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Mathews-Williams Family Genealogy
Notes
Thomas Chinn and his second wife, Ann Conway, had a total of four children.
From the "William & Mary College Quarterly 1 W(2)294 - Notes on McCarty Chinn Family:", the following:
"The family life of Thomas Chinn is a bit hard to fathom. There is 17 years between his first and second marriage. Perhaps Thomas also had a roving eye, at least we have Sarah Elder with daughter Ann who is not yet 16 at the time of his will in 1767. Surely Rawleigh's granddaughter would know if a man was spoken of as Rawleigh the Sailor, and it would be presumed that she would know the name of his father and mother. In his Will, Thomas speaks first of his sons Robert and Thomas. Toward the last he speaks of my three youngest children which might indicate that they were children of the second marriage."He was born on Morattico Creek, Lancaster Co., VA on his father's plantation. He was a Senior Warden, Vestryman in 1746, and a Burgess.
WILL OF THOMAS CHINN: Dated December 8, 1767. Proved January 20, 1768 at a Court held for Lancaster County, Virginia (Lancaster County Records 1764-1770):
In the name of God Amen - I THOMAS CHINN of the County of Lancaster, St. Mary's Parish Church - At present being in a dulling state of health but sound and perfect of sense and memory thanks to God for the same, and knowing well that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.
First of all I bequeath my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent order at the direction of my executor hereafter named. And as for such that God has pleased of His great merits as an earthly portion to bestow on me, I give, depose of the same as following--
Item I give to my son ROBERT CHINN my plantation with the land thereunto belonging, to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and in default of such I will that it shall fall to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN and heirs.
Item I give to my son THOMAS CHINN all my land in Loudon County and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten, together will all appurtenances, stock and household furniture that is on the plantation.
Item I give to my son ROBERT CHINN all five negros mainly Mandy, Dick, Cesare, Cate, Adam and Will to him and his heirs.
Item I give to my son THOMAS CHINN five negros - Lee, Lucy, Frank, Harry and Tom to him and his heirs.
Item I give to ANN ELDER daughter of SARAH a negro girl named Caise but not to be in her possession wuntil she arrive to the age of sixteen years and in case she die without heir lawfully begotten from her body that the said negro and her increase shall return to use and benefit of my children. My will is that if there be more than five to each at the time od division that my sons ROBERT and THOMAS have equal part with the other three.
Item I give to my daughter EASTER CHINN my negro woman Bess.
Item I give to my daughter SUSANNAH CHINN my negro girl Bette.
Item My will is that the remainder of my negros not before mentioned shall be equally divided between my three youngest children viz: RAWLEIGH CHINN, EASTER CHINN and SUSANNAH CHINN only to be observed that those two negros to my daughters mentioned are to be part of their share in the division.
Item My will is that my three youngest heretofore mentioned namely RAWLEIGH, EASTER and SUSANNAH CHINN shall have each of them two good feather beds furnished with good furniture.
Item My will is that my stock of cattle may be divided equally between my five children.
Item My will is that all my household furniture not before mentioned excepting two looking glasses, the largest that stands in the hall, to my son ROBERT CHINN. That which stands in the chamber to my son THOMAS, only one bed and good furniture to be first taken out of it which I give to ANN ELDER, daughter of SARAH ELDER, shall be divided in four parts of which my sons ROBERT and THOMAS to have one part to be divided between them.
Item My will that my stock of horses be equally divided between my five children.
Item My will is that DOMINICK NUGENT hall all my wearing apparell that is provided for bodily use.
Item I do appoint and nominate my well beloved son ROBERT CHINN whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament disannulling all other wills by me made, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will in Testimony whereof I have set my hand and fixed my seal this 8th day of December 1767.
THOMAS CHINN (Seal)
Nugent his (?), Ellen (her mark) Carpenter, RAWLEIGH CHINN.
At a court held for Lancaster County on the 20th January 1768 this will was proved in open court by the oath of RAWLEIGH CHINN and Ellen Carpenter. Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. (Lancaster County, VA Records - 1764-1770)
The division of THOMAS CHINN'S estate was given to lancaster Co. Court January 21, 1768. Signed by James Ball, Rawleigh Downman, Richard Mitchell and Thaddeus McCarty. Recorded February 18, 1768. signed by Richard Mitchell, Thomas B. Griffin and JOHN CHINN.
1. Will probated 6 Mar 1751.
Will of Hugh Chinn: (Fauquier Co., VA Will Book 7, 1817-1820, p. 87)
I Hugh Chinn of the County of Fauquier and State of Virginia being in perfect health... ... do make and publish this my last Will and Testament...
Item I give and bequeath to my eldest son THOMAS CHINN that tract of Leased land which is now in his possession and which I purchased from Thomas Glascock containing one hundred and fifty acres more or less. I also give to my son THOMAS another tract of land known by the name of Gibson's Farm containing one hundred acres and bounded as designated in a Deed from James Strother to me.
Item I give and bequeath to my second son FRANCIS N. (or H.?) CHINN that tract of land known by the name of my lower farm and bounded as is designated in a Deed from Thomas Chinn Sen to me bearing date the 27th November 1818 (This is an error as this will was made in 1816. The number of acres is not known).
It is further my will that there shall be a straight line run from the line formerly call Burgis' now Strother's across to what is called Bowies as in said Deed so as to give my said son FRANCIS exactly one fourth part of the timbered land lying between the farm on which I now live and that farm hereby given to my said son FRANCIS.
Item I give and bequeath all my other Deeded Land to my six daughters namely ELIZABETH BRENT, SARAH ADAMS, POLLY I. CHINN, ANN R. CHINN, SUSAN CHINN, SIDNEY CHINN, to be equally divided among them when the youngest becomes of full age and until then it shall (vis my home plantation) be kept for the use, benefit and support of my four daughters who are now single together will all my stock of Horses, Cattle, Sheep & Hogs as well as all my household furniture not herinafter disposed of; also my Negroes namely Dick, Jess, James, Sidia, Alexy and Betty, but should the profits arising from this concern be more than necessary for the support of my four single daughters and the payment of necessary expenses then the surplus shall be equally divided among all my daughters both married and single annually to be disposed of according to their wills.
Item It is my will that when my youngest daughter become of full age all my personal estate shall be equally divided among all my children both sons and daughters.
Item It is my will that my lot of Leased Land known as by the names of Bowies Lot containing one hundred and fifty acres shall be sold immediately after my decease and the money equally divided among all of my children both sons and daughters.
Item... ... dispose of furniture, etc...
Item whatever interest I have in the real estate or personal of my father THOMAS CHINN Decd, I wish it to be equally divided among all my children.
And lastly I do appoint James Adams and Isaac Foster both of the County of Fauquier and state of Virginia as the executors of this my last will and testament and hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
Hugh Chinn
N.B. The following lines were interlined before signed, viz
My daughter -- divided
Teste
John C. GreenSigned sealed published and declared by the above named HUGH CHINN to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator.
John C. Green
Isaac FosterI HUGH CHINN of the aforesaid County and State do this tenth day of July one thousand eight hundred and seventeen make and publish this Codicil... instead of the aforesaid James Adams and Isaac Foster being the Executor... it is my will that my sons THOMAS and FRANCIS CHINN together with Hugh Brent and Willis Adams shall be my executors and lastly it is my desire that this my present Codicil be annexed to and made a part of my last will...
In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this date and date above mentioned.Signed sealed and published, etc. ...
I HUGH CHINN since I made my last will have recollected that the Gibson farm given to my son Thomas may possibly be lost by a suit now pending in court and if it should be lost my will is that it should be valued and each of my other children shall pay him such a proportion shall be taken off from what I have given each one of them so that each one of them shall lose an equal part provided the suit should be determined against me. This I also wish to be annexed to and made a part of my will and Testament.
Witness my hand and seal this nineteenth day of July 1817.HUGH CHINN
Signed sealed and published and declared in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses in the presence of the Testator.
John C. Green
At a Court held for Fauquier County the 22nd day of September 1817 This instrument of writing purported to be the last will and Testament of Hugh Chinn Decd. and the first Codicil thereunto annexed were produced into Court and proved by the oath of John C. Gree one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be certified.
And at a Court held for the said County the 27th day of October 1817. It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that the aforesaid last will and Codicil of Hugh Chinn decd. were produced to the court of said County on the said 22nd day of September 1817 and then fully proved by the oath of Isaac Foster another subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded, the entry of which was omitted to be made on the records and proceedings of said Court. It is therefore now ordered that the said Entry be and the same is hereby made as an Order of that Court. And it also appearing to the Court that letters Executorial of the said Will and Codicil were granted to Thomas Chinn, who Qualified and gave Bond and Security according to Law, the Entry of which was also omitted to be made, is Ordered that the same be and is now made the Order of the Court, and Sylvester Welch, Isaac Foster, James Kincheloe, and John C. Green or any three of them being first sworn appraise the Estate of the said Hugh Chinn decd. and make report thereof to this Court.
Teste.
Daniel Withers Cl. Ct.
Thomas Chinn and his second wife, Ann Conway, had a total of four children.
