William Headen Sr (1740 - abt. 1807)

Born 1740 in Virginia [uncertain]

Husband of Jane (Beavers) Headen — married 1760 in Loudon, , Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died about 1807 at about age 67 in Jackson, Georgia, USA

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William Headen Sr was a Georgia colonist.

Biography

William was born about 1740. He passed away about 1807. William Headen (Headon) assisted in establishing American Independence while acting in the capacity of a horseman. He served during the Revolutionary War 89 days duty in the State of South Carolina, Roebuck's Regiment. ^[1]

BIRTH AND DEATH:

Birth Date: about 1740, based on age of oldest son William(b.1760)

Birth Place: probably Virginia, based on his oldest son who was born in Virginia

Death Date: about 1807, based on his Will

... his will was written 24 Nov 1807, probated 4 Jan 1808

... assume he died several weeks BEFORE his will was probated

Death Place: assume Jackson County, Georgia, based on location of his Will

CLUES ABOUT PARENTS:

William's parents have not been identified, but William appears on an 1765 Deed in Loudoun County Virginia with his brother George, and George's son George. The deed was witnessesd by John Headen who is probably another relative.

William also appears to have several HEADEN relatives in Georgia. Allen Headen is a son-in-law that is listed in William's 1807 will. Allen Headen and Samuel Headen are side-by-side on 1801 tax registry in Jackson County Georgia, and are possibly nephews of William. It is unknown which of William's daughters married Allen Headen, but presumably she died before the writting of William's will.

MARRIAGE:

Wife: Jane Beavers

Marriage estimated about 1760 in Loudoun County Virginia.

Estimate is based on oldest son William Jr (b. 14 Dec 1760 in Louden Co. VA)

... Note: son William Jr's birth is from his Rev. War pension application

VIRGINIA:

William Headen and Jane were living in Loudoun County Virginia when their son William Jr was born in 1760. They continued to live in Loudoun County through at least 1765, when William was in a deed with other HEADEN's family members.

SOUTH CAROLINA:

William Headen and wife Jane, moved to South Carolina sometime before 1771.

Their daughters Margaret & Martha say born in SC on their 1850 census.

Their son William Jr's pension application says enlisted in late 1779 or early 1780 from 96th District, South Carolina. William Jr's application also says his father [William Headen Sr] was living 7 miles from Battle of Cowpens in 1781.

William and Jane lived there through at least 1790, where they are shown on census.

This area later became Spartanburg District; probably after they moved.

Several of their children remained in South Carolina.

GEORGIA:

William and wife Jane moved to Franklin/Jackson County, Georgia sometime after the 1790 census. Their 1st record in Georgia is William's taxes in 1800.

They may have already been in Georgia by 1795, because their daughter Martha's oldest child was born about 1795 Georgia. (This is assuming daughter Martha moved at the same time, and then married in Georgia).

William witnessed the 1805 Will of Robert Beavers (probably brother-in-law) in Jackson Co., Georgia, where Robert says he had adjoining land with William Headen.

Note: Jackson County GA was created in 1796 from the SW half of Franklin County GA.

CHILDREN:

William's 1807 will suggests they had 7 sons, and 9 daughters.

His Will is written is such a way as to NOT provide given names of most daughters.

Other sources have been used to determine the daughters' names.

It appears by 1790 census, only about half of their children were still living at home.

Two daughters Sarah & Jane, married ROBERTSON brothers, James & David.

Two daughters Margaret & Tamar, married TURNER brothers, James & Henry.

Several of their children w/families, later moved from Georgia to Louisiana.

Several of their children w/families, never left Spartanburg South Carolina.

There are Deeds in Spartanburg SC that associate families of HEADEN & TURNER.

NOTES about his WILL:

The wording of his Will implies 12 of their children were living, and 3 deceased.

The wording also indicates 2 of their children were minors.

He willed his remaining property divided into 12 equal parts, but 2 of those parts are being "put in the hands of ... for the use of ....", which implies that Robert & Prissy were probably minors.

The wording implies he had 3 deceased children, because their heirs were only given 5 shillings, and not included in the 12-part division.

William & George were probably the oldest living sons, because they were made executors of the Will.

Sources

1807 ABSTRACT of WILL:

Source: see attachment for handwritten WILL

(Note: someone has overwritten parts of the WILL for legibility)

Name: William Headon

Written: 24 Nov 1807 in Jackson County, Georgia

Probated: 4 Jan 1808

wife: Jane

6 son-in-laws (of married daughters): William Shed, James Robertson, David Robertson, James Turner, Henry Turner, William L. Brazeal

5 sons: Wm. Headen, George Headen, Eli Headen, Jesse Headen, Robert Headen [assume Robert under age 21]

daughter: Prissy Headen [assume under age 21]

unspecified: Elizabeth Headen wife of John Headen [assume son]

granddaughter: Salley Terrell [assume from deceased daughter]

son-in-law: Allen Headen [assume from deceased daughter]

Executors: sons William Headon and George Headon

Witnesses: Edw. Adams, Reuben Beavers, John Beavers ... [Beavers are sons of Robert]

1807 TRANSCRIPTION of WILL:

24 Nov 1807 - Jackson County, Georgia

William Headen Senior of the County of Jackson State of Georgia being very low and weak in body but of sound mind and memory taking into view the certainty of death sooner or later and wishing my worldly concerns do make this my last will and testament hereby evoking all other will or wills by me heretofore made (that is to say) is my will that all my just debts be paid out of my estate by my executors hereafter named and what property I have bequeathed in the following manner.

