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Mathews-Williams Family Genealogy
Notes
This Landon Carter, grandson of Robert "King" Carter, was given property by his father, Landon in Prince William Co., VA, upon which he built "Pittsylvania", a plantation rich in history of power in VA.
Richard Chichester, Gentleman, of "Fairweather", Lancaster Co., VA. Vestryman. Church Warden.
James Ball, and his wife Mary Conway, are buried together in the St. Mary's Whitechapel Churchyard in Lancaster Co., Va. The inscription on their gravestone reads as follows:
"Here lieth the Body of Mary, the wife of James Ball, Daughter of Edwin Conway, Gent., deceased, who departed this life the 15th Day of September, 1730, in the 44th year of her Age, leaving three sons and five Daughters. She was a loving wife, a tender Mother, a peaceable, good neighbor, and live and died a pattern of Piety and Virtue. Here, also, lieth interred the Body of ye above-mentioned James Ball, Gent., son of William Ball, Gent., dec'd. who departed this life the 13th Day of Oct., 1754, in ye 76th year of his Age, having lived in the constant Practice of Temperance and Sobriety and other moral Virtues, and died in a steadfast Faith in Christ and full hope of glorious Resurrection."
WILL OF MAJ. JAMES BALL, OF BEWDLEY, 1754:
In the name of God Amen I JAMES BALL being in perfect health and memory thanks be to God do make this my last Will in Manner following viz. I do first and most principly give and bequeath my Soul to God who gave it me in certain hopes not withstanding my unwortyness to receive pardon of all my sins through the blessed merits and mediation of my deer redeemer Jesus Christ. Item I give to my Grand Son BURGESS BALL all my lands in King George, Spotsilvania and Stafford Counties during his Natural life & at his decease I give it to his child or children as he shall think fit and to their heirs. I give to my Said grand son Twenty one Slaves viz. Dick, Bristor, Adam, Rawleigh, & Alice yt I Bought of my son James, Lucy & her four children and her three grand children, Letty and her Seven grand children and all their future increase when he shall arrive to the age of twenty one or have lawful issue and that my exe'r keep a true account of the profits of the slaves out of which profits it is my desire my aforesaid grandson be well educated & when he shall arrive to the aforesaid age or have lawful issue, that he be possessed and entitled to ye the said slaves and their increase as also what shall arrive from the profits of the said slaves, but in case my said Grand Son die before he come of the age of twenty one and without lawful issue then I give the Said Slaves and profits to be equally divided among my Son and five Daughters and their heirs. Item I give to my Said Grand Son my clock and my two mares Blase and Fancy & what stock I shall have on the land before given him and all their increase when he sall come to the age aforesaid or have lawfull issue. Item I give to my Daughter Sinah and my four grand Sons viz. JESSE BALL son of my Daughter FRANCES, JAMES EWELL and JAMES EWELL son of EVE EWELL and JOHN SELDEN and their heirs five thousand acres of land in Prince Wm County to be laid off at the upper end of my mountain tract to them and their heirs equally amongst them. I give to my Daughter EVE one Slave named Sarah and all her Encrease which she has now only the use of. Item I give to my daughter SELDEN and her heirs ye land I bought of Benjamin Taylor. I give to my grand son JOHN TAYLOR Fifty pounds Sterling to be paid him when he shall come to the age of twenty one but if he should die before that age then I give it to his Mother it being part of her portion. I give to my five Daughters all my household goods except my plate. The best bed and furniture which I give to my Son JAMES. Item I give to my Grand Son TOBEY DOWNMAN Thirty pounds to be laid out in land or a Slave and no otherways. Item I give to my grandson JAMES DOWNMAN my watch and Silver Buckles. Item I give to my son JAMES the use of all the remainder of my estate including my Slaves in his possession which he has now the use of all during his natural life and at his death to dispose of as he shall think fit. Item I do appoint my Son Exr of this my last will and testament and guardian to my grand son BURGESS BALL and my will is that my estate not be appraised. In witness my hand and seal this 15th day of July 1754. JAMES BALL (Seal).
