James Edmundson, son of Thomas the immigrant,, Essex County, VA
This posting of an account of James Edmundson, son of Thomas Edmundson, the immigrant, of Essex County, like all research is subject to revision if new facts emerge. I invite other researchers to review the following and to discuss any errors.I ask, too, that any additional data be contributed to this website if such is known.
Stephen W. Edmondson
JAMES EDMUNDSON (167_-1741) AND DESCENDANTS
( THOMAS-1)
James appears to be the eldest son of Thomas and Ann Gregory Ed-mundson.James Edmundson marriedJudith Alleman Parr, widow of Philip Parr, in 1700 ( Essex County Marriages, Book 10, p. 70).Judith was the daughter of Thomas Allaman of Gloucester County.
Philip Parr’s will was dated Dec. 30, 1699, and was proved in Essex County June 10, 1701.Parr, of South Farnham Parish, in the County of Essex, gives 150 acres lying upon the Gleab Swamp to kinsman Richard Carter, to eldest daughter Judith Parr, all the land in Middlesex Coun-ty, formerly given to her by her grandfather, Thomas Alleman; to daughter, Mary Parr, my Manor plantation; daughter, Constant Parr, wife Judith Parr, all the rest of my land; father-in-law, Thomas Alla-man, and brother-in-law, Mr. Richard Covington, executors.On June 11, 1702, James Edmundson , with James Boughan as security, execut-ed a bond to Thomas Ellis, conditioned upon prosecuting an appeal from a judgment rendered against James Edmundson and Judith, his wife, administrators, with the will annexed, of Philip Parr, deceased.
A later court document related to a suit before the General Court stated that Thomas Allaman, who died in Gloucester County March 9, 1706, married twice, and had by his first wife a daughter Judith, who married Edmundson and had Thomas Edmundson and John Edmundson, both living in 1753. (William and Mary College Quarterly, Vol. 13, 276; Tyler’s Quarterly, Vol. 1, p. 225).
March, 1703/04. James Edmondson andEdward Adcocke witnessed a deed of gift by Francis Thornton of Stafford County. Wills and Deeds, Essex, No. 11, p. 214.
1704, Essex County. James Edmondson reported additional inventory in the estate of Philip Parr.Tobacco due the estate: Elizabeth Gregory, 180.Mr. Thomas Edmondson, 300.Mr. Bindrey, 100.Mr. Robert Deputy, 365.William Hudson, 15.Tim. Driscoll, 9.Henry Nixson, 15. Richard Huchens, 16.Richard Bradbury, 67.Robert Webb, 136. John Webb, 136.EdmondRoberts, 109.John Brasur, 210.John Brooks, 200.Francis Meriwether, 129.
James Edmundson owned 500 acres of land as shown on the Quit Rent Roll, 1704, Essex County (English Duplicates of Lost Virginia Records, by deCognets, p. 136, pub. in 1958; Virginia Tax Records, p. 548).James and Joseph Edmundson witnessed a deed, July 10, 1703, bywhich John Haile, son and heir of Capt. Richard Haile, deceased, sells 100 acres in King and Queen County, part ofa larger tract owned by Capt. Haile, part in King and Queen County and part in Essex (Deed Book 11, p. 29).
Nov. 10, 1704. James Edmondson witnessed a bond for Nicholas Copeland as guardian of Jno. Adkinson, orphan.
Feb. 16, 1705/06. James Edmondson stated he owes George Loyd, ordinary keeper, 1250 lbs. tobacco which he refuses to accept.
Oct. 23, 1712. Will of John Braser was witnessed by James Edmondson, Thomas Russell and Ann Gibbons.
March 12, 1712/13. A deed was recorded from Plunkett Holt to John Boughan, Sr., 620 acres, beginning at Kings Swamp below Piscataway Mill. Witnessed by Thomas Bryan and James Edmondson.
James Edmundson bought 150 acres from Leonard Tarent and his wife Mary, April 8, 1714 (Deed Book ?, p. 225, Essex County).
James Edmundson of Essex County, January 13, 1714/15, sold to his brother Samuel Edmundson 150 acres of landfor 45 pounds sterling, bought from Leonard Tarent .Witnesses were William Edmundson, Bryant Edmundson, Robert Bryant.Judith Edmundson, wife of James, gave power of attorney to James Boughan to relinquish her right of dower.
