Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties

William Cole

Male Abt 1668 - 1735  (~ 67 years)


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  • Name William Cole 
    Birth Abt 1668  Sittingbourne Parish, Old Rappahannock County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death 16 Dec 1735  St. Anne's Parish, Essex County, Virginia - Probate Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I90072  Tree1
    Last Modified 21 Mar 2024 

    Father John Cole,   b. Bef 1643   d. Bef 1699, Sittingbourne Parish, Essex County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age < 56 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Anne Gantlett,   b. Bef 1652   d. Aft 1668, Sittingbourne Parish, Essex County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 18 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Marriage Bef 1668  Sittingbourne Parish, Old Rappahannock County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F36721  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Elizabeth Watkins,   b. Bef 1685   d. Aft 1735, St. Anne's Parish, Essex County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 52 years) 
    Marriage Bef 1702  St. Anne's Parish, Essex County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F43009  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 21 Mar 2024 

  • Notes 
    • ===
      1730-1735 Essex County, Virginia Will Book 5; [Antient Press]; Page 390-392 {lived on Dragon Swamp}
      IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN this 22d day of January 1729 I WILLIAM COLE of the County of Essex being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be given unto God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die doe make and ordain this my last will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my Soule into the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and desent manner at the discretion of my Executrix and as touching such worldly Estate whearevith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and forme
      IMPRIMIS I give all my land to be Eaqually devided amongst five sons hereafter named JOHN COLE, WILLIAM COLE, ASAEL COLE, ISAIAH COLE &ROBERT COLE to them and his heirs of their bodys lawfully begotten for ever PROVIDED that if either of my sons or their heirs shall at any time hereafter pretend to sell mortgage Lease or rent out any part of the said land to any person whatsoever (other then to each other of the brothers or heirs) then his or their right to such part of my land so given shall be extinct and void and shall desend to the rest of the brothers and their lawfull esshev for ever to be eaqually devided and in the same manner as slaves given the rest of my land Notwithstanding either of my sons or their lawfull Esshew may make sale of their part of land to any of their brothers or their lawfull issue and to no other whatsoever actor-ding to the intent and meaning of this my will and if either of my sons should die in their minority or without lawfull issue then his part of land shall be eaqually devided amongst the surviving Brothers or their Lawfull Esshew for ever as aforesaid - Turn over
      ITEM I give unto my daughter ELIZABETH COLE one negro boy named Jemmey to her and her heirs for ever.
      ITEM I lend unto my loving Wife ELIZABETH COLE all the rest of my estate dureing her widowhood, and in case she should not marry lend it for her natural life and after her marage I give her a Childs part according to the number of my children then living.
      ITEM I give unto my five sons before named all my negroes after my wiles part deducted to them and their heirs for ever.
      ITEM I give all the rest of my personal estate (after my wiles part deducted) to be eaqually amongst my six children and their heirs for ever.
      ITEM I give unto my loving wife third part of my land for and during her natural life.
      LASTLY I doe appoint my loving Wife Elizabeth Cole hole and sole Executrix of this my last will and Testament.
      In presence of HENRY GRINSTED Wm. Cole
      GEORGE BROGGDIN; WM. COVINGTON
      At a Court held for Essex County at Tappa, on the xvith day of December MDCCXXXV
      This last will Testamt. of William Cole decd was presented in Court by Elizabeth Cole the Executrix therein named who made oath thereto and being also proved by the Oath of Wm. Covington one of the witnesses thereto who also made oath that he did see Henry Greensted dated George Brogdon Subscribe ye same as witness thereto which was ordered to be recorded.
      ===
      1730-1735 Essex County, Virginia Will Book 5; [Antient Press]; Page 392-393
      KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that we ELIZA. COLE; NICHOLAS SMITH and WM. DUNN are held & firmly bound unto THOS. WARING, SALVATOR MUSCOE, ROBT BROOKE JAMES GARNETT Gent Justices of the County of Essex in ye sum of two hundred pounds Sterling this ye with day of December MDCCXXXV
      The condition of ye obligation is such that if ye above bound Eliza. Cole Exrx, of ye last will &Testament of Wm. Cole decd do make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all the goods chattels and credits of the sd decd the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited in the County Court of Essex at such time as she shall be thereunto required by the sd Court & further do make a just and true account of her actings and doings therein when thereunto required by the sd Court and do well and truly pay and deliver all the Legacies contained & specified in the sd Testament as far as the sd goods chattels & credits will thereun to extend according to the value thereof & the law shall charge Then this obligation to be void
      Eliza. Cole
      Nicho. Smith W. Dunn
      At a Court held for Essex County on ye xvith day of Decr. MDCCXXXV
      (those bound) acknowledged this bond to be their act & deed which is ordered to be recorded.
      ===
      ===
      1707-1711 Essex County, Virginia Deed & Will Book 13; [John Frederick Dorman]; Page 30.
      Will of Mr. Thomas Wattkins of Essex County, Senior, being very sick and weak in body, dated 10 Jan. 1702.
      Unto my sone Lewis 400 acres in Stafford, and a flock bed and furniture and my wearing cloaths.
      Unto my son Thomas Wattkins 350 acres. Also one cow and yearling he has in his own possession and 1500 pounds of tobacco.
      To my daughter Margarrett Coats 2000 pounds of tobacco to be paid the next year after my decease.
      To my Godson Will Brisledine one cow yearling.
      Unto my son-in-law Nath. Saunders one young horse or mare.
      Unto my son-in-law Will: Cole one gould ring of fifteen shillings price.
      Unto my two youngest sons Benjamin Wattkins and John Wattkins 400 acres in Stafford County and my plantation which I now live upon, equally betwixt them, and for want of lawful issue to be equally devided amongst the rest of my own children.
      For the rest of my estate, houshold goods, unto my dear and loveing wife Mrs. Ann Wattkins, Benjamin Wattkins, John Wattkins, but in case any disagreement be amongst them my loveing wife to have the third part to her selfe during her life, only what I have given to my sons is voyde it being my will and earnest desire for them to be advised by their mother in all things.
      My two youngest sons Benjamin Wattkins and John Wattkins executors and my dear and loveing wife Mrs. Ann Wattkins joint executrix.
      Tho. (I) Watkins
      Wit: Thomas Coleman, John Thiessall, Thomas Hart and William Covington.
      10 Oct. 1707. Proved by Thomas Coleman, Thomas Hart and William Covington.
      ===
      1707-1711 Essex County, Virginia Deed & Will Book 13; [John Frederick Dorman]; Page 31.
      10 Oct. 1707. Bond of Benja. Watkins and John Watkins as executors of Thomas Watkins. Unto Francis Gouldman of Essex County, Gent., in behalf of the Court. For £500 sterling. Securities, Wm. Cole, Samll. Coates and Thomas St. John. Benjamin Watkins
      John Watkins
      William Cole
      Samll. Coates
      Thomas (T) St. John
      Wit: Abr. Ayrton, Ja. Alderson.
      10 Oct. 1707. Acknowledged.

