David Williams1

#1031, (circa 1734 - 1800)
Relationship3rd great-grandfather of Nelle Belle Bridges

Family

Sarah Denton b. s 1739, d. 1831
Child 1.William D Williams+8 (1760 - 1846)
Had 10 sons and 1 dau.2 
Birth*circa 1734He was born circa 1734 at WalesG.3 
between 1755 and 1774Ten sons and one daughter between 1755 and 1774.4 
Marriage*27 November 1759He married Sarah Denton, daughter of Robert Denton and Jane Moon, on 27 November 1759 at VirginiaG.4,1 
16 October 1777In Robert Denton's will dated 16 October 1777 at Hampshire (now Hardy) Co., Virginia (now West Virginia)G, David Williams was named as an heir, 5s as an acknowlegement;
Be it remembered that on the sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven 1777, I, Robert Denten [sic] of Hampshire County in the colony of Virginia, yoeman [sic], being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to god [sic], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jacob Denton['s] oldest son Robert Denten the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds good and lawful money of Virginia to be paid at my beloved wife's decease, if the said Robert should become of age of twenty one years, but not to be paid till he comes to that age [see note in typescript below-VWH].
Item, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife one full third part of my moveable estate to her own proper use for ever.
Iem, I give and bequeath unto my oldest son Jacob Denten a certain track [sic] of land containing eighty [inserted "eight'] acres that lies joying [sic] his own plantation to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my second son, John Denton, one negro boy two year old next May. The boys name is Gilburd, to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my third son, Thomas Denten, the sum of five shilings as [inserted "an"] acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequ acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
Item[sic] Jacob Denton and John Denton, and my son-in-law Joel Robinson all the remaining part of my moveable estate to be equally divided amongst them and theirs [sic] heirs, but to be continued on the place and not divided till after my beloved wife's decease.
Item, I do hereby constitute, make, and ordain my loveing sons Jacob Denten and Joel Robinson my only and sole Executors of this, my last will and testament and I do hereby verily disallow, revoke, and disanull all and every [inserted "other"] former testament, wills, legacies and Executors by me in any ways before this time named, willed, and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
[note in typescript] ["]but not to be paid till he comes to that age["] was interlined before sealing and delivery.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
the presents of us the subscribers.
Stephen Ruddell
John McNeer
George Claypool

[Note on the editing in the second paragraph of "my son Jacob Denton['s].5 oldest son Robert Denten," adding the possessive. The will in the records is a typewritten copy and the original has not been viewed. This is the only reading that makes sense. Additionally, Robert is said to be a minor. Early Records of Hampshire County Virginia (Sage and Combs, privately published 1939), on p. 113, has an abstract of the will which also states that Robert was the son of Jacob - VWH] 
Probate18 April 1789He was listed as a beneficiary in Jane Moon's probate distribution on 18 April 1789 at Hardy Co., Virginia (now West Virginia)G; (distribution). "At a Court held for Hardy County the 18th day of April 1789. This Account Current of the Estate of Jane Denton Deceased was rended into court and the same being examined and Approved as Ordered to be Recorded By the Court."6 
Death*1800He died in 1800 at North CarolinaG.7 
ChartsAncestors of Nelle Belle Bridges

