in Virginia and West Virginia in the early 1800s.
Even before doing more serious research on the DEMPSEY lines found in Virginia I gave them names to identify and differentiate between them.
The Rockbridge DEMPSEYs
Tandy did not have a young male in his household in 1820 or 1830. He was the father of John W., William S., Andrew S., Jane, Elizabeth, Mary B., and Margaret. These children are proven as they were mention as the children of Nancy Thompson, wife of Tandy, in chancery and land records in Nelson County.
Tandy married Nancy Thompson in Amherst County on 19 January 1801. He lived in Rockbridge in 1810 and 1820 and moved to Logan County by 1827 where he was on the 1827 tax list and 1830 census. His son William S. was in Greenbrier County, (West) Virginia in 1830 and 1840. His son Andrew S. was in Logan in 1830 and in Lawrence County, Ohio, in 1840. William S. and Andrew S. both named sons William but have not been included in the census analysis as their sons were seen with them on the 1850 census.
The known children of John W. do not include a son named William. John W. does not appear to be with his father Tandy in 1820. He married(1) in 1824 in Rockbridge, was not found in the 1830 census, and lived in Fayette County in 1840 through 1870. There are no known children for John W. and his first wife for the time period from their marriage in 1824 and until the birth of son John A. born abt. 1830 in Rockbridge. The 1840 census listing includes 1 male 10 & under 15 yo – this person is unaccounted for.
Was William A. W. DEMPSEY the unaccounted male in John W.’s 1840 census listing and was he:
♦ actually younger than seen on the 1850 and 1860 census?
♦ the son of John W. and his first wife born before or soon after the 1824 marriage?
♦ the son of John W. and a relationship prior to his 1824 marriage?
♦ the son of John W.’s first wife from a previous relationship?
The Amherst DEMPSEYs
This group has also been well researched as William DEMPSEY of Amherst was my 4th great-grandfather. His children are proven to be Wilson M., Seaton Y., Isham Coleman, Wesley G., Louisa J. and Eliza through land and court records produced after his death. In 1830, his wife Martha was listed in Amherst County with their two young daughters. There were no young males in the household.
William at some time went to Ohio and did not return as newspapers in the state of Ohio were requested to publish information on his wife’s death in 1834. On 20 June 1836, a year after the last notice was published, William and Martha’s son Wilson signed an administrator bond for the deceased William.
After the 1850 census, Wilson and Seaton moved to Fayette County. Their brother Wesley, who was not found in 1830 and 1840 censuses, was in Botetourt in 1850 and lived in Rockbridge from 1860 until his death in 1890. The children of William of Amherst were too young to be parent candidates for William A. W. DEMPSEY.
I believe Tandy DEMPSEY and William DEMPSEY may have been brothers. Tandy married in Amherst less than a year and a half after William. There was also a Jane DEMPSEY who married Allen CAMERON in 1795 in Amherst. Allen CAMERON went bond with William DEMPSEY when William married which may suggest a close relationship. The CAMERON couple raised their family in Rockbridge. William’s mother Susannah DEMPSEY gave her consent for his marriage. No such record was found for Tandy and Jane.
The Orange DEMPSEYs
Daniel and his wife were past the childbearing years in 1820. His oldest son Thomas Allen was already married and had a son John L. The census numbers in 1820 for Daniel’s household show eight known children as well as his oldest son’s wife, their son, and possibly a daughter. Daniel was seen in Orange County as early as 1810 (tax list) but may have come from Caroline County where his first son was born about 1778 per death record. Could there be a connection between James DEMPSEY of Caroline and Daniel DEMPSEY of Orange?
Daniel’s second son Lewis had a son named William A. born about 1825. This William A. DEMPSEY’s Civil War service was used to obtain a marker for my William A. W. DEMPSEY’s grave. The daughters of Geraldine, who did the paperwork for the marker, are aware of and have thought of rectifying the error.
The Botetourt DEMPSEYs
The next two groups have not been as thoroughly researched as the previous three. There are errors in online databases – a meshing of two generations and many Dempsey individuals found in Virginia in the early 1800s. I recently found chancery records on the Library of Virginia site which may help correct the errors in this line.
William DEMPSEY Senr. died intestate before 12 February 1798 and his wife Jane died before 1826 (year of chancery case). He left heirs William Jr., John, Mark, and Mary, wife of Joseph Miller. John and Mark were not in the Commonwealth and Mary and Joseph Miller resided in Blackwater in Franklin County in 1826.
William Senr.’s line splits into what I refer to as the Botetourt DEMPSEYs and Logan DEMPSEYs.
William Jr. died before 1806 and left widow Mildred “Milly” who resided in Fincastle; children: Elizabeth Dempsey resided in Fincastle, John and Samuel Dempsey outside of Commonwealth, Joel Dempsey and William Dempsey 3rd both decd/no issue, Absalom Dempsey in Fincastle, Dubartis Dempsey in NC, Judith the wife of Thomas Wilmore residing Giles court house, Susan wife of John Snyder residing in Christianburg, and Milly wife of David Campbell in NC.
For William Jr.’s line there was only one son mentioned in the chancery records who remained in Virginia. Absalom Dempsey was a Baptist preacher; he and his wife did not have any children of their own.
Hugh DEMPSEY seen in Botetourt in 1820 may have been a son of William Jr. and omitted in the chancery records. He was in Montgomery County, Virginia, in 1830 and went to Cooper County, Missouri, abt. 1838 and was seen there in the 1840 and 1850 census. He had a son named William R. b. abt. 1810 and, therefore, was not the father of William A. W. DEMPSEY.