I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Jane Headen the act of land whereon I now live with the appurtenances, the tation tools, household and kitchen furniture, two Negroes wit Sam and Sary and my bay horse, three cows (her choice), the hogs remaining in the plantation at my decease to be hers during her natural life and then be divided among children, to wit, William Shed, James Robertson, David Robertson, James Turner, Henry Turner, William L. Brazeal who intermarried with my daughters, Wm. Headen, George Headen, Eli Headen, and Jesse Headen (my sons) bequeath unto Elizabeth Headen wife of John Headen, Salley Terrell my grand daughter five shillings each give to my son in law Allen Headen and my son Robert Headen five shillings each balance of my estate not herein disposed of will that it be divided into twelve equal shares with a sale if it can be done, but if my heirs cannot in the division of the property for it to be sold and the money to be divided into twelve equal parts of the said parts to my son in law William Shed, other part to my son in law James Robertson, an other part to my son in law David Robertson, other part to my son in law Henry Turner, other part to my son in law Wm. L. Brazeal theirs and their heirs forever, one other part to my son Wm. Headen, one other part to my son George Headen, other part to my son Eli Headen, and one other part to my son Jesse Headen to them and their heirs forever, the two remaining parts I wish to be put in the hands of my two sons William Headen and George Headen and to be by them disposed of as they may see fit for the use of Robert Headen my son, and my daughter Prissy Headen.

Lastly, I appoint my two sons Wm. Headen and George Headen my executors to this my last will and testament, In Witness whereof I here unto Set my hand and seal the 24th day of November 1807
Signed sealed and acknowledged his X in presence of William Headen X mark

Edw. Adams, 
Reuben Beavers
, John Beavers

[PROBATE]

Jackson County, Georgia
Personally came before me Edward Adams, Reuben Beavers, and John Beavers and being duly sworn saith that they did see William Headen sign the within will and that they were subscribing witnesses to the same Sworn in open court before me Edw. Adams this 4th Jany 1808 Reuben Beavers, B. Harris, John Beavers, Jas Hendrex, and George Cowers.

1833 Extract of SON William Jr's pension application:

Source: Fold3

Name: William Headen [Jr., son of William Sr.]

says ... born 14 Dec 1760 in Louden County, Virginia

says ... in 1781, his father was living 7 miles from Battle of Cowpens (Spartanburg Co., SC)

In late 1779 or early 1780, living in 96th District, South Carolina, when entered into war

Discharged 1783. Soon after the war, moved to NC for about 2 years.

Then returned to South Carolina.

In 1786, moved from SC to Washington County, Georgia

In 1811, moved from GA to St Tammany Parish, Louisiana

1765 DEED of family in VA:

Deed Abstracts of Loudoun County Virginia 1762-1765, 76.

ref. to Deed book D, 460-61, 15 Feb 1765, George Headen Senior of Loudoun County, Planter to John Glassford of Glasgow, for 36 pounds, "William Headen of same county together with George Headen Junior hath become bound and security have sold and made over to William Headen for himself and in trust for his brother George Headen" one feather bed etc., wits. Alexander Henderson, John Tyler, John Headen

Source: https://www.werelate.org/wiki/Person:William_Headen_(1)

1790 census: Spartanburg, South Carolina:

Name: Wm Headen

3 - Males - 16 and over: ... [William, and sons George & Jesse]

2 - Males - Under 16: ... [sons Robert & Eli]

4 - Females: ... [wife Jane, girls Matha & Prissy, and unknown]

Number of Slaves : 3

Number of Household Members: 12

1800 Taxes in Jackson County, Georgia:

Ancestry.com. Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892

Wm Haden, 250 acres + 100 acres, in district: Captain Arons Wood Company

1801 Taxes in Jackson County, Georgia:

Ancestry.com. Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892

William Headen, 200 acres, in district Captain William Blake Company

Note: other Headon/Hadon in Jackson County are Allen Haden, and Samuel Haden

NOTES about Jane's 1809 taxes:

There are 2 Jane's; widow of Robert Beavers, and widow of William Headen.

It is unlikely the widow of Headen would use her maiden name on taxes, especially considering there are taxes under the name "as Ex. Estate Wm Headen".

It is more likely this is the widow of Robert Beavers, because Robert's 1805 will says wife Jane, and says adjoining land with William Headen.

1809 Taxes in Jackson County, Georgia, in district Captain John Johnston's:

Ancestry.com. Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892

Wm Headen ... says "as Ex. Estate Wm Headen", 100 acres on Buffelow Creek, adjoining Beavers

Jane Beavers ... says: "as agt of Jane Beavers (W)", 50 acres on Buffelow Creek, adjoining Stamps

George Headen, 0 acres ... [son of William Headon]

Eli Headen, 85 acres ... [son of William Headon]

Jesse Headen, 50 acres ... [son of William Headon]

1809 Taxes in Jackson County, Georgia, in district Captain James Wright's:

Ancestry.com. Georgia, Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892

Reuben Beavees, 20 acres on N. Oconce waters ... [son of Robert]

William Headen [Jr], 50 acres on Bloody Creek ... [son of William Sr]

[Note: these 2 both later moved to Louisiana. Reuben later married a HEADEN.]

1817 Notice of Sale: (see attached)

Newspaper: Georgia Journal (Milledgeville, GA), Tuesday, Mar 24, 1818, page 1

Nine months after date of application will be made to the honorable the Inferior court of Jackson county, when sitting for Ordinary purposes for leave to sell two hundred and ten acres of land lying in said county, it being the real estate of William, deceased - for the benefit of the heirs of said deceased. Nov. 27, 1817, Geo. Headen, Ex'or. (see attached)

Notes about 1817 sale:

The above notice signifies that his wife Jane has passed away. William willed everything to Jane during her lifetime, but afterwards to be divided among his children.

1. ↑ Records are on file in SC Department of Archives and History, Columbia, SC; Reference AA 3486, Roll 69: 216 to 219, 4 frames.