Reuben Nance (1745 - 1812)

Born 8 Jul 1745 in Brunswick County, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Amy (Williams) Nance — married 12 Sep 1766 (to about 1786) in Henry County, Virginia

Husband of Nancy (Brown) Nance — married 3 Feb 1786 in Henry County, Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died 13 Jan 1812 at age 66 in Henry, Virginia, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Sonia Roberts [send private message] and Lynden Rodriguez [send private message]

Biography

This profile is part of the Nance Name Study.

Reuben Nance lived in Virginia.

When Reuben NANCE was born on July 8, 1745, in Brunswick, Virginia, his father, William Nance, Jr, was 39 and his mother, Anne, was 27. He married Amy WILLIAMS and they had about 14 children together. He then married Nancy BROWN and they had about 13 children together. He registered for military service in 1779. He died on January 13, 1812, in Leatherwood, Virginia, at the age of 66, and was buried in Martinsville, Virginia.

Spouses and Children

His first wife, Amy Williams (dau. of John Williams), marr. 12 Sep 1766 which he had at least 14 children with her.^[1]

1. Sarah "Sally" Nance (1767-????) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1784 James Reuben Sanford
2. William Nance (1768-1854) ^{[2] [3]} marr. abt. 1792 Lucy (M.N.U.)
3. Mary Sarah Nance (1770-1842) ^{[2] [3]} marr. abt 1786 Jesse Hiter Crouch
4. Bud "Bird" Nance (1772-1815) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1st 1794 Mary Hannah marr. 2nd 1808 Sarah Louise Mack
5. Isaac Nance (1774-1819) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1795 Jane Smith
6. Allen Nance (1776-1836) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1799 his cousin Betsy Nance (1778-aft 1850)
7. Isham Nance (1777-1828) ^{[2] [3]} marr. unk. has 2 known children
8. John Nance (1779-1862) ^{[2] [3]} marr. abt 1800 Christiana Betty Ryan
9. Susanna Nance (1781-1853) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1797 William Alexander McCullock
10. Tabitha Nance (1783-????) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1798 Daniel Shackelford
11. Reuben Nance Jr. (1785-1829) ^{[2] [3]} abt. 1806 Francis (M.N.U.)
12. Thomas???? Nance (1786) not found in Will or Bible is listed in census along with other sons of Reuben poss. marr. Elizabeth Perry? (or he's the son of Tavener NANCE and Mary "Molly" WILLINGHAM)
13. Clement Nance (1787-????) ^{[2] [3]} marr. Polly Hail
14. (looking into) A Son b. bet. 1767-1790 marr. a Miss O'Neal (dau. of Hugh O'Neal) their dau. Mary Ann Nance marr. Lewis R. Marshall (any one know these people?)

Research Notes for child #14

1st Benjamin Alfriend MARSHALL married NANCY NANCE (1804-1865) she's the dau. of Reuben NANCE (and Nancy BROWN)

2nd Ben's brother Lewis MARSHALL married MARY ANN NANCE, "a half niece of his brother Ben's wife" making Mary Ann NANCE, I think, as the granddau. of Reuben NANCE and Amy WILLIAMS, her father being one of their sons per the above quote. I don't know which son of Reuben.

and there is this record... "Mary Ann NANCE, gdau of Hughey O'Neil, and Lewis R. MARSHALL, 2 Sep 1828. Surety: Nathaniel Clark. Source: Marriage Bonds of Franklin County, Virginia 1786-1858 by Marshall Wingfield. Franklin County, VA" Making Mary Ann Nance's mother the daughter of an O'NEIL who married one of Reuben's son.

Depending on when Reuben married Nancy Brown (not 03 Feb 1786 per previously thought, that was found in "A History of Henry County, Virginia" By: Judith Parks Virginia Hill - ppgs 229-230 which also gives the incorrect last name of Reuben's 1st wife Amy as Williamson - it's been proven to be Williams). Other records indicate it was later because Clement is listed with Reuben's "Elder" children in chanery court documents).

