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William Armistead (abt. 1777 - bef. 1847)

William Armistead
Born about in Hanover, Virginia, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 21 Sep 1795 in Amherst, Virginiamap
Died before before about age 70 in Amherst County, Virginiamap [uncertain]
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Profile last modified | Created 25 Mar 2011
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The Birth Date is a rough estimate. See the text for details.

Contents

Biography

His birth date is estimated from a Chancery Court Case in which he states he was 18 when he married Sarah Meredith.[1]

William Armistead married Sarah Meredith on 21 September 1795. Consent of Thomas Penn, guardian for William Armistead. Reuben Crawford was surety.[2] [3]

William Armistead is believed to have died in December 1847 in Amherst County, VA. [4]


Family

Bowles Armistead (father)

Will of Bowles Armistead[5]
Dated: Undated
Proved: 16 May 1785
Culpepper County, Virginia
Legatees:
Sons: William and Peter (underage)
Daughters: Elizabeth and Mary (underage)
Wife: Mary Ann Armistead
Executors: Brother John Armistead, brother-in-law William Fontaine, wife Mary Ann Armistead and Captain John Spotswood
Witnesses: William Fontaine, Mary Thornton, Lawrence Brooks and George Hume Jr.

Court Records

Sarah H. Armistead v. William Armistead

Chancery Court - Sarah H. Armistead v. William Armistead[6]
Filed: 1819
Ended: 1820
Lynchburg City, Virginia

This suit was filed in Superior Court of Chancery, Lynchburg District in 1819 by Edmund Penn, next friend of Sarah H. Armistead requesting the appointment of a Trustee to act in accordance with the will of Col. Samuel Meredith, and in place of Dr. William B. Hare, deceased, and naming David S. Garland as the preferred substitute Trustee.
Court agreed with appointment of Trustee in accordance with provisions of subject will, but under objections of William Armistead, substituted Benjamin Brown of New Glasgow area in place of David S. Garland, Armistead protesting on grounds of long-standing disagreement between himself and Garland.

5 October 1819
Page 26
Deposition of Jeremiah Brown taken at house of Peachy Franklin in Amherst:

Question by William Armistead (Defendant): Were you a resident of the neighborhood, in Culpeper (County), in which my father, Bowles Armistead resided, and do you know how my family stand [sic] for respectability in that quarter?

Answer: I formerly resided in Culpeper within 3 or 4 miles of your father, and your family relations stood as high a point of respectability as any other in the County. Sworn by Jeremiah Brown.

Sarah Henry Armistead v William Armistead

Chancery Court - Sarah Henry Armistead v. William Armistead[1]
Filed:
Ended: 1821
Lynchburg City, Virginia

Property

Deed[7]
27 June 1804
William Armistead and Sarah his wife (of Amherst County) sold to Charles Urquhart (of Orange County)
For $8000, a tract of land in Culpepper County containing 1098 acres on the Rappahonock River.
...Pemberton's Mill Seat on the Gill Run,,,Richard's Corner...road leaving Elley's Ford
Witnesses: John Spotswood, Peter F. Armistead, Aaron Webb, Zach Webb, Richard Doggett

16 February 1807
Culpepper County, Virginia
As Sarah cannot conveniently travel to Culpepper to acknowledge the deed, Culpepper requests David S. Garland and John Warwick to quiz her and obtain the acknowledgement.

16 October 1807
Amherst County, Virginia
David S. Garland and John Warwick Justices of the Peace for Amherst County, personally examined Sarah without her husband and she freely acknowleded the deed.

Probate

Estate Commited to Sheriff - Estate of William Armistead[8][4]
31 March 1848
Amherst County, Virginia
“William Armistead having died intestate more than three months ago and no person having applied for administration of his goods and chattels, on motion of Roderick Waugh it is ordered that James S. Samkin of this County take the estate of the said deceased into his possession and administer the same.” [Note: This requires future research due to the fact that a court case references him as living out of state.]


