Dear Catherine,

When I changed to AOL for Vista last fall, I lost the capability to read my old messages from my AOL dial-up service. Consequently I am unable to look up our previous correspondence; however, I do recall your contacting me sometime back.

You are the first Terry descendant who agrees with me that George Terry's wife was the daughter of John Pettus! The reasons you gave are the same ones that led me to my conclusion.

You asked whether I have proof that John Pettus, son of Stephen, married Sarah Lipscomb. So far as I am aware, no direct evidence is available to prove the relationship, but good circumstantial evidence leads to the conclusion.

First, Thomas Lipscomb of Louisa County, Virginia, mentioned his daughter Sarah Pettus in his will dated 3 October 1770 (Louisa County Will Book 2: 84).

John Pettus lived in Louisa County until 1758 and afterwards migrated to the portion of Lunenburg County that is now Charlotte County. Thomas also witnessed the deed by which John had purchased land in Louisa County from Stephen Pettus (Louisa County Deed Book B: 8). Third, in 1758, John sold his Louisa land to William Lipscomb, presumably the known son of Thomas Lipscomb (Louisa County Deed Book 1/2: 1).

Thomas had purchased land on Twitty's Creek in the part of Lunenburg that became Charlotte. John built a house on Twitty's Creek. Later, John moved across the boundary between Charlotte and Lunenburg into western Lunenburg County. Proving that is a complicated matter that occupies considerable space in my forthcoming book. When John made his will in 1781 (Lunenburg County Will Book 3: 89-90), he did not state his wife's name, but he did make provisions for her. One of his daughters mentioned in his will was Sarah Pettus. Another was Mary Palmer. John named his son, John, as an executor to his will.

In 1797, Sarah Pettus nee Lipscomb made her will in which she mentioned John Pettus, her son; and John Pettus, "husband of her daughter Sarah Pettus" (Lunenburg County Will Book 4: 208-209). Sarah also mentioned Chilian Palmer, presumably the husband of her daughter Mary. These names were mentioned in the earlier will of Sarah's husband John Pettus.

I could go on, but this information is enough to convince me that Sarah Pettus who made her will in 1797 was the widow of John Pettus who made his will in 1781.

I haven't found any references to "John William Pettus." Thomas Pettus of Lunenburg County, Virginia, had a son named William, but he also had a son named John.

One has to be very careful to distinguish between the two John Pettuses. In fact John Pettus, son of Stephen, sold some of his Twitty's Creek land to John Pettus, son of Thomas Pettus of Lunenburg. John Pettus, son of Thomas, married Susannah Winston (?). The presence of Susannah's name in key records helps to solve the problem. My book devotes quite a bit of space to the problem of sorting out the John Pettuses.

Before you come to Virginia, let me know. I will be glad to call you at a mutually agreeable time to give you some tips on doing research in Virginia (my telephone calling plan allows me unlimited long-distance calls at a fixed monthly fee). I have spent a lot of time over the past 39 years doing research at the Library of Virginia, the Virginia Historical Society, and the clerks' offices at Louisa, Lunenburg, Charlotte, and elsewhere in Virginia. I grew up in Richmond and presently live in Fairfax County, which is outside DC.

Regards,
William

wwpiv@aol.com wwpiv@aol.com



 George Dabney, Capt., Birth: in ,, England, Death: 1729/1734 in , King William Co., Virginia

Note:

! (1) Carolyn Davidson Carey, Greenwood Village, CO. Cites: (a) "Genealogies of Virginia Families extracted from VA Historical Magazine,"

"Dabney Family of VA," by Charles William Dabney. (b) "History of Louisa Co., VA," by Malcolm Harris. (c) "Some VA Marriages", Vol. 1-17, comp. by Cecil McDonalds. (d) Valentine Papers.

(2) "The Virginia Genealogist," Vol. 6, p.6-7, "Dabney of King William County, Virginia," by Mrs. A.D. Crenshaw. Cites: (a) "English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records," by Louis des Cognets (Princeton, 1958) p.59.

