Anna Logan was born say 1792 in Tennessee.¹ She was the daughter of William Logan and Mary Blakely.¹ She married James Shoemaker on 31 January 1809 in Knox County, Kentucky.¹

     James Shoemaker married Anna Logan, daughter of William Logan and Mary Blakely, on 31 January 1809 in Knox County, Kentucky.¹

     John Logan was born circa 10 June 1794 in Tennessee.¹ He was the son of William Logan and Mary Blakely.¹ He married Mary Terrell.¹ He died on 16 August 1876 in Knox County, Kentucky.¹ He was buried in Little Indian Creek, Knox County, Kentucky.¹

     Mary Terrell was born circa 6 March 1795 in North Carolina.¹ She married John Logan, son of William Logan and Mary Blakely.¹ She died on 3 March 1876 in Knox County, Kentucky.¹ She was buried in Little Indian Creek, Knox County, Kentucky.¹

     Margaret Logan was born on 18 October 1797 in North Carolina.¹ She was the daughter of William Logan and Mary Blakely.¹ She married William Terrell.¹ She died on 14 May 1841 in Knox County, Kentucky, at age 43.¹ She was buried in Little Indian Creek, Knox County, Kentucky.¹

     Margaret Logan also went by the name of Peggy Logan.¹

     William Terrell was born in 1793 in North Carolina.¹ He married Margaret Logan, daughter of William Logan and Mary Blakely.¹ He died in 1863 in Knox County, Kentucky.¹ He was buried in Little Indian Creek, Knox County, Kentucky.¹

     Rebecca Logan was born circa 1802 in Knox County, Kentucky.¹ She was the daughter of William Logan and Mary Blakely.¹ She married Peter Trosper.¹

     Peter Trosper married Rebecca Logan, daughter of William Logan and Mary Blakely.¹

     James Blakely was born say 1730.¹ He married Rebecca (?)¹ He died on 17 June 1799 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     James Blakely purchased 400 acres on the middle fork of Strawberry Creek in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, on 26 August 1768 from Thomas Henderson Sr. for twenty pounds current Virginia currency. Pittsylvania County was formed from Halifax County, Virginia in 1767.² He left a will on 13 April 1799 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. According to the will, James Bleakley Sr. of Pittsylvania Co. bequeathed to his wife Rebecca Bleakley one third of all my estate for and enduring her life; to his son John Bleakley twenty shillings over and above what I have given him; to daughter Lucy MORTON 20 shillings; to daughter Mary LOGAN 20 shillings; to son James Blearkley 20 shillings; to son Charles 21 pounds being the price of a horse I gave him and later sold and made use of the money; to daughter Rebecca WARD 20 pounds; to grandson George WARD ten pounds for the purpose of schooling him; to son Thomas Bleakley 100 acres of land to be taken from tract I live on both sides of Pigg or Strawberry Creek, but not to crop said creek; and to son Benjamin Bleakley one bed and furniture also two third of all my lands not before given, and after the death of my wife, her part of the land is also to be included in the gift to Benjamin; and the balance equally divided between children. His beloved Son James Bleakley and friend Robert DEVIN are named executors -- James (O) Bleakley, his mark. Witnesses were Robert Tinley, Philip Thomas, William Devin Sr., and William Devin Jr. Security given by John Smith and Joseph Devin at June 1799 court.³

     Rebecca (?) married James Blakely.¹

     John Blakely was born say 1753 in Virginia.^1,2 He was the son of James Blakely and Rebecca (?)¹ He married Jane Shields on 26 August 1783 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.²

     Jane Shields married John Blakely, son of James Blakely and Rebecca (?), on 26 August 1783 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     Lucy Blakely was born say 1758 in Virginia.^1,2 She was the daughter of James Blakely and Rebecca (?)¹ She married John Morton on 27 September 1777 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.²

     John Morton married Lucy Blakely, daughter of James Blakely and Rebecca (?), on 27 September 1777 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     James Blakely Jr was born in Virginia.¹ He was the son of James Blakely and Rebecca (?)¹

     Charles Blakely was born between 1770 and 1780 in Virginia.^1,2,3 He was the son of James Blakely and Rebecca (?)¹

     Charles Blakely was living in Knox County, Kentucky, in 1830.² He was living in Laurel County, Kentucky, in 1840.³

     Rebecca Blakely was born say 1773 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.^1,2 She was the daughter of James Blakely and Rebecca (?)¹ She married George Ward on 28 February 1793 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.²

     George Ward married Rebecca Blakely, daughter of James Blakely and Rebecca (?), on 28 February 1793 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.¹

     Thomas Blakely was born between 1770 and 1780 in Virginia.^1,2 He was the son of James Blakely and Rebecca (?)¹

     Thomas Blakely was living in Knox County, Kentucky, in 1830.²

     Benjamin Blakely was born between 1760 and 1770 in Virginia.^1,2,3 He was the son of James Blakely and Rebecca (?)¹

     Benjamin Blakely was living in Laurel County, Kentucky, in 1830.^3,2

     James Ward was born say 1758 in Virginia.⁴ He was the son of Benjamin Ward and Mary Duke.^2,3 He died before 1835.⁵

     According to research by Brenda Keck Reed, various court and land records indicate that James Ward lived in Wilkes County, North Carolina; Washington County, Tennessee in the Watauga settlement; and Rutherford County, Tennessee (possibly with his brother, William); and in Lawrence County, Ohio. The 1788 Court Records for Washington County, Tennessee, establish that James Ward was in the Watauga settlement where he sold three cows and calves to Cottrol Bailey as acknowledged and recorded in Open Court. This proves that James Ward was in the same area as three of his brothers namely Benjamin, William and Joshua Ward. (Benjamin settled in Ashe County, NC in what is present Boone, NC. Joshua settled in Washington County, VA. William removed to Rutherford County, Tennesee. Brother, Michael's whereabouts have not been determined to date.) In 1825 James' son Thompson Ward married Mary Imes at Lawrence County, Ohio and in 1835 his daughter, Mary (Polly) Ward, married John I. Bagley at Lawrence County, Ohio. Probate records indicate that James Ward had died before his brother, Dr. William Ward died at Rutherford County, Tennessee, in 1835.⁶

     Thompson Ward was the son of James Ward.¹

     William Ward was the son of James Ward.¹

     Mary Ward was the daughter of James Ward.¹

     Benjamin Ward was born on 18 September 1717 in Henrico County, Virginia.¹ He was the son of Richard Ward and Frances Worsham.^2,3 He married Martha Branch.⁴ He married Mary Duke, daughter of James Duke and Mary Byrd, in 1750.⁵

     Benjamin Ward owned land in Cumberland and Lunenburg Counties, Virginia. He inherited 120 acres of land in Cumberland Parish, Bedford County, Virginia from his father Richard about 1762. Bedford County was formed from Lunenburg County in 1753.⁶

     Mary Duke was born circa 1725 in Charles City County, Virginia.² She was the daughter of James Duke and Mary Byrd.² She married Benjamin Ward, son of Richard Ward and Frances Worsham, in 1750.² She died on 8 October 1805.²

     James Duke was born say 1677 in James City County, Virginia.¹ He was the son of Henry Duke and Elizabeth (?)^2,3 He married Mary Byrd, daughter of William Byrd and Mary Horsmanden.¹

     James Duke was born about 1671 at James City County, Virginia to HENRY DUKE & his wife, ELIZABETH SOANE. His father was very wealthy and prominent in Virginia society and politics and was Councilor of Virginia and very active in the affairs of Virginia. JAMES DUKE married MARY BYRD, daughter of WILLIAM BYRD, I and MARIA HORSMANDEN of "Westover" in Charles City County, about 1699 probably in Charles City County. Mary's parents were also exceedingly wealthy and prominent in early Virginia society; however her father did not initially approve of her marriage to JAMES DUKE who was the Sheriff of James City County, eventually coming around and leaving her 300 pounds sterling in his will, the remainder going to Mary's brother, WILLIAM BYRD II, dubbed the Black Swan of Virginia. James and Mary Byrd Duke made their home at "Pease Hill", southwest of the Chickahominy River (Pease Hill Creek) in Charles City County in what was once a part of James City County.