Research Notes

'Biography Updated 2 Oct 2023

The birthyear for William Armistead is predicated on information contained in his marriage record abstracted as follows:

1. 21Sep1795: Amherst County Register of Marriages, Page 103: Husband: William Armistead, Wife: Sarah Meredith (both of Lexington Parish), Parent or Guardian of Husband: Thomas Penn, Guardian, Security and Witnesses: Reuben Crawford, William S. Crawford, William H. Cabell, and William B. Hare. Amherst. Marriage Registers 1763–1853 — Image Details — FamilySearch.org. The fact that William Armistead required the approval of his guardian is strong indication that he had not yet reached the age of consent (21 years) on 21Sep1795, i.e., born after 22Sep1774.

2. LWT: In the name of God, Amen: I, Bowles Armistead of Culpepper County do make this my last will and testament as followeth: being in perfect enjoyment of my reason; Impremis: I give and bequeath to my sons, William and Peter Armistead and their heirs forever all my lands to be divided equally between them by the judgment of my Executors on my son William coming of age, either dying before coming of age or having lawful issue the other to enjoy the whole, undivided; Item: I give to my said sons and my daughters, Elizabeth and Mary Bowles all my negroes to be equally divided among them by the judgment of my Executors, as they marry or come of age, either dying before they come of age or marry, the others to enjoy their parts equally; To my beloved wife, Mary Ann Armistead I give the use of all my estate till my sons come of age or my daughters come of age or marry, reserving as much of the profits as my Executors shall deem sufficient for the maintenance and education of my children to be wholly directed by my Executors and on my sons taking their portions, in lieu of the use of my estate, I give her during her natural life one-third of whole estate with the dwelling house, I also give her my carriage and horses and in part of her thirds as above, during her natural life the following negroes: Will, Lucy, Sall, Sam, Cook, Ciller, Nancy, Wills wife, and in case of the death of all my children before coming of age or having issue, I give her my whole estate both real and personal; In case of my beloved wife’s present pregnancy, I give the child, if a son, an equal part of my lands and negroes with my other sons, if a daughter, an equal [share] in my negroes with my other daughters, should all my sons die before coming of age or have lawful issue, my daughters to divide their estates equally; My household furniture to remain with the house; My stock to be divided between my sons, save their mother’s third; To the payment of my debts, I desire that the debts due to me, all spare stock of cattle, horses, and any claims in some land in Halifax[?]__ (next line unreadable)__ up by sale any part of my estate my Executors may think most advisable, all my children bearing part in proportion to the value of their share. To this, my Last Will and Testament I appoint my brother, John Armistead, my brother-in-law William Fontaine, and my beloved wife, Mary Ann Armistead, and Capt. John Spotswood, my Executors. Witnesses: William Fontaine, Mary Thornton, Lawrence Brooke and George Hume, Jr. At a Court held for Culpepper County the 21Jun1785, the last will and testament of Bowles Armistead, deceased, was exhibited to the Court by William Fontaine and John Spotswood, two of the executors therein named and was proved by the oath of Lawrence Brooke, one of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified. And at a Court held in Culpepper County the 16May1785 was fully proved by the oath of Mary Thornton another of the witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded And on the motion of the said Executors certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate therein due form, they having made oath thereto and given bond and security according to law, liberty being reserved for the other executors to join in the probate when they may think fit. Will Book O, Page 114. Will Book C with Inventories and Accounts, 1783-1791, Culpeper County, Virginia: Culpeper. Probate Records 1783–1791 — Image Details — FamilySearch.org. In the Last Will and Testament of Bowles Armistead he devised his land in Culpeper County to his two sons, William and Peter, and his slaves equally to all his children: William, Peter, Mary and Elizabeth (until they marry or come of age), but in the use of his widow for her natural life. Since William Armistead was only about 10 years old at time of his father's death, he would not be eligible to receive his legacy until about 1796. Capt. John Spotswood, one of the named executors, was a grandson of Alexander Spotswood, Sr., who died in Orange County in 1800 on land originally part of the Germana Tract. The land in Culpeper County owned by Bowles Armistead was also a part of the Germana Tract, which had been purchased by Bowles' father, William Armistead , extracted as follows:

3. 1753-1757 Culpeper County, Virginia Deed Book B; [John Frederick Dorman]; Page 157-62. 6 Aug. 1754. John Spotswood of Spotsylvania County, Esqr., son, heir and devisee of Alexander Spotswood, late of Orange County, Esqr., and Mary his wife to William Armistead of Gloster County, Esq. For £950 sterling. Alexander Spotswood by last will and testament 19 April 1740 did devise all his lands in Virginia to his eldest son John Spotswood and for default gave the same to his son Robert and annexed to the land all his working slaves, and did give unto his son Robert £3000 sterling, to his daughter Anna Catharina £2000 sterling and to his daughter Dorothea £2000 sterling, to be raised by mortgage or sale of any of his lands (the mine tract excepted) and appointed his wife Butler Spotswood (who is since intermarried with John Thompson, Clerk), Elliott Benger Esqr., Robert Rose, Clerk, executors, who are both since deceased, and John Spotswood is now of full age. Since the death of Alexander his daughter Anna Catharine hath intermarried with Bernard Moore of King William County, Gent., and his other daughter Dorothea hath intermarried with Nathaniel West Dandridge of. King William County, Gent., whereby the fortunes devised to Anna Catharina and Dorothea are become payable and it being found by experience that growing rents and profits of the estate are not sufficient to raise the same and answer the other purposes mentioned in the will .. 5389 acres in St. Mark's Parish ... on the west side of the mouth of Thompson's Branch ... line of the patent ... crossing the branch ..._ by a branch ..... to the South Branch of Rappahannock River ... John Spotswood

4. Estate Inventory: 25May1786 an inventory of the estate of Bowles Armistead was presented at Court in Culpepper County. Said inventory listed 37 slaves by name, livestock, plantation tools, household goods, furniture, utensils, etc., valued at £2,445, 15s, 6p. Not appraised was a bed at William Waugh’s (very small for Billy Armistead) and a negro named Nancy, about 5 years old at Mr. J. Thompsons. Inventory appraisal recorded on 19Jun1786. Will Book C with Inventories and Accounts, 1783-1791, Culpeper County, Virginia: Culpeper. Probate Records 1783–1791 — Image Details — FamilySearch.org The inventory of a “very small” bed in possession of William Waugh for use of Billy Armistead provides a strong inference that William Waugh had been named by the Court as guardian of William Armistead following his father’s death. Unfortunately, the Court Records of Culpeper County in which guardianships would have been recorded have not survived.

5. Mary Ann Fontaine-Armistead married John Lewis (son of Fielding Lewis and Catherine Washington) in about 1786, and they are believed to have settled in Fredericksburg: "Fielding Lewis passed away in 1781. John Lewis remained in the Fredericksburg area, acting as executor of his father’s estate, and seeing to its myriad debts and complicated business transactions. He oversaw operations on the lands left to him, and assisted his step-mother, Betty [Elizabeth Washington] Lewis, in maintaining Kenmore, which would become his upon her death. He wrote on several occasions of tight finance, and frustrations with his father’s estate but managed to hold it all together." "After Betty’s death, John moved quickly to sell Kenmore. Although it would take several years, he did eventually save enough money to move his family to his land in Kentucky, where he spent the rest of his life. Perhaps the family obligations and strain of his father’s estate made Kentucky a more appealing home than Fredericksburg." Presumably, Mary Ann Fontain-Armistead's children could have lived with their new step-father's (John Lewis) family at Kenmore, but for some reason William Armistead appears to have been placed with a guardian. William's siblings: Peter Fontaine Armistead, Mary Armistead and Elizabeth Armistead each married very well.

6. Per the terms of Bowles Armistead's LWT William Armistead should have been eligible to inherit his legacy (which possibly included more than 1,500 acres and slaves in Culpeper) at age 21, but before attaining the age of consent he had already moved to Amherst County where he married Sarah Henry Meredith in Sep1795.

