Janean is right that William's (d 1712) only wife was Million Travers; probably the mention of "Elizabeth" as executrix either refers to their daughter or is an error. William and Million had 9 children, including Elizabeth b 26 Jan 1688/9. Janean is also right to caution against using abstracts alone. In particular, the attribution of the 1727 will is a glaring error. When I got hold of a photocopy of it, it was obvious to me that it is MILLION Downman's will, not another William's as Headley has it in his abstracts. I suspect that he read it in a hurry and wasn't expecting the given name Millan, which does look similar to William in an 18th-century hand. Men's wills are much more common than women's, anyway. A number of researchers have contorted the evidence of the abstracts to conjure up another William Downman in the sequence. He did not exist. Richmond Co., VA, Will Book 5, pp. 75-76, photocopy in possession of K. Much: "March 31: 1727. In the name of God amen. I Millan [sic] Downman of the County of Richmond and in the parrish of North Farnham being in perfect health and memory but considering the uncertainty of this life I do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, first: I give my soul into the hand of almighty God who gave it me and I Bequeath my body to the Earth to receive Christian Burial and as for the worldly goods God hath Blest me with I Bestow as followeth. I give unto my son Travers Downman four Negroes and their increase Mary, James, Anne, and Flora. I give them to him and his heirs for ever they are already received. Item I give unto my above said son one feather Bed and furniture if not received already. I lend unto my Daughter Priscilla Heale five negroes with their increase for the term of her life Dinah, King, Robin, Dick, and Hester, and I give the above said negroes and their increase unto the heirs Lawfully Begotten of her Body but for want of such heirs the above said negroes and increase shall return to my sons and Daughters or my next heirs at Law. Item I give unto my aforesaid Daughter tenn [?] sheep. Item I give unto my two grand sons William and Rawleigh sons of my son Rawleigh Downman the iith [?] part of that Estate left by my sister Elizabeth Wormley but the same shall remain in the hands of my two sons to be mannaged for their best advantage untill they come to twenty years of age and then they shall have it themselves. I lend unto my Daughter Elizabeth Downman During her life one Negroe Wooman and her increase and I give the above said Negroe to her heirs Lawfully Begotten of her body but for want of such heirs the above negroe and increase shall return to my sons or my next heirs at Law. I order as much of this Estate as I possess as will be four parts and each part made equall by men [?] to that part my Daughter Heale had which parts I give to be equally divided to my sons William Downman and Travers Downman and my two Daughters Millian Glasscock and Elizabeth Downman each one taking their part by Lott. Item I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth one feather bed and furniture, and all the rest of my Estate I give to be equally Divided Between my two sons and my three Daughters William Downman and Travers Downman Millian Glasscock Elisabeth Downman and Priscilla Heale, after my Debts and Legacies paid I give all my wearing cloths to be eaqually Divided Between my three Daughters. Lastly I make and appoint my two sons to be whole and sole executors of this my Last Will and Testament. Signed seald and declared in presence of us. "The Eighth day of June 1727. William Glasscock, Tobias Phillips, and Caron Brannon in open court made oath that they are acquainted with the handwriting of Mrs: Million Downman Late Deceased, and that they do verily believe this Will was wrote by her, also William Downman Gent. made oath in court that he found this writing amongst the said Million Downman's papers and doth verily believe to be her own handwriting Whereupon on the motion of the said William Downman the same is ordered to be Recorded. Test. W: Beckwith Clk. Court." There was another William, the son of Million and William. He was born 1685 and died between 1739 and 1741. He married Anne Ball and had 7 children (Bill McCarty and I found no evidence that a Francis was among the children, as _The Chinn Book_ claims. We think Margaret Lewis misread "Travis" as "Francis". It was an alternate spelling