William Anderson (abt. 1645 - bef. 1698)

Born about 1645 in Northampton County, Colony of Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Wise) Anderson — married about 1664 in Accomack, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died before 4 Oct 1698 before about age 53 in Accomack County, Colony of Virginia

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Biography

William Anderson was a Virginia colonist.

William Anderson is a Qualifying Ancestor of the Jamestowne Society

William Anderson^[1] was an industrious merchant and a man of wealth and elegance. He lived on his favorite estate, Occoconson on Pocomoke Sound for thirty years, where he owned a fine house and 900 acres. In 1681, he built a house in Onancock. He was, therefore, the neighbor of Colonel John Wise. He also owned 1,000 acres lying between Onancock Creek and Matchatank; another large estate on the seaside at Wallops; and much property elsewhere. His first wife died shortly after the birth of their two daughters. In 1678, William married Mary, the widow of John Renny. William Anderson was a Justice of the Peace, an ardent Royalist, and an Anglican. In his will dated July 23, 1698, and probated at Accomack County, Virginia on October 04, 1698, he named Edmund Custis as his executor. He was buried on his estate at Pocomoke. [Bowen, Rev. L. P., "The Days of Makemie," pages 29, 42-43, 192, 298, 302-303].

Birth

William was born in 1645 at Pocomoke Neck, Acc Co, VA.

Parents

Father Garrett Anderson I b. c 1598, d. 1648

Mother Amey Anderson b. 1614, d. 10 Apr 1678

Family

Family 1

Mary [14] Wise b. c 1649, d. b 1678

Marriage*Circa 1667

He married Mary Wise, daughter of Col. John Wise Sr. and Hannah [6] Scarburgh, circa 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. The proof that William Anderson's first wife Mary was a daughter of Col. John Wise is based on the fact Col. Wise named both of William Anderson's daughters, Naomi and Comfort, as granddaughters in his will of 21 Oct 1693. William Anderson's 2nd wife Mary, widow of John Renny, wrote her will in 1703. So she was alive when John Wise wrote his will and would have been named in his will if she had been his daughter, but instead, he named his granddaughters Naomi & Comfort, implying that their mother was dec'd..6 

Children 

1. Naomi [41] Anderson+ b. c 1667, d. a 27 Sep 1728

2. Comfort [42] Anderson+ b. 22 May 1669, d. b 31 May 1743

Family 2

Mary (-----) b. c 1645, d. b 7 Dec 1703

Marriage* October 1678

He married Mary (-----) in October 1678 at Accomack Co, VA. On 17 Dec 1678 in Accomack Court it was recorded that Mr. Wm. Anderson, who had married Mary (the widow of administratress of Mr. John Reny), proved that Wm. Wallis (dec'd) owed 370 lbs tobacco to Anderson in the right of his wife. Also on this date Mr. William Anderson, who married the widow of John Renny, declared that Renny (during his lifetime) had sold William Wallis (now also deceased) 200 acres on ths south side of the Pokomoke River. Anderson's wife alleged that she had not consented to the sale of her right of dower or thirds and had not signed any relinquishment. Ordered that the sheriff divide the land and give Anderson the thirds in the right of his wife after the next court, when it would be determined if she had relinquished her right or not..7 

Death

before 4 October 1698

William died before 4 October 1698 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that his will was probated..9 

Notes

On 16 Jul 1663

in Accomack Court William Anderson, aged about 18 years, gave a deposition that the heifer that John Rogers accepted was coal black with only a little white on the udder and tail. Signed Will. Anderson..3 

Anecdote* 6 November 1648

After his father died in 1648, his mother Amey named her 4 children viz: Garrett, Amey, William & Elizabeth Anderson in a deed of gift.2 

Anecdote 1660

In 1660 Amy Waddelowe, widow of Nicholas, sold the whole 400 aces of tract N80 that had been patented by her husband Garrett Anderson in 1640, to Richard Hinman. How she obtained a fee-simple title is not clear, in view of the fact that a son William Anderson was still living to inherit, but it may be that he was under age and she was acting for him.4 