JAMES and MARY had several children whose names need to be reproven as there seem to be children attributed to them by different genealogists and who may not be thiers. MARY had one known miscarriage that was recorded in Mary's brother's journal, The Secret Diary of William Byrd II of Westover. Known children are MARY DUKE who married BENJAMIN WARD, and JAMES DUKE JR. Further proof is needed to establish that John & Mary Byrd Duke are the parents of the following: HENRY DUKE, JOHN DUKE, SARAH DUKE, and WILLIAM S. DUKE. [ Sources: Evidence that James was the son of Col. Henry DUKE, Esq.Item 1: Ludwell's Manuscripts, 1724, mentions "Elizabeth, widow of Henry DUKE, and James DUKE, Gent., surviving executors of Henry DUKE, Esq." Item 2: Tyler's Historical Magazine, Vol. VII, p. 213 Item 3: THE DUKE FAMILY II, by Evelyn Duke Brandenberger.Name: James Duke ]

MARY BYRD and JAMES DUKE has several children, one of whom is recorded as having died at birth as noted in the Secret Diary of William Byrd, II. Proof has been found that indicates definitively that MARY and JAMES DUKE had a daughter, MARY DUKE, who married BENJAMIN WARD, son of RICHARD WARD and his wife, FRANCES WORSHAM, as proven by the Memorial of Dr. William Ward (1752-1835) of Rutherford County, Tennessee, a son of MARY DUKE and BENJAMIN WARD. The memorial states: "To the Memory of Doct. William Ward, the husband of Mrs. Mary Ward born the 14th of April 1752 in Cumberland County in Virginia the son of Benjamin Ward and Mary Ward His Wife Daughter of James and Mary Duke of Charles City County in Virginia. In early life he came to TEnnessee and after sustaining an irreproachable reputation and a lite of dutiful service to his fellow man he died in the full hope of a joyful resurrection on the 23d of July 1835 in the 84th year of his age. His memory will long be cherished by all who knew him. (Taken from a Family Bible published 1803 by Matthew Carey in Philadelphia, given to Peter Markham by Mary Stewart Ward, widow of Dr. William Ward, along with Dr. Ward's journal and other personal effects; then passed to his descendent William Markham at the time of the transcription.)

In an analysis of the descendants of Mary Byrd and James Duke, Charles Ward makes a reference to Evelyn Duke Brandenburg's book, The Duke Family, in which she cites on page twelve: "The diaries (Secret Diaries of William Byrd, II) also reveal that Mary had a male child. That child was WILLIAM DUKE named for William Byrd." Charles Ward and this reseracher have both examined the diaries of William Byrd and have found no entry that states Mary Byrd Duke had a son who was of the name William Duke. Brandenburg states that William Byrd took the young William Duke into his household; she offered no proof; and neither Charles Ward nor this researcher have found such evidence to this assertion. Mrs. Brandenburg further aluded to "evidence" of a father-son relationship between James and William Duke that was compelling. Charles Ward states: "far from compelling, it is non-existent. Secondly, the addiontal information 'confirming the relationship' is likewise nonexistent."

BRANDENBURG further stated: "Mary and James Duke had only one son who survived infancy. That son was William Duke." Charles Ward responded in his well-done analysis: "This bogles the mind. There is absolutely no proof, based on the meager evidence which survives for this statement. There is absolutely no proof that has been offered which would indicate any connection between WILLIAM DUKE and the family of JAMES DUKE and MARY BYRD.

Further proof is needed that EDMOND DUKE is in fact the son of said JAMES DUKE SR. & MARY BYRD; he may be the son of JAMES DUKE JR. There is a land record that indicates a relationship between EDMUND DUKE and JAMES DUKE as noted in the following deed recorded for Edmond Duke 9 Nov 1771, Charles City County Record Book, l737-1774, page 364
EDMOND DUKE of Cumberland County, Peterfield Parish, to BRAZURE WILLIAMS of Westover Parish, Charles City County for 112 pounds, 100 acres, given me by my father JAMES DUKE, bounded by Chickahominy Bank & Mattahunk Neck. Witnesses: FURNEA SOUTHALL, SHERWOOD LIGHTFOOT, THOMAS TACHURST, THOMAS B. LACY Signed; EDMOND DUKE, JANE DUKE recorded 3 June 1772
(Note the parishes in Cumberland County are: King Wiliam, Littleton, Saint James Southam. I find no Peterfield Parish mentioned in Hornbook. I find Petsworth Parish in Gloucester County and St. Peter's Parish in James City County & New Kent County)

On 12 January 1704/5 JAMES DUKE's father, COLONEL HENRY DUKE, and brother,HENRY DUKE JR., witnessed a transcribed copy of the will of his father-in-law, COLONEL WILLIAM BYRD:
"Virga Westopher in Charles City County the 12 day of Janry 1704/5
This is a true Copy of the last Will and testamt of the Honble. Collo. WM BYRD one of her Majts Councill & Auditr. of Virga. lately deced:; it being examined with the origenall by me FRANCIS NICHOLSON ESQ her Majst LT & Govr Genll of Virga in the presence of the honble Collo HENRY DUKE one of her Majts Hnble Councill of Virga Captn LITTLEBURY EPPS of Charles City County HENRY DUKE JUNR of James City County Gent: & CAPTN JOSHUA WYNNE of Prince George County wch sd origenall will alppears to be all written by the sd Collo Byrds own hand wthout any blott or Interlineacon and sealed with his own seal in testemony whereof we have hereunto set our hads the day & year above written. ]
HEN DUKE
FFR NICHOLSON
LITTLEBURY EPPS
HENRY DUKE JUNR.
JOSHUA WYNNE

In 1714, the same year that his father HENRY DUKE (Councilor of Virginia) died, JAMES DUKE was appointed Justice of James City County. In 1720 he was in James City County until it was split off by the river to become Charles City County. In 1726 James Duke was Justice of Charles City County, VA.

On 16 June 1714 JAMES DUKE was named in a patent filed by JOHN WOODARD for 230 acre (N.L.) in James City County in Wilmington Parish; on East side of Chicohominy River, beginning on East side of Diascum Swamp dividing this & land of one Edmunds; on MR. JAMES DUKE'S line; to Warran Eise Swamp, including the whole swamp, & thro' Bitchen Swamp; for Woodard's importation of 5 persons: Richard Roberts, Richard Ball, Henry Shadduck, Ed. Powell, and Ed. Carron as recorded in Patent Book 10, page 191. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol 3, p 156-157) This establishes that in 1714 JAMES DUKE lived in Wilmington Parish of James City County.

In 1720 his brother, HENRY DUKE, JR. died at Prince George County, Virginia. Apparently JAMES DUKE was appointed coexecutor with ELIZABETH DUKE of his brother Henry's will. Ludwell in his manuscripts in 1724 mentions ELIZABETH widow of HENRY DUKE and JAMES DUKE, Gent., surviving executors of HENRY DUKE, ESQ. (Tyler's Historical Magazine, Vol. VII, p. 213)

Note: In 1768 an account of the estate of JAMES DUKE was filed in Charles City County, Wills & Accounts, 1766-1774, page 65-67. (It needs to be established whether or not this James Duke was James Sr. or Jr.)

