William Withers

The Withers family geneology from the Virginia Historical Magazine gave his death date as: Will dated Nov 21 1803, proved jan 23 1804 The Hord geneology from Colonial families in the US, Vol. 1, gave his death date as 1805, and call him "William Withers of Stafford County". From the Prince William Co., Virginia, Order Book 1759-61, on 25 June 1760: "William Withers having attended four days as a witness for George Weatly against Honor Willimas, ordered George pay him for the same and for twice travelling from Fauquier County to this Court forty miles." [The Virginia Genealogist, Vol. 20, p. 280] Fauquier Co., Land records below are from [Grantee Index to Deeds, Fauquier Co., Va., 1759-1914, LDS Film# 31582]. 14 Apr 1786: Fauquier Co., Va. William Withers leases land from Denny Fairfax. Filed in [9-240] on 25 Dec 1786. 27 Apr 1787: Fauquier Co. William Withers purchases land from Thomas Sr. and Milley Ares. Recorded 24 Apr 1787. [9-365] 27 Dec 1790: Fauquier Co. William Withers purchases land from Peter & Susanna Kamper, and also from Samuel & Mary Fisher. Both recorded on 24 Jan 1791. [10-320]. 1 Feb 1794: Fauquier Co. William Withers purchases land from Thomas Withers Sr. Recorded on 28 Apr 1794 [11-506]. 18 Apr 1794: Fauquier Co. William Withers purchases land from Thomas Lee Sr. and wife. Recorded 24 Apr 1794. [11-536]. 25 Sep 1796: Fauquier Co., Va. Jessee Withers purchases land from William Withers Sr. and William Withers Jr. and others, recorded 26 Sep 1796 [13-233]. Another William Withers [RIN=868] appears in land sales on 24 Apr 1809 [17-343], 26 Feb 1810 [17-537], and 31 May 1814 [26-222], involving John Ashby and wife in all cases. Since these are clearly after this William's death, we know there is another person by the same name, and there is a chance any of the above may be the other William. I don't know if this is him, but in "A list of Quit Rents for County Berkeley, Virginia. 1780" in National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. XX, No. 2, June 1932, pg. 50, appears "Withers, Wm, 907 acres, 3 Arrears, and (ditto) 108 acres, 1 Arrears." (probably not) Withers VI:648 says he is the common ancestor of all Mason County, W.V. and Mead County, KY branches of the Withers Family. !Will: Dated 1 Nov 1803, proved 23 Jan 1804, Fauquier Co., Va, will book 3, p. 492, transcribed in full at http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~lksstarr/knreports/wmwthers.txt. William Withers of Fauquier Co., Va. Names sons James, Spencer and his wife, Jessie, Elijah, Lewis, and daughters Susanna (share remains with Vincent Garner for her benefit), Molley wife of William Withers, Alice wife of John Ball Junr, Agatha wife of Martin Porter, and Betty "the daughter of William Withers" [sic, s.b. "wife of John Withers"]. The will also names many slaves, several dozen not named but identified by plot of land where they reside, and the others included Amy, Dick, Dinah, Ceasor, Ned, Tamson, Willis, Elias, Jack, Agg, Adam (with a family), Floso, Bet, John, Brittain (with a family), Priss, Jam, Will, Fan, Harry. Many plots of land doled out among children. Several mentions of the land he inherited from his father. Executors: Sons James, Jessie and Lewis. Witnesses Enock K. Withers, Matthew Withers, Jennet Withers, Jas. Withers. !Appraisal: Signed 14 Aug 1805, recorded 23 Sep 1805. The appraisal of the estate is also quite lengthy, conducted by Robert Rose, John Bronaugh, and John Blackwell. Includes a long accounting ledger which I think is an accounting of the value received by each person.