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.

Drowned in James River, John W. Clarke of Williamsburg & Richmond, c. 1840-1893

John's middle name may have been Westley or William. He went to school as a child, learning to read and write. His parent apparently divorced when he was young and John lived with his father and stepmother after that time.

In April of 1861, John enlisted as a private in Capt. Jno. A. Henley's Co. C., 32nd Regiment Virginia Infantry, better known as the "Williamsburg Junior Guards." John served the Confederate army off and on until May of 1864 when listed in Richmond, Virginia's Chimborazo Hospital because of a gunshot wound to the flesh of his hip and thigh. He stayed in the hospital for about six months and returned to duty. John missed a few scattered months due to illness and went AWOL twice, once in February of 1862, the other at Christmas in 1864. Despite his absences, John served for the whole of the Civil War.

After the war, John returned to Williamsburg, Virginia where he owned $500 worth of real estate. However, his wife died and he left for Richmond in the early 1870s. John settled in the Tuckahoe district of Henrico County but ultimately made his home at 1505 W. Beverly Street in Richmond, now Idlewood Avenue near downtown.

Richmond Times, October 17, 1893:
"MR. JOHN W. CLARKE DROWNED. - HE AND HIS BOAT SWEPT OVER THE FALLS BY A STRONG CURRENT. - A very sad accident occurred Sunday morning between 11 and 12 o'clock, when Mr. John W. Clarke, of No. 1505 Beverly street, was drowned in James river. Last Thursday morning Mr. Clarke went up the river on a fishing trip near Williams' Island, about five miles above the city, and left his boat. Early Sunday morning he returned, accompanied by his son Thomas and Mr. Frank Wasmer, to remove the boat (which was in danger of being carried down the stream by the high water) into the canal. He did not have any oars, but getting into the boat, attempted to pull it around into the canal by catching hold of the branches of the bushes along the river bank. His companions offered their assistance, but Mr. Clarke said he thought he could manage the boat alone. He had not gone far, however, when the willow branch he had hold of broke, and the boat drifted out into the current, which is especially swift at that place. He was unable to control the boat without oars, and the craft rapidly went down the stream, and dashed with its occupant over the falls. The unfortunate man was seen standing in the boat some distance below the falls, the boat being nearly full of water. He sunk, and the boat floated ashore near the old pump-house. Searching parties dragged the river, and made ever effort to recover the body, but up to a late hour yesterday afternoon failed, as the water in the river was quite high. Mr. Clarke was about fifty-three years of age, and was a carpenter. He was a son-in-law of Deputy Collector of Customs Robert B. Pettis, and was twice married. He leaves a widow and nine children, five sons and four daughters. Mr. P. L. Clarke [sic.], a son of the deceased, who resided in Charleston, S. C., has been telegraphed for, and was expected to reach the city yesterday evening. The bereaved family have the sympathy of a wide circle of acquaintances and friends."

Richmond Dispatch, October 17, 1893:
"MR. CLARKE DROWNED ON SUNDAY - HIS BOAT DRIFTED OUT INTO THE CURRENT AND HE WAS LOST - Mr. John W. Clarke, of this city, was drowned in James river just below Williams's Island Sunday morning about 8 o'clock. Williams's Island is some five miles above Richmond, and near that place Mr. Clarke had a boat tied up to the river bank. Sunday morning early, in company with his son Thomas and Mr. Frank Wassmer, a neighbor, he left his home, No. 1501 Beverley street, for the purpose of transferring the boat form the river to the canal, as he feared that the high water would carry it away. Mr. Clarke, it seems, got into the boat alone and was pulling it by catching hold of the branches of the bushes along the bank to a place where it could be carried over to the canal without making it necessary to climb a steep hill. Suddenly, however, a branch that he was using in the maneuver described snapped, and the boat becoming unmanageable drifted out into the current and over a natural dam. The son and Mr. Wassmer ran down the canal bank for a considerable distance, and some five hundred yards below where the boat got adrift saw Mr. Clarke standing up in it. A cluster of trees then sent him out from their sight, and when they next caught a view of him he was in the water with his hands to his head and was sinking. Mr. Clarke was an excellent swimmer, but had on very thick clothing and a very heavy pair of boots. The deceased was a coach painter by trade; was 53 years old, and had been twice married. He leaves a wife and nine children. His son, O. L. Clarke, who resides in Charleston, S. C., has been telegraphed for. The news of the accident spread very rapidly in the section of the city in which Mr. Clarke resided, and a large number of persons went to the scene Sunday and remained there until nightfall, hoping the body would be washed up. At a late hour last night it had not been recovered."

Richmond Times, October 18, 1893:
"HIS BODY NOT RECOVERED. - All efforts to recover the body of Mr. John W. Clarke, an account of whose death by drowning was published in yesterday's Times, have proved futile. Up to a late hour yesterday the body had not been located."

Richmond Times, October 19, 1893:
"TWO MEN DROWNED. - ONE OF THEM WAS CAPT. PETE VAN HAME, AN OYSTER PLANTER. - WILLIAMSBURG, VA., - Oct. 18. - Special - During the great storm of Friday last, Captain Pete Van Hame, and a man by the name of Purcell, who were trying to secure a boat anchored out in the river, were capsized and both drowned. Captain Pete was an old oyster planter on York river, and was favorably known to a large number of people. Mr. John W. Clarke, notice of whose drowning appeared to-day in the Times, was a native of this place. He left here some where in the seventies to make Richmond his home. The new reservoir at the asylum has just been has just been completed and is now being filled with water, forced into it from the lower pump house. When filled the asylum will be in a better condition to extinguish fire than ever before. Mr. George Dabney Wootten, who died here recently, was buried yesterday in the cemetery of the asylum. Up to a few weeks ago the deceased was a familiar figure on our streets and will be much missed."

Richmond Times, October 20, 1893:
"WAS THIS MAN DROWNED? - THE BODY OF AN UNKNOWN MAN FOUND ON EPPES' ISLAND. - The remains of a white man, five feet ten inches in height, were found on Eppes' Island, on James river, opposite City Point. The body is supposed to have been washed ashore in Friday's storm. The man wore a pair of lace shoes, nearly new, brown socks, jeans drawers, blue striped cotton pants, blue checked shirt, short black coat. There was a silver dollar in the pants pocket. The right shoe was laced with a cotton string. The body was mutilated almost beyond recognition."

