MECKLENBURG COUNTY, VIRGINIA VAUGHAN FAMILY Estimating the Birth Dates of the Daughters of William “T” Vaughan |
William “T’ Vaughan had six known daughters based upon his will. Five daughters were married when he made his will on 20 Mar 1785. The will gave their married names, but not the names of their husbands. None of the daughters had recorded marriage records. The last daughter Elizabeth appears to be unmarried at that time. In his Will, William required his children to sign a bond that his widow Mildridge could dispose of his land as she saw fit when she died. All of his children, except Milarson Overby or her husband, complied. It is from this bond dated 3 Sep 1787 and recorded in Deed Book 07.263 that we learn the names of the husbands of five of the daughters, but not when they were married. Here is the list of daughters and names of their respective husbands. Elizabeth and her husband Peter Overby Nancy “Ann” and her husband Richard Gregory Sarah “Sally” and her husband Ambrose Gregory, a son of Mildridge Mary “Molly” and her husband Winkfield Hayes Mildred “Millie” and her husband David Chandler Milarson (thought to be “Millicent”) and her husband who is not listed, but thought to be Zachariah Overby Now we are relegated to reviewing deeds, tax digests, census, wills and estates to find out more clues about when they might have married. Unfortunately, the clues for the most part just are not there. |
Elizabeth and her husband Peter Overby Peter is a very favored name in the Overby Clan. There are two candidates to be Elizabeth’s husband. The elder Peter Overby was b. by 1735 as evidenced by him witnessing a deed in 1756 in Lunenburg Co. (VA Lunenburg DB 04.472). The next eldest Peter was Peter Z. Vaughan, son of Zachariah Overby. The other Peter Overby, of which there are many are either too old or too young. Peter Overby, Sr. (1735-1814). His wife never released her dower rights in any deed. All we know is that he was m. to Ann when he made his will. He could have been married to Elizabeth Vaughan for a while, but that is speculation. Peter Z. Overby (1763-1824), son of Zachariah Overby was b. about 1763 based upon an initial tax digests appearance in 1784. He initially used the name Peter, Jr. and later adopted the name Peter Z. He was m. to Ann in 1804 (DB 12.018) and when he made his will in 1824. Likewise, he could have been married to Elizabeth Vaughan for a while, but that is speculation. Regardless of which Peter she m., we have nothing to estimate when she might have been born other than speculation. |
Nancy “Ann” and her husband Richard Gregory All we know , about the marriage of Richard Gregory and his wife Ann is that they were married as of 10 May 1784, when they sold property and she released her dower rights (Mecklenburg Deed Book 06.364). Richard first appears in Halifax Co., VA in 1764, which would indicate he was b. before 1743. That is consistent with his generally accepted birth year of 1735. He owned land in Mecklenburg and Halifax counties. As evidenced by tax digests, he left Mecklenburg Co., VA by 1782 and shows up in Washington Co. KY as of 1792. Richard died in 1817 in Washington Co. KY leaving a will naming his wife Anne Gregory (KY Wash’ton Will Book C.065). Richard’s estate was not closed out until 1849 (KY Wash’ton Will Book H.481). This generally means his widow was still alive for many years after he died. No one knows when Anne was born and when she was married. She was not likely to be the mother of Richard Gregory’s older children as she would have been over 100 years old when Richard’s estate was finally settled. Also, there is no evidence that Richard was the son of Mildridge Gregory. That assumption would push her birth date back too far, without having adequate sources to back it up. |
Sarah “Sally” and her husband Ambrose Gregory, a son of Mildridge Sarah Vaughan m. her step brother Ambrose Gregory. His first deed in Halifax Co. was in 1770 (Halifax DB 08.152) which indicates he was b. before 1749. He d. in 1830 and named Sarah in his 1826 will along with two daughters (Mecklenburg Will Book 12.297). Sarah never released dower in any deeds. There is nothing to indicate when she was b. and when she was married. |
Mary “Molly” and her husband Winkfield Hayes Winkfield Hayes was an adjacent land owner in 1778 (Mecklenburg, VA Deed Book 05.192), which indicates he was b. before 1757. There is nothing to indicate when she was b. and when she was married. |
Mildred “Millie” and her husband David Chandler Mildred is the one exception, and a remarkable one at that, of having no clue when she was born. She d. in 4 Jul 1861 at the age of 107 years old making her b. in about 1754. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/sources/M2Z5-DRJ |
Milarson, “Millicent” and her husband who Zachariah? Overby We know that Milarson m. an Overby. But there is no proof that she m. Zachariah Overby. There were many Overby that could be alternate candidates. Her alleged son William Vaughan Overby is said to have been born in 1768, but there is no proof Zachariah is his father. This proof has faulty circular logic. |
In Conclusion There is no proof of the birth dates or the marriage dates of any of the daughters of William “T” Vaughan, except (1) Mildred Vaughan, was born abt. 1754; and (2) Nancy “Ann” was married as of 10 May 1784. It is hinted that she was more likely “younger” rather than “older”. Richard Gregory died in 1817. His estate was held open until the death of his wife. It was not finally settled until 1849. |
Compiled By: David H. Robertson, 159 Hickory St., Roswell, GA 30075 davidhr@hushmail.com |