Harmon Read (abt. 1698 - bef. 1767)

Born about 1698 in Prince George, Colony of Virginia

Husband of Ann (Lee) Reed — married 1716 in Prince George, Colony of Virginia

Husband of Mary (Pendry) Read — married 1732 in Isle of Wight, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died before Oct 1767 before about age 69 in Halifax, Province of North Carolina

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Biography

Harmon was born in 1698. He died in 1767. ^[1]

Harmon Read formerly of Westover Parish, Charles City Co., Virginia to Michael Wallace of the same county. For Seventy-five acres on the north side of Blackwater Swamp. Wallace to pay the Said Read one ear of Indian corn, to be paid yearly at the "Feast of St. Michael." In the release agreement Wallace to pay Read £4 current money. [This Michael Wallace must have been a relative of Harmon as he sold him the land for only an ear of corn.] ^[2]

Harmon married Anne ca 1713 in Prince George, VA ca 1713 and had issue:

James

Amy

Elizabeth

Harmon purchased from Hugh Lee 175 acres on Roasting Ear Branch. This land is now located in Southampton Co., VA before 1730 at Isle of Wright County, Virginia. ^[3]

Lease & Release - William Lee sold to Harmon Reed (both planters) of Isle of Wight County. 240 acres for 5 shillings in said County, being Part of that land taken up by the said William Lee Beginning on the East Side of the Roasting Ear Branch at a Lightwood Post, thence to a black oak a corner tree of the said land, then round the said land according to the courses mentioned in the said William Lees patent for said land to a Hickory Corner Tree of Hugh Lees land, thence to said Lightwood Post where it began. ^[4]

Harmon married Mary Pendry c 1732 in Isle of Wight, VA and had issue:

Moses

Dorcus

Lydia

Jesse

Arron

28 Jan 1733 Isle of Wight County VA, Harmon was an Appraiser for estate of Edward Gulledge. Will was proven on Jan 28, 1733. ^[5]

07 Sep 1737 Isle of Wight County VA Harmon was an Executor for the will of William Beach proven Oct 24, 1737. ^[6]

Isle of Wight County VA, Harmon was the Appraiser for estate of David Adams. The will was proven Mar 9, 1748. [Will Book Page: 5-166]

"David Adams. Estate appraised by Harmon Read, William Lee, William Wommack. Signed, Robert Adams. Ordered May 19, 1748".

May 1749 Harmon purchased land in Edgecombe county, NC on Beaver Dam Swamp for £45 current Virginia money. ^[7]

Harmon died in 1767. ^[8]

Will of Harmon Read

Halifax co., N.C. dated 4 Oct Will #135, page 216. Harmon Read. Probated Oct Court 1767. wife Mary Read all my real and personal estate for her life at her decease; son Jesse Read Plantation whereon I now live and the rest of estate wife shall dispose of at her decease. Wit: Moses Pendry, Betty Pendry (B) her mark, Richard Freear. Executrix: wife Mary Read. ^[9]

In the name of God Amen. I Harmon Reade, of the county of Halifax, planter, being weak in body but sound and disposing mine memory and understanding do make this my last will and testament in manner and form. That is to say-

Imprimis first and principally I give (desire) and bequeath unto my loving wife Mary Read all my real and personal estate of what ever it now doth or shall at the time of my decease consist for and during the term of her natural life but from and after her decease my mind and will is and I do hereby give the plantation where on I now liveth unto my son Jesse Reade and his heirs and his heirs for ever but as to all the rest of my estate - my meaning is that, my loving wife have the entire disposal of at her decease to whom she shall think fit and of this my will I constitute and appoint my loving wife Mary Reade, sole executrix hereby revoking all former wills made by me and declaring this to be my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this fourth day of October in the year of our Lord 1760. Harmon (his mark) Read.

Sources

1. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 13 December 2021), memorial page for Harmon Read (1698–Oct 1767), Find A Grave: Memorial #104098899; maintained by Chesnut/Behunin Descendant (contributor 47104688), Burial Details Unknown.
2. ↑ Tice, Helen Louise Lewis. Read: My Roots. Memphis, TN: H.L.L. Tice, 1993.
3. ↑ Polk Jesse Read, Patriot-Preacher "Isle of Wright Co., VA Deed Book 4 (1729-1736), 56-60."
4. ↑ Tice, Helen Louise Lewis. Read: My Roots. Memphis, TN: H.L.L. Tice, 1993.
5. ↑ Chapman, Blanche Adams. Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County, Virginia 1647-1800, Books 1-3. Westminster, MD: Heritage Books, 2006. Page 119.
6. ↑ Chapman, Blanche Adams. Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County, Virginia 1647-1800, Books 1-3. Westminster, MD: Heritage Books, 2006. Page 131.
7. ↑ Polk Jesse Read, Patriot-Preacher "Edgecombe Co. NC Deed (1732-1758), 107."
8. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 13 December 2021), memorial page for Harmon Read (1698–Oct 1767), Find A Grave: Memorial #104098899; maintained by Chesnut/Behunin Descendant (contributor 47104688), Burial Details Unknown.
9. ↑ Hofmann, Margaret M. Genealogical Abstracts of Wills, 1758 through 1824, Halifax County, North Carolina. Weldon, NC: Roanoke News, 1970. Pages 27 & 28.

Acknowledgements