of "Travers", William's mother's surname). Kathleen On Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 2:01 AM, Janean wrote: > > Ok I think I've figured it out...... Basically, Elizabeth is their > daughter. > Mom, Million was unable to come to court to administer the oath of her > husbands will when they wanted to prove it on May 7th 1712 so John Tarpley > and James Griffin went to her.... to administer the oath and they then made > a report thereof and returned that to court to be present at the next court > with the Will. THEN, on June 4, 1712 The Last Will and Testament of > WILLIAM DOWNEMAN, deced., was this proved in Court by the Oath of WILLIAM > ACKERS and WILLIAM GOAD and ordered to be recorded, and ELIZABETH DOWNEMAN, > the Executrix therein named having taken the Oath of an Exrx. before Capt. > JOHN TARPLEY and Mr. THOMAS GRIFFIN according to a former Order of this > Court, Probate of her Husband's Estate is accordingly granted her.. > > So basically she stepped in "the executrix therein named having taken the > oat before John Tarpley and Thomas Griffin..... according to a former > order. > I think there are some important words missing here... this is an > abstract... so not complete and taken out of context. > > Here are my notes on William Downman > > Downman, William. 23 May, 1711 - 4 June, 1712. Son Rawleigh, son Robert, > son > Travers, son William; daughter Million, daughter Elizabeth; son Glascock; > daughter Priscilla. > > > Downman, William. 8 June, 1727 - 21 March, 1728. Son Travers; daughter > Priscilla; grandsons William and Rawleigh, sons of son Rawleigh Downman; > sons William and Travers, and daughters Million Glasscock and Elizabeth > Downman and Priscilla Heale. > > William Downman, North Farnham Parish, Richmond Co., Will; 23 May 1711, 4 > Jun 1712 > son Rawleigh tract of land bought of Edward King called "Mt. Sion" and 250 > ac. bought of Charles Caleb; son Travers all the land I bought of Arthur > [Attey] in the forest of Moraticon; son William what moneys son Glascock > owes me for the millstones and what belongs to them; daus. Million, > Elizabeth, Priscilla; ex: wife; wits: Abraham Goad, William Ackers, William > Goad. > > So I think Elizabeth was named Executrix to stand in for her mother in > court > per a previous order of the Probate of Williams estate... I think the > wording is just confusing. > > A year later William Fox filed a complaint against the estate it appears > and > names John Tarpley..... Mrs. Million Downman and George Glasscock who > happened to be Millions' son-in-law. I think if you saw the whole will it > would make much more sense. > >

thank you !!   now running down this one   mm/Montreal     === 1713-1714  Richmond Co VA Order Book 6; Antient Press: (Page 138) Richmond County Court 2d of September 1713 - The Nuncupative Will of MARY PEACHEY, deced., was presented in Court by MRS. MARY TARPLEY, who made Oath thereto, and JOHN TARPLEY, Gent., upon Oath, that he wrote the same by the directions of the deced., and that at the time of takeing the said directions to the best of his Judgment she was in perfect sence and memory; whereupon it is admitted to Record. And at the motion of MRS. MARY TARPLEY and her performing what is usuall in such case, Certificate is granted her for obtaining Letters of Administration with the Will annext in due form - FRANCIS LUCAS, EDGCOMB SUGGITT, JAMES SUGGITT and GILES WEBB or any three of them are appointed sometime between this and the next Court to inventory and appraise all and singular the Estate of MRS. MARY PEACHEY, deced., as shall be presented to their view /the said Estate to be appraised in money and make report thereof to the next Court. WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE, Gent., or any other Justices of the Peace for this County, is requested to administer an Oath to the Appraisers for their true appraisment of the deced.'s Estate and also to MRS. MARY TARPLEY, the Admrx. with the Will annext, for her true discovery thereof. And it is further ordered that ye same p:sons appointed to appraise ye Estate, doe divide the same and make report thereof accordingly From: Kathleen Much <[email protected]> >To: [email protected] >Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 4:07 PM >Subject: Re: [VA-NORTHERN-NECK] William Downman d 1712 & Wife Elizabeth > >Janean is right that William's (d 1712) only wife was Million