Christopher Billups (c.1725—1789) [1964.1]
Christopher Billups, posited son of Joseph Billups, married Ruth. He appeared first in the tithable lists of Lunenburg County in 1751 and was still there in 1783 when he was enumerating the tithes. John Cole sold a piece of land in Cumberland Parish to Christopher Billups 3 May 1757.
Christopher was a militia captain (1760), sheriff (1777), militia colonel during the Revolution (1778), county justice (1764-89), and Cumberland Parish vestryman (1770-80).
In 1778 Christopher and Ruth Billups sold 53½ acres on the branches of Ledbetter Creek to his brother Joseph Billups. He paid taxes on one poll and 18 slaves in Lunenburg County in 1782.
Christopher left a will in Lunenburg County remembering his wife and two daughters, Mary Cowan and Nancy Billups. He mentioned also a minor granddaughter named Peggy Cowan (will dated 18 Jan. 1782 , recorded 9 July 1789).
A British mercantile claim reveals that, “he was at the time of his death possessed of a large estate.” Billups estate had paid £60 of the claim, a receipt for which was in the hands of “Col. Scott of Prince Edward County who married the widow of C. Billups.”
Children of Christopher and Ruth (—) Billups:
Mary Billups [1964.1.1] married William Cowan in Lunenburg County 9 December (bond) 1773. He was living in the household of Christopher Billups in 1776.
Cowan represented Lunenburg County in the Virginia House of Delegates (1793, 1798-1800).
William Cowan made his will in Lunenburg County naming two children, William Bowie Cowan and Grisel Bowie Cowan (will dated 12 Dec. 1806 , recorded 11 June 1807).
Peggy Baker Cowan [1964.1.1.1] married Peter Epes in Lunenburg County May (bond) 1793. William and Mary gave Epes 300 acres in Lunenburg County 12 November 1794. Her father’s 1806-will omits her name.
William Bowie Cowan [1964.1.1.2] was a Lunenburg County court justice (1822-23).
Grisel Bowie Cowan [1964.1.1.3] married Samuel G. Williams in Lunenburg County 11 July (bond) 1807.
Nancy Billups [1964.1.2].
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