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Facts and Events
Biography
Samuel Woodson Venable Sr. was born at "Slate Hill" in Prince Edward County, Virginia. He attended Hampden-Sydney Academy and Princeton. Early in 1771 he served as an officer in Capt. Thomas Watkins dragoons of Prince Edward County, Virginia. By 1773 he was a trustee of Hampden-Sydney College and is considered a founder. He was married to Mary Scott Carrington on 8/13/1771, daughter of Judge Paul Carrington Sr. and Margaret Read of "Mulberry Hill". He and his wife had 12 children.
"Word Pictures of Longwood," by Harriet V. Miller, private printing, 1941, pp. 15-16: At Princeton...."he was an honorable man,delivering the valedictory in Latin, as was usual." He was a trustee of Hampden-Sidney College.
DAR papers for Mary E. Miller; also #548112: Revolutionary War Vet, served under Lighthorse Harry Lee, Captain Watkins' Dragoons, Prince Edward Co., VA; Ensign, Cornet and Captain. He participated in the battle of Guilford Courthouse, 1781, helping to defeat the Queen's Guards; was aide on Gen. Greene's staff.
The DAR has also given Samuel the Ancestor #: A118479.
Sources
- "Venables of Virginia," pp. 41 and 42.
- Findagrave.com* Williams-Wolcott & Related Families, page 54 by Dorothy Williams Turner
- DAR Genealogical Research Databases,
- History of Prince Edward County VA, PP 115-118, 738
* [1] The Cabells and Their Kin: A Memorial Volume of History, Biography, and Genealogy Alexander Brown January 1, 1895 Houghton, Mifflin & Company: Col. page 192, Attending marriage of his sister-in-law page 192
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Family Recorded, in Venable, Elizabeth Marshall (Elizabeth Marshall Venable). Venables of Virginia: an account of the ancestors and descendants of Samuel Woodson Venable of Springfield, and of his brother William Lewis Venable of Haymarket, both of Prince Edward County, Virginia. (New York, New York: J.J. Little and Ives, 1925)
35, 41.
Children of Nathaniel Venable and Elizabeth (Woodson) Venable, his wife:
1. SAMUEL WOODSON VENABLE (1756-1821) of whom later.
... SAMUEL WOODSON VENABLE of "Springfield," Prince Edward Co., Va., eldest son of Nathaniel Venable of "Slate Hill " and Elizabeth (Woodson) Venable, his wife, was born at "Slate Hill," Prince Edward Co., Va., Sept. 19, 1756; d. at Sweet Springs, Va., Sept. 7, 1821; mar., Aug. 15, 1871, at "Mulberry Hill," Charlotte Co., Va., Mary S. Carrington (b. Nov. 14, 1756, at "Mulberry Hill," Charlotte Co., Va.; d. at "Springfield," Prince Edward Co., Va., before May 15, 1837), daughter of Judge Paul Carrington, Sr., of "Mulberry Hill" and Margaret (Read) Carrington, his wife.
Samuel Woodson Venable was a man of unusual culture and educational advantages. He graduated first from Hampden-Sidney and later, 1780, at Nassau Hall or Princeton, where he was an honor man, delivering the valedictory in Latin, as was usual. His brothers, Abram, Richard, and Nathaniel graduated there later; William and Thomas were alumni of Hampden-Sidney. He was a Trustee of Hampden-Sidney College from 1782 until his death and always its faithful supporter.
His Revolutionary record is creditable. In 1776, the students of Prince Edward Academy, of whom he was one, organized themselves into a military company and elected one of their tutors, Rev. John Blair Smith, their captain. Samuel W. Venable was ensign. In Sept., 1777, this company of school boys marched to Williamsburg to help defend it against an anticipated invasion by the British. After the danger was passed, Governor Henry complimented the company and dismissed it. On the call of General Greene for troops, when he was retreating from the South toward Virginia, before Cornwallis, a company of dragoons, Prince Edward Dragoons, commanded by Captain Thomas Watkins, repaired to his camp. Samuel Woodson Venable was cornet (equivalent to Lieutenant) of this company and participated in the battle of
Guilford Court House, March, 1781, at which the "Queens Guards" was defeated. He also served as aide on General Greene's staff. Captain Watkins' company served in General Lawson's Brigade under Colonel Washington. After the action at Guilford, Colonel Washington wrote a letter to Captain Watkins, in which the bravery and skill of the Prince Edward troop and their commander were highly extolled and commended. (See: Recollections of Henry W. Allen by Sarah A. Dorsey, Book I, p. 19.)