From the "William & Mary College Quarterly 1 W(2)294 - Notes on McCarty Chinn Family:", the following:
"The family life of Thomas Chinn is a bit hard to fathom. There is 17 years between his first and second marriage. Perhaps Thomas also had a roving eye, at least we have Sarah Elder with daughter Ann who is not yet 16 at the time of his will in 1767. Surely Rawleigh's granddaughter would know if a man was spoken of as Rawleigh the Sailor, and it would be presumed that she would know the name of his father and mother. In his Will, Thomas speaks first of his sons Robert and Thomas. Toward the last he speaks of my three youngest children which might indicate that they were children of the second marriage."He was born on Morattico Creek, Lancaster Co., VA on his father's plantation. He was a Senior Warden, Vestryman in 1746, and a Burgess.
WILL OF THOMAS CHINN: Dated December 8, 1767. Proved January 20, 1768 at a Court held for Lancaster County, Virginia (Lancaster County Records 1764-1770):
In the name of God Amen - I THOMAS CHINN of the County of Lancaster, St. Mary's Parish Church - At present being in a dulling state of health but sound and perfect of sense and memory thanks to God for the same, and knowing well that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.
First of all I bequeath my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent order at the direction of my executor hereafter named. And as for such that God has pleased of His great merits as an earthly portion to bestow on me, I give, depose of the same as following--
Item I give to my son ROBERT CHINN my plantation with the land thereunto belonging, to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and in default of such I will that it shall fall to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN and heirs.
Item I give to my son THOMAS CHINN all my land in Loudon County and to his heirs of his body lawfully begotten, together will all appurtenances, stock and household furniture that is on the plantation.
Item I give to my son ROBERT CHINN all five negros mainly Mandy, Dick, Cesare, Cate, Adam and Will to him and his heirs.
Item I give to my son THOMAS CHINN five negros - Lee, Lucy, Frank, Harry and Tom to him and his heirs.
Item I give to ANN ELDER daughter of SARAH a negro girl named Caise but not to be in her possession wuntil she arrive to the age of sixteen years and in case she die without heir lawfully begotten from her body that the said negro and her increase shall return to use and benefit of my children. My will is that if there be more than five to each at the time od division that my sons ROBERT and THOMAS have equal part with the other three.
Item I give to my daughter EASTER CHINN my negro woman Bess.
Item I give to my daughter SUSANNAH CHINN my negro girl Bette.
Item My will is that the remainder of my negros not before mentioned shall be equally divided between my three youngest children viz: RAWLEIGH CHINN, EASTER CHINN and SUSANNAH CHINN only to be observed that those two negros to my daughters mentioned are to be part of their share in the division.
Item My will is that my three youngest heretofore mentioned namely RAWLEIGH, EASTER and SUSANNAH CHINN shall have each of them two good feather beds furnished with good furniture.
Item My will is that my stock of cattle may be divided equally between my five children.
Item My will is that all my household furniture not before mentioned excepting two looking glasses, the largest that stands in the hall, to my son ROBERT CHINN. That which stands in the chamber to my son THOMAS, only one bed and good furniture to be first taken out of it which I give to ANN ELDER, daughter of SARAH ELDER, shall be divided in four parts of which my sons ROBERT and THOMAS to have one part to be divided between them.
Item My will that my stock of horses be equally divided between my five children.
Item My will is that DOMINICK NUGENT hall all my wearing apparell that is provided for bodily use.
Item I do appoint and nominate my well beloved son ROBERT CHINN whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament disannulling all other wills by me made, ratifying and confirming this to be my last will in Testimony whereof I have set my hand and fixed my seal this 8th day of December 1767.
THOMAS CHINN (Seal)
Nugent his (?), Ellen (her mark) Carpenter, RAWLEIGH CHINN.
At a court held for Lancaster County on the 20th January 1768 this will was proved in open court by the oath of RAWLEIGH CHINN and Ellen Carpenter. Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. (Lancaster County, VA Records - 1764-1770)
The division of THOMAS CHINN'S estate was given to lancaster Co. Court January 21, 1768. Signed by James Ball, Rawleigh Downman, Richard Mitchell and Thaddeus McCarty. Recorded February 18, 1768. signed by Richard Mitchell, Thomas B. Griffin and JOHN CHINN.
His first name was Walter, dut he did not use it.
Rawleigh Chinn and Margaret (Downman) Ball, may not have ever been legally married.
Under date of 30 April 1693, Col. Joseph Ball of EPPING FOREST purchased from Henry Curtis, of the same county, 300 acres of land in Lancaster County (being part of a patent for 960 acres formerly granted to a Charles Prince dated 26 December 1653 and described by patent under date of October 8, 1657). Which 300 acres bounded that part of other acreage owned by Col Ball.
Under date of February 12 1703, Col. Ball deeded 190 acres of this land to his son-in-law Rawleigh Chinn, husband of his daughter Esther (prounounced Easter). It was here that Rawleigh & Esther built their home OAKLEY and reared their family. Since Col. Ball's EPPING FOREST plantation joined OAKLEY'S acreage, it is generally believed that OAKLEY was originally part of the "Epping Forest" bounds.
By deed dated April 1, 1727, Rawleigh & Esther (Ball) Chinn gave the land and the house OAKLEY to their eldest son Joseph. It remained in the hands of Joseph's descendants until 1836 when a Joseph Chinn sold the property, now being described as 600 acres, to Joseph Pierce, reported to be a Chinn family relation by marriage.
(From "The Chinn Book", p. 115)- "After the death of Col. Joseph Ball, the domestic life of Esther and Rawleigh became very bad. In the year 1722, Lancaster Co., VA, Court records tell of a very sad story of their lives." (Court Order Book 7:51, etc.)
"Col. Joseph Ball had been very good to his son-in-law, Rawleigh Chinn, giving him many tracts of land (18W(2)295). In 1703, a gift of deed was recorded from Col. Joseph Ball to his son-in-law Rawleigh Chinn in which he gave him 170 acres of land. This land adjoins EPPING FOREST, then called "Forest Quarter", being separated from it by a branch of Fox's Swamp. Here Rawleigh Chinn built his home and called it OAKLEY.(From "George Washington", vol I:532-533 by Douglas Southall Freeman)- "Presumably in 1703, Esther became the wife of Rawleigh Chinn. This mismating was unrecorded until 1721/22. Then began a succession of difficulties that scandalized the Northern Neck (of VA). The husband became engaged in brawls with his wife's brother Joseph and even with a blacksmith. Esther had to go to court with a complaint that Rawleigh abused her and denied her subsistence until actually she was compelled to leave him in order to be delivered safely of a child. The next year, she had to ask that Chinn be put under bond as she feared he would injure or kill her.
"When this petition was denied, after a hearing in court, Esther Chinn insitituted against one of her husband's witnesses an action for perjury. From her estranged mate she won at length an annual separartion allowance of L25 sterling or 4000 pounds of tobacco...By the widow Margaret (Ball) Downman), Rawleigh Chinn had three sons, Charles, Christopher & Elijah. Both he and Margaret were cited several times before the grand jury and before the church wardens on a charge of living in adultery (Richmond co., VA, Order Bk 10:13, 330)... Rawleigh shared in land speculation...and he made a few gifts of small tracts to a son and a daughter (Lancaster Co., VA, Deeds & Wills 13:253). When he died in 1742/43 he left considerable part of his property to his illegitimate children, and nothing to his wife beyond the allotment given her by the court (Deeds & Wills 13:253; 15:32)." Other references: Lancaster Co., VA, Order Book 7:20, 21, 51, 107, 111, 113, 116, 121, 137, 102, 60, 186, Will Bk 5:537).
Rawleigh Chinn:
a. Member: Lancaster Co., VA Quorum in 1714 (source: Va. Mag. of History, Vol. II, p.8) b. Among list of Justices of the Peace in Lancaster Co., VA from 1680-1778 (Va. Mag. of History, Vol. IX, p.222) c. Appointed Inspector of Tobacco for Warehouse at Glasscocks, Oct 26, 1737 (Va. Mag. of History, Vol. XIV, p. 12). d. Member of Capt. George Heales list of tithables (William & mary Quarterly, Vol 22, p.110). e. A Burgess for Lancaster Co., VA, 1731. e. Vestryman in the old Christ Church in 1739, along with Joseph Chinn.It is not certain whether Rawleigh & Esther ever legally divorced. According to The William & Mary Quarterly, Series 2, Vol. 18:294-296, they may have divorced about 1722.
WILL OF RAWLEIGH CHINN - 1741:
In the name of God Amen I RAWLEIGH CHINN of Lancaster County being in perfect memory do appoint this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament. First I commit my soul to God who gave it to me and my body to earth its original hoping at that great day of Resurrection I shall be raiseed to Life Eternal through the mediation and interception of Jesus Christ my Saviour, Amen. Imprimis - I give unto my son JOSEPH CHINN my manor plantation viz. Beginning at a marked Pine at the head of a cove thense south twelve degrees west to the back line thence from back line north thirty-five degrees west to the wading place including one hundrred and fifty acrea to him and his heirs.Item I give to my son JOSEPH CHINN five hundred acres of land lying in Prince William County being part of a tract of three thousand three hundred acres to him and his heirs.