Richmond Times, October 21, 1893:
"THE BODY FOUND. - The body of John W. Clarke, who was drowned on Sunday last, was found yesterday at 2 o'clock by John Johnson opposite Six Gates, near Richmond. The body had drifted owing to the high water a distance of nearly four miles, and when found was in a very bruised condition. It was taken to Laube's, corner of First and Broad, to be properly prepared for burial. The funeral services will be held at 11 o'clock to-morrow at Lakeview [sic.] cemetery."

Richmond Dispatch, October 21, 1893:
"MR. CLARKE'S BODY FOUND - The body of Mr. John W. Clarke, who was drowned in the river just below Williams's Island last Sunday, was found yesterday afternoon wedged between two rocks in front of River View. Mr. Frank Wassmer, who went with Mr. Clarke up the river on the morning of the accident for the purpose of helping him remove his boat to the canal, discovered the body. The burial will be in River-View cemetery at 11 o'clock this morning."

Richmond Times, October 22, 1893:
"OBITUARY - JOHN CLARKE. - The funeral services of the late John Clarke were held at River View yesterday morning at 11 o'clock. The following gentleman acted as pall-bearers: C. A. Little, J. K. Groner, C. Grant, Mike Wosser, John Kemp and C. Heimline."

John is buried in plat F, half section 10, division 5, grave 1 of Riverview Cemetery.

Mrs. Fannie Badkins Clark of Williamsburg obituary, Virginia Gazette, June 18, 1914

Virginia Gazette, June 18, 1914:
"MRS. FANNIE CLARK - Mrs. Fannie Clark, wife of J. P. Clark, died suddenly of heart trouble at her home on West Francis street Saturday night at 8 o'clock. Mrs. Clark was in her usual health until stricken, having been on the street with her husband just a few minutes before her death. Mrs. Clark was 61 years of age and before her marriage was a Miss Badkins. She is survived by her husband and the following children: Mrs. Edward Fox, of Morrisons: Mrs. Clara Fox, of Newport News: Mrs. W. B. Blackburn, of Portsmouth: Mrs. E. J. Harlow, of Littleton, N. C.: Richard Clark, of Portsmouth, and Frank Clark, of this city. Mrs. Pet Allard is her only surviving sister, and R. L. and William Badkins, of this city are brothers. The funeral took place Monday at 2:30 from the Methodist church and was conducted by the pastor, Rev. G. H. Newbury. The pallbearers were J. T. Binns, W. B. Burns, J. E. Hicks, C. F. Rogers, R. C. Lawson and N. R. Proctor. Burial was in Cedar Grove cemetery. There were many pretty floral offerings from relatives and friends."

Virginia Gazette, June 18, 1914:
"CARD OF THANKS - We desire to thank the people of Williamsburg for their sympathy and assistance in our late sad bereavement in the death of wife and mother. J. P. Clark and family."

Some notes on Philmer Clarke of Warwick & York County, Virginia

LT. PHILMER2 CLARKE (JAMES1)1 was born Bet. 1775 - 17842,3, and died Bef. June 18344. He married (1) NANCY5. She was born Bet. 1785 - 17946, and died Bet. 1820 - July 18247,8. He married (2) LAVINA LEE8 Abt. July 31, 1824 in York County, Virginia8, daughter of MAJ. JOHN LEE. She died Aft. June 18349.

Notes for LT. PHILMER CLARKE:
Philmer served as a Lieutenant in Captain James Hubberd's company of the 68th Regiment Virginia Militia during the War of 1812. He was most active during the year 1814.

Philmer lived in Warwick County, Virginia before moving to York County. He owned four slaves in 1810 and six in 1820. He also had two young free blacks living with him in 1820. As a note, someone in the household that year was in manufacturing.

Philmer may have been the son of a James Clarke that served in the Revolutionary War. However his direct relationship is not stated in the following document:

York County, Virginia Order Book #12, p. 315:
"At York County Court 16 June 1834 - On the motion of Ann Thomas Ordered that it be certified That it appears to the Court from satisfactory evidence adduced that James Clarke who is reputed to have been in the War of the Revolution, died Intestate in the County of York leaving as his only heirs at Law Ann Clarke and Philmer Clarke - That Ann Clarke has since the death of the said James Clarke intermarried with a man by the name of Thomas Tommas - That Philmer Clarke is dead leaving as his Heirs John Clarke, Thomas Clarke and Clarentine Clarke who has since intermarried with Edward Hogg and Robert Clarke an Infant and that the said Philmer has also left a widow Lavenia who is now living."

More About LT. PHILMER CLARKE:
Military service: Capt. James Hubberd's Co., 68th Virginia Militia - War of 1812 10

Notes for LAVINA LEE:
Lavina was a spinster from Yorkhampton Parish when she married Philmer.

More About PHILMER CLARKE and LAVINA LEE:
Marriage: Abt. July 31, 1824, York County, Virginia11
Marriage bond: July 31, 1824, York County, Virginia11
Surety: Robert Lee11

Children of PHILMER CLARKE and NANCY are:
i. JOHN3 CLARKE12, d. Aft. June 183412.
ii. THOMAS T. CLARKE13, b. Bet. 1812 - 1813, York County, Virginia14; d. Bet. June 1850 - June 186014,15; m. (1) GEORGIANNA16; b. Bet. 1814 - 1815, Williamsburg, Virginia17; d. Aft. June 186018; m. (2) PARKEY JANE WALTHALL19, Bef. June 1850 20; b. Bet. 1824 - 1825, Farmville, Cumberland County, Virginia21,22; d. Aft. June 1870 23.

Notes for THOMAS T. CLARKE:
According to the 1850 census, Thomas and his family were living in York County, Virginia. He worked as a shoemaker and apparently had quite a business, seeing as though three additional shoemakers were living with him at that time. It is quite possible that Thomas was a master and they his apprentices.

More About THOMAS T. CLARKE:
Occupation: shoemaker24

Notes for GEORGIANNA:
Georgianna is a hard person to pin down. She and Thomas Clarke apparently divorced around 1845. I do not know what happened to her in 1850, but Georgianna was living with Somersett Moore in Williamsburg, Virginia by 1860. She owned $900 worth of real estate at that time but I am not sure where. To make matters more complicated, Somersett Moore eventually married the second wife of Georgianna's former husband!