Travers; >probably the mention of "Elizabeth" as executrix either refers to their >daughter or is an error. William and Million had 9 children, including >Elizabeth b 26 Jan 1688/9. > >Janean is also right to caution against using abstracts alone. In >particular, the attribution of the 1727 will is a glaring error. When I got >hold of a photocopy of it, it was obvious to me that it is MILLION Downman's >will, not another William's as Headley has it in his abstracts. I suspect >that he read it in a hurry and wasn't expecting the given name Millan, which >does look similar to William in an 18th-century hand. Men's wills are much >more common than women's, anyway. > >A number of researchers have contorted the evidence of the abstracts to >conjure up another William Downman in the sequence. He did not exist. > >Richmond Co., VA, Will Book 5, pp. 75-76, photocopy in possession of K. >Much: "March 31: 1727. In the name of God amen. I Millan [sic] Downman of >the County of Richmond and in the parrish of North Farnham being in perfect >health and memory but considering the uncertainty of this life I do make >this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following, first: I give >my soul into the hand of almighty God who gave it me and I Bequeath my body >to the Earth to receive Christian Burial and as for the worldly goods God >hath Blest me with I Bestow as followeth. I give unto my son Travers Downman >four Negroes and their increase Mary, James, Anne, and Flora. I give them to >him and his heirs for ever they are already received. Item I give unto my >above said son one feather Bed and furniture if not received already. I lend >unto my Daughter Priscilla Heale five negroes with their increase for the >term of her life Dinah, King, Robin, Dick, and Hester, and I give the above >said negroes and their increase unto the heirs Lawfully Begotten of her Body >but for want of such heirs the above said negroes and increase shall return >to my sons and Daughters or my next heirs at Law. Item I give unto my >aforesaid Daughter tenn [?] sheep. Item I give unto my two grand sons >William and Rawleigh sons of my son Rawleigh Downman the iith [?] part of >that Estate left by my sister Elizabeth Wormley but the same shall remain in >the hands of my two sons to be mannaged for their best advantage untill they >come to twenty years of age and then they shall have it themselves. I lend >unto my Daughter Elizabeth Downman During her life one Negroe Wooman and her >increase and I give the above said Negroe to her heirs Lawfully Begotten of >her body but for want of such heirs the above negroe and increase shall >return to my sons or my next heirs at Law. I order as much of this Estate as >I possess as will be four parts and each part made equall by men [?] to that >part my Daughter Heale had which parts I give to be equally divided to my >sons William Downman and Travers Downman and my two Daughters Millian >Glasscock and Elizabeth Downman each one taking their part by Lott. Item I >give unto my Daughter Elizabeth one feather bed and furniture, and all the >rest of my Estate I give to be equally Divided Between my two sons and my >three Daughters William Downman and Travers Downman Millian Glasscock >Elisabeth Downman and Priscilla Heale, after my Debts and Legacies paid I >give all my wearing cloths to be eaqually Divided Between my three >Daughters. Lastly I make and appoint my two sons to be whole and sole >executors of this my Last Will and Testament. Signed seald and declared in >presence of us. >"The Eighth day of June 1727. William Glasscock, Tobias Phillips, and Caron >Brannon in open court made oath that they are acquainted with the >handwriting of Mrs: Million Downman Late Deceased, and that they do verily >believe this Will was wrote by her, also William Downman Gent. made oath in >court that he found this writing amongst the said Million Downman's papers >and doth verily believe to be her own handwriting Whereupon on the motion of >the said William Downman the same is ordered to be Recorded. Test. W: >Beckwith Clk. Court." > >There was another William, the son of Million and William. He was born 1685 >and died between 1739 and 1741. He married Anne Ball and had 7 children >(Bill McCarty and I found no evidence that a Francis was among the children, >as _The Chinn Book_ claims. We think Margaret Lewis misread "Travis" as >"Francis". It was an alternate spelling of "Travers", William's mother's >surname). > >Kathleen > >On Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 2:01 AM, Janean wrote: > >> >> Ok I think I've figured it out...... Basically, Elizabeth is their >> daughter. >> Mom, Million was unable to come to court to administer the oath of her >> husbands will when they wanted to prove it on May 7th 1712 so John Tarpley >> and James Griffin went to her.... to administer the oath and they then made >> a report thereof and returned that to court to be present at the next court >> with the Will.  