Item I also give to my son JOSEPH CHINN twenty pounds sterling which he now owes me, one negro called Mingo, my sword, gun, drum and violin it being his full portion barring him from any other part of my estate.
Item I give unto my son THOMAS CHINN the plantation he now lives on with all the land on the east side of the land I gave my son JOSEPH to him and his heirs.
Item I give my son THOMAS CHINN five hundred acres of land being in Prince William County to him and his heirs.
Item I give to my son THOMAS nine negros viz: Letty, Dick, Adam, Nancy, Obey, Sary, George, Chester and Tony, four large pictures, oval table of gum, cloathes press, a large looking glass, two silver spoons marked RCE it being his full portion.
Item I give to my son CHICHESTER CHINN all the land I hold in Richmond and King George County to him and his heirs.
Item I give also to my son CHICHESTER nine negros viz: Offa, Nell, Cate, Judy, Will, Dinah, solomon, Peg and a child of Offa, a large looking glass in the chamber, three silver spoons marked RCE, one silver tankard and lid, one silver salt, one silver pepper box it being his full portion.
Item I give to my daughter ANN SHEARMAN one negro named Jacob, one good feather bed with furniture and ten head of cattle in full for her portion barring her from further part.
Item I give to my grandson RAWLEIGH SHEARMAN two hundred acres of land lying in Prince William county to him and his heirs.
Item I give to BRYAN SCOTT two hundred acres of land lying in the aforesaid county to him and his heirs.
Item I give to my godson CHARLES, the son of MRS. MARGARET DOWNMAN, five hundred acres of land being in prince William County with four negors and their increases viz: Frank, Cate, Will and Sussie to him and his heirs forever but in case he die without issue that it fall to his brothers CHRISTOPHER AND ELIJAH and their heirs and in default of their issue to return to my four sons viz: JOSEPH CHINN, RAWLEIGH CHINN, THOMAS and CHICHESTER CHINN to be equally divided among them.
Item I give to my godson CHRISTOPHER, the son of MRS. MARGARET DOWNMAN, five hundred acres of land lying in Prince william County with four negros and their increase viz: Cordialla, Ralph, Caffe and Margery to him and his heirs but if he die without issue that it dall to his brothers CHARLES and ELIJAH but in default of issue preceeding from any of the three to be divided between my four sons mentioned in last item or their heirs.
Item I give to my godson ELIJAH, son of MRS. MARGARET DOWNMAN, five hundred acres of land in Prince william County with four negros and their increase viz: Tibey, nell, Jenny and Jimmy to him and his heirs but if he die without issue to fall to his brothers CHARLES and CHRISTOPHER but in case of want of issue proceeding from any of ye three that then it be divided between my four sons mentioned in the two last item and their heirs.
Item I give to my godson CHARLES an old desk, a case of drawers, fifteen head of cattle, twenty hogs, four ewes, half a dozen leather chairs, half dozen of cane chairs, two feather beds, rugs, blankets and four pair of sheets, four new dishes, one dozen plates, one iron pot, hooks, one frying pan, one new oval table three foot over, two table cloths, a dozen new napkins, one mare of four years old.
Item I give to my aforesaid godson CHRISTOPHER one desk of cherry tree, fifteen head of cattle, twenty hogs, four ewes, half a dozen leather charis, half a dozen of cane chairs, two feather beds with rugs, blankets and four new dishes, one dozen of new plates, one iron pot and hooks, one oval table three foot over, two table clothes, one dozen of napkins new, one mare four years old.
Item I give to my godson ELIJAH one new desk, fifteen head of cattle, twenty hogs, four new dishes, one dozen of new plates, one iron pot and hooks, one frying pan, one oval table three foot over, two table cloths and one dozen napkins new, one mare four years old.
Item My is that my godson CHARLES, if I die before my two other godsons CHRISTOPHER and ELIJAH
arrive at the age of sixteen years, shall have their estates herein bequeathed to them by me fully in his possession and to be by him deliverred to them when they shall attain the age of sixteen by my godson CHARLES giving security to my executor hereafter named for his trust.Item I order that my executor pay to EASTER CHINN twenty pounds or four thousand pounds of tobacco pr. annum as pr. order of the General Court provided she has no right or title by land to her dower in my sd. estate.
Item My will is that ELIZABETH NICHOLS have the use of my land which I have bought of Richard Elliott during the time she shall remain unmarried provided she never work more than two hands on it in one year but if she doth marry or work more hand than two on it in one year aforesaid that then the aforementioned descend and fall to CELIA NICHOLS daughter of the aforesaid ELIZABETH NICHOLS and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten and in default of such issue to fall to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN and his heirs.
Item My will is that my executor pay JOHN DURHAM ten pounds or a young negro of that value to be paid within six months of my decease.
Item I give to my friend MR. WILLIAM GLASCOCK my watch and mournign ring of twenty shillings value with this posey "When this you see remember me". RC
Item I give to my two sons RAWLEIGH and THOMAS the profit of my young orchard during the term of fifteen years equally to be divided between them.
Item I give the use of my still to my three sons JOSEPH, RAWLEIGH, and THOMAS.
Item It is my will that my estate shall not be appraised. My willis that the negros and stock of my three god children shall be and remain on my plantation in King George County for their use until CHARLES arrive to the age of twenty years and also to have one half of the crop of corn made on the sd. plantation the year that I decease for their use.
Item I give to CELIA NICHOLS, daughter of ELIZABETH NICHOLS, four cows and calves, fifteen head of hogs, a feather bed with furniture bolstering, one blanket and two pair of sheets now in possession of my son CHICHESTEER in King George County, a small square table and a dozen of flag chairs, three new dishes and a dozen of napkins new, one pan, pot hook and frying pan.
Item I give to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN the plantation whereon he now liveth with all the land on the west side of the land given to my son JOSEPH CHINN to him and his heirs.
Item I give to CELIA NICHOLS, daughter of ELIZABETH NICHOLS, my negro girl Criss to her and the heirs of her body lafully begotten in the form and with the land to her before mentioned but in default of issue lawfully begotten from her body to fall to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN and his heirs.
Item My will is all and every part of my apparel that I have provided for my bodily wear at the time of my decease, linen and woolen, may be equally divided between JOSPEH DURHAM and DOMINICK NEWGENT.
Item I give to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN all the remainder of my estate real and personal which has not been before mentioed to him and his heirs and I do also appoint my sd. son RAWLEIGH CHINN my whole and sole executor of this my las will and testament.
Item My will is that if ELIZABETH NICHOLS marry, that my friend MR. WILLIAM GLASCOCK of Richmond County have the care of CELIA NICHOLS and the land, negro and what else before bequeathed to CELIA NICHOLS till the sd. CELIA come to the age of sixteen years and to deliver it up to the said CELIA NICHOLS.
Item I give to my godson CHARLES, son of MARGARET DOWNMAN, one iron spitt I bought of OWEN BROOIER.
At a court held for Lancaster County the second Friday in March 1742 DOMINICK NEWGENT made oath that he wrote the will above written by direction of MR. RAWLEIGH CHINN dec'd the greatest part thereof of the last week in July last and the other part except the last two paragraphs the first week in August last past and that the sd. DOMINICK is well aquainted with the handwriting of sd. RAWLEIGH CHINN and has often seen him write and that the sd. last two paragraphs are of the sd. RAWLEIGH CHINN'S own handwriting and that at the time the sd. DOMINICK NEWGENT writ the sd. parts of the sd. will the sd. CHINN was of perfect sense and memory.
DOMINICK NEWGENT. Sworn in Court - T. Edwards Cl. Cur.At a court held for Lancaster County the second Friday in March, 1742, JOHN DURHAM made oath that he was present when DOMINICK NEWGENT wrote the will above written by the directio of MR. RAWLEIGH CHINN dec'd and that the first part was written the first week in August 1741 and that he was acquainted with the hand writing of the said RAWLEIGH CHINN and has often seen him write and that the last two paragraphs of the above written will is of the sd. CHINN'S own hand writing and that when the sd. DOMINICK NEWGENT wrote the two aforementioned parts of the sd. will the sd. CHINN was of perfect sense and Memory. JOHN DURHAM.
Sworn in court. Teste: T. Edwards Cl. Cur.Recorded in the Clerk's Office of Lancaster County, Virginia in Will Book No. 13 at Page No. 253. A TRUE COPY - TESTE: Frances Currie, Deputy clerk C.C. Lancaster Co., VA.
Rawleigh Chinn's Est. was appraised Aug. 20, 1756, at L783.
Esther Ball's given name was pronounced "Easter".
The following article first appeared in the William & Mary Quarterly, Vol. 18 (2nd Series), dated 1938, pp 294-296. It was written by Elizabeth Combs Peirce and titled THE UNHAPPY LIFE OF ESTHER BALL.