To this outline we will add a few extracts which will serve to indicate the manner of man he was: "the extent of his influence, and the position he held in the esteem of good men."
In the Life of Dr. Archibald Alexander, pp. 128-130, we have the following mention of him:
During this brief visit, Dr. Alexander became acquainted with Col. Samuel Woodson Venable, a man of great distinction, whom he used to name in connection with Graham, Hoge, and Samuel Stanhope Smith, the counsellors of his youth. His notes concerning this valuable friend have a great interest, and cannot be inserted in a more suitable place.
"Samuel Venable intended to study law, but was led by some circumstances to engage in merchandise. (Heavy losses of his father by the Revolutionary War and Continental money, and his generous acceptance of the duty of assisting his younger brothers and sisters to get an education.) He was a man of clear head and sound judgement, and had made observations on the character of men as they passed before him, and these he had reduced to maxims." During the whole of his life, Dr. Alexander was accustomed to speak of Col. Venable as one of the most remarkable instances of wisdom matured by experience and observation, that he had ever known, in which respect he was fond of comparing him with Franklin.
From Meade's Old Churches and Families of Virginia, edition of 1872, Vol. II, p. 32.
The leading mind in that whole region, whether among the clergy or laity, was that of Colonel Samuel W. Venable (eldest son of Colonel Nathaniel Venable above mentioned), of whom you will find some notice in the memoir of Dr. Alexander, of Princeton. Two of his brothers, Abraham and Richard, were known as public characters, while he remained in private life; but they always veiled their pretensions in his presence, partly from affection, but more from deference to the ascendant intellect and acknowledged wisdom of their elder brother, which impressed all who approached him. His early life, it is believed, was unstained as to morality; but, although an alumnus of Princeton, it was not until after the Revolution that he gave in his adhesion to the religion of his mother and grandmother, which had now also become that of his wife. He had fought bravely in the war, and was a decided Republican in his political sentiments. Would it be too much to suppose that his settled hostility to the spirit of the English Government had somewhat jaundiced his view of the Constitution of the Church? Colonel V. was eminently a practical man, a stern patriot and friend of all improvement. Now, the bitter waters of infidelity, which had begun to appear in other parts of the State, were not unknown there, and on the outbreak of the French Revolution society in Virginia was menaced as it were with a deluge of false philosophy and its train of evils. It was to stem this tide that he and those who co-operated with him set themselves. It was not for a party that he contended, but for the substance of Christianity itself, which he believed to be in peril. As this was essential to the very existence of free society, all other questions were regarded as secondary. His numerous engagements did not permit him to enter deeply into any scriptural investigation of the relative claims of the different forms of Church Government; and had it been otherwise, there were few to aid or sympathize with him. ...
... "Springfield," the plantation home of Samuel Woodson Venable and his wife, Mary, was burned many years ago, and the garden and every trace of culture eliminated, — even the quaint picture of the place done in tapestry by the patient fingers of their gifted daughter, Henningham, has been burned. No one now living remembers anything much about it. But in the Inventory of part of the estate, preserved in the Court House records, in Prince Edward Co., Va., we find, among other interesting items, sixty-one slaves, valued at $13,445— and we must remember that at the marriage of each of his twelve children, he gave them an ample dower in slaves and land.
Will of Samuel Woodson Venable of "Springfield," Prince Edward Co., Va.
I, Samuel W. Venable, being of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and constitute this my last will and testament.
In the first place it is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid.
It is my will and desire that all the debts due to me on any account be collected as well those due on my private books as those which fall to me on the dissolution and settlement of the business now carried on at Union Mills under the firm of Venable & Co. in which my son Nathaniel and myself are partners the terms of the partnership will be seen in our agreement now in my possession.
It is my desire also that my executors dispose of the goods and property which belongs to me in that concern as soon as circumstances and the interest of my estate will permit.
