Re: McGhee-Drollinger in Washington Co VA
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In reply to:
McGhee-Drollinger in Washington Co VA
pat smith 6/18/05
I have John Thompson McGhee, b. 1790, Louisa County, VA, d. Oct 1857, Hawkins County, TN.Our family history shows his parents as William McGhee and Levina (Viney) Smith.Can you verify?
A transcript of the will of Thompson McGhee was included in a family history book that some cousins put together in the 1970s.It is as follows:
I, Thompson McGhee, being weak in bodily health, but of sound mind and dispassionate memory, knowing that all mortal beings have to leave this same, do hereby make and ordain this my last will and testament.
In the first place, I bequeath to Almighty God my soul who gave it; 2ndly that all my just debts be settled out of my effects that I may leave.Thirdly, I bequeath and give unto Alfred Rhotin McGhee my son, the plantation on which I reside conveyed to sd Alfred R. McGhee by John Caldwell for three hundred acres more or less, also my slave Elizabeth with one half of all my household and kitchen furniture together with all my interest in the farming tools including wagon and gears.
Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Barbara Ann McGhee my slave Mary together with one half of my household and kitchen furniture, also one cow and a sorrel mare and colt.My old slave Edith is to remain as the property jointly between my son Alfred and my daugher Barbara, and they are jointly bound to support her whenever she becomes unable to support herself.
I further hereby provide that my daugher Barbara is to be supported out of the proceeds of my farm as long as she remains unmarried and single.
Fifthly I give and bequeath to Nancy Irene Lloyd, my daughter four hundred dollars to be paid out of the amount her husband William Lloyd is indebted to me--the residue of said debt I bequeath unto my son Alfred and my daughter Barbara equally to each for such support and attention as I may require while I live.
My claims of a debt on John Copenhaver for eight hundred dollars with the interest thereon is to be divided equally (between) Louisa W. Fudge my daughter and my son Alfred and my daugher Barbara.Louisa is to have half and Alfred and Barbara the other half.
To my daughter Susan Williams I give and bequeath out of the debt of fifteen hundred dollars coming to me from John Copenhaver two hundred and fifty dollars.
I bequeath unto the children of my daughter Sarah Rice the sum of two hundred fifty dollars to be paid out of said fifteen hundred dollars debt.The balance of said debt will be one thousand dollars which I bequeath amongst my other six children or their heirs, to wit, my sons John A. McGhee and Joseph C. McGhee and my daughters Elizabeth Harris dec'd heirs Laurine W. Wolf and Anderson P. McGhee my son and Lucy Henniger and her child or children the condition of Lucy's share except five dollars which is to be paid over to heirs to remain in the hands of my executors to be paid over to a trustee appointed by the Honorable County Court of Hawkins, to be paid out to the said Lucy and her child or children as the case may be as they may need the same by said trustee for which services he is to be remmunerated out of said share.
I hereby request and constitute and appoint my son-in-law Conrad Fudge and my son Alfred R. McGhee my executors to this my last will and testament, in testimony of which thereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 8th day of November in the year of our Lord, 1855,
Thompson McGhee
(seal)
Witness
John H. Ellis, Rob't Cooper
James Annis
State of Tennessee, Hawkins County.
I, James H. Vance, Clerk of the County Court of said Hawkins County do certify that this foregoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of Thompson McGhee dec'd late of said county now on file in my office.Given under my hand (and seal) at this office this 19th day of October, 1857.
J. H. Vance, Clerk
I have his children as:
John A. McGhee
Anderson Petrie McGhee (my GGG grandfather) m. Martha Glenn Earl
Susannah P. McGhee m. Joseph L. Williams
Nancy Irene McGhee m. William Lloyd
Joseph C. McGhee m. Catherine Porter
Barbara Ann McGhee (not married)
Alfred Rhotin McGhee
Louisa W. McGhee m. Conrad Fudge
Sarah McGhee m. Mr. Rice
Elizabeth McGhee m. James Harris
Laurine McGhee m. Mr. Wolfe
Lucy McGhee m. Mr. Henniger
Can you verify this or add to it?Apparently, there was some dispute in the family regarding Thompson McGhee's will.I have a letter from Jemima Brown Johnston, Thompson McGhee's great-granddaughter, written in 1929, stating that "I went to Mrs. Reeves, John Fudge's daughter, she copied what I had she told me they had found G.G. Will and she will copy and send to Naomi, and she will send to me.All of G.G. children are named and how much each Recd. that way we will get the names of the G. uncles and Aunts. also I will understand what was the cause of the disturbance and dissatisfaction about the will.Uncle Joe Sr. said he 'was glad there was a hell.'I may have told you that.Barbara not married, was insane, I have the impression it was because someone stole her money.I heard that yrs. ago, but do not knowwhether it is true.I know about the 4 G. uncles but do not know about G. Uncle Wm.Does Chilhowie Jno. McGhee still live?"