Caleb Heptinstall (abt. 1762 - bef. 1824)

Born about 1762 in King George County, Virginia

Husband of Lize Ann (Greer) Heptinstall — married 10 Nov 1796 in Franklin, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 6 Dec 1824 before about age 62 in Franklin County, Virginia, United States

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Biography

Corporal Caleb Heptinstall served with 1st Virginia Regiment (1781), Continental Army during the American Revolution.

Caleb Heptinstall is a DAR Patriot Ancestor, A054021.

Caleb Heptinstall was probably born about 1762 in King George County, Virginia. His parents may have been William Heptinstall and Rebecca Bohame. However, the details of Caleb's early life, and his parents, have not been studied in sufficient detail, based on WikiTree profiles, to confirm these brief reports. Much more research needs to be done on this aspect of Caleb's life.

There are a few records confirming that Caleb "Hippenstall" was a corporal in a Virginia Regiment of Continental forces stationed at Parker's Ferry on the Edisto River in South Carolina in the spring and summer of 1782. A skirmish with British forces occurred there in August 1781, but no record is available confirming Caleb was involved. No pension papers are available either.

We do know that Caleb first appears in Franklin County in 1789. He witnessed a deed (for Thomas Demoss) in April and paid property tax there on June 15. We have no information on where he was prior to 1789. He married Lize 'Tege' Greer 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. Tege was the daughter of Joseph Greer and Ann Lowe. As indicated in the Children Section below, it may be likely that Caleb had a first unknown wife before he married Tege.

• From dar.org

NAME: HEPTINSTALL, CALEB

Ancestor #: A054____

Service: VIRGINIA Rank(s): CORPORAL

Birth: CIRCA 1760

Death: ANTE 12-6-1824 FRANKLIN CO VIRGINIA

Service Source:

NARA, M881, COMP MIL SERV RECS, ROLL #1088

Service Description:

1) LCOL THOMAS POSEY, 1ST VA REGT

Residence: By: 1) County: BEDFORD CO-PROB - State: VIRGINIA

Spouse: TEGE LIZE GREER

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 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.

Will of Caleb Heptinstall

Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 621; Written, 30 October 1824, proven 6 December 1824
I Caleb Heptinstall of the County of Franklin and State of Virginia being weak in Body but of Sound mind & memory & calling to mind the mortality of my Body & knowing that it is appointed unto man once to died make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following to wit First it is my Will & desire that all my just debts be paid. Then I wish that out of my Estate an adequate fund shall be retained in the hands of my Executors herein after named for the raising support & Schooling of my infant children until they become of age or marry, To wit, Charlotte & Rebecca & that the following of my children to wit, Temperance, Sophia, Jenetta, Juliana, Charlotte & Rebecca shall each be provided out of my Estate with a Horse Saddle & Bridle, one cow & calf One bed & furniture One Sow & pigs two sheep One set knives & forks one pot & one oven to make them equal with my other children already provided for in this way then it is my will &desire that my wife shall use her own discretion in taking a childs part or one third or my remaining estate as may best suit her then it is my will and desire that the residue of my Estate be equally divided amongst all my children & Lastly it is my Will & desire & I do hereby appoint my sons Thomas & William my executors also guardians to my infant children Charlotte & Rebecca in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 30th October 1824. [Signed] Caleb Heptinstall. Wit: Bernard G. Hendrick, Peter Bernard, Moses H. Preston At a Court held for Franklin County at the courthouse the 6th day of December 1824 this last will and Testament of Caleb Heptinstall deceased was produced in Court by Thomas Heptinstall and William Heptinstall the executors herein named and proved by the oath of Bernard G. Hendrick and Moses H. Preston two of the subscribing witnesses hereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Thomas Heptinstall and William Heptinstall who took the oath prescribed by Law and together with Samuel Helm, Asa Ward, William W. Holland, Annanias Divers, Jesse Dillion Jr. and Reese Hughes their securities entered and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of Six Thousand Dollars conditioned according to Law certificate is granted then for obtaining a Probate in due form. [Signed] Caleb Tate CFC

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 4, p. 171-172; 7 November 1832, Division of land of Caleb Heptinstall

Lot No. 1 – Thomas Dudley and Temperance, 46 acres
Lot No. 2. – Daniel Ferguson and Ann, 65 acres
Lot No. 3 – John P. Ferguson and Sophia, 13/15 acres
Lot No. 4 – Jesse N. Tate & Caleb Tate, 82 acres
Lot No. 5 – Charlotte Heptinstall, 92 acres
Lot No. 6 – Thomas Heptinstall, 44 acres
Lot No. 7 – Rebecca Heptinstall, 57 acres
Lot No. 8 – Banks Best and Elizabeth, 63 acres
Lot No. 9 – John G. Tate and Janette, 44 acres
Lot No. 10 – William G. Heptinstall, 40 acres

• 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

Death

Based on the will, Caleb died sometime between writing his will 30 October 1824 and 6 December 1824. There is a relatively new tombstone memorial for several military veterans in Gretna Burial Park in Gretna, VA (Pittsylvania Co.), which includes Caleb's name. There is no evidence Caleb is actually buried there, some 30 miles east of his residence. Most likely, he is buried somewhere on the Heptinstall property along Gills Creek.