At a Court held for Lancaster County on the 15th day of November 1754 This will was presented in Court by JAMES BALL Gent Excr therein named who made Oath thereto the same was ordered to be recorded. Teste, Thos Edwards, jr. C.L.C. A copy Attest Benj'n M. Walker C. C. 1830. Dec 3d.Major Ball was a vestryman of Christ Church, Lancaster County, Virginia, and Church Warden, 1743. In 1740 he and Mr. Joseph Ball were allowed to build a gallery in Whitechapel Church and furnished in the same style with the west gallery. (Vestry Book). In 1743 the vestry directed him to build a 20x16 vestry house.
He was a Burgess from Lancaster County, VA, in the asemblies of 1715, 1718, 1720-22, in the session of May 18, 1732, and in the assembly of 1736-1740.
Peter Cockrell moved to Berkeley Co., VA.
Presley Cockrell, III and his first wife, Sarah, the widow of Moses Sebree, had two children.
Presley Cockrell, III and his second wife, Jane Morrison had 3 children.
John Ball's will states that he and Margaret separated in 1740.
Dr. James Craik came to Virginia, from Scotland, in 1750. He was commissioned Surgeon in Col. Fry's Va. Reg. March 7, 1754, which regiment Washington commanded after Col. Fry's death. He served in the provisional army during the French and Indian Wars; was at Braddock's defeat, and dressed the wounds of that General after the battle. In 1770 he accompanied Washington to the Ohio, and there it was that he learned of the Indian prophecy concerning Washington, told by Custis. He settled later at Port Tobacco, Maryland, but was persuaded by Washington to remove to Alexandria. In 1771 he was appointed Ass't Director General in the Hospital Department of the army. He was director of the hospital at the siege of Yorktown, in 1781. He served through the war, and received from Virginia 6,000 acres of land for his services, March 12, 1832. He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati of Maryland. He lived in Alexandria until age compelled retirement from practice, when he removed to Vaucluse, a part of the Ravensworth estate, where he died. He was vigorous to the last. His grandson, Rev. James Craik, from whom the foregoing facts were received, says:
"He was a stout, thick-set man, perfectly erect, no stoop of the shoulders, and no appearance of debility in his carriage. Not long before his death he ran a race with me, then 8 years old, in the front yard of the house at Vaucluse, before the assembled family" (Custis' Recollections of George Washington).
Dr. Craik is best remembered and honoured by Americans for his intimate relations with George Washington, especially as his physician in his last moments. (v. Brown, p. 173-4). An exhaustive "Sketch of the Life and Character of Dr. James Craik" was published by Dr. J.M. Toner in Trans. Va. Medical Society, 1879, III., pt. I., pp. 99-105. v. also App. Cyc. Am. Biog. Mr Custis says he had 6 sons and 3 daughters. (Meade, p. 341).
Dr. Craik built a home, about 1790, at 21c Duke Street in Alexandria, VA. (A survey done in the early 1990's identifies it as, "a dilapidated, 3-1/2 story red brick structure".
His Obituary, which appeared in the "Alexandria Gazette", of Tuesday, February 10, 1814, reads as follows:"Died at his residence in Fairfax County, Virginia, on the morning of the 6th instant, in the 84th year of his age; Dr. JAMES CRAIK, formerly Physician General to the Armies of the United States.
The biographer of revolutionary merit, may be allowed unusual length, in recording the life and actions of this aged patriot; who had lived so long, as to leave no contemporary to share his early fame - for of those who trod the ensanguined field of Braddock in 1755, scarce one is left - of those who shared the early toils and friendship of our Washington, this venerable man was surely the last.
Doctor James Craik was born in Scotland and was there educated for the medical service of the British Army. He migrated to the colony of Virginia at an early period of his life, and accompanied the then youthful Washington in his expedition against the French and Indians in the year 1754; and returned to the settlements after the battle of the Meadows, and surrender of Fort Necessity. In the subsequent year, he attended the march of Braddock through the Wilderness, and assisted in dressing the wounds of that brave but unfortunate Commander on the 9th of July 1755.
At the close of the French war, Dr. Craik retired again to the colonies, whre he resumed the practice of his profession and where he lived until the commencement of the revolution in 1775. It may be readily supposed that Washington, on his elevation to the supreme command, was not unmindful of the past services of his old friend and companion; Doctor Craik was transferred to the medical department of the Revolutionary Army, and raised to the first rank and distinction.