7. The Virginia Genealogist Volume 30, 1986 [John Frederick Dorman] Page 209 1775-1803 British Mercantile Claims Claims of James Robb & Company , Robert Gilchrist & Company and McCall, Smellie & Company [pp . 101-03]: Bowles Armistead, Culpeper. £23.17.0, £14.7.6, £13.13.2 and £467.4.2. He died in Culpeper shortly after the peace [1785]. His acting executors were Col. William Fontaine of Louisa and Col. John Spotswood of Orange. Col. John Spotswood on 28 June 1800 assured him the estate was solvent and all the British debts due from it would be paid. Col. John Spotswood [Jr.] would have been the last surviving executor on the estate of Bowles Armistead, and he would die within four months after this filing on 31Oct1800 in nearby Orange County. So, even though Mary Ann Fontain-Armistead-Lewis had died around 1798/9, her 1st husband's estate was still being administered by his executors in 1800. The ages of Bowles Armistead's chldren are unknown, but probably all would have reached the age of consent, or married before 28 June 1800, with the possible exception of the unknown child with which Mary Ann reportedly was pregnant at the time Bowles wrote his LWT.

8. 7Apr1830: Amherst County Deed Book T, Page 404: This indenture made between William Armistead of one part and Frances Lewis and her five children: Edwin Francis, Mary Elizabeth, Laura Serina, Louisa Seldon and Ellen Lee of the other part, all of Amherst, witnesseth that the said Armistead for and in consideration his promise and agreement to and with the said Frances Lewis, and in consideration of the faithful service of her, the said Frances Lewis, and in consideration of the natural love and affection which he bears toward the said children, who are his natural children by the said Frances Lewis and when he hereby acknowledges as such and for and in consideration of the sum of $1 to him in hand paid, [shall] be emancipated and free forever thereafter to all intents and purposes and at perfect liberty to enter into contracts and enjoy all the rights and immunities to which she would have been entitled had she been born free, and the named children: Edwin Francis at age 21 and Mary Elizabeth, Laura Serina, Louisa Seldon and Ellen Lee at age 18 shall likewise be free… should any have children before arriving at age, their children shall also be free and emancipated… Amherst. Deed Books 1829–1836 — Image Details — FamilySearch.org This Deed of Trust filed by William Armistead in Amherst County in Apr1830 provides the strongest "evidence" we have for linking this William Armistead as a son of Bowles Armistead and Mary Ann Fontain. In this deed we have William Armistead granting emancipation to a slave woman named "Frances Lewis". Via this deed, William Armistead also granted emancipation to five children of Frances Lewis, which he acknowledged as his "natural children", upon their reaching age of consent or marrying. William's children by Frances Lewis were identified by name as Edmund Francis, Mary Elizabeth, Laura Serina, Louisa Selden and Ellen Lee. William's wife, Sarah Henry Meredith-Armistead, had died sometime within the previous year, as her LWT was recorded in Amherst County on 16Jun1829. It stands to reason that these enslaved children of Frances Lewis and William Armistead were conceived while William was still legally married to Sarah Henry Meredith-Armistead, and that William Armistead chose to acknowledge these "out-of-wedlock" children following his wife's death. Most significant to the ancestral connection of William Armistead are the recorded names of his enslaved consort and her children, viz.: (1) Frances Lewis just happens to have been the name of William Armistead's half-sister, born to Mary Ann Fontain-Armisted and her 2nd husband, John Lewis, and Frances Lewis was also the name of John Lewis' sister. who married Rev. Abner Waugh, (2) the daughter named Mary Elizabeth, just happens to be a merging of the names of William Armistead's sisters: Mary Armistead-Alexander-Selden and Elizabeth Armistead-Lee, (3) the daughter named Louisa Selden just happened to have a middle name which matched with the surname of William Armistead's brother-in-law, Dr. Wilson Cary Selden, and (4) the daughter named Ellen Lee just happened to have a middle name which matched with the surname of William Armistead's brother-in-law, Ludwell Lee. Was the naming of William Armistead's consort and children just coincidence? Since we are talking about an enslaved woman and her enslaved children, it seems highly probable that their naming would have been at the complete discretion of their enslaver, William Armistead. Consequently, their names almost certainly reflected the desire and intent of William Armistead to confer names that held close familial connections, i.e., sisters, half-sister, and brothers-in-law.