I do not know what became of Georgianna after 1860. It appears that she and her children were not very close, opting to live with their father, and at times, Mr. Moore, instead of Georgianna.

More About GEORGIANNA:
Occupation: mantua (gown) maker25

Marriage Notes for THOMAS CLARKE and GEORGIANNA:
Thomas and Georgianna must have divorced in the mid-1840s as he remarried and she thereafter lived with a man named Somersett Moore.

More About THOMAS CLARKE and GEORGIANNA:
Divorce: Bef. June 185026

More About PARKEY JANE WALTHALL:
Occupation: tayloress27

Marriage Notes for THOMAS CLARKE and PARKEY WALTHALL:
There is a possibility that Thomas and Parkey were married in Petersburg, Virginia.

More About THOMAS CLARKE and PARKEY WALTHALL:
Marriage: Bef. June 185028

iii. CLARENTINE CLARKE29, b. Bet. 1816 - 1821, York County, Virginia30,31; d. Aft. August 187032; m. EDWARD HOGG33, Bef. June 183433; b. Bet. 1808 - 1810, York County, Virginia34,35; d. Bet. June 1860 - August 187035,36.

Notes for CLARENTINE CLARKE:
After the death of her father, Edward Hogg became Clarentine's legal guardian. I am not sure if this is the same Edward Hogg she later married. After the death of her husband, Clarentine lived in the Grafton township of York County, Virginia.

Notes for EDWARD HOGG:
Edward owned five slaves in 1840. He was unable to read or write.

More About EDWARD HOGG:
Occupation: Farmer37

More About EDWARD HOGG and CLARENTINE CLARKE:
Marriage: Bef. June 183438

iv. ROBERT W. CLARKE39,40, b. Bet. June 1817 - June 1822, Warwick or York County, Virginia40,41; d. October 10, 1853, near York County, Virginia42; m. SARAH A. BAILEY43,44, Bef. July 185045; b. Bet. February 1831 - February 1832, James City County, Virginia45,46; d. February 22, 1853, Yorktown, York County, Virginia46.

More About ROBERT W. CLARKE:
Cause of Death: Dropsey47
Occupation: Shoe and boot maker47

More About SARAH A. BAILEY:
Cause of Death: Pneumonia48

More About ROBERT CLARKE and SARAH BAILEY:
Marriage: Bef. July 185049

Endnotes

1. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
2. Filmer Clark household, 1810 census, Warwick County, Virginia, p. 193.
3. Filmer Clarke household, 1820 census, York County, Virginia, p. 160.
4. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
5. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
6. Filmer Clark household, 1810 census, Warwick County, Virginia, p. 193.
7. Filmer Clarke household, 1820 census, York County, Virginia, p. 160.
8. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
9. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
10. Pay Rolls Militia Entitled to Land Bounty Under the Act of Congress of September 28, 1850, (Richmond, 1851).
11. Michael Pollock, York County Virginia Marriages Volume 1 Bonds & Ministers' Returns 1769-1853, (Athens, Georgia, 1994).
12. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
13. Clarke-Pettis marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1873, p. 33, ln. 6.
14. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
15. Parkey Jeno Clarke household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 675, ln. 9.
16. Clarke-Pettis marriage register entry, Richmond, Virginia, 1873, p. 33, ln. 6.
17. John W. Clark household, 1880 census, Henrico County, Virginia, ED 69, p. 15, ln. 40.
18. Sommersette Moore household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 656, ln. 34.
19. Moore-Clarke marriage register entry, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1862, p. 62, ln. 3.
20. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
21. Moore-Clarke marriage register entry, Williamsburg, Virginia, 1862, p. 62, ln. 3.
22. Parkey Jeno Clarke household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 675, ln. 9.
23. Somersett Moore household, 1870 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 359, ln. 19.
24. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
25. Sommersette Moore household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 656, ln. 34.
26. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
27. Parkey Jeno Clarke household, 1860 census, James City County, Virginia, p. 675, ln. 9.
28. Thomas Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 364, ln. 26.
29. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
30. Edward Hogg household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 369.
31. Edwd Hogg household, 1860 census, York County, Virginia, p. 981.
32. Clarentine Hogg household, 1870 census, York County, Virginia, p. 557.
33. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
34. Edward Hogg household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 369.
35. Edwd Hogg household, 1860 census, York County, Virginia, p. 981.
36. Clarentine Hogg household, 1870 census, York County, Virginia, p. 557.
37. Edward Hogg household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 369.
38. James Clarke proof of Revolutionary War service, York County, Virginia, Order Book 12, p. 315.
39. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
40. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
41. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
42. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
43. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
44. Sarah Clarke death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
45. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.
46. Sarah Clarke death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
47. Robert W. Clark death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
48. Sarah Clarke death register entry, York County, Virginia, 1853.
49. Ro. W. Clarke household, 1850 census, York County, Virginia, p. 343.

College Cemetery, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This cemetery is located in old campus between Blow, Monroe and Tyler Halls off Richmond Road. It is ivy-covered and surrounded with a finely crafted, knee-high brick wall in the colonial style. It bears the following inscription:

This wall has been erected in memory of Col. Benjamin Stoddert Ewell President of the College of William and Mary 1854-1888.

There are three graves in the cemetery but there is room for several more.

The tombstone of Lucian Minor is a very tall marble obelisk inscribed on four surfaces. They are as follows:

Lucian Minor
Born in Louisa County, VA
April 24th 1802
Died July 8th 1858

In Williamsburg where, he discharged his duties, as professor of Law in William and Mary with Diligence and Success.

The Sons of Temperance of Virginia in honor of his exalted worth as a man, a Scholar and a Christian, his early, Consistent and able support of Temperance, have erected this monument to their departed brother and P. G. W. A. Lucian Minor, useful in life “his works do follow him.”

“Engrave his virtues on the tablets of enduring memory, that you may learn to imitate them.”

Love for his race; Purity of purpose: and Fidelity to every obligation, distinguished him in all the relations of life. We would cherish his memory, honor his name, and imitate his example.

The stone of Benjamin Ewell is granite and about four feet tall by three feet wide.

Benjamin Stoddert Ewell
1810 - 1894

President of William and Mary 1854 - 1888. Colonel Thirty-Second Regiment Virginia Volunteers CSA. The Reopening of the College in 1865 was due to his courage and Fidelity by Ringing the bell during the silent years from 1881 to 1888 when the college was closed he preserved its charter.