Dr. Craik had been frequently heard to declare; that nought but the divine interposition, could have preserved our Washington amid the unexampled scene of human carnage - that often has he cast his farewell look, as he believed, upon the young aspiring chief, whose commanding stature and heroic courage seemed to attract the fire of the enemy, whilst he braved death in every part of that disastrous field, but was still preserved by a guardian providence, for the future glory and happiness of his country.
At the close of the campaign of 1777, Dr. Craik proved his fidelity to his General and to his Country, by taking an active part in the development of that nefarious conspiracy, whose object was the removal of the commander in chief. In 1780 he was deputed by the General to visit the Compte de Rochambeau, then newly arrived at Rhode Island, and to make arrangements for the establishment of hospitals, for the use of the French Army, - a work of no small dificulty in the then destitute situation of our country. Having performed this duty, he continued in the American Army to the end of the war, and was present at the surrender of Cornwallis on the ever memorable 19th of October 1781.
During the succeeding interval of peace, the doctor settled as a Physician, in Charles county, in the State of Maryland - but soon removed to the neighborhood of his old friend and companion, the illustrious Farmer of Mount Vernon, at his frequent and earnest solicitation. On the commencement of hostilities in 1798, the venerable Washington being called to his last command in his country's service, Doctor Craik, then far advanced in the vale of years was appointed to his former station in the medical staff. The President of the United States had previously appointed, as Physician General, a gentleman of highest medical distinction, but Washington, ever faithful to the cause of true friendship and long services, here stayed the hand of power, and called to his side, the man, whom the experience of more than forty years, had proved to be eminently worthy of his confidence and esteem.
With the disbandment of this army, ceased the public services of Doctor James Craik, services which had been devoted with zeal and reputation to his country's cause, for nearly half a century. One trying duty yet remained to be performed - It was, to receive the last sigh of his old commander, his country's guardian and the FIRST OF MEN. Their youthful commissions, had been signed on the same day - they had served together in the ranks of war - they had enjoyed the intercourse of social life for nearly fifty years, and were endeared to each other, by mutual toils, privations and glories - the moment of parting seemed, indeed, the parting of brothers. The Doctor has said, "I, who was bred amid scenes of human calamity - who so often witnessed death in its direct and most awful forms, believed that its errors were too unfamiliar to my eye to shake my fortitude, but when I say this great man die, it seemed, as if the bonds of my nature were rent asunder, and that the pillar of my country's happiness, had fallen to the ground."
Doctor Craik continued his professional duties until a few years previous to his decease, and preserved his active habits, remarkable indeed for his age - but hsi "age was a lusty winter-frosty, but kindly."
As to his private life; they only who enjoyed the privilege and pleasure of his personal acquaintance, can properly appreciate his domestice virtues. Suffice it to say; that he was in private, as well as in public life, a consistently good and eminently useful man.
The biographer drops his pen. He has written the momoir of no common man. Who is there that now lives, and would not deem it a mighty honor, to have been recorded by the immortal Washington as his "compatriot in arms; this old and intimate friend." These words, penned by that great man, in his last moments; consitute the best eulogy of the deceased. Let them be inscirbed on his tombstone; and let the passerby, who venerates the name of Washington, pay the just tribute of his respect to the memory of his COMPATRIOT IN ARMS, HIS OLD AND INTIMATE FRIEND."
Hon. William Craik was a Member of U.S. Congress from Maryland, 1796-1801, and Judge U.S. District Court. William Craik and his wife, Ann Randolph Fitzhugh, had no children.
From the "Biographical Directory of the United States Congress": William Craik, a Representative from Maryland; born near Port Tobacco, Maryland, October 31, 1761; attended Delameve School in Frederick County; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Port Tobacco and Leonardtown; moved to Baltimore; was appointed chief justice of the fifth judicial district of Maryland January 13, 1793, and served until his resignation in 1796; elected as a Federalist to the Fourth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Jeremiah Crabb; reelected to the Fifth and Sixth Congresses and served from December 5, 1796, to March 3, 1801; again appointed chief justice of the fift judicial district of Maryland and served from October 20, 1801, to January 28, 1802; resided in Frederick, Maryland; died prior to 1814.