James and Benjamin Edmundson took inventory of the estate of Edward Coffy in Essex County, Dec. 4, 1716.James Edmundson signed bond as administrator of the estate of Jeffery Dyer in 1716.James Edmondson’s land is mentioned in a patent to Robert Forish in King and Queen County and in Essex, June 22, 1722. (Va. Gen., Vol. 3, p. 237).
The will of James Edmundson, August 19, 1741, in complete detail, gives additional important information not abstracted in the past.The will, probated Sept. 15, 1741, states:
In the name of God Amen I James Edmondson of Essex County being of disposeing sence and memory make this my Last will and Testament First I bequeath my Soul to Almighty God my Heavenly Father in hopes of pardon and forgiveness of all my Sins in and through the merits of my blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body to the earth to be decently buried and as to my Estate real and personal I dispose of as follows.2ly I give to my son John Edmundson and his heirs forever my manner house with all the Land I have on the West side of the main Swamp that runs into Dunns Mill Dam I also give mysd Son John Two of my Negro’s Cook and Harry and one horse named Wonton Ten head of Cattel and the best Bed and furniture Excepting that Whereon my wife Lies and six of the newest Silver Spoons3lyI give to my Grandson John Edmondson and his heirs the Plantation where his father lived with all the Land I have on the South side of the above sd Mill Swamp4lyI give to my Grand Daughter Sarah Edmondson my Negro Jenny to be delivered to her at the age of eighteen or the day of Marridg Allso one feather bed of six pound prise but if she should died before this Legasie becomes due then its my will that it return to my Son John Edmondson.5ly I give my daughter Susannah Edmondson three Negroes Dirk, Beck and Plato and the next best feather bed and furniture not disposed of AllsoEight head of Cattle ten Barrels of Corne Eight hundred Tobo one horse Colt named Blasd the chest wherein her Cloaths Lies and Liberty to Live on my Plantation and work her Negroes as long as She remains unmarried and no longer
6ly I give my Daughter Elizabeth Hay my Negro man Named Walley and twenty six pound cash and six head of Cattle7ly I give to my
Grand Daughter Sarah Hay my Negro Rachel8ly I give to my
Daughter Sarah TownlyTwenty five pounds cash9lyI lend my beloved wife Judith the use of four Negro’s Tom Duke Rose and George dureingher widowhood and no longerI give my beloved wife Eight Hundred pounds of Tobo10lyall the goods I have in the hands of my Son Thomas Edmondson and Cash that I have in the hands of James Webb I desire should be Equally Divided between them Excepted fifty
??? s of brown linen and all the white Sheeting andtwenty two yards of Negroe’sCotton which is for my famileys use and twelve yards of Cheek Linen11ly I give to my Son Jno Edmondson all my Cash and Cash accts and Tobo & plate not above dispos’d of in this my will.
12lyIlend my beloved wife all the Remainder of my household Estate not above disposed of as long as She remains a Widow and after my sd wifes decease or marring again I give George and Rose and my Lent Estate to my Son John Edmondson and Tom to my Daughter Susannah and Duke to my Daughter Elizabeth Hay: and it likewise my will that no part of my Estate be appraised and Lastly I do hereby ordain my beloved Son Jno Edmondson my Executor to Execute my Last will and Testament
Signed Sealed and delivered(s) James Edmondson(seal)
to be my Last Will
Test Thomas Edmondson jun
Robert Edwards
Aug19th1741
Christian Gresham
At Court held for Essex County at Tappahannock on the 15th day of September 1741This Last will and Testament of James Edmondson deced being Exhibited by John Edmondson the Executor therein Named, Thomas Edmondson jun heir at law to the said James came into Court and declared that he had no objections to make against the said Wills being proved; and then the said John Edmondson made oath to the said Will as the Law directs and the same being duely proved by the oath of the Witnesses thereto was admitted to record
TestS. Robinson
(Texts of these documents were transcribed by Lee Edmundson).