Had 13 children with Nancy Brown^[3][1]:

1. Dau.? (1788?-)
2. Son? (1789?-)
3. Joseph Nance (1790-1864) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1810 Mary Philpott
4. Sarah "Sally" Nance (1791-1849) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1811 David Philpott
5. Stephan Nance (1793-1850) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1814 Sarah Hughes
6. Peyton Skipper Nance (1795-1856) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1st 1813 Polly King marr. 2nd 1816 Eleanor Simms
7. Edmond Nance (1797-1866) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1817 Anna Simms
8. Son? (1799?-)
9. Lessenby Nance (1801-1885) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1st 1823 Exoney D. "Oney" Simms marr. 2nd 1837 Mary Haygood
10. Nancy Nance (1804-1865) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1821 Benjamin Marshall
11. George Sanders Nance ????? (1806- bef 1812)
12. Son? (1807?-)
13. Reuben Sanders Nance (1808-1862) ^{[2] [3]} marr. 1831 Sarah Woodson Clardy

Excerpt from The Nance Memorial by George Washington Nance 1904 pg 303 ^[1] "Reuben Nance, ..., lived in Patrick and Henry counties, Virginia. In October, 1779, he was made second lieutenant of Captain Brice Martin's company, from Henry county, and he resided in Henry county in 1782. He was a neighbor and intimate friend of Patrick Henry. Upon his return from the convention for the adoption of the Federal Constitution, Patrick Henry said to Mr. Nance, that it, the Constitution, would prove a road of sand.

His first wife was Anna Williams, who bore him fourteen children. The second wife was Nancy Brown, and she was the mother of thirteen children, thus rounding out twenty-seven children for Reuben, and giving him the blue ribbon for the largest family of the name as far as the author has ever heard." :

Under Bird or Captain Bird... "Captain Bird said there were twenty-one boys and seven girls in the twenty-eight" Excerpt from The Nance Memorial by George Washington Nance 1904 pg 308 ^[1]

Military

Nance, Reuben, En., A. October, 1779--under J. Wells.

U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970^[4] Name Reuben Nance
Birth Date 1745
Birth Place Virginia
Death Date 13 Jan 1812
Death Place Henry, Virginia
SAR Membership 40708
Role Ancestor
Application Date 31 Oct 1924
Father William Nance
Spouse Nancy Brown
Children Joseph Nance

U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970^[5]
Name Reuben Nance
Birth Date 1745
Birth Place Virginia
Death Date 13 Jan 1812
Death Place Leatherwood, Henry, Virginia
SAR Membership 52097
Role Ancestor
Application Date 6 Feb 1940
Father William Nance
Spouse Nancy Brown
Children Payton Skipper Nance

DAR Ancestor #: A081461Listed as Reuben NANTZ^[6]

Deeds

Title Land grant 4 July 1780.
Creator Nance, Reuben. grantee.
Creation Date 1780 - 0704
Description Location: Henry County.
Description: 182 acres on the draughts of Leatherwood Creek adjoining Terry's land. Source: Land Office Grants A, 1779-1780 (v.1 & 2 p.1-685), p. 560 (Reel 42)^[7]. Part of the index to the recorded copies of grants issued by the Virginia Land Office. The collection is housed in the Archives at the Library of Virginia.
Genre Land grants
Subject Nance, Reuben grantee
Land titles -- Registration and transfer -- Virginia -- Henry County Henry County (Va.) -- History -- 18th century
Additional Format Available on microfilm. Virginia State Land Office. Grants A-Z, 1-124, reels 42-190; Virginia State Land Office. Grants 125- , reels 369-.
Language English
Contributor Virginia. Land Office. Register. Library of Virginia. Archives.

