Sarah (Greer) Maxey (1776 - aft. 1850)

Born 1776 in Bedford County, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of John Maxey — married 21 Jul 1794 in Franklin Co, VA

Descendants

Died after 17 Oct 1850 after age 74 in Clarke County, Georgia, United States

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This profile is part of the Greer Name Study.

Biography

Sarah Greer was probably born about 1776 in Bedford County, Virginia. She was the daughter of Thomas Greer and Ann MNU. Thomas Greer died about 1782, before Sarah reached maturity. Her mother apparently remarried to a Mr. Hudson soon after Thomas died. Her mother "Ann Greer (now Hudson)" refused administration of Thomas Greer's estate and nothing more is known of her. It is almost certain that Sarah was raised by her grandmother, Ann Lowe Greer, and her husband Thomas Demoss. Demoss was named Sarah's guardian in 1791 and provided surety for Sarah's later marriage.

Sarah and her sister, Dicey, are the only known children of Thomas Greer. Around 1783, they and their 'next friend' John Ferguson, filed suit in Bedford County Chancery Court against the estate of Joseph Greer, their deceased grandfather. The relevant documents are transcribed below, as best as possible given the poor image quality.

Chancery Case of Dicey and Sarah Greer

Library of Virginia Chancery Court Case # 1789-017, Bedford Co., Dicey & Sarah Greer by Etc vs Lucy Haynes Etc

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.

The relationships of the various named individuals are best described in the profile for Joseph Greer.

Note also that the term "Infant" was used in the legal context to mean anyone under age, not necessarily babies.

Marriage

Sarah married John Maxey in 1794 Franklin County, Virginia. He appeared there annually in property tax lists from 1795-1802. They moved to Georgia sometime after 1802. John died in 1811 but Sarah apparently never remarried. She appears in Clarke County census records for 1820, 1830, 1840 and 1850, although the ages given in those censuses are widely variable (i.e., Sarah in 1850 recorded as age 45, actually about 74, if that record is for her).

Thomas Greer had received a posthumous land grant in 1790 and the land was divided between Sarah and her sister. There are, of course, no deeds recorded transferring the land from Thomas' estate to Dicey and Sarah but such a transfer must have occurred for them to sell the land in 1802 (Dicey and husband sold their part in 1815). This sale is another indicator that John and Sarah moved to Georgia around this time.

There is still some question about the birthplace for Sarah's children. Sources vary in that regard but it would appear that any children born prior to 1803 were probably born in Franklin Co., VA. A list of the children of John Maxey and Sarah Greer, as named in John's will of 1811:

1. Anne Maxey, b.c. 1795 in Franklin Co., VA, died c. 1845; married Gideon Kimbell 18 March 1813 Clarke Co., GA
2. Peggy Maxey, b.c. 1797 in Franklin Co., VA, died c. 1837; married Thomas Kilgore
3. Francis (Fanny/Fancy) Maxey, b.c 1797 in Franklin Co., VA; married Thomas Tye
4. Teagua 'Tigge' Maxey, b.c. 1798 in Franklin Co., VA, died c. 1850; married Solomon Kilgore
5. John Greer Maxey, b.c. 1807 in Clarke Co., GA, died c. 1850; married three times (see his father's profile).
6. Mourning Meadows Maxey, b. 20 December 1810 in Clarke Co., GA, died c. 1863, married William Doyal/Doyle

From rootsweb.com Family TREE of Gene: ROOKS-DODSON-MASSEY Ancestors Note: " John appeared on personal property tax lists of Franklin Co., VA from 1795 to 1802. He joined in the migration to Georgia, purchasing 120 acres on Troublesome, a branch of Long Creek, in Oglethorpe Co. It was apparently too much trouble, as they moved 3 years later to Clarke Co. where he established a plantation of 305 acres on Wild Cat Creek. His will, proved Nov. 4, 1811 in Clark Co., and recorded Jan. 13, 1812 in Will Book, mentions wife Sally, children Anne, who married Gideon KIMBELL, Tigge, Fanny, Peggy, John Greer, and Mourning. He stipulated that son John should have a 'good' education, and daughters Peggy and Mourning a 'common' education! At his estate sale were his widow, brothers Josiah, Jeremiah and Edward, and daughter Anne. His estate included 19 gallons of brandy. His wife Sally bought 4, Anne bought 5, and Josiah bought the remaining 10. Birth: 1773 _SDATE: 1 JUL 1773 in Bedford Co., VA Death: OCT 1811 _SDATE: 15 OCT 1811 in Clarke Co., GA

