Robert Chowning Jr. (1659 - 1698)

Born 4 May 1659 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, British Colonial America

Ancestors

Husband of Anne (Poole) Chowning — married 1683 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia

Descendants

Died 5 Sep 1698 at age 39 in Christ Church, Middlesex, Virginia, British Colonial America

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Hope Moore [send private message]

Biography

Robert Chowning Jr. was a Virginia colonist.

Robert Chowning Jr. was born in Christ Church, Middlesex Virginia, on 4 May 1659, the son of Robert Chowning, Sr. and Joanne Hitchcock.^[1]
Christening : 23 Feb 1660: Christ Church Parish, Middlesex, Virginia
Abt. 1683 Robert married Anne Poole, born WFT Est. 1659-1664 in Middlesex Co., Virginia and died aft.1695.
They had seven living children together before Robert's untimely death at the age of 39 in 1698.^[2]:

i. THOMAS CHOWNING, b. 1684, Middlesex Co., Va.; d. November 15, 1721, Middlesex Co., Va..

ii. GEORGE CHOWNING, b. February 16, 1687/88, Middlesex Co., Va.; d. April 01, 1744, Middlesex Co., Va..

iii. SAMUEL CHOWNING, b. February 27, 1689/90, Middlesex Co., Va..

iv. ANN CHOWNING, b. 1692, Middlesex Co., Va..Christening: June 12, 1692, Christ Church, Middlesex Co., Va.

v. WILLIAM W. CHOWNING/CHEWNING, b. Abt. 1694, Middlesex Co., Va.; d. 1757, Caroline Co., Va..

vi. JOHN CHOWNING, b. Bef. 1698, Middlesex Co., Va.; d. February 23, 1807, Va..

vii. ELIZABETH CHOWNING, b. Bef. 1698, Middlesex Co., Va..

Other list:

1. Elizabeth Chowning, b. Abt 1682, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 1760, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Age ~ 78 years)
2. Thomas Chowning, b. 27 Jul 1684, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 15 Nov 1721, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Age 37 years)
3. Margaret Chowning, b. 1685, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 24 Mar 1726/27, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Age 42 years)
4. George Chowning, b. 16 Feb 1687/88, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 1 Apr 1744, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Age 56 years)
5. Samuel Chowning, b. 27 Feb 1689/90, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 6 Apr 1690, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Age 0 years)
6. Anne Chowning, b. 12 Jun 1692, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 12 Sep 1720, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Age 28 years)
7. John Chowning, b. 1693, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 1694, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia (Age 1 years)
8. William Chowning, b. 1694, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, Virginia d. 10 Mar 1757, Caroline County, Virginia (Age 63 years)

Anne herself must have fallen quite ill during or after her husband's death: in or around 1699 (date is difficult to determine) Anne petitioned the Court, asking friends Richard Allen and Richard Shurley (sic) "to act and do" for her seven children "for their advantage." The Chownings were closely connected with Richard Allen , William Nicholson, Edward Bateman, John Skeeres, Richard Shirley and others in the Colony. These men often signed and witnessed for one another on various documents, as well as traded land and goods.

Richard's Last Will and Testament was probated on 5 September 1698. It reads (edited somewhat for readability):

"In the name of God Amen, I, Robert Chowning of Middlesex County, in Virginia being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and sound memory praised be to God and considering the uncertainty of mans life, do make and appoint this my last will and testament in manner and form following. Viz. Imp. I give and bequeath my soul to God Almighty who gave it, and hoping through the mercies of my blessed Savior Jesus Christ to obtain full pardon and remission of all my sins, and my body I commit to the grave from whence it may -- to be decently buried in faith devout and Christian like manner, as my executor hereinafter named shall deem most fit and convenient.

