Descendants of Elizabeth Harwood Semple

1. ELIZABETH HARWOOD 6 SEMPLE (JAMES5, JOHN4, JAMES3, ROBERT2, ROBERT1)1,2 was born 1795 in Virginia2,3, and died September 27, 1870 in Orange County, Virginia4. She married (1) WILLIAM B. POWER5. He was born Bet. 1775 - 17946, and died Bet. 1820 - 1827 6,7. She married (2) REV. MADISON PETTIS 8 1827 9, son of JOHN PETTIS and MARTHA. He was born Abt. 1793 in Virginia 10,11.

Notes for ELIZABETH HARWOOD SEMPLE:
According to Elizabeth Hawes Ryland's manuscript, "History of the Semple Family of Scotland and America," "Eliza was reared by Judge James Semple of New Kent County, who left her a fortune."

York County, Virginia Guardian Accounts, 1780-1823, p. 237:
Eliza became the ward of James Semple on March 3, 1806. He drew funding from the estate of her father to ensure her care and education. He charged approximately $100 to $150 per year for her bed, board and washing. She was educated by Mrs. Royall at a cost of $8 in 1806. She was taught by Mrs. Pagand in 1807 for $10 which included tuition and books. In 1808 Eliza was a student of Geo: Blackburne at the cost of $40 per year. Her wardrobe included bonnets, gowns from Donaghreys and from Richmond, many sundries at Blocks, bolts of blue and white silk, flannel, gingham, linen, holland and muslin, ribbons, buttons, needles with which to sew, high heels and other shoes, $3.00 was paid for the setting of her father's hair (I would assume in a piece of jewelry which was customary at the time) and cotton stockings. Eliza also travelled while living with Mr. Semple, at least to King and Queen and King William Counties, some of this travel by stage. Also, while she was living with him Eliza's inheritance from her father's estate grew through the hiring of his slaves and the rent and sale of his properties. James wrote to the Court on on occasion, "the woman Milly is raising a fine family of children + they will begin shortly to hire." He seems to have taken an active role in protecting her inheritance and making it prosper until settling the account in 1811, I would assume when she married William Power.

Eliza inherited slaves by the name of Massey, Tom and Susan from the estate of her deceased grandfather, John Semple. Her father was also deceased with Eliza as his own child. She therefore inherited the property as his rightful heir. The problem is that her husband treated the slaves as his own and involved them in a deed of trust [see William B. Power's notes]. When he died, the slaves were considered part of his estate and not Eliza's. She should have been entitled to the money since it came from her family. However, when she got remarried her children with Mr. Power wanted the money since it was their father's legally."

On July 28, 1845 Eliza Pettis made a desperate plea to the chancery court deciding her fate in the case Pettis vs. Power [see notes for William B. Power]. Eliza claimed that she owned about $1,000 worth of property in her own right, including a slave named Nancy, that she had with William Power when she married Madison Pettis. However, Pettis "has squandered and ungenerously appropriated them to his individual purposes and has for some years forsaken and abandoned her now with five helpless children the offspring of their marriage and all of which are destitute of any aid...from the said Pettis in the means he possessed himself of in the right of his said wife..." Basically she pleaded with the court to give her some money from the slave sales of William Power's estate to support her and her helpless children because Madison ran off with all that she had. However, the court was unsympathetic because her children with Mr. Pettis were not entitled to anything. She was given one-sixteenth of the sale but that was equivalent to $52.19.

Letter dated "Williamsburg June 27 1851" and held at the Library of Virginia, part of accession no. 24193:

"My dear cousin Susan - Sallie's school is now over and she will go to Richmond on the first of July but cousin William must suit his own conveniences in sending for her as it will be no matter about her staying a week or two with her brothers - she never was so far from home before and of course will need the guidance of a friend therefore my cousin let me beg of you to act by her as you would by your own, for I know she is very thoughtless yet a word will be sufficient as she has always been ruled by affection - I almost enjoy her the pleasure she will have you know not how glad I would be if I could but go and spend one week with your beloved family - if I can I shall try and go to Richmond in September to bring Sallie home but it is always so difficult for me to leave home that I should not be surprised if I did not - I hope you have in timely recovered your health and that you are now enjoying all the happinesses that a devoted mother and wife feels in the assurance of having done her duty and that your last days may be crowned with the blessings that David speaks of in having many children - I want to see you and cousin William with them all around you, once more - and to feel as I have felt that I was with friends in deed - Eliza's health is greatly improved she writes word, when she left me thought it was likely I never should see her again but it has pleased God to raise her up and I feel truly thankful she says she is vary happy and that every thing that affection can dictate is done for her in the house of his parents who are indeed such to her - tell Mary she owe's me a letter I thought she promised to write oftener, but think she must have forgotten us remember me to Catherine tell her I should be delighted to go to see her, but she must love Sallie for my sake as she says she hopes to stay some with her during her long visit - my dear Aunts health is very feeble, she has moved so far up the county that I scarcely ever see her so that I feel like one left almost without relatives Willie sends his love to you all he wants very much to go with Sallie - but I tell him he must be a clever fellow and when he is a man he can go - he will spend his vacation in Norfolk with Judson, so that I shall be quite alone Sister Jones was to see me last week she is well and desired to be remembered to you, I like her very much indeed she appears to be an excellent lady - Henry's wife has a sweet baby they call it Lucy Frances you never saw a greater pet than it is with us all - Sallie joins me in love to all and bids me say that she is anxiously looking forward to the time when she will be with you - I cannot tell you cousin Susan how much I feel about her, now that I have gone so far in educating her for a teacher I do not know how I shall ever give her up to go from me, for her love is the greatest earthly blessing I have and I can but hope that God will open a way for her to do without - She will have to go another year to school although it will be a hard scuffle for me to keep them both at school yet I shall try although Willie is very anxious to go to some business do write to me after Sallie is with you and let me know how she behaves - but I feel she will be in good hands not only with you but I can entrust her to one who has promised to be a father to the fatherless remember me to any who may ask after me not forgetting dear sister Fox good bye my dear cousin I remain your truly E Pettis"

Religious Herald, October 27, 1870:
"Departed this life, on the 27th September, 1870, at the residence of W. F. Brooking, Esq., in Orange county, Va., MRS. ELIZA PETTIS, of Williamsburg, Va., in the 75th year of her age. She was spending a part of the summer with her daughter, Mrs. Brooking, as was her custom yearly, and had been unwell from some days before her death, but was considered much better, and expected in a short time to return to her home. The night on which she died she retired as usual, and was found dead the next morning, with her little grandson (who accompanied her on her visit) sleeping by her side. So quietly did this saint of God pass away to her rest, that others sleeping in the same room with her were not aware of it until morning. She lived a holy life - her end was peace. Sister Pettis leaves seven children to mourn the loss of a mother, such as few have been blest with. They are all settled in life, heads of families, all pious, and one of her sons a minister of the gospel. She was baptized in York river by her uncle, Rev. Robert Semple, in the summer of 1822, which makes her 48 years a member of the Baptist church. She loved the church to which she belonged, and was devoted to its interests. She was beloved by, and enjoyed the confidence of, all her brethren as well as the community generally. We feel that she is a loss to us, but her holy life assures us that our loss is her gain. May her children, her brethren and friends be prepared to meet her in heaven, is the prayer of her PASTOR."

