William Edmund Elder (abt. 1686 - abt. 1755)

Born about 1686 in Rappahannock, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 1755 at about age 69 in Richmond County, Colony of Virginia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: L Adcox [send private message] and Paul Dallas Grant [send private message]

Biography

BIRTH

Birth: about 1686, based on the fact that his mother remarried by 1687, and his half-sister was born Aug-1688.

Place of Birth: assume Rappahannock Co., VA, based on parent's location:

1) In 1685, his father Peter Elder purchased inventory in Rappahannock VA.

2) In 1687, his mother Elizabeth remarried in Rappahannock Co, Virginia.

Ref: parent's profile for supporting documents.

Note: Richmond County was created 16 April 1692 from Rappahannock (Old) County.

DEATH

Death: about 1755, based on his Will:

William Elder made his will on 24 Apr 1754; it was proved 3 Feb 1755

Executors Charles and Ann Elder, with John Milner their security

Ref: transcription of his Will, further down on this page.

Place of Death: assume Richmond County, Virginia, where he had land purchases, and where his Will was written.

Ref: land transactions, further down on this page.

PARENTAGE

William Elder, son of Peter Elder and Elizabeth

William's father, Peter Elder, is determined by a court record saying that Elizabeth Elder (widow of Peter) married Edward Morris

William's parents are also confirmed by his mother's will that names son William Elder, along with the Morris children from her 2nd marriage.

William's Mother:

A Court record from 1687 says that Edward Morris married Elizabeth, relict (widow) of Peter Elder of North Farnham Parish [Wilkerson, Index to Marriages of Old Rappahannock and Essex Counties, Virginia, 1655-1900, page 172]

His mother remarried by 1687, and his half-sister was born Aug-1688.

William's half-sister:

Elizabeth Morris, daughter of Edward and Elizabeth Morris, was born 5 Aug 1688. [FamilySearch.com, Virginia, Births and Christenings, 1853-1917]

Ref: supporting documents, in the profiles of his parents

MARRIAGE

William Elder and Ann

Married about 1711, based on birth of 1st known child Elizabeth (b.1712)

William Elder and Ann, are named in their children's christening records.

Ref: section for Children, further down on this page.

William Elder and Ann, are named in a Deed Abstract in 1753.

Ref: section of Land Transactions, further down on this page.

I have NOT found any evidence for 2nd marriage of either William or Ann.

WIFE

Ann, wife of William Elder

Maiden name: unknown

Possible maiden name (per various genealogies): Wheeler, Travers, or Cole

The Will of William Elder shows a wife Ann, and children’s christening records show mother Ann or Anne, but I am unable to locate any document with Ann's maiden name, or any indication that William had more than one marriage.

None of the various maiden names have documented sources, or any explanation as to why these maiden names have been associated with Ann, the wife of William Elder.

The OTHER William and Ann

NOT to be CONFUSED with William Elder and Ann Wheeler, of MARYLAND.

This other couple was living in Maryland, and are a bit younger than "our" William and Ann. This other couple is also too young to have children the age of "our" William and Ann.

Reference the OTHER family in Maryland: William Elder and Ann Wheeler

CHILDREN

The children of "our" William Elder and Ann/Anne are recorded in VIRGINIA, at the North Farnham Parish Register, with their Christening date as shown below. [FamilySearch.com]

Elizabeth Elder, born 4 Sep 1712

Peter Elder, born 21 May 1715

William Elder, born 8 Oct 1717

Sarah Elder, born 18 Jul 1718

Thomas Elder, born 11 Nov 1721

John Elder, born 23 Nov 1723

Edmund Elder, born 21 Aug 1727

Charles Elder, born 30 May 1729

Joseph Elder, born 6 Sep 1731

Mary Ann and Winnefred Elder, born 7 Sep 1733

All of the above children are listed in the Will of William Elder.

Ephraim Elder is not in the parish register, so his birthday is unknown, but he is listed is the Will of William Elder.

Assume Ephraim is youngest child since he is the last child listed in the Will, which places Ephraim's birth birth on/after 1734.