Land bought* 10 November 1663

William bought land on 10 November 1663 at Accomack Co, VA. It was on this date that Tabeteaby (was this Tapatiapon who was great Emperor of the Eastern Shore?) sold William Anderson 600 acres on the bay bordering Dr. George Hack's land. Singed Tabeteaby (W.) (NOTE: Anderson must have been buying land at age 18, as his deposition of July 1663 showed him as aged 18.)5 

Marriage* circa 1667

He married Mary [14] Wise, daughter of Col. John Wise Sr. and Hannah [6] Scarburgh, circa 1667 at Accomack Co, VA. The proof that William Anderson's first wife Mary was a daughter of Col. John Wise is based on the fact Col. Wise named both of William Anderson's daughters, Naomi and Comfort, as granddaughters in his will of 21 Oct 1693. William Anderson's 2nd wife Mary, widow of John Renny, wrote her will in 1703. So she was alive when John Wise wrote his will and would have been named in his will if she had been his daughter, but instead he named his granddaughters Naomi & Comfort, implying that their mother was dec'd..6 

Will - Mother's* 20 August 1678

William was named in his mother's will on 20 August 1678 at Accomack Co, VA. He was shown as my son William Anderson and named Extr. in the will of Amy Fowkes..1 

Marriage* October 1678

He married Mary (-----) in October 1678 at Accomack Co, VA. On 17 Dec 1678 in Accomack Court it was recorded that Mr. Wm. Anderson, who had married Mary (the widow of administratress of Mr. John Reny), proved that Wm. Wallis (dec'd) owed 370 lbs tobacco to Anderson in the right of his wife. Also on this date Mr. William Anderson, who married the widow of John Renny, declared that Renny (during his lifetime) had sold William Wallis (now also deceased) 200 acres on ths south side of the Pokomoke River. Anderson's wife alleged that she had not consented to the sale of her right of dower or thirds and had not signed any relinquishment. Ordered that the sheriff divide the land and give Anderson the thirds in the right of his wife after the next court, when it would be determined if she had relinquished her right or not..7 

Security on Admin*

20 June 1693

William Anderson (Burgess) was security on the administration of an estate on 20 June 1693 at Accomack Co, VA. On 21 Feb 1692/93 administration on the estate of Col. Daniel Jenifer was granted to Capt. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, son of said Col. Daniel, to take effect when he becomes 21, which will be 3 May next. Administration was granted 20 Jun 1693 with Capt. William Custis, William Anderson, William Parker of Matompkin & Edward Brotherton securities.8 

Will

23 July 1698

He made a WILL on 23 July 1698 at Accomack Co, VA.^[2]

In the Name of God Amen - I William Anderson of the County aforesaid being at present weake of body yet of good and perfect memory but considering ye certainty of a Change of this natural life and uncertainty of ye time or manner think fit for ye better Settling my Temporal affaires in this world to make and declare this my last & absolute Will and Testament Revokeing and making void all other by me heretofore made & every part thereof. Imprs -

My Soul I commend to my Creator Trusting through ye merits of my Blessed Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to enjoy Eternall Life my body I submit to fate hopeing itt may have a Decent Christian burial att discretion of my Excers hereafternamed.

Item (1) - It my will & desire yt my Execrs doe Convey and acknowledge ye sale of five hundred acres Land I have sold to William Smith or his assignes, itt being ye same whereon he now Liveth in Somersett County; and also in like mannr Convey and acknowledge to Richard Smal or to his assignes Two hundred and Fifty acres whereon Henry Rich Liveth in ye same County provided that he ye sd Smal or any one for him shall att his or their owne Charge Cause and Equal division to be made between that and two hundred and fifty acres more of the same divdent called Fookes Choice by having a Line runn Paralell to ye head Line from ye branch wch parteth sd 500 acres from William Smith aforesd according as was Intended between Samuel and Andrew Allexanders who some tyme Lived there.