More About ELIZABETH HARWOOD SEMPLE:
Baptism: 1822, York County, Virginia 12
Cause of Death: died in her sleep 12

Notes for WILLIAM B. POWER:
William and his family lived in York County at the time of the 1820 census. He was the owner of five female slaves.

In 1822, William Power entered into a deed of trust with John F. Bryan and Frederick B. Power involving several slaves that his wife inherited from the estate of her grandfather, John Semple. Upon Williams death, the slaves were to be sold for the support of his children. However, William died but the slaves were never sold as ordered. His oldest sons, James and John borrowed against their inheritance from their uncle, Frederick B. Power. In 1841 the slaves were finally sold and the money divided. William's wife Eliza, who had since remarried to Madison Pettis, argued that she was entitled to part of the money seeing as though they were he grandfather's slaves. She and Madison wanted her to receive the one-third due her by right of dower. I feel that Madison pressured Eliza to make the suit and that she was less interested in doing so. However, Madison left Eliza during the proceedings so the one-sixteenth that she was eventually awarded went into a trust in her name via John F. Bryan.

Notes for REV. MADISON PETTIS:
In 1830 Madison and his family were living in James City County, Virginia, at which time he owned eight slaves. He seems to have been a Baptist minister in York County during the years 1833 and 1834, conducting at least two weddings in that county.

Madison apparently abandoned his family sometime in the early 1840s. In a letter to her cousin Susan in June of 1851, Eliza Pettis wrote about her daughter Sallie spending the summer in Richmond with family. She acknowledged her thankfulness that in cousin William she could "...entrust her to one who has promised to be a father to the fatherless." Madison may have gone to Orange County, Virginia and began living with a woman named Sarah Highlander. Madison was listed as the head of her household in 1850. She had four children named Samuel age 8, Thomas age 7, Josephine age 3 and Pamelia L. Highlander who was one month old. In 1860 they were all listed as Pettuses including Madison age 56, Sarah age 45, Samuel age 18, Thomas age 16, Pamelia L. age 10 and Rebicah Pettus age 1.

There was a land purchase between a Madison Pettis and a John Dodd there in 1843. This land purchase corresponds with the time our Madison Pettis left his wife and children so I believe it is the same person. However, by 1844 this Madison had run up debts and had to use the land in a deed of trust to pay them off.

More About MADISON PETTIS and ELIZABETH SEMPLE:
Marriage: 1827 13
Separation: Bet. 1841 - 1845 13

Children of ELIZABETH SEMPLE and WILLIAM POWER are:
i. JAMES F. 7 POWER 13, b. Bet. 1810 - 1820 14; d. Aft. 1845 15.
ii. JOHN W. POWER 15, b. Bet. 1810 - 1820 16; d. Aft. 1845 17.

Notes for JOHN W. POWER:
According to a property agreement written by John on October 29, 1838, he would be attending school in Richmond. He had borrowed against the estate of his deceased father from his uncle Frederick B. Powers. This document signed over his inheritance to pay off two previous loans and "any monies he may send me this winter to aid in my education in Richmond."

iii. HENRY S. B. POWER 17, b. Abt. 1823, York County, Virginia 18; d. Aft. June 1850 18; m. SUSAN A. C. TAYLOR 19, Abt. November 30, 1848, York County, Virginia 19; b. Abt. 1826, York County, Virginia 20; d. Aft. June 1850 20.

Notes for HENRY S. B. POWER:
Samuel Sheild was Henry's legal guardian after his father's death. In 1850, Henry was working as a farmer and owned $1,200 worth of real estate. It seems that perhaps his mother-in-law and possibly his wife's brother was living with he and Susan at that time.

More About HENRY POWER and SUSAN TAYLOR:
Bondsman: John H. Morrison 21
Marriage: Abt. November 30, 1848, York County, Virginia 21
Marriage bond: November 30, 1848, York County, Virginia 21

iv. ROBERT B. S. POWER 22, b. Bef. 1827 22; d. Bef. 1841 22.

Notes for ROBERT B. S. POWER:
His name was likely Robert Baylor Semple Power - this is only a guess but it would make sense. Robert Baylor Semple was the child's great uncle, a prominent Baptist minister. This child died in infancy.

Children of ELIZABETH SEMPLE and MADISON PETTIS are:
v. ROBERT BAYLOR 7 PETTIS 23, b. July 1829, York County, Virginia 24,25,26; d. July 06, 1908, Richmond, Virginia 27; m. (1) MARY JANE HANKINS 28, Abt. December 05, 1850, Richmond, Virginia 28; b. Bet. 1830 - 1831, King William County, Virginia 29,30; d. August 02, 1864, Richmond, Virginia 31; m. (2) MARIA LOUISA BRANCH 32,33, October 16, 1867, Richmond, Virginia 34; b. November 1836, Chesterfield County, Virginia 35,36; d. September 17, 1915, Richmond, Virginia 37.

Notes for ROBERT BAYLOR PETTIS:
Robert was well-educated and entered the carpentry trade as a young man. He moved from Williamsburg to Richmond, Virginia around 1850 and started his family. Robert served as an officer for the local defense troops during the Civil War, rising to the rank of first lieutenant. After the war, he served Richmond in various capacities, having been for nine years deputy inspector of customs, serving under Presidents Cleveland, McKinley and Roosevelt. He owned a lovely home at 623 Holly Street, now demolished, and has a large tombstone and family plot in Riverview Cemetery.