The Logan DEMPSEYs
John was in Giles County in 1810, Cabell County in 1820, and Logan County in 1830 – all due to the changing country lines during the time period. The Logan DEMPSEYs are a complete puzzle to me even though John’s second youngest son Mark left a genealogical note written in 1889 which gives the names and approximate years of birth of eleven children of John DEMPSEY and Rachel SOLOMON. I am not sure how reliable the transcription of the note is as he wrote his mother died about 1849. I found Rachel DEMPSEY age 85 in the household of James DEMPSEY, possibly a 12th child of John and Rachel, in 1850.
I’ve added pre-1850 census records for the Logan DEMPSEYs in my database but have not done extensive census analysis.
Birth, marriage and death records need to be checked at WVCulture.org. Note: Many Logan County records were destroyed during the Civil War, and records were not kept for several years following the war.
James DEMPSEY of Greenbrier
James DEMPSEY in Greenbrier (1791) was in the county as early as 1782. James Dymsey was seen as a resident of Greenbrier County in 1782 in Mr. Jas. Henderson’s District with 1 tithable, 3 horses and 4 cattle. In Oren F. Morten’s A History of Monroe County, West Virginia James Dempsey and wife Rosey/Rosanna are mentioned as having 375 acres of patented land on Second Creek in Greenbrier County, 180 acres patented by Dempsey and Ralph Gates in 1783 and 195 acres patented by Dempsey in 1787. Ralph Gates bought the 375 acres from James Dempsey and his wife Rosey Dempsey on 28 July 1795. A year later, on 6 January 1796 James and Rosanna Dempsey sold 100 acres to Mathew Lynn on Second Creek / Greenbrier River adj. Thomas Lewis and Ralph Gates, who was a witness. In 1808 David Henderson bought land from John and Agatha Stuart that adjoined land of James Dempsey. The 1810 census for Greenbrier is lost and James DEMPSEY was not found on the 1810 tax lists.
He would have been 21 or older at the time he was first seen on the 1782 tax list. This would put his age in 1820 to over 59 years. It is unknown if they had children. No trace of him was found in Virginia after he and his wife sold land in 1796. UPDATE: The Personal Tax List of Kanawha County was browsed on FamilySearch in January 2018. A James DEMPSEY was seen on the list for the years 1797, 1798, and 1800 suggesting he may have moved from Greenbrier to Kanawha after he sold land in 1796.
Speculation: Could he be the same person as James DEMPSEY convicted in 1772 in London and transported to Virginia in January 1773 on the ship Justitia?
Misc. DEMPSEYs
These have not been traced:
♦ Nathan DEMPSEY in Franklin (1799)
♦ Michael DEMPSEY in Shenandoah (1789) – Michael Dimsey md. Eliz. Barnhart in Shenandoah County on 17 Dec 1788. Another marriage seen in the county was Jane Dempsey to Jacob Savage on 1 Dec 1808. Was she a daughter of Michael?
What do you think of my analysis of the census of the DEMPSEY families found in Virginia at the time of my great-great-grandfather William A. W. DEMPSEYs birth and childhood? Have I missed something that caught your eye? What else would you try?
Mr. and Mrs. DEMPSEY don’t be naughty, please be nice and send some comments my way on how I can find out your names and what happened to you.
This is my weekly entry for Amy Johnson Crow’s challenge: 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks – 2015 Edition. It was so successful in 2014 that genealogists wanted to continue or join in on the fun in 2015. Be sure to check out the other great posts by visiting Amy’s blog No Story Too Small where she’ll be posting the weekly recap on Thurdays and allowing all participants to leave a link to their post(s) in the comments.
Following my three part series on the slaves of my 5th grand-father James Sims I made a commitment to write a post on a monthly basis until I’ve RELEASED all of the names of slaves owned by my ancestors. During October, Family History Month, I worked through a large chancery file pulling as much information out of it as possible and posting weekly in hopes of helping the descendants of the slaves mentioned.
I RELEASEDDelph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, Aime, and their children Sandy, Britton, Reuben, Betsey, Pleasant, Benjamin, Cynthia, Calvin, Sarah, Susan, Adeline, John, William, Mary, Alice, Jacob, Ellender, Giles, Edward, Serena, Lucy, Margaret, Sam, an [unnamed] infant, Martha, Charles, and Green (or Gwen) as well as Will, Cintha, Cate, Darkis, Roas, Alesey, Chloe, Charlote, Feby, Jude, Peggy, Rick, Cuffey, Thomas, Sal, Easter, Jude, Lucy and Anthony using information found in Chancery Records file for Administrator of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022.
This is a very interesting case. If the people involved had been my ancestors I would have taken the time to transcribe the entire 127 images and put them in chronological order.
The testimony on Mary Smith by her neighbors gave me the impression she was “fooled over” due to her having a “weak mind” and “drinking spirits.” She was an old lady and may have been promised matrimony by Saunders to get possession of her slaves. She “lived like a negro” in a slave cabin on Saunders plantation until her son took her in.
Graph made with Scapple from Literature & Latte, makers of Scrivener
I believe Delph, the slave given to Mary Smith by her father Robert Hairston per his last will and testament, was the mother of the other six slaves, Ben, Sukey, Jacob, Tom, Peggy, and Aime [not only Ben and Sukey as seen in the bill of sale]. One witness questioned replied:
“She had no kind of property except a gang of little negroes. She had no home, or cow, or fowls as I saw. I was frequently there. She had a little household furniture and precious little of that.”
and being asked if the slaves he saw at Saunders plantation were the same “gang” he saw with Mary Smith he replied,1
“I allowed they were the same, on account of their calling the old negro wench, Delph, mother. I knew the old negro wench well.”
Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:
Franklin County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1753-1911. Admr. of Mary Smith v. Samuel Saunders, 1851-022. Local Government Records Collection, Franklin Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia (http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 123 of 127). ↩
Following my three part series on the slaves of my 5th grand-father James Sims I’ve made a commitment to write a post on a monthly basis until I’ve RELEASED all of the names of slaves owned by my ancestors. During October, Family History Month, I worked through a large chancery file pulling as much information out of it as possible and posting weekly in hopes of helping the descendants of the slaves mentioned.
I RELEASEDDelph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, Aime, and their children Sandy, Britton, Reuben, Betsey, Pleasant, Benjamin, Cynthia, Calvin, Sarah, Susan, Adeline, John, William, Mary, Alice, Jacob, Ellender, Giles, Edward, Serena, Lucy, Margaret, Sam, an [unnamed] infant, Martha, Charles, and Green (or Gwen). This is a continuation of information found on these slaves including the Bills of Sale found for the original 7 slaves, Delph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, and Aime.
Bill of Sale for Peggy and Aime
The Bill of Sale for Peggy and Aime slaves of Mary Smith was found in the Chancery Records Administrator of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022.
These are screenshots of the Bill of Sale found.
Cover of Bill of Sale for Peggy and Aime (Exhibit GG) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 60 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Mary Smith Bill of Sale Peggy Aime “GG”
Recd this 26th Day September 1819 of Saml Saunders infull of the Within named Negroes named in the within Bill Sale her Teste Mary + Smith Richard Beckett mark
Bill of Sale for Peggy and Aime (Exhibit GG) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 59 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Know all men By these Presents that I Mary Smith of the County of Franklin for and in the consideration of the Sum of three hundred & fifty Dollars current money of Virginia to me in hand paid by Saml Saunders of the Said County have Bargained & Sold and by these Presents Doth Bargained & Sold and Deliver & Confirm unto thre Said Saml Saunders one Negroe Woman named Peggy and one Negroe Girl named Aime which I the Said Mary Smith Do Warrant & Defend unto the Said Saml Saunders his heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns and to the only use & Behoof of the Said Saml Saunders and I the Said Mary Smith Do Warrant & forever Defend the Title of the Said Negroes from me my Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns firmly By these Presents as Witness my hand & Seal this 8 Day August 1815 Teste her Braxton James Mary + Smith (Seal) Spencer James mark
Bill of Sale for Aime (additional)
Cover of Bill of Sale for Aime (Exhibit II) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 62 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Smith Mary To Copy deed Gideon Smith “II”
Cover of Bill of Sale for Aime (Exhibit II) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 61 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
This Indenture mad (sic) this eleventh day of June in the year of hower (sic) Lord eighteen hundred and nine- teen Mary Smith of the one part and Giddeon Smith of the other part, both of the County of Franklin & State of Virginia, Wittnessed that for and in consideration of the Sum of one Dollar to the said Mary Smith in hand paid by the said Giddeon Smith the Recepts (sic) whereof she the sd Mary Smith doth hereby acknowleg (sic) have granted given & delievered unto the said Giddeon Smith one female Negar (sic) Girle (sic) Named Ame (sic) to have and to hold the said Negar (sic) Ame (sic) & all her in Crees (sic) to the said Giddeon Smit (sic) and his heirs forever in fee simpl (sic) in wittnessed whereof the said sid (sic) Mary Smith have set her hand & seal the day an (sic) year above written Teste her James Cannady Mary X Smith (Seal) James Towney mark Chesley Rakes At a court held for Franklin County December 6th 1819. This Bill of sale from Mary Smith to Giddeon Smith was proved by the oath of James Cannady and James Towney two of the Wittnesses hereto and the same was ordered to be recorded. Teste. Caleb Tate C.F.C.
[Transcribed 27 October 2015 from the image found in the chancery records.]
Note: Gideon Smith was the son of Mary (Hairston) Smith.
This is the last of the documents found in the Chancery Records Administrator of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022.
Images 2 through 5 are the bill of the plaintiff Joseph Peters, the administrator of the estate of Mary Smith (7 pages)
Images 7 through 13 are the answer of the defendant Samuel Saunders (10 pages)
Images 43 through 62 are the will and the bills of sale for the slaves
Depositions were given by William Martin, Samuel T. Palmer, William Herd (twice), Stephen Cannaday, Brice Edwards, Jane Radford, Frances Hale, Alvin Lewis, Edward Cockram, Samuel Sneed, Isham Cockram, Joshua Knowles, James Ingram, Chisley Rakes, Drury Haynes, Braxton James, Robert T. Woods, Thomas Stanley, Thomas Keys, Booker Mullens, Samuel Hale, Wiley P. Woods, Matthew Martin, and Sarah Boyd. If you are interested in any specific person I made notes of the images of each person who gave witness and will be happy to share.
Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:
Following my three part series on the slaves of my 5th grand-father James Sims I’ve made a commitment to write a post on a monthly basis until I’ve RELEASED all of the names of slaves owned by my ancestors. During October, Family History Month, I’m working through a large chancery file pulling as much information out of it as possible and posting weekly in hopes of helping the descendants of the slaves mentioned.
I RELEASEDDelph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, Aime, and their children Sandy, Britton, Reuben, Betsey, Pleasant, Benjamin, Cynthia, Calvin, Sarah, Susan, Adeline, John, William, Mary, Alice, Jacob, Ellender, Giles, Edward, Serena, Lucy, Margaret, Sam, an [unnamed] infant, Martha, Charles, and Green (or Gwen). This is a continuation of information found on these slaves including the Bills of Sale found for the original 7 slaves, Delph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, and Aime.
Bills of Sale for Jacob
The Bill of Sale for Jacob, a slave sold by Mary Smith and her son Gideon to Samuel Saunders, was found in the Chancery Records Administrator of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022.
These are screenshots of the Bill of Sale ($200) labelled as exhibit “EE”, Memorandum of Agreement labelled as exhibit “HH” and Bill of Sale ($450) labelled as exhibit “FF” by Samuel Saunders the respondent in the case.