Item: It is my will and mind that all my just debts justly owed to any person or persons, and my reasonable funeral charges be first satisfied and paid by my executrix hereinafter named.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my loving sons and daughters, Thomas, George, Samuel, John, William, and Elizabeth Chowning 340 acres of land lying and being in the county aforesaid to be equally divided between my said sons and daughters when they shall attain to full age of 21 years, and to the heirs of their body and lawfully begotten to be got of the gain and severally as they shall attain to that age and in case my said widow, children or any of them shall die without issue, then their parts to be divided by the survivors.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Ann Chowning my now dwelling plantation, including the homes? (illegible) .

Item: I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Ann Chowning one negro girl named Dawson.

Item: It is my will and mind that the remaining parts and residue of my whole personal estate of whatever kind, -- be equally divided between my love wife and Ann Chowning and my said loving children, Thomas, George, Samuel, John, William, and Elizabeth Chowning.

Lastly, I appoint constitute make and ordain my loving wife, my loving son Thomas and my loving daughter Elizabeth executor and executrix of this my last will and testament, making void of all former wills and testaments by me heretofore made, either by words or writing, in witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and affixed my seal, this 4th day of January Anno Dom 1697/98.

Robert Chowning

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of

Paul Whitman

John Skeane?

The mark of Richard R. Shurley (or Shirley) or Richard R. Thurby (Thurlow?)

"At a court held for Co. of Middlesex 5 Sept., 1698 there appeared Paul Whiteman, John Skeane, and Richard Thurlow and made oath upon the holy Evangel that they saw Robert Chowning above named sign, seal, and deliver the above written will contained on this and the other side of the paper as his last will and testament.

Edwin Thacker Clerk"^[3]

Research Notes

Last Name at Birth for son William needs resolution so that Chowning-596 and Chewning-96 can be merged.

Source needed for Anne's petition for care of her children after her death. Middlesex County, Virginia, circa 1690-1699.

Notes for ROBERT CHOWNING, JR.: All six children mentioned in will were under 21. Left 340 acres. Exors. Wife son Thomas and daughter Elizabeth. Wit. Paul Thilman, John Sheare and Richard Thurley.

Notes for ANN POOLE: According to the "Vestry Book of Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., Va." pgs. 28,30,34,38,39,47, there was a Doctor William POOLE in the Parish as early as 1678. This may have no significance, however, he is the only POOLE listed in Middlesex during that time frame, and he may be related to Ann.

Sources

1. ↑ "Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRR7-WKH : 28 January 2020), Robert Chowning in entry for Robert Chowning, 1660.
2. ↑ "Vestry Book of Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., Va." pgs. 28,30,34,38,39,47.
3. ↑ Robert Chowning's Will listed in Middlesex Co., 1698 Book: LW, Num/Page: B-004 dated 4 Jan 1696, Middlesex County, British Colony of Virginia. Proven on 5 Sep 1698

• Source: S-2067412026 Repository: #R-2139939163 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created. Page: Ancestry Family Trees Note: Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=15289954&pid=2705
• Repository: R-2139939163 Name: Ancestry.com Address: http://www.Ancestry.com Note:
• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=cr_kidd13&id=I01730
• Early Settlers of Virginia. Text of a last will and testament for this Robert posted at the link above. Original Source is Keister, Bernice Hubbard., Van Hook and Allied Families., New York, American Historical Co.
• BURIAL Christ Church Cemetery, Christchurch, Middlesex County, Virginia - Memorial id Find A Grave: Memorial #191229452

1697-1700 Middlesex Co Va Order Book 3, [Antient Press];p 243 ... Upon the motion of the Executors of ROBERT CROWNING, deced., it is ordered that JOHN MICHAM, JOHN BRISTOL RICHARD ALLIN, RICHARD SHURLEY or any three of them doe appraise the Estate of ROBERT CROWNING, deced., on the last Thursday in this moneth being first sworne before one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for this County and make returne thereof