More About ROBERT BAYLOR PETTIS:
Burial: July 07, 1908, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia 38
Cause of Death: complication of diseases 39

Notes for MARY JANE HANKINS:
Mary may have been the daughter or sister of Oliver P. Hankins. She is buried in an unmarked grave in Shockoe Cemetery.

More About MARY JANE HANKINS:
Burial: August 03, 1864, Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia 40,41
Cause of Death: typhoid fever 41

More About ROBERT PETTIS and MARY HANKINS:
Marriage: Abt. December 05, 1850, Richmond, Virginia 42

Notes for MARIA LOUISA BRANCH:
Maria was a Drake widow.

Maria was able to read and write. She was married to a Drake before Robert Pettis. According to the 1900 census, Maria was the mother of four children, two of which were deceased at that time. I believe that Maria suffered with nephritis for some time before her death.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, September 19, 1915:
"MRS. LOUISA B. PETTIS - Mrs. Louisa Branch Pettis, widow of Captain Robert B. Pettis, died at her home, 623 Holby [sic.] Street, Friday morning at 8 o'clock, aged seventy-eight years. She is survived by the following children: J. P. and G. W. Pettis, of Richmond; W. B. Pettis, of Cairo, Ill.; Mrs. N. W. Glasgow, and Mrs. M. A. Clark, of Richmond; and Mrs. L. T. Royall, of Washington, D. C."

"PETTIS - The funeral of MRS. LOUISA BRANCH PETTIS, widow of Captain Robert B. Pettis, will take place SUNDAY AFTERNOON at 4 o'clock from her residence, 623 Holly Street. Interment in Riverview."

More About MARIA LOUISA BRANCH:
Burial: September 19, 1916, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia 43
Cause of Death: chronic interstitial nephritis 43
Medical Information: acute dilation of the throat 43

More About ROBERT PETTIS and MARIA BRANCH:
Marriage: October 16, 1867, Richmond, Virginia 44

vi. JUDSON R. PETTIS45, b. Bet. 1828 - 1832, Williamsburg, Virginia 45,46; d. Aft. June 1870 47; m. (1) JANE 48, Bef. June 1850 48; b. Abt. 1830, Virginia; d. Bef. June 1860 49; m. (2) ANNA DECORDY 50, April 26, 1861, Norfolk, Virginia 50; b. Bet. 1839 - 1842, New York, New York 50,51; d. Aft. June 1870 51.

Notes for JUDSON R. PETTIS:
Judson worked as a house carpenter, more specifically a sash and blind maker. He was also a soldier in 1861.

More About JUDSON PETTIS and JANE:
Marriage: Bef. June 1850 52

More About JUDSON PETTIS and ANNA DECORDY:
Exact location: a residence 53
Marriage: April 26, 1861, Norfolk, Virginia 53
Marriage license: April 26, 1861, Norfolk, Virginia 53
Married By: A. J. Coffman 53

vii. ELIZA S. PETTIS 54,55, b. Abt. 1830, York County, Virginia 56; d. Aft. September 1870 57; m. WILLIAM FLEMING BROOKING 58, January 22, 1851, Liberty Mills, Orange County, Virginia 59; b. November 03, 1823 60; d. Abt. November 1892 60.

Notes for ELIZA S. PETTIS:
Eliza apparently became very ill shortly after her marriage. Her mother wrote to cousin Susan of Richmond in June of 1851 to say that "Eliza's health is greatly improved she writes word, when she left me thought it was likely I never should see her again but it has pleased God to raise her up and I feel truly thankful she says she is vary happy and that every thing that affection can dictate is done for her in the house of his parents who are indeed such to her."

Marriage Notes for ELIZA PETTIS and WILLIAM BROOKING:
Richmond Whig and Public Advertiser, January 31, 1851:
"Married - At Liberty Mills, Orange County on Jan. 22, by Rev. Joseph Earnest, William F. Brooking, to Miss Eliza S. Pettis, formerly of Williamsburg."

More About WILLIAM BROOKING and ELIZA PETTIS:
Marriage: January 22, 1851, Liberty Mills, Orange County, Virginia 61
Married By: Rev. Joseph Earnest 61

viii. SARAH PETTIS 62, b. Abt. 1834, York County, Virginia 62; d. Aft. June 1851 63.

Notes for SARAH PETTIS:
Sallie spent the summer of 1851 in Richmond, staying with various family members. Her mother was putting her through school to be a teacher but worried that Sallie might not make it through her final year. In a letter to her cousin Susan, Eliza Pettis wrote "...now that I have gone so far in educating her for a teacher I do not know how I shall ever give her up to go from me, for her love is the greatest earthly blessing I have and I can but hope that God will open a way for her to do without." I would take this to mean that Eliza did not want Sallie to get married before finishing her schooling. From the same letter we also see that Sallie was a young woman with a wild streak in her. Her mother told cousin Susan that Sallie "...will need the guidance of a friend therefore my cousin let me beg of you to act by her as you would by your own, for I know she is very thoughtless yet a word will be sufficient as she has always been ruled by affection." Eliza closed the letter by requesting that cousin Susan "...let me know how she behaves."

ix. WILLIE PETTIS 63, b. Abt. 1837, York County, Virginia 64; d. Aft. June 1851 65.

Notes for WILLIE PETTIS:
Willie attended school as a child but was restless. His mother wrote to a cousin Susan of Richmond in 1851 stating that "...it will be a hard scuffle for me to keep them both at school yet I shall try although Willie is very anxious to go to some business..." He spent that summer with his brother Judson in Norfolk.