12 May 1815
Cover of Bill of Sale for Jacob (Exhibit EE) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 50 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Mary Smith Bill of Sale Jacob “EE”
Bill of Sale for Jacob (Exhibit EE) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 49 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Know All Men By these Presents that I Mary Smith of the County of Franklin for and in the consideration of the Sum of Two hundred Dollars Current money of Virginia to me in hand paid by Saml Saunders of the said County have Bargained & Sold and By these Presents Presents Doth Bargain Sell Deliver & Confirm unto the said Saml Saunders one Negroe Boy Slave named Jacob which I the Said Mary Smith Do Warrant & Defend unto the Said Saml Saunders his heirs Executors Administrators & and to the only use & behoof of the said Saml Saunders and I the said Mary Smith Do Warrant & forever Defend the title of the Said Negroe from me my Heirs Executors Administrators and assigns firmly by these Presents as witness my hand & Seal this 12 Day May 1815 her Teste May + Smith (Seal) Francis Hale mark Thomas Keys his Braxton James Gideon X Smith mark
13 May 1815
Cover of Memorandum of Agrement for Jacob (Exhibit HH) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 54 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Mary Smith Agmt (Agreement) Saunders “HH”
Memorandum of Agrement for Jacob (Exhibit HH) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 53 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Memorandum of agreement made and Entered into this Day Between Mary Smith of the County of Franklin of the one part & Saml Saunders of the Said County of the other Witnesseth that the Said Mary Smith have Bargained & Sold unto the Said Saml Saunders one Negroe Boy Slave named Jacob for the Sum of Two hundred Dollars which the Said Saml Sunders Doth agree to Pay to the Said Mary Smith at the Experation of three years and the Said Mary Smith to Keep Possession of the Said Negroe Till that TIme and In case the Said Mary Smith Should Decease Before that Time the Said Saml Saunders is to have Possession of the Said Negroe and Pay the Said Sum to Gideon Smith for the Time Performance of which We Bind Our Selves and Executors Administrators firmly By these Presents as Withness our hand & Seals this 13 Day May 1815. her Thomas Keys Mary + Smith (Seal) Francis Hale mark Saml Saunders (Seal)
10 August 1815
Cover of Bill of Sale for Jacob (Exhibit FF) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 56 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Gideon & Mary Smith Bill of Sale Jacob “FF”
Bill of Sale for Jacob (Exhibit FF) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 55 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Know all men by these Presents that we Mary Smith & Gideon Smith of the County of Franklin for and in the consideration of the Sum of four hundred & fifty Dollars Current Money of Virginia to me in hand paid by Saml Sunders of the County of Franklin at and Before the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof we Do hereby acknowledge have Bargained Sold Granted & Confirmed to the Said Saml Saunders one Negro Boy named Jacob To have & to hold the said Negroe to the only use and behoof of the Said Saml Saunders his Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever and I the Said Mary Smith & Gideon Smith for our Selves our heirs Executors Admistrators the Said Negroes(sic) to the Said Saml Saunders his heirs Executors Against me the Said Mary Smith & Gideon Smith and heirs Executors Adminstrators and against all & every Person or Persons whatever will warrant forever Deferred By these Presents as witness our hands & Seals this 10 Day August 1815 Teste her E. Lewis Mary + Smith (Seal) his mark John + Griffith his mark Gideon + Smith (Seal) mark
[Transcribed 27 October 2015 from the image found in the chancery records.]
Note: Gideon Smith was the son of Mary (Hairston) Smith.
Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:
Following my three part series on the slaves of my 5th grand-father James Sims I’ve made a commitment to write a post on a monthly basis until I’ve RELEASED all of the names of slaves owned by my ancestors. During October, Family History Month, I’m working through a large chancery file pulling as much information out of it as possible and posting weekly in hopes of helping the descendants of the slaves mentioned.
I RELEASEDDelph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, Aime, and their children Sandy, Britton, Reuben, Betsey, Pleasant, Benjamin, Cynthia, Calvin, Sarah, Susan, Adeline, John, William, Mary, Alice, Jacob, Ellender, Giles, Edward, Serena, Lucy, Margaret, Sam, an [unnamed] infant, Martha, Charles, and Green (or Gwen). This is a continuation of information found on these slaves including the Bills of Sale found for the original 7 slaves, Delph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, and Aime.
Bill of Sale for Tom
The Bill of Sale for Tom, a slave sold by Mary Smith and her son Gideon to Samuel Saunders, was found in the Chancery Records Administrator of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022.
These are screenshots of the Bill of Sale labelled as exhibit “DD” by Samuel Saunders the respondent in the case.
Cover of Bill of Sale for Tom (Exhibit DD) found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 52 of 127) : accessed 12 October 2015
Mary Smith & Gideon Smith Bill Sale Negro Boy Tom “DD”
Know All Men by these Presents that We Mary Smith and Gideon Smith of the County of Franklin for and in the consideration of the Sum of Two hundred Dollars to us in hand paid by Saml Saunders of the County afersaid at and before the Sealing and Delivery of these Presents the Recpt [receipt] whereof We do hereby Acknowledge have Bargained Sold Granted and Confirm and by these Presents Do Bargain Sell Grant and Confirm to the said Saml Saunders one Negroe Boy Slave named Tom to have & to Hold the Said Negroe Boy to the only the only Proper use and Behoof of the Said Saml Saunders his Executors Administrators and Assigns for ever and We the Said Mary Smith & Gideon Smith for my our Selves our Heirs Executors and Administrators the Said Negroe Boy to the Said Saml Saunders his Executors Administrators and Assigns against us the Said Mary Smith & Gideon Smith our Executors Administrators and Assigns and against all and Every Other Person and Persons whatsoever Shall and Will Warrant and for ever Defend by these Presents in Witness whereof We have hereunto Set our hands and affixed our Seals this 22 Day of March 1813 Sealed and Delivered and Possession Mary Smith (signature & seal) Delivered in the Presents of us. Gideon Smith (signature & seal)
Signatures: Braxton James Joshua Knowles
[Transcribed 19 October 2015 from the images found in the chancery records.]