As documented in THE PRIVATE DIARY OF COLONEL WILLIAM BYRD, II, OF "WESTOVER", Charles City County, on page 40 there are references that show that there was a close relationship between Colonel Byrd and Colonel Henry Duke I. Both were members of the Royal Council at Williamsburg. Col. Byrd makes many references to visits that he paid to "my brother Duke" whose wife he calls "my sister." He is referring to JAMES DUKE of James City County, Virginia, who is the son of Colonel HENRY DUKE.
1709, February 27: "I rose at 6 o'clock and said my prayers and ate milk for breakfast. ROBIN BOLLING came over to see me to consult was most proper to be done about the clerk's place. . . When I came to the ferry I saw Mistress MARY EPPES, a pretty girl and capable of impression [probably the daughter of William Eppes, sheriff of Prince George County in 1705]. When I came home I found all things well. I ate roast beef for dinner. It rained again in the afternoon. I received a letter from my brother DUKE to desire me to lend him 50 pounds." [Secret Diary of William Byrd II]
1709 April 28: "Passed over the creek and then rode to my brother DUKE's whom I found just recovered of the ague by means of my physic. Here I ate some roast beef for dinner and then proceeded to Col. Duke's who I found indisposed. He entertained me very courteously."
1709, August 30: "I rose at 5 o'clock and read two chapters in Hebrew and some Greek in Josephus. I said my prayers and ate milk for breakfast. I danced my dance . . . My brother DUKE's boy came and brought me several letters, some of which were from England."
1709 December 7: "I proceeded with COL. RANDOLPH over the bridge (Soane's Warehouse) to COL. DUKE's. It was exceedingly cold. We did not get over until after sunset. We found the Colonel under great fear of the distemper, which he said was very violent in the neighborhood."
1709, December 8: "The Council sat till 8 o'clock when I went to Queen's Creek, not withstanding the great cold, where I found my sister [MARY] in the middle of her . About 10 o'clock we went to bed."
1709, December 9: "I rose at 7 o'clock and said a short prayer. It had frozen very hard. I discoursed with my brother [JAMES DUKE] about plantation matters and then ate milk for breakfast. About 10 o'clock I rode to COLONEL DUKE's but it was so cold I was forced to walk twice to give myself a heat. About one I got there, but COLONEL RANDOLPH did not meet me according to his promise because MR. BLAND was very sick. About 3 o'clock we dined and I ate boiled beef for dinner. Then we rode to my brother, DUKE's and took some of Mr. B-s cider by the way. I ate milk for supper but too great a quantity which therefore did not agree with me."
1709, December 10: "I rose at 7 o'clock and said a short prayer. Then I walked with my brother to see the dam he was making for a milol. I ate milk for breakfast. About 10 o'clock I took my leave and COLONEL DUKE was so complaisant that he came about three miles with me. About 1 o'clock I got home where I found all well, thanks be to God. EUGENE had pissed in bed for which I gave him a pint of piss to drink. I ate fish for dinner . . . played billiards . . . In the afternoon I read a little Italian and said a short prayer . . . "
1710 February 13: "I wrote a letter to COL. DUKE and another to my brother DUKE . . . As soon as we were in bed my wife complained of great pains in her belly. I persuaded her to be bled and I rose to call G-r-l to let her blood. She refused a long time; at last she agreed, but there was no one appeared. However, she was more at ease and we went to bed again and she was easy all night, thank God."
1710 April 30: "About 11 o'clock I took my leave and rode to COL. DUKE's where I found my brother DUKE who told me all were well at his house. I ate some cold beef and salad. In the afternoon it rained exceedingly and thundered terribly for about an hour. However it did not prevent me from proceeding to my brother DUKE's where we came before sunset. My sister and her child were very well."
1710, June 6: "I rose at 6 o'clock and read two chapters in Hebrew and no Greek because we prepared to receive company for the funeral [of the infant Parke Byrd]. I said my prayers and ate cake and water gruel for breakfast. About 10 o'clock Colonel Hill, Mr. Anderson and his wife came. Half an hour after my sister DUKE came without my brother [James Duke] who could not leave his business, and about 11 came my cousin Harrison with her son and daughter, Mr. C;s and Mr. Doyley. We gave them burnt claret and cake. About 2 o'clock we went with the corpse to the churchyard and as soon as the service was begun it rained very hard so that we were forced to leave the parson and go into the church porch but Mr. Anderson stayed till the service was finished. About 6 o'clock we went to dinner and I ate boiled beef for dinner. The company stayed till the evening and then went away. Mr. Custis and I took a walk about the plantation. Mr. Custis and I took a walk about the plantation. Two of the new Negroes were taken sick and I gave each of them a vomit which worked very well. I said my prayers and had good health, good thoughts, and better health [sic], thank God Almighty." [Secret Diary of William Byrd, II 1709-1712, 6 June 1710].
1710, September 12: "I rose at 6 o'clock and read two chapters in Hebrew but no Greek. I said my prayers and ate boiled milk for breakfast. The weather threatened rain. However, it did not discourage me from going to Williamsburg. After I had settled my business I went over the creek and about 1 o'clock I got to my brother DUKE's where I found my sister [Mary] but he was not at home. We ate some bread and butter and about 3 o'clock went over the river. I just called at COLONEL DUKE's but did not light off my horse and got to Queen's Creek about 7 o'clock I found my sister Custis [sister-in-law, Frances Parke Custis] but my brother was gone to the upper plantation. I ate some boiled shoat. My sister told me four of their Negroes were run away. About 9 o'clock I went to bed, said a short prayer, and had good thoughts, good health, good humor, thank God Almighty. [Secret Diary of William Byrd, II 1709-1712]
1710, November 20: "In the evening I went to see COLONEL DUKE who was much better and there I found my brother DUKE. Then I went to the coffeehouse and played at cards till 12 o'clock."
1711, January 4: "About 12 o'clock I received a letter from my brother DUKE that told me they were all well."
In 1711 the great social event of the year was a ball given by the Governor on the Queen's birthday. In 1711 WILLIAM BYRD II, brother-in-law, recorded in his journal that he and his wife had quarreled that evening about pulling her brows. She threatened that she would not go to Williamsburg if she might not pull them. William refused and got the better of her maintaining his authority. The next day they were to travel with his sister, MARY BYRD DUKE, and her husband, JAMES DUKE and his father, Colonel HENRY DUKE. At the last moment William Byrd caught a bad cold and was afraid he would be unable to stand the journey. Secret Diary, Feb 6, 171
1711, February 4: "After church we ate some toast and drank some mead and went over the creek with our horses where the water was very high and I was very wet and got a violent cold. MRS. DUNN returned home and we rode to my brother[ DUKE's where we found all well. My sister [Mary] did not ask us to eat till my brother [James Duke] came home and then I got some milk and potatoes. My cold grew worse. About 9 o'clock we went to bed. I said a short prayer and had good thoughts, good humor, and indifferent good health, thank God Almighty." [Secret Diary of William Byrd, II 1709-1712]
1711, February 5: "I rose about 8 o'clock and found my cold still worse. I said my prayers and ate milk and potatoes for breakfast. My wife and I quarreled about her pulling her brows. She threatened she would not go to Williamsburg if she might not pull them; I refused, however, and got the better of her and maintained my authority. About 10 o'clock we went over the river and got to COLONEL DUKE's about 11. There I ate some toast and canary. Then we proceeded to Queen's Creek where we found all well. We ate roast goose for supper. The women prepared to go to the Governor's the next day and my brother [JAMES DUKE] and I talked of old stories. My cold grew exceedingly bad so that I thought I would be sick. My sister [Mary] gave me some sage tea and leaves of [s-m-n-k] which made me mad all night so that I could not sleep but was much disordered by it. I neglected to say my prayers in form but had good thoughts, good humor, and indifferent health, thank God Almighty." [Secret Diary of William Byrd II 1709-1712]
1711, February 9: "About 1 o'clock we rode to my brother DUKE's and just called to know how they did and then because it was late proceeded on our journey home. The roads were exceedingly bad because of the abundance of rain that had fallen. At Mr. B's we saw a pretty girl called MISTRESS KING [Mary King, who married DR. ROBERT BURBAGE 12 Aug 1711] who had 400 pounds to her fortune. . . About 6 o'clock we got home where we found all well, thank God Almighty, and my little girl was much recovered in her color."
l711, March 7: "About 9 o'clock [AM] I got on horseback and rode to MR. GEE's where I had appointed to meed COL. HILL, who came according to his time. We ate bacon and eggs and then proceeded to my brother DUKE's. He was not at home but my sister [Mary] was and gave us a cast over the river and thence we rode to COLONEL DUKE's where we came about 5 o'clock. He could tell us no news. He received us, according to custom, very courteously. We had milk for supper and sat talking till about 9 o'clock before we went to bed." [Secret Diary of William Byrd II 1709-1712]