Endnotes

1. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
2. Frederick A. Virkus, The Abridged Compendium of American Genealog, Volume III, (Baltimore, 1968), 161.
3. Robert B. Pettis household, 1900 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 65, p. 19, ln. 51.
4. Mrs. Eliza Pettis obituary, Religious Herald, October 27, 1870.
5. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
6. Wm. Power household, 1830 census, York County, Virginia, p. 156.
7. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
8. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
9. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
10. Frederick A. Virkus, The Abridged Compendium of American Genealog, Volume III, (Baltimore, 1968).
11. Robt. B. Pettis household, 1880 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 79, p. 31A, ln. 5.
12. Mrs. Eliza Pettis obituary, Religious Herald, October 27, 1870.
13. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
14. Wm. Power household, 1830 census, York County, Virginia, p. 156.
15. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
16. Wm. Power household, 1830 census, York County, Virginia, p. 156.
17. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
18. Henry Power household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 359.
19. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
20. Henry Power household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 359.
21. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
22. Pettis vs. Powers, etal, Chancery causes, York County, Virginia, index no. 1846-001.
23. Robert Baylor Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908.
24. Robert B. Pettis household, 1900 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 65, p. 19, ln. 51.
25. Robert Baylor and Louisa Branch Pettis tombstone, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, c. 1998.
26. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
27. Robert Baylor Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908.
28. Pettis-Hankins marriage consent, Richmond, Virginia, 1850.
29. Ro. Pettis household, 1860 census, Henrico County, Virginia, p. 618, ln. 34.
30. George Warren Pettis death certificate no. 1520-17470, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1936.
31. Mrs. Mary J. Pettis obituary, Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, August 3, 1864.
32. Mrs. Maria L. Pettis death certificate no. 205-21161, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1915.
33. Mrs. Louisa Branch Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, September 19, 1915.
34. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
35. Robert B. Pettis household, 1900 census, Richmond, Virginia, ED 65, p. 19, ln. 51.
36. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
37. Mrs. Maria L. Pettis death certificate no. 205-21161, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1915.
38. Robert Baylor Pettis obituary, Richmond Times-Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908.
39. Robert B. Pettis obituary, The News Leader, Richmond, Virginia, July 7, 1908, p. 6.
40. Mrs. Mary J. Pettis obituary, Richmond Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, August 3, 1864.
41. Miss Mary J. Pettis interment card, Shockoe Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia, 1864.
42. Pettis-Hankins marriage consent, Richmond, Virginia, 1850.
43. Mrs. Maria L. Pettis death certificate no. 205-21161, Commonwealth of Virginia, 1915.
44. Pettis-Drake marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1867, p. 92, ln. 17.
45. Pettis-DeCordy marriage license, Norfolk, Virginia, 1861.
46. Judson R. Pettis household, 1850 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 89.
47. Judson Pettis household, 1870 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 156.
48. Judson R. Pettis household, 1850 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 89.
49. S. Higginbotham household, 1860 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 474.
50. Pettis-DeCordy marriage license, Norfolk, Virginia, 1861.
51. Judson Pettis household, 1870 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 156.
52. Judson R. Pettis household, 1850 census, Norfolk, Virginia, p. 89.
53. Pettis-DeCordy marriage license, Norfolk, Virginia, 1861.
54. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
55. Brooking family Bible record, Library of Virginia, Richmond.
56. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
57. Mrs. Eliza Pettis obituary, Religious Herald, October 27, 1870.
58. Brooking family Bible record, Library of Virginia, Richmond.
59. Brooking-Pettis marriage announcement, Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, January 31, 1851.
60. Brooking family Bible record, Library of Virginia, Richmond.
61. Brooking-Pettis marriage announcement, Richmond Whig & Public Advertiser, January 31, 1851.
62. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
63. Letter from E. Pettus to cousin Susan, June 27, 1851, Library of Virginia accession no. 24193.
64. Eliza Pettis household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 368.
65. Letter from E. Pettus to cousin Susan, June 27, 1851, Library of Virginia accession no. 24193.

Book Review: "Caroline County Virginia Court Records, 1742-1833 & Marriages 1782-1810" with Last Name Index A-Z

The following is a summary of the last name index of "Caroline County Virginia Court Records, 1742-1833 & Marriages 1782-1810", transcribed & edited by William Lindsay Hopkins,1987, reprinted 1995, 8x10, 197 pages with index, perfect-bound, paperback, printed on acid-free stock by New Papyrus Publishing of Athens, Georgia. Caroline County was established in 1728 from portions of Essex, King and Queen and King William Counties and suffered major losses of its records over time so this book is a valuable resource. It contains many chancery suits, court records and papers, legislative petitions, appeals and land causes, wills, historical papers, criminal suits, estate papers, guardian papers and marriages.

If you would like to purchase a copy, you can click here to get it at Amazon:

Caroline County, Virginia court records 1742-1883 and marriages 1787-1810

Here are two sample entries from the book:

• "Suit of Churchill Blakey administrator of his wife, Ann Blackey, decd., who was Ann Chowning a daughter of William Chowning, decd., John Chowning and Catherine Chowning his wife another daughter of William Chowning, decd., and William T. Yerby, executor of Lucy Street, decd., who was another daughter of William Chowning, decd., in chancery court in Williamsburg in 1809 against William Newby and Pritchard Newby, administrators of Oswald Newby, decd. 12 May 1811"
• "Graves, Benjamin and Sarah Martin, daughter of John Martin, 24 Jan 1804. Sec. and Wit: William Guy Sears. Pt. 1, p. 7"
  

The following is a list of names made from an index at the end of the book:

Abbott Abraham Abrahams Acre Adams Adcock Aimes Alcock Alexander Allen Allport Almond Alsoop Alsop Ames Amiss Amos Ancarrow Anderson Andrews Apperson Archer Armatt Armistead Armstrong Armistead Asker Atkins Atkinson Atkinston Austin Auston Ayers Ayres Aytette Baber Badgar Bagby Baggott Bagot Bailey Baily Baker Baley Baliey Ball Ballard Bankhead Banks Barbee Barbour Barby Barker Barlow Barnes Barnett Barnett Barret Barrett Bartin Bassett Bastian Bates Battaile Battalie Baughan Bautes Baxter Bayler Baylor Baynham Beacham Beale Beazley Beck Beckham Beckwith Bell Bench Bendal Bendall Benness Berkley Bernard Berriman Berry Berryman Bertier Beverely Beverley Bibb Bill Bird Blackburb Blackburn Blackey Blackston Blackwell Blake Blakey Blanton Bloxton Blunt Boggs Bogle Bohannon Boler Boleware Bolin Botware Bonds Booker Booten Booth Bosher Bosley Bostey Boulawre Boulware Bourn Bourne Bousher Boutwell Bowcock Bowen Bowers Bowie Bowlar Bowler Bowles Braddus Bradford Bradley Brame Bramham Branan Brand Branghile Branham Bransam Branscome Bransom Bransome Bransum Braoddus Braxton Bream Breedlove Bridgeford Bridger Bridges Briggs Broaddus Broadie Broadnax Broadus Brock Briokenbrough Broks Bromfield Bromley Brook Brooke Brookes Brooking Brooks Brown Browne Bruce Brumley Brumskill Bryant Buchannon Buckanan Bucker Buckhannon Buckner Bullard Bullock Bumpass Burch Burchell Burk Burke Burnett Burnley Burriss Burroughes Burrus Burruss Burton Burwell Bush Butler Buynnam Caffrey Calhoun Callis Calliss Cammack Camp Campbell Cannaday Cannon Care Carlton Carmichael Carnal Carnall Carnel Carnmack Carnnock Carpenter Carr Carrick Carrington Carter Carton Cary Cash Catlett Catling Chadwell Chamberlayne Champe Chandider Chandler Chapman Charlton Chash Cheadle Chesault Chenalt Chenault Cheny Chevis Chew Chewning Chick Chiles Chivis Chloon Chowning Christian Churchill Ciff Cissel Claiborne Clank Clare Clark Clarke Clator Clatterbuck Clayton Claytor Clear Cleer Cleere Cleft Clere Clift Clough Coarts Coats Cobb Cobbs Cocks Cockrell Cocks Cogbill Coghill Cogwill Coke Colburt Cole Coleburn Colemam Coleman Collier Collinc Collins Colquhoun Colston Commock Conduit Conner Connor Connors Conquest Conway Conyers Cook Cooper Copeland Corbin Corr Cosby Coventon Covington Cox Crank Crarnall Crawford Crease Credle Creedie Creighton Crenshaw Crew Crieghton Crittended Crittenden Cross Crossley Crouch Croucher Crow Crowchin Crutcher Crutchfield Cunningham Curtis Custis Dabney Daingerfield Dalgame Dalgan Dalton Dandridge Dangerfield Daniel Danner Danniel Dannile Daoggett Darby Darnabay Darnaby Davenport Davey Davis Davy Day Dean Deavenport Defoe Dejarnett Dejarnette Demure Deshazo Deshazor Deval Devenport Dew Dewner Dialake Dick Dicken Dickensen Dickenson Dickerson Dickeson Dickins Dickinson Dickson Digges Dillard Dingle Dishman Dismickos Dismikes Dismukes Dixon Dod Dodd Dogel Dogget Doggett Doles Donahoe Donaphan Eonelly Doniphan Doniphan Donohoe Doswell Douglas Douglass Dowles Downen Downer Downing Doyle Drake Driver Drummond Drury Dudley Duerson Dueson Dugand Duke Duling Duncan Dunlop Dunn Dunston Durett Durrett Duval Duvalls Dye Eyer Earnest Eastin Edbank Eddleton Ederington Edge Edmunds Edmundson Edward Edwards Elgin Elington Elkin Elkins Ellerson Elliot Elliott Ellis Emmerson Ennis Estes Estis Eubank Evans Faber Fagg Fale Fant Farish Farley Farmer Farrell Faulkner Favor Favoure Fawcett Fennell Ferrell Field Fields Filander Fisher Fitzgerald Fitzhugh Flagg Fleet Fletcher Flippo Flood Floretta Floyd Foot Forbes Foreacres Forston Fortson Fortun Fortune Foster Fourshee Fowler Fox Francis Frank Frazer Freeman French Frensley Freshy Frippo Froner Frost Fry Fulcher Fuller Fullerton Fulshire Fulton Gadberry Gaines Gains Gale Galvan Gannt Gardner Garland Garnete Garnett Garret Garrett Garrick Gary Gatchell Gatewood Gatewwod Gatewwood Gaunt Gayle George Gervis Gibson Gilchrist Gillis Gillmore Gimbo Giulmore Glanton Glassell Gleason Gleeson Glover Goen Goin Going Goldman Goldsby Gooch Goodall Goode Goodloe Goodrih Goodright Goodwin Gordon Gouge Goulden Gouldin Goulding Gouldman Govan Grafton Graham Granham Grant Gravatt Graves Gray Green Gregor Gregory Griffin Grimes Grinnan Grubbs Grymes Guillintine Guines Guirey Gunnell Gutherie Guthrie Guy Gwathmey Gymymes Hackett Hackney Haden Haggard Haile Hailey Hale Haley Hall Hallam Halley Halsop Hamilton Hampton Hansbrough Hardin Harding Hargrave Hargrove Harnal Harney Harris Harrison Harrow Harris Hart Hartgrave Harvey Harwood Haskins Haslep Hatton Hawes Hawkins Haws Hay Haynes Hayns Hazen Healey Helms Henderson Henedge Henley Henseley Henshaw Herd Herndon Heslop Hewes Hewlett Hibbert Hickman Hickmond Hicks Higgin Hildrup Hill Hilldrup Hillyard Hinchman Hipkins Hoard Hodges Hogan Holdfast Holladay Holloway Holly Holmes Holt Hoomes Hooper Hope Hopkins Hord Horn Horner Hoskins Houston Howard Howel Howle Hubbard Hudgen Hudgin Hudgins Hudson Hughes Hulett Hume Humes Humphrey Hundley Hunter Hurd Hurt Husten Hutchenson Hutcherson Hutcheson Hutchinson Hutcon Hutson Ingram Ingrinn Innis Ireland Irion Isbel Isbell Jackson Jacob Jacobs Jamerson James Jameson Jarrell Jefferies Jennings Jerdone Jerrell Jesse Jeter Johnes Johnson Johnston Jones Jordan Jordon Jourdan Joyce Julian Kannon