Note: Gideon Smith was the son of Mary (Hairston) Smith.
Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:
Last week I RELEASEDDelph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, Aime, and their children Sandy, Britton, Reuben, Betsey, Pleasant, Benjamin, Cynthia, Calvin, Sarah, Susan, Adeline, John, William, Mary, Alice, Jacob, Ellender, Giles, Edward, Serena, Lucy, Margaret, Sam, an [unnamed] infant, Martha, Charles, and Green (or Gwen).
This is a continuation of information found on the above group of slaves. I am sharing the Bills of Sale found for the original 7 slaves, Delph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, and Aime.
Bill of Sale for Delph, Benjamine (aka Ben), and Sukey
The Bill of Sale for the slave woman named Delph given to Mary Smith by her father Robert Hairston and two of her children Benjamine, also seen as Ben, and Sukey was found in the Chancery Records in a batch of 127 images.
These are screenshots of the Bill of Sale found.
Cover of Bill of Sale for Delph, Benjamin, and Sukey found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 58 of 127) : accessed 11 October 2015
Bill of Sale: Mary Smith to Saunders, 3 negroes. Labeled “CC” by the respondent Samuel Saunders.
Recd [received] this 20th March 1817 of Saml Saunders infull of the within Negroes named in the within Bill Sale. her X mark Mary Smith Teste Richard Beckett
Bill of Sale for Delph, Benjamin, and Sukey found in Chancery Records for Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders, Franklin County, Virginia, index number 1851-022; online http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=067-1851-022 (image 57 of 127) : accessed 11 October 2015
Know All Men By these Presents that I Mary
Smith & G. Smith[inserted] of the County of Franklin for and in the
consideration of the Sum of Seven hundred Dollars
to us [me crossed out] in hand paid by Saml Saunders of the
County afersaid at and Before the Sealing and
Delivery of these Presents the Receipt whereof
We do hereby Acknowledge have Bargained Sold
Granted and Confirmed and by these Presents Do
Bargain Sell Grant and Confirm to the said
Saml Saunders a Certain female Negroe Slave
named Delph and her Two Children named Benjamine & Sukey. To Have and to hold the
Said Negroes and their future Increase to
the only Proper use and Behoof of the Said
Saml Saunders his Executors Administrators and Assigns
for ever and I the Said Mary Smith for my self my
Executors and Administrators the Said Negroes with their
future Increase to the Said Saml Saunders his Executors
Administrators and Assigns against me the Said
Mary Smith & Gideon Smith[inserted] our [written over my] Executors Administrators and Assigns
and against all and Every Other Person and
Persons whatsoever Shall and Will Warrant
and for ever Defend by these Presents in
Witness whereof We have hereunto Set our [my crossed out] hand
and affixed our [my crossed out] Seals this 10 Day of March
in the year 1813
Sealed and Delivered and Mary Smith (signature & seal)
Possession Delivered in the Gideon Smith (signature & seal)
Presents of us. Signatures:
Braxton James
Waddy Thompson
[Transcribed 11 October 2015 from the image found in the chancery records.]
Note: Gideon Smith was the son of Mary (Hairston) Smith.
Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:
Following my three part series on the slaves of my 5th grand-father James Sims I’ve made a commitment to write a post on a monthly basis until I’ve RELEASED all of the names of slaves owned by my ancestors. Today I’m RELEASING Delph, Ben, Sukey, Tom, Jacob, Peggy, Aime, and their children Sandy, Britton, Reuben, Betsey, Pleasant, Benjamin, Cynthia, Calvin, Sarah, Susan, Adeline, John, William, Mary, Alice, Jacob, Ellender, Giles, Edward, Serena, Lucy, Margaret, Sam, an [unnamed] infant, Martha, Charles, and Green (or Gwen).
While searching the Chancery Records of Virginia for records naming my ancestors I found this very large bundle with a bill of complaint by Joseph Peters, Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders. Joseph Peters was the brother of my 3rd great-grandfather Jordan N. Peters and the son-in-law of Gideon Smith who in turn was the son of Mary (Hairston) Smith.
I only scratched the surface of this case with the transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Mary (Hairston) Smith’s father Robert Hairston who died in 1791 in Franklin County, Virginia in my last post. The slave woman named Delph given to Mary in the will had two children and they in turn had more offspring. The Chancery Records I found have 127 images which include Bills of Sale, many passages with names and ages, and this paragraph which includes the names and ages of the originally purchased slaves as well as their increase.
This is an abstract from the answer of Samuel Saunders to the bill of complaint exhibited against him by Joseph Peters, Administrator of Mary Smith deceased in the Circuit Superior Court of Law and Chancery for the County of Franklin.
Delph decd about 7 years ago at an advanced age without having any more children after she came into respondents possession, Sukey decd about 10 years ago leaving an only child a boy now about 22 years of age, so that the negroes purchased originally and now in respondent’s possession are Jacob about 50, Ben about 48, Tom about 40, Peggy about 51 and Aime about 39 – and of the increase of the women them are in respondent’s possession, Sandy about 22 a son of Sukey, Britton about 33, Reuben about 32, Betsey about 30, Pleasant about 28, Benjamin about 26, Cynthia about 23, Calvin about 20, Sarah about 18, Susan about 16, Adeline about 14, John about 12, William about 10, Mary about 8, Alice about 5, and Jacob about 2, children of Peggy, Ellender about 12, Giles about 10, Edward about 8, Serena about 6, Lucy about 4, Margaret about 2, and Sam 1, children of Betsy a daughter of Peggy, – an [unnamed] infant child of Cynthia a daughter of Peggy, – Martha about 24 and Charles about 21 children of Aime, – and Green(? Gwen) about 2 a child of Martha a daughter of Aime, – the said Martha had another child which died about a year ago aged 2 or 3 years. Those are all of the said negroes whether them originally purchased or their increase, which are now or ever have been in the possession of respondent.