It is my will and desire that the money which shall arise from my stock in trade, crops on hand, cash in hand, debts due in any way, or from bank stock or stock of any kind which I may possess at my decease and which I may hereafter direct to be sold, shall constitute a fund for the payment of my debts and legacies in the first place and then for such other purposes as I shall hereafter direct.
It is my will that so much of my personal and perishable estate as my executors and my beloved wife shall think the family can conveniently spare shall be sold also a negro woman Sail now living at my plantation in Halifax, also some Georgia certificates which I hold and the proceeds to be applied as I have above directed.
I wish my executors to sell the negro woman Sail to a humane master and if possible to such as she will choose to go to and therefore the mode of sale and price is entirely left to their discretion.
It is my will and desire that my son Abraham W. Venable be supported from my estate until he shall have studied his profession and at least one year after he comes of age. I wish also the expense necessary to finish the education of my daughter Mildred in such way as my beloved wife and my executors may judge best and also the expense necessary for her support till she marries or comes of age to be paid out of my estate.
I have directed that my son Abraham W. Venable and my daughter Mildred C. Venable should be supported out of my estate until a certain period when funds come into the hands of my executors over and above what may be necessary to pay my debts and legacies. It is my desire that they appropriate a full and sufficient fund to answer this purpose and pay any other moneys which I may hereafter direct to be paid out of my estate and this sum so appropriated they may put out to interest upon landed or other undoubted security and it is my will that the interest so long as it is sufficient and then so much of the principal as may be necessary shall be applied for the purposes above mentioned. When monies or funds belonging to my estate over and above what may be necessary for the last mentioned appropriation shall come into the hands of my executors — It is my will and desire that they from time to time as such funds accumulate so as to make them in their judgment an object to distribute do distribute the same among those children to whom I shall leave the residue of my estate and so continue to do from time to time untill my daughter Mildred shall marry or become of age when I will and desire that the general distribution of my estate shall take place.
If I should leave any negroes undisposed of I will that my executors hire them out untill the general distribution of my estate and consider their hire as belonging to the fund for supporting my daughter Mildred untill she becomes of age or marry which I have mentioned above.
Now I give and bequeath in the following manner my estate real and personal .
I give and bequeath to my beloved wife during her natural life the land and plantation whereon I now live except a small part which I shall hereafter dispose of, also the following negroes to-wit Jack, Patty, Abram, Molly and Jenny and their children now born or to be born hereafter except such as are hereafter disposed of in this will old Dick, Barbara and her son, William, Judy, Congo these are also given to her during her natural life. I give her absolutely and at her own disposal four horses such as she shall choose out of my stock of horses twenty cattle as many of the sheep and hogs as she may wish to have all of her choice — likewise as many of the plantation tools and household and kitchen furniture as she may think necessary our riding carriage and harness as much forage and provisions as will at least last a year if so much is on hand. I give her also twenty bank shares such as I may possess or the value thereof in money if I should not possess so many at the time of my decease these last are given to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Elisabeth W. Watkins wife of William Watkins one undivided half of my tract of land on Difficult creek having a mill on the same which said tract of land in the whole will contain about eight hundred acres after taking off a . . . part adjoining the land bought by me of William Boyd which said land I have willed to my daughter Mary C. Womack. Also George a negro boy the son of Patty and Jack and one undivided third part of my lot in Richmond received by inheritance of my brother Abraham B. Venable and four hundred pounds in money all of which is given to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy R. Cabell the proceeds of the following lands which I desire my executors to sell for her use to-wit, one tract in Kentucky lying on the Chaptain fork of Salt River and containing five hundred acres one other tract lying in Monroe County near the Red Sulphur Spring and containing five hundred and seventy acres one young negro man named Oliver and two hundred pounds in money all of which I give to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Mayo Read my tract of land lying near the college of Hampden-Sidney and adjoining the lands of my brother Richard and containing about three hundred and seventeen acres. Also Adam a negro boy received