1036. Major Robert Harris
Will in 1765:
In the name of God amen. I Robert Harris of the county of Albamarle, being in perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principly I recomend my soul to God who gave it to me, not doubting but through the merits of my blessed Savior to have full pardon and remission of all my sins, and my body I recommend to the earth from whence it came, to be buried in such manner as my Executors hereafter named shall think fit and as touching such Temporal Estate as it hath pleased God to bestow on me I give and despose of in manner and form following I give and bequeth to my son Christopher Harris forty acres of wood land ground lying and being in the county of Albamarle on a large spur of the Blue Ridge mountains near to a place commonly called and known by the name of the Bear Cornfield, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. Item-I give and bequeth to my son William Harris, after the decease of my loving Wife, Mourning Harris, all the land which I hold in the county of Albamarle to him and his heirs forever. Item-I leave to my loving Wife, Mourning Harris, the sole use and benefit of all the lands and Plantations during her natural life which is above given to my son William Harris after her decease. Item-I leave to the said loving Wife the sole use and benefit during her natural life, six slaves that is to say, Harry, Peter, Dick and Aaron, men. Patt, and Nanny, women. Item-My will and desire is after the decease of my Wife tht if my Negro man Harry should be then living, in that case, I give and bequeth the said Harry to my son Robert Harris Jun. to him and his heirs. Item-My will and desire is after the decease of my Wife, if my Negro man Peter should then be living in that case, I give and bequeth the said Peter to my son Tyree Harris to him and his heirs. Item-My will and desire is after the decease of my Wife, that if my other four Negros, Dick and Aaron, men and Patt and Nanny, women, should be then living, I give and bequeth them and their increases to my son William Harris to him and his heirs. Item-My will and desire is that if my son William Harris should die before he attains to lawfull age or without lawfull issue that in that case if the said William Harris should be further educated the charges thereof shall be paid out of the Estate given him after the whole being sold by my Executors hereinafter named and the remainder of the money arising from such sale be equally devided amongst all my children or their legal representatives. Item-My will and desire is that my son William Harris is to be under tuition, direction and government of my son in law John Rodes until he shall attain to lawfull age. Item-I give and bequeth to my loving Wife all my lawfull debts and funeral expences is paid all the residue of my Estate be it of what nature or quality soever to her and her heirs forever. I do constitute and nominate and appoint my sons in law John Rodes and William Shelton to be my Executors of this my last will and testament. As witnesses of my hand and seal the Eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and sixty five. Robert Harris ***** Robert Harris was a Major in the Virginia Militia. He became the first surveyor of Louisa County in 1742. He had represented Hanover County in the House of Burgesses and was a magistrate of Louisa County. He lived in Browns Cove, about twenty miles northwest of Charlottesville, VA in Albemarle County, VA where he probably died and was buried. He was the father of eleven children. His son-in-law, John Rodes, was married to his daughter Sarah. His son-in-law, William Shelton, was married to his daughter Lucy. Both sons-in-law were executors of his will. Robert's daughter, Mourning Glenn Harris, married John Jouett. They had a son named Jack Jouett, Robert's grandson, who rode forty miles at night from Cuckoo Tavern in Louisa County, to Charlottesville and Monticello to warn Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and others that British Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton and his army were enroute to capture them. They escaped.
1037. Mourning Glenn
Will proven Albemarle Co., VA, 1776.
In the name of God Amen, I Mourning Harris of the county of Albemarle, being in perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First and principally I recommend my soul to God who gave it to me, not doubting but this the merits of my redeemer to have full pardon and remission of all my sins and my body I recommend to the earth from whence it came, to be buried in such manner as my Executor hereinafter named shall think fit and touching such temporal Estate as have pleased God to bless me with, I give and devise in manner and form following. Imprimis, whereas by a will made the eighteenth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and sixty five by Robert Haris, my deceased husband, was given by a clause in the will was given to me all his lawful debts and all residue of his Estate be it of what nature or quality soever to me and my heirs forever. Item, As to the remainder of my Estate, I give and bequeath to all my Children, to be equally divided amongst them or their legal representatives be it of what nature or quality soever, I do constitute and appoint John Rodes and William Shelton to b e my Executors of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this eighth day of May 1775. her Mourning M. Harris mark test. James Woodson John Gilliam William Tomberlin
1160. Captain Hugh Dunn
The Dunns were an old prominent family of Cornwall, England. Some say Hugh was born Plymouth, Mass. about 1645 and some say he came from Dover, NH where he was a landholder as early as 1663, then to the banks of Raritan, in NJ in 1660-70. "The Beginnings of Three New Jersey Lines, Runyon Dunn Drake" says High Dunn, Vincent Runyon and Francis Drake were neighbors when they came to the U.S. and Hugh was a very devout and religious person. Carolyn Marvin says Hugh b. 1642 NJ. Will proved 10 Dec 1694.