[Transcribed 5 October 2015 from the image of the chancery records.]
From the information given by the respondent Samuel Saunders (images 7 through 14) in his answer concerning his purchase ca. 34 years previously of the seven slaves I was able to draw up this mind map:
A first attempt to use Scapple for mind-mapping.
I plan to transcribe and share abstracts of the Bills of Sale for the 7 slaves and follow-up with information found in the depositions given by witnesses.
Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:
Following my three part series on the slaves of my 5th grand-father James Sims I’ve made a commitment to write a post on a monthly basis until I’ve RELEASED all of the names of slaves owned by my ancestors. Today I’m RELEASING Will, Cintha, Delph, Cate, Darkis, Roas (Rose), Alesey, Chloe, Charlote, Feby, Jude, Peggy, Rick, Cuffey, Thomas, Sal, Easter, Jude, Lucy and Anthony.
While searching the Chancery Records of Virginia for records naming my ancestors I found this very large bundle initiated by Joseph Peters, Admr of Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders. Joseph Peters was the brother of my 3rd great-grandfather Jordan N. Peters and the son-in-law of Gideon Smith who in turn was the son of Mary (Hairston) Smith.
I have only scratched the surface of this case with this transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Mary (Hairston) Smith’s father Robert Hairston who died in 1791 in Franklin County, Virginia. The slave named Delph given to Mary in the will had two children and they in turn had more offspring. During October I hope to go through the 127 images which include Bills of Sale, many passages with names and ages, and one long paragraph which includes the names and ages of the originally purchased slaves as well as their increase.
In the name of God, Amen. I Robert Hairston being sick of body but of perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament, in manner and form following: First I recommend my Soul to God who first give it me and my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors and touching my worldly goods which it has been please God to bless me with. I give and bequeath in manner and form following – Item. I give and bequeath to my loving son George Hairston five shillings Starling, unto him and his heirs forever. – Item. I give and bequeath unto my loving son Peter Hairston, one negro boy Will, to have after his mother’s death, to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give unto my beloved son Samuel Hairston five shillings Starling, to him and his heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Elizebeth Rowland one negro gairl Cintha, to be first and kept in the care of George Hairston, to make what use of it he can for the support of her and her heirs of her body forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Mary Smith one negro gairl Delph, also one mare & coalt, also two head of cattle, one feather Bed and furniture, unto her and her heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Ruth Hairston one negro gairl Cate, also one named Darkis, one dark bay mare & colt, one feather Bed & furniture also seven head of cattle, one Chest & Trunk, to her and her heirs forever.- Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Agness Hairston, two negro gairls Roas and Alesey, also one feather bed & furniture, one mare, seven hand of cattle, one Desk & Trunk, to her and her heirs forever. – Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved grand daughters Elizabeth Hairston Rowland and Martha, one negro woman Chloe and child Charlote, also a feather bed & furniture to be equally divided, with their increase whenever they both comes of age, to them and their heirs forever. Item. I give and bequeath unto my belove wife Ruth Hairston one negro Feby, also Jude, Peggy, Rick and, Cuffey, Thomas, Sal, Easter, Jude, Lucy and Anthony, likewise the hale of my lands, stocks of all kinds, household and chitchen furniture, with all plantation utentials during her life, and after her decease, to be equally divided between her six daughters, viz. Martha Hunter, Elizebeth Rowland, Mary Smith, Ruth Hairston, Jinny Rentfro, Agness Hairston. Item. I leave my beloved wife Ruth Hairston, Executrix and George Hairston Executor of this my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my searth this 26th day of May 1790. Roert Hairston Witness Will B. Price Brett Stovall Jimmey James
At a court held for Franklin County on Monday the 3d day of August 1791 – This Will & Testament was presented in court by George Hairston and Ruth Hairston, Executor and Executrix therein named and proved by the oaths of William B. Price, Brett Stovall & Jimmey James witnesses thereto subscribed and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executor & Executrix, who made oath thereto certificate is granted them for obtaining probate therof in due form. Teste. James Callaway, Clk A copy. Teste. M. G. Carper, Clk
[Transcribed 30 September 2015 from the images of the chancery records.]
Posts related to the Mary Smith vs Samuel Saunders Chancery Records:
“The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”
Can you believe it’s December and time for the last four ancestors in this wonderful challenge?
52 Ancestors: #49 Sarah COCKRAM, wife of David PROFFITT
My 4th great-grandmother Sarah COCKRAM was [maybe] the youngest daughter of Edward COCKRAM (1748-1816) and his wife Mary (d. aft. 1816). Edward was born on 7 June 1748 in Newport, Charles County, Maryland.[1]
Others who have researched this family have claimed Edward Cockram’s wife, Mary, was an Edwards and sometimes an Isham, although never with any documentation for this claim. ~ Truman Adkins
In May 1999 Truman Adkins made this statement in a study he wrote titled “Edward and Nathan Cockram.” In this write-up he discussed evidence he found which lead to his conclusion that Edward was the son of Nathan COCKRAM and his wife Sarah who married a Mr. HARRIS after Nathan’s death in 1778. Mr. Adkins did a remarkable job of studying deed, plea, will and county order books from 1764 through 1816. He posted an update on the Floyd County, Virginia, mailing list in December 1999. He may not have found the birth/christening record in Maryland that lists Edward’s parents as Nathan and Sarah, however the evidence he presented clearly proves his case.
