Person:William Douglas (164)

Will Transcript

Wm. Douglass Will

In the name of God amen the 21st day of May in the year of our Lord 1790, I William Douglass being weak of Body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say my will is that all my Debts as I owe may be paid in a Convinent [sic] time after my decease, and after that is paid the Rest of my Estate I Give and dispose in manner and form following

(Item) my Wish is that after my debts is paid the ballance if any ^{of the Stock} to pay for schooling the Three youngest of my Children and the remainder put out into Interesst till the Youngest comes to age and after my decease my lands to be Rented out till my youngest Child Comes to age and then to be sold and an Equall Division among them all, my children Andrew, George, William, Sarah, Mary, Hannah and Thomas.

I appoint Alexr. Douglas, Epenetus Windows to be my Executors of this my last Will & Testament.

In Witness I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year above mentioned

[Signed] Wm. Douglass [Seal]

Witness:

Susanna [her x mark] Douglass

Anne [her x mark] Douglass

June [her x mark] Douglass

At a Court held for Halifax County the 26th day of September 1791

The within written Last Will and testament of Wm. Douglass Dec'd was Exhibited into Court & proved by three witnesses thereunto subscribed to be the Act and Will of the said William Douglass dec'd and was Ordered to be Recorded and on the motion of Alexander Douglass and Epenetus Windows? the Executors therein named certificate for obtaining Estate is Granted them in due form who took the Oath and entered into and Acknowledged Bond with John Douglass and William Douglass securities for Alexr. Douglass & Stephen Stewart and Nathah? Gutgery? securities for Ephenetus Windows? according to Law

Teste: Geo. Carrington Clk.

Examd. Truly Recorded

Wm. Thompson D.C. &C.

Estate Records

The Commonwealth of Virginia. To the Sheriff of Halifax County Greeting: We Command you or at another time you have been commanded to summon, Epenetus Winders, George Douglass, John Hart and Mary his wife, and James Craddock to appear before the Justices of our County Court of Halifax, at the Court house on the fourth monday in May next to answer a Bill in chancery exhibited against Alexander Douglass and the said Epenetus Winders executors of William Douglass dec'd. George Douglass, William Douglass, Lewis Crenshaw and Sarah his wife, John Hart and Mary his wife, John Douglass and Hannah his wife and Thomas Douglass the said George, William, Sarah, Mary, Hannah and Thomas being children and legatees of the said William Douglass dec'd and James Craddock and John Douglass Sen. by James Vaughan, and this they shall in no wise omit under the penalty of £100 each, and have them then this writ.

Witness John Wirnbesh Clerk of our said Court the 5th day of April 1803 in the 27th year of the Commonwealth.

[Signed] John Wirnbesh

Records in Lunenburg County, VA

• Charles Carter and Dame Maria Byrd, executors of the will of Colonel William Byrd, deceased, began in 1746 to sell his lands north and south of Dan River, which were a part of the Order of Council for 105,000 acres granted to Col. Byrd in 1735. This great tract of land was called "The Havila," and the records of the sales fill many pages of the deed books of Lunenburg and Halifax Counties. Among the first purchasers were Alexander Irvine, Hugh Lawson, William Douglas, William Fuqua, Gideon Smith, David Evans, John Boyd, Hugh Moore and the Echols'. [1] History of Pittsylvania County, Virginia]

• Lunenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 1, pages 116-118, 23 February 1746/47 – Dame Maria Byrd and Charles Carter, Esquire, executor of William Byrd’s will, late of Charles City County to James Boyd of Lunenburg County, for 12 pounds, 10 shillings, 250 acres; Lunenburg, south side of Dan River, part of Byrd’s tract called the Havila, on river, to William Douglas’ line. Signed Maria Byrd and Charles Carter. Wit: John Caldwell, James Irwin, John Boyd and John Lawson. Recorded 4 March 1746/47. [2]

• Lunenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 1, pages 118-120 , 23 February 1746/47 – Dame Maria Byrd and Charles Carter, Esquire, executor of William Byrd’s will, late of Charles City County to John Boyd of Lunenburg County, for 15 pounds, 15 shillings, 315 acres; Lunenburg County, part of Byrd’s tract called the Havila, on south side of Dan River at William Proctor’s line, to river. Signed Maria Byrd and Charles Carter. Wit: Francis Lawson, James Irwin and William Douglas. Recorded 4 May 1747. [3]

• Lunenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 1, pages 134-138, 23 February 1746/47 – Dame Maria Byrd and Charles Carter, Esquire, executor of William Byrd’s will, late of Charles City County to Richard Dudgin, for 13 pounds, 16 shillings, 270 acres; Lunenburg part of Byrd’s tract called the Havila, on Dan River at mouth of Medway River. Signed Maria Byrd and Charles Carter. Wit: John Caldwell, James Irwin, Francis Lawson, James Irwin and William Douglass. Recorded 4 May 1747. [4]

• Lunenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 1, pages 146-148, 23 February 1746/47 – Dame Maria Byrd and Charles Carter, Esquire, executor of William Byrd’s will, late of Charles City County to William Douglass of Lunenburg County, for 13 pounds, 14 shillings, 274 acres; Lunenburg part of Byrd’s tract called the Havila, on north side of Dan River. Signed Maria Byrd and Charles Carter. Wit: John Caldwell, Francis Lawson, James Irwin and John Boyd. Recorded 4 May 1747. [5]

• Lunenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 1, pages 154-157, 23 February 1746/47 – Dame Maria Byrd and Charles Carter, Esquire, executor of William Byrd’s will, late of Charles City County to David Evans, of Lunenburg County, for 19 pounds, 380 acres; Lunenburg, on north side of Dan River. Signed Maria Byrd and Charles Carter. Wit: John Caldwell, Francis Lawson, James Irwin and William Douglass. Recorded 4 May 1747. [6]

• Lunenburg County, Virginia Deed Book 1, pages 176-180, 23 February 1746/47 – Dame Maria Byrd and Charles Carter, Esquire, executor of William Byrd’s will, late of Charles City County to Gideon Smith of Lunenburg County, for 12 pounds, 13 shillings, 253 acres; Lunenburg, part of Byrd’s tract called the Havila, on Dan River. Signed Maria Byrd and Charles Carter. Wit: John Caldwell, Francis Lawson, James Irwin and William Douglass. Recorded 4 May 1747. [7]

• 2 Oct 1750 [Deed Bk. 2, pg 142-3] Abel Lee of Lunenburg County, VA witnessed another deed between Byrd and Thomas Douglass (pg 149-150) and a third from Byrd to William Douglas (pg 115-116), all on the same day. [8]

• 11 Dec 1751 Lunenburg Co., VA. Henry Sizemore of Lunenburgh Co., conveyed to William Rusel of Amelia Co., for £6, 195 acres in Lunenburg Co. on south side of Banister River at Read Banks [etc. for bounds]. Wit: William Gent [Gant?], Richard Eckhols, William Douglass, William Carley. [35] [9]

• DB 2, pp.415-417 6 Apr 1752 William Magbe to Thomas Dickson. 40# 200 acres both sides of Midway R, part of 800 patented by Magbe. Signed: William X Magbe, Susannah X Magbe. Wit: Able X Lee, William X Aston, William Douglass. Rec. 7 Apr 1752. [10]

• Lunenburg County, Early Wills 1746-1825 Compiled by Katherine B. Elliott, Will Book 1, page 61, Daniel Patterson’s Inventory and appraisal: - Inventory and appraisal of the estate of Daniel Patterson, deceased, made by James Irwin, Evan Evans and William Douglas – value 26 pounds, 3 shillings, 2½ pence – returned by William Lawson, executor. Made 6 January 1751/52 and recorded 7 April 1752. [11]

• 7 Apr 1752 William McBee, then of Lunenburg County, sold land on both sides of Midway River, later called Birch Creek, which was in the new county of Halifax formed later the same year. A witness to that deed was William Douglas, for whom Thomas Kendrick and his wife testified in the above 1761 case against Vardry McBee. (Also, Thomas’ neighbor John Lawson was on Lunenburg County deeds with William Douglas in 1746.) [12]

Records in Halifax County, VA

Halifax County, VA Deed Book 3, p. 89. William Douglas of Township of Cavnarvon Co. of Lancaster, Province of Pa. to my friend David Lawson Co. of Halifax, Prov. of Va. power of atty. to deliver a deed to Hampton Wade of Amelia Co. Prov. of Va. for I65 acres lying south of Dan River in Halifax Co. which William Douglas sold to Hampton Wade. d. 10 March 1761. R. 16 April 1761. [13]