The Marriage record of Esther Ball and Rawleigh Chinn is not recorded in Lancaster Co., VA. Hayden says their marriage was between 1700 and 1703. A 1703 deed of gift from Colonel Joseph Ball to his son-in-law, Rawleigh Chinn, for 190 acres, was recorded in Lancaster Co. In a 11 July 1722 Lancaster Co., Court Order Book (Book 7, page 51) Esther Chinn states that her husband Rawleigh "doth daily abuse her and refuse her any competency whereby she may subsist", and that by said means thereof, "she hath lately been obliged away from her home to be delivered of child which she prays may be by her said husband maintained". 12 September 1722, Esther thinks her husband Rawleigh intends to convey away his estate to defraud her of alimony. 12 June 1723, Esther is afraid he will "beat, maime, wound or kill her". A separation of divorce granted, proved by Rawleigh Chinn's will bearing date of Mar 12, 1742 - "To Esther Chinn 25 pounds sterling or 4000 lbs. of tobacco as per order of general court provided she has no right or title by law to her dower in said estate. Rawleigh names children and godson, Christopher, son of Mrs. Margaret Downman - provides for Elizabeth Nichols and her daughter Celia - property adjoining his son Chichester in King George County - William Glascock, Celia's guardian, until she is 16. Esther (Ball) Chinn apparently not on good terms with her children - her will of Aug 2, 1749 gives the children one shilling each and residue to granddaughter Esther Shearman (extrx.) The 190 acres remained in the Chinn family to 1830. On Jan 1, 1830, Joseph Chinn sold "Oakley" to Joseph Peirce of Westmoreland. It is now owned by their grandson, Joseph Peirce.Will of Easter (Esther) (Ball) Chinn - 1749:
August ye second day one thousand seven hundred and forty nine, I EASTER CHINN of the county of Lancaster and in the Parish of St. Mary's White Chapel being in perfect mind and memory revoking all other former will or wills do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz; Imprimis I give and bequeath to my son JOSPEH CHINN one shilling sterling.Item I give to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN one shilling sterling.
Item I give to my daughter ANN SHEARMAN one shilling.
Item I give my son THOMAS CHINN one shilling sterling.
Item I give to ye heir of CHICHESTER CHINN dec'd one shilling sterling.
Item I give to my grandaughter EASTER SHEARMAN my four negros - Gulliver, Sambo, Jan and sue and their increase forever to her and her heirs lawfully begotten forever and in case of her death for want of such heirs my desire is that my grandson RAWLEIGH SHEARMAN, son of MARTIN SHEARMAN and ANN his wife, should have Gulliver and Jane and her increase to him and his heirs forever and Sambo to my grandson MARTIN SHEARMAN, son of MARTIN SHEARMAN and ANN his wife to him and his heirs forever, and Sue and her increase to MARY SHEARMAN, daughter of MARTIN SHEARMAN and ANN his wife, to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give to my grandaughter EASTER all the rest of my ___________ whatsoever both real and personal to her and her heirs forever.
I likewise do leave my grandaughter EASTER whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
TESTE: HENRY TAPSCOTT, MARY TAPSCOTT, EASTER CHINN (sEAL)
Recorded 10th day of May 1751 in the clerk's office of lancaster Co., VA.
Teste: Thomas Edwards Jr. C.C. Will Book 15 at pg. 32.
A TRUE COPY TESTE: Frances Currie Deputy Cl. C.C. Lancaster Co., VA.
WILL OF ROBERT CHINN - 1779; Proved 18 Mar 1784, Lancaster Co., VA:
In the name of God Amen, I, ROBERT CHINN of the county of Lancaster, and Parish of Christ Church, at present being in perfect health and memory thanks to the Almighty God for the same and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament. Imprimis - First I bequeath my soul to God that gave it me and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian and decent manner at the discretion of my executor hereafter mentioned and as for such as God hath pleased with His great merits to bestow on me as a earthly portion I give and dispose in the following manner:
Item I give my son ROBERT CHINN my plantation whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever, but if he should dye before he arrives to the age of twenty-one years without heir lawfully begotten then it is my desire my aforesaid plantation should be sold by my executor and the money be equally divided between my five daughters viz: SARAH, ELIZABETH, SUSANNAH, MARY and ANN MITCHELL CHINN or the surviving. If either of them should die before they arrive to the age of twenty-one years or without heirs.
Item I give to my aforesaid son ROBERT CHINN my gun and sword.
Item It is my desire that all the remainder of my estate not before given of every kind and whotsoever be equally divided between my six children - SARAH, ELIZABETH, SUSANNAH, MARY, ANN MITCHELL CHINN, and ROBERT CHINN or the survivors after paying my just debts.
Item It is my desire after a division of my negros among my children that my daughters parts may be continued on the plantation for the support of them until they come of age or marries free from debt, but should there be any taxes on the said plantation they must pay their parts as my executor shall think proper.
I do nominate and appoint my worthy friends Richard Mitchell, Thomas Belfield, Griffin Fauntleroy, and John Chinn sole and whole executors of this my last will and testament disannulling all other wills by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this to be my last. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 16th day of June Anno Domini 1779.
ROBERT CHINN (seal)
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of: James Ewell, Henry Bean, Martin Tapscott, William Tapscott.
At a court held for Lancaster County, the 18th day of March 1784, this last will and testament of ROBERT CHINN was presented to the court by John Chinn and Griffin Fauntleroy, tow of the executors therein named which being proved by James Ewell and Martin Tapscott two of the witnesses thereto, was admitted to record and on the motion of the said executors giving bond and security a certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in one form.
Teste: Thad McCarty, Clerk of Court
Division of Estate December 21, 1789 - Will Book 22, pg. 241.
From "Legends of Loudon County" by Harrison Williams, p. 80: "Chinn and Powell heirs fell out in 1811 over their dividing lines...much litigation followed and they finally compromised 7 April 1815. But bitterness remained and "Sailor" Rawleigh Chinn, grandson of the namesake of his patentee, proceeded to build upon the land set off to him "Mount Recovery" which burned in the Civil War and was afterwards rebuilt and became the home of Mr. Oliver Iselin, while Burr Powell, the other litigant, built on his tract a house he called "Mount Defiance".
When the estate "Mount Recovery" was sold years later to Mr. Oliver Iselin (above) the family graveyard on the property was destroyed in the course of landscaping and the grave markers have disappeared.
(How the name "Sailor Rawleigh" evolved): When his older brother, Robert, was offered a place on a Mr. Gordon's ship, he refused the offer. Rawleigh ran away and joined the ship. From then on he was called "Sailor Rawleigh".
"Sailor Rawleigh" Chinn had no children by his scecond wife, Elizabeth Shearman, who (by the way) was his cousin.
WILL OF RAWLEIGH CHINN: 1815 (Loudon Co., VA dated October 14, 1815, proved May 13, 1816):
In the name of God Amen, I RAWLEIGH CHINN of the County of Loudon and Commonwealth of Virginia, being in perfect senses and memory thanks be to Almighty God for it, do make this my last Will and Testament in manner following. Viz: I bequeath my soul to Almighty God my creator and my body to the earth to be decently buried being assured that the sacracies of this is sufficient to attone for all the sins of the faithful theretofore I hope that my soul and body will have at the resurrection fo the Just, Amen.
Item First I give my beloved wife ELIZABETH CHINN all my property that I possess both real and personal sya land and negroes, stock of all kinds and also the household and kitchen furniture during her widowhood or natural life except that part of land at present occupied by Studly Middleton containing by Sinclair's survey fifty five and three acres and also a tract of land I purchased of Powell running with my recovered line of Powell to Red G near a branch and down the said branch to Goose Creek and up Goose Creek to Green Corner Poplar on the north side of Goose Creek supposed to contain ten or twelve acres which I give to my daughter ELZABETH WILSON during her life and then the said land to be sold and the money equally divided between the heirs of the said ELIZABETH WILSON. I also give to ELIZABETH WILSON one feather bed and one cow and after my wife's death I give ELLIZABETH WILSON a negro girl called Eliza and her increase if any and at the death of the said ELIZABETH WILSON the said negro girl and her increase to be sold and the money equally divided between the daughters of the said ELIZABETH WILSON.
Item I then give to my daughter LUCY BEVERIDGE a negro woman named Judy and her increase during her life and WILLIAM BEVERIDGE'S and then at their deaths I give the said negro woman Judy and her increase to ELIZABETH WILSON'S children to be sold and the money equally divided between the children of said ELIZABETH WILSON which negro woman and children are now in the possession of the said LUCY BEVERIDGE. I also give to the said LUCY BEVERIDGE one cow and one feather bed.