Edward COCKRAM was a Revolutionary War soldier in the 1st Virginia Regiment. He joined George Rogers Clark on his expedition into the northwest territory to wrest the forts from the British in what is now Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. His name was spelled COCHRAN on this payroll of Botetourt County’s Capt. Isaac Taylor’s Company of Volunteers in the Illinois Regiment commanded by Colonel John Montgomery. He was a private, enlisted on 29 January 1779, discharged on 22 August 1780 after serving 206 days, his pay being £13 14 shilling 8 pence.
Edward Cockram, Sr. lived on the lower waters of Shooting Creek near where the creek enters Smith’s River. The old home was on the east slope of Renfro Ridge.[2]
He paid taxes in Franklin County, Virginia, is 1788 and 1799 as seen here:
Of course he paid taxes in other years but these are the only two that are online. [Wish List: Better access to early tax lists!]
By 1810 both he and his wife were getting into their sixties and still had three daughters living at home. One of these would have been my 4th great-grandmother Sarah who would marry in 1813.
1810 U.S. Federal Census > VA > Franklin (ancesty.com)
1810 U.S. Federal Census
Franklin County, Virginia
Name: Edward Cochran
Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over: 1 (Edward)
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15: 2 (Charlotte and Sarah b. abt. 1794-1800)
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25: 1 (Mary b. abt. 1785-1794)
Free White Persons – Females – 45 and over : 1 (wife, Mary)
Number of Household Members Under 16: 2
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 5
Edward COCKRAM died between 26 May 1816, the date he wrote his will, and 1 July 1816, the date it was proved, and was buried in a cemetery on the Franklin and Patrick County line 1/2 mile east of Road #820.
Will of Edward Cockram, 1816 – Franklin Co. VA
Franklin County, Virginia, Will Book 2, page 148:
“In the name of God Amen, I Edward Cockram Senr. of the county of Franklin and State of Virginia being weak of body but of perfect memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and that it is appd onst for all men to die, have made this my last will and testament. Fir of all I resign my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who give it me, and my body to be Buried in Christian like Manner at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but I shall receive the same again by the might power of God at the General Reseraction at the last Day. And as touching my worldly Estate whare with it has bin Please to Bless me with, I give and bequeath it in the following manner that is to say, I give and Bequeth my whole Estate – real and personal to my Beloved wife Mary so long as she lives and after her Disseas the whole that is left Land and other Property of every kind to be sold at publick Auction on a Credit of twelve months by giving Bond and approved Security and the money arising from such Sale to be Equally divided between my ten Children namely: Leah Pedigo, Nathan, Isham, Rachel Wood, wife of Richard Wood; Lydia, Preston, Mary, Edward, Charlotte, Sarah Proffitt. Also I appoint my wife Executrix Nathan my son Executor of this my last will and testament. Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged this twenty-sixth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and sixteen. (Signed) Edward Cockram Teste: Thomas Hale, Brice Edwards, John Wood Proved: July 1, 1816” Submitted by Truman Adkins
His wife Mary was mentioned in the will and most likely died after 1816. From Truman Adkins’ work I know that Edward and Mary were married as early as 1786 as they are seen selling land in Henry County:
Deed Book 3, page 225, on 24 May 1786, Edward Cockram and his wife, Mary, convey Preston Kendrick 50 acres on the south side of Smiths River for 15 pounds. The property description being: “Beginning at the Loer Small pond in the lo ground of the river thence north to the back line thence east to Edwards line thence along Edwards line to the river, down Smiths river to the beginning.” Both sign by a mark “X”. With the witnesses being Gabreal Roberts and Joseph Goodwin, deed recorded 27 July 1786. ~ Truman Adkins
More importantly Edward mentioned his 10 children by name. Was Mary, mention in Edward’s will, the mother of all of his children? If he listed them in order of birth, then my 4th great-grandmother Sarah was the youngest of the bunch and definitely Mary’s child as she was born after 1786. After locating the census listings of most of the children I wonder if they might not have been listed exact order of birth. I mostly had pre-1850 censuses to work from which gave only age ranges, making it impossible to draw up close estimations on the years of birth.
Child 1: Leah COCKRAM (1770-1840) born about 1770 or as early as 1765 (1810 age 45 & over). She married Henry PEDIGO ( -1810) on 17 November 1790 in Franklin County, Virginia. She was widowed before the 1810 census as she was seen in Barren County, Kentucky, in 1810 (4 boys and 3 girls) and 1820 with her own household. I have not been able to locate her in 1830.
Child 2: Nathan COCKRAM (1770-1860) born about 1770 (1850 age 80). Nathan married Bathsheba PEDIGO on 12 January 1798 in Patrick County, Virginia. He died 19 May 1860 in Patrick County, Virginia.
Child 3: Isham COCKRAM (1773-1860) born about 1773 (1850 age 77). He married Sarah RAKES in March 1795 in Patrick County, Virginia. He died 2 October 1860 in Patrick County, Virginia.
Child 4: Rachel COCKRAM (1775-1823) born about 1775. Rachel married Richard “Dickey” WOOD (1774-1859) about 1797. She died 13 December 1823 in Patrick County, Virginia.
Child 5: Lydia COCKRAM (1791-1860) born before 1785. She married Henry PEMBERTON, most likely before 1803 as she had two daughters born before 1805. She had 4 children under 10 in 1810 and was in the 16-25 yrs. range; 1820 age 26-44; 1830 age 40-49; [and then it gets complicated] 1840 age 60-69; 1850 age 59; and 1860 age 90! Lydia died between 1860-1870 in Casey County, Kentucky.