(3) "Old New Kent - Some Account of the Planters, Plantations and Places in New Kent County," by Malcolm Hart Harris M.D. (1977), Vol. 1. Library of Congress #MPCS 81-175,393. Cites: (a) Land Patent Book No. 9, p.250-251,445. (b) Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial VA, Vol. No. 3, p.338. (c) Colonial Papers, Folder 1713, Archives Division, VA State Library. (d) Copy of Capt. George Dabney's will found in Col. William Dabney's War Chest at Aldringham, Hanover Co., VA, now in Archives of VA Hist. Soc.
(4) Ancestral File, FHL, 1995.

(5) "Campbell Chronicles and Family Sketches 1782-1926," by R.H. Early (1927) p.387.

(6) "Some Wills from the Burned Counties of Virginia and other Wills not Listed in Virginia Wills and Administrations 1632-1800," by William Lindsay Hopkins (Richmond, VA, 1987) King William Co., p.85. Cites: (a) "VA Gen.," V. 21, p.307-309, Acc. 27738 and VA Hsitorical Soc.

(7) Dabney N. McLean, "The Dabneys of Colonial Virginia" (http://dabney.simplenet.com/dabney.html, 1998). Cites: (a) "English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records," comp. by Louis des Cognet, Jr., p.4,14,25,36,59. (b) Library of Virginia Digital Collection (Electronic Card Index), Land Office Patents and Grants, King and Queen Co., VA. Patent Book 9, p.351. (c) Dr. Malcom Hart Harris, "Old New Kent," Vol. 2, p.884-891. (d) Dr. Malcom Hart Harris, "History of Louisa County," p.19 et seq. (e) Patent Book 12, p.27,28. (f) Dabney papers, VHS.

(8) "Sketch of the Dabneys of Virginia: with some of their family records," by William Henry Dabney (S.D. Childs & Co., Chicago, 1888; rpt. http://books.google.com) p.32-33, 38-39, 94. Cites: (a) Judge William Pope Dabney, Powhatan Court House, VA. (b) Rev. Robert L. Dabney, Professor, University of TX. (c) Charles William Dabney, Dalton Junction, Hanover Co., VA, citing at least 3 generations of the older members of the George Dabney branch of the family, beginning with Col. Charles Dabney; memory of seeing George Dabney's will. (d) Rev. Edward Fontaine, Pontotoc, MS.

! Birth: (1,3) s/o Cornelius DABNEY/Eedith __. (5) s/o Cornelius DABNEY. (8a,b,c,d) Only s/o Cornelius DABNEY by his 1st wife. [NOTE: Source 8's sources state that he was s/o Cornelius DABNEY who m2. Sarah JENNINGS.] (4) About 1634. [NOTE: If his father was baptized 1631, date is much too early.] (8c) England. (8d) England or Wales.
Marriage to Elizabeth __: (1,3,6a,7f) Elizabeth. (8d) Had unknown wife. (4) 1656. [NOTE: This is probably much too early if his father was b. 1631.] (8d) Was already married when Cornelius DABNEY m. Sarah JENNINGS in 1721. (4) New Kent Co., VA. (8d) VA.

Death: (1) 1729. (3d) Will dtd 7 Oct 1729, proved 1744 at King William Co., VA. (4) 24 Oct 1729. (6a,7f) Will dtd 24 Oct 1729, King William Co., VA. (6a) Note attached to his will states that George DABNEY d. before 11 Apr 1734. (8c) Will dtd 1744. (4) King William Co., VA.