1711, March 11: "After church MR. GOODWIN invited us to dinner and I ate fish. Here we saw a fine widow Mrs. O-s-b-r-n who had been handsome in her time. From hence we went to Mr. B-s where we drank cider and saw MOLLY KING, a pretty black girl [brunette]. Then we went over the river to my brother DUKE's. I was not very well because I had eaten too much. . . COLONEL DUKE went over the river with us."
1711, April 15: "Presently after dinner I recommended my wife and family to God Almighty and went over the creek to my brother DUKE's where I found all well and from thence to COLONEL DUKE's where I ate some custard for supper. It rained by the way . . . My brother DUKE came with me to COLONEL DUKE's.
1711, June 4: Letter from Wm. Byrd II to John Custis - "I ordered Tom to call at my brother Dukes for some fish and some silk grass-seed for my sister, which I hope will come time enough to save her longing . . . Whenever there happens an opportunity of writeing to England dont fail to intreat Mr. Perrys favor in the premises, and let my sister set her shoulders to it, that the burden I have taken upon my back may be a slight as poissible. Please to manage the affair of settling the Negros as much as you can before Monday next when I hope to see you at Flemings and my brother Duke tells me he'll be there likewise."
1711, April 16: "I rose about 6 o'clock and read nothing because I had prepared for my journey to Williamsburg . . . We stayed here till about 8 o'clock and then COLONEL DUKE and I took leave of my brother [JAMES DUKE] and then rode to Williamsburg where we arrived about 11 o'clock. I set myself in order and then went to court. I sent my man TOM home with a letter to my wife to comfort her for her father's death. I found the news came not only from Barbados but also from Jamaica and Bermudas by which it appeared that he was murdered in a most barbarous way."
1711, September 18: "About 10 o'clock [AM] I ate some shoat and then was set over the creek and from thence rode to my brother DUKE's but neither he nor my sister was at home. However the Negroes set me over the river and I proceeded to COLONEL DUKE's. I found him among the rubbish for his house was pulled to pieces. He had not been well. In the evening they got me some roast flesh but he had no drink good so that I was forced to drink thick cider. He knew no news. The Colonel was very kind to me and very cross to his old woman according to custom. She was grown very deaf so that the Colonel conceives some hope of outliving her. We sat and talked till about 9 o'clock and had then I retired. . . COLONEL HARDIMAN died this day of the kick of a horse." [Secret Diary of William Byrd II]
1711, September 21: "I was a long time in discoursing with the Governor concerning what should be done with obstinate Quakers and about 11 o'clock took my leave and then rode away to COLONEL DUKE's. The weather was hot but I got there in 2 1/2 hours. Here I found my brother JAMES DUKE who was not very well. About 2 o'clock I ate some stuffed chicken and about 4 we took the Colonel with us and went to my brother's and called at Mr. B-s where we saw the brunette that married DR. DUBAGE. We found my sister well and all the family. We drank some thick cider and I ate some milk. Then I retired to my chamber . . . thank God Almighty." [Secret Diary of William Byrd II]
1711, December 25: "I rose about 7 o'clock and read nothing because I prepared for my journey to COLONEL DUKE's. . . About 2 o'clock I got to COLONEL DUKE's and found both him and his old woman in good health, only the last was grown very deaf. We sat and talked till about 4 and then we went to dinner and I ate some wild duck. In the meantime the Colonel sent a Negro man to see whether the river was open at my brother DUKE's and he brought word it was, and therefore I took leave of the Colonel and his old countess and rode away to the river and with some difficulty got over as soon as it was dark. I found all well there and we drank a bottle of wine. About 9 o'clock I went to bed."
1712, January 22: "I ate some tripe and notwithstanding it rained resolved to ride as far as my brother DUKE's and accordingly I recommended my family to heaven and got on my horse about 2 o'clock and got to Mr. DUKE's about 5 and there I found the COLONEL and all in good health. In the evening I ate some roast beef and MR. DUKE gave us a bottle of wine. We sat up till about 9 o'clock and then I said my prayers and had good health, good thoughts, good humor, thank God Almighty."
1712, February 4: "About 11 o'clock we took our leave of the Colonel [Custis] and of one another and about two miles from thence I met my brother DUKE who turned back with me again and we went over the river to his house, where I found my sister well and her child. My brother's boat was not good but because I came often that way I promised to present him with a boat if he would send for it. I went with him to his mill and then took my leave of them and rode home, where I got about 4 o'clock and found all well thank God." [Secret Diary of William Byrd II]
1712, February 9: "My brother DUKE sent two Negroes for the boat I promised to give him and I sent him the flat of nine hogsheads which I presented him with . . . My wife was a little indisposed with the coming of her moon . . . I made a visit to the things in the cellar."
1712, February 10: "In the evening Tom returned from my brother DUKE's and brought me some letters . . . Negro Sue was taken sick at the quarters and I caused her to be bled."
1712, February 19: "About 11 o'clock I recommended my family and in particular the sick man [Peter] and we rode away to my brother DUKE's and from thence we went to the COLONEL's who we found very well by his own confession and then I told him he was to go to Council the next day which made his back ache. Here we ate some milk and then proceeded to Queen's Creek where we came about 6 o'clock and surprised the family who did not expect us. However they were very pleased to see us. About 8 we ate some broiled turkey very heartily after which I grew so sleepy I could not hold open my eyes so that I was forced to go to bed."
1712, February 20: "My sister [Mary] resolved to go to Williamsburg with us, which made us stay till 10 o'clock and then we all went together."
1712, March 8: "A man came from Mr. Duke's where they were all well."
1712, March 9: "The man returned who came from my brother DUKE's and promised to come about 14 days hence to work for me, he being a bricklayer. His name is CORNELIUS H-1, a man of above 80 years old and yet he walked from Mr. DUKE's over."
1712, March 22: "The old bricklayer came just after dinner and told me all was well at my brother DUKE's . . . At night I read some English in Milton."
1712, July 24: "I rose about 5 o'clock and took leave of the Colonel and rode over to MR. DUKE's where I found all pretty well. Here I ate some milk and stayed about an hour and then proceeded on my journey and on the road said my prayers. About 11 o'clock I got home where I found everybody pretty well, thank God, and the sloop from Falling Creek with the rest of the granary. It rained as soon as I got home . . . My wife was better, thank God, than when I went away. There fell a hail this afternoon that damaged abundance of tobacco."
1712, August 17: "I rose about 5 o'clock and read nothing because I prepared to go to COLONEL DUKE's . . . I ordered my horses over the creek and about 7 o'clock was set across myself. The weather was cooler and cloudy. However in about two hours I got to my brother DUKE where I found them all well though they had lately been sick. Here I stayed till 11 o'clock and then was set over the river and got to COLONEL DUKE's about 12 where I found COLONEL HILL who had been and was full of . COLONEL DUKE was well and resolved to go with me next day to Council. About 2 o'clock I ate some boiled beef for dinner. COLONEL DUKE gave us the best he had and we were very merry. In the evening we took a walk in the orchard and ate some peaches. I neglected to say my prayers but had good health, good thoughts, good humor, thank God Almighty."
1712, August 18: "COLONEL DUKE rode a new horse which he had of COLONEL EPPES. We rode together as far as the ordinary and there COLONEL HILL parted with us and went to Queen's Creek but COLONEL DUKE and I proceeded to Williamsburg where we got about 9 o'clock and when we were dressed we waited on the Governor with COLONEL CARTER and COLONEL SMITH who told me the Commissary was sick."
1720, Sept 17: "After dinner I put several things in order and then worked again in the cellar till evening when I took a walk about the plantation and when I returned I found my brother DUKE [James Duke, Sheriff of James City County] and his wife. I received them kindly. I gave them souse, fish, and roast beef for supper. We talked till about 9 o'clock and then retired.
1720, September 19: "About 12 o'clock came MRS. DUKE and her lawyer Mr. POYTHRESS and dined with my brother and sister DUKE and I ate some pork collops. After dinner we sat and talked and then I went and put up my things. In the evening we sat to drink several healths till 9 o'clock and then retired and I said my prayers and packed up my things and slept very well, thank God."
1720, November 14: "I walked to MR. ROBINSON's where my cousins BASSETT were. Here I stayed about an hour and then met with my brother DUKE who told me my sister and her fireside were well."
1721, April 6: "I sent my cousin BRAYNE to visit her AUNT DUKE and wrote a letter to my sister. . . I set a watch all night upon it and wrote a letter to my brother DUKE to excuse myself from lending him one hundred pounds. I talked with my people and said short prayer and retired and slept very ill."