The grave of Thomas Snead is marked with both a headstone and foot stone. The main stone is about three and a half feet tall by three feet wide and is of sandstone. Its inscription is becoming hard to read and required a rubbing to get some of the information. The foot stone bears the initials T. T. L. S. It is a smaller version of the headstone.

In memory of
Capt. Thomas T. L. Snead
son of
Henrietta & George Snead
Born in Accomac County
March 20th 1832
Died in Williamsburg
July 3, 1872

From 1852 till his death he was connected with the College of William and Mary as Student and Professor. A brave defender of VA’s Rights, an approved instructor, an accomplished mathematician, he enjoyed the esteem and love of the community in which he so long lived and labored.

Book Review: "Bruton Parish Virginia Register 1662-1797" with Last Name Index N-Z

The following is a summary of the last name index, N-Z, of the "Bruton Parish Virginia Register 1662-1797", transcribed & edited by John Vogt, 2004, 8x10, xiv, 119 pages with index, perfect-bound, paperback, printed on acid-free stock by New Papyrus Publishing of Athens, Georgia, ISBN 974-9929-0-97.

The parish register which survives covers the years 1662, twelve years before the formation of Bruton Parish (these records are those of the earlier Middleton Parish) up past the American Revolution to the mid 1790s. It records life events for both the great men of society as well as artisans, children, servants, slaves, bastard children, and reflects a cross-section of the Williamsburg community during its heyday when it served as the capital of the colony. More than 3,400 entries list either births, baptisms, deaths, or burials. There are no marriage records.

The editor has provided a meticulous transcription of the register, using his training in colonial paleography to correct many of the previous mis-readings. A full index is included as well as an extensive introduction. This will provide valuable information for most people with family in the York, James City, Williamsburg area during the eighteenth century.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, let me know. FYI, the book you would get contains all letters A-Z but I broke them up here into two posts so they would not look so long.

Here are two sample entries from the book:

• "Robert son of Robert Carter Nicholas & Anne His Wife Was Born June 26, 1768"
• "1748 Mary Daughter of Doct. Kenneth McKinzie and Joanna his Wife Was Born the 14th April ye 4 o'clock in the morning and was baptized ye 17th of the same month."

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

Needler Nelson Newman Newton Nicholas Nichols Nicholson Nickleson Nicolson Nimmo Nixson Norman Normand Norvell Norwall Norwell Nott Oates Oats Obrian Oconner Ogleby Oliphant Ormeston Orr Orrel Orrell Owen Owens Oxloy Pack Page Paget Palmer Parish Parke Parks Parris Parrott Partridge Pasteur Pasture Patterson Pattison Peachey Peagram Peal Peale Pearman Pearson Pegram Peirce Peirse Pelham Penman Pennel Penney Pescad Peters Pettus Philips Phillips Phrodo Pierce Pierson Pinchback Pines Pinkethman Pinkeyman Pinthbard Pit Pitt Poindexter Poirthress Pollard Porter Pots Potter Powell Power Powers Prat Prentis Prentiss Preston Prewitt Price Prichard Priddy Prior Prosser Pulley Purdy Pynes Raine Randal Randol Randolph Raneff Ratcliff Ratliff Ratlief Ravenright Rawley Rawlinson Reed Reid Reine Renolds Reynolds Rhoden Rhodowell Rice Richardson Richeson Ricke Riddel Right Rind Roadman Roadwell Roan Robear Roberts Robertson Robinson Robison Roderick Rogerman Rogers Rollison Royle Rose Ross Routmore Row Rowle Rowlinson Roxbury Royle Rudder Russel Russell Ryley Sadler Saint Salmon Sammon Sander Sanders Sandford Sands Saunders Scarborough Scarbrough Scot Seagrave Sealy Sebrell Sebrill Serjeanton Shadwell Shalburn Sharp Sharpe Shearer Shearman Shehorn Sheilds Shelborne Shemp Sheppard Sherman Sherwood Shield Shields Short Shurley Simpkins Simpson Simson Singleton Skipwith Slaughter Slonor Smith Snoroy Sommerton Sorbar Southall Southwell Sparr Spelman Spence Spencer Spiers Spotswood Spratley Spring Spur Stafford Stanly Stannap Stanyard Stark Steel Stephens Stepney Stevens Stevenson Stevinson Stweard Stith Stokes Stone Stott Strahan Strait Strawhan Strawhourne Street Strickland Sturgis Summers Sutor Swiney Symes Symod Syms Taliafero Tandy Tanfoy Tapper Tarpley Tarrent Taylor Tazewell Teddar Temple Thacker Thomas Thompson Thornton Thorp Thorpe Tibbs Timberlick Timson Tobin Todd Toddell Tomson Toop Toor Tosse Trebell Tritt Trower Tucker Tuley Turner Tyler Tylor Vaden Vadin Valantine Valentine Vaulx Vaux Venables Vigars Vincent Vinckler Vinclor Vinkler Voab Vobe Wade Wadsworth Wager Walker Wallace Waller Walter Walters Wamsley Ward Warren Warrington Washington Waters Watkins Watson Watt Watters Wattles Wave Weatherborn Weatherbourn Weatherburn Web Webb Weldon Wells West Westmore Wetherford Whaley Whaly Wharton Whately Wheatly Wheeler Whitacker Whitaker Whitby White Whitehair Whitehead Whiting Whitley Whitlock Wickham Wigg Wilkins Wilkinson Wilks Williams Willings Willis Wilson Windsor Winter Winthrow Wisdom Withers Wolrot Wood Wooding Woods Word Workman Worthorne Wray Wright Wyatt Wyld Wylde Wylor Wynn Wythe Yarwood Yates Young

Again, If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, let me know.

Book Review: "Bruton Parish Virginia Register 1662-1797" with Last Name Index A-M

The following is a summary of the last name index, A-M, of the "Bruton Parish Virginia Register 1662-1797", transcribed & edited by John Vogt, 2004, 8x10, xiv, 119 pages with index, perfect-bound, paperback, printed on acid-free stock by New Papyrus Publishing of Athens, Georgia, ISBN 974-9929-0-97.