(7a) 1699: James DABNEY, Geo. DABNEY, Dorothy DABNEY and Sarah DABNEY, devisees of Cornelius DABNEY, dec'd, were heirs of 700 acres to which was added Low Land thereto adjoining 150 acres in Pamunkey Neck. (2a) James DABNEY, George DABNEY, Dorothy DABNEY and Sarah DABNEY, devisees of Cornelius DABNEY, held 850 acres in Pamunkey Neck.
(1,7b) 1701, 25 Apr: Patented 293 acres, St. John's Parish, King & Queen Co., VA, at Pamunkey Neck. (3a) Several patents were issued this date to DABNEYs for land in Pamunkey Neck, along the Pamunkey River and Mehixon Creek. These DABNEYs were the children of the Cornelius DABNEY, first in VA, and his first wife, and they were the ancestors of the DABNEYs in VA. George DABNEY, one of the above patentees, established his home on his land on the Pamunkey River. This land became known as Dabney's Ferry or "Greenville," and was to be the home of the DABNEYs for 4 generations. George DABNEY lived here. (5) Lived on the Pamunkey opposite Hanovertown. (7) Capt. George DABNEY was seated at "Greenville," King William Co., VA. (8c) Was granted patent for land by King George II of England. Charles William DABNEY owned part of them in 1887.

(3a,7c,d) Capt. George DABNEY owned and operated Dabney's Ferry over the Pamunkey River from King William Co. to Hanover Co., VA. (3a) The ferry was an important route to Williamsburg and later to Richmond. The Ferry landed on the Hanover side of the river near Hanovertown.
(8b) He took umbrage at his father's 2nd marriage, he himself being them married and having children, and separated himself and his family from his father and second family of children and moved away, and would have no communication with them. (8c) Left the family seat, where they first settled.
(7e) On 9 July [NOTE: Year not stated] he was granted 1200 acres on Cub Creek in Louisa Co., now in Hanover Co.

(1) 1701-1716: Justice of Delaware Town (now West Point), King William Co., VA.
(7a) 1702: George DABNEY appointed Justice of the Peace, King William Co., VA. (3b) Capt. George DABNEY was in the first Commission of Peace for King William Co. [NOTE: King William Co. was formed 1702 from King & Queen Co.]
(7a) 1713: George DABNEY appointed Sheriff, King William Co., VA. [NOTE: In 1715 he complained that he had never been appointed Sheriff. See note below.]
(7a) 1714: George DABNEY appointed Justice of the Peace, King William Co., VA.
(3c) 1715: George DABNEY of King William Co., VA petitioned Lt. Gov. Alexander SPOTSWOOD, saying that he had been one of the Justices of King William Co. since it became a county, "except some small time your Petitioner was left out of the Commission and never yett hath obtained the favour of the Government of the Sheriff Place," and requested the "Sherffs Commission."
(3) Capt. George DABNEY was vestryman of the Parish of St. John's.
(7a) 1726: George DABNEY appointed Justice of the Peace, King William Co., VA.
(6a,7f) 1729, 24 Oct: (3d) 1729, 7 Oct: (3d,6a) George DABNEY of King William Co., VA wrote his will. (6a) Gave to daughter Mary PETTUS; grandson Dabney PETTUS, son of Stephen PETTUS; grandson George ANDERSON (under 21); son George DABNEY; son William DABNEY; wife Elizabeth DABNEY. Mentions land in Hanover Co. Gives to daughter Susannah DABNEY; to daughters Sarah DABNEY and Judith DABNEY. Executors wife Elizabeth DABNEY and sons George DABNEY and William DABNEY. (3d) Names his wife Elizabeth, sons George and William, and daughters Sarah, Judith, and Elizabeth. He named his sons executors. (8c) 1744: His will provides for his sons George and William and several daughters.


Father: Cornelius Dabney (d'Aubigne) c: 11 Dec 1631 in Bucknall, Lincolnshire, England
Mother: Edith b: in ,, England

Marriage 1 Elizabeth

Children

Has No Children Susannah Dabney b: in , , Virginia
Has Children Elizabeth Dabney c: 11 Nov 1698 in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent Co., Virginia
Has Children George Dabney II b: in ,, Virginia
Has Children Sarah Dabney b: in , , Virginia
Has Children William Dabney of Aldringham b: ABT 1707 in "Greenville", King William Co., Virginia
Has No Children Judith Dabney b: in , , Virginia
Has Children Mary Dabney b: in "Greenville", King William Co., Virginia



(7a) 1699: James DABNEY, Geo. DABNEY, Dorothy DABNEY and Sarah DABNEY, devisees of Cornelius DABNEY, dec'd, were heirs of 700 acres to which was added Low Land thereto adjoining 150 acres in Pamunkey Neck. (2a) James DABNEY, George DABNEY, Dorothy DABNEY and Sarah DABNEY, devisees of Cornelius DABNEY, held 850 acres in Pamunkey Neck.