1732, June 1, Brunswick County, Virginia Order Book 1732-1737, page 3:
JOHN ROSE is appointed surveyor of the road from Reedy Creek to the Courthouse. The male laboring tithables belonging to JOSEPH WARBURTON, JOHN EVANS, JOHN ARNOLD, I___ ___ann, WILLIAM DUKE, JOHN EDWARDS, JAMES DUKE, AND JOHN IN___... the same.

1744, May Court, Charles City County, page 295. ANN BACHURST granted administration of her dec'd husband JOHN BACHURST. HENRY WALKER, SIMON STUBBLEFIELD, JAMES DUKE, & WILLIAM FRENCH to appraise the estate.

The Quit Rent Roll for James City County, 1704 has the following & does not include JAMES DUKE, who was proably in Charles City County at that date:
HENRY DUKE, ESQ. 2986 acres
HENRY DUKE, JUNR. 1000 acres
THOS. DUKE 750 acres
THOS. HILL 310 acres
THOS. MOUNTFORD 600 acres (removed from York County)

EVELYN DUKE BRANDENBURG asserts in her book, The Duke Family, Vol 2, that JAMES DUKE was married twice and that MARY BYRD DUKE had died around 1721, though no proof exists for this assertion whatsoever. She further asserts that he married secondly another "MARY" who was probably his niece; again there is absolutely no proof for this wild conjecture. Mrs. Brandenburg made her assumption that MARY BYRD DUKE died in 1721because her brother, William Byrd, II, made no further mention of her in his diary. Wm. Byrd kept diaries throughout all his life though not all of them have been located as of this date -- there is missing time. Be it know that the death of her daughter MARY DUKE, wife of BENJAMIN WARD, was recorded in the Bible records for her son, Dr. William Ward of Rutherford County, Tennessee, and stated that Mary Duke Ward had died at the age of eighty years on.³

     Mary Byrd was born on 26 February 1683/84 in Belvidere Plantation, Charles City County, Virginia.⁴ She was the daughter of William Byrd and Mary Horsmanden.^2,3 She married James Duke, son of Henry Duke and Elizabeth (?).¹

     William Byrd was born in 1652 in London, England.¹ He was the son of John Byrd and Grace Elizabeth Stegge.^2,3 He married Mary Horsmanden, daughter of Warham Horsmanden and Susanna Beeching, in 1673.⁴ He died on 4 December 1704 in Westover Plantation, Charles City County, Virginia.¹

     WILLIAM BYRD, I, the progenitor of the Byrd family in America, arrived in Virginia in about 1670 and inherited large land holdings from his uncle, Captain Thomas Stegge, II. His inheritance included a large track of land surrounding the present site of Richmond, VA. He increased his land holdings and in 1676 received a patentent for 7,351 acres in Henrico County based upon the transportation and settling of 122 persons including 3 Negroes. Three years later he was granted a large tract of land near the Falls of the James River by teh Assembly of Virginia on the condition that 50 men be settled and kept armed there as protection against the Indians; this grant did not materialize being vetoed in England. After marrying Mary/Maria Horsmanded in 1673, he and Mary lived near these Falls on the frontier, a place that proved to be very lonely for Mrs. Byrd as her husband was away on business much of the time. In 1688 he purchased "Westover" a tract of about 1,200 acres in a more settled area in Charles City County; he acquired this tract from Theodorick and Richard Bland for 300 pounds sterling and 10,000 pounds of tobacco. He built a commodious frame dwelling later replaced by an elegant brick mansion famous in Virgina history. He resided at Westover and continued to trade with England, the West Indies, and the Indians. His land acquisitions increased and he became one of the great land holders of Virginia. When he died it is estimated that he possessed at least 26,000 acres of land throughout Virginia.

He became rich and cultivated in Virginia and was the most remarkable early trader on the Trading Path. His most important business was Indian trading. His traders with their pack-horses wewnt 400 miles to the southwest to trade skins and furs with the Cherokees and Catawbas. He gook part in various exploring expeditions. He took part himself in 1671 to Totero's Town (present-day Salem) in the Alleghany region as Robert Fallam recorded in his "Journal" of September 1671 "We immediately heard news of Mr. Byrd and his great Discovery three miles from Toteros' Town." He became knowledgeable of Indian affairs and had contacts as far as away as 1,200 miles as noted by a letter from a Jesuit who was so placed. It is inevitable that he became involved in the trouble that developed in 1676 and terminated in Bacon's Rebellion, though the extent of his involvement is in dispute. According to one of Byrd's descendants, three of Byrd's employees were killed by the Indians. When Gov. Berkeley would take no action against the Indians, Byrd decided that other measures were necessary. He adavised young Nathaniel Bacon, his neighbor, to command a force of volunteers raised for defense of the country. For a time he served with Bacon but ended that tie when Bacon came into armed conflict with Gov. Berkeley. Meanwhile fearing an Indian attack he sent his wife to England for safety. Maria Byrd mentioned in England that Berkeley would not take action against the Indians though many settlers had been killed.

He inherited at age nineteen, a trading post at the fall of the James River, near present Richmond, in direct competion with Abraham Woods. His uncle, THOMAS STEGGE (Auditor-General of the Colony of Virginia), willed him the trading post in 1671 and had already established an extensive Indian trade reaching into Western North Carolina. Explorers reported late in 1671 of hearing of "Mr Byrd and his great company's discoveries three miles from the Totera's town" which was 250 miles by trail from Stegge's home.

A portrait of William Byrd can be found at the Virginia Historical Society in Richmond, Virginia. He is represented as a young boy with his dog. The portrait was painted in England before he emigrated to Virginia. It is an oil on canvas 38" x 47.5 " and gifted by Mrs. Edmund Randolph Cocke. It is part of the Cook Collection of Historical Photographs.

WILLIAM BYRD was appointed in 1680 as member of the Council on which he served for 24 years and Auditor of the Colony for 6 years. He inherited a wealth of information, Indian scouts, traders, and suppliers through his good fortune. As a young man, he traveled "far into the wilderness over trails which penetrated 400 miles as far as the haunts of the Catawbas and Cherokees" and as near as the banks of the Meherrin. He had a vast knowledge of the wilderness and amassed a considerable fortune in the fur trade. (Brunswick County 1720-1975 by Gay Neale]

The ship "Nicholson" was owned by WILLIAM BYRD, ESQ., FRANCIS EPES, and WILLIAM RANDOLPH, and traded mostly with Providence and Plymouth in New England. The master was EPHRAIM BREED. the ship was a square sterm 110 ton English built which was "taken from the French and concemned in Virginia the 21st of April 1698. She could make several trips a year. On June 22, 1702 she returned from Boston with a cargo of salt mackerel and cranberries. The ship traded in the upper James River. [from Autographs 1701/2 by Elizabeth Lawrence-Dow]

In 1652 Elizabeth "Betty" Byrd, oldest sister of William Byrd, I, inherited 100 pounds from her maternal grandfather if she lived until the age of 14. She died in 1678 enroute to Virginia from England & left property to her brother and his wife in her will.

In September 1671 a few months after receiving his patrimony, WILLIAM BYRD, organized an expedition that penetrated west to the Allegheny Mountains, perhaps to explore or extend his trading empire to the Sapony and Totera Indians. He went because an official expedition sponsored by Major General Abraham Wood in Septehmber 1671 and headed by THOMAS BATTE, THOMAS WOODS, and ROBERT FALLAM crossed his trail. (The Byrds of Virginia, p. 13) In The Story of Virginia's First Century, Mary Newton Stanard wrote that "William Byrd. . . who though but a youth of nineteen was regarded as General Wood's chief rival in the attempt to open the western country. After Woods' death, Byrd was regarded as the best informed man in the colony concerning western matters."

