Henry Mills (abt. 1733 - abt. 1791)

Born about 1733 in Henrico County, Virginia

Ancestors

Died about 1791 at about age 58 in Chesterfield County, Virginia [uncertain]

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Biography

Henry Mills was born about 1733 in Henrico County. His mother, reportedly Judith Tanner Mills, may have been widowed shortly after Henry's birth and Henry was probably raised by Judith's husband, Jeffrey Robertson (Jr.). Henry's father was reportedly John Mills but no record of any kind has been located for him.

Henry married Lucy Wilkinson some time prior to 1768, when she was recorded as "Lucy Mills" in the will of her father, Anthony Wilkinson. Henry Mills was named one of the executors.

Land records tell us that Henry and Lucy lived on Wintopock Creek in Chesterfield County, where Henry accumulated 250 acres in purchases made in 1761, 1770 and 1779. Land records also tell us that Henry divided those 250 acres among seven children, with wife, Lucy, having a life interest in at least part of that land. Unfortunately, no record of that land division has been located.

Land and tax records suggest that Henry and Lucy's children probably included:

1. David Mills
2. James Mills
3. Henry Mills Jr., married Sarah/Sary/Sally MNU
4. Nicholas Mills
5. Robin Mills
6. Judith Mills, married Jesse Pitchford
7. Unknown 7th child

Henry probably died in Chesterfield County some time between 15 May 1790 and 11 March 1791, his last entries in property tax lists. No probate records appear to be recorded for Henry in Chesterfield Co.

Sources

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 5, p. 187; 28 July 1761, Jeffrey Robertson of Chesterfield Co., for good causes, but especially because Mary Condrey, Wilmoth Hatcher, and Frances Moor, parceners and daughters of William Blankenship, dec'd, have with their husbands, acknowledged a deed to convey to Henry Mills, 100 acres, part of a tract granted by patent to said Blankenship, and on a division by mutual agreement among said parceners, fell to Wilmoth Hatcher and her husband, Thomas Hatcher, grant to Thomas Hatcher 100 acres, including plantation he lives on. 28 July 1761." Wit: Robt. Elam, John Condre, Jacob Ashhurst. Signed: Jeffery Robertson Recorded 7 Aug 1761.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book #5, p. 63, 28 July 1761, We, Thomas Hatcher and Wilmoth Hatcher, William Moore and Frances Moore and William Condrey and Mary Condrey, Parcemers of William Blankenship, dec’d for and in consideration of Jeffrey Robertson making sufficient conveyance of 100 acres of land in Chesterfield to Hatcher and Wilmoth his wife by deed bearing date equal with these presents, give to Henry Mills of same, a 100 acre plantation including plantation said Mills lives on, on Winterpock Creek. Wit: Jacob Ashurst, Robert Elam, John Condrey, Frances Moore, William Condrey, Mary Condrey.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 361; 3 March 1768, Will of Anthony Wilkinson, Mentions: Wife Elizabeth; Sons John, Edward, William; Daughters Mary Nunnally, Lucy Mills, Elizabeth and Sarah; Son Edward Wilkinson and Henry Mills, Executors; Wit: Thomas Hanks, George Robertson, John Hill.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Book 6, p. 286; 8 January 1770, William Moore to Henry Mills, 100 acres bounded by said Mills, Hamblin Cole, Robert Cole, Benjamin Cheatham, and James Mills. Wit: Robert Standfield, James Rudd, Frederic Rudd. Unnamed wife relinquished dower.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 6, p. 347; 20 January 1771, Henry Mills to John Cole, 5 acres adjoining Thomas Howerton on Wintopock Creek, David Nunnally. Wit: Robert Standfield, Thomas Howerton, Francis Moore.

• Bedford County, Virginia Deed Book 4, p. 430; June __ 1772, Deed of Trust, William Jenkins of Bedford County to Henry Mills of Chesterfield County, for £100 of debt and 5 shillings, 100 acres where Jenkins lives adjoining Andrew Hunter, William Gibson, and Peter Grievous. Wit: John Turner Jr., Henry Cheatham, John Hill.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 9, p. 133; 7 May 1779, Daniel Nunnally to Henry Mills, 50 acres bounded by Col. George Robertson, Hamblin Cole, Henry Mills and David Nunnally. Wit: John Cogbill, Edward Fatherston, Charles Cogbill, Hubert Nunnally.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Will Book 3, p. 519; 16 December 1784, Will of Jeffrey Robertson (Jr.), ...First, I lend unto my beloved wife Judith Robertson my whole Estate both real and personal during the term of her natural life and after her decease to be divided as followeth, Viz., Item I give and bequeath unto my wife’s son Henry Mills one negro man named Dick to him and his heirs forever...

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Personal Property Tax Lists, 1786-1811, FHL Film 7849101; Henry Mills appears on the lists for 1786, 1788, and 1790. His "Est." was recorded in 1791. His probable sons Henry Jr., James, Nicholas and David appear on one or more of these same lists. Years after 1791 not checked. Lists for 1787 and 1789 are lost.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 16, p. 103; 16 November 1799, Jesse Pitchford and Judith, his wife, daughter of Henry Mills late of Chesterfield Co., to John Cole, all right and interest in land where Henry Mills lived being 250 acres. Wife Judith relinquished dower. Wit: George Markham, John Hill, Thomas Branch, Josiah Cheatham.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 17, p. 415; 15 December 1798 (last witness 13 July 1807), Henry Mills and Sally, his wife, to John Cole, one seventh undivided part of 250 acres where Henry Mills lived at the time of his death, on Wintopock Creek, excluding a life estate of Lucy Mills, widow of Henry Mills Sr. Wit: Thomas Watkins, Thomas Branch, Peter Worsham, Robert Hill.

• Chesterfield County, Virginia Deed Book 16, p. 292; 23 November 1802, Robin Mills to John Cole, all right and title to one seventh undivided part of 250 acres formerly the property of Henry Mills and by him divided in equal portions to 7 children. Wit: Abel Bowman, Charles Nunnally, George Bradley, Martin Cosbay.