The Virginia magazine of history and biography (Volume 21) online

the 2nd generation]. He is the author of that 'History of Virginia' that
de Tocqueville quotes —

My grandfather died in 1800— Washington was a cousin of my
grandfather — The Washingtons came from South Cave in Yorkshire —

In pursuance of the directions of my grandfather's will I find the
following copy of an advertisement inserted in the provincial news-
papers —

'Pursuant to the last will & testament of the late Robert Beverley
'of Blandfield, will be sold for ready money at the Bowling green
'on Tuesday the 13th January 1801 being Caroline Court, if fair;



214 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

'if not the next fair day, Fifty Negroes consisting of very likely
'middleaged, young men, boys, young women & children.
Carter Beverley

Only Acting Executor'
Culpepper County
8th Aug. 1800.

Extract from a fragment of a letter written to Mr. R. M. Beverley
from Mr. Francis P. Corbin from Paris during the Civil War in America* —
of those of your name I have heard btit little lately as they are for the
most part in the far South, but I make no doubt all are under arms that
can bear them. Our Cousin William of Blandfield must be near if not
turned of 70, & although unable to help "manibus pedibusque" in the
din of battle he supplies the sinews of war in another sense —

His former banker is now here & tells me he "enjoys good health
& a very ample estate for any cotmtry — " He has never married & it
is supposed that he will leave his property to the son of his brother
Bradshaw who lived '& died near Winchester in Virginia where he too
had a good estate & charming residence which the enemy have not
spared —

Mr. William Beverley's estate partly inherited & partly increased
by his own savings & investments was estimated before the war began
at some £250000 to £300000 sterling or about a million & ahalf of dollars.
I give you all these family details as thinking they may be of interest
to you —

(To BE Continued.)



THE POINDEXTER FAMILY.
(Continued.)

The Will of Thomas Poindexter.

[The testator was a son of John Poindexter of Louisa Co. He died in
Franklin Co, Ky where his will was proved; but a copy was recorded in
Louisa Co. See this Magazine XX, 110, 220, 441]

In the name of God amen. I bequeth my soul into the hands of God and
my body to the dust from whence it came: being in perfect sense and mem-
ory. I now make this my last will and testament of what it hath pleased
God to give me, in manner as followeth towit. 1st. my desire is that
all my just debts should be paid. 2nd. I give and bequeth unto my son
James two negroes by the names of Phillis and Martin, one gtm to him
and his heirs forever. 3rd. I give and bequeth unto my son Robert two
negroes by the name of Tom and Ann, one feather bed and furniture,
to him and his heirs forever.



GENEALOGY. 215

4th. I give and bequeth unto my son Richard one negro wench
by the name of Nan and her increase to him and his heirs forever.

5th. I give and bequeth unto my son George two negroes by the
names of Sally and Milly and their increase to him and his heirs forever.

6th. I give and bequeth imto my daughter Elizabeth Jones
Commack one negro women named Mary, her increase, one cow and
feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.

7th. I give and bequeth unto my daughter Lucy, three negroes
by the names of Hannah, James and Jude and their increase; one cow
and calf, one feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.

8th. My desire is that the negroes I sold for my life, should be
collected and equally divided amoung my children, Viz. — my sons Ga-
briel, Thomas, Robert, James, Richard, George and my daughter Molly
Cosbys heirs- Viz-Stith Cosby, Nicholas, Frances, Betsy and Garland:
my daughters, Elizabeth Jones Cammack and Lucy, them and their in-
crease to them and their heirs forever.

9th. I give imto Garland Cosby's daughter Betsy, one negro by
name Milly and her increase to her and her heirs forever.

10th. I give and bequeth unto Garland Cosby's sons — Viz —
Stith Cosby, Nicholas, Francis and Garland, one negro woman by name
Dinah and her increase to them and theirs forever.

11th. I give and bequeth all my lands to be equally divided
among all my children. Viz. -my sons John, Gabriel, Thomas, Robert,
James, Richard, George and my daughter Molly Cosby's heirs. Viz.
Stith Cosby, Nicholas, Francis and Garland; my daughters, Elizabeth J-
Cammack and Lucy, to them and their heirs forever.

12th. I give and bequeth unto my son Gabriel, one horse and
plantation tools and one large looking glass, to him and his heirs forever.

I do appoint my sons Thomas Poindexter and James Poindexter
and Garland Cosby, executors to this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my
seal this fifteenth day of July one thousand seven himdred and ninety
six.

