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William Farrar (1625 - bef. 1678)

Colonel William Farrar
Born in Jordan's Journey, Charles City, Colony of Virginiamap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 1656 in Henrico County, Colony of Virginiamap
Descendants descendants
Died before before age 53 in Varina Parish, Henrico County, Colony of Virginiamap
Profile last modified | Created 27 Sep 2010
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US Southern Colonies.
William Farrar resided in the Southern Colonies in North America before 1776.
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Contents

Biography

U.S. Southern Colonies Project logo
William Farrar was a Virginia colonist.
flag of the Jamestowne Society

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:

"Patent to Capt Wm Farrar, 2000 acres on the north side of James River Bounding and abutting lands of Varina, thence extending .... Due for transportation of 40 persons...And upon survey there shall not be found the said quantities of 2000 acres of lands within the aforesaid bounds, that then the said Wm Farrar measured his full quantities upon the northerly bounds of the said lands into the woods"

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]

Marriage

He married Mary (____) about 1656, presumably in Henrico County, Virginia.[6]

Guardian to John Garner

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]

Public Service

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.

Will & Death

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]

Children

The children of William and Mary Farrar are:

  1. William, b. 1657, Farrar's Island, Henrico Co. VA; d. 3 Apr 1721, Farrar's Island, Henrico Co. VA.
  2. Thomas, b. abt. 1662, Farrar's Island, Henrico Co. VA; d. 1742, St. James Northam Parish, Goochland Co. VA.
  3. Martha, b. 1664, Farrar's Island; Henrico Co. VA.
  4. John, b. 1670, Farrar's Island, Henrico Co. VA; d. bef. 1729, Farrar's Island, Henrico Co. VA.
  5. Cecily, b. 1672, Farrar's Island, Henrico Co. VA.

Research Notes

Vital Statistics

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).

Sources

  1. Jamestowne Society: Farrar, William - A2610; born 1627, died 1677/8, Henrico Co.: 1660-76 (Burgess). accessed 7 January 2021
  2. John Frederick Dorman (editor), Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1607–1624/5 Fourth Edition, 3 Volumes (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company for Clearfield Company, 2000), 1:927; digital images, ReynoldsPAtoVA.org (http://www.reynoldspatova.org/histories/Adv_of_Purse_and_Person-1607-1624.pdf)
  3. Virginia Land Office Patents and Grants, Patents No.1 1623-1643 VOL.1&2, pp436-437; digital images, Library of Virginia (image 436, image 437).
  4. Nell Marion Nugent. Cavaliers and Pioneers; abstracts of Virginia land patents and grants, 1623-1800 (Richmond, VA: Dietz Print Co, 1934) Vol. 1, p60.
  5. Lyon G. Tyler, "Title of Westover," The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 4, No. 3 (Jan., 1896), pp. 151-155, especially p152; digital images, JSTOR ([https://www.jstor.org/stable/1914946 p151).
  6. See Vital Statistics.
  7. Early Virginia Families along the James River, Foley, Vol.1, p. 6, as cited at Richard Garner Geni Profile, last updated 23 May 2018, accessed 13 Oct 2018.
  8. Hen. C.O.B. 1643-1644, page 23, as cited at Richard Garner Geni Profile, last updated 23 May 2018, accessed 13 Oct 2018.
  9. 9.0 9.1 County Court, Henrico County, Henrico County, Virginia, court records, Record book, Vol. 1-2 1677-1693; database with images, FamilySearch (image 11).
  10. Orphans' Court, Henrico County, Virginia, Record book, 1677-1725, 1739, Record book, 1677-1725, 1739 -- Record book, v. 4, 1677-1739; database with images, FamilySearch (image 10, image 43).

Citation Sources:

See also - for more information:

See also:

  • Holmes, Alvahn (1972). The Farrar's Island Family and its English Ancestry. Baltimore, MD: Gateway Press. OCLC 499544604.
  • McCartney, Martha W: Virginia Immigrants and Adventurers, p. 290. Cites Dorman (Adventurers, 4th edn, 2004), p. 929, and Patent Book 1, Pt 1, 436.
  • Stanard, William G., ed. (1900-1902) The "Farrar Family" Excursus in The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
    • "The Farrar Family". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 7 (3): 319–322. 1900. JSTOR 4242269.,
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 7 (4): 432–434. 1900. JSTOR 4242292.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 8 (1): 97–98. 1900. JSTOR 4242320.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 8 (2): 206–209. 1900. JSTOR 4242337.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 8 (4): 424–427. 1901. JSTOR 4242386.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 9 (2): 203–205. 1901. JSTOR 4242430.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 9 (3): 322–324. 1902. JSTOR 4242449.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 10 (1): 86–87. 1902. JSTOR 4242488.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 10 (2): 206–207. 1902. JSTOR 4242519.
    • "The Farrar Family (Continued)". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 10 (3): 308–310. 1902. JSTOR 4242543.
(Note: The Vol. 7(4) entry in the excursus is incorrect on William Farrar's lineage. See "Torrence et al., 1942". The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography. 50 (4): 350–359. 1942. JSTOR 4245205. referenced above.)




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Comments: 13

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Is there a reliable source for his name suffix "II"? If not, it should be removed. (will proceed in 3 days if a reliable source is not added)
posted by Ken Spratlin
I think you can remove the II suffix; none of the listed sources use it, to include his will. We'll have to comb carefully through his bio and those of his close family members, also. I can help.
posted by Matthew Riggle
Does anyone have a reliable source for the LNAB of his wife, Mary? If not, then I'll change it to "unknown" from its current "Baugh" since there is no source listed and it is questionable, as seen in her Bio.
posted by Al Francis
edited by Al Francis
Note also that Dorman, p930, lists her as "Mary ____". She is apparently listed as administratrix of his estate 20 Aug 1682, so reports of her death "before May 1676" are apparently mistaken. I will look for that source.
posted by Ken Spratlin
In the image of the Will, it is clearly dated 6 May 1676 by William Farrar, and then listed proved Feb 1677/8. It is listed as the 2nd record below a paragraph saying "Att a Court Holden … first day of Feb … 1677/8. Note also that his Jamestowne Society entry lists his death as 1677/8.

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.

posted by Ken Spratlin
US Southern Colonies Project adding project management (PMP) and project protection (PPP)—historical figure.

Please continue to manage normally, and review US Southern Colonies Project Editing Guidance before editing.

posted by Ken Spratlin
In Find A Grave is a document stating his will was written 6 May 1676, but he died Feb 1677/8
posted by Barbara (Jackson) Wren
What is the basis for the estimate birth date of 1625 or 1627? If he was a patentee of land in Virginia in 1637, wouldn't he need to have been at least 21 years old by 1637, and so born in 1616 or earlier?
posted by Scott McClain
Sorry it took so long but after his fathers death he was placed in the guardianship of Gpvernor Harvey, during his brief second tour, and Harvey awarded him the patent, and I suspect milked the guardianship for rents. During the era, and indeed into the late 19th Century, in most of the southern states, a fatherless child, though he had a mother, was considered and orphan, unless the mother could prove that she had the means to tutor (support and educate) the child. His mother Cecily Farrar would have been a wealthy widow, but deceased when he was still a minor.
posted by [Living Farrar]
I have a copy of a book given to me by a friend and Farrar descendent called "The Farrar's Island Family and its English Ancestry. I would be happy to send a copy to whoever is working on this family.
I am not sure the half siblings are correct in this family.

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

posted by Sheryl Moore
I suggest this person be added to the US Southern Colonies and Virginia Projects?

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!

posted by Sheryl Moore
Thanks, Sheryl. Its ok with me.