Lize Ann (Greer) Heptinstall (abt. 1777 - bef. 1853)

Born about 1777 in Bedford County, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of Caleb Heptinstall — married 10 Nov 1796 in Franklin, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 1853 before about age 76 in Franklin, Virginia, United States

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WARNING: Unique names: Tege is a nickname from the family.

Biography

Lize Tege Greer was born about 177 in Bedford County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Joseph Greer and Ann Lowe. Apparently no one has ever located a birth record so Lize Tege's actual given name is a mystery. But she apparently was known by all as Tege and that does appear to be a nickname used by the Greer family. As an unusual name, it does appear in several spelling variants, including 'Teagie' and 'Tequay' in the section below on her father's estate.

Father's Estate

Library of Virginia Chancery Court Case # 1789-017, Bedford Co., Dicey & Sarah Greer by Etc vs Lucy Haynes Etc (images available here):

Document #1: “To the Worshipful Court of Bedford County sitting now In Chancery Humbly complaining show unto your Worshipful Court that Dicey Greer & Sarah Greer Infant Daughters of Thomas Greer Deceased who was eldest son & Heir of Joseph Greer Decd and John Ferguson their next friend that Joseph Greer departed this life …. Sundry estate the 19th day of October 1766 …. his Estate in Manner following …. my will is that my best gun I leave to my son Thomas Greer, and as for the rest of my estate both real & personal that be equally divided amongst all my children after all my just …. of a considerable Estate both real & personal …. Of your Orator’s the following children …. Lucy married to George Haynes, Nathan, Amie (?) married to Farley Hatcher, Greenberry, Joseph, Jemima, Priscilla, Temperance and Teagie & Annie who your Orator’s …. may be made Defendants to this …. Your Orator’s further …. that after the death of your Orator’s Grandfather Joseph Greer Probate was made of his will and Administration …. By his widow & your Orator’s grandmother Anne Greer since intermarried with Thomas Demoss …. May be also made Defendants and your Orator’s will …. That in Pursuance …. The will …. Estate whereby your Orator’s might be Benefit…. Your worships that the said Defendants Thomas Demoss and Anne his wife combining & considering with …. Defendants how to deficit your Orator’s just …. Have deposed…. Your Orator’s have just Reason to believe, the Testator owed no Debts at the time of his Decease…. Consideration whereof and for a …. Your Orator’s are entirely without Remedy in the ….”

Document #2: (See attached image) The Common Wealth of Virginia to the Sheriff of Bedford County Greeting We Command you that you Summon Thomas Demoss and Anne his Wife who was widow and Ecx of Joseph Greer George Haynes & Lucy his wife; Farley Hatcher & Anne his wife; Nathan Greer, Greenberry Greer, Joseph, Jemima, Priscilla, Temperance, Tequay and Anne Greer to appear Before the Justices of our said County Court at the Court House on the fourth Monday in this month to answer a Bill in Chancery Exhibited against them by Dicey Greer and Sarah Greer Infant Daughters of Thomas Greer, who was Eldest son of Joseph Greer deceased by John Ferguson their next friend and this they shall in no wise omit under Penalty of one Hundred pounds and have then there this Writ Witness James Steptoe Clerk of our said County Court at the Court House aforesaid the third day of October 1783 in the Eighth year of the Common Wealth.

Marriage

Tege married Caleb Heptinstall in 1796. Tege was underage at the time of her marriage and her guardian, Thomas Demoss, gave consent. Their marriage was apparently recorded in both Franklin and Bedford counties. As indicated in the Children Section below, it may be likely that Caleb had a first unknown wife before he married Tege.

Census Data

The only federal census data we have are for 1810 and 1820. There are two questions about those records.

In 1810, there are 3 males under 25 present, yet we only know of two sons. One of the three might be a son-in-law, but that would be difficult to prove.

Also in 1810, we see a female >45. Tege would only have been about 33 in 1810 and there is no female in that age group recorded. Possibly, the census taker incorrectly assigned Tege's age, or the older female could be Caleb's mother, who some have reported to have lived until 1824. Also difficult to prove as only one female >45 was present in 1820 and there are no probate records known for Rebecca Bohame Heptinstall.

Residence

Caleb first began acquiring land along the Staunton River but by 1818, he bought 535 acres on Gills Creek and this appears to have been his, and Tege's, primary residence thereafter. Both locations would have been neighboring members of the Greer family. We can only assume Caleb was farming, and he did have some slaves, who were sold in 1828.

At his death, Caleb owned about 669 acres per the 1825 allotment of dower. The lands were divided among all the children, and the total of that division equals 698 acres, pretty close to the dower allotment number. Tege's portion was 150 acres. Several of Caleb's children moved out of Franklin County and by 1835, there is a flurry of deeds in which portions of Caleb's lands were passed back and forth among the chidlren.

Children

This following list of children of Caleb Heptinstall was assembled from the will of Caleb, as well as relevant estate and land records. Most birth dates are estimates only. Specific dates are not sourced. There could be errors or omissions.

It is probably important to point out that Caleb married Lize 'Tege' Greer in 1796, some years after the estimated births of first two children listed. It's probable Caleb was married previously but that first wife is currently unknown.

1. Thomas Heptinstall, born c. 1788; married Tabitha Hall
2. Elizabeth Heptinstall, born c. 1792; married Banks Best
3. William G. Heptinstall, born 14 August 1797; married Permelia Phelps
4. Ann Heptinstall, born 4 December 1798; married Daniel S. Ferguson
5. Julia Ann Heptinstall, born c. 1798; married Jesse Netherlands Tate
6. Sophia Ann Heptinstall, born c. 1804; married John Parker Ferguson, moved to MO
7. Temperance Heptinstall, born 11 July 1805; married Thomas Dudley
8. Jeanetta Heptinstall, born c. 1809; married John Gilliam Tate
9. Rebecca Heptinstall, born c. 1815, married Bluford Hutts
10. Charlotte Heptinstall, born c. 1816; married Stephen Dudley

Note: Some report a son, Caleb Heptinstall. However, a son by that name is not mentioned anywhere in the will or estate records. One Caleb was seen in deed records after 1840 but he was probably a grandson.