Hugh was a Captain of NJ Militia
1161. Elizabeth Drake
Elizabeth's father, Francis Drake was another early settler in the Hopewell Baptist Community in 1668. He was a kinsman of the Great Elizabethan Admiral, Sir Francis Drake. It is believed that he was the grandson of Thomas Drake, brother of Sir Francis Drake. Some say Elizabeth was b. Dover, NH. "The Beginnings of Three New Jersey Family Lines" p 26 says Elizabeth, 2nd child of Francis and Mark Drake, b. in Portsmouth. Elizabeth and Hugh married 24 years and had 9 children. She survived Hugh.
1200. Christopher Choate VI
Choate's Fancy was one of the properties owned by Christopher Choate. It was located in then Baltimore Co, Md (believed to be the now Anne Arundel Co., MD/Port Gibson Area). 18 August 1722 - Richard Gist, merchant of Baltimore Co. sold to Christopher Choate, planter, a tract of 108 acres called "Choate's Fancy" that was taken out of two larger tracts, viz; Part out of Green's Springs Traverse & part out of Street's Adventure. Signed by Richard Gist, and witnessed by William Camall & Tho. Hooker. On the same day Zipporah Gist, wife of Richard Gist, relinquished her dower rights as witnessed by Luke Baven & Jn. Israel.(Baltimore Co., MD Land Records, 1722, Vol. IS#G, f. 111-112, MHR) This is the property where it is belived his five children were born. Augustine, Christopher III, Richard, Mary and Sabert. He sold this property in 1742. 20 May 1742 sold "Choate's Fancy" signed Christopher Choate Sr., Christopher Choate, Jr. (CC) 28 May 1742. Flora relinquished her dower rights. Land Record Vol TB#D ff 282-284 MHR after disposing of "Choate's Fancy", Christopher Choate & Flora settled on 50 acres called "Hall's Approach" where he raised hogs and corn for the next 3 years. 27 Jul 1745 William Hall & Christopher Choate SR sold "Hall's Approach". Wives Mary Hall & Flora Choate relinquished their dower rights. The 54 pounds paid for this land included 20 head hoggs & one moity of corn now growing on the said land, for which the said Butler had a bill of sale, dated 17 June last, of Christopher Choate (Land Rec., Vol. TB#D, ff. 282-4, MHR) It is believed that William Hall was the husband of Christopher's daughter Mary, but no proof has ever been found Notes for ELIZABETH BUDD:?? Supposedly had a child out of wedlock with Christopher Choate. She was indicted June 1711 in Baltimore County, Maryland for having a bastard child. In August 1711 she named Christopher the father. Don't know the name of the child.
1248. William Copeland (Coupland)
A tailor by trade. He came as a passenger on the Good Ship Cecelia captained by Lord Baltimore. Settled in All Hollows Prish, Ann Arundel, MD
1260. John B. Gibbons
Abstracted from Will:
"To wife, Rebecca, a third part of his land during lifetime or widowhood; to son Thomas, four Negroes ... Jane, Frank, Allen, and Old Dinah ... after his mother's death; to Thomas, his land during his lifetime, and at his death, to the eldest son and his heirs forever (intending to have it established); to daughter, Sarah Judkins, a negro, Hannah; to other daughters , Elizabeth Nicholson, three negroes and Rebecca Cross, two negroes; to Mary Gibbons two negroes; to Mary Gibbons two negroes; to Ann Gibbons, two negroes; to grandaughter, Rebecca Gibbons (daughter of John and Mary Gibbons) when twenty-one, a negro Fillis; to Rebecca Cross, he gave a Negro, Ned."