Kay Kee Keeble Keesee Keeton Keeze Kelley Kelly Kelson Kemp Kenner Kenyon Kidd King Kirtley Knete Knise Lackey Lacy Lafon Lafond Lafong Lambeth Lamont Landeris Landrum Lang Lark Laughlin Laurence Lawless Lawrence Lawry Lawson Layne Leckie Ledwidge Lee Lefoe Leigh Lendrum Letuz Levert Lewis Leyas Lightfoot Lilley Lilly Linch Lindsay Line Lipscomb Littlepage Livingston Lloyd Lomar Lomax Long Longest Lorman Louis Loury Lovel Lovell Lovern Lovin Loving Lovorn Lovoron Lowry Lucas Luck Lumpkin Lumpkins Lungston Lunsford Lurles Lutuz Lynch Lyndsay Lyon Lyons Mcarthur Mcausland Mccall Mccallister Mccandish Mccarthy Mccarty Mcclannahan Mcconll Mcdaniel Mcdonald Mcdowell Mcfarland Mcgehee Mcghee Mcgrath Mcgraw Mcintire Mckee Mckenny Mclaughlin Mcpherson Mcwillliams Macfarlane Machgehee Mackee Macon Madison Magrah Magruder Maham Mahon Malone Mann Marable Marr Marriner Marshall Martin Mason Massey Massie Masterson Matheson Matthews Maudin Maulden Mauldin Maulding Maury Mayfield Maylane Mayo Meacham Meadow Meause Meaux Melone Meone Mercer Meriott Merreman Merrett Merrill Merrinen Merriner Merrit Merriwether Merry Merryman Mews Michael Micou Middlebrook Milk Miller Mills Minor Mitchel Mitchell Molen Molin Molineaux Molth Moncure Monday Monroe Montague Moody Moor Moore Mooring Moorman Moren Morey Morgan Morrow Morton Mosby Moss Motley Moulding Moulson Mourning Mulhollin Mulinburg Mullen Mullencan Mullin Mullins Mullinsax Muncaster Munday Mundle Munford Murdock Murphy Murrah Murray Murrow Murry Muse Mustin Napier Nater Neale Nelb Nelson New Newby Newman Newton Nicholas Nicholson Nobb Noden Noel Noell Nokes Noot Norment Norris Northrop Northrup Northup Norton Nott Nutgrass O'Neal Oldham Oliphant Oliver Oneal Orr Owens Page Pagett Paine Pair Pare Parish Parke Parker Parkes Parnard Parr Parrott Parsons Partelow Partlow Pasco Patterson Pattey Pattie Patton Payne Peake Pearson Peatross Peirce Pemberton Pemebeton Pendleton Penny Pentvin Perkins Perks Perry Petereman Peterman Pettis Pettite Pettus Peyton Philippo Philips Phillips Picardati Piccadat Pickele Pickett Pickington Picklel Pickles Pierce Pilcher Pilkerton Pitt Pittman Pitts Poe Polk Pollard Pollet Pollett Poltney Pope Portch Porter Porterfield Post Powell Powers Prager Pratt Prewet Price Priddie Pritchard Proper Prosper Pruett Pruit Prunty Pugh Pullar Pullen Puller Purkes Purks Quarles Quincey Quisenberry Quisenbery Radford Ragan Ragans Ragsdaleraines Rains Rallins Ramsey Randolph Ranes Rawlings Rawlins Ray Readick Red Redd Reddick Reddish Reddisk Reddock Redford Redock Reeve Reid Reins ennolds Reynolds Rice Richards Richardson Richerson Richeson Rickie Riddle Riding Ridle Riggin Ritchie Rives Roane Robb Roberson Robert Roberts Robertson Robins Robinson Roffe Rogers Roland Rolands Rollins Rootes Rose Ross Rotherick Rotherinck Rothrick Rothrock Rougee Rouse Row Rowe Rows Rowyer Rowzee Roy Royston Rozel Ruffin Runday Russel Russell Rutherford Ryland Sacra Sacrae Sacre Sacry Sale Sallinger Salughter Sampson Samuel Samuels Sanders Sanson Satterwhite Saunders Saunderson Scandland Scantland Schooler Schools Scinn Scott Scranage Scrannage Scrimshaw Seysel Seal Sears Seaton Seay Seddong Sedwick See Segar Seizer Seizor Self Semmes Semple Shackleford Shaddock Shadock Sharp Shaw Shepherd Sheppard Sherley Sherrard Shewsbury Shields Ship Shirley Shop Simmons Simons Simpson Sirls Sissel Sissele Sizer Skeetright Skelton Skinker Skinner Slaughter Sledd Smart Smelter Smith Smithers Smithey Smock Snead Sneed Snyder Sommerson Sorill Sorrel Sorrell Sorril Sorrill Southerland Southword Southworth Spencer Spindle Spotswood Spratt St.John Stanard Stand Standard Standley Stanley Starke Steagall Steele Stephens Stern Sterne Stevens Stevenson Stewart Sthreshley Stiff Stiglar Still Stockton Stokes Stone Stonefield Street Streshey Streshley Strother Stuart Stubblefled Stubblefield Stubbs Subtle Sullenger Sullivan Summerson Sutton Swan Swann Swingston Swinton Syms Tabb Tabor Talbert Talbot Taliferro Talley Tamplin Tankersley Tankersly Tarlton Tarrant Tarrent Tate Taylor Teller Temple Tenant Tennant Tennent Terrell Terrill Terry Thacker Thillmn Thilman Thomas8 Thomley Thompkins Thompson Thomson Thornley Thornton Thorpe Throckmorton Thurston Thwortes Tiffany Tignor Tiller Timberlake Tinsbloom Tinsley Tisdale Tod Todd Toler Tomas Tombs Tompkins Toombs Tooms Towles Townsend Trainham Trainum Tranham Trevelian Trevillian Tribble Trible Trigg Triplett Trouk True Trueman Tryee Tuck Tucker Tuning Tunsley Tunstal Tunstall Tupman Turberville Turner Turning Turpin Tutt Tyler Tyre Tyree Umbrickhouse Underwoiod Upshaw Usher Valentine Vass Vaughan Vawter Venable Vest Vidal Vowles Waddle Wade Walden Wales Walker Waller Walsh Warden Ware Wariing Warren Washington Waters Watkins Watts Waugh Waytt Weatherford Weathers Webb Webster Welch Wellford Wellford Welsh West Wharton White Whiting Whitlock Whittecoe Whittico Whitton Wiatt Wickham Wigglesworth Wild Wiley Willard Williams Williamson Willis Willmore Wilson Willy Wilmore Wilson Win Wingfield Winn Winston Wise Wiseger Wiswall Withers Wood Woodfolk Woodford Woodson Woodward Woolfolk Woolford Wormley Wortham Wray Wrenn Wright Wrigth Wrilcherson Wyatt Yancy Yarborough Yarbrough Yates Yaxley Yeatman Yerby Young Zolicoffer