Two years after his expedition in 1673 WILLIAM BYRD married MARIA HORSMANDEN, widow of SAMUEL FILMER and daughter of WARHAM HORSMANDEN, a Cavalier. On March 28, 1674, his first-born child, WILLIAM BYRD, II was born at the little stone house on The Falls IN Henrico County. In 1676 daughter, SUSAN BYRD was born and it was in that same years that six Indians attacked at the Falls of the James and killed three of William Byrd's servants. The Indians then raided Nathaniel Bacon's plantation twenty miles lower down the river at Curles Neck. Thus began Bacon's Rebellion. During this period MARIA HORSMANDEN DUKE and her children, WILLIAM and SUSAN, fled to England, where she sided with BACON and critized Lord Berkeley's "do-nothingness", being unaware that her husband had switched his allegiance to Berkeley. (The Byrds of Virginia, p 21)

In 1684 WILLIAM BYRD's correspondence and footnotes stated that William Byrd's sister, SARAH BYRD had married MR. ROBINSON; sister GRACE BYRD had married MR. RICHARDS and was probably a widow by 1684. Both his parents were dead. The only other living sister was seventeen-year old MARY BYRD. His only brother, THOMAS BYRD, was an apprentice in London. [The Correspondence of the Three William Byrds] Also by this same year he was "blackbirding", dealing in slaves in a big way. In a letter to Perry and Lane he wrote a postscript: "If you send the Pinke to Barbadoes on our account, I would have by her 506 Negroes between 12 and 24 years old, about 1,000 gallons of rum, 3,024 L. sugar (MuscavadoO) and about 200 L. of ginger." (The Byrds of Virginia, p 15)

In a letter WILLIAM BYRD wrote that his plantation with a stone house at the falls of the James River was flooded in 1685 by a "deluge the like hath not been heard of in the memory of man; the water overflowing all my plantation came into my dwelling house." This led him to build "BELVIDERE" a mansion of imposing size on the higher ground, Oregon Hill. It was still standing about 100 years later (c 1785) when an English traveler described it as an "elegant villa." However, WILLIAM and MARIA BYRD became dissatisfied with the house due to Indian raids and because it was lonely when the children went off to England to school. Belvidere was far away from the homes of others in equal social status.

In 1687 Colonel Byrd was commissioned Deputy-Auditor and Receiver-General of Virginia. Some difficulty arose over this appointment because the King had granted Robert Ayleway the post in 1677 for life, however Ayleway had another appointment in Ireland and did not take possession of the Virginia office. The Board of Trade eventually intervened and as Ayleway was unwilling to emigrate to Virginia, Col. Byrd received the appointment. He initially was Ayleway's deputy for 2 years and paid him half the profits of that office during that time. In 1698 he petitiioned the Lords of the Council of Trade and Plantations to sent Huguenot refugees to the upper James River instead of to a site between Virginia and North Carolina. He possessed land along the James that he possibly wanted to sell to the Huguenots. For several years he held high rank in the Virginia Council, preceded only by Ralph Wormeley & Richard Lee. When Lee resigned in 1699, Byrd was second in position, becoming President of the Council in 1701 when Wormeley died. He was interested in botany and other sciences and corresponded with Leonard Plukenett, Sup. of the Royal Gardens of Queen Mary. In 1686 and 1687 while in ENgland, he was warmly received by Dr. Lister and Mr. Bobert, keeper of the botanical gardens at Oxford. William Byrd died on 4 December 1704 and was buried beside his wife in the churchyard at Westover.

THOMAS GRENDON, JR. in his will dated 23 January 1683/4 and proved April 4, 1685. (printed in Mr. Watres' Gleanings, New England History & Genealogy Reg., XLIV< p 94) gives his wife SARAH GRENDON 1500 pounds sterling out of his personal estate in Virginia, or if necessary from money due him in England; or 80 lbs. per annum out of the yearly rent of his real estate in Furtherly als Fartherlin, Shenton Parish, Staffordshire, England and in Hidefield, Staffordshire. Other legatees include: WILLIAM BYRD, JR. of Virginia; COUSIN THOMAS JENNINGS, late of London, distiller, provided said JENNINGS paid to "my aunt, his mother, MRS. HANNAH ARCHER, now wife of CAPTAIN WILLIAM ARCHER of Charles City, Virginia" 10 lbs. per annum; friends MR. ROBERT COE of London, Goldsmith; MR. THOMAS GOWER of Edmington; MR. ABELL GOWER of Virginia; HON WM. BYRD, ESQ; WM. RANDOLPH of Henrico County, Virginia; and MR. ARTHUR NORTH & MR. JOHN HARDING of London. Mentions leases granted March 1656 by WM. LORD STAFFORD, HENRY EARLE, of Kingston (Qu. Earl of Kingston), JOHN EARL of Thanette Island (Qu. Earl of Thanett), WM. PIERPONT, Esq., to his late grandfather THOMAS GRENDON, decd.

WILLIAM BYRD: Patent - mos XBHSG Date: 20 Apr 1686 ref [Patent Book 7:549] to WILLIAM BYRD, 1820 acres Ref: 1820 acres Henrico/Falling Creek Grindons Run (Henry Sherman, SETH WARD loc 10215 -17298 F127 L0 P255 - Point A) PETER LEE's Corner White oak in Grindon's Run HYD line Northeast 63 poles on Lees head line - Point B) Three Corner trees Corner of HENRY SHERMAN line NNE; 202 poles on his headline - Point C) Line of EDWARD DEALLY line Northwest 246 poles - Point D)
Corner pine line SWxS; 688 poles crossing Grindon's Run & main branch of Falling Creek - Point E) Corner pine line SxE; 186 poles - Point F) Corner pine line Southheast 256 poles - Point G) Corner pine nigh the line of SETH WARD line ExN; 344 poles on his line - Point H) Corner ash on main River HYD at mouth of Spring Run line NxE. 50pE; 56 poles along river - Point I) Mouth of Falling Creek HYD
survey line ; up Creek with meanders 300 acres purchd of WILLIAM GILES 29 March 1683 residue King's land" Sta. 6: poles from 44 to 344 - Quality of survey: Well located. [COLONIAL LAND SURVEY REPORTS]

On 20 April 1687 HONBLE. WILLIAM BYRD, Esq. patented 5,075 acres in Henrico County on S side of James River (Patent Book 7, p 547) beg a little below John Stower's ditch, along Mr. Jno. Good; over Powetan Branch; to Powhite Creek; to Reedy Cr; to the late Garryson house, including Harwood, My Lords, Price's Folly & Willow Islands' to cor. of the Orphants of Edward Lane; to land late belonging to William Elam; against middle & incld. Edward's Island; 1762 acres due by severall conveyances; 33313 acs. adjacent for transport of 67 persons. Note "Sixty seven Rights by Mr. Edward Childton's Cert. dated 30 April 1686 for Eight Rights." Marginal notation: "a mistake there being noe occasion for them." (The following names appear: James Adams, Tho. Beast, Joseph Louther, Tho. Watts, James Edmonds, Margaret Bradshaw, Hanah Sarten, Margaret North, James Beck, Senr., James Beck, Junr., Wm. Pope, Luke Shaw, Ann Bennett, Jane Welch, Tho. Swift, Wm. Harryson, James Douglas, John Jordan, Henry Walters, James Donns, Phillip Pursell, Irish Teige.

Also on 20 April 1687 BYRD patented 956 acres, Henrico County (Patent Book 5, p 548), N side of James River, beg at mouth of Shaccoe Cr, down the river 250 po. to Gillie's Run, the division line bet. this & Gylly Groomamarin; N to Pickinoky Rd; to Shacko Cr. &c. 500 acrs. included in a patent to Honble. THOMAS STEGG, ESQ. & from him derived to sd. Col BYRD; the residue adj. included in the bounds & due for transport of 10 persons: Katherine Witchell, Jame Sands, Welch Davy, Walter Squire, Wm. Gold, James Darlow; Calle, Dianna, Nan & Bess, Negroes.

Also BYRD patented another 1820 acres, Henrico County, 20 April 1687, in Virina Parish, on S side of James River, 300 acres purchased of Wm. Gyles 29 March 1683; the residue being King's land; beg. at a cor. in Grindon's Run belonging to land of Peter Lee; to Henry Sherman, to Edward Deally, crossing the main br. of Falling Creek nigh SETH WARD, to mouth of the Spring Run; &c Transport of 31 persons: Andrew, Sambo, Besse, Buy, Kave, Lilly, Mingo, Nanne, Jack, Bess; Thomas Swift, Wm. Harrysin, James Douglass, John Jordan, Henry Walters, James Donnes, Phill. Purcell, Irish Teague & 13 more by Mr. Chilton's Certif., 30 April 1686. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, Vol 2, p 305) (Note this is Seth Ward, ancestor of Benjamin Ward who married Mary Byrd Duke's daughter, Mary.]

