William Robertson (abt. 1680 - bef. 1758)

Born about 1680 in Henrico County, Virginia

Husband of Frances Tanner (Puckett) Robertson — married about 1712 in Henrico County, Virginia

Descendants

Died before 5 May 1758 before about age 78 in Chesterfield County, Virginia

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Biography

William Robertson was probably born about 1680 in Henrico County, Virginia. His date of birth is an estimate. His parents remain speculative.

He married Frances Puckett Clyborn, the widow of John Clyborn Jr. probably around 1712. Frances' son, John Clyburn, is probably the man referred to in William's will as "my Son-in-Law John Claiborne".

Based on available land records, William probably resided on 255 acres near Ashen Swamp and Hatcher's Run. That land was south of the James River and was in the easternmost part of Henrico County when he purchased it in 1733. The land became part of Chesterfield Co. in 1749. But William acquired two other separate and distinct tracts probably for the benefit of his sons, James and William, or grandsons. One of those tracts was 400 acres patented by William in 1736 on Sapony Creek. The other was 400 acres purchased from Samuel Hancock on Wintopock Creek. Both of these tracts are in the western part of Chesterfield County today.

Children of William Robertson (from his will, all born in Henrico Co.):

1. James Robertson
2. William Robertson
3. Margaret Robertson Rudd
4. Frances Robertson Baugh ^[1]
5. Mary Robertson Owen

William wrote his will 4 April 1757 and it was proven in court 5 May 1758.

Will

Will of William Robertson (citation below in sources)

In the name of God, Amen, I, William Robertson of the parish of Dale in the County of Chesterfield being in perfect Memory thanks be to God for the same do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the form and manner following. First I give my Soul into the Hands of the Almighty God that gave it me and Body to be Buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors and as Touching what Worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to Bless me, I give in form and manner following. Item I leave and lend to my loving Wife Frances Robertson all of my Estate Real and Personal during her Life and Widowhood after the Death or Marage [sic] of my Wife Frances I give and Devis [sic] as follows Item I give to my Son James Robertson the Plantation wherein I now live beginning on the Aochan (sic - Ashen) Swamp so up Hatcher Branch to the Dividing Line between me and Farrar. Also one Negro named Tom, my great Bible and Troopers Arms, my Desk and Oval Table to him and his Heirs forever and no more of my Estate. Item I give to my Son William Robertson the Plantation whereon he now lives and all the Land that's on the East side of Hatchers Branch also two Negroes named Punch and Cate also I give to him my son William my great Chest Cittle [sic – kettle] and my Oval Table to him and his Heirs forever Also my Plantation at Wintepock Creek to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give to my Granson John Robertson, the Son of William Robertson, my Plantation at Sapony and Four hundred Acres joyning the said Plantation and two Cows and Calves, also a good Feather Bed to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give to my Daughter Margaret Rudd one Negro Boy named York to her and her Heirs forever. Item I give to my Daughter Frances Baugh one Negro named Abraham to her and to her Heirs forever also one of my best Horses I give to my said Daughter Frances and her Heirs forever. Item I give to my Grandaughter Isbell Robertson one Negro Girl named Lucy and her Increase to her Heirs forever but my Will and desire is that if my said Grandaughter should Dye without lawful Issue of her body the said Negro Girl and her Increase to be equally divided between my Children. Item I give to my Daughter Mary Owen one Negro named Bess, one brass Cittle [sic – kettle] also one good Iron Pott to her and her Heirs forever. Item I give to my Son-in-law John Claiborne one Negro girl named Jean to him and his Heirs forever. Item I give all Remainder of my Estate not before herein before Devised to be equally divided between my Five Children hereafter named, William, Margret, Frances, Jenett and Mary. I Constitute and appoint my Wife Frances & my Son William my whole & Soul Executors of this my last Will and Testament Revoaking all and every other Will heretofore made by me and ordain this my last Will and Testament my Will and Desire is that my estate not be appraised - In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Fourth Day of April 1757. [Signed] William [W his mark] Robertson; Signd, Seald & Deliverd in the Presence of James Watkins, Joseph Howlett, Eliza [C her mark] Puckett