9. 24May1830: Lynchburg Press: Virginia: At a Superior Court of Chancery, holden at the town of Lynchburg: Abner Waugh, Thomas Waugh Jr., Alexander Waugh, Sally Waugh, Samuel L. Williams and Elizabeth, his wife, Jesse Harman and Frances, his wife, Plaintiffs, against Nicholas Waugh and Roderick Waugh, administrators of Thomas Waugh, deceased, and in their own rights, Mary Waugh, administratrix, of James Waugh, deceased, Isabel Waugh, administratrix of Edward Waugh, deceased, Pembroke E. Waugh, only child of Edward Waugh, deceased, an infant by Commissioner Benaugh, specially assigned his guardian, Francis Waugh, widow of Thomas Waugh, deceased, William Armistead, administrator de bonis non of James Waugh, deceased, and Thomas, Judith [wife of Daniel E. Bailey], James and William Waugh, infant children of James Waugh, deceased by Commissioner Benagh, specially assigned their guardian, and Gora Waugh, Joseph Hutcheson and Jinsey, his wife, Late Jinsey Waugh, Frances Waugh, Samuel Howard and Susannah, his wife, late Susannah Waugh, and Henry Waugh, children and legatees of Henry Waugh, deceased, defendants; This cause came on this day to be heard on two bills, answers of the defendants, Nicholas Waugh, Roderick Waugh, Mary Waugh, Isabella Waugh, Pembroke E. Waugh, Francis Waugh, William Armistead, Thomas Waugh, Judith Waugh, James Waugh and William Waugh, the subpoena awarded therein on the 5Jan1829, to answer the amended bill, which appears to have been duly served on the defendant Isabella Waugh, the order of publication against the defendants Gora Waugh, Joseph Hutcheson and Jinsey, his wife, Francis Waugh, Samuel Howard and Susannah, his wife, and Henry Waugh, of the 2Nov1829, which appears to have been duly published, exhibits and examinations of witnesses, and was signed by counsel, on consideration whereof, the court doth order that the defendants Nicholas Waugh and Roderick Waugh, render an account of their administration of the estate of their intestate before one of the commissioners of the court, who is directed to examine, state and settle the same, and make report thereof to the court, with any matters specially stated, thought pertinent by himself or required by the parties to be so stated. A Copy___Teste, J. Wills, C.C. Commissioner’s Office. Waugh family of Amherst County, Virginia - legal action that documents many of the names and whether living or dead - Lynchburg (ancestry.com) This suit pending in Court at Lynchburg in 1830 involved numerous heirs and devisees of the Waugh family in Amherst County, including William Armistead, administrator de bonis non for the estate of James Waugh, deceased. The suit also names Mary Waugh, administratrix of James Waugh. Mary Waugh (nee Gilliam) was the widow of James Waugh, who had died at Waugh Ferry on the James River above Lynchburg. James Waugh was a son of Thomas S. Waugh and Margaret Tyler, originally of Stafford County VA. All of these Waughs, including William Waugh, guardian of William Armistead, and Rev. Abner Waugh, husband of Frances Lewis, were all descended from the immigrant, Rev. John Waugh of "Cherry Hill" Overwharton Parish, Stafford County VA. The cause for William Armistead having become a party in this suit is unknown, but probably can be found in the Court records of either Lynchburg or Amherst County.