Child 6: Preston COCKRAM (1786-1840) born between 1776-1780 (per pre-1850). He married(1) Susannah PEMBERTON (1778-1829) about 1800. He married(2) Mary Elisabeth EDWARDS on 16 June 1832 in Barren County, Kentucky. Preston died about 1842 in Barren County, Kentucky.
Child 7: Mary COCKRAM may have been born between 1785-1794 (per 1810). No further information found.
Child 8: Edward COCKRAM (1786-1867) born about 1786. Edward married Mary RAKES on 1 November 1806 in Patrick County, Virginia. He died 29 November 1867 in Patrick County, Virginia.
Child 9: Charlotte COCKRAM (1794- ) born between 1794-1800 (per 1810). She married James PARKER ( -1822) on 9 September 1818 in Franklin County, Virginia, and as widowed 4 years later. No information found.
Child 10: Sarah “Sally” COCKRAM was born between 1794-1800 in Franklin County, Virginia. She was my 4th great-grandmother and the subject of this post.
The War of 1812 (18 Jun 1812-24 Dec 1814) was in full swing when Edward and Mary’s daughter Sarah “Sally” COCKRAM married David PROFFITT on 21 October 1813 in Franklin County, Virginia.[3] In 1850 she was listed on the census as 47 years old and in 1860 as 57. This would put her year of birth at 1803 which is very unlikely as she would have been only 10 years old when she married. From 1830 to 1840 her age range remained the same on the census. Could it be that once she past 40 she began fibbing about her age?
Sally and David had two daughters, Hessie (1814) and Rachel (1817), by the time the 1820 census was enumerated. My 3rd great-grandmother Rachel was likely named after Sally’s sister Rachel – could she, in turn, have been named after her maternal grandmother, Mary’s mother, who is not known?
The 1820s saw the birth of three sons, Austin (1822), Preston (1825), and David (1827) and a daughter who remains unknown. Austin and David are names from the PROFFITT side of the family, the father and grandfather of David PROFFITT. Was Preston the first name of the maternal grandfather, Mary’s father, who is not known?
Sally and David continued to name children after their parents with the birth of son Edward (1831) who was named after Edward COCKRAM. And then they ran out of parents and grandparents as they named the last two children Samuel (1837) and Stabina (1840).
Samuel became a very popular name in the PROFFIT family. Six boys being named Samuel in a 15 year period from 1853 through 1878 – you can imagine the confusion that they caused in the family tree. If Truman Adkins had not established that Nathan COCKRAM was the father of Edward one might consider all the unsourced family trees that list Samuel COCKRAM as his father ~ or maybe not!
Sally’s oldest daughter Hessie “Esther” married Owen STEVENS (1821-1900) on 19 August 1835 in Franklin County, Virginia. She made Sally and David grandparents to two granddaughters before they completed their own family.
When Sally’s second daughter Rachel married the twice widowed Jordan N. PETERS on 8 December 1841 in Franklin County, 11 step-grandchildren joined the family. Jordan’s oldest daughter was about the same age as his bride Rachel and his youngest was only two years old.
Three of Sally’s sons married in the 1840s: Preston married Martha WRIGHT (1820-1880) on 1 June 1844 in Floyd County[4]; Austin married Vincey NEWBERRY (1827-1910) on 14 September 1844 in Franklin County; and Edward “Ned” married Sarah “Sally” KEEN (1825- ) on 6 January 1848 in Tazewell County. The locations of these marriages coincide with the move of the PROFFITT family from Franklin County to Russell County.
Sally saw three more of her children marry before 1860. Stabina/Statina married Jessee R. MUSICK on 13 September 1855 in Russell County. Two of her sons married PINION ladies however marriage records were not found: David married Jane PINION (her maiden name was found of the death certificate of a son) before 1855 and Samuel married Tabitha PINION before 1860. Samuel and Tabitha were foun in the 1860 census with a little girl with the surname PINION. This lead to the 1850 census listing of Tabitha PINION, perhaps not a reliable method of determining a maiden name but in this case the names were not too common and it worked.
Sarah “Sally” COCKRAM died between 1860 and 1870 and her husband David PROFFITT followed her during the next decade in 1870s. They were survived by all of their children except possibly Stabina who died 15 October 1874 in Lawrence County, Kentucky, while bearing a child.[5]
The dates of death of many of their children are not known but they appear to have all lived long lives. My 3rd great-grandmother Rachel was 88 and her brother Austin was in his nineties when they died.
Sources:
[1] “Maryland, Births and Christenings, 1650-1995,” index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/F48M-42Q : accessed 03 Dec 2014), Edward Cockram, 07 Jun 1748; citing TRINITY PARISH,CHARLES,MARYLAND; FHL microfilm 13759. {Request for Photo Duplication sent 3 Dec 2014}
[2] Dr. Amos D. Wood, Floyd County: A History of Its People and Places, page 37. Commonwealth Press, 1981.
[3] Ancestry.com. Franklin County, Virginia Marriage Bonds, 1786-1858 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999. Original data: Wingfield, Marshall. Marriage Bonds of Franklin County, Virginia. Memphis, TN, USA: West Tennessee Historical Societ, 1939.
[4] Barbara Reininger, compiler and website owner, Floyd County, Virginia, Marriages, Transcribed by Barbara Reininger from images of microfilm records obtained by Rena Worthen from the Library of Virginia. (online: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~barbr/zz_marriages.htm).
[5] Ancestry.com. Kentucky, Death Records, 1852-1953 [database on-line].
© 2016 Cathy Meder-Dempsey
© 2015 Cathy Meder-Dempsey
“The challenge: have one blog post each week devoted to a specific ancestor. It could be a story, a biography, a photograph, an outline of a research problem — anything that focuses on one ancestor.”
Opening Doors in Brick Walls 