Sources

• U. S. Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783; VA 14th Reg, 1777-1778 (folder 327) Illinois Reg of VA Volunteers, 1783-1784 (Folder 339-340); "Roll and Muster of a Company of the 1st Virga Regt in a Battalion of the different Regiments of the Virga Line Commanded by Lt. Col. Thomas Posey from the 6th of April to the 1st of September 1782"; Corp. Caleb Hippenstall, On Commd Parkers Ferry.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 2, p. 19-20; 1 April 1789, Thomas Demoss to Greenberry Greer, 150 acres on south side of Staunton River adjoining Greer’s old line known by the name of “say pitt” (sic – saw pit?) Branch, Philemon Saunders. Wit: James Mason, Philemon Saunders, Caleb Hiptenstall.

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

• 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

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 2, p. 30-31; 1 April 1789, Thomas Demoss, Exet., to Jos. Greer’s estate to Philemon Saunders, 320 acres on south side of Staunton River adjoining the old line, on a branch, the said main branch to the old Back line. Wit: Caleb Heplinstall, Greenberry Greer.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 2, p. 269; 1 August 1791, Thomas Demoss to Caleb Heptinstall, 170 acres, on the river, adjoining Philemon Saunders. Wit: James Mason, Philomen Saunders, Granberry Greer.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 3, p. 678-679; 16 March 1799, John Hook to Henry Swinney, 109 acres on branches of Merryman’s Run. Wit: William Smith, Bowker Preston, John Chambers, James Phillips, Josiah Williams, John Meador, Samuel Helm, Caleb Heplingstall.

• 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.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 6, p. 210; 7 October 1811, Henry Haynes to Caleb Heptinstall, 150 acres on Staunton River adjoining Greer and George Turning. Wit: Philip Realy, Joseph Cunningham, Daniel Brown and John Forbes. Note: Phebe Haynes relinquished dower (DB 6, p. 211, 11 October 1811).

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 6, p. 268; 2 March 1812, Joseph Cunningham, to Caleb Heptinstall, 5 acres being part of land sold to Heptinstall by John Hale, adjoining Joseph Greer’s old pattern line, Philemon Saunders and Joseph Cunningham.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 8, p. 277-278; 30 October 1818, Silas Garrett and Judith his wife to Caleb Heptinstall, 4 adjoining tracts totaling 535 acres (300, 100, 100, 35), on Gills Creek, adjoining Peter Bernard, Sr., where Hail Maxey formerly lived, Matthew Agee, Mead, and Jesse Agee.

• 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. 380-381; 5 August 1820, Benjamin Bernard and Sarah his wife to Caleb Heppingstall, 100 acres on both sides of Gills Creek adjoining William Mead, Silas Garrett.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 9, p. 382; 30 September 1820, Benjamin Bernard and Sarah his wife to Caleb Heptingstall, 62 acres on Gills Creek adjoining Thomas Hutts and Garrett.

• 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 Deed Book 9, p. 483-484; 27 November 1821, Joseph Greer and Fanny his wife to Joseph Cunningham, 156 acres on waters of Staunton River adjoining Joseph Cunningham, Philemon Saunders and Peter Lyons. Wit: Anthony Street, Samuel Helm, Caleb Heptinstall. Fanny relinquished dower.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 10, p. 61; 29 April 1822, Deed of Trust; Caleb Hipenstall to Benjamin G. Hendrick and James Leftwich, for debt, the tract where said Hippenstall now resides, it being all of the tract purchased of Silas Garrett, with George English security.

• FindaGrave memorial # 61269653; Tombstone in Gretna Burial Park in Gretna, VA (Pittsylvania Co.) erected to multiple military veterans includes Caleb Heptinstall; reads "1760-Dec. 6 1824; Corp. VA Battalion in the Army of the Revolutionary War”. NOT the actual grave.

• Franklin County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 623-627; 3 January 1825, Inventory and appraisement of the Estate of Caleb Heptinstall taken on the __ day of __ 1824. List of items included slaves David, Edmund, James, Lucy and Caroline. Performed by Bernard G. Hendrick, Joseph Cunningham, Benjamin Booth.

• 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 3, p. 150; 5 January 1829, A Statement of the Negroes belonging to the estate of Caleb Heptinstall which were sold on the seven day of January 1828. Slaves were: David, Lucy, Caroline & child, Edmund and slave James hired out.

• 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 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. 409; 10 November 1835, Thomas Dudley and Temperance his wife and John P. Ferguson and Sophia his wife to Thomas Heptinstall, 2 tracts on Gills Creek, being part of the land division among legatees of Caleb Heptinstall, Lot No. 5 being 92 acres and Lot No. __ being 15 acres.

• Franklin County, Virginia Deed Book 14, p. 410; 7 November 1835, William G. Heptinstall and Permelia his wife to Thomas Dudley, 62 acres on Gills Creek adjoining Thomas Dudley, Phebe Maxey and others, being the same tract drawn by Elizabeth Best out of land of Caleb Heptinstall.

• 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.

• Charlotte County Historical & Genealogical Society of Virginia and Drakes Branch Museum.

• Find A Grave: Memorial #61269653 Originally Created by: Bea (Charlotte Cty His & Gen. Society of Added: 7 Nov 2010

• WikiTree profile Heptinstall-3 created through the import of 2010-09-14.ged on Jul 28, 2011 by Bob Carson.

• This person was created on 22 September 2010 through the import of PittsPenn_2010-09-21.ged.