Item (2) - I Will and bequeath unto Mr Francis Makemie and Naomi his wife my Eldest Daughter all my Lands at Matthatanck being one Thousand acres vizt 600 by patent in my name and 400 by purchase of Joseph Newton: To ye sd Makemie & his wife and ye heires of their or either of their bodyes Lawfully begotten for Ever, But for want of such who shall Live to full age to possess and Enjoy ye sd Land Then ye sd 1000 acres of Land shall revert unto my three Grand Daughters Elizabeth Naomie and Comfort Taylers the Daughters of Elias and Comfort Tayler and to their hereditable heires for ever I also Give unto sd Makemie all the money lent him in full of all or any accts may be between us upon Consignments or any other ways; and that he may have his Sloope with what may appertain to her at my death Likewise whatever my daughter Can claime as hers In my house &c without let or delay and all accts on both sides to be balanced he paying six pounds starl to my sister Barons and five ditto to Sister Hope & five ditto to Sister Nock and bestowing in education to ye value 50lb. on my 3 Granddaughters.

Item (3) - I give unto said Francis and Naomie his wife all my Plantation att Pocomoke qta nine hundred and fifty acres for and Dureing their or Either of their Naturall Lives. In remainder to ye Child or heire of my aforesd Daughter Naomie if such she have and its Hereditable issue for ever But for wont of such then to revert and descend to my Daughter (--) Comfort Tayler and to her heirs for ever my meaning is That if my Daughter Naomy should become Mother of more then one child The ye most worthy of blood to have Pocomoke and ye next to have Matthatanck but in case she die Childless, after her and husbands Naturall Lives on itt my other Grand daughters to have itt as Coeheires amongst them Giving them liberty to sell each of their parts of ye value to each other, the price of ye whole being valued by any three or four honest Neighbors may be made Choice of for that purpose to prevent Either In conveniences in Living to near each other or other Differences that may happen by unequallity in the value but not any one to have any power or authority to sell Give Lease lett or by any way proceed from my Loynes, but to my sd Grand Daughters and to their Lawfull and Hereitable heirs as aforesd for Ever Nevertheless it is my meaning and provided sd Makemies and the survivor of them if my Daughter Naomie have no issue.

Item (4) - I Give unto Mary my wife my land and Plantation att occocomson for and during her Natural Life if she will Live thereon, also four negro Slaves vizt. George, Mary, Sue and Toby itt is my desire my wife shall have her choice of one negro more during her Naturall Life with their Increase, but not to sell, Give, or any ways dispose of any of them which sd Slaves or ye Survivours or any of them shall Revert goe and descend to and amongst by Grand daughters aforesd but ye Land aforesaid shall descend and Revert in Remainder unto my Second Grand Son if any such by my Daughter Comfort and to his Hereditable Issue and Lineall heires for Ever butt in Case my Daughter Comfort Tayler have not a second son born of her body by what other name she may be called who may live to have Issue Then my occocomson Land to be equally devided amongst them as Coeheires,

but in Case my wife Mary shall again Intermarry Then to have and enjoy neither Land nor Slaves longer then one whole year after her marriage & then to be in ye possession of Elias Taylor or Comfort his wife &c For and to ye only use and behoofe of my Grand children to whome the same is given in Remainder But in Case my wife will not remove from Pocomoke Plantation then she to have ye old roome and her roome with the Chamber and cellar belonging to ye sd roome The horse Mill Well Copper Still and oven to be in Common for her private use and theirs who Else Live (---) in the other part of the house she also to have the use (-------) of the pasture next to Mr. Sandfords and ye orchards att Booths Plantacons with I Purchased of him, and one third of ye Keeping winter Apples att home, Continueing her widowhood, but if she marryeth then as above her interest to Cease, she to have ye use of the Land of that Plantacon whereon Gabriel Waters now Liveth to Live and plant on for her Naturall Life if marryeth and then Son Makemie to have ye use of all ye Land I have on the north side of the horse branch att occocomson to pant on or other waies until some one to whom it is Given to in Remainder hath occasion to make use of itt, the other Part whereon Thomas Jenkinson Liveth he is to enjoy as p his Lease and then Elias Taylor to have ye use of itt in Right of his Chidren.