Signed sealed and
delivered in the presence
of Josh Adams
John Perry
Robert Perry
Annexed to the above will my desire is, that all the residue of my estate
both real and personal, that has not been heretofore mentioned should
be sold and all my debts paid and the balance of the money to be applied
to the use of purchasing a house for my daughter Lucy and her heirs for-
ever: also my desire is the old negro wench Jude should be set at liberty
the remainder of her days.

Thomas Poindexter.



216 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

Franklin Covmty — At a court held for the county aforesaid on Tuesday
the twelfth day of December 1796 the last will and testament of Thomas
Poindexter deceased was produced in Court and proved by the oaths of
Joseph Adams, John Perry, Robert Perry, subscribing witnesses thereto,
which was ordered to be recorded.

Test. Daniel Weisiger C. F. C.

At a court held for the said County on Tuesday the 18th. day of Jan. 1797
the last will and testament of Thomas Poindexter deed, was this day
exibited in open Court and being heretofore proved and ordered to be
recorded except as to the Codicil thereto annexed, there being no sub-
scribing witnesses to the same: thereupon Christopher Cammack and
Robert Perry came into Court, and being sowm, declared that they were
acquainted with the handwriting of the said deceased and that they be-
lieved that the signature to the said Codicil was written with the hand of
of the said Thomas Poindexter, therefore it is ordered by the Court that
the same be recorded.



James Poindexter one of the executors named in said will, came
into Court and having made oath thereto, as the law directs, on his
motion certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due
form, on his giving security: he together with Christopher Cammack
and Robert Perry his securities, entered into and acknol wedged their
bond with security of two thousand pounds with condition agreeable to
law.

Daniel Weiseger C. F. C.
A copy Daniel Weiseger C. F. C.

Kentucky, Franklin County, to wit:



Family Bible Record of Thomas Poindexter.

(Son of Thomas Poindexter, whose will precedes this.)

Thomas Poindexter Sr., was bom May 25th, 1760.
Sally Ragland (Poindexter) his wife was bom June 6th, 1769.
They were married March 28th, 1790.

Colin Johnson was born Dec. 7th, 1786.

Mary his wife (who was M. Poindexter) was bom Feb. 11th, 1793.
They were married Jany. 15th, 1818.

Wm. S. Winston was born Oct. 12th, 1796.

Anna L. his wife( who was Anna L. Poindexter) was bom July 5th,
1803. They were married January 9th, 1822.



1822.



GENEALOGY. 217



Children of Thos. Poindexter, Sr., towit:-

Lucy Jones Poindexter wa^ bom July 21st, 1791.

Polly Poindexter (Johnson) was bom Feb. 11th, 1793.

Patsy Poindexter (Lily) was born Oct. 25th, 1794.

Ww. Ragland Poindexter was bom Mch. 9th, 1796.

Thomas Poindexter, Jr. was born April 19th, 1798.

Sally Ragland Poindexter (Perkins) was bom Dec. 27th, 1799.

James L. Poindexter was bom July 1st, 1801.

Ann Lipscomb Poindexter (Winston) was bom July 5th, 1803.

George Poindexter was bom Mch. 8th, 1805.

Louisa Poindexter was born Feb. 13th, 1807.

Saml. Ragland Poindexter was born Sep. 13th, 1808.

John Jones Poindexter was bom Aug. 19th, 1816.

Henry Poindexter was bom Aug. 1st, 1812.

Edward Poindexter was bom July 7th, 1814.

DEATHS.

Mary Johnson wife of Colin Johnson died Nov. 22nd, 1820.
Doct. Wm. R. Poindexter died at Woodville Mississippi, July 20th,

Lucy J. Poindexter died Nov. 30th, 1827.

Saml. Ragland Poindexter died Mch. 23rd, 1835.

Ann L. Winston, wife W. S. Winston died Nov. 22nd, 1836.

Sally R. Perkins, wife Nathl. Perkins died April 29th, 1837.

George Poindexter died May 13th, 1837.

John Jones Poindexter died Jime 12th, 1837.

Louisa Poindexter died Aug. 29th, 1840.

Henry Poindexter died at Vicksburg, Jany. 4th, 1843.

Thomas Poindexter, Sr. died Apl. 10th, 1843.

Mrs Sally Ragland Poindexter died Feb. 10th, 1857.

Thomas Poindexter Jr. died Feby. 7th, 1851.

Edward Poindexter died Apl. 15th, 1851.

James L. Poindexter died June 29th, 1853.

Patsy Poindexter (Lily) died April 3rd, 1875.