The parish register which survives covers the years 1662, twelve years before the formation of Bruton Parish (these records are those of the earlier Middleton Parish) up past the American Revolution to the mid 1790s. It records life events for both the great men of society as well as artisans, children, servants, slaves, bastard children, and reflects a cross-section of the Williamsburg community during its heyday when it served as the capital of the colony. More than 3,400 entries list either births, baptisms, deaths, or burials. There are no marriage records.

The editor has provided a meticulous transcription of the register, using his training in colonial paleography to correct many of the previous mis-readings. A full index is included as well as an extensive introduction. This will provide valuable information for most people with family in the York, James City, Williamsburg area during the eighteenth century.

If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, let me know. FYI, the book you would get contains all letters A-Z but I broke them up here into two posts so they would not look so long.

Here are two sample entries from the book:

• "Robert son of Robert Carter Nicholas & Anne His Wife Was Born June 26, 1768"
• "1748 Mary Daughter of Doct. Kenneth McKinzie and Joanna his Wife Was Born the 14th April ye 4 o'clock in the morning and was baptized ye 17th of the same month."

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

Aarnest Abell Alcorn Alcraft Alexander Allardis Allen Ambler Amson Anderson Andrews Archer Armfield Armistead Arnall Arnest Arthur Ashby Ashley Atherton Atkins Atkinson Atwood Aubrey Austin Avel Aylett Aynsley Ayscough Back Backhurst Bag Bainton Baker Bakewell Ballard Banister Barbar Barber Barden Barder Barker Barlow Barnes Barnham Barns Barradal Barradell Barrett Bartle Bartlett Barlott Bascom Basset Basskerfield Bates Batter Batton Batts Baylor Bazill Beale Bearfoot Beatty Bedford Bee Bell Bellifant Bellini Bendall Benford Bentley Ber Berkeley Berkley Besouth Bessre Biddel Bindford Binford Bingam Bird Bizit Black Blair Blakely Blanch Bland Blasingham Blouette Blunt Board Boland Bolton Bond Bonyman Booker Bossauth Bowcock Bowler Bowles Bowman Boydon Bracken Bradford Bradley Bradshaw Brand Brathwait Bray Bredson Brewer Brian Bridges Bristow Broad Broadbouck Broados Bromfield Brookman Brooks Brown Browne Bryan Bryant Bryan Bryer Buck Budstone Buffin Bulger Bullard Bullifant Burby Burdett Burfoot Burley Burrish Burwell Butler Byrd Byrum Camp Campbel Campbell Campel Candum Cannon Cardwell Carey Carr Carter Cary Casely Casement Casey Catton Causer Charleton Charlton Chesley Chiswell Chowning Ciswell Clark Clarke Clayton Clerbo Clouth Coales Cobb Cobbs Cock Cocke Cocks Coeman Coke Cole Coles Colley Collot Colvin Coman Connelly Connilly Contese Cook Cooke Cooper Corbing Corke Corker Corking Cornwallis Cosby Cotton Coulth Coulthard Cowls Cox Crab Crabtree Craddox Craig Crain Cranther Craton Crawley Crawshaw Crease Crenshaw Crew Crips Critt Crocus Crook Crosby Croshaw Crowley Cryder Cryer Culley Combo Cummins Cunningham Curtis Custis Dangerfield Daniel Daniell Dashe Davenport Davidson Davior Davis Dawson Day Dayley Dean Dear Debree Degliesh Delaney Delany Denbre Denis Dennis Davenport Dick Dickenson Dickerson Dickinson Dickson Didip Digby Digges Diggs Digs Diseson Dixon Dixson Dodson Doran Dorman Dormar Dosoor Douglass Doyley Doyly Drake Draper Dreutz Drewitt Drummond Dubree Duffin Duncastle Dunford Dunn Dunston Durfey Durfy Durphey Dyer Eading Earnshaw Eaton Eburne Edmunds Edwards Eggleston Egres Elliot Ernot Esco Evans Everand Everitt Farmar Farquason Foliot Foliott Force Forgison Fortson Fosey Fox Foy Frank Frederick Fry Furgurson Gaddy Galt Gardiner Gardner Garland Garret Gary Geddy Gentle George Gibbs Gibson Giggits Gilbert Gilbey Giles Gill Gillet Gillham Gilman Gilmer Gilmore Glass Glasscock Godfrey Gold Golding Gooch Goodamore Gooding Goodson Goodwin Gorham Gough Graves Gravonor Greaves Green Greene Greenhow Gregory Griffin Grimes Gun Gutteridge Gwinn Gwyn Haile Hains Hale Haley Hall Hambleton Hammond Hamner Handy Hankins Hankla Hansel Hansford Hantoy Harding Hark Harkett Harmer Harmon Harney Harper Harris Harrison Hartfield Harther Hartshorn Harvey Harwood Hawthorne Hay Haye Haynes Hays Haythorn Hazell Henley Hennese Henrickie Herd Hewbank Hewitt Hex Higgison Highland Hillman Hix Hobkins Holdcraft Holden Holder Holicott Holloway Holt Hopkins Hornby Hornsby Horrocks Hossington Howard Hoxbind Hoye Hubard Hubbard Hudson Hughes Hughs Huilof Huldston Hulett Humphrey Hunley Hunt Hunter Huollin Hurd Hurlston Hurst Hutchins Ince Inco Ingles Innis Ireland Irish Isorell Ives Ivory Jackson Jacob James Jameson Jaspar Jeffreys Jemart Jennings Jennins Johnson Johnston Johnstoune Jonathan Jone Jones Joseph Jude Juxton Keele Keelo Keene Keith Kemp Kempe Kendale Kendall Kennedy Kere Keri Kerle Kerr Kindale King Knell Koon Korker Lafayette Lafong Lamasor Lane Langford Laprade Larbo Lark Larke Laughton Lauie Layton Lear Leavor Lederer Lee Lenox Leppur Levin Levine Lewis Lidderdale Lightfoot Lillingston Limb Lindethman Lisle Londeryman Long Lorvilo Lounsdale Love Lucas Luckett Ludbrook Ludwell Luke Lunsford Lutboy Lutron Lyndrick Lyne Lynne Lyon Macarte Mackensie Mackgriger Macon Major Makinin Maloney Man Manly Maples Marable Marten Martin Martyr Masen Mash Mashey Massey Masterson Mathews Matthews Maupin Maury May Maynard Mays Mccabe Mccarte Mccarty Mccloud Mcclung Mcgrigor Mchenry Mcintosh Mckenzie Mcpherson Meace Mecarte Meeks Merkins Metcalf Miggs Miller Millington Mills Milner Milton Minetre Mins Mintree Mitchell Monro Moody Mookins Moor Moreland Morgan Moring Morrill Morris Morrow Morton Moses Moss Mourning Moyer Moyers Mumpain Mundell Murphey Murphy Musgraves Musgrove Myer Myers

Again, If you would like to purchase a copy of this book, let me know.