from the estate of Colo. Read and two hundred and fifty pounds in money all of which I give to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary C. Womack my tract of land in Halifax County which I bought of William Boyd commonly called Cannons Tract containing about three hundred and eighty acres also fifty acres adjoining the same which I reserved of the tract bought of Scott and others when I gave my son Paul his tract of land also fifty acres more lying adjoining to it belonging to the tract bought of the heirs of Charles Edwards to be laid off by my executors in the manner most suitable to both tracts—that is to say the tract now given to my daughter Mary C. Womack and the balance of the tract bought of Edwards' heirs now given to my daughters Elisabeth W. Watkins and Agness W. Watkins. I give her also Sam called waggoner Sam also Griffin, Lucy and their child and future increase also two hundred and fifty pounds in money all of which I give to her and her heirs forever with this exception nevertheless that if my son Abraham W. Venable needs a settlement on account of his mother possessing the tract of land left him he shall have the use of the tract of land given to my daughter Mary C. Womack untill his mother's death at which time he shall possess the tract of land left him and my daughter Mary C. Womack shall possess the tract of land left her.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Clementina Reid wife of William S. Reid that part of my tract of land lately bought of Blake B. Woodson which said Woodson bought of William Jones containing about three hundred and nineteen acres also twenty acres of wood land to be taken from the other part of the tract bought of Blake B. Woodson and lying most convenient to the Jones' Tract also Amos a lad the son of Barbary and Jesse the oldest son of Molly and Abraham and two hundred pounds in money all of which is given to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Henningham C. Anderson the wife of Robert Anderson the tract of land bought by me of John P. Metauer at two purchases and commonly called Providence except twenty acres joining and most convenient to the tract of land on which I now live and which I intend for my son Abraham at his mother's decease. This land my executors shall lay off according to the directions here given as they shall judge most suitable for Abraham's tract. I give her also forty acres of land to be laid off from the tract on which I live one half on each side of the river to serve as a supply of wood and timber to her tract and to be laid off as conveniently for Abraham's tract as circumstances will permit. This land also I wish my executors to lay off as they judge best according to my directions here given. I give to her besides the negroes now in her possession a negro man called Cooper Joe and Henry the son of Patty who now lives in Halifax also two hundred and fifty pounds in money all of which I give to her and her heirs forever. I give her also Lewis at her mother's death to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Agnes W. Watkins wife of Henry E. Watkins one undivided half of my tract of land and mill on Difficult creek the other half of which I have given to my daughter Elisabeth W. Watkins being the tract bought of the heirs of Charles Edwards and heretofore described. I give her also one undivided third part of my lot in Richmond inherited of my brother Abraham B. Venable. I give her also a young man Sam Cook and two hundred and fifty pounds in money. All of which I give to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Mildred C. Venable all that part of the tract of land which I lately bought of Blake B. Woodson which I have not willed to my daughter Clementina Reid containing about four hundred acres with the buildings etc. I give her also the following negroes to-wit Harry bought of Andrew Johnson's estate Finnetta daughter of Patty and any increase she may have before my decease Sally or Sarah daughter of Polly and her increase Betsy daughter of Molly and Abram Billy a cooper at the mill and William at her mother's decease. Also the sum of four hundred pounds all of which I give to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my son Nathaniel E. Venable one undivided half of my interest or estate in the mills called Union Mills and of the lot of land on which the same stands containing by estimation about sixty acres in which my brother holds an interest with me he owning one fourth of said land and mill. I give him also two negroes Robin and Letty now in his possession. I give him also Charles wishing him however not to separate him from his wife and children. I wish him to have possession of the mill at the end of the year whenever my decease shall happen. All these I give to him and his heirs forever.
I have already given my son Paul C. Venable by deed a tract land which I intended for him. I have also given him the following negroes which are now in his possession viz: David, Len, Peter, Biddy and her child and future increase. I give him also the tract of land bought of George Salmon by me through his attorney Isaac Medley containing about one hundred and twenty nine acres 44 acres however subject to some uncertainty. All these I give to him and his heirs forever.