Item (5) - All my Land att Sikes Island not already given to my Daughter Comfort being 350 acres (vizt) 150 purchased of Collo West and two hundred of ye marish and Hamocks I give to ye next daughter that my Daughter Comfort shall have if any shall be borne after this date and to her Lawfull Issue and heires proceedings from my Loynes for ever, my meaning is yt ye 3 Daughters (viz) Elizabeth, Naomy and Comfort being to have all my lands already disposed in reversion and remainder in Sikes Island aforesd but in ye mean Time Son Makemie to have the use of it to winter twenty head of Cattle yearly and Elias Tayler the Like number If they and my wife will joyne in ye charge to ditch and enclose ye same my wife to have liberty for like number of her owne Cattle Makemie may have ye use of my Land to plant on ye part I bought of Coll West viz 150 acres at north End and Elias Tayler that whereon Wm Stripe Liveth from wch it is my desire he should not be removed during his naturall Life if behaveth himselfe well, but if noe Such daughter born then ye said Land I give jointly amongst my 3 Grand daughters aforenamed to be in like manner as is already directed about Pocomoke Giving them Power to buy sell or Exchange with one another In Case of disagreement to be valued by Friends Indifferently Chosen but not to be Transferred out of the family, and if any one of my said Grand Daughters or their Husbands shall not Consent to and abide by such valueation and Payment as shall be done and made by three neighbors to be Chosen by any two of my sd Granddaughters or theirs the dissatisfied party for her or his part thereof to be for Ever debarred and excluded for avoiding Controversies &c any Guilt or promise to ye contrary notwithstanding to any lands hereby given In Joynt Tenancy amongst them.

Item (6) - my Lotts being three att onancok Towne I give unto Mr Francis Makemie and his heirs and assignes for Ever.

Item (7) - I give and bequeath unto my nephew and God Son Anderson Parker Foure hundred acres Land I have a Pungoteage adjoining to ye Land of Late Henry Reeds on ye south eastern part whereof Richard Jones late lived to ye said Anderson and the heirs of his body Lawfully begotten for Ever but for want of such in Remainder to Thomas Parker and his in like manner for Ever and in Remainder to Mathew Parker & his heirs for ever. In Consideration of Mr Samuel Sandford making a release to me and my heires &c for Ever of any Claime from him or his or any other Person Claiming title from by or under him or his to any part of the marrish Contiguous to Sickes Island That is to say from ye head of a long Gutt runns out of ye bay or ye Easterne or northeastern End of ye sd Island nearest to ye woodland being where a fence hath been made and from ye sd head of the sd Gutt upon a Course southward to ye head of a Gutt Coming out of Mosongo bay called back Creek near to a Single cedar which Course I designe to have a ditch Cutt for Incloseing ye sd Sickes Island and Hamocks I say yt upon sd Sandfords Soe doeing Either by Will or Deed Executed in his Life tyme wch he hath promised to doe shall release and disclaime all ye marrish to ye westward of ye said two Gutts and nearest and directest Course from one to ye other, That then I doe Release and make over to him ye sd Samuel Sandford his heires and assignes for Ever all my right title and Interest of in & to twenty six acres of marrish by ye same more or Less which I have at ye mouth of Crooked Creek and is adjacent to Sd Sandfords and Jno Evans Land and upon ye aforesd Compliance and Consideracon I doe hereby Imprower my Execrs hereafter Named to Ratyfye and Confirme ye same.

Item (8) - I Give and bequeath to my Daughter Naome Makemie four negro Slaves vizt) Dollar, Hannah ye Elder, Darkish, young Sarah

Item (9) - I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Comfort Tayler four negro salves vizt Guy old Sarah Nanny, and Marys son George.

Item (10) - I Give and bequeath my three Grand Daughters Namely Elizabeth Naomy and Comfort Taylers three negro Girles vizt Bab Jenny & young Sue In joint Interest amongst ye sd 3 Grand daughters and each to have their Equal part of ye sd Slaves or Survivours of them and their Increase as said Grand daughters shall severally ye age of Eighteen years or marriage which may first happen in the meantime to be in their for possession.