Item I give to my son SAMUEL CHINN at my wife's death all the land and other property which I have given my wife during her life and I leave my son SAMUEL CHINN manager of the farm and for him and my wife after each of their reasonable maintainance being took from the proceeds of the farm then to divide the balance of the profits equally between them and in case of any disagreement as respects any part of this will that there shall be three magistrates of the County of Loudon called and on their decision to be final and conclusive and lastly I appoint my wife and son SAMUEL CHINN my executors. In testimony hereby I have this 14th day of October 1815 subscribed my name and fixed my seal in presence of:
RAWLEIGH CHINN (Seal)
Amos Johnson, Richard Cochran, Oliver Denham
At a Court contained and held for Loudon Co., May 13, 1816 this last Will and Testament of RAWLEIGH CHINN dec'd was presented to the court and proved to be the act of the testator by the oath of Richard Cochran one of the subscribing witnesses thereto named to be certified whereupon SAMUEL CHINN one of the executors therin named came into court and took the oath prescribed by law and together with his securities Richard Cochran and Jesse McVeigh entered into and acknowledged a boond in the penalty of $10,000 conditioned as the Law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form and at another court continued and held for said County the 10th day of June 1816 the same was further proved to be his act and deed by the oath of Oliver Denham and another of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded at another court held the 9th day of _________ 1816 the same was proved by oath of Amos Johnson another of the witnesses thereto.
Note: the Securities for RAWLEIGH CHINN'S will:
Richard Cochran of an old Loudon Co. family. One of the Cochrans married a Carr descendant.
Jessie McVeigh - his wife was Elizabeth Humphrey of Culpepper. Their daughter Hannah Virginia McVeigh married John thomas Carr, son of Samuel and Lucy Carr.
Amos Johnson's name appears in the 'Blue Family' records.
His first name was Walter, dut he did not use it.
Rawleigh Chinn and Margaret (Downman) Ball, may not have ever been legally married.
Under date of 30 April 1693, Col. Joseph Ball of EPPING FOREST purchased from Henry Curtis, of the same county, 300 acres of land in Lancaster County (being part of a patent for 960 acres formerly granted to a Charles Prince dated 26 December 1653 and described by patent under date of October 8, 1657). Which 300 acres bounded that part of other acreage owned by Col Ball.
Under date of February 12 1703, Col. Ball deeded 190 acres of this land to his son-in-law Rawleigh Chinn, husband of his daughter Esther (prounounced Easter). It was here that Rawleigh & Esther built their home OAKLEY and reared their family. Since Col. Ball's EPPING FOREST plantation joined OAKLEY'S acreage, it is generally believed that OAKLEY was originally part of the "Epping Forest" bounds.
By deed dated April 1, 1727, Rawleigh & Esther (Ball) Chinn gave the land and the house OAKLEY to their eldest son Joseph. It remained in the hands of Joseph's descendants until 1836 when a Joseph Chinn sold the property, now being described as 600 acres, to Joseph Pierce, reported to be a Chinn family relation by marriage.
(From "The Chinn Book", p. 115)- "After the death of Col. Joseph Ball, the domestic life of Esther and Rawleigh became very bad. In the year 1722, Lancaster Co., VA, Court records tell of a very sad story of their lives." (Court Order Book 7:51, etc.)
"Col. Joseph Ball had been very good to his son-in-law, Rawleigh Chinn, giving him many tracts of land (18W(2)295). In 1703, a gift of deed was recorded from Col. Joseph Ball to his son-in-law Rawleigh Chinn in which he gave him 170 acres of land. This land adjoins EPPING FOREST, then called "Forest Quarter", being separated from it by a branch of Fox's Swamp. Here Rawleigh Chinn built his home and called it OAKLEY.(From "George Washington", vol I:532-533 by Douglas Southall Freeman)- "Presumably in 1703, Esther became the wife of Rawleigh Chinn. This mismating was unrecorded until 1721/22. Then began a succession of difficulties that scandalized the Northern Neck (of VA). The husband became engaged in brawls with his wife's brother Joseph and even with a blacksmith. Esther had to go to court with a complaint that Rawleigh abused her and denied her subsistence until actually she was compelled to leave him in order to be delivered safely of a child. The next year, she had to ask that Chinn be put under bond as she feared he would injure or kill her.
"When this petition was denied, after a hearing in court, Esther Chinn insitituted against one of her husband's witnesses an action for perjury. From her estranged mate she won at length an annual separartion allowance of L25 sterling or 4000 pounds of tobacco...By the widow Margaret (Ball) Downman), Rawleigh Chinn had three sons, Charles, Christopher & Elijah. Both he and Margaret were cited several times before the grand jury and before the church wardens on a charge of living in adultery (Richmond co., VA, Order Bk 10:13, 330)... Rawleigh shared in land speculation...and he made a few gifts of small tracts to a son and a daughter (Lancaster Co., VA, Deeds & Wills 13:253). When he died in 1742/43 he left considerable part of his property to his illegitimate children, and nothing to his wife beyond the allotment given her by the court (Deeds & Wills 13:253; 15:32)." Other references: Lancaster Co., VA, Order Book 7:20, 21, 51, 107, 111, 113, 116, 121, 137, 102, 60, 186, Will Bk 5:537).
Rawleigh Chinn:
a. Member: Lancaster Co., VA Quorum in 1714 (source: Va. Mag. of History, Vol. II, p.8) b. Among list of Justices of the Peace in Lancaster Co., VA from 1680-1778 (Va. Mag. of History, Vol. IX, p.222) c. Appointed Inspector of Tobacco for Warehouse at Glasscocks, Oct 26, 1737 (Va. Mag. of History, Vol. XIV, p. 12). d. Member of Capt. George Heales list of tithables (William & mary Quarterly, Vol 22, p.110). e. A Burgess for Lancaster Co., VA, 1731. e. Vestryman in the old Christ Church in 1739, along with Joseph Chinn.It is not certain whether Rawleigh & Esther ever legally divorced. According to The William & Mary Quarterly, Series 2, Vol. 18:294-296, they may have divorced about 1722.
WILL OF RAWLEIGH CHINN - 1741:
In the name of God Amen I RAWLEIGH CHINN of Lancaster County being in perfect memory do appoint this instrument of writing to be my last will and testament. First I commit my soul to God who gave it to me and my body to earth its original hoping at that great day of Resurrection I shall be raiseed to Life Eternal through the mediation and interception of Jesus Christ my Saviour, Amen. Imprimis - I give unto my son JOSEPH CHINN my manor plantation viz. Beginning at a marked Pine at the head of a cove thense south twelve degrees west to the back line thence from back line north thirty-five degrees west to the wading place including one hundrred and fifty acrea to him and his heirs.Item I give to my son JOSEPH CHINN five hundred acres of land lying in Prince William County being part of a tract of three thousand three hundred acres to him and his heirs.
Item I also give to my son JOSEPH CHINN twenty pounds sterling which he now owes me, one negro called Mingo, my sword, gun, drum and violin it being his full portion barring him from any other part of my estate.
Item I give unto my son THOMAS CHINN the plantation he now lives on with all the land on the east side of the land I gave my son JOSEPH to him and his heirs.
Item I give my son THOMAS CHINN five hundred acres of land being in Prince William County to him and his heirs.
Item I give to my son THOMAS nine negros viz: Letty, Dick, Adam, Nancy, Obey, Sary, George, Chester and Tony, four large pictures, oval table of gum, cloathes press, a large looking glass, two silver spoons marked RCE it being his full portion.
Item I give to my son CHICHESTER CHINN all the land I hold in Richmond and King George County to him and his heirs.
Item I give also to my son CHICHESTER nine negros viz: Offa, Nell, Cate, Judy, Will, Dinah, solomon, Peg and a child of Offa, a large looking glass in the chamber, three silver spoons marked RCE, one silver tankard and lid, one silver salt, one silver pepper box it being his full portion.
Item I give to my daughter ANN SHEARMAN one negro named Jacob, one good feather bed with furniture and ten head of cattle in full for her portion barring her from further part.
Item I give to my grandson RAWLEIGH SHEARMAN two hundred acres of land lying in Prince William county to him and his heirs.
Item I give to BRYAN SCOTT two hundred acres of land lying in the aforesaid county to him and his heirs.
Item I give to my godson CHARLES, the son of MRS. MARGARET DOWNMAN, five hundred acres of land being in prince William County with four negors and their increases viz: Frank, Cate, Will and Sussie to him and his heirs forever but in case he die without issue that it fall to his brothers CHRISTOPHER AND ELIJAH and their heirs and in default of their issue to return to my four sons viz: JOSEPH CHINN, RAWLEIGH CHINN, THOMAS and CHICHESTER CHINN to be equally divided among them.
Item I give to my godson CHRISTOPHER, the son of MRS. MARGARET DOWNMAN, five hundred acres of land lying in Prince william County with four negros and their increase viz: Cordialla, Ralph, Caffe and Margery to him and his heirs but if he die without issue that it dall to his brothers CHARLES and ELIJAH but in default of issue preceeding from any of the three to be divided between my four sons mentioned in last item or their heirs.
Item I give to my godson ELIJAH, son of MRS. MARGARET DOWNMAN, five hundred acres of land in Prince william County with four negros and their increase viz: Tibey, nell, Jenny and Jimmy to him and his heirs but if he die without issue to fall to his brothers CHARLES and CHRISTOPHER but in case of want of issue proceeding from any of ye three that then it be divided between my four sons mentioned in the two last item and their heirs.