      ===
      1686-1688 Old Rappahannock County, Virginia Deed Book 7, Part II; [Antient Press]; Page 437
      KNOW ALL MEN by these presents yt: I EDWARD ROWZEE of ye County of Rappa: for a valuabale consideration to me paid do sell from me my heires unto WM. COLE of the same County of Rappa: his heirs a certaine parcell of land conteyning Seventy acres lying in ye sd County of Rappa: on the South side of the Creek called OCCUPACCEY Beginning at a markt red Oake by the side of a deep short Branch and running from thence by a line South West to the lower way or PATH yt: leads to OCCUPACY MILL then over ye sd PATH one hundred paces or near there about to a markt red Oake, thence by a line of markt trees running back towards ye Creek to ye head of a small branch yt: falleth into ye Creek a little towards ye MILL below ye MILL thence down ye Creek to ye markt red Oake where it first began To have and to hold to him ye sd WM. COLE his heires ye sd parcell of land peacably and without lett of me the sd EDWARD ROWZEE my heires and from ye just claime of all persons yt: may lay claim thereto under me Witness my hand and seale this two and Twentieth day of September in the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred Eighty eight
      Teste THO: PARKER SENR, EDWARD ROWZEE
      THO: PARKER JUNR.
      Recognitr in Cur Com Rappa: 3 die 8bris 1688 et record 17th die
      ===
      1699-1702 Essex County, Virginia Order Book; [Antient Press]; Page 4
      Essex County Court 11th of August 1699
      - The suit between WM. COLE ye surviving Son & heir of JNO: COLE deced, who marryed ANN, one of the Daughters and co heirs of WM. GANTLETT deced, Plt. &ELIZA: BROADLEY Defendt., is dismist for ye insufficienty of ye Writt & Declaration
      ===
      1701-1704 Essex County, Virginia Deed & Will Book; [Antient Press]; Page 88-89
      THIS INDENTURE made the tenth day of Novembr: 1701 Betweene Mr. EDWARD ROWZE of the Pish: of Cittinbourne in the County of Essex Gentl., of the one part and WILLIAM COLE of the same Parish & County, Planter, of the other part. Witnesseth that the said EDWARD ROWZE for Three thousand pounds of good sound merchantable tobaccos & cask to him in hand paid hath sold unto the said WILLIAM COLE his heires & assignes all that p:cell of land or Woodland conteyning Fortie eight acres & a halfe scituate in the Pish of Cittingbourne in the County of Essex aforesaid and bounded beginning at a corner Maple being a corner tree to the land he now dwells on, thence along the ROADE according to the severall courses thereof North West to a marked white Oake standing on the side of the MILL DAM, thence up the said Dam according to the several courses thereof South West to a marked tree standing in the line of Mr. EDWARD ROWZEE, thence along the said line North East to a marked corner tree standing in the aforesaid line, thence by a line of marked trees which parteth this land and the land he now lives on soe to the place it began, besides some certaine parte lying betweene the Maple that divides this land & the said land the said WILLIAM COLE now lives on unto a certaine white Oake standing on the side of the MILL DAM betweene the said lines afore menconed being the several courses of a ROAD to a certaine Pocoson adjoyning to the maine runn of OCCUPACON CREEKE and all vayes waters swamps belonging to the sd parcel! of land or woodland belonging and all Deeds concerning the pr:misses To have and to hold unto the said WILLIAM COLE his heires & assignes he paying the Rent and performeing ye services 'which shall hereafter become due unto or: Sovgne: Lord the King, And the said EDWARD ROWZE for himselfe his heires the said Land will warrant & forever defend and said WILLIAM COLE his heires at all times hereafter peaceably occupy the said land & take the Rents profits 'without any denyall of the said EDWARD ROWZE his heires or any other persons In Witness whereof the p:ties have set their hands and scales
      Signed sealed & delivered in presence of us
      JNO: BUTLER, EDWARD ROWZEE
      SALVATOR MUSCOE