Bond was made as follows:
Know all men by these presents that we John Edmondson & Thomas Edmondson are held and firmly bound unto Thomas Waring AlexanderParkerWilliam Daingerfield and Mungo RoyGentlemen Justices of the peace for the County of Essex, their heirs and Successors in the sum of fifteen hundred pounds sterling to the which payment well and truly to be made we bind our Selves our heirs Exrs & Adms jointly and severally firmly by these presents Witness our hands and seals this 15th day of Septemr anno Dom 1741
The Condition of this obligation is such that if the above Bound John Edmondson Executor of the Last will and Testament of James Edmond-son desd do make or cause to be made a true and perfectInventory of all and Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said desed which have or shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of the said John Edmondson or into the hands possession or knowledge of any other person or persons for him and the same so made do Exhibit or cause to be Exhibited into the County Court of Essex at such time as he Shall be there unto required by the said Court and the same goods Chattles and Credits & all other goods Chattels and credits of the said Deceased at the time of his Death which at any time after Shall shall come to the hands or possession of the said John Edmondson or into the hands or possession of any other person or persons for him do well and truly Administer according to Law and Further do make a just and true account of his actings and doings therein when thereto requiredby the said Court and also do well and truly pay and deliver all the Legaciescontained and Specified in the said Testament as far as the said goods Chattels and credits will thereunto Extend according to the Value thereof and the Law Shall Charge Then this obligation to be void and of none Effect otherwise to Remain in full force and Vertue.
John Edmondson (seal)
Tho Edmondson jr(seal)
At a Court held for Essex County at Tappahannock on the 15th day of September 1741 John Edmondson and Thomas Edmondson jr acknowledge this bond to be their act and Deed which was ordered to be recorded.
TestSRobinson
Thiscomplete will changes the previously understoodfamily pattern in several ways.
Thomas Edmundson, a son, is named in the will but receives only an equal share ofgoods he holds and cash James Webb holds.Thomas Edmundson jun is a witness to the will, not a legatee, though a reference in one of the documents terms him an “heir at law”.He gave bond with John as a man of property but there is no evidence to support his being John’s brother and a son of the deceased James in the documents.However,he is almost certainly a son of the deceased James and brother of John.The will refers to a son now deceased with two children,John and Sarah,who are left property by their grandfather.Their father lived on land mentioned in the will before his death.The deceased son was James Edmondson, Jr.
Lee Edmundson obtainedrecords of the administration of the estate of James Edmondson, Junior,and an administrator’s bond recorded Feb. 18, 1734.Inventory and appraisement was recorded March 18, 1734, and Nov. 18, 1735.(See Wills No. 5, 1730-1735 ).The Essex Order Book 9, p. 74, shows Christian Edmondson, widow and relic of James Edmondson Jr. was granted administration of his estate.
The records of Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, show the marriage of James Edmundson and Christian Gregory, Feb. 2, 1731.
Christian Gregory Edmundson, widow, married John Gresham, as Order Book 10, Essex County, p. 175, shows November 16, 1737:
“John Gresham & Christian his wife, late Christian Edmondson, vs Richard and John Johnson…”Christian Gresham was a witness to James Edmondson’s will in 1741.
Lee Edmundson’s research requires a revision in the family of James and Judith Allaman Parr Edmundson as previously constructed.
The will of Judith Edmundson, dated March 6, 1763, names daughters:
Constance Edmundson,Eliza Hull, Mary Breedlove, Judith Faulkner; son, John Edmundson.To brother William Alleman, negroes now in the possession of Toy Tabb.Sons, John Edmundson and ThomasEdmundson.Witnesses: James Edmundson and Thomas Edmundson.
Several of the daughters’ names do not coincide with daughters’ names in her husband’s will.However, the will of Phillip Parr, quoted earlier,names daughters of Parr’smarriage to Judith:Judith, Mary and Con-stant Parr.Another source states Constance Parr married Thomas Edmundson. (Bond, Dec, 18, 1750, related to the estate ofThomas Edmundson).Judith Alleman Parr Edmundson’s brother, William Allaman, died in 1732, leaving a widow Ann who married John Tabb and had Humphrey Toy Tabb (Tyler’s, Vol. I, p. 125).James Edmundson’s daughter Elizabeth Hay appears to have one daughter Sarah Hay in 1741 and to have married again by 1763 (Eliza Hull).
Thegrandchildren ofJames and Judith,John and Sarah Edmundson, would appear to be the children of his son James Edmundson, Jr. and Christiana Gregory Edmundson. (See Dinwiddie County).
Again, in Judith’s will a son John Edmundson is named,her son of her marriage to James, and a Thomas Edmundson, who would appear to be her son by James Edmundson mentioned in James’ will.
Children of James Edmundson and Judith Allaman Parr Edmundson:
1. James Edmundson, Jr., who married Christiana Gregory in 1731 and died in 1734, leaving two children,John and Sarah.See Dinwiddie County for John.His grandfather when he died in 1741left him the plantation on which his father had lived.Sarah was unmarried in 1741.