Item I give to my godson CHARLES an old desk, a case of drawers, fifteen head of cattle, twenty hogs, four ewes, half a dozen leather chairs, half dozen of cane chairs, two feather beds, rugs, blankets and four pair of sheets, four new dishes, one dozen plates, one iron pot, hooks, one frying pan, one new oval table three foot over, two table cloths, a dozen new napkins, one mare of four years old.
Item I give to my aforesaid godson CHRISTOPHER one desk of cherry tree, fifteen head of cattle, twenty hogs, four ewes, half a dozen leather charis, half a dozen of cane chairs, two feather beds with rugs, blankets and four new dishes, one dozen of new plates, one iron pot and hooks, one oval table three foot over, two table clothes, one dozen of napkins new, one mare four years old.
Item I give to my godson ELIJAH one new desk, fifteen head of cattle, twenty hogs, four new dishes, one dozen of new plates, one iron pot and hooks, one frying pan, one oval table three foot over, two table cloths and one dozen napkins new, one mare four years old.
Item My is that my godson CHARLES, if I die before my two other godsons CHRISTOPHER and ELIJAH
arrive at the age of sixteen years, shall have their estates herein bequeathed to them by me fully in his possession and to be by him deliverred to them when they shall attain the age of sixteen by my godson CHARLES giving security to my executor hereafter named for his trust.Item I order that my executor pay to EASTER CHINN twenty pounds or four thousand pounds of tobacco pr. annum as pr. order of the General Court provided she has no right or title by land to her dower in my sd. estate.
Item My will is that ELIZABETH NICHOLS have the use of my land which I have bought of Richard Elliott during the time she shall remain unmarried provided she never work more than two hands on it in one year but if she doth marry or work more hand than two on it in one year aforesaid that then the aforementioned descend and fall to CELIA NICHOLS daughter of the aforesaid ELIZABETH NICHOLS and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten and in default of such issue to fall to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN and his heirs.
Item My will is that my executor pay JOHN DURHAM ten pounds or a young negro of that value to be paid within six months of my decease.
Item I give to my friend MR. WILLIAM GLASCOCK my watch and mournign ring of twenty shillings value with this posey "When this you see remember me". RC
Item I give to my two sons RAWLEIGH and THOMAS the profit of my young orchard during the term of fifteen years equally to be divided between them.
Item I give the use of my still to my three sons JOSEPH, RAWLEIGH, and THOMAS.
Item It is my will that my estate shall not be appraised. My willis that the negros and stock of my three god children shall be and remain on my plantation in King George County for their use until CHARLES arrive to the age of twenty years and also to have one half of the crop of corn made on the sd. plantation the year that I decease for their use.
Item I give to CELIA NICHOLS, daughter of ELIZABETH NICHOLS, four cows and calves, fifteen head of hogs, a feather bed with furniture bolstering, one blanket and two pair of sheets now in possession of my son CHICHESTEER in King George County, a small square table and a dozen of flag chairs, three new dishes and a dozen of napkins new, one pan, pot hook and frying pan.
Item I give to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN the plantation whereon he now liveth with all the land on the west side of the land given to my son JOSEPH CHINN to him and his heirs.
Item I give to CELIA NICHOLS, daughter of ELIZABETH NICHOLS, my negro girl Criss to her and the heirs of her body lafully begotten in the form and with the land to her before mentioned but in default of issue lawfully begotten from her body to fall to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN and his heirs.
Item My will is all and every part of my apparel that I have provided for my bodily wear at the time of my decease, linen and woolen, may be equally divided between JOSPEH DURHAM and DOMINICK NEWGENT.
Item I give to my son RAWLEIGH CHINN all the remainder of my estate real and personal which has not been before mentioed to him and his heirs and I do also appoint my sd. son RAWLEIGH CHINN my whole and sole executor of this my las will and testament.
Item My will is that if ELIZABETH NICHOLS marry, that my friend MR. WILLIAM GLASCOCK of Richmond County have the care of CELIA NICHOLS and the land, negro and what else before bequeathed to CELIA NICHOLS till the sd. CELIA come to the age of sixteen years and to deliver it up to the said CELIA NICHOLS.
Item I give to my godson CHARLES, son of MARGARET DOWNMAN, one iron spitt I bought of OWEN BROOIER.
At a court held for Lancaster County the second Friday in March 1742 DOMINICK NEWGENT made oath that he wrote the will above written by direction of MR. RAWLEIGH CHINN dec'd the greatest part thereof of the last week in July last and the other part except the last two paragraphs the first week in August last past and that the sd. DOMINICK is well aquainted with the handwriting of sd. RAWLEIGH CHINN and has often seen him write and that the sd. last two paragraphs are of the sd. RAWLEIGH CHINN'S own handwriting and that at the time the sd. DOMINICK NEWGENT writ the sd. parts of the sd. will the sd. CHINN was of perfect sense and memory.
DOMINICK NEWGENT. Sworn in Court - T. Edwards Cl. Cur.At a court held for Lancaster County the second Friday in March, 1742, JOHN DURHAM made oath that he was present when DOMINICK NEWGENT wrote the will above written by the directio of MR. RAWLEIGH CHINN dec'd and that the first part was written the first week in August 1741 and that he was acquainted with the hand writing of the said RAWLEIGH CHINN and has often seen him write and that the last two paragraphs of the above written will is of the sd. CHINN'S own hand writing and that when the sd. DOMINICK NEWGENT wrote the two aforementioned parts of the sd. will the sd. CHINN was of perfect sense and Memory. JOHN DURHAM.
Sworn in court. Teste: T. Edwards Cl. Cur.Recorded in the Clerk's Office of Lancaster County, Virginia in Will Book No. 13 at Page No. 253. A TRUE COPY - TESTE: Frances Currie, Deputy clerk C.C. Lancaster Co., VA.
Rawleigh Chinn's Est. was appraised Aug. 20, 1756, at L783.
This is the same Margaret Ball who later had children by Rawleigh Chinn. (See George S. King, "Marriages of Richmond County, VA, p. 243; Douglas S. Freeman, George Washington I:532-534.)
In a letter of Virginia K. (Mrs. Walter) Shropshire, dated 12 June 1948, she writes: "I am just as interested in your Chinn findings as I can be. Why don't you write a novel about them instead of a magazine article? I have an idea that Margaret Ball Downman could be as interesting as Scarlett O'Hara". "I am enclosing Miss Ellie chinn's letter so you can see that she labors still under the Chinn family delusion. If I were in her place, I would adore hearing the truth. When you have all of your Chinn data in shape, I would very much like to have a copy of it."
In another letter of 18 jan, 1949 she writes: "I would adore to tell you some of the Chinn gossip about my neighbors, living people, of whom I am very fond. It would interest you very much, as it does me, to find how history repeats itself! These very fine aristocrats, and I mean it, they really are; and they are much nearer in blood to me than they are to you, have some of the qualities of the highly interesting Margaret Downman. Wouldn't it be fun to talk tonight? Please come back to Kentucky next summer and visit me. We'll scratch around in grave yards and blow the dust off the Bibles and giggle over living people. We'll be cousins by courtesy. 'Tis an old kentucky custom!"
WILL OF MARGARET DOWNMAN - 1758:
In the name of God Amen I MARGARET DOWNMAN of the North Franham Parish in the County of Richmond being weak in body but sound and perfect sense thanks be given to God for it therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body well knowing that all are born must die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I bequeath my soul into the hands of God that gave it me and my body I commit to the earth to be buried in Christian like and decent manner as as for such worldly estate wherewith God has been pleased to bless me with in this world I give and devise and dispose of the same in manner and form following:Item I give to my well beloved son WILLIAM one gold ring of aguined price the pozey 'prepared to be follo me M.D.'
Item I give to well beloved son RAWLEIGH one Gold ring of the same price and to have the aforesaid pozey.
Item I give my son CHARLES a ring of the same price and money.
Item I give to my son CHRISTOPHER my drawft stears and a feather bed and furniture as it now standing in my inward chamber and a looking glass and seven leather chairs and an iron spitt and sett of seweres and an oval table.
Item I give to my son ELIJAH one good bedtick and a good rug both new and a looking glass.
Item I give to my grandson RAWLEIGH DOWNMAN four pounds current money to be paid him by his father as being due to me.
Item I give to my grand daughter MARGARET DOWNMAN six large silver spoons marked thus M D.
Item My will and desire is that my stock of cattle except the stears before mentioned my be equally divided between my five sons here above named.
Item My will is that my son WILLIAM pay to my son RAWLEIGH the half of the tobacco that I paid for him to Nathaniel Mason the whole is four thousand five hundred.
Item My will is that my two younger sons CHRISTOPHER and ELIJAH have each of them a ring of the price and pozey described for their three elder brothers.
Item My will is that my negrom man Samm be for the use and benefit of my three younger sons viz: CHARLES, CHRISTOPHER and ELIJAH and their heirs.
Item My will that all singular my estat goods and chattels shall after my son CHRISTOPHER have some particular articles to make equivolent with what I before had fortified them with be equally divided between my three younger sons, CHARLES, CHRISTOPHER and ELIJAH.
Item My will is that my estate may not be appraised.
