David Woodyard (1774 - 1826)

Born 1774 in Charles County, Maryland

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Wearing — married 1789 in Prince William, Virginia, USA

Descendants

Died 1826 at about age 52 in Prince William, Virginia, USA

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Biography

David Woodyard was born in Charles County, Province of Maryland between 1766 and 1775. He was the son of John Woodyard and his first wife. About 1793, he married a woman named Elizabeth (née unknown) in Prince William County, Virginia.

In his will, David mentions his "five children" (three by name), but according to census records he had twelve children: 2 males and 2 females born between 1795-1800; 2 males and 1 female born between 1801-1810; and 2 males and 3 females born between 1811-1820.

Children:

1. Mary Ann Woodyard, b. abt. 1795, Prince William Co.; d. 11 Apr 1876, PWC; m. abt. 1815, Douglas Conner. Mary is not mentioned in her father's will, but her husband, Douglas Conner was one of the witnesses.
2. Priscilla Woodyard, b. 1797; d. 25 Oct 1880; m. Jonathan Hixon.
3. John Woodyard, b. Oct 1798; d. 2 Feb 1877; m. 17 Feb 1821, Susanna Gills
4. William Woodyard, b. abt. 1800
5. Susannah Woodyard, b. abt. 1803
6. Walter Woodyard, b. abt. 1805

1810 United States Federal Census^[1]
Prince William County, Virginia
David Woodyard
Males und. 10: 2
Males 10-15: 2
Males 26-44: 1
Females und. 10: 1
Females 10-15: 2
Females 26-44: 1

1820 United States Federal Census^[2]
Prince William County, Virginia
David Woodyard
Males und. 10: 2
Males 45 & over: 1
Females und. 10: 3
Females 45 & over: 1

In 1820, there were four other Woodyard families living in Prince William County: William; brother, Jabez; Anne; and Amy. Anne's listing is the last on the page and is, unfortunately, impossible to read.

David wrote his will on 19 Jul 1826, which was proven on 2 Oct 1826.^[3]

-----In the name of God Amen I David Woodyard of Prince William County and State of Virginia being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and disposing memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I leave my body to be buried in Christian like burial at the discretion of my Executor and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form first I give to Elizabeth Woodyard my beloved wife all my stock of every description together with all my household goods debts and moveable effects during her natural life and it is my will and desire that she shall keep the same without security.

-----I give and bequeath to my beloved son John Woodyard whom I likewise constitute and ordain my sole Executor of this my last will and testament one feather bed stead and furniture and my shot gun.

-----I give and bequeath to my beloved son Walter Woodyard one feather bed and furniture and two head of sheep.

-----I also give to my beloved daughter Susannah Woodyard one feather bed stead and furniture and two head of sheep and it is my will and desire that what remains at the decease of my wife shall be equally divided amongst my five children and I do hereby revoke and disannul every other former testaments wills and bequests and Executors by me in any ways before named confirming this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date above written.

/s/ David Woodyard

Signed sealed published and declared by the said David Woodyard as his last will and testament, in presence of us the subscribers,

William Woodyard

Douglass Conner

At a Court held for Prince William County this 2nd day of October 1826. This will of David Woodyard deceased was presented to the Court and being proved by the oaths of William Woodyrd and Douglas Conner, is admitted to record.

Teste, P. D. DAWE

Sources

1. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1810 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. Year: 1810; Census Place: Prince William, Virginia; Roll: 70; Page: 277; Image: 00527; Family History Library Film: 0181430. NOTE: The only other Woodyards living in Prince William County was David's brother Jabez.
2. ↑ Ancestry.com. 1820 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Fourth Census of the United States, 1820. (NARA microfilm publication M33, 142 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. 1820 U S Census; Census Place: Prince William, Virginia; Page: 258A; NARA Roll: M33_130; Image: 474.
3. ↑ Prince William County, Virginia, Will Book M, p. 445.