| William Farrar resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776. Join: US Southern Colonies Project Discuss: southern_colonies |
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William Farrar[1] was born about 1627 in Jordan's Journey, Henrico County, Virginia, and died before 1 February 1677/8 in Charles City, Henrico County, Virginia. He married Mary about 1656 in Virginia.
William Farrar was the eldest son of William Farrar and Cecily Bailey Jordan Farrar. He was probably born at Jordan's Journey where his parents resided for a few years after their 1625 marriage. William Farrar was the first child of his parents and joined a thriving family then consisting of half-sisters Temperance Bailey 10, Mary Jordan 6, and Margaret Jordan 4.
"On 6 September 1631, William Farrar of London, Gentleman, sold his brother Henry Farrar of Reading, Berkshire, for £200 the properties and annuities so bequeathed, and since John Farrar had reserved these bequests to William's wife and children, the names of 'Cecily his wife and Cecily and [this] William his children' appear in the deed."[2]
On 11 June 1637, William Farrar, sonne & heire to William Farrar, was granted 2,000 acres on the former site of the Virginia Colony's second settlement in Henrico County.[3][4] The estate known as Farrar's Island would remain in the Farrar family for 100 years. William was only about nine or ten when his father died about 1636. The Farrar's Island patent was granted by Governor John Harvey posthumously to his father for forty headrights, which he transported to Virginia in 1619, although some accounts say that the Garland never arrived in Virginia. The patent was awarded by Governor Harvey during his short lived second tour. The patent reads:
Captain Thomas Pawlett, William's godfather, named William in his 12 January 1643/4 Will, and bequeathed William "a silver spoon & my silver bowl and wine cup, to be divided between" William and Francis Eppes, another god-child of Pawlett.[5]
He married Mary (____) about 1656, presumably in Henrico County, Virginia.[6]
In 1637, Richard Garner and his son John Garner, who has been baptized at St Chad's in Shrewsbury 2 Sep 1633, immigrated to Virginia, arriving on Farrar's Island.[7] Richard Garner died in 1643, and John Garner became a ward of William Farrar Jr, and inherited 500 £. The proceeds were sent to him by his Uncle John Garner of Shropshire, who liquidated via "quite title" Richard Garner's interest in The Lion Inn, extant today in Shrewsbury as The Lion Inn Hotel.[8]
As the son of one of the colonies distinguished landed gentry William Farrar was raised to take his place in Virginia society.
William, like his father, became rather prominent in Virginia society. He served as Justice of the Peace for Charles City Co. (1657) and for Henrico Co. (1677), and also was a commissioner for the Henrico Co. Court (1669). However his most notable contributions to the colony were made as a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, where he served for 18 years (1659-1676). He also wore the title of Colonel as a company commander in the militia.
Last Will and Testament of William Farrar[9]
Varina Parish, Henrico County, Virginia.
6 May 1676.
1 February 1677/8 (proved).
In the name of God, Amen, I WILLIAM FARRER of Henrico in the parish of Varina do make and ordain this my last will and testament Viz: I give and bequeath to my very loving brother Capt. JOHN FARRER TWO parcels of land which was formerly laid out and measured by Scott Thomas Lygon one parcel lying without Capt Davis Bottoms containing about three hundred acres, the other parcel within the said bottom containing something of two hundred acres, all I freely give to my said brother and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. And for want of..........I give and bequeath the ...parcels of land to my two sons THOMAS FARRER and JOHN FARRER and to the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten, and if either of them die before he have issue then the survivor to enjoy the said land forever, but in the ........of these two parcels of land to my brother JOHN FARRER I make this condition and exception, that my brother JOHN FARRER shall relinquish all the right, title and interest he hath to a parcel of land I ........gave him called by the name of Coles Field or .........this my bequest to be of ....to him nor his. I give and bequeath to my sons WILLIAM FARRER this neck of land I live on to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever and the said neck of land is to pass gained my new dwelling twice to a ridge of trees , a b......two hundred paces of, but of it shall please God that my son shall depart this life without issue, then my will and desire is that my sons, THOMAS FARRER and JOHN FARRER have and enjoy the said neck of land to them and their heirs lawfully begotten forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my sons THOMAS FARRER and JOHN FARRER and the male heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten all the land that I have a right and title to without this neck of land already given to my eldest son WILLIAM FARRER, and then two parcels given to my brother JOHN FARRER, all the rest I do give to my said sons THOMAS and JOHN and their heirs as above said forever to be equally divided between them when they please after they shall arrive of age. I ordain and appoint my brother JOHN FARRER and my son WILLIAM FARRER to be the executors of this my real estate according to this my last will and testament. In witness hereof I set to my hand and date this 6th of May 1676.
Signed: William Farrar.
Witnesses: Tho. Daulby, Michael Turpin.
Executors: my brother John Farrar, my sonne William Farrar.
On 1 February 1677/8, his brother John Farrar deeded back to the heirs of Col. William Farrar the 200 acres given him in 1649.[9]
On 20 August 1682, [his brother] Lt. Col. John Farrar in open Court acknowledged and obligated himself, his heirs, executors, and administrators until the next Orphans Court (to be held this time twelve [12] months) to be security for Mrs Mary Farrar, relicit and administratrix of Col. William Farrar, deceased, and to save (until the said next Orphans Court) this Court and their successors harmless, and keep them indemnified from the estate belonging to the orphans (of the said Col. Farrar, deceased) and is now in the custody of his said relict and administratrix.[10]
The children of William and Mary Farrar are:
Marriage Their marriage is estimated from the birth of their first child William, (about 1657 - 1 year) = about 1656 in Henrico County, Colonly of Virginia (where child William is listed born).
Citation Sources:
See also - for more information:
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William is 24 degrees from Herbert Adair, 18 degrees from Richard Adams, 17 degrees from Mel Blanc, 23 degrees from Dick Bruna, 16 degrees from Bunny DeBarge, 33 degrees from Peter Dinklage, 16 degrees from Sam Edwards, 15 degrees from Ginnifer Goodwin, 18 degrees from Marty Krofft, 10 degrees from Junius Matthews, 11 degrees from Rachel Mellon and 19 degrees from Harold Warstler on our single family tree. Login to find your connection.
edited by Al Francis
I propose to change the dates in the Will to match these dates, and change his death date in the date field to "before" 1 Feb 1678. I will proceed in 3 days unless there are reliable sources for other dates.
Please continue to manage normally, and review US Southern Colonies Project Editing Guidance before editing.
Cecily Unknown Farrar, the mother, has only William Farrar as her husband, and may have been confused with another Cecily Unknown. I noticed this while researching the line for possible inclusion in the US Southern Colonies Project. Thank you
Please let me know if this is ok with all of you.
That would then apply to the descendants as they meet the criteria.
Thank you!