      EDWD. ROWZEE acknowledged this Deed and MARY his Wife relinquished her right of Dower to the land therein mentioned in Essex County Court ye 10th day of 9ber: 1701 and the same is truely recorded Test FRANCIS MERIWETHER, Cl Cur
      ===
      1701-1704 Essex County, Virginia Deed & Will Book; [Antient Press]; Page 125-129
      THIS INDENTURE made the twenty fourth day of November in the first yeare of the Reigne of or: Sovereigne Lady Ann by the grace of God &c. and in the yeare of or: Lord One thousand seaven hundred & two Betweene WILLIAM COLE of the Parish of Farnham in the County of Essex in Virga: Planter, of the one part and THOMAS MEREWETHER of the same Parish and County, Gentleman, on the other part Witnesseth that I the said WILLIAM COLE for diverse causes but more especially for the entire sume of seaventy pounds Sterling money to me in hand paid doe sell unto the aforesaid THOMAS MEREWETHER & to his heires & assignes forever Two hundred & seaventy acres of land being in the Parish & County aforesaid and bounded as followeth (.vizt.) bounding about one quarter of a mile above the CALVE PASTURE BRANCH and beginning att a red Oake marked and soe by a line of marked trees North North East to another red Oake att the PATH side and along the said PATH to another marked red Oake alsoe North West to a great marked Pine, thence West South West to the DIVIDEING BRANCH which partes this land from the land of JOHN FORTH, and soe downe the said branch to the Runn and soe to the place whereof it begann, which said land was formerly purchased by WM GANTLETT, Grandfather to the said WILLIAM COLE, of WM. CLAIBOURNE Gent as by Deed dated the Tenth day of May One thousand six hundred sixty seaven and acknowledged in NEW KENT County Court the same day, it being part of a Devidend of Four thousand acres of land knowne or comonly called BESTLAND devidend as by Patent granted to the said CLAIBOURNE dated the twenty eighth day of Augt. One thousand six hundred sixty one which said land was recovered by due proceedings at Law in Essex County Court by the said WILLIAM COLE and he put into quiett & peaceable possession of the pr,misses by vertue of his then Majties. Writt of habere facial possess dated the Fifteenth day of October being Anno Dom: One thousand seven hundred under the hand of THO: EDMONDSON Gent., one of the Justices of the Peace in Quorum by for the aforesd County of Essex. To have & to hold the aforesd. Two hundred & seaventy acres of land and every part thereof with all houses buildings gardens orchards appurtenaning to the same belonging togeather with all rights unto him the aforesd. THO MEREWEATHER & his heires & assignes forever he or any of them paying unto her aforesd Majtie. & Successrs. all such Quitt rents as shall become due for the same and I the said WILLIAM COLE doe hereby oblidge my selfe that he the said THOMAS MERREWEATHER shall at all times forever hereafter peaceably and quietly enjoy the aforesaid pr.misses without trouble of me the said WM. COLE or my heires or any other persons claiming And I warrant the hereby granted pr:misses to him and will acknowledge these pr.sents in the Court of Essex County aforesaid when required In Witness
      whereof I the said WM. COLE have sett my hand & affixed my seale
      Signed sealed and delivered in the prsence of
      CHA. COLLIAR, WILLIAM COLE
      JO BURK
      WM JONES
      Acknowledged in Essex County Court the 11th day of Janry: 1702 & truely recorded
      I doe deliver possession & seisin of the within bargained land in the name of all the rest contained in the within Deed of Sale to the within named THOMAS MERIWETHER his heires and assignes forever according to the effect of the within Deed of Sale Witness my hand and seale this 2d day of December 1702
      Witness NATHLL SANDERS, WILLIAM COLE
      EDWARD POULIN
      EMMANUEL WILLIAMS
      Truely recorded Test FRANCIS MERIWFTHFR, Cl Cur
      Memorandum That full possession delivered (same witnesses)
      !Bond for fullfillment of Covenants in amaount of One hundred and forty pounds Sterling Witnessed by CHA: COLLIER, JO: BURK, WM, JONES, Acknowledged 10th of Janry: 1702.)

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