10. 11Mar1843: Deed Book Y, Page 414: This indenture made between William Armistead of the 1st part and Chiswell Dabney and John Will of Lynchburg of the 2nd part and the heirs and legatees of the late James Waugh of the 3rd part, witnesseth that for and in consideration of $1 to him the said Armistead in hand paid by the said Dabney and Wills, sold the following property in fee simple to wit: one tract of land called Rocky Row entered on the commissioners books for 600 acres, by containing by late survey 810 acres, also Clover Hill tract containing 50 acres, also one entry patented to Roland Byers of 50 acres adjoining thereto, also the Pea Vine tract containing 100 acres adjoining the survey and connecting it with Clover Hill and sold to Granville Taylor for $250, but title retained to secure the payment of the purchase money, also Otter Mills with 10 acres of land on which they stand together with all the fixtures and appendages thereunto belonging, also an entry on the west side of Otter Creek adjoining the mill tract, but not surveyed, with the buildings thereon also four negroes named David, Abraham, John and Sophia, four oxen, cart, yokes and four log chains, two cows, four calves, one white horse, one colt, 13 sheep, 30 hogs, one cross cut saw, two hand saws, three ploughs and gear, 10 hoes, six axes, one hatchet, three wedges, one sideboard, one secretary, one set dining table in three parts, three beds, bedsteads and furniture, one press, small library of books, two card tables, three other common tables, all my other household furniture, including plates, dishes, cups, saucers, one loom and warping bars, one large chest, etc…(basically all of Armistead’s worldly goods and wealth)… for the following uses and trusts, viz., in the first place to pay a debt due Chiswell Dabney, a debt due by bond of about $50 given for fees as cousel for the estate of James Fuqua, in the next place to pay the said Dabney, John Wills and Robert Brown $50 each to defend me at the suit of Daniel Bailey and wife and actions against me as admin de bonis non of James Waugh… Amherst. Deed Books 1841–1846 — Image Details — FamilySearch.org Whatever the cause of William Armistead's original involvment as administrator de bonis non in the estate of James Waugh, it would appear that he still had lingering liabilities associated therewith almost 13 years later, which necessitated his mortgaging virtually all of his worldly goods.

11. 22Mar1843: Deed Book Y, Page 435: This indenture made between William Armistead of 1st part, Robert M. Brown of 2nd part, and heirs of James Waugh, deceased of 3rd part, witnesseth that the said Armistead being indebted to the heirs of James Waugh deceased in his character as administrator of the estate of the said Waugh and being anxious to secure the same whatever it may be and for and in further consideration of the sum of $1 to him in hand paid by the said Brown sold various property to wit: 303 acres of land lying in Amherst and purchased by the said Armistead of William N. McCulluck with the means of the estate of said Waugh and is now in possession of his heirs or some of them, also the deed for the same conveying the legal title was made to the said Armistead, also one unsurveyed entry at the east side of the Rocky Row tract… acknowledged in open Court by said Armistead and recorded. Amherst. Deed Books 1841–1846 — Image Details — FamilySearch.org Eleven days after mortgaging most of his personal estate as security for his debts related to his role as administrator de bonis non on the estate of James Waugh, William Armistead placed additional property into escrow as further security against said debt.

12. 3Jun1843: Deed Book Y, Page 518: Sale of property made by John Wills and Chiswell Dabney trustees under a deed of trust executed to them by William Armistead bearing date of 11Mar1843, and of record in Clerk’s Office: Terms of sale of the personal property for all sums under $5 cash, for all sums over $5 a credit for 12 months, the purchasers giving bonds with good personal security; terms of sale of the real property, a credit of 1 or 2 years for equal portions of purchase money will be given…

Property SoldPriceName of Purchaser
1 Card Table$2.75 Thomas N. Eubank
1 Secretary5.25" "
1 Side Board15.25William M. Waller
1 Portrait of Gen’l Washington0.75" "
various items to Daniel E. Bailey
1 brace + bits + files2.1William M. Waller
various items to Daniel E. Bailey, Thomas Eubank, James Davis, William A. Waugh
1 old negro man Abram6Nelson Tinsley
1 young negro man, John$456.00 Daniel Bailey
one negro man, David$310 " "
one negro woman, Sophia$199.50 " "
Rocky Row tract w/ 810 acres$1,620 William M. Waller

At a Court held 17Jul1843 this account of sales made by John Wills and Chiswell Dabney, trustees under a deed of trust executed by William Armistead which was duly recorded in Clerks Office 13Mar1843 was recorded. Amherst. Deed Books 1841–1846 — Image Details — FamilySearch.org William Armistead had defaulted on his debt related to his role as administrator de bonis non on the estate of James Waugh, resulting in the sale at auction of virtually all of his personal property. Part of this property was purchased by William Macon Waller, the husband of William Armistead's niece, Sarah Armistead Garland. Other property was purchased by Daniel Bailey, husband of Judith Waugh, daughter of James Waugh, deceased.