THEN, on June 4, 1712  The Last Will and Testament of >> WILLIAM DOWNEMAN, deced., was this proved in Court by the Oath of WILLIAM >> ACKERS and WILLIAM GOAD and ordered to be recorded, and ELIZABETH DOWNEMAN, >> the Executrix therein named having taken the Oath of an Exrx. before Capt. >> JOHN TARPLEY and Mr. THOMAS GRIFFIN according to a former Order of this >> Court, Probate of her Husband's Estate is accordingly granted her.. >> >> So basically she stepped in "the executrix therein named having taken the >> oat before John Tarpley and Thomas Griffin..... according to a former >> order. >> I think there are some important words missing here... this is an >> abstract... so not complete and taken out of context. >> >> Here are my notes on William Downman >> >> Downman, William. 23 May, 1711 - 4 June, 1712. Son Rawleigh, son Robert, >> son >> Travers, son William; daughter Million, daughter Elizabeth; son Glascock; >> daughter Priscilla. >> >> >> Downman, William. 8 June, 1727 - 21 March, 1728. Son Travers; daughter >> Priscilla; grandsons William and Rawleigh, sons of son Rawleigh Downman; >> sons William and Travers, and daughters Million Glasscock and Elizabeth >> Downman and Priscilla Heale. >> >> William Downman, North Farnham Parish, Richmond Co., Will; 23 May 1711, 4 >> Jun 1712 >> son Rawleigh tract of land bought of Edward King called "Mt. Sion" and 250 >> ac. bought of Charles Caleb; son Travers all the land I bought of Arthur >> [Attey] in the forest of Moraticon; son William what moneys son Glascock >> owes me for the millstones and what belongs to them; daus. Million, >> Elizabeth, Priscilla; ex: wife; wits: Abraham Goad, William Ackers, William >> Goad. >> >> So I think Elizabeth was named Executrix to stand in for her mother in >> court >> per a previous order of the Probate of Williams estate... I think the >> wording is just confusing. >> >> A year later William Fox filed a complaint against the estate it appears >> and >> names John Tarpley..... Mrs. Million Downman and George Glasscock who >> happened to be Millions' son-in-law.  I think if you saw the whole will it >> would make much more sense. >> >> > >------------------------------- >To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message > > >

Thanks Kathleen for the information on the Downman family.   I understand that William Downman & Ann Ball (whom you mentioned in your post below) are the parents of Traverse Downman who married Grace Ball, daughter of George Ball & Grace Haynie.  Grace Ball had a sister named Sarah Ball who married Christopher Dameron (they are my ancestors -- Christopher Dameron was son of Bartholomew Dameron & Elizabeth Garlington).   Additionally, there was a sister named Harris Ball who also married a Downman.   Do you or anyone on this List know who Harris Ball married (see record transcription below mentioning "Harris Downman")? I believe Traverse Downman who married Grace Ball had a niece named Mildred Downman (daughter, I think of Robert Downman & Elizabeth Porteus) who married Thomas Ball, son of George Ball, Jr., (son of George Ball, Sr. & Grace Haynie).   Can you or anyone else confirm this is true?  A record below identifies Thomas Ball as "junior" thereby meaning there must have been an older Thomas Ball.   However, I'm not sure who that would be as I don't show any sons named Thomas for George Ball, Sr. & Grace Haynie.   