College Cemetery, College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This cemetery is located in old campus between Blow, Monroe and Tyler Halls off Richmond Road. It is ivy-covered and surrounded with a finely crafted, knee-high brick wall in the colonial style. It bears the following inscription:

This wall has been erected in memory of Col. Benjamin Stoddert Ewell President of the College of William and Mary 1854-1888.

There are three graves in the cemetery but there is room for several more.

The tombstone of Lucian Minor is a very tall marble obelisk inscribed on four surfaces. They are as follows:

Lucian Minor
Born in Louisa County, VA
April 24th 1802
Died July 8th 1858

In Williamsburg where, he discharged his duties, as professor of Law in William and Mary with Diligence and Success.

The Sons of Temperance of Virginia in honor of his exalted worth as a man, a Scholar and a Christian, his early, Consistent and able support of Temperance, have erected this monument to their departed brother and P. G. W. A. Lucian Minor, useful in life “his works do follow him.”

“Engrave his virtues on the tablets of enduring memory, that you may learn to imitate them.”

Love for his race; Purity of purpose: and Fidelity to every obligation, distinguished him in all the relations of life. We would cherish his memory, honor his name, and imitate his example.

The stone of Benjamin Ewell is granite and about four feet tall by three feet wide.

Benjamin Stoddert Ewell
1810 - 1894

President of William and Mary 1854 - 1888. Colonel Thirty-Second Regiment Virginia Volunteers CSA. The Reopening of the College in 1865 was due to his courage and Fidelity by Ringing the bell during the silent years from 1881 to 1888 when the college was closed he preserved its charter.

The grave of Thomas Snead is marked with both a headstone and footstone. The main stone is about three and a half feet tall by three feet wide and is of sandstone. Its inscription is becoming hard to read and required a rubbing to get some of the information. The footstone bears the initials T. T. L. S. It is a smaller version of the headstone.

In memory of
Capt. Thomas T. L. Snead
son of
Henrietta & George Snead
Born in Accomac County
March 20th 1832
Died in Williamsburg
July 3, 1872

From 1852 till his death he was connected with the College of William and Mary as Student and Professor. A brave defender of VA’s Rights, an approved instructor, an accomplished mathematician, he enjoyed the esteem and love of the community in which he so long lived and labored.

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.

James Semple of York County, 1765-1806 Estate

James Semple had only one child, Eliza Harwood Semple. According to Elizabeth Hawes Ryland's manuscript, "History of the Semple Family of Scotland and America," James was born on February 10, 1765 and died March 4, 1806.

York County, Virginia Wills 1783-1811, p. 685:
"I James Semple of the City of Williamsburg being of sound Mind and memory and in good health do make and constitute this to be my last Will and Testament. Item I give unto my well beloved Wife Sarah Semple all my property that I may die possessed of during her natural life except as is hereafter excepted. If I should have issue then my Wife is to support Such child or children until she marries again and then I desire that she may have what is allowed Widows by Law and the remaining part of my Estate to be appropriated to the support of any Child or children this time I may have. If I should have no Child I then desire that all my Negroes may be emancipated at the death of my Wife. Item I leave my Brother Robert B. Semple my residuary Legatee in case I have no children or Child and desire that him his Heirs or assigns may have all property belonging to my Estate at the death of my Wife. I leave my Wife my Executrix my friends Mr. Robert B. Semple and James Semple of New Kent County my Executors. Witness my hand and Seal this 13th day of April 1795. James Semple [seal].

At a Court of Q[cannot decipher] Session held for York County the 18 day of March 1806. This Will was produced in Court and thereupon Robert Saunders, William Hankins and Gann L. Corbin being sworn deposed that they are well acquainted with the hand writing of James Semple deceased and verily believe the said Will with the name thereto subscribed to be wholly written by the Testator whereupon the Court being satisfied that the said Writing is the last Will and Testament of James Semple deceased ordered it to be recorded. And Robert B. Semple and James Semple the Executors therein named by a paper writing under their Hands and Seals this day produced in Court refusing to take upon themselves the burden of the Execution of the said Will on the motion of Peter R. Deneufville who made oath thereto according to Law and together with Thomas Mutter his Security entered into and acknowledged their Bond in the penalty of four thousand dollars conditioned as the Law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining Letters of Administration in the Estate of the said James Semple with his said Last Will and Testament annexed in due form. Teste R. W. Wallor, c/c."

York County, Virginia Wills 1783-1811, p. 706:
An inventory and appraisement for the estate of James Semple, Sr., deceased, late of Williamsburg, was created on April 12, 1806 and entered into Court on February 16, 1807. I think the "Sr." part was a mistake, or at least did not refer to him having a son of the same name, but I cannot be certain. There was a document stating that Elizabeth H. Semple was James' only child in an 1822 deed of trust involving her husband William Power (see his notes). However, that document may have been incorrect or perhaps a James, Jr. did exist but died before 1822. Thomas Sands, John Power and John Howston were the estate's appraisers. Several of James' seven slaves were hired out, at least on was as far away as Richmond, or they were involved in deeds of trust. Other items of interest included a new wagon with gear for two horses, fourteen Windsor chairs, thirteen old black walnut chairs, a lot of old books, a walnut writing desk and stool, brass scales with weights, blue-edged place settings, forty-seven new whitewash brushes and a calender. The inventory also revealed that James' house had an upstairs as well as a smokehouse. His estate was given a total value of 748 pounds, 5 shillings and two pence halfpenny.