I give unto my son Samuel W. Venable, Jr. one undivided half of my interest or estate in the mills now called Union Mills and of the lot of land on which it stands containing about sixty acres on which the said mill stands which said lot and mill is now owned by me and my brother William. I give him also two small tracts of land near or adjoining the mill lot one bought by me of Charles F. Nash and the other of my brother Abraham B. Venable the first containing about ninety six acres the second about fifty acres for which however 1 have given him a deed, also a small piece of land adjoining the same bought of Colo. Charles Allen or Edward Reaford, I give him also two hundred and ninety seven acres of land or about that quantity bought of James Daniel being the same land that fell to his children as the distributees of the estate of Abraham B. Venable deceased and for two undivided sixths of which I have given him a title by deed, for the remainder I have not as yet got a legal title but I have a mortgage on James Daniel's land to secure the title. If the title to said land should not be made to me complete in my life time it is my will that the title be made to my son Samuel W. Venable and I will and bequeath to him my right or claim to the land of James Daniel to secure him in case of failure. I give him also the following negroes to-wit Hannah and her children now in his possession Ephriam, Alleck or Alexander and Isac. I have given him Billy and Peter two negro men bought of Miller's Estate. All of which I give to him and his heirs forever. I give him also Ben a cooper at the mill to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my son Abraham W. Venable the tract of land on which I now live at his mother's decease except about forty acres which I have directed my executors to lay off in wood land adjoining the Providence Tract which I have willed to my daughter Henningham. I give him also twenty acres of land which I have directed my executors to lay off from the Providence Tract for him. I give him also the following negroes to-wit Harry Patty's son and Mary his wife and their present and future increase John and Frank son of Judy and Andrew all of which I give to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my beloved wife over and above what I have given her old Aggy, Lewis, son of Patty and Hampton a lad during her natural life.
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Mayo Read over and above what I have given her one undivided third of a lot in Richmond which I inherited from my brother Abraham B. Venable.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Peggy R. Cabell over and above what I have given her my lot in Farmville to her and her heirs forever.
It is my will that my old men Caesar and Warwick live where they choose among the family and be supported out of my estate. If any of my family choose to take them I authorise my executors to make a contract and pay such member of my family at once from my estate what may be deemed a reasonable compensation for their support.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Mildred C. Venable over and above what I have given her two negro men Douglas and shop Dick to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my son Samuel W. Venable over and above what I have given him one negro man cooper Peter to him and his heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my son Abraham W. Venable after the decease of his mother a negro boy Hampton to him and his heirs forever.
It is my will and desire that all the residue of my estate real and personal be equally divided between between my eight daughters and youngest son. When my three eldest sons receive their legacies they will all things considered be about as well provided for as the other children of the family. When my beloved wife shall decease that which I have given her for life shall belong to this residue. It is my will that the division of the residue of my estate take place when my daughter Mildred marries or comes of age. I give to each of my children above mentioned viz my eight daughters and youngest son their share of the residue to them and their heirs forever.
I appoint my sons Nathaniel E. Venable, Samuel W. Venable, Abraham W. Venable and Isaac Read my son in law executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 26th. day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty one.
Interlined before signing.
Samuel W. Venable (Seal)
Witness
Temple D. Richardson.
Nath. I. Venable.
Andrew Bigger.
William D. Epes.
Richd. N. Venable.
Margaret M. Reid.
I have given to my beloved wife during her natural life by this will Molly and Janney two negro women and such of their children now born or hereafter to be born if not by will I disposed of otherwise it is my will that my beloved wife either in her life or at her decease as she shall choose, shall have the right of giving the said negro women and children in any way she chooses so that they are given to some of our children. This alteration I make this 8th. day of August 1820 as witness my hand and seal on that day and date.
Samuel W. Venable (Seal)
Richd. N. Venable.
Margaret M. Reid.
Temple D. Richardson.
At a court held for Prince Edward County September the 17th. 1821, This last will and testament of Samuel W. Venable Dec'd, was presented in court and proved by the oaths of Temple D. Richardson, Nathaniel I. Venable and Richard N. Venable three witnesses thereto, and the codicil to said will was also proved by the oaths of Temple D. Richardson and Richard N. Venable two witnesses thereto, ordered that the said will and codicil be recorded: on the motion of Nathaniel E. Venable and Abraham W. Venable two of the executors therein named, they with Samuel W. Venable, Jr. William S. Reid and Isaac Read their securities entered into and acknowledged their bond for the purpose in the penalty of one hundred and twenty thousand dollars conditioned according to law and took the oath required by law, certificate for obtaining a probat thereof in due form is granted them.
Teste
B. J. Worsham, D. C.
A copy,
Teste:—
Horace Adams Clerk of the Circuit Court of Prince Edward County, Virginia.
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