This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Epps, Eppes, Epes, Gates Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/BOY.2ACIB/1354 Message Board Post: I wonder what other researchers think about the common statement in compiled genealogies that Susannah Epps (b.c. 1707), wife of William Gates of Henrico and Chesterfield counties, VA, was a daughter of Mary Green (b.c. 1677) and Edward Epps (b.c. 1656), son of Mary Kent (b.c. 1626) and John Epps (b.c. 1622). I am skeptical that Susannah's father was Edward. The difference between their ages is unusually large, which could be explained by Edward having a large family and Susannah being born later in the group--but I've only seen four children associated with Edward. And it seems that Susannah's husband and her brother--Lewis Epps--were more closely associated with the Henrico County Epps--i.e., descendants of Francis Epps (b.c. 1626)--brother of John Epps (b.c. 1622)--and Francis Epps (b.c. 1659) and Ann Isham. Susannah's husband, William Gates, died in 1750 (he signed his will March 13, 1750). Their son, William Gates Jr., died in 1760. William Gates Jr.'s will (combined with other facts) reveals that Susannah's maiden name was Epps, because he named his cousin, William Epps. It also shows that one of Susannah's brothers married someone named Lucy. Will of William Gates [Jr.] of Dale Parish, Chesterfield County, VA, May 30, 1760. To brother, James Gates, all my land, carpenter's tools, trooper's arms, and all my pewter. To sister, Mary, feather bed. To brothers and sisters, Edward Gates, Elizabeth Cheatham, and Lucy, each 30 shillings. To cousin, William Eppes, son of Lucy Eppes, 10 shillings. To Eppes Cheatham, son of Elizabeth Cheatham, 10 shillings. To Benjamin Cheatham, son of Joel and Elizabeth Cheatham, 10 shillings. To my loving mother, 5 pounds. Rest divided between my brothers and sisters. Witnessed by Benjamin Cheatham and Lucy Gates. [Benjamin B. Weisiger III, editor, "Chesterfield County, VA, Wills: 1749-1774," p. 40-41] The following court record reveals that Susannah had a brother named Lewis. February Court 1745. Anne Eppes, orphan of Lewis Eppes, dec'd, chose Wm. Gates, her guardian, with Peter Gill and Ralph Jackson, securities. [Benjamin B. Weisiger III, "Colonial Wills of Henrico Co, VA, Part Two 1731-1781, with Addenda," (1991), p. 35] The will of George Archer reveals that Lewis Epps married Blanch Archer. Will of George Archer, Sr. of Bristol Parish, Henrico Co., VA, signed 15 Oct 1729, proven Dec 1731. Heirs and Others Mentioned: Son-in-law: Lewis Epes Son: George, and his sons George & Peter Daughter: Blanche Epes Relationship not stated: Mary Basford Daughter: Judith Traylor Daughter: Elizabeth Granger Daughter: Margery Cousins Daughter: Mary Worsham Relationship not stated: William Worsham [married daughter Mary] Witnesses: Henry Royall, John Bevill, Peter Ragsdale [Henrico Co. Wills & Deeds, 1725-1737, Page 320] George Archer was closely associated with the families of Worsham, Royall, and Bevill--who were all closely associated with the family of Francis Epps and Ann Isham. The following details raise the question of whether William Epps (whose widow married a widower of a daughter of George Archer) was a brother of Lewis and Susannah. 1. George Archer, m. Mary Bevill. George died in 1738 and Mary married 2nd Henry Royall. 2. William Archer, m. Ann ____. William died in Chesterfield County, VA, before 2 Mar 1751. William inherited properties called "Stoney Creek" and "Winterpock" from his father. He and Ann conveyed property in Henrico County to William Gates via a deed admitted to record at the June Court 1742. [Henrico County, VA, Court Order Book: 1737-____ p. 185] 3. Blanch Archer, m. Lewis Epes. Blanch had five children and died. Lewis married 2nd Lucy ____. Lewis died before Feb 1746, when his daughter Ann Epes chose William Gates to be her guardian. [Henrico County, VA, Court Order Book, 1737-____ p. 363] 4. Judith Archer, m. William Trayler. William died before Dec 1753. 