Item (11) - I Give and bequeath unto my sister Comfort Scott what money Debts I have due to me in ye County of Sussex vizt from William Dyar Mr Pemberton and Henry Bownams Estate (I also acquit her of any debts or accounts to this date and not further she doeing ye Like to my Estate Bowmans Debt is £11:11:01 sterl Dyars is £9:06:00 and Pembertons £3 by bill and acct.

Item (12) - It is my will and desire that all widows (widow Lucas only Excepted) who are directly Indebted unto me be wholely discharged said debts but not if it be by Credit Given to other People.

Item (13) - Pro (----------) at Elias Tayler Released and Discharge my Estate of and from ye Remainder of a deed of Guift I made to Comfort his (---------) wife wch is not fully satisfied as yet Then it is my will & desire yt my said Daughter Comfort Tayler have one equall third part of my Personall Estate and debts, after all my Just debts and legacys are pd and satisfied ye other two thirds between my wife and Daughter Naomie.

Item (14) I give and bequeath unto my Nephew William Hope son of George and Temperance Hope two hundred and fifty acres of Land att ye forked Neck on ye dead of Pit's Creek in Sumerset County being ye halfe of 500 acres Called Fookes Choice Henry Rich Living on ye other halfe of ye said Devident to the said William and his heirs and assigns for Ever being ye Southermost part of sd 500 acres Land (------) Noate yt what I have ordained to be given to my Daughter Comfort Taylor I doe hereby Impower my Friends and Exectrs and desires them to take bond of Elias Tayler her Husband yt both slaves and other part of my Estate That is be forth Comeing to them or any of them in Trust for ye sd Comfort and not att ye disposeing of ye said Elias without aprobacon of my said Friends but properly to belonge to my said Daughter and at her disposeing notwithstanding her Coverture the sd Elias not to be possessed therewth this thought fitt and accordingly Required to be performed notwithstanding what is before menconed.

Item (15) I Release and Discharge Mr. Thomas Welbourn, Mr. Mathew Scarburgh and Wm. and Francis Benston Senr From whatever they or any of them are any wayes Indebted to me upon my own accot and Give Wm. Benston one of waring Suites of Apparel.

Item (16) I make Constitute ordain and appoint my Son in Law Mr Francis Makemie and my Daughter Naomie Makemie to be Joynt and Severall Execrs of this my last Will and Testament, desireing them to be Kind and assisting to my wife.

Item (17) - I Give my Nephew William Parker all my Smiths Tooles in his Custody also one Compleat suite of apparel to be delivered to him.

Item (18) It is my request Will and desire yt my Worthy Friends Mr. Edmund Custis Mr. Edward Moore Brother George Hope and Thomas Perry or any three of them Inventory appraise and devide my Estate of any Kind of moveables and debts amongst and between my wife and two Daughters and yt they doe as near as may besuite Each ones Conveniency therein as to ye furnishing or not disfurnishing of Roomes &c or in ye stock of Living Creatures as may be most Suitable, and I desire my said wife and Daughters and their Husbands to avoid Contentions and Law Suites, but if any differences should arise yt ye same be Composed and determined by my Friends before named and in Consideracon of their trouble and care therein: I give and bequeath unto sd Custis my Stoned horse Called Capt Sorrell and three pounds to buy himself a Beavour I give to Mr. Moore my Silver head Cane and five pounds sterl. I give unto George Hope my plush Saddle and best bridle and five pounds Sterl I give unto Thomas Perry my horse Murry a good Saddle and bridle and a Compleat suite of apparel his Choice of any I have as vest Coat britches shirt hatt shooes and stockings.

Finally - In Confirmacon of this my Last and absolute will and testament I the before named William Anderson doe hereunto sett my hand and affix my seale this twenty third day of July 1698. Signed: Wm Anderson ye seal Signed sealed & acknowledged by ye Testator in ye presence of us Wm Bloxham, Abraham Bancks, Sara 'M' Pritchet, Edmd Custis & Gervis Baggale.