I

1. Charles Poindexter son of Dr. James W. Poindexter a dmg-
gist in Charlottesville.

2. Thomas Poindexter married a Miss Eliza Burton of Bedford.
He died in 1850. Three of his children were living at his old home "Wav-
erly" near Bellevue P. O. Bedford. Mrs. Sally West who had children,
Mrs. Maggie Moore and her children, and Jenny B. Poindexter unmarried.

3. Edward stood very high in Louisa for sense and character and
management.



218 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

4. Many of the Johnsons, Winstons, Perkins, Lillys are yet liv-
ing in Louisa and adjoining coimties.
The family line was as follows:

1. John Poindexter, his son, the first Justice of the Peace.

2. Thomas Poindexter (Son of John).

3. Thomas Poindexter, brother of John, James, Robert, Richard
and Gabriel, George and son of Thomas.

4. James L. Poindexter his son.

(To BE Continued.)



EPPES WILLS.

Will of Richard Eppes.

I, Richard Eppes, of City Point, in Prince George County, know-
ing the certainty of death & the uncertainty of the time when, do there-
fore make this my last will and testament in the manner and form as
followeth, vizt: —

Imprimus — I give imto my son Richard Epes, my plantation and
track of land whereon I now dwell called City Point, (except five acres)
after my wife's decease, I also give unto my said son four negroes, two
of them to be midling good working hands in the judgment of my execu-
tors, the other two young ones, one feather bed and furniture, six head of
cattle young & old, one midling good horse, bridle & saddle, to him and
his heirs forever.

Item — I give vmto my son Archibald Eppes, one half of my planta-
tion and tract of land in Charles City called the Island, after my wife's
decease; I also give unto my said son, four negroes, two of them to be
midling good workers, the other two young ones, one feather bed and
furniture, six head of cattle, young and old, one midling good horse, sad-
dle and bridle, to him and his heirs forever.

Item — I give unto my son Thomas Eppes, one half of my planta-
tion and tract of land in Charles City called the Island, after my wife's
decease; I give also unto my said son, four negroes, two of them to be
midling good workers, the other two young ones, one feather bed and
furniture, six head of cattle young and old, one midling good horse, sad-
dle & bridle, to him and his heirs forever.

Item — I give unto my son Robertson Eppes, my plantation and
tract of land in Prince George County called Rise lands, after my wife's
decease; I also give unto my said son two lots of land, at City Point of
one acre each adjoining the river, near about where Hamlin Allen now
1 ives, also four negroes, two of them to be middling good workers, the other
two young ones, one feather bed and furniture, one middling good horse,
saddle and bridle, to him and his heirs forever.



GENEALOGY 219

Item — I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Eppes, one lot of land at
City Point, of one acre, adjoining the river, to be laid off at the discretion
of my executors, adjoining the lots devised to my son Robertson whenever
she arrives to lawful age, or is married, also four negroes, two to be work-
ers and two young ones, one feather bed & furniture, and four head of
cattle.

Item — I give unto my daughter Christian Eppes when she arrives
at age or is married, one lot of land at City Point, of one acre adjoining
the river, to be laid off with the lot before mentioned at the discretion
of my executors, near where Hamlin Allen now resides, also four negroes,
two of them to be workers and the other two young ones, one feather bed
and furniture, and four head of cattle.

Item — I give imto my daughter Polly Eppes, when she arrives at
age or is married, one lot of land at City Point adjoining the river and the
lot above devised to contain one acre, and be laid off at the discretion
of my executors, also four negroes, two of them to be workers, and the
other two young ones, one feather bed and furniture, and four head of
cattle.

Item — I lend unto my dear and loving wife Christian Eppes, the
use of all my lands, during her natural life, and I give her the residue of
my estate, both within doors & without (excepting what I have already
given away) for her own comfortable support and the maintenance of my
children, and respecting this residuary part of my estate, I grant my dear
wife full privilege to dispose of it at her death, in any manner she please
among my children.

Item — It is my desire that in lotting off the negroes for my chil-
dren as they arrive to age, that particular care may be taken to satisfy the
poor creatures, by keeping families together as much as the circumstan-
ces of things will admit, and that the ancient and infirm negroes in my
family shall be comfortably supported in their old age.

Item — I desire that estate may not be appraised.

Lastly — I appoint my dear wife executrix, and my son Richard and
my brother-in-law William Robertson, executors to my last will and
testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and af-
firmed my seal this twenty seventh day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand, seven himdred and eighty eight.

[Sealed and delivered Richd Eppes. [seal]

in presence of

Archibald Robertson.]

(To BE CON'CLUDED.)



220 BOOK REVIEWS



BOOK REVIEWS.