Reuben Nance Land Grant

Deed 1 Mecklenburg County, Virginia On 6 Apr 1771 Reuben NANCE sells 200 acres to James MacKinney Book 3 pg 193 that he received in Will of William Nance dated 07 Nov 1770 • Brunswick County, Virginia ... "Item: I give and bequeath unto my son Isham Nance and his heirs forever , two hundred acres of land lying in Mecklenburg County adjacent to Reuben Nance and William Fox, .......Item: I give unto my son Reuben Nance and to his heirs forever two hundred acres of land whereon he now lives being the upper part adjacent to Richard Warthin"" ^[8]

Deed 2 Henry County, Virginia on 7 Dec 1778 Between James Baird Southall, (Williamsburg Co.), and wife Frances, and Reuben Nance, (Henry Co.), for 225 pounds four Hundred acres lying and being in the County of Henry on the branches of Leatherwood Creek Wit: Hanry, Lynn, George Daviston, Abram Prim. Bk. 1, p. 194. ^[9]

Deed 3 Henry County, Virginia 6 Feb 1794 Reuben Nance and Nancy his wife to Jesse Crouch 200 acres on the Rocky branch of Leatherwood Creek Deed Book 5 pg 113 ^[10]

Deed 4 Henry County, Virginia on 10 Mar 1801 Between Alexander McCullough + Lidia his wife, and Reuben Nance 40 acres on Rockey branch of the south fork of Leatherwood Creek Book 6 pg 293^[11]

Deed 5 Henry County, Virginia on 13 Feb 1845 Between Reuben Nance and Thornton Russell 123 acres in Henry Co. VA^[12]

LOTS more

Tax Records

1779 Henry County Virginia - An alphabetical list of the taxes or pound rate imposed on the different persons property in the County of Henry and delivered to John Salmon, Sherif of the said County to Collect for the year 1779.

Page 28 Reuben NANCE

An alphabetical list of Taxable property taken by George Waller commissioner in the Lower District of Henry County in the year 1788

March 22 Line 3 Reubin Nance 2 2 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 - 5 2 0

1810 Henry County VA Tax List Reuben NANCE 02-13-10 2 Whites (Reuben, ?) 13 Slaves 10 Horses

Additional info

(ADDITIONS AND LINKS TO ABOVE #8 BIOGRAPHY - added by Sonia (Nance) Roberts)

• HENRY COUNTY 1778 - Deed Book 1 Page 194 - 7 Dec 1778 Rueben NANCE buys 400 acres from James B SOUTHALL on Letherwood Creek "Henry, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-GSX5-1 : August 23, 2023), image 119 of 755; Virginia. County Court (Henry County).

• Correct book and page?? HENRY COUNTY 1844 Book 13  Page 130 - On this page is JONES to BURGESS - Beverly JONES to Lucinda BURGESS (Dau. of the late Nancy BURGESS) - miscellaneous items - have found no relation to Reuben NANCE

• HENRY COUNTY 1850 - Deed Book 13 Page 682 Benjamin A MARSHALL and wife Nancy (NANCE) Marshall to Reuben MARSHALL - 250 acres on branches of south Leatherwood Creek "Henry, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C373-6T96 : August 23, 2023), image 718 of 756; Virginia. County Court (Henry County).

• HENRY COUNTY 1850 - Deed Book 13 Page 724 Reuben D MARSHALL and his wife Harriett E Marshall to William D STULTS - 250 acres on waters of Leatherwood "Henry, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C373-6YNZ : August 23, 2023), image 739 of 756; Virginia. County Court (Henry County).

• HENRY COUNTY 1812 - Will Book 2 Page 163-165 - Will of Reuben NANCE "Henry, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-375T : August 23, 2023), image 272-274 of 536; Virginia. County Court (Henry County).

• HENRY COUNTY 1815 - Will Book 2 Page 222-223 - Inventory of estate of Reuben NANCE "Henry, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-37P1 : August 23, 2023), image 302 of 536; Virginia. County Court (Henry County).