Analysis/Conclusions

The foregoing set of records pertaining to William Armistead in Amherst County is far from complete, but contains those items which are most supportive of the premise that he was a son of Bowles Armistead and Mary Ann Fontaine. We will now summarize the key points that support that argument:

1. Young William [aka Billy] Armistead was a minor at the time of his father's death in 1785.

2. Based on the mention of a small bed in the estate inventory of Bowles Armistead in the possession of William Waugh for use of Billy Armistead is strong indication that William had been made a ward of William Waugh.

3. The fact that William Armistead required the approval of his guardian, Thomas Penn, on his marriage to Sarah Henry Meredith in Amherst County in 1795 is strong indication that he had not yet reached age 21, which age fits with William [aka Billy], son of Bowles Armistead.

4. The known siblings of William Armistead, son of Bowles Armistead, married very well, in spite of the early demise of their father in 1785, the intermarriage of their mother with John Lewis in about 1786/7, and the demise of their mother in 1799.

• Peter Fontaine Armistead (b. ~1784, d. 1864) married Martha Henry Winston, daughter of Isaac Winston III and Lucy Coles, in about 1807 in Culpeper County. Isaac Winston wrote his LWT in Culpeper County dated 12Jul1820 in which he bequeathed two slaves to his daughter, Martha Armistead. Peter Fontain Armistead moved his family westward in about 1820, making a stop near Frankfurt Kentucky in 1822 where his daughter Lucy Eliza was born, then moving on to Lauderdale County AL by 1823 where his son, George Washington, was born. He received a land grant in Lauderdale County in 1832, and was recorded in the 1830 and 1840 census records in that area. By 1850 Peter had moved to Panola County MS where he was recorded as the only person in his household, aged 66 years. Presumably his wife had died prior to 1850, and all of his children were adults living outside his household. He was again recorded in Panola County in the 1860 census at which time his daughter, Mary Branch was living in his household. He reportedly was buried in the Winston Family Cemetery at Tuscumbia, AL. Given a year of birth at around 1784, he likely would have been the youngest child of Bowles Armistead and Mary Ann Fontain, unless perhaps the child with which Mary Ann was pregnant in 1785 survived birth.

• Elizabeth Armistead (b. ~ 1780, d. bef. 1830) married Ludewll Lee in 1797 as his 2nd wife. Ludwell Lee was son of Richard Henry Lee and Ann Ashton Aylett. Col. Ludwell Lee, born 13Oct1760 in Westmoreland County, was a prominent Virginia lawyer, served multiple terms in Virginia General Assembly representing Fairfax and Prince William Counties. He married firstly, his 1st cousin, Flora Lee, daughter of Phillip Ludwell Lee and Elizabeth Steptoe, and they resided in Alexandria VA, ultimately occupying a property known as Shuter's [aka Shooter's] Hill. Flora Lee had inherited a large tract of land in Loundon County along the west side of the Potomac. Following Flora's death (about 1795), and Ludwell's marriage to his second wife, Elizabeth Armistead, in 1797, he began construction on his landmark plantation manor house known as "Belmont" in 1799 in lands in Loudon County, which had devolved from Flora. By 1802 he had moved his family into Belmont, where he tired from the political life and concentrated his energies on running his plantations and rearing his families. Elizabeth Armistead-Lee is believed to have given birth to five children with Ludwell Lee, and died at Belmont around 1820.

• Mary Bowles Armistead (b. ~1783, d. ~1864 was married twice: 1st Charles Alexander (b. 1772, d. Oct1812), son of Charles Alexander and Frances Brown and builder of Mount Ida Manor House, Alexandria VA, 2nd Dr. Wilson Cary Selden as his 3rd wife in 1818. Mary Armistead and Dr. Wilson Cary Selden settled at Exeter, Loudon County. Following Dr. Selden's death in 1836, Mary Armistead-Alexander-Selden, returned to live out her days at Mount Ida.