2. Thomas Edmundson, said to be Captain Thomas Edmundson, wasmentioned in his father’s will in reference to goods held by Thomas.As no other legacy is given in the will,one might think major property had been settled on Thomas at an earlier time. He is said in the Allaman suit quoted above in the William and Mary Quarterly to be living in 1753.He was one of the administrators of his uncle Thomas’ estate with the widow Constance.His male line seems to have become extinct in the late 1700’s.
3. John Edmundson, executor of his father’s will.Said also to be living in 1753.Probably the man who signed the Westmoreland Resolutions in1765.See will of Joseph Greenhill below.Married Catherine Dunn.Died in 1773. Many descendants.
4. Elizabeth Edmundsonwho married Mr. Hay before 1741 and had a daughter Sarah Hay and apparently marriedlater Mr. Hull.Sarah Hay was named in her grandfather’s will in 1741.
5. Sarah who married John Townley before 1741.See account.
6. Susannah Edmundson, unmarried in 1741.Needs research.
Stepchildren of James Edmundson, children of Judith Allaman and Philip Parr:
1. Constance Parr who married Thomas Edmundson, brother of James.
2. Mary Parr who married Charles Breedlove. (Deed, Essex County, May 1-2, 1724.
3. Judith Parr who married Faulkner (probably Henry Faulkner).
(Eliza Hull might be another daughter of Judith’s first marriage and not Elizabeth Edmundson, married now to a second husband, Hull, as suggested.However, no Eliza Parr is named in Philip Parr’s will).
4.Anne Parr who married William Boulware and lived in St. Anne Parish, Essex.See 1941 deed below.This daughter is not mentioned in any other document I have seen and would have been born after the will was made.SWE
NOTES ON THE PARR FAMILY
Robert Parr appears to be Philip Parr’s father.Robert’s father might have been Philip Parr of Lancaster County.Philip who married Judith Allaman seems to have at leastone sister and a brother, Robert.His sister married John Webster and had Mary Webster who married James Webb. OA Nathaniel Parr lived in colonial Maryland.A place there was called Parr’s Spring. The following records relate to the family. Their connections with others in the documents are not fully clear.
December 18, 1656. Lancaster County, Virginia. Deeds and Wills, 1652-1657, (Abstracts, The Ancient Press, McLean, Virginia, 1991, p. 134.)Whereas it appears to this Court that Mr. Williamson deceased having a note in his hand for 11 lbs 8s 6 d due to Edward King from Philip Parr, the said Debt appeareing to be satisfied & paid, it is ordered that the said Note be delivered upp.(Provided by Beverly Brunelle).
One reference states Robert Parr was imported by John Chew.(From Marilyn Owen via Beverly Brunelle).
1690. Rappahannock County.Deed Book 9, 1688-1692, pp. 176-178.
This indenture made in the year of our Lord god 1690 and in the second year of the Reigne of their Majesties by the Grace of god King and Queen and between Wm. Covington Sr. of the County of Rappahannock Planter of one part and Philip Parr of said county, Planter of other part. Witnesseth that Wm Covington Senr. in consideration of 3000 pounds of sweet Tobacco and caske and 20 shilling sterling to him paid the sd. Wm Covington grant to him ds. Philip Parr his heirs 300 acres of land formerly known to belong to Richard Glover his land being in Rappa Co. on the SS of Piscataway Creek called Glovers Neck bounding upon Evan Eavis his land and Geo. Brooks his land and John Webster land to have and to hold sd land said tract of 300 acres of land with all houses fences cleared grounds woods to him sd Philip Parrhis heirs forever and also release and to sd land paying the quitrents that shall come due. In witness whereof the parties has sett their hand and seales. Signed Wm Covington (his mark). Witnesses: Robert Coleman, Fran. Browne, Samll. Pavey.Recognitr in Cur Rappa 6 die Apr. 1690.
Date ?.Essex Orders 1695-1699. non est inventus at ye suit of Thos. Parker and Francislia his wife Executor of Joseph Goodrigh deceased was called to answer the same but not appearing upon the plts.mocon by James Boughan their attorney an attachment is granted against the said Parr’s estate for 2000 pounds tobacco and cask according to declaration returnable to ye next court…
April 9, 1696. Essex County Orders, 1695-1699, p. 16. The suit between Thomas Parker and Francilia his wife executor of Joseph Goodrich deceased, plaintiffs, and Phillip Parr defendant, for 2000 lbs of tobacco and cask ( by a note drawn by Henry Bood on the defendant and by the defendant accepted payable to the said Goodrich dated 3rd day of Feb. 1691)is dismist., the defendant having made oath to the payment thereof.