A History of Rockingham County, Virginia. By John W. Wayland,
Ph. D., Professor of History State Normal School, Harrisonburg-
Va., Member Virginia Historical Society, American Historical
Association, Pennsylvania German Society &c.; Author of "Po-
litical Opinions of Thomas Jefferson", "The German Element of
the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia &c." Ruebush-Elkins Com-
pany, Dayton, Virginia, 1912, pp. 467, with 94 illustrations and
maps, and full index.

Rockingham is one of Virginia's largest and richest covinties and
has been very fortunate in having so able and scholarly an historian
as Dr. Wayland. In every phase of the history, civil, military, relig-
ious, and economic, the work of the trained student is evident.

While giving in a very interesting way all of the things usually
found in county histories, the author has studied and presents many im-
portant subjects which the average writer of such works overlooks, or
does nor understand the importance of.

The appendix contains much matter of interest including a good
bibliography.

If our reviewing space were not crowded it would be a pleasure to
enter more fully into the character and merits of this admirable work.

Richmond Her Past and Present. By W. Asbury Christian, D. D.
Illustrated. Manufactured by L. H. Jenkins, Richmond, Va.,
1912. pp. 618 with index.

It is very surprising that Richmond should so long have been with-
out a historian. Mordecai and Little, writing many years ago, did but
little to supply the want, and Dr. Christian's work can hardly be called
a history. It is however a very useful chronicle. The author has been
an indefatigable student of newspaper files, and has given, in compact
form, most of the great and small events in the history of the City down
to the present time.

As a chronicle of events, especially since the Revolution, "Rich-
mond, Her Past and Present" has much value. As a real history there
is much lacking.



VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. 221

The author, indeed, shows in many places an unfamiliarity with
history outside of the newspapers. On p. 3 he seems to think that
Henricopolis was at the site of Richmond. Certainly there never was a
new Henrico at Tuckahoe.

St. Johns Church (p. 8) was not called St. Johns when it was built,
but was given that name about 1829. An account is given of Amnold's
occupation of Richmond; but not of that by Comwallis later in the same
year. The plan for Gabriel's Insurrection (pp. 52-53) had been arranged
much more carefully than would be thought from the account given here.

On page 198 it is stated in regard to William and Mary College
that "the Assembly after the burning of the town of Henrico, ordered
it to be built in Williamsburg." Henrico was burnt in 1622 and William
and Mary was not chartered until 1692-3. The two College plans had
nothing to do with each other.

A series of views of Richmond at various dates is reproduced
and adds to the value of what, as has been stated, is a very useful book.

Dr. William LeRoy Broun, compiled by Thomas L. Broun, assisted
by Bessie Lee Broun and Sally T. Ordway, New York. The
Neale Publishing Company 1912, pp. 247, with portraits.

Dr. Broun did admirable work as an officer of the ordnance de-
partment of the Confederacy; but his great lifework was what he did for
education in the South after the war; especially as President of the
Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical College. The story of his life
was worth preserving, and it has been well told by the authors of this
book.

A large part of the Volume consists of letters to and from Dr.
Broun, articles on his life and work other than the authors, and addresses
by Dr. Broun himself.

The Land Where We Were Dreaming and other Poems of Daniel
Bedinger Lucas. Edited by Charles W. Kent, Ph. D., and Vir-
ginia Lucas with a critical introduction by Charles W. Kent, Ph.
D. University Edition, Richard G. Badger. The Gorham Press
Boston [1913], pp. 252 with portrait.

As our review department has to be confined to historical sub-
jects, we can only note the receipt of this collection of Judge Lucas'
poems.

Captain Roger Jones of London and Virginia — Some of His Ante-
cedents AND Descendants. With appreciative notices of the
Families of Bathurst, Belfield, Browning, Carter, Catesby, Cocke,
Graham, Fauntleroy, Hickman, Hoskins, Latane — Lewis, Meri-
wether, Skelton, Walker, Waring and others. By Judge L. H.



222 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE

Jones [Louisville, Ky.], Albany, New York. J. Munsell's Sons
1891, pp. 442 with 30 portraits, and 75 fac-similes of manuscripts,
copies of Armorial Seals, views &c. For sale by the author.

Judge Jones' history if this noted family, which has given so many
distinguished sons to the civil and military service of the Country, has
long been well and favorably known. He is the fortunate possessor of a
very large and valuable collection of family papers covering the period
from the emigrant to the present time. Many of these papers contained
signatures, armorial seals and other matters of interest outside as well
as within the family connection, and many have desired to have access
to them. In addition to genealogical information they contain much
relating to social history, education and economic conditions in the
colonial period.

