Winifred (Lindsey) Durham (abt. 1727 - abt. 1769)

Born about 1727 in Brunswick, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of George G. Durham — married 1738 in Brunswick, Colony of Virginia

Descendants

Died about 1769 at about age 42 in Brunswick, Virginia

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Biography

Winifred was born around 1727 probably in Brunswick County, Virginia to William Lindsey of Wild Cat Creek and his wife Jane. She is believed to have died about 1769 in Brunswick County.

She married George Durham, probably about 1744. They had eight children:^[1]

• Humphrey
• James
• John
• Margaret, m. —— Holcombe
• Ruth
• Rebecca
• Elizabeth
• Clarissa

Parents

Winifred's parents have been highly debated. However, researcher Robin Rankin Willis has done an in-depth analysis of the various William Lindseys in Brunswick, Virginia and concluded that Winifred is the "unproved, but highly probable daughter" of the William Lindsey who lived at Wild Cat Creek and who was married to a woman named Jane between 1750–1757.^[2] Winifred has been re-connected to parents William Lindsey and Jane Chew based on Willis' excellent work.

Willis' work clearly separates William #1 who moved to North Carolina, William #2 of Wild Cat Creek (William Lindsey) and William #3 of New Kent. William #2 had a wife named Jane (at least 1750 through 1757); William #1 was married to a woman named Mary during this time. Then she places a George Durham in the life and neighborhood of the William of Wild Cat Creek.

On 24 March 1755, William Lindsay of Brunswick County deeded 100 acres each (in exchange for £10) to Caleb Lindsay and to James Lindsay, who are his knowns sons. These deeds are witnessed by Caleb and James, Phillemon Bowers, and George Durham.^[3] On the same day, William deeds 125 acres to George Durham for five shillings (the gift deed price), and the deed is witnessed by Phillemon Bowers, James Lindsay, and Caleb Lindsay.^[3] Giving land to George Durham on the same day that he transfers land to his sons suggests that George is married to a daughter of William.

George Durham certainly married a woman named Winifred, as she is mentioned in his will and named executor. George's will was witnessed by a James Lindsey, who also provided security to the executors.^[4] The will also mentions George and Winifred's son, James Lindsey Durham. Willis notes that "Winnie was definitely neé Lindsey."^[2]

Abstract of George's will by Robin Rankin Willis:

Will of George Durham of St. Andrews Parish, Brunswick, dated 23 Aug 1766 proved 23 Feb 1767. 182A on branches of Great Cr. adj Col. Nicholas Edmunds et al., sell to pay debts. Son James Lindsey Durham, land & plantation where I now live. Son Humphry Durham, mare, saddle, cow & calf. Son John, my gun, cow & calf. Daughter Margret Halcombe, heifer.

After death of wife, rest of estate to be divided among four youngest daughters; money left over from paying my debts used to school four youngest children. Executors wife Winnifred Durham, son Humphrey Durham. Witnesses James Lindsey, John Halcombe, Thomas Halcombe (x). Execs qualified w/Thomas Holcombe & James Lindsey, securities.

On 27 Oct 1777, James Lindsey Durham along with James Lindsey and wife Mary Lindsey are joint grantors in a sale of a tract of land on Wild Cat Creek to Aaron Haskns.^[5] Given that they both co-own land and share a name, it seems extremely likely that James Lindsey Durham and James Lindsey are related. The location of the land on Wild Cat Creek suggests that this James Lindsey is the same one known to be a son of William Lindsey #2.

Research Notes

The widely referred to "transcription" of her husband George's will at Durham Heritage^[6] has conflicts with Robin Rankin Willis' abstract that she refers to "Three William Lindseys of Brunswick."^[7] One notable issue was whether the will referred to his "five youngest" or "four youngest" daughters. The digitized microfilm is now publicly available at FamilySearch for all researchers. It clearly refers to four youngest daughters.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Will of George G. Durham, submitted for probate, signed 23 August 1766, submitted for probate 23 Feb 1767, Brunswick County, Virginia, Will Book 3, p. 470–71, FS film #007644010, image 540 of 577, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89PH-SNSM?i=539&cat=275016, original at Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Robin Rankin Willis, "Three William Lindseys of Brunswick County in the mid-1700s"
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} Willis, Original of Brunswick Deed Book 5: 704, 705, 707.
4. ↑ Willis, Original of Willbook 3: 470, Brunswick, Virginia
5. ↑ WIllis, Original of Brunswick Deed Book 13: 4
6. ↑ Transcription of Will of George Durham of 13 Aug 1766, http://www.durhamheritage.com/GeorgeGDurham-WinifredLindsey/b489.html#P520.
7. ↑ http://digupdeadrelatives.com/2016/05/28/three-william-lindseys-of-brunswick-co-va-in-the-mid-1700s/

See also:

• Descendants of Sir Jerome Lindsey part 1
• Brunswick County, Virginia Will Book No. 3, 1751–1761, 1765– 1769, pp. 470-471, microfilm (reel 20), Library of Virginia, 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, Virginia 23219-8000

Acknowledgements

• Thanks to Robin Rankin Willis for the research and verifiable sources within this profile, published at her site.