From the foregoing bios of William Armistead's siblings, it is obvious that they were afforded access to and intermarried with some of the most prominent families of Colonial Virginia. William Armistead fared no less opportunites than his younger siblings. Sarah Henry Meredith likewise could claim bloodlines with equally prominent ancestors, perhaps the most notable of which was her uncle, Patrick Henry. But she could also point to ancestral connections to the Winstons and Dabneys. Many of these Armistead allied families trace their ancestral roots to Hanover, New Kent and Henrico Counties in the early part of the 18th Century.

William, son of Isaac Winston, the emigrant, (" He was said to have been endowed with that rare kind of magnetic eloquence which rendered his nephew, Patrick Henry, so famous."—Campbell's History of Virginia, p. 520. See also Wirt's Life of Henry), m. Sarah Dabney, issue, Elizabeth, Edmund (Judge Winston) and Mary Ann. 1. Elizabeth m. Peter Fontaine ; issue, 1. John m. Martha Henry dau. of Patrick Henry, issue, Patrick Henry (other children not known). 2. Sarah Fontaine m. Charles Hose ; issue, John, Peter, Sarah and Alexander. 3. William Fontaine m. Ann Morris. 4. Mary Fontaine m. first Bowles Armstead ; issue, William, Elizabeth, Mary and Peter ; m. second John Lewis, a nephew of General Washington ; issue, Frances, Howel and Mary Ann.'


Sources

  1. 1.0 1.1 Lynchburg City (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1805-1945. Sarah Henry Armistead by etc v. William Armistead etc, 1821-009. Local Government Records Collection, Lynchburg City Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
  2. Sweeny, William Montgomery, and Lenora Higginbotham Sweeny. 1999. Marriage bonds and other marriage records of Amherst County, Virginia, 1763-1800 / Marriage records of Amherst County, Virginia, 1815-1821 and subscription for building St. Mark's Church, Amherst County, Virginia / by Lenora Higginbotham Sweeny. Baltimore, MD: Genealogical Pub. Co.
  3. Marriage: "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940"
    citing Digital film/folder number: 007578824; FHL microfilm: 30273; Record number: 19; Packet letter: A
    FamilySearch Record: XRDN-HYT (accessed 14 October 2023)
  4. 4.0 4.1 Common law order books, 1831-1891: "Common law order books, 1831-1891"
    Catalog: Common law order books, 1831-1891 Common law order books, v. 4 (p. 150-end) 1845-1849 v. 5 (p. 1-450) 1850-1854
    Film number: 008151604 > image 172 of 513
    FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSKJ-W9NB-D (accessed 3 November 2023)
  5. Mixed probate records, 1749-1870; index, 1749-1930: "Mixed probate records, 1749-1870; index, 1749-1930"
    Catalog: Mixed probate records, 1749-1870; index, 1749-1930 Mixed records, Vol. C 1783-1791
    Film number: 007644386 > image 79 of 249
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-89PC-MSX9 (accessed 14 October 2023)
  6. Lynchburg City (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1805-1945. Sarah H Armistead by etc v. William Armistead, 1820-034. Local Government Records Collection, Lynchburg City Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
  7. Orange County (Va.) Chancery Causes, 1736-1952. Adminstrators of Charles Urquhart v. William Armistead, 1833-007. Local Government Records Collection, Orange County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
  8. Davis, Bailey Fulton. 1998. The wills of Amherst County, Virginia, 1761-1865. Easley, S.C.: Southern Historical Press.




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DNA Connections
It may be possible to confirm family relationships with William by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with William:

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Armistead-464 and Armistead-30 appear to represent the same person because: Chancery Court records from Lynchburg and Amherst clearly establish a linkage between these two William Armisteads. Specifically, in answer to suit in Armistead vs. Armistead, William identified himself in possession of approx. 1,700 acres in Culpeper County on Rapidan River, which links him to son of Bowles Armistead and Mary Ann Fontain.
posted by Robert Atteberry

Rejected matches › William Burgess Armistead (1775-)