Other Resource

---Source: Emmett Warren Nance - Nance Family Bible - this page was typed and placed inside the book "Nance Memorial" by George Nance. "This Bible is the property of Reuben Nance," "Marriages - Reuben Nance was married to his wife Nancy (Brown) this 3rd day of February 1786. (Reuben Nance was first married to Amy Williamson, whose death is not recorded in this Bible.)"^[2]

Births:

1. Sally Nance was born 14th day of 1767
2. William Nance was born 24th day of December 1768
3. Mary Nance was born May 30th, 1770
4. Bird Nance born July 24, 1774
5. Isaac Nance born February 13, 1774
6. Allen Nance born January 18, 1776
7. Isham Nance born November 18, 1777
8. John Nance born May 24, 1779
9. Suzanne Nance born August 10, 1781
10. Tabitha Nance born April 21, 1783
11. Reuben Nance born July 8, 1785;

(Missing 2-3 children Clement (below) may belong here)  NOTE: Marriage date (3 Feb 1786) for Reuben and Nancy. BUT in VA Chauncey papers Clement is listed in "Older family"

1. Clement Nance born September 20, 1787
2. Joseph Nance born February 5, 1790
3. Sarah Nance born November 2, 1791
4. Stephen Nance born June 11, 1793
5. Peyton Nance born February 18, 1795
6. Edmund Nance born August 20, 1797
7. Lessenby Nance born August 20, 1801
8. Nancy Nance born March 22, 1804
9. Reuben Sanders Nance born May 28, 1808

(Missing 4-5 children Clement may not belong here)

The Western Historical Manuscript Collection site contains only an "Index Card" and an "Information Sheet" for this notebook, but Joni has obtained a copy from the collection

Thanks to Joni for this contribution to "Odds and Ends"!

[Index to Odds and Ends] [Nance Genealogy Clearinghouse]

The Ancestral Home of Reuben Nance

This is a reproduction of the contents of a report on the ancestral home of Reuben Nance (b. 1745 - d. 1812), contained in the "Virginia Historical Inventory" database of the Library of Virginia's Digital Library program. The document was the product of a project of the Works Progress Administration (W. P. A.) to inventory items of historical interest -- including old buildings -- in Virginia. This report is of interest primarily because it describes what is (or was) apparently the actual house Reuben Nance lived in, as well as describing its precise location.  The date of the report is 1937.

One point of interest is the owner of the property after 1825 was Benjamin A. Marshall. It is quite probable this is the same Benjamin Marshall who married Reuben Nance's daughter, Nancy (b. 22 Mar. 1804) in 1826.

The report mentions there is "an old graveyard in the yard". It is likely it is the burial place of Reuben Nance, and others of his line.

Works progress administration of Virginia (WPA)

HISTORICAL INVENTORY

Location: Henry County

Class: Home

"G. L. CARTER HOME PLACE"

This write-up is part of the Virginia W. P. A. Historical Inventory Project sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission under the direction of its Division of History. Credit to both the Commission and the W. P. A. is requested for publication, in whole or in part. Unless otherwise stated, this information has not been checked for accuracy by the sponsor.

Research by Lizzie D. Carter, Martinsville, Virginia.

April 19, 1937

1. SUBJECT:  "G. L. Carter Home Place," formerly "Ruben Nance Home."

2. LOCATION: 2 miles east of Martinsville, Va. On Route # 58; thence north on Route #57, 2 miles. House on west side of road.

3. DATE: First deed was in 1778. 

4. OWNERS: Reuben Nance 1778; Ruben Nance's Heirs 1812 Benjamin A. Marshall; 1825 Reuben D. Marshall; 1850 William D. Stultz; 1850 G. L. Carter; 1905  present owner.

5. DESCRIPTION: This house is in the shape of a square, with three rooms down and one up.  It is very attractive, two-story, frame house. There are two fifteen-pane windows in the front and one in the rear.The ceilings and walls were plastered but recently have been papered. The room upstairs is very small and dark and the only light comes from two half size windows, with four panes each, placed near the chimneys. A new porch has been added in front, and on the side a small stoop over the steps leads into the side of the house. This was built to keep out the rain.There was an old kitchen in the yard but this has been torn down and a new one built in the house. There is an old graveyard in the yard but the markings have entirely faded and some have fallen in.