Sources

1. ↑ http://baugh-branches.com/Virginia/John%20Baugh%20d.1785.html

• Henrico County, Virginia, County Court Records, deeds, estates, etc, 1725-1737, FHL Film 7645095, p. 419; 5 November 1733, Samuel Hancock, Jr. of Henrico Co. to William Robertson Sr. of same, 2 tracts totaling 255 acres on south side of James River near Ashen Swamp; one tract being the plantation where my father Samuel Hancock Sr. and my mother had of my grandfather Robert Hancock by deed of gift 1 June 1708 for 200 acres, from which my father sold a piece to Robert Ferguson on the south side of the Great Branch of Ashen Swamp containing 45 acres and (the rest) conveyed by deed in 1719 to my father by my uncle Robert Hancock and given to me by deed of gift 21 September last. Wit: John Green, Lodwick Tanner, Peter Jefferson. Wife, Elizabeth, relinquished dower.

• Library of Virginia Land Office Patents No 17, p. 274; 17 March 1736, Land patent for William Robinson, 400 acres on Middle Sapony Creek adjoining John Reed [Rudd], Henry Walthall, upper Sapony Creek.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia, Lists of Tithables and Insolvents, 1747-1821, FHL Film 7856400; Image 22, A List of Tithables taken June 10, 1752 by Edward Osborne: William Robertson, Punch, Abram, Cate, Bess, Amey, 6

• Chesterfield County, Virginia, Lists of Tithables and Insolvents, 1747-1821, FHL Film 7856400; Image 43, A List of Tithables taken by John Bolling June 1756: William Robertson Sr., James Robertson Jnr., John Baugh Sr., Punch, Tom, Abram, Obed, Kate, Bess, Amey, McColl(?), 11; William Robertson Jun., 1

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 72; 2 March 1749, William Robertson of Dale Parish to William Robertson Junr. and to William Junr.’s son William, 100 acres where my son William now lives, beginning on a corner white oak in Thomas Edwards line, with the line of Edwards and along the line of Gilbert Elam. Wit: William Bass Jr., William Walthall, Henry Walthall. No dower.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Court Order Book 1; p. 37, 2 March 1749, Deed between William Robertson of the one part and William Robertson Jr. of the other was acknowledged by the said William and ordered to be recorded; p. 37, 2 March 1749, Deed between William Robertson of the one part and James Robertson of the other was acknowledged by the said William and ordered to be recorded.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 73; 2 March 1749, William Robertson of Dale Parish to my son James Robertson, 200 acres formerly taken up by Richard Grills deceased and by Grills sold to Daniel Jones, father of Thomas Jones, and by Thomas Jones deeded to Samuel Hancock and by him to William Robertson, beginning at a corner white oak in John Elam’s line, down a small branch to Wintipock Creek, crossing the Creek and running a strait course to Lodowick Elam, with Elam’s line to John Elam and with his line to beginning. Wit: William Bass Jr., William Walthall, Henry Walthall. No dower. Note: Chesterfield Co. DB 4, p. 14, 2 July 1759, tells us that William purchased 400 acres from Samuel Hancock.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 1, p. 155; 14 August 1750, William Rudd of the Parish and County of Accomack to Thomas Rudd of Chesterfield, 310 acres on Spring Run of Swift Creek in Chesterfield Co., being the lower part of the tract willed to William Rudd by his father John Rudd decd, adjoining the old plantation of John Rudd decd and Frances Watham (??) and Ellison Clark. Wit: John Farguson, William X his mark Moor, William W his mark Roberson.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Book 1, p. 275; 4 April 1757, Will of William Robertson (full text above). Note: Will was presented in court 5 May 1758 by wife Frances and son William and proved by oaths of Joseph Fowler and James Watkins (OB 2, p. 401).

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Court Order Book 2; p. 502, 2 March 1759, Inventory and appraisement of William Robertson returned and ordered recorded.

• http://www.robisonandblythe.org/getperson.php?personID=I33868&tree=RobisonandBlythe (contains some errors)