Any ideas? I'm pasting a couple of records of interest below. Thanks! David Know all men by ye presents that we Traverse Downman and Grace his wife in the Parish of St. Stephens the county of Northumberland are held and firmly bound unto George Ball of the Parish of Wicomoco of the county aforesaid  in the full and just sum of 800 pounds Current Money of Virginia to be paid unto the said George Ball his heirs Executors & Administrators____ to the which payment ___ ____ ___ truly to be made and done we bind ourselves our heirs our Executors  and Administrators ___ firmly by these presents sealed with our own hand and dated this fifth day of October 1754. The condition of this above obligation is such that whereas the above bounded Traverse Downman and Grace his wife doth covenant and agree with the above said George Ball that for the natural love and affection that they have unto their children and other good causes they do agree that immediately after Death of the above said Traverse Downman and Grace his wife that one third part of the twelve Negros that came by the said Grace his wife viz. Frank, James, Abraham, Jane, Judy, ____, Dinah, Tabitha, Milly, _____, Emanuel, and Cloe and their future increase should be equally divided between Ann and Mary Downman daughters of the said Traverse and Grace his wife and the child or children that shall be hereafter be begot by the said Traverse in the body of the said Grace his wife and their children be in case the said Ann and Mary and the child or children that shall be hereafter be begot  by the said Traverse of the body of Grace his wife should all of them depart this life without leaving any child or children that then immediately after the death of the said Mary and Ann and the child or children if there should be any born as aforesaid that then ye said one third part of the aforesaid twelve Negros and their future increase should be immediately equally divided between George David & Joseph Ball and Harris Downman Brothers and Sisters to the said Grace and their Heirs.   Now know ye that if the said Traverse Downman and Grace his Wife their Heirs Executors and Administrators Ye shall well and truly in all things fulfill and keep the above said Condition and Agreement then that ye above obligation to be void and of non effect otherwise to be and remain in full force power and virtue. Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of Bartho Dameron                                                                                       Traverse Downman (seal) Ann Dameron (her mark)                                                                     Grace Downman (her mark) Grace Dameron (her mark) Source:  Northumberland County Record Book, Volume 3, , 1753-1756, Page 153-154. FHL Film #32673. Notes:  Bartholomew Dameron & Grace Dameron both mentioned in June 28, 1763 will of Christopher Dameron who married Sarah Ball.  Ann Dameron not mentioned; therefore, presume she may have died prior to the writing of the will.    Deed Book 10:   354-(533) Thomas Ball Jr & his wife Mildred of Amelia Co to Richard Lanier of Brunswick Co.   1 Aug 1771.   40 Pounds VA.   100 acres in St. Andrew Parish, joining Hugh Williams, sd Richard Lanier, James Quarles, Xpher Haskins, as by deeds from Joshua Draper & Sampson Caudle to sd John Caudle.   Wit:  Hugh Williams, Christ Dameron, Moses Quarles, James Quarles, Persons Anderson.    Source:  Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr., “Brunswick County, Virginia Deed Books, Volume 5, 1770-1775, p. 51”  Notes:  I believe this Thomas Ball, Jr. (why Jr.?) was son of George Ball, Jr. & grandson of George Ball, Sr.   I think his wife may have been Mildred Downman, daughter of Robert Downman & Elizabeth Porteus.   Christopher Dameron mentioned as witness was son of Bartholomew Dameron & Anne Morehead and a grandson to Christopher Dameron who married Sarah Ball. ________________________________ From: Kathleen Much <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sunday, September 11, 2011 3:07 PM Subject: Re: [VA-NORTHERN-NECK] William Downman d 1712 & Wife Elizabeth There was another William, the son of Million and William. He was born 1685 and died between 1739 and 1741. He married Anne Ball and had 7 children (Bill McCarty and I found no evidence that a Francis was among the children, as _The Chinn Book_ claims. We think Margaret Lewis misread "Travis" as "Francis". It was an alternate spelling of "Travers", William's mother's surname). Kathleen

David, I believe the name is TRAVERS, not TRAVERSE, though it may sometimes be transcribed that way. Craig On Sep 11, 2011, at 9:15 PM, DAVID BROWN wrote: > Thanks Kathleen for the information on the Downman family. I understand that William Downman & Ann Ball (whom you mentioned in your post below) are the parents of Traverse Downman who married Grace Ball, daughter of George Ball & Grace Haynie.