William Blackman (abt. 1641 - abt. 1697)

Born about 1641 in Varina Parish, Henrico County, Virginia

Descendants

Died about 11 Nov 1697 at about age 56 in Varina, Henrico, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

William Blackman was born in England around 1631. This date is estimated based upon the headright patent issued in 1652. Assuming that year was the actual year of importation, it would be safe to say William was about twenty years old. Headright grants were subjected to widespread misuse. The earliest date can at best only establish the person was in the colony at that date, but actual importation could have been a few years earlier.

On 24 March 1652 Richard Thomas received a land patent for transporting four persons to include one WILLIAM BLACKMAN, Margaret Loyd, Thomas Dyar, and Henry Mitchell, as noted in Patent Book 3, page 32. ^[1]

William Blackman was born in 1641, probably, if the above assumptions are correct, in the Falling Creek area of Henrico County (now in the city of Richmond), Virginia. He married Dorothy and had four known children. ^[2]

Excerpts From: WILLIAM AND JOHN BLACKMAN, FORERUNNERS OF THE BLACKMAN FAMILIES OF JOHNSTON AND SAMPSON COUNTIES, NORTH CAROLINA By: Dr. Donald E. Collins

"William Blackman's plantation was located on Grindalls (also called Grendon's) Run, a branch of Falling Creek that began near where the creek enters the James River. It was bounded by the lands of Henry Sherman and Robert Broadway with whom the Blackmans are known to have close social relations), and Peter Lee. The only product his plantation is known to have produced was tobacco (he paid William Byrd 3,000 pounds of tobacco for 350 acres of land in 1689). In 1679, following incidents of hostility with the Indians, the Virginia Assembly passed "An act for the defense of the country against the incursions of the Indian Enemy." William Blackman was named as one of eleven men in his area who were ordered to "fitt out (40) men, horse, armes, etc." William Blackman was responsible for supplying two men, with William Byrd in overall command.

"Several children were placed in the care of William Blackman by his neighbors through their wills, and by the Orphan Court of Henrico County. On Aug. 20, 1681, the Court made him guardian of Joane Ascough at the request of her mother, who objected to her husband's abuse of his stepchild, and his refusal to provide security of the child's estate. In Aug., 1682, he was given custody of one child (and estate?) of his neighbor Robert Broadway, for four years, until the child came of age and could assume control of his own affairs. In 1685, another neighbor, Gilbert Jones, willed his son Robert to William Blackman for a term of 6 years. In a will written Dec. 23, 1689, and probated in 1695, Joshua Stap made William executor of his will, and placed him third in line after his children to inherit his estate. Joshua also "bequeathed" his son-in-law (probably step-son) John Claiborne to William "for the time he hath to serve." His son Joshua was willed to serve William's wife, Dorothy Blackman, until age 18 (ten years), and his daughter Elizabeth was to serve her until age 15. (William Blackman, Jr., was willed a gun.)

William Blackman, Sr. died in Henrico County between Nov. 11, 1697, when he wrote his will, and April 1, 1698, when it was probated. His wife Dorothy was named as executrix. To son William Blackman, lower or south half of my land in Varina Parish. To son John Blackman, the north half of above land. To daughter Dorothy Cogbill, wife of George Cogbill of said parish and county, cooper, 1 shilling. To daughter Elizabeth Ward, wife of Richard Ward, 1 shilling. To beloved wife Dorothy all rest of estate and to be executrix. Wit: Matthew Branch, Will Burroughs, Thomas Harris, Robert Broadway, John Goode Recorded 1 April 1698, page 69. Dated 11 Nov 1697^[3].

The will of William Blackman , of Varina Parish , Henrico County , planter , dated November II , 1697 , probated April 1 , 1698 , makes bequests : to eldest son William Blackman , south or lower moiety of my plantation in Varina Parish , Henrico County ; son John Blackman , north , or upper half of said lands or plantation , 3 guns , a young horse , and £ 3 sterling ; to daughter Dorothy , wife of George Cogbill , of aforesaid county , and parish , Cooper , I shilling ; to daughter Elizabeth Ward now wife of Richard Ward , of aforesaid county and parish , i shilling ; wife Dorothy Blackman , residue of estate not before mentioned and she is named as executrix .^[4]

Four years later in 1701, Dorothy Blackman, who was no longer able to live alone, went to live with her son John Blackman on a plantation he had traded with Henry Ascough (formerly the land of Robert Broadway), for the land he (John) had inherited from his father. Called Orick als Warrick (but generally referred to as Warwick), it was located just north of Falling Creek on the King's Road, and was bounded by the James River on one side and William Blackman Jr.'s land on Grindall Run on the other. John and his mother formalized the arrangement in a legal agreement in which he agreed to live with his mother, support her, and manage her affairs for as long as she lived. In turn, she agreed she would not sell or give away anything she possessed, and that at her death, none of her other children would have a claim to any of her estate. The agreement was signed Nov. 18, 1701. The witnesses included John Goode, who was, or would became, John's father-in-law. On May 30, 1702, Dorothy Blackman appointed her friend Captain Giles Webb as her attorney. She died by Oct. 25, 1704, and John sold Warrick back to Mary Ascough, the widow of the man from whom he had obtained it.

William Blackman's plantation was located on Grindalls (also called Grendon's) Run, a branch of Falling Creek that began near where the creek enters the James River. It was bounded by the lands of Henry Sherman and Robert Broadway with whom the Blackmans are known to have close social relations), and Peter Lee. The only product his plantation is known to have produced was tobacco (he paid William Byrd 3,000 pounds of tobacco for 350 acres of land in 1689).

In 1679, following incidents of hostility with the Indians, the Virginia Assembly passed "An act for the defense of the country against the incursions of the Indian Enemy." William Blackman was named as one of eleven men in his area who were ordered to "fitt out (40) men, horse, armes, etc." William Blackman was responsible for supplying two men, with William Byrd in overall command.^[5]

Sources

1. ↑ Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol 1, p 243 Nell Marion Nugent
2. ↑ [1] Geni
3. ↑ Henrico Records , Vol . 1697 1704 , p . 69-70
4. ↑ William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Volume 27 January 1920 page 195
5. ↑ [2] Rootsweb