In 1688 WILLIAM BYRD, I, purchased "Westover" from THEODORICK and RICHARD BLAND. It was situated about 20 miles down the James River from "Belvidere." The site was selected by Captain Francis West for the home of Henry West, 4th Lord Delaware and governor of Virginia in 1619. In 1622 33 people fell under the tomahawk on the estate, among them being an arrival on the Mayflower named Edward Lester. In 1637 Captain Thomas Pawlett repatented 2000 acres of the plantation of Westover. In 1644 Theodorick Bland acquired the property and when he died it passed to his two sons, Theodorick and Richard Bland. In 1668 William Byrd, I, acquired the property from Theodorick & Richard Bland for 300 pounds English money and 10,000 pounds of tobacco. [New York Herald, June 7, 1918]The mansion was completed in 1691. They lived at the plantation with their daughter, MARY "MOLLY" BYRD, until MARIA HORSMANDEN BYRD died November 9th 1699 at age 47 and WILLIAM BYRD, himself, died on December 4th 1704. (Maria Horsmanden Byrd of "Westover" by Dabney MCLean] MOLLY BYRD was about 15 years of age when her mother died and her brother, WILLIAM BYRD II, was age twenty-five and living in England.

In 1685 William's sister, Sarah Byrd Robinson, died. By then both their parents were dead, and the only other sister living was seventeen-year-old Mary. Thomas Byrd, William's only brother, was an apprentice in London.

WILLIAM BYRD sold 350 acres near PETER LEE and HENRY SHERMAN to WILLIAM BLACKMAN on 1 February 1689/90. William Blackman (1660-1720) was the second husband of ANN HATCHER WARD (1664-1734), whose first husband was CAPTAIN SETH WARD (1661-1707) of Henrico County, Virginia.

On 12 March 1701/2 the Governor and Council of Virginia made an address of loyalty to the King.
A Similar Loyal Address was received from Henrico County:

MILITIA OFFICERS:
WILLIAM BYRD William Randolph Peter Field
Francis Epes William Farrar Thomas Cocke
John Worsham Giles Webb Jos. Royall
John Bolling SETH WARD George Worsham
Ph. Jones William Cocke John Cox
Richard Cocke, Jr. Thomas Jefferson Thomas Branch
John Worsham, Jr. A. Childers Francis Epes, Jr.
Abraham Womack WILLIAM BLACKMAN

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE:
Richard Cocke William Randolph FRANCIS EPES
William Farrar Thomas Cocke JOHN WORSHAM
Giles Webb Jos. Royall John Bolling

Headlam, Cecil, ed., Calender of State Papers, Colonial Series (Volume 20), America and West Indies, Jan.-Dec. 1, 1702, Preserved in the Public Record Office (Vaduz: Kraus Reprint Ltd., 1964) First Published London: HMSO, 1912. pp. 155-160.

In 1704 a French Huguenot, JEAN MAROT at age 27, served as COLONEL WILLIAM BYRD's secretary at Westover. Marot had come to Virginia in 1700. In 1705 he opened an ordinary in Williamsburg and died in 1717.

WILLIAM BYRD's will was proved in the January 12th 1704/5 in the Charles City County Court by FRANCIS NICHOLSON, ESQ., Her Majesty's Lieutenant and Governor General of Virginia, COLONEL HENRY DUKE of the Council (James City County), CAPTAIN LITTLEBURY EPES of Charles City County; HENRY DUKE, JR. of James City County, and CAPTAIN JOSHUA WYNNE of Prince George County. In his will written in 1700, he gave to the poor in Henrico and Westover Parishes and asked his friends LTC WILLIAM RANDOLPH (Henrico) BARTHOLOMEW FOWLER (died 1701), and MR. RICHARD BLAND to be trustees of his estate until his son, WILLIAM, returned from England. He left the majority of his estate to his son, WILLIAM BYRD II, with only minor legacies to his daughters.

WILL OF WILLIAM BYRD, I, Charles City County, VA 7/8/1700
"In the name of God Amen, July 8, 1700, I WILLIAM BYRD of the parish of Westopher in the county of Charles City in Virginia, Esq; being in perfect health & sound memory, blessed & praised be Almight God therefore but considering the frail estate of all mortal men do make, ordain, constitute, & appoint this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
First I bequeath my soul o God that gave it hoping through the meits & meditation of my ever-blessed savior & redeemer Jesus Christ to obtain pardon and remission of all my sins and to inherit life everlasting.
I bequeath my body to the ground to be decently buried at the charge and direction of my executor & for the worldly goods it hath pleased God to bless me with I give, bequeath, order & dispose of in manner and form following:
Item - I give to the poor of Henrico parish ten pounds & to the poor of Westopher parish ten pounds to be paid at the discretion of my executor with advice of the minister of each parish.
Item - I give to my youngest daughter MARY Three Hundred pounds sterling in full of her child's portion of my estate.
Item - I give to my daughter MRS. SUSAN BRAIN one hundred pounds sterling.
Item - I give to WILLIAM, the son of ROBERT BEVERLY & my daughter URSULA his late wife, fifty pounds sterling.
Item - I give thirty pounds to be bestowed in rings amongst my friends at the discretion of my executor.
Item - I give, bequeath, & devise all the rest of my estate both real and personal consisting of lands, rents, houses, plates, money, debts, wares, merchandise, household goods, slaves, servants, horses and cattle, with all part or parts of ships or vessels either England or Virginia or elsewhere to me in any way belonging or appertaining to my son WILLIAM BYRD and his heirs forever for payment of my debts and legacies & the remainder to my son WILLIAM BYRD for his own proper use & behoove to him & his heirs forever & I do hereby nominate and appoint my son WILLIAM BYRD my full and sole executor of this my last will and testament & in case of my son's absence at the time of my death I do hereby appoint my loving friends LT. COL. WILLIAM RANDOLPH, BARTHOLOMEW FOWLER, Esq., and Mr. RICHARD BLAND to be trustees to act on my son's behalf till he shall come into the country or send & depute such persons as he shall think fit. Lastly, I hereby revoke all other wills by me at any time heretofore made & declare this to be my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal the day and year above written."
WM. BYRD

Virginia: Westopher in Charles City County the 12th day of January 1704/5:
"This is a true copy of the last will and testament of the HONORABLE COL. WILLIAM BYRD on of her majesty's honorable council and auditor of Virginia lately decased: it being examined with the original by me, FRANCIS NICHOLSON, Esq., her majesty's Lt. and Governor General of Virginia in the presence of the honorable COL. HENRY DUKE on of her majesty's honorable council of Virginia, Captain LITTLEBURY EPPS of Charles City County, HENRY DUKE, JR. of James City County, Gent; & Captain JOSHUA WYNNE of Prince George's County, who said original will appears to be all written by the said Col. Byrd's own hand without any blot or interlineation and sealed with his own seal in testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands the day & year above written.
Fr. Nicholson"

"Memorandum December the 4th 1704
I besing at this time very sick & weak in body but I thank the Almighty God of a sound, perfect & disposing memory have thought fit & do hereby make this further addition or codicil to this my wish in written last will and testament: viz, I give and bequeath unto MRS. JOANNA JARRATT her chamber she now useth during the time she pleases to continue there & also ten pounds per annum during the time she shall think to live upon this plantation & enjoy her chamber as aforesaid with the furniture thereunto belonging."
Charles City County Ss
At a Court holden at Westover February the Third 1704 The within written Will was proved in Court to be the last Will & Testament of the Honble. William Byrd Esqr by the Deposition of Lieutenant Colonel William Randolph, Mrs. Mary Randolph, Mrs. Joanna Jarrett & Jean Marot & the same together with the above written endorsement being ordered to be recorded a probat thereupon was granted to Mr. William Byrd the Executor therein named. --- Test William Randolph Cl Cur"

The epitaph of William Byrd in the cemetery at Westover reads as follows:
"Hic recunduntur cineres Gulielmi
Byrd Armegeri, et regii huij
Provinciae Questoris qui hanc Vitam
Cum Eternitate Commutatavit 4to Die
Decembris 1701 posstquam vixisset
52 annos"

Virginia: Westopher in Charles City County January the 12th 1704/5
"This is a true copy of the addition or codicil endorced on the back of the original will of the deceased Col. Wm. Byrd, one of her majesty's honorable council & auditor of Virginia, examined by me, Francis Nicholson, Esq., her majesty's Lt. & Governor General of Virginia in the presence of the honorable Col. Henry Duke, one of her majesty's honorable council of Virginia, Captain Littlebury Epps of Charles City County, Henry Duke Jr. of James City County, Gent; & Captain Joshua Wynne of Prince George's County. Fr. Nicholson, Hen Duke, Littlebury Epps, Henry Duke jr, Joshua Wynne