1700-1702 Middlesex Co Va Order Book 3, [Antient Press]; p 8 and 347 - THOMAS CROWNING and ELIZABETH CHOWNING, Executors of the Last Will and Testament of ROBERT CROWNING, deced., by Pettition setting forth that your Pettitioner's said Father, ROBERT CROWNING, deced., did appoynt ANN CROWNING and your Pettitioners Executors, and the said ANN CROWNING, yor: Pettitioners's Mother, being dead, yor: Pettitioners praye that they may have there said Father, ROBERT CHOWNING's, Estate in their owne hands and that the Will of our dead Mother, ANN CROWNING, may be voyd &c. And RICHARD ALLIN and RICHARD SURELY, Executors of the said Last Will and Testament of ANN CROWNING, deced., being by Order of the last Court held for this County, sumoned to appeare and answer the said Pettition, and now appearing was willing that the said THOMAS CROWNING and ELIZABETH CROWNING, Executors of ROBERT CROWNING, deced., as aforesaid shall have the Estate of the said deced., ROBERT CROWNING, in there owne hands as aforesaid, and the Court doe aprove the same

Abstracts of Lancaster County, Virginia Wills 1653-1800; {Ida J. Lee} CHOWNING, Thomas. Will. 14 Jany. 1678. Rec. 16 Jan. 1688. Wife Ann (also Extrx) Sister, Katherine Gregory; god-dau. Margaret Merriman; Cozen Thomas Chowning, Cozen Robert Chowning, Cozen Katherine Chowning. Wits. David Fox and Richard Flint. W.B. 5, p. 128.

1688-1694 Middlesex Co Va Deed Book 2 Part II; Antient Press: (Page 692-693) Then Surveyed for MARVILL MOSELY One hundred and forty six acres of land in Middlesex County Bounded as followeth (Vitt) Beginning at a Corner hickory and runing East thence North to ye sd Moseley's Plantation to a Stake, thence along ye plantation by markt trees, thence West crossing a branch to a red oake thence North to a white oake, West to a white oake in an old line by ye said plantation. and lastly thence South West to ye place it began being part of Four hundred and fifty acres of land granted to ROBERT CHOWNING by Patent dated ye 16th day of December 1663 and conveyed to ye said Marvin Moseley by THOMAS CHOWNING as by Deed dated the 28th of August 1694 p. EDWIN THACKER Surveyor Att a Court held for ye County of Middlesex the third day of September 1694 Then personally appears Marville Moseley acknowled himself fully sattisfied with ye within written Survey and ye land therein contained and that ye Bounds then made shall for ever stand between him and ye within named Robert Chowning Also came Robert Chowning into Court and acknowleged himselfe fully sattisfied with the within written Survey and that ye bounds exprest shall for ever stand between him and the said Marvill Moseley

1679-1688 Middlesex Co Va Deed Book 2 Part I; Antient Press: (Page 34-35) pop. THIS INDENTURE made the Seaventh day of November 1681 Between THOMAS CHEWNING of the County of Middx. Planter & ROBERT CHEWNING of the County of LANCASTR. in Virga. Planter Witnesseth that said Thomas Chewning for sum of Five hundred pounds of good Sound Merchantable Tobacco & Cask in hand paid hath granted unto said Robert Chewning a Tract of land containing Three hundred acres being in the aforesd County of Middx. being the residue & remainder part of a Pattent of Four hundred and forty acres of land & Eighty of Four hundred and eighty acres of lands granted by Pattent bearing date the 16th December 1663 unto ROBERT CHEWNING (decd) Ffather to the abovenamed Thomas and Robert Chewning other part of the sd Patten being sold by sd Thomas Chewning unto MARVELL MOSELY of said County of Middx. as by said Writeing Relation being thereunto had „ In presence of EDWARD DOCKER Thos. Chewning WILLIAM HANSE Recorded in Middx. 5th day of December 1681