6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

None ('Addition: The presumption that there is no historical significance is not altogether true. It does have value from a genealogical standpoint).

7. ART: None.

8. BIBLIOGRAPHY: In Henry County Clerks Office at Martinsville, Va.

Deed Book  1 Page 194*,

Deed Book 13  Page 130*; 682*; 724*

Deed Book 33 Page 149

Will Book 2 Page 163*

Verna Smith, daughter of the present owner.

ARCHITECTURAL DESCRIPTION OF BUILDINGS CALLED FOR IN 5-A OF BULLETIN 3400

Name of Building: G. L. Carter Home 

Location:  2 miles East of Martinsville, Va. On U. S. #58, thence N. on Rt. 57 2 mi., house on west side of route.

County: Henry County; 

Date: April 19, 1937 EXTERIOR 

1. Building Plan: Square 

2. No. of Stories: (2)  Attic classed as 1/2 story 

3. Material:  Frame 

4. If brick, state what bond 

5. Kind of roof:  Gabled 

6. If Church, describe or draw sketch of roof 

7. Roof material:  Was Shingle, now Metal 

8. Chimneys:  2, Brick.  Location: At the sides 

9. Weatherboarding:  Plain 

10. Cornices: Plain or Elaborate:  Plain 

11 Windows: Number: 3  Size and number of panes:  45 panes  9x12 down 

12. (there is no item #12 listed on the website)

13. Shutters: None 

14. Porch: One, small, added in front. 

15. Type of Entrance:  Low, wide pine doorway, very plain 

16. Columns: None INTERIOR 

17. Rooms: 3 Small.  Approx. ceiling height 8 feet. 

18. Stairway: Closed string. Plain, enclosed with a closet underneath. 

19. Cellar: None 

20. Doors: Style and type of wood: Low, wide uniform planks of pine. 

21. Walls: Were plastered but are now papered. 

22. Interior cornices:  Plain 

23. Hardware: Lock and hinges:  wide locks, common hinges, brass knobs and keys 

24. Floors: Wide uniform planks of pine 

25. Mantels: Plain with wide ledges; one is paneled.

26. Misc.

27. Present condition, and state if spoiled architecturally by remodeling: No. This house is in wonderful condition, having recently been painted and done over.

28. Does occupant appreciate old architectural features?  Yes.

By Kizzie D. Carter

Citation

• Virginia W. P. A. Historical Inventory Project sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Commission under the direction of its Division of History. Credit is given to both the Commission and the W. P. A. as has been requested for publication, in whole or in part.^[13]

FROM: Burnett Family and Other Branches

Entries: 55870; Updated: 2012-10-09 11:40:29 UTC (Tue) Contact: Sue Terhune;  Home Page: Burnett, Osborne, Elliott, and Related Families. All research is a work in progress. Not all data has been verified. Additions and corrections are always welcome.

ID: I 15335

Name: Reuben Sr. NANCE

Sex: M

Birth: 8 JUL 1745 in Brunswick Co., VA

Death: 13 JAN 1812 in Henry Co., VA

Reference Number: 15335

Note: 25 April 1804: Henry Co. Grants 53, p. 50 REUBIN (sic) Nance takes 133 acres on the waters of Leatherwood Cr. adj. Pedigoe's line 

1810 Henry Co., VA Tax List: Reuben Nance, 2 Whites (Reuben, ?), 13 Slaves, 10 Horses.

Ancestral home of REUBEN NANCE Research made by Kizzie D. Carter, Martinsville, VA.

"This is a reproduction of the contents of a report on the ancestral home of Reuben Nance (b. 1745 - d. 1812), contained in the "Virginia Historical Inventory" database of the Library of Virginia's Digital Library program.