This day being the 4th day of October anno Dom 1698 Mr William Bloxam Sarah Pritchet Mr Edmund Custis Mr Gervas Baggaly four of the witnesses to the Last Will and Testament of Mr William Anderson late deceased made oath in open Court of Accomack County that they saw he same sealed delivered and Published as the Act and Deed of ye Testator which the Court heave ordered to be put upon Record. Teste Jno Washbounre Cl Cur Recorded October ye 10th 1698 p me Jno Washbourne Cl Cur Com Accomack. To all to whome these Presents shall Come I John West of the County of Accomack in Virga. Gent. Send Greeting in our Lord God Everlasting Know ye that by verture of ye power and authority by his Excellcy Sr Edmd Andros Knt his Maties. Lt & Governr Genrll of Virga. His Comissn.

Under his hand and the seale of ye Colony bearing date the 18th day of February Anno Dom 1697/8 impowring me the said John West for ye greater ease of ye Inhabitants of this County to signe and seale all such Probats & adminis. as should be passed in Accomack County Cort and ye same to be effectuall to all intents & purposes and WHEREAS Mr William Anderson late of this County deceased did by his Last Will & Testamt in writeing ordaine & appoint his son in Law Mr. Francis Mackemie and his Daughter Naomy Makemie his joint and severall Executors of his said Last Will and Mr. Francis Makemie at a Cort held in Accomack County octobtr ye 4th. 1698 made humble sute to ye Cort that a Probat of ye said Will might be granted unto them for wch cause full power & Lawfull authority is hereby given and Granted to ye aforenamed Executrs for to despose of all & singular ye Goods Rights & Credits of ye said decd (The widows thirds excepted being reserved to her by virtue of an order of Cort obtained by her on yt behalf bearing date in Accomack County aforesd octobr ye 4th 1698) according to ye true intent and meaning of ye sd Last Will & Testamt exprest & to render an accot thereof when thereunto Lawfully required Given under my hand & seale this 6th day of August 1698. Signed: John West. Recorded octobr ye 15th 1698 p me Jno Washbourne Cl Cur Com Accomk. (NOTE: It is not clear if the sisters were his full or half sisters, as they were not named in the will of his father, Garrett Anderson, in 1648, nor in his mother's will (then Amy Fowkes) in 1678.) 

Sources

1. ↑ Anderson, William - A112; died 1698, Accomack Co.: 1685-86, 1691-92, 1695-96 (Burgess). accessed 5 September 2021
2. ↑ Taken from Accomack County, VA, Wills &c, 1692-1715, Part 1, typed version, starting at bottom of p. 341 (p. 209 in original hand written version) Link to Will on Ancestry

See also:

• [S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 9 (will of Amy Fowkes).
• [S497] James Handley Marshall, Northampton Co, VA, Abstracts of Wills & Administrations, 1632-1802, p. 22 (will of Garrett Anderson, wife Amey, and subsequent deed of gift from the widow).
• [S696] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1663-1666, Volume 1, p. 30.
• [S572] Ralph T. Whitelaw, Virginia's Eastern Shore (A History of Northampton and Accomack Counties), p. 442 (tract N80).
• [S696] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1663-1666, Volume 1, p. 48.
• [S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 25 (will of John Wise Sr.).
• [S701] JoAnn Riley McKey, Accomack Co, VA, Court Order Abstracts, 1678-1682, Volume 6, p. 27.
• [S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 21 (adm of Col. Daniel Jenifer to Capt. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, son of said Col. Daniel Jenifer).
• [S570] Stratton Nottingham, Accomack Co, VA, Wills & Administrations, 1663-1800, p. 30 (will of William Anderson).

Source: MilesFiles 17.2 Descendants of William Anderson (Burgess at Jamestown) Descendants of Capt. Edmund Scarburgh (Burgess at Jamestown) Descendants of Col. John Wise (Gentlemen, Chesconessex)