Citations

  1. [S2077] Walter C Krumm, "Descendants of the Rev. Richard Denton", The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vols. 120-122 (1989-1991): Vol. 122, pp. 217-219.
  2. [S236] Brant and Fuller, History of Vanderburgh County Indiana from the earliest times to the present (Madison, WI: Brant and Fuller, 1889), p. 618.
  3. [S236] Brant and Fuller, History of Vanderburgh County (BF).
  4. [S236] Brant and Fuller, History of Vanderburgh County (BF), pp. 617-19, entry for Rachel H. Purdue: "Daniel Williams, a native of Wales, immigrated to the United States before the revolutionary war, and made his home in Virginia. Here he was married to a Miss Denton. They raised a family of eleven children, ten sons and one daughter."
  5. [S2075] West Virginia, Hampshire Co. Wills 1756-1970, FHL 815334 - 815343, online FamilySearch.org, Vol. 1, pp. 14-15, Film 815334, img. 28/394. No. 11, typescript of Robert Denten's [corrected to Denton] Will.
    Be it remembered that on the sixteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven 1777, I, Robert Denten [sic] of Hampshire County in the colony of Virginia, yoeman [sic], being very sick and weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to god [sic], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jacob Denton oldest son Robert Denten the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds good and lawful money of Virginia to be paid at my beloved wife's decease, if the said Robert should become of age of twenty one years, but not to be paid till he comes to that age ], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jaco], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and benifit of the plantation, which I now lives on, during her natural life or she continues my widow and after her death or marriage to goe to my son-in-law, Joel Robinson, unto him, his heirs, and assigns forever, the said Joel Robinson to pay unto my son Jacob Denton oldest son Robert Denten the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds good and lawful money of Virginia to be paid at my beloved wife's decease, if the said Robert should become of age of twenty one years, but not to be paid till he comes to that age ], therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like, decent manner at the discretion of Executors and for any such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to Bless me with in this life I give and devise, and depose of the same in the following manner and form:
    Imprimis, It is my will and I do order that in the first place all my last debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto Jane Denten, my dearly beloved wife, the use and beni[see note in typescript below-VWH].
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife one full third part of my moveable estate to her own proper use for ever.
    Iem, I give and bequeath unto my oldest son Jacob Denten a certain track [sic] of land containing eighty [inserted "eight'] acres that lies joying [sic] his own plantation to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my second son, John Denton, one negro boy two year old next May. The boys name is Gilburd, to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my third son, Thomas Denten, the sum of five shilings as [inserted "an"] acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequ acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, John Crow, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item, I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, David Williams, the sum of five shilings as an acknowledgement.
    Item[sic] Jacob Denton and John Denton, and my son-in-law Joel Robinson all the remaining part of my moveable estate to be equally divided amongst them and theirs [sic] heirs, but to be continued on the place and not divided till after my beloved wife's decease.
    Item, I do hereby constitute, make, and ordain my loveing sons Jacob Denten and Joel Robinson my only and sole Executors of this, my last will and testament and I do hereby verily disallow, revoke, and disanull all and every [inserted "other"] former testament, wills, legacies and Executors by me in any ways before this time named, willed, and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
    [note in typescript] ["]but not to be paid till he comes to that age["] was interlined before sealing and delivery.

    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
    Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
    the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
    the presents of us the subscribers.
    Stephen Ruddell
    John McNeer
    George Claypool

    At a Court held for Hampshire County the 12th day of May, 1778, this last will and testament of Robert denten
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
    Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
    the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
    the p
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
    Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by Robert RD Denton (Seal)
    the said Robert Denton as his last will and testament in
    the presents of us the subscribers.
    Stephen Ruddell
    John McNeer
    George Claypool

    At a Court held for Hampshire County the 12th day of May, 1778, this last will and testament of Robert denten
    In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day an[sic], deceased, was presented in Court by Jacob Denten and Joel Robinson the Executors therein named, proved by the oaths of witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of the said Executors, who made oath according to law, certificate is granted them for obtaining a probate thereof in due form, giving security, whereupon they together with Stephen Ruddell and John McNees their securities entered and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of two thousand pounds for their due and faithful administration of the said decedent's estate and performance of his will.
    Test Gabriel Jones Cl. Cur.
  6. [S2076] West Virginia, Hardy Co. Wills 1786-1970, online FamilySearch.org, Will Book No. 1, pp. 31-32, img. 22/242. Distributions to David Williams, Joel Robinson, John Crow, Thomas Denton and Jacob Denton (John Denton not mentioned); also for digging the grave, to the sheriff for taxes, paying the appraisers, to the Executor "for his troubles", tax on the executorship.
  7. [S232] Wintz-Muller, Bitter-Relleke, Miller-Stanton, Davenport-Wathen, Sharon Miller Sheridan (SSheridan5638), owner, online Ancestry.com.
  8. [S236] Brant and Fuller, History of Vanderburgh County (BF), pp. 617-19, entry for Rachel H. Purdue: "Daniel Williams, a native of Wales, immigrated to the United States before the revolutionary war, and made his home in Virginia. Here he was married to a Miss Denton. They raised a family of eleven children, ten sons and one daughter. One of these sons, William D., was born March 30, 1760."