Ruth Elder, born 19 May 1730, is another possible daughter, although she is not listed in the Will of William Elder. The North Farnham Parish Register shows Ruth's parents to be John Elder and Anne, but it has been suggested by various genealogies that her father is actually William Elder, since there is not a John Elder of correct age to be father of Ruth.

[Reference additional information in the individual profiles of each child]

WILL of WILLIAM ELDER

William Elder - WILL


Richmond County, Virginia, Will Book 6, pages 58-59 dated 24 Apr 1754, proved 3 Feb 1755

In the Name of God amen I William Elder of North Farnham Parish in the County of Richmond being in a weak and low state of Body but of a perfect disposing mind and memory and well knowing that Death is that Tribute we must all pay, therefore in order to a more perfect Resignation to the will of my lord and blessed Saviour, I dispose of that Estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life in the following manner viz. —

I bequeath to each of my following Children Elizabeth Glasscock, Peter Elder, William Elder, Sarah Elder and Ann Elder five Shillings to them respectively within Eighteen months after my decease. —


I give & bequeath to my son John Elder one bed and furniture. —

I devise to my son Thomas Elder and his heirs forever two hundred acres of Land being part of a patent of four hundred acres lying in Dinwiddie County whereon he now liveth. —


I devise to my son Edmund Elder and Joseph Elder and to their heirs forever Equally to be Divided between them the remainder of the sd. Tract of Four hundred acres lying in the said County of Dinwiddie two hundred acres of which was before devised to my son Thomas Elder. —


I bequeath to my son Ephraim Elder my negro boy named Robin. —


I Give my negro boy to my son Joseph Elder called Tommy. —


I bequeath my Negro boy named Rollo to my Daughter Maryann. —


I devise to my son Charles Elder & the heirs of his body lawfully to begotten the land and appurtenances whereon I now live And upon failure of such Issue, I devise the said Land with the appurtenances to my son Ephraim Elder & his heirs forever. —


I devise the use of my negro woman Kate to my loving wife Ann Elder during her natural life, And the Child with whom the sd. Negro Woman at present goes with I devise when born to my Daughter Winnefred, And my desire is that the said Child be kept with its mother till it shall be two years of age, unless my said Daughter shall incline to take it sooner. And the said Negro woman Kate I devise after my said wifes decease to my son Charles Elder to remain on the Plantation & Land to him devised. —


I bequeath the use of my personal Estate after my debts paid to my said Wife During her natural life And after her decease I bequeath what shall be then remaining thereof to my Children, Charles Elder, Ephraim Elder, Maryann Elder & Winnifred Elder to be Equally Divided between them. —


Lastly I nominate & Constitute my said wife & my said son Charles Elder Execx. and Execr. of this my last will & Testament, hereby revoking & annulling all wills heretofore by me made. —


Sign’d Sealed publish’d & declar’d this 24th day of April 1754. —

In presence of John Woodbridge, JoshuaStone, James Forrester J his mark

William Elder [his WE mark] seale

At a Court Held for Richmond County the third day of February 1755. —


This will was presented in Court by Charles Elder and Ann Elder the Executors therein Named who made Oath thereto according to law, and being proved by the Oaths of John Woodbridge Gent. Joshua Stone and James Forrester Witnesses thereto was admitted to record, And on the motion of the said Executors Giving Security a Certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form —

Test T. Tarpley

Source: Microfilm Roll 23 - Will Book No. 6, 1753 - 1767 (Richmond County, Virginia) — Library of Virginia

LAND TRANSACTIONS

1711: Deed Abstract: William Elder, land purchase

Deed Book 5, 1708–1711, Richmond County, Virginia, pages 319-322

Microfilm Reel 2 (Richmond County, Virginia) – Library of Virginia

Grantor: James Suggett and Frances his wife of North Farnham Parish in Richmond County

Grantee: William Elder of the same county and parish; for the lives of him, Edmund Morris and John Morris, “the longest liver of them”

Date: 17 February 1710 (1711)

Terms: 5000 pounds of tobacco paid by William Elder, and “for diverse other causes and considerations”