Item I do nominate, constitute and ordain my dutiful and well beolved son CHRISTOPHER whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament utterly revoking all other will by me made. Ratifying and confirming this to be the last will in Tertimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seale this thirteenth day of September 1758.
her
MARGARET X DOWNMAN (Seale)
mark
Signed and sealed in the presence of:
Charles Dodson, Thomas Howard, Thomas Dale and Dominick Newgent.At a Court held for Richmond County this will was presented in Court by CHRISTOPHER CHINN the executor therein named who made oath thereto according to law and being proved by Charles Dodson and Thomas Dale two of the witnesses thereto was admitted to record and on the motion of the said executor giving security a certificate is granted to him for obtaining a probate therefore in due form. Teste: T. Tarpley D.C.C.
State of Virginia, County of Richmond, to-wit:
I Hundley Balderson, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the State of and County aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a TRUE COPY from the records of this office, recorded in Will Book No. 5 at page 537.
Given under my hand and seal of said Court this 23rd day of March, 1758. Hundley Balderson, Clerk.
WILL OF CHRISTOPHER CHINN - 1769:Loudoun County, VA, dated 1 March 1769, proved 13 Aug. 1770.
In the name of God Amen, I Christopher Chinn of the County of Loudoun being in perfect health and memory but calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life and that it is appointed once for all men to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner. First, bequeathing my soul to Almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth its original not doubting at the Great day of Resurrection of my Lord and Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ.Item I give and bequeath to my brother Rawleigh Downman five shillings current money.
Item I give and bequeath to my cousin Rawleigh Downman, son to William Downman, dec'd., five shillings current money.
Item I give and bequeath to my nephew Christopher Chinn, son to my brother Charles Chinn, two negros viz: Hannah, a girl and Robin, a boy to the said Christopher his heirs and assigns forever. But if the said Christopher shall die without issue my will and desire is that the afd. negors descend to his brother John and to his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my nephew Christopher Chinn, son to my brother Elijah Chinn, two negros, viz: Bett, a young wench and Dick a boy to the said Christopher his heirs and assigns forever. But if the said Christopher shall die without issue my will and desire is that the said negros go to his brother Rawleigh his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my brother Charles Chinn, the following negros viz: Mingo, Dillow and her two children, Sam and Winny, and one negro wench named Easther, two beds and furniture, 1 silver watch and 1 desk to the said Charles his heirs and assigns forever under the provisio and restriction hereafter mentioned. I also give to my said brother Charles all my wearing apparel to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my brother Elijah Chinn the following negros viz: Calfe, Ralph, mary, Judah, and Milly, my best bed and furniture my violin, the said Elijah his heirs and assigns forever - under the provisios and restrictions hereafter mentioned.
Item I give and bequeath to my nephew Rawleigh Chinn, son to my brother Elijah Chinn, one smooth bored gun to the said Rawleigh his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my niece Elizabeth Chinn, daughter to my brother Elijah Chinn, two large and one small table silver spoons marked MD and my gold ring.
Whereas by the last will and testament of Rawleigh Chinn, late of Lancaster County, my two brothers Charles and Elijah are entitled to an equal division of all the negros aforesaid, by which means objections may arise by one or the other to the distribution aforesaid to remedy whereof my will and deisre is that the party refusing to comply with the said distribution and insisting on a division agreeable to the afd. Rawleigh Chinn will be deprived and disannuled of every other party of my estate and that the party complying or willing thereto have and enjoy the same anything in this will contained to the contrary notwithstanding.
And that all the rest of my estate both real and personal not already bequeathed to equally divided between my said brothers Charles and Elijah under the provisio aforesaid to the said Charles and Elijah their heirs and assigns forever, whom I appoint executors of this my last will and testament herreby ratifying and confirming the same disannulling all heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 1 day of March 1769.
CHRISTOPHER CHINN (SS)
Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of - Leven Powell and Thomas Chinn.
The words, Charles and Elijah in the fifth line interlined before signed.At a court held for Loudoun County, Aug. the 13th 1770 this will was proved by the oaths of Leven Powell gent. and Thomas Chinn the witnesses thereto and is ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Charles Chinn and Elijah Chinn the executors therein named who made oath according to law, certificate is hereby granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due from giving security whereupon they together with Francis Peyton and Thomas Chinn their securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of two thousand pounds current money with condition as the law directs.
Teste: Charles Binns, Cl. Cur.
A COPY TESTE: J.T. Martz, Clerk.
John Chynn owned an estate called "Oakley" in Lancaster Co., VA, after landing on the boat, "James" at Maraticco Creek, VA in 1657. He came to Virginia the first time on business for the King of England. He returned in 1662 and bought 1,000 acres of land, (Aug 24, 1664), on Marattico Creek, Lancaster Co., VA. He then received altogether six grants of land (1664-1667) from the King of England for deeds of bravery, part in the same location and the rest in Prince William County, it being called the White Chapel Grant.
Will recorded Lancaster, Lancaster Co., VA on 21 May 1692. Will Book 8, p. 35.
In the name of God Amen the fifteenth day of December An. Dom. 1691 I JOHN CHINN SR. of the County of Lancaster, Gent. being in sound and perfect memory thanks be to Almighty God and calling to remembrance the uncertainties therto of this transitory life and that all flesh must give unto death when it shall please God to call do make and constitute ordaine and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following revoking and annulling by these presents all and every Testament and Testamenty, Will and Wills heretofore by me made and declared whether by word or writing and this to be taken only for my last will and testament and none other. And first being penitent and sorry from the bottom of my heart for my sins past most humbly desiring forgiveness for the same I give and committ my Soul unto God my Saviour and Redeemer in whom and by the merits of Jesus Christ I trust and believe assuredly to be saved and to have full remission of all my sins and that my soul with my body at the General Day of Resurrection shall rise again with joy and through the merits of Christ's death and passion possess and inherit the Kingdonm of Heaven prepared for the elect and chosen and my body to be buried in such place where it shall my executor hereafter named and appoint. And now for the settling of my debts as I am now possessed with and it hath pleased God for far above my deserts to bestow upon me I do order and dispose of the same in manner and form following that is to say:Item I give unto my loving wife ALICE CHINN my saddle horse and all my furniture thereunto belonging called by the name of Dragon and also the riding horse with all her furniture belonging called by the name of Hester.
Item I give unto my sone JOHN TRUSSELL and my daughter ELIZABETH TRUSSELL his wife twelve pounds apiece to be paid them six months after my death.
Item I give unto my sone THOMAS CHILTON and my daughter SARAH CHILTON his wife twelve pence a piece to be paide within six months after my decease.
Item I give unto my daughter ANN CHINN all that tract of land bee it more or less whereon Thomas Clutton (Chilton) now lives which I bought of Richard Lloyd lying upon the head of Powells Creek and to her heirs forever I give unto my said daughter ANN one feather bed a pair of blanketts a rugg a bolster and one pillow one iron pott a frying pan a mare with all her increase running Kirbys Nook foure sheep twelve head of Cattle when she shall come to the age of sixteen years and not before.
Item I give unto my daughter KATHERINE CHINN all the right and title which I have to a tract of land lying at the head of Moraticco which I purchased of Thomas Maddison to her and her heirs forever ten head of cattle foure sheep a mare aged two years old with all her increase forever one feather bed a pair of sheets a rug bouldster and one pillow one iron pott a frying pan when she comes to the age of sixteen years and not before.
Item I give unto my sone JOHN CHINN twelve pounds in money to bee paid as that six months after my decease because I have paide and he has used his portion already.
Item I give unto my sone RAWLEIGH CHINN all the tract of land I now live upon and to his heirs forever one feather bed and furniture one iron pott four sheep tenn head of cattle one mare three years old with all her increase when he shall come to the age of twenty years and not before and also one negro between sixteen and twenty.
Item My will and pleasure is that all the said cattle and sheep soe given unto my saide children as aforesaid as they shall come to their respective age or ages to be delivered as aforesaid the cattle shall not exceed tenn years apiece nor the sheep to exceed five years apiece.
Item My will and pleasure is that all my estate bothe Chattles and personall except before expressed given and bequeathed as aforesaid I give unto my loveing wife ALICE CHINN whom I make whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and year above writte
JOHN CHINN Sig. ye SealeSigned sealed and published and declared this to bee my last Will and Testament in presence of us: William Smith, Alexander Dune, Edward Goffery.
Recorded the 21st day of May 1692. Teste: John Stretchley. Recorded in the Clerk's Office of Lancaster County, Virginia in Will Book No. 8 at page no. 35. A TRUE COPY. teste: Frances Currie, Deputy Clerk Circuit court, Lancaster County, Virginia.
Joseph Ball owned "Forest Plantation" in Lancaster Co., VA, now called "Epping Forest". He was a vestryman at St. Mary's White Chapel (NNVHS 5:386). He was born in England and came to Virginia in his infancy.
Joseph Ball was a member of the House of Burgesses for Lancaster County, Virginia; Lieutenant Colonel and vestryman.
