Abraham M. Mayfield Sr. (1688 - 1778)

Born 1688 in Rappahannock, Essex, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Valentine (Bell) Mayfield — married about 1732 in South Carolina [uncertain]

Descendants

Died 1778 at about age 90 in Granville, North Carolina

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Living in Essex Co, VA

Abraham was born 1688 in Rappahannock, Essex, Virginia to Robert Mayfield III or Jr. and Sarah B. Harner or Sarah Roberts. He married Elizabeth Valentine Bell. They had 10 children. He passed away on February 20, 1769 in either South Carolina or Granville, NC around age 81.

21 February 1726: A Return of Execution is issued to the Sheriff of Essex County against Abraham Mayfield in the lawsuit Gibson vs Mayfield.The sheriff's return is that "the within named Abraham Mayfield is not to be found within my bailiwick" [see Essex County VA Court Order Book, 1725-1729, Part II, pages 294-295].

2 January 1727/28: Abraham's mother, Sarah, and his brother, Jacob, must have died prior to January 1727/28, because Abraham Mayfield, sells his father's land (125 acres) to a certain Robert Brooke by indenture, dated 2 January 1727/28 [see Essex County VA, Deed Book 18, pages 307-308].

Abraham could only have received title to this land under the prevailing laws of primogeniture if both his mother Sarah and brother Jacob were dead. Only under such circumstances, could the ownership of the real property (125 acres) of Robert Mayfield, Senior, have have passed to son Abraham - who must have been the next oldest living son at the time.

About 1720; Removal to Spotsylvania Co, VA

Abraham Mayfield seems to have removed to Spotsylvania County VA (formed 1721) sometime in the late 1720's. We have the following records for him in that county:

5 June 1727: Abraham Mayfield witnessed a power of attorney from John Blackly to Thomas Smith [see Spotsylvania County VA Court Order Book, 1724-1730, Part II, page 162].

6 May 1729: Abraham Mayfield is a Defendant versus Anthony Foster, Assignee of James Booth, Plaintiff in an action of debt [see Spotsylvania County VA Court Order Book, 1724-1730, Part III, page 307].

1 August 1732: Abraham Mayfield is appointed overseer of Bush's Road [see Spotsylvania County Court Orders, 1730-1732, page 130].

7 May 1734: Abraham Mayfield allowed payment for four days attendance in court as a witness in the case of Francis Kirkley against William Bartlett [see Spotslvania County VA Court Orders, 1734-1735, page 318].

4 September 1734: Abraham Mayfield is a defendant versus Benjamin Walker, Gentleman, Plaintiff in an action of trespass [see Spotsylvania County VA Court Orders, 1734-1735, page 344].

6 May 1735: Abraham Mayfield is mentioned as a member of a grand jury [see Spotsylvania County VA Court Orders, 1734-1735, page 381].

1 July 1735: Abraham Mayfield of Saint George's Parish, Spotsylvania County acquires 200 acres of land from the Administrators of the estate of Larkin Chew, deceased for 12 pounds.

3 May 1737: Abraham Mayfield mentioned as a member of a grand jury [see Spotsylvania County VA Court Orders, 1735-1738, page 492].

4 October 1737: Abraham Mayfield of Spotsylvania County conveys 200 acres of land to Bloomfield Long of Essex County for 35 pounds. Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Mayfield, relinquishes her right of dower [see Spotsylvania County VA Deed Book C].

After sale of his land, Abraham Mayfield apparently left Spotsylvania County in late 1737 or early 1738 as the following court entries imply:

4 April 1738: Attachments against the estate of Abraham Mayfield are obtained for Archibald McPherson and William Johnston [see Spotsylvania County VA Court Orders, 1738-1740, page 4].

About 1737; Removal to Orange Co, VA

Abraham Mayfield and his family apparently removed to Orange County VA sometime in the 1737/1738 time frame. Abraham's name appears in the following Orange County VA records:

1 May 1738: Ordered that John Durrett be overseer of Bush's Road in the room of Abraham Mayfield "who is removed out of the County" [see Spotsylvania County VA Court Orders, 1738-1740, page 6]. ^[1]

1738: Abraham Mayfield is listed with two (2) tithables in the tax list for Orange County VA, Precinct of Henry Rice, Constable.

24 August 1738: The indenture whereby John Cook and Ann, his wife, convey a tract of land to Abraham Mayfield is admitted to record in the Orange County VA Court. [see Orange County VA Order Book A, page 372].

24-25 May 1738: Abraham Mayfield is a witness to a Lease and Release whereby Daniel Cook of St. Marks Parish, Orange County conveys a 100-acre tract of land "in the fork of Pamunky River" to a certain Edward Smith of St. Stephen's Parish, King and Queen County VA. [see Orange County VA Deed Book 2, pages 350-355.]

23-24 August 1738: Abraham Mayfield is a witness to a Lease and Release whereby John Cook of St. Mark's Parish, Orange County conveys a 338-acre tract of land "on the branches of Pamunky River" to a certain Malachi Chiles of St. Margaret's Parish, Caroline County, VA. [see Orange County VA Deed Book 3, pages 3-7.]

18 March 1742-1743: Abraham Mayfield is a witness to a Lease and Release whereby Elizabeth Snell of St. Thomas Parish, Orange County conveys a 50-acre tract of land "in the fork of Pamunky River" to a certain Joseph Seayres of St. Thomas Parish, Orange County VA. [see Orange County VA Deed Book 7, pages 335-336.]