Description: 56 acres more or less in North Farnham Parish in Richmond County “near unto the land of said William Elder being part of a tract ... of land containing three hundred acres formerly belonging unto Thomas Bayly of the parish and county aforesaid deceased, and the said Thomas Bayly bequeathing the said land by his last will and testament unto his five children to be equally divided: which said fifty six acres being the fifth ... proportionable share of Frances, wife of the said James Suggett, as by a survey made in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and four...” Bounded beginning at a pohickory at the head of a branch of Farnham Creek running from thence North and be East 110 poles West and be North 110 poles to a swamp called Web’s Swamp West 19 degrees South 26 poles West 46 degrees South 61 poles South 54 degrees East 70 poles, to the place where it first began”

Witnesses: Deed: Joshua Hightower, Thomas Wood (his mark T), and John Dalton Suggett’s Bond: Richard Bramham and Gabriel Alloway

Signatures: Signed and Sealed by James Suggett and Frances Suggett (her mark F)

Date Recorded: 2 May 1711, M. Beckwith C.C.

1721: Deed Abstract: William Elder, land purchase

Deed Book 8, 1720–1733, Richmond County, Virginia, pages 17–19;

Microfilm Reel 4 (Richmond County, Virginia) – Library of Virginia

Grantor: Thomas Geffry of North Farnham Parish in Richmond County

Grantee: William Elder of the same county and parish

Date: 24 February 1720 (1721)

Terms: Five Shillings Sterling (lease); 3000 pounds of good tobacco in cask (release)

Description: 55 acres in North Farnham Parish in Richmond County; “being part of 450 acres of land formerly granted to Henry Willson by patent bearing date the 15th day of June 1664 and by the said Wilson assigned over to Edward Geffry the first day of October 1677, and by the said Edward Geffry assigned over to his son Thomas Geffry ... beginning at a corner marked pohickory standing near the side of a small Indian field, and adjoining to the land of Mr. Thomas Griffin as far as a small branch thence extending along between the said branch and the first mentioned line of the aforesaid patent, running due South as far as will contain just 55 acres of land.”

Witnesses: William Forrester, Charles Lovelace, and Thomas Bryant

Signature: Signed and Sealed by Thomas Geffery

Date Recorded: 1 March 1720 (1721), M. Beckwith C.C.

In 1744, William Elder is on the Rental Rolls of Richmond County, Virginia, documented in the Virginia Early Census Index. ^[1]

1746: Patent Abstract: William Elder, land purchase:

Land Office Patents No. 24, 1745–1746, pages 444–445;

Microfilm Reel 22 – Library of Virginia.

Patenter: William Elder

Date: 25 September 1746

Terms: 40 shillings

Description: 400 acres in the County of Prince George (now Dinwiddie) on both sides of the Reedy Branch of Butterwood Swamp; “beginning at William Poythress’s corner red oak thence West two degrees North two hundred and forty seven poles to a corner pine thence North eleven degrees West two hundred and forty five poles to a corner white oak thence East by South three hundred and seventy four poles to Poythress’s line thence along the same South twenty two degrees West one hundred and ninety one poles to the beginning.”

Signed: William Gooch

1753: Deed Abstract: William & Ann Elder, land sale

Deed Book 11, 1750–1757, Richmond County, Virginia, pages 181-183;

Microfilm Reel 6 – Richmond County, Virginia – Library of Virginia

Grantor: William Elder and Ann his wife of North Farnham in Richmond County

Grantee: William Jones

Date: 1 March 1753

Terms: 20 pounds current money of Virginia

Description: 50 acres on the north side of Farnham Creek; “joining on the land and plantation now in the possession of William Baker and Job Hammond”.

Witnesses: John Durham, Charles Dodson, Joshua Stone, Thos Durham and Charles Elder

Signatures: Signed and Sealed by William Elder and Ann Elder (her mark X)

Date Recorded: 5 March 1753, T. Tarpley CC

Sources

1. ↑ Virginia, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1607-1890, for William Elder.

• Relations of Joe L Arrowood