York County, Virginia Wills 1783-1811, p. 710:
An account of sales for the estate of James Semple, Sr., deceased was created on April 29, 1806 and recorded in Court on February 16, 1807. An advertisement was made on March 26, 1805 to announce the sale scheduled for April 14, 1806 at his former home. Anything under five dollars was to be paid in cash and anything over five dollars was given a year of credit. However, the 14th proved to be unfit for the sale so it was held on the 15th. Several items not included in the inventory were sold including a pair of brick molds, a surveyor's chain, a book entitled "A History of Jews," a volume of Shakespeare, two Virginia law books and a large Johnson's dictionary. The sale brought a total of 289 pounds, 9 shillings halfpenny. His slaves were sold separately, along with one horse, and brought a total of 665 pounds, six shillings. One of the slaves named Daniel belonged to his wife. She inherited him from the estate of her deceased father, H. Harwood. Also, one of the horses sold was "in bad order" and was fed, along with two slaves, by the administrator since March 15, 1805. He wanted to be reimbursed for the burden.

Humphrey Harwood will, died November 23, 1788, York County

Humphrey was a mason and brick maker in Williamsburg, Virginia. I am a descendant of his daughter, Sarah Harwood Semple. Just as a fun fact, the last name Harwood was pronounced Herod in Virginia, as in King Herod in the Bible. Also, many of the buildings in colonial Williamsburg (where I went to college) were built with Humphrey's bricks.

York County, Virginia Wills and Inventories 23, 1781-1811, p. 176:
"In the name of God amen I Humphrey Harwood of the City of Williamsburg and County of York being sick of Body, and of perfect mind and memory, praise be therefore given to almighty God do make and ordain this my present last Will and testament, in manner and form following that is to say First and principally - I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping through the merits, Death and Passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ, to have full and free pardon and forgiveness of all my Sins, and my Body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors, hereafter named. Imprs. I Give unto my Son William Harwood my Plantation in James City County and the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him and his Heirs forever. Item I Give unto my Son Humphrey Harwood, all my Houses + Lots lying and being in the City of Williamsburg, to him and his Heirs for ever. Item It is my Will and Desire that the remainder of my Estate wheather Real or Personal shall be equally divided among my surviving Children when my son William Harwood arises to the age of twenty-one years should it be his Desire. I do hereby Appoint my worthy Friend Mr. Robert Andrews and my Son William Harwood Executors of this my last Will and Testament makeing void all former Wills in Witness whereof I have set my Hand and Seal this twenty fifth day of August one thousand, seven hundred and eighty eight. Humphrey Harwood (seal). Signed Sealed and delivered as the last Will of the Testator in the Presence of ....[blank].

At a Court held for York County the 20th day of April 1789. John Minson Gall Gent and William Moody being sworn deposed that they are well acquainted with the handwriting of Humphrey Harwood, decd. and verily believe this Will and his name there to subscribed to be wholly writ by his own hand whereupon the same was ordered to be recorded And Certificate for obtaining a Probat[e] thereof in due form was granted to William Harwood one of the Executors therein named he having made oath and given Bond with the said John M. Gall and William Harwood, Senr. his Securities in the Penalty of two thousand five hundred pounds conditioned as the Law directs Robert Andrews Gent the other Executor in the said Will named refused to take on himself the Burden of the Execution thereof. Teste, Ro. H. Waller, Cl. Cor."

York County, Virginia Wills and Inventories 23, 1781-1811, p. 219:
On September 20, 1790 an inventory of Humphrey Harwood's estate was presented to the York County Court by his Executor. Items of interest included 14 or 15 slaves, 46 head of cattle, 107 barrels of corn, 167 bushels of wheat, 41 bushels of various oats, 500 [I cannot tell if this is bushels/pounds/hogsheads] of tobacco, 300 bushels of lime, a kiln of 25,000 burnt bricks, a kiln of 15,000 raw bricks, 8 sets of tools for brick work, a large amount of mahogany furniture, 6 maps, an elaborate silver dining and tea service, several firearms and many other items.

John Pettis of Spotsylvania County, Virginia Revolutionary War pension

Taken from Revolutionary War pension file:

John Pettis was born about 1754 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia. He was married to Martha “Patsy” Reynolds by Parson Waugh in the spring of 1782, Port Royal, Caroline County, Virginia. He lived variably between Spotsylvania, Caroline and Orange Counties and died in Spotsylvania on July 1, 1833.

John had a sister named Catherine Pettis, born about 1771, living in Caroline County in October 1841. John and Martha had a son, Spencer Pettis, who served as a Congressman from Missouri and was killed in a duel with Major Thomas Biddle.

Martha was born about 1757 and lived in Spotsylvania County before moving to Orange in April 1840. She apparently never remarried and died after August 1848, probably before 1854. Her father lived in Caroline County during the 1790s and taught school.

John was drafted into the Virginia Militia in 1779 under Captain Philip Johnson. He served in Williamsburg and enlisted in the First Regiment, Virginia Line in 1780, serving under Colonel Samuel Hawes, Captain Francis Cowherd and General Nathanael Greene. John marched through North Carolina, fighting at the battles of Guilford Courthouse and Eutaw Springs. He was discharged in Salisbury, North Carolina in January 1782.

John received a $24 pension during his lifetime and his wife continued to draw it for some time. In the 1830s, she applied for a widow’s pension but had difficulty proving her marriage because Caroline County’s records were lost during a fire. Martha eventually received $73.33 per year, starting shortly before she died.

1850 United States Federal Census, York County, Virginia, Transcription and Last Name Index

I completed a book on the 1850 census for York County, Virginia in 2005. It is available from Lulu at the following link: http://www.lulu.com/content/156511

The book costs $11.98 plus shipping for the printed version and $6.25 for a PDF download.

Book Information:
You will receive one new, soft-bound copy of the "1850 United States Federal Census, York County, Virginia, Transcription and Last Name Index," compiled by Kevin Lett of Virginia Family Tree. This is a new edition to the market, being published for the first time in 2005. Information includes each resident’s name, age, race, sex, occupation, real estate value, place of birth (specific counties are given for Virginia births) and some possible educational, physical and marital information (not all of these items are given for each person). There were over 440 households including more than 2,275 individuals (910 white males, 915 white females, 235 free black males and 219 free black females). The book has a total of 60, 8x10 inch pages and includes a last name index and is signed by the author.

Author's background:
Kevin Lett is a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia with a degree in the field of History and a minor degree in Art and Art History. He has conducted genealogy research for the past fourteen years, four years professionally, and is a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and the Virginia Historical Society. He is also a volunteer county coordinator for the USGenWeb Project and spent time as a fact checker, and author, for the Library of Virginia's "Dictionary of Virginia Biography". For two years, he was the editor of a family newsletter, "The Lett Gazette."