"The disposition of MRS. MARY RANDOLPH, aged 46 or thereabouts sayeth: That on the 3rd of December last, the deponent's husband being sent for to see the deceased COL. WILLIAM BYRD, lately one of her majesty's honorable council & auditor of Virginia, who was the auditor of Virginia, the deposed came along with her husband to the house of the said COL. WILLIAM BYRD of Westopher in Charles City County & next morning having had some discourse with him touching his condition & particularly putting him in mind of settling his worldly affairs, this deposed saw & heard Col. Wm. Byrd desire Mrs. Jarratt to take a key out of his pocket and bring a paper out of a certain drawer which he named and when Mrs. Jarratt brought the paper she asked him if it was it and he said yes upon which he took the paper & wiped his eyes saying when it was a little lighter I will over it or words to this effect that afterwards the said Col. Wm. Byrd gave the paper to the deponent's husband who asked him if that was his will to which he answered yes & bid the deponent's husband look to the date of it which the deponent's husband told him was dated the 8th of July 1700 to the best of deponent's memory and further sayeth not. Mary Randolph"

WILLIAM BYRD : COLONIAL SURVEY REPORT - DEEDS GRANTED IN OLD CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
TYPE: Patent - mos XBYRD704
Date: 20 Oct 1704 ref [Patent Book 9:613] to WILLIAM BYRD
Ref: 3664 acres Henrico/ on both sides of rd to the French settlement loc -15756 -29264 F127 L0 P255 - Point A) 14. White oak at head of Pocoshock Creek HYD line N22W; 45 poles - Point B) 15. Black oak line N11.5W; 33 poles - Point C) 16. Shrub white oak line N; 55 poles - Point D) 17. Black oak line N14W; 52 poles - Point E) 18. Spanish oak on Road line E15N; 43 poles crossing rd - Point F) 19. Black oak line E9.5N; 52 poles - Point G) 20. Pine line S2E; 40 poles - Point H) 21. Black oak line E6S; 111 poles - Point I) 22. Black oak line N37E; 60 poles - Point J) 23. Shrub white oak line E22S; 173 poles - Point K) 24. Black oak line S54E; 67 poles - Point L) 25. White oak line S47E; 32 poles - Point M) 26. Black oak line E13S; 60 poles - Point N) 27. White oak on PowhiteCreekHYD line ; 828 poles downCreekSta 26: poles 103 to 163 to reach Powhite Creek Sta 12: Poles from 60 to 163 Sta 12: Brg from E13S to E Sta 12: Brg from E to E13S Sta 5: Brg from E19.5N to E9.5N to match WBYRD704 Sta 7: Brg from E6N to E6S to match WBYRD704 Sta 9: Poles from 123 to 173 to match WBYRD704
Sta 12: Poles from 163 to 60 - Quality of survey: Well located.

WILLIAM BYRD : COLONIAL SURVEY REPORT, DEEDS GRANTED IN OLD CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
TYPE: Patent - mos XBYRD704 Date: 20 Oct 1704 ref [Patent Book 9:612] to WILLIAM BYRD Ref: 507 acres Henrico/PowhiteCreek loc -13802 -32626 F127 L0 P255 - Point A) Poplar on North side of PowhiteCreekHYD line N37W; 68 poles - Point B) Pine line W7N; 95 poles - Point C) Hickory line N25W; 112 poles - Point D) Red oak line S14W; 320 poles - Point E) Red oak corner of Byrd's former survey line E15N; 43 poles along these lines - Point F) Black oak line E9.5N; 52 poles - Point G) Pine line S2E; 40 poles - Point H) Black oak line E6S; 111 poles - Point I) Black oak line N37E; 60 poles - Point J) Shrubbed white oak line E22S; 173 poles - Point K) Black oak line S54E; 67 poles - Point L) White oak line S47E; 32 poles - Point M) Black oak line E13S; 60 poles - Point N) White oak on
PowhiteCreekHYD survey line ; up same to begin Shift: sta 4 of WBYRD704.INT to sta 4 of BYRDD704.INT - Quality of survey: Well located.

WILLIAM BYRD: COLONIAL SURVEY REPORT. DEEDS GRANTED IN OLD CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
TYPE: Patent - mos X LUCEY Date: 20 Oct 1704 ref [Patent Book 9:613] to WILLIAM BYRD
Ref: 3664 acres Henrico/on both sides of rd to the French settlement loc -4985 -32186 F127 L0 P255 - Point A) 0. Ash on PowhiteCreekHYD line E32S; 128 poles - Point B) 1. Black oak line S11W; 89 poles - Point C) 2. White oak in a piece of ground line S37W; 52 poles - Point D) 3. Red oak Corner of Mr THOMAS JEFFERSON & partners line W17.5N; 46 poles along their lines - Point E) 4. White oak corner line S36.5W; 52 poles - Point F) 5. Corner line S31.5W; 112 poles - Point G) 6. Ash in Luceys Branch HYD line ; 82 poles up the branch - Quality of survey: Well located.

WILLIAM BYRD: COLONIAL SURVEY REPORT:
TYPE: Patent - mos XLUCEY Date: 20 Oct 1704 ref [Patent Book 9:613] to WILLIAM BYRD Byrd Ref: 3664 acres Henrico/ on both sides of the rd to the French settlement loc -4977 -28665 F127 L0 P255 - Point A) 7. Spanish oak 77 links above the Spring line S7.5W; 52 poles - Point B) 8. Corner by the Road line W28.5S; 124 poles - Point C) 9. Hickory line S19E; 108 poles - Point D) 10. Corner pine on
side of Shamapoke HYD being corner of JEFFERSON & partners line S39W; 27 poles then crossing Shamapoke - Point E) 11. Pine line S28W; 149 poles - Point F) 12. Corner hickory line W38S; 456 poles - Point G) 13. Gum on Pocoshock HYD line ; 1111 poles up the stream Shift: sta 0 of BYRDC704.INT to sta 1 of TJEFF704.INT - Quality of survey: Well located.

WILLIAM BYRD
TYPE: Other - mos XBYRD696 Date: xx xxx 1696 ref [none] to WILLIAM BYRD
Ref: 5644 acres Henrico/bs of Falling Creek fr Fig 8 chap 4 of SARAH HUGHES Surveyors & Statesmen loc 6736 -16593 F127 L0 P255 - Point A) South side of Falling Creek HYD downstream from Pockashock Branch on upp South of mouth of a branch line SWxS; 160 poles crossing branch - Point B) Tree on South side of branch HYD line SxE; 66 poles - Point C) Black ash line SW.75pW; 529 poles - Point D) Pine line WNW; 910 poles - Point E) Black oak line W; 362 poles - Point F) White oak line
NWxW; 500 poles with ELAM's path running parallel within the boundary - Point G) White oak line NxW; 120 poles - Point H) Black oak line NW.50pW; 40 poles - Point I) __ on South bank of Falling Creek HYD line N; 130 poles crossing Creek pt J) Black oak line E; 256 poles - Point K) Black oak line ESE; 112 poles - Point L) Pine line S; 120 poles - Point M) Pohickory line SExS; 143 poles -
Point N) Pine line E; 548 poles - Point O) Pine line SExE; 94 poles - Point P) __ oak line NExE; 184 poles - Point Q) __ oak line E; 214 poles - Point R) __ line Northeast 88 poles - Point S) __ HYD line ; down Pockashock to mouth __ HYD, down South side of Falling Creek to beginning Sta 15: from 180 to 184.0 to match TULLG705 Sta 14: Brg from ESE to SEXE to correct misreading - Quality of survey: Well located.⁵

     Mary Horsmanden was born circa 1652 in Ham, Lenham Parish, Kent, England.¹ She was the daughter of Warham Horsmanden and Susanna Beeching.² She married William Byrd, son of John Byrd and Grace Elizabeth Stegge, in 1673.¹ She died on 9 November 1699 in Westover Plantation, Charles City County, Virginia.¹ She was buried in Westover Plantation, Charles City County, Virginia.¹