Feb. 18, 1697. Will of John Savage, Essex County. Deeds and Wills, Book 1, p. 10 ?Names wife Mary, Judith Parr, daughter of Philip Parr and wife Judith, and Elizabeth Roberts, daughter of Edward Roberts and wife Constant.
(Constant might be Philip Parr’s sister.Mary Savage might be his mother, remarried to John Savage.If so, Mary Parr, Judith’s daughter, would be a granddaughter of Mary Savage.)
March 9, 1697/98.Essex County Orders 1695-1699, p. 97. Certificate according to act of Assembly is granted to Phill. Parr for 350 acres of land due for importation of sever persons into this colony by name Daniel White, Jno. M…, Margaret Ryley, P….,Moll, Tom Negroes.(The last three appear to be Negro slaves).
Jan. 6 (9?), 1699.Philip Parr petitioned as nearest kin Mary Smith lately decd. to take into his care and possession the estate of her former husband Richard Carter. The inventory and appraisement of the estate of Richard… Mary later married Henry Smith. Orphans were Elizabeth, Mary and Katharin.( Katherine Carter Gatewood inherited June 16, 1730, the land which Philip gave to Richard Carter, his loving kinsman.This land was given in the will toRichard Carter after the death of Richard Carter, Sr.See note of Barbara Kirklan Prodigy.Provided to SWE by Beverly Brunelle).
June 1699. Essex County Orders, 1695-1699. p. 153. Phil: Parr and Robt. Moseley were sworn under Sheriffs for this county having first taken ye oaths appointed by Act of Parliament to be taken instead of ye Oaths of Allegiance and Supremacy.
1701. Essex County. Will of Philip Parr. Proved in Essex County.Philip devised to his oldest dtr. Judith, lands in Middlesex County, Virginia, formerly given to her by her grandfather Allaman. To daughter Mary my manor plantation.To dtr. Constant and wife Judith all the rest of the land.Executor Father-in-law Thomas Allaman and brother-in-law Richard Covington. Proved 10 June 1701.(Was Richard Covington married to Philip’s sister?Was Richard a son of Wm. Covington, Sr.?Thomas Allaman is clearly father of Judith, Philip’s wife, and grandfather ofJudith Parr who had given her land in Middlesex.)
(From Barbara Kirland Prodigy, 4-2-94: Richard Covington was born about 1646 in St. Anne Parish, Essex County, Virginia, and married AnnYoung who was born about 1648, in Essex County, daughter of William Young and his wife the former Mrs. Parr.
Mary Carter, widow of Richard Carter, married Henry Smith. Philip Parr filed for guardianship of the Carter orphans when Mary died, as next-of-kin.Was Mary Carter Smith his half-sister?
Was Ann Young Covington his half sister?)
Oct. 20, 1741. Deed Book 1738-1742, pp. 288-291. This indenture made the 20th day of Oct in the year of our Lord 1741 between Wm Boulware of the Parish of St. Anne in the county of Essex and Anne his wife of one part and William Hathaway of the same Parish and county of the other part Witnesseth that said Wm Boulware and Anne his wife for the sum of 50 pounds of lawfull money of Virginia do sell unto sayd Wm Hataway his heirs and assigns all that parcel of land which was devised and given unto the said Ann by Phillip Parr deceased her Father being of the Parish of Southfarnham in the county of Essex of the Branches of Piscataway Creek adjoying to land of Thomas Edmondson, Charles Breedlove, Micajah Evans and Thomas Kidd and is bounded by a Survey and Plott of Capt. James Wood …containing one hundred and 90 acres of land to have and to hold to the said Wm Hathaway his heirs and assigns forever. In Witness whereof the parties have sett their hands and seales in presence of us:
Thomas Edmondson, Susannah Edmondson, Constand ( C ) Edmondson, William Boulware, Ann ( A ) Boulware
Oct. 20, 1741. At a Court held for Essex County at Tappahannock on the 20th day of Oct 1741 Wm Boulware and Ann his wife (The said Ann being first privately examined by Mungo Roy, Gent.) acknow-edged the Livery of Siesin and Receipt thereon Endorsed to be his own proper acts and deeds which were admitted to Record.(Provided by Mrs. Carol L. Colquehoun and Beverly Brunelle).
More Replies:
-
Re: James Edmundson, son of Thomas the immigrant,, Essex County, VA
Bill Davidson 4/04/11