25 July 1745: Indenture is recorded between Abraham Mayfield and his wife Elizabeth of Orange County whereby they convey a 162-acre tract of land "...in the fork of pamunky River..." to a certain Peter Montague, also of Orange County. The land is stated to be "...part of the patent granted to John Cook and sold by the said Cook to the said Mayfield..." [see Orange County VA Deed Book 10, pgaes 171-173.]

The above indenture is the last record that I have been able to find for this Abraham and Elizabeth Mayfield in Orange County. However, several records do occur which seem to pertain to Abraham and Elizabeth's son, Abraham Mayfield, Jr. I have found no evidence in the Orange County will and probate records that Abraham Mayfield, St. died in Orange County. H may have lived with one of his children for several years. My current conjecture is that Abraham and Elizabeth removed to Granville County NC with two (at least Stephen and Robert) or more of their sons (but not Abraham, Jr.) in about the 1760 time frame (see notes for Abraham Mayfield, Jr).

About 1760; Removal to Granville Co, NC

Although at an advanced age, Abraham Mayfield, Sr. and Elizabeth, his wife, apparently removed to Granville County NC from Orange County VA in about 1760. He lived with one of his son's for several years. Some years later, about 1768, Abraham Sr's son, Abraham Jr. and his wife Ann, also migrated to North Carolina. Abraham Mayfield Sr's name appears in the following Granville County, NC records:

06 December 1762: William Stroud, Sr. conveys to Abraham Mayfield of Orange County, for 100 pounds, 296 acres in Granville County on Little Creek. [see Granville County NC Deed Book F, page 81.]

1764: In this year the eastern portion of Granville County (St. Thomas Parish) became the new County of Bute. Apparently, Abraham Mayfield's 296-acre Tract on Little Creek fell within this new county.

May 1769: A deed from Abraham Mayfield and Elizabeth his wife to James Harrison is acknowledged by the said Abraham and Elizabeth and on motion the same is ordered to be registered. [see Bute County NC Court Minutes, page 72.] Comment - I have not yet found this deed in the Bute County Deed Books; however, it is highly probable that the land conveyed is the 296-acre tract that Abraham had purchased from William Stroud in 1762. The date of the sale was probably shortly before 20 February 1769 as Abraham made out his will as of that date and mentioned that he had recently sold his land (see below).

February 1778: Abraham died. The will of Abraham Mayfield, dated 20 February 1769, was proved in the County Court of Granville County NC in February 1778.

End of Timeline

Children

1. William Mayfield b: ABT 1710 in Warren County, North Carolina
2. Abraham Mayfield Jr. b: 1720 in Warren County, North Carolina
3. John Mayfield b: ABT 1721 in Essex County, Virginia
4. Valentine Mayfield b: 1725 in Virginia Or North Carolina
5. Agnes Mayfield b: 1730 in Virginia
6. Robert Mayfield Jr. b: ABT 1732 in Spotsylvania County, Virginia
7. Thomas Mayfield b: 1735 in Virginia^[2]

Will Transcript

[also see Granville County NC Will Book 1, pages 168-169.]

"In the name of God Amen. The twentieth day of February in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred sixty and nine. abraham Mayfield being very sick & weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almight God for the same and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. That is to say principally and first of all, I give and Recommend to God [my soul] that giveth it me and for my body I Recommend to the Earth to be buried ina Christian manner at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God. And as Touching such worldly estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and dispose in the manner and form following. That is to say:

"In the first place I give and bequeath [to] Elizabeth my dearly beloved wife, whom I make & ordain my only & sole executor of this my last will and Testament, all and every singular thing that I am now possessed with during her lifetime to peaceably enjoy without any Molestation or In cumbrance.

"And at her death I do give and bequeath to Valentine Mayfield and Abraham Mayfield, my well beloved sons, two feather beds and furniture and also the money that I sold my land for, or the produce of the same if their mother please, to lay it out for them by them freely to possess & enjoy and to be Equally divided between them both.

"And I also give and bequeath all the rest of my Estate, household goods & everything that there shall be left after my beloved wife's decease to be equally divided between all my children for them to possess & enjoy.

"And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke & annul all & every former Testaments, Wills & Legacies bequeathed and Executed by me in any way before named wills & bequests. Ratifying & Conforming this & no other to be my Last Will & Testament, In Witness thereof I here unto set my hand the day and year first above written,"

"/S/ Abraham Mayfield (Seal) "Signed sealed published promised & declared to be the said Abraham mayfield as his Last Will & Testament in the presence of the subscribers, that is to say: "James Harrison "James House "Milly Houe (Her Mark)

"Granville County, February Court A.D. 1778. This will was duly proved by the oath of James House who swore that he saw James Harison and Milly Houe Subscribe as Witnesses to this Will which was ordered to be Recorded. And at the same time Elizabeth Mayfield Qualified as executrix to this Will which was ordered to be probated. "Test Reuben Searey C. C.

Sources

1. ↑ [1] Phil Norfleet on Genealogy.com
2. ↑ [2] Glenn Mayfield Database on Rootsweb

• https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/LY3X-C9F/abraham-m-mayfield-sr-1688-1769
• https://www.geni.com/people/Abraham-Mayfield-Sr/6000000005360000498
• https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/s/t/e/Suzanne-V-Steiger/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0123.html
• https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=5058&h=203149&tid=116706875&pid=152238019955&hid=1027533600613&usePUB=true&_phsrc=LSI690&_phstart=default&usePUBJs=true&currentPageIsStart=