Hester (Watson) Matlock (abt. 1678 - aft. 1734)

Born about 1678 in Virginia [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died after 5 Apr 1734 after about age 56 in Hanover, Colony of Virginia, America

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Leroy Matlock [send private message]

RESEARCH NOTE: The few documents that have been found that refer to Hester specifically refer to her as Hester. The Margaret Hester Ann (Watson) Matlock name that was shown in the original profile does not appear to be supported by factual evidence.

Biography

Hester Watson, the daughter of William Watson of Charles City County, Virginia was married twice during her life. 1 She married first to a man named John Medlock, Jr. 1 Although no marriage record has been found, they are believed to have been married in New Kent County, Virginia in about 1698/1699. 2 This date is predicated upon the fact that their first first child, George Medlock, was christened in St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, on 3 June 1701. 2

After Hanover County, Virginia had been formed from a portion of New Kent County, Virginia in 1720, John and Hester were residing there as John is found in a number of deed records in that county. 1,3 On 1 March 1733, John Medlock, now referred to as Johm Matlock, Sr., gave their daughter, Mary, wife of Benjamin Johnson, 50 acres of land on Tusocky Branch. 1 On the same day, he gave their son, George Matlock, 120 acres of land in the same general area. 1 Also on 1 March 1733, George Matlock sold his brother John Matlock, Jr. 100 acres of land on a branch of Taylor’s Creek, and on 5 July 1734 George sold John another 100 acres on Taylor’s Creek, both parcels being part of a 400 acre tract originally patented to a Mr. Edward Trotman. 1

Although John Matlock, Sr. was alive on 1 March 1733, he apparently died shortly thereafter, as on 5 December 1733, Mark Anthony and Hester his wife, sold 50 acres of land on Mattadequin Creek to John Clayton. 10 This land was originally patented to William Watson on 8 October 1672 and left to his daughter, Hester Matlock, by his will dated 15 April 1689. 1 In light of the above transactions, John Medlock, Jr. (now referred to as John Matlock, Sr.) definitely died in 1733 in Hanover County, Virginia. 1 What became of Hester after this is not known.

Sources

1. Hanover County, Virginia Court Records, 1733-1735 - Deeds, Wills and Inventories, Pages 31,32,33,36,37,109,126-130. Abstracted and Compiled by Rosalie Edith Davis. Manchester, MO: Heritage Trails, 1979.

2. The Parish Register of Saint Peter’s, New Kent County, Virginia From 1680 to 1787. Pages 21,373,374,437,438. Published by The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia. Richmond, VA: William Ellis Jones, Book and Job Printer, 1904. (archive.org)

3. The Handy Book for Genealogists, United States of America. 8th Edition. Logan, Utah: The Everton Publishers, Inc., 1995.

Acknowledgements

Updated biography and references entered by Jack E. MacDonald-10654