Burial

Tege's death is reported in this profile as "before 1853", supported only by an unsourced FAG Memorial. Other sources report her death in 1833. The last record collected to date is dated 4 March 1833 (below) when an accounting of her husband's estate mentioned a widow's distribution of funds. She has not been located in 1830, 1840 or 1850 census records, possibly because of the spelling issues surrounding the surname Heptinstall. Some of her children moved west into Kentucky and Missouri so it is possible Tege went with them. In any event, it's probably safe to say no one seems to know when she died.

Her burial is similarly a mystery. This comment was previously posted here, but is not sourced, or very useful: "The "Family Cemetery" Note: The family farm location is, I believe in the archives at Virginia Court in a transfer of deed". All the deeds recorded for Caleb Heptinstall prior to his death, are presented below.

Most likely, Tege's burial location would be on the 150 acres on Gills Creek she was allotted for her dower. That record does include a plot but placing that on a map would take some major effort and still probably wouldn't tell us where the grave is.

Sources

• Marriage Bonds of Franklin County, Virginia, 1786-1858, by Marshall Wingfield, p. 133; Heptinstall, Caleb and Lize (Tege) Greer, Nov. 7, 1796, g. Thomas Demoss. Sur. Thomas Demoss.

• Bedford County, Virginia Marriages; Ency. of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. VI, Virginia (not Quaker marriages); 10 November 1796, Greer, Tege & Caleb Hepinstall. Bedford reel 8, 575

• 1810 Federal Census, Franklin County, Virginia; Caleb Hepingstall, 1 m 10-15, 2 m 16-25,1 m>45, 2 f 10-15, 2 f 16-25,1 f >45.

• 1820 Federal Census, Franklin County, Virginia; Caleb Heptinstall, 1 m >45, 3 f <10, 2 f 10-15, 1 f 26-44, 6 slaves.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 9, p. 101; 23 June 1820, Caleb Heptinstall and Tega his wife and Peter Lion and Elizabeth his wife to Thomas Heptinstall, 257 acres on Staunton River. Wit: Samuel Helm, John Forbes, Benjamin Booth, Bernard G. Hendrick.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 9, p. 453-454; 8 September 1821, Caleb Heptinstall and Tega his wife to Joseph Greer, 345 ½ acres on Staunton River. Wit: James Leftwich, Jr.

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 621; Written, 30 October 1824, proven 6 December 1824; Will of Caleb Heptinstall; provision is made for a "wife" who is not named. Subsequent estate records make it clear this was Tege.

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 3, p. 8-10; 7 March 1825, Assignment of dower to Tege Heptinstall; Caleb owned 669 acres on Gills Creek; Tege assigned 150 acres; record includes unlabeled plat.

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 4, p. 16-22; 27-28 December 1826, Amount of Sales or property Sold at the Sale of Caleb Heptinstall deceased. Purchasers include “Teggy”, Thomas and William Heptinstall and many others.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 13, p. 367; 16 July 1832, William G. Heptinstall and Permelia his wife to Samuel Arrington, all our interest as legatees to a tract belonging to the estate of Caleb Heptinstall Decd, on Gills Creek adjoining Bernard G. Hendrick, Peter Bernard, Maxey and others; also all interest in the widow’s dower in said tract of land.

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 4, p. 241-243; 4 March 1833, In A/C with the Estate of Caleb Heptinstall Decd; Includes long list of credits and debits. Distibutions were to be made to:

Widow to receive 1/3
Thomas and Temperance Dudley
John and Sophia Ferguson
John and Janette Tate
Charlotte Heptinstall
Rebecca Heptinstall
Thomas Heptinstall
William Heptinstall
Elizabeth Best
Ann Ferguson
Jesse N. and Julina Tate

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 14, p. 374; 12 September 1835, Daniel Ferguson and Ann his wife of Monroe County, Kentucky to William G. Heptinstall, all right & interest to the tract of land allotted to Tege Heptinstall as her dower in the lands of Caleb Heptinstall Decd, being 1/10 part.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 14, p. 375-376; 23 September 1835, Banks Best and Elizabeth his wife of Garrard County, Kentucky to William G. Heptinstall, all right and interest in Lot No. 4 drawn by Elizabeth Best (late Elizabeth Heptinstall) in lands of her deceased father Caleb Heptinstall Decd, being 62 acres; also all right and interest in the widow’s dower in the land of Caleb Heptinstall being 1/10 part.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 14, p. 377; 10 October 1835, Bluford Hutts and Rebecca his wife of Franklin Co., to William G. Heptinstall, all right and interest which said Rebecca is entitled as legatee in and to the third of land belonging to the estate of Caleb Heptinstall and assigned to Tegue Heptinstall as her dower.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 14, p. 461; 7 November 1835, Thomas Heptinstall and Tabitha his wife and John P. Ferguson and Sophia his wife to William G. Heptinstall, all right and interest to 150 acres on Gills Creek, it being land allotted to Tiege Heptinstall as her dower in the lands of Caleb Heptinstall Decd.

• Find A Grave: Memorial #127268519 Created by: carole taylor puntenney --Record added: Apr 01, 2014

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRQX-368 : 5 December 2014), Caleb Heptinstall and Lize Greer, 07 Nov 1796; citing Franklin County, Virginia, reference ; FHL microfilm 31,523.