He was the author of the "Letterbook". (Library of Congress). Many of these letters were written to his grandson, Joseph William Chinn (son of Rawleigh Chinn and Esther Ball). Joseph William Chinn had charge of his land holdings while he, (Joseph Ball), was in England. A noted letter in this "Letterbook" gave detailed instructions for not only the care of the property, but for the care of his slaves as well. "Mr. Ball was evidently a great humanitarian, as he went into the most minute detail on how he wanted my grnadfather to treat his "people" (his slaves). He wanted them to have sufficient clothing, three pairs of shoes for those working in the swamps, that they might always have a dry pair, summer clothing in the summer time, heavier clothing in the winter." -Wlater Neal Chinn, Jr.
According to Douglas Southall Freeman in "George Washignton: A Biography", Volume One, p. 531: "Of the four children of William and Hannah Ball, the youngest was Joseph, who was born in England, presumably in 1649. Surviving records do not show when he came to Virginia but he was in the Colony at the time of his father's death. As the Northern Neck developed, Joseph prospered moderately. His "tithables" over a period of years never rose above fifteen or declined below nine; his residence, though located some at some distance from Morattico Creek, was a comfortable abode and bore a name reminiscent of old England, Epping Forest; he held the usual offices of Justice of the County Court, vestryman and Burgess; in 1699 he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the militia of the County. He first marriage yielded five daughters and a son, Joseph second".
WILL OF JOSEPH BALL - Lancaster County, VA, Will Book 10, p. 88, dated June 25, 1711, proved July 11, 1711. Parish of St. Mary's White Chapel. (See Hayden's "Virginia Genealogies", pp 58-59):
"In the name of God Amen. I Jos Ball of the County of Lancaster and p'ish of St. Mary's Wt Chappell in the Colony of Virga Gent Being sick and weak of Body but Praised be to Almighty God in sound and p'fect memory doe make this my Last will and Tesamt in manner and form following that is to say, first and Principally I commend my soul to Almighty God and maker steadfastly Believing that Through the merits of my Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ I shall Receive full Pardon and foregiveness of all my sins by a true and sincere Repentance for the same and my body I commit to the Earth from whence it was first taken to be Decently Intered according to the Discretion of my Exectr hereafter named & for my worldly estate wch God in his mercy hath Bestowed upon me I give and dispose as followeth viz: Imp'ris it is my will and Pleasure that my Debts and funeral Rights be first fully paid and satisfied.
Item, for as much as on the Eleventh day of febre in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and seven I acknowledge a Deed of Gift of Divers goods and chattels to my son JOE BALL my daughter HANNAH TRAVERS my daughter ANNE CONWAY and my daughter ESTHER CHINN wch deed is upon the Records of this County, Ampongst other things there In Contained I give to my son JOE BALL a negro wo : named Murach and her Increase. I do therefore hereby declare that it then was my full Intent and meaning & still is my will and Pleasure That thereby be meant the future increase only of ye sd. Murach to be to my sd son and no other children born of her body wch by ye sd. deed I have given to MRS. ANN CONWAY and MRS. ESTHER CHINN, viz Jack and Janney and no other children therefore born of her body to be construed to belong to the said JOSEPH BALL by virtue of ye sd. Deed. Item I give and bequeath unto my Loving wife MARY BALL the feather Bed bolsters and all the furniture thereto belonging whereon I now lie in my own Lodging chamber as it stands and is now used and all the chairs that is in the house that are single nailed. Item I give and bequeath to my beloved wife aforesd the chest of drawers In The Hall chamber satnding undr the window & the Looking Glass standing in the said Chamber with a narrow frame.
Item I give to my said wife her own chest and the choice of ye chests I have standing in the sellar chamber, also two Tables standing in my own Chamber one a Round Table the other an ovill Table and her choice of a pr of fire tongs. Item I give to my sd wife sixteen head of cattle none whereof to be under a year old and the most of them to be breedg als I give he Eleven head of sheep the most whereof to be Ewes & one Ram to make up ye number Eleven. I also give her a white horse called Dragon with her bridle side-sadle & all furniture & a bey horse called Bush. I also give her one half of all ye hogs that shall be found upon my now dwelling plantation to be divided as well in quality as quantity.
Item I do give to said wife a negro man named Tony and a negro wo : Dinah to her and her heirs for Ever.
Item I give to my said wife an Irish woman for the time she has to serve to her and her Assigns wch sd wo : is known by the name of ELLEN GRAFTON.
Item I give to my sd. wife one full third part of ye Linen I have in my house made up or unmade up.
Item I give to my sd. wife ye half of ye wheat in ye ground now growing upon my Plantation.
Item I give to my sd. wife one third part of All ye Earthn ware That will found in ye house as also one third part of ye wooden ware as pails Tubs piggins Trays, &c.
Item it is my will and Pleasure yt my wife have one half of all ye provisions and corn yt is now in ye house for her better support and maintainance.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY four hundred acres of Land Lying in Richmnd County in ye freshes of Rapphn River being part of a pattin for sixteen hundred acres of Land to her The sd MARY and the heirs of her body Lawfully to be gegotten for ever.
Item I give to my son JOS BALL all ye Rest Residue and Remainder of ye sd Land belonging to me Included in ye sd patten by Estimation four hundred acres over and above ye sd four hundred acres given my daughter MARY to him ye sd JOS BALL and his heirs for Ever.
Item I give to my son JOS BALL, my daughter ANNE CONWAY and my daughter ESTHER CHINN all ye Rest o my Stock of neat Cattle, excepting one and Thirty head, sixteen whereof I have Given to my sd wife and ye other fifteen I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY, to be equally divided between them, The sd JOS BALL ANNE CONWAY & ESTHER CHINN as also ye Remainder of my sheep to be divided as aforesd.
Item I give & bequeath to ELIZA JOHNSON ye daughter of my beloved wife one hundre acres of Lan or what is more or less yt I Bought of Wilb Lut Late of this County to her ye sd. ELIZ : for and during ye Term of her naturall Life.
Item I doe give & bequeath unto my beloved wife for her Dower During her natural Life so much of ye tract of Land whereon I now Live as shall be Included within ye following bounds (viz) There is a Straight Line to be begun at ye head of a branch in ye next vale Imidiately to ye westward of ye young orchard thence to run a Straigh course crossing ye Road ye Leads to Merratticoe at a valley proceeding from ye head of a branch Running up along That side of JOHN MOTTS old field yt Lies toward ye plantation whereon I now Live all ye Land houses & appurtenances therto belonging Except ye young orchard aforesd to ye East ward of ye sd Line Comprehended Between ye sd Line Motts Line Flints Line Pritchards Line and Finches Line to be peaceably Injoyed during he naturall Life be ye same more or less.
Item it is my will and pleasure yt my wife shall have ye use of ye negro Girl Jenny yt I formerly gave to my daughter ELIZ CORNEGIE untill my grand son JOS CORNEGIE shall come of ye age of one and Twenty (she my sd wife Looking after her children if she shall dave any in yt time for my grand sons future benefit).
Item I give to my sd wife all my Cropp of flax dres & undrest, and all ye profits thereof to her own use.
Item it is my will and desire yt ye negores now on ye plantation yt are under ye care of JOHN HOGAN my overseer may proceed to finish ye Cropp now putting forward and yt ye same when finished shall be Equally divided between my son JOS BALL and my wife.
Item I give to my daughter MARY my negro boy Tome and ye negro Jo and Jack yt formerly wre belonging to JO CARNEGIE, dec'd.
Item I give to my daughter MARY all my feathers yt are in ye Kitchen loft to be put into a bed for her.
Item I give to my son JOS BALL my still wth ye Tub & Wanne (sic) & all other its appurtenances desiring him to let my wife have ye use of it as her occasion shall Require.
Item It is my will & Plaesure yt all ye Rest of my Estate not hereby before given in what nature or quality soever it be or consist of I give to be Equally divided between my son JOS BALL my daughter ANN CONWAY and my daughter ESTHER CHINN.
Item it is my will and Pleasure yt what Deeds I have formerly made sealed and delivered to my son JOSE seperatly or to him and his sisters for Land Slaves or any Sorts of goods wares moneys and merchant dize be for Ever hereafter deemed and taken to be good and valid according to their terms.
Item I do hereby order and appoint yt my Executr hereafer doe Pay To my daughter HANNAH TRAVERS in full for her share yt she now shall or hereafter may claim from my Estate ye sum of four Thousand pounds of Tobbo & Caske.
Item I doe nominate and appoint my son JOS BALL Executr of This my Last will and Testamnt hereby Revoking all former or other Will or Wills by me heretofore made and this only to stand and abide as my Last Will & Testamt In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & fixed my Seal This Twenty fifth day of June 1711.JOS BALL (ye seal)
Signed sealed and Published in pesents of: The words for Ever in ye Twenty Seventh line of ye second side raised out before ye Executing hereof Geo Finch Eliz ; X Finch Mart sigd M Miller Jos Taylor
Probat fuit hum. o : j Testamt in Cur Con Lancastr 11 die Julie Ano Dom 1711. p sacramt Georgii Finch Magt Miller et Josephii Tayloe Jut in Cur et Recordr.p JAS TAYLOE Clk.
Copy. Teste Thos Edward Ct Clerk