Again, if you would like to purchase a copy, you can click here to get it at Amazon:

Caroline County, Virginia court records 1742-1883 and marriages 1787-1810

John Semple of Scotland and Virginia, d. c. 1770

John came to King and Queen County, Virginia from Scotland in 1752.

The Virginia Gazette, October 11, 1770:
"To be SOLD, for ready money, on Wednesday, the 21st November, if fair, if not the next fair day, at the dwelling house of John Semple, deceased, in the county of King & Queen, ALL the estate of the said John Semple, consisting of 1200 acres of land, more or less, subject to the dower of Elizabeth Semple, his widow, in the whole, to the dower of Joanne Prince, widow of Francis Prince, deceased, in 150 acres, part thereof; and for the life of Sarah Roberts, widow, in 50 acres, another part thereof. There is on the said land a convenient dwelling house and all other convenient outhouses built since the year 1764; a large apple and peach orchard [cannot read an entire line] Isabel Thomas, at the rent of 10[cannot read] per annum, seven years of her lease yet unexpired; the other two in the possession and tenure of [cannot read first name] Walden [cannot read one word] and James Walden his son, tenants at will. Also 13 Negroes, variety of good household and kitchen furniture of all sorts, too tedious here to mention; flocks of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs; taken in execution by virtue of a decree of the Honourable General Court, against the said John Semple, for and on account of his the said Semple becoming security for Philip Rootes, late sheriff of the said county, for non-payment of the taxes due to his Majesty in the years 1765 and 1766. The sale will be continued till all are sold, by the SHERIFF. WILLIAMSBURG, October 4, 1770."

There is a manuscript at the Library of Virginia entitled, "History of the Semple Family of Scotland and America." It was written/compiled by Elizabeth Hawes Ryland of Richmond in 1950. The first half of the document contains portions of an interview from the summer of 1900 with Mrs. Adeline Semple Bradford of Springfield, Illinois, daughter of John Walker Semple and Lucy Robertson. There is also a copy of a manuscript made be a hired researcher from that time period about the Semple family in Scotland. This document takes the family back hundreds of years with no source citation. There is also a portion of Ryland's manuscript produced from her own research. Finally there are transcripts of a few letters, including one from "Eliza Pettus."

According to Ryland's manuscript, the graveyard at the Semple home in question,"Rose Mount," was plowed under and destroyed before 1900. No stones or their fragments remained at that time.

Library of Virginia Chancery Records Scanned, More Coming

I found something hot yesterday that I did not know existed. I was almost ashamed when I found it, for the fact that I did not realize it was there all of this time. I consider myself an expert on the holdings of the Library of Virginia, I even volunteered there for almost a year. I just could not believe that I missed their project for scanning chancery court records. These are free, online records for anyone to use. Be warned that the records can be very long, some more than 1,000 pages, and they can get very addictive!

Here is the deal, the Library has scanned several counties and are working on the rest. If you do not know, a chancery cause is basically a court case where there is no clear cut law to decide who is right or wrong in a civil case. All of the evidence is gathered and presented to a judge who rules on that evidence. This can include old wills, deeds, Bible records, letters, anything to help win your case. I will give an example of a chancery cause that I found in my family...

Ann's husband died and she sold twenty acres of their farm to one of their freed slaves. Twenty years later, after Ann's death, one of her children decided that they wanted the twenty acres back but the freed slave had sold the land to a white family ten years ago. They all go to chancery court and the judge rules that Ann had no right to sell the property because 2/3 of it belonged to the heirs of her husband. Furthermore the freed slaves had no right to purchase property so the sale was doubly invalid. The white family had to give the land back to Ann's estate and had no recourse since the original sale was not valid. That is a true chancery cause as no clear-cut law applied to the situation. It took a judge's understanding of the laws to come to a conclusion.

Anyway, the Library of Virginia has already scanned the causes for the following areas:

• Alexandria City
• Caroline County
• Fauquier County
• Hanover County
• King & Queen County
• Lancaster County
• Middlesex County
• New Kent County
• Northampton County
• Prince William County
• Rockbridge County (some)
• Shenandoah County
• Staunton City

These areas are in the process of being scanned at this time:

• Amelia County
• Cumberland County
• Page County
• Rockbridge County (some)

You can check out the records at this link: Library of Virginia Chancery Causes

Descendants of Andrew Loving Vass of Richmond, Virginia, 1877-1968

Descendants of Andrew Loving Vass

Generation No. 1

1. ANDREW LOVING 3 VASS (JOSEPH A. 2, HENRY 1) was born August 17, 1877 in Hanover County, Virginia, and died November 15, 1968 in Richmond, Virginia. He married BESSIE MAY JARVIS August 18, 1903 in Richmond, Virginia, daughter of WILLIAM JARVIS and ALICE SHELL. She was born September 17, 1886 in Manchester, Chesterfield County, Virginia, and died August 30, 1974 in Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia.

Notes for ANDREW LOVING VASS:
Andrew was tall and slender with blue eyes, dark brown hair and a soft voice. He was devoted to his mother and sisters, walking around with the license in his pocket for a long time before marrying. He worked for Trediger Iron Works as a puddler and drank heavily until the birth of his last child, commenting that he could have bought the finest house in Richmond if he had back all of the money he spent on booze. Andrew injured his hand and become a trash man, walking through the streets of Richmond with his mule and cart, collecting garbage until his retirement.

More About ANDREW LOVING VASS:
Burial: November 18, 1968, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
Cause of Death: acute myelogenous leukemia

Notes for BESSIE MAY JARVIS:
Bessie’s first pregnancy resulted in a fetal demise. She had three young children die and slammed her breast in a car door, leading to its removal. As an older woman, Bessie was taking off her gown and bent over, lowering herself onto a bedpost and punctured her eyeball. Bessie’s heart hardened, becoming so strict that she would not allow her teenage children to leave their front yard. She was not sociable and did not care for small children. Bessie became so stingy that if she had a piece of fruit, she would let it go bad before she shared it with you.

More About BESSIE MAY JARVIS:
Burial: September 2, 1974, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
Cause of Death: arteriosclerosis cardiovascular disease
Medical Information: cardiovascular accident

More About ANDREW VASS and BESSIE JARVIS:
Marriage: August 18, 1903, Richmond, Virginia

Children of ANDREW VASS and BESSIE JARVIS are:

i. JOSEPH ANDREW4 VASS, b. November 2, 1906, Richmond, Virginia; d. July 30, 1984, Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia; m. (1) HILLARY ESTELLE WALTON, February 12, 1926, Richmond, Virginia; b. Bet. 1909 - 1910, Richmond, Virginia; m. (2) PRIVATE, 1933, King and Queen County, Virginia.