The author has now made many of these documents accessible
in a new edition. This edition was prepared by using the sheets of the
first edition, making large additions which are the result of investiga-
gations since that was published and inserting a very large number of
good photographic fac-similes.

The book is of great interest and should be in all collections of
American genealogy.

Genealogy of the Baskerville Family and Some Allied Families In-
cluding THE English Descent from 1266 A. D. By Patrick Ham-
ilton Baskerville, Richmond, Va. W. Ellis Jones' Sons Inc. 1912
pp. 214 with four illustrations and index.

This handsome and carefully prepared book was compiled by Mr.
Baskerville for distribution among the members of his family. It treats
of the Baskervilles, descended from John Baskerville of York County,
Va., a younger son of Thomas Baskerville of Old Withington, Cheshire,
the Hamiltons, Turners (of N. C), Watkins', Douglas, Dickenson, Boil-
ing, Barber, Norvell, Minge, Harrison, Eaton, Coleman, Embry, Gor-
don, Murray, Kennon, Worsham, Rolfe and others.

Of course most of these families are treated of only in their relation
to the main subject of the book. There is a large number of family
charts, and the whole work is very well done.

The Glengarry McDonalds of Virginia By Mrs. Flora McDonald
Williams. With an Introductory sketch of the early History
of the Glengarry clan, Louisville. Geo. G. Felter Company 1911.
pp. 340 with numerous portraits &c.

Angus McDonald, believed with good reason to have been of the
Glengarry family, was out in the "45", came to Virginia in 1746, settled
finally in Frederick Co., named his new home "Glengarry" and did good



BOOK REVIEWS 223

service as a commander against the Indians. His descendants have
been men of prominence, and as became their descent, have, been active
in all of our wars. Mrs. Williams has written an admirable family his-
tory which is greatly helped by the number of letters, diaries &c. of the
Civil War period to which she has access. Every McDonald above the
age of childhood was in the Confederate Army.

The McCues of the Old Dominion. Supplemented by Brief Charts
of the Steele, Arbuckle, and Cunningham Families. Compiled
by John N. McCue member of the Virginia Historical Society June
1912. Mo. Printing & Pub. Co. Mexico, Mo. pp. 272 with 57
portraits and other illustrations.

Another of our well known Scotch-Irish families is here treated
of in a very thorough and comprehensive way Mr. McCue has evidently
spared no pains to make his book as complete and accurate as possible.

Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania. By Charles H. Browning, Phila-
delphia, W. J. Campbell, 1912, pp. 631, with 17 maps and illustra-
tions, and index.

Beginning in the year 1682 a considerable emigration of Quakers
from Wales to Pennsylvania took place.

This book exploits the chronicles and economic history of these
Welsh Friends (and, incidentally, of the Welsh Baptists, and other Welsh
American colonists, who removed in Colonial times to Perm's province),
and their families, ancestors and descendants; records of their land com-
panies, and of their plantations in the "Welsh Tract;" sketches of their
Meetings, monthly and preparative, and of their meeting houses (espec-
ially that of the Merion Prepararory Meeting); documentary accounts
of the adminstration of civil affairs in the "Welsh Barony;" the annals of
the Welsh townships, Merion, Haverford, Radnor, etc., the substan-
tiated story of the struggles between the Welsh Friends and William
Penn, and his representatives; memoirs of many early Welsh Friends,
etc., and it is such subjects that indicate the general scope of this work.

Discourse on the Lives and Characters of the Early Presidents and
Trustees of Hampden-Sidney College. Delivered at the Cen-
tenary of the Founding of the College, on the 14th day of June,
1876. By Hugh Blair Grisby, LL. D. President of the Virginia
Historical Society and Chancellor of the College of William and
Mary , Richmond. The Hermitage Press, 1913, pp. X, 46, with
several portraits.

The mingling of careful ^historical study with a great amount of
information derived from individuals and never before in print, which
gave such interest and value to Mr. Grisby's addresses on the Conven-



224 VIRGINIA HISTORICAL MAGAZINE.

tions of 1776, 1788 and 1829, characterizes that which is now printed for
the first time. Mr. A. J. Morrison has again done good service to
Hampden-Sidney and to Virginia in publishing this address. It is pre-
faced by a life of Hugh Blair Grigsby, and contains portraits of various
presidents of the College.

JouRN.'VLS OF THE HousE OF BuRGEssES OF Virginia 1702-1705, 1705-1706,
1710-1712. Edited by H. R. Mcllwaine. [Va. State Library]
Richmond, Virginia, MCMXII, pp. XLIIII, 369, with index.

This splendidly printed series of Journals goes steadily on. They