"The document was the product of a project of the Works Progress Administration (W. P. A.) to inventory items of historical interest -- including old buildings -- in Virginia. This report is of interest primarily because it describes what is (or was) apparently the actual house the Reuben Nance lived in, as well as describing its location precisely. It is important to note, though, that this report dates to 1937 -- 64 years ago. Whether the house is still standing, I do not know.There is little of direct genealogical interest in the report, but two points are of interest. The owner of the property after 1825, Benjamin A. Marshall, is almost certainly the Benjamin Marshall who married Reuben Nance's daughter Nancy (b. 22 Mar. 1804) in 1826. Also, this report mentions that there is 'an old graveyard in the yard.' It would seem likely, that this is the burial place of Reuben Nance, and probably others of his line" (April 19, 1937).

1. SUBJECT: "G. L. Carter Home Place."Formerly "Ruben Nance Home." 

2. LOCATION: 2 miles east of Martinsville, Va. On Route # 58; thence north on Route #57 2 miles. House on west side of road.

3. DATE: First deed was in 1778. 

4. OWNERS: Ruben Nance 1778; Ruben Nance's Heirs: 1812; Benjamin A. Marshall 1825; Reuben D. Marshall 1850; William D. Stultz 1850; G. L. Carter 1905 present owner.

5. DESCRIPTION: "This house is in the shape of a square, with three rooms down and one up. It is very attractive, two-story, frame house. There are two fifteen-pane windows in the front and one in the rear.The ceilings and walls were plastered but recently have been papered. The room upstairs is very small and dark and the only light comes from two half size windows, with four panes each, placed near the chimneys. A new porch has been added in front, and on the side a small stoop over the steps leads into the side of the house. This was built to keep out the rain.There was an old kitchen in the yard but this has been torn down and a new one built in the house. There is an old graveyard in the yard but the markings have entirely faded and some have fallen in."Chimneys: 2, Brick. Location: At the sides 

6. BIBLIOGRAPHY: In Henry County Clerks Office at Martinsville, Va. Deed Book 1 Page 194 Deed Book 13 Page 130; 682; 724; Deed Book 33 Page 149 Will Book 2 Page 163 Verna Smith, daughter of the present owner.

Will of Reuben Nance

Will In the Name of God amen. The 10th day of January 1812 I Reuben Nance of the County of Henry and the state of Virginia, being very weak in body but in perfect sound memory but calling to mind the mortality of the body and that it is once appointed for all men to die, as for my body I leave it to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my executors and my soul to return to God that first gave it, not doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching my worldly estate which I now have and which it may be pleased God-to bless me with I mean to devise and dispose of in form and manner as forms, viz. First all I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Nancy Nance one negro man slave named Benn, one cow and calf, and one feather bed and furniture forever to dispose of at her own discretion. Secondly, I further give and bequeath to my beloved Nancy one negro man named Isaac and negro woman named Dyan one negro boy named Will, one negro girl named Hester, one negro boy named Perry, one negro boy named _____, one negro boy named Simon, one negro boy named Joe, the family of the said Isaac, one negro woman named Janey with all her increase in her natural life or widowhood. Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy Nance one wagon and team, one still, with all plantation utensils necessary for her use, and twenty head of meat cattle, during her life or widowhood, also my blacksmith tools, and all my flock of hogs in like manner. Fourthly, my land and plantation house and household furniture, my mill and that land whereon the mill stands I give to my beloved wife in the manner above mentioned. Fifthly, my desire is that my old stock of Negroes should be divided between my oldest family of children I had with my first wife, viz, to my beloved son William Nance only a deduction of one hundred and seventy dollars I have already paid him into his part of the legacy, to him his heirs and assigns forever, secondly to my son Bird Nance, my son Allen Nance, my son Clement Nance, my son Joseph Nance, their heirs and assigns forever, also to my daughter Mary Crouch, Susannah McCulough, and Tabitha Shackelford, viz, Bess's children one negro man named George, one negro named Peter, one negro man named Moses, one negro man named Robb, one negro woman named Rachael, one negro girl named Jiney, one negro boy named Fill, with all their increase the same Negroes to be equally divided amongst the within and above mentioned children their heirs and assigns forever, as to my son Isaac Nance, my son John Nance, my son Reuben Nance, my son Isham Nance, and my daughter Sarah Sandford, I have given each of them their proportionable part of my estate as legatees as follows, viz, my son Isaac Nance has received 100 pounds in full for his part, my son Isham Nance has received 100 pounds in full, my son John has received on negro girl named Anny in full, my daughter Sarah Sandford has received one negro girl named Liza in full, my son Reuben Nance has received one negro girl named Lucy in full, my desire is that all the within mentioned Negroes except Benn and the within mentioned property except one cow and calf and one feather bed and furniture that I gave to her, Nancy my wife for her to dispose of at her own discretion should be equally divided amongst my last children, first my son Stephen and Peyton Nance, and Sarah Philpott and Edmund Nance, and Lessenby Nance and Nancy Nance and Reuben Saunders Nance, their heirs and assigns forever. Lastly I nominate and appoint my beloved friend Benjamin Jones to be my sole executor and Thomas Starling, Thomas Starling, Joseph Gravely Sr. sec for Benjamin Jones. . In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and date within mentioned. Reuben Nance Signed and sealed in the presence of: John Connoway Edward Richardson John Lovell

