Tabatha was born in April 3, 1729, St. James, Northam Parish, Goochland County, Virginia. She is the daughter of Charles Toney and Elizabeth Harris.
Will of Charles Toney, Aug 16, 1774 / Sept 16, 1776:
I lend to my wife, Elizabeth Toney, my land and plantation, Negro Fellow, household goods, and stock during her life.
Then, to each of my daughters,
Honor Gilley,
Anne Toney,
Tabitha Dupriest,
Unity Ryan,
Susanna Clements,
Mary Toney, and
Joyce Ballard, 5 shillings.
To my daughter, Caroline Toney, my Negro fellow, household goods and stock.
To my sons, Charles Toney and Harris Toney, 5 shillings each.
To my son, Sherwood Toney, my plantation containing 50 acres adjoining Archibald Bryce on the main road and John Mullins, William Hicks and John Hopper. Ex. My wife, Elizabeth Toney and Sherood Toney. Signed, Charles Toney (seal) Witness: William Mitchell, John Glass, Agnes Mitchell Goochland, VA. DB 11 p. 124/125.
She married William Depriest II (Jr), Apr 6, 1758, Henrico county, Virginia.[1]
The Toneys were neighbors of the Depriest family on Lickinghole Creek.[citation needed]
The Douglas Register, Marriages pg 3: DePriest, Will & Tabitha Tony, both in this parish, 1758, Apr 6.
Will. Depriest & Tabitha Tony, a son named John, born Mar 14, 1761, bapt Apr 26, 1761 (p59)
Will. Depriest & Tabitha Tony, a daughter named Annie, born Mar 1, 1768, bapt July 3, 1768 (p81).
Will died March 13, 1768, age 38, in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.[citation needed]
William was strongly anti-British long before the Revolution. He was a carpenter/sawyer and then a printer, and finally gave his life for American independence.[citation needed]
His son, William (who went to NC) stated in his pension papers “My father moved before the War from Goochland County to Henry County, Virginia.” Maybe he was trying to get away from the British as this story indicates:[citation needed]
1757 - William was drafted from the Virginia Militia to serve in the King's Virginia Regiment. When he refused, a bounty of 40 shillings was offered for his capture. The Sept 2, 1757 Virginia Gazette described the wanted man as: "William Depriest, Goochland County, height 5'7 1/2", 24 years old, Brown complexion, country Virginia, trade sawyer."[citation needed]
In 1764 the British passed the Currency Act which prohibited printing paper money in the colonies and caused great economic hardships. Patrick Henry, in a speech before the House of Burgess in 1765, called upon the colony of Virginia to make paper money in defiance of the King but was voted down. He ended his speech "if this be treason, make the most of it!" William DePriest apparently took him seriously.[citation needed] [Patrick Henry's wife's family were neighbors of the DePriests.]
1767 - The following article is from the October 22, 1767 Virginia Gazette: "Williamsburg - Col. Terry, from Halifax county, informs that some time in August last a man was taken up and committed to their goal, who upon examination confessed himself one of DePriest's gang, and that he, with others, guarded the said DePriest until he had struck 80,000 lbs. Maryland currency, the bills mostly of the Dollar denomination. And some Gentlemen now in town inform that DePriest himself is now apprehended, and committed to Frederick county goal in Maryland." [This amount of money goes beyond simple counterfeiting; it was a strong political statement.]
William was arrested in Sept 1767 and charged with counterfeiting eight-dollar Maryland Bills of Credit. News of his activities and arrest was reported in newspapers throughout the Colonies including Maryland, Pennsylvania, New York and Massachusetts. Shortly after his arrest, William wrote his wife Tabitha, but the letter was intercepted and taken to Maryland's governor. It is now included in the Maryland Archives.
"To Tabitha Depriest, Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
Dear Wife
I am very sorry to inform you of this Melancholy News that I am apprehended & am now in Irons at Frederick Town in Maryland. I beg that you may take it as easy as you can and come as soon as possible you can to see me and bring me as much Money as you can. I beg that you may go about among my Friends and they will help you to Money, After you have done what you can upon Smiths River I beg that you may go into Amherst County and apply to Colo William Cabbel (Col. William Cabel) and to James Nivils (James Neville) and to all the heads of that County as my friends and to my Brother John and apply yourself to Capt Thomas Devenport (Capt. Thomas Davenport) in Cumberland County and he will do more for you than all the rest. it is needless to mention all for you know as well as I who to apply to.
am your Loving Husband
Wm Depriest"
William was first held in the Frederick county prison, then in Oct was taken to Annapolis, Md for fear his friends would attempt to free him. He died in the Annapolis jail while awaiting trial. He fell into a coma on Mar 9, 1768 and died on Mar 13.
Tabitha continued living in Henry Co, Va. with son John. In 1781. she purchased some land on Jennings Creek, but sold it in 1786. [citation needed]
Most (or all) of his sons moved to NC (maybe during) the Rev. War. William III, James & Christopher seems to have fought in battles in NC. [citation needed]
Many descendants are buried in Rutherford Co, NC. [citation needed]
"Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRR4-YRD : 5 December 2014), Tabitha Tony in entry for John Depriest, 14 Mar 1761; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 975.5 V2D.
"Virginia Births and Christenings, 1584-1917," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VRR4-B6C : 5 December 2014), Tabitha Tony in entry for Annie Depriest, 01 Mar 1768; citing , reference ; FHL microfilm 975.5 V2D.
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