More About JOSEPH ANDREW VASS:
Burial: August 2, 1984, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About JOSEPH VASS and HILLARY WALTON:
Divorce: Bef. 1933
Marriage: February 12, 1926, Richmond, Virginia

More About JOSEPH VASS and PRIVATE:
Marriage: 1933, King and Queen County, Virginia

ii. RAYMOND ELMORE VASS, b. April 16, 1908, Richmond, Virginia; d. April 18, 1990, Mechanicsville, Hanover County, Virginia; m. SETHELLE MORRISON, September 2, 1933, Richmond, Virginia; b. August 19, 1902, Statesville, Southampton County, Virginia; d. September 22, 1991, Newport News, Virginia.

More About RAYMOND ELMORE VASS:
Burial: April 20, 1990, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About SETHELLE MORRISON:
Burial: September 25, 1991, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About RAYMOND VASS and SETHELLE MORRISON:
Marriage: September 2, 1933, Richmond, Virginia

iii. HERBERT ELTON VASS, b. November 5, 1909, Richmond, Virginia; d. April 7, 2003, Ashland, Hanover County, Virginia; m. PRIVATE, November 11, 1929, Richmond, Virginia; b. Bet. 1910 - 1911, Richmond, Virginia.

More About HERBERT ELTON VASS:
Burial: April 10, 2003, Westhampton Memorial Park, Henrico County, Virginia

More About HERBERT VASS and PRIVATE:
Marriage: November 11, 1929, Richmond, Virginia

iv. LOUISE E. VASS, b. January 26, 1911, Richmond, Virginia; d. March 19, 1912, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia.

Notes for LOUISE E. VASS:
According to Hazel Vass Hargrove, Louise was in her highchair while her brother, Herbert, was climbing on its rails. The chair fell backwards and Louise hit her head on the floor. The baby went into convulsions and died from the trauma. This is contrary to the cause of death as pneumonia listed on her death certificate.

More About LOUISE E. VASS:
Burial: March 20, 1912, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: broncho pneumonia

v. HAZEL VIRGINIA VASS, b. February 23, 1914, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia; d. October 28, 2001, Glen Allen, Hanover County, Virginia; m. (1) CARLTON EDWARD BROCK, May 27, 1932, Richmond, Virginia; b. September 30, 1912, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia; d. July 27, 1958, Richmond, Virginia; m. (2) CARLETON PERNELL HARGROVE, August 4, 1959, Dillon, South Carolina; b. October 15, 1920, North Carolina; d. December 1975.

Notes for HAZEL VIRGINIA VASS:
Hazel attended school until the fifth grade. At the age of fifteen, she left home and went to live with her best friend and future sister-in-law, Mattie Brock. Hazel worked at the Southern Dog Biscuit Company for a few years but later opted to stay home with her children and babysat others. She loved animals, raised African violets and lived alone during her widowhood.

More About HAZEL VIRGINIA VASS:
Burial: October 31, 2001, Signal Hill Memorial Park, Hanover County, Virginia
Cause of Death: pancreatic cancer

Notes for CARLTON EDWARD BROCK:
Edward delivered messages for Western Union, worked at the Broad Street train station, drove for the Yellow Cab Company, painted for the Jefferson Hotel and worked as a janitor at the Cripple Children's Hospital. On the side, he wrote numbers and sold liquor during the prohibition period. Edward was a lady's man, so much that one woman came to his funeral and told his widow that "you may have had his children, but I loved him."

More About CARLTON EDWARD BROCK:
Burial: July 30, 1958, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: acute massive myocardial infarction, complete thrombosis of right coronary

More About CARLTON BROCK and HAZEL VASS:
Marriage: May 27, 1932, Richmond, Virginia

Notes for CARLETON PERNELL HARGROVE:
Carleton worked as a painter and general handyman. He was seriously injured after falling from a roof and spent the rest of his life in a nursing home.

More About CARLETON PERNELL HARGROVE:
Cause of Death: fall from a roof

More About CARLETON HARGROVE and HAZEL VASS:
Divorce: May 10, 1973, Richmond, Virginia
Marriage: August 4, 1959, Dillon, South Carolina

vi. LUCILLE LOTTIE VASS, b. December 29, 1915, Richmond, Virginia; d. November 29, 2004, Richmond, Virginia; m. JOHN ROGER REID, JR., April 11, 1933, Richmond, Virginia; b. May 24, 1914; d. September 16, 1996, Richmond, Virginia.

More About LUCILLE LOTTIE VASS:
Burial: December 4, 2004, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

Notes for JOHN ROGER REID, JR.:
Buster served in the United States Army as a young man.

More About JOHN ROGER REID, JR.:
Burial: September 18, 1996, Forest Lawn Cemetery, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia

More About JOHN REID and LUCILLE VASS:
Marriage: April 11, 1933, Richmond, Virginia

vii. MARGARET ALMETER VASS, b. September 5, 1918, Richmond, Virginia; d. June 28, 1920, Richmond, Virginia.

Notes for MARGARET ALMETER VASS:
Bessie was blind at the time Margaret was burned. She had just undergone surgery to remove cataracts from both eyes. Margaret was in the house and picked up a long stick match from inside the hearth. It caught her dress on fire and Margaret swallowed the flames, scorching her mouth and throat. One of the other children called for Bessie, who then desperately tried to save her child in vain.

More About MARGARET ALMETER VASS:
Burial: June 29, 1920, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: burns accidentally received from playing with matches

viii. WILLIAM WEST VASS, b. February 18, 1921, Richmond, Virginia; d. November 14, 1930, Richmond, Virginia.

Notes for WILLIAM WEST VASS:
On the morning of November 10, 1930, William missed the school bus. He ran and jumped onto the door ledge of the moving bus to get the driver's attention. William slipped and fell beneath its wheels and was crushed. He was taken to Memorial Hospital where he died four days later. It was a very painful and traumatic death.

More About WILLIAM WEST VASS:
Burial: November 16, 1930, Riverview Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: auto accident - fractures of ribs, pelvis and right arm

ix. DOUGLAS LOVING VASS, b. February 27, 1926, Virginia; d. September 12, 1986, Richmond, Virginia; m. MYRTLE RAY MASKALL; b. March 9, 1929; d. May 14, 1996, Richmond, Virginia.

More About DOUGLAS LOVING VASS:
Burial: September 15, 1986, Washington Memorial Cemetery, Dutch Gap, Henrico County, Virginia

More About MYRTLE RAY MASKALL:
Burial: May 16, 1996, Washington Memorial Cemetery, Dutch Gap, Henrico County, Virginia