John Fletcher

Died about 1772 in Berkeley County, West Virginia

Biography

Letter from Don C. Wood to David Macdonald, 30 Aug 1999: "John Fletcher stated in his will he owned 350 acres which he left to his loving wife Elizabeth Fletcher during her widowhood but if she marries she is to receive her third as the law directs and the plantation rented out until my children come of age. Wife is pregnant. If man child he to get part of land. Eldest son John Fletcher, 2nd son Richard Fletcher. Sons are to pay his two daughters Mary and Sarah Fletcher each 5 lbs. If there is a third daughter then to pay her. Will was written 20 Nov. 1771 and probated June 1772." "John Fletcher died just as Berkeley County was being carved off Frederick County, Virginia. When dower land was assigned this was for her use for the rest of her life. She could not sell or will the property. The only way she could sell was to get all the children, who each owned an interest in the land, to sign the deed of sale saying that they were selling their interest. They, the children, could sell their interest any time after the dower land was assigned. When the widow died that person had a thenth, or third, whatever, in the property." "It is quite evident from Berkeley County DB (Deed Book) 11, p.525, that none of the plantation had been sold or even a division made, by the three sons. Since the widow, or her dower right, which they could not give possession of until her death are not mentioned. She is dead." "The sale of land by Thomas Wolverton, DB 13, p.215, is just part of the Fletcher land which belonged to the three sons who had given him power of attorney to sell all land."

Sources

• * Probate Records: Dower of Elizabeth Fletcher Wolverton, 20 May 1776, Berkeley Co., VA (WV).