Probated March 9th, 1812 Will Book 2, pages 163-165 ^[3]

This will transcription was dated 10 Jan 1812 and proved 9 Mar 1812 in Henry Co., VA. (This is as set out in "Henry Co. VA Will Abstracts," Lela C. Adams, Southern Historical Press, 1985). 

"To wife Nancy Nance negro Benn, cow and calf, bed and furniture to dispose of at her discretion.

"To wife Nancy for her use during her natural lifetime or widowhood negros: Isaac, Dyder, Will, Hester, Jury, Martin, Simon, Joe and Janey also a wagon and team, still, all plantation tools, cattle stock, land, plantation house, furniture and the mill.

"My desire is that my old stock of negros should be divided between my oldest family of children that I had with my first wife viz: son William Nance, deduct $175 pd him, son Bird Nance, son Allen Nance, son Clement Nance, son Joseph Nance, daus Mary Crouch, Susannah McCulough and Tabithia Shackelford, the following negros, Bess' children, George, Peter, Moses, Bob, Rachel, Jiney and Gill.

"As to my son Isaac Nance, son John Nance, son Reubin (sic) Nance, son Isham Nance and daughter Sarah Sandford I have given each of them their part as follows:

Son Isaac has received one hundred pounds,

Son Isham one hundred pounds;

Son John received negro Amy;

Daughter Sarah Sanford a negro named Liza;

Son Reuben (sic) negro named Lucy.

The balance of my estate to my last children: Stephen Nance, Peyton Nance, Sarah Philpott, Edmund Nance, Lessonla (sic) Nance, Nancy Nance and Reuben Saunders Nance.

Appoint Benjamin Jones as exor. Wit: John Conaway, Edward Richardson, John Lovell. Thomas Starling, Joseph Gravely Sr sec for Benjamin Jones."

1812 - "Henry County Will Abstracts, Vols. I & II, 1777-1820", abstracted & compiled by Lela C. Adams (So. Hist. Press,1985) WB II pp. 124-26 - Inv. Reuben Nance, 12 Mar 1812, Ret. Apr. Ct. 1812

15 slaves, 6 horses, stock, furniture, church bible, plantation tools, wagon. T. 1937.3.9. By Joseph Martin, John King, Alexander McCollough.

1813 - "Henry County Will Abstracts, Vols. I & II, 1777-1820", abstracted & compiled by Lela C. Adams (So. Hist. Press,1985) WB II p. 100, Inv. Reubin (sic) Nance 11 Mar 1813, ret. Apr. Ct. 1813, "Blacksmith tools, miscl. T $51.32 by Joseph Martin, Alexander McCollough, John King, Benjamin Jones"

1815 - "Henry County Will Abstracts, Vols. I & II, 1777-1820", Abstracted & Compiled By Lela C. Adams (So. Hist. Press,1985) WB II p. 222 - Inv. Reuben Nance 10 July 1815 Ret. July Ct. 1815 "Tobacco to Lynchburg by Stephen Nance; tobacco sold to Edward Staples. Bonds and accounts on: Jesse Crouch, . . . Isham Nance, . . . (many others). T: 143.3.10. By Joseph Martin, John King, Alexander McCollough