1677-1680 Middlesex Co Va Order Book; Antient Press: Court 20th day of May 1678; page 108 WHEREAS ROBERT BEVERLEY & RICHARD ROBINSON Gent stand joyntly and Severally bound by there Acknowledgmt: in open Courts held for ye County of Middx for me JOHN LINDSEY my Due Admestran: of that parte of ye estate of Mr, ROBERT CHOWNEING deced (to Say the halfe thereof) put into my hands in Right and to ye use & Several] uses in equal fourth partes of THOMAS CHOWNEING, ROBERT CHOWNEING, KATHERINE CHOWNEING and ELIZABETH) now Wife to me the said LINDSAY, I doe therefore hereby to Secure & Save them and either of them the said ROBERT BEVERLEY & RICHD. ROBINSON there or either of there Heires from being hurt harmed, molested or troubled, in any Manor of way to theire losses by reason of there being my Suraty as aforesd Binde & make over unto them the said ROBERT BEVERLEY & RICHARD ROBINSON or either of them (to say) the Negroes belonging unto me named (Vitt). a Negro Woman named Pugg now wth child; a Negro Boy about Eleaven yeares of age named Robert, a Negro girle about ffoure yeares of age named Betty, Also all my Cattle wch are now number Twenty two head besides Calves,. alsoe all my Stock of hoggs more or less, Alsoe all my Right to and in that Plantation whereon I now live To be seaized & taken by them or either of them soe farr as shall really and fully Indemnifie them or either of them, whensoever they shall be any wayes Damnified by reason of there being Securaty as aforesd; And I doe further declare that it neither now is nor from henceforth shall be in my power or by any maner of wayes or meanes Lawful! for me to dispose or pass away any parte of ye above named Negroes Cattle Hoggs or Plantation without first haveing Lyberty from ye sd ROBERT BEVERLEY & RICHARD ROBINSON or either of them, and this I desire may be by my Auoeney Mr. JOHN VAUS be acknowledged in open Courte the next County Courte held for Middx. if I stay in the Country to doe it my selfe, That it may thereby be made the more Authentique and may accordingly pass into Record. In Testimony whereof I have put my hand & Seale this 6th day of June 1674 in presence of us SAMLL, PARTRIDGE JOHN LINDSEY REES EVANS Att Courte held for Middx. County ye 7th day of January 1677 Mr. JOHN VAUS as Attorney of JOHN LINDSEY acknowledge the aboave according to ye Contents thereof KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I JOHN LINDSEY of ye County of Middx . Gent, doe hereby appoynt my Trusty and loveing friend Mr: JOHN VAUS of ye said County of Middx. in Virg& my true & lawful! Attorney in my name and to my use to aske demand recover & receive every such debts goods or Marchandizes as shall appeare to be due unto me fm. Virga. either by Bills or otherwayes and upon receipt doe give full power unto my aforesd Attorney, Acquittanees and Discharges to signe, and I doe further impower my said Attorney to have ye Managem: and Ordering of my Plantation, Servants and what else is thereupon. as alsoe in Ordering & giveing Instructsions unto my Overseer in Relation to ye well Manageing of a Cropp of Corne &Tobaccoe and all other my concernes whatsoever he shall Legally act or doe & I doe hereby ratifie & confirme & allow of as if I were personally present. In Testimony whereof I have sett my hand &Seale this 22d day of June 1674 in presence of us STEPHEN TUNE. ELIZABETH TUNE

1708-1710 Middlesex Co Va Order Book; Antient Press: p 305 Middlesex County Court 5th of June 1710 - CHOWNING's Division to be recorded A Division of the Land between the Orphans of ROBERT CHOWNING, deced., was presented in Court by THOMAS CHOWNING and MATTHEW CRANK, who marryed one of the Daughters of the deced., and admitted to Record

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Hope Moore for creating WikiTree profile Chowning-542 through the import of Moore _ Grant Family Tree.ged on Mar 3, 2013.
Thank you to Cara Johnson for creating WikiTree profile Chowning-545 through the import of Brooks-Sherman.ged on May 15, 2013. Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Cara and others.

Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Hope and others.