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William Mills (abt. 1741 - bef. 1831)

William Mills
Born about in Virginiamap [uncertain]
Ancestors ancestors
Son of [uncertain] and [uncertain]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married [date unknown] [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Father of , and
Died before before about age 90 in Henry, Virginia, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 10 Nov 2018
This page has been accessed 415 times.

Contents

Biography

William Mills was born sometime between 1741 and 1750 in Virginia.[1]

He was recorded in Henry County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists as early as 1784. Based on Tax Lists and Census records, it appears he lived In Henry County for at least 47 years.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]

William Mills died before 14 November 1831 in Henry County, Virginia.

Marriage and Children

Many researchers believe he married Elizabeth Fontaine. But so far, haven't found a specific source to validate that theory. See Research Notes.

William was the father of the following children, as indicated in his Last Will [8]:

  1. Sarah (Mills) Woods (See Research Notes).
  2. Richard Mills
  3. William F. Mills
  4. Aaron Mills
  5. Francis Mills
  6. Anstiss (Mills) Oakley

Property Tax List and Census Records

William Mills first appearance on Property Tax records in Henry County, Virginia was 1784. Note, not all property tax records are shown below. It's reasonable to assume that William Mills was listed in the other years such as 1786 etc.

Tax Year: 1784
Tax Place: Henry County, Virginia, United States [2]
Name: William Mills
Tax Year: 1785
Tax Place: Henry County, Virginia, United States [3]
Name: William Mills
Tax Year: 1790
Tax Place: Henry County, Virginia, United States [4]
Name: William Mills
Tax Year: 1800
Tax Place: Henry County, Virginia, United States [5]
Name: William Mills Sr
Tax Year: 1810
Tax Place: Henry County, Virginia, United States [6]
Name: William Mills Sr
Census Year: 1820
Census Place: Henry County, Virginia, United States [7]
Name: William Mills Senior
Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820
Category
No.
Comments
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over
1
William Mills Sr
Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25
1
Slaves - Males - 45 and over
1
Slaves - Females - 26 thru 44
1
Engaged in Agriculture
3
Total in Household
4
Census Year: 1830
Census Place: Henry County, Virginia, United States [1]
Name: William Mills
Category
No.
Comments
Free White Persons - Males - 80 thru 89
1
William Mills Sr, birth year range 1741 - 1750
Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99
1
Slaves - Females - Under 10
2
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35
1
Total in Household
5

William Mills Last Will and Testament

William signed his Last Will 4 May 1827 and was proved in Henry County, Virginia court 14 November 1831.[8]
In the name of God Amen, I William Mills of Henry County & State of Virginia, being weak in body but of sound mind & memory do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament revoking all former wills by me made.
Item 1st I commit my spirit into the hands of Almighty God who gave it.
2nd After paying my just debts if any there be I leave unto my beloved children hereafter named as follows to wit.
3rd I give unto my daughter Sarah Woods one dollar. I give unto my son Rich'd Mills one dollar. I give unto my son William F. Mills one dollar. I give unto my son Aaron Mills one dollar.
4th I give unto Francis Mills my son the tract of land whereon I now live also one tract lying on the Mayo River known by the name of Parkses & Samuel Walkers places to him & his heirs forever.
5th I give unto my daughter Anstiss Oakley the following negroes (to wit) Tawney, Biddy & child, Sintha & child also all my household kitchen furniture stock plantation utensils & all the balance of my personal estate not otherwise disposed of to her and her heirs forever.
6th Lastly I constitute and appoint Rich. & William F. Mills my executors to this my last will and testament.
In witness thereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of May 1827.
Signed sealed & delivered Wm. Mills (seal)
In presence of us
William Trent
James (his mark) Evans
At a Court held for Henry County 14th November 1831
The foregoing last will and testament of William Mills dec'd was produced in court proven by the oath of William Trent and James Evans the subscribing witness and ordained to be recorded. Whereupon Richard Mills one of the Executors therein named qualified as such and William F. Mills his security entered into bond in the penalty of three hundred dollars conditioned according to law and acknowledged the same.

Appraisal and Inventory of William's Estate

Henry County, Virginia Court ordered the appraisement of William's estate on 14 November 1831. The Inventory and Appraisement was returned to court and recorded 13 March 1832. [9]

Research Notes

Possible Wife Elizabeth Fontaine: His purported Find A Grave memorial asserts "William bought land that adjoined that of his wifes' nephew, John Fontaine, on Matrimony Creek in Henry County, VA. William named that land Mills' Order." It also states "John Fontaines' wife was Martha "Patsy" Henry, a daughter of Patrick Henry, the orator." However, the maintainer of the memorial doesn't provide any evidence or sources for the claims. Note, Matrimony Creek is a stream in Rockingham County, North Carolina and Henry County, Virginia.[10] Further research required.
Daughter Sarah: According to his Last Will, his daughter's married name was Woods. Is this correct or a possible error? Perhaps her married name was Woodson instead of Woods. Currently, Sarah (Mills) Woodson is attached as his daughter. I added a few caveats to her profile, including "parents listed for this individual are speculative and may not be based on sound genealogical research" and a Research Note. Tirey-10 18:45, 19 July 2022 (UTC)
Henry County, Virginia: Created 31 December 1776 from the western portion of Pittsylvania County. In 1785, Franklin County was formed from the northern portion of Henry County and southern portion of Bedford County. In 1790 Patrick County was created from the western part of Henry, and an additional small piece was transferred from Henry to Patrick in 1791.

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "United States Census, 1830", William Mills, Henry, Virginia, United States; citing 199, NARA microfilm publication M19, roll 195; FHL microfilm 29,674. FamilySearch database with images accessed 14 July 2022.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 1784 Personal Property Tax List, Henry County, Virginia; Name: William Mills Image 113 of 905. FamilySearch database with images accessed 14 July. 2022.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 1785 Personal Property Tax List, Henry County, Virginia; Name: William Mills Image 183 of 905. FamilySearch database with images accessed 14 July. 2022.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 1790 Personal Property Tax List, Henry County, Virginia; Name: William Mills Image 351 of 905. FamilySearch database with images accessed 14 July. 2022.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 1800 Personal Property Tax List, Henry County, Virginia; Name: William Mills, Sr. Image 491 of 905. FamilySearch database with images accessed 14 July. 2022.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 1810 Personal Property Tax List, Henry County, Virginia; Name: William Mills, Sr. Image 603 of 905. FamilySearch database with images accessed 14 July. 2022.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "United States Census, 1820", William Mills, Senior, Henry, Virginia, United States; citing Page 34, NARA Publication Number M33, Film Number 139. FamilySearch database with images accessed 14 July 2022.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, Last Will of William Mills, Henry County, Virginia Will Book 4, Page 72 (Image 47). Accessed ancestry.com 14 July 2022. Image (requires subscription).
  9. ↑ Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900, William Mills Estate - Inventory and Appraisal, Henry County, Virginia Will Book 4, Page 9 (Image 16). Accessed on ancestry.com, July 2022. Image on ancestry.com, (requires subscription).
  10. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Matrimony Creek," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, Wikipedia accessed July 14, 2022.

See also:

  • Find A Grave: Memorial #33487670 accessed 14 July 2022, memorial page for William Mills (1740–1831), citing Mills Cemetery, Henry County, Virginia, USA; Maintained by Adm. Roy D. Pope, Jr; created by deegraver. NO TOMBSTONE PHOTO. Includes Last Will and other information regarding land transactions.




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Categories: Mills Cemetery, Henry County, Virginia