(1,7b) 1701, 25 Apr: Patented 293 acres, St. John's Parish, King & Queen Co., VA, at Pamunkey Neck. (3a) Several patents were issued this date to DABNEYs for land in Pamunkey Neck, along the Pamunkey River and Mehixon Creek.

These DABNEYs were the children of the Cornelius DABNEY, first in VA, and his first wife, and they were the ancestors of the DABNEYs in VA. George DABNEY, one of the above patentees, established his home on his land on the Pamunkey River. This land became known as Dabney's Ferry or "Greenville," and was to be the home of the DABNEYs for 4 generations. George DABNEY lived here. (5) Lived on the Pamunkey opposite Hanovertown. (7) Capt. George DABNEY was seated at "Greenville," King William Co., VA.
(3a,7c,d) Capt. George DABNEY owned and operated Dabney's Ferry over the Pamunkey River from King William Co. to Hanover Co., VA. (3a) The ferry was an important route to Williamsburg and later to Richmond. The Ferry landed on the Hanover side of the river near Hanovertown.

(7e) On 9 July (NOTE: Year not stated) he was granted 1200 acres on Cub Creek in Louisa Co., now in Hanover Co.

(1) 1701-1716: Justice of Delaware Town (now West Point), King William Co., VA.

(7a) 1702: George DABNEY appointed Justice of the Peace, King William Co., VA. (3b) Capt. George DABNEY was in the first Commission of Peace for King William Co. (NOTE: King William Co. was formed 1702 from King & Queen Co.)

(7a) 1713: George DABNEY appointed Sheriff, King William Co., VA. (NOTE: In 1715 he complained that he had never been appointed Sheriff. See note below.)

(7a) 1714: George DABNEY appointed Justice of the Peace, King William Co., VA.

(3c) 1715: George DABNEY of King William Co., VA petitioned Lt. Gov. Alexander SPOTSWOOD, saying that he had been one of the Justices of King William Co. since it became a county, "except some small time your Petitioner was left out of the Commission and never yett hath obtained the favour of the Government of the Sheriff Place," and requested the "Sherffs Commission."

(3) Capt. George DABNEY was vestryman of the Parish of St. John's.
(7a) 1726: George DABNEY appointed Justice of the Peace, King William Co., VA.

1729: George Dabney's Will
October 24, 1729

A True Copy of my Fathers Will

In the name of God &c. I George Dabney of King Wm. County do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

I give to my Daughter Mary Pettus Twenty Shillings Current money. I give to my Grandson Dabney Pettues son of [torn] negroe boy named Frank.

I give to my Grandson George Anderson, my Negro man Peter and Twenty pounds Sterling, when he arrives to the age of Twenty one years Complete, upon this Proviso, that his father Permits him to live with my Executors, or Either of them, untill he is of the said age and if he should die or his father should Take him away from my said Executors before he Attains the said age, That then my will is that his Bequest Remain with my Execrs. and be apply'd to the uses of the Residuary legacy given by me of my Negroes Stock &c. in my home Dwelling Plantation.

I give and Bequeath to my son George Dabney and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, and for want of Such to my son William Dabney and the heirs male of his body lawfully begotten, all and Every part of that Tract of land whereon I now live, and all Improvements thereon, Together with the other Plantation on the same, whereon he the said George lives with this Provison, that my loving wife Eliza. have the use and Occupation of the said Plantation whereon I now live and all the Improvemts. Thereon During her Natural live.

