Joseph Pleasants (abt. 1674 - 1725)

Born about 1674 in Bremo, Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Martha (Cocke) Pleasants — married 15 May 1699 in Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died 9 Sep 1725 at about age 51 in Henrico County, Colony of Virginia

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Joseph was a Friend (Quaker)

Biography

Joseph Pleasants I was born about 1674, and died 1725 in Henrico Co., VA. His father was John Pleasants III and his mother was Jane Larcome. He married Martha Cocke on 15 May, 1699 in Henrico Co., VA, the daughter of Richard Cocke and Elizabeth Littlebury.

See [[1]] for an alternative birth year.

Children of Joseph Pleasants and Martha Cocke are:

• 1. Richard Pleasants, Sr., born Abt. 1710; died 1778 in Goochland Co., VA.
• 2. Joseph Pleasants II, died 1758.
• 3. Elizabeth Pleasants, born 1703; died 1770. She married John Merryman
• 4. Jane Pleasants, died in Louisa County, VA
• 5. John Cocke Pleasants, born Abt. 1710; died Aft. December 1776.
• 6. Thomas Pleasants, died 1775 in Goochland Co., VA.
• 7. Robert Pleasants, died Bef. 02 December, 1754.
• 8. Martha Pleasants.
• 9. James Pleasants.

Will of Joseph Pleasants Henrico County Records 1725-1737, p. 3

Recorded 7 Feb 1726

Will of Joseph Pleasants: 9 Sept. 1725; [Proved in Henrico, Virginia 7 Feb. 1726.]

Son Joseph Pleasants, land and plantation whereon Richd. Baze now lives known by name of Pickanockey, beginning at mouth of Horse Swamp thence up said swamp to a large branch of the same, parting that plantation and the one which Richard Baze's wife now lives at, thence up said branch until it meets Obediah Smith's line thence along said line to head, including in said bounds the 100 acres formerly Thomas Robinsons, the whole tract containing by estimate 300 acres. Son John Pleasants, land and plantation whereon William Ferris formerly lived above Horse Swamp; also land below Horse Swamp from the great Branch bounding my son Joseph up the said Swamp and Obediah Smith's line to head of my land, including plantation whereon Richard Baze's wife lives; containing (both tracts) 150 acres by estimation. Son Richard Pleasants, land joining upper side Buffalo Branch, by estimation 300 acres. Son Thomas Pleasants, plantation purchased by me of John Watson on or near a branch of Tuckahoe and on head of a branch called Longand Hongrey, by estimation 200 acres. Son Robert Pleasants, 200 acres on Four Mile Creek, beginning at Wm. Frogmorton's corner thence such a breath on said William's line up the said creek as will contain 200 acres including plantation whereon Benj. Childers lives. Should my son Joseph or his heirs at any time disturb my son Robert in his possession of said land, the bequest of land at Pickanockey made to saidJoseph to be void, and said land "remaine to my son Robert and his heirs forever. Son Joseph, a negro man Jack, goods and chattells, cattle, mare and horse. Daughter Jane, negro girl Doll, goods and chattells, cattle, mare. Daughter Martha, negro girl Sarah, goods and chattells, cattle, horse. Son John, negro girl, goods and chattells, cattle, mare. Son Richard, negro boy, goods and chattells, cattle, mare. Son Thomas, negro boy Jacob, goods and chattells, cattle, mare. Son Robert, negro boy, goods and chattells, cattle, mare. Wife Martha Pleasants, during her life, use and produce of real and personal estate, manor plantation without the impeachment of waste. If wife should marry again estate to be valued, appraised, 2/3 thereof equally divided among my sons children, other 1/3 to wife and her heirs forever. Should wife not marry use and produce of estate during her natural life in consideration of her bringing up my children in their minority and paying my just debts which I desire may be paid without charge of lawsuits, creditors proving their debts before two justices of the peace. My children to remain with their mother during her widowhood until there may be seen lawful cause to choose a guardian, otherwise to remain with their mother until they arrive to lawful years. Wife Martha Pleasants, whole and sole executrix. Wife to have advice of friend Colonel Randolph "whom I beg the favor of to advise her."

Witnesses - Thomas Pleasants, John Pleasants, Edward Bennett, John -X- Cooke, Jr., Eliza -X- Morris.

The will proved by solemn affirmation of John Pleasants and Edward Bennett, Quakers, witnesses thereto and ordered recorded.

Will of Jane Larcome Pleasants Henrico County Records 1706-1709, p. 166 Recorded June 1709

Item - I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Pleasants one Negro man Named Dick and one Large feather bed with boulster and Flox bed & boulster under it which I usually Lodg in my self and four pair of sheets two pair Holland two canvass two boulster cases two pillow cases one pr white cotten sheets one Rugg & pair Blankets one Set of Led Cullrd hangings one Large black trunk, one Ceile Skin trunk with Drawers four silver spoons one large Oval Table one brass fire shovell and Tongs one Iron Shovell & tongs one Brass Skellit one Table Cloth & Dozen of Napkins of Huckaback, two towells and a Dozen of plates marked I x P Two great Dishes, to be pd within a month after my Decease and also one Negro Boy called Neddy to be Delivered at ye time aforesaid unto him to Said Joseph & to his heirs forever. My desire is that ye sd Neddy should be a Shoemaker.

Item - I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph's Daughter Elizabeth one Negro Girl Named Moll, a great Pewter flaggon unto her the said Elizabeth and to her heirs forever.

Slaves

• Joseph [bequeathed to Joseph in his father's will]
• Dick [bequeathed to Joseph in his mother's will]
• Neddy [bequeathed to Joseph in his mother's will]
• Doll [bequeathed by Joseph to his daughter Jane]
• Sarah [bequeathed by Joseph to his daughter Martha]
• Bess[?] working on transcribing this name [bequeathed by Joseph to his son John]
• Jonny[?] working on transcribing this name [bequeathed by Joseph to his son Richard]
• Jacob [bequeathed by Joseph to his son Thomas]
• So....[?] working on transcribing this name [bequeathed by Joseph to his son Robert]

Sources

• http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/henrico/vitals/marriages/misc0001.txt
• Source: http://www.genealogy.com/ftm/h/o/o/Terrill-Hooks/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0532.html
• Dr. J. Hall Pleasants of Baltimore, MD Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol.XVI, p. 220 and Vol. XVII, PP.84,198
• [https://www.gengophers.com/book.html#/book/20847?page=228&given=Elizabeth&surname=Pleasants

The Edward Pleasants Valentine Papers, published by The Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia]

• Marriages of Henrico County, Virginia, 1680-1808 complied by Joyce H. Lindsay, Richmond, Virginia, 1960. FHL Collection. Quote from page 67: 15 May 1699. Joseph PLEASANTS and Mark Cocke. Deeds, Wills, etc., 1697-1704. p 152.