5. Elizabeth Archer, m. Joseph Granger. Joseph died before 20 Jun 1740. 6. Margery Archer, m. Charles Cousins. Charles died before 3 May 1754. 7. Mary Archer, m. William Worsham, son of John Worsham, son of William Worsham and Elizabeth Littlebury (Epes). After Mary's death, William married 2nd Lucy Hamlin (daughter of John Hamlin and Elizabeth Taylor), widow of William Epes. William Epes died before 8 Sep 1725, when Lucy made an administrator's bond--Signed by Francis Epes and William Hamlin. [Henrico County, VA, Miscellaneous Records: 1650-1807, p. 613] Lucy and William presented estate accounts in May 1734. [Henrico County, VA, Deeds and Wills: 1724-1737, p. 440] Elizabeth, daughter of William Epes and Lucy Hamlin, married Edward Osborn III before 5 Feb 1739. [Henrico County, VA, Court Order Book: 1737-____ p. 64] So, was the Lucy Epes, mentioned in the will of William Gates Jr., the widow of William Epps? If so, would it be usual for William Gates Jr. to refer to her using her Epes married name rather than her new married name of Worsham? Some have suggested that Lewis Epps remarried a Lucy ____ after the death of Blanch Archer. If so, was Lewis' second wife the mother of some of his children--i.e. of William Epps who was named in the will of William Gates Jr. Also, the following abstracts of Gates and Epps grants and deeds suggest that William Gates lived near Francis Epps and Ann Isham. 27 Oct 1673, Francis Epes, 927 acres, Swift Creek on north side of Appomattox River. [VPB 6:480;3] 24 Apr 1703, Capt. Francis Epes & Isham, 4000 acres, north side of Appomattox River below mouth of Wintopock Creek. [VPB 9:540;1] 31 Oct 1716, Francis Epes, 311 acres, Old Town Run granted to James Cocke. [VPB 10:301;4] 31 Oct 1716, Francis Epes Jr, 690 acres, branch of Col Francis Epes' Wintopock Survey on north side of Appomattox River. [VPB 10:301;3] 22 Jan 1717, Francis Epes, 1790 acres, south side of Swift Creek. [VPB 10:346;1] 22 Jan 1717, Francis Epes, 1000 acres, mouth of Nooneing Creek on north side of Appomattox River. [VPB 10:345;3] 22 Jan 1717, Francis Epes Jr, 285 acres, north side of Swift Creek. [VPB 10:346;2] 9 Jul 1724, Col. Francis Epes, 9 Jul 1724, 1000 acres, by Wintopock on north side of Appomattox River. [VPB 12:1;1] 13 Oct 1727, Col. Francis Epes, 2350 acres, adjoining Maj. William Kennon, mouth of Skin Quarter Creek, north side of Appomattox River. [VPB 13:193;1] 28 Feb 1733, Francis Eppes, 5000 acres, north side of Appomattox River to mouth of Skin Quarter Creek. [VPB 15:172;1] 25 May 1734, Francis Eppes, 400 acres, Ephraim Liles Branch on south side of Swift Creek. [VPB 15:207;3] 1 Aug 1745, James Gates, 382 acres, east side of Skin Quarter Creek, adjoining Thomas Bass, Horsepen Branch. [VPB 23:1025;1] 1 Aug 1745, William Gates, 400 acres, adjoining Thomas Bass and James Gates. [VPB 23:1031;1] 20 Aug 1745, William Gates, 205 acres, adjoining William Gates and Richard Sims. [VPB 22:462;1] 1 Jun 1750, Richard Belsha, 370 acres, adjoining William Gates, John Cammel, John Skelton, on south side of Skin Quarter Creek to branch at Indian Cabins. [VPB 30:134;_] Other William Gates Land Grants--I don't know for certain that these records refer to the same individual described above. 1 Aug 1734, William Gates, 400 acres, Prince George County--south side of Appomattox River, adjoining Abraham Echols. [VPB 15:243;_] 5 Jun 1736, William Austin, 296 acres, Amelia County--adjoining Abraham Echols, Joseph Echols, William Gates, near head of Pruit's Creek. [VPB 17:65;_] 13 Oct 1736, William Evans, 300 acres, Amelia County--both sides of Pruit's Creek, adjoining William Hendrick, William Austin, William Gates. [VPB 17:205,_] If anyone can provide evidence regarding the parents of Susannah Epps, I would be grateful. Looking at the above records and thinking about what makes sense from a chronological perspective, I wonder if Susannah, Lewis, and William were children of William Epps (b.c. 1682), son of Francis Epps (b.c. 1659) and Ann Isham? Shawn Potter