1815 - "Henry County Will Abstracts, Vols. I & II, 1777-1820", Abstracted & compiled by Lela C. Adams (So. Hist. Press,1985), WB II p. 223 - Acct. Reuben Nance, Sept 1814 ret. Sept Ct. 1815. To settle account with Benjamin Jones admn. Vouchers: 275.0.9; To legatees: 724.5.7; to widow: 237.0.4; Appraisement of estate 2095.14.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3} The Nance memorial: a history of the Nance family in general, but more particularly of Clement Nance, of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, and descendants, containing historical and biographical records with family lineage, Author: Nance, George W. (George Washington), 1842-Note: Bloomington, Ill., J. E. Burke & co., printers, 1904 https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/viewer/146787/?offset=&return=1#page=1&viewer=picture&o=&n=0&q=
2. ↑ ^{2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 2.14 2.15 2.16 2.17 2.18 2.19 2.20} A History of Henry County, Virginia, with Biographical Sketches of Its Most Prominent Citizens and Genealogical Histories of Half a Hundred of Its Oldest Families By Judith Parks America Hill · 2009 https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_History_of_Henry_County_Virginia_with/R3gnID3Wv_IC?hl=en&gbpv=0
3. ↑ ^{3.00 3.01 3.02 3.03 3.04 3.05 3.06 3.07 3.08 3.09 3.10 3.11 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 3.17 3.18 3.19 3.20 3.21} Will of Reuben Nance Book 2 Page 163-165 - "Henry, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-375T : September 25, 2022), image 272 of 536; Virginia. County Court (Henry County). -
4. ↑ U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/494562:2204
5. ↑ U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1138050:2204
6. ↑ https://services.dar.org/members/DAR_Research/search_descendants/default.cfm listed as a Nantz
7. ↑ https://image.lva.virginia.gov/LONN/LO-2/042/042_0587.tif
8. ↑ Deed Book 3, 1771-1773, Mecklenburg County, Viginia https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4F-NQND?view=fullText&keywords=Reuben%20Nance&groupId=M9DG-2LY
9. ↑ Deed Book 1, 1777 - 1779, Henry County, Virginia https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSQN-YPV7?view=fullText&keywords=Reuben%20Nance&groupId=M9J2-B47
10. ↑ Deed Book 5, 1792-1797, Henry County, Virginia (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-D3QT?view=fullText&keywords=Reuben%20Nance&groupId=M9J2-YY4)
11. ↑ Deed Book 6, 1797-1805, Henry County, Virginia (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS42-DQ9F?view=fullText&keywords=Reuben%20Nance&groupId=M9J2-YYW)
12. ↑ Henry. Deed Books September 1843–June 1846 https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS54-S3J2-D?view=explore
13. ↑ http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nancegc/reubhous.htm

• "Brunswick, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PH-33MJ : September 25, 2022), image 488 of 600; Virginia. County Court (Brunswick County).

• "Mecklenburg, Virginia, United States Records," images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4F-NQND : September 24, 2022), image 137 of 620; Virginia. County Court (Mecklenburg County).

• Odds and Ends of the Nance Clearing House Website: May 9,1997 ; Accessed 02 Sep 2014. URL: http://web.archive.org/web/20150511103232/http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nancegc/data/va19nanc.htm

• Chancery Records Plaintiff(s) EXR OF Reuben Nance Defendant(s) Bird Nance ETC 182 pages https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=089-1840-005

• Virginia Historical Inventory" database of the Library of Virginia's Digital Library program. The document was the product of a project of the Works Progress Administration (W. P. A.) (Link?)

Acknowledgments

• WikiTree profile Nance-81 created through the import of William_Marshall_Upton_Family_2011-05-31.ged on May 31, 2011 by William Upton.

• Thank you to Lynden Castle Rodriguez for creating profile Reuben Nance.