My meaning by this Intail is that the land mentioned in the above legacy shall always Remain in the name of the Dabneys, I allso give and Bequeath to my said son George Dabney and his heirs forever, Six hundred acres of my Twelve hundred acres of land on Cubb Camp Creek in Hanover County at the upper End thereof, and that the same be laid off to him and them so as not to Prejudice the Settlement and Plantation I have already made on the said land for my son William Dabney. I allso give unto him the said George Dabney the one half of the stock of whatever Nature, and half of my houshold stuff on my said Plantation on Cubb Camp Creek, I likewise give unto him the said George Dabney and his heirs forever, all the negroes that he has now in his Possession And allso my negroe fellow Tom now living at Cubb Creek, I allso give unto him all the houshold Stuff and stock where he lives or is in his Possession, my new Trooping saddle and furniture pistolls and holsters my new Silver kilted sword, and Brandy Still and the Equal half of my wearing Apparrel. [torn]

Bequeath to my son William Dabney and his heirs forever all that my five hundred acres of land and Plantation Thereon in Hanover County Between the South anna of Pamunky and Taylors Creek, and allso I give unto him the said William Dabney and his heirs forever all that my Tract of land and Plantation in Hanover County on Wolf swamp Together with the houshold Stuff and Stock of Cattle, horses and hogs, There on the Two Plantations I Give allso to my son William Dabney and his heirs forever all that six hundred acres of land and Plantation Thereon belonging to me, being the lower half of my Twelve hundred acres of land on Cubb Camp Creek in Hanover County, to be laid out for him as Designed by my legacy to my son George I allso give unto him the said William Dabney the one half of my stock and housholds stuff, I have on my said Plantation at Cubb Camp Creek, I allso give my said son William Dabney my Walnut writing Desk, my old Pistols and holsters, all my Silver Buttons, my Silver Tankeard and Twelve Silver spoons and half my wearing Apparel. I allso give to may said son William Dabney my Six negroes and their Encrease to him and his heirs forever, I mean the future Encrease To Witt. Sambo, Moll, Samson, Moll, Jack and Will.

I Give and Bequeath to my Daugher Susannah Dabney and her heirs forever my Six Negroes and their Increase To Witt. Robin, Sarah, Simon, Jammie, Tonay and Tom, I allso give unto my said Daughter Susannah Dabney, her Rideing horse and side Saddle and one fether Bed and Furniture of the best in my house

I Give to my loving wife Elizabeth Dabney all her wearing aparrel Rideing horse, Side saddle &c. To be Disposed of as She Thinks proper. My Will and Desire is that after my Debts and Legacys paid the Ramining part of my Estate shall Continue Remain and be for the use of my loving wife Eliz. and the Children hereafter Mention'd There To Witt.

That all my Crops of Tobacco be yearly shipt to England under my Mark and that they with what I have allready there be applied to the Maintenance of my loving wife and my Two Daughters Sarah and Judith Dabney, and finding Negroes in her Care with Necessarys and Repairations, and that what shall Remain in England or not Arived in goods before my wifes Death, be Devided in four parts between my son William Dabney and my Daughters, Susannah, Sarah, and Judith Dabney And my will is that the Negroes not Disposed of after my wifes Death, I give to be Equally Divided between my said Daughters Sarah and Judith Dabneys and their heirs forever, and I allso give to be Equally Divided between them Two, all my Stock of Cattle, horses, Hogs, Sheep &c. and Crops not Disposed of at [torn] my home Plantation, To be Equally Divided between them Two.

My meaning by the above Bequest is that what money or Efects in England and not Arived in Virginia, belonging to my Estate at the Death of my said wife, be Divided Equally between my said son and Three Daughters above Mention'd and that my Debts and Legacys be paid out of it and my Personal Estate at my home Plantation, and that my loving wife have the use of both money in England and Negroes not given away, Excepting those to the Two younger Children dureing her Natural life, and that she shall not be Obliged to give Security nor Return any Appraismt. to Court, I being fully Satisfied of her faithful mannagemt. of the [crease in document] Reposed in her, but that Imediately upon her Decease my Surviving Executors shall give Security and Return an Inventory to Court of the Estate in her hands in order that the same may be made forthcoming to the uses above Mention'd Lastly I hereby Constitue and appoint my said loving wife Eliza. Dabney and my said Sons George and William Dabney, Executors of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have hereto set my hand and Seal this Twenty fourth day of October 1729. [Magazine of Virginia Genealogy XXXVI/3:216-218]