Area background information:
York County, Virginia was originally named Charles River and was one of the eight, original Virginia shires formed in 1634. The name changed to York in 1643, in honor of James the Duke of York. York County is 108-square-miles being roughly 27 miles long by 6 miles wide. The county seat is in Yorktown, the site where Lord Cornwallis surrendered the British Army during the American Revolution. York is approximately 50 miles from Richmond and 25 miles from Norfolk. Modern-day York County has land borders which include the cities of Poquoson, Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, James City County and Gloucester County. A large portion of the county is surrounded by water, being situated between the James and York Rivers.

Last name index includes:
Acrea, Ainslic, Allen, Almond, Alvis, Ammons, Amory, Anderson, Armfield, Armistead, Ashby, Austin, Ayres, Babe, Balfour, Ball, Banks, Barham, Barlow, Barron, Barry, Bartlett, Barziza, Bell, Belvin, Bennett, Bishop, Blanks, Blassingham, Blemthaem, Blizzard, Bonnawell, Boswell, Bowden, Bowers, Bowman, Bowser, Bratcher, Bray, Brown, Bruce, Bryan, Buchanan, Buckherst, Bunting, Burcher, Burnett, Burt, Busick, Byrd, Callis, Candlish, Cannon, Cardwell, Carmener, Carmines, Carter, Cary, Casay, Chandler, Chapman, Charles, Chisman, Christian, Claiborne, Clarke, Cluverius, Cogbill, Coleburn, Collina, Combs, Cooke, Coupland, Cowles, Cox, Crockett, Crowley, Curtis, Cuswell, Daewett, Davis, Dawson, Deneufville, Denfey, Dey, Dickie, Digges, Dixon, Dodd, Donnelly, Doughty, Drewett, Dumlavy, Dunenfville, Dunn, Dunton, Earnest, East, Eastwood, Eddins, Elliott, Evans, Farinholt, Finney, Firth, Flynn, Ford, Forrest, Foster, Frances, Freeman, Garrett, Gayle, Gillett, Gilman, Goodwin, Graham, Graves, Green, Griffin, Griffith, Grymes, Guthrie, Hall, Haniford, Hanniford, Hansford, Harris, Harwood, Haywood, Heath, Heller, Henley, Hewell, Hewes, Hickman, Hicks, Hofheimer, Hogg, Holliway, Holloway, Honghwourt, Hopkins, Hopson, Hornsby, Howard, Hubbard, Hubberd, Hudgins, Huggett, Hunley, Hunt, Hurt, Inslic, Inslie, Ironmonger, Jackson, Jamerson, James, Jarvis, Jenkins, Jennings, Johns, Johnson, Joiner, Jones, Jordan, Kellum, Kemp, Kerby, King, Lauson, Laverty, Lawson, Lebee, Lee, Lester, Lewis, Lindsay, Lindsey, Luck, Lyons, Maeland, Mahone, Mallicote, Mann, Marnex, Marshal, Martin, Mason, Maynard, McCandlish, McCann, Mercer, Messick, Miller, Mills, Mine, Minson, Mone, Mono, Montgomery, Moody, Moore, Moreland, Morgan, Morriss, Morrisson, Moss, Mountcastle, Mountfortt, Myers, Nelson, Newman, Nichols, Noel, Northingham, Nottingham, Owen, Owens, Page, Paine, Parker, Parsons, Parsson, Patrick, Pauls, Peachy, Peters, Pettis, Pettitt, Peyton, Phillips, Piggott, Poe, Pomroy, Powell, Power, Presson, Prince, Provos, Pruvoo, Pumphrey, Purro, Ray, Redcross, Reggin, Richardson, Roberts, Robertson, Robins, Rogers, Rollins, Roper, Rowe, Rowelle, Russell, Salter, Sanders, Sands, Saunders, Savage, Scott, Selator, Semple, Sheild, Shelburn, Sheldon, Shell, Sherwood, Shield, Sibley, Simpson, Slater, Slaughter, Smith, Snead, Southall, Speed, Spencer, Starlin, Starrback, Staves, Stroud, Stuart, Sullivan, Sweat, Sweeney, Tabb, Tanerdan, Taylor, Teagle, Tennis, Thomas, Thompson, Throckmorton, Tignor, Tinsley, Tolten, Topping, Tucker, Vader, Vaughan, Vest, Wade, Wainright, Walker, Wallace, Waller, Walls, Walter, Ward, Warden, Ware, Warren, Watkins, Watson, West, Weston, Wheeler, Whitaker, White, Whiting, Wilkins, Wilkinson, Willard, Williams, Williford, Wilson, Winder, Wise, Wiston, Wood, Woodson, Wootten, Worman, Wright, Wyatt, Wynne, Young

Welcome to Virginia Family Tree

To tell a little about myself, I am a graduate of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg with a degree in History and minor degree in Art & Art History. I have conducted genealogy research for 15 years; I am a county coordinator for the USGenWeb Project and spent time with the Library of Virginia's "Dictionary of Virginia Biography." I am the former editor of "The Lett Gazette" and current webmaster for the Lett/Lott family's DNA project. I have also compiled a book on the 1850 census of York County, Virginia.

My wife, Crystal Lett, has two degrees from J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College in Richmond, Virginia and is the manager of a professional photography studio. By the way, I am also an ordained minister and perform marriage ceremonies for family and friends. I have held memberships in the Association of Professional Genealogists, the Virginia Historical Society and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

I consider myself to be semi-retired but I do offer free genealogy research consultations where I review your information, provide comments and propose a layout for a research project, if I can help with your situation. If you would like to begin a project, and we both agree on the terms, I require an initial deposit before beginning any research. Projects generally require six to eight weeks and culminate with a final report, including suggestions on how to proceed with your own research.

Most Virginia counties and cities kept birth, marriage and death records from 1853 until 1896 and from 1912 until the present. Many records before 1853 exist but no law actually required that they be kept. Wills, deeds, directories, newspapers, marriage bonds, order books and many additional records may be available, dating well into the 1600s. Also note that due to privacy laws, my access is limited to birth records between 1853 and 1896, marriage records from 1853 until 1935 and death records from 1853 until 1939.

If you have questions, or would like a consultation, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Take care,
Kevin Lett
Virginia Family Tree