Sources

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 1, p. 48; Know all men by these Presents that we Thomas Demoss, Ashford Napier & John Ferguson are held and firmly Bound unto Hugh Innes, Robert Hairston, Jonathan Richeson, John Smith, Benjamin Cook, Gentlemen Justices Now Sitting,, in the Sum of Three hundred Pounds to be Paid to the said Justices or to their Successors we bind ourselves & Each of us and Each of our Heirs Executors and Administrators Jointly & Severally firmly by these Presents Sealed with our Seals and Dated this 3rd Day of January 1791.The Condition of the above Obligation is such that whereas Thomas Demoss is Appointed Guardian to Sarah Greer, Now if the said Thomas Demoss do & Shall well and Truly Discharge the Duty of a Guardian according to Law then that obligation to be Void or else to Remain in full force. [Signed] Thomas Demoss, Ashford Napier, John Ferguson. At a Court held for Franklin County the 3rd Day of January 1791 the within Bond was acknowledged by the Parties thereto to be their Acts and Deeds & the Same was Ordered to be Recorded. [Signed] Stephen Smith ClC

• Franklin County, Virginia Marriage Bond Index, Females; FHL Film # 75789670 and Marriage Bonds of Franklin County, Virginia, 1786-1858, by Marshall Wingfield, p. 153; Bond # 2693, Sarah Greer and John Maxey, 7/21/1794, Surety: Thomas Demoss; no minister or date of marriage.

• Franklin County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1786-1803, Binns Genealogy, 2009.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 4, p. 392; 5 November 1802, John Maxey and Sarah his wife of Franklin Co. to Silas Garrett of Bedford Co., 140 acres on Gills Creek adjoining Peter Bernard. Wit: John Forbes, James Hail, Peter Booth, Philip Realy. Note: On 16 December 1802, John Forbes and Jonathan Richeson visited Sarah Maxey, as she was unable to travel, in order for her to relinquish dower rights (Franklin DB 4, p. 393).

• 1810 Federal Census lost

• Clarke County, Georgia Will Book; Will of John Maxey, 28 September 1811 (written), proven 4 November 1811, will mentions "my lawful wife" Sarah Maxey to receive 100 acres, slave Tom, livestock and household furniture; balance of estate to be equally divided among children: Anne Maxey, Tigge Maxey, Fancy Maxey, Pegey Maxey, John G. Maxey, Morning Maxey; son John to receive "good education as fare as arithmetick &c"; daughters Pegey and Morning to receive "common education"; friends Josiah Maxey and John Ausburn to be Executors; Wit: Sherwood Strong, Joseph Walker, Robert Strong.

• 1820 Federal Census, Clarke Co., GA; Sarah Maxey: 1 male 10-15, 1 female <10, 1 female 16-25, 1 female >45, 1 slave 26-44.

• 1830 Federal Census, Clarke Co., GA; Sarah Maxey; 1 female 15-19, 1 female 50-59, 1 slave male 10-23.

• 1840 Federal Census, Clarke Co., GA; Sarah Maxey; 1 male 30-40, 1 female 50-60.

• 17 October 1850 Federal Census, Clarke County, Georgia, Wild Cat District; Household #56/56; Sarah Maxcey, 45, born VA.

• Find A Grave: Memorial #127267425

• "Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRQ6-343 : accessed 10 February 2016), John Maxey and Sarah Greer, 21 Jul 1794; citing Franklin County, Virginia, reference p64; FHL microfilm 31,523.

• Rooks-Dodson-Massey Ancestors by Gene Ballentine Rooks.

Acknowledgments

Thank you to John Beeson for creating Greer-1103 on 29 Dec 13. Click the Changes tab for the details on contributions by John and others.