August Court 1761. William DOUGLASS is ordered to pay THOMAS KENDRICK AND HIS WIFE, witnesses for him at the suit of [Vardry] MACBE, for two days attendance. [Plea Book 3, p. 330] [Note: The other witness for William Douglas besides Thomas and his wife was Talman Harbour, who was on 1761 road orders with Thomas, as were Vardry McBee and his brothers Mathias and James. The McBee family has some interesting connections with both Thomas Kendrick and his later neighbor and in-law James Horsley. [14]

William Douglass was named co-Executor in the will of Thomas Dickson, written Sept. 1763, who [according to some] married William's sister Mary Douglass. [needs further research].

William Douglass was named in the will of his brother-in-law, John Jones, written 5 October 1772, as follows:

I appoint my Wife Jane and William Douglass Joint Executrix and Executor of this my last Will and Testament desiring my Brother-in-Law William Douglas, to take upon him the Charge and trouble thereof and to see the same performed according to my true intent and meaning.

Halifax County Wills, November Court, 1773: The Estate of Thomas Dickson dec'd to Wm. Douglass Esq. [mentions]... 1764, March - Cash pd. to Capt. John Lawson, 1765, March - to Cash pd. to Alexr. Douglass, 1772, Oct. - To Cash pd. Alexr. Douglass for taking care of the Stock. [Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, Halifax County, Will Books, Vol 0-2 1753-1792]

Halifax County Wills, November Court, 1773: The Estate of Thomas Dickson dec'd fr. Willm. Douglass Es[q]r.... 1764, Novr. By Thomas Douglass for 1 Steer, 1773, By Thos. Douglass - 1 Cow and Calf. [Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, Halifax County, Will Books, Vol 0-2 1753-1792]

Halifax County Wills, June Court, 1777: William Douglass witnessed the Estate Inventory of Johnson McDaniel. [Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, Halifax County, Will Books, Vol 0-2 1753-1792]

Halifax County, VA Inhabitants 1782-1790: Alex Douglas, John Douglas, Alexr Douglass, John Douglass, Mary Douglass, Thomas Douglass, William Douglass. [15]

Halifax County, VA Deed, Page 266. Nov 25, 1787 from Nicholas Vaughan of H., to Memucan Allen of Charlotte County, for 150 £, about 150 acres in H on Poplar Cr, and joining the lines of William Douglass, William POWEL, William Younger, Moses ESTIS, and the land called Fountains houses. Signed - Nicholas Vaughan. Wit - Thomas Roberts, John Finch.., Jno Roberts, William Douglas, John Douglas, Thomas Douglas, Solomon Pound. Recorded Jun 23-, 1788. [16]

Page 525-a. Jan 25, 1796 from Samuel Bentley to John Perry, both of H, for 48 £, 86 acres in H on the south side of Dan River ... Poplar Cr, and bounded by Boyds Ferry Road, Douglass' line, Younger's line. Signed - Samuel (D his -mark) Bentley. Wit - Daniel Terry, SamI Estis, William Parks. Recorded Jan 25, 1796. [17]

Halifax County, VA Deed Book 19, pg. 627, 19 April 1803, Alexander Douglas, Epenetus Winders, excrs. of William Douglas, dec’d., George Douglas, William Douglas, Lewis Crenshaw and his wife Sarah, John Hart & his wife Mary, John Douglas & his wife Hannah, Thomas Douglas to James Vaughn. 275 acres on NS Dan River, mouth of Reedy Creek, £730. Adj. Francis Boyd, John Seay, John Raglans, Byrd’s old line, Thomas Douglas. Numerous Witnesses, including: William Vaughan, James L. Vaughan, Jr., Milton Vaughan. [18]

1.   Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900.

   Name William Douglas
   Will Date 21 May 1790
   Probate Date 21 May 1790 [s/b 1791 Sep 26]
   Probate Place Halifax, Virginia, USA
   Inferred Death Year 1790
   Inferred Death Place Virginia, USA
   Item Description Will Books, Vol 0-2 1753-1792
   Individuals Listed (Name) Relationship
   William Douglas Testator
   Andrew Douglas Child
   George Douglas Child
   William Douglas Child
   Sarah Douglas Child
   Mary Douglas Child
   Hannah Douglas Child
   Thomas Douglas Child